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THIS WORE IS DESIGNED TO MEET THE WANTS OF THE PRACnOAL BEE-KEEPER IN CANADA, BT 6IVINQ THE NEGESSABT INFORMATION FOR THE BANAGEMENT OF BEES IN THIS CLIMATE IN MOVE- ABLE COMB HIVES. 'Ml THIRD EDITION, REVISED AND CORRECTED. TORONTO : GLOBE STEAM FRIKTINO COMPANY, 26 AND 28 EINC fJTREET EAST. 1867. fJ-O-^^r^^^-^ !■: ,1 ,1 JTO21 1955 -iiir-"--'- '"--'-•■ '''•■-~*'"V'rtiiiiiliiiiiri PREFACE. As there is an interest being awakened in Canada in that very pleasing department of rural economy, bee-keeping, I take plea- sure in offering to the public this lii;tile work, as a kind of intro- duction to a laj^r work to follow hereafter, as soon as the results of certfun experiments now going on shall be fully known. As other works on bee-keeping have been written by men liv- ing in a different climate from ours, it camiot be expected that they are in all respects adapted to this country. I have, therefore, en- deavoured, in this work, to meet the wants of practical bee-keep- ers in Canadc, by setting forth an easy method of managing bees in moveable-comb hives. I have also endeavoured to divest bee- keeping of a great amount of ignorance and superstition by which it has been enshrouded in all ages. Though the work is small, I have sought to touch upon all im- portant points m a manner, I trust, to make them sufBiciently plain to be easUy understood. If those just commencing bee-keeping will but follow the sim- ple rules and advice I have given, they may be sure of some de- gree of success ; while the more experienced apiarian will be led to acknowledge that improvement is the order cf the day. I furthermore ask an impartial ''rial of my hive, a full descrip- tion of which I have given in this work ; believing, as I do, that while its extensive sale may prove somewhat remunerative to my- self, its extensive use will prove even more so to those who pur- chase. J. H. THOMAS. Bbookun, C. W. INDEX PAGE. Apiaxy, Location of 24 Articles convenient for 25 Artificial Swarming 84 Swarms, how to make 85 " whentomake '. 85 Articles for the apiary, price of 69 April management 48 Angust management 50 Bees, Description of ', 9 Of what a colony consists 10 — — The Government of 10 Number of journeys in a day 12 General management of 24 How to approach 25 How to operate with a swarm 26 Preparation of hive for 25 Leaving for the "Woods .'..... 28 Seldom leave without clustering 28 To prevent leaving after hiving : 28 How to put together 80 To manage when they cluster together 29 Why do they refuse to swarm 81 How to drive 82 How to transfer 82 Time when to Transfer 83 How to manage in my hive 83 How to get out of honey-box 88 Will it pay to feed? 42 How to feed in the spring in my hive 43 " " fall " 43 - — " " winter " 43 Bobbing of. 44 How to prevent robbing 45 Best meftod of wintering 45 House for wintering, how made 46 Management for spring and summer 47 " March 47 " April 48 I* iilMii iiiiii INDEX. V. PAGE. ... 24 .... 25 .... 34 .... 35 .... 35 .... 69 .... 48 .... 60 .... 9 .... 10 .... 10 .... 12 24 25 26 25 28 28 28 30 29 31 32 82 83 33 38 42 43 43 43 44 45 45 46 47 47 48 it i< PAGE. Bees, Mauagemeut for May 48 " Juno 48 July 49 August ♦ 60 Fall and winter 60 September 60 October 61 Ifovember 61 December 61 January 62 February 62 Italian 61 Gomiiion to Italia lize 63 Overstocking 67 Moving or transp«^ 67 Bee-hat, Price of. 69 Bee-protector, Price of 60 Bee-gloves ** 60 Bee-Keeping, Profits of 64 Beepastur^e 66 Bee's wax, How to make 67 Bee feed " " 68 Bee bread 22 Bee glue 23 Bee comb 23 Comb frames, How to takeout 83 '• Pfice of ...s 69 Comb or wax 23 Combs, Benewing of 32 Cells 23 Queen 15 Drones, Description of 11 When appear 11 Reproduction 11 How produced from unimpregnated eggs 14 Time required to develop 14 Why so many required 14 Destroyed by workers 14 But few go with first swann 19 Should they be destroyed? 44 How to destroy 44 Drone-laying Queen, How to tell , 37 •* worker 38 Comb, How to cut out 44 December management 61 Feeding bees. Will it pay? 42 '* in the spring 43 1* V Tt INDEX PAGE. Feeding Bees in thefall 43 •' '* winter 43 Feed for bees 68 Fumigator, Price of 60 February management 52 Hives 02 Moveable comb, by whom invented 53 Hive, What it should be 53 Cut of the single-boarded 65 '* double-boarded .. 68 Hives, Description and advantages of 65 Preparation of 26 Price of 59 Hiving, Best method 27 Another way 27 Honey-Bee, History of 9 Different qualities 22 Not made 22 Artificial 22 How to ascertain the amount in a hive 67 Candied to make as goodas new «^ 68 To prevent candying 68 Honey-boxes, How to put on my hive 88 How to take off my hive 88 ^ How to get bees out of. 88 ^Why not put on at the time of hiving.*...... 88 ' Price of 59 Honey-knife, Price of. 59 Italian bees, History of. 61 Superiority of ^ 62 Italianize common bees, How to 63 The whole apiary. How to 63 January management 52 June " 48 July ** 49 Moth or miller, Description of. 40 Miller nest, Description of 41 How to know when in the combs 41 How to cutout 41 Miller Gmbs, How to destroy 42 Miller, How to destroy 42 Management of bees in my hive 24 Mctxtmc Gauge, Price of ,..., 60 Mai*ch management 47 May management 48 November management 51 Opinions of the press 71 INDEX. Vll. PAGE. 43 43 68 60 52 02 53 53 55 58 55 26 59 27 ...... 27 9 22 22 22 67 68 68 88 88 38 88 59 69 61 ^ 62 63 63 52 48 49 40 41 41 41 42 42 24 60 47 48 61 71 PAGE. Octol)eT management ^ ^ 61 Piping of the Queens 19 Cause of 19 Time of not always the same 20 Quinby on time of. 20 PoUen 22 Propolis 23 Profits of bee-keeping 64 Pasturage for bees 66 Queen, J)escription of 10 Reproduction of 15 Produced from a worker egg 16 Time required to develope 15 Impregnation of 16 Commences to lay 17 Fertile, How known 17 Unfertile, How known '. 17 Retarded impregnation of. 17 Lays impreppiated and unimpregnated eggs 17 Goes witn first swarm 19 Piping of 19 How to find 86 How to give to a stock 86 Drone-laving, How to tell 87 Queen's attendants or train ...., 16 Young destroyed 21 Italian, Price of. W Queenless stock. How to know 87 Queen cells, Description of 15 Queen cell, How to give to a stock 87 Questions answered 38 Robbing of bees 4i Robbing, How to prevent 46 Robbers, your own or neighbour's, How to know 45 Swarming, Philosophy of 18 Natural 26 Artificial 84 ■ How to prevent 86 Swarm, first 18 "• Signs of 26 Second 19 Third 20 Two or more' issue together 20 Swarms issue and return 21 How lone may be expected _. 21 — r- Leaving Tor the woods ' 28 — Seldom leave without clusteriwr 28 Mi Viii. INDEX. PAGE. Swarms, How to prevent leaving after hiving ,.. 28 To prevent issuing together 28 How to manage when they cluster together 29 — — How to put together , '. 30 *' ** inthespring. 80 — — *• " inthesummer 30 " " inthefall... 31 How to return to parent stock 30 How to prevent going with one already hived 81 Time when to mtuce artificial 45 How to make artificial 35 Swarm of bees, Howto operate with 26 September management.... 50 Tmncn worth knowing .......'. 69 Ventilation 39 - — In summer with my hivo 89 Inwinterwith my hive 89' Workers, Description of 11 Reproduction of 12 Time required to develop 12 Attention paid to 13 Sex of 13 ^ Lay drone eggs 13 Worker eggs, How to cive a stock 87 Worker larvae, I'ood of.. 12 Wintering 1)669, Best method 45 House for , ,M.«*f.t* 46 ■ ' C. • »•«•••■• »*«a««*««ri«» THE CANADIAN BEE-KEEPERS' GUIDE ■•» QUEEN. WOBKEE. DBONB. CHAPTEE I. Ifhe Natural History and Description of the Honey Bee. Thb Honet Bee is said to have originated in Greece, though Hugh MlQer, in his " Testimony of the Bocks" claims that it has been in existence from the earliest dawn of creation. Be that as it may, it has spread over most of the habitable globe. For more than three thousand years it has attracted the attention of naturalists, moralists and divines, as well as the labouring man and enquiring minds of all classes. The Germans imported the bed from Italy, and copying their hive from Greece, have in some cases a thousand colomes to the s^are mile, and the government encourage their culture. It is said the honey bee came with the Puritan Fathers to the New World in 1670, and followed their descendants to Califomia in 1853, from whence come almost fabu- lous accounts of thefr prosperity. Every garden should be enlivened by their gentle hum. Every flower that decks this brown earth with its varied hues, and per- fumes the atmosphere with sweet fragrance, should be daily visited by the busy bee, for which its fountains of nectar burst forth, and its golden cup is filled. Thus every household may.be furnished with the delicious sweets of every blooming field and-f orest, which otherwise would run to waste. The improvements of latter davs 10 THE CANADIAN V have enabled man to appropriate to hiniBelf the abandonee of their stores, which otherwise would be gathered for naught, without resorting to the cruel practice of mi^ering whole colonies. The ever busy bee, that now no longer labours in vain, deserves our kindest attention and wannest thanks for the luxury it brings us ; and whoever may keep bees and devote a small portion of time to the study of their nature and habits, will not onl]^ be profited and amused, bu^ highly instructed, for even the wisest may learn a lesson of economy and industry from i Colony of Bees, which, in a perfect state, consists of three kmds. 1st The queen, or female — the mother of the whole family. 2nd. The drones, or males — *^The lazy fathers of &ie indwtriouf hive" 3rd. The workers, or neuters — the bone and sinew of the hive. A mediuni swarm (wntains about 15,000 bees, and weighs about 4 lbs. A good swarm contains about 25,000 bees, and weighs about 6 lbs. A large swarm contains about 30,000 bees, and weighs about 7 lbs. • Some colonies^ just before swarming, contain 40,000 and 60,000. The GOTernmeiit of Beeft Is not, as is generally supposed, a monarchy, for the queen has no more to do with the government than any other bee in the colony. Each bee instinctively fills its own sphere, without any discord arising in the family. If more power or authority is invested in one bee than another, it is in the workers, which destroy the drones, limit the power of the queen to increase her progeny, by filling up the brood cells with honey, and raise youn^ queens, guarding them against the attacks of the old q^een, imtil at last she leaves the colony with all that feel disposed to go with her, which is called swarming. DeserlptiOB of the l^iieeii. The queen is longer than either dr^e or worker, but not as large as the drone ; her body is longer than either of the others ; her abdomen is much longer, and tapers to a point ; her legs are longer than either drone or worker's, out have no cavities for carry- ing poUen; her wings are quite short, covering but two-thirds of ner length ; her back is darker than the worker's, but her r • bee-keepers' guide. 11 e abandance of their for nauffhty without 7hole colonies. The I vain, deserves our he luxury it brings i a small portion of », will not only be , for even the wisest rom ds. the whole family. nof ^ indiMtriouf I sinew of the hive. !s, and weighs about and weighs about , and weighs about Dntain 40,000 and [)r the queen has no r bee in the colony, ^thout any discord ority is invested in destroy the drones, progeny, by filling ^ queens, ffuarding il at last ahe leaves (Vlth her, which is vorker, but not as )her of the others ; soint; her legs are i> cavities for canr- ing but two-thiros worker's, but her ^ bslly 13 more of an orange colour ; her movements are quick and shy, when phe desires to conceal herself from man ; at other times majestic and stately. She has a stin^ much longer than the worker's, yet she is perfectly safe to take in the hand, for she seldom uses her sting, except in case of a deadly strife with a rival queen. She seldom helps herself to food ; the workers feed her every few minutes. Her purpose seems to be to propa- gate her species, and sometimes lead off in swarming. She generally lives to the age of four or five years, becomes worth- less, and dies. Description of the Drones. The drones, or male bees, are the largest of the stock ; they are thick and clumsy, and about twice the size of the workers ; their heads and trunks are covered with thick hair ; their wings are longer than the workers', extending the entire length of me body ; their trunks, or l»ll8, are shorter ,thftn the workers' ; they have no cavities on their legs for canjing jtollm; they have no sthigs, and aie never seen gatlMiu^ fooa iof any kind, iwnr even iV9t«r ; thev caor 4^iii t& -eat v^dsisjk oolj what is brondit ta fki^Bar woh is-no' smAll miittftity. Hi^ are» as mMk Ine |0M(v^'»6 ItKiy^faUms fifths^ ^tttdmtiri^whivtfliyis^ of the land in perfect indolence, coiakig^ out imt oaee a dnr ibr pleasure or pastime. Thongk-tbey aire ibe male bees, probably not one in a thousand performs «he duly assigned sndi, and be 4ies ijmaediately after eohabiling with the queen. WHen SIMM A9iMr« Thdy genemHy make their appearance about the fiist of May, earlier or later^taocoidling. to lihe dimste and seuon. The more abimdiiafctheAonejy the more drooes are to be found— ^imwun- hk$% «>onVoAe to itw;eojly of the wrorkeis. Qeneially, they only Ute fiQQm 1^0 to I owr moittb9i but if not destroyed by the workers, they; aiijght possibly live ei^t o? ten months. DMcrlptlwi of Ike Workers. The workers or neuters )re the smallest bees in the colony, Ci^ shaped more like the queen than the drone, and well propor- tioned. Tliey have four wipgs and six legs; their abdomen is composed of six sealy ziosB, something Uke fiah scales; they have oavitieBon their legs for canying poUenov bee bread ; they have a honey-bag or stomach for the purpose of canying, lioney or ai^ sweet wnic^ they may gather, that holds about a 1^ THE CANADIAN drop. Their eyes are located in the iipjjer part of the Iiciid, and do not turn in their sockets, hut are stationary. "Vv hen they view an object they are obliged to face it. They are armed v/ith a fearful weapon, a sting, which nature has kindly furnished them for their preservation. But I do not believe it was intended to be used against man, and bees, properly treated, are not very likely to sting wilfully. Their purpose is to gather honey, pollen, propoliSf or bee glue, bring water, construct the cells, repair damages, nuroO the brood and rear the queens. In fact, they are the bone and sinew of the hive. During the honey harvest no time runs to waste, knowing that their days for labour are few, especially in most parts of Canada, and all northern latitudes. When the mn. is up, every one that can be spared is on the wing, traversing field and forest in search of every flower that yields the sweet morsel, until the c^ay is spent They generally live from six to eight months. ' Number of Journeys in a Bay. A single colony in Germany has been known to make 215,040 journeys in a day, laying in store 28 lbs. of honey, and 0|ie in the Unitea States, owned by Mr. Wilcox, of West Bloomfield, N. Y., made 153,600 journeys m a dav, laying in store 20 lbs. of honey. Truly they are the "busy bee." Reproduction of the Worker. Every month in the year worker brood maybe found in a strons colony, the least being found in the month of December, and ue most in the montiis of June and July. Workers are pro- duced from impregnated eggs laid by the queen or mother bee. Time Beauired to DoTelop a Worker. The time required to produce or develop a worker bee from the egg is about twenty days from the day of laying. In about thiee^ys the egg is hatched ; it then remains about nve days in the larvoi or grub state. During this time it receives the unre- mitting care and attention of the workers, being nursed and fed all it will eat Food of tlie Worker Iar?». The food consists of honey, pollen or bee bread, and water, and is compounded by the nurses of the larBos. After about five days the larvtB stops eating, its food is then cut off and the ceU is sealed . over. It at once commences to spin around itself a thin silky substance called a cocoon, which takes about thirty-six hours ; in bee-keepers' guide. 13 i three days more it is chaiiijed to a nymjjJi or pupa ; remains about six days in the nymph sta^e, in which it gradually undergoes so great a change as not to wear a vestige of its previous form. On the twentieth day it comes forth a perfect bee. The silken cocoon is left behind, forming a closely attached lining to the cell in wldch ii was spun. Attention paid to Toung Workers. It has been supposed that great attention is paid to tli3 young \vorl'«rs, that the older bees or nurses lick them all over, feeding them and coaxing them ^^it to work. Such, however, is a mis- take. There is no attention paid to them whatever. Even when emerging from their cells, they are often run against by the workers in such a manner as to almost dislocate their necks. They are forced to draw back, out of danger, and when they have finally made their escape from the cells, mey are forced to seek their own food and provide for themselves, as not a friend has a morsel to offer ; eve . upon the same day they enter upon the duties of life. The bees sometimes seen upon the lighting-board around which are gathered several bees apparently lickmg them all over, and whidi some have taken for young bees, are robber beeSy and inst "^i of being kindly treated, they are held prisoners, and by the con- tinual biting, instead of licmng, which they receive, are forced to deliver up whatever honey they may have, and then are either set at liberty or unmercifully despatched. Sex of Workers. Workers are sometim<3s called neuters, that is, neither male nor female; but they are properly undeveloped females, which are in- capable of becoming imprefliated; and their ovariesy or egg-bags, ore 80 im^rfectly developed that, under ordinary circumstances, thejr are incapible of breeding; retaining, however, eo much of the instinct of females as to become the nurses of the brood, which they tend with the greatest care. Workers lay Drone Egg;s. In some cases, however, worker bees become so far developed, by receiving a portion of royal jelly, as to be able to lay drone eggs, which are eggs unimpregnated; for as workers cannot be- come impregnated, it follows that any eggs which they may lay are imimpregnated eggs, and all such eggs are found to produce drones only. It sometimes happens, when a colony has lost ita- (Xueen and cannot produce another, that drone-laying workers are 2 14 THE CANADIAN 5\' allowed to take her place; but as they can never lay anjrthing but drone eggs, they are worse than useless. Doubtless such laying workers are nursed in cells near the queen cell, which may account for their obtaining a portion of the royal jelly. Beprodactlon of the Drones. As it has already been remarked, drones, or male oees, are pro- duced from unimpregnated eggs, which, if the season is favourable, the queen con^mences to lay about the first of May. How ^Produced from rnimpregnated Eggs. The question is ojften asked, how can an unimpregnated egs produce a drone? While it may be difl&cult to tell now, yet such IS a fact long since established. However, I conclude that aU un- impregnated e^ laid by the queen bee have, from the previous impregnation dfthe egg from which she spruDg, sufficient vitality to produce the drone, which is a less highly organized insect than the queen or worker. Time Bef|«lred to Beyelop a Drone. A drone is cenerally developed in about twenty-four days, counting from tue day Ibe egg is laid. The gentlenwii liaeees three days in thd ^gg ; six and a half as a grub, or {ai*M^ 'to.d is perfected about the twenty-fSotirdi ddy.