Ii6 SOUTHERN BEE CULTURE 



and D. C. Milam, Noalde, 500. There are several others with 500 colonies 

 or less, among which are F. L. Aten, Round Rock; C A. Butts, Normanna; 

 J. E. Chambers, Vigo; A. H. Knolle, Hondo; H. Pipev, Calaveras; T. P. 

 Robertson, Bartlett ; the -Louis H. Scholl Apiaries, New Braunfels ; L. 

 Stachelhausen Bee Co., Cibolo; J. W. Taylor, Beeville; D. M. Edwards, 

 Uvalde ; Udo Toepperwein, San Antonio ; W. H. White, Blossom ; A. L 

 Davis, San Antonio; L. Jones, Uvalde; W. H. Madely, Gindale; H. A. 

 Mitchell, Shepherd; J. A, Simmons. Oakville; M. E. Van Avery, Maxwell; 

 and A. L. Krueger, New Ulm. A large number are listed with from one to 

 two hundred colonies. These are all progressive bee-keepers, and the 

 majority of them depend mainly on the pursuit for a livelihood. , Others 

 diversify, combining farming, dairying, truck, or fruit-growing and other 

 lines with it. 



MAIN SOURCES OF HONEY. 



There are several main sources for surplus honey in this State, owing 

 to the large territory contained in it of varying soils, altitudes, climatic 

 conditions, and the consequent different flora adapted to these. Southwest 

 Texas can well be considered the most important section for bee-keeping, 

 as the honey-yielding flora is here most abundant. Although an arid section 

 of country, there are numerous kinds of plants and trees, almost all of a 

 shrublike nature, and bearing thorns or spines, characteristic of desert plains. 

 The most abundant and widespread honey-yielder is the mesquite-tree 

 (meskeet), Prosopis juliHora, which covers the plains and prairies of all 

 Southwest Texas. The honey is of a very light amber, and the flavor not a 

 distinct one as is generally characteristic of other sources. As some have put 

 it, "the honey from mesquite is mild-flavored, and has no characteristic 

 flavor like other honeys, of which a person sooner or later tires ; hence it 

 can be eaten more like bread at all times, making it an excellent honey for 

 everyday all-around table use." It has two and sometimes three distinct 

 blooming periods in each year. The first begins in early April, sometimes 

 earlier or later, according to the season, and lasts for several weeks. Then 

 seed-pods are formed, so that even ripe and unmatured beans are on the 

 trees when its flowers of the second blooming period open up for the bees 

 in June and July. The yield from this source is abundant, and can be de- 

 pended on as a more regular yielder than our other sources. 



Considered the most important in this section is the "gnajilla" brush 

 (Zygia brevifolia), pronounced "wa-he-ah." This blooms in April, and 

 yields an abundance of nectar for about two weeks, during which time, 

 in favorable seasons, it is impossible for the bees to gather it all. This is a 

 light-colored honey, of m ild flavor, with a delicate aroma, and has become 

 famous for its quality. 



Another main source of the three most important is the "catclaw" 

 {Acasia Greggii). Immense quantities of excellent honey are obtained 

 from this source early in the season, April and May. Sometimes late cold 

 weather cuts off this source to some extent. Besides these there are hun- 

 dreds of more or less important honey-yielding and pollen-producing plants. 



