all the combs over the stultified bees. This Fall I watched the operation carefully. Every swarm SO treated became foulbroody. I do not know of a single exception, which I could say did not become foul-broody. Did I cage the queen, foul brood did not make its appearance so readily. On a former occasion in order to introduce foreign queens, I stupified them with the smoke of a puff-ball, the most of them became foul broody. To another I gave a queen, and it also became foul-broody. I yesterday destroyed it, bees and hive. I can knowingly tell you of two incidents, where a queen was taken from a hive infected with foul-brood and put in a queencage, so that not a particle of foul-brood was present, and yet after a time it made its appearance. Dzierzon himself is unable to explain this. Mr. Secretary Gros von Arnsburg. It appears to me that Mr. Dorr admits that Iialian queens reared in the months of May, June, and July are free from foul brood, while those reared in September produce foul brood. Why not rear our queens in those months? President. That is a very natural inference, but we must remember that queens reared in the Fall months are much cheaper, so that the largest number are sold at that period, while those sold in Spring cost double, yes, three times as much. Mr. Gross. But sooner than obtain foul brood, I would willingly pay a larger sum of money. President. What you say is very rational, but one comes in conflict with his purse. I think this question has been sufficiently discussed. Should I in a few words give you my practical experience, it would be, that crosses obtained by the union of a pure Italian queen with a common drone, or a queen of the Heath bees impregnated by an Italian drone, are the best bees I have in my apiary, and I invite all who wish to be convinced of this to visit my apiary. . . . . We have been too long breeding in and in, and this phlegmatic German blood needs quickening. This is just what is done in improving our breeds of cattle, and why should we not adopt the same measures with our bees? I cannot entirely agree with Mr. Dorr. Pastor Weber. Mr. Dorr told us that he began Italianizing in 1857. He has been breeding queens, then, for 10 years, and only lately has he become satisfied with his bees-and now they are all crosses. If one procures queens in 100 or 1000 different ways, there will be no more of the pure German race. In Rheinish Hesse this freshening of the blood has been carried on to a great extent. There is, there, no pure race, but everywhere are traces of foreign blood. For the American Bee Journal. The North American Bee Keepers' The Third Annual Session of this Association was held in the city of Louisville during the first week in December. In the absence of the President, Vice President Hamlin, of Tennessee, took the chair and called the meeting to order, Gen. Adair acting as Secretary. Owing to the inclement weather, and the sickness of some of the members, the attendance was not so large as could be wished, but the sessions were full of interest. The first morning was devoted to an informal meeting, and the afternoon to a free social conference. Letters were read from absent members. Several practical questions were discussed: viz., The size of brood laid by a prolific queen; The cause of foul brood; Why queens sometimes desert the hive, etc. The propriety of clipping the wings of queens was talked over at length, disclosing quite a difference of opinion on this subject. The proper kind of food for bees was also discussed, after which the meeting adjourned until 7 P. M. In the evening the respective value of the various honey plants was considered, and the Alsike clover was highly recommended. The subject of introducing queens was also discussed, and the propriety of extracting honey freely commented upon. The members were largely in favor of extracted honey, as it leaves the comb intact, and ready to be refilled at once with honey, thereby saving to the bees more than half their labor. It is also claimed that it is better for the table, having been prepared for assimilation by the stock. It is asserted that the only thing which renders honey injurious to invalids, is the indigestible comb that is taken with it. MORNING SESSION. The Convention met at half-past 9 o'clock this morning Mr. Hamlin in the chair. General Adair stated that it was proposed to hold a Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, and moved that a committee of three be appointed to correspond with the managers, and see what arrangements could be made for having the bee interests represented. The resolution was adopted, and subsequently the chair appointed a committee, and authorized them to appoint sub-committees in such states as they should deem proper. The Society then proceeded to the ELECTION OF OFFICERS. Seth Hoagland, of Pennsylvania, and Dr. F. B. Hamlin, of Tennessee, were placed in nomination for President, and a ballot was taken, resulting in the election of Mr. Hoagland by one majority. For Recording Secretary, Abner Pope, and for Corresponding Secretary, General Adair, were elected without opposition, as was also J. S. Hill, of Mt. Healthy, O., as Treasurer. The