Part 1

Transcriber Notes

Text emphasis is displayed as Italics and =Bold=. Whole and fractional parts of numbers are displayed as 2-1/2.

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U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

FARMERS' BULLETIN No. 59.

BEE KEEPING.

FRANK BENTON, M. S.,

IN CHARGE OF APICULTURAL INVESTIGATIONS.

=[Revised, March 1905.]=

WASHINGTON:

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE.

1905.

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LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.

U. S. Department of Agriculture,

Bureau of Entomology,

Washington, D. O., March 1905.

Sir: Frequent inquiries from correspondents of the Department of Agriculture for information on matters pertaining to the culture of bees, and particularly as to the conditions under which one may reasonably expect to meet with success in this pursuit, led to the preparation of this bulletin in July, 1897. Though designed by the author primarily to answer a few of the specific questions which are most likely to present themselves to the mind of the inquirer wholly unfamiliar with the subject, the aim has been also to introduce in the treatment of the various topics information which it is hoped will lead many of longer experience into more successful methods than they have yet practiced. The stereotype plates of the earlier editions having become much worn, necessitating the resetting of the type of the entire bulletin, the opportunity has been afforded of inserting several new paragraphs and making a few slight changes in the text as heretofore published.

Respectfully,

L. O. Howard,

Entomologist,

Hon. James Wilson,

Secretary of Agriculture,

CONTENTS.

Page.

Locations suited to the keeping of bees 9 The returns to be expected from an apiary 11 Anyone who desires to do so can learn to manipulate bees 13 How to avoid stings 14 What race of bees to choose 16 Caucasians 16 Carniolans 17 Italians 17 Cyprians 17 Cyprio-Carniolans and Cyprio-Caucasians 18 Syrian and Palestine or "Holy-Land" bees 18 German, common black, or brown bees 18 What hive to adopt 19 Management in swarming 21 Natural swarming 21 Artificial swarming 22 Dividing 22 Nucleus system 22 Shaken or brushed swarms 23 Prevention of swarming 23 Dequeening 24 Requeening 24 Space near entrances 25 Selection in breeding 25 Special crops for honey alone not profitable 26 Economic plants and trees for cultivation for honey and pollen 27 How to obtain surplus honey and wax 29 Extracted honey 30 Comb honey 31 Grading and shipping comb honey 33 Production of wax 34 The wintering of bees 35 General considerations 37 Indoor wintering 38 Outdoor wintering 38 The risk of loss through disease and enemies 41 Foul brood or bacillus of the hive 41 Bee paralysis 44 Insect and other enemies 45 Robber bees 46 Legislation affecting apiarian interests 47 Journals treating of apiculture 47

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Page.