HONEY A FOOD AND MEDICINE 



which little is known, but which is evidently 

 a distinct variety. 



" Under the peculiar action of the ferment 

 (enzyme) previously mentioned, and which 

 is generally present, the cane sugar gradually 

 changes to sugar of the second and third 

 kinds; and as these are less soluble than cane 

 sugar, the clear limpid fluid gradually becomes 

 opaque and granular, or in other words the 

 honey is said to granulate." 



However vague the above description may 

 be, honey in the public mind means nectar 

 secreted by the flowers of the field and gath- 

 ered by the bees and thoroughly ripened in 

 the hive. Honey will vary in its color and 

 flavor according to the source from which it 

 was gathered, the clover being mild in flavor 

 while that from buckwheat is pronounced. 

 Notwithstanding this variation in color and 

 flavor, the food value of all honey is practically 

 the same, the particular flavor desired being 

 largely a matter of choice. 



Before the passage of the Hepburn Pure 

 231 