following Vice-Presidents were then elected: New York-J. E. Hetherington, Cherry Valley. Pennsylvania-A. J. Hooker. Ontario-J. C. Thorn, Garafraxa. Texas-J. W. Dunn, Corpus Christi, shire. Louisiana-T. J. Bert, Mansfield. Alabama-Miss Fanny L. Morris, Shelby Springs. Massachusetts-E. N. Dyer, Amherst. West Virginia-A. Chapman, New Cumberland. Nebraska-W. Young, Plattsmouth. Tennessee-T. B. Hamlin, Edgefield Junction. Florida-Mrs. C. Atkinson, Leesburg. Ohio-Aaron Benedict, Bennington. Kentucky-Major T. J. Key, Anchorage. Indiana-A. T. Wright, Kokoma. Illinois-J. L. Lucas, Peoria. Iowa-Mrs. E. S. Tupper, Des Moines. Colorado-T. J. Dorr, Colorado Springs. The subject of wintering bees was then discussed; The moth and its troubles were also talked over, but it was claimed that with good hives and Italian bees, there was no danger to be apprehended from this quarter. Adjourned until 2 P. M. AFTERNOON SESSION. An interesting letter was read from the former Secretary, Mr. King, after which remedies for stings were considered. Colp water and wet cloths changed as often as necessary, or the compound tincture of Lobelia, were pronounced very effectual remedies. Mr Winder, however recommended sulphate of zinc dissolved in water, and Mr. Murray, supercarbonate of soda, used in the same way as an outward application. The Corresponding Secretary then read a letter from Dr. Phillips, which was placed on file. On a motion the Doctor was elected as an honorary member of the Society. The following resolutions were adopted: RESOLVED, That the thanks of this society be tendered the city of Louisville for kindness and hospitality shown to the Association at this time. RESOLVED. That the Treasurer pay to D. L. Adair, Corresponding Secretary, $6. amount expended by him for envelopes and postage in distributing the proceedings of last year's transactions, out of the first funds in the treasury not otherwise appropriated. RESOLVED, That the thanks of this society be tendered to the Louisville COURIER-JOURNAL, COMMERCIAL, and LEDGER, for their correct report of our proceedings. RESOLVED, That the thanks of this society be tendered to the trustees of the Public Library Hall, for their fine hall and their kind attention to us, and the Treasurer pay to the same, $32 for the two days' use of their hall, if the Treasurer cannot get it for reduced rates. WHEREAS, We have not funds in Treasury to meet current expenses: RESOLVED. That each member present pay one dollar additional, which shall be credited to them as one year's payment in advance as members of this society. RESOLVED. That our Corresponding Secretary be allow ed $10 for making out the transactions of this meeting. out of any fund not appropriated otherwise; $5.00 also appropriated for Dr. Hamlin, money spent for postage, &c.. in arranging for this meeting. RESOLVED, That as Mrs. E. S. Tupper is the only publisher who is here, the society request her to prepare a synopsis of the reports of this meeting and publish them in the December number of the NATIONAL BEE JOURNAL, and send a copy to each member who has paid the annual fee, and also to other Bee publications and agricultural journals, and that the Secretary make an official report in pamphlet form as soon as he has funds to do it and that the Secretary be paid a reasonable sum for performing the above services. The question was asked, "Is artificial swarming as good or better than natural swarming?" Adair moved that the Society answer the question in the affirmative, and gave substantial reasons therefor. An able paper was then read on the wings of the bee, which will be found entire in the present number of the JOURNAL. The meeting then adjourned to meet at Pittsburg, Pa., the second Wednesday in November, 1874. For the American Bee Journal Doolittle's Article. DEAR JOURNAL: In the July number, page 7, we gave you under the above heading our experience with bees up to April 28th. We propose now to let the readers of the JOURNAL know what we have done since; and by the way, Mr. Editor, if more of your contributors would give their practical experience with bees instead of disputing so much with each other, and about hives, we think it would be of more benefit to beginrers as well as more edifying to experienced bee-keepers. The cold weather The cold weather which began April 17th, continued until May 1st, and upon examining we found that our bees had decreased one-half in number to each hive. We united the weakest swarms so that we had but twenty-nine to begin the season with, one of which lost its queen shortly after. On May 1st, we did not have a hive that contained a quart of bees, and not a hive that had ten square inches of brood. The majority of them occupied from two to four ranges of comb and had no brood at all. The first pollen gathered was on April 30th, which was very small pillets indeed, and that from skunk's cabbage. Bees began to rear brood again May 2nd, and raised sparingly until May 14th, when it became cold again and remained so until the 20th, at which time the larvæ was all destroyed again. May 21st, the hard maple threw out its thousands of blossoms and the bees, what were left of them, began in earnest to