ALBERT R. MANN
LIBRARY

New York STATE COLLEGES
OF
AGRICULTURE AND HOME ECONOMICS

AT

CORNELL UNIVERSITY

 

EVERETT FRANKLIN PHILLIPS

BEEKEEPING LIBRARY

 

 

 

 
TENNESSEE
STATE BOARD OF ENTOMOLOGY

$ eee

BULLETIN No. 9

VoL.II No.2

 

 

 

 

Beekeeping in Tennessee

ae
By G. M/ BenriEy

 

KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE

JUNE, 1913
i
 

@ 7Gs %¢
TENNESSEE STATE BOARD OF ENTOMOLOGY

T. F. Pecx, Commissioner of Agriculture.............2-.20000- Chairman

Nashville
G. M. Bentiey, State Entomologist and Plant Pathologist...... Secretary
Knoxville

All communications should be addressed to the

StaTE ENToMoLocist AND PLANT PATHOLOGIST
Care of University of Tennessee,
Knoxville, Tenn.

TENNESSEE STATE BOARD OF ENTOMOLOGY
Bulletin published quarterly at Knoxville
G. M. Bentley, State Entomologist and Plant Pathologist
Entered as second-class matter, February 21, 1912, at the Post Office at Knoxville,
Tennessee, under the Act of July 16, 1894.
CONTENTS

Page
PROTA CE seiistein wea ciesree tenses cigeladeia See sécaissvctavesheaee esekensicnals doce eacepevertunontas 7
Introduction: iscasrviesin andanmalnme ascend 4 darnsdeenteeainn eaaeuays 9
The Life and Habits of the Honey Bee................. Jvatanbnaiagend 10
The: Queen. sec csesace es casein @emnttia Maawt acs reewes gas 11
WG: SD FONES: 2s eeendcanionnmeavaccaneelomenmeaeoiaaetwn seme deeree ss 12
PING WiG PICS: soot cSipais wiscaigcns Seesv sain edbdtans wheca decay sa steuiniess agg bead dv onastusbars 12
Necessary Equipment: s.:0c¢ e042 waaay saa eases ohne ae eee eas 14
THE: MO dBi IVES 6 pytiass ces cnp angincctaiea canine trhvtony ane ncaa uaa renee 14
Avoid Expensive and Numerous Supplies..................4-. 15
Pleasure and Profit in Modern Beekeeping.............-..00000e 15
Hive and Bees Affect Yield....... 00... 0c. ccc cece eee 16
Hive (Parts: sss.cve agains oe ed tatenal saute Giese ue tinene Meee eis 16
Full Sheets of Foundation........... 00.0... e cee eee sipieisies 16
Transferring from the Box or Log Gum to Modern Hives.... 18
SS WPT oc siete heed es tara eu gata cave sate nha trey pneh ceed ck an Sete steerer ones al loa 19
Methods to Prevent Swarming.............. ec sce eee eee eee 20
Taltanizine® sien seg satieabeeycisaceatieelea wus arse daaieee hare thant peda 21
Taking Honey from the Hives................ 00. ce eee eee eee 23
Marketing’ Honey nics cemausichisncind aaereeeuedeteoeutned 23
Robbing Among the Bees........... 0. cece eee cee ence eee 24
Remedies) xos-ez nwsoamnies mene ee Sen eeGelewe eae ales 25
Suitable Site for an Apiary............s esses reece eee ener eens 25
Moving B668 Joao bah Sates sae ea Od mane eR 27
GCC GS | sce ceions cis tbisiahees ese ogee eaypeere aie g ana edlwap tg oie rece corareatireitis 27
Kinds! Of Peeders. 5 30sscas eee Gee eta w eee eden 28
The Sting of the Bee...................... ipods aesdece esapie tna ens 28
KINGS OF BEGS i.e iacics daicondidecanicokeesacarecie duincoiin atincecsacerele Wace: Sse eae 29
Beeswax and Wax Eixtractotyccxeccs swore cone reawe tees dae 30
GHEY EEXtraCtOR 6. ses aiscacscadacn gdasesointaietincedel dudqusoniensudsssduice a ocaneiniOeS 31
Chief Sources of Honey in Tennesse2........... ce eee eee ee 32
ROTC YAW: | cope ous seccparrsisashe tei selgi cae dre MR ssa nuany Tun isan su acBcn: adtccw cdl ove ctel Danson 32
Present Conditions and Future Possibilities of Beekeeping in
TENNESSEE: joc nice de oe ees SAAR oes wae 84
What the Bees Save Each Year......... 0.0... ce eee eee eee 34
SEA CS: ATO gree ice ue aieara ave estrous areas se saben ie airenee nave tia cen dead Sa tats 35
Tennessee as a Beekeeping State......... 0... cece eee eee 37
Yield. of Different: Bees. .......50c6caegewedeseacie Gux tie sales 37
Advantages of Beekeeping in Tennessee.................00. 38
Apiary’ Inspection: ss.icerss eacecre oh aw.s wa onedteaw wean ciple nae 38
Report of Apiary Inspection for 1911...............eeeeees 39
Report of Apiary Inspection for 1912.............. cee eee 39
Exhibition on Agricultural Train..............ecce ce eee +. 40
Need of Education in Beekeeping...............ec ee eeueeee 40
Lectures: PIVEN. oi... soarsncenqrenneestorceeasee sous eau ae 40.

Report of Diseases ....... 0. cc cece cece eee e eee ete eeenee 41
Page

The Troubles of the Beekeeper............. 6. . cece eee e eee eens Al
The Bee Motha.. scacacuc.oscwie dae oes 100 seas aere ei eetenearane 41
Weax-WorEMS! joc senses vember iam Depa tnee ig eawd de areeeenice 41
White Ants or Termites........ 0... ccc cece ee ee cee eee eeees 43
Ants, Roaches and Spiders............00. cee eee seen eeeneeeee 43

BU POS?  sococs sauaiciee seeds vandian's Sesceslevidegudco BAS MRR Y BTU eee anon Stes era eens 43
American Foul Brood ......... 00sec ee cece ence ene enc enee 43
European Foul Brood............. cece eee ee cece een eeeee 43
Pickléd “BrOGG) eccicscsccsveareus coierasanndunuens # one SEMEN SHAS EE 45
Diséases' of Adult; Betsicc ccc sacs wanes vanes saress eae pears ys 45
Secbrood) <qecauz essence eerainnss cae eee ea ie ean ser eeie 46
File a Request for Inspection of Your Bees.............0eeeeeeee 48
TAT? EW ines asaya class deg asa ucervtscatonl d dadarouabnn @ Sashienia ansae Madan ee CSRS 49
Supervision of the State Board of Entomology.............. 49
Inspections: 2nnie snag neeemenaetuciahe kaa sieaie saute one Aamo 49
Authority of Inspector............ 0. eee cece eee eee eens 49
Treatment of Diseased Apiaries.............0..0 esse eee e eee 49
Sale: of Infected Beesieccsisccilaw sex ekteieeaes ny eae pews 49
Transfer of Diseased Bees....... 0... cc cece eee ee ene eee 50
Certificates Required on Bees Coming Into Tennessee........ 50
Inspection Required of Queen Bees........... 0... cee eee eee 50
Precautions: of Inspectoryecc vanes sigue gaxuias ne ees seeenenes 50
Report: GL ANS PECtOR ws as visnctacntetnepced ieee d dele em euentde Sl geen 50
DAlARV OL TNS PECTOR oicjccisseie.e cece devesd teased aaeicarn leases exes neneia ease Sega’ 51
Appropriation to State Board of Entomology................ 51
Comptroller to Draw Warrant. ...... 0... ec cee cee cece eee 51
State Beekeeper’s Association.............0.0 0 cece cere eee eens 51
Instruction in Beekeeping .......... 0... eee eee ee ee eee 51
Course in Beekeeping at University of Tennessee............. 53
Program of State Beekeepers’ Association, January, 1918.... 54
Relation of Beekeeping to Horticulture....................0005 56
Beekeeping Terms Explained..................0.5. eit sae ieee 60
Firms Handling Bee Supplies and Queens...................... 62
SSRI ALY. iis spec's duct conten ecennnieng iogenes bas gid ds maecel aupldandrcoyslavseen Beaclan wr ewnncneemseeniens 63
INOtEGG~ “sitiea diate e polviy cedures cane o wide weg a alti hd cuidied ews andled Sivan 64
SS ot oe ge

9

10.
11.
12.
13.
14,
15.
16.
17.
18.

19.
20.
21.
22,
23.
24,
25.
26.
27.
28.

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Spring Inspection of the Apiary...............- Cover Page
Map 1. Tennessee Showing Present Survey of Beekeep-
ING TNnlCPEStS + wre sewaisus Gee sro eee ade sees eueses 8
Inmates of the- Hivessagis.csqwsaanies sees cesew alesan 10
Head and Tongue of the Honey Bee...........-.20e0e0e: 10
Legs of the Honey Bee...........cc cece eee e cece eeeees 10
Front and Back Wings of the Honey Bee............... 11
The Digestive System of a Honey Bee.........-.eseee0% 11
The Nervous System of Larva and Adult............006. 12
Heads of Queen, Drone and Worker Bees—View of Wax
Glands: gsc2iatenswtauitee cit Sea awe Seto eee ee 12
Devices for Carrying Pollen.............. cece eeeeeee 13
Drone Cells Used for Honey Storage...........0eceeeeee 13
A Combination of Worker and Drone Cells.............- 13
Some Reliable Books and Journals on Beekeeping....... 14
Modern Hive with Exterior Parts Labeled............... 15
Modern Hives Showing Interior Parts.............-..0+ 15
The Hoffman Frame, with Foundation................. 17
Dazenbaker Brood Frame........... cece ces secs eeeenee 17
A Single and Double-walled Hive................0.eeee 18
Double-walled Hive with Top Removed.............005 19
Interchangeable Brood-chamber and Super 2-story Hive
with Bee Veil and Smoker........... 0... cesses eens 20
A. Tennessee: Apiary ssccs.<.sies seadss gasped suse acsnonen cit ety acd outee BON 21
Clipping the Queen’s Wings........... cee ec nee ee eees 21
In the Midst of the Honey Flow...............seeeeeee 22
Exhibition of Products of the Bee............ 0c. cece eee 23
The Development of Comb Honey.................0 0005 24
The Orchard As a Site for an Apiary...........e.eeeeee 25
Arrangement of Hives by Twos............cceeecceaee 25
Never Spray Fruit Trees When in Bloom............... 26
The Boardman Entrance Feeder................0ee00e- 28
The Alexander Bottom-board Feeder..............-.04- 28
Page
Fig. 29. A Solar Wax Extractor. ........02.. cece lee eee eens 30
“ 30. A Honey Extractor....... cc ccc cee cee eee eee eens 81
“ 31. Linden or Basswood.........c. ccc eee c ee eee tenets 32
32. WHITE CLOVER. cence ccc ee ae cee ous cine ead eee Ra OSS 33.
“ 33. Black Lingus docevasvann eebieaeanye sts eatery Aude acon ig erie evaiid a laianben oa letinse 33
OF BA. ANS ECTS. 6 oseis sduiiiaia sun uch oltnsmnaleain as ant Gee ele eae ea ea 33
“ 35. Thorn Apple and Apple Bloom..........-..00eeee eee 33
© BG. SOWEWOOU sesccc ce kowews ates sere oosten mits Karrine tem iene on 33
“ 37. Goldenrod ...... dutesps xb aka io acasbiaig Lilac tun aus ea Rapa tcrtre ae ahh 33
a 38s. TB CKWNEAE: “pected ustencnthi ool dar aes ae dace nataaninipeeen eter thas wt Sela d sneeng raat 33
“ 39. Plant Lice, the Chief Source of Honeydew..............- 82
“ 40. Tennessee Honey Exhibit at Tri-State Fair, Memphis..... 34
“Al, Beekeeping with Fruit Growing........... 0.0. ee eee eee 36
“A. Natural. Comb: Building 6 sass cues Perse Wee eas 37
AB. INSPeCtinig the BeEB%s.1.+ as0.nscosee dun degree a ctene there o Rie wip lene wee 38
“44. A Compact Apiary on City Lot...............-0 eee ee 39
“45. The Bee Moth and Its Work......... 0... cece ee eee eee Al
“ 46. Comb Showing Advanced Stage of American Foul Brood. 42
“ 47. Colonies Infected with Foul Brood.................0.--- 44

“48. Gentle Bees and Close Inspection, Two of the Secrets of
Successful Beekeeping........... PEN Haden ieee ae 48

Map 2. Tennessee Showing Colonies of Honey Bees in the
Different Counties of the State.................... 52
“49. Tennessee Beekeepers’ Association................2000- 55
“ 51. Perfect Pollenation of Apples..............20. cece eee 56
“52. Imperfect Pollonation of Apples..................-6-- 56
“ 538. Perfect Pollenation of Pears............. ee cee eee eee 57
“ 54. Imperfect Pollenation of Pears...........eee eee eeee 57
“55, (Bees Carrying’ Pollens.co5s co.wexcsaccoreeers das age ge's 58
“ 56. Buckwheat Flowers Showing Floral, Parts. cc. cscs. ess 59
BEEKEEPINCG IN TENNESSEE
By G M. BENTLEY

PREFACE

In 1905 the writer began to gather information relative to the
beekeeping interests in Tennessee, the chief purposes of which were
to learn the possibilities and to get a survey of the industry in all
parts of the State. Many apiaries of the State were examined during
that year and successive years, up to the present year and some 3,000
apiaries have been located and*sent printed lists of questions directly
pertaining to beekeeping as conducted by the owners. The larger per
cent of these blanks were filled in carefully and returned. On nearly
every blank names were given of additional beekeepers, to whom
blanks were also sent. As a result of this study, continued for 7
years, together with data gathered from the experimental apiary which
was installed at the Agricultural Experiment Station when the work
was first begun, some interesting and valuable information has been
gathered concerning the beekeeping interests of Tennessee. To pre-
sent as well as to prospective beekeepers this information should be
of value. This bulletin will greatly facilitate correspondence coming
to the Agricultural College and to this Office inquiring about bee-
keeping. The inquiries are increasing in number as these investiga-
tions are being carried on. Information thus far gathered shows con-
clusively that Tennessee is well adapted for beekeeping. The varied
flora, the abundant rainfall, the number of growing days, and the mild
winters are all important factors pointing toward success to him who
will keep strong bees of the right kind in a modern way. According
to the U. S. Census of 1900, there were 38,300 farms in Tennessee
upon which honey bees were kept. The accompanying map locates
by means of small spots the number of apiaries having 10 and more
colonies, which have been located by our survey and from which we
have gathered information for the contents of this bulletin. Since
1905 the beekeeping interests in Tennessee have increased fully 50
per cent and the business is still growing. As this bulletin goes to
press 6 beekeepers having large interests in as many Northern States
came to this Office seeking information concerning the possibilities of
Tennessee as a honey-producing State. Some 20 letters from bee-
keepers in other states seeking the same information have been re-
ceived within the last three months.

