SOUTHERN BEE CULTURE 127 



BEE-KEEPING IN LOUISIANA. 



Hineston, La. 



The valleys of the Mississippi, Ouachita, Black, and Red Rivers are best 

 for bee-keeping, as the soil is richer and produces a much more vigorous 

 plant; hence, naturally, they yield more nectar. 



The honey-plants most common along these valleys are the clovers, 

 rattan, wild grape, and a few others. 



Of the above-mentioned honey-plants the clovers are most to be depended 

 on. They commence to bloom generally about the first of March, and 

 bloom more or less throughout the summer, the seasons having nearly all 

 to do with the amount of nectar they yield. The best colonies under the most 

 favorable conditions will probably give a surplus of fifty pounds from this 

 source of the finest flavor, and very clear, almost water-white. The above- 

 mentioned plant commences to bloom anywhere from March i to June i, and 

 give more or less nectar, according to the conditions of the weather. 



There is, however, a vine known to thp writer as black vine, growing in 

 the swamps along some of these rivers that yields more nectar than the 

 clovers or any other plant that I am acquainted with ; but, unfortunately, the 

 honey from this source is very dark, and has a poor flavor. This vine com- 

 mences to bloom, as nearly as I remember, about June i, and blooms on till 

 frost ; and the yield from this source will probably exceed 100 lbs. surplus 

 per average colony. 



There are numerous other honey-plants throughout the State, yielding 

 some honey each year, but only a small quantity, and of a poor quality. 

 Among these I will mention the horsemint, goldenrod, sumac, holly, black 

 gum and bitterweed. The holly and black gum are the best, and the only 

 source giving a surplus throughout the pine-woods portion of Rapides 

 Parish ; and the honey from these sources has an excellent flavor, and is 

 almost water-white. 



The best average surplus I have ever been able to get from these plants 

 was about 50 lbs. from my very best colonies during the most favorable sea- 

 sons. These plants generally commence to bloom about April 15 to 25, ac- 

 cording to the weather, and continue to bloom for from fifteen to twenty 

 days. 



I will next say something of the bee-keeper; and by special request of 

 Mr ^^ ilder it is necessary for me to make mention of my own business, 

 which I will, notwithstanding this is not pleasant to me. There are very few 

 practical bee-keepers in Louisiana, and only two queen-breeders of whom 

 I have any knowledge. In regard to my own business I am running 72 colo- 

 nies of Italian bees in three yards as follows: 40 at my home yard (Hine- 

 ston) ; 20 at the Barrington yard, and 12 at the Talbert yard. The latter yard 

 is five miles west of Hineston, and the former six miles south. I am also 

 running quite an extensive queen-rearing business at Hineston. I use the 

 eight and fifteen frame Langstroth hive exclusively, and produce chunk or 

 bulk honey principally. I have been running a bee business here for twelve 

 years, and this year, 1907, has been the first year to fail completely. Out of 



