The escarpment running east and west between San Antonio and New
Braunfels marks a very definite boundary to the belt where cotton
is the principal source of surplus honey. South of the escarpment
and extending to the valley of the Rio Grande, we have the mesquite
region. A line drawn in a southeasterly direction from San Antonio,
through Cuera and Victoria to the Gulf, would mark the approximate
eastern boundary of this region. Figure 136 shows a characteristic
group of honey plants of southwest Texas. Agarita (barberry), mesquite,
hackberry, Mexican persimmon, brazilwood, anaqua, prickly pear and
huisache, all valuable plants to the beekeeper, are growing together.
There are very characteristic plants for this region. Most of the honey
comes from thorny shrubs, including catsclaw, huajillo (pronounced
wa-he-ya), etc. This belt extends westward for a long distance and
includes the famous Uvalde County, from which hundreds of cars of fine
honey from catsclaw and huajillo have been shipped.
The Cotton Region.
North of the escarpment already mentioned we find the cotton belt
extending north to Oklahoma and including the black, waxy lands and
other heavy soils. Figure 46, in connection with the article on cotton,
shows an outline map roughly indicating the different honey regions of
the State. Within this particular area, we find the highest development
of agriculture in Texas. The soil is rich and the climate mild. Cotton,
corn, alfalfa, small grains and truck crops are all profitably grown.
Mesquite is an important source of nectar in the cotton belt, as is
also horsemint, and in the northern portion, sweet clover. Broomweed is
also important, some seasons.
East Texas.
In the timbered regions of east Texas there is some splendid beekeeping
territory unoccupied. There is a variety of flora to be equalled in
few sections, and remarkable yields of honey are reported. On heavy
soils cotton yields freely. Basswood, rattan, huckleberry, partridge
pea, horsemint, bitterweed and cowpeas are all reported as sources
of surplus honey in this section. Beekeepers of extensive experience
report that one can depend upon an average of more than one hundred
pounds per colony per year for a ten-year period.
Although the average yield is much higher and the flows are much more
dependable than in other parts of Texas, the business of beekeeping is
less highly specialized here than in other parts of the State. This
is probably due to the fact that general agriculture is profitable
and public attention has not been called to the possibilities of this
section.
THIMBLEBERRY, see Raspberry; also Salmon Berry.
THORN APPLE, see Hawthorne.
THOROUGHWORT, see Boneset.
THYME (Thymus).
Thyme is an introduced plant from Europe which is sometimes cultivated
in gardens and occurs occasionally as an escape. There are two species
listed in this country: =Thymus vulgaris=, the source of the famed
honey from Mt. Hymettus, and =Thymus serphyllum=, the wild or creeping
thyme.
According to J. E. Crane, thyme is found in southwestern Vermont in
sufficient abundance to make excellent pasture for the bees during
August. There is an occasional report from some beekeeper who finds
the bees much attracted to the plant, but as yet no reports of surplus
honey worthy of mention have been received.
TIEVINE, see Morning Glory.
TISSWOOD, see Red Bay.