A modern bee farm bee

an increased production lowered the value, there is at the same time a larger-and increasing in competing with present rates, which, however, should There is as yet much to be desired in

REVISED EDITION ELEVENTH THOUSAND

Amodern bee-farm

|SK,S

3 1924 003 428 038

The original of this book is in

the Cornell University Library

http://www arch ve org/detaiIs/cu31924003428038

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BRITISH APPRECIATION.

British BeeJournal.—" This is a useful book for those intending to cultivate bees,moreparticularly forsuchas intend tomakeit a business."

Live Stock Journal.—"Other journals must deal with this very

intelligently writtenbook from its other sides . We never saw

a bee-bookwhich seemedbetterworth buyingby thosewhowishedto

keepbees."

Bee-Keepers' Record.—"Wehave perused this bookwith a

attemptonthe part of a reallyexperiencedmanin theUnitedKingdom

Most Practical in Three Languages

" I have been reading every book (in English,French and German)

on Apiculture, and of all the works that I have studied (especially as regards practical information) I much preferyour 'Modern Bee-Farm,'

the style ofwhichis so charming." CLEMENT COKE.

"My son and I are agreed that 'A Modern Bee-Farm' is worthits

weight in gold ! Ishouldcertainlybesorry to take £5 for the copy I

soughtto teach us our businesscanin future restonthe shelves."

Knysna,Capeof GoodHope S. DEACON.

Sandon, Frodsham

" I haveread 'A Modern Bee-Farm'with,—well,whereshall I find aword thatcan convey myfeelings ?—

' pleasure ' is a shadow It is aworkfromthehandsof amasterof Apiculture."

An experienced bee-keeper of many years' standing writes

(July, 1909):—"Ihadheardofyour systemfor years, butalways thought

of it as an 'enthusiast's dream,'untilthe otherdayI visited an apiary

your queens); then at a glance could see that for the production of honey, for easewithwhich thebroodchambercouldbeexaminedwhen

supers are on, etc.,your systemis Al."

£10 for 5s 4d.

" Iwouldgladlyhavegiven^10tohave hadit ayearago, as itwould

have savedme farmorethanthat in experiments." H.L.VarTrees, Dorchester.

" I neverwassopleased with a book in mylife ; shallrecommendit

tomybee-keepingfriends." T.C.

AMERICAN AND OTHER OPINION.

andis written in a terseandinterestingmanner."

Gleanings in Bee Culture (1888 edition).—"The work is beautifully

printedona fine quality of paper In plan it is excellent; each subjectand its sub-head beingdistinctlyseparated by strong black head-lines,

so that a novicecaneasily findsuchinformation asmaybedesired." Editor of Gleanings (1904 edition).—"This is a work of no ordinary

merit, andreadslike a novel. Oneof the bestbeebooks."

of the UnitedStatesDepartment of Agriculture, Washington, writes :

"The newbookcametohandthismorning It isnowmidnight, and

Ihavespent thewholedaywithf it. You have indeed done well whatfewaccomplish at all—made a book which is full of interest to every enthusiasticbee-master; yet for thebeginnera simple, pointed guide to

magnificent work,comparesin interest or value to this."

"Good Stuff, Indeed!

"Ihavejust finished reviewing a copyof the 1904 edition of 'Modern

Bee-Farm." Good stuff, indeed! I am truly glad to see that you are

Worcester, Mass

"AfewmonthsagoIbought yourbook 1 have read thesamethree timesfromcover to cover,andthe chapter about Foul Brood aboutten

times It is the best book,and I have a goodnumberofbooks about

"The Bee-Wizard,"

of Lincoln, Nebraska, U.S.A., writing May 8th, 191 1, says:

library isyour'ModernBee-Farm,'and I havelongthoughtof sendingyouthiswordof personalcommendation andthanks."

