528 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



As stated before, I began with one swarm and at the end of the 

 first season I had five heavy stands of bees and about eighty pounds of 

 surplus honey. I made this remark: That if bees would always do as 

 well I would sow the entire farm to bees. But in proportion they have 

 never done so well since, but are doing well enough from year to year to 

 continue keeping them. I think the amateur ought to begin with only 

 a few swarms to learn the ways of the animal and ascertain if the busi- 

 ness will be agreeable, because discouragements are sure to come, as 

 some seasons they will scarcely make enough to winter them. The 

 greatest enemy of the bee is the moth, which destroys them if not re- 

 moved, and the only remedy I know to assist the bees in keeping the 

 moth fly or miller out of the hives is to keep the entrance of the hives 

 nearly closed, except in the best of honey season, which is from May 

 20th to September 1st, and to have hives tight so as to exclude all ver- 

 min. In the spring, just before the soft maple blossoms, every hive 

 should be examined and cleaned, and if found weak in numbers or with 

 a small supply of honey they should be fed at once, which will stimulate 

 brood rearing and getting ready for the honey harvest; whereas, if left 

 without feeding, if they do not survive it will take them half of the sea- 

 son to become worth having. Feeding must never be done outside the 

 hives, as that has a tendency to start them robbing each other, which 

 is always fatal in the apiary. Good bee feed is made of equal parts white 

 sugar and water spread on an empty comb and placed on top of frames, 

 leaving the honey board off while the feeding is done. A better feed 

 is sections that are not entirely filled and unsalable, placed on top of 

 frames. Never be afraid of feeding too much, but quit as soon as the 

 blossoms appear. Cleanliness is one of the essentials in the apiary. 

 House cleaning is appreciated by the bees as well as by the white folks 

 and should be attended to the second or third warm day the bees are 

 out flying. The best time to work at bees is from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. 

 on a very warm day, when most of the bees are out. Bees object to be- 

 ing disturbed in cool weather or at night. A bee veil and good smoker 

 are good adjuncts in saving the bees and saving yourself from becoming 

 nervous when the work is always improperly done. Bees will resent 

 all quick motions or boisterous handling. In this connection will say 

 that many swarms will be saved by having the hives sweet and clean, 

 which is evidenced by bees very seldom leaving a clean, new hive. 



A' few more words in regard to wintering bees and I am through. 

 Bees, like other animals, do better when protected in winter, at least 

 that has been my dear bought experience. For instance, one fall I had 

 fourteen swarms, eleven good heavy ones and three late light ones. I put 

 the eleven into a bee house tight enough to exclude the snow, and for 

 want of room I put the three light ones in the storm cave. In the spring 

 matters had changed. Those in the cave were the best. Since then I 

 have always wintered my bees in the cellar, in a room that is compara- 

 tively dry and away from vegetables. I see that the room must be en- 

 tirely dark and not opened often. Every time a bee room is entered with 

 a light or othewise the bees are disturbed and fill themselves with honey, 

 which if persisted in, is very detrimental to their health in confinement. 



