THE APIARY.

Otago Witness, Issue 4031, 16 June 1931, Page 11

THE APIARY.

HIVE FEEDING. Hive feeding should now have been finished, but in cases where this lias been overlooked it will be better to feed rich syrup in the proportion of two parts of sugar to one of water, and feed warm inside the hive about an hour before sunset. Touching on feeding, it is well to remember that feeding hives in the dead of winter is not a wise policy on account of the weather being too cold for the bees converting the sugar syrup into honey. It is a wise policy to reduce the hive entrance to half an inch, says Mr L. Riesterer, apiary instructor to the Department of Agriculture, Hastings. This not only helps to keep the hive warmer, but is also a big aid in keeping out intruders, including mice and other bee pests. The cutting of grass and other waste material from around the hive, to allow as much sunshine as possible, should be carried out by the beekeeper at this period, when he has time on his hands.

From now until the spring, when the outside apiary work has ceased, the beekeeper will be well repaid to give bis attention to the requirements of the apiary in the form of material needed for next season. Stocktaking should be. carried out, so that the beekeeper knows his true position in regard to the material on hand and where an increase has been made, the work of making up supers, frames, and wiring the same should occupy his attention during the winter months.

BEEKEEPERS’ CONFERENCE.

Arrangements have been made to hold the annual conference of the Victorian Apiarists’ Association in Melbourne on June 23. 24. and 25. An invitation has been extended to all interested, whether members of the association or not, to be present. Excursion fares will be issued to intending delegates from any railway station more than 25 miles from Melbourne.

An effort is to be made to have amended the Bee Diseases Act. and the regulation regarding the registration of apiaries. Other important matters to be consideretl are the proposed Honey Week, high taxation on motor vehicles used in the production and marketing of honey, investigations concerning the mineral contents “of honey, the possible use of honey for industrial purposes, and the necessity for making a more representative display of the honey industry at the Melbourne Show.

Tn the May issue of the official organ of the association, it is stated that apiarists are busy wintering their colonies down to single storeys. The loss of adult bees has been very noticeable this season, owing to the reduced hive population. There till is a fair amount of brood in all stages in four to six combs, and the removal of the supers may keep it goin” a little longer. Generally, the season lias not been normally profitable, on account of the exceptionally heavy summer rainfall. In some localities, the honey flow was fairlv good. Describing the position at Gippsland. one of the most experienced Victorian beekeepers said: “ The season has been a record wet one, with a registration of 45in since last June. Although there was abnormal growth on the trees, and abundance of blossom, it is doubtful whether the district apiarists will have an average yield of half a tin of honey to the hive.