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UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

y BULLETIN No. 489 #3

Contribution from the Bureau of Entomology. y
L. O. HOWARD, Chief.

Washington, D. C. Vv December 2, 1916

A SURVEY OF BEEKEEPING IN NORTH CAROLINA.

By E. G. Carr, Specialist in Beekeeping.

CONTENTS.

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INTRODUCTION.

A survey of the State of North Carolina recently has been made
in order to determine the present conditions, possibilities, and needs
of the business of beekeeping, with special reference to the best
means of supplying these needs. It seemed desirable to learn why
North Carolina: beekeepers are receiving relatively small returns,
whereas there was a reason to believe that opportunities for profit-
able beekeeping were on every hand. This survey began October 1
and ended December 22, 1915.

In this survey, counties of Surrey, Henderson, Clay, Haywood,
Jackson, Buncombe, Madison, Mitchell, McDowell, Iredell, Ran-
dolph, Forsyth, Guilford, Alamance, Pamlico, Beaufort, Pender,
Washington, Martin, and Sampson were included.

The census figures for the year 1909 show 36,248 farms reporting
bees, with a total number of colonies of 189,178, thus giving the
State fourth rank for number of colonies in the United States. The
honey produced was valued at $211,607 and the wax at $18,979, a
total valuation of $230,586, which gives the State eleventh rank in

Norry.—This bulletin treats particularly of beekeeping conditions in North Carolina, but
is of interest to beekeepers generally.

The author wishes to express his appreciation to the beekeepers visited for many kind-
nesses, also to the county agents, who greatly facilitated the work by arranging for
meetings of beekeepers. He also expresses his appreciation of the aid furnished by Prof.
Franklin Sherman, jr., State entomologist, for data concerning beekeepers and for as-
sistance in planning routes.

57568°—Bull. 489—16

ee

2 BULLETIN 489, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

value of hive products. The State ranks second in value of wax
produced. The value of bees per colony is reported at $2.04. Atten-
tion is called to the fact that these figures are not complete, as many of
the bees in the State are not on farms and many on farms evidently
were not reported.

In brief, the survey fully verifies Prof. Franklin Sherman’s?
statement that “there is perhaps no other industry in the State of
equal importance, and with equal opportunities for development,
which is so disorganized, so disconnected, and suffering so badly from
lack of careful attention and better methods as is the beekeeping busi-
ness.”

No doubt bees have been in North Carolina for a long time, but
the business of beekeeping has received so little attention that, except
in a comparatively few cases, absolutely no advance has been made.

PRESENT CONDITIONS.
TYPES OF HIVES.

Most of the colonies of bees in North Carolina are housed in hol-
low logs or “ gums.” Some are kept in upright box hives, “ plank”
or “tall gums,” and only-a small percentage are in some type of
movable-frame hive, locally called “ patent gums.” The eastern and
western parts of the State have the largest percentage of bees in logs,
while through the central part the majority of the bees are in movable-
frame hives. This condition appears to be due partly to the fact that
the beekeepers are slow to adopt new methods, particularly as in some
cases movable-frame hives have been tried with poor results, owing to
lack of knowledge necessary to get good returns. Beekeeping as prac-
ticed by most of the beekeepers is not profitable, and the present re-
turns by the old methods are not sufficient to make obvious to them
the desirability of an expenditure necessary to place the bees in mov-
able-frame hives.

Some are using homemade hives with movable frames, and, where
the hives are made with sufficient accuracy to insure proper spacing
of the frames, they are giving satisfactory results. White pine of
fair grade suitable for hives can be had at small cost in the western
part and a soft cypress (white cypress) in the eastern part of the
State. A considerable number of factory-made hives have been sent
into the State, made of yellow pine of poor quality and with the
frame spacing so inaccurate as to make proper manipulation impos-
sible. Best results can not be secured with such equipment.

For the most part the population of North Carolina is scattered
and transportation is poor; hence there is not the free interchange
of ideas which occurs in sections where the population is dense.

1 Sherman, Franklin, jr., 1908. Beekeeping in North Carolina. Bulletin of N. C. Dept.
of Agr., vol. 29. no 1.

A SURVEY OF BEEKEEPING IN NORTH CAROLINA. 3

Knowledge of improved methods of beekeeping has not reached the
majority of those owning bees. In case reports of good profits from
bees elsewhere have been received, these have been so far above the
amounts that are being secured by the old methods that the reports
have met with little credence. In very few instances have efforts been
made to secure like results.

RACES OF BEES.

