BEE KEEPING IN MARYLAND. 231 
comb honey, and the honey flows are slow, which is also not favorable 
for comb honey production. 
As far as known, little or no honey is exported from Maryland. 
On the other hand, we have definite information from wholesale 
dealers that quantities of honey are imported into the State from the 
northern and western states. Even under the present demand, there is 
great opportunity for the promotion of the industry in the State from 
the point of view of strict business possibilities alone. Moreover, the 
total approximated crop of 500,000 pounds in the State is very meager 
when it is considered that single apiaries in western states often pro- 
duce from 50 to I00 tons in a year, in locations that are little better 
for keeping bees than are many parts of Maryland. 
The production of bees wax is correspondingly low in the State.: 
Based on an estimate similar to that for honey, the total crop would 
amount to about 10,000 pounds per year. The common practise 
of bee keepers to make wax only from old comb, makes the annual 
production variable. Outbreaks of disease or severe winter losses ordi- 
narily cause an increase in wax output the following year. The com- 
mercial value of this product is an additional incentive for increasing 
the industry in the State. 
Sources or Honey. 
Every bee keeper should familiarize himself with the bee flora of his 
locality. While it is sometimes very difficult to learn the sources from 
which bees secure their products, yet every effort should bé made to 
ascertain the principal nectar yielding plants of a neighborhood, and 
the approximate dates of beginning and ending of each important 
honey flow. : : 
Clovers are considered by far the most important honey. plants in 
Maryland. Of all those reported, the clovers are placed as the princi- 
pal surplus plants. White clover is the most useful where it occurs 
in large areas, and the honey secured from this plant ranks high in 
color and flavor. Alsike clover, which is an excellent nectar yielding 
plant, is now being grown quite generally in the State. A common 
practice among farmers in sowing clover for forage, is to mix the 
different clovers which increases the value of such fields to the bee 
keeper. Many reports have been received, giving crimson clover as 
an excellent surplus plant. It is also being more generally grown in 
the eastern, southern and central parts of the State. While red clover 
is most commonly grown by farmers and has more or less continuous 
bloom, it is ordinarily not useful to the honey bee. Sweet clover, which 
some consider a weed is common along the.roadsides in many parts of 
Maryland, and is an excellent honey plant. Inasmuch as this plant is 
useful, being a legume, it is worthy of’ more attention in this State. 
Fruit Bloom. The bloom.of apple; peach, pear and cherry, is given 
in the reports as next in importance as honey producing plants. These 
fruits are:common throughout most parts of the State. No surplus 
