362 Beekeeping 



ter of surprise that they also show marked differences in 

 color, water content and flavor of nectar. Not only do 

 flowers of different species of plants secrete nectar of various 

 types but nectar of any one species may differ according to 

 soil, climatic conditions and other environmental factors 

 influencing the growth of the plant, just as may the leaves 

 and other parts of the plants. For example, in Colorado 

 alfalfa honey is a beautiful white product but farther south 

 it is more amber in color. This may sometimes be due to 

 an admixture of other nectars. 



Variation in secretion. 



Nectar-secretion may, in a sense, be taken as an indica- 

 tion as to the most favorable conditions for growth of any 

 species and most species which furnish nectar are highly 

 susceptible in this respect to outside influences. Within the 

 limits of the geographical distribution of a nectar-secreting 

 species there may be a more restricted area in which the 

 flowers secrete nectar. The species may be rather prevalent 

 outside its usual nectar-secreting boundaries, but there is 

 probably some factor in the environment not best suited 

 to the plant if it fails to produce nectar. For example, 

 alfalfa is now grown in all sections of the United States 

 but the Mississippi River may be taken roughly as the eastern 

 boundary of its secreting area. White clover produces in 

 the northern part of the United States a superb honey, 

 often in exceedingly heavy honey-flows, but farther south 

 it becomes a honey-plant of secondary importance. 



Effects of climatic conditions on secretion. 



Any species of nectar-secreting plant is often rendered 

 non-productive by unfavorable weather conditions. The 

 smaller plants usually cease nectar-secretion at once in dry 

 weather, while the tree sources are less quickly affected. 

 Basswood seems to be an exception, however. Hot, sultry 

 weather with rains at night during the blooming period of 

 white clover usually brings a heavy honey-flow. The sages 



