No. 4.] HONEYBEES AS POLLINIZERS. 229 



to the visits of bees produced, in contrast, 2,720 seeds, show- 

 ing conclusively the need of bees in seed setting in clover. 



With the apple, 2,586 blossoms were covered and the en- 

 trance of bees prevented, with the result that only three 

 apples matured. 



It is not uncommon to observe from 4 to 6 bees eagerly at 

 work gathering honey and pollen in a single squash blossom. 

 The writer has noted 8 bees simultaneously in a squash blos- 

 som; within an hour 28 bees were counted flying from the 

 same blossom. 



The number of flowers a bee will visit may vary according 

 to the amount of nectar being jDroduced. A bee can visit ten 

 to fifteen flowers a minute, yet she will remain longer on a 

 flower if the nectar is flowing freely. In that case, she would 

 secure her load without visiting as many flowers. 



In attracting bees to a flower, there are several stimulative 

 factors, namely, the nectar and pollen, color and odor. The 

 multiplicity of trees in full bloom increases the attraction. 

 Xevertheless, hisii color or extreme fragrance do not alwavs 

 induce the bees to visit, for the lilac and heliotrope are 

 neglected, while some of the less conspicuous flowers prove 

 enticing. 



Besides the nectar in the flower, bees are in search of pollen 

 as a food. This is a highly nutritious substance, supplying 

 nitrogen and phosphorus, — two needed elements in animal 

 economy. To be sure, this pollen is provided vastly to the 

 excess of the actual needs of bees, but its seeming over- 

 production may be explained on the ground of an effort on 

 the part of the plant to insure pollination. 



It has been claimed that the honeybee sucks juices from 

 fruits. Although bees are observed commonly on fruits, yet 

 it is certain that the bee does not puncture a sound fruit as 

 has been, supposed. When fruits are worked by bees, an 

 opening has previously been made by some bird or wasp or 

 by decay. Thus the bees take up the work begun by another 

 or afforded them through some other agency. Many orchard- 

 ists have mentioned this to the writer who at the same time 

 eive due credit to the bee for the good she accomplished. It 



