372 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



It is not the purpose of this paper to tell how to keep bees, and it is 

 far from the purpose to stimulate and prompt new bee keepers; but it 

 is rather to stimulate those who now possess bees, to keep them better. 



We also hope to encourage our readers by possibly indicating to 

 them the superior resources of the State, and to suggest to them some 

 immediate steps which will help them to become better bee keepers. 



With this index of what is possible, and a prospect of doing better 

 bee keeping, in mind, let us consider, before regarding the essentials for 

 an advance in Massachusetts, the superior resources of the State which 

 we have for several years been observing. In meeting with the bee men 

 of different parts of the State and in talking with them at their con- 

 ventions, in studying the flora in different localities, and in observing 

 the markets, we have become convinced that Massachusetts is pecu- 

 liarly fortunate. 



Resources of the State. 



Vermont and New York are famous honey-producing States, both 

 from the size of their crops and the quality of their honey. In a more 

 limited area, Massachusetts combines most of the desirable conditions of 

 both these States. For instance, in the Champlain valley of Vermont 

 the crop from white clover is superior and large. In Massachusetts the 

 Connecticut valley has a tangle of clover, and, what is more, it is sup- 

 plemented by fall flowers, golden rod and asters, which are excellent 

 nectar yielders. In this valley we are told that the flow is almost con- 

 tinuous from spring, when the fruit blooms, until the asters and the 

 golden rod have been killed by the frost in the fall. In the northern 

 part of the State is a belt of bass wood, which, too, is found in sections 

 of Vermont and in New York, and which is reported a heavy yielder in 

 Massachusetts. There is also a superior yield of raspberry, so prized 

 in Michigan. Looking to the coast, we find a flora peculiar to that 

 section. It is hardly to be expected that a good crop could be taken 

 from the sand of the Cape, but clcthera and sumac, supplemented by 

 shore plants abounding there, produce, to our knowledge, a surplus of 

 a fine grade of honey. 



Much of the State is under cultivation, where bees will surely thrive, 

 especially if there is orcharding and production of clover crops. Some 

 of the most delightful honey in the world is taken in the fruit belts, from 

 apple bloom. The first prize extracted honey at the Worcester Bee 

 Show, 190G, was from this source. 



Climate. 

 The New England climate, sometimes looked upon as the great 

 hindrance to the industry, is not so bad, after all, if you are careful and 

 know how to manipulate. It does interfere with the nectar secretion 

 at times; but, on the other hand, is responsible for much of our fine 

 honey. The winters, by some, are supposed to be dangerous to bees. 



