Honey i8i 



strong, and like linden honey is improved by standing un- 

 covered for awhile. 



Pliny says : — 



" The honey of Attica is generally looked upon as the 

 best in the world ; for which reason it is that the thyme 

 of that country has been transplanted." 



In western New York, where catnip is grown in large 

 fields, the honey retains a slight but evident flavor which 

 tells its origin even when purchased half across the 

 continent. 



Each kind of flower gives its characteristic flavor to the 

 honey, though the strong-flavored honeys are generally 

 mellowed by time, the cruder principles probably escaping 

 in volatile oils. 



In Wales, where leeks and onions are raised in large 

 quantities for seed, and thus allowed to blossom, the honey 

 partakes of the flavor, not to its advantage ; and every one 

 knows the strong flavor of the buckwheat honey, a prime 

 favorite with some, and concerning which Burroughs speaks 

 most appreciatively. 



" It is a homely old stanza current among bee folk that — 



' A swarm of bees in May 

 Is worth a load of hay ; 

 A swarm of bees in June 

 Is worth a silver spoon ; 

 But a swarm in July 

 Is not worth a fly.' 



" A swarm in May is indeed a treasure : it is like an April 

 baby, sure to thrive, and will very likely itself send out a 

 swarm a month or two later ; but a swarm in July is not to 

 be despised ; it will store no clover or linden honey for the 

 ' grand seignior and the ladies of his seraglio,' but plenty 

 of the rank and wholesome poor man's nectar, the sun- 

 tanned product of the plebeian buckwheat. Buckwheat 



