BEEKEEPING.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 December 1918, Page 2

BEEKEEPING.

By "Clematis." This season has been the most feckward the writer has known for many years so far as Taranaki is concerned. We have only had casual weather that could be looked upon as perfect for bees to keep up the standard condition of hives for this time of the year. Many have had to feed hives of bees to keep up brood Tearing and also thrown off swarms to enable them to furnish their new home under the prevailing unusual weather conditions. Colonies that were kept in good condition through the winter with the required amount of food kept up in the hives are coming through the season fairly well, but where they were not properly cared for some'have hot kept up to standard weight, which means a total loss for the season. Hives must hive a good force of bees for work when the weather is suitable for a good flow of nectar. The season will be a short one, a matter of only' a few weeks, so that provision should be made well ahead for its reception. Ventilation of hives is very necessary, and is best done by bringing the hives forward over the bottom board by about 1$ oi" 2 inches. The hives then have the frames open to the air over the alighting board, and that saves the -bees a lot of fanning in ventilating the hives. This, and the adding of an extra super when tile one ori is about half filled with honey, will be one of the best means of controlling swarming. In putting on extra super, put under the one already on or half full, which will infuse new life in the hive, essential for controlling swarming. Add one as required in this way up to three supers, if unable to extract. In extracting return empty frames to keep plenty of room for the bees to work in. [n normal season the first extraction of honey should be made at about the end of December, and then aboijt every three weeks according to the season and the flow of nectar. Don't extract from brood nests. or bottom foox. Don't extract frames that contains a tair proportion of brood. Mark such frames and put down or next' brood chamber where the bulk of bees should I*6 encouraged to nurse the brood, and conserve the heat of the hive.

Don't keep bees without you take an interest in them, or your venture will be a failure. Study a good bee book; be thorough in your work; don't neglect an opportunity at a favorable time to attend to your bees, or bee .work. Don't forget one has always something to learn; keep one's eyes and ears open when amongst'bee men or apiaries. Get in touch with tlie North Taranaki Beekeepers' Association, an association formed in the interest of everyone keening bees. It will find you. a market or buy your product.' Make a note of the next field day and demonstration. Attend and bring along a neighbouring beekeeper. One can always find something that will help one in work and methods of conducting an apiary. The next will, if possible,, be held . this month, and be duly advertised. I would like to impress, upon beekeepers not to iprget to keep sections and full frames of comb honey, bottles of h6noy, wax, mead and .honey vinegar for the next show in June. The early part of the season for selection of show honey, etc.. is just upon us. I hope neiit year's entries from beekeepers will show a Tecord. The schedule will probably 'be the same as last year; at 11 11 events Jfe/ wgl 3» * guide to prepaid :#!*" ""