AMERICAN HONEY PLANTS 147 



LOGWOOD (Haematoxylon campechianum). 



The logwood is an important tree common to the West Indies and 

 Central America, but probably does not occur within the United States. 

 It is the principal source of vegetable dyes, most of which have been dis- 

 l)laced by chemical products. 



It grows in dense forests over large areas and in Jamaica is regarded 

 as the principal source of honey. When conditions are favorable enor- 

 mous crops of honey are harvested, single colonies sometimes gathering 

 several hundred pounds. Since the forests are often miles in extent, large 

 apiaries can be supported in a single location. The plant usually blooms 

 twice during the year, once in November and the second time near the 

 holiday period. That weather conditions affect the flow from logwood as 

 readily as that of other plants will be seen by the following quotations 

 from American Bee Journal of June 8, 1905: 



"I noticed unmistakable evidences of an almost universal bloom, 

 and about ten days later it came out in all its glory. It was truly a 

 magnificent sight, and although the house was about 500 feet from the 

 apiar3% the roar of the bees passing to and fro was a sound to make 

 glad the heart of any beekeeper. I went down to the apiary one morn- 

 ing about 6 o'clock, and if I live to be 100 years old, I never expect to 

 see a more stirring scene in any apiary than I looked upon in that 

 yard of 250 colonies. * * * They kept up this pace for four days; 

 but, alas, it rained that Saturday night, and the next morning the log- 

 wood blossoms were as brown as though the}' had been liurnt, and 

 the flow was over. Six thousand pounds for the four days was the rec- 

 ord." 



The honey does not sell readily in American markets in competition 

 with our mild-flavored clover and alfalfa produce. We quote further : 



"Prices we received ran frbm a fraction below 2 cents per pound 

 for dark to a small fraction below 3 cents for the best, which was one 

 of the finest samples on the island " 



((See also Brazil.) 



l.OMBARDY STAR THISTLE, see Centaurea. 



LOQUAT (Eriobotrya japonica). 



The loquat (Fig. 89) is a Japanese fruit of evergreen habit and fragrant 

 wliite flowers which has been introduced into parts of California. The 

 tree is cultivated for ornament and for its edible fruit, which resembles 

 a small yellow pear. It blooms in winter in California and is said to be an 

 excellent honey plant. 



LOOSESTRIFE, see Purple Loosestrife. 



LOUISIANA— Honey Sources of. 



Louisiana has a large variety of sources of nectar, \vith no one plant 

 of special importance, in all parts of the State. Fruit bloom and forest 

 trees furnish early nectar and pollen. In the northwest part of the State, 

 near Shreveport, alfalfa is reported as a source of surplus. Holly, locust, 

 tupelo, blackberry, asters and cotton are among the sources commonly 



