BEE MANAGEMENT.

Shannon News, 8 November 1929, Page 3

BEE MANAGEMENT.

DEMONSTRATION BY INSTRUCTOR

An interesting and informative afternoon was spent by about 25 beekeepers on Saturday at the apiary of the Mayor, Mr Clias. Blenkhorn, on the occasion of a demonstration arranged by the Horowhenua Bee-keepers’ Association, visitors being present _ from (Haiti and Oliau as well as Levin. The .demonstrator was Mr I). S. Robinson, District Apiary Instructor, under the Agricultural Department, who combines the enthusiasm of the bee-lover with the knowledge of the scientist and con--1 [rives to convey his message in a very practical way. The visitors and instructor were given a cordial welcome by the Mayor, who has been a practical apiarist for many years. Mr Robinson dealt with seasonal operations, particularly the provision of queens and the management of bees in the early part of the season, using one of the hives to illustrate his remarks. Some ingenious items of up-to-date plant such a's drone excluders, queen breeding

cells, etc., were also on exhibition, and many questions answered. The instructor urged apiarists to keep a look-out for symptoms of foul-broOd, indicated bv the presence of sunken and darkc,oloured cells, some perhaps perforated, if a small stick .or wooden match were inserted in such cells and a stringy gummy substance, with a sour odour, adhered'to it, they could conclude that the disease was there, and should inform the instructor for the district. The remedy was to take the bees out of their contaminated hive and give them fresh clean quarters. This should be done on a dull day near sundown, the bees being shaken out on to a sack ami put into a benzine case for three days before being settled in their new hive. The affected comb should be cut from the frames and bdiled, and the frames boiled in a copper with a fair amount of caustic soda, while the inside of,the hive or 1 super should be scorched with a painter’s blow-lamb, or by putting a match to it after painting the inside with methylated spirit. Another method ■ of. sterilising the frames by the use of formalin was also described.

At the conclusion of Mr Robinson’s remarks, those present were entertained at afternoni tea by the Mayoress, and after this had been done full justice to, Mr A. Hinde, on behalf of the Horowhenua" Bee-keepers’ Association, expressed the appreciation of-the gathering. They were very much endebteid, lie said, to Mr Blenkhoru for the use of his apiary for the demonstration. Though a small apiary it wa's ideal for the purpose, as\in larger ones there were too many bees about. Their thanks were also due to Mrs Blenkhorn for her hospitality in providing the social side. Everyone had thoroughly enjoyed themselves and he had pleasure, in moving a very hearty vole of thanks to Mr and Mrs Blenkhorn.

Mr Robinson, on behalf of the Department of Agriculture, said it was very gratifying to see a mlan occupying the public position the Mayor did. placing his apiary at the disposal of the Department, and they fully appreciated his action. The Department en-

deavoured to cater for the small beekeeper and the amateur, alnd was always willing to give information and assistance either by correspondence n otherwise. Mr Robinson remarked that at the Dominion Conference of BeeKeepers it was recommended that at social functions in connection with the industry a special place be given to articles in tvhicb honey- was an ingredient. He was therefore very pleased to notice in the Mayoress’s provision that afternoon a most excellent honey cake. He added the Department’s thanks to Mr and Mrs Blenkhorn, sentiments which were endorsed by acclamation.

The Mayoress acknowledged the vote of thanks, remarking that she had a great deal of admiration for bee-keep-ers a's being very brave men. (Laughter). The Mayor said he also had always admired the bee-keepers, not for the

same reason as the Mayoress, but because they were d'oing something useful. It should not exactly be a hobby, they wanted to get the industry on a commercial basis, and lie felt that the small industries such as bee-keeping, poultry-keeping, and horticulture would be the solution of many of the country’s problems. Referring to the demonstration, he said they could all sc-e that Mr Robinson knew his subject from A to Z and further was capable

of imparting his knowledge. If the Government provided instructors of his calibre, the industry would grow by leaps and bounds. It was a pleasure to have the bee-keepers with them and he trusted there would he twice the number present next year, when they would make a point of offering- a greater array of good things in which honey played a constituent part. (Applause).