matter, is often a troublesome process, and without due precaution
sometimes leads to a good deal of commotion. The common swarming hives
present much difficulty, from their construction. Having no opening
at the crown, the clumsy and dangerous mode must be resorted to of
bottom-feeding, in any way possible; either by tearing up the hive for
every supply of food, or by means of an eke, pushed for the purpose
beneath it. An improved hive gives facilities for presenting food on
the top, obviating these inconveniences; and where it may be supplied
in any quantity, without disturbance; at the same time that it is
inaccessible to all enemies.
[Illustration]
When there is a hole in the centre of the top of the hive, a trough
may be used, made of tin or zinc, seven or eight inches square, and
one inch and a quarter deep; having a circular two-inch hole in the
middle of the bottom, with a rim round it, standing up half an inch,
through which the bees enter the pan from below. Another circular rim
or partition, as large in diameter as the square of the pan will admit,
is soldered down within it at the four points where it touches the
sides. It must not go down to the bottom, but a space should there be
left of nearly an eighth of an inch, as a passage for the food, which
is poured in at the four angles. A perforated thin wooden bottom or
float is fitted loosely into the pan, between the circles, removing an
objection sometimes made against the chilling effects of metal upon
bees. The float should be a little raised by means of two thin strips
of wood, appended below, to allow the liquid to flow beneath. A cover
is made by a piece of glass, resting on the larger circle, but cut
nearly octagonal in form, so as to leave the corners open. The circle
on which the glass rests should be an eighth of an inch lower than the
outer rim. In making a trough of this kind, it is sometimes customary
to append beneath it a central descending rim or tube, fitting down
into the hole on the top of the hive. This is worse than useless, and
it is in the way on the removal of the pan; on which occasion it is
expedient to push beneath it a piece of sheet tin or zinc, to stop the
communication from below.
Such a pan is perhaps made more readily without the inner circle; in
which case, all that is needed for pouring in the food is a partition
going nearly down to the bottom, so as to cut off a portion at one
corner. The glass pane can rest on angle-pieces, sunk an eighth of an
inch, at three of the corners, and upon the partition at the fourth
one, this part being left open.
[Illustration]
A charge is sometimes brought against zinc feeding-pans, as tending
to create acidity in the food. There is perhaps some truth in this,
where it is suffered to remain too long; together with another cause of
mischief,--a very general neglect of cleanliness. Those, however, who
prefer wood altogether may have troughs made of that material, either
square or round in form, as that given in our illustration, which is
turned from hard wood in a lathe; a piece being divided off on one side
by a partition, under which the food passes, beneath a wood float. A
pane of glass rests upon a circular rabbet turned out to receive it,
leaving uncovered the part beyond the partition.
[Illustration]
For the purpose of feeding the bees in my bar-hive, a zinc or tin
trough is provided, of a form adapted to the position of the openings
cut through the crown-board to the stock-box. The extreme length is ten
inches and a half, four inches wide, and an inch and a half deep. At
one end is a partition an inch and a quarter wide, going down nearly
to the bottom. Into this the honey or other food is poured, running
under a wooden perforated float, and fitted loosely within the bottom.
A pane of glass rests on two angle pieces, at one end, and on the cross
division at the other, all sunk a quarter of an inch, and covering the
pan as far as the partition. The latter is strengthened in the centre
by a cross-stay, against which the glass rests. At the bottom is an
opening seven inches long and half an inch wide, with a rim around it,
about half an inch high. This opening is placed so as to correspond
with that communicating through the bars beneath. Draw out the slides,
and the bees will have access to the pan. This proceeding is of course
reversed on its removal.
[Illustration]
_Bee Food._--Nothing that can be presented to bees is so acceptable
as their natural food--pure honey. At this season, as it is chiefly
stored for future consumption, it is best unmixed with water. Fill
the pan every evening till the requisite quantity is given, for it
will speedily be emptied. Refuse honey may be given to the bees in
the combs, piled in a pan, a little separated, and covered by a box
or hive. The sooner the feeding is ended the better, the bees, if in
health, being on these occasions much excited and often irascible. Let
enough be given when you are about it. Gelieu says, "Let there be no
higgling with bees; better that they have too much than too little."
Recollect that little of your bounty is now eaten, but is conveyed
and stored for the day of need; the bees sometimes extending the
combs purposely to receive it, and often of pollen as well; for it is
observable that feeding at any time stimulates them to foraging abroad.
Nothing is wasted, and whatever there is to spare will be repaid with
interest in the spring. It must also be borne in mind, that what food
is likely to be wanted must be supplied _now_, for very rarely should
any further attempts at feeding be made till the returning spring
restores animation to the family. A reference to _Spring Feeding_ will
supply information as to various substitutes for honey.
_Winter Store._--Under the head of _Autumnal Feeding_ we have mentioned
the usual estimate as to the requisite supply of honey for the winter.
