272 TENNESSEE AGRICULTURE 



generally found on the average farm in this section, yet I find time 

 to give my bees all the necessary attention and that with very little 

 conflict as a rule. Many farmers have ideal locations for bees and 

 could with very little trouble have one of the most delightful and 

 healthful sweets for his own table, and with a little more attention and 

 care could handle colonies enough to materially help out financially. 

 Enough time is generally wasted around the village store, postoffice 

 or blacksmith shop to attend to a number of colonies. 



One of the greatest objections that the farmer has against bee- 

 keeping is that he cannot afford to waste any time "fussing"' with 

 swarms. He would be willing to keep bees if he could place a few 

 colonies in his orchard without having the everlasting swarming. This 

 difficulty has been largely overcome by the use of hives made for 



Home Apiary of Porter Ward. 



the production of extracted or bulk comb hr.ncy and b\' gi\ing room 

 and ventilation to the colonies at the proper time. 



Preparation for his crop can be made on rainy days in the winter 

 time. Supers need cleaning, extracting combs overhauled, frames 

 prepared for the production of bulk comb honey. Supplies for the 

 coming season ought to be ordered and thev can be put together at 

 odd times during the winter. Hives need to be prepared to care for 

 swarms, for you will have some swarming in spite of everything that 

 can be done. Supers can be hauled to outyards and stacked up ready 

 to be put on for the hoped-for harvest. 



The above is a general outline of the work that I do each winter 

 As some you know, I practice general farming, and to make a suc- 

 cess of beekeeping and farming I have to utilize everv spare moment 

 and of course I have no time to spend loafing around the village post- 

 office or store. I find practically no conflict, the combination forking 



