A SURVEY OF BEEKEEPING JN NORTH CAROLINA. 3 



Knowledge of improved methods of beekeeping has not reached the 

 majority of those owning bees. In case reports of good profits from 

 bees elsewhere have been received, these have been so far above the 

 amounts that are being secured by the old methods that the reports 

 have met with little credence. In very few instances have efforts been 

 made to secure like results. 



RACES OF BEES. 



Almost all the bees in the State are German (black) hybrids, prac- 

 tically none being found without some trace, however slight, of 

 Italian blood. Numerous efforts have been made to improve the 

 stock by introducing pure Italian queens, but, with few exceptions, 

 this has produced bees which so vigorously resent disturbance that 

 such attempts at improvement have been discouraged. Since the 

 color of the bees in every case has been light yellow, it is quite likely 

 that there has been some Cyprian blood in the stock secured. A few 

 apiaries are stocked with Italians and an effort is being made to keep 

 them pure; — a rather difficult task, however, because of the presence of 

 so many wild hybrid colonies. 



One beekeeper had used a few colonies of Carniolan bees, but has 

 discontinued beekeeping and no data are obtainable regarding their 

 comparative value in North Carolina. 



SHADE. 



Shade for the hives, either natural or artificial, is considered by 

 almost all beekeepers in North Carolina to be necessary to avoid 

 melting of the combs in the summer. It would be unnecessary, how- 

 ever, were it not for the fact that the entrance in the log or plank 

 "gum" consists merely of a few V-shaped notches or a small slot, 

 entirely inadequate for proper ventilation of the hive in hot weather, 

 This conclusion is supported by cases in the central and eastern parts 

 of the State, where beekeepers have provided large entrances and 

 have raised the hive from the bottom board to allow abundant bottom 

 ventilation and have dispensed with shade without harmful results. 

 The western part of North Carolina is mountainous' and cooler in 

 summer, making extra A^entilation less important. 



ARRANGEMENT OF HIVES. 



In the western part of the State it is the custom to place the log 

 or plank " gum " on long benches or on a flat rock, which rests on 

 four stakes driven into the ground. In the eastern part, as rocks 

 are not obtainable, benches only are used. If space will permit, 

 the placing of hives in a single row close together is practiced. 

 Perhaps 100 "gums" will be found in one row. Aside from using 



