Beekeeping in the Tulip-Tree Region. 9 
clover region will not serve to bring full results where the tulip-tree 
is the chief source of honey, although the later and better methods 
applicable to the clover region are suitable for maximum honey- 
crops from the tulip-tree, or, in fact, from almost any early honey- 
source whatever. Beekeeping methods applicable to the wild rasp- 
berry region of the North perhaps most nearly approach those needed 
for the tulip-tree region. The lack of literature concerning the 
tulip-tree as a honey-plant is a serious one and the chief object of 
this bulletin is to make up this deficiency. 
As the tree blooms so early in the spring, there is little time for 
the bees to get in proper condition for the gathering of the tulip- 
tree honey-crop. In this region brood-rearing normally begins be- 
tween February 15 and March 1, although in unprotected and poorly 
protected colonies it may begin as early as January. The reason 
for the earlier beginning of brood-rearing in poorly protected colonies 
is fully explained in the bulletins of the Department of Agriculture 
devoted to the wintering of bees. Those colonies which begin brood- 
rearing too soon are usually so weakened by this unseasonable work 
that they are not able to get to full strength by the time the tulip- 
tree blooms, and it is therefore advantageous to retard brood-rearing 
by protection until the normal time. After it is once started it is to 
the advantage of the bees and of the beekeeper that it progress as 
rapidly as possible. A failure to have colonies strong at the begin- 
ning of the tulip-tree bloom is the cause of the loss of tons of honey 
from this source annually. 
It will be seen that the proper protection of the bees during the 
winter becomes a serious problem in this section; in fact, it is more 
important here than in many parts of the country much farther 
north. Adequate stores must be provided in the spring, and this 
is frequently not done. It is also evident that after brood-rearing 
begins it must progress rapidly, and only a good, prolific young 
queen can lay the eggs necessary for such a rapid development of 
the colony strength. Since beekeeping has not been so advanced in 
this region, it is not surprising to find that most of the bees are 
inferior blacks or hybrids with but a small amount of Italian blood. 
These scrub queens may begin egg-laying at the right time and at a 
good rate, but they often fail and are unable to keep up the pace 
of egg-laying demanded to get the tulip-tree honey-crop. More de- 
tailed methods for remedying these defects will be discussed later. 
From what has been said it is evident that the production of a 
full crop of honey from the tulip-tree demands a high degree of 
skill on the part of the beekeeper. The chief reasons for failure 
in this region are poor wintering, inferior queens, and generally 
poor beekeeping, with box-hives. 
70516°—22——2 
