The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1918-06-13
IMPROVED METHODS SUGGESTED
THAT WILL MAKE THE HIVES
MORE PROFITABLE.
SPECIAL ASSISTANCE GIVEN
Honey Is a ve-y Important Food and
Good Substitute For
nsugsr.

by Louisiana bee keepers at the pres
ent time. Those who now have bees
or want to get started in honey 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
ance during the coming season.
Obsolete Methods Used.
Although Louisiana. probably has
more bees in proportion to it's size
than any other Southern State 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, ac-
cording to Kennith Hawkins, a spc-
cislist in bee culture, from the Z. S.
Department of Agriculture. who il
working in Louisiana. He urges that
bee keepers transfer their colonies
kept under such conditions to modern
hives, in order that tie 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 II hive
SO pun 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 are so prev
alent throughout the state. The bulk
of bees kept in the state at the pres
ent time are most susceptible to dis
ease and destruction by numerous
pests, and am 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
ton 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 honey
extractor which does not injure the
combs, and enables the bee keeper to
| use them again and again. Since it
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 receptacles fer
shipment Under war conditions, ex-
/ trscted honey is bringing practically
as much on the markets as comb
honey.
Foul Brood Destructive.
Another importan- reason for low
production of honey in Louisiana ac.
cording to Mr.. Hawkins is the preva.
lence 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 tho tote! destruction CT
all the bees in the vicinity in shor:
time. Bee kec,~rs who believe they
have this disease among their colo
mis- should let this fact be known
Meth. ds of handling this disease have
been worked out which are very sue
cessful.
Honey in the Place Of Sugar.
Woi IN 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. Tht
use of honey as sugar substitute
by Louisiana housewives is therefor.
a patriotic Guty. Not only may WON
en- use honey in cooking, but BET
keeping is an occupation which i
especially profitable to women
Several bulletins on the use o
honey in the home have been prepar
ed and may be had free of charge
Women who are Interested in becom
ing bee keepers, whether they live II
the country or plan to have a few
hives in their back yard in town, viii
be given assistance in starting. TIL,
Federal Department of Agriculture
cooperating with the Extension Div;
sion Of the Louisiana State Untver
sity at Baton Rouge plans to give al
assistance possible during 1918 to tn
women of the state who will us
honey in their homes in place of som,
of the sugar used, and who wish t,
become honey producers. Women VIII.
are interested in this are requested t,
, send their names to the Extension ID
vision, Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, in order that they ma.
be given his special assistance whicl
the government plans to extend I,
the women of Louisiana during 1918.