St. Landry democrat., 1889-03-09
Increasing Bees.

We have arrived at the season when we
should have our minds made up as to the
manner of management we should adopt
in the apiary for the coming spring. The
throng and rush of the honey harvest is
not far distant now, and a complete out
line of the management in view should be
pictured out. 1t is very true that in some
cases things may turn out a little different
from what we have pictured, but never
theless it is necessary that we should put
forth an effort to obtain the best results
under the most favorable circumstances.
If we expect to make specially IN increas-
ing our numbers of colonies, it requires
quite a different preparation of manage
ment than it does if we propose making
honey the sole object Either of the two
methods requires building up of colonies
to their best possible condition in strength,
and as early as possible.
If we were to run the apiary for increase
alone, we would adopt something like the
following plan: AS early as the weather
will permit we should commence the rear
ing of queens. This is the first and most
important step in increase. From the time
we commence this work until these queens
are of any benefit to US will be nearly one
month. Hence you can see the Importance
of getting them out as early as possible.
However, we are at some time caught with
unfavorable weather when commencing
operations too early.
In operating for increase we should be
governed soLlewhat by this same rule, are
not commence dividing until the season is
suitable and colonies are ready. Every
colony to be divided should be strong, and
the hive crowded with bees and brood. II
is down hill business to divide weak stock,
as we cannot succeed, and besides lose all
benefit of the honey flow. If we have not
been successful i'll getting them strong early
we should wait, even if it be two weeks or
month later We will gain by the trans
action. The strength of the colony deter
mines the amount of brood therein, and on
large portion of brood depends the
amount of increase. A colony of bees may
be divided in as many parts as we see
proper, but in order to keep up the de-
sired amount of brood we would not make
too many divisions at one time. We think
that separating a colony in two parts is
enough at one time. A laying queen
should be introduced in the queenless half.
This leaves each part strong enough SO
that the queens will deposit a large
amount of eggs that will be properly pro-
tected by the bees. In few days, owing
to the amount of brood contained, those
parts may again be divided as before, and
SO on. Now, in making up new colony
in new location, it should be borne in
mind that the heaviest portion of bees
must be taken to the new colony, for the
reason that quite q number will return to
the old location. 1t is also necessary that
fully one half or mere of the brood that is
just Matching out must be taken, in order
to give them equal strength. All vacan-
cies should be filed up with either empty
comb or foundation. No one can afford to
allow bees to build their own comb.
Dividing may be continued in safety as
long as the honey flow lasts, and if after
ward we desire more increase it may be
secured by feeding. The Italian bees,
when placed in proper shape, will produce
quite an increase by natural swarming;
but we think better results can be obtained
by artificial increase, if properly manipu-
Stocknsan and Farmer.