A SURVEY OF BEEKEEPING IN NORTH CAROLINA. 11 



sourwood gradually becomes less and clovers, particularly crimson 

 clover, become more plentiful. Still continuing eastward, the cotton 

 belt is reached, which is perhaps the poorest honey-producing region 

 in the State. Although cotton is reported as a honey plant, there is 

 no definite information concerning this, and the fact that there are 

 less bees in this part of the State than in any other is further indi- 

 cation that this region is the least favorable for bees. This condi- 

 tion, however, will probably be improved by the more extensive use 

 of crimson clover as a cover-crop and the introduction of alsike 

 clover. After the cotton belt is passed, the low-lying lands bor- 

 dering the coast and rivers are reached, with immense areas of gall- 

 berry and black and tupelo gum, producing delicious honey in 

 abundance. 



Honeydew is often reported, but data on this are very unsatisfac- 

 tory, some reporting it as appearing in February. 



Sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum). — Sourwood is a rather 

 scraggy tree of varying height, seldom exceeding 30 feet. It blos- 

 soms profusely in July, and under favorable circumstances nectar is 

 produced in such abundance that it can not possibly all be gathered. 

 Nectar may be dashed out by striking a bunch of blossoms in the 

 palm of the hand. In addition to the quantit}^ sourwood has para- 

 mount qualities from almost every viewpoint. The honey is light 

 in color, dense, of delicious flavor, and slow to granulate. Coming as 

 it does about July 1 to 21, ample opportunity is given the beekeeper 

 to prepare his colonies for best work on it. Compared with some 

 other honey-producing plants, the season is short, but by good man- 

 agement there is no difficulty in securing a paying crop in the bloom- 

 ing period. 



Linden (Tilia sp.). — The well-known basswood or linn is not 

 abundant in the State, but is found in sufficient abundance in the 

 north coves of the mountains to be of value to near-by beekeepers. In 

 locations where the Federal authorities control the cutting of timber, 

 the danger of the entire removal of the basswood is reduced. The 

 honey from this source is light in color, of good body, and has a 

 flavor which is generally liked. 



Tulip poplar or poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera). — Tulip poplar 

 has a wider distribution than any other source of honey in North 

 Carolina, and it is unfortunate that the honey is dark, so that it does 

 not command a high price. However, the honey from this source can 

 be utilized to increase the output of honey secured from better 

 sources. This tree is found in all parts of the State except in the 

 lowlands of the east. It blooms from May 10-30, varying somewhat 

 with differences in altitude. 



Clovers (Trifolium spp.). — Although a number of honey-produc- 

 ing clovers are found in the State, crimson clover (Trifolium in- 