A New Zealand Bee-Keeper,Writing from Timaru, says: "I have read 'A Modern Bee-Farm'

through withmuchpleasure and profit I think,withoutexaggeration

it is the best of allmybee-books, andIhaveagood many."

"A Modern Bee-Farm" Well in Front.

" I find your 'Modern Bee-Farm' full of useful information I see

front here assomething new." . DAVID F. DOW,

A MODERN BEE-FARM

AND ITS ECONOMIC MANAGEMENT.

Showing how Bees may be Cultivated as a Means of Livelihood;

and as a Source of Recreation to the Busy Man

and Cure of

Includes a Treatise on

HONEY: ITS USES IN HEALTH AND DISEASE;

ALSO NOTES UPON

PROFITABLE GRASS-FARMING AND DAIRYING

AND ORCHARD PLANTING

S SIMMINS,

Author of'"Direct Introduction of Queens," "Simmins' Non-SwarmingSystem,''

E 839

dliitionB of this HEork

1888, 1893, 1904, 1914.

SIMMINS' NON-SWARMING SYSTEM, 1886.

SIMMINS' NEW QUEEN REARING, 1894.

C^jCTI'ITH few exceptions, the instructions contained

practical experience, which has extended over

more than forty years of close observation.* The readerwill therefore have the benefit of a lengthened andvaried

will be little possibility of the novicebeing confused by the

be in a position to use his own judgment in selecting the

The Authordoes not hesitate to saythat he has himself

important methods of management have been brought

* Any reader desiring to study the complete, anatomy and

physiologyofthe hive bee should secure the works of Cheshire or

x Preface.

-matters are gone into at length, that the learner may profit

costlyexperiments and failures.

are more advanced will not be wearied by that which is

knowledge of the subject, remembering that we all havebeen in need of just such teaching At the same time,the Author trusts the expert will find some things not

willing to admit go far towards the economic production

of honey; and, moreover, constitute the very "pith" of

practical bee-keeping

It will be asked: "What are theprofitsofBee-keeping?

study of this, the most remarkable creature in the insect

occupation will be limited to those only who have specialqualifications, and are able to give the subject close studyand application

The man who finds himself adapted to the undertaking

may safely invest his money, and be assured of obtaining,

family, at least in this country Many young people who

making the most of everything that can be worked upon

it, so that one branch of agriculture may help another;

one item, it is often even more suitable for some other ofthe several occupations carried out upon the farm of

moderate dimensions

about the country there are many who are persuaded to

management, and what is worse, do not knowbee-diseases

careless manner, are the greatest source of danger to the

an Act was passed which should restrict these and other

dangers that may otherwise seriously affect the industry

because of such carelessness

GENERAL INTRODUCTION.

day it is being adopted as a business, while thenumber of people in all ranks of life who keep onlya few

Honey, the matchless gift of Nature, has become much cheaper than it was when the supply was very

limited ; but while. an increased production lowered the

value, there is at the same time a larger-and increasing

in competing with present rates, which, however, should

There is as yet much to be desired in methods of

When honey was superseded by sugar, bee-keepingseems tohave fallen into the background, but after a timelight began to dawn, and some fortyyears since, byusing

hives wherein all the combs could be removed separately

at will, a great stimulus was given to both practical and

But more light was yet needed, and Bee Journals wereestablished, but it was not until the year 1873 that thiscountry could boast of and was by

Mr C N Abbott, of Southall, as a monthly, and who ably

conducted it for about ten years,when it passed into the

hands of the Rev H R Peel In May, 1883, the British

Bee Journal was issued fortnightly ; in August, 1885, Mr

it as a weekly in Jan., 1886 Soon after theabove journal

British Bee-Keepers' Association, his object being the

diffusion of the knowledge of bee-keeping, especially

condition

In 1874this body held its first great Exhibition of Bees,

other, each holding its own Annual Show Is it any wonder then that thousands more have become acquainted

The manufacture of hives and appliances has become

several, branches of apiary work

in the liquid form should be found in every household,

apiarist should do his best to place the latter upon the

market in as cheap a form as possible, at the same time

appearance

Among the early pioneers of movable comb-hives, may

be mentioned Mr Woodbury in England; the Rev L L

;

and though the lattercannot be said to have used movable

adopted movable top which

course could only be withdrawn after thecomb attachments

It is possible that M. Francis Huber, the eminent blind

of observation

INTRODUCTION TO REVISED EDITION.

