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depends upon the strength of the colonies. One strong 

 colony with a prolific queen may do as much work as two 

 or three weak ones. It is exceedingly important that an 

 ample number of bees be provided, otherwise there will 

 be a poor setting of fruit. Close observation of the bees 

 at work, as well as the setting of the fruit from day to 

 day, will enable one to determine whether all the flowers 

 are being pollenized. There is much difference of 

 opinion among growers concerning the number of hives 

 required, but one strong colony for a house of average 



Fig. 118. Hive of bees at end of greenhouse. 



width and 200 feet long should be adequate, though two 

 colonies, one at each end of the house, would be more 

 certain of providing the thorough pollination of all 

 flowers. In very large establishments hives are usually 

 placed at intervals throughout the houses, so that the 

 bees will be well distributed. 



Many growers, even with small ranges, prefer to keep 



