58 BULLETIN 685;, U. S. DEPAKTMENT OF AGErCULTtTEE. 

 SOUTHEASTERN HONETS. 



Tupelo gum honey is produced in large quantities from the 

 tree of that name in the regions adjoining the east Gulf 

 coast, principally in swampy sections and along the rivers, 

 and while a honey of good flavor and fair color is in demand 

 mainly because of its nongranulating properties for mixing 

 with other honey. Other gum trees also are sources of honey, 

 but, as a rule, the quahty is inferior, and yields are not so 

 heavy. 



Cotton honey is white and of fair flavor. It is produced 

 freely in portions of the cotton region, particularly in Texas, 

 though in some sections the plant yields Httle or no secretion, 

 which, incidentally, is extra floral, the sweet secretion ap- 

 pearing on the stem bracts below the flower and upon the 

 under surface of the leaves. 



The tulip poplar tree, growing freely throughout the east- 

 ern and southeastern United States, often to an immense 

 size, furnishes an abimdance of nectar early in the season, 

 often before the colonies of bees are sufficiently built up to 

 take full advantage of it. The honey is of reddish amber 

 tint and of inferior though not unpleasant flavor and is rarely 

 handled commercially except for cooking purposes. 



The Southern States produce several honeys of superior 

 flavor which are consumed on the local market and rarely 

 reach general commercial channels. Among these may be 

 mentioned the sourwood of the Southern Appalachians, the 

 gaUberry of the South Atlantic and East Gulf coasts, the 

 saw palmetto and mangrove of Florida, hoUy, persimmon, 

 partridge pea, and titi. (Cliftonia.) 



PRODUCTION OF 1917. 

 The yield of honey for the year just passed has been only 

 fair, 40.3 pounds average, being much below last year's fig- 

 ure of 52.8 pounds, and sHghtly below the 42.3 pounds of 

 1915. The coolness of the season in most of the Central and 

 Eastern States, with local droughts, and prior winterkilling 

 of clover over considerable areas, coupled with periods of 

 extreme heat in the Far West, were principally responsible 

 for the relatively disappointing crops realized in 1917 in 

 spite of earnest efforts on the part of beekeepers toward 

 heavy production. 



