538 Cornell Extension Bulletin 16 



conservatively estimated at double the number given, while the production 

 would probably be considerably more than double, since beekeepers who 

 produce a high average per colony are not included in the census as taken. 

 The average production per colony as given in 1909 is rather low. By 

 producing more extracted and less comb honey, by giving more attention 

 to the bees, and by the application of modem methods, provided climatic 

 conditions are right, the average colony production of 1909 should be 

 trebled, which should increase the total production as compared with that 

 of 1909 six or seven times. This is a conservative estimate of what can 

 be done by the beekeepers of the State. 



The clovers, the most dependable sources of honey production, have 

 wintered well and are coming up in abundance. Because of its food value 

 and because of the scarcity of grain, it is being recommended that a 

 larger acreage of buckwheat than usual be planted. Under favorable 

 weather conditions, buckwheat is fairly dependable as a honey producer. 

 Basswood in many parts of New York State did not bloom last year. It 

 is very probable that there will be a heavy bloom this year, and when 

 weather conditions are right for secretion, it produces nectar very 

 abundantly. Because of the scarcity of labor the practice of cutting sweet 

 clover and other honey-producing plants growing along the roads, in waste 

 places, and in the cities, will not be so general this season. More bee 

 pasturage of a kind that is rather important will thus be provided. These 

 facts should be kept in mind, and preparations should be made in advance 

 for a large crop, for, with favorable conditions, the honey flow usually 

 comes heavily and with a rush, and much advantage would be lost without 

 previous preparations. Conditions in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and the Lake 

 States are not markedly different from those in New York. 



There are only a few weeks left until the usual annual, main honey 

 flow begins; therefore preparations should be made in anticipation of it. 

 It is too late in the season to treat of all the ways by which production 

 may be increased, but some of the methods are here given. 



METHODS OF INCREASING PRODUCTION 

 UNITE WEAK COLONIES 



Because of the very unsettled weather conditions and continued cold 

 weather this spring, many colonies of bees in many parts of the State will 

 be found to be gradually becoming weak. This comes about thru poor 

 wintering, in which case the adult bees die off faster than the young are 

 produced, or thru the venturing out of adult bees after pollen and water 

 for brood rearing on days that are so cold or that suddenh' become so cool 

 that the bees are chilled before they return to the hive. This results 

 in continually weakening the colony to such an extent that when settled 