Perhaps the greatest good the investigation of the beekeeping
interests in Tennessee has done is to show the urgent demand for
simple instructions and an apiary inspection. Since 1911 an Apiary
Inspection Law has been in effect and already the importance of this
work has been felt. ,

For the loan of cuts: Figs. 1, 2, 7, 32, and 35 on pages 10, 12, 32, and
38, grateful acknowledgment is due Doubleday, Page & Co., New York;
also the A. I. Root Co., of Medina, Ohio, for cuts Figs. 5, 9, 10, 20, 28,
24, 25, 28, 34, 36, 37, and 44, on pages 11, 13, 21, 24, 26, 28, 33, and 39.

For assistance in making photographs, credit and appreciation
are due F. H. Broome of the Agricultural Experiment Station, Knox-
ville.
SHINO'TOZ) ANOPT AO OT AO AaVIdY NV SALVD0'T dS HOV ‘AASSANNAT, NI AMLSNANT ONIdNaMIAIG AHL JO AGAMNS ABT —T AVN

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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NI GaLLOd ALVLS JO SAMIVIdV ONIMOHS
INTRODUCTION

From frequent written articles and lectures on beekeeping we are
led to believe that anyone, without preparation, can make a success
in beekeeping. Too many times the drawbacks met by nearly every
keeper of bees are not mentioned; neither is due importance placed
upon the preliminary knowledge of beekeeping. Beekeeping today is
coming to be restricted more to the expert than to the general
farmer. The day when nearly every farm in the State had a few
hives of bees has passed. It has been found that to keep bees in a
hollowed out log or a soap box; to rob them once a year and get a
mixture of poor honey and dead bees, is neither a pleasant nor a
profitable business. Bees kept in these conditions have in many cases
become so weakened, doubtless from disease—American and Euro-
pean foul brood, or both—that the bee moth has easily overcome the
colonies. To determine what trouble the general farmer is having
with bees a blank has been sent to 3,000 persons in all parts of Ten-
nessee, and the general complaint is that the “weevil” or “bee moth”
is so bad that bees can not be kept in their locality. This is a sure
indication that the persons reporting this trouble are not familiar with
beekeeping, for the bee moth can not overcome a colony of bees when
the colony is strong and healthy. The trouble resulting from bee
moth really is secondary, and is a strong indication either that the
bees are queenless or that foul brood is present, causing the colony
to dwindle and weaken. That the prospective beekeeper may not be
misled by flowery statements making beekeeping to the unexperienced
a “get-rich-quick scheme,” that beekeeping on the farm may be built
up, and that commercial apiaries may profitably be conducted in Ten-
nessee are the purposes of this bulletin.

It is a fact that beekeeping in Tennessee can be conducted profit-
ably when managed carefully by putting into practice what has been
found out by experts in the management and use of modern ap-
pliances. Beekeeping should be encouraged, as it may well form a
vocation for the young as well as for the old, for those living in the
city as well as those living in the country, for the hale and hearty as
well as those suffering from impaired health. Emphasis, however,
should be laid upon the importance of beginning in a small way and
developing as one’s interests and love for beekeeping enlarges. In
the wintertime and on rainy days the beekeeper gets his hives in
readiness for the coming honey flow. When spring comes and the bees
begin to fly, a short time spent examining the bees will furnish infor-
mation as to their condition. It is not advisable, however, that the
hives be opened at this time if the weather is cool. The condition
of the bees in the spring will usually be an index as to how they were
prepared for winter. Bees which are strong and active are those
which had plenty of honey and a strong colony. In this State bees
winter well out of doors, but care should be taken to see that they
have plenty of honey, a surplus of 25 to 30 pounds will be sufficient.
THE LIFE AND HABITS OF THE HONEY BEE

The inmates of the

 

 

 

hive, known as the col-
ony, consist during the
spring and summer
months of 300,000 work-
ers, 300 drones, and 1
queen. The accompany-
ing cut pictures a rep-
| resentative of each
; Some beekeepers by
{ careful manipulation
1 use 2 queens, but this is
‘ not to be recommended
: for the amateur. Suc-
| cess in beekeeping de-
; pends largely upon the
| bees which are kept as
much as the care given
to them. Table on page
87 for the three pre-
dominating kinds of
honey bees in Tennessee
emphasizes this fact.
There are a few Carni-

 

Tic. I—INMATES oF THE HIvE

 

 

 

 

Fic. 2~Heap anp Toncur
or Honey BEE
(After Cheshire)

olian and Cyprian bees
kept in the State. The
hybrids of the Italian

 

   

 

 

 

 

Fic. 3—Lecs or THE Honey BEE

a, ANTENNA CLEANER
(After Hammar)
IL

and black bees surpass all others in the number of colonies. It is a
rather difficult matter to keep the strain pure if you have neighbors
within three or four miles of you who keep a different variety of bees.
Thus it is that the great number of hybrid colonies have resulted.
The table referred to is con-
clusive as to the bees which
should be kept in this State.
It might be well to say that
Italian bees have varieties
known as the three-banded,
the five-banded, and the gol-
den. Of these the three-
or five-banded have given
best results.

 

The beginner
The Queen in beekeeping

should by all
means secure a good queen.
The life of a queen is from
three to five years, and at
the end of this time a new Fig 6—A anv B, Front AND BACK PAIR OF
one pene be ae ce Wrncs or Honey BEE
to the colony. any of the
apiaries of the State are e Boss OF oe ee
gradually dwindling simply Se VELETS OF CRON WVING
because the queens have (After Cheshire)
passed their period of usefulness. The function of the queen is to lay
fertile and infertile eggs. From the fertile come workers or queens,
according to the food which the young receive. From the infertile
come the drones. A desirable queen
will lay from 2,000 to 4,000 eggs
during a period of 24 hours. In the
selection of a queen one should
have the advice of an experienced
beekeeper or deal with a strictly
reliable queen breeder. After a
fertile egg has been in the cell 3
days it hatches into a very small,
grub-like larva. If a queen is to be
developed this larva is given special
attention by the young worker
bees. It is fed a “royal jelly.” As
the larva grows the cell is enlarg-
ed and is usually in the form of a
| cone-like tubercle. The grub life
‘| of the queen bee is completed in
'| 5% days, after which it is carefully
sealed by the bees to protect it
from the queen which is already in
the hive. During the 7 days the
bee changes and becomes similar
to the adult and begins to chew off
the covering. About this time, if
the old queen of the hive does not
decide to swarm, taking with her
most of the old bees, the newly emerged queen has to gain her posses-
sion of the hive by a duel with the old queen. It will be noticed that
the queen will develop in 15 or 16 days. If the old queen leaves the

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fic. 5—Tue Dicestive SystgmM or
tHE Honey BEE, SHOWING
Honey Sac
12

hive the new queen falls immediately into possession and the new
colony is formed with the
new brood emerging at this
time.

 

The drones are
The Drones present in the

hive only dur-
ing the spring and summer.
In number they usually vary
from 50 to 300. They gather
no honey; neither do they
perform any of the duties
about the hive; yet they are
a drain on the honey supply.
The drones are not provided
with stingers, although they
make a louder noise and are
considerably larger than the
workers. They may be easi-
ly recognized by their size

and their blountly rounded
Fic. 6, A AnD B, Nerve SystEMs oF YOUNG abdenens. “Mie sole tate.

anp ApuLr Honry Bre C, GANGLION tion is fulfilled in mating
(after Cheshire) with the young queen as
she takes her maiden flight
from the hive during the warm, bright days of spring. When the
honey fiow begins to lessen, or
at the approach of cold weather,
the drones are killed and the
colony passes the winter without
a single representative. As
mentioned above, the drone de-
_velops from an infertile egg,
which may be deposited by the
queen, or in case of a
queenless colony, by a worker
bee. The drone, like the queen
and worker, passes through
three stages before becoming
fully developed. He takes longer
to go through these changes
than either the queen or the
worker,

 

 

 

 

 

The workers make
The workers up the mass of

the bees in the
colony. In number they vary
from 20,000 to 300,000, accord-
ing to the strength of the colony.
Their duties are varied. The
young bees nurse the developing

larvae, and keep the hive clean. py¢. 7—Hrap oF D

Te older bess ward ef sobbers Sa plizae Gf, Duows, Urran Leet
or intruding pests, go afield Ricur Hanp Corner. HEAD OF WorK-
gathering the nectar of flowers eR, Lower Lerr Hanp CoRNER VEN-
three and four miles away, ‘rat View or Bee SHowinc Wax
bringing it to the hive and de- Prares, Lower Richt HAND CORNER
positing it in the cells already (After Hammar)

 

 

 

 
13

prepared by other worker bees which remained at home.

Still other

worker bees go afield gathering pollen, which when mixed with saliva

forms the beebread or food of the young bee.

 

 

 

 

 

Fic. 8—A, Turrp Lec or Drone.

B, Tuirp Lec oF QUEEN

C, Sensory Harrs From Las-

IAL PALPUS.

D, Sensory H ares
MAXILLA.
E, Sprit Hairs on Toncue.
I, Harrs anp PoLLEN

FROM

 

 

 

The workers are also
the source of the wax used in
making the comb and cappings.
The bee glue or propolis is used
in sealing up cracks and firmly
fastening the parts of the hive
together. Should the honey be
too thin for capping it is the
worker bee who performs the
process of evaporating the sur-
plus water. This is done by
rapid action of its wings. The
steps in the life-history of the
worker are very similar to those
of the queen. The main excep-
tions are that a worker is not fed
the “royal jelly” and the worker
requires 21 days to develop.

The following table shows the
days required for the develop-
ment of the different members
of the hive:

Egg Larva Pupa_ Total
Queen .. 3 54 q 153
Worker . 8 5 13 21
Drone .. 3 6 15 24

 

     

Pa gesee estes’,
2’ OL

Fic. 9—Drone CELLS Usep ror HoneyFic. 10—A CoMBINATION OF WORKER

StoracE—Lower EpGe oF CELL IS
Cappep First

AND Drone CELLS. THE SMALLER
Cetts aT Tor ARE WorKER CELLS
14

NECESSARY EQUIPMENT

Like all other industries when first undertaken, beekeeping should
begin in a simple way. If you are not acquainted with bees it is
best to begin with one colony and one or two good books on beekeep-
ing, and subscribe for one of the best bee journals. Study the living
bees and your publications together. It will take only a compara-
tively short time—about one season—to increase your colonies and

 

 

 

 

 

Fic. 11—Some ReLiAsLtE Books aAnp JoURNALS ON BEEKEEPING

prepare for making honey. The equipment necessary, while simple,.
is peculiarly adapted to the business.

Use nothing but the modern hive; one that may
The modern hive be opened from time to time, permitting you to-

study the condition of the bees. There are many
kinds of modern hives to which the inventor’s name is still attached..
A 10-frame hive is preferable to any other. A hive constructed on the
principles of the Langstroth, with 10 Hoffman frames, with a shallow
15

 

Fic. 12—A 10-Framrp Story AND HALF MopERN
Hive—SHoWING EXTERNAL Parts

super, will give the
beginner a good hive.

A smoker will be
needed whenever you
are working about
the bees; also a bee
veil which may be
readily slipped over
the hat to protect
the face and neck, A
good screwdriver or
hive tool facilitates
the ease of opening
the hive and remov-
ing frames or sec-
tions.

Avoid expensive and
numerous supplies.

In your list of sup-
plies include a queen-
excluding honey
board. This is a per-
forated metal-and-
wood device the size
of the top of the

 

Fic. 13—A Mopern Hive—SHowinc Invrerior Parts
Cover at side of hive brood frame and section frame on top of hive
16

hive and is used to exclude the queen from the super. Order sufficient
medium brood and light section foundations; also some No. 30 tinned
wire and a spur-wheel wire imbedder. In buying hives get them in lots
of five unnailed or “in the flat” at a considerable saving. Liberal
discounts on all apiary supplies are allowed during the winter and
early spring months. Also if you are a member of the State Bee-
keepers’ Association, you will be able to buy bee supplies at a discount.

PLEASURE AND PROFIT IN MODERN BEEKEEPING

As a side line, considering the expense of installation, there is
no more interesting and profitable business than beekeeping. Not
only is this true for the fruitgrower and farmer, but to the residents
of cities, those in mercantile and professional lines. Some of the
best beekeepers are women. True it is that time and attention and
preliminary knowledge are necessary; but experience will be gained
rapidly when the living bees are studied in connection with printed
instructions. A visit to an apiary conducted by a practical beekeeper
will furnish valuable suggestions and interest in the work. No one
who wishes to derive the greatest pleasure and profit from his bees
should expect the little fellows to do good work unless provided with
suitable hives. Do not for a moment attempt to keep bees in hollow
logs or plank boxes; instead have modern hives which can be opened
from, time to time so that the true condition of your bees may be
studied. Surplus honey may be taken off without destroying your
bees, even disturbing them. Should your bees become diseased it will
be an easy matter, with a separable hive, to inspect them and de-
termine the cause.

From careful statistics gathered from different
Hive and bees parts of the State we learn that the production
affect yield of honey is affected not only by the kind of bees,

but by the style of hive in which the bees are
kept, as shown by the following table:

Style of hive  Numberof — Gg'or Spereserd cof taney
ablaries honey per hive extracted honey per colony
Log gums ..... 22 15 Ibs. 10 ¢ $1.50
Plank, box hives 34 18 Ibs. ‘11%e¢ 2.07
Frame or modern
hives .... 173 39% lbs. 12%c 4.94
These figures prove conclusively that it is econo-
Hive parts my to use the modern hive. This may be equipped

with a bottom board, brood chamber, with en-
trance, queen-excluding honey board, super, and cover. The accom-
panying figure shows the arrangement of these parts. The super may
have shallow extracting frames 5%, inches by 17%, or it may have
small boxes or sections, 4 inches by 5. It has been found that a larger
amount of honey will be stored if the frames are used. The hives
should be of good size. The hive giving best results is a 10-frame
hive. The writer is inclined to favor the Langstroth style with Hoff-
man frames. The producer of extracted honey may wish to have
interchangeable brood chambers and supers.

