360 



GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 



Mar. 15 



gan to bloom about the middle of December. 

 The plant grows as a close- limbed bush, up 

 to twelve feet high, and as much in diameter. 

 It continues to bloom for several weeks, the 

 length of time depending upon the weather. 

 Ordinary freezing nights do not appreciably 

 affect the blossoms. The word ' * manzanita' ' 

 is Spanish, meaning "little apple," for each 



Last Sund ay, Feb. 4, I was surprised to 

 see my bees ( Italians) carrying in pollen. 

 At one time they were alighting at the rate 

 of nearly one a second, and each seemed to 

 have a fair 1 oad. This caused me to look 

 about for fl owers, with the result that I 

 fouad the manzanitas and the almond-trees 

 beginning to bloom. I have but four colo- 



THE MANZANITA OF CALIFORNIA. 



blossom results in a little berry about the 

 size of a pea which is in shape like an apple, 

 and, when green, tastes remarkab'y li* e a 

 green apple. The botanical name fur these 

 is Arctostaphylos. 



nies. Three of them are in three eight- frame 

 hives, each piled one on top of the other. 

 One is in two eight- frame hives. These last 

 are my lazy ones. I have kept them piled 

 up so all winter. Last year I obtained but. 



