The bee-keepers' guide; or, Manual of the apiary

Front matter

X

THE

Bee-Keepers' Guide;

Preface

In 1876, in response to a desire frequently expressed by my apiarian friends, principally my students, I published an edition of 3,000 copies of the little unpretending "Manual of the Apiary." This was little more than the course of lectures which I gave annually at the College. In less than two years this was exhausted, and the second edition, enlarged, revised, and much more fully illustrated, was issued. So great was the sale that in less than a year this was followed by the third and fourth editions, and, in less than two years, the fifth edition (seventh thousand) was issued.

In each of the two following years, another edition was demanded. In each of these editions the book has been enlarged, changes made and illustrations added, that the work might keep pace with our rapidly advancing art.

So great .has been the demand for this work, not only at home and in Europe, but even in more distant lands, and so great has been the progress of apiculture — so changed the views and methods of our best bee-keepers, that the author vi. Preface.

feels Avarranted in thoroughly revising and entirely recasting this eighth edition (tenth thousand). Not only is the work re-written, but much new matter, and many new and costly illustrations are added.

In this edition, the author also assumes the duties of publisher. In bidding adieu to the old publisher, I Avish publicly to express my high appreciation, and deep sense of obligation for the able manner in which Mr. Newman has performed his share of the work. I shall still hope for his wise counsel and advice, from which I shall surely profit in the future as in the past. For this, as also for the able opinions of many other of the first apiarists of America and Europe, I wish to express most grateful acknowledgments.

It is the desire and determination of the author that this AA 7 ork shall continue to be the exponent of the most improved apiculture ; and no pains will be spared, that each succeeding edition may embody the latest improvements and discoveries Avrought out by the practical man and the scientist, as gleaned from the excellent home and foreign apiarian and scientific periodicals. A. J. COOK.

State Agricultural College, Laming, Mich., April, 1883.

Introduction

PAGE

Who May Keep Bees 1

Specialists 1

Amateurs 1

Who are Specially Interdicted 2-

Inducements to Bee-Keeping 2

Recreation 2

Profits 3

Excellence as an Amateur Pursuit 3

Adaptation to Women 5

Improves the Mind and the Observation 7

Yields Delicious Food 7

Adds to the Nation's Wealth 8

YVhat Successful Bee-keeping Requires 8

Mental Effort 8

Experience Necessary 8

Learn from Others 9

Aid From Conventions .*. 9

Aid from Bee Publications 9

American Bee Journal 9

Gleanings in Bee Culture 10

Bee-Keepers' Magazine 11

Bee-Keepers' Exchange 11

Bee-Keepers' Guide 11

Kansas Bee-Keeper 11

The California Apiarist ." 11

Books for the Apiarist 11

Langstroth on the Honey-Bee 11

Quinby's Mysteries of Bee-Keeping 12

King's Text-Book 12

A B C of Bee Culture 12 x. Contents.

PAGE

Character of the Hive 122

The Bottom Board 125

The Alighting Board 126

The Cover of the Hive 127

The Frames 130

How te Construct the Frames 132

A Block for making Frames 134

Cover for Frames 135

Division Board 136

The Huber Hive 137

Observing Hive '. 141

Apparatus for Procuring Comb Honey 141

Surplus Comb Honey in Sections 142

Requisites of Good Sections 142

Description 142

How to place Sections in Position 145

Sections in Frames 145

Foot Power Saw 150

CHAPTER VI.

Position and Arrangement of Apiary 152

Position 152

Arrangement of Grounds 152

Preparation for each Colony 153

CHHPTER VII.

To Transfer Bees 158

The Old Method 159

Hunting Bee-Trees 162

CHAPTER VIII.

Feeding and Feeders 163

How much to Feed 163

What to Feed 164

How to Feed 164

Smith Feeder 167

CHAPTER IX.

Queen Rearing 169

. How to Rear Queens 169

Nuclei 172

Queen Lamp Nursery 176

Contents. xi.

PAGE

Shall we Clip the Queen's Wing? 177

Queen Register, or Apiary Register 180

CHAPTER X.

Increase of Colonies '. 182

To Prevent Second Swarms 188

To Prevent Swarming 188

How to Multiply Colonies with the best Results 189

Divide 190

How to Divide 192

CHAPTER XI.

