GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 



Sept. 1 



RAMBLE 190. 



Shall a Government Forestry Commission be Or- 

 ganized ? 



BY RAMBLER. 



People in Los Angeles go to Santa Monica, 

 mostly for a plunge in the ocean. It is only 

 a trifle over 20 miles. The crowds go on the 

 steam and electric lines ; but there are quite 

 a few who run down on their wheels. A very 

 good bicycle-path is provided all of the way. 

 I took the path one day in the same direction, 

 but I went a little further and ran up into the 

 Santa Monica Canyon ; and it is a very good 

 place for a bee-keeper and a seeker for infor- 

 mation to go, for here is located the govern- 

 ment forestry station. Here all kinds of 

 shrubs and trees, both native and foreign, are 

 planted, and their uses minutely investigated. 

 An interest is taken in bee culture as far as to 

 observe which trees, etc., are useful as honey- 

 producers. Over 60 varieties of eucalyptus- 

 trees and many other trees and shrubs are 

 here under experimentation. 



The superintendent, Mr. C. A. Colman, call- 

 ed my attention to a shrub in full bloom, 

 known as tegasaste, or tree lucerne. A full- 

 grown tree, with the superintendent, also full 

 grown, is herewith presented. This little tree 

 is adapted to growth upon arid land. The fo- 

 liage is eagerly sought by cattle ; and when 





bli- 



the tree is full grown it is not easily killed by 

 close brousing. It is covered with a multi- 

 tude of small white blossoms ; and from the 

 number of bees at work, and their enthusiasm, 



TREE LUCERNE. 



VERONICA. 



there must be quite an amount of nectar se- 

 creted. The tree was in bloom at the time of 

 my visit, early in April. 



Where a shrub can be of use aside from its 

 secretion of nectar it is well to give it a trial ; 

 and I have no doubt the State University at 

 Berkeley, Cal., could put applicants in the 

 way of procuring seed. 



My attention was called to a beautiful shrub 

 bearing the beautiful ladylike name of Veron- 

 ica, or l^. salicifolia, which should be of some 

 value to beekeepers. At present it is found 

 mostly in parks, both public and private ; and 

 until some combination of use is discovered it 

 will remain an ornamental shrub. I believe 

 some portion of it is used to a limited degree 

 as an ingredient to a proprietary medicine. 



The development of the leaves and blossoms 

 is very interesting to those who love to study 

 plant growth. The new growth that develops 

 at the end of each twig looks like a matured 

 pod, as will be noted in the full-sized photo of 

 that part resting against the cup. But instead 

 of being mature, this pod soon commences to 

 split open, and it is transformed into two 

 leaves ; and, behold ! as it opens, there peep- 

 ing out are the twin baby-spikes of buds. 

 They follow the example of the leaves, and 

 soon part on either side of the stalk, and are 



