POLLINATION BY BEES

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27988, 7 June 1956, Page 18

POLLINATION BY BEES

Sir, —I am amazed at a statement made by a senior lecturer at Lincoln College. Mr L. Morrison, reported in Saturday’s issue: “I do not think the honey bees are as valuable as the bumble bees.” From observation and trials in America and New Zealand, it has been proved conclusively that honey bees are responsible for 90 per cent, pollination in red clover. American farmers hire thousands of hives annually for the sole purpose of pollinating red clover. Because of the increased seed yield. Canterbury farmers are also hiring hives for this reason. As little nectar is gathered from this source, apiarists require payment for the work involved. Although excellent pollinators, bumble bees are available in such small numbers they are almost worthless for pollinating the vast areas of small seeds grown today. As the natural nesting places of bumble bees are being destroyed, their numbers are decreasing yearly, with the result that the honey bee will become increasingly important as a pollinator.— Yourt, etc.,

T ~ F. A. BARTRUM. June 6, 1956.