prepare for the summer; before that time we had spread the brood twice a week by putting empty frames or frames of honey in the center, and on the 30th, we never had so much brood according to the number of bees in our hives, five hundred bees covering five thousand of brood easily, and from the 12th to the 18th of June we had multiplied their number by ten and were once more in a very prosperous condition. June 15, white and red clover began to bloom, and that with locust blossoms furnished our bees with an abundant supply of honey. June, 19, our first swarm came, Basswood commenced blossoming July 16 and lasted until August 2nd, which was the end of the honey season with us. We have at the present time fifty-four colonies in good condition for wintering, and four nuclei, so it will be seen that we have doubled our number counting the nuclei. We have sold surplus honey to the amount of 2350 pounds, 635 pounds of which was extracted and which we sold for fourteen cents per pound, the remainder was in two pound boxes which brought us twentyseven cents per pound. On the whole we are satisfied with our season's work. We propose wintering the same as last year with the exception that we shall leave the straw out of our safes until spring for the reason that our bees were kept too warm during the winter. Keep hives banked with snow out of sight, and have all lower ventilation nearly or entirely closed with one of Novice's quilts over the frames, well tucked down at the sides, and we will bid adieu to cellar wintering, as we believe bees can be wintered in no better way. No lugging or lifting nor any mixing in the spring, but just a little pleasant exercise of sweeping the snow as it falls around the hives, and if it should come warm enough for them to fly, shovel it away in front and what a nice fly they will have. If it does not come quite warm enough they will keep quiet, as the snow keeps them at an even temperature, so there is no loss of bees from getting chilled in the snow every time the mercury rises to forty in the shade. G. M. DOOLITTLE. Italian bees are said to guard their hives against the moth-miller much better than the common black bees, and for this reason their combs are seldom injured by the moth. The Alsike clover is equal if not superior to buckwheat as a honey plant, while the honey produced from it is fully equal to that made from white clover. Do Bees Make Honey? Do the bees simply gather the juice or secretion of the flowers and deposit it in the hive unchanged, does it undergo a change in their stomach, or is honey a secretion of the bees resembling that of milk in mammals? This question was asked me lately by a reader of the Dollar Monthly. With your permission I will describe my views on this question, subject to the criticism of older heads. When the bee visits the flowers it sucks the nectar with its proboscis and swallows it. The honey passes into what entomologists call the proventriculas, or first stomach, commonly called "honey sac." If a part of this honey is needed for the nourishment of the insect, it passes into the ventriculus, or true stomach, in which it is digested. When the honey-sac is full the bee returns to the hive, unloads himself by throwing the honey into the cells and again starts for the field. It is, therefore, quite plain that honey is not a secretion. Now, is honey changed in any way by passing in and out of the honey-sac of the bee? That is the question. It has been found by chemical analysis that the nectar of the flowers is cane sugar and that the honey harvested by the bees from those flowers is grape sugar. This discovery would be sufficient to prove that the honey gathered by the bees undergoes a certain change in the honey-sac. On the othor hand, W. W. Stoddard said, in a back number of U. B. J., that the honey when in the honey-sac comes in contact with an acid, that proved to be identical with formic acid. He says: "This it is which doubtless causes the peculiar tingling sensation at the back of the throat when much honey has been swallowed." Later we find in the Apicultore of Milan a definite account of the existence of secreting glands communicating with honey sac, and containing a saliva of a strong, peculiar odor that passes by means of contraction into the honey-sac. These three glands were discovered by Prof. Von Siebold, the well known German entomologist. He claims the honor of having described them the first, as they had always been thought by others to be respiratory organs. If the above discoveries are real and well understood, we shall have to conclude that honey does undergo a certain change in the stomach of the bee, and, therefore, cannot be made artificially. It dees not exist in a natural state outside of the hive. The change effected in the nectar of flowers by the stomach of the bee is not very great, however. The bee gives it a peculiar taste, but it cannot add anything to its quality or diminish it in any way. Before I close, permit me to thank Mr. M. Quinby for his article on wintering, in the December number. I also wish to tell friend Kretchner that we agree perfectly together. Bees will not work as well in side boxes as in top boxes, although