BEE MANUAL. 287 
In many parts of continental Europe the chief honey harvest 
is derived from the linden (Tilia Europea) 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 honey locust, named by 
Quinby robinia or pseudacacia, but to which Professor Cook 
gives the botanical name of Gilidischia 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 BC of Bee 
Culture,” A. I. Root 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 from 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 
