OREGON FARMER 



97 



and since there are not many flowering plants to be found after July 

 first, except back in the hills, the surplus must be gathered in the 

 spring. Continued spring rains are also a factor here and often- 

 times the blossoming period of the principal honey-producing plants 

 passes without the bees being able to spend more than a few days 

 in gathering honey. Getting back onto the slopes of the Coast 

 Range and the Cascade Mountains, more favorable conditions are 

 found and a fair surplus can usually be secured from the more 

 variable honey-producing plants in the later blooming season. 



The division known as Southern Oregon, and comprising only 

 three counties, is different from the other sections of the state in 

 that the region, while not arid, does not have as much rain as the 

 Willamette Valley and Coast divisions. In addition to several wild 

 honey plants, which grow abundantly in this section, alfalfa is grown 

 successfully and fruit bloom offers a fine pasturage while it lasts. 



The other three divisions, Central Oregon, the Blue Mountain 

 District, and Columbia Basin, have conditions which are practically 

 the same so far as bee-keeping is concerned. That the bee-keeping 

 industry of these sections is in its infancy can hardly be doubted 

 by one taking a trip through those sections where alfalfa can be 

 grown successfully. Here is also found a vast territory which at 

 present is in sage brush, but may some day be planted to alfalfa, 

 when it will give increased area for bee pasturage. In the vicinity 

 of Ontario and Vale, a large alfalfa district, one can find some of 

 the state's largest'and most productive apiaries. Much of the alfalfa 

 is grown for seed, and with the sweet clover which grows in waste 

 places gives an ideal pasturage for bees. There are many fine apiary 

 locations in different sections of the state, but all of these should 

 be thoroughly investigated before an attempt is made to start an 

 apiary in any one of them. 



STATISTICS ON BEE ^CULTURE. 



Based on 402 Reports. 



