POLLEN, OR BEE-BREAD. 75 



When plant-blossoms are scarce, the skilful apiarian 

 supplies his stock with some substitute for pollen. 

 Dr. Dzierzon was the first to propose fine rye-meal for 

 this purpose ; and he was led to make the suggestion 

 by having noticed, that, in the early spring, before 

 flowers were blooming in sufficient quantity to satisfy 

 the wants of his bees, they entered a neighbouring 

 mill, and returned to their hives well powdered with 

 rye-flour. Pea-meal has been tried with much success 

 for this purpose. The method of using it recom- 

 mended is to put the meal into a soup-plate, or 

 shallow dish or trough, among shavings. The bees 

 may be enticed to take to it by a little honey placed 

 on the rim of the receptacle, or by showing a few 

 individuals the way to it. When once the treasure 

 has been discovered by the workers, they make 

 abundant visits to it. They, indeed, prefer the pea- 

 flour to the old stores of bee-bread remaining in the 

 hive ; but, so soon as the natural supplies of the 

 plant-blossoms are sufficient in amount for the wants 

 of the brood, the substitute is quite neglected. 



In extracting honey from combs by pressure, it is 

 well to avoid any admixture of the bee-bread, as its 

 taste is by no means a pleasant addition to the 

 flavour of the sweet liquid. By using any of the 

 " extractor " machines now in vogue, all danger of 

 having the pollen mingled with the honey is 

 avoided. 



