CHAPTER XVI. 



Pasturage and Overstocking. 

 Pasturage. 



698. The quantity of nectar yielded by different flowers 

 varies considerably; some give so little, that a bee has to 

 visit hundreds to fill her sack, while the corolla of others 

 overflows with it. 



In the vicinity of the Cape of Good Hope, there is a blos- 

 som, the Protea mellifera, which probably surpasses all others 

 in the abundance of its nectar. Indeed, so abundant is it, 

 that it is said, the natives gather it by dipping it from the 

 flowers, with spoons. Mr. De Planta, in a lengthy and 

 scientific article published in the Revue Internationale d' Api- 

 culture, gives an account of his analysis of some samples of 

 this honey, which he had received through the "Moravian 

 United Brothers." He reports it to have the scent and the 

 taste of ripe bananas, and considers it very sweet and good. 



699. The same plants yield nectar in different quantities 

 in different countries. The Caucasian Comfrey, from which 

 the bees reap a rich harvest in some parts of Europe, is of 

 little account here. 



700. Every bee-keeper should carefully acquaint himself 

 with the honey-resources of his own neighborhood. We will 

 mention particularly some of the most important plants from 

 which bees draw their supplies. Since Dzierzon's discovery 

 of the use which may be made of flour (267), early blossoms 

 producing pollen only, are not so important. All the varieties 

 of willow abound in both pollen and honey, and their early 

 blossoming gives them a special value. 



' ' First the gray willow 's glossy pearls they steal, 

 Or rob the hazel of its golden meal, 

 397 



