THE BEE-KEEERS' REVIEW. 



295 



failure. The present season also, as no 

 extensive forest fires have prevailed for 

 two years past, the yield has been almost 

 nothing in most sections. Three out of 

 six seasons we have also had a fair yield 

 from fall flowers. 



Now, what are the drawbacks to be 

 met with by the apiarist seeking a loca- 

 tion here ? The first I will mention is 

 that the most desirable locations, at least, 

 those in proximity to towns large enough 

 to aflFord the advantages of good schools, 

 churches, etc., are commonly occupied; 

 and, not infrequently, overstocked; in 

 fact, there are very few such locations oc- 

 upied or unoccupied to be found in North- 

 ern Michigan. While it is not difficult 

 to find these advantages in connection 

 with good raspberry pasturage, and, oc- 

 casionally, also, considerable areas of 

 Alsike clover and fall flowers, (especial- 

 ly golden-rod and asters) within range, 

 either basswood or willow-herb pastur- 

 age, that woul d afford a desirable range 

 for an apiary of considerable size, is, as a 

 rule, out of the question in connection 

 with the adva ntages referred to; so, if 

 (Jiie will have these privileges, he must 

 be content with inferior locations. 



Another draw-back is that with the 

 best of locations the country affords, it 

 seldom happens that all or nearly all of 

 these sources of nectar are available for a 

 crop even with the most favoral>le weather 

 during any one season. Extensive forest- 

 fires, which are essential about once in 

 two years in a region adapted to the 

 growth of willow-herb, in order to insure 

 at least a good chance for a flow from 

 that source the following two seasons, 

 are not to be depended on so often; and 

 when they do occur, are quite likely to 

 cut off the raspberry pasturage to a great 

 extent for one or more seasons, and, of 

 course, it sometimes happens that these 

 fires destroy the prospect of a flow from 

 willow-herb that same season also. But 

 the loss from this source, however, is 

 commonly made up in some measure, 

 by a good flow from common fireweed 

 when bees are apt to be in good condi- 

 tion to secure it. 



From what I have said above, the ne- 

 cessity of establishing out-yards, where 

 one is bound to have the benefit of school 

 and other privileges offered by large vil- 

 lages, which, of course, means not a little 

 additional labor, expense, and risk of 

 loss without certainty of adequate returns 

 to pay for the outlay; and, as the roads 

 are usually quite sandy, stony, and hilly, 

 the care of these out apiaries during hot 

 weather is no small item; but where run 

 for extracted honey I manage by keeping 

 queens' wings clipped to avoid loss from 

 swarms leaving, by spending one day 

 each week at each yard; but as this keeps 

 one on the go continually where one has 

 a half dozen yards to see to, I have of 

 late adopted the plan of renting the bees 

 for a term of years, giving, besides a cer- 

 tain share of the honey, also a share of 

 the increase at the conclusion of tenn of 

 lease; and w-here competent, conscien- 

 tious parties can be found (which is rare- 

 ly the case) I regard this as the better 

 plan; especially as it does away with the 

 tedious and risky job of moving the bees 

 back and forth over bad roads each sea- 

 son when time is especially valuable in 

 other directions. 



At the present time I am runn ing about 

 500 colonies in nine different \-ards. 

 The\' are chiefly managed on the plan 

 last mentioned. The chief drawback to 

 this plan is the scarcity' of suitable loca- 

 tions, within reach, not already occupied; 

 or which do not become speedily over- 

 stocked by those who who take up the 

 business^nd work for increase; drawn to 

 it through what seems to them, at least, 

 one's great success. Then there is, if 

 possible, the still greater scarcitj- of com- 

 petent, conscientious men upon whom 

 you can rely to run these yards. The 

 lack of these keeps one on the lookout 

 for new locations; which, of necessity, 

 must be further and further removed 

 from the home vard; and for new men; 

 the overseeing of whom becomes, of 

 course, the more difficult as the distance 

 increases. 



