12 BULLETIN 489, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



carnatum) is of most value as a source of nectar at present. This 

 plant is used both as a cover crop and for forage and its use is in- 

 creasing. There are two varieties used, one having crimson and the 

 other white blossoms, the crimson blooming about 14 days before the 

 white. 



Besides crimson clover, there is being introduced a considerable 

 amount of alsike clover (T. hybridum) which will increase the 

 honey crop. There is also white sweet clover (Mel'dotus alba) in a 

 few places, but not yet enough to be of value. 



Gallberry (Ilex spp.). — Bordering on the swamps and rivers of 

 the east are thousands of acres of gallberiy which produces an abun- 

 dance of nectar, the honey being light in color and of good body and 

 flavor. It is reported that bees do not work on the blossoms of this 

 plant before 10 o'clock in the morning. The blossoming period is 

 given as May 10 to June 5. 



Black and tupelo gum (Nyssa spp.). — Black gum is abundant from 

 the center to the eastern part of the State and is credited with much 

 good honey. Tupelo gum (Nyssa aquatica) is confined principally 

 to the southeast and is an important honey plant. 



Besides the above-mentioned sources of nectar, there are a number 

 of plants and trees of value to the beekeeper because of the pollen 

 or nectar which they produce. A list is here given but no claim is 

 made for its completeness. Cotton may also become important as a 

 honey producer, as is reported to be the case farther south. How- 

 ever this may be, there are sufficient pollen and nectar producing 

 plants in the State, with the possible exception of the cotton belt, to 

 make beekeeping profitable to the person who engages in beekeeping 

 commercially. 



PLANTS REPORTED AS VALUABLE TO BEEKEEPERS. 



Elm (TJlmns sp.) : Pollen; February; Piedmont section and eastern part of 

 North Carolina. 



Alder (* Alnus rugosa) : Pollen; specimen from Surry Co.; February; through- 

 out State. 



Maple {Acer spp.) : Pollen and nectar; March; throughout State. 



Wild plum (* Prunus angvstifolia) : Nectar; specimen from Surry Co., March; 

 western part of North Carolina. 



Willow (Salix sp.) : Pollen and nectar; April; throughout State. 



Deciduous fruit : Pollen and nectar ; April ; throughout State. 



Redbud (Cercis canadensis) : Nectar; April; Piedmont section and western part 

 of State. 



Black gum (Nyssa sylvatica) : Nectar; April; Piedmont section and eastern 

 part of State. 



Holly (Ilex opaca) : Nectar; April; Piedmont section and eastern part of State. 



Rattan (* Berchemia scandens) : Nectar; specimen from Pamlico Co.; May; 

 extreme eastern part of State. 



Locust (Robinia pseudacacia) : Nectar; May; western part of State and Pied- 

 mont section. 