The frames of the hive should have full sheets
Full sheets of of foundation put into them and wired. Full
foundation sheets of foundation should also be used in the
frames or section in the super. It is important
that this be done, for the making of wax by the bees is a slow and
exhausting process, and very expensive, too, when you consider the
17

oh
coer
covoneee

Seek tao
ae ae a

aa
iets
sc

ene

 

Fic. 14—-A HoFrFMANN FRAME WITH FounpaTIon 914% INCHES BY 17%

loss of time of your bees and the quantity of honey which they might
gather. If you have observed your bees you have noticed them from
time to time hanging themselves up in rope-like strings among the
frames and on the sides of the hive. During this time there are few
bees gathering honey. Were you to watch carefully you would find
that after several days there would be a small accumulation of wax
at 8 different places on the underside of the bee’s body. This is the

 

Fic, 15—DANZENBAKER Broop FraME, 7144 INcHEs By 17
18

 

 

 

Fic. 16—A SIncLE AND DousLe-WaLLep Hive

newly formed beeswax. Before this wax can be made a large amount
of honey must be consumed by the bee. A careful observer has found
that it requires 20 pounds of honey to produce 1 pound of wax. Count-
ing honey at 15 cents per pound and beeswax at 30 cents per pound,
you will see how important it is to use full sheets of foundation in-
stead of narrow strips as starters as has been recommended by many
beekeepers in the past. It should be the object of every beekeeper to
save his bees from producing more wax than is really necessary, for
every pound of beeswax produced in the hive costs the beekeeper
$2.70, to say nothing of the time and energy required by the bees
to produce it.

Having decided that it is not economical to keep
Transferring from bees in the box or log gum, and that the use of

the box or log brimstone to kill the bees whenever honey is to
gum to modern be taken is extravagance, we want to start aright,
hives and suggestions as to how to transfer with the

least inconvenience are in order. Lighting your
smoker and putting a bee veil over your face, approach the box or
gum, puffing a little smoke into the entrance. The modern hive is
placed in the exact position of the old one. The log gum is split
apart or the box hive is opened and the larger pieces of comb with the
bees are removed and placed into the frames of the new hive. These
pieces are held in place by wire, strings or sticks. After all the larger
pieces of comb have been placed in the new frame the surplus bees
may be shaken on a piece of cloth spread at the entrance to the new
hive. The operator should take pains to see that the queen gets into
the new hive uninjured. A little smoke now and then may be used
 

Fic. 17—Dousre-WaLLep Hive. WHERE SHADE 1s IMPOSSIBLE
Use Tus Type or Hive

to quiet the bees during the operation of transferring. In a short
time they will become quiet and if the honey flow is on at the time
the bees will soon make the repairs to the broken comb and begin
building new. Great care should be taken to prevent robbing. It is
well to transfer when the bees are busy gathering honey, and the
work should be done as soon as possible, care being taken to leave but
little broken honey exposed. Brood comb taken from the old hive
should be placed near the center of the new hive. After the comb
and bees have been introduced into the modern hive it is well to con-
tract the entrance to the hive. If the colony is strong the bees will
soon join all the parts, and fasten all the combs securely to the frames,
when the sticks, wire or string may be removed.

From the middle of April to the middle of June
Swarming one may expect from the strong colonies suffi-

cient increase to make it necessary for a swarm
to come forth unless precautions are taken by giving space and venti-
lation, or by dividing the colony. Swarming is the natural method of
reproduction among the bees. It is the old queen and the old bees
which leave the hive seeking new quarters. When indications of
swarming appear immediate attention is necessary. The hive with
10 frames with full sheets of foundation or frames containing empty
comb should be ready and as soon as the swarm is out the new hive
should be placed in exactly the same position as the old one, which
may be set a few feet to the side. The swarm made up of the old
bees advances from the hive, followed by the queen. After flying
about for a short time they cluster on some near-by object. It may
20

be a tree, a bush, a post, or a building. Here the swarm remains
for an indefinite length of time, during which scouts are supposed to
be seeking a suitable new home. Swarming time is an occasion of
great excitement, and by the older beekeeper the settling of the swarm
was supposed to be encouraged when bells were rung and pans
drummed upon or sand thrown into the air. The modern swarm
causes very little excitement, for the queen’s wing has been clipped on
one side and the swarm will be found only a short way from the hive,
usually on the ground. The new hive having been placed, the swarm
is now taken to the entrance of the hive and shaken on the cloth
spread before the entrance. In a few minutes all the bees pass within
and usually they remain adapting the new hive for their new home.
Certain precautions are
important. Due care
should be taken not to in-
jure the queen, and the
new hive should not be too
warm. If the hive is new
and strongly scented with
pitch it is well to bruise
grass or leaves on the
sides to neutralize the
odor. If all-has gone well
the swarm becomes quiet
and in a few days all the
bees are working normal-
ly. There are times when
from conditions the bees
do not seem to adapt the
new home and settle down.
In this case to introduce
a frame or two of brood
from some strong colony
will correct the trouble.
here are
Methodsto times when
to prevent the beekeeper
swarming will find it
economical to
prevent swarming. This
may be to prevent a sec-
ond swarm from a colony,
or it may be to prevent a
very late swarm which
would not have sufficient
time to build up and get
strong before cold weath-
er, or it may be that the
beekeeper already has as
many swarms as he wishes
to care for. Much has been written in regard to methods to prevent
swarming. It is interesting indeed to note the various ways adopted
by different beekeepers in the different part of the State. From ex-
periments at the experimental apiary it is evident that the same
method will not always accomplish the same purpose, but from ex-
periments covering 7 years the following methods have been found
most successful: To examine the bees and to know their condition
in regard to brood and number of bees in the hive has been found
most advantageous. Frequently the simple matter of additional space

 

 

 

 

 

Fic. 18—Hive witH INTERCHANGEABLE

Broop CHAMBER AND SUPER
Veil and smoker on hive
21

 

 

 

and better ventila-
tion will prevent a
swarm. Again, after
inspecting a colony
which shows indica-
tion of swarming, to
cut out the queen
cells and _ provide
more space in the
hive acts as a check.
Very successful in-
deed has been the
method of removing
three or four frames
of brood and insert-
ing in their places
frames and empty
: : comb. In this case
-LIPPING THE QUEEN’s WINGS one would increase
the number of colo-
nies but would prevent the swarm. The advantages derived from this
separation of a colony are, first, to suit the work to the operator’s
convenience; second, to facilitate hiving, if the clipped queen is not
used; third, and perhaps the most important of all, to save the bee’s
time in gathering honey.
Many questions have come to us in regard to the
Italianizing getting of a better strain of bees. The beekeeper
has realized that his bees are not collecting the
honey they should and that they are vicious, and having read of the

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

Fic. 21—In THE Mipst oF THE Honey Fiow.

strains which are very productive and are extremely gentle, he would
like to know how to get these desirable strains introduced.

From a reliable. queen breeder secure a three-banded or five-
banded Italian queen. At the close of this bulletin will be found a
list of queen breeders and firms who can furnish you bee supplies of
all kinds. For this queen it will be necessary to pay from 50 cents to
$2.50, according to the time of the year and the merits of the queen.
The queen will be shipped to you in a wire-and-wooden cage accom-
panied by three or four worker bees. The next step is to introduce
the new queen into your old colony. There are different ways of doing
this. Experience teaches, however, that success usually results from
placing the wire cage, the entrance of which is stopped with candy,
in the middle of the hive on top of the frames. After the hive is
opened it is well to take out the middle frame and find the old queen
and remove her previous to introducing the new queen. The bees
will soon find the wire cage and begin to cut away the candy from the
entrance. The worker bees on the inside of the cage will also begin
eating, and by the time the entrance is cleared the bees will have
become well acquainted and the fertilized queen begins almost imme-
diately to lay pure Italian eggs. In about 28 days the Italian workers
begin to come out of the hive and in a month or six weeks, during the
honey flow, most of the native bees will have died, thus leaving you a
pure strain of bees. Through the summer months open each hive
every few days and examine the brood cells. It is not necessary to
disturb the bees very much in doing this. Honey may also be taken
from ‘time to time from the hives with little if any disturbance to the
bees.
 

 

 

Fic. 22—EXHIBITION OF THE PropucTs OF THE BEE,

The word “robbing,” meaning the taking of honey
Taking honey from the bees, is an obsolete word in modern
from the bees beekeeping, for never is the hive robbed of its
honey. In the brood chamber the honey and
brood is never disturbed unless it may be at certain times to cut out
drone cells. The honey is taken from the super. It is the surplus
honey in which there is no brood if preacutions have been taken. At
this point it might be stated that it is always well to have a queen-
excluding honey board between the brood chamber and the super.
This will prevent the queen from going into the super and depositing
eggs. To remove honey simply lift off the super a day or two before
you wish to take out your honey and insert a bee escape between the
super and the brood chamber. ‘This device allows the bees to go from
the super to the brood chamber but not to return. This having been
been done, when you remove the honey there will be no bees present.
After the filled frames or sections have been removed replace empty
ones with full sheets of foundation.
’ Too much stress can not be laid upon the im-
Marketing honey portance of the appearance of your products
from the apiary. If honey is sold in pound sec-
tions all propolis, or bee glue, should be removed from the wood, and
it is sometimes well to bleach the caps with burning sulphur. The
sections may be placed in neat pasteboard cartons, making the honey
more attractive and carrying out the idea of sanitation. It will be
worth your while to adopt a brand, and grade very carefully all the
products leaving your apiary. A large majority of the people in
Tennessee sell “chunk honey;” which is honey comb as it is cut from
the frames. It is usually sold in buckets or glass jars. It sells for
less than the pound sections and for little more than extracted honey.
24

At this point
emphasis
should be laid
upon the
waste of hon-
ey comb.
Since the pas-
sage of the
Pure Food
Law on June
30, 1906, the
| use of ex-
tracted honey
has’ greatly
increased and
‘| every bee-
keeper should
1 use his in-
fluence to
make this the
Fic, 23—Tue Drvetopment of Comp Honey popular form
in which to
sell honey. It is economical both to the consumer and to the bee-
keeper, and the Pure Food requirements prevent adulteration, which
in the past has been detrimental to the sale of any form of extract
honey, and this has been the chief means of popularizing comb honey.
A honey extractor for extracting the honey from the frame will
effect a great saving in the life of the bees and will increase the
honey production. It will be as easy to get a reputation for a cer-
tain brand of extract honey neatly put in glass jars or in tin cans.
A practical beekeeper recently told the writer that he valued every
frame of empty comb which he had at $1.00. The actual amount
of wax in this comb is much less than a pound, but the beekeeper
has in mind the conservation of the life and energy of his bees as
well as the time consumed in making the wax. The time to sell
your honey will be governed by two things. If you have a suitable
place for storing your surplus, a better price frequently may be
secured later in the season after the honey flow has ceased. In
Tennessee the best prices are paid for honey during the holiday
season. If you have no place to store your surplus honey it will be
best to sell it immediately upon taking it from the hive. Early
honey in this case will bring a good price, as well as that taken
in the early fall.

 

 

 

 

 

There is nothing connected with beekeeping that
Robbing among will try the patience of the beekeeper more than
the bees robbing among his bees. If this be continued

for any length of time serious losses may re-
sult. Even in the best managed apiaries there will be colonies of
varying strengths. At certain times there may be weak colonies
which are liable to be attacked during robbing and completely de-
stroyed. Even with the strong colonies there is frequently a con-
siderable loss of bees in the attempt to ward off the robbers. Rob-
bing is often induced by too large an entrance to the hive; and some-
times by covers being raised and left up to increase ventilation;
but the chief cause of robbing is the careless exposure of bits of
honey or parts of hives to which honey is attached. When the honey
flow is on it is rare that robbing takes place but during a dearth of
honey flow the least provocation will start robbing.
25

Remedies: To contract the entrance of the hive; also to place be-
fore the entrance a cloth soaked with a few drops of carbolic acid or
asparagus tops or grass. It is sometimes necessary entirely to close
the entrance to the hive containing the weak colonies or remove it to
some enclosure away from the robbers. The best course, however,
is that of precaution. Knowing those things which induce robbing,
the beekeeper should exercise every care to prevent it.

The apiary may be placed in the dooryard, in
Suitable site for the orchard, in the meadow, at the edge of
an apiary : woodland, or on a hillside. If the hillside be

chosen and the hill be of considerable height, it is
well to have the apiary located about half way up. Bees may be
successfully kept in
houses having entrances
through the sides of the
building. Bees may al-
so be kept upon roofs of
high buildings. Here, at
the University of Ten-
nessee, a hive of bees
set before an open win-
dow of the third story
of Morrill Hall has
done as well as colonies
on the University Farm.
Wherever your bees are
kept, it is necessary to
have a certain amount
of shade. An ideal site
is one which would pro- Fic. 24—-THE OrcHaArRD AS A SITE FOR AN
tect the bees from the APIARY ;
midday sun but would
give them an opportunity of having the morning and late afternoon
sun. The hives should be more or less protected from the prevailing
winds. In this State the California privet grows very rapidly and
will quickly furnish a very desirable windbrake for an apiary. The
hives should be faced to the east of southeast, with lighting board
slightly elevated from the support. Several experiments with hive
stands at varying heights have proved that a low stand is preferable.

: If the hives are

8, 10, or 12
inches above
the ground the
heavily laden
bees returning
from the: field
will often drop
to the ground
before reaching
the. entrance,
losing consider-
able time, if
they gain the
entrance at all.
If hives are on
rather high
stands it is
well to
Fic, 25—ARRANGEMENT OF Hives By Twos slopi ne ce

trance reach-

 

 
26

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dOus)
M SHUG ONV SYaMOTT

‘

‘WOOIg NI JUV Sau, NIHM AVAdS WAYN—Yo “Oly

 

 
27

ing nean, vo the ground. The question is raised by some as to
whether a hive on a low stand is likely to become infested with
ants, roaches, mice, etc. We have had no trouble of this kind
excepting in one case where the colony was very weak. The
hives may be arranged separately or in pairs. We are using a low
stand containing two hives with about 8 or 10 inches between.
Several of the better beekeepers of the State are keeping bees after
this method and several have the stands single with from 5 to 10
feet between. The writer is inclined to think that the location of
hives in an apiary'is a matter more to be decided ‘by the operator.
The hives should all face in the same direction, and between the
row there should be sufficient room for the bees to rise up out
of the way of the operator. Referring again to the matter of
shade, the growth should be of a kind .which sheds its leaves in
winter and produces not too dense a shade in summer. In case
it is impossible to have shade a double-walled hive will be found
advantageous. The hive should be placed on a stand nearly level
from side to side with a very slight tilt forward to allow water to
run out in case of a beating rain. The grass should be kept short
around the hive so that the bees may have free access to the en-
trance.

The prospective beekeeper wishing to secure
Moving bees a few colonies of bees may start in one of three

ways. He may secure from a reliable bee-
keeper a small hive of three or four frames of pure-blooded bees,
known as a “nucleus.” These should be purchased in the early
spring, in March or April. They may be put into a regulation-
size hive, and as the brood hatches the colony will be increased to
fill the hive. In this case it is well to keep watch of the bees and
prevent them from swarming the first year. This way of starting
beekeeping is to be highly recommended.