Italians and Italianizing 192

The new Races of Bees 196

What Bees shall we Keep ? 196

How to Italianize •. 196

How to Introduce a Queen 196

Valentine's Comb Stand 200

To get our Italian Queens 201

To Ship Queens .^. 2Q2

Viallon Candy 203

The Good Candy a 203

Preparations to Ship 204

To Move Colonies 204

CHAPTER XII.

Extracting, and the Extractor 205

Use of Extractor : 208

When to use the Extractor 209

How to Extract 211

To Keep Extracted Honey 212

CHAPTER XIII.

Working for Comb Honey 214

Points to Consider 214

To Secure Strong Colonies 214

To avoid the Swarming Fever 215 xii. Contents.

PAGB

Adjustment of Sections 216

Getting Bees into Sections 216

Removal of Sections 217

CHAPTER XIV.

Handling Bees 218

The Best Bee- Veil 219

To quiet Bees 220

Bellows Smoker 221

The Quinby Smoker 222

Chloroform 223

To Cure Stings 223

The Sweat Theory 224

The Bee-Tent 224

CHAPTER XV.

Comb Foundation 226

History 226

American Foundation 227

The Press for Foundation 229

How Foundation is Made 230

To Secure Wax 230

Use of Foundation 231

To fasten the Foundation 233

Wired Frames'. 235

Methods r 236

CHAPTER XVI.

Marketing Honey 239

How to invigorate the Market 239

Preparation for Market 240

How to Tempt the Consumer 241

Comb-Honey 243

Rules to be Observed 243

Marketing Bees 245

Selling Queens 245

Selling Bees by the Pound 246

Vinegar from Honey 246

Fairs and the Market.... 246

What Should we Have? 247

Effects of Such Exhibits 248

Contents. xiii.

CHAPTER XVII.

PAGE

Honey Plants 249

Real Honey Dew 252

Sweet Sap and Juices 253

"What are the Valuable Honey Plants? 254

Description with Practical Remarks 258

March Plants 259

April Plants 259

August and September Plants 288

Books on Botany 291

Practical Conclusions 291

CHAPTER XVIII.

Wintering Bees 293

The causes of Disastrous "Wintering 293

The Requisite to Safe Wintering— Good Food 294

Secure Late Breeding 295

To Secure and Maintain the Proper Temperature 296

Box for Packing t 296

Rules for Their Use 299

"Wintering in Bee House 300

Wintering in Cellar .• •. 301

Burying Bees, or Clamps : 303

Spring Dwindling 304

CHAPTER XIX.

The House Apiary and Bee House 305

Bee Houses 305

CHAPTER XX.

Evils That Confront the Apiarist .' .'. 308

Robbing 308

Disease i 309

Remedies ; 311

Enemies of Bees 312

The Bee Moth 312

History 315

Remedies 316 xiv. Contents.

PAGE

Two Destructive Beetles 317

Robber Flies 317

The Stinging Bug 321

Bee-Hawk 324

TachinaFly 325

Bee-Louse 325

Ants 327

The Cow-Killer 328

The Praying Mantis 328

• Blister Beetles 329

Wasps ! 330

Spiders 330

The King Bird 330

The Toads :', 331

Mice 331

Sinews 332

CHAPTER XXI.

Calendar and Axioms 333

Work for Different Months 333

January 333

February 333

March 333

May 334

June 334

July 334

September 335

October 335

November 335

December 335

Axioms 336

INTRODUCTION.

WHO MAY KEEP BEES.

SPECIALISTS.

Any person who is cautious, observing, and prompt to do whatever the needs of his business require, with no thought of delay, may make apiculture a specialty with almost certain prospects of success. He must also be willing to work with Spartan energy during the busy season, and must persist, though sore discouragement, and even dire misfortune, essay to thwart his plans and rob him of his coveted gains. I make no mention of capital to begin with, or territory on which to locate ; for men of true metal — men whose energy of mind and body bespeak success in advance — will solve these questions long before their experience and knowledge warrant their assuming the charge of large apiaries.

AMATEURS'.

