BEE-spoke-data/bees-v0 huggingface dataset:
When bees are kept in or near the orchard the ordinary cleaning flights which bees undertake in spring, whenever atmospheric conditions permit, will bring the blossom within range, but when located half-a-mile away bees cannot be counted on as fertilizers during unfavorable weather.
As regards location of the hives, I think that they are best placed in a sheltered position where they are shaded in summer, but have the full benefit of the sunshine in winter and spring. This is more easily accomplished by putting them under trees which shed their leaves.
Observations made in the United States in recent years showed that the nearer the bees were to the trees the better was the crop of fruit.
There are as yet no data available as to the number of hives required to fertilize the blossoms of a given number of trees under various weather conditions. Naturally a smaller number is sufficient during fine weather. It is certain that the more bees are kept the better the results. There is, however, a limitation to the number of colonies a fruit-grower can keep permanently in his orchard, as the amount of bee food within the range of the bees' flight during the remainder of the year must be sufficient to maintain them, and to provide winter stores.
Figure 1: Bees in the Orchard.
The value of bees in the orchard is now so well recognised in the United States that in many instances where fruit-growers have none or not sufficient bees of their own they practically hire bees from beekeepers for the fruit bloom, providing standing room for the hives in the orchard, and doing the carting of the bees to and from the orchard.
It is, however, not in the orchard alone that bees are of the greatest importance to agriculture, but also in the production of small fruits and farm crops. Dr. Phillips, of the United States Department of Agriculture, estimates the annual value of bees for the fertilization of flowers in the United States at many million dollars, apart from the production of honey and beeswax.
Where cucumbers, melons, and similar plants are cultivated on a large scale, it has been found necessary to establish apiaries, as the number of bees and other insects present was insufficient to effect the pollination of the blossoms. Where early cucumbers are raised under glass, hives of bees are located in the green-houses, and the labour of transferring the pollen from the male to the female blossoms is thus saved. At Cape Cod, in Massachusetts, hundreds of acres of cranberries are grown. It was discovered, according to Mr. E. R. Root, who paid a visit to the locality (Gleanings in Bee Culture, 15th July, 1913) that the yield per acre could be enormously increased by having bees within convenient access. Formerly wild bees in the locality had been sufficient to do the work of pollination for the cranberries. The United Cape Cod Cranberry Company has something like 700 acres of cranberries, which it is proposed to increase to 2,000. On one side of one lot of 126 acres there were three or four colonies of bees. It was evident that this number was inadequate to cover the whole field. It was very significant that the yield per acre of berries was in direct proportion to the proximity of such acreage to the bees. The yield was heaviest close to the hives, and was thinner and thinner as the distance from the hives increased. The showing was so remarkable that the company proposes to increase materially their investment in bees. What the company wants is cranberries, honey being only a secondary consideration.
Bees and the Spraying of Fruit Trees.
It is an accepted fact that the bee is the most useful of all insects in conveying pollen from flower to flower for fertilization purposes. It is also known that to exclude bees and other insects from the blossoms is sure to result in a considerably reduced crop of fruit. It has been frequently stated, especially in publications dealing exclusively with the honey bee, that spraying fruit trees while in bloom will cause great mortality amongst the bees. As the spraying of fruit trees is compulsory, it would appear to be a great anomaly that orchardists should destroy the bee, their best friend, by spraying the trees when in full blossom, when spraying before the blossoms are open or after the petals have dropped is said to be more effective and then harmless to bees. In the United States much damage appears to be done to bees by spraying while the trees are in bloom, and legislation is proposed to put a stop to the practice. The reports as to the destruction of bees seem to be well vouched for. Professor H. A. Surface, in reply to the question, ''What kind of spray is best to use when peach trees are in bloom?'' gives an emphatic answer as follows :--'' I note with interest that you make inquiry concerning the kind of spray to use while the trees are in bloom. Again I hasten to say that you are decidedly wrong. Please get it out of your head now and for ever, for your own sake and that of your crop as well as for the bees, that no trees, shrubs, bushes, or vines of any kind should ever be sprayed while in bloom."