A second way of making a start is to secure from a beekeeper
a colony or two in modern hives and move them to the desired lo-
cation in March or April. If these are strong colonies one may
expect a swarm in the latter part of April or of May. By securing
bees in the early spring one has the advantage of a swarm to in-
crease the colonies.

The third method is to buy log gums or box hives containing
the black, or German, bees arid plan to transfer them into a modern
10-frame hive and Italianize them with a good queen purchased
from a reliable queen breeder. Suggestions for transferring and
Italianizing are given in another place in this bulletin.

A discussion on feeding may be divided into
Feeding two heads! viz.: feeding to hasten increase,

and feeding to save the colony. Feeding ‘to
hasten increase.—Early spring feeding has a tendency to stimulate the
rearing of brood. This practice is especially desirable in late springs
or when the early spring flowers seem to produce little if any nectar.
The result of this stimulation is to produce strong colonies which will
be ready to work as soon as the honey flow is on. In the spring as
soon as it becomes: warm enough to open a hive safely one should
inspect the frames to see if there is sufficient honey for the brood
and the spring feeding should be governed by this investigation.

Feeding to save the colony.—In the latter part of October the
colonies should all be carefully examined to see if they have plenty
of surplus honey for the winter months. There should be at least
25 to 30 pounds of honey for winter feeding. In case the fall flowers
have not produced sufficient nectar, or in case the colony is weak or
is a late swarm, the bees should be fed upon honey or a syrup made
by boiling granulated sugar with a small amount of water. The
28

sugar syrup may be readily made by adding 1 quart of water to 4
pounds of granulated sugar. Bring this to a boil and skim.

When feeding, every precaution should be used
Kinds of feeders to prevent bees from robbing. Hence it is well

to feed rather late in the evening or to use a
feeder which does not open outside of the hive. There are various
kinds of feeders.
Two of these are
shown in the ac-
companying cuts.

The Boardman
entrance feeder
consists of an in-
verted Mason
fruit jar the cov-
er of which is
perforated with
many fine holes.
The syrup or hon-
ey is placed in the
jar; the jar is in-
verted and placed
in the block,
which holds it in
an upright posi-
tion. This block
is then placed in
the entrance of a
hive.

The Alexander
feeder is highly
recommended as a
spring feeder for
stimulative pur-

Fic. 27—TuHe BoarpMAN ENTRANCE FEEDER poses. This feed-
er fits beneath
the brood chamber at the end of the bottom board, with entrance pro-
jecting to the side. It is very convenient to refill, The block cover-
ing the projection prevents outside bees from getting to the feed.
The Doolittle division-board
feeder consists of simply a box
opened at the top which occupies
the space of a brood frame. This
feeder is placed in the hive and
is especially recommended for feed-
ing during cool weather.
Reference to any of the lead-
ing bee supply catalogues will give
additional information on feeding

 

devices.

To the bee-
The sting of the keeper the
bee sting occasion-

ally received
when he is tending his bees means
nothing, but for the beginner this
sting is that of which he lives in
fear and often prevents him from
deriving pleasure from his bees, 1G. 28—TH# Atexanper Bortom-

It is, however, only a short time Boarp FEEDER

 

 

 

 
29

before the beginner gets very bold, and proud is he when without veil
or gloves he approaches the hive and with the use of a little smoke
handles his bees with impunity. It is a fact that the sting affects
different people in different ways, but the writer believes it is also
a fact that one can to a greater or less extent become immune to the
poison resulting from the sting. Upon receiving the sting from the
honey bee, immediately remove the stinger by means of a knife or a
finger nail by pushing the stinger sideways. Never use the fingers
or a pair of forceps.to try to extract the stinger for in doing this
more of the poison, or formic acid, is injected and more serious will
be the result of the sting. A little honey smeared over the affected spot
will give relief as quickly as anything. The best recommendation, how-
ever, is that of prevention. Secure gentle Italian bees, and do away
with the common black ill-tempered bees. Visit the apiary often,
learn the behavior of the bees; and the bees will come to know you
the same as higher animals do. Work among your bees leisurely,
avoiding all quick motions and in opening a hive ‘do it as carefully
as you can. Use the smoker judiciously.

At another place reference is made to the unde-
Kind of bees sirability of the black, or German, bee and the

three- or five-banded Italians are recommended.
This information for the amateur should be sufficient; yet it may not
be out of place here to say that there are many races of bees, each of
which has its own individuality. The following table is taken from
“Cook’s Manual of the Apiary”:

Species Races Varieties

A. Dorsata nigripen-
nis Latr.

Apis indica, Fab. A. Dorsata bicolor,

Apis florea, Fab.

 

5 Klug.
Apis dorsata, Fab. A. Dorsata zonata, Carniolin or Krainer
Smith. Heath
Hungarian
A. Mellifera nigra, Dalmatian
German bee. Herzegovinian
Smyrnian
A. Mellifera fasciata, Tunisian
Egyptian bee. Common Black

Syrian (?)
South Palestin (?)
Apis Mellifera. ena $)

Greek (?)

Bonnat (?)

Caucasian (7?)

A. Mellifera unicolor
Latr. Madagascar

A. Mellifera adonsoni,
African bee.
30

 

 

 

 

te * Be ae ii ae

 

Fic. 29—A Souar Wax ExTRACTOR

All cappings and broken pieces of comb should
Beeswax and wax be saved and extracted for beeswax. Beeswax
extractor is always in demand in the market and sells for

from 28 to 35 cents per pound. The accompany-
ing figure shows a solar wax extractor, which is a very convenient and
inexepnsive one. This device may be set so that the rays of the sun
will shine directly through the double glass front and the wax will be
melted by the heat generated.
31

 

 

 

 

 

Fic. 30—A Honry Extractor

The beekeeper will get his greatest yields by
Honey extractor extracting his honey and replacing the empty

frames in the super. This is the most economical
way of producing honey, there being very little waste of beeswax and
the time required of the bees in making the comb. A device for
extracting honey is shown in the accompanying figure; it simply being
an arrangement in which two frames of honey may be placed and
revolved rapidly after the caps have been cut from the comb. This
whirling, or centrifugal force, will completely throw the honey from
the comb. By turning the frames, both sides may be completely ex-
tracted. There are extractors made which are reversible and do not
require the removal of the frame until both sides are extracted. Honey
extractors are inexpensive and the extra honey produced will soon
pay for the equipment. ;
32

CHIEF SOURCES OF HONEY IN TENNESSEE

From a special circular letter sent to the largest beekeepers of
the State asking them to give the names of the chief nectar-producing
flowers in their sectiin, the following was gained. The list given be-
low is arranged in order of importance in the estimation of these
practical beekeepers. The number following the name indicates the
persons reporting same as a source of honey.

 

White clover 152 Wireweed 38 Raspberry 1

Poplar 101 Boneset 2 Oak 1

Linen or basswood 96 Buckbush 2 Spanish needle 1

Sourwood 65 Huckleberry 2

Aster 89 Whortleberry 2

Black locust 33 Elm 2

Fruit blossom 29 Yellowwood 2

Chestnut 19 Daisy fleabane 2

Goldenrod 19 Heartsease 2

Stickweed 18 Cane 1

Red clover 14 Crowfoot moss pl

Persimmon 14 Willows 1

Alsike clover 12 Bitterweed 1

Cowpeas 11 Turnip bloom a

Buckwheat 10 Dandelion 1

Tanglefoot 9 Strawberry al

Sumac 8 Pea wood 1

Maple 8 Cottonwood 1

Black gum 6 Cedar 1

Alfalfa 5 Blackberry 1

Melilotus 4 Catnip 1

Cotton 4 Fruit berries 1 o

Corn 4 Aspen 1 Fic. 31—LInpDEN or Bass-

woop

HONEYDEW

During certain years honeydew is a source of a considerable
amount of honey in the different parts of the State. Honeydew is
recognized by its shining appearance on leaves, varnishing their upper
surfaces. It is often found in considerable quantities on sidewalks
beneath trees. During the months of spring and early summer it
is in greatest abundance. The sources of honeydew may be men-
tioned under three heads: from plant lice or aphids; from certain
scale insects and from certain plants.
By far the greatest source, however, is
that of plant lice. This sweet substance
is ejected by the plant lice and is fre-
quently thrown some distance, an ex-
planation as to why honeydew is fre-
quently found on leaves above which
there are no overhanging trees. The
honey made from honeydew seems to be

 

 

iti: oe

 

 

 

variable according to the source of the
honeydew. From aphids it produces a
_very fair grade of honey, while that
from scale insects produces a rather
dark, highly scented honey. According to the Food and Drugs Act,
pure honey is not produced from honeydew. The definition for pure
honey being “The nectar of flowers gathered by bees and stored in
honeycomb.”

Fic. 39—Pranr Lick, THE
CuHieF Source oF Honey-
DEW
 

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“~ 90 &---RWwoOOD Fic. 37—GoLpEen-
ROD
34

PRESENT CONDITIONS AND FUTURE POSSIBILITIES OF
BEEKEEPING IN TENNSSEE

At the present time Tennessee ranks fifth in the honey-produc-
ing states of the Union. Few people not having the chance to study
the beekeeping interests in Tennessee know to what proportions they
have attained. Honey production in the State has never been brought
properly before the beekeeping world and in a general way little is
known as to what is really being done in this line of business by the
people of Tennessee. It.may be interesting to see a few conservative
figures in regard to present conditions obtained from a careful survey
of the beekeeping industry.

At present there are 144,487 colonies of bees in
What the bees Tennessee. Estimated at $3.50 per colony, their
save each year value would be $505,704.50. The amount invested
in honey houses and other apparatus connected
with beekeeping, exclusive of hives, would doubtless approximate 6
per cent of this amount, or $30,342.27. From statements received from

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fic. 40—Tennessee Honey Exuisit at Tri-State Farr, MEMPHIs
Octoser, 1911.

3,006 beekeepers in the State it is found that the average yield per
colony is 39% pounds of honey. This makes the production of the
144,487 colonies 5,707,236%4 pounds of honey, which at an average
price of 15 cents per pound aggregates $856,085.48. There are also
sold in the State annually $2,500 worth of queens, averaging $1 per
queen. At present there is no accurate estimate of the beeswax pro-
duced, but the amount is considerable, selling as it does for 28 and 30
cents per pound. Counting a swarm for every two colonies, and
valuing them at $1, this would amount to $72,243.50. As a total we
thus find the annual output of the beekeeping industry in Tennessee
to be—

 
BOOS sie /sie n tiaes des Bis Gate HARE Ta Sal gas $ 505,704.50
Appliances: cob cei ew elie vine cae ars vate woe 30,342.27
HONG Ys vce win ewanvearevanins tone isid dioaeed RRS 856,085.48
Queens) oa os exes ire aw deeds meee aides vd 2,500.00
Swarms: cases s hs. goose oases loud ware tale vere ore 72,243.50
Total..... seins See ety Goo $1,466,875.75

. These figures in a conservative way serve to show

State aid the importance of the industry of beekeeping as

it is in Tennessee today.

With the introduction of more modern appliances and better bees
and the proper care, who can estimate its future?

_ _ The prospects for the development of this profitable and delightful
industry in Tennessee are very good. The passage of a bill by the
Legislature of 1911 means much in the building up and fostering of
beekeeping. In brief the bill comprises:

“AN ACT to suppress infectious and contagious diseases of bees; to
provide for an inspector of apiaries, to define his powers and duties,
and to define certain misdemeanors and provide punishment there-
for.” (Chapter 50, Acts of 1911.) Sections 1 and 2 give the general
scope of the Act:

“Section 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of
Tennessee, That within thirty days from the passage of this Act, the
Commissioner of Agriculture shall appoint a duly qualified and competent
inspector of Apiaries whose duties it shall be to inspect the bees of the
State as prescribed in this Act; and such Inspector of Apiaries shall act
under the authority and supervision of the State Board of Entomology.

“Section 2. Be it further enacted, That upon receiving information
from any source, of the existence of diseases in any apiary in the State,
the Inspector of Apiaries shall examine such apiary, and all others in the
same locality, and shail ascertain whether or not the disease known as
Foul Brood, or any other disease which is infectious or contagious in its
nature, and injurious to honey bees, exists in such apiaries, and shall desig-
nate each colony and apiary which he finds infected, and shall notify the
owner or the person in charge of such bees thereof; and the owner or
person in charge of such bees shall at once practically and in good faith,
apply, and thereafter fully carry out upon such diseased bees, such treat-
ment, as may have been prescribed by the Inspector for such cases; and
shall also thoroughly disinfect to the satisfaction of the Inspector, all bee
hives, combs, honey and apparatus used in connection with such diseased
bees; or the said owner or person in charge may, at his election utterly
destroy by fire all such infected bees, hives, combs, honey and apparatus.”

, This work of apiary inspection was begun during the summer
of 1911, when 70 apiaries in different parts of Middle and West Ten-
nessee, representing some 800 colonies, were inspected. Of this num-
ber 14 apiaries were found affected’ with the American foul brood,
a bacterial disease of bees which if left untreated will scatter readily
and mean a total loss to the apiary and in time ruin the entire beekeep-
ing industry of the State. The 14 cases of disease found were not
highly advanced and have been thoroughly treated and eliminated.
During the coming season as many apiaries will be inspected as avail-
able funds will permit. This important inspection work, together with
instruction, means that the- industry will be greatly fostered and ex-
tended throughout the 96 counties of the State. It is due to these
bacterial diseases, bee moth and poor management that many bee-
36

ONIMON LINGY HLIM ONIdsaNaIG—T[P “OT

 

 

 

 

 

 
37

keepers in the past have found it impossible to keep their bees strong
and healthy and to get greater yields of honey.

Many sections of Tennessee are admirably adapt-
Tennessee as a ed to the keeping of bees, in that clover grows
beekeeping state luxuriously. Leaving these regions we find the

beekeepers producing honey profitably from pop-
lar, linden, cotton, sourwood, aster, etc. The largest honey producers
in the State, with very few exceptions, produce extract honey. The
bulk of the honey produced is consumed in the State and large ship-
ments are made to Tennessee from California and Texas. The pos-
sibilities of the beekeeping interests of the State are exceptionally
good, they being not only fostered by State aid in the control of
diseases, but also by instruction in the introduction of modern appli-
ances and methods of management. As a rule the beekeepers are
extending their business and this will continue to. be enlarged as
attention is directed
to this industry. The
beekeepers who will
not give their bees
care and attention
and who still adhere
to the log and plank
“gums” will soon be
forced out of busi-
ness by bee troubles
resulting from lack
of attention, and in
their place those
making a study of

the industry and us-
ing ee ca hives Fic. 42—Naturat Comp Buitpinc. A SuccEsTIoN

and appliances will ON THE Use or Fuut Sueets or Founpation
push on to success. (After Hutchinson)

The market for hon-

ey throughout the State is exceptionally good. The writer has been
surprised many times to find comb honey selling in the cities during
holiday season for 35 and 40 cents per pound. The average price for
extract honey in the State is from 12% to 15 cents. In Texas, where
the bulk of the honey is produced in the United States and where
much of it is sold at wholesale, the average price is only 6 cents per
pound.

