PASTURAGE. 
stance, very tenacious, and semi-transparent ; is of a dark reddish color, 
resembling wax. It is gathered by the bees similar to pollen; they 
transfer it from the first to the second pair of legs, and from them they 
convey it to the hollow of the thigh. It hardens very soon after being 
exposed to the atmosphere. Bevan says “that so rapid is this hard- 
ening process, that the bees which store it oftentimes find some difh- 
culty in tearing it with their jaws from the thighs of their collectors.” 
In my observatory hive I have often seen the bees in the act of un- 
loading those that had collected it. A bee will enter the hive loaded 
with this substance, when several bees will approach her and commence 
pulling the propolis from her thighs in small threads, and after obtain- 
ing a small quantity, she will knead and work it over in her mouth 
for several seconds, when she will proceed to deposit it about the 
joints of the hive, or at the roof or side where they attach their 
combs. 
It is supposed by some writers that propolis is gathered from the 
resinous exudations of trees, by others from flowers and other mate- 
rials. At any rate, there appears to be no scarcity of this substance, 
in any section or climate where honey may be gathered, for bees are 
always able to obtain a sufficient supply for all purposes. 
CHAPTER XXXIII. 
PASTURAGE, 
Ir is of the utmost importance to the success of bee-keeping, that 
the apiary be located in a neighborhood supplied with good pastur- 
age for bees, and especially where early blossoms abound. Among 
these may be named the willow, the alder, the hazel, the white (or 
soft) maple. 
“First the gray willow’s glossy pearls they stcal, 
Or rob the hazcl of its golden meal, 
While the gay crocus and the violet blue 
Yield to the flexile trunk ambrosial dew.” 
