Bee-keeping in Victoria. 



21 



three hi\es, and as experience is gained by practice, and knowledge by 

 reading, gradually increase the number of colonies. A book of reference, 

 such as A. I. Root's A. B. C. of Bee-cidture, will greatly assist in master- 

 ing the principles of bee-keeping, and will supply solutions to nearly all 

 the problems which usually present themselves to the novice. Any 

 opportunity to visit an apiary, or to personally consult an apiarist of some 

 standing, should be made good u.se of whenever it occurs. 



Everybody handling bees requires two 

 things to start with, namely, a bee-veil, and a 

 smoker. A veil will cost about is. 6d., a 

 smoker 4s. to 7s., according to size, and whe- 

 ther tin or brass. There are I wo kinds — one 

 straight, the other with a bent nozzle. I 

 strongly recommend the latter (Fig. i), be- 

 cause any kind of fuel may be used in it 

 without risk of glowing embers dropping from 

 it when directing smoke downwards. Dry 

 decayed wood or bark is better smoker fuel 

 than bagging, rags, or fresh wood, the former 

 giving a cooler smoke and less tar in the 

 smoker. 



There are several ways of making a start 

 in a small way: — (i) Full colonies; (z^i 

 Swarms; (3) Box-hives; (4) Nuclei. With 

 which of these to start will depend upon the 

 amount of money it is proposed to expend at 

 once, and whether bees are obtainable in one form or another. 



Fig. 1. 



I. — Full Colonies of Bees. 



Hives with finished combs and brood, and sufficient bees tO' cover all 

 the combs, may be obtained from supply dealers advertising in the Mel- 

 bourne weekly papers, at prices ranging from 30s. per stock for Black or 

 Hybrid bees, to 45s. for Italians, with tested queen. Bees in frame-hives 

 can often be purchased direct from owners ; but for a beginner this involves 

 some risk of getting disease or hives with poor combs to start with. It is 

 usually the neglected hives which are for sale. 



2. — Swarms. 

 Where starting with natural swarms, and new hives, all danger of 

 introducing disease is avoided. Swarms are obtainable from the end of Sep- 

 tember to the end of December, at los. to 15s. each, according to weight, 

 2s. 6d. per lb. being the price usually charged by dealers, or thev mav 

 be advertised for and bought direct from bee-keepers having a surplus. 

 With swarms there is little danger of disease being conveyed, even though 

 the bees come from a diseased hive. When obtained from a distance the 

 boxes in which they are sent should be about the size of a kerosene case, 

 with wire screen covering an opening of one-third of the surface on two 

 opposite sides. The hives and frames should be bought beforehand, 

 and be ready. When the swarms arrive they should be placed in a cool 

 and well-aired spot till towards evening, when a cloth or bag is spread 

 out in front of the hive entrance upon which the swarm is dumped out of 

 the transit box. As a rule the bees will quickly run into the hive ; if they 