 

More attention in the State is being paid to mod-
Yields of dif- ern hives and the improved strains of bees than
ferent bees ever before. People are eager for information on
the subject and scores of letters each month are
sent to the Experiment Station and to this office for instructions.
There are at present several firms in the State selling bee supplies, and
besides, many agents are selling for outside firms. Few beekeepers
today are keeping the black, or German bees. These have been ex-
changed for more gentle bees—the three-banded, and golden Italian
and the Carniolians. *
The following table shows the number of beekeepers keeping
Italian, Hybrid, or black (German) bees; also the yield of extract
honey from each:

No. of beekeepers No. of colonies Yield—Lpbs.
Talian: sviccss deacons 93 2557 39%
By brid. sicescece ei as 30 691 80%
Black (German) ..... 34 561 20
38

Some of the advantages of this Stare over the

Advantages for colder states are, that it is not necessary for the
beekeeping in beekeepers in Tennessee to solve the wintering
Tennessee problem; the colonies keep well out of doors dur-

. ing the winter; the great number of growing days
in the state make it possible for bees to gather honey as late as the
latter part of November; the honey plants are varried, coming into
bloom at different times of the year; and apiaries may be located in
various parts of the State we find them on tops of mountains, in the
valleys, and in the level sections. The map on page.... shows the
“ocation of the larger apiaries of the State.

Every inducement is offered to the energetic beekeeper who under-
stands and loves the bees and is willing to. make an effort to assist
them in caring for their store of honey.

APIARY INSPECTION

In the spring of 1911 apiary inspection for the first time in Ten-
nessee was undertaken. This inspection was made possible through

an appropriation by
== —————————— Legislature of 1911
Sat gay
F Me tes ol aed
; ‘bss ae ea gH
me a ae when

 

  
 

(Chapter 50, Acts of
the Fifty - seventh
General Assembly).
The results of
the initial work in
apiary inspection are
most .gratifying
The beekeepers take
kindly to the require-
ments and seem very
willing to do all they
can to cooperate and
to extend the work.
It is surprising to
learn how very few
of them are ac-
quainted with the
bee diseases, and, in
fact, how few are
giving their bees the
“proper care and at-
J tention. The prob-
@ lem of bettering the
Fic. 48—INSPECTING THE BEES beekeeping interests
is an educational
one and it will be
necessary to get public sentiment back of the requirement in order
that a more liberal appropriation may be made for this important
work. There are at present nearly 3,000 beekeepers having 10 colonies
and more in the different parts of the State and the number of colo-
nies of bees is 144,487. The task of inspection, therefore, is no small
one, and with the present appropriation for the work only the larger
apiaries and the salable queens can be carefully inspected. Not until
more money is available for the protection of the beekeepers’ interests
can a full survey and a complete inspection be made. It is a fact
that bee diseases and the bee moth are at the bottom of all the bee-
keepers’ troubles, and in the effort to adjust these matters an educa-
tional campaign is as important as an apiary inspection. From the
work thus far conducted it is evident that when once instructed the
beekeepers will gladly take up the work and the prospects in honey
producing will be even better than heretofore.

—,

       

  

 

 
39

 

 

 

 

 

Fic. 44—A Compacr Apiary on City Lot

REPORT OF APIARY INSPECTION FOR 1911

The Department of Apiary Inspection, of the State Board of Entomology, was

organized May 1, 1911, in accordance with Chapter 50 of the Acts of the 57th General
Assembly.
7 During the season of 1911 in spections have been made in 70 apiaries, contain-
ing a total of about 800 colonies. The number of diseased apiaries found was 14.
Number of colonies treated, 41. Colonies destroyed, none. American foul brood was
located in Hamilton, Giles, Lawrence, Williamson, and Roane Counties, and European
foul brood in Anderson, Montgomery, and Shelby Counties. Most of these cases have
been cleaned up, and the bees are now in a healthy condition. However, a few
reports of disease were received too late in the season to admit of sucecssful treat-
ment and these will be attended to in the early spring.

A card index has been prepared, containing the names and addresses of over
800 beekeepers in the State, together with the number of colonies, their condition,
ete. This will be added to from time to time.

The honey crop for the past two seasons has been very light in some parts of
the State, and the loss of bees during last winter was heavy. This was caused in
most cases by starvation, although some of the loss was due to disease.

Respectfully submitted,
J. M. BUCHANAN,
State Inspector of Apiaries.

REPORT OF APIARY INSPECTION FOR 1912

I respectfully submit the following report of my duties as Inspector of Apiaries
for the first six months of my commission:

My commission as Inspector of Apiaries for Tennessee was received June 6, 1912,
and I at once entered upon my duties as such, in accordance with House Bill No. 70,
Acts of 1911. Former Inspector, J. M. Buchanan, of Franklin, Tenn., turned over
to me the names and addresses of about 800 Tennessee beekeepers that he had col-
lected during his service. To each of those I mailed a copy of the Apiary Law and
the following announcement of the change in the inspector:

“This announces the appointment of Dr. J. S. Ward as State Inspector of
Apairies, to fill the vacancy lately made by the resignation of J. M. Buchanan, of
Franklin, Tenn. Dr. Ward asks the cooperation of the beekeepers of the State in
his efforts to protect the honey industry from the different bee diseases. Correspond-
ence is solicited, and reports of bee diseases will be given prompt attention.”

The month of June was spent in doing inspection work, mostly in Davidson,
Maury and Rutherford Counties. Only one yard was found infected with foul brood.
This was given radical treatment, with satisfactory results. This month’s inspection
work, however, was without guidance so far as reports of diseases was concerned,
and much of the time was used in giving instruction in the more approved methods
of beekeeping.
40

The Tennessee Agriculture Train started on its tour over
Exhibition on the State on July Ist. On July 4th the Chairman of the Ten-
agricultural train nessee Board of Entomology instructed me to join the

train at Franklin, Tenn., with an apiary exhibit, and spend
. the months of July and August in an educational campaign
in the interest of the beekeeping industry. The exhibit, being hastily prepared, was
not as nearly complete as desired. It consisted, however, of observatory and work-
ing hives, with frames of foundation-drawn comb, division boards and queen ex-
cluder, extractor, an uncapping melter, smoker, veils, feeders, extracted and comb
honey, specimens of Caucasian, German and Italian queens, and a good working
colony of bees in an observatory hive, with super. This apiary exhibit, while small,
proved one of the most attractive exhibits on the train. A working colony of bees
in an observatory hive with glass sides, so the bees could be seen in their movements
over the comb, was an interesting revelation to the thousands of people who passed
through the train. Demonstrations and instructions in beekeeping were given in
the car by the exhibit at every stop the train made throughout the State. In additiin
to these demonstrations in the car, about 100 open-air lectures were given on bee-
keeping.

Literature on beekeeping as a practical and profitable industry was distributed
until the supply was exhausted. Much interest was manifested in the modern
methods of keeping bees, with many calls for bulletins, books and pamphlets of
instruction.

The names and addresses of beekeepers and those interested in the honey
industry were gathered at every stop the train made. These have been filed, both
alphabetically and by counties, for ready reference and convenience in mailing out
bulletins and other literature of instruction. zh

While on the train we were particularly impressed with the

‘ need of education and instruction in beekeeping among

i helenae beekeepers. Old and unprofitable methods should be dis-

earded and ali the practical methods should be taught, so

as to enable the beekeepers to gather the tons and tons of

honey that are going to waste every year. Thousands of acres of Tennessee soil

are covered every spring with white clover blossoms, from which we get the finest of

honey. This natural resource of wealth should not be allowed to go ungathered be-

cause of ignorance. According to the last census report issued by the Government,

Tennessee ranked third in the number of hives or colonies, but only fifth in honey

production. This low place in honey yield grows out of the fact that the majority

of the 300,000 colonies in the State are kept in old-fashioned “gums” or homemade

boxes, and cared for by impsactical and unprofitable methods. This is not as it

should be, and your Inspector of Apiaries will exert himself to develop the industry

through lectures, demonstrations and the mailing of bulletins, circulars and letters
of instruction.

This educational work, however, will be much hampered by the present small
appropriation. One thousand dollars falls far short of the amount needed to promote
this industry. The annual income from honey and wax is only about $25,000, when
the available natural resources are approximately $2,000,000.

The work on the Agricultural Train stopped September 1st. Inspection work was
then resumed and continued until cold weather. Most of the work was done in
Robertson, Williamson and Bedford Counties. The losses from diseased colonies in
Bedford County were heavy. Whole apiaries were wiped out with black brood, and
the beekeepers discouraged. Nearly two weeks were spent in this county treating
eolonies and giving instruction. At no place was my inspecton work resented. Every
beekeeper was willing and ready to cooperate with me. -

After advising with the Board of Entomology, a lantern
Lectures given outfit was purchased for giving illustrated lectures on Bee

Culture during the winter months. Lectures with and with-
out the lantern have been given during October, November and December, at the
following places: Jackson, at the West Tennessee Farmers’ Convention; Fairfield,
Water Valley, Bellbuckle, Nashville, Capers, Egansville, Smyrna, Bethel, with two
other engagements at Oakland and Dosset that failed. Sickness prevented a lecture
at the Middle Tennessee Farmers Institute at Nashville.

The number of reports of bee diseases have been disappoint-
Report of diseases ing. The fear of having their bees destroyed, or discourage-

ment and indifference, or a lack of confidence in curative and
preventive treatment, or ignorance of the Apiary Law, has made the beekeepers slow
about reporting troubles.

After studying the conditions of the honey industry in Tennessee for these six
months of my commission, I have outlined the following plan of work for the re-
maining winter months: First, to continue the lecturing; second, to obtain, as far
as possible, the names of all the beekeepers in the State; third, to mail out literature
on beekeeping ; fourth, to invite cooperation and insist upon reports of bee diseases
A tabulation of all reports will be kept and arranged for a vigorous inspection cam-
paign in the early spring.
Very truly,

J. S. WARD,
Inspector of Apiaries.
41

THE TROUBLES OF THE BEEKEEPER

Information gained from blanks sent to the beekeepers through-
out the State indicates that the chief troubles of the beekeeper are
due to the bee moth. The table below gives the answers received
from the largest beekeepers from different parts of the State:

Number of beekeepers reporting Trouble
104 Bee moth
14 Paralysis
10 Foul brood
6 Ants
2 Roaches
2 Toads
1 Mice
1 Birds
When a beekeeper reports trouble from the bee
The bee moth moth it is a sure indication that carelessness is

the seat of the trouble, for bee moth is a sec-
ondary trouble. Never does it attack a strong, vigorous colony. Only
after the colony is weakened by loss of queen or foul brood does the
moth gain en-
trance to the
hive unless
the hive is in
very bad con-
dition. One
person re-
porting on
these troubles
said, “I am
surprised
that you ask
concerning
the bee moth.
No modern
beekeeper
everhas trou-
ble from this
source.” I
might say
Fic. 45—Tur Bre Morr anp Its Work that this re-
5 ply came
from one of Tennessee’s best beekeepers and probably one of the
largest producers of Italian queens in the United States. For those
who have been unfortunate enough to have trouble from the bee moth
a method for overcoming it may be suggested. The hive should be
thoroughly cleanéd. New foundation should be placed in the frames
with a frame or two of comb taken from a strong hive. The bees
which are left in the infected hive should be introduced into the new
quarters. This colony should be carefully watched until it has re-
gained normal strength. All of the old or infected comb should be
burned and the hive should be thoroughly fumigated with carbon bi-

sulphide or carefully charred by means of a plumber’s blow lamp.
In combs or honey stored for sometime wax-
Wax-worms worms frequently make their appearance. These
may be controlled by putting comb and honey

in a close room and carefully fumigating with sulphur fumes.

 

 

 

 
42

 

 

Fic. 45—Coms SHowine ApvaNcep STacE or AMERICAN Four, Broop

{after Cowan)
48

i Considerable trouble has been experienced in the
White ants, or experimental apiary with white ants honeycomb-
Termites ing the legs of the bee stands, A very satis-

factory remedy for this trouble is to soak the
legs of the stand thoroughly in creosote.

Whenever trouble results from either of these
Ants, roaches sources one may conclude immediately that the
and spiders colony is in a highly weakened condition and im-

mediate attention is demanded. No other remedy
is necessary than to get the colony strong.

; Bee martins will frequent an apiary from time

Birds to time and destroy a considerable number of bees.

They seem to be partial to young queens and have
caused the queen breeders appreciable loss. A little care, however,
will induce this bird to leave. Shooting at the bird, not trying to kill
it, has given success.

The cause of American foul brood is now known
American foul to be a microscopic organism called Bacillus larvae
brood White. Dr. E. F. Phillips, in charge of apicul-

tural investigations of the U. S. Department of
Agriculture, describes this disease as follows:

“When the larvae are first affected they turn to a light choeolate
color and in the advanced stages of decay become darker, resembling
roasted coffee in color. Usually the larvae are attacked at about the
time of capping, and most of the cells containing infected larvae are
capped. As decay proceeds, these cappings become sunken and per-
forated, and, as the healthy brood emerges, the comb shows the scat-
tered cells containing larvae which have died of disease, still capped.
The most noticeable characteristic of this infection is the fact that
when a small stick is inserted in a larvae which has died of the dis-
ease, and then slowly removed, the broken-down tissues adhere to it
and will often stretch out for several inches before breaking. When
the larva dries, it forms a dark brown color, which can best be ob-
served when the comb is held so that a bright light strikes the lower
side wall of the cell. Decaying larvae which have died of this disease
have a very characteristic odor, which resembles a poor quality of glue.
The disease seldom attacks drone or queen larvae.”

Dr. Phillips describes the European foul brood as follows:

“This disease attacks larvae earlier than does
European foul American foul brood, and a comparatively small
brood. percentage of the diseased brood is ever capped.

The diseased larvae which are capped over have
sunken and perforated cappings. The larvae when first attacked show
a small yellow spot on the body near the head and move uneasily in
the cell. When death occurs they turn yellow, then brown, and final-
ly almost black. Decaying larvae which have died of this disease do
not usually stretch out in a long thread when a small stick is inserted
and slowly removed. Occasionally, there is a very slight ‘ropiness,’ but
this is never very marked. The thoroughly dried larvae form irregular
scales, which are not strongly adherent to the lower side wall of the
cell. There is very little odor from decaying larvae which have died
from this disease, and when an odor is noticeable it is not the ‘glue-pot’
odor of the American foul brood, but more nearly resembles that of
soured dead brood. This disease ‘attacks drone and queen larvae very
soon after the colony is infected. It is as a rule much more infectious

*The Brood Diseases of Bees, by E. F. Phillips, Ph. D. Circular 79, Bureau of
Entomology, U. S. Department of Agriculture, pp. 1-2, 1906.

