The Era-leader., 1918-08-15
BEE KEEPERS URGED TO
= INCREASE PRODUCTION
IMPROVED METHODS SUGGESTED
THAT WILL MAKE THE HIVES
MORE PROFITABLE.
SPECIAL ASSISTANCE GIVEN
Honey Is Very important Food and
Good Substitute For
Sugar.
SPECIAL ASSISTANCE GIVEN

| or want TO get started III money pro-
duCtion are urged to write at once to
the Extension Division, Louisiana
State University, Baton Rouge. Per
sons whose names are received in
this way will be given special assist.
ence during the coming season
Obsolete Methods Used.
Although Louisiana probably has
more bees in proportion to its size
than any other Southern Stats its
production of honey is low because Of
the large number of bees kept under
obsolete conditions. One of these is
the box hive or old time bee gum, &C.
cording to Kennith Hawkins, a spe
cialist in bee culture, from the L. S.
Department of Agriculture, who Ia
working in Louisiana. He urges that
bee keepers transfer their colonies
kept under such conditions to modern
hives, in order that the many non-pro-
ductive colonies may pay their own
ers revenue. Modern hives can be
bought from bee supply houses or
they can be made at home if hive
so pul chased is used as a pattern.
Introduce italian Bees.
Mr.. Hawkins advises that Louisiana
bee keepers introduce Italian bees In
to their apiaries to replace the Ger
man or black bees which arc so prey
alent throughout the state. The hu's
Of bees kept in the state at the pres
ent time are most susceptible to dis
ease and destruction by numerous
pests, and are the least productive Of
any known race of bees. The intro
duction of Italian blood will not only
eliminate these troubles, but will en-.
able the bee keeper to largely in.
crease his porduction of honey.
Produce Extracted Honey.
Louisiana bee keepers should pro-
duce extracted honey rather than sec
tion or chunk honey, as the produc-
ton Of the latter kinds necessitates
the destruction of the honey comb
each time the honey is removed from
the hives. In the production of ex-
tracted honey, the sweet is removed
from the combs by means of a honey
extractor which does not injure the
combs, and enables the bee keeper to
use them again and again. Since 1t
may take as high as twenty pounds
OF honey consumed by the bees TO
make one pound of bees wax, the
value of returning the combs to be
refilled by the bees is apparent
In addition. when extracted honey
Is produced there is less trouble from
bees swarming and. the bees require
less attention. Extracted honey can
be shipped more safely than comb
honey, as the former can be put In
glass, tin, or wooden receptaclcs for
shipment Under war conditions, ex-
tracted honey is bringing practically
as much on the markets as comb
honey.
Foul Brood Destructive.
Another important reason for low
production of honey in Louisiana &C.
cording to Mr.. Hawkins, is the preva-
ience of Foul Brood which is known
to exist in many localities in the
state. The presence of Foul Brood
makes practically every colony in
which it exists non-productive and
usually means the total destruction cf
all the bees in the vicinity in a short
time. Bee keepers who believe they
have this disease among their colo
mis- should let this fact be known.
Methods Of handling this disease have
been worked out which are very sue.
cessful.
Honey in the Place Of Sugar.
Women of Louisiana can use some
honey in nearly every recipe which
usually requires sugar One cup of
honey used in any recipe usually
takes the place Of two cups Of sugar.
The Government is urging the conser.
vation of sugar in order that The sol.
diers may have what they need. The
use of honey as sugar substitute
by Louisiana housewives is therefore
a patriotic duty. Not only may won.
en- use honey in cooking, but beo
keeping is an occupation which Is
profitable to women
Several bulletins on the use Of
honey in the home have been prepar-
ed and may be hal free of charge.
Women who are interested in becon,.
ing bee keepers. whether they live in
the country or plan to have a few
hives in their back yard in town, will
be given assistance in starting. The
Federal Department of Agriculture,
cooperating with the Extension Divi-
sion Of the Louisiana State Uniyer-
sity at Baton Rouge plans to give all
assistance possible during 1918 to the
women Of the state who will US
honey in their homes in place of some
Of the sugar used, and who wish to
become honey producers. Women who
are interested in this are requested to
send their names to the Extension d.
vision, Louisiana State University,