Almost all the bees in the State are German (black) hybrids, prac-
tically none being found without some trace, however slight, of
Italian blood. Numerous efforts have been made to improve the
stock by introducing pure Italian queens, but, with few exceptions,
this has produced bees which so vigorously resent disturbance that
such attempts at improvement have been discouraged. Since the
color of the bees in every case has been light yellow, it is quite likely
that there has been some Cyprian blood in the stock secured. A few
aplaries are stocked with Italians and an effort is being made to keep
them pure—a rather difficult task, however, because of the presence of
so many wild hybrid colonies.

One beekeeper had used a few colonies of Carniolan bees, but hae
discontinued beekeeping and no data are obtainable regarding their
comparative value in North Carolina.

SHADE.

Shade for the hives, either natural or artificial, is considered by
almost all beekeepers in North Carolina to be necessary to avoid
melting of the combs in the summer. It would be unnecessary, how-
ever, were it not for the fact that the entrance in the log or plank
“gum” consists merely of a few V-shaped notches or a small slot,
entirely inadequate for proper ventilation of the hive in hot weather,
This conclusion is supported by cases in the central and eastern parts
of the State, where beekeepers have provided large entrances and
have raised the hive from the bottom board to allow abundant bottom
ventilation and have dispensed with shade without harmful results.
The western part of North Carolina is mountainous and cooler in
summer, making extra ventilation less important.

ARRANGEMENT OF HIVES.

In the western part of the State it is the custom to place the log
or plank “gum” on long benches or on a flat rock, which rests on
four stakes driven into the ground. In the eastern part, as rocks
are not obtainable, benches only are used. If space will permit,
the placing of hives in a single row close together is practiced.
‘Perhaps 100 “gums” will be found in one row. Aside from using

4 BULLETIN 489, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE,

natural shade when convenient, no attempt is made to locate the
hives near natural windbreaks or to face them to any particular

point of the compass.
SWARMING.

Uncontrolled swarming always results in a greatly reduced honey
crop. A colony of bees kept together will store more surplus honey
than will the same bees divided by swarming into two or more
colonies, as each swarm must use a large amount of honey in order
that they may construct combs for the new hive. This honey of
course is lost to the beekeeper. Further, this division of the colony
into two, or more, reduces the available force of field bees, since it is
necessary that a certain number remain constantly in each hive
properly to carry on the hive work. It is obvious then that when
the bees are kept working together in one hive less are needed for
inside hive work and more are available as gatherers.

With few exceptions, no effort is being made in North Carolina to
prevent or to control swarming, and great numbers of swarms are
annually lost to the beekeepers by flying to the woods. Further,
many after-swarms issue, and this weakens the parent colony so
that it not only can not produce surplus honey, but often it dies.
Many of the weak after-swarms also die. In many cases the bee-
keeper has at the end of the season only the first swarm to show for
his labor, no honey having been secured and both the old colony and
the after-swarms having perished. Beekeepers boast of many colo-
nies which cast three swarms, but with these results. It is obvious
that under these conditions a good honey crop is impossible.

WAXMOTH.

While, as is well known, the larve of the waxmoth can do no
damage in a strong, healthy colony of bees properly cared for, this
enemy is recognized by all North Carolina beekeepers under different
names, such as “ weevil,” “ fly,” or “worm.” No adequate estimate
can be made of the loss through its depredations, but it surely
amounts to a large sum. Since the climate of North Carolina is not
so rigorous as that farther north, the waxmoth has opportunities
to work for a correspondingly longer period of the year. There is
no climatic reason, however, why the ravages of this insect should
not be stopped. The loss is due chiefly to excessive swarming, or,
to be more explicit, to allowing after-swarms to issue. This is fur-
ther aggrav ated by the great amount of German (black) blood in
the bees, since it is generally admitted that black bees do not repel
the waxmoth as do Italians.

DISEASE.

American foulbrood—Samples of this disease were received by the
Bureau of Entomology from Guilford County in 1911 and from

A SURVEY OF BEEKEEPING IN NORTH CAROLINA. 5

Madison, Mitchell, and Buncombe Counties in 1912. It was found
that the sample from Buncombe County had been taken from a ship-
ment of bees from Kentucky, in which the trouble was at once
noticed and given radical treatment, and, so far as can be learned,
the disease was entirely stamped out. In Guilford County the dis-
ease has been receiving careful attention. The beekeeper from whose
yard the sample was sent has examined practically every colony of
bees in the neighborhood and has found no disease except in his
own apiary. There it has been so reduced that only two colonies
showed infection in 1915 and in these it was light. The infection in
Madison County is great and that in Mitchell County is considerable,
and disease is spreading in both counties.