Apiculture, as an avocation, may be safely recommended to those of any business or profession who possess the above named qualities and control a little space for their bees, either a yard a few rods from street and neighbor, or a flat roof where hives may securely rest (C. F. Muth, of Cincinnati, keeps his bees very successfully on the top of his store, in the very heart of the city), and who are able to devote a little time, when required, to the care of their bees. The amount of time will of course vary with the number of colonies kept, but with proper management this time may be given at any period of the day or week, and thus not interfere with regular business. Thus residents of country, village, or city, male or female, who may wish to associate with and study natural objects, and add to

2 Introduction.

their income and pleasure, Avill find here an ever waiting opportunity. To ladies, shut out from fresh air and sunshine till pallor and languor point sadly to departing health and vigor, and to men whose business precludes air and exercise, apiculture cannot be too highly recommended as an avocation.

WHO ARE SPECIALLY INTERDICTED.

There are a few people whose systems seem to be specially susceptible to the poison intruded with the bee's sting. Sometimes such persons, if even stung on the foot, will be so thoroughly poisoned that their eyes will swell so they cannot see, and they will suffer with fever for days, and, very rarely, individuals are so sensitive to this poison that a bee-sting proves fatal. I hardly need say that such people should never keep bees. Many persons, among whom were the noted Klein and Gunther, are at first very susceptible to the poison, but if spurred on by their enthusiasm they persist they will soon become so inoculated that they experience no serious injury from the stings. It is a well-recognized fact that each succeeding sting is less powerful to work harm. Every bee-keeper is almost sure to receive an occasional sting, though with the experienced these are very rare and occasion neither fear nor anxiety.

INDUCEMENTS TO BEE-KEEPING.

RECREATION.

Among the attractive features of apiculture, I mention the pleasure which it offers its votaries. There is a fascination about the apiary which is indescribable. Nature is always presenting' 1 the most pleasurable surprises to those on the alert to receive them, and among the insect hosts, especially bees, the instincts and habits are so inexplicable and marvelous that the student of this department of nature never ceases to meet with exhibitions that move him, not less with wonder than with admiration. Thus bee-keeping affords most wholesome recreation, especially to any who love to look upon the book of nature and study the marvelous pages she is ever waiting to present. To such, the very fascination of their pursuit is of itself a rich reward for the time and labor expended. I doubt if there is any other class of manual laborers who engage in

Inducements to Bee-Keeping. 3

their business, and dwell upon it, with the same fondness as do bee-keepers. Indeed, to meet a scientific bee-keeper is to meet an enthusiast. A thorough study of the wonderful economy of the hive must, from its very nature, go hand-in-hand with delight and admiration. I once asked an extensive apiarist, who was also a farmer, why he kept bees. The answer was characteristic : ' ' Even if I could not make a good deal the most money with my bees, I should still keep them for the real pleasure they bring me." But yesterday I asked the same question of Prof. Daniels, President of the Grand Rapids schools, whose official duties are very severe. Said he : " For the restful pleasure which I receive in their management." I am very sure that were there no other inducement than that of pleasure, I should be slow to part with these models of industry whose marvelous instincts and wondrous life-habits are ever ministering to my delight and astonishment.

Some years since I received a visit from my old friend and college class-mate, O. Clute. We visited the apiary, with which he was much pleased. He took the ' ' Manual " home with him and at once purchased several colonies of bees. This new work brought great pleasure and recreation, which culminated in that most fascinating book, " Blessed Bees." Though a work of fiction, this can but be read with great pleasure and profit, by every person, whether apiarist or not.

PROFITS.

The profits of apiculture urge its adoption as a pursuit. When we consider the comparatively small amount of capital invested and the relatively small amount of labor and expense attending its operations, we are surprised at the abundant reward that is sure to wait upon its intelligent practice. I do not wish to be understood here as claiming that labor — yes, real, hard, back-aching labor — is not required in the apiary. The specialist, with his hundred or more colonies, will have, at certain seasons, hard and vigorous work, but this will be both pleasant and healthful, and will go hand-in-hand with thought, so that brain and muscle will work together. Yet this time of hard, physical labor will only continue for five or six months, and for the balance of the year the apiarist has, or may have, comparative leisure. Nor do I think that all will succeed. The fickle, careless, indolent, heedless man will

