LIBRARY

OF THE

MASSACHUSETTS

AGRICULTURAL

COLLEGE

Source

THE

British Bee Journal,

AND BEE=KEEPERS' ADVISER.

EDITED BY

TIIOS. WM. COWAN. F.G.S., F.L.S., F.R.M.S., &c., and W. BROUGHTON CARR.

VOLUME XXX IV .

January-December, 1906.

PUBLISHED BY

SIMPKIN, MARSHALL, HAMILTON, KENT, & Ck)., Limited,
23, PATERNOSTER ROW, E.G.

LIBRARY

u^!Ivers;ty of

iMASSAGHUSEHS
AMHERST, MASS.

(e J Z\ 0 L

y, 3 4

LONDON !
PRINTED BY LOVE AND MALCOMSON, LIMITED,
4 AND 5, DEAN STREET, HIGH HOLBORN, W.C.

INDEX.

Editorial Notices, &c, :—
B-B.J. and Newsagents, 1
Bee Case, A Notable : Bee-
keepers at Variance, 511
Bee Journals and iiailway

Bookstalls, 1
Bee Tent in South Africa, 91
British B.K.A. : Annual
Meeting, liil ; Conver-
sazione, 131, 141, 151, 161,
410, 421, 431
Confectioners' Exhibition,

361, 371
Death of Dr. Dzierzon, 501
Educational Postcards, 171
Foul Brood Samples. 231
Honey Shows of 1906, 331
Latest Bee Scaie, 281, 321
Notice, 251

Our Thirty- fourth Volume, 1
Presentation, 221
Pronunciation of BeeWords,

441, 451, 471
Qualifying for Bee Expert,

401
Reviews, 11, 81, 101, 143,

171, 241, 461, 481
Scotch Heather Honey, 171,

181
Seasonable, 511
Show, the Royal, 191 , 241, 261
Show, the "Dairy," 413
Special Notice, Re-insur-
ance for Beekeepers, 291
Standard Frame: An Appeal

for Co-operation, 41
Standard Frame Question,

51
The Outlook, 211
To Fruit-growers : Danger
from Gooseberry Mildew,
491

;oTis BY 3 HI" Wat. By W.

Woodley, Beedon, iNew-
bury :—
Art of Judging, Tlie, 482
BfesNibblingaway Founda-
tions, 281
Bee Flowers, 222
Big Takes of Honey, 62
Cheap Feeders, 503
Cleans ng Glass Honey

Jars, 504
Conditions of Quilts and

Wraps Inside Hives, 21
Driven Bees, 303
February b ill Dyke, 41
Foreign Bees, 144
Hives on Legs, 425
Hiving Swarms from Diffi-
cult Places, 243
Honey Shows of If 06, The,

424
Importing Foreign Bees, 1P4
Live Bees in Shop Win-
dows, 425
Miniature Sections, 462
Overlacing Sections, 164
Preparing for Swarms, 182
Preparing Sections for Use,

164
Queen Wasps, 164
Railway Kates, 2
Reducing Persistent Rob-
bing, 326
Robbing Weak Stocks, 104
Selling the Crop, 403
Spring Feeding, 81, 104
Standard Frame, The, 62
Starting Bee-keeping, 201
Successful Swarms, 482
Supering, 222, 303
Trying Month, A, 122

Value of Swarms, 363
Wasps, 164, 3. 3
Wax-Moths, 201
What of the Harvest, 281
Wiring Foundations, 243
Wiring Frames, 281

AMONCi THE Bees. By D. M. M.,
Banff :—
American Candy, 193
Ancient Bee-keeping and

Bee-keepers, 11
As Like As Two Bees, f 2
Bee Hives of Europe, The,

333
Bees (Driven), Hiving

Swarms and, 415
Bees, Flowers, and Fruit,

433
Caught Napping, 272
Centralization v. Decentral-
ization, 93
Chat About Sections, A,

Part I., 231
Chat Aboixt Section-', A,

Part II., 252
Clubbing Bee-papers, 192
Comb, Cappinas of, 415, 471
Combs, Full Sheets, or

Starters for Swarms, 352
Conversazione, At the, 451
Current Topics, 271, 414
" Dumping " Honey, 32
Evolution of the Modern

Hive, 392, -192
FeedinL' Bees in Spri' g, 92
Firing Blank Cartridges, 311
Forewained is Forearmed,

135
Handling Bees, 92
Heather Exhibits, Suppress-
ing, 452
Hutchinsoniana, 211
Influence of Race, 333
Irascibility, 371
Labour of Love, 293
Local Shows, 192
Low-priced Honey, 4 71
Magic of Cliange, 272
Misnamed Flowers, 292
Neophyte, the, 115
Nuclei, 272
Philanthropic Bee-Keepers,

414
Preserving Surplus Honey,

471
Prevention of Swairaing,

272
Prices Current, 414
Pursuit, a Fascinating, 211
Queens, Introducing, 32
Queens, Superseding, 31
Queen-Breeders, or Queen-
Rearers, 293
Queen Cells, 32
Queen-Rearing, 333
Recipes, Honey Cures and,

173
Robbing Stopping, 153
Roll-Call, the, 153
Sections Again, 292
Shall we change the

" Standard," 73
Size of Hive, 212
Space below Frames in

Winter, 334
Spring Observations, 92, 153
Stai ters everj' Time, 212
Suppressing Heather Honey

Exhibits, 513
" Takes of Honey," 93, 472
Willow-Honey, 192

Work Kills, Antoge, 212

Cappixgs of Comb. By L. S. C,
Ilkley, Yorks. : -223, 244, 264,
284, 306, 323, 356, 395, 418, 4S8,
458, 478, 488. 498.

American and Colonial
Papers. Extracts a^d
Comments FROM. ByD.M.M.,
Banff :-28, 67, 12i, 183, 216,
256, 296, 343, 387, 428, 466, 508

AFSOCfATJOVS, BiK-KBEPERo.

British: 31, 81, 1^1, 121, 131,
141, 151, 161, 201, 251, 291,
381, 461

Cambs. and Isle of Ely, 221

Cheshire, 102

Cumberland, 163

Croydon and District, 374, 491

Derbyshire, 31

Devon, 21

Essex and Suffolk, 181

Glamorgan, 91

Lancashire B.K.A. , 101

Leicestershire BK.A.. 122

Lncolnshire B.K.A., 134

Northants, 221

Norrh Norfolk B.K.A , 111

Northumberland and Durham
B.K.A., 143

Nottinghamshire, 61

Surrey^ 191

■Warwickshire B.K.A., 134

Worcestershire, 21

Bee and Honey Shows :
Cambs. and Isle of Ely,
.361 ; Castle Douglas, 402 ;
Cheshire B.K.A., 401 ; Con-
fee tioners'andAiliedTrades,
361, 37 ; Dairy Shew, 413;
Jiesex and Suffolk B.K.A.,
251; Glamorgan B.K.A,
301 ; Grocers' and K indred
Trades, 381 ; Hants and Isle
of Wight, 311 ; Henbury
ard District B K. a . 331 ;
Kent Honey Show, 3i2 ;
L a n c a s e r A gricultui al
Society, 491 ; Leicestershire
B.K.A., 332 ; Lincolnshire
B.K.A., 291 ; Northants
B.K.A., 251, 322; Nor.h
Norfolk B.b.A.,323 ; Notts
B.K.A., 3S2 ; Fo' al Show
at Derby, 261 : Surrey, 391 :
.Somersec B.K.A., 341;
Worcestershire B.K.A., 332;
Yetmins-er B.K.A., 34i ;
Yorkshire Agrieul'ural
Society, 341

Antenna^ How Bees Clean
Their, 117
Apiarian Mourners, 516

Appliances, Bee-keeping. 18

Appliances, Home-made, 37,
204, 2 I 2

dissociation, A Few Bee-
keepers', 447

AutULon : Pees Dwindling in,
406 ; Bees Entering Houses
in, 397 ; Feeding Driven Bees
in, 78 ; Making A) tificial
Swarms in, 368 ; Stimulating
Young Queens in, 336

Banffshire,TheBee Seasouin,445
Bedfordshire, Bee-keeping in,

129
Bee-breeding, 313
Bee Clubs, Village, 345, 365, 468
Bee Company, School Children's

408
Beej County, Dumbartonshire
as a, 87 ; "Herefordshire as a,
394
Bee Dwindling, Cause of, 196
Bee-farming as an Occupation,

475
Bee J'orage, Heather as, 267
Bee Forage Plants, 58
Bee Hive Stacd Indicator, 137
Ilf'C JoHriiul, Binding the, 46
Bee-keeping and Fruit-growing,

307
Bee-keeping as an Occupation,
43, 64 ; Commencing, 70, 347.
363 ;Experieiices from Isle of
Wight, 32 ; Experiences, 27 ;
How to Start, 218 ; In South
Africa, 94 ; My Start In, 476 ;
Sharing Profits In, 449 ; Use-
ful Points In, 425, 475
" Bee Lines to Bee Men," 500
Bee jNIanagement, Advice on, 138
Bee Notes, for May, 202 ; for
1906, A Beginner's, 353; From
Hants, 4 ; Some, 464 : From
a Bee-keeper in Rome,
193 ; Among the Hives, 154 ;
A Beginner, 353, 437, 446;
from Carnarvonshire, 505 ;
Cheshire, 256; Cornwall, 223,
233, 243, 2.56, 314 ; Derby-
shire, 283 ; Essex, 26 ; Hants,
4, 474 ; Inverness-shire, 442 ;
Isle (f Man, 213; Mexico,
465; Midlothian, 78 205, 294,
305 ; North Bucks, 365, 393 ;
North Notts., 3e3 ; Ross-shire,
254, 313, 327, 405 ; South Here-
ford, 435 ; Warwickshire, 274 ;
Worcs., 26, 244
Bee Paralysis, 7, 26, 44, 56, 145,

366, 416
Bee Show, The Lessons of a, 386
Bee Troubles, A Lady Be-
ginner's, 206. 378
Bees and Blue Flowers, 84 ; and
Flowers, 87 ; and Foul Brood,
166
Bees and Winter Store.", 516
Bees, Aie Tiiey Wild Animals'?

407, 469
Bees as Spearmen, 202
Bees, Bad Luck with, 156 -
Bees Building in Candy-box, 19
B es. Buying Carniolan, 110 ;
Buying Diseased, •<r04 ; Buying
Driven, 354 ; Buying Stocks
of, 183
Bees, Cast Out of Hives, Young,

429
Bees, Curious Use of Comb

Cappings by, 328
Bees, Danaer of Accepting

Stocks oU 139
Bees, Dealing With, in Boxes,

60
Bees, Dead, Cast Out, 188
Bees (Driven) Utilising, 287
Bees, Dying Out in Spring, 148,

20
Bees, Enemies of, 86
Bees, English v. Italian, 346
Bees ' ' I'anning " at Hive En-
trances, 494, 504
Bees, Feeding, 54, 176
Bees (Feeding), While Sections

are on, 258
Bees, Foreign v. Native, 183

IV

INDEX TO VOLUME XXXIV.

Bees from Supers, Clearing, 507
Bees, General Management of,

48
Bees, Information on, 449
Bees in Koof of Buildina:, 490
Bees in a Newspaper Office, 376
Bees in Sussex, 177
Bees, Instinct of Self-sacrifice

in, 22
Bees, Italian, 88, 176, 346, 376
Bees, More or Fewer ? 509
Bees, Moving, in February, 49
Bees jS'ear Fowl Run, 49
Bees near Pigstyes, 20
Bees Near Roadsides, 14
Bees, Queenless, 227
Bees (Removing) After Trans-
ferring, 357
Bees, Removing, from House-
roof, 79
Bees, Reviving Chilled, 40
Bees, Risks in Buying Stocks of,

196
Bees, Selling Driven, 377
Bees, Subduins Vicious, 24
Bees, Sundry Notes About, 144,

176
Bees, Tensing, 138
B^es, Transferring, 40, 79 ; and
Re-queening, 368 ; No Cold
AVeather, 198 ; to Frame
Hives 59
Bees, Trouble Among the, 66
Bees, Two Years' Experiences

of, 46
Bees, Uniting, 8
Bees, Uniting and Dividing

Colonies of, 9
Bees, Uniting Driven, 356
Bees Uniting of Themselves, 313
Bees, Warm Water for, 509
Bees, AVintering, IS, 176
Beginner's First Report, A, 28
Beginners, Initiuition for, 158
Beginners' Querie. — Cost of

Hive , &c., 68
Berks, The Swarming Season

in, 327
Birds and Bees, 14, 34
Bracken, Destroying, 305
Braula C'lvca on Queens, 355 ;

Bidding Hives of, 357
Breeding, isarly, 37, 44
Brood Chatnbe'-s, Using Shal-
low F ames J or, 247
B ood Chillei)), J'ealiug witb,
258; Combs, Extra'!' i g from,
84 ; Foundation, 40; P.ckled,
255 ; Spreading the, 8
Burma, tees in, 213

Cakes, Honfiy, 3, 10, 17, 43
Candy Making, 49, 50, 56, 157
Carnarvonshire Bee Notes : A

Good Report, 605
Carniolan.s, A Word in Favour

of, 314
Caucasian Bees, 70
('hapman Honey Plant, Tbe, 45(1
Cheshire, tee Note from, v5i
Colony (Dwindling), in June,

267
(Colonies, Divid Dg, 9
Comb Focndati n. Using, 232
Comb (Samples of) for Inspec-
tion, 227
Comijs, Deei Cleanin» up Wet,
346; Pollen Clogge •, 377, 416,
448, 466; Containing Drone
Brood, Us ng, 187

Combs, Cross-built, 69, 179, 296 ;
Extracting Candied Honey,
fiom, 499 ; Mouldy J^ollen in,'
129, 178: Usin^ Old, 199

Comments, A. Bee-man's, 373

Conference, Sup'gested,

Se'^retaries', 107, 127
C nfecdone s' Exhibifon, 372,

384
CornwiU Coun'y Council, Bee

Inst\uctor for, 180
Cornwall, Notes from, 222, 233,

243, 256, 314
Court, Bee < in, 283, 295
Covers, Glass, 197, 305
" C'-ates " or " Backs," Sections

264
Cucumbers, Alleged Damage to

by Bees, 19, 26

December, Bees Breeding in,

508 ; Carryinjr Pollen in, 4S9

Derbyshire, Bee Notes from, 283

Deserting Hive in November,

Bees. 469
Detention Chamber for Bees, <93
Devonshire, The Season in, 393
Diseased Stock, Using Combs

from, 187
Distance Bees Travel. 444
Doubling and Storifying, 69, 224
Diiven Bees, Building up Stocks

from. 459
Drone Production, Curb, 509
Drones, Avoiding Superfluous,
296 : Hand-picked, 507 ; Rear-
ing Superfluous, 337
Dumfriesshire, Bees in, 444
Dysentery, Suspected, 29

Ka?t Yorks, Bees in, 417
Echoes from the Hives, 30, 50,
158, 169, 238, 249, 269, 379, 419
Edinburgh, Industrial Exhibi-
tion, 443
E.ssex, Bee Note.s from, 2G
Examinations, Advice about,

251, 262
Exchiders, Non-use of, 437
Exhibitions, Criticising, 441
Exhibilion Country in (Town),

242
Expert's Visits, 496.
Ext acts. Interesting, 488

Feeder, A Cheap Home-made,
108, 13G

Feeding Gear, 484

Fever (warming). The, 273

Flowers, Bees and Colour in, 84,
87, 374

Ford-AVells Hive, The, 49

Foreign Bees, A AVord for, 166

Formic Acid, 248

Foul Brood, Dealing with, 197,
207, 336, 357, 366, 383 ; Experts
and, 176 ; Helping to Stamp
Out, 188; Mr. S. Simmins
and, 473, 494; "Suppress-
ing," 514

Foundation, Bees Carrying off,
2.58, 263; Breaking Down,
237 ; Faulty, 224 ; Fixing, 203

Frame-Hive, Full Sheets or
Starters in, 48 : Buying Bees
in, 187; Transferring Bees to,
3'^ 6, 348

Frame Question, the, 66, 83

Flames, Size of, 66

Frames, Wide ispace of, 378

Oarden Party, Bees at a, 238
Glasgow, Bee Forage near, li8
01a>s Co ers ,or Frames, 197

3U5
Glucose as Fee Food, 39, 459
Giiarciians, Bees ana Bia d of,

398

Hampshire, The Sea on in, 255,

474
Heather, Bees at the, 354
Heather, Diitance bets Travel

to, 4,59

Heather Honey ■ From Ung,
4; Bees and, 307; Dealing
with, 397; Pri'es for, 435-
Heatiog Without Deterlora,
tion, 167 ; Scotch, 116, 123,
137

FereTordshire, The Season in,
442

Hibernation, A Beginner's
Queries on, 397

High Rates and Owner's Risk, 4

Hive, Aborted Queen in, 189;
Bees Heseriino', Strong Swa'm
in Hollow T ee, 267 ; Entrance
Bl.icked in Jan"a y, 48 ;
E nt-ai ce iv Cent e of Floor-
board, 50 ; Making, boards
lor, 483; Making, Material
for, 478, 506; Making, Wood
fo'-,497 ; (Nucleus),Qoeen Lost
from, 286 ; Que-n Cast Out of,
247; Roofs, Coveringfor, 7,514;
Roof!?, Leaky, 17 ; (Swarmed)
Youno- Queens Catt Out of,
307 : Non-Swarnr'ng, 77, 139 ;
'J wo Queens in One, 272, 367,
405 ; Unmated Queen ip, 120 ;
Ventilation, 78, 83 ; (W.B.C.),
The, 227

Bives and Appliances, Hofe-
made, 204, 212 ; Brace-combs-
in, 179 ; Dimens'rns d Uo-to-
aate, 179 ; Movine in Feb,
ruary, 59 ; Improvement 'n
43; 'Observatory. 178; Mil-
aewed Combs in, 177

Hives, in i ifferent Colou's,
Painting, 29 ; Nc tes f om the,
154; Non-swarmins', 139;
Packing Hf ather-poing, 344 ;
Suspected, 246; the Preserva-
tion of. 506

Hiving Driven Bees, 487

HONEV^, 14: About Bees and,
106 ; Blen'ling, 407 ; Cake",
Dt-. Colomban's Recipe, 17,
43 ; Extracting from B ood-
nes s, 79; Gingerbread, 10 ;
Harves-^i of 1906, The, 465;
H w I Make a M.arket for, 47 ;
In Name only. 476 ; Larse
Takes of, 57," 63, 109, 436;
Price of, 243, 254 : Railway
Rates for, 24, 255 ; Removing
Surplus, 445 ; Scotch Heather,
116, 123, 137; Season, The Late,
355 ; Staging "Faked," 455

HoNET Imports, 28, 61, 101, 153,
191, 244, 271, 327, 362, 393, 403,
451, 492

Honey Peddling, 508

Honey- Valves, Leaking, 479

Hunger-Swarms, 168

Humble Bees, 146, 217, 382, 437

Incident, Queen-Rearing, 222

234, 244, 306; A Swanning,

286, 304

India, Sending out Bees to, 499

Insurance for Bee-KeeiJers, 264

273, 281, 303
Insects in Comb-Capping, 398
Inverness-shire, Notes from, 442
Isle-)f Man, Bees in the, 213, ;^8C
Italian Bee, Ti.e,88, 176, 346, 376

Jamaica Bees in, 315

Japan, Bees in, 134

Jersey, Poor Bee-Seaison in, 43'!

Kent A District B.K.A. for,

3(i7 ; Bee-Forage in, 430
" Khig's English," 472, 4K6, 496

Legs and Stands, Hives on, 406
London Shows, Exhibiting at,

355
London, Vagrant Bees in, 233

Manipulatinsr, Swarms Coming

off While, 295
March An Ideal Colony in, 138 ;

Bees Swarming in, 119 ; Death

of Driven Bees in, 109 ; Moving

Bpes in, 119
Market for Honey, How I make

a, 47
May, Drones Cast Out in, 267 ;

Queen Ca-t Our. in, 206
Mexico, A Bee Note from, 465
Microscope, Mounting Objects

for the, 39
Mid-Cheshire, Bees in, 223
Midlothian. Notes from, 78,146,

205, 294, 365
Miniature Sections. 427, 453, 473
Misreadings, 472, 486, 496

New Zealand, Bee-keeping in,
468 ; Humble Bees for, 146,
:382,437 ; Packing Bees for, 217

Nomenclature, Insect, 118, 429

Notes, Agricultural, 53, 74, 93 ;
Some Passing, 36

November, Pollen-carrying in,
476 ; Feeding Bees in, 449 ;
Uniting Bees in, 489

Nuclei. Baby, 108 ; (Forming)
and A^arious Queries, 237

Nuptial FJight, 123

Obituary : Mr. L. Barber, J. P..
488, 498 ; the Rev. Dr. Bai trum.
2. 15 ; Mr. R. Cock, 311 ; Mr-
Jnhn M. Hooker, 61 ; Mrs,
Chas. Nash Abbott, 172 ; Pas;
tor Emeritus Paul Schonfeld,
241 ; Mr. John Stone, 3/4 ,
Dr. Dzierzon, 501

Occupation, Bee-keeping as an,
43, 64

October, Bees Carrying Pollen
in, 459; Introducing Queens
in, 478 ; Queens Ceasing to
Lay, 439

Octogenarian Bee-keeper, 385

Odds and Ends About Bees, 14,
34, 448, 457, 483

Paralysis. Bee, 26, 44, 56, 145,

360, 416
Painful Subject, A, 454
"Painted Queen Bees," 12, 42,

76, 82
Pig-styes, Keeping Bees Near i

20
Pollen-carrying and Queenless-

ness, 168 ; Gathering, Bees

and, 106 ; on Alighting-board,

188
Presentation, 221
Preventing Swarming, 62
Profit-sharing, 455, 478,484
Press Cuttings, 379, 398
Pronunciation of Bee-words,

441, 451, 463, 471, 493, 514

Queen Bee, Mishap to, 286 ;
Mysterious Loss of, 13 ;
Queen Cast Out After Uniting,

INDEX TO VOLUME XXXIV

156 ; Cast Out in Spiing, 157 ;
Ceasins To Lay, 198.
Queen-cell, Drone Larvse in,
334; Worker Bees in, 235,
247, 264, 294

Queen -excluder, The Use of
203

Queen Killed and Cas; Out
after Giving Candy, 87

Qneen-nmting, 158, 266, 315;
f I om Selected Drones, 338 ;
in Small Boxes, 448

Queen Not La- ing, 207, 285

Q"een-Eearing, 88, 293 ; A Point
in, 2f3: Cdniments on. 2o8 ;
Rearing versun Buying, 508

Queen Vagaries 204

Que-^n Wasps 154

i<<aeenles« Bees, Dealing with,
227 ; Utilising, 117

Qu!^ ens— Bearing and Intro-
ducing, 88, 276 ; Deposir g,
30" : Drone-Breeding, 88, 188,
207, 246 ; Foreign. 396 :
Painted. 12, 42, 7R, 82;
Thoughts on, 3S6 : (Young)
Cast Out, 236; (Yovng) Start-
ing to Lav, 277 ; Virg'n,
Forming Nuclei for, 102. 112

Query, An Appreciative, 69

Queries. A Beginner'.-!, 80, 178,
205, 217, 226, 377, 389 ■ Bundle
of, 347 ; lady Bee-keeper's,
187; An ./>m' teur's, 287
Selected, 30-5, 312

Quilt, The Ideal, 116

Quilts, Damp, 98, 109

Quilts. Managing Feed-holes
in, 417

Rainfall — /ipril, 186; Angus'',

356 ; August and September,

406; December. 2S ; Janua y,

58; in 1905, 58; June, 276;

March, 138 ; May, '^28 ;

October, 450 ; November, 488

Read ! Read ! Read ! 509

Eeporr, I udge's (Abridged) 402

Re-Q"eening by Beginners, 149

Re Queening Siocks, 157

Eetuming Casts to Swarmed

H ve, 246
Reviews— 81, 101, 143, 241, 362,

461
Reviews of Foreign Journals,

by "Nemo "-11, 51, 98,111,

171
Rhodesia, Beekeeping in, 245
Rivers, Bees crossing, .59
Robbing, Case of, 47-^; Bees

perished through, 407 ; in

Spring, 147, 107
Rome, Notes from a Bee-keeper

in, 133
Ross-shire Bee Notes, 327, 405,

415
"Royal" Show at Derby, 162,

191, 241, 261

Salt on Floor Boards, 183

Scales. Hives on, 294

Scotch Heather Honey, 146, 160

194, 202
Scotch Notes, 97
Season, A word in, 77 ; Outlook,

The, 107 ; in North East

Herts, 426, Noith Notts, 282;

in Ross-shire, 415
Sections, Bees not working,

•287, 347 ; By Rail, Sending, 13 ;

Excluder Zinc below. 477 :

Miniature, 427, 453, 473 : Bees

clearing unfinished, 479 ; Tall,

247
Sections, Unfinished, 429, 400 ;

WeiRht of. 315. 335
Section-racks, Tin and Wood

Girders for, 460
Shallow-combs, built out,

getting. 158
Sliallow-frames, Using Ex-
cluder. Zinc for 236
Shop Windows, Bee Ilii^es in,

406, 417
Show (Grocer's), A visit to the,

395
Shows and Showing, 394, 404.

497 , Exhibitors and their

complaint, 515; Honey, etc.,

445; Loniloii and Provincial,

326
Skep.s, Bees refusing to work in,

237
Skeps, transferring Bees from,

358 ; Surplus Chambers for

use in, 206
Somerset, A County B.K.A.

for, 226
South Africa, Bees in, 203 ; Bee

keeping in, 214; Italian Bees

ia, 155 ; Transporting Bees to,

37
Spring, Bees dwindling in. 119;

Examinations, A, 127 ; -Feed-

ing, Syrup food for, 54, 88 ;
Moving Bees in, !68 ; iNotes;
Further, 174; Outlook, The,
196 ; Receiving Comb.s in, 100 ;
Some urgent Queries for, 139 ;
>t<)ck destroyed in. 2-24

Standard-Frame, The, 26, 57, 64,
80 395, 403. 418; Questions,
75, 96, 97, 107

" Stewerton " Hives, Dealing
with Bees in, 226

Stockins; Rives, Cheapest way
in, 119

Str(i<s. Increasing, 88, 124, 248,
277 ; Look to Your, 94 ; Queens
and Dimishing, 236 ; Re-
Queening, 59, 368

Store-Combs, Clearing Granu-
lated Honey fr'>m, 218 ; Clear-
in u' up wet. 515 ; Mildewed
Pollen in, 1.39

Suppressing Exhibits at London
Shows, 403

Supers. Brood-Rearing in, 247 ;
Clearing Bees from, 507

Suspected Combs, Dea.ling with,
328; Stocks, Dealing with.
238, 257

Swarm, An Unwished-for, 235 .
do Stranse Bees join a. 274,"
in Owl's Nest, 48; of 190;
First Natural, 183 ; Saving thO
235 ; Six Months in a H * dee

Swaimingand Queen-cells, g77.
Artificial, 168 ; Excessive, 319;
Vaaaries, 217, 266, 276, 219;
367, 405

Swaims, 244

Swarms, Ancient and Modern,
301 ; and large Honey Yields,
477; and "Casts," Dealing
with, 286 ; a Problem in, 282 ;
Dealing with Early, 203, 204 ;
Decamjiing, 277 ; Deserting
Hive, ;397 ; from Suspected
Hives, 277 ; Hiving, 436 ; Legal
Ownership in, 295 ; Mak'ng
Artificial, 285, 328 ; Returning,
276 ; Virgin, 277. 294

Syrup Making, 499

Text-books, Value of, 368
Thefts of Honey at the Moors,

395
Tins, Honey in Small, 447
■Topics (Current), 434
Trade Catalogues Received, 89
Transferring Bees, 149 ; Bees

from Skeps," 148, 158

Transvaal, Bee-keeping in the

481
Trees, Removing Bees from, 489
Troubles, Jlore Swarming, 285 ,
Trouble among the Bees, 60

Uniting Bees, 336

Unsealed Stores , Wintering Bees

on, 6, 337, 407
Utilising Queen from Robbed

Htock7246
Utopia, 509

Value of Text-books, 368
A^eklt, S. Africa, Honey from

the, 429
Ventilation in Hives, 98
Vicious Bees, Dealing with, 167

Wagon, My Bee, 384, 405
Warwickshire, Notes from, 274
Wasps, 406 ; and Bees in South
Africa. 177, 182; Nests, Des-
troying, 346 ; Sagaciousness
of, 456
Wax Extracting, 477 ; Moths in
Skep. 188 ; Moths, Keating s
Powder for, 376 ; Rendering,
.385. 4''6
" W.B.B." Metal End, The, 448
Weak Stock, Uniting Swarm

with, 337
Weather Report for 1C05, 17 ' '
I Weather Reports, 17, 58, 156,
186. 228, 298, 356, 4.50, 499
"Wells" Hive, Foul Brood in-
.388 ; Suspected Disease in,
99 ; Swarms Building Queen,
cells in, 377 '; Uniting Bees in,
0, 336, 337
"Wells "Hives. 14
Wild Bryony, Honey from, 218
Wing, Queens not taking, 274
Winter, Contracting Hives for,
397 : Feeding, 455 ; Moving
Hives in, 449 ; Winter Wares,
516
Wintering Bees, 183; with

supers on, 182, 196
Worcester, Bee Notes from, 26,

244
Work, Bees refusing to, 296
Worker (fertile). Getting rid of,

293
Worker-bee in Queen Cell, 235,
247, 264, 294

LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS.

" Amateur." Bristol, 108. 306

" Amateur," Cheltenham, 233, 254, 272,

355, 363
Bayly, Richard, Plymouth. 312, 366
Birkett, L. B., Westbouine, Sussex

(Weather Reports)
Boxwell, William, Patrickswell, 64
Brasey-Wright, Rev. F. Louis, 447
Brice, H. W.,8, 18
Browning, Owen, Ashley, King's Som-

borne, Hants. 63
Buckwell, B. E., Acton, W., 335
Burgess, G. C, Bishop's Stortford, 36
Carbines, E. W., Cardinham, Cornwall,

263, 334
Carver, J., Wellington, Salop, 455
Charley. Rev. E., 102, -273
Coates F., Cirencester, 477
Coltman, R. H., Burton-on-Trent, 127,448,

498
Colomban, Br., St. Mary's Abbev, Buck-

fastleigh, Devon, 3, 17, 44, 56, 314, 393
Cooper, H. M Thorley, I.U'., 56

Crawshaw, L. S., 82, 94, 116, 314

Dow, Geo., St. Mary Cray, Kent, 254, 477

Edwardes, Tickner, 494

Ellis, J. M., Ussie Valley. 77. 83, 107, 155

174, 202, 254, 313, 327, 405, 416. 455
" Expert," Cheltenham, 425, 475
Farmer, W. .7., Redruth. 223, 233, 244, 255,

256, 293, 314. 384, 395, 406, 418, 435
Gr,ay, .1., Long Eaton, 44, 54,83, 177, 196
Green, Robert, Boroughbridge, 456
" Hants Bee," 255, 474
Harborne, Saml.,St. Buryan,Cornwall,416
H. A., Wavendon, 183.244, '204, 276, 346,

365, 394. 406, 436, 477. 494
Harris, W. H., 451, 471, 493
Hart, Ernest, Mandalay, Burma. 214
Head, W., Brilley, Herefordshire, 43, 47,

58, 443, 472, 483 496
Headley, Arthur, The Rectory, Alresford,

Heants. 530
Herrod, J., Trentside Apiary. Sutton-on-

Trent, 106, 367
Herrod, W., F.E.S., Luton, 37, 204, 367

Hibberd, Shirley, 138

Hnlloway, H. M., Roma, Queensland, 7

Hulbert, Jos., Heckingham, 17, 486

Huxley, J.. Flintshire, 6

.Jones, Phil,. Church Stretton, Salop, 96

.Jones, W., Brithdir, .506

.Joidan, S., Bristol, 295. 326, 376, 486

Hav, W. W., St. Brelades, Jersey, 47, 437

Lester, W. R., Beds, 118

" Libra," 441

Loveday, W., Hadfield Heath, Harlow,
•26, 233

Macdonald, D. M., Banff, 11. 28, 32, 53,
67, 74, 93, 116, 1-23, 128. 136, 154, 174, 184,
193, 212, 216, 232, 254, 256, 272, 293, 296,
312, 334, 343, 358, 372, 387, 393, 415, 428,
434, 453, 467, 472, 493, 508, 513

"Mac," Midlothian, 78, 146, 205, 294, 365

Marrs, Henry, Newtownards, Dumfries-
shire, N.B., 98

Martin, J., Wagon Drift Farm, South
Africa, 203

McNally, William, Glenluce, N.B., 12.'?

vx

INDEX TO VOLUME XXXIV.

LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS— Conitntted.

Meade, R., Dunchurch, 345

" Mid-Oxon," 14, 373, 437

Moir, W., Banffshire, 445

Moughton, J. J., Laxey, Isle-of-Man, 126

213, 386
" G.S.N. ," Godstone, Surrey, 83, 263, 403
"Kemo" 11, 51,98, 111, 171
Newman, Eev. H., M.A., Teynham, Kent,

426, 496
" Neophyte," Beds., 77
" North Notts." 283, 365
" Nondescript," 263, 366, 416, 417, 487
Pidduck, E., 223, 256
Pratt, E. L., Swarthmore, Pa., U.S.A., 123,

507
Pretty, W. L., Bristol, 283
Price, Joseph, South Staffs., 405, 466, 487
Reed, C, Wickford. 44
Reid, Alexander, Balloan, Urray, N.B.

42, 76, 443
Beid, Walter K., Addlestone, 193, 456, 464
Richards, F. J., Plymouth, 205

Richards, William, Gabalfa, Cardiff, loV,
Ritchie, Mary, St. Anne's College, Natal,

481
R. L., Castle Cary, 117, 196
Robertson, R. R., Speaishill, Taypoit,

N.B., 46, 109, 427, 463, 473
Rodda, J. T., Eastbourne, 74
" Sahib," Punjaub, India, 43
Saunders, Geo. M., Keswick, Cumb., 264
Sharp, Allen, Brampton, Huntingdon, 5 3,

74,94
Shaw Bros., Idol Lane, London, 116, 166,

202
Simmins, Samuel, Heathfield, 473, 494
Sladen, F. W. L., F.E.>S., Ripple Court

Apiary, near Dover, 102, 112, 146, 182,

314, 383, 437
Sleight, Tom, Chesterfield, 355
Smith, George, Cardiff, 146
Soal, Samuel P., Rochford, Essex, 57, 86
Spencer, Mrs. M E., 66
Stevens, John, 294

Swabey, T. M^, Bracebridge Heath,

Lines., 12, 76, 303
Taylor, D. G., Ilminster, 1£4, 234
Thomp-son, E. J., Gowdall, Yorks, 75,

384, 405
Vallance, D., Dunaskin, N.B., 14, 34, 448'

4'i7, 483
Vidler, L. A., Rye, Sussex, 274
" D. M. W.," Bridge of Allan, 86
Walker, Lt.-Col. H. J. O., ai, 117,301, 463,

504
Wall, Geo., Wealdstone, 26
Wakerell, A. W., Croydon, 374, 491
Weston, T. I., Hook, Winchfleld, 393, 464
Wilkes, A. H., Birmingham, 273
Willcox, J. H., Haydon Bridge, 386
" W. H. W.", Beds, 445, 466
Woodley, W., Beedon Newbury, 2, 22,

42, 62. 82, 104, 144, 164, 182, 201, 222, 242,

^82, 303, 326, 363, 403, 425 462, 483, 503
Wright, W., Pickering, Yorks, 435
Yank Sam, Yarmouth, 33

ILLUSTRATIONS.

' Homes of the Honey Bee " ; —
Apiary of Mr. C. G. Apthorpe, Hai-ling-

ton, Dunstable, Beds., 485
,, Mr. Geo. M Coles, Heythop,

Chipping Norton, Oxon, 125
,, Mr. W. Darrinston,.Bulwell,

Nottingham, 45
,, Mr. W. Drew, Saint Cross,

Winchester, Hampshire, 5o
Mr. F. W. Gelder, Sturton-by-

Stow, Lincolnshire, 495
Mr. Geo. E. Gelletley, Hather-

ton, Cannock, Staffs., 265
„ Mr. Owen A. Golds, Highgate,

London, 5
,, Mr. Mark Greaves, Upshire,

Waltham Cross, Es.sex, 85
,, Mr. A. Hall, Many Pitts, Mar-

ton, Blackpool, Lancashire,

65
„ Mr. W. Lloyd, Bank Road,

Lancaster, 195
,, Mr. R. Mackender, Newark,

Notts., 25
„ Mr. C. P. Moir, Alford,

N.B , 215

" Homes " continued— ■ ■ r: '

,, Mr. J. Newbighi, Humshaugh-

on-Tyne, Northumberland,

105
Mr. Arthur Nicholl, High Wy

combe, Bucks., 164
„ Mr. Thomas Feed, West Nor-

wood, London, 375
, , Mr. S. Powlson, Bedford Stree t,

Derby, 35
„ Mr. Herbert Simmonds, Chip-

perfield, King's Langley,

Herts., 275
,, Mr. Jas. Simmons, Coggeshall,

Essex, 174
,, Mr. A. G. Skippen, Springfield,

Essex, 225
,, The Transvaal Goveinment

Orphanage, Irene, South

Africa, 184
Mr. D. M. Watson, Bridge of

Allan, N.B., 95
An Apiary in Jamaica, 815

An'Oclogenarian Bee-keeper, 335

Chapman Honey Plant, 457

Dzierzon, the Rev. Dr., 501

Feeder in Sladen's Nucleus Hive, l03

Home-made Bee Wagon, 385 -

Hooker's Alexandra Hive, 72

Making a Market for Honey, 47

Mating Box (Inside and Outside Views),
458

Miniature .'Sections in Shallow Frame, 427

Mr. John Marshall Hooker, 71

Packing Device to Secure Brood-Combs
in Place, 344

Plan of Sladen's Nucleus Hive, 103

Pollen Distribution, 213

Roof of Sladen's Nucleus Hive, 103

Sladen's Improved Nursery Cage, 114

The Ideal Quilt, 114

The late Mr. John Stone, 325

The Rev. E. Bartrum, D.D., 15

The late Rev. Dr. Dzierzon, 51

Varieties of Heaihkr— Calluna Vul-
garis, and Erica Cinerea, 359

Humble Bees -Bombus Terestris, Bom-
kus hortorium, 383.

The British

Bee Journal.

No. 1228. Vol. XXXIV. N.S. 836.]. JANUARY 4, 1906.

[Published Weekly.

OUR THIRTY-FOURTH VOLUME.

The unfamiliar heading of this week's
issue will be seen by a good many readers
for the first time. Appearing, as it does,
only once each yeai*, it marks the oioening of
a new volume of the British Bee Journal,
the beginning of another year's voyage on
what has been called " the uncertain sea
of bee literatui'e."

Many bee-papers have come and gone
since the B.B.J, set out on its maiden trip
in 1873, yet we are " still rmining," and
to-day begin our thirty-fourth annual
journey full of hope, and hajypy in retain-
ing the goodwill and confidence of a large
army of bee-keepers. The first Editor and
founder of the Journal (our dear friend
the late C. N. Abbott) was of a breezy
nature, fond of nautical phrases, and very
proud of " the crew that manned his little
craft." As an insignificant member of
that crew we shall never forget the trepi-
dation with which we sent in oiir first
" copy," with an apologetic postscript sug-
gesting the " boiling-down " process or the
"W.P.B." However, a brief i'ej>ly came
by next post to say, " All right, my boy ;
not a word ' cut,' can't have too much of
a good thing."

Since that time wonderful progress has
been made in bee-keeping. We do not
hear nowadays of a glass super of honey,
weighing 87 lb., being staged at a show and
promptly bought for £10 by one of the
judges (the Rev. W. Cotton), who gave it
first prize. Tliis happened at the Man-
chester Show of 1873.

Amid all the changes made since those
days we still hold our first Editor's views,
and say we are proud of our able staff of
contributors, all voluntary workers in the
cause, to whom we take this oppoi"tunity
of expressing our gratitude for their valu-
able aid in making the B.B.J, instiaictive
and interesting. We also add a cordial
word of thanks to all for their good wishes
for the future, and heartily reciprocate the
same by wishing all bee-keepers a Happy
and Prosperous New Year.

THE B.B.J. AND NEWSAGENTS.

In a letter (with renewal of subscription)
just to hand, a rev. correspondent says: —
" While writing I may say thajb I cannot
get my Bee Journal until mid-day on
Friday. As I am close to Birmingham, it
seems to me that I ought to get it at latest
on Thursday night. We get the London
daily papers in time for breakfast. Can
you do anything in the matter? It mili-
tates against the success of any paper if it
cannot be obtained until two days after
publication. My newsvendor is Sherring-
ton, Bearwood Road, Smethwick ; his
agent is, I believe, Mapstone, Birming-
ham. I have several times answered ad-
vertisements in your papers, and been too
late."

We need hardly assure the writer of the
above that it is a matter of regret to our-
selves when any unnecessary delay occurs
in obtaining our Journal. But the late
delivery is not ours. Anyone ordering
his B.B.J, at Messrs. Smith and Son's
bookstalls or shops can have it delivered
along with the London morning papers,
say by the early afternoon of publishing
day (Thursday). We fear the delay in this
case is owing to the number of hands it
pasises through before reaching liis local
agent at Smethwick.

BEE JOURNALS AND RAILWAY
BOOKSTALLS.

Our readers are reminded that on and
after January 1, 1906, the bookstalls on the
stations of the London and North-Westem
Railway, the Great Western Railway, the
North London Railway, and some small
subsidiary lines, will pass from the con-
trol of Messrs. W. H. Smith and Son.
Readers of the British Bee Journal and
of the Bee-heepers' Record, who have
liitherto ordered or purchased their copies
from these bookstalls, are respectfully
asked to note the change, and to make
early arrangements to secure a continua-
tion of their supply. In the event of any
difficulty arising they are requested to com-
municate with the Manager, British Bee
Journal, 8, Henrietta Street, Covent
Garden, W.C.

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Jan. 4, 1906.

DEATH OF THE REV. DR. EARTRUM.

With very deep regret we have to an-
nounce the sad news of the death of the
Rev. Dr. Bartrum, who, as we just learn,
passed peacefully away on the afternoon
of Friday last, December 29, at his resi-
dence, Wakes Colne Rectory, Wakes Colne,
Essex. The name of Dr. Bai'truni will
be less familiar to i^eaders of to-day than
to bee-keepers of the older school, who well
remember his long and eamesit labour on
the Council of the B.B.K.A. more than a
decade sirice.

The news reached us too late for an ex-
tended notice this week, but we hope to
give fuller particulars of the deceased
gentleman's work connected with bee-keep-
ing in our next issue. In the meantime, it
is safe to say that all readers will join us
in tendering our heartfelt sympathy to
Mrs. Bartrum and family in their sad be-
reavement.

The Editors do not hold thimselves responsible for the
opinions expressed by correspondents. No notice will
be taken of anonymous communieations, and corre-
spondents are requested to vrrite on one side of the paper
only and give their real names and addresses, not neces-
sarily for publication, but as a guMrantee of good faith.
Illustrations should be drawn on separate pieces «f papev.
We do not undertake to return rejected communications.

*»* In order to facilitate reference, Corrtsponder ts,
when speaking of any letter or query premously inserted,
will oblige by mentioning the number of the letter as well
as the page on which it appears.

NOTES BY THE WAY.

[6155.] A new volume of the B.B.J,
starts to-day. " The New Year, blythe and
bold, my friends, comes up to take his
own," and I tender my best wishes to all
our readers that it may prove a prosperous'
year to our craft. To deserve success
should be our aim, though one has to admit
that the best laid plans often fail to realise
to our matter ial benefit ; yet the fact that
we " did our best " yields some consolation
even if it does not bring in the dollars.
And so with the new year, we renew our
resolutions to break all previous records ;
nor should we forget the help we caai
disseminate to our brethren in bee-keoping
by mutual exchange of views on different
subjects connected with our growing in-
dustry in the pages of our doughty frieaid
the BuiTisH Bee Journal.

Raihvny liafps. — Since writing my last
"Notes," a fortnight ago, I have received
3s. for the sale of the 10s. worth of
damaged sections from G.W. Railway,
and a note saying as the honey was sent
at "owner's risk" the company does not
atlmit my claim. Perhaps I ought not to
grumble as this is my first breakage to

this particular customer for some fifteen
years, and it may interest our readers to
know that during all those years every con-
signment ■ has been sent per goods train.
In fact, I have during the past twenty-five
years always made it a custom to send all
parcels of honey (my output is principally
in sections) by goods train, except small
parcels of one dozen to shows and cus-
tomers. To my customers in Scotland I
send parcels of three to six dozen sections
by passenger train, as the O.R. rate comes
cheaper than goods rate No. 4 ; also more
prompt deliveiy is ensured. So for shorter
distances the No. 4 rate goods is the
cheaper means of transit.

Referring to the question of glass honey-
jars, if your correspondent "W." (page
510) will write me direct to " The Apiary,
Beedon, Newbury," I will give him the de-
sired information re honey-jars. I see
that Mr. Jarvis (6151, page 513) mentions
the frames I use ; but I feel sure I did not
write explicitly enough as to the " standard
frame " I was advocating some ten years
back. They are still in use, and work well
even with some of the original combs in
them — flat as a board — though dark with
age. They were made for me by Messrs.
Abbott Bros., and are of their usual broad-
shoulder pattern, the only difference being
the extra width in top-bar and iside pie^es^
I have tried a few metal ends of the " Dr.
Pine" pattern and also the "W.B.C." tin
end, but I always weed them out, pre-
ferring Abbott's frame, as I consider it
stronger and less liable to sag or twist, and,
what is of far greater moment, warmer by
reason of confining the warmer interior air
of the brood-nest better than metal ends —
a great point in winter and spring in our
fickle climate. I also still stand by the
" combination hive," taking fourteen or
fifteen frames, hanging parallel to en-
trance. It gives the busy man a chance of
manipulating his bees when those in the
square ten -frame hives cannot be touched,
as the space at back of dummy, when the
dummy is removed, sives ample room to
handle and examine the colony on nine or
ten frames without exposing the brood to
chances of chilling, and thus retarding the
development of the colony when every effort
should be- made to push it forward to the
boiling-over condition by the time of the
first honey-flow. — W. Woodley, Beedon,
Newbury.

*,* Errata. — Page 502. For " function " read
" junction."

A SWARM SIX MONTHS IN A HEDGE.
[6156.1 In the third week of December I
heard that a swarm of bees had been clus-
tered in a hedge two and a half miles from
here since last summer. Having received
permission tO' take the bees, I went as
soon as possible to ascertain their condi-

Jan. 4, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

tion. The swarm must have been a very-
fine one to allow of the great strength in
numbers of the bees at this time. They
had clustered on the north side of the
hedge, and built half a dozen combs of
average size with the tops and one end at-
tached to a maple stub on log. The combs
and bees were fully exposed to the north-
east wind, and there was n(ji food to be
seen. On this latter account I was anxious
to hive the bees, and December 21 being
a suitable day, I set about the work. On
making a staxi; I had a " warm " reception.'
The bees had, I found, enough food at the
rear end of their combs to last them three
or four weeks, and what surprised me, even
more than their numerical strength, was
that they had three combs well filled with
brood and eggs. The older brood was just
hatching, and numbers of young bees were
crawling over the combs after their re-
moval.

It was with the regret that only a bee-
man can feel that I was unsuccessful
in securing these bees and providing them
with a comfortable home, seeing that about
one-half of them, along with the queen,
passed through a small hole in the log to
a place whei^e I found it impossible to
reach them, and, in consequence, I had to
leave them to the fate that, in any case,
would have overtaken them later on. But,
in addition to the disappointment in
having to leave the poor bees to j^erish,
there was the gi-eat longing I felt to secure
the queen, whose prolificness seems almost
beyond the imagination of the average bee-
keeper.

This colony of bees "in the open air " con-
firmed my previous experiences that when a
swarm clusters on the side of a hedge, where
the bees are not affected by the sun shining
on them, the bees will, in most cases, make
themselves comfortable for a considerable
time. In another case that came under
my notice the swarm built small combs
on the branches on which the bees clus-
tered in an open hedge, and left later as
a hunger-swarm. One thing which the
swarm first referred to above brings into
prominence is the amount of discomfort
that bees will endure when possessed by
that important item numerical strength. —
W. LovEDAY, Hatfield Heath, Harlow.

HONEY CAKES AND BEE CANDY.

[6157.] The illustration in the B.B.J,
last week of the honey-cake hive 1 sent
you came as an agreeable surprise, and I
thank you very much for having inserted it.
As I still receive letters from time to time
from bee-keepers wanting the recipe for
making honey-cakes, I would ask the
favour of your allowing me to refer them
to the short recipe I sent you, which

appeared in B.B.J. December 24, 1903, as
I have no time to transcribe it for all.

I now enclose a sample of plain candy
which was made in 1903, ivithout honey.
It was mj intention from the beginning
to make this for sale in addition to the
honey candy, knowing, as I do, that some
bee-books, and some bee-keepers, depre-
cate the use of honey being used in candy
making for beei food, but my intention
has been postponed till now for one reason
or another. Lately, however, I had a
somewhat lengthy correspondence about
candy and candy-making with Lieut. -Col.
Walker, who encouraged me very much.
He found that the price of my honey-candv
(sold by Mr. George Rose), was rather high
for general use, and I agi-eed with him
in this. I then suggested making a candy
ivithout honey, to sell at G^d. per pound,
on which the Colonel replied that at this
price he would rather buv his candy from
me than make it himself, as my candy was
so good, and so much above the indifferent
hard candy sold by moist makers. After
seeing a sample made a year before, he
wrote as follows: — "I really esteem your
candy as quite excellent. I do not think
anyone can make candy so soft and smooth
in grain as yours, and I am astonished that
it should be possible to produce it from
sugar alone, without any addition of
honey. My idea was that without honey
the candy would harden to such an extent
in, say, twelve months, that it would be
then too hard for bees. Tliis seems not to
be the case, as yours is still excellent."
You will understand by this that I sent him
a sample of candy made in 1903, and an-
other made quite recently. Col. Walker
also allowed me to quote his name to any
enquirer, and moreover, should I decide
to make this candy for sale, he had no
objection to his name appearing in the ad-
vertisement. Having, in consequence of
its merits having been recognised by so
highly esteemed a bee-keeper, decided to
make it for sale, I would be grateful if you
could allow me to draw the attention of
readers to this candy, and to my adver-
tisement on page v. In order, also, to
avoid confusion, I might mention that this;
candy will be sold independently of the
honey candy, which will continue to be
sold as already mentioned, and that it
contains no honey, yet is as smooth in
grain as the honey candy ; it is also
guaranteed to keep soft for years, if kept in
a suitable place. I will send a sample of
this candy, and of lioney-cakes, to all
applicants who forward two stamps. The
price of candy, as will be seen in advertise-
ment, is 6d. per lb. Thanking you again
for all past kindnesses, — Br. Colomban,
St. Mary's Abbey, Buckfast, Devon,
December 29, 1905.

[The sample sent to us of candy made

THE BRITISH BEE JOtJB,NAL. [Jan. 4, 1906.

without honey in 1903 is perfectly smooth
and " buttery " in grain, quite as good as
if made yester-day. — Eds.]

BEE NOTES FROM HANTS.
Heather Honey teom Ling.

[6158.] I have read with much interest
the description of heather honey by Col.
Walker in B.B.J, of December 7, and in
rej)ly to his query as to heather in Surrey,
I have been able to obtain some delicious
sections just over the Hants-Surrey
border, where the ling is knee deep on hill
and vale for miles around. The bell-
heather was just dying off as I took my
hives out there, so that I think the sections
I was able to secure are of pretty genuine
heather honey. I particularly noted the
lovely scent of the heather on fbie, warm
days, when the bees were busy, it being
noticeable for many yards from the hives.
One stock I had filled a rack of sections
in ten or eleven days, and this from strips
of foundation." The bees were just be-
ginning to seal the combs over when the
weather changed, and it was about as
much as they could do to finish their job,
as we had no settled weather afterwards.
Some of these sections are in my cupboard
now, and the delicious scent is noticeable
as soon as the door is opened. The honey
is like a jelly, clear and bright, the flavour
makes one cry out, like Oliver Twist, for
more! I find,, however, that the clover
honey is preferred before the heather in
this part, but personally, I am very partial
to the latter, and I do not wonder that
our Scotch bretheren declare there is no
" flavour " in our " flower " honey.

I had the opportunity to drive some
sleeps at this jDlace, and never in my ex-
perience have I carried such a weight to
the "operating table." On one of the
hives I took to the heather, was a box of
shallow frames, about half filled. I got it
filled and sealed at the heather, and had
to press the combs in order to get the
honey out. A few days after it was jarred
off, the honey " thickened," becoming like
a stiff cream in consistency, while the
flavour was very good. As I have had no ex-
peiience with extracted heather honey, I
ask is this due to the presence of the
"flower honey," or does the heather honey
turn the colour of cream when solid ? I
must, with others, tend my best thanks
ti) Bro. Colomban for his recipe for soft
candy ; I have tried some, and it turns
out better than any I have made.

With regard to hive roof coverings, in-
stead of the " Willesden " paper mentioned
by your correspondent, Mr. Newth, I am
using a cheap calico. First I "prime"
the wood, lay and stretch the calico on,
turn it under, and tack it down, now
another coat of priming, followed by two

coats of white paint. I daresay it will
soak up more paint than the " Willesden "
pajjer, but it should prove very effectual.
The season in this part of the country has
been an average one, my two best hives
gave me 2301bs.

About glass honey-jars, where does
friend Whitfield (B.B.J. , December 21,
page 504), get his bottles from, to cost
25d. ? I think he can get them much
lower than that, in these days of cheap
jars. I obtained some very good ,screw
caps at about half his price, after paying
carriage, and only had two broken in a
two-gross lot.

I have used cork dust cushions for some
years, and find they keep stocks dry and
warm. The bees are always found cluster-
ing close up under them. I make a bag
20 by 20 inches, put cork dust in until it
will lay 2ins. thick when pressed out flat,
this will cover the top of frames nicely,
and when candy or feeder is on, by work-
ing the cork dust about, all can be made
snug and warm. Wishing all brother bee-
keepers, including the Editors of B.B.J.,
a rifrht happy and prosperous new year, —
F. D. Hills, Alton, December 27, 1905.

HIGH RATES AND OWNER'S RISK.

[6159.] I am sorry to trouble you again
but Mr. Woodley, in his " Notes " on page
501, is conveying a totally wrong impres-
sion on the question of railway rates. He
objects to my quoting rates for ton lots,
and I am, therefore, sending rates for
weights up to one cwt., distance same as
before, i.e., 209^ miles, 281bs. Is. 6d.,
421bs. Is. lOd., 561bs. 2s. 2d., 701bs.
2s. 5d., 841bs. 2s. 9d., 981bs. 3s. Id.,
1121bs. 3s. 6d. As the distance a con-
signment is to be carried decreases, so
also does the rate. For instance, Bir-
mingham, distance 80 miles, 281bs. lid.,
421bs. Is. Id., 561bs. Is. 4d., 701bs.
Is. 7d., 84Ibs. Is. 9d., 981bs. Is. lid.,
1121bs. 2&. Id. I do not contend that
these rates are low, nor did I say so in my
former letter, but I do say they are fair
and moderate when one thinks of the value
and frailty of commodity carried. But
Mr. W. apparently considers that liis
comb-honey should be carried at the same
rate as a small quantity of scrap iron
would be charged. I make bold to say
that all tlie bee-keepers' associations of
the British Isles, if combined, will never
persuade railway compariies to- do this,
especially when we find such beemen as
" White Clover " (B.B.J., 1905, page 117),
coolly asking them to pay 30s. as com-
pensation for three shallow frames of
comb-honey.

Mr. Woodley also' woes on to say, " No
one can localise the misconduct of the

{'^ Correfpondence" continued on page 6)

Jan. 4, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOUUKAL.

5

HOMES OF THE HONEY BEE.

THE APIARIES OF OUB, READERS.

The little apiary illustrated below might
truly be called a London bee-garden,
located, as it is, within an hour's walk
of our offices in Henrietta Street. It will
also probably surprise many readers to
know that within the area of London
smoke, honey can be gathered of good
quality and in quantity " quite up to the
average of most apiaries I read about " —
to quote our friend Mr. Golds' own words.
For the rest, his " notes " speak for them-
selves. He says : —

As a result of the gardener'.s sugges-
tion, I purchased a stock of bees in a
frame-hive in June, 1900, knowing notliing
whatever at that time about bees ; but with

to transfer each of my stocks in spring to
clean body-boxes and newly painted hives
with clean quilts, and by using naphtha-
line between body boxes and the outer-
cases of all hives, I am pleased to say foul
brood has never appeared among my bees
yet.

Although only four and a half miles
from Charing Cross, the bees gather honey
of good quality each season, and quite up
to the average quantity of most apiaries I
read about, the lime blossom being the
source of my principal harvest. I work
both for sections and extracted honey.

To my mind the main things in bee-
keeping which point to success are to have
scrupulously clean hives, with young
queens heading every stock, and leaving

ME. OWEN A. GOLDS' APIARY, HIGHGATE, LONDON.

the aid of the " British Bee-keepers' Guide
Book," and the Bec-Keepers' Becord,
it soon becam.e a hobby. By the end of
the season I took my first rack of sections,
every one being well filled and capped.
The honey was also of good quality and
colour. Unfortunately, however, my first
stock died during the following winter, a
mishap no doubt caused by my inexjieri-
enoe. In the following spring I started
again, this time with two stocks, both of
which worked well, and yielded an abun-
diance of seotioni honey. Since then, I
have added to my apiary, and now have
eight hives, seven of them showing in
photo, three of these being this season's
swarms, all of which I hived without much
difficulty. With regard to my system of
management, I have made it a rule always

the bees with an abundance of stores for
winter. I do not allow my swarms to bo
long idle, giving two or more frames of
brood from strong stocks, when they at
once commence building-out foundations
and gather honey.

I have derived great pleasure from bee-
keeping, and, but for having to keep very
close to business, I would laiuich out on a
much larger scale, as it is a most interest-
ing and healthy hobby, and it is a great
surprise to me that the working classes
do not take it up more freely, as it would
be very remunerative to them.

In conclusion, I may add that my daugh-
ter (of 16 summers) has lately shown in-
terest in bee-keeping, and, consequently,
her help is becoming valuable in my some-
what small apiary.

6

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Jan. 4, 1906.

*^ High Rates and Owner's liisk,"
(confihutd fiom ptqc A)
l)ort.er." I beg to inform him that to my
knowledge not one-tenth of the claims paid
by the railway companies for gocjds. dama-
ged which are carried at "owner's risk,"
are localised by the claimants themselves.
Then as regards " packing," I have enough,
common seiis^^ to know that men of Mr.
W.'s exi>erienc<i are perfectly capable of
packing a box of sections, so that they will
travel safely, but I have myself seen six
glazed sections " packed " and sent Dy
rail in a brown paper parcel. I have also
several times bookefl comb-honey packed
with no better protection than light card-
board Ixjxes. But to go away from comb-
honey, have w© not had it recorded in our
own Journal that empty store-combs in
frames have been sent Uy purchasers packed
in sack bags, and of 281b. tins of liquid
honey put' on rail without any packing
whatever? Almost evei-y week I see
bottled cream put on rail in cardboard
b(jxe« (gToss weight 30 to 401bs.), and por-
ters' attention drawn to the fact that it is
" Cream, and not paving stones," and this,
too, by a firm who can pack cream as un-
tidy as most folks, yet, strange to say,
brt^akages are remarkably rare, consider-
ing the packing. T would also like to ask
iflVIr. Woodley's logic is not a bit "off"
when lie says:— "I have had a piano,
chimney piece, fire-grate, bottles, bed-
stead, etc., broken by railway pf)rters," and
that, in rxjnseciuence, they (the porter.s)
"break nearly everything they handle.'
This is, to my mind, neither sound s^^mse
nor accurate. But so far as not being able
to get any r(;dress for the misdeeds of the
grossly careless poiter, how does it fall
into lino with the following quotation from
Mr. Wofxlley's "Notes" in B.B.J. , 1905,
page 134. He says: — "During .some 25
years, after thou/sands of consignments
despatched per G.W. Railway, I have
made three claims only, and in these I
claimed no more than the market value
at the time, and T will give the G.W. Rail-
way credit for prompt settlemc-nt at full
amount claimed." Our friend Mr.
Woodley may be able to explain this flat
contradiction, but so far, I cannot under-
stand it.

In reply to my other critic, Mr. G. F.
Saunders (6149, page 513), I may be ex-
cused for saying Ik- mav be a goo<] b(ie-
keeper, but ho does not shine as a business
man. and T should ;u]vis<' him t/> either
improve his pres^^nt business methods, or
give up iK'C-keeping, if he has any con-
sideration for his pocket. ITad I been
sending his consignment of honey from
I)orking, T think T could have got it
carried for one-third the amount it cost
him. I use the word " think " advisedly,

because of not being certain that the S.E.
and C. Railway has adopted these low
rates ; but it seems very unlikely that they
are so far behind the timt! as this. Mr.
Saundersi need not complain because he
does not handle tons of honey. The railway
company is thankful for his dozen pounds
of honey, and will treat him with the
same amount of courtesy as if he consigned
a ton. I should also like to say a word
to " A Brother Signalman and Bee-man,"
"J. P." (6150, page 513). He says, "most
exhibitors know -or ought to know — the '
rate at which honey should be carried."
He has read friend G.F.S.'s letter, and he
can now say — they ought to know, but
dnri't, nor do they take the trouble to ask.
My remarks above to Mr. W. must serve
as a reply re localising breakage, and, re-
garding his show lot to Wales, I beg to
say he also is a bee-man who has faiWl to
press the railway company for his just due.
Your correspondent " White Clover " got
21s. for his three frames of comb-honey. Mr.
Woodley succeeded with the only three
claims he ever made up to last April, and it
is not for me to explain why " .J. P." could
not get his, unless he haA not the courage
to press it ; because, as a railway servant
of 32 years' standing, he must know that
station masters or persons who are in the
position to receive claims are not allowed
to admit liability on the part of th<' rail-
way company unless he has had authority
to do so from his traffic superintendent or
goods manager. Besides, to my mind,
three days is a remarkably short time for
a claim to have been "sifted" through
possibly dozens of hands. I do not say
his case never wont forward, but T am
strongly of opinion that the station master,
or whoever the claim went to, took upon
himself to refus(* the claim because of its
being carried at owner's risk. This is
done with hundreds of claims every year,
which railway companies never hear any
more about. I must apologise for the
length of my letter, so T will conclude with
the best of good wishes for 1906 t,o bee-
men generally, and our Editors in par-
ticular.— .T. Huxley, Flintshire, Decem-
ber 29, 1905.

UNITING BEES.

A T,ADY Bek-Keepkr's Fthst Sraaon.
[6160.] Some time ago you kindly gavti
me julvice about vmiting two weak st^jcks
of be<!S. T am gla/1 to say the opf^ration
was quit(! successfully carried out, and all
has gone on well since. liate on in Decem-
ber th<! b(!es from my ihrva hiv<^s were
busy taking in huge loarls of pollen from
the wallflowers and ivy in bloom in the
garden ; often then; was such a merry
hum in the neighbourhood of the hives,
that one couhl hardly believe it only

Jan. 4, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

wanted a fortnight off Christmas-Day. Will
you kijidly tell me if sjTup prei^ared for
autumn use csm be used in the spring, if
more water is added to it, and boilt^l up
again ?

This is my first season of bee-keeping ;
I had 30 pounds of section honey from one
hive, and a large swarm from the other ;
inj third stock oonsdsts of two lots of
driven Ix^es. secui"ed from an old cotintry
woman in the autumn. Her daughter-in-
law told me that she did not tliink that
her mother's bees would be worth having,
as she was quite sure they were too old
to gather honey! " Why," she said. " they
must be nearly thirty years old ! She has
kept them in the same place ever since she
had them, and I'm qtiite sure they must
be nearly worn-out. poor things. Why,
last year they hardly gathered any honey
at all, so I don't think it much use your
trying them." Surely Devonshire bees are
veiy long lived. — "Heather," Sidmouth,
December 30.

CO^TIEIXG FOR HIVE ROOFS.

[6161.] I think it would be of general
interest if Mr. G. S. Xewth would give a
little more information about the use of
" AVillesden '' paper for making hive roofs
watertight, as mentioned in B.B.J, of
December 14 (page 494). I should like :.o
know if he uses a tliick or thin quality,
as it is made in 1, 2, 4, and 8-ply ; also
if he sticks it to hive roof with thick oaint,
and how many yeai^s he has used it? As
"Willesden" paper is made 5ft. wide,
there would not be muclt waste, and if it is
all the manufacturei-s claim it to be,
should prove a veritable boon to bee-
keepers, the price being most reasonable.
Wishing you, Messrs. Editors, the com-
pliments of the season, I send name, and
sign " Pleasure axd Profit," Bucks,
December 30.

[We will call the attention of Mr.
Newth to the above, and have no doubt he
\vill send a few lines for publication in
reply. — Eds.]

BEE PARALYSIS.

The following paper, dealing with the
disease known as bee paralysis, secured
the premier place in a competition for
prizes offered by our contemporary, the
Australasian Bee-keeper, for the best article
on the subject.

MY experience WITH BEE PARALYSIS,
TRE.A.TMEXT ADOPTED, AND RESULTS.

I have not noticed this trouble among
my bees until tlrls present season, when
I noticed the bees of one of the hives
coming out and dying on the ground in

front of the hive. I was greatly puzzled
at first, but after studying the matter for
some time I came to the conclusion that it
was a case of paralysis from the descrip-
tion given in different bee-books. The
symptoms my bees had were these : — The
abdomen became greatly swollen, the bee
would crawl about the ground in front of
the hive fluttering and vainly trying to
get on its feet and t<:) rise on its wingis.
In the earlj" stage it might succeed in fly-
ing an inch or two, but they rarely got
more than a yai"d or trwo away from the
entrance. There was also a trembling mo-
tion of the whole body. Generally the bees
thus affected seemed to manage to crawl
and flutter about the greater part of the
day, but were all dead by nightfall. I
sought advice on the matter and was told
that I would have to take drastic measures
at once, but what those measures were I
was not advised. However, I did some-
thing drastic, as follows: — I took all
their surplus away, except one or two
combs of sealed and a If-ttle unsealed
stores. I bruised the cappings of the
sealed honey, and dusted flour of sulphur
well over the bruised part and into the
cells of unsealed honey. Well, that cured
the paral3-sis, for no more bees died in that
hive after that ; but it did something else ;
it stopped the queen laying, and the bees
got to tearing down the cells, and stopjied
working altogether, so as the queen was
not a valuable one I decided to destroy her,
and united the handful of bees that re-
mained to a hive close by.

I might say here I am finnly convinced
it is the food that causes the trouble, for
when I took the surplus from this colony
I gave it to a weak colony which I did not
value just to see what effect it would have.
In a day or two they, too, showed just the
same symptoms as the others. Two other
hives (Xo. 5 in diagram), one about eighteen
inches from the first-named hive (Xo. 4
in diagram), and the other (Xo. 6) about
two yards to the rear were also affected
about the same time, but they got over it
without any treatment. But yet another
stock (Xo, 10 in diagram) about six yards
from the first, and one of mv best honey
gatherers of last season, got badly affected
and began to die in great numbers. I
was at my wits' end to know what to do,
as I did not see the use of repeating the
fii"st experiment, so I decided to try some-
thing else.

I took away all their stores, sealed and
unseale<l, and as they were greatly re-
duced in numbers I contracted the brood-
chamber, leaving them only a few empty
combs (one or two contained brood) and
put a chaff cushion each side of the frames
to keep them as warm as possible. Tlien
I made half a pint of sugar svrup, putting
in a small teaspoonful of sulphur, and five

8

TIJE BRlTlBtt BEE JOTJRNAL. [Jan. 4, 1906.

or six drops of Dr. CoUis Brown's chloro-
dyne. The sulphur must be made up to
paste consistency first, as it is hard to
mix with the syrup afterwards. I also
made the syrup a little warm. This I gave
them in a " Simplicity " feeder on top of
their frames. The sulphur settled to the
bottom of the feeder, but I presume they
got the benefit of it. I put the chloro-
dyne in because it is such a universal
remedy for rheumatism, cramps, etc., in
human beings. At any rate, that treat-
ment quickly cured them, as no more died
after they got the doctored syrup, and
to-day they are doing well and working
away as if nothing had happened.

a

L J

M

L J

1 >

_J

As to paralysis being infectious, I am in-
clijied to doubt this. I am sending you a
rough sketch of the location of my
affected colonies, by which you will see
there were other colonies close by which
should have been infected if infection
theory is correct.

No. 4 was the colony first affected.

Nos. 5 and 6 slightly affected, but
quickly recovered. United No. 4 with
No. 5.

No. 10 last and badly affected, but re-
covered as stated. The other hives shown
in diagram — Nos. 1, 2, 3, 7, 9, and 11 —
were not in the least affected.

Hoping this may be of some service to
others, I remain, yours faithfully — H. M.
HoLLOWAY, Roma, Queensland.

BEE-KEEPING.

HOW TO ACHIEVE SUCCESS.

(dontinwd from page 500.)
Spreading the Brood. — This is a practice
which often fails, for the simple reason
that the operation is performed the wrong
way. I hold the opinion that the brood
nest should on no account be divided into
two parts by inserting an empty comb in
the centre ; yet this is the method almost
universally followed. My own plan is to
wait till the bees completely cover the
frames upon which they are clustered, then

place an empty comb next to the last frame
on which brood is found, but on one side
only. Then in a few days repeat the
operation on the other side of the brood-
nest as the necessity arises, owing to the
increase of bees ; but in no case divide
the nest in two. By spreading the brood
in this way, and by manipulating the
feeder so that it is alternately placed over
the newly-inserted comb, it forms one of
the most efficient and safe methods of help-
ing stocks into condition it is possible to
imagine. Having practised this method
largely myself, I am able to bring my
stocks into good condition in a very few
weeks. Good queens are, of course, a sine
qua nan, and without such, stimulating of
any kind is not of much use. The condi-
tion of all hives and quality of the queen
should be ascertained when, and not be-
fore, the weather is favourable. Weak
stocks may mean old queens, but not neces-
sarily so. If no brood is found in the hive
now, it is pretty clear that the queen is
either missing or failing, and steps should
shortly be taken to remedy the defect.

If a stock is examined at the end of that
period for eggs, and none are found, it is
certain that no eggs have been laid. The
queen must, therefore, be destroyed, and
the bees joined to the next stock twenty-
four hours afterwards. To do this, bring
the stocks to be united close together ; then
place the queenless bees in the normal
stock and remove the empty hive right
away. Do not disturb the bees more than
necessary ; a few puff's of smoke and a
sprinkling of flour on each lot of bees, and
placing the frames of broodless bees by the
side of the combs of the normal stock, is
the whole operation, done in a few mo-
ments.

Uniting Bees.- — This operation should be
deferred until April is well in. When a
strong lot of bees is found with an ujisatis-
factory queen, or minus a mother alto-
gether, the owner naturally will feel some
disappointment. He knows that if a good
queen could be supplied, the bees would
have plenty of time with care to make, a
flourishing stock, by the honey time. The
difficulty is to obtain erood queens at this
season, seeing that such queens are al-
ready at the head of good stocks, and are
valuable to the possessor in co7isequence ;
while those at the head of weak stocks are
doubtful property, seldom worth having.
So that unless the owners of queenless
bees are prepared to pay a long price, there
is no alternative but joining up the queen
less stock to a queened hive, or, if the
former is very strong, to join a weaker
queened stock up to them. This latter
operation is a little difficult. The stocks
must be brought together as before ; the
useless queen is then found and destroyed,
and at the time of joining up the good
queen should also be found, and placed in

Jan. 4, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

an introducing cage at the time of opera-
ting. Join the two stocks together with
flour, as before, and then place queen on
top of frames, to be released in twenty-four
hours. My introducing cage is excellent
for this purpose, and a description of same
can be found in the " Guide Book."

Uniting and Dividing Colonies of Bees.
■ — Here are two operations, each having a
useful and necessary purpose, although of
themselves diametrically opposite in their
effect. Dealing first, then, with joining-up
or " uniting," this operation is frequently
necessary in spring and autumn. It is
not at all uncommon to find bees queen-
less in the early months of the year. Some-
times the queen, being old and worn out,
succumbs to natural decay, while not
seldom untimely manipulations and un-
seasonable disturbance caiises death of
queens by what is known as "balling." At
other times the queen or mother-bee, al-
though still in existence and heading the
colony, is far past her best day, and, in
consequence, unable to produce sufficient
young bees to bring the stocks into a
flourishing condition by the honey-flow. It
may go against the frain to destroy a
queen and apparently sacrifice a stock,
but under certain conditions it is by far
the wisest course to pursue. A stock
with a failing queen will do no good alone,
and young fertile queens are often unob-
tainable early in the year, except at very
high prices, and then often of doubtful
quality, because common sense should con-
vince any one that queens offered for sale
before swarming begins are mostly from
weak stocks, and therefore seldom satis-
factory. By uniting the bees and brood
(if any), it may serve to help on another
stock having a good queen. On the other
hand, uniting bees in autumn is often ad-
vantageous, because stocks weak in
autumn very rarely winter well — at least,
ftot nearly so well as strong colonies. Sur-
plus queens, therefore, if of the current
year's growth, are usually saleable if
offered in good time, and this adds to the
advantages of uniting in cash value. The
method of carrying out this operation is
practically the same at both seasons of the
year. All that is necessary is to depose,
or dispose, of the queens it is desired to
be rid of. If old, they are worthless, and
a pinch across the thorax instantly dis-
poses of them. This done, gradually
bring the now queenless bees to be joined
up into close proximity to the stock to
which it is proposed to unite them. This
is done by nearing them two or three feet
per day, taking care to move the hive
only on such days as the bees are flying,
otherwise many bees will be lost. Having
got the hives close together, the remain-
ing and final operation is simple. First
find the queen and secure her in a cage

such as is described on page 129 of
Cowan's "Guide Book," draw the frames
on one side so as to leave sufficient space
for the combs of the queenless stock which
contain brood to be inserted, dust both
lots of bees with flour, using a flower-
dredger for the purpose, and give just
sufficient ; don't smother with flour, but
slightly dust the bees all over. Now join
them together by alternating the frames
of both hives in the one being dealt with.
Then place the caged queen on top of
the united stock so that the bees may re-
lease her during, the next few hours. Re-
move the now empty hive right away and
do not examine the united stock for a week
at least.

Dividing Colonies. — -This is an operation
often ventured upon without sufficient
knowledge of the requirements necessary.
First and foremost, then, all stocks in-
tended to be so treated must have ample
time given them to requeen and build up
into sufficiently strong colonies for winter-
ing well. To do this successfully is sel-
dom practicable if the bee-keeper expects
both increase and surplus for any single
stock in one season. Exceptionally favour-
able seasons now and then occur when
this may be done, but very seldom. One
stock from two or more and some surplus
is possible in an ordinary season, but this
moderate proceeding seldom contents the
ordinary run of bee-keepers, as may be
gleaned from your " Queries and Replies "
colunm. The rule is to try and make
three or even four stocks from one, and
get a crop of honey besides. Needless to
say, such ideas often lead to disappoint-
ment and worse. If two stocks are ex-
pected from one, very little surplus honey *
should be looked for, because, for the
reason above stated, it is necessary to com-
mence operations early in June. If the
bees show signs of swarming naturally
let them do so, and the desired increase is
obtained ; or if this be not convenient,
or the bees will not swarm, the stock may
be divided by moving it to a new stand
a little distance away and placing a new
hive on the old position furnished with
five or six frames of comb ; or, if these
are not available, use full sheets of brood
foundation. When all is ready, take from
the removed stock one frame of brood,
bees, and the queen, and place them in the
centre of the new hive ; close up frames
and pack warmly down. Do this in the
morning of a fine warm day, and at no
other time. Feed both stocks. The new
hive will now have the queen, some young
bees, brood, and all the working bees ; so
it may be left to build up into condition.
With regard to the removed stock, the
case is different. That has brood and
young bees, but no queen. Consequently,
it must be requ§ened, and valuable time

10

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Jan. 4, 1906.

is saved if a fertile queen can be given
them after the lapse of twenty-four hours ;
or the alternative may be adopted of per-
mitting the bees to rear a new queen from
the brood within the hive. This operation
requires some supervision, as it will not
do to allow the bees to raise queens
from old larvpe. It will be found that they
will raise several queens at one time from
larvae of various af^es. Three days after
the division inspect the cells started, and
destroy all that contain larvee over twenty-
four hours old. In other words — and as
a rough guide — permit the bees to raise
queens only from the very smallest of the
larvae, removing all the larger ones. If
there are other stocks to be treated simi-
larly to the first one, allow the colony in
question to raise enouofh cells to pro-
vide queens for all stocks to be operated
on, subject, of course, to be supervision
already mentioned. To make three colo-
nies from two, take four or five frames of
hatching brood and egss from a strong
stock, brushing the bees into the colony to
which they belong, filling up the blanks
thus caused with frames of comb or foun-
dation. Now remove another strong stock
to a new location, and place the beeless
brood and eggs in a new hive on the vacant
position ; cover all down warmly. The
new hive thus has brood and eggs from one
stock, and bees from the other (removed)
stock. The new hive can be requeened, or
a cell given, in twenty-four hours, or it
can at the end of three days be ri^rmitted
to raise a queen for themselves from the
eggs which will then have hatched. I say
at the end of three days, because, if
allowed to raise queens before then, they
will be inferior in quality, seeing that
sufficient nurse-bees will not be hatched
out to take, charge of raising really good
queens. Old bees are useless for this pur-
pose, the eggs will provide material for
suitable larvae up to the fifth day, at
which time a supply of nurses will be
available. In this operation great care
must be exercised in the choice of the
brood combs to be used for the purpose.
In rearing queens, the bee-keeper must in
all cases supervise the arrangement, as
above expressed, and don't forget to feed
<ill divided stocks.

(Conclusion in our next.)

^ttcrifs and flfplirs.

[3988.] Honey Ginqcrhread. — I asked Bro.
Colomban to kindly give me the recipe
for making the honey gingerbread that
your wonderful " Christmas cake " — shown
on page 507 — was composed of, and he tells
me it was published in the B.B.J, of Decem-
ber 24, 1903. Would you kindly send me

a copy of that number, if possible, for at
that time I was not a bee-keeper ? I would
respectfully suggest that a reinsertion in
your valuable journal would be useful to
many of your readers who have but lately
taken to bee-keeping. — Fred. J. H., Cran-
leigh, December 28.

Reply. — As others besides yourself have
applied for the recipe in question we have
decided to reprint it in next issue.

Notices to Cot respondents & Inquirers.

R. Williams (Brynrefail, Amlwch). — Bees
Short of Food. — Your only course at this
season is to give the bees a good-sized
cake of well-made soft candy, placed
under the quilts and right above the
cluster. This done, cover up warmly,
and after a few days, if the bees are
taking the food, the quilt* will probably
feel quite warm to the hand if it is
pushed under all coverings but the one
next to the candy-cake. Do not try any
but soft smootli-grained candy, such as
that advertised in our prepaid column
this week.

J. D. W. (Wolverhampton). — Railway
Rates for Honey. — We are much obliged
for yours dated December 29 on the above
subject. You will, however, see that Mr.
Sanders is fully answered in this issue
by Mr. J. Huxley.

Beeswax (Devon). — Candy-maldng. —
Sample is not by any means good. We
advise you to get a sample of Br. Colom
ban's own making in order to realise
what good candy is, and then follow the
recipe carefully in all its details.

M. P. R. (Bedford). —B.B.K A. Certifi-
cates.— It is almost certain that the name
as printed is a clerical error, and that
you are right in supposing that a mis-
take has occurred.

T. B. Barlow (Notts) and Others. —
Swarthmore Bee-Books. — In reply to
complaints from readers who have
ordered copies of " Increase," by
" Swathmore," we beg to say that, our
stock of this book being exhausted, we
ordered a fivsh supply over two months
ago. We have made enquiries of Mr.
Pratt with reference to the delay in for-
warding, and he writes to say that the
First Edition having been rapidly sold
out, a second is being prepared. He
regrets the unavoidable delay in getting
this out, but promises that no time shall
be lost, though some necessary changes
are being introduced into the new edi-
tion which prevent it being ready as
soon as he expected.

*** Errata. — Our correspondent " H. Bee"
calls our attention to a printer's error
twenty-one lines from heading of his
paper on " Bees and Their Enemies "
(page 514). The words " true sparrow "
should read " tree sparrow."

Jan. 11, 1906.1 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

11

(gdit0rial ^otias, ^t

REVIEWS.

L'A.B.C. dc V Apiculture, by A. I. Root,
ivvised by E. R. Root, published by E.
Eondoimeau, Paris, 7 fraiics 50 centimes.
This is a translation into French of that
well-known book the A. B.C. of Be© Cul-
ture, which is a cyclopaedia of eveiything
pertaining to the care of the honey-bee,
and is gleaned from the experience of
thousands of bee-keepers, verified by prac-
tical work in the apiaries of the autliors.
Tlie book in the English language has beeJi
most popular and has had a large sale, and
this translation is from the last edition,
which we quite recently reviewed and re-
commended. We congratulate M. Bon-
donneau on the alale manner in v/hich the
translation is made, and the clear way in
v.hich the ideas of the authors are inter-
preted.

UApiculture NourcUe is the title of a
new monthly published and edited by E.
Bondonneau. We have an advance copy of
No. 1 before uvs. It is dated January 15,
.Tud is to appear on the 15th of each month,
'ihe number before tis is beautifully
printed on glazed paper, which brings out
the illustrations vei-y distinctly. It con-
sists of translations of articles appearing
in " Gleanings," and is intended to make
those not reading English better ac-
quainted with advajiced bee-keeping as car-
ri :^d on professionally in America. The
subscription price is 6 francs in France and
7 francs 50 centimes to other countries.

The Editors do vot hold thtmielves responsible for the
opinions expressed by correspondents!. No notice ivill
If taken of anonymous communieatiovs, arid corre-
spondents are requested to write on. one side of the paper
on')/ and give their real names and addrens-s, not neces-
ia ' ily for publication , but as a guarantee nf pood faith.
Illustrations should be draion on separate pieces of paper.
Te do not undertake to return rejected eommunicatioTis.

AMONG THE BEES.

Anciext Bke-Keeping axd Bee-Keepers.
[6162.] From Hyll's volume onward books
on bees wei"e presented in quick succession.
All of them claimed some " improvement "
over what had been written before, some
'■ new discovery," waiTanted to free their
owners from the charge and trouble
hitherto necessary, some method more ad-
vantageous thaai any hitherto pi'actiised.
Their Government, breeding, sex, wars,
enemies, honey, and wax were repeatedly
written about, all represented as the result
of exjDerience. A great part of each book
was devoted to a demonstration proving

that what their predecessors wrote waisi
ridiculously false, that they erred by ignor-
ance, that they had not given one i-ational
argument, that many of them deluded the
world with whimsies. One accuses even
Virgil of writing " more as a poet than an
experienced bee-master." Each wae ready
in his own person to resolve " all doubts
whatsoever," and as most of them wrote
from the " unparalleled experience " of
twenty, thirty, or even more years among
the bees, we get some wonderfully wise
words from all their works. I glean a few
about bees, their homes, their honey, and
their masters.

The Bees. — Have their story. The " mar-
ried " hives are always the first to swarm,
and they' send out the largest swarms.
Never kill bees. The same number of bees
will do more good together than in two
parcels. They honour and reverence their
king, not from any fear of punishment,
but from love, and they cannot be ruled or
guided without their king. On his depar^
ture the bees laboureth not, but grieve with
a continuoL.ij mourninpr. The greater bees
were " discommended," the small and
active commended. They excel all other
insects in art, wisdom, forethought, indus-
try valour, and loyaltv. What artificer is
so exact, what geometrician can imitate her
works ? Bees are political creatures and
destinate all their, actions to one common
end, one common -habitation, one common
work, one care, one love to young and com-
monwealth. In their labour at home and
abroad they are so admirable that thej
may be a pattern to men, and for cleanli-
ness and neatness they may be a mirror to
the finest dames. They are models of in-
dustiy, and doth ply their labour like men
in hai-vest. Second and third swarms
should be returned, also virgin swarms, as
they seldom survive winter and never pay
for amount of honey garnered by their
small forces.

TJieir Homes. — Experience proves that
straw hives are rather preferable, although
" colonies " allow bees to thrive " pretty
well." Transparent hives were, however,
well known three centuries ago, and were
" discovered " in the finst century at least.
]\[ewe kept " a diary of their negotia-
tions " in such hives, wherein he wi'ote
dow2i of their daily income, and what hath
been done all day. He saw they always
began building at the top and worked down-
ward. "Capping" hives was known then,
but they worked mainly on the naidering
system, inserting a second istcrv below the
first. They should be placed near the
house, in a sheltered nlace, near flowering
ti'ees. Anoint a hive with isweetened water
or honey before hiving a swarm, a hos's
" slavers " serveth well says one — any sweet
herb says another. First however, perge
the hivte of all filth, and smoke them to

12

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Jan. 11, 1906.

kill all worms, grubs, and moths. Bee-
houses were recommended by some, but in
general the opinion prevailed that for
many reasons " sino-le stools " were best.
Collateral hives were also recommended,
and so were colonies, but " strawen "
hives were the almost universal home of
the bees till a very late period. Yet bee-
keepers were always in search of a home
from which they could take the honey and
save the bees. No fear of any district
being " over stock't," as almoet everwhere
on^ hundred hives can be kept, where
hitherto there has been one. The size of
hive should be regulated by the size of the
swarm. Contract and extend entrance ac-
cording to the season and strength of the
colony.

The Honey. — Pleasant words -are as an
honeycomb sweet to the soul and health to
the bonesi. Sweet dropping words like
honey he did shed (Spenser) pure virgin
honey because of its goodness and superior
excellence, being perfectly neat and fine,
is worth more than the common. Charles
II. was fond of such honey, provided from
the apiary of his royal bee-master. Dr.
Rusden. ■ Varro avers that a very fair
yearly revenue can be made of honey, and
that without killing the bees. Dr. Warder
made £50 a year from his bees. Many
others might be named who derived a good
income from the sale of honey and wax —
there being no sugar in olden times made
this valuable sweet much more highly es-
teemed. Nectar was not honey. Bees do
suck out of several things, nay, almost in-
numerable flowers, of all of which they
make honey — by a peculiar fermenting
virtue they really transmute what they
gather into honey. Yet some held honey
was a " sweet from heaven, or a spittle of
the stars." The combs were generally
simply cut out and honey " pressed forth
by a heavy waighte," so that it ran or
di-ipped forth. Hill, our first writer, how-
ever, advised that the first and second-class
honey should be kept " diligently apart."
Skimming was advised, and he knew thai
the best settled below. Attica honey had
a " great re2Dutation." Of Hybla and
Hymettus honies, it is declared " in good-
ness they are notable." This delicious
sweet is described by Butler as the " very
quintessence of all the sweetness of the
earth."

The Bee-Keeper. — A bee-master must not
be unchaste or uncleanly, for impurity and
sluttishness bees utterly abhor, they them-
selves being most chaste and clean. The
^st bee-master is a water drinker, for bees
only drink water. Experience is the best
teacher — always believe your own eyes if
you see a thing ten times. The pursuit
is health giving, and many a man out of
health and spirits has gone to bask in the
clear sunshine amongst the bees, and has

thus for a time at least forgotten his cares
or his laains, with heart attuned to their
sweet music. Many were close observers
of bees. " If every bee-master would watch
for a few minutes of his spare time every
day, and write down lolainly what he sees,
we should not be long in the dark." Many
mysteries were thus unravelled and difii-
cult problems solved, still they have left
a wide field for modem explorers. One
vrriter says, " every time I view them I see
something new. The bee-master should en-
treat the bees with a gentle manner, then
will they love him. He should wear no offen-
sive apparel, and be clean about his person.
Touch not bees, or honey with unwashed
{hands. " I conclude my observations about
these ancients by quotiiig the following ex-
cellent words : " A leieurely and calm de-
portment succeeds best, with gentleness
yet boldness, and giving them the least
disturbance."— D. M. M., Banff.

PAINTED QUEEN BEES.

IN OBSEEVATOEY HIVES AT SHOWS.

[6163.] I am somewhat disappointed at
not seeing a reply from some of our judges
to the letter of Mr. R. Godson (6102, page
456), on the subject of " Queen bees daubed
with paint." Perhaps the latter part of
our Editor's footnote may have influenced
the " competent judge " in deciding that
" silence is golden " in this case. Not be-
ing included in that category, and being
the " dauber " in question, I naturally take
a different view of this subject, and my
opinion is shared by no less than six com-
petent judges, who have awarded me five
first and two second prizes for the only
seven times that I have staged " daubed "
queens in observatory hives ; the two
lower awards being obtained by a " badly
ventilated hive," as expressed by the judges
at the time. Therefore, I have yet to
wait for a disqualification of my observa-
tory hives, on account of the queen-bee
therein being painted of a different colour
to her subjects. I also venture to think
that that same judge would not disqualify
an exhibit of English bees with a Cyprian
or Golden Italian Queen as head of the
colony. Since I first exhibited an observa-
tory hive with a painted queen therein, I
have had many letters of inquiry as to how
it is done ; therefore, it evidently has its
good side.

It is not a new idea, and my thanks are
due to the blind Francis Huber for his
book " Noiivelles observations sur les
Abeilles," therefore it was practised, at
least, in the beginnincj of the last century,
and it was precisely for the same object
that I painted the queen bee, viz., for ob-
servation purposes. Surely that is legiti-
mate in an observatory hive where every-
thing is in an artificial condition ! If th^

Jan. 11, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

13

objection, to painting is raised because it
spoils the fun of a puzzle, then I can quite
understand, for the queen can be seem im-
mediately amongst the worker bees, at
a distance of several yards.

I paint the queen bee for contrasting
purposes, and judging by the number of
people who are attracted to my exhibit,
compared to those where the queen is not
painted, it certainly achieves that object.
I also believe that the non-bee-keeper is
more interested by this contrast, as he is
enabled to make a comparison more readily
than is usually the case. I always place
a note at the side of the exhibit, etating
that " the queen bee is painted for observa-
tion purposes," but aTJart from that, any-
one of an inquiring disposition will readily
admit that the manner in which the queen
is painted does not cause her identity to
be lost. I have also found it very useful
for requeening purposes, for if the painting
is properly done, it is harmless, and will
last for years, and if the colour be changed
or varied, according to season, it enableo
one to know at a glance by the colour, the
age of the queen, while I can also deter-
mine absolutely whether that stock has
requeened itself or not. This is a great
advantage when on wholesale requeening
bent, as being a great time saver ; bo much
so, that the lady mentioned in a recent
article in the B.B.J, (vol. 33, page 336)
as being able to find 100 queens per day,
would be able, under this system, to find
over 500 queens in the same time. — T. W.
SwABET, Bracebridge Heath, Lincoln.

[In the letter referred to Mr. Godson
asked for our opinion on the practice of
" daubing the queen bee with paint " in
observatory hives, " as we frequently see
on the show-benches in Lines. ? " We gave
our personal opinion as a judge, whose ex-
perience is as great as that of most men,
and gave it unreservedly. Nor hasi our
view yet been controverted. On the other
hand, we are glad to know that, so far, the
practice in question appears to have been
confined to local shows in Lincolnshire ;
therefore, if our correspondent i& desirous
of obtaining the opinion of other judges, he
should enter his observatory hive and its
painted aueen at a leading show outside
Lines. He would then probably get the
opinion of judges to whom- queens, daubed
with paint, in obiservatory hives was , a
novelty.

Most bee-keepers — ourselves among the
rest — -have deplored the prevalence of the
bee pest known as braula cceca (or blind
louse) in some districts, because of the
constant worry, and no doubt, suffering, in-
flicted by the parasite on any unfortunate
queen bee infested by it. But when Mr.
Swabey tells us of his methad of painting
and repainting in various colours, " accord-
ing to the season " (so that " it will last

for years ''), the mother bees used for queen-
rearing in hie apiary, we think it about
time to lorotest againist such necdlesis
cruelty, and we hope that his example will
be followed by no bee man who sets any
value on that industrious little labourer
the honey bee. — Eds.1

MYSTERIOUS LOSS OF QUEEN-BEE.

[6164.] In re-perusing some back num-
bers of tihe B.B.J. I notice in the issue for
October 5 last, your esteemed contributor
"D. M. M., Banff," deals with the mys-
terious disappearance of a valuable queen-
bee sent to him from America as a present
— a loss with which all bee-keepers can
sympatliise^ — and perhaps the following ex-
perience may be a key to the solution of the
matter : —

In early October I was worried at not
finding any brood in one of my hives and
as there were plenty of stores', I was un-
able to account for it. I had read in a
previous number of B.B.J, of a queen not
laying on account of irritation caused by
Braula cocca, so catching the queen and
finding she was troubled by the pest
above mentioned, I thought I would fumi-
gate the queen in order to free her from
the parasites. So taking her indoors, and
lighting a cigarette, I commenced opera-
tions. I had, however, hardly commenced
smoking when she flew towards the win-
dow, but just failed to reach it and fell
between the bed and the back of a sofa
(the hollow between the lots of upholster-
ing), completely out of sight, and if I had
not been intent on watching her, there
would have been another good queen to
deplore. As it was I had a difficult job
to get her out. If she had not been ex-
cited, and thus rushed up the groove
caused by depressing the bed of the sofa,
I should have had to await her conveni-
ence or let her perish. I may say she was
clear of tlje blind louse when recaptured.
— J. D. W., Wolverhampton, Decem-
ber 28.

SENDING SECTIONS BY RAIL.
[6165.] In reference to the correspond-
ence on "Railway Rates," I should like
to say that I send all my section honey
by goods train packed in half-gross lots
in a " Tate " sugar box or similar one, and
I have had very few 'dofnplaints of broken
sections. Two years ago I sent two' simi-
lar cases from Oxford to Sunderland— a
distance of over 200 miles. One case was
sent by the G.W.R., and weighed between
80 lb. and 90 lb. ; cost 'for carriage 3s. 3d.
It was three days on the way, and arrived
safe. The other box (same weight) went
by L. and N.W.R., cost 3s. only, but was
nearly a week on the way, and on arrival

14

THE BRITISH BEE JOUBNAL. [Jan. U, 1906.

had eight sections damaged. The con-
signee claimed damages of the company,
and, I suppose, got them, as I never
heard anytliing to the contrary. I have
sent several gross of sections in this way
to London, and find that if properly
packed — i.e., tied in parcels of half-dozen
and well surrounded with straw or hay —
they will travel almost any distance safely
by goods train. The carriage to London
from Oxford — sixty-three miles — comes to
about Is. 9d. for 90 lb., which is certainly
not excessive. I have little experience of
sending honey by passenger train, but
what little I have sent has always arrived
safely. Wishing all readers a happy and
prosperous new year. — Mid-Oxon, Janu-
aiT 4.

ODDS AND ENDS ABOUT BEES.

[6166.] Birds and Bees. — Looking back
over some past years' B.B. Journals,
I notice that the same stories of
birds eating bees have come to the
surface repeatedly. I can only vouch
for actually seeing one sparrow snap
one bee on a mild day in November. Some
winters ago I noticed on the snow under a
hamthorn tree numerous remains of bees.
However, on seemg the deed actually done,
thoughts of a gun and revenge were in-^
stantly subdued on the recollection of those
memorable lines of Bums (I suppose his
name is known south of the Cheviots) —

A daimon icker in a thrave's
A sma' request,

An' thou maun live my Utile frien'
As weel's 'the rest.

(From the " Mouse '').

" Wells " Hives. — My coloniets in these
useful hives got rather out of hand this
year, though they have usually do2ie well.
A couple swarmed and entered the neigh-
bouring wells, which in turn swarmed next
day. I caught one queen issuing and re-
moved the " Wells " to a new station and got
a fine swarm returning to a swarm box
placed on the stand with the queen caged.
On examining the "Wells " removed I found
queens in both divisions and no queen
cells. So it would seem that tvi^o queens
had been in one hive for a night. In the
mix up only one queen was lost, but I
could not determine how.

Honeii. — There are no cultivated fields
nearer than two milee of me, and the honey
gathered is of three distinct varieties, or
blends, viz. — Hawthorn, natural clover,
heather, or blends of the first and second,
or second and third. The crop, as you may
guess, is not a large one. In general 20
to 251bs. per hive. This year the average
worked out at 421bs. ppr hiive run for
honey. The beet hive yielded 261bs. of
hawthorn, 52 of clover, and 26 of clover and
heather. Then stocks were removed to the
heather 8 miles away. The cartage cost me

16s., but it was good outlay, as I got 1401bs.
of pressed honey, a score of well-filled sale-
able sections, and the body-boxes literally
packed with stores, so that almost for the
first time in my experience I have not
needed to feed.

"When Doctors Differ." — Good authori-
ties differ as to what is the best size' of a
nucleus, some advocating full size standard
frames, some half frames, and some tiny
frames on the Swarthmore plan. I would
not like to rush in the face of any success-
ful method, but with me the Swarthmore
hives 2s. 6d. each are not suited to the
locality. Full frames are most expensive
in bees, and though I have generally had
three full frames to each, mating wa»j not
always successful. I have tried to work
out a size that will be neither too large nor
too small, one that eives three frames of
comb from a single shallow frame, that is,
my nucleus frames are the same depth as a
shallow frame, but only 42ins. wide inside
■ — so that ten mating-boxes could be
combed from a crate of shallow frames'.

Small hives with single walls — 6 in.
square inside sloping roof, and detachable
bottom — hold four of these frames. Three
are sufficient, but a fourth can be added -f
necessary. This letter is already too long,
so I will defer sketch and measurements
till another week with further considera-
tion of the subject — D. V., Dunaskin,
January 6.

KEEPING BEES NEAR ROADSIDES.

[6167.] I have many times seen ques-
tions asked in our B.B.J, by would-be
bee-keepers whether it would be safe to
keep bees near roadsides, or where children
are in the habit of playing -near where the
hives would stand. For the encourage-
ment of those who fear danger from this,
I beg to give you my experience. I have
kept bees since 1890, and for the first five
years always had from 10 to 12 hives stand-
ing not more than ten yards from a much-
used road, where harvest wagons and
all sorts of farmers' carts and implements
were passing, but never during the
whole of that time have I heard of either
men or horses being stung. Since that
time I have been ten years in my present
house, and the hives have stood less than
twenty yards from the house with our nine
children running about and playing near
them, yet they rarely get a sting, and
then it is usually when the little ones
amuse themselves by scattering dust or
soil on the bees as they pass in and out
of the hive. This has happened several
times, but though a child is terrified at
the time they soon get over it, and cer-
tainly are all right again in a very short
time — they forget all about it. We make

{Continued on page 16.)

Jan. 11, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

15

THE LATE REV. E. BARTRUM, D.D.

The Rev. Dr. Bartrum, the news of whose
death we received just as we were going
to press., and aimounced on page 2 last
week, was born at Sion Hill, near Bath,
in 1833. He was educated at King Edward
VI. School, Bath, ajid in 1852 proceeded
to Pembroke College, Oxford, where he took
honours in Classics, Law, and History.
In 1856 he was elected to the second Mas-
tership of his old school under the Rev.
C. J. Macleane. In 1858 he took his de-
gree of M.A., and in 1859 became curate
(in addition to his Mastership) at the Octa-
gon Chapel, Bath, to Dr. Magee, the late

become interested in bee-keeping in conse-
quence of the able articles that appeared
from time to time in Journal of Horticul-
ture written by the late Mr. Woodbury.
Visiting the Crystal Palace Show he was so
struck with the splendid Stev/arton sixp-t^ns
shown on that occasion by his friend, tih©
present Chairman of the B.B.K.A. , that on
his advice he detennined to keep bees. Dr.
Bartrum joined the Association at the
same time as his friend and neighbour,
the late Rev. H. R. Peel, and was for many
years an active member of the committee.
He ijiterested himself in the examination
of experts, and was one of the examining
board, and devoted much time and care to

THE LATE REV. E. BARTRUM, D.D,

Bishop of Peterborough. In 1861 Dr. Bar-
trum wais offered the head-mastership of
Hertford G rammer School by the Right
Hon. W. Cowper on behalf of T^ady Pal-
merston, who lield tl:e patronage. In 1864
he removed to Berkhamsted on the nomina-
tion of Lord Palmerston, then Prime
Minister acting for the Crown, and took
the head-m.astership of the school there.
Under his able management it rapidly im-
proved, and from fifty the numbers in-
creased till at his resignation Dr. Bartrum
left it a large pviblic echool with over 180
boys.

Ilis connection with the B.B.K.A. began
in 1879, although before that time he had

the management of the finances of the As-
sociation. He worked with the movable
comb-hive and the Stewarton, and was a
great jjartisan of this system for some
years. His little book, The Stewarton: the
Hire of the Busy Man, attracted consider-
able attention to that famous Scotch hive,
but for many years Dr. Bartrum had
admitted the greater advantagesi of the
movable frame-hive and kept entirely to
this system. His subsequent experience of
the success attending the bee-tent, anji the
manipulations with live bees, combined
with vira race explanations, led Dr. Bar-
tnxm to apply tlie same principle of teach-
ing by the eye as well as by the ear to in-

16

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Jan. 11, 1906.

struction in buttsr-making. In 1884, as-
sisted by Lord Rothschild and others, he
started a butter competition at Tring,
lierts, the first attempt of the kind we be-
lieve ever made. In a letter which lies
before ns, written by one of the promoters
of the Eastern Counties' Dairy Institute,
the following passage occurs: — " I 4° ^°*
forget what we owe to you as the originator
of the butter-making contests which have
done so much to revive our interest in
dairying." Through Dr. Bartrum's inde-
fatigable zeal this method of combining
practical work iii public with oral instruc-
tion has spread rapidly through the land,
and the almost lost art of butter-making
is advancing with as rapid strides as
modern bee-keeping has made in recent
yeaiis.

In 1885 the Rev. E. Bartrum received
his degree of Doctor of Divinity, and m
1887 he resigned his position of head-mas-
ter at Berkhamsted, having been presented
to the Rectory of Wales Colne, Essex by
the Earl of Verulam. Both Dr. and Mrs.
Bartrum were great favourites at Berkam-
sted, and the regret at their leaving was
universal. On December 9, 1887, a meet-
ing was held at Berkhamsted, at which were
present many past and present pupils,
parents, governors, assistant masters, and
personal friends of the retiring head-mae-
ter. At this meeting a beautifully illu-
minated address was presented : also a
handsome library-table and valuable time-
piece, as well as a portrait of Dr. Bar-
trum in an old oak frame vdth the school
arms in centre. A handsome diamond
bracelet was presented to Mrs. Bartrum —
" From the boys and masters of Berkham-
sted school." While at Berkhamsted Dr.
Bartrum took an active part in the pro-
gress and welfare of the community around
him. For twelve years he was^ a member of
the School Board, for sixteen President of
the Mechanics' Institute ; he established
a Penny Bank, which is now a flourishing
institution, and assisted in establishing a
Water Works Company, of which he was
chairman for some years, and also in build-
ing a swimming-bath. His time was too
occupied vdth scholastic duties to be able
to devote much time to looking after bees
while at Berkhamsted, but since his re-
moval to Essex his parochial duties allowed
him more leisure for bees and other rural
occupations. Dr. Bartrum was well known
as a writer in these columns, and his arti-
cles on bees and fruit were particularly in-
teresting and instructive.

Dr. Bartrum took tho same interest in
rural occupation in Essex as he did in
Herts, and has done much to encourage
both bee-keeping and fruit-growing. He
has for several years eriven prizes for Eng-
lish-grown apples at the local flower shows,
and has also been a frequent exhibitor.

Of late years he had become very deaf,
so that this affliction precluded him from
attending meetings, but he was an able
writer and has contributed largely to horti-
cultural papers on the culture of fruit.

In 1880 Dr. Bartrum read a paper before
the B.B.KA. on " The Stewarton ffive,"
which he afterwards enlarged and pub-
lished in 1881 under the title of "The
Stewarton : The Hive of the Busy Man.'
In 1894, "Bee-Keepinor" was one of a series
of papers under the general heading of
"The Present Distress, Especially in Es-
sex ; Some Remedies Suggested." Then,
in 1897 Dr. Bartrum, with the Rev; R.
McClelland, wrote " Bees in a Bar-Frame
Hive." This was one of a iseries of hand-
books under the general title of "Helpful
Hints for Hard Times." of which Dr. Bar-
trum was tlie editor. He also wrote many
pamphlets on fruit culture, and after a
tour round the world a book entitled
"From East to West."

Dr. Bartrum was taken seriously ill with
heart asthma on Christmas day, and had
suffered much at times, but he was easier
at the end, and passed peacefuly away on
Friday, 29th December last. By his death
we lose another life-long friend, and one
who was always ready and willing to assist
us in advancing bee-keeping in this coun-
try.

It was by the saddest of coincidences that
while the interment was taking place, on
December 29, at Lansdown Cemetery, Bath,
of Mr. Wm. B. Bax'trum, there was passing
away, at Wakes Colne Rectory, his last sur-
viving brother, the Rev. Dr. Bartrum ;
thus the last two of the five well-known
sons of Mr. Benjamin Bartrum, auctioneer,
Bath, died within a few days of eacli other.

On behalf of ourselves and readers of
the " B. J." we extend to Mrs. Bartrum
and family our sincerest sympathy in
their bereavement.

(" Keepmg Bees Near Roadside,"
continued from page 14.)

it a rule never to scold our children for
being about the bees when stung, and the
result is I never lack a helper in my bee-
work as they grow up.

While on the subject of bee-stings I
should like to say a word on the troubles
we sometimes read of in our B.B.J, be-
tween bee-keepers and their neighbours
from this cause. As already said, I have
no trouble of this kind, but even if we
had, I do not think it would ever be taken
notice of for we always, when the season's
harvest is removed, send the children
round with a nice bit of comb-honey to
our neighbours, so as to let them rejoice
with ourselves at what the bees have done
for us, and if at any time an erratic bee

Jan. 11, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

17

should sting one of their children, they
will not become unneighbourly but will
take it in "ood part. I think it is a bad
plan to leave the honey-sending till your
neighbour has a cause of complaint, as
it will not be taken so kindly as on my
plan. On the other hand, I do not wish
to give readers the idea that I have not
had an occasional mishap with my bees.
I have a very vivid recollection of one
instance,, soon after starting to keep bees.
I was removing a heavy super from one
of my hives when the top-bars in the
broodchamber were stuck fast to the super
without my knowing it, and when I had
nicely released the super, as I thought,
down fell the adhering frames of
bees into a body-box below, and in
a moment there was a " lively time."
Luckily there were neither children nor
neighbours about, so the bees " let go "
at the poor pig in the sty. I ran and let
the porker adrift, and he found shelter
among the gooseberry trees, while I had
to put the bees to rights as best I could.
That day I learnt a lesson that will never
be forgotten, namely, to make sure that the
supers are clear when lifting them off. —
Jos. HuLBERT, Heckington, January 6.

LEAKY HIVE ROOFS.

[6168.] Seeing the recent letters in your
valuable journal with reference to leaky
hive roofs, and as I have myself tried all
kinds of plans for preventing the trouble
in that connection, I venture to send the
following instructions for making a
thoroughly weatherproof covering at a
cost from ^)^d. to 6d., and if your corre-
spondent who signs himself " Pleasure
and Profit " will " profit " by this " profit-
able " advice, he will derive more
" pleasure and profit " from the efforts
of his little workers the bees. My plan is
as follows : —

Procure from the draper some thick
buckram. This should cost 6d. per yard,
or perhaps somewhat less by the dozen.
Give the hive-roof (which I prefer of the
flat-top kind, with a fall of 3 in. from
front to back) a thick coat of what
coach painters call "smudge," i.e., the
contents of the receptacle for refuse paint.
Stretch the buckram on roof while the
paint is wet, and tack all round. When
quite dry give a good coating of smudge
outside, and when this is dry and hard,
a second coat, finishing off with two good
coats of paint. This, with a coat of paint
once a year, will last twenty or thirty
years, at the cost I have already named.
Any coachbuilder will be glad to give the
smudge for nothing.— Fred Evans, Mar-
ket Drayton, January 6.

WEATHER REPORT.

Westbournb, Sussex,

December, 1905,
Minimum on

23° on 12th.
Frosty nights, 6.
Mean maximum,

45 6.
Mean

36-6.
Mean

41-1.
Above average, 3 0.
Maximum barometer,

30 82 on 12th
Minimum barometer,

29-21 on 29th,

Rainfall, '83 in.

Heaviest fall, "18 on
5th.

Rain fell on 16 days.

Below average, 1 "96 in.

Sunshine, 35'6 hours.

Brightest day, 6 th,
51 hours.

Sunless days, 14,

Below average, 2 3 '3
hours.

Maximum tempera-
ture, 54° on 7ih.

Minimum tempera-
ture, 26° on
12th.

minimum,
temperature.

L. B. BiRKRTT.

WEATHER REPORT

for the tear 1905.

Westbourne, Sussex.

Rainfall, 25-67 in.
Heaviest fall, 1-75 on

June 5,
Rain fell on 182 days

(above average 8).
Below average, 3 58

in.
Sunshine, 1,6928

hours.
Brightest day, June

24, 15*5 hours,
Sunle.-s days, 57

(below average, 6).
Below av,, 1493 hrs.
MaximuQi tempera-
ture, 7 9° on July 14.

Minimum tempera-
ture, 21° on Janu-
ary 27.

Minimum on grass,
19° on November 19.

Fros'y nights, 62
(below average, 13),

Mean temperature,
49.9,

Above average, 19.

Maximum barometer,
3095 on January
29.

Minimum barometer
28-83 on November
13.

L. B, BiRKETT

HONEY-CAKES.

BR, COLOMBAn'S recipe FOR MAKING,

Ingredients. — 31b. honey, 31b. flour, loz.
powdered ammonia, a small teaspoonful of
ground cinnamon, half-teaspoonful of
ground cloves, 6oz. orange peel cut very
small, 4oz. sweet almonds cut small.

Direction©. — Pour the honey in a copper
or enamelled pan, and set on a stove, or
quick fire. When it boils, draw it aside
and remove the scum (as honey boils up
very quickly, great care must be taken not
to let it boil over). Then pour the honey
into the vessel in whi^h the paste is to be
made ; leave it to cool ; then add flour and
other ingredients, except the ammonia,
which latter must not be added till the
flour and honey has been mixed up, and
the paste has become quite cold. In pre-
paring for use, place the ammonia in a
cup, pour on a few drops of cold water and
stir it well, so as to form a thick paste,
then mix it up with the rest. Then take
a piece of the paste, roll it out into a cake

18

TIJE BRITISJH BEE JOtTUNAL. [Jan. 11, 1906.

not over a ^-inch tliick, and cut up into
convenient sizes as desired. This done,
put cakes on a flat tin (wliich must be
greased beforehand), and bake from twelve
to fifteen minutes in a hot oven.

BEE-KEEPING.

HOW TO ACHIEVE StrcCESS.

[Contihu d from page 10 )

There are one or two more points to be
dealt with before concluding this series of
articles, and that most applicable to the
present time is: —

Wintering Bees, which means preparing
them for the season of rest. Very much
depends upon the care and attention given
in the autumn to our hives and their in-
mates so far as ensuring whether the bees
will eventually come out in the following
spring in a strong healthy condition and
be likely to ensure .success. First, then,
all frames not covered with bees should
be removed, and any stock in which the
bees at this period d onot well cover seven
or eight frames should be streitgthened
by adding either bees from weak but
healthy hives or giving a di'iven lot from
a skep, which latter is easily obtainable
at this season. It is false policy to ex-
pect stocks found weak in autumn to
stand the winter well and come out strong
in the new year, even with the greatest
attention to their well-doing. Having
got the bees into a suitable space, the next
jDoint is to trace out whether or not the
queen is perfectly satisfactory in all re-
spects, to head the colony in the coming
year. If this be at all doubtful lose no
time in replacing her with a queen worth
having. Attention must also be given to
the food supply ; 20 lb. to 25 lb. of sealed
stores are necessary, and this weight of
food, supplemented with a large cake of
soft candy, will relieve the bee-keeper's
mind on this point. If less than the
amount stated is found in the combs give
thick syrup (made as per " Guide Book "
recipe) as rapidly as possible, taking
care to feed only after sunset to avoid
risks of " robbing " being started. This is
most important at this season, because a
hive badly robbed is thrown back almost
hopelessly in the process, but often the
whole ajjiary gets disorganised for weeks
through the upset caused. Aim to get the
above iterus attended to by the end of
September at the latest. Hives having
more than enough natural stores can be
relieved of a part of the surplus, if de-
sired, for the benefit of those less well
supplied, as, in my opinion, natural stores
are pre-eminently the best to winter bees
on. In " robbing Peter to pay Paul,"
however, be sure that "Peter" is in good
health, seeing that only disaster must

follow if honey from an unhealthy stock
is given to a sound one.

After feeding is completed^ place an
empty comb in the centre of brood-cham-
ber for the bees to cluster upon ; then
lift the body-box and sv.'eep the floor board
clean of all debris ; place the candy cake
mentioned above on top of frames, quilt
snugly down, and when the we:i'ihei tur.i?
cold reduce width of entrance to 2 in.
With regard to winter packing, I use none
save on top, and up to the eiid of year I
consider three fairly thick quilts enough
covering overhead ; after thah ante four or
five are desirable, and a shei->t or two of
newspaper or similar material should be
placed on top, and well tucked down at
the sides to prevent escape of heat. Should
the weather become very severe as spring
approaches, reduce entrance to an inch
or less and add more packing on top. At
such times a large portion of the soft
goods belonging to one's household usually
vanish mysteriously where a large apiary
is kept, and only reappear when they have
served the purpose desired and the
weather has taken a favourable turn,' so
that no risk is run by their removal.

Appliance?.. — Referring to these, I do
not believe in straw skeps as homes for
bees, nevertheless, I prefer skeps to
cheese-boxes, lard-tubs, and the like for
bee-hives. Suppose, for instance, we want
the bees driven out for any purpose ; it
is comparatively an easy matter to drive
them from a skep, but such other make-
shifts for hives as lard-tubs and the like
are, to my mind, an intolerable nuisance,
and should be avoided, especially as a
permanent home for bees. Frame-hives
are admittedly far and away the best for
all practical purposes in modem bee-
keeping, and with so many good hives on
the market the gpod points of which are
fully set out in the catalogues of various
dealers so that description here may be
dispensed with. One point, however,
must not be overlooked — viz., the necessity
for interchangeability of all parts of all
hives in the apiary. Nothing looks nicer
than to see all hives of one pattern on oDne
location, but interchaneeability of parts
is so indispensable for comfort and effi-
ciency in working that it takes precedence
over all others. For hive-making no tim-
ber is really suitable but good seasoned
jiine, free from knots and shakes. I have
now in my apiary a few hives bought
ten or twelve years ago froni one supposed
to be a good man in the trade that have
been an eyesore to me for years, and some
day I shall assuredly go for the lot
and boil syrup with them ! It is better
to pay a fair price for a good article than
to be tempted to invest in cheap (and
nasty) ones. Home-made hives are all

Jan. 11, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

19

very well if the bee-keeper is a good ama-
teur joiner, with, a well-made hive as a
pattern ; but I find the home product in
most cases lacks somethino; in actual work.
Still they do very well in their way.
Second-hand hives and appliances I cannot
recommend, having in view the prevalence
of foul brood throughout the kingdom. My
advice is, mt,n no risks and start with new
hives and appliances only.

Bee-Diseases. — A few lines on this sub-
ject will bring my remarks on "How to
Achieve Sueess " to an end. One of the
first elements for ensuring success is
that every bee-keeper should thoroughly
acquaint himself with such reliable infor-
mation as is obtainable regarding the bee-
disease known as foul brood. The man
who says, " I never had foul brood among
my bees and don't want to know any-
thing about it," is as one 'working in the
dark. Moreover, should his bees contract
the disease they will 'orobably have it so
bad before the truth becomes apparent,
that it simply means ruin to his apiary.
On the other hand, the man who acquires
some knowledge of bacillus alvei will, on
discovering an outbreak in its incipient
stage, take especial care that it never gets
beyond that point. The latter is on the
way to achieve success in bee-keeping ; but
the other, of which I know many in real
life, is a standing danger, not only to him-
self as a beekeeper, but also to the bee-
community at large.

It is now so common a thing to hear in-
dividuals talk of there being no foul
brod in districts where the disease is more
or less rampant, that it becomes in many
cases mere idle talk of people who have
no real means of knowing. As a .^matter
of fact, so far as my experience goes,
there are few (even comparatively) places
where no foul brood is to be found, and
in many places it exists without those
whose bees are affected being aware of the
fact, so that no one is safe, for it appears
like a thief in the night, and none know
from whence it comes. The only wise
course, therefore, is, as I have said, to
become acquainted with its appearance. It
is easily recognised, the yellowish, out-of
its-proper-position look of the young larva
being so plain that there need be no mis
take if the disease is there ; and as it
advances the dark, sunken, and often per-
forated cappings of the brood-cells plainly
indicates its insidious progress as it
reaches the brown sticky mass of the last
stage of rottenness. Smell is no certain
test, and cannot be relied upon, but the
brown coffee-coloured contents of cells
in a badly-diseased comb once known is
unmistakable. Never permit a hive to
be without some disinfectant, and imme-
diately an outbreak is detected get the
bees off the combs and into a clean hive.

burn the infected combs, and thoroughly
disinfect the old hives and put it on one
side open to the air for some months.
If bees are very weak in numbers burn
them as well. If, however, they are
strong, so soon as they are off the diseased
combs requeen them. This, in my
opinion, is an important item. As a means
of combating the disease everything should
be done to increase the vigour and
strength of our bees ; failing queens pro
duce low vitality in our stocks. Want of
cleanliness and unwholesome food are sure
means of producing disease. Finally,
always keep a written note of the condi'
tion of all stocks for future reference.

^mm and flfpli^s.

[3989.] Alleged Damage to Cucumbers by
Bees. — having taken your valuable paper,
The British Bee Journal, for some
years, I should be glad of some informa-.
tion respecting the following: — I have
twelve stocks of bees located in a field
in a village six miles from Norwich, and.
within two fields from my bees are the
glasshouses of a well-known tomato and
cucumber grower, who alleges that owing
to the bees getting into the houses his
cucumbers grew very badly, and with
" blob " or enlarged ends, and were in con-
sequence unfit for market. He has
given me notice that he shall put poison
about for the bees this spring and sum-
mer, and thus destroy them. I am in-
clined to think this is not caused by the
bees at all, but should like your opinion
on the matter, also to know what my
remedy is? — G. H. S., Norwich, January 8.

Reply. — The case (either way) is one for
the judge before whom the matter came for
decision. Nor is it easy to suggest a
remedy for damage to cucumbers by bees, or
damage to bees by poison, till such damage
has been proved. You had better await
further developments of the threatened
poisoning- of your bees before taking ac-
tion, and then consult a solicitor if the
need ai'ises.

[3990.] Bees Building Comb in Candy-
hoxcs. — When examining my hives on
December 27, to replace empty candy-
boxes with full ones, I found the nearly
emptied candy-boxes on two hives each
filled with a couple of jneces of worked-
out comb. Is not this rather unusual at
this period of the year ? In one nucleus
which contains a small lot of bees to
winter a queen, I found a small patch of
brood ready for sealing. As the weather
has been so mild and the bees have been
confined for so few days, I concluded it
was conducive to early breeding, but as it

20

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Jan. 11, 1906.

is the first time I have known the bees
do it so early, I should be pleased to have
your opinion.— J. D. W., Wolverhampton.

Reply. — There is nothing unusual in
what the bees have done. In fact, if stocks
are strong the bees usually build comb in
boxes after consuming the candy.

[3991.] Keeping Bees near Pigstyes. — Will
you kindly give me a line or two of reply in
B.B.J, to the following? 1. I have three
hives of bees in my garden which, so far
as I know, are healthy, but, as a neigh-
bour of mine is erecting a piggery in his
garden, about fifteen yards from the bees,
do you think that any offensive smell from
same will injure the bees in any way? 2.
Is it likely that the bees when dis-
turbed will attack the pigs and ,so be-
come a nuisance to my neighbour? I
could remove the hives to a field half a
mile away if forced to do so, which would
be more exposed and not so convenient.
I enclose name, etc., for reference, and
sign myself — Anxious One, N.B.

Reply. — 1. There need be no fear of
harm to the health of bees from the
proximity of pigsty. 2. The last-named
position depends largely on the bee-keeper
himself. We had a large apiary for
nearly twenty-five years with a pigsty
within thirty yards of our bees, and never
any trouble arose. But anyone who pre-
pares for such things and takes proper
precautions may avoid troubles such as
you name.

Notices to Correspondents & Inquirers.

(Rev.) H. E. (Ashford).— Bees and Candy
—1. The habit bees have of building
comb in candy-boxes is dealt with in
this issue. 2. It by no means follows
that bees are not in want of food be-
cause of using the candy for comb-
building, but simply results from the rise
of temperature in the candy-box, along
with abundance of food in the latter,
and the fact that food and warmth ex-
cite the comb-building impulse of the
bees.

G. I. H. (Croydon). — Observatory Hives.
— We rather doubt your having seen
either of the principals of the firm
named, or the use of the three grooves
mentioned would have been explained
to you better than we can on paper, and
without having the hive before us. Send
us a line on postcard, please, to clear
up the point named.

Carbon (Co. Durham). — It is very good of
you to take such trouble in preparing
finished sketches for the purpose of
illustrating your views against the need
for slips of wood between outside frames
and hive sides where the " W. B. C."

metal end is used. But you may take
it from us that the trouble feared will
not arise. The mere fact of there being
thousands of hives in use without any
fault-finding on the part of users should
be a complete answer to the question
asked.
F. Jar VIS (North Bucks). — Alterations in
Hives and Frames. — While thanking
you for sending sketches of the top-bar
and arrangement of frames in the hives
you prefer, we confess ourselves still
unable to see any advantage in occupy-
ing space and incurring cost of blocks
to illustrate the alleged advantage
claimed for a 15f in. top-bar over the
"standard." In the same way, we can-
not accept your view that " anyone using
a fourteen or fifteen-frame hive would
never again use. a ten-frame one." We
entirely agree that every reader of our
journal should be perfectly free to
use hives of any shape or capacity he
may prefer, -but must draw the line at
illustrating and encouraging ideas that
we consider directly retrograde. With
regard to the " Claustral hive and de-
tention chamber," we can only repeat
what appears in our footnote on page
514 of B.B.J, of December 28.
G. Bland (Derbyshire). — Bee-Flowers. —
Mr. Geo. Rose, Great Charlotte Street,
Liverpool, has a list of bee-flowers kept
in stock by himself, which will no doubt
be sent on application.
W. H. P. (Bristol).— Faulty Comb Founda^
tion.- — The sample sent is extremely soft
and, in consequence, is suggestive of
adulteration. We should advise you to
change your dealer and buy only from a
reputable firm, whose goods are of guar-
anteed quality.
N. J. (Hunts). — Feeding Bees in Skeps. —
1. To pour three tablespoonfuls of liquid
honey in at the feed-hole of a stocked
skep on the 3rd of this month was about
as injudicious an act as could bo
imagined for a bee-man of any experi-
ence, especially if, as you say, it was
" a sunny day, with all the bees flying
freely " in thfe apiary in question. 2.
The mistake was made worse bv the fact
of there being very few bees flying from
the skep, while all the other hives were
busy.
F. J. (Mountmellick). — The " Chapman "
Honey Plant. — The plant is an annual,
and as plenty of seedlings will be found-
coming up from self-sown seed (as in
your case) in gardens where grown, they
may be planted out in April for bloom-
ing next autumn.

*^^* Some Qturies and Meplies, (fee, are itn-
avovdahhj held over till next week.

Jan. 18, 1906.1 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

21

DEVON BEEKEEPERS' ASSOCIATION.

AXNUAL MEETING.

The eighth annual genei'al meeting was
Jield at Exeter on the 12th inst., the chair
being taken by Col. Walker. Amongst
those present were : — Miss Pittis, Messrs.
Bui-gess, Farrant, Furse, Godsland, Goss,
Parrish, Shoemack, Smith, Squire, and
Scholefield.

The report and balance sheet were
adopted.

The report showed that during the past
twelve months seventy-three members had
joined the Association, tliirty-three had
resigned, and seventy-one had been struck
off as in default with their subscriptions,
so that the present strength was 330,
against 361 at the end of 1904. It should
be stated, however, that luider recent de-
cision of the Council, thirty-five of these
defaulters were struck off in the current
year instead of being carried forward as on
the strength, otherwise there would have
been a gain of four members to reisort. The
accounts showed a small balance to credit.

The second entire visitation of the
county by certificated experts employed
under the County Council grant was com-
pleted last spring, the tour starting on the
l7th April, and the entire time paid for
being exactly nineteen weeks. On com-
paring the resixlts of these two visitations,
the information as given by the experts
employed showed that while the number of
the apiaries actually inspected in each is
almost identical, 7,279 in 1904-5, 6,714 in
1902-3, the number of straw skejos have
decreased by forty-three, and frame hives
have increased by 608, to a total of 4,032.

The number of aoiaries infected with
foul brood has slightly increased, amount-
ing now to 18.1 per cent., against 16.2 per
cent. It should be remembered that the
half of Devon visited in 1904 could not be
revisited in the tour of 1905, which was
designed to complete the visitation of the
county, so that the possible effects of the
tour of 1904 in diminishing foul brood are
not to be gathered from the results of the
information obtained from the experts.
But in any case, the general result bear.*
out the view maintained for some years
past by the Council that nothing short of
compulsory powers of destraction in pro-
nounced cases of disease will ever be
effectual. In consequence of the withhold-
ing of the County Council grant, a resolu-
tion was passed that only those members
subscribing 5s. or upwards should be en-
titled to a free visit from an expert.

The president and vice-presidents were
re-elected, and the Council formed for the
year, Mr. F. P. Smith being elected hon.

treasurer, and Mr. A. S. Parrish hon.

secretary.

A vote of thanks to the Mayor of Exeter
for kindly allowing the Association the use
of the Guildhall for their meetings, to Mr.
Boundy for auditing the accounts, and to
the chairman. Col. Walker, concluded the
business of the meeting.

WORCESTERSHIRE B.K.A.

ANNUAL MEETING.

The annual meeting was held at the
Shire Hall, Worcester, on January 13, but
there was a very small attendance, owing to
the state of the atmosphere (political) prob-
ably. The Rev. J. Bowstead Wilson was in
the chair, and there were present Miss
A. Z. Hunt, Dr. E. Walpole Simmons,
Messrs. J. S. Bailey, F. W. Barnard, G.
Bracken, J. T. Brierley, H. Brooks, E,
Corbett, W. H. Hooper, E. A. Millward,
A. R. Moreton, J. P. Phillips, J. Price,
and others. The report of the committee,
and that of the treasurer, which showed
a balance in hand of about £13, was
passed.

The Earl of Coventry was re-elected Pre-
sident, and the Vice-Presidents were re-
elected, with the addition of Earl Beau-
champ, Lord Sandys, and Mr. Richard
Cadbury. The various officers were re-
appointed, and Messrs. Bracken and Brier-
ley added to the committee in place of two
members who resigned. It was resolved to
form a librai-y of works on bees and bee-
keeping for the use of members, details
being left to the committee. The third-
class expert certificate was presented to
Mr. J. S. Bailey, but the members who had
gained the medals and three other certifi-
cates were unable to be present. A grant
of £1 was made to the fund for the expenses
of Mr. G. P. Saunders in endeavouring to
obtain legislation for the prevention of
foul brood.— John P. Phillips, Hon. Sec.
W.B.K.A., Spetchley, January 15.

^arm^m&mct.

The Editors do not hold thcmselvM responsible for tht
opinions expressed by correspondents. No notics will
be taken of anonymous communications, and corre-
spondents are requested to write on one stde of the paper
only and give their real names and addresses, ru>t neees-
sarilyfor publication, but as a guarantee of good faith.
Illustrations should be drawn on separate pieces »f pap»r.
We do not undertake to return rejected comnMnicati(m».

NOTES BY THE WAY.
[6169.] The weather keeps mild and
open, but a heavy rainfall since the new
year came in will add to our stores of
water and relieve stockmasters of a con-
siderable expense in carting water in some
districts. A few bees have been on the

22

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Jan. 18, 1906.

wing whenever tempted out by the sun-
shine, and I have noticed a few visiting the
watering-plaoes ; this points to early
breeding.

After the late heavy rains, do not forget
to see to condition of quilts and wraps in-
side hives ; this is important for the well-
being of the stock, as we may get a long
spell of cold, frosty weather, and then the
wraps would be frozen into covens of icy
coldness, under which the colony, unless a
strong one, may perish. The wet wraps
must be replaced loj dry ones, and a cake
of candy may be given any day when the
bees are flying if extra food is required ;
but stocks that are well supplied and
housed in dry hives are best left alone for
some time to come. Any constructive work
that bee-keepers intend doing now ready
for the coming season should be pushed on
with especially by those among us who have
large gardens to attend to, and only the
hours after ordinary labour is over in which
to do their bee-work. Those also who in-
tend to try some of the newest style of
hives, or are in need of other bee-goods,
should place their orders at once, so that
the maker may be able to fill in some of
his slack time, instead of waiting till the
busy days when things are wanted for im-
mediate use, and then possibly be disap-
pointed at the non-delivery. The same
truism applies all along the line, "Be
ready ! " Order early, and thus help the
manufacturer and yourself. Those who
run their apiaries for extracted honey, and
jar it off for their customers as required
from graniilated stock, should be very care-
ful when reliquefying it not to overheat
the honey, or the flavour will be spoiled,
and possibly trade lost in the future. A
good plan is to put the tin containinr< the
honey into a larger one, with water up to
equal height outside the tin to that of the
honey being melted, then gradually heat it
altogether, and as soon as the honey be-
comes warm and liquid around the sides
of the tin it should be stirred with a strong
spatula, so that the whole of the contents
can be jDut into the jars before the noney
becomes quite clear. This will meet the
wants of customers who prefer their honey
crystallised, as it will soon return to the
latter condition, perhaps not quite so
solid as before. If clear liquid honey is
wanted, continue the warming gradually,
Constantly moving the bulk so that all is
of about equal temperature. Do not raise
the temperature of the honey above
130 deg., or the aroma will be lost.

Your correspondent, Mr. Huxley, still
keeps pegging away for the G.W.R., nor
have I any objection to Mr. H. quoting
rates per ton, but I am amused at the
futility of his so doing. I still contend
that honey at owner's risk per goods train
should not bo charged at the same rate as

other goods for which the company is re-
sponsible for damage. If I have to bear
the loss by damage, why should it not be
carried as cheap as other goods at owner's
risk, even if other goods consist of scrap
iron? The exhibits thrown about at the
junction I mentioned were so well packed
that they received no damage. Our friend
is labouring under a mistake in saying that
I failed to press for my just due. I make
no false claims. The claims I have made
in the past were before the railway com-
panies combined to discontinue their re-
sponsibility for damage, so " J. H. " fails
on that point. — ^W. Woodley, Beedon,
Newbury.

[We will be glad if the discussion on the
above is now allowed to close. — Eds.]

THE INSTINCT OF SELF-SACRIFICE
IN APIS MELLIFICA.
[6170.] Recently, in the journal of the
Alsace-Lorraine Bee-keepers' Association,
there was an account of an experiment
made by Dr. Biittel-Reepen, a well-known
German scientific wi'iter on bee matters,
which was designed to test the often re-
ported devotion to their queen displayed,
under circumstances of sore trial, by the
workers of the hive. The queen with
about a hundred attendants were confined
in a box suitable for observation and con-
taining but little food. In forty-eight
hours signs of feebleness were' apparent.
Two days later all but four of the workers
had died, the queen being still vigorous.
Soon only one worker was left alive, and
she, though no longer able to stand up,
was seen trying to bestow a last droplet of
honey on the queen, who came to her beg-
ging to be fed. An hour later the worker
had i>erished, and the mother bee was still
walking briskly to and fro. A piteous
tale : let us hope that the doctor's scientific
curiosity is satisfied.

Few of Nature's mysteries can be more
interesting than the evolution of the honey-
bee. Wonderful that a solitary insect
content with one or two romid honey-pots
should become master of an architecture
at once symmetrical and adapted to any
situation. Marvellous that the simple in-
stinct of self-preservation common to all
creation should, in the interest of the com-
munity, receive so varied a development,
and that, curiously intensified in the per-
son of the queen, in the worker it should
have been so far diverted into another
channel as to present in certain cases the
appearance of self-sacrifice.

The least observant of bee-keepers must
have noticed how careful of her own safety
is the mother bee, and how unwillingly she
leaves the shelter of the combs. Gifted
with efficient stingine powers she cannot
be induced to run the risk of using them

Jan. 18, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

23

except for urgent domestic reasons. Nay,
more, Huber reported several instances of
rival queens struggling for advantage in
combat having hastily separated when
their position appeared to involve mutual
destruction. On the other hand, although
not only species, but, on close observation,
individuals will be found to vary in dis>-
position, or what one is tempted to term
mental and moral characteristics, the
worker bee can never be accused of want-
ing courage. Apart from such instances
of devotion as that recorded above, she
readily risks her life for the public bene-
fit. Yet we should err, if, with our fore-
fathers, we were to attribute to her a sen-
timent of filial devotion, seeing that
throughout the animal world, even where
in early days the progeny has been de-
pendent upon the parent for sustenance,
there is no reason to believe that such a
feeling, if indeed it ever existed, outlasts
the period of dependency. The desire to
preserve the mother bee must be purely
instinctive.

Let us look a little further into the ques-
tion of self-sacrifice. How does the
worker's life end? Obviously the mor-
tality of the hive is very gi'eat, though little
noticed by the bee-keeper, who knows that
however many may die. the population will
not fail. He can only tell you that of the
vast number who disapjaear, very few die
inside the hive, and' that sooner than re-
main as an offence, the maimed and de-
crepid will struggle forth and fall helpless
to the ground. What becomes of all the
others that vanish ? In the year 1880.
a letter from Mr. J. A. Luby, C.E.,
was published in the Proceedings
of the * Royal Dublin Society, in
which he sought to show that not
only does " self-expatriation and (self)
casting forth to die when they become
aware that their days are niimbered," ob-
tain at all times amongst workers, but that
the act is " shared in by the young, and
able, as well as the old and decrepid." I
will try to explain how Mr. Luby aiTived
at this conclusion, with which, after having
long borne the matter in mind, I agree.

He had noticed from time to time ragged,
old-*lookiaig workers, laden with pollen,
who, after once or twice, missiaig the
alighting board, rose up, and without more
ado, sailed straight away on a heavy-
winged flight, and in these instances he
convinced himself that the bee did not re-
tiu'n. This led him to make experiments
in winter. In the autumn of 1876 he had
thirteen strong colonies in straw hives.
Of these he brought eight into a room
which had no fireplace, but was otherwise
kept at a moderate even temperature, and
placed each of them over an empty wine
case, provided with shuttered observation
panes at the ends, and a door with per-

forated zinc slide, the hive itself sitanding
on a loose board, in which a hole had been
made to match its interior diameter. In
various ways all but two hives were kept
in complete darkness: the latter stood
opposite to the window in a N.-W. light.
In the darkened hives complete quiet
obtained throughout the winter, except
when "an occasional hollow tap" was
heard on the floor of the box, caused by the
fall of a dead bee from the combs. In the
other two a bee occasionally left the clus-
ter and flew I'ound and round the case,
trying every cranny for exit, and although
in its gyrations it would sometimes strike
the bottom of the cluster, it never rejoined
it, but in the end died on the floor. To
test the intentions of these bees the room
window was opened and the zinc slides of
the case removed, when, in every case, al-
though in a strange locality, the bee flew
straight away over the housetops and never
returned, nor did it seek the old stand
where, so as to test this point, hives had
been placed. The smallest streak of
light was found sufficient to keep
up this occasional departure ; on
the other hand, when hives were
aroused by extra light or by tapping
several bees would issue, and these did
betake tliemselves to the old stand.

Of the hives left outside two were pro-
vided with boxes, and the others had zinc
slides to their usual entrances, which were
closed except in fine weather. The general
result was precisely as indoors. It was
also noticed that the bees that died, un-
able to' get out, were old and had filled
themselves with honev. " I did not find,"
writes Mr. Luby, " that cold weather, so
long as it was dry, restrained the bees from
coming forth, or trying to, in the manner
I have described. Now it is well known
that bees, when they come out of their hive
in winter, time for amusement or sanitary
purposes, never go far from the hive ; they
content themselves with wheeling about
and darting hither and thither in the im-
mediate vicinity. But what did these bees
mean by darting awav, high in the air at
top speed, straight as an arrow's flight;
with iierchance the thermometer standing
at about zero ? "

" I need not detail how I now closed all
these four hives simultaneously on a bee
issuing or being let forth, now opened one
and closed the i-est. etc, etc. The result
was tbe same in all cases, these bees never
returned. I may say that I always chose
a day for observation that was not fine
enough to tempt bees out,- but that yet
was dry.

"I will end by detailing the different

mode in which the bee that gets out freely

(doors being open) acts, from one that is

detained inside for some minutes ere it is

1 let forth. The latter, on being liberated,

24

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Jan. 18, 1906.

behaves like the bees I have mentioned in
the case of the hives exposed to the light
inside the house — simply darting off with-
out one look behind — the former, on the
other hand, runs down the flight board,
starts quietly off it. gives one turn round
the front of the hive as if to take a last
look, the next wheel begins a drawn-out
spiral, taking a half-turn, of which it at-
tains a tolerably high elevation over the
hive. With the commencement of this turn
upwards, the bee begins a peculiar moan-
ing sort of hum, quite unlike any ordinary
sound, it increases to a roar, and as the
bee, now having attained sufficient eleva-
tion, sails away in a straight, steady,
laden-looking flight, it can be heard for a
considerable distance.

" Over the treetops it has vanished.
Shut the doors ! Does it come back ? No !
It has gone to seek ' the happy hunting
grounds.' "

So far Mr. Luby of the worker. What
of the drone ? Sauntering through the
little span that Nature has made so smooth
for him, he lives well, keeps himself strong
and lusty, and if f a/te so decree diesi in brief
matrimonial ecstasy. No hero he ; yet on
occasion you shall find him cut the thread
of life as resolutely as his Amazonian
sister.

It was the close of September. The
nights had grown cool ; serious bee-work
was at an end • and in my observatory hive
for the last two days the meny game of
drone-baiting had been at full swing. To-
wards evening I went to the library to have
a last look round. The bees had drawn
within ; all but one outcast drone who
stood in the glass-covered passage leading
to the window, chilled and motionless. In
sorrow for my sex, I came to his rescue,
and having warmed him into full vigour
between my hands, T3ut him back and
watched, wondering what he would do. On
one hand the cosy well-stored combs ; on
the other chilly autumn night. Would he
creep in?

A moment's hesitation. Tlien the drone,
mindful, as I like to think, of intolerable
indignities, turned to the window, ana
bustling forth with manly hum was lost in
the darkening eky.— H. J. 0. Walker
(Lt.-Col.).

SUBDUING VICIOUS BEES.

[6171.] Referring to the article by
" D. M. M. " in your issue of December 28
(page 511) on " Vicious Bees," let me say
if any reader would like to try the remedy
advised for dealing with them — i.e., using
old propoUsed quilts for smoker's fuel —
let me say, be careful. One afternoon in
June last year I had occasion to manipulate
some half-dozen of my hives, and went
about the task as usual, charging my

smoker with brown paper and rotten wood.
When all was finished I had just time to
fulfil a promise to put a super on a hive
for a widow in our village, but on looking
at my smoker I found the fuel nearly ex-
hausted, and, having no more at hand, I
tore, off a few scraps of a disused quilt, and
as a trial put these in the smoker before
starting on my errand. There was propolis
only one one side of the quilt used, with
perhaps the remains of a brace comb. My
neighbour's place was only two minutes'
walk from my own hives, and when I got
there the smoker was well alight. I had a
look first to see how the brood-chamber of
the hive in question fared. I had moved
about half the combs when suddenly some-
thing went wrong with the bees. I used
more smoke in an attempt to quieten them,
then more still, but the more smoke I used
the more unmanageable they became. Sud-
denly I noticed the strong smell of the
burning propolis, and as the viciousness
increased I dropped the smoker hurriedly,
set the frames in order as best I could,
put on the super, covered up' and decamped
as fast as my legs would carry me. It
seemed as if the smell of the burning pro-
polis infuriated the bees, and made them
quite beyond control.

No doubt it would often be convenient to
use old quilts in this way, as they are
generally handy just when wanted ; but be-
fore doing it again I should like to have
the experience of some other bee-keepers
who have tried this material for subduing
vicious bees. — J. G., Cranbrook, Kent.

RAILWAY RATES FOR HONEY.

A SATISrACTOEY SEQUEL.

[6172.] I write to thank you for kindly
inserting my letter on December 20, 1905,
re the high railway rates for honey. To-day
I satisfied myself that there is, ias our
friend J. Huxley suggests, a lower scale
of rates for the carriage of honey on the
S.E. and C. Railway, and beg to thank him
for his advice. Although the railway official
did not inform me of these charges when
the honey was despatched, he " comforted "
me afterwards by saying that the company
had charged me on the " highest scale,''
and that their share (to London) was only
8d.

The above instance (which I shall bear
in mind in future) proves the usefulness
of your valuable journal for the mutual
benefit of its bee-keeping readers. To con-
clude, let me wish Mr. H. and yourselves,
Messrs. Editors, all jDrosperity in the new
year and coming bee season, and, although
these greetings are somewhat belated, they
are no less sincere. — Geo. F. Sandees.

[(Corresjjondence continued on page 26.)

Jan. 18, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

25

HOMES OF THE HONEY BEE.

THE APIARIES OF OTJB READERS.

We are very pleased to illustrate belpw
the neatly-kept bee-garden, (along with
himself) of so worthy and valuable a
helper in the cause we serve as our friend,
Mr. Mackinder. The modest account,
given by himself, of his labours on behalf
of the bee industry needs no addition from
us, except to express a hope that he mav
be long spared to make " converts," who
will, like the others, prove good and use-
ful recruits to the craft. He says : —

" As requested, I will try and give a few
details of my bee-keeping, about which
much might be written, as my early experi-
ence harks back to the seventies. My in-

alas! my first lot of bees soon died from
exposure, through constantly opening the
hive. I determined^ however, to start
again, and in the following spring pur-
chased a strong skep, and transferred them
to the frame hive, from which I obtained
my first honey, and from that time my
stock increased rapidly till I had got half
a dozen hives, which was as many as my
small garden would accommodate. Up to
this time I knew nothing of bee associa-
tions or of a bee journal, so I advertised
bees for sale in a Notts paper, and Mr. A.
G. Pugh, Hon. Sec. to the N.B.K.A. at
that time answered my advertisement, not
to buy bees, but to invite me to become a
member of the association. Eventually
Mr. Pugh paid me a visit, and gave me

MK. R. MACICINDER'S APIARY, NEWARK, NOTTINGHAMSHIRE.

terest in the craft was first thoroughly
awakened at a village flower shQ.w, when a
lecture and demonstration with bees was
given by Mr. Tom Sells. I was so aston-
ished by the way the bees were driven and
handled by the lecturer that I determined
to go home and try to do likewise. An old
skeppist in the village where I then lived
(only seven miles from my present home)
promised me his bees instead of resorting
to the sulphur pit, and within a month of
seeing it done, I successfully drove my first
ekep. Meantime I had purchased a frame
hive, into which I put the bees, thus start-
ing my new-found hobby, and my fond-
ness for it is just as strong with me to-day.
(I might here say that the old man men-
tioned above also took to the bar-frame
hives in preference to his ekeps.) But,

some useful instruction that I have never
forgotten. He also induced me to join the
association, and for many years I have
acted as district secretary. During
that time I have made many converts
to the craft, some of whom have become
experts ; one of them, I am proud to say,
now holds the first class certificate of the
B.B.K A. , and is one of the foremost ex-
perts of the day. I refer to Mr. Wm.
Herrod, who when reading these lines will
no doubt remember his first lesson. I have
not aspired tO' a certificate myself, but
have a son who holds a third class.

" With regard to my success as a honey
producer. I have never been favoured in
Notts with large takes of surplus. I work
mainly for extracted honey, and this year
in the medium or dark class, at our annual

26

THE BRITISH BEE JOtTRNAL. [Jan. 18, 1906.

show held at Southwell I took first prize.
The number of hives in the accompanying
photo, is fourteen, but sometimes I have
twenty or twenty five. I am frequejitly
starting fresh recruits in the pursuit, and
tliis season I have supplied four gentlemen
of position with six stocks complete, three
of which yielded good results. I still
take our old friend the B.B..J. every week,
and should not like to be without it."

COBRESPON DENGE.
{Continued from page 24.)
BEE NOTES FROM ESSEX.

[6173.] Bee Paralysis. — The article deal-
ing with paralysis in bees, B.B.J. , January
4 (page 7), is very interesting, and should
be useful to British bee-keepers at home,
for although the conditions in Australia
differ greatly from those prevailing in Eng-
land, there should be no difference in the
results when applying a remedy for the pur-
pose of curing bees of this disease. For
myself, I may say that during my twenty-
five years bee-keeping, I can only remember
having had two bad cases of paralysis in
my apiary, and in each of these the symp-
toms are correctly given in the paper re-
ferred to above.

An Australian bee-keeper (a native of
this parish), who was over here holiday mak-
ing a few years back, told me that the class
of bee-keepers out there corresponding
with our skeppists simply get a used
grocer's packing box when honey is wanted,
turn up the box already occupied by bees,
drum the latter out, and leave them to
establish themselves in the empty box.
This the driven bees are usually able to
do, honey being obtainable in varying
quantities in the different seasons of the
year. ,

The Standard Frame. — I note that the
Council of the B.B.K.A. are considering
the desirability of improving the
" standard " frame. No doubt a real need
of change must be proved before making
any alteration, and if practical experience
is of any value, I have handled some
thousands of these frames, and have only
seen five or six that had dropped, or sagged,
in the centre through weakness. Not only
so, but where it occurred, the weakness was
due to a defect in the wood. At the same
time, I am in favour of a wider top-bar,
preferring a frame 1 l-16th inch wide, with
the bottom bar § inch narrower ; this I
find is a more useful and stronger frame,
and any addition to the thickness of the
present standard bar is quite unnecessary.
The saw-cut in the top bar is almost a
necessity to the bee-keeper who is in a
hurry, but I think that preference should be
given to a bar that is grooved only* I say

this, because, although a grooved bar has
the one disadvantage at the start, faults of
various kinds are continually asserting
themselves in connection with the saw-cut,
such as harbouring wax-moth, brace-combs
attached to supers, and still more often,
weakness caused by splitting the bar, etc.
With regard to the width of the lib. sec-
tions, my experience of these is that the
1 15-16th inch wide is the correct size. In
1904 I had a dozen of the 2-inch width,
averaging considerably over lib. each, some
of them weighing nineteen, eighteen and a
half ounces, and so on. — W. Lovedat, Hat-
field Heath, Harlow.

DAMAGE TO CUCUMBERS BY BEES.
[6174.] With regard to the damage to
cucumbers, and the threatened conse-
quences from same, I think it possible that
a little information may perhaps dissipate
the trouble of your correspondent,
" G. H. S. " (3989, page 19), and also the
cucumber grower whose produce is injured
by the bees. May I. therefore, be allowed
to say : The cucumber is a dioecious plant
— i.e., one that bears male and female
organs on different flowers, and bees, in
collecting pollen, visit both kinds, and in
doing this the female flowers are fertilised
and bear seed. It is well known that this
is going on throughout all nature, but in
this particular case the market-man does
not want seed (seed-growing is a special
line), but good, straight cucumbers, and the
fertilisation spoils them. The remedy is
easy, and is adopted by all advanced
growers. He should shade his houses, not
open the ventilators or leave his doors
open, and his trouble is ended. But if be
puts poison about, " G. H. S. " need have
no fear for his bees, as he* will find them
" not taking any.'' — Geo. Wall, Weald-
stone, January 13.

BEE NOTES FROM WORCESTERSHIRE

[6175.] When entering my garden on the
morning of Thursday last it made one
almost wonder if it was really the first
►week of January or a warm day in April,
for, what with the warmth, the bright sun-
shine, and the merry hiim of the bees over-
head, it was more like summer than winter.
From every hive the bees were out in large
numbers, simply revelling in the oppor-
tunity afforded them for an airing flight.
A bee-keeper friend who called told me he
had seen numerous bees buzzing past him
out in the fields a mile at least from any
apiary busily exploring the district in
search of bee-forage plants. Should you
not call this a good district for bee-keeping,
seeing that I am situated in the midst of

Jan. 18, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

27

fruit orchards and flower-gardening neigh-
bourhood, with acres of wallflowers, etc.,
yielding early pollen in abundance, fol-
lowed by the plentiful bloom in large plan-
tations of friut trees. There are also fields
of beans and a few acres of sainfoin three-
quarters of a mile away. Seeing that in
addition a fair amount of white clover is
grown in the fields and on roadsides, I
think it might be classed an ideal bee-
district from a beginner's point of view,
and I may fairly class myself as such,
having only started with frame-hives in
1904 without any previous knowledge
A*hatever of their management. The year
1905, however, found me possessed of a
" Guide Book " (Cowan's, of course), which
book I regard as a great boon to every be-
ginJier in bee-keeping. With its help I
determined to get my bees on to standard
frames in proper hives, and I now have
seiven stocks, four of which were put
straight last year ; the other three will be
dealt with in the same way during the cur-
rent season.

I had a very poor take of surplus-honey
last year, no doubt owing to the bees being
pulled about to get them into proper work-
able form, as they should be. My largest
" take " was about 40 lb. from one hive,
(while from the other five I only got 30 lb.
from the lot. Thanking you very much for
advice given me through the B.B.J, in the
past year, and wishing success to you and
all bee-keepers for 1906, I send name, etc.,
and sign Bees, Badsey, Evesham.

[We should call yours a capital bee
district. — Eds.]

-THE BEE-KEEPING EXPERIENCES

OF TWO YOUNG BEE-KEEPERS.

[6176.] The following is a short account
of our bee-keeping experiences, which we
thought might interest other yoimg bee-
keepers, if you think it suitable for insert-
ing in the B. B. J.

• t Since the mature age of eix or seven we
have both had a great love for bees ; though
we had never seen a bee hive except in pic-
tiires. From that time one of our chief ob-
jects in life was to be the proud poss^sssors
of a colony of bees ; and in order to attain
tliis end we dedicated our small plots of
garden to the growing of vegetables, etc.,
which we sold to mothex\ Probably our
youthful business methods were not very
good, for we did not get our first hive till
(in 1903) we were about 14 or 15. Since
then the number of our hives has increased
to four, and our interest in them is always
growing keener.

