114 BEES FOE PLEASURE AND rROFIT. 



Bee-keeping in Canada, Australasia, and 

 South Africa. 



In Canada and Australasia bees are generally kept on 

 very up-to-date systems, but in almost every part of South 

 Africa the most primitive and destructive systems of bee- 

 keeping obtain. This is the more regrettable when it is 

 considered that of all our colonies South Africa is the richest 

 naturally from a honey-producing point of view, in this re- 

 spect, indeed, probably rivalling California. Apart altogether 

 from the wretched methods of keeping the bees, the way in 

 which the honey is marketed is wretched beyond words, it 

 being no uncommon thing to see honey that is staged for 

 competition at up-country agricultural shows merely dumped 

 into old disused paraffin tins, and in this state considered not 

 only by the producer good enough for exhibition, but by the 

 judges for prize-taking. 



In a country where the Government is ready to give such 

 generous assistance to co-operation in agriculture as it is in 

 Cape Colony, it seems every pity that the farmers in the 

 various districts do not unite for this purpose, and, by learning 

 and practising up-to-date methods of bee-keeping, not only 

 materially increase their respective incomes, but also help to 

 develop what should be a great export industry. Foul brood — 

 as great a scourge to bee-keepers as phylloxera is to wine- 

 farmers — is at present unknown in South Africa, and it would 

 doubtless need but little pressure from the farmers to induce 

 the Government to prohibit by legislation the importation of 

 queens and bees from other countries except under the most 

 drastic quarantine regulations, and thus insure the country 

 against the introduction of this devastating plague.* 



Ants must be Guarded Against. 



In nearly all hot climates ants are a great source of 

 annoyance to the bee-keeper. They will often attack strong 

 stocks in great force, while it is no uncommon thing to see 



* Legislation to this effect was passed soon after the first publication of the above 

 appeal. 



