82 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 



Bees to some extent have also been used in the setting of toma- 

 toes in greenhouses, and by some it has been thought that a better 

 crop of tomatoes is secured thereby. 



Securing and Maintaining Bees. 



Honey-bees are available for horticultural purposes in several 

 ways. In some instances, a small number of colonies are hired 

 for a period of a few weeks during the blossoming time of some 

 particular crop. In other instances, fruit growers induce beekeep- 

 ers to establish an apiary in their orchard, by granting them privi- 

 leges and accommodations. For instance, in California, orchard- 

 ists not infrequently furnish sites for apiaries and offer other induce- 

 ments to locate there, as perhaps the orchardist will furnish the 

 stands for the bee hives. This is typical of the cooperation of fruit 

 growers and beekeepers throughout the Sacramento Valley. In 

 Wisconsin, too, it has been stated that all large orchardists now 

 have their apiaries in or near by. Many of the more thoughtful 

 growers, however, believe it advisable to maintain their own bees. 

 This can be done in one of several ways; given the time and the 

 aptitude, the orchardist or some one hired for the purpose, may be 

 the beekeeper; otherwise a circuit beekeeper may be employed. 

 This practice is growing in favor among those owning moderate 

 sized orchards, as well among the greenhouse cucumber growers 

 and cranberry growers. The custom is to hire a practical apiarist 

 to come periodically and care for the bees. Thus if this practical 

 apiarist has similar engagements throughout a given district, the 

 expense to each orchardist or cranberry grower is slight. Moreover, 

 this cooperative plan assures the maximum efficiency of his colo- 

 nies without burdening him with additional detail. 



In securing bees for horticultural purposes one of the first requis- 

 ites is healthy stock. Those who maintain bees for greenhouse 

 purposes, will find it advantageous to own their own colonies rather 

 than to purchase annually. 



Purchasing the Stock. If bees are purchased it is advisable to 

 secure healthy stock. Bees are subject to at least two prevalent 

 diseases, known respectively as American foulbrood and European 