4 Profits of Bee- Keeping.

as surely fail in apiculture as in any other calling. But I repeat, in the light of many years of experience, where accurate weight, measure, and counting of change exclude all conjecture, that there is no manual labor pursuit where the returns are so large when compared with the labor and expense involved. An intelligent apiarist may invest in bees any spring, in Michigan, with the absolute certainty of more than doubling his investment the first season ; while a net gain of 400 per cent, brings no surprise to the experienced apiarists of our state. This of course applies only to a limited number of colonies. Nor is Michigan superior to other states as a location for the apiarist. During the past season, the poorest I ever knew, our fifteen colonies of bees in the College apiary have netted us over $200. In 1876, each colony gave a net return of $24.04, while in 1875, our bees gave a profit, above all expense, of over 400 per cent, of their entire value in the spring. Mr. Fisk Bangs, who graduated at our College one year since, purchased last spring seven colonies of bees. The proceeds of these seven colonies have more than paid all expenses, including first cost of bees, in honey sold, while there arc now sixteen colonies as clear gain, if we do not count the labor, and we need hardly do so as it has in no wise interfered with the regular duties of the owner. Several farmers of our state who possess good apiaries and good improved farms, have told me that their apiaries w r ere more profitable than their farms. Who will doubt the profits of apiculture in the face of friend Doolittle's experience? He has realized $6,000 in five years, simply from the honey taken from fifty colonies. This $6,000 is in excess of all expenses except his own time. Add to this the increase of stocks, and then remember that one man can easily care for one hundred colonies, and we have a graphic picture of apiarian profits. Bee-keeping made Adam Grimm a wealthy man. It brought to Capt. Hetherington over $10,000 as the cash receipts of a single year's honey crop. It enabled Mr. Harbison, so it is reported, to ship from his own apiary eleven car-loads of comb-honey as the product of a single season. What greater recommendation has any pursuit 9 Opportunity for money making, even with hardships and privations, is attractive and seldom disregarded ; such opportunity with labor that brings, in itself, constant delight, is surely worthy of attention.

Exeelle>ice for Amateurs and Women. 5

EXCELLENCE AS AN AMATEUR PURSUIT.

Again, there is no business, and I speak from experience, that serves so well as an avocation. It offers additional funds to the poorly paid, out-door air to the clerk and office-hand, healthful exercise to the person of sedentary habits, and superb recreation to the student or professional man, and especially to him whose life-work is of that dull, hum-drum, routine order that seems to rob life of all zest. The labor required in keeping bees can, with a little thought and management, be so planned, if but few colonies are kept, as not to infringe upon the time demanded by the regular occupation. Indeed, I have never been more heartily thanked than by' such persons as named above, because. I had called them to consider — which usually means to adopt — the pleasing duties of the apiary.

ADAPTATION TO WOMEN.

Apiculture may also bring succor to those whom society has not been over-ready to favor — our women. Widowed mothers, dependent girls, the weak and the feeble, all may find a blessing in the easy, pleasant and profitable labors of the apiary. Of course, women who lack vigor and health can care for but very few colonies, and must have sufficient strength to bend over and lift the small-sized frames of comb when loaded with honey, and to carry empty hives. With the proper thought and management, full colonies need never be lifted, nor work done in the hot sunshine. Yet right here let me add, and emphasize the truth, that only those who will let energetic thought and skillful plan, and above all 'promptitude and persistence, make up for physical weakness, should enlist as apiarists. Usually a stronger body and improved health, the results of pure air, sunshine and exercise, will make each successive day's labor more easy, and will permit a corresponding growth in the size of the apiary for each successive season. One of the most noted apiarists, not only in America but in the world, sought in bee-keeping her lost health, and found not only health but reputation and influence. Some of the most successful apiarists in our country are- women. Of these, many were led to adopt the pursuit because of waning health, grasping at this as the last and successful weapon with which to vanquish the grim monster.

6 Adaptation to Women.

That able apiarist, and terse writer on apiculture, Mrs. L. Harrison, states that the physicians told her that she could not live ; but apiculture did for her what the physicians could not do, restored her to health, and gave her such vigor that she has been able to work a large apiary for years.

Said "Cyula Linswik" — whose excellent and beautifully written articles have so often charmed the readers of the bee publications, and who has had five years of successful experience as an apiarist — in a paper read before our Michigan Convention of March, 1877: "I would gladly purchase exemption from in-door work, on washing-day, by two days' labor among the bees, and I find two hours labor at the ironing-table more fatiguing than two hours of the severest toil the apiary can exact." I repeat, that apiculture offers to many women not only pleasure but profit.

