61 



BEEKEEPING IN THE SOUTH 



Fig. 24. Apiary of B. M. Carraway, Mathis, Texas. 



level, that the moisture problem is nil so far as the beekeeper is 

 concerned. Drouths do not figure largely in beekeeping in 

 Florida, although several of the most important honey plants of 

 the state are greatly affected, as to yield of nectar, by the tem- 

 peratures. Cabbage palmetto bloom, for instance, will stand 

 neither extremes of heat or cold. Rainy, cool weather seems to 

 stunt its bloom, while very hot weather seems to "burn" the blos- 

 soms. It yields best in even, moderately warm temperatures. 

 Black mangrove has a similar tendency and frequently yields 

 at certain hours of the day, or ceases nectar secretion altogether, 

 like buckwheat in New York state. 



Migratory Beekeeping. 



This tropical country, particularly Florida, was the original 

 home of migratory beekeeping. O. O. Poppleton, who lived for a 

 time at Stuart, and whose locality was visited by the writer, was 

 perhaps the first exponent of migratory beekeeping, but gave up 

 the practice in later years. The Marchants, of Georgia and 

 Florida, have practiced migratory beekeeping with some success. 



