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THIS WORK IS DESIGNED TO MEET THE WANTS OF THE PRACTICAL BEE-KEEPER IN CANADA, BY GIVING THE NECESSARY INFORMATION FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF BEES IN THIS CLIMATE IN MOVE- ABLE COMB HIVES. TORONTO: PRINTED AT THE GLOBE STEAM PRESS, 26 KING STREET EAST 1865. 1 ) \\ p -. -t 1% w ril THE CANADIAN BEE-KEEPERS' GUIDE: i:: i' %n easg welfeob of managing ^ws bg iht use of ^amm* latent Pobeable Comb fee fibe. By J. H. THOMAS, OP THE IIRM OF J. H. THOMAS & BROS., BEOOKLIN, C. W. ^-v..-v-s.-\ --^--v-^" THIS WORK IS DESIGNED TO MEET THE WANTS OF THE PRACTICAL BEE-KEEPER IN CANADA, BY GIVING THE NECESSARY INFORMATION FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF BEES IN THIS CLIMATE IN MOVE- ABLE COMB HIVES. i TORONTO: PRINTED AT THE GLOBE STEAM PRESS, 26 KING STREET EAST. 1865. Ill PREFACE. I ) As there is an interest being awakened in Canada in that very pleasing department of rural economy, bee-keeping, I take pleasure in offering to the public this little work, as a kind of introduction to a larger work to follow hereafter, as soon as the results of certain experiments now going on shall be fully known. As all other works on bee-keeping have been written by men living in a different climate from ours, it cannot be expected that they are in all respects adapted to this country. I have, therefore, endeavored, in this work, to meet the wants of practical bee-keepers in Canada, by setting forth an easy method of managing bees in moveable-comb hives, j have also endeavored to divest bee-keeping of a great amount of ignorance and superstition by which it has been en- shrouded in all ages. Though the work is small, I have sought to touch upon all important points in a manner, I trust, to make them sufficiently plain to be easily understood. If those just commencing bee-keeping will but follow the simple rules and advice I have given, they may be sure of some degree of success ; while the more experienced apiarian will be led to acknowledge that improvement is the order of the day. I furthermore ask an impartial trial of my hive, a full description of which I have given in this work; believing, as I do, that while its extensive sale may prove somewhat remunerative to myself, its extensive use will prove even more so to those who purchase. J. H. THOMAS. Bbooklin, C. W. INDEX. PAGE Apiary, Location of 24 Articles convenient for 25 Artificial Swarming 34 Swarms, how to make 35 '' when to make 35 Articles for the apiary, price of 59 April management 48 August management 50 Bees, Description of *J Of what a colony consists 10 The Government of 10 Number of journeys in a day 12 Greneral management of 24 How to approach '. 25 How to operate with a swarm 26 Preparation of hive for 2 Management for spring and summer 47 " March 47 »< April 48 '} PAGE 24 25 34 35 35 59 48 50 9 10 10 n 24 25 26 2(i 28 28 28 30 29 31 32 32 33 33 38 42 43 43 .... 43 .... 44 45 45 4(> 47 47 48 it <« u It It INDEX. V. I'AOB Bees, Management for May 48 June , 48 July 49 August fiO Fall and winter 60 September 60 October 61 November 61 December 61 January 62 February — . 62 Italian 61 Common to Italianize . . 63 Overstocking * . . . ^J Moving or transporting 67 Bee-hat, Price of 69 Bee-protector, Price of » 60 Bee-gloves, " 60 Bee-keeping, Profits ot. 64 Bee pasturage 66 Bee's wax, How to mak« 67 Bee feed, " •* 68 Bee bread *2 Bee glue *' o? Bee comb ^^ Comb frames, How to tate out ,...., 33 " Price of ff Comb or wax '. '^^ Combs, Renewing of ^f Cells 23 Queen . j^ Drones, Description of * J* When appear J J Reproduction , • • • J* — - How produced from unmipregnated eggs J* Time required to develop • J* Why so many required J* Destroyed by workers , ** But few go with first swarm *2 1 Should they be destroyed jt How to destroy ** Drone laying Queen, How to tell ^ " worker J° Comb, How to cut out. ** December management ^J Feeding bees, Will it pay • ^t M in the spring . 1* fit fl, INDEX. PAGE Breeding Bees in the fall 43 *« " winter 43 Feed for bees ^8 Fumigator, Price of «0 February management 52 , Oa Hives. by wiioni invented. Moveable comb Hive, What it should Cut of the single-boarded " double-boarded . Hives, Description and advantages of. Preparation of . . Price of .53 53 .55 68 55 26 . 59 Hiving, Best Method '-^7 Another way 27 Honey Bee, history of 5) Different qualities 22 Not made 22 Artificial • ' 22 How to ascertain the amount in a hive 07 Candied to make as good as new 6S To prevent candying J5^ Honey-boxes, How to pnt on my hive 38 How to take oflF my hive 38 How to get bees out of 38 \Vliy not put on at the time of hiving 38 Price of 59 Honey-knife, Price of 59 Italian bees, History of ^1 Superiority of <'2 Italianize common bees, How to 6^ The wholo apiary. How to 63 January management 52 June " 48 July " > 49 Moth or miller, Description of 40 Miller nest, Description of . 41 How fo know when m the combs 41 How to cut out 41 Miller Grabs, How to destroy 42 Miller, How to destroy 42 Management of bees in my hive 24 Metallic Gauge, Price of (JO March management 47 May management 48 November management i 51 Opinions of the press 71 kw PAOB , . 43 . 43 ,. «8 . . «0 , . 52 . . 52 , . 53 , . 53 , . 55 58 ,. 55 . . 26 , 59 . 27 . . 27 . . t) . . 22 . . 22 . . 22 . . ()7 . . 68 . . 68 . . 38 .. 38 .. 38 .. 38 . , 59 .. 59 .. 61 . . 62 . . 63 . . 63 . . 52 .. 48 .. 49 .. 40 . 41 . 41 41 . 42 . . 42 .. 24 .. 60 .. 47 .. 48 .. 51 .. 71 INDEX. Vli. PAOB October management ^\ Piping of the Queens Cause of — - Time of not always the same Quinby on time of. 19 19 20 20 22 23 64 10 15 15 15 16 17 Pollen. Propolis Profits of bee-lceeping Pasturage for bees " Queen, Description of. Reproduction of —, — Produced from a worlier egg Time required to develop, . Impregnation of Commences to lay Fertile, How known J^ Unfertile, How known J^ . Retarded impregnation of J J Lays impregnated and unimpregnated eggs Vf Goes with first swarm J^ . Piping of i^ How to find. .^ Y^. — — How to give to a stock f^l Drone laying, How to tell '^* Queen's attendants or train *** " ' 91 Young destroyed J JL Italian, Price of. ^^!^ '.V.\'.'.'.\'.'.'.".'.'. 15 37 68 *'•"*" 44 45 Queenless stock. How to know Queen cells, description of Queoii cell, How to give to a stock Questions answered Robbing of bees ■ • • Robbing, Hov/ to prevent , Robbers, your own or neighbour s, How to know vi Swarming, Philosophy of ^^ Natural ..^ Artificial .,g How to prevent • ^g Swarm, first „-. " Signsof 2b Second „,. Third • ;" Two or more issue together ^" Swarms issue and return • How long maybe expected ^J Leaving for the woods . . "on. Seldom leave without clustering ^^ ih VIU. INDEX. I ' 1 PAGE How to prevent leaving after hiving 28 To p»-event issuing together 28 How to manage when they cluster together 29 How to put together. . 30 " '' in the spring 30 " " in the summer 30 — '• '' in the fall 31 How to return to parent stock 30 How to prevent going with one already hived ... 31 Time when to make artificial 35 How to make artificial . . ... 35 Swarm of bees. How to operate with ^ 2G September management **..... ^, 50 Things worth knowing 69 Ventilation .«. 39 ., — In summer with my hive 39 In winter with my hive 39 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. H ow to give a stock 37 Worker larviB, Food of 12 Wintering bees, Best method 45 House for , . . . 46 # THE * *» J CANADIAN BEE-KEEPERS' GUIDE. QUEEN. WORKER. CHAPTER I. DRONE. The Natural History and Description of the Honey Bee. The HoTfEY Bee is said to have originated in Greece, though Hugh Miller, in his " Testimony of the Rocks, 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, a.s well as the labouring man and enquiring minds of all classes. The Germans imported the bee from Italy, and copying their hive from Greece have in some cases a thousand colonies to the square 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 California in 1853, from whence come almost fabu- lous accounts of their prosperity. Every garden should b(5 enlivened by their gentle hum. ^very flower that decks this brown earth with its varied hues, and per- fumes the atmosphere with sweet fragrance, should be daily visited bv the busy bee, for which its fountains of nectar burst forth, and its golden cup is filled. Thus every household may be furmshed with the delicious sweets of every bloommg field and forest, which otherwise would run to wast^, The improvements of letter daya i I!-' ) 10 THE CANADIAN have enabled man to appropriate to himself the abundance of their stores, which otherwise would be gathered for nauji^ht, without resorting to the cruel practice of murdering whole colonies. The ever busy bee, that now no longer labors in vain, deserves our kindest attention and warmest 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 only be profited and amused, but highly instructed, for even the wisest may learn many a lesson of economy and industry from A Colony of Bees, which, in a perfect state, consists of three kinds. 1st. The queen, or female— the mother of the whole fjimily. 2nd. The drones, or males—" The lazy fathers of the indm- ii'iom hive.'' 3rd. The workers or neuters— the bone and sinew of the hive A medium swarm contains about 15,000 bees, and weighs about 4 lbs. A good swarm contains about 25,000 bees, and weiglis about 6 lbs. A large swarm contains about 30,000 bees, and weighs about lbs. Some colonies, just before swarming, contain 40 000 and 50,000. The OoTernment of Bees Is not. as is generally supposed, a monarchy, for the queen has no more to do with the government than luiy other bee in the colony Each bee instinctively fills its own sphere, without any discord arisuig in the family. If more power or authoritv 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 young queens, guarding them agumst the attacks of the old queen, until at last she leaves the colony with all that feel disposed to go with her, which is called swarming. Bescrlptlon of the Queen. The queen is longer than either drone or worker, but not as large as tne 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, but have no cavities for car- rying poUen; her wings are quite short, covering but two-thirds ot her length ; her back is darker than the workers, but her BEE-KEEPERS GUIDE. 