88 BEE PASTCTBAGE. 



the open field where no tree is standing above to shower 

 it upon leaves below. It is found on leaves, having no 

 traces of the aphis near them. How did it get there ? 

 Did the leaves secrete it ? I am not yet ready to admit 

 this. If leaves produce it, why is it not found in this section ? 

 In passing I have not mentioned garden flowers, because 

 the amount obtained from them, esj)ecially ornamental 

 flowers, is inconsiderable, compared to that from forest 

 and field. It is true that the Hollyhock, (Althea rosea), 

 Mallows, (Malva rotundifolia) , Mignonette, {Meseda 

 odorata), and many others yield honey, but of small ac- 

 count. A person who expects to have his hives filled from 

 such a source, will be very likely to be disappointed, un- 

 less his number of stocks is very limited. 



We will now notice the flowers that appear after the 

 middle of July. The Button-ball, {Gephalanthus oeideyi- 

 talis) is much frequented for honey. Also our vines — 

 melons, cucumbers, squashes and pumpkins. The latter 

 are visited only in the morning, and honey is the only 

 thing obtained. Nothwithstanding the bee is covered with 

 fixrina, it is not kneaded into pellets on its legs. I have 

 seen it stated that bees get pollen early in the morning, 

 instead of honey. It is not best to always take our word, 

 about such matters, but examine for yourselves. Take a 

 look some warm morning, when the pumpkins are in 

 bloom, and see whether it is honey or pollen of which 

 they are in quest. 



Under some circumstances, clover will continue to 

 bloom through this part of the season, and a few other 

 flowers also, but I find by weighing, a loss from one to six 

 pounds between July 20th and August 10th, at which time 

 Buck^vheat usually begins to yield honey, which generally 

 proves a second harvest. 