With the object of arriving at some definite conclusions as to in how far American experience applied to Victoria, observations were made in the orchard of the Horticultural School at Burnley by Mr. E. E. Pescott, the principal, in conjunction with the writer. The results of the first season's observations were recorded in an article, " Bees and Spraying," published in the _Journal of Agriculture_ for January, 1912, from which i extract the following:--
It is often considered that bees are able to collect a good store of honey from fruit tree blosson, and that the yield of fruit tree honey
comes at a time when the bees urgently need it for brood-rearing. That may be so in other countries, but it does not appear to be so in Australia. Here, the nectar flow seems to be somewhat weak, and insufficient in quantity for the necessities of the bees. A Victorian apiarist during the past season removed his bee colonies from his home to a district where the bees had an available range over 15,000 fruit trees. He ultimately found that the bees were starving, and he had to remove them to a more suitable locality. It may thus be found that the chief use of bees in the orchard will be for cross-fertilization purposes.
Whenever losses of bees occur in apiaries located in or near orchards in which spraying is practised, the owners assume that the mortality is due to the poisons used in the spraying mixtures. So far, there appears to be no proof that bees gather poison along with nectar and pollen, nor is there any instance on record of the poisons having been proved, by analysis, to be present in dead bees, bee larvae, pollen, or honey..
Dead bees may often be found not only on the blossoms of fruit trees which were not sprayed, but also on acacia and other flowers blossoming at the same time. Heavy losses of bees from unknown causes occasionally occur at the time of fruit bloom in localities where there are no fruit trees at all; while, on the other hand, apiaries located close to orchards in which the trees were sprayed repeatedly, suffered no perceptible loss and were in a thriving condition. Again, bees might not be affected by the amount of poison gathered with the nectar, but it might be sufficient to kill the brood. In an independent experiment made last season, iron sulphate, 1 part in 400 of sugar syrup, was quite harmless to bees, but killed all the brood.
At the Burnley orchards, there are altogether over 1,800 varieties of fruit trees, which bloom at various times--from the end of August to the beginning of November. Hence, the trees, particularly the apple and pear trees, must be sprayed at a time when some of them are in bloom, with both Bordeaux mixture and arsenate of lead. And this occurs every season.
During last year, the pear trees were sprayed with Bordeaux mixture when some were in blossom; while, later on, a number of apple trees were sprayed with lead arsenate when in bloom. Under these circumstances it was decided to make observations in order to establish reliable data on this question.
At the Burnley apiary, the bee hives are right under the fruit trees, and at the time of spraying with Bordeaux mixture the ground had not yet been plughed, so that the spray fell not only on any fruit blossoms which were open, but also on the Cape weed then abundantly in bloom.
Neither the spraying with Bordeaux mixture nor the subsequent one with arsenate of lead had any effect whatever upon the bees, the colonies developing normally and without any check; there was not at any time dead brood in the hives. There is no doubt that under the atmospheric conditions prevailing at the time the spraying of the trees proved quite harmless to bees.
The apiary at the Burnley Horticultural Gardens was established before the 1911 fruit bloom to which the report quoted refers. Since then observations have been continued extending over two additional seasons, and although atmospheric conditions were somewhat different the results are identically the same. There were no dead bees and no dead brood with the single exception of a few dead larvae in one hive into which, owing to its backward tilt, a quantity of the arsenate of lead mixture (about a fluid ounce) had entered; the spraying being exceptionally heavy and the door of the hive projecting several inches beyond the hive body. The liquid had, perhaps to a slight extent, been used instead of water. Diligent search failed to find more than five or six dead larvae.
Requests made during two season's lectures on bee-keeping for authentic information as to the poisoning of bees by spraying and for bees which died of the poison have elicited no response, and so far as this State is concerned not a single case of poisoning by spraying has been proved np to the present.
