96 
13EE PASTURAGE. 
high. It Is very scarce, as well as Basswood, (Tilia 
Americana ,) — that in some places is abundant, and 
yields honey clear and transparent as water, superior in 
appearance, but inferior in flavor to clover ; it also ap- 
pears much thinner when first collected. 
LARGE YIELD FROM BASSWOOD. 
During the time this tree is in bloom, a period of 
two or three weeks in many sections, astonishing quan- 
tities are obtained. A person once assured me that he 
had known “ ten pounds collected by one swarm in a 
day, by weighing the hive in the morning and again at 
evening.” I have some doubt of the statement, and 
think half the amount would be a good day’s work ; 
but I had but a small chance to know, as only a few 
trees, as a specimen, grow in this section. I have 
weighed hives duringseasons of apple-tree blossoms and 
buckwheat, the two best yields of honey we have, and 
three and a half pounds was the best for one day that 
I ever had. Sumach, ( Rhus Glabra,) in some sections, 
affords considerable honey. Mustard (S inapis Nigra) 
is also a great favorite. 
I have now mentioned most of the honey-producing 
trees and plants that come on before the middle of 
July. The course of these flowers is termed the first 
yield. In sections where there are no crops of buck- 
wheat, it constitutes the only full one. Other flowers 
continue to bloom till cold weather. Where white clo- 
ver is abundant and the fields are used for pasture, it 
will continue to throw out fresh flowers, sometimes, 
throughout the summer ; yet the bees consume about 
