The American Bee Journal 195 195 196 196 197 .196 Chips.. Scraps Wintering Bees. My Report.. How to get rid of Drones.. Wintering Observations. Chips from Sweet Home. Bee Notes.. My Experience.. Hints from Bee-Keepers. When Bee-Keeping don't pay. Successful Bee Keeping. Where Linden grows. Is Success Attainable. Southern Bee Notes. Bees and Grapes Again. Jefferson County Meeting. A Proposition... Notes and Queries. Work for the Month.. .198 199 .199 200 200 .201, 208 .202 .203 203 204 204 205 .206 207 207 208 209 215 too, the surplus honey is all carried below, It is therefore on various accounts desir- There are several ways of doing this, but the method adopted by Captain Hetherington is as good as any, and better than some. It is as follows:-Slip two pieces of tin under the box, then remove the box with one tin, which will keep the bees in, while the other tin will keep the bees from coming up from the hive below. Now turn the box bottom up on a board and place an empty box on it, removing the tin to let the bees pass up into the empty box. Remove and treat all the full boxes in the same way, rapping on them if necessary to force the bees to go up into the empty boxes, then slip the tin under each box and 205 place them on the hive, when both tins should be withdrawn. Any boxes in which a few bees remain may be placed in a dark room with a small window, or a tub or barrel, covered by a thin cloth, which should be occasionally turned over to allow the bees clustering on the under side to return to the hive. Paste a paper over the holes in the boxes to keep out bees, ants, or moth-millers. 216 217 Now is the time to look after surplus honey. Little or none will be stored during the remainder of the season, except where buckwheat abounds. Where there is abundance of buckwheat, it is well to empty the combs by the use of the extractor, and leave the bees to store up the buckwheat honey for themselves. They appear to like it, and to thrive on it, quite as well as on that which is more desirable for table use. No good end is gained by leaving honey boxes in the hive after they are filled. Some think it is a protection against the moth miller, but better protection can be secured by removing them to a dry, cool cellar. Should any moth eggs hatch, the larvæ can be quickly destroyed by a dose of brimstone smoke. If boxes of honey are left in the hive, they are apt to depreciate in value, owing to their becoming dark in color, as the result of the bees running over the combs. Not unfrequently, While There is never any difficulty about sel- When the yield of honey fails, it is well even though the colony be not a strong one. Stocks that have swarmed should be examined, to see if they have fertile queens. Though a sight of the queen may not be obtained, yet the presence in the hive of of eggs and larvæ may be taken as evidence that there is one. Queenless colonies should be supplied with a queen-cell at once, and, if necessary, strengthened with bees and honey. It is well to have some surplus queens on hand to give to queenless colonies, even if they are not as pure as could be wished. "Better is a living dog than a dead lion." A common stock can be Italianized another year, but an extinct stock is a dead loss. A careful inventory should how be taken of the condition of the apiary as to stores for the coming winter. Such hives as need feeding should be marked, and preparations made to give their inmates an opportunity of laying in what additional supplies may be needed. They must be furnished with syrup or whatever food it is determined to give them, before the nights get too cool to admit of their working. To guard against robbing, which is very apt to take place during the feeding process, they should be fed in the evening, so that before morning their task of storing will be done, and no unusual stir be observed by other bees, else marauders will be attracted, battles fought, and stores pillaged. If any stocks are weak in numbers, as well as deficient in stores, feeding will have a tendency to stimulate the queen to lay, and the hives will become recruited with young bees, before winter sets in. C. Honey Resources of the Prairie. The question very frequently comes to us, "Can bees be kept on the virgin prairies of the West?" The impression seems to be general that away from timber there is little for bees to gather after May. This may be true in a measure; after the prairies are settled up and many cattle are kept that eat the pasture close-weeds, flowers and all. But on the new prairies there will be found most abundant bloom, all kinds of which afford honey in honey weather. Reports from those who have tried keeping bees in new sections of the West have been good, invariably. On a recent trip by stage, over a hundred miles or more of prairie, fellow-passengers remarked "there was no chance for bees here, away from even the sight of a tree!" We called attention