PROPOLIS. Ill 



' ' Witli merry hum the Willow 's copse they scale, 

 The Fir's Dark pyramid, or Poplar pale; 

 Scoop from the Alder's leaf its oozy flood, 

 Or strip the Chestnut's resin-coated bud; 

 Skim the light tear that tips Narcissus' ray. 

 Or round the Hollyhock's hoar fragrance play; 

 Then waft their nut-brown loads exulting home. 

 That form a. fret -work for the future comb; 

 Caulk every chink where rushing winds may roar, 

 And seal their circling ramparts to the floor. ' ' 



Evans. 



237. A mixture of wax and propolis being much more- 

 adhesive than wax alone, serves admirably to strengthen the 

 attachments of the combs to the top and sides of the hive. 

 If the combs are not filled with honey or brood soon after 

 they are built, they are varnished with a delicate coating of 

 propolis, which adds greatly to their strength; but as this 

 natural varnish impairs their snowy whiteness, the bees ought 

 not to be allowed access to the surplus honey-receptacles, ex- 

 cept when about ready to store them with honey. (731.) 



238. Bees make a very liberal use of propolis to fill any 

 crevices about their premises; and as the natural summer- 

 heat of the hive keeps it soft, the bee-moth (802) selects it 

 as a place of deposit for her eggs. Hives ought, therefore, to 

 be made of lumber entirely free frcjm cracks. The corners, 

 which the bees usually fill with, propolis, may have a melted 

 mixture run into them, consisting of th.-ee parts of resin and 

 one of beeswax; this remaining hard during the hottest 

 weather, will bid defiance to the moth. 



239. Bees gather propolis, especially when they can find 

 neither honey nor pollen in the fields. Thus, during the 

 honey-crop, very little of it is taken. In some countries, they 

 use it much more plentifully, owing to its being found more 

 readily. 



240. Propolis is hard and brittle in the Winter, and its 

 use by the bees, to gkte up ail parts of the hive, has created 

 the greatest objection to drawers, close-fitting frames, hinged 

 doors, etc., with 'which some patent hives are provided, and 



