BEE-spoke-data/bees-v0 huggingface dataset:
Then again, some people protect the hands ; rubber gloves are sold for the purpose. "A eat in gloves never catches mice," so says an old saw. You cannot handle frames, etc., so freely as is necessary with gloves on. Rubber gloves always keep the hands very hot. Better than these bee gloves, and cheaper too, are woolen gloves, with a pair of cotton ones pulled over them and the gloves kept damp whilst you are manipulating. No bee will sting through them if so treated. The only material that appears to be impenetrable to the sting of a bee is rubber or leather, but then the latter must be thick. Kid will not do ; they will sting through it. Of course, if the material be so thick that the sting cannot reach through it is right enough. The very first protection to be discarded should be gloves. I never wore a pair of bee gloves in my life, and in my early days came off pretty freely with the stings.
Now there is one portion of protection should not be overlooked. In a live there are bees that have only just emerged from the cell as well as bald-headed veterans. When inspecting a hive and lifting out the frames there are bees on it of every age. Some of the older ones fly off and return to the hive ; others eling to the comb under observation ; some of the youngest bees try to imitate the actions of their older sisters to fly home, but suffering from infantile weakness, are unable to do so, and fall to the earth.
If too young to fly, they are not at all times too young to sting. These young bees when under a state of siege are very timid, and become much frightened. When they have fallen to the ground, their first impulse is to return to the hive as quickly as possible. To do so they ascend any elevation within reach, among the most available being the lower extremities of the operator. These disturbed bees will clamber and invade the anatomy of the human form divine, and finding all escape blocked, and the nether garment pressing upon them, in their turn become besiegers, and apply their tiny bayonet to some purpose, and to the discomfort of the manipulator. There are many ways to check these unpleasant intrusions. Some put on a pair of bike pants; others tie the pants closely around the neck of the foot. When looking at your bees it is not always convenient to run and change your pants, nor is string always available. When a becekeeper is manipulating he is always fairly well clad, especially on the lower extremities. He should always be adorned with at least boots, socks and pants. Therefore the most handy and convenient way to protect your shins from those little crawling bees is to pull your socks over the leg of your pants; you are then made invulnerable.
Now, what I have advocated so far is protection to be used by the "lords of creation," who are trying to become lords of the bees. But the masters of the lords of creation are as good beekeepers as their lords, or, if not, many of them are as anxious to become so. Most of the protections I have named are as applicable to lady bee-keepers as they are to men. There are dresses made specially for ladies. I have never seen one worn, and, therefore, I cannot tell if they give sufficient protection. Amateur bee-keepers, both men and women, should be fully protected. But each article of protection should be discarded in turn. First learn to work with unprotected hands, next unprotected arms, followed by working with an unveiled face, that is with the veil thrown back over the head ready to be brought into requisition when required.
## Chapter 12 Characteristic Sites for an Apiracy.
There is no country in the world better adapted for bee-keeping than New South Wales, especially in the districts where the whole year through the warmth is sufficient for out-door bee life. Along our coastal districts, especially northwards from Sydney, the winters are better adapted for the bee-keeper than are the central and northerly countries of the old world. After the excessive heat of the summer is over, the remaining seasons of autumn and spring merge one into the other as to exclude almost any signs of Old Father Winter's appearance. And so away on the mountain slopes towards the Western Plains. Along the base of the Great Dividing Range, both towards the coastal districts and where they abut on the Great Plains, in some of our deep valleys running far into the mountains, and on the banks of our mountain rivers and creeks, are bee-farm sites adaptable to the requirements of the industry in every respect. On page 12.2 is an ideal picture of a bee-farm so realistic of Australian scenery that one or more of our settlers, and one or two of our bee-keepers, may be excused for claiming it as a photograph of their homestead, with bee-hives added, or as their bee-farm as it now stands. No site is better suited for an apiary than is there depicted.
