AMERICAN HONEY PLANTS 



67 



of Victoria, Texas, states that he has observed the bees gathering nectar 

 from it in Mississippi and also at Victoria. It is probably of little import- 

 ance, unless it be as a source of pollen. 



CHERRY (Prunus cerasus). 



The cultivated cherry is closely related to the plum and is equally at- 

 tractive to the bees. Both bloom at about the same time. In California 

 the cherr}' is reported as one of the best of the fruit trees for honey pro- 

 duction. In the East it is valued principally for stimulating early brood- 

 rearing. 



When the weather is warm and bright during its period of bloom a 

 great variety of insects may be found on the blossoms. Bees are seldom 

 strong enough to store surplus from cherry. (See also Wild Cherry. 



Cherry blossoms. 



CHESTNUT (Castanea dentata). 



The chestnut is an important timber tree from northern New England 

 and Ontario to Michigan and along the mountains to Georgia. It is a tall 

 and slender tree in the forests, but a magnificent spreading shade tree 

 when grown with sufficient room. It sometimes reaches a height of 90 

 to 100 feet. 



As a source of nectar it is probably nowhere important, though it 

 yields pollen in June or July. E. E. Hasty, writing in the American Bee 



