BEE MANUAL. 289 



in quantity every season. Mr. B. F. Carrol], of Dresden, Texas, 

 reported a yield of nearly 1000 lb. from one colony, gathered 

 principally from this shrub. I have now some young plants 

 growing, which have withstood the frosts remarkably well. 

 They would do well in most parts of Australasia. 



The United States can boast of a number of what may be 

 termed fine honey-bearing weeds, among which figwort (Fig. 

 134) stands high. I have grown this plant myself for several 

 years, and can speak well for its honey-yielding qualities. As 

 soon as the first little pitcher-like flowers open, the bees are 

 constantly visiting the plants till they are out of blossom. They 



Fig. 133,—HOKSE-MINT OF TEXAS (Mouarda punctata). 



flower for about two months, commencing at the end of No- 

 vember. Being tuberous-rooted plants, and dying down every 

 winter, frost does not affect them. The honey, as far as 1 can 

 judge of it, is very fine. 



The golden-rods (Fig. 135) are members of a very numerous 

 family to be found growing nearly all over the United States. 

 They must be very valuable honey plants; for A. I. Boot 

 states that " in some localities they furnish the bulk of the 

 great yield of fall honey." These and the asters (Fig. 136), 



U 



