Delaware inquirer. (Wilmington, Del.) 1859-18??, 1859-05-21
Agritmltnral
THE FARMER.
MANAGEMENT OF BEES.

4
\ Whoever expects to be successful in the
management of the honey bee, must discard
the word luck, and substitute in its place good
common sense and untiring attention. II lett
entirely to themselves, they will be found,
like many other branches of rural economy,
not to pay, and the e-keeper will unwisely
conclude that he has no luck in keeping bees.
/ On the contrary, if managed with diligence
and skill they will not only furnish the apia-
rian with some OF the "sweets OF life, but
will also occasionally fill his pockets with the
needful.
SPRING MANAGEMENT.
Place the hive where it is intended they
shall stand during the summer, which should
be where the sun can strike the hive III the
early part of the day, and also where they
can be easily watched by the family during
the swarming season. Keep the entrances to
the hives pretty well closed, to prevent the
chilling of the young brood.-This will also
guard against robbing for it is at this season
of the year that they are inclined to rob,
which they never do when they have plenty
of honey to gather. About the first of June,
raise the hives from the bottom board by pla-
cling blocks of wood or small stones under the
corners. Some apiarians raise them up early.
in the spring, which is wrong, as the cold
winds of spring will chill the brood. Some
do not raise them at all, but leave them close
to the bottom board all summer. In this case
they should be examined every few days, and
all the worms found under the edges OF the
hive killed-not brushed OF on the ground,
for that is where they want to go-but give
them regular smashing
swARMIsG.
Every bee keeper should be provided with
a bee-hat, which can be made of wire screen
doubled round like cylinder, with the two
ends rivited together and piece OF cloth
sewed over the top or crown. Take piece
of calico the same length of the screen before
doubling, sew the ends together, making a
cylinder OF the screen, fasten the ends Of the
cloth and screen together, and it is finished
! Put the hat on, lot the lower end of the cloth
come down around the neck and shoulders,
button the coat or frock tight around the
neck put ON pair of woolen gloves or nit
tens, and you are armed for an emergency.
Let those who have newer used one get one
and try it, and they will never do without one
again. Lay some boards on the ground, and
spread sheet over them to keep the bees
out of the grass, set the hive on the sheet
with the front edge raised about an inch. Il
the swarm has alighted on the limb of tree
$ that can be cut oil, cut it of carefully and
II shake them oil OH the sheet in front Of thu
Z hive, and they will soon enter. II they align
q on valuable tree, and you do not wish Y
Ii cut the branch off, take a pan and brush then
e into it with wing, and empty them in from
7; of the hive If they gether on the body of
'f tree or the fence, as they sometimes do, brusl
e them of into pan or dipper, in the sam
e manner. They will readily enter the hive
Some have supposed that the queen must al
}, WAYS be got into the hive first, which IL no
/ 80, she being frequently the last one to enter
d As soon as they have all entered the hive
j. carry it were it is to remain and cover it wit
/ boards or green boughs to shade it for fl,
d days. When this precaution is taken, the
o will not often leave the hive. II the hive
q new, never wash it with anything. II 1t
d an old hive, 1t should be scraped, and washe
'e with water sweetened with honey or sugar
r, Somebody once told me to wash my hive
d with sweetened whiskey, and have neye
d had a swarm leave when treated in this man
r. ner. Second or third swarns, if small All
e late in the season, should be returned to tn
if parent hive, which they will do if the quee
lie is found and destroyed.
e FALL MANAGEMENT.
" Double all the late swarms that have not he
I, ney enough towinter, as a large swarm will col
! sumo but little more honey than small one
I and If two small swarms with the contents
their hives are put together, they will gene
Il ally do well and make one good swarm, othe
- wise they must both be consigned to the brin
,d stone pit.
IN WINTER MANAGEMENT.
1u See that the hives are properly ventilated
le that the moisture which Away arises from IL
ne good healthy swarm does not gather in Il
- top of the hive and freeze in cold weathe
ne Many bees are lost in this way. After cons
ne ming all the honey where they are clustere
u they die OF starvation. The remedy is
hiatt n
n ~, freeze, or let it escape by ventilation.
en- DRIVING.
er Sometimes ii may be necessary, in order
M save swarm that is not doing well on accou
of the comb becoming old or the ravages
e; the beemoth, to drive them out into a ne
he hive. Make a box the same size of the hiv
ed with pane of glass in the top. Turn &
q hive bottom upwards and place the box
IL top, and wind cloth around where they COL
hit together. Let them stand few minutes,
he give the bees time to fill themselves with h
nd ney then, with a couple of sticks, rap SINAI
led ly on the lower part Of the hive, and tn
will rush up to the light to get out. VIII
MS they are nearly up into the box take it 0
ro- and having previously arranged hive as
in swarming, shake them out in front ofthe hi
in and they will soon enter. Take the comb o
ofthe old hive and what bees are left in bru
his of, and they will enter with the rest
led tie tobacco smoke, blown into the bottom
the hive, will sometimes be of assistance
or driving them up. The smoke OF burning "a
the will also answer the same purpose. Smoki
IS them also serves to make them good natur
wn and less inclined to sting. If it should be
till weather for few days after driving, tn
nut should be fed.
NJ DOUBLING on UNITING swARhs.
TX, Drive them out of one Of the hives as
ing rected above. Then take one of the hiy
or you wish to unite them with, invert 1t a
an smoke them well with tobacco or the smo
lr Of cotton rags, then sprinkle them with swe
md ened water with a little peppermint essen
in II. Take the box with the bees in it fro
TIA. the other hive, shake them out into the
ref verified hive, smoke and sprinkle them, a
but set the hive where it stood, with the fro
ore edge raised little, that the scattering b
,is- may enter Smoke them occasionally for
md short time. This will keep them good matt
tar ed and give them all one scent, thatthey CO
A. ! xsalf sri fro, OFT Nh