It should be understood that small (less than lib.) packages for

see that prices are rulinglowerthan theywere somefew yearssince;andtheconsequence is that larger receptacles are required, sothat

of cost Nevertheless, prices- generally reached their lowest level

prior to 1910, andthehoney-producer shouldnowexpectbetter rates

for hisproduce

obtainable will vary, according to the energy displayed by the

individual bee-keeper If he is hisownsalesman andwillusesome

plan of his own, his returns will be considerably in excess ofthosesecuredbythe less active producer '

Forrapidandconvenienthandling, the retail traderequiressome

the best possible effect at the least expense,ashewill certainlynot

be repaidforanygreat outlay in that direction.

Afeature of seriousimportancetohoneyproducersisthe

re-intro-duction ofthe larger brood frame, much used before the present

Associationframecameintouse; thelatterhaving repeatedly proved

toosmallfor thepurpose, whenits resultshave been comparedwiththe advantages derived fromthe other.

latestdevelopments

againbeen considerably extended,showing how largely thegrowers

of such crops must depend upon fertilisation by the honey-bee in

particular, for the success of their plans It isanitemwhich should

agri-culturist ; it will certainly result in a better understandingbetweenthoseengagedin the respective pursuits.

additions madeto it, in showingthe practical uses of honeyinboth

chestandthroatcomplaints; inwhat form to use it, as well as giving

Introduction toRevisedEdition xv

others will be found to have undergone careful revision ; while insomecases other valuablefactshavebeen added, as the result of a

furtherextended experience.

The treatment of Foul Brood is of suchvastimportance to

bee-keepers generally that I include in my new work the several

propositions formerly published byme in anotherpaper(1898-9), in

connection with the origin, development, and cure of Foul Brood,both with and without medicine, and without the destruction of

valuablecombs andothermaterial.

Some of the most important features in connection with theAuthor'sdefinite and successful treatment ofbrood disease therein offeredhavesincebeenconfirmedbyotherwriters,who,unfortunately

for theirownreputation,haveclaimedtheprocesses as theirown

commendedat thetimebythe late Mr D A Jones, of the CanadianBee Journal; bythelateMr W.B Carr, in the Bee-Keeper'sRecord;

claimedbyAmerican andotherwriters as theirownidea.

in developingimmensepopulations at therightmoment,the Author

offered, in 1886, the only correctmethodof clarifying extractedhoney

the systematicproduction ofnew combsin sections before thehoneyflow occurs,thus nearly doubling the usual yield ; and a perfectly

cushionedCombHoneyCasefor railing (or shipping) In 1894 the

using melted wax In 1883 he offered percolating, or self-acting

feeders, syrup cans andcisterns, for use in out-apiaries,where it is

inconvenient tomakesyrupby cooking.

The Author's methods of working two queens in twin hives ormorequeensin treble, as well as in storifying hives, as first offered

in the 1893 and 1904 editions of thework,areveryfully illustrated

anddescribed.

establishinga Pedigreestrainbyaprocessof registration,anddirect

line breeding as regards both drone and queenrearingparents,

as-conductedformanyyears by the Author, is here fully exposed for the first time.

Sincethe issue of the last edition of thiswork, adiseasepreviouslyunknownto the majorityof British bee-keepers,butquitecommonin

America,started in the Isle of Wight andin Cornwallin thesameyear (1904), and has swept over the country like some irresistible

wave, destroying whole apiaries, and in all, thousands of colonies.

