The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1888-05-03
FARM AND HOUSEHOLD 7
Bee Notes for May.
A. H. DUFF.

Successful production of comb hon.
ey depends upon care in every detail.
The prime requisite is to have the bees
in proper condition. The first step
in spring is to prepare each colony
for the harvest, and to do this proper
ly operations must begin az early as
possible in spring. Every beekeeper
knows when to expect the honey har-
vest, and building up his stocks is of
prime Importance. 1t is useless to
look for rich harvest of honey from
weak colonies, and as the heavy flow
occurs generally in June, if the bee
keeper does not bestir himself
he will be caught with many
weak stocks. Daily stimulative
feeding will secure colonies strong in
numbers, with powerful force of
willing laborers, ready to gather the
honey harvest at any moment it pre-
sents itself. There are various forms
of surplus honey receptacles, such as
section cases, section boxes, etc. Sec
ton boxes are the most desirable re-
ceptacles from comb honey, and are
used now exclusively by all advanced
apiarists. They vary somewhat in
size, holding from one pound to two
pounds each. The one pound is prin-
cipally used, and is considered the
most salable in the market It has
become the general rule in preparing
these section boxes to fill them entire
with foundation comb, instead of US
ing mere starters as heretofore. Much
better results are obtained when filled
thus, as it does away with separators,
which are necessary to guide in comb
building if starters only are used.
Some apiarists adhere yet to separa-
tors, even when sections are filled with
foundation, but we find no use for
them. Separators are barriers to comb
building, especially if the weather is a
little cool, as they divide the cluster
Of bees in small groups. Section cas-
es or crates are used, for holding the
boxes. We prefer those which hold
but single tier Of sections, arranged
so that second tier or any number
of tiers can be placed one above the
other. This tiering-up process is one
Of the most important matters in rails
ing honey. It is better to have no
bottom in these crates, but merely
rests for the ends Of the section boxes;
por to use any honey board over the
hive, but to get the surplus section as
near the brood nest with as little ma
terial between them as possible. Some
object to exposing the bottom of
these boxes to the bees, which soil it;
but much weaker colonies can be in
duced to occupy the surplus boxes
when but little material is used to
separate them from the brood cham
Der.
The opening Of the honey season
is the only proper time to put on sur
plus boxes, providing colonies are
strong enough to occupy them. If
not, keep them off until the bees are
ready for them. In managing these
crates, we would use but one tier at a
time, and after they are near half full
of comb and honey add another, but
never put it on top Of the one being
filled. Raise the full one and place
the empty one under it. In this way
the bees will occupy the whole double
tier at once. A third or fourth tier
may be used, but we prefer two only.
Do not let those two tiers of boxes re-
main untouched and regard the work
as done. But strict attention must
be given to remove all sections just as
soon as they are completed, and add
empty ones, always keeping the ones
nearest full in the upper tier. If the
colony becomes so strong that two
tiers will not accommodate the, add a
third or as many as will give them
working room.