Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 177, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 July 1910 — PROFIT IN WILD FLOWERS. [ARTICLE]

PROFIT IN WILD FLOWERS.

Who Realise on Wonderful Flora of SwitiWafkil. United States Consul R. E. Mansfield. writing of the development which the cultivation of bees has reached in Switzerland, says: An attractive feature of every Swiss landscape in spring and summer Is the beauty of and variety of wild flowers growing In profusion on Milsides and lower mountain ranges, while the valleys resemble beautiful mosaics In the rich and varied tints of flowers that cluster In the greensward. This wealth of blossom, in addition to beautifying the landscapes, is turned by the thrifty Swiss into profit. The flora of Switzerland possesses qualities that produce delicious honey, and thousands of colonies of bees may be seen in the country, being utilized by the people to increase the food supply and commercial products; in fact, the production of honey and wax constitutes an Industry of considerable importance to the confederation, as is shown by statistics furnished by the Swiss Society of Agriculturists. It is estimated that there are 250,000 hives or colonies of bees in the country, each of which produces forty pounds of honey during the season, a total of 10,000,000 pounds a year. The average price of Swiss honey for the year of 1909 was 25 cents per pound': The honey crop of Switzerland, valued at $2,500,000, is largely profit to those engaged In the Industry, nature producing the raw material.