- - 'U ^ .' . Wby are so many Drones Required? The question is often asked, why are so many drones produced, if only one has coition with each queen ? The r^ascn is tiiis : The queen is alwayv impregnated on the wing, and in otd^ to in- sure her impregnation; it is necessary that many drones should be on the wing when she takes her bridal tour, in order th^ she may be sure to meet with one. When the weather is fiiyoixrable, drones leave the hiye in search for queens from 12 to 4 Vel^k each day. Drones Destroyed by Workers. After all swarming is over, and the honey harvest begins to fail, the drones are destroyed by the workers. At first an e£fort is made to drive them from the hive, and especially frimi those portions of comb which contain honey, lliii continues for several days ; but the drones are not so easily to be dispoted of. clustering together in large numbers, as if for mutual sympetthy er lay anything but ubtless such laying which may account r male oees, are pro- leason is favourable, May. ted Eggs, unimpregnated egg 0 tell now, yet sucn onclude that all iin- from the previous g, suflftcient vitality rganized insect than Drone. p twenty-four days, e gentlenuui |Mieses ub, or laim^^d is Bired? ly drones produced, The reason is this : , and in ot^^ tota- ls drones should be in order th^uhe ither is £iVourable, rom 12 to 4 o^el^k in. (T harvest begins to At first an effort ecially from those :^ <^ntinues for to be dispoted of. mutual sympatthy BEE-KEEPERS' GUIDE. 15 They bear their persecution nobly. But the workers, becoming more Jn earnest, drag them from the hive, cut their wings, and I>ush them off the lighting-board, till at last the work of destruc- tion commenees ixt good earnest, and the workers immercifully dei^tch them with their stings. In Canada, the general massa- cre takes place in August, though a scarcity of honey may bring it on sooner, or an abundance may put it off till later. Beproduction of tbe t(neen. Generally about twenty days after drone eggs are laid, queen cells are commenced by the worker bees (&om two to twenty are started, v^nd sometimes even more), and the rearing of queens commences. Prodaced flrom a Worker Egg. Hot royalty has nothing to do with producing herself a rival. She simply lays worker eggs, which, any time before they are hatched, which is within three days from the time they are laid, can be changed to royalty by the worker bees. There is no dif- ference between the egg that produces a worker, or imperfect fe- male bee, and the egg that produces a queen, which is a perfect female bee. The dSterence between the two bees is entirely the result of the treatment which the larva receives and the size of the cell in which it is nursed. The food of the worker larva is com- pounded of bee-bread, honey and water, and the cell is small, lying in a horizontal position ; while the food of the royal larva is a creamy-like substance or jelly, different in taste, bemg more pun^^ent How it is prepared is still a question, but by some quality it possesses it~ changes the nature of the ^rva. from a worker to a queen bee, by developing the organs of reproduction, which, in the worker, remain undeveloped. Qaeen Cell. The queen cell is also much larger than that of the worker, being in size and shape like a pea-nut. It hangs vertical in the combs, which causes the queen to be developed with her head downwards, and allows the organs of reproduction to be fully. developed. The queen cell is sometimes built around the egg, and at other times the egg is carried by the workers and placed in the c^U. Time Beqaired to Develop a (taeen. A (ji^ueen is developed from an egg in about sixteen days, reckomuff from the day the egg is laid. Her royalty passes 16 THE CANADIAN three days in the egg, five days a grub or larvaf durini^ which time the workers deposit so much food in the cell that line larva fairly floats in the jelly-like mass. The cell is then closed by the workers, and the larva commences to spin its cocoon, which occu- pies one day. ITie tenth, eleventh, and part of the twelfth, it re- mains in complete repose ; then the transformation takes place, in which four or five days are passed, and, generally, on the six- teenth day, the perfect state of the queen is attained. When she first emerges from the cell she seeks her own food like any other bee, and no very particular attention is paid to her imtil after her impregnation ; but as soon as "that has taken place she is con- stantly attend^l by the worker bees. Tbe (tncen's Attendants, or Train. Are not certain bees detached from among the workers for this special purpose, as is stated by some writers, but wherever the queen moves among the crowd those bees nearest to her at once become her attendants, and feed her every two or tliree minutes. Im);;regnatlon of tbe Queen. The queen makes her bridal tour in from two to ten days after issuing from the cell. In rare cases it may be longer. Generally, however, witliin five days she may be confidently looked for to issue from the hive, between the hours of 12 and 3 o'clock p. m., ,when the drones are flying most abundantly. As before remarked, impregnation takes place on the wing. The celebrated Huber, in 1788, instituted a course ot experiment? on the subject of the queen's impregnation, the result of which led him to the conclu- sion that it took place on the wing, high in the air. Though it has generally been conceded by German apiarians since Huber's time that such was the case, yet, with all their endeavours, they never had the privilege of witnessing the act of coition between the queen and drone ; that seems to Iiave been reserved for our cousms across the water.^ It was first witnessed in June, 1859, by the Rev. Mr. Millette, of Whitemarsh, Pa.; and on the 8tn of July, 1861, by Wm. W. Carey, of Coleraine, Mass., and R. , B. Otis, of Kenosha, Wifconsin, at Mr. Carey's apiaiy. Ft)r particulars, see American Bee Journal^ for 1861. As soon as the queen meets with a drone she returns to the hive, to leave it no more until she goes off with a swarm. She may not, however, meet with a drone the first time she goes out ; if not, after having been on the wing for a short tmie, she re- tiuns to tlie hive, where she remains a little while, and tlier i ': BEE-KEEPERS' GUIDE 17 larva, during which e cell that tine larva is then closed by the i cocoon, which occu- ; of the twelfth, it re- )rmation takes place, jnerally, on the six- ittained. When she . food like anv other to her until ailer her ken place she is con- Traill. J the workers for this rs, but wherever the Barest to her at once ivo or tliree minutes. two to ten days after 3 longer. Generally, fidcntly looked for to 2 and 3 o'clock p. m.. As before remarked, celebrated Huber, in a the subject of the d him to the conclu- tho air. ITioughit arians since Huber's dr endeavours, tibey of coition between in reserved for our essed in June, 1859, *a.; and on the 8th Eiine, Mass., and R. irey's apiary. For 1861. As soon as ;o the hive, to leave m. She may not, 3 she ^oes out ; if short tmie, she re- le wliile, and tlier makes another tour. This she continues to do every day imtil she becomes impregnated. (taeen Commences to lay. From two to five days after impregnation she commences ta lav, which seems to be the sole purpose of her existence; and if. she meets with the drone within twenty-nine days from the time* she issues from the cell, she will be a fertile queen, laying both worker and drone eggs. A Fertile ltu<^eii— How Told. " A fertile queen lays her eggs in regular order, commencing at a point and distributing them m circles, each surrounding the first, and on both sides exactly alike. Sealed worker brood should present a regular smooth surface." — Bee Culture, pp. 162, 163. An Unfertile (^neen— How Told. An unfertile queen is one that lays drone eggs, and mav be known by an irregular brood. A number of raised oval cells in worker combs shows the presence of drone brood, and indicates a drone-laying queen ; one that is old and approaching barren- ness or a case of Retarded Impregnation. If the (j^ueen, by some misfortune, does not become impreg- nated withm the firat twenty-one days of her existence, she never makes anything more than a drone-laying queen. Here we see the wisdom of the Creator in the provision of so many drones. The chances for the queen to be destroyed are many — ^the time for her impregnation short — hence the necessity of her meeting with a drone as soon as possible, and which she might never do if only a few existed. But bein^ once impregnated, it is for life. She remains fertile for three, and frequently four years, after which she will lay, principally, drone eggs. It is better then to destroy her and give to the beds a young, fertile queen, or they will pro- duce another, if they have any worker eggs unhatched, which can easily be seen in a moveable-comb hive. A Fertile (^neen lays both Impregnated and Tnimpregna- ted Eggs. This may appear strange; it is nevertheless true. The im- pregnating, or seminal fluid, received by the queen from the 2 18 THE CANADIAN drone, is contained in a small sac called the sperm reservoir, or spermatheca, which communicates with the oviduct through which the eggs pass to be deposited in the cells. Therefore, when the eggs leave the ovaries, or egg-hags, they are unimpregnated, but in passing through the ovuMct all eggs that produce workers or queens are brought in contact with the mouth of the sac contain- ing the seminal fluid, and receive a portion of it, which impreg- nates them ; while the egg that produces a drone -pasaes through the oviduct without commg in contact with the seminal fluid. Whether the queen has the power to bring the egg in contact with the mouth of the sac at will, or whether it is brought there by the body being compressed when laying in a worker cell, is a ques- tion yet unsettled. My own opinion is that she has the power, and instinctively closes the mouth of the sac when laying in drone cells ; for she may often be seen laying first in a drone cell and then in a worker cell alternately, and yet seldom, if ever, makes a mistake, the egg laid in a drone cell producing a drone, and that in a worker cell a worker. > < ^♦» » < CHAPTER II. Philosophy of hwarmtng— Honey— Pollen or Bee-Bread— Propolis or Bee-Glue— Wax or Bee-Comb. Though bees have been kept for ages in the past, yet at the present dav probably there is not more than one out of ten of those who keep bees but what is ignorant of the nature of swarm- ing. I shall, therefore, in this chapter endeavour to show briefly why stocks throw off swarms, and speak of the general character- istics of swarming. First Swarm. When a hive becomes full of comb, honey, bee-bread and brood, the queen has no longer sufficient room to deposit all her eggs, and the workers require more room to store their noney; pre- paration is therefore mode for swarming. This is done by the workers, who instinctively commence the rearing of young qu6eii8. For, be it remembered, if young queens are not reared no swarm- ing will take place, though they may be ever so much crowded for room. Hence it is not altogether true that bees swarm for want of room. No stock will ever cast a swarm unless the queen will leave, and she will never leave unless rival c|ueens are beins: reared. BEE-KEEPERS' GUIDE. at the sperm reservoir, or oviduct through which Therefore, when the imimpregnated, but at produce workers or ith of the sac contain- of it, which impreg- clrone passes througli ith the seminal fluid, he egg in contact with is brought there by the worker cell, is a ques- lat she has the power, 1 when laying in drone 3t in a drone cell and jldom, if ever, makes ►reducing a drone, and len or Bee-Bread— ' Bee-Comb. n the past, yet at the han one out of ten of ■ the nature of swarm- avourto show briefly the general character- oney, bee-bread and om to deposit all her bore their noney; pre- This is done by the ring of young queens, lot reared no swarm- er so much crowded bees swarm for want mless the queen will sens are beinsj reared. The Old (taeen goes with the first Swarm. The queen finding the breeding cells all occupied and the rear- ! ing of young queens commenced, becomes much agitated. Day ' by day she becomes more restless, and not being able to destroy the young queens, which are now well guarded by the workers, she runs rapidly over the combs ; sometimes stopping upon the side of a comb and dropping her eggs among the workers, who ' greedily devour them. The workers also partake of the excite- ment, a few at first, the nnmlxu* gradually increasing, running rapidly over the combs, striking their attenee at each other. As soon as one or more of the queon cells are capped over, the excited bees, as if by pre-concert, rush to the honey-cells and fill them- selves with their precious stores. After each bee has partaken to the full, wind and weather pennitting, they rush from the hive in a perfect cloud, as if the halls of pandemonium had been let loose among them^ the old queen always going with them, some- times leading out the swarm. Bnt few Drones go with the first Swarm. But few drones go with the first swarm, as the old queen is already impregnated for life, hence they are not required. In- stinctively they remain with the parent hive, where the young queens are being reared. Second Swarm* When the first stvaim is cast, the parent hive is left without a queen, but several are fast being developed. As before remarked, one or more of the queen-cells are generally sealed over before tiie oil queen leaves; in eight days the oldest of the young queens emerges from the cell; the next day, a second swarm may be ex- pected, if all is favourable; that is, if the stock intends to cast a second swarm. Piping of the Queens. Generally, at evening, on the day before the second swarm issues, may be heard what is called the piping of the queens, which is a " cry of war." Suppose a first swarm issued on Saturday, a week from the next d!ay, at evening, if you j)ut your ear close to the hive, the piping may generally be heard. Cause of Piping. As before remarked, piping is a cry of wai*; as soon as the first lueen emerges from the cell, she seeks the cells containing her 20 THE CANADIAN H sister queens ; but if the workers intend to swarm, a guaitl has already been placed around them. Finding she cannot reach them, she commences piping, and is generally answered by the next older queen yet in the cell, but ready to emerge in a day or two. The q^ueen, nnding that she cannot destroy her rival, and perhaps dfeadmg a battle, like her mother before ner, determines to leave, and accordingly, the next day after piping, issues with a second swarm. Time not Always the Same. I \ndh to be understood that when I speak of the time or day when anything will take place, it is in a ceneral sense, as wind and weather, as well as other things, cause tne time to vary. Qnlnby on the Time of Piping. Says Quinby : *' I never failed to hear it previous to a second swarm, whenever I listened. The time of commencing will be later than this rule in some stocks; if the weather is tmfiEtvourablc or not many bees left, it may be ten or twelve days Rafter the first swarm) ; I once found it fourteen before I heud it Also, the swarm ma^y not issue in two or three days after it is heard." Such are exceptions to the general rule. Third Swarm. The same scene is again enacted in case of a third or more swarms. The time, however, that intervenes between the second and third swaims is much shorter, generally not exceeding three or four day^s. Piping for third swarms may usually be heard the evening alter the second has left. Two or more Swarms Issue Together. Sometimes the second, third, and even fourth swarms, may all issue at the some time and cluster together, each having a queen, which accounts for what inexperienced bee-keepers suppose to be one swarm, with two or three queens. The truth is, there are just as many swarms as there are queens, all issuing at or near the some time, and is accounted for in this way : the first queen that emerges from the cell after the first swarm is cast, and which should have constituted, the queen of a second swarm, is prevented by bad weather or some other cause from issuing with her swarm imtil a second or even a third queen has emerged from their cells ; each queen being guarded by a distinct ana separate cluster of bees, imtil a favourite opportunity offers, when all issue tooftthftr. bee-keepers' guide. SI ) swarm, a guanl has i forming what is often called "one swarm with two or three I queens, whereas under favourable circumstances, each queen and cluster woidd have issued separately, forming distinct swarms, I tlioiigh often quite smalt. Swarms Issue and Betnrn. It sometimes happens that a swarm will issue and cluster, re- I main for a short time, and then return to the hive from which they issued. In such a case, the queen did not issue or was lost. Some- times a wing is defective, and not being able to fly well, she falls to the ground; sometimes she remains behind, and in the confu- sion of swarming, gains access to the queen-cells and destroys the young queens. In that case, if it was a first swarm, they would not issue again for eight or ten days, if at all. How long may Swarms be Expected? Swarms may be expected for eighteen or twenty days after the last first swarm (called by some top-swarm) has issued. After that time it is useless to expect any more swarms. In certain cases, however, the buckwheat or fall honey harvest may cause a verv strong stock to cast a swarm. Such, however, should be looked upon as a first swarm; for a stock casting a swarm in the fall, under such circiunstances, is found to be in the same i^ jndition that it was when it cast a firot swarm in the spring. The