232 MARYLAND AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 
honey is secured from fruit bloom as a rule, but the colonies are stimu- 
dated by such early bloom to early brood-rearing. 
Buckwheat. This Plant ranks third, according to information re- 
ceived as a surplus plant. This crop is not generally grown except in 
the western counties. 
Locust and Basswood. The black locust ranks high as a yielder of 
nectar. It is a hardy tree and found commonly over the State. In 
some sections basswood is still a prominent source of surplus. Like 
tulip poplar, however, these trees are being largely cut from our wood- 
lands. 
Miscellaneous. Goldenrod and asters are reported as important in 
providing surplus for wintering, while the bloom of sumac, wild rasp- 
berry and blackberry are among the more important wild plants that 
abound throughout the State, that are abundant honey producers, 
The maples are usually considered as valuable for bees, principally for 
pollen. 
As a rule, too little attention is given by the bee keeper to the honey 
plants of the locality. A bee keeper should know the principal honey 
plants of the vicinity, when they come into bloom, so as to manipulate 
the colonies to obtain the maximum surplus. 
The following list of plants constitutes a partial list of the bee flora 
of Maryland, and their general distribution. Mounted specimens of 
these plants with dates giving their approximate value as honey plants 
in northeastern sections of the State, were exhibited at the State Bee 
Keepers Association in Baltimore, November 30 and December 1, 1910, 
by Mr. J. Ford Sempers, of Aiken, Md., to whom the writer is greatly 
indebted. The data given on these specimens has been supplemented 
by data concerning their range in the State, and their usefulness in 
other sections. 
