LaTeX doesn't put 3 tables at the top of a page as I'd expect

LaTeX doesn't put 3 tables at the top of a page as I'd expect

Why in the example below LaTeX puts Table 3 in p. 3 and not in p. 2 (just
after Table 1 and 2)? I use the parameters [htb] for the position and I
set topnumber equal to 3 so that I would expect Table 1, 2 and 3 close, at
the top of p. 2.
\documentclass[a4paper]{article}
\twocolumn \flushbottom \sloppy
\setcounter{topnumber}{3}
\begin{document}
The apple TAB \ref{tab:1} is the pomaceous fruit of the apple tree,
species Malus domestica in the rose family (Rosaceae).
\begin{table*}[htb]
\centering
\begin{tabular}{|c|}
\hline
data\\ \hline
data\\
\hline
\end{tabular}
\caption{caption}
\label{tab:1}
\end{table*}
It is one of the most widely cultivated tree fruits, and the most widely
k TAB \ref{tab:2} nown of the many members of genus Malus that are used
by humans.
%
\begin{table*}[htb]
\centering
\begin{tabular}{|c|}
\hline
data\\ \hline
data\\
\hline
\end{tabular}
\caption{caption}
\label{tab:2}
\end{table*}
%
Apples grow on small, deciduous trees. The tree originated in Central
Asia, where its wild ancestor, Malus sie TAB \ref{tab:3} versii, is still
found today.
%
\begin{table*}[htb]
\centering
\begin{tabular}{|c|}
\hline
data\\ \hline
data\\
\hline
\end{tabular}
\caption{caption}
\label{tab:3}
\end{table*}
%
Apples have been grown for thousands of years in Asia and Europe, and were
brought to North America by European colonists. Apples have been present
in the mythology and religions of many cultures, including Norse, Greek
and Christian traditions. In 2010, the fruit's genome was decoded, leading
to new understandings of disease control and selective breeding in apple
production.
There are more than 7,500 known cultivars of apples, resulting in a range
of desired characteristics. Different cultivars are bred for various
tastes and uses, including cooking, fresh eating and cider production.
Domestic apples are generally propagated by grafting, although wild apples
grow readily from seed. Trees are prone to a number of fungal, bacterial
and pest problems, which can be controlled by a number of organic and
non-organic means.
About 69 million tonnes of apples were grown worldwide in 2010, and China
produced almost half of this total. The United States is the
second-leading producer, with more than 6 of world production. Turkey is
third, followed by Italy, India and Poland. Apples are often eaten raw,
but can also be found in many prepared foods (especially desserts) and
drinks. Many beneficial health effects are thought to result from eating
apples; however, two forms of allergies are seen to various proteins found
in the fruit.
Apples have been grown for thousands of years in Asia and Europe, and were
brought to North America by European colonists. Apples have been present
in the mythology and religions of many cultures, including Norse, Greek
and Christian traditions. In 2010, the fruit's genome was decoded, leading
to new understandings of disease control and selective breeding in apple
production.
There are more than 7,500 known cultivars of apples, resulting in a range
of desired characteristics. Different cultivars are bred for various
tastes and uses, including cooking, fresh eating and cider production.
Domestic apples are generally propagated by grafting, although wild apples
grow readily from seed. Trees are prone to a number of fungal, bacterial
and pest problems, which can be controlled by a number of organic and
non-organic means.
About 69 million tonnes of apples were grown worldwide in 2010, and China
produced almost half of this total. The United States is the
second-leading producer, with more than 6 of world production. Turkey is
third, followed by Italy, India and Poland. Apples are often eaten raw,
but can also be found in many prepared foods (especially desserts) and
drinks. Many beneficial health effects are thought to result from eating
apples; however, two forms of allergies are seen to various proteins found
in the fruit.
Apples have been grown for thousands of years in Asia and Europe, and were
brought to North America by European colonists. Apples have been present
in the mythology and religions of many cultures, including Norse, Greek
and Christian traditions. In 2010, the fruit's genome was decoded, leading
to new understandings of disease control and selective breeding in apple
production.
There are more than 7,500 known cultivars of apples, resulting in a range
of desired characteristics. Different cultivars are bred for various
tastes and uses, including cooking, fresh eating and cider production.
Domestic apples are generally propagated by grafting, although wild apples
grow readily from seed.
Apples have been grown for thousands of years in Asia and Europe, and were
brought to North America by European colonists. Apples have been present
in the mythology and religions of many cultures, including Norse, Greek
and Christian traditions. In 2010, the fruit's genome was decoded, leading
to new understandings of disease control and selective breeding in apple
production.
There are more than 7,500 known cultivars of apples, resulting in a range
of desired characteristics. Different cultivars are bred for various
tastes and uses, including cooking, fresh eating and cider production.
Domestic apples are generally propagated by grafting, although wild apples
grow readily from seed. Trees are prone to a number of fungal, bacterial
and pest problems, which can be controlled by a number of organic and
non-organic means.
About 69 million tonnes of apples were grown worldwide in 2010, and China
produced almost half of this total. The United States is the
second-leading producer, with more than 6 of world production. Turkey is
third, followed by Italy, India and Poland. Apples are often eaten raw,
but can also be found in many prepared foods (especially desserts) and
drinks. Many beneficial health effects are thought to result from eating
apples; however, two forms of allergies are seenApples have been grown for
thousands of years in Asia and Europe, and were brought to North America
by European colonists. Apples have been present in the mythology and
religions of many cultures, including Norse, Greek and Christian
traditions. In 2010, the fruit's genome was decoded, leading to new
understandings of disease control and selective breeding in apple
production.
There are more than 7,500 known cultivars of apples, resulting in a range
of desired characteristics. Different cultivars are bred for various
tastes and uses, including cooking, fresh eating and cider production.
Domestic apples are generally propagated by grafting, although wild apples
grow readily from seed. Trees are prone to a number of fungal, bacterial
and pest problems, which can be controlled by a number of organic and
non-organic means.
About 69 million tonnes of apples were grown worldwide in 2010, and China
produced almost half of this total. The United States is the
second-leading producer, with more than 6 of world production. Turkey is
third, followed by Italy, India and Poland. Apples are often eaten raw,
but can also be found in many prepared foods (especially desserts) and
drinks. Many beneficial health effects are thought to result from eating
apples; however, two forms of allergies are seen
Apples have been grown for thousands of years in Asia and Europe, and were
brought to North America by European colonists. Apples have been present
in the mythology and religions of many cultures, including Norse, Greek
and Christian traditions. In 2010, the fruit's genome was decoded, leading
to new understandings of disease control and selective breeding in apple
production.
There are more than 7,500 known cultivars of apples, resulting in a range
of desired characteristics. Different cultivars are bred for various
tastes and uses, including cooking, fresh eating and cider production.
Domestic apples are generally propagated by grafting, although wild apples
grow readily from seed. Trees are prone to a number of fungal, bacterial
and pest problems, which can be controlled by a number of organic and
non-organic means.
About 69 million tonnes of apples were grown worldwide in 2010, and China
produced almost half of this total. The United States is the
second-leading producer, with more than 6 of world production. Turkey is
third, followed by Italy, India and Poland. Apples are often eaten raw,
but can also be found in many prepared foods (especially desserts) and
drinks. Many beneficial health effects are thought to result from eating
apples; however, two forms of allergies are seen
\end{document}