402 



THB bek-kebpkr's guidb; 



many will not — it becomes very desirable to have some early 

 bloom. Happily, in all sections of the United States our 

 desires are not in vain. 



Early in spring there are many scattering wild-flowers, as 

 skunk-cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus), which supplies abun- 

 dant pollen and some honey ; the blood-root (Sanguinaria 

 canadensis), liver-leaf (Hepaticaacutiloba), and various others 



Fig. 201. 



lied Maple. — Oriy'uiiil. 



Sir Male blossoms. P Female blossoms. 



M Fruit. 



of the crow-foot family, as also many species of cress, which 

 belong to the mustard family, and the gay dandelion (Taraxa- 

 cum dens-leonis), which keeps on blooming for weeks, etc., all 

 of which are valuable and important. The dandelion affords 

 nectar for excellent honey. Were it not so concurrent with 

 fruit-bloom, it would be more valuable, yet it anticipates and 

 succeeds the orchard bloom. 



The maples, which are all valuable honey-plants, also con- 



