PASTtTRAQE. 849 



mind, that large quantities of honey should never be taken 

 from them at once, unless when the honey-harvest is over. 

 Bees are exceedingly discouraged by such wholesale appro- 

 priations, and often refuse entirely, to work in the empty 

 boxes, even although honey abounds in the fields. Not un- 

 frequently when large boxes are removed, and being found 

 only partially filled, are returned, the bees will carry every 

 particle of honey down into the main hive I If, however, 

 the honey is removed in small boxes, one at a time, and an 

 empty box with guide comb is put instantly in its place, the 

 bees, so far from being discouraged, work with more than 

 their wonted en«rgy, and usually begin in a few hoiirs, to 

 enlarge the comk 



1 would here repeat the caution already given, against 

 needlessly opening and shutting the hives, or in any way 

 meddling with the bees so as to make them feel insecure in 

 their possessions. Such a course tends to discourage them, 

 and may seriously diminish the yield of honey. 



If the Apiarian wishes to remove honey from the interior 

 of the hive, he must remove the combs, as directed on page 

 195, and shake the bees off, on the alighting board, or di- 

 rectly into the hive. 



Pastorase, 



Some blossoms yield only pollen, and others only honey ; 

 but by far the largest number, both honey and pollen. 

 Since the discovery that rye flour will answer so admirablj^ 

 as a substitute, before the bees are able to gather the pollen 

 from the flowers, early blossoms producing polten alone, 

 are not so important in the vicinity of an Apiary. Willows 

 are among the most desirable trees to have within reach of 

 die bees ; some kinds of willow put out their catkins very 

 30 



