March 16, 1905. 



THE AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL. 



209 



INSULATING HIVES FOR OUTSIDE WINTERING. 



Two colonies of equal strength with good laying qutrens 

 in Langstroth hives were taken for this experiment. The 

 hives were insulated against the winter cold by cushions in 

 the following manner : 



Slats 1 inch thick were nailed at intervals all around 

 the hive; on these was tacked one layer of thick brown 

 building-paper and then a layer of oiled paper, which in- 

 creases durability and also keeps out vermiri. In order to 

 provide extra protection to the hive, a box six inches wider 

 and six inches longer was placed over this with an opening 

 cut at the entrance, 1 inch by 2 inches, all other openings be- 

 ing closed. The wooden covers of each hive were removed 

 and replaced with a chafT cushion 3 inches thick, the latter 

 placed on the propolis quilt, and lapping over the sides of 

 the hive ; two layers of paper were then placed on the top of 

 the cushion and a second cushion added, with the top of the 

 outside box over it. 



The bees were put into winter quarters November 18. 

 No sound could be heard from these colonies all winter, up 

 to March 10, when a slight hum was perceptible. On March 

 20, the first bees made their appearance ; there were many 

 dead bees at the entrance of the hives. On March 21, the day 

 being bright and warm, the outside cases were removed, leav- 

 ing the paper and one chaff cushion on during tlie cold 

 spring. Upon examination, one colony was found to be in 

 fairly good condition; the other very poor, with many dead 

 bees on the bottom-board. A few days afterwards the latter 

 was found to be deserted. The frames in both cases were all 

 dry and clean and had abundance of honey to carry them 

 through from November to the clover bloom. Weight, when 

 put into winter quarters, 53^ pounds each ; in spring, 37J4 

 pounds each, or a loss of 16^ lbs. 



A second experiment was tried similar to the above. Four 

 hives were taken for this test, instead of having them packed 

 single. The four were placed in a large packing case, the 

 case being one foot larger each way than the hives, the hives 

 being placed six inches apart in the case, with six inches of 

 cut straw on the bottom of the case for the hives to rest upon. 

 The .6-inch space between the hives was packed with cut 

 straw, also the one-foot space all around and on top of the 

 hives. The entrance of two of the hives faced each that of 

 the other, and two hives faced west. The entrance to the 

 hives was kept clear of snow all winter to insure free ventila- 

 tion. No sound could be heard from these colonies all 

 winter. 



On March 22 the bees made their appearance, when many 

 were flying briskly going out and returning. From March 

 22 to April 23 the bees had but one good flight. On .April 

 22 they were then examined. Very few, dead bees were 

 found on the bottom-boards ; the combs were dry and clean 

 and no sign of dysentery. They were then removed from 

 the packing case and placed on the summer stands. The 

 average weight of the hives when tlie bees were put into 

 winter quarters was 6254 lbs. ; when put on the sununer 

 stands, 49J4 lbs., showing that each hive had lost 13 poiuids 

 and 4 ounces. The weather at this date being bright and 

 warm the bees built up rapidly and were in excellent condition 

 for the honey flow. 



This experiment was tried in a well-sheltered corner 

 where no cold winds could get at the hives. 



SAINFOIN. 



This clover has again attracted much attention on the 

 Central Experiment Farm, both as a fodder-plant and al^o 

 as a honey-producer. Sainfain sown in May, 1903, came in 

 bloom on Aug. 15, of the same year, was cut for hay on Aug. 

 2S, and gave a yield per acre of one ton and 760 pound.- ..f 

 cured hay. 



The autumn growth was allowed to remain as a cover 

 for protection to the roots over winter. The summer of l'.)04 

 growth strong and even ; height averaged 23 inch ; came in 

 bloom May 31, and lasted up to June 20, when the plot was 

 cut for hay. These dates might have been extended had ihe 

 plants been grown merely for honey; but as they were .it 

 that time in the best condition for hay they were cut for '"..it 

 purpose. 



The yield of the first cutting was 2 tons 840 pound- of 

 cured hay per acre. The seceond bloom was on July :-'\ 

 and lasted until Aug. 15, when it was again cut for ' ^y, 

 giving one ton and 837 pounds of cured hay per acre, c- i 

 total yield for the year of 3 tons and 1,677 pounds per acrr. 



