2U EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. 



64 VICTORIA, A. 1901 



The Season of 1900. 



March 10.— The temper ture being 41° Fahr., and the day bright and calm, 

 eighteen colonies were removed from their winter quarters ; of these six were again 

 placed in the exposed apiary, when there was about 18 inches of snow on the ground; 

 six were placed in the sheltered apiary, where there was also considerable snow ; and 

 six were placed in the house apiary. As soon as they were settled on their stands, the 

 bees all began to fly at once, the weather being fair and calm. They were thus enabled 

 to cleanse themselves and return ; the snow was discoloured for a considerable distance 

 around the hives. Very few bees were noticed which were unable to return. 



March 31 and April 1 being fine and warm, the colonies of all three apiaries had 

 good cleansing flights. From April 2 to 6 there was very little flying, the weather 

 being cool and windy. On April 7 the bees in the house apiary and in the sheltered 

 apiary were flying well, while those in the exposed apiary could scarcely be seen to 

 move out. 



The balance of the colonies were taken from their winter quarters on April 8, the 

 temperature being 44°. The weather v/as too cold for the bees to come out to have a 

 cleansing flight until April 11, when the temperature rose to 54°, and all began to fly. 

 The colonies first set out were (lying as well as is usual in the month of May. 



From April 11 to IS, there was very little flying, on account of cool winds and wet 

 weather. 



On April 18 an examination was made of the colonies set out early in the different 

 apiaries, and of those set out later, that is, at the usual time; the purpose being to find 

 out whether any difference could be seen as to the strength of the colonies. In every 

 instance, we fovmd that those set out first, more especially those in the house and 

 sheltered apiaries, had more brood and eggs, and appeared to be very much more active 

 than those set out later. When once they get a uood cleansing flight, whether through 

 activity or from getting water, whatever may be the cause, more brood and eggs are 

 found in the hives. 1 would advise setting the bees out just as soon as they can fly out 

 safely. The colonies which are set out a few days earlier will be by so many days 

 further advanced at the beginning of the honey flow, that is, those set out later will 

 require so many days more to become as strong after the beginning of the honey 

 flow. 



On April 18 the temperature went up to 69°. The snowdrops and squills 

 blossomed, and the bees were seen to work on them at once. On April 20 and 21, the 

 swamp willow, soft maple and Manitoba maple came into bloom. This time would 

 have been too late for the removal of the bees from their winter quarters, for they 

 would before this have become restless ; many would have left their hives and been 

 lost on the cellar floor. 



From April 19 to 2.5 the bees were seen gathering pollen or sap running from the 

 trunks of hard maple trees that had been injured. 



April 26. — Very high wind, increasing to a hurricane in the afternoon — the day 

 of the big Hull and Ottawa lire. 



April 27 to May 7. — Weather very fine ; all colonies working well, gathering pollen 

 and honey. Every colony was building up rapidly. 



At this time, and also from the blossoming of fruit trees to that of clover, the 

 greatest care is necessary, so that there may be no check in brood rearing. When the 

 queen stops laying, or when starved brood or dead larvfe are observed in the hives, 

 many beginners, and even many experienced men, imagine that the cause is some 

 disease, and at once send for the Inspector of Foul Brood An instance of this is given 

 on a later page (Appendix A), with the answer of the Inspector of Foul Brood (see 

 page 247). 



May 8-10.- — Very cold winds ; scarcely any flying. 

 May 11-16. — Very fine weather ; bees working well. 



