The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1870-06-02
VOLUME 40.
APiARY FOR MAY.

If the weather is fine during the time of fruit
blossoms, those who have bees in box hives may
expect swarms the last of the month, from some OF
the best One of the disadvantages of these hives
is, they must be watched till they do swarm, unless
YOU resort to artificial swarming The weather
during the time in which fruit trees blossom has
very much to do towards making first-rate sea-
son. Dandelions that appear at the same time, and
are frequcnted by the bees. stain the combs and
furnish unpleasant honey making it usually best to
wait for clover to put on surplus boxes. Clover
blossoms should be the signal for all good hives to
receive them. Very few swarms will be retarded
by the room thus afforded. 1t is very important
that beginning should be made before swarms is
sue. A colony much weakened by swarming
would finish boxes that were well started when no
inducement would make them commence.
| Resolve, first to have strong stocks early. IT
not so now. and iuuicious feeding will not make
them such, unite two or three weak ones. There is
an advantage in it, You can increase bees faster in
one strong family, that can maintain the tempera-
ure of july in the hive, and nurse all the brood of
a prolific queen, than in half a dozen weak ones.
The immature bees that would be destroyed by
worms in the weak hives and be saved by strong
| one, would almost make a swarm by June lst by
the help of the movable combs, Il strong colony
that has been forced somewhat by udicios feeding
through the spring, may be divided the last OF the
month and if Il young prolific queen Is given TO
vi,led again in a few days. and still again and again.
| taking care to keep them strong. Any becoming
weak, may be strengthened by giving 4 comb or
two. with sealed brood, from the stronger ones
|
queens ready to introduce, without waiting to rear
| them after the old one is gone, as in swarning
hives. When can furnish each empty half with
ready made combs, the profits will he greatly multi
| piled.
Ii is from fourteen to twenty days that hive is
without laying queen, when it swarms naturally,
or when divided, and we rear a queen. A good
colony would mature about $4,000 bees in that
time-two or three thousand day. Hence gain
Of Il good swarm, by the provision.
| 1t is now time to decide whether you will have
some swarms and some box honey, or whether you
will have your bees devote their energies all to
surplus honey, Or in multiplying colonies. The
bee-kecpcr can now say how many sWarlnS he VIII
| have and at what time through the summer they
shall be had. with rs much certainty AS the farmer
can determine the number of his calves and colts.
! He can also estimate with more certainty the
amount of surplus honey than the farmer can his
affected by the weather. Without movable combs.
very little can be controlled. No one style of hive
gives all the advantages exclusively. For surplus
alone. Won must control the sWarming, and the hive
must furnish room for boxes in close contact with
the main body, or combs that can be emptied with
the machine must occupy the place of boxes. For
multiplying colonies, only very simple movable
comb will do. Far rearing queens, Il small hive is
more economical. NJ. Quimby in the Bee-Keepers'
Journal.
Safety from moths for fur> consists in having them
undiSturbed through summer in snug place
Mutf boxes are not secure. Taking them ont
clsionally to Air exposes them to the moth. No
pepper ctmphor or tobacco is needed; after you
have worn them for the last time in spring put
them into linen pllloWcase tie up the end i'll
tight knot, and shut them in a drawer which will
NOT be often opened A true and tried prescription,