amateur in bee-keeping, understanding the rule given above, will not feel uneasy about his bees, every time they hang out or play " mock swarming," by rushing out of the hive in great confusion after the time above-mentioned has expired. Destruction of Toung Queens. When the worker-bees decide to swarm no more, all queens are destroyed. This is generally done by the first queen that emerges from the cell alter the last swarm has issued, and generally while her sister queens are still in the cells. The workers having de- cided not to swarm, the guards or clustei-s around the different cells disperse, leaving the young queens exposed to the mercy of the queen already emerged. She is not long in perceiving this, and rushing to the cells, makes an opening in the side, and stings her much dreaded rivals to death, the workers standing quietly by, beholding the deed of death without ever attempting to prevent it ; after vhich they drag out the dead queens and return to their labour. Let it be remembered that all queen-cells that are found open at the side have had their inmates destroyed, while all that 22 THE CANADIAN are found open at the end — uncapped — are cells from which a perfect queen has emerged. Honey. Honey is a sweet juice secreted in the nectaries of flowers. Some secrete more, some less; but there is one peculiarity of all, their golden cups may be exhausted t(>4aji to-morrow they are * replenished. Hoice, when the season is lavourable, the supply cannot easily be exhausted. llifferent l^nalltles. /^ Honey is of different qualities. Soxr^ lands are veiy unplea- sant, others very unwholesome, being aj^exed from poiaoiious flowers. The most delicious are gatherecL ^m the sugar-maple, linden, or bass-wood firuit trees, and efipedaQy j&om dover and Canada thistles. Buckwheat yields a Itoge supply, but it is quite unpleasant. Honey not Made. Many have supposed that honey was made by the bees out of that substance which they gather, ^uch, heweyer, is not the case. That whidi they gather from the nectaries of flowers is honejr; for all honey is a vegetable product, each kind partaking of the nature of tbiat &oin which it is gathered, and unoeigoing no par- ticular change in fjie honey-bag of the bee. Hence it is not diMcult to tell £N>m what several k^ids axe gatheied by the taste; among which are those gathered &om the bass-wood, buckwheat, asparagus, clover, and Canada thistle. Each kind is also kept distinct and separate by the bees, never being mixed to any great extent. Artificial Honey Of a superior quality may be made thus : — ^White sugar 2 lbs. ; strained honey, 1 lb.; water, one pint Put in a tin, brass, or enammeled kettle, and bring to a ooiling heat and skim. When «ool it is fit for use. Pollen, or Bee-Bread, Is the vivifying dust of flowers, and gathered by the workers in little pellets in the cavities or baskets on their legs. It is depos- ited in the cells by the bee that gathers it, and packed by other worker bees until the cell is two-thirds full, when it is generally covered by honey, probably to keep it moist. It is of different colours. Mixed ^ is the bringin taste th earlier good St dish w] Is the 1 by the pellet, likepc the 6a gumo: thekii thatgt other) where Is am Durin betW6( secret! at th< mann< andai or tall one c pouHc comb, withi besei going justs bee-keepers' guide. cells from which a ectaiies of flowers. e peculiarity of all, to-morrow they are urable, the supply ^ are veij implea- ded frompoiBonous >m the sugaomaple, Jly fiK>m clover and pply, but it is quite by the bees out of \eveXf is not the case. I flowers is honey^; id partaking of the unoeigoin^ no par- i. Hence it is not ttheredbv the taste; »-woody buckwheat, li kind is also kept mixed to any great White sugar 2 lbs. ; in a tin, brass, or t and skim. "Wnen d by the workers in r legs. It is depos- id packed by other nrhen it is generally ;. It is of different colours, varying according to that from which it is gathered. Mixed with noney and water it becomes the food of the larvce. It is the first thing gathered in the spring. I observed my bees bringing it in to-day (April 6th) for the first time. I judge by the taste that it is gathered from the soft-maple. It is being gathered earlier than usual this season in this section of the country. A good substitute is oatmeal, rye, or buckwheat flour, placed in a dish where the bees can get it early in the spring. Propolis, or Bee-Glne, Is the resin or gimi that exudes from different trees, and is gathered by the workers like pollen, in the cavities on their legs. The pellet, as it appears on their legs, is generally round, and not oval, uke pollen. It is gathered from the pine, the balsam, the cedar, the &dm of Gilead, or from any other tree or shrub from which gam or resin exudes. By catching a bee and taking oft thepellet, me khid it is gathering may bo known by the taste. Tne bee that gathers it does not ap|>iy it, but runs through the crowd, and other bees take it off from its legs with their mouths, and apply it where it is needed, and many times where it is not needed. WftXy or Be^Comk, Is a natural secretion of bees from honey or any liquid sweet. During the liifeasbh of comb-buHding it may be seen coming otit betWigi^ the irinigs of the abdomeii of the! worker bees, where it is secreted, in small white scales! Sbinetimes six scales may be seen at the ttitaie Htliiei on a sii^le hee. It is produced in a Sioiilar manner as fallow is produced, from the rood the creature ei^; and ai it takes il large amount of food to produce one ponbd of fat, or tallow, so it takes a, lai^e amomit of iiopet" or sweet to produce one of GOmb^ er WAx. It requires from ^een to twenfry^-five pounds of hctoey to produce one pound of comb. In building comb, tlM bees Scratch out the scales with their hind le^, and then with their mouths mould it to their liking. Scales of wax ma.y be seeti on the bottom board of any hive where comb-building is ^oing on. Bees fed on the darkest kinds of sugar wiil produce just as pure white comb as if fed on the purest honey. Cells of a Honey-Comb Are of different sizes. The worker cells are the smallest, and less than half an inch in length, and five to the inch each way, making twenty-five to the square inch on both sides of the comb. Drone cells are a little over half an inch in length, and four to the t> 'I 24 THE CANADIAN inch each way. Store cells are of different lengths and different sizes, adapted to the situation in which they are constructed. All cells, however, are used for storing honey, more or less, except queen cells, which are constructed over an inch in depth, and about the size of a pea-nut. After the queens are hatched, they are generally cut down to about one-third their natural length, and no use made of them. CHAPTER III. General Management. It is to be regretted that there is so much superstition con- nected wilh the management of bees — so much in almost every operation that is supertlous and uncalled for. The using of a \vhite cloth in hiving; the blowing of horns, rattlmg of bells, and throwing dirt to cause a swarm to cluster; the washing of hives with salt water, the examining of hives to see that no nail appears on the inside, are among the superfluities of bee-keeping — in the fullest sense of the word, useless ; and belong, with the notions that successful bee-keeping is " luck," that bees will not prosper where man and wife disagree, that bees will dwindle away and die if not informed of every death in the family, to the dark ages of superstition and folly. Equally so does the idea that bees may be charmed, that the experienced apiarian who at State or Provin- cial Fairs handles his bees as if they were flies, possesses any power to control them more than any man or woman may acquire by understanding their nature and habits. So long, however, as bee- keepers will continue to use the common or box hive, ajid n^lect to study their nature and habits, they must remain in comparative ignorance of the honey-bee, and of the proper method of managing them. Only by using moveable comb nives can the apiarian have perfect control of the busy bee, which is highly necessary in order to manage them properly. I shall, therefore, in this chapter pre- sent to the bee-keepers of Canada an easy method of managing bees by the use of my hive, wnich possesses all the advantages that can possibly be obtained in any moveable-comb hive. It is simple in construction, and far easier to operate with than any other hive ever offered to the public. (See opinions of the press), location of the Apiary. Bees properly managed will be well located. No man would think of settmghis stocks where they would be constantly exposed bee-keepers' guide. 25 If I 5 I to bleak winds, without some kind of protection. To select a good location, then, for the apiary is a part of good management. Stodks should always lace the South, as that allows them both the morning and evening sun. They should be j)rotected from North winds, and if single boarded hives are used, shaded from a noon- day sun. With my double boarded hive no protection from the sun is necessary. Articles ConTenient for an Apiary* An old table, or a cheap one made for the purpose, for hiving ; hiving dish, it may be a pan, pail or basket, of convenient size to hold a cluster of bees ; bee-protector or bee-hat, bee-gloves, a good wing, fumi^tor, or smoke-pipe, bee-sprinkler (a common water sprinkler -mil do),' honey-knife, old dry wood, tobacco or puff ball. I would not be understood to say that these things must be kept especially for the apiair, for they may be found, or a substitute, m almost every^ family. Those, however, who take pleasure in hav- ing eveiything in its proj^er time and place will, of course, recruire them. The expense is trifling, and with proper eare they will last a lifetime. (See price list of articles for the apiaxy.) Snoke: Its Bffeets. Smoke is quite neoesaaiy in managing beWf and should always be ready, especially in hot weather^ when oees. are irritable. Sweetened water is also good to quiet them, by spriidcling it upon them. Nothing, however, equals smoke for all purposes ; and it is the cheapest. I would not say they caimot be managed iriih- out smoke, for I often do so myself; but I consider it better to use it, as it gives the apiarian better control oi^r thein, and does them no injury. An^ kmd of smoke will answer. Made of old rotten wood or chips, m a shallow dish, and blown in amon^ the bees with the mouth, it will cause them to fill themselves with honey, and then they can be handled in anv maimer you please. Tobacco k more powerfal, and (^ed puff ball stiU more so, soon stupefying them. W ith my fumigator, or smoke pipe, and rotten wood, a swarm may be subdued in two minutes. How to Approach Bees. The apiarian should always approach his bees slowly, but fear- lessly. There should be no quick motions with the hands, no strikingat bees ; if they grow saucjr, never mind, stand boldly to the wom:, and awe them mto submission. If you cannot do this without, put on a bee-protector ; it is simple and of trifling expense ; 3 ■V I If ii 26 THE CANADIAN can be worn by either lady or gentleman, and with care will last] a lifetime. (See list of prices.) How to Operate with a Swarm of Bees. When anything of importance is to be attended to, such as removing comb-frames, artificial swarming, examining for a queen, &c., the stock to be operated upon shoiSd be removed from its stand, four or five rods, then all straggling bees, which are the most ready of all others to thrust in their stmg, will fly about the stand loolung for the hive, and not trouble you. Having removed the hive, treat the bees to a little smoke, rap on the mve a few times, wait a few minutes, and then commence operations, for a child may handle them now. Katiral Swarmioff. It is venr important in managing bees>to understand swarming in order to be prepared for every emergency. I would, therefore, refer the amateur to chapter II. ^^Pnilosophy of Swarming," which ahould be xead caiefolly. Before the swanning season arrives it is highly necessary that everything be in readiness, that there may be no nuiiy nor confosion when a swarm issues. In order to make fluch prepaiatioikB, it is necessary to know the TUm whei SwarmlBf may be Ixpected. In CaaadBy swanning may be looked for from the fifteenth of June until the fifteen^ of July, on any pleasant day, from 9 o'clock in the moniing until 4 o dock in the afternoon. In some localities, when the season is favourable, swarms may be expected any time after the first of Jun^ and in very rare cases, from strong stocks, swarms may issue uie last of May. Therefore, in order to be safe, all preparations should be completed by the first of June. Preyaratioi of HiTes tor Bees. Hives that have been used should be well cleaned and scalded ; all lumps of bee-glue and comb should be scraped off. If there is comb in the frames it should be well cleaned. If the frames are new, take a piece of bees-wax and rub two or three times along the sharp bottom edge of the top piece of each frame, but if the bees-wax is not convenient, never mind it, for I have never known the bees to build their combs crooked in my hive, when the bees- wax was not used. Examine all hives, see that the frames ai^e in their bearings all right ; then put on the honey-board, turn tlie with care will last of Bees. ttended to, such as mining for a queen, i removed from its >ees, which are the f, will fly about the . Having removed on themve a few 5e operations, for a iderstand swarming I would, therefore, hy of Swarming," e swanning season >e in readiness, that swarm issues. In T to know the xpeeted. rom the fifteenth of iasant day, from 9 ftemom. In some OS may l»e e^qpected ty tare cases, from [ay. Therefore, in apleted by the first les* eaned and scalded; >ed off. If there is If the frames are ' three times along h frame, but if the have never known ve, when the beeo- t the ixames aix) in jy-board, turn the BEE-KEEPEBS' GUIDE. 27 honey-boxes bottom side upwards, so that the oees cannot get into them, put on the covers, keep in a cool ^lace, and they are ready for use. As before remarkeo, washing with salt water, honey and water, &c., is superfluous — of no use 'whatever. SIsns of ft First Swftrm. There are no signs by which the apiarian can pre^ir the cer- tain issue of Okii/rst swarm, especially in a box-hive. When the hive is full and many bees hanc out, a swarm may be looked for, yet it may not come. Moveame comb hives may be examined, and if eggs are deposited in the queen-cells, a swarm may be expected within a week ; if the eggs are hatched, a swarm inay be expected within four or five days. HlTlnf-— How to Operate. As soon as the bees have clustered, bring out a table (a cheap one ma^ be made for the purpose), near to the cluster ; if you are superstitious, spread on a white cloth ; if not, leave it off, as it is of no use whatever ; place your hive on the table, and drop down the bottom board at the back of the hive ; now take a pan, oasket, or any dish large enough to hold the bees, and shake the bees into it, if they are dustered on a limb, but if on the fence, or on the body of a tree, take a wing and carefully brush them into the dish ; then turn them out on the table, dose to the hive, and they will soon enter. If any should cluster again, shake or brush them off as before ; soon all the bees that are flying will gathse up the bottom board (if they are not quite all in, no matter), ' remove your hive at once to the stand, and keep it shaded the remainder of the day. If the bees cluster high up, fasten your dish to a pole, and hold it up to the bees ; then with another pole, jar the limb suddenly, lower your dish and empty tbem down as before. If fearful of being stung, put on a bee-protector and gloves ; then there, is no danger, and you need be in no hurry. Always move steadily and quietly among I)ees. The whole time of hiving should not occupy over fifteen or tw 2nty minutes. The sooner the bees are removed to the stand the l^etter ; always remembering to keep them shaded. FoMow the above simple rules, and I guarantee you will not lose one swarm in fifty HiTlng Another Way. If you are present when a swarm issues, take a stick of convenient 11 i;.! LI 28 THE CANADIAN length, on one end of whicli is fastened a bnnch of cloth. Afkfloon as the bees conunence to cluster, with this fitick gently hrnsh them off, and hold the hunch of cloth at the same place, and they will cluster on it ; and may then be shaken off on the table as before. Mr. G. H. Bowerman, of Bloomfield, Prince Edward Co., has adopted this method, and is much pleased with it. Swarms leaiing for the Woods. If you perceive a swarm is leaving for the woods, leave the blowing of liorns, rattling of bells, throwing of dirt, &c, to the boys and girls, while you act the more sensible part by throwii^ off coat and vest and trying your speed with that of the bees. If they should not go a long cdstance, you -will be likely to discover their retreat. Swarms seldom leave without Glnstering. If there are any trees or bushes convenient to your apiaiy, ^which there should be), swarms will seldom leave witnout cluster- ing ; and if properly hived in a good clean hive, are almost certain to stay, unless some tree has been previously found in which there is old comb ; in that case, they are quite likely to leave unless prevented. A Swarm will Remain Clustered From one to six hpurs, according to circumstances. If the sun is shining hot upon them, they may not remain oyer an hour, but if shaded, they will often remam six hours, and even longer. When a swarm has clustered, where the sun is shining on it, if you are not ready to hive it, shade it and sprinkle it with w^ter. How to PreTent Swarms leaving After Hlting. In some cases swarms will repeatedly leave the hive and cluster, and at last go to the woods. In such a case, when the swarm has been hived the second time, or when from any cause you are in- clined to think that a swarm will not stay in the hive, set the gauge of my hives so that workers only can pass in and out. The queen not being able to escape, the bees wiLl stay with her. In a day or two the full entrance may be given them agaiuo To Prevent Swarms Issning Together. If there are indications that two or more swarms will come ofl together, or so near each other as to be likely to cluster together, which they frequently do, it may be prevented by sprinkling all bee-keeper's guide. 