]16 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Feb. 2, 1920. 



contained in the grain. Thus, when maize is sold off the farm this much 

 fertility is lost ; while under live stock farming, where the grain is fed to pigs 

 and cattle, only one-fourth of the amount of fertility in the feed is retained 

 by the animal and eventually sold off the farm. This largely explains the' 

 exliaustive effect on the soil of grain farming as compared with live stock 

 farming. Even in live stock farming, one factor sometimes left out of 

 account is the appreciable amount of fertility removed by the sale of milk off 

 the farm to the cheese factory as compared with the negligible amount 

 removed by the sale of cream to the butter factory. It has been calculated* 

 that for every ton of grain sold at the elevator the farm loses 20s. to 25s. in 

 fertility ; for every ton sold at the stockyards there is a loss to the farm of 

 4s. or 5s. in fertility ; while for every ton sold at the factory as butter-fat,, 

 the farm loses only lOd. in fertility. 



{To be continued.) 



Substitutes tor Pollen and Nectar. 



The following three-fold inquiry recently reached the Department from a 

 Lake Macquarie apiarist : "Is there any substitute for pollen which can be 

 given successfully to bees; if so, where can it be obtained? What is the best 

 syrup for feeding bees ; can ordinary golden syrup or treacle be used — if so, 

 how? Can plants or trees be planted to help in pollen or honey production 

 along the coast?" 



" If given rye flour as a substitute for natural j^ollen, bees will raise brood 

 and therefore assist the colony over a period of pollen drought," replied the 

 Senior Apiary Inspector. " Although no substitute can be considered equal 

 to natural pollen, rye flour is considered the best known at the present time- 

 In feeding the flour to the bees in the first instance it should be placed in 

 several trays about the apiary. The trays should be protected from the rain,, 

 but free access to the bees must be allowed. Feed in small quantities daily, 

 just sufficient for about the day's requirements, as it is not good to have a 

 surplus stored in the combs. 



" The best syrup for feeding bees is made from cane sugar and water, equal 

 quantities (by volume) of each. The water is first brought to boiling point 

 and the sugar then slowly added ; when it is dissolved the s}Tup is fed warm 

 to the bees. For winter stores, two ])arts of sugar to one of water would be 

 required. Always feed inside the hive, where, if care is taken not to spill the 

 syrup, it can be fed in the da\iiime ; otherwise, it would be best to feed late 

 in the afternoon. I would not recommend the use of golden syrup or treacle 

 as a food for bees, as they have a tendency to cause dysentery. 



" Trees can be planted to assist in increasing the production of honey and 

 pollen on the coast, but a fairly large number would be required to make 

 much improvement. Ironbark, grey gum (eucalyptus) and the dwarf apple 

 (angophora) are to be commended for honey ; for pollen plants, maize, 

 pumpkin vines and black thistle are good." 



* Kansas State Board Agric. Quart. Rept., March, 1916. 



