BEES IN EELATION TO GAKDENING-. 



199 



press that the depredations of birds are due to the lack of moisture and 

 that the provision of a supply of water will protect the fruit. This year 

 there was not a single day upon which a plentiful supply of water was 

 not available at a distance of a few yards, but the depredations of the 

 birds have been even worse than usual. 



The isolation of the black currant bush by means of the muslin was 

 almost complete, for only two berries appeared (fig. 71, b). In this case it 

 was remarkable that the foliage of the protected bush was less fully 

 developed than that of its neighbours. The adjoining black currant 

 bushes gave an average yield (fig. 71, a). 



The influence of the hive bee in securing the proper fertilization of 

 fruit trees is so generally known that the apathy of fruit growers in 



