VII 



GUARDING THE TREASURE 



No one who has kept bees can fail to know 

 when the honeyflow is over for the season. To 

 the beginner, who knows little about the whys and 

 wherefores of bee ways, it may appear strange 

 that all at once, instead of flying out in countless 

 numbers to the fields, the greater part of the hive 

 population remains at home, hanging about the 

 entrance and adopting a truculent attitude to 

 every one who approaches. 



The tall hollyhocks are in full bloom and the 

 garden is gay with all kinds of flowers. Bumble- 

 bees appear in great numbers, and seem as busy 

 as ever, but the honey-bee does little or nothing. 

 Here and there one may be found in company 

 with its great black-and-white cousin, rifling the 

 contents of the stately hollyhock or humming 

 merrily round the bed of clarkia or mignonette, 

 but the open field knows them no more. Round 

 the hive entrance they may be seen in great 

 numbers, the alighting board being covered with 

 a mass of them, wandering aimlessly round and 

 pouncing on every insect that attempts to enter. 



51 



