THE APIARY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3899, 4 December 1928, Page 11

THE APIARY.

By

J. A.

Weather conditions in Nelson during the week ending November 24 have been ?b s °hitely perfect. The air has been lull of that busy hum of bees at work on what in this district is their main flow—that of manuka. This flow continues until New Year. After that, the manuka being past, the flow is light for the rest of the summer.

To-day (November 24) I take my last look through the colonies for the season, and, judging froAi all past experience, nothing further will "be required until the ripened sections are removed for marketing. Some judgment is required in supering so that strong colonies may have sufficient room for storage. This is done on the experience of past seasons, and may not be altogether reliable. The needs of the orchard next spring require that the bees go into winter quarters with brood nests well packed with stores, so that tney may be unfettered in brood rearing during the August-September period in anticipation of fruit bloom.

ROSLYN BUSH

Next week s notes will be written from Rosljn Bush after a first examination of an apiary which I have not seen for nine and-half months. Provision was made for spring feeding by having a halfsuper of honey for each colony stored away in the honey house ready to be put out in August when brood rearing begins. Arrangements are made to have these”put on at the right time, and then the colonies al ®. left until about December 1, after wmeh for two and a-half months the attention is constant. The scale hive will, as usual be put into commission, and the record given from week to week, these notes at that time being largely a record actual experience amongst the bees. lhe report as to the condition of the apiary in August when the supers were put on was good, and it remains to be seen what has transpired since. The average time for swarming at Oaklemh was November 24. but at Roslyn Bush, where there is no bush within easy range, it does not usually begin until about a week later. Not that I allow very much natural swarming, but at that time conditions are ripe for it and the attention of the beekeeper is urgently required. PART-TIME INSPECTION.

I am glad to note that this work has been resumed by the horticultural divi« J - n le •^ or th Island, and presume that it is also being kept going in the bouth. This system aims at the carrying out of the Act controlling bee culture, especially in the line of having all apiaries registered, the prevention o"f box hives without frames, and the cleaning up of foul-brood. The penalty attached to non-attention in this matter has been inci eased, and is now rather too serious for anyone to take the risk of facing a magistrate. fl his is all to the good, as bee culture can never come to its own while carelessness and indifference are allowed amongst those happening to be the owners of a hive or two of bees. When foulbrood is controlled bee culture will prosper ind wealth which otherwise would ba entirely lost will be created. Besides that, it is one of the healthiest and most interesting outdoor occupations, and produces a food universally regarded as perfect. The director and chief inspector are to be commended in following up this work. Their method will result in the gradual elimination of the careless bee owners, and will pave the way for a more substantial industry, OAMARU BRANCH.

By the papers I note that Oamaru has former a branch of the “ National.” I am not well acquainted with the Oaamru district, but in passing through in summer time I have noted the splendid fields of clover all along the line, and often wondered how much attention was being Riven to bee culture in the district, there ."f some trouble in keeping up an association, but if it is entered into in the right spirit it can do much good work. Bee culture would not be where it is now but for the association work that has been done throughout the country. U hen one looks back over the 20 odd years that the “ National ” has been at work one realises more fully the changes that have taken place—changes which really had their origin in the “ National ” —and the benefit that has been derived. Oamaru is to be congratulated on her step forward, and one hopes that in a district where clover fields are so plentiful apicuiimre will grow to be the prosperous industry that it should be. A LADY’S JOB.

Bee culture is an out-of-door employment peculiarly suited to the farmer’s daughter. Where properly handled, under good conditions, it becomes intensely interesting, and is made still more so in the possibilities of return. The main trouble is to overcome the fear of stings, and get to that position in which the opening up of the hives and handling of the combs can be done quite fearlessly. This position can be reached by at least three out of every four persons if they honestly try.

“What is th*- |>ime of which you are accused?” But, ‘ ijven’t you read the papers ?” • I-Moustique, Charleroi.