POULTRY AND BEES. 495 



the nectar of the blossoms. The number of plants that supply 

 honey on a large scale is limited. As the honey undergoes no 

 change at the hands of the bee, but is the same when deposited 

 in the combs as when sipped from the blossom, there is necessa- 

 rily a great difference in the quality. It is especially desirable 

 that there should be a succession of honey producing plants; 

 for the yield of surplus honey depends upon the length of the 

 honey season, and not upon a large quantity at any one time. 

 The main stay of the bees is clover ; but its season is so short 

 that it cannot be depended upon for a supply. The following is 

 a succession of honey producing trees and plants; any one within 

 a mile or two of such a succession is in a most favorable posi- 

 tion for bee keeping. The willows are the first to give their 

 supplies in the spring ; then follow the sugar maples, fruit trees, 

 the dandelion, the tulip or poplar tree, the linden or bass wood, 

 the locust, seed onion, red, white and Alsike clovers, buckwheat, 

 berries, thistles, etc. 



The first four, with the buckwheat, clover, and beriies, form 

 the main supply. We venture to say that there is no farm in 

 the country but what will readily yield sufiicient supplies for a 

 few colonies of bees. Under the head of miscellaneous items 

 will be found an article in regard to Alsike clover, which, while 

 it is better for general cultivation than red clover, is the best 

 possible pasturage for bees. 



11. Hives. It is safe to say that one half m bee keeping 

 depenis upon the hive and the other half upon careful, intelli- 

 gent management. The bees will do their part if they have a 

 chance. In the old fashioned management the bees were hived 

 in square box hives, and kept there through the season. At the 

 end of the season the old colony was murdered and robbed. A 

 small amount of poor honey mixed with brood was obtained, and 



but little pure, clean, unmixed honev could be had. Each swarm 

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