406 POLLINATION AND FRUIT SETTING 



large numbers in many regions, play an important part in 

 cross-pollination. 



When two varieties of tree fruits are inclosed in a tent with 

 a hive of bees, much better crops are borne than if the same 

 varieties are inclosed in a tent without bees. It has also been 

 clearly shown, for certain self-fruitful varieties of different tree 

 fruits, that the set of fruit is greatly increased, even in such 

 cases, if bees are present. 



The value of bees in carrying pollen has also been strik- 

 ingly shown, especially in bearing orchards of self-unfruitful 

 varieties planted in solid blocks, by distributing colonies of 

 bees in the orchard and then hanging blossoming branches of 

 other varieties in buckets of water in some of the trees and by 

 placing some of the branches near the hives. By carrying the 

 fresh pollen of the different varieties from the blossoming 

 branches to the blossoms of the tree, bees have caused satis- 

 factory commercial crops to be produced in large orchards 

 which previously had borne very little fruit, though blossom- 

 ing freely each year. It is generally necessary to renew the 

 blossoming branches once or twice during the blooming period 

 so that plenty of fresh pollen will be available. 



Kinds of Bees and Insects as Pollen Carriers. Although 

 honey bees are very valuable as pollen carriers, still, in some 

 regions, other insects, no doubt, aid greatly in cross-pollination. 

 Bumble bees are considered to render great aid in certain of 

 the New England states, and various flies are important aids 

 in other sections. 



Number of Hives Required. One colony of seven to nine 

 pounds of bees to every three or four acres is a good invest- 

 ment, and many growers who realize the value of bees keep 

 one colony to every one or two acres of orchard. 



It is not merely a question of having some colonies of bees 

 in the orchard. They should be healthy and vigorous. Most 

 orchardists will prefer to rent colonies from an experienced 

 beekeeper who will place colonies, care for them, and remove 



