292 



GLEANI^^^GS IN BEE CULTURE. 



Sept. 



she cuts out of leaves, as clean as if cut out by a 

 pair of sharp scissors. 



The fact that the male is seldom, if ever, engaged 

 in the labors of nest building, prevented the sexual 

 distinctions from being earlier discovered, and also 

 led to the idea of two distinct species, in the same 

 insect. It is, however, not the only species that is a 

 leaf cutter. Other species do likewise. 



Lancaster, Pa., Aug. 10th, 1878. S. S. Rathvon. 



SOURWOOD (Oxydendrum ArhoreumJ. 



The Sourwood, sometimes called the Sorrel, is a 

 tine tree from 40 to 60 feet in height, and about a 

 foot in diameter; although it sometimes reaches 70 

 feet in height, and a foot and a half through. The 

 popular name, Sourwood, is derived from the odor 

 and the peculiar sour taste of the leaves and small 

 twigs. 



It is entir<dy distinct from the black-gum and 

 sour-gum or pepperidge, with which it has been un- 

 wittingly classed by some writers on honey plants, 

 much to the injury of Sourwood. The former are 

 honey producers to a small extent, but are not 

 worthy to be compared with Soui-wood, which, we 

 are convinced after living where basswood, poplar, 

 clover, buckwheat, golden rod, persimmon, and 

 aster abound, has not its superior among the honey 

 producing plants of America, either in the amount 

 of yield, or in its beautiful appearance. Basswood 

 is more important only because of its widely extend- 

 ed growth. We write this article, to call attention 

 more directly to this tree as a honey producer. Bee- 

 masters are faihiliar with other flora which abound 

 where those who have written our books on bee cul- 

 ture reside, yet few are aware of the merits of Sour- 

 wood,. outside of the regions where it is found. 



We are not familiar with the extent of its growth, 

 but know this much: it abounds in the native for- 

 ests from southern Pennsylvania into Georgia and 

 Mississippi. It seems to be more abundant along 

 the whole mountainous tract of country on both 

 sides of the Alleghanies and the Blue Ridge, reach- 

 ing, in places, even as far as the tide water on one 

 side, and to central Tennessee on the other. In 

 many sections where poplar abounds and much 

 buckwheat is raised, Sourwood is considered the hnn- 

 ey plant, and yields the largest amount of surplus 

 honey. It seems to flourish best on high, dry soil, 

 and'often abounds on poor woodland ridges, which 

 can be purchased at a nominal price; though the 

 forests along the rivers, in rich cultivated soil, are 

 often beautifully checkered with the white blossoms 

 in July. Being a tree, the growth is tall and gener- 

 ally spare of branches along the trunk, except when 

 it grows in the edges of fields, where it yields the 

 greatest amount of honey. The trunk preserves its 

 uniformity of size for some distance from the 

 ground. The wood is white, with straight grain, 

 which splits nicely. It is brittle and quite fine 

 grained, and is used for posts by cabinet makers. 



K W <^ ^ / B 



SOURWOOD LEAF, FLOWERS, AND SEED PODS. 



The flowers (see engraving) are produced on 

 spikes five or six inches long, which hang in clusters 

 on the ends of the branches. Many of these flower 

 bearing spikes are throwai out fi-om one central 

 spike, and are all strung with white, bell shaped 

 flowers, rich in honey. The flower is midway in 



size and appearance between the whortleberry blos- 

 [ som and the lily of the valley. Unless there is a 

 failure of the blossom, the honey yield is sure to be 

 ! abundant; for, being in the woods with good roots, 

 [ the flow is not checked by ordinary droughts, nor do 

 the rains wash out the honey from the pendant, cup- 

 [ shaped flowers. Often have we regaled ourselves, 

 i whilst riding along the road, by breaking a bunch of 

 i the blossoms, shaking out the honey into the hand, 

 I and licking up the delicious nectar. It bears no 

 ' fruit, but each flower, as it dries up, produces a 

 1 brown seed pod about the size of a large grain of 

 wheat, which separates when ripe into five parts, 

 and permits the very fine seed to fall to the earth. 

 I With impToved methods of securing honey and 

 ' sending it to market, we believe that, in suitable lo- 

 calities in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, 

 Tennessee, and Georgia, immense quantities of the 

 i most attractive honey can be secured from this 

 source. The extent of its growth may be wider, but 

 ! not to our knowledge. Let those speak for them- 

 selves where it abounds, that the extent of this 

 source of development of the honey industry may 

 he better known. 



We omitted to state that the tree commences to 

 bloom the latter part of June, nnd the harvest from 

 this source lasts until the middle of July. 



We are inclined to think that the tree would 

 thrive in moderate northern latitudes, perhaps, 

 anywhere in our land. It is found abundantly, in 

 I many parts of the Alleghany mountains, where it is 

 very cold, the thermometer often indicating several 

 degrees below zero. James W. Shearer. 



Liberty Corner, N. J., July 4th, 1878. 



MOTHERWORT. 



We think motherwort one of the best bee plants 

 we have; it is far ahead of catnip; nothing, 

 except basswood, beats it here. My bees have 

 worked on it for a month, early, as well as late, in 

 the day. C, A. Hatch. 



Loyd, Wis., July 28th, 1878. 



SPIDER FLOWER CCleome PungensJ. 



Enclosed, please find a few seeds of a garden plant 

 known as "the Spider," which secretes a large 

 amount of nectar, on the outside of the flower. 

 Probably you know the plant; if so, what is its bo- 

 tanical name, and the quality of honej'? Would it 

 pay to sow it for the honey? Mollie O. Large. 



Pine Hill Apiary, Millersville, 111., Jan. 31st, 1878. 



On receipt of tlie seeds, I told one of the 

 clerks, if sne would sow them, and show me 

 the plant in bloom, at the proper season, I 

 would pay her a half a dollar for her time 

 and trouble. To-day, Aug. 16th, the plant 

 is in full bloom, and the bees at work upon 

 it ; but, strange to tell, it oi)ens its blossoms 

 only at about sunset, accordingly, after the 

 time when the bees have usually stopped 

 flying, they are seen eagerly hovering over 

 this strange but beautiful spider plant. 



The petals, which are of a beautiful deep 

 pink, are all on one side, and on the other. 

 we see what resembles long sprauling legs of 

 the spider. The foliage also is quite orna- 

 mental, and we have decided to have a bed 

 of it on our honey farm. We cannot tell 

 about the quantity or quality of the honey. 



P. S.— rOur friend who raised the ])lants 

 now refuses to take the half dollar, so I sup- 

 pose this, too, will have to be put in the 

 "Coi-ner Stone*' department. 



l^V^ORK IN THE APIARY. 



QUEENLESS stocks AND HONEY STORING. 



fj|0-DAY, I noticed that what was one of my 

 strongest colonies of hybrids, and one that 

 I began working in the 2nd story in wide 



frames, very early, was not doing well. I over- 

 hauled them, and had to use smoke and, finally, veil 

 and gloves: and I must say I cannot appreciate the 

 tenderness of heart that would discard the gloves, 

 because of the stings deposited in them by over 

 zealous bees. I, for one, pref ar to see them wasted 



