242 miner's AMERICAN 



Next to the above clover, stands the various blossom- 

 ing trees of orchards and gardens, that are spread over 

 every fertile landscape. In the spring, the cherry, peach 

 and nectarine trees, first invite the bee ; then the apple 

 and pear trees spread their flowery canopies over the 

 green fields, and afford a short but rich harvest of honey. 



But first of all in the catalogue of sources, whence 

 the bee derives a spring supply of honey, is the willow. 

 When all nature wears a sombre hue, with scarcely a 

 flower upon her bosom, the willow sends forth its tiny 

 . shoots, from which the bee obtains her first gatherings. 

 Let one but pass beneath some stately willow at this 

 period, and his ears will be greeted as with the music of 

 some sweet-toned seolian harp, that seems hid among 

 its branches ; but let him cast his eye above, and there 

 a cloud of bees may be seen flying to and fro, chanting 

 a merry song, as they lightly dance from shoot to shoot, 



Primeval bliss, without alloy, 



Where cares can ne'er their peace destroy. 



Among the earliest resources of the bee, besides the 

 willow, are the osier, the poplai', the sycamore, the plane, 

 the snow-drop, the crocus, white alyssum, laurustinus, 

 &c. To these may be added, the gooseberry, raspberry, 

 and currant bushes, with sweet marjoram, winter savory 

 and peppermint. 



Alder buds and flowers afford honey during several 

 months. The flowers of the bean, cucumbers, squashes, 

 pumpkins and melons of all kinds, afford a large supply 

 of pollen. 



