BEES AND FLOWERS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1976, 24 June 1880, Page 2

BEES AND FLOWERS.

[" Prairie Farmer."] It is veil known that bees do not make honey, but simply gather it as it is generated in nature. It is well known also that some flowers do not permit bees to reach their nectar on account of the narrowness of their tube-shaped corollas. -Bed clover is a familiar example, as bees oannot introduce their heads in the tubular flower, if the corolla is longer i than their tongues they cannot get honey i from it. According to Prof. Cook's interesting and accurate experiments the imported Italian bee is the one having the longest tongue, the homebred Italian comes next, and ' the pure black is the one whose tongue is the ' shortest. But there is an important fact connected with flowers and bees, one that is very little known even among owners of bees, that is, 1 that bees do not gather honey every day of i the season of blossoms, even if the weather is fair and even if their own honey-producing plants are in bloom. Mowers do not yield honey at all times, it may even be said that the days in whioh honey is plentiful enough to enable bees to store it for future use are few. There are certain hours of these special days during which the nectar is produced, and others during which there is a lack of it. Observing beekeepers have given much thought and study to the subject, but so far only little light has been thrown upon it. The main influences which seem to bring an abundance of honey are electricity, heat, and moisture, the lack and excess of the last being both injurious. Botanists and meteorologists would do well to take up the subject and make observations upon it, for it is one that may bring to light interesting facts about plant life. Melilot clover and aromatic plants, such as mint and catnip, are the blossoms upon which bees seem to find the most continuous supply during the dryest months. Beekeepers should encourage the introduction of such plants as they can grow harmlessly along hedges and fences, and their fresh and healthful fragrance are welcomed by everyone. It may be thought that a few plants of each kind cannot benefit the bees to any extent. Certainly not. But a few plants here and there will produce seed, and finally make waste places become sources of the moßt delightful sweets. Naturo has bountifully supplied food for our pets, and if we could find the means of making bees indulge in the pleasures of honey-gathering all summer long, we would get for our trouble a never-ending flow of honey.