HORTICULTURAL STATUS OF THE GENUS VACCINIUM. 1 55 



without doubt 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. The most valuable species for this pur- 

 pose are Pcnnsylvanicum, Canadense, and vacillans. Although 

 this suggestion may be regarded as visionary, it is quite within 

 the range of possibilities. 



Another phase of the subject which is worthy of careful 

 attention is that of domestication and the improvement of types 

 by selection. During the last half century the cultivation of the 

 cranberry has become an important and well established industry 

 and several valuable types have been produced. Little has ever 

 been attempted, however, in the garden culture of the blueberry ; 

 though there is no doubt that satisfactory results may be 

 obtained. The fruit in its wild state is far superior to that of 

 most other small fruits and is very susceptible to the influence 

 of environment. At the Maine Agricultural Experiment Station 

 systematic cultural experiments are now in progress and in 

 Massachusetts cultivation has been practiced by amateurs with 

 encouraging results. The most promising species for this pur- 

 pose, as well as for ornamental planting, is the high-bush 

 blueberry Vaccinium corymb osum: The natural varieties and 

 improved forms of this species may readily, be perpetuated by 

 division or by grafting. 



In general, it is probable that within a very few years a race 

 of garden blueberries, rivaling in importance some of the best 

 of the other small fruits, will be placed before the public, and 

 the culture of the blueberry will be as much a matter of course 

 as is that of the blackberry or the raspberry. 



BIBLIOGRAPHY. 



The literature of the Vacciniums is fragmentary and widely 

 scattered. No attempt has been made to collate all of the refer- 

 ences to the genus, but below is given a list of the more impor- 

 tant monographs which are usually accessible in this country, 

 together with the leading articles in horticultural books and 

 journals. 



