WHAT GOES ON IN THE APPLE BLOSSOMS 217 



tions on them. The tools needed will be individual insect 

 nets, cyanide bottles* and lenses. 



The program of field work will consist of a visit to apple 

 trees in full bloom and observations on the doings of the 

 flower visitors. Trees with low-hanging boughs, having 

 abundant blossoms within reach from the ground, will be best. 

 If wild crab-apple trees or even haw-apples are more con- 

 venient, they will serve equally well. The visitors will be 

 seen, coming and going, or flitting from flower to flower, each 

 kind after its own habit. The bees may be captured in a 

 cyanide bottle directly, but the more wary flies and butterflies 

 will require the use of the net. A quick deft stroke will 

 land them in the net, and a quick turn of the handle will make 

 a fold in it and keep them in the bottom until they can be 

 removed in a cyanide bottle, inserted unstoppered for the 

 purpose. Effort should be concentrated on watching the 

 insects, not on catching them. Their comings and goings 

 and how they obtain the nectar, should be observed care- 

 fully. Then a specimen of each kind of visitor should be 

 captured for identification. 



The record of this study should consist of: 



1. A diagram of a longitudinal section of the flower as 

 mentioned above. 



2. A similar diagram with a bee added in the position 

 taken when obtaining nectar. Show position of proboscis 

 and feet carefully. 



*A cyanide bottle for killing insects may be made by placing half an 

 ounce, more or less, of cyanide of potassium (a deadly poison) in the 

 bottom of any wide-mouthed bottle, covering it with dry sawdust or 

 other good absorbent, pressing down on top of it a few discs of stiff 

 blotting paper, and affixing a POISON label. The discs should fit the 

 inside of the bottle tightly and will stay in place better if lightly gummed 

 at their edges when inserted. Most insects are very quickly killed when 

 shut inside. The nets also may be made at home but not so easily. 

 Those offered by the Simplex Net Company of Ithaca, New York, are 

 recommended as being light, strong and inexpensive. 



