106 



GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE 



February, 1917 



since we have had the machine. Five last 

 year cost us over $150. Then there is the 

 gasoline, oil, overhauling, and other repairs. 

 There is no use in underestimating this kind 

 of expense. Many do; yes, some business 

 men always underestimate the costs in their 

 business. But unless these expenses are 

 put down accurately the cost will be un- 

 derestimated. 



It takes some time to go back and forth 

 to the out-apiary. We have a truck of 

 1500 pounds capacity, which cost when new 

 $1200. I bouglat it after it had been used 

 three seasons by a grocer in the city, paying 

 $750 for it. It is very valuable for a short 

 time in the season for out-apiary work, but 

 it scarcely has enough to do to distribute 

 the costs connected therewith. Further- 

 more, it takes a good deal of gasoline and 

 oil to run it. However, it is certainly a 

 fine thing to be able to back into an apiaiy 

 and feel sure that the bees can make no 

 trouble. 



CONVENIENCES AT HOME YARDS. 



Snowstorms, windstorms, varying winds 

 and changes of temperature, especially in 

 the spring, all demand changes in the 

 SLpiaiy, or possible changes. Entrances 

 may need adjusting perhaps even twice dur- 

 ing the day. If there were only one apiary, 

 and that at home, and run on a plan to pre- 

 vent swarming, the chance for a swarm to 

 issue would be so small that it Avould not be 

 necessary to examine the combs regularly 

 for the queen-cells. Six days in the week I 

 should be on the ground to catch any swarm 

 that might issue. In case of out-apiaries 

 which I can visit only one day in the week 

 it is an entirely different proposition. 



In the spring, when the buds begin to 

 swell and the bees fly almost every day, if 

 I had a home ajjiary only I would put out a 



large feeder containing syrup made of ten 

 or twelve parts of water to one of sugar 

 so the bees could help themselves quietly 

 and yet not get excited. 



This plan can not be followed at out-api- 

 aries, for a " greenhorn " can not do such 

 work as a rule. Then with the out-apiary 

 there are the queen-cells to look after. If 

 there is only one apiary, the beekeeper, be- 

 ing constantly near it, knows what is going 

 on, and is in much closer touch with his 

 business. 



MANAGING THE OUTYARDS. 



When it comes to the management of out- 

 apiaries I like to have the bees packed on 

 their summer stands four in a gi'oup, leav- 

 ing the packing on all the time except dur- 

 ing hot weather. The entrances may be in 

 any direction if the yard is sheltered from 

 the winds; but it is best to have the front 

 of one group face the sides of the next 

 group in order to prevent drifting and help 

 the bees in locating their own hive. 



I much prefer shade during the hottest 

 part of the day. Apple trees properly 

 pruned are excellent for this purpose. 



Large hives, which, if necessary, can be 

 contracted with a division-board, are my 

 preference. I use a 12-frame Langstroth 

 hive. I do not want to crowd the bees too 

 much, particularly during the early part of 

 the flow. Large entrances at the proper 

 time are necessary in my management. 



In conclusion I can say that out-apiaries 

 complicate the work very much and increase 

 cai'e, responsibility, and anxiety to a 

 thoughtful person. With so many bees 

 left alone or with only novices about, hav- 

 ing oftentimes poor judgment, I often feel 

 very anxious during critical times. 



Brantford, Ontario. 



Iowa Beekeepers' Convention, held at Des Moines, December 5 and 6. 



