A practical treatise on the hive and honey-bee;

Front matter

New York State College of Agriculture

At Gornell University Ithaca, N. Y.

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Introduction

I am happy to learn from my friend Mr. Langstroth, that a new edition of his work on the economy and proper treatment of the Honey-Bee, is called for; I consider it by far the most valuable treatise on this subject, which has come under my notice. Some years before it was published, I became acquainted with the main characteristics of the method which he pursues and which it describes. Even then, I believed that method to be incomparably superior to all others of which I had either read or heard. ‘This conviction has been amply strengthened by the testimony of others, as well as by results -which have come under my own observation.

In my earlier life I had no inconsiderable experience in the management of bees, and I am bold to say that the hive which Mr. Langstroth. has invented, is in all respects iv INTRODUCTION.

greatly superior to any which I have ever seen, either in this or foreign countries. Indeed, I do not believe that any one who takes an intelligent interest in the rearing of bees, can for 2 moment hesitate to use it; or, rather, can be induced to use any other, when he becomes acquainted with its nature and merits.

At length the true secret has been discovered, of making these most industrious, interesting and useful of insect-communities, work in habitations both comfortable to themselves and wonderfully convenient for their aggregation, division and rapid increase ; and all this without diminishing their productive labor, or resorting to the cruel measure of destroying them.

Mr. Langstroth teaches us in his book, how bees can be taken care of without great labor, and without the risk of suffering from the weapon which the Creator has given them for self-defence. ven a delicate lady need not fear to undertake the task of cultivating this fascinating branch of rural economy. Nothing is easier for any family that resides in a favorable situation, than to have a number of colonies, and this at but little expense. I sincerely hope that many will avail themselves of the facilities now placed before them, for prosecuting this easy branch of industry, not only for the sake of the large profit in proportion to its expense, which it may be made to yield, but also for the substantial pleasure which they

INTRODUCTION. Y may find in observing the habits of these wonderful little creatures. How remarkably does their entire economy illustrate the wisdom and skill of the Great AvTHoR of all things.

I cannot but believe that many of the Ministers of the Gospel, residing in rural districts, will accept of Mr. Langstroth’s most generous offer to give them the free use of his Invention. With very little labor or expense, they can derive from bee-keeping considerable profit, as well as much pleasure. No industrial or material employment could be more innocent or less inconsistent with their proper work.

There are few portions of our country which are not admirably adapted to the culture of the honey-bee. The wealth of the nation might be increased by millions of dollars, if every family favorably situated for bee keeping would keep a few hives. No other branch of industry can be named, in which there need be so little loss on the material that is employed; or which so completely derives its profits from the vast and exhaustless domains of Nature.

I trust that Mr. Langstroth’s labors will contribute greatly to promote a department of rural economy, which in this country has hitherto received so little scientific attention. He well deserves the name of Benefactor ;

infinitely more so than many who have in all countries 1* vi + INTRODUCTION.

and in all ages received that honorable title. Not many years will pass away without seeing his important invention brought into extensive use, both inthe Old and New World. Its great merits need only to be known; and this Time will certainly bring about.

R. BAIRD.

New York, March 5th, 1857.

Preface

Grarerv for the favor with which this Treatise on the Hive and Honey-Bee has been received, the Author respectfully submits to the candid perusal of his Readers, a Revised Edition, illustrated by numerous beautiful wood-cuts, and containing the results of his latest discoveries and improvements. The information here presented, is believed to constitute a decided advance, in some important respects, on anything which has hitherto been furnished to the Apiarian Public ; and while specially adapted to the wants of those who use the Movable-Comb Hive, it aims to set forth the true principles which lie at the foundation of all profitable Bee- Keeping, with any hive or on any system of management.

