NOTES FOR BEEKEEPERS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3593, 2 November 1905, Page 4

NOTES FOR BEEKEEPERS.

"With good management it costs littie to keep a few hives of bees. Do not neglect to look for the queens or brood when opening the hives in the spring. No matter when bees are moved, they should be fastened up so that none can escape. To a very considerable extent spring dwindling is the result of poor winter tanna ge in ent. Have the entrance to the hives and the vicinity around 1 them clean and convenient for the bees to get out and in readily. The life of bees during the working reason is very short, and it requires a good laying queen to keep up the force of bees in the hive. The pvp.. r time to transfer bees from box hivi's'/tn movable frames is early in tbe spring, boijore the comb becomes heavy with brood' and honey. Hives should be located in good season in whatever particular location they are expected to occupy in readiness to receive the swarms as they oome off. If any colonies are found too weak In the springto take care of a frame of brood give them bees from the strongest colonies, but be careful notto give them the queen. ihe weather gets warm enough tor the bees to fly without becoming chilled give them finely ground cornmeal, wheat or the finer parts of sifted ground dais. The secret of large honey crops is strong colonies and plenty of room for the bees to store honey. Give each frame in the hive exactly one and a half inches of space. Do not open the hives to excite the bees when it is too'cold for them to fly. The best time to remove surplus foy brood frames is after two or three days •.' honey, wvftil;'.':'. Du wot- open the hives to excite the bees when it is too- cold for them to fly. The time to remove surplus for brood frames is ! kftcr two or three days of good honey tyeather. If in - the.■spring' any of the colonies are found without queens give them a frame of brood. Do not allow' the colonies to rear queeAs until drones are hatched to insure mating.—St. Louis