BEE NOTES FOR MAY

Shannon News, 8 May 1928, Page 1

BEE NOTES FOR MAY

(By D. S. Robinson, Apiary Instructor) i Now that the wet weather is with us the outside work in the apiary is practically at a standstill. Beekeepers should, however, when the fine days occur, observe the following facts. Firstly, that the roofs of the iuvp« are all "watertight; that a dry mat is on the hive; and that the hives in exposed districts are weighted down to prevent being blown over by the wind. Secondly, that the hives are on stands well clear of; the ground. Especial note should be. taken that all hives in districts where floods; are liable to occur, are above flood level. Thirdly, that the bees .have ample stores ami that the entrances have been well contracted.

Fourthly, that all weeds and rubbish have been removed from around the hives to help keep them dry, and that The position of hives on the stands is such that vthc hives have a slight tilt towards the front of the hive to allow any water that drives in to run freely out. ' Fifthly, that all queenless hives have either been united to queenright hives or have been destroyed. A hive without a queen will gradually die out, and keeping one is simply a waste of stores. Beekeepers are reminded that the registration of apiaries is compulsory, and apiarists that have not yet completed or applied for registration are now liable to. prosecution. The regulation also requires that change of ownership of bees and apiary sites must be notified. Beekeepers; that intend to purchase bees or second' hand appliances must first obtain a permit before the bees or appliances may be removed to a new location. It is hoped to give during the winter months, illustrated lantern lectures on beekeeping. Apiarists interested in the same should apply to the Apiary Instructor,, when, if facilities offer, the lectures will be arranged. The Winter Show. The committee of the forthcoming Manawatu and West Coast Winter Show have been generous to the beekeepers in the number ~• of classes of. the honey division. There arc classes to suit the one hive beekeeper or the., commercial man running a number of colonies. There are also several classes to interest those who do not produce honey but use it. Now that , the classes have been provided it is up to the beekeepers to see that a good number of entries are staged in every class. The pries offered are good, but what is better for the beekeeping industry, is that at these shows the beekeeper gets one of the best means of advertising his products. _ ,

Tin* following notes on preparing honey tor the show bench should be of vahn to the intending competitor; First study the show schedule aiid.do-. cide which classes to enter in. A technical error may cause the disqualification of an entry that might otherwise have gained a prize. The following are mistakes often made by beekeepers showing honey etc.: Honey shown in wrong class according to colour, granulated honey shown in the liquid class and vice versa, wrong weight in glass jars of honey. It's no use. showing four one pound jars if the schedule asks for two two pound jars. In preparing honey for the show bench; absolute cleanliness is essential for success. The glass jars used should be of,a clear white glass free from ftir bubbles in the* glass and other defects A tall narrow jar is,: certainly to be preferred to a squat stumpy jar. Screw stoppers are preferable to cork stoppers. Liquid honey, the honey used for show purposes should be Thoroughly ripened on the hives, that is, well napped; by the bees before haying been removed. The uncapping knife should have been used dry to prevent moisture getting into the honey. Honey with moisture in will give honey of a low specific gravity and honey that will", not keep. Fermentation will soon set up. After extracting, 'the honey should have been strained through several thicknesses of muslin, or better still through old flannel warmed before being used. New flannel should not be used on account of the fine fluff that would come off into the honey. The honey, before being strained, may be warmed by placing the vessel containing the honey in hot -vater for ten or twenty minutes. Hold the jar at an angle when filling it so as to avoid air bubbles. When filled, store the jars in a dark dry cool place. Should any scum arise this must be removed before being shown. If air bubbles have got into the honey, the jars may be stood in a warm place to assist the air to come, to the top. Further notes on preparing show exhibits will be published later.