AMERICAN HONEY PLANTS 



271 



WASHINGTON— Honey Sources of. 



Alfalfa, sweet clover. Sweet clover is quite generally distributed over 

 all irrigated alfalfa districts. The Yakima Valley is the largest of these 

 districts and supports at least 25,000 colonies. If it were not for spray 

 poison this district could support SO per cent more. Sweet clover is being 

 introduced in many other sections of the State, Spokane County, for ex- 

 ample. New irrigation projects will increase the beekeeping area con- 

 siderably in many sections of the arid portion of this State. 



Fireweed (Epilobium angustifolium). This plant is second only to the 

 above as a honey plant. It is found in great abundance on all burned- 

 over land west of the Cascade Mountains. It is also found in more or 

 less abundance on burned sections on the east side. Due to the fact that 

 there is much less rainfall it is not as reliable as a source of nectar as it 

 is on the west side of the State. 



White clover is important on old cleared off land on west side. Also 



important in Stevens, Pend 'Oreille, Klickitat, Spokane and Whitman 

 Counties. Of minor importance in most other counties. 



Alsike clover. Important in a few localities on the west side and in 

 the northeast part of the State, where conditions are favorable. 



Vine maple (A. circinatum). Very abundant on the west coast from 

 about King County south. A good yielder of an excellent amber honey. 

 Blooms so early, about April, that few colonies are in a condition to store 

 much surplus. 



Oregon maple (A. macrophyllum). An important honey plant on the 

 18 



