S2 SOUTHERN BEE CULTURE 



from. Let us keep prolific bees to save the honey that is already secreted 

 and wasted in our bee-pastures before we plant anything for them. 



Oover can be planted, in sections where it grows, for its forage and 

 honey. 



Wherever cotton is grown in the South it will not be necessary to 

 plant anything for our bee-pasture ; and, very fortunately, it is extensively 

 grown nearly all over the South ; but, very unfortunately, its great value 

 as a honey-plant is not well known. 



ECONOMY IN BEE-KEEPING: 



Economy in bee-keeping is what the beginner and the outsider may call 

 extravagance ; but, so far as I know and can learn, extravagance has never 

 been practiced on bees in the South ; but I know economy has, and its effect 

 is well known. The prevailing idea among the majority of bee-keepers now 

 is, "Why should I buy a bee-smoker, and bee-veil, and pay $1.75 or $2.00 for 

 a patent hive to put my bees in when I can hive them in an old-style box hive 

 or drygoods-box, and they will build comb and store honey in it?" Yes, and 

 they will store just as much honey in it as they will in a modern hiye if they 

 are just hived and robbed once or twice a year so long as they exist ; but this 

 is not economy in bee-keeping, but it is extravagance to let large vigorous 

 swarms of bees dwindle down and finally be lost when there is so much honey 

 going to waste each season which can and should be saved. 



Economy in bee-keeping is giving the bees the very best possible chance 

 by keeping them in good hives in good condition, which can' be done by con- 

 stant and proper care. Even where modern hives are adopted or used, there 

 is often too much so-called- economy practiced. This is true in the use of 

 foundation, for it is too often used too sparingly. Very narrow strips of it 

 used in the sections and brood-frames are not enough inducement or help to 

 the bees in their work ; and ri^^ht here is where a lot of dissatisfaction arises 

 in the use of modern hives. As stated, the narrow strip of foundation is not 

 enoufrh inducement to get the bees to go up into the top stories and build 

 comb in sections and frames in which to store their honey. By all means the 

 sections ard frnmcs should be well filled with foundation to expect the best 

 results. Even in the brood-apartments or bottom stories it pays to use full 

 sheets of foundation in the long run ; but it is not necessary where bees 

 are allowed to swarm naturall}', for large vigorous swarms will quickly build 

 a set of nice comb in the brood-chamber; but where artificial increase is 

 made, full sheets of foundation are very necessary. Then in equipping our 

 apiaries after modern hives have been adopted and bought it is economy to 

 buy the best modern implements. It is not economy to make hives which we 

 think would be just as good as modern factory-made hive?, for the best 

 hives we can buy are none too good. 



