IN THE APIARY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 115, 17 May 1930, Page 8 (Supplement)

IN THE APIARY

WINTERING THE COLONIES NOTES FOR MONTH OF MAY (By D. S. ROBINSON, Apiary Instructor, Department of Agriculture). While work in the apiary is now practically ceased for the season, the bee-keeper is well advised to pay attention to the following points:—(l) To ascertain that entrances of all hives have been well contracted, and where a reversible bottom board is in use to see that it. is turned, to allow of the narrow opening only being used; (2) To make sure the bees have efficient stores to carry them over for the next few months. Bees in >me localities this year have scarcely gathered sufficient surplus honey to last them for many weeks, and where hives are in this state, it would be advisable to supplement their stores with a little sugar syrup. (3) Examine hives carefully to see that tho roof docs not leak. If it is found to be not watertight, it should be replaced with a suitable roof that is weatherproof. (4) Bees should be reduced where possible to one super, or as the colder weather approaches, they will forsake the lower super and cluster for warmth in the upper one. (5) Mats should be placed over the frames. mats should be cut the neat size of the inside of the super, so that no portion of the n;at hangs outside to absorb moisture. Sacking, or sugar bags make the most suitable mats. (f>) Hives in damp ground should be raised on bricks or stands and al! weeds should be removed from around the hives to assist in keeping hives dry. (7) Hives should have a tilt of about one inch forward to allow of any rain driving in to drain out speedily. Attention to these points will greatly assist tho bees in wintering over till the spring. Bee-keepers are urged to make use of the winter shows as a means of advertising their products, schedules and prize lists are available for most shows now by application to the various show secretaries. These should bo obtained and a careful study made of tho various classes and conditions made. The Manawatu A. and P. Association offers a big range of classes for the be®keeper to enter his products, dit behoves tho bee-keeper to see that these classes are not curtailed through lack of support on their part. Tho matter of entering honey in the correct colour classes often puzzles the bee-keeper, but if samples of the honey arc submitted to tho apiary instructor, Palmerston North, the bee keeper will be advised as o the cor rect class in which to enter their honey. Tho control of wax moth will L be treated in these notes for Juno.