1 Srpr., 1899.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 293 
as they will those over the hives that cannot hold more tham ten or eleven 
frames. Next to securing a crowded brood nest, we must have warmth main- 
tained in the super as it arises from below. Over the super place quilts and 
chaff cushions; in fact, too much woollen covering cannot well be given to the 
supers first given, because they are put upon the hives just when we are liable 
to have changes of temperature and cold nights. 
As an inducement to the bees to enter 
super any partly-combed sections left from the previous year, and in the frame 
super use combs that are kept solely for extracting purposes. Here we find a 
contrast ; for while bees take to foundation in the brood chamber most readily 
in preference to combs, in the super they enter and commence work upon 
combs rather than upon foundation. The reason for this is, no doubt, the tact 
that the very high temperature that is necded for the proper working of 
foundation into comb cannot be obtained and maintained early in the season, 
while the temperature is alternating between hot and cold, and while cool, if 
not cold, nights predominate. 
the supers, place in the sectional 
BEEKEEPING IN QUEENSLAND. 
By F. W. SMITH, 
Lemon Grove Apiary. 
Beekerervine is one of the most interesting industries which 1 
attention of man. 
Jn America, beekeeping is being carried on very extensively, both for 
pleasure and for profit. 
It is due to the researches made by the late Rey. L. [,. Langstroth, of 
Philadelphia, U.S.A., that beekeeping has been brought to its present state of 
efficiency, and the beehive used by him has been accepted as the standard bee- 
hive all over the world, where beekeeping is carried on according to the 
scientific principles connected with it. 
J will now say a few words about the methods adopted by the Queensland 
beekeepers. 
Avery large proportion of the bees in Queensland i 
boxes, generally gin or kerosene cases. When the owner feels inclined to have 
some of Nature’s sweet, he turns the box, bees, and honey upside down ; then he 
cuts the honey out in the best way that he can. Jf the person is careful the 
insects do not suffer so much, but still the bees’ brood-nest is spoilt, and it takes 
some time before they recover from the shock. Tn some cases, the bees abscond. 
The above method 1 strongly condemn, considering the numerous appliances 
there are to assist man to manage bees more successfully. 
But this primitive plan is fast being replaced by the more up-to-date 
method, as practised by few beekeepers in Queensland at present. The beehive 
most commonly used is the 10-framed dovetailed Langstroth hive. In America 
and most other places, the Langstroth hive is used with the flat cover, but after 
using the ventilated gable cover, patented by A. J. Root, of America, I find 
that it is the best cover to use in this climate. This cover keeps the inside of 
the hive at an even temperature throughout the hot summer months. ‘The bees 
enter the supers and top stories better, and are not hunted down to the bottom 
of the hive, as is the case when the flat covers are used. The gable cover also 
prevents the sagging of combs in the frames (a serious trouble to contend with), 
and sheds the water better than the flat cover. 
The management of bees in the 10-frame Langstroth hive is greatly assisted 
by using the following articles :—Honey-extractor, uncapping can and knife, 
comb foundation for the frames, foundation fasteners, wire for 
imbedderg, bee-smokers, bee-veilx, &c. 
igages the 
s kept in common 
the frames, wire 
