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MONEY IN BEES IN AITSTEALASIA 



Fig. 95. Spotted Gum (Victoria). 



that have been tightly pressed in the box). This species 

 is also known as White gum, Bastard box, etc. ; like other 



Eucalypts it varies ac- 

 cording to habitat. Yields 

 pollen in abundance and 

 also amber-coloured honey 

 during the late autumn. 

 In some districts it blooms 

 every year. In other places 

 it blooms every second 

 year. 



"Scarlet Gum," (E. fici- 

 folia). A native of Western 

 Australia, and now grown in house gardens throughout 

 the Commonwealth. Blooms about end of January and 

 yields creamy-coloured pollen. The bees work eagerly 

 on the scarlet flowers for honey, but there are never 

 enough trees to enable one to determine the quality or 

 colour of the honey. 



Silver Top or Gum Top, {E. Sieberiana). A valuable 

 Eucalypt on the heavily-wooded southern slopes of the 

 Australian Alps, where this variety flourishes and yields 

 sustenance to innumerable colonies of wild bees. It is 

 not uncommon for bushmen to fall a tree and take home 

 300 lbs. of beautiful white comb-honey. The author has 

 known of combs up to eight feet in length. The honey 

 is light amber in colour, and the pollen a dirty white. 

 Blooms about Christmas time. 



Sugar Gum, (E. corynocalyx) . A very handsome 

 shade tree with distinctive clusters of pale yellow 

 blossom. It yields abundance of pollen and light amber- 

 coloured honey of mild flavour. This variety is becoming 

 increasingly popular with municipal authorities and 

 settlers planting for shade or shelter. Blooms during 

 Summer, and is very floriferous. Beemen can whole- 

 heartedly recommend this tree, which is a rapid grower. 

 Here is a note by a prominent Victorian apiarist: — 

 "Sugar gums will grow on poor land, and grow quickly. 

 They should bloom in the fourth year. The timber is 