.
44

aqooug 3Nogq HIIM

CaLIAIN] SAINO'ION—)P

‘Old

 

 
45

than American foul brood and spreads more rapidly. On the other
hand, it sometimes happens that the disease will disappear of its own
accord, a thing which the author never knew to occur in a genuine
case of American foul brood. European foul brood is most destructive
during the spring and early summer, often almost disappearing in
late summer and autumn.”

_ If taken in time, both of these diseases may be controlled without
serious loss to the beekeeper, but if allowed to go unchecked they will
soon ruin any apiary, great or small.

The basis of treatment of both diseases is to deprive the infected
colonies of all combs, whether empty or containing brood or honey, the
bees being put into a new or thoroughly disinfected hive and allowed
to start housekeeping anew. It will be from four to six days before
they have any young to feed, and by that time all the honey they had
in their honey sacs when taken from their infected hive will be gone,
and the young will receive pure food, fresh from the flowers.

Except in fairly large apiaries, it is not worth while trying to
save any of the brood from infected colonies. When it is desired to
save such brood, it should all be given to one or two diseased colonies
and allowed to remain for two or three weeks, after which these
colonies should also be treated. In transferring diseased brood it is
best to put it above a queen-excluding honeyboard, so that the queen
of the colony may not lay eggs in the diseased combs. It is not wise
to dequeen such colonies, for colonies without a queen are less likely
to keep out robbers, and if robbers gain access to the infected honey
the disease will then appear in the colonies to which they belong. The
combs from diseased colonies may be melted and the wax recovered,
and wax from such sources appears to be safe to use in foundation-
making,.etc. The refuse from the combs should be burned. The honey
as a rule is,not worth trying to save. It is difficult to sterilize, and its.
return to the bees for food is most unwise. If it is clear, its use as
human food is all right, for the microscopic plants are harmless to
the human system. But do not let a single drop of it get to the bees.

The frames from diseased colonies may be saved by being im-
mersed for a few minutes in a very strong solution of washing soda
that is kept boiling during the operation. As soon as all wax and bee
glue (propolis) are dissolved from the frames, they are rinsed in clear
water, and after drying are ready for use again. Hive bodies, floors,
covers, and other parts may be similarly treated, but usually it is
easier to scorch these over with a gasoline torch, or by some similar

method. *
The larvae affected with pickled brood die just
Pickled brood preceding or just after capping and usually
present a watery appearance. The cause is not
known and the disease does not seem to be infectious.
It is usually treated by requeening, on the assumption that it is
congenital. .
Paralysis is a disease of the adult bee. Its cause
Diseases of is not known and it is not common in the Northern
adult bees States.
Diarrhoea, or dysentery, as it is often called,
is more properly a temporary digestive disturbance than a disease. It

*The following information from G. F. White, given in Circular 157, U. S.
Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Entomology, concerning the brood diseases:
“There are, then, three principal brood diseases. Two of these—American foul
brood, caused by Bacillus larvae, and European foul brood, caused by Bacillus platon—
are known to be infectious. From these two diseases there must be differentiated the
third one, an apparently noninfectious disorder, the so-called ‘pickled brood.’ Larvae
dead of this latter disease are practically free from microorganisms. The exciting
cause of this disorder is not yet known.”
46 :

most frequently follows confinement to the hives for an undue length
of time and under unfavorable conditions, Bees maintain the heat
necessary for life by the consumption of honey. When the honey is
deficient or low in the natural sugars, as when it is thin and unripe, or
contains honeydew or an excess of pollen, they have to consume an
undue amount to keep up the normal heat, and the system becomes
overloaded with waste matter. Unless the weather permits the bees
to fly occasionally, the matter is voided in the hives and the trouble
is aggravated.

Leaky or insufficiently ventilated hives will cause the bees extra
effort to keep warm and so bring about the trouble, even though the
honey is perfect for their purpose. A warm, sunny day will usually
cure the trouble, but if combs are badly soiled, it may be necessary
to give the bees a clean set of combs and a clean hive and feed them
some warm sugar-syrup. .

Moderate spotting of hives when bees fly in winter and spring
need cause no alarm, but if the trouble seems excessive about any
particular hive, it had better be opened and examined.

Sacbrood is one of the diseases of bees which has
Sacbrood been frequently mistaken for “pickled brood,” but

the difference between the two diseases are dis-
tinct. As described pickled brood is a fungous disease which attacks
not only the larvae but also the pupae and the adult bees. According
to Circular 169, issued January 18, 1918, by the U. S. Department of
Agriculture, Bureau of Entomology, samples of sacbrood have been
received from all of the states except three, while no samples have
been received of bees affected by a fungous disease.

Mention here is made of the sacbrood for there are several indi-
cations of this disease in Tennessee. The following full description is

given in Circular 169, above referred to: :
“There is a disease of the brood of bees that has attracted

A disease of the considerable attention among beekeepers that is neither
brood which is not American foul brood, European foul brood, pickled brood,
foul brood chilled brood, nor starved brood. This disorder of the brood

has for many years been recognized by beekeepers as being
different from foul brood. Doolittle, of America, in 1881, wrote of a disease which he
says is'similar to and called foul brood, but which is not foul brood. He writes that
larvae die here and there throughout the comb and that the disease may disappear en-
tirely or it may reappear the next season. Jones, of Canada, 1883, wrote also of a dis-
ease which results in a dying of the brood, with appearances similar to foul brood; but
he states that the disease is not foul brood. He says that the bees frequently remove
the dead brood and that no further trouble ensues. Simmins, of England, in 1887,
wrote of dead brood which he says is not foul brood and describes the difference in
appearance between the brood dead of the disease and brood dead of foul brood.
He states, furthermore, that the condition is different from chilled brood and that
Cheshire did not find any microscopic evidence of disease in larvae dead of the
disease. An editorial in one of the bee journals in 1892 is of particular interest
at this point. The editor wrote that he had recently encountered dead brood which
did not seem to be infectious and which lacked two decisive symptoms of the real
foul brood, viz.: the ropiness and the glue-pot odor.

“My own study of this dead brood, recognized by the beekeepers as being different
from the foul brood, was begun in 1902. Eight samples labeled ‘pickled brood’
were received from the bee inspectors of New York State during 1902 and 1903.
These samples were examined and were found to be practically free from micro-
organsms. The result of these examinations were published in January, 1904. Burri,
of Switzerland, in 1906, reported the results of the examination of 25 samples of
brood material thought by the beekeepers to be diseased. He placed the results
of his examinations under the following headings: ‘Sour brood,’ ‘stinking foul brood,’
‘nonstinking foul brood,’ and ‘dead brood free from bacteria.’ Four of the 25
samples examined contained dead brood free from bacteria and unaccompanied by
other diseases. Kursteiner, of Switzerland, in 1910, in classifying the results ob-
tained from samples examined by him made the same classification as made by Burri.
During the past six years 362 samples of this disease have been received by the Bureau
of Entomology and diagnosed in its bacteriological laboratory.‘

“There is. therefore, a disorder attacking the brood -of bees in which brood
dies, but in which there has not been demonstrated any microorganism to which the
cause of the trouble could be attributed. For this disease the name of “sacbrood”
is here suggested.
47

“As stated, my first examination of this dead brood was
The name “sacbrood” made in 190Z, when samples were, received diagnosed by

beekeepers as ‘pickled brood.’ The fact was easily de-
termined at that time that the disease could not be considered a tungous discase and
was, therefore, not pickled brood. In the past my preference has been to refer
to this condition only as the ‘so-called pickled brood.’ Since the disease is not.
pickled brood, it will produce less confusion and be more scientific if the term
‘pickled brood’ be entirely omitted in the name for the disease. Many larvae dead
of this disease can be removed from the cell without rupturing their body wall. When
thus removed they have the appearance of a small closed sac. This character sug-
gested the name ‘sacbrood.’ The name has the virtue, therefore, of being both
appropriate and brief.

“The strength of a colony in which sacbrood is present is
The symptoms of frequently not noticeably diminished. When the brood is
sacbrood badly infected, however, the colony naturally becomes appre-

ciably weakened thereby. The brood dies after the time of
capping. The dead larvae are, therefore, almost always found extended lengthwise
in the cell and lying with the dorsal side against the lower wall. It is not unusual
to find many larvae dead of this disease in uncapped cells. Such brood, however,
had been uncapped by the bees after it died. In this disease the cappings are fre-
quently punctured by the bees. Occasionally a capping has a hole through it indi-
eating that the capping itself had never been completed. A larvae dead of this
disease loses its norma] color and assumes at first a slightly yellowish tint. ‘Brown’
is the most characteristic appearance assumed by the larvae during its decay.
Various shades are observed. The term ‘gray’ might sometimes appropriately be
used to designate it. The form of the larvae dead of this disease changes much
less than it does in foul brood. The body wall is not easily broken’ as a rule. On
this account often the entire larvae can be removed from the cell intact. The con-
tent of this saclike larva is more or less watery. The head end is usually turned
markedly upward. The dried larva or scale is easily removed from the lower side
wall. There is practically no odor to the brood combs.

“In the study of samples of this disease received directly
The infectious nature from beekeepers no microorganisms have been found, either
and cause of sacbrood culturally or microscopically, to which the cause of the dis-

ease can be attributed. This fact, together with the fact
that the disease often disappears without any great loss to the colony, would tend to
indicate that the disease is not infectious. The experimental evidence which I have
obtained proves, however, that the disease is infectious.”
48

FILE A REQUEST OF INSPECTION FOR YOUR BEES

We would like to encourage all beekeepers of Tennessee to re-
port any trouble which their bees may experience, and remedies if
known will be given. If there is any indications of foul brood or sac-
brood being present write to the State Board of Entomology, Knoxville,
Tenn., and arrangements will be made as soon as possible for the
Apiary Inspector to inspect your apiary without expense or incon-
venience to you.

 

Fic. 48—GentLe BEeEs AND C1LosE INSPEC-
TION Two oF THE SECRETS OF SUCCESSFUL
BEEKEEPING
49

APIARY LAW
Chapter 50, Acts of 1911
House Bill No. 70

AN ACT to suppress infectious and contagious diseases of bees; to
provide for an inspector of apiaries, to define his powers and

duties, and to define certain misdemeanors and provide punish-
ment therefor.

Supervision of State Board of Entomology

Section 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State
of Tennessee, That within thirty days from the passage of this Act,
the Commissioner of Agriculture shall appoint a duly qualified and
competent Inspector of Apiaries whose duties it shall be to inspect the
bees of the State, as prescribed in this Act; and such Inspector of
Apiaries shall act under the authority and supervision of the State
Board of Entomology.

Inspections

Sec. 2. Be it further enacted, That upon receiving information
from any source, of the existence of disease in any apiary in the State,
the Inspector of Apiaries shall examine such apiary, and all others
in the same locality, and shall ascertain whether or not the disease
known as Foul Brood, or any other disease which is infectious or con-
tagious in its nature, and injurious to honey bees, exists in such
apiaries and shall designate each colony and apiary which he finds
infected, and shall notify the owner or person in charge of such bees
thereof; and the owner or person in charge of such bees shall at once
practically and in good faith, apply, and thereafter fully carry out up-
on such diseased bees, such treatment, as may have been prescribed
by the Inspector for such cases; and shall also thoroughly disinfect, to
the satisfaction of the Inspector, all bee hives, combs, honey and ap-
paratus used in connection with such diseased bees; or the said owner
or person in charge may, at his election, utterly destroy by fire all
such infected bees, hives, combs, honey and apparatus,

Authority of Inspector

Sec. 3. Be it further enacted, That the Inspector of Apiaries
or his deputy or assistant shall have the right to enter the premises
of any beekeeper where bees are kept, and inspect such bees, and
any person resisting or refusing to allow such inspection, shall be
guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction, shall be punished
by a fine of not less than five dollars nor more than twenty-five dollars.

Treatment of Diseased Apiaries

Sec. 4. Be it further enacted, That any owner or keeper of bees
who shall be notified by the Inspector of Apiaries, that Foul Brood
or any other infectious or contagious disease exists in any of the
hives in his apiary, and who shall within ten days from the time of
receiving such notification fail or refuse to treat or destroy such
bees, hives, combs, or appliances, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and
upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not less than five dollars,
nor more than twenty-five dollars.

Sale of Infected Bees

Sec. 5. Be it further enacted, That any person who shall know-
ingly sell, give away, or offer for sale, or who shall expose in his
apiary or elsewhere, any infected bees, hives, combs, honey or other
infected thing, or shall conceal the fact that Foul Brood or other
50

disease exists in his apiary, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and
upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not less than five dol-
lars nor more than twenty-five dollars.

Transfer of Diseased Bees

Sec. 6. Be it further enacted, That the Inspector of Apiaries
shall have full power, in his discretion, to order any owner or keeper
of bees, dwelling in box hives, in apiaries where disease exists, to
transfer such bees to movable frame hives within a specified time,
and in default of such transfer, the Inspector, may order the destruc-
tion of such box-hives and the bees dwelling therein.

Certificates Required on Bees Coming into Tennessee

Sec. 7. Be it further enacted, That any person, firm or corpora-
tion who shall bring into the State of Tennessee, any colony or colonies
of bees, shall immediately notify the Inspector of Apiaries of such
fact, stating where such bees are being kept, and shall at the same
time file with the said Inspector a certificate from the duly appointed
Inspector in the County or State from which such bees were shipped,
stating that such colony or colonies are free from any infectious or
contagious disease; and in default of such certificate it shall be the
duty of the Inspector of Apiaries to proceed to examine such bees, and
ascertain whether they are free from Foul Brood or other disease.
Any person, firm, or corporation who shall fail to notify the Inspector
as required by this Section, for a period of ten days from the arrival
within the State of Tennessee of such colony or colonies of bees, shall
be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction, shall be punished
by a fine of not less than five dollars nor more than twenty-five dollars.

Inspection Required of Queen Bees

Sec. 8. Be it further enacted, That any person, firm or cor-
poration, engaged in the rearing of queen bees for sale, to use
honey for the making of candy for use in mailing cages, which has
been boiled for at least thirty minutes. Any person so engaged in the
rearing of queen bees shall have his apiary or apiaries inspected at
least twice during each summer season, and upon the discovery of any
disease which is infectious or contagious in its nature, and injurious
to bees, said person shall at once cease to ship queen bees from such
diseased apiary until the Inspector of apiaries shall declare the said
apiary free from any disease. Any queen breeder who shall violate
the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and
upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not less than five dol-
lars nor more than twenty-five dollars.

