Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-05-08
Bee Culture.

At the late meeting Of the Vermont State
Board Of Agriculture, paper on Bee Gull
turo was read by o. G. Wait, Esq, of Geor-
gia According to the report, which we find
in the St. Adams Messenger
Mr.. Wait said that even the most timid
might learn to handle bees with impunity
Honey sells higher than sugar, and costs less
Ten good colonies will earn more than ten
good men. Scientific care will tell favorably.
Bee keeping may become as common here as
in Prussia and not only be great source Of
revenue, but common luxury. Mr.. Wait
gave many particulars Of the management
aud habits Of bees, not only Of curious inter.
est, but Of great Importance TO any who may
choose to engage in the business. Among the
curious statements was this that one queen
may be aud often is the mother Of 100000
bees. Queens owe TO each other great hos
tility. For $500 years the history Of the
bee has been intimately associated with that
Of the human race. He referred to the use
of honey as food in the Scripture records
Though the bee is not made in Gods image,
vet mauy Of their habits-neatness, industry,
economy aud government, may pro6tably be
Initiated by men. 1t has been supposed that
their government is an absolute monarchy,
but on the contrary it is more perfect re-
public than the world has ever seen among
men, aud the females have their equal share
Mr.. Wait here drew an amusing comparison
between their government aud our own, not
only in political, but in a social sense
Every fruit grower aud farmer should keep
A.. Co. 10 varl4,t
growth of their crops. They carry the pollen
from flower TO flower, and thus while gather
ing honey, they spread the seeds Of growth
and multiply the fruit. This is a reiutatlon
Of the common idea.
Bookkeeping pays not ouly per cent,
but "A handsome profit, according to manage
meut Statistics were given, by which it APP
peard that colonies would produce from fiy,
TO two hundred and sixty pounds in season,
which would average about twenty-nine ceuts
He thought an average would be about forty
eight pounds Al investment Of about S60I
would yield about 5000, or $50 per cent
Bookkeeping ought not to be considered in
significant under these circumstances. 1t i
easy, fascinating and philosophical besides
Mr.. Wait extended his figures, and shove
by low estimates that it may be made NOR
profitable than any other branch Of our il
dustry.
Mr.. Fisher, Of Fairfield, being called ou
testified from experience in favor of bce-keer
ing, though he had discarded patent hives.
Dr. Hoskins, of the Vermont Farmer, re
ferrcd to the experience Of Mr. j. e. Crane
whose father objected to his iooling away hi
time in keeping bees, but which, after a littl
while, produced greater income than all tn
rest OF the farm besides
At recent Bee.Kecpers Convention /
Wisconsin,
Mr.. Person said, it has been demonstrate
that an acre Of white clover, in an averag
season, will produce 800 pounds of hone,
Most Of the honey collected by hive is co
lected within a radius of little over mil,
Ga every three square miles in Outagam
county, estimate there are 100 acres
white clover. These would secrete 5000
pounds. But white clover is but one Of Il
many honey producing plants eslimai
the total secretion Of honey annually on thrt
square miles, at 100000 pounds. Now
good hive will consume GO pounds, aud wi
store for the owners 40 pounds Thus
would take 1900 colonies to collect tn
honey on three square miles---or 666 on gu
square mile. Reduce the number now OIL
half; give 10 families to the square mil
each with thirty hives. These 300 hiv,
would collect as surplus, 10000 pounds. |
one township the 30 square miles would Civ
as surplus, 432 900 lbs.
There Is no serious disease among bees
% years / have had little trouble from fol
brood. Dyseutery is undoubtedly caused b
foul air aud improper food. Ventilation {
hives in winter is essential. There is n
danger of bees freezing if kept dry. Don
let the temperature get too high. Best in
darkened room, where the temperature wi
not rise much above 250 1t is u good pli
to cover room with boards as fat as vi
allow the water to run off Then cover Il
roof with snow 10 the depth Of one or two fe'