194 JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY [Vol. 1 



Mexican bucke,ye. {Vngnadia speciosa Endl.) In mountainous 

 woodlands and on rocky hillsides throughout southern, central and 

 western Texas. Honey yield important as it blooms during July 

 dearth, but the plants are not plentiful. 



Green Sumach. (Rhus viviens Lindh.) In rocky country west of 

 Colorado River. Bees w^ork on it during dearth. Blooms as late as 

 October. 



Rhus sp. A small shrubby tree on rocky hillsides and on woodland 

 prairies. Bee-keepers report it a good honey plant, giving surplus in 

 favorable seasons, depending upon rains. August. 



Blue bonnet. {Lupinus suhcarnosus Hook.) Southern, central 

 and western Texas on prairies and on open woodlands. The honey and 

 pollen yield is good ; the pollen is of a bright orange color. March 

 and April. 



Red clover. {Trifolium pratense L.) An attempt was made to 

 grow red clover with a view of determining the ability of the five 

 races of bees to secure honey, notwithstanding the deep corollas. We 

 have no evidence that any of the strains of bees are able to obtain 

 honey, while the plants did not prosper owing to the dry climate. 



Alfalfa. (Medicago sativa L.) Is extensively cultivated for hay 

 in humid and semi-arid Texas. We know that it is a valuable honey 

 plant in irrigated sections of Colorado and New Mexico, but there is 

 considerable difference of opinion as to its value in unirrigated sec- 

 tions of Texas. In the great honey belt of southwest Texas it appears 

 to be no preferred plant. We have a note on record from Mr. E. 

 Scholl, formerly assistant to the writer, when State Entomologist of 

 Texas, which states that large numbers of bees were seen on alfalfa 

 at New Braunfels during June, 1907. During his work as deputy 

 foul brood inspector he reports alfalfa "a good thing" in north 

 Texas. In the Brazos River bottom where bees were near alfalfa we 

 were unable to ascertain the importance of alfalfa as a honey plant 

 because bees preferred other blossoms occurring during alfalfa bloom. 

 Where bees work on it, the honey yield is fair during early summer 

 and fall. On July 12 Mr. Will Atchley, one of the most successful 

 apiculturists of Texas, presented the writer with a jar of alfalfa 

 honey from Beeville, the quality of which was fully equal to the 

 Colorado product. 



Medick, Burr clover. {Medicago denticulata Willd.) Abundant 

 at College Station during spring. While it yields honey sparingly 

 during early summer, it comes into bloom at a time when honey flora 

 is scarce, and when bees must depend on honey gathered from mis- 



