402 



THB bbh-keepbr's guide ; 



many will not — it becomes very desirable to have some early 

 bloom. Happily, in all sections of the United States our 

 desires are not in vain. 



Early in spring there are many scattering wild-flowers, as 

 skunk-cabbage (Symplooarpus foetidus), which supplies abun- 

 dant pollen and some honey ; the blood-root (Sanguinaria 

 canadensis), liver-leaf (Hepatica acutiloba), and various others 



Fig. 201. 



Bed Maple. — Ong. 



M Male blossoms. 

 Ft Fruit. 



P Female blossoms. 



of the crow -foot family, as also many species of cress, which 

 belong to the mustard family, and the gay dandelion (Taraxa- 

 cum dens-leonis), which keeps on blooming for weeks, etc., all 

 of which are valuable and important. The dandelion affords 

 nectar for excellent honey. Were it not so concurrent with 

 fruit-bloom, it would be more valuable, yet it anticipates and 

 succeeds the orchard bloom. 



The maples, which are all valuable honey-plants, also con- 



