VOL 23 #2

FEBRUARY Report

 It seems like we should have met last week, maybe because several called to see if we were.   If you did go let me know how many where there.  We had 58 present at the January meeting.  Mr. Brantley and I have been to Sacramento since we last saw you.   The convention was just SUPER,  1281 registered to se and hear was happening,   all of the BEE BRAINS in the Western Hemisphere were there.  Also from all over the world.  A whole lot of knowledge was passed on to those in attendance.   I will try during the next 2-3 meetings to fill you in as time permits.  One that you can see at this meeting is a simple SHB trap that cost about 15 cents, that can be bought at Wal-Mart.   

Mr. Brantley and I went together and bought a set of CD’s of the meeting.   Maybe someone can help me condense some of it so it can be shown at the meetings.   At the very lest it will help in presenting what went on as time passes.

 I have been testing some pollen substitutes with interesting results.  I have placed for free choice feeding Mann Lake’s BEE PRO in one pan and Dadant’s   MEGA BEE in a pan setting side by side.  Mega Bee is 46% protein and Bee Pro is 40%  hopefully  by this meeting enough will be gone to tell which is the bee’s choice.

Jim Lathem has come up with a great idea.  That is to have a newcomer’s packet to help our new beekeepers know who we are and what we are about.   We need two or three persons to make this work.  We really need you to step up and take on this project.

 It is time for you to be getting pollination calls.  I encourage you to raise you price from $40 to $50 per hive depending on far you have to drive.    Growers are hearing more and more about the benefits of our bees. 

More about this time of the year.

It is too late for what you should have done last fall, but not for what you can now.   Your bees, right today, need to be feed sugar water and a pollen substitute.   It is true that pollen is now coming in but probably not to the extent that the bees need. Dadant in Paris is close and has a product call Mega Bee in small containers, call and order today and get some out for your bees.  Also you need to make sure you have deep bodies or supers ready to put on, if we get 10-14 days of good warm weather your hives could be overflowing with new bees and that could mean a good honey crop.

 BEEGINNER’S CLASS has started with 11 students.  Look’s like we will have some beekeepers come out of this one.

Well folks, as I write this report today it has gotten mighty chilly out there in the ol' beeyard. My hope is that y'all have been good stewards over your apiary. The honeybees need the food as in sugar syrup, protein,honey and pollen stores to make it till it gets warm again. Also there needs to be plenty of warm little bodies in there to keep the hives a toasty 93 degrees. The last time an inspection was made it was around 50 degrees outside and sunny. all hives were looking pretty good. As far as I looked was the top brood box, and it was heavy with at least 5 frames of honey and pollen, there was capped brood on several frames also, so this cold snap should not effect them. Now we all know that at two hours a month there will never be enough time for a true beekeeper to learn  and understand all there is to know and do with their "livestock". You must be ready to read the articles on the  several pests and other problems that may , and probably will affect your operation, no matter how small or large. It would also be a bonus if you had someone near to share hive inspections, treatments etc. One article in the ABJ last month discussed the need to get vorroa destructor under control. The reason for the hive beetle and other pests coming in is the weak hive. So a first inspection and treatment of the mite is needed to be done before all the rest. Remember we need to maximize and get fat healthy bees. There will be no auction this month as we need to give our guest speaker , a beekeeper from La. whose hives were hit by the hurricaine,all the time she needs to talk to us and answer questions. So save all your stuff for next month. Thanks again for all who show up every month and participate in the discussions and bring such wonderful goodies for us to enjoy during the break. The bee lab at A&M seems to be near groundbreaking! Its been a few years now since we've been trying to get the funds for this project.  They will be able to do even more research on the most wonderful insect the Good Lord did ever create, the honeybee. Thanks to all of those who helped make it possible: "Those movers and shakers". To all who can make it there will be a short directors meeting at 6 o'clock in room 104. Looking forward to seeing all of you in Feb.

Sincerely Joe M. 

by Eddie Collins

I had asked for help in writing this letter, so far two of you have sent articles. Both are too long for the two columns available. So I will split them up. Next month you will see the balance of Jim Lathems neat article on wax.

Here’s Mrs. Brantley article "SWEETISH"

For several months, dick has asked the club members to help him with the newsletter, by writing a short article, so I though this is something I could do and enjoy. Each month I read the newsy and informative words but thought how nice it would be if there was something that was of special to us ladies, such as recipes, tips and just girl talk. (not saying you gentlemen can’t read it too !)

I was looking for a special recipe before doing my Christmas baking and found this one I has forgotten about. It has the original distinctive honey flavor minus the stickiness and the tendency to run. NO other jelly is as easy to make. Because it contains no pectin of its own substance must be added to make the honey jell, be sure to use standard size 8 ounce measuring cup and be very careful that measurements are absolutely accurate. You will need: 2-1/2 cups honey, 1/2 cup water, 1/2 cup liquid pectin. Combine the honey and The water, bring it to a boil very slowly to prevent scorching ( I stir it until it comes to a boil) Remove from fire and add the pectin slowly, stirring constantly. Pour at once into a clean freshly sterilized jelly glasses. Paraffin while still hot and again when thoroughly cold. The cubes of sparkling quivering jelly adds a note of interest to Jell-O salads. Try adding a few drops of green or red food coloring for interest. When ready to use turn out of glass and slice into 1" slices and then into cubes. Enjoy

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Article by Jim Lathem

A solar wax melter is a glass-covered box.  It is a safe efficient way to melt beeswax.  You can even use a plastic container covered with saran wrap to melt beeswax.  Temperature in these containers is usually well above the melting point of beeswax which is 140 degrees F.

Rendered wax should be removed regularly.  Wax will darken over a period of time at high heat.  You can use a solar wax melter to lighten dark wax by letting the sun’s rays melt the wax and bleach the beeswax.  You may want to do this more than one time if the beeswax is too dark.  If you expose the wax to the sun for four to five days, the wax will be more of a white-ish color.  This is a way of solar bleaching your wax.  If done correctly, beeswax will be light yellow in color.

Slum gum goes into a pipe melter.  At the bottom of the pipe melter, there is a sloping floor.  Connecting through the wall of the pipe on the lower side of the sloping floor is a pipe that permits the melted wax to flow into a pan.  There is a wire screen that goes from top to bottom.  In the bottom of the pipe, there is a pipe that lets air enter the pipe.

Place the slum gum loosely in the top of the pipe.  Light the slum gum with a propane torch.  It acts like a torch and burns its way down slowly.  As the slum gum melts, it will cascade down and eventually into the pan.  Even though the wax is dark it is a good grade.  You can put it in the solar wax melter to lighten it. Beeswax processors have ways to filter and lighten beeswax.           

To bleach beeswax, sit the solar wax melter level instead of at an angle.  Some folks find swapping their wax for foundation is the best way to go. 

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MARGARET PRELL

LOUSIANA BEEKEEPER

WILL PRESENT

THE FEBRUARY

PROGRAM