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Leptospermums. 
These free-flowering Tea-trees, usually shrubs and chiefly found in the coast 
districts, are very valuable for bees. 
Melaleuca Leucadeiidron (the Broad-leaf or White Tea- tree). 
Again let me remind my readers that " Ti-tree," which is the Cordyline of New 
Zealand and the Islands, is a totally different tree. The name " Tea-tree " was given 
by Captain Cook to a species allied to Melaleuca simply because his men made " tea " 
of the leaves. Polynesian islanders made " whiskey " out of the roots of the Cordyline, 
but that is another story. 
This is what Mr. Shallard says of the above Tea-tree : 
" The broad leaf, or white Ti-tree (Tea-tree) comes in about the end of March, 
and yields (usually well) a dark strong-flavoured honey. The odour from the newly- 
gathered honey is nauseating, and can be smelt half a mile to leeward. This, however, 
largely disappears after storing for a while. It is a peculiar tree, and has three distinct 
times of blooming, and it also yields honey while in bloom in sort of cycles. For instance, 
the bees will go at it with a regular roar for three or four days, and then they will steady 
up and do comparatively nothing for a couple of days, although the bloom is still on. 
The third period of bloom usually lasts well into June, and my northern apiaries have 
several times been extracted in June. 
" There is one peculiarity about Ti-tree (Tea-tree) honey and that is the fiendish 
bad temper it always creates in (at other times) peaceful bees. As soon as the flow 
stops, every hive will mount three or four hundred guards, and they are all looking for 
fight. If a hive is opene_d they are at it to rob it out at once, and extracting at this 
time is a work of art, and not likely to be tackled by anyone who does not know the 
Alpha and Omega of robbing preventives." 
Melaleuca styphelioides (Prickly-leaved Tea-tree). 
Flowers regularly every November ; it is the best flower for honey in this part, 
it being always a good bright colour (Forester Crowley, Casino). 
Melia Azedarach (White Cedar). 
Tristania conferta (Brush Box). 
