§ v.] POLLEN. 299 



in the cells for future use. In April and May the bees 

 are frequently busy "all the day" in gathering pollen, 

 and often one community of bees will collect about 

 twenty pounds weight of " bee-bread " in one season. 



One of the objects of the apiarian is to assist the bees 

 in providing for the nurslings of the hive. Dr. Dzierzon 

 first suggested the plan of providing the bees with " un- 

 bolted rye meal " as a substitute for the farina of flowers. 

 He had observed that, in early spring, before the flowers 

 were open, his bees had entered a neighbouring cornmill, 

 from whence they returned laden with rye flour. Since 

 his discovery, some keepers, in early spring, have placed 

 rye or wheat meal near the apiaries ; to this artificial 

 store the bees repair by thousands, and seek to rollick 

 in the enjoyment of such plenty, many of them returning 

 to the hive as dusty as millers. The object in thus sup- 

 plying them is that the brood may be rapidly brought 

 -forward, and early swarming induced. In this way a few 

 pounds of rye meal, at one penny per pound, may tend 

 to the production of very many pounds of honey of 

 twelve times the price. 



In the British Bee Journal there is a recommendation 

 to sprinkle pea flour amongst deal shavings in any 

 open vessel, and place this near the hives so that bees 

 have access to it. We can endorse this recommenda- 

 tion, for we know that it is freely taken by the bees. 



If the bee-keeper ascertains that for some interval no 

 pollen has been conveyed into any particular hive he 



