Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1903-09-03
THE ART OF BEE KEEPING.
An Interesting Article on the Subject
by DR.. James 3. PAIGE.

An interesting Article on the Subject
by DR.. James 3. Paige.
The Massachusetts state board of
agriculture, in its crop report for July,
includes an article on Bee keeping;
its pleasures and profits by DR.. James
B. Paige, professor of veterinary sci
ence at the Massachusetts agricultural
college. In this article DR. Paige says
that 40 or so years ago nearly every
farmer kept few swarms of bees.
They furnished him with a healtnful
article of food, that was considered al
most a necessity. Today it is the ex-
ception that one sees about the farm
er's home, these producers of the
most wholesome and delicious table
delicacy it is possible to obtain. In
addition to the production of honey,
bees perform valuable service by
the fertilization and cross-fertilization
of flowers, the value of which cannot
be estimated. DR.. Paige then gives
figures from the 18th census for the
United States, the five leading states
in the bee industry, and for Massa-
chusetts. An interesting comparison
is that between Massachusetts, and
Vermont, which shows that with prac-
tically the same number of farms
Vermont has 1886 swarms, valued at
SS,5S swarm, while Massachusetts,
has only 1881 hives, which, however.
are valued at $4.26 hive. Much of the
Vermont hnnnN ir t.,
| chusetts. The situation of our own
state is more favorable for bee keep.
, ing than is that of Vermont, and there
seems to be no good reason why we
| should not produce sufficient honey for
home consumption.
Continuing, he points out that 1t is
not well to depend on bee keeping
alone as source of livelihood, but
that 1t should be. combined with some
other speciality, such as market gar
dening, fruit growing or poultry rails
ing. In DR.. Paige's opinion a COM
bination of bee keeping and poultry
! raising is very desirable one, for the
| reason that bees are inactive in win
ter, when poultry requires constant
attention, while bees Can be most adj
vantageously handled during the
middle of the day in summer, when
poultry requires little care. A large
farm in rural district Is not essential
for the successful keeping of bees.
They thrive in tows, villages and even
large cities. Swarms protected from
strong winds and extreme cold In
winter will thrive in almost any To-
cality in Massachusetts,, DIR. Paige
gives advice as to the selection of
varieties of bees, management. and
selection of hives and appliances. He
recommends starting in a small way
with one or two swarms, the natural
Increase of which will quickly build
up the apiary, while the necessary ex-
perience for more extended operations
may be acquired while working with a
few. The cost of starting an apiary
! is comparatively small, being about
| Sl5, including swarm of bees in hive
complete, extra hive, bee smoker, veil,
and other appliances. all of which will
be sufficient for conducting the apiary
as 1t Increases. In selecting hives.
one of the modern movable frame
hives, with super for surplus honey
boxes, should be used, and the simpler
its construction the better All hives
In the yard should be alike, so that
parts may be interchanged. Much
pleasure may be had and information
gained by the study of bees kept in an
observation hive