CHAPTER XXI 



THE SOURCES OF NECTAR AND POLLEN 



To the beekeeper who properly studies his locality, one 

 of the most important as well as often one of the most diffi- 

 cult tasks is to determine the sources from which his bees 

 gather nectar and pollen. The books and journals devoted 

 to beekeeping give considerable information concerning 

 honey-plants, but to learn which ones are to be considered 

 as of primary importance and to identify properly those on 

 which bees are seen working is sometimes difficult. In 

 localities where only one or two plants yield surplus, this 

 problem is relatively easy. For example, in part of the 

 irrigated regions of the West, alfalfa and sweet clover are 

 almost the only plants which the beekeeper need consider, 

 while in the northern part of the United States there are 

 localities where white clover is virtually the only surplus- 

 yielding species which need influence the apiary manage- 

 ment. 



Reason for knowledge of nectar sources. 



Since the beekeeper does not cultivate anything especially 

 for his bees, it may not be evident why he should study the 

 honey-plants. While it is true to a large extent that the 

 beekeeper must take whatever the plants in the region furnish, 

 he must, to be successful, know when the dependable plants 

 will bloom so that he may have his colonies strong and ready 

 to gather the harvest. In the establishment of out-apiaries 

 he should also study the country to decide on the best loca- 

 tions, those nearest to the most valuable and abundant 

 sources. 



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