524 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



The leaves came out late and dropped at the first frost, thus avoiding 

 unpleasant shade when it was not needed ; the leaves were borne at the ends 

 of the branches so that the shade was that of au umbrella instead of a solid 

 mass like the top of a maple. 



Prof. Cook WDuld plant basswood in groups for shelter and pleasant effects. 

 Prof. Bailey said by cutting off a basswood one might secure a number of 

 sprouts from the stump which would grow rapidly, producing the effect of sub- 

 tropical foliage; and Prof. Cook suggested that this plan produced a wealth 

 of blossoms from the same root. Mr. Root planted a number of years ago a 

 basswood orchard of several acres which had proved a great success. 



The tulip tree was named as a good honey tree and a grand lawn tree, but 

 difficult to transplant, and the seeds did not germinate readily. 



The Red bud or Judas tree is an excellent honey tree in the South and may 

 be found on the banks of rivers in the southern counties in our State, but is 

 not hardy north of the base line, although found as far north as Muskegon 

 on the lake shore. It flowers early in spring before the leaves come out, is 

 rich in honey, and is a most attractive lawn tree. 



The maples furnish considerable honey, and it has the flavor of maple 

 syrup. Mr. Hilton had a sample illustrating this fact. 



In answer to the query: 



HOW GREAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF HONEY BEES IN PROMOTING THE 



SELLING OF FRUITS ? 



there were a great many examples given where fertilization was aided by the 

 carrying of pollen by honey bees. Many plants upon which bees love to feed 

 will not produce fruit unless by the aid of insects. Nearly all plants of the 

 cucurlilacecB are of this character. Mr. Root gave an example of a large 

 market gardener near Boston who always places a colony of bees in his cucum- 

 ber houses. 



Another gentleman spoke of the failure of squashes in some place where bees 

 were rare. Others still gave examples in the family LeguminoscB, which contains 

 beans, peas and clover, in which proper fertilization was not effected without 

 the aid of bees. Even some of the larger fruits are aided materially by the 

 proximity of an apiary. 



Mr. Bingham spoke intelligently about the way in which bee-keeping sup- 

 plemented horticultural pursuits. Prof. Cook said the trouble lies in the 

 fact that bees need the greatest attention just in the season of small fruits, 

 and were liable to neglect, or else the fruits would be neglected. 



Mr. Bingham said he would not advise a fruit grower to go into bees exten- 

 sively, but in a small way, with a very few colonies, and then make them do 

 their level best. 



Prof. Cook thought the best of work could be done in solving the problem 

 of lessening the work with bees in the fruit harvest; the two occupations go 

 so naturally together that this problem assumes great importance. Numer- 

 ous instances were cited in which successful fruit growers were expert bee 

 keepers. 



At 5:30 o'clock the meeting adjourned to lunch at the Bazaar, following 

 which the horticuliurists separated to go to their respective homes, leaving 

 the balance of the convention to the beekeepers in their specialty. 



