238 HEATHER 



distinct, owing to the deep rose of its blossom. Let me 

 impart a wrinkle to those who would cultivate, not only 

 this plant, but all the many species of dwarf heaths that 

 thrive so easily in our borders namely, the early-flower- 

 ing Mediterranean heath (Erica carnea), beginning in 

 February ; the Cornish heath (E. vagans) ; the bell- 

 heather (E. cinerea) ; and a new hybrid which Messrs. 

 Smith of Darley Dale Nurseries have raised and named 

 Erica hybrida. All these, immediately the flower has 

 passed, should be trimmed over with the shears, the result 

 being a vigorous young growth, which will bear abundant 

 blossom in the following season. All tendency to woodi- 

 ness or legginess is thereby checked, and the plants make 

 beautiful close cushions of verdure when not in flower, 

 greatly preferable to the rusty tint which overspreads 

 untended plants. There is an old rhyme which runs 



4 A swarm of bees in May 

 Is worth a load of hay ; 

 A swarm of bees in June 

 Is worth a silver spoon ; 

 But a swarm in July 

 Is not worth a fly.' 



How comes it then, I used to wonder, that heather is 

 famous as a honey producer, yet does not flower till 

 August? It seems that the rhyme does not apply to 

 moorland bees, for I am told by an expert bee-keeper that 

 heather honey is all garnered in August. He assures me 

 that this is accomplished so rapidly that a strong hive, 

 given fine weather and an artificial start on prepared 

 comb foundations, will build the cells, fill them and seal 

 them, within very few days. 



