Honey Plants of North America
John Lovell (1861 to 1939), was a pollination specialist, studying the biology of plant pollination and the insects that were involved in the process. He was expert in the bees of the eastern states, and specialized in honey bees. It was his work that proved honey bees can see colors. In 1913 he became the biological editor of The A. I. Root Company s ABC & XYZ of Bee Culture Encyclopedia. In 1918 he published The Flower and the Bee, Plant Life and Pollination, the result of 25 years of study. In 1926 the A. I. Root Company published The Honey Plants Of North America, a book describing the honey plants and conditions of beekeeping in all parts of the U.S. This now classic work was the result of three continuous year s labor, with all data in the book being carefully checked by personal observation and by correspondence with beekeepers in all parts of the country. He was especially assisted by E. R. Root, then Editor of Gleanings In Bee Culture, the monthly publication of that company, who traveled across much of the west coast and southwestern U.S. making collections, observations and talking to beekeepers in those states.Lovell wrote thousands of illustrated articles for newspapers that consisted of a description of a flower, its life history, insect visitors, economic uses and curious stories, myths and folklore connected to it. Each article was accompanies by one of his excellent photographs.All of Lovell s work contained excellent photographs. His articles have been praised for their wealth of detail, the parts of the flower being shown with almost diagrammatic clearness. These pictures were the result of many experiments with various kinds of photographic plates and the various methods of photographing the flowers. He did his own developing and printing.Lovell lived with his wife Lottie and two sons Harvey and Ralph in rural Maine, close to streams, the ocean, woodlands, ponds, swamps and open fields. He chose a perfect location to conduct his studies.