386 IHE BEE-KEEPERS' REVIEW 



when I began l)ee-kceping in Clinton Co., much of that part of tlie 

 state was a virgin forest. Most of the lower counties of the state 

 were then being converted into farms. In the majority of cases, 

 small clearings were made and as fast as the timber was removed 

 wild white clover came in in profusion. At this stage, as is the 

 case in clearing up new land, many waste place.s, such as around 

 stumps and the like, furnished ample opportunity for the wild white 

 clover to abound. At the present time, on account of more intense 

 farming, not nearly as much white clover is produced as of yore. 



At this early period in many locations in Michigan thousands 

 of acres of basswood timber abounded. At this earh^ period also 

 the conditions seemed to be ideal for the secretion of nectar, espe- 

 cially white clover could be depended upon to yield nearly every 

 year, so a surplus could be taken from the bees. Then some sea- 

 sons (we looked for it to yield every other year) basswood would 

 yield wonderfully. 



These two sources taken together were hard to l)eat, either 

 from the standpoint of quantity or quality. 



Basswood was always a fickle yielder, some seasons yielding 

 very abundantly, but many others very sparingly or none at all. 

 With the advance of time basswood has almost entirely disappeared 

 from most locations in Michigan, so it cannot be considered as a 

 honey yielder, only in a very few locations. 



Generally speaking, white clover is not so very abundant in 

 this state at the present time, but w^e have in Alsikc a much better 

 source for honey than white clover, and Alsike clover is the future 

 dependent of Michigan for its honey supply. Michigan clover honey 

 is the finest in the world. It is white enough for table use — the fact 

 is, there are but few honeys that are whiter. Clover honey has an 

 aroma and flavor surpassed by no honey on earth. 



I repeat: it is the Alsike clover we honey producers in most 

 locations in Michigan will have to depend upon for our honey re- 

 sources in the future. One who is located in a good Alsike clover 

 region, preferablv where a considerable Cjuantity is left for seed, has 

 the best location the state affords. Such a location is likelv as good 

 as any one has in any state. 



It might not be out of place for me to say that .Saginaw is in 

 the center of the best clover location in the state. 



The north part of the state — the raspberry and willowherb dis- 

 trict — is changeable. The bad fires of the past few dry seasons have 

 played havoc with a considerable portion of this once famous loca- 

 tion. The rough and hilly portion of the raspberry district seems 

 to be hit the hardest by fire. As a considerable portion of this 

 region is of this character, it will be seen that many once good loca- 

 tions are very poor now, as the most of these hills are mere sand 



