BUSH FRUIT PRODUCTION 



the bush thinned out to favor the production 

 of new shoots, and each year cut back about 

 one-third of those remaining to stumps. This 

 insures a constant supply of new and vigorous 

 wood, and leaves no branches or canes more 

 than three years old. 



For the production of extra fancy berries 

 some additional thinning of the fruit buds on 

 lateral branches is desirable. The fruit buds 

 are the large plump buds near the ends of the 

 last season's growth, and they should be re- 

 duced to three or four by cutting back the 

 shoot. Strong new shoots do not need such 

 pruning. All pruning should be done during 

 the dormant season. 



Varieties 



The improved varieties of blueberries now 

 offered for sale are selections from a large 

 number of the best wild sorts obtainable, or 

 are the best varieties resulting from nearly 

 fifty thousand crosses between selected wild 

 varieties made under the direction of the Un- 

 ited States Department of Agriculture. 



It is likely that any wild blueberry, when 



brought into a favorable environment and 



given good culture, would respond with larger, 



finer fruit. Undoubtedly, however, these new 



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