Ai-RIL, 19H 



GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE 



239 



^ FROM NORTH, EAST, WEST AND SOUTH 



such effort has already given visible re- 

 sults. 



In this locality the month of April is very 

 important for the beginner in beekeeping. 

 Any transferring that may be necessary 

 should certainly be done in this month. It 

 it not hard and the cost of supplies need not 

 interfere. If a new queen is needed in a 

 hive or two, the introducing may be success- 

 fully done if the directions on the mailing 

 cage are complied with. The beginner 

 should be especially careful to detect the 

 presence of disease. Give the very best of 

 attention to a few colonies rather than 

 neglect many. It is not wuse to attempt too 

 big things on the start. Attention to a few 

 colonies may show in some colony a food 

 shortage which it is easy to remedy. A lit- 

 tle food at the right time will give big re- 

 turns. The question of producing extracted 

 or bulk comb honey confronts every begin- 

 ner. Comb is expensive for the bee, but 

 extracting equipment is costly for the bee- 

 keeper. A personal choice must decide the 

 question. Every beekeeper should be thoro- 

 ly familiar with the sources of pollen and 

 nectar in his locality. The exact manage- 

 ment of bees depends upon a knowledge of 

 the bee-pasture available and the time that 

 it is available. The beginner should not ex- 

 pect to be successful with bees unless the 

 problem is given thought. Bee literature 

 should be carefully read. The real satisfac 

 tion of beekeeping is the information gain- 

 ed by the study and observation necessary. 



College Station, Tex. F. B. Paddock.' 



* « » 



In Florida ■^^ ^^^^ writing a little 



orange bloom is opening, 

 but it will be a week or more before the 

 blooming becomes general. Some new hon- 

 ey is already being stored in the supers, but 

 this is mostly from the andromeda, a clear 

 honey that will not hurt either the flavor or 

 color of the orange. The prospect for a big 

 crop from orange is more than excellent, for 

 our bees are in splendid condition, practi- 

 cally all colonies being strong enough to 

 crowd a two-story hive. The crop will be 

 made by the time this appears, and the bee- 

 keepers will be studying prices and busily 

 extracting. What price we should accept 

 for our honey, considering market condi- 

 tions, seems a difficult question. Many pro- 

 ducers are talking 24 cents f. o. b. shipping 

 point; but, unless the demand increases, it 

 seems probable that we shall have to be 

 satisfied with a smaller price. We must 

 take into consideration the change in condi- 

 tions since a year ago. Export trade made 

 the price then; for the European countries, 

 especially Great Britain, were buying enor- 

 mous quantities of honey for war purposes. 

 They were buying from this country because 

 of its geographical situation — a short haul 

 and consequent saving of shipping — and not 

 because they could not buy more cheaply 



elsewhere. Australia, awaiting shipping 

 space, has a four years' honey crop, estimat- 

 ed at from 4,000 to 20,000 tons; and I have 

 reliable information from Britisli shipping 

 interests that shipping will now be afforded 

 Australia to move her crops. Other out-of- 

 the-way countries have also accumulated 

 crops, and some large stocks are being held 

 by speculators in this country. Until condi- 

 tions adjust themselves it would be well to 

 cultivate again our home market, tho not 

 necessarily at a reduced price. We honey- 

 producers are paying exorbitant prices for 

 everything we buy, and we shall be doing 

 ourselves an injustice if we again revert to 

 low prices for our honey, and especially lor 

 our orange honey. If we can get 2± cents 

 for it we must do so; and certainly we 

 should not sell for less than 20 cents, for 

 the price of honey will surely drop sooner 

 than, and out of all proportion to, that of 

 other foodstuffs. 



The question of how to pack our honey 

 for shipment arises at this time. Cans are 

 difficult to obtain, and cost too much any- 

 how. 2,rost of us will use barrels; but what 

 kind of barrels carries best. Is the 50-gal- 

 lon oak better than the 35-gallon cypressT 

 The A. I. Root Co. bought so much honey 

 in Florida last year that they can tell us 

 which gave best satisfaction. Mr. Selser 

 seems to favor the cypress barrel of 35-gal- 

 lon capacity. Last year I received many in- 

 quiries for the address of a barrel factory. 

 You can buy good cypress barrels from The 

 Cannon Co., Cairo, Ga., at .$2.25 for 35-gallon 

 size and $2.15 for the 30-gallon size. 



Some beginners have taken offense at my 

 remarks in February Gleanings. I must re- 

 mind those who happen to be hit that noth- 

 ing in my writings is intended personally; 

 but when a condition prevails I must men- 

 tion it, even tho it may touch a tender spot 

 in some of my friends. I must say that 

 nothing I have written has brought so many 

 words of appreciation from the big beekeep- 

 ers as my remarks in February Gleanings. 

 During this month beginners in Florida 

 should watch their bees closely. The crop 

 of orange honey is in the hives and care 

 should be taken not to rob them too closely; 

 for, in this locality at least, there will be 

 no more honey coming in before about May 

 10, and enough must be left to keep the bees 

 in a prosperous condition until the palmetto 

 and gallberry open. It is good policy to 

 leave at least 20 pounds over and above 

 what may be in the brood-chamber. Also, 

 those last swarms should be watched, for 

 they are likely to run short of stores and 

 then swarm out. All colonies that swarmed 

 and also the swarms should be examined fre- 

 quently until proved to have mated their 

 new queens. When there is any doubt a 

 frame containing eggs and young larvae 

 should be given immediately. 



Apopka, Fla. Harry Hewitt. 



