BEE MANUAL. 287 



In many parts of continental Europe the chief honey harvest 

 is derived from the linden (Tilia Europeea) and the acacia 

 (robinia or pseudacacia), trees which are easily grown in these 

 countries also. Buckwheat, which is also much grown in 

 America, affords a late harvest of honey of dark colour and 

 inferior quality. 



AMERICAN PLANTS AND TREES. 



The American species of linden, the basswood (Tilia Ameri- 

 cana) stands at the head of the honey producers in the 

 Northern and Eastern States ; the honjy locust, named by 

 Quinby robinia or pseudacacia, but to which Professor Cook 

 gives the botanical name of Olidischia triacanthus, the latter 

 being the correct one, according to Johnson's " Gardener's 

 Dictionary." The liriodendron, or tulip-tree, the Judas-tree, or 

 red-bud, the magnolia, and the sugar maples, are all prized, in 

 various parts of the States, as bee forage. 



Speaking of the basswood (Fig. 132) in his "A B C of Bee 

 Culture," A. I. Boot says of it : " With perhaps the single 

 exception of white clover, the basswood, or linden, as it is 

 often called, furnishes more honey than any other one plant or 

 tree known." Comparing it with clover, he says : " The best 

 yield of honey we have ever had from a single hive in one 

 day was from the basswood bloom : the amount was 43 lb. in 

 three days. The best we ever recorded from clover in one 

 day was 10 lb." Fully ripened basswood honey is noted for 

 its delicious flavour. It blossoms in July in the United States, 

 and in many parts it is the chief dependence of the apiarists. 

 It does well in New Zealand. 



The sages (salvia) of California are perhaps amongst the 

 most wonderful honey plants known at the present time. 

 There are different varieties growing wild on the mountains 

 and in the canons of this State, but I believe most of the 

 honey is gathered from what are commonly known as the 

 white, black, and button sages. The estimated crop of honey 

 last season (1884), for California, was about 4,500 tons. This 

 plant would thrive well north of Auckland, and in the warmer 

 parts of Australia. I grew some front seed sent me by Mr. 

 Wilkin, of San Buenaventura, when I was living at the Thames, 

 and they flourished splendidly ; but on taking the plants to 



