Huckleberries or Blueberries 373 



bee. Self-pollination gives inferior results at best; some 

 plants are almost completely, sterile. Furthermore, every 

 plant propagated from a parent plant by any of the 

 methods indicated is essentially that same plant, so far as 

 this factor is concerned. This means that plants propa- 

 gated from more than one bush should be grown. When 

 we come to have varieties, it will not be wise to plant a 

 single variety alone. (See Fig. 55.) 



For field planting, in a commercial way, a distance of 

 eight feet apart, each way, is advised. As already indicated 

 growing the fruit for market should only be undertaken 

 where naturally favorable conditions prevail. The ideal 

 soil is thought to be a peat covering with sand subsoil. 

 The water-table should be at least a foot below the sur- 

 face during the growing season. Summer fallowing the 

 previous season, to destroy the wild growth, is advised 

 on untilled land. Surface cultivation as for other fruits is 

 to be given after planting. 



Probable returns 



The outcome of commercial huckleberry culture is 

 yet to be determined. Young plants bear little until 

 they are three or four years old, but are as long-lived 

 as apple trees. They will not need replanting during 

 one man's lifetime, and often reach a height of six to 

 eight feet in the open field. Coville cites an Indiana 

 plantation which was started in 1889 by setting unselected 

 wild plants in a natural bog. Records for a period of six 

 years show an average gross return of $243.44 an acre. 

 The average selling price of the fruit was 14 ^ cents a 

 quart. The cost of picking was 5 cents a quart. The 



