16 BULLETIN 489, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



NEEDS OF THE BEEKEEPING INDUSTRY IN NORTH CAROLINA. 



The greatest need of North Carolina beekeepers is an insight into 

 late and improved methods of beekeeping. The majority of bee- 

 keepers in the State have not had the opportunity, either by personal 

 contact with efficient beekeepers or from literature, to learn profit- 

 able methods of managing bees. Education in managing bees is 

 needed to secure the greatest amount of honey and wax in the best 

 condition for the market, thus giving the greatest returns to the 

 producer. 



SUMMARY. 



A careful study of the situation and interviews, not only with all 

 types of beekeepers but Avith those who are striving to introduce 

 methods for greater production and better distribution in other 

 branches, of agriculture, indicate that the plan which gives most 

 promise for meeting these' needs is through personal contact of an 

 enthusiastic, expert beekeeper. 



Personal contact is necessary, since few beekeepers in the State 

 have learned the elementary principles of beekeeping and have a 

 foundation on which to build successfully. Therefore it is neces- 

 sary, at the beginning, to meet beekeepers personally, to learn their 

 difficulties, to discover their errors, and to suggest the proper man- 

 agement. There is not the confidence in beekeeping as a source of 

 revenue which is necessary for good results ; hence enthusiasm must 

 be aroused, and this is not done sufficiently through the printed page. 

 The manner, then, of supplying this need is through an expert bee- 

 keeper who will work largely on the lines followed by the farm 

 demonstrators, not hesitating, however, to adopt other methods 

 which may present themselves to further the work. 



North Carolina has a large number of bees. The pollen and 

 nectar-producing flora of the State is abundant and the honey, when 

 properly produced, is of high grade. There is a good market in 

 the State for honey. Many more bees profitabty could be kept in 

 the State. Beekeeping is a business which, when well managed, 

 gives quick and excellent returns. The beekeepers of North Caro- 

 lina are now in the proper attitude to accept and make the best 

 use of information which will enable them to secure good profits 

 from the bees. In view of these facts it is highly desirable that ex- 

 tension work in beekeeping be inaugurated as quickly and carried 

 on as vigorously as circumstances will permit. 



WASHINGTON : GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1916 



