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N. H. Agricultural Experiment Station [Bulletin 274 



From this classification of varieties it is possible to pick those apt to 

 bloom coincidently with the ones needing pollination. Such combinations 

 should be planted as far as possible, providing cross pollination has been 

 proven eiTective in such cases. In some instances interplanting two or three 

 pollenizers is desirable so that pollination will be satisfactory for all. It 

 may also be wise to plant poUenizing varieties that usually slightly precede 

 or follow the variety requiring cross pollination, to insure against seasonal 

 variability in coincidence of blooming periods. Under some conditions it 

 has been found that varieties hke Northern Spy, which in some sections 

 bloom so late as to be useless as a pollenizer for Mcintosh, will in a few 

 locations bloom early enough to be available as pollenizers. Under average 

 conditions a four or five-day blooming period may be expected with varie- 

 ties producing flowers as Mcintosh do. 



Bees in the Orchard: 



There is no doubt that in the majority of orchards, especially where culti- 

 vation is practiced, the bringing in of honeybees at blossom time will 

 increase the set of fruit on the trees. It has been proven by observation that 

 bees are the only important insects for transferring sufficient apple pollen 

 for commercial orchards. It is true that some flies and even other insects 

 have a small share in this transfer, but they are never very significant when 

 a commercial crop is concerned. Even honey bees as individuals fall far 

 below bumblebees in their efficiency. But a sufficient number of bumble- 

 bees is seldom found in an orchard. Lack of knowledge of their habits and 

 failures in attempts to propagate, protect and care for them as is done with 

 honeybees, indicate that the honeybee alone can be managed properly by the 

 fruit grower. 



It is only the queen bumblebees that are flying about at apple-blossom 

 time, and the difficulties that befall them during the winter while they hiber- 

 nate in the grass or under brush or stone walls, cut down their numbers 

 considerably. Were the bumblebees more plentiful nothing more could be 

 desired, for they are able to fly about and work at times when the honeybee 

 is incapable of flight. Wind, low temperature and light rains that preclude 

 the work of honeybees are no obstacles to bumblebees. Honeybees are not 

 very active until the air temperature rises above 65° or 70^ F. Rain and 

 winds also effectively lower their efficiency. At Durham, N. H., bumble- 

 bees have been seen flying about the apple blossoms when the temperature 

 was 42' F., a gentle rain was falling and a light wind blowing. Bumblebees 

 have also been observed to open buds to get inside the flowers. 



The usual recommendation is one strong colony of honeybees to the 

 acre. Perhaps distributing the hives throughout the orchard would give best 

 results, but placing the colonies in a group in one part of the orchard is 

 generally satisfactory in smaller orchards an.d means less trouble in caring 

 for the bees. 



Distribution of Pollenizers in the Orchard: 



11ie best plan for providing pollenizers is to plant them at the same time 

 the orchard is planted. The distance between pollenizers is important. 

 Unless they are valuable commercially, it is often desirable to know the 

 maximum distance apart that they can be planted and still give satisfactory 

 results. 



