15 





A BOX OF BLUKBERRIES. 



All of the early fruit is picked by hand, and only the ripe 

 berries are gathered. Later in the season, particularly on "old 

 burns," i. e. on areas which will have to be burned over the next 

 year, the fruit is gathered with a "blueberry rake." This is an 

 implement somewhat similar to the cranberry rake in use on 

 Cape Cod, and may be likened to a dust pan, the bottom of which 

 is composed of stiff parallel wire rods. The fruit may be 

 gathered much more quickly and more cheaply by means 

 of the rake. The bushes are, however, seriously injured 

 by the treatment. In no case should the rake be used in gather- 

 ing the high-bush blueberries. As the berries are gathered they 

 are passed through a fanning mill before being sent to the can- 

 ning factory; and again, at the factory, they are submitted to a 

 much stronger winnowing. This is usually the only preparation 

 necessary. 



Wm. Freeman, Esq., Cherryfield, Maine, may properly be 

 regarded as the father of the blueberry industry in America. 

 His account of the beginnings of the industry is given herewith. 



