^6 The Canadian Horticulturist. 



swarms in front, and either utilize the comb in another place, or put the hives 

 on new stands and let it build up for winter. I am never troubled with second 

 swarms. The location of an apiary has much to do with swarming. In places 

 where the air can freely circulate the amount of swarming will be reduced, the 

 nature of the soil even will have an influence. I like the apiary on sod and 

 the hives to be placed under the outer edges of the shade trees. I never give 

 in the production of comb honey any upward ventilation, and herein lies an 

 important secret, towards securing white and clean sections. The bees resent 

 such a current of air, and when given begin to apropolize, and soiled sections 

 are a result. A quilt should not be used unless a heavy cushion and a heavy 

 lid be placed above to prevent the bees from pushing the ([uilt off. I like a 

 honey board and a quarter inch bee space above the combs. Shade boards are 

 used on top and even sides of hives. They are a great advantage. It is 

 unnecessary to say that no one can engage in the successful production 

 of comb honey with one super only, and yet, there are many who think such 

 a practical economy. Before the advent of the bee escape I drove bees out of 

 the comb honey supers by spreading over them a cloth dipped in a weak 

 solution of carbolic acid, the cloth being wrung almost dry before spreading. 

 This works very well, but the . bee escape still better. My system is to produce 

 a certain amount of comb honey. This prevents cull sections, except in very 

 exceptional seasons. Only a choice article should be aimed at, even if we 

 never exhibit, for by so doing we place ourselves to a certain extent out of reach 

 of competition. We command higher prices and a ready sale. 



A lengthy discussion followed, some favoring starters, others not. Mr. 

 Taylor, who is conducting a Government Experimental Apiary, stated his work 

 for the past season had been against using starters only for foundation, but of 

 course no conclusion could be arrived at until repeated tests had been made. 

 It was shown that the lensjth of the honey flow made a marked difference. 



A discussion took place on " Fixed Spacing and the Prevention of Brace 

 Burr Combs." 



This subject is attracting a good deal of attention, and the general opinion 

 appears to be, that by means of quarter inch bee spaces and thick top bars very 

 much superfluous comb could be avoided. The question of a honey board or 

 queen excluder was brought forward ; it was generally admitted that for comb 

 honey no queen excluded was necessary. Not many years ago, such a contri- 

 vance was considered an absolute necessity. 



Samuel Simmins, Seaford, England, submitted a paper upon " Swarming 

 and the Prevention of Swarming." 



Mr. Simmins advocated the taking out of combs from the brood chamber 

 and giving the bees room to build comb, extracting freely, young queens, 

 artificial swarming. All of these methods have been tried by bee-keepers in 

 America and every one of these methods are not considered desirable. 