Debarred to a painful extent, by the state of his health, from the more appropriate duties of his Sacred Office, and compelled to seek some employment calling him as much as possible into the open air, the Author indulges the hope that the result of his labors in an important department of Rural Economy, may prove serviceable to the community as well as to himself. Such has been the satisfaction which he has taken in these researches, that he has felt desirous of awakening a more general interest in a pursuit, not merely profitable in its pecuniary results, but most admirably adapted to instruct and delight all intelligent observers. Scientific Bee-keeping is regarded, in Europe, as an Intellectual pursuit, and no one who studies the wonderful habits of this useful Insect, need apprehend that the materials for new observations will ever become exhausted. The Creator has stamped the seal of his own Infinity, on all his works, so that it is impossible even in his minutest proviii PREFACE.

ducts to exhaust the store-house of the Divine Knowledge, so as “by searching ’’ to ‘‘ find out the Almighty to perfection.” But while ‘a preseut Deity ’? may be seen in all the wide extent of Animated Nature, in few things has He displayed himself more clearly than in the wise economy of the Honey-Bee : ‘© What well appointed commonwealths ! where each

Adds to the stock of happiness for all ;

Wisdom’s own forums ! whose professors teach

Galleries of art! and schools of industry!

Stores of rich fragrance ! Orchestras of song !

How oft, when wandering far and erring long,

Man might learn truth and virtue from the BEE !”’

° Bowring.

The attention of Ministers of the Gospel is particularly invited to the study of this branch of Natural History. An intimate acquaintance with the wonders of the Bee-Hive, while benficial to them in various ways, might lead them, by drawing their illustrations more from natural objects and the world around them, to adapt them better to the comprehension and sympathies of those who hear them; they would thus, in their preaching, imitate more closely the example of their Lord and Master, whose practice it was to illustrate his teachings, from the birds of the air, the lilies of the field, and the common walks of life and pursuits of men.

It affords me sincere pleasure to acknowledge my obligations to Mr. Samnel Wagner, of York, Pennsylvania, for material assistance in the preparation of this Treatise: to his extensive and accurate acquaintance with bee-keeping in Germany, my readers are indebted for much exceedingly valuable information.

L. L. LANGSTROTH.

Paitapenpuia, March 10th, 1857.

Table Of Contents

Chapter. Page.

I. Facts connected with the invention of the Movable-Comb Hive, : 13 II. The Honey-Bee capable of being ame’. | or dorentlaated, to a surprising degree, A 25 II. The Queen or Mother Bee, the oe ial the Workers with highly important facts in their Natural History, . 30 IV. Comb, . ‘ : é . 7 2 . UT V. Propolis or ‘ Bee- Give; Ms 5 : 5 é i . 86 VI. Pollen or‘‘Bee Bread, . 90 VII. On the advantages which ought to te foand in a gon Hive, : 98 VIII. Protection against extremes of Heat anid Cold, audiden sid severe changes of Temperature, and Dampness in the Hives, . ‘ ‘ ‘ 7 : a ‘ . 114 IX. Ventilation of the Hive, : : - . 124 X. Natural Swarming and Hiving of Sunnis) . i . 136 D0 Artificial Swarming, . : r . 166 XII. The Bée-Moth, and other iventies of Bees, Diseases of Bees, ‘ * i: : @ A 5 3 . 242 XIIL. Loss of the Queen, . a : < : OTE XIV. The Apiary. Procuring ieee, to start it. Transferring Bees from the Common, to the Movable-Comb Hive, . 299 XV. Uniting Stocks. Winteriog Bees, . ‘ . F . 314 XVI. Robbing, and how prevented, . ; : ‘ i . 834 XVIL. Directions for Feeding Bees, ‘ ‘ é : . 345 XVIII. Honey. Pasturage. Overstocking, 3 : ; . 871 x CONTENTS.

Chapter. Page.

Chapter II

The Honey Bee capable of being Tamed or Domesticated, to a most Surprising Degree.

