48 THE HONEYFLOW 



joint, the drones having thirteen segments 

 against the workers' twelve. 



There is a wide field for research open in 

 connection with the subject, our knowledge of 

 it being aptly described as paltry. 



I have spoken of the honeyflow as though it 

 were one definite period. That is how it is 

 usually understood among bee-keepers generally, 

 but, as a matter of fact, it is sometimes a very 

 protracted and intermittent period. For instance, 

 there is usually a strong flow of honey in the spring 

 at the time cherries bloom. It does not last very 

 long, and if it occurs very early, the bees are not 

 strong enough in numbers to take full advantage 

 of it. 



There is then usually a gap of a week, during 

 which, by very hard work, even if the weather is 

 favourable, the bees are not able to gather more 

 than sufficient for daily needs. Then the apple 

 trees commence, and yield plenty of honey. If the 

 weather is fine, a careful bee-keeper may succeed 

 in getting surplus for his own use from apple trees. 

 After the apple comes the hawthorn. This is a 

 most singular flower from the point of view of 

 honey production. Sometimes it appears not 

 to provide any at all. I remember in 19 10 the 

 hawthorn was very abundant in my neighbour- 

 hood. We have a large number of fine old trees, 

 which were a mass of snow during that May, but I 

 never saw a bee at it the whole time it was out. 



