92 



BEEKEEPING IN THE SOUTH 



Fig. 44. Combs builL by wild bees in the rocks oi Texas. 



seasons heavy yields are secured from mesquite, which is found 

 generally over this belt. There are many lesser honey plants 

 here, such as catsclaw, which figure in the total yield of the 

 apiary. 



Southwest Texas. 

 In some years this region is one of the most important honey 

 producing areas in the world. In others, such as during 1917 

 and 1918, drouths devastate the country and necessitate the 

 abandonment of portions of it. Mesquite is probably the most 

 important honey producing plant and in some years, three 

 blooms to a season have been known from this source, the 

 first occurring usually in April. This honey is very light colored, 

 of a fine flavor and forms the principal source in the famous 

 "Uvalde" region. Other honey plants are huajilla, catsclaw and 

 innumerable flowers of the desert regions of much of this terri- 

 tory. Huajilla honey is rated by many, among them Scholl, as 



