46 
BEE PASTURAGE 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, 
