BEE-KEEPING.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 June 1920, Page 3

BEE-KEEPING.

(Hy "Clematis.") WINTEIUXti BEES. We have the quiet time now for the cis., and hives should lie all made secure lor the winter or dormant season. . '' eos sliould be wintered in th« ower box, which during the season was U'-e main brood nest. When a super containing honey has been on, put the mat over the frames of the bottom box, or between the two, with one corner turned back to enable the bees to travel, and they will ?oon carry the honey from the top below to their winter home The op super can then be taken away to the storehouse for further use next season. In closing down bees for the winter, put two or three good sack mats, cut to ht tight over the frames, and also see that the lid is waterproof. Keep your bees dry and warm, and thev will consume less food. FOOD SUPPLY. Examine all hives and see that they contain not less than 30 or 40 lbs of sealed honey, and failing so, feed with two parts sugar and one part water, till tne supply of stores are made up to ftbove amount. Mix the sugar with boiling water, stir the mixture till dissolved, and when luke warm feed to the bees. One of the best feeders, is the division board feeder- Take out two side frames and put the feeder in their place. By cutting a liole in the mats near the back end of the feeder, for the spout of the funnel,, the syrup can be put into the feeder without disturbing a bee. Bees with a young queen and in good •order when put in Winter quarters will, in most parts of North Taranalci, breed continuously on through the winter. Therefore the food supply must be closely watched. The longer brood-rearing lusts. Hip more food is consumed. When the bees are dormant, very little food is consumed, but as the dormant period here lasts but a very short time, the food supply and the keeping of the bees warm and dry must be keenly watched. Old galvanised iron and malthoid roofing make excellent covering for hives Scrape and brns-h clean bottom boards, and keep the. ground dug around the hives, and see that they are not less than C inches off the ground.

LIQUIFYING GRANULATED HONEY. The granulation of honey, or the erystalisation of honey, is taken as the test of purity and quality. The best part, or practically all of the honey produced in New Zealand granulates, and liqnifying on the producers' part must be carried out with care and attention. Honey brought to a high temperature becomes dutker in color and loses flavor, the good aroma being driven ofi\ Direct heat (except in-experienced hands) must not bo applied, but the work should be done by immersing the vessel holding the honey in water, which should be brought up to 140 degrees for white clover lionev. and about. 150 degrees for mixed varieties. At that heat it will take from two to four hours to liquify a sample properly, but it iR a process that cannot be hurried if you want good results, color, flavor and good aroma, the necessary time must be/ taken in the work. Skim off the froth that rises to the top, and. see that the scum does not stick to the neck of tile jar or bottle in show exhibitsWINTER SHOW. Entries for the June show close next Saturday, and I hope bee-keepers will enter their best in the various classes. For several years New "Plymouth has shown the way to many better bee-keep-ing surroundings in the display of honey, etc., at its winter show, and an I have not had the schedule, I presume it is in keeping with former years, and hope to see record entries.