12 PLEASUBABLE BEE-KEEPING. 



intended for the bee to play an important part in 

 the fertilisation of bloom, is evident from the arrange- 

 ment of the flowers. The bees must rub against the 

 pollen, and so carry it away to the other flowers, while 

 they are searching for nectar secreted at the bottom of 

 the flower. The nectaries are usually placed so as 

 to secure fertilisation, while the stigma is protected 

 in order that the rain shall not wash away the sweet 

 secretion covering it. To prevent self -fertilisation the 

 stamens and pistils are on different flowers, or, when 

 both are on the same flower, the former are not in 

 a receptive condition at a time when the latter are 

 ripe, and scatter their pollen. When a bee enters a 

 flower in search of nectar, if the anthers are ripe, the 

 pollen is scattered over its body, and adheres to it. 

 Subsequently some of this pollen is left adhering to 

 the stigmata of other flowers, thus effecting proper 

 fertilisation while the bulk is taken to the hive where 

 it is used as a food. 



The colour of the flower as well as the nectar is 

 in itself a provision for attracting insects. Sir John 

 Lubbock has at much pains tested the preference of 

 bees for coloured flowers. Again, the odour of certain 

 crops is most powerful and certainly attractive. In 

 passing along a road the traveller recognises the 

 presence of bean or clover fields long before he reaches 

 them, by the scent borne upon the breeze, and this is 

 undoubtedly detected by bees much more readily than 

 by human beings. 



The influence of bees in the production of fruit is 

 sometimes very great. In California there are exten- 

 sive cherry orchards, and the crops have recently been 



