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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