Thank you for visiting SNEWPapers!
Sign up free
Domestic News
September 20, 1843
Wheeling Times And Advertiser
Wheeling, Ohio County, West Virginia
What is this article about?
A correspondent in the Genesee Farmer responds to a complaint about bees leaving hives, advising to roughen the interior with scratches or wax, avoid certain practices, and install cross pieces to help bees adhere and stay.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
LIVING BEES.
A correspondent of the Genesee Farmer having complained that he could not keep his bees in his hive, is thus replied to by another correspondent:
"In the first place, I advise him to keep away his 'bee balm' and 'sweet apple leaves.' These, and the practice of drumming upon tin pans and blowing dinner horns when the bees are swarming, should be sent to the shades. But probably the principal cause of his failure, was, his hive was made in too much of a workmanlike manner. Bees when they first go into a hive after swarming hang in a body together, so that a few have to hold all the rest: and if the hive is too smooth inside they cannot hold on. To remedy this, it should be first planed and then lightly scratched with an awl; or a better way still, is to take some melted wax and pour into the hive. When this cools, it enables the bees firmly to adhere.
Again, were there cross pieces enough in the hive? If not, that was a sufficient reason for their going off. There should be at least four—the first two placed within four inches of the top of the hive, and the other two four inches below them. Bees are very peculiar creatures, and if every thing does not suit them, they will clear out for the woods; but when rightly managed, they will seldom leave."
A correspondent of the Genesee Farmer having complained that he could not keep his bees in his hive, is thus replied to by another correspondent:
"In the first place, I advise him to keep away his 'bee balm' and 'sweet apple leaves.' These, and the practice of drumming upon tin pans and blowing dinner horns when the bees are swarming, should be sent to the shades. But probably the principal cause of his failure, was, his hive was made in too much of a workmanlike manner. Bees when they first go into a hive after swarming hang in a body together, so that a few have to hold all the rest: and if the hive is too smooth inside they cannot hold on. To remedy this, it should be first planed and then lightly scratched with an awl; or a better way still, is to take some melted wax and pour into the hive. When this cools, it enables the bees firmly to adhere.
Again, were there cross pieces enough in the hive? If not, that was a sufficient reason for their going off. There should be at least four—the first two placed within four inches of the top of the hive, and the other two four inches below them. Bees are very peculiar creatures, and if every thing does not suit them, they will clear out for the woods; but when rightly managed, they will seldom leave."
What sub-type of article is it?
Agriculture
What keywords are associated?
Beekeeping
Hive Management
Bees Swarming
Agricultural Advice
Domestic News Details
Event Details
Correspondent advises avoiding 'bee balm' and 'sweet apple leaves,' drumming on tin pans, and blowing horns during swarming. Recommends roughening hive interior by planing and scratching with awl or pouring melted wax to help bees adhere. Suggests installing at least four cross pieces: first two within four inches of top, next two four inches below. Notes bees leave if conditions unsuitable but stay when properly managed.