

GUIDE rO BEE-KEEPING. 



A 



CHAPTER I. 

 Apiarian Possibilities of British Columbia. 

 S the Department of Agriculture is very frequently asked about the possibilities 

 of bee-keeping in British Columbia, an effort has been made to get definite 

 information from those engaged in the industry. There was one great difficulty, the 

 absence of a list of bee-keepers to whom appeals could be sent. However, there were 

 gathered together from various sources the names of fully 200 apiarists on Vancouver 

 Island, along the Fraser River, and in the Districts of East and West Kootenay. To 

 these was sent a series of questions covering thoroughly the climatic conditions, 

 sources of nectar and pollen, the duration of the honey-flow, its average yield, and the 

 nature of the winter protection of the hives. 



The replies received cover these regions fairly well, sufficient to at least give an 

 indication of the possibilities in diflferent localities. 



In the Eastern Provinces of Canada, especially in Ontario, there are many men who 

 depend on bee-keeping entirely as a means of livelihood, but, so far as is known, there 

 is no such development of the industry in British Columbia. Thus far the largest 

 number of hives reported as being operated by one individual is fifty, but any one 

 confining his energies to bee-keeping alone generally considers 300 hives as the minimum 

 number on which to spend his efforts, these being usually scattered over a considerable 

 territory. On the other hand, it has been learned that bee-keeping as a side issue is 

 much more common than was anticipated ; in fact, in the dairying and fruit-raising 

 districts a small apiary would seem to be a necessary feature of almost every ranch. 

 In some localities from which the information is rather complete there is seemingly one 

 keeper of bees to every twenty people. This fact is rather valuable, because it shows 

 that it is unnecessary for the home-seeker to bring with him to British Columbia his 

 colonies of bees from the Eastern Provinces. Indeed, the Department of Agriculture 

 earnestly advises that neither bees, empty used hives, nor used bee appliances of any 

 kind be brought in, so as to prevent, if possible, the introduction of bee diseases, from 

 which the Province is at present apparently free. Of course, there is no objection to 

 the importation of queens from reputable breeders. 



In sixty cases there was learned the number of colonies owned, the total being 667, 

 suggesting an average of eleven hives to each apiary. This is a much higher figure than 

 was anticipated. 



Source of Honey-flow. 



To those not familiar with bee-keeping terms, it is perhaps advisable to explain 

 that the phrase "honey-flow " means that season of the year when the bees gather more 

 nectar than is necessary for the daily need of the hive, and they are thus able to store 

 up surplus honey for winter consumption. As from 25 to 30 pounds are usually 

 sufficient to carry a colony over the winter, all above that amount may be taken by the 

 bee-keeper. Since his returns are immediately concerned with the honey-flow, it is 

 important for him to know its source, its real source, for not infrequently he assumes 

 that it comes from a well-known honey-plant, when, as a matter of fact, it may be 

 actually obtained from one he never suspected. For instance, white clover is a famous 



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