GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE 



changed into an Italian in six to eight weeks 

 by introducing an Italian queen. 



It is only after the above points have 

 been considered that I would compare honey 

 in the hives. A hive should not have less 

 than 5 pounds of honey in it at any time 

 — better even more; but a colony may have 

 so much honey in the hive that the queen 

 will not be able to find empty cells for 

 depositing eggs. It is an easy matter to 



feed a colony sugar syrup if short of stores ; 

 but if the colony is weak, the mere fact of 

 its having stores in the hive does not enable 

 tlie bees to feed and keep warm a large 

 quantity of brood. 



If the beginner can buy bees from a 

 reliable person, he should put the onus 

 upon him. Probably he will not sell his 

 best colonies, but he will deal frankly. 



Brant ford, Can. 



A GLANCE AT A FEW 



POINTS IN MY EXPERIENCE 

 COLONY BEE BUSINESS 



A ONE TO 



BY J. J. V7ILDER 



I was a successful beekeeper before I ever 

 saw or knew the advantages of modern hives 

 as they are now put out. I was using a 

 crude movable-frame hive of my own get- 

 up, and several sizes of them. At this time 

 I had about 100 colonies, the most of which 

 were in my own make of hives, and in one 

 yard where my home or mother yard is now 

 located. I am going to skip over this part 

 of my beekeeping life, which started from 

 only one colony in a box hive, which was a 

 present to me. 



It was about fifteen years ago when I saw 

 my first modern hive, and could look into its 

 merits. I saw that it was the thing to have, 

 and obtained a catalog at once, also some 

 bee literature, and spent my idle moments 

 that winter in posting myself. During the 

 time I hauled into the home yard about fifty 

 colonies in box hives. T had been making 

 good crops of honey all along, a 'd it brought 

 a good price. All returns were placed in 

 the bank, to be expended to the best advan- 

 tage in ray bee business. So I bought some 

 modern hives and put them up during that 

 winter; and when spring came on, and the 

 bees started to gathering nectar, I tried my 

 hand at transferring, and I made a good 

 job of it. Here is where I call the begin- 

 ning of my beekeeping life. At this time I 

 was making only a moderate salary; but 

 the bees were given all my spare time, which 

 was not much; but they never suffered from 

 neglect. 



INCREASE. 



Increase was the next object. The colonies 

 increased naturally somewhat ; but this was 

 not practiced long before I resorted to my 

 own way of increasing — that of dividing up 

 very strong colonies, especially those pre- 

 paring to swarm, into two equal parts, mak- 

 ing sure the queen went with the half to the 

 new stand if possible, and that the other half 

 had one or more queen-cells under develop- 



ment. This way of making increase is kept 

 up until this day, and all along I have found 

 it the very best, all things taken under con- 

 sideration. If more increase is needed it is 

 made in the same manner in the fall or late 

 summer ; but nothing but very strong heavy 

 colonies are used for this purpose. Never 

 in my life did I sacrifice a crop of honey 

 for the sole purpose of making increase. 

 When the very strongest colonies (or those 

 likely to swarm) divided up, did not make 

 sufficient increase, both in the spring and 

 fall, I purchased bees in box hives or any 

 other kind, for the extra increase. My mind 

 lias never been changed about this, for I 

 believe it is the most economical and satis- 

 factory way a beekeeper can lead out. 



CONTROLLING INCREASE. 



In spite of progress I came fully to the 

 point, as well as all beekeepers do, where 

 the emergency brakes have to be applied. 

 However, I did not come to it suddenly, for 

 the let-up was a little slow. The bees came 

 more and more under mj^ subjection as T 

 advanced, for I knew that I would reach 

 this point sooner or later. My fii'st step was 

 to ventilate well at the bottom, or about 

 one inch at each end of the hive, whicli 

 secured me better results in quality and 

 quantity of honey. Then moi"e supers or 

 storing room came into play than we might 

 ordinarily expect. Also in making the week- 

 ly rounds to the apiaries during the honey- 

 flow queen-cells were removed where in- 

 crease was not wanted; and so, under such 

 ti-eatment, the bees have gradually gi'own 

 out of their natural desire to swarm. 



THE STOCK. 



Tlie point of stock is a great factor, and 

 must receive some consideration. Under the 

 best and most severe methods in certain 

 localities or some seasons, certain races of 

 beas will swarm too much, and such stock 

 should not be adopted nor stock bearing the 



