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the third pair of legs, to a peculiar structure, known as pollen basket. 

 Bees returning to the hive during the working season are often con- 

 spicuous by the presence of the different colored pellets on their legs 

 which varies in color according to the plant from which the pollen 

 was obtained. Pollen is stored in the worker cells closely surrounding 

 the brood. 



During the winter when the bees are inactive, they do not feed on 

 pollen. At that time honey is only consumed. However, during the 

 early spring when the queen becomes active in egg laying, brood rear- 

 ing Is begun, and pollen is required for larval food. If there is a 

 scarcity, flour or fine meal may be used as a substitute. It should 

 be supplied to the bees in open vessels on warm sunshiny days. The 

 flour should be well packed with the hands into a lump so the bees 

 will not smother in it. To attract the bees to the flour, a little old 

 honey comb Is recommended. In localities where maple, willow or 

 hazel are common early supplies of pollen will be maintained. 



In gathering pollen, bees render a great aid to the horticulturist in 

 the fertilization of fruits. Not only to they spread pollen upon the 

 blossom they visit, but in their flights from blossom to blossom, they 

 bring about cross fertilization which is essential in bringing most 

 varieties of fruits to greater fructification. 



PROPOLIS OR BEE GLUE. 



Propolis is a resinous substance gathered by the bee from the buds 

 and limbs of certain trees. In warm weather it is sticky and the bees 

 apply it immediately to the purpose for which it was procured. It is 

 used to stop the cracks in the hive, strengthen the junction of combs 

 with the hive walls, reduce a too large entrance and to cover up 

 obstacles that they are unable to remove from the hive, such as, dead 

 mice, dead insects, chips of wood, etc. In the winter it becomes hard 

 and brittle. It is brought to the hive in the pollen baskets, already 

 mentioned. The amount of propolis gathered in a season depends direct- 

 ly upon the amount of nectar produced. If nectar is present In large 

 quantities the quantity of propolis gathered will be small. If the season 

 is dry and a small amount of nectar available, a large amount of propolis 

 will be gathered and the entire inner walls of the hive will be coated. 



WATER. 



Bees use water in preparing the food given to the larva. In all seasons 

 when brood Is being reared and fresh nectar Is not at hand, water Is 

 required. Water is usually carried to the hive during the earlier part 

 of the day. Bees will search for available water supplies and unless 

 some constant supply is near the apiary, they will travel some distance 

 for it. It is best to see that the supply is near at hand, so the life of 

 the bee is not endangered by long trips on cool spring days. A tub, or 

 bucket with floating cork chips, or a long shallow trough receiving a 

 constant supply from a barrel or -hydrant should be maintained in the 

 apiary. It is recommended where a trough is used to place a liberal 

 quantity of salt at the end farthest from the source of water. 



