ESTABLISHING THE PLANTATION 



573 



a collection of the best qualities which the plant breeders have 

 obtained in fifty years of plant improvement. 



Operations : 



1. Selecting the soil. 



2. Establishing the plantation. 



3. Pruning the plants. 



4. Controlling insects, diseases, and birds. 



5. Harvesting and marketing. 



1. Selecting the Soil. The ideal blueberry soil is fertile, 

 well drained and aerated, acid, and well supplied with organic 

 matter, and it has a plentiful water supply. Any soil in which 

 wild blueberries grow is satisfactory for the cultivated crop. 

 It may be improved by the addition of peaty material, mois- 

 ture, or drainage. Any moist sandy loam can be made into 

 a good blueberry soil with the addition of the proper organic 

 fertilizers. Heavy clay soils are not satisfactory. 



The pH of soils for best growth should be between 4.4 and 

 5.1. Sulfur, aluminum sulfate, sawdust, apple pomace, rotted 

 wood, and acid peat have been used to produce acid soil condi- 

 tions. Some are only good for back yard production. Rotted 

 oak leaves are used most commonly. 



The v/ater table in a blueberry field is of vital importance 

 to the success of the crop. If the land is wet, it should be 

 drained so that the water table will remain about 14 inches 

 below the surface. Lack of moisture reduces fruit bud forma- 

 tion; too much moisture will cause the leaves to fall off and 

 the plant to die. The plants will tolerate standing water in 

 the dormant season, but during the growing season an excess 

 amount of water is fatal. 



2. Establishing the Plantation. The soil should be well 

 cultivated, the low spots either filled up or drained. If it is 

 allowed to lie fallow for the first year, disking will help to 

 control the weeds. 



Two-year-old blueberry plants may be obtained from any 

 nursery that specializes in growing them. If well grown, they 



