THE SUBSCRIPTION PRICE of this Journal is 75 cents a year, in the United States of America, (except Chicago, where it is $1.00), and Mexico; in Canada 85 cents; and in all other countries in the Postal Union, 25 cents a year extra for postage. Sample copy free. THE WRAPPER-LABEL DATE indicates the end of the month to which your subscription is paid. For instance, "dec09" on your label shows that it is paid to the end of December, 1909. "Songs of Beedom" This is a pamphlet, 6x9 inches, containing 10 songs (words and music) written specially for bee-keepers, by Hon. Eugene Secor, Dr. C. C. Miller, and others. They are arranged for either organ or piano. The list includes the following: "Bee - Keepers' Reunion Song;" "The Bee-Keeper's Lullaby;" "The Hum of the Bees in the AppleBloom;" "The Humming of the Bees;" "Buckwheat Cakes and Honey;" "Do: Happy Bee-Man;" "Bee-Keepers' Convention Song;" "The Busy, Buzzing Bees:" "Spring-Time Joys;" and "Convention Song." The pamphlet is mailed for 25 cents, or sent with the American Bee Journal one year-both for only 90 cents. Send all orders to the American Bee Journal, 118 W. Jackson, ChiIll. cago, American Bee Journal WE ARE NOW Booking Queen-Orders for 1909 $4.00 for 6 queens; $2.10 for 3; or 75c for For a number of years we have been sending out to bee-keepers exceptionally fine Untested Italian Queens, purely mated, and all right in every respect. Here is what a few of those who received our Queens have to say about them: What They Say of Our Queens GEORGE W. YORK & CO.:-The two queens received of you some time ago are fine. They are good breeders, and the workers are showing up fine. I introduced them among black bees, and the bees are nearly yellow now. and are doing good work. A. W.SWAN. Nemaha, Co., Kan., July 15, 1905. GEORGE W. YORK & CO.:-The queen I received of you a few days ago came through O.K., and I want to say that she is a beauty. I immediately introduced her into a colony which had been queenless for 20 days. She was accepted by them, and has gone to work nicely. I am highly pleased with her and your promptness in filling my order. My father, who is an old bee-keeper, pronounced her very fine. You will hear from me again when I am in need of something in the bee-line. E. E. MCCOLM. Marion Co., Ill., July 13. We usually begin mailing Queens in May, and continue thereafter, on the plan of "first come first served." The price of one of our Untested Queens alone is 75 cents, or with the monthly American Bee Journal one year-both for $1.20. Three Queens (without Journal) would be $2.10, or 6 for $4.00. Full instructions for introducing are sent with each Queen, being printed on the underside of the address-card on the mailing-cage. You cannot do better than to get one or more of our fine Standard-Bred Queens. Address, GEORGE W. YORK & CO., 118 W. Jackson, Chicago. Ill,. Lewis Bee-ware Shipped Promptly 1 American Bee Journal 115 Bred from superior golden stock last season; now ready to mail. Their bees are hustlers and beauties. These breeders are as good as money can buy. They are simply fine. Their bees are very gentle to handle$5.00 to $10.00 each; untested queens ready to mail after April 15. Golden and leather or three-banded stock. Our long experience as a queen-breeder is a guarantee that our queens are as good as the best. Untested, $1.00; 6 for $5.00; 12 for $9.00; tested, $1.50; select tested, $2.50; best, $5.00. This season's rearing. Write for prices on a large number. T. S. HALL, 4Atf Jasper, Pickens Co., Ga. I Will Send You Money-Saving Prices on Bee-Supplies If you will send me list of goods wanted. No harm done if prices don't suit. I buy in car-load lots and sell in any quantity. I believe I have the largest and most complete stock in Illinois, if not in the West. A trial order or a visit here will convince Mott's Strain FOR SALE We offer for delivery any time after April 15, full colonies of Italian Bees, in 8-frame hives, at $7.00 per colony, including queen; or in lots of 5 or more colonies, at $6.50 each. Nuclei-3-frame, with queen, at $3.50 each; or in lots of 5 or more, $3.25 each. Nucleus orders to be filled about May 10. The above prices are f. o b. express, shipping point 100 miles west of Chicago. Orders filled in rotation. Satisfaction guaranteed. Address, GEORGE W. YORK & CO., 118 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, III. MILLER'S Superior Italian Queens of Italians money back. Work red clover and other deep blooms. Hardy and gentle. Untested, 75c. Guaranteed. $1.00. Tested, $1.25. Golden Queens for the same price. Leaflet, "Safe Plans of Introduction," 15c. Also "Rapid Increase," 15c. Or