Migratory Beekeepers of Southern California

Abstract

M / ~IGRATION is an established and profitable feature of commercial beekeeping in California. It may be claimed as the state's distinctive contribution to the industry, though indeed migratory apiculture is no new thing. The Egyptians 4000 years ago transported comparatively large apiaries by boat along the Nile, a practice said still to be in vogue.' Some European beekeepers move their bees up the mountain slopes as summer comes on, extending the range of forage in much the same way as is done in transhumance. Migratory beekeeping is carried on to a limited extent in some of the eastern and central states, more especially along the Mississippi.2 But in California, with its great variety of agricultural and climatic conditions and an exceptionally long season during which nectar-secreting flowers are available in one area or another, migration has assumed really important dimensions. The relatively brief periods during which some plants secrete nectar and the localized distribution of others are fundamental causes for migratory practices. A given locality may have a heavy, brief flow of nectar at one season and be practically devoid of nectarproducing flowers during the remainder of the year. The great variations from year to year in the secretion of nectar by wild plants, due chiefly to erratic rainfall, is another cause for migrations. Migratory apiculture has been practiced in southern California for at least forty and possibly fifty years. Before 1895 a few beemen moved their apiaries from sage and wild buckwheat ranges to limabean fields in dry years in order to avoid the expense of feeding. Soon after 1895 the practice became rather common in Ventura and Los Angeles counties. Hundreds of colonies were hauled from 20 to 40 miles on specially constructed wagons drawn by four or six horses. The moves were made at night in order to avoid the midday heat and consequent softening of the combs and smothering of the bees. Some apiaries were moved a few miles from sage to wild buckwheat at higher elevations in the coast ranges. It was the general opinion at that time that migrations were worth while only in case the sage crop failed.