Beekeeping in the Clover Region. 5 
VARIATIONS WITHIN THE REGION. 
As has been indicated, there is great variation in the frequency of 
occurrence of the plants in the region included in the geographical 
boundaries of these clovers. There is also, as is well known to bee- 
keepers, an enormous variation in the amount of nectar secreted by 
these plants according to soils, climatic conditions, and other environ- 
mental factors, to be discussed briefly further on. The color of the 
nectar, and of the resulting honey, varies considerably, the honey 
being darker where the secretion is less rapid. In general it may be 
stated that secretion is most abundant, and the honey of the best 
Fic. 2.—Normal July temperatures in clover region. Because of variation in the time 
of blooming of the clovers this map may not indicate the normal temperature at the 
blooming season for the southern part of the region. The optimum normal tem- 
perature for nectar secretion from the clovers is about 70° F. or less. 
quality, where the soils are not acid (fig. 1) and where the summer 
temperatures are relatively low (fig. 2). 
Unfortunately, the statistics of beekeeping are not sufficiently ac- 
curate to enable one to mark definitely the boundaries of the best of 
the clover region, nor are data available from other sources which 
may be used without reservation as indicative of the optimum condi- 
tions for nectar secretion of these plants within the region. In gen- 
eral, any region suitable for a high development of dairying is one 
where heavy nectar secretion from the clovers may be expected. 
RELATION TO OTHER BEEKEEPING REGIONS. 
Within the broad boundary of the clover region are included many 
other beekeeping regions of lesser extent, such as the buckwheat 