copy of each, 25c. 4A6t E. E. MOTT, Glenwood, Mich. Eggs of B. P. Rock, White Wyandotte Western Headquarters Brown Leghorn-at $1.00 per 16. Cat. free. Bees for sale. Correspondence solicited. H. S. DUBY, St. Anne, III. FOR SALE 100 colonies of Italian and Carniolan bees in &frame 1%-story hives, all in good condition. Hives are nearly all new. One colony, $5.50; five or more, $5.00 each. One empty super goes with each hive. Enquire with stamp. WM. J. HEALY, Mineral Point, Wis. WHAT--WHERE--WHEN How--Now Send for my 12-page circular of Italian and Caucasian queens. Safe instructions for the novice on how to introduce queens go with each order. Worth $$$ to you. 4Atf A. D. D. Wood, Box 61, Lansing, Mich. Wanted Man to assist in small apiary near Littleton, New Hampshire, and to work in garden. Must be clean and good tempered, good character and habits, and have had experience with bees. State experience, references, and amount wages required. Address, Glessner, 237 Michigan Ave., Chicago Westwood Red-Clover Queens A New York customer writes, "I have tried queens from a good many breeders, but yours are far ahead of them all." 4A4t HENRY SHAFFER, 2860 Harrison Ave., Sta. L., Cincinnati, O. House Plans -Blue prints of 20 artistic homes, costing from $1250 to $4500, for 25 cents. 4A3t Ehlers & Son, Architects, Carthage, Mo. By return mail after June 1st or your Bred from best Red Clover working strains in U. S. No better hustlers, gentle, and winter excellent. Untested, from my threebanded Superior Breeder-1, $1.00; 6, $5.00; 12, $9.00; after July 1st, 1, 75c; 6, $4.00; 12, $7.50. Special price on 50 or more. Safe arrival and satisfaction guaranteed. Circulars free. 4Atf Isaac F. Miller, Reynoldsville, Pa. THE JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY Has the latest report of all the best work in practical entomology. Articles upon apiculture by national authorities appear in it. If you wish the best entomological journal for the practical man,subscribe for it. $2 a year. E. DWIGHT SANDERSON, Business Mgr., DURHAM, N. H. BIG BARGAIN SALE on Bee-Supplies I have bought all the bee-supplies and machines of the Minneapolis Wood and Machinery Co. Send me a list of what you need, and get the right price. Also Adel, Carniolan, Italian, and Caucasian Queens. CHAS. MONDENG, 4Atf 160 Newton Ave. N., Minneapolis, Minn. American Bee Journal SPECIAL CLUBBING AND PREMIUM OFFERS In Connection With The AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL Sample copies free to help you interest your friends and get subscriptions. If you will send us names of your neighbors or friends we will mail them sample copies free. After they have received their copies, with a little talk, you can get some to subscribe and so either get your own subscription free or receive some of the useful premiums below. They're worth getting. We give you a year's subscription free for sending us two new subscriptions at 75 cents each. BEE-KEEPERS' name charged for. The Gold Nib is guaranteed 14 Karat gold,Iridium pointed. The holder is hard rubber, handsomely finished. The cover fits snugly, and can't slip off because it slightly wedges over the barrel at either end This pen is nonleakable It is very easily cleaned, the pen-point and feeder being quickly removed. The simple feeder gives a uniform supply of ink to the pen-point without dropping, blotting or spotting. Every bee-keeper ought to carry one in his vest-pocket. Comes in_box with directions and filler. Each pen guaranteed. Here shown twothirds actual size. Price alone, postpaid, $1.25. With a year's subscription, $1.75. Given free for 4 new subscriptions at 75 cents each. IDEAL HIVE-TOOL A special tool invent- screw Price alone, postpaid, 40 cents. With a year's subscription,$1.00. Given free for 2 new subscriptions at 75c each. Exactly half actual size. for queens. Safe delivery guaranteed. Price, 75 cents each, 6 for $4.00, or 12 for $7.50. One queen with a year's subscription, $1.20. Queen free for 3 new 75c subscriptions. BOOKS FOR BEE-KEEPERS Forty Years Among the Bees, by Dr. C. O. Miller.-334 pages,bound in handsome cloth, with gold letters and design, illustrated with 112 beautiful half-tone pictures, taken by Dr. Miller. It is a good, new story of successful bee-keeping by one of the masters, and shows in minutest detail just how Dr. Miller does things with bees. Price alone, $1.00. With a year's subscription, $1.50. Given free for 3 new subscriptions at 75 cents each. Advanced Bee-Culture, by W. Z. Hutchinson.-The author is a practical and helpful writer. 