BEE KEEPING IN MASSACHUSETTS. 91 



Linden or basswood. — Cutting for lumber has tremendously re- 

 duced the number of basswood trees in the State. It was once gen- 

 erally distributed in the forests, but at present occurs largely only in 

 the northern and western woods. This is doubtless the most val- 

 unable tree honey plant in Massachusetts and, together with its value 

 for timber, merits cultivation. It makes a fine shade tree. The 

 honey has quite a characteristic flavor and aroma, but requires to be 

 well ripened before its delicious qualities are appreciable. 



Buckwheat. — This is a famous honey plant in New York State and 

 is reported from all counties of Massachusetts. Here, however, it is 

 far less extensively grown than across the line. Some bee keepers say 

 they plant small fields for the sake of their bees, but there is great 

 doubt if the bees benefit materially by it except in cases of extreme 

 scarcity of nectar. The honey is dark, with a brownish or purplish 

 cast, a heavy body, and a strong, rank flavor to those who are accus- 

 tomed to more delicate honeys, such as clover or fruit bloom. Many 

 in New York State, however, often prefer buckwheat to clover honey. 

 Especially if extracted, it usually commands a good price. 



Wild raspberry and blackberry. — In the highland pastures wild 

 raspberry and blackberry abound. The nectar flow is of long dura- 

 tion, beginning soon after fruit bloom has ceased, and thus is an 

 important stimulant for the clover harvest to follow. Cultivated 

 varieties are quite as valuable for forage as the wild species. 



Sumac. — There are several species of sumac which are important 

 honey sources, but which are greatly underestimated by the majority 

 of bee keepers. They are free bloomers and flourish in nearly all 

 parts of the State. Apparently, however, the nectar yield is some- 

 what erratic. The writer recalls seasons in Worcester County when 

 bees paid no attention to the great heads of greenish flowers. Sumac 

 honey, although not light, has a clear and firm body with a pleasant 

 flavor. 



Locust. — Like the basswoods, locusts have been largely cut from 

 the woodlands. There are several species now found to a limited 

 extent by roadsides and in pasture walls, where they are valuable 

 forage for bees. In Colrain, Franklin County, one bee keeper at- 

 tempted to cultivate locust for his bees, but met with no great returns 

 for his efforts. Another bee keeper reports that locust is sporadic, 

 yielding nectar only once in three years. 



Maple. — A considerable number of bee keepers report that maple 

 is a honey plant. It is, to be sure, one of the best sources of pollen in 

 early spring, which doubtless has confused the bee keepers and caused 

 them to report it as a honey plant. Swamp maple is especially val- 

 uable in early brood rearing. Maple is probably of less importance 

 as a honey source than, for instance, the mints, strawberry, and milk- 

 weed, which were reported but a few times. 



