The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-03-31

Amertran Arrsnr,s,nrfx.


Inere are no other months during the
entire year in which the apiarist Is more
eager 20 ind out the condition of his
oees. than February and March. IL the
weather VIII permit. some very important
NcFk can be done at this time But il
sAoaid be borne in mind that we can co
ths bees an irreparable damage by moiess-
inS them or arousIng them TO activity
when the weather is not suitable. Dur
Ing this month bees can only be handled
NTH safety on a day That is warm enough
Tor them 10 fiy freely, ana 1t is much bet
Ter, IL possible. TO allow them to have one
or two good flights before making ery
examination OF them By close opssrva-
ton when the bees are flying 1t is an
easy matter TO detect diseased colonies.
The greatest danger that we may ap-
prehend now is dysentry. This may read
lily be discovered by the dropping from
the bees being in liquid form. and in the
worst cases the hives may be completely
dalbed over with it. i healthy colony
Viii not show this. Dysentry is caused
by long confinement in cold weather, and
especially when bees are winterea in thin.
unprotected hives Inferior honey has also
much to do with It Two or three good
cleansing fights during these months viii
cure most cases. but IL the weather Is
such that this cannot be had or partially
SO, then trouble is liable to follow. If
they are confined TO the hive until they
are forced TO discharge their droppingS in
side Of the hive ard ON their combs. they
are past redemption and can only be lef,
to their fate
But II the weather becomes warm enough
10 allow the bees a thorough flight. we
can help them out of the difficufrs- ~, nm
packing the hives and driving our ths on y
cushions or packing of whatever form. and
making blocks of candy from pure granu-
iasso sugar, some two or three rolYnos II,
me colony, placing them on the frame d.
rectiy over the cluster OF bees. where they
VIZ nave Tree access TO it. Spread cIeta
over All, and over this heavy chafr cusa-
ION, or packing of loose cnaff To the
depth OF eight or ten inches This will 70
tam the warmth of the bees about the
cardy. and they viii cluster around il md
teec upon it exclusively. | fina that ;hera
are no natural stores of honey that will
Keep bees IN as healthy a condition dur
ing winter as this candy; ana / have made
IL d pracuee- to great extent to use it
on every colony regardless Of their stores
Bees viii consume but little of their own
stores while the candy lasts, and four or
nse pounds Will carry them through the
greater part of the winter when II can
be renewed at any time it is warm enough
foz. the. bees 10 fly.
II bees are left out unprotected, 1t will
pay well TO make chat hives and puf the
bees IN them. 1t is not only In the dead
ot winter that we receive benefits from the
cfiaff hive. but in springing bees we per-
haps receive the greatest benefit. Whom
bees commence breeding to any extent In
the spring, which they always do very
early, the sudden changes of weather
when in thin hives are very damaging to
them. and often much brood is thus iost
and more stores are consumed. The thick
pf q All
temperature, and are perfect protection
to brood rearing and a saving of stores
February is a good time 10 note the win
tering qualities of every colony and make
record of the same. / am satisfied there
are certain strains Of bees that winter
better than others, and in breeding for de-
sirabie qualities this is a worthy notice,