23 



wavy curve. This law of "ups and doAvns" of life, the 

 prevalence or scarcity of a species is as fundamental for 

 the orchadist, as was Newton's discovery for physics, upon 

 observing the fall of an apple. As all matter is subject to 

 the law of gravity, so all life is subject to a biological law 

 or laws governing its prevalence or scarcity. 



Here then is the key to the horticulturist's need for 

 and utilization of bees. His problem is not merely that of 

 securing fertilization of his fruit or vegetables. It is more 

 grave. He must meet a natural force, overcome the ten- 

 dency of nature to reduce an overplus of the insects which 

 he is so dependent upon. Large blocks of fruit trees mean 

 an inestimable number of blossoms. If it happens that 

 bees are few, or the weather unfavorable, how, though the 

 trees are masses of bloom, is the grower to secure a crop? 



It is only too evident that the orchadist in particular 

 has been trusting out the most crucial factor in his fruit 

 raising.^ He has been neglecting or if preferred, has been 

 chancing his crop against the freaks and fluctuations of 

 weather and nature. But it is quite possible to subject 

 this most vital of factors in producing a crop, successful 

 fertilization, to man's control. The crop may be prac- 

 ally assured, other conditions being favorable, by maintain- 

 ing honey bees to do the work. In the cucumber greenhouse, 

 w^ithout bees for a day or so, a material loss is sustained. 

 During fruit bloom the same is experienced only, too fre- 

 quently, it has been charged to "bad luck." 



It would appear desirable, even though it may be 

 considered that there are plenty of wild insects, to main- 

 tain bees also ; it is a small investment, considering the 

 possible returns. Furthermore, the orchardist who owns 

 his own colonies, is independent of his neighbor bee-keep- 

 ers, he is independent in the broadest sense of the word. It 

 is better to flood the orchard with bees than to find after 

 the fruit has set that too few Avere present to have ac- 

 complished a heavy set. 



The writer has in mind a melon grower who annually 

 hires one or two colonies of bees to assure a maximum set- 

 ting of his melons. It is not with the idea that he secures 

 a better grade of melons, but that he secures a melon 

 from each female blossom. It is more or less so with the 

 orchadist who has become aware of the benefits which ho 

 can derive from maintaining a few colonies of bees to pro- 

 tect himself against a possible loss under adverse climatic 



