“Over Your Head in Blueberries” 
A Harvesting Scene at Dr. Keefe’s Blueberry Plantation 
Cultivated Blueberries 
In the early colonial days and until the opening 
of the present century, wild blueberries were very 
plentiful and greatly prized by the early settlers 
and the Indians. During the past 30 years there 
has been a gradual reduction in the supply of wild 
blueberries. This has been due to the clearing of 
many areas occupied by these plants and using 
the land for other purposes. Competing trees and 
shrubs have also crowded out blueberry plants in 
many places. Consequently there is an inadequate 
supply of blueberries at present with correspond¬ 
ingly high prices. This condition is likely to pre¬ 
vail for many years. 
Soil Requirements 
Blueberries require a soil that is very acid and 
well supplied with moisture. Generally soils of a 
sand or peat nature are considered best, although 
the blueberry plant will grow well where some 
clay is present, if it is not predominant and is 
acid. Clay soils frequently are not acid. A water 
table 14 to 22 inches below the surface has been 
found most satisfactory. 
Climatic Requirements 
Blueberries can be divided into two general 
classes, highbush and lowbush. The highbush is 
the only one with which much improvement work 
has been done. It is found growing naturally in 
Michigan about as far north as Saginaw Bay; in 
central and southern New York; in southern New 
Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine. It is also 
found generally where the soil is suitable in 
Massachusetts, New Jersey, and in places as far 
south as North Carolina. There are also some 
highbush blueberry plants being grown in the 
vicinity of Puget Sound in Washington. Un¬ 
doubtedly there are other places where climatic 
conditions will permit the growth of the high¬ 
bush blueberry provided soil conditions are suit¬ 
able. 
Locations and Sites 
For commercial culture the plantation should 
be located where pickers may be obtained and 
where markets are within a reasonable distance 
over good roads. Pockets or “kettle-holes” 
should be avoided, due to danger from frost. 
Large open areas are freer from this danger. 
