BEEKEEPING.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 145903, 9 August 1917, Page 8

BEEKEEPING.

(By "Tainui.”) THE NEW YEAR. This month is really the first of the beekeeper’s year. Alt hives that are in any sort of good condition are now commencing to breed so as to renew the winter Josses. For tho benefit of ony novice readers it as well to say that tho bees now in the hive were h itched last autumn and will soon be among the things of the past. They will only live Jong enough to rear some young ones to take their place. This gives you tile secret of--the "disease” known as ".spring dwindling.” Unless yon have a vigorous queen (who lives four years—three years vigorous) clean cells for her to deposit her eggs in. and plenty of honey and pollen, then there are no young bees hatching, and as the old ones die off tho hive gradually dies out. Sometimes it is the fault of tho queen, who has outlived her powers. In this case all that can be done is to unite the hivo to one that is in goad condition; by this means the remaining bees anti food help tho breeding in tho strong one. Keeping the Hives Dry.—lt is necessary to keep tho hives dry, particularly so now when a chill may kill tho young brood and so lay the foundation of that dread disease known as "foul brood.” ijooking through my hives on (Sunday I lound that quite a number of them were dam]) in one or-more corners where the rain had penetrated the roof. Constant vigilance in this matter will bo well rcXiuui later on. .Moving Hives.—Any hives that are to be moved should be done at onee or the bees will return in large numbers to (ho old stand and be lost.

Registration of Apiaries,—l wish to draw my ivodors’ attention to the fact that everyone who keeps bees (even one !:ive only), must register them on or before the. lotli of tin's month. There is no le\ Procure a form at your post office, fill it and, and post as directed. Beeswax.—Once more 1 wish to inform my readers that they can get their beeswax made up into foundation comb for 9d per lb. lam making up another small case to send down, and will be plea seel to send forward and return any small lots left for that purpose at “Tainui.” Vogcltown. Jfy last note on this subject brought hi about 20 lots, ranging from 21b. to 201 b. 1 was pleased to find such a wide range of readers; also it showed a large circulation, as my Iriends arc sprearl over the country from llahotu to Inglewood. Box Hives.—Evidently the inspectors are going to enforce the Apiaries Act. which provides that bees must bo kept in hives with movable frames. A beekeeper was fined £3 and costs for neglect in this respect. I shall have a note on this matter later, showing how to transfer the hoes from box hives to the frames. It is too early to do it yet. Export of Honey.—Great difficulty has been experienced in shipping produce. and honey has been one of the victims. However, a quantity is to got away occasionally. Over 16 tons was shipped lately at Auckland. Honey producers are reaping the benefit of the contract with British firms to supply a large quantity every year, and, unlike some other foods, the prioe to the consumer here is still a reasonable one.

Helps to Beginners.—l intend to again invito iny readers to take advantage of inv last year’s offer, viz., to come and visit my apiary at Vogoltown on Saturdays by appointment, or on Sunday afternoons. The most experieneed of us bave always something to learn, and mv' observation hive is in good order this year.