29 ! stocks but one "with cold water. Though, but few bees are to be seen about the hives, sprinkle them and the hives well ; it will keep them back for halt an hour, by which time the swarm that has issued will be disposed of, and you will be ready for another. How to Manage when Swarms Cluster Together. When two first swarms cluster together, it is better by all means to separate them ; for each swarm, when separated, will make nearly as much honey as both, if left together. There are several ways of managing when a case occurs. I will give the method wmch I consider the best. As in a case of liiving, bring: out a table ; in this operation, you will require a white cloth that you may the more easily see the queen, as the bees run over it. Spread the cloth on the table; turn over upon the table a common box-liive, or any other convenient box, raising one side an inch or more ; now shake down the bees out of your niving-dish upon the table, about two feet from the box, wing a £3W of them towards the entrance, they will soon commence to eaVtr ; keep a good look-out for the queens ; if possible, capture both of them. They will be seen quite easily as they run over the white cloth. If the queens are captured, as soon as the bees have all gone into the box, pro- ceed at once to place your hives on the table, side by side, with the bottom boards dropped down the same as for hiving; then, take a board six or eight inches wide and two or three feet long, set it up edgeways, one end between the hives running out in front ; now shake the bees out of the box, half ob. one side of the board and half on the other side. You can now equally divide the bees, by winging them from one side of the board to the other as you like. As they are running into the hives put the queens with them, and they are all right. But if only one queen was captured, she must be retained, ana the hives must be separated as soon as the bees have entered. You must now wait fifteen or twenty minutes, in order to ascertain which hive the other queen is in, which may be known by the bees appearing quiet and contented ; while from the other hive they will come out'and run around in great confusion, making a mournful noise and running over the ive as if seeking for something, and even starting off for the other hive, if it is near. As soon as this is seen, you can give them the queen, and remove the hives to their stands. If she is not captured tne fii^t time, the same operations must be repeated, and so keep doing until you succeed in capturing her. If second swarms cluster together, hive them together and let them remain so, as they will do better than if separated : one of the queens will be destroyed 3* 30 THE CANADIAN "by the other or crawl out of the hive. With a bee-protector and gloves, any person may perform the above operation without fear of being stung. . How to pat Swarms Tciether. There is not half the difficulty attending the putting of swarms together as is generally supposed. I have put swarms together all seasons of the year, except winter, and at all times of the day, frequently without smoking, sprinkling or. scenting, and not over one in twenty has fought to any extent. If strange cattle are put together, they will sometimes fight to each other's damage, and then again they will not fight at all. It is the same with bees. Yet I would recommend smokiagas a general thing, and sprinkling with sweetened water; scented with any kind of essence, at least would do no harm, as bees are more likely to unite peaceably when all of one scent. To Pat Swarqs Together in the Spring. Spring stocks that are queenless or reduced in numbers, may be put together any time before the^ have commenced to gather pollen or noney to any great extent, without smoking or sprinkling, by simply winging the bees off the combs of one stock on to the top of the friUQies of another stock. They will soon nm down among the combs aH right. If each stock has a queen, one should be taken away. To Pot Swarms Togetlier in tlie Sammer. Swarms that are cast the same day, although from different stocks, may be hived together, two or more, and they will be all right. Any swarms tnat have not been hived over thirty-six hours may be joined together, by setting one hive on the swarm- ing table in the same manner as for hiving, then shake the bees out of the other hive on the table, and let them run together. Capture the queen if convenient ; if not, no matter; she will either be destroyed or crawl out of the hive. To Betarn Swarms to the Parent Stock. When third and fourth swarms are to be returned to the parent stock, it should be examined, and all the queen-cells cut out except one; put the frames again in their place and set the stock on the swarming-table, drop the bottom board of my hive as in hiving, and shake out the bees you wish to return, on the table ; as soon as they have entered remove the stock again to its stand. There is no more smoke required in the above operations of joining bee-keepers' guide. 31 bee-protector and ition without fear r. mtting of swarms swarms together times of the day, ;ing, and not over age cattle are put damage, and then vith bees. Yet I d sprinkling with ce, at least would aceably when all pHng. in numbers, may tnenced to gather ing or sprinkling, le stock on to the soon nm down [ueen, one should imner. h from different they will be all I over thirty-six re on the swarm- a shake the bees m run together, p; she will either ItOGk. led to the parent Is cut out except the stock on the ive as in hiving, le table ; as soon ts stand. There tions of joining stocks than there would be at any other time of operating. (See how to operate with a swarm of bees.) To Put Swarms Together in the Fall. When late swarms are to be Joined together, or when a swarm that has lost a queen is to be given to another, proceed thus : — . Remove the stocks from their stands and smoke a little, then take the frames out of one hive, find the queen, and remove her, — if the ' other stock has one, then return the liames again and smoke both stocks well, or until the bees are stupid ; now put the bees of one stock on top of the frames of the other stock, no matter how, so long as you do it ; wing them on, shake them on, or any way to get them on ; as soon as they have got down amon^ the combs, put on the honey board and cover as before, anu mneteen times out of twenty they are all right. It should be done, however, between sun-set and dark, or just in time to get through before dark. Let no one attempt to operate with their bees alter dark, as they may be badly stung by bees running up under their clothes, which they will always do after dark. But a still better plan, which, will answer for all seasons of the year, may be done at any hour of the day, and will never fail, is to drive both swarms out of their hives into a box together, accordingto the directions given under the head " Bees — How to Drive." Then they may be returned into either of the hives from which they were cmven, or put into any other hive. If convenient, capture one of the queens when driving. To Prevent Swarms Ctolng in with One already Hi?ecl. It sometimes happens that a swarm issuing directly after one has been hived, will at once go into the same hive and take up their abode with them. This may always be prevented by throw- ing over such hive a sheet, or cloth of some kind, at the time when other swarms are likely to issue. Why do Bees Beftase to Swarm ? It would take too much space to enumerate all the causes why bees do not swarm ; and since the introduction of moveable comb hives, it makes no difference whether they choose to swarm or not. The apiarian has control of that matter, and can double his stock, or more if he desires it, by artificial swarming, (which see.) A scarcity of honey ; sudden changes in the weather ; a defective queen which cannot leave the liive ; stocks becoming reduced iii tlie winter, are some of the causes why bees do not swami. Old dark comb filled up with bee-bread, and which has become imfit for breeding in, the cells having become so small that nearly as tl ^H' 32 THE CANADIAN many bees die as are reared, is frequently a cause in old stocks, which may be easily remedied in moveable-comb-hives, by Senewing of the Combs. Old and worthless combs maybe easily renewed, withmyhive^ by taking out a frame or two in the t^pring, and putting in empty frames in which the bees will build new comb ; then others may be removed, and so continue to do until all the combs arc renewed. How to SriTO B«f s. It is often necessary to drive bees from old box hives, and by many it is thought to be a difftcult task. Such, however, is not the case : almost tmy person can do it without difficulty. When it is desirable to drive a colonly, take a dish of smoking chips, or my fumi»)tor, and go to the stock you wish to drive, — blow a little smoke in at the entrance, give a few raps on the hive ; the bees, thinking they are to be ejected (and thev think right this time,) rush to the cells and fill themselves with noney. Now take up the hive and carry it five or six rods from the stand ; blow imder it some more smoke, and then turn it over bottom side up- wards ; now take another old hive or box of convenient size, and turn it over on the hive ; if it fits, all lifjht ; if not, lay on some chipf^ shingles, weeds, or anything else that will stop the holes somewhat ; then with a stick rap on the hive; if the bees make their appearance at the holes or cracks, blow a little smoke on them ; conlmtie the rapping for twenty minutes or half an hour, at most^ ai^d the work is dona Kow liit o£P the box carefully, and set where you please, or do what you like with the be-^s, the same as if they were a swaim just issued. It is always well to put some old box on the stand where the hive stood, while you are operat- ing, as a decov hive, aroimd which the bees will fly that come in from the field, and so keep them from going into other hives. Have no fears of getting stimg by those bees you are driving, but look out for those bees that hang around the decoy hive, or that are straggling about to find the disturber of tlieir domicile. • now to Transfer Bees trom Box to Moreable Comb IliTes. This is often desirable, and very necessary. Combs which are becoming imfit for breeding, if transferred^ can be renewed (see re- newing of combs^ ; but if the combs are crooked in a hive, do not attempt to transfer thorn. The bees, however, may be driven and jnit into tt new hive the same as a swarm ; but ii'the combs are feti-aight, proceed thiis : drive the bees according to diiections given under tliat head ; then take olf the side of the hive next to the BEE-KEEPERS' GUIDE. 33 R old stocks, es, by nthmyhirey ing in empty L others may tie renewed. ives, and by «rever, is not dty. When :ing chips, or ive, — ^blow a ;he hive ; the ik right this . Now take stand; blow tom side up- Bnt size, and lay on some op the holes i bees make le smoke on f an hour, at irefully, and ;')3, the same to put some II are operat- that come in other liives. driving, but hive, or that licile. omb IliTes. L)s which are jwed (see re- hive, do not ) driven and e combs are ctions given nest to the aide of the comb ; cut out the comb, lay it on a table or wide boaxd, then take a frame and lay on it, mark out the size of the frame, if the card of comb is large enough, if not, mark out a piece to fit as well as you can ; fasten it in with pins put through the sides of the frame, let them run into the comb far enough to hold it in its place until the bees fasten it, which they will genendlydo in twenty-four hours, after which the pins may be removed. The good brood comb should always be put in the centre of the hive, and all store comb on the outside ; the holes through the side pieces of the frame, for the pins, may be made with a small bit or gimlet. Spare pieces of comb filled with honey may be put in the honey box. Time when to Transfer. It is generally considered that eighteen or twenty days after a first swarm has issued is the best time to transfer, for at that time there is little or no brood in the cells. On tha£ account it is. better; but in this northern lattitude, and especially in sections of the country where buckwheat is not gro^vn, where there is no fall honey harvest, it is too late imleLs there is an abundance of honey in the hive, so that sufi&cient for winter can be give;a them, for they are very apt to do but little except repair their comb, commencing at once to consume the supply on hand ; but if there is sufficient honey they may be transferred much later, giving them all the honey by putting it in the honey box and placmg it oii the hive — they will soon carry it below. In order to oe safe, however, where no fall honey harvest abounds, it would be better to transfer aboUt swarming season; then, if the stock is strong, it may be divided and made into two good swarms, giving one the qtieen, and the otJier cards of comb on which are queen cells, which may generally be found about this time. Great care should be taken not to in- jure the brood. How to Manage Bees in my HiTe. The management of bees in my hive will, in part, apply to all moveable conu> hives ; but as my hive has several advantages over other moveable comb-hives, I will give the plan of operating for all general purposes. For the "preparation of the hive" and manner of " nivmg," see directions under their respective heads. How to Take Out Comb Frames. Take off the cover, then at the back side of the hive pry up the honey board a little, and blow in smoke imtil the bees nm down Si THE CANADIAN I into the combs. Be sure and not disturb the honey box, but let it remain on the honey board ; if bees are in it, no matter. As soon as the bees have nearly all run off from the non^ board, lift it off carefully -with the honey box on it, and lay it down so as not to kill the bees, if any are still on the under side of the honey board. Now turn down the reyolving bands, blowing a little smoke upon the bees occasionally to keep them down, or sprinkling with sweetened water. Now, stand close up to the side of the hive, and take hold of the ends of the third fhune from the side of the nive farthest from you, and raise it out of the bearings and move it towards you as far as you can, without hurting the bees, say one-eighth of an inch, and let it rest there. Then take hold of the second frame and move the same way as far as you can. You can now take hold of the first frame, the ouUide one, and remove it without crushing the bees. After having examined it for whatever -"ou may desire, you can hang it in a dox or empty hive, or set it uown and let it rest against tne side of the hive, or what is still better, is to put two pins of hardwood in the side of the hive, the right distance apart on which to hang the frame, and hang it on them. The other frames may then be ti^en out, ex- amined, and hung on the pins, or placed back again in their re- spective bearings, except the second and third frames, which leave in the same position as they were when you took out the first or outside one, until you have i>laced it back a^;ain; then place the second or third frames in their bearings again. If any bees are imder the ends of the frames, blow smoke upon them until they run into the hive ; then turn up the revolving bands, and you are ready to place on the honey board, which do by commencing at the back of the hive, and slide it on gently. Any bees that are on the bearings, or on the honey board, will be pushed off without killing them. Whenever the bees get in the way, blow a little smoke on them and they will soon leave. ^ . Artlfleial Swarming. Artificial swarming, successfully practised, has many advanta- ges over natu...J swarming. By artificial swarming the apiarian IS enabled to control his oees ; make many or a few swarms, just as he may desire ; prevent the issuing of second, third or fourth swarms ; keep, all stocks strong and in a healthy condition. Many times, when bees are allowed to swarm naturally, they refuse to do so altogether. AH such stocks may be forced or divided, and made into two or more swarms, when artificial swarming is prac- tised. There is no loss by swarms going to the woods, nor loss of time in watching the bees during the swarming season, for at the BEE-KEEPERS' GUIDE. 36 f box, but let matter. As ley- board, lift own 80 as not of the honey wing a little or sprinkling le side of the )m the side of bearings and rting the bees, ten take hold r as you can. ride one, and 'examined it box or empty f the hive, or in the side of le frame, and aken out, ex- n in their re- J, which leave it the first or lien place the f any bees are mi until they , and you are ^mmencing at bees that are d off without blow a little any advanta- the apiarian swarms, just ird or fourth Ltion. Many r refuse to do divided, and mingisprac- Is, nor loss of m, for at the proper time the apiarian can divide his stocks, and the work is finished. Time when to Make ArtiUclal Swarms. Any time after the drones appear, if ptocks are strong, will do, yet I consider it better to wait until about swarming season. How to Make Artificial Swarms. There are various ways of artificial swarming ; some practise one method, some another. I will, however, give that which I consider the most simple, and requiring the least trouble. When the time has arrived to make your swarms, take from the stock you wish to divide two frames, from or near the centre of the hive, and put them in the centre of vour new or empty hive, with all the bees that may adhere to them ; examine them and see if the aueen is on them ; if not, she must be found and put on them ; iien take out two other frnmes, and shake or wing off the bees into the new hive with those already put in, but return the frames to the hive from wnence you took them, and put in two emply frames in the place of those removed, insiMth a manner thata card of comb may be between them. Now lemove the
