Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-07-20
Teaching the Bees Ne70 Tricks

On sunny Summer days, these insects usually
are gentle, while during periods when the sky Is
overcast and it Is cold, the bees are irritable
and more likely to sting both friends and foes.
Uncle Sam hopes by Selective breeding to inn
prove these conditions by supplying bees that
are more resistive to weather fluctuations and
disease. Approximately, ten million dollars Is
lost annually by American beekeepers during
cold weather The Federal bee scientists have
conducted invaluable research in scientific ice
chests installed in q neutrality-suspicious.
chamber where artificial weather conditions
could be controlled. Bee colonies have been
tested at different temperatures in this "refrig-
orator" in attempts to solve the perplexities OF
cold weather losses. Various systems of FORTH
flying the colonies against the failing ther-
mometer" have also been investigated.
Uncle Sam has contributed measurably to this
complex business Of untwisting the tangled
skein Of normal beehive history by the use OF
aSs-faced, illuminated observation hives which
enable the observers to watch and interpret all
that goes on in the beehive. The Government
experts have watched the queens lay their
minute elongated eggs. They have observed
the blind, footlesS larvae emerge from these eggs
three days later. During the succeeding six
days these larvae establish records in growing.
as they increase 1900 times In weight during
that brief interval. II the ordinary infant OF
the human species which tipped the scale at
six pounds when born made similar growth, he
would have to be weighed on hay scales at the
end OF one week, as he would than gross four
and one-half tons in avoirdupois. The adult
bee is ready for strenuous duties in the honey
comb just three weeks after the egg is de-
posted.
The beehive is an illustration of highly
ganized teamwork. Sanitary engineers MAIN
tain 1t in clean, healthy condition. Experts de
rect traffic through the complicated chambers,
cells and pathways of this insect dormitory.
Bees that become crippled or die are evicted at
once. The bug Of the beehive is an anthem
of industry and not q signal of warning. 1t is
caused by the bees Tapping their wings In I'M
ison in ventiating the hive During the VIM
ter these same worker bees by bodily contortionS
provide the energy which keeps the hive warm.
These bees as "firemen" have during expert
mentS increased the temperature of the hive
shortly from q reading Of 81 to IS degrees
Fahrenheit.
Uncle Sans apiculturistS have watched the
bees in their Migratory dances, by means OF
which communication Is carried on, according
to the saysoes Of leading German scientists. An
interesting test apparatus now In use at the ma
tional bee farm is q scientific stimulation Of o
flower which contains O constant supply OF
imitation nectar. This device accommodates
10 bees simultaneously and Is located outdoors
near the so national colonies, which have .
maximum population Of 5000, 900 bees during
the Summer. An electric contact apparatus is
linked TO float in the container of synthetic
nectar. continuous chart recorder connected
to the flower keeps tab On the amount OF
nectar removed daily, the number OF times
that the bees visit the feeder and the influence
of weathers conditions on these honey $hunting
flights" - > ~" - ~ - 90