2o6 State Horticultural Society. 



BEES AND SPRAYS.. 



A reader complains of the practice of some fruit growers of spray- 

 ing their orchards when in blossom and thereby inflicting great harm to 

 the bee interests. While the writer is doubtless interested in bee culture, 

 his protest seems to be prompted hy humane considerations for the in- 

 dustrious honey bee. "It seems hard," writes our correspondent, "that 

 they (the bees) should be made the victims of these deadly spraying ma- 

 chines which are killing them off by thousands. Those that are not kill- 

 ed outright in the orchards will labor hard to get their load home, and 

 then drop dead at the door. I think something should be done to pre- 

 vent this unnecessary slaughter of the bees. There are other interests' 

 besides fruit growing, and there are other and better times to spray than 

 when the trees are in bloom." The recent article upon this subject by 

 N. F. Murray is commended, and the writer thinks the suggestions of so 

 experienced an orchardist as the ex-president of the Missouri State Hor- 

 cultural Society ought to be heeded. Some of the states have enacted 

 very stringent laws regarding this matter, assessing a heavy fine for 

 spraying a fruit tree when in bloom. Of course, it is simply thoughtless- 

 ness on the part of the owner in spraying his orchard at such a time, when 

 harm will not only be done to the interests of his neighbor, but to his own 

 as well. If fruit growers will bear in mind that no good will be accom- 

 plished for the fruit crop by spraying when the orchard is in bloom, but 

 harm, rather, because of the effect upon the bees, which are such impor- 

 tant factors in fruit pollination, they will lay the sprayer aside at this time, 

 thus promoting their own interests while respecting those of the beekeep- 

 ers. — Practical Fruit Grower, Springfield, Mo. 



SELECTING STRAWBERRY PLANTS. 



(By Dr. J. O. Wliitten, Columbia, Mo.) 



Some growers will no do.ubt wish to plant strawberries this autumn 

 as well as in spring. One of the important phases of strawberry growing 

 is to select proper plants to start with. A good many growers regard 

 the securing of the right varieties as being among the most important 

 considerations in getting the plants. As a matter of fact, it is more im- 

 portant to secure well grown plants than it is to select a given variety. 