During the first year we left the bees
almost entirely to themselves, having a
natural dread of stings, but took seventeen
sections of comb-honey from our one
colony. In the meantime we had been

learning how to manage them from the
British Beekeeper's Guide Book ; and in
the spring of 1904 we tried to make an arti-
ficial swarm ; but failed to raise a queen
for the old stock, owing to bad. weather. We
had been deceived bv the fine weather in
the early part of May, and the supposed
great number of bees in the hive ; so we
got a weak swarm, and also greatly weak-
ened the strength of the parent istock.
However, in J-une we bought another lot,
and so finished 1904 with three stocks, but
not much honey. Our failure was probably
largely due to the fact that we opened the
hive and examined the bees too often, our
first dread of them having worn off.

In the spring of last year we started with
three strong stocks. One especially gave
promise of great things, and by the end of
May we had two supers on it. In June,
however, we went from home for about five
weeks, and while we were away this stock
swarmed. The- swarm was snccessfully
hived by the gardener, but, alas ! our hopes
were blighted so far as securing a large take
of honey. Up to then we had been trying
to prevent swarming in all stocks by re-
moving queen-cells, etc. However, from
the original thi'ee stocks we averaged about
thirty pounds per hive. Considering our
proximity to the city and our being away
during the chief honey-flow, we thought
this fairly good.

Last autumn we had another disappoint-
ment, when one stock developed foul
brood. It was rather a slight case, so we
tried to make an artificial swarm, accord-
ing to directions in the "Guide Book," but
when we opened the skep to introduce the
bees to the clean liive, we found them all
dead. This was. probably because we did
not cover the skep to protect it from the
wet. We also lost about thirty pounds of
honey when burning the combs, etc. We
are glad to say our three stocks all seem
healthy and promise well for getting
through the winter safely.

All our bees are hybrids, and last
autumn the strongest stock was very
vicious ; indeed, we nearly always got
stung when manipulating the hive, but
hope they will be more docile next season,
as neither apifuge nor smoke seemed to
pacify them at all. We thought they must
be queenless, but on examination found
plenty of eggs and brood in the combs.
By the way, one of our great difficulties
has been to find the queen when wanted.

The bees are fed both in autumn and
spring, and, so far, we have had no winter
losses. The hives are also cleaned and
painted each spring.

We always had some difficulty in making
good bee-candy, but lately have succeeded
much better by using more water, as_ in
Brother Colomban's recipe, and boiling
till the temperature is about 230 deg.

28

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Jan. 18, 1906.

to 235 deg. Fahr. This seems a fairly-
exact method of finding when the candy
is done. We follow the " Guide Book "
recipe in all other particulars.

As readers of the B'.B.J. since the be-
ginning of 1904, we find it a very great
help, but seeing that we have no bee-
keeping friends near, we had to learn a
good deal by rather bitter experience —
which, after all, is the best way.

Our chief sources of honey are clover,
lime, and chestnut ; but the fruit trees
are also useful for building up stocks in
the spring. We have not, however, suc-
seeded in getting the bees far enough for-
ward to obtain any super-honey from early
sources up to now. Our first honey last
year was from the chestnuts.

Last autumn we made a fixed cage ex-
tractor and a ripener, so next year we in-
tend to work partly for extracted honey.
Our honey is much sought after and seems
to be of good quality. It is our inten-
tion to increase our stocks to. about seven.
This will be as much as we can manage
in the time we have to spare from college
work.

Wishing the B.B.J, and all bee-keepers
a prosperous season in 1906. — Sarah M.
and G. Ralph Baker, London, N.W.

A BEGINNER'S FIRST REPORT.

[6177.] I am only a beginner with bees,
having started with one hive in March,
1905, and I thought you might be pleased
to know that it has yielded me 52 lb. of sur-
plus honey. I consider this a very good har-
vest for a novice, especially whem compared
with my less fortunate neighbour, who owns
about a dozen hives, and tells me they
have done very badly last year. I have the
"Guide Book," and also take the B.B.J.,
which I look forward to with pleasure each
week, always gaining knowledge from the
experiences of others as given therein. —
T. A. B.. Awsworth, Notts.

DECEMBER RAINFALL.

Total fall, .98 in.

Heaviest fall in 24 hours, .30 in., on 7th.

Rain fell on seventeen days.

W. Head, Brilley, Herefordshire.

HONEY IMPORTS.

The value of honey imported into the
United Kingdom during the month of
December, 1905, was £1,636. — From a
return furnished to the British Bee
Journal by the Statistical Office, H.M.
Customs.

AMERICAN AND COLONIAL PAPERS.

EXTRACTS AND COMMENTS.

By D. M. Macdonald, Banff.

From Texas. — The Convention proceed-
ings have been interesting. Shallow-frames
are in great favour for surplus storing, and
all who have tried them continue to use
them. They believe in strong colonies for
comb-honey production. The system fol-
lowed by the leading men seems to be as
follows : — Two full-depth hive bodies are-
used for the brood-chamber, but when the
honey-flow sets in all the hatching-brood is
crowded into the lower body-box, arid
supers are put on. Being so strong, the bees
take possession at once, and when the
honey-rush engages their attention there is
no danger of swarming. When confining
bees to a single chamber it will be seen that
some combs of brood will be left over. These
are utilised to make increase where desired.
In, their favourable climate this is easily
done. When the upper body is removed
some brood and bees are left in it, a cover
is put on, and all laid on a bottom-board.
A ripe queen-cell is given, and this inewly-
made colony is put away on a new stand,
soon to work up into a strong lot in that
bee paradise. The parent colony being oiie
mass of hatching-brood, with a powerful
force of field bees, rolls in the honey at an
amazing rate with good weather and a full
flow on. Tliey work mainly for bulk comb-
honey, which, I take it, means selling it in
the shallow-frames as " chunk " honey. In
the latter form it is popular in many parts
of the States. Each comb is packed in
paraffin paper, and then placed in cans.
Sometimes the can is filled up with ex-
tracted, and the mixture sells well.

Cars or Carts. — The " P. D. " must accept
the credit of mixing the tea with the seventy
cars loads of honey. When I quote I quote
accurately.

Blacks. — I notice that in Belgium, Swit-
zerland, France, and Germany bee-papers
are now lauding their old love. Where
change is desiderated it is more in the form
of improving the blacks than in the intro-
duction of new races that perfection is now
being generally sought. Amd that is well.

Starters Only. — " When hiving a swarm
Gravenhorst gives only a few frames, and
those with starters only, about what the
swarm will build of worker-comb. After
these are nearly full, and when drone-comb
would likely be commenced, he completes
the brood-nest with full sheets of founda-
tion." This, which is a common practice
with us, is an excellent one. It tends to
economy in foundation, and so saves outlay,
while in a good flow the bro' '-nest is built
out, I really think, as quickly as when full
sheets are supplied. Combs are general) v
perfectly interchangeable, and all worlier
cells.

Jan. 18, 1906.] " THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

29

The Flight of the Bee. — A query appears
in Gleanings, page 1,088 : " There are many
basswood trees within three and a half
miles of my yard. Are they within range ? "
To which the editor gives this reply : " The
distance of three and a half miles from
basswood would be somewhat beyond the
range of ordinary bee-flight. Your better
way wotild be to move a small outyard to
the basswoods.'' I quite endorse the
editor's reply, and set it down as good,
sound sense. Yet this is the very honey
source Mr. Doolittle not long ago told us
bees travelled eight miles to work on, not
from mere choice, but preference. Several
points coming under my observation, and
information foi-warded me this season,
lead me to narrow still further my concep-
tion of the area covered by the bees of any
particular apiary by choice. Very rarely
do they forage more than two miles from
home, if a honey source is within this range.
And yet here is Mr. Alexander in the last
issue of Gleanings asserting that they go
five miles to work on buckwheat ; while
Mr. Root corroborates the st-atement.

A New Wax-extractor. — The Associate
Editor of the American Bee-heeper has let
fall hints for some time back that he had
ideas simmering in his brain which, when
they would materialise, would evolve a ma-
chine approaching the acme of perfection.
He has now given it to the world through
the Falconer Company. It is mainly on the
old lines, with an adaptation of the ijiner
mechanism of the newest German model
I lately described, which, by windmill
paddles, stirs the mass in order to liberate
the wax from the cocoons and other foreitj;n
matter. The new part is simply a conical
cover, with a spout through which the wax
flows out near the top. Hot water is added
through the funnel on the cover, and as
soon as the fluids reach the apex of the
cone the wax begins to flow out. The crank
is then turned for a few minutes, more
water added, and more wax pours out until
all is rendered. He claims that his inven-
tion marks a new era iji wax-production,
and its use should greatly increase the wax
output of the countiy. Mr. Miller's san-
guine estimate may not be fully realised ;
but, although not wholly sharing a parent's
foaid estimate of the latest child of his
brain, I consider his ideas are good and
likely to bear fruit. We are certain to hear
more about this subject, as it was down for
discussion at the late Conference at
Chicago.

The National. — The result of the election
of office-bearers is as follows : — President,
Mr. C. P. Dadant ; Vice-President, Mr.
George E. Hilton ; Secretary, Mr. W. Z.
Hutchinson ; General Manager, Mr. N. E.
France ; Directors, Messrs. F. Wilcox,
C. A. Hatch, and E. R. Root. All are pro-

minent in the bee world. Excellent photo-
graphs are reproduced by Mr. York in the
American Bee Journal.

One or More Bee Papers. — Any one who
keeps bees in any number should not be
content with one, or even two, bee papers.
The largest bee-keeper in the world, W. L.
Coggshall, says : " I cannot afford not to
take all the be^e papers published in the
United States, and, moreover, I cannot
afford not to scan every page after they
come to hand." I read a round dozen, and
rarely miss a single paragraph of any one
of them. In every issue I get new matter
well worth the price of paper. My opinion
is that no investment in bee-keeping pays
better than the money spent in bee litera-
ture. Several good text-books are indis-
pensable, and two or more bee papers are
equally so.

[3192.] Suspected Dysentery. — A few
weeks ago I noticed that the bees of one of
my hives, when they came out for a fly on
fine days, relieved themselves of a brown,
or yellowish, substance while on the wing.
But the other day, while my other two
stocks were flying freely in the sunshine,
not a bee was seen at the first-named hive.
I therefore made an examination, and
immediately saw that the bees •were all
dead. On removing the frames, I found
about 201b. of food stored in them, and
that a few of the combs had begun to get a
bit mouldy from the damp. I now wish
to know if these frames of food may be
given to my other stocks without danger
to the latter? I do not wish to waste so
much food if it can be avoided ; and if all
right, when would be the best time to give
it to the bees ? I might extract the food
from combs and keep i"t in jars for spring
use, if you advise that course. Your re-
ply will much oblige.^ — C. W., West Brom-
wdch.

Reply. — If you are quite sure that there
is no sign of disease in the combs, the food
might either be given to the bees as it is in
spring, or extract contents and give it in
jars, as proposed.

[3193.] Painting Hives in Different
Colours.- — Many thanks for your reply in
B.B.J, of December 21 (page 509), as to the
height of the entrance to hives. Will you
now kindly allow me to ask. Is it any help
to the bee to paint hives of different
colours ? I have kept bees, and studied
most of the books about them, for a year
and a half, and I think that the bee knows
its own home from position only, and that
the colour of the hive is of no importance.

30

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Jan. 18, 1906.

I bought four good stocks in old hives last
spring — each very strong in bees — from
the widow of a very successful bee-keeper,
at two guineas each, and I do not regret the
bargain. The hives were placed in a line,
about 4ft. apart. There is nothing as to
colour to distinguish one hive from the
other, yet there has been no confusion, and
the bees have worked well, and given us a
good surplus of honey. I have now nearly
finished four new hives for these bees, and
before transferring them into the latter, I
should be very gratified to have your advice
as to painting them in diflferent colours. —
" Novice," Loughborough.

Reply. — No doubt there is a certain
amount of risk to young queens through
mistaking their hive and entering the
wrong one on returning from the marital
flight, when all hives are painted of the
same colour ; this is especially the case
when they are perforce placfed close
together. But when room is not limited
and the hives stand two or three yards
apart we should have no fear on this
head, and, to our mind, it certainly adds
to the general appearance of a bee-garden
when a uniform colour of light, sober tint
is adopted.

Seaview Boad, Gillingham., Kent, Janu-
ary 7. — I heard a blackbird or a thrush
singing for about forty-five minutes this
morning. Is this the first? Snowdrops
and winter aconites are showing bloom,
and bees flying well. This is a foretaste
of good times to come, so we must look
ahead now ! — " Deborah."

/notices to Correspondents & Inquirers.

Letters or queriet asking for addresses of manufae
turers or correspondents, or where appliances can be
purchased, or replies giving such information, ean only
oe inserted as advertisements. The spaee devoted to
letters, queries, and replies is meant for the general
good of bee-keepers, and not for advertisements. We
wish our correspondents to bear in mind that, (fs it is
necessary for us to go to press in advance of the elate of
issue, queries cannot always be replied to in the issue im-
medately folloiring the receipt of their communications.

G. S. (Doncaster). — Buying Honey from
Advertisers. — The letter you quote as
being written by the seller referred to
makes no mention of the samnle sent
being English honey ; therefore, it is not
easy to say what legal remedy you have.
On the other hand, the particulars given
with regard to honey reaching you " Ex
East India Dock," in half cwt. tins
stamped on the top " Oil," and also

" bearing no evidence of having been
opened for several months," affords strong
presumptive evidence- that the contents
were not produced in this country ; and
that is our own impression, after inspect-
ing your sample. It is also very probable
that the seller would not dispute the
point if the occasion arose. Yours is not
by any means the first query which has
reached us on this subject, and we have
more than once urged honey buyers to
require a guarantee from advertisers
when only English honey is asked for and
expected.
R. Miller (Bridge of Allan). — ^Honey for
Feeding Bees.- — Thfe sample sent is
almost entirely honey dew, and if used
only for spring feeding we should expect
no bad effect on the bees to follow.
As it was gathered so long ago as 1904,
we presume the honey has been relique
fied after granulation, and there are no
signs of fermentation about it.

D. McKenzie (Beauly, N.B.). — A Begin-
ner's Queries. — As you are only contem-
plating a start with bees, and have, so
far, no knowledge whatever of their
habits or management, the best advice
we can offer is to purchase a reliable
and up-to-date text book on the subject
and study its contents. By so doing
you will save time, trouble, and money ;
not only so, but your aptitude for the
craft will get a chance of asserting
itself, which it would not have if you
sought all your instruction in our Query
and Reply column. We may, however,
answer your first query by saying there
is no use whatever in your buying one
stock each of the various kinds of bees
mentioned, and hoping to keep each
kind pure. They would be all mixed
up so far as breeds soon after the first
season was over. The books we advise
are the " Bee-keepers' Guide Book,"
Is. 8d. post free, or " Modern Bee-keep-
ing," a handbook for cottagers, 7d. post
free, either of which may be had from
this office.

A. J. R. (Uckfield). — Railway Rates for
Honey. — We are much obliged for your
long letter, but as we find therein no new
light thrown on the subject, it is hardly
worth while occupying space with per-
sonal matters not of general interest to
readers.

Alf. Smith (Lincoln). — If your letter (as
written) is intended to be taken seriously
— which is open to doubt — we advise the
purchase of " Modern Bee-Keeping : A
Hand-book for Cottagers." It can be had
from this office for 7d., post free.

\* Some Queries and Eepl%e$, <*«., are vn-
avoidably held over UU nsxt week.

Jan. 25, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOtJRNAL.

31

BRITISHBEE KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION

The monthly meeting of tlie Council was
held at 105, Jei-myn Street, S.W., on Wed-
nesday, January 17, Mr. E. D. Till being
voted to the chair. There were also present
Messrs. R. T. Andrews, T. Bevan, W.
Brougliton-Carr, Dr. Elliot, J. B. Lamb,
E. Walker, F. B. White, and the Secretary.
Letters expressing regret at inability to at-
tend were read from Mr. T. W. Cowan, Col.
Walker, Mr. T. I. Weston, Rev. W. E.
Burkitt, Mr. W. H. Harris, Mr. G. Hayes,
Mr. A. G. Pugh, and Mr. W. F. Reid.

The minutes of the previous meeting
were read and confirmed.

Mr. G. T. Walden, " Cumnor," 38,
Kenilworth Avenue, Wimbledon, S.W., was
duly elected to membership.

The Finance Committee's report, givin^
details in regard to receipts and expendi-
ture to December 31, 1905, was received
and adopted.

Mr. W. Herrod's report upon hiia work
as expert and lecturer during the year 1905
was received and approved.

The question raised at the last conver-
sazione as to the desirability or otherwise
of altei'ing the dimensions of or siti'engthen-
ing the " standard frame " was brought up
for consideration. After some discussion
and the reading of letters bearing upon
the matter, it was resolved to invite those
bee-keepers or manufacurers of appliances
who have had experience in the use or
making of frames, other than the standard,
to send specimens to the Secretary (12, Han-
over Square, London, W. ), and at the same
time to give their opinions as to merits
or demerits. The Council propose to col-
lect all possible information in regard to
the matter, and to thoroughly weigh the
evidence obtainable before coming to any
decision.

The suggestion that a collection of honey
samples from distinct sources should be
formed was also considered, but it was
thought desirable to defer this matter for
the present.

The next meeting of the Council will be
held on Wednesday, February 21.

DERBYSHIRE B.K.A.

Annual Meeting.
The 25th annual general meeting of the
Derbyshire Bee-Keeioers' Association, was
held at the Town Hall, Derby, on Satur-
day, January 13. Present : — J. L. P.
Barber, Esq., chairman, supported by R.
Giles, Esq., in the vice-chair; Messrs.
G. Hartley, B. Abell. G. Pallett, J. Bake-
well, J. Stone, W. Henson, A. T. Salt, J.
Pearman, W. Allen. J. Amatt, W. Rey-
nolds, G. L. Bakewell, E. Swain, H. Hill,

— Moncrieff, H. J. Morris, T. Austin, S.
Durose, H. Brayshaw, Mrs. Harkness, and
R. H. Coltman, hon. secretary. There
were also present a few friends.

The hon. secretary presented his fourth
annual report and statement of accounts,
showing an increase of £5 13s. 5d. on the
balance in hand, which, although in itself
satisfactory, it was. found necessary to
sound a note of warning, for, although
many members had been enrolled during
the last four years, others had been lost by
the Association, wloich more than counter-
balanced the number of thoee who had
joined them. The report having been
adopted, the election of officers for 1906
was then proceeded with.

His Grace the Duke of Devonshire re-
elected president. The vice-presidents re-
elected, with addition of Major Ratcliflf.

The committee were also re-elected, with
the exception of Mr. Martin, resigned, and
with the addition of Messrs. Moncrieff and
G. L. Bakewell.

The Hon. F. Strutt, hon. treasurer;
Messrs. Jonesi and Powlson, hon. auditors ;
and Mr. R. A. Coltman, hon. sec, were
re-elected ; as were also the experts,
Messrs. Rowland and Bollington, subject
to their agreeing to alterationei in the
terms of their engagement.

The hon. secretary reported that he
had, owing to the illnese of the lecturer, Mr.
T. W. Jones, delivered five lectures during
the past season, and that the attendance
had been considerably over the average.

The hon. secretary was instructed to
wi'ite to Mr. Jones, expressing the hearty
sympathy of the members^ present with
him in hie trouble, and trusting that he
would soon be restored to health and be
able to undertake the duties in the coming
season.

Silver medals were then presented by
the chairman to the successful exhibitors
at the annual and local shows, after wliich
a vote of thanks to the chairman and vice-
chairman brought a nleasant m'Ceting to
a close. — R. H. Coltman, hon. secretary.

The Editors do not hold thimselveg responsible for tht
opinions expressed by correspondents. No notice will
be taken of anonymous communications, and corre-
spondents are requested to write on one side of the paper
only and give their real names and addresses, not neces-
sarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith.
Illustrations should be drawn on separate pieces tf paper,
We do not undertake to return rejected communicatioT^s.

.AMONG THE BEES.

About Queens.

[6178.] Superseding Queens. — When the

season soon to be with us opens, a keen

eye should be kept on the brood-nest from

the first time the hive is examined. Nofce

32

THE BRITISH BEE JOtJBNAL. [Jan. 25, 1906.

if the patches, of brood are solid and com-
pact, that the cell-sealing is bright and
healthy, and that there are no signs of
disease. Further on, observe how the
brood area extends. If satisfied with the
rate of progress, then " hands off " is a
wise rule with queens. Don't depose her
on account of age alone. The rule is good
as a rule, but there are exceptions. Age
alone is no true criterion of a queen's fail-
ing powers. I have carried forward
several mothers over two years of age in
full confidence that they will give a good
account of themselves. On the other
hand, I have at least two last year's queens
heading stoclos, against whose nujnbers
there is entered a point of interrogation,
implying that there is more than a like-
lihood that they will be superseded as
soon as young queens of 1906 can be
reared. I noted just the other day that
two of the leading bee-keepers of the world
agreed, that it generally pays to re-queen
at the end of every second year, deleting
the "always" which one of them, in his
haste, had used in this connection. This
has always been the teaching of our

JOUKNAL.

Introducing Queens. — I think it is recog-
nised as a rule without exception that
young bees adopt any mother given them.
Here is a cue to act on. Secure as many
just hatched bees from the hive operated
on as you think necessary, and run them
into a new cage with the queen, after her
escort have been evicted. The cage placed
in the hive when the old queen is with-
drawn will attract no hostile attention.
The bees inside will feed and attend to
the new queen, and in a very few hours
she may be liberated, with perfect confi-
dence that she will be welcomed.
Travelled bees are best parted from the
queen before she is introduced, whatever
the system of introduction, and it is safest
to use a new cage for insertion into the
hive.

Queen-Cells. — Amateurs complain that
they cannot ]>e-queen on account of the
difficulty of raising proper cells in the
proper place. I think even a novice can
note a hive getting ready for swarming,
and observe when it has a number of
naturally raised queen-cells tinder way.
If he accepts these, and iif necessary ex-
changes suitable larvse from his best and
most select colony, he can cut them out
when nearly ripe, and supply one or two
to the hive he wishes to re-queen, or he
can make up a few nucleus lots, certain
that at least a proportion of them will
result in securing fertilised queens. If
his best hive swarms, he has another
opportunity for providing himself with
material for rearing some good queens,
possibly equal to any turned out by most
queen-breeders.

While on the subject of queen-cells, 1
would call attention to two plans for ob-
serving these, and cutting them out m
order to prevent swarming. One, by means
of an adjustable clamp, allows of the hive
being tipped over so that it will rest on
the back end. A little smoke puffed in
below enables the bee-keeper to examine
combs for queen-cells, which, if seen, can
be cut out. The operation might require
the services of an assistant, but it :'s
claimed that hives can be dealt with at the
rate of one a minute. In that case no
interruption of work takes place, and bees
would be upset scarcely at all.

The second plan demands- something
like a removable back. It is claimed that
bees build cells only here when aided by
the cunning arrangements of their owner.
Slipping the movable part aside, they can
be cut out at any time without any opening
or manipulations. With combs con-
structed from full sheets of foundation,
cells are very rarely built on the surface
of a comb, so the plan appears feasible.

Weather. — All December and the early
part of January has been open and not at
all wintry. Bees have had several flights
and appear in good order for the stormy
time still ahead of us.

"Dumping Honey."- — A very common
practice I find is that of forwardilng con-
signments of honey, generally in small
quantities, to the bee-keeper's family
grocer, and quietly acquiesing in any
price he may be willing to give for it.
Naturally he tries to make the most of
the transaction, and credits it at the lowest
current price, regardless of quality or finish.
These small quantities thus " dumped "
on the counter, help to rule the market,
because the purchaser is able to point out
to others that he has had fine honey at
that price. This is exactly what happened
last season, and the price quoted was only
7-^d. Those who declined were able to
sell out early at a much better price.
What I want to point out is that this style
of selling injures the fraternity at large.
The first bee-keeper with his two or three
hives would have obtained at least 9d. if
he had asked it, before making his con-
signment.—D. M. M., Banff.

BEE-KEEPING EXPERIENCES.

FROM THE ISLE OF "WIGHT.

[6179.] Taken on the whole, the yield
of honey in 1905 here was a little below
the average. I have heard of no heavy
" takes," but in one or two apiaries there
has been excessive swarming and, conse-
quently, little surplus. 1903 will be long
remembered as the season " par excel-
lence" for the island. At that time the
nectar literally came rolling into our hives
for many weeks from fields kept white by

Jan. 26, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOtJENAL.

33

successive crops • of Dutch clover. ' My
average that year was 80 lb. per hive,

usually it is only from 35 to 40 lb.

In the present day of cutting prices, I
have often thought if it would not be pos-
sible for the B.B.K.A. to approach one of
our largest sugar or tea merchants with
the object of endeavouring to persuade
them to send out their produce in boxes
of a suitable size and shape for adapting
as frame-hives. Such boxes jvould find a
ready sale, as any bee-keeper with the
least bit of " gumption " could easily con-
vert them into serviceable hives at a trifl-
ing cost. In districts where foul brood is
rampant, a cheap hive is better in this
respect than a more expensive and highly-
finished article, because you can easily
replace them, instead of troubling about
disinfecting and running the risk of
spreading the disease.

In connection with the much-desired,
but now sleeping, Foul Brood Act, my ex-
perience may be interesting to some of
your readers. Four years ago I had a
slight outbreak in one of my 21 hives.
Having no experience of the disease, I got
the advice of two experts, who advised
spraying combs and feeding with medi-
cated syrup, which I did. They also de-
tected disease in two other hives, one of
which, being very bad, I destroyed, and
treated the other as before. This spraying
and medicating went on for three years,
bad cases being destroyed, and sometimes
nearly (never quite) curing one. The re-
sult was that at the end of that time I
possessed 24 stocks, 16 of which were more
or less diseased. Can you wonder that I
was tired of the whole thing, and decided
to take drastic measures, which I did by
destroying 14 stocks by burning frames,
quilts, etc. ? I also disinfected hives and
section racks as per "Guide Book," and
burnt all used sections, dividers, and
everything in the apiary that I could not
scorch. It is only fair to mention that I
effected two or three cures by making
artificial swarms of stocks according to
" Guide Book " instructions.

I was greatly interested in the article
on "Bee Paralysis" in B.B.J, of January
4 (page 7), but it hardly meets my case,
as the treatment would be possible only
in the summer time, while the disease is
worse here in the winter and early spring.
So far as my personal experience goes, I
had never heard of "Bee Paralysis" till the
spring of 1904, but during the following
winter and early spring some whole
apiaries in the island were almost swept
away by it, one bee-keeper losing 15 out of
16 stocks in frame-hives ; another lost the
whole of his seven skeps. I got my first
experience with it last August, when I
noticed a number of bees crawling on the

ground in front of the hives. I soon
traced it to one hive, which rapidly
dwindled, and, as it was also touched with
foul brood. I made short work of them
with sulphur.

In the following September I, along
with an expert, thoroughly examined all
my hives, and five of them were very heavy
with stores. I soon afterwards packed
these five down for the winter with ten
frames each covered with bees. It was
soon noticed that some affected bees were
lying about outside, but being late in the
year I thought it best to leave the hives
undisturbed ; before the end of November,
however, one lot was dead, and by the
end of the year three others were also de-
funct. Inside of leach hive there are
few dozen dead bees clinging to the combs
here and there, and a few more on the
floor-board. There was also a small patch
of brood nearly ready to emerge from the
cells, and some 15 to 201b. of stores. To-
day I found the last of the five stocks at-
tacked. None of these hives were fed in
the autumn. Several stocks of driven
bees I have in the garden fed entirely on
sugar syrup are not affected as yet. With
regard to this disease being Infectious I
can only say that four df the hives men-
tioned above were standing together at
one side of the garden, and the other two
near each other in the middle. I have
not seen anything in print on this sub-
ject, so I may be wrong in my diagnosis,
if so, I shall be glad to be put right by
our editors or any of the contributors.
It seems to be a new enemy of bee-keepers
which has reached this island — one that
we cannot afford to ignore, threatening to
rival foul brood in the rapidity of its
action, if not in its infectiousness. As the
" Guide Book " does not mention any-
thing about it, we should be grateful for
advice and instruction through the
medium of the B.B.J. The following are
a few points which I seek help on. (1)
Is there a good book or article on the
subject ? (2) Would it be safe to use the
combs of honey for feeding driven bees?
(3) Is there any known preventive of the
disease ? (4) Can you recommend any cure
for the lot now dying? (5) Is the disease
widespread and common over England.
(6) Is it infectious ? — Sam Yank, Yar-
mouth, January 9.

[1. No ; at least, not that we know of.
2. So far as we can learn from American
views on the subject the danger of infec-
tion does not lie in the food stored in
liives. 3 and 4. The article in our issue
of January 4 (page 7) answers both these
qiieries. 5. No ; it is only in warmer
climates than ours that the disease is wide-
spread. 6. In a certain degree, we may
answer in the affirmative. — Eds.]

u

TUK BRITISH BEE JOtTRNAL. [Jan. 26, 1906.

ODDS AND ENDS ABOUT BEES.

[6180.] A couple of years ago, two
swarnife issued in my apiaiy about the
same time, and settled in a low branch
of a thorn tree. As soon as they were
fairly settled, I went forward, and noticing
a handful of bees on the ground, ran my
finger through them to see if there was
a queen there. To my surprise, there were
two, grappling with each other. I attemp-
ted to eeize both and separate them, but
in doing so, a momentary advantage was
given to one, and ijn an instant the fatal
sting was driven home.

About Birds and Bees. — The Common
Gull frequents this district both summer
and winter, and at times they fly in large
numbers in small circles between the house
and my bee-hivee. I did not suspect
plundering on their part till the local
gamekeeper, noticing their continued
circling about the hives, said he was con-
fident they would seize and carry off the
bees. He had often noticed them catch-
ing moths in this way. If I find them
doing the same again, I shall shoot one or
two to see if they have been snapping up
bees for food.

I found laet summer that the shallow-
frames in simple boxes readily moved to-
wards the end of the box, and bees were
often crushed. To prevent this, I nailed
a quarter-inch strip of wood inside the box
— but half an inch down. In this way,
no backing is needed, for the ends of the
fra,mes, if W.B.C. ends are used, and
neither the queen nor the bees can be
crushed, unless by a mishap.

In using " Well's " hives, I may say that
in order to prevent the perforated division-
board warping, I nail quarter-inch strips
II each side of the ends, and so it slides
.-p and in a groove, and no fear need be
entertained of mishaps to the queens.

Several of your correspondents, appar-
ently, are confident that — contrary tx)
general belief — fertile queens sometimes
do take an airing flight after the bees
have been confined for a time, and the
chance of a flight occurs. Some years
ago, I observed the been of one hive tak-
ing longer to settle down than the others —
after a cleansing flight — and on goijig
along to ascertain the cause, I found the
queen, a young fertile one, en the ground
with two or three bees, in the last throes of
existence. I picked her up and re-intro-
fluced her at once, but she had been
carried out again — no doubt mournfully —
by the next day. This was in December,
and I joined the bee6 up in the following
March to another stock.

Another incident connected with queens
is worth recording : Last year I had a
young queen in a nucleus hive, which I
observed flying out several times for

mating. On© evening, however, on return-
ing home, I found the bees of this nucleus
in an excited state, and in consequence, I
went round the nearest hives to see if the
young queen in question had again been
oiit, and, in returning had mistaken her
way home. In searching about, I acci-
dentally turned over a wisp of hay in front
of a hive, and there, sure enough, found
the truant. She was soon restored to her
family, and began to lay in a day or two,
but her progeny all turned out drones. I
think she would be about fifteen days old.
I am sorry I did not send her up for
examination.

While on the subject of queen matrng, I
may say an early batch failed to mate.
Of virgins bought, 80 per cent, v/ere mated
out rather slow. Of my own rearing about
the same per cent, was obtained, but few
began to lay earlier than twenty days
after hatching.

As some readers are known to keep their
Bee Journals for reference, may I say
that six months' numbers may be easily
bound together by placing them carefully
in order and piercing three holes with a
strong bradawl about a quarter of an inch
from the back of the volumes. Then run
a piece of thin string down one hole, up the
next, dov/n the third, and return, tying
where the start was made. With the
Journals thus strung together in half-
yearly lots, it is easy to while away many
a weary night. The index at the end of
the volume ishows us each subject we may
be specially interested in, and the names
of the most prominent contributors of the
year. In 1904, Mr. L. S. Crawshaw gave
the most impressive warning a young bee-
keeper needs, viz.. " Do not follow a multi-
plicity of methods." Do not change your
plans because isome correspondent tells us
such a method paid well with him. There
is no part of hive management that is
stereotyped. Let me mention a few :
Many bee-keepers adhere rigidly to the
10-framed "W.B.C." hive or some other
10-framed type. Some prefer the double
walled hives, others the single-walled ;
some like wide shouldered, self-spacing
frames; some "W.B.C." ends; some
others. We hear of bee-keepers pinning
their faith to hives holding 12-frames,
some to 14, or 15 ; and some give the queen
a roving commission over 18 or 20 frameis.
Then with regard to queen excluders.
Some refuse to use them at all. Others in-
variably use them. Some frown upon
porches ; others insist on haviiig them.
Many authorities advise leaving only ais
many frames for winter as the bees
can cover ; others leave all brood-frames
undisturbed, and so on through the whole
range of methods and systems, on the
{Continued on page 36.)

Jan. 25, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOtJRNAL.

36

HOMES OF THE HONEY BEE.

THE APIABIES OF OUR READERS.

The attractive little "town bee-garden"
fieen below, with its owner, Mr. i'owlson
and his wife, afl'ords a good illustration of
what can b© done by an enthusiastic bee-
keeper of the best sort in adapting himself
to changed conditions. Not only so, but
it shows how a real love for bees may begin
in boyhood and continue undiminished
through life. For the rest, our friend's
interesting and useful " Notes " need no
addition from us beyond saying that we
hope they will be taken to heart by readers.
He says : —

hints on bee-management ; but, having
given up farming to -aVe up vn,ik in the
town shortly aftei', this change put an end
to my bee-keeping for a time. The wi-it<'rof
the ' Handy Book ' enter*tained a veiy
strong opinion that wooden hives were alto-
gether unsuitable habitations for bees, and
did all in his power to discontinue their
use. It would, no doubt, astonish liim if
he could return and see how completely
they are adopted by all advanced bee-
keepers of the present day. Cbdngaig my
residence later on to one on the outskirts
of the tovsTi, my old hankering for the bees
asserted itself, and eleven years ago I
started with a good swarm hived a fortnight

MR. S. POWLSON'S apiary, BEDFORD STREET, DERP.Y,

" In complying with your request for
a few ' notes ' in connection with the photo-
graph of my ' town bee-garden,' I may say
that I have been interested in bee-keeping
from boyhood, my father having kept bees
in the early 'fifties, when I -wras quite a
boy; and I well remember, when assisting
in the cruel work of the sulphur-pit, how
I used to listen for the hum of the bees
dying away, as they were overcome ~bj the
deadly fumes of the burning sulphur. Later
on, while living in the country, I kept a few
skeps, but, as I did not destroy the bees,
my profit was small. About this period I
obtained a copy of Pettigrew's 'Handy Book
of Bees,' and from it I learned some useful

before, removing it ten or a dozen miles by
rail. The task was very carefully carried
out, as I imagined, but on turning the
skep over on to its stand several of the
newly-built combs fell down all in a heap
with the weight of honey gathered, and in
consequence most of the bees (including
the queen) were destroyed. Nothing
daunted, I purchased another lot in the
autumn and started afresh. My new stock
wintered all right, and I made an artificial
swarm from it in the following .June,
housing the swarm in a new frame-hive.
Unfortunately, owing to inexperience, both
myself and my wife got badly stung by the
returning beee through not removing the

36

a?HE BRITISH BEE JOTTRNAL. [Jm. 25, 1906.

skep some distance away from their stand
before starting to drive the bees. I had
not then heard of the ' Guide Book,' or-
should have managed better, and avoided
the stinging. Having carefully read Mr.
Cowan's book, I have found it and the
Record sufficient to meet nearly all the
difficulties of my bee-keeping career,
though on one or two occasions 1 have ap-
plied to you through the query and reply
column when cases of unusual difficulty
presented themselves. I also made the ac-
quaintance of a bee-keeping friend, to
whom I have been indebted for kindly help
when needed. If beginners with bees would
only get the ' Guide Book,' which I con-
sider the best and most practical work I
have met with, and study it as a prelimi-
nary to buying bees, there would be fewer
failures to report, and the pleasure of bee-
keeping would be greatly enhanced. My
takes of honey do not compare with some
reported in your papers, but I manage fo
make a small profit, and get a good deal
of pleasure out of my 'hobby,' and am
therefore cont-ented with results. Fortun-
ately. I have hitherto had no experience of
foul brood, and hope I may long continue
in ignorance of it, though I should be
pleased to see the ' Foul Brood Bill
passed into law. The photograph, taken
from the kitchen window, shows rather
plainly, I fear, that my hives are all home-
made ; and the building at the bottom of
the path — with a Morello cherry in
full bloom on the wall — is the workshop
where I find amusement in spare hours in
making hives and doing; other work con-
nected with the craft. The lady in front is
my wife, who has, always taken the greatest
interest in my hobby, and also done a con-
siderable amount of work connected with it,
she can, on occasion, hive a swarm."

(" Odds and Ends About Bees,"
continued from page 34.)

value of which even doctors differ in
opinion. Is it, then, any wonder that in
such subjects as queen-raising and
nucleus-forming, there should be equally
divergence of views ? No one can look over
back volumes of the B.B.J, without feel-
ing that a sort of chacs reigns in the m_ind&
at least of many bee-keepers. But it is
possible to reconcile conflicting methods
with a due measure of success and to re-
ceive encouragement both from the failure
and success of others ; and I will endea-
vour to point out some of the pros and
cons of various methods, so far as they
strike an observant onlooker, in a future
issue.

Almost half a lifetime ago I visited
Ballindalloch and the neighourhood so
well represented by your esteemed corre-
spondent "D. M. M." Even then bees

were in my head — figuratively speaking —
but the scenes in which I played a part
are ineffaceable with time.

Ah me ! the sunny days of youth return

Through clouded years of pain,
But I would live the anguish o'er

3'o feel youth's hope again.

D. v., Dunaskin, January 18.

SOME PASSING NOTES.

BY A BEE-KEEPING GARDENEB.

[6181.] Many thanks for inserting the
picture of my apiary in B.B.J, of Decem-
ber 14. I thought it would prove interest-
ing to add one more to your list of bee-
keeping gardeners. I may now add a line
to say that in a nobleman's estali.shment,
where I was journeyman 16 or 18 years
ago, a great many nice sections went into
the mansion, and the county expert regu-
larly paid his visits to the apiary. I am
also certain that if any young gardener has
the opportunity of looking after the bees
in a garden where he is employed, he
might make it not only a source of great
pleasure to himself, but it may prove very
useful in after years, for it sometimes
may secure him a food berth that he
would mis6 if he knew notliing about bees.
It costs nothing to cai-ry a knowledge of
bee-craft in one's head, and we never
know when it may be wanted.

In reply to your correspondent " Speed,"
who inquires about the Cowan honey ex-
tractor, vide B.B.J, of December 7 last
(page 487), I think he will find a two-frame
" Cowan " extractor (reversible) large
enough for him. I have one of these and
with two pairs of hands at work, one uai-
capping, the other attending to the
machine, he will be able to extract a
good deal of honey in a very short time :
as for " ball-hearings," I don't think thesei
will in any way improve on the gear as
Bent out. I got mine from the late Mr.
J. H. Howard, and no one need wish to
have a more easy working machine.

Referring to the question asked by " A
Reader " (page 514 of your issue of Decem-
ber 28), on " Causing Swarms to Settle," I
can confirm our Editor's view that water
from a garden syringe will bring the
swarm down if the bees seem disinclined to
cluster, for I have used it often. As a
gardener I always have. a syringe and pail
with water handy at swarming time, and
I have never lost a iswarm ; in fact, the
bees have not once gone outside of the
place. I do not use a jet on the syringe,
but screw on a fine rose, and let the swarm
get well out before using the water. 1
have seen the syringe used too soon, and
it has caused the bees to return to the
hive without settling at all.

In closing my " passing notes," I send
you a rough sample of beeswax for your

Jan. 25, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOtTltNAL.

37

opinion as regards its quality. I take
great interest in wax, and can always sell
it without much trouble. My way of
working is to bum \\p all old frames and
combs after they have done their full
term of usefulness in the brood-nest, my
experience showing that there is not
enough wax got out of them to make it
worth the bother and trouble of extracting.
My sample is from cappings melted by
steam in an extractor (a modification of
GerstJer's, with many improvements
suggested by Mr. Cowan and others). The
enclosed sample of paper I have found
very warm to lay over quilts. What 's
your opinion of it ? — G. C. Burgess,
Bishops Stortford, Herte.

[Material sent is the thick paper-felt
used under carpets, and will no doubt be
useful in conserving the warmth of brood-
nests in early spring. — Eds.]

HOME-MADE APPLIANCES.

[6182.] Will you please tell me through
the columns of your valued Journal
if the enclosed candy could be called
good for bees ? I have never seen
any, except that of my own make,
and the bees take it well and eeem.
to like it. It costs me about 2|d.
per lb., and is easy to make, but I am
only an amateur at the job, as I am at all
other bee work. I make nearly all my
appliances, including hives, honey-
ripenere, wax extractors, wax moulds,
smelters, slotted dividers, etc. The only
things I buy are frames, sections, and
foundation. I sometimes even make " ti'n-
ends " when my stock runs short, which is
an advantage, as they can be made of any
width to suit requirements. I see the
tin ends are objected to by some for vaiious
reasons, but I find them better than any
other way of spacing frames. The com-
plaint sometimes made that they are a
nest for the wax moth can easily be got
over by filling the ends with t)utty. The
same may be used for the saw-cut of top-
bars, and the putty serves to strengthen
both. I use the seven-eighths by three-
eighths bar, with saw-cut, and find them
answer very well indeed ; when properly
wired it is almost imiDossible for them to
Bag or bulge.

Since the recent discussion on strength
of top-bars and width of sections I have
carefully examined my frames, and cannot
see anything in the sha^^e of " sagging "
worth notice, the combs being as straight
as a line, and no fault is there with the
section© used. Great credit is due to those
who brought out both as being very good
and useful to bee-keepers. It would take
a clever man to please all and in my
opinion he is a fool who tries. I think
there is some room for improvement in

hives, as after reading the " Guide Book,"
the B.B.J., and the many catalogues sent
out by malcers, I cannot see a complete
hive to satisfy me. I mean one that is
simple and economical ; one that needs
less handling of the bees, and consequently
Inore honey. I try experiments in improv-
ing the hives in use ; some are failures,
but I gain experience, and we always have
to pay for our learning. I conclude with
the usual wish that all bee-men may have
a good honey year in 1906, and as I do not
like the use of an "X.Y.Z." for signature,
or, indeed, a nom de plume of any kind, I
send address for reference, and sign my
own name, — Jaivtrs Pile, January 16.

EAELY BREEDING.

[6183.] It may be of interest to
bee-keepers to hear of a bee-experi-
ence we had here on December 9. On
that date we noticed that a mouse had
eaten its way into a hive and made its
nest there ; the day being fine and warm,
it was decided to clear the intruder out,
nest and all. On opening the hive for
this purpose, to our astonishment we
found on one comb a patch of eggs, larvae
and brood, quite six inches in diameter.
Moreover, the colony was not a strong one.
This i.s very unusual, because breeding
generally ceases in October. However, it
only goes to show that "bees do nothing
invariably." — Heeeob and Stewart,
Luton, January 20. "

TRANSPORTING BEES TO S. AFRICA.

Messrs. Abbott Bros, have kindly
favoured us with the following letter for
publication as possessing interest for bee-
keepers and readers in general : —

" Dear Sirs, — It may have seemed a very
long time indeed between the date of this
letter and the day when you handed to my
friend, Mr. Dent, a full colony of English
bees from your apiary ready packed for
export to South Africa. My work had all
to begin upon their an-ival here, and for
some months it was an open question
whether my experiment would prove suc-
cessful or otherwise.

" Now, however, the enclosed newspaper
cutting will prove that English bees can
be brought to the Transvaal and will
thrive here.

" The enclosed letter was published
in the Transvaal Agricultural Journal,
which is a Government quarterly publica-
tion of about 150 to 200 pages, very fully
illustrated, and with a circulation of about
8,000 copies. It is published both in
Dutch and English, and is very w'dely
read throughout the Transvaal.

"At the time of writing my bees are

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Jail. 25, 1906.

doing little or nothing in the way of honey-
gathering, though the queen is laying well.
Oui* rainy season has just commenoerl, and
in about anotlier fortnight I hope to see
the bees bringing in something more tlian
pollen.

" Before next season closes I hcpe to be
able to write you as to my success or
otherwise in queen-breeding, though I have
gi'ave doubts as to the purity of the next
generations, seeing that my hive of English
bees is one among hundreds of the hlouth
African breed, and I do not quite see how
I am to guarantee that any young queen
has been fertilised by a drone from my Eng-
lish stock ! With kind regards, yours very
truly, — Alex. S. Benson, Pretoria, Nov-
ember 26, 1905.

[Want of space prevents insertion of the
whole article referred to ; we, therefore,
piint such portions as are of most imiadrt-
ance to readers in this country. — Eds.]

Writing to th© Transvaal Agricultural
Journal, Mr. Alexander S. Benson, ]*re-
toria, says : —

" It may interest your readers to know
that there is at present in Pretoria a
colony of bees which but a few months ago
were gathering honey in the South of Eng-
land.

" It was only after two unsuccessful ex-
periments with the importation of English
queens, packed as they were in separate
cages, with their bodyguard of workers,
that 1 finally decided to attempt the impor-
tation of English bees into the Transvaal,
and I trust that the details and result of
my experiment may serve to interest that
section of your readers devoted to bee-
keeping.

Messrs. Abbott and Co., the noted
apiarists in the South of England, sup-
plied me with th© swarm ready packed for
export in a box specially made for the occa-
sion. The lower portion of the box con-
tained ten English standard frames taken
just as they stood, for better or worse, from
a strong swarm of this year in Mr. Abbott's
apiary. When they left England the combs
contained brood in all its stages Of develop-
ment, honey, and pollen ; when the hive
arrived in Pretoria brood there was none ;
the young bees had emerged from their
C/clls, some, alas ! only to die on the voyage.
Of honey there was neither trace nor smell,
but unused pollen was still to b© found in
the cells.

" The upper portion of the box, to a depth
of about seven inches, was empty, and, in
my opinion, the success of the scheme is
largely attributable to the forethought and
knowledge of Mr. Abbott in allowing this
amount of air-space and ventilation.

" I met the travellers at the station, and
before long I had one of the frames in my
hands. My first verdict was, ' All are dead.'

However, I removed all th© frames from
the box and placed them on a white sheet
in front of their new home. It was mid-
day ; the sun was fortunately fairly power'
ful, and in a very few minutes it was plain
that some of them intended to make a bravo
struggle for life ; very, very gently at first
did their wings begin to quiver and their
antennae to move, and then cam© the first
soft hum as of bees emerging from their
months of hibernation.

" And now I bethought me it was time to
look for the queen. At last I found her
with a small posse of attendants, all of
them apparently qmte dead. But within
fifteen minutes of my first glimpse of her
she commenced, true to her natural in-
stinct, to crawl on to the underside of the
frame in order to escape from the light and
observation.

" I had been informed by letter that the
hive contained about 15,000 bees, but of
these some 4,000 had died on board ship —
this was apparent from th© shrivelled con-
dition of the corpses ; 2,000 to 2,500 only
lived to protect their queen and carry on
their work in th© Transvaal ; the re-
mainder succumbed to the effects of the
cold they had been subjected to during th©
railway journey.

" Now came the real test of my experi-
ment. Would they become acclimatised,
and would they accommodate themselves
to their new surroundings, and, above all
else^ would th© queen begin to lay? Tlie
hive I was using — probably the best stamp
of hive imported into this country — was
Taylor's " W.B.C. " hive, with the double-
walled brood-chamber. The bees that had
survived barely covered three British stan-
dard frames, and therefore, by the us© of
a dummy board, I narrowed the hive down
to this compass, and proceeded to feed
them freely with syrup. I also purchased
some local honey in sections, which, from
its colour, had evidently been gathered
from th© gum-tree blossom in April and
May ; but the bees did not take at all
kindly to it, and preferred the syrup.

" A fortnight passed, then three weeks,
but still no sign of eggs ; and in the be-
ginning of July, when I knew that African
queens in the near neighbourhood were lay-
ing freely, I came to the conclusion that
th© cold weather alone was not
accountable for the English queen's
dilatoriness. I therefore borrowed two
frames of hatching worker-brood from a
bee-keeping friend, and placed them in the
hive. It was almost ludicrous to watch
th© result ; every bee in the hive at one©
left th© work sh© was engaged at in order to
cover up the brood and keep it warm, and
the change of note in the hum of the hive
would have been distinguished by th©
merest novice.

" Within a week the queen had begun

Jan. 25, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOTTRNAL.

39

to lay, not more than 100 or
150 eggs all told, but there they
were nevertheless. I looked at the
hive again in five days to assure myself
that they were worker and not drone eggs
which the queen, had the voyage rendered
her unfertile, might have laid in worker-
comb, and this time there was not a trace
to be seen of eggs or larvse or brood in any
stage ; it had all been eaten by the bees,
who discovered when too late how change-
able the weather can be in the Transvaal
in the month of July. About August 10 I
again examined the hive, and this time
found what I wanted — on each side of
one of the frames a patch of brood about
the size of the palm of the hand^showing
worker-brood in all its stages, with here
and there a young English bee poking her
nose out of the cell into a future life in a
new continent. My patience was at last
rewarded ; my experiment had proved suc-
cessful.

" I cannot, of course, expect a mere
nucleus like my present hive to increase
very rapidly, but by the end of this fruit
season I hope to be able to satisfy myself
as to whether the English bee, when 'in this
Colony, will finish off his work in the same
dainty manner wliich we now see at all the
large honey shows in the old country."

[3194.] Glucose as Bee Food. — Honey, I
understand, is mainly composed of sugar
and glucose. This being so, would it not
be advantageous, instead of feeding on
sugar only, to uee a mixture of sugar-syrup
and glucose, say in equal quantities? One
would, at any rate, imagine that the
neai-er we approach to the natural food of
the " Insect," so much nearer are we to
a perfect bee-food. It is admitted that
sugar-syrup is inferior to natural stores
for wintering bees on and thie leads me
to ask — 1. Do you think a mixture with
glucose would be inferior? Glucose can
be bought at the same price as cane sugar,
and would not affect the cost. It may,
however, be that the glucose ordinarily
sold is not pure enough for this purpose.
2. Perhaps you can also enlighten me on
the above. 3. Your article laist week states
that entrances to liives should be closed
to about two inches in winter. The
" Guide Book," however, says they should
be opened to about six inchcis. Which is
right? 4. Is ventilation or warmth the
moi-e important? Reply in your valued
liaper to " Gltjcose," Darlington, January
15, will oblige.

Reply.— 1 and 2. It would take too
much of our space to go fully into the
physiologacal reasons why glucose is in-

jurious to bees, but this question was
practically solved many years ago, when
it was found that the mortality among
bees fed on glucose was very great. Honey
is composed of dextrose and levuloee,
which differs from commercial glucose in
that only part of the com starch from
which it is made is converted into dextrose,
the remainder forming maltose and dex-
trine, and it contains no levulose at all.
Oxalic or sulphuric acid is used in the
conversion, and this has to be neutralised
by the addition of litme. In the laboratory
it is generally quite easy to make pure
glucose and remove every trace of acid,
but commercially it is practically impossi-
ble to get rid of all this acid. Glucose,
therefore, without the levuloee is an im-
perfect food, and even if pure, would be of
less value than cane sugar, as it is only
one-half as sweet as this. It is, therefore,
not only injurious, but also iinferior <o
cane sugar. If you are interested in the
subject you will find it fully treated m
a paper read before the National Bee-
Keepers' Convention in Chicago ih 1900,
by Thos. Wm. Cowan, on " The Chemistry
of Honey, and how to Detect its Adultera-
tion." The paper in question was printed
m the B.B.J, of December 13 and 20, vol.
28. 3. There wars no article of ours in
B.B.J, of January 4 in which the width
of entrances to hives in winter was dealt
with. The directions in "Guide Book"
gives our view, but there may be condi-
tions under which it is advisable to reduce
entrances still farther. Readers are always
suppoised to use their intelligence when
special contingencies arise.

[3195.] Mounting Objects for the Micro-
.soo/)c.— Some months ago I obtained the
back numbers of the Bee Jottrnal con-
taining instructions on " Mounting objects
for microscopic use," and therein I read
of " Labarraque's solution," which was
mentioned many times. I have made in-
quiries at several opticians, but none of
them seem to know it, all I can find
out being that it is chlorinated soda.
Would it be troublihff you too much if I
ask you 1, to give the formula? I now use
turpentine as a decoloriser. but find it
rather slow, owing, no doubt, to the bad
light in the winter. 2. I also wish to ask
another favour. Would you save me a
piece of foul brood comb in the advanced
stage, as I want to mount a piece for in-
structional purposes? I know it is
against your rule to send out ar.v samples
of di»>pased comb, but T road in an answer
to a correspondent in the B.B..T. some
weeks back that you did orcasionaliy go
beyond tlie above rule and allow a piece
to go out for scientific purpo.ses, hence my
request. It is, of course, late in the year
now for suitable specimens to be available,
biit if I have your promise to supply me
with a piece at some future time, I need

40

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Jan. 26, i90«.'

not trouble any further just now, knowing
that samples are only too plentiful at your
office in the spring. Otherwise I shall
have to go searching for a specimen, as I
must have a piece for my purpose. I pro-
pose making a glass box about three inches
square on the face, and using a 5 per cent,
solution of formalin as a preservative. Do
you think that would do? — G. T. "W.,
Wimbledon, S.W.

Reply. — 1. Labarraque's solution can be
obtained from any chemist of good stand-
ins:, or if not in stock, it would be pre-
pared to order. It can also be had of
dealers in microscopic objects and pre-
parations, such as Messrs. Baker, Holborn,
W.C, or of Becker and Co., Chemists,
Maiden Lane, W.C. 2. We will supply a
•suitable piece of comb if reminded, say,
at end of April, on your undertaking to
use it with care, so far as doing no possi-
ble damage is concerned.

[3196.] Light Brood-Foundation for use
in full Sheets. — Will you kindly tell me f
it would be satisfactory to use full sheets
of thin brood foundation (" Weed " 10
sheets to the lb.)? I ask because of my
intention to "wire" all my brood frames
iin the coming season. Or do you think it
better for me to keep to the thick (7 sheets
to the lb.) ? I shall " wire " in either case.
2. Also, can you tell me of an appliance-
dealer who makes " Standard " and
shallow-frames with solid top-bar (no saw
cut, etc.), but without any other deviation
from the ordinary pattern? — L. I., Cam-
bridge, January 15.

Reply. — 1. It is quite safe to use full
sheets of light brood-foundation if pro-
perly wired, and only foundation of good
quality, such as the " Weed " is used. 2.
Any leading appliance maker will supply
frames without saw-cut in top-bar if asked
to do so.

[3197.] Transferring Bees. — 1. Would you
kindly give me the help of your vdde ex-
nerience in the following case? In June
last year I had a rather small swarm of
bees given me in a straw skep. I intended
eventually to transfer them to a frame-
hive ; but not getting this till early in
July I thought it best to effect the transfer
by driving, but on examining the skep I
found that the bees had built about five or
six combs, which were full of brood. It
should be explained that as soon as the
bees came into my possession I commenced
feeding with syrup, as advised in the
"Guide Book." Thinking it best not to
disturb them in consequence of the brood,
I decided to let the bees transfer them-
selves, as recommended on page 141. I
placed the skep above the frames with full
sheets of comb foundation. The bees, how-
ever, would have none of it. but remained
in the skep. I fed them all through the
year with eyrup, giving about 21b. to 31b,

per week, and since September they have
had as much candy as they require, so they
should winter well. I have only seen four
or five dead bees throughout the winter so
far ; and as I wish to get them on the
frames for the coming season, would you
kindly advise me through the medium of
the B.B.J, as to the best way to proceed
now to effect the end in view ? 2. I enclose
a sample of the candy I made for your in-
spection.— W. H. S., Chipping Sodbury,
January 19.

Reply. ^ — 1. The refusal of the bees to
transfer themselves is accounted for by the
fact of there being nO' lack of room for
their wants and plenty of breeding-space
in the skep'. It is only when a stock in
skep is crowded out for want of room in
brood-nest, and disposed to swarm, that
they will transfer themselves to a frame-
hive. If they are not occupying the frame-
hive at all it had better be removed and the
bees wintered in the skep. Then in the
coming spring, when they are seen to be
occupying the skep 'fully, set it above
frames as directed. 2. The candy sent us,
though moderately good, is hardly boiled
enough. Why not try Br. 'Colomban's
recipe as given in a recent issue?

Notices to Correspondents & Inquirers.

J. H. (Perthshire). — Size of Box-super for
Use at Honey Shows. — The " box-
super " for us© at shows where these
are included in the prize lists varies
according to the schedule ; but this
kind of super is very rarely included
in shows outside Scotland, so that there
is no guide by which we can help you.
The list sent expressly excludes " sec-
tions " from the class, and clearly speci
fies the size as " 14 in. by dp in. deep. "
This course will probably be followed
at all shows where supers of that kind
are included in the competition.

(Rev.) Samtiel L. Oer (Monaghan). — <
Diagrams on Bee-keeping. — The dia-
grams published by the B.B.K.A. are
just sold out. It is probable that a new
and revised edition — brought un to date
— will be published before very long, and
will be advertised in due course when
ready.

H. H. i*. (Somerset). — "Mind in Animals."
— Professor Ludwig Biichner's work,
" The Bee Nation : Mind in Animals,"
1880, translated, with the author's per-
mission, from the third revised edition,
by Annie Besant, may be ordered through
any bookseller.

J. I*. P. (Worcester). — Chapman Honey-
plant. — Tour are quite right ; it Is a
perennial, and the word on page 20 is
incorrect. We may also say it may be
propagated by division of roots in spring.

1^'ob. 1, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

41

THE STANDARD FRAME.

AN APPEAL FOB COOPEKATIOX.

It would be noticed in our report of the
B.B.K.A. meeting last week that the
qui'stion of proposed alterations in the
" standard frame " ap^ain came up for con-
sideration. We may, therefore, in view
of the uncertainty which seems to exist ni
the minds of some readers, refer to the
matter here with the object of stating the
position at somewhat greater length than
in the brief report refeiTed to. First, then,
let us say, bee-keejxirs who are interested
in the matter may dismiss from their
minds all fears that any hasty conclusions
will be formed, or that the question will
be decided — as some appear to think
likely — by the B.B.K.A. alone.

There is no desire whatever on the part
of the Council of the parent association
to do more than take its proper share -U
the discussion, and other qualified men
are invited to do the same. No doubt a
kimall committee will eventually be ap-
pointed, who will report to the Council,
and, after full consideration, a final de-
cision will then be arrived at.

In the meantime it is earnestly requested
that specimen frames, embodying the ideas
of senders, will be forwarded to the
B.B.K.A. office, 12, Hanover Square,
London, for the consideration of those
dealing with the subject. Manufacturers
of bee-appliances and those who have had
large practical experience of bee-work are
specially asked to take the matter up for
the common good of the industry in general.
All specimen frames should have attached
to them a full description of the advan-
tages claimed. They should also be ac-
companied by a reliable estimate of price
per gross, or per thousand, in order that
the very important point of cost of pro-
du(;tion may not be lost sight of.

Above all things, we earnestly hope that
no attempt will be made to interfere with
the vital point of the whole matter, i.e.,
the necessity for ensuring that any im-
proved or altered frame is interchangeable
with those already in alnicst universal use
in this country. To interefere with this
in any way would lead to results we do not
like to contemplate, but we may safely
leave that part of the question to those
in whose hands the final decision will rest.

If bee-keepers will co-operate heartily
an 1 in the spirit of fraternal good fellow-
ship during the next three months, not
only in dealing with the standard frame,
but also on the vexed question of adopting

a uniform width, of lib. section for general
use in this country, it will tend vei-y greatly
towards the advancement of bee-keeping as
a whole.

There is, to our mind, no single item of
bee-management more important than
uniformity and interchangeability in the
appliances used, and practical bee-men
will no doubt be the first to admit this.

The Editors do not' hold themselves retponsible for the
opinions expressed by correspondents. No notice wiU
be taken, of anonymous communieations, and corre-
spondents are requested to write on one side of the paper
only and give their real natnes and addresses, not neces-
sarily'for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith.
Illustrations should be drawn on separate pieces •/ paper
We tin not ii.vt1t>rtnhe In rpturn reifcffd ctn.rnii'ni'-'^^nn

NOTES BY THE WAY.
[6184.] "February fill dyke, ei'ther
with the black or white,'' is again with us,
and the lengthening of days reminds us that
spring is coming ; indeed, a few of its wel-
come harbingers are with us even now, the
early flowers putting forth their blossoms,
while the birds are singing on all sides,
and the lark has began to soar skywards.
The bees also had several opportunities of
flight during the past week in January.
These " pointers " should call the attention
of bee-keej)ers to the necessity of j^repara-
tion for the coming season. If new bee-goods
are required orders should be placed early.
If the establishing of an out-apiary be con-
temjjlated, the position must be selected
and arrangements made for locating the
hives, because an early removal is essential,
unless the distance is over two miles ;
though on this last point, however,
the experience of Mr. Alexander, an
American bee-keeper on a large scale,
may be considered applicable to this
country. That gentleman contends that
bees may be kept in very large num-
bers in one apiary with greater ad-
vantage to the bee-keeper than in several
apiaries a few miles apart. It ajjpears that
Mr. A. has tried both systems, and he now
keeps one large apiary of some 750 hives.
Bee-keepers in this country have got into
the same groove of thought that Mr.
Alexander followed some time ago — viz.,
that apiaries of about 100 hives wei-e as
many colonies as could be kept with ad-
vantage in one bee-yard, and that an ex-
tension of stock necessitated acquiring
another location on which to establish an
out-apiary. This means a considei'able ad-
dition to the cost of management, for
in most instances a pony and trap might
be needed, or if near a railway there would
be a continual expense for cost of travell-
ing, and in either case a considerable loss
of time would be taken up with journeys
to and from the out-apiary, with all the

42

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Feb. 1, 1903

multifarious items required in its manage-
ment and wiirking. Now, however, Mr.
Alexander keeps all his erstwhile out-
apiaries in one large bee-yard at home, and
he finds it is more profitable to allow the
bees to collect their honey far and wide
than when kept in smaller numbers and
distributed in out-apiaries (vide Gleanings).
Should we get a spell of cold weather,
do not forget to see that the entrances of
hives are kept clear of dead bees, and in
case of snowstorms the snow should be
swept off the hive-roofs before it thaws ;
if the sun shineis while snow is on the
ground hive-entrances should be shaded.
The ordinary extending alighting-board
makes a good shade if leaned up in front
of the entrances. A large proportion of
the bees that take flight at such times
fail to return to the hive, the white snow
apparently alluring them to destruction ;
they alight on the cold snow, become
cliilled, and die in a few seconds. -^ W.
WooDLEY, Beedon, Newbury.

"PAINTED QUEEN BEES."

[6185.] I read with some interest the
contribution on the above subject in your
issue of January 11 (6163, page 12). Mv
eyesight not being now so good as it once
was, I for one w<iuld be glad to hear that
queens could be by some means made more
easy to recognise on the combs.

Searching for a queen is, to me, at least,
a disagreeable business at all times, but
when it has to be a prolonged, and often an
unsuccessful, task, it is very unsatisfactory,
being injurious to the bees, and often in-
jurious to the bee-man, besides being a
waste of. time. I experience no difficulty
in spotting a yellow queen in a stock of
black bees, because she is different in colour
to her surroundings.

In all my experience of bee-shows I have
never seen a painted queen in observatory
hives ; but, no doubt, right or wrong,
painting would render queens much more
easily recognisable.

If, however, the marking of a queen can-
not be accomplished without injury, or
if it in any way retards the mother-bee in
the proper discharge of her maternal
duties, it would be folly to attempt it.

I fail, however, to see any connection
between queen daulx-d with paint and
being " worried " with the Bratila co'ca (or
blind louse) ; but I think the painted-queen
on<' would be the more comfortable of the
two. I am. of opinion also that oil-paint
applied to a queen-bee wf)uld quickly rid
her of the " lice " in question. One thing
I am c<'rtain of — viz., that oil applied to
cattle for that purpose is a sure and safe
remedy, besides improving their skins. We
should also bear in mind the many coats

of colouring the worker-bee gets in the
visits it pays to the different coloured blos-
soms ; still, it does not seem to interfere
in any way with its usefulness.

I have never clipped a queen's wmgs
myself, nor seen it done, although it is a
common practice amongst bee-keepers in
this locality. I cannot help thinking, ho\y-
ever, that the operation is a cruel one, and
there is no doubt that the results often are,
when queen leaves the hive unobserved and
perishes on the ground through beiiag urt-
able to return to the hive. Surely some
means of marking a oueen's wings could be
resoi-ted to which would not be so cruel as
" clipping " — some method of properly ap-
plying the proper material, the result of
which would make queens a different colour
from the other bees.

If this can be done without injury tp
the queen, no doubt it would be a great
boon to the busy bee-keeper, to say nothinsT;
of old ones like myself, who are getting a bit
blind. — AiiEXANDEii Reid, Balloan, Urray,
N.B.

[There seems to be some confusion in the
mind of our correspondent, first, with re-
gard to " marking a queen's wings " by the
operation known as "clipping." This is
done, not with any idea of " marking " for
the purpose of easy I'ecognition, but of
rendering the insect incapable of flight by
removing the greater part of one wing with
a pair of scissors. Thus mutilated, the
queen falls to the ground on issuing with
a swarm, while the latter returns to the
hive. Second, with reference to the " coa,t
of colouring the worker-bee frets,'' without
any harm or detriment to its usefulness.
By this is meant the pollen-dust gathered
on the multitudinous hairs on the body of
the bee during its dailv search fqr
nectar in various flowers. But it is well-
known that the worker- bee is provided vy^ifh
a most beautiful and delicate apparatus by
means of which all pollen-dust is easily re-
moved from its hairy body, and stored
where wanted in the hive. The difference
between oil-paint and pollen is obvious
Tliis brings us to the main point at issue
• — viz. , the cruelty, as we regard it, of daub-
ing the mother-bee of the colony with a
coat (or coats) of paint for any purpose
whatever ; and we sincerely hope that our
cori-espondent, Mr. Swabey, will i'econsid<er
his position and modify his views. Accord-
ing to the letter on page 12, he not only
seeks to justify the practice of painting
queens in observatory hives at shows, but
recommends successive coats of paint being
put on queens for defining age, etc., by
queen-breeilers. So ijitelli.'.rent a bee-m.a.h
as he undoubtedly is rshould surely agree
that a qualified bee-expert, usefully enj-
ployed by county councils as a lecturer in
teaching humanity to that industrioUiS
little labourer, the honey-bee, should avoid

Feb. 1, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

43

anything that inflicts needless discomfort
and misery on the single member of the
bee-community on which prosperity de
pends, should be discountenanced by all
who are best in the craft. — Eds.]

IMPROVEMENT IN HIVES.

[6186.] Your correspondent, Mr. James
Pile (6182, page 37), complains that he can-
not find a " complete hive " to satisfy him.
Well, Sirs, he must be hard to please, I
sliould imagine. But why does he not
evolve a perfect hive from his own brain ?
He tells us he makes his own " hives,
honey-ripeners, wax-extractors, etc., etc."
Let him give us the /tc piJus ultra in hive
design and construction if he is able. " I
ti-y experiments in improving the hives in
use," he says, and adds, demurely, " some
are failures." He modestly refrains from
telling us whether any of his experiments
are "successes." " Simple and economical "
hives may be had from any good maker.
But, then, he wants " one that needs less
handlin<) of the bees, and consequently more
honey " (italics mine). But, Sirs, what
necessary connection is there between any
make of hive, and either " less " or " more
handling " of the bees ? The latter depends
entirely upon the bee-keeper, and a prudent
man will handle as infrecjuently as jjos-
sible, especially when honey is coming in
rapidly. My " handling " consists of only
spring and autumn examinations, unless
I get swarms, when I cut out queen-cells
to prevent " casts." I do not think any of
these " handlings " would appreciably
affect the amovmt of honey stored in supers.
If " more honey " is a consequent of '' less
handling," then Mr. Pile has the remedy
within reach. Let "hands off " be his motto,
and the bees (not the hive) will do the rest.
— W. H. Brilley, Herefordshire.

BEE-KEEPING AS AN OCCUPATION.
16187.] I have just received the B.B.J.
of November 30 and your excellent " Guide
Book," and now send cash for half-yeai-'s
subscription to B.B.J. I am particulaxdy
interested in the letter signed " Tyke "
(page 471), and request that you will for-
ward me the number for November 16 men-
tioned, along with any other dealing with
the subject. With regard to " Bee-keeping
as an Occupation," I wish to obtain as much
information as possible in the event
of my probable return to England.
I should therefore be highly obliged
for your personal opinion and that
of your readers as to the proba-
bility of making an average clear profit of
from £100 to £150 per year, given (a) an
energetic and trained man who can make
his own appliances, (b) a capital of £1,000
(thousand). If you are good enough to pub-

lish this letter perhaps you will mention
that it is particularly requested that cost of
production be given. I may mention that
I am not the cori*espondent in India re-
ferred to in the article on page 451 of
B.B.J, of November 16 last. I send name
and address for reference, and sign— Sahib,
Punjab, India, December 27, 1905.

[Copies of B.B.J, containing our views
are sent by post. — Eds.]

HONEY CAKES.

Made from Be. Colomban's Recipe.

[6188.] Tlie sample of honey cake of your
correspondent, Mr. Melville, is not at all
bad. It is rather hard, but will ianjjrove
after being kept for some time. I see,
however, that the heat was not quite strong
enough, and not sufficiently equal, in his
stove, and that the cake consequently
baked quicker on the under side than on
the top side. If he cannot well regulate
the heat, he might put two tins instead
of one under the cake, so a>3 to prevent
it from burning on the under side before
the upper part is cooked. This is all I
have to say on thi^s. case. I may jDerhaps
add, for the benefit of other readers, that,
as the ammonia is not alwaysi of the same
strength, a rather smaller quantity than
that indicated in the recipe might be used.
I may also say that there are really two
distinct preparations for the paste ; one
remote ; in which case the mixing up of
honev and flour, may be made with ad-
vantage several weeki? beforehand, but it
is important that the paste requires
to be worked thoroughly up again just
befoi'e using, esix-cially as it contains
ammonia. The other preparation is made
the day on which the cake is baked, when
the orange peel, the ground cloves and
the ammonila are mixed u-p with it. In
all cases the ammonia is to be dissolved
with cold water, as hot water would
weaken its strength. Quality of honey
has also to be taken into consideration.
With very thin honey more flour is used.

May I now be allowed to make a remark
about some queries I have received from
I'eaders? I had no intention to convey
the idea that cane-sugar candy is better
than the hone.y candy for stimulating. In
faet, personally, I have always acted on
the conviction that the recipe of honey-
candy publiished in your pages on Septem-
ber 14, 1905, ite the best in all cases for
the bees, and I tliink it is also the easiest
for tlxe bee-keeper. I mean, it is easier to
make candy smooth in grain with honey
than witliout it. I find ako that honey-
candy is ISO efficient for spring stimulation,
that, so far, I have generally dispensed
with syi'uiD. It is safer, and does not cause
the trouble of robbing. It iis also my ex-

44

TiJE BRI'JISH BEE JOURNAL. [Feb. 1, 1906.

jwrience that bees do not care much for
liour being mixed witli candy. They do
not take it well at all. Perhaps this is
owing to the fact that we have plenty of
natural pollen here.

I would also like to say that those who
wish for honey-candy should ajjply for it
to Mr. Geo. Kose, Liverpool, as per his
advertisement. This will save time and
disapj)ointment.

Thanking all those who have kindly ex-
pressed their appreciation of my candy
recipe, — Br. Colomban, St. Mary's Abbey,
Buckfast, Devon, January 25.

EARLY BREEDING.

[6189.] I have read v/it;h interest Messrs.
Herrod and Stewart's note re " Early
Breeding" (6183, page 37). The question
arose iai my mind, is it early or late?

I put into winter quarters five Baby
nuclei, consisting of four quarter-size
standard frames. These nuclei were
wiiitered in three ways for an experimejital
purpose, and here are the notes of one
of these Baby nucleus hives : — December
8 : Eggs, larvse, j>upse, one frame full,
gave candy ; December 20th : Pupa only,
comb built in candy box ; January 4 :
No eggs, no brood, gave pollen ; Jaiiuary
19 : Eggs and larvae ; January 27 :
Eggs, larvte, and pupaj. From the above
it will be noted brood-rearing ceased with
the closing year.

I have two more queens in Baby nuclei
with eggs and larvaj ; one died, the other
suffered with dysentery ; result, queen
dead ; the bees were joined to another Baby
nucleus. Personally, I am well satisfied
with the experiment, as it has given me
a successful method of wintering Baby
nuclei. — J. Gbay, Long Eaton, January 27.

BEE PARALYSIS.

[6190.] About five yeans ago I had one
stock that from the symptoms I think was
afflicted with the above, and I sent seme
of th^ bees for your opinion, v/hi-^h was
that they had the apjoearance of having
been drowned. But you were wr.)ng, as
the hive was quite dry, and iis so Btill.
However, that year the bees nearly all
died off ; they crawled from the hive on to
the flight-board, and died there ; at least,
about three pints of them did, but the
queen and a few bees came through the
trouble and made a good stock, but yielded
no honey. The following witnter the bees
again became affected as before, and nearly
all died off in isame way. The hive in ques-
tion was located at my out-apiary, so I
t-ook it home and put the bees in a new
hive with combs of food from other stocks,
and they did well ; but each year they have

been more or less affected in the same way.
1 ujicapped some of thei;r stores, and gave
it to otJier stocks, but no harm followed,
though the bees seem as if suffering
from abdominal distension when they leave
the hifve, and the face of the comb le very
dark, as if the bees were troubled with
dysentery, while the honey has a sharp
or sour taste. There is also an appearance
of its granulating from the white-like
crystallised sugar seen at bottom of each
cell. They sent out a fine swarm last
year, a good skepful coming out, so the
queen is all right, and this iis the first
time they have swarmed in five years. I
may say the capping of their sections is
always much darker than those of my
other liives, yet the honey iis good, and
the bees seem all right this year, so far.
Two years ago I showed some of the
affected bees to our county expert, and he
said he had never seen or heard of such a
thing before. This is the only hive of the
sixteen my apiary contai'ns tliat has had
the paralysis. Wishing a bright new year
to our Editors., and a good harvest to us
all, — G. Reed, Wickford, January 29.

(" Gurrespondenre " continued on page 46.)

HOMES OF THE HONEY BEE.

THE APIARIES OF OXJR READERS.

The apiary of our friend Mr. Darring-
ton, seen on next page, illustrates how
bees may be kept close to dwelling-houses
without being voted a nuisance by neigh-
bours. The owner himself also combines
in his own person a bee-keeping school-
master, who is a certificated expert, a
good amateur joiner, and a useful member
of the craft. For the rest, we may allow
the interesting notes, sent at our request,
to speak for themselves. He says : —

The photo of myself and apiary was
taken by my father-in-bee-keeping, Mr.
H. Meakin, Newthorpe, Notts.

Owing to the above gentleman's influ-
ence, I had a thorough practical and theo-
retical knowledge for some two years
before I owned a hive. He it was who
introduced me to the " Guide Book " and
the Beconl as far back as 1892, and
gave me my first hive.

I make my own hives, which are of the
" combination " pattern, and very large.
At the back is a small door, and flight-
board, for keeping a nucleus. You see,
my hives are worked on a non-swarming
principle, because of the situation, and
the strain of bees in No. 1 (that with
hive-roof on top) have not swarmed for a
dozen years at least.

I have never had a swarm, although I
have tried various races of bees.

Feb. 1, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

45

Last year I made a "W.B.C." hive
from directions in the "Note Book," and
although tlio bees in it were crowded on
twenty-two standard frames and two
supers of shallow-frames, they never
swarmed. It will be noticed that the
hiveis are placed very close together, so in
order to give the bees a better chance of
distinguishing their own domicile, No. 1
is painted a jaale blue, No. 2 oak-grained,
No. 3 green, and No. 4 red.

The hive uncovered and showing feed-
ing-bottle had a queen which did not com-
mence to lay until three weeks after fer-
tilisation in autumn, and then began with

In 1903 I gained my third-class expert's
certificate, and hope to go still higher,
though I do not tliink the pi-esent expert
visiting system is effective. A much
better plan, to my mind, would be to
encourage members to take the " Ex-
pert's " certificate, and then divide the
county among them, allotting to each the
immediate district in which he lives.

With regard to honey selling, this year
I tried a wholesale " deal " for the fii-st
time. 1 asked 10s. per dozen 1 lb. jars,
and was met with a decided "No." Then
I asked for a quotation. This was the
reply : " I lately bought a gross for 8s. 6d.

MK. W. DARRINGTON'S APIARY, BULWELL, NOTTINGHAM.

a frame of drones in worker-cells. It was
my best hive all through the spring, but
in Whit-week I found she had disap-
peared.

The photo was taken in the spring, and
shows, on the left, a border of crocuses,
which are extremely useful.

I was one of the first Notts men to
take advantage of the Insurance scheme
for bee-keepers, and in that matter my
apiary is an object-lesson. Behind the
wall at the back, when I commenced, was
a field ; now there are two rows of houses
and a street, and in the height of the
season I have seen horses driven up so
close as to poke their noses over the wall.
I was very pleased to think I had pre-
pared for eventualities.

]3er dozen, and I have no doubt I can get
it for even less than that." Well, he
did not get mine. I think the middle-
man gets far too much of the profit.

I seize every opportunity to visit well-
known apiaries, and in this way have
seen Mr. Rymer's and the late J. H.
Howard's. I also make a practice of
visiting the large honey-shows whenever
convenient. In 1903 I saw the " Grocer's
and Confectioners'," and last year the
" Royal." In conclusion, allow me to say
how much I am indebted to the Bke
Journal, and to thank Mr. Woodley and
"B.M.M." in particular. I was delighted
to discover, some months ago, that the
latter is one of us, for I am another
schoolmaster bee-keeper.

46

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Feb. 1, 1906.

COB RESPON DENCE.

(Continued from page 44.)
REVIVING CHILLED BEES.
[6191.] The following account may-
be of linterest, and possibly of use,
to those of your readers who are, like me,
beginners in bee-keeping. To-day I found
on the ground, near one of my hivtG, about
a hundred bees, apparently dead, some,
however, made very slight twitches, in their
legs. I picked them all up and put them
in a dish, covered it with glasr,, and placed
it in front of the fire. " Within half an
hour they were running and flying about
the dish as well as ever, all but half a
dozen, which were really dead. I had
placed a few drops of honey in the diish,
but only a few took to it, so I conclude
they were suffering from chill, and not
hunger. After the half hour. I took the
d.ish to the front of the hive, removed
the glares, and except the dead half-
dozen they all flew off from the dish and
joined the numerous throng at the en-
trance of their hive.— J. B. C, Lough-
borough, January 28.

TWO YEARS' EXPERIENCE OF BEES.

.TTTTT CLOTH FOU BEE-KEEPEBs' TTSE.

[6192.] There are two reasons for my
taking the' liberty" of writing' y6Tif'fi't«trf,
to give a brief report of my short experi-
ance as a bee-keeper, and, secondly, to ask
your opinion on the enclosed samples of
jute cloth for bee-keening purposes.

I am a bee-man of just two years' stand-
ing— this coming season will be my third —
and I must say that the pursuit, which is
mostly a hobby with me, has proved won-
derfully successful and enjoyable. Nor
could it well be otherwise when there was
the sound advice of the " Guide Book " at
hand, backed up by the experience and
hints to be found in your weekly and
monthly papers, and, perhaps best of all,
the personal assistance of that experienced
and able bee-keeper Mr. R. Steele, of
Wormit. During the first year my one
colony developed into two, at the same
time yielding me over 60 lb. of honey from
the two stocks. Last season these two be-
came three, and my total honey-harvest
was nearly 190 lb., of which I took from
the hive not permitted to swarm 114 lb.
of surplus, mostly sections. I would very
much like to limit my apiary to three
hives, but am afraid this policy will not
suit " my little friends " the bees. The
(•hief sources of nectar in the district — or,
rather, half district, for it is bounded on
one sid<' by tlk'. Firth — are fruit and flower
blossoms, clover, and, if suitable weather,
a little heather-honey from the moors a
couple of mih's distant.

The second reason of my writing is to
obtain your opinion on the jute cloths en-
closed, especially the very thick wefted
cloth, which, 18 in. by 18 in., double thick-
ness, as shown, is intended to be used as
bee-quilts over, possibly, the first felt wrap.
I bring this to your notice, because I know
that this jute square makes a warm,
porous, and at the same time veiy cheap
wrap as compared with others (an 18 in.
by 18 in. square double-cloth would cost
3d. at most). The other samples show jute
cloth in two or three grades of openness and
thickness. Do you think that two or more
sheets of any of the specimens would be
more suitable than one of the heavy cloth ?

I am surprised that for all the jute goods
— cloth-bags, cord, twine, rope, etc., that
must be used by the larger bee-keepers-r-
there is no advertiser of thetse articles in
your papers. I shall look forward to your
reply, and be very pleased to get your ad-
vice.—R. N. R., Tayport, N.B.

[The best advice we can give, in your in-
terest, is that you tselect from our adver-
tising pages, names of a few leading
appliance dealers and send to each a few
samples of jute cloths, similar to those
4'ncli)sed with your letter to uis. They
woiilil be better able than anyone to say
if your samples would be suitable for trade
purpjses. ^ Th«-< (doth • sent will, in^onr
opinion, require something of more smooth
surface next to the tops of frames. — Eds.]

BINDING THE BEE JOURNAL.

[6193.] A correspondent who writes in
yoijr issue of last week (6180, page, 34) has
some suggestions on the above subject
which are useful. May I say that I have
bound my copies in a similar way during
the nine years I have been a subscriber.
I think, however, that my method is an
improvement on that of your correspon-
dent, who suggests binding " six months'
numbers " together. This would mean that
every other volume would have no index.
My plan is to remove all the advertisement
pages (which are not numbered), and then
to bind the whole year's numbers in one
volume, which will be only one inch thick,
and will have an index for the whole of the
contents.

Readers who do their own binding will
find the following plan simplify the task :
— Place the numbere in regular order,
taking care that loose pages go well to the
back ; putting them betwcH>n twO' pieces of
board, leaving about 2 i"- protruding
on the side where the holes ate to be
pierced. Place the boards in a carpenter's
vice, or letter-copying press, and screw up
tightly, then pierce the holes with bradawl
and run the string through. A fine sacking-

Feb. 1, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOUENAL.

4U

needle will expedite the latter operation.
If the string is securely tied your volume
will be firni and book-like. A piece of
strong brown paper and a little glue will
make a cover if desired. — W. H. Brilley,
Herefordshire.

HOW I MAKE A MARKET FOR
HONEY.

[6194.] Herewith I send for your inspec-
tion a photo illusti^ating my method of
displaying my honey for sale. The door-
way shown opens into my garden, and the
path which leads up to the main entrance
of my house. In the door — as seen in photo
— I have cut out a centre panel and fitted
the opening with a square of glass. Behind
this is fixed a shelf, upon which rests a

of my honey to hnndreds of visitors, who
take it home to eat at their leisure, many
to write for more to be sent on to all parts
of the British Isles. Tliis we know by the
address we send it to by parcels post. It
is no uncommon occan-ence to see a dozen
visitors at once standing round ; at such
times yours truly is making hay while the
sun shines ; and instead of troubling the
middleman to sell it for me, I find, so far,
after two seasons, I have myself to hunt
round and buy. I have no difficulty in
obtaining Is. 2d. each for well-filled sec-
tions, and seldom have any under Is. Id.
when laced up and glazed, a la Woodley.
Run honey I sell at Is. Id in all tie-oven?.
I return the Id. if the customer returns
me the empty pot, but up to wr.LiUg
this have not had two dozen empties

MAKING A MARJCET FOR HONEY,

" Quaker-oat '' box, the latter being lined
with snow-white paper, and displayed
therein may be seen a coujile of well-
finished sections of good comb-honey ; be- '
tween these is a bell-glass beautifuUv
worked out with sealed honey in comb, also
a Idb. tie-over glass jar of extracted honey.
The card hung up inside the box simply
states that the honey is guaranteed to be
pure and of heather blend. On each
side of the door is hung one of the
B.B.K.A. diagrams, as seen. These form
an attraction which fi'W passers-by can re-
sist stopping to admire, and as the door-
way fi'onts on to the main road between
St. Aubins, St. Brelades, and Portlett Bays
thus I capture the attention of thousands
of visitors during the summer, and dispose

back. It is evident to me that when I
adopted tliis method of showing I did a
good day's work, and I can strongly recom-
mend it to anyone else who has good honey
for sale. I am wintering thirteen stocks,
and intend to increase to twenty-five. I
make all my own hives on the "W.B.C. "
princijale, ten standard frames in the
brood-box, only Abbott's broad-shoulder
frames used (nothing better wanted)
flat, slo))ing roof, and all covered
with a sheet of iron, galvanised cor
ruLrated (24 gauge) ; these cost me 8il
ea(^h. I saw them to lengrth myself
out of new, clean, and long sheets. Anv
bee-keeper who adopts this covering will
be well satisfied, and can rest content that
evei-ything below will be dry. I conclude

48

THE BRITISH BEE JOtJRNAL. [Feb. 1, 1906.

with best wishes to all interested in " the
bees."— W. W. Kay, St. Brelades, Jersey,
January 25.

^ux'm ani ileplics.

[3198.] Full Sheets or Starters in Frame-
hive. — Will you please answer the follow-
ing in B.B.J. ? — 1. Am I obliged to use full
sheets of foundation in frames for brood-
nest? I should like to use strips (or
" starters ") only, as it would make a big
difference in the amount of foundation
required for a dozen hives. On the other
hand, would the bees build too much drone-
comb from starters only ? 2. After receiving
a swarm from seller, should I do wrong
by starving the bees for thirty hours before
putting them in hives with the object of
stopping all chance of risk from foul-brood
germs coming with the swarm? 3. How
long a time should elapse after putting a
swarm in a frame-hive, with good weather,
before giving a rack of sections, supposing
weather to he good ? I send nrime and ad-
dress for reference. — Cautious, Biddenden,
Kent, January 20.

Reply.^ — 1. It is generally thought in
this country that the use of full sheets of
foundation for swarms, when first hived,
is time economy, because of the time saved
to the bees just when the honey-ilow is
on. And this argument is not easily re-
futed, seeing how easily a good swarm could
store honey greatly in excees (so far as
value) of the cost of foundation used. You
could easily test the merits or demerits of
the two plans by trial with two swarms, one
with full sheets and the other with starters.
Personally, we prefer full sheets, and this
is the view of the great majority of prac-
tical bee-men. No doubt a great deal too
much drone-comb would be found in frames
if starters only are used. 2. Yes, very
wrong ; do not try it. 3. All depends on
the way honey comes in. There is no fixed
number of days before supering ; the time
is chosen according to the bees' needs —
i.e., if brood-chamber is well filled with
bees, and honey comes in well, give supers
at onoe.

[3199.] Swarm in Owl's Nest. — Can you
tell me what has brought about the be-
heading, and disembowelling of the bees I
enclose ? They are part of a stray swarm
which took possession of an owl's nest last
summer, and although I provided them
with shelter in th^ autumn, they had almost
no stores, and are now all dead from want
of food, I suppose. Many of the bodies in
same condition as those enclosed were cast

out of the improvised " hive," and the rest
lay in a mass on the bottom, but all at-
tacked in the same way. Thanking you in
advaJice — R. J. W., Rijiley^ Sui-rey,
January 22.

Reply. — Judging by the appearance of
dead bees sent, it seems probable that the
unfortunate insects, being unable to defend
themselves — owing to their weak condition
through want of food — were mutilated and
partly eaten either by owls or other bee-
enemies. We are not clear as to what is
meant by " providing them with shelter in
the autumn," as stated, so that the bees
may have died from famine before the
bodies were mutilated and partly eaten.

[3200.] Hive Entrance Blocked in
January. — Monday, January 22nd, being
a fine day, I noticed that the bees at most
of my hiVes were very active, only one stock
being quiet. On looking at entrance of
this hive, I found it ,stopi>ed up with dead
bees. I lost no time in removing these,
and clearing the passage-way, when there
was a rush out of live bees from the in-
side. These looked all right, but the dead
were so numerous that I thought there
could not be many left alive in the hive.
On removing the covering of frames and
looking at combs, I found that they con-
tained any amount of food, and was, there-
fore, unable to understand the great
mortality among the bees. I cleared out
more than a half-pint of dead ones. To-
day I examilned the hive again, and drew
many more out from the entrance, some of
which I am forwarding for your opinion
with regard to there being any disease ? If
not, what do you think can be the cause
of so many deaths among the bees of this
particular hive ? Tiiisting I am not
troubling you unduly, — " Newcastle,"
January 27.

Reply. — The probability i'e that a seam
of bees has, by some means, parted from
the cluster through the latter changing
its position on the combs in order to get
near the food (supply, and has thus been
cut off from the storeis during cold weather
to perish through hunger, with plenty of
food almost within reach. This happens
not infrequently in severe wilnters, and
renders it necessary to keep hive entrances
clear of dead beets at regular intervals, to
avoid the risk of harm to the live bees
unable to leave the hive. Your best
course will bo to clear the floor-board at
the first opportunity, and, if possible, ex-
amine the combs in order to gauge the
extent of the mischief.

[3201.] General Management of Bees. — I
have three stocks of bees headed by queens
of 1905, 1904, and 1903 respectively. I also
have three new hives (bee-less), besides one
I intend to keep for emergencies. I am

Feb. 1, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

49

considering what will be the best way of
de^aling with them in the coming season,
and should be grateful for your advice. —
F. G. L., Sawley.

Reply. ^ — Your best course will be to read
the concluding chapter in the " Guide
Book " on " General MaJiagement " (pages
168 to 172), and arrange plans according
to your own time and ability to carry out
the directions and various methods fully
detailed in other chapters of Mr. Cowan's
work. No item of ordinary bee-manage-
ment is left undealt with so far as regards
increasing stocks or looking for the best
results in surplus-honey, so that with the
book as a guide you will have fuller details
than we could possibly give in the form of
replies to queries without any knowledge
of your previous experience or surround-
ings.

[3202.] Moving Bees in February. — I will
be much obliged if you will kindly tell me
how best to move my eleven hives of bees
into a straight line, and how far apart each
hive ought to be. I would like to know
what is the least distance that is advised
between hives, as my space is limited. At
present they are dotted about, but I wish
to have them all in line. Is it eafe to move
each hive a few feet every day until they
come right, and is now the time to do it ?
— C. S. S. Weymouth.

Reply. — If the distance apart is not great
the hives may be safely moved three or
four feet each day on which the bees are
flying freely. With regard to distance
apart at which hives should stand, if room
allows, it is advisable to have six feet be-
tween each, and anything less than this is
more or less a disadvantage, though many
bee-keepers are perforce compelled to
have their hives closer for lack of room.
Tlie sooner the change of position is made
the better.

[3203.] Bees near Fowl Bun. — I should be
glad if you would let me know, through
the medium of your " Queries " column,
whether it is safe to have bee-hives in close
proximity to a fowl-run, or whether the
bees would be likely to molest or dHurb
the fowls.

I send a rough diagram of the space
at my disposal for a fowl-run, and where
I want, if possible, to keep my two bee-
hives. As I propcDse arranging it, the
fowls would be able to approach to with-
in about a couple of feet from iho hives.
Would it be better to board up the lower
part of the wire netting I have indicated,
so a»5. to induce the bees to fly over the
heads of the fowls, or is there no fear of
the latter catching and eating bees ? The
circumstances of its environment made it '
impossible to place the bees in any other
part of the ground. Thanking you in

anticdpation for your advice. — E. K. H. ,
Brondesbury Park, N.W., Januai-y 28.

Reply. — There i^ always an element of
risk in locating bee-hives close to fowl-runs,
but the danger is to the fowls, rfitlic/" than
the bete. Judging from the rough sketch
sent, we should place the hives so that
the line of flight would be facing the open
country and away from vhe fnwl-run.
Then, if a light lattice-woi'k fence was sub-
stituted for the wire netting marked on
sketch, you mi^ht have a rovv of rmuKr
beans trained up Ihe fence eight or nine
feet high. And this would tend to milii-
mise the ritek of the bees attacking the
fowls at certain seasons. Much, however,
depends on the bee-keeper and his methods
of management for keeping fowls and bees
apart, and without any mischief follow-
ing. —

[3204.] The Ford-Wells Hive.—l should
be glad of your advice as to how I am to
manage a "Wells" hive, wliich I bought
second-hand in the autumn. I understand
about keeping two stocks in the hive with
a perforated division, but (1) should there
not be a floor-board under the brood
frames, and therefore over the shallow-
frames below? Outside there are, in this
hive, two sets of entranced, onei to the
brood chamber, and one to the shallow
frames. The back of the hive opens for
the lower half, so that the shallow frames
can be withdrawn eti. masse, as in a bottom-
less drawer. (2) 'Should there be a move-
able floor-board between the tvi'o set»3 of
frames, B. and S. ? and (3) should it, iln
the honey season, be of perforated queen-
excluding zinc, like that over the brood
combs? I think it is a Taylor's Wells
hive. — Drallop.

Reply. — From description given it is
plain that the hive referred to is tiliat
known a& the "Ford-Wells" hive, a full
description of which, along with the
method of working, appears in the maker's
catalogue, which we advise you to write
for. The address is Mr. E. H. Taylor,
Welwyn. Herts.

[3205.] Bee-candy Makin<). — I should
much like to have your opinion on the
enclosed soft candy, made according to Br.
Colomban's recipe. I have boiled it for a
much longer period than that mentioned
in the receipt, but it does not seem to be
yet quite hard enough. I may say the honey
used was of a dark colour, and perhaps not
quite "ripe." — Basil E. Buckwell, Acton,
W., January 17.

Reply. — Except for being a little coarse
in grain, your sample will answer very well
as bee-food, though it bears evidence, we
think, of the directions given by Br. Colom-
ban not having been veiy carefully caiTied
out. Did you boil it on a very brilsk, hot
fire ? As this is essential if best results
are to be secured.

50

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[Feb. 1, 190«.

[3206.] Soft
spond^nt, Br.
which appears
September 14,

Bee-candy; — Your corre-
Colomban, in the recipe
on page 363 of B.B.J, tor
1905, gives a method for
ascertaining when the syrup has been boiled
enough, and adds : — "A sugar-boiling
thermometer would be a convenient sub-
stitute." May I ask him to say: 1. In
what manner ? I can understand that the
thermometer shows when the liquid is .-ct
boiling-point, but how does it show that
it has boiled long enough ? 2. Is the sugar-
boiling thermometer of any particular
make' or ^Jnttern? Will not a bath ther-
mometer answer as well? — S. E. , Sand-
hurst, Kent, January 29.

Reply. — As it will be more satisfactory
if our correspondent, Br. Colomban, re-
plies to the above, we will ask him to
kindly send a line for next week's issue.

[3207.] Hire Entrance in Centre of Floor-
hoard. — I thought of making floorboard aJid
entrance to bee-hive as per enclosed
sketch, the idea being to do away with en-
trance-porch, and still have a dry entrance,
but before doing so would esteem it a favour
if you would kindly say in next issue if
you think it j^racticable. I have not seen
anything of the sort advocated before in
your paper, but would not be surprised if
you sayit had, and failed. — F. Copsey,
Oxford, January 23.

Reply. — The idea of having hive-
entrances beneath the floorboard is by no
means new, but has never met with much
success so far as regards its coming largely
into use. We have known of several at-
tempts at long intervals to introduce that
style of entrance, but none have been
adopted. The most recent and perhaps the
best development of this type of hive was
fully described in our issue of May 25 last
year, and illustrated in the view of tlie
apiary of the inventor of the hive in ques-
tion on June 8 of same year.

Brnughty Ferry, Forfar, N.B., Januanj
23. — Mv bees are now wintering well, but
the worst weather in this part of the
kingdom has yet to come. I have, how-
ever, great expectations for the .season of
1906, if the summer is favourable, as the
district in which I am situated is a very-
good one for bees. Ais a subscriber to the
B.B.J., I can testify to the useful infor-
mation I have received through its
columns. — J. H. McDonald.

Hose Farm, Apiary, Old Danesmoor,
f1h ester field, January 29. — We have had
several beauiifiil days here for the bees,
and they have enjoyed a good airing-flight.
Yesterday (Sunday) being so excintionally
fine and warm that there was. i. nuitinvial

hum in my apiai*y from nine in the morning
till past four in the afternoon. Very few
flowers were to be seen, but the bees spent
a lot of time busily foraging among them.
Durijig the whole of January there have
only been three days on which I have not
seen a few bees out some part of the day.
— Tom Sleight.

Mcadowbank, Torrance, N.B., Jan-
uary 22. — I gave all my hives a second cake
of soft candy on January 19. Every stock
looked strong in bees yesterday, Sunday
being an exceedingly fine day, and they
were on the wing, flying about in thousands
for fully two hours, the hum of the bees
being very pleasant to the ear, as it was to
watch them busily visiting the water-
troughs. Snowdrops are coming into
bloom, which is very early in this district.
— W. Watson.

HockeriU, Bishop's Stortford. — January
16 was a fine day, the temperature in "^he
shade at noon being 48° Fahr. All my
hive dooi*ways were black with bees, num-
bens of them flying high and strong — just
as they do in spring. But we had heavy
rain at night, though the minimum tem-
perature did not fall below 44° Fahr. The
followiiig day was also fine and spring-
like, the maxiimum temperature agin being
48^ Fahr. I was glad to note the hives
I have selected for queen rearilng appear
to be exceedingly strong ; they are bred
from a stoek which gave me a swarm, 91b.,
and the most honey. — G. C. Burgess.

Notices to Correspondents & Inquirers.

An Agricultural Labourer (Wilts). — De-
faulting Honey -buyers. — We trust that
the advertiser of whom you very justly
complain will have ere now made good
his promise to pay. Anyway, your first
experience will be sufficient, we hope, to
ensure payment in the future by adopt-
ing our " deposit system " of payment,
as it effectually secures both buyer and
seller from loss.

Doubtful (Yorks). — Pea-flour Candy.- —
Your sample (made in 1904, and re-
made now by again boiling) would be of
no use as bee-food.

A. Skippen (Springfield). — Photos of Bee-
gardens. — We will be glad to illustrate
your apiary in " Homes of the Honey
Bee '' if a suitable photo is forwarded.
Many thanks for your appreciation of
the B.B.J.

A. Hardwell (Eltham). — Bee Nomencla-
ture.— The dead bee sent is not a worker,
and its greater length than usual, which
gave the impression of it being a queen,
is due- to abdominal distention. It is
sliglitly crossed with a foreign strain of
some kind, 'not sufficiently marked for
safe definition.

Feb. 8, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

51

THE STANDABD FRAME QUESTION.

Our few remarks on page 41 last week
dealing with the Standard frame question
have, so far, brought but one reply, that
from ^x. S. P. Soal (vide page 47 in this
issue) ; and this reply is disappointiag, as
it only re-opens a phase of the discussion
which we hoped had been settled long ago.
It may be well, therefore, if we draw the
attention of present-day readers to a point
on which Mr. Soal lays special emphasis,
i.e., a trial of the frame he favours along-
side the B.B.K.A. Standard, and his con-
fidence that ultimate results will prove
the superiority of a 16 in. by 10 in. frame,
if bee-keepers can only be induced to make
the experiment proposed.

Presuming that our friend intends us to
include ourselves in the list of exneri-
menters, we may say that the two sizes of
frames had full trial at our hands more than
twenty years ago, when, in our apiary of
about forty hives, ten or twelve were ex-
actly similar to Mr. C. N. Abbott's
" Standard Hive " holdiag a 16 in. by 10 m.
frame, which took the prize at the Palace
Show in 1875. Moreover, the trial was
made in full sympathy with the larger
frame. Yet the final result convinced us
that the B.B.K.A. Standard gave better
results ; consequently it was adopted, and
the others weeded out.

For the rest, we may say that the
" sample frame " promisied by Mr. Soal
will — along with all others sent — receive
full consideration at the hand® of the
special committee, to whom will be en-
trusted the task of deciding on any change
considered needful.

REVIEWS OF FOREIGN BEE-
JOURNALS.

By "Nemo."
Quality of Honey for Gingerbread.- — We
find in V Apiculteur a report of an interest-
ing discussion which took place at the last
meeting of the Central Bee-keepers' Society
of France. M. R. Aubert wished to know,
on the subject of import duties, whether
the manufacturers of gingerbread did not
use foreign honey. M. Rousseray stated
that the manufacturers were not able to
use either the coarse Chilian or European
honeys. The French white honeys are ab-
solutely of no use for making honey-cakes,
as with them the dough does not rise. The
honey produced in Brittany is indispens-
able for the purpose, and is used by manu-
facturers. An increase in the import duty
would not affect the sale of white honey
which could only be increased by bringing
it more prominently before the pubHo and

making known its advantages, as is done
in England, where honey figxires at five^
o'clock teas, and on other occasions. No-
thing is done in this way in France.

In the same journal there also appears
a complaint that honey ie slow in granu-
lating this season, and in reply thereto the
editor states that the mystery respecting
granulation has not yet bee^ solved. The
moisture of the atmosphere has had con-
siderable influence, as honey is hygro-
metric. But whatever may be the cause, we
can always resort to the classical methods
of producing granulation, by beating the
honey, changing it from one vessel to an-
other, and adding a little granulated honey
to it, while keeping it in a very dry and
not too cold a place.

Fifty Tears of Bee-Keeping in France.—
Fi-om V Apiculteur, we learn that it is just
fifty years since the Societe Centrale d'Api-
culture was founded by M. Hamet. It was
in 1856 that this pioneer of apicultural
journalism started V Apiculteur at the same
time as the society was formed, but it then
went by the name of V Apiculteur Practicien.
The journal has appeared monthly ever
since, and on the death of M. Hamet the
editorship v/as taken up by M. Sevalle.
The former editor, M. Hamet, waisi a
strenuous opponent of the movable comb-
hive and extractor, but since M. Sevalle
has taken charge of the journal, free scope
has been given for discussion, with the
result that the movable-comb system has
made great advances in France. The
journal is now the best in the French lan-
guage, and has a good staff of contributors.

German Bee-Papers. — There is no country
in the world which can boast of so many
bee-papers as Germany. We now, how-
ever, have to announce that two have
ceased their independent existence, and
been amalgamated with the Deutsche
Illustrierte Bienenzeitung. One is the
ImJcerschule, edited for 15 years by Pastor
E. Weygundt, and the other, the Deutsche
Bienenfreund, which has existed for 41
years, and was edited by Kantor L. Krau-
cher. Both of these gentlemen have joined
the staff, so that the Illustrierte Bienenzei-
tung will be the gainer.

The Sale of Honey in Germany. — From
the Munchener Bienenzeitung we learn what
a small proportion is the sale of honey in
comparison with other articles of food. In
the organ of the Board of Health, it is
stated that in 1900 there were 2,605.350
hives of bees in Germany, which produced
149,501 double centals of honey. Of this,
3,218 was exported, and in this way there
remained 146,283, in addition to which
the amount imported was 19,117 centals.
Therefore during this year only 165,400
double centals were consumed by the Ger-
man people. Taking the kilo at two
marks would produce 33,080,000 marks.

52 THE BRITISH BEE JOtTKNAL. [Feb, 8, 1906.

Distributed over the population, of
56,367,178, the result is that there
IS a consumption of 2935 grammes
or 58 2-3rd poiuuls per head dur-
ing the year. This gives an average
for every German of 4-5th& of a gramme
of honey per day — a ridiculously email
amount compared, for instance, with
alcohol. There is. no money to spend on
such a healthy food as honey, yet as re-
gards its nourishing value, it is cheaper
than meat or milk.

Buckwheat Honey for Gingerbread.- — We
read in Le Miel an interesting article by
,M. R. Piot on the use of honey in the
manufacture of gingerbread. He says vrhite
honey is no useiii making gingerbread, and
honey from Brittany is the only one used
in France for the purpose. This is exclu-
sively buckwheat honey, very dark, thick,
rich, strong flavoured, and in cold weather
it can be cut with a spade. This honey has
a characteriistic flavour so pronounced as
to make it unsuitable for table use, but
rendering it just the thing for manufac-
turing gingerbread. The reason why Dijon
has become the centre for the manufac-
ture of gingerbread is rather interesting.
It came originally from FlanderSi, and it
appears that when Philip the Good married
he was anxious, in order to accustom his
wife to her new surroundings, to proceed
by gradual transition and make as few
changes as possible in her habits and
tastes. He, therefore, brought with him
from Flanders a cook who knew how to
make a special kind of cake of which the
duchess was very fond, and this cake was
simply honey-gingerbread. Imitators soon
appeared and they started shops for the
sale of the gingerbread, and in this way tl^e
industry was established in Dijon. The
town of Dijon now, in this manufacture
alone consumes annually from 900 to 1,000
barrels of honey, each barrel weighing
.600 lb., making a total of 60,000 lb. of
honey used for making gingerbread alone.
The industry is so dependent on buck-
wheat honey that when it is scarce they
will pay a high price for it, and have given
as -much as 110 francs the 100 kilos, or
thirty to forty francs more than white
honey was selling for. The principal
-tonality of buckwheat honey is that the
(Tough rises with it and remains light,
whereas with other honey after rising it
again sinks and causes the cakes to be
heavy.

liemarlcahh Honey Cure. — We find re-
poiited in the Schweizerische Bienenzeifunfj, a
case showing the efiicacy and medicinal
value of honey. A young woman was suf-
fering from a very severe form of anaemia,

and the eminent Dr. K at last told her

that nothing more could be done for her,
and that she .could not live long, but
without holding out much hope of

her recovery, he recommended her
to try honey and milk. She was
to take this several times a day,
and take walks in the woods so long as she
was strong enough to do- so. She can-ied
out liis advice, and in a few months be-
came perfectly w^ll and strong again.
This is an example where honey has been
the means of I'escuing a life from the grave,
and should be an incentive to the more
liberal use of honey as an article of food.

The Editors do not hold themselves responsible for the
opinions expressed by correspondents. No notice vjill
be taken of anonymous communleations, and corre-
spondents are requested to write on one aide of the paper
only and give their real names and addresses, not neces-
sarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith.
Illustrations should be drawn on separate pieces •/ paper.
We do not undertake to return rejected cermnunications.

Commutiications relating to the literary department,
reports of Associations, Shows, Meetings, Echoes, Queries,
Books for Review, &c., -must be addressed only ^o " The
Editoks of the ' British Bee Journal,' 8, Henrietta-
street, Covent Garden, London, W.C." All business
communications relating to advertisements. iScc, must be
addressed to ' The Manager, ' British Bee Juurnal '
Office. 8. Uenrietta-s^treet. Covent Garden, London, W.C.

AMONG THE BEES.

AS LIKE AS TWO BEES.

[6195.] " As like as tv/o peas " has become
a proverb and most bee-keepers believe that
the similarity of bees is so great that my
heading might be considered as sjaiony-
mous. This is, however, far from being
true in even a limited sense.

Examine minutely twenty queens, and
anyone familiar with bees will at once de-
tect certain points wherein they differ.
One is darker, one is fairer, one is larger,
one is smaller, one is stauter, one is thin-
ner, one is bright and active, while another
is sluggish in her movements. Tempers
and temperaments vdll also be found to
differ. One has her facial expression dif-
ferent from another. In character and
disposition they will be found to vary if
carefully studied. One goes quietly on
ovipositing while you examine the comb
on which she is working ; another looks as
if she had been struck dumb and stands
motionless Avith either fear or wonder.
Then, a third, shy and reserved, elusively
shuns your view and hastily i-etiresi lo
escape observation. One scampers away
whenever yoii open the hive, another goes,
quietly on accepting the love-offering from
the proboscis of the loving attendants,
placid and peaceful, as if it were an every
day occurrence, she quietly feasts away
oblivious of the. prying eyes so intently
watching her movements. Do not we all
know^too frequently to our cost — how one
queen differs from another in prolificnees ;
how one can lay her thousands of eggs, while
another can lay her tens of thousands.

Feb. 8, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOTTBITAL.

53

How can one force the pace and fill every
cell in every frame of the brood-body
t luring the active breeding season. In this
way she compels the bees to store surplus-
honey in supers, while her full sister, it
may be. lags far in the rear only half filling
the limited number of frames which her
cautious owner gives her progeny to form
their home. If variety is the very spice
of life, we have* it here in no stinted
measure.

Those " lazy, yawning drones " have
many points of dissimilarity. Take a num-
ber of them and you find them varying Jn
, size from about the bulk of an ordinary
bee up to nearly twice that size. Look at
their movements. How slow one is in
every motion. How stately, if stolidly, he
stalks along ; how drowsily is another's
every movement ; how alert and active is
a third ; how stupidly one looks about him
as if the world concerned him not ; how
brightly intent another watches perhaps
for the great event of his life. Study their
flight and you note a diversity even in the
intensity of their droning hum — varying
from dull and sonorous , heavy and monoto-
nous, up to sharp and shrill, and brightly
tuneful. One merely floats along on the
liquid ether, another wings its way briskly,
yet purposeless, in wavy spirals, while yet
a third darts away like an arrow, as if he
had a purpose in life and meant to fulfil it.

When the mandate has gone forth that
the period for eviction has arrived how
tenaciously some of them cling to life, per
sistently returning to the hive time after
time, while others calmly await- their fate
and yield unmurmuringly. A few will
make as much buzzine and fuss as if the
fate of the hive depended upon them alone.
Again, look at the drone's magnificent
compound eyes. I confess to a feeling of
wonder and awe every time I look closely
into their profound depths. And you see,
or fancy you see there, differences in size,
shape, colour, depth, and mobility. No
two seem to me to be quite similar in every
respect, and I read a different tale almost
eveiy time I gaze into their placid depths.
The eye of a toad and a drone fascinates
me as that of no other small creature does.

But someone says:— "The worker-bees
are all alike." Not at all ! Diversity is
here unending, and every hive and perhaps
every bee therein has some characteristic
virtue or failing peculiar to itself. Every
bee-man knows that almost every hive Jie
opens has peculiarities of its own, differing
according to time and seasons, however. All
colonies are not equally vicious ; nor are
all bees in an ill-tempered colony equally
ireful. Not one in a hundred, possibly,
makes a rush at the operator ; another
small percentage endeavours to intimidate
him with noise and fuss ; but, even in a bad
case the vast majority iprnore his presence.

Then, are bees' working powers all ouite
similar i How thankful we would all be
if our worst could be whipped up to do
v/ork equivalent to the best. But, alas !
how many laggards fall behind iii. the jace.
How very many just miss the mark and
fail to come up to expectations. Again,
open a score of hives in spring, and I ven-
ture to say no two will behave just alike.
Some will act as if they loved manipula- *
tions. Others will display just a minimum
of crossness occasionally, while their
nearest neighbours may give you a gentle
foretaste of purgatory. How often do we
find differences ni finish and capping of
combs from the progeny of even the same
mother. Not less frequently dees diver-
sity display itself originated from the other
side of the family tree. The industry of
certain strains is most marked. Compare
three colonies, to ail apearances equally
populous, and we find results differing, as
Bonus, Melior, Optimus, as old Butler
would say. Even m their stinging rower
bees differ considerably. Some do the
deed as if their very bodies were impregna-
ted with the vitriolic venom, and as if their
whole frame were one huge poison-sac.
Their ire and animus ffive an intensity and
energy to the penetrative powers of the
sting which leaves abnormal effects even in
a hardened operator. Ordinary stinging
is a mere pin prick compared with .t.
Thank goodjiess, bees differ from bees m
a hujidred different ways. — I). M. M.,
Banff.

APICULTUEAL NOTES.

AUE OUT- APIARIES ADVANTAGEOUS?

[6196.1 The winter, so far, has been
favourable for bees. They have had suf-
ficient flights to keep them healthy, and
there has been enough mild weather to en-
able them, to move from one i>art of the
liive to another and thus keep in touch
with stores. A slight examination of my
hives, made a few days ago by merely turn-
ing up one comer of quilts, made it clear
that strong stocks, packed up with plenty
of provisions in the autumn, are still
strong in bees and do not appear to have
made any unusual inroads on their stores.
But nuclei and small lots of driven bees,
which I am wintering mainly for the sake
of the young queens with which they are
headed, appear to vary very much, so far
as regards food supplies ; some have plenty,
while others are running desperately short,
these latter undoubtedly kept on breeding
till very late in the season, and thus used
up stores which would otherwise have been
reserved for future use. It is, of course,
too early for making anything beyond a
superficial examination of a hive's con-
dition, but where I found the slightest
indication of food being short a supply has
been given, consisting of a cake of candy

54

T£E BRrJISH BEE JOUENAL. [Feb. 8, 1906.

and a section of honey laid flat on the top-
bars. This will tide them over to the time
when syrup is the most suitable food.

In his "Notes by the Way." on Feb-
ruary 1 (page 41), Mr. Woodley raises the
question of the advantages or otherwise of
one large apiary being more profitable than
a number of smaller ones, and in dealing
with the subject quotes article from Glean-
ings, by Mr. Alexander, an American bee-
keeper who has 750 stocks in one yard,
and finds it more profitable to do so than
if they were kept in several apiaries a few
miles apart. Then Mr. W. goes on to say
that the experience of Mr. Alexander may
be considered as applicable to this country.
I do not pretend to know very much about
America — not having had time to go over
the pond yet — ^so we will take it for grajited
that Mr. Alexander is correct in his view,
so far as he and America are concerned.
But I doubt very much whether Mr.
Woodley is right in saying that the
plan is applicable to this country.
I am acquainted with some very good
honey-producing districts, but have not
yet seen the spot where I dare risk
an apiary one quarter of 750 stocks.
Having several out-apiaries myself, my
principle is not to put more than fifty stocks
in one lalace, and I prefer my hives to be
as far from any others as is practically
and conveniently possible. I purpose in-
creasing my number of stocks this year, but
rather than add to my already established
apiaries I am setting up an additional
one in a new locality, and if I had 750
stocks I should rather locate them in fifteen
apiaries than one. No doubt a considerable
amount of time and trouble would be in-
volved in getting from place to place. But
there is nothing — in bee-keeping, at all
events — ^without labour, and I think the
advantage accruing from the extra number
of apiaries would more than counterbalance
the extra trouble and expense involved. I
have frequently noticed that bees in one
district will be doing well, while stocks
located only a few miles away are prac-
tically doing nothing, although both lo-
calities appear equal Iv good for bee-forage.
I have noticed, too, that, as a rule, the
fewer stocks kept in one place the better
are the proportionate returns. This may
be partly accounted for by the fact that a
few hives often receive better attention than
a larger number. But I cannot accept this
as completely accounting for the difference.
When one thinks of an apiary of, say, fifty
stocks doing well, it is difficult to view with
favour the idea that if foxirteen other
apiaries of similar size were ^" dumped "
down on the same spot all would do equally
well. It may be admitted that in most
districts a considerable quantity of honey
is left ungathered, just at the time when
there is a big flow on. But it is when honey

is coming in sparingly (i.e., the building-up
period) that the large number of stocks
are at a disadvantage compared with the
smaller number.

There is also the question of disease to
be considered, and the need for keeping
down the swanning fever, preventing rob-
bing, etc.. etc., all of which are difficult
to deal with at the best, and the larger the
apiary the greater" the diflSiculty — all
things counted. It therefore seems to
me that the man who has several apiaries
a reasonable distance apart has more
strings to his bow, and stands a better
chance of success than the man who has
760 stocks in one place. A great deal more
might be said, but I fear I have already
made my letter too long. The subject,
however, is a very important one, and it
would be interesting and no doubt bene-
ficial too, if those who have had experience
in the matter would give us their view on
the subject. — Allen Shabp, Brampton,
Huntingdon.

FEEDING BEES IN SPRING.

[6197. J May I venture to ask the opinion
of some of our experienced bee-men on
the subject of spring feeding? I have a
vague notion that your correspondent,
" D. M. M.," once wi'ote that he was not
accustomed to feed his bees in spring. I
am myself not thoroughly convinced that
it is always a. good thing. Of course,
stocks which are short of stores mujst be
fed ; there can be no doubt about that ;
but when a stock has sufficient honey to
carry it through the flowerless months, is
it better to feed or not? I have not ex-
perimented sufficiently to give a decided
answer, but two stocks which I have not fed
the last two years have done as well, or
even better, than my other stocks. Would
some of your readers give their ex-
perience? We are having an extraordin-
arily mild season here. I have been wait-
ing for an opportunity to move three hives
which I hoped to have during the cold
weather, but the bees have flown at least
once every week this vrinter. This means
a great consumption of stores. The bees
have also been carrying water home the
whole winter, except a part of Novem-
ber.— S. D., Charing. Kent, January 30,

(" Gorresjiondence " continued 07i page 56.)

HOMES OF THE HONEY BEE.

THE APIARIES OF OUR READERS.

The exceedingly " plain English " in
which Mr. Drew — seen in his apiary on next
page • — gives advice to beginnenSi in bee-
keeping on the subject of foul brood,
evidently expresses the convictions arrived
at from bitter personal experience, and, as
such, it will be valued by our readers. For

Feb. 8, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOtTRNAL.

55

the rest, his useful "notes" read as
follows : —

I send you with pleasure a few notes to
go with photo of my out-apiary, which was
taken some time ago. Only a few of my
hives are shown, as they cover a larc;e piece
of ground. The two acres of freehold on
which they stand were purchased entirely
with profit from bees and honey sold. I
may .say that only swarms and stocks are
allowed to have a " look-in " so far as
regards my apiary. Driven lots and
foreign bees I won't deal with at any price ;
my experience with that class of stock is
anything but profitable. Foreign bees I
have had from our best dealers and paid a
big price for them, yet after years of work

section-rack on top yielded me 168 first-
class sections in 1900. On several occa-
sions I have taken over 100 sections from a
single hive. I find that a showery season
suits us best here, as we get more of the
white clover bloom, and it lasts much
longer in flower than in ^ dry season.
I keep about 45 hives for comb-honey,
which is all bespoke before the season
opens, a fact which speaks well for quality.
I also run a few hives for queen-rearing.
My success is due entirely to the Beb
Journal (which I have taken for years),
and to the "Guide Book." I have also
attended lectures given by secretary of
Hants and Isle of Wight Bee-Keepers'
Association (Mr. E. H. Bellairs). I have

MR. W. DREW'S APIARY, SAINT CROSS, WINCHESTER, IIAMTSHIRE.

and worry, foul-brood and "spring-dwind-
ling '' is the best character that I can give
them. A good strain of our native bees is,
to my mind, the best for comb-honey pro-
duction on the bleak chalk hills of
Hampshire, and if they are packed down
on 10 standard frames of honey in the
autumn they very seldom want spring
feeding ; nothing more needed than un-
capping a few cells once a week. You can
get in this way stocks in working order
and ready for sections by the time the
whitethorn is in bloom in May ; after that
comes the sainfoin for a few days, but that
is all cut for hay before it is in full bloom.
After that we have white clover and the
wild flowers on the downs in abundance,
and finish up with a little heather. My
average " take " is from 40 to 50 sections
per stock, but the hive shown in photo with

taken my share of prizes at most of our
leading agricultural shows, but our sec-
tions are apt to granulate before the
autumn, so I cannot get a chance at
later shows. My advice to beginners is,
start with June swarms ; shun " driven "
and foreign bees and second-hand appli-
ances as a pestilence, or in a few vears
foul brood will get a footing. If one of my
stocks shows the slightest suspicious sign
about the brood the bees are smothered, and
hive, honey, and all the lot is burnt ! I
make a clean sweep of them, and it saves
a deal of trouble. If all bee-keej>ers were
to do the same for a few years, foul brood
would soon be stamped out ; half-hearted
measures are no use to one who keeps bees
for profit, prizes, and pleasure. I hope
the season of 1906 may be profitable to all
bee-keepers."

36

THE BRITISH BEE JOmiNAIi. [Feb. 8, 1«06.

CORRESPONDENCE.
{Continued from page 54.)
MAKING BEE CANDY.

HOW TO TJSE A THERMOMETER.

[6198.] In^ reference to the inquiry of
your correspondent " S. E.," last week
(page 50), as I was the first to write about
use of thermometer in sugar-boiling (and
could get no information from our Editor,
but have ferreted it out otherwise), I would
say that, of course, a different boiling point
attaches to various subfjtanoes. Alcohol
boils at 173°, water, as is known, at 212*^,
sugar, etc., to make " tofl'y " needs over
300°. If sugar and water, etc., as per recipe
in " Guide Book," are boiled for candy, I
think it will be found that when about
235" is reached in the boiling, the con-
sistency will be correct, and that the candy
will prove first-classi, provided, of course,
that the mixture is stirred till it begins
to thicken before pouring out. A suitable
thermometer of German make can oe
bouajht for 2s. 6d. — the scale going to over
300°— or a regular sugar-boiler's one in
a copper frame may be had for (^. I
bought one of the former at a maker's in a
street oflF Hatton Gaa-den, which answers
the desired purpose — and no doubt similar
ones are to be had from those who deal
in such articles in any large town. — •
Aliquis, February 3.

[6199.] Referring to the queries of your
correspondent, " S. E. , Sandhurst " (3206,
page 50), I may say that a bath thermome-
ter will not answer at all. The sugar-boil-
ing thermometer, as the name indicates,
is a special thermometer graduated to
300° Fahr., and protected by a cylindrical
brase case. In the price list of Negretti
and Zambra (Holborn Viaduct, London,
E.G.), it is the No. 34. It will be well for
" S. E." to remember that the boiling point
is not the maximum degree of heat to which
a liquid can be brought. This being under-
stood, the proper thermometer indicates
the degrees of heat above as well as helow
the boiling point. The way of using the
implement is to hang it in the boiliiig
sugar, and note the rise of the mercury.
Sugar can be boiled to about 285° Fahr.
without burning, but I cannot isay exactly
to what degree it has to be boiled for the
bee candy, as I have not used any ther-
mometer for many years, the one I used
twenty years ago being graduated differ-
ently from those that are made in this
country.

Referring to the query of Basil E. Buck-
well (3205, page 49), I should like to say
that unripe or very liquid honey would
have naturally to be boiled a little longer.

I would advise him, however, to make use
of good honey, ae this may have a certain
influence on the smoothness of candy. I
always uee my best clover honey for
the purpose. — Br. Colomban, Buckfast,
February 3.

BEE PARALYSIS.

IS ITS CATJSE KNOWN?

[6200.] Now that this disease is coming
more into notice, I should like to add a.
few words to what has. already been written.
The symptoms described by Mr. C. Reed
(6190, page 44), are much the same as I
have found them, the only difference being,
perhaps, that the abdomen of the affected
bee is not distended in every case, while
the wings are often twisted back, having
the appearance of being dislocated. During
a bright, sunny day, recently, the bees,
on coming out of the hive dropped on to
the grass by the dozen, and seemed quite
powerless, so far as using their wings.
They kept crawling up the blades of grass
and on to the alighting-board only to
tumble off again, and when the stm went
down, and the day became colder, the bees
collected in little bunches of a dozen or so
in each, and soon perished. Another hive
since becoming affected with paralysis, has
developed dysentery, and the bees are
rapidly dwindling.

Has anyone yet found out whether
paralysis itself kills the bees, or if it is
only the exposure outside when they are
unable to return to the hive ? If the latter
suggestion is correct, the " Claustral Deten-
tion Chamber " would be a great help
while treatment with medicated syrup,
etc., is proceeding. But before we can do
much in the way of treatment, we want to
know more concernine the cause (in this
neighbourhood we are too well acquain-
ted with the effect), and spread of the
disease ; we shall then be better able m
deal with its prevention and cure. Our
Editors say that it is more prevalent 'n
warmer climates than ours ; such being the
case, no doubt the recent mild winters
have had something to do with its spread-
ing. Is some form of bacilli at the bottom
of the mischief ? If so, has anyone yet
discovered the disinfectant best adapted to
destroy it? So far as I can see, naphthol
beta and naphthaline are useless as reme-
dies, for one stock, fed entirely on medica-
ted syrup during last summer, has since
succumbed. I feel quite sure that it :s
infectious, as a colony in my apiary noted
for their robbing propensities, got at a
diseased hive one day while I was away,
carrying off a few pounds of stores, and
about three weeks later were crawling on
the grass in front of the hive by the dozen.
Is there aaiy bacteriologist willing, for the

F&bl8,1906.j THE BRITISH BEE JOtJRNAL.

B7

good of bee-keepers in general, to take the
matter up and study it ? If so, I shall oe
pleased to post him any information I can
gleaai on the subject, also any dead or dis-
easeil bees, comb or honey, etc. — H. M.
CooPEB., Thorley, Isle of Wight.

[We believe it is admitted on all sides
that no reliable cure for bee paralysis has
yet been discovered ; nor has either naph-
thol beta or naphthaline ever been sugges-
ted as remedies for that disease. Many
supposed cures have been published, among
them that reprinted in our pages on Jan-
uary 4 last, and numerous articles have
appeared in American bee journals last
year dealing with the subject, but none
give very encouraging results. We pro-
pose, however, to look them over, and if
any are found applicable to the case in this
country, and likelv to be of use, it may be
deemed advisable to reprint particulars in
an early issue. — Eds.]

THE STANDARD FRAME.

[6201.] The question of altering and im-
proving the standard frame being now to
the fore, and bee-men aisked to express
their views thereon, may I earnestly beg
the committee of the L.B.K.A. to thor-
oughly reconsider the whole matter ? Not
merely minor variations, as the thickness
and width of the top-bar, etc. (about which
there will probably always be differences
of opinion), but the size also, wliich is far
and away the most important point per-
taining to the frames of a hive.

Without depreciating in the slig)ht©si
degree the good the B.B.K.A. has done to
the bee-iudustry in this country, foremost
among wliich I would gratefully mention
the support given to " our journal " (sO'
pluckily initiated by the late Mr. C. N.
Abbott) and the encouragement of shows,
which has done a great deal towards placing
British honey on the market, and educating
the British public to an appreciation of
its good qualities, I must nevertheless
record my conviction that when, some
thirty years ago, the B.B.K.A. decided on
adopting the frame which has since been
•so largely used, they did so without
adequate experimental knowledge of the
two principal sizes of frames then in use,
viz., the Woodbury, which is nearly the
present standard, and the Ibih. by lOin.
frame.

It is especially noteworthy that Mr.
C. N. Abbott advocated the larger frame,
and he was unquestionably one of the most
advanced and practical bee-keepers of his
time ; not only so, but Mr. Samuel
Sinimins — than whom there is not a more
exiterienced " bee-man " in England to
day — after using both sizes of frames in

the same apairy for thirty years, still
iinhesitatingly gives his opinion in favour
of the 16in. by lOin. frame.

What ourjlit to have been done, and what
I most eaniestly hope will now be done by
the B.B.K.A. is the establishment of an
experimental apiary of, say, fifty hives,
half of them to be worked with the present
standard and the other half vath 16in. by
lOin. frames with gin. thick top-bar. The
apiary to be located in a good honey dis-
trict,- and managed by a capable bee-keeper
for, say, five years, both sides of hives to
be treated fairly, i.e., to be worked for "'all
they are worth." On no acount should
a " touring " expert be employed tO' manage
the hives, as he would be away, looking
after other people's bees, at the very times
when the apiary would need most attention.

This being done, the asisociation would
be iu a somewhat better position to judge
of the relative advantages of the two sizes
of frames, and also of the twO' thicknesses
of top-bars.

Our Editons are sorely afraid that the
adoption of a different sized frame as the
standard would cause a great upset. No
doubt it would, to a certain extent ; but in
this connection I would point out that pre-
cisely the sari?fe fear was expressed when
our present standard was first mooted.
Much hardship, especially to hive-makers,
was pi-edicted ; but, singularly enough,
once the size was fixed we never heard any
more about it!

I am sending a sample frame for con-
sideration by the B.B.K.A. It is a modifi-
cation of Simmins's " Commerci3.1." The
dimensions (every one of which is guaran-
teed correct to the hundredth part of an
inch) are as follows: — Tjength 16in.,
depth lOin., top-bar, 19in. by gin. by Jin.
(lugs gin.), two winter passages cut through
top-bar, lin. by 5-16in., ends gin. by fin.,
bottom-rail gin. by ^in. The sample frame
(as when sent out) is square, and " clear of
iicist," two important points, which, I
fancy, are quite neglected by the average
bee-keeper.

In conclusion, I venture to hope the
B.B.K.A. will give the above sug£restion
their careful consideration. — Saml. P.
SoAL, Rochford, Essex, February 5, 1906.

[We venture to remind our correspondent
that Mr. C. N. Abbott acquiesced in the
decision arrived at by the committee ap-
pointed to consider the question of a
standard frame. — Eds.]

BIG "TAKES OF HONEY."
[6202.] Many times during the .season
— and out of the season, too, for the matter
of that — we read in the B.B.J, of big
" takes " of honey. The latest to come
under my notice is from our friend

THE BRITISH BEE JOtJKNAL. [Feb. 8, 1^06.

"R N. R.," Tayporfc, on page 46, of last
week's journal, who took 1141b. of surplus
honey from one hive. Without in the least
degree wishing to diecredit his statement,
it makes me wonder, as I often do, what s
called "surplus" honey? May be it is
that the brood-chamber is robbed to the
full extent of all the honey it contains, and
the bees fed-up with syrup. If such is the
case, probably that accounts for such big
weights of surplus. For my own part, i
prefer to leave the bees their natural stores,
a plan which seems to me nfust be best. I
confess to being only a novice at the craft,
but I have never had any " takes " ap-
proach 1001b. It may, of counse, be pos-
sible for me to secure better results in the
near future, for I am not very well fixed
up for successful bee-keeping. Between
my bees and myself there are some fifty
miles and I can only visit them them about
three times yearly. In the spring I fix
them up for the coming season, and, so far,
have not been troubled with swarming. I
also keep one or two skeps for the sake of
swarms. _ After that time is^ over I have a
A K^'^^ sections put on skeps. Even
under these conditions I manage to <ret a
great deal of pleasure out of bee-keeping,
heedless to say I have numerous bee-letters
and am kept m close touch with the workers

w ^W. ^^'■f "^^ operations from London.—
W. W., Bucks.

JANUARY RAINFALL.

Total fall of rain, 5.21in. ; heaviest fall,

^iT *i' '"T ¥^ «" 22 days.-W. Head
Brilley, Herefordshire.

RAINFALL IN 1905.
At Blair Atholl, in the County of Perth •
Ram gauge: -Diameter of funnel 5 in •
height of top, above ground, 1 ft. ; above
sea level, 420 ft. :

\rn„f I, ^°^il Greatest Pall in of^Dav^

Month. Depth. Twenty-four flours, with^oi

Inches. Depth. Date, ^ecord'e^d.

•January .... 1-37 .... o-36 .... sth .... 13

February .... 2-29 .... 0-40 .... 1st 17

^^'"•ch 4-76 .... 0-69 .... 23rd ■"■ ^a

tP""" 2-17 .... 0-46 .... 14th .■;.■.■ 18

f'^y l-5e .... 0-40 .... 25th .... 8

•'""« 2-71 .... 1-18 .... 29th . 10

J"'y 1-48 .... 0-50 .... 21st ir.

Augtist 3-43 .... 0-92 .... 4th 18

September .. 203 .... 0-60 .... 7th 17

October .... 2-44 .... 0-45 .... 3rd 18

November .. 3-80 .... 0-71 .... 10th .""' 20

December .. 2-30 .... 0-54 .... 5th .... 18

Total .. 30-33 196

A. Cameron, Blair Atholl, Feb. 5.

WEATHER REPORT.

Wbstbournb, Susskx,

Rainfall, 7-78 in.

Heaviest fall, 2 07 on
2nd.

Rain fell on 24 days.

Above average, 5*4 in.

Sunshine, 78'9 hours.

Brightest day, 23rd,
6 '6 hours.

Sunless days, 5.

Above average, 11 "4
hours.

Maximum tempera-
ture, 54° on 5th.

Minimum tempera-
ture, 23" on
24th.

January, 1905.

Minimum on grass,

21° on 24th.
Frosty nights, 8.
Mean maximum,

47-5.
Mean

37-6.
Mean

42-6.

Above average, 5 '6.
Maximum barometer,

30-66 on 23rd.
Minimum barometw,

29-28 on 8tb.

L. B. BlBXHTT.

minimum,
temperature,

^mm M& llfplks.

[3208.] Bee - Forage Plants — Removing
Brace-Combs. — 1. Will you kindly tell me
the names of a few plants that yield honey
in large quantities, such as clover, etc.,
which I could sow in large masses for my
bees to work upon in the coming season.
I have abundance of room for that pur-
pose where the hives are. Mesers.
Cannell's, of Swanley, sell flower-seeds for
bee-forage, but don't mention names ; can
you tell me what they are? I think of
sowing mignonette (about lib. or more).
The expert, when he examined my hives
last September, noticed that some brood-
frames were joined together by brace-
combs and said that I should have to
separate them in the spring. 2. What is
the best way to do this? Should I re-
move themi entirely and substitute new
frames fitted with foundation, or cut them
asunder with a knife and replace? I only
started bee-keeping last year and am there-
fore quite a novice at brace-comb manipu-
lating. I lost two good colonies from wax-
moth, but replaced them with two swarms,
one of which is ra^er weak. Would it
not be a good plan to give the weak lot
a frame of sealed honey (if any is leftV
from another hive for spring feeding? I
take in the B.B.J, regularly, and look for-
ward to it every week. The weather here
is very mild and open and warm. Yester-
day (Wednesday^, the bees were flying
about quite merrily. My bees have about
1,400 young fruit trees to work on within
a radius of 500ft., besides about 150 more
older trees just behind the hives, and
added to that open country all round for
miles, so they ought to do well in a good

Feb. 8, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

59

season. Wishing you and all bee-keepers
a prosperous year.— L. L. G., Wakes,
Colne, Essex, February 2.

Reply. — 1. You should confine your
seed-sowing for bee-forage to a few of the
beet and most productive plants, and a
good-sized bed of mignonette, or borage,
will be found as useful as any. Mr. Geo.
Rose, Great Charlotte Street, Liverpool,
issues a special list of flower-seeds for bee-
keepers' uee. 2. If the brace-combs are
caused by the frames being badly spaced,
cut off the projecting narts and reduce the
thickness of combs a little, so that the
bees have a full half-inch between the
comb-face. You will need to lift out the
frames to do the job properly, but if a fine
day is chosen, no harm will follow. 3. We
should not rob one colony of stores to feed
another, unless the one deprived has more
than sufficient food. Soft candy will suf-
fice for the weak lot, and will help to
stimulate them.

[3209. ] Re-Queening Stocks. — I shall be
oblige^l if you can advise me as to re-
queening, etc., during the coming season.
I started bee-keeping at Easter-time, 1904,
with a stock of bees from which I took two
artificial swarms in the summer of that
year ; but, from inexperience, no doubt,
I could not find the queen, iso do not know
in which hive the original queen now is.
From these three stocks I took 2501bs. of
honey last season. This I was enabled to
do by cutting out all queen -cells, goiiig
through the hives about once a fortnight
during the swarming season for that pur-
pose. T now wish to know how T should do
about re-queening, and therefore ask: —
Would the following plan be advisable,
viz., as each hive had queen cells built,
to remove the old queen and thus let the
bees re-queen themselves, or would it be
better to purchase new queens. Ajs the
bees are good honey gatherers, it seems a
pity to lose the strain. I cannot give
very much attention to them, as I can only
spare about three week-ends every month,
for rest of the time the bees are perforce
left to themselves. — G. P., Surrey, Febru-
ary 3.

Rkply. — In your case the plan proposed
would be the simplest to follow, and would
secure the end in view without the need
for purchasing new queens, which might
prove inferior to the straiil you now have.

[3210.] Transferring Bees to Frame-
Hires. — I have a stock of bees in a skep,
which I purpose transferring to a frame-
hive in spring by the plan given on page 140
of "Guide Book." Will you kindly say: —
(1) Is it better to use frames of foundation
only in lower hive, or drawn-out combs ? I
have plenty of the latter partly filled with
honey. (2) Would a frame of honey laid

on top of brood frames do instead of candj
at the present time ? (3) Would syrup pre-
pared for autumn use do for spring stimu-
lation, if diluted with the proper quan-
tity of water and boiled up again? (4)
Having a spare clean hive, would it be
right to transfer the bees from one of my
other hives into it in the spring? I should
well scrub out the old hive before using it
for the next stock. Finally after clean-
ing the last named hive, I would set the
skep mentioned above on top for bees to
transfer themselves? Thanking you for
past advice. — Heather, Sidmouth, Feb. 5.
Reply. ^ — 1. If the built-out and partly
stored combs on hand are healthy, by
all means use them in transferring,
but the skep should not be placed
in position for transferring till it is
seen to be fairly full of bees. 2. Not so
well as a small cake of candy, because of
the difficult of preventing the escape of
heat from the brood-chamber with so
clumsy a thing as a whole frame of food
below quilts. It would be far better to
substitute the frame containing food for
an empty one in the hive now. 3. If syrup
is thick, and shows no sign of fermenta-
tion, it may be used in spring if a suffi-
cient quantity of hot water is stirred into
it to make up the difference between
autumn food and that for use in spring.
4. Yes, the plan proposed will be quite
right.

[3211.] Momnf7 Hives in February.
— I have two hives which I wish to
move a distance of a hundred yards from
one garden to another, which is across a
road). It would be impossible to do it in
a gradual way, as recommended in the
"Guide Book," as it would mean movine
them down a garden path which is in
constant use. Therefore, I ask: — 1. Could
T move the hives bodily from one site to
the other before the bees start flying, and
would they (the bees) or would they not
fly back to the old site ? 2. Would this
month be a suitable time to do the moving^,
if desirable. — W. A. N., Renfrewshire,
Feb. 4.

Reply. — 1. Under the circumstances de-
tailed above, we arlvise moving the hives at
one operation. It will minimise the risk of
losing bees by the change of location, -f
; you adopt some handy means of altering
' the appearance of the liive fronts by laying
a leafy branch of a tree on the alighting
board, so as to partly block the entrance
to hive, and in this way mve the bees some
trouble to get out. This will cause them
to notice the change of surroundings on
taking wing. 2. Yes, the sooner moved
the better

[3212.] Bees Crossing Bivers. — Will
you kindly answer th^ following : —

60

THE BKITI8H BEE JOURNAL. [Feb. 8, 190«.

My hives all face south, and directly in
front of them is a strip of large oak
trees, which prevents the bees taking a
straight flight to their front. The result
is that they have to rise up from their
hives, turn about, and fly in the opposite
direction, which means they have to cross
a river (the Tay), which is fairly wide at
this point. I have often heard it stated
that havinsr to cross a river when out
honey-gathering is injurious to the bees,
and so I ask : — 1. Is this true ? 2. Doesi
it prevent or retard their honey-gathering
when they cannot get straight out from
their hives? 3. Is felt a suitable cover-
ing for hive roofs, if given a few coats of
paint? — Scotia, Perthshire, Feb. 5.

Beplt. — 1. The danger to bees in cross-
ins rivers arises through their being blown,
into the water during high winds. Beyond
this risk, it is only loss of time in cross-
ing the water. 2. It is, of course, an ad-
vantage for beesi to have a straight line of
flight from the hive front to the forage-
ground, and having to surmount diffi-
culties in working must retard honey-
gathering more or less. It is simply a
matter of degree. 3. Yes, but much
depends on the particular kind of felt
used.

[3213.] T)e,alinrj with Sees in Boxes.
— Will you kindly advise me in
the following : — In August last I bought a
June swarm i^ a box, and was recom-
menced to let them stay there until the
spring of this year. This I have done, and
I purpose following the advice given in
B.B.J, bv allowing the bees to transfer
themselves to a proper frame hive. All
stores gathered last year were allowed to
remain, but I have no means of spring
feeding at the top of box. Can I put
candy in at the entrance in order to insure
the bees having sufficient food ? I cannot
tell what amount of stores they have, be-
cause I made a shell to fit over the box.
and put sawdust between to keep in the
warmth, and if the bees are disturbed at
present. I s^^ppose, it may chill them. I
think thev are alright at present, but I
want to make sure of them coming out
strong, because we are situated so high up.
We are always late in spring, from a bee-
keeper's point of view. I hone, however,
to reap some advantage from the heather.
2. Can you "ive me the address of the
secretary of the Derbyshire B. K. Associa-
tion? This is my first start in bee-keep-
ing, but I have read up your valuable
Bee Jottrnal, and intend to become a
regular subscriber, and wish the paper
every success. — ^Peak, Sheffield, Feb. 3.

Reply. — 1. We should try and cut a
hole about two inches square in top of
box for feeding purposes. I would be less
trouble to do this than give candy at
entrance. 2. The hon, sec. of the D.B.K.A.

is Mr. R. H. Coltman, Station Street,
Burton-on-Trent.

Notices to Correspondents & Inquirers^

•♦• Concerning our footnote on page 46, on
the subject of jute cloths for bee-keepers'
use, Mr. J. C. B., Loughboro', writes as
follows :— "Why should not ' R. N. R.,'
Tayport, N.B., advertise his jute bee-
cloths? I would readily take a dozen of
them on trial. Of course, they would go
above the linen cloth over the frames^ We
very much need some cheap packing for
the top of our hives." There is no
reason whatever why jute cloth for use
on hives should not be advertised in
our columns. The course we took was
entirely in the interest of " R. N. R."
himself ; and, as a matter of fact, meant
loss to ourselves, but this, we hope, will
never stand in the way of giving the
benefit of our experience to those who
seek help from us.

Novice (Derbyshire). — ^Bee Candy. — ^Tour
sample appears to have been only boiled
for a very short time. It will no doubt
be freely taken by bees while freshly
made, but we fear it will be hard and
rather granular when the moisture dries
out of it.

C. C. (Cheltenham). — Faulty Founda-
tion.— The sample of " buckled " and
twisted comb clearly proves that the
wax from which it was made had been
mixed with some adulterant to cause
its extreme softness. We are glad to
hear of some recompense being made by
the maker, who has probably been im-
posed on himself, as no one in his senses
would wilfully send out foundation that
will fail entirely in giving satisfaction
to users.

H. G. E. (Norwich). ■ — Joining County
B.K. Association. — The hon. sec. of
the Norfolk B.K. A., Mr. C. J. Cooke.
Melton Constable, will no doubt send
particulars of membership and advan-
tages arising therefrom if applied to.

OoNSTAjsTT Reader (Watford). — Fitting
Up Sections for Use. — Most bee-keepers
use full sheets of foundation in sec-
tions, but some are content wth a small
triangular piece fixed point downwards.
Why not invest 7d. in the " Cottager's
Handbook." or Is. 8d. in a Guide Book
to learn all about the various questions
asked? It is plain you are in the ele-
mentary stage of the craft, and need a
text book badly.

Errata. — Referring to the question of
standard frames, Mr. W. Loveday writes
to say that his letter, beginning tenth
line from bottom of first column on page
26, should read : — " I am in favour of
a wider top-bar, preferring a frame
1 1-16 in. wide, with the bottom-bar
i in. narrower,"

Feb. 15, 1906.1 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

61

(BiIit0riHl ^0tias, ^r,

DEATH OF MR. JOHN M. HOOKER.

Our readers, especially those of the older
school, will share our sorrow at the news,
just received from America, of the death of
our old_ and esteemed friend, Mr. J. M.
Hooker, who passed away on January 31st,
in his 77th year. Pending a more extended
notice of his services to bee-keeping, whicli
we hope to give next week, it may be said
that in him has gone from our midst one
of the most prominent figures among those
who, during more than thirty years, have
laboured to promote the industry of bee-
keeping in this country.

Mr. Hooker helped to establish the
Bi'itish Bee-Keepers' Association in 1874,
and from that time until he left for
America a few years ago, he was one of the
most useful and active members of the
Council, being re-elected every year, and
rarely missing a meeting. Nor did his in-
terest in bee-keeping cease after leaving
England, as his contributions to our pages
show. His death will be sincerely re-
gretted by all who knew him.

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE B.K.A.

ANNUAL MEETING.

The annual meeting of the Notts Bee-
keepers' Association was held at the
People's Hall, Heathcote Street, on Feb-
ruary 10, Mr. P. Scattergood presiding,
Amongst those present were Mrs. Laws,
Messrs. A. G. Pugh, W. Herrod, W. P.
Meadows, R. Mackender, J. Herrod, R. J.
Turner, G. Smithurst, J. Gray, W. S.
Ellis, W. Darrington, and G. Hayes, sec-
retary.

The committee's report, in referring to
the honey season, stated that the experts
had during 1905 visited 194 apiaries, con-
taining 716 stocks of bees, 586 of which
were reported healthy, and 37 diseased
in varying degrees. In regard to the
latter there was a slight increase.
The committee were doing all they
could to suppress the disease in the
county, and it was hoped that the
members would back up their efforts
by closely following the instructions
of the experts. There had been a slight
increase of the membership, the finan-
cial position of the association was about
the same as last year. The report was
-adopted.

Viscount St. Vincent was re-elected
president, and the following were elected
as committee: — Messrs. T. N. Harrison,
S. W. Marriott, A. G. Pugh, G. E. Putter-
gill, G. E. Skelhorn,^ G. Smithurst.
H. W. Dickman, W. H. Windle, F. G.
Vessey, W. Darrington, W. H. Stoppard,

G. White, and W. Adams. Mr. G. Hayes
was re-appointed secretary, after holding
office for eleven years, and Messrs. Pugh
and Hayes were re-elected delegates to the
B.B.K.A.

After the meeting the members partook
of tea. Subsequently addresses were given
by Mr. P. Scattergood, Mr. W. P.
Meadows, and Mr. W. Herrod, F.E.S.

The meeting concluded by the usual
drawing for hives and appliances kindly
given by the president and other gentle-
. men. — Geo. Hayes, secretary.

HONEY IMPORTS.
The value of honey imported into the
United Kingdom during the month of
January, 1906, was £1,532. — From a
return furnished to the British Bee
Journal by the Statistical Office, H.M.
Customs.

The Editors do not hold themselves responsible for the
opinions expressed by correspondents. No notice mil
be taken of anonymous communieations, and corre-
spondents are requested to ^vrite on one side of the paper
only and give their real names and addresses, not neces-
sarily for publication , but as a guarantee of good faith.
Illustrations should be drawn on separate pieces of paper.
We do not undertake to return rejected communications.

Commujiications relating to the literary department,
reports of As.fociations, Shoits, Meetings, Echoes, Queries,
Books for Review, <tc.,mustbe addressed only ^o " The
Editoks of the ' British Bee Journal,' 8, Henrietta-
street, Covent Garden, London, W.C." AH business
communications relating to advertisements. <i;c.,mustbe
addressed to "The Manager, 'British Bee Journal'
Offi,re. 8. Eenrirtta-ftreet. Covent Garden. J ondnn, W C."

NOTES BY THE WAY.

[6203.] On seeing my last " notes " in
print, I found that I had been made to say
Mr. Alexander's method of one large apiary
versus several small ones may be applicable
to this country ; possibly my caligraphy
may be so unreadable to printers that they
have to guess at the full meaning of my
" notes." But, however this may be, I did
not intend to convey the idea that very
large apiaries would be profitable in this
country, as we are so much at the mercy
of the everchanging weather ; but I contend
that given a good district and a good honey-
flow, the few stocks of bees we have to the
square mile do not gather more than a
small portion of the nectar available in the
flowers growing around them, though in
poor seasons in the same district the aver-
age from, say, a hundred hives is— as my
old bee-man used to say — " nothing to
brag " about. I thank our friend Allen
Sharp for calling attention to the matter,
and I trust we may have the opinions of
many other of our bee-keeping friends on
the subject. For myself I had no idea of
any one keeping so many as 750 hives in
one location, and Mr. Alexander must liave

62

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[Feb. 15, 1906.

a unique position to be able to do it with
success.

I quite agree with Mr. Sharp that bees
in one apiary only a few miles distant may
be busy storing honey, while in another
lot of hives the bees are living from hand
to mouth. This may, however, be oc-
casioned by alternate waves of heat and
cold, seeing that the temperature at one
place may be considerably higher than at
the other. Or it may arise from fields
of special forage being near at hand in the
favoured spot, yet out of reach of the other
bees. I have noticed this myself more than
once in my own apiaries.

The Standard Frame. — If it should oe
decided to alter the size of the present
" standard " frame, I have no doubt that
the B.B.K.A. will require some valid
reasons for so doing, and, sjieaking for my-
self, I trust that readers who have given
the frame Mr. Soal (page 51) mentions as
a modification of Simmins's " Commercial "
a fair trial in comparison with hives hold-
ing standard frames, will give us their un-
biassed opinions in the B.B.J. The dimen-
sions of top-bar sent by Mr. Soal for in-
spection by the B.B.K.A. (viz., | by g) has
two winter passages cut through it, but
these holes would get filled with wax or
propolis — unless they were tin-lined — that
at least, was my experience many years
ago. On the other hand, tin ferrules in-
serted in the combs just under the top-
bars were never filled up. I would sug-
gest that the top-bar be made Ig wide,
as this width prevents brace-comb and
propolisation to a marked degree ; screw-
drivers or pincers are not needed to remove
honey-supers when worked over frames of
this width frames, and a lot of stings are
saved in a double sense on both the part
of the bees and their keepers.

Big " Tahcs " of Honey. — I can assure
Mr, "W. W., Bucks," 'who writes on
page 57, that I have myself had takes
of 100 sections from one or two hives in
most good honey seasons, and I may add
that the stocks which have yielded such big
returns are always marked down to siipply
queens another season, so that they
may improve my working strain of
bees. I often hear of the good work
swarms accomplish in super-honey,
besides establishing a good stock for
wintering. Colonies that stand out head
and shoulders above their fellows are
— shall I call them ? — the successful ones
in the bee-world. — W. Woodley, Beedon,
Newbury.

PREVENTING SWARMING.