# BEE-KEEPING IN WAR-TIME
## Appendix B E - K E E PING IN W AR - TIME
W. HERROD-HEMPSALL, F.E.S.
Editor of _The British Bee Journal_ and _The Ben-Keeger's Record_
PUBLISHED AT THE OFFICES OF " COUNTRY LIFE," 20, TAVISTOCK STREET, COVENT GARDEN, W.C.2, AND BY GEORGE NEWNES, LTD., 8-11, SOUTHAMPTON STREET, STRAND, W.C.2, NEW YORK : CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS
**THE**
**"COUNTRY LIFE "**
**E-HIVEES**
**IN PREPARATION**
**Mr. Herrod - Hempsall, the**
**arco.**
**author of this booklet, has in preparation a complete and up-to-date manual on**
**URTT,**
**MANUFACTURE**
**EE FACTORY,**
**GLOUCESTE**
**DHE-KEEPING**
**which will be illustrated through-out with Photographs and Drawings of a novel character. Every Bee-keeper will want a copy of this invaluable book. It will contain information that cannot be found in any other volume on Bee-keeping.**
**Uniform with "Bee-Keeping in War-Time"**
**VEGETABLE-GROWING IN WAR-TIME**
**By Herbert Cowley (Editor of** _The Garden_**). 2nd Impression. 8_d_**. net ; by post 1_d_**.**
**RABBIT-KEEPING IN WAR-TIME**
**A practical booklet on the best and most profitable methods of Rabbit-Keeping for all Garden Owners in Town or Country. By C. J. Davies. 3rd Impression. 9_d_**. net ; by post 1_d_**.**
**GOAT-KEEPING IN WAR-TIME**
**An invaluable booklet on the best and most profitable methods of Goat-Keeping. By C. J. Davies. 9_d_**. net ; by post 1_d_**.**
**PIG-KEEPING IN WAR-TIME**
**By C. J. Davies. Now Ready. 9_d_**. net ; by post 1_d_**.**The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library.
[http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924003423849](http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924003423849)
## 2 Be-Keeping in War-Time
**THE DWELLINGS OF BEES**
The hive bee is wild by nature; its natural home is not a hive, but the cavity of a tree or other place which is well protected from damp.
When first domesticated it was housed in a straw skep, the shape of which is so well known that it needs no description here. The method of obtaining the honey was very crude. It consisted of first suffocating the bees by sulphur fumes, then breaking out the combs and placing them in some porous material through which the honey could drain ; when it ceased percolating through this material, that remaining in the mess of comb was squeezed out by hand pressure. In this way nothing was lost ; pollen, propolis, and even the juices from the grubs in the cells entered into the honey. The residue was then soaked in water ; the sweet liquor thus obtained was fermented and provided that ancient powerful alcoholic drink called "'mead." The wax melted from the skimmings was used by our grandmothers for polishing their floors and furniture.
The dwellings provided for the bees by the modern bee-keeper are very different; they conform to the natural requirements of the bee, and at the same time permit their owner to have full control of both bees and combs. This was impossible with the skep; the combs being attached to the sides of the hive, it was impossible to remove them without breaking them from their attachment.
Modern hives are called "' movable comb hives," because the bees are made to build their combs in movable wooden frames. The difficulty with the beginner is to know what kind of hive to adopt. There are two forms--a double-walled one called the " W.B.C. hive," and a single-walled one made by various makers. In each case the outside design varies. The internal measurements of all hives, so far as the width is concerned, are the same ; there is a slight variation in thelength. The double-walled hive is the most costly, but the extra outlay is well repaid by comfort in management.