Ir the bee had not such a necessary and yet formidable weapon, both of offence and defence, multitudes might easily be induced to enter upon its cultivation, who are now afraid to have anything to do with it. As the new system of management which ] have devised, seems to add to this inherent difficulty, by taking the greatest possible liberties with so irascible an insect, | deem it important to show clearly, in the very outset, how bees may be managed, so that all necessary operations may be performed;in an Apiary, without incurring any serious risk of exciting their anger.

Many persons have been unable to control their expressions of astonishment, as they have seen me open hive after hive, removing the combs covered with bees, and shaking them off in front of the hives, forming new swarms, exhibiting the queen, transferring the bees with all their stores to another hive, and, in short, dealing with them as if they were as harmless as so many flies. I have sometimes been asked if my bees had not been subjected to a long course of instruction, to prepare them for public exhibition ; when the very hives which I was opening, contained swarms which had been brought only the day before to my Apiary.

Before entering upon the natural history of the bee, I shall anticipate some principles in its management, in order to prepare my readers to receive the statements in my book, without those doubts which would otherwise be very natural, and to convince them that almost any one favorably situated, may safely enjoy the pleasure and profit of a pursuit, which has been most appropriately styled “the poetry of rural economy ;” and that, without being made too familiar with a sharp little weapon, which can most speedily and effectually convert all the poetry into very sorry prose.

Tt must be manifest to every thinking mind, that the Creator intended the bee, as truly as he did the horse or the cow, for the comfort of man. In the early ages of the world, and indeed until quite modern times, honey was almost the only natural sweet; and the promise of “a land flowing with milk and honey,” had then a significance, the full force of which it is difficult for us to realize. The honey bee, therefore, was created not merely with the ability to store up its delicious nectar for its own use, but with certain properties which fitted it to be domesticated, and to labor for man, and without which he would no more have been able to subject it to his control, than to make a useful beast of burden of a lion or a tiger.

One of the peculiarities which constitutes the very foundation, not merely of my system of management, but of the ability of man to domesticate at all so irascible an insect, has never, to my knowledge, been clearly stated by any other writer, as a great and controlling principle. It may be thus expressed :

THE MONEY BEE CAPABLE OF BEING TAMED. 27

A HONEY BEE, WHEN IT IS GORGED OR FILLED WITH HONEY, NEVER VOLUNTEERS AN ATTACK, BUT ACTS SOLELY ON THE DEFENSIVE,

This is a law of the honied tribe, as universal in its application as the law of gravity in physics ; and I should just as soon expect a stone to rise into the air without any propelling: power, asa bee well filled with honey to offer to sting, unless crushed or injured by some direct assault. The man who first attempted to lodge a swarm of bees in an artificial hive, must have been most agreeably surprised at the ease with which he was able to accomplish the feat; for bees when intending to swarm, usually fill their honey-bags to their utmost capacity. This is wisely ordered, that they may have materials for commencing operations immediately in their new habitation ; that they may not starve if several stormy days should follow their emigration; and that when they leave their hives, they may be in a suitable condition to be secured by man.

They issue from their hives in the most peaceable mood that can well be imagined; and unless they are abused, allow themselves to be treated with great familiarity. The hiving of bees by those who understand their nature, could always be conducted without risk, if it were not the case that some improvident or unfortunate ones occasionally come forth without the soothing supply; and not being stored with honey, are filled instead with the gall of the very bitterest hate against all mankind and animal kind in general, and any one who dares to meddle with them in particular. Such thriftless radicals are always to be dreaded, for they must vent their spleen on something, even though they perish in the attempt.

Suppose a whole colony, on sallying forth, to possess such a ferocious spirit ; no one would ever dare hive them, unless clad in a coat of mail, at least bee-proof, and not even then until all the windows of his house were closed, his domestic animals bestowed in some place of safety, and sentinels posted at suitable stations, to warn all comers to look out for something almost as much to be dreaded as a fiery locomotive in full speed. In short, if the propensity to be exceedingly good natured after a hearty meal, had not been given to the bee, it could never have been domesticated, and our honey would still be procured from the clefts of rocks, or the hollows of trees.

