The Rural Voice, 2000-04, Page 24McCready says they have a good
location for a hive.
After a visit with Bayer, she is
seriously considering further visits so
that her sons can see the operation
first-hand.
"If you can tolerate a few stings,
you can go a long way," she laughs.
While McCready is looking at the
personal benefits for family
togetherness, Lorne Bolton of
Stratford has an environmental
reason for calling on Bayer.
Amember of the Stratford
Beautification and
Environment Committee,
Bolton is considering the wider
objective espoused by Bayer — to
supply enough bees for Ontario crops
without imports.
"I have a little knowledge and
background in beekeeping," says
Bolton, "and as an environmentalist,
Bayer's talk of the $3.5 million spent
on importing.(bees) was of interest."
This encourages Bayer who says
Ontario is in need of more bees. The
province needs at (east 100,000
beehives for adequate pollination.
However, beekeepers currently have
only 85,000, without deducting those
Beyer
turns
honey
Into wine
in his
asement
lost to winter kill, he says.
"Increased numbers would
improve agriculture," says Bayer.
Ontario is not raising enough
bees, agrees Bolton. "If we remove
bees, we remove produce. We need
them for good crops."
Bolton and friend Earle Spackman
plan to develop three hives this
spring, placing them on Spackman's
farm property.
"We want to be involved, to help
in some small degree (to increase bee
numbers). We want to help guarantee
the future supply of produce."
Though commenting that he will
not benefit directly in a financial way
from his beekeeping, Bolton says he
is pleased to be able to contribute to
keeping the environment in balance.
He also makes in interesting point
about the importance of urban
environments to good bee
productivity.
"Many of the crops planted now—
corn and alfalfa — are not conducive
to pollination by bees," he says. With
communities such as Mitchell being
involved in the Nations in Bloom
competitions, there are large numbers
of ornamental trees and flower beds
in populated areas. The abundant
blooms are perfect for bees' work.
Noting his admiration for Bayer as
he offers free advice, training
sessions and assistance in setting up
hives, Bolton says he is impressed
DAIRY
POULTRY
BEEF
HOG
485 6th Ave. Hanover
BUILDERS LTD
Design Builders
SHEEP
PRODUCE
EQUESTRIAN
APPLE
fx. 519-364-3637
20 THE RURAL VOICE