246 EXPERIMEXTAL FARMS. 



64 VICTORIA, A. 1901 



July 1 — Sweet clover (Melilotus alius). July 18 — Mignonette. 



23 — Hypericum Kalmianum. 

 27 — Echinops Buthenica. 

 28 — Lychnis. 

 30 — SoUdago. 



9 — Button Bush (Cephalanthus occiden- 

 talis). 



9 — Pumpkin. 



9 — Late-sown English horse beans. 

 11 — Campanulas and Rudbeckias. 

 21 — Sunflowers. 



1— Wild Asters. 



4 — African Marigold. 



4 — Gaillardias. 



Experiments vnin Comb Foundations in Sections. 



As there has been in connection with the production of comb-honey a difference 

 of opinion as to the proper size of foundation to use, a thorough test was made with 

 comb foundation of different sizes in the sections. 



The results show that it is of great importance that the sections shoiild be filled 

 up to the sides and bottom with comb foundation. On examining the different 

 sections in this experiment, it was found that the smaller the piece of foundation 

 was, the more holes or gaps there were around the comb in the sections, and the comb 

 was thus less firmly fastened around the sides and bottom to the wood. 



The folk)wing sizes of comb foundations were tested : — 



1. Full sheets fastened at the top and fitting closely to the sides and down close 

 to the bottom. 



4. Two inches square in centre of top section. 



3. Quarter sheets across upper end. •' 



4. Two inches square in centre of top of section. 



5. One inch square in centre of top of section, besides a narrow strip of about half 

 an inch across top and bottom. 



6. No foundation at all. 



From past experience, I would recommend that full sheets be always used. The 

 bees worked on the full sheets first, and these were filled more evenly and very much 

 better. 



Many inquiries are made why bees will not work in supers, when the other colonies 

 in the same apiary are working on drawn combs in extracting frames. The explanation 

 is that the pieces of foundation in the sections were too small. Many bee-keepers, 

 even experienced bee-keepers, do not put much foundation in the brood chamber when 

 hiving new swarms, though they put full sheets in the supers ; consequently, the bees 

 fill the sections in the supers first. 



The experiment with different makes and sizes of hives was not completed owing 

 to the very poor season. 



House Apiary. 



The House Apiary has again been tested and has worked very satisfactorily, as 

 far as summer management is concerned ; but, for wintering, every one of the past 

 six winters it has proved to be a failure. 



Returns. 



The experience of the past season has been a repetition of that of 1899. Reports 

 from most parts of Ontario and Quebec show that there has been a very poor honey 



