TWENTY-SIXTH SESSION. 
57 
atrococcum, Gray) has small, polished, black fruits equally as good as the 
other in flavor. The fact of variability renders this species one of the most 
promising for cultivation. It flourishes alike in the sunlight and in partial 
shade; on the dry upland and in the swamp. The fruit also commands a 
much higher price than does that of other species. 
Other species often associated with Yaccinium Pennsylvanicum in the east- 
ern and middle states are Yaccinium vacillans, Solander, and Yaccinium 
nigrum, Britton. While these types are very distinct, they are not usually 
separated from the other low growing forms. 
Another species which I have never seen, but which is said to be in every 
way worthy of attention is Yaccinium myrtilloides, Hook. This species is 
found in “damp woods, Lake Superior to the coast of Oregon and British Col- 
umbia.” Hooker says the fruit is much relished by the natives of the North- 
west Rocky Mountains, and T. J. Howell, of Oregon, says the berries are 
“large, y 2 to % inch in diameter, flat, with a broad calyx, of good flavor and in 
every way a good berry.” *He calls the shrub Large Blue Huckleberry. Bailey 
in his report on the plants of Northern Minnesota does not, however, mention 
this species, but refers to the specially large fruited forms of Yaccinnium 
Pennsylvanicum, 
THE BLUEBERRY IN COMMERCE. 
In many of the northern and eastern states there are thounsands of acres 
of land, utterly worthless for agricultural purposes, which, after the pine is 
removed, send up an abundant growth of blueberry bushes, alders, poplars, 
grey birches, etc. and which, by proper management may, it is believed, be 
made to yield a handsome profit to their owners. 
In New Hampshire the picking of blueberries has come to be an important 
industry in may of the country towns. Whereas a few years ago, farmers 
thought the blueberry crop of no account, and allowed perfect freedom in 
gathering the fruit, many owners of blueberry pastures now charge “stump- 
age” at the rate of two cents per quart, and the blueberry field is regarded 
with as much concern as the apple orchard. 
In Michigan, and some other states, the blueberry crop on the wild lands 
is an important source of income to the families of many laboring men; but 
in no case, so far as I have been able to learn, is the work systematized as 
in New England. 
In the southeastern part of Maine, principally in Washington county, there 
are about 150,000 acres known as the “blueberry barrens.” This land lies 
chiefly in the towns of Cherryfield, Columbia, Deblois, Beddington and Num- 
bers 18 and 19. Much of this land was burned over by the Indians before 
the colonial period and since the timber was removed from the remainder, it 
too, has been repeatedly burned to keep down the growth of birches, alders, 
etc. and to facilitate the harvesting of the fruit. About 40,000 acres of these 
“blueberry barrens” belong to Mr. William Freeman of Cherryville. Mr. Free- 
man’s method of handling his blueberry lands may be taken as an example 
of what may be done in developing the industry in other sections. 
The plan is somewhat as follows: The land is divided into several parts 
each of which is leased to some responsible party who assumes the whole 
care of burning over the land, keeping off trespassers, harvesting and market- 
base’s Bot. Index, 1881, 38. 
8 
