and its Economic Management. i6i 



CHAPTER XXIII. 



MANAGEMENT FOR HEATHER 

 HONEY. 



HITHERTO no work has given special treatment for the 

 production of heather honey ; and yet it is a subject of 

 the first importance to hundreds of bee-keepers, nearly all of 

 whom wish for some better method than they now possess for 

 making the most of this late harvest. 



Late in the season bees must be close to, or in the midst of 

 the crop they are to gather from, and in the case of heather large 

 quantities of honey can be, and often are secured, but in nearly 

 every case the stock combs receive, and are totally blocked up 

 with what the apiarist desires to get stored in the sections. 



Heather honey being so thick, it is quite impossible to extract 

 it unless removed as fast as gathered, and this is not desirable. 

 It is natural for bees to crowd the stock combs late in the season 

 as many find to their cost ; but why is it so ? It is not that the 

 nights are cooler, as frequently the temperature at night is much 

 higher in August than during May, when bees work well in the 

 supers. It is not even that the bees are aware that the season is 

 drawing to a close, as many consider ; but if we would go to the 

 very starting point of the trouble, we shall find that 



The whole question centres upon the Queen, 



as every bee-keeper may prove for himself, and as he will admit 

 as he follows my statements. 



G 



