“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 peel to pre- 
vail for many years. 
Soil Requirements 
The blueberry plant requires a soil that is very 
acid, preferably one with a pH range of 4.4 to 5.1. 
The prospective grower should have his soil 
tested by his county agent or experiment station. 
Proper moisture conditions are also important. 
Tests have shown that plants grow best where 
the water table can be maintained from 14 to 22 
inches below the surface. It 1s not always possi- 
ble to provide this ideal condition, but for prac- 
tical purposes the water level in the soil should 
at least not be lower than 10 to 12 inches from 
the surface during the spring months. Too much 
water, especially during the growing season, can 
be as injurious as too little. 
Deviations from these requirements of acidity 
and moisture are reflected in poorer growth and 
lower yields, and in extreme cases in the death 
of the plants. 
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; i1 
central and southern New York; in southern ne 
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. 
