438 



probably been more difficult to solve than 

 any other question of bee management. It 

 is by no means yet reduced to a formula, 

 and is made a subject of careful study and 

 experiment by our best bee-keepers. 



SOUKCES OF INFORMATION. 



I hardly need say where the most modern 

 works and journals giving instruction upon 

 these topics may be found. Every agricul- 

 tural paper of to-day gives more or less 

 space to this growing branch of industry, 

 besides those exclusively devoted to it ; and 

 no bee-keeper can afford not to keep pace 

 with the best ideas, to be found therein. 



1 urge the organization and attendance of 

 conventions, where the ripest experiences of 

 each may be presented, and all be profited 

 by their discussion. L. C. Root. 



Scientific Bee-Keeping. 



BEAD BEFOKK THE SAGINAW FABMEKS' 

 CLUB BY DR. L. C. AVHITING. 



In no department of rural affairs has 

 greater progress been made of late years 

 than in bee-keeping, though but few com- 

 paratively have kept pace with the onward 

 march. 



Some kind of a movable comb hive is in- 

 dispensable for the modern bee-keeper. 

 This hive must combine cheapness of con- 

 struction witli facility in the management 

 of the bees. A large number of the most 

 practical apiarists have adopted some form 

 of tlie Langstroth or Quinhy hive. With 

 either of these hives, a full knowledge of 

 the condition of the bees can be obtained at 

 any time. The best hives in use can be 

 made by any one, as they are free from pat- 

 ents. 



The kind of bees you setisof much less im- 

 portance, as tiiese can be changed at any 

 time by changing the queens. One thing is 

 important, that they be strong colonies, and 

 "no others should be tolerated." All the 

 profit of the apiary comes' from the strong 

 colonies. If luniey is the object sought, 

 very little or no increase should be allowed. 

 If multiplication of colonies is desired, the 

 most economical way isto laise your queens, 

 and as soon as they commence to lay, make 

 the increase by division, rather than by 

 natural swarming. Provide each of the new 

 colonies with a laying queen. Keep those 

 you expect to gather honey, strong in num- 

 bers and build up the new ones with brood 

 and bees as they can be spared. Increase as 

 early in tlie season as possible. You can 

 raise queens as soon as the drones make 

 their appearence, and the colonies are strong 

 in numbers. There are various ways of 

 raising queens, but perhaps as good a way 

 as any for a beginner, is to stimulate the 

 most desirable colony. The bee is as nuich 

 subject to improvement as any of the ani- 

 mal creation. Care should be taken to breed 

 only from the most desirable colonies, by 

 feeding them regularly every day, a little 

 honey or sweetened water, until thej' swarm 

 naturally, then divide the old colony into as 

 many nuclei as there are queen-cells. When 

 the queen is hatched and commences to lay, 

 build up, by giving them combs of brood 



and bees from others. This can be repeated 

 a.3 often as any colony is strong enough to 

 get the swarming fever. If the bees are 

 not strong enough to swarm, a few queens 

 can be raised by placing one or two frames 

 of brood with the bees adhering, to one 

 side of the hive, separating them from the 

 rest by a division board. 



Care should be taken to make this divi- 

 sion perfect, so that bees cannot pass from 

 one side to the other, also to see that the 

 queen is not on either of the combs, as well 

 as to know that there are eggs and young 

 brood in the combs. A separate opening for 

 each apartment must be had. In ten days 

 queen-cells will be found and can be placed 

 in nuclei, for hatching. A careful bee- 

 keeper will keep on hand a few young vigor- 

 ous queens to replace any old or unprolitic 

 ones. 



Which are best, the Italian are black 

 bees? I prefer the Italians for the follow- 

 ing reasons: They are less likely to sting 

 while being handled. The (pieens are more 

 easily found, seldom or never hiding ; they 

 are moth proof ; they protect their stores 

 more successfully from lobber bees, and 

 gather more honey in a poor season. 



The black bees will store as nuich honey 

 in a good season and are more easily induced 

 to work in the boxes. The greatest danger 

 of loss is in wintering bees. Seek security 

 from this by having al! colonies strong and 

 well provided with good sealed honey. 

 Sufiieient air to carry off the moisture must 

 be atlmitted to the hive, care being taken to 

 have no draught through the cluster of bees. 

 If wintered out of doors they should be ex- 

 amined often to see that the entrance is not 

 closed. If all air is excluded tliey will 

 quickly smother: 30 to 35 lbs. of honey will 

 be required for out of doors and 10 lbs. less 

 if wintered in the cellar. A good quilt or 

 chaff coveiing is considered desirable over 

 the frames, to let the moisture escape with- 

 out maUing a draught of air through the 

 cluster. Cover with the cap of the hive so 

 as to keei) perfeclly dry. In the fall unite 

 all weak colonies, and thereby save bees and 

 honey. A small colony will require as 

 much honey as a large one, and is very 

 likely to be lost. 



The market demands comb honey in 

 small frames or sections, so that it can be 

 sold without breaking bulk; extracted honey 

 by the pound or gallon. The demand for 

 the extracted honey, is increasing, as the 

 people are fast becoming aware of its cheap- 

 ness and purity. 



The best tinie to handle bees is in the mid- 

 dle of the day when the old bees are out 

 gathering honey. There are then fewer 

 bees in the way and the young bees are not 

 inclined to be cross. If possible avoid 

 opening hives when robber bees are trouble- 

 some. The most desirable location for an 

 apiary is where blossoms are found in the 

 greatest variety and abundance. In this 

 part of the State white clover and basswood 

 furnish tlie main crop, buckwheat and fall 

 flowers furnishing au abundance for their 

 winter stores. 



With frame hives and comb foundation 

 the amount of drone comb can be regulated. 

 The foundation with small wire worked into 

 it, is preferable as it will not sag. Use 



