200 FIFTY YEARS AMONG THE BEES 



to leave them on for the later flow. I am not sure 

 whether this is wise, except in the few years in which 

 from some unknown source some exceptionally white 

 sections were secured at the Hastings apiary. In other 

 years at the Hastings apiary, and in all years at the other 

 apiaries, the honey stored during the cucumber flow is 

 rather dark in color, and is likely to have an unpleasant 

 appearance on the surface, as if lightly varnished with 



Fig. 64 — Load of Forty Supers. 



l:ee-glr,e. But of late years the late honey has been im- 

 proving, both in color and flavor. I don't know why. Pos- 

 sibly a greater proportion of sweet clover may have im- 

 proved the flavor. Possibly, also, tlie increase of 

 heartsease may have something to do with it. Although 

 I think my bees get no inconsiderable cfrantity of lioney 

 from cucumbers, I confess I don't know what pure 

 cucumber honey tastes like, but I am afraid it does not 

 rank very high in flavor. 



