AMERICAN HONEY PLANTS 



17 



several years. Only one season did the bees pay much attention to it. 

 That season was very wet in the early part of the summer, thus promot- 

 ing a vigorous plant growth. Later the weather turned very hot and dry. 

 Conditions similar to those of the irrigated sections of the west were ap- 

 proximated. The roots of the plants were supplied with an abundance of 

 moisture, while the air was hot and dry. Under such conditions alfalfa 

 is at its best as a honey producer. 



Alfalfa is reported as the source of considerable surplus honey in 

 northeastern Louisiana, wliich is the'farthest east of any locality where it 

 is important, with which the author is familiar. While it is largely grown 



Fig. 7. Blossoms of alfalfa and yellow sweet clover. 



as a field crop in parts of Iowa, Illinois, New York and other eastern 

 States, beekeepers all report but little honey from it. It seldom yields 

 to any extent in humid climates. Given sufficient moisture at the roots, 

 the hotter and dryer the atmosphere, the better seems to be the yield of 

 nectar. The conditions which most favor nectar secretion are also favor- 

 able to seed production, 



