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I figured you might like to skim it.
Occasionally I added the year a plant was in the catalog, but I forgot just as often.
There is an index to the honey plant pages done so far up above.
"Mignonnette, catnip, motherwort, borage, melilot, and some others, I have tested, but am still doubtful in regard to them. ..." A. I. Root
Bee-balm, or Melissa (1888)
During the year of 1887 this plant called forth considerable attention, not only for the amount of honey it produces, but for the enormous numbers of blossoms found on a single stalk. The introducer claims, in fact, that the large number of thirty thousand seeds have been counted on one stalk. It is also so prolific in seed that the introducer claims to have received a bushel of seed from 2100 plants. We can supply the seed.
Per packet 5 cts.; per ounce, 15 cts.; per pound, $2.00. For further description, see Gleanings for November, 1887
Borage. (1887 and 1888)
A strong, hardy, rapidly growing plant, bearing a profusion of blue flowers. It may be sown any time, but will, perhaps, succeed best, at about corn planting time. As it grows tall, and branches out considerably, it should have plenty of room. I know that bees are very busy on it, all the day long, from July until Nov., but I do not know how much honey an acre of it would furnish.
It is easily tried, because it grows so readily, and if sowed on the ground after early potatoes are dug, you will get a nice crop of fall bloom. Sow broad cast, or in hills like corn.
In 1888 only: Borage is also used as a salad or cooked like a spinach.
Price 10c. per oz., or 75c per pound.
If wanted by mail, add 18c. per lb. for bag and postage.
2016 - E. Craib, Connecticut - I experimented with a 10' x 10' plot of borage last year thinking it was Mother Nature's gift to the bee only to find they much preferred anise hyssop. It could very well be that the borage did not like my garden's siting or soil. You might get the opposite bee preferences.
I looked up how to propagate the anise hyssop and was happy to see cuttings get plants going quickly and easily. If you visit me in a few years the paths around my house should be a symphony in purple anise hyssop! (It also makes tons of seeds which made me think being a Johnny Appleseed sort of person might be fun.)
I looked up how to propagate the anise hyssop and was happy to see cuttings get plants going quickly and easily. If you visit me in a few years the paths around my house should be a symphony in purple anise hyssop! (It also makes tons of seeds which made me think being a Johnny Appleseed sort of person might be fun.)
Catnip. (1887 and 1888) This has been very much talked about, and we have record of some experiments with an acre or more, but if I am correct, no one has ever yet seen a barrel of catnip honey. Still, someone may raise catnip honey by the barrel, and make money at it. If you wish to try, we can furnish you good seed, that we have tested ourselves, for 10c per oz., or $1.00 per lb.; 18c per lb. extra, if wanted by mail. Sow in the fall.
Dandelions. (1887 and 1888) I presume every body can get dandelion seeds and roots without buying them, but for all that, I have much faith in an acre of cultivated dandelions. Vilmorin's improved, is superior for "greens," and by the way our bees take to our "patch" of it, I think it must be superior for honey.
Price of seed, 5c per package, or 35 c. per oz.
Honey Pea.(1887 and 1888)This is the stock pea of the South and often yields much honey. It is also used for food. Price, $1.75 per bushel; $1.00 per half-bushel; 60c per peck, packages included: per lb.. lOe: by mail, 18c extra.bushel weighs about 30 lbs.
HORSEMINT, the celebrated honey-plant of Texas.Per oz. 20c; per lb., S2.00: postage. 18c per lb. extra.
Coerulea, bee clover. This latter blossoms in about six weeks after sowing, and bears a small blue flower.Price of seed, 10c per oz., or 7.5c per lb.; if wanted by mail, add 18c for bag and postage.
Lippia Nodiflora.For description see Dec. '79 Gleanings. Per oz., $1.00. Per pkt., .5c. Give hot-bed treatment.
Mignonnette. This is a great favorite with the bees, and also with those who are raising plants for their bees; but, although we have sold considerable of the seed for bee pasturage, I am not sure that any one has ever made it pay in dollars and cents, for he honey alone. It will pay, without any doubt, to raise the seed, especially if "the price keeps up anywhere near what it is now; but for honey alone— who will demonstrate its value beyond doubt? The tall varieties seem best suited to the bees, but are not as fragrant. It should be sown in the spring, and as the seed is small, it should have fine clean soil, and be covered lightly. This plant seems to have a rare capacity for standing frost, and bees may often be seen busy upon it clear into October.The seed is 20c per oz., or $2.00 per lb. If wanted by mail, add 18c for postage.
