File:British bee journal and bee-keepers adviser (1886) (19795028783).jpg

Title: British bee journal & bee-keepers adviser
Identifier: britishbeejourna1886lond (find matches)
Year: 1873 (1870s)
Authors:
Subjects: Bees
Publisher: London
Contributing Library: UMass Amherst Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Boston Library Consortium Member Libraries

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314 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. (July 15,1886. as they stand. But in the 'Bumping' process, the combs are taken from the bees, therefore some large pans will be wanted from the owner in which to put them and some sacks to cover them over with. To prevent robbing, close all the hives in the garden by pushing some grass lengthways into the entrances so as to prevent the bees getting in and out, but at the same to admit air. A slight puff of smoke should be given just to prevent attack while closing the entrances. Now, take one of the stocks you are to operate upon, give a good puff of smoke, turn it up and bump it on the ground, the flat way of the combs on the corner of the top of the skep. (See sketch.) The arrow shows the direction of the
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^x.*' blow, and x the point at which the skep should strike the ground. If the combs are very old it will require con- siderable force to break them out, but young combs must be handled gently. If there are sticks they must be divided between each comb : a keyhole saw is convenient, or a pair of pruning shears, or tinman's snips. The combs will break away close to the top of the skep and fall over to one side. Be careful they don't fall out. Keplace the skep on its stand, upside down of course, lift out the combs one at a time, a penny gridiron is very convenient to put down between the combs to raise them on, brush the bees rapidly off both sides with a wing into the skep, put the combs into the pan and cover them with a sack. As each skep is emptied of its combs replace it on its stand, right side up, resting the edge on two or three stones, and leave it for the bees to cluster. Do not forget to liberate the other bees before leaving. If it is desired to find the queen she may often be seen on the combs when brushing. If not, she may be searched for among the bees before replacing the skep. The other details as to packing, carrying, hiving, <fec, are, of course, the same as when driving. The whole operation need only take five or six minutes, against twenty or thirty by driving. The shortness of time required admits of confining the other bees, which might not be advisable if some hours were to be occupied by driving. Some inquirers have asked if there is not danger of crushing bees or queens when the combs break out. The writer's experience of several hundreds of stocks bumped and brushed out is that he has never found a queen killed, and the number of workers is quite insignificant, perhaps three or four found on the floor when the others are clustered. Tender combs may with case be lifted out whole and the bees brushed off, which would often col- lapse during driving. When it is required to transfer from skeps to bar - frame hives in cold weather, bumping is a most convenient plan. By brushing the bees off only the first comb back into the skep, tieing that into a frame and putting it in the frame-hive, and then brushing the bees off all succeeding combs into the frame-hive on to the comb or combs the bees and brood are separated only for the short time required to tie the combs into the frame, thus allowing transferring to be done at times when, if all the bees were driven from the brood, it would most likely be chilled. We trust all who are about to take bees in the en- suing autumn will bump at least one stock and report their success or failure. ASSOCIATIONS. HANTS AND ISLE OF WIGHT BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION. POBTSMOUTH SHOW. This event took place June 24th, 25th, 26th, and 28th, in brilliant weather, and was the opening, but by no means the only, show of this enterprising Association. The occasion was the annual event of the Royal Counties Agricultural Society, which held its last meeting at Southampton, and is to hold its next, in 1887, at Reading. As this Society ranks in importance second only to the Royal Agricultural Society of England, the occasion was a grand one for the Hants B. K. A., especially as no bee-show had ever before been held in the town ; and it is not too much to say it made the best of its opportunity. A pleasanter site for visitors could not have been chosen, a large slice of Southsea Common being enclosed, and the Bee Department was located in the best possible position, close to the far-famed Southsea Pier, more than one of our prominent apiarists availing themselves of the opportunity of a refreshing swim during the severe strain of a large show. Centrally situated stood a substantial pavilion measur- ing GO feet by 20 feet, ornamented with red cloth, &c, and surmounted by a handsome device (wpon Jloor-chth) bearing the legend in 0-inch letters, ' Hants and Isle of Wight Bee-keepers' Association, Honey and Hive Exhibition.' This was devoted to honey and general collections. On the left stood the pretty marquee, the property of the Association, filled with hives, supers, extractors, inventions, honey, beverages, &c, and on the right stood the bee-tent, over all floating the well-worn flag of the Association. Entering the pavilion, an ex- perienced apiarist could not but be struck with the scarcity of honey, several classes being absolutely empty ; but fortunately Mr. Bellairs had come to the rescue with a fine display of last autumn's heather honey, amounting to about 300 pounds. This was tastefully arranged with a choice collection of flowers in glass vases and epergnes, lent by Mr. Candey of Portsmouth. Some excellent sections were exhibited from Swanmore, and the champion prize was only just missed by a fine lot belonging to Mr. Sidney Dickens, who, however, was unable to make up the required quantity. But what was wanting in honey was more than made up for in the Appliances Classes. Four manufacturers were present with very full collections, Mr. T. B. Blow, of Welwyn, crowding into the space allotted him (by no means an illiberal amount) a most imposing array of hives, tools, and etceteras, enough to frighten some, if it did, as we trust, tempt others. Mr. E. C. Walton, of Newark, also made a handsome display, hia fine Observa-

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