[6204.1 I have been asked several times
by a subscriber to your valuable paper, to
give its readers my method of supering, by
which swarming is almost entirely preven-
ted. The full details of everything in con-

nection with my plan would occupy too
much space, ,1 will, therefore, write as
briefly as possible. First then, I allow the
bees to follow their natural inclinations,
wherever possible, and to do this, one
needs experience. I have kept bees in
frame-hives for 20 years, and now have
about 60 colonies. Among the many
things I regard as useless are queen exclu-
ders, metal ends, dummy boards, and all
strong smelling disinfectants in or near
my healthy colonies. What can be more
opposed to the nature of bees than dipping
sweet-smelling combs into a bath of izal,
etc., and thinking that the bees will gladly
accept such an addition to their home-
stead? I still stick to a brood-chamber
holding ten (standard) frames as being
large enough for an ordinary queen in all
seasons. The shallow-frame is too shallow
for me ; I find a frame 1-inch deeper than
the ordinary shallow-frame much better,
as they fit nicely in a box made from 7-
inch flooring boards as imported into this
country. I find deal flooring quite good
enough for hive-rnaking. Many will call
me primitive because I have had to drop
back to old things and old ways ; but
most of the advanced methods do not
equal them. Dummy boards are discarded
because my bees are never cooped up on
six or eight frames, they are wintered on
the whole ten brood-frames, and should
there be a super on, that also is left in
l>osition ; then the newly-hatched bees
in spring enlei it in the most natural way,
and start work therein when the time
comes. When this super is two-thirds full,
I sometimes pop another underneath if the
strength of the colony justifies the action.
By wedging up the hive, it is often possi-
ble to keep the whole force at work on one
super by using the extractor. This keeps
the bees going and dispenses with the
trouble and labour of filling a second
super with new combs for storing honey
in ; time is so precious during the honey-
flow that we must take full advantage of it.
It is safer to use two supers when the
apiarist is much away from home, and
should under-supering not be relished, re-
move four or five frames of honey from the
first super, replace with empties from the
second, put the full ones into the latter
and place it on the top ; this may be done
any evening, and it is more easy, the first
plan is difficult unless the bee-keeper is
thoroughly used to it. There is an old say-
ing, " Give bees plentv of room, and they
will not swarm." Though not always true,
there is sufficient truth in this to enable
one to prevent 19 out of 20 colonies from
swarming, and this is the principle on
which I work. My reason also for leaving a
super in position all winter as a preven-
tive is, first, because bees do not, as a rule,
swarm by choice, but of necessity ; there

Feb. 15, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

63

are occasional exceptions, but not more
than one in twenty ; second, by the time
the permanent super is three parts full, the
swarming season is on the wane, and the
colony has not started building queen-cells.
This last is brought about by the uncom-
fortable crowding for want of super-room.
But by allowing the bees to occupy the
super left on, room is given in advance.
When queen-cells are commenced, preven-
tion of swarming is impossible, and the
extra room, if given, comes too late, and
too sudden. Again, when, a queen excluder
is used for the bees to struggle through,
the queen being prevented from following
them is unnatural, and the bees, in con-
sequence, prefer to swarm, and the whole
interiial arrangements are upset. My
plan is to let the queen wander at will
among her subjects ; a little brood in
supers occasionally is nothing compared
to what I have mentioned. When
the honey flow is over, I extract all
super honey and replace combs over brood-
nest, there to remain throughout the
winter ; but where feeding is necessary, I
first allow bees to clean up the combs, and
then remove two for a time, which gives
sufficient space to admit of syrup feeding
without removing the super. When feed-
ing is completed, replace combs, and cover
well with quilting. If this method is fol-
lowed, the swarming difiiculty will be a
thing of the past. I maintain also that
colonies are worked up into strength in
spring as quickly as by any other method
of wintering, that much labour is saved,
combs are kept much more sweet, and free
from mice, rats, and wax-moth, and no
storage room is needed. — Owen Beowninu,
Ashley, King's Somborne, Hants.

LARGE "TAKES" OF HONEY.
[6205.] As your correspondent, " W. W.,
Bucks," in his paragraph on page 58 in last
week's B.B..J., invites a reply from myself,
I have much pleasure in satisfying him
as to how the "take " of 1141b., mentioned
in my former letter, was compiled. From
notes kejjt for reference the following de-
tails relating to surplus have been taken,
and these, I hope, will keep our friend
W. W. from " wondering " any longer.
The hive in question yielded as follows : —
First of extracted honey in shallow-frames
I took 221b. on Julv 9, and same day got
21 1-lb. sections. Then on July 25 I ex-
tracted 231b. from shallow-frames and re-
moved 42 1-lb. sections. Finally, I got
61b. in comb and extracted honey from un-
fijiished sections on September 10, making
a total of 1141b. as stated. Unsuitable
weather in autumn accounts for the poor-
ness between end of July and mid-Septem-
ber, but I also had a good number of built-
out sections at end of season.

As will be seen from above, no honey
at all was extracted from brood-frames,
although I must confess to not having
always adhered to this idea, but this No. 2
hive having given, to my mind, such a
grand surplus, and also being very strong
in bees at the close, I decided (right or
wrong, I am not quite sure yet) to let
stores in the body-box alone, and even to
give two bottles of syi'up in addition. No
bee-keeper worthy of the name would rob
the brood-chamber to its full extent as
W. W. suggests, and when large takes are
intimated now and again, I do not for an
instant imagine that this course has been
adopted. Nor, in fairness, should our
friend arrive at this conclusion simply be-
cause he himself is unable to obtain any-
thing like a three-figured "take." This
No. 2 hive on June 18th sent out a 621b.
swarm, which was duly returned. In a
week or two the bees crowded 10 brood -
frames, 10 shallow-frames, and 3 racks of
21 sections each, and were so numerous
that hundreds could find no room inside at
night, and were forced to cluster under
porch and over alighting board. This
proved disastrous one night during which
it rained heavily, and the part of cluster
beyond protection of porch perished.

Will our friend still entertain doubts
when I say that, with this hive, had the
district been richer in bee forage, the total
of 1141b. would have been considerably in-
creased, and that "above board," too?
Unfortunately, the heather was entirely of
no use as regards surplus, owing to un-
favourable weather, and this cut off a fur-
ther possible pound or two.

It is no uncommon occurrence for bee-
keepers more favourably situated to exceed
the cwt. from a single hive, but it is my
record so far, and should it be broken
this coming season, then for W.W.'s sake
(seeing he is a beginner like myself) I will
intimate it.

Although not wishing to criticise, I
would like to say that after reading our
friend's letter I thought the reasons why
Ills harvests never came near to what he
■" read about " are not very far to seek.
It is a great pity, both for W. W. and his
bees, that the number of his visits to his
apiary per annum stands at the low figure
of three.

And now, Messrs. Editors, I give you full
liberty to cut this long story up as you
please, but be sure, please, to leave sufii-
cient in to convince W.W. of the error of
his thoughts.

I thank you very much for the frank
and kind way in which you treated my
last letter, and if you will give me the
address of "'J. C. B., Loughborough"
(page 60), I shall forward him samples of
jute cloths as sent you. — R. N. R., N.B.,
February 10.

64

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Feb. 15, 1906.

BEE-KEEPING AS AN OCCUPATION.

[6206.] I have read with much interest
the letter of your correspondent " Sahib "
(6187, page 43), and the conclusion I have
arrived at is that a man who could earn
£150 a year from bee-keeping in England,
would not have time to spend it. My view
of the " probabilities " of making the sum
stated is based on the following calcula-
tion : — (1) An average of 1001b. of honey
per hive would be a " record " take in this
country. (2) Fifty pounds would be a good
take. (3) Thirty pounds is a more likely
all-roimd harvest. We must also bear in
mind the seasons of entire failure. (4) The
wholesale value of honey does not exceed
6d. per lb., so that the last-named figure
would produce 15s. per hive, and therefore,
200 stocks would be required to yield £150
net clear profit. To establish an a]nary
or apiaries, and purchase the necessary
plant in good working order in a good dis-
trict, would need the expenditure of close
on £500, either in time or money, for if
the bee-keeper makes his own hives, etc.,
there is the value of his time gone before
his apiary has reached the profitable stage.
To make the matter ulain, I ask : Can a
boy, as he enters on the first day of his
apprenticeship, say I know my trade? Or,
to go further, can he, on finishing the last
week of his apprenticeship, say I know all
about the business? I, therefore, ask your
correspondent, who has, may be, spent the
greater part of his manhood abroad in his
country's service, could he enter direct
into a life requiring much technical
knowledge, combined with experience, and
at once expect to succeed ?

I have often said a man has only mas-
tered the growing of a plant when he has
succeeded in mastering its enemies. And
it is just so with bees ; sooner or later
the extensive bee-keeper finds disease
about, and he must master that trouble
or great will be his loss. We hear of very
big things being done with bees in that
land of big things, the U.S.A., 750 colonies
in one yard, with a 5,000 acre ranne of
buckwheat for bee forage, that has never
failed a harvest yet. Mr. W. Z. Hutchin-
son says: — "Bee-keeping is not an occu-
pation in which one can easily become
wealthy ; but it cau be depended on to fur-
nish a comfortable living. Fortunately,
the professional man's hapj)iness bears
little relation to the size of his fortune ;
and the man with tlie hum of the bees
over his head finds happiness deeper and
sweeter than ever conies to the merchant
prince, with his cares and his thousands. '

Merrie England is too " tight " a corner
of the world to do such big things, but the
hum of the bee can help to give many a
pleasant hour to, say, a retired soldier, and
add moderately to his wealth ; that is, if

he loves bees, their stings, and is fond of
work! — J. Gkay, Expert B.B.K.A., and
C.C. Lecturer, Long Eaton.

THE STANDARD FRAME.

UNIFORMITY IN WIDTH OF SECTIONS.

[6207.] Referring to your editorial on
page 41, and the appeal for co-operation,
may I venture to say that it should be
quite easy to come to a conclusion with
regard to the standard frame ? No one
objects to the present size ; it is only the
strength of component parts that are ques-
tioned, and some of these, at least, require
to be much stronger. The question of
spacing frames is important ; movable
ends are, according to my experience,
superior to fixed ends; I have proved
that the Jf-inch space in summer — secured
by the "W.B.C. end" — effectively keeps
down the building of drone-comb, and
assists in controlling swarms. But it is
very different to talk about fixing a stan-
dard for sections, seeing that whatever
section was chosen for a " standard " 't
might immediately take the lead, simply
because is was so named, and shut out
other sections, even though another may
be found to be far superior. This has
occurred in the U.S.A. Mr. Calvert, of the
A. I. Root Company, writes me that the
American standard, 1-^ inch wide, takes the
lead, and more of this section are manu-
factured for the States than of all other
kinds put together. The Roots, and a
-number of other able and advanced bee-
keepers, favour no-way sections, and espe-
cially the tall no-way one. I think that
bee-keepers should be encouraged to ex-
periment before a standard section is fixed,
or even attempted to be fixed ; 4^ by 5 by
Ig, with fence separators, without longi-
tudinal slab'^, but all one piece, should
be a section worth experimenting with. I
think that the Bev. Mr. 1-amb is trying
something of that kind this year. — Wm.
BoxwELL, Patrickswell, Co. Limerick.

(" Cotresp wdewe " continued on page 66 )

HOMES OF THE HONEY BEE.

THE APIATIIES OF OUR READERS.

In Mr. Hall we have a bee-man who is
yet in the experimental stage, and as ex-
perience is the best of all teachers — as we
have ourselves found out — we shall be glad
to have results later on. His useful notes
read as follows : —

" I have now been a bee-keeper for over
seven years. My interest in bees was first
aroused by hearing a lecture, given in i\\o
local schoolroom, when I was about twelve
years of age. Soon after this I tried my
hand at making a hive, which, as I had

Feb. 15, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

65

never before seen or handled a properly
made one, was, of course, all wrong, and has
to be knocked to pieces. When about
sixteen, I began to take the " B. B. J.,"
and two years after, having seen into a
neighbour's hive, I made another attempt
at hive-making, the result of which you
see in the fifth hive from the shed in photo.
I had now an empty hive, but no bees, so
in the following May I bought my first
stock of bees in the hive painted red in the
picture (the third from shed on right). I
got it home allright, and about two days
afterwards had my first peep into a stock
of live bees. The following autumn I
bought a driven lot of bees, and so stocked

which I am giving a trial. I may say that
I have never lost a stock during winter yet,
but this year I am trying Mr. Simmins's
plan of wintering, namely, feeding up
practically solid in the autumn, and with
sticks under quilts, and then leaving the
bees alone, without candy, until spring.
The above-mentioned gentleman argues
that bees naturally hybernate during
winter, and if artificially fed during winter
they loose much of their vitality for early
summer. The argument seems feasible, so
I am trying it. I have never yet seen the
inside of any other hives but my own, with
the exception of two, which were bought by
a friend of mine who knew nothing about

MK. A. hall's APIAUY, MANY I'lTTS, .-MARIOX, BLACKPOOL, LANCS.

my home-made hive. I then bought the
" W.B.C. " liive shown ; next followed the
" Wells," always stocking them with driven
bees. The winter of 1903-4 I occupied
with hive-making, and managed to knock
up five more. One thing in pai-ticular re-
garding the " Wells " hive may interest
your readers. I must say that athough so
much abused, it is my favourite^ and I
have secured more honey from it than any
other two hives in the place. I work for
extracted honey only, and I have eleven
hives, all of which, with the possible ex-
ception of one, are headed by queens of
last yeai'. I have also an excellent manipu-
lating and storage house, part of which is
in the picture, and all necessary appli-
ances. Three of the hives shown are headed
with "White Star" Italian queens, to

bees, so I had to work them for him. One
being found very bad with foul brood, was
destroyed ; the other is allright, so far, for
the winter. I am glad to say that with
carfe I can keep my apiary free from
disease, which I have learnt to understand
from painful experience. Being a market
gai'dener by trade, I cannot devote very
much time to my bees, but as experience is
gained I think I get more and more enthu-
siastic in our hobby. Regarding the sale of
bee produce, my chief difficulty is in get-
ting enough of it to sell, and that at ratli'^v
a different price to what I read of in your
journals. In conclusion, I can only say
that I have obtained all my information
from your B.B.J, and Record, along with
the " Guide Book " and Simmins's "Modem
Bee Farm." I am afraid I have made my

66

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Feb. 15, 1906.

" notes " too long, but if I have you can
condense them. Wishing you every suc-
cess for your publications, long life and
happiness for yourselves."

COB RESPOJS DENGE.
{Continued from page 64.)
SIZE OF FRAMES.
[6208.] In reference to Mr. Soal's letter
on page 57, re size of frames, will you
kindly allow me to give my experiences
with the 16 by 10 side by side with the
standard frame. I have worked two hives
containing ten and six 16 by 10 frames re-
spectively for four seasons. Transferring
occupied the first, and the second found
No. 4 behind, the others about equal.
Third season repeated the second in all
matters of importance, and last year, the
best season I have ever had, I resolved to
carefully note results with a view to fur-
ther experiments. Here is the return for
1905. Eight stocks, spring count ; No. 1,
thirteen sections, swarm June 26 retained.
No. 2, forty-two sections. No. 3, seventy-
four sections. No. 4 (ten 16 by 10 frames),
thirteen sections, swarm July 15 retained.
No. 5 (six 16 by 10 frames), fifty-seven sec-
tions, swarm July 5 returned. No. 6
no sections, swarm June 26 retained.
No. 7, forty-ning sections. No. 8, fifty-
two sections. There was no honey in supers
on .July 1. In the coming season I shall
reduce No. 4 from ten to eight frames, and
hope for a better return, as I think that
ten large frames allow too much honey to
be stored in brood-chamber. Hoping this
will help some of your readers in their
attempts to get at the truth of this matter,
and that 1906 will bring prosperity to our
JotriiNAL and its readers, I will sign my-
self Economic, Worthing, February 12.

THE FRAME QUESTION.

[6209.] Now that the question of dimen-
sions of the standard frame is under con-
sideration, may I call attention to the
serious inconvenience that will be caused
to all bee-keepers and appliance dealers
if the size of the frame is altered. I am
sure that most bee-keepers will agree with
me when I say that the proposed slight
alterations in the dimensions are imma-
terial, and will not affect the honey pro-
duction. I consider that the present
B.B.K.A. standard frame cannot be im-
proved on. I wonder what our large
honey producers, such as Mr. W. Woodley,
thinks of the proposed change? What will
he do with his old hives and appliances?
He will not be able to use two kinds and
sizes, as they will not be interchangeable.
W. Au-EN, Rutland, Feb. 10.

TROUBLE AMONG THE BEES.

HUSBAND, NOT PIG.

[6210.] I notice in B.B.J., January 11,
(page 17), Mr. Jos. Hulbert gives your
readers an interesting and rather exciting
account of a time when, in his novitiate
days, a simple and not very unusual mis-
chance to a bee-keeper when manipulating
hives caused " a lively time " to poor
" Piggy " who chanced to live in a
sty near at hand. This account re-
minds me of a similar incident which
occurred in the apiary of a well-known
expert and lecturer who eventually be-
came a king among bee-men. The gentle-
man I refer to was largely gifted with
Irish humour, and also loved a pig, and
used to say, " I can tell you the very
quickest way to fatten pigs. I had some
once which fattened up in the most mar-
vellous manner in a few hours." Then he
related the story of how — when only a
novice with bees — be once upset a hive
while manipulating, and the bees — after
attacking him in such a vicious, spiteful
way, that he ran for dear life — ^proceeded
to vent their wrath on two innocent porkers
of his which were trying hard to get fat,
and were on no other business intent. The
sequel is already hinted at. But, reader,
do not laugh ! Allow your sympathy to
flow towards both bees and pigs !

Mr. Hulbert may be thankful that it was
only " Piggy " who came badly off in his
case. A somewhat similar occurrenco
happened in my own apiary three or four
years ago. A very heavy crate containing
sealed frames of honey ready for removal
from one of my hives was to come off,
and the strong arms of him who calls me
wife were kindly offered to lift it for me.
I did the smoking (too much, I now fear),
and, as I thought, got everything in readi-
ness for the operation. But I had not pre-
pared for brace-comb, which, in this case,
had firmly fastened about four of the
frames in a lower surplus-chamber to those
in the one being removed. My husband's
powerful arms were equal to the task of
lifting, but he said, " My word, this is
heavy. You've got some honey here,"
when bump, bump, down fell first one
frame, then another (the others I saved),
and such a lively time as followed may be
imagined. It was not " Piggy," it was
"Hubby," for he had only his slippers
on, and, moreover, was clad in thin, wide
summer trousers, up which the bees
crawled, stinging as they went ! Again,
readers, I ask you not to laugh. It was
no laughing matter !

A moral there is to this little story.
Husbands, don't go to help your bee-loving
wives with feet clad only in slippers, or
legs wrapt loosely in thin garments! — •
M. S., February 8.

Feb. 15, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

67

AMERICAN AND COLONIAL PAPERS.

EXTRACTS AND COMMENTS.

By D. M. Macdonald, Banff.

A New Bee Paper.- — In this country we
have had bee newspapers with an ephi-
meral existence. One after another has
gone up like a rocket and come down like a
stick ! Texas, however, bears the palm
for the number of short-lived journals, if
we are to credit the Bee-keeper, from which
we learn that " it is a dull season in Texas
when that State cannot record the advent
and demise of one or two bee journals. We
trust that the Apiarist may find its jour-
nalistic trail strewn with more nectar-
secreting flowers and ■ less cactus thorns
than have been encountered by the many
which have already found an eternal rest-
ing-place in the Lone Star State." Let me
express a hope that the growing importance
of the industry in Texas may give the
Apiarist^ the new paper, a long and useful
career. There is surely room enough for
all the apicultural journals published in
America. I note our Editors are listing
the cream of them for sale in our country.

Hibernation. — This being the dead time
of the year, the journals feel the effect of
the inactivity, and their pages temporarily
prove less interesting to the student of
apiculture. Several display a considerable
amount of " padding," as if matter had run
down and the pages had to be filled some-
how. For instance, one consists of thirty-
eight columns, and of these the editor
writes or compiles thirty-two. Another
with forty-four columns has no original
matter at all. Even the much belauded
Christmas number of Gleanings, al-
though a work of art and the fruits of very
special effort, was read and filed without
one single marginal note for futui'e re-
ference ; the first occasion on which an
issue of this paper has been so dealt with.

Caucasian, Bees. — I note the war against
these " undesirables '' is still going on, and
the general verdict is decidedly against the
innovation. Certificates have been gjven
in their favour by two gentlemen, but it is
worth recording that the names of both ap-
jiear in the bee papers as advertisers of
Caucasian queens ! Is this a case of " an
axe to grind ? " It turns out, however, that
there, are Caucasians and Caucasians, be-
cause Mr. Pitoff (a Russian bee-keeper)
mentions that, in addition to the black
species, of which we have heard so much,
there are "yellow and dark yellow." It
almost makes one ask. Is the whole affair
a bit of a hoax, and are the bees really
local " sports " of our common races ?

A Good JSoney- Strainer. — For those who
do a large amount of extracting, that honey
pail of Mr. E. A. Alexander's, figured on
page 27 of Gleanings, is the best and most
expeditious appliance I have ever seen.

There is no patent, and it is so very
easily made that it will be largely copied
I have no doubt. Here are the instruc-
tions. Take a stout tin pail, cut off two
inches at the top. Then make a frame of
folded strips of tin, soldering them to a
lower rim, and the top part cut off. Line
the inside of this frame with the fine copper
wire-cloth used for milk-strainers, the
finest mesh procurable, and you have a
model strainer quite capable of removing
every particle of foreign matter from, the
Jioney. This effective and expeditious
mode of procedure is so great an improve-
ment that it requires only to be named to
be adopted.

In Dreamland. — The Editor of the Bevicw
has increased an apiary of twenty colonies
to one hundred and four, and proposes to
increase them on a large scale during the
coming season, establishing out-apiaries at
a distance from home. It is in the man-
agement of these latter that he appears tc
leave terra firma and get away up into the
clouds. Five visits a year are supposed to
suffice ! In early spring he digs the bees
out of their winter home ; at the beginning
of the full honey flow he puts on supers ;
two or three weeks afterwards he pays a
third visit (jDroblematic) ; after the flow
comes visit number four ; and " the fifth
and last will be made to bury the bees, or
put them in the cellar." If Mr. Hutchin-
son, most sanguine of men surely, finds his
ideal a success, I don't wonder at f.is
preaching the doctrine of specialisation .so
very strenuously. In fact, we ordinary
mortals, who give our bees regular and pro-
longed attention, may get notice to quit
any day if he succeeds.

Blood Tells! — A writer in the American
Bee-heeper claims that a hive facing south
yields yearly a greater quantity of honey
than those facing in any other direction.
The editor gives his view emphatically :
" There is little doubt that if this apiarist
will turn the entrance of this particular
colony to the north-east or west, its superi-
ority will still be evident. If he were to
stand the thing on its head, yet it would
outstrip its competitors in the honey-
gathering contest. If he will exchange
queens with some one of the inferior pro-
ducers, however, he will doubtless find
that the favourable record will follow the
queen." I face my hives south-east, but
I would have no hesitation in placing them
in any but a due north position. A favour-
able aspect undoubtedly counts, but the
stock headed by the good queen comes out
first every time. I have said this before,
and read it too, but a good thing will bear
being repeatedly repeated.

Miraculous ! — " I am curing Foul Brood
with no medicine, no swarming, and no
broodless interval (!) I am able to put
my queens right on to combs full of brood

68

THE BRITISH BEE JOtJRNAL. [Feb. 15, 1906.

more or less diseased, and these queens
walk right through it, and bring the stock
out clean every time ! I don't think there
is any class of bee disease to which they
will not put a stop ! " This comes from
America (Gleanings, page 22), but was
actually written by an Englishman. How
is it that this marvellous discovery has not
been heard of on this side? The writer
claims to be the inventor of the so-called
Alexander cure of black brood (and foul
brood ?), and his early editions prove be-
yond doubt that he had ideas on the sub-
ject? I take this for granted, but if they
had any good in them, why is it that we on
this side have never heard of one siyic/le cure
being recorded ?

ntx'm m& lle^lies.

[3214.] Beginner's Queries — Cost if
Hires, etc. — I started bee-keeping last year
with one stock of bees in a modern frame-
hive, purchased from a well-known dealer,
and, finding the " hobby " most interest-
ing, I afterwards bought five more hives
— old ones, but well stocked with bees".
One of the hives was in fair condition, an-
other nearly new, and two of the others
will be fairly good make-shift hives if I
]nit new roofs on ; the fifth hive, however,
was no good at all, so I had to leave this
lot behind for removal later on. I there-
fore ask: — 1. When would you advise me
to move this stock and how, seeing that
they are at least three miles away? I
could have the use of a pony and trap as
conveyance. I may also say the bees are
on frames, and I was wondering if it
would do to put the old worn-out hive into
a sack and carry it away bodily, or would
you try and get the bees into a new hive
and leave the old one behind for firewood ?
Upon examination I found that in two of
the other hives the frames would not move,
they having been fastened together by the
bees, but I am afraid the answer you gave
to query No. 3208 (on page 59) did not
apply to my case, as in trying to get the
frames apart I broke off the top-bar in
several of the frames. 2. Would you re-
commend me to have another try to pull
out the frames now firmly fixed and re-
place such as get broken in the process, or
would you leave the bees on present frames
and let them swarm ? I am taking the
B.B.J, regularly this year, and, so far,
have found it most usefiil and instructive.
I have also read the " Guide Book," but
have not as yet come across anything in
print which deals with such operations as
I now have to cany out in transferring
the stocks bought. I should therefore
esteem it a great favour if you would let
me know what to do, as I am quite a

novice. 3. May I also trouble you to cor-
rect the enclosed list of things I shall be
likely to want for my six hives, and let
me know if I am too extravagant, as I
want to make my hobby pay, if possible ;
but, of course, I only expect to clear ex-
penses this year. I think it only fair to
say that when I examined the bees that I
mentioned as bought from a dealer, I found
they were short of stores, but to my sur-
prise there was brood in every stage of de-
velopment in the combs. Of qourse, I
immediately supplied them with a good
cake of candy from " Guide Book " recipe
(No. 2), which they have taken very well.
In conclusion, I think bee-keeping a most
interesting hobby, and hope the Journax
will have a prosperous year, and thanking
you in anticipation for replies to my
queries. — B. J, M., Cringleford, Feb-
ruary 11.

Reply.^ — 1. Your best course to take in
removing the dilapidated hive and bees
will be first to safely secure the bees
in their present home by closing entrance
with perforated zinc j then make fast the
hive to its floorboard with two or three
screws.. This done, if there is any risk
J of bees escaping on journey, tie the whole
up in a square of the coarse open canvas
(or " scrim ") used by upholsterers, gather-
ing up the comers and tying on top.
The hive may then be set in a corner of
pony trap on a b«d of straw or between
your legs while driving home. Arrived
there set the hive on its stand, and leave
till after nightfall (if convenient), then
remove canvas — the bees will have settled
down and be quiet by morning. If re-
moval is delayed till warmer weather the
quilts will need removing, and top-bars
covered with " scrim " secured by a frame
round sides to give ventilation on journey.
2. The safest plan of transferring the bees
to a new hive will be to defer operating
till the stock is strong enough to fill pre-
sent hive in spring, then let the bees trans-
fer themselves as directed on page 140 of
" Vjuide Book." 3. Do not fix on such a
priced list as that sent. Consult a reliable
dealer, after seeing two or three catalogues,
and ask his price for such things as vou
may need for working five or six hives
this season. He will, if a fair-minded
man, give a price for the lot, according to
your views regarding the quality of goods
desired.

[3215.] Moving Bees in Spring — Wiring
Frames. — I have to move my bees to an-
other place, rather less than two miles
distance direct, and would rather defer re-
moval till after April 6, and so I ask : — 1.
Is that date a safe time for moving the
stocks, or will the bees return to their
old stands here ? 2. In one of your bee-
papers last year some one recommended
aluminium wire for use in wiring frames.

Feb. 15, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOTJBN"AL.

69

Where can this be bought, and at what
price? No one seems to know anything
about it. Also can aluminium |-inch
wire nails be had for bending into hooks ?
Ordinary wire nails rust badly. 3. I have
three racks of sections, in some of which
the foundation has not been touched at
all, while others have the combs built out,
but the stocks on which they were used
did not store any honey last year, probably
because of being slightly affected with foul
brood. Can the sections be disinfected, or
must I burn them — which is painful. 4.
The above infected stocks were treated
with phenyle, and in the autumn our ex-
pert found only three infected cells in the
worst, and one or two in the others. " If
these stocks are not worse when I examine
them, what is the proper treatment ? 5.
Is it well at this season to put naphthaline
in stocks ? There ig usually a good deal of
foul brood not far from my bees. And
how long should this treatment be con-
tinued ? I send you an extract from the
letter of a brother-in-law of mine, who
lives in Australia, as it may be of interest
to readers who possibly have thoughts of
emigrating. It reads as follows : — " As to
honey, I have no notion what is the record
production for a single hive in Australia.
The most I ever got in one summer was
3081b. from an eight-frame hive with supers
• — extracting some four or five times during
the honey-flow. But I should think it
likely that at least twice that weight' has

been taken. It was at that I got

that. Here, there are too many bees
about, except when the lucerne is in full
flower ; then it would be hard to overstock
the district. Honey now sells here at 2d.
to 2^d. per lb. in 60-lb. tins, and 3d. retail.
So there is not much in it. One would
think it would pay to send Australian
honey to England ; but it has been tried
by several, and the wholesale buyers in
London will not give as much as it is worth
in Sydney. So nothing can be done, un-
less a depot could be formed, which would
sell direct to grocers in the country towns.'"
The letter from which above is copied
was written on October 22, 1905. The
writer lives in New South Wales. Please
allow me to sign as before — B., Lines,
February 9.

Reply. — 1. There will be little or no
risk of bees returning to the old location
if moved at the date mentioned. 2. We
do not recollect any mention of aluminium
wire for bee purposes in our paper, nor do
we think it would be used for wiring
frames. The ordinary wire in common use
cannot well be improved on. The same
may be said of nails, so far as our know-
ledge goes. 3 and 4. If the stocks to
which combed-sections were given are so
slightly affected as stated, we should not

fear to use them again, after spraying with
soluble phenyle. 5. Those who use naptha-
line as a preventive, keep it constantly in
hives, but there is no particular need for
its use in the busy honey-gathering season,
when bees are not disposed to do any
" robbing."

[Z216. ^ Bouhling and Storifyinq.—l. If
two stocks are used for storifying, should
the doubled stock store four or five times
the honey in supers that the same two
stocks would store in shallow frames? 2.
Does the use of shallow frames take the
place of storifying ? — a sentence in " Guide
Book " seems to indicate the author's
opinion that this would be the case. 3.
Does experience show that the " non-
swarming " chamber below brood-nest is
beneficial or otherwise? — Beefowx,
Henley-in-Arden, February 6.

Reply. — 1. We should say the chances
of such result are very remote indeed, and
it is not easy to say why the bees should
be expected to do so much on the storify-
ing plan. 2. Since the introduction of the
shallow-frame, it has gradually taken the
place of the Standard for extracting pur-
poses, and may now be said to have almost
replaced the latter for use in surplus-cham-
bers. Some bee-keepers continue to use
the larger frame for surplus, but inquiries
from our leading hive-makers show that
the number is decreasing every year. 3.
However beneficial the non-swarming
chamber may be to bee-keepers who are
perforce compelled by circumstances to
adopt it, the plan is hardly ever used by
those who keep a number of hives mainly
for profit.

[3217.] Dealinri with Cross-built Combs.
— I have had a hive of Italian bees given
me, and on examining the frames I find
they are all fastened together by brace-
combs. I have tried in vain to lift the
frames out, but they are so fastened down
that the top-bars only break off in trying
to raise them up. I should like to make
an artificial swarm in the coming summer,
as directed in the " Guide Book," but it
will be impossible to carry the plan out
as the frames are immovable. Would you
kindly tell me in the B.B.J, the best
way to deal with them ? — F. L. , Burton
Lane, February 7.

Reply. — You cannot do better than
leave the bees on the frames they now
occupy, and when the stock is strong
enough in spring, follow the directions,
given in " Guide Book " (page 140) for
alowing the bees to transfer themselves.

[3218."! An Appreciative Query.- — Will
you kindly say in this week's B.B.J.
whether the enclosed sample is pure honey
or no? May I, at the same time, thank
you for the advice yoi? pp generously give

70

THE BRITISH BEE JOUBNAL. [Feb. 15, 1906.

in this department, which is absolutely
invaluable to those connected with the
honey industry and beekeeping. Allow
me also to say my life-long interest in
beekeeping began when I was about twelve
years old by helping a relative, who kept
thirty or more hives on the then modern
system, and have continued on my own
account, with short intervals, ever since
1870 ! It was, however, like groping in
the dark until I heard of the B.B.J. —
P. L. F., Rawdon, near Leeds, Feb. 6.

Reply.- — First let us say the sample of
honey sent is fair in quality, and we see
no reason to doubt its purity, but it is not
a good honey for table use, being rather
coarse in flavour. For the rest, we are
glad to have been of some service to' you
as a beekeeper, and appreciate your good
wishes.

[^219.] Malciruj a Start with Bees. — I am
about to commence bee-keeping, and pro-
pose to begin by purchasing a stock. May
I ask the following question ? — 1. What
are the good and bad points of Italians as
compared with English bees ? There seems
to be such a diversity of opinion on the
superiority of one breed over the other that
one becomes bewildered. "What I should
like to see is a brief statement of the pros
and cons, and I will be glad if you can heir)
me. 2. I have been advised to order a stock
early in March. Is that too soon? 3.
When the stock reaches me must the bees
be transferred to the hive at a particular
time of day, or will any hour do ? Also,
must they be subdued by smoke before
operating? 4. After the bees have been
hived must they be packed with chaff as
for winter till the warm weather comes,
or will the usual quilts on brood-box be
sufUcient? 5. The hive I have is a
"W.B.C." Must the division-board— or
dummy — remain in the body-box when the
full number of frames are in.? I ask this
question because there is no room left for
lateral movement when the dummy is in
place along with all the frames, and there
seems to be some danger of the bees being
rubbed when withdrawing it. On the other
hand, will the bees build out the end comb
if the division-board is absent ? Your reply
will oblige. — U. Percival,. Manchester.

Reply. — 1. The superiority, or other-
wise, of Italian bees over the native is a
moot point, even with bee-keepers of ex-
perience, and probably will always be a
matter of personal opinion. This can only
be tested by trial for comparison. To
occupy space with the " pros and cons "
would only increase yonr "bewilderment"
and serve no useful purpose so far as de-
ciding the question. 2. No. 3. If the stock
ordered is on bnilt-ont comhs in standard
frames it may be transferred to the new
hive as soon after arrival as convenient, if
weather is mild and fairly warm. You will
need to use a little smok© while operating

in order to keep the bees quiet. 4. It is
usual to give plenty of warm coverings
overhead in early spring, as this helps to
promote brood-rearing by conserving the
warmth of the breeding compartment as
much as possible. But no chaff -packing is
necessary for this purpose. 5. Yes ; the
dummy is intended to remain in hive
always. In your case we should contract
the brood-chamber to as "naiiy frames as
the bees cover after hiving. The danger
you apprehend is quite imaginary.

Notices to Correspondents & Inquirers.

Letters or queries asking for addresses of manufac-
turers or correspondents, or where appliances ean be
purchased, or replies giving such information, ean only
he inserted as advertisements. The space devoted to
letters, queries, and replies is meant for the general
good of bee-keepers, and not for advertisements. We
wishour correspondents to bear in mind that, as it is
necessary for us to go to press in advance of the date of
issv^, queries cannot always be replied to in the issueim-
mediately following the receipt of thevr comri.unications.

" BiDO " (Kidderminster). — Starting Bee-
keeping.—1. Mr. J. P. Phillips, Spetch-
ley, is hon. secretary of the Worcester
B.K.A,, and will no doubt be pleased
to have you as a member, and advise as
to making a start with bees. 2. You
will find names, etc. . of the most reliable
manufacturers and dealers in bee-goods
in advertising pages of this issue. Write
for catalogue from any you may select
to deal with. 3. You cannot hope to
make headway with bees without the
help of the " Guide Book."

S. H. SwiNCHATT (Birmingham). — ^Hives
and Bees for Beginners. ^ — The reply to
" Bido " given above applies equally to
your case. It would be obviously un-
fair for us to recommend either par-
ticular dealers or name the price you
should pay for hives or bees when so
many are equally good.

J. Skinner (Bristol). — Improving the
Standard Frame. — We will be very
pleased to submit your frame along with
others to the B.B.K.A. Council in due
course, and if anything new should strike
you within the next month or two, it
might be well to send another sample
as altered. You might also send cost
per gross or 100 for making same — this
item being asked for by the Council.

W. H. K. (Hunstanton). — Candymaking.
— Your sample is too hard for use as bee-
food. Good candy is quite soft and
" buttery " in grain.

Abdul-Massih (Devon).— Caucasian Bees.
—Opinions differ even in the U.S.A.,
with regard to these bees, and it will
therefore be well to await Professor
Franlc Benton's return from the mission
entrusted to him by the U.S. Board of
Agriculture at Washington before ven
turing an opinion with regard to the
Caucasian bee.

Feb. 22, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

71

(Editorial ^olim, ^L

JOHN MARSHALL HOOKER.

The late John M. Hooker, whose death we
mentioned in hist week's B.B.J., was born
at Bvenchley, in the county of Kent, on
April 26, 1829. He was the youngest son
of Stephen Hooker, Esq., of Broad Oak in
that parish, who inherited, and died pos-

the summer holidays his son assisted him
in his apiary, and accompanied him in his
drives over to the apiary of Mr. Golding,
of Hunton, in Kent, only a few miles dis-
tant ; listened t,o the bee-talk, and wit-
netssed the manipulation of the bees, which
were kej)t in Huber and Grecian hives.
Mr. Golding was the author of a book on
bee-keej)ing, called " Golding's Shilling
Bee-book," and invented an improved form
of Grecian hive, having movable bars, so

JOHN MARSHALL HOOKER,

Reproduced by pennissioii from " 7he Agricultural Economist.'

sessed of, considerable landed projierty in
the counties of Kent and Sussex, which,
by his will, he directed to be sold and
divided among hiis wife and nine children
then living.

Having been brought ixp in one of the
prettiest rural districts, Mr. Hooker at an
early age took great interest and pleasure
in all the resources of a country life, and
occupied his spare time in ishooting, hunt-
ing, bee-keeping, and farming. His father,-
who was a very clever and scientific man,
was an advanced bee-keeper, and during

that with a little management the surplus
could be taken. These hives, whicli were
not large, were storified three and four
high, and were at one time used by Mr.
Hooker, who obfained large (|uantities of
honey of a superior quality in the upper
hives. Upon the introduction of frames,
Mr. Hooker was amongst the earliest of
those who adopted them, and his Grecian
hivee were given up.

At the beginning of the Volunteer move-
ment, Mr. Hooker took great interest in
the same, and with his friend, George

72

THE BRITISH BEE JOTJRNAL. [Feb. 2-2. 1906.

Tomkin, Esq., of Yalding, raised a corps
ill four or five adjoining villages, of which
he was appointed Captain, his friend being
Lieutenant. On getting married, some
years after, he left Brenchlej", and gave
up the command of the corps.

In 1874, jMr. Hooker became acquainted
with Mr. C. X. Abbott and IMr. Frank
Cheshire, and attended a meeting with
those gentlemen (called by Mr. Abbott in
the Bee Jottexal), at Camden Town, for
the purpose of revising a schedule of prizes
for the first Crystal Palace Exhibition, and
to conisider the best means of forming a
National Bee-Keepers' Association.

On this occasion the Hon. and Rev. H.
Bligh took the chair, and on his being
obliged to leave. Mr. Hooker, who pre-
sided till the close of the business, was one
of a committee chosen to carry out that
memorable show. At the general meeting
of bee-keepers then j^resent he was ap-
pointed on the Committee of the British
Bee-keepers' Association, which had then
been formed.

Froui that time, 1874 up to 1889. Mr.
Hooker served on the committee of the
Association, being re-elected aruiually.

At the second Crystal Palace [Show,
1875, in Class 2 for the best movable comb-
hive for depriving })urpoises, the second
prize and bronze medal were awarded to
Mr. Hooker, who also secured the first
prize and silver medal in Class 4 for the
Ix^st hiA'e on the collatei-al princijjle. In
speaking of this class, the Editor of the
Bee Jouknal (Mr. Abbott), says, " We
nixist, however, giA'e credit where it is due.
We may here remark that onr first notion
of a movable dummy, ihe greatest improre-
miiif until iwir introduced into frame-
xhives, came from Mr. Hooker.

At the third show of the Association,
held at the Alexandra Palace, 1876, jNIr
Hooker was awarded a silver and
two bronze medals for the best hive on the
storifying principle, and the best colla-
teral hive. In the editorial giving an
account of this show is the following re-
mark : " In all Mr. Hooker's hives the
5-24-inch perforated zinc i)lays an impor-
tant part, as by its use the entrance of the
queen and drones to the honey-comb is
prevented." Since that time the use of
queen-excluder zinc has become general
l>o(h in England and America. At the
Royal Show at Windsor, Mr. Hooker <'x-
hibiled a super weighing 751bs. nett, which
was filled by the 14th of .Tune through ihe
Raynor |»attern of -perforated zinc;. At the
show at South Keiisiiiuton in 1878, a
bronze medal was awarded to him in
the class for the best movable comb hive,
and at the great show at Kilburn in 1879
he ol)taine(l a ))ronze iriedal for his Alex-
andra hive, and the same year, at the
exliibition at South Kensington, the silver

medal for the same hive. In 1880, at the
South Kensington show, Mr. Hooker
obtained a bronze medal for hi- hive and
another for hiis super. In 1883 the first

HOOKER'S ALEXANDRA HIVE.

prize was awarded him for the best move-
able comb-hive. Mr. Hooker was one of
the judges at the Royal Agricultural
Society's exhibitions for several years, also
at several of the Bath and West of England
and Roval Counties shows. In the Bligh
Competition of 1882-1883, he obtained the
first prize for largest quantity of honey,
etc., from one swarm. Mr. Hooker's
mechanical knowledge enabled him to
make many improvemente in hives and
appliances, and he invented an ingenious
uncapjiing machine, which, however, was
too costly to come into general use. In
1888 he })ublislied a small book called
" Hooker's Guide to Successful Bee-Keej)-
ing," and has been a constant and faithful
contributor to our pages.

We are indebted to the kindness of the
Editor of Tlie Agricultural Economist for
being enabled to give the latest portrait of
Mr. Hooker on previous page.

Our acquaintance with him began in
1874, and the friendship then commenced
was kept up to the last. Mr. Hooker left
for America a few years ago, after the
death of his wife, to reside with his son,
Dr. Samuel C. Hooker, and we were
pleased to isee him so well and cheerful in
his new home and among his new
surroundings when we visited Philadel-
phia last s])ring, and passed a couj)le of
days in his company, talking over old
tiiiios. He then got us <(> api)end our
signature to the illuminated address
v/hich wa<s presented to him l)y his friends
and colleagues on the Council of the
B.B.K.A. on his leaving for America, and
seemed hap])y that he had be^-n able lo
have it conqdeted in this way. He was
also gratified at the cordial greeting from
the members of the B.B.K.A. which we

Feb. -l-l, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOtJKNAL.

73

were deputed to convey to him, and seemed
very pleased to be so cordially remem-
bered. It was on this occasion that we
visited the Swarthniure apiaries with Mr.
Hooker, and saw the keen interest he took
in the method of queen-rearing there n
vogue, which he has described in the pages
of this journal.

The news of our friend's almost sudden
death was conveyed to us in a communi-
cation from his son, Dr. Samuel C.
Hooker. The letter is dat-ed Feb. 3, and
from it wp quote as follows : —

" After a few days' illness, my father
died on the morning of January 31. Until
less than a week before liis death, his
health was excellent, and it was a pleasui-e
to see one of his years (nearly 77) take
svich an active interest in eveiything about
him, and enjoy life so thoroughly. He
retained to the last his life-long interest
in bees, and found new pleasure here in
the acquaintance of kind friends who, like
himself, were interested in bee-keeping.
May I ask you, through your journal, to
kindly notify his friends in England that
ho has passed away ? "

Personally we fe^lkeenly the loss of Mr.
Hooker as that of a life-long and esteemed
friend, who was ever ready to help in any
way, and we also realise that the pioneers
of bee-keeping in this country,' and those
connected with the earliest history of the
British Bee-Keepers' Association, have all
passed away except the Chairman of the
Council, who is the only survivor. We are
sure tlmt all will unite with us in sincere
s.ynij)athy with the family in the loss they
have sustained.

(BorreBpniIfnrp,

The Editors do vot hold themselves responsible for the
opiniens expressed by correspondents. No notice will
be taken of anonymous communications, and corre-
spondents are requested to write on one side of the paper
only and give their real names and addresses, not neces-
tarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith.
Illustrations should be draum on separate pieces »f paper.
We do not undertake to return rejected communications.

AMONG THE BEES.

SHALL WE CHANGE THE " STANDARD " ?
" Hnld tliiiu the good : define it well."

[6211.] These wise words of Tennyson's
might be both a guide and a beacon to
bee-keepers at the present juncture. Our
forefathers, wise men in their generation,
recognising that apiculture, like all other
cultures, had jjasised through the age of
barbarism, when each man was a law unto
himself, wisely resolved to have a
" standard frame.'' They perceived that
affairs were getting into an inextricable
tangle, and that individualism threatened
to secure chaos. Out of that maelstrom

a few wise heads evolved order and secured
success. Our ranks are being yearly re-
cruited. New men arise who " knew not
Joseph," and so almost yearly, there is
a recrudescence of opinions and ideas,
ghosts of the past, which have been re-
surrected and laid time after time. The
craving for reform, when it runs the length
of revolution, belongs to the period of a
man's youth. The desire to conserve what
has stood the test of years is an attribute
of maturity. So we find the " revolu-
tionists " on the subject of frames, as a
rule, in the ranks of those who have only
recently started out as members of the
craft. Though they may be old in years,
they are young in experience. Enthusiasts
ai5 they are they seek for perfection in
(diange. So they trot out their discoveries,
and entreat the woidd to come and admire,
only to find that the practical eye of sage
experience reveals to them the fact that
their ideas are only identical copies of
dead and buried treasures of the past, and
that they have been eagerly chasing
shadows and illusions. These dreamers of
day-dreams, as their knowledge riitens,
generally end in accepting the truth of my
Tennysonian quotation, both in substance
and in fact. Experience almost invariably
adopts the teaching of these other wise
words (uttered nearly two thousand years
ago), " Prove all things ; hold fast that
which is good," — of which the poet's words
are only a variation. The so-called re-
forming spirit displays a perennial dijscon-
tent, demanding change too often for
change's sake.

Now, I do not mean for a moment that
things should remain fixed and unalter-
able ; that our appliances should become
stereotyped and that there should be no
deviation from even what has become re-
cognised as rules or even laws. That might
do for the Medes and Persians, but for
modern civilisation it is inapplicable.
Life among the bees would lose half its
zest and interest under such hard cast-
iron rules, for we live in an inscrutable
world of constant change. Even bees do
" nothing invariably." Our Journal re-
cognises that we live in a changing order
of things, but it also recognises that there
is identity alongside this change. It
pauses on the last step and refuses to ad-
vance until it has proved the way to be
safe and the goal worthy of attainment.
It teaches the conservation of all funda-
mental trutliB which have been proved,
thus securing for us a continuity of pur-
pose and aim.

On this question of frames no man is
handicaijped. He can experiment, as much
as he j)leases. For myself, 1 have in the])ast
juted on this and tested d«ep frames, with
the result that I discarded them, as I be-
lieve ninety-nine out of every hundred

74

THE BRITISH BEE JOURKAL. [Feb. 22, 1906.

have done, after experience of their faults
and shortcomings.

I am still testing large frames of tlie
" LangstiT>th " size and make, wliioh have
led to so much recrimination and debate
in America qnite lately. By the vv'ay,
when some ai'o so clamant .in favour of
drep frames, and point to other countries
where they are favoured, it may be well
to look at this particular frame, bearing
in mind that it may be called the
" standard " frame in America. It is of
exactly the same comb-bearing depth as
(jur own standard frame. Ours is, outside
measure only, Sgin. deep. It is 9gin. ;
but the thicker top and bottom bars reduce
its internal depth to Sin. — so we have the
same depth of comb. This is very in-
teresting and instructive. Revolutionists
might take a note !

My opinions on the standard frame have
been given so recently that I can add little
new in its favour. This I may eay, how-
ever, that when I have found a bee-keeper
gushing over deep frames, I have come
across at least one other enthusiastic over
shallow frames for the brood-body — show-
ing, I think, that the standard is the true
mean between two extremes. It is a fact
that, both here and in America, for one
(like our Mr. Soal) favouring deep frames,
you get several who believe out and out -n
shallow ones — much shallower than any
in use for the brood-bodies.^ Pat to hand
comes the following, written the other day
by one of the largest and most prominent
apiarists on the other side : — " But where
does the eight depth come in ? Is it 7in.
or lOin. ? I incline to the 7in. depth, and
if I were keeping bees up North (he is in
the tropics), jiarticularly if domb-honey
were my aim, I would select a hive no
deeper than the Danzenbecker. The shal-
low hive puts the honey in the supers — yes,
all the honey, and that, too, without trouble
and fuss. I have been told that in the
tropics comb-honey was a failure, as the
bees refused to work in the sections, and
I have recommended shallow, hives.
Even where extracted honey is run for in
the orthodox manner — with deep frames —
there is too much honey in the brood nest,
and, needless to say, the conditions are
worse when comb lioney is sought for. The
bees keep piling honey in the brood-combs
till actually the colony dwindles." So
good and successful a bee-keeper as Dr.
C. C. Miller (piite recently spoke in a com-
mendatory way of the dejith of our standard
frame, and there is a saner trend of
opinion in America in favour of an ap-
proach to a rsimilar depth. Why then
should we seek to retrograde?

I hope that the committee entrusted with
the consideration of the subject will be
able conscientiously to give their decision
for a minimum of change, even on the

minor structural variations some plead for,
and that they will leave severely alone all
outside measurements. Tlie frame hats, in
the past, stood the assaults of all carping
critics as no other frame has ever done,
so I end as I began — " Hold thou the good :
define it well.— D. M. M., Banff.

APICULTURAL NOTES.

[6212.] I was very sorry, on opening my
JotTENAL last week, to see the announce-
ment of the death of our old and esteemed
friend, Mr. Hooker, and equally sorry to
hear of the death of Dr. Bartrum a few
weeks ago. When one thinks of the
British Bee-Keepers' Association and its
associates of 20 to 30 years ago, and re-
members the familiar faces or well-known
names of those who are no longer with us,
one's thoughts produce feelings which can-
not be easily described. It is true we are
having added to our ranks young and able
recruits whom we respect, and whose
labours we api)reciate, but that does not
lessen our regret or our admiration for.
and indebtedness to, those who have passed
away, leaving their good work behind for
the benefit of those who come after.

Size of the Standard Frame. — Some c»f
our friends appear to be dissatisfied with
the standard frame, and wish for an altera-
tion. ^\\e question has been discussed
many times, both in the Jotjenal and else-
where. Members of our Hunts B.K.A.
have more than ' once given the matter
serious consideration, especially in the
happy days when we had with us our dear
old friend John Howard, who was not only
a deep thinker, but a great experimenter.
But we could never, all things considered,
see sufficient cause to juistify an alteration
in the present size of the standard frame.
It was generally admitted that some of its
parts might be strengthened, but more
often than not the cause of trouble was
shown to be the kind of material used
rather than its size. The late John
Howard always used " beist pine " for the
purpose, and paid a high price for it. Not
only so, but he kept it in his drying shed
for twelve months before using. The num-
ber of frames used in my apiaries, made at
the " Holme '' Factory, goes into four
figures, and I have never had any cause
for complaint, although many of them have
been in use for years. But some frames
among the few got elsewhere have caused
me gr-eat inconvenience through the sagg
ing of top-bars, the latter bcdng evidently
made of green and imsuitable material. I
notice that Mr. Woodley, in his " Notes by
the Way " last week, advocates a top-l)ar,
Ig-inch wide, instead of the ordinary
|-inch one. No doubt, such a frame
possesses the advantage claimed for it ;
and the only thing T should fear is that
the wider top-bar^by reducing the sj)ace

Feb. 22, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOtTBNAL.

75

between the bars — would cause more of tHe
perforations of the queen-excluder to be
covered, and thus tend to impede the free
passage of the bees into the surplus-cham-
bers. But then the question arises, 's
the queen-excluder necessary ? Mr. Owen
Brtiwning (6204, page 62), apparently
thinks not, and goes on to say, " When a
queen-excluder is used for the bees to
struggle through, the queen being preven-
ted from following them is unnatural and
the bees, in consequence, prefer to swarm,
and the whole internal arrangements are
upset." For myself, I am quite luiable to
agree with Mr. Browning's theory as
quoted. I worked something approaching
to 100 stocks last year with the queen-
excluder without having had a single
swarm, and if a series of, say, ten
years are taken, my average num-
ber of swarms from such hives would
be even less than the number — 1 in 20 —
" given by Mr. Browning as a result
of his better plan, and of discarding queen-
excluders altogether. If other conditions
are favourable, i.cr, if the necessity or
desire on the part of the bees to
swarm arises, I do not think the eventu-
ality would in any case be either
delayed by the absence of a queen-ex-
cluder or accelerated by its use. I use 12
frames' in the brood-chamber, and thiij
appears to give ample room for breeding
purpose«3, and sufficient space for the bees
to store enough honey to last them till
honey comes again in the following year.
This dispenses with the necessity for feed-
ing. I never use excluders below sections
except when the latter contain ready-built
combs. If the queen should happen to
spoil a few sections, they are easily
removed without much loss, and without
detriment to the remaining sections. But I
strongly object to the queen taking
l)ossession of shallow-combs, that are to be
extracted. In the latter case you not
only get brood in the wrong place, but
also pollen, and to extract from combs that
contain pollen there is tlie risk — almost
a certainty — of the comb breaking just at
the edge of the pollen-patch ; and every
cell of pollen means so many cells less
of honey. Furthermore, when one has a
big day's work of extracting before one, it
considerably expedites matters in remov-
ing surplus to know that the queen is
secure below tlie excluder, and that there
is no fear while handling surplus-coml)s of
either losing or injuring the queen.
Allkx Shaup, Bram))ton, Huntingdon.

THE STANDARD FRAME QUESTION.
[6213.] I read your editorial remarks on
page 41 of the issue for February 1. and
being one of those who like to hear both
sides of a question, while giving a fair

trial to everything on which we are to form
an opinion, I may be allowed to say that
the present standard fr-ame has had a
lengthy trial in my handp, and experience
convinces me that it is of great value, and
cannot be much improved upon. I there-
fore say if any bee-keeper complains of
"sagging" as a fault (though I never find
a frame to sag myself), why not go in for a
stronger top-bar? But I can instance a
case in my own apiary which should be a
fairly good proof that the present top-bar
is quite strong enough for a frame of the
standard size. Here are the details : —
I have thi'ee old hives in my bee-garden,
with frames 17^ by 10|, and the strength
of the several parts of these frames is ex-
actly the same as that of the original
standing, yet there is no " sagging. " I
stocked these three hives with beee in June,
1885, and from that time to the present
day the hives have never been unoccupied,
nor even been distitrbed by lifting a frame
out for inspection. In fact, beyond clear-
ing the floor-boards periodically, the body-
boxes have been left entirely alone. Some-
times they are supered, and in other years
left to swarm ; yet, strange to say, they
are always the earliest and best colonies
I have. These hives are open to the in-
spection of any expert who cares to see
them, and the top-bars of frames will be
found as straight as on the day they were
put in twenty years ago. I think this
should be good evidence on the point of
non-sagging.

On the other hand, I would like to ask —
If the present standard frame is to be
altered in size, what will be the result 1
Our extractors and many other appliancee
will have to be renewed to meet the altered
conditions, and the present hives be ren-
dered almost valueless from being non-in-
tercbaun;eable with the npw si-'ed ones. I
say^ therefore, "let well alone."

I have been a reader of the B.B..J. for
twenty-two years, and have in all that time
never missed a single copy to my know-
ledge ; moreover, I am as proud of it as
ever ; the " Homes of the Honey Bee "
being specially interesting. I wajs, how-
ever, a bit surprised at our friend Mr.
Drew, in his " Notes " (on page 55), con-
demning the use of driven bees for build-
ing-u]) stocks from. For my own ])art t
vvould like to say that with a 41b. lot of
bees in Se]tteml)er, hived on four frames
of foundation alternately with four of ))nil(-
out com]) (eight frames in all), and fed up
well for three .or four weeks, they will be
in fine condition for winter. I have my-
self, on examining such a stock in about a
fortnight after hiving, found most of the
frames almost a mass of brood in all stages.
Such a stock well tended will be stronger
in sprintj than a .lune swarm.

I purchased such a lot (41b.), of driven

76

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Feb. 22, 1906.

bees through your advertisement column
in October last, and they reached me in
splendid condition ; but, owing to my
being full up with bee-work at the time,
I did not get them hived and fixed up till
five days after arrival, but I only found
less than half a dozen dead bees when un-
packed. Then about the " spring dwind-
ling," as Mr. Drew puts it — driven bees,
according to my experience, are almost
free from it. The lot I have mentioned
above were, when examined one fine warm
day last month, stronger in young
bees than any hiVe in my apiary. Indeed,
I never before saw quite young bees flying
in January, and there was brood in five
frames.

In query column (3208, page 58),
"L. L. G., Wakes Colne," inquires about
bee-forage plants. I find nothing better
than white arabis and wallflower for pollen
in early spring. With best wishes to all
bjother-bee-keepers and oivr Editors. —
E. J. T., Gowdall, Snaith, Yorks, Feb-
ruaj-y 14.

PAINTING QUEEN BEES.

16214.] In reference to your footnote to
my contribution on above subject (6185,
page 42), I can assure you there was no
confusion in my mind, but evidently I
failed to convey my meaning. I quite
understand the reasons for clipping queens
and the results that follow the mutilation
of queen^' wings. When I used the words,
" Surely some means of markin'g a queen's
wings could be resorted to which would
not be so cruel as clipping, etc.," instead
of " marking " I should have used the
word colouring or nainting. When we
put coloured chalks or jiaints on sheep or
other animals for the jDurpose of identifica-
tion we call that marking, and it was
in that sense I used the word. The mean-
ing I wished to convey was that the colour-
ing of a queen's wings would not be such
a cruel operation as the clipping of them.

I note what you say about the pollen
dust being stored in the hive having been
removed from the hairy bodies of the
worker bees. That may bo so ; all the
same, bees of all colours can be seen
coming out as well as going into the
hives.

As regards iha main point at issue —
th<! question of cruelty — that can be de-
cided by experiment, and it is the only
satisfactory way. If it is admitted that
it would be of advantage to the craft if
queens could be made easily observed, I
thiid< it is a matter for experiment ; and
if, when ])roperly carried out, the colour-
ing of a queen is proved to have retarded
her in the dischnrge of her maternal
duties, then, a)id not till then, will I be
convinced on the cruelty question.

You describe Mr. Swabey as an intelli-
gent bee-keeper ; this being so, his
opinions should be worth some considera-
tion. I would suggest that he should give

us some details of his experience^', but
more particularly in connection with the
subject under discussion. It would be in-
teresting to know if his hives containing
the queens "daubed with paint " did or
did not give as good results as his hives
containing unpainted ones. — Alexander
Eeid, Balloan, Moray, N.B.

PAINTED QUEENS.

[6215.] I am late in replying to what
has been said on this subject, because of
being, loth to enter into any .irgumeiit with
our Editors. But my last contribution to
the subject (on page 12) appears to have
been misconstrued in the footnote appended
thereto, for I did not mean to recommend
successive coats of paint, nor " repainting
in various colours " the queen-bee of a
colony. I advise those only, who know
how to handle a mother-bee, to apply paint
to young queens of one season, and another
coloured jjaint to those of the next season,
and so on, for the purpose of determining
their ages. The chief thing is to carefully
avoid squeezing the abdomen, or blocking
the spiracles of the queen operated on m
so doing. It appears to me that I have
been unjustly dealt with in this case,
judging by the crushing reproof in the
editorial footnote to Mr. Alex. Reid's letter
on page 42, and I will be glad to have it
pointed out where the " needless " cruelty
that I am charged with is thought to arise,
and whether it is of greater degree than in
exhibiting a queen in an observatory hive,
or in illustrating " bee-driving " at shows,
or even in opening an ordinaiy hive and
sjiending half an hour in queen-bee ex-
ploration ? I may then learn how the lay-
ing qualities of a queen-bee are affected ;
otherwise I do not know. Meanwhile, so
far from modifying my views, I advise Mr.
Eeid to give the jjainting plan a trial.
He need not open his hives for this specific
purpose, as the queen is often accidentally
seen during ordinary manipulations, and
may be marked on the first opportunity.
I venture to think that he will be more
than pleased and that queen-liitviinii will
become a fascination rather than a dis-
agreeable and unsatisfactory chase ; he
will, in fact, be able easily to find over
twelve ([ueens per hour, under this system.

I know the opinions of prominent and
competent judgeis residing outside of Lines,
who liave awarded me first jtrize for my
observatory hive and its i)ainted queen at
a leading show outside T,in(^s, in addition
to an award on, -every occasion I have ex-
hiltited v/ithin our ruujnty, and I hope to
obtain similar results in other directions.

Feb. i^2, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOtJBNAL.

n

I also trust that judges will not dijBEer on
the painted queen question. It would have
been satisfactory to give names of the
judges I refer to, but I refrain for obvious
reasons. — T. W. Swabey, Bracebridge
Heath, Lincoln, February 12.

[With regard to our footnote on page 13,
and to the so-called " crushing reproof " of
Mr. Swabey, conveyed in the reply to Mr.
A. Reid, on page 42, we think that readers
generally will concur in our view that
further discussion is neither necessary nor
desirable. The respective letter's, together
with our observations regarding them, are
in print for reference by anyone sufficiently
interested, and we are content to be judged
thereby. Not only so, but we venture to
liope that this course may commend itself
to our friend, in view of the expressed un-
willingness— conveyed in the ojDening seai-
tence of the above letter — " to enter into
any argument with our Editors " on the
subject. For ourselves, there is nothing
further that we care to point out or explain
by way of justifying our opinions, and if
Mr. Swabey declines to accept our sug-
gestion (a purely friendly one), to modify
his views on the question of })ainting
queen-bees exhibited in observatory hives
on the showbench, it remains for him to
prove his case by converting the judges
before whom his exhibits come for arbi-
trament.— Eds.]

A WORD IN SEASON.

[6216.] A short time ago I noticed a
reference made by your contributor,
" D. M. M.," to an American apiarist who
feels that he cannot " get rich quick " in
knowledge of the craft withovit devouring
the contents of each and all of the numer-
ous bee-papers published under the Stars
and Stripes. Whether the honey of wis-
dom is best gathei'ed from many fields may
be a moot point, but on this side there is
little risk of going astray in the limited
forage provided for our delectation.

True, England has its B.B.J, and
Record, the " disthressful " country even
has its own bee journalism served up hot
and strong, but we Northern bee-men have
no paper of our very own in which
to voice our sentiments. The uncharitable
Southerner will, of course, credit this to
t.lie characteristic reluctance of Scotia's
sons to " bang " away " saxpences " in sup-
port of such unprofitable ventures as bee
journalism, as exemplified in the fate of
the Scottish Bec-kcepcr.

Here, at least, the average bee-keeper
stands aghast at the idea of expending
one penny sterling weekly on bee lore
This is the more to be regretted, as Ross-
shire affords good facilities for the honey-
raising business. We have not yel. niad*^
the acquaintance of foul brood or the wax

moth, while the active little worker pur-
sues the even tenor of its way uncon-
scious of the existence of such a disease as
bee paralysis — not forgetting the fact
that our county member, Mr. W^eir, the
" Weary Weir " of yawning Southern
cynics, takes delight in advocating the
cause of the honey bee in Imperial Parlia-
ment. Somehow " the House " fails to
take the subject seriously, and the efforts
of Mr. Weir have had no apparent out-
come other than that of making sjjort for
tlie Philistines, as on the occasion when
the Lord Advocate anxiously queried as lO
the hon. member having " a bee in his
bonnet." But I digress.

I should like to tell my fellow country-
men, just to hint to them with the great-
est diffidence, that, seeing we cannot
support a bee j)aper this side the Tweed,
the next best thing would be to give a
stronger Scottish flavour to the pages of
the B.B.J. We are fortunate in having
" D. M. M. " to represent us in these
columns, but would like to hear from some
more of our friends who can secure good
o'ops and dispose of them to advantage.
What has become of the cheery writers who
used to enliven the pages of the Scott isli
Bee-keeper. That they are conspicuous by
their absence from the B.B.J, is a matter
of regret to — J. M. Ellis, Ussie Valley,
February 19.

THE "NON-SWARMING" HIVE.

A beginnee's experience with it.

[6217.] A querist in this week's issue of
the B.B.J, (see No. 3261, page 69)
l)utis a question re this type of hive,
and, in reply, our Editors apparently
do not favour its use, while in a back
number when answering another corre-
spondent, they say that it is not a suitable
hive for a beginner. As a beginner myself
last year with the " non-swarmer," I should
like to endorse your statement, and also
give a brief account of my own experience,
which may be both salutary and interest-
ing at this season when accessions to the
ranks of bee-keepers may be expected.

I chose this type of hive on account of
its alleged non-swarming properties, but
I soon found that any virtues it possessed
in this direction were more than counter-
Ijalanced by increased difficulty in working.
The non-swarming chamber consisted of \
box of shallow-frames, and, acting on the
maker's instructions, these were trans-
ferred to a position al)ove brood-chamber,
when the bees had started work upon them,
and the boxes refilled and replaced — the
last operation placing the queen in
jeopardy and involving the destruction of
a large number of bees. The frames had
to be transferred singly, and, besides
causing great disturbance, care was iieces-

78

THE BRITISH BEE JOtJRNAL. [Feb. 22, 1906.

«ary to ensure the queen being in her
proper place, and also to prevent robbing.
Becoming disgusted at last, in consequence
of all this trouble and the loss of bee-life, I
left the non-swarming chamber empty with
the result that the bees filled the same with
combs l>nilt crosswise and attached to the
bottom of brood-frames. You can imagine
the result when I attempted to remove the
latter for examination in the autumn !
The combs were broken, honey ran about,
robbing started, and for three or four days
my one poor hive became the object of a
general attack by all the bees in the dis-
trict. Apparently my troubles are not
yet ended, for on looking through the en-
trance the other day, the bees seemed to be
busy building again, filling up the box,
which (still in accordance with the maker's
instruction) had been left empty for win-
tering. It is said that " Nature abhors a
vacuum," and it is evident that apis
vieUifica also abhors a space below brood-
chamber.

My advice to would-be bee-keepers is to
leave the " non-swarmer " severely alone.
The old hand needs no advice. One of
these aptly summed up the situation to me
thus: — "New hands can't work them, old
hands won't." Name sent for reference.- —
Neophyte, Beds, February 16.

HIVE VENTILATION.

[6218.] I have lately been giving some
serious thought to hive ventilation and the
" detention system," and it has occurred
to me to ask, what portion of the contents
of a hive is it necessary to remove? reason-
ing that "as it is carbonic acid gas formed
in excess that makes crowded rooms suffo-
cating and unwholesome, it is probably the
same in the hive with its crowded popula-
tion. Now as this gas is very heavy, and
would always sink to the lowest part of the
hive, are we not therefore working at the
wrong end by allowing the much-needed
heat to escape from the top, either by way
of i)orous quilts or top ventilators ?

A very simple way of getting rid
of CO2 is to place some quicklime
within its roach — the plastei-ed walls of a
room will for years absorb all the CO2
fovTiied by gas flames burning in the room,
as hciisi recently been demonstrated T)y Sir
(Jeorge liivesey. A cake of good hair
mortar, drird, in a standard frame and
hung alongside the cluster of bees would
absorb all thai, could be formed in a hive ;
or dry lime might be si)rinkled on the
floors.

If the iiroduct of breathing and other
movements of the bees during the wint(^r
is 002, I suggest that a bottom ventilator
with non-porous coverings would be better
for the bees. On this point I should be
glad of your opinion, and also the opinions
of your expert contributors.

Mr. Simmins, in his book, recommends
cutting a- 2in. hole through floor-boards,
which he says " will greatly assist ventila-
tion." Why? I suggest because it would
let out the harmful gas, as well as allow-
ing fresh outside air to be diffused in the
hive ; but he says nothing about the neces-
sity of excluding light — a point most
strongly insisted upon by Mr. Cowan and
Colonel Walker at the B.B.K.A. meetings,
reported in B.B.J. , March 30 and Anril 6,
1905.- — Jewel, Henley- in-Arden.

NOTES FROM MIDLOTHIAN.

[6219.] My bees are wintering well, and
have been able to take an occasional
cleansing-flight, but the critical time has
yet to come in our part of the kingdom. I
notice our friend Mr. Dan-ington — in his
" notes " on page 45 connected with the
" Homes " picture — thinks if he keeps his
hives close together the bees find their hive
better ; but I think if hives stand vpider
apart than his the bees would find their
home easier, as they can get their bearings
better.

Our friend " D. M. M., Banff" (Novem-
ber 16, page 452), says he^iiever saw bees
" tanged," or drummed, as it was called
in our locality. When I was a boy I have
often seen swarms " drummed," but did
not know the meaning of it.

I was greatly interested iii the letter
from "Amateur, Bristol," on baby nuclei
(November 16, page 452). I intend giving
the plan a trial, but I am afraid the brood
will perish with only 300 bees to keep it
warm in our locality even in the month of
June. I also notice questions asked from
time to time about roof-coverings for hives.
I find that the cheapest and best covering
I can get is zinc. I got some sheets 2ft.
square the other day from one of your ad-
vertisers at 9d. each, and, after fixing them
on, I can rest assured that the bees are dry.
I would like to know if standard frames
v/ith broad shoulder-bar are to be bought
for about Is. 3d. per dozen ? I see some
advertised at 3s., but that price is too high
when we may perhaps have to bum them
through foul brood or other disease. As
for the present standard frames sagging,
it is only one in a hundred that does it
through some defect in the wood. — Mac,
Midlothian.

[3220.] Feedimi Driven liees in Autumn.
- Will you kindly a<lvise me through
B.B.J. what to do in the following? —
Aft^er feeding up some driven bees last-
October on seven frames spaced with
W.B.C. ends I noticed some of the combs
close to the feeder were drawn out about

Feb. 22, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOTTRNAL.

79

two inches thick, whilst in some next to
them the cells were hardly started. They
are all built on the same foundation
(Weed), and each hive took down 20 lb.
of sugar. The food taken was all capped
when the hive was closed down for winter,
but I intend now to put a piece of candy
on. I therefore ask:— 1. Should I cut
the lengthened cells down to normal d^pth
when I add more frames ? 2. What
should I do with thin combs ? 3. Is this
irregularity in cell-building usual when
driven bees are being fed? This is my
first to drive and feed, and I do not want to
go wrong if I can help it. 4. Is it too
late to sow seed of Chapman's honey
plant to' be of use this season? — J. W. F. ,
Surrey, February 10.

Beply. — 1. It will be necessary to pare
the cells down — with a very sharp knife —
to a good deal less than " normal width "
before inserting new frames. 2. Insert
these between the pared down combs. 3.
It not seldom happens in the hands of be-
ginners when bees are fed rapidly. 4. Yes,
but you might get some seedlings ready for
planting out for a few coppers.

[3221.] Transferring Bees. — I am think-
ing of putting my four stocks of bees into
W.B.C. hiveg this spring, and purpose
supering each hive with one box of shallow
frames over excluder zinc, and section
racks above. Will you kindly tell me (1)
whether this plan of supering will be best,
with a view to the prevention of swarm-
ing, and (2) whether it is better to use
eight frames with wide metal ends in the
shallow frame box, or ten frames with the
ordinary ends ? A reply thi'ourdi the
B.B.J, will much oblige. —J. T. G.,
Woking, Feb. 19.

Reply. — 1. Give the 9-in. box of frames
first, and when bees are well at work
thei'ein add the sections. 2. The ordinary
spacing is best for beginners as being
easier to extract, so far as regards risk of
combs breaking.

[3222.] Suspected Disease in Comb — 'Re-
moving Bees from House-roof. — 1. I should
be much obliged if you would inform me
if the enclosed dead and undeveloped bees
were killed by foul brood. I discovered
them to-day in a hive built-up from driven
bees last autumn. They were all jiicked
from one frame of comb, the other combs
being all riglit. 2. On looking through
microscope I notice (in juice squeezed from
abdomen) objects of peculiar shape. Are
these the spores of foul brood ? As I shall
be away from here all the coming spring
and summer, your advice as to what to do
under these conditions will be most accept-
able. It might interest you to know that
I discovered large patches of brood in a
bee-nest I was asked to remove from the

roof of a house five weeks back. The bees
had been there for three seasons and were
in a most exposed position, with cold
draughts underneath, and they must have
felt the cold overhead also, as the combs
were attached directly on to the slatets.
The result of my operations was capture
of bees, queen, and I5 cwt. of honey. Name
enclosed for reference. — P. R., Pembroke,
February 15.

Reply. — 1. The partly developed bees
sent have been simply chilled to death
while in the imago stage, owing to the
cluster having moved away from the por-
tion of comb containing them. There is
no sign of disease at all. 2. With regard
to the spores of foul brood, these are
shown — a photo-micrograph — together
with the bacilli, on page 149 of " Guide
Book," and as they are only visible
through a very powerful glass, we fear you
have not realised the actual size of foul
brood spore, many millions of which would
occupy less space than a pin-head. 3. It
is difficult to advise on the best couree to
follow with stocks of bees left by their
owner during spring and summer. Will
the hives be entirely unattended for the
Vi^hole time ? If so, the only course would
be to provide plenty of surplus room over-
head ; give a 6 or 8-in. wide entrance and
trust to luck ! But no one can say what
condition they would be in on your re-
turn. Surely it cannot be intended to
leave no one in charge, even to see if
swarms need hiving ?

[3223.] Extracting Honey from Brood-
nrsts. — I commenced bee-keeping as a re-
creation last year with two hives, but only
obtained 15 lb. of honey altogether. I re-
moved a single frame from the brood-nest
of one Irive (there was no brood in it), and
what I do not understand is : how honey
•is taken from frames when there is brood
in the middle part of the comb, but honey
all round the sides ? Also, can you tell
me if there is a Bee-keepers' Association in
Gloucestershire, and if so, who the secre-
tary is? I only heard of the B.B.J, lately,
and began to take it in as soon as I could.
It is most interesting and helpful to begin-
ners.—H. J. P., Cheltenham, Feb. 17. ^

Reply. — It is considered very bad prac-
tice to extract honey from combs contain-
ing brood, and no good bee-keeper tliinks
of doing so. The stores in bi*ood-chambers
are best left for the bees' use, except in
cases when there is considerably more
honey in the combs than can possibly be
used as food. In such a case, the outer
frames only have tlieir contents removed
by the extractor. You would no doubt get
some information with regard to a B.K.A.
for Gloucestershire by writing to Messrs.
Brown and Son, seedsmen, Bridge Street,
Bristol,

80

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Feb. 22, 1906.

[3224.] A Beginner's Queries. — I have
never before kept bees, but wish to try a
hive this year. Will you, therefore, kindly
inform nie through your columns : — - 1.
What is the best sort of bee-house or hive ?
2. How and from whom should I get the
necessary bees ? 3. What is the best book
on the subject? 4. Midsomer Norton is in
Somerset, near Bath. Do you know of any
classes in Somei'set where one might attend
and so learn something practical on the
subject? Name enclosed for reference. —
Desales, Midsomer Norton, February 13.

Reply. — We may first explain that the
first two queries enumerated above are
questions to which we cannot in fairness
reply. There are so many good hives on
the market, and so many dealers who can
supply you with bees, that we cannot name
any one without being unjust to others.
We may, however, say that it is best for
a beginner to have separate stands for each
liive. Bee-houses are more suitable in
some cases, but only after experience has
been gained. 3. You should begin by pur-
chasing a " Guide Book " ; without the
help such a book gives, it is lite groping
in the dark to make a start with bees. 4.
We believe that a bee-keeper's association
for the county of Somerset is now in course
of formation, and no doubt particulars will
appear in our pages in due course, when
the matter has been definitely arranged.

Notices to Correspondents & Inquirers,

Letters or queries asMnp for addref.ses of manufac-
turers or correspondents, or where appliances can he
purchased, or replies qivina such information, can only
be inserted as advertisements. The space devoted to
letters, queries, and replies is meant for the qeneral
good of bee-keepers, and not for adeertisements. We
wish our correspondents to bear in mind that, as it is
necessary for us to go to press in advance of the date of ,
issue, queries cannot alwaysbe replied to in the issueim-
mediately following the riceipt of their comti.vnieatiovs.

Henley (Warwick). — Hive Entrances to
Non-swarming Hives. — We have no per-
sonal experience of " non-swarmers '
being able to prevent over-swarming by
older methods. Our view of the use of
non-swarming hives is to help those less
experienced in swarm-prevontion in get-
ting Lh<' bees at early work in surplus-
chiimbcrs. In other words to enable
us to giveHhe bees room "in advance
of their requii-ements." This being so,
the non swarming chamber is placed
below the brood-nest, in early summer,
when the hive is getting well filled with
bees and when work is (started therein,
the box (or. non-swarming chamber is re-
moved— bees and all- — and placed above
the brood-chamber, thus giving the de-
sired room, which is added to as needed.
It, therefore, makes little difference
where the entrance is placed.

G. M. (Stony Stratford). — Drone-cell
Foundation. — Many bee-keepers use this
in shallow-frames, but it needs rather
more care when extracting, as drone-
comb is scarcely so strong as that with
worker cells only.

H. A. P. (Plumstead). — The honey sent is
almost wholly honev-dew, and, as such,
quite unfit for table use. It may be
used as bees' -food in spring, if mixed
with a little hot water to thin it down
somewhat — the sample being very thick.

G. W. A. (Armathwaite). — Medicated
Flour Candy. — The sample is a capital
candy for spring stimulation, soft and
buttery in grain, and nothing in it likely
to make it objectionable to the bees
through medicating or adding flour.

T. C. G. (Blandford).— Selling Honey.—
Your sample is very good, indeed, and
we do not wonder that it sells well. Jt
may be said that Duality always makes
its own market.

X. T. (Axminster).— The "Tall Section"
and "Fence Separator." — We should
have thought that 'no difficulty would
arise in obtaining the 5 by 4 sections
and " fence separators" from any leading
dealer. In view of your having been
unable to get them anywhere, we advise
writing Mr. Geo. Rose, Gt. Charlotte
Street, Liverpool, in whose catalogue
we see them named. »

Beginner (Gateshead-on-Tyne). — Bee
Nomenclature, Wiring Frames, etc. —
1. Bees sent are the ordinary brown or
common variety of this country. 2. All
the six bees sent are adults, and none of
them young. The "large one" is only
less shrivelled than the rest. 3. The
sample of wire for " wiring frames " (No.
35), will do, although nearly all bee-
men use No. 30, as advised in " Guide
Book " (page 70).

G. G. (Parkstone, Dorset).— B.K. A. for
Dorset. — We are not aware of there
being any bee club or B.K. A. for the
county, nor can we name a bee-keeper
from whom you could obtain help. Per-
haps some reader will volunteer to put
you in a better way than securing
only half a dozen sections as a season's
harvest. If this meets the eye of one
sucli, a line to this office will oblige us,
and be gladly sent on to " G. G."

M. P. S. (Torquay).— B.K. A. for S. Devon.
— We are not aware if the Devon B.K. A.
has a district hon. secretai-y for Torquay,
but you would probably ascertain by
writintr Dr. H. M. D. Phillpotts, East-
el iffe, Babbacombe, who is near Torquay,
and is a member of the D.B.K. A. council.

*^^* Some Qiitries and Beplie», (fcc, art VM-
avoidabl/y kM over tiU next week.

March 1, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

81

(^iitoriHl ^0tias, &c

BRITISH BEE-KEEPERS'ASSOCIATION

The monthly meeting of the Council was
held at 105, Jermyai Street, S.W., on Wed-
nesday, February 21, Mr. T. W. Cowan
occupying the chair. There were also pre-
sent Miss Gayton, Colonel Walker, Dr.
Elliot, Messrs. L. Bflsham, W. Broughton
Carr, J. B, Lamb, W. Sole, T. I. Weston,
and the Secretary. Letters expressing re-
gret at enforced alisenoe were read from
Messrs. 11. Brown, R. Godson, H. .Jonas,
A. G. Pugh, W. F. Eeid, P. Scattergoo-1,
and E. W.ilker.

Th(! minutes of the previous meeting were
read and confirmed.

The following new members were
elected, viz. : — Rev. Henry Morgan, the
Parsonage, Penllergaer, Swansea ; David
M. Park, 34, Dempster Street, Greenock.

The Finance Committee's re2:)ort, pi'e-
sented by Mr. T.' I. Weston, giving parti-
culars of receipts and expenditure to date,
was adopted.

Nominations of judges and stewards to
officiate in the Bee Department of the
Royal Show at Derby in June next, were
made for approval by the Royal Agricul-
tural Society.

A number of frames other than " stan-
dard " make were submitted, with descrip-
tive lettei-s, from various correspondents,
and after examination were ordered to be
stored until a later date when the matter
is ripe for determination.

It was resolved to bring up for discus-
sion at the convei-sazione of member's, to
follow the general meeting on Thursday,
March 22, the following subjects, viz.,
" ' Standard ' and Other Frames " and
"Varieties of Heather Honey."

REVIEWS

Advanced Bee-cidture : Its Methods and
Manuiicmcnt, by W. Z. Hutcliinson,
Flint, Michigan. This is the third edition
of a l)Ook especially written for the ad-
vanced bee-keeper and those who are mak-
ing a business of the pursuit. So rapid
has been the jjrogress made in bee-keeping
dui'ing the last fifteen years, wlien the first
edition appeared, that Mr. Hutchinson lias
found it necessary to almost entirelv re-
write- it and revise everything in order to
bring it up to date. The new edition will,
therefore, be indispensable to those who
wish to keep infonned of all that is best
and most profitable in bee-keeping. Mr.
Hutchinson is the editor of the Bee-keeper^&
Itevicw, and has for more than twenty years
made his living by keei^ing bees, and " Ad-
vanced Bee-culture '' is really the sum-

ming-up of the best that has appeared in
the Bee-keeper'^s Beview during the eighteen
years of its existence. Here, then, we have
the views of the most progressive men in
the business, thoroughly sifted through the
experience of the author, who has shown in
this book how he can separate the grain
from the chaff. Mr. Hutchinson is a
13leasant and clear writer, and has the
faculty of interesting his readers. He has
described in plain language what
he believes to be the most advanced
methods of managing l)ees for profit from
the beginning of tlio season throughout the
entire year. The book is beautifully printed
on art paper, and contains 204 large 8vo.
pages, bound in cloth. Mr. Hutchinson is
a skilled photograplier, so we are luit sur-
l^rised to find the work beautifully illus-
trated witli half-tone blocks. He is
an earnest advocate of making bees a
speciality, and begins his book with a chap-
ter on " Bee-keeping at.s a Business," urging
his readers to keep more bees rather than
introduce any other business with them.
He admits that bee-keeping is not an occu-
pation in which one can become wealthy,
but, rightly managed, it will afford a com-
fortable living. How this has been done,
and is now being done, in America is shown
in the book before us. There are chaptei-s
on " Making a Start in Bee-keeping " and
" Mistakes in Bee-keeping," both very im-
portant subjects, and many others, among
which that on " The Use and Abuse of
Comb Foundation," will be found most in-
teresting. It is impossible, in a short re-
view, to mention all the good things to be
found in the work, and we recommend it to
our readers generally, while those who
intend to make bee-keeping a business will
find it indispensable. We have arranged
to supply the book to bee-keepers direct
from the publisher, price 5s., post jiaid.

The Editors do vat hold thetnselves responsible for the
opinions expressed by correspondents. No notice will
be taken of anonymous comtnunieations, and corre-
spondents are requested to write on one side of the paper
only and give their real names and addresses, not neces-
sarily for publication , but as a guarantee of good faith .
Illustrations should be dravm, on separate pieces «f paper .
We do not undertake to return rejected communications.

*»* In order to facilitate reference, Corrtsponder ts
%vhen spcakiwi of any letter or query previously inset t(d
will oblige by mentioning the rumiber of the letter as tvel
'o s the page an uhich it appears.

NOTES BY THE WAY.
[6220.] The season of active work will
soon be with us again, and the bees require
a constant supply of water from troughs
provided (unless near natural sources),
artificial pollen {i.e., pea flour and wheaten
flour mixed) should aleo be given in somo
sheltered sunny sjjot in the apiary. Tlie

82

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [March 1, 1906.

flour is sprinkled on shavings or cut chaff
in an old skep, and the bees will soon find
it out. Where only two or three hives are
kept, and there is a good breadth of early
flowers, the bees will gather sufficient
natural pollen, and in these cases the flour
may do more harm than good by clogging
up the cells, if gathered too freely ; but
where twenty or more stocks are located
on a somewhat barren position, the first-
named plan will be found a great help in
building up stocks in spring. Another
item of great importance in the same direc-
tion is the amount of food in the hives at
this season. Those of us who, when pack-
ing down for winter, make a full entry on
the register of each hive can guess pretty
accurately how the food supply stands at
this period of the year, and a mere glance
will tell if candy is required in order to
eke out the etores or give the bees a start
in brood-rearing.

Mr. W. Allen (6209, page 66) asks what
I ehall do if a new size frame is adopted by
the B.B.K.A. My reply is :— I ehall just
go on as though nothing had happened. If
the depth only is altered, I may try a few
of the deeper frames in order to see if the
new size brings any improvement by way
of increasing my output of honey. But f
a wider and deeper is adopted, I do not
expect to "come into line." I shall go on
in the old groove and leave the " new
standard " to be tried by recruits to the
craft. A deeper frame would not give
much trouble, or the alteration of hives
be expensive to take it, as a strip nailed
on top edge of present runner would allow
of a trial and also enable one to return
to the old standard if the new size did not
jirove a boon.

I thank our friend " D. M. M." for
his note on curing foul brood, headed
" Miraculous ! " (page 67), and hope the
gentleman — pointedly referred to as "an
Englishman" — will give our British bee-
keepers the benefit of his success. If there
is any truth in the article, a fine opening
lays before the lucky possessor of such a
strain of bees. — W, Woodley, Beedon,
Newbury.

.PAINTED QUEENS.
[6221.} If I may be allowed a word on
this subject I should like to say that I
think there is a misconception which may
easily be removed, and which is perhaps re-
sponsible for the strong views expressed.
I am in entire agreement with our Editors
that it is cruel to daub a queen with paint,
if by this is understood the general paint-
ing of the insect, or the painting of the
abdomen, as this would possibly involve
the cementing together of the wonderful
telescopic arrangement of the segments,
and certainly interfere with the functions

of the insect. Also, I do not think that
it would be found satisfactory in practice
to paint the wings ; they might become
attached together with similar results, the
muscles of the thorax being impeded, and
in any case their weight would be sensibly
increased. The wings might be distorted,
and the worker bees might possibly remove
portions of them, in which case the queen
would be considerably worried.

But I do not think that these objections
apply equally to a small spot of paint care-
fully applied to the centre of the dorsal
area of the thorax, from which region hair
is usually entirely absent, and which is
composed of the hard chitinous armour,
which, so far as we know, can have no sense
whatever.

I have such queens, received from abroad,
and, so far as I can judge, there cannot be
any question of their freedom from incon-
venience, w'hilst the convenience to the
apiarist in discovery and registration is
enormous. The principle of a specific
colour for the natal year, is carried out in
a number of large apiaries ; and I noted,
when with Herr Thieler at the official Swiss
apiary at Zug, that a similar spot of colour
was jDlaced at the door of each hive, thus
denoting the age of the queen within at a
glance. This refers, of course, to a house-
apiary, where the hives are arranged in
tiers, and open from the back inside the
house in the usual Continental fashion.

I do not wish to enter into the ethics of
the matter, but this painting of the thorax
of the insect would not seem to be worse
than the use of a pigeon-ring or a dog-
collar, and would, indeed, compare favour-
ably with many of the practices apparently
necessary to our use of domestic animals.
Each must decide for himself whether or
not he has the moral right to treat his
charge in such fashion, but it would
I think, be a mistake to dismiss off-hand
what may prove to be to the practical
apiarist a most valuable device. — L. S.
Ceawshaw, Ilkley-in-Wharfedale.

[There can be little or no objection to
" a small spot of paint " carefully applied
to the thorax in such cases as are referred
to by Mr. Crawshaw ; but, while our friend
states what is true with regard to " mark-
ing,'' it is only done in places on the Con-
tinent where queens are kept for observa-
tion purposes. Thieler's is one of the ex-
perimental stations in Switzerland, and
things are done at these places that would
not be necessary in an ordinary apiary.
To our mind it is quite certain that " daub-
ing queens with paint " would be very in-
jurious, but a small speck of colour would,
as already stated, not do much harm. On
the other hand, we assure Mr. Crawshaw,
on the authority of our senior Editor —
whose personal experience with regard to
bee-keeping on the Continent he will not

March 1, 1906.] THE BEITISH BEE JOUENAL.

83

dispute — that the habit of painting queens
is not common, but very exceptional ; and
many bee-keepers there put marks on hives
as seen by Mr. Crawshaw at Zug, but do
not mark the queens inside them. — Eds.]

THE LARGE FRAME BOGEY.

[6222.] I note the appearance yet again
of the large-frame bogey — hailed with more
surprise than pleasure by our Editors. This
frame question we have always with us,
lying low for a time perhaps, but always in
a state of combustion, and ever and anon
bursting forth into lurid flame. It re-
quires no special discernment to trace the
origin and present life of the agitation to
Heathfield. The " frame reform " move-
ment got a severe blow when Bee Chat
departed this life, but the followers are
still true to the cause — the master mind
still enthusiastic, still confident of win-
ning over the majority, of bringing back
the stray ninety and nine to the right path.

Whatever the cause, recent discussions
of the subject have been brief compared
with those of former years. It may be
that the reticence of the large-frame cham-
pions is owing to the fear that heretical
" copy " may, in the interests of beginners,
be consigned by our Editors to the W.P.B.

The position of the standard frame is not
so insecure that it should require to be
fenced in against the attacks of a rival, or
the friends of tliat rival.

Let them all come, and give us facts.

We would like to know whether our
friend Phil Jones is still getting the best
crops fronuthe large-brood nests. Whether
Mr. L. Quayle found the 16 by 10 frame
superior in any way to the standard. In
short, we miglat hear from a number of
good bee-men who have been more or less
in eclipse since Bee Chat expired.

Here, in the North, the larger frame is,
I think, unknown, and u^imentioned except
by " D. M. M.," and by him consigned to
outer darkness along with sections tall and
bees of alien race. I have had a single
stock on large frames for the past three
seasons, but, at the risk of being dubbed
a " hedge-hogger " must state that my
attitude on the subject is still one of in-
quiry. While invariably taking the lead
as regards yield of clover honey, the large-
frame stock has been practically a failure
at the heather. The frames I have are
Quinby size, however which, to quote Mr.
Simmins, may be " as much too large as
the standard is too small."

The natural tendency of the bees being
to crowd the brood combs with the late
crop, a deeper frame would only tend to
aggravate the evil. In fact, the standard
is not a bit too shallow for autumn work,
and I find that the most successful heather

man in this district uses a frame only Ggin.
deep. — J. M. Ellis, Ussie Valley, Feb-
ruai'y 26.

HIVE VENTILATION.

[6223.] I notice under the above heading
your correspondent, " Jewel " (6218, p. 78),
makes the following remarks : " Now, as
this gas (carbonic acid gas) is very heavy,
and would always sink to the lowest part of
the hive ''the italics are mine), are we not,
therefore, working at the wrong end by
allowing the much-needed heat to escape
at the top either by way of porous quilts
or top ventilators?" I should like to say
in reply that although true that carbonic
acid gas is a heavy gas, " Jewel " is quite
in error in assuming that it would therefore
settle down to the floor of the hive. For-
tunately for man, as well as bees, this is
not the way of gases. Further, I would
infomi him that porous quilts will offer
practically no obstruction to the escape of
carbonic acid gas through them, although
they may be so perfectly non-conducting
as to entirely prevent the loss of any heat
from the bi'ood-nest. This being so, any
attempts to absorb the carbonic acid gas
on the lines indicated would be quite super-
fluous. Your correspondent's reference to
top ventilators I do not understand, but I
should unhesitatingly say that any system
of ventilation which allowed air-currents
through the hive, and loss of heat from the
top, would be " working at the wrong end."
— G. S. N., Godstone, Surrey, February 24.

[6224.] In answer to " Jewel " (page 78),
I may be allowed to say : The results given
by bottom ventilation are so satisfactory
in my apiary that the bees are wintered
with ventilators open. Many bees are
tempted out when a bright sun is playing
on the entrance, only to perish if a keen,
cutting wind is blowing at the time ; but
the cool air admitted thi'ough the ventilator
checks this, and the bees do not break their
cluster until more favourable conditions
prevail. Result : Stronger colonies in
spring. The ventilator I use is 14 in. by
14 in. It is readily adapted to a properly-
made "W.B.C. '' hive — i.e., one with
separate stand and floorboard. No extra
timber is required ; only the perforated
zinc. By its use in winter the carbonic
acid gas readily escapes, leaving a dry hive
and no mouldy combs.

If your correspondent will refer to report
of the conversazione in B.B..T. of March 30
and April 6 last year he will find full in-
formation given by the chairman, Mr.
Cowan, and Colonel Walker, regarding the
detention system, and ventilation with free
flight.— J. Gray, Lohg Eaton, February 24.

84

THE BRITISH BEE JOtJRNAL. [March 1, 1906.

BEES AND BLUE FLOWERS.

[6225. J You will perhaps remember Lord
Avebury's paper published in the London
Magazine in 1903 entitled " Can Insects
Reason ? " in which he describes the ex-
haustive and carefully-conducted observa-
tions and experiments pi^oving that hive-
bees in their honey-gathering operations
show a decided preference for blue flowers.

An observer states : " It is a natural
inference, from Lord Avebury's experi-
ments, that bees ought to select bhie flouiers
for their visits. But when we go out into
the garden or fields and watch them at
work we find that they do iiot " ; and quotes
numerous observations he has made on dif-
ferent-coloured flowers to prove his asser-
tion.

May I ask if any of your readers who have
studied this subject can corroborate Lord
Avebury's experiments ? I send name,
etc., for reference, and sign — • Bees and
Blue, Sussex, February 22.

[Several of Lord Avebury's papers on
bees and kindred subjects have been com-
mented on in our pages, but not the one
referred to. It may, however, be said that
his experiments only prove that hive-bees
can become accustomed to go to and return
from given places when attracted by cer-
tain colours. No experiments yat made
have proved that bees prefer blue to any
other colour ; on the contrary, it is certain
that the most inconspicuous flowers yield
the largest amount of nectar to attract
bees. This fact is well known to bee-
keepers of any experience, and we shall be
glad to publish the views of readers who
have studied the subject. — Eds.]

EXTRACTING FROM BROOD-COMBS.

[6226.] Itr. extracting from combs in
which breeding has taken place, would you
be kind enough to give me your opinion on
the enclosed ? I may say it is an extract
from Cheshire's "Bees and Bee-keeping,"
Vol. II., and reads as follows: — "Ex-
tracted honey from virgin combs is alto-
gether the equal of that in sections, and,
ultimately, such must it be. Formerly,
muddy sjjecimens, more the product of the
aphis than flowers, could even squeeze their
way into the jirize-list ; at that time the
whole nursery went whirling round to get
a few pounds of pollen-stained stuff ; soon
the mistake was seen, and, barring brood,
we yet held to old brood-combs as being
tough enough to bear extraction. Now the
extractor is so improved tliat virgin combs
can l)rave the ordeal, and since then those
built on thick and wired foundation may
])(' used ; there is no fear at all that they
will unduly suffer.

" The truth is better faced ; the specks,
tiny though they be, found in that from

combs in which breeding has taken place
consist mainly of larval excrement, a fact
which will convince the far-seeing that I
am urging no fancy, but that which has
much to do with the development of the
popularity of honey itself, a popularity
which will continue to grow unless blind
folly prevent." — I send name, etc., for refer-
ence, and sign — Extracting, Belfast, Feb-
ruary 19.

[Since the lines quoted from Mr.
Cheshire's work were written (some twenty
years ago) the art of bee-keeping has made
considerable progress, the frames of brood-
nests being now seklom used for storing
surplus honey, consequently the objection
to their use is less weighty at the present
day than formerly. On the other hand,
we are entirely in accord with Mr. Cheshire
so far as regards the advantage of having
surplus honey stored in combs that have
never contained brood, and our views
thereon have been recorded in print many
years ago ; in fact, it is one of the strong
points in our advocacy of the shallow-
frame for extracting when honey of high
class is desired. — Eds.]

(" Correspondence " continued on page 86 )

HOMES OF THE HONEY BEE.

THE APIAKIES OP OXTR READERS.

The apiary shown — with its owner — on
opposite page finds a place in our
"Homes " somewhat earlier than originally
intended for the reasons given by Mr.
Greaves in the final paragraph of the fol-
lowing notes, where we read of his inten-
tion to make his home in Canada. In
heartily wishing our friend " good luck "
in his new sphere, we can testify to his
chance of doing well with the bees_^ having
tested his ability at an examination held
in October last. Nor have we any fear
of liis not being • welcomed by bee-men
wherever he may settle down. He will
also, we trust, be able to show that British
methods of management will be as success-
ful in our colonies as in the old country.

" My interest in bee-keeping took a j3rac-
tical form some six years ago through read-
ing an appliance-niaker'6 catalogue. I
first bought a couple of swarms from a
friend for 2s. 6d. each, and then ordered
two frame-hives. After waiting im-
patiently for a fortnight, I managed to get
them, and hived the bees in them all right.
I next began to take the B.IB.J.
and Itecord (I had to walk at least two
miles each way in order to get them),
and therein I saw advertised the
"Guide Book,'' which I bought at once.
These I studied well, and from it — along
with your -lournals — I owe my success as
a bee-keeijer. The same year, however, I

March 1, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

85

had to move from Herts — where
I was then located — to Sussex, and
now arose the question : How am I to pack
the bees? So after considering the matter
for some time, I nailed the hive sides to
the floor-boards, but this did not answer
at all well, for when, at the railway
station, the guard picked up one by taking
hold of the roof the nails gave way,
the heavy weight being too much for them,
and out came the bees with a rush. The
guard, who was an old school-chum jf
mine, beat a hasty retreat, and I had to
fix the bees uji as best I could, and get
them into the guard's van, in which there
was an Irish terrier in the corner, who

Scotland and elsewhere. I packed them
in boxes with a piece of perforated zinc,
after feeding them well with syrup, and
they went all right.

One year I made some exliibite. at our
local flower show, and took two second
prizes for honey ; this I easily sold at
Is. 5d. per lb. Having an observatory
hive, I stocked it with bees aiid queen, and
jjut it with the collection of honey. The
display was greatly appreciated by the
visitors, who seemed much interested.

In 1904 I' left my location and came to
Bissex, near Ejjping Forest, but this is not
so good a district for honey as Sussex. I
lost one swarm last year. I was away tlie

MR. MAKK GKEAVES' APIARY, UPSHIRE, WALTHAM CROSS, ESSEX.

didn't take kindly to the bees at all. I
travelled in the van with the guard, and
there were bees everywhere. However,
when we changed trains, I got the hives
out and made the bees secure before re-
starting our journey. You mav imagine
my horror on arriving at our destination
to find one hive on its side, and bees and
combs all smashed in a heap, the hive
broken, honey running from it, and a total
wreck! I put the matter before the
station-master, and put in a claim, and
received the amount asked for theiiamage.
While living in Sussex, I drove 80 lots
of bees ; some I kept for my own use, and
the rest wei"e sold through an advertise-
ment in the B.B.J. I had orders from

day before, and on going down next morn-
ing, at 9 a.m., I was just in time to see
them fly away. I could not follow them,
so I divided up the stock into nuclei, ami
reared two young queens ; these I made
use of in re-queening the old stocks, taking
away the old queens a day or two before.
I found tliis plan answered very well. In
September I went in for a third-class cer-
tificate, which I am pleased to say I have
got. I have now sold all my bees, etc.,
and am leaving in a few days for Canada,
where I hojie to continue my bee-keep-
ing. All my success is due to the help
and advice I have had from our Editors
through the B.B..J. and "Record," and,
I wish both journals may prosper.

86

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [March 1, 1906.

CORRESPONDENCE.
(Continued from page 84 )

THE STANDAED FRAME.

[6227.] Perhaps you will allow me to
make my position a little clearer with re-
ference to the above. I neither advocate
nor hope for the immediate abolition of the
B.B.K.A. standard frame and its replace-
ment by the 16 in. by 10 in. What I do
j)lead for is that the parent association will
extend the " helping hand " of official re-
cognition to the latter frame as an alterna-
tive to the " dual " standard.

It will at once be seen that this in no^
way forces the larger frame upon bee-
keepers, its use or disuse being entirely
optional. At the same time, I think it be-
hoves experienced bee-keepers to test these
frames thoroughly for themselves.

Mr. W. Allen (6209) says that " serious
inconvenience will be caused to bee-keepers
and appliance dealers if the size of frame
is altered." But, if the matter be placed
on the footing I have indicated, the alleged
inconvenience is reduced to nothing ; in
fact, is £urely imaginary. I have already
dealt with bee-keepers themselves, and,
for hive-makers, they would merely have
to meet any demand there mi<jht be for the
larger frame without necessarily any pre-
judice to the frame at present in use.

I think I see Mr. Woodley -smiling
quietly to himself when he reads about
Mr. Allen hinting at the possible dismant-
ling of the hives, etc., he has now in use!
And the smile will broaden, too, when he
is told that he will not be able to use and
'profitably work, say, 50 hives containing
standard frames and 50 fitted with the
16 in. by 10 in. Could he not work the
two sets of hives (and frames) in separate
apiaries ? And if in distinct apiaries, why
not in one ? Are we incapable of a little
orderly classification about our work? I
can quite see a little awkwardness where a
bee-keeper has only, a very few of each
size of hive and frames in his apiary.

I crave Mr. Boxwell's pardon for being
somewhat amused on reading his remark
(on page 64) that " whatever section was
chosen for a ' standard ' it might imme-
diately take the lead .... and shut
out other sections, even though another
may be found to be far superior." "Why
may not precisely the same argument be
advanced against the adoption of a stan-
dard frame ? Is it not true that the one
, disadvantage of " standardising " a frame
or a section, or anything else, is that a
" wet blanket " is, so to speak, thrown on
any attempt at experimental improvement ?
Because hive-makers will naturally make
or stock those frames and sections which,
having the " sanction " of the B.B.K.A., are
most likely to be used by the majority of

bee-men, and, therefore, if a bee-keeper

wants any other type he has to pay a much
higher price for being " made to order."

In conclusion, I venture to suggest that,
should the Association see fit to recognise
the 16 in. by 10 in. frame as a " dual ''
standard, it be named (to prevent con-
fusion) the " commercial standard," a name
already applied to it by Mr. Simmins. —
Samuel P. Soai-, Bochford, Essex, Feb-
ruary 19.

ENEMIES OF BEES.

[6228.] From reading your publications I
observe there are frequent references to the
subject of "bee enemies,'' and from the
valuable stores the bees gather, the guard-
ing of their store-houses is one of the hard-
ships of their little lives to which
they must be continually exposed ac-
cording to their environment. The
fight for a living is at the root of it all,
and although " man " is their greatest
robber — paradoxical as it may seem — it is
his duty to protect them from enemies as
far as he can. When I first began to keep
bees I had near at hand two colonies of
the small black or " garden ant " ; these T
was compelled to destroy, for the ants were
very fond of honey, and soon found out
where to get it, although their nests were
~ about thirty yards away from the hives.
Some of the little creatures who migrated
near the hives I still wage war against
when found. If there are any weak stocks
in an apiary, the most effective enemies of
such are wasps and thieving bees.

The shrew-mouse (or vole) is apt to play
the very mischief, especially at the begin-
ning of the cold weather, but with the
" W.B.C. " hives one can keep them effec-
tually outside if properly watched. We
have here a great variety of bird life ;
sparrows, and even blackbirds, visit the
flight-boards and the ground below hives
to pick up all dead bees, both drones and
workers. The male blue-tits (oxeye) do the
same, and also carry off any weak bees that
come within their reach. The large blue-
tit catches the bees mostly when on the
wing.

The " flycatcher " — Gilbert White's
"Stoparolo" (Vol. II., p. 47)— is said to
catch bees in flight ; but although I had a
nest of these birds this year beside the
hives, and carefully watched, I never could
detect them carrying off anything but the
smaller insects.

The common toad (Biifn vulgaris) is very
systematic in its methods. I kept one
under observation for some time. In the
early forenoon, when the worker bees were
busiest, he crept cautiously and quietly
along at the back of the hives and down
the inclined bank on the left side, then
climbed up the incline to his hiding-place,

March 1, 1906] THE BRITISH BEE JOtTKNAL.

87

about 3 in. outside of the plumb of the
edge of flight-board, turning himself round
into his " den," where nothing but his two
bead-like eyes could be seen. Every now
and then a heavily-laden bee dropped to
rest for a moment on the grass, when, quick
as lightning, his long tongue was out and
forked the poor bee into his mouth. It was
a great treat to see how the sly dog seem-
ingly smacked his lips at every fresh
mouthful.— D. M. W., Bridge of Allan.

DUMBABTONSHIRE AS A BEE
COUNTY.

[6229. J The B.B.J, circulates so widely
throughout the kingdom that I write this
in the hope of its catching the eye of some
bee-keeper in Dumbartonshire. I shall
probably be removing next year from Kent
to the west side of Glasgow, and having
during the last two seasons made a suc-
cessful start with bees, I am greatly in-
terested in them, and naturally wish to
know what prospect there may be of carry-
ing on my bee-work in " fresh fields and
pastures new." I should, therefore, feel
greatly obliged if some Northern bee-man
who knows the district — say, between
Loch Lomond and Glasgow — will enlighten
me as to its suitability for bee-keeping,
mentioning, if possible, the most liltely
spots. My choice of residence will be some-
what restricted ; but should I for any
reason be unable to establish an apiary at
home, I might make arrangements to run
an out-apiary, if only a small one. I am
very anxious to have some real heather-
honey gathered by my own bees, and should
be glad to know if this may reasonably be
expected within a matter of ten or fifteen
miles north of the Clyde. The nearer the
Clyde the more convenient, so far as I am
concerned.

Trusting some brother bee-keeper will be
kind enough to send a few details regard-
ing the district mentioned, I send name,
etc., for reference, and sign — Nohth Kent,
Eltham, Februaiy 23.

(f uems and |lcplics.

[3225.] Bees and Flowers. — 1. I under-
stand that bees are unwelcome visitors in
the gardens of some who are lovers of
flowers. The reasons given for this is that
the bees visits to flowers cause the latter to
run to seed more quickly, and in conse-
quence it shortens the blooming-time con-
siderably. I should be glad of a reply to
this argument in B.B.J. I also ask: 2.
If there were no bees in a district
where fruit trees are extensively grown

would there be enough wild insects
about to fertilise the bloom? Or, is
it because fruit trees bloom before
the smaller insects are numerous that bees
are considered necessary to the proper set-
ting of the fruit? Bees will be pardoned
for trespassing in flower-gardens if they are
indispensable for fertilising the fruit-
bloom. Anyway, it is better to have short-
lived flowers than lasting flower-blooms
and almost no fruit at all. — I send name,
etc., for reference, and sign — C. P., Ayles-
bury, February 19.

Reply. — 1. If lovers of flowers who ima-
gine that bees do harm in the direction
stated would make inquiry from gardeners
who are also bee-keepers (and there are
many such) with regard to the alleged
damage done by bees they would in this way
get at the facts from a grower's standpoint,
and would, we trust, give up their ani-
mosity to the bees. For our part, we think
the mischief caused is hardly appreciable,
if it exists at all. 2. A's for fruit-growers,
we have it on record in our pages that one
of our most extensive fruit-growers — who is
also a bee-keeper owning a large apiaiy —
attributes his exceptionally heavy crops
of fine fruit to the proximity of his numer-
ous hives of bees.

[3226.] Queen Killed and Cast Out After
&iving Candy. — I should be very much
obliged if you could tell me the probable
cause of death of one of my queens. She
was two years old, and fairly prolific. Yes-
terday morning, being fine and warm, I
gave each of my stocks a cake of candy.
In doing this I placed the candy carefully
over the feed-hole, so that I could not pos-
sibly have crushed or damaged the queen
should she by any chance have been right
at the top of the frames ; nor did I shift
any frames, but simply turned back the
corners of the quilt to glance at the stores,
which, by the way, were very scanty. In
the afternoon I noticed a lot of bees run-
ning about the alighting-board in a very
excited manner, and on going to ascertain
the cause I discovered the queen on the
ground dead ! There was a wound on the
abdomen, which had the appearance of her
having been stung,_ but surely this could
not have been the case ? I regret not being
able to send the dead insect for inspection,
as I mislaid same. Will you kindly advise
me what course to take i'n order to preserve
this stock ? I send name for reference, etc.,
and sign — J. E. B., Purley, Surrey,
February 26.

Reply. — From details given it seems
fairly clear that the queen has been killed
during the operation of giving candy. The
excitement of the bees at losing their queen
shows that her death was caused by an
accident. Besides a sting would not cause

S8

a?HE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [March 1, 1906.

a visible wound on the abdomen. The only-
methods by which bees may be utilised at
this season are: — 1. To ixnite them to a
weak stock. 2. To purchase, if possible, a
fertile queen for the queenless lot. 3. To
buy a nucleus colony headed by a young
queen.

[3227.] Golden Italian Bees. — I have tried
the " Golden Italian " bees the last two
seasons, and find that they have a tendency
to lose their queens in a mysterious
manner. . They are also more restless than
the ordinary native bees? Can you tell me
the reason of this ? The first season I lost
two out of three stocks. The foUowini^
season I l>rod five queens from the one left
and bou;j;ht two others. The five were suc-
cessfully mated, Imt lost two out of this
lot. The other day, being fine and warm,
the bees were flying busily ; I soon noticed
the bees running backwards and forwards
at one stock, so I came to the conclusion :
" Another queen lost ! " — J. N. Nunewick,
Humshaugh-on-Tylie, February 26.

Reply. — We should like to know whose
strain of " Golden Italians " you have tried
before pronouncing on the above, and will
be glad to have a reply first. We have never
heard of the bad qualities you refer to
being specially attributable to the strain
mentioned.

[3228.] Increasing Stocks. — Would you
kindly give me your valuable advice re the
following ? — In the enclosed rough diagram
the five hives (marked A to E) are estab-
lished stocks, A and D each having an
Italian (1905) queen at its head. I am de-
sirous of Italianising all stocks, and at the
same time to increase the number from five
to eight, and so I ask : How and when
can this best be done ? It may assist you
to laiow that A was my best stock last
season, giving me eighty-five 1-lb. sections
and about 12 lb. of extracted honey, and
it has come through the winter strong and
healthy with about four standard frames
of store in hand. D was a swarm from C,
with an Italian queen which had been intro-
duced only three days before. F, G, and H
are the proposed stands for the three new
stocks, Thanking you for past favours, I
send name and sign R. G. A., Hampton
Wick, February 24.

Reply.- Assuming that you have the
" Guide Book " at hand, or have sufficient
knowledge of queen-rearing to carry out
the necessary oiaerations, your best course
will be to get a comb of eggs from A, as con-
taining ycmr best queen ; this done, insert
the comb — after due preparation, of course
^in a less valuable stock for raising queen-
cells from the eggs given. Then, when these
cells are sealed over and ready for removal,
prepare as many nucleus hives as you need
to make up the desired increase by divid-

ing the stock in which the queens are being
reared, and give a ripe cell to each, leaving
a good one for the colony that has been
broken up by division.

[3229.] Nectar and Honey — Bearing and
Introducing Queens. — Will you kindly tell
me thi'ough your valuable journal : 1. The
difference in origin and nature between
nectar and honey ? 2. What you consider
the best way of rearing queens? 3. Is
" direct introduction " of queens as safe,
in your opinion, as if queen is caged on the
combs, as advised in " Guide Book '' ? There
seems so much difference of opinion
amongst bee-keepers round this district
with regard to questions two and tliree
that I feel it will be a l)oon to all readers
of your joui'nal, including myself, if you
will kindly favour me with an answer.
Wishing the B.B.J, every success — Busy
Bee, Evesham, February 22.

Reply. — 1. Nectar is a thin, sweet
liquid — containing several sugars — secreted
by flowering plants, and collected there-
from by bees, to be by them converted into
honey. The exact process of this conver-
sion is one upon which scientists are not
perfectly agreed ; but what is certain is
that a chemical change is brought about
which converts the cane-sugar (or levulose)
of jie(;tar into the grape sugar (or dextrose)
of honey, and renders the latter one of the
most wholesome of all foods. 2. The best
way of rearing queens we know of, for an
ordinary bee-keeper, is that described fully
in the "Guide Book." Those who desire
to try the more advanced methods should
read Mr. Sladen's book on queen-rearing.
3. In capable hands " direct introduction "
is safe enough for all practical purposes ;
but even old hands prefer the caging plan
when introducing valuable queens. So this
fact must speak for itself.

[3250.] Syrup Food for Spring Feeding. —
In the autumn of last year I made some
food for bees according to the recipe of
B.B.K. " Guide Book."' This food was not
all used. Can I use it for spring and summer
feeding ? And if so, should I alter it in any
way, and how? Reply will oblige. — A Be-
ginner, Olney, Bucks, February 24.

Reply. — The syrup will be quite usable
if thinned down slightly with hot water.

[3231.] Dronc-hreeding Queens. — Yester-
day my bees were flying freely and enjoy-
ing themselves in the sun, although the
cold wind brought down many to the
ground. I picked up about forty quite ex-
hausted, but after placing them in a glass
and warming them in front of the fire, be-
sides giving them just a drip of honey,
they revived, and flew to their hives. I
was greatly surprised, on watching one
hive, to see several drones flying in and

March 1, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

89

out. This stock last September retained
their drones, and I at once concluded that
it was queenless, so, having no queens on
hand, I at once decided to purchase one
in order to gain time. I introduced the
new queen after being caged on the combs
for twelve hours ; I released her, at the
same time spreading a sheet in front of
hive in order to see if queen was thrown
out. In less than five minutes the queen
was hurled out dead ! I at once concluded
that a young queen had been hatched, and
decided to overhaul the hives. I found a
young queen and the empty qneen-cell.
I examined the hive in October and found
a nice patch of eggs and larva. I fed up
well, and contented myself with the
thought that they were all right for the
winter. Now, Sirs, my question is : Are
these drones the same as those in the hive
in October, or is it a sign that the hive is
very forward and the drones this season's
breeding ? I have not examined the combs,
but the l)ees seem very numerous to-day
when flying. I have never had a case like
this before — that is, drones flying in Feb-
ruary— and should like your opinion on the
subject. — A. W. Crouch End, N., Feb-
ruary 26.

Reply. — From the symptoms detailed
above, it is fairly safe to say that the stock
was not queenless when the purchased queen
was introduced in September ; the proba-
bility being that the young queen found
later. ha<l hatched out when the caged alien
queen was released. The subsequent dis-
covery of eggs and larvi«, however, does not
prove that the young queen had been ferti-
lised. This is the crucial point of the case,
and can only be decided by examining the
combs for worker brood. If drone brood
only is found the stock may be set down as
of little value through being headed by
a drone-breeding queen. Should this be
so, the bees had better be united to another
colony without loss of time. If you had
studied the "Guide Book" carefully no
confusion or uncertainty would have arisen
in your mind on the points raised.

TRADE CATALOGUES RECEIVED.

Jas. IjEE and Sok, Head Office and Worls,
Martinrau Boad, Higlibury, Lnudan., N. — ■
The addili(jn of the late Mr. J. H. Howard's
business to that of Messrs. Lee has enabled
the firm to make some notable additions
to their well-known list of bee goods for
the present year, the production of " British
AVeed Foundation " being now a sjjeciality
with them. It is made on the machines for-
merly used at Holme, Peterborough.

Without being inordinately long, the list
before us embraces everything needed in
the apiary, as well as many specialities in-

vented and introduced by Messrs. Lee
themselves. Nothing of value in either
bees or bee goods is omitted from the cata-
logue, while very full directions are given
for the guidance of purchasers, with sketch-
map plans of the routes to works at High-
bury, and show-rooms at Silver Sti'eet,
High Holborn, W.C.

Messrs. Lee, having disposed of their
apiary at Andover to another firm, have now
established a bee-farm at Fulbourne, Cam-
bridge, where swanns, stocks, queens, etc.,
will be obtainable during the season to
order. We also note that Messrs. Cairn-
cross and Zillen, Church Street, Pretoria,
are agents for Messrs. Lee's goods in South
Africa.

E. H. Tayloe, Welwyn, Herts. — This
catalogue is stated to be almost double the
size of former editions. The copy now be-
fore us (containing 88 pages) is mainly de-
voted to bee-keeping and the various appli-
ances connected therewith ; it also includes
bee-houses, and a novelty in trade lists in
the shape of trophy stands for exhibition
purposes. A full list of goods used in
poultry-raising is also given, including
houses, chicken-coops, incubators, and
dog-kennels. Mention should also be made
of the copious " Hints on Successful Bee-
management," occupying seven pages of the
catalogue. We see that Mr. Taylor makes
a special feature of his experience in estab-
lishing bee-famis in various parts of the
world, and has founded a depot at Johan-
nesbui'g for South African bee-keepei-s, .as
well as agencies in London and Newcastle-
on-Tyne.

R. Steele, Wormit, hy Dundee. — In this
neatly-got-up list of 64 pages Mr. Steele
naturally caters for Scottish bee-keepers,
the hives shown being of rather heavier
build than those usually seen in the South.
All api^ear to be useful hives, moderately
priced, and will, no doubt, be much ap-
Ijroved by those who like a good size pro-
tective ]5orch suitable for exposed situa-
tions. Mr. Steele includes some useful in-
structions to beginners in bee-keeping,
tersely told, and very much to the point.
The catalogue also comprises a full list of
poultry appliances, incubators, etc.

S. J. Baldwin's Apiaey, Bromley, Kent.
— This list of 52 pages is entitled " The •
Bee-keeper's Instructor, and coiiqjlete new
catalogue for 1906, prii-e 2il., jjost free." In
it, liowever, the methods of the late Mr.
Baldwin are closely adliered to and fol-
lowed, consequently there is less mention
of new ideas than is usual in such lists;
but, having the " Instructor '' before him,
any reader will be able to follow out INIr.
Baldwin's rliroctions easily and readily.
The merit claimed for the goods mentioned
is quality rather than cheapness, a point
which is always worth consideration.

90

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [March 1, 1906.

Notices to Correspondents & Inquirers,

Letters or queries ashing for addresses of manufac-
turers or eerrespondents, or where appliances can be
purchased, or replies giving such information, can only
be inserted as advertisements. The space devoted to
letters, queries, and replies is Tneant for the general
good of bee-keepers, and not for_ advertisements. _ We
wishour correspondents to bear in mind that, as it is
necessary for us to go to press in advance of the date_ of
issue, queries cannot always be replied to in the issue im-
mediately follovnng the receipt of their com/nmnications.

Beginner (Brentwood, Essex). — Starting
Bee-keeping. — Of the queries to which a
reply is requested in this column we can
only answer No. 3, which reads : What
month should I buy a iswarm? Consult
our advertising pages about mid-April,
when swarms are advertised, and order
a good natural swarm for delivery early
in May if possible. This will ensure a
good place for orders, booked in advance.
Nos. 1 and 2 obviously cannot be an-
swered in the B.B.J, without doing in-
justice elsewhere. There is no " best
firm " to deal with, and no particular
hive that " we would recommend " before
all others. If help or guidance is de-
sired in these directions refer to the
" Guide Book " and its advertising pages.

Freda (Oundle, Northants). — Non-swarm-
hives. — 1. The hive named is not at all
suitable for a lady beginner with bees,
and would probably lead to trouble or
failure in your attempt to use it. 2. The
Carniola bee is quiet to handle, but has
a habit of swarming unexpectedly when
the bees are not skilfully handled. 3.
Most bee-keepers prefer the smoker for
general manipulations, but the carbolised
cloth is very useful at times. 4. " Clip-
, ping" q^leens prevents the insect from
flying, so that instead of rising in the
air with the swarm the maimed queen
falls helpless to the ground in conse-
quence, and the bees return to the hive,
and if not rescued the poor queen dies.
5. Do not locate the hive where the gar-
dener works most, because if afraid ex"
bees he would be almost sure to get stung.
The best frontage for the hive is south-
east, but a less favourable aspect will
do. 6. It would be advaiitageous for you
to join the Northants B.K.A., whose hon.
secretary, Mr. Il..Hefford, Kingsthorpe,
would no doubt try and get you some
practical help and advice on the spot.

W. E. C. (Bromley Common). ^ — Damp
Quilts in Early Spring. — We advise
raising the hive-roof by adding a " lift "
so as to allow a free current of air be-
lAvcoji ihci quilts and " flat-top " of roof.
It would rseem as if the " drip." you com-
plain of, as falling on quilts, arises from
condensed moisture caused by the
warmth of so many as eight thicknesses
of felting.

F. H. H. (Warwick).— Bees Found Dead
in February. — In comb sent there are
one or two suspicious-looking cells, but
the contents had dried up and disap-
peared entirely. The dead bees found
head-foremost in the cells have died
fr9m hunger alone (not disease, as sup-
posed). It is not at all safe to rely on
candy alone for keeping bees alive in win-
ter, seeing that in very cold weather they
may die for want with candy within a
few inches of the cluster.

J. J. S. (Cornwall. — Painting Hive© in
Early Spring. — No anger to the bees will
arise if the hives are painted on a day
when it is too cold for bees to fly abroad.
The* entrances should be closed while
painting the hive fronts, to prevent odd
bees coming forth while the work is in
progress.

H. Hill (Derbv). — Bee-foras!;e Plants. —
Berberis Darwini is an excellent plant for
bees, and a hedge of it would be very
useful and attractive to them while in
bloom.

Suspicious (Olton, Birmingham). — Sugai
for Bee-food. — Only analysis would prove
whether (sample is pure cane sugar or
not. A reliable grocer could answer your
question, because of knowing what he
, purchases from the refiner.

H. F. (Canterbury). — Insect Nomenclature.
— The small insect sent is a fly, and
what has the appearance of a sting will
be the ovipositor.

*** Some Queries and BepH^t, Sc., are «n-
avotdabh/ held over till next week.

Special Prepaid Advertisements.

Twelve words and undert Simpenee ; /or every additional
Three words or wider. One Penny.

Advertlsamants for current Issue must be received
by first post on Tuesday.

A NICE COLLIE BITCH FOR SALE, or exchange
for Bee appliances. — CUNNINGHAM, Stetch-
worth, Newmarket. N 42

BEE FOOD, SEEDS.— Chapman Honey Plant, Lim-
nanth€8, BothaTa dnver. eaeh 6d per packet.
Is. 4d. three ; carriage paid. Splendid Bee Forage. —
BATLET, Fair View Apiary, Sdlindge, Hythe, Kent.

■S 24

B

EB JOURNAL " FOR SALE, last six volumes,
unhound.— J. VTHTMARK, Wiston, Colchester.

N 38

BEES.— Seven Stocks in Hives for Sale, 16s. each ;
owrie^ having left the district wishes to sell. —
Can be seen ^n application to .MR. J. PALMER, The
Homestead, Bassildon, Essex ; nearest station, Pitsea.

N 32

BEES.— Two Strong Stocks, headed by .Tune, 1905,
Queens, in large (double) modem Hive, nearly
new, £3.— MRS. HARL'lNG, Chelsfield, Kent. ir 27

BEES.— Strong Stock, with young Queen, in nearly
new modern Hive, 30s.— MRS. HAULING, Chels-
field. s 29

March 8, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

91

(^iitorinl ^0tirfs, ^t.

THE BEE-TENT IN SOUTH AFRICA.
We print in this issue (page 94) a letter
from a reader located in South Africa, in
which mention is made of American bee-
goods as being preferable to those of British
manufacture. We do not, in any way, ques-
tion the motive which may have prompted
the communication referred to ; bui,
broadly speaking, there seems to be an
implied desire on the part of our fi-iend
that American methods of bee-management
should have preference over those of the
mother country. There is, of course, no
great cause for complaint in this if any par-
ticular advantage to our colonial brethren
was secured thereby, and it is here where
a difference of opinion may be allowed.

We hope our correspondent will not
complain of our omitting the few lines
of his interesting communication which
refers to the letter of Mr. H. M. Meyler, in
B.B.J, of June 15 last. In that letter
Mr. Meyler's main, i:)oint is not whether
British or American-made goods are best
or cheapest, but whether or not the Bi'itish
" standard frame " should be one adopted
for general use in South Africa. There is
surely nothing wrong in our agreeing with
Mr. Meyler in his hope that Bi'itish
methods of bee-keeping and British-made
hives should have a chance of adoption in
our own colonies. Nor do we suppose that
our correspondent has any special Vlesire
that American manufacturers should
" scoop " in the whole bee-appliance trade
of England and all her colonies ! any more
than our American friends would not give
the methods of mother country a chance
with her own sons who are bee-kee])ers.
Anyway, we are glad to say that our old
friend, Mr. J. Martin, who is a B.B.K.A.
expert and still retains his love for British
methods of bee-management, will be giving
lectures and den^onstrations with bees at
the coming show of the Port Elizabeth
CSouth Africa), Agricultural Society, to be
held there early next month ; and in order
to make a feature of the bee-section of the
show, the Society has entrusted us with
an order to obtain a bee-tent and complete
ovitfit, similar to those used at shows held
under the auspices of the B.B.K.A. The
tent and all appurtenances was despatched
to Port Elizabeth l)y yi>sterday's steamer,
and will afford an opportunity for South
African bee-keepers for judging of British
methods, which we think will not be lost
on them.

The Cape Colony Bee-keepers' Aesocia-
tion, at whose request the Agricultxxral
Society is providing the tent, etc., will have
.an opportunity of showing British methods

of bee-management in its latest form. We
have done our best in arranging that the
equipment sent out should be up-to-date,
and in this we had the valuable assistance
of Mr. W. Herrod, wdio has, we suppose,
had more experience in lecturing and de-
monstrating with live bees at shows than
anyone in this countiy. The result will
lie in the capable hands of Mr. J. Martin,
who specially requested our help in making
a success of the first appeai^ance of the bee-
tent in South Africa.

GLAMORGAN B.K.A.

AXNUAL GENERAL MEETING.

The annual meeting of the above was
held at Swansea on February 24. F. W.
Gilbertson, Esq., J. P. (vice-president) pre-
sided over a satisfactory attendance.

Letters excusing absence were read from
the president, the Earl of Plymouth ;
Major-General Lee, Alderman T. J.
Hughes, and Colonel Oakden Fisher.

The congratulations of the meeting were
heartily accorded to the president on his
elevation to the peerage.

The adoption of the report was moved
by the chairman, who said he was always
ready to assist the work of the Associa-
tion, which was flourishing so satisfac-
torily. Bee-keeping as a hobby had amply
justified its existence, and since the visits
of the experts it had become very profit-
able. A substantial addition to the list
of members had been made last year. It
appeared, too, that the Cardiff show was
a decided success, although the season was
only a fairly good one. The touring ex-
perts had examined six hundred and
eighty-six hives, and found foul brood
more or less virulent in 20 per cent, of
them.

The income for the year was consider-
ably more than that for any previous year,
and the balance-sheet showed a sum of
£32 in hand.

The balance-sheet and the report were
passed nem. con. The following officers
were apjiointed : President, the Earl of
Plymouth ; twenty-six vice-presidents ;
auditor, Mr. J. Jenkins, A.C.A. ; trea-
surer, Mr. W. T. Watkins Lewis, J. P. ;
hon. sec, Mr. William Richards. As the
result of strong feeling existing in all
parts of the county that only a limited
portion of the county had representatives
on the executive committee, it was resolved
that the county be divided into twelve dis-
tricts, and a representative from each dis-
trict was then elected. It was also agreed
to hold the committee meetings at various
centres, instead of confining them to
Cardiff.

On the conclusion of the business, re-

92

THE BBITISH BEE JOtTUNAL. [March 8, 1906.

freshments were handed round. In the
evening Mr. J. "W. Brewer gave a lantern
lecture on "Saccessful Bee-keepers" and
" Queen-rearing." Many of the slides had
been specially prepared for the lecture,
which proved to be useful and interesting.
— Wm. Richards, Hon. Secretary, Red
House, Gabalfa, Cardiff, February 27.

€0m9,^m&ntt

The Editors do not hold themselves responsible for the
opinions expressed by correspondents. No notice will
be taken of anonymous communications, and corre-
spondents are requested to write on one side of the paper
only and give their real names and addresses, not neces-
sarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith.
Illustrations should be draum on separate pieces •f paper.
We do not undertake to return rejected communications.

*^^* In order to facil-'tate reference, Corrtsponderts
when speaking of any letter or query premously inserted
will oblige by mentioning the vu,mber of the letter as wel
OS the page on which it appears.

AMONG THE BEES.

SOME EABLY SPRING NOTES.

[6230.] Frcdinq Bees in Sprinq. — Doctors
differ. Mr. " S. D. Charing " (6197, p. 54).
The other day Mr. Alexander, one of the
giants in beedom, described in Gleanings
how by feeding his bees 50 cents.' worth of
food per hive he was able to work up 100
colonies, so that by the end of May he
increased to 200, and about the end of June
to "300 colonies all together." Not only
so, but he secured 30,000 lb. of surplus
(theoretically, I fear) yielding a clear net
balance of over £400 (on paper). In this
country we deal more by tens than by
hundreds, but proportionately the same
rule should hold good. My experi-
ence is so very limited, placed along-
side of Mr. Alexander's, that I am chary
of even expressing an opinion. If. however,
I were asked advice, would say ■ — Try
the experiment on one stock. You will get
your proportional increase, I doubt not,
but as to surplus it would here bei m'cro-
scopic in the extreme.

Our friend " S. D." rightly concludes
that I do no spring feeding, but he must
remember two facts as a corollary to that
statement. I work for the heather princi-
pally ; therefore spring stimulation would
bring my colonies to the crest of the wave
too soon, and I leave a superabundance of
stores in the hives in autumn. When I
v.'as learning my A. B.C. of bee-keeping, I
was fortunate in having "useful hints"
from a master in the art who is now, alas !
reposing on some corner of the South
African veldt, like so many other brave
fellows. What he isaid was something like
this : — "I have no wintering problem.
401b. of pure honey left in the body-box of

each colony, with plenty of young bees, a
young queen, with a weather-tight hive,
and plenty of overhead packing, solves the
problem." And so, I think, it does. Colonies
left with a bare; 201b. of stores, and not
over strong in bees, are almost certain to
come out in spring in a weak condition.
The strong colony, well provided, will come
out in spring healthy and "fit." And it
is my candid belief that no amount of
candy given in winter, or no amount of
spring feeding will make reparation for a
lean larder when you winter pack.

This question, too, is closely allied with
spring dwindling. Supply stimulative
candy early in spring, or stimulative feed-
ing a little later, and you have breeding
going on out of due season — the season of
repose. I would have all feeding overtaken
as early in September as possible. Bees
re-arrange their stores then to suit future
contingencies, and all feeding should be
over before they carry out this operation,
in order that they may have time to ripen
and seal the food. Indeed, a good deal of
the success of the coming season's results
were secured by this timely manipulation
last autumn. Give bees ample stores, a
warm watertight hive, plenty of bees, and
I venture to say that colony should come
out all right in May without any meddling
or coddlins^. And yet, if I were in Kent,
solecism though it may seem, I think I
would spring stimulate.

Handling Bees. — The season is fast ap-
proaching when the first spring examina-
tion will take place. So a note on this
subject may be appropriate. Handle
gently ! The ancients several centuries
ago discovered this, and, in imbibing some
of their wisdom, nothing impressed me
more than what they have to say about
gentle treatment of beee. Everything is
done in such haste nowadays in this go-
ahead age that rough handing too often,
partly at least, accovuits for the cross tem-
jDor frequently comjilained of. Lawson
says : — " Handle them quietly and
leisurely, and their keeper, whom they
know, may do with them what he v/ill with-
out hurt." Butler's advice is: — "Handle
them quietly, and with as little business
as you may." Southern puts it even more
quaintly but emphatically : — " Goe orderly
to them and thou »shalt finde them gentle
as shee})e." It is always interesting to
compare the new with the old, so I quote
from the latest. In the leaflet, " Advice to
Beginners in Bee-keeping," issued by the
Board of Agriculture, we read: — "It is
advisable to wear a veil to protect the face
and head, but the hands should be left
bare. Their best protection is the gentle,
careful manipulation of the bees."

When making this early spring examina-
tion, keep a sharp eye wide open to note
the presence of brood, even in small patches.

Match 8, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOtTB^AL.

93

If not seen, test for thp presence or want
of a queen. If strong in bees, requeen.
If short of bees, unite. Make certain, how-
ever, that there is nothing present in the
shape of a queen before introducing an-
other. However useless she may be, the
bees (unwisely) prefer her to the very best
and most expensive queen you can give
them. The finding of a queen, such as I
am premising may be present, is at times
a matter of considerable difl&culty, because
in shape and size she may differ very little
from a worker. In searching, ubserve two
rules : — Use very little smoke, and do not
jar the hive. Never set the bees on the
run, ajs I may call it. or you may as well
shut up the hive and try some other day.
In introducing these queens do not expect
too much from the change. If you place
her at the head of a mere handful of bees,
or if you run her into a hive with old and
useless combs, you only court failure, and
send good money after bad. In nine cases
out of ten queenless lots in spring are best
added on to the neighbouring hive.

Centralisation r. Dectntialisation. — I
meant to deal with this, but the wise words
of Mr. Allen Sharp (6196, page 54), fill
the bill. My knowledge its limited, but if
any centre exists in our country where
over 100 hives could be located it is un-
knowii to me. I fear 50 would overstock
most localities.

"Takes of Honey." — There are more
things in heaven and earth than are
dreamt of in the limited philosophy of
" W. W., Bucks " (6202, page 57). In here,
never " rob the brood-chamber to the full
extent of all the honey it contains." In-
deed, we never rob it of any (see first sec-
tion of this contribution), and leave as near
as possible 40 lb. for winter stores ; yet,
working even for comb honey we very fre-
quently exceed the century. " W. W." is
" only a novice " (I feel much interest in
the novice, and will devote a special article
to him soon), but as he leaves the novitiate
stage, he will find his horizon expand, his
conceptions develop, and his mind broaden,
while I trust, with more experience, he will
yet frequently top 100 lb. real surplus.
" Fac et spera ! " should be his motto. I
was engaged in bee-keeping for over ten
years, I think, before I attained this pin-
nacle, and when I did it was certainly the
proudest moment of my bee-life. This is a
lioint for all junior members of the craft to
aspire to.— D. M. M., Banff.

APICULTURAL NOTES.
[6231.] February has come and gone,
and, from a bee-keeper's standpoint, has
left little to complain of. Bees were seen
flying on a few occasions, but for the most
part the month has been damp, dull, and
cold, with some half-dozen frosty nights.

At such times quiet reigned throngholit
the apiary, which was no doubt the best
condition possible for it ; it had the bene-
ficial effect of saving both bee-life and
stores. All my stocks appear to be coming
through well, and no signs of dysentery
have appeared ; indeed, since I adopted the
plan of leaving entrances open full width
all winter there has been little trouble in
that respect. Now, however, when breed-
ing is going on, and freedom from risk
through dysentery, entrances have been
much reduced.

Bees have been out in large numbers
dux'ing the last few days, and these clean-
sing flights are among the best preventions
against dysentery. I had not heard for a
long time such a hum in the apiary as on
Saturday and Sunday last. The merry
hum of the bee is always a pleasant sound
to the bee-keeper, but never more delight-
ful than when it has been silent for five
or six months previously. It makes one
feel that spring-time is coming, and with it
a generally critical time for the bees, for it
fi'equently happens that more losses of
stocks occur during early spring than all
through the winter. The present season
also reminds one that the time is near at
hand when those who wish to secure best
results must be " up and doing. " I am
glad to say, however, that nothing will
need doing with my own bees during the
present month beyond seeing to the food
supply, and this with as little disturbance
as possible.

The question was asked in the Jotjenal
a few weeks ago if felt is a suitable covering
for hive-roofs. I ansv/er " Yes. " It makes
a splendid cover if the right sort is used.
It should be smooth, close-made, and about
the thickness of ordinary shoe-leather,
stretched tight over the roof, and firmlv
fastened under the edge all round with
flat-headed tacks, and well painted. The
felt absorbs a lot of paint, and it should
have a fresh coat once a year. If that is
attended to the roof will last for years,
the inside always being as dry as a bone.
It is warm in winter, no hotter in summer
than a wood-roof, and not nearly so hot as
zinc. Some of mine have been in use for
ten years. Last year, however, owing to
pressure of work and other hindrances,, the
usual spring painting was nesjlected, and,
consequently, in some cases the old paint
cracked and let in the wet, and
caused the felt to rot. I now have
to re-cover a good number, and am using
" Buckram." as recommended by Mr. Fred
Evans in B.B.J. , January 11 (6166, page
17). This makes a neat rover, does not
absorb so much paint as felt, and will, I
should imagine, be quite as durable. Any-
way, I am giving it a trial. The roofs I'e-
ferred to are some of an old pattern I had
left on hand. The bulk of my roofs are so

94

THE BRITISH BEE JOTJRNAL. [March 8, 1906.

made as to shoot oflf the rain easily, and
require no covering beyond an occasional
coat of paint.

My contention — based on long experi-
ence as a bee-keeper and liive-maker — is
that if a roof is properly designed, and
made up of suita])le material, there ought
not to be any trouljle through leakage. Tlie
majority of liive-roofs that I have seen in
various parts of the countiy are too flat, in
my opinion, and do not shoot off the wet
nearly so readily as those made on a
sharper angle. — Allen Sharp, Brampton,
Huntingdon, March 5.

BEE-KEEPING IN SOUTH AFRICA.

BEITISH METHODS OF MANAGEMENT.

[6232.] As a regular reader of the
B.B.J. , and from the use of which, and
that of the " Guide Book," I owe any
success in bee-keeping that I have
achieved, I take a great interest in all dis-
cussions that take place within it. In
your issue of June 15 last year (page 232),
I saw a letter from . Mr. H. M.
Meyler, Utrecht, Natal, headed " British
bee-goods in South Africa," in my
opinion, American hives hold first
place here on account of their
cheapness and finish. I have now 15
American dove-tailed hives at work, and
they cost 12s. 6d. each. My only English
hive cost £6 10s., was very roughly finished,
especially the shallow-frames, was not
planed inside, and it'S walls were not g-inch
in thickness. I put in a strong swarm, but
for two seasons obtained very little surplus.
I, however, have been quoted very much
cheaper, by importing direct.

Last season, my best hive gave me 63
1-lb. sections, and 281bs. of extracted
honey. The present season (Jan. 10), now
in full swing, jDromises to be a record
one with me ; my best hive, so far, yielded
67 sections, with every chance of another
rack full. I always get Is. 3d. per 1-lb.
section.

There are three distinct honey flows in
this district, viz., August, November,
January. The August honey, however, is
not fit to eat. We have no foiil brood in
the Colony, but I am sure it will come,
as* I notice that swarms are continually
being imported without any regulation or
undergoing quarantine. When the disease
comes it will never be eradicated. There
are in this countiy thousands of wild
swarms to every single stock in a hive.
We find them in the roofs and walls of
houses, in old tins and boxes, and even in
the hollows of the electric tram jioles along
the thoroughfares ; so what chance
I ask, is there of dealing with a bee disease
such as foul brood ? The native bee^ here
are good enough without importing others.

I often see accounts of their viciousness,
stating that without cause they " come
out " and sting everything within reach.
I do not believe it. They do, at times,
give trouble by attacking animals, but cer-
tainly not without any cause at all, as
some state. For instance, a few months
ago, I saw a horse grazing a few feet
away from a hive of native bees ; suddenly
he rolled, then jumped up and " bolted "
away over the veldt. He had evidently
done something to rouse the bees to begin
a vicious attack on every living thing with-
in reach. I immediately poured a bucket
of sheep-dip over the hive, which quickly
subdued them, but not before they had
killed 15 valuable fowls. You cannot com-
bine fowls and bees in this country. They
are certainly more vicious than the Eng-
lish bee, but I find them greater cowards
and more easily subdued. On warm,
sunny days, they are easily handled, but
in cloudy weather, and towards evening,
they are most vicious. We have also
another variety of bee. small, black,
vicious, and with great swarming propen-
sities.

I have many times come across Mr. J.
Martin in this country, and find that he,
as bee-expert, used to visit my father's
apiary in Somersetshire. It is expected
that he will give a lecture at the coming
a'.rricultiiral show at Port Elizabeth. --
W. H. E.. Port Elizabeth, South Africa,
January 10, 1906.

[Please refer to our leader on page 91.

—Eds.]

LOOK TO YOUR STOCKS.

THE DANGERS OF DELAY.

[6233. ] At the risk of being thought an
alarmist or a bore, I want to say, it being
borne in upon me by my own experience,
that I must say an emphatic word to those
youngsters in our ranks who, whilst not
exactly in their first season, are yet begin-
ners, and who are perhaps at the most
dangerous age, in that they have already
learnt somewhat of the ways and needs of
their bees, and may indeed presume upon
their knowledge. The winter that has just
passed — if one may ever be reckless enough
to assert that it Jias passed — has been ex-
ceptional, and in its very mildness lies its
danger, as stocks may have consumed their
stores owing to their greater activity, and
it behoves every bee-keeper worthy of the
name to investigate at once, if he has not
already done so ; and, indeed, even if ho
has, to make sure that his bees are safe for
weeks to come.

I must confess that I had thought that
my own hives were well packed and pro-
vided, but yesterday I turned the quilts of

(Continued en page 96.)

March 8, 1906.] THE BBITISH BEE JOURKAL.

95

HOMES OF THE HONEY BEE.

THE APIARIES OF OUK, READERS.

The picturesque little apiary seen below
is that of a reader whose bees are hie-
" hobby." Our friend is also a great lover
of natural history, and especially of bird-
life, as has been shown by the letters from
his i^en that have recently appeared in our
Images. About his bee-work, the following
notes speak for themselves. He says : —

" 111 response to your request for a few
' notes ' to accompany the view of my bee-
garden, I may say I began bee-keeping in
1900 with one small old-fashioned box-hive
about 12 in. square by 9 in. deep. This
lias never yielded more than 101b. to 151b.
of honey in any year, and when it swarmed

wasps — a nucleus hive in which T was keep-
ing a young queen for future use. Another
mishap from want of personal attention at
the time was an attack on my original
small square hive, which was ' robbed
out ' by some golden Italian bees from a
neighbouring apiary. All the other hives
seen are well stocked for winter.

" The bees are a study and a ' hobby ' m
me. I read all the standard authorities
on them that I can lay my hands on, from
Lord Avebury to your own publications,
and every week receive useful information
from the B.B.J. Bees, however, seem dif-'
ferent from all other hobbies. There is
no finality, for the more one learns the
more we find wider fields to explore.

MR. D. M. WATSON'S APIARY, SUNNYLAW HOUSE, BRIDGE OF ALLAN, N.B.

in 1902 the bees flew off and were lost. On
the other hand, each of the ' W.B.C
hivas seen in photo, as prepared for winter-
ing, have yielded at least four to five times
that weight of honey every year as they
got established. The hives have a southern
exposure with a 7-ft. stone wall and a row
of plum trees behind protecting them from
the north winds. Within easy distance we
have a fruit farm of over 100 aci'es planted
with ap])les, pears, plums, rasps etc., and
a wide extent of land laid down in grass
and white clover. Two miles away there
is plenty of heather, to which pasture some
of our bee-friends send their bees every
year ; but 1905 was a partial failure, and
did not pay expense. Last year, after the
honey-flow was over, I was away from
home, and in my absence I lost — through

'' I have no exjierience of the profit side of
bee-keeping, never having sold any honey^
but if I took into account the honey used
for our own house table, and that given
away to friends at the lowest price per
pound, it would more than cover the capital
expended.

" Several of our thrifty working men bee-
keepers here do very well, they tell me,
realising 10s. to 12s. per doz. for 1-lb.
sections or lib. jars of extracted honey.
In conclusion, I may say the white object on
the right in photo is a watering-trou'jh for
the bees, with perforated floating board.
In this they have always a plentiful supply
of water all the year round.

" I ho)ie to write you again on my experi-
ences with what are called ' bee evenings,'
in which I take much interest."

96

THE BRITISH BED JOtJRNAJL. [March 8, 1906.'|

(" Look to Your Stocks," continued from
page 94.)
all, and found one colony at the point of
extinction. The bees were almost motion-
less, and only here and there a moving leg
showed that they had recently been other
than, a community of corpses, while the
queen, packed up carefully as she was in a
lump of bees, showed signs of life.

So the whole heap was promptly taken
to the kitchen fireside, placed in a large
wire-screen hive made for this amongst
other special pui'poses. The combs, to
which some bees still clung, were placed be-
ween. warm combs of stores, and presently
a large proportion of these, and, alas ! some
oi the heap, were active and fed. This had
been a strong stock, with a fair amount of
store, but it had exhausted the contents
of the combs by its very vigour and eaidy
activity. The erstwhile strong lot is
now, however, by comjiarison a nucleus
only, and has been returned to its stand
with a mark as wanting special care. It
is doubtful whether it will live through the
sjjring ; but at least another day of in-
attention would have placed it beyond the
reach of want and care.

Now, this should not have been allowed
to happen, and when such melancholy hap-
penings do occur the apiarist has himself
alone to blame, and there is no valid ex-
cuse for him. I scourge myself thus pub-
licly to remind those others who think
they stand, to take heed lest they also fall.
Looh to your stocks. Look to them now.
Do not allow any favourable or partly
favourable opportunity for examination to
jiass. If I may repeat myself, a shade tem-
perature of 50 deg. Fahr., without wind,
will safely allow of brood-nest examina-
tion ; but inspection sufficient for the pur-
pose may be made with a lower tempera-
ture—say, 47 deg. If the sun is shining
upon the hives the bees will be flying, but
the thermometer is the most reliable guide.

Most of the text-books rightly emphasise
the fact that bees should be disturbed as
little as possible iintil spring, and it is for
fear lest the admonition may be to some
an excuse for neglect that I would urge,
and again urge you, whether you are satis-
fied or not, to look to your stocks. If they
are all right, well and good ; pack them
up with extra covering, be thankful, and
let well alone. If not the sooner you know
it the better. Is it not worth your while
to make a special effort at mid-day upon
the' first favourable day? I shall be well
rewarded for the ti'ouble of reminding if
only one colony of bees is saved by the
effort. If the day be cold, candy k im-
proved by an houi^'s gentle warmth ; but
if stored combs are given it is important
to warm them first, and the best place to
warm them is upon the kitchen mantel- |

piece for half a day, or in a warm cup-
board, NOT, it is perhaps superfluous to
say^in the oven.

A fresh set of warmed quilts are well
worth the trouble of preparing them, and
every bee-keeper should have a spare sup-
ply of these. My ideal quilt is a square of
flat carpet which just fits a squai'e hive,
and if the quilt contains two feed-holes
2 in. diam. and 2 in. from centre placed
respectively north and east, it is, to my
mind, perfect. Two such quilts make a
good covei'ing at ordinary times, and they
may be placed so that both holes are
covered, or one or both open, for feeding
purposes, while in spring the cluster is
often within reach of one of the holes with-
out disturbance of the quilt. Get some
new carpet remnants, or some old clean
ones, for the matter of that, at once, and
make some spare quilts in this fashion,
and I think that you will like them.

But it is all very well to have plenty of
apparatus, and be ready with supers, and
so on ; but if the stocks themselves are
neglected now the furniture may be of no
use later. So, at the risk of being weari-
some, I must repeat, look to your stocks !
— L. S. Ceawshaw, Ilkley, Yorks,
March 5.

THE STANDARD FRAME QUESTION.

[6234.] I did not intend to enter into
the discussion of larger frames for brood-
nests this time, having little to add to
what I have already stated in your pages
on the subject. But as our friend J. M.
Ellis, in his letter headed " The Large
Frame Bogey " (6222, page 83), asks if
I am still getting best returns from large
brood-nests, I at once answer yes. I
have used the "Standard" and 16 by 10
frames side by side for between eighteen
and twenty years ; but I had large frames
before I knew there was such a thing as a
"standard." My stock of hives in which
the latter are used has dwindled down to
six, though once I had over twenty' of
them. There is now in my apiary over
forty stocks in hives taking the large
frames, and I have no axe to grind by
advocating a deeper brood-nest, but find
that for my purpose in this district it is
much the best for iioney production.

I can understand our Scotch friends
liking the shallower brood-nest for use at
the heather. As this is a piece of a
heather district, and in uncertain heather
seasons such as we have had lately honey
natui'ally goes to the bi'ood-nest first, and,
of course, a 16 by 10 frame holds nlore ;
but that is just where the advantage comes
in when April arrives.

I do not mean to say there are no other
means of meeting the question of making
a change than by adopting a 16 by 10

March 8, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOtJBNAL.

97

frame. Why not try an additional box of
shallow-frames (as I understand Mr.
Wells does) for brood-nest. I mention this
as an alternative plan, though I prefer to
have brood in a single brood-box. I do
not know if I am alone as regards shallow-
frames, not having heard of anyone else
using a frame 16 in. by 5 in. I find these
to work splendidly in conjunction with
the larger-size fi'ame, being just half the
depth. In my practice, if at any time I
want an additional hive, I just put two
shallow-boxes together, and it makes up
the ordinary brood-chamber, all entrances
being cut in the floorboard.

Referring again to Mr. Ellis's remarks
concerning a shallower brood-nest than
even " standard " for heather, I could
easily arrange that, and not interfere with
working for the main honey-flow. In fact,
I had tlie idea of trying some experiments
that way.

I do not mind any argument, either for
or against the " standard " frame, but as
my mind is now made up, I think it is
fruitless for anyone to say the B.B.K.A.
" standard " is the right size, when they
have not tried any other. In conclusion,
I may say I have had no experience what-
ever outside this county. I am afraid 1
am encroaching on valuable space, but as
Mr. Ellis say, you have a "W.P.B."—
Phil Jones, Church Stretton, Salop,
March 3.

THE STANDARD FRAME.

VALTJE OT INTEECHANGEABILITY.

[6235.] I understood, when the above
subject was first re-introduced into your
pages, that there was no question about
the alteration of size, but only an inquiry
with resjiect to the question of strength.
The only fault found with the present
standard was that through the thin top-
bar and the introduction of the saw-cut,
frames were liable to sag. This being so,
will it not be well to keep discussion to
these lines? There will always be two
opinions, or more, as to the best size for
frames, and no decision on the part of any
association will compel bee-keepers to adopt
a given size, but it is surely a great ad-
vantage to have a standard frame and no
thinking person will lightly depart from
it. Even to those who, like myself, keep
two or three colonieis, the advantages are
qviite obvious, while to those who are wish-
ful to make money as well as honey, the
question will surely not be asked at all.
For buying and selling, and all purposes
of exchange, we must have a standard, and
stick to it like wax.

When I started bee-keeping thirty years
ago, my first hive was obtained from the
late Mr. C. N. Abbott, and I soon got into

hopeless, confusion between that and the
"Woodbury," which then competed for
public favour. I hope sincerely, therefore,
that there will be no question of size raised
or discussed for many years to come. Let
progx'essive bee-keepers progress, and when
they find the good land flowing with honey
we shall rejoice, and some of us, who are
not yet old fogies, will join them.

