106 SOUBCES OF HONEY. 



size from that of a pin's head to a small pea. In 

 color it is usually yellow, but sometimes green or 

 red. Hundreds of bees may - be seen entering the 

 hives, with pollen, at almost any time in the honey 

 season, particularly in the morning before the dew 

 is off the grass. It is easier for the bees to collect 

 it at this time, as the moisture causes it the more 

 readily to adhere to the cavities of the legs. Honey 

 when collected is deposited in the stomach of the 

 bee, in which it is borne to the hive, and there de- 

 posited in cells in the comb. The bee has the 

 power of raising this honey from its stomach, in the 

 same manner that all ruminating animals raise the 

 cud. 



Some have contended that bees cause an injury 

 to all kinds of fruit, such as apples, peaches, plums, 

 etc., by taking away the substance and sw^eetness, 

 in the form of honey, which otherwise would be 

 absorbed, and eaten with the fruit. This is a great 

 mistake. The provisions of nature are wise in this 

 respect as in all others. There is the strongest evi- 

 dence to prove that honey, once secreted in the 

 cups oi the tiny blossoms, never returns to the 

 flower or fruit, but evaporates and passes into the 

 air. Who, in passing an apple or peach orchard 

 in full bloom, has not noticed the delicious frag- 

 rance ; which is undoubtedly honey, which has 

 evaporated from the myriads of blossoms. It is 

 very plain to the close observer that nature has 

 placed in the cups of flowers this honey, expressly 

 as food for the honey bee, and that it is in harmony 

 Witfe all her great and wonderful works. 



