PRUNING THE PLANTS 575 



The holes should be made large enough so that the root system 

 will not be disturbed in planting; peat moss may be incorpo- 

 rated with the soil around the roots of the young plant. 



After planting, the area around each plant should be 

 heavily mulched with peat moss or decayed oak leaves. 



An application of mixed fertilizer at the rate of 500 pounds 

 to the acre is sufficient to promote good growth for the first 

 few years. Insufficient experiments have been carried out to 

 obtain any uniform recommendations. Increasing amounts of 



balanced fertilizers as the 

 plants increase in size is all 

 that can be advised at this 

 time. 



With the use of heavy 

 applications of mulch three 

 or four shallow cultivations 

 are sufficient to keep the 

 soil in good condition dur- 

 ing one season. 



3. Pruning the Plants. 

 Pruning the high-bush blue- 

 berry when it is grown 

 under cultivation is a very 

 important practice because 

 this operation very largely 

 controls the size of the 

 fruit. 



The different habits of growth of different varieties influ- 

 ence the type of pruning. The fruit is always borne on the 

 previous season's growth. The aim, therefore, is to invigorate 

 new growth, and this is done by removing a great deal of the 

 old wood. 



For the first two years after planting, all that is necessary 

 is to remove the bushy growth and flower buds. The fourth 

 year, severe pruning should be started (Figs. 244, 245, 246, 

 247, 248, 249). One or two of the oldest trunks should be cut 



(N, J. Agr. Exp. JSta.) 



Fig. 243. Showing position of fruit 

 and leaf buds and amount of heading 

 back needed. Varieties are Cabot 

 and Sam. 



