Page:Jardine Naturalist's library Bees.djvu/167

Rh apiary is situated in a country abounding with such natural productions as the industrious insect can turn to account. Large heaths, sheltered with woods, are extremely productive of honey, as the wild thyme and other flowering plants with which they abound, are not cut down by the scythe; and the heath itself remains in bloom till late in the season. The plane-tree, the whole willow tribe, the furze or whin, the broom, especially the Spanish kind, furnish a rich store both of honey and farina. The bees do not feed indiscriminately on every species of flowers; several of the most splendid and odoriferous are wholly neglected by them, while they select others, the flowers of which are extremely small, and not apparently possessed of any very valuable qualities. Moreover, they give a decided preference to those spots where a great quantity of their favourite flowers grow together. On the continent, fields of buck-wheat afford a copious supply, though the honey extracted from it is of a coarser kind; and in our own country, the white clover (Trifolium repens), will, in fine weather, be found thronged with them, while scattered plants that afford more honey are neglected. When a variety of bee-flowers flourish in the same field, it is said they will first collect from those which furnish the best honey; if, for example, several species of thyme grow together, they prefer the lemon thyme, which is of a richer fragrance. The Bee-master will do well to supply his favourites with such flowers, &c. as are not found growing spontaneously in his neighbourhood. In