BEE-KEEPING AND FARMING.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2079, 22 October 1880, Page 4

BEE-KEEPING AND FARMING.

From the “ British Bee Journal ” wo take iha following valuable suggestions with reference to bee onlture, an industry which it would be well if our farmers would take in hand to a greater'extent than they do now In these days of bad harvests and high gents and wages, and with farms to lot by the score, it is not difficult to believe that agriculturists in general are suffering from hardships. At such a time it behoves every one to look -about for means to stem the tide of evil with which farmers are, as it would seem, on all sides beset ; and while some are propounding schemes in which the cultivation of crops other than corn as a staple, and their conversion into milk, meat, hotter, cheese, &c., is suggested as a means of mitigating its depressing influences, we venture to suggest that bee-keeping should be adopted «s one of the aids of which they stand so much in need. There are few farms on which seed crops are not grown for profit, and in many large areas are devoted to them, and there ia not one of them but yields bee-food in greater or less degree. There are several of these crops that in good seasons would yield in honey more than would pay the cost of rent and tillage, while individually they would be greatly increased by the more certain fertilization of the blossoms, which the presence of bees would ensure.

In green crops there are many that yield honey enormously, those of the clover tribe being tho most productive; yet the greater portion is allowed to waste itself, or serve only as food for insects other than bees. If a keen farmer saw the liquid strength of his manure pit running to waste in his ditches and brooks, he would think his bailiff was crazy for permitting such a shameful waste ; bnt the product which insensibly steals away the strength of his land, he quietly allows to evoporate, without making an effort to save it. On our way to the late Lincolnshire show at Long Sutton, we casually made conversational acquaintance with a northcountry farmer, our bee - belongings originating the colloquy. We passed many acres where mustard was yet in full bloom, the eight of which elicited a regret that our bees had not access to similar goldfields; and replying to his questions, gave expression to the opinion that notwithstanding the feeling that bees were beneath the notice of the British farmer, the time was coming when, in self-defence, he wonld bo compelled to keep them as a cheap source of revenue. In such times has have fallen upon agriculture, no farmer can afford to waste his honey crop, in many instances amounting to several hundredweights yearly, and which, with a little attention to the rotation of crops, -might be made into much larger quantities. Every fanner knows the date when his orchards, obesnut, lime, sycamore, and other trees will blossom, and also the time when his flowering crops will come into bloom; and if they do not keep up a succession for the bees to work upon, now easy would it be to sow an acre or two of mustard or rape to fill in the intervals that would occur, and thus secure a constant source of supply for them ■and a surplus for his own profit. Our whilome friend quickly saw the feasibleness of the -suggestion, and “ durned if he wouldn’t try it ; ;” at the same time expressing his surprise that the subject was not mooted in agricultural newspapers. We were treated to -the usual description of how the collegers in his “ part ” destroyed their bees, &o , and for the first time he was made aware that in America there ore large farms devoted to beocaltuie, where the vegetable produce is of secondary consideration, and bees hold tho first place, and yield the chief part of tho {income.

If our farmers would think seriously of the value of bees as "cattle” that coet little, require little attention, and are very prolific, they would surely see in them a ready moans of adding to their inoomee, and producing in tons the nectar so much in demand. Bape and mustard seed pay well for growing. Cabbage seed is also worthy of note, and requires no attention after the green crop has been cut until the seed is ready to garner; yet while in flower they all yield honey in abundance, and with bees to collect it, will yield a largo profit to their owner. In journeyings to and from bee shows in various parts of the land we have soon whole tracts of land golden with wild charlock, each an Eldorado for bees, that would furnish honey of fine quality and in any quantity; and wherever white clover and other of the trifolia are grown they form a mine of wealth that needs only be gathered in. Bean fields yield honey enormously, which is mostly for kick of bees j and there is scarcely

a hedgerow, djko or brake that has sot, or could have, a costless source of honey supply. Farmers should look well into the matter, and market gardeners and all others who cultivate for fruit or seeds, should acquaint themselves with the principles of the art. Bee culture will not, perhapa, prevent the necessity for practising other economies, but of itself it is a must valuable one.