11 belly is more of an orange colour ; her raovements are quick and shy, when she desires to conceal herself from man ; at other times majestic and stately. She has a sting much longer than the workers, 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 propo- 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. Des0ption 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 the body ; their trunks, or bills, are shorter than the workers' ; they have no cavities on their legs for carrying pollen ; they have no stings, and are never seen gathering food of any kind, nor even water ; they can afford to eat and drink only what is brought to them, which is no small quantity. They are, assaiththe poet, " Jhe lazy fathers of the industrious hive,^' living on the fat of the land in perfect indolence, coming out but once a day for pleasure or pa?time. I'hough they are the male bees, probably not one in a thousand performs the duty assigned such, and he dies immediately after cohabiting with the queen. When Drones Appear. They generally make tueir appearance about the first of May, earlier or later, according to the climate and season. The more abundant the honey, the more drones are to be found— in num- bers, about one to twenty of the workers. Generally, they only live from two to four months, but if not destroyed by the work- ers, they might possibly live eight or ten months. Deseription of the Workers. The workers or neuters are the smallest bees in the colony, shaped more jike the queen than the drone, and well propor- tioned. They havf; four wings and six legs; their abdomen is composed of six scaly rings, something like fish scales; they have cavities on their legs for carrying pollen or bee bread ; they have a honey-bag or stomach for the purpose of carrying honey or any sweet which they may gacher, that holds about a 12 THE CANADIAN drop. Their eyea ard located in the upper part of the head, and do not turn in their sockets, but are stationary. When they view an object they are obliged to face it. They are armed with a iearful 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, yropolk, or bee glue, bring water, construct the cells, repair damages, nurse 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 labor £^e few, especially in most parts of Canada, and all northern latitudes. When the sun is up every one that can be spared U on the wing traversing field and forest in search of every flower that yields the sweet morsel until the day is spent. They generally live from six to eight months. Number of Journeys in a Day. A single colony in Germany has been known to make 215,040 journeys in a day, laying in store 28 lbs. of honey, and one in the United States owned by Mr. Wilcox, of West Bioomfield, N. T., made 153,600 journeys in a day, laying in store 20 lbs. of honey. Truly they are the " busy bee." Reproduction of tlie Worlcer. Every month in the year worker brood may be found in a strong colony, the least "being found in the month of December, and the most in the months of June and July. Workers are pro- duced from impregnated eggs laid by the queen or mother bee. Time required to develope a Worlcer. The time required to produce or develope a worker bee from the egg is about twenty days from the day of laying. In about three days the egg is hatched ; it then remains about five days in the larva 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 tiie Worker LarYie. The food consists of honey, -pollen or bee bread and water, and is compounded by the nurses of the larva. After about five days the larva stops eating, its food is then cut off and the cell 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 OUIDE. 13 three days more it is changed to a nympk or pupa ; remains about six days in the nymph state, in which it gradually undergoes so great a change as not to wear a vestige of its previous form. On tlie twentieth day it comes forth a perfect bee. The silken cocoon i3 left behind, foiniing a closely attached lining to the cell in which it was spun. Attention paid to Young Workers. It, has been supposed that great attention is paid to the young workers, that the older bees or nurses lick them all over, feeding them and coaxing them out to work. Such, however, is a mis- take. There is r\o attention paid to them whatever. Even when emerging from their cells, they are often run against by the workers in such a manner us to almost dislocate their necks. They are forced to draw back, out of danger, and when they have fiually made their escape from the cells, they are forced to seek their own food and provide for themselves, as not a friend has a morsel to offer, even upon the same day they enter upon the duties of lite. The bees sometimes seen upon the lighting-board around which are gathered several bees apparently licking them all over, and which some have taken for young bees, are robber bees, and instead of being kindly treated, they are held prisoners, and by the con- tinual biting, instead of licking, which they receive, are forced to deliver up whatever honey they may have and then are either set at liberty or nnmercifnlly despatched. Sex of Workers. Workers are sometimes called neuters, that is neither male nor ii^male, but they are pjoperly undeveloped females, which are inca- pable of becoming impregnated ; and their ovaries, or egg-bags are so imperfectly developed that under ordinary circumstances they are incapable of bieedrng ; retaining, however, so much of the instinct of females an to become the nurses of the brood, which they tend with the gr.u .^st care. Workers lay Drone Eggs. In some ca-es, however, worker bees become so far developed, by receiving a ])ortion 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 unimpregnated eggs, and all such eggs are found to produce drones only. It sometimes happens when a colony has lost its queen and cannot produce another, that drone laying workers are 2 14 THE CANADIAN allowed to take her place ; but as they can never lay anything but drone ei^o-s, they are wcr^e 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. Reproduction of tlic Drones. As it has already been remarked, drones, or male i^oes, are produced from unimpregnated eggs, whicli, if the season is favourable, the queen commences to lay about the first ot May. How Produced from llnimpregnated Eggs. The question is often asked, how can an unimpregnated egg produce a drone ? While it may be difficult to tell how, yet such is a fact long since established. However, I conclude that all unimpregnated egga laid by the queen bee have, from the previous impregnation of the egg from which she sprung, sufficient vitality to produce the drone, which is a less highly organized insect than the queen or worker. Time Required to Develop a Drone. A drone is generally developed in about twenty-four days, counting from the day the egg is laid. The gentleman passes three days in the egg ; six and a half as a grub, or lai^va, and is perfected about the twenty-fourth day. Why are so many Drones required? The question is often asked, Why are so many drones pro- duced, if only one has coition with each queen ? 'I'he reason is this : ' The queen is always impregnated on the wing, and in order to insure her impregnation, it is necessary that many drones should be on the wing when she takes her bridal tour, iu order that she may be sure to meet with one. When the wea- ther is favourable, drones leave the hive in search for queens from 12 to 4 o'clock each day. Drones Destroyed by Workers. After all swarming is over, and the honey harvest begins to fail, the drones are destroyed by 1 workers. At first an effi)rt is made to drive them from the hive, and especially from those portions of comb which contain honey. This continues for several days ; but the drones are not so easily to be disposed of, clustering together in large numbers, as if for mutual sympathy. BEE-KEEPERS GUIDE. 15 They bear their persecution nobly. But the workers, becomm more in earnest, drag them from the hive, cut their winp:s, and push them off the lighting board, till at last the work of destruc- tion commences in good earnest, and the workers unmercifully despatch them with their stings. In Canada, the general mas- sacre takes place in August, though a scarcity of honey may bring i^ on sooner, or an abundance may put it off till later. Reproduction of the Queen. Generally about twenty days after drone eggs aie laid, queen cells are commenced by the worker bees (from two to twenty are started, and sometimes even more), and the rearing ot queens commences. Produced from a Worker Egg. Her 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 female bee, and the eg^ that produces a queen, which is a per- fect female bee. The difference 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. I^ie food of the worker hrva is compounded of bee-bread, honey and water, and the cell is small, lying in a horizontal position, while the food of the roval Inrva is a creamy-like substance or jelly, different in taste, being more pungent. How it is prepared is still a question, but by some quality it possesses it changes the nature of the, larva from a worker to a queen bee, by developing organs of reproauc- tion which, in the worker, remain undeveloped. Queen 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 luUy 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 cell. Time required to^ Develop a Queen. ' A queen is developed from an egg in about sixteen days, reckoning from the day the egg is laid. Her royalty passes I I 16 THE CANADIAN U\ W^ three days in the egg, five days a grub or larva, during which time the workers deposit so much food in the cell that the 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 occupies one day. The tenth, eleventh, and part of the twelfth, it remains in complete repose ; then the transformation takes place, in which four or five days are passed, and, generally, on the sixteenth day, the perfect state of the f|ueen 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 until after her impregnation ; but as soon as that has taken place she is constantly attended by the worker bees. The Queen'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 three minutes. Impregnation 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. Gene- rally, however, within five days she may be confidently looked for to issue from the hive, between the hours of 1 2 and 3 o'clock p.m., when the drones are flying most abundantly. As before re- marked, impregnation take? place on the wing The celebrated Huber, in 1 788, instituted a course of experiments on the sub- ject of the queen's impregnation, the result of which led him to the conclusion that it took place on the wing high in the air. Though it has generally been conceded by German apiarians since Ruber'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 have been reserved for our cousins across the water. It was first witnessed in June, 1859, by the Kev. Mr. Millette, of Whitemarsh, Pa. : and on the 8th of July, 1861, by Wm. W. Carey, of Coleraine, Mass., and R. B. Otis, of Kenosha, Wiscon- sin, at Mr. Carey's apiary. For 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 ofi" 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 time, she returns to the hive, where she remains a little Ufa. BEE-KEEPERS GUIDE. 