where alfalfa or the clovers do poorly and indica- 
tions are that the acreage will expand rapidly 
when farmers become familiar with it. It is especi- 
ally va'uable when mixed with grasses for a 
_ pasture crop. 
In England it is regarded as a valuable bee plant 
’ and beemen in eastern New York report good crops 
of well flavored honey from it. It blooms freely in 
early summer and continues with a light bloom until 
frost. For field culture prepare as for clover or 
alfalfa and seed in either spring or fall. Three to 
six pounds of seed per acre, with other grasses. 
Seed, 20c per packet, pound $2.10 postpaid. Seed 
is scarce. Limit 5 pounds to a customer. 
ANISE-HYSSOP or FRAGRANT GIANT 
HYSSOP (Agastache anethiodora) 
This wonder honey plant attracts the bees more 
consistently than any other of the 500 under obser- 
vation in American Bee Journal trial garden. 
Anise-hyssop is a native plant which was much 
used by the Indian. From it was made a beverage ~ 
for use as we use tea. It was also used for flavoring 
other foods and from it was extracted a remedy for 
colds. It is strange that this plant should have been 
completely overlooked by our herb gardeners. It 
is very fragrant and has a long flowering period 
from June until October. The plant is perennial 
and worthy of a place in any ornamental garden 
as well as herb garden. As a bee plant it ranks 
very high. Pioneer settlers reported fine crops of 
honey from it. 
Seed of anise-hyssop is very small, perhaps a 
half million to the pound, The seed should be 
planted in late fall, winter or early spring when 
soil is cool. If the tiny seedlings are permitted to 
dry out before well rooted they die. We have had 
best success with a well prepared seed bed and 
sowing the seed on top of the ground at any time 
in winter or very early spring. A light sprinkle of 
straw to protect the young plants from the sun has 
proved helpful. 
A better way is to start the young plants in flats 
in the greenhouse and transplant to the open 

THE BEE GARDEN 
AN enthusiastic side-line beekeeper writes 
that he has found great satisfaction in 
watching the activities of his bees while visit- 
ing the flowers in his garden. Living as he 
does in the midst of a great industrial region 
he is subject to much emotional strain and 
feels that the relaxation which he finds in the 
bee garden has helped to maintain his sanity. 
The stress of wartime uncertainties together 
with long hours at work and the highly nervous 
state of those with whom he is associated tends 
to wear him down. Watching the bees flitting 
from flower to flower, gathering their loads 
of pollen and nectar, provides the right atmos- 
phere for relaxing tired nerves and helps him 
retain confidence that there is still hope for 
the world. : 
There are many lessons to be learned from 
the bees and association with these busy in- 
sects provides an efficient medicine for the 
ailing human race. No more interesting di- 
version can be found than the cultivation of 
a bee garden. 
OOO EEE PPE PIPPI EO eS 
