12 BULLETIN 489, U. S. DEPARTMENT OE AGRICULTURE. 
camatum) is of most value as a source of nectar at present. This 
plant is used both as a cover crop and for forage and its use is in- 
creasing. There are two varieties used, one having crimson and the 
other white blossoms, the crimson blooming about 11 days before the 
white. 
Besides crimson clover, there is being introduced a considerable 
amount of alsike clover | T. hybrid urn) which will increase the 
honey crop. There is also white SAveet clover (MelUotus alba) in a 
few places, but not yet enough to be of value. 
GalTberry {Ilex spp.). — Bordering on the swamps and rivers of 
the east are thousands of acres of gallberry which produces an abun- 
dance of nectar, the honey being light in color and of good body and 
flavor. It is reported that bees do not work on the blossoms of this 
plant before 10 o'clock in the morning. The blossoming period is 
given as May 10 to June 5. 
Black and tupelo gum [Nyssa spp.'). — Black gum is abundant from 
the center to the eastern part of the State and is credited with much 
good honey. Tupelo gum [Nyssa aquatica) is confined principally 
to the southeast and is an important honey plant. 
Besides the above-mentioned sources of nectar, there are a number 
of plants and trees of value to the beekeeper because of the pollen 
or nectar which they produce. A list is here given but no claim is 
made for its completeness. Cotton may also become important as a 
honey producer, as is reported to be the case farther south. How- 
ever this may be. there are sufficient pollen and nectar producing 
plants in the State, with the possible exception of the cotton belt, to 
make beekeeping profitable to the person who engages in beekeeping 
commercially. 
PLANTS REPORTED AS VALUABLE TO BEEKEEPERS. 
Elm (Ulmus sp.) : Pollen; February: Piedmont section and eastern part of 
North Carolina. 
Alder (* Ainu s rugosa) : Pollen; specimen from Surry Co.; February: through- 
out State. 
"Maple (Acer spp.) : Pollen and nectar; March; throughout State. 
Wild plum (* Primus angusUfolia) : Nectar; specimen from Surry Co.. March: 
western part of North Carolina. 
Willow (Salix sp.) : Pollen and nectar: April: throughout State. 
Deciduous fruit : Pollen and nectar ; April ; throughout State. 
Redbud (Cerc-is canadensis) : Nectar; April: Piedmont section and western part 
of State. 
Black gum {Nyssa sylvatica) : Nectar; April: Piedmont section and eastern 
part of State. 
Holly (Ilex opaca) : Nectar; April; Piedmont section and eastern part of State. 
Rattan (* Berchemia scandens) : Nectar; specimen from Pamlico Co.; May: 
extreme eastern part of State. 
Locust (RoMnia pseudacacia) : Nectar; May: western part of State and Pied- 
mont section. 