The owners, including many first-class experts, taken by surprise,,

werehelpless intheface of themalady, until the Authorshowedhis

xvi Introductionto RevisedEdition.

+54-, xu u ,.

Radicalchange or revolutionary teaching,thoughprovingcorrect

leastadecadeafter its advent. Thesamemaybesaid ofmyoriginal principle ofadvanced hiveconstruction,andpreventionofswarming,

asfinallyrepresentedin theConquerorhivewhich wasillustrated in

my 1893 edition andleft toworkitswayuponitsownmerits.

Byreferring to the bee-literature of that period, it will be found

andothercountries.

In thesameworkwasgiven alsomySystemsof Controlling

Swarm-ingwithcommonhives, such as "Swarmingwithout Increase,"and

"Combined Swarming and Doublingwithout Increase"; definiteand

vital principles laid down in the saidpamphletof 1886, andsuchas

striving afterwhathas alreadybeengiven them to see andtouse

—

processes which will enable them to double the strength of their

I may be excused for suggesting that thiswork will not become

wherein quite recentlyanumberofmethodsofferedbyour cousins as

new and valuable items in management, were first published by

myself in definiteformtwentyto thirtyyearsago.

Someof the latest of theseadaptationsbeing theAuthor's

3-side-cut sections, withthewhole sheet of foundation placedacrossthree

practicalmethodof(uncooked)softsugarfeeding,describedas "dryfeeding" to distinguish it from syrupfeeding(1883); thesystematicproduction of "drawn-combs" for all sections prior to eachseason

(1886) ; andother itemshereinenumerated

legis-lation for controlling the actions of bee-owners in regard to

matter; but that willonlybebythe extremistsoneither side sinking

S. Simmins.queenland,

Show me an owner of bees who is a genuine enthusiast,

be he or she a novice or professionalbee-keeper, and

I see the man or woman who is going to succeed ;

business undertaking The non-enthusiastic ownerwill

never succeed in themanagement of the honey-bee.

CHAPTER I.

BEE-CULTURE AS A PROFESSION,

AND FOR RECREATION.

induce-ments offered to those who wish to take up a light

a perhaps too restricted income ; or as an adjunct to

opera-tions may be made subservient to the need of the bees, so

for the making of a successful bee-keeper; and therefore,

the peculiarities of bees, he is doomed to disappointment

occupation

Thereare two courses open to those who wish to follow

the purpose of adding to their present income First, byhaving a few hives, and gradually increasing the number

2 A Modern Bee-Farm

one in making extensive additions to his working stock ;

as are sometimes found to exist, it will be unwise to

Work in some Established Apiary

more certain to put you on the right road to successful

and, buying in large quantities, a considerable reduction

from time to time, under the former condition of

preparation, have become valueless by the time the

apiarist enters more largely into the business, leaving out

oddpatterns, and cannot be used to the best advantage

To obtain the necessary Materials

In the first place, there is more risk in buying his beesthan he is likely to incur at any future period of his

and though the latter may consider there is nothingwrong with them, the purchase often turns out simplyworthless

means buy his stock from the apiary where he served his

and Economic 3treating him honorably Failing this, the owner will

probably know where and how he can secure stock that

Under ordinary conditions there is a certain risk aboutbee-keeping; but the reader, by refering to the chapters

relating to Planting and Breeding, as well as the general

whole thing can be rendered a certainty by those capable

The Choice of Location

appear unnecessary to advise a bee-keeper not to establish

in large numbers close to a town, or near a public highway.Select some quiet spot, in a valley if possible, and the

further from any manufactory the better, but do not lose

free communication with some large centre, or railwayconvenience

the business, have a good look around, and endeavour to

or Dutch, in particular, as that most to be desired,

WhiteClover will result in indifferent returns, if not actual

found in nearly all pastures, as well as by the road-sides,where the grit is verysuitable to its growth There is the