Anomalous as it may seem, it has been remarked, that the quantity
apparently required is not dependent on the population of the hive.
The number of mouths make little sensible difference, even when two or
three stocks have been united. This fact was first noticed by Gelieu,
and has been corroborated by other observers.
"In doubling the population," says Gelieu, "I naturally conceived that
we must also double the quantity of food; for I had always seen that
two or three families, living together, used more meat than each would
have done singly, however rigid their economy. The more mouths the more
meat, thought I; and, in consequence, I augmented greatly the amount of
provision the first time that I doubled a hive; but to my astonishment,
when I weighed it again in the spring, I found that the united swarm
had not consumed more than each would have done singly. I could not
believe my eyes, but thought there must be some mistake; nor could I be
convinced until I had repeated the experiment a hundred times over, and
had always the same result."
This seeming anomaly, Gelieu and others have attempted to account for
on the principle that the increased heat of an augmented population
is in some measure a substitute for food; but this is opposed to all
experience, which proves that warmth is a stimulus to consumption.
A more satisfactory way of disposing of the question seems to be,
in the first place, that the bees in a well-peopled hive feel in a
lower degree the evils consequent on frequent changes of temperature
occurring in winter, than is observable in a less populous one; for
alternations of cold and warmth have an injurious effect, generally
leading to an increased consumption of stores. The next consideration
is that the junction of stocks, alluded to by Gelieu, ensures a larger
supply of labourers in the early spring. It is not in the cold weather
that much consumption of food takes place, but after the month of
February, when the great hatching comes on; and then not so much by
the _bees_, as by the _brood_. In a thinly-populated hive, almost the
whole family is required within-doors at this time, to warm the eggs
and feed the young; and consequently little is added to the continually
diminishing stock of honey and farina. Nothing is more common than
to see a hive, apparently well stored in February, on the point of
perishing in the month of April. This is not the case where a large
number of bees can be spared to go abroad and bring in fresh supplies,
to keep pace with, or even to exceed, the demands of the craving brood.
_Autumnal Unions, Fuming, and Transferring Bees._[U]--The subject of
autumnal unions of bee stocks is strongly advocated by Gelieu; and
in this country has not always received the attention it demands.
Perhaps this is in part owing to ignorance as to a ready mode of
accomplishing the object; and in some degree from the supposed doubt
about maintaining the bees, when collected in a large body, through the
winter. The latter difficulty is removed by a reference to what has
been said on the subject of winter store, in the last section. I hope
I shall be able to show that, by a safe and simple expedient, the bees
of two or three weak or worn-out families may be joined together, to
form one vigorous stock; at the same time saving thousands of valuable
lives. The late Apiarian Society of Oxford is entitled to credit for
the care it bestowed on this branch of bee economy; and the method of
procedure now to be explained was there successfully practised. It
should be done about September, and in warm weather.
[U] It may be well in this place to call attention to the distinction
between the system of _Transferring Bees_, in _Autumn_, in the way now
pointed out, and what has sometimes been confounded with it; namely,
the practice of _Transferring Bees and Combs together_, from one hive
to another. This I never advocated, except in bar-hives, when it is
sometimes practicable, provided the combs are built in straight lines.
[Illustration]
The custom of stupefying bees by some narcotic substance has long
been in practice; and, observes Dr. Dunbar, "there is no more useful
auxiliary in every operation in an apiary than smoke." By subjecting
them to the fumes, the bees are rendered insensible and harmless for a
time; but soon recover, with no ill-effects subsequently. Apparatus
more or less complicated has been invented for fuming; but perhaps the
most simple was that used at Oxford, which is a tin tube, eighteen
inches long, and three quarters of an inch in diameter; readily made by
any tin-worker. One end is extended and flattened to adapt it to the
entrance of the hive, whilst the other is applied to the mouth of the
operator. In the centre of the tube is a box, two inches and a half
long, and two inches in diameter, to contain the fumigating material;
and to receive which, one end is made to draw out like a telescope. The
two ends of the box, where the tubes join it, are stopped withinside
by divisions of perforated tin. This part must be put together, by
rivetting, and without solder, which the heat would melt. An instrument
of this form is adapted for most purposes where smoke is needed, it
being applicable to fuming a hive at the mouth, or, in some cases,
from the top; for it is, occasionally, more in accordance with the
object in view that the bees should be driven down, rather than
upwards. When, therefore, this is proposed, a bend in the tube becomes
expedient, which is readily managed by having the farther end made
in two pieces to be disconnected at pleasure, after the plan of a
watering-pot. Another end-piece can then be slipped on like a nozzle,
turned downwards, to enter the hole through the top of the hive. The
instrument just described is of course used in the hand; but another
kind is sometimes applicable, made not unlike a pepper-box, upon a
foot, which stands on, or in a hole in, the ground, whilst the hive
about to be fumed is placed over it. The top lifts off to receive the
fungus; and this, as well as the lower end, is pierced with holes.
