CHAPTER VII. 



POLLEN, OR BEE-BREAD. 



Every bee-keeper knows what bee-bread is ; yet every 

 bee-keeper does not know all in regard to this substance, 

 that ought to be known. Bee-bread is the pollen, farina, 

 or dust of flowers, that is gathered by the workers in 

 the baskets, or cavities of their legs — the yellow sub- 

 stance that is carried into the hives so abundantly, in 

 the spring of the year. Bee-bread is the food of the 

 larvae, or young brood ; and the most abundant gather- 

 ing of it takes place in the spring, when the breeding 

 season is at its height. But this commodity is stored 

 up at all seasons, it being a substance that is not in- 

 jured by age. In the morning, when the dew is on the 

 flowers, the bees are engaged at this labor, because the 

 dampness of the farina packs better upon the cavities of 

 of their legs, and also that at this period of the day, no 

 honey can be gathered. Here is wisdom ! — Man plans 

 his work no better. The bee gathers farina, also when 

 the honey season is past, and when it is not wanted for 

 immediate use. The wants of the following season are 



