APRIL BEE-KEEPING PROBLEMS IN MINNESOTA. 



In the preliminary 1916 Beekeeping Survey of Minnesota, conducted 

 by the University, Division of Bee Culture, we find some interesting infor- 

 mation concerning April beekeeping problems in Minnesota. One hundred 

 fifty-seven reports gave information on the particular point of what were 

 the greatest April beekeeping problems. 



Bad weather, cold, rainy, cloudy, and windy, seemed to be the greatest 

 evil, as 35.7 per cent, of the reports indicated. Twenty-five other reports 

 named conditions that may be directly influenced by bad weather condi- 

 tions, as to build up colonies; to keep them warm; to keep colonies strong, 

 spring dwindling; to guard against sudden temperature changes; cold in 

 April and few plants in bloom until in May; and to keep bees in the hives 

 sunny, cold days. Seven reports considered proper windbreaks a spring 

 problem as typified by this answer; to keep hives out of cold winds by 

 windbreaks; the brood gets cold and queen stops laying. Over half, 56 

 per cent., of the reports thus accuse bad weather as being the greatest 

 April beekeeping problem. 



Food and feeding followed next in apparent importance, as 18, or 11.4 

 per cent., of the reports indicated. Eleven of these reports were classified 

 as "lack of food"; six, "To keep bees supplied with stores," and one report, 

 "Bees are O. K. if honey lasts through April." 



Robbing is a spring problem of importance. Thirteen reports, 8.2 

 per cent., gave robbing as their greatest April beekeeping problem. One 

 answer tells its own story. "No April problems if I feed with narrow 

 entrance." 



Lack of pollen was of sufficient importance as a spring problem to 

 claim first attention to six reports, 3.8 per cent. This lack of pollen proba- 

 bly is of very much more importance than indicated by these few reports. 



"No April problems," is definitely reported by six parties. 



Miscellaneous interesting important answers follow: When to put on 

 summer stands; queenless colonies; to overhaul the hives; trying to handle 

 bees in cold, damp weather; lack of knowing what to do and experience; no 

 thought to any spring problems; time to care for them; spring dwindling; 

 rush of farm work causes bees to be neglected; because of farm work some 

 die from robbing or starvation — many perish when searching for water; 

 cover the hives to protect brood from chills; keep the hives sheltered — see 

 that bees get water and pollen; ignorance is my chief problem; no problems 

 if fall feeding is adequate ; I never face them, turn my back and keep out of 

 the way — I think you have asked a lot of unnecessary questions; short of 

 food, old bees die too soon, cold, rainy weather, dwindling, robbing, starva- 

 tion. 



WHAT SHALL I DO IN APRIL? 



If the bees are all right in the cellar do not take them out until there 

 is plenty of pollen available close by, willow, soft maple, etc. Many bees 

 will be lost hunting for pollen when none is available close by. If the bees 

 demand removal from the cellar before pollen is available, keep the bees 



(140) 



