APIARY NOTES

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 144, 14 March 1931, Page 13

APIARY NOTES

Removal of Surplus Honey (By D. S. Bobinson, Department of Agriculture.) All surplus honey should be removed from the hives before the end of March; If it Is left longer there is a grave risk of starting the bees robbing from each other. It is at this time of the year that bee-escape boards will be found useful in removing the surplus honey without the bees. Sometimes the season closes down very quickly, and bee-keepers cannot always guard themselves from being caught unprepared. It is at such times the "bee escapes” are essential to circumvent robbers when the last of the honey is being removed. Robbing must be guarded against at this time of the year, as at all times, if the case is a light one it can ofteu be checked by throwing some damp grass on the hive entrance, or by contracting the entrance. If the robbing is very pronounced, the hive being molested may be shut right down for a day. Another plan is to watch from which hive the robbers ape coming, and change the places of the hives between the hive being robbed and the hive from which the robbers emerge. Foul Brood Hives should be thoroughly Inspected for foul brood and combs taken from diseased hives must be kept separate from the clean ones, otherwise, If spread around, might cause wholesale infection. Any foul brood located, the Apiary Instructor for the district should be at once advised. Failure to do this renders the bee-keeper liable to a fine of £2O. As soon as the disease Is located, the diseased hive should be burnt or treated. If treatment is carried out at this season of the year, it will be necessary to feed the bees with syrup. Bee-keepers should remember the following points of the Apiaries Act:— Before bees may be sold tor removal to another location, it is necessary to obtain a permit from the Apiary Instructor for the district. * All apiaries must be registered: cards for application for registration are obtainable from any officer of the Department ot Agriculture. No person shall expose any honey, bee combs or appliances taken from or used in connection with any Infected hives in such a manner as will allow access thereto by bees until after such materials have been thoroughly sterilised by approved methods so as to remove any infection. The penalty for breaches ot the foregoing renders the bee-keeper liable to fines from £2O to £5O. As the season is somewhat later this year, bee-keepers in districts where pennyroyal nourishes, are advised to sort out the combs containing pennyroyal honey and keep these from the bulk honey. , The honey of pennyroyal is light In colour and has a strong minty flavour and odour, the aromatic taste ot which is uot at all agreeable. Honey Shortbread. . Following is a recipe tor honey shortbread:— , . Ingredients.—i lb. flour, pinch salt, 2 ozs. ground rice, I lb. butter, i lb. houey, 1 egg. £ teaspoonful caster sugar, 2 ozs. grouiid almonds. Method—Cream together, butter, sugar, honey, eggs: sift flour into mixture with baking powder, salt; work into a stiff dough. Roll out to even thickness, cut into fingers placing blanched almonds into centre ot each. Bake in very slow heat.