APICULTURE. 395 



May 30th, and uncovered July 6th. In every case but one, the canes 

 seemed to have been injured by the covers, and so the results were not 

 considered. In the exceptional case, one hundred and eighty- four blos- 

 soms were considered; ninety-three blossoms developed on the covered 

 canes, and one hundred and sixty on the uncovered. In every case the 

 fruit on the covered. twigs was inferior. It might be thought that the 

 simple presence of the covers was prejudicial; though this could not be 

 a very important matter, as blossoms covered after the bees had freely 

 visited them set well, and showed no injury. Thus we see that in all 

 our fruits— in strawberries the least — the free visits of insects during the 

 period of blooming is absolutely essential to a full or even a fair crop. In 

 many cases, the covered blossoms all failed to develop. We also see that 

 where fruitage does occur there seems a lack, as the fruit lacks vigor. 

 The free and ample cross-fertilization seems to be requisite, not only for a 

 crop, but for a perfect development and maximum vigor. 



Our experiments with clovers were tried with both the white and al- 

 sike. While the uncovered heads were full of seeds, the covered ones were 

 entirely seedless. This fully explains the common experience of farmers 

 with these plants. 



Having the law of the necessity of insects to accomplish this function 

 so well demonstrated, it might be asked, "Why do we have any fruit in 

 case the blossoms are covered?" . This seeming exception may be no ex- 

 ception. Indeed, this may come from the fact that all insects are not ex- 

 cluded. Very small insects, like the thrips and various of the jassidse, 

 which we know are often attracted to flowers either by the pollen or nec- 

 tar, would be concealed about the plants, and from their small size 

 might gain access even after the covers were adjusted. These would be 

 sufHcient to secure partial fertilization, and very likely are the cause of 

 the meager crop which, in a few cases, we secure even on the covered 

 twigs. 



In the case of strawberries, our experiments this year, like some previ- 

 ously tried, seemed to show that the presence of insects, though important 

 to a maximum production, are not so necessary as in case of nearly all 

 other fruit. But, we must remember that the strawberry plants are not 

 wholly inclosed. A cloth-covered box rests on the ground about the plant. 

 This gives a fine chance for insects that burrow in the earth and for in- 

 sects that have pupated in like position to come up during the three or 

 four weeks of the experiment, and pollenize the blossoms. This, though 

 a possible — and shall I say, a probable explanation? — may not be the real 

 one. But, we can still affirm in the case of the strawberry, that the free 

 visits of insects serve surely to much enlarge the production of fruit. - 



Thus we see that our horticulturists and farmers alike with the 

 apiarist are dependent for the best prosperity on the presence and well- 

 being of the bees. They should realize this fact, and should demand that 

 our legislators not only become informed, but act accordingly. 



