The apiary; or, bees, bee-hives, and bee culture [1878]: being a familiar account of the habits of bees, and the most improved methods of managementNeighbor, Alfred
Science
The apiary; or, bees, bee-hives, and bee culture [1878]: being a familiar account of the habits of bees, and the most improved methods of management
off with a feather from the comb as they can be reached; but on no
account should the glass or other super be left exposed and unwatched,
because the bees that have the opportunity will gorge themselves to
their full, and speedily bring a host of others from the adjacent
hives, who, in a very little time, would leave only the empty combs.
It is truly marvellous how soon they will carry all the store back
again, if allowed to do so. Unless the honey season is over, an empty
glass should be put on to the hive in place of the full one, as it will
attract the bees up, thereby preventing the too close crowding of the
hive, and starting them to work more honeycomb.
If a bar or frame super, the first process is with a spatula to loosen
the adapting-board from the stock hive after which the string is passed
between them as above, putting in wedges on each side to follow the
string. The smoking and expulsion of the bees follow as before. Another
super will take the place of the one removed, or else the crown-board
must be replaced.
Some apiarians, however, are of opinion that deprivation is more easily
accomplished by disconnecting the super over night. In this case, after
smoking the bees, wedge the super up all round about an inch from the
board. Do this just before dusk, and leave it so for the night. The
opening in the board remains unclosed, to allow of the bees joining the
stock hive below, which they will naturally do for warmth. The super
should receive its usual cover, and quite early in the morning, before
the bees are much about, it will be ready for removal. The few bees
that remain within may be speedily induced to quit. With a super that
has an opening at the top it will be worth while to insert the nozzle
of a pair of bellows, when a few puffs will be very efficacious in
driving the occupants out.
§ XV. REMOVING FRAMES.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account