m the hive, give it a few raps, and they will soon leave. If removed in the fall, when the hone3r harvest is done, or nearly so, it is better to set your honey-boxes in a baTrel or box and cover it with a white cloth ; the bees will soon leave the honev-boxes and light upon the cloth, which m&y be removed and the bees shaken on. By this method the bees will be prevented from removing the honey to the hive, which they are very ready to do in the fall. Why Boxes should not be put on at the f ime of HlTlng. If bees are allowed to go into the honey-box at thb timo of hiving, they will commence there to build comb, and the queen being with them, they will build brood-comb and make it their i«i.: :. } bee-keepers' guide. 39 ill be known C5e of worker r. ig Worker will be irre- Is, and yet it leen is found, jr. Bemedy : e. ley-board has under a little the bees run -box. If the up as before, HlTCi y blow under lbs, then take This is much a number of ling, early, as « is but little ir a short dis- loonleaye. If , or nearly so, X and cover it ley-boxes and e bees shaken om removing do in the foil. ) of niTlng. at thb time of ind the queen make it their home, instead of the body of the hive, which would ruin the stocks. TentUation. There is much written and said about ventilation, some advo- cating an upward ventilation, or hives ventilated at the top, and some an imder ventilation, or hives ventilated at the bottom. Now the truth is, the advocates of both these systcns are partly right and partly wrong. An upward ventilation is quite correct for winter, in order to carry off the vapour that arises from the bees, and keeps the bees and comb dry, and prevents the collection of frost among the combs ; while during the summer, when stocks - are breeding, it is quite wrong ; for there are often cold nights and sudden changes, when a current of air passing upward through the combs would greatly retard the rearing of brood, while an under ventilation, that is, a current of air passing through under the combs would, in no way, affect the brood, and yet be sufficient * for the bees. YentUatlon In Summer with my III?e. When the bees are too warm and require more ventilation, there will be an unusual roaring in the hive, and a number of bees about the enti-ance, blowing with their wings ; the roaring in the hive is also caused by bees blowing inside. More ventilation may be given them with my hive in a moment's time, by simply turn- ing the buttons at the rear of the hive so that the bottom board may drop down half an inch. The bees that were blowing will at once go to work, and the roaring cease. It would be better to close it up again at dusk, to prevent millers going in. TentlUtlon In Winter with my HiTe. If wintered in a house, as recommended in this work, or dry cellar, or any other place where it will not freeze, the honey-hoard should be removed, and a piece of wire-cloth, stiff-net, or cheese- cloth, hdd over tibe frames in its stead ; or what is still better, make a narrow frame the size of the honey-board and tack on a piece of wire-cloth and keep it for winter use. The hive thus prepared, the cover being placed on as usual and the entrance closed, they will have a ventilation that cannot be surpassed for wintering in-doors where it cannot freeze. When stocks are to be winterod out of doors, proceed as follows : — Remove the honey- boaid and put on the wire-cloth or stiff-net the same as for win- tering in a house, then lay on as much clean straw, or hay, or 40 THE CANADIAN . what is better still, corn-cobs, as the cover of the hive will shut i over ; see that it shuts tight ; close the ventilation through the I*; bottom board, by covering the passage with a piece of tin or sheet-iron ; contract the entrance to half an inch, or close it entirely if you think best, and your bees are prepared and properly ventilated for wintering out of doors. ./ Description of tlie Bee-Motli or Miller. Among all the enemies of the honey-bee, there are none that require any consideration except the moth or miller. Let it be imderstood that the moth and the miller are one and the same thing, lying quiet and stupid-looking during the day, about the . apiary and around the hives, but as soon as the grey dusk of evening approaches they begin to sally forth, if possible, to enter the nive and deposit their eggs among the combs, where the heat of the bees soon develops them into what are called " grubs," " miller-grubs," " worms," " moth-worms," &c., all being the one and the same thing — the larvae or grub, developed from the egg of tlie moth or miller, after a similar manner that the honey-bee larv(e, worm or grub, is developed from the egg of the queen bee. The bee grub spins itself a cocoon in the cell, and finally comes out a winged insect — the honey-hee. So the miUer- grub spins itself a cocoon in some place of concealment, and iinally comes out a winged insect — the miller or moth. The bee-gmh is fed in the cells by the workers, but the miller-gtuh is obliged to lielp itself, which it does as soon as it is hatched, its principal food being wax and comb, on which it feeds voraciously for about three weeks. It then spins its cocoon, from which it frequently comes out a miller in ten or twelve days ; sometimes, however, remain- ing for months, and even aU winter, without being transformed ; much depending, as to the time of transformation, upon the de- gree of heat to which they are subjected. If the miller cannot deposit her eggs on the combs in the hive, she will deposit them in a crack or any other place where they wiU get sufficient heat to hatch them ; the grubs then crawl in and commence to feed on the combs, and, if not disturbed, they will sometimes grow to an enormous size before spinning their cocoons ; at other times they spin their cocoons when quite small. In a strong stock they sel- dom do much damage, bemg caught b^y some worker bee by the nape of the neck, and very unceremomously ejected. A mo advantage the stock the heat < emerging mQnces tc again in t which at : size as n millers pi sometime How If an removing wormnea without ] my hive, ments of wiUbese ted; also together, out the n of comm( of the be( the swan obviated. Drop above, se the comb on them nest bare any grub move the heads of called " fi And in w nest as tl it desires .?■«(»,'( ndll shut ough the of tia or > close it properly are none r. Let it the same about the . y dusk of >s3ible, to lbs, where are called , all being oped from p that the egg of the c cell, and ;he miller- inent, and le hee-gnih obliged to ncipalfood ibout three ntly comes 3r, remain- msformed ; on the de- ller cannot posit them ent heat to to feed on grow to an times they ik they eel- bee by the bee-keepers' guide. Bescriptlon of a Moth or Miller Nest. 41 A moth or miller nest is formed by the grubs getting the advantage of the bees, and spinning their cocoons in the combs ; the stock being weak, they are.not cuslodged; the consequence is, the heat of the bees soon transforms the grab into a miller, which, emerging from the cocoon, is already in the combs and soon com- mences to lay her eggs, which soon hatch into other grubs, which a^»in in turn spin cocoons and emerge millers. Thus the nest, inuch at first was not larger than a wcunut, gradually increases in size as more eo^ are laid, more grubs are hatched, and more millers produced^ until it becomes as large as a ^uait bowl, and sometimes even larger, till at last the stock is entirely destroyed. How to know wben a Miller Nest Is in the Combs. If a miller's nest is in the combs, it may readily be seen by removing the frames and examining the combs. It resembles a worm nest, like those seen on apple trees. It may also be knpwn without removing the frames, by dropping the bottom boanl of my hive. If a nest is formed m the combs, the faeces or excre- ments of the grubs, resembling coarse powder or ground coffee, will be seen on the bottom board, directly imder where it is loca- ted; also chippings of the comb and immature bees, often webbed together, which the bees have dislodged in their endeavours to cut out the nest. These signs may also oe seen on the bottom boards of common hives by turning up the hive ; but having no control of the bees and comb, the difficulty is to remove the nest and save the swarm ; but in moveable comb hives this difficulty is entirely obviated. How to Destroy or Cat Ont a Miller Nest. Drop the bottom board of my hive, and by the signs given above, see in which card of comb the nest is located, then remove the comb from the hive, wing off the bees, or blow a puff of smoke on them and they ■will nm to other parts of the comb, leaving the nest bare; then with a sharp knife cut out the nest; search out any grubs that may have run out into the combs to eat, and re- move them, for they run out in every direction, directly over the heads of the brood, spinning around themselves a silken case, called " a worm gallery," through which the bees cannot sting, and in wbich they can move backwards or forwards to or from the nest as they see fit, the head only protruding beyond the case when it desires to eat. Now, it will readily be seen that, by the use of 4* 42 THE CANADIAN moveable comb hives, this most destructive of all enemies of the honey-bee is easily disposed of. Ten minutes' time, a puff of smoke and a pocket-knife, will remove the nest and save a stock of bees. How to Destroy Miller Grabs. Every coming, or at least two or three times a week, drop down the bottom board of my hive and despatch all that can be foimd, for the bees frequently eject them from the combs, and they feU to the bottom board, where they may be easily destroyed, if attended to, before they crawl out of the hive and wind them- selves in tb sir cocoon for transformation. With a very little trouble a trap may be made, and nearly all of them caught. Take a strip of board about eleven inches long, five inches wide, and one-fourth of an inch thick, cat little grooves in it on one side, but not large enough to allow the bees to enter ; place this in the hive on the bottom board, with the grooves downwards ; the grubs seeing the grooves, will crawl in, it being a safe retreat from the bees, where they can spin their cocoons. Remove this two or three times a week, and destroy them. This should be attended to, or it will prove a damage, for every grub that is not destroyed will become a miller, and Jay thousands of eggs. How to Destroy the Miller or Motb. Always be on the look-out for them when about the apiary. Let none escape.- Remember, they are like the Irishman's flea — "when you put your finger on him he is not there." Many may be caught by mixing with water just enough molasses and vinegar to make it palatable, put into white dishes and set among the hives at night. In the morning some will be found drowned, and others too drunk to "paddle their own canoe." This may be used until dried up, adding a little water occasionally. Milt set out in dishes among the hives will also catch many of them. Let it be remembered, however, that the best remedy of all is, "keep strong stocks. * Feeding Bees. Will it Pay? Says Quinby : " Feeding bees in the spring is sometimes abso- lutely necessary ; but in ordinary seasons and circumstances, it is somewhat doubtful if it is the surest road to success, for the certainly far better not to put any stocks into winter quarters that will require deficient in tains enoug circumstanc the spring, i hive. Hq Remove of the com replacing tl may be fed piece of coi turn the fee sticks shouL into the feet for a strong Bees, in for the sp] homey, but i piece may I then remov be fed the s put to it, ai Bees tha winteretl in of feeding containing frames, and cheese-clotl manner as : cover of th pass off, an bees warm of doors, tl fed, say a c| This must always be 1 given unde monly call 1 BEE-KEEPERS GUIDE. 43 es of the puff of stock of eek, drop It can be mbs, and estroyed, nd them- e trouble ce a strip ne-fourtn not large ve on the leeing the es, where :e times a or it -will 1 become lie apiary, m's nea — lany may id vinegar mong me wned, and 3 may be Milk set lem. Let ill is, Iceep mes abso- tnces, it is 3, for the jlied with spring or rk. It is irters that will require feeding. If it is desirable to winter a stock that is deficient in honey, let be fed in September imtil the hive con- tains enough to carry them through the winter. Under some circumstances, it may be necessary to feed in the winter and in the spring, and when such is the case, it can be easdly done in my hive. How to Feed Bees in the Spring in my Hire. Remove the cover, and place a dish containing feed on the top of the^ comb frames in the passage through uie honey board, replacing the cover as before. At this season of the year they may be fed an;^ kind of sugar made into a syrup with water. A piece of comb is very convenient to put into the dish, and then turn the feed on to it. If comb cannot be had, some straws or sticks should be put into the dish, to prevent the bees from getting into the feed. Half a teacupful every morning will be siSicient for a strong stock. now to Feed Bees in the Fall. Bees, in the fall, may be fed after the same manner as directed for the spring. It is better, however, to feed white sugar Or homey, but common sugar ^vill do. If honey is fed in the comb, a piece may be laid in the dish until the honey is taken out, and then removed, and more put in. Liquid or strained honey should be fed the same as syrup. If candied honey is fed, water must be put to it, and then bring to a boil, skim and let it cool. How to Feed Bees in the Winter. Bees that are to be fed in the winter should by all means be wintered in some place where it cannot freeze ; then the manner of feeding will not vary much from ^ipring or summer. A dish containing the feed should be placed on the top of the comb frames, and constantly supplied with feed. A coarse linen cloth — cheese-cloth is best — should be spread over the whole in such a ] manner as not to prevent the bees reaching their feed, and the cover of the hive put on. The cloth will allow the vapour to pass off, and at the same time retain sufficient heat to keep the bees warm and allow them to reach their feed. If wintered out of doors, they mav be brought into a room where it is warm, and fed, say a quart of feed, and then removed to their stand again. This must be repeated every few days. Feed for winter should always be honey or white sugar, prepared according to directions given imder the head " Bee Feed,"»or a few pounds of candy, com- monly called " sugar sticks," may be laid on the frames, and ii '1 i ! 44 THE CANADIAN wintered in a proper place, they vnH. come up and eat whenever they require it Drones Should be Destrojed. As drones are of no use only to impr^nate the young queens, it is evident that any more than is apsomtely necessary for that purpose are worse tlian useless, as they every day consume a large amount of honey. One hive containing drones out of every twen^- five is quite sufficient; all others may l>e destroyed as soon as they appear, or prevented from appearing by cutting out drone comb. Wnen the swarming season is over the remainder may be destroyed. By this method not only a lai^ amount of honey is savei, but the bees are saved the tmie ana the trouble of killing them. How to Cat Oot Drone Comb. Bemove the frames from the hive, and with a sharp pocket- knife cut out all that portion of comb containing drone cells ; and if you have good brood comb to spare, you may fit in a piece in the place of that removed. It is best to cut a little into the worker comb, as the bees, in replacing the piece removed, wiU be more likely to build worker cells if they have worker cells to commence with. How to Destroy Drones. If the drones are allowed to develop, they mav be shut out of my hive and destroyed by closing up the bottom "board or setting the gauge so that they cannot get in. This should be done about two o'clock, p. m., when they are principally out of the hive. About sunset lai^e numbers will be clustered on the outside of the hive, and may be brushed off and destroyed — no matter how you do it, so that you make sure and quick work of it. This may appear cruel, but it is much less so than to allow the workers to slowly torture them to death. Bobbing of Bees. Spring and fall, or before the honey season commences, and after it closes, bees are much inclined to rob each other; and, sometimes, for want of a little attention, cause the apiarian much troubla and loss. It frequently happens that a stock of bees, becoming overpowered by robbers, join in with them and assist in carrying away all their stores, and the bpp-keeper very unex- pectedly finds his hive minus bees and honey. How to know whei\ Bees are Bobbing. As soon as bees commence to rob, there may be seen on the ligbting-bo clusters. 1 some arc bi take what 1 bees it is : honey it is once despal deadly tnn is seen, rob attended to weak it wil rendered. When ' directions i ment, then has been i at once be i and then k closed up 1 If tliis doe should be c water and '. other quarl How to ki This m as they lea or the flou then wate The su haps more any one tl they will swarms, to great ( cattle ; b do better have been bee-keepers'* guide 45 henever : queens, for that B a large twenly- 1 as they le comb. »troyed. ved, but !m. ) pocket- ells; and k piece in into the 1, will be r cells to LUt out of or setting me about the hive. Dutsideof atter how This may workers to snces, and her; and, ian much c of bees, md assist ery unex- en on the ligbting-boara several bees surroimded by others, forming small clusters. The bee surrounded is a robber; thej' hold it a prisoner ; some are biting its legs, some its wings, while another is ready to take what honey it has, for by the continual biting of the other bees it is forced^ to give it up. When it has given up all the ]ioney it is sometimes allowed to ^o free, but frequently it is at once despatched by a sting, and in its effort to save itself from the deadly thrust falls upoxi. the ground to rise no more. When this is seen, robbing has commenced, and the stock should be at once attended to. A strong stock will generally defend itself, but if weak it will very likely be overpowered, unless some assistance is rendered. How to PreTent Bobbing with my Hives. When proper attention has been given to the bees, and the directions followed which are given for spring and fall manage- ment, there will be but little to fear from robbing. But if tliis has been neglected and robbing commences, the ga <.ge should at once be set so that only one or two bees can enter at a time, and then keep a good look-out that the passage does not become closed up by the robber bees that aro killed in trying to enter. If tliis does not stop the robbing in a short time, the passage should be closed at dark, shutting in the Lees ; give them some water and keep them in for a day or two, until the robbers ceek other quarters. How to know wbetber tbe Robbers are your own or yonr neighbour's Bees. This may be easily ascertained by sprinkling flour upon them as they leave, then watch your otlier stocks and see if they enter; or the flour may be sprinlded ujjon the bees of the otlier stocks, then watch the stock: that is being robbed and see if they enter. The success of the Canadian bee-keeper depends as much, per- haps more, upon adopting a right method of wintiiring his bees as any one tiling. It is evident that, if stocks are properly wintered, they will come out stronger and be far more likely to cast early swarms. True, b^es have been wintered out of doors, subjected to great exposure, and did well. The same may also be said of cattle; but who vdll say that cattle well, stabled would not do better ? May