they will work in side boxes if they have no top boxes. But give them their choice and see what they will do. D. P. DADANT. Hamilton, Ill., Dec. 15, 1873. Shaking Bees. James Heddon at the Michigan Bee Keepers' Meeting, said, "I find that shaking deep combs to get off the bees, irritates them. Is there a remedy?" There are several, a couple of which I will give. First, Use more care in subduing bees in long, deep, or large hives. It is generally best to manage hives of bees, extracting honey, making swarms, &c. during a yield of honey, and before it is sealed with wax, that all the bees may fill their sacs with honey; which they will do, if there is enough uncapped, and they are disturbed properly. If the honey is not in a condition, or of sufficient quantity, food may be given, to subdue the most vicious stock. The best brush is one or more grape or plantain leaves rolled loosely, sometimes the end trimmed. Weeds, grass, broom, feathers, or brushes may be used; and if the articles are scarce, or only one at hand, dip occasionally in water to wash off the odor which enrages badly managed bees. Second, Use the old fashioned, native, or black bees with your deep frames, that drop off the comb like shot off a shingle, at the least handling. The stock is getting scarce. It can probably be obtained of our former President, as they are his pets. St. Charles, Ill. J. M. MARVIN. American Bee Journal. CHICAGO, ILL., JANUARY, 1874. Business Notice. The public are hereby informed that the proprietorship and management of the AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL have been transferred to the American Publishing Company, of Chicago, the undersigned retaining henceforward only an editorial connection therewith. By this arrangement additional security is given for the permanence, effective conduct and progressive improvement of this journal, inasmuch as the company into whose hands it has passed possess unusual facilities for carrying it on. They are already publishing The Illustrated Journal, with which has recently been incorporated The Chicago Graphic and Illustrated American, the announcement of which will be found in the advertising department of this number. They are also issuing other works of art. Having a corps of engravers connected with their establishment, they will be able from time to time to illustrate the pages of the JOURNAL, a desideratum long felt by its proprietors and friends. The new publishers are determined to spare neither cost nor pains in making this periodical worthy of the patronage of the bee-keepers of North America. The experience of a year in the business and editorial conduct of the AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL has convinced the undersigned that the apiculturists of this country need and are prepared to sustain a well-managed organ and exponent of their important industry. It has also convinced him that in order to the complete success of the JOURNAL, it is absolutely necessary that more capital, business ability and energy should be connected with it. These are now secured, and the new arrangement is announced in the fullest confidence that the results will be most satisfactory to all concerned. W. F. CLARKE. THE OUTLOOK FOR BEE-KEEPING. Bee-keeping has come to take a high rank among the productive industries of the world. For want of statistics, which have never yet been faithfully collected, and which it is very difficult to get with any accuracy, only general terms can be employed in speaking of its condition and progress. A national census throws but little light on this subject, for census commissioners do not usually enquire about livestock so insignificant as bees, and what information they get is drawn out of the people by questions. They have a printed catechism, which does not embrace the inquiries, "Any hives of bees?" "How many?" and hence the most profitable kind of live-stock in proportion to cost and value, finds no place in the record. Very much the same is true of the honey product of this and other countries. and other countries. It is very imperfectly represented by figures, and is only found in commercial reports that are devoted to market prices. We are consequently quite in the dark as to the important items of consumption and demand. But amid all this vagueness of knowledge about apiculture and honey, there are some things that stand out distinctly enough. One is the universality and abundance of honey. Everywhere in innermost hearts of myriac flowers, the Creator has garnered up stores of liquid sweet, which wait for collection and appropriation. Another thing we are perfectly sure of, viz., that this teeming and superabundant sweetness can only be made available through the good offices of the bee. Whether the floral sweet is really honey as it lies treasured in the flower, or whether it undergoes a chemical change in the body of the bee, whereby common saccharine matter is transformed into honey, we need not now stop to enquire; but it is absolutely certain that if man is to have honey, the bee must collect and store it for him. Every schoolboy knows how to get at the drop of sweetness that lies hid in a head of red |