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shape of a ball. When there are six frames with brood, the outer 

 frames may not be too full. It is nearly impossible to count the 

 number of bees in a hive, but one can count the number of frames 

 which contain brood. 



If there is brood in six frames, the colony will contain about 

 25,000 bees, perhaps more, and be in excellent condition for apple 

 pollination. Colonies which have brood in six frames at the outset 

 of bloom may swarm if the bees are kept in the orchards too long. 

 For this reason, some beekeepers are reluctant to rent colonies 

 which are this populous. 



Colonies Should be Grouped 



We recommend that colonies be placed in groups of three to five 

 within the orchard. By grouping colonies in this manner, the apple 

 grower can select the better locations for bees, spots where the 

 colonies will receive a maximum amount of sunlight throughout the 

 day. This also allows one to select those spots which are drier 

 and which are protected from the prevailing winds. Again, one wants 

 to encourage as much flight as possible. 



Dry Bottomboards 



Colonies of honey bees which have wet bottomboards will send 

 fewer bees to the field than those which have dry bottomboards. 

 Wet bottomboards tend to cool the colony and more bees are required 

 to keep the brood nest warm. 



We recommend that apple growers place pallets, old tires, 

 cinder blocks or slabwood in the orchard on which colonies may be 

 set. This practice will work to the advantage of both the fruit 

 grower and the beekeeper. 



If the colonies of bees are six to eight inches off the ground, 

 there will be less problem with grass blocking the entrances and 

 hindering flight. Grass may prevent the sun's hitting the colony 

 entrance and delay flight in the morning. A piece of tarpaper 

 tucked under the front of the colony and extending outwards will 

 serve to keep the grass from growing and blocking colony entrances. 



Dandelions, Yellow Rocket and Apples 



Dandelions, yellow rocket and apples all produce nectar which 

 contains about 40 percent sugar. Thus, all three of these plants 

 have flowers which are about equally attractive to honeybees. 

 Dandelions produce more nectar in the morning than they do in the 

 afternoon and so there will be fewer bees visiting dandelions in 

 the afternoon. Apples appear to produce nectar about equally all da) 

 as does yellow rocket. The best way to get rid of dandelions and 

 yellow rocket is to use a weed killer. Mowing these competing plant! 

 will help, but it is expensive. 



If there are a large number of dandelions and yellow rocket 

 plants in flower in or near the orchard, one needs additional bees. 