17 while, and then makes another tour. 1 his she continues to do every day until she becomes impregnated. Queen Commences to Lay. From two to five days after in\pre{,'uation she commences to lay, which seems to be the sole purpose of her existence ; and if she meet with the drone within twenty-one days from tlic time she issues from the cell, she will bo a fertile queen, Uiym- both worker and drone eggs. A Fertile Queen-How Told. " A fertile queen lays her e.orgs in regular order, commencing at a point and distributing them in circles, each surrounding the first, and on both sides exactly alike. Sealed worKer brood should present a regular smooth surface." Bee CiMlvre, pp. 162, 163. An Unfertile Queen-How Told. An unfertile queen is one that lays drone e;?gs, and may be known by an irregular brood. A number of raised oval cells m worker comb shows the presence of drone brood, and mdicates a drone-laying queen ; one that is old and approaching barren- ness, or a case of Retarded Impregnation. Tf the queen, by some misfortune, does not become impreg- nated within the first twenty-one days of her existence, she never makes anything more than a drone-laynig queen. Here we see the wisdom of the Creator in the provision ol so many drones. The chances for the queen to be destroyed are maiiy^ the time for her impregnation short— hence the necessity ot her meeting with a drone as soon as possible, and which dip might never do if only a few existed. But being once impregnated, it IS for life. She remains fertile for three, and frequently four years, after which she will lay. principally, drone egga. It is better then to destroy her and qive to the bees a young, ferti c queen, or they will produce another, if they have any worker eggs unhatched, which can e y be seen in a moveable-coinb hive. A Fertile Queen Lays both Impregnated and Unimpreg- nated Eggs. This may appear strange ; it is nevertheless true. The im- pregnating, or seminal fluid, received by the queen from the 18 THE CANADIAN ii drone, is contained in a small sac called the sperm reservoir, or spcrmatheca, which communicates with the oviduct through which the eggs pass to be deposited in the cells. Therefore, when thp eggs leave tlu^ ovaries, or egg-bags, they are unimpreg- nated, but in passing through the oviduct all eggs that produce workers or queens are brougfit in contact with tlie mouth of the sac containing the seminal fluid, and receive a portion of it, which impregnates them ; while th6 t^ic,'^ that produces a drone passes through tlu^ ovditct without coming in contact with tlK- seminal fluid. Wlu'ther the queen has tlie power to Jjring tlin egg in contact with the mouth of the sac at will or whether it is brought there by the body being comjn-essed wlicn laying in u worker cell, is a question yet unsettled. My own opin.on is. that she has the power, and instinctively closes the mouth of the sac when laying in worker 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. CHAPTPm H. Philosophy of Swarming— Honey -Pollen or Bee-Bread- Propolis or Bee-Glue—Wax or Bee-€onib. Though bees have been kept for ages in the past, yet at the present day probably there is not more than one out of ten of those who keep bees hut what is ignorant of the nature of swarm- ing, t shall, therefore, in this chapter endeavour to show briefly why stocks ibiDW 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 honey, prepara- tion is therefore made for swarming. I'his is done by the workers who instinctively commenctj the rearing of young queens. Fov, he it remembered, if joung queens are not icared t)i» swarming will take place, though they may be cvir so nmck 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 queens are being reared. BEE-KEEPERS GUIDE. 19 H(] and brood, fhe old Queen goes with the first Swarm. I'hP nueen finding the breeding cells all occupied and the rear- • <;nf vounff queens commenced, becomes much agitated. Day h."dlTe becomes more restless, and not being able to destroy ?>L voung que."« ^hich are now well guarded by the workers she rnn/rSyovc. the combs ; sometimes stopping upon the side of nomb and dropping her eggs among the workers who greedily lTou^hem tL workers also partake of the excitement, a few ffir/t the number gradually increasing, running rapidly over the S^rikin-thoir attenna. at each other. As soon as one or '*' ^ J the nSeeu cells are capped over, the excited bees, as i by moreoflhe eence^^^^^^^^^H^^ themselves with their ^''"''r«^ores After eaUee has partaken to the full, wind and P'X ^erm Uint^t^^^^^ rush from tlie hive in a perfect cloud as TtthalW plto^^^^ had been let loose amonirthem he ^rqu^n lavs going with them, sometimes leading out the Bwarm. ^^^^ ^^^ Drones go with flrst Swarm. Rnt few drones go with the first swarm as the old queen is atody impregnated for life, hence they are not reqmred. In- Sbely they remain with the parent hive where the young queens are being reared. Second Swarm. When the first swarm is cast, the parent hive is left without a oueen but several are fast being developed. As before remarked one o; more of the queen-cells are generally sealed over before the oW que?n leaves ; in eight days the oldest of the young queens emeSfrom the cell ; the next day, a second svyarm may be ex- p31f all is favourable ; that is, if the stock intends to cast a second swarm. Piping of the (lueens. 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 JJ^cry of war." Suppose a first swarm issued on Saturday a week f,.om the next day, at evening, if you put your ear close to the hive the piping may generally be heard. Cause of Piping. As before remarked, piping is a cry of war ; as soon as the first au^n emerges from thVcell, she seeks the cells contaming her il liti ! i m 20 THE CANADIAN sister queens ; but if the workers intend to a warm, a guard has alreafJy hw;n plaowl arounil Iheiu. Finding she cannot reach them, she commences piping and is ficnerally answered by the next older queen yet in the cell, but ready to emerge in a day or two Tiie (jueen finding that she cannot destroy her rival, and perhTp dreading a battle, like her mother before her, determines to leave and accordingly the next day after piping it-sues with u second swarm. Time not always the same. I wish to be understood that when I spt^ak of the time or dav when anything will take place, it is in a general sense, as wind and weather, us well as other things, cause tin* time to vary. Quinby on the time of Piping. Says Quinby, " 1 (ever failed to hear it previous to a second swarm whenever J iiscened. The time of commencing will be later than this ruleir) some stocks : if the weather is unlavorable or not many bees left, it may be ten or twelve days (after the first swarm) ; J once tound it fourteen belbre I heard it. Also the tiwarm may not issue in two or three days after ir, \n heard " Such are exceptions to the general rule. Third 8warm. The sanae scene is again enacted incase f a thud or more swurms. I he time, however, that intervenes »>pi,vvuen the sec r.d then with their mouths mould it to their liking. Scalas of wax may be seen on the bottom board of any hive where comb- building is going on. Bees fed on the darkest kinds of sugar will produce Just as pure white comb as if fed on the purest honey. Cells of a Honey-comb Are of different sizes. 'I'he 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 ate a little over half an inch in length and /our to ! I'l ii » "P 24 THE CANADIAN the inch each way. Store cells are of different lengths and differ- ent 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 ar; constructed over an inch in depth aod 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 HI. General Management. It is to b3 regretted that there is so much superstition connected with the management of bees — so much in almost every operation that is superfluous and uncalled for. The using of a white cloth in hiving ; the blowing of horns, rattling of bells, and throwing dirt to cause a swarm to cluster ; the washing of hives with sait 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 suc- cessful bee-keeping is *' luck," that bees will not prosper where man and wife disagree, that bees will dwindle away 'and die if not infoimed of every death in the family, to the dark ages of super- stition and folly. Equally so does the idea that bees may be charmed, that the experienced apiarian who at State or Provincial Fairs handles his bees as if they were flies, possesses any power to con- trol them more than any man or woman may acquire by under- standing their nature and habits. So long, however, as bee-keepers will continue to u^e the common or box hive, and neglect to study their nature and habits, they must remain in comparative ignor- ance of the honey bee, and of the proper method of managing them. Only by using moveable comb hivres 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 beekeepers of Canada an easy method of managing bee3 by the use of my hive, which 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 Prebs.) Location of the Apiary. Bees properly managed will be well located. No man would think of setting his stocks where they would be constantly exposed bee-keepers' guide. 25 to bleak winds without some kind of protection. To select a good location, then, for the apiary is a P^^^^ o^f^^ , management Stocks should always tace the South, as that allows them bothtlie morniun- and evenlns? sun. They : liould be protected from North winds and, if single boaidtd hivrs are used, shaded from a noon- day sun. With my double boarded hive no protection Irom the sun is necessary. Articles Convenient for an Apiary. An o!d 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-cloves, a good wino-, fumigator or smoke-pipe, bee-sprinkler (a common water sprinkler will do), honpy-knife, old dry wood, tobacco or puff-ball. I would not bi^ understood to say that these things must be kept especially for the apiary, for they may be found or a substitute in almost every family. Those, however, who take pleasure in hav- ing everything in its proper time and place will, of course, require tliem The expense is trifling, and with proper care they will last a lifetime. (See price list of articles for the apiary.) Smoke : Its Effects. Smoke is quite necessary in managing bees, and should always be reody, especially in hot weather, when bees are irritable. Sweetened water is also good to quiet them, by sprinkling it upon them Nothing, however, equals smoke for all purposes ; and it is the cheapest. I would not say they cannot be managed with- out smoke, for I often do so myself ; but I consider it better to use it as it gives the apiarian better control over them, and does them no iniury. Any kind of smoke will answer. Made of old rotten wood or chips, m a shallow dish, and blown in among the bees with the mouth, it will cause them to fill themselves with honey, and then they can be handled in any manner you please. Tobacco is more powerful, and dried puff ball still more so, soon stupifying them. With 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 striking at bees ; if they grow saucy, never mind, stand boldly to the work and awe them into submission. It you cannot do this without put on a bee-protector ; it is simple and of trifling expense •, 3 h .' ^1 i ■T : if : t! 26 THE CANADIAN can be worn by either lady or gentleman, and with care will last tt liltjiju (^-u list of prices.) How to Operate witli a Swarm or 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 should 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 sting, will fly about the stand looking for the hive and not trouble you. Having removed the hive treat the bees to a little smoke, rap on the hive a few times, wait a few minutes and then commence operations, for a child may handle them now. Natural Swarming. It is very important in managing bees to understand swarming, m order to be prepared for every emergency. I would, therefore, refer the amateur to chapter IT. ' Philosophy of Swarming," which should be read carefully. Before the swarming season arrives it is highly necessary that everything be in readiness that there may be no Imrry nor confusion when a swarm issues. In ordec to make such preparations it is necessary to know the Time wlien Swarming may be Expected. In Canada, swarming may be looked for from the fifteenth of June until the fifteenth of July, on any pleasant day, from 9 o'clock in the morning until 4 o'clock in the afternoon. Jn some localities when the season is favourable, swarms may be expected any time after the first of June, and in very rare cases, from strong stocks, swarms may issue the last of May. Therefore, in order to be safe, all preparations should be completed by the first of J une. Preparation of Hives for Bees. Hives that have been used should be well cleaned aninR