The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-06-17
AGRICULTURAL.


First Lessons in Bee-Keeping.
The old bee-keeper uses terms familiar to
himself and others acquainted with the BUSH
ness that are quite puzzling to one new in
the market.
We shall try to avoid this and make direc-
tons as plain as possible. What seems very
easy to us is often quite difficult before sprac-
tice has made perfect.'' To open a movable
comb hive filled with bees is as easy after
practice as to open the drawer of bureau.
Yet to the beginner it is formidable opera
ton.
We advise every one before attempting it
to take an empty hive of the same pattern he
has decided to use, and become familiar with
every part, until he can open and close it
without a jar.
1t is almost impossible to convince one who
has never seen it done that hive full of bees
can be taken apart and all the combs re-
moved without any danger from stings. The
principle upon which this is done is very sim
pie. We first alarm the bees, when they nat
urally begin to fill their honey-sacks with
honey, and when they are filled they have
no disposition to sting
The smokers now used are very effective,
as by their use the smoke can be sent to
every part of the hive, and all the bees in
duced to take up their honey.
Before opening any hive the bees must be
thus aroused. If you 60 carelessly about it,
and jar the bees and arouse their anger be-
fore they have filled their sacks, you will
moving the hive in any way blow into the
entrances some smoke, wait few moments
and then repeat the dose, after which pro-
coed carefully to remove the top and frames.
We have opened hundreds of hives, day
after day, without ever hearing one angry
sound, or receiving sting; but sometimes
on going too hastily about the matter, some
careless jar would arouse the colony, when
we were sure to suffer.
"What form of hive shall we use?" is the
question always asked, and of great impor-
lance to the beginner. We shall not decide
that for any one, as much depends on indi-
vidual taste, and still more on the purpose
for which you intend to keep bees. We can
give You easy directions what hive you
should not buy or use. Have nothing to do
with any one whose maker and patentee as
sures you that you have only to use his hive
and you can increase your bees as fast as you
please, store all the honey you can sell, and
keep your bees over winter invariably with
out loss.
There is no perfect hive, and the most sue
cessful bee-keepers differ as to which form is
nearest perfect.
Begin with plain hive, as cheap as it can
De made and yet be well made. Some ex-
pense is well expended in beehive which
may last a lifetime, but do not expend it on
useless traps or slides, or patents.
We prefer square frame, and large enough
to contain more or less of these frames ac-
cording to season. But success in bee keep
ing does not depend on the hive you have,
but how you use it. Choose one that will
open easily when full of bees, where access
to every part is easily obtained, and that you
can make larger or smaller as you may wish
as you progress in the business.
Be sure and have all your hives alike, so
that every cap and frame will fit every hive.
This is indispensable to the good bee.keeper.
LII possible to visit a well-conducted apiary,
do so early in your experience. You will
learn more in this way than any other
Mrs. u. .. Topper, in Bee-Keeper's Maya
zine.