228 THE LORE OF THE HONEY-BEE 



to gather. This honeydew varies in flavour 

 according to the species of tree from whose sap 

 it is derived. Probably much of it is only a sweet, 

 slightly mawkish liquor, which, in its pure state, 

 combines with the genuine honey without causing 

 noticeable deterioration, at least to the unexpert 

 taste and eye. But, unfortunately for bee-keepers, 

 the oak is a great favourite with these parasites, 

 no fewer than six varieties preying on this one 

 tree alone. And oak-honeydew is a pestilent 

 thing indeed. 



It is commonly supposed that the first cold 

 nights, that mark the beginning of the end of the 

 honey season, stimulate the production of honey- 

 dew; for it is after a chilly night that bees are 

 usually seen at work on the trees where the aphides 

 abound. A much more likely theory, however, 

 is that the cold does not accelerate the secretion 

 of the honeydew, but cuts off the more legitimate 

 resources of the hive just when they are in fullest 

 activity; and so the huge armies of foragers are 

 momentarily thrown out of work, and must seek 

 new outlets for their energy. The secretion of 

 true nectar takes place mainly at night, and re- 

 quires a temperature of about 70°. Anything 

 much lower than this means dearth on the morrow, 

 no matter how fine and warm the weather may 

 then prove, 



The dark colour of aphis-syrup — a very little of 

 which will ruin for market the finest honey — seems 



