48 SOURCES OF NECTAR 



surplus from some of these sources. In seasons when con- 

 ditions are favorable for several important honey plants, he 

 reaps a great harvest. 



System Adapted to Honey Flow. — Upon the flora and con- 

 ditions of secretion of nectar will depend the system of honey 

 production which can be carried on most profitably. If the 

 flows are short and very rapid, as is the case in many localities 

 in the northeastern States, comb honey production can be carried 

 on with very satisfactory results, and with profit to the producer. 

 If, on the other hand, the flow lasts through a long season, and 

 at no time is the honey coming in rapidly, it is very difiicult to 

 get a nicely finished article of comb honey. ISTot only are the 

 sections likely to be poorly finished, but they will be travel- 

 stained and unattractive in appearance. A small hive, while 

 hardly to be recommended anywhere except in the hands of a 

 comb honey specialist, should never be used in a region where 

 the flows are not rapid. Locality then is really the first and most 

 important point to be considered by the prospective bee-keeper. 

 l^ot until he has settled upon his locality can he decide as to 

 the system of management which he will follow, or the equip- 

 ment which he will use. 



Clover Region. — ^While there is a great diversity of local 

 conditions, all the region from the Missouri River to Maine and 

 south to the Gulf States, can be classed as the clover region. 

 White clover, perhaps, stands at the head of the list of honey- 

 producing plants in all this section. Alsike and sweet clover also 

 are important. Basswood or linden, raspberry, buckwheat, and 

 several other plants are important in various local sections, but 

 the clovers are the main source of nectar throughout this vast 

 region. Fruit bloom and dandelion are of great value through- 

 out these States for spring brood rearing. In many places they 

 are sufficiently plentiful to offer an important source of surplus, 

 if the bees are ready for it. The bloom from these plants, 

 however, comes so early in spring that the bees are usually not yet 

 strong enough in numbers to make the best use of the nectar 



