AMERICAN HONEY PLANTS 87 



The beekeeper has little to complain of from these weeds, as there 

 is nothing of greater value during the short period of bloom. While the 

 honey gathered from dandelions is dark and strong, most of it will be 

 consumed for brood rearing. Occasionally a small surplus will be se- 

 cured from this source, but it blooms so early that surplus is unusual. 

 Large quantities of pollen as well as nectar are produced, so that a large 

 acreage of dandelions within reach of the apiary is much to be desired. 

 Fig. 50 shows the plant as it appears during the period of bloom, with 

 blossoms and unopened buds. 



Hon. Eugene Secor, the beekeeper's poet, has written a number of 

 things regarding the intimate relation existing between bees and flowers, 

 and for one of these, the dandelion furnished the inspiration: 



"Here's a bee, my children see! 

 Gathering sweets for you and me, 

 On Sir Dandy Lion's crown; 

 She is yellow that was brown, 

 Yellow with the golden dust 

 Lent to her in solemn trust; 

 Blossoms bart'ring gold for gold. 

 Through this dusty trader bold. 

 Dandy Lion seeks a bride, 

 Sends his offerings far and wide 

 With his trusty friend, the bee. 

 And with Honey pays the fee." 



DATE-PLUM, see Persimmon. 

 DEER CLOVER, see Wild Alfalfa. 

 DEER'S EARS, see Monument Plant. 



DELAWARE— Honey Sources of. 



Clover, tulip-tree, willows, maples, fruit bloom, dandelion, heartsease, 

 buckwheat, blueberry, huckleberry, boneset and asters are among the well- 

 known sources of honey in Delaware. Beekeeping is not highly developed 

 in this State and few pay serious attention to honey production. 



DEVIL'S CLAW, see Acacia. 

 DEVIL'S SHOESTRING, see Bluevine. 

 DEWBERRY, see Blackberry. 

 DIERVILLA, see Bush Honeysuckle. 

 DOCTOR-GUM, see Poisonwood. 



DOGBANE (Apocynum). 



When not in bloom the dogbane resembles the milkweed. There are 

 several species found in Europe, temperate Asia and North America. In 

 the United States there are two common species, Apocynum cannabinum, 

 known as Indian hemp, Canadian hemp or Choctaw root, and Apocynum 

 androsaemifolium, the spreading dogbane. 



Dogbane can be distinguished from milkweed by the finer stem and 

 smaller leaves. The stems are unusually reddish in color. By Fig. 51 it 



