May 9, 1849. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
387 
HE 
USEFUL HINTS TO BEE-KEEPERS. 
PUSHING FORWARD. 
As no one can tell what the future weather is to be nothing 
should be neglected that is likely to bring every colony to its full 
strength. Where stocks have full stores nothing further is needed 
than keeping a narrow doorway and ample covering over the hive. 
But it must be remembered that the time is now nearly expired 
that we calculated bees would be gathering honey and be able to 
support themselves, but the weather has been against that, and 
with the rapid increase of young bees stores will soon be exhausted. 
Do not wait till that occurs. Bees breed, particularly at this season, 
in accordance with what stores are in the hive, so give all stocks 
likely to be short from 4 to G lbs. of sugar. This will insure 
constant breeding without relaxation, provided the hives are of 
sufficient size; neither will there be any waste or loss of eggs, as 
is sure to be the case when too small hives are employed. If we 
knew what the weather would be in J une and July, or in the south 
during May and June, advice would be easy, but not possessing 
that knowledge can only advise under what may be. 
Bee-keepers must therefore manage according to the best of 
their knowledge, and what the weather promises to be after all 
hives are in full strength. If the weather is unpromising, super and 
prevent swarming as much as possible, no more than will give the 
proper number of young queens for next season. If the weather 
is likely to be fine at the beginning of the honey season swarming 
may be encouraged, as bees never gather more than in the shape 
of first swarms, either singly or joined. If the first chance on the 
Clover is lost do not encourage swarming, but prevent it if possible, 
as strong hives only can increase in weight in the rear of the 
harvest. 
SELECTING QUEENS. 
It is now time to be arranging what queens are most suitable to 
be kept as stock. In a sheltered locality the Ligurian does well, 
but where it is exposed and cold the Carniolian is to be preferred, 
and is an all-round, good, and reliable bee. The best of all, how¬ 
ever, are the crossed Cyprians, but these are not so docile as 
Carniolians. When the 1 family are timid and afraid of stings the 
Carniolians are useful, and will not sting even when provoked. 
Moreover, they preserve the purity of their combs more than some 
varieties do, and in isolated places can with a little care be kept 
pure. 
PREVENTING SWARMING. 
Deposing the old and introducing a young but fez-tile queen is 
the best and only means of preventing swarming, and while that is 
being done excess of drone comb should be excised, and where the 
bees are to be removed to the Heather surplus honey, as was 
previously advised, should be removed. 
RAPIDLY FILLED SUPERS. 
It is an old custom of mine, especially in unfavourable seasons, 
to hive the swarms in the supers, and allow them to settle in them a 
few hours before placing them on the hive. To prevent the queen 
laying in them I always provided the hive with empty comb, so as 
to entice the queen down. Carniolians are much given to remain 
in the place where they first settled, and work well under this 
plan, but if the supers are filled the bees must be fed after they 
are removed. 
THE WEATHER. 
Until the 3rd of May the weather was bleak and windy. The 
first day of the month brought a change to a little higher tempera¬ 
ture, but accompanied with heavy hail showers. The second was 
more genial and bright, evidently the temperature rising to 60° for 
the first time this year, but it lasted a very short time. The atmo¬ 
sphere is highly charged with electricity, bees are inactive, and 
BEE-KEEPER 
5? srr- 
many of those that venture out are chilled to death. It is singular 
that bees can venture out and fly with perfect safety at a tempera¬ 
ture of 50°, or even less, during the months of January and 
February, yet are chilled to death outside and cool in the hive at a 
higher temperature from April and onwards. People appear to 
suffer similarly. I have repeatedly witnessed bees gather more 
pollen in January than they have done this year yet. 
From loss of queens and the depopulation of hives through cold 
weather there will be a scarcity of bees in some quarters this year. 
Happily every place is not suffering frozn the bleak weather. 
From several places on the borders I learn that not only are the 
bees strong, but they are working well, the result of having the 
hives well found in stores in the autumn and not touched since. 
It is entirely owmg to the present season that bees are in a back¬ 
ward state, unless that of the deposition of queens, which is the 
effect of last season, preventing young queens being fitted as. 
mothers. Nearly all hardy bulbous flowers have had a paucity of 
blooms. 
MY APIARY. 
At the present time my apiary is quite satisfactory, but the 
Gooseberries are in full bloom. About ten days later than usual, 
should the weather continue unfavourable, feeding will in most 
cases have to be resorted to, as it is the most critical time for bees- 
going back, and if so all hopes of profit may be abandoned. 
CARNIOLIANS. 
I have often noticed and mentioned the quiescent state of 
Carniolians. I have never observed it more marked than it has been 
with them this season, often not one venturing out on days that 
others fly and get lost. One of my best hives has not flown on- 
more than six days this year, and I am looking forward to it as 
being equal to my best crossed Cyprian, as it is teeming with young 
bees, the result, too, of plenty of honey, pollen, and a young 
queen. It has neither been fed nor manipulated in any way, and it 
would have been sheer madness on my part to have attempted it. 
If lessons are to be learned from bad seasons, surely that of 
“ spreading the brood ” will have convinced its practisers and its 
advocates that it is not only unnecessary but very injurious, and 
the same applies to other manipulations in spring, and two small 
hives must be included in the same category. 
GENERAL REMARKS. 
It may be safely said that hives are from three to four weeks 
later than in the average of years, at least they are hereabouts, but 
if the weather improves it may be early enough for the honey 
season. Attention, however, must be directed to their welfare, and 
feed them regulai-ly, but not excessively should they fail to get the 
fruit blossoms. Pea meal must not be omitted either. While the 
backward weather continues entrances should be kept narrow. This 
applies to both stocks and swarms. 
DEPOSING QUEENS. 
In unfavourable weather, when stocks become ci-owded, royal 
cells are brought forward, and if the swarm is prevented issuing 
through stress of weather the queen regnant is sure to be deposed, 
which places the whole stock or swarms which may subsequently 
issue in jeopardy. To prevent any catastrophe crowded hives 
should be examined, and if queen cells are present an artificial 
swarm should be made, either by bees alone or with part of the 
combs, always contracting the portion containing queen cells, and 
making up the one with queen with foundation. 
SUPERS. 
Do not put supers on too early, neither let it be too late. The 
former cools the hive and tends to back it, while the latter pro¬ 
vokes a swarm to issue. The proper time is when the hive is 
crowded and honey plentiful, known by the activity and hum of 
the bees. FUTURE PROSPECTS. 
It is difficult to know accurately what we will either do or 
advise, the unpleasant weather baffles us completely. But should 
