54 BEE-KEEPING FOR PROFIT 
access to nectar producing flowers, and it 
might be noted that flowers always produce 
most nectar when growing under natural 
conditions. It is a common error to suppose 
that all sweet-scented flowers are visited by 
bees; for in the gardens, roses and sweet peas 
are neglected by them, and in the hedgerows 
the honeysuckle is passed by—it caters for 
moths only, while, on the other hand, plants 
whose scent is entirely repugnant to the human 
sense of smell provide attractive and happy 
hunting grounds for the bee. 
After the resting time of both flowers and 
bees through the dark days of winter there is 
a steady rotation of flowers through spring 
and summer, which is brought to a close in 
the autumn by the flowering of the heather. 
Approximately the appearance of the flowers 
of plants and trees is in the following order: 
snowdrops, winter aconite, early crocuses, 
‘“palm’’ willow, flowering currant, arabis, 
aubrietias, Norway maple, elm, plum, cherry, 
apple, pear, chestnut, sycamore, dandelion, 
the berry trees, whitethorn, and lilac; these 
mark the interval between winter and the full 
glory of summer’s bloom. The bees will 
begin their labours almost as soon as the 
flowers begin to show, and all through the full 
