GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE 



April, 1920 



increase, to take the place of winter-killed 

 colonies or to strengthen weak colonies. 



A few years ago a few enthusiasts of 

 the package predicted that we in the North 

 would find it profitable to kill our bees in 

 the fall after the honey flow, and replenish 

 in the spring by packages obtained from the 

 South. I have no data that this has been 

 tried, but David Eunning of Filion, Mich., 

 in 1918 compared packages with well-win- 

 tered colonies. Two-pound packages, re- 

 ceived April 27, after deducting five pounds 

 fed in the spring, still averaged 21 pounds 

 per colony more surplus than the average 

 of the old colonies in the same yard. Two- 

 pound packages, received May 15, averaged 

 four pounds less than the old colonies after 

 making the five-pound feed deduction. 

 How Packages Are Sent. 



The package or cage is made of either 

 wood or wire. For parcel post the postal 

 regulations provide for wood, with saw-cuts 

 not to exceed 1/12 inch for ventilation, or 

 with double wire cloth, the outer and inner 

 at least % inch apart. For express the 

 package is usually made of a single thick- 

 ness of wire screening. Either package 

 should have at least 360 cubic inches for 

 each pound of bees. 



The feed for the bees en route is either 

 sugar or a frame of honey. Sugar is usually 

 recommended and used on account of possi- 

 ble foul brood, and, in the instance of the 

 mails, liquid feed is not permissible. I pre- 

 fer the package supplied with a frame of 

 honey and brood. If I did not have abso- 

 lute confidence in the shipper, I would shake 

 the bees on foundation, and either destroy 

 the combs, or collect them and use them on 



a limited number of colonies until I was 

 sure they were free from disease. 



Packages are being transported by parcel 

 post and express. The mails became avail- 

 able for bee shipments in 1919, thanks to 

 the especial efforts of Dr. Phillips and E. R. 

 Root. For short distances and small pack- 

 ages, the parcel-post shipments have been 

 successful. For larger packages and long 

 distances the express has particular advan- 

 tages, as the postal regulation limits the 

 distance to five days en route and does not 

 allow water nor honey and gives no recourse 

 for loss. 



Arrival and Treatment. 



The time of arrival should be according to 

 the size of the package, and whether or not 

 a crop of honey is expected. A small amount 

 of bees, received early, with jaroper care will 

 make a fair-sized colony at the honey flow. 

 Instead of all cash, one is investing a part 

 in food and labor to make a working colo- 

 ny. On the other hand, large packages 

 should be used if received near the begin- 

 ning of the principal harvest. 



If the weather is not favorable when the 

 bees arrive, the packages should be sprinkled 

 with a mixture of sugar and water, and 

 placed in a cool, quiet, dark cellar or room 

 until outside conditions are favorable. When 

 favorable, place the bees in hives on drawn 

 combs preferably, or on full sheets of foun- 

 dation, and give feed. An excluder placed 

 beneath the hive will prevent the possibility 

 of the bees deserting their new liome. A 

 frame containing brood will have the same 

 results. 



If packages are received before the mid- 

 dle of May, they should have abundant pro- 



A carload shiprrjent of bees froni pioiida. 



