40 



BEEKEEPING IN THE SOUTH 



that it is impossible to write accurately of conditions that will 

 apply widely. These conditions necessitate different periods for 

 the application of the common manipulations of bee culture, 

 bring up the old explanation of "locality." But the best prac- 

 tices do not have to vary materially. Rather their time of 

 application varies. 



Of this situation, J. J. Wilder says: "Starting at the highest 

 point of our country, along the Blue Ridge Mountains, and 

 gradually sloping off down to sea level out along the great coast 

 region, we have all kinds of climate from the most rigid to the 

 most mild. We may have some winter problems in the most 

 rigid sections but none elsewhere." 



The statement concerning the winter problem, except as it 

 applies from Florida to Mexico, along the gulf coast only, is 

 open to debate. This is a question upon which but few southern 

 beekeepers agree. There certainly can be room for improve- 

 ment in the practices of wintering common in many parts of the 

 South (see chapter on "Wintering"). The author has never been 

 convinced that Ihere was not some better beekeeping practice 



.3. — f,% 

 It' 



OAIH l-EUPEHATORES RELATIVE TO 57>F. AT LCUISVILLE. KEli'TUCKY. 



DAILJ lEMPEHATORES RELATIVE TO 57»¥. AT LUUISViLLt, KtliJUUK I . 



>VL,vtiv ftiivU "'^'^ 3 — -^ S— t^ CUu,^^ /isL.€ti~i^ (ji«ir+»v lyy 



Onlv 43 daya during the entire eeaeon nhen at aoae time 

 the temperature did not fall below 57*F. Baeed on U.S. 

 Weather aireau reoorde, Courteey R.P.Dietzman.Louiflvllle. 

 Lowest temperature never above 57»F. in Jan. Feb. Nov. Deo. 



Fig. 12. Daily Temperatures at Louisville, Kentucky. 



