Texas Beekeeping. 15 



in hives of bees from which all other food was kept, prove absolutely 

 and conclusively that honey bees can not puncture the skin of sound 

 fruit even if they are starving for want of food. 



POISON SPRATS AND BEES. 



Since the spraying of fruit trees and other plants is coming more 

 and more into practice, it is well to mention here briefly some points 

 of value to both fruit growers and others, as well as to beekeepers. 

 It goes without saying that a poison spra^y on the open blossoms 

 frequented by honey bees may have a fatal effect on these friends of 

 ours. Careful experiments have shown that all spraying should be 

 done before the blossoms open or after they have ceased to bloom. 

 It has been found that it is not necessary to spray during the period 

 when the blossoms are in full bloom, and this should be remembered 

 by all who may have occasion to spray. Do not kill off your best 

 friends — the honey bees. In many States laws exist that prohibit 

 spraying during the blooming period, for the purpose of protecting 

 bees and other beneficial insects. Good judgment should induce 

 everyone to use necessary precautions and prevent the killing of these 

 most valuable aids, even though restricting laws do not exist. 



BEEKEEPING PROFITABLE. 



When conducted along legitimate business lines and with proper 

 knowledge of requirements, beekeeping is a profitable business for the 

 amount of capital invested. The foundation of success is a good lo- 

 cation, as a great deal depends upon locality. The situation must be 

 well suited for beekeeping, with sufficient honey yielding flora of the 

 right kind' to insure paying crops. A good stock of bees is also a, 

 prime essential. With these and the exercise of knowledge of what to 

 do and when to do it, no industry can be placed on a more stable 

 basis than the bee business. 



A few colonies may be kept in almost any location with compara- 

 tively little time and attention and the work may be done during 

 spare moments. As a vocation apiculture demands the entire time 

 of the beekeeper, and it should be borne in mind that success in the 

 bee business can not be obtained without thought, energy and hard 

 work. 



It is difficult to state just what profits may be obtained, since honey 

 yields per colony depend very largely upon locality, the man, the 

 condition of the bees and the number of colonies of bees already in 

 the district. While only enough forage for a few colonies may ex- 

 ist in some places, a much larger number may be supported in others. 

 The beginner should not be mislead and base his figures for the 

 future on the large yields of honey he is securing from a few colonies, 

 as the average yield diminishes with the increase of the number of colo- 

 nies kept in a place. While it is not unusual to obtain one hundred 

 pounds, or more, per colony in many locations during favorable 

 years, the average in dry seasons may be very much less, or an en- 

 tire failure may result and necessitate feeding the bees to save them 



