- 12 - 
that there are fewer colonies of Nomia species and fewer of Megachile 
species than formerly. It is possible that cultivation and settlement 
has disturbed the wild bees and thus reduced their number. Hence, it 
is suggested that a decrease in the population of these beneficial 
insects, together with a possible increase in harmful insects, may be 
an explanation for the uncertainty in alfalfa seed production in 
formerly good seed-producing areas. 
Concentrated Plantings 
id pollinating insects apparently do not range widely for food, 
and since they do not store an appreciable amount of food, concentrated 
plantings of one crop are not favorable for their development. 
Brittain, W. H. 
1933. Apple pollination studies in the Annapolis Valley, N.S., Canada, 
1928-1932. Canada Dept. Agr. Bui, 162, 198 pp. 
p. 9: It should be emphasized, however, that a few colonies 
of bees placed in an orchard surrounded by large acr eages devoid of 
boes is of little or no value. In suc h s ituations it may be necessary; 
to.haya.a concentration of from 35 to 50 coloni es in .order to e nsur e 
the, pollinati on of the pa rti cular orchard in which the bees are 
placed . In districts where beekeeping is general, however, and neigh- 
bouring orchards are similarly supplied, one colony to the acre or 
even cne colony to four acres may be sufficient. Owing to the many 
factors involved more exact figures cannot be given. It must suffice 
to point out that the provision, of. _as many coloni es as pra cticable is 
a_,jo T1E2 of insurance against unfavourable weath er, and a 
,oarcity o f wil d po llinators , since it is only the hive bees that can 
be increased in numbers at will and placed where needed in the orchards. 
!ji fortunately, at the prese nt time, there is no adequate lo cal supply_;_ 
± : !2i22£i^i!2§. in beekeeping and tho danger of poisoning prevents __many 
• qsi ado p ting this practice who would otherwise do so . 
Kootman, D. H. 
1930. The importance of pollination and the honey-bee in fruit yields. 
N.Y. State Kort. Soc. Proc. 1930: 49-58. 
The location and size of the individual orchard are apparently 
the factors that determine whether or not bees are needed. Or chards 
not too large in s iz9 with v arieties wel l mixed, located near wo ods , 
3 or uncultivated land where wild insects can wint er over in 
large numbers, usually set a satisfact ory _ crop_without additional 
be es. With the conditi ons that exist in co mmerci al fruit sections 
where whole communiti es are engaged in fruit gr owing and where or- 
tav e be en p lanted by the squar e mile the wild insects, are 
' I ly, inadequat e to p ollinat e ef f ectively the vas t expanse of bloom . 
It is in these locations especially that commercial fruit growers are 
largely dependent upon the honeybee — the only insect admirably adapted 
for pollinating fruit bloom that can be readily controlled by man. 
