56 



Ragweed (Ambrosia)- Valuable in the fall for their abund- 

 ant supply of pollen. Two common species are Roman worm- 

 wood and great ragweed. The pwllen is regarded as a cause 

 of hay fever. 



iRoses (Rosa). The roses are common to both continents 

 and rose honey would be an ideal honey, but not a single ounce 

 of it has ever been produced. The roses yield much pollen 

 but no nectar; bees gather the pollen. Bee-keepers often 

 believe that bees find nectar, but careful study of the flowers 

 shows that they secrete none. 



NecTAR OR Honey Plants 



Strictly speaking flowers yield nectar and plants producing 

 it should be called nectar plants; but the term honey plants 

 is so widely used that I shall continue to use it in this list, 

 understanding by it plants which secrete nectar which the bees 

 convert into honey. A large number of plants produce both 

 pollen and nectar, but in Maine comparatively few yield a sur- 

 plus of honey — the most irnportant being white clover, alsike 

 clover, fruit-bloom, raspberry, fire-weed and goldenrod. 



Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) . This forage plant so valuable in 

 the west yields no nectar in Maine. 



Aster (Aster). The asters are of some value in this State, 

 and in late fall bees may be seen frequently on the flowers. 

 Aster paniciilatus appears to be most important. In some local- 

 ities in the middle states the ground is white with the blossoms 

 of field asters. Pure honey white or perhaps sometimes light 

 amber. It is gathered so late that often it may not be fully 

 ripened. 



Apple (Pyrus Malus). Yields a small surplus occasionally 

 in this State. Honey of fine quality, light amber with aromatic 

 flavor. 



Basswood (Tilia americana). So rare in this State as to be 

 of little importance. 



Blackberry (Ruhus). Yields little nectar in the northern 

 states ; but a surplus' is reported in Georgia and California. 



Boneset (Enpatoritiui perfoliatuin). Visited by insects in 

 large numbers, but not common enough to yield a surplus. 