may bo remov»l The .rood brood comb aliould 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 fint swarm has "issued is the best time to transfer, for at that time there is little or no brood in the cells. On that account it ia belter; but in this northern latitude, and especially in sections of till' country where buckwheat is not grown, where there is no fall jjoney harvest, it is too laic unless there is an abundance of honey in the hive, so that sulticient for winter can be given them, for they •ire very apt to do but little except repair their comb, commencing at once to consume the supply on hand ; but if theitj is sufficient honey they may bi> transferred much later, giving them all the honey by putting it in the honey l)ox and placing it on the hive, they will soon carry it below. In order to be safe, however, where no iall honey harvest abounds, it would be better to transfer about swarming season ; then if the stock is strong, it may be divided and maife into two good swarms, giving o\w. the queen, and the other cards of comb on which are ([ueeii cells, which may generally he found about this time, (^reat care should be taken not to injure the brood. How to Manage Bees in my Hive. The management of bees in my hivti will, in part, apjily to al' moveable comb hives ; but as my hive has several advantages over ol her moveable comb hives, 1 will give the plan of operating for all general ))urposes. For the •• preparation of the hive " and maimer of " hiving," see directions under their respective heads. How to Take Out Comb Frames. Take off the c»ver, then at the back side oi the hive pry up the v,r.nmr Knur/i ,i Hfiin un.i hlow ii) siiuoke uiitil the bccs Fuu down i ; 34 THE CANADIAN into the combs. Be sure and not disturb the honey box, biit let it remain on the honey board : if Imin ure in it, no nuitter. Ah soon as the bees havo'nearly all run off from the honey board, Hit it otr carefully with the honey box on it, and lay it down so as'not to kill the bees, if any are still on the underside of the honey board. Now turn down the revolvin^r bunds, blowing' a little Bmoke upon the bees occasionally to keep them down, or 8i)rinkliiiLr with sweetened water. Now, stand close up to the side of the hive, and take hold of the ends of the third frame from the side ol' the hive farthest from you, uod raise it out of the beariuLns aiul move it towards you as far as you can, without hurtin" the bees say one-eighth of an inch, aud 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 Irame, the outside one, and remove it without crushing ttie bees. After having examined il for whatever you may desire, you can hang it in a box or empty hive, or set it down and let it rest against the 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 th(i frame and hang it on them. The other frames may then be taken out' examined, and hung on the pins, or placed back again in theii' respective 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 placed it back again ; then place tbe se- cond or third frames in their bearings again . If any bees are under the ends of the frames, blow smoke upon them until they run into the hive ; then turn up the revolving bands, and you arc 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 ofl' without killin" them. Whenever the bees get in the way, blow a little smoke on tnem and they will soon leave. Artificial Swarming:. Artilicial swarming, successfully practiced, has many advanta- ges over natural swarming. By artificial swarming the apiarian IS enabled to control his bees ; 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. All such stocks may be forced or divided, and made into two or more swarms, when artificial swarming is prac- ticed.^ There is no loss by swarms going to the woods, nor loss of time m watcning the bees during the swarming season, for at the RRE-KEKPERS GUTHE. 35 proper time the apiarian can divide liis stocks, and the work is finished. Time when to make Artlflclal Swarms. Any time after the drones appear, if stocks are sti-onn^, will do, vf't I consider it better to wait until about swarming' season. How to make Artificial Swarms. There apo various ways of artificial swarminj** ; some practice one method, some another. 1 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 your new or empty hive, with all the bees that may adhere to them ; examine them and see if the (jueen is on them, if not, she must be found and put on them ; ihen take out two other frames, and shake or wing off the bees into the new hive with those already put in, but retiirn the frames to the hive Irom which you took them, and put in two empty j'rames in the place of those removed, in such a manner that a card of comb may be between them. Now remove the old stock from its stand some eight or ten rods, or more, if convenient, to a new stand ; smoke them a little, and rap on the hive until they fill themselves with honey, and then leave them. Now take your new hive, in which you have just put two combs, with queen and bees, and set it on the old stand. The result will be that all the bees that were in the field, and some from the old stock, will return to the old stand and enter the new hive, which, having a laying (jueen, will soon build up and become a strong stock. The old hive will, of course, lose some bees by their returning to the old stand, but, at the same time, large numbers are being daily devel- oped from the brood left in the hive, which will replace them. Finding their queen is missing, they will at once commence to raise another, unless they already have young queens developing, which they generally have about this time, in which case they will wait for one to develope. It is therefore better, it there are queen cells capped over, or with larvai in them, to leave them in the old stock, then they will not be so long without a queen as they would if they had to produce one from the egg. If one of the stocks, after a day or two, has more bees than the other, you can exchange them, putting the weak stock in the place of the strong one for a few days, until equalized. Another method : When the apiarian has eight stocks from which he wishes to make artiiiciai swarms, 36 THE CANADIAN a frame may be taken from each (pnttinn^ in empty ones in the place of those removed), wing oH" the bees into their respective stocks, and put the frames, containinif comb and brood in all stages, into an empty hive ; if qne(!u cells are found in any of the stocks, give to the new stock u card of comb containing one. Now remove one of the strongest stocks away from its stand to a new one, and set the new stock in its place ; enough bees from the old stock will return to the old stand and enter the new hive, to lear the brood, and make a strong stock. This may be repeated as often as the old hive can spare a frame Both of tliese opera- tions should be performed in the morning, on a warm day. How to Prcvi^nt Swiirming. About five days fii'ievn first swarm has issued remove the comb frames and cut out all the quwn cells but, one, leaving the one nearly matured, which may be known by its having the wax removed Irom the end or lid by the bees, which gives it a brown appearance. 'I'hey may frequently be prevented from swarming by giving them more room in the txxiy oi the hive, which may be done by removing comb-frames filled with honey, and giviui? tlieni empty ones. But when the former method is adopted and the queen cells destroyed whenever they attempt to build them, large amounts of pure surplus honey may be obtaineil. How to find the Queen. Whenever it is desirable to find the queen, follow the directions given for taking out comb-frames. l^iXamine each card of comb separately, on both sides, if the (jueen is not found on the first comb examined, set it down outside, or hang it on pins fixed in the side of the hive, and so continue to do with each card of comb until the queen is found. No great dif!)culty need be anticipated in finding her, as she is always moving about und readily detected by her extreme length and tapering abtlomen. How to give a Queen to a Stock. Whenever a stock is found to be queenless with no queen cells in the combs, a queen may be given to them without any danger of her being killed. Remove the cover off my hive, take off the honey-box, and put the queen on the top of the comb-frames, in the passage through the honey-board. It is always well to put a few dro}i3 of honey on her before you bt her go. They will soon clean it off and receive her all right. Hut when a (jueen is to be given to a stock from which one has been removed, a little more BEE-KEEPERS GUIDE. 37 caution may be necessary in introducing- the stranger queen, especially if it be an Italian queen. (See the directions for introducing Italian queens.) There is not that risk atteud- ino- the introduction of a queen as is generally supposed, espe- cially if it be a laying queen ; for as soon as caught by the bees she will at once drop her eggs, which seems to pacify them, and they will generally let her go. A young queen that had not commenced to lay might not fare as well, and laying queens are sometimes destroyed by the workers, but such is the exception and not the rule. How to give a Queen Cell to a Stock. 'jHiis may frequently be done by exchanging cards of comb witli a stock that has a queen cell to spare, or you may cut out a queen cell and insert in the combs of the queenless hive. This may be done by cutting out a piece of the comb on which the cell is built, then cut a piece the same size out of a comb from the queenless hive, and insert the piece containing the- queen cell in its stead. Care must be taken not to bruise the queen cell. How to give Worker Eggs to a Stock. When a, stock is found fjueenless, and no queen or queen cells can be spared to give it, you can remove a frame and exchange it with a hive that has brood comb with worker eggs in it, or a piece of comb may be cut out and inserted the same as a queen cell. How to know when a Stock has no Queen. Take out the combs and examine them ; if there are no eggs, uor brood, you may be quite certain they have no .queen. In common hives, during the breeding season, if there is a queen, eggs may be found on the bottom board in the morning. If a large number of drones are allowed to remain in a hive long after they have been destroyefl by the bees in other hives, you may be certain that such a hive is queenless. How to Tell a Drone-laying Queen. Queens frequently become unfertile the fourth year of their age, and liy drone eggs. When such is the case the bees dimmish in numbers, until too few are left to protect the combs from the moth, while the drones grow even more abundant. When it is suspected that a stock has a drone-laying queen, it may be easily ascertained by examining the combs. If the worker cells contain drone brood you may be quite certain that you have a drone-lay- 4 II 38 THE CANADIAN ing quecH. If drone brood is in the worker cells, it will be known by such cells projecting beyond the usual even surface of worker brood, and being very irregular, here and there a few. How to tell when a Swarm has a Drone-laying Worker. As in the case of a drone-laying queen, the brood will be irregu- lar, and some in drone cells and some in worker cells, and yet it will be all drone brood. If, upon examination, no queen is found, you can rest assured there exists a drone-laying worker. Remedy : Introduce a queen, queen cell, or worker eggs. , How to put Honey-boxes on my Hive. Remove the cover, if the passage through the honey-board has been covered with a board, pry it up gently, blow under a little smoke, then take it off, blow more smoke, until all the bees run down among the combs, then put on the honey-box. If the honey- box has been turned over, bottom side up, pry up as before, blow a little smoke, and turn it over. How to Remove a Honey-Box from my Hive. Take off the cover, pry up the honey-box, gently blow under some smoke until the bees run down among the combs, then take it off and put on another, or cover with a board. This is much better than sliding on a piece of sheet-iron, killing a number ol bees. Honey-boxes should be removed in the morning, early, as less bees are in the boxes at that time. How to Get Bees Out of a Honey-Box. If they are removed in the honey season, there is but little diffi- culty ; blow in a little smoke, turn the box over a short distance from the hive, give it a few raps and they will soon leave. If re- moved in the fall, when the honev harvest is done, or nearly so, it is better to set your honey- boxes in a barrel or box and cover it with a white cloth ; the bees will soon leave the honey-})oxes and light upon the cloth, which may be removed and the bees shaken oft. By this method the bees will \m) prevented from removing the homy to the hive, which they are very ready to do in the fall. Why Boxes should not be Put on at the Time of Hiving. If bees are allowed to go into the honey-box at the time of biying, they will commence there to build comb, and the queen oemg With them, they will build brood-comb and make it their m BEE-KEEPERS GUIDE. 