to the flowers on every hand, of several varieties, besides the countless acres of Golden Rod in every stage, from bud to full bloom. We did not cross one half mile of prairie that could not afford honey for 20 or 30 colonies. In the Spring there are numerous other honey-producing flowers, giving good success throughout the season-except it may be in July. We are of the impression that no quarter section of prairie can be found where bees may not be kept with profit by following directions often given, providing water and keeping only strong colonies. If the country is settled up-unless clover is raised-other honey plants must be provided to take the places of those destroyed by cattle -but while the prairie is new we warrant success. The income of four or five stands of bees and the honey afforded for the family would make a most valuable addition to the comfort of the "home trade." T. Seasonable Hints. More of the success in wintering bees depends on their care in September than a "Novice" would easily believe. The way with many is to "guess they are all right," and let them alone, until it is too late in the season to make any changes to good advantage. As soon as frost comes the honey secretion ceases, and no more can be expected from bees for the season. An examination of all stocks should be made before that time, as it is much easier doing it while they are still flying briskly. Some hives will be found to have a good proportion of bees and honey, and may be marked as safe for winter. Others may have bees and comb enough with scanty stores; these may profitably be fed some sugar-syrup or honey, and will then make good colonies for the winter. If there are any hives half full of comb, and with too few bees for safety, they may be united, and two of them will make one of more value than any number of weak ones that are sure to perish during winter, unless extra pains are taken with them. There is no trouble in uniting two or more colonies. When the bees of both are alarmed and induced to fill themselves with honey, they will unite peaceably. Our way is: To take away the queen of one of the colonies to be united a few days before doing it; then thoroughly smoke or sprinkle the bees of both hives; select the best and fullest combs from both, taking care to place two or more with some empty cells near the centre of the hive in which they are to remain; brush the bees from both hives before the entrance of it; put away any surplus combs for another season-and the work is done. We do it more easily, when there is a loose bottom board to the hives, by setting the hives-first one and then another-over an empty hive; then, brushing the bees from all the combs into this empty hive, and arranging the best combs in the upper one, close all up and allow them to go up among the combs at their leisure. They will be found like one colony the next day, when the lower hive may be removed. We used to think it trouble in making bees adhere to a new location. After being united, of course, the bees of one of the hives must be in a strange spot, but we find that after such a stirring up as they get in this process, each bee seems naturally to make a new departure. T. The committee appointed at the meeting of the North American Bee Keepers' Society to provide essays on interesting topics for the coming meeting at Pittsburg, earnestly request those who are writing such essays, or desirous of doing so, to report soon to either members of the committee. No time should be lost, as it is necessary to place the essays in the hands of the critics early in October. There are bee-keepers in every part of the country competent to write essays full of interest and instruction. Let us hear from them. Report to either members of the committee. N. G. MURRY, Memphis, Tenn. My Straw Mats are reduced in price to $4.00 per dozen, or 50 cents each for a less number. See advertisement. They will last many years and remain as good as new. Put them on when cold weather commences-the latter part of October-and take them off when the bees commence to gather honey, and there will be no propolis on them. The Mats are very much more convenient than cobs, leaves, &c. Sample Mats can be seen at the Chicago office of the AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL, and at the office of Gleanings in Bee Culture, Medina, Ohio. Mats cannot be made by the process given in the June number of Gleanings, that will compare in any respect with these samples. M. NEVINS. MRS. S. E. SPAIDS, as will be seen by advertisement in another page, has removed to New York, having been burned out at the late fire in Chicago on the 14th of July. She states that she is prepared to pay cash for honey promptly. Voices From Among the Hives. D. A. PIKE, Maryland, writes:-"The first part of the season was good here; then it became dry, but it is now good again for honey." "NOVICE" writes:-"Allow me to congratulate