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WESTERN AUSTRALIA. 
These observations on the gum trees of Western Australia, with respect to bee- 
keeping, are taken from the Mutual Help column (Mr. W. C. Grasby) of the Western 
Mail. Interest having been awakened in this matter in the western State, I expect 
further and more definite particulars, since in some respects the trees are better defined 
than in the east. 
1. Eucalyptus accedens (Powder Bark Gum). 
This tree is also called " Spotted Gum " and " Bastard White Gum." The 
' Powder Bark " blooms very irregularly. The period of the year is usually about 
the same as that of the free blooming time of the Red Gum, viz., from February to 
April, it being in full bloom in March. The tree produces honey of very fine quality. 
The buds form about a year before blooming, i.e., they form at the end of the summer 
before that in which the tree blossoms, whereas the buds of the Wandoo form two 
seasons ahead. The buds of Powder Bark Gum differ materially in shape from those 
of the Wandoo. (Mr. A. H. Smith, Baker's Hill, W.A.) 
2. E. calophylla (Red Gum). 
This species normally blooms from February to April, and is usually in full 
bloom in March. Every year a few trees, chiefly saplings or young trees, are found in 
bloom, the number varying; but as a rule the Red Gum forest is in bloom profusely 
every third year, i.e., the trees bloom one year and miss two. Sometimes there is a 
profusion of blossom two years in three, i.e., there is only one season missed ; and some- 
times there are three seasons without free blossoming, in which case there is only one 
profuse blossoming in four years. From a bee-keeper's point of view, a Red Gum honey 
harvest may be expected once in three years ; but he cannot tell whether he is likely 
to obtain his harvest until the December or January preceding, as it is only then that 
the buds are formed. In a year of profuse blossoming, the majority of Red Gums from 
Albany to Perth will be in flower about the same time. (A. H. Smith, Baker's Hill, 
W.A.) 
The old-time blacks used to say when Red Gums flowered heavily, that it would 
be a wet winter, but my father and I came to the reverse conclusion, that is, the wet 
winter came first ; certainly the following winter might be wet too. (C. A. Fauntleroy, 
Uberin Hill, Dowerin, W.A.) 
3. E. diver sicolor (Karri). 
Two trees bloomed last year, 1918, starting the first week in April. The same 
trees carried a heavy crop this year, starting the middle of March, but I am inclined 
to think the blooming period varies very much as my bees are still working on Karri. 
I was out at Nornalup in January of this year, and the Karri trees were in bloom then. 
(" Bee-keeper," Denmark August, 1919.) 
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