62 



SOTJKCES OF HONEY. 



Red Clover probably secretes as much honey as the 

 White, but the tube of the corolla being longer, common 

 bees appear to be unable to reach it. I have seen a few 

 at work upon it, but it appeared to be slow business. The 

 Italians work on it sometimes, apparently out of choice, 

 and often to good advantage. 



Sorrel {Rumex acetosella), the pest of many farmers, 

 is brought under contribution by the bees, and fur- 

 nishes pollen in large quantities. 

 Morning is the only part of 

 the day appropriated to its 

 collection. 



Catnip {Nepeta Cataria), 

 Motherwort (Leonurus Cardi- 

 oca) (fig. 10), and Hoarhound 

 (MarruMum vulgare), put forth 

 their flowers about the middle 

 of June, rich in sweetness, and, 

 as with the Raspberry, the bees 

 visit them at all hours and in 

 nearly all kinds of weather. 

 They remain in bloom from 

 four to six weeks ; in a few 

 Fig. 10.— MOTHERWORT. instauces, 1 have known Cat- 

 nip to last twelve weeks, yield- 

 ing honey during the whole time. Mr. Quinby says, 

 "if there is any plant that I would cultivate especially for 

 honey "., would be this."* Borage has been recommended 

 as yielding abundantly, and worthy of cultivation. 

 Ox-Bye Daisy, known as White-Weed in many locali- 

 ties, {Chrysanthemum Leucanthemum, or Leucanthemum 

 vulgare of some botanical works), a showy flower m pas- 

 ture and meadow, and worth but little in either, also 

 contains some honey. The flower is compound, and 



* My individual experience with these placte, inclines me to give the prefer 

 ence to Motherwort. 



