REPORT OF MR. R. ROBERTSON 299 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



During the month of No\x3mber a number of old and undesirable birds were dis- 

 posed of, and a nimiber of cockerels of the different breeds sold to farmers for breed- 

 ing purposes, leaving the stock on hand as follows : — 



Breed. Hens. Cocks. Pullets. Cockerels. 



B. P. Eocks 4 1 16 2 



W. Wyandottes . . 8 1 



W. Leghorns 2 .. 3 1 



. Black Minorcas 5 .. 2 1 



Buff Orpingtons , . 8 



All have kept quite healthy, and 75 chicks were raised during the season. 

 Very few eggs were laid previous to March 1, owing to the fact that the hens were 

 all at least one year old, no pullets having been kept last season. 



The number of eggs laid by the different breeds up to July 1 is as follows : — 



Eggs laid. 



12 B. P. Rocks 775 ■ 



4 Blk. Minorcas 225 



4 W. Leghorns 250 



4 White Wyandottes 199 



BEES. 



Bee-keeping in the maritime provinces has in the past received very little atten- 

 tion, and believing that they confer great benefits to the orchards from the carrying 

 of pollen, besides their value as a revenue producer, further experiments with bees have 

 been made. 



On May 22, two colonies were received from the experimental farm at Ottawa, 

 weighing 42-|- and 38J pounds respectively. Quite a number of dead bees were found 

 in each, particularly in the lighter hive. One appeared to be in excellent condition, 

 the other appeared only fairly strong, with little brood in the frames in the latter hive. 

 As the weather continued cold and wet, and not at all favourable to honey gathering, 

 it was considered wise to somewhat retard the stronger hive, and at the same time 

 strengthen the weaker one by removing one frame well filled with brood from the 

 stronger hive, and replacing it with empty frame from the weaker one. This was done 

 on June 14. 



From these, four swarms were secured, the first on June 22, second on July 5, 

 third on July Y, and fourth on August 3. 



Until after July 3, very little honey was gathered. Prom July 4 until August 5, 

 all hives gained rapidly in v/eight, except one parent hive which had swarmed twice. 

 This weak hive continued to dwindle until August 15, when it was completely deserted. 

 After August 9, very little surplus honey was stored by any. 



Fifty pounds of honey was taken from those hives August 25 ; this leaves for win- 

 ter quarters five hives weighing respectively 55, 53, 54, 59 and 40 pounds. 



On November 18 they were placed in the cellar of the superintendent's house, in 

 the corner farthest from the door. This corner was partitioned off with matched lum- 

 ber for the double purpose of keeping out light and keeping the temperature more 

 uniform, which is at present from 40° to 45". 



The hives were placed on a shelf, one foot from the ground, and rested on 3 empty 

 boxes. 



A three-inch block was placed in front, between the bottom board and the brood 

 chamber, making the full entrance three inches high across the front. The wooden 

 covers were removed and replaced with chaff cushions four inches thick, and lapping 

 the sides and ends four inches. 



