Pollen was once considered fairy gold. "Did you ever wish with it? Just touch your finger to the pollen, and then wish. After you wish, blow hard twice to get the pollen off. If it goes, your wish will come true, but if not, you will not have your wish" (E. M. J., "A March Ramble,"
Primary Education 1906). Our illustration of the pollen fairy appears in
Blossoms by the Way by Carrie Adelaide Cooke, 1882.