Mrs. L. B. Baker, of Lansing, Michigan, who has kept bees very successfully for four years, read an admirable paper before the same Convention, in which she said : "But I can say, having tried both, (keeping boarding-house and apiculture, ) I give bee-keeping the preference, as more profitable, healthful, independent and enjoyable. * '* * I find the labors of the apiary more endurable than working over a cookstove in-doors, and more pleasant and conducive to health. * * * I believe that many of our delicate and invalid ladies would find renewed vigor of body and mind in the labors and recreations of the apiary. * * * By beginning in the early spring, when the weather was cool and the work light, I became gradually accustomed to out-door labor, and by midsummer found myself as well able to endure the heat of the sun as my husband, who has been accustomed to it all his life. Previously, to attend an open-air picnic was to return with a head-ache. * * * My own experience in the apiary has been a source of interest and enjoyment far exceeding ray anticipations." Although Mrs. Baker commenced with but two colonies of bees, her net profits the first season were over $100 ; the second year but a few cents less than $300; and the third year about $250. "The proof of the pudding is in the eating;" and such words as those above show that apiculture offers special inducements to our sisters to become either amateur or professional apiarists.

Affords Mental Discipline. 7

IMPROVES THE MIND AND THE OBSERVATION.

Successful apiculture demauds close and accurate observation, and hard, continuous thought and study, and this too, in the wondrous realm of nature. In all this, the apiarist receives manifold and substantial advantages. In the cultivation of the habit of observation, a person becomes constantly more able, useful, and susceptible to pleasure — results which also follow as surely on the habit of thought and study. It is hardly conceivable that the wide-awake apiarist, who is so frequently busy with his wonder-working comrades of the hive, can ever be lonely, or feel time hanging heavily on his hands. The mind is occupied, and there is no chance for ennui. The whole tendency of such thought and study, where nature is the subject, is to refine the taste, elevate the desires, and ennoble manhood. Once get our youth, with their susceptible natures, engaged in such wholesome study, and we shall have less reason to fear the vicious tendencies of the street, or the luring vices and damning influences of the saloon. Thus apiculture spreads an intellectual feast that even the old philosophers would have coveted ; furnishes the rarest food for the observing faculties, and best of all, by keeping its votaries face to face with the matchless creations of the All Father, must draw them toward Him "who went about doing good," and " in whom there was no guile."

YIELDS DELICIOUS FOOD.

A last inducement to apiculture, certainly not unworthy of mention, is the offerings it brings to our tables. Health, yea, our very lives, demand that we should eat sweets. It is a truth that our sugars, and especially our commercial syrups, are so adulterated as to be often poisonous. The apiary, in lieu of these, gives us one of the most delicious and wholesome of sweets, which has received merited praise, as food fit for the gods, from the most ancient time till the present day. To ever have within reach the beautiful, immaculate comb, or the equally grateful nectar, right from the extractor, is certainly a blessing of no mean order. We may thus supply our families and friends with a most necessary and desirable food element, and this with no cloud of fear from vile, poisonous adulterations.

8 Contributes to the Nation's Wealth.

ADDS TO THE NATION'S WEALTH.

An excellent authority places the number of colonies of bees in the United States, in 1881, at 3,000,000, and the honey production, for the year, at more than 200,000,000 lbs. The production for that year was not up to the average, and yet the cash value of the year's honey crop exceeds $30,000,000. We may safely add as much more as the value of the increase of colonies, and we have a grand total of $60,000,000, nearly enough to pay the interest on the national debt, were the bonds all refunded. And yet all this is but gathered nectar, which would go to waste were it not for the apiarist and his bees. We thus save to the country, that which would otherwise be a total loss. Apiculture then, in adding so immensely to the productive capital of the country, is worthy, as an art, to receive the encouragement and fostering care of the State. And the thought that he is performing substantial service to the State, may well add to the pleasure of the apiarist, as he performs his daily round of labor.

WHAT SUCCESSFUL BEE-KEEPING REQUIRES.

MENTAL EFFORT.

