File:American bee journal (1918) (17927064668).jpg

Title: American bee journal
Identifier: americanbeejourn5859hami (find matches)
Year: 1861 (1860s)
Authors:
Subjects: Bee culture; Bees
Publisher: (Hamilton, Ill. , etc. , Dadant & Sons)
Contributing Library: UMass Amherst Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: UMass Amherst Libraries

View Book Page: Book Viewer
About This Book: Catalog Entry
View All Images: All Images From Book
Click here to view book online to see this illustration in context in a browseable online version of this book.

Text Appearing Before Image:
1919 AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL 191 hive, as pollen loads their intestines. On the other hand, it is proven that larvae consume pollen, mixed with their food, during their growth. Pol- len is probably needed to build up the structure of the bee. Flour and substitutes are taken by the bees only when they have honey to dilute those ingredients. This is well proven, for pellets of such arti- ficial pollen, dropped by the bees, are found to be moist and have a sweet taste. They evidently bring honey from the hive to dilute them. As these products do not have the attractive odor of the pollen of flow- ers or the smell of the hive, it is usu- ally necessary to attract them to the spot by placing in the boxes some pieces of old combs or a little strong- smelling honey. The flour should be packed with the hands so as to make a fairly firm footing, otherwise the bees may smother in it. After they find it useful they will attract others to it by their humming. Substitutes are to be given only when there is no pollen whatever in the fields. We are told by scientists that bees do not digest starchy food and that it is therefore useless to them. It is even asserted that these substitutes will not feed the larva:. But we have had our bees use hun- dreds of pounds, bringing honey to dilute it, and carrying it on their legs. We have seen it in the cells, in the hive, and have never seen any of it thrown out. So, until it is ab- solutely proven that the larvae cannot digest it, we will continue our faith in the Dzierzon-Langstroth method of giving it to the bees whenever they cannot get natural pollen. If you have the "Hive and Honey Bee, Revised," read paragraphs 263 to 270. You will find there the ex- periments made by Dzierzon and oth- ers on this subject. We are told that bees will even carry coal dust to their hives in times of pollen scarcity. We have seen them tumbling about coal dust and sawdust, but have never seen any of these ingredients in the cells. There is a possibility that very fine saw- dust might be used, since many in- sects consume wood fibre. But the bees' attempt at using it is only ac- cidental.—C. P. D. The Red-Bud THE Red-bud, or Judas-tree, Cercis Canadensis, is a common shrub or small tree in the southeastern States. It is found oc- casionally from Western Pennsylva- nia to Southern Michigan, Southern Iowa and Nebraska south to Western Florida and East Texas. It grows along streams and in the woodlands where the soil is moist and rich. In Alabama it blooms in late February, and in Southern Iowa in April. The rose-pink blossoms appearing in early spring before the leaves are out make the tree very conspicuous dur- ing the blooming period. Where the tree is abundant it furnishes a liberal pas.ure for the bees for early spring brood rearing. Blooming so early it is rarely the source of surplus. In the northern part of its range it often blooms with fruit trees and dandelion, so that it is not as im- portant as farther south. There is another species in South Texas and Mexico which blooms in March, the Texan Red-bud, Cercis reniformis, and one, the Western Red-bud. Cercis occidentalis, which occurs in the mountains of California, and occasionally in Utah. The Red-bud is also known as salad-tree, or June-bud.—F. C. P. Beekeeping in Morocco HERE is a little information on beekeeping in Morocco. The bees are black. The hives are made of cork and laid horizontally. In some regions they are very numer- ous and the Arabs harvest large quan- tities of honey which they bring to market in goat skins holding about 65 pounds. They transport this on camel-back or mule-back. The honey is white, except that of the Sus valley, which is of golden color and of good taste. I bought large quantities, which I shipped to France. But I found one kind of white honey which burns the throat as if it contained lot of sting poison. The Horticultural Society of Casa- blanca gives much attention to bee- keeping. But movable-frame hives are scarce, and I don't know of any modern apiaries. The flora is rich in nectar from February to May. Just now the ravenelle (wild mustard), peas, peaches and almonds are in full bloom. Swarms sell for $1, and heavy colo- nies may be had for $5. Honey sells now at about 30 cents per pound. I am sorry not to be able to give you more details or to send you pho- tos. I have been in the Convalescent Hospital here and am just about to return to France. Will write you again. QUINTIEN TOUREAUD. Casablanca (Dar El Beda) Morocco. Feb. 22, 1919.
Text Appearing After Image:
'

Note About Images