Precautions of Inspector

Sec. 9. Be it further enacted, That the Inspector, after inspect-
ing infected bees, or handling infected hives or fixtures, shall, before
proceeding to any other apiary, thoroughly disinfect any portion of
his person or clothing or any tools used by him which have come in
contact with any infected material.

Report of Inspector

Sec. 10. Be it further enacted, That the Inspector of Apiaries
shall make an annual report to the Commissioner of Agriculture giv-
ing the number of apiaries inspected, the number of diseased apiaries
found, the number of colonies treated, and the number of colonies de-
stroyed, and statistics bearing on the bee industry.
51

Salary of Inspector

See. 11. Be it further enacted, That the Inspector of Apiaries
shall receive a salary of five hundred dollars per annum, together
with all necessary expenses while actually engaged in performing
his duties under the provisions of this Act, provided such salary and
expenses shall not exceed one thousand dollars per annum.

Appropriation to State Board of Entomology

Sec. 12. Be it further enacted, That the sum of one thousand
dollars annually be, and is hereby appropriated to the State Board
of Entomology, in order to carry out the provisions of this Act.

Comptroller to Draw Warrant

Sec. 13. Be it further enacted, That the Comptroller of the State
be, and is hereby authorized to issue his warrant upon the State Treas-
urer for the sum of one thousand dollars annually, out of any funds
not otherwise appropriated; that said sum shall be made payable quar-
terly to the State Board of Entomology upon the presentation of the
proper vouchers.

Sec. 14. Be it further enacted, That this Act shall take effect
from and after its passage, the public welfare requiring it, and that
all laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are hereby repealed.

Passed April 6, 1911. Approved April 19, 1911.

STATE BEEKEEPERS’ ASSOCIATION

After the State Board of Entomology had sent
Instruction in out some 2000 blanks relative to the beekeeping
beekeeping interests of the State, nearly all of which were

carefully filled out and returned, it was very
evident that the State was well adapted to beekeeping and that the
beekeepers were very desirous of information on modern beekeeping.
Consequently, in 1906 there was started, for the first time in Tennes-
see, a course in beekeeping. This was given at the University in
connection with the Agricultural Short Course. Several students,
both men and women, from different parts of the State attended regu-
larly this course. From the interest taken and the enthusiasm shown
it was conclusive that with very little effort a large class in beekeeping
would be possible. In 1907 a course in beekeeping was continued with
a better attendance and increased facility for developing the practical
side of the work. This year prizes were offered for two of the best
essays entitled “The Value of the Honey Bee to the Farmer.” Prizes
were offered by queen breeders and manufacturers of beekeepers’
supplies. This feature, together with several talks by practical bee-
keepers, were features which meant much to the course. In 1908 the
course in beekeeping was given for the third year, in connection with
the Agricultural Short Course. The number of students registered
for the work was 27, representing both sexes, from different parts of
the State. Prizes were again offered this year for the best essay on
“Why Beekeeping Should be Encouraged in Tennessee.’ Lantern
slide views, charts, models, a full line of beekeeping equipment, with
practical talks illustrated by free-hand sketches, featured the course,
adding both simplicity and practical importance. The afternoons
during the course were devoted to practice in constructing hives and
putting together hive parts, placing foundation in brood and super
frames, also sections, in making syrups for fall and spring feeding.
Several afternoons were profitably spent in visiting apiaries in prox-
imity to Knoxville.
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54

At the close of this third successful session many

History of the of the practical beekeepers and attendants became
State Beekeepers’ interested in forming a State beekeepers’ associa-
Association tion. Many letters were written to beekeepers”

in the different parts of the State and on the last.
day of the course in beekeeping a meeting was held for the purpose.
of forming an association. Many talks were made in favor of an
association and letters read from absent members. As result of a
motion that a State beekeepers’ association be formed the vote was
unanimous, and the following officers were elected: President G. M.
Bentley, Knoxville; Vice-President, Jno. M. Davis, Spring Hill; Secre-
tary-Treasurer, Edward S, Ezell, Church Hill.

Dues of the Association were fixed and a committee appointed to
draw up a constitution and by-laws. In the spring of 1909 the secre-
tary of the Central Tennessee Beekeepers’ Association, an organization.
recently formed by the beekeepers of Davidson, Wilson and William-
son Counties, asked for suggestions in regard to the blending of the-
two associations. This was deemed advisable by both officers and
members of the two associations and the Tennessee Beekeepers’ Asso--
ciation was the result. The organization is in a very prosperous con—
dition, having over 100 members. Meetings are held several times dur-
ing the year at Nashville. For the past two years the January meet-
ing has been held in conjunction with the three-days annual meetings
of the State nurserymen and fruitgrowers.

Following is the program: The accompanying figure shows those
in attendance at the January (1913) meeting.

The Tennessee Beekeepers’ Association held its

Annual Conven- annual convention, Friday, January 31, at the
tion of the State Maxwell House, Nashville, sessions being held
Beekeepers’ Asso- both morning and afternoon. A number of inter-.
ciation 1913 esting addresses, lectures, and discussions were

made, affording a great deal of general and spe-
cific information to the members present, and several matters of rou-
tine business were transacted.

The officers elected for the ensuing year were as follows: Presi-
dent, Jno. M. Davis, Spring Hill; Vice-President, N. O. Walker, Frank-
lin; Secretary-Treasurer, J. M. Buchanan, Franklin.

The annual address was delivered by the President W. M. Joseph,.
of Nashville. He reviewed the progress of the Association, and out-
lined the things for which the organization stands. He also devoted
some time to his views on certain problems facing beekeepers. He was
followed by Porter Ward, of Elkton, Ky., who spoke on “Does Beekeep-
ing Pay?” He answered this question with an emphatic affirmative,
saying that few professions or lines of business afford greater profits
from the capital used, always provided that modern methods and equip-
ment are used.

A discussion of the Pure Food Laws as applying to the sale of’
honey was carried on by several members, it being stated that these
laws are good and quite adequate, but that honest beekeepers should
be constantly on the lookout for violators.

An interesting stereopticon lecture on “Tennessee Beekeeping”
was made by Dr. J. S. Ward, of Nashville, State Apiary Inspector.
He showed lantern slides illustrating hive conditions in this State as
he found them in pursuing his official work as Inspector. He made
a number of optimistic remarks on the outlook for the beekeepers in
Tennessee, and pointed out a number of good, new methods applying
to the business.

The afternoon session began with an address by G. M. Bentley,
of Knoxville, on “The Apiary Inspectors’ Meeting at Cleveland, Ohio.” ~
Cray iG J avANv[{ CNNG YL, ‘ATIIAHSVN ‘NOILVIOOSSY SaddTaMAAG AISSUINNA]T—6F “OT

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56

This meeting was held last December; the report gave a number of .
interesting excerpts from the transactions of the Convention.

Dr. L. E. Webb, of St. Bethlehem, made a short talk on “The
Pleasures of Beekeeping,” and delighted the audience with his skilled
method of handling the subject. He showed that the business can
be made a very profitable one, and that it is also one from which
many pleasures can be derived. He dwelt on the life and habits of
bees, showing the interesting features connected with them.

RELATION OF BEEKEEPING TO HORTICULTURE
Paper read before the State Horticultural Society by Dr. J. S. Ward

Outside of the beekeeping world the great majority of people think
that the only benefit humanity receives from bees is the production of
honey and wax. It is not generally known nor even understood that
bees were created not so much for the purpose of gathering the de-
licious sweet for mankind, as for carrying the pollen grains from one
flower to another, so that these may bear fruit and seed. The real
economical value of the bees is to be found in the work of fertilizing

   

Apples
Fic. 51—Perrrect PoLLINaTION Fic. 52—Imperrect PoLLInaTION

and cross-fertilizing seed and fruit-bearing plants so valuable to man;
the honey and wax is secondary.

Comparative anatomy and physiology between animal and plant
life is one of nature’s most interesting studies. Animals have a skele-
ton, so does the tree in its cellulose tissue; animals have a skin, so does
vegetation in its bark; animals have a circulation, lungs, and digestive
ferments; the tree presents corresponding organs and functions in the
flow of its sap, in the respiration and transpiration of its leaves and in
the digestive function of its diastase ferment. Stronger still is the
analogy when we come to the study of the anatomy and physiology of
the generative organs. The sex organs exist in plants and flowers very
much as in animals, and fertilization before fruitage is as absolute in
one as in the other. In some species the male and female organs are
found on different plants, as in the mulberry; again, these organs will
be found in different flowers on the same growth, as in the common
rag weed, also sometimes called bitter weed, or hog weed. Here the
stamens and pistils occupy two distinct and entirely unlike flower.
Common corn is another example of this class of plants that bears
57 "

the sex organs in different flowers on the same growth. In the great
majority of instances both organs are found in the same flower. No
matter what the arrangement may be it is absolutely necessary that
the pollen grains from the anther or the male part of the blossom reach
the pistil, the female part of another. In some flowers the anther
reach maturity and throw out the pollen before the seed chamber is de-
veloped or the stigmas receptive. In the willow bush we find a good
example of this condition. In other plants the pistils mature before
the anthers ripen as in the common figwort and the horse chestnut.
Again we have flowers whose anthers and pistils mature at the same
time, but because of their relative position self-fertilization is impos-
sible. Other arrangements might be mentioned showing the impos-
sibility of self-fertilization and nature’s demand for cross-breeding.
All of this also tends to confirm the popular belief in the danger of
close in-breeding in animals as well as in plants and the desirability
of cross-breeding in stock and cross-fertilization in plant life.

 

Fic. 583—Perrrecr PoLLinaTIon Fic. 54—IMpPErFEct POLLINATION

A German writer by the name of Sprengel published a book in
1793 on “The Secret of Nature in the Form and Fertilization of Flow-
ers Discovered,” in which he claimed the independent creation of
species through self-fertilization. Later on other investigators reach-
ed different conclusions; among them was Andrew Knight, whose ex-
periments proved to him that in no plant does self-fertilization occur
for an unlimited number of generations. It was not until after the
appearance of Darwin’s “Origin of Species” that Knight’s theory was
emphasized in a general law of nature. In Darwin’s second work, en-
titled “Various Contriyances by Which British and Foreign Orchids
Are Fertilized by Insects,’”’ he sums up his work by stating that “Na-
ture abhors perpetual self-fertilization.” ,

The pollination or fertilization of plants is brought about in two
ways: first, by the wind; second, by insects. Plants whose flowers
are small and inconspicuous, as the willows, pines, oaks and birches,
58

have very light and dry pollen, which in favorable weather may be
blown about and pollinate many flowers, but often the wind is ineffec-
tive on account of the pollens being sticky by reason of moisture in
the air in the form of rain, heavy dew or fog. Most of the flowers,
however, are not of the “wind-bearing” type and require some other
agents than the wind to carry the pollen, and these agents are the in-
sects. Insects go from flower to flower gathering pollen or nectar for
food, and in crawling over the stamens and pistils they get their little
bodies covered with the pollen grains and easily, effectively transfer
them to the stigmas of other blossoms, resulting also in the cross-fer-
tilization that nature demads. Observation and experiments teach
that without insects there is but little pollination and without pollina-
tion the blossoms with their pistils wither and die without fruitage.

Muller in his investigations found that in Germany 2,750 out of
6,231 visits of insects to flowers were made by the Hymenoptera, and of
this number (3,481) more than half (2,191) were made by the Apidae,
the family to which the honey bee belongs. Waite, in his bulletin on
“The Pollination of Pear Flowers” (Bul. 5, Div. of Veg. Pathology, U.
S. Dept. Agr.) after mentioning a large number of species of insects
which visit pear blossoms, says: “The common honey bee is the most
regular and important abundant visitor, and probably does more good
than any other species.”

 

Fic. 55—Bres CarryING PoLLEN

The bees need protein as well as carbohydrates to make a well-
balanced ration for the young growing insects. The honey, which con-
tains the saccharin or carbohydrates, is stored in large quantities, but
the pollen, which contains the protein material, is not stored in any ap-
preciable quantity; it is practically gathered from day to day. Nature
thus compels the bees to use every opportunity to gather pollen for the
maintenance of the colony—for self-preservation, and thereby induc-
ing them to pollinate the blossoms, which would otherwise be unproduc-
tive.

Dr. Fletcher, in a paper read before the Ontario Association of
Beekeepers, said: “It can be shown that, owing to its size, weight,
and habits, no insect is so well calculated to insure the fertilization
of fruit blossoms as the honeybee, which flies rapidly from plant. to
plant, and, by running over the flowers in search of pollen or nectar,
brushes off the pollen and carries this vitalizing element on the hairs
of its body to the next flower visited.”

Dr Phillips says: “While the honey bee is, perhaps, not better
equipped than other insects, especially other bees, for carrying pollen,
there is one respect in which it outranks all others as a valuable asset
to the fruit-grower. We are not able to propagate other insects in
quantity, and introduce them to orchards at the proper time; but it
is a very simple matter to carry in colonies of bees to insure a crop, if
59

‘the weather is fit for the bees to fly. Many orchardists realize this,
and keep bees solely for the benefits derived from cross-fertilization
of the fruit blossoms.”

_.Mr, McIntyre at the California State Fruit-Growers’ Association
said: “A gentleman stated that he had a friend in this State who
started into fruit-growing several years ago, locating thirty-five miles
from any fruit-growing section, or where any bees were located. The
first year that his trees blossomed, and in expectancy of at least some
returns from his orchards, what should be the result but complete fail-
ure? He was advised to procure some bees to aid in the fertilization
of the blossoms. He did so, and since then his orchard has been pro-
ductive.”

My. C. J. Berry, of Tulare County, California, whose fruit orchard
contains over 400 acres, says: “Bees and fruit go together. I can’t
raise fruit without bees. Yes, sir’e. I have been all about my big or-
chard. Two years in succession I have put netting over some limbs
of trees; and, while they blossomed all right, nary fruit; while on the
fe where limbs were exposed to the aid of bees, plenty of

ruit.

Dr. Fletcher, of the Ottawa Experiment Station, again says: “It
will be found that not only are flowers absolutely necessary to bees,
as the source of their food—nectar and pollen—but that bees and other

 

Fic. 56—BuckwHEaT FLowers—SHowine Sticmas, PoLLEN BASKETS AND
Nectar GLANDS

insects are no less necessary to most flowers, so that their perpetuation
may be secured.

“This fact should be recognized by the fruit-grower above all
others; for were it not for insects, and particularly for the honey
bee, his crop of fruits would be far less than they are every year, and
even in some cases he would get no fruit at all.

“Failure in the fruit crop is more often due, I think, to dull or
damp weather at the time of blossoming, which prevents insects from
working actively in the flowers, than to any other cause.”