[Illustration]
The substance hitherto chiefly recommended for the fumigation or
stupefying of bees is a kind of fungus, found growing often very large
and round, mostly in rich pastures or plantations, in the autumn.
It is the _Lycoperdon Giganteum_, but variously called, as Devil's
snuff-box, fuzz-ball, or puff-ball. It should be gathered when nearly
ripe. Dry it in the sun, or a cool oven, and preserve it from damp. It
is then a spongy substance, containing brown dust; and burns with an
offensive smell. The difficulty often of procuring this material led
me to make trial of another kind of fungus, called _Racodium Cellare_,
or mouse-skin _Byssus_. It may be found growing in large wine or beer
vaults, in immense dark-coloured bunches or festoons, suspended from
the roof, often wearing a handsome appearance. In a single such vault,
in London, I have seen as much as would suffice for a large portion
of the bee-keepers in Great Britain; and I can recommend it (not
too freely used) as even more efficacious than the other fungus. It
requires no preparation, igniting and smouldering readily, and may be
preserved for years. Whatever be the material employed, let the box of
the tube be about two-thirds full; and a few puffs will cause it to
send forth smoke abundantly. The hive which it is intended to deprive
of its tenants may be lifted gently from its place soon after dusk,
and placed over some kind of receptacle. An empty hive, turned bottom
upwards, might answer with a little management, but there must be no
place of escape for the bees. The best thing is a box or bowl, about
ten inches square withinside, and four or five inches deep; with a wide
flat rim all round. The first introduction of the smoke will cause an
uproar among the bees, which will speedily be followed by silence, as
they fall down from its effect. A minute or two generally suffices for
this, assisted by striking the sides and top of the hive. When all is
quiet, turn up the hive, and you will have received the greater part
of its inhabitants in the bowl, in a stupefied state and perfectly
subdued. A portion will remain sticking in the combs, which must be cut
out one by one, and the bees swept with a feather into the bowl, where
a little more smoke will, if needed, keep them quiet in the interim. As
respects the Queen, if perceived, she can be taken away, but the bees
will commonly dispose of her in their own way, by the next morning. The
whole being thus collected, they soon begin to show signs of returning
animation; and when this is about to take place, sprinkle them pretty
freely with a mixture of sugared ale. Next, lift quietly from its stand
the hive to which the smoked bees are to be united, placing it over
the bowl, but leaving no opening except the mouth, for air. The bees
from above, attracted by the scent, will go down, and begin licking the
sprinkled ones. The whole become intermixed, and ascend together into
the hive over them, in perfect goodwill. Leave them till the following
morning early, when the bowl will generally be found empty. Replace the
doubled hive on its original stand, and the work is complete. If it is
thought desirable still further to augment its strength, the bees of
a second hive may be added in the bowl; or a second union may be made
in a night or two afterwards. All that remains is to see that the hive
contains honey to last the winter; and whatever is wanted to make up
about eighteen pounds must be supplied for that purpose, in the way
pointed out in a previous section.
We will now detail another mode of proceeding, at once speedy and
efficacious, and attended with no risk to the operator. With the tube
of which we have before spoken, in the evening puff some smoke into the
mouth of the hive you wish to take, without removing it. Compel as many
of the bees to fall down as you can; then lift the hive, and brush out
those remaining; taking away the Queen if you can find her without much
trouble. Collect the whole in a heap on the floor-board, and sprinkle
them pretty well with sugared ale. You may now, if the numbers are
still thought insufficient, add to the first, the smoked bees of a
second hive. Next puff some smoke within the stock-hive into which the
bees thus collected are to be transferred, quietly where it stands;
just sufficient to stupify its inhabitants, and produce a uniformity
of scent. Turn it bottom upwards, floor-board and all, so as to drop
no bees; and place it, if of straw, in a pail, or some similar kind of
support. In this position lift off the floor-board, and sprinkle these
bees also with a smaller portion of the ale, in the hive where they
are. After this is done, before they have recovered, sweep the smoked
bees uniformly among the combs of the hive destined to receive them.
Clean and scrape its floor-board, and as soon as symptoms of returning
animation begin to appear, replace it, turning the whole again into
the right position. All that remains is to restore it at once to its
original place or stand. Before the hive is left, clear away from the
entrance any bees that may have fallen down, so that the passage for
air is not obstructed. In the absence of a tube like the one described,
it is very practicable to make use of a common pipe and tobacco; but
the latter should be of a mild kind, and not too freely used, or many
deaths might ensue.
