BEE CULTURE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2054, 4 December 1907, Page 5 (Supplement)

BEE CULTURE.

ADVICiE TO BEGINNERS. (By Isaac Hopkins, Govt. Apiarist.) Continued.) 11. THE HIVE TO ADOPT. Happily the time is past when it was necessary to explain the difference between a common box ami a modern movable-conib hive as a domicile for bees. Any ono keening bees in common, boxes now does so deliberately, and at a loss to himself. Nearly every box-hive beeio sper smothers his bees over a sulpluirpifc, and does not get one-tenth ol tho honey be might socuro by adopting modern hives. I had the great pleasure of ;n----troducing tho Langstroth hive .i.-to Australasia in the season of 1577-7 S, and it has practically been tho standard for these colonies ever since; it may therefore be expected that ' shall recommend it here. It will not be out of place to mako a few remarks about this bivo. In 1851 (fifty years ago) the Rev. L. L. Langstroth perfeceted the hive which noiw bears his name, and gave it to the world. It is astonishing when we realise how perfect it must have been when, it left his hands, for, notwithstanding the many attempts made since to improve upon it, the Langsitroth hive remains to-day not only the same, but the foremost in use and popularity among the most experienced apiarists in. the world. We rarely hear at the present time of such hives as the Quinly, Adair, American, and Gallup, yet" these were favored largely in America ar. various times; they have gone, and the Langstroth remains. Even tho famous G. M. Doolittle, the great American authority ‘on bee culture, and the erstwhile champion of the Gallup hive and frame, has come round to the Langstroth. I have before me an extract from a letter received recently by an Auckland resident from-Mr Doolittle in reply to one sent him asking his opinion as to the best hive. Ho says, "I do not now uso the hive I described in my little book "The Jriive I use” to the extent I did, as I find the Langstroth hive does nearly, as well with less labor, and we have only the lib sections now. the larger (2:1 lb.) not finding a ready sale. I judge the Langstroth hive is as good as any for New Zealand.” It is evident that Mr. Doolittle feels a pang in giving up his oh. love, and though be reluctantly does so, he admits the Langstroth is ebest hive. It is gratifying to me when I remember how persistently I have advocated in the past this liivo against all comers. It is the misfortune of many beginners to believe, before they even understand properly tho rudiments of bee-culture, that they can improve upon the Langstroth hive, and then and there start out to modify it in seme shapo or form, only to regret it when experience has convinced them of their mistake arid loss. 1 have nothing to say against an experienced beekeeper experimenting in any direction he may consider an improvement possible—in fact, he should be commended for doing eo but having seen so many mistakes made by beginners, I feel it my du. to warn others against falling into tho same errors. MAKING HIVES. 'There is no reason why a person handy with tools, and with spare time on his hands, should not make bis own hives, but it must be understood that they must be made very accurately. On the other hand, a person may find it to his advantage to purchase all ho requires from the manufacturers, as hives can now be procured at very reasonable prices; In tho former case one at least should be purchased, in order to have an accurate pattern to work from.-- The internal fittings such as frames and sections should certainly be procured from the manufacturers, as it is well-nigh impossible to-make these accurate enough without machinery. 1 only know of-two firms in New Zealand who manufacture and keep in stock all kinds.of beekeepers’ appliances —/Messrs. -Bagnail Bros, and Co., Auckland, 'arid the Alliance Box Company, Dunedin, either of whom will send their catalogues on, application. A very good plan when more than one hive is wanted is to get one made up, and the rest in the flat; in parts ready to be nailed together, and so save in cost of carriage. 11l WHEN AND HOW TO START 1 BEEKEEPING. The best time for a beginner to start is in spring or early summer; he should never commence in tlie autumn, except under the guidance of a practical man. The outlay in ■the first instance should not exceed sav, £7, and this amount- should furnish an ample outfit of bees and •hives for any beginner. The only exception to this would be where lie or she had served a season as a cadet previously to commencing. t>o slow” should be a maxim for a beginners. I have known of many disappointments and losses through acting contrary to' this advice, the hives should bo on band m the early spring, and arrangements should have hoea made with some neighbouring

beekeeper for a couple of early siv a mis, which should not weigh less than 51b each. There aro approximately five thousand bees to the pound, so that a Gib. owarm contains about twonty-fivo thousand bees. I must warn beginners against buying bees in box hives, as tho novice cannot judge whether diey aro diseased or not. Go to a roliable bee-farmer, if ‘ possible, and arrange for swarms; a good swarm is presumably free from disease, otherwise the colony could not have thrown it off. Take the advice of the person you arrange with, and let him bring and hive the swarms for you, if possible, as it will givo you a lesson. in handling bees. START WITH COMMON BEES. Common bees being tho least expensive, it is advisable to start with them, and after experience has been gained it is easy enough at any tiino to Italianise the apiary on economical lines by purchasing queens only. RAISING SECTION-HONEY. The beginner should commence by raising comb-honey in lib sections; no extractor will then be necessary. Tho manufacturers’ catalogue will guide you in selecting tho bivo, and it should bo similar to tiio Langstroth hive, with two lralf-stories for raising section-honey. Any of the standard works mentioned contains instructions for working the hives to tho best advantage. BEGINNER’S OUTFIT. Tho following 'appliances (witli tlieir approximate prices) aro all that aro needed tocommcncowith : £ s. d.

Tho expenses of carriago and the cost of two swarms would swell tho total amount to about the sum stated—viz., £7.

Ono hivo y'ith two hulfstori cs for r a isd n g comb honey 1 2 0 One caso of 3 ditto in flat 2 1 6 61b. of medium broad foundation comb. 0 lo 0 21b. thin section foundation comb ... 0 6 0 Ono boo smoker 0 •i Ono bee-veil 0 2 0 £4 11 0