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82 



SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE 



ject connected with bees, but just how 

 much weight we may give to their ex- 

 pressed opinions can be determined only 

 when we find out how much observa- 

 tion they have made. Random discus- 

 sions based on compilation of obsolete 

 work are of meager value. 



There are numerous facts concerning 

 the habits of bees inside the hive which 

 are highly important from a purely 

 practical standpoint, which can be de- 

 termined . only by scientific observation. 

 In spite of the fact that the bee-keepers 

 have for years made observations con- 



ing preparation for swarming, but we 

 still do not know why it is that this con- 

 finement produces the effect of the 

 "swarming fever." If we could but 

 analyze the swarming impulse we would, 

 beyond all doubt, be able to devise vast- 

 ly superior methods of queen-rearing. 

 It need scarcely be pointed out, also, 

 that a knowledge of swarming would 

 enable us to devise methods to prevent 

 that bane to the bee-keeper, and this 

 would benefit many more bee-kepers 

 than better methods of queen-rearing. 



We need also but mention the desir- 



Db. E. F. Phillips. 



cerning the swarming of bees, we still 

 do not know just what it is that causes 

 a swarm to issue. This is of paramount 

 importance. Possibly some of these' 

 problems will forever foil the investi- 

 gator, but it does not pay to be pessi- 

 mistic. 



We know that under certain condi- 

 tions queen-cells are started, and we al- 

 so know that there are some conditions 

 under which the workers feed the royal 

 larvae better than other. By the use of 

 the swarm-box we are able to produce 

 these conditions of superior feeding so 

 that the larvae are fed as well as dur- 



ability of knowing the methods used 

 by bees in storing surplus honey. This 

 is important. If honey is first deposited 

 in the brood-chamber and then carried 

 to the surplus chamber, then it is impor- 

 tant that care be exercised in feeding 

 sugar syrup, for under such circum- 

 stances any sugar syrup left from the 

 feeding for winter or spring stimulation 

 •^ould possibly reach the super, and the 

 bee-keeper be open to the charge of 

 adulteration. If such is not the case 

 sugar-feeding before supers are put on 

 is justifiable; but this can be determined 

 only by scientific investigation. The 



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