Motherwort. This is a near relative of the catnip and is probably equally valuable as a honey plant. Prices of the seed, same as for catnip. Sow any time.
Mustard.The honey from this is said to be very light, equal to any in flavor, and to command the highest price in the market. We can furnish the common, (either white or black) for 10c per oz., or 26 c per lb. Add 18c per lb., if to be sent by mail.
Raspberry. A pretty good honey plant, too well known to need description. The Red Raspberries are thought to yield most honey, and of these the Gregg and Cuthbert varieties are said to be best.Price of plants, per ten, 60c: per hundred,$3.00. If wanted by mail, 3c each extra.
Rocky Mountain Bee Plant (Cleome integrifolia).Is closely connected with the noted Spider Plant (C. pungens) these two being the only species of the Cleome. With us, it is much inferior to the Spider Plant as a honey producer. We have reports from some localities of its yielding large quantities of honey, hence, quite a demand for the seed is the result. Price per lb., $1.25. postage 18c. extra. Per ounce, 15c.
Sage, White (Salvia argentea).Is called the honey plant of California, and belongs to the Labiatae or Mint family, the same as Rosemary. Balm. Hoarhound, &c. Price per ounce, 35c. per lb.. ?4.iXi.
Sweet Clover (Melliotus alba, or Meliot).— This has some valuable traits, as standing frost and drouth, but many times and seasons, the bees will hardly notice it at all. The statement has been made that an acre can support 30 colonies of bees, and afford from 500 to 1000 lbs. of honey. Such statements, although they may be honestly given, I think should be received with due allowance; about four pounds of seed are needed for an acre; sow like Alsike. It will grow on almost any barren hillside, but it is a bad weed to exterminate; if, however, it is mown down to prevent seeding, the roots will soon die out. Sow in spring or fall. We have it on our honey-farm, but it is rather behind the Simpson honey-plant in this locality.
Common Sweet Clover, per lb., ?c: 10 lbs., $1.50;
100 lbs., $12.00; if wanted by mail, add 18c for bag and postage. This is sold with the hulls on; the Bokhara is hulled.
Bokhara clover, seed received from D.A. Jones:
10c per oz., or 3.5c per lb.: 10 lbs., $1.00; 100 lbs..
?25.0n. If by mail, add 18c per lb.
Sage, White (1883, 1893) (Salvia argentea) is called the honey-plant of California. (Silver Sage)
Sunflower.— This plant is visited by the bees in great numbers in some seasons, while, in others, it is scarcely noticed; but, as the seeds usually pay all expenses of cultivation, i holds its place as a honey
plant. The mammoth Russian bears by far the largest blossoms, as well is the largest seeds.
Price of seed 5c per oz. or 1.5c per ft>. : 10 lbs. or over, 12c; 100 lbs., 10c. if wanted by mail, add 18c for bag and postage.
Spider Plant.— This plant, under favorable circumstances, yields more honey than anything that ever before came under my observation. In Oct., 1879, each floweret yielded drops so large that a bee had to make two or more journeys to set it all, and I succeeded in dipping the honey from the plant with a spoon, until I half filled a bottle with it, for experiment. As it only yields this honey early in the morning, and late in the evening, it willgo nicely with the Simpson honey plant. I should think it quite probable that 5 acres of each of these plants would keep 100 colonies busy enough to be out of mischief during a dry fall, when bees are so apt to be robbing. For particulars concerning both plants, see AB C of Bee Culture.The Spider plant is an annual, and should be sown every year. It grows most quickly with hotbed treatment, but will blossom in August if sown in the open ground in May.Price of seed — per package, 1o c.; per oz., 20 c.; per lb., $2.00. Postage 18c per lb. extra.
Seven-Top Turnip. -- This plant, although not equal to the spider plant and Simpson honey plant, is entitled to a place next to them, because it bears its crop of honey in the spring, between fruit blossoms and clover. It should be sown in Aug. and Sept. It bears no root like the ordinary turnip, but only foliage that is used for greens. Price of seed. 10c per oz., or 50c. per lb. If wanted by mail, 18 c. per lb. extra.
