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AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL. 



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NON-SUVARMING— MIGRATOR Y BEE -KEEPING. 



BY JOHN m'AKTHUR. 



In perusing the columns of our several bee-papers, as they come to hand, it 

 occurs to me the question of non-swarming has taken possession of the minds of 

 many bee-keepers in the northern part of this continent. Many are the devices and 

 plans recommended. No doubt some of the plans will be of great service to many. 

 The devices — what I have seen of them — referring to the Langdon device — is good 

 for smothering bees, and preventing large surplus yields ; possibly it may be im- 

 proved, and be a success. 



Considering the depressed condition of our honey markets, and condition of the 

 industry in general, I think the present a very inopportune time to invest in nos'' 

 trums and useless appendages which may be seen rotting and wasting in every bee- 

 yard you visit. The rule with the writer has always been to run the bees with as 

 few traps as possible. The simpler the method with the least handling of bees at 

 any season of the year, will bring the best results. 



From the valuable articles that are appearing from time to time, I think it 

 possible that something may be gleaned that will solve the problem of non-swarming. 

 It is something like the introducing of queens — no definite rule can be laid down, 

 governing the question. As far as my experience goes, swarming gives me no 

 trouble, and has hot in the last 15 years, being quite within the mark when I say 

 that 15 swarms would be the limit in that number of years. Many are the bee- 

 keepers who ask the question, " How on earth do you prevent them ?" 



No doubt many reading the above statement will ask the same question, and 

 look for an answer, which will be given in few words. 



If it will be of any service to my fellow bee-keepers, the observations and ex- 

 periences of the writer will be freely given ; the dimensions of hives in use, and the 

 rules that govern proceedings. 



In considering the question of non-swarming, I would say that after 15 years 

 of close observation and practice, there is no reason why any bee-keeper should not 

 be able to control swarming without the aid of non-swarming devices, or cutting out 

 queen-cells, or quarrying in the brood-chamber. Simply a brood-chamber of proper 

 capacity, studying the flora of the locality, observing closely the working forces of 

 each (;oloiiy, and being able to read your apiary from external observation, as you 

 would a book. 



The hive or brood-chamber— what shall the dimensions be ? There is no given 

 rule, and cannot be, because localities are so varied. Also the productiveness of 

 queens, like a farmer building a barn, or an artisan a house — the barn is built 

 according to the size of the farm and products thereof, and the house according to 