Sacbrood or “ pickled brood.”—This disease was observed in one
case. Since even where some type of movable-frame hive is used
examination of the brood nest is but little practiced, no definite idea
of the extent of this disease can be formed.

Paralysis——This condition was reported a number of times, and
always by the better beekeepers. This does not indicate that it is
absent where bees receive less care, but, it is believed, the less careful
beekeepers fail to observe closely or else do not recognize the disease.
In one yard of over 100 colonies the owner reports 50 per cent of the
colonies affected by paralysis at some time during the season. The
usual treatment is the sprinkling of sulphur on top of the frames and
at the entrance, but with doubtful benefits.

WINTERING.

Perhaps no one thing connected with successful beekeeping is re-
ceiving as little attention in North Carolina as is protection for the
bees in winter aside from that provided by the hive.

A study of weather records for Asheville from November 1, 1914,
to March 31, 1915, shows that a daily variation in temperature of
20° EF. is frequent. The maximum variation was 40°, which occurred
once, and the minimum 2°, which occurred five times. The maximum
temperature during this period was 62° and the minimum 4°. Five
times during this period the temperature fell below 20°, twenty
times below 25°, and forty times below 30°, or, on an average, below
30° once in three days. The figures for Wilmington are as follows:
Maximum temperature, 76°; minimum temperature, 20°. Twice the
temperature was below 25° and below 30° eight times. These two
points are mentioned, as they probably represent the extremes of tem-
perature in the State.

Only two beekepers in the State, so far as known, are providing
_ protection for the bees in winter, and in these two cases it is slight.
One beekeeper places an empty super filled with leaves over the
brood chamber, and the other is using a hive which takes a super of

6 BULLETIN 489, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE,

thin lumber inside an outer shell, and when the supers are removed
the shell is filled with pine needles, locally called “ pine straw.”

There is considerable evidence of the value of the protection
afforded by thick log “gums” in winter. This is to be expected,
since all have walls 2 or 3 inches thick. When the subject of winter
protection is mentioned, the North Carolina beekeeper states that
the mildness of the climate makes extra protection unnecessary. Its
value is apparent to the best beekeepers when it is shown that extra
packing will keep the bees quiet during the season when no nectar —
can be gathered, since they all agree that bees expend too much
energy needlessly during this period.

QUEEN REARING.

There are three queen-rearing apiaries in the State, with a total
output of from 1,500 to 2,000 Italian queens annually. These queen-
breeders produce light-colored bees. Queen-cells are started in the
queenless side of a colony, divided by queen-excluding zinc. Both
small twin mating-boxes and nuclei with full-size frames are used
for mating queens.

TYPES OF HONEY.

There are five distinct types of honey produced in North Carolina,
as follows: Bulk comb-honey, produced in shallow frames (52 inches
deep), 1s cut out and packed in 5, 10, and 15-pound tin buckets, with
enough ‘extracted honey added to fill up the spaces. Care is used to
keep the queen out of the storage combs, in order that they may not
be darkened by having bees reared in them. Combs containing
pollen are not permitted in honey of this type. Chunk honey is pro-
duced in log or box “gums” and is “robbed” from the top of the
hive in irregular chunks after the “head” or top of the “ gum” has»
been removed. Frequently the comb has been darkened and tough-
ened by having brood reared in it, and much pollen—* beebread ”—
finds its way into this product. No regular size or shape of package
is used for this type of honey, the customer usually furnishing the
container. Comb-honey—‘ section or box honey ”—is produced in
the commercial section, locally known as honey box or pound sec-
tion. Hatracted honey is stored in either deep or shallow frames
and is removed by the honey extractor and packed in 50-gallon bar-
rels. Honey in this form is secured unmixed with pollen or other
foreign substances. Strained or “ squeezed” honey is stored by the
bees in the log or plank “ gums,” the honey being obtained by killing
the bees with sulphur fumes, cutting the combs from the hives, and
at once mashing up the combs and putting the mass in a thin cloth
sack, so that the honey can drip out. Sometimes the cappings are

A SURVEY OF BEEKEEPING IN NORTH CAROLINA. 7

removed from the combs, which are placed in a slanting trough,
and, after some of the honey has dripped from the combs, the residue
is pressed to remove the remainder of the honey. The resulting
product contains considerable pollen and other foreign substances.
It must not be thought that extracted and strained or squeezed honey
are the same; neither are bulk comb-honey and chunk honey identical.

SIZE OF CROPS.

