and its Economic Management. 25 



up by three p.m., and the bees do not, as a rule, work actively 

 after that time. As in the early morning, they then carry in 

 much water to help in preparing the food for the young, a mix- 

 ture of pollen and honey, first digested by the nurse bees, or 

 those not yet old enough for outside work, and given to the 

 unsealed larvae as a milky fluid. During the warm part of the 

 day, not a bee will be found at the water fountain if there happen 

 to be a heavy flow of honey ; but should there be a scarcity, 

 many will be carrying water the whole day. It is, of course, 

 understood that bees must have honey (or syrup), but. Reader, 

 do not at any time lose sight of the fact that in building up in 

 Spring, it is absolutely necessary that they have both pollen and 

 water as well. 



Substitute for Pollen ; Water Supply, &c. 



If there is any sign of scarcity, nitrogenous food can be given 

 in the shape of a thick paste, formed by mixing pea-flour with 

 good honey (syrup will not do). With a thin broad stick press 

 this into the cells of a tough comb to the extent of the half of 

 one side and place the same next the cluster. Water can be 

 given in large milk pans, either with sawdust at the bottom ; 

 moss ; or wood to float as a resting place ; taking care that the 

 vessel shall stand in a warm, sheltered spot. 



Young Bees take their Share of Work. 



The honey gatherer will generally give up its load to the 

 younger bees, returning at once to the fields, and it will be found 

 that during the day the supers are filled almost exclusively with 

 young bees * not yet able to work outside, and as these do most 

 of the comb -building as well as store the honey, have we not 

 here the reason why pollen is so seldom found in new stored 

 combs ? Of course, we know that pollen is required near the 

 brood nest, but much of it is purposely stored and covered with 



* Observation by Doolittle, America. 