What we want to know, and what a body
of experts and hive makers can tell u& is : —
1. In what way the present standard frame
can be improved ? 2. Will the top-bar be
better if made gin. thick and, say, Igin.
wide ? 3. Is it possible to widen the sides
and so reduce the too-free circiilation of
air ? 4. Can any modification of the Hoff-
man frame be introduced ? By the way, I
wish someone who has had exj:)erience
would give us his opinion of this frame.
In conclusion, let me say, that whatever
alterations or improvements are recom-
mended, there should be no question of
interfering with the interchangeability of
the frames now in use from Land's End to
John o' Groats. — J. V.. Bearwood, March 2.

[Our own view with regard to the almost
vital necessity for adhering to the inter-
changeability of the standard frame was
expressed on page 41 of our issue for Feb-
ruary 1. On the other hand, we think it
is a matter upon which free discussion will
assuredly do good rather than harm, for
many whose experience is limited to a dozen
years and less will no doubt be enlightened
thereby. — Eds.]

SOME SCOTCH NOTES.

THE STANDABD FRAME.

[6236.] I have sent to Hanover Square a
frame used for some years by me, and
found very satisfactory. The only differ-
ence from the ordinary standard is that the
top-bar is gin. thick, and the frames are
broad shouldered. I think this type of
frame is better than the usual one, because
the top-bar never sags and the foundation
fills the frame better, so there is less drone-
comb. I also think it is warmer than the
metal ends, and is slightly cheaper. I
would never advocate any great change in
size of frame other than the thickness and
width of the different parts.'

I agree with Mr. J. M. Ellis (6216,
page 77), that it is to be regretted that we
cannot keep a Scotch bee-paper going, but
somehow bee-keepers think the expense too
much. There are a dozen or two around
me here, yet none of them ever think of
taking a bee-paper. If the prominent bee-
men of Scotland would write a little
oftener to the B.B.J. , it would give it a
more Scotch flavour, and perhaps induce
more bee-keepers to patronise it. At pre-
sent the general idea is that the informa-
tion applies to England alone.

98

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Match 8, 1906.

We have had a very open winter here,
and bees are alive and well, so far, though
stores are getting scarce here and there. I
noticed some time ago your contributor
"D. M. M., Banff," writing on "How to
Keep Wax from Cracking When Cooling."
If the mould is rubbed with glycerine, it
will not crack, however quickly the wax
is cooled. A Roslin bee-keeper, who gave
me the " wrinkle," says you may place the
wax on ice to cool, and it will not crack.
I have never done that ; but cooling it
in the ordinary way I find it never cracks.
Yours — Henry Marks, Newtonairds, Dum-
fries-shire, N.B., February 26.

VENTILATING HIVES AND DAMP
QUILTS.

[6237.] I have never been troubled with
damp quilts or mouldy combs since dis-
carding non-porous quilts, some nine or ten
years since. I prefea-, and always use,
Hessian canvas on top of frames. As to
ventilation, it must be borne in mind that
bees make the brood-nest practically air-
tight. I have some ventilated roofs and
some not ventilated, but in all my hives
there is a clear 4in. to 6in. space between
quilts and roofs, winter and summer, and
with an open air-space all round I find no
other ventilation is needed. This at least
is my experience. Hives made of " sappy "
wood are certain to be damp inside. Sappy
deal, or pine, absorbs water like a sponge,
especially if made with plinths. The best
way is to have " weathered " joints. Again,
paint for hives should be free from turpen-
tine.

To-day, March 3, mv bees have had their
first real cleansing flight for three months.
— A. H., Wavendon, Bucks.

REVIEWS OF FOREIGN JOURNALS.
By "Nemo."

Two New Bcc Papers.— Pastor A. Strauli
has started a monthly bee paper entitled
Die E^iropaische Bienenzucht, which is to
be an exponent of American methods of
bee-keeping. The ebruary number con-
tains illustrated articles on the " Swarth-
more " method of queen-rearing and baby
nuclei, as well as translations of articles
appearing in American bee journals. The
other is entitled Pfschdorodnaya Zscliisn,
a fortnightly paper in the Russian lan-
guage, and devoted to advanced bee-keep-
ing. The editor is M. A. Dernoff, a scien-
tific and pra(^ti(;al bc(>koeper, who is also
^the author of several books and pamphlets
on bk'es and bee-keeping.

BfU'-kcepinr) in the Arc/entiiie Republic. — In
I'Ahcille <le i'Aime, in an extract fi'om a
letter of M. Lucian Iches from Buenos

Ayres, we read that there are a good many
bee-keepers in the Argentine Republic,
some having important apiaries and carry-
ing on bee-keeping on a large scale. M.
Adolf 0 Gomez at San Miguel, half an hour
by rail from Buenos Ayres, has an apiary
of 180 hives, all, except one " Dadant,"
being of the " Danzenbaker " type. In the
pretty suburb of the capital at Belgrano,
another bee-keeper, M. A. Reinhold, has an
apiary of 80 hives.

The principal bee-keeping centresi are at
Mendoza, Fueusman, Cordoba, and Bor-
rientes. The " Danzenbaker " hive is also
chiefly used here, and M. L. Iches is in-
stalling an apiary for the Argentine
Government on this system at the Agro-
nomical Institute at Chacarita.

Winter is not very severe, June 27 cor-
responding with our December 26. The
houses are not heated, and the temperature
on this day was 66.2 deg. Fahrenheit. The
lowest temperature during the summer has
been 39. 2 deg. Fahrenheit. There are some
places, as, for example, that of M. Gomez,
where the supers are not removed in winter
because there is a species of eucalyptus
which flowers at that time and on which
the bees work industriouGly. The honey
produced is considered good when one has
acquired a taste for the flavour of euca-
lyptus. Another species flowers' in Sep-
tember.

Bational Food for Bros. — According to
experiments made in the chemical labora-
tory of the Elsass-Lothringischen Bee
Association, which the Leipziqer Bienenzei-
iumj publishes, the most rational bee-food is
made in the following way: — Two kilos
of sugar are put into a saucepan with two
litres of water and two grammes of wine-
vinegar, covered with the lid, and allowed
to boil gently for two to two and a-half
hours. The syrup is then strained through
a linen or flannel cloth, and wlien cold is
ready for use.

Adulterated Honey. — A short time ago
the police seized a quantity of honey which
did not appear genuine. LTpon analysis it
was found to contain a yellow coloui-ing
matter which was derived from an injurious
mineral substance added to glucose. This
was sold cheaply as a substitute for honey,
therefore it is necessary for the publi''. to
beware of purchasing cheap so-called
honey.

Canadian Honey. — Writing about the
beautiful exhibit of Canadian honey at the
Universal Exposition in Liege, M. Van
Hay, in Le Bucher Brine, says that Canada
is a country especially favourable for the
production of a pu^e and delicious honey
in large quantities. Immense tracts of
couJitry are covered with clover, whoee
scented and nectariferous flowers are
favourable to the- production of honey in
abundance. Canadian honey has been

March 8, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

99

much appreciated at the different shows,
owing to its beautiful colour and fine
flavour. . Tlie exportation of this honey is
unimportant, most of it being consumed
at home, but as the yield could easily be
doubled by the Employment of modem
methods, it would be very easy, in this
great country, to produce an increased
quantity of cheap honey, which would be
exported to European markets. The con-
struction of hives and appliances in Canada
is not costly, as the wood can be had for
next to nothing.

Value of Different Baces of Bees. — In the
Bulletin de la Societe Bomande d^ Apicul-
ture we read that M. Ruffy made a report
on the value of the different races of bees
in Switzerland to the Societe Romande
d'Apiculture. He had not received replies
to his questions from all, but he found
out of the 7,713 hives owned by those who
did answer, by far t>he largest number were
occupied by either the common black or
crossed bees ; there being only 82 hives
of pure Camiolans and 56 of pure Italians.
As far as regards bee-keepers, 89 preferrefl
the common black bee to all others, while
95 had a preference for crosses. On the
(ither hand, 12 liked Italians and only 7
favoured Carniolans.

Foul brood existed in 13 apiaries, but 37
bee-keepers admitted having had it for-
merly, so that it shows some advance in
getting rid of the disease. Black bees
are often behind Italians in the spring, but
they quickly make up for lost time, and
are ready for the haiwest quite as soon.
Carniolans are only good for I'apidly build-
ing up an apiary, but they harvest nothing.
Crossed with Italians, however, they make
good bees. Italians are only good in the
valleys in sheltered places, and should be
excluded from mountain apiaries and ex-
posed places. M. Ruffy also said that in
purchasing Caniiolan or Italian bees great
rare should be exercised so as not to intro-
duce foul brood into the apiary, for it is
these races which come from countries
where foul brood is endemic that are the
most active agents in the propagation of
the disease, and it is owing to their indis-
criminate ' importation that so many
apiaries have been ruined.

In the discussion which followed, Pastor
DescouUaj'es stated that he had for the last
twenty years advocated crossing. P^oreign
races were of no use at all in Switzerland,
where climatic conditions were so different
from the countries they came from. The
crossings, which fortunately it has not been
possible to prevent, have been the salva-
1 ion of the species.

M. S. Sibenthal was one of the first to in-
troduce Camiolan bees, and he has been
much annoyed with them owing to tb en-
persistent swarming and failure to harvest
honey.

WEATHER REPORT.

Wbstbourne, Sussex,

February, 1906.

Rainfall, 325 in.
Heaviest fall, '54 in.

on 18th.
Rain fell on 21 days.
Above average, 1 "38 in.
Sunshine, 96'6 hours.
Brightest days, 20th

and 21st, 8'2 hours.
Sunless days, 7.
Above average, 12 9

hours.

Maximum
ture, 50°

Minimum
ture,

14th.

tempera-

on 2nd.

tempera-

25° on

grass

Minimum on

20° on 14th.
Frosty nights, 14.
Mean maximum,

444.
Mean minimum,

35-8.
Mean temperature,

401.
Above average, r9.
Maximum barometer,

30-30 on 7th.
Minimum barometer,

28-96 on 11th.

L. B. BiRKBTT.

FEBRUARY RAINFALL.

Total, 2.66in. ; heaviest fall, .41 in. on
10th. Rain fell on 21 days.— W. Head,
Brilley, Herefordshire.

[3232.] Suspected Disease in Wells Hire.
— A short time ago I purchased a " Wells
Hive." It was sold as containing a stock
of bees in each side of the hive, and each
lot being headed by a young queen. The
hive duly' arrived a few days back, and
I noticed that there was little or no sign
of life about the entrance to one division.
On opening the compartment noticeable
as being so quiet, I found it deserted.
The reason of this was evidently through
the queen excluder being improjjerly
arranged, and this had enabled the queens
to meet, and one had been killed. Con-
sequently, the bees had all entered the
other compartment. A section-rack with
honey in it was on top ; brace-combs
abound, and the hive had every appear-
ance of not having been opened for
a considerable period. As far as can be seen
the occupied side of the hive is healthy ;
but nearly every comb uu the other side
has some cells with a suspicious appear-
ance. I therefore beg to send a box of
small samples cut from combs for favour
of your inspection and opinion, which will
oblige.— E. S. J., Chatham, March 3.

Reply. — Among the eight small bits of
comb sent we find one cell in which an-
the remains of a dead larvie, showing
rather marked signs of disease. In all the
other cells there is nothing worse than
pollen.

100

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [March 8, 1906.

[3233.] Benewing Combs in Spring. —
Would you kmdly answer these questions
in your valuable paper, which I take regu-
larly : — 1. The combs in one of my hives
are four years old, and I think they may
require renewing ; about how many frames
of foundation may be inserted at the same
time, and should they be placed in the
middle of the brood-nest, or at the ends ?
2. When woiild be the best time to put the
new frames in the hive. 3. The enclosed
candy, to which pea-meal has been added
for spring stimulation, is a sample of
my own making. Is it made right, and
will it do for the bees?— E. M. M., St.
Asaph, N. Wales, March 1.

Rkply. — 1. Begin by inserting one frame
of foundation in centre of brood-nest when
weather gets warm and settled, and there
are not less than four full seams of bees
in the hive. A fortnight later, insert
another frame, and if the colony is making
good headway, and strong in bees, a
third frame mav be given before supering
the hive. 2. The last week of March or
first in April is a good time, if weather
keeps fine. 3. Candv is altogether too
hard for bee-food. What recipe did you
follow in making ?

Notices to Correspondents & Inquirers^

Letters or queries asHnti for addresses of manufae
turerg or eerrespondents, or where appliances can he
purchased, or replies aivinn such information, can only
be inserted aw advertisements. The spa,ee devoted to
letters, queries, and replies is meant for the oeneral
good of bee-keepers, and not for adveirtisements. _ We
wishour correspondents to bear in ^nind that, as it is
necessarif for us to go to press in advance of the date of
issue, queries cannot alwaysbe replied to in the issueim-
mediately foUovring the receipt of their eomrnunications.

Heather, (Herefordshire). — Quality of
Heather Honey. — 1. Your sample is
heather honey of good quality, but is
of unusual consistency for a granulated
honey. It gives one the idea of its
having been stirred in order to retard
granulation, and in this way has lost
the usual stiffness of ordinary granu-
lated heather honey. 2. The chance of
its winning a prize on the show-bench
depends, of course, upon what is staged
against it in competition, but its chance
of success would be very fair. 3. Tt
should be jarred at once, while suffi-
ciently soft, to allow it to settle down
into a solid mass. 4. It is, we think,
mainlv from Calluna vulgaris, but not
entirely so. ^

J. N. (Nunwick). — Golden Italian Bees. —
We thank you for sending names of
dealers from whom queens were got, and
will endeavour to obtain further infor-

mation for you with regard to the pecu-
liarity named.

E. J. T. (Gowdall, Snaith).— Moving Bees
On.^ — We will be glad to have photo of
yoxir bee-wagon, and if useful and suit-
able for a tone-block will have it engraved
for publication in our pages.

H. Turner (Stourport. — Making the
"W.B.C. " Hive. — There is no single
number of the B.B.J, which contains a
full description of above hive and in-
structions for making. All these parti-
culars, however, are given in the " Bee-
keeper's Practical Note-book," price
Is. Id., post free, from this office.

B. W. E. (Norfolk).— Bee Nomenclature. —
The bees sent are well-marked hybrjd
Carniolans.

F. S. (Pocklington). — Joining B.K. Asso-
ciation.— Mr. F. B. White, hon. secre-
tary of the Surrey B.K. A., will no
doubt give full information with regard
to the advantages of membership. His
address is- Marden House, Redhill.

A. M'D. (Glenurquhart).— Candy-making.
— Sample is soft candy, but hard on
top ; it has not been boiled enough, and
the bulk is coarse in grain and very
watery, while fresh made, but will doubt-
less be very hard as it dries. Burnt sugar
in injurious to bees, and should never be
given to them as food. Try Br. Colom-
ban's recipe on your next attempt.

A. Dell (Lanes.). — Your sample of soft
bee-candy is very good indeed, and could
hardly be improved.

R. B. D. (Great Missenden). — 1. Horsham,
Sussex, as a Bee District. — Bees do well
at Horsham, as the forage there is varied
and plentiful. 2. We regret to say there
is no active association at work in the
county at present.

W. E. C. (Bromley Common). — Damp
Quilts and Faulty Roofs. — You will find
several references to methods of prevent-
ing dampness in this issue, of which you
might take advantage.

A Bek-keepeb (Cambs). — Packing Bees in
Skeps for Transit. — Nothing is simpler
or cheaper than a rough box — of sufficient
capacity to hold the skep when inverted
—and allow its upper edge to be level
with top of box, when covered. The bees
must be securely confined in skep by a
covering of very open canvas, or scrim,
so as to allow plenty of ventilation. A
few old newspapers will make the skep
stand rigidly upright, and a stout cord
tied round the box to carry by, will
make all secure.

*i* Some Qv^ries and Repliet, dbc., are xm-
avoidably hM over tiU next votek.

^ March 15, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

101

(Biitoml ^tuilm, &c

BRITISH BEE-KEEPERS'ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL MEETING AND CONVERSAZIONE.

The annual general meeting of the
British Bee-Keepers' Association will be
held at 4 o'clock on Thursday* next, the
22nd inst., at 105, Jermyn Street, S.W. ,
and it is hoped that all members living
within reasonable distance will avail
themselves of the opjiortunity to be
present. Members generally of county
associations affiliated to the parent body
are also cordially invited to attend, along
with their official representatives, in time
for the conversazione which follows the
business meeting, beginning between 5.30
and 6 j^.m.

The latter function promises to be
specially instructive, as aflfording an
opportunity to tliose interested in the
standard frame question for insi^ecting
such frames as have been sent up for
examination and comment. Another
item on the agenda for instructive con-
versation is concerned with " Varieties of
Heather Honey," and it is to be hoped
that anyone having samples of distinct
gatherings from either of the two best
known lieathers, i.e.. Erica cinerea (or
bell heather) and Culluna vuhjaris (or
ling) will bring or send them up for
comparison.

There will also be read during the
evening a paper by Mr. F. W. L. Sladen
on "The Italian Bee," dealing with the
breeding of queens by selection for the
improvement of the honey-producing
character in Great Britain.

Light refreshments will be provided,
and visitors may be assured of spending
a pleasant and profitable evening at
which members and their friends will be
heartily welcomed.

REVIEWS.

Simplified Queen Bearing for the Money
Producer by Swarthmore, published by the
Swarthmore Apiaries, Swarthmore, Pa.,
U.S.A., price Is. Id. post free. This
is the fourth of a series of papers
on apiculture emanating from the author
of the Swarthmore method of queen-
rearing. It is especially written for
extensive honey producers, and describes
a simple plan of queen rearing with
Swarthmore appliances, which can be
successfully carried on, without materially
interfering with honey production, or
using up bees which should be storing
honey, and which will produce good queens
with as little time and attention as pos-
sible. In the 29 pages, 8vo., full
directions are given for raising cheaply

any number of queens during a honey
flow, and we are told that there is " no
disturbance to brood combs, no loss, of
brood or honey, no stop in egg-laying, and
no time lost in hunting queens." The
pamphlet is fully illustrated, and neatly
printed.

Educational Postcards. — The Country
Press, of 19, Ball Street, Kensington, W. ,
are issuing a novel series of educational
postcards, the first example of which
(Natural History Department), is a picture
jDresentment, on seven cards, for the price
of six]3ence, of the whole of the British
ferns (42 species, nature prints), from the
illustrative plates of Mr. Francis Georga
Heath's work, "The Fern Paradise."
These, we understand, will be followed by
other representations on postcards of
natural history subjects, and others likely
to have an educational value, and we hone
bees may be included in the series. The
cards before us are beautiful specimens of
art, every detail coming out distinctly,
being thrown up into relief by the dark
backsfround.

HONEY IMPORTS.

The value of honey imported into the
United Kingdom during the month of
February, 1906, was £2,692.— From a
return furnished to the British Bee
Journal by the Statistical Office, H.M.
Customs.

LANCASHIRE B.K.A.

AiraXTAL KEETING.

The annual meeting of the above acsocia-
tion was held in the rooms of the Preston
Scientific Society, Fishergate, Preston, on
February 24.

Mr. George Rose, who was elected to
the chair, moved the adoption of the re-
port, which showed that the membership
of the association remained the same as
in the previous year — thirty-six new mem-
bers having joined during the year, and
thirty-six had resigned. The Expert re-
ported that he had examined 1,213 stocks
belonging to the members, of which only
twenty-six were found to be aflEected with
foul brood. Sixteen of these stocks were
destroyed, and the remainder (which were
only slightly affected) left to be dealt with
by their respective owners. Altogether
the Expert's report 'm very favourable re-
starding this pest, but the great danger in
this county, as in others, lies in the fact
of there being a good number of diseased
stocks in the apiaries of non-members,
which are a standing menace to bee-keepers
in the whole county.

The balance-sheet, which showed a small
sum in treasurer's hands, and the report
were passed.

102

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [March 15, 1906.

Th.e following officers were elected, viz. :
President, Lord Balcarres ; vice-presidents
(nineteen in all) were re-elected ; auditor,
Mr. Alfred Wood, A.C.A. ; treasurer and
librarian, Mr. F. H. Taylor ; hon. secre-
tary, Mr. James N. Bold.

After the business was concluded, the
members adjourned for tea, and re-as-
sembled in the evening at 6.30, when the
members were shown by Mr. F. H. Taylor
his set of beautiful microscopic slides,
illustrating various parts of bee anatomy ;
after which Mr. F. H. Taylor gave a lan-
tern lecture on " Some Wild Bees — British
and Foreign," which proved to be very in-
teresting.

Mr. Shackleton, of Burnley, then gave
a humorous description of hie tour among
some German bee-keepers. Altogether a
very enjoyable evening was spent.

Votes of thanks were passed to the
Scientific Society for the use of rooms, and
to their secretary, Mr. Heathcote, who
manipulated the lantern and arranged the
microscopes for Mr. Taylor's slides. —
James N. Bold, Hon. Sec, Almonds Green,
West Derby, Liverpool.

CHESHIRE B.K.A.

ANNUAL MEETING,

The annual general meeting was held at
Clemence's Cafe, Northgate Street, on
February 26. The Rev. T. J. Evans
(chairman), reported that the season of
1905 had been a good one for bee-keepers
as regarded honey, and a fairly satisfactory
one financially for the Association. A vote
of thanks was unanimously accorded the
hon. officers, hon. auditor, and hon.
librarian for their services. A feeling of
great regret was expressed at the tendered
resignations of Rev. E. Charley as hon.
sec, and Mr. T. D. Schofield as hon.
treasurer, and when, with some persuasion,
both the gentlemen named agreed to take
office again for another year, on considera-
tion that their resignations were accepted
at the end of the season 1906, a hearty vote
of thanks was unanimously accorded them.
The Duke of Westminster was re-elected
president for 1906, as were the vice-presi-
dents, with the exception of Mr. Coningsby
Disraeli, owing to his absence from the
district. The committee were re-elected,
with the exceptions of Mr. Wm. Cart-
wright, at whose death general regret was
expressed, and Mr. H. Bell, who had left
the district ; Messrs. G. T. Dickson and
F. Benyon were elected in their stead. The
hon. auditor. Mr. J. Tonge, was accorded
thanks for his services, and re-elected. It
was agreed to divide the joint library with
the Lancashire B.K.A. , and to form a
C.B.K.A. library, the books to be kept at
Grosvenor Chambers, Chester. — Rev. E.
CiiAULEY, Hon. Sec, Rossett Vicarage.

FORMING NUCLEI FOR VIRGIN
QUEENS.

BY r. W. L. SLADEN, F.E.S.

In forming nuclei for the introduction
of virgin queens, I have lately employed
extensively a method which requires only
easily obtained apparatus, is so simple and
has met with such great success, that I think
it should be of value to all bee-keepers,
especially for introducing virgin queens of
valuable parentage that may be received
through the post. A queen-breeder sells
virgin queeiis at a much lower price than
fertile queens, because he can rear an al-
most unlimited number of virgin queens,
but has not a large enough force of bees
to get more than a certain small number
of them fertilised. Now that virgin queens
can be so successfully introduced into the
purchaser's apiary, the one difficulty in
the way of their popularity is removed.

It is well known that there is some risk
of a virgin queen getting killed when she
is introduced to an ordinary established
colony or nucleus, especially if she is over
two or three days old. Doolittle seems to
have been the first to notice that this risk
is removed if the bees are rendered queen-
less and broodless a few hours before the
queen is introduced, the queen being in-
variably accepted by such bees.* Doolittle
recommended the formation of queenless
and broodless nuclei for the^ introduction
of virgin queens, the bees being confined
in a well-ventilated box to prevent their
dispersing, but little notice seemei to have
been taken of this method of nucleus forma-
tion until four or five years ago, when
several prominent American queen-breeders
began to employ it extensively. Some ex-
perienced American queen-breeders have
found it advantageous to use special small
combs in the nuclei ; but in the cooler,
more cloudy and windy climate of England
I have found that the advantages of the
full-sized brood-comb (which is smaller in
England than it is in America) outweigh
those of special small combs, and I feel
quite sure that the British bee-keeper will
get better results with less expense aud
trouble by employing: only the ordinary
B. B.K.A. standard frame in nuclei. Nuclei
on combs in standard frames not only re-
quire less attention than those on special
small combs, but two, three, or four of them
can l)e kept in the brood-chamber of an
ordinary hive by the simple addition of
one, two, or three close-fitting division
boards, and they can be easily united to-
gether to form one strong profitable colony
by removal of the division boards the day
after all the queens except one have been
removed.

I have found that brood over seven or
pirjhf daj/a old in the nucleus does not pre-

* " Scientific Queen Bearing," 1889.

March 15, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

103

vent the friendly acceptance of the queen ;
at the same time it gives the nucleus a
better start, and the queen is more likely to
get fertilised if fertilisation is long delayed
by unfavourable conditions than when
there is no brood. A great advantage
possessed by nuclei of this kind, especially
when the various stages of their formation
are carried out at the times of day given
below, is that a much smaller proportion
of bees will return to the parent hive than
with nuclei formed in other ways.

The above preliminary remarks will help
to make clear the method of nucleue forma-
tion which I am about to describe.

To make the hive for the nuclei, take an
ordinary hive, made to hold ten standard
frames, and close up the flight-hole with a
block of wood. Make two close-fitting fin.
thick wooden division-boards to serve as
bee-tight partitions, by which the brood-
chamber mav be divided into three com-

FLIGHT
HOLE

iro.-- - --
1'°.: TJ--^

FLIGHT
HOLE

S'

.^'

FLIGHT
HOLE -

Fig 1. Plan of SladensjNucleus Hive.

partments each containing three frames.
On the under edge of the brood-chamber
cut three flight-holes, each 2in. wide by
fin. deep, where shown in fig. 1. Provide
a piece of straining canvas, or of sacking
that can be seen through when held up to
the light, lai'ge enough to cover the top
of the brood-chamber.

A strip (fig. 1, ss s) measuring ^in. by
17in. is j)laced in each nucleus to act as a
wedge to keep the frames in their place ;
before a nucleus is examined the strip is
lifted out, and so room is obtained for
shifting or lifting out, or in, the frames
without cnishing bees.

The above are the essential features of
the nucleus hive,, and good results are to
be obtained from such a hive, but for those
who would like to make this hive in the
best manner, the following additional par-
ticulars of the way I now make mine may
be useful.

In fig. 1, at F, is shown a tin feeder in
one of the side walls. A vertical section of
the wall and feeder is shown in fig. 2, and
a view of the feeder and inside wall from
the outside in fig. 3. I find this feeder most
useful, as with it the three nuclei can be
fed at one filling without even lifting oflE
the roof. The feeder is 4in. deep, IS^in.

CORK

Fig. -2. Fig. 3.

Details of Feeder in Wall of Sladeu's iS^ucleus Hive.

long, and -|in. wide, and holds about 21b.
of synip.* There are two wooden partitions
(b, b) to divide the feeder into three com-
partments, one for each nucleus ; the bot-
tom part of each partition consists of wire-
cloth to allow the syrup — but no bees: — to
jiass from one compartment to the other.
The bees pass into the feeder through holes
in the inside wall just above the top of
the feeder, and there are cleated slats of
l-16in. thick wood standing in each com-
partment for the bees to crawl on to pre-
vent them from drowning. The syrup is
jDovired through a funnel into a hole in
the outer wall opposite the middle com-
partment, and this hole is closed with a
cork to keep robber bees out. In my latest
pattern of feeder the syrup is to be poured
through a hole in the roof.

The brood-chamber has no plinths, and
the floor-boai'ds are nailed either to two
stout joists (for a detachable floor) or to the
brood-chamber (for a fixed floor).

For the roof, nothing, to my mind, is
better than a large flat cover of fin. boards

Fig. 4. Hoof of Sladeu's Nucleus Hive.

strongly nailed to end-pieces gin. thick,
and covered with a sheet of " Neponset,"
" Paroid," or " Ruberoid " roofing mate-
rial, the corners of the sheet being folded,
not cut, and these and the edges fastened
down with galvanised tacks in the manner
shown in fig. 4. A roof in my apiary

* I am now making some larger and deeper feeders to
hold 4 lbs. of syrup.

104

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [March 15, 1906.

covered with " Neponset " shows no sign of
deterioration after six years' exposure. If
none of these brands of roofing material
can be obtained,^ then sheet zinc may be
used, but it is not so easy to fold.

The nuclei are formed at mid-day on
the day that the virgin queens are received,
or, if they are home-reared, on the first
or second day after they are hatched, in
the following manner : —

First stuff some freshly-plucked grass
tightly into the flight-holes of the nucleus
hives to prevent ingress or egress of bees
through them, and provide yourself with
an ordinary empty section-rack with
wooden rests. It will be found that when
this rack is placed on the nucleus hive in
a certain way the two rests will rest on
the two partitions between the comparV-
ments.

(Contimted next wee^.)

The Editors do vot hold themselves responsible for the
opinions expressed by correspondents. No notice will
be taken of anonymous communications, and corre-
spondents are requested to write on one side of the paper
only and give their real names and addresses, not neces-
sarily for publication, but as a guarantee nf good faith.
Illustrations should be drawn on separate pieces «f paper .
We do not undertake to return rejected communications.

*»* In order to facil'Hate reference, Corr4sponderts
when speaking of any Utt r or query premously inset tid
will oblige by mentioning the number of the letter os v. el
as the page on trhi-eh it appears.

NOTES BY THE WAY.

[6238.] With twelve hours' sunshine per
day, and the almanacs asserting that winter
is past, bee-keepers will now be turning
their attention to spring management.
Those who packed up their stocks properly
at the end of last season with young queens
at the head of strong coloiiies, and an
abundance of stores for winter, will not
have much trouble in attending to their
bees for the present beyond preparing for
a good spring cleaning next mouth ; but
the laggards will have to give constant care
to the apiary if they hope to bring some
of their weaklings through the critical
period for weak colonies — i.e., the early
spring months. They must first see that
these small colonies have a constant supply
of food, reduce the entrances to fin. in
width, place over the quilt covering the
brood-combs a sheet of paper with a hole
in centre to correspond with feed-hole in
quilt, then set the food over the hole and
a good supply of warm wraps ; this will
help to conserve the warmth of brood-
nests, and induce breeding.

Bobbing Weak Stocks. — Clearing out the
stores of weak stocks is a pastime that
stronger colonies often set about at this
period of the year in real earnest, and in
a few hours will rob them out clean of food.

In these cases the best quieter I know of
is the watering-pot, with a fine spray. Give
all the colonies a good drenching, then
sprinkle a few drops of carbolic acid on
a little loose hay, and place this at the
entrance of the stock being robbed out.
The robbers already in the hive can manage
to push their way through the hay, but the
bees outside will not pass through it in
order to get into the hive ; then when
things have quietened down a bit close the
entrance of the hive with a piece of per-
forated zinc till the bees have done flying,
and then open the robbed hive and deal
with it according to its worth. If only
a small lot of bees are left unite them to
another stock, and use the food left for
helping colonies needing it. On no ac-
count leave it to be cleared out by the
bees of other hives, as robbing demoralises
the whole apiary, and will often induct
the bees to attack other stocks pro-
miscuously, and thus extend the mischief
and loss.

After the drying winds of March hive-
roofs which were a month ago heavy with
moisture will now be in good order for
painting, and one good coat (or, better
still, two coats) will renovate the apiary
and improve its appearance very much if
every hive is nicely painted. I generally
do my painting in the afternoon after a
tine dry morning, when the hurry of the
bees' labour for the day is nearly over.
Entrances can be closed during the paint-
ing of the hive-front. As most of my hives
are on the combination principle, I have
driven strong wire-nails near the front
corners, leaving the heads of either stand-
ing out 5 in. to f in. ; on these the hive-
roof turns up (as on a hinge), and a piece
of strong string from roof to hive-body
allows the roof to stand nearly on its end
on the nail-heads. I like this plan for
giving easy access to the brood-combs, and
the turned-up cover forms an effective
screen to the maniiDulator ; it also allows
the roof to be lifted off if required.

Spring Feeding. — Those whose apiaries
are isolated may with advantage towards
the end of the month give some thin medi-
cated syrup in shallow vessels, with straw
cut in 2-in. or 3-in. lengths floating on the
top of food to allow the bees to take it
without being drowned. Even if there are
a few hives around you, a few feeds of
medicated food may help to keep your
neighbour's bees in condition, and thus
prove a service to yourself in the long run.
This open-air feeding stimulates colonies,
in my opinion, more than inside-feeding ;
but any weak stock should have a supplv
given inside the hive in addition to the food
they share with the stronger from the
supply in the open.— W. Woodley, Beedon,
Newbury.

(" C'l ■. rasp v.denre " coidinued on page 106.)

March 15, 1906.] THE BEITISH BEE JOURN'AL.

105

HOMES OF THE HONEY BEE.

THE APIAEIES OF OUU EEADERS.

The apiary seen below is nicely located
in some respects, but hardly commends
itself to the queen-breeder as a safe
" mating place." It may also explain the
loss of queens in spring, of which Mr.
Xewbigin complains, if— as some bee-men
say— queens take an airing flight at that
season. Messrs. Gibson and Co., Gates-
head-on-Tyne, have apparently also had
trouble in getting a good light for photo.
Of himself our friend writes : —

I have kept bees for over twenty years,

all. Two of my queens were lost this year,
also two last year in this way.

But these bees are grand honey
gatherers, while the queens are also very
prolific, produce very hardy workers, and
are easy to manage when manipulating
them.

I buy all frames and fill each with a full
sheet of best foundation, and never keep
the combs more than three yeai^s. I find
this plan necessaiy because of a slight out-
break of foul brood, but by this means the
bees are always in good, healthy condition.
1' send them to the heather every year,
the moors being five miles away, but I can-
not boast either this vear or last of securing

ME. J. NEWIUGIN'S APIARY, HUMSHAUGHON TYNE NORTHUMBERLAND.

so that dates back to a time long before
I' left school. Although my occupation
is that of game-keeper, I am a fairly good
amateur join -, and nearly all the hives
seen in phc j were made by myself. It
will be seen that all are painted white.
With regard to my bee-keeping, it may be
said to take more of making it a hobby
than anything else, but I like to go in for
having bees of as good a strain as can be
had. Seven of the hives shown are headed
by "Golden Queens." The only fault I
find with these bees is that the queens
often leave their hive and get lost, and it
is most difficult to find a reason for this
fault. In fact, I cannot account for it at

good " takes " of honey. This year every-
thing in summer was dried up for want of
rain, the white clover yielding next to
nothing, and most of my sections at the
heather were full but not sealed. My best
hive only furnished 18 1-lb. heather sec-
tions.

I believe it to be a good point to have all
the sections fitted with drawn-out combs
when put on the hives, making a good
start when the honey flow comes on. I
have done fairly well in queen rearing, and
can manage to utilise queens for increasing
stocks by forming nuclei. I also do some
bee-;lriving. I know foul brood too when
I see it. When at my bee-work I always

106

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [March 15, 1906.

operate as seen in picture, with shirt
sleeves rolled up, not forgetting the pipe,
which latter is often used instead of the
smoker.

I have seen some remarks in your pages
about winter passages. My plan is an
empty section crate turned upside down
on top of frames. My bees always winter
well on this plan.

Hoping we will all have a good honey
season in 1906.

CORRESPONDENCE.

{Continued from page 1 04 )

ABOUT BEES AND HONEY.

[6239. J In looking over my marginal
notes in back numbers of B.B.J, (which
are kept for reference), I see our friend
"D. M. M." says he has never heard
"tanging." It used to be quite common
here a few years ago, bell, fire shovel, and
poker being requisitioned to bring the
bees down, and I like to hear it yet, it
reminds one so much of old times.

Last season I sold some heather sections
to an Edinburgh firm, who quoted me ls.4d.
per lb. for best, and Is. per lb. for seconds.
They surprised me very much by weighing
the whole together and then deducting
weight of section-wood. The price being
so good wholesale, I made no demur at this,
but it was an altogether new idea to me.
Concerning the sending of honey by rail,
i always forward mine at " Agricultural
Produce " rates per passenger train, but I
find it necessary to tell the station people
how it is to be sent, not contenting my-
self with merely marking ^ it on box, or
they will be almost sure to charge full
"parcels rate." The sender is also re-
quired to sign an " owner's risk " note for
the first consignment. This holds good for
future lots. Now that railway companies
are sending only fully-laden wagons, small
consignments might have to be transhipped
half-a-dozen times before reaching their
journey's end. This plan was not much
followed three years ago, but the railway
companies see the need for economy now ;
therefore I say, send by passenger train,
which is nearly as cheap, much quicker,
and does not liave to undergo so stormy a
passage if boldly labelled " Great care —
Honey in Comb." Above all, do not label it
" Glaas ! " or you will be charged double
rate.

Last year I bought a 5 lb. lot of English
foundation from a well-known dealer. It
seemed very soft, and though well wired
in frames it all broke down. Now I use
" Weed " light brood, nine sheets to pound,
and find it very good. —

I see "D. M. M." mentions in B.B.J.
of December 28 that bees in his district had
ten weeks' imprisonment ; hereabouts, bees
have been flying every week since last

autumn, on some days as busy as on an.
April day. Corn crops in the far north were
only secured in December, while with us
here all crops were in early, and we had
a splendid autumn and open winter.

Referring to ball-bearing honey ex-
tractors mentioned in January 25th issue,
I often think what a great improvement
these would be, and seeing how easily they
could be added, I wonder why manu-
facturers do not try them. I now use a
" Cowan reversible," which would run as
long again with ball-bearings, I feel cer-
tain. When doing all the work yourself
it is a great help if your extractor will run
by itself at top speed until you get another
frame half uncapped and ready for it. I
made some candy the other day^my third
lot in ten years — and it was very good. I
followed the " Guide Book " instructions
carefully, not having any honey on hand
for Br. Colomban's excellent method.

We fared very badly through want of
rain during fruit-bloom and clover season,
and suffered from too much of it at the
heather. — J. G. N., Langwathby, Cumber-
land.

BEES AND POLLEN-GATHERING.

[6240.] Some considerable time ago a
letter from Colonel Walker appeared in
the B.B.J, referring to a statement we
often hear and see — viz., that in cleaning
their antennae bees use the right front leg
to clean the left antennae, and vice-versa.
Colonel Walker asked if anyone had
noticed if this statement was correct. Up
to this time I have not seen any reply to
the Colonel's question ; but since the letter
appeared I have taken particular notice
of how bees act, and have frequently ob-
served them clean both their antennse and
tongue, but they have invariably used the
right leg for the right antennse, and vice
versa. They often clean both antennae
simultaneously ; but I have never seen
them do it as referred to in Colonel
Walker's letter ; in fact, I fail to see how
they could possibly do so.

My bees were flying freely, working on
the crocus, on the 6th inst. The pleasant
hum in the early sjDring generally attracts
one to the hives. I was watching the bees
coming and going at one hive, casually ob-
serving a few crawling on the ground hero
and there, when my attention was suddenly
arrested by a fine queen crawling a few
inches from the side of the alighting-board
of the hive I was watching. I placed her
on the alighting-board, but she was
promptly "balled." I therefore rescued
her and placed her in a cage while I ex-
amined that hive and the next with a view
to her re-introduction — she was between
the two hives. Fortunately, the day was
warm and sunny, bo I was able io
search the combs thoroughly to see

March 15, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

107

from which hive the queen was miss-
ing. To my surprise I found laying
que6ns in each, so perforce had to examine
the rest of my stocks, but found a laying
queen in every one. I then examined a
hive in the next garden, but with the same
result, and I am still wondering where
that queen came from. She was full-sized,
and appeared quite normal.

Bees in this district have come through
the winter well, and are breeding rapidly,
and so far there is every prospect of a good
time coming if the weather is favourable.
— J. Hebeod, Trentside Aj)iary, Sutton-on-
Trent, March 11.

THE SEASON'S OUTLOOK.

EAKLY WORK AMONG THE BEES.

[6241.] If typical wintry weather of the
old-fashioned sort is to be taken as a fore-
runner of good things in store for bees
and bee-men, the outlook for the coming
season is propitiouis. During February
we had a very severe snowstorm, with the
result that our roads were blocked for the
greater part of the month to an extent un-
known during the past ten years.

As outside work was impossible, I had
a busy time vsdth saw, plane, and hammer,
keeping up bodily temperature while ac-
cumulating a goodly pile of bee-furniture
in readiness for the season's campaign.

Last Sunday (4th) being mild and sjiring-
like, the bees had a grand airing flight.

All alive, and in good condition, judging
by the increasing warmth beneath the
quilts.

No, I did not look into the brood-nest, or
even move a frame. The month of May is
quite time enough for manipulating in
these parts. The skeppists hei'e rejjort
several stocks dead, mostly July swarms,
which did nothing for themselves or their
owners. Having seen to stores being ample
before closing down in September, the
chief concern should be to conserve the
warmth of the expanding brood-nest.

On this subject the recommendations are
many, ranging from old newspaper to " old
clo." Both the above are useful, and the
latter I was wont to annex to the detriment
of the domestic rag-bag. But now, whether
from awakened views of propriety, or an
increased sense of the fitness of things, the
thought of hiding the " mysteries of the
hive " 'neath discarded bifurcated or other
raiment does seem to jar upon my sensi-
bilities.

After all, for efficiency and inexpensive
ness there is nothing to beat chaflf pack-
ing. A large-sized sack half filled with
chaff and tightly tied or sewn close to the
mouth will be found an excellent heat re-
tainer, when snugly tucked down over the
usual quilting.— J. M. Ellis, Ussie Valley,
March 10, 1906.

SUGGESTED CONFERENCE

OP COUNTY B.K.A. SECRETARIES.

[6242.] For some time past it lias
occurred to my mind that it would be ad-
vantageous in a high degree to the industiy
at large, as well as to county asso^-
ciations in particular, if their secre-
taries were to meet in conference to
discuss the best means of securing
the highest success of the county societies.
Certainly no harm could arise therefrom,
and it is almost certain that gi-eat good
might follow. The recital of mutual experi-
ences, methods of procedure with regard to
experts, county councils and flower shows,
and the inducements offered to enlarge the
list of subscribers to the various associa-
tions, are merely a few subjects which
immediately force themselves involun-
tarily upon one's mind as being worthy of
examination. Therefore, if county secre-
taries deem this suggestion a feasible one,
I beg permission to suggest : —

1. That the secretaries meet at a central
town — Birmingham, London, or Sheffield
— for one day.

2. That the meeting take place on
Easter Tuesday — a holiday to most people,
and the threshold of the season.

I shall be pleased to receive, within the
month, postal replies to the above from
all who ai*e interested in this matter, and
also for further suggestions.

It seems to me that such a meeting would
infect one and all with zeal and en-
thusiasm, upon which associations largely
flourish.

Should the project be taken up en-
thusiastically, as I hope it will, no doubt
the Editors will again grant me a little
space to announce the arranged plan, as
they very kindly permit me now to give
publicity to this idea. — William Richards,
Hon. Sec. Glamorgan B.K.A. , Red House,
Gabalfa, Cardiff, March 5, 1906.

[The above suggestion is, to our mind, a
very valuable one, and we hope it may he
taken up heartily by county associations
wherever such are established. Regular .
conferences held in different centres would
doubtless have the effect of combining and
strengthening the whole body of bee-
keepers and should result in a, large ad-
dition to membership. Nothing tends more
in this direction than co-operation, if
carried out properly. We wish every suc-
cess to the movement. — ^Eds.]

THE STANDARD-FRAME QUESTION.

VALUE OF INTERCHANGEABILITY.

[6243.] I am much interested in the dis-
cussion now going on in your pages respect-
ing the standard frame. Personally, I pre-
fer the present standard, but with the top-
bar 1 l-16in. wide, which not only prevents

108

THE BRI^TI^H bee aOUR:KrAL. [March 15, 1906.

sagging, but brace-combs are reduced to a
minimum, and I also find that combs are
built straighter and more uniform in thick-
ness.

It would, in my opinion, be a great mis-
take to alter the outside size of our pre-
sent standard, as the value of interchange-
ability cannot be too much insisted ujion,
particularly among those who, like mv^elf,
keep bees for profit as well as pleasure.

If a larger brood-nest is wanted — and I
think a good queen in favourable seasons
is often cramped for room when confLaed
to ten frames — I advise my own plan of
putting a box of shallow-frames under-
neath the standard-frames in brood-cham-
ber. I have tried this plan, and find it
answers well ; in fact, it serves a two-fold
purpose, as it alsO prevents swarming if
sufficient room is given above as well.

I cut all entrances in the floor-board,
and use plinths on all four sides, so there
are no spaces to stop whether the 9-in. body
or the 6-in. comes next the floor.

I confess I have no practical experience
of the large 16 by 10 frame, but think the
above plan answers the purpose, besides
having the advantage to those of your
readers who work for the heather of being
able to take away the lower box, which by
then will be nearly empty of brood, while
the upper lot, being mostly full of sealed
stores and brood, forces tlie bees to carry
nearly all the heather crop above.

Just a word on the reluctance of many
bee-keepers to take a bee paper regularly ;
the argument of expense will not hold
good, as the information to be obtained
from its pages more than pays the penny
or so a week.

Personally, I take the B.B.J., Recced,
and also the American B.J. , and find it
pays to keep thoroughly abreast of the
times.

I enclose name, etc.. and sign as before —
CoTswoLD, Oxon, March 12.

BABY NUCLEI.

[6244.] I am exceedingly glad to see
others are either trying, or about, to try,
this method of dealing with queens and in-
crease, as it is quite certain the more it
is understood and practised the greater
will be its popularity. My own nuclei
has not come through the winter this time
as well as previously, but it was possibly
my own fault in not giving proper atten-
tion during the autumn feeding. How-
ever, some are all right, and I trust will
be ready for service early this year. I
observe that your correspondent " Mac "
(6219, page 78) says he is afraid of the
result with only about 300 bees. Let me
assure him he need have no fear, if his ex-
periments are carried out from May 21

to September 30, and he sees that the
little colony has plenty of food all the
time. I have a friend living further north
than " Mac," who was very successful with
the plan last year.

Size of Frames. — Both the " Standard "
and the ' Simmins' Commercial " frame
are in use in my apiary, and al-
though there is much to be said in favour
of either, I usually get best results from
the larger ones. I use ten of these for
extra prolific and Carniolan queens, and
am rarely troubled with swarming. For
handling, however, the " Standard " frame
is much the better of the two. Of course,
the whole question resolves itself into one
of ultimate results, and although I have
never kept a proper account of this, it is
fairly correct to say that in mv own case
the hives with larger frames have given
more honey at end of season. The thick-
ness and width of top-bars is, in my
opinion, the greatest and most important
consideration ; 1 and 1^-in. wide and f-in.
thick top-bars make a good frame, and
with g-ineh side and ^-inch bottom-bar''.
I do not think there is a frame to beat it
anywhere.

Coverings. — Much has been said as to
the best covering for winter, and after try-
ing nearly all that have been recom-
mended, I find nothing beats one layer of
calico or American leather, and plenty of
clean newspapers on top of this ; the latter
are always handy, clean, warm, and im-
pervious to wax moth, and when wet they
can soon be changed for new, and the old
ones burnt!

On examining my bees the other day,
I found all very " fit," though some are
running short of stores, and will soon re-
quire the syrup feeder.— Amateur,
Bristol.

[Our correspondent, when next he
favours us with an article for print, will
oblige by sending on name, etc., not neces-
sarily for publication, but for reference,
according to rule — Eds.]

A CHEAP HOME-MADE FEEDER.

[6245.1 Many of those who keep bees
as a hobby are able and willing to sup-
port it with a liberal purse, and never
count the cost of appliances so long as
their apiaries are smart and up to date.
But there are others who look with long-
ing eyes through the beautifully illus-
trated catalogues of appliance dealers, no
doubt, but can afford to order only such
things as are really necessary. To these
latter the following remarks are ad-
dressed.

To begin with, then, I may say, excel-
lent stimulative feeders can be bought ;
but the usual home-made feeder consists

March 15, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

109

of a wide-mouthed glass jar or bottle, with
muslin or coarse calico tied over the mouth
and inverted over the feed-hole in quilt.
This device is simple and successful, pro-
vided, first, that the feeder is set level on
the frame-tops ; second, that the cover of
jar is not so porous as to allow the syrup
to drip on to the combs, and run all over
them oh to floor-board, and out at hive
entrance. On the other hand, the cover-
ing of jar must not be so thick that the
hungry bees cannot suck the food through.
As I have already said, the above home-
made bottle feeder answers if properly
managed, but very few bee-men enjoy re-
filling it when needed. I, for one, dislike
it very much. My own plan of making a
feeder is this : — Obtain a 21b. lever-top
tin (those in which " Lyles^ " golden syrup
is sold are just the thing) ; pierce with a
sharp nail three tiny holes in the bottom,
from the outside, three-quarters of an inch
apart. Next cut a circular hole (2^ inches
in diameter), in a piece of f-inch board
49-inches square ; this makes a platform on
which feeder rests. When preparing for
use, place the feeder on platform, and
drive three tacks into wood close to the
ledge running round bottom of the tin, so
that the nails will hold the tin down in
position, and all will be complete.

The square wood platform forms the
base of the feeder, and the 22-inch hole
provides a chamber for the bees to cluster
in while feeding, and all will have access
to the food in turn. Once in position, the
feeder need not be disturbed till feeding
has been complet-ed for the year, beyond
removing the lid by levering it off with a
coin when the tin needs refilling. After
pouring in a fresh supply of syrup, the lid
must be pressed firmly on again so that
the liquid will not escape too freely, and
run down into the hive.

This form of feeder costs nothing, is easy
to make, is always tidy, no bees can escape
while it is being refilled, and I have no
doubt, if tried, it will give equal satis-
faction in other apiaries, as it has already
done in mine.

I enclose card for reference, and sign —
Bumble, Boroughbridge.

LARGE TAKES OF HONEY.

[6246.] In the B.B.J, of February 15
(page 63), your correspondent "R. N. R.,
Tayport," gives the large amount of 114 lb.
of honey as being taken from a single
hive ; but he omits to state the size of
frame he uses, or the number of frames
his hives hold in body-box. As I am
about to order several hives, I would be
much obliged if "R. N. R." will oblige
with the particulars mentioned, as I
should consider this a productive size of

hive for me to use? Name, etc., sent for
reference — G. C, Sheffield, March 5.

[We called the attention of our corre-
spondent to the above request, and in re-
ply he kindly writes as follows: — Eds.]
" In reply to your Sheffield correspondent
the hive in question was a 'W.B.C. ,' the
body-box of which held ten ' standard '
frames of the broad-shouldered type. I find
these self-spacing frames all to be desired,
and ten of them make a brood-chamber
of very satisfactory size. Hoping these
few particulars will be all required by
'G. O'— R. N. R., Tayport."

DAMP QUILTS.
[6247.] I have seen in your columns
lately a number of queries regarding the
prevention of damp ouilts and suggestions
for avoiding them, but no reference has
been made to the necessity for making the
quilts of a non-hygroscopic material. It
is, of course, self-evident that a material
of this kind should be used, but I think it
probable that many beginners do not
realise how various materials differ in this
respect. Last winter my main quilts were
made of chaff, in a case of material that
was probably largely composed of cotton
or other vegetable fibre. They were never
dry, and I attributed it to leaky roofs, and
covered some of my bees with zinc. As
the quilts still remained damp, I replaced
the " cottony " material with flannel at
the beginning of this winter, and this has
made all the difference. I still use chaff
to stuff the cases with, and am convinced
that the flannel case has caused the im-
provement. One of my hives has a roof that
is not absolutely water-tight, and after
heavy rain I always find that a few drops
have got through. These few drops will
stand in a pool as big as a shilling on the
flannel until I rshake them off. They never
seem to soak in. For the sake of experi-
ment I have kept in use in a hive with zinc-
covered roof one of the old cottony quilts,
and it remains slightly damp on the upper
surface the whole time. The flannel I use
in the new quilts is of a very open texture,
and quite cheap. — E. L., Perthshire,
March 12.

^ufm m& §,t^\m.

[3234.] Death of Driven Bees in March.
— I purchased four lots of driven bees in
September last, and joined up by uniting
tv/o lots together for hiving in two frame-
hives. Each stock was fed up with loaf-
sugar syrup, and after placing a cake of
candy under quilts of each hive, I packed

no

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [March 15, 1906.

them warmly for winter. One fine day
in the early part of this month, when other
bees were flying well. I found my two hives
perfectly quiet — no bees seen. So I made
an examination and found the whole
colony in hive now dead, and having the
appearance of their being eo for some
weeks previously. The centre combs
were much discoloured from excremental
matters being discharged all over them,
so I concluded that the bees must have
died from dysentery. On examining hive
No. 2 I found combs in a similar state,
and the bees in a very weak condition ; but,
like N"o. 1 hive, there was ■plenty of stores
in the combs. The same day robber bees
from neighbouring hives came and killed
the few remaining beeis. and so extin-
guished hive No. 2, though T was able to
save the stores from being carried off. Am
I right in supposing that both stocks were
suffering from dvsenterv ? I intend to buy
several stocks this spring, and so ask : —
Would it be detrimental to them if I give
frames of stores taken from the above men-
tioned hives,* of is there any other means
of using up the same ? I shall look for an
answer in your valuable journal. I send
name and sifrn — Beginner, Tamworth-in-
Arden, March 12.

Reply. — Tt seems clear that the syrup-
food on which the bees were fed up was
not wholesome, whether from not being
properly made or otherwise we are, of
course, unable to say. The fact of combs
being found in the condition stated clearlv
pointts to dvsentery. and this could not
be wondered at if the food was thin and
Avatery and left unsealed during th'^
winter. Bees can hardlv live under such
conditions, if they f^xisted, and it is for
you to sav whether this was so or not. Tn
other words, driven bees to be safely built
up into good stocks in September should
be hived on built-out combe and fed
with good, thick, warm svrup, given in
stich auantitv as will enable them to get
the syrup stored and sealed over by the end
of the month, r

[3235.1 Tiuyinn Carniolav Brrs. — T am
about to purchase a stock of Carniolan
bees, but I have recently been told that
they will «!warm eifht or nin^ times in one
season. Now. would vou tell me. through
the B.B..T. , if you have ever known them
to swarm so often, and if I were +o give
them room to the extent shown in Fig. 34
of "Guide Book," and perhaps make an
artificial swarm, would their disposition
to iswarm naturally not be checked alto-
gether?—A. H., Falkirk. March 10.

Reply. — Carniolan bees have a tendency
to excessive swarming, but nothing like to
such an extent as stated. Giving plenty of
room in advance is one of the best checks
to swarming that can be adopted.

Notices to Correspondents & Inquirers

Letters or queries asking for addresses of manufae'
turers or eerrespondents, or where appliances can be
rmrchased, or replies fjivina such information, can only
he inserted as advertisements. The space devoted to
letters, queries, and replies is meant for the peneral
good of bee-keepers, and not for advertisements. We
wish our correspondents to bear in mind that, as it is
necessary for us to go to press in advance of the date of
issue, queries cannot always be revliedto in the issue im-
mediately follovjing the receipt of their communications .

G. H. (Basingstoke). — Suspected Disease
in Hives. — We cannot pretend or under-
take to give " legal opinions " on matters
in dispute between buyers and sellers.
Those who require such should consult
a solicitor. But, with reference to the
case as put before us, we may define
our reply given (on page 99) by saying
that the word " disease " was intended td
mean foul brood, i.e.. Bacillus Alrei.
There appears to be no question of the
hona fldrs of either party in the case put
before U6, and some means may surely be
found of arriving at an amicable settle-
ment without resorting to that worst of
all remedies — "law."

BoRBOWASH (Derby). — Queen Bee Found
Dead. — There is nothing in the appear-
ance of dead queen to account for death.
It seems a clear case of death from cold
and hunger.

Suspected Comh.

W. H. P. (Shirehampton). — Judging by
combs sent the bees have not been affected
by dysentery. Our view is that the stock
has been robbed by other bees in autumn
of last year, and, in conseauence of the
worry and loss caused in defending their
stores the bees have been so demoralised
and weak in numbers as to neglect the
brood in combs at the time. This would
account for the chilled brood found in
the combs. There is, however, no ap-
pearance of disease about the dead brood.
If the queen can be utilised, by all means
give her to any stock needing requeening.

G. A. (Hants). — No disease in comb sent.
Brood seems quite healthy.

*^(.* Sorrifi Letters, Qv^rie,^ and Replies, <fee.,
arrf. unnvnifJahlv held over tiU next, week.

Special Prepaid Advertisements.

Tmelne leards and unddr, Simptnee ; for tverv additional
ThrM word* or under. One Ptnw/.

Adve'^lsernento for currant Issue must be received
by first post on Tuesday.

A STRONG STOCK WANTED.— Thrpp modern Hives
J:\. (new") for Sale, 7s. 6d. each ; 208. the threp. —
Address TilRiaNSHAW. Derby. jf 69

AYLKSBURY DUCK EGGS for sittinpr, verv fine
birds, 3s. per dozen. — SMITH, Cuba House,
rarHamenfc Road,_Tp9wich,_Sufltolk. N^ 73_

BEKS —Hybrid Cvpriars. g-ood tempered, exeeltent
woi-kers, ptrong: stocks, £1 ; Nuclei, 14s. 6d. —
WOOSNAM. Haytor, Newton Abbot. y 64

BEEHIVES^FOR SALE7~al80 ouantity of appliances
cheap. —Apply MORRIS, 184, Sydenham Road,
Croydon iJ 65

CHAPMAN HONRT PLANT REEDS, port tree, 7d.
packet.— E H. TAYLXVR, Welwyn.

March 22, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

Ill

(KHitormI, ^oixm, ^t

NORTH NORFOLK B.K.A.

AXNFAL MEETING.

The annual meeting of the North Nor-
folk Bee-keepers' Association was held on
Thursday in the Concert Hall, Holt. The
Rev. E. Russell was voted to the chair.
Lady Hastings was re-elected president,
and Lord Justice Cozens-Hardy, Sir W. B.
Gurdon, M.P., and Mr. F. T. S. Rippin-
gall, vice-presidents. The committee (re-
elected) will consist of Rev. W. H. Marcon,
Rev. E. Russell, Messrs. W. Towler, H.
Woolsey, E. Mann, J. Flatten, C. Clarke,
J. Carr, H. Bond, R. Owen Goddard, Rev.
A. Downe Shaw, and Rev. T. E. Flatten.
Messrs. C. F. Cooke, J. Flatten, and E.
Mann were appointed experts. In pro-
posing the re-election of Mr. C. J. Cooke as
hon. secretary, the chairman said the suc-
cess of the association was entirely due to
the good work of Mr. Cooke.

Mr. Cooke then read the report, which
stated that the beautiful weather of the
1904 summer undoubtedly brought fresh
recruits into the ranks of bee-keepers, and
the successful season of 1905 would be a
great encouragement to them. The in-
crease in membei-ship was very gratifying.
The balance-sheet showed receipts amount-
ing to £23 Os. 6d. On the expenditure side
the items were printing £4 10s. 7d. , prizes
at show £6 18s., expert's expenses
£5 Os. 9d.

An interesting lecture was given by Mr.
W. Nonnan, of Harpley, on his experi-
ences as a bee-keeper. He also gave some
statistics of the quantity of honey obtained
by him during several seasons. In 1900,
from twenty-three hives, he got 47 stone of
honey ; 1901, twenty-five hives and 96
stone ; 1902, twenty-five hives and 44
stone ; 1903, twenty-six hives and 88
stone ; 1904, twenty-six hives and 106
stone. He made on an average about £40
a season from his bees. The meeting closed
with the usual votes of thanks. — C. J.
Cooke, hon. secretary.

REVIEWS OF FOREIGN JOURNALS.
By "Nemo."
Poison in Bees' JEggs. — In the Journal of
the Royal Microscopical Society we find
mention of the investigations of M. C.
Phisalin, which have appeared in Comptes
Bendus (1905), pp. 275-8. M. Fhisalin
shows that in bees the ova contain small
quantities of poison. It required 475 eggs
to furnish enough to poison a sparrow.
Phisalin tackles the difficulty that the un-
fertilised poison-containing egg gives rise
to a drone without poison. To allow of

the development of a poisonous female the
poison " determinants " in the ovnm re-
quire to be supplemented by something
furnished by the spermatozoon or by the
accessory male glands.

A New Bee Disease. — According to the
Miinchencr Bienenzeitung a new disease,
somewhat resembling what is commonly
known as black brood, has been spreading
in Schleswig-Holstein. It has been in-
vestigated by the Biological Institution of
Dahlem, where eombs of brood, dead from
this disease, have been microscopically ex-
amined. The cause is ascribed to a microbe
named Aspergillus fumigatus fresenius,
which has been found in abundance in
the dead larvoe. In this disease the brood
dies, and the larv£e, or pupse, dry up, re-
taining their original shape, and resem-
bling diminutive mummies in the cells.
There is no bad odour, and the dried lai-vse
remain wliite, with here and there a slight
blackish tinge. They are hard, but
crumble if pressed between the fingers. At
a later stage the whole of. the comb, in-
cluding brood, appears covered with a
greenish mould.

The Biological Institute recommends all
colonies affected should be brimstoned and
burned, taking every precaution possible,
owing to the disease being extremely con-
tagious. The greatest cleanliness must be
observed in the apiary, and all dead bees
must be carefully removed, so that the
microbe of the disease may be prevented
from developing. The hive, if to be used
again, must be thoroughly disinfected. As
this microbe also a£fects mankind, causing
inflammation of the mucous membrane,
the greatest care should be exercised in
manipulating hives sul^ering from this
disease.

21ie Willow as a Bee Plant. — In the
B'uUctin de la SociiHe Romande d' Apiculture
E. van Hay has an interesting article on
his observations of the willow as a source
of nectar. According to the author it was
at one time thought that bees visited the
willow in spring for the pollen they got
from the catkins, but he finds that nectar
is, under certain conditions, yielded in
abundance. He says it is interesting in
the spring to follow the movements of the
bees when the willows are in flower and
all other trees are leafless. At such a time
thousands of bees will be seen visiting
the catkins and returning laden to their
hives. Indeed, from the activity of the
bees, one could well imagine that it was
the height of the busy season. He also
heard the contented hum, so well known
to bee-keepers, when the bees are gather-
T ing nectar in abundance. The investiga-
tions of M. Vesmael and M. Du Mortiers
have shown that both the male and female
flowers of the willow are furnished with
nectaries. M. van Hay alscf refers to the

112

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [March 22, 1906.

fact that Doolittle and Quinby found on
crushing bees working on a species of wil-
low (Salixfragilis) found no nectar ; but
he adds : " We must not conclude from
this that willows generally yield very
little nectar." The secretion from the
nectary depends on the composition of the
soil, the temperature and hygrometric con-
dition of the atmosphere, as well as elec-
trical influences. M. van Hay has on
several occasions taken bees returning
to their hives after visiting willows,
crushed them, and, testing the juices, has
found saccharine matter, so that he has
satisfied himself that bees do gather nectar
in abundance from such a source. He in-
tends to pursue his investigations this
spring in order to find out the amount of
nectar carried away by a single bee.

Wax Secretion. ■ — Dr. O. Krancher has
an interesting and instructive article on
wax secretion in Deutsche Illustrierte
Bieiienzeituruj, in which he explains the
way it is produced. The wax scales, as
every bee-keeper knows, are produced on
the four ventral plates of the bee. On
these plates there are two transparent sur-
faces, irregular, pantagonal in shape, and
these are covered by the segment imme-
diately above them. The lower part of the
ring, which overlaps the plates, is of hard
chitine, and the smooth surfaces are
slightly sunk. It is on these sunk moulds
that the wax scales are formed. If a
longitudinal section is made through one
of these plates a microscopical examina-
tion will show the secreting glands at the
back of the transparent membrane. These
consist of six-sided cells containing
granules and a clearly apparent nucleus.
It is of special interest to observe that it
is during the summer when comb-building
is at its height that these glands attain
their greatest development. The more
active the bees are in comb-building,
the larger are the seci-eting glands, and the
more fully developed are the canals through
which the secretion flows. When the bees
cease comb-building, which generally hap-
pens when they are three or four weeks
old, or are flying and gathering, the secret-
ing glands gradually shrink, and are no
longer of any use. It is, therefore, evident
that young bees, when their glands have
their fullest development, are necessary
for comb-production. The microscope also
shows that the outer skin of the trans-
parent surface has minute pores through
which the secretion in the canals of the
glands passes. The wax is produced in
minute particles through these pores, the
pressure of the upper plate causing the
particles to unite, and on exposure to the
air the wax solidifies in the moulds, is then
removed by the bee, and the process is
repeated.

Workmen Find Money in Hawaiian
Capital. — ^Workmen making repairs in the
former palace in Honolulu, now the terri-
torial capital, occupied by Governor Carter,
discovered a great store of honey under the
planks, just outside of the Governor's win-
dows. The honey was discovered owing
to a leak through which some of it oozed.
On removing the boards a space five feet
square was found to be packed for twenty-
two inches deep with rich comb. The sweet
find was divided among the officers of the
territory.

ComjJosition of Nectar. — A controversy
has been for some time going on in
VApicuUeur regarding the elimination of
superfluous water in the nectar as gathered
from flowers by bees, some maintaining
that having hives on scales give false re-
sults. M. B. Spoerer reviews the con-
troversy, and states that nectar, as collec-
ted by the bees, contains an excess of
water, which they have to get I'id of. He
points out that in twelve kilos of nectar
there are three kilos of solid substances
and nine Idlos of water. When this has
been converted into honey and evapora-
ted to three kilos of solids, there only re-
mains one kilo of water as a constituent.

Bees and Colours. — In the same journal
we leani that M. Gaston Bonnier read a
paper at the Academy of Sciences in Paris
on the life of bees. With respect to the
visual powers of this insect, scientists are
not agi-eed. M. Bonnier, having made a
close study of them, has noticed that
bees were not attracted by the bright and
showy colours of flowers. They are evi-
dently guided by the scent which draws
them towards those that contain nectar.
However, every bee has her own work, and
M. Bonnier, during his researches,
observed that bees occupied in collecting
water, took no notice whatever of a comb
of honey jilaced close by the drinking place.
He also noticed that other bees seeking a
certain species of flower, did not touch the
many nectariferous and gaudy-coloured
flowers of different varieties from those
they were seeking growing in the same
jplace. M. Bonnier says this shows that
bees act wisely.

FORMING NUCLEI FOR VIRGIN
QUEENS.

BY r. W. L. SLADEN, T.E.S.

(Continued from page 10 1.)

Each nucleus is to consist of three combs
containing plenty of honey, and enough
bees to fairly cover the three combs. If
possible, one or two of the combs should
contain brood, none of which must be less
than eight days old — in other words, there
must be no eggs or small larvse. Bees from
brood-combs make better nuclei than bees

March 22, 1906.] THE BEITISH BEE JOURNAL.

113

from honey-combs, because a larger pro-
portion of the former are young and un-
fledged. Care must be taken that no queens
(virgin or fei'tile) or queen-cells are in-
cluded in the nuclei.

There are several ways in which these
combs and bees may be obtained. The
simplest way is to take combs with the
bees adhering to them from ordinary
colonies ; but, unfortunately, in many
colonies few or none of the combs may be
immediately available for this purpose on
account of their containing brood under
eight days old. A more satisfactory way
where many nuclei are required, and one
which I practise largely myself, is to re-
move or cage the queen of a colony eight
to ten days before the nuclei are formed.
By this method the whole colony can be
broken up into a number of excellent
nuclei ; care must be taken to cut oi^t
every queen-cell on the combs, and the
colony -must not be left queenless more
than ten days, for if it is, some of the
young queens will probably have hatched,
and it is very difficult to find them all. A
useful modification of this method is to
insert a queen-excluding partition into the
middle of the hive instead of removing the
queen ; after eight days the combs and bees
on the side of the partition that does not
contain the queen are divided into nuclei.
Still another method, the advantage of
which is that it can be carried out on any
day, is to shake the bees from the bi'ood-
combs of a colony — having first set aside
the comb containing the queen — into the
compartment of the nucleus hive and im-
mediately to fill it up with combs of honey
that have been previously obtained from
other hives. For the work of shaking the
bees, the funnel described and figured on
page 18 of my book, " Queen-rearing in
England," will be found very useful.

The first nucleus is put iiito the middle
compartment of the nucleus hive. Before
many bees can escape the canvas quilt is
laid over the frames, and the empty section-
rack placed upon it to keep it down and
so to prevent any more bees from escaping.
The rack is so placed that it does not cover
one of the side compartments, and a stone
is placed on the part of it that covers the
already-formed nucleus. The second
nucleus is put into the uncovered side com-
partment, and the section-rack is shifted
so as to cover both it and the middle
nucleus only, and leave the other side com-
partment uncovered for the reception of
the third nucleus.

Care must now be taken to see that the
bees are sufficiently well confined that they
will not be able to work their way out or
from one compartment to another during
the next few hours. The canvas quilt and
grass stuffed into the flight-holes will give
the bees sufficient ventilation, provided

they are not overcrowded. The nucleus
hive is now carried to the spot which it is
to occupy ; this spot must not be less thau
30ft. — more if possible — from the hive or
hives from which the bees were obtained,
and also sheltered from wind. The nucleus
hive is supported on three bricks which are
placed under the flight-holes, and project
a little so that bees may alight upon them.
The roof should be laid obliquely on the
section-rack so as to shade the canvas from
the sun, and to allow the passage of air over
it. About 6 p.m. — i.e., about five hours
after the nuclei were formed^a virgin
queen is allowed to run into each nucleus
through a hole made in the canvas with
the point of an ordinary lead pencil.
Directly the pencil is withdrawn, the queen
is placed with her head at the hole, and
she runs in before a single worker is able
to escape. The hole is then immediately
closed by drawing a few threads of the
canvas across it with the point of the pen-
cil. An entry is made of the strain and
date of introduction of each queen on a.
card tacked on the inside of the roof. At
dusk the grass is removed from the flight-
holes, the rack removed, and a calico
quilt placed over the canvas quilt with the
roof on top to keep it flat. I cut each quilt
into two pieces so that the middle nucleus
can be examined without disturbing a side
nucleus. If the weather is warm and
sunny, and honey is to be got, eggs will
be found in each nucleus ten to fourteen
days later, indicating that the queen has
been fertilised. When these conditions
are absent fertilisation does not take place.
A queen can, however, be fertilised after
two or three weeks' waiting, but the risk
of her getting lost or killed is much in-
creased by such waiting. Beginners some-
times fail to get queens fertilised by at-
tempting it when the conditions are un-
favourable. Any time during June and
July is good for forming nuclei for the fer-
tilisation of queens in any part of the
United Kingdom ; but May and August
are not so good, and April and September
still less so, although queens may be fer-
tilised in the beginning of September, this
having frequently happened in my apiary.

Bee-keepei-s who have several empty
hives to spare may, of course, put only one
nucleus into each hive, stuffing grass into
the flight-hole, forming the nucleus, and
covering it with canvas and a section-rack,
as in the case of a hive made to take several
nuclei. Where combs and bees are taken
from separate hives to form the nurlens, the
beginner will find the larger space in a
whole brood-chamber usefvil for shaking
the bees into the hive.

It was stated above that the nuclei should
be set up at least 30ft. from the parent hive.
Where a horse and spring-cart can be
easily obtained it is advantageous to move

114

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [March 22, 1906.

them several miles away, for then (1) not
a single bee can return to the parent hives,
consequently fewer bees may be put into
each nucleus, and (2) the nuclei will obtain
their food from a new district. This plan
is specially valuable where select fertilisa-
tions are wanted — for instance, in breed-
ing for the improvement of any character,
because hives containing drones of selected
parentage can be removed with the nuclei
to a district where very few other colonies,
and these English bees, exist. It is impor-
tant that the nucleus hives for transport
should be light and strong. I make mine
of fin. basswood. The floor is fixed to the
brood-chamber, and does not project be-
yond it ; there are spikes projecting from
the under edge of each partition, and they

Fig. 5.

Sladen's Improved Nursery Cage for Queen-cells and

Virgin Queens.

press into the floor, and so keep the par-
tition from moving. A special framework
cover is substituted for the section-rack,
and is fastened over the top of the brood-
chamber by means of screws.

My improved nursery-cage for the hatch-
ing of virgin queens and for holding them
until they are distributed to the nuclei is
illustrated in fig. 5. The ripe queen-cell
is held in position by the wire-cloth sides,
which can be easily adjusted to grip se-
curely queen-cells of any size. The cage
opens on a new principle, which makes the
insertion or removal of the queen-cell or
of food for the queen expeditious and easy.
The cage hangs between the combs some
distance from the top by the stout wire
shaft, the bent portion of which rests on

the top bar of one of the frames. The pupa,
or queen, is thus kept warm between brood,
and this is very important in the cold nights
of May and June. The cage itself is of the
smallest possible size, so that a number of
them can hang side by side between two
combs without widely separating the
combs, and one or more of the cages can
be inserted or removed on turning back
the quilt without lifting out a frame. The
part c may be made of tin-plate or of cellu-
loid. With the latter material the queen
and queen-cell can be easily seen inside
the cage while it is closed. At t and w are
shown different kinds of shafts.

This cage can be used, if required, as an
introducing cage. The candy-hole is
covered with a tin slide which, when pushed
to one side, enables the bees to liberate
the queen by eating through the candy.

The nucleus hive and feeder and the
queen-cage here illustrated were exhibited
and awarded a first prize at the Royal Show
in June, 1905. No attempt has been made
to patent them, and it is hoped that the
descriptions and drawings here given will
enable any bee-keeper to make them who
wishes to do so.

€dm%pvi&mt

The Editors do not hold themselveg respongible for iht
opinions expressed by correspondents. No notic* will
be taken of anonymous communieations, and corre-
spondents are requested to write ori one side of the paper
only and give theif real names and addresses, not neces-
sarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith.
Illustrations should be drawn on separate pieces •f paptr.
We do not undertake to return rejected ctmmunieationa.

Communications relating to the literary department,
reports of AsHociations, Shows, Meetings, Echoes, Queries,
Books for Review, dec, must he addressed only to "The
Editors of the 'British Bee Journal,' 8, Henrietta-
street, Covent Garden, London, W.C." All business
communications relating to advertisements, <Scc.,mustbe
addressed to "The Manager, ' British Bee Journal '
Ofice. 8. Henrietta-street, Covent Garden, London, W.C'

*»* In order to facilitate reference, Corrtspondtrts
when speaking of any letter or qxiery previously inserted
will oblige by mentioning the number of the letter as wel
as the page on which it appears.

AMONG THE BEES.

THE NEOPHYTE.

[6248.] We should treat him gently and
tenderly, and not be too severe even on his
faults and foibles, for did we not all of
us pass through the novitiate stage at one
time ? I look back on nearly a score ef
years and see, with my mind's eye, one un-
quiet neojohyte eagerly yearning for the
solution of innumerable enigmas, many of
which are still behind the veil. In some
senses the initiatory stage of our introduc-
tion to the cult is the most interesting.
Everything is novel and strange ; our
knowledge of bees and their ways, at first
limited in the extreme, has gradually been

March 22, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOTJRN'AL.

116

widening and extending, and slowly pro-
gressing onward towards the stage when
a little of it ceases to be a " dangerous
thing."

An acquaintance with the bees' order
and acts is constantly revealing to our
wondering ken some new fact or experience.
Our miaid is expanding gradually to the
acceptance of new truths hitherto undreamt
of. Observation, sharpened by so many
unwonted wonders, penetrates what were
previously unknown mysteries, and our
minds are concentrated on marvel after
marvel being unravelled and elucidated.
Traits of arrangement, government, order,
industry, and perseverance are manifesting
themselves to our dawning intellect, re-
vealing systems and transformations new
and strange to our as yet limited under-
standing. Their very newness breeds a
charm lacking in our later experiences,
when all has become so common and so
much of an everyday occurrence.

The neophyte standing on the threshold,
dazzled and wondering, can see visions and
dream dreams. His mind has awakened to
the conscious existence of a new charm in
life, which adds to the sweetness and zest
of each returning season. The veteran
sighs for those early days, those magic
dreams, those too frequent evanescent re-
veries, those iridescent webs of ideal aims,
those profuse determinations, those distant
and dim anticipations of perfection. Yes,
in embryo, at least, he has had dim gleams
from this ideal land, and is undoubtedly
the better for their enjoyment, even al-
though too many of them have proved but
a golden mirage.

The subject of my theme passes through
the various evolutionary stages which
mark the development and metamorphosis
attending any subject from the embryo to
the full-fledged imago. The period of in-
cubation, development, and arrival at full
growth may differ in time, degree, and
measure of perfection, but (unless he falls
out by the way, or lands in the Slough
of Despond of F.B.), each phase is clearly
marked leading up to the period when he
becomes a master in the craft.

I have studied his evolutionary develop-
ment in the query and reply column for
about a full generation. We note him under
the semi-anonymity of initials writing an
almost confidential little note to the
Editor imparting the fact that he has be-
come the possessor of a colony of bees. Then
a little later he wants enlightenment on
some elementary subject as plain to the
average understanding as that two and two
make four. Gradually small puzzles are
evolved — at times rather imaginary ones
— and a kind hand helps him over the stile.
As his horizon widens he has ideas of his
own ; he actually ventures to differ from
the books. In theory, at least, his plans

and processes are better — of course, in his
eyes— than old, worn-out, hackneyed sys-
tems. At first, if modest, he either depre-
catingly submits his " improved " theories
as if lie were shy of pitting his linn ted
knowledge against a life's experience.
Getting bolder by degrees, he casts his
skin, and throws bashfulness aside, strik-
ing out in new and original paths of his
own, and improving hives, appliances, fit-
tings, and manipulative devices which, in
his fond dreams, at least, are to revolu-
tionise apiculture. Alas ! for his ideals,
there comes down that gentle but firm
hand, tearing his theories to shreds and
patches, and revealing to him that what
he had raised were but ghosts of a long-
forgotten past. This itch to invent soon
passes away, and he is generally content
to settle down and build on the firm foun-
dation of long and well-tried experience.

The neophyte, alas ! is not always thus
amenable to discipline, but at times kicks
over the traces, and develops disagreeable
traits of human nature. One wants to
know, " do you know," the Why and Where-
fore of everything. It is not enough for
him to be told that black is not white, but
he demands, almost as a right, to have it
all explained. Query follows query " thick
as leaves in Vallambrosa," until the
patience of our Editor — long-suffering, in
general, as that of Job — runs out, and the
recalcitrant is suppressed by the gentle
hand in the iron glove.

Again (in my mind's eye) I see one eager
neophyte hungering and thirsting for
knowledge — bee knowledge — to an almost
abnormal extent. He may, like

Dickens's " Pip," be said to have been
" brought up by hand" — the hand of
our " Reply to Queries " Editor. Yet,
when he had barely got out of swaddling-
clothes, he became " top lofty," and would
fain try to teach his teacher. Then, as
soon as he had " come of age," he showed
lliis gratitude by doing his best (or his
poor little worst) to turn and " rend " him.
Well might the assailed exclaim, " Et iu
Brute!"

Another seems to have an " itching
palm," intent on acting as sub-editor.
Car-ping criticism seems to be his chief de-
light. He has an insatiable desire for
amending, improving, modifying replies,
footnotes, or casual observations, and he
does it all with an assurance which can be
bred only of ignorance.

Almost every neophyte is an inventor in
his own estimation. Here is what the
veteran, G. M. Doolittle, wrote of him
the other day : " Nearly every beginner
thinks he can get up a hive just a little
better than others are using, so he goes at it
with a relish and a zest worthy of a loco-
motive inventor, till he finds, after using,
that most of the older hives work better

116

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [March 22, 1906.

than his ' new idea/ which he really
thought was going to revolutionise the
world."

These are only a few types or specimens
of the very interesting genus neophyte,
and his gradual evolution into what M.
Maeterlinck calls the High Priest of Api-
culture may form food for study at some
other time.— D. M. M.. Banff.

THE IDEAL HIVE-QUILT.

[6249.] My reference to the above on
page 96 in B.B.J, of March 8 does not seem
to have been perfectly understood by one
inquirer, so, for the benefit of others, I give
somewhat fuller details. The quilts are

The Ideal Quilt.

made from carpet — Brussels or similar
smooth hard carjjeting entirely preferred.

If the hive be square — as, in my opinion,
all single hives should be — the quilts will
be square also. Feed-holes are cut clean
out of the material — a neat 2-in. hole, per-
fectly round, and in exactly the same place
relatively to all quilts. It is advisable to
keep a pattern or gauge to ensure this.

If the quilts are square, two feed-holes
may be cut, and they should be at right
angles as shown in sketch. The quilts may
then be placed as shown in the positions
marked a, h, and c, which give two, one.
and no holes respectively. The advantage
of two holes is that food may be given
rapidly from two bottles at one time, or

,' be given to stimulate, while
Iso a reserve cake of candy in

syrup m
there is
place.

Carpet has been objected to on the
ground that it does not lie fiat, but this
refers solely to large pieces which have been
folded to fit, for such squares as I have de-
scribed lie perfectly flat, and any number
may be used at once.

A thick porous quilt may be easily im-
provised by placing a large number of
pieces of crumpled newspaper between two
sets of quilts — thus, two quilts, a couple
of inches of crump] ings, and two more
quilts, or, better still, a sack which may
be tucked down to fit the " lift " in use.

For some years I have used compound
quilts made from three thicknesses of felt
sewn together and faced with duck, having
a feed-hole closed by a plug made from the
removed discs. The plug is hinged to the
quilt by a piece of broad tape long enough
to allow room for the base of the feeder.
For a long time I thought these compound
quilts very convenient, but I am now dis-
carding them, as they wear out in favour
of the carpet, for several reasons — the single
pieces are less trouble to make ; the bees
do not gnaw them appreciably ; they are, as
explained, very adaptable ; they are easy to
dry ; there is generally a clean side ready
for the super; and last, but by no means
least, they are nearly everlasting wear. —
L. S. Crawshaw, Ilkley, Yorks.

SCOTCH HEATHER HONEY.

IN BAKRELS AT LESS THAN 3d. PER LB.

[6250.] We should be glad to hear from
Scottish bee-keepers whether it is possible
for a firm of merchants in Glasgow to
offer Scotch heather honey in 5 cwt.
barrels at under threepence (3d.) per lb.,
ex wharf London ? We should also be
glad to know whether it is possible for a
Glasgow firm to offer pure Scotch honey,
of any description — heather, clover, or
otherwise — in 5 cwt. barrels at under
3d. per lb., ex wharf London, and reap a
profit and pay an agent's commission ?
As this is a matter of vital importance to
Scottish bee-keepers we ask you to publish
this letter, in the hope that it will bring
us replies from the people most con-
cerned.— Shaw Brothers, 12, Idol Lane,
London, E.C.

[We are very pleased to receive the above
letter for publication ; nor do we think
there will be any need to remind our
Scotch readers of the important bearing it
has upon the general interests of British
bee-keeping, that of Scotland in particular.
There need be no fear that the information
asked for by Messrs. Shaw Brothers will
not be readily forwarded by those who
know most about it — viz., Scotch bee-men

March 22, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOtrBNAli.

117

who are honey-groducers ; and we think
the action of the above-named firm is to
be highly commended by all who wish well
to British bee-keeping.— Eds.]

HOW BEES CLEAN THEIR ANTENNA.

[6251.] My thanks are due to Mr. J.
Herrod (6240, p. 106) for confirming my
suggestion) that in reality bees clean their
antennae on the special apparatus of the
jiearest fore leg. In spite of the text-books,
I have never seen them do otherwise. But
as to the tongue, it is generally cleaned, I
think, by the feet and the portion of the
fore leg which is below the comb- joint.
The attitude of the bee as she rests on her
hind legs during the operation is very
comical, and gives her the appearance of
playing on the trombone.

I hope it is not ungracious to suggest
that the £ s. d. side of bee-keeping is not
the only one that deserves or, indeed, repays
attention. It must be three years at least
since I called attention — and that more
than once — to the point of how the antennae
are cleaned, and Mr. Herrod alone has re-
sponded. As I am sure that this is not
owing to any lack of friendliness on the
part of my fellow bee-keepers, I cannot
help feeling sorry that they should lose
the great amount of pleasure obtainable
from a closer attention to the personal
habits of the honey-bee.

The problem of Mr. Herrod's promen-
ading queen is a hard one. For some
occult reason she may have been super-
seded last autumn, and yet allowed the
grace of a winter's lodging, only to be
turned out when the new queen took
seriously to laying. Or the facts may touch
the very interesting and not thoroughly
settled question as to whether fertile
queens do not sometimes take a pleasure-
flight, of which apparent instances had
been from time to time reported. — H. J. O.
Walker (Lieut. -Colonel).

UTILISING QUEENLESS BEES.

[6252.] I am sending herewith a small
piece of comb for your kind examination
of same to see if it is affected with foul
brood, and if possible a report in next issue
of B.B.J. It is taken from a stock built up
.from a very large swarm in- 1904. The
queen was an unusually prolific one, and,
although of normal colour, her progeny
had a tendency to show distinct Italian
markings, as three out of every four of the
worker bees were the same colour as
Sladen's " Golden Prolific " strain, of which
I had a queen last year. This variation of
colour surprised me, because the queen in
question could not have been mated to any
drone from the " Golden Prolific " stock.

as they did not have any drones flying last
year. I am sorry to say this queen (the
one from which I have sent comb) is dead,
and I intended, if possible, to have reared
a queen or two from her this year. My
reason for asking if comb contains foul
brood is because, if not, as there are several
good seams of bees, I would unite them
with a driven lot of last year, which are
not over-strong.

Thanks to Bro. Columban for his recipe
on page 363 of B.B.J, for September 14
last. 1 have made some lovely candy, and
all my stocks (bar the two lots mentioned
above) are in a flourishing condition. I
must thank you for B.B.J. ; I do enjoy it
very much, and, save for " foul brood,"
I have not the slightest need to trouble
you with any questions, as I mark and
remember when I read anything, and thus
save myself and you trouble. I am very
much interested in the bee-garden picture
every week, or nearly so. I have thought
of photographing my apiary, as the hives
would make a good photograph. Would
you like to have one for B.B.J. ? Wishing
you every success, and thanking you
in anticipation, R. L., Castle Cary,
March 17.

[We regret to say there are signs of foul
brood in comb sent. The stock cannot have
been badly affected, as so few larvse cells
have failed to hatch out. There woTild not
be much risk in uniting the bees as pro-
posed if the weak lot is perfectly healthy.
By all means get a photo of your bee-gar
den, and if suitable for a tone-block we
will be very pleased to have it engraved for
our " Homes " series. — Eds.]

EXCESSIVE SWARMING.

VENTILATION IN HOT WEATHEE.

[6253.] As the swarming season will soon
be here again, and this year I should like
to pi'event, or, at least, check, excessive
swarming, may I ask for a little advice in
the B.B.J. ?

My bees are in a very sheltered position,
with a long valley in front, wooded slope
each side, and steep bank immediately be-
hind, but no shelter from the sun. I may
say it is the only spot available for the hives
where they are no nuisance to my neigh-
bours, who dislike bees, and the latter are,
in consequence, given to excessive swarm-
ing. The first year of my bee-keeping with
only one stock I had three swarms — one
with old and two with young queens. The
second year, with two stocks, I had three
swai'ms — two with old and four with young
queens. The third (last) year I had twelve
swarms from three stocks — one hive swarm-
ing no less than six times — each stock
swarming once with old queens and th«
other times being with young ones.

118

GPSE BHITISH BEE JOtJRKAL. [March 22, 1906.

The stock that swarmed six times I
looked through three days after first swarm
issued, and cut out all queen-cells except
two, but I suppose bees must have raised
more cells in lieu of those removed, for the
swarming fever with them lasted exactly a
fortnight afterwards.

I should like to avoid this if possible
in future, for I have now four stocks, and
have not time to properly look after more,
being away from home ten hours each day.
I may also add jhat in each case, with one
exception last year, I removed all queens
when returning the swarms to parent hive,
the exception being when, through a
drenching rain, the swarm had been in the
hiving-skep over forty hours, and I thought
it advisable to return queen as well. In this
particular case swarming thereupon ceased,
and the bees yielded 45 lb. of extracted
honey and eighteen 1-lb. sections from
surplus brood-chambers, besides leaving
enough stores in brood-nest for wintering.

This year, besides giving the usual super-
room (racks of sections of supers must, of
course, be well covered to keep bees in them
at night-time), I propose giving more ven-
tilation on principle shown in Fig. 35 of
"Guide Book" (page 62); also, should
swarms issue, I propose returning young
queen wilh second swarm before six a.m.
next morning, as I have seen advised in
B.B.J. In view of carrying out this plan
I ask : 1. Should it, .under usual condi-
tions, be sufficient, or is there anything
more you advise me to try? 2. Should
outer-cases be put on properly at night,
except for being left raised from floor-
board, or only when rain or cold weather
comes on ? Trusting you will excuse length
of letter, and hoping your advice in B.B.J.
will be of service to others situated like
myself, I send name, etc., for reference,
and sign — A. C, Sussex.

[1. It is what we have advised our-
selves in print, and in our case it an-
swered the purpose fully. 2. In all cases
the bee-keeper should use his own intelli-
gence in dealing with instructions given in
books and journals. For instance, if hives
are raised from floor-boards to give ventila-
tion for the purpose of preventing the issue
of undesirable swarms — should weather be-
come suddenly cold at night — extra ventila-
tion must be reduced ; but in very warm
weather we frequently left floor-boards and
outer-cases raised as advised. — Eds.]

BEE FORAGE NEAR GLASGOW.

[6254.] In answer to your correspondent,
"North Kent," who asks for information
regarding Dumbartonshire as a bee county,
I kept a few hives for three vears in the
Blane Valley, about ten miles north of
Glasgow, in Dumbartonshire. The chief

drawback there is the extreme variability
of the climate and the large rainfall.

I do not think there is sufficient sun-
shine to make it a good bee-keeping dis-
trict, though, as you get nearer Loch
Lomond and the Clyde — about Helens-
burgh— it distinctly improves in this re-
spect. On the average I used to get about
15 lb. of honey per hive from my four hives,
but have no doubt better could be done
near Balfron, Cardross, or Helensburgh.
There is no lack of heather in the neigh-
bourhood of all those places.

There is no reason why " North Kent "
should not be fairly successful with his bees
in Dumbartonshire. — W. R. Lester, Beds.

[6255.] Another correspondent, who
sends name, etc., and signs " Whistlefield,"
kindly writes for the information of "North
Kent " : — I know the district between
Glasgow and Loch Lomond fairly well.
Clydeside is, in my oyjinion, rather a wet
district for bee-keeping, but I have myself
kept bees for twenty years thirty miles
west from Glasgow, and have taken 801b. of
honey from a single hive ; though I con-
sider 201b. to 301b. a very fair average
crop. There is plenty of fine heather
within a quarter of a mile from my own
apiary, but we have had only one fair
heather season in the last three years. If
" North Kent " wishes some real heather
honey, he will need to go back of Clydeside
some distance, but there are some very
fine heather hills in the neighbourhood.
I think your correspondent had better wait
till he has lived a short time in the dis-
trict and judge for himself on the ques-
tion of an out-apiary. Clydeside is mainly
agricultural land, but there is plenty of
heather when you get back a few miles.
Wishing " North Kent " every success in
his new home, I send name and sign —
Whistlefield.

^ux'm M& §lppl«s.

[3236.] Insect Nomenclature. — Enclosed
please find two insects that came out of
the cocoons sent herewith, which I broke
off the hedge directly over my bee-hives.
You will see that there is still one not
hatched out yet. I am curious to know if
they are bees ? And if so, what species ?
A reply through the Bee Journal, of
which I have been a subscriber for several
years, will oblige a reader who is (name
sent for reference) Curious, Staines,
Middlesex.

Reply. — The insects sent are a large
kind of saw-fly named Trichiosoma, which

March 22, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

119

is said to be common in districts where
trees, especially elms, are plentiful. The
larvae feed on the leaves of the elm and
other forest trees. The perfect insects
appear in April and May. The cocoons,
with their hinged lids like those of queen -
cells, as seen in specimen, are very in-
teresting to bee-keepers.

[3237.] Bees Swarming Out of Skep in
March.— hast autumn I purchased a weak
lot of bees in skep, and on Tuesday, the
6thinst., which was a very warm day, all
the bees left the skep about noon, and
clustered in a hedge close by. On ex-
amination, I found that the combs were
quite empty, but a cake of candy given on
the previous Friday was scarcely touched.
I returned the bees to skep, but two hours
later they had again left, and clustered in
in the same place. The bees were again
hived, but I left them in the hiving skep
on their old stand till evening, before re-
turning them to their skep, and placed
feeder over with syrup. Being only a be-
ginner, I shall be glad if you will kindly
tell me (1) the probable cause of the bees
deserting their hive? And (2 whether T
have done right, under the circumstances ?
Thanking you in anticipation — T. C. M.,
Surrey.

Reply.— 1. The foodless condition of
their hive caused the bees to leave it as
what is commonly known to bee-men as
a "hunger swarm." After gaining a little
more experience you will know that bees
will often die of hunger with candy within
a few inches of them. Care must still be
taken that the syrup given is being regu
larly carried down, or the bees may die
before food can be had outside. 2. You
have done very well in at once giving liquid
food, and let it be good syrup given warm,
not thin, watery stuff.

[3238.] Moving Bees in March. — My bees
having been flying freely for the last few
days, and I want to move them to the
other side of a building. If I move them
now, will bees return to old place, and
be unable to find any home, or must I leave
them until we have had a few days' bad
weather? Apologising for troubling you.
— fl. G. E., Knowle. '

Reply. — To change the location of hives
to the other side of a building at this sea-
son would involve some risk of losing a
few bees. But the loss may be minimised
by altering the appearance of the hive
fronts for a week or so after removal. This
is easily done with the help of a leafy
branch of a tree being laid across the
flight-board, so that the bees are compelled
to thread their way out through the twigs
and leaves. After a flight or two the twigs
may be removed.

[3239.] Stocking Hives in Cheapest Way. — •
1. Having bought six hives, would you
please tell me the cheapest way of stocking
them with bees ? Would you advise doing
it by purchasing nuclei and working them
up into stocks ? Swarms are expensive. 2.
If full sheets of foundation (wired) are
used, is it absolutely necessary to have the
frames 1^ in. apart to prevent drone-breed-
ing?— I send name, etc., for reference, and
sign — Scotland Yet, Arran, March 17.
• Reply.— 1. It will, in our opinion, be
found more economical to stock your hives
with good natural early swarms than in
any other way, especially since you are
proposing to supply the bees with full
sheets of foundation. By placing an order
for half a dozen swarms to be delivered
early in June the bees would, if fed for a
few weeks, have combs built and a lot of
brood hatched by the time your gathering
season began in Scotland, and if favoured
with fairly good weather might reasonably
hope to secure surplus honey enough to pay
for swarms and leave a margin over. 2.
There is no need whatever for spacing
frames at the 1^-in. distance if full sheets
of foundations are used when hiving
swarms.

[3240.] Bees Dwindling in Spring. — I
am in a dilemma, and fly to you for assist-
ance. To-day I examined my stocks by
lifting quilts and peeping in, and as there
appeared to be no bees in one of them, I
determined to have a thorough examina-
tion. I found that, although healthy
enough, there were scarcely enough bees
to cover one standard frame, but the queen
seemed quite healthy. She is a young and
valuable queen, and I feel to lose her like
this. The only old queen I have heads a
stock in a " Stewarton " hive which I in-
tended transferring next month to a bar
frame hive. It would be rather difficult to
get her out of that without driving the bees
and catching her, so this makes me ask : 1.
Should I do this now and unite the two
lots ? The hives are Nos. 3 and 6 respec-
tively in the single row of stocks in my
apiary ; but as the bees in No. 6 have not
been flying, the two lots could be put into
No. 3, which is the " Stewarton " hive. 2.
If I unite shall I run them into the
" Stewarton " hive again, or into hive
which contained lot No. 6 ? I think the
cause of dwindling was outside seams of
bees getting chilled. There is no brood or
disease in hive, and plenty of stores. 3. If
I am not to do this, what can you suggest ?
The season is very late here, and the bees
have not had a proper cleansing flight yet,
although they have been on the wing very
often. The site is at back of house, and
sun has not yet shone direct on them, not
being high enough yet to get at site over
top of house. 4. I suppose it would be

120

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [March 22. 1906.

impossible for No. 6 to pull through spring
in its present condition, I have wrapped
them up with warmed quilts, and given
warm flour candy, to try and keep queen
alive, till I hear from you. Candy was on
hive all winter, and was taken, but bees
only covered four or five frames in October.
You can condense this query as you think
fit. Trusting to have a reply in B.B.J, this
coming week — D. M. P., Greenock,
March 12.

Reply. — 1. The point to consider is :
Why is the stock — headed by " a young
and valuable queen "■ — so weak that the
bees " scarcely cover one frame " ? If this
weakness is due to the queen's unprolific-
ness she is the reverse of valuable, and in
that case you may be a loser by sacrificing
the queen now in " Stewarton " hive. If
the latter is doing well we should kill off
the queen in question and unite the bees
as proposed. 2. Yes. We cannot think
that the bees have been reduced in num-
bers through spring dwindling. 3. The
reply to No. 1 answers this query. 4. Quite
impossible.

[3241.] Unmated Queen in Hive.— I wrote
to you on November 13 last mentioning the
fact that drones were flying from a hive
belonging to a friend as late as Novem-
ber 1. In your reply on page 460 of B.B.J.
for November 16 you said there " were valid
grounds " for suspecting that the stock in
question was queenless. Taking the first
opportunity since that time, I have now
examined the frames, and find no brood
except a few worker cells scattered over the
face of comb, projecting beyond the usual
width as desci-ibed in " Guide Book,"
page 16. There are a great many bees,
and they appear strong and healthy, as in
autumn. There is also plenty of sealed
food, and the bees fly freely on fine days.
As I have only one stock, will you kindly
advisp me? — A. J. H., Chadwell Heath,
March 17.

Reply. — The fact of drones beins reared
in worker cells makes it clear that the
queen is unmated, and consequently
worthless.

Notices to GoTesDondents & Inquirers

G. S. (Cardiff).— Deep-cell Foundation.—
Your sample is very good indeed, so far
as it goes, and if the difficulties (which
are very great) still to be overcome can
be surmounted there is good value in
your effort. Unfortunately, however,
several capable men have got even
beyond the small specimen from your
press now before us, and yet have stopped
a long way short of complete success.

' We do not say this in discouragement ;
but Avhen firms with plenty of capital
and thoroughly practical men at com-
mand have so far failed, the least we can

do is to mention this, so that you may
not be over-sanguine. Go on by all
means, so long as you work in spare time
only ; and we heartily wish you full
success.

A. G. Abbott (Devon). — ^Diagrams on Bee-
Keeping.^ — The diagrams shown on page
47 of B.B.J, for February 1 are un-
fortunately out of print. You might
possibly obtain a set by an advertise-
ment in our prepaid column.

A. J. R. (Heston). — It is not at all un-
usual to have hives located so near as
four yards from houses without causing
any nuisance. In such cases, however,
the hives should stand so that the bees,
forward flight is away from the house,
not towards it.

A. McD. (Glenurquhart).— Candy Making.
— Your sample appears to be- hardly
boiled eno^^gh, and rather too watery
in consistency. It is curious how well
some succeed with the Guide Book re
cipe, while others fail. (See reply to
E. M. M." in this column.)
Honey Samples.

" Dimple " (Yorks).- — Your sample is prob-
ably genuine, but we do not like a
granulated honey that is so soft as to
run out of jar when inverted. This
kind of honey is strongly reminiscent of
the foreign honeys imported, and often
sold as " British." 2. The flavour is
full, but a bit coarse, and we should
place it as about third grade in quality.
It is from mixed sources.

J. A. B. (Bridge of Allan). — Sample is a
nice, granulated honey from mixed
sourcos (mainly clover). The quality is
good.

Suspecfed Comhs.

Afraid (Herts). — The largest piece of comb
sent (which we take to be No. 1, though
not marked) contains foul brood of old
standing, and all combs like sample
should be promptly burnt, as being
worse than useless. The five small pieces
of crushed-up comb, though not fit for
examination, so far as regards disease,
are so old, dirty, and pollen-clogged,
that they too had better be burnt.

Inquirer (Lines). — Comb sent is affected
with foul brood of old standing.

Novice (Blackheath, S.E.).— 1. The seller
cannot have any knowledge of foul brood,
or surely would never have declared the
hive to be " free from any disease." The
comb isent is badly affected with " F. B."
of old standing. 2. The bees, if strong
enoug^h to be worth saving (which we
should very much doubt) might be got
off combs and treated as a swarm. But it
will, we fear, involve a task beyond the
powers of a beginner to save them.

*^* Some Letters, Queries and Replies, dsc,,
are unavoidably held over Uil next voeek.

March 29, 1906.] ^TttE BRITISH BEE JOUBl^AL.

121

(Biit0rml ^utos, ^t

BRITISH BEE-KEEPERS'ASSOCIATION
Tlie annual general meeting was held on
Thursday, March 22, at 105, Jermyn Street,
S.W., under the presidency of Mr, T. W.
Cowan. Among others present were Mrs.

E. E. Ford, Miss Gayton, Miss Hallowes,
Colonel Walker, Rev. W. E. Burkitt,
Messrs. R. T. Andrews, L. Belsham, T.
Bevan, W. Broughton Carr, Geo. Dow, C.
Dunn-Gardner, W. Herrod, Percy Kemp,
R. Lee, A. D. Matthews, J. C. Mason, C. T.
Overton, A. G. Pugh, W. F. Reid, P.
Scattergood, W. Sole, G. H. Sander. E.
Walker, T. I. Weston, J. Willard, and the
Secretary. Apologies for inability to at-
tend were read from the President (the
Baroness Burdett-Coutts), General Sir
Stanley Edwardes, Dr. Elliot, Messrs.
Jesse Garratt, J. Gray, W. H. Harris, H.
.Jonas, J. B. Lamb, W. P. Meadows,

F. W. L. Sladen, S. Watts, and W.
Woodley.

The minutes of the last annual meeting
having been read and confirmed, Mr.
Cowan, in moving the adoption of the re-
port and balance-sheet, said that the mem-
bers would regret to learn that the Presi-
dent was unable to be with them at the
meeting. It was, however, especially
gratifying to know that her ladyship had
sent through the Secretary an expression
of her unabated interest in the society's
welfare, and an intimation of her intention
to offer, for th© encouragement of cottage
bee-keepere at each of the County Affiliated
Association's Shows during the coming sea-
son, a complete cottager's frame-hive, to
be awarded to the bona-fide cottager mem-
ber exhibiting the best sample of honey,
the produce of his own bees. He was quite
sure they would welcome this most generous
offer and desire to thank the Baroness for
her kindnese. (Apjjlause.) The report 'n
the hands of members would show that their
financial position was very much as it
stood twelve months ago, although the
number of members was slightly less, and
he ventured to urge upon them the de-
sirability of securing additional sub-
scribers. The educational and exjieri-
mental work carried on at their apiary at
Swanley was very valuable, tending to the
extension of bee-kee])ing, and the results
of the pupils' examinations testified to the
excellent teaching and work of the expert
Mr. W. Herrod. ^

The report of the iudges at the Royal
Show called attention to differences in
measurements of frames and sections in use
in this country, and this matter would be
further considered with the object of se-
curing uniformity, if nossible.

Mr. Andrews seconded the motion, and

suggested that in addition to securing liew
members, a number of the present sub-
scribers might well afford to increase their
siibscriptions beyond the small figure of
5s. annually.

The resolution was then put and carried
unanimously.

On the motion of Mr. Willard, seconded
by Mr. Sander, a vote of thanks was passed
to the retiring Council and officens.

Colonel Walker proposed that the thanks
of the society be accorded to the Royal
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals, for the gratuitous use of their
Board Room for committee and other meet-
ings. These facilities added very much to
the comfort of their gatherings from time
to time, for which they were very grate-
ful. Mr. Pugh, in seconding the motion,
referred to the invariable courtesy at all
times of the officials of the society. The
resolution was carried with acclamation.

The re-election of the President, Vice-
Pi-e«3idents, Hon. and Corresponding
Members, Treasurer, Auditor, and Analyst
for the year 1906, was proposed and carried
nem. con.

The retiring members of the Council
were also unanimously re-elected for a
further period of twelve months.

The Cliairman referred in feeling terms
to the loss the society had sustained by the
deaths of Dr. Bartrum and Mr.. J. M.
Hooker, and the valuable services each
of these gentlemen had rendered to bee-
keeping in the past. On his proposal,
seconded by Mr. P. Scattergood, a vote of
condolence with the surviving relatives was
unanimously passed.

A meeting of the Council was held sub-
sequently, when two new members were
elected', viz. : —

Mr. Thos. Gower Bergin, Barkway,
Sheepcote Road, Harrow.

Mr. Henry Marrs, Newtonairds, Dum-
fries, N.B.

The Finance Committee's report was pre-
sented by Mr. T. I. Weston, and duly ap-
proved.

Mr. T. W. Cowan was elected as Chair-
man, and Mr. T. I. Weston as Vice-Chair-
man, for the ensuing year, with thanks for
past services.

It was resolved to hold the examination
for finst-class expert certificates on Thurs-
day, May 16, and the second class about
the middle of November, as usual.

Meetings of the Council are proposed to
be held on the third Thursday in each
month, with the exception of August and
October — the next meeting being arranged
for Thursday, April 19.

After an interval for light refreshments
the members reassembled for the usual ccyn-
versazione, which will be reported in our
next issue.

122

THE BRITISH BEE JOtJBNAL. [March 29, 1906.

LEICESTERSHIRE B.K.A.

ANfTUAL MEETING.

The annual meeting of the Leicestershire
Bee-keepers' Association was held at the
Highcross Coffee-house, Leicester, on
Saturday, March 17, there being nearly
100 members present. Aid. Wakerley pre-
sided.

The annual report showed that 42 new
members had joined during the year, the
total membership at the present time
being 259. The annual exhibition at the
Abbey Park Show was a great success, tlie
number of entries being 125, against 92
the previous year, while the quality of the
honey was excellent. The report drew at-
tention to a movement to obtain legal
powers to deal with " foul brood," other-
wise known as " bee pest," and said, for-
tunately, Leicestershire was not suffering
severely through this scourge ; but the
committee, taking into consideration the
possibility of its importation from other
counties, had rendered all the assistance
it could in furtherance of the movement.
The balance-sheet showed the year's re-
ceipts as £69 8s. 4d., and the payments
£69 5fe. 3d., balance in hand being 3s. Id.

■On the motion of Mr. Carter a vote of
thanks was passed to the retiring officers,
and the following officers were re-elected :
Treasurer, Mr. H. M. Riley ; auditor,
Mr. E. J. Underwood ; hon. secretary,
Mr. J. Waterfield ; and representatives to
meetings of the B.B.K.A., Messi-s. Mea-
dows and Waterfield. His Grace the Duke
of Rutland was appointed president, Mr.
Meadows as chairman, and Mr. Roper vice-
chairman, while the following were elected
to form the committee : — Messrs. S.
Clarke, T. H. Geary, Drake, J. Fewkes,
J. G. Cotton, J. W. Smith, E. A. Jesson,
G. Palmer Dunn, W. Ridley. G. Levers,
S.. G. Godkin^ and W. K. Bedingfield.

(Borm^cndtita,

The Editors do not hold themselves regpongible for the
opinions expressed by correspondents. No notice will
be taken of anonymous communioations, and corre-
spondents are requested to write on one side of the paper
only and give their real names and addresses, not neces-
sarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith.
Illustrations should be drawn on separate pieces of paper .
We do not undertake to return rejected communications.

NOTES BY THE WAY.

[6256.] Small wonder that the ancients
adjured us to remember the " Ides of
March." The present month has been a
deplorable time for the poor bees. The first
week it rained nearly every day, the second
was dull and cheerless, and not till the 17th
did we have a spring-like day, since when
there have been frequent falls of snow,

with winds as keen as though Old England
had been transferred to the North Pole.
According to the almanacs, spring began
on March 21 (five days ago),, and her advent
has not been heralded in by even an hour's
sunshine — she still delayeth her coming —
so we must "wait and hope."

The careful bee-keeper will see that his
bees do not lack food, and that a supply of
artificial pollen is in some cosy, sheltered
spot near the hives, so that the bees may
secure this necessary ingredient for feeding
the young brood ; this will help to tide
over the barrenness and lateness of the
season. The aim of the bee-keeper who
works for profit should be to stimulate the
continuous growth of each colony till the
honey-flow begins, seeing that the main
element of success lies in getting his hives
full to the top-bars with'bees and hatching-
brood, thus adding to the strength of the
field forces ready for the honey-harvest.
The hive that reaches that standard is the
one which will break the record, and should
it cast a swarm, the latter will be of the
greatest utility in carrying on the work in
the supers if hived and placed on the old
stand, and the parent hive removed a yard
or two away. If this plan is followed the
entrance must be turned in another direc-
tion ; the surplus arrangements must also
be transferred to the top of the new swarm,
always taking care to use excluder-zinc,
and thus prevent the queen from passing
up into the sections.

In order to attain this desirable condition
by about June 10 — in the South, of course
— when white clover begins to yield its first
honey for the year, we want, first, good
strains of prolific bees well stocked with
stores, young queens bred last year (or, at
most, not beyond their second year) ; and,
next, sound weather-proof hives to guard
the bees from cold winds and the frosty
nights of early spring. The quilts and
wraps above brood-nest should be dry and
warm. Food should also be given when
natural food is scarce ; this will stimulate
brood-rearing with the additional advan-
tage that any surplus food given is not
consumed in waste, but it is stored up for
future requirements.

As the season advances all surplus
arrangements should be got ready for use,
so that no time is lost in giving supers in
advance of the bees' requirements. By
neglecting this precaution the best and
strongest colonies may prepare to swarm,
and then, unless you utilise the working
propensities of the new swarms, your pro-
fitable honey-harvest will in all prob-
ability be another year in realising.

Do not forget the sowing of seed for bee-
flowers later on in the year, and also in-
duce your neighbours to do the same,
thereby adding to the honey-harvest. — W.
WooDLEY, Beedon, Newbury.

March 29, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOTTRNAL.

123

SCOTCH HEATHER HONEY.

" IN BARRELS AX LESS THAN 3d. PER POUND. '"

[6257.] Knowing the "outs and ins" of
Highland bee-keeping as intimately, per-
haps, as any one person can, I emphatically
re]>ly to Messi>3. Shaw Bros.' query (625U,
page 116) that the offer is utterly impos-
si])le as regards heather honey. Further,
it is my opinion that no (jenuine Scotdi
honey of any description can be offered at
the absurdly low price of 3d. per lb. On the
contrary, heather honey sold readily at
Is. 3d. per lb. upwards, and I had any
number of orders which I was quite unable
to fill after making extensive inquiries,
although several customers offered Is. 6d.
per lb. Pure clover honey sold readily at
lOd. per lb.

I think it is high time that heather-men
should rouse themselves to put down such
attempts as were made last year, and which
are evidently now being repeated to foist
honey on the public, which is not what it
is stated to be, and I am credibly informed
this honey " has not , a bit of heather
about it."

Now, the question is one which can easily
be tested and proved one way or the other.
If Messrs. Shaw Bros, will put me in com-
munication with this Glasgow firm I will
take any quantity, provided the sample
submitted will be recognised by three com-
petent judges as " genuine Scotch heather -
honey."

Meanwhile I think bee-keepers owe a
debt of gratitude to Messrs. Shaw for so
promptly declining to have anything to
do with the " deal," and to our Editons
for refusing to benefit themselves by
advertising such a shady transaction.
Such high principles are more to
the advantage of bee-keepers than most
of them are aware, and to my know-
ledge we have been thus benefited re-
peatedly by their neglect of self-iuterest
when they knew that their act was for the
advantage of the craft. — D. M. Macdonald,
Ballindalloch. Banffshire.

[6258.] On opening my B.B.J, for this
week and reading over the above heading.
I felt somewhat amused, and at once came
to the conclusion that here was a firm in-
clined to go one better than the announce-
ment made in this journal about twelve
months ago to the effect that tons of the
finest Scotch honey were on offer in London
at 4d. per lb. On second thoughts, how-
ever (and these are always said to be best),
I felt certain that Messrs. Shaw Brothers
were here acting in a fair and honest man-
ner 10 the public at large, and I entirely
agree with our Editors that their action
is to be highly commended, by asking for
information from Scotch bee-men whether
Scotch honey of any kind has ever been

sold at anything approaching the price
stated, viz., 3d. per lb. .

No doubt it will be admitted that pro-
ducers of the real article ought to know
its selling price to the trade, and I have,
therefore, pleasure in complying with
Messrs. Shaw Brothers' request. For my-
self, then, J may say that for about twenty-
five years I have been largely engaged in
the honey-producing trade, and during
that time have perhaps secured more honey
than any single individual in Scotland..
I have also been in touch with the majority
of our largest 'honey-producers through-
out Scotland during the whole of that
period, and know quite well their selling
prices. But in no single instance have I
known of Scotch honey of any kind what-
ever being sold at anything approaching
the figure given in Messrs. Shaw's letter,
and I challenge any firm of merchants 'n
Glasgow, or anywhere else, to name a single
bee-keeper who ever sold to them an ounce
of Scotch heather honey at the price of
3d. per lb. I think every Scotch bee-man
in the country will join me in the challenge
which is here given.

For the information of the general public
I may state that Scotch heather honey is
very seldom sold by the producer in bulk
to the trade. Most of it is sold in 1-lb. gla«s
jars at the wholesale price of not less than
9s. per dozen. Special samples command
a much higher figure. But for many years
the frequent adverse seasons have told so
heavily against the raising of the " real
Scotch " heather that it is impossible for
any beekeeper to place it on the market in
such enormous bulk as stated on page 116.
—William McNally, Glenluce, N.B.

NUPTIAL FLIGHT.

[6259.] I have on several occasions ob-
served the mating of queen bees, and I
wisK now to record the facts as witnessed
during the season of 1905.

My observations were made on dull days,
when the sun was partially veiled, for on
such a day one can look directly into the
sky without being dazzled by the sun.

It is my belief that young queens never
fly as high as we have been led to believe
by past writings on the subject, nor do I
believe that it is natural for them to go
very far from the hives. From my obser-
vations I judge that a mating zone grows
smaller and smaller by the increase of the
number of drones in a given location.

In my mating-yards, during the height
of the season, there are at least ten thou-
sand drones, and if half this number should
be on the wing I doubt very much if any
young queen could possibly get very far
before being caught.

I will try to picture the action of the
drones when young queens, due to mate,

124

THE BRITISH BEE JOtJUNAL. [March 29, 1906.

are in the air. They form in a flock (some-
what like geese) when in full pursuit of a
queen, but do not fly steadily, as do geese ;
they slow when the queen slows and speed
when the queen speeds. This gives a sort
of jerking motion to the entire flock as it
swiftly circles above.

When the flock first forms there may
not be more than three or four drones, but
others soon join in the chase, until they
number perhaps eighteen or more. All the
while the rear drones are grappling with
the drones in advance, and come tumbling
down together. These fellows, however,
soon join in the chase again. I have seen
thts drones grapple each other thus until
only three perhaps remain close to the
queen — she may then dodge about in the
air, and thus slip away from the few left,
to reappear at another point along with
another flock of suitors. The flight is won-
drous swift, and one must be vigilant to
keep track of it all. If you happen to be
in a mating-yard on a dull day, when
young queens are due to fly, on looking up
you will certainly see what I have out-
lined above.

On one occasion the queen and drone
fell at my very feet, and I watched the
queen free herself from the drone. This
clone, I' observed that the drone did not die
instantly, nor did he explode, as the text-
books have often said ; he lived, but of
course was injured. He could make at-
tempts to fly from blade to blade of the
grass.

Drones are frightfully rough in their
action when in flight with a queen. They
fly at each other and at the queen as though
to tear limb from limb. The queens are
sometimes injured in this tussle in the air.
Once an injured queen fell upon a bush
near me. The drones came with her down
on that bush ; some staying about all the
afternoon expecting the queen to fly off
again, but she did not fly, and after a while
the drones went home disappointed.

The most impressive mating scene I ever
witnessed was late in September. The day
was dull, but quite warm. When I stepped
into the yard there were at least three
queens in the air on mating bent. These
three queens gathered together in that yard
more drones than I had ever before seen
in flight in one spot before. The flocks
whizzed by my head repeatedly, and I was
kept busy in keeping track of it all.

Several times I rushed to a knot of
drones in the grass with the expectation
of finding a mated queen ; but, lo and be-
hold ! only a lot of angry drones tussling
and mauling each other. They were soon
of£, however, and, in the air, were forming
into flocks again. This scene lasted fully
twenty minutes, until I at last saw a (jueen
and drone come down in tumbling motion,
and I was certain that I had seen all there

was to' be seen. I rushed up, and watched
the queen free herself from the drone.

I captured the latter and caged him. He
lived over five hours, and it is my belief
that he would have lived much longer if
proper food could have been supplied.

In a future letter I will try to tell fully
of the action of the drone parts, if I can
manage suitable drawings for purpose of
illustration. — F. L. Pratt, Swarthmore,
Pa., U.S.A., March 6, 1906.

INCREASING STOCKS

AND CHECKING SV/ARMING.

[6260.] The following is a description of
the i^lan on which I propose to work my
eleven hives in the coming summer. There
is nothing original in it ; in fact, it is
merely a collection of hints and advice
given at different times in the B.B.J, by
several of its well-known contributors.
These ideas I have endeavoured to put
together, as it is better to have
a fixed plan of some sort to work
upon, instead of leaving everything to
chance, and I should be glad if you will
tell me if there is any hope of its working
out right ? The reason why I desire an in-
crease of seven stocks is because I am
making six new W.B.C. hives, and these I
am anxious to have occupied. I also wish
to have at least one spare nucleus in case
of need. I have kept bees for two years,
but, so far, have not been able to prevent
them swarming. Briefly put, what I wish
to know is : — How to work eleven hives
during the coming season, so as to check
swarming, and secure an increase of seven
stocks ? In doing this, I propose to treat
seven as follows : First, feed up each stock
so that the queen is stimulated to lay, and
in this way get her to fill the brood-box of
ten or eleven frames with eggs and brood,
before the main honey flow. When this is
accomplished take an empty brood-box and
fill it with nine frames of foun-
dation (or empty combs). Then take
a comb of brood and eggs on
which the queen is found, from the
parent stock, and put the latter in the
centre of new box, between sheets of founda-
tion. Now lift the brood-box from parent
stock from its floor-board, and put the new
one in its plar^ with a queen-excluder above
the frames, and upon this jilace the old
brood-box, and fill up the space from which
the brood-comb was taken with a sheet of
foundation, t)r empty comb. The parent
queen is now below with a comb of brood
and plenty of room for laying, and above
the excluders are the combs she has already
filled with biood and eggs. In ten or
eleven days most of the brood will have
hatched out. A nucleus must then be made
(Continued on page 126.)

March 29, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

U5

HOMES OF THE HONEY BEE.

THE APIAEIES OF OTJB, EEADERS.

In Mr. Coles, seen in his apiary on this
page, we have stiir another bee-keeper —
among the many whose experiences have
been recorded in our bee-garden articles,
who have clearly demonstrated the fact
that anyone possessing some natural apti-
tude for bee-keeping, along with the know-
ledge of a handy man in the use of tools,
need not be deterred from making a start
on account of the cost. We may say this
in view of the workmanlike hives seen in
the picture, all of v/hich are home-made
from used boxes. For the rest, Mr. Coles
writes of his exjierienceis as follows:- —

" I am sending photo of my apiary with

local flower shows this year, six of which
were firsts. I do not try queen-rearing on
the up-to-date plans, but I make my own
hives ; indeed, all of those in front of
the figure of myself shown in photo except
two being home made and from used
boxes. The bucket shown is the water
supply, which drips on canvas tacked on
to a board. My apiary has escaped foul
brood so far, although the pest is in our
district. I have occasionally found a few
grubs of the wax-moth, but only in the
second-hand hive that I bought. I have
tried the Rymer honey-board on one of
my hives, and like it better than queen
excluder zinc. In most of the methods
now in use, such as driving bees, uniting
weak colonies, etc., I have never found

h V. • :T

^^^^

:c-mrU*^:::- ;^ .s.,.y^iib^:s.^^-

^^^P

^

MR. GEO. M. COLES'S APIARY, HEYTHOP, CHIPPING NORTON, OXON.

a few notes of my bee-keeping experiences.
I may say that although I have helped
people at different times to smother their
bees in former days I never caught the
bee fever myself till I secured a stray
swarm four years ago, which I hived in a
nail-box. Then a friend told me of the
B.B. Journal, and kindly borrowed one
for me to see, and on reading same I at
once ordered it from my newsagent to
come weekly. Then followed the ' Guide
Book,' which I think is the real chart in
giving us the right course for bee-keep
ing. I have been fairly successful with-
out having any large ' takes ' to record,
and the honey is not of bad quality, being
good enough to secure me twelve prizes at

any difficulty whatever. The two lots that
I have united, one was queenless. I re-
cently piJt a driven lot of bees and queen
to a queenless colony by simply flouring
both lots well, and they settled down
quietly without any trouble. This year I
united some stocks for one of my
neighbours. These I dusted well with
flour, and put a good pinch of tobacco in
the smoker, giving a few puffs well into
the hive, and treated the other hive the
same, so that both had the same scent.
and the result was that they settled down
nicely, no fighting whatever. I may add
that I follow the occupation as smith on
an estate, so that bee-keeping and garden-
ing is a nice change.

126

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [March 29, 1906.

"Increasing Stocks and Cht eking Swarming,"

(Contintied from page ] 24.)

by shaking the bees from five or six frames
into a small hive. The queen being safely
kept in body-box below there will be no
fear of removing the queen with the nu-
cleus, and the room given will have effec-
tually checked swarming, as the queen was
given plenty of egg-room below, while a
good proportion of bees have been taken
away for the nucleus, but not enough to
check honey gathering. (1) Thei box of
nearly empty combs can now be left for the
bees to fill with honey, or (2) if the queen
is again short of room in the lower box, a
few of the empty combs can again be ex-
changed for those full of eggs and young
brood ; or (3) if the queen has plenty of
rooffi without this last exchange, the combs
pan be utilised for nuclei, etc., and shallow-
frame supers, or sections, take their place.
Thus all the brood is saved, the parent hive
is not denuded of too many bees, and a very-
fair nucleus is formed, mostly of young
bees. In the meantime one of the four
remaining nuclei must have been well fed
also, and rather cramped for room, so that
it has been forced to make queen-cells- in
preparation for swarming. Then having
got these ripe, or nearly ripe, queen-cellSj
prepare the seven small hives for the nuclei
as follows : — Put intcf each five combs, with
honey in some of them (or four frames of
foundation and one comb of honey), and
have the quilt-coverings of each drawn over
most of the frames, only leaving so much
uncovered space as to allow of the bees
being easily shaken into the nuclei, after
which they must be all covered up, a bee-
tight roof put on, and the entrance screened
so that no bee can escape. Plenty of venti-
lation must, however, be provided some-
how. This can be done by cutting holes
in the hives and covering them with wire-
cloth. These holes are useful sometimes
for introducing queens to the nuclei with-
' out having to open the hive, and they can
be plugged with corks when not wanted.
When the bees are safely in remove the
queenless and broodless nuclei to a cool
dark place for twenty-four hours, then in-
troduce the young queens, or thg ripe, or
nearly ripe, queen-cells, and remove the
nuclei a mile away, and leave them for
a few days ; of course, opening the entrances
to let the bees fly. When they are brought
back they can be transferred to W.B.C.
hives by lifting the combs, with the bees
adhering to them, into the larger hives,
but perhaps they had better be allowed to
fly from the nuclei placed on the stands
the W.B.C. are to occupy till the young
queens are safely mated. If honey is not
coming in they must be fed, and it would
be better to mix some honey with the syrup.
The remaining three hives must be fed

moderately to work tkem into strong stocks
for honey gathering, and room given them
in advance as they require it. If they make
preparations to swarm, cut out the queen-
cells and remove some of the frames of eggs
and brood, giving empty combs, or founda-
tion, in place of these. If they do swarm,
put the swarm back, cut out queen-cells,
and give room as. above. Supposing the
stock from which the queen-cells for the
nuclei was removed makes more, it must
also be treated as above.

In this case there will be several spare
brood-combs from some, or all, of these
four hives. Can these be distributed among
the nuclei, supposing these to have been
formed a week or more, or would it only
be safe to give them to those nuclei whose
queens have been safely mated? I send
name, etc., and sign — Grip, Ellon, Aber-
deenshire.

[The plan proposed is interesting, and
not exactly in accordance with the usual
procedure; but if operations are deferred
till the weather is warm and settled, there
is no reason why it should fail. Much will,
of course, depend On the way in which the
work' is carried out, but if well done it
should succeed. Anyway, we shall be very
pleased to hear the result, especially as our
correspondent is a lady • bee-keeper. —
Eds.]

BEE NOTES BY A BEGINNER.

AN ENCOTJEAGING EEpORT.

[6261.] Being an amateur in bee-keeping,
I take the liberty of sending you a few
notes on my first season's experiences. I
started last year with two stocks (swarms
from vprevious year), and, knowing nothing
whatever about the craft, I allowed the bees
to swarm. The firs.t one came off on
May 15, and by the middle of July I had
eight swarms all duly hived. One of my
stocks, after swarming twice, produced a
drone-breeding queen, so by the aid of the
" Guide Book " I united the bees with a
swarm. I only got my first B.B.J, on
May 18 last year, and had to pick up what
little knowledge I possessed from the
" Guide Book " lent me for a fortnight by
a fellow-workman, and the Journal. How-
ever, even with this slight knowledge, I
managed to secure about 80 lb. of honey,
mostly from sections, and in addition have
also got about 140 drawn-out sections ready
for use this season. T have been a close
student of the Jotjrnal ever since I first
commenced to take it, and am sorry I had
not the advantage of its help when I first
thought about keeping bees. My experiences
have been very similar to those of others
recorded in its pages, except that I have
had a good deal of trouble through too
much swarming.

My first swarm threw off a virgin swarm

March 29, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOtJIlNAL.

127

on the seventeenth day after it was hived ;
then a month later a 7-lb. swarm left their
hive, and three days latter a cast came out
weighing about 31b. In fact, I was over-
whelmed by seeing such rapid breeding,
and did not know how to keep the bees
under one roof. By the time the honey-
flow ceased I had seventy standard frames
of bees and two skeps in the garden.

I started feeding in September, and gave
about 10 lb. of syrup to each colony. I also
bought four stocks cheap from a person
who had to remove from this district.
Every colony was strong on the wing yes-
terday, and taking in pollen abundantly,
so that I expect they will do well for me
this coming season. I have spent all my
spare time reading all the bee literature
I could get hold of, and my old Bee
JoTTKNAis are pretty well worn by handling.

Bee-keeping has opened out a new world
of pleasure to me which I had never dreamt
of. I never had a more exhilarating time
than I had while taking and hiving those
eight swarms, and my enthusiasm was such
that I recovered the only swarm that took
wing and left the garden at a distance of
four miles, after an absence of eleven
days. This was the seven-pounder. Being
a disciple of Darwin and a real evolutionist,
the bees are a source of never-ending de-
light to me ; and though I am not rich in
this world's goods I would consider myself
amply repaid if my hobby only made " ends
meet."

I have much enjoyed reading Mr. Cowan's
" Honey Bee," more particularly the chap-
ters on Parthenogenesis. This phenomenon
struck me most forcibly, as it happened
that I had a drone-breeder in my own gar-
den. Previously to this I should not have
believed it possible for a creature to pro-
duce young without having been previously
fertilised, but have now had ocular demon-
stration of the fact. During my one season
among the bees I have learnt many things
only suspected before. When the honey-
flow stopped I got a fine illustration of
the " balance of power " between different
colonies of bees ; some had to be protected
from their stronger neighbours, or it would
have been a case of " survival of the
fittest." r shall forward a photo of my
apiary later on when the garden has
donned its summer garb, and if you should
think it fit for the " Homes of the Honey
Bee " I shall feel very proud. When I
look round on the bee-keepers in my dis-
trict and see the loss they sustain by stocks
dying off during the winter and spring, it
makes me despondent to think that it is
an unnecessary waste of valuable life,
which might be saved by the possession
of even a little knowledge of the subject.

I know at least a dozen amateur bee-
keepers who do not read the B.B.J.,
and cannot understand why this is so ;

but one thing is certain, and that is that
without such a valuable aid as the Journal
it is not possible to keep bees on modern
lines. I only wish someone had given me
a copy of the B.B.J, many years ago, as I
have missed years of pleasure and profit
by my ignorance of this delightful hobby.
—J. J. M., Laxey, Isle of Man, March 20.
[We congratulate our correspondent on
his first season's report, and look forwai'd
to his becoming a successfvil bee-keeper of
the best type. — Eds.]

SUGGESTED CONFERENCE

OF COUNTY ASSOCIATION SECEETARIES.

[6262.] Referring to the letter in B.B.J.
of the 15th inst. (6242, page 107) suggesting
a conference of secretaries of county asso-
ciations. I am heartily in accord with Mr.
Richards's proposition, and think it well
worth a trial, for although the County
B.K. Associations are invited by the parent
body to send delegates to their confer-
ences, it is, to my mind, not so advantage-
ous to the former as a conference of county
secretaries would be. The meetincg of the
British Bee-keepers' Association are no
doubt of great interest to individual
bee-keepers, yet I do not think they suffi-
ciently benefit to associations as a body ;
although there may be several secretaries
who attend these meetings, they do not
actually get into close touch with each
other as regards the work of their respective
associations.

This being the case. County B.K.A.'s are
apt to fight shy of paying the expenses of
delegates to these meetings, whereas, could
they see that the affiliated society would
reap some benefit, this shyness would not
occur. I have before me the circular con-
vening the annual general meeting of the
B.B.K.A. to-morrow, and, although the
meeting is followed by a conversazione, I
fail to find any subject on the agenda that
would warrant me debiting my association
with any expense in attending. Yet this
same agenda will no doubt prove most in-
teresting to the individual bee-keeper, but
that will not, as far as I can see, help the
B.B.K.A. in any way. I fear I have
already trespassed too much on your valu-
able space, but would like, in conclusion,
to wish Mr. Richards evei*y success in his
project, feeling that it will not only do
good amongst the county associations, but
will also bring them into closer relations
with the B.B.K.A.— R. H. Coltman, Hon.
Sec, Derbyshire B.K. A., Burton-onTrent.

A SPRING EXAMINATION.

" golden PEOLIFICS " — CHEAP FEEDERS.

[6263.] March 18 being the first fine day
here for some time, I took the opportunity
of having a cursory examination of my
nine hives. All were breeding except a

128

WE BRITISH SEE JOTJRNAL. [Mdrcli 29, 1906.

nucleus ; this had no pollen in, so I dusted
one of the empty combs with pea flower.
I was astounded on looking into my
" Golden Prolific " colony (a 1905 queen
from Ripplecourt Apiary), the eight frames
I had wintered the stock on being just
crammed with bees, and four frames prac-
tically one mass of brood both sides. Not
one of my other stocks (" black bees ") is
anything like this for condition. It should
do some good work if the weather is only
favourable. This rapid breeding has caused
stores to be low, and I have already sup-
plied three good cakes of candy.

Anent the home-made feeder mentioned
by your correspondent, " Bumble " (6245,
page 108), I always invert a jam jar on to
top of frames ■ — but first get a piece of
wood 6 in. sqare by f in. thick, with a
4-in. hole in centre ; nail a piece of per-
forated zinc on the under side, and place
this above feed-hole in quilts. The glass
jar is then inverted on to this. To
facilitate refilling, instead of tying the
cloth with string, I use an elastic band.
No bees can escaj>e if perforated zinc is
used.

Nucleus Hives. — To make frames inter-
changeable with standard frames I adopt
the following plan : ■ — Two frames are made
which, side by side, just fit into a standard.
When being used in nucleus (which, of
course, is made to suit these small frames)
a 1 9-20 in. lug is screwed on to top corner
of them to act as bearers. By keeping a
few standard frames fitted with nucleus
frames in brood-nest of ordinary hive one
can always transfer brood to nucleus if
necessary, and again if nucleus is done
with, the frames belonging to same can be
easily put into standard hive.

Bees and Water-. — A day of two ago, the
sun, getting out after a sharjD hailstorm,
the bees simply teemed out of my hives
for water. The lawn, footpaths, and beds
were so thickly covered that one could not
walk without stepping on them. In about
twenty minutes they had all returned
home. Do you think the rattling of the
hailstones on the hive roofs had anything
to do with bringing them out? I have
never noticed them turn out to drink in
such numbers after a rain shower. I send
name for reference, and sign — " Carbon,"
Co. Durham, March 19.

[We do not think that sound alone would
cause the turn-out noticed. It is much
more likely that the warm sunshine and
need for water caused it. — Eds.]

AMERICAN AND COLONIAL PAPERS.

EXTRACTS AND COMMENTS.

By D. M. Macdonald, Banff.
The Wintering Problem. — We in our short-
sightedness and limited intelligence too
oft speak as if only in colder climes did

this subject obtrude itself on the notice
of bee-keepers. However, we find that even
in sunny Jamaica it manifests itself. Mr.
Arthur Laing says that from the middle
of October, for two or three months, the
bees kept going down. There seemed
to be just enough honey coming in to make
them wear themselves out by flying after
it, so that his average yield was only 251b.
per colony.

Mr. Louis H. Scholl says of Texas : " It
may be thought that such a thing as winter-
ing bees in the South does not exist. Yet
we winter our bees." He advises' such
things as boards, straw, corn-stalks,
sorghum, old quilts, sacks, and roofing-
paper being used to protect hives during
winter, while he considers it necessary to
locate an apiary where it will be sheltered
by a wood, hill, fence, or hedge. Cold
snajjs, it seems, come on, and do sad havoc
by chilling the brood and causing loss of
dollars. Many bee-keepers lost heavily
last winter. In Australia, too, matters are
at times very trying. Queens may keep
on breeding all winter, yet in spring — to
give one example from a prize essay in the
Australasian Bee-Jceeper, they may cease
ovipositing altogether. " When swarms
ought to be coming off I have still to be
feeding, and the worst feature is that those
hives that wei'e in the best condition
earlier have suffered the most." One lost
fifteen colonies out of thirty-three, and
another thirteen out of seventy. The editor
reports only four colonies left out of foi'ty,
and news of heavy losses comes from afar
and near. These three cases of sunny
climes show that the wintering problem
is very real even where there is no time
winter.

The following from Gleanings is woi'th
extracting as showing the honey gathered
by colonies in the north contrasted with
the south — i.e. , in cold and warm climes : —
" With the abundance of honey-yielding
flora, and the long, warm seasons in the
south, it would seem that a colony of bees
must store an increased amount of surplus
over a similar colony in a northern locality
with shorter seasons. This is not neces-
sarily so, however. The colony with
southern conditions no doubt gathers more
honey during the season, but at the same
time it consumes more. Not only is more
consumed by the bees themselves, but a
much greater number is reared. A colony
in the north, therefore, may not gather
nearly so much honey in a season, yet the
surjilus of both may be the same."

Italians.- — Mr. C. P. Dadant has the fol-
lowing to say of this well-known bee in
A.B. J. : — "There has been too much in
breeding for colour, and in many cases
the original qualities have been neglected
in order that the bee might show the very
brightest tint of yellow ring? and a dis-

March 29, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

129

play of bright colour to the abdomen. The
Italian, in its native -country , shows three
yellow rings, which vary from a bright
orange-yellow to a dull leather-colour.
Occasionally a few bees are found that do
not display the third ring until the bee is
full of hoiiey. But the most positive sign
of purity is their adherence to the combs
when properly handled." Believing in
Italians, as he does, he can also see some
good in the blacks : " They can at times
work on red clover, and some hold that they
can produce as much honey." The Italian
race is more saving, he considers, and
stores up for winter when the blacks will
be destitute. Here the case is diametri-
cally opposed to this statement. Locality
again? Balaam-like, Mr. Harry Lathrop
set out to curse the blacks, and ended in
blessing them, for his finding is : " By pro-
per care the black race might be made equal
to any for honev-gathering qualities."

Over-concentration. — This is being over-
advocated in some quarters, I fear, at pre-
sent. Mr. E. D. Townsend, at the Chicago
Conference, advised the contrary. He
counselled " the scattering of out-apiaries
so as not to be dependent on a single source
of honey. Let one apiary be in a clover
region, another in the raspberry area, and
another where a crop might be expected
from buckwheat, etc. By this manage-
ment a man is almost certain of a crop
from at least one source every year." As
Mr. Townsend sold over £350 worth of
honey last year, he should know of what he
speaks. Mr. Alexander's location must be
a veritable bee-keeper's paradise. His
advice to increase 100 colonies to 300, and
still expect a good surplus take, was such
that I felt I could not put it before our
readers. A writer in the C.B.J. , however,
hits the matter off so well that I quote :
" How many localities are there that would
allow even a strong colony to be trebled pre-
vious to the honey-flow and yet yield any
considerable surplus ? It must be borne in
mind that his location is one in a thou-
sand." The editor endorses this, and says :
" It would be misleading and disastrous to
the great majority of less fortunate bee-
keepers should they attempt to follow his
system under altogether different condi-
tions." In our country I know of very
few sites where I would care to plant down
100 colonies, much less 1,000, and expect
them to pay working expenses.

[3242.] Bee-keeping in Bedfordshire.— Will
you kindly tell me through the B.B.J, if
you know of anyone who keeps bees on the
modern plan near Oakley, Beds ? Also, is
there any place in the county of Bedford-

shire where classes are held or lectures
given on the subject of bee-keeping? I
am about to make a start with bees, and
would like to leam all I can before com-
mencing, as I think that by so doing I
would probably save many blunders. —
G. E. W., Oakley, Beds.

Reply. — There is a bee-keepers' asso-
ciation in the county, Mr. C. N. White,
Master, Union House, St. Neots. being the
hon. sec. Regular lectures on bees are also
given in various centres under the auspices
of the Bedfordshire County Council. Mr.
W. Herrod, Bedford Old Road, Luton.
Beds. . is the County Council lecturer, and
would no doubt give all particulars if
applied to.

[3243.1 Mouldy Pollen in Combs. — I shall
be obliged if vou will tell me if any harm
will be done by putting combs into a hive
containing pollen which has gone mouldy,
and, if so. the best way to clean them?
I am a reader of the Bee Journal, but have
so far never seen anything mentioned on
that subject. — H. E. B., Kettering,
March 20!

Reply. — If only a few cells are in the
condition stated the cleaning out of the
mouldy pollen may be left to the bees, but
if combs are in the condition known as
" pollen-clogged " — i.e., full of old pollen —
they are useless either for breeding or
storage, and should be got rid of.

Notices to Correspondents & Inquirers

Letters or queries ashina for addresses of manufae
turers or etrrespondents, or where appliances ean be
purchased, or repKeif qivinq sueh information, ean only
be inserted as advertisements. The space devoted to
letters, queries, and replies it meant for the general
good of bee-keepers, and not for advertisements. _ We
wi,shour eorresponderUs to bear in mind that, as it is
necessary for us to go to press in advance of the date of
issue, queries cannot alwaysbe replied to in the issueim,-
mediately follovring the receipt of their com,niunicationt.

F. H. (Uttoxeter). — " Experiences in show-
ing Honey." — Before publishing your
letter headed as above, reflecting on the
management of an important show, we
took our usual precaution in matters of
this kind by investigating the other side
of the case, and judging by the documen-
tary evidence, there has certainly been
no want of consideration towards your-
self. In fact, the managers of the show
have, we think, been very liberal in
allowing you more than half the value
of the missing exhibit, and if their
suggestion that the railway company do
the same be adopted, there will be no
cause for complaint. The considerable
amount of correspondence you mention
makes it clear that your alleged grie-
vance has been considerately and fully
dealt with. To sum the matter up, we
may say that no show committee, or no

130

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [March 29, 1906.

railway company in the kingdom, will
admit liability for the safety of exhibits
at shows — or damage to same in transit
—unless it can be proved that due and
proper care has not been exercised in
dealing with them.

C. Wells (Market Harboro'). — Using
Naphthol Beta in Bee-food.^ — 1. We do
not know what directions for use you
refer to, which says : " To each small
packet 28 lb. syrup," nor are we in any
way responsible for the quality and con-
sequent efficacy — or otherwise — of any
N. Beta other than that sent out from
the B.B.J. and Becord office. 2. Full direc-
tions for use are printed on each packet
(which contain one ounce), together with
instructions for making the solution for
medicating bee-food ; nor is there any
vagueness with regard to its being weight
of- sugar or of "syrup" that is meant.
Bearing this in mind, the importance
of quantity as well as the quality of
drugs used in preparing remedies for
disease should make users careful
that they are supplied with the right
ingredients. 3. Your former letter must
have miscarried.

F. W. D. (Woodford).— Dealing with Sus-
pected Stocks.— It is always more satis-
factory to have a sample of comb from
suspected hives before giving any definite
opinion regarding them ; but, judging
from the clear description sent of symp-
toms, we should say it was a bad case of
foul brood. This being so, your best
course is to destroy the bees at once and
close up the hive till a chance comes of
burning the lot. It is now a constant
source of danger to the healthy and pros-
pering colonies you have on hand.

J. S. (Easton, Bristol). — Suggested im-
provements in Standard Frames. — Your
specimen frames were submitted, along
with others, at the meeting on Thurs-
day last, and will be reserved for inspec-
tion by the committee appointed to deal
with the subject. We shall be glad to
receive sample of improved bee-feeder
when ready.

J. T. R. (Eastbourne).^ — Bees and Blue
Flowers. — We cannot add anything to
what appears in our issue of March 1.
And as no reader has taken the matter
up, it would seem that the general in-
terest in the subject ie very limited
among practical bee-keepers in this
country.

A. E. A. (Stratford-on-Avon). — Syrup for
Spring Feeding.- — As will be seen in the
recipe used (No. 5, page 167), syrup food
for use in spring contains more water
than that given to bees in summer ; con-
sequently it is more liable to ferment
through long keeping than the latter.
But any left over this spring may be

boiled up with your next aurtumn food.
No need to apologise for " asking simple
question," nor is yours a " childish " one.
We are always pleased to help beginners
when we can.

E. M. M. (St. Asaph).— Candy Making.—
You must have failed somewhere in
carrying out the instructions given in
Guide Book, as we have had excellent
samples made by readers from the same
recipe. Your sample is as hard as stone,
and of no use as bee food at this season.
Try Br. Colomban's recipe in B.J. of
September 14, 1905.

PoTSY (Weymouth). — Bee Enemies in
Hives. — We frankly confess that the
foul smelling mass of wax moth larvae
an inch or so long, together with an un-
usual quantity of such insects and
vermin as generate in and feed upon
decaying animal matter, was more than
we could stand — so far as regards
making a close inspection of box and
contents. There was no plainly visible
sign of foul brood, but the rotting mass
was got out of sight and burnt
without delay. No doubt the owner of
hive had some good reason for the
neglect shown, as no stock of bees could
possibly have got into the condition in
which it was found if the hive had been
properly prepared for wintering at close
of last season. It will be a troublesome
task to clean oiit the hive and make it
sweet and wholesome as a habitation for
bees in the coming season.

Bee Candy (West Bromwich). — Your
candy is too hard for general use. It
might be carried down while freshly
made and soft?, but it is now nearly hard
as stone. We should like to know what
recipe was followed and the quality of
ingredients used in making.

A StTBSCRiBER (Suffolk). — Transferring
Bees from Sleeps. — The plan you propose
to follow • — ■ i.e., allowing the bees to
transfer themselves — is the simplest and
best method we know of. 2. The proper
time to operate.

Suspected Comhs.

D. J. (Wolverhampton). — We have no
hesitation in saying that the hive from
which sample of comb was taken is
badly affected with foul brood of old
standing. Save in a very few cells all
trace of brood has dried up and disap-
peared, but the capping alone would
point to disease of virulent type, and
this is verified by close examination.

Anxiotts (Berks). — There is no disease in
comb, nothing worse being found than
hard, mouldy pollen.

%* Some Letters, Queritt andBepliet, (fee,
are ^navoid(lU>ly held over tUl next votek.

April 5, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

131

i^RITISH BEE-KEEPERS'ASSOCIATIUN
(Continued from page 121.)

CO.VVERSAZIOXE.

At 5.30 the following ladies and gentle-
men reassembled, when, after light refresh-
ments had been served, the proceedings
commenced : —

Thos. Wm. Cowan, H. J. O. Walker,

E. T. Andrews, A. G. Pugh, K. M. Hall
(Miss), L. Belsham, A. W. Salmon, J.
Holdom, C. Dunham-Matjsey (Miss), G. xl.
Sander, J. C. Mason, S. Hill, G. M. Hal-
lowes (Miss), N. P. Bouverie (Miss), Fred.
H. White, A. D. Matthews, Chas. T. Over-
ton, C. A. Overton, Wm. Herrod, A. M.
Goldsworthy, W. Ward, L. L. Goffin,
William Sole, T. I. Weston, W. Broughton
Carr, Walter F. Reid, Richard Brown,
Thomas Bevan, J. Willard, Cyril Dunn-
Gardner, R. Lee, G. Newman, Geo. Dow,
A. E. Paul, J. C. Mason (Mrs.), Wm. Box-
well, R. J. Stephenson (Miss), F. J.
Bernau, F. J. Osborne Smith, E. E. Ford
(Mrs.), C. H. Rose, Percy Kemp, J. Roper,
W. J. Goldsworthy, G. S. Faunch, Herbert

F. Jolly, Erner,t E. Walker.

Upon the motion of Colonel Walker
(seconded by Mr. Reid) Mr. Cowan took
the chair, and immediately announced
that the Pi-esident (the Baroness Burdett-
Coutts), who was unfortunately not able
to favour them with her presence that day,
had expressed a wish to do something to
encourage bee-keepincf among cottagers
dwelling in villages or in places suitable
for the pursuit. In furtherance of this
desire her ladyship had agreed to present
a modern bee-hive to be comjjeted for oy
bona fide cottagers — who are members of a
county B.K.A. affiliated to the parent
body— at any show that the county asso-
ciation may select during the present year.
It was A'ery kind of her ladyship thus lo
■consider the cottagers, and it ought to en-
courage them in the pursuit of bee-keeping.
He was sure all good friendi> of the cause
would feel much indebted to the Baroness.

The first item on the agenda was a paper
by Mr. F. W. L. Sladen, F.E.S.. en-
titled " The Italian Bee, and Bi-eeding Bees
by Selection for the Improvement of the
Honey - producing Character in Great
Britain." Unfortunately Mr. Sladen was
not well enough to attend the meeting, l)ut
the Secretaiy (Mr. Young) had undertaken
to read the paper in his place, and he (the
Chairman) would at once call upon him
to do so.

The Secretaiy then read Mr. Sladen's
paper as follows : —

Many bee-keepers are in doubt as to the
merits and faults of the Italian bee in

Britain. The prolificness, beauty, and
good temper of the Italian bee are undis-
puted ; but conflicting opinions as to its
honey-producing value appear in our jour-
nals from time to time. The difference of
opinion is partly due to the fact that some
writers do not clearly distinguish between
the pure Italian bee and the crossbreds
between the Italian and English bee.

Pure Italian bees are only to be found in
Britain in a colony which is headed by a
pure imported fertile Italian queen, or in
one headed by one of her daughters who
happens to have been fertilised by a pure
Italian drone. Instances of such ferti-
lisation seldom occur in England, except
in an apiary where pure Italian drones
have been specially reared in large
numbers. The amount of yellow colour-
iaig is an unreliable guide to the purity
of Italians. Many bees that are as yellow
as — or it may be even yellower than — jiure
Italians have not more than about half
their parentage pure Italian. Therefore,
unless it is known that a colony of " Italian
bees " is headed by a pure imported Italian
queen, the bees are most likely crossbreds.
The average yield of surplus honey from
colonies of jjure Italian bees is, in my
ajDiary, not quite so much as that from
colonies of English bees, the difference
being greatest in cool and windy weather
in spring; but the average yield from
colonies of the crossbreds is considerably
greater than that from colonies of English
bees.

The fact that the average honey-yield
from colonies of ei'ossbreds is greater than
that from colonies of the English bee
makes the Italian bee veiy valuable for
honey-production in Britain. AVere the
pure Italian, and not the crossbred, a
greater honey-producer than the English
bee, paradoxical though it may seem, a
pure Italian queen would not be so valu-
able for honey-production in Britain as she
is, because the bee-keeper repays himself
for her cost less from the honey produced
during her lifetime by the single colony
headed by her than from the honey pro-
duced by the many colonies headed by her
daughters and granddaughters, and these
colonies, as we have noticed, consist of
crossbreds.

In ail ordinary honey-producing apiary
the daughters of a jDure imported Italian
queen, being fertilised by English drones,
will produce workers and queens that are
half Italian and half English. The ma-
jority of the granddaughters, being also
fertilised by English drones, will produce
workers and queens that are one-quarter
Italian and three-quarters English, al-
though a few may be fertilised by Italian
and crossbred drones. Thus the Italian
element grows less and the English more in

132

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [April 5, 1906.

until after many generatioVis the bees will
be English bees with only a trace of the
Italian blood.

Still more of the difference of opinion
about the honey-producing value of the
Italian bee in Britain is attributable to
the fact that there is much wider variation
in the amount of honey produced by
individual colonies of crossbreds than there
is in that produced by individual colonies
of the English bee, especially in the second
and later generations. Some colonies of
crossbreds produce much more honey than
average English colonies, others produce
the same quantity as pure Italian colonies.

In my work of bi-eeding for the improve-
ment of the honey-producing character in
England I have always employed cross-
breds between the Italian and the English
bee in preference to the English bee, largely
because I have felt that the greater average
amount of honey produced by colonies of
the crossbreds, together with the wider
variation in the amount produced by in-
dividual colonies of the crossbreds, makes
the crossbreds much better subjects for such
work. Unless a character varies no im-
provement can be effected in it.. Variation
may be regarded as the material and breed-
ing by selection the workmanship by which
man has effected, and is effecting, his great
improvements in the utility of domesti-
cated animals and cultivated plants.
Numerous valuable breeds and strains have
been obtained through crossing, followed
by strict and continuous breeding by selec-
tion.

Another point that makes me prefer
crossbreds to English bees is that they are
very vigorous and less susceptible to foul
brood.

There is still another reason why I pre-
fer Italian-English crossbreds to theEnglish
bee. In one sense, thiis is the most im-
portant of all. It is that strict breeding by
selection is practicable witli crossbreds,
while with English bees it is not. In my
book, " Queen-rearing in England," it is
explained how by reai-ing a very large
number of drones of selected honey-produc-
ing parentage, and scarce],y any others
every season, and by arranging that most
fertilisations take place late in the season
after the majority of drones belonging to
neighbouring apiaries have died, a large
proportion of the queens reared in my
apiary are fertilised by the drones of
selected honey-producing parentage.

I know of only one way by which queens
that have been fertilised by drones of
selected parentage can be quickly and
surely distinguished from those that have
been fertilised by ordinary drones, and that
is to have the selected parentage so miich
yellower than ordinary parentage (whi^^h
is black, or nearly black) that the workers
produced by the queens fertilised by drones

of the selected parentage will be yellower
than those produced by the queens fer-
tilised by drones of ordinary parentage.
For continuous breeding by selection it is
necessary that both queens and drones be
bred from the yellower pai-entage.