The number of beekeepers of all classes whose methods have been
studied is sufficient to indicate the amounts of honey in the different
forms now secured by those who are really giving the bees some chance
to do what they can. The average amount of comb-honey in sections
is given at 40 pounds per colony. The amount secured in the eastern
part of the State by extracting, averages 60 pounds. The data re-
garding strained or squeezed honey were somewhat indefinite, being
given as 24 to 6 gallons or 30 to 72 pounds per “ gum.” This includes
of course the entire amount of honey in the hive when the colony is
killed. It is possible that the custom of killing the bees and taking
the honey in the full moon in June may result in a smaller amount
being secured than if the killing were left until gathering had ceased

in the fall. The average production of bulk comb-honey per hive is

given as 50 pounds. These figures are all conservative, being based
on a series of years including good and poor seasons. Mention may be

‘made of the production of 10 gallons of squeezed honey, 120 pounds

of bulk comb-honey, or 150 sections by a single good colony in good
seasons, but while these amounts have been secured in good seasons,
the figures given previously are being duplicated annually.

BEESWAX.

No effort is made to secure all the wax from old combs and only
the crudest methods are used in rendering. No wax-press was seen
which was capable of sufficient pressure to get most of the wax; in
fact the only press used is made of two pieces of lumber hinged at one
end. The free ends are brought together while the sack containing
the hot material is between the sticks near the hinged end. The wax
produced in all parts of the State is small in quantity, due to inefli-
cient methods of rendering, but it is of good quality and free from
foreign matter.

‘Although the State ranks second in the amount of wax produced,
this should not be considered as a favorable condition, since it results
from the practice of. killing bees to get the honey. With good bee-
keeping the destruction of combs in this way will not be practiced,
but the total output of wax will probably not be decreased if better
methods of rendering are employed.

8 BULLETIN 489, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

VALUE OF HONEY AND WAX.

The prices received by the beekeeper for honey and wax in North
Carolina have a wide range. In some localities and for some honeys
the prices are good, as compared with prices in other parts of the
United States; in other places they are entirely too low. The type of
honey and care used in production are important factors in regulat-
ing the price, but in some cases no good reason for the low prices can
be given, except lack of organization and distribution. Failure to
learn the market value is prebably the cause of the low prices ob-
tained for beeswax in the western part of the State and for comb
honey in the eastern part. .

Bulk comb honey and chunk honey, which are the common types
in the western and central parts of the State, have been sold in
recent years by the beekeepers at 124, 15, and 20 cents a pound, de-
pending on the quality; 20 cents has been the common price for sour-
wood or other light-colored and mild-flavored honeys, such as bass-
wood. Section comb honey in the western and central parts has
brought the producer 15 to 20 cents a section, while in the eastern
part only 10 cents a section is secured, although the product is good
in color and finish. Extracted honey in 50-gallon barrels frequently

sold for 74 to 8 cents a pound, while strained or squeezed honey, the

production of which is principally in the east, commanded the low-
est price—around 40 cents wholesale and about $1 a gallon retail.

The price of beeswax also has a wide range, and, singularly
enough, it is just the reverse of honey prices; the lowest, 20 cents a
pound, is paid the producer in the western part of the State and 28
to 32 cents in the eastern part.

MARKETING HIVE PRODUCTS.

No more encouraging features can be mentioned than the eager-
ness of the market for honey, particularly through the central and
western parts of the State, and that bulk comb honey has a ready
sale at good prices. The markets in these localities prefer honey in
this form. While producers in the eastern part received last fall
only 10 cents a section for their product, comb honey by the car-
load came into the central part of the State from the west, and
also some from Tennessee and Georgia. With proper distribution,
the eastern producer could secure at least 15 cents a section for his
product, which is the price received for the honey from outside
sources.

Little honey is shipped from North Carolina. From the east some
comb honey goes to Norfolk and some extracted and strained honey is
shipped to New York, but the consumption of honey in the State
is far above the local production, and the demand is therefore not
supplied.

A SURVEY OF BEEKEEPING IN NORTH CAROLINA. | 9

_ The survey indicates that the demand for sourwood honey will
continue to be much above the supply for a long time, as it has the
preference locally over any other kind. When its qualities become
known beyond the locality of production, the demand may be greatly
increased.

PROFITS OF BEEKEEPER.

The receipts from a colony of bees range from nothing to $20 or
more per year. Such a statement only shows what such combina-
tions as a good beekeeper and a good season on the one hand, or a
poor beekeeper and a poor season on the other, will do.

Careful inquiry and investigation of the amounts of honey secured
and the prices obtained by the best producers of the different types
of honeys show that the receipts per colony from the production of
comb honey is $5; of extracted honey, $4.50; of strained honey, $2.50;
of bulk comb honey, $7.50. It is well to bear in mind that these
returns are obtained only by those who are giving bees considerable
attention. Hundreds of those having bees are receiving almost
nothing from them, except a little honey of inferior quality for
home use.