H. W. Collinwood, editor of the Rural New-Yorker, says: “We
can easily forgive the bee his short working days when we consider
the good he does. There is no question about the debt fruit-growers
owe him. People talk about the wind and other insects in fertilizing
our flowers; but I am confident that any man who will really take the
time and pains to investigate for himself will see that the bee is nearly
the whole story. I have seen the certain results of his good work in
a neighbor’s orchard. Those bees “broke the trees” down just as truly
as though they had climbed on the trees by the million and pulled at
them. The appearance of those trees after a few years of beekeeping
would have convinced any fair-minded man that our little buzzing
friends are true partners of the fruit-grower.”
60

Thus we see that the interest of the beekeepers and of the fruit-
growers are identical, and instead of clash between them there should
be cooperation. They should live near one another or every orchardist
should be a beekeeper or every beekeeper an orchardist. Dr. Phillips
says in substance that it is a conservative estimate to claim that the
honey bee does more good to agriculture in its office as a cross pol-
linator than it does as a honey gatherer. The estimated annual value
of honey and wax in Tennessee is $250,000. With Dr. Phillips’ state-
ment that “the indirect benefits of the beekeeping industry add annual-
ly to the resources of the country considerably more than the amount
received from the.sale of honey and wax” we feel safe in placing the
present value of the bees to the fruit-growers in Tennessee in the fer-
tilization of the fruit blossoms at more than $400,000 annually. In the
honey bee as pollinators of fruit and gatherers of honey and wax we
have a combined valuation of approximately $1,000,000 annually.

In conclusion will say that the real value of the honey-bee has not
been known, not realized and, of course, could not be appreciated.
The possibilities of the beekeeping industry are great and in Tennes-
see alone can safely be placed at $2,000,000 annually. Education is
needed. Ignorance alone stands in the way of progress along this agri-
cultural line. An educational campaign is pleading for an opportunity
which is made possible only by proper legislative enactments and the
appointment of competent officials.

BEEKEEPING TERMS EXPLAINED

Absconding swarm—A swarm which leaves the hive and flies
away.

After-swarm—Those swarming two or more times.

Alighting-board—Projecting board at hive entrance.

Apiarist—A_ beekeeper.

Apiary—A collection of beehives, colonies, etc.

Apiculture—Beekeeping.

Artificial swarm—A. swarm made by dividing the colony of bees.

Bee-bread—The pollen of flowers gathered and deposited by
bees in the comb.

: Bee escape—A trap through which bees pass one way but not the

other.

Bee-gum—A hollow log used as a hive.

Bee hive—A box or confine in which bees live. ;

Bee-moth—A medium-sized moth which deposits.eggs in the comb,
the young of which do considerable damage to the comb. Their pres-
ence indicates a weak colony.

Bee-paralysis—A disease of adult bees.
; Bee-plants—Flowering plants which produce nectar accessible to

ees.

Bee-space—From one-fourth to three-eighths of an inch.

Beeswax—A wax excreted from the lower side of the abdomen of
the bee, the foundation for the comb.

Bee tree—A tree occupied by a colony of bees.

Bee veil—A thin covering for protecting the head.

Black bee—A variety of honey bee from Germany. It is black or
dark brown in color. It is frequently called wild bee.

Bottom board—tThe floor of the hive.

Box hive—A plain box used as a bee hive.

Brood—Young bees still in the honey comb.

Brood-comb—Honeycomb in which the queen deposits eggs.

Brushed swarm—An artificial swarm of bees produced by the
brushing part of the bees of a full colony into an empty hive—practiced
to prevent swarming.
61

Candied honey—Honey which has crystalized.

Cappings—The wax coverings of cells.

Carniolan bee—A variety of honey bee supposed to have originat-
ed from Carniola, Austria.

Carton—A pasteboard box for holding comb honey.

Colony—A mass of bees comprising a swarm.
: Comb—Six-sided cells made of beeswax, to hold honey or young
ees,

Comb foundation—Beeswax which has been stamped into thin
sheets to imitate honeycomb.

Comb honey—Honey and comb in natural condition.

Cyprian bee—A variety of honey bee supposed to have originated
in the Island of Cyprus.

Danzenbaker brood frame—17 long, 744 inches deep dividing the
separation of a colony into two or more colonies.

Division-board—A partition used in the hive to reduce its size.

Drone—A male bee, the product of an unfertilized egg.
i Entrance—An opening in a hive through which bees enter and
eave.

Extracted honey—Honey separated from comb.

ee contrivance for throwing honey from uncapped
combs.

Feeders—Devices for artificially feeding bees.

Foul brood—A bacterial brood disease, contagious.

Frame—Four small pieces of wood fastened together to hold the
honeycomb.

Hive—Artificial quarters for bees.

Holy Land bees—A variety of honey bee supposed to have origi-
nated in Palestine.

Honey—Nectar of flowers gathered by bees and stored in comb.

Honeydew—A sweet substance produced by plant lice, certain
scale insects, and plants.

Honey extractor—A device for throwing honey from combs.

oo knife—A double-edged steel knife used in uncapping honey
comb.

Hybrid—A bee crossed with the common black bee.

Italian bee—A honey bee which originated in the Italian region
of Switzerland.

Italianizing—The method of changing a race of honey bees to an
Italian variety, by means of introducing an Italian queen.
4 Langstroth frame—Dimensions, 175% inches long by 9% inches
eep.
eraapetrath hive—Any hive having frames hanging by shoulders
with a bee space all around them.

Movable frame—A loose frame which can be taken from the hive.

Natural swarm—A swarm of bees with queen which leaves the
old hive and seeks new quarters.

Nucleus—A small hive of bees consisting usually of three or four
brood sections.

Nurse bee—A bee under 14 days old.

Observatory hive—A hive with glass sides which permits the
observer to watch the bees at work. i

oe brood—A contagious disease of bees which affects the
brood.

Propolis—A glue-like substance collected by bees and used by
them to fill up cracks and fasten together frames and sections in the
hive.
62

Queen bee—A fertilized female produced from a fertlized egg,
the larva of which is especially fed in an enlarged cell, known as the
queen cell.

‘ Queening—The introduction of a queen into a queenless colony of
ees.

Queenless—A colony which has no queen.

Rendering wax—The act of melting combs and refining beeswax.

Ripe honey—Honey which has been evaporated by the bees and
prepared for capping over.

‘ Robbing—Bees entering other hives for the purpose of stealing
oney.

Royal cell—The queen cell.

Royal jelly—A predigested food rich in carbonate secreted by
bees and fed only to the larvae which are to become queens.

Shook swarm—An artificial swarm made by shaking bees from an
overcrowded colony into a new hive, to avoid swarming.

Skep—A straw hive formerly used in rural sections.

Smoker—A device equipped with a bellows for producing smoke.

Solar wax extractor—A box containing a metal tray and a basin
covered with a double glass frame, used for extracting beeswax by the
heat of the sun.

Spent queen— queen bee which has become worthless.

Swarm—A division of a colony of bees into two for the purpose
of increase. The old bees and old queen leave the hive.

Tested queen—A queen whose young show type characters.

Transferring—Taking bees and comb from a log or box gum and
putting them into movable frame hives.

Unripe honey—Honey which has not been evaporated and treated
with acid by the bees.

Worker bee—An undeveloped female bee the larva of which was
not fed royal honey.

FIRMS HANDLING BEE SUPPLIES AND QUEENS

We frequently get requests for the names and addresses of firms
dealing in bee supplies and queen bees. The following list has been
prepared, and prospective beekeepers are advised to write for cata-
logues, to the different firms. Catalogues often contain suggestions
which will be most helpful:

American Beekeeper, Berclair, Texas.

American Can Co., 112 W. Adams St., Chicago, Il.

August Lotz & Co., Boyd, Wis.

Jas. W. Bain, Marion, Ohio.

W. W. Cary & Son, Lyonsville, Mass.

J. B. Case, Port Orange, Fla.

Dan G. Clark, 325-327 Broadway, Nashville, Tenn.

Francis J. Colahan, Bernardo, Calif.

Collingdale Apiaries, care J. R. Rambo, Collingdale, Pa.

J. H. M. Cook, 70 Cortlandt St. New York, N. Y.

W. W. Crim, Pekin, Ind.

Dadant & Sons, Hamilton, II.

John M. Davis, Spring Hill, Tenn.

Gus Dittmer, Augusta, Wis.

Doolittle & Clark, Borodino, N. Y.

W. T. Falconer Mfg. Co., Jamestown, N. Y.

E. T. Flanagan & Sons, Belleville, Il.

Griggs Brothers, 521 Monroe St., Toledo, Ohio.

M. H. Hunt & Son, Bell Branch, Mich.

J. M. Jenkins, Wetumpka, Ala.
63

J. K. W. Shaw & Co., Loreauville, La.

Kretchmer Mfg. Co., 8rd St. and 11th Ave., Council Bluffs, Ia.
E. E. Lawrence, Doniphan, Mo.

W. H. Laws, Box 47, Beeville, Texas.

Leahy Mfg. Co., Higginsville, Mo.

G. B. Lewis & Co., Watertown, Wis.

W. T. Lewis, Lewisburg, Miss.

Chas. H. Lilly Co., Seattle, Wash.

F.. A. Lockhart & Co., Lake George, N. Y.

L. A. Lowmaster & Sons, R. D. No. 5, Upper Sandusky, Ohio.
Malan Brothers, Luserna San Giovanni, Italy.

Marshfield Manufacturing Co., Marshfield, Wis.

Michigan White Clover Honey Co., Detroit, Mich.

Minnesota Bee Supply Co., Minneapolis, Minn.

Charles Mondeng, 160 Newton Ave. N. Minneapolis, Minn.
Mondeng Mfg. Co., 147-149 Cedar Lake Road, Minneapolis, Minn.
Fred W. Muth Co., 51 Walnut St., Cincinnati,. Ohio.

National Can Co., Baltimore, Md.

The National Supply Co., 78 River St. Elgin, Ill.

New Century Rearing Co., Berclair, Texas.

Page and Lyon, New London, Wis.

Portland Seed Co., Portland, Oregon.

Walter S. Pouder, 513-515 Massachusetts Ave., Indianapolis, Ind.
A. I. Root Co., Medina, Ohio.

Roselawn Apiaries, Lincoln, Neb.

Otto Schwill & Co., 18-20 S. Front St., Memphis, Tenn.

C. M. Scott & Co., 1004 E. Washington St. Indianapolis, Ind.
W. D. Soper, Jackson, Mich.

I. J. Stringham, 105 Park Place, New York, N. Y.
Swarthmore Apiaries, Swarthmore, Pa.

The Victor Knolle Apiary Co., Hondo, Texas.

Curd Walker, R. F. D. No. 1, Jellico, Tenn. 3

C. H. W. Weber & Co., Central & Freeman Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio.
Noah D. West, Middleburg, N. Y.

White Mfg. Co., Blossom, Texas.

W. L. Womble, Raleigh, N. C.

The Wood Bee Hive Co., Lansing, Mich.

A. G. Woodman & Co., Grand Rapids, Mich.

Daniel Wurth, 1111 Smith St., San Antenia, Texas.

A. W. Yates, 3 Chapman St., Hartford, Conn.

York Honey & Bee Supply Co., 141 Ontario St., Chicago, Til.

SUMMARY

That the climate and flora of Tennessee are adapted to beekeeping
there is no doubt.

Italian bees kept in the old way produce an average of 39%
pounds of chunk honey per colony. Where modern methods and ap-
pliances are used the yields vary from 50 to 110 pounds.

Use the modern 10 frame hive. It is practically impossible to
keep colonies strong in the log or box “gum.”

Use full sheets of foundation in both the brood chamber and super,
and thus conserve the energy of the bees and increase your honey yield.

Abandon the black or German bee. Increase your honey yield and
facilitate your work and reduce your stings by keeping Italian bees.

Start beekeeping in a small way and increase your colonies as
you become experienced.

Study your bees in connection with a reliable book or bee journal.

Control the bee moth by keeping your colonies strong. .

Prevent loss from foul brood, and sacbrood by requesting an in-
spection of your bees.
64

Start with a pure-blooded Italian queen, purchased from a reliable
queen breeder.

The chief sources of honey are from, first, the white clover; sec-
ond, poplar or tulip tree; third, linden or basswood; fourth, sourwood;
poe asters or stickweed; sixth, black locust, and, seventh, fruit

oom.
_ To produce the largest quantity of honey use modern extractor—
carefully preserve frames of comb for refilling.

Use wax extractor and save all cappings or pieces of comb for
beeswax.

Become a member of the State Beekeepers’ Association and take
advantage of the benefits of the organization.

NOTICE

The following bulletins have been issued by the Tennessee State
Board of Entomology and available copies will be mailed to anyone
writing for the same. Address State Entomologist and Plant Patholo-
gist, Knoxville, Tenn.

Bulletin No. 1. Law creating the Tennessee State Board of Entomol-

ogy—Rules and Regulations.

Bulletin No. 2. The Fumigation of Nursery Stock—Law and Amend-

ed Rules and Regulations.

Bulletin No. 3. The Control of Insects, Fungi and Other Pests.

Bulletin No. 4. The San Jose and Other Injurious Scale Insects of

Tennessee, with Methods for Their Control.

Bulletin No. 5. Orchard Management in Tennessee.

Bulletin No. 6, Vol. 1, No. 2. Amended Law Creating the Tennessee
State Board of Entomology—Amend-
ed Rules and Regulations. Apiary
Inspection Law.

Bulletin No. 7, Vol. 1, No. 3. The Inspection and Transportation of

. Nursery Stock in Tennessee, Other
States and Canada.

Bulletin No. 8, Vol. 2, No. 1. The San Jose Scale in Tennessee with
Methods for its Control.

Bulletin No. 9, Vol. 2, No. 2. Beekeeping in Tennessee.

Bulletin No. 10, Vol. 2, No. 3. Suggestion on Preparation and Use
of Spray Formulas.

First Annual Report of the State Entomologist and Plant Pathol-
ogist, 1905.

Second Annual Report, 1906.

Third Annual Report, 1907.

Fourth Annual Report, 1908.

Fifth Annual Report, 1909.

Sixth Annual Report, 1910.

Seventh Annual Report, 1911, Vol. 1, No. 1.

Eighth Annual Report, 1912, Vol. 1, No. 4.

SUGGESTIONS ON MAILING SPECIMENS

Questions pertaining to insects and plant diseases will be gladly
answered, All requests should be accompanied by specimens. These
should be sent, not in a letter, but in a tight tin or wooden box with
no openings, addressed to the State Board of Entomology, University
of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tenn. If possible, send some of the food of
the insects, together with their work. Wrap all neatly, placing your
own name upon the package. In a letter tell all you have noticed
about the insect, as to its food, its first appearance, abundance, extent
of injury, etc.

aA collection of Tennessee insects is being made, and any assistance
in adding to this collection will be greatly appreciated,
Beekeeping in Tennessee,