June, 1921] BEEKEEPING FOR NEW HAMPSHIRE 9 



the auger holes in the new coincide and form a continuous passage for bees. The en- 

 trance to the new hive is then closed and the bees are driven up into it by blowing smoke 

 in at the old entrance and drumming for ten minutes or so with a block of wood or Kght 

 mallet on the sides of the old hive. If possible a frame of brood should be provided in 

 the new hive. This may be obtained from a colony already on hand, or it may be made 

 up of pieces of comb with brood taken from the old box hive and patched together in a 

 frame by the using of string, wire or small Wooden cleats. 



Whichever way the start be made it is well to go slowly in making increase. Do not 

 try to divide weak colonies, and as a rule it will be found inadvisable to divide colonies in 

 New England later than August first. The golden rule in beekeeping is to keep colonies 

 strong at all times. 



THE APIARY SITE 



The site or particular location for the apiary should be selected with care, as it will 

 have much to do with the degree of success possible in the particular venture. In healthy 

 colonies provided with plenty of stores the amount of early brood rearing depends mainly 

 on the temperature which the bees can easily maintain within the hive. Successful 

 wintering also depends on this same factor. It is, therefore, important to select well- 

 sheltered apiary locations. A natural or artificial windbreak of evergreen trees or 

 shrubbery on the north and west sides, if possible, should be provided. If such is not at 

 hand, a slatted or lathe windbreak fence about six feet high may be constructed. It will 

 pay for itseK in the stronger colonies and larger honey yields resulting from such 

 protection. 



Dense shade is a great disadvantage to bees in New England, since it tends to keep the 

 hives too cool for the maximum rearing of brood in the spring and fall. Taking every- 

 thing into consideration, the best position is afforded by open sunlight with no shade. 

 On very hot days shade may be provided by temporary shade boards. 



OPENING HIVES AND HANDLING BEES 



If one is a beginner with bees, I suggest that he should take proper insurance against 

 being badly stung during the first days of ownership. A few bee stings are not serious, 

 stiU they are temporarily painful, to say the least. But, worse than all this, to be badly 

 stung at the start is almost sure to causfe one to be nervous and hmried in the operations 

 about the hives, to fall down in one's plan and to make incomplete and faulty observa- 

 tions. 



The following suggestions will help avoid this painful experience: 



1. Use only Italian bees. Not only are they gentlest, but they are the most satisfac- 

 tory kind of bees in many ways. If one has black bees, dequeen each colony in late 

 July or August after the main honey flow and introduce an Italian queen. 



2. Wear veil and gloves. One may soon discard the gloves as experience and confi- 

 dence are gained, but the veil will always be in order. 



3. Have smoker lighted and going well. Dry burlap or punky dry wood are both 

 , good material to burn in the smoker. 



Before starting work on a colony, blow a few puffs of smoke in at the entrance and 

 wait a minute or two for the bees to feel the effect of it and quiet down. Then pry off 

 the cover gently and blow a Uttle smoke over the tops of the frames. Do not hold the 

 smoker close to the bees, as the smoke is hot and may injure them. Avoid using more 

 smoke than is absolutely necessary. 



4. If possible, avoid opening hives in cold, wet weather. Bees are usually more gentle 

 during the warmer part of the day and when the sun is shining directly on the hives. 

 There are several reasons for this: first, large numbers of the workers are away in the 

 fields; second, those at home are busy within the hive; third, the bee glue, or propolis, 



■ with which they seal together all hive parts, is soft and will permit the hive to be opened 

 and the frames lifted out without the cracking and jarring incident to breaking the 

 hardened bee glue in cold weather. All jarring of the hive tends to excite the bees and 

 promote viciousness. 



It should also be borne in mind that almost any colony will be more or less vicious 

 when there is a dearth of nectar during the flying season. Colonies which have lost 

 their queen usually show more fighting spirit than at any other times, and extreme vi- 

 ciousness in a colony usually gentle should lead one to suspect that they may be without 

 a queen. The regular hive tool, a chisel or a screw driver should be used in opening hives 

 and starting frames. One should learn to use the customary method of handhng frames. 