PROPOLIS.

The propolis in the swamp district of North Carolina is gray,
does not ‘stain the section, is not abundant, and is easily removed, all
of which favor comb-honey production. It is reported that this
propolis is gathered from sweet gum (Liquidambar styraciflua), and
when chewed it resembles chewing gum.

LITERATURE.

Few of the beekeepers of North Carolina are making good use of
the available bee literature; in fact, few have a book on beekeeping
or read a bee journal.

In 1908 Sherman issued a stimulating bulletin? which was rather
widely distributed among the beekeepers. This, so far as known,
is the only publication dealing specifically with the problems of the
North Carolina beekeeper.

BEEKEEPERS’ ASSOCIATIONS.

A few years ago there was a small society of beekeepers in the
western part of the State, but no definite data on the present status
of the association could be secured. Inquiry also reveals a desire
among the more advanced beekeepers for a State organization of bee-
keepers so that meetings can be held and their peculiar problems dis-

1 Sherman, Franklin, jr., 1908. Beekeeping in North Carolina. Bulletin of N. C. Dept.
of Agr., vol. 29, no. 1.

10 BULLETIN 489, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

cussed. No doubt such an organization easily could be effected. The
length of North Carolina and the slowness of travel from east to west
would make it desirable to have some agreement whereby the meetings
could alternate between the eastern and western parts of the State.

%

ATTITUDE OF BEEKEEPERS TOWARD IMPROVED METHODS.

One of the hopeful signs, if not the most hopeful one, is the atti-
tude of the beekeepers toward improved apparatus and methods.
There is not the self-satisfied attitude which is often met elsewhere
and which is so impossible to overcome. There was shown an
eagerness to learn and to make use of the information in cases where
certain simple manipulations have been explained.

FOLKLORE.

Superstitions regarding bees which formerly were common, such
as ringing bells or beating pans to cause a swarm to settle, “ telling
the bees” when their owner dies so they will not also die, and a
belief that selling bees brings bad luck, were encountered, as well as
some which were not so common. Some beekeepers will not count
the hives for fear of ill luck. It is said by the superstitious that on -
Washington’s birthday all the hives must be shghtly moved to ward
off ill luck. Bees are “robbed” by killing the bees at the time of
the full moon in June, as it is believed there is then little “ beebread ”
in the hive. These superstitions will, of course, disappear with

better beekeeping.
HONEY PLANTS.

Sherman already has listed the main honey sources, although
probably gallberry should have been given more prominence for
the eastern part of the State bordering on the swamps and streams.

From the standpoint of nectar-producing flora and consequent
manipulations the State may be divided into three parts—western.
central, and eastern—without definite boundary lines. The leading
honey plants in these three sections are sourwood, clovers, and gall-
berry, respectively. Tulip, poplar, or “ poplar,” is purposely omitted,
for, although it is abundant and is a good nectar producer, honeys
from the sources mentioned above are superior and bring a higher
price than does that from tulip poplar. It is believed that the bee-
keeper will do well so to manipulate his colonies that they will con-
sume the honey from this source in breeding and thus attain greater
strength for gathering the more desirable later honeys.

All through the mountainous and upper Piedmont sections of the
State sourwood flourishes and is still abundant enough, in spite of
cutting, to be the leading surplus honey plant. Going eastward, be-
cause of the increased clearing of land for agricultural operations

A SURVEY OF BEEKEEPING IN NORTH CAROLINA. Ol

sourwood gradually becomes less and clovers, particularly crimson
clover, become more plentiful. Still continuing eastward, the cotton
belt is reached, which is perhaps the poorest honey-producing region
in the State. Although cotton is reported as a honey plant, there is
no definite information concerning this, and the fact that there are
less bees in this part of the State than in any other is further indi-
cation that this region is the least favorable for bees. This condi-
tion, however, will probably be improved by the more extensive use
of crimson clover as a cover-crop and the introduction of alsike
clover. After the cotton belt is passed, the low-lying lands bor-
dering the coast and rivers are reached, with immense areas of gall-
berry and black and tupelo gum, producing delicious honey in
abundance.

Honeydew is often reported, but data on this are very unsatisfac-
tory, some reporting it as appearing in February.

Sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum).—Sourwood is a_ rather
_ scraggy tree of varying height, seldom exceeding 30 feet. It blos-
soms profusely in July, and under favorable circumstances nectar is
produced in such abundance that it can not possibly all be gathered.
Nectar may be dashed out by striking a bunch of blossoms in the
palm of the hand. In addition to the quantity, sourwood has para-
mount qualities from almost every viewpoint. The honey is light
in color, dense, of delicious flavor, and slow to granulate. Coming as
it does about July 1 to 21, ample opportunity is given the beekeeper
to prepare his colonies for best work on it. Compared with some
other honey-producing plants, the season is short, but by good man-
agement there is no difficulty in securing a paying crop in the bloom-
ing period.

Linden (Tilia sp.).—The well-known basswood or linn is not
abundant in the State, but is found in sufficient abundance in the
north coves of the mountains to be of*value to near-by beekeepers. In
locations where the Federal authorities control the cutting of timber,
the danger of the entire removal of the basswood is reduced. The
honey from this source is hght in color, of good body, and has a
flavor which is generally liked.

Tulip poplar or poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera).—Tulip poplar
has a wider distribution than any other source of honey in North
Carolina, and it is unfortunate that the honey is dark, so that it does
not command a high price. However, the honey from this source can
be utilized to increase the output of honey secured from better
sources. This tree is found in all parts of the State except in the
lowlands of the east. It blooms from May 10-30, varying somewhat
with differences in altitude.

Clovers (Trifolium spp.).—Although a number of honey-produc-
ing clovers are found in the State, crimson clover (Z'7rifoliwm in-

12 BULLETIN 489, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

carnatum) is of most value as a source of nectar at present. This
plant is used both as a cover crop and for forage and its use is in-
creasing. There are two varieties used, one having crimson and the
other white blossoms, the crimson blooming about 14 days before the
white.

Besides crimson clover, there is being introduced a considerable
amount of alsike clover (7. Aybridum) which will increase the
honey crop. There is also white sweet clover (M/elilotus alba) in a
few places, but not yet enough to be of value.

Gallberry (llex spp.)—Bordering on the swamps and rivers of
the east are thousands of acres of gallberry which produces an abun-
dance of nectar, the honey being light in color and of good body and
flavor. It is reported that bees do not work on the blossoms of this
plant before 10 o’clock in the morning. The blossoming period is
given as May 10 to June 5.

Black and tupelo gum (Nyssa spp.).—Black gum is abundant from
the center to the eastern part of the State and is credited with much
good honey. Tupelo gum (Vyssa aquatica) is confined principally
to the southeast and is an important honey plant.

Besides the above-mentioned sources of nectar, there are a number
of plants and trees of value to the beekeeper because of the pollen
or nectar which they produce. A list is here given but no claim is
made for its completeness. Cotton may also be¢ome important as a
honey producer, as is reported to be the case farther south. How-
ever this may be, there are sufficient pollen and nectar producing
plants in the State, with the possible exception of the cotton belt, to
make beekeeping profitable to the person who engages in beekeeping
commercially.

PLANTS REPORTED AS VALUABLE TO BEEKEEPERS.

Elm (Ulmus sp.): Pollen; February; Piedmont section and eastern part of
North Carolina.

Alder (* Alnus rugosa): Pollen; specimen from Surry Co.; February; through-
out State.

Maple (Acer spp.) : Pollen and nectar: March; throughout State.

Wild plum (* Prunus angustifolia) : Nectar; specimen from Surry Co., March;
western part of North Carolina.

Willow (Salig sp.): Pollen and nectar; April; throughout State.

Deciduous fruit: Pollen and nectar; April; throughout State.

Redbud (Cercis canadensis) : Nectar; April; Piedmont section and western part
of State.

Black gum (Nyssa sylvatica): Nectar; April; Piedmont section and eastern
part of State.

Holly (Ilez opaca): Nectar; April; Piedmont section and eastern part of State.

Rattan (* Berchemia scandens): Nectar; specimen from Pamlico Co.; May;
extreme eastern part of State.

Locust (Robinia pseudacacia) : Nectar; May; western part of State and Pied-
mont section.

A SURVEY OF BEEKEEPING IN NORTH CAROLINA. 13

Crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum) : Nectar; May; Piedmont section.

Huckleberry (Gaylussacia sp.) or Blueberry (Vaccinium sp.) : Nectar; May;
eastern part of State.

Tupelo gum (*Nyssa aquatica) : Nectar; Specimen from Pender Ceunty ; May ;
extreme eastern part of State.

Wild blackberry (Rubus spp.) : Nectar; May; west and Piedmont.

Tulip poplar, locally called poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera): Nectar; May
10-30; throughout, except in extreme eastern part of State.

Pasture killer, “rubber weed” (*Senecio aureus): Nectar; specimen from
Clay Co.; May; western part of State.

Highland gallberry (*Ilex glabra): Nectar; specimen from Pamlico Co.; May
15-June 20; eastern part of State.