you on the consolidation of two such valuable journals as the AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL and the NATIONAL BEE JOURNAL, as our American bee literature will thus come nearer our common ground. F. GRABBE, Wilmette, writes:-"I am glad to hear of the consolidation. The "old and reliable" AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL is conceded to be the best medium for disseminating information, contributed by the most successful and scientific bee-keepers in the world; and now with the consolidation of the NATIONAL BEE JOURNAL, will be the standard authority and CHAMPION." DR. BAKER, of Berks County, Pa., writes that he is "very glad to learn that the old AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL is consolidated with the NATIONAL, and hopes that bee-keepers will give it that generous support that it so richly deserves." JAS. G. TETER, Farmington, Minn., writes that "the Globe Microscope, advertised in the NATIONAL BEE JOURNAL a few times, is a fraud." We know nothing of it, but suppose it may be as he states. Due caution should always be used about such matters. MICHAEL SORRICK, Clinton, Iowa, writes: -"Bees are doing well at present. They are gathering honey fast. The season has been fair all through. I feel glad to see the consolidation of the two Journals." JOHN F. DIPMAN, Fremont, O., writes:-"I was glad when I noticed the consolidation of the two Journals. Bees have done well this season on Basswood, white clover being a failure, on account of dry weather." WALTER NEWTON, Derby Line, Vt., writes: -"If it is of any interest to you to listen to our voice from among the hives,' permit me to say that we never have had dysentery among our bees, We winter them on their own stores, taking away their surplus in the spring. I use the Langstroth hive altogether. We pile them two hives high, in upper chambers of the house, give them plenty of air, and never have any dampness. Our old swarms refuse entirely to work in the boxes this year, so that we have to remove the frames. forced swarms are very heavy, with an average of 110 lb. box of frame honey. Their forage is 32 acres of alsike clover. After reading your Journal, we find we have much to learn, and intend experimenting next spring." Our W. M. KELLOGG, Oneida, Ill., writes:-"I am very much pleased at the consolidation of the two great Bee Journals." G. W. ZIMMERMAN, Napoleon, O., writes: -"Bees have done well here during the white clover and basswood bloom. They are not doing so well now. We have about 3.000 pounds of clover and basswood honey on hand, all extracted, which we are offering at 16 cents per pound." JOSEPH JONES, Centre Co., Pa., writes:"My bees have not done very well so far this season. Commenced with ten stocks, the season is very late and cold-June and July very dry. Increased to fifteen. No surplus honey yet. The prospects for buckwheat are good and we think we may get some surplus yet." Books for Bee-Keepers may be obtained at this office. Not one letter in ten thousand is lost by mail if rightly directed. Single copies of the AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL are worth 20 cents each. Upon the wrapper of every copy of the JOURNAL will be found the date at which subscriptions expire. Any numbers that fail to reach subscribers by fault of mail, we are at all times ready to send, on application, free of charge. The German Bee-Sting Cure can be obtained at this office. Sent by Express for $1.00. It cannot be sent by mail. See notice. Our subscribers in Europe, can now procure Postal Money Orders on Chicago. This plan of sending money is safe and economical. FRANK SEARLES, Hadley, Will Co, Ills., has 50 swarms of Italian Bees which he will sell for $8.00 each, in any amount, if sent for soon. Subscribers wishing to change their postoffice address, should mention their old address, as well as the one to which they wish it changed. Honey Markets. CHICAGO.-Choice white comb honey, 28 @30c; fair to good, 24@28c. Extracted, choice white, 14@16c; fair to good, 10@12c; strained, 8@10c. CINCINNATI.-Quotations from Chas. F. Muth, 976 Central Ave. Comb honey, 15@35c, according to the condition of the honey and the size of the box or frame. Extracted choice white clover honey, 16c. b. ST. LOUIS.—Quotations from W. G. Smith 419 North Main st. Choice white comb, 25@29c; fair to good, 16@22c. Extracted choice white clover, 16@ 18c. Choice basswood honey, 14(@16c; fair to good, extracted, 8@12c; strained, 6@10c. NEW YORK.