380 Bush-Fruits 



level or slightly rolling land, interspersed with lakes and 

 swamps, where the low blueberries spring up in great 

 abundance as soon as the land is burned over. The land 

 is valued at about $50 an acre and the average yield of 

 berries is about 60 bushels an acre. The fruit is gathered 

 with rakes similar to cranberry rakes, a man being able 

 to average about three bushels per day. During the pick- 

 ing season whole families move to the locality and live in 

 tents while employed in the berry fields. A number of 

 canneries are located in the vicinity to which the greater 

 part of the fruit goes. The land is usually burned over 

 every third year. This destroys the crop for that year 

 but greatly increases it for the two succeeding years. 



In this region insects have become more or less trouble- 

 some. A study of these enemies has been made by Wil- 

 liam C. Woods, and his findings are reported in " Bulletin 

 No. 244" of the Maine Experiment Station, to which the 

 reader is referred for a full account of this interesting in- 

 dustry and details of the insects found. 



One of the most important enemies is the apple-maggot, 

 Rhagoletis pomonella, Walsh., or a somewhat distinct 

 strain of the species which seems to be found on the blue- 

 berry. The life history of the insect appears to be prac- 

 tically the same as on the apple. The insect has been found 

 on different species, both of Vaccinium and Gaylussacia, 

 though apparently not in other parts of the state. It is 

 also found on the wild haw, which it is thought may have 

 been the original host-plant of the insect. No means of 

 control is suggested except systematic burning, and de- 

 stroying the maggots which are found when the berries 

 are winnowed. 



