378 PASTUKAGE AND OVERSTOCKING. 



CHAPTER XVI 



Pasturage and Ovekstockino. 



Pasturage. 



698. The quantity of nectar yielded by different fiowers 

 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 

 blossom, 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' Apiculture, gives an account of his anal- 

 ysis of some samples of this honey, which he had received 

 through the "Moravian United Brothers." He I'eports 

 it to have the scent and the taste of ripe bananas, and con- 

 siders 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 Europe, is of little 

 account here. 



TOO. Every bee-keeper should carefully acquaint him- 

 self with the honey-resources of his own neighborhood. 

 We will mention particularlj- some of the most important 

 plants from which bees draw their supplies. Since Dzier- 

 zon's discovery of the use which may be made of flour, 

 early blossoms producing pollen only, are not so important. 



