34 



expense. The cells may be protected by removing them from the 

 comb or placing a cage around the cell made of wire cloth. 



PREPARING FOB THE HARVEST. 



Success in securing a large crop of honey really depends upon the 

 result obtained in wintering. So it might be stated the proper time 

 to prepare for a bountiful harvest is in the autumn immediately pre- 

 ceding, after the crop for that year has been removed. 



In order to have strong colonies in the spring there must be an 

 abundance of stores and a large number of young bees going into 

 winter quarters. Bees do not hibernate in the winter as often sup- 

 posed and consequently their eariy flights are not evidences of awak- 

 ening from a period of inactivity. Brood rearing may begin as early 

 as the latter part of January or forepart of February. With the 

 rise in temperature and opening of the earliest spring flowers, bees 

 begin to get a small amount of nectar and pollen. As the weather 

 becomes warmer flowers increase in number and the bees begin to 

 build up a strong colony. As a usual occurrence in most sections of 

 West Virginia the main honey flow begins with a rush with some of 

 the principal honey producing plants coming in bloom soon after 

 cold weather. Under such conditions the bees are not prepared to 

 obtain a maximum crop. In localities where the beekeeper is so sit- 

 uated it is necessary to feed a little warm syrup made of equal 

 parts of granulated sugar and water about five weeks before the 

 plants producing nectar begin blooming. Since feeding requires cer- 

 tain manipulations which are detrimental it is often discouraged. 

 Much of this can be overcome by placing an empty shallow super 

 without frames or sections over the brood chamber. It is well to 

 separate the brood chamber and super by the use of an escape- board 

 with the escape removed. This operation should be done on a warm 

 day so as not to chill the bees. Place a small pan containing pieces 

 of cork or clean chips in the super. Surround this with pieces of 

 discarded clothing or burlap to break up air currents, being careful, 

 however, to allow sufficient room for the bees to reach the pan without 

 being hindered. Bore a hole in the cover directly over the pan just 

 large enough to admit a small funnel. Fit the hole with a cork. 

 When it is desired to add syrup remove the cork, insert the funnel, 

 and pour the syrup directly into the pan. A few apiarists have fol- 

 lowed this plan with success. There are several cautions to be observ- 

 ed, the chief of which is not to feed any syrup which has been burnt 

 in the slightest degree. Another, is not to feed syrup any warmer 

 than blood heat, and only in the evening so the bees will not fly and 

 stimulate robbing. In connection with this plan it is advisable to 

 have a supply of rye flour or some other substitute for pollen. The 

 secret of success in producing a maximum crop is having a large force 

 of field bees at the beginning of the honey flow and keeping all 

 colonies strong. 



