FEEDING 85 
the amount must be gradually increased. The 
worker bee generally leaves the cell about 
21 days after the egg has been deposited by the 
queen, and as the young bee cannot leave the 
hive until she is a fortnight old, an increased 
amount of food is required after each batch of 
brood is hatched. 
Artificial Pollen Food.—Many bee-keepers 
use artificial pollen in springtime for stimulating 
purposes. This consists of finely ground pea or 
oat meal, and is sprinkled among dry shavings 
or chaff in a box. A good method of attracting 
bees to such supplies is to place the pollen, 
etc., in an old skep hive which retains some 
propolis, or to place an old quilt in the box. 
In any case this food supply must be kept in 
a sheltered spot as directed on page 83. 
Water.—A plentiful supply of clean water 
should be placed in the food shelter, for the 
bees use large quantities in the brood-rearing 
operations. In each gallon of water 2 oz. of 
table salt should be dissolved. The water 
should be placed in a glass jar which should 
be covered with a saucer and then inverted. 
Should the saucer be deep, some small pieces 
of wood or spent tea leaves should be placed 
in it to form alighting places for the bees. 
Another method of supplying water is to allow 