Yellow Trefoil in May, also the Trifolium Incarnatum (Red

and White

4 A Modern Bee-Farm

has bloomed from the early part of June, as a crop, until

in some places,yielding much nectar The Sycamore, too,

market gardens growing the various small fruits ; also large

supplying the wants of a rapidly increasing population

It is seldom all the foregoing are to be found in the

neighbourhood of Heather, though in Autumn it will pay

distance, as the honey generally commands a good price.

find the first crop of Sanfoin earlyin June,and the secondabout the middle of August ; Wild Thyme in July, and numerous wild flowers of the thistle family during the

during the Summer Red Clover is also grown in great

quantity, upon the second crops of which some of the

foreign races of bees can work ; and as the first cutting

is mixed with it, and this flowers freelyfor nearly a month

forgotten, in some parts being so abundant as to give

furtherexperience, I am inclined to regard with suspicion,

as yielding, poisonous honey ; while the Laurel, when

The Ivy, both wild and garden varieties, will often keep

Should the bee-keeper's lot fall upon any spot not

andits Economic 5

can only do so by making such arrangements as will allow

him to

which will also do for hay, and even in a good district hewould do well to have some large crops going throughout

the whole season I have sometimes been asked

What Amount of Capital should be Invested

nothing of the capabilities of those who apply by letter,

it would be useless to attempt a satisfactory answer other

than such as can be found in the estimates offered, and in

at all, where the fullest particulars as to locality and

to his surrounding honey-producing plants and trees should

certain of success on a large scale just because a fewparticular colonies have yielded comparatively large

attention to securing the highest possible average returnfrom his stock, both by carefully breeding by a process of

selection, and systematic union of forces, that immense

information

"everything must be done at the right time ; " there must

be "a place for everything, and everything should be in

its place." Thus by constant and careful attention, and

by keeping all things in order, the specialist will command

6 A Modern Bee-Farm

and temperatedisposition, and moreover is not enthusiastic,and a lover of Nature (the natural qualifications of a

means certain that reverses wijl^not occasionally be met

stimulus, with renewed effort and more determination toovercome every obstacle

The Estimated Expenses for the First Two Years

will be found in the Appendix, the apiarist, having hadtwo years' apprenticeship, starting with not less than ioo

colonies, and with some.£500 as his capital ; otherwise he

satisfactorily established This will be admitted by many who have gained their experience by a long and laborious

process

apiarist consolidates his working force. The quantity of

the season, and the extent to which the bees are deprived

largest surplus is obtained without depriving the chamber of honey at all ; in which case the labour andexpense involved in feeding will often be unnecessary

stock-Having charged the cost of bottles and tins, the same

as showing themore correct estimate

In reference to the estimates given in the Appendix, it

be seen that proposed keep number

and Economic 7colonies but little over ioo,increasing the first year to 125 ;

the second season to 150 It is then understood that 25

above the 100 will provide against all accidents, such asweak colonies, loss of queens, etc., during the winter; thus

heis very certain he can manage more With that number

no assistance is required, but when greater extensions are

assistant It is surprising how quickly a youngster takes

own' appliances, his time will be mostly occupied during

the winter, and then timber will stand in the place of many

worthy of his hire (profit).

years, have been placed on a fair basis, butin a fairly good

colonies standing in his area, or range of bee-flight. In

bee-forage, the average will be still higher, and more

"

