The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-07-04
Honey Prnducers.


The plants which yield a generous sup
ply are not numerous, and many of them
pre- not Of a character which invites cul-
tivation. The most important Of these
cultivated plants. and the one upon
which beekeepers place the most depend
tnce. is the white clover While it is
not so free a grower as red clover. and is,
therefore, less cultivated by the farmer
ii still makes excellent pasturage. forms
q thick mat near the ground. and is by
no means an Improbable forage plant
~ grows spontaneously in many by
places, even when il is not cultivated 1t
produces an abundant flow Of honey
turing its poisoning period, June and
July, and the honey is peculiarly white,
pne. and free from any disagreeable
PdOr or offensive taste. The farmer who
feeps bees can well afford to raise white
flover. 1t makes a pretty lawn when
closely shaver, and is frequently used
for this purpose about city residences
end village homes. Another important
and cultivated honey plant is the buck
wheat. 1t comes late in the season. be-
ginning TO blossom in August and re-
manning in bloom until the coming of
frost. From this plant the bees gather
an abundant harvest of very rich dark
money having peculiar taste, not at all
offensive. and for which a liking is easily
and speedily acquired. But buckwheat
Us not largely cultivated. The grain does
not always fill well. and the crop is not
always a very profitable one. The rapid
growth Of the plant however makes it
useful as an eradicator of weeds, and en-
ables 1t TO put the soil in a good condi-
lion for subsequent cultivation. 1t will
grow on almost any soil, though usually
the better the soil the better the buck
wheat.
II is believed by some apiarists that in
hlsike clover will be found a plant that
s. alike profitable for the apiarist and
the farmer. Whether the hopes enter
fained Of this forage plant will be fully
REALIZED IS matter Of future demonstra-
Sion Prof Cook says or this plant:
- Alsike or Swedish clover seems to re-
Eemble both the red and the white clover
1t Is stronger grower than the white
and has whitish blossom tinged with
pink. This forms excellent pasture and
hay for cattle, sheep, etc, and may well
be sown by the apiarist 1t will often
pay apiarists to furnish, neighbor far
mers with seed as an fnducement to
grow this superior honey plant. Like
white clover il blossoms all through June
into July. II should be sown early in
the spring. with timothy. five or six
pounds to the acre, in the same manner
that clover is sown."
To this list of cultivated honey pro-
ducers can be added the red raspberry,
though 1t is the wild berry, growing spon-
taneously on mountain clearings and in
open fields. which produces the largest
amount. The red raspberry is an abund-
ant producer, and the honey from ii is
nearly or quite equal to that produced
from the white clover. And as this berry
Is one Of the most delicious Of small
fruits, there seems to be good reason why
1t should be cultivated, especially by
those who have convenient and ready ac-
cess to a good market The blackberry.
also, often cultivated, but oftener grow
ing wild. produces honey. and the rea-
sons which would lead TO the cultivation
Of the raspberry ought to be eficacious
in its case. II Is vigorous, very pro-
ductive. and or good, marketable quail
ties.-B. Butler in the American Agri-
cuiturist