THE AMERICAN APICULTURIST. 



67 



CANADIAN DEPARTMENT. 



B. H. HOLTERMANN, EDITOR. 



— There is a rumor afloat that a 

 leading beekeeper and advocate of 

 the deep frame in Canada is about 

 to start a bee journal here. There 

 is no doubt that a party not inter- 

 ested in the supply business, or so 

 strong an advocate of a particular 

 frame, would meet with a heartier 

 support both by contributions in 

 writing and by subscriptions. 



It is a difficult matter for any 

 man to take a neutral ground in one 

 department of his business when 

 he knows it will act detrimentally 

 upon another. 



— In consequence of the flow of 

 honey being early last season, and 

 there being very little honey after 

 clover bloom, man}^ bees were de- 

 ficient in stores in the fall ; then 

 too, the unusual changes of atmos- 

 phere seemed to cause a large con- 

 sumption of stores. Inconsequence, 

 unless the apiarist has been careful 

 to see to the wants of his bees, 

 and understands bee-feeding, they 

 are likely to come to grief. Many 

 are, in fact, now complaining that 

 their colonies are too light ; some 

 parties are already feeding, and un- 

 less this is done cautiously the loss 

 will be serious. 



We are aware that all feeding 

 should be done in the fall of the 

 year, and the bees remain undis- 

 turbed in winter, but if the stores 

 become exhausted during winter, 

 they certainly should not be neg- 

 lected, as with proper precautions 

 the chances of success are very 

 probable. Those requiring to feed 

 their bees in the winter are gener- 

 ally those who know least about 

 the proper method of doing it. 



Syrup or honey should never be 

 fed at a time when the bees are un- 

 able to leave the hive, as it causes 



too much excitement, and often 

 dj'sentery, debility and death. 

 Probably the manner of giving 

 food with the least exciting effects 

 is on top of the frames where the 

 bees can naturally have easy ac- 

 cess to it, and it can be placed 

 without the least disturbance to 

 the bees. Perhaps the experience 

 of some older beekeepers would be 

 valuable, but a good food is con- 

 sidered as follows : pure granulated 

 sugar mixed with water and 

 brought to a boil of a consistency 

 that, when about 90°, it will be 

 very slightly soft. Or, as follows : 

 granulated sugar three parts, water 

 one part, boil to the consistency of 

 ripe honey, pour out upon a mar- 

 ble or other cold slab ; when cool 

 enough to handle, knead a little 

 and pull over a hook until the mass 

 becomes white, roll into sticks the 

 desired thickness, and when nearly 

 cool break off into the desired 

 length. This latter above the clus- 

 ter will soften enough to enable the 

 bees to work it readily, but will not 

 become sticky. The candy does 

 not enable the bees to get too much 

 at a time. 



— In Canada we want a grand 

 convention where will be discussed 

 mainly the various forms of hives 

 and the experience and reasons for 

 adopting certain frames, etc. There 

 certainly is a reason for everything 

 and we want to hear fully the rea- 

 sons for the superiority of any one 

 hive. Having full reports of such 

 a convention circulated much good 

 would be done and not only those 

 attending would be benefited but 

 also those reading the reports. 

 This is a very important subject. 

 Beginners are very apt to take the 

 advice of the man who is dealing in 

 supplies best known to them, when 

 the name may be obtained through 

 advertising or a knack of bringing 

 one's self into prominence irre- 

 spective of merifbf the hive. "We 



