94 THE BEE keeper's MANUAL, 



tute for pollen. He says that in February, 1852, he used 

 it with the beat results. The bees _/brsooi the honey which 

 had been set out for them, and engaged actively in carrying 

 in large quantities of the wheat flour, which was placed 

 about twenty paces in front of the hives. 



The construction of my hives, permits the flour to be 

 placed, at once, where the bees can take it, without being 

 compelled to waste their time in going out for it, or to suffer 

 for the want of it, when the weather confines them at home. 



The discovery of this substitute, removes a serious obsta- 

 cle to the successful culture of bees. In many districts, 

 there is a great abundance of honey for a few weeks in the 

 season ; and almost any number of colonies, which are 

 strong when the honey harvest commences, will, in a good 

 season, lay up sufficient stores for themselves, and a large 

 surplus for their owners. In many of these districts, however, 

 the supply of pollen is often so insufficient, that the new 

 colonies of the previous year are found destitute of this 

 article in the spring ; and unless the season is early, and the 

 weather unusually favorable, the production of brood is 

 most seriously interfered with ; thus the colony becomes 

 strong too late to avail itself to the best advantage of the 

 superabundant harvest of honey. (See remarks on the im- 

 portance of having strong stocks early in the Spring.) 