330 pages; bound in cloth, beautifully illustrated. Price alone, $1.20. With a year's subscription, $1.70. Given free for 4 new subscriptions at 75 cents each. ABC & X Y Z of Bee Culture, by A. I. & E. R. Root.-Over 500 pages describing everything pertaining to the care of honeybees. 400 engravings. Bound in cloth, price alone, $1.50. With a year's subscription, $2.00. Given free for 6 new subscriptions at 75 cents each. Scientific Queen-Rearing, as Practically Applied, by G. M. Doolittle.-How the very best queens are reared. Bound in cloth and illustrated. Price alone, $1.00. With a year's subscription, $1.50. Given free for 4 new subscriptions at 75 cents each. In leatherette binding, price alone, 75 cents. With a year's subscription, $1.25. Given free for 2 new subscriptions at 75 cents each. Bee Keeper's Guide, or Manual of the Apiary, by Prof. A. J. Cook.-This book is instructive, helpful, interesting, thoroughly practical and scientific. It also contains anatomy and physiology of bees. 544 pages, 295 illustrations. Bound in cloth. Price alone, $1.20. With a year's subscription, $1.70. Given free for 4 new subscriptions at 75 cents each. Langstroth on the Honey Bee, revised by Dadant.-This classic has been entirely rewritten. Fully illustrated. No apiarian library is complete without this standard work by "The Father of American Bee-CulPrice ture." 520 pages, bound in cloth. alone, $1.20. With a year's subscription, $1.70. Given free for 4 new subscriptions at 75 cents each. "The Honey-Money Stories."-A 64page booklet containing many short, bright stories interspersed with facts and interesting items about honey. The manufactured comb-honey misrepresentation is contradicted in two items, each occupying a full page. Has 33 fine illustrations of apiaries or apfarian scenes. It also cantains 3 bee-songs. This booklet should be placed in the hands of everybody not familiar with the food-value of honey, for its main object is to interest people la honey as a daily table article. Price 25 cents. With a year's subscription, 90 cents. Given free for one new subscription at 750. Three copies for 50 cents: or the 3 with a year's subscription, $1.00; or the 3 copies given free for 2 new subscriptions at 75 cents each. Amerikanische Bienenzucht, by Hans Buschbauer, is a bee-keepers' handbook of 138 pages, which is just what our German friends will want. It is fully illustrated and neatly bound in cloth. Price alone, $1.00. With a year's subscription, $1.50. Given free for 3 new subscriptions at 75 cents each. THE EMERSON BINDER A stiff board outside like a book-cover with cloth back. Will hold easily 3 volumes (96 numbers) of the American Bee Journal. Makes reference easy, preserves copies from loss, dust and mutilation. Price postpaid, 75 cents. With a year's subscription, $1.25. Given free for 3 new subscriptions at 75 cents each. WOOD BINDER Holds 3 volumes. Has wood back but no covers. Price, postpaid, 20 cents. With a year's subscription 80 cents. Given free for one new subscription at 75 cents. BEE-HIVE CLOCK A few of these handsome "bronze-metal" clocks left, Base 10 inches wide by 9 inches high. Design is a straw skep with clock face in middle. Keeps excellent time, durable and reliable. Weight, boxed, 4 pounds. You pay express charges. Price $1.50. With a year's subscription, $2.00. Given free for 6 new subscriptions at 75 cents each. SEND ALL ORDERS TO THE AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL, 118 W. Jackson, Chicago, Ill. GEORGE W. YORK, Editor Rendering Wax in an Oven Very commonly there are more ways than one of doing a thing, and one of the ways may be bad while another good. In that excellent work, "Wax Craft," the author very properly says that extracting wax in an oven can not be recommended, because of too great heat, as the temperature should in no case exceed 172 degrees. Evidently he has in mind that the oven door will be closed, and one can readily see the great danger of going beyond 172. But there is another way of extracting in an oven that may be commended to those who have only a small quantity to render. as follows: Take a dripping-pan with one corner split open; put it in the oven with the split corner projecting out so that the melted wax as it drips from the open corner may fall into a dish set beneath to catch it. Something must be put under the inside to raise it, so the melted wax shall flow outward. As wax melts at 143 degrees, it runs out before any danger of reaching 172 degrees, thus doing away with Mr. Cowan's objection. For cappings and bur-combs the oven serves a good purpose, but, like the solar extractor, leaves in old combs some wax that can be got out by a press. Our Question-Box and Its Limitation. The many