During the last few years I have been
breeding ccessbreds between the English
bee and the Golden Italian, or Extra
Golden * bee, a variety of the Italian bee
which has been developed lately in
America, and which has much more yellow
on the abdomen than the pure Italian bee,
and I find that the bees of the best honey-
producing colonies of these crossbreds are
frequently as yellow as the pure Golden
Italian bee. Last season three-quarters of
the bees in the colony that produced most
honey in June, in comparison with many
colonies of' crossbreds and English bees,
were as yellow as Extra Golden bees. I
am wintering forty-five daughters of the
queen of this colony, each of these
daughters producing workers of which the
majority are as yellow as pure Golden
Italian or Extra Golden bees, for testing
during the coming season.

It frequently happens that a small pro-
portion of queens reared from a best honey-
producing yellow parentage are dark.
{These dark queens are not introduced to
the nuclei, and this helps to maintain the
yellow colour of the strain.

I believe that an improvement which it
would take a lifetime to effect in English
bees could be accomplished in crossbreds
in comparatively few yeai-s.

Testings colonies for the improvement of
the honey-producing character in Britain
must be done in the peculiarly cloudy,
windy, and cool, spring and summer climate
of Britain, or in a similar climate. There
is thus a great future before bee-breeding
in England, and its prospects were never
so bright as they are at present.

Colonel Walker said that if Mr. Sladen
had been present he would have been glad
to ask him to what origin he attributed
the " golden bees " referred to in his paper ?
It was stated that a o'reat number which
were sold ais " golden " were not Italians.
It wovild be interesting to know what they
were. He would like to thank Mr. Sladen
for the able way in which he had put all
he had to say before bee-keepers, either in
lectures or in the columns of the B.B.J.
That gentleman's experiments and reflec-
tions were always thoughtful and interest-
ing.

Mr. Overton was much interested in the
})ai)er, being himself a breeder, a rearer,

* The name " Ex'va Gdlden " is Riven to the yellowest
• x:imple8 of this variety. The majority of Oolden
Italian ijueens Ihred in America do not produce the
yellowest bees.

April 5, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

133

and an importer of Italian queens. He
maintained that the Italian bee stood far
above the average of oiir natives. It had
great qualities as a honey-producing bee,
but, unfortunately, tliere was some preju-
dice against it. It was credited with bring-
ing disease into the country, but he had
never found that disease was introduced in
that way. The introduction of ati Italian
queen to a degenerating stock gave extra
energy, and was a good means of keeping
disease in check and also of making in every
way a better colony. In their pure state
Italians were very gentle indeed, if handled
in a proper way. Besides, they were beauti-
ful to look at, and a source of new and
increased interest and profit to those who
had been in the habit of keeping English
bees. The first cross between Italians and
blacks produced the best results, and the
breed was not quite so vicious as after
crossings were. The former were easily
managed. As regarded results, he thought
more interest ought to be taken in them.
Those who had experience in rearing queens
knew the importance of careful selection
from prolific mothers. He hoped bee-
keepers would give more attention to qiieen-
rearing, and especially to the Italians.

Mr. Bevan had tried one or two of Mr.
Sladen's queens, and had every reason to
be satisfied with them. They would
always hold their own against English ones,
and if the latter hives were not very strong
they would soon be cleared out bv the
foreigners. It was not, he thought, prac-
ticable to keep all sorts of bees in the same
apiary. He had done well with the first
two Italian queens, and had had as much
as a hundredweight of honey in one hive
collected during June and July. He
thought that a good yield for an apiary
located so near London as his was.

Mr. W. Herrod was against the introduc-
tion of aliens of any description, whether
bees or human beings. (Laughter.) Some-
thing had been said of the good qualities of
Italian bees ; in fact, all their qualities
were said to be good. His experience en-
tirely differed from that of Mr. Overton.
In the first place, the nure Italian bee did
not winter well in this country. He had
proved that over and over again, and Mr.
Sladen admitted it was not so robust as
the native bee. He (the speaker) granted
that the first cross was verj^ good, bo far
as honey-producing was concerned ; but
they were also good producers of severe
trouble with their stings ! If these hybrids
were to be recommended as a bee suitable
for novices, he thought the latter would
soon give up bee-keeping in disgust. Pure
Italians were ako more susceptible to dis-
ease than natives. Wherever he had been,
North, South, or Midlands, if a case of
disease occurred he had generally found it
in the " foreign " hive. The late John

Howard, who spent lai-ge sums on foreign
bees, was finally of opinion that all things
considered, no v-ariety cou],d beat the
English bee. No doubt the introduction
of new blood would keep up the strength
of colonies, but that could be obtained
without going abroad.

Miss K. M. Hall and her sitster-in-law
started an apiary in April, 1904, with two
of Mr. Sladen's stocks, on top of the Hind-
head, since which time the bees had in-
creased to eleven stocks — all Italians.
They had crossed with other bees in the
neighbourhood, but the first cross was too
bad tempered for her partner to touch
at all ! In the first year over 901b. of
honey was secured ; last year the yield was
close on 4001b. These stocks were very
strong, and had never needed candy food.
They were on the summit of the Hindhead,
where probably the coldest blasts in
England blew, and yet they wintered well.
She therefore could not agree with Mr.
Herrod's views, and his experience was
different from hers. As time went on and
they increased, ishe found the bees grow
quieter and were far less troublesome now
than at first.

Mr. Herrod remarked that it seemed clear
that the longer the lady's bees stayed the
more English did thev become.

Mr. Salmon started bee-keeping with a
first-cross of Ligurian with English, and
found they swarmed many times more than
the English bee did. He noticed that when
the Ligurian blood predominated he had
more honey than when the gathering was
the work of pure English beee. Possibly,
however, the seasons may have accounted
for that, but he thought not. He knew
that the prevalence of foul brood was at-
tributed to the Italians, but his experience
did not confirm that.

Mr. Dunn-Gardner handed in to the
Chairman a tabular statement showing that
out of 73 hives he possessed, the highest
yield of honey produced in any one was
1761b. Some of the other results from
single hives were 1741b., 1371b., 1331b.,
1281b., etc., etc. The average for swarms
and swarmed hives was 361b. 13oz. , while
the average for the whole lot was 721b. The
whole of the honey weighed came entirely
out of the supers, and was produced by
hybrid bees.

Mr. Richard Brown could verify Mr.
Dunn-Gardner's statement. He had never
seen a better-managed apiary, nor a better
class of honey, than on the occasioii of his
visit there a month or five weeks ago. With
regard to I^igurians, or half-breeds, he
agreed they are more prolific than other
species. He did not at all like their sec-
tions of comb-honey, but for extracted
honey they were " all right." The face of
the comb worked by them was serrated,
and did not look at all nice.

134

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [April 5, 1906.

Mr. Weston thought that the speakers
were missing the mark by introducing a
sort of competition between rival races of
bees. Those Avho wished to select and im-
prove their strain of bees would do well
to think over those passages in Mr. Sladen's
paper in which he explained how he caused
his queens to be fertilised by certain drones.
As to the question, " Which are the best
bees to keep ? " the late John Howard told
him that he had given a thorough trial to
both kinds, but, judging that he could not
manage both in one apiary, he decided to
give up the Italians.

Mr. Pugh had been making notes as the
different speakei's gave their opinions of
Italian bees. One gentleman ►laid they
were thieves, and stole evei"ything ; an-
other, that their stinging propensities were
too marked ; another, that they could not
be kept in the same apiary with English
bees ; another, that they were no good for
comb-honey ; while a lady and gentleman
hinted that they were everything a bee-
keeper could wish for. He felt fairly be-
wildered with the diversity of opinions.

Mr. Reid said that one of the objects of
the B.B.K.A. was to investigate these
matters. It would be a good thing, as
they had an experimental apiary, to test
the value of Italians, and obtain an inde-
pendent opinion, especially as the evidence
was so conflicting that it was difficult to
form a proper judgment. He thought there
ought to be a kind of medical inspection of
queens that came into this country — that
was a medical examination of six-footed
aliens. (Laughter.) He had known foul
brood break out in apiaries where directly-
imported Italian queens had been intro-
duced. It was little pood to fight the dis-
ease while a precaution like that was
neglected.

Mr. Willard thought that the success of
an apiary depended in great measure on
the importation of fresh blood into it from
time to time.

(Report continvei vext week.)

LINCOLNSHIRE B.K.A.

The annual meeting of this association
was held in the Co-operative Hall, Spald-
ing, on Saturday, March 24, and was well
attended by members from many parts of
the country. H. Stanley Maples, Esq.,
Spalding, presided, and moved the adop-
tion of the report and })alance-sheet, which
latter showed a small balance in the hands
of the treasurer. Mr. E. Waite, Boston,
seconded the motion, which was carried
unanimously. Votes of thanks were ac-
corded to the officers of the association for
their services during the pajst year, and
their re-election was proceeded with. The
Right Hon. Lord Heneage was re-elected

President, and all the other retiring officers
were re-elected. Mr. F. J, Cribb, of Ret-
ford, gave a most interesting lecture on
the " Natural History of the Honey Bee,
and the Fertilisation of Flowers by the
Bee," illustrated by lantern slides. There
was also a " drawing " for useful bee-appli-
ances. It was decided to hold the annual
meeting in 1907 at Lincoln. (Communi-
cated. )

WARWICKSHIRE B.K.A.

ANNUAL MEETING.

The members of the above association
held their twenty-sixth annual meeting on
March 23, at the Grand Hotel. Birming-
ham. There was an average attendance,
including many ladies, and the Rev.
W. C. R. Bedford (vicar of Sutton Cold-
field) occupied the chair. The annual re-
port was considered satisfactory, the ac-
counts showing a balance in hand of
£22 3s. 3d. The association's experts visited
420 apiaries, and inspected 2,000 stocks of
bees during the season. Bee-keeping is un-
doubtedly on the increase locally, and with
something like 500 members on its books
this association affords thoise' interested
every assistance in furtherance of an in-
structive and profitable hobby. Sir P.
Albert Muntz, M.P., was elected president,
and the vice-presidents were re-elected,
while Dr. T. Savage, Rev. W. C. R. Bed-
ford, and Rev. G. Sedgwick were added to
their number. Mr. J. Noble Bower (hon.
secretary), Mr. J. R. Ingerthorp (assistant
secretary), Mr. G. Franklin (expert), and
Mr. Edward Franklin (assistant expert)
were also reappointed. After the business
proceedings an interesting lecture was de-
livered by Mr. G. Franklin on " Honey-
producing Plants, and the Relation of ine
Honey Bee to Flowering Plants in the Pro-
duction of Seed and Fruit." — (Communi-
cated.)

BEES IN JAPAN.

LETTER FROM MB. T. B. BLOW.

The following letter will be read with in-
tei'est by readers of the older school, who
will no doubt cherish personal memories
of the days when Mr. Blow was one of the
most prominent appliance dealers and ex-
pert bee-keepers in this country : —

Kyoto, Japan, February 12, 1906.

Dear Mr. Carr, — Though you often
come into my mind, yet at this juncture I
am especially reminded of you by having
the pleasure of eating daily the wonderful
first prize samples of honey that you
so kindly furnished m.y good friend Sin-
clair with to send roe. You will won-
der why, in this distant land,
often called the Land of Flowers, that I
send for English honey, and why I do not

April 5, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOUBN'AL.

135

raise my own here. Once a bee-keeper
always a bee-keeper may be taken as an
axiom, and though, as you know, I spent
many years of busy life in England en-
gaged in the work of advocating bee
culture, and at the same time running an
extensive supply business, yet though I
gave this up, no sooner did I settle down
in this, my adopted countiy, than the bee-
fever was soon on me, and I determined
again to keep bees. They are not plentiful
in Japan (despite the statistics of the Agri-
cultural Department schedule, the sup-
posed number of hives, which is. I should
think, greatly over-estimated). Honey is
not used in Japan for food but as medicine.
The bees are kept in square boxes of about
one cubic foojt contents, and cubic in shape.
There is a door at back, and the . comb
honey is cut out whenever available, and
is crushed (along with the brood often),
and strained, and in this state sold. Very
little wax is obtained, for though wax is
used extensively in this countiy for various
purposes, it is vegetable wax mainly.

After deciding to make a start, I went to
work, and getting some foundation, sections,
and pattern frames sent out to me from
Welwyn, I set my house carpenter here to
make a hive. Though he had never done
such a job before, yet he turned one out
with every space accurate to perfection,
and though hand-made, it cost just about
what a decent hive would do in England.
Then the foundation was put in, and the
hive placed on a bench at the top of my
hill-garden. A box of bees were bought
for 6 yen (12s.) from a bee-keeper located
a few miles away, and before long they
sent out a swarm which was put into the
new frame hive. And now the troubles
began.

The Japanese bees are smaller than the
European, and they very reluctantly took
to the comb foundation ; undoubtedly the
cells were too large for them to deal with
well. Seeing the multitudes of flowers
around, one would have expected an amaz-
ing yield of honey ; for instance, in April
and May, one may travel for hundreds of
miles and see one blaze of yellow from the
mustard and rape flowers (the oil-produc-
ing plant), but beyond this there is
nothing. Later on the whole country is
under rice, which, of course, is useless.
But the bees themselves are lazy — there is
some food to be got almost all the year
round (for we have no cold, wet winter like
that of England), and the bees certainly
do not store much honey, and so, after two
years' experience, I concluded that it is
cheaper to buy honey tlian to raise it,
and in quality our English honey is vastly
superior ; so though my bees are still alive
and well, I allow them the use of all they
gather, or nearly all. They have many
enemies, too.

The wax moth is a great pest here, and
the stocks are speedily reduced to ruin
unless great and frequent precautions are
taken. Then the dragon flies are terrible.
In Japan these exist in great numbers,
and many species, some of them very large.
These dragon flies follow the bees like
hawks, and carry off their victims for con-
sumption. Then the hornets swoop down
on the alighting board and take toll of the
workers. In late autumn, just before the
queen hornets hybemate, I have stood by
my hives with a little bat of flat wood, and
have frequently killed twenty in five
minutes. They are very large, and fly
slowly, and are easily knocked down. They
find the bees most suitable food to fatten
upon before returning to winter quarters.
I am hoping to come to England this year
for about six months, and shall give you a
call. Now, with kindest regards to both
yourself and Mr. Cowan, in which my wife
joins (she is a good bee-keeper now), —
Believe me, yours faithfully, T. B. Blow.

The Editors do not hold themselves re»ponsible for the
opinions expressed by correspondents. No notice will
he taken of anonymous communications, and corre-
spondents are requested to write on one side of the paper
only and give their real names and addresses, not neces-
sarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith.
Illuftration!> should be draicn on separate pieces of paper.
We do not undertake to return rejected coTnmunications.

*»* Jn order to facilitate reference, Cornsponderts,
when speaking of any lett r or query premously insetted,
will oblige by mentioning the riumber of the letter as well
as the page on which it appears.

AMONG THE BEES.

rOREWAENED IS FOREARMED.

[6264.] I lately read in an agricultural
journal that a bee-keeper in a large way
lost fifty colonies of bees through " lack
of attention." I mention this to point a
moral. Remember, each of these colonies
are worth about one pound in spring ; they
may be worth two by swarming, and the
honey gathered may be worth — putting it
modestly — another sovereign. So here, by
the want of a little care given at the proper .
time, with an outlay of perhaps but a few
pence, the owner loses, at a moderate com-
putation, the equivalent of £3 sterling.
You who pack up your stocks in late
autumn, or it may be eaidy winter, with an
insufficiency of stores, are now warned that
you have committed a crime, and that if
you are not ready with your solid cake of
candy on the first fine day you are about
to repeat it knowingly and willingly. Two
to six jjounds of this may cost one to three
shillings, but remember it may put as n.any
pounds in your pocket if the coming season
is propitious.

Then, have you examined every roof of
every hive to certify that it is wind and

136

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [April 5 1906.

water-proof ? If not, do not lose a day or
an hour until you see to it. During winter,
with a heavy snowfall covering the hivee
to the depth of several inches, they are
safe — doubly safe — for the snow acts as a
warm blanket and conserves the internal
heat. Now, however, when it is likely to
melt, and when the dry snow turns into
slushy sleet, every small crack and crevice
proves a veritable death trap. Sleet or rain
percolates inwards in a moist insidious way,
saturates the coverings and chills the in-
terior to such an extent that the joys of the
brood-clu)3ter turn to misery and sorrow.
Much of it ends in death and destruction
to the stock. Avoid it all. Make sure
" siccar " by covering every faulty hive-roof
with a sheet of hard felt, or, better, a rain
and damp-resisting cover of thin sheet zinc,
against which the fiercest blasts and
soakiest showers may beat in vain, for it
is proof against the powers of either.

Have you made certain that your hives
are rich in that best packing for bees —
more bees? If not, unite at the first oppor-
tunity. Are you positive that you had a
qiieen heading every stock when you winter
packed ? If not, again I say, unite. Have
you certified that each colony has even a
superabundance of dry warm wraps? If
not, supply them. If there is any damp-
ness, or "mochiness," substitute others.
Stocks may subsist, if in good heart other-
wise, through even a severe winter with
very little packing ; but when spring
arrives and the close cluster breaks up to
a loose mass, the case is different., Then
a large amount of overhead wrapping is
an utter necessity, if the colony is to
prosper. Active breeding sets in at an
early date. This necessitates greater heat
if the brood is to prosper. Therefore, even
add to overhead coverings to conserve this
heat, and aid the bees in securing that
early hatching which better than anything
else secures the future well being of that
colony.

Have you, at an early date, ordered your
future necessaries in the way of bee-goods ?
If not, do it now, or soon, before the appli-
ance dealers are rushed by the number of
t)rders received in the height of the season.
By doing so you get better attention,
generally better goods, and these goods at
a better and cheaper rate. The hive should
always wait the swarm, not the swarm the
hive. Sections also should be on hand
early, to make certain that they are ready
})efore the flow comes on. A number of
racks should be got ready in anticipation
of any flow which comes on. Some days
too early may be better than one day too
late, because once the thoughts of iswann-
ing enter into the wise little heads of those
teeming thousands inhabiting the hive,
nothing but carrying out the whole pro-

cess will, as a rule, satisfy them. Order
swarms and queens in good time. Do it
months before you require them, where you
have not a regular standing order. Then
you can have some claim for early atten-
tion, as generally it is " first come, first
served."

I know time is jirecious with many, and
that with most readers — myself amongst
the number — bee-keeping is a side issue,
a mere interlude in an otherwise busy life.
It is not with us as if it were simply a
case of bread and butter. But it is for this
very reason that such reiteration as my
present contribution contains is necessary.
If it were a pure business matter, -it would
receive more attention as a matter of
course. I know that yearly, with too many,
spring, passes without bees receiving that
slight care necessary to success. Before
enthusiasm- breaks out into full fruition
the critical time has gone, and the bees,
too, have gone beyond the benefit of the
care readj^ to be showered on them. With
too many apiaries this enthusiasm comes
in fits and starts. At times bees get too
much of it ; at other times, critical times,
they get too little. Now, every reader of
these columns has only himself, or herself,
to blame if every colony showing signs of
life in early spring is not pulled through
and converted into a valuable asset. I
would lay most stress this spring on special
attention to the cupboard. If necessary,
replenish it by candy, or later by warm
syrup. Handier than either, and more
efficient, is the interchange of well-stored
combs, if on hand. From the first momen-
tary peep I take I always make a point of
scratching some cells of capped honey as
near the cluster as possible. This is the
only spring stimulation I require, or de-
sire. But, remember. I work mainly for
the heather. If I had fruit blooms, or any
other early honey source, I might act quite
differently. On second thoughts, do! With
fully-stored combs on hand, I would use
them in preference to any other stimulant.
But, and here is the point, I do all my
spring feeding iu autumn. — D. M. M. ,
Banfl:.

HOME-MADE FEEDERS.

[6265.] Beferring to the letter in last
week's 15. B. .J. on home-made feeders (6245,
page 108), will you allow me to saj^ I have
tried feeders of all kinds? The one de
scribed by your corres^Mndent, " Bumble,"
will work all right as a feeder, but it has
the same fault as the wide-mouthed jar
— i.e., the running-out of food too fast
and thus drowning the bees, or else of
keeping the food out of the bees' reach en-
tirely ? When syrup-food i-uns down all
over combs, and half-drowning the bees,
it often starts " robbing," as we all know.

April 5, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

137

On the other hand, if the bees cannot get
the food at all, as sometimes happens when
the jar-mouth is covered with calico, the
feeder is useless. My plan is to use a
feeder made from a " golden syrup " tin,,
and it forms a very simple fountain indeed,
wliile it is impossible for the bees to
get smeared with or drowned in the syrup.
About 100 bees can feed at a time on a
very small space without any danger, nor
can the bees escape while the filling is done
as they can with the " golden syrup " tin.
I would not use the most expensive feeder
in place of my simple one if the former
was offered me as a gift. If any reader
would like a model of it I will undertake
to forward one for a trifling charge, and
this would be better than a description.
My bees are all hard at work on the furze
just now, and doing well, so I hope a
prosperous season is in store for all bee-
keepers. — H. H., Burghheath, near
Epsom, March 17.

SCOTCH HEATHER HONEY.

IN BARRELS AT LESS THAN 3d. PER LB.

[6266.] In reply to the letter of Messrs.
Shaw Brothers (whose letter appears in
B.B.J, of March 22), we would like
to say that it is quite impossible for any
firm to offer genuine Scotch honey at any-
thing like so low a price at 3d. per lb.,
carriage paid to London. Further, we do
not believe they could buy it for that
money. In the course of our business we
come in contact with a great many bee-
keepers on the West Coast of Scotland and
the lowest price we have heard of is 6d.
per lb. in bulk ; 1-lb. screw-cap jars and
1-lb. eections 8s. 6d., 9s., and 10s. per
dozen respectively ; retail, 9d. to Is. Then
to talk about Scotch heather honey at 3d.
in 5-cwt. lots! Na ! Na ! Sandy's nae
sae blate. He knows that he can find a
ready market for all he can produce of
the real heather at 10s. to 15s. the dozen.
Whistlefield should be able to say some-
thing in regard to that, as there is nothing
but the heather in that part. For ourselves
we may say that 1905 was the best honey
season we have had for a long time. Bee-
keepers who give special attention to their
stocks averaged close on lOOlb. per hive ;
some of their best stocks giving over 2001b.
The heather was a failure round hereabout.
Further inland they did get a surplus.
While bee-keeping is making rapid strides
forward, and bee-keepers are getting their
ranks recruited everv year in Scotland,
there is not the slightest danger of pure

Scotch honey being offered in London at
3d. per lb. — Guthrie Bros., Alloway, Ayr,
March 27.

page 123), the firm which has been offer-
ing and invoicing " Pure Scotch Heather
Honey" in London, in 5cwt. barrels, at
under 3d. (threepence) per lb., is Messrs.
Ingram Bros, and Co., 34, Robertson
Street, Glasgow. — Shaw Brothers, 12, Idol
Lane, Eastcheap, E.C., April 2.

INDICATOR BEE-HIVE STAND.

[6268.] I came across the following par-
ticulars in an old book dated 1859. The
idea may not be new to yourselves, but I
thought ^le description of a home-made
contrivance by means of which it could
be seen what weight of honey was gathered
by a colony of bees in a given time might
be useful to some present day readers who
take an interest in such things, for use
in theiT own gardens.

I also enclose a rough sketch of the illus
tration which accompanies the description
in the book, if it is thought worth while
to reproduce it. — Apis, Birmingham.

[6267.] In reply to the question of your
■orre«spondent, D. M. Macdonald (6257,

" Having lately devised a plan by which
to increase my own enjoyment of bee-
keeping, it has occuiTed to me that many
others who take an interest in the subject
may like to follow my example, and I sub-
mit herewith a sketch of an ' indicator bee-
stand,' constructed with a view of enabling
the bee-keeper to note the progress of a
colony in honey-gathering ail through the
season, so as to compare, if needful, the
influence of a period of fine weather, say
for a week or a few days, in increasing the
weight of the hive.

" The indicator is a spiral spring fitted
inside a hollow post, and on the spring is a
short piece playing freely into the socket,
and on this piece the hive-board is placed.
A new swarm, hived in a new hive, would
form the most interesting subject for a
first experiment.

" When placed on the stand the weight of
hive, bees, and board, will be indicated
on the dial plate by means of the finger
which is attached to the spring, and as
the process of comb-making, breeding, and
honey collecting goes on, the increasing
weight, acting on the spring, will at all
times indicate the gross weight superin-
cumbent on it. It can be made to register
from 60 up to lOOlbs. The consti-uction of
the stand is most simple. The hollow post
is of inch stuff, and the short piece that
supports the hive is carefully fitted and
smoothed with l)lack lead to make it play
freely, and as its range of motion, per-
pendicularly, is only three inches, the
action of the spring, even in taking a
(heavy super, cannot by any possibility
cause a jerk. The spring is iapanned to
preserve it from the action of the weather ;
without being so prepared, it would hardly
be expecteil to last through a season.

138

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [April 5, 1906.

Anyone enjoying sufficient leisure and
handy in the use of tools might make it
for a few shillings.

I hope soon to set the stand in action,
and anticipate much pleasurable instruc-
tion in the daily record of progress which
the dial plate will afford me. — Shirley

HiBBEED."

TANGING BEES.

[6269.] As a regular reader of the B.B.J.
I have been much interested ■wjdth the
letters therein about " tanging " bees, and
may be allowed to give you my experience
in that line. When a lad of thirteen I
was engaged on a warren tending cows,
and had the privilege of having my meals
in a house near by, where some bees were
kept in straw skeps. I well remember
that I often saw swarms come out, and
when this occurred I always ran to inform
the bee-keeper, and on doing this was
promptly handed the key out of the door
and the dustpan by his wife, and told to
go and " tang the bees " till she came
to hive them. I, of course, " tanged "
away as hard as I could, but was only too
pleased when she did come, for the thou-
sands of bees usually got too near me to
be pleasant ; but I never got a sting,
though I used to run about near the bees,
beating the dustpan as hard as I could,
much to my own boyish delight. — J. R. W.,
Oakley, Beds, March 16.

MARCH RAINFALL.

Total 2.03 inches.

Heaviest fall, .40 inches on 10th.

Rain fell on sixteen days.

W. Hi:ad, Brilley, Herefordshire.

^mm m& §lfjHfs.

[3244.] An Ideal Colon ij in March. —
Hardly knowing what is usually called a
" strong stock " of bees in March, I should
like to ask your opinion of one of my hives,
after giving you the following particulars.
The stock is headed with a 1904 hybrid
queen, and last year she started with six
standard frames ; at the end of the season,
after taking 491b. of surplus honey (section
and extracted), I left on two body-boxes,
each containing ten standard frames. They
came through winter well, and I found on
examining them last week that both boxes
were quite full of bees, all the ten frames
being covered with them. As this seemed
to me an exceptionally strong colony at
this early jjart of the season I could not

refrain from asking your opinion of them,
through the medium of the B.B.J. 2. Ako
do you not think the above would be a pood
stock to raise queens from ? I may say
two experts have examined the hive, and
both declare they are the strongest stock
they have ever seen at this time of the
year. Trusting you and all who keep bees
and love the craft will have a prosperous
season. — Joshua B. C, Truro, Cornwall,
March 31.

Reply. — 1. If, as stated, the bees covered
twenty standard frames at end of March,
we do not wonder at the experts' statement.
We never yet saw a colony that completely
filled two body-boxes holding twenty
standard frames in March. 2. We should
do no more than get a comb full of eggs
from the hybrid queen and rear queens
from them in another hive. By so doing
the stock itself will be free to exercise their
working powers in honey storing.

[3245.] Advice on Bee Management. — I
have had two stocks of bees for five years,
but only took over the management of them
last autumn, so that while knowing some-
thing of bees theoretically, I am quite an
amateur with regard to practical work
among them. I shall therefore be greatly
obliged if you will give me a little advice.
After reading Mr. Cowan's " Guide Book, '
I gather that it is now about time to com-
mence spring feeding, aisi advised on page
109. I gave each stock some cakes of soft
candy a fortnight ago which is not yet all
consumed. I therefore ask : — 1. Should
I wait till the bees have finished that, or
take it away and start giving spring syrup ?
2. I have also by me some cakes of candy
left over. Will that keep for another sea-
son? I had a third stock in a skep given
me last autumn, the bees of which have
been flying strong and busy gathering
prllen. 3. Do you advise me to transfer
this stock to a frame-hive al-out May, or
should I wait for it to swarm and then
transfer the old stock afterwards, so making
two stocks from it ? I shall be glad to
have reply as soon as possible. I have
taken your B.B.J, and the monthly liecord
for some time and derived much useful
advice in reading every number since. I
send name for reference and sign —
D. E. W., Sussex.

Reply. — We advise giving syrup in lieu
of candy at this season. It is far better
for the bees. 2. Any candy left over may
be used in making syrup for autumn food,
but it will be too hard for use in its present
form. 3. The custom of transferring old
combs from skeps to frame-hives is now
out of date, and has fallen into disuse,
much to the advantage of bees and bee-
keepers. If, therefore, you decide to let
the skep swarm, we should hive the swarm
in a frame-hive, and three weeks later drive

April 5, 1006.]

I'HE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

139

the bees from skep, and hive in a new
frame-hive.

[3246.] Some Urgent Queries for Spring.
—1. In uniting two stocks in spring, with-
out removing one queen, is the younger of
the two queens usually the winner when the
fight comes ? I cannot see well enough to
pick one out unless I have a very good
chance. 2. If the hees of an old stock in-
crease quickly and continuously in spring,
is this usually considered a proof that the
stock requeened itself in the previous year ?

3. I see that hives that have contained
stocks affected with foul brood ai'e some-
times painted inside. Does not this
painted surface cause condensation from
damp air that is of an injurious amount ?

4. I have been disinfecting some hives that
last year contained stocks very badly dis-
eased. After reading what is stated in the
" Guide Book," at the top of page 169, I
do not feel very hopeful of escaping disease
when I use the boxes again. What are the
chances? — B. , Lines, March 28.

Reply. — It is by no means certain which
queen will be the victor when left to " fight
it out." This being so, the ti'ouble in-
curred in selecting the best one to save will
be well repaid. 2. By no means ; in fact,
some queens do better in their second year
than in the first. 3. In practice it is
found that no appreciable bad effect follows
painting the insideis of hives. " Hall's
washable distemper " makes a capital sub-
stitute for ordinary paint for the purpose,
and is free from the objections named. 4.
If the instructions given in " Guide Book ''
are carefully followed the danger is mini-
mised very much.

[3247.] Milde^ced Pollen in Store Comhs.
— I have had a number of standard brood-
frames stowed away for the • winter, and
now find that those combs in which pollen
was stored have become rather mildewed.
I have therefore cut out the parts affected
and placed them in the sun to dry. Do you
think it will be safe to use these frames
again, or had I better destroy them ?
Would spraying with carbolic disinfectant
do any good ? Your reply will oblige —
G. L. P., London, S.W.

Reply. — There can be no risk in using
frames of comb from which nothing worse
than mildewed pollen has been cut out.
In fact, the bees would themselves have
cleared away the mildew when the comb
was required for use.

[3248.] Non-swarming Hives. — A fort-
night ago I purchased a stock of bees in
a " Taylor's " non-swanning hive, at a
farm sale. The bees had been, it was
stated, pronounced healthy by the local
expert. On examining my purchase I
found that no frames had been placed in
the non-swarming chamber, and, in conse-
quence, the bees had built (very cro'-'"^'d)

combs from bottom-bai-s of frames in the
brood-chamber above. Hence I was unable
to make a proper examination. After
managing to get out one frame I noticed
on the top of the next one a small brown
object (remains enclosed), the size of a
small acorn ; apparently it had dropped
from the frame I had removed, as the ex-
cluder was on to]) before I began. It con-
tained a jjerfectly clean, thick, creamy-
looking substance, free from smell. I^n-
fortunately I threw it away at the moment ;
hence its present condition. There were in
the hive an abundance of bees and stores,
and a few drones. To-day (April 2) drones
are flying in and out, and the worker bees
are carrying in pollen. I therefore ask : —
1. Is it possible the broken bits of wax
enclosed a queen-cell with larva in a
state of development, and that the bees
are about to requeen themselves ? I men-
tion this because of not seeing the queen
in my imperfect examination. 2. While I
had a frame of comb in my hands I noticed
a bee bustling down the next one, carrying
something pearly-white, the size of a small
hemp seed. Wliat would this be ? I am
a beginner at present, with no practical
experience. During the winter I have been
studying Mr. Cowan's two books. Thank-
ing you in anticipation of reply, I send
name and sign — Cambist, Stamford, Lines,
April 2.

Reply. — 1. The bits of wax are evidently
the remains of a queen-cell, but we see no
signs left of the larva mentioned as being
" in a state of develoiDment." Under the
circumstances detailed above, your best
course will be to examine the combs in
brood-chamber for eggs or larvfe, and, while
doing this, keep a look-out for the queen
(if there is one). Should there be no sign
of brood-raising going on, the stock will
be either queenless, or headed by an old
queen. 2. The white substance might
possibly be the remains of a young larva
that had been " chilled " to death, or a bit
of wax. We cannot say from a beginner's
description what it was with any degree
of certainty.

[3249.] Danger of Accepting Stocks of
Bees. — Will you please tell me, through
the B.B.J. , if the comb sent is affected
with foul brood? I have just had the
stock, from which sample was taken, given
to me, and should not like my other hives,
which are now healthy, to become diseased,
if I can help it. I am only a beginner, and
never having seen foul brood, I should be
much obliged for your opinion and help,
I find the B.B.J, and " Guide Book " very
useful. — A. L. W., Wolverhampton,
March 27.

REPLi-. — The comb sent is affected with
foul brood of old standing ; therefore, yoiir
best course will be to destroy the bees and

140

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [April 5, 1906.

•ombs at the earliest opportunity, by sul-
phuring the bees and burning combs and
frames. If the hive is not a good one we
should burn that too. It is of the utmost
importance that there should be no delay
in operating, because if your healthy bees
start robbing the newcomers it may see
the ruin of your whole apiary.

Notices to Correspondents & Inquirers,

Letters or queries asking for addresses of manufac-
turers or otrrespondents, or where appliances can be
purchased, or replies giving such information, can only
be inserted a« advertisements. The space devoted to
letters, queries, arui replies is meant for the general
good of bee-keepers, and not for advertisements. _ We
■wish our correspondents to bear in mind that, as it is
necessary for us to go to press in advance of the date of
issue, queries cannot always be replied to in the issueim-
mediately following the receipt of their com,ntunieations.

*** EiiKATA. — Referring to the letter headed
" Suggested Conference " (page 127), Mr.
R. H. Coltman writes to say that in the
ninth line from end — the lettei-sB.B.K. A.
should have been D.B.K.A., as applying
to the Derbyshire Bee-keepers' Associa-
tion, not the B.B.K.A.

P. B. R. (Somerset). — Joining a County
B.K.A. — Somersetshire will no doubt
very soon have its own county B.K.A. ,
as steps are now being taken to re-estab-
lish the late Bristol, Glos. and Som.
B.K.A. as a county B.K.A. for Somerset.
We hope to have full particulars for pub-
lication when matters have taken definite
shape. 2. The sample of comb sent is
affected with foul brood of old standing.

W.. T. (Stratford-on-Avon). — • Broodless
Hives in March. — 1. There must be some-
thing wrong about your bees to have no
brood in any of the hives at this season.
Good well-cared -for stocks should now
have brood in all stages in several combs
at end of March. 2. The very small bit
of comb sent contains foul brood of old
standing.

Belgravia (Leicester). — Dealing with
Combs from Diseased Hives. — You did

• well to destroy the bees, as there is foul
brood in each of the two sealed cells for-
warded. If, however, the combs are —
as stated — good new ones, they >vill be
safe to use if syringed well with soluble
phenyle.

Novice (Devon). — Making Bee Candy. —
Except for being not quite smooth in
grain, your sample made from Br.

Colomban's recipe — is very good for a first
trial. No doubt you will overcome this
slight defect next time.

Special Prepaid Advertisements.

Twelve worJi and under, Bimpeno* ; for everf additional
Three worAt or under. One Jrenny.

LBS. EXTRACTED HONEY, at 6d. lb. Sample
2d.— H. COLLIER, Nayland, Colchester.

o 8

140

*** Some Letters, Qtieries and Replies^ &c.,
art VLnavoida/bly Ktld over UU next week.

A PRONOUNCED SUCCESS.— The BURKITT BEE-
GLOVE. With sleeves, 3s. 6d. per pair, post
fre?. Without sleeves, 28 6d. per pair, post free. The
best, cheapest, and most satiefactory glove for bee-
keepers.—EDWARD REYNOLDS, Glove Maker, .And
over, Hampshire. Wholesale pricea to the trade.

APIARY of 80 STOCKS BEES FOR SALE, including
new store house, supers, doubles, feeders, and
everything necessary ; siiuated on Cotawold Hills,
near Junction Station. Particulars on application.—
"APIARIST," " B. B. J." Office, 8, Henrietta Street,
W.C. o 12

BEES WANTED. New Standard Hives, painted,
offered in exchange.— S. CUBITT, Trunch, Nor-
folk. - o 15

CHAMPION " NEVER SWARM QUEENS " of 1905,
in introducing cages, Ts. 6d. ; Nuclei with Queens
of 1905, five Standard Frames, comb, and brood, ISs. ;
guaranteed healthj-. Begin now with " Never Swarm
System," 11 years' absolute success, Sid. — HARRIS,
Wavendon, Bletchley, Bucks. o 14

FERTILE 1905 QUEEN TO SPARE, 5s., post free.—
BOCOCK, Ashley Apiaries, Newmarket. o 22

FINEST ENGLISH HONEY, 50s. cwt. Sample 2d.,
tins free.— DUTTON, Terling, Essex. o 18

FOR SALE, TEN TEN-FRAME HIVES, Twenty-four
Four-frame Nucleus Hives, with lids ; Forty Baby
Nucleus Hives, with frames to match.— For particulars
apply F. HARE, 66, Dacre Road, Hitchin, Herts, o 16

FOR SALE, Edison Bell GEM PHONOGRAPH, almost
new, with 42 selected Records,- mostly Scotch,
i;3 10s. ; or exchange for May -June healthy swarms. —
WM. ARTHUR, Bee Appliance Dealer, AUoway, by
Ayr, N.B. o 17

FOR SALE, B flat BASS CLARINET, with leather
case; perfect condition; cost £18 18s.; accept
£5 lOs., or value in honey ; approval. — FRED. READ,
50, Albion Road, Willenhall. o 13

FOR SALE THREE STOCK BEES, in nearly new
Bar Framed Hives," £1 each. Also Three Stocks
Bees, in " W.B.C." Body Boxes, 16s. each; all war-
ranted healthy and very strong.— THOS. SHIPLEY,
Folkington, Polegate, Sussex. O 9

FOR SALHi, owing to owner going abroad, the whole
of tne CONTENTS of APIARY. Eleven Stocks,
19G5 Queens, Cowan Rapid Reversiible Extractor,
Ripener, Cheshire's Wax Extractor, etc., etc. Lists
on application to ALFRED HALL, Many Pitts, Marton,
Blackpool. o 6

FOR SALE, an OUT-APIARY, together or separately,
ten splendid Stocks of Bees, in "W.B.C." Hives,
all young Queene, hive for queen rearing, supers,
miscellaneou* stocks, and bee house, complete, all in
ibest conditior, and guaranteed free from disease. —
H. FIRTH, Rock Park, Birkenhead. o 5

FREEHOLD, nearly five acres, in sunny Hampshire,
Bees (30 stocks), Fruit, and Poultry, with six-
roomed dwelling, greenhouse, sheds, all stocks and
appliances. Price, inclusive, £365.— HOBBS, Four
Marks, Alresford, Hants. o 23

LIGHT HONEY, in screw cap jars, 8s. dozen, on
rail. — W. CANNABY, Ettington, Stratfordon-
Ayon. o 25

LIGHT HONEY, in Borew-cap Jars, 8«. dozen ; Bulk,
63fl. ; tins free ; carriage paid. Sample 2d. —
CHARTER, Tatlingstone, Ipswich. V 78

April 1-2. 1906.] 1?HE BRITISH BEE JOtJBNAL.

141

BRITISHBEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION
{Continued from page 134)

CONVERSAZIONE.

The Chairman (Mr. Cowan) said he had
had an experience extending to about tliirty
years on this subject — probably more than
that of any other bee-keeper at the time.
He had imported a large number of foreign
bees for his own apiary, and for ex-
periment. The reason why there was
so much variation in the results of
Italian-queen introduction w.as that every
queen imported was given to a colony,
whether she was worth anything or
not. Instead of discarding inferior
ones, they wei'e all retained. His
experience was that only one out of every
ten imported direct from Italy was good
for anything. Then, with regard to bring-
ing in disease, he could say, with confi-
dence, that foul brood was introduced into
his apiary by Italian bees. He had never
had it before then ; but was, notwithstand-
ing, successful in eradicating it — as the
result, perhaps, of a great many years' ex-
jierience in the treatment of foul brood.
He could not understand any one saying
that Italians were not so subject to this
disease as English. All the evidence at-
tainable showed that the disease was very
prevalent in Italy, although not so virulent
in form as its English prototype. Bee
keepers there were wholly unable to keep
it in check, and he did not think there
were many apiaries in the country but
what was affected more or less with foul
brood. He was, nevertheless, very pleased
that Mr. Sladen had done what very lew
bee-keepers had attempted, namely, studied
the subject, and gone in for breeding queens
and making a selection. That was a valu-
able work and deserved aiipreciation,
especially as he (Mr. Sladen) was glad to
give the bee-world the benefit of his in-
vestigations. In America, that service
would be rendered at Government expense,
and a large amount was spent annually
there in appointing experts in entomology,
who made experiements and issxied reports.
all of which was done by private enterprise
in this country. He was sorry to be obliged
to come to an adverse conclusion regarding
Italian bees ; but thirty years' experience
had taught him thatEngiish bees were much
better suited to their own climate than the
others, which began work too early in the
spring, while the natives stayed at home
and saved themselves from the perils of
our English weather, which decimated the

foreigners. The latter also reared brood
much earlier than English bees, and there-
fore they consumed more honey at a time
when that commodity was unobtainable in
tlie fields. That was the reason why English
bees were the best honey producers. No
doubt a cross between the Italian and our
native bee was a good all-round serviceable
worker and a good honey-gatherer ; and if
a selection could be made of the best queens
and drones from the best stocks an improve-
ment would be effected in any apiary. He
used to select the very best queens and
drones, and by that combination secured
a strain of bees that gathered large quan-
tities of honey ; but there was another
factor, those that suited one locality would
often not suit anotlier. He found that
hybrids when acclimatised would do better
here than in Italy.

Carniolans were more satisfactory here
than any other foreign bee. Italian bees
in Switzerland were useless. They did not
succeed in mountainous regions at all. He
believed that if apiculturists would devote
more attention to the selection of different
breeds, and use only the very best, they
would improve their strain of bees very
much. With regard to the " golden "
strain, he looked upon them as a fancy
bee ; they had not proved themselves to be
good honey gatherers. A number of
breeders in America, desiring to obtain a
highly ornamental insect, had crossed
Italians, Carniolans, and others, selecting
those with the most pronounced yellow
bands, thus producincr gradually the bril-
liant specimens now called " golden bees '
— but there was very little Italian blood in
theni. With regard to propolising, as al-
leged against the golden bees, he had had
no experience ; but that woiild be a great
drawback to honey production.

Mr. Carr, by way of emphasizing the
Chairman's remarks, said that upwards of
twenty-five years ago he was the owner of
a fairly large apiary in Cheshire, and was
classed among the successful honey pro-
ducers, but in an evil moment he intro-
duced half a dozen Italian queens to his
natives, and would never forget it as long
as he lived ! They had not been there
long before his apiary was loaded up with
foul brood of a virulent type. So bad was
it that he lost nineteen strong stocks in
one year. He had never looked at Italians
with favour since that date.

The nursery cage used by Mr. Sladen for
protecting queen-cells and virgin queens
(shown on page 114) was then passed round
for the inspection of the company.

The Chairman suggested that as the next
subject on the agenda — viz., "Form-
ing Nuclei for Virgin Queens " — had
already been ventilated in the columns of
the B.B.J. , it would be desirable to pass
it over, and enter upon any matters that

142

ttSE BRltlSa BEE JOtJUNAL. [April 12, 1906.

members preseiat might desire to bring be-
fore tbe meeting for discussion.

Mr, Weston thereupon introduced the
subject of "Over-lacing Sections," which all
who were in the habit of attending shows
knew frequently caused trouble between
judges and exhibitors. He had discussed
the matter with Mr. Lee (of James Lee
and Son), and they thought the difl&culty
might be surmounted. He had always
previously used a plain band for his own
work, but he now exhibited samples(printed
respectively in blue and red) of an orna-
mental band which had been cut out by
means of a die, and therefore could always
be made exact to size. It was somewhat nar-
rower than the one now in use as regarded
.lace-edging, and there were spaces left for
the name of the producer or salesman, and
the county where the honey was produced.
As to price, he left that to Mr. Lee and his
catalogue.

Mr. Reid said this matter was a small
one, but, nevertheless, important. It was
a great advantage to have an improvement
of the band suggested, which would not
only save labour to bee-keepers, but also
trouble to judges, who sometimes had a
most disagreeable duty to perform when
disqualifying excellent sections owing to
the carelessness of the producer in prepar-
ing them for exhibition. As a judge, he
had been grieved to be obliged by rules to
reject good sections because of over-lacing ;
but it would not be fair to those who kept
within the law by using narrow lacing if
others who did not were allowed to steal
the advantage in appearance with im-
punity. He thought the blue labels shown
should not be issued at random ; they gave
the comb a darker colour than the red ones.

Mr. A. D. Woodley was informed by Mr.
Weston that the labels could be used for
either Ig-in. or 2-in. sections. He (Mr.
Woodley) acknowledged that the over-laced
section was prejudiced on the show-bench,
but hardly thought the exhibit ought to be
disqualified solely on that account. But
where the exhibits were equal in other re-
spects, the narrow-laced exhibit should
certainljr secure the prize.

A discussion then arose with regard to
the fitting of the labels round the square
corners of the section, in which Colonel
Walker, Mr. Weston, Mr. Pugh, and the
Chairman joined, the conclusion being that
a mere slit or cut made at each corner
would be quite sufficient to insure a perfect
adjustment. The label was cut out by a
steel die, and therefore must always be
accurate in width.

The Chairman said the next point for dis-
cussion referred to heather honey, of which
he had a number of samples there. He
called attention to one specimen parti
cularly, which had been sent by a gentle
man whose desire was to afford an oppor-

tunity to those present of comparing
samples of heather honey — one from
Calluna vulgaris, or ling, and another from
Erica cinerea, or bell heather. No doubt
their friend had been animated with the
best intentions ; but he had, unfortunately,
put both his samples in one glass jar, and
had forgotten to tell them how to get at the
bottom sample for tasting. (Laughter.)
He (the Chairman) would pass the samples
round, and invited the audience to say
which was which, as it had puzzled him-
self. The samples were passed round ^mid
good-humoured remarks. The several other
samples were also handed round the room
for examination.

Colonel A¥alker had been at some trouble
to obtain heather honey to be sent to New
Zealand. He had tried both Scotland and
England, but could not get anything that
could be called heather honey except from
Scotland. There could be no doubt that
the specimen he exhibited came from ling,
and not bell-heather. It was produced on
the Cheviot Hills, and the bee-keeper ex-
plained, as a proof of its derivation from
ling, that bell-heather did not blossom at
the time it was gathered, and there was
nothing else for the bees to work on. It
was often alleged that absolutely genuine
heather honey was difficult to obtain, and
the ex7ilanation of this was that a good
many bee-keepers, when they took their
hives to the moors, left more or less of
honey already in the combs which had been
gathered from other sources, and that being
extracted with the rest, injured the general
quality. His friend in the north said that
it was impossible to secure bell-heather
boney, but he knew it was done in the
south. He was sure the company would
all agree that what he now exhibited was
a genuine product, and could not be
classed on the show-bench with anything
else. The gentleman, who was known to
most of those present by his articles in the
B.B.J, over the initials, " D. M. M.," had
been good enough to obtain the sample sub-
mitted for him from his own neighbour-
hood. Another gentleman had also sent
him some honey from the Derbyshire
moors, but this was perfectly different from
the other sample, although tasting more or
less like heather honey.

The Chairman sho^yed a sample of
"ling" honey gathered at Guildford,
Surrey, by Mr. W. H. Wood's bees, also
one sent by Miss K. M. Hall obtained at
Hindhead, and was from heather of both
kinds. He also passed round a specimen
of houey from Eversley (Charles Kingsley's
parish) gathered from heather and clover.

Mr. Carr stated that the last sample was
of a kind for which they had recently in-
troduced a new class at several important
shows — namely, "heather mixture."
{Conclusion of Re2)ort next week.)

April 12, 1906.] ttHE BRMJISH BE« JOtTiU^AL.

143

EEVIEWS.

The Natural History of Selborne, by the
Bev. Gilhp,rt White, M.A. Rearranged and
classified in subjects by Charles Mosley. Pub-
lislied by Elliot Stock, London, 6s. net.
The notes and letters of the Rev. Gilbert
White, which form the now famous
" Natural History of Selborne," first ap-
peared in print in 1789, when their author
was in his seventieth year. Since that time
many editions of the work have appeared,
the character of each having been as varied
as they are numerous, while each succeed-
ing edition has been " edited " in a manner
calculated to maintain for it some specific
characteristic. Although close on one hun-
dred editions of this most popular work
have been published, the one before us
differs from the others in that it is
arranged, not strictly in the form of
letters as they left the author's pen, but
according to the species described therein,
so that it is more convenient for reference,
whilst not detracting from its interest to
the general reader. Throughout the pre-
sent edition the original sequence of
White's arrangement has been preserved,
taking first the letters addressed to Thomas
Pennant, Esq., and afterwards those to the
Honourable Daines Barrington ; and t<j
obviate confusion the former series are dis-
tinguished by figures and the latter by
roman numerals. Mr. Mosley's arrange-
ment of the work will be read with interest,
and the very full index which accompanies
it makes it especially valuable to students
and lovers of nature. The book is tastefully
printed in crown 8vo size, and suitably
bound. It has as a frontispiece the large,
quaint, folding plate of the view of Sel-
borne which appeared in the first edition
published in 1789.

The Writers' and Artists' Tear-Booh.
A. and C. Black, London. Is. net. This
little book of seventy-eight pages is a
directory for writers, artists, and photo-
graphers. The difficulty of knowing where
to place articles is one that confronts not
only the tyro, but the man of considerable
experience. This annual' comes to his
assistance, and indicates the requirements
of editors, so as to meet that want. A list
of journals is given, and special attention
paid to all details of importance, such as
the length of MS. likely to be accepted, and
the kind and quality of matter suitable.
In addition to the list of papers and maga-
zines with details, there are lists of pub
lishers, colour-printers, literary agents,
and a classified index of papers and maga-
zines. There are also instructions for
authors and a guide for correcting proofs.
The book can be recommended, and will be
found very useful, as it contains a large
amount of information in compact form.

Structure and Development of the Com.
pound Eye of the Honey-Bee. By Everett

Franklin Phillips, Ph.D. The author, who
is now conducting the experimental apiary
of the Department of Agriculture, Wash-
ington, D.C., while at the University of
Pennsylvania studied the morphology of
the compound eye of the honey-bee, which
has puzzled zoologists for years, and
respecting which divers views are still held.
With an intention of adding some evidence
from the embryological point of view, Dr.
Phillips began his work, in the belief that
a detailed examination of this one insect
eye would throw light on the adult mor-
phology. His investigations lead him to
the conclusion that the primitive arrange-
ment of ommatidia is tetragonal, that the
hairs over the lens are secreted by bi-
nucleated hair-cells with intracellular
ducts which lie between the ommatidia.
The ommatidium is composed of eight or
nine retinula cells and about twelve outer
pigment cells. The rhabdome and cone
are intracellular secretions, while the lens
is an extracellular secretion of the pigment
cells. The lens is secreted by the corneal
'pigment cells, which early in the pupa
stage lie distal to the cone, and possibly
also by the outer pigment cells. The
ommatidium arises from a strictly one-
layered epidermis, which passes directly
fr-om the larva to the pupa without the
loss of any cells or addition from other
tissues. The interpretation of the forma-
tion of the ommatidium which Dr. Phillips
holds from an examination of the eye of the
bee makes possible, he says, a very close
homology of the elements of the compound
eye with the ocelli of insects, such as was
held by Grenacher. From sections of ocelli
of the pupte of the bee which were ex-
amined, it was evident that the middle
ocellus arises from a double invagination,
indicating a fusion of two organs, while
the lateral ocelli arise from single invagina-
tions. These investigations are published
in the Proceedings of the Academy of
Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, and the
paper is fully illustrated.

NORTHUMBERLAND AND DURHAM
B.K.A.

ANNtTAL MEETING.

The annual meeting of the Northumber-
land and Durham Bee-keepers' Association
was held on Saturday, March 31, in the
rooms of the Young Men's Christian Asso-
ciation, Blackett Street, Newcastle. Mr.
W. Armstrong, Blackhill, presided. The
annual report stated that the year had been
a very poor one for honey. A balance of
£4 4s. was reported in favour of the funds
of the Association. Lord Armstrong was
re-elected President. It was announced
that Mr. James Waddell, who for so long
had acted as honorary secretary of the

144

THE BRITISH BEE JOtJBNAL. [April 12, 1906.

Association, had resigned that position,
although he had agreed to continue as the
Association's certified expert. . Mr. J. C.
Hedley, Stocksfield, was elected as Mr.
Waddell's successor, and Mr. J. W.
Wakinshaw, Westerhope, was appointed
hon. treasurer. The Committee was
re-elected. It was decided to con-
tinue the excursions, and also the
honey show, which had always proved so
successful in the past. The Association de-
cided to make application to the County
Councils of the two counties to appoint an
expert for the counties. — (Comimmicated.)

^nrmpn&tMt

The Editors do riot hold themselves retponsible for the
opinions expressed by correspondents. No notice will
be taken of anonymous communications, and corre-
spondents are requested to write on one side of the paper
only and give their real names and addresses, not neces-
sarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith.
Illustrations should be drawn on separate pieces of paper.
We do not undertake to return rejected communications.

*»* In order to facilitate reference, Corr*sponderts,
when speaking of any letter or query previously insetted,
wilt oblige by mentioning the r. umber of the letter as well
as the page on which it appears.

NOTES BY THE WAY.

[6270.] With the advent of April a spell
of new life has been infused into the
apiary by the days of brilliant sunshine
we have been blessed with. The palm or
willow, and also the dandelion, have
begun to blossom freely in sheltered spots,
besides many other smaller flowers in the
fields and hedgerows from which the bees
gather either pollen or honey. The early
fruit trees (sorry we have so few in our
near neighbourhood) are again putting
forth their snowy blossoms, so that every
week onwards there will be a continu-
ally extending breadth of forage from
which the bees will gather stimulating
food for the growth of brood-nests.

Foreign Bees. — I am unable to speak per-
sonally of the value or otherwise of the
Italian or other foreign races of bees, as
I have persistently objected to their intro-
duction to my apiary. I have done this
so that I should not knowingly allow any
trait of foreign blood into my strain of
English bees. These I liave endeavoured
to improve, and although still a long way
from my ideal strain, my experience shows
that if I get a specially prolific queen,
although her progreny may be excellent
lioney-gatherers, they are not so docile in
handling as others which are not so pro-
lific. There is usually a great deal of fuss
maile of extra early prolificness of queens,
as the pages of the B.B..I. often show, but
this early production of bees before there
is honey to gaihcr is, to my mind, not an
unmixed blessing, seeing that these very

populous early colonies have to be fed,
either consuming the food stores of the
hive, or from the hand of the apiarist,
and should the early honey-flow fail,
such stocks will either swarm exces-
sively or will require constant attention
— i.e., feeding till honey can be got out-
side. Thus we find that the early promise
of such stocks compares unfavourably with
colonies of English bees which seemed
more backward than the foreign or hybrid
races early in the year. The apiarist
should always know his district and aim
to get his stocks into the pink of condi-
tion just in the nick of time for the first
honey-flow. To those living in the fruit
districts these early breeders may be just
the race of bees to keep, but where white
clover is relied on for the harvest and
this queen of bee flowers does not bloom
till the second week of June, of what
good to the bee-keeper, I ask, are hives
full of bees and empty of stores by mid-'
May? These are the salient points to be
remembered if your bee-keeping is going
to be successful. During the many years
I have kept bees the balance has always
been on the right side, and I have always
been able to have my stocks ready for the
first honey-flow, and have been successful
in securing a fair share of the good things
obtainable by bee-keeping. Therefore my
readers must not blame me for having a
good word to say for " Ye Olde Englishe
Bee," — W. WooDLEY, Beedon, Newbury.

SUNDRY NOTES ABOUT BEES.

[6271.] Facts and Theories. — I often
notice many things about bees that facts
seem to disprove. In B.B.J, for March 1
I see Lord Avebury tells us bees prefer blue
flowers. But blue flowers in Britain are
by no means common ; about the only blue
flower I know of growing wild is the blue-
bell, or wild hyacinth. This the bees fre-
quent, but most of the flowers from which
they gather their largest stores are not
blue. Then as to keeping hives warm, a
swarm of milie went into a neighbour's
roof, where they have lived for some years
past. They are on the north end of the
house, and are much exposed to cold and
draughts without having any alighting
board ; they have to settle on the side of
the house and crawl in at a small hole, yet
these bees seem wonderfully strong, though
during the last five years they have lived
without feeding and without care. Then
again, one of your correspondents spoke of
finding a swarm in a hedge late in the
autumn, exposed to wind and to wet. I
have heard of the same thing; before, here
they seem to have thriven with nothing to
keep off the weather. Then as to diyness
of hi'/es and cleanliness: A favourite
resort of bees is a hollow tree. I have seen

April 12, 1906. J THE BRITISH BEE JOURirAl..

146

many in this position where they have lived
foi" years. There must alvv^ays in such a
position be more or less damp from decayed
wood. In such a place all the dead bees
and debris of the hive must fall to the
bottom, and these accumulate year after
year, no spring cleaning is done for them,
but foul brood does not seem to clear them
out! It is recommended to set hives ov5r
six feet apart ; in a bee-house I made a
good many years ago for six hives, they
were so near together they almost touched,
at the swarming season when " hanging
out " the bees came in contact with one
another, and seemed to fraternise in the
most friendly manner"; but I do not re
member losing'queens under these circum-
stances.

In the Italian Alps and other parts of
the Continent, the bees are kept in long
boxes, about a foot square ; the further
end from the entrance can be opened and
the combs cut out. Those boxes I have
seen packed together in a sort of bee-shed,
or house, closed in at the back and sides
but open in front ; to the best of my recol-
lection, there could have been little more
than two feet between these boxes.

As to "tanging," when the swarming
time comes my neighbours will still hear
me belabouring some tin pot as I used to
do as a lad, fifty years ago, for I still be-
lieve that the sound confuses the bees by
drowning the hum of their leaders, that is,
the scouts that have found a new home for
them. Some will smile, so let them, but
if any one will knock a swarm of bees out
on a sheet, place the empty hive a little
way from the mass, then take two or three
bees and place them at the entrance of
hive, as soon as they have discovered
their home they will set up a hum of satis-
faction, and when this is heard by the rest
of the bees, they will immediately rush
towards the hive in a stream, showing that
they recognise a call from their fellows.

My bees seem to care little for
mignonette, although I sow a quantity
every year ; in some localities I have found
it very different. I have a yellow flower,
" Limnanthes Douglasii," of which they
are passionately fond ; it grows about six
inches high.

Nuptial FlirjJit. — I was much interested
in the letter from your correspondent in
America with regard to queen-mating, or
nuptial flight. From observations I niadt-
last summer, I am inclined to think Italian
drones have only a poor chance. The
Cai-niolans are stronger on the wing, and
would be more likely to mate a young
queen. I succeeded in. bringing them down
to the ground by the dozen, or even on to
my hand, by the attraction of a young un-
mated queen that I allowed to fly from the
end of a fishing rod detained by a fine
thread and noose round her body, but a

knot has to be made in. the noose so that it
should not pull tight and injure her. As
she flew in the air thus detained, it was a
curious sight to see the flock of drones that
gathered round her. I cannot help think-
ing that in this way something might be
done as to .sioecial mating.

I notice remarks as to bees cleaning
their antennae, but no one seems to have
noticed what I spoke of in B.B.J, more
than a year ago, that every bee on leaving
the hive ]3asses its fore legs over its
antennae first.

The Habits of Wasps. — Some time ago, I
asked a question in Beitish Bee Journal
with regard to the habits of wasps. Since
then r have found my question fully
answered in a book recommended to me by
one of the officials in the private depart-
ment of Natural History in the Ken-
sington Museum, and if any of the readers
of B.B.J, are interested in the subject,
they will still be able to get a copy of the
book, as Messrs. J. Wheldon and Co. had
several copies on hand, second-hand, but
as good as new. The title of the book is
" British Social Wasps," by Edward
Latham Armerod, M.D., J. Wheldon and
Co., 38, Great Queen Street, London, W.C.
There are coloured plates of our seven
social wasps, also plates of their nests.
The price is either 3s. or 4s. I send name
for reference, and sign — " Humble Bee,"
Bridge of Allan.

BEE PARALYSIS.

[6272.] Being one of the few scientific
students of the phenomena of heredity,
possibly the following few particulars may
be of interest to those who have recently
written in the B.B.J, with reference to bee-
paralysis. As with the human being, so
with birds, insects, animals, etc., the whole
nervous structure is always inherited from
the female line, and never from the male
line. Hence, whatever imperfections of
the nervous system may be found in the
female parent is reproduced in a more or
less degree in the offspring. Paralysis is
an affection or breakdown of a portion of
the nervous system, and except in very
rare cases is there any possible cure for
it, the cure or alleviation, if any, coming
through strict attention to diet, and sub-
jecting the paralysed limb to electric light
rays. If we cannot cure paralysis in human
beings, is it any wonder that we cannot cure
bee-paralysis ? The only cure — if it really
can be called a cure — is to introduce a new
queen into the colony, which will be tan-
tamount to introducing a new nervous sys-
tem (through young brood) into the hive.
For myself, I am rather afraid tliat bee-
paralysis is one of the penalties we have
to bear as the result of introducing so much
female line (i.e., queen bees) from Southern
European countries. I think I have read

146

THE BRITISH BEE JOtTRNAL. [April 12, 1906.

it somewhere in the B.B.J, that bee-
paralysis is more prevalent in the warmer
countries than here. Queens are yearly
imjjorted in thousands into this country,
many of them, no doubt, having incipient
forms of foul brood and of paralysis in
them, wluch in due course shows itself in
the young brood, to the surprise and dis-
appointment of many bee-keepers.
Heredity will always have its way. — -
Geo. Smith, Cardiff, March 15.

HUMBLE BEES FOR NEW ZEALAND.

A SUCCESSFUL SHIPMENT.

[6273.] You will be pleased to know that
I have just heard from Mr. Pemberton,
secretary of the Canterbury Agricultural
and Pastoral Association, New Zealand,
that of the queen humble-bees sent out
to him by the s.s. " Paparoa," last Decem-
ber, 66 per cent, arrived alive. The Asso-
ciation, he says, is very pleased with the
success of the experiment, as in the two
former shipments (made in 1884), only 15
and 17 per cent, arrived alive. All the
queens in the shipment sent last Decem-
ber were supplied by readers of the British
Bee Jouknal in answer to my advertise-
ments in it. Without your readers' kind
help it would have been impossible to have
made the shipment. I was pleased to see
by this week's B.B.J, that the reading of
my paper at the conversazione was followed
by an interesting discussion about Italian-
English cross-breds.— r. W. L. Sladen,
Ripple Court Apiary, near Dover.

NOTES FROM MIDLOTHIAN.

SPRING BEE-FORAGE.

[6274.] The bees of our Southern brethren
. will be busily employed at present working
on the newly-opened spring flowers, while
ours are snow-bound, and it makes one
feel inclined to break the tenth command-
ment. I notice, however, that crocus buds
are just beginning to appear. This is our
first bee-forage, it being too cold for snow-
drops to be of any use to our bees, so we
must wait for the crocus, and then watch
the bees " waddlin' hame " laden with
pollen, vaiying in colour according to the
many tints of the flowers they have visited.
Next comes a weed called here " Shellagh, '
the flower of which appears before the leaves
and yields pollen of a bright yellow colour,
like that of the dandelion. Then follows
the whin, with its reddish-yellow pollen.
These are all merely pollen-producing ;
after whicli comes the arahis abidis, or wall
cress, which is the first real honey yielder,
its pollen being cream colour. But when
the willow blooms, with its abundance
of pale yellow dust, all other plants are
deserted.

It is too cold yet to make a general in-

spection of our hives in these parts, in
©pite of our anxiety to discover how our
stocks have fared through the winter.

Some bee-keepers are opposed to the use
of zinc for covering hive-roofs, and to these
I suggest linoleum that has been discarded
from household use. This, with two coats
of paint, makes an excellent roof covering.

I am in favour of the standard-frame,
but would like a broader top-bar and self-
S2:>acing, so as to do away with metal ends
and queen-excluders, for I consider these to
be a hindrance to the bees working freely
in sui)ers. In reply to my query in
B.B.J. , I received a self-spacing frame from
a Glasgow firm (name enclosed), through
your kindness. It is a good and cheap
frame, at Is. 6d. a dozen, and I mean to
give them a trial this season. — Mac, Mid-
lothian. March 12.

SCOTCH HEATHER HONEY (?).

IN BARRELS AT LESS THAN 3d. PER LB.

[6275.] In answer to the letter in your
paper of March 22 under the above head-
ing, having a very large connection with
British bee-keepers, I hasten to say that
it is utterly impossible to sell Scotch
heather honey at 3d. per lb. in 5-cwt.
barrels. We do a big business both in buy-
ing and selling Scotch honey, and last year
gave Is. 4d. per lb. for heather honey in
the comb, and could not meet the
demand, as the supply was very limited.
'Scotch honey in any shape or form cannot
be bought for the price of 3d. per lb. I
should have no hesitation in say-
ing the so-called 5-cwt. barrels offered as
pure Scotch heather honey at under 3d.
per lb. is nothing more or less than foreign
honey. — R. Steele, Wormit, by Dundee.

[6276.] My attention has been called to a
short letter in your paper written over the
signature of Shaw Brothers, 12, Idol Lane,
London, and headed " Pure Heather
Honey." Were it not that the letter seems
to be a serious appeal to Scottish bee-
keepers from a London firm for important
information, I should be disposed to ignore
it as a little joke at our expense. I have
studied bees and all that pertain to them,
first, in a natural science class, under a dis-
tinguished science teacher, and secondly,
I have kept bees for pleasure and profit
for the last 18 years. Atrain, I happen to
have lived in one of the finest clover and
heather honey districts in Scotland — clover
fields spread on every side, while rich
heather in boundless acres lies only three
miles away. Last season was a good clover
season, and from one hive I took over
lOOlbs. of pure clover honey. But the
yield of heather honey all over Forfarshire,
and Perthshire as well, was a total failure.
Stocks returned from the moors much

April 12, 1906.] THE BUlTlga BEB JOtJRNAL.

147

lighter than when they were taken up,
and pure heather honey was so scarce that
a well-known and very extensive dealer in
Birmingham, whose catalogue is before me,
quotes Scotch heather honey at Is. 6d. per
lb. retail, and that only subject to it being
in stock. Until indisputable proof is fur-
nished, I venture to express the opinion
that we did not get five cwts. of heather
honey last year in the combined counties of
Foi-far and Perth, and the failure of the
yield was the same everywhere. If the
firm in question will send me a sample of
the so-called heather honey, I shall put
them in communication with a market
where they will get at present four times
the price quoted, that is, provided that it
is the real article. The usual price retail
for clover honey is about 8d. per lb. in
good seasons, and in poor years Is. per lb.
is always easily obtained. In a word, I
unhesitatingly assert that it is absolutely
impossible to get any description of pure
Scotch honey, either clover or heather, at
such a price in London or anywhere else. —
I enclose my card, and sign " Castigator

ASINORXJM."

[6277.1 Replying to, Messrs. Shaw's
letter addressed to you under date 22nd
ult., I beg to say it is utterly impossible
for any Scottish firm to sell " pure Scotch
heather honey " in London under 3d. per
lb. During the past two years " heather
honey " has been extremely scarce in Scot-
land, and that more especially in the past
season. The price of " pure Scotch heather
honey " during the latter year I would
assess at Is. 3d. per lb. When " pure Scotch
heather honey " is quoted under 3d. per lb.
in 5-cwt. barrels, ex wharf, London, it is
high time a " honey " case was called
in the English Law Courts, a la the
recent "Scotch whisky" trial. ^A. NicoL
Simpson, Whinhurst, Fordoun, N.B.

mr'm and |lpplifs.

[3250.] Robbing in Spring. — One of my
stocks of bees was a very weak one from
the end of last season, it having suffered
from "robbers." On overhauling the hive
after autumn feeding-time I was surprised
to find it in such a weak state, but with
care and attention I hoped to preserve it
through the winter. On glancing at its
condition recently by simply raising one
side of the quilt I found there was a nice
lot of food (sealed), and the bees appeared
lively and healthy, although not numeri-
cally strong. Sunday last being a summer-
like morning, I watched this hive, hoping
to see the bees take flight, but none ap-
peared. In the afternoon, however, I had

another look and found the front of the
hive " swarming " with bees. I could not
understand this for the moment, but I soon
became convinced, from the fighting and
" chucking-out process," that " robbing "
was going on. I also felt sure that if all
the bees in the hive had been flying
there could not have been such a crowd as
was in the air, so I nearly closed the en-
trance and tried carbolic cloths to stop
the robbing if possible, but could make no
impression. In the evening, when all was
quiet, I opened the hive, only to find it
deserted, all the living bees having gone,
leaving only the dead lying on the floor
of the hive, which was thickly covered with
them. I found the queen wandering about
in an aimless manner, and boxed her up
with a few half-dead bees picked up
from the groiuid, which I soon revived
with honey and warmth. The robbers
had cleared out one frame of honey
and part of another during the after-
noon, so had evidently had it all their
own way. Feeling annoyed, naturally,
after getting the bees over the winter
safely, to have them destroyed and
I'obbed out by strangers, I took the trouble
to follow the flight of the robbers, and
traced them to a neighbour's hive about
200 yards away. This neighbour, I have
good reason to believe, has neglected his
bees all through the winter. He only com-
menced to keep bees last season, and has
been depending on strangers to look after
them. On the first fine day I expect these
marauders will make another raid on my
hives, in which case I should feel inclined
to treat them rather severely. Meantime,
I have the queen mentioned, along with the
few bees saved with her — on hand, and will
be glad if you can say : 1. What is the best
thing to do with her? There are still five
filled combs in the empty hive, and I
thought it might do to buy some bees with-
out queen, and so ask : 2. If so, is the
present time suitable, or should I take, say,
three frames of brood and bees out of
another stock I have, and put the queen
to them, of course changing the hives in the
usual way? No doubt the robbers would
return and again attack the hive that had
been exchanged, but would probably meet
with a warm reception. 3. Would it
be too risky to change frames of brood
at the present time? I do not expect
to be able to keep the queen alive
long, not having proper conveniences
for so doing, but do not like the idea of
losing a queen just in her second year.
My other four stocks are all in good condi-
tion, and I assured myself the robbers did
not come from either of these. I have only
kept bees for two seasons, and regret
having to trouble you with such a long tale
of woe, but shall esteem it a favour if
you can give me some advice through your

148

THJg BElTlSa BEE JOtTRNAL. [April 12, 1906,

valuable papet, the B.B.J. , which I have
taken in since I started, and from which I
have often obtained very valuable informa-
tion.— I send name for reference, and
sign — BoBROWASH, Derby.

Reply. — 1. A queen bee — accompanied
by a dozen or so of her own workers — is of
no use at this season, unless for the pur-
pose of uniting to an established stock. 2.
The risk attached to your proposal to buy
queenless bees for uniting to an alien queen
are so great, in the hands of a beginner,
that we should not recommend you to try
it. Nor do we approve of the alternative
plan of giving brood from another hive, as
it would probably end in the made-up new
stock being " robbed out " as before. 3.
Yes, altogether too risky, under the cir-
cumstances detailed above. It is very
likely that the bulk of the " robbed-out "
bees have, so to speak, " gone over to the
enemy — i.e., have joined the stock from
whence the robbers came.

[3251.] Transferring Bees from Skeps. — I
am sending sample of comb from a skep I
bought last year, which threw a good
swai-m, besides giving surplus honey. I
intended transferring them this spring,
according to instructions in " Guide Book,"
but had a look to see what the condition
of bees was like yesterday, and found that
the bottoms of the combs were turned up
inside, owing to the skep being worn out,
while some of the cells look suspicious
owing to perforations in them. I am unable
to judge whether it is foul brood or not,
but can hardly think the bees would
attempt to breed at the bottom of such
black old combs. Will you, therefore,
kindly send a line on enclosed postcard by
return post if the stock is diseased, so that
I can burn the lot without delay if neces-
sary, because I noticed robber bees about
the skep yesterday and to-day. I only
started bee-keeping last year, and have
spent a lot of money on them, and now
have seventeen stocks, whichi trust are all
healthy. I am also anxiously looking out
for reply in B.B..J. regarding another
sample of comb sent a fortnight ago. I had
fears of foul brood in my hives last sum-
mer, but the secretary of the County Asso-
ciation— who paid me a visit — assured me
that my stocks were all perfectly healthy.
I must say that I enjoy reading the B.B.J,
more every week, and find bee-keeping a
delightful and profitable hobby. Hoping
wc sliall have a prosperous season in 1906.
— H. Adams, Rugby, April 3.

Reply. — The three small bits of black
old comb make a bad sample to judge from
with regard to disease, there being no trace
of brood in the cells. We have, however,
found no trace of foul brood after as close
an examination as was possible under the
circumstances. When the skep is fairly

full of bees it may be set above the frame -
hive, and the bees allowed to work down
as set forth in " Guide Book."

[3252.] Spacing Combs for Winter. — I
should be much obliged if you would give
me your advice on the following : — In
August last year I purchased 5 lb. of
driven bees, which were hived on eight
frames of foundation. They were fed
rapidly, and by October 1 had about 30 lb.
of sealed stores. I then packed up and
spaced frames for wintering. To-day has
been a glorious day, the bees flyijag freely
a^id carrying in pollen in abundance ;
therefore I thought it a good oppor-
tunity to examine the hive, but when I
began to draw the frames to the proper
distance apart I found that the face of
some of the cells were touching. Of
course, these cells were only those on the
outside of some of the combs, but it meant
squashing any bees that happened to be
on the cells, besides blocking the passage
ways to a certain extent. I therefore
ask : 1. What ought I to do ? Should I cut
the combs down a bit, or leave it to the
bees? 2. I also found that the empty
cells on two of the combs contained eggs
and brood ; the other six were more or
less well filled with sealed stores. Should
these be extracted, or is it likely that
the bees will consume the stores quick
enough to allow the queen to lay ? —
Interested, Warwickshire.

Reply. — 1. If the combs were spaced at
the proper distance apart when comb-
building was in progress last autumn,^ and
the combs sealed over properly, so that the
face of each did not touch, at the time,
we camiot understand how there has been
any subsequent alteration in width so as
to cause the comb-face to touch when ex-
amined recently. However, the only
remedy is to cut down the cells to proper
width without delay, so that the frames
may be workable. 2. It is good practice
to -uncap a few inches of sealed food at
regular intervals when queens are want-
ing room for egg-laying. If the cell-cap-
ping is bruised or the surface scratched so
as to expose the food, it will do equally
well as uncapping, and is less trouble.

[3253.] Bees Dying Out in March; Small
Queens. — Will you kindly tell me through
your valuable journal if I am richt in
supposing that the queen bee enclosed
for your examination is one hatched
from an egg placed in the queen-cell
by the bees after the third day? I ask
this question because the dead queen
seems so very small. A friend of mine last
year divided a strong colony of bees into
two stocks, one of which has wintered fairly
well, but the other from which the queen
in question was taken, has died out through
weakness, and being short of food. Do you

April 12, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

149

consider that a small queen, like that sent
would be capable of properly heading a
stock? In other words, would she be as
prolific as a larger one? I enclose name,
etc., and sign — Busy Bee, Evesham.

Reply.— It is difficult for us to judge
what the queen sent might have been, be-
cause the dead insect was so insecurely
packed for post as to be unfit for proper
examination when received. Beyond being
rather small, there was nothing to pre-
vent her from being a prolific mother (as
small queens not seldom are) if the stock
had not perished from want of food.

[3254.] Be-queening hy Beginners. ■ — I
started bee-keeping last year, and have
now three stocks, two Carniolan and the
other " extra golden " Italians ; the last-
named being the best stock. Such know-
ledge as I have acquired since then has
been gained by experience and in reading
and re-reading the " Guide Book " and
"The Honey Bee," along with the B.B.J.
I now wish to re-queen the Carniolan
stocks with hybrid queens in May next,
but I have not seen any mention made
with regard to what becomes of the queen-
cells which the workers prepare when they
discover loss of queen. I therefore ask : 1.
Does it mean that they swarm with the
introduced queen when the young queens
hatch ? And if so, must I cut away queen-
cells, or what other preventive can I use ?
2. Do you stock sugar cane ; and, if so,
is the present price the same as adver-
tised in the February 1 number of the
B.B.J. ?—r. G. T., Twickenham.

Reply. — We cannot quite follow this
query as written, but it is plain you have
not quite got the right idea of how to
introduce alien queens to established
stocks. By perusing the chapter on this
subject in "Guide Book" (pages 127 to
133), it will be seen that no question of
swarming or of " cutting away queen-
cells " arises. The bees accept the new
queen, and all goes on well if proper care
is taken, and no " preventive " is needed.
2. The prices of cane sugar are same as
in February last.

[3255.] Transferring Bees. — I have win-
tered a skep of bees inside a frame-hive
on the top of a box of frames. I now
wish to drive the bees from the skep to
the frames, but I am doubtful about the
proper time to do it, so as not to lose
more of this season's honey than can be
avoided. I did the same with one lot last
season, but I left it too late (July, I think
it was), and consequently there. was very
little surplus honey to take.— ^G. A., West
Ealing, April 7.

Reply. — Our advice is, do not do any
"driving" from skep at all. Let the
bees transfer themselves to the lower hive,
which they will do in due course if the

frames are fitted with full sheets of
foundation. The plan given on page 140
of " Guide Book " is far preferable to
that proposed, and will lead to better
results.

Notices to Correspondents & Inquirers.

J. G. (N.B.). — Twin-frames for Queen-
raising. — The idea of a twin-frame for
use in queen raising is not new, and is
dealt with very fully in Mr. Cheshire's
work on " Bees and Bee-keeping," Vol.
II. In fact, the illustration on page
304 shows the twin-frame very similar
to your own. But we have never heard
of its having met with favour by queen
breeders, and it has in consequence
fallen into disuse.

'"Bob" (Berks). — Dealing with Slightly
Diseased Stocks. — 1. The present fine
weather will be suitable for operating,
but it is a pity the six lots could not
have been joined up to make three stocks
for wintering when the disease was dis-
covered last year. Great care should be
taken to avoid starting robbing by your
other liives ; in fact, it would be helpful
if the work could be done after nightfall
under cover. 2. It is easy to disinfect
metal dividers by boilng for a couple of
hours.

Inquirer (Newton Abbot). — Books for Use
of Candidates for Expert's Certificate. —
1. The author of "Advanced Bee Cul-
ture " is Mr. W. Z. Hutchinson, editor
of the Bee-keeper's Bevieio. It is, as the
name implies, a work on the latest de-
velopments in the craft, and is reviewed
on page 81 of B.B.J, for March 1. 2.
The other books mentioned simply
relate to queen-rearing. 3. Members of
the B.B.K.A. have access to the library
of the Association, or can have the
books on loan by applying to the secre-
tary. 4. Yes, the books really needed
by candidates are named in the syllabus.

C. B. A. (Aylesbury). — Softening Stiff
Paint.— The' best advice on the point
could be got from a practical painter.
For ourselves, however, we should try
adding a little boiled oil — such as
painters use — for thinning it down.

T. ST.4.PLET0N (Cornwall). — Six-frame
Cowan Extractors. — Very few persons
in this country need a six-frame ex-
tractor, but machines of that size are
often used in the U.S.A., and the Root
Co. regularly make machines of that

A. J. H. (Chadwell Heath).— Dead Queen
Cast Out.— The queen sent has evidently
been " balled " and cast out by the bees
themselves. There is no means of test-
ing dead queen as regards being mated
or not, as the body is too dry and hard

150

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [April 12, 1906.

for examination, but it is probably the
one from broodless stock.

r. A. S. (Ealing).^ — Transferring Bees 'and
Combs.- — 1. The frames and bees may be
moved into the W. B. C; hives on any
fine day. 2. Transferring will in no
wise alter the condition of the colonies
transferred. -

Suspected Combs.

J. W. M. (Dunoon, N.B.).— All brood in
sealed cells has dried up and disap-
peared, but we find signs of foul brood
in comb about which there can be no
mistake.

CuRRiE (Midlothian). — Foul brood is de-
veloping in comb sent.

J. D. A. (Cornwall). — Comb is not only
misshapen and old, but there are dis-
eased cells in it. We should bum all
combs and disinfect hive.

Amateur (Chester). — Comb contains
chilled brood only.

Anxious (Bradford).— There is nothing mi
dead bees to help us in diagnosing either
for foul brood or death of bees, while
the bit of clean white comb contains
only honey or syrup.

%* Some, Letters, Queries and Replies, &f.,
are unavoidably held over till next ueek.

Special Prepaid Advertisements.

Twelve words and under Sixpence : for every additional
Ihree words or under ^ One Penny.

Advertisements for current Issue must be received
by first post on Tuesday.

A PRONOUNCED SUCCESS.— The BURKITT BEE-
GLOVE. With sleeves, 3s. 6d. per pair, post
fre3. Without sleeves, 2s 6d. per pair, post free. The
best, cheapest, and most satisfactory glove for bee-
keepers.—EDWARD REYNOLDS, CJlove Maker, And-
over, Hampshire. Wholesale prices to the trade.

BOUT TWO CWT. ENGL'SH HOaEY FOR SALld
H. LETCHFORD, Longfield Hill, Kent. o 54

A

BEES. — Two Stocks, in Standard Hives, cheap.—
SMITH, Sherbourne Cottage, Finboro' Road,
Tooting Junction, S.W. o 13

BEES, HYBRID CYPRIANS, good tempered, excel-
lent workers. Stoclvs, 20s. ; smaller, 15s.—
. j(X->NAM, Haytor, Newton Abbot. o 46

BEES FOR SALE, several stocks, on seven frani s ;
last year's Queens ; healthy. Particulars i.ii
receipt of stamped envelope.— TREBBLE, Bee E.vpett,
Romajisl^eigh, South Molton. o 35

CHAMPION •' NEVER^SWAR^~QUEENS^"~oFl905;
r -,r^l^ introducing cages, 7s. 6d. ; Nuclei with Queens
of 1905, five Standard Frames, comb, and brood, 158. ;
guaranteed healthy. Begin now with " Never Swarm
System," H years' absolute success, i^d.- HARRIS,
Wavendon, Bletchley, Bucks. 0 14

LOVER HONEY, 568. per cwt. Sample 2d.- A. J.
NOYES, Pewsey. , o 28

XCHANGE FIVE PULLETS, cockerel, B^
Cochins, Lady Gwydrs Tomlinson's celebrated
-truin, for strong healthy Bees, or sell for 358.—
WILLIAMS, Cefncoed, Ponthir, Mon. 0 53

ERTILE 1905 QUEEN.S TO SPARE, with intro-
ducing cage, 5s., post free. Safe arrival guaran-
tee!.—BR. COLUMBAN, Buckfast, Devon. 0 47

FINEST WILTSHIRE HONEY, guaranTeeJ^ureT
48b. cwt. Sample 2d.— TIBBLE, Netheravon,
Salisbury. o 51

FOB SALE, Edison Bell GEM PHONOGRAPH, almost
new, with 42 selected Records, mostly Scotch,
£3 10s. ; or exchange for May-June healthy swarms. —
WM. ARTHUR, Bee Appliance Dealer, Alloway, by
Ayr, N.B. o 17

FOR SALE, an OUT- APIARY, together or separately,
ten splendid Stocks of Bees, in " W.B.C." Hives,
all young Queens, hive for queen rearing, supers,
miscellaneoL'* stocks, and bee house, complete, all in
best conditior, and guaranteed free from disease. —
H. FIRTH, Rock Park, Birkenhead. o 5

FOR SALE, SIS DOZEN SECTIONS, finest Clover
Honey, 8s. dozen cash.— DOBSON, 10, Harlow
Road, Lidget Green, Bradford. o 30

FOR SALE, several good strong STOCKS of BEES,
in Bar Frame Hives, 18s. per stocls. — Apply J. H.
MOULDEN, 37, The Leys, Chipping Norton. o 39

FOB SALE, guaranteed healthy STOCKS of BEES,
on Standard Frames. 1?05 Queens, £1 each ; box
Is. extra, returnable. Inspection invited. — ROW-
LAND, Clifif, Holbrook, Derby, Expert to the Derby-
shire B.K.A. 0 45

FOR SALE, FIVE good, healthy STOCKS of BEES,
in Standard Frame Hives (.reaS'on, long illness).—
For further particulars wii e J. BAKER, Kitigsbridgs,
Devon. o 31

FOUR NEW " W.B.C." PATTERN HIVES, 128. td.
each.— PRITCHARD, Wainalong Road, Salisbury.

o 37

FREEHOLD, nearly five acres, in sunny Hampshire,
Bees (30 stocks). Fruit, and Poultry, with six-
roomed dwelling, greenhouse, sheds, all stocks and
appliances. Price, inclusive, £365. — HOBBS, Four
Marks, Alresford, Hants. o 23

HOME-MADE BEE SYRUP FOUNTAIN, easily made
from golden syrup tins. Will send model
(which must be returned) for 6d., post free. —
HAWKINS, Beekeeper, Burgh Heath, Epsom. 0 44

LIGHT HONEY, in screw-cap jars, Bs. dozen ; Bulk,
538. ; tins free ; carriage paid. Sample 2d. —
CHARTER, Tatlingstone, Ipswich. s 78

NOVELTY.— Picture Postcards of the Beautiful
colour-photo engraving of Sladen's " Golden
Prolific" and "Extra Golden" Bees. Three for 2id.,
8d. per dozen, post free. Every Beekeeper's Postcard
Album should contain one of these.— SLADEN, Ripple
Court Apiary, Dovei". 0 56

VAL WIRE NAILS.— lin., 4d. ; liin! 3id. ; 2iin.

3d. ; Panel Pins, best, Jin., 6d. ; seconds, 4d.

per pound; 6 lbs., one of each sort. Is. 6d. ; post free,

28. 2d. Samples two stamps.- S. 'WRIGHT, Southgate

Stores, Bury St. Edmunds. 0 19

OWING TO REMOVAL, . several good new Frame
Hives to clear, 58. 6d. each.— CUBITT, Trunch,
Norfolk. o 40

PRETTY LITTLE (pedigiee) YORKSHIRE TERRIER,
good colour, 12 months old spleiid d watcher and
clean. Sell 40s., or exchange Bees, appliances, etc. —
"T.," 33, Baldslow Road, Hastings. o 42

QUEENS BY RETURN OF POST, reared 1905,
healthy, 5s. each.— O. KNIGHT, Epney, Stone-
house, Glos. ' O 49

R

ARE BEE BOOKS.— Twenty Vols. "British Bee
Journal." — " G. " care of " Bee Journal " Office.

o 55

SALE, TWO STOCKS, Eight Empty Hives, Section
Crates, Feeders, Straw Sleeps, etc". Barga-n. £5.—
75, Netheredge Road, Sheftield. o 29

EVERAL YEARS OF " BEE JOURNAL " FOR
SAl B 'What offers?— SHORT, 31, P Biatow Grove,

Bronlev, Kent. o 34

s

EVERAL NEW and SECONDHAND HIVES, sell
cheap.— PRITCQARD, Wamalong Road, Salisbury.

N 74

O TRONG STOCKS IN FRAME HIVES, 32s. 6d. ;
O 1905 Queen ; guaranteed healthy. Sola Wax
Extractor, 10s. 6d. Bicycle, gent.'s, 35s.— W. WOODS,
Norm&ndy, Guildford. o 32

April 19, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

151

BRITISH BEE-KEEPERS'ASSOCIATION

CONVERSAZIONE.

(Continued from page 142.)
The Chairman, in opening the subject of
the " Standard and Other Frames," said
that many present did not know how the
standard frame originated, nor the reason
why the present size of it was adopted. In
the early days of bee-keeping, when Mr.
Abbott was editor of the B.B.J. , he was
greatly in. favour of bee-keepers deciding
on a standard frame. The B.B.K.A. did
not feel itself strong enough at that time
to formulate a " standard ' ' ; different hive-
manufacturers making their own sized
frames. But at last there was so much con-
fusion that the Association stepped in and
determined at one of their meetings that a
" standard " for frames should be adopted.
The Rev. Geo. Raynor brought the matter
up at a conversazione in 1882, up to which
time there was no uniformity on the point,
dealers making frames of all sizes as they
chose. The frames used at that time by
the principal bee-keepers that Mr. Raynor
quoted were: — Mr. Woodbury, 13| in. by
7 15-16in. ; he (the Chairman), 15^ in. by
7^ in. ; Mr. Hooker, 13^ in. by 8^ in. ; Mr.
Cheshire (a Woodbury frame), 13 in. by
7^ in. ; Mr. Abbott, a modification of the
Woodbury frame ; and several others.
Mr. Raynor pointed out the advan-
tages to be derived from the adoption of a
uniform size, which should be something
akin to that selected by the principal
honey-producers. The matter was brought
up at the annual meeting in 1882, when it
was unanimously decided to appoint a com-
mittee, who were to meet and inspect all
letters that had been sent referring to the
subject, and also various specimens of
frames that had been submitted for ap-
proval. There was a great deal of discus-
sion at that time in the B.B.J. , meetings
were held at different centres to consider
the matter, a number of different sizes
were suggested, and American methods of
bee-keeping having just got into vogue
here, many people wanted to have a frame
of the size the Americans were introducing.
As a matter of fact, there were twenty or
thirty different American frames being
used at the time. There were, indeed,
quite a number of different sizes of the
" Langstroth " frames in use. The com-
mittee appointed to study this matter and
report consisted of Mr. Abbott, himself,
Mr. Cheshire, Mr. Desborough, Mr.
Hooker, Mr. Raynor, Mr. Neighbour, and

Mr. F. D. Scott. All these gentlemen had
brought out hives for using in their own
apiaries, and Messrs. Neighbour and
Abbott represented the manufacturers.
This committee met and considered all the
letters of advice and all the frames sent
in as specimens, and decided that it woiild
be advisable to fix on the sized frame which
was ultimately adopted — namely, 14 in.
by 85 in. The reason was that that frame
would just fit most of the Woodbury hives
then extant, which were all about 14-2 in.
wide. Where the hives were 7^ in. deep
a little strip added would enable it to be
used. The committee also decided there
should not be more than 5-in space on each
side of the frame. The decision was quite
unanimous, although the members of the
committee were all using different sized
frames at the time. Mr. Desborough, who
did not attend the meeting at which the
conclusion was arrived at, subsequently
sent in his adhesion, and acknowledged the
decision to be a wise one. If another size
ihad been chosen a large number of hives
(Woodbury's being preponderant) would
have been put out of use, with a consequent
hardship to bee-keepers generally. Another
reason was that those who experimented
with large-sized frames (he, the Chairman,
was one) had tried the " Langstroth "
frame, and foimd it too large. At that
time he had tried German hives, and had a
number of different ones in his apiary for
all-round work ; nevertheless, he came to
the conclusion that there was nothing to
better the size he finally adopted, which
was about the same dimensions as the pre-
sent standard frame. There were some dis-
tricts where a large frame would no doubt
do well because of plentiful bee-forage and
a great honey-flow from it, but in most dis-
tricts a smaller one was a distinct advan-
tage. They could build up much more
gradually with a small frame than a large
one. For queen-rearing also, no large
frame could be compared with the small
one. Three of the latter might be used to
make a nucleus without any detriment,
whilst it was very extravagant to take a
" Langsti'oth " frame for queen-rearing.
For supering, too, colonies could be built
up much more gradually, because it was
possible to increase the hive to twelve,
fourteen, or sixteen frames at will. He had
had hives working v/ith fourteen or sixteen
frames without chilling the bees, as would
be the case with a large frame. "When work-
ing one hive on top of another one or two
frames might be given at a time, and the
colonies become gradually increased. He
was decidedly of opinion that the present
standard frame was good all round. At the
time it was selected " wiring " was not in
vogue. Since then the practice had come
into use of wiring frames for foundation,
and he admitted the frame was rather weak

152

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [April 19, 1906.

for that purpose, so that unless bee-keepers
were careful in stretching the wires, the
sides would be driven together and cause
the comb to bulge. But in reviewing this
question they had to take into considera-
tion the number of hives that were being
used, and the advantage the adoption of a
standard had been to the bee-keeping in-
dustry. There was not the slightest doubt
it had given a very great impetus to api-
culture. It had in the first place
cheapened hives, because makers were not
obliged to keep a number of different
sizes ; then it had benefited customers,
l)ecaaiO they could always order what was
wanted with the certainty of obtaining it.
When frames had to be made to order there
was always a difficulty in securing the right
size. It also enabled bee-keepers to ex-
change and sell combs that had been used
for extraction to others of their fraternity.
He himself had bought and sold combs
in that way. In other countries where
there was no standard frame, people com-
plained very much of the hardship it
entailed. It was futile to compare
America with this country in the matter
of apiculture. In England they worked
on entirely different lines. The B.B.K.A.
was started with the object of improving the
cottager class ; there was no suggestion
that they should become large bee-keepers,
but only that they should take advantage
of the pursuit as an adjunct to their
ordinary occupation. In America the
sole object was a commercial one, namely,
the sale of honey. The size of frames there
was to a certain extent immaterial, because
the bee-master ordered his frames in thou-
sands at a time, so that the maker could
supply him at a cheap rate. But in this
country the manufacturer coull not alter
his machinery to suit an order for 20 or 30
hives ; it would not be worth his while.
He (the chairman) thought he had now
made it clear that without a standard
frame bee-keeping in England would be
more expensive than it was as present. In
Switzerland and France the disadvantage
of being without some such agi-eement had
been largely felt, and efforts were now
being made to secure uniformity in hives
and frames. He was therefore of opinion,
after much thought and experience, that if
anything were done with regard to altering
the present standard frame, it should be
simply with a view to strengthening the
bars. He strongly advocated the retention
of the present outside dimensions, but at
the same time would be pleased to hear
any views on the subject. A number of
patterns had been sent in to illustrate the
views of different people on the subject.
He wished to impress the audience that
there was no desire to stifle discussion or
invention ; as they grew in years possibly
they were apt to look upon new inventions

as not conducive to the best bee-keeping ;
but he felt sure that in this, as in every
other industry, the simpler the methods,
compatible with efficiency, the better.
Nevertheless, he was always pleased when
people made experiments, so long as they
did not pay too dearly for them.

Mr. Lee showed a frame that he had
made, the only difference between it and
an ordinary standard being that the top-
bar was increased to 1 l-16th inch, and the
ends reduced to g-inch, the W.B.C. ends
in use being adapted to the improvement.
The additional width added strength to
the top-bar, and was a preventive of brace-
cumbs. As regarded the sides, it was like
the standard frame. The disadvantage
in the latter was, in his opinion, the saw-
cut. If bee-keepers could be educated to
do away with it, the ordinary frame would
be much stronger than it was. The
bottom-bar of his frame was 5-inch, g-inch
being thought insufficient.

Mr. Overton also exhibited three frames.
He called special attention to the wiring,
and said many people had no idea of the
proper way of wiring.

The chairman produced two frames sent
in by Messrs. Abbott Brothers, of similar
outside measurements to the "standard."
Their improvement consisted in the
strengthening and widening of the top-bar
and the method of fixing foundations with-
out saw-cut. He (the chairman), had to
plead guilty to the sin of the " saw-cut. "
He was the first to introduce it years ago,
but there was a reason then which did not
exist now. At that time German founda-
tion was much in use, and the top-part of
the sheet was flattened ; but the founda-
tion used nowadays was much thicker,
so that the saw-cut had been made wider
to receive it, which iiaturally weakened
the top-bar to such an extent that it could
not be trusted to remain rigid. Two other
frames were sent by Mr. Skinner, of
Bristol. He produced one. which had
a bevel edge on the underside of top-bar,
thus adding strength to the latter. In Mr.
Skinner's second frame the bevelled edge
was in two parts, one being loose, and used
for the purpose of fixing the sheet of foun-
dation. Mr. Flood had sent a frame from
Reading which was of the regulation stan-
dard order, and, the maker claimed, could
not be beaten if made of proper materials.

Mr. Pur'h thought it would be well for
them to disabuse their minds as regarded
size. If he remembered rightly there was
no suggestion of altering external measure-
ments ; the only question was as to the
make of the frame. He knew there were
jjcople who fancied thev had found a frame
which would beat the standard (there
always were eccentrics about), but as 99
out of 100 were satisfied with it, bee keepers
were, he believed, unanimous that it was

April 19, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

153

not worth while to alter the size. They
could, however, discuss the top-bar, the
side-bars, wiring, or anything else short
of that.

The Chairman inquired if there was any
advocate of the large-sized frame jjresent.
No one responded, and Mr. Cowan went on
to obsei-ve that there had been letters to
the B.J. on the subject, but nothing at, a^l
advanced which would prove its supe-
riority. The subject was thoroughly con-
sidered twelve months ago, and they were
now going over exactly the same ground ;
nevertheless, the assembly would be glad
to hear the views of anyone who had had
experience with large frames.

Mr. Pugh moved : — " That this meeting,
feeling satisfied with the present standard-
frame, decides that no alteration whatever
in its external measurements -is advisable."

Mr. Reid, feeling himself partially re-
sponsible for this discussion, said he had
in mind only one thing. It had never
occurred to him for a moment to question
the size of the standard-frame, biit his con-
tention was that the manufacturers had
departed from the original frame to the
extent that the construction of the shoulder
had been weakened. He found in apiaries,
especially if there was much propolisation,
that the endjs often broke. Judging at the
" Royal " Show, he had noticed that the
frames were far too weak. The point was
how they could retain, if possible, such ad-
vantages as the saw-cut gave and still main-
tain the top-bar at its full strength. One
fact he was grateful for was that they had
had a lucid explanation of the history of
the standard-frame which no one could
have obtained anywhere else. He per-
sonally was much indebted to the chair-
man for it. He did not doubt that apicul-
turists generally in this country were satis-
lied with the dimensions of that frame,
while as regarded its construction there
were differences of opinion, and many
minds were at work studying the subject.
Bee-keepers must welcome everything that
came. He thought they might have a
stronger wood used in making the top-bar,
which would not add to the coist of the
frame. He had made them of teak, which
was excellent, but possibly a little more ex-
pensive. The difference, however, was not
very great on 100 frames. He had much
pleasure in seconding the motion.

The resolution was carried unanimously.

{Conclusion of Report vfxt ireeJc.)

HONEY IMPORTS.

The value of honey imported into the
United Kingdom during the month of
March, 1906, was £3,106. — From a return
furnished to the British Bee Journal by
the Statistical Office, H.M. Customs.

€crmf3|jatticnfr.

The Editors do not hold themselves responsible for the
opinions expressed by correspondents. No notice wUi
be taken of anonymous ' communieations, and corre-
spondents are requested to write on one side of the papet-
only and give their real ruimes and addresses, not neces-
sarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith.
Illustrations should be draion on separate pieces of paper.
We do ntit Undertake to return rejected communicvtionf .

AMONG THE BEES.

THE KOLL-CALL. '

[6278.] Reports lead me to infer that
there will be a considerable drop thi^
spring in the number of hives compared
with the total put up in winter quarters.
In the North, October and Novemljer were
very wintry, while February and March
were duplicates. The first period picked
out the weaklings and reduced bees to such
an extent that they were simply snuffed out
before the arrival of spring weather wheii
anything could be done for their welfare.
In my own case instances of this kind mani
fested themselves, and driven lots of last
season went to the wall during* the later
winter, bees, as a rule, having dwindled
to such an extent that they could not sur-
vive. Otherwise, the ijierry hum about th'>
hives since the advent of April is a perfect
pleasure.

A " Tip." — One weak lot was attacked
by robbers before I noticed it, and the
marauders had got such a taste of stolen
sweets that I feared, if I closed up the hive,
that they would at once devote their unkind
attentions to neighbouring colonies. So I
used that hive for giving some stimulative
feeding, pouring warm syrup into the
empty combs. After a day of this I thinned
down the " feed " gradually until it was
only sweetened water, when the robbers
desisted, evidently disgusted with the poor
bill of fare.

- Spring Ohser rations. — Early in the
Reason I was able to spot my weaklings
and diagnose which were the strong
colonies by outside observation. During
the snowstorm all the strong ones were alile
by the heat evaporated to melt the snow
for some distance from the hives, while
with the weak ones it lay tight in to the
wood. Further, a considerable space was
found in front of entrance in the shape of
a tunnel where the powerful colony existed.
About the last days of February, during
a mild day, a pleasant cleansing flight was
got, and a considerable I'earrangement of
stores took place. The amount of small
fragments of wax cappings thrown out was.
a fair index to the strength of the colony.
During the first half of April grand bee
weather has allowed an excellent start to
be made with breeding. Pollen has been
carried in steadily, and the number of bees
seen at every small rivulet or ditch was ,a
marvel.

154

THE BRITISH BEE JOtJIlNAL. [April 19, 1906.

Making a Start. — As many will be join-
ing the ranks in a few weeks, it may be
well to state that during April is the best
time to start bee-keeping. Earlier on.
especially if there is to be any shifting of
the hives, is inadvisable, as the commotion
caused by the movement stirs up the bees
to a state of excitement which acts to then-
detriment. Stocks once roused up are
agitated, and fail to recover the close
clustering which is their natural state in
cold weather, so they prematurely start
active breeding, and levy a heavy drain on
stores. This leads to spring dwindling,
and sometimes a collapse of the stock
roused out of due season. On the other
hand, stocks shifted during the latter part
of April undergo the amount of disturb-
ance which just rouses them from their
lethargy, and, if weather is propitious,
start not only breeding^, but active foraging
in search of the honey and pollen now to
be found in at least small quantities in
many flowers blooming in spring. If the
stocks are to be shifted only a short
distance an early date may be best, so that,
as a consequence of the change, no bees
may be lost by seeking their old land-
marks. If, however, they are to be trans-
ported beyond a bee's flight, late in the
month is best. Then they at once mark
their new location, and forage freely in
discovery of evei-y source of nectar. Some-
thing in the change often animates the
stock to special effort, bringing about an
energy which secures them a first place in
the apiary. This phenomenon is a very
noticeable event frequently observed and
commented on.

In connection with this subject of moving
bees in spring, I have come to the
conclusion that they can be shifted
to any distance over half a mile with little
or no precaution, because at that season
bees forage only near their hives. Until
they begin to take distant flights they
adapt themselves to any new location
without any question. Last May I knew of
six hives being shifted a bare half-mile,
but the new suri'oundings were thoroughly
dissimilar. Not a bee returned to the for-
mer site. On several other occasions I have
information to a similar effect, convincing
me" that until May little danger may be
apprehended.— D. M. M., Banff.

QUEEN WASPS.
[6279.] May I be allowed to draw the
attention of bee-keepers to the fact that
now is the time to hunt for and destroy
queen wasps? Every wasp now killed
means a nest less later on. They are to
be found on the buds of fruit trees and on
pieces of old board, nibbling the fluff off
wherewith to build their nests, and can be
detected by their lazy hum as they flit

from bud to bud. They are rather shy
and not easily killed, or rather knocked
down, with a plain board, as the air
which the board drives in front of it
seems to carry or blow the insect away
from the direction of your stroke, and it
escapes. To overcome this I last year
invested in a sixpenny butterfly net, and
with it netted thirty-six queens ; a gar-
dener near at hand also bagged thirty.
They would come into the greenhouse in
which he was working, and when seen
he would close the windows and easily
capture them, so that between the two' of
us we reduced the number of nests by
sixty-six last season. This year, at this
early stage, we have secured forty-seven,
my " bag ' ' being twenty-six. In districts
where wasps are plentiful it would pay to
liunt them. I have not been saving those
I captured, but it has occurred to me that
last year one of j^our readers advertised
for " dead queens for scientific purposes."
If these are any use to him I shall be
pleased to send on any I may get if he
pays postage. — D. G. Taylor, Ilminster,
April 14.

NOTES FROM AMONG THE HIVES.

[6280.] Spring has arrived ! Bright
sunny days have succeeded the prolonged
period of gloom, and the hum of the busy
bee is heard in the land.

In several cases, however, the bee-keeper
has been disagreeably surprised to find a
number of his hives veritable cities of the
dead, tenanted only by pitiful coi-pses, their
very attitude as they died imploring food
— a mute reproach to the procrastination
of the owner who thourjht his stocks would
pull through to spring.

The early closintr of an otherwise excel-
lent clover season, followed by a total failure
of the heather crop, left stores very low,
and the mild open winter made things
worse, so that uncared-for stocks were in
bad shape to face the extremely severe
weather that prevailed throughout Feb-
ruary and, to a less extent, during the fol-
lowing month.

Personally, I took care to feed extra well
before closing down and have no belated
regrets to express on the subject. All came
safely through the big snowstorm and keen
frosts of Febniary, with one exception, and
are now in excellent condition. This was
one of two small lots — mere nuclei that I
had allowed to stand over winter. Exami-
nation showed one with brood on two
frames and running short, while the other
was queen less but had plenty of stores.
Prompt uniting put things right on both
sides.

-lust to be sure I had a look under the
(piilts and found every stock but one with
an abundance of sealed stores. The lean

April 19, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOtTRNAL.

155

colony thereupon had two of its lean combs
exchanged for fat ones from a wealthy
neighbour.

No syrup or candy has been given as yet.

The only type of feeder I have in use
this spring; is an extra heavily-stored shal-
low or standard brood-box placed on top
of original frames last autumn. This style
of wintering is quite the opposite of the
usual coddling system which involves con-
traction in autumn and again in spring.
The present condition of these double-
storeyed colonies is far ahead of those left
in the usual way, while the one colony
which I wintered in three storeys on the
equivalent of forty standard-frames has
left the rest hopelessly in the rear.

For the benefit of those who have got
the impression that foreign bees are prone
to pine and die in our northern climes, I
may mention that these particular bees
are Italians.

I should like doubters to see the clouds
of foragers that come bustling in on favour-
able days, their trouser pockets bulging
with many-coloured food for the rising
generation.

A colony of Carniolans is also deserving
of special mention. The terrible experi-
ence I had with this variety during a former
season, when they eeemed at one time to
be swarming every day and several times
a day, did not deter me from giving them
a trial during 1905.

All went well until the closing days of
August, when the sight of a heap of dead
and dying queens at the hive entrance sug-
gested that Carniolans had swarmed — and
gone. Examination, however, showed that
the bees were innocent on that score,
but it was evident that the queen had met
with some mishap and a plenitude of suc-
cessors had been reared in her place. I
was too late to save any of them ; and, in-
deed, had grave doubts as to the survivor
getting mated, the weather being most un-
favourable. However, by feeding steadily
through September the colony was kept
active, and the outside combs as filled being
replaced by empty ones, I was enabled to
double for wintering. Eventually the oueen
got mated, started laving, and must have
kept on without a halt, for the colony from
being comparatively weak in autumn is
now very strong and carrying in nollen
at a' great rate — second only to the Italian
stock.

All other stocks are in better condition
than ever before — just through proper
autumn attention. As a result of letting
the be^s do their own spring management
I have been free from the trouble associated
with the use of bottle-feeder and candy-
cake, to say nothing of the domestic
" trouble " which the preparation of the
latter article at the kitchen fire brings

down on the head of the poor bee-man.
Moral — " Go, thou, and do likewise." —
J. M. Ellis, Ussie Valley, April 16.

ITALIAN BEES IN SOUTH AFRICA.

SUCCESSFUL IMPORTATION.

Mr. C. B. Simpson. Government Ento-
mologist, writing in the Transvaal Agricul-
tural Journal, says : — " I am glad to report
that this Division has at last succeeded
in importing Italian bees into th^Trans-
vaal. Mr. C. E. Legat, the Conservator of
Forests, brought out these insects from Mr.
E. H. Taylor, of Welwyn, England. Six
full colonies were consigned in specially
constructed hives, each containing three
shallow-frames full of honey. In addition
to these, three queens with a small
number of workers were brought out in
mailing boxes. Only one of these small
boxes, which had been ordered for Mr.
Cairncross, of Cairncross and Zillen,
arrived with the bees alive.

" Upon arrival at Pretoria the hives
were opened, in order that the bees should
get a cleansing fUfht and that the hives
might be cleaned out. It was found that
only a small portion of the honey had
been consumed ; in some cases one half
of a frame, and in other cases that from a
whole frame. Three of the queens had laid
eggs, and there was a small amount of
brood in each of these hives. The bee
moth or wax larvae were found in four dif-
ferent hives, but great care was taken that
this pest was destroyed. One hive was
especially weak, there being left only a
dozen or so workers which survived with
the queen. Unfortunately, the South
African bees began to rob this hive, and
not only killed the few workers, but also
the queen. After the arrival of these bees
at Pretoria they were placed in standard
hives and strengthened by the addition of
brood from the South African hives. The
five surviving colonies seem well satisfied
with their new environment, and at the
last examination had a great amount of
brood ; and it seems that the importation
has been an unqualified success.

" On account of the possibility of import-
ing foul brood into the Transvaal, the hives
in which the bees were transmitted were
carefully disinfected, and are isolated far
from other bees, and are practically being
kept in quarantine until I am quite satis-
fied that foul brood is not present.

" I have written to many of the promi-
nent bee-keepers in the Transvaal asking
for suggestions as to how these Italian bees
might be best distributed throughout the
Colony. It is highly essential that the
strain be kept pure, and with this object
in view it has been decided that for some
time to come nothing but swarms with fer-
tilised queens should be imported. As

156

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [April 19, 1906.

these bees are being kept in quarantine, it
is our wish to strengthen them in order
that they may pass the winter safely. We
shall not be in a position to distribute
swarms until about next August or Septem-
ber, but we will, however, receive applica-
tions for these swarms at any time. We
have not yet decided on the price of these
swarms, but it will be practically
cost price."

[We -reprint above, by request, from Tlir
Transvaal Advertiser, March 14, 1906. —
Eds.]

WEATHER REPORT.

Wkstbotjrne, Sussex,

Rainfall, 1"53 in.

Heaviest fall, '28 in.
on 10th.

Rain fell on 20 days.

Below average, '59 in.

Sunshine, 120 hours.

Brightest days, 28th
11 '1 hours.

Sunless days, 7.

Below average, 24*2
hours.

Maximum tempera-
ture, 57° on 7th.

Minimum tempera-
ture, 24° on
30th.

March, 1906.
Minimum on grass

21° on 23rd and

30th.
Frosty nights, 9.
Mean maximum,

46 6.
Mean

34-8.
Mean

40-7.

Below average, r4.
Maximum barometer,

30-47 on 3rd
Minimum barometer,

29-36 on 12th.

L. B. BlRKRTT

minimum,
temperature.

^mfm and §lp^lies.

[3256.] Bad Luck with Bees. — I restarted
bee-keeping last year, after an interval
of a good many years, and have been most
unfortunate. Will you in your valuable
journal suggest what has been wrong with
my methods, in order that such bad luck
may not continue, as I am more deter-
mined than ever to succeed. My fijst
swarm, sent from the country early in
July, came to hand with nearly all the
bees dead and all quite sticky, evidently
smothered. A fortnight later a cast with
fertile queen was hived all right on five
frames of foundation, and did fairly well,
being fed with medicated syrup from
" Guide Book " recipe. In September I
bought 6 lb. of driven bees, hived them
on nine frames of foundation, and fed
rapidly up as directed, both lots being
well supplied with stores by end of the
month, and packed with a cake of candy
over the frames and cork dust quilts.
Last week on examining the hives I was
much annoyed to find the bees in both
dead, there being only a couple of hand-
fuls of bees in each, but still two or three
frames of stores. The sugar I used for
syrup was Glebe No. 1 granulated, guaran-

teed pure cane sugar, although one lot
seemed to have a slight blue tinge when
made into syrup. This makes me ask :
1. Can the sugar have been at fault?
Or has it been the season ? There has
scarcely been a week all winter that the
bees have not flown on one or two days at
least. I noticed a good many bees crawl-
ing on the ground outside, and when lifted
up and put into the hive they just crawled
out again and dropped on to the ground
and died. I have other two stocks which
were at the heather ; they did not need
any feeding, and are doing well. 2.
Would it be safe to give the combs with
stores from the two dead lots to them
this spring ? I read with great pleasure
your two papers on bees, and trust that
you will from this account be able to tell
me what is wrong? I enclose name for
reference. — Pobtobello, April 4.

Reply. — 1. With regard to the general
question of your unfortunate restart with
bees, and the b^fl luck that followed, it
goes without saying that the first mis-
chance was entirely due to bad packing
of the swarm by sender, as the bees had not
sufficient ventilation. It would also have
been well to remember the adage tiling of
" a swarm in July " not being " worth a
fly." This applies with double force to the
" cast " hived at the end of that month,
seeing that it would probably consist of a
small lot of bees, while the honey season
was nearly over when hived. Had you pro-
cured a good swarm in June from a reliable
bee-man the result would, no doubt, have
been different. The " cast " hived at end
of July — when the honey season was about
over — had a poor chance of becoming well
established, seeing that " casts " so late in
the season usually consist of a few bees
headed by a young queen that has hardly
time to get mated and start breeding be-
fore the year's work is ended. In this way
your chance of success was considerably
reduced at the outset. 2. There is no
reason to suppose that the sugar used had
anything to do with the mischief, but the
chances of safe wintering would be greatly
reduced if the food was not sealed over.
There will be no risk in giving frames of
comb containing the syrup to your other
stocks if they are short of stores.

[3257.] Queen Cast Out after Uniting.—
1. Will you kindly inform me through the
pages of your valuable journal if the
enclosed queen (which appears to me a
very small one) has been fertilised? 2.
On looking through a lot of driven bees a
few days ago I could neither find queen,
brood, nor eggs, and naturally concluded
that no queen was present. I therefore
united them to the next stock (also a
driven lot). But on going round the hives
this morning I was surprised to see a small

April 19, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

157

cluster of bees on the alighting board, and
on examination found the enclosed small
queen, so concluded that there must have
been two queens, and this one has been
killed by the other. Kindly say if you
consider my inferences correct. — F.
Evans, Market Drayton, April 7.

Reply. — 1. The queen sent, though
rather small, is not abnormally so, seeing
that she had not started to lay, and the
size increases after having begun her mater-
nal duty. It is also never safe to assume
queenlessness in March because no brood
is found. 2. There is no doubt that the
dead queen found has been killed either by
the mother-bee heading the colony to
which the first-named lot were united, or
by the bees of the second lot ; most likely
the latter, as they would strongly resent
the intrusion of an alien that had not
started laying.

[3258.] Qitecn Cast Out in Spriiu]. — About
noon yesterday I noticed some scores of
dead bees on the alighting-board and on
the ground below one of my hives, while
the live bees were rushing about just out-
side in an excited manner^ and I at once
f(iared they had lost their queen, and were
short of stoi-es, so I slipped a few pieces of
candy under quilt and sprinkled a little
syrup down among combs as well as I could
without uncovering the frames more than
I could help. They were rather short of
food, but the quilts were very warm. This
latter fact, I thought, was a proof of all
being well inside. 1. Am I right in this
idea ? I then looked more closely amongst
the dead bees, and discovered the enclosed
queen on the ground below the alighting-
board. I brought her indoors, and she
revived sufficiently to crawl a little, but did
not seem able to take some syrup that I
had dropped near her. This morning she
was dead. 2. Can you please tell me
the cause of her death, as well as that of
the other bees ? A friend examined the
hive to-day and found two patches of
brood and plenty of young bees, which
seem to be quite strong. 3. Will the bees
be likely to raise a queen from this small
quantity of brood found on one frame only?
There may be moi-e brood, but it was too
cold to take out all frames ; only the
three centres ones were removed. Will
you kindly advise me what to do ? 4. More
than a week ago I found outside another
hive a drone nearly dead. What does that
mean so early? I send name, etc., and
sign — Novice, Colchester.

Reply. — 1. You are quite right in sup-
posing that the warmth of quilts above
brood-nest indicates prosperity below, but
in your case the " warmth " was caused by
the abnormal excitement among the bees at
loss of their queen. This would have been
clear to one who had any experience of bees.

2. We can only guess at the cause of queen
being found outside the hive, as there is
little to guide us in details given. She
may have dropped oflE comb on to the floor-
board among the other bees when they were
changing position of cluster in moving
nearer to the food stores, and — being too
chilled to regain her position on combs- -
have crawled outside, only to fall on the
ground below. Anyway, it is apparently
not a case of superseding the mother-bee
and raising a successor, or queen-cells
would have been started. 3. If eggs, or
brood of suitable age, was: left in combs at
the time queen was found, you will prob-
ably find queen-cells in progress. 4. Nor-
mal drones at this season means
prosperity, while abnormal drones indi-
cate queenlessness.

[3259.] Candy-making. — Though I have
so recently asked some questions, will you
please help me again in a difficulty with
candy ? I send a sample, and should like
to know what fault I have committed in
making it. Bees eat it, but it dries too
soon, and seems coarse in grain. Most of
my candy is like this ; but some, made
apparently in the same way exactly
(" Guide " recipe) is much more buttery
and nice. — B. Lines.

Reply. — Candy as sample will do fairly

well for present consumption, but so soon
as the watery moisture dries out it will
become hard as stone, and useless to the
bees. We often wonder at the varying re-
sults achieved by different persons in
carrying out the directions for making soft
candy in the " Guide Book," some makers
sending excellent samples, while others •
completely fail. In your case, however,
there must be some variation in procedure
or the candy would not be good at one time
and bad at another.

[3260.] JRe-queenin(] Stocks. — I got a first
swarm of bees early in June last year and
jjut it into a new hive holding ten frames
fitted with full sheets of foundation. The
bees filled the body-box, and I also had
20 lb. of clover honey and 18 lb. of heather
honey in sections from it. The stock has
wintered well, and the bees now cover eight
frames. They have been working very
busily this past fortnight. Would you
please say in the B.B.J, if I should keep
this queen another year in the event of the
hive swarming ? 2. To what age should
queens be kept? — I send name, etc., and
sign — Inchcape, Arbroath, April 11.

Reply. — 1. If the stock continues to
make such progress as at present we should
let well alone, and not trouble about re-
queening at all this year. There is no ab-
solute certainty that the queen was hatched
in 1904, as supposed. 2. As a rule, it is
well not to keep queens beyond their second

158

THE BRIIMSH BEE JOURNAL. [April 19, 1906.

year, but it is a truism that every rule has
its exceptions.

[3261.] Transferring from Skeps to Frame-
hives. — I have three skeps of bees which
I am anxious to get into frame-hives. My
idea is to set each skep on top of frames
and let them work down into the lower
hive and make a home therein. Will you,
therefore, tell me : 1. What is the best
time to do this ; is it too early yet ? 2. T
have also some candy left over ; is it too late
now to give bees candy as food ? A reply
through the B.B.J, will oblige. I send
name, etc., and sign — A Subscriber,
Suffolk.

Reply. — 1. The skeps may be set on as
proposed as soon as sufficient bees are seen
to cover the lower edges of comb when the
skep is raised from its floor-board. The
present month is the most suitable time
for operating if found in the condition
named above. 2. Candy may still be
given for stimulating purposes if
food is not very short indeed ; but syrup
food is more suitable at this season, and
where stores have run out the latter must
be given, or the bees may perish from want.

[3262.] Queen-matiTuj. — I have been
unable to keep my Ligurian stocks pure,
and shall be glad to have your opinion
whether by letting loose in a large public
hall six pure virgin Ligurian queens along
with, say, thirty pure Ligurian drones I
should secure the fertilisation of the
queens and so secure the purity of breed ?
— I^send name, etc., and sign — M. K. A.,
Spalding, April 8.

Reply. — There will not be the smallest
chance of securing the desired end by the
plan proposed.

[3263.] Getting Shalloxv-comhs Built Out.
— 1. Will you kindly tell me the best way
to get some shallow-frames of comb drawn
out ready for use this season? I only
started bee-keeping in March last year with
one stock, and now have seven colonies.
My idea is to put a box of shallow-frames,
fitted with full sheets of foundation, above
the brood-frames, and by using a feeder on
top of the shallow-frames stimulate the bees
to draw out the combs in latter. I there-
fore ask : 1. Will this plan succeed ? 2.
How many brood-frames should be given to
a swarm weighing about 3 lb. ? 3. Which
do you consider the best extractor in the
market? Your replies will much oblige.— -
W. Jepson, Barnsley.

Reply. — 1. Your plan will fail in secur-
ing the desired result, because the bees
would simply carry the food given down
into the brood-nest. The way to get combs
drawn out for use as stated is to follow
the directions given on page 113 of " Guide
Book " under the heading " Feeding to
Produce Combs." 2. Thiree pounds of bees

should not be put on more than four frames
of foundation. 3. We cannot recommend
any special extractor as better than others
without doing injustice somewhere. Any
leading dealer will supply a machine
proved to be good and efficient by its suc-
cess on the show-bench.

[3264.] Instructions for Beginners. — As a
regular reader of the B.B.J., it occurs to
me that if you could give in it a kind of
weekly instruction column it would be
helpful to beginners like myself. In this
connection, I may say, last year my bees
seem to have swarmed on the alighting-
board ; at all events, they clustered there
for two or three days running, and so I
ask : Would that be a false swarm ? The
bees appeared to go back into the hive each
night. I have what are called non-swarm-
ing hives. — I send name, etc., and sign —
W. G. T.,Kent.

Reply. — The first " instructions " wo
invariably give to beginners with bees is
to procure a reliable " Guide ^ook " on
the subject. Without such help it
is like groping in the dark. We are
also careful to impress on beginners
that it is impossible to teach the
art of bee-keeping in our Query and
Reply column. All we can do is to
give advice in cases where unforeseen diffi-
culties arise which are beyond the skill of
novices ; but there are many things that
cannot be done by rule of thumb, nor is it
possible to frame instructions that will
meet all cases, seeing that " bees do
nothing invariably." In reply to our corre-
spondent's query 7'e*swarming, there is no
such term as " false swarm," but the com-
mon term for clustering on alighting-board
is " hanging out," caused by want of ven-
tilation in warm weather. Then, with
regard to non-swarming hives, it has been
aptly — and perhaps truly — said that " be-
ginners cannot use them, and experienced
bee-men won't."

Bose Farm Apiary, Chesterfield, April 9.
— After a rough and stormy March, April
came in somewhat milder. Monday, the
2nd, was warm and sunny, a genuine
bee-day, so I ventured on a first spring
examination, and found all my thirteen
stocks alive, and all but two had plenty
of stores to last them well on into May.
The two exceptions were soon put to rights
by giving them spare combs of honey left
over for the purpose. Eight of the others
had good patches of brood on three combs,
and the remainder on three frames, while
a nucleus lot, with only a few bees to keep a
spare queen alive, had a patch of brood
as big as my hand on one comb. The bees

April 19, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

159

have been very busy on the willow palm
and the coltsfoot for a week past ; indeed,
it has been like summer here, although
very cold at night. I venture to say,
however, that there will not be much
honey-gathering done in our district on this
side of June 21 this year, the wind having
veered into the wrong quarter since Lady
Day. — Tom Sleight.

Bromhii, Kent, April 9. — I find that the
cold weather in March caused the queens
in my stocks to cease laying, after having
begun early. In some cases they stopped
entirely, but during the last week or ten
days they have started again in real
earnest. Looking through one of my hives
on Saturday, on one frame I found a full-
grown drone, and tried to catch him,
but he flew off the comb quite strong on
the wing. The hive in question is headed
with a queen mated the first week in
August last. She is laying quite fast now.
The hive next to it has also a young
queen, and this stock had just about the
same amount of brood as the first one,
although I saw young bees and brood in
all stages on January 26, and the former
queen did not begin to lay until the end
of February. — J. C. S.

Triiifi, Herts, April 4. — Bees in this dis
trict appear to be doing well, judging by
ours, which are building up wonderfully.
All colonies contain good patches of brood
in all stages, and brood-nests are rapidly
increasing. Queens of stocks with only a
moderate supply of stores on hand, are
being stimulated by slow feeding, while
those well supplied are kept going by un-
capping honey at intervals. For some days
past we could not help noticing the un-
usual amount of activity about our hives,
the bees labouring fi"om sunrise to sunset.
We attributed this to the splendid weather
conditions prevailing, but the key to the
mystery was found this morning. Bees
were busily flying forth as early as seven
a.m., and, later in the morning, having
noticed that all of them were going in one
direction, determined to follow the line of
flight in order to discover the attraction if
possible. We soon found they were pass-
ing into glass houses situated a short
distance away, and on entering several of
the latter the bees were seen busily at
work on the fruit bloom of various kinds,
such as apricot, nectarine, peach, cherry,
plum, etc. The man in charge of the
houses informed us that the bees had l)een
visiting him in thousands for several days
past, and that it was saving him a lot of
labour," as otherwise he would have to fer-
tilise the blossom by means of a brush.
And so the little labourers are pleasing
both parties ! We consider ourselves very
fortunate in having bee-forage near us so
early, as it is building up our stocks very

rapidly, and we shall prepare for some
early swarms. Wishing all brother bee-
keepers a pi'osperous season — A. J. How-
LETT and F. J. Tompkins.

Notices to Correspondents & Inquirers.

Letters or queries asking jor addresses of manufac-
turers or correspondents, or where appliances can he
purchased, or replies giving such information, can only
be inserted as advertisements. The space devoted to
letters, queries, and replies is meant for the general
good of bee-keepers, and not for advertisements. We
wish our correspondents to bear in m,ind that, as it is
necessary for us to go to press in advance of the date^ of
issue, queries cannot always be replied to in the issue im-
mediately following the receipt of their communications.

*** The Chapman Honey Plant.— A cor-
respondent, dating from Lowestoft,
April 10, writes: — "Could you tell me
where I could get some young plants of
the Chapman honey plant, as I presnm©
it is too late now to sow seeds for bloom-
ing this year?" Perhaps some reader
will kindly help us in replying to the
above.

K. H. (Stretford, Manchester). — Bee Para-
sites. — The insect on bee sent is the
Braula Coeca, or blind louse. It is fully
described and illustrated on page 160 of
the " Guide Book." If oijly very few
bees are troubled with parasites, and the
queen is free from them, no great harm
will follow ; otherwise, you have just
cause of complaint against the dealer
who supplied the stock.

T. C. M. (Surrey).— Bee Nomenclature.—
The bee sent is an adult queen.

F. A. P. (Thornton Heath). — Transferring
Bees. — Comb sent contains nothing worse
than honey and pollen, and only very
little of the latter ; so it is not " pollen
clogged." We hope the bees dealt with
last month will get on all right, but it
was certainly not judicious to transfer
old combs and bees from the skep to a
frame-hive in such cold weather as pre
vailed during last month. In fact, the
old practice of transferring as done by
yourself is now generally discarded for
better methods.

Flower Seeds (S. Wales). — Planting for
Bee Forage. — With regard to the main
point you raise, viz., providing bee-forage
in the location whereon you propose to
start bee-keeping, we must say that it
will not pay to have to provide suitable
forage for honey production. The bee-
man's harvest should be ready at hand
for his bees to collect from the fields and
orchards around. On the other hand,
it is an undoubted advantage to provide
a little early pasturage by sowing seeds
mainly for early pollen where such is
not available in the neighbourhood, as
it stimulates the bees to early brood-
raising and thus helps to get them in

160

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [April 19, 1906.

trim for the main honey flow from white
clover, etc. You may obtain a list of
suitable bee-fiowers by applying to Mr.
Geo. Rose, Gt. Charlotte Street, Liver-
pool.

B. R. (Sheffield).— Open-air Feeding.— If
the nearest bees to your own are located
a mile away it should not be difficult
to adopt open-air feeding, if done only
on fine warm days and not begun too
early or continued till too late in the
afternoon.- The syrup must be medi-
cated and made much thinner than that
for ordinary use. It should also be given
in shallow dishes placed in warm, well-
sheltered corners in the full sunshine, so
that the bees may not become chilled
while filling their honey sacs with the
food. They must also have some dry
material to stand on while taking the
food, such as straw cut into very short
lengths ; small bits of cork will also
give a dry foothold. We like to set the
dishes on old newspapers or any such
clean material, free from dry earth or
soil, which adheres to the bees legs after
feeding on the sticky syrup and renders
them incapable of rising for the flight
home.

"Mede" (Leicester). — Soluble Phenvle. —
The advertisement of firm who prepare
this valuable disinfectant aiwears in
"Guide Book," which you already

possess.

Suspected Combs.

J. W. L. (Portinscale). — In one of the
three sealed cells cut from an old comb
we found traces of foul brood. The other
two being entirely empty.

D. M. (Bridge of Allan). ^The three bits
of old black comb sent are quite unfit
for use in diagnosing disease therein.
The contents of the few sealed cells seem
to have been dried \w and gone for years.
Why not send a sample containing fresh,
soft larvaj ?

K. C. (Andover). — There is nothing wrong
with comb «sent. The sealed cells con-
tain honej'^ only ; nor is there any trace
of brood in the cells, either foul or other-
wise.

Mu. Watt (Launceston). — There is no
disease in comb sent ; in fact, it contains
nothing but honey and pollen. Some
help from the county expert with regard
to bee-management is very desirable in
your case, as what you have done through
inexperience has no doubt caused the
loss of a stock of bees. Write to Mr.
John Brown, Polyphant — he is the county
expert, and will no doubt advice you.

Special Prepaid Advertisements.

Twelve words and under Sixpence : for every additional
Three words or under, One Penny.

Advertisements for current Issue must be received
by first post on Tuesday.

AN EIGHTY STOCK APIARY FOE SALE, including
new store house and everything necessary ;
situated on Cotswold Hills, near Junction Station and
comfortable hotel. Particulars forwarded. — " APIAR-
IST." "B.B.J." Office, 8, Henrietta Street, London,
W.C. 0-64

A PRONOUNCED SUCCESS.— The BURKITT BEE-
GLOVE. With sleeves, 3s. 6d. per pair, post
frej. Without sleeves, 29 6d. per pair, post free. The
best, cheapest, and most satisfactory glove for bee-
keepers.—EDWARD REYNOLDS, Glove Maker, And-
over, Hampshire. Wholesale prices to the trade.

B

EES, HYBRID CYPRIANS, good tempered; excel-
lent workers. Stocks. 209. ; smaller, 15«.—
uOSNAM, Haytor, Newton Abbot. o 46

*^(.* Some Letters, Queries and Rtpliety &c ,
are unavoidably h«ld ovtr till next "wttJt.

CHAMPION " NEVER SWARM QUEENS " of 1905,
in introducing cages, 7s. 6d. ; Nuclei with Queeng
cf 1905, five Standard Frames, comb, and brood, 15s. ;
guaranteed healthy. Begin now with " Never Swarm
System," 11 years' absolute success, 3id. — HARRIS,
Wavendon, Bletchley, Bucks. o 14

CLOVER HONEY, 56b. per cwt. Sample 2d.- A. J.
NOYES, Pewsey. o 28

EXPERIENCED BEE-KEEPER will take gentlemanly
youth, to instruct in bee-keeping in return for
his help ; no premium. He would be required to
reside with advertiser at arranged reasonable boarding
terms.—" X. Y. Z.," " B.B.J." Office, 8, Henrietta
Street, London, W.C. o 66

FOR SALE, Edison Bell GEM PHONOGRAPH, almost
new, with 42 selected Records, mostly Scotch,
£3 10s. ; or exchange for May-June healthy swarms. —
WM. ARTHUR, Bee Appliance Dealer, Alloway, by
Ayr, N.B. o 17

FOR SALE, an OUT-APIARY, together or separately,
ten splendid Stocks of Bees, in " W.B.C." Hives,
all young Queenii, hive for queen rearing, eupera,
miscellaneov* stocks, and bee house, complete, all in
best conditior, and guaranteed free from disease. —
H. FIRTH, Rock Park, Birkenhead. O 5

FOR SALE, SIX DOZEN SECTIONS, finest Clover
Honey, 8s. dozen cash.— DOBSON, 10, Harlow
Road, Lidget Green, Bradford. o 30

FOR SALE, guaranteed healthy STOCKS of BEES,
on Standard Frames. 1£05 Queens, £1 each; tiox"
Is. extra, returnable. Inspection invited. — ROW-
LAND, Cliff, Holbrook, Derby, Expert to the Derby-
shire B.K.A. o 45

IpOR SALE, " LITTLE WONDER " HONEY E.X-
TRACTOR ; good as new ; not much used ; 8s. —
KNIGHTS, Hunstanton. o 68

IT^OR SALE, STOCK, in Taylor'si non-swarming hive,
; 25s. ; three Skeps, 12b. each ; all healthy. Fol-
lowing articles never used : — " W.B.C." Knife, 28. ;
Section Block, 9d. ; Guide Book, latest edition, Is'. ;
Tap Strainer, 9d. Deposit if required.— DARLING-
TON, Charing, Kent. o 66

IT^OR SALE, owing to removal, FIVE STOCKS healthy
' BEES, from £1 upwards.— E. ASQUITH, Farn-
ham, near Knaresiborough, Yorks. o 62

FOR S.\LE, HIVES, clean and healthy, in good con-
dition, complete, 68. 6d. each.— ALFRED HALL,
Many Pitts, Marton, Blackpool. o 61

FOUR NEW " W.B.C." PATTERN HIVES, 128. 6d.
each.— PRITCHARD, Wamalong Road, Salisbury.

O 37

(^ ERANIUMS, best sorts, autumn struck, Is. 3d.
T dozen ; post free.; cuttiligs half price.— WAR-
BOYS, Milton, Weston-super-Mare. o 60

April 26, 1906.] THE BRITISH BIE JOURNAL.

161

^iitorial ^otim, ^t.

BRITISH BEE-KEEPERS'ASSOCIATION

CONVERSAZIONE. '

(Continued from page 153.)

The Chairman invited anyone present to
make suggestions with regard to altering
the construction of the top-bar. They
were unanimous about the outside dimen-
sione, but what about the inside ?

Mr. Weston advocated the abolition of
the saw-cut^ and the use of a groove in
which to place foundation, which could be
fixed in with a little melted wax. That
would allow of the frame being much
stronger, and get rid of the pest of the
wax-moth, which found its way into the
saw-cut, and between that and the quilt.

Mr. Belsham said Mr. Abbott had always
made the frames he used. They were con-
structed with a groove in top-bar for fix-
ing foundation with molten wax, and a
groove in side-bars. He had never yet
found the top-bar sagged nor broken. He
thought the groove on the sides a great
help. The top-bar was the same thick-
ness right through.

Mr. A. W. Salmon said with regard to
the " Gayford " frame — which had been
shown — that it possessed a strong top-bar
without the groove, but the extra thick-
ness reduced the cell space of the comb
slightly ; but it surmounted the difficulty
of the wax-moth i^ the top-bar, and se-
cured substantial comb well built out with-
out the necessity of wiring the frame.

Mr. Boxwell said the " Gayford " frame
just referred to was not new, it being kn(jwn
many years ago. It had a top-bar about
lin. thick. This was cut underneath
in half and had a loose piece about ^in.
square, which could be taken out, after
which the foundation was inserted and
secured, and the cut-out ])iece put back
again into its place. The foundation was
held firmly, but the inside size of the frame
was reduced.

Mr. Reid referred to the i)roceedings of
the last conversazione in Octolier, 1905,
when it was agreed that the top-bar was
weakened by the saw-cut running into the
part whei'e the two ends of the side-bars
caught the top-bar. The difficulty was to
make the cut in top-bar with a circular
saw. Previously the manufacturers in
America did not cut the top-bar as far as
where the side-bai^s reached it ; thei'efore
a piece had to be cut out of the foundation
to correspond with the slanting cut that
was left. This was complained of by bee-
keepers, who were thus obliged to cut slant-
ingly further than they needed. Mr.
Cowan said the difficulty could be got
over by using a much smaller circular ?aw

than those generally in use, but it was
found impossible to make the cut direct
because the part of the machinery on
which the circular saw rested could not
be brought into position so as to let the
centre part of the saw cut straight. He
(the speaker) regarded it as highly satisfac-
tory that steps were being taken to improve
what was an obvious defect in the making
of frames. The length of the slant could
be reduced at the end by using a circular
saw of .somewhat smaller diameter;, the
angle would then be made steeper.

The Chairman showed another frame,
sent for the opinion of the meeting, which
in appearance resembled a Hoffman
frame. As would be seen, it had winter-
passages cut in the top-bar, which to his
(the chairman's) mind was not necessary
for ordinary use ; euch passages being only
wanted in the winter. The top part of this
frame was close ended. He had consider-
able experience of such frames, and did
not wish to have anything more to do with
them. The bees propolised those wide
ends, about three inches of the surface be-
coming jjropolised, and when an effort was
made to take the frames out they were
found to be stuck together. He knew the
Americans did not care whether they killed
the bees or not, their sole object being to
save time and make money ; but in
England bee-keepers advocated humanity,
and the thought of squeezing bees within
the frames indiscriminately was repugnant
to them.

Mr. Overton said that it had always
been the object of the association to assist
the working classes by advocating the most
liimple appliances for use so long as they
were effective, and therefore care must be
taken not to recommend any frame that
would be costly. A cheap frame was in-
dispensable. The saw-cut had many dis-
advantages, although it offered great
facilities to the amateur for fixing his
foundation. " Wiring," however, was the
most useful means of effectually securing
combs within frames. He suggested a
frame with a slightly thicker top-bar, but
in no case should it be wider than |in.
He thought the saw-cut should be clone
away with, as it undoubtedly weakened
the top-bar.

Mr. Carr agreed with Mr. Overton's ad-
vocacy of the need for cheap and simple
frames. Some excellent ones had alrtady
been submitted to the audience that even
ing, each of which would ensure the desired
object ; and he would be glad to know what
was the cost of the two he had selected.

Mr. Abbott replied (regarding his own
exhibit) Is. 6d. a dozen, or 18s. a gross —
with the double groove.

Mr. Lee said hie frames were Is. 4d. a
dozen, or 10s. per hundred. They were
the same price with a eroove or with a

162

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [April 26, 1906.

saw-cut. The specimen he exhibited was
not a new frame, but had been made by
his firm and used by some of the largest
bee-keepers for years past. He found that
each year the sale for frames without saw-
cut increased.

The Chairman said that a number of
specimen frame© had been submitted for
approval to the committee, and it would
be better for them to examine and test
them before pronouncing definitely as to
the best one. The outcome of the debate
showed that there was no necessity to alter
the outside dimensions of the present
standard frame, but that the committee
must confine their attention to the thick-
ness and width of the top-bar ; and that
would go forth as the view of those present
that evening. The committee would meet
and give their best consideration to all
the letters and models that had been
sent in.

Mr. Reid next mentioned a little matter
of scientific rather than practical interest.
He produced a small phial which con-
tained the essence or odoriferous principle
of honey. It was an extremely delicate
scientific product and had been extracted
by Monsieur Behal, of the Ecole de Phar-
macie, Paris. The scent reminded one
of some kinds of honey.

Mr. Pugh moved, and Mr. Willard
(seconded, a vote of thanks to the chair-
man, the latter gentleman remarking how
extremely fortunate the members were in
being able to benefit by the services of a
man with Mr. Cowan's wide experience.
Wherever bee-keeping was conducted the
world over, there Mr. Cowan had been as
a student, and was always ready to give
others the advantage of his unrivalled
knowledge.

The Chairman, in returning thanks, said
it was always a pleasure to preside at the
meetings of the association and be in the
company of bee-keepers.

The proceedings then closed.

The monthly meeting of the Council was
held on Thursday, 19th inst., at 105,
Jermyn Street, S.W., Colonel Walker
being voted to the chair. There were also
present Dr. Elliot, Messrs. T. Bevan, W.
Broughton Carr, J. B. Lamb, and the
Secretary. Letters apologising for in-
ability to attend were received from Mr,
T. W. Cowan, Mr. T. I. Weston, Mr.
R. T. Andrews, Mr. R. Godson, and Mr.
A. G. Pugh.

The minutes of the previous meeting
were read and confirmed.

Eight new members wen; elected, viz. :
Dr. H. Corner, Brook House, Southgate.
Rev. H. R. H. Ellison, Hothfield Rectory,

Ashford, Kent.
Mr. B. Harding, 12, Railway Terrace,

Westerham, Kent.

Mr. G. S. Kemp, Iceland House, Tresco,

Scilly.
Mr. Austin Ledwith, 8, Salop ^Road,

Oswestry.
Mr. G. E. Rogers, Beeholm, Newnham,

Cambs.
Mr. E. R. Seadon, 23, Stanley Road,

Bromley, Kent.
Mr. L. McNeill Stewart, W.B.C. Apiary,

Old Bedford Road, Luton.

The Finance Committee's report, pre-
sented by Dr. Elliott, gave particulars of
receipts and expenditure to date, and was
duly approved.

Arrangements were made for the ex-
amination for first-class expert certificates
to be held on Thursday, May 17, at 12,
Hanover Square, London, W.

The schedule of prizes in the Honey
Department at the forthcoming Dairy
Show in October was revised for approval
by the B.D.F. Association, and nomina-
tions of judges made for this show and for
the Grocers' and Confectioners' Exhibi-
tions respectively.

It was reported that the Royal Society
for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
had again been good enough to grant
facilities for the holding of meetings of
the Society at 105, Jermyn Street, S.W.,
for a further period of one year.

The Council decided that the cottage
hives to be presented by the President
(the Baroness Burdett-Coutts) be offered
for competition at the annual shows of
the affiliated county associations, in
classes open to bona-ficle cottager bee-
keepers for the best sample of either comb
or extracted honey. The secretary was in
structed to ascertain how many of the
associations desire to take advantage of
the offer.

The next meeting of the Council will be
held on Thursday, May 17.

THE "ROYAL" SHOW AT DERBY.

It is to be feared that the present spell
of cold weather, following on the warmth
exjDerienced in the early part of the
month, will have in some degree
militated against entries for the important
show at Derby on June 27 to 30. The
changed outlook is all the more regret-
table, because of entries closing on Tuesday
next. May 1.

No doubt the Council of the Royal
Agricultural Society will be approached by
the B.B.K.A. in the interest of the bee
department with the view of obtaining
an extension of time for closing entries
till the final date, viz.. May 29. There
is still ample time (more than two months)
in which to secure surplus before the
staging day, and the present strength of
the majority of well-kept stocks should

April 26, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

163

encourage entries, a fact which we trust
readers will take advantage of by ajjplying
at once to Mr. Young for a copy of
schedule.

CUMBERLAND B.K.A.

AXXT7AL MEETING.

The annual meeting of the Carlisle dis-
trict of the Cumberland Bee-Keepers'
Association was held at the Northern
Temperance Hotel, Carlisle, on April 7.
Mr. A. Mitchell-Dawson,' of Keswick, pre-
sided, and there were also present Messrs.
J. Stormonth, H. E. Borthwick, G. W.
Avery, T. Aird, Peter Johnston, J. R.
Tiffin, J. W. Veitch, A. F. Helps, and
Jas. Lunnin, with the hon. secretary and
treasurer, Geo. M. Saunders.

The financial position of the Association
as regards the deficit of £71 is. 6d. on an
expenditure of £285 12s. 3d., was duly
considered. The report of expert's tours
showed a total of 3,207 hives examined,
against 2,115 in 1904. Of these 11 per
cent, were found to be diseased, being a
reduction of 1 per cent. Foul brood has
decreased ever since the Association
started, but the consequent work and ex-
pense have been considerable. The mem-
bership is now 562, as against 542 in 1904.

Fifteen candidates had attended exami-
nations, held at four centres, for the
B. B.K.A. tliird-class expert's certificates,
^six of whom were successful. Eight candi-
dates had also been examined for the
second-class certificate, six secui'ing a pass.

The balance-sheet showed that the year
had been started with a deficit of £42.
The County Council had made a grant
of £25 towards this deficit and another
grant for the current year of £75. The sub-
scriptions amounted to £81 and dona-
tions £17. At the end of the year there
was an adverse balance due to the bank
of £71 2s. 6d., the total expenditure being
£285 12s. 3d.

The report and balance sheet were
adopted.

On the question of the number of visits
to be given by experts, it was decided
that two visits should be given if possible.

Lord Muncaster was re-elected pre-
sident, Canon Ravrasley, chairman, Mr.
James Thomson, vice-chairman, and Mr.
J. F. Hope, hon. auditor.

Votes of thanks were passed to Mr.
George M. Saunders, the hon. secretary
and treasurer, and to Mr. Veitch, the
local hon. secretary for Carlisle, for their
services, and they wei'e re-appointed.

Upon the motion of Mr. Saunders, it
was agreed that the minimum price for
honey sold wholesale by members of the
Association should be 9d. per lb.

A discussion took place on the subject
of the Bee Pest Bill. Last rear Mr. J.

W. Lowther undertook to communicate
with the President of the Board of Agri-
culture on the subject, but a letter was
read from him stating that he would not
now be able to assist in the promotion
of the measure.

The Secretary stated that it was now
intended to include Scotland in the Bill,
and that the question had also been taken
up in Ireland. The matter had also been
taken up by various County Councils, and
this Association would continue to do all
they could to help it forward. — The
Chairman inquired if a measure was likely
to be brought in this session. — The Secre-
tary said it rested with the Irish. The
Irish intended to introduce a Bill, and
when Ireland got a measure there was
bound to be one for England sooner or
later. A vote of thanks was passed to the
Irish Bee-keepers' Association for -ts
generous contribution of £5 towards the
C.B.K.A.'s expenses in furthering the Bill
in Great Britain.

Expressions of thanks were passed to
the speaker, Mr. Miles Maclnnes, and
Mr. C. Courtenay Hodgson for the in-
terest they have shown in the Asso-
ciation.

Other formal business was transacted,
and the meeting concluded with a vote of
thanks to the chairman.- — (Communi-
cated.)

^mt^mkut.

The Editors do not hold themselves responsible for the
opinions expressed by correspondtntg. No notict will
be taken of anonymous communieations, and corre-
spondents are requested to write on one side of the paper
only and give their real names and addresses, not neces-
sarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith.
Illustrations should be draton on separate pieces •/ paper.
We do not undertake to return rejected communieations.

*»* In order to facilitate reference, Corrtsponderts,
when speaking of any letter or query previously inserted,
will oblige by mentioning the number of the letter as well
as the page on which it appears.

NOTES BY THE WAY.
[6281.] I write on the 23rd of the month,
and we have so far had no growing " April
showers," while the prevailing winds have
been cold nor'-easters. The result is that
with almost continuous sunshine the fields
yield very little forage for the busy bees in
purely agricultural districts such as ours.
On the other hand, fruit-growing districts
are now a mass of blossom, especially
where damsons are extensively grown. The
trees appear as if laden with snow, and as
one passes through these inviting districts
it suggests a trek on the part of beemen
to such locations with their early stocks
in order to secure the first of nature's
floral offerings. It seems to me that such

164

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [April 26, 1906.

localities as I have named above would be
the place where the early breeding races of
bees would prove advantageous to their
owners.

Importing Foreign Bees. — With regard
to the desirability or otherwise of import-
ing foreign bees to this country, the sub-
ject was so fully and lucidly dealt with by
our esteemed Senior Editor on page 141
of B.B.J, of April 12, that I feel we are
all under a great obligation to Mr. Cowan
for the good advice therein given, and I
trust every bee-keeper will read the page
carefully and attentively.

Over-lacing Sections. — The subject of
over-lacing sections on the show-bench
I notice was also discussed at the
same meeting, and coloured labels intro-
duced of suitable width to prevent
this. I myself, as an old exhibitor
(and one who has been penalised among
the "disqualified" ones more than
once), should strenuously object to dis-
figure my exhibits of comb-honey by the
use of coloured bands, and I sincerely
trust that no rule or regulation will ever
be inserted in any schedule of the
B.B.K.A. shows to compel bee-keepers to
use coloured bands. That point should be
left to individual taste, and I feel sure
that a very large majority of bee-keepers
who exhibit will still use white paper for
covering the wood of sections, whether
laced or plain. When I first placed lace
bands (lace both sides) on the market I
had no thought of using them for show
purposes. My idea was to have something
that would cover up the finger marks and
other unsightly stains of propolis, etc. , one
sees on sections after removal from the
hive. The show-bench is, to my mind, a
very small part of bee-keeping, and should
only be regarded as the initial stage lead-
ing to the honey market. The dozen sec-
tions staged by an exhibitor should be a
fair sample of the whole of the honey crop
he has to offer to the wholesale buyer. Every
parcel he sends to his customers should be
sent off in as good condition and as well
glazed (not necessarily so narrow edging,
of course, but equal in every other respect)
as those he exhibits. In saying this, I
do not wish to decry coloured bands for
trade pvirposes. If producers think that
either red or blue bands improve the ap-
pearance of their sections, by all means
let them use them, but if these bands arc
cut of a regulation width for the show-
bench, very few of them will be used for
trade purposes, because poorly filled sec-
li(,ns will seem light in weight compared
with those with wider lace-edging.

Queen Wasj).s. — Yes, the time for queen
wasp destruction is with us again, as Mr.
Taylor reminds us on page 154. I have
nlready killed a good few among the wai'm

wraps over brood nests. There are no
"cones " at air-holes in most of my hive-
roofs, so that every season I get a good
number of " tramps " in the shape of queen
wasps who take lodgings, and they are
easily dispatched when found.

Preparing Sections for ZJse. — Before
folding sections, lay them for a time on
a damp floor, covering them with a damp
cloth ; this will make the corners tougla
and lessen breakages. When cutting
foundation in full sheets so that the bulk
may be as well 'filled as wished for, first
take a section, fold it square, make all
sides equal — ^i.e. , cut off the corners of a
four-bee-way (or the sides of a two-bee-
way) section — then take a jiiece of broken
section, cut part of the two ends away so
that it will just squeeze into the folded
section, leaving, say, 5 in. to | in, stand-
ing out ; fix same with small wire nails, or
glue it in tight up to the side. ' This is
your gauge for cutting by. This done,
take several strips of extra thin " Weed "
super llf in. or 12 in. long, lay evenly
on each other; then place your " gauge "
at left-hand top end of the foundation.
Now, with an old knife (made hot in the
fire), cut the pieces, and it will be found
that they will touch both inside walls of
section, and when fixed at top will hang
within 5 in. to | in. of the bottom of sec-
tion. This will stretch, so that the bees
will build to the bottom. If these details
are carefuly attended to, the comb in sec-
tions will Idc built to the wood all round,
and tlius be more marketable in every
sense of the word. See that all sections
ar^. square as they stand in the rack, and
that the hives are placed level before supers
are ready to put on. Finally, do not for-
get to wrajJ all racks of sections snugly
with some soft warm material. If these
few hints are carried out carefully, I may
venture to say it will be worth more to
readers than a year's sub. for the B.B..I.
■ — W. WooDLEY, Beedon, Newbury.