39 home instead of the body of the hive, which would rain the stocks. Ventilation. I'here is much written and said about ventilation, some advo- cating an upward ventilation or hives ventilated at the top, and some an under ventilation or hives ventilated at the bottom. Now the truth is, the advocates of both these systems 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 iimong the combs; while daring the summer when stocks are breeding, it is quite wrong ; for there are often cold nights and sudden changes when a current of air [)assing upward through the combs would greatly retard the rearing of i-rood, while an under ventilation, that is, a current ot air passing through under the combs would, in no way, affect the brood, and yet be sufficient for the bee?. , Ventilation in Summer with my Hive. When the bees are too warm and require more ventilation, there will be an unusal roaring in the hive, and a number of bees about the entrance, blowing with their wings ; the roaring in the hive is also causi^d by bees blowing inside. More ventilation may he given them with my hive in a moment's time bysiro; 'y turning the buttons at the rear of the hive so that the bottom board may drop down half an inch. 'I'he 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 pnivent millets going in. Ventilation in Winter wltli my Hive. If wintered in a house, as recommended in this work, or dry cellar, or any other place where it will not freeze, the honey-board should be removed, and a piece oC wire-doth, stiff-net, or cheese- cloth, laid over the 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 |)repared, the cover being placed on as \isual and tne entrance closed, they will have a ventilation that :.annot be surpassed for wintering in-doors where it cannot freeze. When stocks are to be wintered out of doors, proceed as follows :— Remove the honey- board and put on the wire-cloth or stiff-net the same as for win- tering in a bouse, then lay ou as much cleao straw, or hay, or m M I 40 THE CANADIAN what is better still, corn-cobs, as the cover of the hive will shut over ; see that it shuts tight, close the ventilation through the bottom board, by covering the passage with a piece of tin or sheet-iron ; contract the entrance to half an inch or close it entire- ly if you think best, and your bees are prepared and properly ven- tilated for wintering out of doors. Description of Ibe Bee-Moth or Miller. Among all the enemies of the honey-bee there are none that re- quire any consideration except the moth or miller. Let it be un- derstood that the moth and the miller are one and the same thing, laying quiet and stupid looldn 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 hive and deposit their eggs among the combs, where the heat of the bees soon developes them into what are called " grubs," " miller- grubs," " worms," '' moth-worms," «fec., all being tk jne and same thing — the larva or grub, developed from the egg ot the moth or miller, after a similar manner that the honey-bee larva, worm oi' grub is developed from the egg of the queen bee. The bee grub spins itself a cocoou in the cell, and finally comes out a winged insect — the honey-bee. So the miller-grub spins itself a cocoon in some place of concealment and finally comes out a v/inged insect — the mHler or moth. The bee-gri\h is fed in the cells by the workers, but the miiler-grnb is obliged to help itself, which it does as soon as it is hatched, its principal food being way and comb on which it feeds voraciously for about three weeks. It then spins its cocoon from which it frequently conies or* ; a miller in ti^n or twelve days ; sometimes, however, remaining for months, and even all winter, without being transformed ; much depending, as to the time of transformation, upon the degree of heat to which they are subject- ed. If the miller cannot deposite her eggs on the combs in the hive, she will deposite them in a crack or anv other place where they will 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 seldom do much damage, being caught by some worker-bee by the nape of the neck, and very unceremoni- ously ejected. BEE-KEEPERS GUIDE. Description of a Moth or Miller Nest. 41 A moth or miller iiest is formed by the grubs gettmg the advuntaffe of the bees and spinning their cocoons m the combs ; thJttock being weak, they are not dislodged ; the consequence is, he belt ol the'bees soon transforms the grub into a miller, which, ti^ruin- from the cocoon, is already in the combs and soon com- uS fo lay her eggs, which soon hiitch in o other grubs which Sn in tur^n spin cocoons and emerge millers Thus the nest which It first wis not larger than a walnut, gradually incr^ m leas more eggs are laid, more grubs are hatched and more ?nmers wroduc^, until it becomes as large as a quart bowl, and ToSretntrger, till at last the stock is entirely destroyed. How to Know when a Miller Nest Is In the Combs. If o miller's nest is in the combs it may readily be seen by "'''^r'nf the «ubf JeSg coarse powder or ground coffee, ments of the gruDs. ™era"""B ,■ X ^^r where it is locat- will be seen on the -f »?'" ^"^JSltee bees, often webbed Its tutT^otrS Srr dimoulty is entirely obviated. HOW to Bestroy or Cot Out a Miller Nest. Drop the bottom board of my^i^^^a^J by ^e ^^^^^^^^^^ above, see in which card of comb «ie n^t la i^ , ^^ ^^^^^ the comb from the hive.wmg on the "era, or mow m on them and they will 'XlfniKfout Kt Irch^ o«t nest bare ; then with a sharp ™f .^"\,^''eombs to eat, and re- any grubs that may have ™° ""''"'"i^lS directly over the movl them, for they run out '"/^^XSv™ aB^n caae. heads of the brood »Pr;h"|.„X wLh thf^ cannot sting. :^;StLtM^5orf^^^^^ 4* Wf 1 42 THE CANADIAN ii moveable comb hives, this most destructive ot all CDemies of the honey bee is easily disposed oi'. Ter. ^i-'nules' time, a puff of smoke and a pocket-koifo will remove ihv ,:■ '. and save a stock of beeSt How to Destroy Miller Grubs. Every morning, or at least two or three times a week, drop down the bottom board of my hive and despatch all that can he found, for the bees frequently eject them from the combs, and they fall to the bottom board, where they may be easily destroyed li attended to before they crawl out of the hive and wind themselves in their cocoon foi 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, cut 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 ihis 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 lay thousands of eggs. How to Destroy the Miller or Moth. 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. Milk set out in dishes among the hives will also catch muny 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 aod circumstances, it is somewhat doubtful if it is the surest road to success, for the apiarian to attempt wintering any stock so poorly supplied with honey that he feels satisfied will need feeding in the spring or before." 1 think Mr. Quinby not ftir from the mark. It is certainly far better not to put any stocks into winter quarters that ■-*i BEE-KEEPERS GUIDE. 43 ;• a ptock of will require feeding. If it is desirable to winter a stock that is deficient in honey, let it be fed in September until the hive con- tains enough to carry them through the winter. Under some circumstances, it may be necessary io feed in the winter and in the spring, and when such is the case, it can be easily done in my bive. How to Feed Bees in the Spring In my Hive. Remove the cover, and place a dish containing feed on the top of the comb frames in the passage through the honey board, replacing the cover as biilore. At this season of the year they may be fed any kind of hugar nuuio into a syrup with water. A pi(ce of comb is v(!iy conviMiieul to put into the dish, and then turn the feed o\\ to it. If comb car)not be had, s-ome straws or sticks should be put into the dtsii to prevent the be^'s from getting iotothe teed. Uulf a teacnpful every morning will be sufficient lor a strong stock. How to Feed Bees in the Fall. Bres, in the lall, may be fed after the same maimer as directed for the spring. It i.-* better, however, to feed white sugar or honey, but common sugar will 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. 11 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 led 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 spring or summer. A dish containing the feed should be placed on the top of the comi» 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 ^8 off and at the same time retain sufficient heat to keep the bees warm and allow tluim to reach their feed. If wintered out of doors, they may 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. Fted for winter shouid always be honey or white sugar, prepared according to directions given under the head " Bee Feed." 44 THE CANADIAN ,ijf t M."l Drones-Should they be Destroyed ? As drones are of no use only to impregnate the young queens, it is evident that any more than is absolutely necessary for that purpose are worse than useless, as they every day consume a large amount of honey. One hive containing drones out of every twenty- five is quite sufficient ; all others may be destroyed as soon as they appear, or prevented from appearing by cutting out drone comb. When the swarming season is over the remainder may be destroyed. By this method not only a large amount of honey is saved, but the bees are saved the time and the trouble of killing them. How to €iit Out Drone-comb. Remove the frames from the hive, and mth 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 will 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 develope, they may 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 large 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 quick and sure work of it. This may appear cruel, but it is much less so than to allow the workers to slowly torture ihem to death. Robbing 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 trouble and loss. It frequently happens that a stock of bees be- coming overpowered by robbers, join in with them and assist in carrying away all their stores, and the bee-keeper very unex- pectedly finds his hive minus bees and honey. How to Know when Bees are Bobbing. As soon as bees commence to rob there may be seen on the lighting board several bees surrounded by others, forming small ren( bee-keepers' ouide. 