12 A. AND M. COLLEGE APIARY. 



the open markets: Continued experiments with this plant showed that 

 it is possible for the season to become sufficiently dry during August to 

 retard its growth and prevent its making seed. It is, however, as drouth 

 resistant as any of our cultivated crops, cotton not excepted. Three vari- 

 eties of cowpeas, i. e., the Wonderful, Clay, and Speckled, have been 

 tested. The Speckled cowpea gave the best results. When the native 

 honey plants had entirely ceased yielding nectar the bees continued to 

 work heavily upon the cowpeas and secured ample honey therefrom to 

 continue brood rearing, despite the fact that comparatively only a small 

 acreage of cowpeas was available. The value of the cowpea as a forage 

 plant and soil renovator is too well known to need discussion here. It 

 has been conclusively demonstrated by our most progressive farmers that 

 the cowpea is one of our most valuable farm crops. Its honey yield, 

 therefore, is an absolute gain. The clovers, as above stated, were not 

 found able to flourish under the conditions of soil and drouth existing in 

 Central Texas. By way of explanation, however, it may be said that this 

 department has thus far tested alfalfa only on the upland soils of the 

 "timber belt." On such soils alfalfa was found to grow sparingly but 

 not luxuriantly enough for either forage or honey. On irrigated lands its 

 value both for forage and honey is undoubted. On rich bottom lands, 

 such as prevail along the Brazos river, it is found to grow well, but its 

 honey-producing qualities under these conditions have not as yet been 

 tested. Giant Beggarweed (Desmodium tortuosum) was found to grow 

 well, but did not yield honey as was expected. Black Mustard, Mignon- 

 ette and Borage gave good results. With the varieties which have 

 grown favorably, still further experimental work will be done. About 

 thirty additional honey plants, as yet not cultivated in Texas, have been 

 secured from the North and East, and will also be tested. After careful 

 tests have been made at the College with these various honey-producing 

 plants, seeds of those found to be worthy of cultivation will be distrib- 

 uted free to bee keepers in different sections of the State, to be tested by 

 them in the soils and conditions prevailing in their localities. 



It seems likely that if a perfect drouth-resistant honey plant is to be 

 had, it will eventually be found in some of the arid portions of tile coun- 

 try, such as Western Texas, Mexico, or Arizona. For a long time it has 

 been the ambition of bee keepers everywhere to secure some plant which 

 could be profitably cultivated for surplus honey. In Southwest Texas 

 are many plants, such as Guajilla and Cat-claw, which at times give an 

 enormous yield of honey. Therefore, an investigation of such plants 

 with a view to testing them under cultivation has been taken up. 



In the manipulation of hives and colonies, much has been learned the 

 past few years, which has enabled the progressive bee keeper to increase 

 and often double his honey production. This manipulation is as yet only 

 partially developed and further studies along this line with a view to 

 increasing present honey yields in Texas is being taken up. 



Queen rearing, a more specialized branch of bee keeping, is still an 

 industry in its infancy, and so far as time will permit, studies along this 

 line and improvements upon present methods are being planned. 



Texas excels every other State in her honey production, yet to one 

 who has studied the situation and the vast territory and vegetation 

 of this State, it is evident that as yet Texas does not produce one-tenth 

 the honey which it might through proper management and further devel- 