The double-walled hive consists of a floor-board, to the joists of which are attached four splayed legs; on the floor-board rests the brood chamber, which is a liddess and bottomless box; fitting into this are ten frames, which hang by lugs on to a metal runner, so that they hang clear of the hive side by a quarter of an inch. This measurement must be kept accurately. If less is given, then the bees glue the frame to the hive side with propolis; if more, they build comb in between, in either case making the operation of removing the comb a very difficult one. The space under the frame, between the bottom bar and the floor-board, is half an inch, to allow free passage for the in coming and out-going bees. The frames are spaced one and a half inches from centre to centre by metal ends of this width slipped on to the lugs. The frames are now made standard size, as is also the inside width of all hives, so that the frames are interchangeable in any hive. A division board to fit just tight into the brood chamber, for reducing the number of combs occupied by the bees, completes the fittings of this portion of the hive. The brood chamber is surrounded by an outer case, the joints of which, between it and the floor-board, are broken by means of plinths at the back and on two sides; on the front is a porch, which gives shade to the entrance from sun and rain; in the bottom edge of the porch is a recess, in which a couple of wooden slides are inserted to regulate the width of the entrance according to the season of the year, or to close it altogether if necessary. When the outer case is in position there is an air space between it and the brood chamber; this makes the latter warmer in winter and cooler in summer than a single-walled hive. For obtaining surplus honey, supers for the storage of comb honey, called section racks, are used; or if it is desired to work for honey in a liquid form, then shallow frames are used in a box exactly the same size as the brood chamber in every way except the depth, this being shallower. To build the hive up to accommodate the supers, lifts six inches deep, with plinths on all four bottom edges to break the joints, are used. A water-tight roof completes the hive.
A single-walled hive differs in so much that there is no outer case, and usually only one lift, so that the number of supers on the hive at any one time is limited to two, whereas with the W.B.C. have building up can be carried out to any extent.
In commencing bee-keeping it will save much disappointment and annoyance if only one kind of hive is used. A museum of all the different types is a source of endless worry, as the parts are not interchangable, which is the case when only one pattern is used.
Hives cost money, therefore the thrifty person saves this expense by constructing his own. The work is within the scope of any ordinary intelligent person, male or female. Although working drawings can be purchased for this purpose, the better plan is, after having decided upon the pattern of hive to be adopted, to borrow or buy one as a model to work from; by this means the work is made much more simple and far more accurate. Inexpensive material such as "Quaker oat boxes " or " Tate's cube sugar boxes " can be utilised. A good water-tight roof is essential; this can be made by covering the roof with calico which is then well painted.
## II The Population of the Hive
A knowledge of the inhabitants of the hive, and the contribution of each one to its economy, is essential for success in bee-keeping. If this is not obtained, then one of two things is bound to happen: either the bees will suffer or the owner will not get the best result from his stock.
It is in the summer only that the hive has its full complement of inhabitants; these consist of one queen, about forty thousand workers, and several hundred drones. In the winter, drones are absent.
The queen does not rule the hive, as might be supposed from her name; at the same time she is the most important bee in the home, for, being fully developed, she is the mother of every other bee in the colony. The formation of the queen's body is different from that of the other bees; she is slimmer and longer, the wings are a little shorter and fold more neatly, the coloration of the back is darker. Her movements over the comb are slow and majestic. Under natural conditions the queen will live about five years, but after her second season, which is the best, her power of pro ducing workers in large numbers gradually depreciates, until eventually she becomes a breeder of drones only. In their natural state the bees depose an old queen, replacing her with a princess. The wise bee-keeper of to-day replaces the queen after she has attained the age of two years. The reproductive powers of the mother are marvellous: when in her prime, _i.e._ two years old, she is capable of laying from one to three thousand eggs per day. The egg laid is just as perfect as that laid by the hen, and is identical in composition. The queen does no work except the laying of eggs; even her food is digested for her by the workers, and given all ready for assimilation. By this means the workers, who are the true rulers of the hive, regulate the queen in her maternal duties: if an abundance of food is given to her, she lays a large number of eggs; the quantity is reduced, if necessary, by feeding her less generously.
