The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1912-04-05
FARM AND AND ORCHARD.
Notes 0d Instructors Colleges Exue,a Ssoa,,.
a. Oregon and Hashoo Speedily acfc Coaa n,.
BEE KEEPING IN OREGON


BY H. F. Wilson, Apiculturist. Ore.
gon Agricultural College.
Oregon Agricultural College, Cor
wallis. -Why such a pleasant occu-
patton should not be taken hold of
and developed to greater extent in
Oregon is probably due to the many
and varied resources which are to
be found here. With the develop
ment of the many orchards now be-
ing set out in the State, Bookkeeping
is receiving an impetus which will
raise the number of colonies kept in
the State, but will not increase the
honey output to any great extent.
A number of large apiaries are dis
tributed throughout the State and do
very well. At the present time East
ern oregon Is the principal honey
producing section, and many car
loads OF honey are shipped from
there each year. However, Western
Oregon can be made to furnish large
amounts, and the State Nat large
should produce a great deal more
than it. does now. Conditions in
western Oregon are very much diff
ferent from those of the eastern por-
ton, and will necessitate more at
tention to the honey flow and the
time when it comes. In addition the
bees themselves will require more
care.
. To one suitable for the occupation
there is probably no more pleasant
labor than working in the apiary. AS
a recreation nothing offers more
interesting and educational pleasure
than keeping few stands of Italian
bees. It is not necessary to live in
the country or in country town
in order to keep bees, for they are
known to do very well in the city,
even on the tops of high buildings.
Many professional men having be-
come interested in these Industrious
insects have taken up the work as
a pastime, and experience as much
pleasure in exhibiting their pets as
II they were champion horses or
cattle
Before one takes up Bookkeeping
number of view points should be
studied. The first of these concerns
the suitability of the person Bees
are quite sensitive to- nerves and
can readily distinguish between peo-
pie who are not afraid and those
who are. Many persons can get
along with but little trouble. Some
few are made deathly sick by the
stings; others through fear cannot
go near a working colony. A sue
cessful bee-keeper must have pa
thence and should never work in a
hurry, and so avoid crushing the
bees, or the scattering of honey; the
first not only destroys working bees,
but may include the queen and al
ways excites the bees to a more or
less extent. The second may cause
robbing and a general disturbance
among all of the colonies at a time
when they should be looking after
the honey flow.
Having decided to take up bee
keeping, there is but one thing for
the man to do, who takes it up as
his only means of livelihood, and
that is to spend a year or more
working in a large apiary. After that
he may start as he thinks best.
For the beginner who only expects
to keep a few colonies it is best
to begin with only one or two, and
to gradually increase these until the
desired number is reached.
There are number of varieties of
bees, but the pure Italians are prob
ably more desirable. The common
Black bees or crosses with Black
bees are generally inferior to the
Italians, and are more susceptible to
enemies and diseases. If one does
not have the Italians it is best to
secure pure-bred queens, and to in
troduce them. In this way colonies
of inferior bees can be changed over
in a single season as the progeny
of the new queen should be pure
and the old bees will all die during
the summer.
The necessary appliances for be-
ginner may be secured in any large
town as follows: For each colony
of bees get two complete supers with
sections
100 extra sections.
/ standard smoker.
1 bee-vei1.
1 pair bee-gloves.
1 lb. medium brood foundation.
2 lbs. thin super foundation.
/ Daisy foundation fastener.
A-pound spool No. 80 timed
wire.
1 Porter bee-escape, with board.
1 bee-brush.
1 Boardman's entrance feeder or
Alexander feeder.
/ hive tool.
/ Alleys queen and drone trap.
In addition to these one OF the
several up to date manuals on bee
keeping should be secured from your
dealer in beware. Any OF these
books will explain how to use the
various articles mentioned above and
will also give detailed accounts OF
how to handle the many problems
which confront the beginner.
Having the bees and necessary
working tools, naturally the next
Thought will be to Investigate the