GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTUKh 



should have a clear idea of just what he is 

 expecting to gain by any particular manip- 

 ulation, and should look both ways before 

 he takes a step. 



There is one bit of advice which is always 

 in order; and that is, acquire the best 

 possible theoretical knowledge of beekeep- 

 ing by reading — yes, studying — books upon 

 the subject ; and if one desires the greatest 

 satisfaction, do not stoj:) with one book but 



become familiar with all the best writers. 

 If one cannot compass so much, then by all 

 means make the ABC and X Y Z the text- 

 book and guide. There is this great advan- 

 tage with this book, that it is a cyclopedia 

 of the art and science of beekeeping. It is 

 not the exponent of one man's theory or 

 inactice, but is the cream from all. 

 Lyndhurst, N. J. 



AMOUNT OF SYRUP NEEDED FOR DRAWING OUT FOUNDATION 



BY GEORGE T. WRITTEN 



As there appears to be no end to the 

 discussion on the subject of stimulative 

 feeding I will add more. It is advantage- 

 ous in any case where there are bees enough 

 to keep the brood-nest warm enough to hatch 

 all the eggs that are laid, or when artificial 

 heat can be supiolied; otherwise, in almost 

 all cases it is a waste of time and good 

 material. 



A good queen will lay all the eggs that can 

 be cared for, and many more in ease of a 

 weak colony. The queen will continue to 

 expand the brood-nest at any time when 

 weather conditions are favorable; and unless 

 means are provided to keep the hive warm 

 by bees or artificial heat, the eggs simply 

 eliill and do not hatch, yet the queen con- 

 tinues her work. 



The trouble with most of us is that the 

 colonies get strong enough for good work 

 just too late for the honey-flow. They need 

 protection more during March* and April 

 than at any other time of year. My bees 

 that are kept in the house build np very 

 rapidly during February, March, and April. 



I have one queen that has laid almost 

 continuously, summer and winter, for nearly 

 three years. 



I am quite sure that a strong colony will 

 draw out six frames of foundation half way 

 on one quart of syrup. They will draw them 

 out to a considerable extent after being' 



transferred, before being fed any thing; 

 they utilize the food taken with them when 

 transferred, and that, with the amount of 

 wax in the foundation that they use for 

 cell-building, will enable them to draw out 

 the cells to that extent. 



There is surely no mistake in the state- 

 ment made by the editor, page 794, Oct. 15, 

 and referred to by J. E. Crane, page 52, 

 Jan. 15. Bees will do that, and even better, 

 in some cases; but after they get the cells 

 drawn to that extent it requires many times 

 that amount to finish. They work the mid- 

 rib out very thin when they first start to 

 build comb when there is not much honey 

 coming in. Later they will vary the thick- 

 ness in proportion to the amount of stores 

 coming. This I have noted at all times. 



I have transferred bees many times in 

 winter on to foundation when I was sure 

 they could get nothing except what was 

 given them, with practically the same results 

 each time. 



In my opinion, from experiments in the 

 use of different foods for bees, there is 

 nothing as safe, and that will give as good 

 results, as sugar syrup. When feeding syrup 

 I have no trouble, but have more or less 

 when honey or candy is used. The condition 

 of the colony and the season have much to 

 do with the feeding problem. 



Hartford, Ct. 



Illllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll!lllllllllll!lll!ll 



DIANA DILLPICK1£S HAS HER TROUBLES AGAIN IN "HER BEEKEEPER BEAU." 



Courtesy Cleveland Press. 