There is but one queen in each hive; a dual monarchy is impossible--the presence of a second queen would mean a fight between them until one was killed. Generally it is the older one which succumbs, she being incapable of using her sting with such fatal effect as the young one; thus does nature provide for the survival of the fittest.
The life of the queen is spent within the hive; on two occasions only does she leave it for the outside world: first as a virgin, to meet the drone in marriage, which can only take place when in flight; this when once accomplished lasts for life. She then returns to the hive and within about forty-eight hours commences to lay, and can then produce at will either fertile or unfertilised eggs--the former producing females only, the latter giving the males. This, called '' parthenogenesis,'' is one of the interesting features of bee life which the limited scope of this book does not admit of a full description being given. To put it briefly, the drone has no father, and can be produced by a mother that has never been mated; the females, queens or workers, can only be produced by a married mother. The second time is when she goes out with a swarm.
The queen has a sting which is curved, its only use being to fight a rival. The workers take very great care of the queen; not only do they feed her, but they clean down her body, protect her, and anticipate her every need.
The workers are the drudges of the hive; they are undeveloped females. Their whole existence is spent in labouringunselfishly for the welfare of the community. So hard do they labour in the summer time that death ensues in about six weeks ; the wastage of the population at this period is enormous, hence the necessity for the marvellous reproductive powers of the mother, to keep up the working population of the hive. Workers which hatch out in the autumn have very little work to do, so they live through the winter and commence the work of the hive in the early months of the next year. They have a sting, which is used for defensive purposes only ; in using this weapon the bee generally sacrifices its life, for, on account of its construction, it is difficult to withdraw, usually remaining in the wound inflicted; this severance causes death. The labours of the worker comprise the following : gathering nectar (not honey) and converting it into honey (the difference between nectar and honey is great, the former consisting of cane sugar, the latter of grape sugar, hence the great food value of honey on account of its being easily assimilated by the human stomach), secreting wax, building the combs, hatching the eggs, feeding the larva in the cells, also the adult queen and drones, cleaning the home, and acting as undertaken for the dead. Though they are the smallest bees in the hive, they are the most active.
Drones are the male bees ; as only one drone is required to mate each queen, they are not required in large numbers. They are bulky fellows and have no sting. Like the queen, they depend for their living upon the workers, who give them digested food. About August the swarming season is over, the drones are then no longer needed, so, to save the useless consumption of food and time spent in attending to their requirements, they are killed off. This is accomplished by the workers putting their wings out of action by biting them at the joint ; they are then unceremoniously pitched out of the hive on to the ground to perish.
## 3 Swarms, Natural and Artificial
Colonies of bees increase by what is termed swarming. With the majority of living creatures increase is obtained by young, with the bee this is reversed, the old bees and old queen going out to found the new home.
## 12 Bee-keeping in war-time
The queen commences her maternal duties about the last week in January. At first only a few eggs are laid; the number of bees being small they can only brood over, and keep up the necessary temperature (about g8 degrees), on a limited number of cells. As the young hatch out, and the colony increases, more eggs are laid each day. Gradually the numbers increase to such an extent that about May the hive becomes over-populated. When this occurs the bees prepare for swarming. The first outward indication of this condition is a small cluster of bees hanging at the entrance in the evening; as the days go by this cluster increases each evening until eventually it remains there during the daytime as well. Very little work goes on in the hive, a large number of bees being unemployed on account of the congested state of the home. An inspection of the combs when the first few bees commenced to cluster at the entrance would reveal the fact that the bees had commenced to build queen cells, so that a new mother might be brought into existence when the old one left. Generally from eight to ten of these cells will be found.
One morning, when the oldest princess is due to emerge in the course of the next few days, great excitement prevails in the hive, the bees rush about excitedly both inside and on the alighting board. The old bees then take into their stomachs sufficient food to last them for four days. They are going to a new home, which is combless and foodless, so nature has ordained that they shall be capable of carrying sufficient food to last them until combs are built and food stored in the new residence.