HOMES OF THE HONEY BEE.

THE APIABIES OT OUE READEKS.

The " Home of the Honey Bee " seen on
next page api>ears under exceptional con-
ditions, the tone block being engraved and
waiting its turn for insertion before Mr.
Nicholls had decided to give up his bees
owing to his health giving way. We are
sorry for this, but the following "notes"
make it clear that our friend had no
option. The notice in our prejiaid adver-
tisements gives i^articulars of sale.

" I herewith send you a few ' notes '
regarding my bee-experiences, along with
photo of my Dell apiary at High
Wycombe. I began bee-keei)ing in 1886

April 26, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

165

with a small swarm or cast, which settled
in a neighbour's garden and was bought
by myself for a shilling. Even with this
very modest beginning I soon caught the
bee-fever, and as the very "old skep in
which the bees were showed signs of
giving way, I enlisted the help of an old
skepist, who undertook to drive the bees
from the skep and put them in a new hive
for me. Unfortunately, however, he
placed the combs of honey cut from skep
on the ground outside hive for the bees
to carry back the contents into their new
hive. The consequence was that on re-
turning home at night I had mv first
experience of an ' uproar ' among the
hives, with the resiilt that all my bees

stocks of Carniolans on hand, I had
eighteen or nineteen swarms and no
honey. At this time I was living over
two miles away from my work, and about
every three or four days the cry came,
' another swarm out,' so I was very glad
to drive the lot and sell them for driven
bees. Had I known as much about bees
as I do now I should have re-queened with
a black queen. No more Carniolans for
your humble servant. To return back to
my apiary I may say my dell is an ideal
place for bees, as the expert that paid me
a vi^t can vouch for.

'' In the course of my twenty years' ex-
perience I have had to move my bees
three times, and I think the place I have

MR. ARTHUR NICHOLL'S DELL APIARV, III(;H WYCOMBE, BUCKS.

were killed, while the lioney was carried
off by maiauders and lost. This was a
bit of a damjjer on my bee-keeping enthu-
siasm. But, nothing daunted, the same
autumn I purchased six more stocks in
skeps, and, as the following summer
turned out bad, the honey season was a
failure, so I drove tlie whole of the bees
from their skeps, and placed them in four
frame-hives made by myself. I then fed
them up well for winter.

" In the year 1900 I purchased, from
Mr. Frank Benton, a Carniolan queen for
10s. 6d.', and introduced her to a black
colony. From this stock I had an im-
mense swarm and a cast. Next season
my troubles "began, for, with several

them now in is an ideal one for bees, sur
rounded as it is by a high bank, and no
cold winds cutting to blow the bees about
on their, coming home heavily laden. The
lady seen on the bank is my wife, who
gives me great assistance in the extract-
ing, having upwards (jf 500 store combs in
shallow frames. I wholesale most of it in
5 or 6 cwt. lots. The photo only shows
about fifty hives,^ but I have seventy
stocks in all. Last autumn I re-queened
nearly all, as I am comjjelled, much to
my regret, to selL out on account of my
health. I therefore close these few notes
very regretfully, but my occupation (that
of a chairmaker), along with the work of
managing a large apiary, is too much for

166

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [April 26, 1906.

me, and leaves me no option. Wishing
to all brother bee-keepers a good season
this year, I extend a hearty invitation to
anyone who may choose to pay me a visit
at the Dell Apiary. "

CORRESPONDENCE.

{Continued from 'i age 164.)
BEES AND FOUL BROOD.

A USEFUL SUGGESTION TO TOURING EXPERTS.

[6282.] In view of the recent discussion
at the B.B.K.^A. Conversazione as to the
relative disease-resisting powers of British
and foreign bees, might I suggest that
touring experts would be conferring a
benefit on the craft at large by observing
and noting carefully the nationality and,
as far as possible, the particular "strain
(e.g., pure imported, first or second cross,
etc.), of all stocks affected with "foul
brood." Observations might also be ex-
tended to other diseases and pests, such
as dysentery and wax moth ; in fact,
there are numerous ways in which ex-
.p.erts might add to our common know-
ledge.

The expert has opportunities which are
often inaccessible to the ordinary bee-
keeper, and though doubtless he is
hampered by want of time, yet, with the
aid of a tabulated note book, he might,
in a short time, collect facts and figures
which would be of considerable value to
his less fortunate brethren. — Thos. S.
Elliot, M.D., London, S.E., April 18.

[The above suggestion is valuable from
several standpoints, though we fear it witi
be somewhat late for general adoption this
year, seeing that some experts are already
at work, while most of the county asso-
ciations will have completed their arrange-
ments for the present spring tour. Such
experts as are fully interested in their
work might, however, easily make up " t
tabulated note book" for use — as sug-
gested by Dr. Elliot, and embody therein
the facts and figures in the annual report
to their respective associations at the
close of the year. Should the above pro-
posal be adopted we might ourselves sug-
gest that the " facts and figures " so
gathered be made available for the benefit
of bee-keepers as a body by experts who
have taken the trouble to follow out the
plan, sending full details for publication
so soon as the present spring tour closes.
If this was done, the information so
obtained would be in j)rint, and available
for inclusion in the expert's annual report
to the association by whom he was
engaged. We would gladly supply free
copies of the "B.B.J." in which such
reports appeared to experts requiring
them. — Eds.]

SCOTCH HEATHER HONEY

at less than 3d. per lb.

[6283.] In your issue of April 5 (page
137) we stated that Messrs. Ingram Bros,
and Co., of 34, Robertson Street, Glas-
gow, had been offering and invoicing
" Pure Scotch Heather Honey " at under
3d. per lb., in London, in 5 cwt. barrels.

In November last, Messrs. Ingram Bros,
and Co. invoiced a barrel containing
5^ cwt. of " Pure Scotch Heather Honey "
to a firm of wholesale grocers in East-
cheap at 26s. 9d. per cwt., less 2^ per
cent, discount, ex wharf, London, which
is about 2|d. per lb. This price included
their profit, agents' commission, and
freight from Glasgow to London. The
Eastcheap firm referred to kindly lent
lis the above invoice, dated November 9,
1905, and we submitted it to the Editors
of the B.B.J, for inspection.- We also
submitted for inspection the " Clyde Bill
of Entry," dated Custom House, Glasgow.
24th ulto., showing imports at Glasgow,
and giving name of Messrs. Ingram Bros,
and Co. as importers of -a lai'ge quantity
Qf foreign honey. [This is so. — Eds.]

We are continuing our investigations,
and hope to submit further information
at a future date.

Scottish bee-keepers state that last
season they had no difficulty in obtaining
Is. 4d. and Is. 6d. per lb. for Scotch
heather honey, and 7d. and 8d. per lb. for
clover honey, and that it was a poor
season, honey scarce.

We ask every bee-keeper in Scotland to
follow this matter up, and push it to its
logical conclusion, as it affects the very
foundation of their industry. — Shaw
Brothers, 12, Idol Lane, London, E.G.,
April 23. -

A WORD FOR FOREIGN BEES.

[6284.] From the Bee Journals of
April 5 and 12 in report of the B.B.K.A.
Conversazione, I see you are all down on
Italian bees. Well, I must say they are,
according to my experience, not very
satisfactory as honey gatherers, and
when crossed with other varieties my
advice to bee-keepers is, " Don't touch
that stock," or if you have to close the
entrance to their hive do it with a
long stick, for if you attempt to go too
near them, why they will make a bold
attempt to sting you to death, and eat you
if they could ! Seriously, though, let me
say, I am located close to Carinthia, where
the Carniolan bee is at home, and have
kept bees in this country for the last
seventeen years, without ever having seen
foul brood, although I have seen a good
many apiaries away from my own, and it
appears to me that the two Bee Journals
I have mentioned are likely to frighten

April 26, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

167

anyone from purchasing bees from any
bee-keeper out here. I am not sending,
and never have sent, any bees to England,
but if I should I Vkfould certainly see
that no queen was sent whicli would
carry with it foul brood and thus do a
fellow countryman a grievous injury. On
the other hand, if a bee-keeper receives
a queen bee, say from Italy, it may
happen that the stock to which she is
introduced may be infected with the
disease from a hive near at hand, and thus
the purchaser of the Italian queen might
readily, bat wrongfully, conclude that the
foul brood was introduced from Italy. I
am a son of Erin, and thus a countryman
of your own, but in this case justice
impels me to stand up for the foreigner,
and to write a few lines in his defence, as
we now hear much of the " Entente cor-
diale " between nations. My only son is
also very near you,, for he is at Chatham
on board H.M.S. Black Prince in the
Royal Marine Light Infantry. In con-
clusion, let me say how much I should
like to make the acquaintance of our great
bee-man, Mr. Cowan, whom I have not-
yet seen (though I have had the pleasure of
meeting Mr. Carr, our junior editor). I
could promise both our editors a warm
Irish welcome if ever they come this way.
Henry Rathborxe, Trieste, Austria,
April 16.

P.S. — I have only fifty-six hives in full
work this spring, but I hope by July to
have seventv or more colonies.

^m'm and ilrylifs.

[3265.] Bobbing in Spring. — I shall be
glad if you will inform me, in the columns
of the B..J.. how I acted wrongly in the
following circumstances: — Thursday last
being a very warm day, I took the oppor-
tunity to tranisfer two of my stocks to new
hives, and on examination found them in
good condition, with large patches of
brood on each side of three frames in both
hives, and abundant stores. Although I
thought I was very careful not to expose
them, I find that for some reason I have
induced robbing in both cases, whether
by bees from my other two stocks or
strangers I do not know. I tried putting
glass in front of entrances to stop it, but
finding it still going on, have closed
entrances all day to-day with perforated
zinc. I therefore ask : 1. Should I have
deferred the transfer until evening? 2.
On how many successive days should the
entrances be closed to stop robbinsr?
3. Will you kindly give name and address
of the secretary of the Kent Bee-keepers'
Association ? Wishing you and all bee-

keepers success, I send name and sign —
Sextus, Kent, April 16.

Reply. — 1. It would have saved trouble
had you deferred transferring till bees had
quieted down for the day. The odour <>f
honey from the open hives no doubt
attracted flying bees from other hives, and
so started the mischief. 2. It is risky to
close entrances for more than an hour cr
two at a time. You had better open them
wide enough for two or three bees to pass
in, and if there is any recurrence of rob-
bing sprinkle the robber bees about
entrance with water to which a few drops
of carbolic acid has been added. Let your
watering-can have a fine rose, so as not
to drench the bees. 3. The Kent B.K.A.
is unfortunately in a state of suspended
animation for want of a secretary just
now, so we cannot help you.

[3266.] Heating Honey Without De-
terioration in Flavour. — I shall be much
obliged if you will kindly answer the
following query in your valuable paper :
It would be convenient for me to keep
my honey in the bottles which I use for
sterilising fruit, but to enable me to
create the required vacuum to close the
bottles it would be necessary to subject
them with their contents to a heat of
140 deg. F. for two hours. Will you
please inform me whether this would be
likely to seriously affect the flavour of
the honey? The bottles and sterilising
apparatus which I use came from Messrs.
Fowler, Lee and Co., of Maidstone, and
perhaps you have seen them, or under-
stand the principle on which they are
worked. Name sent for reference. — H.
M. M., Utrecht, Natal, March 14.

Reply. — Honey may be heated up to a
temperature of 160 deg. without detriment
to its flavour, and will even stand
180 deg., but bottling honey on a large
scale is generally done at 160 deg.
Whether the honey you wish to bottle will
stand the temperature you name for two
hours without affecting its flavour can
only be determined by experiment, but
from what we know of the principle we
should think that the honey would not be
appreciably affected.

[3267.] Dealinf] xcith Vicious Bees. — I
have a particularly strong stock of Hybrid
Cyprian bees on my lawn, and owing to
their vicious disposition we are deprived
of the use of half the lawn. 1 do not
vnsh to destroy the queen as the bees
are excellent workers ; at the same time I
am anxious to have a stock of quiet bees
on the position of this hive, and so ask
if I could remove the Cyprians to an
adjoining paddock. Then place an empty
hive fitted with full sheets of comb

168

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [April 26, 1906.

foundation in its place, so that flying bees
will return there and enter the hive pre-
pared for them. Then in a few days in-
troduce a new queen of a more gentle
strain. I shall feel obliged if you will
let me have a reply in next week's
"B.B.J." I send name and sign, A. J.
R., Middlesex, April 19.

Reply. — The removal of your vicious
stock to an adjoining paddock at this
season would cause the loss of more or
less bees from the colony so moved. But
the bees that returned to the old stand
would be of no u§e in forming a new
stock after the manner proiDosed. If,
therefore, the change of joosition is im-
perative, the bees should be moved as soon
as convenient, and in order to minimise
the loss lay a small branch or twig on
the flight-board across the hive entrance
(so that the bees will neted to work their
way out) for a day or too after moving.
This will cause them to notice the change
of location. Later on you min'ht pur-
chase a nucleus colony of Carniolan bees
to occupy the stand on lawn. • The latter
variety are quiet enough, and will give
little trouble, so far a^ regards stinging.

[3268.] Pollen Carrying and Queen-
lesnitess. — I should be glad if you will
answer to this query. One of my stocks
has seemed strong, and without doubt
has been carrying in pollen. But when
I went through thehi this Easter there
was no sign either of queen, brood, or
eggs, although there is a fair amount of
freshly gathered pollen in the combs.
There are also several drones in the hive,
and from my limited experience I should
judge them to be this year's. I had
imagined that the fact of bees carrying
j)ollen was a proof of there being a aueen
and brood, but in this I am apparently
mistaken, as even yesterday I noticed
them taking in pollen, although perhaps
in small quantities. PerhajDS you can ex-
plain matters which are beyond me.
Name sent for reference. — Enquireh.
Ash, Surrey, April 18.

Reply. — The most natural inference lo
be gathered from the above is that there
is a fertile worker in the hive. A week or
two will show whether this is so or not,
because drone br(jod will be found m
worker cells. On the other hand if the
stock is really " strong," as stated, it miglii
be worth re-queening ; otherwise the bees
ran only be utilised by uniting them to
another stock. . See notices to corre-
spondents (page 170) for reply to other
query.

[3269.] Hunger Sumrms. — I have just
had a rather strange experience with one
of my hives, and would be much obliged
for information regarding it through your

queries column. The hive in question
was found to be queenless this spring,
and I therefore united the bees to a driven
lot of bees with queen I got from Ehgland
in November last. This was done on the
7th inst., and on the 9th a swarm caine
from a neighbour's apiary and straight-
way entered the hive containing the bees
I had united. The result is that there is
much fighting going on. I therefore ask :-
1. What will be the probable result, or
which of the queens is likely to be killed,
the one belonging to the hive or the one
that came with the swarm ? 2. Is it not
rather early in the season for a swarm to
come off in our part of the North ?
Thanking you for past help through the
columns of "B.B.J.," I send name and
sign Novice, Alyth, Perthshire.

Reply.— 1. The strange queen would
probably be killed along with many of the
bees accompanying her. 2. The intrude.cs
which entered the hive no doubt left your
neighbour's apiary through being short of
stores, and would be tempted towards the
hive containing the united stocks owing to
tlie commotion caused by joining up the
two colonies. Such hive desertions are
known as hunger swarms.

[3270.] Artificial Swarming for In-
crease.— Would you please answer these
few questions, as I am only a bee-keeper
of eighteen months, and am rather in a
fog with regard tO' what to do for the best
in increasing stocks. I made my vv.B.C.
hive from the directions in "Note Book."
I also take your valuable "B.B.J." and
"Record," and have found the "Guide
Book" most useful. In fact, all I know
has been learned from your publications.
I built up my only stock from 41b. of
driven bees in September, 1904, according
to instructions in " Guide Book," and last
season I had seventy lib. sections from it.
My* hive is now crowded with bees on ten
frames, and I would be glad of replies to
the following questions: — 1. On looking
through the frames last week I came
across two old queen cells, and would like
to know if the bees have re-queened them-
selves last year. 2. When could I make
an artificial swarm, seeing that there
are a lot of drone cells sealed over in centre
comb of brood chamber? Could I make
it at once, and follow Mr. Alexander's
plan as given in the " B.B.J." ? I will
be very pleased to have an early reply.
I send name, and sign myself A Be-
ginner, Ilfracombe, April 17.

Reply. — 1. The appearances noted
point to the probability of the bees
having raised a new queen last year. 2
If you decide on following Mr. Alexander's
plan of increasing stocks as described in
our issue of May 25 last year in preference

April 26, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

169

to the methods of making artificial swarms
given in the "Guide Book," you must
adhere closely to the first-named plan and
judge it by results. We have not tried Mr.
Alexander's plan ourselves, so cannot
speak authoritatively with regard to it.

[3271.] Specks on Super Foundation. —
The enclosed is piece of section foundation,
part of some which I purchased this
week. It is, as you will see, all more or
less covered with small white specks like
the enclosed sample. Will you please say
in "B.B.J." what it is? I don't care to
use it until I know it is all right. — R.
DuTTON, Hightown.

Reply. — There is nothing really wrong
with the .sample sent, which is of very
good quality. The white specks are merely
minute particles of wax, and will dis-
appear if foundation is very slightly
warmed by holding in front of fire.

(&t\iU% fnam ih^ ^ttiw»

Maldon, Essex, April 12. — I send a
couple of queen wasps, and am wondering
if they are the first you have seen this
season. [Yes. — Eds.] I caught them in
my garden drinking along with the bees
at a small fountain. Glad to say my bees
have come through the winter well and
strong. They are working for all they ai'e
worth this fine weather. It looks as if this
year will be a good one for all bee-keepers.
—A. C. Tew, Expert.

Easton, Bristol, April 20. — On examin-
ing my hives yesterday I found all in
good order and was surprised to see quite
a lot of thin new honey stored in the
combs. In one hive I saw a queen wasp,
or as it was very large she may have been
a hornet. The bees seemed to take no
notice, though it was among the cluster.
I tried to catch the intruder, but failed. —
J. Skinner.

[See page 170 for notice regarding
feeder. — Eds.]

Notices to Correspondents & Inquirers.

Letters or queries asking for addresses of manv/ac-
turers or correspondents, or where appliances can be
purchased, or replies giving such information, can only
be inserted as advertisements. The space devoted to
letters, queries, and replies is meant for the general
good of bee-keepers, and not for advertisements. We
imsh our correspondents to bear in mind that, as it is
necessary for tt« to go to press in advance of the date of
issue, queries cannot always be replied to in the issueim-
mediately following the receipt of their ccmn,xinicatiovs.

*»* Seedlings of Chapman Honey Plant. —
We are much obliged to several corre-
spondents who have kindly replied to
our request on page 159 last week.

PoTSY (Weymouth). — Comb-Building in
Candy-Boxes. — 1. It is quite common to
hear of bees building a little comb in
boxes after 'they have consumed the
food given in such receptacles. Nor
does this do more than prove that food
in plenty along with warmth arouses
the comb-building impulse in bees just
as it does when there is natural
warmth outside and honey to be had
in the fields. 2. Floor-boards not
cleaned already should be attended to
on the earliest suitable day. 3. The
same remark applies to examining
frames. 4. We can add nothing to tlie
directions for prevention of swarming
given in Chapter VI. of "Guide Book,"
pages 20 and 21. The rest depends on
the bee-keeper himself.

Haktwood (Tipperary). — Bees and Laurel
Hloney. — Bees will bioti gather honey
from any natural source that will cause
death to theVnselves through poisoning.
You may, therefore, be quite sure l^hat
their "tumbling out of the hive" is not
from the cause mentioned. The trouble
may be from the disease known as bee
paralysis.

Enquirer (Ash, Surrey). — Bees Deserting
Hive. — The few details given are too
meagre for us to form any reliable
opinion with regard to the hive being
deserted.

J. Williams (Devon). — American-made
" Bingham " Smokers. — The onlv firm
we can find in all catalogues on our file
who specially list the genuine American-
made smoker named above is Messrs.
Burgess and Son, Guinea Street, Exeter.

N. E. B. (Kettering).— Weak Stocks Robbed
Out by Strong Ones. — It is not un-
common to find weak stocks, when once
overpowered and robbed by strong ones
as in your case, allowing their more
powerful neighbours to carry off food as
fast as given without offering any re-
sistance to the marauders. You had
better keep on feeding the weak lot, and
if the roblaers got* an occasional sprink-
ling with cai'bolised water from a water-
ing can it would reduce the trouble, and
probably end it when honey is to be
had outside.

Beginner (Chingford). — Giving Sections
in April. — If the bees are sufficiently
strong to fill the body -boxes of your
two hives you may give a rack of sec-
tions to each, so soon as weather turns
warm, and the present cold wind veers
southward.

W. Paterson (Mayb(de, N.B., and Tyke,
Milford. Yorks).- — Particulars reganling
membership and exams, for experts' cprti-
ficates of the B.B.K.A. may be had on
application to the secretary, Mr. Edwin
H. Young, 12, Hanover Square, London.

170

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [April 26, 1906.

J. Skinner (Bristol). — A New Rapid
Feeder. — We should like to see the
feeder described. If it has all the good
points claimed in description you should
give it a chance on the show bench.

A. Harris (Wavendon). — Bee Feeders. — •
Your feeder is 8;ood, and will no doubt
do its work well ; but in principle it is
not new. We have seen more than one
feeder in past years which embodied
the same idea as in the one sent. This
only proves how experienced bee-keepers
often instinctively work out similar
ideas to attain the same end.

H. O. B. (Reading).— Model Feeder to
Work From. — The particulars desired
appear in our "prepaid advts. " cols, on
April 12 (refer to o 44, page 150).

Suspected Combs.

L. B. W. (Essex. — Your sample contains
foul brood of very pronounced type.

A. D. L. (Lichfield). ^ — Comb sent is affected
with foul brood of very old standing.

T. H. (Uttoxeter).- — There is no disease in
sample of comb sent.

*#* Somt Letters., Queries and R plies, &''.,
are unavoidahly held over till next week

Special Prepaid '^Advertisements.

Tw'.lre words and under Sixpence: for every additional
Three words or under, One Penny.

Advertisements for current Issue must be received
by first post on Tuesday.

A PRONOUNCED SUCCESS.— The BURKITT BEE-
GLOVE. With sleeves, 3s. 6d. per pair, post
fre3. Without sleeves, 28 6d. per pair, post free. The
best, cheapest, and most satisfactory glove for bee-
keepers.—EDWARD REYNOLDS, Glove Maker. And-
over, Hampshire. Wholesale prices to the trade.

BLACK MINORCAS, five laying hens, one cockerel
(Webster's strain), sacrifice 18s. the lot. Several
cross-bred hens, laying, at 2s. each.— BAKER, Kings-
bridge, Devon. o 83

CALCEOLARIAS, strong rooted cuttings, well
hardened off, 9d. dozen. CHRYSANTHEMUMS,
strong hardy plants, outdoor, 12 finest named varie-
ties, 28., post free. — HETHERINGTON, 88, Main
Street, Brampton, Cumberland. o 79

HAMPION " NEVER SWARM HIVES," with
natural ventilated detention chamiber, without
extra cost, brood box, 12 Standard Frames, super
(room for three), 248. 6d. " Never Swarm System,"
11 years' absolute success, 3id., free.- HARRIS
Wavendon, Bletchley, Bucks. o 76 '

"TJON'T BUY BEE-FEEDINGFOUNTAINS when^^ou
-L' can make the best yourself. Model will " be
despatched on receipt of 9d., and your golden
syrup tin lid.— H. HAWKINS, Burgh Heath, Eps-m
o 87

ENGLISH and ITALIAN BEES FOR SALE, Standard
Hives.— THOS. HILL, Scotlands, Cannock Road,
near Wolverhampton. 0 77

EXCHANGE VIOLIN, bow, and case, valued 129. 6d.,
for BEES, on Standard Frames.— MARSHALL,
49, Toll Gavel, Beverley. o 80

OR SALE, 20 STRONG STOCKS of BEES, in stout
Bar Frame Hives, £1 5s, each. Inspection in-
vited.—ERNEST DAVIS, Great Bookham, Surrey.

0 84

FOR SALE (a bargain), WAX EXTRACTOR.— Boiler,
17i X 13 X 12i ; perforated zinc cage, 17 x 11 x 9 ;
in thorough good condition. Price 7s. 6d.— F. E.
COURT, Green Street, Sittingbourne. o 74

FOR SALE, APIARY of about 70 stocks of healthy
Bees, in Bar Frame Hives, together with all appli-
ances. What offers for the lot? Inspection luvitea,
or particulars sent.- A. NICHOLLS, 38, Oxford Road,
High Wycombe. o 72

FOR SALE, half a dozen SWARM CATCHERS. 2s.
each, or 9s. the half dozen. Also quantity of
Super Olearers, Is. 6d. each ; three for 48.— F R
COURT, Green Street, Sittingbourne. o 75 "

FOR SALE, guaranteed henlthy STOCKS of BEES,
on Standr.rd Frames. 1S05 Queens. £1 each; box
la. extra, returnable. Inspection invited.— ROW-
LAND, Cliff, Holbrook, Derby, Expert to the Derby-
shire B.K.A. o 45

GEM AIR-GUN, worth 2l8. ; exchange for Bees, in
skens or frames. What offers? SIX FRAMES
BEES WANTED, early in May. Cash.— WARD, 190
Slade Road, Erdington. o 78 '

G

_IVING UP BEES— Complete Stock for Sale, cheap.
A — FRASER, Cherry Willingham, Lincoln, o 85

GOODS YET REMAINING TO BE SOLD, and owner
going abroad.— 70 Shallow Combs perfect condi-
tion, 6d. each; 28 ditto, brood size, 6d. each; 6
Queen Excluders, 6d. each ; 9 Standard Dummies, '4d.
each ; 3 Outer Lifts. Is. 6d. each ; 18 Quilts. American
cloth, 3d. each; 1 " W.B.C." size Super Clearer,
1 Well's ditto. Is. 6d. each ; Observatory Hive lOs. ;
Cheshire's Wax Extractor, new. lis. :" Microscope,
new, £3.— ALFRED HALL, Many Pitts, Marton Black.
Poo^- • ' ' 0 86

ITALIANS, first cross, best honey gatherers, good-
tempered. Strong ten frame stocks, with last
season's queens ; guaranteed healthy for this season's
work ; package free, 25s. each.— 0. KNIGHT, Epney,
Stonehouse, Glos. o 58

LIGHT HONET, in screw-oap jars, 88. dozen ; BuIki
53s. ; tins free ; carriage paid. Sample 2d.—
CHARTER, Tatlingstone, Ipswich. S 78

NOVELTY.— Picture Postcards of the Beautiful
colour-photo engraving of Sladen's " Golden
Prolific " and " Extra Golden " Bees. Three for 2id.
8d. per dozen, post free. Every Beekeeper's Postcard
Album should contain one of these.— SLADEN, Ripple
Court Apiary, Dover. o 56

VAL WIRE NAILS.-lin., 4d. ; Ijin. 3id. ; 2iin.

3d. ; Panel Pins, best, gin., 6d. ; seconds, 4d.

per pound ; 5 lbs., one of each sort. Is. 6d. ; post free

2s. 2d. Samples two Stamps.— S. WEIGHT, Southgate

Stores, Bury St. Edmunds. o 19

UEENS BY RETURN OF POST, reared 1905,
healthy, 5g. each.— O. KNIGHT, Epney, Stone-
house, Glos. o 49

SECTION HONEY WANTED, pale colour, free from
granulation.— T. SMITH AND CO., 17, Cambridge
Street, Hyde Park. o 88

HALLOW COMBS, clean, healthy, 6s. dozen. Als^
two stocks, blacks, in well-made hives, two supers,
£2 28. each.— WALKER, Confectioner, Patricroft.
o 81

STRONG STOCKS, on Standard Frames, 1905 Queens
Guaranteed healthy.— W. WOODS, Normandy,
Guildford. o 89

RIME. HEALTHY, EARLY SWARMS, from Bar
Frame Hives. — ALBERT SANDYS, Drayton,
Berks. o 21

RIME NATURAL SWARMS, May and June, 12s. 6d.
each. Boxes, Is. Cash with order, or deposit. —
G. .JORDAN, Steeple Aston, Oxford. o 91

PROTECT YOUR FRUIT.— Tanned Garden Netting,
only best quality supplied. Order promptly, as
nets are scarce and must be dearer. 25 x 8 yds.,
50 X 4, and 100 x 2 yds., 98. each. Add ten per cent,
for other sizes.- L. WREN AND SON, 139. High Street,
Lowestoft. 0 92

May 3, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

171

ttt0rial ^otm% ^r,

SCOTCH HEATHER HONEY

AT LESS THAN 3d. PER LB.

While preparing for press, the followinc;
communication was received, with a re-
quest for its insertion in our next issue.
We have no hesitation in complying with
the request made ; but we may — in the
general interest of the industry it is our
privilege to represent — ^have a few words to
say on the subject next week.

Editors,!

British Bee Jotjrnal.

Sirs, — My attention has been drawn by
my clients, Messrs. Ingram Brothers and
Co., 34, Robertson Street, Glasgow, to an
article which appeared in your issue of
26th inst., page 166.

Messrs. Shaw Brothers, 12, Idol Lane,
acted as London agents for Messrs. Ingram
Brothers and Co. , for some time, but their
services were recently dispensed with.
Messrs. Shaw. Brothers have made other
statements about my clients which they
had to withdraw and apologise for.

The honey in ({uewtion is absolutely
pure, but was faulty, and my clients suc-
ceeded in putting it right. It was sold
on a sample six months ago, and up till
now no comjjlaint has been received from
buyers. My clients are dealers in various
grades of honey, and they demur to a com-
parison between a retail price in glass
packages and honey sold in bulk in barrels,
as Messrs. Shaw Brothers have done ;'n
the article referred to. The question, if
any, is one entirely between buyers and
sellers, and I have accordingly advised my
clients not to indulge in correspondence
through the Press.

If Messrs. Shaw Brothers consider they
have a case against my clients I am pre-
pared to accept service of same. — I am,
Sirs, yours faithfully. — Archibald Ross,
Solicitor, 102, Bath Street, Glasgow,
April 30, 1906.

EDUCATIONAL POSTCARDS.

Nature Sturhj — Leaves of Trees. — We re-
cently noticed the facsimile representa-
tions on seven postcards of all the species
of British ferns, published by the County
Press, 19. Ball Street, Kensington, W.

The interest aroused — indicating the great
importance now attached by Educationists
to Nature-study subjects — ha« induced the
same publishers to issue twelve postcards
for one shilling, including facsimile prints,
popularly and scientifically named, of the
leaves of the principal British trees and
shrubs. These prints show in their design,
by a well-known writer on sylvan subjects,
Mr. Francis George Heath, what had never
before been attempted ; the exact venation
- — or system of veins — in the cellular tissue
of each leaf, giving to each figure repre-
sented a very marked and interesting in-
dividuality.

REVIEWS OF FOREIGN BEE-
JOURNALS.
By "Nemo."

A Yearns Wo'rh in Switzerland. — No. 3 of
the Sclmcistzerische Bienenzeitumj contains a
report of one year's work at the various
experimental stations in the German
Cantons of Switzerland. The report,
which occupies fifty pages, has been pre-
pared by M. Kramer, the jiresident of the
Swiss Bee-keepers' Society, and shows an
enormous amount of work. On the first
page we have a map showing the distril)u-
tion of the experimental stations, of which
there are tliirty-two, and the altitude of
each, together with a list of the bee-keeper's
in charge of each station. The re^rort is
divided into six sections, each of these
being subdivided into sub-sections. For
instance, under " 1. Winter," we find the
weather, the condition of the bees during
winter, period of inactivity, dysentery,
first flight, stores consumed, etc. There
are several diagrams showing maximum
and minimum temperatures, and a large
folding sheet showing in red the increase
in weight of hives, and in black the de-
crease, dui'ing the gathering season. In
addition to the maps and tables, the report
is profusely illustrated with half-tone
blocks of various flowers coming into
bloom at the different seasons. Not only
does the report itself show an immense
amount of work, but it also shows the
enthusiasm of those who assist in furnish-
ing data for such a report. Herr Reber, of
St. Gullen, has been keeping these
records for twenty-one years, and there ai*e
others who have been doing so for twenty
years, namely, Herr Goldi, Herr Rohner,
and Herr Branchli. There are now thirty-
five devoted bee-keepers who assist in this
work. How many, we wonder, are there
in this country, who take this trouble for
the benefit of the pursuit ?

Cure of Ophthalmia. — Dr. Taniawski
mentions in VAheille Bourfjuignonnc, a
curious case of a person suffering from

172

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [May 3, 1906.

ophthalmia, which had resisted every treat-
ment. The individual was one day stung
by a bee on the left eye-lid, and on rising
the next morning, wais astonished to find
that the light did not hurt him at all, and
also that the purulent secretion beneath the
eyelid had disappeared. His astonish-
ment induced him to try the experiment
of getting stung on the right eye, which
he succeeded in doing, with the result that
the cure was as complete as it had- been
with the left eye.

The Honey Harvest in Tunis. — M. Bour-
geois writes in VApicuUeur, that the honey
harvest is very variable in Tunis, and is
entirely dependent on the rains, whether
they are early and abundant. There is
then a flow of nectar in the autumn, and
bees swarming on the carob, heather and
rosemary. In the spring there are the
fruit trees and pasture flowers. In June
and July there is nectar from eucalyptus
and thyme. This last is eagerly sought
after by the natives on account of its tine
aroma.

Instruction in Bee-Kecping in Hungary.
— According to the Leipziger Bienenzeitung,
we learn that the Minister of Agriculture
in this country appointed three lecturers
in 1881 for the purpose of encouraging bee-
keeping and the spread of information
as to the best methods of managing an
apiary ; but four years later it was found
that these three instructors were insuffi-
cient for the purpose, and three others
were added, with the addition of an in-
spector to superintend the whole of the
work. This inspector resides in Buda
Pest, whereas the peripatetic instructors
live in the centres from which they can
easily reach the various 23arts of their dis-
tricts. The inspector has a salary of
2,000 krs. (£83 10s.), with an allowance of
1,200 krs. (£50 2s.), for travelling expenses
and 700 krs. (£29 5s. 6d.), additional for
attending lectures. The instructors re-
ceive a fixed salary of 1,600 krs.
(£66 15s. 6d.), and 1,600 krs. for lectur-
ing, also from 350 to 490 krs. (£14 12s. to
£20 9s.), for trayellmg expenses in their
districts. The total cost for this branch
of educatioai amounts. to about 30,250 krs.
(£1,256 9s. 6d.), a year. In addition to
this, there is expended every year a sum of
28,200 krs. (£1,170 19s. 6d.), for the pur-
chase of appliances such as extractors,
hives, and small itenfs such as bee veils,
etc.. honey knives, etc., which are distribu-
ted gratuitously to pastore, schoolmasters,
agriculturists, and foresters who have
taken up bee-keeping. A portion of the
above amount is also given in prizes for
meritorious work done. The Government
has an experimental station at Godolls,
where from 200 to 600 hives are kept.

Seminal Vesicle Duct of Queen Bee. — As
stated in the Journal of the Jtoyal Micro-

scopical Society, E. Bresslaw finds that the
so-called " circular muscle," or sphincter,
of the seminal vesicle duct does not exist.
What is actually present is a complicated
jDump-like apparatus, whose main parts
consist of a parallel pair of longitudinal
muscles and a dorsally-placed semi-circu-
lar, more weakly developed muscular band.
Bees and Flou-ers.^— In the same journal
we read that J. Wery has made experi-
ments with flowers from which the corolla
was removed, and some others left unin-
sured. The position of the flowers was
changed from time to time, the respective
visits of bees and other insects being
counted. In June the uninjured flowers
were visited by 107 insects, of which 72
were bees. The flowers without corollas,
but still conspicuous, received the atten-
tions of 79 insects, among them being 28
bees. Similar experiments had similar
results, and the author states that a glass
vessel, containing honey, was left quite
unnoticed, while artificial flowers proved
as attractive as real ones. He therefore
concludes that the form and colour of the
flowers are more potent in attracting bees
than pollen, nectar, or fragrance. We
are, however, unable to agree with this
gentleman, being quite certain that bees
will visit inconspicuous flowers where there
are plenty of showy ones within sight, and
every bee-keeper knows the danger of ex-
posing honey — in spring and autumn.

DEATH OF Mrs. CHAS. NASH ABBOTT.

The older generation of B.B.J, readers
will share the deen regret with which
we leaim that Mrs. Abbott, widow of
the founder and first editor of the B.B.J.,
passed peacefully away, surrounded by her
family, after a short illness, at her resi-
dence, Bedfont House, Southall, on the
25th ult., aged 76. The interment took
place on April 28 (the 51st anniversary of
her wedding day) at the Westminster
Cemetery, Hanwell. The deceased lady
was personally known to, and highly
esteemed bv prominent bee-keepers during
her late husband's active career in con-
nection with the bee-industry, most of
them having, at one time or another, been
hospitably entertained at Hanwell or
Southall. When, in 1883, a testimonial
was presented to Mr. C. N. Abbott, in
recognition of his services to the craft, it
was accompanied by a handsorne handbag
for Mrs. Abbott, in which was a Russian
leather purse (containing the balance of
contributions, after defraying the cost of
dining-room clock, address, etc.). All of
these are still in perfect condition and
greatly prized by the family, to whom we
offer the sincere sympathy of readerfe, along
with our own, in their irreparable loss.

May 3, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

173

dimt^mkut

TJie Editors do not hold themselves responsible for the
opinions expressed by correspondents. No notice will
be taken of anonymous communications, and corre-
spondents are requested to write on one side of the paper
only and give their real names and addresses, not neces-
sarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith.
Illustrations should be drawn on separate pieces of paper.
We do not undertake to return rejected communications.

*** In order to facilitate reference, Corrtsponderts,
when speaking of any letter or query previously inserted,
will oblige by mentioning the number of the letter as well
as the page on which it appears.

AMONG THE BEES.

SOME HONEY CUKES AND RECIPES.

[6285.] Many bee-books give a few recipes
for using honey as aii ingredient of food,
etc. , and a very few mention it as a means of
curing isome of the many ills that human
flesh is heir to. I have purposely ab-
stained from digging into these books, but
have picked up a few items at odd times,
which I have grouped together without
method and now submit to Jouenal
readers. I think this feature of honey pro-
duction should be much more exteneively
dealt with than it is. In fact, I fear it
is being gradually neglected. Here about
it is believed to cure sore throat, chilblains,
chapped lips, bad sores or ulcers, burns,
scalds, rough cracked hands, and many
other minor ills ; while as an ingredient in
the preparation of cakes, drinks, etc., its
use is extensively believed in and advo-
cated.

Honey Shoe Blackinf/. — Add lamp black
to inferior honey to such an extent as will
allow the mass to be well stirred. Warm
until softened and put in boxes. This pre-
serves its eloss for a long time, prevents
cracking, and preserves and softens the shoe
leather.

Honey in Infant's Food. — At first the
child had half milk and half honey,
liquified with water. Then four parts milk,
one part honey, with a little water. The
child grew strong and plump, and . never
had a single pain, while it slept soundly the
whole night long.

Preserves. — Use two parts gooseberry
jelly to one of cheap honey. Boil on slow
fire for half an hour. Skim off any froth.
If carefully put up the jelly will keep fresh
for a very long time. ,

Honey for Brain Work. — A well-known
author acting on the advice of his doctor
uses honey largely, and has amply p-oved
by experience that in doing heavy brain
work there is nothing better for' the system
than honey.

Honey Drops. — Mix one-third cupful )f
extracted honey, teaspoonful butter, an
egg well beaten, small cup flour, add some
baking powder and a pinch of salt. Drop
from a spoon on a tin and bake in an oven.

Insomnia. — When troubled with sleep-

lessness, rise and take a spoonful or two
of honey, and sleep soon comes. For one
troubled with this trying affliction, a light
supper of bread, honey, and milk will be
found soothing.

Honey Tea-cahc. — Use one teacupful ex-
tracted honey, half cupful of thick, sour
cream, two eggs, half teacupful of butter,
two cups of flour, small half teaspoonful of
soda, one cream of tartar. Bake in oven
until ready, and serve, if possible, while
still warm.

Summer Drink. — Take six gallons of
water, 101b. of honey, and the white of
three eggs. Boil one hour, and then add
some cinnamon and ginger. When cold,
add a spoonful of yeast. Stir the com-
pound well and lay past for a day when
it will be ready for use.

Honey Lemonade.— Proceed as in making
ordinary lemonade, but use honey instead
of sugar. The flavour will be found much
improved, and the effect very refreshing.

Honey for Dyspepsia. — Take a glass of
boiling water and stir in it four tablespoon-
fule of honey. Drink while hot, just before
retiring to bed. It will promote sound
sleep, good digestion, free action of the
liver and kidneys, and cure nervousness.

Honey Salve. — As a cure for boils and
carbuncles, mix together pure honey and
flour, making it into a stiff paste ; spread
on a cloth and lay on the sore, renewing
every twelve hours.

A Good Freekle Cure is the following : —
Eight ounces of extracted honey, two
ounces of glycerine two ounces of alcohol,
six drachms of citric acid, and fifteen drops
of the essence of ambergris.

.4 Cure for Asthma. — In a medical work
I find it recorded that a doctor ate some
ounces of honey every day for two vears,
and got entirely free of his asthma.
Before this he had tried every known cure
without securing any relief.

Honey Massage. — Take the yolk of two
eggs, two ounces of ground bitter almonds,
two ounces of almond oil, add four ounces
of extracted honev, and make a paste,
which rub on hands, arms, or face.

Propolis Corn Plaster. ■ — Make small
plasters of propolis slightlv warmed, and
apply to corns, and you will feel relieved
from the pain of this worrying trouble.

Honey Soap. — Take one pound common
soap and add rain water. Place the inix-
ture in a pan and boil till soap is dissolved.
Then add an ounce or two of honey, and
continue stirring until the water is evapo-
rated. Such a soap is excellent for the
complexion.

Infiuen-.a Cures. — 1. A stiff glass of hot
whisky, into which stir two tablespoonfuls
of granulated honev. Take on retiring to
resit, and repeat if required. 2. For tee-
totallers, or those who might think the hot
ingredient was the principal curer, the foU

174

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [May 3, 1906.

lowing might be used : — In one teacupful
of hot honey put the juice of one lemon, and
take as a dose two teaspoonfule occasion-
ally, or as often as seems necessary, and as
hot as can be endured comfortably.

Instead of Sugar. — Being prohibited the
use of sugar by the doctor, I have brought
honey into requisition, and used it for
sweetening milk-porridge, tea, coffee, etc.,
and find it most agreeable, and it leavee
no ill effect.'

Mead. — Put two pounds of honey to a
gallon of water, boil it for half an hour,
add the peels of two lemons ; work this
with yeast. Let it stand in a vessel for six
months and then bottle.

Honey V incgar. ^-Take one part of honey
to four jiarts of water. Expose to heat by
sun in open vessel, protected from insects,
for about six weeks. The product will be
of great strength and of a particularly fine
flavour.

Honey as a Food. — Prof. Cook says: —
" I believe that no parent can do a wiser
thing than to furnish his young children
with all the honey they desire to eat, giving
freely each meal, but only at meal time.
Honey is a much safer food than sugar, and
this is specially true for children."

Two Bemarkahle Honey Cures. — "Nemo,"
page 52, quotes from a foreign bee-paper
a case where honey saved the life of an
ansemic patient. The doctor gave her up,
but recommended her to try honey and
milk, with the result that she became " per-
fectly well and strong." Quite recently it
was recorded in the Journal that a lady in
the Midlands unable to take any food, as
a last resort to preserve life was advised
to try honey. This acted like a charm
and the lady recovered. I think theee two
■remarkable cures should convince us that
there is a virtue in honey. — D. M. M.,
Banff.

FURTHER SPRING NOTES.

[6286.] The Weather. — Opening under
ideal conditions, April has, after all, re-
lapsed into a continuance of the wintry
weather experienced during the preceding
montliG. With the exception of an oc-
casional— very occasional — semi-mild day,
we have had, and are still having, nights
of keen frost and days devoted to snow or
a disagreeable blend of sleet and rain.
Time was when such would have caused
anxiety as to the welfare of the inmates
of the hive, but experience shows that well-
stored stocks left alone are proof against
the worst of weather. Conditions are
quite different, however, in the case of
those wintered on scanty stores and bottle-
fed since early spring.

Unsafe! Wintering. — We all know the
individual who merely repioves supers at

end of season, and never thinks of making
sure that the beee have enough stores for
their own use. The acme of carelessness,
however, is attained by those who leave
racks of sections on all the year round.

If found to contain honey, they are re-
moved, otherwise — well, there is another
season coming. Most of us find it neces-
sary to use something in the way of a heat-
retainer above brood-nests, and naturally
would be inclined to look askance at such
an effective heat dissipator as a rack of
empty sections between seasons.

A certain bee-keeper here kept on a rack
of sections for two succeseive years with-
out securinc: anything further than the
decease of the unfortunate stock previous
to the opening of the third season. No-
thing daunted, our hero promptly re-
stocked the hive with a prime swarm.

The other day I heard that the fatal
disease — famine — had removed the ma-
jority of his stocks to the better land. I
had a look round, being curious to know
whether the above stock was figuring on
the casualty list. It was, and, sure
enough, the usual rack of combless sec-
tions, surmounted by a single strip of
carpet, formed the sole winter packing. —
J. M. Ellis, Ussie Valley, April 28.

(" Gorrcfpondence " continued on page 176.)

HOMES OF THE HONEY-BEE.

THE APIAUIES OF OTIR READERS.

As a rule, anything in the form of ad-
vertisement, appearing in the photographs
of bee-gardens kindly sent by our readers
for " Homes of the Honey Bee," is, for
obvious reasons, cai'efully painted out just
as is done when too many members of the
bee-keeper's friends are shown. Nor has
this exercise of editorial discretion been
objected to by anyone so far. Mr. Sim-
mons' case, however, we have willingly
made the exception which proves the rule :
and are s^lad to know that the little
labourers inside the hives are busily work-
ing in so good a cause, as is mentioned
in the following notes : —

" As one of the two persons seen in photo,
I have pleasure in complying with the
renuest of my friend, Mr. J. Simmons, ^o
send a few lines to go alona; with the view
of his apiary in 'Homes of the Honey Bee' :

"It is now little more than two years
since Mr. Simmons began bee -keeping —
barely time, so the average amateur might
think, in which to record much in the way
of success. Mr. Simmons' efforts have,
however, met with results so gratifying as
to excite at once the admiration of less
fortunate ' hobbyists.'

*' But yours is a practical journal, and

May 3, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

175

the ' Notes ' must, I presume, also be prac-
tical, and with my friend's assistance I
am enabled to give a few facts and figures,
which it is hoped may prove interesting
and helpful to some of your readers.

To begin then:— Early in April, 1904,
Mr. Simmons made two frame-hives, and
in the isarae month purchased his first
stock of bees, from which he got a swarm,
weighing 6|lb., in May. Both hives were,
therefore, now occupied, and before the
season ended 109 1-lb. sections were taken
from them. This will, I think, not be
accounted as a bad beginning.

" In the fall of the same year, Mr. Sim-
mons had the bees of three straw skeps
given to him for the trouble of driving,
which was successfully done ; the three lots

foundation, etc., together with fourteen
new section racks. The honey sold realised
£11 2s. Provided the coming bee-season
proves at all favourable, theee Coggeshall
hives may be reasonably expected to yield
excellent financial results in the course
of the present year. But should there be
any failure with regard to the results, it
will certainly not be due to lack of careful
attention on the part of their owner. ,

" The photo shows four of the seven hives,
all of which face the afternoon sun; and
it may not be out of place here to explain
why these bear such unusual. names as ap-
peai\> on the front of each.

" Absorbed as Mr. Simmons is in his
two-year-old hobby, he has been for many
years, and still is, more keenly interested

MR. JAS. SIMMONS' APIARY, COGGLESHALL, ESSEX.

of bees being properly united in one new
frame-hive and fed np for the winter.

" Thus the season of 1905 was started
with three good stocks, which produced
three swarms in May. all of which were
duly housed in new hives. About the same
time a friend presented another swarm,
which increased the total to seven frame-
hives, all taking the standard frame. Thus
seven stocks were in use last summer, and
from them 281 sections, and 361b. of ex-
tracted honey was taken before the season
of 1905 closed.

" Now, with regard to the pecuniary side
of the question. Mr. Simmons states that
his total outlay during the two years under
review amounted to £9 6s. This includes
cost of bees, new hives and appliances,

in various societies powerful for good at
home and abroad. Already the institu-
tions represented in the photograph are
indebted to Mr. Simmons' bees for contri-
butions amounting to some four or five
guineas.

" This gentleman invariably sees to it
that his own pleasures make for the wel-
fare and happiness of others. His bees,
like his chrysanthemums, have to render
aid in his philanthropic work, otherwise
they would all get the ' sack ' to-morrow,
and the writer of these lines would then
miss the always pleasant task of assisting
— or, shall I say, looking on — in which
he is engaged while Mr. Simmons ad-
ministers food to the ' band of hope '
bees with a jug and funnel,

176

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [May 3, 1906.

CORRESPONDENCE.

{Continued from page*l*J4.)
USEFUL NOTES ON BEES.

[6287.] I send you a few notes about my
bees for the B.B.J. The time is now
come when we may look over our stocks
in order to see how they are going on,
take notes of their condition, and then
prepare accordingly, so as to be ready for
whatever of good the season brings. This
is, to my understanding, half the battle.
Now is the time, too, to give bees a clean
hive, as I am doing with my own. I
generally keep a spare hive or two on
hand, and these I scrub well with boiling
water, to which some carbolic has been
added, then dry, and give two good, but
thin, coats of best paint, I putty np all
cracks outside, and fix everything right in-
side. Then on a fine warm morning I trans-
fer bees and frames to clean hive, not for-
getting to sprinkle a little salt on floor-
boards, and put on each pieces of naphtha-
line as well. The bees seem to appre-
ciate their new home, as they go ahead
with their work better afterwards. I be-
lieve in everything about the bees being
as clean and wholesome as possible, and
the adoption of this method certainly helps
to keep down the ravages of foul brood.

Wintering Bees. — Some- twelye months
ago one of your correspondents, in writing
about his bees, said that he had wintered
one or two stocks with a rack of shallow-
frames above them instead of packing
down closely with quilts over body-boxes.
This struck me as a good plan, and I de-
termined to try it. So, after extracting
the season's honey, I put back the ten
shallow-frames, on a fairly strong stock,
last September, for the bees to clear up,
in order to see how the method worked
with me. Well, sirs, this is, to-day, the
strongest and best stock I have. The bees
are full up in the hive below, and are well
at work in the super already. This speaks
well for this method, and I shall certainly
trv it again, and onlv hope others of your
readers will do the same.

Feeding Bees. — Here is a good plan of
working: — Sometimes bees will not enter
the feeders ; i had a stock that refused,
so I took a drawn-out section and laid it
flat over the~feed-hole in quilt. I then
filled the cells with svrup, and now the
bees will clear it out almost as fast as I
put it there. I hope this may be of some
use to othei's, as it has been to me. Thank-
intr you for such a good pennyworth every
week. I send name and sign — R. L.

P.S. — I will send photo of my bee-
garden shortly, and hoT)e it will be suit-
able for " Homes of the Honey Bee."

[We will be very plerT.sed to receive
photo. — Eds.]

A PLEA FOR THE ITALIAN BEE.

[6288.] Having seen so much abuse of
the Italian' bee in your pages, may I be
allowed to say a word in its favour? I,
for one, have had much experience of them
and find they are very easy and pleasant
to handle, while extremely pretty to look
upon, but as honey-gatherers I find our
so-called natives yield much more surplus.
But I would ask : — Where can our pure
natives be found now, iseeing the enormous
quantity of foreign queens that are an-
nually distributed all over our island,
whose blood spreads from apiary to apiary
like wildfire, till there is scarcely a place
in the kingdom where foreign blood can-
not be traced, more or less ? The question
then arises — Have not our natives been
improved by the introduction of foreign
blood ? I say, yes, and that, and very con-
siderably. It is the same with any farm-
ing stock. We can carry out in-breeding
till in the end cattle are almost good for
nothing. Is it not then reasonable to say
that it will be the same with bees? The
intermingling of different races will bring
increased vigour to all animal life, and
with increase of vigour we get less disease.
My experience with our native bees is
they are more subject to foul brood than
Italians — not that the latter are proof
against it, by any means. Italians are
more subject to paralysis than natives,
but this complaint is nothing compared
to foul brood. I have nothing to say in
favour of any pure race as honey-gatherers,
but I do asisert that a great deal of goqd
has been done by the introduction of
foreign bees, and, after trying different
races and crosses, my best honey-gatherers
are a cross between Italians and natives.
— O. K., Stonehouse, Glos., April 30.

EXPERTS AND FOUL BROOD.

DR. Elliot's suggestions.

["6289.] I was much interested in Dr.
Elliot's remarks in your issue of last week
(6282, page 166). I have examined 100
apiaries, in which the bees were practically
all the black or native variety, except two
stocks, and of the whole only sixteen stocks
were found to be affected with foul brood.
I intend to carry out the suggestion made
by Dr. Elliot, and will report further in
due course.

In handling the various races of bees I
find no difference in either Italian, Car-
niolan, and English bees, so far as regards
resisting the disease. Syrian bees I have
not seen. Some Tunisians found in a
diseased apiary showed stronger powers of
resisting disease than the English. I say
this after a three years' test iside by side
with English, but these bees are terrors
for propoUsing an^ stinging, and were

May 3, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

177

weeded out in consequence of their bad
qualities.

I have imported many foreign bees and
never yet had a case of foul brood from
imported stocks. It may, I think, be
taken for granted that more care is shown
now than in former days by foreign
breeders ; in fact, I have, in my touring
travels, seen queens from the A. I. Root
Co., Doolittle, Henry Alley, Lawes, Lock-
hart, Hooper Bros., Malan Bros., and
others, and in no case has disease sprung
from these foreign imports.

Stocks this season are remarkably for-
ward here in the North. I have never yet
found them in such excellent condition ;
in fact, many colonies are needing supers
to prevent swarming, they are so crowded.
Trusting the season may prove a bountiful
one. — J. Gray, Travelling Expert, Lanes
B.K.A., AprU 30.

BEES IN SUSSEX.

HONEY mOM THE LAUREL.

[6290.] Whilst walking past some laurels
in my garden the other morning, I was
surprised to notice bees working on them
in large quantities. Being curious to know
what they were getting I went closer, and
saw that on the under side of some of the
leaves, close by the stalk, there was a drop
of sweet liquid each side, which the bees
were gathering as fast as possible. It is
evidently a secretion from the leaf, but
whether it is " honey-dew " or not, I can-
not say, but should like to know, if you
would kindly tell me? I have not seen
the " laurel " mentioned anywhere as
yielding " honey-dew," so I thought per-
haps you would let me know just what
it is.

Bees around here are progressing very
well, considering the weather we had last
month, which stopped all outside work by
the bees for about three weeks ; but the
conditions have now changed for the
better, and the last three weeks have been
all that bee-keepers could desire. All my
istocks are in flourishing condition, and
should, given a fair year, make a fairly
good return.

My largest take of honey was last year
(when the bees were located at Bumham-
on-Crouch). The best stock yielded 951b.
of surplus, 551b. being in sections. The
average for all my stocks worked out to
85glb. per hive.

Hoping I have not made this, my first
letter, too long, with best wishes for a
record year to yourselves and brother bee-
keepers. I send name for reference and
sign — P. A. J. W. , Buxted, Sussex.

[It is known that bees gather the sweet
secretion which exudes from a small pro-
trusion on the underside of laurel leaves.
—Eds,}

WASPS AND BEES IN S. AFRICA.

[6291.] Under separate cover we mail you
a box containing samples of a species of
wasp, which were sent to us by a customer
residing a few miles from Pretoria. He
informs us that these wasps infest his
apiary in thousands, and attack the bees,
mainly when they alight on the flight
board as they are entering the hive, and
either stine them to death or disable them
so that they cannot fly.

They also rob the hives of honey, and
cause general havoc amongst his bees, so
much so that he contemplates giving up
bee-keeping entirely unless some remedy
can be found for destroying this pest.

Our cuistomer wishes us to communicate
with vou with a view to finding out their
life history, and the best means to adopt
for exterminating them. During the day
he employs a native boy in watching for
their habitation ; but, so far, no dis-
coveries have been made. At night-time
they are caught about the hives in
hundreds with an ordinary butterfly-net,
and that is how these specimens were taken.

A few lines of reply in the B.B.J, will
greatly oblige bee-keepers out here. —
Caiexcross and Zillen, Pretoria, April 7.

[We have forwarded the dead wasps to
our esteemed contributor, Mr. F. L.
Sladen, who is a skilled entomologist, and
hope to have his views for publication in
next week's issue. — Eds.]

Queries and ilfplits.

[3272.] Mildewed Combs in Hives. — On
looking at my three stocks of bees I find
they have come safely through the winter
Nos. 1 and 2 are in cottager's hives, and 3
in a "W.B.C." On packing down for the
winter No. 1 was very strong, the ten
frames being covered with bees ; 2 and 3
were not so strong, but each on 10 frames
All the combs were then well supplied with
honey, capped and uncapped. Early in
March I gave to each hive a 21b. cake of
candy in glass-covered boxes. On ex-
amining all three stocks last night I find
Nos. 2 and 3 very full of bees, and they
had each made some new comb in the
candy boxes, not only so, but there was
brood in various stages, some being
sealed over, and nearly ready to hatch
out. On the other hand. No. 1, which
was the strongest in the autumn, and best
supplied with food, was found to be much
weaker, the three outside frames being
quite bare of bees and honey, but with
large patches of mildew on the comb.
These I removed and left the bees with
only six 'frames, gave them some syrup,
and covered them down warmly, Nos. 2

178

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [May 3, 1906.

and 3 I supplied with a rack of sections
each, and hope that they will soon be at
work on them. 1. I hope to clean out
their hives as soon as this cold wind
ceases blowing. Meantime will you
kindly tell me if I have done the right
thing ? 2. Can anything be done with the
combs aflfected with mildew to fit them
for future use I ask this question, be-
cause of being afraid that if I try to clean
them the mildew will still taint the honey.
3. As several of the frames of comb put
away for the winter have also become
similarly affected, could you kindly say
what steps I could take next year to pre-
vent a recurrence of the same trouble ?
Mildew here is one of our great troubles,
indoors and out. I cannot see any re-
ference to this matter in the excellent
"Guide Book", which together with the
"B.B.J." has been of the greatest use to
me. Thanking you in anticipation, I send
name and sign Clericus, Canterbury.

Reply. — 1. Under the circumstances.
Yes. 2. We expect the " mildew " com-
plained of will be on the surface of pollen
in unsealed cells of combs. If this is so,
and there is not too much of it, the bees
will clear away the mildew themselves.
But in any case the honey will take no
harm as feared. 3. The usual preven-
tive of mildew is to remove all combs not
well covered by bees ; and in your case
the latter must have dwindled very
rapidly.

[3273. J A Bcf^iimer's Queries. — 1. Since
purchasing a stock of bees last autumn, I
have been a subscriber to the B.B.J. , and
being somewhat anxious as regards the
condition of my only hive, I have cut out
the enclosed pieces of comb after
thoroughly examining all the frames, and
will be glad to have your opinion con-
cerning them. 2. I could not discover the
queen on the combs, but there were some
capped cells of what I took to be brood.
I also saw several bees enter the hive
heavily laden with pollen ; is that a proof
that the queen is all right, even though I
did not see eggs or young larvoe in tlie
cells ? This is my second attempt only at
examining combs, so it is possible that I
may have overlooked both the queen and
signs of brood in the cells. I feel rather
proud of the fact that I have managed so
far without being stunsr. When examin-
ing combs I use the ordinary smoker, but
find it is difficult to keep the fuel alight,
and it usually goes out when most wanted.
3. Is there no plan of preventing this ? I
have also tried the carbolised cloth, but it
seems to irritate the bees. Is this a usual
result of using the cloth? 4. While
referring to my overhauling the combs in
the hives to-day, I find that many of the
bees are infested with a ver^ small red

insect on their backs. What is this, and
how can it be got rid of? — R. H. W.,
Brighton.

Reply. — 1. There is nothing wrong with
comb sent. 2. Pollen-carrying by bees is
usually a sign that breeding is in progress,
but when there is any doubt, the combs
must be examined for eggs or brood. 3.
When properly prepared with brown paper
— or other suitable material^ — so as to allow
a free through draught, a good smoker will
keep going as long as fuel lasts. You
should, if possible, get a bee-keeper to pre-
pare his smoker for vise while you look on
■ — all will go right afterwards. 4. The
insect seen is, no doubt, the parasite
known as Braula coeca or blind louse.

[3274.] Mouldy Pollen in Combs. — I have
to-day examined two of my hives, and
found the bees therein apparently healthy.
I found in each of them, however, a patch
of what I imagine is mouldy pollen, and I
enclose a small piece for ypur inspection.
I shall be much obliged if you can confirm
my idea, and assure me that it is not foul
brood. The lower half of the comb in
question was almost filled with similar
mouldy cells, but, as the upper half con-
tained honey or sealed-over syrup, I did
not like to sacrifice it. I' have, therefore,
cut away the lower half, and returned the
upper part to the bees. I shall be grate-
ful if you will kindly say : 1. Have I done
rightly? 2. Does the presence of the
mouldy pollen betoken anything amiss with
my management of the hives during the
winter? 3. Can you suggest what has
caused the mischief, or any remedy for it ?
My bees were carefully packed up in
November with sufficient stores, and have
been kept as warm and dry as possible. I
have been feeding them with syrup for
about a fortnight, and they have plenty
of stores. Both hives contained good
patches of sealed-over brood, also larvae
and eggs. Thanking you in anticipation
of reply, I send name, etc., and sign —
W. F. S. Weybridge.

Reply. — 1. Without having done any-
thing actually wrong, we advise you to fill
the lower half of frames — from which comb
was cut — with foundation attached to a
strip of lath half an inch in width. Unless
this precaution is taken the lower half of
frame will probably be filled with drone-
comb. 2. No ; it merely shows that the
comb in question has not been covered with
bees during the winter. 3. The remedy
against mouldy pollen is to remove all
combs beyond those fully covered with bees
when packing down in autumn.

[3275.] Indoor Observatory Hives. — I have
a " Howard's " two-frame observatory hive
which I want to work this season. In doing
this would it be advisable to take two
frames of brood and honey (both well
covered with bees) from one of my existing

May 3, 1906.] THE EHITISH BEE JOtTRKAL.

179

hives and put them into the above, then
buy a queen and introduce her at the same
time ? Or would one filled frame and one
frame fitted with new foundation be better ?
Also, would it be necessary to feed the bees
at all? I ask this because there is no
arrangement for feeding. I may also say
there are no shutters to hive. Is it neces-
sary to have them? What is about the
right date to operate as above? Thanking
you in anticipation of reply, I send name,
etc., and sign — G. T. H., Croydon.

Reply. — 1. The hive mentioned has no
doubt been made for use on the show-
bench only, not as a hive in which to keep
a stock of bees for any length of time.
Indeed, it is not suitable for the latter pur-
pose. ' It is possible to keep observatory
hives indoors for several months in the
year, but they require skilled care and a
good deal of attention to feeding, etc., and
should hold from three to six frames.
Observatory hives intended for use alto-
gether indoors are made with six or more
frames hanging side by side in the ordinary
fashion, with glass on all sides, and room
for lateral movement, in order to show the
queen. Such hives as this may be kept the
whole year round, but those for temporary
use are only supposed to be in operation
while warm weather lasts.

[3276.] Dimensions of Up-to-date Hives.
— I only commenced bee-keeping last year,
and have been a reader of your Journal
ever since. I see you are willing to answer
inquiries on bee-matters, and so I venture
to ask if you could state the sizes of
the different parts of an up-to-date frame-
hive. I believe this information would
please many of your readers, who, along
with myself, would like to make one. I
bought the " Book of Bee-keeping," but I
think the information on that subject
might be plainer. Trusting I am not ask-
ing too much." — James Black, North Ber-
wick, April 24.

Reply. — The information asked for
would occupy too much space for reply in
this column. The " Bee-keepers' Prac-
tical Notebook," to be had from this
office (price Is. Id. post free), contains full
instructions to construct such a hive,
also " How to Build a Hive Made
from Used Boxes," and " How to Build a
Bee-house." along with other information
useful to bee-keepers.

[5277.] Brace Combs in Htws.— Would
you please give me information on the
following through the Bee Journal. I
bought a stock of Hybrid Bees in a frame
hive last October, and when purchased it
had a skep on the top of frames, which
skep still remains as when received. But
I now want to remove the skep as I prefer
working with sections. Well, as April 18
was a very fine day I removed the skep in
order to try and locate the queen ; but f n

uncovering the frames I found them all
stuck together with brace combs. I there-
fore wish to ask : —1. If I should remove
the combs and replace with full sheets
foundation, or cut them apart, and leave
them as they are? I intend driving bees
from skep into frames, which contain a
lot of honey, and bees are a very strong
stock. I have looked through back
numbers of "B.B.J.", but don't find any-
thing that meets my case. 2. Also would
you give me name of secretary of the York-
shire B.K.A. I send name for reference
and sign.— Castlebagh, Settle, Yorks.

Reply. — 1. Your best course will be to
remove the brace combs from frames now
in the hive, and make any renewal of
combs after the present honey season is
over. 2. The hon. sec. of the York and
District B.K.A. is Mr. J. S. Gallimore,
Estate Offices, Escrick, York.

[3278.] Using Sdf-hivers and Transfer-
ring Bees from Cross-buUt Combs. — I shall
be much obliged if you will advise me on
the following: — Last year, when expect-
ing swarms, I fastened self-hivers to a
couple of my hives, as directed, but no
swarm came off, and I found that the self-
hiver was crowded with drones, all of
which were imprisoned and apparently
could not escape, consequently they either
died or were killed by the workers. What
I ask is: — 1. Will the same "drone-kill-
ing " always occur, even if used in May ?
Last year the hivers were put on at end
of June. 2. Was any injury done to the
colony by loss of di'ones, or was it the
natural time for the bees to kill them off ?
I am away from home sometimes, and
would like to use these self-hivers, if prac-
tical, but I see no mention of them in
"Guide Book." I must also say that I
am not an experienced bee-keeper, having
only kept them for two years, but what
stocks I have seem to be working very well,
and ours is a fairly good district for honey. -
I have two hives that were not managed
properly when putting swarms in them
last year, and, in consequence, I cannot
move the centre combs of brood-chamber.
3. Will it be possible to put another set
of standard frames on top of the others
fitted with foundation, and in the autumn
drive all bees to second story, take away
brood-chamber and place top one on floor-
board ? Hoping I have not taken up too
much space with my question. I send
name and sign — Mac, Salisbury, April 30.

Reply. — 1. It is certain that drones
must be imprisoned in any receptacle that
will prevent the escape of the queen-bee.
Therefore, the drones found in the self-
hiver would no doubt perish there from
cold and want of food, and not be killed
off by the workers. 2. Getting rid of
superfluous drones is generally of ad-
vantage to the colony from which they

180

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL, [May 3, 1906.

are taken. 3. Instead of putting the new
set of combs (fitted as proposed) on top of
the jjresent ones, reverse the position by
setting the present body-box on top. The
bees will then work down on to the new
frames and establish the brood-nest below,
and as brood hatches out in the old frames
they will be fitted with honey, for removal
at close of the season for extracting.

INSTRUCTION IN BEE-KEEPING.

COUNTY COUXCIIi's IXSTB.UCTOR
APPOINTED.

The following appears in The Western
Morning News of the 18th inst. : — The
Cornwall County Council has appointed
Mr. Cardell Williams, St. Erth, bee in-
structor for the county, and he will imme-
diately take up his duties. Mr. Williams
was formerly bee expert for the Cornwall
Bee-keepers' Association, but on the passing
of the Education Act of 1902 the Council
undertook to look after bee-keeping in the
county, and have now decided to engage
an ohicial, who will visit the apiaries of
the county, report on the same to the
secretary of technical instruction, and give
lectures and instruction where necessary
in bee centres. The new instructor will
also provide the County Council with all
information required on bee-keeping in
Cornwall. It is to be hoped that bee-
keeping will now once more flourish in the
county. For the last few years disease
has so ravaged the hives that the industry
has reached a low ebb.

Notices to Correspondents & Inquirers.

Letters or queries asking for addresses of manufac-
turers or correspondents, or where appliances can he
purchased, or replies giving such information, can only
be inserted as advertisements. The space devoted to
letters, queries, and replies is meant for the general
good of bee-keepers, and not for advertisements. _ We
wish our correspondents to bear in mind that, as it is
necessary for us to go to press in advance of the date of
issue, queries cannot always be replied to in the issue im.-
mediately following the receipt of their comntunications.

Novice (Minchinhampton). — Super
Clearers. — The particular form i,i
clearer mentioned (with eight bee-ways)
is made only by Messrs. Jas Lee and
Son, Martineau Road, Highbury,
London.

(Rev.) C. V. R. (Blandford). — County
B.K.A. for Dorset.^ — There is no Bee-
keepers' Association for Dorset.

Special Prepaid Advertisements.

Twelne words and under Sixpence : for every additinnal
Three words or under , One Penny.

Advertisements for current Issue must be received
by first post on Tuesday.'

SALE BY AUCTION (owing to removal) on MAY 10,
at ONE o'clock, the whole contentB of the success-
ful apiary of Mr. .T. Jones, Wegber Quarry (three
milfs from Carnforth, Lanes), consisting of splendid
etock of healthy bo«'B, in good hivefl, honey extractor,

wax ditto, honey ripener and strainer, lot of honey
tins, and other appliances. All in good condition.
Also 500 shallow frames of drawn-out comb. The
apiary entirely free from foul brood.— For particulars
apply 5, West Leigh Lane, Leigh, Manchester.

OUR NEW •• W.B C." PATTERN HIVES, 12s. 6d.
each.— PRITCHARD, Wainalong- Road, Sa isbury.
o 61

F

FINEST ENGLISH HONEY, 50s. cwt. Sample 2d. ;
tine free.— BUTTON, Terling, Essex. o 18

I AM NOW BOOKING ORDERS for early Natural
Swarms of my well known strain of Bees. Early
application is desirable. First come, lirst served.
3l'b., 10s. 6d. ; 41b., 12s-. 6d. ; 51b., 15s. Boxes charged
3s. each if not returned. Health and safe delivery
guaranteed.— CHARLES H. BOCOCK, Ash.ey Apiaries,
Newmarket. p li

IGHT COLOURED ENGLISH CLOVER HONEY, in

lib. screw cap jars. Sample 2d. — F. W.

I'KUSHER, Crowland, Lincolnshiie. r 10

OR SALE, TWO STRONG STOCKS, one in New
Century Hive, one on eight frames. — Particulars
TURNER, Gasworks, Amersham. p 9

QUEENS.— Beautiful Hybrid Cyprians for Queenless
Stocks, 5s.— DAWKINS, Four Oaks, Birming-
ham, p a

GARDENER SEEKS SITUATION as Single-handed,
or where help is given ; have had life experi-
ence in all branches of kitchen, stove, and green-
house ; well up in chrysanthemums ; six years in
present situation, with gxiod references of present and
past situations ; life abstainer ; age 26.— FISHER, 38,
Mornington Road, Wansoaad, Essex. p V

FEW QUEENS, Sladen's hardy and prolific strain,
58. per return post.— BARLOW, Hartshill, StoUe-
on-Trent. p 6

FOR SALE, owner going abroad, 70 Shallow Combs,
in perfect condition, 6d. each; 6 Queen Excluders,
bd. each ; Observatory Hive, three-frame, lOs. ; 1 Super
Clearer, ten-frame size, Is. 6d. ; 1 Wells ditto. Is. 6d. ;
Honey Tins, 15 and 25 lbs. , 4d. and 6d. each ; 1 Wells
Hive, with lifts and supers, complete, 158.— ALFRED
HALL, Many Pitta, Mcrtoa, Blackpool. x' 5

PRIME NATURAL SWARMS FOR SALE, this sea-
son, as usual, 12s. 6d. and 158. each ; cases to
be returned. Please note change of address (tele-
grams, Wilkins, Letcombe Regis).— PERC if WlLKINS,
Letcombe Regis, Wantage. p 4

STRONG STOCKS in well painted Standard Frame
Hives, 32s. 6d. ; ditto on eight frames, 23s. ;
1905 Queen, guaranteed healthy. Orders booked now
for swarms. Sola Wax Extractor, 78. 6d.— W. WOODS,
Normandy, Guildford. p 3

GUARANTEED STOCKS, 158. 6d. ; Swarms later,
12s. 6d. ; Foundation Machine. — 70, Highgate
Road, Birmingham. p 2

WANTED, OflEer* for Patent Gallon BUTTER
CHURN ; practically new ; cost one guinea.
Wanted, Bees.— ARTHUR CROWTHER, Gomeraal,
Leeds. o 100

FOR SALE, new WELLS' HIVES, complete, 2l8. ;
Guinea Hives, complete, 12s. 6d. ; Nucleus
Hives, 3s. 6dl. ; all well painted.— THE APIARY,
Woodmancote, Cirencester. o 99

ORDERS TAKEN NOW FOR SWARMS.— May, 3s. ;
June, 28. 6d. per lb.— HENRY SMITH, Wood-
mancote, Cirencester. o 98

SWARMS I SWARMS !1 SWARMS I ! 1—100 for sale,
strong and healthy, 28. per lb.— E. BENNETT,
The Apiary, Heacham, Norfolk. o 97

FOR SALE, at Lewes, Sussex, FIVE STOCKS of
BEES, in good Bar Frame Hives, £1 Is. each ;
or £4 10s. the lot. Would take pullets in part
exchange.— Write NORRIS, Hare Street, Romford.
o 96

QTRONG STOCKS OF HYBRID BEES, on ten
k3 Standard Frames, £1 ; a bargain.— E. HOWARD,
1, Drewstead Road, Streatham. o 95

SW4.RMS OF BEES, May or early June, 28. bd. per
lb.— REV. C: S. ROWLAND, Chettle Rectory,
Blandford, Dorset. o 94

May 10, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

181

SCOTCH HEATHER HONEY

AT LESS THAN" 3d. PER LB.

The communication under the above now
familiar heading, which appeared in our
issue of last week, is of such direct im-
portance to B.B.J, readers, and to bee-
keepers as a body, that we now refer to
the subject in fulfilment of the promise
made by ourselves last week. In doing so,
we shall confine our remarks to the letter
which appears on page 171, as stating the
case of Messrs. Ingram Bros, from the legal
standpoint taken by their own solicitor.

First, then, let us say that no one has,
so far as we know, ever stated that the
honey in question was not " absolutely
pure." On that point, therefore, we are
all agreed, but what Scottish bee-keepers,
and all others who have any regard for the
good of British bee-keeping, take exception
to is the definite statement that it is " pure
Scotch heather honey."

We can ourselves add some force to the
view taken by Scotch bee-men by stating
that our opinion was asked, with regard
to the honey referred to, as being of more
than ordinary value, because of the scores
of samples of various honeys from all
sources which are sent to us every season
for an authoritative opinion on quality,
source, etc. This being so, we examined
the sample, and unhesitatingly declared
that it was not Scotch heather honey at all.
The question, therefore, before us is — Wliat
can be done to settle the point in disjjute ?
and we repeat the sugirtistion already made
that it may be definitely settled by Messrs.
Ingram Bros. We were given to under-
stand that the honey was gathered in the
apiaries of bee-keepers located in Scotland,
and sold by them to someone representing
the wholesale dealers. The latter then put
up the honey in barrels for sale by the cwt.
This being the case, our sugget^tion is that
Messrs. Ingram Bros, should give the name
and address of two or more of the men
whose bees gathered the honey. We would
then take steps to verify the hnjia fdrs of
the parties concerned, and publish the re-
sult in the Beitish Bee Joitrnal.

ESSEX AND SUFFOLK B.K.A.

twenty-sixth annual meeting.

The annual general meeting was held at

the Devonshire House Hotel, Bishopsgate

Street, London, on March 30, Dr. Elliot

in the chair, and amongst those present

were C. Harding, Esq. (vice-president),
Mrs. Ford, Messrs. G. F. Faunch, W. P.
Jobson, A. W. Salmon, T. W'. White, and
the secretary, Mr. G. R. Alder.

The report and balance-sheet was pre-
sented and passed unanimously. The elec-
tion of officers followed. The Countess of
Warwick was re-elected president, as were
the vice-presidents, viz., the Bishop of
Colchester. Sir T. Fowell Buxton, C. N.
Brooks, Esq., Col. Davies, C. F. Harding,
Eisq., Owen Parry, Esq., J. H. Tritton,
Esq., J. R. Roberts, Esq., J. P., Miss Will-
mott, Hon. Rosamund Hanbury, and Mrs.
Hughes. The committee for the ensuing
vear are : • — ■ Messrs. J. Chesson, A. H.
bearden, O. Puck, C. B. Snelling, J. R.
Pulham, F. G. Kimber, A. W. Salmon,
T. W. White, W. J. Sheppard, Dr. Elliot,
and ]\Irs. Ford. The experts engaged for
the year are Mr. .las. Herrod (Essex) and
Mr. J. Price (Suffolk). Mr. G. R. Alder
wais re-elected secretary and treasurer.

The secretary reported his inabilitv to
obtain a grant from the Local Committee
of the Essex Agricultural Society towards
holding a honey show at Brentwood in
June, but as the parent society were will-
ing to make their usual grant it was de-
cided that demonstrations of bee-manage-
ment with the bee-tent should be given.

An exhibition of bee-appliances and in-
teresting objects connected with apicul-
ture was also arranged for. The meeting
closed with a vote of thanks to Dr. Elliot
for 7^^-esiding. — G. R. Alder, Secretary
and Treasurer.

(Bnrmpndtnrt

The Editors do vot hold themnflves renponsibU for the
opinionx expressed by correnwndentsi. No rwt'c* will
be taken of anonymous communieafion*, nvd corre-
spondent!! are reqwsted to write w on* sidf of the paper
only and give their real names and addresses, not neces-
sarily/or mihUcation, biU as a guarantee of good faith.
Illustrations should he drawn on teparate pieces ef paper.
We do nnt undertake to return rejected eemmunicationt.

*J^ In order to facib'>atf refi-rm^ie, Comniwv^ertx,
when Koeakino of any 'ett"r or qxi-^ry pre'voualu inKeiUd.
wilt oblige by ■mentioning the number of the letter as well
a» the page on which it appears.

NOTES BY THE W^AY.
[6292.] The merrie month of May has
come, and along with it the cuckoo. We
have also had a higher temperature, but,
unfortunately, no increase of sunshine.
During the whole of Sunday last, though
the thermometer registered from 50 to 60
deg.Fahr.. no glimpse of sunshine appeared
and, consequently, no bee-work, except
water-carrying, was done in the apiary.
I hear of more cases of spring dwindling
this year than usual. One writer asked if
I can account for it. INly reply is — Yes.
The continued cold weather during April

182

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [May 10, 1906.

(except three days at Easter-tide) is the
primary cause. The stock is weak in bees,
with possibly only a small reserve of food
in the brood-combs and an aged queen. It
is well known to experienced bee-keepers
that in such a case breeding does not begin
till the majority of the bees have become
aged and worn out ; and when a start is
made, the foraging bees have to go a long
distance for water, and further still for
pollen in treacherous weather. Conse-
quently, numbei-s of willing workers go
forth never to return ; they become tired
with th«ir hard work, and, if a rest is made,
the cold so rapidly chills the weary bees
that they are unable to take wing again,
and so perish. Thus the loss of adult bees
over])alances the youn? bees hatching out
from the small patches of brood., and the
colony dwindles away, or is robbed out.

As the montli advances, brood-nests need
enlargement. Give a full sheet of founda-
tion in centre of brood-nest, and another
sheet in a few days, or as soon as they
have drawn out the comb in first one.
Should the weather be cold and wet. give
a bottle of syrup to keep the bees comb-
building, but with good bee-weather feed-
ing will not be needed where the bee-forage
is fairly good.

Strong colonies must not be allowed to
run. short of food if they are to be overflow-
ing with bees a month hence, when the
honey harvest opens. Should the weather
be unsuitable for bee-work in the fields, a
little syrup may be given in the open every
day ; thin watery stuff will do. and thi®
will not start robbing. This advice may
appear foolish to some bee-keepers who are
located in eood early districts, where the
only want is sunsliine, but in less favour-
able places a few days' shortage of food may
restrict ovipositing, and thrriw the whole
colonv back a fortnight, which may mean
practically the loss of a season to the bee-
keeper.

Prrparinn far Svarms. — In early districts
swarms will soon be coming off, and pur-
chasers should get the hive ready for them
by fitting frames with foundation, with
quilts and wrapis at hand, and hive-stands
made level, to make sure that combs are
built insidr the frames. When the swarm
arrives see that tlie bees are all right, and
if from a long journey by rail inve
them' a bottle of syrup. This will warm
them up and put them in a good humour
ready for hiving, which should be done in
tlie afternoon, wh<^'n possible. Then, after
the. bees ai-e settled down in their new
home, give the newlv-liived swarm a bottle
of syrup. This will induce them to take
to their new qnarters and begin comb-
building. If a honey-flow is on, no further
feeding will be wanied, but if the weather is
«ool or wet, continue feeding for a week,
'ir 1)11 the weather improves. This done,

the stock will soon be ready for its first
super, and the trifling trouble and expense
will most likely be a good investment for
the bee-keeper, and return him a rack of
sections or a box of shallow-frames the
same season. ---W. Woodley, Beedon, New-
bury.

WASPS AND BEES IN S. AFBtCA.

[6293.] The very interesting "wasps"
from Pretoria a,re solitaiy. sand-wasps, be-
longing to the genus Palanis. There are
eleven females and two males, all of the
same species. My collection contains
several specimens of what appears to be
the same species^- taken by Mr. J. Martin
at Port Elizabeth, Cape Colony, on July 6,
1901, in the act of hovering round his hives
and catching and carrying off the bees, no
doubt as food for their young. Mr. Mar-
tin's letter describing the depredations of
these insects and my iiotes on them, with a
sketch I made of them, appeared in the
B'.B.J. of Aiigust 22 and September 5,
1901, and have been reprinted in condensed
ffirm in an appendix to my book, " Queen-
Rearing in England." The only remedies
I can suggest are to try to trap them, and
to find the nests, which are not likely to be
more than a few' hundred yards- from the
hives, and to destroy them at night. I have
not been able to get any information about
the nesting-place of .Palarus (there is no
British species), but most of the British
sand-wasps make their nests in burrows
in sandy ground, and not a few of them nest
gregariously. Should Palarus nest in this
way the work of finding and destroying
the nests ought to be fairly easy. Unfor-
tunately, it is of no use to cover the hives
with nets, because the Palarus is slightly
smaller than the bees. I am relaxing the
specimens for the purpose of examining
them carefully, and if I find them to be of
a different species to those received from
Port. Elizabeth I will report it to you.^
F. W. L. Sladex.

WINTERING BEES WITH SUPERS ON.
[6294.] I should like to ask your corre-
spondent, "R. L." (6287, page 176), who
writes in last week's E.B.J. , whether in
wintering with a rack of shallow-frames
over body-box the ci(ueen-excluder was re-
moved or left in position between the body-
box and super? A friend of mine, who
also thought it a good plan for wintering
bees, does not think so now ! He fell into
the pitfall of leaving the queen-excluder
in position, the consequence being that
the cluster of bees took to the shallow-
frames, leaving the queen below to perish
with cold. My friend, taking Tiis first peep
at this stock, thought, like " R. L. ," that
the plan was a great success, seeing the

May 10, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOUBlSrAL.

183

super packed with bees ; but, alas ! on
further examination below, the truth re-
vealed itself of a queenless hive. Has
' E,. L." satisfied himself that all is well
downstairs ? He should let us know the
actual plan as regards the excluder, as I
consider it most dangerous for inexperi-
enced bee-keepers to read these experi-
ments if the tale is only half-told.

Stocks in Romfoi-d, generally, are com-
mencing fairly well, and supers should be
on towards the end of the month, providing
we get some nice warm rain, which is badly
neetled. We shall then get abundance of
apple-bloom, followed by chestnuts and
clover, to the last source — viz., the limes.
— R. J. T., Romford, Essex, May 5.

FOREIGN V. NATIVE BEES.
[6295.] I think all readers should be
grateful to the Chairman of the B.B.K.A.
for giving his experience of, and opinion
on, foreign bees and queens at the conver-
sazione. We hear from time to time of
imported queens being very prolific ; but
on looking over my last year's " notes " I
find that some of my native queens had,
in six weeks from the time of forming
nuclei, patches of sealed brood six inches
in diameter, and extending to four frames.
Not only so, but by stimulative feeding
in spring till mid-May I got ten or more
frames full of brood. Bees raised from
such nucleus colonies are on the wing by
mid- June, just when limes and white
clover are at their best. Do foreign bees
beat that? — A. Hakkis, Waveiidon, May 4.

SALT ON FLOOR-BOARDS.

[6296.] In the B.B.J, of May 3 (6287.
paL'e 176) your correspondent, " R. L. ,"
writes some " LTseful Notes on Bees," and
questions the use of salt on floor-boards.
He says : " Then on a fine, warm morning
I transfer bees and frames to clean hive,
not forgetting to sprinkle a little salt on
floor-l)oards, and put on each pieces of
naphthaline as well."

The latter (the naphthaline) I am always
careful to use, but the salt — I feel afraid
of it in that place. Kindly put me right.
I get my lessons from the B.-B..T.

Wiutcrinri Bees. — Some months ago one
of your correspondents. in writing about his
bees, said that he " wiiiten-d one or Iwo
stocks with a rack of shallow-frames a])ove
them instead of packing down closely with
quilts over the body-boxes. I determined
to try it, etc., etc. Well, Sirs, this is
to-day the strongest and best stock I have."

I (" W. C. H. ") am one of your readers
who for the last three winter nas done the
same (wintered with a super of shallow-
frames in place), and like it so well that I

shall continue to do so. Thanks to my
teachers in the B.B.J.— W. C. H., South
Devon, May 5.

BUYING STOCKS OF BEES.
[6297.] May we be allowed to direct
attention to the carelessness shown by some
of your advertisers in offering stocks for
sale as healthy, when no steps have been
taken in order to ascertain whether the
bees can be correctlv so described? We
have had to refuse several apiaries offered
us for this reason.- — James Lee and Son,
May 4.

[We add a line to say other correspon-
dents have made the same complaint, and
we stmngly advise that readers should in-
sist on having a guarantee when purchas-
ing.— Eds.]

FIRST NATURAL SWARM OF 1906.
r6298.] I hived my first natural swarm
of bees to-day. Is not this rather early,
especially seeing the cold weather we have
had f)f late ? I may say it came out of a
skep kept purposely for supplying me with
swarms. — W. E. S., Defford, near Wor-
cester, May 5.

AMERICAN AND COLONIAL PAPERS.
extracts and comment^.
By D. M. Macdonald, Banff.
Imprnrcmcnt of Stock. — If bee-keepers
would only sjDend half as much time over
this question as they do over some other
things, the whole bee-keeping world would
be better off. Better bees, with better bee-
keepers, of course, Avill mean increased
yields — larger returns and larger profits.
New blood should be nrocured and intro-
duced into the yards. Some good breeders,
and then some good breeding, would make
it possible to produce honey-gathering
strains that would be profitable to their
keeners. This, from the American Bee
Journal, shows that they want better
queens over there. Judging by specimens
coming over to this side, they frequently
breed in a happy-go-lucky way. Breeding
for colour and fair looks bids fair, I fear,
to extinguish any attempt at keeping in
mind the much more important question
of hnney-cathering. So that it can be said
of tliese consignments, as. is currently re-
ported of Continental queens, " Not one
in ten turns out first class ! " Home
breeders, as well as the average run of
apiarists, might read and deeply pon-
der over the wise words spok 'U by Messrs.
Cowan, Carr, and Herrod at the late
conversazione. A great deal too much is
also being made of age of quieens. Dr.
Phillips even goes the length in his re-

184

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [May 10, 1906.

cently-issued bulletin of asserting that
" it is held by the best bee-keepers that
it is necessary to restock all colonies with
new queens every year." I will be very
much surprised indeed if one out of every
three leading bee-keepers will unreservedly
endorse this very pronounced and extreme
opinion. Most good queens are best during
their second year !

New Races. — Closely allied to this ques-
tion of improvement is that of introducing
novelties. The American Bcc-lrcper has
this to say on this moot point: — "It is
doubtful whether it is a good policy io
flood the country with these bees. When
it has proved that it is equal in honey-
gathering qualities to the other good races
we have, then, it seems, would be the right
moment. I want a honey-bee that can
sting. This peculiarity of our honey-bee
has its good points, and I would not miss
them." Mr. Simmins. on the same page,
says : — " It appears to be a law that queens
which produce very gentle bees are not
worth much for honey-Droducing qualities.
Cross either Carniolan or Italian with the
black bee and they store three or four
times the ouantity of honey, though better
stingers one will not desire." Perhaps
Dr. Miller had, therefore, better stick to
his cross hustlers — at least until some-
thing better turns up.

" Worth a Guinea a Box." — The Cana-
dian Bee Journal savs : — " M. R. Smith
takes as a morning nip a couple of tea-
spoonfuls of honey in a cup of hot water
before breakfast. We have tried it (says
Mr. Craig") on his recommendation, and
have foimd it excellent as an appetiser.
It is sedative, and for children, in this
way, it is also eli'ditly aperient in effect
— better than patent medicine."

Size of Hires. — Quite recently I gave an
American opinion of high value in favour
of hives shallower than our standard.
Here is an extract from a leading article
in the Ausfralasian Bee-hreper: — "It ^s
not only particularly adapted to the re-
quirements of the specialist, but is also
the berst hive for the farmer bee-keeper,,
and the amateur. I write from the stand-
point of one who has been working 200
Langstroth hives for many years with
financial success. After making compara-
tive trials my verdict is in favour of the
'Bolton' in nearly all particulars." It
should be remembered that the last-named
hive is considerably shallower than our
standard. Taken to heart, these expert
opinions should nerve as a beacon to warn
deep-frame men from nlunging too deeply
lest their last state should be worse than
their first.

Bees and Poultry. — A writer in (Meanings
pleads that these should go hand in hand :
" My advice is to try both bees and poul-
try in a small way at first, if you live near

a good market for eggs and honey ; then
if you can succeed at both you have a
double income. My bees produced an
average of 701b. per colony. From 140
hens I had 390 chickens, 1,464 dozen eggs,
yielding 412 dollars. Deducting food 224
dollars,\he profit would be £40." Evidently
poultry can be made to pay.

A Warning. — J. A. Green says : —
" Please remember that a colony ' slightly
diseased ' with foul brood has foul brood,
and can convey the disease just as cer-
tainly as one that is badly diseased. The
difference is only one of degree. To
manipulate even the most slightly diseased
along with healthy colonies is gambling
on an uncertainty and against heavy odds,
since, if you lose, your loss is apt to be
far greater than anything you would gain
if you won." Many, if not most, are un-
able to detect the disease in the incipient
stage, and even amongst the experienced
judgments vary as to what constitutes a
" slightly diseased " colony ; so, in making
any examination at this time of the year,
err on the safe side, because it progresses
with giant strides this and next month,
and a colony may run down to a hopeless
condition even in a few weeks.

A Saving in Foundation. — M. Scholl be-
lieves in economising by using only thin
foundation : — "The lighter grades rightly
used are better for all purposes. It seems
like a waste to use heavy brood, or even
medium brood, in wired frames. I have
used with much satisfaction home-made
foundation, having twelve Langstroth
sheets to the pound. This was used with
four horizontal wires, but the wires u'cre
not imhrdded (note italics). The sheets
simply hung between the wires, two of
the wires on each side, .alternating with
those on the other side. If the frames are
wired right, and the hive* stand level, the
imbeddinpf is not necessary, as it weakens
the foundation so that it breaks loose at
the wires."

HOMES OF THE HONEY BEE.

THE APIARIES OF OUR READERS.

We are very pleased to include the photo
graph sent by Mr. Cairncross, of Pretorift,
in our " Homes of the Honey Bee," together
with the interesting notes of his visit to the
Orphanage at Irene. The fact of so excel-
lent an institution being established and
maintained by the Transvaal Government
is highly gratifying to us, especially
when so prominent a place in the
teaching at the Orphanage is given to
bee-keeping on modern methods. It will
no doubt result in raising rp in the Colony
a race of good bee-men whose useful work
will be heard of in the future.

" Having frequently been invited to
visit the Transvaal Government Orphanage
at Irene, and as the morning of April 1

May 10, 1906. j THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

185

this year was beautiful and sunny with
cloudless sky, my wife and I decided to
spend the day at the above-named insti-
tution, and — armed with a camera — we
started from Pretoria soon after breakfast.
The Orphanage is situated about twelve
miles in a southerly direction from Pre-
toria, and we travelled in a comfortable
" Surrey," skirting the Johannesburg Rail-
way line, until the Irene railway station
was reached. Here we turned to the right,
passing through the magnificent Irene
Estate (now occupied by Mr. Van der
Byl), with its charming; residence, lovely
flower gardens, well-cultivated lands, and
immense fruit-orchards, our journey con-
tinued amid hundreds of acres of d^nse

a staff consisting of the master and
matron, assistant school teacher, nursing
sister, laundress, and cook, along with
eighty children, thirty-five being girls and
forty-iive boys. A non-resident doctor
makes frequent calls, but the situation is
so generally healthy that his services are
seldom required.

" This OriDhanage was established by
the Government at the close of the Boer
war, when the burgher camjis were dis-
banded or broken up, and I am informed
about 50 per cent, of the children are
Dutch. The children are provided with
everything in the way of clothing, beds
and bed linen, furniture, and a plenti-
ful supply of good food, and, along with a

THE TRANSVAAL GOVEKNMENl'.S ORPHANAGE APIARY, IRENE, .SOUTH AFRICA.

bush and forest of wild trees, through
which a river with an abundant siipply of
sparkling water winds its way until it
eventually reaches the sea.

" The Orphanage now comes in view, and
a few minutes later we arrive, after a two
hours' most enjoyable drive.

" The genial master, Mr. H. A. Beard-
more, and his charming wife — the matron
— gave us a hearty welcome, and, after a
short rest and light refreshments, con-
ducted us all over the establishment. The
Orphanage consists of thirty-two detached
buildings, built in a square, with a large
space in the centre, around which, on the
inner sides, runs a broad and well-kept
carriage drive.

"The various buildings are occupied by

sympathetic staff, it may be safely said
that their lives are comfortable and happy.

" In connection with tliis institution
there is a large schoolroom, the pi'incipal
being Mr. Beardmore, with INIi-s. H. Cox
as assitant teacher ; the latter also gives
lessons in needlework, etc., to girls, while
the boys are taught shoemaking, carpen-
tering, and other useful trades, and. /when
old enough, situations are found for them
in a similar plan to that adopted at Dr.
Barnavdo's Homes.

" It may be wondered how a description
of this Orphanage can interest readers of
The British Bee Jofrxal. but if, as I
hope, you will give the enclosed photo a
place in the ' Homes of the Honey Bee,'
the appropriateness of it will be admitted.

186

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [May 10, 1906.

The twenty-five Lives seen are located in
the large square referred to, and were all
made by the boys of the Orphanage, the
eldest of them, (Dan Roux) being only four-
teen years old ; and I am sure bee-keepers
who are men will credit the youngsters
with their good workmanship. They are
accurately made to take the B.B.K.A.
standard frame with the usual metal ends,
and have gabled roofs with cone-shaped
bee-escapes. It is cjuite certain that the
Orphanage bees are quite contented with
their homes, judging from the pleasant
hum and busy way in which they were
working.

" It may perhaps interest your readers
to kuDW how this apiary was started,
therefore I give the particulars as supplied
by Mr. Beardmore : — About twelve nionths
ago a swarm of bees took possession of
one of the dormitories, and on this being
made known to a Kaffir man-servant he
informed the principal, and invited him
to come and see the new visitors. This he
at once did, and on the native saying,
' Boss, we must keep these bees, ' his master
assented. He then ran off, and soon after-
wards returned with an empty Nestle's
milk-box, into which he hived the bees
with complete success. The children, who
had been interested onlookers, were in
liigh glee, delighted with the idea of catch-
ing and hiving bees in this way, and ere
long, when opportunity offered, they scoured
the veldt in 'Search of swarms, and were
successful in finding several colonies located
in trees, crevices in rocks, ant heaps, and
elsewhere. On these discoveries being
reported to the master he bought an
English hive for use as a model, also the
' British Bee-keepers' Guide Book,' and
then gave his head boy, Dan Roux, instruc-
tions how to proceed with hive-making,
assisted, of coui'se, by a great number of
other youngsters, and hive-making was
soon in full swing.

" I send you several photographs taken
by myself, which, unfortunately, are not
very good, but you may consider some
worth publishing.

" Amongst them is an observatory hive
on the verandah, also made by ' Dan,' con-
taining one standard frame with brood in
all stages, and above sixteen sections,
nearly all filled. We spent an interesting
half-hour watching the queen going from
cell to cell depositing eggs, and also watch-
ing young bees emerging from the cells.

'"Thft late Lieut. -Governor, Sir Arthur
Lawley, and Lady Lawlcy — who is a bee-
keeper— were frequent visitors at the
r)rphanage, and when they were leaving
South Africa her ladyship presentx^d Mr.
Beardmore with her three colonies of bees.
The present Governor and High Com-
missioner, Lord Selborne, now visits the
institutinn. arromjianied by Ladt Sel-

borne, and are much interested in the
a^jiary. Another visitor is the Hon. the
Chief Justice, besides other distinguished
personages.

" Apiculture is taken as one of the school
subjects, and is systeniatically taught. To
make this more interesting, sketches,
paintings, and drawings are entered, along
with all their notes on the subject. This,
with the practical experience in the apiary,
gives the children a keen interest in ,the
work. And to further illustrate his sub-
ject, Mr. Beardmore takes these boys to
the apiary and gives them j^ractical lessons
in manipulating the bees. His idea is to
give boys a 'hobby' in life, and bee-
keeping he believes will not only prove an
interesting pastime, but will also be
remunerative.

" At the present time honey in 1 lb. sec-
tions is retailed in shops at from 2s. to
3s. 6d. per section, shallow frames 5s. 6d.
each, and liquid honey in quart bottles
2s. to 2s. 6d.

" Mr. Advocate Benson (a great bee-
enthusiast) recently gave the children a
lantern slide exhibition and lecture on
' Bee Life,' which I understand was a great
success.

" The writer, being personally interested
in bee-keeping, having a few colonies him-
self, and having imported Italian golden
queens with success for breeding purposes,
you can therefore understand the interest
he takes in bee-culture.

"Wishing your paper every success,
which I am sux'e it deserves, and as a
constant reader I may say that I fre-
quently am indebted to it for very valu-
able information.

APRIL RAINFALL.

Total fall, 1-17 inches.

Heaviest fall, "31 inches on 24th.

Rain fell on twelve days.

W. Head, Brilley, Herefordshire.

Rainfall, '85 in.
Heaviest fall, 24 in.

on 27th.
Rain fell on 10 days.
Below average, "84 in.
Sunshine, 2447 hours.
Brightest day, 27tli,

13'1 hours.
Sunless days, 0.
Above average,

hours.
Maximum

ture, 65"

,ind 11th.
Minimum

WEATHER REPORT.

Wbstbourne, Sussex,

April, 1906.
Minimum on gra^s,

23° on 20th.
Frosty nights, 9.
Mean maximum,

54 5.
Mean

35-5.
Mean

450.
Below average, I'l.
Maximum barometer,

30-54 on 9th.
Minimum barometer,

29-39 on 28th.

60 2

tempera-
on 10th

tempera-
ture, 25° on 20th.

minimum.

temperature,

L. Xi BlRKHTT.

May 10, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

187

^ntfm ani §^2]^\m.

[3279.] A Lady Bee-keeper's Queries. —
Will you kindly reply to following quee-
tions in the B.B.J. ? Last summer, two
separate swarms from a neighbour's hives
left his garden and of their own will en-
tered two of my hives. I had to pay for
the bee>s ; not only so, but I found the man
unreasonable about them. I therefore
ask: — 1. What was the cause of their
coming, and what can I do to prevent his
bees from doing the same again ? 2. Can
you tell me where to purchase a " Wells "
hive, and does it answer when working
entirely for sections ? I now work my
hives wholly for sections, but would be glad
to know if it is more ijrofitable to work for
both sections and extracted honey, and if
I deipide to do so, what quantity of honey
should be left in the body-box as food for
the bees ? 3. Can I get both sections and
extracted honiey from the same hive, or
must one or the other be chosen and ad-
hered to? 4. I am afraid there its some-
thing wrong with three of my hives, and
am sending' a sample bit of comb for your
opinion if there is foul brood in it. 5.
Does our native bee extract honey from red
clover and the blossom of the field beans ?
Il.there is anything to pay for above ad-
vice please let me know the amount. I
send name and sign — North Connel,
Argyllshire. May 1.

Reply.- 1. The <nilv thing you can do
to keep stray swarms from entering empty
hives is to keep the entrance closed against
intruders. Some bee-keepers are unjust
enough to prepare their empty hives for
swarms and leave the entrances open as
" decoys " for swarms belonging to neigh-
bours. 2. It is quite common to see
"Wells" hives advertised for sale in our
prepaid columns ; in fact, one such ap-
peared last week. But most leading dealers
istock these hives. You would, however,
be wise to gain more knowledge of modern
bee-keeping before trying the " Wells '
system of working. In experienced hands
it answers for any form of honey. 3. Most
bee-keepers regulate their methods of work-
ing according to their market, but it is
well known that a far heavier yield of
honey is got by the extracting system com-
pared with sections. It is (|uite easy to
secure both comb and extracted honey from
the same hive, if deisirable to do so. 4.
The comb sent shows foul brood of old
standing. 5. The ordinary brown or
native bee works on the field bean, but does
not gather honey from red clover, though
it frequently works on the second crop or
"aftermath'' of that plant, which is usually
mixed with alsike or hybrid clover. W^e
make no charue for advice given in the

B.B..J., but it would be a profitable invest-
ment for you to procure a copy of ' the
" Guide Book," seeing that the above
queries are so elementary in character as
to make it clear that modern methods are
beyond your present knowledge.

[3280.] Using Comhs Containing Drone-
hrood. — I have several frames of comb re-
moved from a queenless hive, with drone-
brood in cells of all ages, probably from a
laying worker. These frames have also
a yood deal of honey in them. 2. Would it
be advisable to use these for brood-spreadr-
ing in the ordinary way it is done in
spring? Would bees remove this old and
chilled brood, and utilise the space in a
profitable manner? Reply in B.B.J, will
oblige. Name sent for reference. — W. A.T. ,
Ploniton.

Reply. — 1. We should on no account use
combs containing dead drone-brood in the
way proposed. For preference, let the
honey in combs be given to the bees, and
burn the dead brood, combs, and all, after
the honey has been cleared out by them.
^ [3281.] Using Clean Cvmbs from Diseased
Stock. — I have just destroyed a stock of
bees which was affected with foul brood,
and, some of the combs at rear of the hive
were nice and clean, without a trace of dis-
ease in them. I should therefore like to know
if these combs will be fit for rse if disin-
fected with soluble phenyle? I think the
B.B.J, is a very valuable magazine for bee-
keepers, especially to beginners, and I shall
recommend it to my bee-keeping friends.
— H. W., Licermere, Bury St. Edmunds.
Reply. — If th© combs in question have
never been bred in they will be suitable
for use, if well sprayed as directed in
" Guide Book." Thanks for your appre-
ciation of B.B.J.

[3282.] Bui/ing Bees in Frame-hives. — 1. I
am about to buy a strcmg stock of bees
from one of your advertisers, and being
only a beginner I would like to know if
the bees should be allowed to fly at once
on arrival, or is it necessary to confine
them to the hive for a time? One of my
hives is, I' fear, queenless, as I can see no
brood or eggs, and the bees only cover
about three frames. 2. Is this to be taken
as a sign of queenlessness, and, if so, do
you advise me to purchase a queen for
immediate introduction ? Replies to above
in next issue will greatly t)blige. I send
name, etc., for reference, and sign^
E. S. H., Totteridge, Herts, May 6.

Reply.— 1. The hive should, if con-
venient, be settled on its permanent staAd,
and bees released after sundown. It is
safer for a beginner — who owns other stocks
besides the newcomers — to have no
bees flying about wildly perhaps when
entrance is opened. You should take the

188

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [May 10, 1906.

ordinary precautions when buying stocks
to have a guarantee with regard to healthi.
ness, and also that the bees are on
standard frames. 2. It is hardly worth
while to buy a good fertile queen for in-
troduction to a weak lot of bees. Better
to purchase a nucleus colony and unite the
queenless lot to the latter if you are per-
fectly sure that the stock is queenless, and
that there is no foul brood in the combs.

[3283.] Drone-breeding Queens in May. —
Referring to my query of April 11 (3260,
page 157) about my stock, wliich was at
that time in good condition, and your reply
thereto, I now write about the same hive,
because of my fear that something has
happened to the queen. There was plenty
of worker brood in the combs when I ex-
amined it on April 11. and now there is
nothing but drone-bi^ood in the cells, while
some of it does hot look healthy. There
are also a few dead bees in the combs. I
send sample of comb and ask : — 1. Wouhl
you please say if it is foul brood or disease
of any kind ? 2. If there is no disease,
should I nurchase and introduce a queen
to the stock ? 3. If, on the contrary, there
is foul brood in the combs, should I destroy
the bees and combs ? I send name and sign
— Inchcape, Arbroath. May 3. P.S. — As

1 am a new (subscriber to the B.B.J. , if
there is anything to pay for this examina-
tion I will willingly send it.

Reply. — 1. There is no disease in comb.

2 and 3. Your description of the stock's
flourishing condition, when examined on
the 11th ult., gave us the impression that
the queen was doing very well indeed and
that she would do equally well in rhe
comine season. But the present state of
thingis makes it pretty clear that the queen
has seen her best days, and is now a worth-
less drone-breeder, for all the sealed drone-
brood is being raised in worker cells. The
sooner therefore she is destroyed the better.
If bees ai'e fairly strong a good queen
should be introduced.

r3284.] Helping to Stamp Out Fowl Brood .
—I am sending two samples of comb, num-
bered 1 and 2. I feel eure they are affected
with foul brood, but want to have your
opinion. They are from hives belonging
to different bee-keepers, who are neighbours
of mine here, and I am the only one who
knows anything about bee diseases, or, in-
deed, very much about managing bees at
all on modern lines. But having gained
my knowledge solely from the " Guide
Book " and the B.B..7., I am on pretty safe
lines myself. T think it speaks well for
the books mentioned, for I have sent several
sample> to the B.B..T. offire, taken from
hives I have suspected, and have never yet
been wrong in my opinion. In conclu-
sion, I am sorry to say we have foul brood
very bad in this district, solely through

ignorance of the disease on the part of bee-
keepers about. Both men from whose
hives samples were taken are willing for
me to destroy the bees if diieeased. — J.
Roper, Erith, May 1.

Reply. — Both samples sent are badly
diseased, No. 1 especially bo ; indeed, it is
simnly rotten with foul bi'ood, so we need
hardly say how readily you should avail
yourself of the chance to burn the lot as
soon as pos&ible. It is very good of you
to help your neighbours in this way, and
we trust you will persevere in the work.

[3285.] Pollen on Alighting-hoard. — As a
reader of your B.B.J,, I will be glad of
reply to the following question in your
valuable paper : — On going to my hive to-
day I noticed a quantity of pollen on the
ground in front of alighting-board, and
shall be glad to know reason of this. On
examining the combs in hive plenty of
young bees were to be seen, also eggs and
brood. — Farmer, Wokingham, May 3.

Reply. — No alarm need be felt at
dropped pellets of pollen being seen as
stated. It only indicates that there has
been some crowding at entrance, and that
the pollen-pellets have got injbbed off the
bees' legs in consequence.

[3286.] Dead Bees Cast Out in Aj)ril. —
Would you kindly explain the following ?
1. I have a hive, the bees of which seem
moderately strong, yet outside the entrance
I found the other day about 150 dead bees.
There is plenty of food in combs ; indeed,
I have been feeding them for some time.
Tliere are no dead bees lying about outside
any of my other eleven hives, so it makes
me wonder what can have happened to the
stock in question. 2. Can you also tell me
the name and address of the secretary of
the bee-keepers' association for East
Sussex? I enclose name, etc., and sign
mjiself — A. H., Sussex, May 2.

Reply. — It is not very uncommon for a
good number of dead bees to be cast out of
some hives after the bees have had a long
spell indoors owinir to cold, and youre is
evidently a case of this kind. If queen is
all right, no great harm will follow, and
the stock will S09U pull up again in point
of numbers. 2. There is, unfortunately,
no B.K.A. for Sussex iust now.

[3287.] Wax Moth in Skep.—l am en-
cloising in box sent (along with sample of
comb) a maggot from an old skep in which
I have lately bought a stock of bees, and
ask you to please say : — 1. Is it a larva of
the genuine wax moth ? I found several
like it in the skep. 2. The piece of
comb sent I also fear is affected with foul
brood, and I want your advice to say if
I should get rid of the skep and all its
contents ? I may also say that the hi\^ I
wrote you about, and thought was queen-

May 10, 1906.] THE BHITISH BEE JOURNAL.

189

lees, turned out to be all right, as you
said it would. And you were also correct
in judging that the bees would eventually
become less vicious, for they are now not
nearly so bad. I receive great benefit from
your journals, both of which I read regu-
larly.— W. H. Ransom, Hellingley, May 2.
Reply. — The larva sent is that of the
true wax moth, Galleria cereana. 2. We
are glad to say there is nothing wrong with
comb sent. The brood is hatching out all
right (one young bee crept out while here),
and the eggs would no doubt all have
hatched safely.

[3288.] Aborted Queen in Hire. — I enclose
herewith a queen-bee and a piece from each
of two combs taken from a hive to-day, and
beg to ask : — 1. Will you be good enough
to tell me the cause of the peculiar con-
dition of the queen ? The bees swarmed
last year, and, I presume, the queen failed
to mate, as there is no brood in the hive
and only about 100 bees. 2. Also, is the
comb sent aifected with foul brood, and is
that likelv to be cause of failure or mis-
chief ? There are several frames of honey
in the hive. Reply will greatly oblige —
A. H., Swaythling, Southampton.

Reply. — 1. The dead queen sent could
never have been of anv use, seeing that the
poor insect was wingless when hatched, and
can never have left the hive. No doubt
the ovaries, like the wings, would not be
properly developed owing to insufficient
warmth while the hatching was in progress.
2. There is no trace of brood — foul or other-
wise— in comb sent.

%n ^hoM ta iDmi^.

A nominal charge of 2.I. 6(1. is made for notices (not
exceeding 7 lines) in this column, 10 lines charged '.is. Od. ,
up to Ifi lines 5H.. which covers coat of insertion from
order till date of show. Cash should accompany orders
for insertion.

July 25 and 26, at Cardiff.— Annual Show of
the Glamorgan B.K.A. in connection with that of the
Cardiff and County Horticultural Society. Honey,
Wax, Appliances, etc. Classes for memb-ers, novices.
Five open classes, with prizes for sections and
extracted honey. 2l8. , lOs. 6d., 58., in each class.
Bee appliances. SOs., 15s. Entry fee for one or more
of the open classes to non-members, 2e. 6d. Schedules
from Wm. Richards, Hon. Secretary, The Red House,
Gabalfa, Cardiff. Entries close July 20.

June 27 to 30, at Derby.— Royal .\gric)ultunil
Society's Show. Bee and Honey Section under the
management of the B. B.K.A. Increased prizes for
B.K. -Associations as arranged in divisions or groups
of counties. .Schedules from Edwin H. Young, Secre-
tary, 12, Hanover square, W. Entries finally
close May 29.

August 8 to 10, at Middlesbrougrh —

Show of Honey, etc.,, in connection with the Royal
Yoi-kshire Agricultural Society. Schedules and form
of entry from John Maughan, Secretary, Blalie-street,
York. Entries clop- June 30.

August 30, at Monteroniery— Honey Show
in connection with Horticultural Exhibition. Two
open classes for six lib. sections and six lib. jars
extracted honey. Prizes, 10s., Ss., 2s. 6d. Entry fee.
Is. each class. Schedules from Mr. W. J. Jones, Secre
t.iry, Montgomery. Entries close AuRust 23-

Notices to Correspondents & Inquirers^

*** Bee and Poultry-farming. — A corre-
spondent, dating from Eltham, Kent,
writes :— In the B.B.J, of November 17,
1904 (page 452), in reply to Query No.
5688, there is a letter signed " A Wor-
cestershire Small-holder." Could you let
me have this gentleman's address or
forward to him a letter from me ? I very
much wish to have a talk with this small-
holder, and, ais my parents are living in
Warwickshire, not very far from Eve-
sham, I should like, the next time I go
home, to take the opportunity of calling
u.pun your correspondent, if he had no
objection. It is iust possible that I may
be down in that neighbourhood at Whit-
suntide, but, if not. then I should be
there some time during the summer.
Thanking you in anticipation for the in-
troduQtion desired.

[We do not keep " used copy " longer
than twelve months, and cannot, there-
fore, furnish the address asked for.
Should this chance to meet the eye of the
" Small-holder " referred to, and he will
meet the views of our correspondent, we
will gladly nut the parties in touch. —
Eds.]

E. Bltck (Somerset). — Sugar for Bee-food.
— The sugar known as Tates No. 1 is
not, we believe, sold as entirely pure
cane sugar ; but we should not wholly
condemn it as unfit for bee-food.

A. H. (Falkirk). — Bee Nomenclature. —
Bees were smashed flat in post when re-
ceived, but so far as could be judged
they are the common brown or native
bee.

T. S. (Carlisle). — The bee sent is Andrena
albicans, a common wild bee at this time
of the year.

Suspected Combs.

W. T. (S. Wales). — No disease in comb sent.
The few sealed cells in sample contain
only "chilled brood."

Bonus (Newark). — No. 1 sample shows foul
brood in very pronounced form. In
No. 2 there are slight signs of the dis-
ease in two or three cells, but in re-
mainder the brood is " chilled " only.

G. N. T. (Sussex). — Comb sent is affected
with foul brood of very old standing.
In fact, the brood in sealed cells has all
dried up and disappeared. It seems
clear that the bees were diseased last year
and have gradually dwindled away since
until all were gone.

L. C. P. (Norwich). — There was only one
cell in sample where any trace of brood
could be found, but this one showed that
the disease was there.

*#* Some Letters, Queries and Replies, &e.,.
are unavoidaMy hM ovtr till next week.

190

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [May 10, 1906.

Special Prepaid Advertisements.

Twelne words and under Sixpence: for every additional
Three words or under, One Fenny,

Advertisements for current Issue must be received
by first post on Tuesday.

7S. bd. HIVES, 7s. 6d.— The Beekeeper's opportunity,
■ standard size, with super complete, painted.
Ulustratiou .sent.— OZONE APIARY, Trimingham,
Norfolk. P 45

SEVERAL .STRONG! STOCICS BEES, on seven frames^
healthy,' in travelling box, F.O.R., 16s. each.
Eggs for sitting, from pure bred Buff Orpingtons, 28.
per dozen ; returned unfertile* replaced. — TREBBLE,
Romansleigh, South Molton. p 44

EALTHY NATURAL SWARMS, 51h. to 61b., 2s. 6d

per lb. Oa.sh.— RiqilARD BUTTON, Terling,

Witham, Essex. p 43

SWARMS of "YE OLD ENGLISHE BEES."— Having
so many orders alre.ady booked I cannot promise
others 4111 after June 15. Prices 10s. 6d., 12s. 6d.,
and 15s. Packing boxes free and safe delivery. — W.
WOODLEY, Beedon, Newbury.

I AM OFFERING SWARMS this season, in boxes,
10s. each. On ten frames, wired and fitted with
half sheets of British weed foundation, 15s. each. All
my bees are sent strictly on approval. Safe arrival
guaranteed. No risk to purchaser. Cash with order.
Boxes returnable,— E. THOl^PSON, Model Apiarv,
Oowdall, Snaith, Yorkshire. Printed instructions

sent, as to transferring to frame hive. p 42

4 STRONG HEALTHY STOCKS, in well made hives,
25s. each.— A. COOK, " Torwood," Ford Bridge
Road, Ashford, Middlesex. p 41

CHEAP.-EIGHT NEW HIVES. Must be sold,
owing to removal. Stamp please for particu-
lars.—PRITCHARD, Wainalong Road, Salisbury.
_^ ' P 40

BEES FOR SALE.— Four strong Stocks, in well-made
modern hives, each on ten frames, with two
supers (drawn-out coml)S), and lift. Price 30s. each,
or £5 10s. the lot. — RANGER, 39, Beulah Road,
Tunbridge Wells. ' . . p 39

SPARE RELIABLE 1905 QUEEN, 4s.— A. BUTLER,
Westville, Scotter, Lincoln. p 37

Ir^OR SALE, TWO strong healthy SKEPS, 123. each.
Champion Honey Plants^ 8d. a dozen.— DAR-
LINGTON, Charing,, Kent. ^; p 38

MUST SELL.— What offers f of '•-the following
goodsV — 1 Hive, double walled, two sides; 11
Honey Tins, holding 15 to 25 lbs. each ; 3 Queen
Excluders; 1 new Skep ; 12 new Quilts; 1 Wells'
Super Clearer ; ten frame ditto ; 6 Standard Frames ;
S{jrayer ; 12 Dividers ; Observatory Hive, three-frame ;
13 Shallow Brood Combs; 72 Shallow Combs ; Drone,
perfect ; 15 Shallow Frames, wired ; all healthy ; 85
Copies of '• B.B.J." ; excellent Microscope, £2 15s.
—ALFRED HALL, Many Pitts, Marton, Blackpool.
■ ( ., I ■ , ■ ■ ■ ; P 36

OriTH YEAR.--Reliabte QUeens, 1905, in introducing
0\J cage, 58., delivered.^ALSFORD, Expert, Hay-
don, ^herborne. , p 35

QECTION HONEY WANTED, pale colour, free from
O granulation.— T. SMITH AND CO., 17, Cambridge
Road, Harbour, Birm. B 32

QUEEN REARINli.— No trouble to work ; no expen-
sive apijliances; can't fail; four cages and
full instructions, 28. 6d. ^ MEADOWS, Syston,
Leicester. p 33

STRONG STOCK OF BEES, in ten-frame Hive (also
. accessories). What offers'.' HARE, Lonsdale
Road, flarborne, Birmingham. p 32

WANTED, good GEARED EXTRACTOR, Cowan
preferred, for cash.— CORLETT, HutchiiiHoii
Square, Douglas. . P 31

NATURAL SWARMS NOW BOOKED.— May, 39. ;
early June, 28. 6d. ; later, 28. lb. ; seturnable
box.— PRESBYTERY APIARY, MarnhuU, Dorset.

p 30

LIGHT HONEY, screw-cap jarsj 8b. dozen ;■ bulk,
538. cwt. Sample 2d.— CHARTER, Tattjngstone,
Ipswich. p' 29

SPECIAL OFFER.— 12 Chrysanthemums, from fifty
varieties, outdoor, 28. dozen, post free ; Calceo-
larias, 9d. dozen, post free.— JOHN HETHERINGTON,
Dairy, Low Row, Carlisle. Lists free. p 28

PRIME NATURAL SWARMS, expected end of May
and early in June (no artificial swarms made in
this apiary). I guarantee them natural, healthy, and
also safe arrival. May, 3s. ; June, till 15th, 28. 9d. ;
after 15th, 28. 6d. per lb. ; Is. allowed on all empty
'boxes returned carriage paid.— S. BAILEY, Itching-
field, near Hoi'sham.

I^OR SALE, cheap, IRON CIRCULAR SAW BENCH,
just the thing for hive making, etc.— Address
"A.," " Bee Journal" Office. • ^p 26

Sale: or exchange, FowIs foi-- Bees', Cook-Tam-
madge best laying strains, White Wyandotes,
1905 hatched, 4s. 6d. each.— SHACKLETON, Thorner,
Leeds. p 25

HEALTHY SWARMS BOOKED NOW, 28. 6d." lb. ;
May, 2s. lb. ; June Queens, 3s. 6d.— HEMMING
BKOS., Stajidlake, Witney. ,P 24

ORDERS BOOKED NOW for NATURAL SWARMS
of my hardy prolific strain, guaranteed healthy
and safe arrival, 4 lbs., 12s. 6d. ; 5 lbs., lbs. ; 6 lbs.,
18s. Packages to ibe returned. Expected early in
June.— WHITING, Valley Apiaries, Hundon, Clare,
Suffolk. p 23

WANTED, SWARMS or STOCKS, in exchange for
Art MaU Cart. Sell 40s. ; cost 85s.— WILLIAMS,
Cefncoed, Ponthir, Mon. p Z2

NATURAL SWARMS, guaranteed healthy, 1905
Queene, 128. 6d., carriage paid. — ARNOLD,
Obelisk Road, Woolston, Hants. p 21

WANTED, HOUSE, with land, suitable for poultry
and beekeeping, about twenty or thirty miles
from London ; low rental.— EASTO, 48, Comerford
Road, Brockley, S.E. P 22

mwo SPLENDID HIVES.— Taylor's non-swarming
-L and combinatlion, almost new, hejalthy, and
isainted, cheap ; or exchange early swarms. — PARK,
Dempster Street, Greenock. , p 19

-JO STANDARD SHALLOW FRAME CRATES, with
■i.^ eight clean extracted combs, guaranteed
healthy, 6s. 6d. each.— HARRIS, Wavendon, Bletchley,
Bucks. p 17

ENGLISH and ITALIAN BEES FOR SALE ; Stand-
ard Hives.—THOS. HILL, Scotlands, Cannock
Road, near Wolverhampton. p '16

PROMISIN(i prize bred 1906 DRAGOON PIGEONS,
Blues, 4s. 6d. ; specially good Chequers, 78. 6d.
pair ; splendid 1905 Grizzle Cock, 10s. ; Chequer Hen,
lovelj' type, 78.-6d. ; or 128. 6d. the pair; co8t^,25s.
Part payment, ^ weed super f oundation.^^" POST-
MASTER," Romford. . ■■ p 15

NATURAL SWARMS IN JUNE, from strong healthy
Stocks, in Bar Frame Hives, 10s. 6d. and 12s. 6d.
C'ash with order, or deposit. r^BROWN, ,30, Albany
Road, Crawley, Sussex. P 14

TT^OR SALE, RACK, containing 21 se^jtioiis, . with
X? starters, 3s. 6d. Also 100 Sections, 2s. ; slightly
soiled, or would exchange for' Shallow Conlbs.—
WILSON, Livermere, Suffolk. P 13

WANTED, TWO , STOCKS BEES ; exchange silver
English lever watch.— J. COMLEY, 246, Crick-
lade Road, Gorse Hill, Swindon. ,P 12

STRONG HEALTHY SWARMS, 1905 Queen, 12s. 6d.,
13s. 6d. Stocks on eight Standard Frames,
23s. 6(1., with 1905 Queen. (Juaranteed healthy. —
W. WOODS, Normandy, Guildford. P 46

LIGHT COLOURED ENGLISH CLOVER HONEY, in
lib. screw cup jars. Sample 2d. — F. W.
FKUSHKR, jirowlnnd, Lincolnshiie. r 10

IT^OR SALE, new WELLS' HIVES, complete. '21i. ;
Guinea Hives, (jomplete, 12s. 6d. ; Nucleus
Hives, 3a.' 6d. ; all well painted.— THE APIARY,
Woodmancole, Cirencester. o d9

May 17, 1906,] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

191

^£it0ml ^0tim, ^t

THE ROYAL SHOW AT DERBY.

DATE FOR CLOSING ENTRIES.

We are now able to say that entries for
the above show will be received up to Tues-
day, May 29, at ordinary fees, the Council
of the R.A. S.E. having acceded to the re-
quest of the B.B.K.A. for this concession
because of the late adverse weather. Pro-
vision will also be made for the return of
entry fees in cases where weather draw-
backs prevent honey of the current year
being staged. We trust that this arrange-
ment will induce bee-keepers to apply at
once for schedules, seeing that any fees
now paid will be returnable according to
the conditions above stated.

HONEY IMPORTS.

The value of honey imported into *the
United Kingdom during the month of
April, 1906, was £2,965. — From a return
furnished to the British Bee Journal by
the Statistical Office, H.M. Customs.

SURREY BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL MEETING.

The annual meeting of the above asso-
ciation was held at the County Hall,
Kingston-on-Thames, on April 29. Mr.
W. Welch. C.A. (president of the aseocia-
tion) in the chair. Among those present
were Messrs. A. Seth-Smith, E. Bon-
toft, A. E. C. Mumford, W. Harding, W.
Alfred Dawson, A. Watkin, G. ^Butler,
C. T. Overton, T. Gibbons, W. Bourne,
W. E. Hamlin, B. Bisset, F. A. White,
M. A. Dean, F. J. Bernau, B. Drew, 'and
F. B. White (hon. sec. and treas.).

The annual report for 1905 contained
sympathetic allusion to the deaths of Mr.
E. J. Halsey and Mr. H. E. Gurney, vice-
presidents of the ajssociation. The work
of the past year showed a continued steady
progress and advancement in all branches
of the bee-keeping industry in Surrey.
The grant of £150 by the County Council
was to h^ renewed for the present year,
and, as a result, there would be the usual
course of lectures and demonstrations, ex-
pert visits, and advice to bee-keepens, and
the publication of the monthly journal.
The attendances at lectures and demon-
strations were excellent, and the demand
for them at flower shows increased each
year.

The chairman, in moving the adoption
of the report and balance-sheet, said the
association seemed to be growing yearly.
They had 132 new members, making a total

of 663, an advance of 20 on last year's
roll. The number of visits by experts
was 23 more, and the total stocks examined
had increased by about 200 in 1905. The
mortality list, he was sorry to say, was
heavy, but with a large accession of new
members, they must always expect an in-
crease, and especially with the great watch-
fulness of their experts. Last year 138
stocks were found dead, the number in the
previous year being 106. On tho whole,
he thought, the committee were satisfied
that good work was being done, tending
not only to minimise, but to eradicate foul
brood in the county. With regard to
their finances, last year they had a balance
in hand of £15 14s. 9d., while it now
amounted to £40 5s. lOd.

The motion was carried unanimously.

Mr. Seth-Smith proposed a hearty vote
of thanks to the County Council for the
renewal of their grant, without which it
would be impossible to carry on the good
work. He was told whenever this vote
came before the Education Committee, in-
stead of trying to cut it down, or cavilling
at it, they granted it at, once.

Mr. Dawson seconded the motion, which
was carried.

The chairman, in acknowledging the
vote, said that though not a member of
the higher committee, he knew that the
committee gladly voted this money, be-
cause they were sure it was well spent and
did a deal of good in the county.

The following gentlemen were elected as
the executive council for the ensuing
year : — Messrs. Archibald Seth-Smith,
F. J. Bernau, G. B. Bisset, W. A. Dawson,
F. S. Fletcher, G. C. Halahan, W._ E.
Hamlin, .John Kaehler, Joseph King,
J. W. Lewie, A. H. Miller, W. F. Reid,
W. Sole, E; Walker, A. Watkin. T. H. E.
Watts-Silvester, M.A., M.R.C.S., and
F. B. White.

Mr. Bernau moved a vote of thanks to
the hon. secretary (Mr. F. B. White). He
did not think the association would be in
the position it was but for their hon. sec-
retary, who took a real interest in the
work he did for them.

Mr. Watkin. in seconding the motion,
said he had derived gr'eat advantage from
Mr. White's kindness, while his readiness
to assist individual members was beyond
all praise.

The chairmaii said the proposition had
given him great i)leasure to submit to the
meeting, because he knew from experience
the excellent work their secretary had
done.

The motion was carried unanimously.

Mr. White heartily thanked the meet-
ing, and said he could not help feeling
very proud of the position occupied by the
association, which he helped to start in
the first instance. He had taken the best

192

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [May 17, 1906.

steps he could to promote its welfare, but
he reminded them of the excellent work
done by Mr. Seth-Smith, who had been
their chairman ever since the institution
was started. But for his kindness he
would have been unable to carry out the
work as it had been done.

A vote of thanks to Mr. Seth-Smith and
a similar compliment to the chairman,
brought the meeting to a close.

Votes of thanks were also passed to the
retiring executive council, and to the ex-
perts for their services.

(^om%pnkntt

The Editors do not hold themselves ref^pongible for the
opinions expressed by correspondents. No notice tvill
be taken of anonymous communications, and corre-
spondents are requested to write on one side of the paper
only and give their real names and addresses, not neces-
sarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith.
Illustrations should be drawn on separate pieces of paper .
We do not undertake to return rejected communications.

*»* In order to facilitate reference, Cornsponderts,
when speaking of any letter or query preiriously insetted,
will oblige by mentioning the r.umber of the letter as well
as the page on, irhieh it appears.

AMONG THE BEES.

[6299.] Willow Honey. — In the very in-
teresting notes by " Nemo," in reviewing
foreign journali^, it reads almost as if M.
Van Hay's article shows that willow honey
was some new discovery. It may be in-
teresting to make two exti'acts from B.B..J.,
Vol. 24, page 147 :— " On Sunday, Monday,
and Tuesday, March 22-24, 1896, we had
a very high temperature, with nothing but
willow in bloom, and a remarkable honey-
glut occurred. There was as rapid an in-
coming as I have ever known during the
height of the season." This is signed " S.
Simmins." On page 167, Mr. Henry Neve,
also of Heathfield in confirming above,
adds : — " I have attain got my hives almost
filled with this beautiful honey. I think
this is the fifth season we have come in for
a wood willow harvest." A bountiful flow
from the willow is therefore not unknown,
but I think it requires very considerable
heat and a bright sun to compel the flowers
to yield appi'eciable quantities at least of
surplus honey.

fluhhinfi Bee Papers. — This is extensively
done in some countries, and I think the
idea is a good one. If all second and fur-
ther papers were got at a reduction it
might induce many readers to invest in
more than one bee-T>aper. Before, he was
content with one. The offer induces him to
take three, let us say, and lie is a distinct
gainer. The seller has a smaller profit un-
doubterlly. but it is a -profit which, but for
the s}>ecial offer, would not go into his
coffers — and " every little makes a mickle,"
as our Scotch proverb hats it. Whether the

game is worth the candle in this country
I do not know.

But I would point to another form
of clubbing, which might be more common.
Where a few bee-keepers live near each
other, some will no doubt take the British
Bee JotXKisrAL, others the Bee-lceepers'
Becordj and a few both. In addition, how-
ever, some six of those better able to afford
it might take each a copy of the best
American papers, all of which by inter-
change might become the common stock
of all. After perusal each would return
to the true owner. Or the extra papers
might be got as the common property of
all bee-keepers in the village, bound in
volumes at the end of the year, and handed
over to the public library to become a little
mine for future entrants to dig in during
their novitiate stage. I would have more
hopesi of the success of these small coteries
making good use of these vokxmes than I
would have of those kept in large centres
connected with county associations. These
latter, being so distant generally, are very
seldom patronised by any but those bee-
keepers living in cloee proximity, and, if
in large towns, very seldom even by these.
The wealthier class of readers who prac-
tise the pursuit as a mere pastime might
hand over their copies of Journal and
Feenrd at the end of the year to such village
libraries as would make them easily avail-
able as works of reference to all bee-
keepers.

Local Sliows. — Wherever an opportunity
occurs at any village or town flower show
a honey department should form a part of
the exhibition. Nothing betteir cian be
done to educate the taste, and produce that
neatness and cleanliness which in this
dainty sweet adds such a charm to its pro-
duction and use, than laying choicest
selected specimens iside by side on the show-
bench. It helps the sale wonderfully, and
at the same time adds a new zest to the
pursuit, as the prize-taker strives to keep
up his good name, and the loser to attain
still nearer to perfection. In general, the
mistake made by most local show com
mittees is to ask too much. Small exhibits
are best, as more can ioin in the competi-
tions, and better specimens can be shown.
A crate should never be demanded, the
placing of such a receptacle on the show-
bench serving no good purpose. Three,
six, or at most only twelve, sections or
glass jars should be called for, which
should all be of uniform size, and the best
is the common screw-cap holding 1 lb. of
honey. It is_ scarcely treating a judge
fairly to set "him to. award prizes in a
class where the jars are of all shapes and
sizes. The cheapness at which they can
be purchased makes it no hardship to in-
sist on uniformity. Sections, too, should
be as uniformly arranged as possible.

May 17, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

193

and should be glazed. They also look
better with a neat, taking, narx-ow lace
border. * At most shows this is now being
insisted on, and the custom will soon be-
come universal. Shallow frames should
be placed in a euitable case, easily handled,
and showing off the face of the comb to
the best advantage. Perhaps one to three
of these would make the best appearance.
Everything about frames, sections, and
jars should be scrupulously neat and clean.
No sticky honey should be seen or felt, no
propolis should obtrude its adhesive pro-
perties when the judge is handling ex-
hibits, and no thumb-marks should oe
seen. At times, stewards and not ex-
hibitors may be responsible for these. It
should be a golden rule about surplus
honey : — " Handle not with unwashed
hands. "

American Candy. ■ — Take good thick
clover honey and heat (not boil) it until
it becomes thin ; then stir in fine granu-
lated sugar. After stirring in all the
sugar the honey will absorb, take it out
of the utensil in which it has been mixed
and knead it thoroughly with the hands.
The kneading makes it more pliable and
soft, so that it absorbs or takes uj? more
sugar. The kneading operation, with the
adding of fine sugar, should be continued
till the dough is so stiff as to be qxiite hard
to work. It should then be allowed to
stand a day or two, and if at the end of
that time it is so soft as to run or be sticky
a little more sugar should be kneaded in.
It should then be cut into cakes of con-
venient size and placed on the tops of
frames in such a way that the bees can get
at it easily. That known as " Good "
candy for mailing queens is made in a way
somewhat similar to above : — Take honey
and fine icing sugar, and stir until it be-
comes a consistent dry paste. Add sugar
until it turns to the proper consistency. —
D. M. M., Banff.

NOTES FROM A BEE-KEEPER IN
ROME.

[6300.] Is the fountain j^en a blessing
or the reverse? Without one, these lines
would not have been written, and your
space would have been spared for more
important matters. After a long ramble,
I am sitting on a block of marble in a
corner of the Forum. It was probably
brought from Greece bv one of the Cjesars,
for it has the fine grain of Paros, not the
sugar-like structure of the beautiful
Carrara stone. Close beside me is a lizard,
about 9in. long, with a beautiful bright
green back and a tail rather longer than
his body, reminding one of his far-away
ancestor, the diplodoeus. He has one eye
on me and the other on a bee of pure
Italian race that is foraging among the

flowers of the pellitory-of-the-wall that
grows luxuriantly among the ruins. The
flower reminds one of the English legend
that it was introduced by foreign monks,
and it is certainly chiefly found on
old monastic buildings. It grows as
luxuriantly on the walls in Rome as it
does on Fountains Abbey in Yorkshire, or
Newark Abbey in Surrey. A sudden flash
interrupts my musings. Quicker than my
eye could follow the hee had disappeared,
and the lizard was moving his jaws in a
self-satisfied sort of way. Quick work this,
much quicker than that of his big cousin,
the alligator, who I have watched drag-
ging his prey beneath the muddy waters
of the far-off Parana, until the last bubble
appearing on the surface showed that an-
other mammal had succumbed to his cold-
blooded progenitor. But a slight move-
ment on mv part resulted in another flash,
and the lizard was gone. However, I saw
his tail disappear beneath a ismaller piece
of marble, and removed this in order to
find him. Needless to say, there was no
trace of him ; but, instead, I found a col-
lection that would have gladdened the
heart of a naturalist. There were milli-
pedes and wood-lice quite twice the size of
our own, and thousands of ants, small in
size and red in colour, and among them
a number of soldier ants with enormous
heads and forceps larger than the rest of
their bodies. These soldier ants are a
fraud ; they do not attempt to fight or de-
fend their home, but run away into the
hole more quickly than the workers. It
is very different with the terrible saba
ant of Brazil, which will make short work
of any living being that cannot escape,
and will make a clean skeleton of a fowl
in less than a quarter of an hour. But the
most interesting thing under that block
of marble was a family of scorpions. At
least, I assume they were a family ; at any
rate, there were one large and two little
ones. Some of your readers may remember
a little mishap that occurred to me with
a scorpion not long ago on the banks of
the Mississippi. I was therefore careful,
and, before touching them, constructed a
tube with a newspaper. Into this, by per-
suasion and otherwise, I induced them to
enter, and. on further search, I found
quite a number of these interesting little
Crustacea.

On returning to my hotel, I placed them
in match - boxee, and, unfortunately,
counted them. It is not always well to
be too accurate and it would have been
well had I omitted the enimieration.
Italian porters are not such gentle beings
as their English colleagues, and somehow
or the other some match-boxes were broken.
The partner of my joys and sorrows does
not care for bees, and deprives herself of
much useful instruction by not reading

194

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [May 17, 1906.

the B.B.J. She will, therefore, not learn
through your columns why I shook all my
clothes so carefully over a bath on my
return home ; but my memory still dwells
more fondly on thcwe two missing
scorijions than on the others that are now
in safe recejjtacles. As a matter of fact,
these little creatures soon become tame
and cease to threaten with their . caudal
appendage. Hunger, the univereal tamer,
will even induce them to accept flies and
ants from your hand. But to return to
the Forum. Close by was an old Roman
well, lined with beautiful maidenhair fern,
and by the side of the water was apparently
a tortoise. His head projected, and I could
see his eyes moving, so I jjrocured a stick
and tried to raise him. But there was a
sudden splash, and what had appeared to
be a livintr tortoise proved to be the ehell
of one with a frog sitting inside it. How-
ever, tortoises are pretty common in the
neighbourhood, and the children tie
strings to them and make them drag
weights., Wandering over into the Coli-
seum, I found on its walls a female moth
of the gigantic ailanthus silkworm of
Japan. The ailanthus tree grows well in the
public gardens of Rome, and the moth has
become acclTmatised. On the old ruins
and in the inscriptions upon them are fre-
quently to be found the clay tubes of a
species of wasp, which seems to prey upon
caterpillars. A jet-black humble-bee,
longer in shape than our own, hums loudly
among the red and white clover, and there
is, at least, one species of carpenter bee.
One of these found the cardboard tube of
a rocket and thought it an ideal piece of
wood for his boring operations. When he
got through he seemed quite surprised to
find it hollow and wandered through it,
and the hole he had made, several times
before he flew awav disappointed. Under
the rocket tube lived a pair of jet-black
earwigs of enormous size, and forceps
that were really useful weapons. Perhaps,
if my fountain pen does not run dry and
you can spare the space, I may send you
some lines on bee-products and appliances
at Milan. — Walter T. Reid (Addlestone).

SCOTCH HEATHER HONEY

AT LESS THAN 3d. PEU LB.

[6301.] In your issue of May 3 (page 171),
Messrs. Ingram Bros, and Co., 34, Robert-
son Street, Glasgow, through their so-
licitor, tell us that they have decided '' not
to indulge in correspondence through the
Press " on this matter, and that they are
" prepared " for contingencies. They, at
the same time, and inconsistently, do not
omit to " indulge in correspondence " so
far as presuming to define the limits of
"the question." But I happen to under-

stand the " question " better than they
do, according to' their " prepared " letter
of April 30 ; and, if they were in Germany,
the firm would find the " question " to be
more than " one entirely between buyers
and sellers." In the event of the authorities
proving misrepresentation against them in
relation to their offer of Scotch heatherhoney
(in barrelfuls at less than 3d. per lb. ), they
would be compelled either to ux^hold their
profession or suffer the prescribed penalty.
In our country they are not absolutely com-
pelled to do either, and so I do not know
whether their honey is of the genuine
Scotch heather kind or not.

They, however, '' indulge " ub so far as
to say in one sentence that their Scotch
heather honey is absolutely pure, but ivas
faulty, and that they " succeeded in putting
it righl." Perhaps their Mr. Ross will be
" prepared " to further " indulge " me by
expatiating somewhat more clearly on the
meaning of the three words italicised.

The meaning of their immediately pre--
ceding sentence is also considerably in-
volved ; but I have been trained to distin-
guish between the head and tail of simi-
larly ill-constructed letters of the kind, and
I gather from the one now under considera-
tion that Messrs. Shaw Bros, have not
as yet had to withdraw or apologise for
their statements regarding Messrs. Ingram
Bros and Co.'s absolutely pure, faulty,
Scotch heather honey in barrelfvils at
treacle-cutting prices.

Messrs. Ingram Bros, and Co. and their
solicitor — particularly their solicifor —
should never " demur to a comparison " ;
for comparisons are instructive, and our
Robertson Street and Bath Street friends
must believe that I know what I am writing
about in here telling them that they sadly
need instruction relating to the prices
r'eadily to be obtained for Scotch heather
honey, whether in " glass packages " or in
"bulk in barrels." And, by way of com-
parison, I may add that a bulky barrelful
of the pa«3t season's Scotch heather honey
would have been worth more than a barrel-
ful of good Scotch whisky.

Although honey-production is with me
mainly a hobby, I have never at any time
retailed it at less than Is. 3d. per lb.
During the past season I have produced
", barrelfuls " of Scotch honey, and sold it,
bottled, at Is. 6d. per lb. retail, and Is.
j)er Jb. 'whcih'sahi — and, mark you, not
heather honey, but clover honey.

Mesksrs. Ingram Bros, and Co. are either
philanthropists or inferior judges of what
can b(^ done in the Scotch heather honey
trade in the way of prices. They should
gracefully '' apologise and withdraw." I
send name for reference and sign — D. M.,
Glasgow and Girvan.

(" Currefpondenie " continued on page 196.)

May 17, 1906.J THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

195

HOMES OF THE HONEY BEE.

THE APIABIES OF OUB KEADEE8.

We are glad to see in Mr. Lloyd's busi-
ness-like apiary, shown below, what can
be done by a working man who makes his
own hives'at a minimum of cost. They look
well, and will no doubt work well. For the
rest his " bee-notes " speak for themselves.
He says : —

" I will endeavour to comply with your
request by sending a few ' notes ' to ac-
company the photograph of my apiary.

'' My first experience among bees dates
as far back as 1867, and at that time the
whole of the bees in most apiaries were
sacrificed in order to obtain the honey-. Nor

hand them on to a friend, after having
read them, it would greatly help to spread
the knowledge of bee-culture and create
(in some cases) interest where hitherto no
serious thought had been given to the
matter. It would also help to make bee-
keeping one of the most interesting and
instructive hoblnes that could be taken up
by any man wlio has a little leisure time
on his hands.

" There is nothing special that I can
say about my own bee-keeping, except that
I have made all my own hives from
used " Morrell " bacon boxes, purchased
for 9d. each at the grocers. They may
not be very artistic in appearance, but
they are sound and weather-proof, and

MR. \V. LLOYD'S APIARY, BANK ROAD, LANCASTER.

did I become enlightened in the better way
of managing bees till 1895, when I came in
contact with a few enthusiastic bee-keepers
in the East Riding of Yorkshire. I after-
wards removed to the grand old town of
Lancaster, where I started a new apiary.
Unfortunately, the field where my hives
were situated has since been turned into
a number of poultry runs, but I hope to
have them more favourably situated by
next year. I had some time before com-
menced taking in your excellent Bee
.Journal and Bfxnrd, and with the valu-
able help extracted from their pages, I
have been able (with increasing pride and
interest) to bring it to its present condi-
tion. I should like to say, in passing, that
if every reader of your journals would

being only a labouring man it not only
suits my pocket, but has enabled me to
extend my apiary more than I otherwise
would have been able to.

" I work chiefly for extracted honey, and
have a ready sale for all I get at Is. per
1-lb. jar. My wife jars the boney off,
and does it very well. The only difficulty
I have is extracting the money from the
good wife's pocket when once it ha« got
there. Seriously, though, and to come to
our bee-keepers' associations, if local sec-
retaries were more energetic in trying to
get members for the county associations
instead of leaving this part of the work to
the bee expert, I think it would be the
means of enlarging our membership. Also,
if landlords would give more encourage-

196

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [May 17, 1906.

ment to agricultural labourers with regard
to bee-keeping, I feel sure it would tend
to keep the rising generation in the
country instead of passing away to be ab-
sorbed in the big towns.

" Bee-keeping is a fascinating, as well
as a ijrofitable, pursuit, and the extension
of its knowledge would help to a certain
extent to lessen the cry we so often hear
from the public of ' Back to the Land.'

'' Wishing all bee-keepers a successful
honey season this year."

CORRESPONDENCE.

{Continued from page 194 )
RISKS IN BUYING STOCKS OF BEES.
[6302.] Referring to Messre. Jas. Lee
and Son's warning note (6297, page 183) on
the risk of buying stocks of bees, may I
be allowed to mention that I have to-day
examined and destroyed a stock found to
be suffering from foul brood, notwith-
standing the fact that in vendor's letter
the bees are '' guaranteed healthy." The
purchaser — who is a beginner in apiculture
— was quite unaware o"f the presence of
disease in the hive until it was pointed
out to him. This is the only case of foul
brood I have come across in the district
this year, so far, and it shows how a visit
from the county expert (along with prompt
action) has saved further loss to the owner
of five stocks, while preventing the spread
of disease in the neighbourhood. — J. Gray.
Travelling Expert for the County of Lan-
cashire, May 11.

[It may be well to point out that Messrs
Lee and Son's complaint on page 183 re-
ferred to stocks of bees being described in
advertisements as healthy, without giving
a " written guarantee " of their condition
when sold. In cases like that mentioned
above, however, buyers have a legal remedy
against sellers in the guarantee given, if
they choose to enforce it. — Eds.]

WINTERING BEES WITH SUPERS ON.

[6303.] r most readily comply with the
request of your correspo'ndent (6294, page
182), and append a few extra notes on' the
method of wintering bees with rack of
shallow-frames over body-box. I have
fully digested the "Guide Book" contents,
and also do the same with my B.B.J,
every week. Not only so, but I make a
note of any little item which I think is
valuable. The " Guide Book " says that
excluder zinc should not be left on all
winter. So after extracting, I put back
on a very strong stock a rack of shallow-
frames and removed the queen excluder.
The bees were left thus fixed up from Sep-
tember till February 20, when I see by
my " notebook " (a very valuable asset to

any bee-keeper) that they were " strong,
with three frames of^ brood, and bees
covering seven frames. " To-day they fully
crowd ten frames from bottom to top, and
I am expecting a swarm from them daily.
I have every confidence in the plan, and
shall try it again. The advantages are
good ventilation, free and easy winter-
passage, and plenty of air. I, too, have
to thank my teachers in the B.B.J.

Then, with regard to your correspondent
(6296, page 183), and the use of salt. I
beg tO' say I do' not know of any good
authority who directly lays it down as a
necessity. But I had it given me by a
bee-keeper of the old school as being a
good thing. The bees certainly like salt,
as it is recommended to put salt in the
drinking water. So I tried this, and, like
the shallow-frames above the body-box,
found it a good thing, hence my passing
it on. I use about an ounce of common
salt on each floor board, well rubbing it
over with the palm of my hand. I have
used it three or four seasons, and have
never had any but good results from hives
so treated. Perhaps our Editors will give
their opinion ? — R. L. , Castle Gary, May 14.

[Used as above, salt cannot do harm, but
will probably be beneficial. — Eds.]

THE SPRING OUTLOOK.

[6304.] In addition to mj autumn re-
port, which I generally send, I thought
you might like a brief line respecting the
spiing outlook in this part of Surrey.

Since the middle of April each colouy
hae. been given about one-third of a pound
of medicated syrup daily. The result is
that my sixteen stocks are in a first-rat©
condition and readv for supers, as I noticed
several queen-cells started while transfer-
ring them into clean hives. The expert
paid me his usual visit on May 9 and found
them all strong in bees and an abund-
ance of stores. I have, therefore, ceased
feeding.

One reason, however, why I pen these
lines is to let you know that one hive
contains two laying queens quietly at work.
Mr. Earl (expert of the S.B.K.A.) de-
stroyed one, and advised me to place a
drawn-out comb in the centre of brood-
nest, which I did, and three days later it
was half filled with eggs. — G. F. S., Dork-
ing, May 1.

Querns mA ^ti^lm.

[3289.] Cause of Bees Dto-indlinq. — I am
sending one of Mr. Sladen's Golden Pro-
lific queens. Last summer she was in-
deed prolific. I never saw such combs of
blY)od — not a cell empty— and there being

May 17, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

197

no excluder above brood-chamber she went
up and filled the six centre sections with
drone-brood besides ; but, although the
hive was full to overflowing with bees, they
stored very little honey. I left all the
honey in the brood-box, and packed the
bees do'wn for winter with a 2-lb. cake of
soft candy, still they have dwindled. I
have been feeding the etock with syrup for
three weeks, "but, notwithstanding this,
the queen has laid very few eggs, there
being only two combs with small patches
of brood ; therefore, as I had a very large
swarm of black bees from one of my hives
to-day, I have taken away the Golden
queen, and united the swarm to the re-
maining bees in the hive in question. I
secured both lots and they are quite peace-
able. Please examine the queen, and let
me know what you think. She is only
two years old. — J. G. C, Shepton Mallet,
May 9.

Reply. — In view of the difficulty of
judging without some knowledge of the
past history of the queen in question, we
forwarded the dead queen and bees, along
with the letter of our correspondent, tc>
Mr. Sladen, who kindly favours with the
following reply : —

" The dead queen sent is not a pure ax-
ample of my Golden Prolific strain, being
much darker in colour. A colony of my
Golden Prolific strain of bees was sent to
your correspondent on May 17, 1904. This
contained a 1903-reared queen of my
Golden Prolific strain. If the dead queen
sent was from this colony, she is probably
a granddaughter of the original queen I
sent, and, therefore, a good deal crossed
with the local bees, the workers produced
by her being still more so. I have no other
record of a Golden Prolific queen sent
to the same customer. As there is some
doubt about the age and identity of the
queen, I should like to have further par-
ticulars from " J. G. C." At first, I thought
the queen looked young enough to be a
virgin of this year, but I see she has been
fertilised. As regards the matter of breed-
ing enormously at the expense of honey-
production, this is, ae vou know, the draw-
back of the pure foreign races in this
country, and it will sometimes crop up in
examples of my strain, and in cross-breds
between it and the English bee, my strain
having originated from a cross between
the Italian and English bee. The queen
sent by me to your cori'espondent in the
spring of 1904 wais probably not distantly
related to imported stock. But by my
new method of breeding by selection of
colour, my strain is developing an indi-
viduality of its own. and, as I always
hreed from queens whose progeny are very
good honey-gatherers indeed, and I have
not allowed any foreign blood to mix with
my strain for several years, I am, therefore,

hoping to breed out this undesirable ten-
dency.

" The dwindling and breeding on two
combs only this spring, after great prolific
nes6 last vear, is, in my opinion, due ro
quite another cause. Without having seen
the colony I should say that the most
probable explanation of this, from the
letter of your correspondent and queen, is
that the latter was reared last year towards
the end of the season, and by accident be-
came a drone-breeder, or a very poor
breeder. She has not at all the appear-
ance of a worn-out queen, but is evidently
a young one. Of all the queens I reared
last year, there were only two drone-
breedens, both of which, on examination,
were found to have been fertilised, so that
a fertilised queen may produce drones only.
— F. W. L. S.