Sorghum, Early amber. This is not strictly a honey-plant, but sugar can easily and cheaply be made from it, for feeding bees or other purposes. About 6 lbs. (4 qts.) are wanted for an acre of ground. Price best Southern-grown seed, peroz., 5 c.; per lb..15 c. If wanted by mall, 18c per lb. extra: 10 lbs. or more, 10c per lb.
Any of the above seeds will be sent in .5c packages,
to those who would like just a few to try.
OTHER HONEY PLANTS.
The following are recommended as honey plants, but I have not thought them worthy of a more extended notice for cultivation. Some of them have been tried on our grounds but either yielded no honey at all, or very little, and I have thought best to put them in here until we could give them a more extended trial. We keep the seed for sale in 5c. packages; if larger quantities are wanted, we will
give prices on application.
Aster (1883)
Blackheart. (1883) (Polyganum persicaria) A large variety of Smartweed belonging to the Buckwheat family. If I am correct this is also called Heartsease. (Now usually called Lady's Thumb :-)
Cacalia, or Tassel Flower (1883) (Sonecio sonchifolia) from India. Cultivated as a summer annual.
Blue Flag (Iris or Flower de Luxe).—A perennial, about 2 feet in height, comprising but few wild species, and grows better when cultivated.
Clovers, foreign.
- Alfalfa, grown principally in the Pacific States. (This is virtually the same as Lucerne). Prices same as White Dutch clover.
- Italian, or Scarlet (Trifolium incarnatum) introduced from Italy and France. The flowers are most beautiful, much resembling a large luscious strawberry. Blossoms first year.
- Lucerne or French (Medicago sativa). best for sandy soils.
- Yellow Trefoil (Medicago lupulina), a weed or pasture plant, in dry or sandy fields.
Erysimum (False Wall Flower).— Belongs to the Cruciferae or Mustard family, and comprises but three species.
Esparcette or Sainfoin (Hedysarum onobrychis). Usually classed with the clovers, as it belongs to the same family (Leguminosae or Pulse) as the Clover, Pea, Locust, &c.
Fuller's Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum) —A variety of teasel, usually cultivated; is valuable for carding woolen cloth, as well as for honey.— See A B C.
Golden Rod (Solidago).— Belongs to the Compositae Family, and comprises a large variety of fall blooming plants.
Hoarhound or Madwort (Marubium vulgare).
Only this one species is common to America; was introduced from Europe and belongs to the Labiatae or Mint family.
Hyssop (Hyssopus) — Only one species (H. officinalis), and belongs to the Mint family; is cultivated, and was brought from the Old World.
Mollie Heath, the honey plant, a species of acacia, having a most beautiful ornamental foliage, and called a very valuable honey-plant. We have never
yet got it to blossom here, but the beauty of the plant pays for cultivation.
Monarda Punctata (Horse Mint).— Belongs to the same genus as wild Bergamot (Monarda or Balm); grows well only in sandy soil.
Portulaca — Best uii.xed: makes a beautiful plant for the flower garden, blooms for months, and attracts swarms of bees every morning.
Phacelia (Name derived from Greek word meaning cluster: it has no common name).— Flowers in spring or summer, and belongs to Hydrophyllaceae or Waterleaf family.
Pyrethrum. the plant that furnishes the Persian insect powder. Seed, per packet. 10c.
Spanish Needles (Bidens bipinnata).— Grows in waste grounds from Connecticut to Illinois, and south, and belongs to that immense family, Compositae.
Spring Vetches or Tares (Vicia sativa).— Seems to be a cross between the Pea and Clover, partaking of the peculiarities of each, and belongs to the same family, Leguminosae. Does not yield honey with us.
Verbena Hastata (Blue Verbena). Grows to a height of 3 or 4 feet, and thrives in almost any kind of soil, if not too dry or sandy.
Whitewood, Tulip, or Poplar (Liriodendron tulipefera). {Usually called Tulip Tree now}— A tall and handsome tree, usually planted for ornament, and valuable for shade and timber, as well as for its honey producing blossoms.
See Basswood Trees.
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