AMONG THE BEES

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 6841, 23 April 1932, Page 8

AMONG THE BEES

(By D. S. Robinson. Apiary Instructor, Department of Agriculture, -Palmerston North.) By the time theso notes appear in print, bee-kcopcrs should have removed all surplus honey from tho hives, and tho bees should be prepared for their winter quarters. Due regard must bo paid to the amount of stores loft for each hive, which should amount to between 301 b. and 401 b. AVhere hives have been extracted bare, artificial feeding on sugar syrup (2 parts 1A sugar to 1 part of boiling water) placed in the feeders while at blood heat must be given to make up tho stores of . the hives in which there is a shortage. Contract all entrances of hives, both to guard against robbing and also tlic entrance of mice . An opening a quarter of an inch to five-sixteenths high and two or throe inches long will be found most suitable. Make sure there is a good mat on the hive and that the roof is watertight. See that the hive is on a stand several inches above ground level and in low areas liable to flood arrange to have stands above flood level. Remove all weeds and rubbish from

around the hives. This will help to keep thorn dry. Tho storage of surplus supers containing combs should not be neglected. These should be placed in a dry building and sheets of newspaper should be placed between each ono to prevent the wax moths from destroying the combs. Tho honey house should be thoroughly cleaned out and all traces of honey spilled from extracting or packing, removed. Marketing of honey will in a good many cases be occupying the larger bec-kcepers. A few points here might bo worth remembering: Have a distinct label and consistent pack so that the purchaser will ask for your honey by name when requiring further supplies. Don’t cut prices. A medium-priced article finds a better sale than an excessively dear one In marketing section honey, don’t forget to remove all propolis from the frames, grade your sections and pack them in cartons. Tho little extra cost and labour is worth while.