Bushes Must Be Pruned 
In order to grow large fruit and keep bushes vigorous, considerable pruning 
is necessary. The large round fruit buds at the ends of the twigs must be 
distinguished from the small pointed leaf buds. The first operation is to remove 
the short twiggy growth which usually develops where fruiting was heavy the 
previous year. A fruiting lateral or stem should have a 3- or 4-inch section 
bearing leaf buds. Tipping the lateral back so that it has not more than five 
fruit buds assures larger berries. The rest of the bush can be thinned after it 
is 4 or 5 years old. This thinning should consist of taking out the oldest canes 
to stimulate the growth of young, vigorous shoots. It is a good plan to have the 
fruit buds well distributed over the bush rather than only at the top. 
Insects and Birds May Cause Trouble 
The insects that attack blueberries in the garden are usually the ones 
common on shrubs in the neighborhood. Rose bug, Japanese beetle, Putnam 
scale, fall web worm, and apple tent caterpillar will work on the bush if they 
are allowed in the garden at all. Control measures vary with the pest and 
the location. Up-to-date information concerning insects of the locality can 
usually be obtained from the county agricultural agent. 
Birds are the chief pests when the fruit is ripe. Scarecrows, glass and 
tin tinkling in the wind, and automatic explosions at short intervals have 
been tried, but all lose their effectiveness in a short time. Nearness to a dense 
hedge increases losses because birds avail themselves of tight cover for safety. 
The best protection is a cover of cloth, such as tobacco cloth or aster cloth. 
It is put on the bushes or supported over them like a tent when the first berries 
start to ripen. Ordinarily, the cloth should last several years. A cloth cover 
will also afford protection from Japanese beetle and rose bug. 
Pick the Fruit Promptly 
It is a good plan to pick the ripe fruit as soon as the color extends to 
the stem. Picking once a week is not too often. Prompt picking greatly reduces 
the danger of losses from insects and ensures firm fruit. 
MONROE FARMS 
BOX 555 - BROWNS MILLS, N. J. 

PEMBERTON 6701 
Growers of Cultivated Blueberry Plants 
4 