not the same be said of bees ? Many plans have been adopted by different bee-keepers, which, if rightly con- if* ii pi 46 THE CAKADIAN sidered, are but modifications ef two methods — wintering wnere it will freeze, as out of doors, in an out-house, wood-shed, &c., — and wintering where it will not freeze, as buried in the ground, in a dry cellar, dark room, or house made for the purpose. Those who have wintered in a warm place have generally met with the best success ; though oftimes the place in which the bees are put is objectionable, on account of the bees being too often disturbed, or its being too warm, or the temperature being uneven. I will, therefore, give a plan of a bee-house in which bees may be win- tered safely, being free from all of the above objections. Bee-hoase for Wintering Bees— How Made. A bee-house should be built somewhat in proportion to the number of the stocks to be put into it. It should nave a double wall, with a space of six or eight inches between them, which shomd be filled with straw, dry tan-bark, or sawdust. It should be lathed and plastered inside. The' floor should be double, and at least six inches from the ground, with a small hole in the cen- tre for v^atilation, when necessaiy. The door should be double, like the wall, and shut tight to admit no light, for the house should be as dark as it can be made. It should also be filled overhead, between the roof and the ceiling, with dry straw. There should be for every five feet in length, one 2-inch tin ]»ipe runninff through the roof for ventilation. A house 5 feet wide, 10 feet long, and 6 feet high, will hold 30 of my hives, and leave room to pass between them for the'^puipose of examination, if necessaiy. It should be well banked, with a 2-inch pipe passing through the bankinc, to correspond with the hole m the floor. ThJB pipe should be kept closed during the severe part of winter ; allowing no current of air to pass in at the bottom of the house ; but toumds 'spring, when the weather becomes warmer, it should be opened. The two pipes passing through the roof should be Im open during the whole winter. When stocks increase so as to require more room, another five or ten feet may be add^ to the end. If the stocks are less in number, a partition of boards can be put in, keeping the stocks all in one end. Should it be desirable to let the stocks stand in this during the summer, wooden spouts may be made to pass through the south side of the house, and fit to the entrance of the hive. These pipes or spouts should be closed in winter by little doors on the outside, whicn in summer may be turned down, forming lighting boards for the bees. It is better, however, to remove the stocks in the spring, and put them up a£^n in the fall. Stocks placed in such a house, with plenty ot honey, ai head, will r sumo far Ic! wintered on Let it bi moveable-c( (See chapte much will i hives, to wl to do what Managemei Much -V ^undand m a cellar, not disturb if not,exa]x Bees") ; bn there are se stocks win frames ; ch comb that i let it renu to another i if not, feed and clean ventilation, inch entrai hive as pos they are fet, put SO] eep them it in prepa buckwheat instead of j you can might obse r wnere bee-keepers' guide. 47 ol honey, and ventilated according to directions given under that head, will require no attention during the winter, and -vviU con- sume far less honey, and cast much earlier SA^anns than stocks vdntered out of doors. CHAPTER IV. SpHug and Summer Management. Let it be understood that I speak of the management of bees in moveable-comb hives in general, but more especially in my own. (See chapter on " Hives " for description.) At the same time, much will apply to the management of bees in common or box- hives, to whicn I shall occasionally refer. For full directions how to do what is required in each month, see chapter on ** Qeneral Management" Marcli Management. Much will depend upon the season. If snow is still on the ^und and weather cold, but little can be done. If your bees are in a cellar, dark room, or house made on purpose for wintering, do not disturb them, if you are certain that they nave plenty of honey; if not, examine tiiem; if found 'vtanting, feed them (see " Feeding Bees'') ; but if the weather is warm and snow gone, or nearly so, there are several things that should be att^ided to. Set out all stocks wintered inside; examine each stock by lifting out the &ames ; clean out lead bees, if any are in the combs ; cut out all comb that is mouldy to any great extent ; if but slightly affected, let it remain ; see if they have a queen ; if not, give the bees to another stock. See if they have honey to cany mem throujgh; if not, feed them. Drop the bottom board at the rear of my hive, and clean out all dead bees and filth. Close up all upward ventilation, and set the patent gauge so as to leave but half an inch entrance, to prevent robbing, and keep as much heat in the hive as possible ; occasionally look to weak stocks and see that they are not robbed. If there is no water near which they can fet, put some in a dish with some straws, or anything that will eep them from drowning, and place near the hive ; they require it in preparing food for their brood ; also set a dish of oatmeal, buckwheat, or rye flour, where they can get it. They will use it instead of pollen for bee-bread. Give your stocks all the warm sun you can. Visit thei6 eveiy day, if only for a moment, as you might observe something wrong and save a stock. 48 THE CANADIAN April Management. When March is cold, the management given for tlmt month will apply to this. If not examined before, all stocks should now ho attended to, and the directions given for March fully carried out. As they are now breeding quite extensively, much more honey is consumed than in the winter. See that all stocks are well sup- plied. Drop the bottom board of my hive and destroy the worms, if any. Turn all honey boxes over, bottom side upwaKls. Lay a piece of salt on the lighting board ; as bees seem to like it. let them have it. May Management. Various flowers be^ to make their appearance the firet of the month. About the middle of the month, fruit and other trees are in blossom, and in most localities, under favourable circumstances, will yield honey enough for their use ; but in order to be safe, all stocks should be watched until the clover makes its appearance. All movable comb hives should now be examined, and drone comb cut out, and the rearing of drones prevented. By this method the lai^e amount of honey is saved which intakes to keep an unnecessary amount of drones. Hives should now be got ready for use, old hives should be scalded and prepared for me bees according to the directions given under the nead " Prepara- tion of Hives." As the honey harvest is increasing and robbers are reforming by gathering honey instead of robbing their neigh- bours, the gauge on my hive may be set so as to allow the lull entrance to the hive. The last of the month, if the honey huvest has been good, honey-boxes may be given to strong stocks. From very strong stocks, if the season has been favouiable, swaims may issue the last of the month ; but such coses ore very rare in most parts of Canada. Jane Management. The honey harvest may now be said to have fairly commencer Hiey are far more likely to commence in another box if they had not finished their labours in the one that was removed. Frames may now be removed from strong stocks and empty ones given them. The outside frames should always be removed from the hive, as they contain the most honey and but little or no brood. An outside frame in my hive will frequently contain 10 lbs. of honey. They may be kept safe from the moth by hanging them in a dark cellar or m a tight box, and will be found very convenient to give to stocks that are defi- cient at the close of the honey harvest. The moth or miller and miller grub should now be watched with jealous care. Declare a war of extermination against them, and carry it on to their every day destruction. Every morning, drop the bottom board of my hive and destroy all that can be found. If they form a nest in the . combs, which may be known by the faeces of the grubs, somewhat resembling ground coffee, and the chippings of comb that have fallen down on the bottom board, the frames must be removed and the nest cut out. CFor fuU directions, see " Moth Nests — 50 THE CANADIAN How to Destroy.") See if all the stocks have a queen, which may- be known by the presence of brood or eggs ; if not, give them one, if yon have one to spare ; if not, give them brood comb containing worker eggs. As soon as the swarming season is done, shut out the drones and destroy them. (See " Drones — How to Destroy.") If bees hang out on the hives of young or old swarms, they re- quire more ventilation. Drop the bottom board of my hive half an inch ; close again at night. August Management. No particular attention is necessary this month, except to watch weak stocks and see that they are not robbed, and continue the war of extermination with the miller-grubs. 1 mm t CHAPTER V. Fall and Winter Management. Succens in bee-keeping depends much upon fall and winter management. Where only a few colonies are kt pt, not much time is required, especially with my hive. A short time each day dur- ing the rest from other labour is all that ia necessary. Where a lai^e number of stocks are kept, more time would be required to tend them, but it would be as profitably spent as in any other way. (For full directions how to do what is required in each month, see Chapter on General Management.) September Management. Remove all honey-boxes. All late or small swarms should now be put together according to the directions given under the head, '* How to put Swarms Together in the Fall," for one strong swarm is better than three weaJc ones. Examine all stocks and see if they have plenty of honey to carry them through the winter. About 30 lbs. IS required to winter a strong stock safety. (See " How to Ascertain the Amount of Honey in a Hive.") If tney have not that amount, now is the time to feed them — (see " How to Feed Bees in the Fall") — ^in order to have them carry it below into the combs and seal it over while the weather is warm ; or they may be supplied with a frame containing honey i*emoved in July, if you have one, or give them a frame from some strong stock that can spare one. Remember, if stocks are fed now until they have the above amount of honey in the hive, no further attention will be necessary only to put them into winter quarters until spring — ^winter ing Bees, the entra If stocks commenc fumes of hard-e^ If the should c( willpeni if the t>e put ii If smgle succe^fa Toom awi is still be for Wint xnyDoul betlBed. I centre ps failed to By then stocks, CI ever, thi winterin Ifnc stocks tl attendee prepare< imder t bives, a for wint ing the stocks t stocks b culty in tention, 1 bee-keepers' guide. 61 1 may- one, aining t out ;roy.") >ey re- re half — ^wintering all the better for not being disturbed. (See " Winter- ing Bees.") Set the patent gauge to my hive so as to contract the entrance to one-half inch. Keep a good look-out for robbers. If stocks in common hives are to be taken up, now is the time to commence this wholesale destruction by committing them to the fames of fire and brimstone, for they can add no more to their hard-e^ed stores. October ManagemeBt. If the requirements for September have been neglected, they should certamly be attended to this month, as far as the weather wUl permit. Keep a good look-out for robbers. XoTember Management. If the weather is veiy cold and snow has fallen, all stocks may he ^ut into winter quarters, or prepared for wintering out of doors. If smgle boarded hives are used, it is decidedly the sMest and most succesfidFal method to put all stocks into a dark, dry cellar, or dark room away from the fire, and yet so warm as not to freeze, or what is still better, into a house built for the purpose. (See " Bee-house for Wintering Bees.") If stocks are to be wintered out of doors, my Double-boarded Sell-protecting Hives should, by all means, be used. (See description.) All stocks should be examined, and centxe passages cut through each card of comb, if the bees have failed to do so, especially if they are to be wintered out of doors. By the use of my nives, two persons can examine forty or fifty stocks, cutting all the centre passages, in an hour's time. If, how- ever, this month is somewhat warm and pleasant, preparations for wintering may be postponed until December. December Management. If not before, preparations must now be made for winter. All stocks that are to oe removed into winter quarters, should now be attended to, and all stocks to be wintered out of doors should be prepe^ed by giving proper ventilation according to the directions under Ihe heading of " Wintering Bees." All those using my hives, and having attended faithfully to all the directions given for wintering bees, need pay no more attention to their bees dur- ing the winter, except in cases where it is desirable to winter stocks that require, feeding. I would, however, advise that no stocks be wintered that require feeding , though there is no diffi- culty in feeding, with my hives, yet it requires Bome care and at- tention, and as a general thing, is not prontable. . 52 THE CANADIAIT January Managemeiii. Any stocks which you suspect will require feeding, should now be examined ; if short of honey, feed them, according to directions given under the head, " Feeding Bees in Winter." Stocks that have sufficient honey should not be disturbed, for the less they are disturbed, the less they will eat, and the better they will winter. Mr. G. H. Bowerman, of Bloomfield, Prince Edward Co., C. W., has wisely adopted tins plan. He puts his bees into a dark house made for the purpose, locks the door, and troubles them no more until the snows oi winter a.e gone and they can work safely. He writes me this spring, 1865, that his bees have wintered well. All others who adopt the same method, following the directions given in this work, will be able to say ttie same. Mr. Bowerman has used the moveable-comb hives, of the Langstroth pattern, improved by himself, for several years, and says he would not think of keep- ing bees in any other than' moveable-comb hives. He has now obtained one of my hives. February Management. The same as for January. Stocks that require feeding must be constantly attended to, while those which have plenty of Itoney need no attention if wintered in my hives ; but if in box-hives, out of doors, care should be taken tnat the air passes at the bottom, or sides of the hives are kept open so that the bees will not smother. If the stock should become buried in the snow, let them remain, for they will winter safer than if exposed. CHAPTER VL Hives. In all ages the ingentiity and inventive powers of the bee- keeper have been taxed to bring forth a perfect hive ; a hive adapted to the nature and habits m the bee, and at the same time so constructed as to give the bee-keeper control of the bees. The result has been that almost an innumerable variety of hives have been brought forward ; some entirely useless^ others worse than useless, wmle many are but little better. In fact, until the idea of a moveable-comb hive was conceived, no essential advanta<^ was gained over Ci common box-hive. It has inventor o Mr. Langs having im More than which WOT objections. a descripti that time oblong ba April, 185 cnbinghiE lift out of point out 1 and econo: provided f vantages o lishing of stroth obti which he i bee-hives. asmallpa con8tracti( Great ingc and very 1860, pag hives wen improved Harb'son, Huber an principle ; originally tional im{ either of ; compiled the ubrar Itisq shape, am of tne bee .ttit^^i^^.^ii^^^i-'MiL-^s bee-keepebb' guide. 53 Moveable Comb HlTes— By wbom Inrented. It has generally been supposed that L. L. Langstroth was the inventor of moveaDle-comb nives. Such, however, is not the case. Mr. Langstroth was the first to introduce them into America, and having improved them, obtained a patent for the United States.| More than sixty years ago, a ^' leaf hive'' was invented by Huber,^ which would open and uiut like a door, but It had some serious objections. In 1844, W. Augustus Munn published, in London, a description of a moveable-comb hive invented by himself^ At that time it was called a bar-and-frame hive. He then used the oblong bar-frames, to take out of the back of the bee-box. In April, 1851, he published a second edition of his pamphlet, des- cnbiii^ his " improved hive," with triangular bar-finmes, made to lift out of the top. He says, on p. 23: "my oltject has been to point out brieftjr to those anxious for the better, more extended and economical mode of bee management, the difficulties to be provided a^dnst, and to recommend to their consideration the ad- vantages offered in the bar-frame hive." One year after the pub- lishing of this pamphlet, on the 5th of October^ 1852, Mr. Lang- stroth obtained a patent on'* improvements in bee-hives," under which he is ^nerally understood to claim all moveable-fnunes in bee-hives. However, Mr. Langstroth says : — " I have before me a small jMunphlet published in London, in 1851, describing the construction of the bai^and-frame hive of W. A. Munn, Esq. Great ing^uity is exhibited by the inventor of this very costly and very complicated hive, &c." See Honey-bee, 3rd edition, 1860, page 209. — ^Note. It appears, then, that moveable^omb hives were first invented in England ; but that they were greatly improved by Mr. Langstroth, tnere can be no doubt. Says J. S. HarVson, in Bee Culture, p. 140 : " The Langstroth hive, like the Huber and Munn hives, is constructed on the moveable-comb principle ; but more properly combines the oblong bar-frame as originally used by Munn, with Beevan's bee-box and other addi- tional improvements, making it more simple and practical than either of its predecessor^." Mr. Langstroth has also published a compiled vfom. on the honey-bee, a copy of which should grace the library of every apiarian in Canada. What a Hive should be. It is quite important that a hive should be of the right size and shape, ana so constructed as to give the bee-keeper perfect control of tue bee-comb, bees and brood, and at the same time allow him 5* 54 THEC«t TADIAN to obtain lai^er quantities of surplus honey, without robbing the bees or consigning them to a pit of fire and brimstone. A move- able-comb hive, properly constructed, is the only hive that will do this. Of these there are quite a variety offered tothepubUe, among which are the Quadruple, or Michigaa Hive, Kidder Hive, Lee E&ve, and Lan^troth B[ive ; of this last there are more used in Canada than of either the others, of which also there are many modifications ; nearly aUi however, retaining the oblong fiame, which, by many exp»i«ac9d apiarians, is considered a great objec- tion to i^ and on accouQit of which the Lee Hive, patented in Wisconsin, has been a^mpaSitd apiemium for its superiority over it several times in the IJijdted^^taiteSi A low and shallow hive does not allow the bees to cany their stores sufficiently far from the bottom board t.' escape ij^e cold. Even Mr. Langstroth him- self admits that ^' a hive hUva: innportion to its other dimensions has some obvious advai)tag^'v--acm«y-&€e, pp. 329,330. Says J. S. Harbison :—*^ilLmy eminent apiarians bear testimony to the superiority of deep hives over those that are low and shallow.'