Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-04-13
RAISING BEES IN MEXICO.
Two Swarns Yearly Are the Rule In
Production of Honey.

for tho production of honey and wax,
is vet in its infancy in the consular
district of Vera Cruz. The majority of
the people pay but little, if any atten-
tor to this industry. The principal
centres Of the bee industry are found
in the Tuxpam region. and to The
| southwest of that locality in the noun
famous sections of the counties of Pa
pantla. Altotonga, Jalacngo. and Chi
eontepcc, also in the country lying to
| the southwest of the city OF Vera Cruz,
principally in the county of Cosamalo-'
apan. Throughout the regions men
TONED agriculture is an industry en-
gagged in for profit. In the counties of
Jalapa, Cnatepee, Huatuseo, Los TuXt-
las, ACayuean. Cordoba and Orizba.
where natural conditions would seem
To he favorable to the rearing of bees.
very. few are kept, and The hives are
OF the usual old style. In the first
mentioned localities, however, 10. "a.
and even 100 hives may be owned by a.
single Individual.
Generally speaking. but little consid-
Grafton is given to housing the bees
They are kept in old boxes (old petro-
lenm cases being preferred) and in
hollow logs. The bees are left at liber
ty to construct their cells al pleasure
in almost all localities, With the ex-
ception of the counties of Cosamaloa-
pan, Coatepec, and in the TuXram re-
gion. where a few American hives are
in Use and where local carpenters have
produced limitations. The same condi-
tions prevail in the district of Chicon-
tepec. the hives in common use being
simply wooden boxes measuring about
13 by 10 by 40 inches
Nothing definite can be said with ref
erenee To the different races or breeds
of bees kept. There is no doubt but
that before the conquest of Mexico by
the Spaniards the aborigines knew how
to handle bees for honey gathering
purposes. II is fact that not only in
this consular district, but also III other
parts Of Mexico. Wild bees are found
Indigenous to the land and differing
in size color. shape. and habits to
very great extent. one or more Yari-
cites of these wild bees have been do
mesticated. and the dark as we'll as
the Hght-colored German bee, also the
smaller Italian, and crossbreeds of all.
may he found i'll this district The
most common races are known by the
names Of AbeJa Prieta, La Castellana,
| La Real, and La Espanola. A few
| years age a gentleman residing in the
county of Cosamaloapan, imported the
| pure Italian breed. and from this
| swarms have been obtained by neigh
| boring residents. In the TuXpam re-
| gion Italian bees have also been inn
! ported.
The only rule observed Tor locatlng
| hives is SIMPLY 10 Keep thefh on tiie
ground. When hollow logs are used
| they are often fouha hanging from
heam under the' fool OF Neranuah OF
from q brancff OF Il tree eiese TO me
| house; in sultaoie locAntfes lheH may
be found IN the lork oil Tree, IN the
FORK OF post set III the ero..iiu' anu
| on platforms TWO TO SIN leet apoNe tiie
ground inc root OF NerahoaI OF me
timex branches oil tree aiiora Ample
! Protectloh against tlle rays Vi 'ile SUI
| and lnetemency OF the weather. WINE
| the preferred olreclloh IN settlis up
| hlVcs seems 10 De toWaro tiie east vi
| the southeast there are iiiaiis eAI0P
tions To the custom. J" men once pl,'c,
ed III position, hiFeS are i'o' sun 'e.'
again during lle year.
| Two sWarms per year from niotiIer
| colohS is the seiei&hs "eeePteu iue
From an ola colony the iirst swarm !.
may be expected IN .he hloii'n VI
March, after the northern winter SEA
son mas passed anu tiie urs spins
weather IS at manu- ou. 1t may nap
pen that there VIII De Only one s"n III,
and also mat there may pe ihoie. nv.
| local opinion Is tiiat l, Is prefer aIic ito'
to have more imam Two year S'i"'i'oi
a. second swarm iilahe IT'S appt'i ar
IL VIII come apout me iiioii'il u . NY
or during the heieht Oh Tue HoAN rms
season Inc reihoVa. ol d swarm an. IN
settled is perlornieu III iiiecii ', ne, SUM
manner as III o,iier couii'iics' ! ne o.