Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1870-12-15
I u 141c 1kLI D L1N a
SCIENTIFIC BEE CULTURE.


In compliance with a promise made
to the readers of the REPUBLICAN who
might feel interested in the mysteries OF
the interior of the Bee Hive, that l would
give them an occasional evenings read
| i g relative TO the economy of that
special order of monarchies, when the
evenings grew long and cold, 1 will
now commence a short series, though
the evenings are not yet cold, but think
Jeae persons will complain that they are
too short. The natural history of the
Honey Bee, is perhaps less cared for and
less understood than many things OF
less consequence. 1t seems small bus
iness to be interested in insects, to those
who can see no money in anything less
than horse, steer, sheep or calf. And
l suppose many of our readers would
be ready to doubt our veracity if should
make statement comparing the pro-
ceeds of $1,000 worth of Bees judiciously
managed, with the proceeds of $4,000
farm under the best state of cultivation; !;
or which would be easier for me to do,
compare with Jewelry store. AT the
rate of increase and production of the
colonies managed the past season for
honey. $4,000 worth Of Bees would have
footed up the following figures ITO lbs.
of surplus Honey thrown from the
combs with a machine and put up in
self-sealing glass cans, at retail 80 cents
per pound.would give us s33 each. But
as no one could be expected to sell the
whole crop of Honey gathered by so
many bees, at retail, we will make our
calculation based upon commission or
wholesale prices. Then at 30 cents
per pound ITO pounds to the colony
would give us s22 each. 300 colonies of
black bees Italianized by the apiarian
himself, if an expert, could be got up
for $40 piece, or less, which would
make $4,000 at most.
Then 300 times $22 would make &c.
800. If we would get only one-half the
number of swarms expected, (that is,
one swarm from each hive orcolony)
we would have $50 swarms, at $40 each
would be $500; SOC new hives unpainted
$3.50 each, $3.50; $50 hives for the new
swarms 1875. Then the
Expenses for 300 colonies, $1,000
450 hives, 1,125
painting hives, 30
=" !" contingencies, 500
..... 1856
Income-honey, s6,6OOl
Swarms, 1,500
Original capital in Bees, 5000
$11 100
If half your Bees by accident, bad
luck, or bad management should die,
subtract $4,000 loss from $11 100 and you
have still $1,000. Take off 5000 for bad
which is the true source of
bad luck, and you have $4,000 more
than the original capital invested in
bees, but 81 ,125 would be in hives and |
$50 in faded paint. Give away the half
of your hives now empty and you have
your original s3000,and s577,5O for your
labor of one year in experimenting up |
on little insignificant insects. The rate |
of increase have set much lower than |
is usual. am satisfied that well winter
ed and well managed colonies can be
made to give $50 pounds of honey when
furnished with full hives of comb, and |
the mel-extractorj judiciously used. That |
is you must have double hives one story |
above the other, and the combs all in
frames. Strong .colonies and bred up
early in the spring. In short you must
understand the Trade if you would be
successful. Believing that those who
may feel interested in Bees, can see by |
these statements that there is money in
a well conducted apiary, I would adj
wise any such to commence on small |
scale and not put in thousands of dollars
till you know something of manage
ment. A. B. FREY.
TO BE CONTINUED.