228 THE LORE OF THE HONEY-BEE 
to gather. This honeydew varies in flavour 
according to the species of tree from whose sap 
it is derived. Probably much of it is only a sweet, 
slightly mawkish liquor, which, in its pure state, 
combines with the genuine honey without causing 
noticeable deterioration, at least to the unexpert 
taste and eye. But, unfortunately for bee-keepers, 
the oak is a great favourite with these parasites, 
no fewer than six varieties preying on this one 
tree alone. And oak-honeydew is a pestilent 
thing indeed. 
It is commonly supposed that the first cold 
nights, that mark the beginning of the end of the 
honey season, stimulate the production of honey- 
dew; for it is after a chilly night that bees are 
usually seen at work on the trees where the aphides 
abound. A much more likely theory, however, 
is that the cold does not accelerate the secretion 
of the honeydew, but cuts off the more legitimate 
resources of the hive just when they are in fullest 
activity; and so the huge armies of foragers are 
momentarily thrown out of work, and must seek 
new outlets for their energy. The secretion of 
true nectar takes place mainly at night, and re- 
quires a temperature of about 70°. Anything 
much lower than this means dearth on the morrow, 
no matter how fine and warm the weather may 
then prove. 
The dark colour of aphis-syrup—a very little of 
which will ruin for market the finest honey—seems 
