BEEKEEPING IX THE SOUTH 51 



dew and similar poor winter foods available for bees in many 

 parts of the South, this is pro\'identially offset by the fact that 

 there are usually more frequent periods when the bees may fly 

 during the winter. In parts of the South where cane grinding 

 goes on, great quantities of cane juice are often appropriated by 

 the bees, but without serious effects in most cases, because of 

 the much shorter period of winter confinement in the hive. 



In the regions of Kentucky, West Virginia, Mrginia and Mary- 

 land, there are areas where asters are found flowering in the 

 fall, in vast beds on the hillsides. There is as yet but little 

 evidence that the winter losses of this territory may be attributed 

 solely to aster honey for winter stores. It is probable that aster 

 honey makes an excellent winter food for bees in most parts of 

 the country from the clover belt south. No trouble was ever 

 experienced with this winter food in Illinois, Texas, or Florida, by 

 bees owned by the writer and it is possible that the humble aster 

 has been blamed for a lot of winter troubles really due to other 

 causes. 



Successful Methods. 



To winter bees successfully in the vSouth, especially where 

 lower temperatures are recorded, one must know well the normal 

 seasons and honey flows. The question of more protection than 

 is now given bees in the South during winter is one for experi- 

 ment, and this must be done in the South. Open minded beekeep- 

 ers there can do a great service for beekeeping. Narrow minded 

 beekeepers never do any good anywhere. 



Tests Are Best. 



E. R. Root is quoted as saying of good winter protection: 

 "We believe this advice is as valuable for beemen of the South, 

 even in Florida, as it is further north, especially so in November, 

 December, January and February. In the latter two months, 

 bees need it for the sake of early breeding, the two former for 

 the sake of the life of the bees and the conservation of honey." 



The writer does not mean to unreservedly recommend heavy 

 winter packing for the South. But he does wish to emphasize 



