58 



Maple (Acer saccharum) . The rock maple blooms in spring 

 before the leaves appear and the flowers are visited by bees in 

 great numbers. The red maple also yields nectar. 



Milkweed {Asclepias syriaca). Where the milkweed is 

 abundant it is a great help to the bee-keeper. In Michigan it 

 i.= increasing, and perhaps also in Maine. The honey is excel- 

 lent with a fruity flavor. 



Mayweed (Anthemis Cotula). -Common by the roadside, a 

 bitter honey, apparently not important in this State. 



'Mustard (Brassica)- Very abundant in grain fields, where 

 the flowers often present an unbroken sheet of yellow. Prob- 

 ably never yields a surplus in Maine. 



Pear (Pyrus com-munis). Not of much importance, but has 

 been known to yield nectar very freely under suitable conditions. 



Plums and Cherries (Primus). All the species secrete nec- 

 tar. The choke-cherry, which is common in thickets, attracts 

 many insects. 



Raspberry (Rubus idaeuSj variety aculeatissimus) . One of 

 the best honey plants, where the forest has been lumbered. A 

 splendid honey of the finest flavor, suggestive of the berry. 



Sumac (Rhus typhina). This common shrub has the stami- 

 nate and pistillate flowers on different individual plants. Not 

 common enough in Maine to yield a surplus. Honey bright 

 amber, with a bitter flavor at first -which later disappears. 



Sweet Clover (Melilotus alba). Does not grow well on the 

 clay soil of this State, requires a limestone soil. 



Willow (Salix). Valuable in spring for both pollen and 

 nectar, a great help in building up the colonies and bridging 

 over backward springs. The pussy willow (Salix discolor) 

 is most important. It could be planted to advantage in useless 

 wet land. 



Willowherb (Epilobium augustif olium,) . Also called fire- 

 weed since it springs up abundantly on land which has been 

 burnt over. An excellent honey plant; honey water white; 

 flowers red-purple. 



Bee-keepers desiring further information about the honey 

 plants of this State are referred to John H. Lovell, Waldoboro, 

 Maine, botanist to the A. I. Root Company. 



