422 



THE beb-keepkr's guide ; 



weather it is hardly equaled. It will never be grown in 

 quantities to give any large returns. 



Okra, or gumbo (Hibiscus esculentus), (Fig. 224), also 

 .blooms in June. It is as much sought after by the bees in 

 quest of honey, as by the cook in search of a savory vegetable, 

 or one to give tone to soup. 



Sage (Salvia ofBcinalis), hoarhound (Marrubium vulgare), 

 motherwort (Iveonurus cardiaca), and catnip (Nepeta cataria), 

 which latter does not commence to bloom till July, all furnish 

 nice, white honey, remain in bloom a long time, and are very 



Fig. 224. 



Fig. 225. 



Okra. — Oriiiltml. 



Mint. — Original. 



desirable, as they are in bloom in the honey-dearth of July 

 and August. They, like many others of the mint family (Fig. 

 22S), are thronged with bees during the season of bloom. The 

 first and last are of commercial importance, while very few of 

 our native plants afford so much nectar, are such favorites 

 with the bees, and are so independent of weather as mother- 

 wort (Fig. 226). It is crowded with bees from the dawn of its 

 bloom till the last flower withers. By cutting it back in May 

 it can be made to blossom just at the dearth of nectar-secreting 

 bloom ; otherwise it comes in June and early July, just when 



