1384 Department of Agriculture 



On account of the limited character of this bulletin many de- 

 tails are necessarily omitted. Those desiring to pursue the sub- 

 ject further are referred to the unabridged works on beekeeping 

 enumerated herein. 



LOCALITY 



Doubtless there are but few localities in this state in which a 

 few colonies of bees could not be kept with profit; but when a 

 person expects to make a specialty of the business, it is highly 

 essential that he should study thoroughly any given location to 

 determine its possibilities in honey production, before he con- 

 cludes to settle down permanently. 



Some sections of the state, particularly the northern, furnish 

 the finest quality of white clover honey obtainable. Years ago, 

 basswood was a prolific source of honey in many localities, but 

 it is fast becoming a thing of the past on account of its value 

 for other purposes. 



Some of the leading apiarists of central ISTew York claim much 

 for alfalfa as a honey yielder, but it has reached its greatest fame 

 in the western states. 



In sections where buckwheat is grown extensively a good yield 

 is frequently obtained, and very seldom a total failure ex- 

 perienced, since the season of blooming is late (generally in 

 August), and all colonies should be in condition to do good work. 

 This is not always the case during clover and other early blooms. 



Alsike clover is abundant in many sections, and is a splendid 

 honey producer. Sweet clover (mellilotus alba), blue thistle, 

 sumac and goldenrod are sometimes quite plentiful and add 

 largely to the product of the apiary. Fruit bloom and black 

 locust occasionally yield honey freely, but come on before most 

 of the colonies are very populous, hence they do not aiford much 

 if any surplus, but are very useful to promote breeding. 



A location where several of the above named sources of supply 

 are abundant should give good returns in an average season. 



Having found a desirable location as regards pasturage, etc., 

 there is still one other very important point for consideration, 

 namely, whether there are any apiaries of considerable size within 

 four or five miles of the point in question. If so, the newcomer 



