lo April, 1911.] Bees mid the Fertilization of Fruit Blossoms. 225 



The pollen of flowers is used by bees in the preparation of the food of 

 the larvae, but not required by adult bees during inactivity in winter. It 

 follows, therefore, that the earlier brood-rearing begins in spring the more 

 likely is the fertilization of blossoms to be accomplished by bees in search 

 of pollen. It is fortunate for fruit-growers that black bees and their 

 crosses with Italians, which resemble them in characteristics if not in 

 colour, are more easily procured and better preserve the peculiarities valu- 

 able to fruit fertilization early in the seasoa for succeeding generations, 

 than Italians or Cyprians. 



Condition of Colonies in Spring. 



Much of the value of bees as agents in the fertilization of fruit 

 blossoms in early spring depends upon the condition of the colonies ; that 

 is, the number of bees and the amount of honey in each hive. The 

 greater the number of bees and the larger the amount of honey left over 

 from autumn, the earlier will brood-rearing and gathering of pollen com- 

 mence. Honey is a good non-conductor of heat and therefore greatly 

 protects the bees against the influence of the temperature outside the hive ; 

 at the same time, it prevents the loss of animal heat created by the cluster 

 of bees and necessary to the rearing of brood. 



A colony of bees, numerically strong and well supplied with combs of 

 sealed honey, will breed earlier and gather more pollen. The bees will 

 also be more efl^ective as fertilizers of blossoms than half-a-dozen weak 

 stocks which are near the verge of starvation. In autumn it is better to 

 have a surplus of honey in a hive than an insufficient supply. 



Distance of Hives from Trees. 



The distance to which bees will fly in search of pollen and nectar varies 

 with the season and the weather at time of fruit blossom. On warm 

 sunny days bees will go a mile or more, even in early spring. On cold 

 and cloudy days they do not venture far, and during short snatches of 

 sunshine would probably not visit flowers more than 100 yards distant, if 

 there is no blossom nearer to lead them. 



The bee is guided to the blossom by the sense of smell. When the 

 air current is from the hive to the tree the blossom may not be visited, 

 even though comparatively near, unless the weather is favourable enough 

 for the bee to undertake a circular reconnoitring flight during which the 

 scent of blossoms is picked up and followed to its source. Whatever may 

 be the guiding sense in the case of other insects, I am convinced that, with 

 the bee, it is that of smell. I have never succeeded in inducing bees to 

 come near artificial flowers which easily deceived the human eye, but can 

 always rely on them finding a drop of honey placed somewhere out of 

 sight ; .sometimes it has been necessary to plug up the keyhole of the honey- 

 house. 



When bees are kept in or near the orchard the ordinary cleaning flights 

 which bees undertake in spring, whenever atmospheric conditions permit, 

 will V)ring the blossom within range, but when located half-a-mile away 

 bees cannot bo counted on as fertilizers during unfavourable weather. As 

 regards location of the hives. I think that they are Ix^st placed in a 

 sheltered position where they are shaded in summer but have the full 

 benefit of the sunshine in winter and spring. This is more easily accom- 

 plished by putting them under trees which .shed their leaves. 



I have not sufficient flata on which to base an opinion as to the 

 number of hives required for tlu- fertilization of blossoms on a given 

 acreage. I have always had more bees than are necessary for the number 



