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Show TO THE BEEKEEPERS OF UTAH In view of the need for a greatly increased honey crop in 1918, beekeepers bee-keepers should at once complete pre-perations pre-perations for winter so that every colony will be strong in Lees next spring. It cannot be urged too strongly strong-ly that these preparations be made I immediately. Do not be misled into I believing that no special care is need-' need-' ed in winter. Because of neglect at i this time, honey crops of the following follow-ing year are often reduced one-half and the ill effects of neglect are too well proven to be debatable. Scarce-j ly a winter passes that Utah beekeepers beekeep-ers do not lose 10 per cent of thier colonies and usually 7 5 per cent of the remaining colonies are reduced sc that they cannot do their best the lollowing summer. For proper development in the spring, a normal colony of bees needs plenty of good stores, plenty of room for breeding and plenty of protection from cold and wind. In winter they, need only the stores and protection I but, if abundant protection is then j given, the room for spring breeding I may also be provided at this time. If j bees are properly prepared for winter! there is nothing a beekeeper can do which will benefit a normal colony : from October 1 to swarming time. It is S'Uggested that each colony be given two hive bodies (preferably 10-frame), the top body well supplied sup-plied with stores in addition to what honey may be in the lower body. This arrangement will provide abundant abun-dant breeding room and stores. Beekeepers Bee-keepers hesitate to leave so much honey when they feel that they might sell it, but this honey is not wasted. In almost every locality strong colonies col-onies can gather enough extra honey in the spring more than to replace what is consumed in winter and by spring breeding. It often costs more to winter weak colonies than strong ones because weak colonies cannot take advantage of the earliest honey flows. Explicit directions for making winter win-ter packing cases are not necessary for any beekeeper can devise a suitable suit-able box. It is suggested that colonies col-onies be packed in groups of four with the hives touching each other, two facing east and two west, to reduce re-duce expense and labor. Packing should be provided on all sides, top and bottom. Four inches below, six inches on the sides and a foot on top will not be excessive. If the bottom or front of the hive is left unprotected, unprotect-ed, the bees will not receive the lull benefit of the other packing. Any packing material, such as sawdust, j planer shavings, finely cut straw or, packed lorest leaves, may be used and the case should be waterproof Rooi:ns paper over the cover is de-; sirable. Some sol t of tunnel through j the packing is m-ress.iry fur venlila-tion venlila-tion and to permit flaghts in good weather. With abundant packing a small lihsht opening is best. Do not make an alighting board on the outside out-side of the case lor is only serves to catch snow. Ventilation through an absuibent cover will do no harm but is noi essential if abundant, packing pack-ing is provided. Wind protection is necessary and unless this is provided heavy packing is of little value. The principles of outdoor wintering winter-ing are discussed in Farmers' liulle-; liulle-; tin 605, a copy of which may be hail on request of the Agricultural department. depart-ment. Every beekeeper should pay special attention to wintering this year for the nation needs a large honey crop next year. It will always pay to give attention to this part of beekeeping, which is too often neglected. neg-lected. Remember that proper win- tering is simple and 'inexpensive in j time aid money since stores; are saved and spring manipulations are eliminated. The winter cases pay ; for themselves every year. You can ' carry no better insurance for a crop j next year. |