MillerThousand AnswersBeekeepingQuestions.pdf - BioBees

216 DR. miller'sShipping Bees.—Q, \\"in shipping bees cause i|vuciis l'> DCdrone-layers ?A. When queens are shipped by mail in cages, it is not a veryuiKomnion thing that tlu>- are soniew liat affected as to theirlaying, but I don't remember that I e\cr heard of a iiucen beingmade a drone-layer by it. and I don't think I ever heard of aqueen being seriously affected when shipped in a full colony.O. Do I have to have iny bees inspected before I can shipthem? They are free from foulbrood.A. It depends upon the laws of the state into which you ship.Some states require inspection, and others do not. Whether theyhave foulbrood or not has nothing to do with the case; if the lawrequires inspection, all bees shipped into the state must be inspected.Better have them inspected as a safeguard.Q. When is the best time to ship bees in the spring?;\. In freezing weather the combs are somewhat brittle, andlikely to break easily, and the bees do not stand a journey as wellas when more active. When combs are filled with honey they arelikely to break in transit, and if too warm there is more dangerthat the bees ma\' suffocate. So the best time in spring is whilethe combs are mostly empty, any time after it is warm enoughfor the bees to Hy nearly all day.(J I am considering shipping bees in the fall, say 100 miles ormore, and then giving them a good flight liefore putting thein inthe cellar. Do you think it injurious to their wintering well toship them in the fall?A. If they have a good flight before being taken in the cellar,I should not expect any harm from the journey. The excitementof the journey, however, would make them eat a little more, soyau would have to be a little more careful to see that they hadstores enough.y. How would \'ou advise packing a colony of liees which isto be shipped by freight to New York from Texas in e.irly spring?A. There must be kolmI ventilation, and exerything as Arm aspossible. Vou can make sure of the first by liaving a cover entirelyof wire-cloth. Under this it ma\' be well to ha\e a spongelilled with water, if the frames are loose-hanging they must bemade secure, either \i\ nails dri\cii down through the ends of thetop-bars or by spacing with sticks. Put on written instructionsfor the hive to ride so the frames shall be p.ir.iUcI with tlie rails,a hand or an arrow to point toward the engine.