THE APIARY.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 3, Issue 5, 15 November 1911, Page 416

THE APIARY.

NOTES FOR DECEMBER.

I. Hopkins.

When the notes for last month were being written the outlook for a decent crop of white-clover blossomsowing to the continued dry weatherwas anything but encouraging. Thanks, however, to the abundant rains we have had since, and which came just in time, the clover has come on splendidly, and present prospects in most parts of the Dominion for a fair crop of clover honey are promising.

Queen-rearing.

The sudden changes in the weather and temperature during a great part of October delayed queen-rearingin fact, we found at the Government -rearing apiary our work abortive on two or three occasions. Several batches of queen-cells were destroyed, and one lot of young queens that emerged from cells given to nucleus colonies failed to return' after their “ wedding flight.”’ The successful rearing of queens depends entirely upon having fine settled weather. It is impossible to succeed even after a favourable start if the weather and temperature should become unsettled before the young queens are mated. Beginners, as I suggested in the September number, will be well advised to delay making a first start at queen-rearing until well into November.

It may be well to mention. to new subscribers that the first part of these notes on queen-rearing appeared in the September number of the Journal.

Making Nucleus Colonies and disposing of Queen-cells.

I stated last month that I would go into this, the final stage of queenrearing, in this month’s notes. A nucleus colony is, as its name indicates, a small but complete colony of bees capable of building itself up under ordinary circumstances into a colony of full strength. In queen-rearing we usually make several from one strong colony, or by taking a frame or two of bees from each of several colonies. We can make as many as are required in that way. I prefer to break up one or more strong colonies.

■ I recommend the use of nucleus hives of a size to take three of the ordinary frames used in the apiary. Such hives can readily be made by beekeepers out of f in. timber. They should be at least | in. wider inside

than will take three frames, so that an , introducing-cage may be inserted between them with ease. The bottoms of these hives are best nailed on, projecting in front from 2 in. to 3 in., the entrance being cut out of the front 2| in. long by in. deep. Nail two battens, 2 in. deep, across the bottom, to keep the latter off the ground. Flat covers are best.

A strong two-story colony will make five nucleus colonies, and, if very strong, six may be made. As the bees are to be confined in the nucleus hives for over a day, ventilation should be arranged by tacking a piece of queen-cage wire cloth over the entrance. It is a good plan to bore a 1| in. hole through the bottom, and to cover this with wire cloth also.

Forming Nuclei and inserting Queen-cells.

When the queen-cells are thirteen days old from the egg they are ready to be given to nuclei. If there is any doubt about their age it is better to deal with them, say, on what is believed to be the twelfth day, or, if absolutely certain of their age, they may be left until the fourteenth day. Be careful when handling the cells that they are not roughly used, and that they be kept warm in a small box on cotton wool. •

The cells and hives being in readiness at the colony intended to be broken up, blow a few puffs of smoke in, lift off the upper box, and, without looking for the old queen, proceed to place in each nucleus hive, finishing one at a time, one frame of brood (as much sealed brood as possible) with adhering bees, one containing honey and a little brood, with bees, and an empty comb. There should be a good many bees, without the hive being overcrowded. See that there is food enough. On the centre comb in each nucleus place a queen-cell confined in West cell-protector (obtainable from hive-makers), and close the hive. When all are done put them in meantime in a cool dark place till the evening of the following day, when they may be set out just before dark and the bees be liberated. Set them a good distance apart from each other, and away from the main part of the apiary.

A nucleus colony should, of course, be left on the stand. This need not be closed. The old hive can remain, but it should be contracted in size by two division boards, to suit the size of the colony. This hive will catch all the returning bees.

Caution in making Nucleus Colonies

A mistake, resulting in failure in making nuclei, is frequently made by beginners by not confining the bees for a while. If the nucleus colonies are placed out at once all the field bees are bound to return to the old hive after their first flight. Thus the brood and queen cell are deserted, and they perish. When confined, as I have advised, though some of the bees, may return, it 1 does not affect the welfare of the colony.

Mating of Young Queens.

Supposing ‘ the queen-cells have been inserted on the fourteenth day, in two days more the young queens will emerge, and when about five days old, if the weather be favourable, they will take their “ wedding flight,” and in about four days after meeting the drone will commence to lay, when they may be made use of, though they should be allowed -to fill the combs with eggs before removal.

Preparing for Surplus Honey.

In an average season the main honey-flow is well on at the beginning of this month, and plenty of working-room should be provided from now forward. As a rule the extracting season in the northern part of the Dominion does not commence earlier than about the 12th, and later further south. In any case, do not let the hives be overcrowded before giving more working-room by extracting, and if working for comb honey remove the section boxes as soon as finished, but not before all cells are sealed.

Comb v. Extracted Honey.

For the sake of economy I always advise beginners to start raising comb honey in sections. There is no honey-extractor or tank needed . then ; but as soon as it is decided to go into beekeeping for commercial purposes in a clover district, then by all means. get the necessary appliances and go in for extracted honey. Larger crops can be raised with less trouble and expense, a readier sale and better prices can be obtained for the latter than for comb honey, and it will carry to distant markets better.

Keep down Swarming.

Make every effort from now forward to keep down swarming in the manner suggested in previous notes. Remember that the more swarming the smaller will the honey crop be. Plenty of working-room in advance of requirements is the best way of preventing swarming. When placing on an extra surplus box always put the new and empty one next the broodchamber and under the others.

Keep all weeds and grass down around the hives, and always have the apiary tidy.

The Garden Island Honey Company, of Honolulu, is planning to establish a breeding-station for the improvement of Italian bees on an. isolated island of the group, as soon as . necessary arrangements can be made. The company hopes not only to improve the bees, but also to furnish an early supply of queens to beekeepers in the United States.