The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1875-05-27
Hints for the Apiary.

THE severe winter, and cold snap in
April. will have caused the death of
many swarms, and the question comes,
what to do with the empty hives. The
combs can be melted into beeswax but
will not produce much value. 1t will be
much better to let them stand till swarm
ing time and then new swarm, can be
put into the empty hive from which the
old swarm died. The empty comb will
be of great value to the new swarm, as it
is estimated that each pound of comb
requires about twenty pounds of honey
for its production, and having comb
ready made will allow the queen to COM
mence at once depositlng eggs.
Combs which have been frozen will
have no living bee-moth or worms in
them, as freezing kills them, even the
eggs.
If bees have died in the cellar where
the combs have not been frozen, the
probability is that there may be some
worms or eggs in them. In such case 1t
may be well to let such empty hive stand
in a warm room till the eggs hatch, and
then give them good brimstoning. Of
course, if the hive contains worms and
not eggs it is not necessary to place in q
warm room before treating to brims tone.
Empty comb may be kept standing in
the hive, out of doors, with scarcely any
danger of trouble from the moth. In
stinct teaches the moth to seek those
hives which are kept warm by the bees.
No hives, however, containing any
honey, should be left out unoccupied by
bees. In the spring when pasturage is
scarce, any sweets to which bees can
have access are eagerly sought by them,
and beeless hive containing honey will
very soon he rifled of it's contents. This
Of itself might he no damage, but the
trouble is that after emptying the hive
they will attack some one or more of the
hives containing bees, and woe betide
the colony which has too few bees to
protect its stores.
See that all cracks are closed up about
the hive, especially the upper part of it.
Whatever may be true about ventilation
or no ventilation in winter or in hot
weather, it is certain that at this time of
the year every particle of heat should
be carefully husbanded. If hive is open
and cold the bees will be able to keep
only small space warm enough to raise
brood, and hence the colony will not in
crease its numbers SO rapidly as if the
hive is kept warm. In frame hives the
bees will be helped very much by put
ting some kind of quilt directly on the
frames. If made of wooden the bees
are not likely to trouble it, but any old or
soft cotton cloth laid upon the frames
will surely be gnawed by them. A good
plan is to take piece of heavy, hard
twisted cotton cloth or sheeting and
cover over the frames, then over this can
be placed piece of old bed-quilt, car
pet, or even newspapers tackled together.
All that is wanted is something to keep
the bees warm.
Look out for worms about the hives in
the cool Of the morning. An old jack
knife or sharp stick will be handy to
dispatch them.
Frame hives should now be examined
to see that each hive is possessed of a
queen. IF the queen herself is not seen,
the presence of eggs in the cells or un-
sealed brood is satisfactory proof that
the hive is not queenless.
If a hive is queenless frame contain
ing brood can be given it from another
hive, and by being kept supplied with
brood the COLONY will shortly raise a
queen.-Prairie Farmer.