The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-06-05
Maxims for Bee-K Keepers.

hN' s~e3 vi W Wv VI ADSSotA 80 sAoh
Of Robert Hush, on their "Natural
History and General Management
The author differs in many respects
from Huber and other celebrated Apia-
rians, and boldly marks out and follows
his own path. We publish below his
Gath chapter, without however adopt
ing all his sentiments. 1t may furnish
numerous valuable hints, and lead to
further enquiries and Investigations on
questions still unsettled, and IN which
our best observers disagree.
We have repeatedly referred to Be.
vans little book on the Honey Bee, as
containing the best information within
a narrow compass, and at 9 ! &c " pTice.
w nave it continually for sale.
Hush is a bold experimentalist, and
has really made an entertaining book
the novelty Of some Of his views will
make our Bee breeders brush up theil
old recollections and opinions, and en-.
quire, whether or not they be all cor
rect Editor of Farmers Cabinet.
!. Alive is composed Of three kinds
of bees.
LIST. The queen, who is the only fe
male, and lays every egg in the hive.
Cd. The drones, amounting in mum.
from GOO TO 1000, according to the pop.
%ulation Of the hive. They fecundaie
the eggs of the queen, being the only
males in the hives, and are killed by the
working bees at the close Of the breed.
ing season.
3D.. The common working bees,
who, being of the neutsr gender, take
no share in the p%rocreation of their
species. They collect the honey and
make the wax, and may be calculated
from 1000 to 5000 in every hive. In
summer the numbers are considerably
augmented.
II. The bees never allow but one
queen in a hive, who begins 10 lay her
eggs about the end Of January, and fin
ishes about August or September.
III. The young queens never lay
eggs in the parent hive. If there be not
a sufficient number TO form a swarm,
the young queens are killed.
Nv. A swarm without drones is not
of any value: when drones are want
ing, about two or three hundred should
be taken from the parent hive.
V. A hive which has drones in the
winter, generally perishes.
vi. A weak swarm will weigh from
n to two pounds; a middling one from
three to four pounds; a good one about
five pounds; an excellent one from six
to eight pounds.
VII. Bees deprived Of their queen
will not work, and will perish if there
be no royal egg in the hive from which
the queen can be born.
VIII. The Larvae of the bees are
about six days in completing their
growth, according to the state Of the
weather; they then take the form of a
nymph or chrysalis, in which they re-
main about fifteen days, when they
emerge from the cell in a perfect bee.
TX. Eggs are Matched SUCCESSFULLY
in a hive; and when the number OF bees
which have emerged from the cells be
greater than the hive can contain, they
what is called a s,yarn,, which is
accompanied by young queen,
never by the mother queen.
x. There are no determined signs
for the departure of a swarm. 1t gen.
orally takes place from the hour Of ten
A. M. to about two P. M. A swarm
departs in windy weather, and
never during rain.
XII. A swarm never to be put in an
Did hive. IL d
XII. A hive that has thrown off
'ne swarm, will generally throw off a
second, and a third; the latter always
be returned to the parent hive.
XIII. The greater the number of
warns, the less is the quantity Of ho-
icy.
XIV. The hives which throw off
hree swarms, generally perish IN Inc
unless the warns be returned
o them.
XIV. Swarms do not thrive well in
,ery large hives; the larger the hive,
he greater the quantity OF wax, and
he less the quantity o fhoney.
XVI. Several swarms united in one
live, will furnish a greater supply Of
loney than if allowed to remain sepa-
ate. -. o
XVII. The first occupation Of a {
warm is to construct the combs, and
carcely twenty cells are made before
he queen begins to lay her eggs. All
he combs are generally placed in a d. !
perpendicular to the entrance
tfthe hive. The interval between each
omb Is about three lines. 5srs +,