A SURVEY OF BEEKEEPING IN NORTH CAROLINA. 3 
Knowledge of improved methods of beekeeping has not reached the 
majority of those owning bees. In case reports of good profits from 
bees elsewhere have been received, these have been so far above the 
amounts that are being secured by the old methods that the reports 
have met with little credence. In very few instances have efforts been 
made to secure like results. 
RACES OF BEES. 
Almost all the bees in the State are German (black) hybrids, prac- 
tically none being found without some trace, however slight, of 
Italian blood. Numerous efforts have been made to improve the 
stock by introducing pure Italian queens, but, with few exceptions, 
this has produced bees which so vigorously resent disturbance that 
such attempts at improvement have been discouraged. Since the 
color of the bees in every case has been light yellow, it is quite likely 
that there has been some Cyprian blood in the stock secured. A few 
apiaries are stocked with Italians and an effort is being made to keep 
them pure — a rather difficult task, however, because of the presence of 
so many wild hybrid colonies. 
One beekeeper had used a few colonies of Carniolan bees, but has 
discontinued beekeeping and no data are obtainable regarding their 
comparative value in North Carolina. 
SHADE. 
Shade for the hives, either natural or artificial, is considered by 
almost all beekeepers in North Carolina to be necessary to avoid 
melting of the combs in the summer. It would be unnecessary, how- 
ever, were it not for the fact that the entrance in the log or plank 
" gum " consists merely of a few V-shaped notches or a small slot, 
entirely inadequate for proper ventilation of the hive in hot weather, 
This conclusion is supported by cases in the central and eastern parts 
of the State, where beekeepers have provided large entrances and 
have raised the hive from the bottom board to allow abundant bottom 
ventilation and have dispensed with shade without harmful results. 
The western part of North Carolina is mountainous and cooler in 
summer, making extra ventilation less important. 
ARRANGEMENT OF HIVES. 
In the western part of the State it is the custom to place the log 
or plank " gum " on long benches or on a flat rock, which rests on 
four stakes driven into the ground. In the eastern part, as rocks 
are not obtainable, benches only are used. If space will permit, 
the placing of hives in a single row close together is practiced. 
Perhaps 100 "gums" will be found in one row. Aside from using 