45 [)g queens, y for that ne a large ry twenty- oil as they one comb, destroyed, saved, but lein. )ckct-knife and if you ece in the he worker il be more commence hut out of or setting lone about the hive. outside of latter how This may jvorkers to ences, and her; and, •ian much f bees be- j assist in ery unex- jen on the liog small clusters. The bee surrounded is a robber ; they hold it a pnsoner , Tme are biting its legs, some its wings, while another is ready to Te what hoifey it has for by the continual biting of the other bees Tt is forced to give it up. When it has given up all the teV it 3 sometimes allowed to go free, but trequentyit is at nce^d patched by a sting, and in its effort to ^^ve^tseU from the {ZA\rr thnmt falls uDon the ground to rise no more. When this W^ee^S^^^ and the Btock should be at ona^ 4tended to A strong stock will generally defend itself, but f weak it will very likely be overpowered, unless some assistances rendered. How to Prevent Robbing, with my Hive. When proper attention has been given to the bees, and the directions^folbwed which are given for spring and tall manage- n^Inl there will be but little to fear from robbmg. But if Thi. has been neglected and robbing commences, the gauge should ft once be set so that only one or two bees can enter at a tune. °te"ng_;^" not disturb them, if you are certain tliat they have p enty of honey, ulotexamine them^ if found wanting, feed them (see " F^ed.ng Bees") ; bat if the weather is warm and snow gone, or nearly so, tee ire several things that should be attended to- Set out all sSs wintered inside ; examme each stock ^y W"»g »»^ t^« frames ; clean out dead bees, if any are m the comte > ™t »»* »^ comb that is mouldy to any great extent ; >',, ?>«» ^''f^t^^jf ^^. Irf it rpmain: see if they have a queen, it not, g'.ve tne nee. to anothe" stock See it they have honey to carry them through, ?„rfeed them. Drop the bottom board at the rear o my h.ve and dean tt all de^d bees and t.,th. flo^;;^;-'!' » "P^^^ ventilation, and set the patent gauge so as »» '«»;y« ^t"' ^t' ^ inch entrance, to pnwent robbing, and ''^eriX and se^ that hive as Dossible ; occasionally look to weak stocks and see inai tejrreTot robbed. II tlie is no water near which hey can »Pt nut some in a dish with some straws, or anythii.g that wui KemTom downing, a„d place near the hive ; they require it in preparing food for their brood ; also set a ^ish of oatm^ea , hnckwheat or rve flour, where they can get it. 1 hey win use ii S oF^wJ for beelbread Give your stocks »^' ^^^^^^ you can. Visit them everyday, it only for a moment, as you •^ . • . t 4^t>:«>» mvn.r\tr «inn SRVft a StOCK. mig&D ouservu auiiici"i"5 "'••"& 48 THE CANADIAN April Management. When March is cold the manap^emeiit given for that month will apply to this. If not examined before, all stocks should now h(j attended to, and the directions given for March tally carried out. As they are now breeding quite extensively, much more honey is consumed than in the winter. See that all stocks ate well sup plied. Drop the bottom board of my hive and destroy the worijis, if any Turn all honey boxes over, bottom side upwards. I^y a piece of salt on the lighting board ; as beosseem t(. like it, let them have it. May Management. Various flowers begin to make their appearance the first 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 sate, all stocks should be watched until the clover makes its appearance. All moveable comb hives should now be examined and drone comb cut out, and the rearing of drones prevented. By this method the large amoimt of honey is saved which it takes to keep an unnecessary amount of drones. Hives should now be got ready for use, old hives should be scaldeiJ and prepared for the bees according to the directions given under the head , " 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 ihe honey harvest has been good, honey-boxes may be given to strong stocks. From very strong stocks, if the season has been favourable, swarms may issue the last of the month ; but such cases are very rare in most parts of Canada. June Management. The honey harvest may now be said to have fairly commenced. All surplus honey-boxes should now be put on or turned over, right side up, and all good bright pieces fastened into them, for it is worth far more to put in the honey-boxes than it is to melt into wax. Dip the edges of the comb into melted beeswax, and stick it fast to the box. Bees will enter boxes far more readily where there is comb. As soon as the bees have commenced to work in the honey-boxes, the front revolving band of my hive should be turned aO¥F13, WfilCJi Wiii glVC UiC Wt:c3 a suvkv iv«w «.v vx*%/ ..^,~^- 7 "t bee-keepers' guide. 49 ith will low h(i ed out. loney in 3ll sup wonps, Ijay >i ?i tlieiu t of tlie rees are stances, sate, all iarance. \ drone By this to keep be got for the *repara- robbers r neigh the full harvest stocks, ourable, are very enable them *» i^' IhS oHate vTa™ bS i iicltuX niay now be looked •"•'•th'"'?'' °' '*^/!!inter.ng adopt«l whicMs ^^^^ ^^^^^^^^ book, and earlier «w»rm» would teth»^^^^^„„eral manag..- issue, follow ^^^^"'^^rl^rtr^ZT'- Put two second swarms Bimt under the head ol ' "'^ '"8' , J i„ge. Third and rogeiher uutes they come oft «"!? »"^ "^J',^ the povent stock. \lU^ «w»"•'^ *'"•''',! Tehea-J''""^ '" ^»' Swarms To- (See fall direct.ona under ]he head ^ ^^^^ a,,y, it Mther.") If the apianan doubles n''/""' . , . ™ „iii ensure f quTte 'sufficient Strong socks and pU>nty<^t^h^^^^^^^ ^^^^^.^^ ^heir'wtgsS r ^iP^'siiri y"-s raiy be closed up agrtin at dark. July Management. The management lor this -"^^ jjlt^^t J^i! iett. lo^-^ot managementfbr June Double aU^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^ ^p,, 3tock. Honey-boxen tha ^^^^^^^^^^^^^ All honey directions, see «' How to Remove ttonev ^ ^^^^, ^^ Soxes should bo removed as ^^^^ ^\XTe^pecia Uy it it is the before the bees leo,ve the box and go ^ebv. ^^P^^^ J^,, .juely to intention to put on ^""^^^ ,^^^^^^^ no/finished their labours m commence m anoth.r box it ^hey naa ^^ ^^^^^^ j^^„^ the one that ^^^ removed Fnunes maj ^^^^.^^ j.^^^,, strong stocks ar,d ^"iP^y^'-'Z/^^J^f a. they contain the m should always be r " . ,^^^ l^^Huber, which would op™ -\f Vug„st«sXnn: publish- some serious objections. In f **; "„ut.°omb hive invented by ed in London, a description of a "^PJ.^^'^^.™ Vrame hive. He htn^elf. At that time >» ««« ^'''.f *.« out "f the back of -he tben used the oblong bar— . ^ ^^e ou ^^^ ^^ ., be^.box. In April, Igf^^l.f,! P^ed hive," with triangular bar pamphlet, des«rtog hi» ""P^'V says, on p. 23 -.'-my ob]ed frames, made to lift out »' ™e t»P. " ^ ' r ^^^^^^ ^^^^^ has been to point «"^br>efly to f« anxious » ^^^ ^.^.^^^^.^^ extended and economical mode f *«^ "^^^^^^^^^^^^ consideration to be provided against and to >';'=»"'™^°'l ;!:„ one year alter he advantages offered in *« bar-frame b^^^ the publishing 0 this f "P^t^-I^^P ovements in bee-hives," Langstroth obtained a P^t^^* »" 3 to claim all moveable- undlr which he is g^.^^^''^, '"l^rCgstroth says -.-"I have frames in bee-hiyes. ""Xlwi^hed in London, in 1851 , d.scrib- before me a sma P''»# C and-trame hive of W. A. M.nnti, .^, the cons— n^of^^^^^^^^ t^costly and very compUcated "j-ve, ^ ,,,,hrn,&veLble. edition. 1860, page 209^-NoteiwpP ^^^ ^^^^ they were comb hives were first 'n™°';* ^tf„"tg \t.e e can be no doubt, greatly improved by ^'-JfS^^^l"' 149 : " The Langstroth- lays, i S. Harbison, in » f^tJuKure, p. W» ^^ ^^b Je, like the Huber «»d M™n b^™' s l^^^„^^ t^ oblong-bar- able-comb princip e ; but "'"'^^P^'^^yith Beevan's bee-box and frame as originally "^''J^y ,f "ii™ ' it more simple *nd prac- other additional .mprovements^akuig ^ Langstroth has also ticalthan either » fP'T'ffihe honey-bee, a copy of which lX-rCy''::f'ev:rVa%ianL Canada. What a Hive should be. It is quite important that a >>>T-t"'wl''';l^^^^^^^^^ »e t^r^'^'^ r„l,'::l«'^- tU allow him 5* *i**SIIPi^**i**!«W*H ■99 THE CANADIAN ' 'M to obtain large quantities of surplus honey, without robbing the bees 0? consilning theru to a pit of fire an.i brims one. A move- S-comb h ve, properly constructed, is the only hive that will do this Of these theri is quite a variety offered to the public, amonj? whch are the Quadruple, or Michigan Hive, Kidder Hive, Lee Hive, and Langstroth Hive ; of this last, tbre are more used m Canada than ol" either ihe others, of which also there are many modifications; nearly all, however, retaining the oblong frame, which, by many experienced apiarians, is considered a great o^ec- lon ti it and on account of which the Lee Hive, patented in Wis- consin, has been awarded a premium for its superiority over it several times in the United States. A low and shallow hive does not allow the bees to carry their stores sufficiently far from the bottom-board to escape the cold. Even Mr. Langstroth himself admits that " a hive tall in proportion to its other dimensions h^ some obvious advantages."~HoneJ/ Bee, pp. 129, 1^0. oays J. S Harbison :— " Many 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 containing much over 2,000 inches is quite too large, and anything under that, for Canada, is too small. Taking into consideration the extreme length of our Canadian winters, with n.y own experience, I have concluded that about 2,100 inches is not tar [rem the mark, and in offering to the public another hive, for which I claim seve- ral important improvements over any moveable comb hive with which I am acquainted, I have raide it of this size. The following cuts and description will give the reader a fair idea of my Single and Double-boarded Moveable-corab Hives, for which Letters Patent wc"Q granted to me on the 2nd day of JMay, 1864, and again on the 22nd of March, 1865 : — BEE-KEEPEBS' GUIDE. 55 » 8INGLE-B0AEDED OBSEEVING HIVE. r> Hnnpv board. D.— Revolving- u- n I gg THE CANADIAN It is a HoYeable-€omb Hive, Which ^ives the apiarian perfect control of the btes and comb, and enables him to practice 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 rearing of an unnecessary amount of drones, to cut out moth nests, and thus save a colony from des- truction, to easily ascertain if a stock is queen less, and give it another without difticulty, to prevent swarming, when desirable, to build up weak stocks by exchanging with strong stocks empty cards of comb for those filled with brood and honey ; in fact, it enables him to examine his bees at all times, know their true con- dition, and have the utmost control over them. It is Tall in Proportion to its other Dimensions, Which is the form best adapted to northern latitudes, " for," (says Mr Langstroth, speaking of a tall hive), " as bees are disposed to carry their stores as far as possible from the entrance, they will fill its upper part with honey, using the lower part mainly for brood, thus escaping the danger of being caught in cold weather among empty ranges of comb, while they still have honey uncon- sumed."