403 



THK BKEKEKPER'S GUIDE; 



many will not— it becomes very desirable to have some early 

 bloom. Happily, in all sections of the United States our 

 desires are not in vain. 



Early in spring there are many scattering wild-flowers, as 

 skunk-cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus), which supplies abun- 

 dant pollen and some honey ; the blood-root (Sanguinaria 

 canadensis), liver-leaf (Hepatica acutiloba), and various others 



Fig. 201. 



Red M(tple. — Original. 



M Male blossoms. F Female blossoms. 



Ji^ Fruit. 



of the crow -foot family, as also many species of cress, which 

 belong to the mustard family, and the gay dandelion (Taraxa- 

 cum dens-leonis), which keeps on blooming for weeks, etc., all 

 of which are valuable and important. The dandelion affords 

 nectar for excellent honey. Were it not so concurrent with 

 fruit-bloom, it would be more valuable, yet it anticipates and 

 succeeds the orchard bloom. 



The maples, which are all valuable honey-plants, also con- 



