THE APIARY.

Otago Witness, Issue 1777, 12 December 1885, Page 3

THE APIARY.

NOTES ON BEES.

HIVING A SWATRM,

Of all the pleasurable things the beekeeper has to do, there is perhaps nothing more enjoyable than hiving a swarm ; it is almost as pleasant as taking off the filled sections, though that is a pleasant and satisfactory task, too. The way I invariably adopt is about as good a plan as any. There are, of course, many methods of accomplishing this object, but it matters little how you go about it so long as you succeed in hiving the swarm without damage. I have a small box, 12 inches by 10 inches, and 9 inches deep, without a cover, but with the bottom half an inch larger all round than the box, to hold it by when placed upside down. Haviug got the hive on its permanent stand, perfectly level, and the frames spaced just right, spread a sheet or cloth in front of it, with one edge between the hive and bottom board, and wedge the front up half an inch ; if the cluster is in a handy place, hanging clear, take the small box, or a pail, or any article that will hold them, hold it up underneath them so that the cluster hangs inside ; give the branch a smart shake, ami they will fall in a lump ; carry them at once to the hive, and pour them out on the cloth close up to the entrance, when they will immediately commence to run in ; if any remain where the cluster was, go back and fetch them the same way. If, however, they have clustered iv some place where a box cannot be got under them, carry the hive to where they are, spread the cloth as before, and lift as many as possible on to the cloth with the hand, or a dipper, or anything convenient ; once the queen is in the swarm will set up that roar so well known to beekeepers, and the stragglers will soon follow. In a few minutes carry the hive to its stand, see that the frames are right, and mat in its place. In carrying out this task do not be frightened of the bees. If you are afraid, you will keep dodging about to avoid them and will strike at those which lly near you, and this will have the effect of making them angry. Bear in mind that the swarm has as yet no home, that the bees are full of honey, and are consequently in such a condition that you can do as you like with them. You can hive a hundred swarms without getting stung if you are careful not to squeeze or injure the bees.

As I have frequently had occasion to speak of the frame hive, and as my future Notes will have reference to different methods of working with the frame hive, it will perhaps he as well to describe it and point out some of its advantages for the benefit of those who are at present unacquainted with it. A well-known naturalist, who was making a special study of bees and thei" habits, conceived the idea that if a conib could be removed from the hive at will and reinserted again, he would be able to pursue his subject with much greater ease and success. This led to the introduction into the hive of a bar on which it was intended the bees should build their combs, and they not only did so, but so lixed the bars in that they were practically useless. The idea, however, having once been started, led to experiments not only how best to make the combs movable, but also as to what size suited their requirements best, and what was most convenient. A great many different sizes were made, eacli of which has some supporters, but none have become such a general favourite as, the one given us by Mr Langsstroth, which is found to be so convenient that it has been adopted in the colonies ;is the standard.

Will it pay to go in for frame hives? is a question often asked ; and as to this there can be but the one answer : It will pay handsomely provided proper attention is paid to them. No farmer would think of buying an improved agricultural machine without in the first instance learning how to use it. Similarly with tho frame hive, to make the best use of it one, must necessarily understand something of the bees and their habits. It is of no use to purchase a hive, and after selecting a good place for it thereafter to treat it and its occupauts just tho same as if they were lodged in a gin-case. The frame hive is constructed so that the honey can be taken in its pures* and best condition, and in such a form as to be always ready for market. As a rule, the more honey you take away from

the bees the harder they will work to accumulate more, and beekeepers should take advantage of their industry, and remove the honey as fast as it is gathered and ripened. It is here that the great difference between the old and the new methods is most marked. When the honey is being gathered rapidly, as it is when clover is in full blossom, there is in the old way a direct antagonism between the queen and the majority of the worker bees. The box is full of comb, and the combs are full of brood and honey, and hundreds of bees are loaded with honey, and have no place to store it. As soon as a young bee eats its way out in pops the loaded worker and deposits its load, and thereafter that cell is closed to the queen. In this way the brood nest is slowly but surely contracted, until the number of bees hatching daily is very small indeed. But with the frame hive, as soon as the combs are full, they are uncapped, the honey is extracted, and the empty combs are given back to the bees to refill. This also gives the queen plenty of room, of which she takes advantage at once, and at the end of the season we have the colony stronger in numbers than in the spring, in addition to having cast several swarms. In this way it is astonishing the quantity of honey that can be taken in a favourable season. Last season an amateur started with three frame hives, took 9801b honey, and increased to ten colonies ; another started with thirteen, took 30001b comb honey, ami increased to forty. I could quote many such instances to prove that with proper attention beekeeping is not only a pleasant but a profitable pursuit.