423 



THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 



behind with roush planke ; the arches in (ront 

 composed of crooked limbs ; (he inside and the 

 back whitewashed with lime every spring ; the 

 front and ends covered with creepers, so irdined as 

 to te out of the way of the bees, and not so thick 

 as to harbor insects ; and the floor paved with 

 brick, or laid with gravel, rolled firm, will be all 

 that is necessary. A good, sound plank will be 

 run lengthways of the shed, supported by stout 

 leo'^, to answer as a bench on which to set the 

 stands ; and must allow of an alley, two and a 

 half leet in width, behind it. The bee-shed may 

 front in any direction— though it is best to pro- 

 tect il from the hoi summer'? sun ; from the ex- 

 treme cold of winter; and from the sudden thun- 

 der-gusts so common from the south-west in sum- 

 mer. An eastern or south-eastern exposure is 

 prelerable. Lei it be so placed, as that the motions 

 of the bees may be convenien'ly watched from the 

 house, without having them in the way. 



We will suppose that an individual, who wishes 

 to keep bees, has provided himself with a few 

 boxes and turnnel stands, during the winter; has 

 erected his bee-shed, and is ready to purchase his 

 parent hives. In this we will assist him, and also 

 inihe subsequent management during the sea- 

 son—premising, that the time, as to dates, must 

 be reffulated by his own observation : it will vary 

 in different latitudes. 



In the purchase of stock-hives, much care 

 is necessary. It unlbriunately happens, that in 

 the west there is but hitle choice — almost all are 

 indifTereni alike. The proper season lor purchas- 

 ing, is in the fall, winter, or early sprinir. Select 

 a hive as well made and as free from cracks and 

 crevices as possible. Let the swarm contained in 

 it be not more ihan two, or at larthest ihiee years 

 old. Examine the interior as carefully as prac- 

 ticable ; if there is any appearance of bee-moths 

 or their larva?, reject it. But if it is pretty well 

 filled with Iresh-iooking comb, the bee abundant 

 and active, the box or gum tolerably sound, 

 and the whole weighing, exclusive of tfie hive, 

 over 20 or 25 pounds in the spring, you may safely 

 purchase. As to price, that may be estimated 

 according to the number of bees and probable 

 weight of honey ; and may rate lor a good hive, 

 at from four to ten dollars. 



The greatest care must be exercised in removing 

 it. The best way to do so, is to enclose ihe hive 

 in a cloth, and let two men carry it, suspended 

 to a pole. If the distance is great, it will have to 

 be conveyed in a spring wagon, or on a sleigh ; 

 great care being used not to jar it. A very slight 

 jolting will detach the comb, and throw he whole 

 into ruins. Having got it home safe, place it where 

 it is to stand, and if the box or gum is not in very 

 good order, repair it as well as circumstances will 

 permit, turning it up and removing all appearances 

 of the moth, and cutting away the old, black 

 empty comb. The bees will thus have some 

 space afforded them, where they require and want 

 'it, and will throw off stronger swarms in conse- 

 quence. Early in May, if the season be favora- 

 ble, they will begin to throw ofl their first swarms 

 — varying as to time in different location?. In 

 the mean time, preparations ought to be made lor 

 their reception in the apiary ; the hives and stands 

 should be got ready, and a shelter erected ; an 

 open shed answering very well, so arranged as 

 that they shall not be exposed to the full blaze of 



the hot summer's sun. A few trees in front, of a 

 moderate growth, and trimmed up sufficiently to 

 prevent the bees being entangled in the branches, 

 in returning loaded to the hive, will be found of 

 great assistance in swarming, as the bees will 

 almost invariably settle on them, and remain from 

 fifteen minutes to an hour, aflbrding abundance 

 of time for saving them, if the proprietor has 

 ev-ery thins ready. But if they are allowed to go 

 off a second time, there is little or no hope of 

 saving them. All the noise usually made by 

 beating tin-pans, ringing bells, etc., is perlectly 

 useless ; tboiiixh it may sometimes happen, on a 

 very clear, warm day, that they will show an 

 unwillingness to settle, in which case they may 

 be induced (o do so, by casting a few ladles full of 

 water amongst them, and even by firing a gun 

 near — the concussion throwing them into con- 

 fusion, and inducing them to settle. When they 

 are all quiet, take a box, the holes in the top of 

 which have been carefully plugged up, and after 

 seeing that it is clean and sweet, shake or sweep 

 the younc swarm jrently into it. The face and 

 hands oufrht to be protected by a veil and gloves ; 

 for though bees are not inclined to eting when 

 swarming, if gently handled, yet a chance-sling 

 inflicted on a lender place, will discompose the 

 most firm, and probably occasion twenty more — 

 for it is well known, that the odor of the poison 

 is very strong, and immediately perceptible to the 

 bees, having a most irritating effect upon them. 

 If the ouisides of the box have not been painted 

 sufRciently longto allow the smell of the oil to 

 dissipate, it will be well to rub it over, inside and 

 out, with some sweet herb, such as halm, or even 

 with hickory leaves, which will make them better 

 satisfied with their quarters. 



A small table outrht to be at hand, covered by 

 a clean towel, on which to set the box, after the 

 bees have been shaken into if, first placintr a small 

 stone or chip under one edge to allow them a free 

 passajie. If they settle in such a place as that 

 the box can be firmly propped up over them, (hey 

 will generally go into it without farther trouble — 

 or if necessary, they may be gently swept into 

 the box with a small wisp of a broom-corn, or a 

 bunch of feathers. Afier they have been hived 

 and placed in some pecure situation, let them 

 remain till evening, taking care not to leave (hem 

 exposed (o (he full blaze of the sun, but shade 

 them. They must be watched, until it is seen that 

 the workers are coming and aroing as usual, for 

 they sometimes go off, after they are (o all ap- 

 pearance quiet. 



In the cool of the evening, carry the hive to 

 the apiary, and setting a clean tunnel-stand under 

 if, place it where it is to reman — leaving a space 

 of two feet between each stand. 



It rarely occurs that a swarm fills a greater 

 space than one cubic loot — if however, when a 

 very large one comes off, they seem to be too 

 crowded in the hive, add another box below, leav- 

 ing the holes in the top open. If one box is found 

 sufficient, let them remain in it ; and in about ten 

 days or two weeks, the state of affairs inside may 

 be examined into, by gently lifting up one edge 

 of the box, at daybreak, and if it be found that it 

 is nearly filled with comb, immediately add the 

 second one to it. This will generally be found 

 needful. 



Later in the season, it frequently occurs that 