INTRODUCING QUEENS. 



Eight queens were introduced during the season, four on 

 the Benton plan and four with frames of brood taken Irom 

 several hives. All queens belonging to the colonies that were 

 to receive the imported queens were removed 24 hours before 

 introducing the new queens. 



Benton Introducing Cage Method. — The Bentnn mailing 

 and introducing cage is ordinarily used over the country. 

 This consists of an oblong block of wood with three holes 

 bored nearly through, one of the end-holes being filled with 

 "Good candy, and the other two being left for the occupancy 

 of the bees and queen. On the back of the cover are printed 

 the directions for introducing, and at each end of the cage 

 is a small hole bored through horizontally, but which in the 

 mails is stopped by a cork. One hole is for tire admission 

 of the bees and queen preparatory to mailing, and the other 

 for the liberation of the queen, by the bees eating out the 

 candy in the course of 20 to 30 hours, thus releasing her 

 automatically. When the cage is received, the cork covering 

 the candy is to be removed, as well as the wooden cover over 

 the wire-cloth. The cage is then placed on top of the frames, 

 care being taken to place the wire-cloth over the space be- 

 tween two frames in the center of the brood-nest. The queen 

 is then released by the bees in the manner explained. 



I would advise all to have extra cages for introducing 

 so that no disease may be brought in with the queen. See 

 that the cage you introduce with is thoroughly cleaned, and 

 have fresh food in readiness made from your own honey 

 placed in the cage. Then remove the queen and bees from 

 the cage they were received into the one prepared for them 

 and follow directions above. 



How to Make Honey and Sugar Thick for Feeding. — 

 Take good, thick honey and heat (not boil) it until becomes 

 very thin, and then stir it into pulverized sugar. After .stirring 

 in all the sugar the honey will absorb, take it out of the 

 utensil in which it is mixed, and thoroughly knead it with' 

 the hands. The kneading will make it more pliable, and soft, 

 so that it will absorb or take up more sugar. For summer 

 use it should be worked, mixing in a little more sugar r.ntil 

 the dough is so stiff as not to work readily, and it should then 

 be allowed to stand for a day or two ; and if still so soft as 

 to run, a little more suger should be kneaded in. .\ good 

 deal will depend upon the season of the year — there should be 

 more sugar in proportion to the honey in warm weather than 

 in cool weather. 



ANOTHER METHOD OF INTRODUCING QUEENS. 



Select a strong colony, remove the wooden cover, and 

 place a fine wire netting over the tops of the brood frames 

 to prevent passage from one hive to the other ; place on top 

 of this wire-cloth a brood-chamber with 4 frames of well- 

 sealed brood, selected from different hives, with young bees 

 just hatching out, but with no unsealed brood. Put the 

 queen in this and close the hive bee-tight, and keep it over the 

 strong colony four or five days. By that time a respectable 

 force of young workers will be present, and the hive may be 

 placed on the stand where it is to remain and the entrance 

 to be made large enough for only one bee to pass at a time. 

 As a matter of precaution against robbing, the entrance may 

 be opened as the colony gets stronger. This later plan has 

 never failed with me. John Fixter. 



director's report. 



The year just past has been a very peculiar one for the 

 bee-keepers of this Province, and of the northern and eastern 

 portion of the United States as well, in that there was an 

 almost unprecedented loss among bees. This fact, coupled 

 with the rather poor honey season, has resulted in a very 

 small crop of honey. We have the satisfaction, however, to 

 report that the quality of the crop secured has been up to the 

 average. 



The sum of $200 was set apart for the affiliated socie- 

 ties. This was expended in accordance with the by-laws. 

 There was no money granted to the different agricultural 

 societies during the year, but we have added $50 of the 

 funds of the Association to the special grant from the Gov- 

 ernment for the prizes and other expenses of the Fruit. 

 Flower and Honey Show. The Canadian Bee Journal has 

 been sent to each member of the Association, as usual. As 

 you will see by the reports of the different officers we are 

 able to report that our finances are in a healthy condition, 

 notwithstanding our extra expenses during the year. 



The Directors. 



The election of officers resulted as follows : President, 



