58 BmXETIN 686, XT. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTtJEE. 
SOUTHEASTERN HONEYS. 
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 quality 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 jzields 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 abundance 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 
gallberry of the South Atlantic and East Gulf coasts, the 
saw palmetto and mangrove of Florida, holly, 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 slightly 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 winterkilUng 
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. 
