Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1880-09-16
5arm anD houstbolO.
Av.um. xssassmsa. Of Bees.

Mr. A. J. King. editor Of the Bee Keep
ers' Magazine, gives the following timely
and sensible advice in the August number
Of that journal;
All successful apiarists know tina, to win
terlsafely and have stocks in condition in
spring to avoid spring d~indling'" prepa-
ra;ions to secure these objects must be made
during the summer and fall. A, leas, three
conditions must be complied with 10 accom-
plish the desired result. /. Plenty Of good
sealed honey stored in the summer. ?.
Plenty of Young bees reared in the fall 3.
A warm hive v hich will retain heat, pass of
all excess of moisture, and at the same time,
except in the far north. permit the bees to
fy out during the warm DAYS frequently
occurring in the latter part Of winter and
early spring. If these simple requirements
are fully complied with, we believe tina,
nine-tenths Of all the mAladies affecting our
bees and an equal amour, of the dismal
bowling of bee men ~ would a; once dis
appear. This new industry would then
assume an aspect at once inviting and lucra-
tive
Honey stored in June and July is thicker
and contains less acid than that stored la
ter in the season, and for this reason is bet
ter winter food than fall honey; hence dur
ing these months fall frames Of honey should
be removed from the hives and be pu; away
in dark, dry and airy room for win,ering
purposes, and their place in the hive be FILL
ed with frames full of comb foundation Sc,
in the center Of the hive; and Il a dear,h of
honey in the flowers occurs, just feed little
syrup from best brown sugar each even
ing from the entrance Of the hive thus rapid
breeding will be promoted. and BY the time
the fall flowers spread their honey petals
TO the bees" YOU will have perfect hos, of
young vigorous workers TO store il away.
And those who are posted know that bees
are not inclined 10 store honey in the boxes
in the fall YOU should take the hin, by Us
ing the extractor and always replacing the
empty combs in the center Of the breeding
department, of the hive, process which in
yariably excites the bees to the most intense
activity, and which the knowing ones"
take advantage Of and in consequence take
thousands of pounds of honey while you
complainers either suck your fingers. or
stand with your hands in your pockets won
dering why your bees cluster on the outside
Of the hive and appear so lazy.
When this fall harvest is going on, the
queen viii appropriate enough Of the space
in these centre frames Of the empty comb to
insure a sufficient number of the Young bees
to go into winter quarters with. Lastly.
e1trac, all the combs containing honey. and
no brood TO speak of, and set them away
for use in early spring, and in their place
pu, the frames full of summer-stored honey
Now, with about six or seven frames in the
center Of each hive. bring the porous, close
fitting division boards close up. Place a
chat cushion on top Of the frames about
four inches thick. Leave the air holes in
each end Of the cap open, contract the en-
trance to about one inch space, and your
bees will pass the severest winters Of this
latitude on their summer stands, and begin
breeding rapidly by the middle Of March,
when your empty combs should be brough,
into use for the queen to gil up with eggs.
Feed little regularly, and by the time the
first honey harvest Of the spring comes,
your stosks will be in condition TO store it
in the little boxes which they will now use
freely. Thus by the constant supply Of
young bees, the use Of . good article Of
honey for winter, the absence of an over
supply Of moisture in the hive, you have all
the conditions TO insure success. And Il
YOU viii but follow out our plan given here
in nut shell. you will succeed nine times
out Of ten but if you are too stingy to feed
your bees when they need it, too timid to
examine into their condition, too lazy or
stupid to post yourself on the correct theory
Of bees in order to read their condition and
know their needs As soon as you see the in
terror Of the hive, or if you are afraid Of
steady hard work and imagine your bees
twill work for nothing and board them
selves and YOU" then We advise you by all
means to quit the business, for you will only
disgracs it and bring unmerited contemp,
ON our little favorites, the bees. We like
custom and enjoy the profits arising from ,
Large business, but not well enough to en-.
courage lot OF blunderhesds to engage in
or continue business for which they vert
never qualified.