AMERICAN HONEY PLANTS 109 



GOOSEBERRY (Grossularia). 



Gooseberries are native American shrubs with stems covered with 

 sharp thorns or spines. There are several species widely distributed. 

 They are very attractive to the bees and are of some importance, espe- 

 cially where grown in large plantings for market. The wild varieties are 

 common in open woodlands in nearly every section of the country. 



GOLDEN WATTLE, see Acacia. 

 GOPHER WOOD, see Yellow Wood. 



GORSE or FURZE (Ulex europaeus). 



Figure 66 is a spiny evergreen shrub with yellow flowers that is com- 

 mon in Europe, where it is said to be used to some extent for fuel and 

 fodder. There are few references to it in this country. In California it 

 is said to bloom during all seasons, although much more freely in spring. 

 Richter reports it as a very good honey plant on the hills of Marin 

 County. 



GRANJENO, see Hackberry. 



GRAPE (Vitis). 



The grape family is represented by wild species in all parts of the 

 temperate regions of both hemispheres, and by cultivated species in 

 nearly all parts of the world. There are about thir^ty species of wild 

 grapes, and where sufficiently common they are very attractive to the bees. 

 In many localities cultivated grapes are grown in large acreage. The nec- 

 tar yield is not as abundant as with many plants, but is of some value 

 where the vines are largely grown. Quantities of pollen are gathered from 

 this source. At times honeydew is gathered from the leaves. 



SchoU lists the mountain grape (Vitis monticola) as giving a fairly 

 good honey yield and furnishing pollen for early brood rearing. Richter 

 lists the California wild grape as yielding some honey. 



Bees and Grapes 



Of the disagreements between fruit growers and beekeepers, probably 

 those growing out of the tendency lof the bees to suck the juice from 

 cracked grapes have been most serious. Many unfortunate misunder- 

 standings have resulted from such circumstances, though the injury was as 

 great to the beekeeper as to the fruit grower, in many cases. 



This condition arises from a combination of circumstances which does 

 not often occur in the average locality. In the first place, the bees do not 

 seek the grapes when there is plenty of nectar in the field, and, beside, thev 

 are unable to reach the juice unless the grape has first cracked open 

 through unfavorable weather conditions or has been injured by birds, 

 wasps, or other agency. Grape growers, seeing the bees at work in the 

 vineyards, have often accused the bees of injury to 'the fruit. The fact of 

 the matter is that the bee is unable to puncture the fruit, and only sucks 



