134 BEES AND BEE-KEEPING. 



where these abound the bees advance earlier than 

 elsewhere. The soft maple (acer rubrum) yields a 

 considerable quantity of honey very early, if the 

 weather is fine; the golden or yellow willow also 

 yields supplies quite early; peach, cherry and pear 

 trees put forth early ; gooseberries, strawberries, cur- 

 rants, &c. all afford rich supplies. To close this list 

 of early flowers, the dandelion and apple come forth 

 in rich profusion, all of which are of the utmost 

 importance for the prosperity of the bees during the 

 season. If this early pasturage fails, or if the 

 weather should be so unfavorable as to prevent the 

 bees from gathering a supply of provisions, they will 

 fail to rear a sufficient quantity of brood to swarm 

 early or to harvest the clover honey to advantage. 

 When such a condition of things exists, feed care- 

 fully as directed in the chapter on feeding. It is but 

 seldom, if ever, that a sufficient quantity of honey is 

 gathered from these early flowers to cause the bees 

 to store it in surplus boxes, yet enough is frequently 

 obtained to fill up a large portion of the combs from 

 which the honey has been consumed during the win- 

 ter, and serves to supply their immediate wants until 

 clover blooms. 



Let me here caution all bee-keepers to see well to 

 this matter, and be sure that your little servants are 

 well supplied with provisions from the opening of 

 spring until the white clover blooms. 



THE NEXT PASTURAGE. 



Turnips, cabbage and the hard maple (acer sac- 



