June, 192i> 



GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE 



369 



were not suited to the plant's welfare. In 

 like manner, northern slopes were found un- 

 adaptable. Owing to various factors, the 

 distribution of black sage has been confined 

 to the limits outlined above. It has not ex- 

 tended further owing, perliaps, to unfavor- 

 able climatic conditions, or to the fact that 

 it was encroaching upon favorable environ- 

 mental conditions of other plant life, and 

 was consequently choked out. In some parts 

 of tlie black sage region, the sage has found 

 its optimum habitat — that is, it has found 

 the most favorable condition for its growth 

 and reproduction. Where the plant is found 

 witli a most luxuriant growth, and in great 

 abundance, to the exclusion of almost all 

 other plants, it ma.y be said that it has 

 found its optimum habitat. Under these 

 situations, generally speaking, the plant 

 would secrete a greater amount of nectar. 



certainly varies with different honey plants. 



The relationship that fog bears to nectar 

 secretion is another important matter. In 

 southern California, many beekeepers have 

 felt that fog is a detriment while the sage 

 is in bloom, wliereas in central California 

 we know that it lias a beneficial influence 

 in that it helps retain the moisture in the 

 soil. 



Making Records. 



Many of the above observations we can 

 not make. Not only do we not have the fa- 

 cilities but likewise we have not the time. 

 We can, however, put an average colony of 

 bees on a pair of scales and record each 

 evening either the loss or gain in weight 

 during the day. The maximum and mini- 

 mum temperatures can likewise be recorded 

 without loss of valuable time, and perhaps 

 rainfall data as well. Such observations as 



Pig. 2. — Eucalyptus groves make good windbreaks, but afford too much shade during the winter months. 



Environmental Conditions. 



What are then the environmental condi- 

 tions best suited to the black sage? They 

 concern themselves with latitude, altitude, 

 character of soil and the moisture content 

 thereof, and various climatic conditions, 

 such as rainfall, temperature, humidity and 

 seasonal variations, to say nothing of the 

 electrical condition of the air. There is a 

 gre;it deal to learn. The secretion of nectar 

 should be measured at various latitudes and 

 altitudes, on different types of soils, on soils 

 varying in the degree of moisture which 

 they contain. Likewise, climatic records, 

 relative to rainfall, maximum and minimum 

 temperatures, humidity of the air, baromet- 

 ric pressure and wind direction, should be 

 made. From the standpoint of beekeeping 

 ])raetices, it would be interesting to know 

 at what hours of the day nectar secretion 

 commences or ceases^ for this phenomenon 



the date of the last spring frost, appearance 

 of first sage bloom, commencement of flow, 

 are very valuable and should be made by all 

 beekeepers. Such information not only helps 

 in the selection of a range, but also will 

 tend to improve our beekeeping methods. 

 In time, it is hoped that we will know the 

 proper night temperatures, as indicated by 

 Dr. Phillips in his talks at our short courses, 

 for sage secretion the following day. When 

 this is known, can we not plan our day's 

 work to much better advantage? If after 

 a series of years we have studied our sea- 

 sonal variations, we shall be in a better 

 position to forecast the time and duration 

 of a honey flow. In migratory beeke'eping 

 this will prove very valuable. 



Let us study the effects of hard winters 

 followed by either severe, mild, wet or dry 

 springs, or any other combination that may 

 be presented. A close study of plant be- 



