paying crop can, as a general rule, be depended on every season. White 
Dutch Clover (Trifolium repens) which now grows will and in great pro- 
fusion in most localities is the main source of production. Is is sur 
prising how rapidly White Clover becomes established and spreads after 
the forest trees have been cut down. This is m:re particularly - notice- 
able where cattle are ranging as they help to keep down the ranker 
vegetation, and also act as distributors of the seed. In some localities, 
Alsike Clover (Trifolium hybridum) is being cultivated to a greater ex- 
tent than formerly, and is also spreaiing naturally in the same manner 
as White Clover. As Alsike Clover is c-nsidered to stand at the head of 
all other plants in the production of honey this will be of benefit to the 
beekeepers. Alsike succeeds better than Red Clover where there is 
an excess of moisture, or acidity in the soil, or a deficiency of lime. Red 
Clover, largely grown for ploughing in, unfortunately does not help the 
beekeepers very much.as the tongues of hive-bees are not sufficiently 
long to-reach the nectar secreted by the blossoms, unless the latter be 
come dwarfed by drought or by flowering the second time. Experiments 
are being maie in some places in growing the biennal Bokhara Clover, 
generally known as White Sweet Clover (Melilotus alba), which yields 
honey freely over a long period, and is meeting with success. Inoculation, 
the same culture as for alfalfa, and a hard seed bed are usually necessary 
to get it started. Sweet Clover has been introduced in run-down and 
barren tracts in the United States, where apparently nothing would suc- 
ceed, and is reported to be giving good results' as food for cattle, hzrses, 
and hogs, in honey production, and in improving the soil. It will grow on 
any soil except that which is water-logged. Alfalfa has not as yet been 
known to yield hzney to any appreciable extent in this section of British 
Columbia. , 
In some localities, the wild flowers yield a somewhat large propor- 
tion of the honey. The most important of these are the common Dande- 
lin (Taraxacum officinale,) (introduced), and the Bearberry (Arctostaphy- 
los Uva-ursi) early in the season, and later on, during July and August, 
Sprealjing Dogbane, commonly known as Milk-weed, (Apocynum androse- 
mifolium), Snow-berry bush (Symphoricarpos racemosus), Wolf-berry 
bush (Symphoricarpos vecidentalis), and the Great Willow Herb, usually 
* known as Fire-weed, (Epilobium or Chamcenerion, angustifolium). There 
are also Wild ‘Raspberries growing in abundance in many places. 
HONEY YIELDING WILD FLOWERS OF THE KOOTENAYS 
Willows—Salicacz. (Willow family). 
Pussy Willow—(Salix discolor) etc. Flower in March ani April. Both 
honey and pollen are obtained from the pistillate flowers, honey 
only from the staminate. 
Dandelion—C-mposite. (Compesite family). (Taraxacum officinale). 
Flowers in April and May. .. : 
Bearberry—(Kinnikinnik). Ericacez. (Eeath family.) Arctostaphylos 
Urva-ursi. ® 
Blueb2rry—Ericacese. (Heath family.) Vaccinium ovalifolium, etc, 
Huckleberry—Ericacee. (Heath family). Gaylussacia -resinosa. 
Choke Cherry—Rosacez. (Rose family). Prunus demissa. 
eae ee 
