TRUCK CROPS 57 



to three or four weeks, depending upon the kinds of trees avail- 

 able (Fig. 28). 



The pear tree secretes nectar freely, and is one of the most 

 valuable of the fruits. The peach also is of some value. 



While the fruit trees bloom in profusion, the principal value 

 of this nectar lies in the stimulation of brood rearing, because 

 of the season in which it comes. 



In Florida and California, the orange is of considerable 

 value as a honey plant. It blooms usually in February and 

 March, and lasts from twenty to thirty days. If conditions are 

 favorable for nectar secretion, considerable surplus will be stored 

 from this source, but it is not dependable. 



Of the wild fruits, hawthorne, wild crab, and several others 

 are very similar to the cultivated fruits in nectar secretion. The 

 wild cherry is a large forest tree that furnishes considerable 

 honey. 



Besides the tree fruits, the bush fruits are of considerable 

 value. The wild raspberry of Michigan is one of the more im- 

 portant sources of honey in that State. Its period of bloom is 

 long and the honey of the finest quality. The plants grow on cut- 

 over timber land that is very poor, so that a good raspberry 

 location is quite likely to be permanent. A large acreage of 

 cultivated raspberries is equally desirable and often to be found 

 in the truck-growing sections near the large cities. The black- 

 berry is also a valuable plant, although probably nowhere equal 

 to a similar acreage of raspberry. 



Currants and gooseberries are eagerly sought by the bees, 

 and if present in sufficiently large acreage would be desirable 

 pasturage. 



Truck Crops. — In the vicinity of market gardens, the bee- 

 keeper often receives considerable benefit from the large acreage 

 of cucumbers, which produces considerable honey. It is said to 

 be of inferior flavor. 



Carrots, cabbage, mustard, turnips, pumpkins, squash and 

 several other cultivated vegetables add to the total production 

 of the hive. 



