12 BULLETIlSr 974, U. S. DEPAETMENT OF AGRICULTUKE, 



white muslin on a framework about 7 feet above the ground (PL XII, 

 fig. 1). They are given a small amount of ventilation. 



In 1919 and 1920 an experiment was tried at Whitesbog, on the 

 recommendation of Mr. V. A. Vanicek, an expert plant propagator 

 of ISTewport, R. I., in the use of lath instead of muslin shades. The 

 shades are so constructed that the lath is about 4 inches above the 

 sash of the coldframe, and the distance between the laths is the 

 thickness of a lath, about a quarter of an inch. (PI. XII, fig. 2.) 

 This construction allows each cutting to receive direct sunlight, but 

 for only a few minutes at a time. The proportion of cuttings that 

 rooted under these lath shades was a little better than that under the 

 muslin shades. It is to be hoped that further experience with lath 

 shades will establish their apparent superiority over muslin shades, 

 for they are less expensive and more easily handled. 



The shades and sash are removed in early October, and in late 

 autumn, after most of their leaves have fallen, the rooted plants are 

 taken out of the frames, so that these can be made ready for a new 

 lot of cuttings very early the next spring. The strongest of the 

 rooted plants taken out of the frames are sometimes set at once in 

 their permanent places in the field plantation. The others are placed 

 in nursery beds at a spacing of about 10 inches each way, where 

 they remain during the winter and the following growing season. 



The cutting bed should be watered often enough to keep it from 

 drying at the surface. 



WINTER CUTTINGS. 



The rooting of leafy cuttings of the blueberry in summer is diffi- 

 cult, because in a temperature above 70° F, the cuttings usually 

 blacken and die. With the aid of a shaded greenhouse, winter cut- 

 tings can be started early enough to make roots before warm 

 weather comes on. Similar results can be obtained in coldframes so 

 located, sheltered, and manipulated as to prolong their low tempera- 

 ture as late as possible into the season. 



The essentials of a successful coldframe for blueberry propagation 

 are as follows: (1) It should be located on the cool, shaded north 

 side of a building or in some other situation where it will not re- 

 ceive reflected heat from neighboring structures. (2) The cuttings 

 should receive an abundance of light but little or no direct sunlight, 

 a condition best obtained in the case of isolated frames by the use of 

 muslin or slat shades. Frames on the north side of a building will 

 also require shade in early morning and late afternoon from March 

 to September. On sunless days all shade should be removed, so that 

 the cuttings will receive as much light as possible. (3) There should 

 be ample space for the circulation of cool air between the frames and 

 the shade. (4) The frames should be kept closed or nearly closed, 



