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Show FOR THE BEEKEEPER. Editor Descrct Farmer: Please answer through the columns of the "Farmer" the following questions: i. Describe the best general management man-agement of bees for profit. 2. Kindly give mc your best method meth-od to prevent robbing. A SUBSCRIBER. Answered by Mr. E. S. Lovesy, Pres. Utah State Beekeepers' Assn. i. This is a comrchcnsivc question to go into detail, at this season of the year. However, I would advise you, if you have not already robbed your bees down close, don't do it, but leave them plenty of honey for the winter I and some for spring. Before very cold weather sets in, fix them up for the winter, ibut be sure to give them plcpty of ventilation to keep them dry. (They must be kept dry). This is an important thing o consider in Wintering bees, because if the bees I and combs arc allowed to becorne damp and moldy, the air will become foul, and the bees will be too weak to seek food and will very likely die i before spring. If you bring your bee through the winter alright, then it will be a good time to talk about spring management. 2. Several methods have been tried to prevent robbing. Some claim that iby placing canes, straw or grass in front of the hive that is being robbed, Hiat that will confuse the robbers and stop the robbing. Also if you can lo- I cate the robbers change the hives, and that has sometimes stopped it. A'n- I other plan is to take three hives. We ' will call the robber's hive "A" and J the hives being robbed "B" and "C." After you locate the robbers place them on "B's" old stand and put "B" on "C's" stand, and "C" on "A's," the I robber's old stand. The field bees , , from "C" will build up "B," and the i bees from "A" will help "C," besides having to build themselves up on "B's" old stand. This plan generally works alright. To locate the robbers throw some flour on the bees as they leave the hive that is being robbed, then locate the robber's hive as they eiUcyr it. |
