Baton Rouge tri-weekly gazette & comet. [volume] (Baton Rouge, La.) 1865-18??, 1866-04-05
RATON DUG E .

BEES AND BEE CULTURE. tol-
lowing article is contributed to the
Chicago Tribune, by "Rural," and his
remarks shows him to be an expert
"There are two things pertaining
to the farm that are extremely profit
able, but which can be successful
only to limited extent as to numbers;
Within those limits these two should
fill the allotted space. These are poul'
try and bees.
Every farmer should keep bees.
Many villagers and those on the out
skirts Of the city will also find it desl-
rable, in a small way, but less so than
is asserted by most writers on bee
keeping. The difficulty lies in the
want Of constant supply of food,
from the first opening Of spring to the
closing Of the season by frost.
Under the shelter Of orchards, and
with an abundant supply of white
clover, the bee is paying institution
and one that the farmer cannot az
ford to dispense with.
There is an immense amount OF bee
literature to be had at the bookstores,
the most Of it valuable aside from the
chapters on hives, which is generAsy a
hobby, and should be taken with some
allowance. Every book that @bne
takes up contains this hobby, and the
authors all own valuable patents and
il their word be taken, the bees will
either not work in any other hive, or
to no profit, unless it be the particular
hive of the author, the right Of which
eau usually be had for individual use
for the small sum Of five dollars
Individual experience is always OF
value, and, when Invested Of interest,
doubly so. We are, therefore, writ.
ing this more to draw out this expelr-
ence than to set forth any previous
notion on this subject. One Of the
most successful bee.keepers in the
State uses the common box hive, in
the top Of which Is a space for honey
boxes to be put on or taken off OF
pleasure, without disturbing the bees
Now, this is contrary to all the books,
and yet this man has sent thousands
Of dollars worth of baney to market
samples of which have graced the
sanctum of the Tribune from time to
time. On our own grounds are hives
of various patterns, from the broad
box hives, of 1900 to 300 cubic
inches Of space and six different forms
of patent hives,all of which persist in
giving surplus honey, varying from
five to ninety pounds. A wide diff
fenence truly, which would lead one
to suppose the best hive could easily
be selected. Let US see. The ninety
pound box is Of Longstroth's patent
aud yet row of six hives, all made
alike and filed with large swarms
do not average more than like mum
Der of others.
From this we come to the conclu
sion that the form of hive is of little
consequence to the bee, so far as tht
making OF honey is concerned ; at the
same time it is of importance to the
bee keeper for the purpose of hand
ling and safety in wiDtering, and fol
this reason we have choice of hives
Nearly all hives are modification
of what is called the Longstrotn hive,
the patent of which is said to expire
in a short time, and suit for which
has laid dormant in some court fol
wears. Of the merits of the con
troversy we have nothing to do
but the movable frame which il
used in this hive forms the basis
of great convenience in the haDc
ling of bees. These frames have beer
modified to suit the notions of differ
ent bee keepers, but are all substantial
ly the same thing.
Of three different kinds it is diff
cult to select the most valuable, al
each has some peculiar feature to re
commend it, and we suspect that thu
best hive would be one combining
the good qualities of all without any
attempt to invent something new.
New swarms can be made from
each of these without natural swarm
ing, though only one was made will
this feature in view.
A part of our swarm stands out il
single hives, and a part in regula
bee-house, but the swarms standing
singly under the shade of trees ap
pear to do the best; some of thes'
are in snowy hives, painted to imi
tate marble, with a roof to shelte
from rain and snow. OF course thest
add much to the attractions of thu
lawn.