— f/(me«/ Bee, p. 330. It also allows the bees to form a natural cluster, which, in shallow hives they cannot do, but are obliged to spread out, and hence are not able to keep up the same amount of heat they can in a tall hive. It is the Best Ventilated Hive I have ever seen in Use. The apiarian is able, without difficulty, to ventilate according to the season, and in a manner 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, which they will soon take advantage of, and deposit surplus honey much faster. It has a Swinging and Adjustable Bottom Board, Which enables the apiarian to clean the hive of all dead bees and filth ; to destroy large numbers of the miller grubs ; and to ascertain if the millers have formed a nest in the combs. 'I'here is also a passage through the bottom board covered with wire cloth, through which the bees receive air when it is necessary to shut them into the hive. BBE-KBEPEBS' GDIDE. 57 It has a Metallic finage or Bobber Stop, Which allowB the -trancV^^Sb^^^^^^^^^^^^ r,rn' trifw\ttfo» out a„a in at p.eaeurc. or, if desired, they also may be shut in. It contains tbe Best comb Frame in use, The top piece bein^ eo—ed 'n -ch a m^^^^^^^^^^^ bees to build straight "»sj ^ ;mp M straight, they are moveable-comb hive, i' '"^ "ff," 'rpi,„ top piece of ray comb but little better than common ^ives. ^Tbc t^Pj&e for IheWs to frame is so constructed tb»t " ' th kcan be said of any other top build crooked. I do "ot ^h mk th s can »e ^^^ ^^^^.^^ 'rtiK.dJn:'Sis^th^fS^-'ofthehi^^ hold of the frame among the bees. It Contains a Hot Air Chamber, Which allows the bees to pass f^^J "^^^t^^Ptlfhte^.box frames, causing Ihem to «»*'»"f Sch^rom the bees in the as the bees '"the box are not ^etached^^^ ^^ ^^p, chamber ; also by the ^at »l tnis « honey-board over Z^'ZrTtZ ^t^'ct:^ tt'b:;. may be fed at any time without the least difficulty. It has a Superior Comb Frame Bearing. ■ "'"""'"'• It has comb Frame stops, „^ By which the comb f-r^,-?^, 'jtotblT^^^^^^ T L Bevolvmg Bands wblcb ^l^^^^^^^^J^^^^fX^ F,rsU by allowing the ''Pi'i"*" ^'^P^^ tot T^ate with any Sifficky and in one quarter ot t^etime that ^^ other hive I ^^«. «^«^SinS for the Passage of the bees ^X^X^r^VXf^^tr..,^ th'; hot air chamber. \t^ THE CANADIAN It has a W9ter-Tight Cover Bearing, By which any water is prevented from running into the hive, making the bees perfectly secure from wind or water, no matter how much the hives may be exposed. In fact, it has advantages not possessed by any other hive with wiiich I am acquainted ; is simple in construction and easier to operate with, which I am ready to demonstrate at any time by comparison. (See opinions of the press.) »■»« THE DOUBLE-BOABDED HIVE. Is made n sessing th winter tbt hive ; for the bees, Hummer. double-be is just w furtherm* climatA3, '< wants of prizes ai and seco These necessar J. H. T Allfi chaser. Description and Adrantages of the Double-Boarded Self- Protecting Hive. Pric riilht t with fi Single- Doubl" Single Doubl Hone Extrt (( Hon< Bee-1 bee-keepers' guide. 59 The Double-Boarded HlTe winter their stocks out of doors, tor u v y ^ ^,i ^„„„d hive ; for being doaWe-boarded, a hoUow «»"'»' j ^\„ i„ til bees. whic\ makes it ™f ^ w^mer m ^m «^ »M ^„ i„ ,b, summer. Thej^i' "^-^VTh^ tenTiriy p™^^^^ In fact, H doable-boarded hive. This ^'^J^TlJ^^JAive. I would say, i3 just what t c a,ms ^^^^'^^f^lf^^'lr^i designed for th,. furthermore, that the h>™f T'™ ' calculated to meet the climate, and I fl»"er myself that they are ca^™ ^^^^ -»<« 1 t P?„S Fats at Silton, 1864 ; also first These hives, with individual or termor b • .^^^^^ necessary for an -P^«^y'X/^f^'etu?ers?B o^^^^ C. W. J. H. Thomas & Bros., ^^««;^,'X^^^^ to be paid by the pur- All freight, express, or postal charges, lo p^ f chaser. PRICE LIST. . ^' A ..e ViivP^i includinff an individual Prices of the f '^^^^^J^^^shU^^^^^^ ^'^'"' i-ioht to make and use^ both bmgie aim w[th full description ihereot : ^^ ^^ Single-boarded Kive '.'.'.".'...• '* ^^ Oo^^-SJ^-Hi^ . ^.lass in three sides .. . 10 00 Doubl^boardedObservingHive. glass in^^ 0 a liass in three sides -^^^ Honey K"*' "'^It^';;! S' orgentiemkn; is a perfect ^^'s^^^-rdlg^'-'-y^^''"^^ 0 50 a hive :^smjJmmmmsm.r: QQ THE CANADIAN Bee-protector, can be worn on any hat, by lady or gen- tleman ; answering- every purpose of a bee-hat. .... ^U 4U Bee-ffloves, India rubber, and a splendid article ; bee.s cannot leave their stingers in them ; if besmeared with honey or dirt, they can be washed the same as the hands ; ^ '„" Bee-gloves, sheepskin ; may be used tor haryestmg. . . . . U to Fumigator, or Smoke-pipe, may be used with the mouth or on a hand-bellows • • • " ^" Patent Metallic Gauge, which may be attached to any hive, even a common box-hive, for the purpose ol shutting out drones, preventing robbing, shutting in the bees, &c i* ^^>^ Do. perdozen • • • • • • • J. . , Canadian Bee-keepers Guide (postage 3 cts.) u ^» Five do., to one address (postage 15 cts.) a tu Per dozen (postage 36 cts.) •.•••■;••:•;• V * : • ^" Italian Queens, with fall instructions for introducing, ^ sent by express ; safe arrival guaranteed «:> 00 It will be seen by the above List of Prices that any person sending $5 will receive in return a Single-Boarded Hive, and an individual right to make and use both the Single and Double- boared Hives. Any person sending ^7 will receive m return a Double-boarded Hive, and an individual right as above. Or, any person sending the price of any of the Observing Hives^ will ill return get the hive ordered, and a right as before stated. But if any person, after having purchased a hive and right, should p--fpr to order hives of J. H. Thomas «fe Brothers rather than make, they can obtain them at $2 less than the prices f ven in the price list ; that is, Single-bourded hives, !8i3 ; Doub.e-boarded Hives, ^5, and so on. , . . • * * County and Township rights for sale at low prices. Agents wuut*id to sell hives throughout Canada. Any information given by mail relative to the management of bees, free ot charge, it a stamp is enclosed to pay postage. All letters to be addressed, post-paid, to J. H. THOMAS & BROS., Brooklin, C W. Italian em Italy a gil, and \ shape, an( knov^rn. they wer^ stationed returning near Lai Norther; Mr. Dzi( cessful ir S. B. Vi and R. < York C of torty otVier in by Mr. ported quality golden- worker like a ( rior to trious, cannot being was fe the '' ! '« Yar and r( whos( that was ( ot M rioril that coloi sprii avei' BEE-KEEPEBS' OTTIDE. CHAPTER VII. 61 em Italyand Southern Switzerland ureses j^^^ .^^ ^^^ ^ J and other ancient w':'^^^^' ^^ .u™^^^^^^ ^i^pe^nd variegated in colour^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ,^^, ^i l,t of, unt.l known For many years they were ^}^ J Baldenstein, while ^rwere accidentally diBooverea^ ^1:,'bC Napoleon, who, after Soned in Northern .J^^^; ^ ,tnd^^^^^^^^^^ l«f ; ^ t"Z returning to hi^ castle m ^^itzer an , ^^^^ ^^ ^j, ^^,8 S^r Lai. Oorao,and ''^'Xll^J^Jy,,,A\uU. ^ Northern home, ^^^'^y ^^ ' \ hl^al v^^^^^ Thefirstsuc- Mr Dzierzon in 185B, ^1?"!,*;!'^^^^^^ I860, by Messr... cLsful importations nto his c^»«ntry weu. i" ^^ Philadelphia, SB Parsons, of Flushing, L- I' ^- Z^- ^ ^. vV. Rose, of New and R Oolvin, of Baltimore. In [^^^Jl^^^ to this country out York City, succeeded m b"nf^^^^^^^^^ since which many of tortv-nine purchast^-d in ^^^^^"^ J^J^'* V. ;^ gaid that those imported other importationshavebeenma^^^^^^^^ ,^^^^, those im- bvM Rose, of New York, are^^^^^^^^^^^ „, difference m sorted by B. B. Parsons. There s, no ^.^^ ^^^^^^ TudUy. AH pure Italians are dist mcUy^marl ^^^^^ ^^^^ ^^ Sen-coloured girths -:«?;;^\^;*^,^^;b^^^^^^^^^^^ tapering to a point ^vorkers is loi-g and M^-^^^^^lM^^^^^ that they are far.aup^- L a quern. It is "^^.f^be^Tei T^ more active and inda^ rior 10 the common or black b^^^^^^ g^^^^,^ ^^^^^ ,1,, common b,^ trious, often extracting ^^'f ^^^^^ speak from experience, this cannot. Of this, however 1 ax^^^^^^^^^ Foi a long time 1 being the second year that \ >^^^^ "^^ ^heir superiority was but was fearful that the "^^^y'^^f^^^n order Xo make salt: ot a the '' gassing" of ^^^^t ^er ea ching more into their history, u Yank, e humbug." ^^^^ i^ ,^.\t;,ln a^^^^ American apiarians, and receiving the -"^f ^^^.^ *^*^^ esS I became fully convinced whose vera.ity could "'^ /^^^^.^ J^^^ deserving of much that that they were worthy ot ^Jf^"^^"^^^^^^^^ ^ queen of Mr. Uolden, waB claimed for them. I the P";^*;^;'^i„,^d am I of their supe- of Merrickville, 0 W., "'^"^I^^l \« keep no other, and iully be leve riority, that I have ^^^f^^'"^"^l^*^Sw disappear and the golden- m THE CANADIAN informed me that he visited Mr. Quinby, of St. Johnsyille, N. Y., who now has over 500 stocks ot Italians, and that he (Quinby) informed him that in 1863 he had to feed nearly a 1 his stocks ot black bees in the tall, while all his Italians had a plenty, and from some he took surplus honey. Mr. Quinbv has one of 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 lor bees as almost any part of Canada. . .. , I will also give the testimony of several well-known apiarians, that the reader may the better judge whether the new variety is worthy of his attention. The Baron of Berlepsch, a skilful bee- keeper, of Germany, says, he has found " 1st. That the Italian bees are less sensitive to cold than the common kind. 2nd. mat their queens are more prolific. 3rd. That the colonies swarm earlier, and more frequently. 4tb. That they are less apt to sting. 5th That they are more industrious." Mr. E. A. Brackett, writ- ing to the American Agrmdturisl, says : " My experience thus far Fatisfies me that they have not been overrated. The queens are larger and more prolific. They are less sensitive to cold and more indastrious." , , o i c^^n. From J. P. Kirtlaud, Cleveland, Ohio, September 13, I860:— ♦• First. Their disposition to labour far excels that of the common 1 " 1 " Secmd. Power of endurance, and especially of resisting the impression of cold, they possess in a marked degree. " Third. Prolificness they equally excel in. Both my tuU and half-blooded stocks have become numerous, and strong in numbei-s, jis well as in stores, at this late season of the year, when the common kind have ceased increasing, and have become nearly passive, , i^.. • n » Fmrth. Their individual strength is greater ; and this is well illustrated in their prompt manner of tossing to a great distance any robber thai 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 othei-s might be given, but it will not be expected, in so small a work, a full history of the Italian bee, with all the accounts of their superiority can be given ; iieiiuer IS 11 neceasary, ua tucy uavc uc-ovimc pi v.vjr ttv^ „„..,.-- In orde necessary to J. H. ' Merrickv before ir queen, ai cells, as examine out. N with foil piece of tumbler to her, ; hours ; end of i them, \ tumble lay dui Ifa^ will b< or kill to pre queen stock from^ remo cours destr stocl has ( she^ cont youi and ag< gen wit dro bre to ho< BEE-KBEPEBS (UIIDE. AS How to Italianize a Common »tock. , HOW lu ii» without ( ifficnity. It » In order to Italianize a ^P^^Z^^^W-c^^^^^ ' ih^^ '^'^^' necessary to have the bees in V,V^ p w or to H. If"W'^. «*'«- jn'H?i;homaB& Bros Br^^^^ ^,,ht dajr. Merrickville, O.W., and orcie^^^ «^^'^**' ,?"^„^ before introducing her, y^^^^^ ^^ fi^^ days cut out ^\<\^ c^ueen, and take her away in o^ l\^,,,y,ev] on the eighth d^ cell8, as the to ^^" ^^'j;';^^;,^^^^^^^ are start^l. cut ihem examine again, and it a"y,,^;;\; '•" p„t her in a glass tumbUT Lt. Now tf e W;!