Daily national Democrat., 1860-11-28

hoNEY.-We do not know whether the
manufacture of honey by the natural makers
Of it, the bees, has been failure in this State
or not, but the agricultural journals of the
east complain that, notwithstanding the good
crops generally, honey is scant and the num-
Der of light hives in 1860 is far greater than
usual. Many swarms that in ordinary sea-
sons have well filled their hives. will scarcely
have enough to subsist on during the winter.
Bees have not swarmed as usual in many
places, and this will make it necessary for
those who wish to increase their bees, to
winter all that can be put in condition to go
through. "Most of the swarms," says the
American Agriculturst "will be found popu.
lous enough to be wintered, if iudiciousy
done"
"First ascertain the amount of honey on
hand by weighing all doubtful hives Weigh
an empty hive add a half dozen pounds for
the bees and combs-a little more if the
combs are old this subtraeted from the
weight of a full hive gives the amount Of
honey In a latitude north of AZ degrees,
much Tess than 25 lbs will not do; a colony
of bees when protected, will ordinarily con
sumo IS lbs, or 20 lbs. from October lst to
April lst, and several pounds after that, if
the Upring is unfavorable.
Honey should be used for feeding, when it
can be had; sugar will do under some cir
cumstances In the Southern States or where
bees can have an opportunity to fly at least
once a month, it will do to feed throughout
the Winter. But where they are confined to
the house for months, the feeding is apt to
make them uneasy and TO leave the hives
There is no better time than October to feed
them If honey from the West Indies, or that
from hives where foul brood exists, is used, it
should be scaded and skinned having
water added TO prevent burning. Feed as
fast as possible til they are Of the required
weight; otherwise they may rear large
brood. and consume too much of your honey
| A hive in which the combs do not reach the
bottom, may have shallow dish filled and
set under the bees Chopped straw, or shaw
ings should be put on the top, to keep the
bees from drowning and something also at the
side of the dish to assist the bees in climbing
into it. 1t should be put under at night, and
taken out in the morning, to prevent tempt
ing the robbers. Bees are apt to become
cross while being fed, and little smoke will
be needed to keep them quiet Ifthe hive is
full of combs, the dish of honey may be
placed on the top, allowing the bees to pass
up through the holes. 1t may remain thro'
the day, and be safe, if the cover can be made
close enough TO prevent other bees from
scenting the honey. Boxes partly or wholly
filled with surplus honey, when it can be
spared for feeding, are very convenient to set
| on the hive. Cells that are sealed up, should
be opened-the bees take out the honey more
rediy Empty combs remaining in such
boxes, should be left as they are, as good
start for another year. Sugar made into
syrup, will answer as substitute for honey,
when the bees consume it at once, but if fed
in quantities sufficient to be stored in the
cells for some time, it may granulate and be-
come useless to them"
lfany Of our APPARATUS have suggestions to
make on this subject, our columns are open
to them.