[3290.] Glass Covers for Frames. — I am
thinking of trying how a sheet of glass
would do on the top of the frames instead
of the linen quilt, leaving a space of |in.
between it and the top of the frames. The
chief advantage of this would be that one
could see how the bees were progressing on
the frames below, without disturbing them
and cooling their internal warmth by re-
moving the covering. To accommodate
the feeding of the bees, I should divide
my glass into three parts, across the frames
— the two outer parts with fixed glass
panes, the middle one, with three movable
glasses when there was no feeding. But
when feeding was necessary, one or all of
these glasses might be removed, and candy,
in boxes or feeding dishes, inserted. One
is always anxious to know how the busy
little workers are, but to acquire that
knowledge, with the present linen quilt,
they have to be considerably disturbed.
Do you think this idea worth the trying?
Name sent for reference. — J. B. C., Lough-
borough, May 12.

Reply. — Glass covers for frames were
warmly advocated in our pages over ten
years ago by a well-known and successful
bee-keeper, happily still with us. Others
have also since adopted such coverings
with success, one correspondent mention-
ing how a circular hole may be cut in the
glass for feeding purposes. A full de-
scription of the covers by the first-named
bee-keeper appears in B.B.J., Vol. 24.

[3291.] Dealinq ivith Foul Brood. — I
enclose herewith sample of comb for in-
spection, but have no doubt in my own
mind that it is foul brood. I will, how-
ever, be glad of your opinion on the fol-
lowing points: — As it is a pretty strong
stock, I should like to save the bees, if
possible, and havinq sliaken them off the
frames into a clean hive with clean combs,
I am feeding with medicated syruji, as
per "Guide Book." In view of this I

198

THE BKITISH BEE JOURNAL. [May 17, 1906.

ask : — -1. Do you think there is a
chance of the bees ridding themselves of
disease ? 2. Can the combs — from which
the bees were removed — that had no brood
in them be used again ? 3. Can honey from
the diseased hive be utilised, and, if bo,
how? 4. Can I put supers on this year
if there is no recurrence of disease ? 5. Is
it in a contagious stage on comb sent ? 6.
What is the cause of bees becoming
affected, seeing that they have been fed on
candy in the winter with proper propor-
tions of naphthol beta and have had
naphthaline in corners of hive ? I should
have said before that the piece of comb
sent is the worst of any in the hive. There
is another comb nearly as bad, but the rest
seem to be fairly good, and young bees
were hatching out while I was shifting
them. They are very busy, and have
gathered a good lot of honey already. I
saw a sealed queen-cell on one comb. In
conclusion. I am afraid that the piece sent
is rather larger than you wish, but T
wanted you to eee the different stages of
the brood or larvse. Thanking you for the
assistance derived from a faithful perusal
of B.B.J. , I sign myself— Anxious, Tot-
tenham, May 12.

Reply. — 1. The chance of effecting a
cure would have been increased had the
beies been dealt with on the starvation
plan, as directed on nage 152 of " Guide
Book." By this method the bees are
shaken from the combs and run into an old
skep, then, after fortv-eight hours' con-
finement in the latter, they are trans-
ferred to a clean hive, fitted with full
sheets of foundation, and fed with medi-
cated syrup. 2. No ; all combs conta-ning
dead larvfe should be burnt. The brood-
less ones, if not too old and black, may be
melted down for wax. Honey fi'om foul-
broody hives may be used for household
purposes, but on no account as bee-food.
4. If no signs of the disease appear, and
bees increase in numbers, supers may be
given if the honey-flow for the year con-
tinues plentiful. 5. Yes ; foul brood is
always more or less contagious. 6. The
probability is that the honey from a dis-
eased stock has been carried into the hive,
and given to the larvfe as food by the bees
themselves.

\Z292.) Transferring Bees in Cold
Wcafhrr. — I am sendinsr sample of comb
from a stock of bees which in March last
showed unmistakable foul brood, and with
the intention of curing I put them in a
skep for sixty hours, feeding with medi-
cated syrup according to the formula in
"Guide Book." T then prepared a new
hive, with full sheets of foundation, and
shook the bees from the skep on to a
cloth placed before the hive. Since then
I have fed them with good thick syrup

(medicated), but on examining the hive
a few days ago I was not at all satisfied
with the look of the comb, and I have
therefore destroyed the bees. I may say
they were not very strong, and I feared
for my other stocks. I would like your
opinion, because if there is no disease I
could utilise the combs. I also noticed
that the combs contained eggs and nymphs
only, there being no larvae in the inter-
mediate stages anywhere. 2. I am a regu-
lar reader of your valuable paper, and
would like to know the earliest date on
which my newsman could bring it, as I
seldom receive it until Friday. I have
hauled him over . the coals about late de-
livery several times, but he tells me he
biings it as soon as he receives it. Name
sent for reference. — C. S., Bristol.

Reply. — 1. The dead brood in comb
shows no sign of disease, and has evidently
died from lack of warmth during the re-
cent cold nights. It was unfortunate that
the bees were transferred to the new hive
while the weather was so uncertain, as the
mischief would be owing tO' the very cold
nights we had in April. 2. The late de-
livery of B.B.J, must be the fault, of the
agent from whom your newsman gets his
copies of our paper, which are in the
hands of our London publishers on
Wednesday. Why not get it from your
railway bookstall ? If ordered beforehand
it should be thus obtainable on Thursday.

[3293.] Queen Ceasing to Lay. — On
May 6, wlien examining one of my hives,
I found no signs of brood or eggs except
a few workers and drones just hatching
out. This stock had been breeding well
UP to this, so my verdict was " Queenless."
I inserted a frame of eggs and larvae from
another hive, expecting the bees to raise
another queen, at the same time wonder-
ing why they had not done so in the first
instance. Yesterday, May 13, I examined
for queen-cells, but none had been formed.
Concluding the queen, a 1904 one, was
still to the fore, I looked over the frames,
and soon spotted her. 1. I enclose this
queen, along with a few workers, and
would like to hear your opinion as. to
the cause of her unfertility after, say,
April 15? I changed frames into a clean,
hive on April 20, but did not examine
closely for eggs. I wish to obtain some
" Golden Prolific " queens from the new
frames of eggs I have inserted. At what
date should I make up nuclei? I send
name as before, and sign — Carbon, Butter-
'knowle, May 14.

Reply. — 1. It may be safely said that
the best days of the queen sent are over,
and this is the only reason for its ceasing
to lay. 2. Very full particulars regarding

May 17, 1906.] THE EHITISH BEE JOURNAL.

199

forming nuclei are given in the " Guide
Book" (Chapter XX.), which you already
possess.

[3294.] Using Old Combs — Will you
kindly reply to the following questions? —
'I wo seasons ago I had a stock of bees (from
which a swarm had issued), full of young
bees and brood, attacked by wasps,
the result being that the bees were killed
and all the food carried ofif. Since then
the hive has remained with the brood-
combs untouched, and I wish to know: —
1. If it will be safe to use it again if dis-
infected with carbolic acid ? 2. Or would
it be safer to get new frames and destroy
the others? I could cut out the combs
and melt them down for wax, if the others
could be rendered fit for use again by
cleaning, but I am afraid of getting foul
brood among my hives, and so would be
glad to have your advice before deciding
what to do. I send name and address, but
sign— G. B.. Sidcup, Kent, May 8.

Reply. — 1. If the bees were not diseased
when attacked by the wasps, there need
be no fear on that head now ; therefore,
nothing beyond clearing away all debris
is required before usinc the hive again. 2.
We should cut out the combs, burn all con-
taining dead brood, and melt the rest
down. The frames, if scraped and cleaned,
will be ready for using again when re-
quired.

A nominal charge of 2s. 6d. m made for notices (not
exceedinn 7 Imfs) in this column, 10 lines chartjed Sit. 6d.,
up to J-') lines 5'.. which covers cost of insertion from
order till d^ite of show. Cash should accompany orders
for insertion.

June 27 to 30, at Derby.— Royal Agricultural
Society's Show. Bee and Honey Section under the
management of the B.B.K.A. Increased prizes for
B.K. Associations as arranged in divisions or groups
of counties. Schedules from Edwin H. Toung, Secre-
tary, 12, Hanover-square, W. Entries close
May 29.

July 25 and 26, at Cardiff.— Annual Show of
the Glamorgan B.K. A. in connection with that of fhe
Cardiff and County Horticultural Society. Honey,
Wax, Appliances, etc. Classes for members, novices.
Five open classes, with prizes for sections and
extracted honey, 21s., lOs. 6d., 58., in each class.
Bee-appliances, 308., 15s. Entry fee for one or more
of the open classes to non-members, 28. 6d. Schedules
from Wm. Richards, Hon. Secretary, The Red House,
Gabalfa, Cardiff. Entries close July 20.

August 8 to 10, at Middlesbroug-h —
Show of Honey, etc., in connection with the Royal
Yorkshire Agricultural Society. Schedules and form
of entry from John Maughan, Secretary, Blalvc-street,
York. Entries cIof- June 30.

August 30, at Monteromery.— Honey Show
in connection with Horticultural Exhibition. Two
open classes for six 1-lb. sections and six lib. jars
extracted honey. Prizes, lOs., 5s., 2s. 6d. Entry fee,
Is. each class. Schedules from Mr. W. J. Jones, Secre-
tary, Montgomery. Entries close August 23-

Notices to Correspondents & Inquirers.

Letters or queries asking for addresses of manufac-
turers or correspondents, or where appliances can be
purchased, or replies giving such information, can only
be inserted as advertisements. The space devoted to
letters, queries, and replies is meant for the general
good of bee-keepers, and not for advertisements. We
wish our correspondents to bear in mind that, as it it
necessary for us to go to press in advance of the date of
issue, queries cannot always be replied to in the issueim-
mediately following the receipt of their communications.

CoNSiDE (Consett). — The law of Partheno-
genesis.— It is a fact that in bee-life there
can be a rejirodixction without fecunda-
tion— i.e., that drones raised from the
eggs of an unmated queen can fertilise a
young queen just as a normal drone can.

E. S. H. (Totteridge). ■ — Dealing with
Queenless Stocks.- — Do not weaken your
newly-purchased stock by taking from
it frames of brood with the idea of saving
a stock that is now queenless. Rather
unite the bees of the latter (if worth
saving) to the stock vou are relying on
for surplus this season, in order to
strengthen the latter.

" Queen- Bee " (Derby). — Honey Vinegar.
— Your sample is very good in colour
and aroma ; the flavour, however, is not
nearly strong enough for table use. It
tastes like good vinegar watered down
till spoilt.

H. C. Smith (Cirencester). — Drone-breeil-
ing Queen. — You may be quite certain
that the dead queen sent was unmated,
and that the parent queen of the stock
last year met with some mishap in the
autumn, after which the unmated queen
was reared.

(Miss) M. M. (Epsom).— Bees Dying Out-
side Hive. — The bees sent (well-marked
Italians) are very young ones, and look
as if they had been tempted out by bright
sun on a cool day, and had become
chilled and unable to fly. The trouble
will no doubt disappear now that the
weather is warmer.

Suspected Combs.

H. G. fOakham). — There is no foul brood
in comb, but it shows that the queen is
a drone-breeder, and consequently the
stock is worthless.

F. R. (Outwell). — Foul brood is developing
in sample of comb sent, but it does not
appear to be a bad case.

A. G. A. (S. Devon). — Sample shows a bad
case of foul brood of old standing.

''Bee Garden" (Cumnor). — Foul brood is
spreadino; fast in comb sent, and as bees
are doing badly we should destroy the
stock at once. It will only lead to mis-
chief if you try to cure it.

A B.B.J. Reader (Olney, Bucks).- There
is nothing worse in comb than hard,
mildewed pollen. No trace of any brood
at all.

200

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [May 17, 1906.

P. E. N. (Polperro, Cornwall).— The three
pieces of comb all show marked indica-
tions of foul brood in cell-capping, but
all trace of brood has dried up and dis-
appeared. We should say the stock 's
diseased ; but, to be quite certain, a
few cells with the remains of soft brood
should have been sent.

W. S. H. (Hereford).— The condition of
comb sent fully accounts for the stock
"dwindling down annually," as each
fresh lot of bees hived on the old combs
would soon be affected with foul brood,
as comb sent undoubtedly is.

A. H. (White Colne). — There is no brood
at all — foul or otherwise — in comb sent,
but it is very old (apparently built from
very thick foundation), and we should
prefer to melt such combs down for wax
and let the bees build new combs from
foundation, as being the better plan.

*#* Some Letters, Queries and Replies, &r.,
are urtavoiddhly held over till next week.

Special Prepaid Advertisements.

Twelve words and under Sixpence : for every additio7ial
Three words or under, One Penny.

Advertisements for current Issue must be received
by first post on Tuesday.

WANTED, HEALTHY SWARM of BEES. Give
pood trio Silver Campines, laying.— R. LIT-
MAN, Castle C.iry. " P 47

NEVER SWARM " VIRGIN QUEENS, 28. Fertiles,
lb. ; June 28. Od. ; Queens, June, 3b. 6d.—
Bucks. P 49

A GOOD all-round wire hair TERRIER BITCH
7s. 6d. Exchange for nny bee goods. — SMITEN-
WOOD, Oflord, Cluny, Hunts. p 50

PRIME NATURAL SWARMS this season, as u.^ual,
all from first-class bar frame stocks, 12s. 6d. and
16s. each. Cases to be returned. (Telegrams.
Wilkins, Letcom'be Regis).— PERCY WILKINS, Let-
combe Regis, Wantage. p 52

Ij^OR IMMEDIATE SALE, SIX SWARMS, average
weight 5 lbs. each, 12s. 6d. each. — F. R.
COURT, Green Street, Sittingbourne p 53

GUARANTEED 1905 QUEENS, 4g. 6d. Safe arrival
guaranteed. Large black Bee Veils, Is. Id., post
free.— TOLLINGTON, Woodbine Apiary, Hathern.
Loughboro'. p 54

I AM NOW BOOKING ORDERS for early Natural
Swaims of my well known strain of Bees. Early
application is desirable. First come, first served.
3 lb., lOs. 6d. ; 4 lb,, 12s. 6d. ; 5 lb., 15s. Bo.xes
charged 38. each if not returned. Health and safe
delivery guaranteed.— CHARLES H. BOCOCK, Ashley
ApiarieB, Newmarket. p 54

WANTED, TWO STOCKS, in Standard Frames.-
EAGLES, Mayfield, Holly Lane, Erdington,
Birmingham. p 55

NATURAL SWARMS, lOs, 6d. and 12s. 6d.-R,
CARTER, Chartridge Green Farm, Chesham,
Bucks. P 56

QUEEN EXCLUDERS.— Four dozen Queen Ex-
i^luders, plain margin all round, 4s. 6d. dozen
(cost 7s. dozen). Also six sheets, 96in. x 16in., 2s.
each (cost 38. 6d.). Also two dozen plain sheets
(roof zinc), 24in. square, 69. 6d. dozen (cfst 9h.). All
new. No further use to owner.- G. STANBROOKE, 30,
Rumford Street, Chorlfcon-on-Medlock, Manchester.

p 57

FOR SALE, owing to rentioval, TWO HIVES of
healthy BEES.— E. ASQUITH, Farnham, near
Knareaboro', Yorks. p 58

STRONG HEALTHY TOMATO PLANTS, greenhouse
or open air, Is. dozen, post free. Chapman
Honey Plants, 6d. each.— F. W. GELDER, Sturton-by-
Stow, Lincoln. p 59

FOR SALE, SMALL APIARY, 25 Stocks, in Standard
Hives, splendid condition, nearly new ; BEE
HOUSE, thorough complete outfit ; bargain.— EMM,
Winterbourne, Stoke, Salisbury. p 60

QUEENS BY RETURN OF POST, reared 1905,
healthy, 5s. each.— O. KNIGHT, Epney, Stone-
house, Glos. o 49

WANTED, unlimited quantity. TILLEY'S PATENT
(■■ Won't Leak ") 2-lb SECTIONS, completed by
the Bees, in quantities to suit producers, soon as
ready.— M. H. TILLEY, Bee Farm, Dorchester. p 67

EALTHY SWARMS BOOKED NOW.— May, 28. 6d.
lb. ; June, 28. I'b. ; Queene, June, 38. 6d. —
HEMMING BROS., Standlake, Witney. P 24

TILLEY'S PATENT (" Won't Leak ") SECTIONS.—
Only a limited quantity can be delivered this
season unless ordered early. After June 1st prices
will rise. Particulars post free. — J. T. GODWIN,
Agent, Dorchester. p 66

EXCHANGE one Buff Yorkshire cock Canary and
three Norwich hens for Hive of Bees. — C.
MURCH, Ringmore Road, Shaldon, Teignmouth,
Devon. P 65

STRONG HEALTHY NATURAL SWARMS, 128. 6d.
Skeps free. Safe delivery. — CADMAN, Codsall-
wood, Wolverhampton. P 64

SECTIONS CLEARANCE, 16s. 6d. per l.OOO ; 2s. per
100; plain, 4^ 4-way.— GORDON, Bassingbourne,
Royston. p 65

NATURAL SWARMS, guaranteed healthy, 1905
Queens, 128. 6d., carriage paid. — ARNOLD,
Obelisk Road, Woolston, Hants. P 62

7S 6d. HIVES, 7s. 6d.— The Beekeeper's opportunity,
standard size, with super complete, painted.
Illustration .sent.— OZONE APIARY, Trimingham,
Norfolk. ; P 45

SWARMS of "YE OLD ENGLISHE BEES."— Having
so man3' orders already booked I cannot promise
others till after June 15. Prices lOs. 6d., 128. 6d.,
and 15s. Packing boxes free and safe delivery. — W.
WOODLEY, Beedon, Newbury. -

4 STRONG HEALTHY STOCKS, in well made hives,
25s. each.— A. COOK, " Torwood," Ford Bridge
Road, Ashford, Middlesex. p 41

CHEAP.— EIGHT NEW HIVES. Must be sold,
owing to removal. Stamp please for particu-
lars.— PRITCHARD, Wainalong Road, Salisbury.

p 40

SECTION HONEY WANTED, pale colour, free from
granulation.— T. SMITH AND CO., 17, Cambridge
Road, Hyde Park, London, W. B 52

QUEEN REARING.— No trouble to work ; no expen-
sive appliances ; can't fail ; four cages and
full instructions, 28. 6d. — MEADOWS, Syston,
Leicester. p 33

NATURAL SWARMS NOW BOOKED.— May, 3si. ;
early June, 28. 6d. ; later, 2b. lb. ; returnable
box— PRESBYTERY APIARY, Marnhull, Dorset.

p 50

PRIME NATURAL SWARMS, expected end of May
and early in June (no artificial swarms made in
this apiary). I guarantee them natural, healthy, and
also safe arrival. May, Ss. ; June, till 15th, 2s. 9d. ;
after 15th, 2s. 6d. per lb. ; Is. allowed on all empty
boxes returned carriage paid. — S. BAILEY, Itching-
ficld, near Horsham. p 27

SALE OR EXCHANGE, Fowls for Bees, Cook-Tarn-
madge best laying strains, White Wyandotes,
1905 hatched, 48. 6d. each.— SHACKLETON, Thorner,
Ijeeds. p 25

May 24, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

■201

BRITISH BEE-KEEPERS'ASSOCIATION

The monthly meeting of the Council was
held at 105, Jermyn Street, S.W., on
Thursday, May 17. Mr. T. I. Weston in
the chair. There were also present Dr,
Elliot, Messrs. F. J. Bernau, W. Brough-
ton Carr, J. B. Lamb. A. G. Pugh, F. B.
White, and the Secretary.

Letters explaining enforced absence were
received from Mr. T. W. Cowan, Mr. T.
Bevan, Mr. R. Godson. Mr. W. H. Harris,
Mr. W. Richards, and Mr. E. Walker.

The minutes of the previous meeting were
read and confirmed.

Two new members were elected, viz. : —
Miss E. M. Rix, Studley Horticultural Col-
lege, and Dr. Jti. W. L. Waller, Brown-
low House, Midland Road, Bedford.

The report of the finance committee was
presented by Mr. Weston, and formally
approved. Several appointments of ex-
aminers were made to officiate at approach-
ing fixtures.

The secretary announced that arrange-
ments had been made for the acceptance
of entries for the " Royal Show," at Derby,
in .lune next, at ordinary fees, up to and
including May 29.

Some correspondence relating to exami-
nations and insurances was read to the
meeting, and discussion thereon postponed
till the next meeting.

The remainder of the sitting was devoted
to hearing lectures by nine candidates for
fii'st-class certificates, and adjudicating
thereon.

The next meeting of the Council will be
held on Thursday, June 21.

The Elditors do not hold thetnaelveg re*pon»ible for the
opinions expressed by correspondents. No notice will
be taken of anonymous comnmnieations, and corre-
gpondents are requested to write on one side of the paper
onlft and give their real names and addresses, not neces-
sarily/or pxMication, but as a guarantee of good faith.
Illustrations should be drawn on separate pieces »f paper.
We do not undertake to return rejected eommunicaticnf.

*»* In order to facilitate reference, Corrtsponderts,
when speaking of any letter or query preniously inserted,
will oblige by m0ntionin(j the number of the letter as well
as the page on %chich it appears.

NOTES BY THE WAY.
[6305.] The weather is the bee-man's
chief topic when ho meets his brother-
craftsman, and as we are now in the fourth
week of May, with very few real bee dayis.
during the spring so far, one has not much
cheering news to diseminate in a friendly
bee-chat. So far as regards my own
apiaries I do not remember having had so
many backward stocks at this advanced

period. In former years we have usually
been dispatching swarms and busy putting
on supers ; but this year we are employed
in feeding the bees, and although they have
not been neglected by any means, there
has not been the customary increase in the
strength of stocks, as a result of stimula-
tive feeding, as in previous years. I expect
the loss of bees through getting chilled
when out foraging in the bleak fields, has
more than counterbalanced oixr efforts in
the apiary, so that the building-up qi stocks
has been slower than usual.

We have, of course, many strong colonies
which — given a week's real bee-weather —
would soon render a good account of them-
selves, but there has not been a good rain
in our district for nearly six weeks, no-
thing more than slight showers ; conse-
quently, vegetation is backward, with every
prospect of a light honey-crop.

[Later.] — We have had a heavy rainfall,
lasting for several hours, and things once
more look hopeful, so that, with sunshine,
we may soon be as joyous as the bees in a
clover-field. I therefore advise all readers
to continue their preparations for a real
good season, and depend upon it we shall
get some honey. Those who are wise enough
to have everything in readiness may easily
double the quantity compared to the dila
tory ones, who let things go as they please.

Starting Bfc-kccplnq. — I trust our readers
who contemplate making a start with bees
will pardon reiteration, but I feel certain
that if new recruits would begin with new
hives and new swarms and we are favoured
with anything of a bee Reason, they would
reap a better return than by purchasing
secondhand stocks. The latter, if healthy
and strong, are, no doubt, a good invest-
ment, but if the slightest doubt exists as
to their healthy condition, then I say, by
all means buy swarms. The advantages
are manifold. The stock will be healthy,
to start with ; the combs all new, and con-
sequently ready for good work in succeed-
infT seasons, and, with good management,
will produce honey enough to more than
pay for themselves this season ; whereas
the purchased stock may prove a source of
trouble and expense, especially should foul
brood be present.

Wax Moih. — When putting on supers be
sure to destroy every trace of these pests ;
the early larva is often to be found in the
sawcut of top-bars, or an occasional moth
may be found in the warm wraps over the
frames, especially where old material is
dropped into the hives over the framcis.
Also keep a look-out for queen wasps ; they
often seek shelter in the roofs of hives
where they can find an entrance. Every
wasp destroyed now prevents a nest being
formed later on, but the wax moth is our
worst enemy next to foul brood. — W.
WooPLEY, Beedon, Newbury.

202

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [May 24, 1906.

SCOTCH HEATHER HONEY

AT LESS THAN 3d. PER LB.

[6306.] The letter which Messrs. Ingram
Bros, and Co., 34, Robertson Street, Glas-
gow, send through their solicitor, Mr. Ross,
as a reply to our letter in your issTie of
26th ult., is certainly a remarkable docu-
ment. It states that our services as Messrs.
Ingram's London agents " were recently
dispensed with."

That statement is quite true, in the fol-
lowing sense : — Our iservices were dispensed
with because Messrs. Ingram could make
no proper answer to the challenge which
the Editors of the B.B.J, made to us rela-
tive to the origin of the honey which we
were offering on their behalf.

The letter of Messrs. Ingram's solicitor
goes on to state :—" Messrs. Shaw Bros,
have made other statements about my
clients which they had to withdraw and
apologise for." This would imply that we
had made statements to persons other than
Messrs. Ingram, and had to withdraw those
statements, which is not the case. The
facts are as follows : ^When Messrs. In-
gram made unsatisfactory replies to the
challenge of the Editors of the B.B.J., we
were prompted to make other inquiries
about their position as syrup merchants,
and were informed that Messrs. Ingram
were packers,, but not refiners of syrup.
As Messrs. Ingram had informed us that
" we refine all our own syrups," we de-
manded an explanation from them. A
day or two later, the inquiry office said
that an error had been made by their clerk,
and that Messrs. Ingram did refine syrup.
We, therefore, withdrew and apologised
for our remarks under that head.

We may say that, a few weeks later, we
were introduced by the Eastcheap firm,
that had the " Pure Scotch Heather
Honey," to an American firm which had
been supplying Messrs. Ingram with
American syrup. So much for that.

The next paragraph in that remarkable
letter from Messrs. Ingram's solicitor
says : — " The honey in question is abso-
lutely pure, but faulty, and my clients suc-
ceeded in puttino- it right." As a matter of
fact, after keeping the " Heather Honey "
for four or five months, our customers had
to mix it with other honey, and sell the lot
off cheap, as Messrs. Ingram's " Heather
Honey " refused to set.

We enclose the name of our customers
— an Eastcheap firm of high standing — and
you are at liberty to write to them, for con-
firmation of our statement. They com-
plained frequently about the honey not
setting.

The next, and most amazing passage in
the letter of Messrs. Ingram's solicitor,
says Messrs. Ingram " demur to a com-
parison between a retail price in glass

packages and honey sold in buljc in
barrels."

In other words, although bee-keepers in
Scotland can easily obtain from Is. 4d. to
Is. lOd. per lb. for their heather honey,
they are going to sell it to Messrs. Ingram
at such a figure as will enable that firm
to offer it in London., in Sgcwt. barrels, at
about 2fd. per lb. !

Their solicitor is certainly wise in ad-
vising Messrs. Ingram " not to indulge in
correspondence through the Press." —
Shaw Brothers, 12, Idol Lane London,
E.C.

BEE-NOTES FOR MAY.

[6307.] The present month as yet has
been only faintly suggestive of summer.
Bees have had few opportunities of sipping
new honey from fruit bloom, or of gather-
ing pollen to supply the rapidly-extending
brood-nests. To-day has ,'been bitterly
cold, and snow is falling as I write, while
the surrounding hills are freshly clothed
in winter's mantle.

Bees as Spearmen. — This is literally a
sore subject on which to dilate, the pain
incidental to the onset of the angry bee
being seldom mitigated by the sympathy
of our fellow mortals. Nay, the latter in-
variably seize the opportvmity to perpe-
trate choice witticisms at the expense of
the stricken.

It was during the lamentable season of
1902 that certain unguarded manipula-
tions on my part had their reward in the
shape of the familiar "big eye." Where-
upon the head of the household unfeel-
ingly remarked, " The bee-man has a ' trade
mark ' to-day, but the ' trade ' isn't worth
a ' mark ' this season," and thereafter
spent the remainder of the day chuckling
over his cruel joke. However, "all things
come to him who waits," and it came to
the joker in the shape of a vicious hybrid
that " sat down " on his eye with terrible
effect, just on the eve of his taking a long
railway' journey south. On another oc-
casion I offered to show the interior of a
hive to a friend whose love for honey is
eoualled only by his dread of the rightful
OAvners. Concluding that the mysteries
of the hive were best witnessed from a dis-
tance, he istood afar off, while I plied the
smoker. A little bee, however, surprised
at such exceeding modesty, went out of its
way to whisj>er encouragingly in the fear-
ful one's ear ! The latter, scenting danger,
thereupon, with arms wildly waving, im-
plored, beseeched, prayed for mercy, his
legs the while executing a rapid retrograde
movement. The hitherto friendly bee
naturally took the gesticulations as a chal-
lenge to " come on," and promptly gave
battle with great vigour. The unequal
fight could have only one ending. I was
trying to recover speech to ask whether

May 24, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

203

this was a variation of the " cake walk,'
when the evolution suddenly ceased, and
a voice in accents of despair exclaimed,
'' I've got it." "Where?" "On the nose! "
Going back to business, displaying swollen
features was quite bad enough without the
passing of the comment that if jje had not
made his mark among the bees the latter
had certainly made a mark on him. • —
J. M. Ellis, 'Useie Valley, May 16.

DEALING WITH EARLY SWARMS.

[6308.] You may be interested to hear
my experience of earlv swarms this year.
I have four hives, numbered 1 to 4. On
May 4 my gardener told me that a swarm
had issued from No. 1, which is headed by
a Carniolan queen, but that it had re-
turned. I opened the hive, and it was
clear that the swarm had not returned,
but had fioAvn away and was lost. This
hive then had eleven frame® in body-box.
I took out nine of these and replaced with
eight empty combs, and, after setting a
queen-excluder aboVe, I .'filled a second
body-box with the frames of brood without
bees, which I had removed from below. I
then had ten frames above and ten below
the brood-chamber, and thought this
would prevent further swarming.

On May 8 a good swarm issued from
No. 2, headed by a hybrid Carniolan queen.
This swarm I put in to strengthen a weak
colony in No. 3, and thev are doing well
with two supers on. On May 12 a " cast ''
issued fi'om No. 1 which I returned to the
parent hive in the evening, and in order
that the queen and the princesses might
fight out their quarrels I covered the en-
trance with queien-excluder zinc. The
enclosed photograph, which I took on the
next dav, will show you how this experi-
ment affected the bees. On the 13th a
" cast " issued from No. 2, but went back
again in the evening, and I put a piece
of queen-excluder over the entrance to this
hive also.

On the 17th I removed the queen-ex
cluder from the entrance to No. 1, and next
day another " cast " came out. The bees
were returned in the evening, and I put in
three extra frames of foundation, though
there was apparently plenty of room in thp
hive, several frames not beine fully worked
out. All this swarmine is very interesting.
but as I have not much leisure I shall be
very glad if any of your readers can sucr-
gest a satisfactory remedy. I send name
for reference. — A. W. . Orpington, May 18

BEES AND BEE-KEEPING.

TW SOTJTTI ATRICA.

■[6309.] The bee industry must be look-
ing up. We are havinsr letters, to use a
slang phrase, from " all over the shop."
One writer inquires — Which is the best

hive, the American or English? The
Yankees are undoubtedly pushing their
style of hive, and. locally, I think they
have the majority in use. We have both
the English and American in use, and I
have no hesitation in saying that for this
hot countrv the English type of h'vo is
preferable for the following reasons : — The
English hives we have are made on the
contracting principle. When you put a
swarm in them, the bees can, by means
of the dummy, be confined to any number
of frames vou wish. As they increase, the
dummy can be drawn back and more frames
put in. The frames of English make are
not so large, consequently the combs are
not so liable to break under manipulation.
The hives are larger, and this, I have no
doubt, is a great advantage in lessening
swarming. I think this is one of the most
important phases of the bee-keeping in-
dustry. A swarm of bees here has but
little, if any, monetary value, and I have
no hesitation in saying if swarming could
be prevented the yield of honey would be
double what it is now. I have seen no ex
tracting frames with the American hives.
I believe they have hives adapted for that,
but I have not come across one. The
people here seem to prefer honey in the
comb. I do not know the reason of this,
unless thev think it is a guarantee of its
purity. The wax is of no use as food, and
good 'extracted honey for general purposes
is much to be preferred, to my mind, than
honev in the comb. By the way, I have
been" told that honey is a capital^ remedy
for wounds. There is no question that
honey for medicinal purposes is largely
used, and has been proved very beneficial
to many of nature's ills. — J. Mabtix,
Wagon Drift Farm. — Farm and Stock,
March 26.

THE USE OF QUEEN-EXCLUDER.
[6310.] Hitherto I have always used
queen-excluders, but at the beginning of
this season I decided to work three of my
strongest hives with supers of shallow-
frames without the excluders, their first
supers having remained in place over the
brood-chambers ever since last autumn. I
may say this is my usual plan of working.
On" April 16 our expert came, and, after
examining my stocks, he said, " If those
hives were mine I would super at once."
Acting on this a,dvice I did super them,,
and omitted the queen-excluders between
first and second supers, with the following
results:— On May 18, a glance through
the glass covering top-bars (a great comfort
—to' the bees and myself) showed me that
the bees were ready for still another super.
Then came a surprise, for on lifting the
centre frames in order to see how honey-
gathering was progressing, I found a quan-

204

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [May 24, 1906.

tity of drone-brood along the bottom part
of the frames, the top part being nearly
full of honey. Thus I saw that the queens
in those three hives had travelled up from
the brood-chambers through the first supers
and. into those overhead — a proceeding I
strongly object to. The first super the
queens were welcome to. but I cannot stand
them leaving their legitimate breeding
quarters and taking to the second supers.

In my practice the first super forms an
extension of the brood-chamber ; but, for
the rest, I strongly advise readers to put
the queen-excluders in place between the
first and second supers at mice. It is an-
other lesson I have learnt, and certainly
I shall not leave them out again. —
W. C. H., South Devon, May 19.

EARLY SWARMS.

[6311.] I saw in last week's Joubnal a
paragraph headed " First Natural Swarm
of 1906,'' giving May 5 as the date. I had
one on the morning of May 3, thus beat-
ing the above by two days.

Although just entering on my third sea-
son as a bee-keeper, this is the first swarm
I have had to deal with. When I closed
them up next day the bees crowded five
frames. I gave them syrup, but otherwise
left them undisturbed until this morning,
when I lifted out the frames to look for
brood, but found none, although the bees
were busily carrying pollen both yesterday
day and to-day. I cannot answer for other
days as I am away all day. Is it too early
to expect brood?— A. G. M., Eltham, Kent.

BUYING DISEASED BEES.

[6312.] Referring to the letter m last
week's B.B..J., headed " Risks in Buying
Stocks of Bees " (6302. page 196) may I
ask if Mr. J. Gray omitted to say in his
letter — or are our Editors too modest to
inform readerte — that the stock of bees re-
ferred to was purchased through an adver-
tisement in a paper not devoted specially
to bees and bee-keeping, as is the Bbitish
Bee Jottrnal ?— Geo. Rose, Gt. Charlotte
Street, Liverpool, May 18.

[Mr. Gray's letter gave no indication
where the advertisement in question ap-
peared, and we naturally inferred that the
B.B.J, was meant. — Eds.]

QUEEN VAGARIES.

[6313.] On tlve 7th inst., a number of
students were working with me in the
apiary at Swanley. Amongst the hives
stood a skep in which to my certain know-
ledge the bees were dead at Christmas. The
cako of candy had been allowed to re-
main over the feed-hole in top of skep.

One of the students, being anxious to
see what the inside of a skep was like
(never having seen one), asked permission

to examine the skep in question, which
was, of course, given. Before lifting up
the skep she removed the cake of candy,
and on the underside chanced to see a bee,
which she knew at once was not an ordi-
nary worker, and I was therefore asked to
" come and see it." This bee was a queen,
and to all appearance dead, but on warm-
ing her in my hand, she commenced to
move, and, on being fed with liquid honey,
was isoon very lively rvinning about as if
nothing had happened.

This queen was introduced to a small
nucleus colony, and on May 14 was well,
and had laid a number of eggs.

It is difficult to say how the solitary
queen could have got into the skep referred
to, as there was not a single bee alive or
dead in it at the time ; neither were the
bees from other hives flying very much, as
the morning was cold.

Later in the day all the hives near were
examined, but none had lost their queens
recently. — W. Herbod, F.E.S. , Luton.

HOME-MADE HIVES AND
APPLIANCES.

[6314.] As a somewhat enthusiastic bee-
man I am much interested in making my
own hives and all other requirements for
use in the apiary, and, after reading the
very useful articles on home-made hives
which have appeared from time to time in
past yeans, and notina the great saving in
cost of same, I determined to try making
them myself, and am now sending a few
lines in the hope that the result of my
efforts will be of some interest to others.

The photo, sent shows the actual hive
and its several parts, as exhibited by my-
self at the show held at Plymouth in
November last, and regarding which the
judge (Colonel Walker), in his report,
said : " A hive of most unusual excellence."

I am an engine-fitter by trade, and I
hope this praise will not be considered too
high when it is borne in mind that the
hive and all its parts (including frames)
were made from used boxes. I append a
litst of materials used and cost of same : —

OLD MATERIAL. S. d.

Six tea-chests (3d. each) 1 6

Part American bacon-box 0 6

Pieces from firewood-store for legs 0 4

Three empty jam-tins ... .- 0 1^

Two American preserved-pear cases 0 2

NEW MATERIAL. S. d.

Three conos at Is. ner dozen ... 0 3

Forty "W.B.C." ends 0 10

Sixteen "W.B.C." wide ends ... 0 5^

Half of queen-excluder 0 4

Zinc for ventilator 0 2

Two dozen screws 0 2

Wire and nails for frames ... 0 2

Total cost 5 0

I am sending p^^e gf vfij frames along

May 24, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

205

with photo, for our Editors' opinions of
€ame with regard to its fitness for general
.use. — F. J. Richards, Plymouth.

[The frame sent is as good as any we
have ever seen, whether made by machine
or hand. — Eds.]

NOTES FROM MIDLOTHIA'N.
[6315.] April opened with splendid bee-
weather ; the hum about the hives made
one feel sure that summer had come. The
bees have been busy carrying in the brown
pollen of the elms, more freely this year
than 1 have
seen before.
Then the
weather broke,
and unfortu-
nately little has
been done since.
Hives with
plenty of bees
now require
food to keep
them going. I
find some of my
stocks scarce
in bees have
plenty of stores,
mainly, I sup-
pose, of there
being no bees
to consume the
food. I was
looking at a
book lately (a
modern one)
and became
much interested
in it till a pas-
sage occurred
wherein the
author advo-
cated a 40 lb.
feeder ! This
was an Italian
specialty. Small
wonder that
our friend,
"D. M. M."
holds on to the
blacks. What-
ever their faults, they do not require feed-
ing at this rate ! I was also interested
in the exploits of your correspondent,
" Humble Bee " (6271, page 144), witTi his
fishing-rod. I have read a deal on queen,
mating, but fishing for drones with a virgin
queen as bait fairly " takes the cake." —
Mac, Midlothian.

any of your readers will kindly assist us
in this matter by lending anything con-
nected with bee-keeping which would be of
general interest. I need hardly say the
greatest care would be taken of such and
carriage both ways would be gladly paid
by us. — G. R. Alder, Secretary E. and S.
B.K.A.. Rawreth, Wickford, May 17.

(Made ^rom

ESSEX AND SUFFOLK B.K.A.
[6316.] Our association is holding an ex-
hibition of interesting and instructive
articles connected with apiculture at the
Essex Agricultural Show, Brentwood, on
June 13 and X4 next. I shall be glad if

[3295.] A Beginner's Queries. — I see you
gladly give advice to readers, 60 I am ask

ing the favour
of replies to the
following ques-
tions : -1 have
this spring com-
menced keeping
bees in frame-
hives. 1 had
them before in
skeps, but some
time ago I
placed the
strongest stock
over the body-
box of a frame-
hive, for trans-
ferrence to the
latter, as recom-
mended in the
" Guide Book.''
The skep has
been on it now
for five weeks,
yet the queen
has not com-
menced to de-
posit eggs in
lower hive,
although the
skep is crowded
with bees. Do
you not think
she is a long time
going down ? iJ.
1 thought of
working it on
doubling sys-
tem. Will
there be time to
follow that plan this season? Then, with
regard to stock No. 2. This is ; weak lot,
although they have been well fed with
syrup. Bees not very numerous. 3.
Do you think if I had another queen
it would become strong in time for
this season's work? And, if so, which do
you recommend for a beginner, an Italian
or a Carniolan queen. 4. How would you
introduce an alien queen into a skep ? 5.
Being in a skep, how would you capture
an old queen? Is it done by driving the
bees into another skep ? I have a new
hive waiting for them as soon as they are
strong enough. 6, How can I examine the

206

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [May 24, 1906.

skep to see if foul brood is present ? 7. I
have been told that when a bee loses its
sting the other bees will not let it enter
the hive. Is this so ? I soe in " Guide
Book " you recommend manipulating bees
without veil, but either mine are an exceed-
ingly vicious lot, or I do not work them
right. I am as careful as I can be. What
should I do to escape stings ? I hope you
will forgive the length of this letter. —
T. H., Bexhill-on-Sea.

Reply. — 1. If the lower hive is properly
prepared, the bees will work down into it
as §oon as the queen requires egg-room.
2. You had better keep to present plan ;
the doubling system is not suitable for a
beginner. 3. If the weakness is due to its
having an old worn-out queen, it might
be worth while to replace her by a young
one ; but, if foul brood is the cause of
weakness, it is not worth your while to
trouble about the stock at all. It had best
be destroyed. 4. We advise you not to try
this operation yet. 5. In capturing the
queen of a skep, the bees must be driven in
the usual way, and the queen caught as
she passes into the empty skep. 6. You
cannot do it. A skilled hand may, but
not an amateur. 7. No. 8. The " Guide
Book " does not recommend beginners to
discard a veil when manipulating hives ;
quite the contrary, it only advises hand-
ling frames, without gloves, if possible.

[3296.] A Lady Beginner'' s Bee Troubles.
■ — I am a beginner, and iso have come to
you for advice. Can you tell me if the
enclosed cell was a queen-cell, as I cut it
out from the middle of the comb, and '.t
was hanginsr downwards, as is usual with
queen-cells ? I am anxious that my bees
should not rear any queens this year, as
I do not want them to swarm, and, with
this in view, cut out, what I thought
was a queen-oell. 1. Have I done right ?
I ask, as the "Guide Book" advises cut-
ting out queen-cells to prevent afier
swarms. I only started last July with a
swarm, and the bees have wintered well,
and are now covering eight frames, and
drawing out the foundation of the last
two, so I have jDut on a rack of sections.
2. Is that right? I send name and ad-
dress, and sign — R. S. T. , Essex.

Reply. — 1. As nearly always happens,
when insufficiently protected for post, the
so-called queen-cell and contents was
smashed flat when received. We cannot,
therefore, say for certain whether or not
you have done any good by removing it ;
but, in any case, no harm will follow. 2.
Yes ; quite right.

[3297.] Surplus Ohamhers for TJte on
Sleeps. — I am thinking this year of super-
ing a stock of bees on skep instead of trans-
ferring bees and combs into a frame-hive.
Will you therefore kindly inform me: —

1. Whether it would be advisable to use
queen-excluder between the hive and super?
The hole at the top is only about two inches
in diameter. 2. Also please say whether
bees procure both honey and pollen from
the sycamore, holly, or chestnut blossom
Please reply to— T. S., Carlisle.

Reply. — 1. A piece of queen-excluder
zinc is always nailed to bottom of the eec-
tion-box, used on top of skeps, as a sur-
plus-chamber. But it needs very careful
and warm packing so as to make the sur-
plus chamber snug and warm, or bees will
not enter a super of that kind. 2. Bees
in some seasons gather a fair amount of
honey from the sycamore ; but the quality
is only poor. The holly also yields both
honey and pollen freely in some seasons.
The horse-chestnut is also a honey and
pollen-yielder, but is rarely included
among bee-forage plants, for its honey 's
only third-rate in quality.
[3298.] Queen Cast Out %n May.- — I beg
• to thank you for your kindness in answer-
ing my query (3248, page 139). On April 4,
with the help of a friend, I transferred the
stock, mentioned in above query, tO' a new
hive. We found things in a first-rate con-
dition, a very strong stock, with eggs and.
larvae, tmsealed and sealed. We could
not see the queen. On April 9 I inserted
a sheet of " Weed " foundation, and on
May 3 this was a compact mass of worker
brood, all sealed over. I then, inserted
another sheet, and when again examined
on May 7 the latter had an egg in nearly
every cell, and the brood in the former
was nearly all hatched out. I then in-
serted a third sheet. I may mention that
I inserted these sheets of foundation be-
cause the combs were so full of honey ; and
on April 9 I saw several queen-cells con-
taining the same kind of thick white
matter spoken of in my former letter. I
therefore ask : 1. Can you tell me what
this substance would be ? On May 12,
having become suspicious of wax-moth, I
made a close examination, and while doing
so discovered on the third sheet of foun-'
dation given (now built-out comb) a queen
bee. It was perceptibly smaller than the
one enclosed, which was found dead in
front of the hive yesterday. 2. Will you
kindly tell me if it is old or young, virgin
or otherwise, and can you account for
its being found as stated ? Your corre-
spondent " J. M. Ellis " may be interested
to hear that the stock in question was
wintered as he describes on page 174 of
B.B.J. , May 3, but, in addition, the roof
had never been painted, and let the wet
in grievously ; so I suppose the present
(u)ndition of the stock is due more to good
luck than good management. I may say the
queen seen on May 12 was moving about
on the comb like an ordinary worker, and

May 24, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

207

the bees were taking no more notice of her
than if she were one of themselves. Thank-
ing you in anticipation, I sign as before —
Chambist, Lines., May 14.

Reply. — 1. The thick, white, milky fluid
seen in queen-cells is known as " royal
jelly," and is given very abundantly to
the queen larvte duiing the first five days
^after the egg hatches. 2. The dead queen
sent was no doubt the queen, or mother-
bee, of the colony, and has either been
accidentally injured during your rather
too frequent examinations or been killed
and cast out by the bees themselves, as
they sometimes do when the hives are
overhauled too frequently in spring. If
the young queen is safely mated the stock
will go on all right, but the mishap is
a bad set-back to your chance of a good
harvest this year, as the parent queen
seems to have been a prolific breeder.

[3299.] Drone-hrecding Queens. — Enclosed
herewith I send part of a comb cut from
a friend's hive to-day. The brood is all
in the same condition in the remaining
frames, and I shall be greatly obliged if
you would say in B.B.J, what you think
is wi'ong? There is a queen in the hive,
but we are afraid she is a, drone-breeder.
1. Do you think this is so 1 For some
time back the stock has been casting out
dead grubs, and so I ask : 2. Is this
caused by chill? 3. As there are still a
good many bees in the hive, would it be
advisable to unite them to another stock,
or would it be preferable to destroy the
old queen and insert a new one? I send
name for reference, and sign- — Lochfyne,
Argyleshire, May 12.

Reply.— 1. It is quite certain that your
fears are well founded, and that the queen
is worthless. 2. The casting out of drone
larvae is one of the effects of the stock's
abnormal condition, for the brood is
allowed to die for lack of warmth. 3. The
bees are hardly worth the trouble and cost
of saving. They will all be old and
consequently wortkiess.

[3300.] Bees Bying Off at End of April—
During the last fortnight the bees in one
of my hives have gradually died off, crawl-
ing out of the hive and rolling down the
flight-board and dying on the grass. I
shall feel obliged if you can suggest,
through your paper, any cause, and advise
me how to avoid a recurrence of the mis-
chief. I may say the adjoining hive is
perfectly strong with healthy bees. I have
been a reader of your valuable paper since
I started bee-keeping last May, and have
found it a great help to me. I enclose a
few bees for your inspection. — A. H. Tom-
LiNSON^, Durham, May 1.

Reply. — There is nothing in the appear-
ance of dead bees (hybrids) to account for
death. They may possibly have died from

starvation. It would help to settle this'
point if you will examine and find out the
condition of stores in the hive. If food is
there in plenty, we should suspect poison,
through some of the poisonous compounds
used for clearing fruit trees from blight
of some kind.

[3301.] Queen Not Laying. — I enclose a
queen bee from a hive I bought last year.
She laid well last season and built up a
strong colony, but the stock did not
ewarm ; but this year she has not so far
laid any eggs at all. There are just about as
many bees as cover two frames only. Can
you say what is wrong? I do not know
her age. I have now put in a frame with
eggs.— A. B. B., High Blantyre, N.B.

Reply. — The queen sent appears old and
nearly worn out, while^ the few bees left
are unable to raise the hive temperature
sufficiently for hatching brood. The remain
ing bees may be united to another stock,
but they are hardly worth saving, because
— ^like the queen — they will be old and
useless as workers.

[3302.] Denling with Foul Brood.— The
enclosed comb was taken from one of my
four hives, and I would ask for your
opinion, whether it contains foul brood or
not ? It is the onlv frame of eleven in the
hive that looks so suspicious. I look for-
ward to the bright little B.B.J, every week,
and devour it before I so to work ; in fact.
I wish it was larger, as I read and re-read
all the past numbers in my possession,
also, I may say the same of our Bee-
keepers' Becnrd. I send name and sign — -
Admirer, Surrey.

Reply. — We are sorry to say a few cells
in comb are affected with foul brood in
pronounced form. The comb also contains
fresh-gathered pollen, and eggs are seen in
every vacant cell, showing that the queen
is very prolific, and that the stock would
probably do well if free from disease. If
you can spare time to attempt remedial
measures we should get the bees off their
present combs and treat them as a swarm,
after starving for a time, as directed in
" Guide Book."

>hw% to ilfflttC.

A nominal charge of 2.t. 6d. t» mode for notices (not
exceedinq 7 lines) in this column, 10 line.i chari/ed 3s. e,d.,
vp to I'l lines .)«.. iiihich covers cost of insertion from
order till date of show. Cash should accompany orders
for insertion.

June 12-15, at Portsinouth.— Show of Honey,
Hives, etc., in connection with the Royal Counties'
Agricultural Show. For schednles, apply to E. H.
lifllairs, Bransgore, Ohristchurch, Hants.

June 27 to 30, at Derby.— Royal Agricultural

Society's Show. Bee and Honey Section under the

management of the B.B.K.A. Increased prizes for

B.K. Associations as arranged in divisions or groups

of oountiee. Schedules from Edwin H. Young, Secre-

208

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [May 24, 1906.

tary, 12, Hanover-square, W. Entries close
May 29.

July 18, at Ashby-de-la-Zoucli. — Leicester-
shire Show of Bees, Honev, and Appliances, in con-
nection with Annual Flower Show. Three open and
two local classes, and one L.B.K.A. Bee demon-
strations. Schedules from J. H. Dunmore, Secretary,
Alandale, Ashby-de-la-Zouch. Entries Close
July 16.

July 19 and 20, at Gainsboroupli.— 'Show
of Honey, Hives, and Bee Appliances in connection
with the Lines Agricultural Society. Bee Depart-
ment under management of the Lines B.K.A. Four-
teen classes. Lil>era.l money prizes and silver medals.
Schedules from K. Godson',' Hon. Sec., Linos B.K.A.,
Tothill, Alford, Lines. Entries Close June 15.

July 25 and 26, at Cardiff.— Annual Show of
the Glamorgan B.K.A. in connection with that of fhe
Cardiff and County Horticultural Society. Honey,
Wax, Appliances, etc. Classes for members, novices.
Five open classes, with prizes for sections and
extracted honey, 2l8., lOs. 6d., Ss., in each class.
Bee appliances, SOs., 15s. Entry fee for one or more
of the open classes to non-members, 28. 6d. Schedules
from Wm. Richards, Hon. Secretary, The Red House,
Gabalfa, Oardiflf. Entries close July 20.

July 29. at Chester.— Cheshire B.K.A. Show
in connection with the 'County Agricultural Society.
Open classes for Hives, Observatory Hives, Sections,
and Extracted Honey. Baroness Burdett Ooutts' prize
hive for best exhibit shown by cottager member.
Seven classes for members. Schedules from T. A.
Beckett, St. Werburgh Chambers, Chester. Entries
Close August 8, or at doulble fees, August 15.

August 8 to 10, at Middlesbrougli —

Show of Honey, etc., in connection with the Royal
Yorkshire Agricultural Society. Schedules and form
of entry from John Maughan, Secretary, Blake-street,
York. Entries close June 30.

AuR-ust 16, at Yetminster, Dorset. —

Annual Show of the Yetminster and District B.K.A.
in St. Marv Head. Four open classes, including three
lib. jars "extracted honey, three 1-lb. sections, and
cake of beeswax. Schedules from G. Leeding, Hon.
Sec, Bradford Abbas, Sherborne. Entries close
August lO.

August 30, at Montgomery.— Honey Show
in connection with Horticultural Exhibition. Two
open classes for six 1-lb. sections and six lib. jars
extracted honey. Prizes, lOs., 5s., 28. 6d. Entry fee.
Is. each class. Schedules from Mr. W. J. Jones, Secre-
tary, Montgomery. Entries close August 23-

Notices to Correspondents & Inquirers.

Veritas (Four Oaks). — Advertising Bees
for Sale. — We cannot say if the reply
given nine months ago refers to the j)er-
son you name. If you fear disease in
your stocks the best course is to have
them inspected by a qualified bee-
keeper.

Hexagon (Mears). — The " Stewarton "
Hive.^ — If the bees are strong and numer-
ous at this season, with a vigorous queen
heading the stock, as stated, the only
steps you need to take in order to have
them in good order by the first week in
.July, if food is shf»rt.

J. C. T. (Suffolk). Drone-breeding Queen.
—The queen of hive in question is utterly
worthless. It is no use taking trouble to
utilise bees from the hive headed by a
drone-breeding queen. They are also of
no use, and should be destroyed.

E. FiRMiNGER (Bristol). — Dead Larvse Cast
Out. — There need be no alarm at a few
de?id larvse being cast out of hiyes during

the extreme cold weather we have had
during this month. The soft portion of
the dead grubs may have been eaten
away by predatory insects outside the
hive.

C. H. T. (Horsham). — Starting Bee-keep-
ing.— The five queries sent make it clear
that you are quite inexperienced in bee-
work, and the " Guide Book " just sent
will make many matters plain about
which you were in the dark. We may,
therefore, reply briefly as follows : — 1.
Full instructions for uniting bees appear
on pages 104 to 107. 2. The most suit-
able plan for you will be interchanging
frames, as directed on page 106, but use
flour in preference to scented syrup, as
mentioned in final par of chapter. 3. A
few drops of warm syrup poured on the
bees may induce them to take the food.
4. Pollen-carrying is a fairly safe sign
that the stock is not queenless. 5. Leave
off feeding as soon as honey is being got
from natural sources.

G. C. (Sheffield).— Using Old Combs.—
When combs are very old and black they
should be renewed gradually by taking
away the worst at this season, and sub-
stituting a full sheet of foundation in
centre of brood-nest at intervals of about
a week. Two or three combs are enough
to renew in one season.

London Hill (Darvel). ^Soluble Phenyle.
- — This may be had from Morris. Little,
and Son, Ltd., Doncaster, in bottles, 6d,
and Is. (postage extra).

FoRNiCA (Cheltenham).^ — Ants in Hives.—
1. These pests may be kept out of hives
by inserting each of the hive legs in an
old tin lid or vessel, which may be filled
with paraffin or turpentine. 2. Syrup-
feeding is only required till natural food
can be had outside.

Suspected Comhs.

S. E. (Kent). — Both samples are badly
affected with foul brood.

W. B. (Surrey). — There is foul brood of bad
type in comb sent.

Badltjck. — See above reply but sample
shows the disease to be of very old
standing.

Hawthorn (Leicester). — There are no re-
mains of brood in any cell of comb sent
for us to judge if diseased or not.

Novice (East Diss). — 1. No trace of disease
in any of samples (three) sent. 2. Brood
in No. 3 is normal, and apparently
healthy, l)ut dead, of course, through
being chilled.

T. Hoad (Bexhill-on-Sea).— The bit of old,
black comb shows no trace of any brood
— not even a sealed cell in it.

■*^^'* Some Letters, Qtitries and Replxfi, <fec.,
ore vnfivoidtiitly h»ld o-^ff till fiext week.

May 24, 1906.] THE BHITISH BEE JOURNAL.

209

Special Prepaid Advertisements.

Tweloe words and under Sixpence : for every additioiml
Three words or under, One Penny.

Advertisements for current Issue must be received
by first post on Tuesday.

WANTED, immediately, about THREE CWT. good
quality genuine ENGLISH CLOVER or SAIN.
FOIN HONEY. Also, later, quantity o{ New Sections
ditto.— Sl.ADEN, Ripple Court Apiary, Dover.

1 AA UEALTHY SWARMS WANTED. Boxes will
J. U U be provided free. Quote price delivered

Welwyn.— E. H. TAYLOR, Welwyu, Heits.

WILL EXCHANGE Sections, Shallow Brood-
combs, or Chickens for a Natural Swarm.
Liberal terms. — LEE, Decorator, Boothstown, Man-
chester. P 93

RAWN-OUT SHALLOW COMBS are invaluable to

induce Bees to enter supers ; 4s. 6d. jjer set

of ten. Clean and swi'et.— BOCOCK, Ashley Apiaries,

Newmarket. P 91

HEALTHY SWARMS.— May, 12a. 6d. ; June, lOs. 6d
Box 6d. Splendid honey gatherers. Inspection
of my 50 stocks invit-ed on Wednesdays. Sections,
9s. per dozen. Guaranteed safe arrival. Deposit.—
P. HANSEN, Apiary, 3, Gladstone Cottages, Norwood
Green, Southall, Middlesex. P 90

CHAMPION " NEVER SWARM " QUEENS, guaran-
teed healthy. Virgins, 2s. ; Fertiles, July, 5s. —
HARRIS, Wavendon, Bletchley, Bucks. P 49

EXTRACTOR FOR SALE, Sa. Takes two Standard
Frames. Require larger.— BILLSON, Cranford,
Kettering. P 89

BARGAIN.— Gent. '8 Coventry Cycle, up to dat«,
perfectly new ; accept £5 10s. ; five years'
guarantee ; carriage paid ; approval. Particulars free.
—FORGE APIARY, Wheaton Aston, Stafford. P 88

WANTED, THREE HEALTHY SWARMS (natural).
Exchange ^-plate camera, three slides, lens,
or" sell 388.— EVERETT, Nichols Street, Leicester.
p 86

OQTH YEAR.— E. WOODHAM offers Queens,
^U Nuclei, Swarms, and Stocks of Bees as previ-
ously. Imported Italians, 7s. each.— Clavering, New-
port, Essex. P 82

HARRISON WEIR'S "OUR POULTRY," two vols.,
bound, as new, 12s. 6d. ; or offers in exchange
Swarm Bees, clean-drawn Standard, or Shallow
Combs, Weed Foundation.— ROBSON, Wormald Green,
via Leeds. P 81

WANTED, 200 SWARMS. Drawn-out Comb for
Sale.— KEATLEY, Clarence Road, Fouroaks.
P 80

PRIME NATURAL SWARMS this season, as usual,
all from first-class Bar Frame stocks, 12s. 6d.
and 15s. each. Cases to be returned. (Telegrams,
Wilkins, Letcombe Regis.)— PERCY WILKINS, Let-
combe Regis, Wantage. P 78

OrvTH YEAR.— Reliable Queens, 1905, in introducing
OU cage, 5s.— ALSFORD, Expert, Haydon, Sher-
borne^ P 77

RELIABLE 1905 QUEENS, laving, 48. each.— A.
BUTLER, West Villa, Scotter, Lincoln. P 75

FOR SALE, WOODEN BUILDING (in sections), 12
X 7, new last December, suitable as store room
or workshop, shelves included, £6 58. Also Four
Empty Hives, nearly new, guaranteed to have con-
tained healthy Beea ; also one dozen Shallow Combs,
with 'box, 30s. ; or £7 10s. the lot.— J. ADDYMAN,
Charleatown, Baildon. P 74

WB.C. HIVES A SPECIALITY.— Send for prices
• and particulars.— J. THOMAS, Joinery Works,
Llangennech, S. Wales. p 92

TW'O EXCELLENT 1905 QUEENS, 58. each.—
" APIARY," 3, Maitland Park Road, N.W. P 72

SPECIAL OFFER.— New American Hives, ten Lang-
stroth frames, body box of lin. pine, dovetailed,
super cover, zinc roof and floorboard, will last a life-
time, 3s. 6d. each, complete. — JAMES HILLMAN,
Regent Street, Stonehouse, Glos. P 71

QUEENS (Doolittle's celebrated strain). — 95 per cent.
of the Bees in America are improved Italians,
proof positive of their superiority over other races.
Americans don't keeps Bees to look at, but for solid
work. Fertiles, 5s. each, after June 10th ; Virgins,
Is. 6d. each, after June 1st. First cume, first served.
—DAVID TAYLOR, Ilminater. p 73

TRONG NATURAL SWARMS, healthy.— May,

12s. 6d. ; June, lOs. 6d.— T. BRADFORD, Expert,

3, Summer Street, Worcester. p 70

ANTED, HONEY EXTRACTOR and SCREW-TOP

JARS ; good condition ; cheap. — MOItRELL,

32, Broad Park Road, Plymouth. P 69

INCUBATOR, 60-egg size, and Foster Mother, both
copper tanks in good condition ; will sell for
358., or exchange' for good Bee appliances. — M. OWEN,
Wernolen, Groeslon, R.S.O., Carnarvon. P 68

NATURAL SWARMS, lOs. 6d. and 12s. 6d.— R.
CARTER, Chartridge Green Farm, Chesham,
Bucks. P 56

QUEEN EXCLUDERS.— Four dozen Queen Ex-
.pluders, plain margin all round, 48. 6d. dozen
(cost 78. dozen). Also six sheets, 96in. x 16in., 28.
each (cost Ss. 6d.). Also two dozen plain sheets
(roof zinc), 24in. sijuare, 6s. 6d. dozen (cost 98.). All
new. No further use .to owner.— G. STANBROOKE, 6Q,
Rumford Street, Chorlton-on-Medlock, Manchester.
P 57

WANTED, unlimited quantity, TILLEY'S PATENT
(" Won't Leak ") 2-lb SECTIONS, completed by
the Bees, in quantities to suit producers, soon as
ready.— M. H. TILLEY, Bee Barm, Dorchester. P 83

HEALTHY SWARMS BOOKED NOW.— May, 2s. 6d.
lb. ; June, 28. I'b. ; Queens, June, 38. 6d.^
HEMMING BROS., Standlake, Witney. P 24

TILLEY'S PATENT (" Won't Leak ") SECTIONS.—
Only a limited quantity can be delivered this
season unless ordered early. After June 1st prices
will rise. Particulars post free.— J. T. GODWIN,
Agent, Dorchester. P 84

STRONG HEALTHY NATURAL SWARMS, 128. 6d.
Skeps free. Safe delivery.— CADMAN, Codsall-
wood, Wolverhampton. P 64

7S. 6d. HIVES, 7s. 6d. — The Beekeeper's opportunity,
standard size, with super complete, painted.
Illustration sent.— OZONE APIARY, Trimingham,
Norfolk. P ^5

SWARMS of "YE OLD ENGLISHE BEES."— Having
80 many orders already booked I cannot promise
others till after June 15. Prices 10s. 6d., 12s. 6d.,
and 15s. Packing boxes free and safe delivery. — W.
WOODLEY, Beedon, Newbury.

4 STRONG HEALTHY STOCKS, in well made hives,
25s. each.— A. COOK, " Torwood," Ford Bridge
Road, Ashford, Middlesex. P 41

CHEAP.— EIGHT NEW HIVES. Must be sold,
owing to removal. Stamp please for particu-
lars.— PRITCHARD, Wainalong Road, Salisbury.

P 40

QUEEN REARING.— No trouble to work ; no expen-
sive appliances ; can't fail ; four cages and
full instructions, 23. 6d. — MEADOWS, Syston,
Leicester. P ^

NATURAL SWARMS NOW BOOKED.— May, 39. ;
early June, 28. 6d. ; later, 28. lb. ; returnable
box— PRESBYTERY APIARY, MarnhuU, Dorset.
^ p 30

PRIME NATURAL SWARMS, expected end of May
and early in June (no artificial swarms made in
this apiary). I guarantee them natural, healthy, and
also safe arrival. May, 3s. ; June, till 15th, 2a. 9d. ;
after 15th, 2a. 6d. per lb. ; Is. allowed on all empty
■boxes returned carriage paid.— S. BAILEY, Itching-
field, near Horsham. P_27

SALE OR EXCHANGE, Fowls for Bees, Cook-Tam-
madge best laying strains. White Wyandotes,
1905 hatched, 48. 6d." each.— SHACKLETON, Thorner,

Leeds. P 25

■\ (y STANDARD SHALLOW FRAME CRATES, with
J.^ eight clean extracted combs, guaranteed
healthy, 68 6d. each— HARRIS, Wavendon, Bletchley,
Bucks. P 17

210

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [May 24, 1906.

Prepaid Advertisements (Continued.)

ORDEES BOOKED NOW for NATURAL SWARMS
of my hardy prolific strain, guaranteed healthy
and safe arrival, 4 lbs., 12s. 6d. ; 5 lbs., 158. ; 6 lbs.,
18s. Packages to be returned. Expected early in
June.— WHITING, Valley Apiaries, Hundon, Clare,
Suffolk. P 23

NATURAL SWARMS IN JUNE, from strong healthy
Stocks, in Bar Frame Hives, 10s. 6d. and 129. 6d.
Cash with order, or deposit.— BROWN, 30, Albany
Road, Crawley, Sussex. P 14

STRONG HEALTHY SWARMS, 1905 Queen, ISs. 6d.,
138. 6d. Stocks on eight Standard Frames,
238. 6d., with 1905 Queen. Guaranteed healthy.—
W. WOODS, Normandy, GuDdford. P 51

ITALIANS, first cross, best honey gatherers, good-
tempered. Strong ten frame stocks, with last
season's quefcns ; guaranteed healthy ; ready for
supers ; package free ; 25s. each. — O. KNIGHT, Ejiney,
Stonehouse, Glos.

PRIME NATURAL SWARMS, May and June, 128. 6d.
each. Boxes, la. Cash with order, or deposit —
O. JORDAN. Steeple Aston. Oxford. o 91

PROTECT YOUR FRUIT.— Tanned Garden Netting,
only best quality supplied. Order promptly, as
nets are scarce and must be dearer. 25 x 8 yds.,
80 X 4, and 100 x 2 yds., 98. each. Add ten per cent,
for other sizes.- L. WREN AND SON, 139, High Street,
Lowestoft. 0 92

WANTED, for scientific purposes, QUEEN BEES
and WORKER HORNETS? Will brother bee-
keepers oblige? — HERROD, Apiary, Luton.

A PRONOUNCED SUCCESS.— The BURKITT BEE-
GLOVE. With sleeves, 38. 6d. per pair, post
Ires. Without sleevee, 2b 6d. per pair, post free. The
best, cheapest, and most satisfactory glove for bee-
kwpers.— EDWARD REYNOLDS, Glove Maker, And-
over, Hampshire. Wholesale prices to the trade

' Prompt Despatch.'

LARGE STOCK OF BEE-KEEPING

APPLIANCES ON HAND.

The Best Goods only S una lied n

STOCKS AND SWARMS A SPECIALITY.

Have you a copy of our
Price List?

WHY NOT PLACE A TRIAL ORDER WITH USP

JONES BROS,

MONK'S ACRE APIARY, ANDOVER.

SWAI^IVIS! SWARMS!

I cannot accept more orders for swarms in May, but
am open to book a few more for

JUNE, at 2s. 6d. per lb.

Boxes to be returned carriage paid.
QUEENS. QUEENS.

Tested Queens of selected qualities ready for end of
May at 4s. each, posted in introducing cage. Customers
are best judges. One writes; — -'Pleased to say Queen
supplied doing first class." Early booking recommended
DAVIDSON. Expert. Beecroft, BA5ING5T0ICE.

MEADHAM & SON,

MEREF'Ol^D.

Manufacturers of Up-to-date Hiuea and Bee
Appliances.

ESTABLISHED 18 7 6.

Illustrated Catalogue Post Free.
LOOK HERE !

THE NEW "RECORD" HIVE, 9/e

Usual price, io/6.

FOR A SHORT TIME ONLY.

Manufactured by —

RAWSON & THOMPSON, TADCASTER, YORKS.

ROYAL COUNTIES' ACRICULTURAL SOCIETY

SHOW AT PORTSMOUTH, JUNE 12— 15

One of the Largest Shows in England !

HONEY AND HIVE SCHEDULES Of—/

E. H. BELLAIRS, Christchurch.

READ! READ!! READ!!!

" When found make a note of."

New Catalogrue. New System of Trading.

All in your favour. Your address will oblige.

UIVEC III CI AT '^^^ i°<^^^ accurate. The
niWtO in rbnla best value. Customer

writes:— "I think your way of making hives in

flat deserves greatest praise."
BEE CANDY 14 lbs., 4/6.

HIT. I^. GJLI^M^SR,

Everything you need for Garden,
Bees, and Poultry

PROMPTLY SUPPLIED BY

GEORGE ROSE,

50, GP^RBAT CHARLOTTE ST., LIVERPOOL, &c., &c.
Send for my well-known Guinea "W.B.C." HIVE

(awarded many prizes)

Chief Depot for Bee Literature. — "Guide Book," 1/8 ;

" Natural History, <fec.," 2/9 ; Swarthmore's new books,

"Increase," 1/2; "Baby Kuclei," 2/2; "Commercial

Queen-Rearing," 2/1 ; and new and very interesting

books, "Bee Pranks," 7d.; "Honey Money Stories, 12 ;

" Bees as Rent Payers," 4d. ; Mrs. Comstock's " How to

Keep Bees," 5/- ; Hutchinson's " Advanced Bee Culture,"

5/- ; (each of these prices post-free).

104-pagre Illustrated Catalogrue, 3d. post-free.

Machine-made Honey Jars, screw cap and wad, nominal

or full lb., 14/6 gross, in 3-gross crates; send 4d. for

sample of the new glass stoppered (tight, no leaking)

Honey Jars now on sale. Tip Top.

WEED FOUNDATION.— Specially Low Prices for

Orders in April and May.

Excluders, 8d. ; Extractors, 15/-, 23/-, and 30/- ; Wax

Extractors, 2/9, 8/-. and 10/- ; Kipeners, 8/-, 11/-, and 13/- ;

Spring Feeders. 1/3 ; Strongly made Smokers, 3/- ; Veils,

1/-, and 1/6 ; Super Clearers, 2/- ; Sections 2/6 per 100 ;

Frames, 8/- 100 ; Metal Ends, 3/4 gross ; Embedders, 1/- ;

Wire, 4d. ; Naphthaline, 6d; ; Naphthol Beta, 1/-;

Artificial Pollen, 6d.

Everything Bees want, promptly sent.

May 31, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

211

(gditorml |lotica il^c,

THE OUTLOOK.

The altogether beneficial change in the
•weather during the past few days has been
in the highest degree encouraging to all
whose interest lies in the direction of bee-
ieeping. Indeed, if — as weather-prophets
assure us — " there ie every reason to believe
that the present warmth and sunshine will
continue," we may expect to hear such a
merry hum among the bees as will cheer
the hearts of their owners to the full.

The opportunities for feeling the pulse,
as it were, of bee-keeping which come to
Us as Editors, would surprise many who
have, perforce, to judge from their limited
•circle only, while, given a week of good
laee-weather, and the B.B.J, office imme-
diately runs short of copies. In other
words, we find in all directions that the
number of persons taking more than a pass-
ing intei'est in the pursuit is rapidly in
creasing, and, if we are favoured with a
bee-season of the good old-fashioned kincL
the industry will receive an impetus the
like of which has not been seen for a long
time.

The Editoris do vot hold theirutelves reponsiUe. for the
opinions ezpreaged by correRpondents. No notice will
he taken of anonymous communications, and corre-
spondents are requested to write on one s'de of the paper
only and O've their real natnes and addresxes, not neces-
sarily for iiublication , hut as a puarantee of good faith.
Illustrntians should be drawn on separate pieces of paper.
We do nut undertake to return rejected communications.

*jt* In order to facilitate reference, Corresponderts,
when spfnkin'i of any lett^'r or qwry previously inserted,
will oblige by mentioning the number of the tetter as well
us the page on n-hieh it appears.

AMONG THE BEES.

" HTJTCHIXSOXIAXA."

[6317.] .4 Fasciiiafinn Pursuit. — No more
ennobling pursuit exists than that of bee-
keeping. It is the poetry of apiculture.
It is uplifting and inspiring, health-giving
and useful, fascinating and profitable. It
improves the mind, trains the eye and
hand, cheers the heart, and fills the pocket-
book. No other rural pursuit is more safe,
pleasant, and reliable.

Us Pmfifs. — Bee-keeping, if it is not an
occiipation in which one can easily become
-wealthy, can be depended on to furnish a
comfoi'table living, and perhaps enable a
man to lay up a few thousand dollars. For-
tuijately, however, the j^rofessional man's
happiness bears little relation to the size
of his fortune ; and the man with the hum
of the bees over his head finds happiness
deeper and sweeter than ever comes to the
merchant prince, with his cares and liis
thousands.

More Bees. — In reply to the query,
" What will best mix with bee-keeping ? "
I have always replied, " Some more bees."
When the conditions are favourable, I am
decidedly in favour of bee-keeping as a
speciality, of dropping all other hampering
pursuits, and turning the whole capit.al.
time, and energies into bee-keeping.

" Scrub Bees ". — Every bee-keeper with
several strains, even of the same variety,
knows that some are far superior to others
— that there is scrub among stock bees just
as there are scrub horses, cattle, sheep, and
poultry. With such scrub stock the cost
of hives, combs, and appliances remains
the same ; it is no less work to care for such
stock. In proportion to its cost, no invest-
ment brings the bee-keeper greater pi-ofit
than superior stock.

Nature and Art. — Some bee-keepers con-
demn any practice that is not " according
to nature," forgetful of the fact that the
whole system of modern bee-culture is
lax-gely a transgression of nature's laws.
We do not keep bees, or arrange their hives
so much with a view to saving them labour,
as that we may get the most honey with the
least labour to ourselves. Most internal
fittings are probably not considered
"handy" by the bees, but their use is an
advantage to us.

Knoio Your Locality. — A bee-keeper can-
not know his locality too thoroughly. Some
men succeed in localities where others fail,
and one reason is because their more tho-
rough knowledge of tlie locality enables
them to adopt methods more perfectly
adapted to the peculiarities of that location.
In changing the locality, even the veteran
must leave behind him many of his old-
notions and methods, and seek advice of
his new neighbours who have been success-
ful. Above all things, know your locality. •
The Best Bee. — For the production of ex-
tracted honey, the Italians are probably
unexcelled, but in producing comb honey
the blacks show two points of superiority.
They are more willing to store their honey
in the supers, at some distance from the
brood, and in capping their honey they
leave a small space between the honey and
the capping, which gives to the comb an
almost snowy whiteness. Either variety
in its purity is easier to handle than a cross
between them. These hybrids are irritable
while being handled, but for the produc-
tion of comb-honey, so far as results are
concerned, there is perhaps no better bee..

f'nmforts and ('n)irr))iri)ces. — Many com-
forts and conveniences, not absolutely,
essential to success, serve to render more
smooth and pleasant the somewhat thorny
paths of bee-keeping. They are, in ono
sense, the oil that makes the great apicul-
tural machine move smoothly. Let each
bee-keei>er look about his apiai*y and see.
if he is not doing some of his work in an

212

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [May 31, 1906.

awkward manner, which might be avoided
by providing a few comforts and conveni-
ences, most of which are comparatively in-
expensive.

Starters Every Time.— An equal number
of swarms were hived on full sheets of foun-
dation and of starters only. In experi-
ments made year after year, after weighing
both surplus and brood combs at the end of
the sea-son, the evidence has been in favour
of empty frames every time. Swarms hived
on drawn comb have always shown a loss
so great that it is folly to repeat.
: Exit Sivarming. — Natural swarming,
with its uncertainties, anxieties, and
vexatious losses, is destined eventually to
become a thing of the past. Methods of
controlling increase, preventing it alto-
gether, or doing the work artificially, will
reach such perfection that swarming will
be eliminated.

A Multum in Parvo. — If bees can enjoy
frequent flights, out-of-doors is the place
to winter them. As I understand it, this
whole matter -of outdoor wintering of beos
might be summed up in a few words :
Populous colonies, plenty of good food, and
thorough protection. Simple, isn't it? Yet
there is a world of meaning wrapped up in
these few words.

Work Kills, Not Age. — Labour, activity,
anxiety, are wearing to mortal flesh. To
live long, one must live slowly. We wish
our bees to have the same degree of physi-
cal vigour in April which they possess in
November. The right cluster is knit to-
gether, and the individual bees thereof only
aroused to full consciousness by positive
disturbance.

Sizei of 'Hive. — The question of large
versus small hives is largely one of locality.
In the cooler regions, where the harvests
are early and short, small hives find favour,
especially in comb-honey production, while
the large hive is a favourite in warme»
regions blessed with a long honey-flow.

" Bsad, Mark, and Inwardly Diqest." —
A thorough course of reading is the first
step that can be taken by a prospective bee-
keeper. One after the other he should read
all the leading standard text-books.
Having done this, he should subscribe for
the best bee journals. Gradually work
into bee-keeping, and let there be plenty
of actual experience before venturing ex-
tensively on the pursuit.

Think for Yourself. — It is a mistake to
have undue confidence in the leaders. Read
how other men have succeeded, consider
their advice, but do your own thinking.

Show, Show! — Anything that increases
the consumption of honey is a benefit to
the pursuit, and shows call the attention
of crowds of people to the excellence and
deliciousness of honey as a food, and it
impresses the public with the true im-

portance, magnitude, and complexity, of
modern bee-culture.

Bread, Butter, and Honey. — To those whc
are getting their bread and butter by
raising honey to spread upon the bread and
butter of others, this book is dedicated by
the author.— D. M. M., Banff.

HOME-MADE HIVES.
[6318.] Articles appearing in the B.B.J.
from time to time under the above heading
(and particularly that on page 204 last
week) no doubt serve a useful purpose in
stimulating others to try their hand at
hive-making, and thus increasing the num-
ber of bee-keepers. It is within my own
knowledge that there are persons who
would be glad to start bee-keeping if they
could afford to purchase the needful appli-
ances. Being myself a working-man with a
large family, I have perforce had to make
my own hives, and have constructed theca
out of any material obtainable at a cheap
rate, including used boxes. But I have
now discarded all used boxes and old mate-
rial, using nothing but sound, new wood,
and I find that the extra cost (which is
only trifling) is more than compensated
for by the saving of time in making and
the enhanced value of the hives when
finished. One trained to the use of tools,
like your correspondent, Mr. F. J.
Richards, WQuld find no difficultv in making
their own frames, but for the great majority
of amateurs it would be far better to buy
them. I make my hives of good, sound
red deal (I should use yellow pine, but can-
not procure it in this neighbourhood ex
cept in large quantities), and, like Mr.
Richards, I took first prize at our annual
show (Devon B.K.A.) at Tavistock in 1904,
and the report appearing in the B.B.J.
spoke well of my exhibits. I append Quan-
tities of boarding and price, as used by my-
self:—

s. d,
10 ft., 9 by 1 1 8

7 ft., 11 by I ... 1 2

8 ft., 1-in. matched 0 10

8 ft. , ^-in. matched 0 6

8 ft., l-in. flooring 0 8

5 ft.,2i by 1 0 3

3 ft., 2 by 2 0 1^-.

Zinc 1 3

Nails 0 2

Total 6 7^

If above is of any interest to JotJENii.
readers, please use it. I should often send
you notes about bee-keeping, but am not
sufficiently skilled in the use of the pen,
and therefore do not like to worry you
with my effusions.— W. C. Stone, Welling-
ton, Somerset, May 28.

[We shall be very pleased to hear from

May 31, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

213

you whenever inclined to pen a few useful
notes such as the above. Do not have any
misgivings with regard to skill in " use
of the pen," we will see to that so far as
regards its suitability for print. — Eds.]

BEES IX BURMA.

[6319.] I hope these few notes will be of
sufficient interest to find a place in your
columns.

'• Here in Burma, during the hottest
months, everybody who can do so " flees
unto the hills." I took a twelve hours'
railway journey to Tourgoo, and thence a
Tioliday jaunt into the Eastern Karen
Hills. I rode about twelve or more miles
through the forest on a " bike," and then,
mounting an unshod Burman pony, set oat
to climb the four thousand feet to Than-
dourg. I must not try to describe the
journey, but confuie my remarks to bee
matters. The first sign of bees that I got
was a tall tree, quite straight and smooth,
with bamboo pegs stuck in at intervals all
the way up. I will explain this later.
Arrived at Thandourg I began to explore
and soon discovered a tree fairly humming
with the smallest bumble-bees I had seen.
They were black with a vellow band across
the abdomen. I could learn little of thotn
except that they were gathering pollen.
Near by I saw the huge black- bumble-bee
that supplies the Karen with an article of
commerce. It is not so bulky as the Eng-
lish bumble-bee, bixt larger in size, and its
hum is considerably louder. All that I saw
were loaded with pollen. These bees seem
to either hibernate, or. as I think more
likely, migrate. About Christmas time a few
begin to appear, and the number grows
larger as time goes on, till, by March,
as many as twelve to twenty swarms will
collect in one huge flowering forest tree.
They hang their combs from a branch, and
these combs measure from three feet lon^
and one foot and a half deep.

The Karens gather this honey in a really
plucky manner. The trees are too big to
be climbed in the ordinary way, so pegs of
bamboo are driven in to form a ladder.
The pegs are driven in as the man ascends,
and a cool head is needed to climb one
hundred and fifty feet of bare trunk on
such a frail ladder.

To eet the honey he must wait till night,
and then up he goes with " smoker " (which
is a sort of torch), basket, and rope to
lower it. Having smoked the bees, he cuts
away the comb piece by piece, and
lowers it to the ground. Having secured
his treasure, he sells it to a Burmese trader
for the noble sum of Rs.5. The bees build
only on two or three kinds of treesf, -and
return to the old spot year after year.

I noted some wonderful examples of

pollen distribution. One, a large mauve
flower, was so curious that I made a rough
sketch on a bamboo leaf. The bee enter-
ing must tread on the small flat step A^
and this brings the pollen brush b down
on its back with some force. There are

five stamens, and the bees get a very
liberal powdering of yellow pollen.

Wishing all bee-keeping friends a pros-
perous season. — Ernest Hart, Mandalay,
Burma, April 21 (formerly member of the
Lines B.K.A.).

[We gladly inisert your interesting notes
and hope to hear from you again. — Eds.]

NOTES FROM THE ISLE OF MAN.

[6320.] I herewith append a few lines on
our Manx spring, fi'om a bee-keeper's
standpoint. The weather during March
and April was all that could be desired —
glorious sunshine every day, and during a
period of five weeks we had only one
shower. You can imagine how the bees
would increase with plenty of early
flowers in bloom, the gorse in particular
yielding its yellow pollen profusely. Mo^t
of my own stocks covered ten frames by
the beginning of the present month ; but,
alas ! the weather broke — just as
" Flowery May " came in — and it has rained
almost during the whole month. Bee-
keepers can now guess the critical condi-
tion of those forwai-d stocks, teeming with
brood and young bees, and scarcely a day fit
for a bee to forage. I feel sure that a good
many colonies that have not received con-
stant attention will have been either lost
through starvation or have suffered such a
set-back as will take them a long time to
recover from.

I had to watch my own dozen hives daily
and keep on feeding. Even with this .'it-
tention I almost lost one of my best
colonies, as the food was being consumed
more rapidly than I thought. Immature
drones and others ready to fly were being
turned out to die from nearly every hive.

214

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [May 31, 1906.

and also young worker-brood from several.
I notice that large numbers of bees from
strong stocks go out for food eren on dull,
wet days, so eager are they to provide %n-
their brood.

I do not remember so cold and wet a
May as this, and we must hope that we
shall be compensated by good weather later
on and heavy crops of clover. I send name,
etc., for reference, and sign — J. J. M.,
Laxey, Isle of Man, May 26.

BEE-KEEPING IN SOUTH AFRICA.

[6321.] With reference to the letter of
A'our correspondent, " W. H. E.-,' in B.B.J.
of March 8 (6232, page 94), I emphatically
endorse his arguments with regard to im-
porting foreign bees. I have been reliably
informed that the South African bee-mark-
ings and size stand well when com-
pared with the Italian. Moreover, in
bee-keeping, common-sense should be
allowed for, and, from this point of view,
surely Mother Nature must be given credit
for having produced the bee best adapted
for local requirements. I consider that
importation lias already brought into this
country enough stock diseases without any
corresponding advantage for us to wish for
more, our latest being rinderpest, a malig-
nant form of cattle-mange, and tick-fever.
The following is the record of my best
colony of bees (South African) : —

The bees were captured, and hived in a
Danz. hive, on November 9, and covered
about six frames when hived. By Feb-
ruary 29 the bees covered twenty frames,
and produced ninety-four sections and
20 lb. of " chunk " honey.

As for viciousness, I think bees all the
world over will at times take charge of
things. I have gone through many re-
cently-hived swarms and clipped the wings
of queens, examined combs, and pushed the
bees about with a naked finger, and have
not been stung once or even " buzzed
at " while working without glovee. my
only bee-quietance consisting of a cigar.
That was when handling colonies captured
about ten days previously, but those of
longer standing, I admit, require precau-
tions. But, after all, it is a very human
trait to put on guard a watch-dog when
property has been acquired.

Apart from all that, however, South
African bees can be made docile by fre-
quent handling ; but, as a set-off against
that, they seem to become sluagish, and
less inclined to work, so that a little desire
to show fight at times, even in bees, is a
good thing.

According to my experience, the best
time to handle bees here is when the
weather is cool (not cold), and the very
worst time when it is very hot !

With regard to the horse mentioned by

" W. H. E. ," may not the bees have been
angered by the vibrations of the horses'
feet, or the " champing," in biting off the
grass? I think bees are intensely sensi-
tive to sound, and it is certain that any-
one using a hoe near a hive will bring
the bees out screaming " Whaffor," and
cause them to hustle round generally if
the bee-man is not out of their way sharp.
I have noticed this even with my most
docile colonies. It can hardly be the odour
of the newly-turned soil that irritates the
bees, because there is no trouble when it
is done sixty or eighty yards away. At
that distance they take little notice in their
flight. Moreover, I have stood within a
few yards of a hive and kept on the best of
terms with the bees, but as soon as I
started pulling up weeds about the hive-
entrance they came " for me " pell-mell,
and stung wherever they got a chance. It
therefore seems clear that our bees here
do not resent one's working seventy yards
away. The inference is that the commo-
tion is due to sound or vibration. More-
over, they are more vicious when the
ground is damp.

With regard to the question of English,
versus American hives, I may state that
I have only tried the latter, on the recom-
mendation of a friend, which contained
cost and simplicity. As I do not wish to
sustain a commercial patriotism on that
basis only, I may state that a catalogue of
English hives, furnished by a local dealer,
made the cost — in my case — prohibitive, or
it may have been that the dealer was taking
advantage of local ignorance. But it lias
been ever thus in South Africa. Unlsss
a bee or even an atom of the " Mighty
Atom " has imagined that he has crossed
an imaginary line, he is deemed an
indigenous ass. At some future date, if
our editors still have any patience left to
hear me, I will inflict on B.B.J, readers
an article on the South African honey-
bird, or bee-finder.

In conclusion, I may say that out here
we read and listen to matters reported in
the B.B..J. , so pray listen to us who write
from our " Native Heath," although we
have no B.B.J., and can only say "Why
not leave S. A. bees as they come to us from
the hand of Nature, and forget what kind
of bees are recommended by dealers or
queen-breeders, and by that same token
keep away foul-brood from us ! — Inyosi,
Zululand, Natal.

[We hope our friend will make inquiries
with regard to the comparative cost of
American and English hives, and get prices
for the latter from de^alers who are above
"taking advantage of local ignorance."
English hives, of simple construction (as
American hives are) can be had at very
low i)rices. — Eds.]

May 31, 1906. j THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

215

HOMES OF THE HONEY BEE.

THE APIAKIES OF OUE EEADEKS.

We need add nothing to the full notes
:sent by Mr. Moir. They speak for them-
selves. He isays : —

" It gives me much pleasure to comply
with your request for a few ' notes ' on my
experience in bee-keeping. I first took a
fancy for bees when a boy of about nine
years. The blacksmith in my native
parish v/as a bee-man of , the old-
fashioned skeppist type, and I often
-accompanied him in his rounds amojig
the straw skeps, and at the end
of the honey-season I saw the poor be?s
dealt with in the only way known in those

also to sell my eleven splendid stocks in
skeps. I had no chance to keep bees again
until 1896, when, having a well-sheltered
garden, I returned to the country and to
the hobby of my younger days. I pur-
chased a good stock of bees in a frame-
hive, and, as the winter evenings came on,
began to consider how I could add to
my stock and impi-ove on my methods of
bee-keeping. I commenced to read the
B.B.J., and got a copy of Mr. Cowan's
'Guide Book,' which is certainly the best
and most practical bee-book I have yet
come across. With my first modern frame-
hive as a model, I set about making my
own. I made four the first winter, and
when the season came round filled them

MR. C. p. MOIR'S APIARY, FERNBAKK, ALFORD, N.P,

days to get the honey — viz., by the sulijhur-
pit. However, as years went by I had to
leave the place, and lost sight of the bees.
In the summer of 1870, on my return jour-
jiey after delivering a message to a neigh-
bour, I came across a splendid swarm of
vagrant bees in a field, and hurried home
and reported the ' find ' to my employer,
the late W. J. Lawrence, Esq., who gave
me a straw skep to hive the bees in, and
liberty to place it in the garden where I
worked. I was not long in hiving the bees,
and they were nicely placed, and worked
splendidly. In the following summer the
first swarm issued, and the second swarm
(or ' cast ') later on, both being safely
hived.; At the end of 1874 I had to leave
the district, give up bee-keeping, and

with driven bees got from bee-keeping
friends, who were very pleased to see them
saved from the sulphur-pit. By cai'eful
attention the four new lots were safely
wintered, and I had a splendid return of
honey next year. In the winter follow-
ing I made four more hives, all of which
were occuiiied by swarms at the end (•£
June. Without being able to boast of any
big • takes ' of honey, I have been fairly
successful on the whole ; my best harvest
from a single stock was eighty-four 1-lb.
sections from a ten-frame hive, but after
removing the surplus I found the brood-
chamber almost empty. Since that time
I always allow the bees to provide their
own winter's supply if possible. When I
find any shortage I feed gently, which

216

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [May 31, 1906.

does not happen often. The photo sent
only shows one side of my apiary, but I
have nine more hives outside the range
of the camera. Three years ago I added
the bee-house seen at the side, which is
constructed to hold twelve swarms, and I
find it very handy, as one can sit inside
and study the habits of the bees more
closely, each hive being provided with a
glass window and sliding shutter, which
needs to be raised in order to see the bees
at work. As seen in photo, I have a pair
of skeps kept specially for swarming ; in
this way I have plenty of natural swarms
to keep up my stock. The boy seen is riy
son, who is rather afraid of the bees ; but
I never use a veil, and very rarely get
stung. My occupation is an indoor one,
and I start work at four a.m. and leave off
at four p.m. This gives me time to do any
bee-work. I never use queen-excluder, ytt
I have no trouble with the queens breeding
in 'Sections.

" Before closing, I may mention a curious
incident in connection with one of my
best hives occupied by an Italian stock.
At the end of May, 1905, I put on a rack
of sections, at the same time making sure
that there was plenty of bees and brood,
and apparently a splendid queen. All
seemed right till the end of June, when I
noticed a great commotion amons a multi-
tude of bees on the alighting-board, and
apparently robbing going on. I exam,ined
the hive the same evening, and there was
not a bee left in it, but the sections all filled
and sealed — in fact, the brood-nest con-
tained the only empty cells in the hive.
It had been in my possession since 1898,
and never swarmed, but always did well
in honey-gathering. I do not know why
the bees deserted the hive, as they were
very strong two days before. We mainly
depend on the white clover in our vale,
and when this is nast those near the hiljs
get the benefit of the heather when the
season is good."

AMERICAN AND COLONIAL PAPERS.

EXTRACTS AND COMMENTS.

By D. M. Macdonald, Banff.
Excluder Zinc. — In Bumming up the
evidence in five papers sent in for compe-
tition, the editor of the Australasian Bee-
keeper says : — " Experiences differ very
much. I am not in favour of a general
use of honev-boards. When producing sec-
tions, I have never found a queen-excluder
necessary, and have had very few instances
of queens laying in sections. I think the
reason whv queens lav in supens is the de-
sire of the bees for drones. I put full
sheets of foundation on all sections, so
there is no drone-comb built there to at-
tract the queen. Locality and the season

will at times make a difference, but here
excluders are unnecessary." Most of the
writers, however, have a partial leaning
to the temporary u^e of honey-boards at
times, and always when working for first-
class extracted honey. This is practically
the exact finding of bee-keepers in this
country. Though not considering them
a very serious impediment in the way of
affecting the yield, I never have used ex-
cluder zinc but exnerimentally, and have
never seen any disadvantage in working for
comb-honev.

Pine Honey. — Bee-keepers located near
extem&iye nine woods have told me that
some seasons their bees ejathered a dark,
harsh-tasted honey from the trees. The
American Bee-heeper, quoting from an
Austrian source, has this to say on the sub-
ject : — " Spruce and pine furnished the
bees with honey every day for a long period.
This honey was nearlv black, and unfit for
the bees as winter food ; so it had to be
extracted and the bees fed on sugar-syrup,
because tests made with the black honey
had proved fatal." Curiously, the bee-
keepers in this country in such locations
never make a success of it, as colonies are
always weak.

Spare the Bees. — It is quite true that bees
will clean up dirty combs, and at a time,
too, when there is no harvesting of honey.
But it is a pretty well recognised fact that
a be«'s age is reckoned in labour units, not
time units. It is, therefore, folly to age
one's bees by giving them unnecessary
labour, because when the profit-yielding
season opens these bees die sooner than
they ought." A considerable amount of
hard woi'k. work which kills, can be spared
the bees frequently bv a little care and
forethought on the part of their keepers.

One for " W. Z. ff."— This is how a
writer of wide experience treats the " five
visits a year " management in a late issue
of the Beview : — '' I would as soon think
of running a dairy on the out-yard plan ;
turn the cows out in the spring, milk them
three or four timeiS' during the summer,
then when fall comes, round them all up,
and give them a good milking ; seems to
me as sensible as to run an apiary with
four or five visits a vear." It is the old
question over again. Many bees and little
management, or few bees well managed.
The last, I think, is sure to win, unless
under very exceptional circumstances. Mr.
Doolittle holds this doctrine, and prac-
tices what he preaches, vet he records
11451b. of section-honey during the last
poor season from an out-apiary properly
managed.

Prevention Better than Cure. — In Texas
they have enlightened views regarding foul
brood. An inspector has been appointed
where there is no disease. Yet they are
wise men in their generation. " As soon

May 31, 1906. J THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

217

as it is learned that bees are to be brought
into that section, arrangements for having
them insTJected are made, and the bees
will not be allowed to be brought until a
certificate showing that they are in healthy
condition can be obtained." In Ohio, too,
they are forging ahead. " The county com-
missioner shall ajipoint a competent person
as foul-brood inspector, clothed with the
necessary authority to inspect colonies and
treat the same according to the most up-
to-date methods. The expense of such in-
spection will be paid out of the funds re-
ceived from a special tax of one comb per
colony. As tliere are 150,000 colonies in
Ohio, this will give a fund of 1,500 dols.
to do the work thoroughly." These figures
should be instructive and aid us in our
next crusade for a F.B. Bill.

[3303.] Swarming Vagaries. — One of my
strong stocks swarmed on May 12, about
8.20 a.m., and divided into two clusters.
The bees were hived in separate skeps and
left owing to my having to leave home for
business. At 2.30 p.m. one lot had dis-
appeai'ed (although both skeps, I am told,
were occupied as late as 11.45 a.m.). I
" hived " the remainder, which filled about
three fi*ames. On lifting quilts of the
parent hive it looked so fidl that evidently
the other lot had returned. Next day (Sun-
day) and on Monday they were out again,
and about a quart of bees hived in a skep,
but they returned on their own account
to the old hive. Then on Saturday, the
19th, they came out again, clustered, and
returned on their own account, without
being skepped. I was only present myself
on the second occasion (Sunday, the 13th).
It is a strong stock, and to all appearance
perfectly healthy, and was full up with
brood, though wax-moth has been in, but no
sign of brood, etc., being disturbed by it.
I have been only waiting for warmer tem-
perature to examine frames and transfer
to newly-painted hive. A super was given
on Sunday, the 13th, but they have not
gone up into it. Can you explain or
suggest reason for acting thus, and the best
thing to do?— H. W. B., South Woodford,
N.E., May 22.

Reply. — It seems clear that the queen
came off with the first swarm on the 12th
inst., and if both clusters had been joinod
together in one hiving-skep, all would have
gone on right. As it was, the queenless
portion of the swarm returned to the parent
hive, and. finding the latter almost as
crowded as before the half-swarm had left,
the bees made several attempts to swaria.
hut, being unaccompanied by a queen.

returned. On the 19th the stock was>
within two days of being due to throw off
its second swarm, but, as the future queeii
of the colony would not be ready to accom-
pany the swarm, the bees returned without
clustering.

[3304.] Packing Bees for New Zealand. —
I thank you for your letter of 12th ult.
forwarding 8d. in stamps as change for my
remittance of March 20. Books are safely
to hand. I have just become a regular sub-
scriber (through my agents, Messi's.
Everett and Sons) of the B.B.J, and
B.K.R., and find both publications most
interesting. I am leaving Ceylon shortly
to reside at Christchurch (N.Z.), and there-
fore ask : Do you think stocks of bees, if
packed by a well-known dealer, will trav-il
such a distance from England with a mode-
rate degree of success ? — John Yotjjtg,
Colombo, Ceylon, May 7.

Reply. — If trouble and expense are not .
taken into accoimt, stocks of bees can no
doubt be packed to travel safely even so far
as New Zealand with only a moderate per-
centage of loss. But it is far more economi-
cal and safer to take queens only, each
being accompanied by a hundred or so if
workers. There are several dealers in beos
and appliances out there who will meet
all your needs in the shape of bees and
modern bee-appliances. We sent copy of
" The Honey Bee " as desired at once on
receiving letter dated May 8, and hope it
wil reach you in time. Our journals go to
New Zealand at same rate as inland.

[3305.] A Bcgiiiupr's Queries. — I had the
pleasure last week of seeing the B.B.J, for
the first time. I am quite a novice at bee-
keeping, and shall look to the B.B.J, for
help. I became the possessor of three
stocks of bees, already here when I came
last August, and up to the present have
contented myself with feedinpr with candy
in March and with sugar-syrun durinqr the
last fortnighf of April, besides cleaning
the floor-boards of hives. I may say one
stock is in skep and two in home-made
hives. The maker was evidently not a
genius, but I am desirous of making my
own, as I do most things connected with
my "hobbies." I shall, therefore, be
obliged if you will advise me on the follow-
ing points : 1. Where can I obtain working
drawings of good hive ? 2. In description
of some hives I see inner brood-chamber
mentioned. Does this mean an inner box
that may be lifted out? 3. How are " zig-
zag entrances " formed ? 4. For this
season would you advise natural or arti-
ficial swarming, or trying to prevent
swarming? 5. If the latter, which is the
better way — shallow-frames under brood-
chamber, or tiering up ? 6. I have just-
examined hives, and the bees appear io
have taken possession of all frames. When

218

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [May 31, 1906.

should I put on super frames ? — S. J. F. ,
Canterbury.

Reply. — 1. You will find full illustrated
description — with measurements — of
several hives in " The Bee-keepers' Practi-
cal Note-book," to be had from this office,
price Is. Id., post free. 2. Reply to this
also appears in above book. 3. The zig-zdg
entrance has fallen into disuse of late years
because of disadvantages not to be over-
looked. 4. For a beginner, we advise
natural swarming. It is quite time to leave
difficult operations till some experience
has been gained. 5. The same may be said
of prevention of swarming on other than
the orthodox and simple plan of giving
Toom and ventilation in advance of require-
ments. 6. Give surplus-chambers at once
if the hiveis are crowded with bees as stated.

[3306.] How to Start Bee-lceeping. — I '^m
thinking of starting bee-keeping in ai small
way (only one hive at first), probably about
the middle of July. I' am in doubt what
to commence with — a swarm or a stock —
and so I ask : 1. If I have a swarm, shall I
get any honey at all this season ? 2. Is there^
a Bee-keepers' Association for Cheshire,
and what benefits should I gain by joining ?
3. I should like to attend some lectui-es cr
demonstrations with bees if I knew of any
being given in this neighbourhood. Per-
haps you could give me some information
on the subject, also if there are any bee-
shows about here soon ? I am studvine Mr.
Cowan's " Guide Book," and am much in-
tei'ested in it. I send my name, etc., and
sign myself — C. H., Sale, Cheshire.

Reply. — 1. If you can secure a good
swarm by the second week in June it is
quite possible to secure some surplus this
season if you work for it on the lines me«-
tioned in "Guide Book." On the other
hand, a strong, healthy stock headed by a
prolific queen will be much more likely to
yield a large retunr in surplus honey if
bought now. 2. The hon. sec. of the
Cheshire B.K.A. is the Rev. E. Charley,
Rossett Vicarage, Wrexham. 3. Refer to
" Shows to Come " in this issue for date
of bee and honey show at Chester, where it
is probable that lectures and demonstra-
tions in bee-tent will be given.

[3307.] Charinq Granulated Hnncy from
Storr-cnmbs. — I have a few dozen supers
containing frames from which the honey
was omitted to be extracted last autumn,
and which had become too firm for tlie
•extractor, in the spring. Being anxious to
preserve the combs, please say what would
you advise doing under the circumstances.
Thanking you in advance, I send name,
etc., and sign — P. J. B., Vienna, May 22.

Reply.^ — If the honey in question has
become solid through granulation, the be*t
way to get it cleared out is to spray Ihe

combs with lukewarm water in order to
moisten the honey, and allow of its removal
by the bees themselves. The spraying may
need repeating once or twice before the
cells are quite cleared out, as they should
be before using again, because a few par-
ticles of granulated left in the cells will
cause new honey stored in them to granu-
late eai'lier than it would otherwise do.
Should no other hives be kept within a
quarter-mile of your own, the frames may
be exposed in the open while being cleared
out.

[3308.] Honey from Wild Bryony. — I
shall be much obliged if you will inform
me through your valuable journal whether
honey gathered by bees from the flowers
of wild bryony (which bears poisonous
berries) is likely to impair the quality of
the product of my hives. I have a large
quantity of the plant named growing in
a wild corner of my garden, and last year
I utilised it as a climber to cover an arch.
I noticed that the blossoms were great
favourites with bees of all kinds, and it
has been suggested to me that as the
berries are poisonous the honey might be
so as well. I have this season started a
hive in my garden, and would like to knoAv
if I should root out the plants or let them
remain. — G. R. M., Chingford.

Reply. — Xo, there is no such danger as
you fear from the flower named. Nor is it
ever included among bee-forage plants.

£w $\mm to §omt

A nominal charge of 2.s. 6d. is made for notices {not
exceediiKi 7 lines) in this column, 10 linen chanjed ^U. (Jit.,
up to I'l lines '^■<.. which covers coat of insertion from
order till date of show. Cash should accompany orders
for insertion.

June 12-15, at Portsmouth..— Show of Honey,
Hives, etc., in connection with the Eo}'al Counties'
Agricultural Show. For schedules, apply to E. H.
Bellairs, Bransgore, Christchurch, Hants.

June 27 to 30, at Derby.— Royal Agricultural
Society's Show. Bee and Honey Section under the
management of the B. B.K.A. Increased prizes for
B.K. Associations as arranged in divisions or groups
of counties. Schedules from Edwin H. Young, Secre-
tary, 12, Hanover-square, W, Entries close
May 29.

July 18, at Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Lei-
cestersliire.^Show of Bees, Honey, and Appliances,
in connection with Annual Flower .Show. Three ujieu
and two local classes, and one L. B.K.A. Bee demon-
strations. Schedules from J. H. Dunmore, Secretary,
Alandale, Ashby de-la-Zouch. Entries Close
July 16.

July 19 and 20, at Gainsborouerli.— Show
of Honey, Hives, and Bee Appliances in connection
with the Lines Agricultural Society. Bee Depart-
ment under management of the Lines B.K.A. Four-
tew classes. Liberal money prizes and silver medals.
Schedules from R. Godson,' Hon. Sec, Lines B.K.A.,
TothiU, Alford, Lines. Entries Close June 15.

July 25 and 26, at Cardiff.— Annual Show of
the Glamorgan B.K.A. in connection with that of the
Cardiff and County Horticultural Society. Honey,
Wax, Appliances, etc Classes for members, novices'.
Five open classes, with prizes for sections and

May 31. 1906.

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

219

extracted honey, 21s., 10s. 6d., 5s., in each class.
Bee appliances, SCs., 15a. Entry fee for one or more
of the open classes to non-members, 28. 6d. Schedules
from Wm. Richards, Hon. Secretary, The Red House,
Gabalfa, Cardiff. Entries close July 20.

July 29. at Chester.— Cheshire B.K.A. Show-
in connection with the County Agricultural Societv.
Open classes for Hives, Observatory Hives, Sections,
and Extracted Honey. Baroness Burdett Coutts' prize
hive for best exhibit shown by cottager member.
Seven chisses for members. Schedules from T. A.
Beckett, St. Werburgh Chambers, Chester. Entries
Close August 8, or at double fees, August 15.

August 8 to 10> at Middlesbrough-—

Show of Honej', etc., in connection with the Royal
Yorkshire Agricultural Society. Schedules and form
of entry from John Maughan,' Secretary, Blake-street,
Tork. "Entries close June 30.

August 9, at Madresfield. Malvern. —
Annual Show of the Worcestershire Bee-keepers'
Association. Open class. Schedules from Mr. Geo.
Richiugs, 2, Shrubbery Terrace, Worcester.

August 16. at Yetminster. Dorset. —
Annual Show of the Yetminster and District B.K.A.
held in a field kindlv lent by Mr. Jolliffe. Four open
classes, including three 1-lb. jars extracted 'loney,
three lib. sections, and cake of beeswax. Schedules
from G. Leeding, Hon. Sec, Bradford Abbas, Sher-
borne. Entries close August 10-

August 30, at Montgomery.— Honey Show
in connection with Horticultural Exhibition. Two
open classes for six 1-lb. sections and six lib. jars
extracted honey. Prizes, 10s., 5s., 2s. 6d. Entry fee,
Is. each class. ' Schedules from Mr. W. J. Jones, Secre-
tary, Montgomery. Entries close August 23-

Notice's to Co^resDondents & Inquirers.

J. HiLLMAX (Glos.). — Moist Sugar for Dry
Feeding. — Your samijle is probably cane-

' sugar of a very common kind, and worth
no more than the price stated. The only
cane-sugar suitable for "" dry feeding " 's
that lui,own as Porto Rico, which is
rarel}- procurable in this country. The
cheapest genuine cane-sugar for bee-
syrup is the XX preserviiig, at 21s. 9d.
per cwt.
Caexiolax (Cornwall). — Driving Bees from
Hollow Tree. — Seeing that the bees enter
through a small hole about 12 ft. ox
14 ft. from the ground, they cannot
be - driven out or dislodged by
" boring a hole below entrance, and
injecting the fumes of burning sul-
phur by means of a bee-smoker." If
j-ou cannot get permission to cut down,
or irretrievably damage the tree in get-
ting at the bees, we advise leaving them
alone. When driven bees can be had
for a shilling or two it is not worth
while troubling about removing them
from -hollow trees.
O. R. F. (Lutun). — Poisonous Compounds
Used by Gardeners and Fruit-growers. —
A paper devoted to horticulture and gar-
dening would be more qualified than our-
selves to furnish you with " a full list
of harmful compounds, " such as might
destroy bees gathering nectar from plants
dusted or spread with r,uch. But it is a
danger that need not be seriously taken
into account by bee-keepers except in
rare cases.

Suspected Comb.
W. E. S. (Worcester).— We find no foul
brood (Bacillus alrci) in the sealed cells
of samples of comb, the general appear-
ance of dead larvae " closely resembling
the disease knovvai in the U.S.A. as
"pickled brood." This is described in
" Root's A*B.C. of Bee-culture " as a dis-
ease that " comes and goes ; is mildly
contagious, and cannot be really con-
sidered a destructive disease," i.e., the
bees will usually take care of it. There
is, therefore, no risk in again using
hivec, etc.

*^* Some Letters, Queries and Heplies, &c.y
are unavoidably held over till next week

Special Prepaid Advertisements.

Twelve words and under Sixpence : for every additional
Three words or under, One Penny.

Advertisements for current Issue must be received
by first post on Tuesday.

EALTHY NATURAL SWARMS, lOs^ b&. and
12s. 6d. 1905 Qi'eens. Returnable boxes and
safe delivery.— W. SOLE, Expert, Poplar Grove. New-
Maiden, Surrey. q 14

TWO EXCELLENT 1905 QUEENS, 5*. each -
" APIARY," 3, Maitland Park Road, N.W. Q 13

STRONG, NATURAL, HEALTHY SWARMS, June,
10s. 6d. Boxes 6d.— T. BRADFORD, Expert, 3,-
Sumraer Street, Worcester. q 12

QUEENS ! QUEENS I : (Natives), fertile and reliable,
not to be beaten for all-round work. ^s. 5d.
each. Order early.— FR.\NK HURLSTONE, Ilminster.
p 94

SELLING OFF. -Bar-frame Hive, with frames, ex-
cluder, two supers, with combs, 12s. 6d. ; 1^ lbs.
super, li lbs. brood foundation, 4s. ; Guinea Extractor,
good condition, 14s. 6d. ! Honey R;peners, complete,
9s.— HOPWOOD, Newton Street, Clitheroe, Lanes.
p 95

STRONG, HEALTHY, NATURAL SWARMS, 12s. 6d.
Skeps free. Safe delivery. — CADMAN, C'odsall
Wood, Wolverhampton. p 96

THIS SEASON'S pure Oxfordshire EXTRACTED
HONEY, 5id. per lb., in large quantities.— REV.
F. E. FOSTER, Swinbrook Vicarage, Burford, Oxon.
p 100

FOR SALE, strong CHAPMAN HONEY PLANTS. 8d.
a dozen.— DARLINGTON, Charing, Kent. q 2

OUTDOOR CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 12 dissimilar, 2s. ;
Calceolarias, 9d. dozen ; Dobbie's Stocks, Asters,
6d. dozen, post free. Exchange Swarms or Bee Appli-
ances. — JOHN HETHERINGTON, £S, Main Street,
Brampton, Cumberland. Q 3

TWO (good as new) MAGIC LANTERNS, one in tin
case, with 18 dozen humorous and nursery tales
slides, £3 10s., or would divide ; approval. Strong
healthv Stocks, eight frames, 23s. 6d. ; Swarms,
12s. 6d., 13s. 6d. Guaranteed healthy.— W. WOODS,
Normandy. Guildford. Q 4

TWENTY-SECTION RACK, fitted W.B.C. bars, and
21 sections, Is. 6d. each.— AVERY, Deverill, War-
minster. Q 5

TTT'ANTED, OBSERVATORY HIVE, with stock of

W Italian Bees, in good condition. — Reply, stating

price, to GEORGE HILL, New Sawlev, Derbvshire.

Q_l

YORKSHIRE BEE-KEEPERS SUPPLY STORES.—
For workmanship and good quality hives and
appliances send to DIXON, Leeds. Catalogue free.
J Q 9

T"\"^ANTED. immediatelv. two or three ))Ounds
V> QUEENLESS BEES. State price wanted-— PARK,,
Dempster Street, Greenrck. Q 1

^20

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [May 31, 1906.

Prepaid Advertisements {Continued.)

TILLEY'S PATENT (" Won't Leak ") SECTIONS —
Only a limited quantity can be delivered this
season unless ordered early. After June 1st prices
will rise. The 2 \h. size can be used (one or more)
in super, with ordinary wood sections. Sample and
particulars, post paid, 6d.— J. E. GODWIN, Agent,
Dorchester. > p 58

ORAGE PLANTS FOR SALE, 20 for 6d., pest free.—
D. VALLANCE, Dunaskin, N.B. Q H

B

1 AjV HE.ALTH1 SWARMS WANTED. Boxes will
1 U ' ' be provided free. Quote price delivered

Welwyn.— E. H. TAYLOR, Welwyu, Heits.

WILL EXCHANGE Section and Shallow Brood
combs, or Chickens for a Natural Swarm.
Liberal terms. — LEE, Decorator, Boothstown, Man-
chester, p 93

HEALTHY SWARMS.— May, 12s. 6d. ; June, 10s. 6d
Bo.x 6d. Splendid honey gatherers. Inspection
of my 50 stocks invited on Wednesdays. Sections,
9s. per dozen. Guaranteed safe arrival. Deposit. —
V. HANSEN, Apiary, 3, Gladstone Cottages, Norwood
Green, Southall, Middlesex. p 90

CHAMPION " NEVER SWARM " QUEENS, guaran-
teed healthy. Virgins, 2s. ; Fertiles, July, 5s. —
HARRIS, Wavendon, Bletchley, Bucks. P 49

BARGAIN.— Gent. 's Coventry C}'cle, up to date,
perfectly new ; accept £5 10s. ; five years'
guarantee ; carriage paid ; approval. Particulars free.
—FORGE APIARY, Wheaton Aston, Stafford. P 88

OQTH YE.4R.— E. WOODHAM offers Queens,
^U Nuclei, Swarms, and Stocks of Bees as previ-
ously. Imported Italians, 7s. each.— Clavering, New-
port, Essex. p 82

PRIME NATURAL SWARMS this season, as usual,
all from first-class Bar Frame stocks, 12s. 6d.
and 15s. each. Cases to be returned. CTelegrams,
Wilkins, Letcombe Regis.)— PERCY WILKINS, Let-
com'be Regis, Wantage. p 9y

FOR SALE, WOODEN BUILDING (in sections), 12
X 7, new last December, suitable as store room
or workshop, shelves included, £6 5s. Also Four
Empty Hives, nearly new, guaranteed to have con-
tained healthy Bees; also one dozen Shallow Combs,
with box, 30s. ; or £7 10s. the lot.— J. ADDYMAN,
Charlestown, Baildon. p 74

QUEENS (Doolittle's celebrated strain).— 95 per cent,
of the Bees in America are improved Italians,
proof positive of their superiority over other races.
Americans don't keep bees to look at, but for solid
work. Fertiles, 58. each, after June 10th ; Virgins,
Is. 6d. each, after June 1st. First come, first served.
—DAVID TAYLOR, Ilminster. p 73

INCUBATOR, 60-egg size, and Foster Mother, both
copper tanks in good condition ; will sell for
358., or exchange for good Bee appliances.— m!. OWEN,
M^ernolen, Groeslon, R.S.O., Carnarvon. P 68

NATURAL SWARMS, 10s. 6d. and 128. 6d.— R.
CARTER, Chartridge Green Farm, Chesham,
Bucks. p 56

QUEEN EXCLUDERS.— Four dozen Queen Ex-
cluders, plain margin all round, 4s. 6d. dozen
(cost 78. dozen). Also six sheets, 96in. x 16in., 28.
each (cost 38. 6d.). Also two dozen plain sheets
(roof zinc), 24in. square, 63. 6d. dozen (cost 9s.). All
new. No further use , to owner.- G. STANBROOKE, 60,
Bumford Street, Chorlton-on-Medlock, Manchester.
_^ p 67

WANTED, unlimited quantity, TILLEY'S PATENT
(" Won't Leak ") 2-lb SECTIONS, completed by
the Bees, in quantities to suit producers, soon as
ready.— M. H. TILLEY, Bee Farm, Dorchester. P 97

HEALTHY SWARMS BOOKED NOW.— May, 2s. 6d.
lb. ; June, 28. lb. ; Queens, June, 38. 6d —
HEMMING BROS., Standlake, Witney. P 24

CHEAP.— EIGHT NEW HIVEs! Must be sold,
owing to removal. Stamp please for particu-
lars.—PRITCHABD, Wainalong Bead, Salisbury.

P 40

SWARMS of- "YE OLD ENGLISHE BEES."— Having
BO many orders already booked I cannot promise
others till after June 15. Prices 10s. 6d., 12s. 6d.,
and 15s. Packing boxes free and safe delivery. — W.
WOODLEY, Beedon, Newbury.

QUEEN REARING.— No trouble to work ; no expen-
sive appliances ; can't fail ; four cage® and
full instructions, 28. 6d. — MEADOWS, Syston,
Leicester. q 10

NATURAL SWARMS IN JUNE, from strong healthy
Stocks, in Bar Frame Hives, 10s. 6d. and 12s. 6d.
Cash with order, or deposit. — BROWN, 30, Albany
Road, Crawley, Sussex. p 14

ITALIANS, first cross, best honey gatherers, good-
tempered. Strong ten frame stocks, with last
season's queens ; guaranteed healthy ; ready for
supers ; package free ; 25s. each. — 0. EINIGHT, Epney,
Stonehouse, Glos. p 61

PRIME NATURAL SWARMS, May and June, 128. 6d.
each. Boxes, Is. Cash with order, or deposit —
G. JORDAN, Steeple Aston, Oxford. 0 91

PROTECT YOUR FRUIT.— Tanned Garden Netting,
only best quality supplied. Order promptly, as
nets are scarce and must be dearer. 25 x 8 yds.,
50 X 4, and 100 x 2 yds., 9?. each. Add ten per cent,
for other sizes.- L. WREN AND SON, 139, High Street,
Lowestoft. o 92

WANTED for Bcientific purposes, QUEEN BEES
and WORKER HORNETS? Will brother bee-
keepers oblige? — HERBOD, Apiary, Luton.

A PRONOUNCED SUCCESS.— The BURKITT BEE-
GLOVE. With sleeves, 33. 6d. per pair, post
fre2. Without sleeves, 28 6d. per pair, popt free. The
best, cheapest, and most satisfactory glove for bee-
keepers.—EDWARD REYNOLDS, Glove Maker, And-
over, Hampshire. Wholesale prices to the trade

ROYAL COUNTIES' ACRICULTURAL SOCIETY

SHOW AT PORTSMOUTH, JUNE 12—15

One of the Largest Shows in England !

HONEY AND HIVE SCHEDULES OF--

E. H. BELLAIRS, Christchurch.

SWAI^JYIS! SWAI^IYIS!

I cannot accept more orders for swarms in May, but
am open to book a few more for

JUNE, at 2S. 6d. per lb.

IJoxes to be returned carriage paid.
QUEENS. QUEENS.

Tested Queens of selected qualities ready for end of
May at 4s. each, posted in introducing cage. Customers
are best judges. One writes : — 'Pleased to say Queen
supplied doing first class." Early booking recommended.
DAVID50N, Expert, Beecroft, BASJNOSTOKE.

MEADHAM & SON,

MEREFORD.

Manufacturers of Up-to-date Hiues and Bee

Appliances.

ESTABLISHED 187 6.

Illustrated Catalogue Post Free.
LOOK HERE !

THE NEW "RECORD" HIVE, 9/3

Usual price, 10/6.

FPR A SHORT TIME ONLY.

Manufactured by —

RAWSON & THOMPSON, TADCASTER, YORKS.

June 7, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

2-21

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE B.K.A.

ANNITAL MEETING.

The annual meeting of the Northampton-
shire Bee-keepers' Association was held on
May 19 in All Saints' Schools, Northamp-
ton. The Rev. J. Palliser Frend occupied
the chair, and after the minutes of the last
annual meeting had been read over and
signed, the report and accounts for the
past year were gone through. The season
of 1905 was a very variable one for honey,
some parts of the county producing a good
crop, and in other parts only a very little
was secured. The annual show, held in
Kingsthorpe Hall Park, on July 20, was a
very fair one. Mr. W. Herrod, F.E.S.,
judged the honey and wax, and awarded
the silver medal of the British Bee-keepers'
Association to Mr. James Adams, West
Haddon ; the bronze medal to Mr. Charles
Wells, Oxenden ; and the certificate to Mr.
Charles Cox, Brampton. Mr. George Hef-
ford, Northampton, awarded the prizes in
classes for honey-cakes, etc. The accounts
show the year started with a balance in
hand of £8 7s. 8d., and closed with an
increased balance of £10 12s. 7d., and
no liabilities. This was considered satis-
factory, and duly passed. The chairman
proposed thanks to the retiring president
and officials, which were accorded. Tlie
election of officers for the ensuing year then
took place. Mr. James Manfield being re-
elected president. The association having
received permission to hold the annual
show in Abington Park, it was decided to
fix the date, Thursday, August 9. The
schedule of prizes was revised, and it was
decided to accei)t the cottager's hive, value
15s., kindly offered bv the Baroness Bur-
ilett-Coutts for competition amongst cot-
tage Jiieinbers of the association.

The meeting closed with the usual vote
of t\mn]is.^Cominunicated.)

CAMBS. AND ISLE OF ELY B.K.A.

ANNUAL MEETING.

The second annual meeting since its re
organisation was held at Cambridge on
Saturday, May 12, the Chairman, Mr. C. J.
Mapey, presiding over a numerous attend-
ance of members, including Miss A. M
Smith, Mrs. L. White, Dr. ' Sidney Wood,
Messrs. C. Dunn-Gardner, F. R. Ford W
Fison, R. Brown, A. S. Shrubbs, J. Short
G. Hills, E. Bailey, C. Peacock, Alleti
Sharp, and others.

The report and balance-sheet showed an
increased membership of 65 during the
past year, the total now being 154. Thsre
was an adverse balance of £8 9s. 3d. The
report and balance-sheet were adoptHd.
The experts, in reporting results of their

visits to members, mentioned the sadly -
neglected condition in which they found a
majority of the apiaries, foul brood being
present in many hives. In some cases tc-tal
destruction was resorted to, and in others
remedial measures were adopted. On 'he
other hand, some of the apiaries visitel
were stated to be a credit to the industry,
and in some districts the disease seemed
non-existent.

The various exhibitions of honey held
during the year had been most successful.
Two candidates had gained the third-class
certificate of the B. B.K.A. during the year,
and 517 hives had been insured under the
scheme of the parent association. For-
tunately, however, no claim had i)iAU
made.

The following officers were appointed
for the ensuing year: —

President, A. Peckover, Esq., LorJ-
Lientenant ; Chairman, Mr.. C. J. Mapey ;
Executive Committee, Dr. O. Wood, Rev.
H. Hensman, Messrs. W. R. Billing, R.
Brown, F. R. Ford, J. Short, and W.
Moore ; Hon. Treasurer, L. Tebbutt, CC ;
Hon, Secretary, G. E. Rogers; Auditors,
A. S. Shrubbs and J. Short ; Hun. Ex-
perts, R. Brown and C. N. White ; Visit-
ing Experts, G. Hills and Allen Sharp.

_A very successful meeting concluded
with the usual votes of thanks. — (Communi-
cated. )

PRESENTATION

TO AN EMPLOYEE OF MESSRS. ABBOTT BROS.

Mr. AV. E. Strickland was on Wednes-
day last presented with a gold watch and
testimonial in the following words : " We,
the undersigned, wishing to convey to you
soine expressions of our regard and friend-
ship,_ ask your acceptance of tlie accom-
panying gohl watch, on whicli is engraved
a record of your long and valued service
with Abbott Bros." 'We understand th;it
Mr. Strickland is the third employee who
has completed twenty-five years' servu-u
with the above firm.

The Editors do not hold theinaelveg re»ponstble jor the
opinions expressed by correspondents. No notice mil
be taken of anonymous communications, and corre-
spondents are requested to virUe on one side of the paper
only and give their real names and addresses, not neces-
sarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith.
Illustrations should be drawn on separate pieces »f paper.
We do not undertake to return rejected communication. '

Communications relating to the Uterani department,
reports of AsKociatioiis, Shotcs, Meetings, Echoes, Queries'
Books for Review, ,icc.,mustbe addressed on.li/ Co " Thk
Editors of the ' British Bee Journal,' 8, ' Henrietta-
street, Covent Garden, London, W.C." All business
Communications relating to adverfisemetits, d;c. ituist be
addressed to '• The Managkr, ' British Bee Journal '
Office. 8. Henrietta-street. Covent Garden, London, W.C."

NOTES BY THE WAY.
[6522.] The month of June has come in
cold and dull, though ere this appears in
print we maybe sweltering in summer heat,

222

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [June 7, 1906.

and our apiaries booming with* the busy-
hum of the bees accomoanied by the seduc-
tive seent of the first honey flow's in-
gathering.

Swarminsr is very late in this part, only
two or three have issued so far, and these
in a sheltered valley near woods. I write
on June 4. and have had only one swarm,
although the bees have been fed liberally
for some time. As a matter of fact, there
has been no good bee-days to help in ex-
panding brood-nests, and fill the top edge
of brood-combs with new honey. We have,
however, had a good steady soaking rain
since my last notes were written, and it has
wonderfully changed the appearance of
grass crops. All we now want is plenty
of sunshine to start the bees at work on the
fast-extending fields of forage. Sainfoin
will be blooming in a few days, and this is
one of our chief honey-producing plants.
At present we have the hawthorn in bloom,
and a good breadth of trefoil or hop-clover,
together with a few oatches of trifolium
grown for green fodder, so that this par-
ticular bee-forage lasts some time as only
a small portion is cut each day.

When putting on supers if the outside
comb in brood-nest is full of honey (sealed
or unsealed), I find it a 2:ood plan to bruise
the cappings of that particular comb and
insert it in the centre of the brood-nest ;
by so doins; the honev will be transferred
above, or the bees will start comb-building
in the supers very quickly. When using
shallow-combs, do not forget the excluder-
zinc, or the queen will probably take
possession of the combs and fill them with
brood.

The condition of the brood-nest is the
best guide to the bee-keeper how to pro-
ceed in giving supers. If the hive contains
only nine frames, and these are all well
filled with capped brood, and not boiling
over with adult bees, super on the nine
frame* and let well alone ; but if there
are more bees than brood add a tenth frame
of comb, if such is oh hand ; or give a full
sheet of wired foundation ; but be sure to
make all super compartments cosy and
warm by wraps of sjome soft material.

Ber. Flowers. — I noticed a little patch of
Linmanthea Douglassi the other day nearly
covered with bees. This shows it must be
a good bee-plant. It is a hardy annual,
and seed sown late in the season makes au
early forage for the following spring. Now
is a good time to propagate arabis by off-
sets. A small " set " planted now will form
a good clump for next year's early bloom.
Extra racks of sections should be» given
where required — by those happy bee-men
located in early districts— when the bees
have began sealing over the sections or
combs in the first ra^k. A carbolised cloth

is the best thing to use when putting the
racks on. Just prise up the first rack,
place the second one beside the hive on a
stool or empty case, give a puff of smoke
when prising up the rack, then take your
cloth and as you lift off the rack allow the
cloth to drop on top of brood-nest, lower the
full rack down towards the spread-out cloth
and the fumes will drive any bees up among
the sections ; then place it on top of the
second empty rack, remove the cloth and
place both racks over the brood-eombs. By
so doing not a single bee will escape or
attempt to sting, and the job is done so
neatly and quickly that there is practically
no waste of time by the bees being dis-
turbed in their work. — W. Woodley,
Beedon, Newbury.

A QUEEN-REARING INCIDENT.

[6323.] Pe!rhap;S you ean inform me
whether the following curious circum-
stance is unique or of occasional occur-
rence : — A short while ago I gave to a
colony (in the queen-rearing compartment)
six artificial cups containing royal jelly
and newly-hatched eggs taken from an
Italian queen whose pro'sreny' are well
known to me. Four of these cups were
" accepted," and I can bear witness that
they contained fine larvte before the cells
were capped ; not only so, but when capped
they were as fine queen-cells as one could
wish for.

One was placed in a queenless colony
belonging to a neighbour, and the history
of this I have not yet followed up. The
remaining three were placed in separate
nuclei of my own. On Monday last two
of these were hatched out, and free
amongst the bees were seen fine, well-
developed virgin queens. The remaining
cell had not hatched yesterday (Tuesday).
I removed this cell and uncapped it in
the presence of my wife. The cell containcMl
a fully-developed and mature (but dead)
worker bee and a qiiantity of dried royal
jelly. This worker was a black bee, the
queen-rearing colony also being blacks.

It appears to me that a young black bee
of the queen-rearing colony became acci-
dentally imprisoned in the queeii-cell dur-
ing capping time.

I can vouch for the following facts : — 1.
The larva introduced was a pure Italian.
2. The larva was accepted, and before the
cell had been capped over was perfectly
natural. 3. The queen-cell was perfect and
entire when given to the nucleus (of blacks).
4. The cell was perfect and entire yester-
day when removed, the point being thinned
down, as is usual in a ripe cell. 5. On
opening it contained an ordinary worker,
black (defuHct), and dried-up royal jelly.

June 7, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

223

6. The bee and queen-eell entire I have
preserved, and can post you if necessary.

Four weeks ago I wrote in answer to ad-
vertisements in your paper to Cyprus and
Germany resj^ectively enclosing money for
Cyprian and Carniolan queens to be de-
livered in May. I have so far received
no acknowledgment or queen from either
source.— A. E. E., Romford, May 30.

[We have no personal experience of a
similar incident to the above during queen-
rearing operations, though, if our memoiy
serves, an instance has been recorded of a
worker-bee being accidentally imprisoned
in a queen-cell. We will be glad to have
the views of others among our readers who
may have anything to communicate bear-
ing on the interesting occurrence dealt with
above. 2. It is more than probable that
the delay in delivery of queens ordered has
been caused by adverse weather prevailing
in ISO many parts of the world during the
past few weeks. ^ — Eds.]

NOTES FROM CORNWALL.

PICKLED BROOD AND " BALLING " QUEER'S.

[6324.] I have at present a case of pickled
brood in my apiary. At first I thought it
was foul brood, but the ropy matter is
absent and the dead grubs are stiff, mostly
unsealed. It has evidently been there
about four or five weeks. I failed to dis-
cover it, owing to bad weather preventing
examination. I also lost four colonies
owing to the bees " balling '' their queens,
after an early examination in spring. A
bee-keeper has perforce to choose between
the risk of non-detection of disease or the
loss of queens by " balling." On the whole
it is best perhaps not to examine too soon.
As regards the pickled brood. I sprayed
same with phenyle solution, and also
sprinkled formalin on the floor-board, but
an examination three days later showed that
the bees had not cleai-ed out the dead
grubs. I am at a loss to understand why
they have not done so. It is directly con-
trary to what has been reported by others.
I have again put formalin on the floor-
board and, will report results later. If no
cure is effected I intend to put bees on
new combs. The complaint is evidently
not " chilled brood," nor is it foul brood
or black brood, though it might develop
into either.

The next colony to that referred to had
one or two such diseased grubs, but the
bees bring out the dead without combs
being even sprayed. I have noticed such
before. Some colonies never allow the dis-
ease to make any progress in the least. I
wonder if the greater immunity to disease
in the case of some stocks may not be

simply due to having the sanitary faculty
more highly developed ? Happily my other
stocks are free from all disease. Mr.
Williams, our county expert, deserves great
praise. He is a most active man, and has
stamped out many cases of disease this
spring. He has also the knack of persuad-
ing bee-keepers to do as he wishes them.
If all experts were hard workers we should
make some progress. He acts on common-
sense lines, and is discouraging the exten-
sion of bee-keeping amongst unsuitable per-
sons. The greatest enemy of the craft that
exists is the man who does not understand
the subject, but yet will " keep bees." We
shall soon be more free from disease hi
Cornwall if the bee-keepers visited will do
as Mr. Williams directs them, x know from
experience that some men Avould never be
any use as bee-keepers, but in the past
enough care has not been taken to dis-
courage such recruits ; the result has been
disastrous. — W. J. Farmee, Redruth,
June 3.

BBES IN MID-CHESHIRE.

[6325.1 Stocks are rapidly getting into
good form, stimulated by the hawthorn,
and sycamore, while some colonies are sur-
prisingly sfood, nothwithstanding the past
months' ungenial weather. The bee-
keeper who has fed his stocks well during
May will, I believe, have a good return
for his outlay. I am taking notes as to
the best methods of taking advantage of
our short honey-flow in Cheshire, to quote
a number of differences in opinions which
are to be met with among our leading
apiarists. I am also observing the con-
dition of the various races of bees as re-
gards foul brood, and at the end of my
tour will send you some notes. — E. Pid-
DUCK, Expert on Tour in Cheshire.

CAPPINGS OF COMB.

By L. S. C. Ilklcy, Yorhs.

An apology is perhaps not needed for
this column, which will introduce itself
as a small corner of unofficial comment
upon the lately current issue of the B.B..T.,
and contain " cappings." which, while not
so vakiable as the solid combs of store
from which they are cut, may yet repay
the trouble of "running down."

"The Outlook" (p. '211).— It is hardlr
surprising that the heat of summer should
be felt in Covent Garden ; but perhaps one
reason for the increased circulation is the
fact that our Journ'al is now on sale at
all the bool*talls, so that he who runs by
ti-ain may read.

" Hutchinsoniana " fp. 211). — Isn't
" W. Z. " readable ? Wrong or right, he
seems to know his own mind, and go

224

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [June 7, 1906.

directly to the point. Glad to see that he has
something to say for the black bee. There
is an opening for some one to breed this bee
on modem, lines, when it would, I think,
be found that it had a less tendency than
some other breeds to became what he de-
scriptively terms "scrub stock."

"Home-made Hives" (p. 212).— I Hke
that 1-inch stuff, presumably for the body-
box. Used boxes are all right for light-
ness ; but how many days a week do you
lift the hive about, and how many days a
week do you want it to be warm?

" Bees in Burma " (p. 213). — One would
like to know how the natives drill the
trees for the hollow bamboo pegs.

" Bees in S. Africa " (p. 214).— That Js
an interesting point about the vibrations
of the ground, which would, of course,
reach the hive. But, any way, horses
stand to get stung from one point or other !
They have a knack of tossing restlessly at
an inquisitive bee. Think it's a gadfly, no
doubt.

" Pine Honey " (p. 216) reads like honey-
dew. I have some " pine honey " to dispose
of. Lovely stuff ! Guaranteed to entirely
satisfy ! " Spare the Bees. " — If not the
bees, who is to do the work? The bee-
keeper ? "Why should he die young ? " One
for 'W. Z. H.' " — If I remember rightly,
Doolittle's out-yard ^(•a.s run on the half-
dozen visit system, so that his instancing
will hurt the critic more than help him.
Boomerang him, in fact.

Queries mA §lfplifs.

[3309.] Fault jj Fnundafiuii. -You have
at various times during the past 18 years
given me useful advice and replies to in-
quiries, and I again beg the favour of a
reply. I have sent by separate post a
comb cut from one of my frames, and also
a piec/e of foundation, such as I am using,
and I should be glad if you would say
whether you think the foundation is made
from inire beeswax, or is it an inferior
beeswax. I have put a quantity of it into
my hives and find much of it stretches
and sags, and the bees are making
drone cells similar to those in the comb
sent, so much so that some of the
combs scarcely have a worker cell
left. I wire all my frames, and have
never had such trouble during the 18 years
I have been a bee-keeper, running over
100 storks. It is a serious loss to me,
as my bees in many hives are breeding
whole frames of worthless drones. Of
course, T am. getting the frames out where
I find them, but you know it is no joke

where so many stocks are concerned. The
foundation came from one of the oldest
fii'ms in the trade, and I have never had
cause to complain before. It runs eight-
sheet frames to the lb., which should be
stout enough for wired frames. I will
send you the firm's name if you wish. —
W. J. H. C.

Reply. — There is no doubt that the wax
used in foundation sent is altogether too
soft for the purpose, and will undoubtedly
cause losSi and disappointment to those
who use it. Please send on name as
promised.

[3310.] Doubling and Storifying. — I shall
be glad of your advice on the following : — I
am trying " doubling " with one of my hives,
and added a box of shallow-frames over
the brood-nest without any queen-excluder
between. I find to-day the bees are draw-
ing out the combs nicely, but are building
brace-comb between the top-bars of brood-
chamber and the shallow-frames, making
the latter very difficult to get out. 1. What
should I do to remedy this fault ? It is
the first time I have used either shallow-
frames or tried doubling. 2. I do not quite
understand about leaving gin. space at
bottom of dummies. Are the beets not
liable to get to • the wrong side of the
dummy and build comb where it is not
wanted? I enclose card and sign — E. C. S.,
Leeds, May 24.

Reply. — 1. The shallow-frame box must
on no account be used without a queen-
excluder between it and body-box, so there
is no remedy except cutting out brace-combs
and setting on an excluder. 2. Bees only
build combs during the time when the full
number of franu's are in the hive, and that
being so vou will find there is no room
for comb-building between the dummy and
hive sides.

[3311.] Stoch Vcstroijed in Sjrring. — I am
sending you specimens of comb from three
vr four frames removed from a hive last
week, thinking it might be affected with
foul brood. I may say a strange thing
happened to this stock. It had been strong
all the winter, but about three weeks ago
I noticed several dead bees outside the
hive and several in a helpless condition.
Examininy the interior I found the en-
trance and bottom of the hive corai^letely
blocked with dead and dying bees. The
brood in middle frames seemed to have
hatched out all at once and dropped on the
floor, more than three-parts of which were
etill living but unable to fly. I could not
see a particle of honey, and so I suppose it
was a case of starvation. My other stocks
had been gathering from the arabis, and
many combs were glistening with now
honey, but cold weather set in and this

(Continued on page 226.)

June 7, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

225

HOMES OF THE HONEY BEE.

THE APIAEIE8 OF OXTB EEADEE8.

The little apiary illustrated below
shows another reader — among many — in
his bee-garden who makes his own hives
from used boxes, and, putting aside the
one in the foreground, very well they look.
The "notes" Mr. Skippen sends read as
follows : —

" My interest in bees was first aroused
while at our local flower show in 1902. In
the autumn of that year I purchased a
stock in a frame-hive, not knowing any-
thing about bees, and in the following
spring they were found to be queenless,
and died out. But this did not put a stop
to the fascinating hobby. My ambition
was to become not only a bee-keeper, but a

courage to face the ordeal. The bees had
built their combs to a slate laid on the top
of the chimney. I got badly stimg, but
managed to secure 60 lb. of beautiful light
clover honey for my trouble, and I esti-
mated that 30 lb. or 40 lb. fell down the
chimney out of reach, and was lost. I
make all my own hives from disused boxes,
and also drive condemned bees belonging
to cottagers to save them from the sulphur-
pit ; these I unite with my own, and thus
have my stocks strong when put up for
winter.

" Our honey seasons have been very dis-
coiiraging here for the past two years owing
to the excessive drought. Our main source
here is white clover and limes.. It is, en
the whole a good district, but rather dry.

MR. A. G. SKIPPEN'S APIARY, SPRINGFIELD, ESSEX.

bee-master, and my first failure did not
daunt me. I next bought four stocks, and
jjurcliased a copy of Mr. Cowcvn's " Guide
Book," and began to take your valuable
journal, witliout which I could never have
gained my ])resent success. My stocks now
only number eight, having sold several,
but my present intention is to build up
m.y apiary to a fair size this year. The first
difficult jnh I tackled was to take a swarm
which had been located in a disused chim-
ney for eiglit years, and had never sent
out a swarm during the whole time. The
tenant of the house was afraid to walk
about in his garden, so I started on the
task, witli two bee-keepers watching mc
from a distance, who could not pluck up

However, I cannot complain, for lask
year I secured sixty well-lilled sections of
fine quality from my best stock. I have
never had foul brood, and hope I never
shall. In conclusion, I should like to offer
a word of advice to beginners : Do not
imagine, because our brother bee-keepers
across the water secure enormous takes of
surplus that you will get them here, be-
cause there is so much difference between
their climate and oui's. I lived in America
myself for seven years, and know what I
speak of. Do not experiment, but keep to
the steady, beaten track, and you will be
on the road to success.

" I conclude by wishing all bee keepers
a successful season in 1906."

226

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [June 7, 1906.

(Continued from page 224 )

big population had nothing to sustain
them. I at one© transferred them to a
new hive and have since removed all the
combs containing brood to check the disease
if it is here. — J. P., Polperro, May 25.

Reply. — The samples of comb were in
very foul condition when received, and
were put out of sight without delay in con-
sequence. From particulars given it would
appear to be a case of death from hunger,
while the entrance becoming blocked with
dead bees prevented ingress or exit. The
sealed brood is quite black, and cell-cap-
pings wet and sunken, as when a stock has
been asphvxiated through over-heating.
There i'S no sign of foul brood, therefore we
must attribute it either to famine or to
the last-named cause. Hive-entrances
should be cleared at regular intervals
during the early spring.

[3312.] A Beginner's Queries. — Do you
know of any book dealing with honey
— that is. advising concernins; the best
methods of keeping it, and the changes
which take place when ripening, etc. ? Last
year I stored some honey, and find this
spring that it has gone hard and white.
Wh""' is this, and how could it have
been avoided ? With regard to bees
themselves, I have kept a few stocks
in frames-hives for some time, but
have never taken up the art seriously,
with the consequence that I have always
b^en unsuccessful. Now. ho\vever, I
intend takine; it up more thoroughly, and
with that object have begun to take in the
B.B.J. I find that one of my colonies is
very weak, only one or two bees flying out
at intervals. I have not opened it up to
examine the frames, but can see from just
raising the quilt that there is only about
one seam of bees. There is, however, a
"iair amount of sealed honey. Do you think
the hive is queenless, and should I make
a full examination of the combs ? Is it yet
time to put supers on strong hives, and
will supering infallibly prevent swarming ?
Let me have the " Guide Book " and pam-
phlet (order herein) at once, as I wish to
get my hives right. — I send name, etc., for
reference, and sign — Quekist, Wolver-
hampton.

Later. — Since writing the above I have
examined the weak hive mentioned, and
find very few bees, on three frames at most,
and these not very well covered. There
are no eggs, apparently, and I could nnt
find the queeij. On some of the fi-ames^
however, there are patches, in the centres,
of a few square inches, of what appear to
be drone-brood- that is, the cells project
considerably above the comb-level, and are
in most cases sealed over, but in one or two
there are large and apparently healthy

larvee. If this is a case of queenlessness,
where do the larvse come from, and, if not,
how is it there is no worker larvae? The
number of drone-cells is, I presume, !oo
great to admit of the possibilitv of a fertile
worker. I may mention that the hive has
been weak for some time. I send name,
etc., for reference, and sign — Querist,
Wolverhampton.

Reply. — In future please enumerate
queries sent for reply in this column. By
so doing it renders matters more clear on
both sides. For the rest, we may say all
good honev becomes " hard and white "
after keeping for somei time, but, by
storing it in a proper j^laee, granulation
is retarded, and honey is considered more
suitable for table use if kept clear and
liquid. Having now taken up bee-keeping
" more thoroughly " and procured a
" Guide Book," you will find in the latter
full directions on all general matters con-
nected with bees and bee-keeping, and the
B.B.J, query and reply column will, we
hope, meet any special cliflficulties which
may arise in your work, such as dealing
with the weak colony mentioned. With
regard to this we may say (1) the stock is
either queenless or headed by an unmated
queen, or (2) there is a fertile worker in
the hive. This is clear from the fact of
drone-brood being found in worker cells.
The " Guide Book" tells all about these
matters, so consult the Index on all points,
and form your course of action accord-
ingly. The stock in question is apparently
valueless, • and the bees hardly worth
saving. , ,

[3313.] A County B.K.A. for Somerset. —

1. . ery many thanks for your answers
through present issue of .your valuable
Journal. I have destroyed the whole of
the combs from the hive of which sample
of comb was submitted, and as the hive
is not a valuable one, should I destroy this
also ? 2. Can you say if the County Asso-
ciation for Somerset is formed yet? If so,
I shall be iDleased to become a member. —
P. B. R., Frdme.

Reply.— 1. By all means destroy the
hive, and so avoid future risk. 2. We
understand that good i)rogress has been
made in the direction referred to, and hope
to have particulars shortly for publication

[3314.] Dealing with Bees in " Stewarton ''
Hives. — I have just received a stock of bees
in a " Stewarton " hive, which seems from
every point of view a healthy and strong
lot. I shall be pleased to learn through
vour paper — 1. What stcjDS are required
in order to build ut) a strong^ hive to be in
time for the clover harvest (which is in full
swing here about the first week in July.

2. Also what steps I require to take to pre-
vent swarming, as I only wish to have the

June 7, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

227

one hive, time not allowing me to have more
this year. From all appearance the stock
in question must have a vigorous queen
(which I learn was reared last year), as I
can see from inspection at the front and
back windows there are abundance of bees.
In this district we have many spring
flowers, together with tree and fruit-blos-
som, but I am not anxious for the honey
from such sources, preferring to have the
b&es strong in time for the clover harvest.
I have several spare Stewarton boxes for
use when wanted. I send name and sign
■ — Hexagox, Alinton Mearns, N.B.

Reply. — 1. If bees are now, as stated,
healthy and strong, and not short of food,
they will need no attention just now be-
yond setting one of the spare boxes on as
a super to Drevent swarming. You do not
say if the stock occupies more than one box
at the present time, but we suppose they
do not, if bees are seen crowding at front
and back windows. The Stewarton system
has almost fallen out of use in this country,
but it affords an excellent chance of pre-
venting swarms as room can be given either
above or below, as may be desirable.

[3315.] Qucenless Bees. — Being a con-
stant reader of the B.B.J. , I beg to
ask your advice in the following case : —
One of our colonies of bees has, I
think, become queenless. Since March
last bi'ood and dead drones have been oc-
casionally cast out. On April 17 the hive
had its spring cleaning, and on examining
the combs they were found to contain
drone-brood only in worker-cells. The hive
was again examined a week ago, and there
was no trace of worker-brood. I failed to
find the queen, but drones are flying freely
from the hive, and the workers are carry-
ing^ in pollen, but onlv half-heartedly com-
pared with my other stocks. It seems cer-
tain there is a laying worker in the hive.
The bees cover eight frames. — Emanuel
Davies, Bethseda, N. Wales.

Reply. — We should unite the bees to the
hive next to the queenless lot, as they
would not be likely to raise a queen from
brood if given from another hive, now that
drone-rearing has been in full swing for
some time.

[3316.] Samples of Comb for Inspection.
— ^"I enclose a sample of comb from one of
my hives, and shall be glad if you will
say if it contains foul ])rood. I can only
find one comb with cells like this, and have
taken it away, although full of brood
(healthy most of it"^ as a precaution. There
are only a few cells scattered about the
comb like those in the enclosed pieces. The
comb is perfectly new, and this is the first
brood raised in it. The stock is strong,
having nine frames containing brood on
both sides, and seems I'eady for supering.

I intended writing a few " notes " for in-
sertion in the B.B.J. . as is my usual prac-
tice, but this discoverv has rather damped
my spirits, for I have spent a lot of time
and money on my hobby. 2. I am hoping to
see Mr. C'arr at fhe " Royal " Show this
month, as I have read the Journal now
for four years, and have a great desire to
see the Editors of our Journal in the flesh.
Name, etc., enclosed for reference, and
sign — Hawthorn, Derby, May 30.

Reply. — rJudging from the two small bits
of comb sent, it seems a case of 'chilled
brood only, but your tiny sample was un-
siiitable for inspection, as comb contained
only three or four dead larvee in all.
Samples should not be crushed or have the
cells probed at all, but sent in tin box with
letter outside the box. 2. It is more than
probable that the individual you name will
he visible at the Derby Show (and pleased
to see you) if inquired for at the secretary's;
office.

[3317.] Dealing with Qucenless Bees. — I
have a queenless stock, and upon looking
for guidance in dealing with the motherless
bee«3 I think the making of an artificial
swarm is best. But I cannot understand
the instructions on page 106 of " Guide
Book " (last paragraph). The mention of
" other stock " I take to mean the stock
with a queen, which latter has to be placed
on a sheet for the reception of the queenless
lot. If that reading is correct, where does
the '' swarm " come in. as there is no in-
crease of stocks bv that plan ? If, how-
ever, the " other stock " means the queen-
less lot, then the " other bees " referred to
further on must be a stock hive with a
queen, and it is, therefore, the latter that
have to be shaken off in front of the hive.
In this case I take it to be necessary
to see that the queen enters the hive that
was queenless, or else give them a frame
of brood and eggs wherewith they might
raise a queen ? Reply in next issue will
oblige — S. E., Xess. Neston.

Reply. — Page 106 of " Guide Book " is
part of the chapter on " Uniting," and does
not deal with making artificial swarms at
all, but merely with a means of utilising
the queenless iDees by ioining them to an-
other colony. It is seldom worth while
to give a comb containing eggs and brood
to a colony that has been for some time
queenless. If, therefore, no brood has been
reared in the hive this year, the bees will
make no attempt to raise queens from eggs
given now.

[3318.] r/if; "W.B.C." Hivc.-\Ym vou
Ijlease infoi*m me in next issue of B.B.J.
if the " runners " of floor of " W.B.C." hive
are intended to rest on the stand, or do
they drop over each side and so help to

228

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [June 7, 1906.

prevent lateral displacement of hive( the
floor itself resting', on stand)? — Z. Y.,
Eochford, Essex, May 28.

Reply. — The runners drop over the loose
stand, in order to keep all firm and secure
when in position.

tt ^hm% io §mt

A nominal charge of 2s. 6d. is made for notices {iwt
exceedint/ 7 lines) in this column, 10 lines charged Ss. 6d.,
up to 15 lines '>*., which covers cost of insertion from,
order till date of show. Cash should accompany orders
for insertion.

June 12-15, at Portsmouth..— Show of Honey,
Hives, etc., in connection with the Royai Counties'
Agricultural Show. For schedules, apply to E. H.
Bellairs, Bransgore, Christchurch, Hants.

June 27 to 30, at "Derby.— Royal Agricultural
Society's Show. Bee and Honey Section under the
management of the B.B.K.A.

July 18, at Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Ijei-
cestersliire.— Show of Bees, Honey, and Appliances,
in connection with Annual Flower Show. Three open
and two local classes, and one L.B.K.A. Bee demon-
strations. Schedules from J. H. Dunmore, Secretary,
AJandale, Ashby de-la-Zouch. Entries Close
July 16.

July 19 and 20, at Gainsborougrh.— Show

of Honey, Hives, and Bee Appliances in connection
with the Lines Agricultural Society. Bee Depart-
ment under management of the Lines B.K.A. Four-
teen classes. Liberal money prizes and silver medals.
Schedules from R. Godson,' Hon. Sec, Lines B.E.A.,
Tothill, Alford, Lines. Entries Close June 15.

July 25 and 26, at Cardiflf.— Annual Show rf
the Glamorgan B.K.A. in, connection with that of the
Cardiff and County Horticultural Society. Honey,
Wax, Appliances, etc. Classes for memb«r8, novices.
Five open classes, with prizes for sections and
Bee appliances, 30s., 15s. Entry fee for one or more
of the open classes to non-members, 28. 6d. Schedules
from Wm. Richards, Hon. Secretary, The Red House,
Gabalfa, Cardiff. Entries close July 20.