No one should commence this business who is not willing to read, think, and study. To be sure, the ignorant and unthinking may stumble on success for a time, but sooner or later failure will set her seal upon their efforts. Those of our apiarists who have studied the hardest, observed the closest, and thought the deepest, have even passed the late terrible winters with but slight loss.

Of course the novice will ask, "How and what shall I study?"

EXPERIENCE NECESSARY.

Nothing will take the place of real experience. Commence with a few colonies, even one or two is best, and make the bees your companions at every possible opportunity. Note every change, whether of the bees, their development, or work, and then by earnest thought strive to divine the cause.

Requisites to Success. 9

LEAEN FROM OTHEES.

Great good will also come from visiting other apiarists. Note their methods and apiarian apparatus. Strive by conversation to gain new and valuable ideas, and gratefully adopt Avhatever is found, by comparison, to be an improvement upon your own past system and practice.

AID FROM CONVENTIONS.

Attend conventions whenever distance and means render this possible. Here you will not only be made better by social intercourse with those whose occupation and study make them sympathetic and congenial, but you will find a real conservatory of scientific truths, valuable hints, and improved instruments and methods. And the apt attention — rendered possible by your own experience — which you will give to essays, discussions, and private conversations, will so enrich your mind that you will return to your home encouraged and able to do better work, and to achieve higher success. I have attended nearly all the meetings of the Michigan Convention, and never yet when I was not well paid for all trouble and expense by the many, often very valuable, suggestions which I received.

AID FROM BEE PUBLICATIONS.

Every apiarist should take and read at least one of the many excellent bee publications that are issued in our country. It has been suggested that Francis Huber's blindness was an advantage to him, as he thus had the assistance of two pairs of eyes, his wife's and servant's, instead of one. So, too, of the apiarist who reads the bee publications. He has the aid of the eyes, and the brains, of hundreds of intelligent and observing bee-keepers. Who is it that squanders his money on worse than useless patents and fixtures ? He who ' ' cannot afford" to take a bee-journal.

It would be invidious and uncalled for to recommend any one of these valuable papers to the exclusion of the others. Each has its peculiar excellences, and all who can may well secure all of them to aid and direct their ways.

American Bee Journal. — This, the oldest bee paper, and the only weekly publication devoted exclusively to apiculture in

10 The Bee-Papers.

the world, is not only peculiar for its age, but for the ability with which it has been managed, with almost no exception, even from its first appearance. Samuel Wagner, its founder and long its editor, had few superiors in breadth of culture, strength of judgment, and practical and historic knowledge of apiculture. With what pleasure I remember the elegant, really classic, diction of the editorials, the dignified bearing and freedom from asperities which marked the old American Bee Journal as it made its monthly visits fresh from the editorial supervision of Mr. Samuel Wagner. Some one has said that there is something in the very atmosphere of a scholarly gentleman that impresses all who approach him. I have often thought, as memory reverted to the old Journal, or as I have re-read the numbers which bear the impress of Mr. Wagner's superior learning, that, though the man is gone, the stamp of his noble character and classical culture is still on these pages, aiding, instructing, elevating, all who are so fortunate as to possess the early volumes of this periodical. I am also happy to state that the Journal is again in good hands. Mr. Newman is an experienced editor, and a man of excellent judgment. As an editor he has fought adulteration with great energy, has done much to exalt the honey market, and has given powerful aid in the work of organizing bee-keepers' conventions. He has an active mind and is quick to lay hold of that which will aid the bee-keeper; and when I add that he brings to his editorial aid the most able, experienced, and educated apiarists of the world, I surely have spoken high but just praise of the American Bee Journal, whose enviable reputation extends even to distant lands. It is edited by Thomas G. Newman, at Chicago.

Gleaning* in Bee Culture. — This periodical makes up for its brief history of six years by the vigor and energy which have characterized it from the first. Its editor is an active apiarist, who is constantly experimenting; a terse, able writer, and brimful of good nature and enthusiasm. I am free to say that in practical apiculture I am more indebted to Mr. Root than to any other one person, except Rev. L. L. Langstroth. I also think that, with few exceptions, he has done more for the recent advancement of practical apiculture than any other person in our country. This sprightly journal is edited by A. I. Root, Medina, Ohio.

Bee-Papers, and Booh. 11