^ As before remarked, size is very important. A hive contain- ing much over 2,400 inches is quite too h^ge, and anything under that, for Canada, is too sniaU. Tskjuig into ccNODSideration the ex- treme length of our Canadian winters,, with my own experience, I have conduded that nhoat S,006 inch^ vi not iQff from^e mark, and in ofEerin^. to the pu^o another !|ive, for which t cla^ seve- ral important improvement over t^ moveable-CiOinb hive with which I am ac4uainted, I have made it of this size. The following cuts and diescription will ^ve the i^i^er a fa^ idea oi my Single aiid Doubk-boarded Hoveabl^-oonib, Hives, for which Letters Fatent were eranted to mi6 on th« 2iid djiiy of Kay, 1864, end pgain on the 22na of March, 1866 :— smc II— Rem band. &- berstop— me DeserlD ow. (ontain- g under the ex- ie&ce, I ewBfth, m seve- vewiUi »ra£Mr yes, lor I- bee-keepers' guide. SmOLE-BOAIiDED OBSEBVINa HIVE. M n 1^' 1 — Removeablo cover. B.— Honey-box. C— Honey-board. P.— Revolving band. K.— Comb-lVame, removod. F.— Obbcrviug-door. G.-— Glaes. H.— Rob- ber stop— metalio or tin gaugei Desertptioii and AdTantages of the Single-Boarded Ht?e. 66 THE CANADIAN It is a MoTCftble Comb Hive Whicn gives the apiarian perfect control of the bees and comb, and enables him to practise artificial swarming, to renew the comb in the body of the hive, when it becomes old and worthless, to cut out drone comb and prevent the reai^g of an unnecessary amount of drones, to cut out moth nests, and thiui save a colony from destruction, to easily ascertain if a stock is ^ueenless, and give it another without difficulty, to prevent swarmmg, when desirable, to buUd up weak stocks by exchanging with strong stocks emptjyr cards of comb for those mled with brood and honey ; in fact, it enables him to examine his bees F.t all times, know their true con- dition, and have the utmost control over them. It is Tall in proportion to its otlier dimensions. Which is the form best adapted to northern latitudes, " for," (says Mr. Lan^troth, speaking of a tall hive), " as bees are disposed to cany their stores as far as possible from the entrance, they will fiU its upper part with honey, using the lower part mainly for brood, thus escaping the danger of being caught m cold weather amonc en^ty ranges of comb, while they still have honey uncon- sumed." — Hotiey-oeef v. 330. It also allows the bees to form a natural cluster, which in shallow hives they cannot do, but are obliged to spr^ out, and hence are not able to keep up the same amount of heat they can in a tall hive. It is tlie Best Yentilated HiTO I liaye erer seen in Fse. The apiarian is able, without difficulty, to ventilate according to the season, and in a inanner best calculated to promote the health and prosperity of the stock. It cannot be Surpassed for the production of Surplus Honey. As soon as the bees commence to work in the honey-box, the front revolving^-band may be turned down, giving to the bees a short route, wmch they will soon take advantage of, and deposit surplus honey much faster. It has a Swinging and A^ustable Bottom Board, Which enables the apiarian to clean the hive of all dead bees and filth ; to destroy largo numbers of the miller grubs ; and to ascertain if the millers have formed a nest in the combs. There is also a passage through the bottom board, covered with wire cloth, through which the bees receive air when it is necessary to shut theni into the hive. It Which «illowf a moment of 1 the queen shi or, if desired, It The top piece beea to buil( moveable-con but little betl frame is so cc buUd crooked piece in ^se. can take hold hold of the fr Which allows frames, causii as the bees i chamber ; ah nearly as war this chamber ■without the It Being bevell frames fast, cocoons. By which th lacking in th been, with myself. It has Be Firatf by alio difficulty anc other hive I turned down, into the hone it..liM^UIiii^iai^>tJi^: ' BEE-KEEPERS' GUIDE. 57 mb^and sombin 9, to cut amount nyfrom ind clve esiraole, B emptjyr 1 fact, it me cou- »r," (says posed to aey will unly for weather f uncon- } form a ), but are the same iFse. tccording mote the B Honey. -box, the he bees a d deposit rd, lead bees } ; and to 5. There nth wire :essary to It bas a Metallic Gauge or Bobber Stop, Which ^ows the entrance to be contracted to any size desired, in a moment of time, by which robbing is prevented, drones shut out, the queen shut in, while the workers pass out and in at pleasure, or, if desired, they also may be shut in. It contains tbe Best Comb Frame in Use, The top piece bein^ constructed in such a manner as to cause the beea to build straight. This is an important feature in every moveable-comb hive. If the bees do not build straight, they are but little better than common hives. The top piece of my comb- fmme is so constructed that it is almost impossible for the bees to build crooked. I do not think this can be said of any other top piece in -pe. It also has flat projecting ends, which the apiarian can take hold of to raise the frame out of the liive, instead of taking hold of the frame among the bees. It contains a Hot-Air Chamber, "Which allows the bees to pass freely over the top of the comb frames, causing them to work much more readily in the honey-box, as the bees in the box are not detached from the bees in the chamber ; also, by the heat of this chamber, the honey-box is kept nearly as warm as the body of the hive. The honey-board over this chamber is so constructed that bees may be fed at any time ■without the least difficult}'-. It has a Superior Comb Frame Bearing. "Being bevelled to a sharp edge, the bees cannot glue the comb frames fast, and no place is left for the grubs to spin their cocoons. It has Comb Frame Stops, By which the comb frames are held in place, and which are lacking in the Langstroth and other moveable-comb hives, having been, with other important features, invented and patented by myself. , It has BeiolTing Bands, which are a Great Adrantage; Firstf by allowing the apiarian to remove the frames with far less difficulty and in one quarteV' of the time that it takes with any other hive I have ever seen. Secondly ^ the front band may be ttimed down, forming a lighting board for the passage of the bees into the honey-box by a short route through the hot air chamber. i 58 THE CANADIAN It has a Water-tight Cover Bearing, By which any "water is prevented from running into the hive, making the bees perfectly secure from mnd or water, no matter how much the hives may be exposed. In fact, it has advantages not possessed by any other hive with which I am acquainted ; is simple in construction and easier to operate with, which lam eady to demonstrate at any time by comparison. (See opinions of the press.) • 1 THE DOUBLE-BOAEDED HIVE BMCriptlon and Adfantages of the DonUe-BoarieiSeir* Protectlne HlTes. ' Is made upoi sessingthe s winter their hive; forbei the bees, whi summer. Tl double-board is just what furthermore, climate, and wants of the prizes at the and second p: These, hive necessary foi J. H. Thomai All freight, chaser. Prices of tj ri^ht to me with full desj « Double-board (t (I Honey-boxed Extra Combj Honey-KnifJ Bee-hat, can| safe_ a hive. J ;he hive, 0 matter vantages nted; is ich X am opinions bee-keepers' othde. The Double-Boarded HtTe. 59 eASeifr Is made upon the same principle as the single-boarded hive, pos- sessing the same advantages, and more, for those who intend to winter then* stocks out ot doors. For aU. purposes, it is the best hive ; for being double-boarded, a hollow wall is formed all arou r 1 the bees, which makes it much warmer in winter, and cooler m summer. There is no danger of the combs melting down in the double-boarded hive. This has been fairly proved. In fact, it is just what it claims to be, a self-protecting hive. I would say, furthermore, that the hives were invented and designed for this climate, and I flatter myseK that they are calculated to meet the wants of the Canadian bee-keeper. They were awarded extra prizes at the Provincial Fair held at Hamilton, 1864, also first and second prizes at the Ontario County Fair. These, hives, with individual or territorial rights, and all articles necessary for an apiary, may be had at the following prices of J. H. Thomas & Bros., Manufacturers, Brooklin, C.W. All freight, express, or postal charges, to be paid by the pur- chaser. PRICE LIST. Prices of the different kinds of hives, including an individual right to make and use both Single and Double-boarded Hives, with full description thereof : — Single-boarded Hive...... ^ 00 DoiSle-boarded Hive 6 00 Single-boarded Observing Hive, glass in one Side 6 00 " " " glass in two sides 8 00 « " " glass in three sides 10 00 Double-boarded Observing Hive, glass in one side 8 00 «, " " glass in two sides 10 00 « * « " glass in three sides 12 00 Honey-boxes, glass in both ends, hold 25 lbs., per dozen.. 3 00 Extra Comb-fraanes, per set of eight frames 0 50 « « per 100 frames 5 00 Honey-Knife, best spring steel 100 Bee-hat, can be worn by lady or gentleman, is a perfect safeguard against any atteck of bees j can be sent in a hive 0 50 60 THE CANADIAN 6ee-protector, can lie worn on any hat, by lady or gen- tleman; answeringevery purpose of a bee-hat 80 40 Bee-gloves, India rubber, and a splendid article ; bees cannot leave their stingers in them ; if besmeared with honey or dirt, they can be washed the same as the hands 1 50 Bee-gloves, sheepskin; may be used for harvesting 0 75 Fumigator, or Smoke-pipe, may be used with the mouth or on a hand-bellows 0 25 Patent Metallic Gauge, which may bo attached to any hive, even a common box-hive, for the purpose of shutting out drones, preventing robbing, shutting in thebees,&c 0 12^ Do. per dozen 1 00 Canadian Bee-Jceepers' Guide (postage 3 cts.) 0 25 Five copies, to one address (postage 10 cts.) . I 00 Twelve do., (postage 25 cts) 2 00 Italian Queens, with full instructions for introducing, sent by express ; safe arrival guaranteed 5 00 It will be seen by the above List of Prices that any person sending ^5 will receive in return a Single-Boabded Hive, and an individual right to make and use both the Single and Double boarded Hives. Any person sending 86 "will receive in return a Double-Boarded Hive, and an individual right as above. Or, any person sending the price of pny of the Observing Hives, will in return get the mve ordered, and a right as before stated. But if any person, after having purchased a hive and right, should prefer to order hives of J. H. Thomas & Brothers ratner than make, they can obtain them at 82 less than tibe prices given in the price list; that is, Single-boaxded Hives, 83; Double-boarded Hives, 85, and so on. County and Townahip rights for sale at low prices.^ Agents wanted to sell hives throughout Canada. Any infonnation given by mail relative to the management of bees, free of charge, if a stamp is enclosed to pay postage. AH letters to be addressed, post-paid, to J. H. THOMAS & BBOS., Broohlirit C. W, Italian Northern li totle, Virgil, and shape, a then known until they w stationed in returning to near Lakie Northern ho Mr. Dzierzo successful 'i! Messrs. S. '. delphia, and New York ( out of forty many other imported bj those impor inqualily. or golden-cc workers is I like, a queer nor to the c trious, often cannot. Of being the s( was fearful the "cassin, "YanieeH and receivii whose verax that they w wasclaimec of Merricb riority, thai that ere Ion coloured Iti spring, wh averaged h 1 IJEE-KEEPERS' GUIDE. 61 CHAPTER VII. Italian Bees. Italian Bees, sometimes called Lignrian bees,* are found in Northern Italy and Southern Switzerlwid; are described by] Aris- totle, Virgil, and other ancient writers, as " small jnd round in size and shape, and variegated in colour," and the most valuable of any then known. For many years they were entirely lost sight oi, until they were accidentally discovered by Capt. Baldenstein, while stationed in Northern Italy, in the wars of Napoleon, who, after returning to his castle in Switzerland, procured, in 1843, a colonj near Lake Como, and transported them over the Alps to his Northern home. They were, I believe, introduced into Germany by Mr. Dziei.Ton, in 1853, and soon became very popular. The first successful 'importations into this country were made in 1860, by Messrs. S. B. Parsons, of Hushing, L. I. P. J. Mahan, of Phila- delphia, and R. Colvin, of Baltimore. In 1861, Mr. C. W. Hose, of New York City, succeeded in bringing, six colonies to this country out of forty-nine purchased in their native district, since vfhich many other importations have been made. It is said that those imported by Mr. Rose, of New York, are lighter in colour than those imported by S. B. Parsons. There is, however, no difference in quality. All pure Italians are distinctly marked with orange or golden-coloured girths around their bodies, llie form of the workers is long and graceful, their abdomen tapering to a point like a queen. It is now generally admitted that they are iox supe- rior to the common, or bkck bee, being £Etr more active and indus< trious, oflten extracting hbny from flowers that the common bee cannot. Of this, however, I cannot speak from experience^ this being the second year that I have haa them. For a long time I was fearful that the many accounts of their superiority was but the "gassin^^^' of some wordy cousin in order to make sale of a " Yankee Humbug.'' But aher searching more into their history, and receiving the reports of bolhi Qoman and American apiarians, whose veracity could not be questioned, I became fuUy convinced that they were worthy of attention, and deserving of much that was claimed for them. I then purchased a queen of Mr. Holden, of MerrickviUe, C. W., and so fully convinced am I of their supe- riority, that I am determined to keep no other, and fuUy believe that ere long the black race will entirely disappear and the golden- coloured Italian take their place. Mr. Holden informed me, this spring, when at his place, that last year, 1864, his Italians averaged him. 40 lbs. surplus honey from each stock. He also 1 62 THE CANADIAN informed me that he visited Mr. Quinbjr, of St. Johns ville. N. Y., who now has over 500 stocks of Itahans, and that he (Quinby) informed him that in 1863 he had to feed nearly all his stocks of black bees in the fall, while all his Italians had plenty, and from some he took' surplus honey. Mr. Quinby has one oi the largest apiaries in the United States, and from which he has amassed a fortune, yet he does not reside in as favourable a locality for bees as almost any part of Canada. I will also give the testimony of several well-known apiarians, that the reader may be a better judge whether the new variety is worthy of his attention. The Baron of Berlepsch, a skilful bee- keeper, of Qermany, says, he has found " 1st. That the Italian bees ore less sensitive to cold than the common kind, 2nd. That their queens are more prolific. 3rd. That the colonies swarm earlier, and more frequently. 4th. That they are less apt to sting. 5th. Tliat they are more industrious." Mr. E. A. Brackett, wiit- ingr to the American Agrieulturiatf says : " My esqperience thus far satisfies me that they mtve not been overrated. The queens are larger and more prolific. They are less sensitive to cold and more industrious.'' From J. P. KirUand, Cleveland, Ohio, -September 13, 1860 :— '^Firtt. Their disposition to labour far excds that of the common kind. "Seeond, Power of endurance, and especially of resisting the impression of cold, they possess in a niarked degree. " Third. Prolificness they equally excel in. Both my full and half-blooded stocks have become numerous, and strone in numbers, as well OB in stores, at this late season of tne year^, wh^i the com- mon kind have ceased increasing, and have become nearly passive. " Foufih. Their individual strength is greater; and this is well illustrated in their prompt manner of tossmg to a great distance any robber that chances to approach their hive. "Fifth. Their beauty of colour and graceful form render them, an object of interest to every person of taste. ** Sixth. Of their moral character I cannot speak favourably. If robbery of weaker colonies is going on, these yellow-jackets are sure to be on hand. So far as my experience has gone with them, I find every statement in regard to their superiority sustained." The testimony of many others might be given, but it will not be expected, in so small a work, a full history qf the Italian bee, with all the accounts of their superiority, ciXL be give?^ ; aeither is it necessary, as they have become pretty well known. In order 1 necessary to ] to J. H. Tho] Merrickville, before introd queen, and to cells, as the I examine agai] out. Nowta mth four or f piece of wire tumbler on 1 to her, put on hours; the b( end of that til them, putting tumbler, he lay during he: 1 . If,aUthe; will be necess or kill them fl to produce dn queen may be stock will at .