In selecting the future domicile of the family thus augmented, it will
be well to observe that the hive is not one of long standing, in which
the combs have become thickened with age. Indeed, a colony of the same
year is to be preferred, and more particularly where the Queen is a
young one. If, however, it is desired to cut out the old combs from
the intended future stock-hive, it can now be done with safety; first
turning on to the board as many of the bees as you can. A supply of
honey will invigorate the new community, and the vacancies will be
filled up with fresh combs, provided the operation has not been delayed
too late in the season.
It is of great importance here to observe, that after making autumnal
unions, in cases where the bees have been expelled from hives
possessing fresh combs, the latter ought to be left undisturbed,
as so much gain to a spring swarm, which will gladly accept a house
ready furnished: moreover, a vast saving of honey results, for the
fabrication of comb, as we have shown at page 110, consumes a great
deal of this. The same remark applies to supers partly filled with
combs; but they should be kept clean and dry. It is worthy of remark,
that some authorities maintain the opinion that bees will now and then
re-work portions of old combs or wax, but it must be free from impurity.
As far as it can be managed, it is desirable that attention should be
paid to the previous position of the hives intended to form unions,
for there is always a disposition in bees to return to the spot to
which they have been accustomed. Where it is practicable, therefore, it
is best to unite adjoining families; or when the union is to consist
of three, unite to a hive in the centre, one on each side. A little
foresight at the time of swarming, in the arrangement of the hives,
will often facilitate after proceedings. Some have resorted to the
plan of confinement of the bees, but this does not always meet the
difficulty; for, on the first opportunity, many of them will return to
their old haunts, and seek in vain their former dwelling.
Fumigation may often be resorted to in cases where a superabundance of
honey exists in a hive at this season; for after the introduction of
a little smoke the bees will fall down. It may then be reversed, and
a portion of comb cut away in due moderation. Restore the bees to the
hive, and replace its board, when the whole may be turned back to its
proper position without injury.
Under the head of _Common Straw Hives_, we have remarked that
suffocation with brimstone is the usual mode of obtaining possession
of their stores; the stocks of the second or third year's standing
being commonly selected for destruction. If, however, such stocks
can be made strong and healthy in the way we have been detailing,
good policy would point to the colonies of the present year as those
affording the richest harvest of honey, and of the best quality, as
being in new combs. These will never be of more value for the market
than in the first autumn, provided the proprietor is satisfied as
to the state of his older stocks for the next year's swarming. Such
of the latter, moreover, as have sent out swarms in the same season
will of course possess young Queens. In some districts this principle
is carried out in practice, and doubtless with advantage, when a
proper discretion is used. Under any circumstances, it is clear that
in gaining possession of the honey, destruction of the bees may be
avoided by adopting the fuming and uniting plan, instead of that of
suffocation; for whether the hive be new or old, rich or poor, the
same principle applies, with no amount of time, trouble, or expense,
greater than under the brimstone system. The plea of necessity no
longer exists for a wanton waste of valuable life; and to this point
the attention of the cottager, in particular, might surely be directed,
as one often involving his future profits. Let him know that it is his
interest not to _kill his bees_; but, when expelled from one hive, to
unite them to another, where augmented numbers will require no more
than the usual stock of winter food. Inform him that he is acting on
a mistaken principle when he imagines that his bees are worn out with
age--the common plea for destroying them: that these are short-lived,
and periodically renewed, so that the _hive_ alone becomes old:
moreover, that a large proportion of the bees at the close of the
season are those produced in the later months; the older ones gradually
disappearing in the autumn, to be succeeded by others destined to
become the early labourers of the opening new year.[V]
[V] In a case where a proprietor had been obstinately bent on resorting
to the old mode of destruction, the bees were stupefied by a wiser
neighbour; taken home by him, and added to one of his own weak stocks,
which turned to good account in the following spring.
Before we leave this part of our subject, a word may be said
to those who are disposed to fancy there may be an evil in a
super-abundant winter population in a hive. I never observed any
permanent inconvenience arising from this; and no doubt can exist as
to the advantage of maintaining a comfortable temperature, the Queen
continuing to lay later in the autumn under such stimulant. Moreover,
it must not be imagined that all the bees collected together to form
a stock, at this time, are destined to survive till the spring.
The day of life may, with many of them, be already far spent; but
we have shown in what way their presence, though but temporary in
the hive, indirectly contributes to augment the numbers of future
spring labourers. Were it not so, there would be nothing to mark the
well-known distinction between a populous and a half-tenanted hive. It
is certain that, however numerous may be the eggs laid in the spring,
a portion only are of avail in any but a hive so well peopled as to
create a favorable temperature for hatching them, and to supply the
means necessary to their full development. Thus strength in one year
begets it in succeeding ones; and it must be remembered how influential
is warmth to the early productive powers of the Queen, without which
all goes wrong; and how important it is in the opening spring to be
able to spare from the home duties of the hive a large number of
collectors to add to the stores, which would otherwise not keep pace
with the cravings of the rising generation.