expressions of appreciation of the question-box leave no doubt as to its serving well the purpose for which it is intended. Occasionally, however, some one expresses disappointment because he has watched in vain for the clearing up of some point upon which he is in doubt. He seems to have some vague idea that the question-box is in tended to give light upon all knotty points, whether any question is asked about them or not. He ought hardly to expect a question to be answered that is not asked, and he may wait a long time before some one else asks the particular question he desires answered. "If you don't see what you want, ask for it." Every subscriber to the American Bee Journal is at liberty to make use of the question-box without any charge what ever. But there is one limitation. The question-box is not intended to take the place of a bee-book, or book of instruction, only to supplement it. Suppose John Smith says, "Does the old queen or the young one go with the swarm?" "How do you transfer a colony from a box-hive?" with a number of other questions equally elementary. If any of his questions are cut out, and he is told that they are answered in the bee-books, he feels aggrieved, and says, "I pay my subscription in full and am entitled to answers to any questions I may ask. I don't propose to be held up and forced to pay out extra money for a bee-book." But suppose his questions are all fully answered. A year or so later he finds the same questions are repeatedly asked by other beginners, and John Smith is likely to say: "What is the sense of having space taken up each month with questions that have been asked over and over again? I pay for my paper, and would like to get something for my money." There are certain things that every beginner is likely to want to knowmust know, if he would be successfuland a bee-book is written for the express purpose of telling him these things. If John Smith, when he first becomes a subscriber, should object to what he calls being forced into buying a book, he might be answered, "It would be hard to do you a greater favor than to get you to procure such a book, for in it you will find answered the greater number of questions that you will want to ask, and a good many others that you ought to ask but will not think of asking. Then there will be other questions that will occur to you that are not answered in the book, and such questions will always be welcomed by the question-box. It would not be a difficult task to occupy space in each number with questions that are answered in every book of instruction upon beekeeping; but it is for your future protection against space being thus wasted that you are now urged to inform yourself on these elementary points through the study of some one of the books.' Washing Honey-Cans Allen Latham, in Gleanings, protests vigorously against putting honey in new cans first without washing the cans, saying: These cans are made by men the vast majority of whom chew tobacco. These cans have all their seams wiped with a vile brush wet with a solution of zinc chloride (a poisonous salt.) They are all made from tin which, though for the most part largely handled by machinery, is frequently touched by men with grimy hands-hands befouled wth dirt distasteful to eye and taste. With all justice to these workers, does Mr. Burnett think that one of them would wash off the spot if he by chance spat tobacco juice upon the inner surface of a tin can, when that inner surface was only the side of a sheet of tin? When a can is emptied, he thinks it should be thoroughly washed, so that no daub of honey left may injure the Editor Root thinks that while this may be true for climates like that of Mr. Latham, near the sea-shore, for inland localities the case may be different. can. Mr. Latham says a honey-can should be entirely filled with honey, for if any air-space is present it will injure the honey if left till the next summer. "Wax Craft"-A Unique Book Mr. T. W. Cowan has again done a service to bee-keeping by writing a book telling "all about beeswax, its history, production, adulteration, and commercial value." The book, entitled "Wax Craft," contains 172 pages, 7 by 5 inch American Bee Journal es, with clear, open print; with 17 fullpage plates, each plate having one to 4 illustrations. The first chapter, "Historical," contains much that is novel to the average bee-keeper, and interesting as well. Perhaps every one is familiar with the use of wax in modeling, but not every one knows that at one time it played an important part in painting. Beeswax lent its aid to magic and enchantment. When young folks tire of telling fortunes by