Nestling at the foot of a mountain gorge ; protected from the prevailing cold winds by surrounding hills, that are thickly clad with eucalypt, etc., which in seasons are dropping wealth that was lost till the bee-keeper went amongst then, stands the little peninsula taken possession of by the apiarist. The creek, as necessary an adjunct to a bee-farm as to a homestead, both for domestic purposes and also for the wants of the bees--for these, like other animals, always require to be more or less supplied with water--surrounds three-fourths of the tongue of land. Along its banks are alluvial patches, rich in plant-food, well suited for a garden for the cultivation of culinary vegetables. Fruit-trees can be dotted here and there, and patches for the cultivation of pumpkins and maize. The site on which the hives are arranged makes an excellent poultry run, being somewhat sandy, such soil being good alike both for poultry and bees. On such a peninsula there is always a sufficiency of natural herbage to supply green-stuff to keep fowls healthy. Poultry in no way interfere with bees, nor bees with poultry. I have heard of a case where a hen developed a taste for them. In such a case she could be converted into a dinner. I one time had a hen that was an excellent drone-trap. When the drones were on the wing she would stand by and obtain many a good meal, but when only workers were out the hen was never present. With such a site converted into a beefarm, with two or three cows running in the bush for the supply of milk and butter, poultry for eggs and fresh meat, one or two pigs, to fatten with the overlying milk and the refuse from the garden and pumpkin patches, to supply the larder with hams and bacon, an industrious man could do well. The garden could supply a family with health-giving vegetables, and, being in close proximity to the creek, irrigation could be applied to it that would ensure a regular supply of them. The fruit-trees could be so planted that they would receive the benefit of the artificial watering. There would be sufficient surplus fruit to preserve for winter use, either by bottling or jam-making, that would last from fruit season to fruit season. Honey is equal to sugar as a preservative for fruit. A bee-farm with the adjuncts named, with Sydney as a market for the tons of honey that are to be obtained from our native honey-producing trees, and a local township where any overplus of butter, eggs, etc., could be disposed of for ready cash--what more need a family require? Moses' incentive to his flock was that he was leading them to ''a land flowing with milk and honey.''
There are hundreds of such sites in the districts named awaiting occupiers. There are also numberless individuals looking out to establish a place for a home. A young couple taking possession of one of these sites, starting as above in a small way, so that the adjuncts could be increased or added as requirements occurred, could easily make a comfortable and prosperous home.
Many a settler has already a similar site, occupied only by a few straggling sheep or cattle that are returning at most a precarious living to their owner. It may not be as perfect as the illustration referred to ; but, if the hillsides are fairly well clothed with indigenous timber, there is no reason why an aere or so could not be fenced off that would be beneficial, as stated. There is no great outlay needed. One member of the family having ordinary energy and attention could be told off as superintendent. Such an addition would not take up the whole of anyone's time, and, at the very least, it would supply home luxuries for the table, and thus save the storekeeper's bill.
Will it pay? Yes, if only for home consumption. Any site is more or less adaptable. At Tamworth, a gentleman engaged in business keeps bees on top of his house under a covered turret, and this supplies him with beautiful sections of honey. He is most liberal to his friends in supplying them with similar ones. At Maitland, Mr. Tipper, editor of the _Bee Bulletin_, for years kept bees on the open roof of his office, situated in the principal street, without inconvenience to anyone, and it paid.
In many of our country towns people living in the outskirts could keep bees far more than they do.
Flower-culture and gardening is taking a hold at last on the people living in the bush and away from the city, thanks to the agricultural committees that have added flower sections to their shows. Competition has produced emulation, and, to excel, bush and glass houses have been added to out-door gardens. In country agricultural shows the flower-stalls are among the most attractive sights; but the exhibits that attract the greatest concourse of spectators, apart from the jumping contests, are the apicultural. Those who are in the habit of attending these shows will remember that for some years past, both at Wellington and Muswellbrook, the difficulty has been to elbow your way through the crowd of interested sightseers in the pavilion where the honey and bee appliances are shown. Competition was so keen at a recent show held at Muswellbrook, that the judge was occupied two days in going through the list of exhibits catalogued. The agricultural committee at the last-named town practically let the pavilion committee have a free hand to give the bee section choice of place and almost unlimited space wherein to exhibit their produce.
Flower-culture and bees are hand-maidens. Whatever locality is adaptable for flower-culture is also suited for bees, and it is easy to combine the bush-house for useful and ornamental purposes, the bees adding profit to ornament.
For ladies, the hive placed within the bush-house gives an extra safety from stings. The hives should be placed so that the ferns and other decorations should not interfere with the working of the hive when the supers are placed in position. It is necessary in the construction of the hive that the alighting-board should be made sufficiently wide to protrude some inches beyond the walls of the house. An ordinary sized house could contain ten or twelve hives. Both bees and bee-keeper are protected alike from the direct rays of the sun.
Gardens, both kitchen and flower, are always the better for a few bees kept therein, especially if fruit-trees are also grown in the former.
The only places that are not suited for bee-culture are extensive plains, and the vicinity of large areas of water. On large plains, because the blooming period of indigenous flowers is short and capricious, and the honey flow does not last so long as in hilly districts; where there are large areas of water, because aquatic flora is not worth mentioning, except in the shallows near the shore, which are well stocked with nymphias, &c. In the neighbourhood of broad rivers and lakes, bees going foraging can cross them readily; but, when returning laden, many hundreds fall victims to the length of the homeward flight, especially in windy weather, and are drowned.
