AMERICAN HONEY PLANTS 



107 



found in addition, S. squarrosa (Fig. 59) and the less important S. hispida 

 (Fig. 61). Good rains in early August, followed by fine and warm weather, 

 bring best results. 



3. A restricted area centering in Cumberland County, Nova Scotia, 

 in which S. Graminifolia is a troublesome weed (Fig 62.) 



He further reports that the roadside goldenrods of old Ontario are not 

 heavy producers of honey under ordinary conditions. 



P'ig. fi."). Early goldenrod (Solidago jinicca. 



In an article on the Honey Flora of New England, which appeared in 

 the April, 1916, American Bee Journal, Lovell states as follows : 



"If I were compelled to stake the existence of bee culture in New 



England on a single genus of plants I should select the goldenrods. 



There are many species, and they all yield nectar and pollen. They 



begin to bloom in midsummer and continue 'to bloom in October. They 



are very common and there are species adapted to the seashore, the 



fields, the rocks and the woods. I have never known the flow of nectar 



to fail, and a great quantity of heavy, yellow honey is stored annually." 



Mr. Lovell has kindly sent me his field notes on these plants. There 



is a large amount of interesting information which space will not permit 



inserting here. The notes include the study of six species, all of which 



produce some nectar in Maine. He describes the tall, hairy goldenrod 



S. rugosa (Fig. 63) as the latest to blossom and the most valuable as a 



honey plant. It is found in damp thickets and on moist land. While in 



bloom the bees work it very diligently and the honey is stored rapidly. 



The apiary is filled with a sour odor, which, in the evening, is noticeable 



at a distance. 



