APIARY NOTES FOR AUGUST.

Shannon News, 26 August 1927, Page 3

APIARY NOTES FOR AUGUST.

(By D. S. Robinson, Apiary Instructor, Department of Agriculture, Palmerston North).

Beekeepers should take advantage of the fine days and visit their apiaries to ascertain the amount of stores each liive is in possession of; where the "amount is below about 151bs. artificial feeding should be carried out. Hives with about 151bs. of stores should under normal conditions be in a fit state to carry on till the early nectar flow, but as this varies considerably the beekeener must from now onwards keep a careful watch on the stores of each hive. If honey from healthy colonies is available, a comb or so of that honey is certainly the best way to replenish the stores of those that are low. But failing this a syrup should be made of one part 1A sugar to two or three parts water; the syrup is made by heating the mixture till all the sugar is thoroughly dissolved; the mixture should not be allowed to boil. Artificial feeders.—There are various patterns of these on the market, but beekeepers not in possession of the fac-tory-made articles may improvise one by obtaining a 51b friction top tin. Small holes should be punched in the lid to allow the syrup to gradually trickle out when the tin is inverted. An extra super is placed on the hive to be fed; the tin inverted is placed over the cluster of bees; packing is placed round the tin to keep in the 'heat of the hive, and the roof placed on in the usual way. Aonther method is to put an empty super over the super containing the frees and on top of the bees place a shallow pan; into" this pour the syrup; in the pan put a few small pieces of wood to act as floats, and over the pan place a few battens about 'i of an inch thick. Over this place the mat; the battens are for the purpose of allowing the bees to gain access to the syrup under the mat. Other methods will no doubt suggest themselves to individual beekeepers; in feeding disturb the bees as little as possible, and possible about sundown. Brood rearing will be starting from now onwards and stores will begin to diminish rapidly. When, visiting hives have spare mat? on hand to replace any that are damp; likeAvise replace any roofs that are leaking; always remember to have the bees dry and warm to keep them heal|hy; the health of the bees at this tinfe of the year is a big factor in regards, the 3rop for the coming season. The beekeeper is well advised to go carefully through all his bee appliances and execute any repairs required; also to place orders for new material required and make up same in readiness for the busy season. Wax for foundation should be sent for the foundation makers to make up without delay; do not forget to scratch the sender's name on each piece before sending, and also to advise the makers to whom the wax is sent of the dispatch of : the wax and how sent, i.e., by post, rail"or service car. MOVING BEES. Any hives to be moved should be shifted without delay while few bees are flying, and before there is much brood. The preparation of hives for moving depends on the distance that the bees have to be shifted. For short distances all that is required is to secure the supers to the bottom boards md roofs and close the entrance by racking over it a piece of wire gauze. For longer distances it is as well to remove most of the stores, especially any combs full of honey; the remaining frames should be wedged in to present movement. Frames are made the size of the super and over these frames s tacked wire gauze; the bottom board jf the hive is removed and in its place one of these frames is tacked, likewise 'or the top. This is to provide ample ventilation. The roof is placed over •he gauze screen if the hive is to be exposed to the rain while it is being hifted; if the bees are to be confined for over 24 hours water must be available for them; this can be supplied by ■lacing wet-cloths over the top gauze frame.