170 MAINE AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMEXT STATIOX. 



wild fruit, are not utilized as they might be. The systematic 

 treatment already described, might, with profit, be extended to 

 many parts of Franklin and Oxford counties as well. 



There are also large areas, otherwise worthless, in the more 

 hilly sections, even in close proximity to natural growth of blue- 

 berry bushes, which might, apparently, be made to yield good 

 returns if in some way a growth of blueberries could be 

 started — either by setting bushes or by scattering seed. With 

 this end in view, arrangements were made m the spring of 1898, 

 with F. J. D. Barn jam of Carrabassett, to procure 1,000 bushes 

 from the neighboring hillsides and plant them in an old pasture 

 where their development may be obser\^ed. 



In August, 1897, while studying the types found upon the 

 plains near Cherr^^field, the writer selected numerous specially 

 promising clumps of bushes of the several species, and later 

 transferred them to the Station garden. These were given 

 thorough culture during the past season, and have made a good 

 growth. In August, 1898, more plants were selected, and in 

 October they were removed to the Station and planted with the 

 others. The t^'o lots cover about one-eighth acre of land. 



At the same time the bushes above mentioned were selected, 

 a quantity of the largest and best fruit from the best bushes was 

 gathered. This fruit was macerated and the seed sown with 

 the hope of raising some superior seedlings. These will be 

 grown in nursery rows and later transferred to the field. 



In garden culture, but little has ever been done with the 

 blueberry. That ver}' satisfacton,- results might, however, be 

 obtained, there is little doubt. The fruit in its wild state is far 

 superior to that of many other cultivated plants. 



As already noted, the work is still in its infancy at the Sta- 

 tion. A few statements from others who have made the attempt 

 in previous years, may, however, be of interest in this connec- 

 tion. 



Edmund Hersey, Hingham, Mass.: "T have for many years 

 been tr\-ing in a small way to find out what can be accomplished 

 in growing the high bush blueberry. My conclusions are 

 briefly: (i) It does not take kindly to garden cultivation; (2) 

 it is very difficult to propagate from the seed: (3) it is some- 

 what difficult to graft; but patience and a little of the "know 