8 A Modern Bee-Farm

The editor of the British Bee Journal states that he

suchreturns will be gained where a larger number are to

be managed. 1 have had 50 lbs. stored by a singlecolony

bees, without attempting to swarm, had given upwards of

nicely-finished sections Such results show what is possible if the

apiarist will always breed from the best strains, as setforth

practical men will admit this is correct, and upon thisbasis I have made out the estimates It will be noticed

stock-in-trade, whether comb or extracted honey is worked for,

but the season's produce of extracted honey costs forreceptacles morethan three times that of the other Afterthe combs are once established for extracting, with nofurther outlay in foundation, and a large quantity of new

this class of honey; but against this we have to place

more labor, and that not of the cleanest I have published

means of making his own comparisons, and more

and its Economic Matiagement 9certain of what he is about ; and I do not, by any means,

certainty

Dear reader, throughout these pages will be found my

utmost desire to save you from the mistakes made in thepast by myself and many others Experience is of coursethe best teacher, and it's lessons nearly always leave on

which has to be met before final success can be ensured

Experience thus gained is of value to others starting out

upon the same course, just in proportion to their willingness

to be guided by the advice given Right here I must

One Point of the Greatest Importance.

certainly give no advice for obtaining them at another

date, where the highest possible returns are desired from

the first season's work If you begin earlier or later,

very likely one which will be the cause of ultimatefailure.

sued for damages, and made to refund a large proportion

of the value, because the purchaser could shew that some

making moving them

io A Modern Bee-Farm

able time, and thus making it impossible for the bees to

Other stocks moved in February or March, havedwindled terribly after a long railway journey, simply

to renew the population of the hives

undergo just that condition of excitement which induces

become equally energetic under the consequent

stimula-tion ; and better progress is made than if they had not

been disturbed If moved in February or March the

same excitement causes the loss of thousands of the older

bees, through flying for what they cannot obtain at that

early date; the large patches of brood lose the warmth

hitherto afforded bysuch workers, and the hive deteriorates

By purchasing as I advise thereare plenty of young bees

thereby

only, but another thingis the

Sale of Bees and Queens.

time, special qualifications are necessary to enable a man

conduct

anditsEconomic Management. 1

he finds himself peculiarly adapted to the undertaking, hehad better confine himself to honey, as continued applica-

queens are raised for sale, the apiarist will have to be

prolonged spells of bad weather, when many virgin queens

and in the meantime youradvertisements must be frequent,

but limited in extent and cost.

Do not attempt much in the way of selling bees andqueens until you have a substantial stock of at least 100

from them if you are depending largely upon this source ofincome

Still another department is connected with apiculture;

is carried on by a number of reliable men, each of whom

beginner who can turn out a decent article to confine

either to the makeror the user

become income

12 A Mbdern Bee-Farm

particularly favorable conditions, or where conducted in

manufacture of appliances and foundation, the sale ofbees, etc., it is possible to secure good returns wherecapital is judiciously invested, and labor is economised.There are several rural occupations that can be carried

Fruit-growing is generally profitable to those who understand

its culture Poultry, on a small scale, can be made mostprofitable, and a large portion of the proceeds, in eggs andfowls, may find their way to the owner's table, 'in addition

While the greater number of amateurs endeavour to get

who keep them becauseofthe pleasureaffor.ded bystudyingtheir habits; though, of course, the delight experienced in

being able to place pure honey, in its most chaste form,

upon one's own table, and that of friends, is by no means

a secondary consideration Nothing can be more

appre-ciated than a present of beautifully white honeycomb in

sections or bell-glasses; and what, moreover, can exceed

which is your own production ; a thing of beauty, which

with his bees, finds healthful and soothing recreation for

leisure gives them almost unlimited time to carry out the

study remarkable can

andits Economic Management. 1

that they are a never-failing source of interest, there beingalways something new to discover, either as to their habits

or management.

