AMERICAN HONEY PLANTS 265 



hills and valley fields of the Coast Ranges. It grows mostly in stubble 

 fields following the grain harvests, contesting for survival with the blue 

 curls. 



From Western Honeybee we quote as follows: 



"Turkey mullein is a different appearing plant (from blue curls), 



but grows under exactly similar conditions. Its insignificant pale 



green or white flowers yield a thick amber honey, of biting, astringent 



flavor, often in considerable quantities. 



"I have known a beekeeper in San Diego County to market eight 



tons of this honey. It is fit only for manufacturing purposes. The 



foliage of turkey mullein is white, wobly, and exhales a pungent odor." 



October. 1914. 



TURNIP (Brassica). 



Where turnips are grown for seed in large acreage, surplus honey may 

 be expected from this source. The late J. S. Harbison said of them: 



"Turnip blossoms are eagerly sought by the bees, and afford so rich 

 pasturage during March and April as to make it a profitable crop, if 

 but for this purpose alone." — Beekeeper's Directory. 



TURPENTINE WEED, see Blue Curls. 



U 



ULEX, see Gorse. 



UMBRELLA TREE, see Wild China. 



UTAH — Honey Sources of. 



Most of the surplus honey which goes to market from Utah is from 

 sweet clover and alfalfa. Salmon-berry, clover, dandelion, willows and the 

 desert flowers add something to the output of the apiary. 



VACCINIUM, see Blueberry. 



VARNISH TREE or TREE OF HEAVEN (Ailanthus glandulosa). 



This tree is met by a great variety of names, varnish tree, tree of 

 heaven and Chinese sumac being common. The tree is a native of China 

 and has been extensively cultivated as a shade tree in America. It spreads 

 easily and is quite generally naturalized. SchoU lists it as a source of 

 honey and pollen in Texas. Richter regards it as a wonderful yielder in 

 California, where it produces an abundance of ill-tasting honey. It is re- 

 ported as a honey producer in Georgia and is to be found in many States 

 from east to west in greater or less abundance. The disagreeable odor 



