216 NATURAL HISTORY OF THE FARM 



The pollen of the apple is freely exposed, and there are many- 

 chance visitors that nibble at it, such as house-flies and 

 beetles. But the insects that can reach the nectar are 

 rather few. Bumblebees and honeybees are the most 

 persistent and efficient distributors of pollen. All the bees 

 are equipped for carrying pollen abundantly by reason of the 

 bristly plumose hairs that clothe their bodies, and that make 

 veritable pollen brushes (see figs. 105 and 106). 



When rain falls constantly in blossoming time, the apple 

 trees set little fruit because the bees are kept away from 

 them: but when the sun shines, the busy hum of their 

 prodigious activity is the sure forerunner of an apple crop. 



Study 30. Observations on Apple Blossoms and Their 



Visitors 



This study should be begun at home, where one may sit 

 at a table and work carefully. With a bunch of fresh apple 

 blossoms in hand, notice first the difference in condition of the 

 flowers, from fresh unopened buds to spent flowers with 

 falling petals. Observe especially the condition of the tips in 

 the central cluster of stamens and pistils — the yellowish 

 anthers capping the numerous stamens, and the naked 

 stigmatic surfaces terminating the five pistils. Note care- 

 fully the changes of position and of condition during flower- 

 ing. Then split several flowers of different age in halves, 

 lengthwise, and look with a lens in the shallow green cup 

 surrounding the pistils and encircled by the bases of the 

 stamens for shining droplets of nectar. Then make a dia- 

 gram of such a section, showing carefully the relative 

 position of anthers, stigmas and nectar at time of full 

 bloom. 



The field work of this study will require fit weather. A 

 calm bright day will be best. Rain will drive the flower 

 visitors away, and too much wind will interfere with observa- 



