\)e Jee-JK^f peps' jHf v'i^Lo. 



A MONTHLY JOURNAL 



Devoted to the Interests of Honey Producers. 



$L00 A YEAR. 

 W. Z. HDTCHINSON. Editor and Proprietor. 



VOL. XIX. FLINT, MICHIGAN, MAR. 15, 1906. NO. 3 



Freventioii ©: 





>y 



L. A. ASPINWALL. 



ro^HE ultimate control of the increase 

 ^^ of colonies, culminatinof in the 

 absolute prevention of swarming- is no 

 less essential to successful bee culture 

 than the control of increase in stock 

 and poultry breeding-. With no visible 

 means to prevent increase among- our 

 domestic animals and poultry, perplex- 

 ities would prevail, not unlike those 

 experienced b}^ bee-keepers during the 

 swarming- season; and, I might add, 

 with the promiscuous mating of 

 queens. 



THE YIKI.D DOUBLED BY NON-SWARMERS. 



With our colonies under perfect con- 

 trol, we may reasonably expect the 

 yield of honey, in averag-e seasons, to 

 be at least double. Furthermore, with 

 non-swarminghives theabilitj^to secure 

 all the hone}' possible from white 

 clover, gives an added value to the 

 increased product. 



Having- experimented 17 j'ears with 

 from 30 to 50 colonies of bees, involving- 



great expense (both as to labor and 

 money), in the emploj'ment of various 

 methods, I must take issue with ex- 

 perimenters generally in this line; in, 

 that a successful method to prevent 

 swarming must primarily be found in 

 the hive, rather than in the methods 

 adopted. However, be the hive ever so 

 perfect, an}^ neglect to use the methods 

 requisite in its use, will result very 

 largely in failure. 



In the prevention of swarming we 

 must first prevent a development of the 

 factors which induce it. These hinge 

 mainly on a crowded condition of the 

 colon}^ This condition results in the 

 clogging of the brood apartment with 

 honey, and impeding the queen in her 

 work of laying. The lack of storage 

 room is a very important factor to be 

 considered in this connection. Venti- 

 lation, and freedom of access to all 

 parts of the hi\e, must in no way be- 

 come impeded. The hive employed 