( from two to t removed and course, tiiat t destroyed for stock to matu has deposited she was trans: continue to < your stocks, : and if all yoi a good chancf geny would t within three drone; in thi breeds; butt to give to yoi3 hood filled wi .860 :— { onunon BEE-KEEPERS' GUIDE. How to Italianize a Common Stock. G? In order to Italianize a common stock without difficulty, it is necessary to have the bees in a moyeable-comb hive; then write to J. H. Thomas & Bros., Brooklin, C. W., or to H. Holden, Esq., Merrickville, C. "W., and order an Italian queen. Ei^t dav» before introducing her, you will examine your stock, find the queen, and take her away ; in four or five days cut out all queen cells, as the bees will have started a number ; on the eighth day examine again, and if any other queen-cells are started, cut them out. Now take your Italian queen, put her in a glass tumbler with four or five of the bees which were in the box with her, tie a piece of wire-cloth over the top of the tumbler, and turn the tumbler on the top of the comb-frames where the bees can get to her, put on the cover of the hive and let her remain thirt;> rix hours ; the bees will feed her through the wire-cloth, and at the end of that time will receive her, and you may let her loose among, them, putting a few drops of honey on her as she runs out of the tumbler. Let it be remembered that all the eggs this queen will lay during her life will produce pure Italians. How to Italiiiniie tbe Whole Apiary. If .all the bees are in moveable-comb hives, the next season it will be necessary to cut out all drone comb from the other stocks, or kill them as fast as they appear, allowing your Italian stock only to produce drones ; as soon as drones have appeared, the Italian; queen may be removed and given to another stock. The Italian stock will at once commence to raise another aueen, and will start from two to twenty ; as fietst as they are cappea over they may be removed and ^ven to other stocks of black bees, provided, of course, that their queen has been taken away, and all queen-cells destroyed for eight days. One queen-cell may be left in the Italian stock to mature, or the old queen may be returned. Or after she has deposited a number of egss in the cells of the stock to which she was transferred, she maybe given to another stock, and so continue to do until she has deposited pure Italian e^ in all your stocks, from which they would raise pure Italian queens ; and if all your common drones were destroyed, they would stand a good chsmce to mate with your Italian drones, and their i>ro- geny would then be pure. If, however, there are common bees within three miles, they may sometimes mate with a common drone; in that case they would produce impure workers — ^half- breeds ; but would produce pure drones, and hence would be cood to give to your neighbour's bees, in order to have the ndigliDor> ho^ filled with pure Italian drones. i 64 THE CANADIAN CHAPTER VIII. Profits of Bee-keeping. If people could be convinced that bee-keeping is profitable, I verily believe that the so much dreaded stings of the honey-bee would lose their terror, and there would be a far more generai rush into bee-culture ; and Canada become, if not like Ancient Palestine — "a land flowing with milk and honey"— at least a land flowing with milk and not lacking for honey. Now, I do consider that bee-keeping is a profitable enterprise ; if not so in Canada, it certainly is with our neighbours across the water. When it has been as fairly tried A^ith us as it has been with them, I believe that it will be acknowledged to be not only pleasing and instructive, but highly remunerative. Let us suppose that a young man at the age of fifteen obtains two stocks of bees, and commences bee-keeping, fully determined to make it profitable. Allowing that he doubles Ins stock c;veiy year, which every bee- keeper should be able to do, and that his yearly average of surplus honey from each stock is fiftf-en pounds, which is a very low average, at the end of ten years Ids apiary account would stand thus : — Dr. To 2 stocks, at $10 each $ 20 00 " 2,048 moveable-comb hives, including honev-boxes, at $3 each ". 6,244 00 " 1,021 extra honey-boxes, at 20 cts. each 204 20 ^' $404 78 per annum for labour and incidental ex- penses 4,047 80 $10,516 00 Cr. By 2,048 stocks, at $5 each $10,240 00 " 61,380 lbs. surplus honey, at 20 cts 12,270 00 $22,516 00 Debits deducted 10,516 00 Profits $12,000 00 A snug little sum with which to commence business at the age ot twenty-five. I do not expect that every young Canadian who may commence bee-keeping will realize profits to such an extent, yet there are the figures, which cannot be disputed, and which at least show it majr be tl honey is too 1 but it is wel realized by s but in the ab honey from e set at twenty suppose that [ each, but it w having first j Thomas & B they may, if much less tha Debit accoim they are estin In order, h is a profitable enormous pre gentleman wi of Burlington glass hive I boxes filled, a gether from n has cast one g taken from 7C taken 80 lbs." It will be In 1859, stocks, receive honey, sold h( of about $1,8C Agricultiinstf consisted of 1 hives. "VVe 1: stocks of bla( We have take 2nd, 126 lbs.; from the 7 1 whole apiary hives, bees, & glass boxes, 1 apiary would, ',aitmi^i,:ii>sui. .■ X. BEE-KEEPERS' GUIDE 65 at least show that bee-keeping may be made profitable. Perhaps it majr be thought by some that twenty cents per pound for hone^ is too laj^e a figure. It may be for our Canadian market, but it is well known that twenty cents, or even more, may be realized by shipping to New York or Chicago. Not only so, but in the above estmiate I have only allowed fifteen pounds of honey from each stock as the average yield, whereas it might be set at twenty, and still be a low average. Again, others may suppose that good moveable-comb hives cannot be obtained for $3 each, but it will be seen by reference to price list, that all persons having first purchased a hive and right, may obtain from J. H. Thomas & Bros., my hives at that prize; or having the right they may, if they choose, manufacture for their own use at a cost much less than the above. It will be seen, also, that stocks in the Debit account are estimated at ^10 each, while in Cr. account they are estimated at the low figure of ^ each. In order, however, to still further demonstrate that bee-keeping is a profitable enterprise, I will give a few statistics, showing what enormous profits have been reSized by certain individuals. A gentleman writing from St. Albans, Vt., to Mr. K. P. Kidder, of Burlington, Vt., on the 15th August, 1863, says: — "From my glass hive I have taken and weighed 130 lbs. There are two boxes filled, and nearly capped over, of 24 lbs. each, making alto- gether from my glass hive 178 lbs. The hive is full besides, and lias cast one good swarm. I have other stocks, from which I have taken from 70 to 100 lbs. ; one yoimg swarm, from which I have taken 80 lbs." It will be understood, however, that these were Italian stocks. In 1859, Mr. A. W. Ford, of MiddleviUe, Nl Y., from 130 stocks, received an increase of 170 swarms, 6,000 poimds of surplus honey, sold honey at 20 cts., and swarms at $4, making an income of about $1,800. Bidwell Bros., of Minn., writing to the American Agriculturist, for January, 1865, says : — " Last spring our apiary consisted of 1 Italian and 58 stocks of black bees, all in frame hives. We have increased our one Italian stock to 15, our 58 stocks of black bees to 181, principally by artificial swarming. We have taken from the first new swarm, in boxes 22 lbs. honey ; 2nd, 126 lbs.; 3rd, 88 lbs.; 4th, 74^ lbs.; 5th, 29i lbs., making from the 7 hives 339| lbs. * * * We shall Italianize our whole apiary next season. The average weight of our stocks, less hives, bees, &c., is about 58 lbs. of honey. We have taken off in glass boxes, 1,208 lbs., and 1,301 in caps. The honey from this apiary would, at 25 cents per pound, amount to $700." 0* • I 66 THE CANADIAN In The Canada Farmer for Febraaiy 1, 1864, J. Y. points to the proceeds of one stock (in 20 years) in the shape of 219 acres of land in a lavonrable locality. Such arp the almost fabulous accounts of the profits of bee-keeping coming from different quar- ters, and yet well authenticated, and taken in connection with my own observation and experience, I conclude that bee-keeping in Canada may yet not only become a Boxace of pleasure and profit, but yidlding for every household in city, town, or country, a luxury that woidd grace the table of a prince. Could our yoim^ men and young ladies, who now spend hours in idleness or vain amuse- ments, be induced to purchase a stock of bees and commence bee- keeping upon their own account, it would not only prove remun- erative, but would lead them into habits of industry, and fit them for better citizens. Larce amounts of delicious sweets, from every field and forest, would then be gathered in, thus saving to the countiy annually thousands of pounds of pure honey that now perishes in the golden cups of the flowers that deck this brown earth, for want of bees to gather it. CHAPTER IX. MISCELLANEOUS. Bee Pastarage. The prosperity of bees in any locality must depend much upon the amount of bee pasturage. In some localities it is abundant from early spring imtil late in the fall, nature having lavishly bestowed there her wild flowers. In other localities it is quite different. The section of countrv where I reside does not abound with wild flowers, and in the fall, especially, the bee pasturage is quite limited. This difficulty may be easily obviated b^ the more extensive sowing of buckwheat, and the introduction of the Swedish white clover. It is equally as good, or better, for hay and pasturage, and yields a far greater supply of honey, and of a superior quality, than the common white clover. Every farmer should endeavour to get it, especially if he keeps bees ; then, by sowing a small quantity of buckwheat, every locality would abound in bee pasturage, and every bee-keeper be repaid for his trouble four- lold. In fact, if it were not for the buckwheat crop, in some localities, bee-keeping would prove a failure. It is estimated that an acre of buckwheat will yield an avemge of 14 poimds of honey daily. In Mr. L statements fn present opinii appears to be Dzierzon says In Russia 5,000 coloniei f?regated in ai ber of stocks be 360 ; in _ then, that the the seasons re emptied to-di wither, their Bees may time, however then than at should be inv< hive should he long, with eigl across the hot will then rest : How to "Weigh the weight on it, t] weigh the stoc bees and brood near enough fo Take a coa with small stor of water, pressi to rise, which ] mer. The firs then be meltei cool. To cleai coarse cloth, or bee-keepers' guide. OTer-Stocking Bees. 67 In Mr. Langstroth's valuable work on tl s honey-heef we find Biatements from Mr. Samuel Wagner, in which he says, that the present opinion of the correspondents of the German me Journal appears to be that a district cannot readily be over-stocked, and Daerzon says, in practice, at least, " it is never done." In Bussia and Hungary, apiaries, numbering from 2,000 to 5,000 colonies, are frequent ; and 4,000 hives are sometimes con- gregated in autumn on the heaths in Qermany. The average nxmi- ber of stocks to one square mile in Lombardy, Italy, is said to be 360 ; in Corinthia, 500 ; in Camiola, 900. It would appear, then, that there is but little danger of over-stocking, especially if the seasons remaiu at all favourable. The flower cups which are emptied to-day, may be visited again to-morrow; for if left to wither, their stores are lost. MoTlng or Transporting Bees. Bees may be moved to aay distance at any time. The best time, however, is in the sprmg, as the combs contain less honey then than at other times, hence are not so heavy. Box-hives should be inverted, and the bottom covered with wire-cloth. My hive should have a piece of wood, one inch square, twelve inches long, with eight notches cut to fit the bottom of the frames, laid ax;ros8 the bottom board, which may then be closed ; the frames will then rest in the notches, which will prevent their moving. How to Ascertain the Amount of Honey in a HiTe. Weigh the hive before the bees are put into it, and mark the weight on it, then in the fall, before putting into winter quarters, weigh the stock, deduct the weight of the hive, and 12 lbs. for bees and brood, and the remainder will be the amount of honey, near enough for all practical purposes. Bees-Wax— How to Make. Take a coarse linen sack or strainer, put your comb into it, with small stones enough to sink it ; tie tight and boil in a kettle of water, pressing and turning it frequently, imtil the wax ceases to rise, which may be taken off from time to time with a skim- mer. The first taken off will be the purest. The whole may then be melted and run through a finer strainer into dishes to cool. To clean the dishes from wax, heat hot and rub with a coarse cloth, or wash with very hot water. ! i 68 THE CANADIAir How to Make Candied Honey as Good as 5ew. To every two quarts, add half a pint of water, bring to a boil- ing heat and skim. Honey— To ProTent Candying. Put into a bottle or jug set into a kettle of water, bring the water to a boiling heat and keep it so for 15 minutes, then cork up the honey and it will keep almost any length of time. Maple molasses may be kept in the same manner. How to make good Bee Feed for^Jinter Use. Take 3 lbs. white sugar, add one quart of water, bring to a boiling heat, and it is r^y to use. If hont^ can be hiaa, one pound may be added to the above quantity. For feeding in the spring, common sugar will do. Questions Answered. How long will a c[ueen live 1 From 4 to 5 years. How many eggs will a queen lay per day ? From 1,000 to 2,000. How long will a queen remain ferlile ? From 3 to 4 years. What is the result of a queen becoming unfertile ? She will lay drone eggs only. How may an unfertile queen be known ? By her laying drone eggs in worker-cells. How long does it take to produce a queen from th n i [ I I 1. 11 I A'.. 'JSt'* ■Ais'^^S 70 OPINIONS OF THE PRESS. OPINIONS OF THE PRESS From the Canada Farmer. A work entitled "The Canadian Bee-Keepers' Guide/' has just been published, which, is, in our view, the veiy thing. Its author is Mr. J. H. Thomas, of Brooklin, C. W., one of the most skilful and experienced bee-keepers in Canada. It contains infor- mation of great value to aU who keep bees or intend doing so. We have carefully read the work in its advanced sheets, and EaT e no hesitation in giving it the most unqualified commendation. It is practical, straightforward, plain and comprehensive. Frmn the MarMiam Rural Economist. Mr. J. H. Thomas, of Brooklin, has written an excellent little work, called " The Canadian Bee-Keepers' Guide." It is especi- ally adapted to this country, and contains a fund of information in T^gara to bee-keeping. From the MerrkhoilU Chronicle, Canadian Bee-Keepers' Guide.— We have received a copy of a neat little work of 72 pt^es, bearing the above title. To bee- keepers its contents are invahiable, and to the novice in bee man- ag^nent it is the one thing needful Possessed of this instructor, the unskilled will be able to meet every emergency likely to arise in his apiarian science. jPVom the SmitKs Falls Review. Without hesitation we can say that from it more is to be learned concerning the habits, management, &c., of bees than from any work extajit. No difficulty with which it is possible to meet but what is treated upon, so mat the veriest novice in the apiary, by merely referring to it, can be a successful bee-keeper. The price of the " Canadian Bee-Keepers' Guide" is 25 cents for 1 copy, %l for 5 copies, and 92 for 12 copies. Persons order- ing by mail must remit 3 cents to..cover postage on a single copy, 10 cents for 5, and 25 cents for 12 copies. i^^ma NOTICl being awat glad to see on hand wi attention, e that one prietor sho^ the bees workers, pie were no cautions thi absolute co Messrs. Tho witnessed tl Thomas' had an oppo] an excellent with moveaq ghss window the bees wit J. H. Thoma hive at the c< keep or inter corresponden rickville, an < From The Best ordering Itali would state a have used sev manufiswture, in Canada tha J. H. Thomas find it the bcs one at the c( interested in 1 mSSmmammmmmmmm « » OPINIONS OF THE PRESS. From the Toronto Globe, 1864. 71 Notice of the Provincial Fair. — Happily much interest is being awakened all over the countnr in bee-keeping, and we are glad to see Messrs. Thomas, of Brooklin, and Scott of Yorkville, on hand with their hives. These hives attracted a great deal of attention, especially those of the Messrs. Thon •«, from the fact that one of them was inhabited, and from time . o time the pro- prietor showed the convenience of the hive and the quietness oi the bees by opening and exposing the comb, frame?, and busy workers. There would be a general rush into bee-keeping if peo- ple were not afraid of being stung. By taking certain little pre- cautions this danger may be completely obviated, and the most absolute control maintained over the " little busy bee." The Messrs. Thomas demonstrated this to the satisfaction of all who witnessed their exhibition of hives and bees. led I any but Uy anta ler- From the Canada Farmer^ 1864. Thomas' Moveable-Comb Observing B^b Hive. — ^We have had an opportunity of carefully inspecting this hive, and think it an excellent one. It is well made, of conveiuipt size, is fitted up with moveable frames of the most approved construction, and has gLss windows which afford the fullest opportunity for observing the bees without at all disturbing them. Th& makers, Messrs. J. H. Thomas & Bros., Brooklin, 0. W., intend exhibiting their hive at the coming Provincial Exhibition, and we advise sdl who keep or intend to keep bees, to examine it. By reference to oui correspondence colunms, it will be seen that Dr. Holden, of Mer- rickville, an experienced apiarian, thinks this hive "the best yet.'' From Mr. Holden, an experienced Apiarian^ 1864. The Best Bee Hive. — " As I am constantly asked by parties ordering Italian queens which is the best hive to use, in reply, I would state a good Moveable-Comb Hive is the best in use. I have used several Mnds of them for the last six years, of American manufia^ture, but I am proud to say we have hives manufactured in Canada that ard superior to any of them. I received one from J. H. Thomas & Bros., of Brooklin, C. W., a short time smce, and find it the best hive I ever saw. I understand they are to exhibit one at the coming Provincial Fair, and would advise all parties interested in bee culture to be sure and examine it." iii OPINIONS OP THE PRESS. From the Oshawa Vindicatory 1864. Notice op the Oshawa Fair. — "Messrs. J. H. Thomas & Bros., of Brooklin, also had their colo^ of bees on hand, together with samples of their Improved Bee Hives, and gave a lecture on the nature, habits, and manafjement of the bee, ulustratiiig it by performances as tney proceeded. They exhibited that wonderful msect, the queen bee ; showed the convenience of thek Moveable- Comb Hiire, by taking the comb, bees, and honey into naif a dozen pieces, while searchmg for the queen. This portion of the exhi- bition proved nearly as attractive as the floral hall." • <#> ^ ADVERTISEMENT Italian Queens. ; ly'e ate now prepared to furnish to order Italian Queens, with full mstruetions ibr introducing. Price ^ 00. Their purity and safe aniyal guaranteed. Also, all articles necessary for the proper management of an apiary. See List of Prices. J. H. THOMAS & BROS. ' Brooklin,C. W It*' . '1^ nas & gether Lire on it by derful eable- dozen ! exhi- , with y and >roper JF