the grounds in a teacup, they might return to the former use of wax. "Divination by dropping molten wax into water was in ancient times called 'ceromancy,' the various shapes assumed by the dropping of the liquid wax as it fell upon the surface of the cold water and became solid determining whether the omen was to be a happy or unhappy one." In some countries "a lighted wax candle placed in a basket was floated on the water near to the spot where the body of a drowned person was supposed to lie, it being believed that the candle would remain stationary Over the corpse." "In Germany and other countries the shape of that portion of the body of persons affected by disease was molded in wax and placed in the church with the conviction that in this way recovery would be ensured." As to one mooted point, Mr. Cowan says: "Wax cannot be produced at all times, but its secretion is voluntary, and for its production a temperature of from 87 degrees to 98 degrees Fahr. is required." Mr. Cowan says sulphur fumes destroy the eggs and larvæ of the beemoth. In this country it is pretty generally understood that sulphur fumes have little or no effect upon the eggs, bisulphide of carbon being much more effective. Here is a paragraph taken from the chapter on wax rendering, page 56, that is packed very full of information: The melting of combs can be done either by the heat of the sun's rays, or with boiling water, or by steam. But only rain or river water is suitable for the purpose, and no other should be used, seeing that well water, if hard, is liable to cause wax to turn brown in color. Lime in water also unites wth the fatty acid of wax, saponifying it, so that, after cooling, wax rendered with hard water has on the under side a spongy, greyish mass. When rain or river water is not available, vinegar or a small quantity of sulphuric acid should be put into the water, just sufficient to neutralize the lime. Copper vessels are preferable, but if not available, iron ones can be used, but they should be first heated and rubbed with a piece of mutton-fat, which not only prevents the acid from attacking the iron, but the latter will not afterwards discolor the wax. It should also be noted that the nearer to the melting point at which all melting operations are performed the finer will be the product, a high temperature destroying both the color and aroma of the wax produced." The last chapter of the book contains 110 recipes in which wax is used, followed by a very full index. To any one who desires to make his apicultural library more nearly complete by adding to it a monograph on this practical subject, "Wax Craft" is heartily commended. It is mailed for $1.00 in this country. Equalizing Colonies The beginner who has been told that it is a good thing in spring to equalize colonies may do a lot of harm by it. Suppose he has a colony that has 4 frames of brood, and 2 others with one frame each. He takes 2 frames of brood from the strongest colony, and gives one of them to each of the others. Now they are equalized, each of the 3 colonies having 2 frames of brood each. The 2 weaker colonies will be benefited, but the combined benefit to the two will be overbalanced by the harm done to the stronger colony. So long as no colony has more than 4 frames of brood, no equalizing should be done. When a colony has 5 or more frames of brood, all but 4 may be taken away. cases of taking brood from strong colonies to help the weak, it may be well to select the ripest brood. Getting Good Queen-Cells Homer W. Burke gives the following plan for securing good queen-cells of best stock, in the Canadian Bee Journal: swarm, During a honey-flow go to a colony that has proven to be one of the best in the yard and remove a frame out of the center and replace it with a frame with only a starter in, say about 2 inches deep. Leave this starter in for 2 or 3 days until the queen has started laying nicely in it. Now remove this frame and put it in the center of a colony that is preas they can generally be found at this time of year; or even better would be if you had a colony that is superseding their queen, and remove one of the center frames from it, also cutting out all queen-cells that may be started in any part of the hive. Now take this frame with the eggs in it from your best queen, being sure to trim the bottom off first, so as to have eggs in the bottom row of cells, then place in the hive. In 10 days you will have a fine row of perfect queen-cells on the bottom of this frame, as it seems to be a very convenient place for them to build. paring to Then give a frame of the removed brood to each colony that has 3 frames of