762 



GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE 



October, 1917 



FROM THE FIELD OF EXPERIENCE 



small ventilating hole. The cases were 

 simply left out in the yard in indifferent 

 shelter, and exposed to snow and weather 

 of all kinds. Healthy, happy, hardworking' 

 bees emerged in sj^ring in practically every 

 ease with a minimum of winter casualties. 

 The test in the winter of 1915 was unusual- 

 ly severe, as it was the hardest winter 

 known in western Canada in many years, so 

 that the results were looked upon by farm- 

 ers and experts alike as almost settling 

 the question without doubt. 



The Province of Manitoba is fast becom- 

 ing one of the leading beekeeping provinces 

 of Canada, due to a great extent to the plen- 

 tiful growth and exceeding sweetness of 

 honey-producing flowers, coupled with the 

 abundant sunshine which allows the bees to 

 gather freely. Official statistics show an av- 

 erage yearly crop of over 100 lbs. per colo- 

 ny while yields of 200 and even 300 pounds 

 per colony are not infrequent. Manitoba 

 honey is of exceptionally fine quality and 

 flavor, and the market readily takes every 

 pound shipped at prices higher than prevail 

 for the importer* article. Tine work has 

 been done by the experts of the Manitoba 

 Agricultural College in dealing with local 

 troubles, with the result that bee diseases, 

 so much dreaded by all beekeepers, are 

 practically unknown to the province. 

 Fai'mers have been Avell instructed, and 

 several have turned their attention to tlie 

 business on a large scale. 



Hives Wrapped in Paper and Burlap 



My method of wintering bees is adapt- 

 able more especially to those who are be- 

 ginners or who keep only a few colonies. 



I have two sheds of the type shown in 

 the picture, each accommodating ten colo- 

 nies. I first put on each hive an empty 

 super, and in the super a chaff cushion. 

 J th'en take newspapers and fold them so 

 there will be twelve thicknesses, and witli 

 strong twine I tie them around the hive. 

 I then take burlap and put over the paper, 

 and with a sail-needle and twine I sew it 

 on tightly, and my bees are well protected 

 from the most severe weather. I use on all 

 my hives a super cover with a glass panel; 

 and when I wish to look into the hive all I 

 need to do is to remove the hive-cover, take 

 out the cushion, and then I can see the lo- 

 cation of the cluster. 



I have followed the above plan for sev- 

 eral years, and in my location it has given 

 fine results. I rarely lose a colony that 

 goes into winter quarters in normal condi- 

 tion. I use the same covering year after 

 year, so that the expense is only a trifle. 



I have practiced the roadside plan of 



selling for five years, having in view of all 



passersby a sign, " Pure Honey for Sale." 



In tliis way I sell a large part of my crop. 



Rev. J. M. Lewis. 



Nortli Westpoi't, Mass. 



■ 1. M. Lewis has v 

 then enclosed in burlap. 



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