-Quotations from E. A. Walker, 135 Oakland st., Greenport, L. I. White honey in small glass boxes, 25c; dark 15@20c. Strained honey, 8@12c. Cuban honey, $1.00 gal. St. Domingo, and Mexian, 90@95 gal. Mrs. Tupper authorises us to say that she will still continue her offer of a tested Italian queen to be sent to anyone who procures four subscribers, and sends the names with $8. This is a rare chance to procure a good queen at absolutely no cost, except the expenditure of time; and those acting as agents will find it easy to secure names for the consolidated JOURNAL during the approaching season of fairs and expositions. The queen will be sent promptly on receipt of names and money. Any one ordering a Queen at the time of renewing or subscribing for the JOURNAL, will receive it and the AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL one year for $6. Persons writing to this office should either HONEY COMMISSION HOUSE. write their Name, Post-office, County and State plainly, or else cut off the label from the wrapper of their paper and enclose it. JOURNALS are forwarded until an explicit order is received by the publishers for the discontinuance, and until payment of all arrearages is made as required by law. We have received a Postal Order from Shanon, Wis., in an envelope containing nothing else. We do not know from whom it came, nor for what it was intended. Will some one inform us? W. M. BRACKETT, Room 27, Tribune Building, Chicago, will take consignments of Honey and dispose of it to the best advantage, for those desiring such services, on commission. Or he is prepared to pay cash for honey on delivery. Mr. Brackett is General Agent for the American Publishing Company in Chicago, and may be relied upon to act on the square. Back Volumes. Complete sets of back volumes are scarce. But few can be procured at any price. We have a set, consisting of the nine volumes (complete), which we offer for sale, either bound or unbound, for a reasonable sum. Many of the numbers we have paid fifty cents each for, to complete them. We have several single volumes (complete) which we will send postpaid for $2.00 each. Several volumes, which lack only a single number of being complete, we will send postpaid for $1.50 each. Vol. 1, we can supply in cloth boards, postpaid, for $1.25. Bound in paper covers, $1.00, postage 10 cents. This volume is worth five times its price to any intelligent bee-keeper. It contains a full elucidation of scientific beekeeping, including the best statement extant of the celebrated Dzierzon theory. These articles run through eight numbers, and are from the pen of the Baron of Berlepsch. Beginners in bee-culture, who desire to read up in the literature of bee-keeping, are earnestly advised to obtain these back volumes. Many of our best apiarians say they would not sell their back volumes of the AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL for ten times the sum they cost, if they could not replace them. They are exceedingly valuable alike to beginners and more advanced apiarians. We want several copies of No. 1, Vol. 2, of the AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL, and will pay 50 cents each for them. It will be a source of gratification to us if all those in arrears for the AMERICAN BEE JONRNAL will settle the same as soon as possible. Our increasing circulation vastly increases our regular monthly expenses for paper and printing. "A word to the wise is sufficient." When a subscriber sends money in payment for the AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL, he should state to what time he thinks it pays, so that we can compare it with our books, and thus prevent mistakes. The postage on this paper is only twelve cents a year, if paid quarterly or yearly in advance at the post-office where received. We prepay postage to Canada, and require twelve cents extra. Job Printing for Bee-Keepers. We are now prepared to do all kinds of Job Printing, including Books, Pamphlets, Cards, or Labels for Bee-Keepers, as well as every item of general Job Work. Our terms will be as low as a good job can be done for anywhere, and we can execute any sized job with promptness. We invite bee-keepers everywhere to send us their Job Printing. On all jobs of over $5, we will pay the express charges, and thus put ourselves in competition with every printing office in the nation. Bee Literature. For practical information in cheap readable form, adapted for experienced bee-keepers, as well as beginners, apply to Italian Bee Com pany, Des Moines, Iowa. On receipt of 25 cents they send pamphlets of value; and for 50 cents a package containing advice, in best form, for beginners, from bee-keepers in all parts of the world. Specimen copies of the BEE JOURNAL 10 centsthree numbers for 25 cents. Letters of inquiry cheerfully answered on receipt of stamp. Address, ITALIAN BEE Co., Let every one writing this office make all STRAW MATS Postal Orders, Drafts or Checks, payable to THOMAS G. NEWMAN. Address everything of whatever nature to THOMAS G. NEWMAN, CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA. $4.00 per dozen, or 50 cents each. Catnep Seed gathered last fall from cultivated plants at $1.00 per oz., or $12.00 per pound. Sample Mats, by mail, 65 cents, of Mat required should be stated. Address, The exact sixe M. NEVINS, Cheviot, Ohio. |