brood, letting the weaker ones wait. When there are no colonies with 3 frames of brood, then give 1 or 2 frames of brood to each colony that has frames of brood. When there are no longer any stronger ones to help, then give one, 2, or 3 frames to the weakest. Nothing has been said about giving bees with the brood, but that is a matter of the first importance. Also there may be big mischief done if bees are not given in the right way. Give a frame of brood without any bees, to a colony having already as much brood as its bees can cover, and it means merely the loss of so much brood. Take from a strong colony 3 frames of brood with adhering bees, and give it to a weakling having only one or 2 frames of brood, and it's pretty sure guess that the queen of the weakling will be killed. So the adhering bees must be given with the brood, and too great a proportion of strange bees must not be given at a time. If a colony has 3 frames of brood, it is safe to give another with adhering bees, without any precaution. Even with 2 frames of brood it may be safe to give an additional frame of brood. After a day or two, another frame of brood may be given without endangering the queen. If queenless bees are given with the brood, then there is little danger of the queen being hurt, no matter how many frames of brood with adhering bees are given. In an apiary of considerable size, brood with adhering bees may be taken from all the strong colonies (of course it goes without saying that care must be taken not to take the queen with the bees), leaving at least 4 frames of brood in each strong colony, and all the brood and bees thus taken may be put in a hive on a new stand, if necessary piling up 2, 3, or more stories high. Although some bees will return to their old homes, plenty will remain to take good care of the brood. A day or more later these frames of brood and bees may be distributed wherever needed; and being queenless they will not endanger the queen, no matter if given to the weakest colonies. Besides, fewer of them will return than would if they were queenright bees. There is, however, a way of strengthening with brood without any bees, although more troublesome. Exchange a frame of brood in a strong colony for one in a weakling, giving the weakling a frame of sealed brood for one that is mostly unsealed, and the weakling is strengthened. This suggests that in all The reason I like this way of rearing my own queens is because they are from the eggs of the best queen in the yard, and naturally we improve our strain of bees. Also the bees that build those cells are not made queenless and compelled to rear a queen, and therefore they take their time in building those cells, and we are sure of having good queens. This is the plan given in Dr. Miller's "Forty Years Among the Bees," page 239, with modifications. The average bee-keeper is likely to be frightened out of trying to get cells reared from best stock because he thinks it must be by means of artificial cell-cups. Whether he is mistaken as to the difficulties or not, he may feel assured that by this plan he will get the very best of cells, and there is nothing but what may be easily done by the veriest beginner. The modifications, however, are to be avoided rather than commended. Mr. Burke, so far as one may judge from what he says, has his best queen in a full colony. Dr. Miller keeps his in a nucleus. One reason for this is that when a queen has thoroughly established her reputation, one desires her to live as long as possible, and keeping her in a nucleus may prolong her life a year or more. Another reason is that in a full colony, when a frame with a small starter is given, the likelihood is that the bees will build only drone-comb below the starter. In a nucleus they will build only worker-comb. If the frame be given to a full colony, it should be nearly filled with worker foundation. Even then, if a full flow is on, it may happen that the frame will be filled with honey and not an egg laid in it. Mr. Burke gives the comb upon which cells are to be started to a colony inclined to swarm or to supersede its queen, but leaves the queen. Dr. Miller gives the comb to a queenless colony. That does not seem very much of a difference, but sometimes a very small matter makes all the difference between success and failure. When a colony becomes queenless, the bees will start one or several queen-cells, using for each of these a worker-cell containing an egg or a larva-generally a larva. Such a cell is called a post-constructed cell, to distinguish it from a pre-constructed cell, such as the bees build when preparing for swarming, the cell being |