A second peculiarity in the nature of the bee, and one of which J continually avail myself with the greatest success, may be thus stated :

BEES CANNOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, RESIST THE TEMPTATION TO FILL THEMSELVES WITH LIQUID SWEETS.

It would be quite as easy for an inveterate miser to look with indifference upon a golden shower of double eagles, falling at his feet and soliciting his appropriation. If then we can contrive a way to call their attention to a treat of running sweets, when we wish to perform any operation which might provoke them, we may be sure they will accept it, and under its genial influence, so long as we do not hurt them, allow us without molestation, to do what we please.

We must always be particularly careful not to handle them roughly, for they will never allow themselves to be pinched or hurt without thrusting out their sting to resent the indignity. I always keep a small watering-pot or sprinkler, in my Apiary, that when I wish to operate upon a hive, as soon as the cover is taken off, and the bees exposed, 1 may sprinkle them gently with water sweetened with sugar: they help themselves with the greatest eagerness, and in a few moments are in a perfectly manageable state. The truth is, that bees managed on this plan are always glad to see visitors, and you cannot look in upon them too often, for they expect at every call to receive a sugared treat by way of a peace-offering. ‘The greatest objection to the use of sweetened water, is the eagerness of the bees from other hives, to regale themselves on its contents. When there is any scarcity of honey in the fields, they will often surround the Apiarian, as soon as he presents himself with his watering pot, ready to plunge into any hive which he may open, and steal if possible a portion of its treasures.

A third peculiarity in the nature of the bee, and one which gives an almost unlimited power of control over them, may be expressed as follows:

BEES, WHEN THEY ARE FRIGHTENED, IMMEDIATELY BEGIN TO FILL THEMSELVES WITH HONEY FROM THEIR COMBS.

If the Apiarian can only succeed in frightening his little subjects, he will, in a few minutes, make them as peaceable as though they were incapable of stinging. By the use ofa little smoke from decaying wood, or punk, as it is often called, the largest and most fiery colony may at once be brought into complete subjection. As soon as the smoke is blown among them, they retreat from before it, raising a subdued or terrified note, and at once, as though they imagined that their honey was to be taken from them, they cram their honey-bags to their utmost possible capacity. They act either as though they were aware that all they can lodge in this inside pocket is perfectly safe, or else as though expecting to be driven away from their stores, they were determined, as in swarming, to start with a full supply of provisions for the way. The same result may be obtained by shutting them up in their hive and then drumming upon it fora shorttime. The various processes, however, for inducing bees to fill themselves with honey, will be more fully explained in the chapter that treats of the formation of Artificial Swarms.

3*

By the use of sweetened water or smoke, or by drumming I can superintend a large number of hives, performing every operation that is necessary for pleasure or profit, and yet not run the risks of being stung, which must frequently be incurred in attempting to manage, in the simplest way, the common hives.

Let all your motions about your hives be gentle and slow. Accustom your bees to your presence ; never crush or injure them, or breathe upon them in any operation ; acquaint yourself fully with the principles of management detailed in this treatise, and you will find that you have but little more reason to dread the sting of a bee, than the horns of your favorite cow, or the heels of your faithful horse.

Armed with one of my bee-hats and a pair of india-rubber gloves, even the most timid, by availing themselves of these principles, may open my hives and deal with their bees, with a freedom utterly astonishing to the oldest cultivators of bees, on the common plan. In the management of the most extensive Apiary, no operation will ever be necessary, which by exasperating a whole colony, impels them to assail, with almost irresistible fury, the person of the bee-keeper.

CHAPTER If.

The Queen or Mother-Bee, the Drones, and the Workers ; with various Highly Important Facts in their Natural History.

Honey Bees can flourish only when associated in large numbers, as a colony. In a solitary state, a single bee is almost as helpless as a new-born child, being unable to

NATURAL HISTORY OF TILE HONEY BEE. 31 endure even the ordinary chill of a cool Summer night. If a strong colony is examined, a short time before it swarms, three different kinds of bees will be found in the hive.

