Bees Do Their Bit 



Favorable Conditions for Beekeeping, With an Abundance 



of Wild Flowers, Alfalfa and Clover Fields, are 



Arousing Interest in the Industry. 



[NE INDUSTRY which so far has seen little development in the 

 state and yet offers big opportunities, is that of beekeeping. With 

 the settlement of the newer places little attention has been 

 given to the care of the apiary. So far there is no law protect- 

 ing, stimulating or promoting the industry. And yet with the 

 success of those who have secured bee colonies, has come an 

 aroused interest which is sure to bring about effort to favor the 

 work in the future. 

 Montana is rich in wild flowers and in fields of alfalfa and clover. These 

 would be accessible on most of the farms of the state, so that each farmer 

 could keep at least two or three colonies and find their product a clear gain. 

 More and more the farmers are coming to realize that the products of the 

 apiary, dairy and poultry yard yield a steady income and often mark the dif- 

 ference between success and failure on the farm. Conditions appear to be favor- 

 able to the production of a high grade of honey and plenty of it. 



The colonies of bees in the state are multiplying rapidly. Statistics for 1917 

 show that there are a total of 10,561 colonies of bees valued at $52,812. These pro- 

 duced a total of 285,147 pounds of honey and 710 pounds of wax in 1917, with a 

 total value of $40,935. 



Beekeepers' Association. 



There is a small beekeepers' association in the state, which is doing a good deal 

 to promote the industry. It is meeting with favor and much success. Some extension 

 work has been done by the association and the state college, in the different counties 

 in holding beekeepers' meetings with demonstrations on the care of bees. This is 

 tending to arouse interest and to educate the people as to what the results really 

 are. It is hoped this will result in legislation to promote the industry and in an 

 appropriation for the teaching of a course in beekeeping at the state college, which 

 heretofore has offered no work in such a course. 



Should the plans of the State Beekeepers' Association succeed in this particular 

 some action will be taken toward receiving legislative appropriation for encourag- 

 ing the industry in the near future. It is believed that if the facts are presented 

 as they exist the legislators will not hesitate to give their encouragement to this 

 important but undeveloped industry in the state. 



Before the industry can be promoted scientifically in the state so that it may 

 succeed, there will need to be experimental work done in order to give definite 

 Information on the wintering of bees and their care. This can best be done in con- 

 nection with the State Agricultural college. 



There is a big sale for bee products in the markets. Up to this time a large part 

 of the supply has been shipped in, but from now on it is hoped that the Montana 

 market can be supplied locally. The class of bee products now produced is of a 

 high grade, which shows that the industry has a bright future. 