.The most important point is to select a site for bee-keeping, no matter if it be on a large or small scale, where there is plenty of native flora within the radius of at most two miles. The nearer these are to the bees the better. Close proximity to fruit orchards and lucerne paddocks is an advantage. The hive should be so placed as to secure the greatest protection from the prevailing cold winds.
## Chapter 2 Xixx.
### 2.1 Hive Arrangements.
Is it worth while to keep bees? is a question that can only be answered by local surroundings. And the number of hives of bees that can be conveniently kept in any district will depend somewhat on similar circumstances. If the bees are to be kept for experiment and observation only, then the study of locality is unnecessary, because bees can be kept and thrive anywhere if supplied with proper naturally collected food. A person entirely unacquainted with bee life and management, and living in a suitable locality, as before described, should go sparingly to work in the introduction of bees as regards the number of colonies he proposes to manage. It is much better to learn by practice than by theory.
Two neighbours whose gardens are contiguous may start in bee-keeping under precisely the same cimcumstances. In one case it will be a success and in the other a failure, because the one observes and is interested in his little venture, and the other fails because after putting his bees in position he lets them ''take their chance.'' Nevertheless, failure is not always caused by want of interest. If the site chosen is undulating or falls away, and the low-lying ground is over-shadowed by tree foliage, causing the morning sun to be late in dispersing the dampnes that is always more or less associated with shady positions, such a situation is by no means adapted to successful bee-culture. The spot occupied by the bees must be both dry and airy. The apiary protected on all sides from fierce winds by belts of trees is far preferable to an entirely open situation. Damp is undoubtedly one of the greatest of bee enemies. No hobby should be ridden to death, and bees are no exception to that rule. Unnecessary handling irritates bees and causes delay in the work of the hive. On the other hand, if the stocks are only handled when a harvest is anticipated the practice necessary to become a bee-master will be long delayed. The bee-keeper's judgment alone must be exercised in these matters.
The arrangement of the hives is important. They should be
ing in that line of flight is always in danger of being stung. Next in importance to standing behind or at the side of a hive when handling the bees--the former place is preferable to the latter--is that of not standing in the direct line to the entrance to the adjoining hives.
It is not necessary at all times to arrange the hives in straight rows. If the position chosen has a slight incline, with an easterly aspect, it gives a very pretty effect if they are arranged semi-circularly or somewhat in the shape of a crescent. In so doing it is unnecessary to observe the quincunical placing of the hives.
The arrangement of the hives as stated in the foregoing has a double advantage; it gives the bee-keeper a better opportunity of noting the hive requiring attention, and breaks the monotony that is always apparent when the hives are placed in straight lines with the entrance of the one in a direct line with the back of the one opposite. Where all the hives are in the same straight line and of the same colour it is embarrassing to a young queen, when returning from her wedding flight; but the quincunial at once secures a greater variety of surroundings to act as guide-posts for the returning bees.
BUSH-HOUSE APIARY.
An ordinary bush-house can readily be fitted up as an apiary, as shown in the illustration. Some years ago I had such a bush-house erected close to the dwelling. It contained fourteen Langstroth hives. These were about two feet from the ground. Under the hives there grew many varieties of maiden-hair ferns. Other plants suitable for bush-house culture were scattered here and there throughout. In the centre there was a large octagonal table and fixed seats capable of seating sixteen guests. The walls and roof were composed of tea-tree. As an adjunct to the dwelling it formed a grand resort during summer time. When the table and seats were not in use for domestic purposes they formed stands for suitable foliage plants. To visitors it was an endless source of interest, especially when honey was required for the table, and a hive in the house opened, one or more sections taken out, the bees brushed off, and the honey put on the table without the slightest annoyance from the bees. Many timid ladics became courageous and expressed strong desires to look into the hidden mysteries of the bee-home.
It is not essential that the bush-house apiary should be octagonal. Its shape and design should be in keeping with sur
roundings. The object to be gained is that which will produce the most ornate effect, both with regard to internal fittings and the external parterre.
