APRIL PLANTS.
As we have already seen, the apiarist does not secure the best results, even in the early spring, except the bees are encouraged by the increase of their stores of pollen and honey; hence, in case we do not practice stimulative feeding—and many will not—it becomes very desirable to have some early bloom. Happily, in all sections of the United States our desires are not in vain.
Early in spring there are many scattering wild flowers, as the blood-root (Sanguinaria canadensis), liver-leaf (Hepatica acutiloba), and various others of the crowfoot family, as also many species of cress, which belong to the mustard family, etc., all of which are valuable and important.
The maples ([Fig, 73]), which are all valuable honey plants, also contribute to the early stores. Especially valuable are the silver maples (Acer dasycarpum), and the red or soft maples (Acer rubrum), as they bloom so very early, long before the leaves appear. The bees work on these, here in Michigan, the first week of April, and often in March. They are also magnificent shade trees, especially those that have the weeping habit. Their early bloom is very pleasing, their summer form and foliage beautiful, while their flaming tints in autumn are indescribable. The foreign maples, sycamore, Acer pseudo-platanus, and Norway, Acer platanoides, are also very beautiful. Whether superior to ours as honey plants, I am unable to say.
The willows, too ([Fig, 74]), rival the maples in the early period of bloom. Some are very early, blossoming in March, while others, like the white willow (Salix alba) ([Fig, 74]), bloom in May. The flowers on one tree or bush of the willow are all pistillate, that is, have pistils, but no stamens, while on others they are all staminate, having no pistils. On the former, they can gather only honey, on the latter only pollen. That the willow furnishes both honey and pollen is attested by the fact that I saw both kinds of trees, the pistillate and the staminate, thronged with bees the past season. The willow, too, from its elegant form and silvery foliage, is one of our finest shade trees.
Fig. 15.—Judas Tree
In the south of Michigan, and thence southward to Kentucky, and even beyond, the Judas tree, or red-bud, Cercis canadensis ([Fig, 75]), is not only worthy of cultivation as a honey plant, but is also very attractive, and well deserving of attention for its ornamental qualities alone. This blooms from March to May, according to the latitude.
The poplars—not the tulip—also bloom in April, and are freely visited by the bees. The wood is immaculate, and i& used for toothpicks. Why not use it for honey-boxes?
Fig. 76.—American Wistaria.