57 



Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) . Not extensively 

 grown in Maine, but fields of it are cultivated in many localities. 

 A dark purplish honey. 



Button-bush {Cephalanthus occidentalis) . Common in 

 swamps but not important. 



Canada Thistle {Cirsium arvense). Not very abundant in 

 this State but more common westward. Honey light and well- 

 flavored. 



Carrot (Daucus Carota). Naturalized from Europe, com- 

 mon in fields. 



Clover, White (Trifolium repens). A fine white honey of 

 delicious flavor. Alsike clover (T. hybridum) is an equally 

 good honey plant, honey similar. Both are abundant in Maine, 

 especially northward. In dry seasons bees are able to gather 

 nectar from red clover, a bumblebee flower- 

 Cucumber {Cucumis sativus). A good honey plant in the 

 neighborhood of pickle factories. Honey with flavor of the 

 fruit, but improves with age. 



Currant (Ribes). The various species of currants and goose- 

 berries, both wild and cultivated, are of some importance. 



Dandelion (Taraxicum officinale). More valuable for pollen 

 than nectar in this State. Honey golden yellow, thick, strong- 

 flavored, crystallizing in a few weeks. 



Goldenrod (Solidago). A most valuable honey plant in New 

 Erigland. In southern Maine never fails to give a large sur- 

 plus the main dependence of the bee-keeper for winter stores. 

 Honey golden yellow, fine flavored, candying with a coarse 

 grain in a few months. Solidago graminifolia and S. rugosai 

 are 'the most important species in this State. 



Heartsease {Polygonum Persicaria). This plant so valuable 

 in Illinois and Nebraska is of no importance in Maine; a bee 

 is rarely seen on the flowers. 



Horsechestnut (Aesculus Hippocastanum). Not common, 

 bees gather both nectar and pollen. Bumblebee flowers. 



Locust, Black {Robinia Pseudo-Acacia). Yields a surplus 

 of white honey further south ; but not abundant in Maine. 

 Often cultivated- 



