52 BEE TASTURAOE AND PRODUCTS 



to mistake these little yellow pellets for wax, to be used in comb 

 building. Such should observe that just as much pollen is taken 

 to hives already filled with comb, as to any others. In order to 

 stimulate breeding in early spring, unbolted flour is sometimes 

 used as a substitute for pollen. The bees will not accept it un- 

 less given before much natural pollen can be had. "Where snow 

 prevents flowers starting until long after the bees begin to fly, 

 such feeding should not be neglected, especially in large apiaries. 

 It will prevent robbing, strengthen the stocks, and encourage 

 habits of industry. Unbolted rye flour is best, but bolted flour 

 may be used if mixed with sawdust or cut straw. If spread on 

 boards, with strips tacked on the edges to prevent waste, and 

 placed in some sunny corner out of the wind, the bees will work 

 upon it quite freely. 



PROPOLIS OR BEE GLUE. 



This is a resinous gum collected by the bees from the leaves, 

 buds and trunks of trees and plants, and is used for coating over 

 uneven surfaces, and for filling holes and cracks within the hive. 

 When cold, it is very hard and brittle, being quite a different 

 substance from wax of which the combs are composed. Thus 

 we find honey, pollen and propolis the only substances gathered 

 by the bees. 



WAX AND COMB BUILDING. 



As animals must be fed large quantities of grain to enable 

 them to secrete a few pounds of fat, so bees, on a like principle, 