all who study the subject there is a general understandingand mutual sympathy The novice may therefore go to his

be certain of a hearty welcome, and a free gift of all the

knowledge about bees that he may have gathered by many

beginner not to go to his more expert neighbour every

lessons, and strive to help himself

in handling bees before you can make muchout of them.Get some friend or otherapiarist of experience, if possible,

by him as to its value In the absence of friendly advice,you cannot do better than buy a first swarm from some

maker, and do not select the cheapest style, as makeshift

sadly complicated

While the number who may be capable of makingbee-keeping their main occupation will be limited, almostanyone can keep a few colonies at great advantage tohealth, and at the same time make them pay their own

way Even the scientist need not go to any great expense

over his investigations, as with ordinary care his bees can

14 A Modern Bee-Farm

manner at a reasonable rate. There are many ways in

which honey can be utilised, notonly as food and medicine,but also for a number of manufacturing purposes ; and

to the advantageofall concerned

since when everything has advanced in value We may

meantime this resultedin low prices. New worlds are now

becoming as old worlds, with dense populations, which

course, will have larger populationsto support

andits Economic Management. 1

It is as easy to handle beesas flies; nay, more so,when

one is once acquainted with their peculiarities and

should always be assured that his little friends are

forward any manipulation.

~vV

CHAPTER II.

MONG the uninitiated the general impression is that

^-"^

theywill not touch one This is to acertain extent

a hive to take out the combs and bees without being

veil nor gloves, and seldom receive a sting. Of course,

the difference is that the former has not yet gained that

motion should be acquired by all who hopeto handle bees

successfully I have known those who were looked upon

manipulating bees, making it unsafe for any unprotectedcompanion, and disturbing a whole apiary for days

carelessness should be overcome if the owners visited are

Precaution against Robbing.

remove honey,

1 A Modern Bee-Farm

place, if precautions are not taken As far as possible,

and the work so timed that it will be completed towards

till then These remarks apply to Autumn in particular,though there are other periods when honey is not coming

in, and not only then, but at all times the owner should

be very careful not to give his bees a chance even tostart

shelter is a great necessity, as many operations may there

be carried on which would be impossible in the open

examination or deprivation ; and besides being invaluablefor extracting, will be found most useful for queen-rearing

If through negligence in carelessly allowing honey orsyrup to be exposed in the apiary, the

has once commenced, as may also be induced by the

injudicious opening of hives, or badly fitting floors, etc.,

then the uninitiated will find he has let loose a powerwhich will require his coolest judgment to enable him

of a neighbour having been placed upon an old block

cracked in every direction, offered capital openings for ahost of determined robbers, whom I found coming andgoing like some irresistible hurricane All openings,

except one reduced to a if-inch tubular passage-way, wereimmediately stopped the watering can was

anditsEconomicManagement. 1

by the careless removal of honey in Autumn similar

remain irritable for days or weeks, unless fed with a little

thin syrup in the evening

Robbing in the same apiary is sometimes cured by making the attacked hive exchange places with that of the

assailants ; carbolic acid in solution, on cloths placed

about the front of the unfortunate hive, will putan end to

further inclination to rob, and all the necessary work may

be completed in comfort.*

Serious Robbing develops in Early Morning.

It will be found that bad cases of robbing nearly alwaysstart early in the morning, before the owner is about Soconvinced has the Author been as to this fact, that he is

always on hand as soon as the bees may move about,

especially during mild Autumn mornings

are on the move,while others, especially ifthey be nuclei,

honey carried home, and soon excited pilferers in hundreds

His first approach to theapiary should inform the owner

thrown against the entrance is of course the handiest thing

* This simplemethod of quieting the whole apiary was given in

the1893 edition of thiswork

1 A Modern Bee-Farm

for the time being, as it checks the marauders; but the

best plan is that of

Puzzling the Robbers at their own Entrance,

onrush of pilferers can be stopped at once, and everything

The sack may be drawn closely at the sides in the

for a time This is better than distressing that lot being

Having shown that the first care of the apiarist is to becautious, that his bees may always be held well in hand,

it will now be desirable to consider under whatconditionsthey may be handled without fear of being stung We

will first note that as a rule,

Clustering Swarms do not Sting

Nearly everyone has noticed how readily a new swarm may be handled ; the bees having no inclination to sting.

the aid of some intimidant, the bees of an established

does not happen, however, that all the bees rush to the

excitement soon communicated