264 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. 



with a little sulphur, oil of tar or carbolic acid added, will keep the flies away for from 

 three to six days, while with a small proportion of carbolic acid it will have a healing effect 

 upon any sores which may ha.ve formed. Train oil or fish oil seem to be more lasting in, 

 their efi'ects than any others experimented with. 



The safest and most convenient way of using carbolic acid is in the shape of 

 carbolized oil, which can be prepared by dissolving one ounce of crystallized or liquefied 

 carbolic acid in 1 quart of oil. Train oil, fish oil, tanner's oil, olive oil or any other fixed 

 oil will answer ; but not coal oil, as carbolic acid is not soluble in this litiuid. The crude 

 carbolic acid does not dissolve easily in fixed oils, and, therefore, must not be used. 

 Instances have been reported to me of injury to animals and the hands of operators, 

 when the crude has been substituted for the purer form of carbolic acid. 



Mr. Robert Elliott, the herdsman at the Central Experimental Farm, finds that the 

 most convenient mixture which is effectual is 10 pounds of lard mixed with one 

 pound of pine tar. 



THE A^PI^HY. 



The practical management of the Apiary during the past season, as heretofore, has 

 been satisfactorily carried on by Mr. John Fixter, the farm foreman. Mr. Fixter has 

 been of great service in showing visitors over the bee-yard and explaining all matters 

 connected with bee-keeping when consulted. All details with regard to this branch are 

 given in Mr. Fixter's report appended hereto. Mr. Shntt has also kindly prepared a 

 report in continuation of that of last year upon further experiments with different brands 

 of "foundation," which I feel sure will be read with much interest by all bee-keepers. 



In May last four colonies of thoroughbred Italian bees were purchased from Mr. M. 

 B. Holmes, of Athens, Ont. Two of these were sent to the Experimental Farm at Bran- 

 don, Man., and one each to the farms for the North-west Territories and British Columbia. 

 These bees were very beautifully marked, and the queens were all young imported stock, 

 with the exception of one of those sent to Brandon, which was two years old, but also 

 imported. The colonies all arrived at their destinations in good order, and will be found 

 mentioned in the reports of the various branch farms. 



I was much pleased to be able to arrange for a joint mid-summer meeting of the 

 Bee-keepers' Associations of the counties of Russell, Prescott and Glengary. This 

 meeting was held at the Central Experimental Farm on the 12th of June last, and was 

 attended by many of the leading members of the various associations, who expressed 

 themselves as much pleased with what we were able to show them of the work being 

 done in the Apiary. 



REPORT OF MR. JOHN FIXTER. 



Experiments in Wintering (1895-96). 



The experiments begun last year as explained in the report for 1895 were repeated 

 this season and some others were undertaken. Following is a report on these : — 



Experiment No. 1. — Seventeen colonies put into winter quarters ir the cellar on 

 the 20th of November, 1895. Empty hives were placed on the floor, with 3 inch blocks 

 of wood on the top of them, at the back, and the hives piled up three tiers in height. 

 In addition to the 3-inch blocks, by which the back was raised higher than the front, so as 

 to give free ventilation, each hive was raised from its own bottom board with small blocks 

 § inch in height. All front entrances left wide open. The wooden covers of all these 

 hives were removed and replaced by chaff' cushions, four inches thick. Above the 

 cushions strips of wood, one along each side, prevented them touching the bottom of the 

 hive immediately above them, and also allowed air to circulate freely under each hive. 