In practice, I found that the alighting board, if the hives are raised sufficiently above the surface to admit of the cultivation of ferns, &c., underneath, should protrude about 3 inches beyond the wall of tea-tree; but if the plants are grown alternately with the hives, it is better to place the latter a little above the surface of the floor, and openings in the walls made to admit of the full front of the hive as shown in the accompanying sketch. If necessary, the whole of the walls of the house can be utilised for bebeeeping, the centre for pot-culture, hanging baskets for ferns suspended from the rafters, &c. If the space available be circumscribed, and it be found necessary to tier the hives, then the Langstroth hive will be found unsuitable for the purpose. These are always manipulated from the top, and there must be a sufficient headroom allowed for the purpose. Where time and space are of no object, the Berlepsch live will be found most convenient for tiering. These are worked from the back, and therefore offer greater facilities for stacking. In the commencement the idea of tiering must be taken into consideration and provision made for Berlepsch hives. The stand for the first row should be at the least 2 feet 6 inches from the floor, otherwise it will be found difficult to replace the frames with ease.
In gardens, ornamental or otherwise, in addition to the bushhouse for bees, hives may be dotted here and there in out-of-way places that will give a picturesque appearance to the garden site. In placing hives in irregular and out-of-the-way places note the bushes or trees are not so close as to impede the working of the hive, and at the same time see that there is sufficient head room for the manipulator. There are few things more troublesome than having your veil pulled off your head when in the act of examining a frame.
## Chapter 11 The Evolution of the Bee Hive.
Having already described rather lengthily the best localities and the most suitable surroundings for bee-farms in New South Wales, also the situations, the positions, and the arrangements most adaptable for bee-culture both for profit and pleasure, here, it is my intention to write about their habitat, and the rise, development, and progress of their artificial homes.
The domestication of the bee became a thing of necessity, as being one of the sources from which man was to obtain a food supply at once nutritious, healthful, and palatable. The transition of the bee from a state of nature to the care of man is but a grade, and that an easy and simple one. They seem to have been designed more for domestic life than for a wild one. Their social habits, their swarming instinct, the mildness of their temper when leaving the parent stock and whilst on the wing, or clustering, and the ease with which a cluster of bees can be transferred from where they align to an artificial home, at once stamps them as an ally for a food-supplying force that could not be overlooked.
Their indigenous home appears to have been in Palestine from whence they spread the ''wide world o'er.'' All varieties of social bees have a strongly migratory instinct, and this is greatly assisted by the ease with which they can be transported to places far and near. The only barriers that are placed in their way to a natural distribution over the whole earth are extensive areas of water and expansive treeless plains. They are enabled to live in any climate where there is warmth sufficient for members of the vegetable kingdom to flower and produce honey and pollen. Their natural habitat are trees and rocks wherever they can find cavities sufficiently large for lodgment, the storing of food, and the reproduction of their species. These natural homes are chosen with every regard for health, perfect ventilation, and freedom from drip or other dampness. If, after they have chosen a home, they discover that the rain trickles through, as soon as it is dry they at once set to work to repair the oversight. Quantities of propolis are brought into requisition, and the leak is permanently and effectually stopped. I once, on the banks of the Murrumbidgee, found a swarm of bees that had taken possession of a small cleft in some rocks, my attention being drawn to them by seeing some clustering on a narrow fissure. On closer inspection I found them at work in stopping the crack. The material used was a resinous matter, obtained from the small cones of some trees near by, and sand thickly intermixed therewith. Some weeks after I revisited the place and found the composition as firmly set as Portland cement. It is said the bees of the Holy Land frequently settle on the face of a rock and construct with mud a dome-like covering around themselves. Here they make their home. The material used is, undoubtedly, the composition I have referred to. The honey seen "'dripping from the rock" is from bee-nests so constructed, when such are built where they receive the full force of the noon-day sun which acts upon the resinous wall-material and the delicate virgin comb within.
From the bee-made constructions named to the clayey sundried tubular vessels in use to-day by the barbarous or semi-barbarous tribes of Asia and parts of Africa, is but one degree in the transition from the natural to artificial bee dwellings. These artificial drain-pipe hives for the convenience of handling and _robbing_ were the first steps in the evolution of the hives we now see. The hollow spout of a tree taken possession of by the bees, broken off and removed nearer to man's dwelling in like manner was the prototype of our wood-constructed bar-frame hives of today. In the outlaying districts of this State, and in the early days around Sydney, I have frequently seen hollow logs sawn off, pieces of board nailed on either end, with a knot-hole doing duty for an entrance, used for beehives. A knot or swelling of calabash form has been pressed into service for the same use. These semi-natural constructions were the hives used by the first bee-keepers who started the _industry_ of bee-farming. How many centuries lapsed before the rude contrivances named were brought into service we don't know. It was some time between the days of the prophets and the Christian era. About the year a.d. 30, a distinction was made in honey that was got from nature's hives and those artificially constructed. In those early times there was "wild honey," however, obtained from natural sources, and from the term "wild" being then in use, there must have been honey to which some other adjectives were employed, perhaps, "'garden," or as our American cousins would say, "'tame' honey.