Swamp gallberry (*Jlex coriacea): Nectar; specimen from Pamlico Co.;
May 15-—June 20; eastern part of State.

Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana): Nectar; June; throughout State.

White clover (7'rifolium repens) : Nectar; June—July ; western part of State.

Sweet bay (*Persea pubescens): Nectar; specimen from Pamlico Co.; June;
eastern part of State.

Linden, basswood, or linn (Tilia sp.): Nectar; July; north coves of moun-
tains.

Sourwood (* Oxydendrum arboreum) : Nectar; specimen from Surry Co.; July
1-21; Piedmont region and western part of State.

Rattleweed, black cohosh (*Cinuicifuga racemosa): Nectar; specimen from
Buncombe Co.; July—August; western part of State.

Hereules club (*Aralia spinosa): Nectar; specimen from Washington Co.;
June-August; eastern part of State.

Sumac (Rhus spp.) : Nectar; *Rhus glabra from Surry Co., Rhus copallina also
common; July; throughout State.

Smartweed (Polygonum and Persicaria spp.) : Nectar; specimen of *Persicaria
pemnsylvanica from Henderson Co.; August-September; Piedmont region
and western part of State.

Coralberry, Indian currant, buckbush (*Symphoricarpos orbiculatus) : Nectar ;
specimen from Alamance Co.; July. -

White snakeroot (*Hupatorium urticaefolium): Nectar; August; specimen
from Buncombe Co.

Goldenrod (Solidago spp.) : Nectar; *Solidago altissima from Henderson Co. ;
September ; throughout State.

Asters, ironweed (Aster spp.) : Nectar; *Aster ericoides from Surry Co.; Sep-
tember 20 to frost; throughout State.

Spanish needle (Bidens. spp.) : Nectar; *Bidens vulgata from Henderson Co. ;
September ; Piedmont region and western part of State.

Stickweed, feather-edge (*Ridan alternifolius): Nectar; specimen from Bun-
combe Co.; August and September; throughout State.

POSSIBILITIES UNDER NORTH CAROLINA CONDITIONS.

The possibilities for commercial honey production are already
great and there is opportunity for them to become greater. In-
crease in the area of land under cultivation will perhaps decrease
the amount of honey secured from some sources but, to offset this,
are the activities of the county agents and farmers who plan greatly

* Specimens of these plants were kindly determined by Mr. P. L. Ricker, Bureau of
Plant Industry. .

14 BULLETIN 489, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

to increase the planting of clovers, both as cover crops and for
forage, and this naturally would result in an increase in the quan-
tity and also in some places the quality of the honey crop. The
total sum of increased revenue to the State which would accrue
from the use of better methods, apparatus, and stock is so great that
quite naturally the average beekeeper does not credit it. Fortunately
the returns of a few of the better beekeepers are known, so as to
permit a fair estimate of the possibilities, and some cases will be
cited.

In the northwestern part of the State a man and his son operating
about 500 colonies in three apiaries secure an average income per
colony of $5.60 from bulk comb-honey. In Iredell County, from 47
colonies in 1913, a beekeeper received $663 for his crop of bulk comb-
honey. Near the center of the State a beekeeper started the season
of 1915 with 80 colonies, increased to 125, and secured 5,000 pounds
of bulk comb-honey, for which he received more than $600. In the
southeastern part of the State in 1914 a producer owning 150 colonies
secured 21 fifty-gallon barrels of extracted honey, selling for nearly
9900. In Alamance County 23 colonies in 1915 produced section comb-
honey yielding nearly $9 per colony, and the care given was practi-
cally nothing, except to hive swarms and to put on and remove
supers.

Many cases like the foregoing may be cited, but these indicate the
possibilities, except that it must be borne in mind—and this is said
with no thought of disparagement—that these beekeepers, without
exception, are making some error in their work. They fail to use full
sheets of foundation, fail to control swarming, use inferior stock, or
neglect to give extra winter protection to the hive, all of which reduce
the production per colony, so that the figures given above do not
indicate the maximum which it is possible to obtain.

It is also possible for those in the western part of the State to
secure at least the usual market price of 28 cents instead of 20 cents
a pound for their beeswax, and those in the eastern part who are now
receiving but 10 cents for their section comb-honey to receive at least
15 cents, the usual market price for this grade of honey.