Ist, A bee of peculiar shape, commonly called the Queen Bee.

2d, Some hundreds, more or less, of large bees called Drones.

3d, Many thousands of a smaller kind, called Workers or common bees, and similar to those which are seen on the blossoms. <A large number of the cells will be found filled with honey and bee-bread ; while vast numbers contain eggs, and immature workers and drones. A few cells of unusual size, are devoted to the rearing of young queens, and are ordinarily to be found in a perfect condition, only in the swarming season.

The Queen Bee is the only perfect female in the hive, and all the eggs are laid by her. The Drones are the males, and the Workers are females, whose ovaries or “‘ egg-bags”” are so imperfectly developed that they are incapable of breeding, and which retain the instinct of females, only so far as to give the most devoted attention to rearing the brood.

These facts have all been repeatedly demonstrated, and are as well established as the most common facts in the breeding of our domestic animals. The knowledge of them in their most important bearings, is absolutely essential to all who expect to realize large profits from any improved method of rearing bees. Those who will not acquire the necessary information, if they keep bees at all, should manage them in the old-fashioned way, which requires the smallest amount of knowledge and skill.

I am perfectly aware how difficult it is to reason with a large class of bee-keepers, some of whom have been so often imposed upon, that they have lost all faith in the truth of statements made by any one interested in a patent hive, while others stigmatize all knowledge which does not square with their own, as “ book knowledge,” entirely unworthy the attention of practical men.

If any such read this book, let me remind them again, that all my assertions may be put to the test. So long as the interior of a hive, was to common observers, a profound mystery, ignorant and designing men might assert what they pleased, about what passed in its dark recesses ; but now, when all‘that takes place in it, can, in a few moments, be exposed to the full light of day, and every one who keeps bees, can see and examine for himself, the man who attempts to palm upon the community, his own conceits for facts, will speedily earn for himself, the character both of a fool and an imposter. :

The Queen Bee, or as she may more properly be called the mother bee, is the common mother of the whole colony. She reigns therefore, most unquestionably, by a divine right, as every good mother is, or ought to be, a queen in her own family. Her shape is widely different from that of the other bees. While she is not near so bulky as a drone, her body is longer, and of a more tapering, or sugar-loaf form than that of a worker, so that she has somewhat of a wasp-like appedrance. Her wings are much shorter, in proportion, than those of the drone, or worker; the under part of her body is of a golden color, and the upper part usually darker than that of the other bees. Her motions are generally slow and matronly, although she can, when she pleases, move with astonishing quickness.

No colony can long exist without the presence of this allimportant insect. She is just as necessary to its welfare, as the soul is to the body, for a colony without a queen must as certainly perish, as a body without the spirit hasten to inevitable decay.

She is treated by the bees, as every mother ought to be by her children, with the greatest respect and affection. A circle of her loving offspring constantly surround her, testifying, in various ways, their dutiful regard ; gently touching or embracing her with their antennee, offering her honey, from time to time, and always, most politely backing out of her way, to give her a clear path when she wishes to move over the combs. If she is taken from them, as soon as they have ascertained their loss, the whole colony is thrown into a state of the most intense agitation; all the labors of the hive are at once abandoned ; the bees run wildly over the combs, and frequently, rush forth from the hive, exhibiting all the appearance of anxious search for their beloved mother. Not being able to find her, they return to their desolate home, and by their mournful tones, reveal their deep sense of so deplorable a calamity. Their note, at such times, more especially when they first realize their loss, is of a peculiarly mournful character ; it sounds somewhat like a succession of wailings on the minor key, and can no more be mistaken by the experienced bee-keeper, for their ordinary, happy hum, than the piteous moanings of a sick child could be confounded by an anxious mother, with its joyous crowings when overflowing with health and happiness.

