208 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



3-4 EDWARD VII., A. 1904 



On March 23, the day being fine, the colonies were removed to the bee yard, where 

 all began flying at once. Average weight of the three colonies when set on their sum- 

 mer stands, 43:} pounds each. From March 22 to May 1, the weather, although bright, 

 was cool and windy, and very little flying took place. After May 1, the weather be- 

 came considerably warmer, and the bees began building up rapidly. They were in 

 excellent condition by May 24. 



EXPERIMENT IN FEEDING BEES IN THEIR WINTER QUARTERS. 



Many letters have been received from people who have only a few colonies of bees, 

 stating that when carrjdng their bees into winter quarters they had discovered there 

 did not seem to be a suiScient store of honey in the hive to carry the bees through the 

 winter. To gain information as to the best method of overcoming this difficulty the 

 following experiment was tried with six strong colonies of bees : — 



Four frames of sealed honey were taken from each of the six hives, leaving the 

 duster on the four remaining frames. The four frames were left in the centre of the. 

 hive with a division board at each side, and some light packing placed between the 

 division boards and the sides of the hives. The wooden covers were removed and re- 

 placed by large propolis quilts made of heavy canvas. Over the top of the propolis 

 quilt extra packing was added to keep in the heat, absorb moisture and prevent 

 draughts or upward ventilation. The bottom boards were left on as they came from 

 the bee yard, leaving the entrance wide open. The experiment was made as follows : — 



1. Two colonies received maple sugar of the best quality. 



2. Two colonies received partly filled sections of honey, 



3. Two colonies received candied honey and sugar. 



Each colony when put on this test, weighed 31 pounds, and each was given 5 

 pounds of its respective food to start with. The experiment lasted from November 18, 

 1902, to March 22, 1903. The two colonies fed on maple sugar consumed llj pounds 

 each, they were examined every two weeks and water added to the sugar through holes 

 in the tops of the cakes, keeping it soft and moist. 



The two colonies fed on partly filled sections of honey, consumed during the same 

 time 14| pounds each. There was for several reasons considerable waste in this test; 

 consequently if partly filled sections could be sold even at a reduced price it would be 

 advisable to sell them instead of feeding back. 



The two colonies that were given candied honey and sugar consumed 10| pounds 

 each. The candied honey was moistened from time to time, which made it easier for 

 the bees to suck it up. Candied honey is made as follows: Take good thick clover 

 honey, and heat (not boil) it until it becomes very thin ; then stir in it fine granulated 

 Bugar. When the honey has dissolved the sugar, pour it into another vessel, and, when 

 ■ it has cooled sufficiently, thoroughly knead it with the hands. The kneading makes it 

 more pliable and soft, so that it can take up more sugar. The kneading operation, 

 with the adding of fine sugar, should be continued until the dough is so stiff as to be 

 quite hard to work. It should then be allowed to stand for a day or two, and, if at 

 the end of that time it is so soft as to run or to be sticky, a little more sugar should 

 be kneaded in, so that it may be cut into calves of a convenient size. These cakes are to 

 be placed on top of the frames in such a way that the bees can get at them easily. 



The colonies in all the three tests came through in excellent condition. Any one 

 of the three methods may be safely followed, but I would strongly recommend examin- 

 ing and weighing all colonies the first week in September. At that time every colony 

 should have a good laying queen, and should weigh over 50 pounds. In seasons when 

 there is no autumn flow of honey, all colonies in Langstroth hives weighing less tlian 

 50 pounds in September should be fed up to that weight at least. The best method 

 for getting colonies up to the required weight is, when the extracting takes place, to 

 save several full well-sealed combs, then remove some of the light ones out of the hives 

 and replace them with the heavier full frames. If no honey is available, feed sugar 



