PASTURE FOR BEES 79 



back yard to supply the needs of a colony or 

 two of bees without difficulty. Such persons are 

 always informed that there is nothing that they 

 can plant in such limited space which will make 

 any noticeable difference in the product of the 

 hive. 



Importance of Pollen. — An abundance 

 of pollen for spring brood rearing is very im- 

 portant, and plants that produce pollen in 

 quantity at this important season are second in 

 value, only, to plants that yield a liberal surplus 

 of honey. Without a plentiful supply of pol- 

 len, brood rearing will not progress in a satis- 

 factory manner, as it is absolutely essential for 

 larval food. In most localities there is seldom 

 a scarcity of pollen during the height of the sea- 

 son, but in some places the bees do not find it 

 plentiful at the time when they should be build- 

 ing up in preparation for the honey flow. Rye 

 flour, meal or other substitutes which will sup- 

 ply the bees with protein are sometimes resorted 



