THE APIARY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2983, 17 May 1911, Page 12

THE APIARY.

By J. A.

THE WINTER SEASON. In. all well-regulated apiaries the work season is a thing of the past, aiad tho colonies are all fixed up for the winter season, not to be opened again—unless it be for a passing glance—until tho first fine days of August. One, of the advantages that bee-keeping cam fairly claim is that there is no bee work amongst the bees to be done in the whiter There is certainly indoot work to be done in preparation for another season, but in the apiary all should be at rest during tho winter We hayo already written of the condition in which we like to leave the bees for this long quiet time, and we are not going to add to it now. There .is, however, tho question of the sunoundings of the apiary, and this we have not touched upon at all. It adds considerably to tho interest the apiarist takes in his bees if the apiary is kept tidy. It makes it a pleasure to go there, and it is worth while just on that account if no other to go to considerable trouble to imake it look nice. We believe the ideal plan is to have the apiary on a nicely-levelled grass plot, and to keep the grass trimmed with Jft lawn mower. It is always tidy wtlien that is done; but it moains a good deal of work — more than most beekeepers can afford. Our Oakleigh Apiary covers about half an acre of ground, and to go over that weekly in the spring and early summer with a lawn mower would take more time than we have been able to afford. It is easier for us to cut it with a scythe two or three times during the summer. Usually we cut the grass in November, then again about Christmas time, and for the last time after the bees have had their last visit for the season. At vhis last cutting we like to pare away with a spade or Dutch hoe all the grass immediately rovrod the hives. The gross and cleanings are used for mulching purposes round the roots of the apple trees and the hedges. During the summer time there are always a few swarming boxes and spare tops and bottomts lying at convenient places about the apiary. These are all now gathered up and piled away till next season. A place is found for everything, and everything put in its place.. As we have said, this is all in the interest of tidiness and attractiveness, and it pays. We believe that it pays to go further than this, and to lay off a few little beds 'for flowers and also to cultivate a few flowering shrubs; to so lay off tho ground that every time we go amongst our bses we derive some pleasure from our surroundings.

OUR AUTUMN COUNT at Oakleigh is 189 colonies. These have gone into winter quarters lighter than we oar© to have them, and some- of them wiD require feeding- early in the spring. When we commenced our last round there were about 230 colonies; but all the weak ones have been united until they were all fairly strong; while at the same time every comb that contained any honey was used (and we have done no extracting since January 10) —to do all we could for them in the way of supplies. The lightest o>f them will go through quite easily till brood-rearing commences, but when that time comes there will require to' be systematic feeding. In the above connection the following article by Leo. E. Gateby in the Beekeepers' Review fci April, 1911, will prove interesting:— SOME REASONS WHY FALL FEEDING CANNOT TAKE THE PLACE OF SPRING FEEDING. " The position, assumed by many leading apiarists iupon the question of feeding appears to be entirely in favour of providing all colonies previous to winter with sufficient stores, that none will require such attention at the opening of spring. "Undoubtedly the* situation of colonies during early spring is somewhat modified by the condition im which they went into winter quarters; yet, it would be illogical to depend implicitly upon autumn feeding. In theory fall-feeding may appear of immense value, but in actual practice it will be quickly demonstrated that bees cannot be led into rapid breeding through the instrumentality of abundant stores. Not until new honey, or an equivalent substitute, begins coming in regularly, and plentifully, will colonies start breeding in dead earnest.

"For a considerable time after the close of winter, many colonies fail to gain appreciably in strength, though rearing brood constantly. This difficulty arises from the fact that brood-rearing activities are at all times limited to colony conditions, amd, ib amount, is but slightly beyond the hig'h death-rat© of ihe aged workers. When unmolested average colonies may gradually pain in .strength, and, after a time suddenly take a new lease of life, quickly surmount the critical stage, and become populous. Bat for «,n early honey flow, this desirable breeding stage is seldom reached in tirnn. sufficient to populate the hives to,, their full capacity by harvest. "With a view to enlarging the brood areas of colo.nies during early spring, the first step o,f importance is the" bringing forward-of highly-favoured conditions under which, naturally, bees are inclined to produoe the most brood.

"All strains of bees, blacks and Italians im particular, are governed mainly in their production of brood by the presence, or absence, of a nectar supply. In the absence of such, the principle requisite to promoting brood: production is the provision of a regular source of artificial food supply. This, then, is the principle upon which hangs the practice of feeding sugar syrup for stimulation. While it involves some degree of energy amdl expense, it is on* that pays financially, even should colonies have an abundance of sealed stores. Certainly, it is the: only mea.ns whereby weak colonics can, without opening hives, or manipulating combs, be brought to equal the strongest which have DP*m left to their own devices.

"In localities having no early flow, colonies that may have come through winter in ideal condition can as profitably be kept to ttieir own. care. We can, however, scarcely dispense with spring feeding on account of the weaklings, of which there are generally from 5 to 20 per cent. " The amount of syrup a colonv will require dually must defend to ro small extent upon circumstances. Those strong numerically, and headed by prolific mothers capable of supplying an unlimited number of eggs, may consume from a half to one pint. Others, owing to a. scarcity of numbers, or having queens inadequately prolific, will require a less amount.

"As at no other time, spring-feeding must be conducted in such a way that no bees will be accidentally drowned in the proceeding. Should that occur, their force will fast diminish by the very thing which is intended to populate the hive. In years when at the end of winter colonies are in excellent condition, stimulation ia rarely necessary or advisable. Therefore when it becomes necessary, conditions of warmth a.nd economy of bee life are absolutely indispensable to success. "Without question, judicious and intelligent feeding for the purpose of assisting invalid colonies is advantageous, especially at a time when bees have access only to old, thick honey. To dilute such honey for the preparation of larval food, they will otherwise be forced to venture out in precarious and' ruinous weather, in search of a watering place. But whether we wish to feed for stimulation or merely to prevent some of the colonies starving, the fact remains that spring-feeding is often unavoidable with all system®, and in the best managed apiaries."