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From the Ipswich Tribune

March 22, 1928 edition

WHY KEEP BEES

R. W. Vance

State Bee Inspector

The honey bee is not only valuable as a honey producer, but it is one of the most beneficial insects in cross pollinating the flowers of economic plants. The fruit grower and the alfalfa and sweet clover seed producer, have learned that the honey bee is the cross pollination. In many instances only insects that can be relied upon for they have found that the value of the bee in producing larger crops far exceeds the value of the honey produced.

In South Dakota the average annual honey yield when the colony is well handled, and near a clover field or other suitable pasture is about 150 to 175 pounds. This does not include the stores which must be left for winter.

Bees may be kept in any locality where there is sufficient nectar to maintain them. Some localities are better than others, in that there is a greater variety of flowers or a greater profusion of them: therefore, a larger number of colonies of bees may be kept in one place than in another which is but a few miles away. As good localities are often right at our doors, many small beekeepers will not have to seek bee pastures.

Some people keep bees as a recreation as well as for the honey produced. Others keep them as a side line for profit. In combination with some branches of farming, bee keeping fits in admirably.

Honey bees are your little robbers. They will go into your neighbor’s orchard or clover field and carry back the nectar. They will board themselves and work without pay, all they ask is a non-modern house without heat and light.

 

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