The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1918-06-08
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.

The increased production of honey
which is an important sugar substi
tute. could be profitably undertaken
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 Ia
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 its 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 spe-
ciaitst in bee culture, from the L. s.
Department of Agriculture, who is
bee keepers transfer their colonies
kept under such conditions to modern
hives, in order that the many non-pro-
duotiye colonies may pay their own
ers revenue. Modern hives can be
bought from bee supply houses or
they can be lmade at home if a hive
so pun chased is used as a pattern.
Introduce italian Bees.
Mr.. Hawkins advises that Louisiana
bee keepers introduce Italian bees in
10 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 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 production 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 il
may take as high as twenty pounds
OF honey consumed by the bees 10
make one pound of bees wax. the
value Of returning the combs to be
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 nut in
glass, tin. or wooden receptacles for
shipment. Under war conditions. ex-
tracted honey is bringing practically
ss much on the markets as comb
honey.
Foul Brood Destructive.
Another important reason for low
production of honey in Louisiana, &C.
'ording to Mr.. Hawkins. is the prevs-
ence OF Foul Brood which is known
70 exist in many localities in the
state. The presence of Foul Brood
makes practically every colony in
which ii exists non-productiye and
Usually means the total destruction Of
I'll the bees in the vicinity in a short
fme. Bee keepers who believe thew
rave this disease among their colo
lis should let this fact be known.
Methods of handling this disease have
'een worked out which are very sue
essful.
Honey in the Place of Sugar.
Women of Louisiana can use some
Ioney in nearly every recipe which
sually requires sugar. One cup Of
oney used in any recipe usually |
axes the place of two cups of sugar.
he Government is urging the conser-
alton of sugar in order that fhe sol.
iers may have what they need. The
SO OF honey as sugar substitute
y Louisiana housewives is therefor.
patriotic duty. Not only nav wor,
n use honey in cooking. but bee
eeping is an occupation which is
specially profitable to women.
Several bulletins on the use ~