and its Economic Management, 



53 



CHAPTER VI. 



PLANTING FOR BEES. 



HAVING shown how to secure good stocks, the next 

 thing is to provide employment for such vast popula- 

 lations throughout the summer. In the best of localities 

 there is always some interval when nothing of importance is 

 in flower, while many districts are so poor in honey-producing 

 plants as to be quite unsuitable for carrying on bee-keeping 

 'extensively. Judicious planting, therefore, should make the 

 culture of bees a safe and reliable investment, as the crops 

 will be Hear at home, and always rea3y for the bees, whenever 

 the weather is favourable for the secretion gf honey. Indeed, 

 with " a sea of bloom " close at hand, a surplus often 

 accumulates during dull weather, when otherwise the. stores 

 of the hive would be diminishing. 



Do not think of planting mere patches of various kinds of 

 flowers ; such are but a " drop in the ocean," and if you 

 cannot provide more than a few acres, then put in some one 

 thing that will come in as a main crop, if your district is 

 short of bee forage ; such as White or Alsike Clover, the 

 latter by preference. If your surroundings are fairly good, 

 then let the crop be arranged to come right for a time of 

 scarcity. 



Area required for loo Colonies. 



You may be able to spare' many acres for a continual 

 supply, and in that case provide not less than 20 acres for 

 each succeeding crop to every 100 colonies. I have by actual 