Tam well aware that all this will sound to many, much more like romance than sober reality ; but I have determined, in writing this book, to state facts, however wonderful, just as they are; confident that in due time they will be universally received, and hoping that the many wonders in the economy of the honey bee will not only excite a wider interest in its culture, but lead those who observe them, to adore the wisdom of Him who gave them such admirable instincts.

The fertility of the queen bee has been entirely under-estimated by most writers. It is truly astonishing. During the height of the breeding season, she will often, under favorable circumstances, lay from two to three thousand eggs, aday! In my observing hives, I have seen her lay at the rate of six eggs a minute. The fecundity of the female of the white ant, is, however, much greater than this, as she will lay as many as sixty eggs a minute; but then her eggs are simply extruded from her body, and carried by the workers into suitable nurseries, while the queen bee herself deposits her eggs in their appropriate cells.

ON THE WAY IN WHICH THE Egcs oF THE QuEEN BEE ARE FECUNDATED.

I come now to a subject of great practical importance, which, until recently, has been attended with difficulties apparently insuperable.

It has been noticed that the queen bee usually commences laying very early in the season, and always long before there are any males in the hive. (See remarks on Drones.) In what way, then, are her eggs impregnated? Francis Huber of Geneva, by a long course of the most indefatigable observations, threw much light upon this subject. Before stating his discoveries, 1 must pay my humble tribute of gratitude and admiration to this wonderful man. It is mortifying to every scientific naturalist, and I might add, to every honest man acquainted with the facts, to hear such an Apiarian as Huber, abused by the veriest quacks and imposters ; while others who are indebted to his labors for nearly all that is of any value in their works,

‘Damn with faint praise, assent with civil leer, And without sneering, teach the rest to sneer.”

Huber, in early manhood, lost the use of his eyes. His Opponents imagine that in stating this fact, they have thrown merited discredit on all his observations. But to make their case still stronger, they delight to assert that his servant, Francis Burnens, by whose aid he conducted his experiments, was only an ignorant peasant. Now this, so-called, ignorant peasant, was a man of strong native intellect, possessing the indefatigable energy and enthusiasm so indispensable to a good observer. He was a noble specimen of a self-made man, and afterwards rose to be the chief magistrate in the village where he resided. Huber has paid the most admirable tribute to his intelligence, fidelity and indomitable patience, energy and skill.*

It would be difficult to find, in any language, a better specimen of the inductive system of reasoning, than Huber’s work upon bees, and it might be studied as a model of the only true way of investigating nature, so as to arrive at reliable results.

Huber was assisted in his researches, not only by Burnens, but by his own wife, to whom he was engaged before the loss of his sight, and who nobly persisted in marrying him, notwithstanding his misfortune, and the strenuous dissuasions of her friends. They lived for more than the ordinary term of human life, in the enjoyment of uninterrupted domestic happiness, and the amiable naturalist, in her assiduous attentions, scarcely felt the loss of his sight.

* A single fact will show the character of the man. It became necessary, in a certain experiment, to examine separately all the bees in two hives. ‘Burnens spent eleven days in performing this work, and during the whole time he scarcely allowed himself any relaxation, but what the relief of his eyes required.”

Milton is believed by many, to have been a better poet, in consequence of his blindness; and it is highiy probable that Huber was a better Apiarian, from the same cause. His active and yet reflective mind demanded constant employment; and he found in the study of the habits of the honey bee, full scope for all his powers. All the facts observed, and experiments tried by his faithful assistants, were daily reported, and many inquiries were stated and suggestions made by him, which would probably have escaped his notice, if he had possessed the use of his eyes.

Few, like him, have such a command of both time and money, as to be able to prosecute for a series of years, ona grand scale, the most costly experiments. Apiarians owe more to Huber than toany other person. Having repeatedly verified the most important of his observations, I take the greatest delight in acknowledging my obligations to him, and in holding him up to my countrymen, as the Prince oF APIARIANS.