216 NATURAL HISTORY OF THE FARM 
The pollen of the apple is freely exposed, and there are many 
chance visitors that nibble at it, such as house-flies and 
beetles. But the insects that can reach the nectar are 
rather few. Bumblebees and honeybees are the most 
persistent and efficient distributors of pollen. All the bees 
are equipped for carrying pollen abundantly by reason of the 
bristly plumose hairs that clothe their bodies, and that make 
veritable pollen brushes (see figs. 105 and 106). 
When rain falls constantly in blossoming time, the apple 
trees set little fruit because the bees are kept away from 
them: but when the sun shines, the busy hum of their 
prodigious activity is the sure forerunner of an apple crop. 
Study 30. Observations on Apple Blossoms and Their 
Visitors 
This study should be begun at home, where one may sit 
at a table and work carefully. With a bunch of fresh apple 
blossoms in hand, notice first the difference in condition of the 
flowers, from fresh unopened buds to spent flowers with 
falling petals. Observe especially the condition of the tips in 
the central cluster of stamens and pistils—the yellowish 
anthers capping the numerous stamens, and the naked 
stigmatic surfaces terminating the five pistils. Note care- 
fully the changes of position and of condition during flower- 
ing. Then split several flowers of different age in halves, 
lengthwise, and look with a lens in the shallow green cup 
surrounding the pistils and encircled by the bases of the 
stamens for shining droplets of nectar. Then make a dia- 
gram of such a section, showing carefully the relative 
position of anthers, stigmas and nectar at time of full 
bloom. 
The field work of this study will require fit weather. A 
calm bright day will be best. Rain will drive the flower 
visitors away, and too much wind will interfere with observa- 