To show the possibilities more fully, the errors of a few of the
best beekeepers will be pointed out in detail. The best bulk comb-
honey producer visited does not have his colonies as strong as would
seem possible under the existing conditions of the nectar supply, and
the resultant yield is lessened. He does not give any extra winter
protection and this decreases the crop. The most successful
comb-honey producer visited does not use full sheets of founda-
tion in the brood-chamber, consequently enormous numbers of
drones are uselessly reared and fed to the detriment of the work-
ing force of the colony, and the surplus honey crop is reduced. He

A SURVEY OF BEEKEEPING IN NORTH CAROLINA. 15

is using only one shallow hive-body for brood-rearing, hence swarm-
ing is excessive, and it is impossible to rear in such a hive a colony of
bees which will get the greatest amount of surplus honey. The crop
of the extracted honey producer is reduced not less than 10 per cent
because of drone comb in the brood chamber, from a failure to use
full sheets of foundation or to sort combs. In neither case is winter
protection given. It is impossible to estimate the loss sustained by
the producer of chunk honey, since no effort is made to control
swarming and the bees use up an enormous amount of energy in this
profitless way. However, the bees in the log “ gums,” because of the
thickness of the walls of the hive and the abundant stores, have better
winter protection than bees in any other type of hive used in North
Carolina.

The inadequate census figures for the year 1909 give the total
colonies of bees on farms in North Carolina as 189,178. This, how-
ever, is far below the total number in the State. Estimating the
average production of 10 pounds a colony at the conservative figure
of 124 cents a pound, the present annual income from honey is
$236.472. Increasing this to the conservative estimate of 50 pounds
a colony, the average production of the better beekeepers, gives an
annual estimated increased production of 7,567,120 pounds, or an
increase in revenue of $945,890. It is difficult to estimate the
increased revenue which would accrue from proper rendering of wax
and from stopping the loss occurring through the depredations of the
waxmoth. |

Again, using the census figures for 1909, the annual output of wax
is given as two-fifths of a pound per colony. With the adoption of
wax-rendering methods now used by the better beekeepers, the output
of wax per colony would be doubled, making the increased revenue
from this source $18,979. However, with other beekeeping methods,
the production of wax may decrease, as it has elsewhere. This
amount added to the estimated increase from honey makes $964,869.
It is obvious, therefore, that with proper encouragement and direc-
tion the beekeeping industry of the State could in a few years be
increased $1,000,000 annually.

The estimate given above is based on the number of bees now in
the State according to the census figures. It is possible also to add
to these numbers by more thorough stocking of the field, as tons of
nectar are going to waste annually. Near the center of Alamance
County, for instance, in the neighborhood of Mebane, there are about
100 colonies, and Mr. E. C. Turner, county agent for the southern
half of the county, who is himself a beekeeper, reports that practi-

_ cally no bees are kept until the extreme southern end of the county,

20 miles away, is reached.

16 BULLETIN 489, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
NEEDS OF THE BEEKEEPING INDUSTRY IN NORTH CAROLINA.

The greatest need of North Carolina beekeepers is an insight into
late and improved methods of beekeeping. The majority of bee-
keepers in the State have not had the opportunity, either by personal
contact with efficient beekeepers or from literature, to learn profit-
able methods of managing bees. Education in managing bees is
needed to secure the greatest amount of honey and wax in the best
condition for the market, thus giving the greatest returns to the
producer.

SUMMARY.

A careful study of the situation and interviews, not only with all
types of beekeepers but with those who are striving to introduce
methods for greater production and better distribution in other
branches of agriculture, indicate that the plan which gives most
promise for meeting these needs is through personal contact of an
enthusiastic, expert beekeeper.

Personal contact is necessary, since few beekeepers in the State
have learned the elementary principles of beekeeping and have a
foundation on which to build successfully. Therefore it is neces-
sary, at the beginning, to meet beekeepers personally, to learn their
difficulties, to discover their errors, and to suggest the proper man-
agement. There is not the confidence in beekeeping as a source of
revenue which is necessary for good results; hence enthusiasm must
be aroused, and this is not done sufficiently through the printed page.
The manner, then, of supplying this need is through an expert bee-
keeper who will work largely on the lines followed by the farm
demonstrators, not hesitating, however, to adopt other method
which may present themselves to further the work. |

North Carolina has a large number of bees. The pollen and
nectar-producing fiora of the State is abundant and the honey, when
properly produced, is of high grade. There is a good market in
the State for honey. Many more bees profitably could be kept in
the State. Beekeeping is a business which, when well managed,
gives quick and excellent returns. The beekeepers of North Caro-
lina are now in the proper attitude to accept and make the best
use of information which will enable them to secure good profits
from the bees. In view of these facts it is highly desirable that ex-
tension work in beekeeping be inaugurated as quickly and carried
on as vigorously as circumstances will permit.

WASHINGTON : GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1916