^^^^^^^^ the box with her t.e^ with four or five of the bees wm^i tumbler, and turn th^ piece of wire-cloth ^^'' f^'^l^J.^'!^^^ Lmbler over on the top «//^,^^^^^;' *^^^^^ her remain th.rty-«ix to her, put on the ^^/Jj^^^^h oug'^^^^^^^ ^'^^-^'^^^; ""^ "''^ hours ; the bees will feed hci tni ou^ ^^ ,^^ j^^^ong end of tl^at time will T'^^^. " on herT nhe mns out of th« Them putting a few c^op^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^ ^^^, this .uc^ will l;^£gh^rSif'wU% HOW to Italianize the wh^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^„ ., If all the bees are i« "^7^,f .^^^n^^^^^ other stocfe, will be necessary to cut ^^^^^^^^/^w^^^ your Italian stock only or kill them as fast as they aP^;;„!,"g''^?e appeai-ed, the Itaban ?o produce drones ; as soon ^ ^^^^f ,S^^ The Itahan queen may be removed ^^^^^^^^^'^ X)ther queen, and will start Sock will at once commence to ra^^anotq^ ^^^^ ^^^^ ^ from two to twenty ; as ^f^^^f^ls of black bees, provided, of removed and given to 0*^^^ f^^^f^^,^; ^way, and all queen-cells course, that their queen ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ left in the Itaban destroyed for eight ^^ay^' /^"^^^^.n^^^^^ reWned. Or after she stock to mature, or the old q^f " "/^^ u^ ^f the stock to which has deposited a number of eggsin the ce^^ o^^^^^^ ^^^^^ ,,a so she w^ transferred, she may ^^""^^ e Italian eggs in all Tntinue to do until she ^a«^«^^^^^^^^^ pure Italian queens ; your stocks, from which they ^^^^^^..troyed, th^ Indifall your common drones J7{l'\^7„ .{.ones, and their pro- :tooa chlnce to mate with ymu^^^^^^^^ ^;^ common bees Iny would then be pure. It ^owej^^^ ^^te with a common wRhin three miles, they «»ay sometoies ^orkers-half- Irone!in that ca^e they would prepuce JP ^^ ^^^^^ y^o"v 1-..4. ^^..^A nrftduce pure drones, auu u „pitrhbour ; they would P'-^^^^^.nXce would be good =';butwo_^^^^^^^^^^^^^ to gWe to y»?J '^ll^rTT.u.n drones, hood iiiiea witu i>^^- — g4 THE CANADIAN OHiVPTER YIII. Profits of Bee-Keeping. If people could be convinced that bee-keeping is profitable, I verilv believe that the so much dreade, stings of the honey-bee would lose their terror, and there would be a far more genera rush into bee culture, and C.nada become, if not lUe Ancient Paleetine— " a land flowing with milk and honey --at least a land flowing with milk and not lacking for honey. Now, 1 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 with us as it has with them, 1 believe th^; 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 ot bees, and commences bee-keeping fully determined to make it profitable. Allowino- that he doubles his stocks every year, which every bee- keener should be able to do, and that his yearly average of surplus honey frrm each stock is fifteen pounds, which is a very low average, at the end of ten years his apiary account would stand thus:- jj^ To 2 stocks, at $10 each V ' " ' *, ^ *^^ ^^ " 2,048 moveable-comb hives, including honey-boxes, ^^^ ^^ atPeach •. ^'2^4 00 " 1,021 extra honey-boxes, at 20 cts. each 2U4 zu •« $404 78 per annum for labour and incidental ex- penses ^>Q^^ ^Q $10,516 00 Or. By 2,048 stocks, at $5 each «10,240 00 " 61,380 lbs. surplus honey, at 20 cts i^.-^ __ $22,516 00 Debits deducted - ^^'^^^ ^^ Profits: $12,000 00 A snug little sum with which to commence business at the age of twenty-five. I do not expect that every young Canada.,! who may commence beakeeping will realize profit^s to such an extent, yet ttere are tho figures, which cannot be disputed, and which at least si it may \ honey is but it w realized but in tb honey fr set att suppose eecb, bi having Thomas they ms much li Debit they ai Ino is a pr enorm' gentle of Bai glass boxes gethe has CI taker taker It In stoci horn ofa^ Ap com h\v( 8t0< W( 2n( fro wl hr ai bee-keepers' guide. at least =bow tbat n^eepjn| ^ be -^ P^ff^' ^X Sat >t is weU known that tw?"'} ""^ Chicago. Not on!v so S^lized -^y shipping t» f «\ J;'„„ry allowed fifteen ponndj '^ . ?■« nf black bees to 181, principally oy 22lbs.honey; from to 7 hives »39M lbs. ^^j i,t of on^tockSlle^s 66 THE CANADIAN In The Canada Farmer for February 1, 1864, J. V. points to the proceeds ot one stock (in twenty years) in the b^^F 219 acres If irndTa favourable locality. Such are the almost tabuto «rco^ints of the profits of bee-keepinj,' coming Irom different quar- C and yet we I authenticated, and taken in connection with my own obseivatTon and experience, I conclude that bee-keepiug m SLda miy yet BOt only become a source of pteure and profit, but vt^C lor every household in city, town or country a luxury that wou S'j?'--ce the table of a prince. Could our young men and vouu- ladies who now spend hours in idleness or vain amuse- Ss Suced to purcnase a stock of bees and commence bee- STn.' ipon their\>wu amount,, it wouM not only prove reZnerat^^ve but would lead them into habits of industry, and S therfor b^^^^^^ citizens. Large amounts of dehcious sweets from every field and lorest would then be gathered in, thus saving Hhe coLtry annually thousands of P0^«,^^;^ P^^^^^^^ now perishes in the golden cups of the flowers that deck tnia brown earth, for want of bees to gather it. -«•»- CHAPTER IX. MISCELLANEOUS. Bee Pasturage. The prosperity of bees in any locality must depend much upon the amount of bee pasturage. In some localities it is abundant from^arly spring until late in the fall, nature having lavishly browedth re her wild flowers. In other localities it is quite dSereT The section of country where I reside does not abound with wild flowers, and in the fall, especially, the bee pasturage is "^twrdiffitlty may be easily obviated by the more extensive sowing 0 buckwheatfand the introduction of the Swedish white cU)Tr^ It is equally as good, or better, for hay and pasturage, and yields a far greater sSpply of honey, and of a superior quality, tKe common white clove'r. Every larmer should endeavour to get it especially if be keeps bees; then bv mowing a small quantity ofVckwheat, every locality .^^^^ , ^^^^'^^^^ J" ^^^ nasturaffe and every bee-keeper be re-paid for his trouble lour- foW In fact, if it were not for the buckwheat crop, m some Sitielb^keeplng would prove a failure. It is est^ated that an acre of buckwheat will yield an average of 14 lbs. of honey daily. s BBE-KEEPEBS' GUIDE. ftl "'K Over-stocking Bees. ^^^ I„ Mr. V-angstvoth's vatoWe -* on i^^y^; ,1,, the . Jtements from Mr. Samael Wagner, in w ^^ j^„^ 'p'^rn^inion or the con»^^^^ ,, stocked, and "I'n Russia and Hungary, Ap.ane.,— <=»°g"rt then', baithere « »«t ttte danger ol over st^g i ^ wXt, their stores are lost. Movmg or Transporting Bees. ^^^^ «,. may be move^ ^o^^^^X^^^'^^^^ '^S 'S^s the botto". board whchu^ y^.^^ ^h,,, „oymg. will then rest m the notclie., HOW to ascertain m Amoun -^ "^ "and -rlc th. Bees.wax-How to Make. .^^ .^ Take a coarse lW,en f f ^J ^t "«gh and boiUn a kettU Jh tall stones en-f ^ ;?^^» ^ t^q-nt^' "li' *'XaS : water, pressn.g and— ^^. ^Z^ time to t.me wrth a stom ^o^VlttrsTtta oft «in ^X^"^r^Benotr't»t^ :::l,eS°otfo .thtthve,,hotwat.r. fefe THE CANADIAN How to Make Canaied Honey as Good as New. To every two quarts, add half a pint of water, bring to ft boil- ing heat and skim. Honey— To Prevent Candying. Put into a bottle or jag set into a kettle of water, bring the water to a boiling heat and ke^p it so for fifteen mmutes, 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 Winter Use. Take 3 lbs. white sugar- add one quart of water, bring to a boiliog heat, and it is ready to use. If honey can be had, one pound may be added to the above quantity. For feeding in the spring, common sugar will do. Questions Answered. How long will a queen live ? From 4 to 5 years. How many eggs t ill a queen lay per day ? From 1,000 to 2,000. How long will a queen remain fertile ? From 3 to 4 years. What is the result of a queen becoming unfertile? She will lay drone eggs only. - „ „ , , . j How may an unfertile queen be known ? By her laying drone eggs in worker-cells. o ., . How long does it take to produce a queen from the egg t About Will the queen sting if taken in the hand ? No. How long do workers live ? From 6 to 8 months. How long does it take to produce a worker from the egg ? About 20 days. How long do drones live ? From 2 to 4 months. How long does it take to produce a drone from the egg ? About 24 days. . Will bees do well in a town or city .' Yes. Do they injure fruit or fruit blossoms ? No. Can a stock be injured by casting too many swarms? Yes. Will it make bees more irritable to smoke them often ? No. Will it injure a stock to remove the combs often ? No. How far will bees travel for pasture ? About 3 miles. Is there any danger of over-slocking ? No. When do bees require the sun ? All the day in spring ; morn- ing and evening in the summer. Where is the best place to winter bees .' In a house btiilt for the purpose. Whatk Will it How ca Will it a general Wheni How n How n When weather. What What What What Ared How Can i Will Dob Dob Hov« Hov Doubk Hon Ho^ Ho^ Ho Ho this b He He J.H H< H< entr£ H stocl H H E Kee BEE-KEEPEBS' GDIDE. 69 What w„a of s»g« is b^^*^;-^ryL, ZTS- , „ Will it ao to feed to poor ™g«^ ^ v ' gee " Bee Feed. " ^iiiT;TSf^7srw:?:n:tro^.'>t^^ ^°^" . -^ ^wTen iX'best ti.e ^ jeed b.»J X"„;„V:J'ilO,000. How many bees in a swarm . l rou , 'mat is good tbr a bee sting ? HoneJ-'trW eT: pounds. Wh^l is lo weight of a swann oU«^^ 1 About 12 pounds. What is the >™'g';'.»' "nf fMve' A. moveable-comb hive. What is the best kind ol a »"^S; ...ecesparyheatin ahive? No. Are drones reqair.^^U^p«P^h;jece.^,V„ ^ „ecessar^ How often should bj »«/^^*'^" ^..a the workers go out ? Tea. ?vTXre^"ulJ;;^nhe^-^^^^ ?r^rerrofraU^eSdys^ni.ry. ko. Things Worth Knowing. Double-Boarded Hive. ^^l l^oles with wire-cloth. How to keep °ii^e:out of hivts. ^^ ^^^ directions. J H. 'rhoinaa & Bros. , j. g. Thomas' bee hat. '■ Sow to r'-^^^rSwaKe :!ir. See if bees are at the How to know when nees wau nrS%'--^^^* E-hangeframeswithasrong ^X^ to handle bees without bein, ^-^;,,,^^^r ',^ K«e?ior to any of them. I rece ved one from T H Cmas & Bros , of Brooklin, 0. W ., a short time smce.and t^i ^e S hivelover saw. I understand they are to exhibit onirth?cl!i;rProvincialFair,arKl^ advise all parties interested in bee culture to be sure and examine it. From ihe Oshawa Vindicator, 1804. Notice of the Oshawa Fair.-" Messrs. J. H. Thomas & Bros ot Brooklin, also had their colony of bees on hand together wiS'samples of their Improved Bee Hives, and gave a lecture on The nSe, habits, and management of the bee il ustrating ii by r^rformances us they proceeded. They exhibited that wonder lul Et the iue^n b.^ ; showed the convenience of their Moveable- S Hive by taking the comb, bees and honey into ha f a dozen pte^, while searching for the queen This portion ot the exhibit tion proved nearly as attractive as the lioral hall. ADVERTISEMENTS. Italian Queen Bees. Having bred them very cart-fully upwanls of four vea.-s, am preparedlo furnish queens of undoubted parity. Pnce, wi h f« Kuctions for introducing. .Sr,.(K). Purity and sate arnval by express guaranteed. R. HOLDEN. Merrickville, C \V. Italian queens. We are now prepared to furnish to order Italian Queens with full instructions for introducing. Price $5.00- Their purity and safe arrWal guaranteed. Also^ all articles necessary lor the proper management of an apiary. See List ol Prices. J. H. THOMAS & BROS., . Brooklin, C- ^^ .? t ! 1^ 'tif,