July 29. at Chester.— Cheshire B.K.A. Show
in oonneotion with the County Agricultural Sooietv.
Open classes for Hives, Observatory Hives, Sections,
and Extracted Honey. Baroness Burdett Coutts' prize
hive for best exhibit shown by cottager member.
Seven classes for members. Schedules from T. A.
Beckett, St. Werburgh Chambers, Chester. Entries
Close August 8, or at doulble fees, Auerust 15.

Aug-ust 8 to 10, at Middlesbrough-
Show of Honey, etc, in connection with the Royal
Yorkshire Agricultural Society. Schedules and form
of entry from .lohn Maughan, Secretary, Blake street,
York. Entries close June 30.

Auprust 9, at Madresfield, Malvern. —

Annual Show of the Worcestershire Bee-keepers'
Association. Open class. Schedules from Mr. Geo
Richings, 2, Shrubbery Terrace, Worcester.

August 16. at Yetminster, Dorset. —

Annual Show of the Yetminster and District B.K.A.
hebl in a flelrl kindly lent by Mr. .Tolliffe. Four open
classes, including throe 1 lb. jars extracted honev,
three 1 lb. sections, and cake of beeswax. Schedules
from G. rjppning, Hon. Sec, Bradford Abbas, Sher-
borne. Entries close August 10.

August 30, at Montgomery.— Honey Show
in connection with Horticultural Exhibition. Two
open clas8e.g for six 1-lb. sections and six lib. Jars
extracted honey, 21s., lOs. 6d., 58., in each class,
extracted honey. Prizes, lOs., 58., 28. 6d. Entry fee.
Is. eacli class. Schedules from Mr. W. .1. Jone«, Secre-
tary, Montgomery. Entries close August 23.

WEATHER REPORT.

Wkstbouritb, Svsskx,
May, 1906.
Minimum on grass,

29° on 1st and 2nd.
Frosty nights, 2.
Mean maximum,

58.
Mean minimum,

42-8.
Mean temperature,

50-4.
Below average, 0'7.
Maximum barometer,

30-2 on 5th.
Minimum barometer,

29-50 on 17th.

Rainfall, 2*50 in.

Heaviest fall, 60 in.
on 26th.

Rain fell on 14 days.

Above average, '65 in.

Sunshine, 168'8 hours.

Brightest day, 14th,
135 hours.

Sunless days, 4.

Below average,
hours.

Maximum tempera-
ture, 74° on 13th.

Minimum tempera-
ture, 31° on 2nd.

71-3

L. B. BiRXRTT.

MAY RAINFALL.

Total fall, 2-38 inches.
Heaviest fall, 44 inches on 3rd.
Rain fell on nineteen days.

W. Head, Brilley, Herefordshire

Notices to Correspondents & Inquirers

*** Mr. E. Pidduck, Expert to the
Cheshire B.K.A., Sunnyside, Alsager,
writes: — "If your correspondent, C. H. ,
Sale, Cheshire, will send me his address, I
will be very pleased to call on him when
visiting Sale, as I shall be shortly."
L. B-W. — Formalin for Curing Foul
Brood. — Numerous reports from B.B...I.
readers who have tried formalin as a
remedy liavc appeared in our pages from
time to time, as have also articles on the
subject from various American and Con-
tinental papers. The particular method
you mention is taken from sucli sources
as we have named. It does not seem,
however, to have found much permanent
favour among practical bee-keepers.
S. H. (Lancashire).— Profit from Bee-
keeping and Hive-making. — If located in
a suitable district it ought not to be
very difficult to earn so modest an in-
come as 16s. to 20s. per week. The essen-
tials for making even a small income
from bees are, first, some natural apti-
tude for the craft ; second, to get into a
suitable district for honey-production ;
and third, combining, honey-selling,
with a bee-ap2jliance trade. For the rest
it depends on the bee-man himself
whether his income is large or small.
R. (Castle Gary). — Swarms from Infected
Hives. — 1. If the stock is only slightly
diseased, and bees are hatching out so
well that a swarm issues, it will be safe
to hive the swarm after being kept in the
hiving-skep for thirty-six hours. 2.
Three weeks later we should drive tlie
bees from parent hive and treat them as

Jutie 7, 1906.] THE MiTlSH BEE JOURNAL.

^29

before ; then burn the combs and frames
of the parent colony, and disinfect the
hive before returning the driven bees
to it.

C. D. G. (Fordham). — Microscopic Study
of Foul Brood Germs. — 1. It would be
well for you to read the series of articles
by Mr. H. W. Brice which appeared in
B.B.J. , Vol. 27. In these papers will be
found full details — and illustrations — of
the apparatus required in microscopic
work connected with investigations and
cultures connected with foul brood
germs. 2. A 1-12 in. objective is needed.

J. E. (Cambs.). — Wax-extracting.- — If old
combs are i)ut into a canvas bag and
weighted down on a board placed in a
kitchen boiler, the bulk of the wax will
rise to the surface as water heats and
may be skimmed off surface into cold
water, or it may be lifted off in a solid
cake after cooling if preferred. The
dross, or refuse, left in bag should be
burnt, and bag refilled as often as
needed.

E. S. (Westom). — Queen-bee Cast Out Dead.
The queen was evidently old and worn
out, the ovaries being apparently ex-
hausted.

J. H. (Trowbridge).— Bees Unable to Fly.
— Is is more than probable that the
trouble mentioned will cease now that
the weather is warmer. If not, write
us again.

T. M. H. (Buxton).— Joining County
Associations. — The hon. secretary of the
Derbyshire B.K.A. is Mr. R. H. Colt-
man, 49, Station Street, Burton-on-
Trent, who will doubtless supply all the
information with regard to membership.

W. S. (Maiden). — Buying Swarms. —
Beyond advising you to have a natural
swarm in preference to an artificial one,
we cannot, in fairness, recommend one
advertiser to the disadvantage of others.
Consult our advertisement columns,
which contain names, etc., of many
reliable men, who supply swarms at very
reasonable prices.

Gradus (Ijeamington). — Insect Nomencla-
ture.— The insects sent are, as supposed,
the Mason bee. They are interesting to
the entomologist, but of no practical
use to the bee-keeper, so that trouble
taken in " diggings them up " will be
wasted.

Sussex Downs (Brighton). — Use of Queen
Excluders. — The "advice" you quote was
unfortunately given through a printer's "
error, and was corrected soon after it
appeared. The word " never " should
have been " always," so that the line
should read, " We always use excluder
zincs below shallow frames." We are
extremely sorry that you have been mis-
led through the mistake, especially as it
has been our invariable rule in these

columns to advise the use of excluders
in working with shallow frames for ex-
tracting.

J. C. T. (Tunstall).— Selecting Queens.—
We advise you to try the new strain ad-
vised by the queen-breeder named, as
being excellent honey-gatherers.

A. B. (St. Bees).— Queen Cast out of Hive.
—The queen sent is doubtless the
mother-bee of the stock, and the bees
have for some reason deposed her. There
are sure to be some drones about for fer-
tilising the young queen hatched on the
1st inst.

Q. W. W. (Warrington). — Untimely mani-
pulations.— We fear the queen has been
damaged during the manipulations
carried out on May 18. It not infre-
quently happens that queens are killed
or damasred by their owners, or cast out
by the bees themselves after hives have
been opened for the purpose of examin-
ing the frames in spring or early
summer. Tliere is no disease about the
queen — as suposed.

C. S. S. (Weymouth). — Immature Drones
Cast Out.— There is no cause for alarm
in drones being cast from strong stocks
when a sudden change for the worst
occurs in weather conditions. A frosty
night will bring about a turning out in
this way, and it usually does more good
than harm.

Suspected Cumbs.

Beginxer (Gateshead).— There are slight
signs of iiacipient foul brood in comb
sent, but the bulk of dead brood in cells
are chilled only. We should on no
account use contents of combs as bee-
food.

G. TwEEx (Great Easter).— Comb sent has
never been bred in at all ; the substance
in cells is simply mouldv pollen.

A. R. B. (Ross-shire).— Sample shows a bad
case of foul brood.

W_. J. W. (Ryde).— There is notliing worse
in comb sent than pollen and honey.
The loss of j^our two hives is therefore
due to some other cause than disease.
With regard to the heavy losses experi-
enced by neighbouring bee-keepers — i.e.,
"eight out of nine," by one, twenty-two
colonies by another, and seventeen by a
third," we should like to have further
particulars and small samples of comb
sent, taken from hives left. If it is foul
brood we can give an opinion, but of the
so-called new disease we have no experi-
ence of it.

Hive (Rotherham). — Comb is affected with
foul brood, and if hive is old we should
bum it, along with combs and frames.

G. W. A. (Carlisle).— There is no foul
brood in comb sent.

R. (Bui-wash). — The stock from which
sample is taken is no doubt affected with

230

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [June 7, 1906.

foul brood, but there is no reason why'
the other two sitocks should become
diseased if care is taken. We fear your
handling of diseased combs, as men-
tioned, may carry infection t-o the other
hives, and would rather destroy the
stock than run the risk of losing the two
healthy colonies. Dropping carbolic acid
in diseased cells will not do much in
curing.
A. B. (Olney). — Comb sent shows no trace
of disease, cells contain only hard, mil-
dewed pollen.

Special Prepaid Advertisements.

Twelne words and under Sixpence : for every additional
Three ivords or under ^ One Penny.

Advertisements for current Issue' must be received
by first post on Tuesday.

B RICE'S QUEENS. — Safe delivery guaranteed, in
introducing cage, with full instructions, 5s. 6d.
— BRICE, Brigstook Road, Thornton Heath.

SIX STRONG SWARMS from healthy skepa, packed
free on rail, 10s. 6d. ea<ih. — ARCHER, 64,
Kingston Road, Oxford.

Q GOOD CLEAN SKEPS FOR SALE, lOd.- each.— '
O J. HULBERT, Heckingtcn, Lines. ^23

SPLENDID FERTILE DARK QUEENS, laying, 4s.—
A. J. BUTLER, F.E.H.S., West Villa, Scotter,
Lincoln. Q 22

SWARMS FROM BAR-FRAME STOCKS, 10s. and 12s.
Cases to be returned. — H. MAY, Kingston,
Wallingford. Q 21

STRONG, HEALTHY NATURAL SWARMS, 12s. 6d.
Skeps free. Safe delivery.— CADMAN, Codsall
Wood, Wolverhampton. Q 20

DOUBLE-WALLED MATING BOXES, painted,
drawn-out combs, screens, feeding bottles, used
successfully, Is. 6d. each.— HORN, Bedale, Yorks.
_^^___ Q 19

AMERICAN ASTERS, tall branching, large flowers,
strong plants, 6d. dozen. Few Swarms Bees,
ICs. 6d., 12s. 6d.— F. D. HILLS, Apiary, Alton, Hants.
■ Q 18

QUEENS OF 1905.— Can spare of few, of good qualitj ,
at 4fl. each.— C. LODGE, High Easter, Chelms-
ford^^ Q 16

WANTED, TWO SWARMS OF BEES, in exchange,
Phonograph and Records ; in excellent condi-
tion.—R. DART, Two Mile Ash, Horsham. Q 24

SELLING OFF. —Bar-frame Hive, with frames, ex-
cluder, two supers, with combs, 12a. 6d. ; li lbs.
super, li lbs. brood foundation, 4s. ; Guinea Extractor,
good condition, 14s. 6d. ! Honey Ripeners, complete,
96.- HOPWOOD, Newton Street, Clitheroe, Lanes.
p_95

THIS SEASON'S pure Oxfordshire EXTRACTED
HONEY, 5id. per lb., in large quantities.- REV.
F. E. FOSTER, Swinbrook Vicarage, Burford, Oxon.
p 100

TWO (good as new) MAGIC LANTERNS, one in tin
case, with 18 dozen humorous and nursery tales
slides, £3 10s., or would divide; approval. Strong
healthy Stocks, eight frames, 238. 6d. ; Swarms,
12s. 6d., 138. 6d. Guaranteed healthy.— W. WOODS,
Normandy, Guildford. Q 4

1 /\ / V HE.ALTHY SWARMS WANTED. Boxes will
I U vf be provided free. Quote price delivered
Welwyn — E. H. TAYLOR, Welwyn, Herts.

WANTED, OBSERVATORY HIVE, with stock of
Italian Bees, in good condition. — Reply, stating
price, to GEORGE HILL, New Sawley, Derbyshire.

Q8

HEALTHY SWARMS.— May, 12s. 6d. ; June, IDs. 6d
Box 6d. Splendid honey gatherers. Inspection
of my 50 stocks invited on Wednesdays. Sections,
98. per dozen. Guaranteed ' safe arrival. Deposit.—
P. HANSEN, Apiary, 3, Gladstone Cottages, Norwood
Green, Southall, Middlesex. P 90

BARGAIN.— Gent. 's Coventry Cycle, up to date,
perfectly new ; accept £5 lOs. ; five years'
guarantee ; carriage paid ; approvaL Particulars free.
—FORGE APIARY, Wheaton Aston, Stafford. p 88
OQTH YEAR.— E. WOODHAM offers Queens,
^\j Nuclei, Swarms, and Stocks of Bees as previ-
ously. Imported Italians, 7e. each. — Clavering, New-
port, Essex. P 82

PRIME NATURAL SWARMS FOR SALE, this sea-
son, as usual, 128. 6d. and 15». each ; cases to
be returned. Please note change of address (tele-
grams, Wilkins, Letcombe Regis).— PERC if WILKINS,
Letcombe Regis, Wantage. P 4

QUEENS (Doolittle celebrated strain of Improved
Italians).— A customer writes : •' The four Virgins
I had from you last year all mated within three days
of receipt of same. They are my strongest stocks this
season. I supered them a week ago, and they are
filling up fast. They are the best workers 1 ever had."
Virgins, Is. 6d. ; Fertiles (after June 10), 5s. Safe
delivery guaranteed. First come, first served. — DAVID
TAYLOR, Ilminster.

NATURAL SWARMS, 10s. 6d. and 128. 6d.— R.
CARTER, Chartridge Green Farm, Chesham,
Bucks. P 56

SWARMS of "YE OLD ENGLISHE BEES."— Having
so many orders already booked I cannot promise
others till after June 15. Prices 10s. 6d., 12s. 6d.,
and 158. Packing boxes free and safe delivery. — W.
WOODLEY, Beedon, Newbury.

QUEEN REARING.— No trouble to work ; no expen-
sive appliances ; can't fail ; four cages and
full instructions, 28. 6d. — MEADOWS, Syston,
Leicester. q 10

NATURAL SWARMS IN JUNE, from strong healthy
Stocks, in Bar Frame Hives, lOs. 6d. and 129. 6d.
Cash with order, or deposit.— BROWN, 30, Albany
Road, Crawley, Sussex. P 14

ITALIANS, first cross, best honey gatherers, good-
tempered. Strong ten frame stocks, with last
season's queens; guaranteed healthy; ready for
supers ; package free ; 258. each. — 0. KNIGHT, Epney,
Stonehouse, Glos. p 61

PRIME NATURAL SWARMS, May and June, 128. 6d.
each. Boxes, Is. CJash with order, or deposit —
G. JORDAN, Steeple Aston, Oxford. o 91

PROTECT YOUR FRUIT.— Tanned Garden Netting,
only best quality supplied. Order promptly, as
nets are scarce and must be dearer. 25 x 8 yds.,
50 X 4, and 100 x 2 yds., 9s. each. Add ten per cent,
for other sizes.— L. WREN AND SON, 139, High Street,
Lowestoft. o 92

WANTED, for scientific purposes, QUEEN BEES
and WORKER HORNETS? WUl brother bee-
keepers oblige? — HERROD, Apiary, Luton.

A PRONOUNCED SUCCESS.— The BURKITT BEE-
GLOVE. With sleeves, 3fl. 6d. per pair, post
fres. Without sleeves, 28 6d. per pair, post free. The
best, cheapest, and most satisfactory glove lor bee-
keepers.—EDWARD REYNOLDS, Glove Maker, And-
over, Hampshire. Wliolesale priceji to the trade

SWARIVIS! SW^ARMS:

I am open to book a few more for

JUNE, at 25. 6d. per ]b.

Boxes to be returned carriage paid.
QUEENS. QUEENS.

Tested Queens of selected qualities ready for end of
May at 4s. each, posted in introducing cage. Customers
ar.-: bes^. judges One writes :—■' Pleased to say Queen
supplied doing first class." Early booking recommended.
DAVIDSON, Expert, Beecroft, BA!»INGSTOKE.

Jnne 14. 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

231

(Editorial, ^ottm, &t.

FOUL BEOOD SAMPLES.

PACKING FOR POST.

We ai*e at present undergoing such an
ixnreasonable amount of trouble and dis-
agreeable work in diagnosing cases of sus-
pected foul brood that we must really
make a protest against the extreme care-
lessness of some bee-keepers who send
samples in such a condition as to be totally
unfit for handling or inspection.

Our complaint is, we are glad to say, not
against the many, but the comparative
few, who seem to have no idea of neatness
or even of cleanliness in making up
samples for post. Readers should bear in
mind that an editorial desk in a London
office is not a bee-man's workshop or ex-
Iractintj house, and that an editor does not
work with his sleeves rolled up and a pail
of water by his side. To put the matter
•courteously but plainly, we ask readers
to consider those who are earnestly
desirous of helping them, and endeavour
to make the task of examining foul-broody
-combs (never a pleasant one) as little dis-
agreeable as possible by adopting the fol-
loAving precautions : — 1. Do not send more
than about four square inches of comb,
and where possible let there be a few cells
containing remains of dead larvse. 2. Pack
the sample in a tin box or some receptacle
that will not crush in post. 3. Cut away
all comb containing liquid honey, unless
sent in a watertight package. 4. Do not
probe capped cells or those containing un-
sealed larvfp. 5. Xever put letters inside
the box containing comb, but wrap them
-on the outside, under paper cover.

If the above conditions are observed we
■shall always be pleased to render help in
diagnosing cases of suspected disease ;
-otherwise we shall be compelled to have
-samples destroyed without any attempt to
examine them.

(&ssrmpn&tntt

The Editors do not hold tkem»elv«« re$p<mtible for the
opinionn expressed by corre^pond*nts. No notice will
be taken of anonymous communieations, and eorre-
svondents are requested to write on one tide of th* paper
only and give their real n xm«« and addresses, net neeet-
-tarilyfor publication, but as a guarantee of good faith.
Illuntrations should be drawn on separate pieeis of paper.
We do not undertake to return rejected eommunieation^.

AMONG THE BEES.

A CHAT ABOUT SECTIOXS. — PART I.

[6326] There is always an "ABC"
division in our ranks, because every succes-
sive season see a large accretion to our
Jiumbers. In this article I will etiideavour

to cater to their wants. From the outset
the question of the best section to use crops
up, and on the settlement of this point de-
pends to a considerable extent the degree
of success to be attained, because, on the
manner in which surplus is put on the
market hangs the question of a ready sale,
a good price, and ultimately the profit de-
rived, underlying which lies the settlement
of the ever-increasing problem — Do bees
pay?

Three styles of sections only need be
named, but of each there is an infinite
variety ; even naming them would lead to
confusion, so I make a limited selection.
Of the 4^ by 4| we have the two-bee-way.
the four-bee-way, and the no-bee-way.
Of these I prefer the first, for several
reasons, which need not be recorded at pre-
sent. Of these we have the general sizes —
1| in., 115-16 in., and 2 in.— 1 19-20 in.,
however, I think, would be the best, as
they would contain one pound of honey
every time. I hear of the 2-in. containing
rather more, but if we deduct one ounce
for wood r am confident every hundred
would weigh little, if any. over 100 lb. Of
the other style of 4^ in. by I5 in., a If in.
plain, worked with fence or tin-spaced
separators, all that need be said is that
they have not caught on in this country,
although they are asked for " once in a
while." Yet another kind is heard of occa-
sionally— the tall section, of rather inde-
finite height, breadth, and thickness, but
supposed to be an improvement by some
iesthetic-minded individuals.

Selecting, then, the " Standard " section
as our standard to start from, we find
several sub-divisions or varieties. There
is the V-cut top, the three-side split, and
the halved section. Then we have two or
three sides grooved, and, finally, the wood
left unsplit. When preferred, these last
show best when the section is completed ;
but I use the V-cut top for handiness of
fixing, and I would counsel all beginner's to
select it from the start.

In preparing, then, fold the section to
assume the square, split side up. Push
the under side of split half home in the
corresponding dove-tailing. Insert sheet
of foundation, press both half-tops into
position, and you will find the wax sheet
firm as in a vice. Owing, however, to the
slant of split, it is generally standing out
at an angle, unless the process has taken
place on a block, but a slight jDressure of ' "
the forefinger, if the sheet is of the right
consistency, brings it to the perpendicular.
Sections should at once be placed in posi
tion in the rack siiigly, split side up.

Foundation. — This should be thin and
light, running something like thirty-two
sheets to the pound, and the wax should be
of the finest and purest. Each sheet caa
be halved, and these again cut in two, th-3

232

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [June 14, 1906.

pound thus numbering 128 sheets, filling
six racks. Handle with clean fingers. Lay
half a dozen sheets on the bench, cutting
them with a keen knife. If fresh from the
factory, they are soft and pliable, and fit
for handling, but if they have been carried
over from a former season they may be
dry and brittle. In this case they can
be gently softened before a fire, or dipped
into warm water, when they will be as good
as the new.

Backs or Crates are generally made to
take three sections in a row across, and
seven of these rows fill each receptacle,
making twenty-one sections in each. It
is always advisable to bring pressure to
bear on the sections after they are placed.
to run them up tight, with the double ob-
ject of preventing the finished article being
daubed with propolis, and to secure that
they are at a uniform distance apart to
insure even sealing, and that every com-
pleted section shall contain one pound of
honey. Dividers of tin or wood, with bee-
ways cut out, or plain — I think it matters
not which — should separate each row, so
that six are required for each rack. These
secure even sealing and' a smooth surface.
which, later on, will aid packing when we
are marketing our produce.

A sufficient number of sections should
be got ready early in the season in anticipa-
tion of requirements. These should be kept
clean and sweet in a safe place. No date
can be given for placing these on hives,
as seasons differ so much, and generally
each colony differs from its neighbour in
signs of readiness to utilise this additional
space. When bees are showing fairly
numerous on the outside of outer combs,
and when the upper rows of cells begin to
show a white edging of new wax along the
margin of the cells, put your sections on
the hive, for too early is rather better than
too late. In the evening carry your supers
put near the hives, laying them down con-
veniently near. Remove roof and coverings
all but top quilt. Catch rack in right
hand, seize corner of cover with left ;
quickly pull it off, throwing it aside. This
leaves the left hand ready to grasp tho
rack, which, with a smart, gliding motion,
can be placed in position over frames before
a bee realises that its domicile has been
dealt with. Return quilt and other cover-
ings, Avrapping up rack very warmly. The
novice should give a puff or two of smoke
over tops of frames before placing on sec-
tions to keep bees in command, or a con-
trol-cloth may be placed on with the same
movement which displaces the quilt.
Certify beforehand that your hive is per-
fectly level, as on this depends largely the
finish and beauty of your surplus honey.

Your eyes should be busy all the time,
and sliould have flashed on your inner con-

sciousness the state of the brood-nest, the
number of bees in the colony, and the state
of preparedness they may be in for com-
mencing operations in supers. Generally,
in a week or ten days, with a flow on, a
second rack should be placed on the hive
if bees are well forward with the first.
Most bee-keepers believe in raising No. 1
and placing No. 2 below it resting on the
brood-frames, and so with No. 3 ; but for
some years I have laid the second and sub-
sequent ones above, a little before the bees
really i-equire room for storing, as I hold
that this additional space saves thoughts of
and preparations for swarming. No rul-3
can be laid down when successive racks
should be given, or how long they should
remain on the hive, but I consider honev
ripens when in charge of the bees better
than anywhere else, and I therefore leave
them a considerable time, shifting all
when nearly completed atop of the others.
Taking off one of these receptacles involves
more than placing them on. as you are rob-
bing the bees of their hard-won stores, and
they generally resent this. So you had
better beguile them, and have all off before
they realise that you have made any pre-
datory incursion on their domain. The
practice of having all finished racks above
when completed aids this, as generally very
few bees are left in them when taken off
at the right time. When this is done
judiciously bees are unaware of the fact
that they are being deprived of honey.

Racks are best of the simplest construc-
tion ; but it adds to the interest of the be-
ginner if glass or celluloid is let in to the
back and front to allow of observation of
the bees. This also aids the bee-keeper in
diagnosing when they are ready for a fur-
ther enlargement of the super area, and
it proves a source of interest to friends who
wish to see how bees store their honey. —
D. M. M., Banff.

(To be continued.)

USING COMB-FOUNDATION.

STAKTEES OR FULL SHEETS ?

[6327] I notice on page 212, B.B.J, cf
May 31, that " D. M. M. " reports his
swarms to have done better on starters only
than on full sheets of comb-foundation !
This seems astounding, and I should like
to see it corroborated by some other large
bee-keeper, because, if it is correct, we
may as well leave off the use of brood-
foundation.

I called recently on a bee-keeper who had
lately changed his farm. He was milking
a eow on my arrival. This he turned over
to an assistant, and he would insist on first
drawing me a glass of perry (from a store
of 4,000 gallons), which sparkled like
champagne, and tasted nearly as good ;

June 14, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

233

and then he took me round his farm to
show me the lovely views. We saw the
towers of Gloucester on one side and the
church spires of Cheltenham on the other,
with Tewkesbury in the far distance. His
house, which was beautifully situated,
with orchards on one side and grass fields
on the other, in which were large oaks,
hundreds of years old, had formerly been
inhabited by monks, and was called
Abbotswood. It was crowded with furni-
ture ; the good wife showed me some old
china and curious pictures, and said that
she could take in boarders. So if this
meets the eye of any B.B.J, reader de-
sirous of a charming rural retreat for a
few weeks' holiday in an old-fashioned
farmhouse, I shall be pleased to furnish
other information.

The " Gaffer " — as his men called him —
was a real good specimen of the fine ol^l
jolly-looking, straightforward English far
mer. But I have often noticed that bto-
keepers are generally real good fellows,
kind, and hospitable.

In this they resemble good, hard riding
fox hunters.

It has been a late, cold spring for bees,
and I hear from skeppists of a great many
losses through spring dwindling. I often
wonder why so much fuss is made about
the prevention of swarming ! It seems to
me that unless bees are swarmed naturally
or re-queened artificially they will
gradually die out, because, if left to
themselves to re-queen, they often do it at
unseasonable times. Indeed, I think it is
the safest plan to re-queen every year, or
an apiary may easily lose 25 per cent, of its
stocks in a cold spring from dwindling,
notwithstanding an allowance of 25 lb.
to 30 lb. stores per hive. If a stock will
persist in swarming, and no increase is
desired, what easier than to kill the queen
and return the swarm ? As this nearly
always takes place during the principal
honey-flow, the stoppage of eggs and brood
affects the surplus gathered very little, if
any. Dysentery and spring dwindling
seem almost as great drawbacks to success
in bee-keeping as foul brood. The former
evils can only be avoided, in my opinion,
by a young queen and 30 lb. of natural
stores, because autumn stimulation with
an old queen does not seem to produce a
sufficient supply of young bees to make up
for spring losses — at least, that is mj- ex-
perience. I am often told by bee-keepers
that thej' prefer straw skeps to frame-hives,
because their bees winter better and
swarm earlier out of skeps. Of course they
do, for the simple reason that an ordinary
straw skep has only a cubic capacity equal
to about five standard frames, so that if
anyone chooses to summer his bees on not
more than five or six frames, he can have

as early a swarm as a skeppist. But I
would much prefer a six-pound swarm on
June 10 out of a ten-frame hive to a three
pound swarm on May 10 from a skep. I
send name, etc., and sign — Amateur,
Cheltenham, June 11.

VAGRANT BEES IN LONDON.

SWARMS AXD HONEY OF 1906.

[6328.] I think your readers may be in-
terested to know how fully the bees kept
in London and suburbs take their place m
the world of apiculture. I heard of a
swarm in a Southern suburb on May 5, and
in the same month saw a number of vagrant
swarms in and round London. In the third
week of May a stock of bees, kept in a
fashionable part of the West End,
swarmed, and caused some excitement by
clustering on a branch overhanging the
street. Then, with regard t§ honey-
gathering. Messrs. Lee, of Highbury, had
a sammple of this season's extracted honey
submitted to them on May 16, which had
been gathered by bees kent in a South-
eastem suburb. The source from which
this honey was obtained was unmistak-
able, the flavour of almond being very pro-
nounced, and it had been undoubtedly
gathered during the interval of warm
weather in April. I saw a rack of finished
1-lb. sections on a hive in a Western
suburb in the last week of May ; not only
so, but I met a bee-keeper from a North-
eastern suburb who had some finished 1-lb.
sections at the en'd of the month.

With reference to other branches of bee-
keeping, I may add that of a number of
young queen-bees reared in London during
"the month of May. These queens were
duly mated, and the first was laying on
June 1. To understand that it is possible
June. To understand what it is possible
for bees to do in London, weather per-
of the very promising appearance of the
lime trees at the present time. — W. Lote-
DAY, June 11.

NOTES FROM CORNWALL.

PICKLED BROOD.

[6329] The additional spraying referred
to in my last " notes " (6324. p. 223) not
having led to the removal of the seemingly
" chilled " or . pickled brood, I have
put the bees on new combs. I did not
adopt the starvation and confinement plan
after driving, but put them in a temporaiy
hive, giving them food and liberty. After
three days I transferred them to their per-
manent home. This plan is. I think, better
than starving and confining, as the bees are
much more energetic than after being con-
fined, while the germs of disease are just
as effectively cleared out — perhaps more so

25

THE BKITISH BEE JOURNAL. [June 14, 1906.

^than by the other plan, nothing being
voided on the confined bees.

1 have since examined a friend's hive
and found in it some apparently chilled
brood, as in mine, and also foul brood jvist
recently broken out, but very slight, as in
my own case. I have observed " chilled "
brood before in such cases, and am led to
conclude that it is a case of foul brood kill-
ing the almost completely developed larva,
which does not go liquid as in the case of
less-developed larvse, or I incline to this
opinion because of having found the same
in hives so strong that chilled brood seems
impossible ; not only so, but it shows next
to healthy grubs of apparently similar
age.

It would be interesting to have the views
of others on the following questions : 1. Is
there real chilled brood and pickled brood
which is undistinguishable in appearance
from same ? 2. Is this so-called " pickled
brood " a*stage of foul brood ? I am sorry
now that I did not send some on to you
for microscopic examination. 3. Why did
the bees not bring out this stiff dead brood
after two sprayings at intervals of three
days between each, besides having formalin
spread on the floor-board ? Believing, as I
do, that there is a reason for everything,
I like to know it if I can.

Everything connected with bees is to me
a never-failing source of interest, and
" age does not wither nor custom stale its
infinite variety," even though ill-luck
sometimes pays an unwelcome visit.

Mr. Williams, our county expert, says
that perchloride of mercury in a saturated
soliTtion painted over affected hives, etc.,
completely kills all foul brood germs for
ever. — W. J. Farmer, Redruth, June 9.

[We would gladly confirm Mr. Williams's
statement, but it is within our personal
knowledge that he is wrong in liis con-
clusions. Moreover, our own experience
is supported by the most eminent scientists
of the day. Perchloride of mercury is very
useful in its way, and we have used it with
advantage in bee-operations, but it stops
short of destroying the spores of foul
brood. — Eds.]

"A QUEEN-REARING INCIDENT."

[6329] Referring to the letter under the
aVjove heading (6323, p. 222), I may say it
is, no doubt, an incident of much interest
to Vjee-keepers. The only thing which
our friend at Romford omits is to say if
the bee imprisoned was found in the cell
head-foremost, or was the head at the
capped end ? In the first instance, it is
pcjssible that there had been some accident
to the queen larva, and that, in conse-
quence, the damaged grub had been pulled
out by the bees. Assuming this to })e so,
it is possible that while one bee has been

greedily sipping at the " Royal " jelly, the
laggard has accidentally become im-
prisoned. ,

On the other hand, if the head was found
at the capped end of the cell, I should say
that the imago queen has by some accident
either died or become chilled. It is not
unusual to find queens reared from pure
Italian mothers vary much in colour,
some being quite light, while others are
very dark. I had a queen hatched out in
my apiary only fourteen days ago which
was no larger than a worker, and would
no doubt have been taken for one by many
who are not accustomed to queen-rearing,
etc. Needless to say that ! immediately
killed her. Perhaps our -friend will give us
a few lines about the position of that bee's
head. — L. Bow^man, June 7.

[6330] I think it probable that the cell
" A. E. E. " refers to (on page 222) had duly
hatched and the queen left the cell, and
that the worker bee, having entered after-
wards, had been sealed in by the workers
outside. The fact that the cell contained
dried-up " Royal " jelly shows that a queen
had gone through the whole of its stages
and hatched out in due course. I find that
in the event of a cell being shaken so as
to cause the larva to drop away from the
" Royal " jelly, what is left does not be-
come " dried up " and translucent, as in
the case of a cell from which a queen has
hatched out normally. When I first
started queen-rearing I was much puzzled
at finding a worker in a cell which appar-
ently had not hatched. Seeing the cell
seemingly unhatched I did not expect or
look for the queen, until one day I saw
the queen by chance, at the same time
noticing, that the cell was still capped
over. I therefore examined that cell tho-
roughly, and found that the end was care-
fully and neatly sealed over again, and
when pressure was applied between finder
and thumb the cap opened up, showing
where the cocoon had been bitten through
by the emerging queen. I think this is
the explanation of the " incident " referred
to ; and if " A. E. E, " still has the queen-
cell he can put it to the test referred to
above. — D. G. Taylor, Ilminster, June 8.

[6331] I have just read a copy of your
journal to-day a letter signed "A. E. E. ,
Romford " (page 222), in which mention is
made of your correspondent having found a
worker bee in a queen-cell, and, as you
ask any reader of your valuable paper if
they have ever come across the same thing,
I write to tell you that yesterday, June 7,
in looking through one of my hives a neigh-
bour found a queen-cell, and on opening it
disclosed a fully-developed worker bee im-

June 14, 1906. J THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

235

prisoned in it. We concluded the bee had
entered the cell, and had accidentally been
sealed up. I see also, on page 224 of same
issue, a letter complaining of " faulty
foundation." I may say that in two of my
hives in which I used foundation the combs
are nearly all filled with drone-cells, and
the hives nearly full of drones in conse-
quence. With regard to this latter trouble,
I have been told that I stimulated my bees
loo late into the spring, and left no room
for the queen to lay worker eggs, so the
foundation in my case may not be to
blame ; it may be my bad management. I
got the foundation from a good firm. Can
you explain it? I send name, etc., for re-
ference, and sign — E. M. M., Cae Guyh.
St. Asaph, June 8.

WORKER BEES IN QUEEN-CELLS.

[6332] Some yeai-s ago, when keeping
bees in greater numbers than at present.
I had several cases in my apiary where
•queen-cells were found sealed over, with
dead worker bees in them. It apeared to
me that this curious fact was caused by a
vworker bee entering the " Royal " cell
directly the queen emerged, and while the
intruder was inside the cell the cap was
dosed over it again by the old worker bees.
I once found on opening a hive directly
after a second swarm had issued, a worker
bee in a queen-cell alive, and buzzing
aloud, trying to get out, but could not do
so till I released it. I have also found
" R-oyal " cells empty (except for " Royal "
jelly) with the cap closed. — J. R. T., Stam-
ford, June 11.

JVIORE WORKERS IN QUEEN-CELLS.

[6333] Referring to the letter on page
222 of last issue, I write to say that on
opening one of my hives this morning I
.observed what appeared to be a ripe queen-
cell, and, thinking to release the queen, 1
removed the cap of the cell, but instead
•of finding a queen there was a dead worker
bee and some " Royal " jelly only. Think-
ing readers would be interested in the
.above, you might give it a place in the
.B.B.J.— A. W. G., Huyton, June 11.

SAVING THE SWARM.

[6334] As a reader of your valuable
B.B.J., from which I receive much useful
information, I send photos of swarm that
issued from one of my hives on June 3. The
bees clustered right in the centre of a
quick-hedge, from whence it was impos-
sible to get the bees without cutting away
all the branches. But, being anxiuus not
to lose the swarm, my father and myself
■set about wliat we thought was an almost

impossible task — viz., to get the bees out
without so disturbing them as to cause the
swarm to take wing and be lost. It took
us fully three-quarters of an hour to get
all the little twigs cut away, and we had to
stop work and let the bees settle down again
two or three times when they attempted
to take wing so that they should not take
flight. Having got the branch clear on
which they had clustered, we procured a
sharp saw and cut the branch off without
disturbing them, and brought them out on
to the field, where the swarm was safely
secured in a b<jx and finally got into a
frame-hive in the evening, and the
bees are now hard at work and doing well,
and will, I hope, amply repay us for the
trouble taken.

I think our experience will be useful to
others who might Ije disposed to let
bees go, rather than exercise a little
patience in working quietly over a delicate
job such as ours was, for it is quite certain
that any rough handling would have caused
the swarm to decamj), and be lost to its
rightful owners. — C. W. K., Earl's Colne,
Essex. June 11.

Queries and |lfpl«s.

[3319] Transfcrrirui Bees — An Umrisrird-
for Sirarm. — I had a swarm to-day which
came from a frame-hive on which was
placed a stock of bees in a skep, the idea
being to let the bees transfer themselves
to the frames fitted with full sheets of foun-
dation prepared for them to work in below,
The skep was put on a month ago, but
there was only two combs partly drawn
out in the hive below. I therefore ask :

1. Can you say what was the reason of the
bees swarming? I returned the swarm to
the frame-hive after putting a queeai-
excluder between the skep and frames. I
also removed two capped queen-cells from
the skep before replacing it above the top-
bars of frame-hive. 2. Am I right in so
doing ? I saw two other queen-cells (not
capped over) in the skep. in each of which
was a larva, which I presume was an
embryo queen, and these I left in the hive.
3. If" the bees swarm again what will be
the best thing for me to do? Your reply
will much oblige.— H. F. W., Bury St.
Edmunds, June 11.

Reply.^ — 1. We can only suppose that
the frame-hive was not made warm and
cosy enough to tempt the queen below, as
this should have occurred, seeing that the
bees had begun work on the foundation.

2. Yes, if it is certain that the queen is
now below the excluder, but not otherwise.

3. Return them again after cutting out all
queen-cells, if there are any.

236

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [June 14. 1906.

[3320] Non-use of Excluders — Spoiled
Sections. — I have two stocks of bees in
frame-hives, and some time ago I placed a
rack of sections on each. On examining
them this week I foiind in one rack four
good sections of honey, sealed, which I took
out. But, unfortunately, as it turned out, .
in both hives the queen has been up
amongst the sections and laid drone eggs
therein, completely spoiling some of them.
There was no worker brood,, only drones,
and some others of the combs built in sec-
tions were all drone-cell, but, as no eggs
had been deiDosited in them, the bees have
filled them with honey. 1. Will you please
tell me the reason why the bees did all
this ■section-spoiling ancl drone-comb build-
ing? I placed a second rack of sections
underneath first on each hive, as I do not
wjph the bees to swarm, and if I have now
to put on excluder zinc I may shut the
queen up amongst the sections. 2. Is, this
not so ? 3. Just in front of one of my hives
there are always a lot of dead bees and
drones on the ground. The bees in hive
appear health j^ and very lively ; I can-
not, therefore, understand why this
should be, as it seems very early -
for drones to be turned out. Hoping
you will be able to help me, and thanking
you, I send name, etc., and sign — ^M. B.,
Torquay, June 10.

Reply. — 1. The queen no doubt passed
up into the sections because there was no
hindrance to her so doing. It is because of
such risks as you ran that queen -excluders
were invented. 2. Yes ; you must not use
an excluder without first being sure that
the queen is in the brood-chamber below.
3. You had better examine the combs, and
in so doing endeavour to find out the cause
of trouble mentioned. This is just what
we should do if the hive was ours, and it
is most difficult to diagnose cases safely
from a distance.

[3321] Using Excluder-zinc Below Shal-
low-frames.— I shall be much obliged for
advice on the following points. About ten
days' since I supered a strong stock with
shallow-frames, omitting the excludei'-zinc
on the advice of a friend. However, seeing
from your paper that the zinc should be
used, I decided to insert, it, and did so
three days ago, examining the shallow-
frames, and making sure, as I thought,
that the queen was not there. However,
on examination to-day I find that about
one-third of the frames have unsealed larvje
in the combs, while about another third
contains honey, and the remainder empty
cells. This shows the queen has been up,
though to-day's examination has not re-
vealed her presence there now, but, as I
am only a beginner I may have missed her.
1. Would it be best to remove the zinc
now, or leave it on and await further de-

velopments ? The stock is very strong, and
working welL 2. I am working a section-
rack on my second hive without any ex-
cluder ; is this right ? Thanking you iix
anticipation of reply — J. H. W., Bingley,.
June 10.

Reply. — 1. We advise you to have
another look over the frames, and if queen
is not seen, use a spare frame-box and set
each frame in it as examined. It is almost
certain that you will see if queen is in the
upper chamber if this is done. The urood
now in frames may then be allowed to
hatch out, and they will be refilled with
honey. 2. Some bee-keepers use no ex-
cluder-zinc below sections ; but you will
see the result to a beginner like yourself on
this page.

[3322] Queens and Dwindling Stochs. — As
a regular reader of your valuable paper,
I enclose a dead " queen bee " which I
found in a hive (about three years old)
along with about twenty-five bees, all that
were left alive. There was no brood or
eggs in combs, only a small quantity of
dried-up sealed cells, the contents of which
were dried up, and had caps of a very dark
colour, no objectionable smell, but I
destroyed the lot. Kindly say if you con-
sider the queen old and worn out. ihere
was about 2 lb. or 3 lb. of dark honey in
the combs. I think the queen must have
failed to' rear any young bees in the
autumn of last year, and the stock has died
out in consequence. I send name, etc.,.
and sign — Apis, Tredegar.

Reply. — Queen sent was smashed in post
through insufficient protection. We can-
not, therefore, give an opinion on her age.
It is plain, however, that she was old and
failing, judging by your account as given
above.

[3323] Young Queens Cast Out. — As a
constant reader of your valuable journal,
and a beginner in bee-keeping, I am ask-
ing a few questions on bee-management
which are beyond my powers of answering
for myself. I possess nine hives of bees,
and thought they were all doing well, but
for some time past they have been casting
out a lot of young bees, seemingly help-
less^some deformed in different ways. I
went over the hive to-day and found three
frames containing brood in varioixs stages,
some dead, some dying, some upside down,
and so on. It was only on the three
frames ; the other eight frames seemed all
right, and brood healthy, but the bees, as
they hatch out, are brought on the flight-
board and there left, then crawl a little
way, and then die ! They seem to have no
power in their legs or wings. I have asked
a brother bee-keeper to look at them. He
states it is not foul brood, and advised me
to write to you. Why I want an answer

June 14, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

237

so soon is because I am afraid of them
coming to grief. — J. S., Newton Popple-
ford, Devon, June 7.

Reply. — From symptoms described we
think that the young bees cast out have
suffered from lack of warmth during the
hatching-out process. It is well known
that during the latter stages of develop-
ment the bee needs a proper temperature,
or the resultant bee is often deformed or
aborted in some way. We think the trouble
complained of will disappear now that we
are having some real summer weather.

[3324] Bees in SMp Be fusing to Work. —
Being a constant reader of the B.B.J. , and
also an interested reader of your kind re-
plies to your various correspondents, I
should be extremely obliged if you could
tell me what I had better do with one skep.
I am the happy possessor of six frame-
hives, all doing well, and I have one skep
which I held, as I thought, for swarming,
but they neither swarm nor work — " lazy
beggars " is the only name I can give them.
I ojjened the top of skep and placed a board
with much smaller skep above it, and on
examing the same the bees were clinging
very contentedly all over the inside of
same, and also on the alighting-board ;
they simply bask in the sun, consequently
they do not earn their keep, and I am
puzzled. If you would kindly give me ad-
vice I should be grateful. — W. J. W., Salis-
bury, June 11.

Reply. — The redundant energy with
which some stocks of bees labour compared
with other colonies is as remarkable in oee-
life as it is among humans. We never yet
came across a stock so completely lazy as
yours is stated to be, and we should try
and find out if there is not some cause for
their inertness. Why not drive the skep
and make sure it has a laying queen ? Or
it may be affected with disease, or its combs
l)ollen-bound. In fact, many causes may
very well account for the poor bees being
wrongly dubbed lazy beggars if you will
examine the stock. We should, if the
skep was ours.

[3325] Foundation Breaking Down. — 1.
Will you please tell me what is the cause
of " Weed " foundation breaking down
when a swarm is hived upon it ? I do not
know if the warm weather may cause it to
give way, or should you say the foundation
was bad ? I know it was well secured in
the slit of top-bar and screws put through
the bar. 2. Should I have avoided the
trouble by not hiving the swarm imtil
the cool of the evening, and have
wired the foundation in the frames? 3.
What can I do with the broken-down foun-
dation now in the hive? A few words of
advice will oblige. I send name, etc., for
reference, and sign — Forester, Coleford.

Reply. — 1. ""Weed " foundation, if

genuine, will not break down in the hands
of experienced bee-keejjers ; but, along with
all other makes of comb foundation, it
must be used with some knowledge of what
it will stand under certain conditions. For
instance, if full sheets are used, the frames
should be " wired," especially if the swarm
is hived at once, and on a warm day. But
in all cases only a single quilt (a very light
one) should be laid on top-bars after hiving,
and remain there the cool of the evening,
or till next morning, in wann weather. 2,
Yes, in a more or less degree ; but an ex-
perienced hand can hive a swarm on full
sheets of foundation unwired by taking the
necessary precautions. 3. The frames of
broken-down foundation must be removed
at once, and be replaced by wired sheets.

[3326] Forming Nuclei and Various
Queries. — ^I shall be glad if you will kindly
answer the following questions: — 1. In a
not very strong stock of bees on May 18.
there was a sealed queen-cell. There were
no drones flying up to that date, nor had
I, or my neighbouring bee-keejDers, seen
any either on the wing or in hives, though
I have kept a careful look-out for them in
all my sixteen stocks examined up to
-June 2. There was sealed drone-brood,
but not a great quantity. In another,
and veiy strong stock, there are
many queen-cells ; several, on May 28,
were sealed. I wished to make some
nuclei, but as no drones appear, I thought
it useless to attempt it. The weather, too.
is windy and cold, and not favourable for
bee-work. What becomes of the many
queen-bees, hatching before they are
wanted ? 2. I have boiled for more than
an hour a large bundle of felt and carpet
coverings fi'om foul-broody stocks, and am
putting them in strong phenyl solution
for a week. Will they be quite safe to use
then ? 3. I notice this year, as last, that
bees seem unwilling to work on the last
frame ; near the napthaline half-balls,
that is. Would it be better to take these
out during the busy weeks ? Doing so
would increase the chance of foul brood,
which seems to be a permanent institution.
4. In forming nuclei, is it better to cage
the inserted queen cells ? I have succeeded
in many cases without doing so. But in
several where no cages were used, the
queen-cells were torn open, in some cases^
two or three times before I succeeded. This
was the case during some prolonged cold
weather last summer. 5. In the " Guide
Book " it is recommended that (see p. 154)
honey from diseased frames should be ex-
tracted, when treatinsr the stock for foul
brood. But would this not infect the ex-
tractor, which is rather difficult to clean —
at any rate properly? I like to use thin
honey from non-infected combs for feeding
purposes ; I fear that the extractor, even
if cleaned, might infect this. And would

238

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [June U. 1906.

3iot spraying with phenyl make the honey
in combs (same page) unpleasant for
food? — B., Lines.

Reply. — 1. Professional queen-rearers
have their own several methods of contend-
ing with trouble arising from adverse
weather during their active w^orking sea-
son, but the ordinary bee-keeper who
attempts to raise his own queens must take
care to arrange his procedure so that
drones shall be flying freely when the
young queens are ready for mating, and
queens hatched before drones appear are
perforce killed off as useless. 2. You
should boil for one and a half hours to de-
stroy the vitality of foul-brood spores. No
need for any further steps after this. 3.
No ; most bee-keepers take care that the
naphthaline has not all disappeared when
putting on supers. 4. Much depends on
the course you follow in forming nuclei.
The cells should, as a rule, be protected,
and though you may dispense with a cell-
protector, it is not safe to do so. 5. Care
should always be taken in cleaning the
extractor properly after use with suspected
combs.

[3327.] Dealing with Suspected Stocks. —
I understand you are willing to assist
B.B.J, readers by giving your opinion re
foul brood, and am enclosing herewith a
piece of comb taken from my weakest stock,
which appears to have several cells in
which the brood is not hatching properlv.
Will you, therefore, kindly let me know
if there is foul brood in sample sent ? I
may say that only one comb is affected in
this way, the brood on the other combs
appearing quite normal, but I have this
evening treated the stock as a swarm, and
put them into a clean hive on full sheets
of foundation so as to be on the safe side,
as I have fifteen other stocks in my apiary,
all perfectly healthy, very strong, and
working well in supers. I am not destroy-
ing-the old combs until I get your opinion
whether it will be quite safe to use these
again. This stock in question is a hybrid
Italian colony, which was very strong last
season. The bees were very irritable and
difficult to manipulate, and although on
ihis account they did not get so much at-
tention as my other stocks, they gave me as
much, if not more, surplus than any other
hive. This season, however, they have
dwindled very much ; they are also now
very quiet to handle. I think the bees in
this village are quite free from foul brood,
although we are surrounded by infected dis-
tricts a few miles away in each direction.
Jn thanking you in advance for reply,
may I at the same time express my appre-
ciation of your most interesting journal,
which I look forward to with pleasure each
Aveek. I send name, etc., for reference, and
•siini— E. F. T., Cornwall, June 6-

Reply. — The dead brood in comb sent

agrees with the description given of " black
brood " in the last edition of Root's
" A B C of Bee-culture " (page 158), and it
may be that the stock in question will cure
itself during the present fine season. We
say this because it is known in the
U.S.A. that colonies infected with "black
brood " frequently overcome the disease in
a good honey-season. There is no foul
brood in your sample.

(ftchofs ham iht Wiivt

Douglas, Isle of Man, June S. — Weather
here is very good for bees, honey being
gathered freely from hawthorn, straw-
berries, and other sources. Stocks are
strong, and withal good-tempered. I had
a grand swann on Sunday last, June 3. —

T. J. HORSLEY.

BEES AT A GARDEN PARTY.

On Saturday, June 9, at a garden party
kindly given by Mr. and Mrs. C. P. Ford,
Vicarage Road, Leyton, a lecture was given
on bees by Mr. A. W. Salmon, of the Essex
and Suffolk Bee-keepers' Association. An
interesting account of foreign bees and bee-
keeping was given. Reference was made to
ancient and modern methods of keeping
bees, the treatment of swanns and stocks,
the history of the honey-bee and its work in
relation to the pollination and fertilisation
of flowers, and some description of the
anatomy and physiology of the queen,
worker, and drone. A display of appliances
was made, and a collection of wild bees,
flowers, cocoons of the leaf-cutter bee, and
other interesting items was shown. A
good number of people attended, and a nice
sum was added to the fund for the renova
tion of the Vicarage Road Baptist Chapel.
The Rev. G. Robinson presided, and votes
of thanks were given to the host and hostess
and to the lecturer. One humorous mem-
ber of the company said that he had learned
something that afternoon : First, it was the
ladies who did all the work ; and second,
that the gentlemen were so docile and
harmless. — {Communicated,)

%tt ^haujs to §zmt

A nominal charge of i2n. 6d. i.i mude for notices {not
exceeding 7 lines) in this column, 10 lines charged 3s. 6(1. ,
up to I'l lines .li.. inhich covers cost of insertion from,
order till date of show. Cash should accompany orders
for insertion.

June 12-15, at Portsmoutli.— Show of Honey,
Hives, etc., in connection with the Royai Ctountit's'
Agricultural Show.

June 27 to 30, at Derby.— Royal Agricultural
Society's Show. Bee and Honey Section under the
management of the B.B.K.A.

July 18, at Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Lei-
cestershire.—Show of Bees, Honey, and Appliance,
in connection with Annual Flower Show. Three open
and two local classes, and one L.B.K.A. Bee demon-

June 14, 1906.] THE BHITISH BEE JOURNAL.

239

strations. Schedules from J. H. Dunmore, Secretary,
Alandale, Ashby-de-la-Zouch. Entries Close
July 16.

July 19 and 20, at Gainsborouph. — Show
of Honey, Hives, and Bee Appliances in connection
with the Lines Agricultural Society. Bee Depart-
ment under management of the Lines B.K.A. Four-
teen classes. Liberal money prizes and silver medals.
Schedules from B. Godson, Hon. Sec, Lines B.K.A.,
TothiU, Alford, Lines. Entries Close June 15.

July 25 and 26, at Cardiff.— Annual Show of
the Glamorgan B.K.A. in connection with that of the
Cardiff and County Horticultural Society. Honey,
Wax, Appliances, etc. Classes for members, novices.
Five open classes, with prizes for sections and
Bee-appliances, 308., ISs. Entry fee for one or more
of the open classes to non-members, 28. 6d. Schedules
from Wm. Richards, Hon. Secretary, The Bed House,
Gabalfa, Cardiff. Entries close July 20.

Julv 28. at Chester— Cheshire B.K.A. Show
in connection with the County Agricultural Societv.
Open classes for Hives, Observatory Hives, Sections,
and Extracted Honey. Baroness Burdett-Coutts' prize
hive for best exhibit shown by cottager member.
Seven classes for members. Schedules from T. A.
Beckett, St. Werburgh Chambers, Chester. Entries
Close August 8, or at double fees, AugTist 15.

August 8 to 10, at Middlesbrough.—
Show of Honey, etc., in connection with the Royal
Yorkshire Agricultural Society. Schedules and form
of entry from John Maughan, Secretary, Blake street,
York. Entries close June 30.

August 9, at Madresfield, Malvern. —
Annual Show of the Worcestershire Bee-keepers'
Association. Open class. Schedules from Mr. Geo.
Richings, 2, Shrubbery Terrace, Worcester.

August 16. at Yetminster, Dorset. —

Annual Show of the Yetminster and District B.K.A.
held in a field kindly lent by Mr. Jolliffe. Four open
classes, including three lib. jars extracted honey,
three lib. sections, and cake of beeswax. Schedules
from G. Leeding, Hon. Sec, Bradford Abbas, Sher-
borne. Entries close August 10.

August 30, at Montgomery.— Honey Show
in connection with Horticultural Exhibition. Two
open classes for six 1-lb. sections and six 1-lb. jars
extracted honey, 21s., 10s. 6d., 58., in each clasa.
extracted honey. Prizes, lOs., 5s., 28. 6d. Entry fee.
Is. each class. Schedules from Mr. W. J. Jones, Secre-
tary, Montgomery. Entries close August 23-
September 8. at Dumfries- — South of Scot-
land B.K.A. 14th Annual Show of Honey, Bees, and
Appliances. Five open classes — viz., three lib. jars,
three 1-lb. sections, and for single jar and section
(free entry), and cake of wax ; also handsome money
prizes and valuable medals, for members only.
Schedules from Jas. Johnstone. Sec Nelson Street,
Maxwelltown. Entries close September 1-

September 13, at Castle Douglas.— Honey
Section, Dairy Show. Liberal prizes. Five open
classes — viz., three 1-lb. jars, three 1-lb. sections,
single jar, single section, and for cake of beeswax.
Schedule from Jas. Johnstone, or from L. Aird, Hard-
gate Schoolhouse, Dalbeattie. Entries close
September 1.

Notices to Correspondents & Inquirers

Letters or queries asking for addresses of manufac
curers or correspondents, or where appliane(a can be
purchased, or replies giving such information, can only
be inserted as advertisements. The space devoted to
letters, queries, and replies is meant for the general
good of bee-keepers, and not for advertisements. We
wi-hour correspondents to bear in mind that, as it is
necessary for us to go to press in advance of the date of
issue, queries cannot always be replied to in the issue im-
mediately following the receipt of their comrt,unications _

*** Mr. W. Bradburn, Local Hon. Sec,
Cheshire B.K.A. (whose address is Clar-
ville, Beaufort Avenue, Brooklands),
kindly writes in similar tei'ms to Mr.
Pidduck (p. 225) oflfering help to " C. H. ,
Sale."

W. H. W. (Nottingham). — Advanced Bee-
culture. — The author of this work is Mr.

W. Z. Hutchinson, editor of the Bee
keepers' Fevieic, an American journal of
high repute. The book was reviewed in
our issue of March 1 this year. It is-
written on entirely different lines to the
"ABC of Bee-culture."
Bluebottle (Darlington).- — Insect Nomen-
clature.— 1. The insect sent is not a bee-
at all, but a fly, though it so closely
resembles the drone-bee as to be com-
monly known as the di'one-fly. 2. No
shallow-frames are made with thick top-
bars, but if boxes for holding shallow-
frames are properly made there should
be no brace-combs between supers.
J. E. Mills (Paris).— The " Guide Book "
in French. — " The British Bee-keepers'
Guide Book " may be had in French,
though not the later editions. We can,
no doubt, put you in the way of obtain-
ing a copy if desired.
JusTiciA (Sidmouth). — Decoy Hives. — It
is not at all fair for neighbours to keep
hives prepared for swarms in their gar-
dens with entrances open and ready as
a tempting bait for swarms belonging to
others to take possession. But there is
no law to prevent it. K your swarm has
entei'ed,* hive so placed, and you can
prove the bees to be yours, a claim may
be made for the bees (or value of same)
in the county court.

Suspected Combs.
Ax Irish Reader (Ballymahon, Co. Long-
ford).— 1. Both pieces of comb sent are
affected with foul brood. No. 2 being
veiy badly diseased, and No. 1 in a fair
way to become equally so. It is a great
misfortune that the hives from which
samples are taken was allowed to be'
" robbed " out by other stocks, because-
it is certain that the latter will be
affected. You should use naphthalin
without delay in the hives that robbed
the diseased stocks. 2. On no account
must the hives in question be used for
swarms without thorough disinfection,
and all quilts should be destroyed along
with combs and frames.
G. W. (Horeham Road, R.S.O.).— See
above reply to " An Irish Reader," as it
applies equally to your case with regard
to using the hive for swarms.
C. P. (Hailey). — Foul brood is evidently
breaking out in the stock your sample
comes from, but most of the plentiful
brood (and eggs) in comb look well, in-
dicating a good queen. You should take
steps to stop the progress of disease by
using preventives.
J. H. "W. (Apsley Guise).— We find dis-
tinct signs of foul brood in one of the six
cells sent. It will, therefore, be far best
to burn the skep from which the swarm
came, together with combs and honey it
contains, after driving the bees and
young queen (which will probably be-

240

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [June U, 1906.

eomes from, but most of the plentiful
brood (and eggs) in comb look well, in-
dicating a good queen. You should take
steps to stop the progress of disease by
using preventives.

J. H. W. (Apsley Guise).— We find dis-
tinct signs of foul brood in one of the six
cells sent. It will, therefore, be far best
to burn the skep from which the swarm
came, together with combs and honey it
contains, after driving the bees and
young queen (which will probably be
.mated by this time), and treat them as
a swarm.

Anxious (Stone). — There is foul brood (in
the incipient stage) in comb sent.

Anxious (^flerts). — No disease in comb ;
the brood has died from " chill " only.

P. W. M. (Harleston).— There is foul
brood in comb, but it appears not to be
a bad case. Thanks for packing sample
so neatly. Would that othens would do
likewise.

B. E. S.' (Hants). — No disease in comb,
but latter is so old and crooked that all
such combs should be got rid of by burn-
ing. The larvse in cells are normal and
right, except a few at side, which are
"chilled."

W. H. S. (Birmingham). — No disease in
comb, but drone-brood in worker-cells
makes it clear that the queen is a worth-
less drone-breeder. The stock is, there-
fore, of no value.

J. W. C. (Shanklin, I.W.).— Bad case -J
foul brood. It is wasting time to try
and cure such a stock as sample comes
from. We should burn the lot.

C. E. B. L. (Warwickshire). — Bad case of
foul brood, quite beyond curing. It was
quite a misfortune to jiurchase stocks
in such condition, and as the disease is
of very long standing they would no
doubt be in a bad way before you went
abroad. We strongly advise you to clear
the lot out, as your bee-keeping will be
a failure so long as they form part of
your apiary. Many thanks for packing
combs so neatly and well for inspection.

Special Prepaid Advertismentes-

Twelve words and under Sixpence : for every additional
Three words or under, One Penny.

Advertisements for current Issue must be received
by first post on Tuesday.

CHAMPION " NEVKR SWARM " QUEENS, guaran-
teed healthy. Virgins, 2s. ; Fertiles, July, 5s.—
HARRIS, Wavendon, Bletchley, Bucks. p 49

"POR SALE, THREE HIVES and BEES, or Hives
JL separiitely. E.xohange for Observatory Hive.—
DAT, The Cf.ttage, Keresley, Coventry. q 30

TWO STOCKS, on eight Standard Frames, 19s. each,
with 1905 Queen. Guaranteed healthy. Boxes
to be returned.— J. J. HARDING, Trindon", Trindon
Grange, Durham. q 41

STRONG, HEALTHY NATURAL SWARMS, 128. 6d.
Skeps free. Snfe delivery.— CADMAN, Codsall
Wood, Wolverhampton. q 40

W

FOUR STRONG HEALTHY STOCKS, in second se.a-
S'on hives, with section racks, dividers, and
foundation, four shallow crates, with frames and
foundation. What offers? Must sell.- BERES. 19,
Perseverance Street, West Hartlepool. Q 39

WANTED, a YOUNG MAN, as GARDENER (no
glass), who has a knowledge of 'bee-keeping
preferred.— Particulars to C. H. HAYNES, Hanley
Castle, Worcester. Q 38

STRONG SWARMS, 1906 Queen, 12s. 6d., 138. M.
Three Frame Stocks, 1906 fertile Queen, 12s. 6d.
Guaranteed healthy; 1906 ^fe'rtile Queens, 5s. — W.
WOODS, Normandy, Guildford. Q 37

SWARMS FOR SALE, various weights, 2s. per lb.
Also Five Straw Skeps of Bees, 10s. each. —
J. WAYMAN, Cottenham, Cambridge. Q 31

QUEENS.— Native, fertile, 2s. 6d. ; Virgins, Is. 6d.
Ready now. Gross wide " W.B.C." Ends,
2s'. 6d. ; Drawn-outI Oombsi, 8d. fca'ph. WellfiUed
Sections wanted. New honey, large or small quanti-
ties. S.C. jars, 8s. dozen ; bulk, 538. cwt. Sample
2d.— CHANTER, Tattingstone, Ipewioh. Q 32

NOW READY, NATURAL SWARMS of my hardy
prolific strain English Bees, not less' than 4 lbs.,
12s. 6d. ; 5 lbs., 15s. ; 6 lbs., 18s. Guaranteed healthy
and safe arrival. Packages to be returned. — WHITING,
Valley Apiaries, Huridon, Suffolk. Q 33

YORKSHIRE BEE-KEEPERS' SUPPLY STORES.—
Everything of the best. Lists free. — DIXON,
Expert, Leeds. q 34

ANTED, a few good healthy SWARMS, at once.-
Particulars to DIXON, Beckett Street, Leeds.
Q 35

1 Q n K SELECTED QUEENS, Woodley's strain,
1 y U O guaranteed health.v and safe arrival in
safety introducing cage, 3s. 6d. ; Virgins, Is. 3d. —
TOLLINGTON, Woodbine Apiary, Hathem, Loughboro'.
Q 26

NEW SECTIONS, HONEYCOMB.— Supplies wanted,
at once.— SMITH, Cambridge Street, Hvde Park.
Q 29

B RICE'S QUEENS. — Safe delivery guaranteed, in
introducing cage, with full instructions, 5s. 6d.
— BRICE, Brigstock Road, Thornton Heath.

WARMS FROM BAR-FRAME STOCKS, 10s. and 12s.
Cases to be returned. — H. MAY, Kingston,
Wallingford. ^ Q 21

SELLING OFF.-— Bar-frame Hive, with frames, ex-
cluder, two supers, with combs, 123. 6d. ; 1^ lbs.
super, li lbs. brood foundation, 4s. ; Guinea Extractor,
good condition, 14s. 6d. ! Honeff Ripeners, complete,
9s.— HOPWOOD, Newton Street, Clitheroe, Lanes.
pJ5

THIS SEASON'S pure Oxfordshire EXTRACTED
HONEY, 5id. per lb., in large quantities.— REV.

F. E. FOSTER, Swinbrook Vicarage, Burford, Oxon.
p 100

PRIME NATURAL SWARMS FOR SALE, this sea-
son, as usual, 128. 6d. and 159. each ; cases to
be returned. Please note change of address (tele-
grams, Wilkins, Letcombe BegiB).— PERCY WILKINS.

Letcombs Regisi, Wantage. P 99

QUEENS (Doolittle celebrated strain of Improved
Italians).— A customer writes : " The four Virgins
I had from you last year all mated within three days
of receipt of same. They are my strongest stocks this
season. I supered them a week ago, and they are
filling up fast. They are the best workers I ever had."
Virgins, Is. 6d. ; Fertiles (after June 10), 5s. Safe
delivery guaranteed. Fh-st come, first served. — DAVID
TAYLOR, Ilminster. Q 15

QUEEN REARING.— No trouble to work ; no expen-
sive a:ppliancea ; can't fail ; four cages and
full instructions, 28. 6d. — MEADOWS, Syston,
Leicester. Q 10

PRIME NATURAL SWARMS, May and June, 128. 6d.
each. Boxes, 1b. Gash with order, or deposit.—

G. JORDAN Steeple Aston, Oxford. o 91

June 21, 1906.] THE BHITISH BEE JOURNAL.

241

(gdtorial Motim, ^t.

THE "ROYAL " SHOW AT DERBY.

ENCOURAGING PROSPECT OF SUCCESS.

The date of finally closing entries at the
" Royal " Show — which opens at Derby on
Wednesday next, the 27th inst., and con-
tinues till the following Saturday — having
now gone by, we are enabled to make the
satisfactory announcement that the total
number of exhibits entered for competi-
tion is a record one for the past eight
years. Moreover, this gratifying result
has been appreciably assisted by the
promised display in the bee-department.
The cold weather which prevailed for some
weeks prior to the closing date has, no
doubt, told adversely on the entries for
new season's honey. The hive and bee-
appliance section, however, will be a fine
one, and to meet all demands for space
the shedding is to be extended in such a
way as to afford greater facilities for the
inspection of exhibits by visitors, and
having them explained by those in charge.
This desirable advantage will be further
assisted — from the business standpoint —
by providing the class for " Observatory
Hives Stocked with Bees " with a separate
gangway, thus avoiding the inconvenient
" blocks " caused by visitors crowding
round the " Observatories " anxious to see
the queen bee. The increased space also
affords ample room for the " Trophy "
class, so there will be no crowding together
of these very attractive exhibits.

We have been favoured with an advance
" proof " of the plan of the show-ground,
and note that the bees are favourably
placed near the horse-ring, grand stand,
and Royal pavilion. The position of the
bee-section is close to the hoarding which
divides the show-ground from the Derby
Canal ; and the bee-tent, where lectures
and demonstrations with live bees are
given at frequent intervals each day, is
close by.

By noting these few particulars visitors
will, on entering the show-ground, only
need to bear to the left, past the " Imple-
ments " and " Machinery in Motion " sec-
tions, till the poultry-shed and sheep-pens
are seen, when the " Bees " will be found
without any difficulty.

The decision of the Royal Agricultural
Society to give up the permanent show-
ground in London, and resume the change
of venue each year for its annual show, may
be said to have inaugurated a new era
in the prospects of the society, and there
is every indication of the first show held
under the changed auspices being a sub-
stantial success.

©bttuari?.

PASTOR EMERITUS PAUL SCHONFELD.

It is with deep regret that we have to
record the death, after a protracted illness,
of this eminent scientist and bee-keeper, at
the ripe age of 85.

Paul Schonfeld was born in 1821 in
Sulau, Lower Silesia, and after studying
theology in Breslau, was appointed pastor
in Teutschel where he remained for forty-
two years, until his retirement in 1889,
when he removed to Lieguity.

Schonfeld commenced bee-keeping with
a log hive, and, taking a scientific in-
terest in the pursuit, very soon became a
bee-master. He studied particularly the
anatomy and physiology of the bee, and
we are indebted to him for what we now
know about brood-food and Royal jelly.
He was the first to discover the true use
of the stomach-mouth, and to demonstrate
how the bee is able to collect nectar and
to use it either as food for herself or for
the brood. He also showed that brood-
food, which was supposed by Schiemens
and others to consist entirely of a secre-
tion produced by glands, is really elabo-
rated in the chyle-stomach of the bee,
although a secretion from the glands may
also be added. The prolongation into the
chyle-stomach he demonstrated came into
use when this cliyle-food had to be ejected
for the use of the larvse. Space will not
permit us to describe his discoveries more
fully, but full descriptions, with illustra-
tions, will be found in " The Honey Bee."*
Schonfeld also showed that drones also were
dependent on chyle-food and that if it is
withheld for three days they die. Royal
jelly he also demonstrated to be chyle-
food.

He was a prolific writer, and for thirty
years his articles appeared in the Bienen-
zeitung, published in Richstadt. His dis-
coveries led Dr. Wolf to write his classical
work on the organ of smell in the bee.
Pastor Shonfeld's discoveries and writings
are of great importance to bee-keeping,
and will be of lasting benefit. His loss
will be felt by all bee-keepers as that of
a great man, and as of one who has been
of inestimable use to the industry.

REVIEWS.

Botanical Postcards.— We have already
noticed the postcards illustrating British
ferns and leaves of trees brought out by
the Country Press. 19, Ball Street, Ken
sington, W., and in continuation of the
botanical series they have just issued two
sixpenny packets of postcards giving the
exact figures of the winter forms of the

' By T. W. Cowan. Published at this office.

242

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [June 21, 1906.

beech, chestnut, horse-chestnut, maple,
oak, and walnut ; also representations of
the boles of these six trees — every detail
of the bark being shown. On each is a
description taken from Sylvan Winier and
Our Tt'oodland Trees, by Francis George
Heath, by whom also the photographs are
produced.

COUNTRY IN TOWN EXHIBITION.

Her Majesty the Queen has graciously
extended her patronage to the " Country
in Town " exhibition, which will be opened
by H.R.H. Princess Christian in the
Whitechapel Art Gallery, at half-past
three o'clock on July 5. Plans for beauti-
fying crowded areas in London will be on
view. An endeavour will also be made
to show how much of Nature still remains
in the Metropolis, or has been brought
back to it, not to mention that which will
be found on its outskirts. Suggestions
will b© thrown out with regard to nature
study in urban schools, and there will be
aquaria, vivaria, and bee-hives, nesting-
boxes, fern-cases, and flower-tables.

A series of afternoon and evening lec-
tures is being arranged, dealing with
many subjects cognate to the idea that
underlies the exhibition — such as gardens,
garden cities and suburbs, tree-planting
in London, bees, and natural history
generally.

The exhibition will be open until
July 19, and as admission will be free,
contributions are invited towards the
necessary expenses. All communications
should be made to the honorary secretary,
Mr. Wilfred Mark Webb, at Toynbee Hall,
Whitechapel, E.

0lorm^m&mt

The Editcn do not hold themselves rexponsihle for the
opinions expressed by correspondents. No notice will
he taken of anonymous communications, and corre-
eponclents are requested to write on one side of the pamper
only and give their real n imes and addresses, not neces-
sarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith.
Illustrations should be drawn on separate pieces of paper'
We do not undertake to return r^ected communicaHon i. ■

*»* In order to facilitate reference, Comsponderts,
when speaking of any lett 'r or query previously inserted,
will oblige by mentioning the number of the letter as well
as the page on, inhich it appears.

NOTES BY THE WAY.

[6335.] We of the rank and file are, as
usual, Slessrs. Editors, discussing the
weather, or rather its " vagaries," which
has become " stock talk " when bee-keepers
meet, and the present season's weather has
been more than usually exceptional in its
variations. .Just imasjine a whole week of
dull, cold, N.E. winds in the second week
of June ! That is how we have fared in

West Berks ; but, still hoping on, we are,
as I write on the morning of the 18th,
cheered by bright sunshine and the
barometer rising towards "set fair." The
air is warm with a soft breeze from S.W.,
and the bees are pouring out of the hives
in shoals in quest of honey. I trust the
present week may make some amends for
the past one, but wasted time cannot be
recalled, for the beautiful fields of sain-
foin has been despoiled of their blooms,
which were cut and restored to their pris-
tine condition by the mowing machines,
busy at work cutting for the whole of the
first week of the month.

Those of our craft who are located in good
bee-keeping districts will now have their
first supers nearly completed and should see
to jiutting on another rack under the first
as soon as the latter begins to be sealed
over. On the other hand,- if this extra
room is given too early and the honey-flow
suddenly ceases, one is apt to get a big
lot of unfinished sections, instead of a few
dozen well-filled and sealed ones, which
are marketable at a good price, and give
much pleasure to the producer who desires
to make a present to his friends.

Wiring Foundations. — I advise our new
recruits to wire every sheet of stock founda-
tion they use, especially those given to
full stocks ; otherwise it is possible that
the cells may become so much stretched
that the resultant combs will be useless
for either worker or drone-brood. Com-
plaints of wax sheets stretching have
appeared in your pages of late, but
" wiring," if done well, obviates this
nuisance and also prevents the sheet of
wax breaking oflf close to the top-bars of
frames, and dropping on the floor, only
to be worked by the bees into a fantastic
mass of useless comb. Unless full sheets
of foundation are wired, I would prefer
strips only for hiving swarms on. I once
more urge that care be taken to have all
hives set perfectly level on their stands
so that the com.bs may be built and at-
tached to the inside of frames, and the
best results in comb-building are obtained
by taking this precaution.

Hiring S^varms from Difficult Places. —
Referring to the swarm in quickset hedge
(6334, page 235), when swarms cluster in
centre of hedge that cannot be shaken
they may be soon made to move from
grass, etc.. if a carbolised feather is in-
serted into the grass below the bees ; then
have your skeps ready, and as soon as
the bees are running fix it so that they
can run up into the skep. This done, you
will have but little trouble in hiving the
swarm. We have this job every year, as
our apiary is enclosed by a whitethorn
hedge 7 or 8 feet high. — W. Woodley,
Beeden, Newbury.

June 21, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

243

PRICE OF NEW SEASON'S HONEY.

[5336.] In your issue of the 14tli inst.,
we notice an advertisement by a clergyman
offering " this season's pure Oxfordshire
extracted honey " at the price of Sgd. per
lb. ; and we wonder whether it has oc-
curred to this rev. gentleman ■ — who
probably keeps bees simply and solely for
amusement — that in selling honey of this
description, at this time of year, at such
a low price, he is contributing towards a
state of things which tends ultimately to
take the bread out of the mouths of poor
men who rely upon their bees to help pro-
viding them and their families with the
necessaries of life? We are constrained
to write you on this matter before the
year's sale of honey really commences, in
the hope that the publication of our letter
may do something towards instilling into
the minds of bee keepers the fact that as
the demand for English honey exceeds the
available supply, a little trouble will
enable them to fbid a sale for good honey,
prepared for market in a careful manner,
at jDrices which will remunerate them for
the labour and trouble necessary for its
production and proper preparation for
sale. It probably is in some cases only
thoughtlessness which causes people to
offer honey at absurd prices, but in most
cases, it is the amateur who keeps bees
more for amusement than profit to whom we
can trace this want of thought for the in-
terests of those who endeavour to supple-
ment, ill many cases, all too scanty and
hard-earned wages ; and we feel that, short
of a bee-keepers' protection league, your
influence for good is the strongest aid we
can invoke in such a cause.- — John Thaep,
E. T. Haet Jones, Blagdon, Bristol,
June 18.

BEE NOTES FROM CORNWALL.

FOUL BROOD PROPAGATION.

[6337.] The case of foul brood recently
reported as in my apiary (page 234) came
in a skep from Cambridgeshire. The bee-
keeper from whom it was bought declared
the stock free from foul brood, and I have
no doubt honestly believed what he said.
I did not discover its condition till, on
examining the frames below after the bees
had taken possession, foul brood was
seen. Even then I thought the infection
might have come from a local source, but
it so happened that Mr. Odgers, of Red
ruth, also had a skep from the same place,
which I got for him, and his bees also had
the disease. I promptly .drove both lots
of bees out. dealt with them in the usual
way, and burned both the skeps. With
these skeps there came also another
pest in the shape of true wax-moth larvae,
veritable giants, and in great numbers.

Some years ago I got several skeps from
the neighbouring county of Hunts. These
were free from foul brood, but the moths
that came with them were a plague, and
I did not free my ajiiary from them until
this season. This leads one to conclude
that the Fen district is specially troubled
with wax-moth. In dealing with the pest
myself, I found that if all empty combs
are well fumigated with formalin the moth
is completely destroyed. My plan is to
put all unused combs, hives, etc., once a
year into a small room, 'and, after closing
up all apertures, the combs, hives, etc.,
are exposed to the strong fumes of formalin
mixed with carbolic acid or phenyl, for
forty-eight hours. If this mixture be
given very strong and in good quantity, I
am inclined to think that foul brood spores
are rendered harmless after forty-eight
hours ; but, of course, any honey in combs
is not sterilised. Those trying the above
remedy must not spare the formalin when
fumigating, but use plenty.

When formalin is evaporated in a room,
the door should be left ajar for some time
before entering the room, otherwise — even
after forty-eight hours — the fumes hurt
the eyes very much, and also affect the air
passages to the lungs.

There is probablv nothing so biting as
formalin when evaporated over a lamp.

I found about a dozen cells of foul brood
this year in two other hives, and a spray-
in? with soluble phenyl seems to have
quite cured them. In one hive I found
a cell sealed over from last year. It con-
tained foul brood. While sealed up, the
contents of cell were, of course, quite harm-
less. I cleared it out.

Bee-keepers sometimes report that for-
malin has even sterilised the sealed honey
cells, because they have given such back
to the bees and the disease has not broken
out again.

In my opinion they never had the disease
in the spore stage at all ; consequently,
the honey would not be infected. Foul
brood has never reached the spore stage
in my own ajjiarj^ ; consequently, fuming
makes me absolutely safe.

After four years in the midst of infec-
tion I have not had more than four stocks
affected with the disease. By keeping one's
bees well fed they are not so likely to go
robbing, and I do not, as a rule, retain
old combs longer than two years, and by
renewing so frequently I take away old
and possiblv infected stores, so that in the
breeding season the bees usually get fresh
food free from germs. Still all this means
constant watchfulness, work, and extra
expense, and makes l>ee-keeping less
pleasurable than if we had no foul brood
to fear.

I formerly used Izal for spraying, be-

244

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [June 21, 1906.

cause it was easiest to obtain, but I found
it choked the sprayer up, whereas soluble
phenyl does not.

I must say in conclusion that I find the
information in Mr. Cowan's " Guide
Book " absolutely reliable. This must not
be taken to mean that other works may
not be reliable too. Redruth up to the
present year was a hot-bed of disease.
Just now, however, the modern bee-keepers
among us, at any rate, are almost free of
it. The expert has cleared out the worst
cases, and the skepj)ists are now our chief
cause for anxiety. Not that bees may not
be well kept in skeps, but simply because
those who so keep them do not as a rule,
understand bee-keeping as a science. —
W. J. Farmer, Eedruth.

SWAEMS.

[6338.] I cannot understand why so
much value is attached to prime natural
swarms. According to my experience they
are seldom headed by a young and reliable
queen. As an instance, a very large stray
swarm hived near mv apiary three years
ago, on June 30, yielded 30ib. of surplus
honey in fourteen days, besides plenty of
winter stores. But the bees dwindled to
three or four frames by the following
spring, and the brood in the hive was then
a mixture of drones and wor-kers. The
swarm was hived on drawn-out worker
comb too ! Give me a nucleus colony with
a young queen for making a good profit. I
have already put second supers on some
of last year's nucleus colonies. Moreover,
they had sealed brood on May 10, from
side to side and from top to bottom of
frames, with only about a couple of pounds
of stores or empty combs in brood-nests,
and hardly any drone-comb in the twelve
frames. — A. H., Wavendon, Bucks,
June 17.

BEE-NOTES FROM WORCESTER.

A POOR PROSPECT FOR 1906.

[6339.] Bees in this district have done
exceedingly well during the last fortnight,
a good quantity of finished sections having
been taken off and some extracting done
from shallow-frames. Swarms have also
been plentiful where the bees are healthy,
and should the weather again favour us
after the recent refreshing rains, bee-
keepers should reap a good harvest. Foul
brood is still with us in some apiaries,
but not so bad as in 1903 and 1904. I am
trying an experiment for the cure of foul
brood in several parts of the district, which
has, so far, answered all expectations, and
hope to report results in the B.B.J, for
Ihe benefit of other bee-keeprs at a later
date, should the experiment prove success-

ful.— James S. Bailet, Exjjert W.B.K.A.,
Evesham, Worcestershire, June 16.

THE QUEEN-REARING INCIDENT.

[6340.] Referring to the mention of a
" Queen-rearing Incident " by several cor-
respondents of late in B.B.J., I have my-
self had several similar experiences of
worker bees being found dead in queen
cells, and think it can be accounted for
very simply by the bee entering the cell
after the queen cuts her way out, often
having the capping hinged at one side.
The worker-bee on entering the queen-cell
to clean it out, is probably heard by the
other workers, who. thinking perhaps that
another queen is about to emerge quickly
close the hinged capping, thus imprisoning
the unfortunate worker which soon dies.
If "A. E. E." has not disturbed the
nucleus mentioned on page 222, he will
possibly find a fine laying queen in it by
this time. — Alex. Low, SumjnerhilJ,
June 12.

HONEY IMPORTS.

The value of honey imported intO' the
United Kingdom during the month of May,
1906, was £6,028.— From a return fur-
nished to the British Bee Jottrnal by the
Statistical Office, H.M. Customs.

CAPPINGS OF COMB.

By L. S. C, Ilkley, Yorls.

" A Queen-rearing Incident " (p. 222). —
It ought not to be difficult to diagnose such
cases. The appearance of a bee which has
not left its cell is verv different fi-om that
of an adult. Every circumstance points
to an imprisoned bee, but no mention is
made of the consequently released queen.
The normal thinning of the capping shows
that a cocoon was spun. I should much
like to see some of these cells and their
occupants. The theory of accident does
not fit perfectly with other systematically
intelligent acts. But why was the bee in
the cell long enough to be sealed ? Had
it retired to rest, or to die? Or was it
the victim of some act of revenge, or huge
practical joke? After all, what do we
know of the real internal economy, the
politics of the hive ?

Bees in South Africa (p. 214). — " Unless
a bee, or even an atom of the ' m-ghty
atom,' has imagined that he has crossed
an imaginary line, he is deemed an indi-
genous ass." Hello, down under there!
One requires more than an atom of wit
to follow such an imaginative flight as
this. Would " Inyosi " kindly explain
for the benefit of us up-over duller-witted
ones, or are these to be passed over as
merely imaginary lines ?

June 21, 190o.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

245-

TJic Condition of the Brood Nest (p. 222).
— This note by our practical friend W.
Woodley deserves re-perusal. The age of
the sealed brood, as judged by the expert
eye, is the key to the situation.

Picllcd Brood {p. 223). — How does friend
W. J. Farmer know this disease ? He names
it very definitely, but I doubt if accurately.
It seems to me also to be misleading to say
that pic.klqd brood might develop into
either chilled, or foul, or black brood.
How could it do so ? It is interesting to
note that W. J. F. ever has any bees on
the sick list, as one would naturally ex-
pect annual renewal of combs to keep them
in a state of " chronic health " !

Backs or Crates? (p. 232).- — Is not the
word " crate " a misnomer which we
might, with the kind consent of the manu-
facturerSj cease to use ? The derivation
(Lat. crates) would seem to confine its use
to wickerwork.*

Using Comb Foundation (p. 232). — To
abolish foundation is an extreme and ufi-
warranted iutei'pretation. We cannot do
without full sheets at times, but swarms
hived upon starters, with drawn-out eombs
over the excluder, will give good results.
One brood-comb to catch all the stray
pollen is perhaps advantageous, but swarms
are hived at a loss upon a full set of combs,
as their instinct is to build, and the ma-
terial is wasted.

[* We have for some years made efforts
to do away with the " misnomer " men-
tioned, and but for the persistent misuse
of the word " crate " for " rack " in the
catalogues of some dealers it would have
disappeared long ago. Most leading bee-
ajyijliance manufacturers now use the words
rack and crate each in its proper place,
i.e., rack for the appliance in which sec-
tions are placed on the hive for filling,
and crate when referring to the appliance
in which comb in sections is crated for
marketing or for transit. The B.B.K.A.
distinctly mark the difference between rack
and crate by requiring candidates for third-
class certificates to explain — 1st. What is
a rack ? 2nd. What is a crate ? And we
have not seldom — when conducting exams,
on behalf of the Association — got the
following replies in answer to the respective
question : — " A rack is the crate in which
sections are placed on a hive." Very well ;
now tell me what is a crate ? " Well, a
crate is, I supjjose, a section-rack." — Eds.]

Bhodesia. The apiary of Mr. Muhlbauer^
with which the article is illustrated, is well
arranged, and shows modem frame-hives
constructed on the best lines. We are
sorry the illustration could not be repro-
duced in our pages along with the text
which appears below.

BEE-KEEPING IN RHODESIA.

The following extract from the Bhodesian
Afjricultural Journal, forwarded by a
B.B..J. reader, shows that bee-keeping in
that part of South Africa is now being
started on up-to-date lines, and promises
to become a feature of the agriculture of

Section honey from local hives is now
to be found upon the Salisbury market,
several farmers and horticulturists are
busily employed in constructing appli-
ances, and a Bee-keepers' Association is in
the making. The flavour of " Umsasa
Honey " has been a revelation to many.

From Bulawayo, Mr. Muhlbauer, whO'
pioneered this industry, reports that he
will have 100 hives in operation next sea-
son, and is in constant receipt of inquiries
for swarms and apparatus. He is exnect-
ing a further consignment of Italian
queens, which are stated by the vendors-
to' be the finest ever exported from that
country.

" Bee-keeping," he writes, " is slowly but
surely working its way into the confidence-
of many a farmer. In answer to the growing
demand. I have kept twenty-one swarms-
going, in spite oi. the severe drought ex-
perienced this season, and they are all
doing well. There is a good chance for tc
fair honey-crop ; but, of course, most of
the honey will have to be devoted to giving
the new Italians an early start. The queens-
will not be here before April, which will,
however, leave plenty of time for organis-
ing work for next season. Last year's bees
are only now (February) beginning to
swarm, which proves how well they are-
adapting themselves to local conditions. In
Mashonaland they had already swarmed in
November, but the Eastern Province is-
natural bee-country, and the rains fall
earlier than down here.

" As soon as our farmers realise the
splendid chances they have in this direc-
tion, there is little doubt that Rhodesia
will produce enough first-quality honey to
not only supply the whole of South Africa,
but also to capture a share of the home mar-
ket, at present supplied almost entirely by
America. I have already proved what can
be done on a small scale, and on the basis
of 100 hives will have a further opportunity
of stating commercial possibilities at the-
end of next season. The projected Bee-
keepers' Association, in the hands of Mr.
Edmonds, whose results have already
shown what energy can effect within a few
months, should be a medium for further
demonstrating that a new and profitable
industry can here be created.

"The question is frequently put as to-
whether the domestication of the wild bee
is feasible. The Matabele variety is too
fond of swarming at frequent intervals, andi

246

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [June 21, 1906.

I know of one individual swarm that sent
■out sixteen smaller swarms within five
"weeks. The residue was a handful of bees-,
-which were quite incapable of amassing
honey. Moreover, the wild bees, even if
kept in a modern hive, are easily irritated,
and very dangerous to any living thing
within a few hundred yards, showing a dis-
tinct partiality for horses and cattle.
Crossed with Italian drones, they may give
tetter results, but experiment in this direc-
tion had better be postponed until re«ults
can be compared with those secured from
the imported bees.

" I shall be only too pleased to furnish
furnish further information on any parti-
cular subject to intending bee-keepers."

^urm m& ^i^\m.

[3328.] Returning Casts to Swarmed Hives.
— Slay I trouble you for advice on the follow-
ing : My bees swarmed on May 28, after
which I placed a rack of sections above brood-
frames of parent hive. Twelve days later
a cast issued from the same hive, which I
put back again in the evening, and put
queen-excluding zinc over the entrance. 1.
Is this the right thing to do? 2. Is there
any way of preventing the issue of "casts,"
my object being to obtain honey, not increase?
3. Why have the bees not commenced to work
out the sections mentioned above? 4. Is
the enclosed bee a young queen? I found
it nearly dead with four or five workers
round it, on the floorboard of the skep in
which I placed the cast. Next morning, on
going to the same hive, I found another dead
^ueen. Please explain this. I send name
and sign,— E. W. B., Norfolk, June 12.

Reply. — 1. The best way we know of for
preventing the re-issue of casts, is to keep
the bees in hiving skep in a shady place
till early next morning, and before the bees
«tart work for the day. Then return the
swarm, and it will be found that all surplus
queens will be found dead on the ground out-
side the hive before sundown. 2. Only by
cutting out all queen-cells save the ripest
one, after the top swarm has issued. 3. Be-
cause the parent hive has been depleted of its
bees, and in consequence surplus-room is not
often required. 4. Yes, and it is quite com-
mon for several queens to issue with a cast or
second swarm.

[3329.] UtiKsing Queen from Rohhed-out
Stock. — Herewith I send you two pieces of
comb removed from a skep" two days ago, the
history of w<hich, so far as I can gather is as
follow : — Last autumn the hive was fairly full
of bees and stores, it being an early " cast " of
June 1905. However, in the early spring of
this year it was atft-acked and almost cleaned
out by Toblfcr bees ; a subsequent examination
showed that there were only ~^about 200 bees
left in the hive. It was not worth while
trying to unite such a small number, so I cut

out the combs and when doing so noticed a
small patch of brood. I then saw the queen
and she looks all right. What struck me
most was that in several of the cells no fewer
than five or six eggs were deposited. I had
previously seen as many as three in one cell
when a prolific queen had not sufficient bees to
cover her brood, but nothing like this quan-
tity of eggs in single cells. I put the queen
in a nursery and laid it on top of a strong
stock which is looking after her meantime.
Now what I would like to ask is, 1, Do you
think the queen Avorth preserving? I noticed
that even after 'being -^jut into the cage she
was laying eggs, which the bees removed. 2.
Will she be injured by being in a hive all the
spring with so few bees, and in consequence,
was she rmable to fulfil her maternal duties ?
— D. M. P., Greenock.

Reply. — 1. It would appear as if there had
been a paucity of bees in the hive during the
whole time since last autumn, and the number
being gradually lessened since, the brood has
suffered from lack of bees to cover it. 2. There
is no foul-brood in comb, and in view of the
plain signs of the queen's prolificness she is
certainly Avorth using in some other stock
It seems as if she had suffered no damage
at all.

[3330.] Dealing with Suspected Hives. — I
shall be grateful if you will tell me if the en-
closed larvae are diseased? I have nine stocks
of bees, all very strong and apparently just
ready to swarm. Unfortunatetv, however,
certain slight, but unmistakable symptoms
of foul brood recently appeared in one of the
strongest colonies, and, in this case, with the
aid of an expert friend, I made a swarm
of the bees, and have destroyed brood, combs,
and all other _ contents of the hive. Since
doing so I have examined several of the other
stocks, and find in each of them isolated in-
stances of larvae apparently standing on end
in their cells, which I have removed, and
enclose specimens. The larvae, when re-
moved, were mostly white and fresh, and free
from any offensive smell. I examined three
hives in addition to the one undoubtedly
affected, and each contained a few of these
doubtful-looking larvae, but none showed
and other symptoms of foal brood. It
would be a sad pity if I had to destroy all the
contents of these hives, as they are very
strong and prosperous, but I do not wish to
run any risks. Thanking you in anticipation.
I send full name, and sign. — ^W. F. S., Wey-
bridge, June 13.

Reply. — The imago bees sent show no
trace of foul brood, and appear to have died
from lack of warmth, after passing from the
pupa stage. There is no i^ason whv any of
the stocks, now strong and doing well, should
be disturbed at all, to say nothing of any such
drastic measures as you fear being necessary,

[3331.] Drone-hreeding Queens. — Thanking
you for replies to past queries I am again
troubling you by sending a queen removed
from a stock, examine^- yesterday, in which
five of the seven frames containing brood was
nothing but drones. I have given the bees
a ripe queen-cell for them to hatch out, and
so I ask: 1. Have I done right in so doing?
I put this question because early in the spring

June 21, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

247

having found one of my stocks queenless I
united the bees to the stock mentioned above,
which now seems very strong in bees, but
there are a great deal too many drones among
them ; not only so, but all the sealed brood in
combs seem to be drones. I have, therefore,
removed the five frames mentioned and re-
placed them with full sheets of foundation,
and will be glad to know. 2. If the queen
sent is a drone-breeder, and have I done right
in taking her away? 3. What variety of bee
is the dead queen. 4. Can you tell me where
I can obtain a pure black queen bee? I send
name and sign, C.B.A. Aylesbury.

Eeply. — 1. If you took the precaution of
allowing time for'the bees to discover the less
of their queen before inserting the queen-cell
all may go on well, otherwise, the cell may
be found torn open and the nurseling queen
cast out. 2. The drone-brood in worker-cells
prove the queen to be a worthless drone-
breeder, but with regard to the wisdom of
removing her, it depends on reply to first
query. 3. The ordinary brown variety. 4.
We cannot say where " pure black " queens
■may be had ; indeed it is next to impossible to
procure " pure black " bees now-a-days.

£3352.] Brood-rearing in Supers. — I am
writing you for advice on the following: — ■
I put a shallow frame into the body box of
one of my hives to have comb built-out in
it by the bees. When I came to examine the
frame later on it was filled with comb and
sealed brood in the cells. I therefore ask ;
1. Should I leave this in the body-box? 2.
Another frame of foundation was then put in
to be drawn out. I removed it after thirty-
sLx hours and hung it in a super over the
Ibody-box. The queen had laid eggs in this
■comb also. On examining the comb recently
I found brood in all stages in the cells, some
having been sealed over. There are also one
or two sealed drone-cells. What would you
advise me to do in this case? An answer in
B.B.J. , to which I am a I'egular subscriber,
will oblige. Name, etc., sent for reference.
" Slater Bee," Pudsey, Yorks.

Reply. — 1. On no account, as the bees will
build comb below the bottom bar of shallo^v
frame. Remove the shallow frame into a suit-
able box and let the bees fill comb with honey
aft-er the brood has hatched out. 2. The same
applies to second frame of comb. You should
use excluder zinc to keep queens from entering
shallow-frame supers.

[3333. j Tall Sections. — W^ill you kindly in-
form me where I can procure the tall sec-
tions 5 by 4i by If? I have for the last
five years worked with these side by side with
4{- by 4i sections, and every year have secured
20 tn 25 per cent, more honey and better
finished sections in the deeper rack. The
last 500 I had from our old friend J. H.
Howard.— H. F. J., Clifton Down, Bristol.

Reply. — Many of our leading dealers
stock the tall section referred to ; but as
Jas. Lee and Son have succeeded to the
late Mr. Howard's business, they would no
doubt be able to supply them.

[3334.] Queen Cast Ont of Hive.—l found
the enclosed queen outside one of my hives
this afternoon. Life was not quite extinct

when I found her, a slight pulsating move-
ment of the end of the abdomen being visible.
Would you be so good as to tell me whether
she is a virgin. The hive is headed by a last-
year's queen, and I hope I am correct in
my conjecture that this dead one is not the
mother of the hive. Thanking you in anticipa-
tion.—<jr. S. N., Godstoaie, Surrey, June 16.
Reply. — ^The queen bee sent, though not so
matronly in appearance as is usual at this
season, is either the mother-bee of the stock,
or an adult queen that has by some means
got into the hive, near which it was found.
You could make certain by examining combs
three or four days after queen was cast out
for eggs or just-hatched larvse.

[3335.] Using Shallow -Frames for Brood-
Chambers. — Referring to your 'reply to ray
query, No. 3310 (page 224), I have evidently
not "made myself plain. For the second
brood-ohamber used in doubling I employed
a shallow-frame box containing shallow-
frames fitted with brood foundaition ; the top
brood-box, therefore, has no excluder under-
neath it, and the queen is now filling it with
brood. But the frames above are attached
by brace-combs to the itop-bars of those_ in
the bottom brood-box ; so that they are diffi-
cult to get out. I propose to add two more
boxes of shallow-frames, and, of course, shall
use excluder under these ; but should like to
know how to prevent comb being built
between upper and lower brood nests. I am
sorry to trouble you a second time about the
same matter. — E. C. S., Leeds.

Reply.— 1. The term "doubling" applies
only to th^ use of a second chamber similar
in size to the body-box below, and, of course,
holding standard' frames. As put in your
query, on page 224, the so-called "doubling"
was merely increasing the size of brood-
chamber by adding a box of shallow-frames,
to which the queen had free access, and when
the space between tops of frames in body-box
and the bottom-bars of the shallow-frames
above was much over the regulation distance
{\ indh), bxace-combs were sure to be built.
They are, of course, a nuisamce, which can
only be got rid of by cutting them away, and
reducing the space in the handiest w^ay that
suggests itself. A thin board, v/ith slots cut
in it, lai'd on top-'bars of brood-chamber, ^
VTOuld, no doubt, answer the purpose.

[3336.] Worher Bees found in Queen-Cells.
— I send herewith three boxes marked A, B,
and C respectively, and will be obliged if vou
will reply to the followino; questions regarding
the contents of each. 1. The queen-cell in
A had in it the two l^ees in the same box ;
are they both workers? 2. B has in it a bee
taken from another queen-cell ; is this a
queen-bee or a worker? It was alive when
removed from the cell, and may be when it
reaohes you. 3. Is the queen enclosed in C
fully grown? I took it out of a cell myself by
removing the cell-cap. She was alive when
released. I seaid name for reference. — S. E.,
Sandhurst, Kent.

Rhply. — 1. Both bees are fully developed
workers, used to foraging, no doubt, and
would have been " foraging " in the cell aiier
the royal jelly, seen at bottom thereof, when

248

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [June 21, 190G.

they got shut in by the other bees. 2. The
bee in question (a worker) was alive and well
when box was opened. 3. Yes ; the queen
was fully developed, and would have been
all right if left in the hive after being released.

[3337.] Increasing Stocks by Beginners. —
Being a constant reader of the B.B.J., I
should be glad to know if it is right and safe
to remove a frame conltaining a queen-cell to
another empty hive, and so form the nucleus
of another colony? Will the bees forsake
the comb and the hatching queen ? I am want-
ing to increase my hives, and feaor I may not
be at hand when the bees swarm, which I
expect they will be doing before long. I
should be grateful for your advice as to what
is the best to do? I send name, etc., and
sign, — ^A. E. L., Mailing.

Reply. — You cannot raise another stock in
the way mentioned, for the flying bees would
all return to the hive from which the comb
with queen-cell was removed, leaving the
queen-cell behind deserted. If you intend to
increase your stiocks of bees and ito manage
them well you should procure a " Guide
Book on Bees," without which no beginner
can expect to succeed in bee-keeping.

(grlmfB from the Wwt

TVhittlesford, Cambs, June 14. — Bees
now working merrily, but nights are a bit
cold, and this tends to check the honey-
flow ; but it will all be right now that
weather is getting warmer. We are looking
for a good season in this district. — H. T.

WiSBEY.

IcMcsham, S.O., Bye, Sussex^ June 18. —
Yesterday was the first ideal bee-day that
we have had in this district for some time.
We have had plenty of bee-forage, but the
north wind has been with us continually ;
therefore, everything is backward, and I
am afraid that a large portion of the
worker bees have sallied forth in search
of honey never to return. The field-beans
■are, however, now in splendid bloom, and
honey is plentiful. Two of my hives are
each supered with crates of shallow-frames,
and the twenty frames in each hive are
crowded with bees. Hives with sections
on are also doing so well that by end of
the present week I shall give those hives
which need it iust one more surplus-cham-
ber. White clover will be in bloom here
in about ten days. — Henby Clarke.

FORMIC ACID.

FOR MTJSCTTLAR TREMBLING,

Formic acid has nroved a valuable
remedy in the treatment of muscular
trembling due to atony. In the case of
two patients who were unable to raise a

glass of liquid with one hand without spill-
ing the contents, the administration of the
acid gave marked relief in two days^^^
although the affection was of ten to eigh-
teen years' endurance. At the time of the
report, the trembling had not entirely
disappeared, but the patients could lift
a glassful of liquid with ease. These
results suoprest that possibly the remedy
might be of service in the treatment of
chorea. — E. Clement (Comp. Bnnd., 1905,.
140, 1,198). — The Pharmaceutical Journal.

%u %\\m% to €tnme.

A nominal charge of 2s. 6d. is made for notices (not
exceedinri 7 lines) in this column, 10 lines charged Ss. 6d.,
up to 15 lines o".. which covers cost of insertion from
order till date of show. Cash should accompany orders
for insertion.

June 27 to 30, at Derby.— RoyaJ Agricultural
Society's Show. Bee and "Honey Section under the
management of the B.B.K.A.

July 18, at Ashby-de-la-Zouch, liei-
cestersliire.— Show of Bees, Honey, and Appliances,,
in connection with Annual Flower Show. Three open
and two local classes, and one L.B.K.A. Bee demon-
strations. Schedules from J. H. Dunmore, Secretary,
Alandale, Ashby-de-la-Zouch. Entries Close
July 16.

July 19 and 20, at Gainsborouerli. — Show
of Honey, Hives, and Bee Appliances in connection
with the Lines Agricultural Society. Bee Depart-
ment under management of the Lines B.K.A. Four-
teen classes. Liberal money prizes and silver medals.
Schedules from E. Godson,' Hon. Sec, Linos B.E.A.,
Tothill, Alford, LLiies. Entries closed-
July 25 and 26, at Cardiff.— Annual Show rf
the Glamorgan B.K.A. in connection with that of £he
Cardiff and County Horticultural Society. Honey,
Wa.x, Appliances, etc. Classes for members, novices.
Five open classes, with prizes for sections and
Bee-appliances, 30s., 15s. Entry fee for one or more
of the open classes to non-members, 2s. 6d. Schedules
from Wm. Richards, Hon. Secretary, The Red House,
Gabalfa, Cardiff. Entries close July 20.

Augrust 1, at Henbury, near Bristol-
Annual Show of Honey and Wax, of the Henbury
District Beekeepers' Association, with bee lectures,
by the County Council's expert, in connection with
the Horticultural Society's Exhibition. ""Several open
classes, with good prizes (two classes with free entry).
Schedules from the Hon. Sec, J. Atkin Waller, Pen
Park, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol. Entries close
July 25.

Augrust 29> at Chester.— Cheshire B.K.A. Show
in connection 'with the County Agricultural Society.
Open classes for Hives, Observatory Hives, Sections,,
and Extracted Honey. Baroness Burdett Ooutts' prize
hive for best exhibit shown by cottager member.
Seven classes for members. Schedules from T. A.
Beckett, St. Werburgh Chambers, Chester. Entries-
Close August 8, or at double fees, August 15.

August 8 to 10, at Middlesbrougrh —

Show of Honey, etc., in connection with the Royal
Yorkshire Agricultural Society. Schedules and form-
of entry from John Maughan, Secretary, Blake street,
York. Entries close June 30.

August 8, at Clevedon, Somerset, in con-
nection with the Horticultural. Show.— The Somerset
B.K.A. will hold its first annual Honey Show as above.
Several open classes. Schedules from Louis E. Snel-
grove, Hon. Sec, Cromla, Locking Road, Weston-
super-Mare. Entries close July 21-

August 9, at Kingsthorpe— Honey Show of
the Nnrthants B.K.A., in connection with the Horti-
cultural Society's Exhibition. Special prizes, including
the Baroness Burdett Coutts' prize hive for cc*tager
members, also three open classes, including one for

June 21, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOUKNAL.

249

single 1-lb. jar honey. (Entry free) Prizes, 20s.,
iOs., 78. 6d., and 2s. 6d. Schedules from R. Hefford,
Hon. Sec, Kingsthorpe, Northants. Entries close
July 15.

August 9, at Madresfield, Malvern. —
Annual Show of the Worcestershire Bee-keepers'
Association. Open class. Schedules from Mr. Geo.
RichingB, 2, Shrubbery Terrace, Worcester.

AuR-ust 16. at Yetminster, Dorset. —

Annual Show of the Yetminster and District B.K.A.
held in a field kindly lent by Mr. Jolliflfe. Four open
classes, including three 1-lb. jars extracted honey,
three lib. sections, and cake of beeswax. Schedules
from G. Leeding, Hon. Sec, Bradford Abbas, Sher-
borne. Entries close Aug-ust 10.

August 30, at Montgomery.— Honey Show
in connection with Horticultural Exhibition. Two
open classes for six 1-lb. sections and six lib. Jars
extracted honey, 2l8., 10s. 6d., 5s., in each class,
extracted honey. Prizes, 10s., 5s., 2s. 6d. Entry fee.
Is. each class. Schedules from Mr. W. J. Jones, Secre-
tary, Montgomery. Entries close August 33-

September 8, at Dumfries. — South of Scot-
land B.K.A. 14th Annual Show of Honey, Bees, and
Appliances. Five open classes — viz., three lib. jars,
three 1-lb. sections, and for single jar and section
{free entry), and cake of wax ; also handsome money
prizes and valuable medals, for members only.
Schedules from Jas. Johnstone, Sec, Nelson Street,
Maxwelltown. Entries close September 1-

September 13, at Castle Douglas.— Honey

Section, Dairy Show. Liberal prizes. Five open
classes — viz., three 1-lb. jars, three 1-lb. sections,
single jar, single section, and for cake of beeswax.
Schedule from Jas. Johnstone, or from L. Aird, Hard-
gate Schoolhouse, Dalbeattie. Entries close
September 1.

Notices to Correspondents & Inquirers

Letters or queries asking for addresses of manufac-
turers or correspondents, or where appliances can be
purchased, or replies giving such information, can only
he inserted as advertisements. The space devoted to
letters, queries, and replies is meant for the general
good of bee-keepers, and not for advertisements. We
wish our correspondents to bear in mind that, as it is
necessary for us to go to press in advance of the date of
issue, queries cannot always be replied to in the iss^ieim-
mediately following the receipt of their communication

G. B. (Sutton-on-Trent). — Recipes in " Guide
Book." — 1. No. 10 (page 168) is, as stated,
for painting hives and for preparing car-
bolised cloths used in quieting bees. We
do not know what " directions on the
bottle " you refer to. No. 9 is used for
another purpose ; besides, soluble phenyle
is quite different from 'phenol (carbolic
acid). 2. There is no need to use recipe
No. 10 on a new hive that has never been
occupied by bees. 3. It is not advisable to
put bees into a hive on which solution
No. 10 has been used till the strong odour
of carbolic acid has passed away. Other-
wise the bees may leave the hive and
decamp.

(Mrs.) D. E. W. (Sussex).— Swarms Desert-
ing Frame-Hives. — 1. It occasionally hap-
pens that a top swarm hived in a skep
will — several weeks after hiving — send out
what is termed a "virgin swarm." But in
your case only about ten days elapsed
before the second swarming Itook place. We
advise you to examine the combs and see
if the bees have not deserted the hive for

some reason. 2. The information you ask
for regarding experts' certificates can only
be had from Mr. E. H. Young, Secretary,
B. B.K.A., 12, Hanover Square, as there is
now no county association for Sussex.

W. H. P. (Totland Bay, I.W.).— Mr. W. H.
Bellairs, Bransgore, Christchurch, is hon.
sec. of the Hants and Isle of Wight B.K.A.,
and will, no doubt, give you all informa-
tion regarding membership.

J. B. (Eastleight, Southampton). — Swarms
Returning. — When swarms return to the
parent hive, as in your case, it is generally
understood that the parent queen has
either fallen to the ground and got lost,
or did not leave the hive with the swarm.
In the latter case the bees will probably
swarm again in a few days, but if the
queen was losft the young queens from cells
prepared before the swarm came oflf will
hatch, and one of them will head the colony
after kUling oflE the otiers.

G.^ C. (ShefBeld).— Full Sheets versus Only
"Starters." — ^The par. quoted on page 212
simply gives the results of experiments
made by Mr. W. Z. Hutchinson, a noted
American bee-keeper, who is, we may be
quite sure, well up in the subject he writes
about. You may therefore rely upon the
statement as being correct.

"Wag" (Braintree). — Buying Swarms. — We
never recommend one particular advertiser
in preference io another. To do so would be
obviously unjust to others. You will see
swarms in plenty advertised evfry week,
and distance away is no great disadvantage
if swarms are properly packed for
travelling.

Z. Mather (Barmouth).— Dates of Shows.—
You will find particulars in every week's
issue of our journals.

W. H. C. (S. Devon).— Honey Boards.— 1.
The appliance so named is used in America
for giving a bee-space between frames and
surplus-chambers. They are fitted with
excluder zinc to keep queens from entering
supers. 2. The Rymer honey board has
been fully described in our pages by Mr.
Rymer himself.

H. B. (Kirby).— Treating Suspected Stocks.
— 1. There is no reason why you should.
"lose a large quantitv of bees," as stated,
when treating them on the starving method
for curing foul brood. If dealt with
according to directions in " Guide Book "
very few bees are lost. 2. If the stocks are
strong now we should certainly defer any
contemplated operations till the honey-
flow is over.

Suspected Combs.

M. W. F. (Middlesex).— As the stock is weak
and some of the sealed brood is suspicious
we do not think the colony is worth saving.
It could certainly do no good this summer,
aaid time thus spent on the bees would be
wasted, if not worse.

E. R. B. (Croydon). H. B. (Leicester), E. A.
Long (Bournemouth), and J. W. P. (Chor-

250

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. j^^^ ^l, 1906.

lev) —Samples sent are all affected with
foul brood, tihe last-named fcemg a very
"bad case. Others less so.

L B (Middlesex).— There 5, foul brood o1
very pronounced tvpe in comb sent,
and we are unable to understand an ex-
pert passing the stock from which sample
was taken as healthy.

Enquirer (Suffolk). -There is foul brood in
comb sent, though we snould expect the
colony to be strong, judging by the hatch-
ing brood and healthy looking larvse m ceils.
If our idea is correct the bees may be dealt
with as directed on page 152 of the " Guide
Book."

HiCKLiNG (Basildon).— The stock is diseased,
and, being weak in bees it should be
destroyed as worse than useless.

J. G. N. (Cumberland). — We cannot under-
take to diagnose cases of foul 'brood from
small s,plashes of dried-up matter sent on
bits of broken glass for examination.

E. E. S. (Essex). — ^The cell cut from comb is a
half-formed queen-cell, showing that the
sitock is either queenless oir preparing ito
swaxm.

"Expectant" (Oxon.). — Though sample is not
large enough to judge from without use of
microscope, we see enough to prove that
foul brood is just breaking out in comb.
We should, therefore, remove super, as pro-
posed, and deal with the case as diredfced

. in " Guide Book."

*«* We have received several letlt-ers from cor-
respondents desiring to obtain the address
of the farmer mentioned on page 233 by
"Amateur, Cheltenham," to whom they have
been forwarded.

Special Prepaid Advertismentes.

Twelve words and under Sixpence : for every additional
Three words or under, One Penny.

Advertisements for current Issue must be received
by first post on Tuesday.

BEES FOB SALE. B.\RGAIX.— Strong, healthy
Stocks, in well-made modern hives, each
on ten frames, with super and lift complete. Price 258.
each, or £5 lOs. three.— EAXGEE, 39, Beulah Boad,
Tunbridge Wells.

QUEENS.— Select 1906, laving.— WORCESTEBSHIEE
BEa;-KEEPEES' CO-OPEEATIVE SOCIETY,
LTD., Worcester. q 61

COMFORTABLE APAETMENTS for Brother Bee-
keepers visiting Douglas. Terms : Tea, bed,
and breakfast, 38. 6d ; or full board, Ss. per day. —
flOESLEY's, Merridale House, top of Castle Drive,
Douglas, Isle of Man.

AN ENGLISH BEE-KEEPER, of wide experience,
seeks an ENGAGEMENT in a warmer climate ■

Address " APICULTUEE," •' B.B.J." Office.

WANTED, SECTIONS, first quality; prompt cash;
also extracted per cwts.— W. CHILTON, Brook-
side, Polegate, Sussex.

EXTBACTOB FOR SALE, take 2-bar frames. 7s.—
u. LEDGER. Sandhurst, Camberley. Q 6f»

LADY'S BEEHIVE, six squares, with honey box and
glass slides, 9b. 6d.— G. LEDGER, Sandhurst,
Cam.erley. Q 59

29^? "^EAR.— Queens : Imported Italians, 6s. 6d. :
tT^ V, T'^"'?'®^ Italians and CarnioIauB. ft". 6d. •

WOODHAAf ^ ^^"'^^ ^'" S^^™^ ^«d Nuclei.-F:
wuuDHAM, Clavermg, Newport, Essex. q58'

QFFEES WANTED FOR BEES, in ten Standard
Rh^Tnl^'^ F'J^- Ciuaranteed healthy. — Apply
BUXTON, East Bergholt, Suffolk. q 57

H'^^n?^?^^'^^^^^^ SWARMS. 12s. 6d. eaoh.-K.
J^J- OAiviER, Chartrisgo Green Farm, Chesham,
^'"'^^- w 55

"DURE HEATHER guaranteed sample dozen sectiona.
J- View to further supply coming season.— BURN,
R.O. , Whitby. q 54

NEW SEASONS LIGHT EXTRACTED HONEY,
aZs. 6d. per cwt., in cwt. cans; not less than
three cwt. supplied. Samples 3d.— CHARLES H.
60C0CK, Ashley Apiaries, Newmarket. q 52

SIX STRONG STOCKS OF BEES with hives, on ten
frames ; three last year's and three this year'a
Queens, guaranteed healthy, £8 lot, or would seV
separately.— J. ADDYMANj Charlestown, Baildon,
Yorks. Q 51

WORTH A GUINEA A HIVE.— " Never Swarm
System," S^d., free. " Never Swarm " Hives,
beat, most complete made, 22s. 6d. — HARRIS, Waven-
\on, Bucks. Q 49

1 Ci l\ STANDARD SHALLOW FRAMES, clean, ex-
I'M' tracted combs, guaranteed healthy, 6d. each.
—HARRIS, Wavendon, Bletchley, Bucks. q &)

FOR SALE, 1201b. WHITE GRANULATED HONEY,
in screw cap jars. — S. A. FULLER, Murtham,
Great Yarmouth. q 49

7S. 6d. HIVES.' 7s. 6d.— The Bee-keeper's Oppor-
tunity. St(andard size, with super completer
painted. Illustration sent. — OXONE APIARY, Trim^
ingham, Norfolk. Q 47

TILLEY'S PATENT ("Won't Leak") SECTIONS,
sample 6d., post paid. Complete Super, 38. 6d.,
on rail.— J. T. GODWIN, Agent, Dorchester. Q 46

GOOD HONEY EXTBACTOB, not geared, half price,
12s. 6d. ; bought larger one.— GEO. ESSAM,
Woodford, Thrapston. Q 45

WANTED, 1-lb. SECTIONS NEW HONEY.— Price
and particulars to T. G. TICKLER, Pasture
Street, Grimsby. Q 44

SPECIAL OFFER.— New American Hives, ten Lang-
stroth frames, body box of lin. pine, dovetailed,
super cover, ziiic roof and floorboard, will last a life-
time, 3s. 6d. each, complete ; delivery by return.—
JAMES HILLMAN, Regent Street, Stonehouse, Glos.

FOB SALE, FIVE very strong STOCKS, in nearly
new " W.B.C." Hives, price 30s. each. Also-
quantity of spare hives, etc.— MASON, 19, Wynell
Boad, Forest Hill. S.E. Q *2

FOUR STRONG HEALTHY STOCKS, in second sea-
son hives, with section racks, dividers, and
foundation, four shallow crates, with frames and
foundation. What oflfers? Must sell.- BERES, 19,
Pewsance Street, West Hartlepool. Q39

WANTED, a YOUNG MAN, as GARDENER (no
glass), who has a knowledge of toee-keeping
preferred.— Particulars to C. H. HAYNES, Hanley
Castle, Worcester. Q 5t)

STRONG SWARMS, 1905 Queen, 123. 6d., 13s. 6d.
Three Frame Stocks, 1906 fertile Queen, 12». 6d.
Guaranteed healthy; 1906 fertile Queens, 5a. Stocks
in skeps, 1906 Queen, 12s. 6d. and 13s. 6d.— W. WOODS,
Normandy, Guildford. Q 2V

NOW READY, NATURAL SWARMS of my hardy
prolifio strain English Bees, not less than 4 lbs.,
12s. 6d. ; 5 lbs., 153. ; 6 lbs., 18s. Guaranteed healthy
and safe arrival. Packages to be returned.— WHITING,
I Valley Apiaries, Hundon, Suffolk. Q 33

June 28, 1906.] THE BHITISH BEE JOURNAL.

251

(gitorid, ^^tim, ^c.

BRITTSHBEE-KEEPEES' ASSOCIATION

The monthly meeting of the Council was
held on Thursday, Jvme 21, at 105 Jermyn
Street, S."\V., Mr. T. I. Weston occupying
the chair. There were also present Dr.
Elliot, Messrs. R. T. Andrews, F. J. Ber-
nau, W. B. Broughton Carr, W. F. Reid,
and the Secretary.

Letters explaining enforced absence were
read from Mr. T. W. Cowan, Mr. W. H.
Harris, Mr. J. B. Lamb, Mr. G. H. Mor-
rell, Mr. A. G. Pugh, and Mr. E. Walker.

The minutes of the previous meeting
were read and confirmed.

Mr. Q. Aird, of Hardgate School House,
Dalbeattie, N.B. , was duly elected a mem-
ber of the Association.

The Finance Committee's report was pre-
sented by Dr. Elliot. It gave full details
of receipts and expenditure to date, and
was approved.

The Examiner's report upon the late ex-
amination of first-class certificates was
received. After full consideration it was
resolved to award diplomas to candidates
Nos. 1, 2, 4, and 8.

Third-class certificates were also awarded
to Messrs. Q. Aird, C. N. Craik, and David
Young.

A number of appointments of judges and
examiners were made to officiate at fixtures
in Berkshire, Devonshire, Huntingdon-
shire, Norfolk, Kent, Warwickshire, and
Worcestershire.

The Secretary presented a report on the
arrangements for the " Royal " Show at
Derby, which was considered favourably
and duly approved.

Several suggestions having been received
in regard to an alteration of date for com-
mencing the Society's Insurance Policy now
in force from August 1 to July 31. it was
resolved to invite — through the medium of
the B.B..J. — the wishes of the various
affiliated associations on the question
whether an alteration of date is desired,
and, if so, for what reasons.

The next meeting of the Council will be
held on Thursday, July 19.

NOTICE.

administration of

The administration of the Socii-fi''
Centrale d Apiculture ask to be exoused for
not issuing the numbers of VApiculteur
for May and June in time to be of service.
The delay is due to the strike in the print-
ing trade, which commenced when the
May number was being set up, and is not
yet ended. The two numbers will be
united and issued together.

NORTHANTS B.K.A.

ANNUAL SHOW. SPECIAL NOTICE.

The Kingthorpe Horticultural Society
having failed, and there being no other
flower show held at a convenient date or
place for the majority of our members,
application was made to the Corporation of
Northampton, and the Northants B.K.A.
have received permission for the show to
be held in a fine, large, light room in the
Museum, Abington Park. The bee-tent
will be near at hand in the park, and no
charge made for admission to park or
show. — Rob Hefford, sec, Northants
B.K.A.

ESSEX AND SUFFOLK B.K.A.

SHOW AT BRENTFOKD.

The above Association held a very suc-
cessful exhibition of appliances (kindly
lent by Messrs. Jas. Lee and Son) at the
annual show of the Essex Agricultural
Society, held at Brentwood on June 13 and
14. There was also an instructive exhibit
of articles of intei*est to bee-keepers in
particular and the public in general. Mr.
Wm. Herrod, chief expert and lecturer of
the B. B.K.A., gave a series of excellent
lectures and demonstrations in the bee
tent, which were very well attended and
highly appreciated, resulting in a sub-
stantial increase of members to the Asso-
ciation.— G. R. Alder, sec. and treas.,
Essex and Suffolk B.K.A.

BERKS B.K.A. (WINDSOR BRANCH).

HONEY SHOW AT ■W^NDSOR.

The Windsor branch of the Berks B.K.A.
intend holding a honey show in the ancient
Town Hall at Windsor on August 6 (Bank
Holiday).

The classes will be open to the members
of the Windsor district only, and the com-
mittee hope by this means to create more
interest among local bee-keepers and the
general public.

Mrs. Darby, the hon. secretary is work-
ing hard to make this, " her first show," a
great success.— -(Communicated.)

ADVICE ABOUT EXAMINATIONS.

BY AN EXAMINER OF WIDE BXPEEIENCE.

The remarks I am about to make on
this subject relate, in the first paper, to
examinations in general, and, in the
second, specially to those conducted by
the B. B.K.A. It is my purpose, on the
one hand, to help those who intend, with
good prospects of success, to enter for any
written tests of their competence, and on
the other, to deter those who ai'e unfit for
such trials of their knowledge from th&
expense and failures to which they may

252

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [June 28, 1906.

expose themselves. I write with an ex-
perience of more than thirty years, as an
examiner in a good many departments.

1, — While sound knowledge of any sub-
ject presented for examination is essen-
tial, it is not in itself sufficient. The first
part of this statement is worthy of close
attention. The second part will be
elucidated in subsequent divisions of our
topic.

I have said " sound knowledge is essen-
tial." Many candidates gain scraps of in-
formation, aiid imagine that one or more
of these is certain to do for answers to
questions, and several together may suffice
for " a pass." Herein lies a veiy common
source of failure. " Sound knowledge "
implies connected information — a fairly
wide survey of some aspects of a subject,
and an appreciation of details as these con-
stitute a whole. Again, it should be re-
membered that where a practical acquaint-
ance with a subject is expected, it is most
unwise to depend on mere book-knowledge.
This is especially the case in modern times,
since examinations tend more and more to
the probing of " sound " and efficient know-
ledge.

2. — A candidate must have the power of
expressing what is known by him or her
on any jDoint, and this at the time when
the possession of the requisite knowledge
has to be shown. Xothing is moi'e com-
mon amonof examinees than such sayings
as, " I knew the answer to such and such
a question, but did not see how to write it
out satisfactorily " ; or, " I was thoroughly
well up on such and such a point, but at
the moment I could not, for the life of
me, think of the right answer." Xow
it must be remembered that, however
satisfactory to the individual the real
possession of information may be, it
is useless to other people unless it can
be clearly conveyed to them at the appro-
priate time, and without undue hesitation
or circumlocution. This leads to our next
point — an important one.

3. — Answers should be well arranged as
to principles and facts, and should be con-
cise in expression. For securing the first
of these requisites it is well worth while
for a candidate to spend some minutes in
thinking out and sketching an outline of
what is going to be written ; and for the
second, so to study the questions set as
to have clearly before the mind exactly
what is asked. Not only will valuable
time be thus rescued from diffuse and use-
less expenditure, but the ability shown by
clearness and conci.'^eness will tell very
favourably on the estimation of a candi-
date's 7:)owers. It constantly happens that
abundance of knowledge lea'ds to such un-
necessary detail as quite uselessly con-
sumes precious minutes and much space.

On the other hand, attempts are often
made to cover up ignorance by a multitude
of words or by a diffuse style.

4. — Candidates must not invent ques-
tions of their own, and proceed to answer
these at greater or less length. There is
a well-known story of a youth who had, as
he thought with clever expectancy, got up
by heart a list of the kings of Israel and
Judah. In his Scripture paper, however,
the nearest question he could discover to
what he had hoped for was " Give a list
of the minor Prophets." To this he made
answer, " It does not become us to draw
invidious distinctions among the Prophets.
I will, therefore, instead, give a list of the
kings of Israel and JudaJi." It is easy to
understand the fate met with at the hands
of the examiner. And yet cases really
analogous are constantly discovered, even
in papers sent up by candidates at
B.B.K.A. examinations. It is, or ought to
be, unnecessary to say that time and
trouble spent in such ways are not only
mis-spent, but^produce decidedly unfavour-
able impressions on the minds of exam-
iners.

5. — For incomplete answers or unfinished
papers no such excuses should be made as
" Time rnp " ; " Have you read up this par-
ticular part of the subject " ; " Did not ex-
pect to be asked this question " ; " The
correct answer has unfortunately slipped
out of my memory." If unnecessary or too
exhaustive work has been attempted under
particular Questions, the examiners are
sure to see this for themselves, and to pay
due regard to the fact. In certain cases
a brief outline of what could be said on
any point may possibly suffice to show
there is some validity in the plea " Time
up." As to the other excuses, any reason-
able candidate will see that it would be im-
possible for any weight^ — in the matter of
marks — to be given to them.

Such, very briefly put, are some general
considerations applicable to all examina-
tions. In a second paper more specific
reference will be made to the tests applied
to candidates for certificates of expertship
from the B.B.K.A.

The Editorii do not hold thetrmeiveg rexpnnsihlf for the
opinions exnrgssed by cnrre^mndents. No noti'et will
be taken of annnymoim eommunio'itiovx, and corre-
spnndevtn are rfqiiested to write on ova aid* of the -paper
onl'i and aive their real names and addreii.ipg, not necM-
Rftrily for vuhh'cation. b^i.t as a qunrantee af nnod, faith,
niu'trntions should be drn.^nn on sertnrate vieees of vi'V*r.
We do not undertake to return rejected eoynmunicationH.

AMONG THE BEES.

A CHAT ABOtJT SECTIONS. — PART II,

[6341.] The honey house should have a
bench or table of a suitable height for
placing racks on to remove sections, and a

June 28, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

253

press or cupboard with a range of shelves
on which to place honey, in sections not
more than two deep. It should be mouse
proof and bee proof, and a swing window
is a great advantage, because by simply
turning all bees can be quietly evicted.

In clearing sections, lay three blocks,
about 2in. by 2in. by 13in. long, in such a
position that they will come between the
slats of rack. After removing the " fol-
lower," bring a little pressure to bear and
the sections will stand out clear, when they
can be easily caught two at a time, between
the forefinser and thumb. Thi« makes an
expeditious job, and prevents any poking
of fingers into the honey, or breaking any
of them by forcible pulling out.

In scraping sections I prefer an ordin-
ary table knife, fairly sharp. Run this
sni-artly over each successive »ide, handling
■as little as possible. Be sure you remove
every particle of brace-comb and propolis,
and be careful not to leave any thumb-
marks on the wood. I don't like sand-
papering, as some of the powdery dust
generated is almost certain to taint the
honey. Have a basin of clean cold water
and towel near at hand, and use them
frequently.

Return the sections into storing crates,
or the racks used in the hives, piling them
up to any height, making certain, how-
ever, that the weight of each successive
tier rests on the case and not on the sec-
tions. They are best left fairly open
with a free circiilation of air, because this
helps to ripen and improve the quality of
the honey. A farly high temperature also
aids in securing the same object. When
-circumstances prevent this mode of storing
place them on the shelves of a cupboard,
if available, putting not more than one row
of sections above the first.

Seek: a market foi* your honey ; don't let
it seek you. When regular customers have
been secured, a circular sent them inti-
mating that you have honev on hand of
a certain class at a given price is, I find,
sufficient to bring orders. If a good grade
of honey, in well-filled sections, at a fair
•price is offered, the sale has a natural ten-
dency to increase as the years go by, but
it depends greatly on selling only a good
article. Last year with a good crop I could
have sold three times the amount I har-
vested.

In grading sections as they are being
scraped, the eye — aided bv the hand — is
gradually educated to consign only those
weighingr 16 oz., and with rfood finish and
even sealing, to the 73ile where first-grade
honey is placed. As a rule only these
should be offered on the market.

Unfinished sections should be returned
-co the hives early in the season for com-
rpletion, and it is best to return them

when they make up an entire rack, to the
strongest colonies. At the end of the
season all of this class should b« cleared
of honey, either by the extractor or the
bees, then carefully wrapped up and well
preserved for bait sections the following
year. All racks used early in the season
have one or two of these placed in the
centre to tempt bees up into supers.
• Light-weight sections weighing under
ISg oz. should be placed aside as second
class, and to them should be added any
with broken sealing, from whatever cause,
any with rough irregular surface, or any
otherwise defective. All these should be
used at home, given as presents to friends,
or sold locally at a reduced figure. Second
grade sections jjlaced in that category,
either from want of finish or weight,
should never be mixed with first grade.

The art of packing sections is easily ac-
quired. As orders come in, secure grocers'
empties, and select according to size of
order. Place five or six sections side by
side, first covering them with waxed paper.
Pack in brown paper parcel, tying it
lengthwise very tightly with fairly strong
twine, so that it assumes the form of a
solid brick. Thus packed, they come out
on the grocer's cou.nter fresh as when
they came off the hive — an utter necessity
if we are to make a full success of comb-
honey. After sections have stood in the
storing crates for some time, place them in
a warm, dry cupboard, protected from dust
and damp. A press near the kitchen fire
suits best, as it will be warm and dry
there. Sections now beins; taken from
such a storehouse are as fresh as they were
in August, and as yet they show no signs
of granulation where well sealed. Whole
sheets of foundation only should be used
in sections if the bee-keener is to expect
the best class of work. Every sheet must
hang true, and must not slant, bul2;e, or
sag. Thev are best cut a little short of
touching the wood, to allow of slight
stretching.

Too many sections should not be given
to a colonv at one time. A strong colony
makes the best finish and yields the finest
sections, every one full weight. A good
flow aids, also a high temperature, and
rapid storing. A swarm makes the finest
finish, and. as a rule, the finest grade of
sections. Black bees finish oft" comb honey
most perfectly, and their capping especi-
ally is the finest. Glazing sections is a
costly and tedious job, but for those with
the time and patience it may pay where
there is a demand for a gilt-edged article.
For the large grocer who handles exten-
sively, the trouble is. however, thrown
away. Something neat, cheap, and effec-
tive is all he desires, and this is found in
the sheets of waxed jiai^er cut to size re-

254

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [June 28, 1906:

quired, first introduced, I think, by
Messrs. Abbott Bros., iDublin. It is
quite efficient, easily applied, cheap, and
being semi-transparent the contents may
be seen at a glance. Any dealer in bee-
appliances will supply them about 4s. per
1,000.— D. M. M., Banff.

PRICE OF THIS SEASON'S HONEY.

[6342.] I must say that I agree with the
remarks with regard to the above expressed
on page 243, because it seems to me that
when honey is oft'ered almost before the
season begins at a low price, it gives, a
wrong impression to dealers, grocers, con-
fectionery, etc., who imagine that honey is
excessively plentiful, and is likely to be
cheap. This is quite an erroneous idea,
because nobody can say until the season is
over, and reports have been received from
different districts stating whether the
honey-flow on the whole has been good or
not.

My experience is that bee-keepers may
be doing well in one district, whilst only
a few miles further on no surplus honey is
being gathered at all ! I know that last
year scarcely any surplus honey was
secured around this town, whereas a friend
living on the Cotswold Hills near here told
me that his hives produced an average of
55 lb. each. It seems to me that a depot
is needed in some central spot where honey
could be collected, and a fair price paid to
small bee-keepers.

Such men often rush their produce int.)
market in order to make a little ready
money, and they accept almost any price
offered from ignorance of the state of the
supply and of the future demand for it. I
recollect a few years ago a man advertising
for fifty tons of comb honey offered me 6d.
jier il-lb. section, carriage paid, to his
works ! A price like this daunts bee-
keepers, and astonishes them, when they
notice that 1-lb. sections are marked in
shop windows at from lOd. to Is. each. I
imagine that no bee-keeper desires an ex-
travagant price for his produce, because
this tends to make the article unpopular.

For my own part, I should be always
quite satisfied if I could average 8d. per
lb. into pocket for my honey,, at which
figure, I su]»pose, the consumer should be
able to obtain it at lOd. I have just made
a wax-extractor on the jiattern mentioned
on page 397, B.B.. J., October 5, 1905, and
I find it a complete success Its great
merit is its economy of working, because
it may be placed in the kite-hen oven when-
ever the oven, which is always warm, is
•"ot wanted for roasting purposes. Ihus
the extractor does not require extra coal
to heat it. I also made a sun-extractor last
year from a description given in the B.B. J.,
and this works very well too. I send name,

etc., and sign — Amateur, Cheltenham..
.June 25.

[6343.] I think all British bee-keepers-
who really have a desire for " fair trade and
no favour " ought to thank Messrs. Tharp
and Jones for their letter in your issue of
June 21 (page 243). As a bee-keeper^ I
was even tliinking of writing to the
"B.B.J." myself and asking why Oxford-
shire should not be styled " the land of milk
and honey," seeing that " large quantities "'
of the latter were advertised from thence
even so early as May 31. But, be that
as it may, I must say that lately, on again
reading of " Fiaest Scotch " at less than
32d. per lb., and other wonderful cheap
products, I have been reminded of the nro-
verbial teetotaller who stirred ginger into
his pint of " home-brewed," and then eased
his conscience by calling it "ginger-beer."'
My own opinion is that those who really
require pure English honey, and are will-
ing to pay for same, this year should expect"
prices to rule quite as hvjh. if not higher,,
than last season, seeing how the facts con-
cerning the American food frauds (includ-
ing honey) are being brought before the
public eye. I enclose a Press cutting on
this subject from the Daily Mail. —
Apis Mellifica.

[6344.] I see in this week's B.B.J, an-
advertisement of this season's pure Oxford-
shire honey at 52d. per lb. I think we are
getting very close to the " best Scotch
honey " at extraordinary low j^rices, which
occupied space in your pages for so long.
I should suppose the reverend advertiser
keeps his bees for pleasure only, and cares
nothiirg for profit, as I am sure his
parishioners would not sell their garden
produce at such low prices end have any
px-ofit for their homes and chiUlren. I write
this as a slight protest, as I think the price
affects all cottager bee-keepars. — George.
Dow, St. Mary Cray Kent.

ROSS-SHIRE BEE NOTES.

[6345.] The so-called merrie month,,
after beginning, continuing, and ending
with rather more than its usual severity,
has been succeeded by glorious weather..
The prophets made a good hit in predict-
ing a reversal of weather conditions with
the arrival of June. It is to be hoped that
the same rule will not apply to the coming:
1114)11 til, however.

The bare mention of a tearful July is
calculated to bring anguish to the hearts-
of Northern bee-men.

Although bees are busy in the 'supers-
the real honey-flow is still, before,, us, andi

June -26, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

255

stocks are ia excellent shape to make the
most of things. A stock of White Star bees
is easily first. Two supers were left on
over winter, and, on making the first ex-
amination yesterday, I found the top one
solid with honey, the second almost solid
with brood, and the hive so overcrowded
that, with space equal to forty standard
frames, bees were clustering oiit. A third
super was given between the other two.

Apropos of the latest accusation hurled
at the devoted heads of Italian bees — to
wit, their alleged abnormal development of
the " sugar tooth " — I may say that this
jjarticular stock required no feeding what-
ever, having all along abundant stores,
while others with the usual number of
combs were bordering on the stai'vation
line.

Last year's crop is practically cleared, so
new honey should sell freely. Here is some-
thing for those who ru«h their honey off
at any price. A dealer who bought my last
pai'cel of comb-honey kept it in a suitable
place over winter, and is now selling at
is. 3d. per section, thus netting 50 per cent,
profit. Quality, he tells me. is still perfect
— ^not a single granulated cell.

I may mention that the honey was stored
in tall sections, and its keeping in good
condition for close on a twelvemonth may
perhaps be credited to being better rinened
in the thinner combs. What does the Rev.
]\Ir. Lamb say? — J. M. Ellis, Ussie
Valley, June 23.

THE SEASON IX HAMPSHIRE.

BEES DOIXG WELL.

[6345.] The bees have had a glorious time
of it durincr the past fortnight, making ;i
very noticeable change in the condition of
even the weak stocks. Those bee-keepers
who have the ten frames '' crammed " with
broo 1 and shallow-frames on will make a
good haul. Where this is not the case the
brood-combs are beinn^ filled with honey,
and even ■small nuclei are filling their
combs, the anxietv of the bees appearing
to be to get the honey and " put it in some-
where."

The honey is a fine •olour too. There
have been some splendid foraging grounds
round here, where some thirty to fifty acres
of sainfoin were in flower, but the mowing
maf'liine has laid it all low now.

The white clover is wonderfully fine this
year, some fields being smothered with it.

Brrs and Laurel Lmvcs. — I have been in-
terested in the number of bees visiting the
laurel leaves just now. They confine their
attentions to the back of the young leaves
and at the base of the midrib. On examina-
tion I found four tiny " lumps," two each
^'de of the midrib, and on applying this

part to the tongue a decided sweet taste
was noticeable. Have brother bee-keepers-
noticed this ?

Do Strange Bees Join a Swarm .? — In pack-
ing swarms, I have noticed how quickly
bees are attracted to the swarm-box, en-
deavouring to get through the perforated
zinc to the swarm. I though at fii-st that
these were part, of the swarm, and got
" locked out," and no doubt st^ie of them
were. I brought a swarm home (some one
and a half miles) ready packed, and placed
it for a few minutes behind a hedge about
thirty yards from some of my hives. When
I returned to the box I found several bees-
on the box trying to get in to the swarm,,
with wings vibrating and " tails " up.

These must have been strangers, as I was-
careful to brush off all bees as I was bi'ing-
ing them home. This made me ask the
question : " Are our swarms augmented by
strangers ? " — Hants Bee, June 25.

PICKLED BROOD.

[6347.] Since writing on the above sub-
ject on pa?e 223, I have again examined
the affected stock and find that the bees
have not removed the dead larvpe from
the combs. I also find that foul brood is-
present, and have, therefore, cleared the
bees off the combs, which seems to be the
only radical cure. The conclusion I arrive
at is that even though there be no ropy
matter present in cells that " pickled
brood " must be foitl brood in a certain
stage. It might be cured by the bees if
they would remove the apparently chilled
brood, and it may have been so cured in
the cases observed by Root, which came-
and went, as stated by him. — W. J.
Farmer, Redruth.

RAILWAY RATES FOR HOXEY,

PER PASSEXGER TRAIN.

[6348.] This question seems to crop up
periodically in the B.B..I.. and, as the
packing season is with us again, I thought a
perusal of the enclosed leaflet might be in-
teresting and useful to you. It has re-
cently been issued by the Xorth-Eastern
Railwa}' Company, and shows even cheaper
rates than the ordinary half-rate at
" owner's risk," especially for long dis-
tancv^s.

As the regulations will apply equally to
all the large companies, they should benefit
bee-keepers generally. You will notice
that " honey in comb " is only conveyed at .
" owner's risk." therefore, it will at all
times come under the cheap rate. I send
name, etc., for reference, and sign —
A. E. Y., Picton, Yarnu

256

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [June 28, 1906.

BEE NOTES FROM CORNWALL.

[6349.] In reply to your correspondent,
" L. S. C," who refers to pickled brood in
" cappings of comb " (page 245), may I say
that in my last communication I explained
how my first case of foul brood was im-
ported.' It did not arise in my own apiary,
to begin with. I am probably in error in
writing with regard to " pickled brood." It
must have been a stage of " chilled brood " ;
but I am puzzled to know why a few larvre
should be chilled in one hive, while the
brood in ordinary hives is all right. There
was no intention to convey the impression
that one disease can possibly become
another save in the sense that one disease
at times makes a fit soil for quite a different
disease. Perhaps " L. S. C. " can say if
the foul brood germ will develop in a dead
chilled bee ? Or must the germ be con-
veyed via the food ?

Bee-keepers who desire to raise queens
at a small expense should use mating-
boxes, in which very few bees suffice. 1
consider it does not pay to break colonies
up into two or three standard frame nuclei
for the purpose of raising queens, my ex-
perience showing that it is cheaper to buy
queens than to do that.

A simple way to get young queens is to
remove the old ones in mid-July, and let
the bees re-queen themselves. But the
small mating-box plan is no doubt the best.
When putting a virgin queen into a mating-
box last week she escaped, but. reaching
out my hand, I caught her as she flew away
— quite a lucky incident. I recently
found that after two swarms had been
united, and remained so for thirty hours
in a skep, the two queens still were there.
The bees had not been confined, and had
built a small bit of comb. It would seem,
therefore, that two queens cannot sometimes
so easily find each other till the bees are
spread out on several combs. But one of
these cjueens was a virsin, which might
•alter the result. — W. J. Fakmek, Redruth,
June 23.

BEES NOTES FROM CHESHIRE.

[6350.] During the past week I have been
busy among the bees in the Mid-Cheshire
districts. Among the apiaries one visits
some are kept well, some passable, and some
whose owners would, to say the least, be
doing a kindness to their brother bee-
keepers by taking up another " hobby."

I had the pleasure oh^ afternoon this
week of vising a charming bungalow, built,
I believe, for the express purpose of keep-
ing an apiary in the excellent honey dis-
trict of Mobberley. Miss Rice, the owner
of this ideal spot, who, with her partner
in bee-keepinc;, the well-known Cheshire
'hee-keeper, Mr. J. Cotterill, of Bowdon,
have some sixteen stocks, kept in a way

that made me wish I could only show
them to some of our dilatory brothers. I
spent several interesting hours with Miss
Rice and Mr. Cotterill, and came away
having learnt something, and shall long
remember the kindness extended to me.— -
E. PiDDUCK (Expert on Tour in Cheshire).

AMERICAN AND COLONIAL PAPERS.

EXTRACTS AND COMMENTS.

By D. M. Macdonald, Banff.

"Starters" of Foundation for Swarms.
— Mr. J. A. Green, in Gleanings, records
his vote for these : " Facts which I have
observed for a number of years have led
me to use foundation in the brood-frames
in only two ways — first, as a narrow
starter not over an inch wide ; and, second,
in full sheets of foundation. I have been
comi^elled to change my mind hj finding
that I could not get the best results in
honey-production except by hiving swarms
in a contracted hive with only narrow
starters." This is instructive, and is given
apropos of a comment by " Amateur " on
page 232 (No. 6327), wherein he suggests
that I am unorthodox, on page 212, in re-
gard to the i^reference thereon recorded
in favour of hiving on " starters." But the
advice there given is that of a man whose
opinion carries far more weight. The
article, as I thought all readers would ixn-
derstand from the heading, is made up of
extracts from Mr. Hutchinson's book,
" Advanced Bee-keeiDing," without even a
single comment from my pen. I hope, how-
ever, to devote an article to the siibject
soon.

Scent at a Premium! — Where Avas Mr.
A. C. Miller when the American Bee-hecper
for June was being edited ? Mr. Davton,
on page 109, gives him some food for
thought. " As soon as a swarm alights on
a bush the queen begins to travel through
and through the cluster of bees, leaving her
scent on each '\i-orher she toitches or travels
over, and this is the main, stimulus that
causes the bees to seek isolation from the
parent hive." The words I have italicised
open up a new " odour theory."

The Best. — From the editorial pages of
the same paper I cull the following sen-
tence : — " Merit, with reference to apiarian
appliances, is very largely a matter of per-
sonal preference. Men are different in
tastes, temperament, ambition, and in
modes of achieving their respective pur-
poses. That is best which best suits our-
selves." I often think there is far too
much of " follow my leader " in bee-keep-
ing. As I quoted lately, " Consider the
advice, etc., of men who have succeeded,
but do your own tliinkiun."

Keepinn Forty Million Bees'. — At the late
Chicago Convention one item of the pro-

June 2S. 1906.1 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

257

gramme read : " How many bees shall a
man keep ? " With ]Mr. E. D. Townsend's
aid I work it out as about 40.000.000 ! Mr.
Townsend keeps 800 colonies at times.
Giving each of these a population of
50,000"bees in the height of the season, we
find his live stock should tot up to the
foregoing. But the gist of his article leads
to the belief that he considers 100 colonies
in one location the ideal number, and a
total of 500 colonies as sufficient to make
him " quite sure of depending on the bees
for a living, and a little extra for a rainy
day." We in this country are far short of
this ideal, so it is no wonder our Editors
invariably warn enthusiasts on paper to
•'' ca' cannie " in starting an apiary as the
sole means of subsistence. Very few even
in America. I think, believe in keeping
many colonies in one locality. I note Mr.
M. A. Gill, who has over i.OOO colonies,
has "eleven apiaries, containing a little
over 100 colonies each." This may be
taken as the " standard " sized apiary.

Bunkum! — A Mr. W. Reid writ-es as fol-
lows in the Australtan Bee BulJ<'fin: — "I
do not know if the article quoted from is
original or copied from some unknown
source, but I have no hesitation in voting
the " facts " as fiction. Such one-sided
statements are the acme of ridiculosity,
so that their mere enumerance goes further
in their refutation than any words of mine,
however stronsr. " A neighbour had thirty-
three hives. Thirty-one blacks died of star-
vation, leaving him two Italian hives.
Anotherbee-keeper alongside of him, at the
same time, had nineteen blacks and one
Italian. The nineteen died from starva-
tion, leaving him the one Italian. I knew
another bee-keeper Avho had forty-two
liives — two Italians. Bee-moths ate out
the forty blacks, leaving the two Italians."
Mr. W. Reid has the modesty to conclude
this rhapsodv with the following words :
" I think, J\Ir. Editor, I may have tres-
passed too much on your space." I think
so, too. and if I could whisper loud enough
to reach Mr. Tipper I would counsel him
to edit such copy in fu,ture.

"Bait Sections." — Those havi»g doubts
about reserving unfinished sections from
former seasons to use in section cases to
tempt bees up early in the honey-flow
misht read and digest the following,
written by Doolittle for the American Bee-
Journal: — "I preach the use of bait sec-
tions, and I practise what I preach, eacli
year getting my supers ready, baits and all,
the same being partially filled with honey,
just as the bees left them at the end of last
season, with no precaution but that the
cappings of all sealed cells are broken.
I have yet to see wherein this mode of pro-
cedure is not as good as having these combs
*3mptied in the fall. But it is absolutely

necessary to have the cappings broken so
that the honey maj- be removed, and my ex-
perience proves that this honey will be
removed before any more honey is placed
in the cell." A bait section, smelling of
honey newly uncapped, is a very great in-
centive to the bees to take possession of
sui>ers early in the season.

"I Lil:e My Job." — The words are said
to be a quotation from a speech made by
President Cleveland when he was condoled
with about his hard work. " Love lishtens
labour," says the proverb. The editor of
the Bee-hiepa'' s lieviev: says : — "' I have a lot
of hard work, physical and mental, but " I
like my iob.' and it is simply a pleasure *o
meet and overcome obstacles. Without this
love of the business, and this ambition
to succeed, a man soon drifts back to the*

(^uxm mi

[3358.] Dealing ivith Suspected SfocJcs. —
On Monday last, when examining one of my
four hives, I found it rather badly affected
with foul brood. Although I only staited
bee-keeping last year, I have, so far,
managed fairly well with the aid of the
"Guide Book" and B.B.J. , but have never
before seen the disease ; yet I could not have
been mistaken, 'as it was exactly the same as
described in the "Guide Book" — i.e.. un-
capped brood yellowish brown, some capped
cells with capping indented and irregularly
perforated, and, in one or two cases, contents
of cells were dried to a scale ; there was also
a most offensive smell. I at once cut out the
sample piece of comb sent containing dead
brood. The stock in question was a last-
veflr's swarm Avhich issued on July 1, and was
hived in a skep. and on April 5 I placed skep
above ten frames of "Weed" in a home-made
••W. B. C." hive (new). On Mond^ay last I
was looking to see if queen had descended,
and found four frames full of brood, all with
a few patches more or less as described, three
frames partly filled with unsealed honeT and
pollen (these cells never having contained
brood), and three frames of foundation un-
touched. The above particulars were sent
early last Aveek, and on finding no reply in
j'esterdav's B.B.J., I made an artificial swarm
of these bees and placed them in a skep, with
butter-miislin tied over bottom and a piece of
perforated zinc over the feed-bole, and placed
them in a cool house, but was rather
astonished this morning to find them nea'ly
all dead, and a lot of them apparently wet
with honey. With regard to contents of hive,
I burnt the four frames, containing brood, to-
gether with skep, and all quilts, etc. I then
syringed the other six frames (after extract-
ing honey) with a solution of formalin, thor-
oughl- washed hive with soluble phenyle, and
fumigated both wiu^ burning sulphur, and
what I wish to ask now is: — 1. Would you

258

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [June 28, 190(>;

consider this hive and frames safe to put
fresh bees in T 2. Would you overhaul the
other three strong stocks now, or wait until
end of honey flow ? Thanking you in antici-
pation, I send name for reference and sign
— E. R. (Sussex), June 23.

Reply. — 1. We regret our inability to
examine all samples of suspected combs each
week owing to the number forwarded for in-
spection. We took first chance to inspect
those sent up, after the B.B.J, was "through
press," and our " notes " on your sample
read : " Slight foul 'brood in new comb." How-
ever, as you have taken the drastic measures
stated and got the bees off combs with bad
results, there must have been some mis-
management on your part to cause the bees to
be suffocated. Perhaps the skep was not
turned 'bottom up, or the covering
material was not sufficiently porous. Aiter
the precautions taken and the fact of new
combs not having bred in before, it will be
safe to deal with the hive as proposed. 2. If
the other three stocks are not in worse con-
dition than first one, and are all doing weu
now, we advise you to leave the bees to gather
all they can while honey is to be had, and
then get ibees off combs, taking more care in
giving ventilation while in confinement.

[3339.] Feeding Bees while Sections are On.
— I shall be much obliged if you will put me
right on the following po:nt. Two friends
of mine, both bee-keepers as well as myself,
have this year arranged a modest "sweep-
stake " for the apiary which turns out the lar-
gest number of completed ordinary lib. sec-
tions— to average per hive. I had fed my bees
right up to the time the honey-flow com-
menced, and the racks were placed on. My
friends had not. They do not object to the
feeding, but gently insinuate that it is not
quite fair ; they are of the opinion that the
bees carry tip the stored syrup from the brood-
chamber frames and place same in the sec-
tions. Of course, I have not given any syrup
after putting on the racks. VVill you kindly
let me know in your query column if this is
.correct? I send name, etc.. for reference, and
sign— C. W., Bath, June 23.

Reply. — Whatever may be the " law " of
the case, we are of opinion that no syrup
will be carried into sections this season from
brood-chambers if feeding was discontinued
as soon as honey began to come in from out-
side.

[3340.] Comments on Queen Rearing. — ■
Noticing the comments made by "A. E. E.,"
Romford (No. 6323, page 2S2) prompts me
to record an experience of my own in queen
rearing. Last year I introduced to a queen-
less stock a comb containing eggs. On this
the bees built as fine a queen-cell as I ever
saw, which, however, failed to hatch out, and,
on opening it some time later, I found in the
cell two dead worker bees. I would thank you
for replies to the following' queries: — 1.
How soon after the queen-cell is occupied
may a swaijm be expected? 2. In case of a
strong stock losing its queen in spring, and a
young queen being raised and beginning to
lay before drones are on the wing, is it not
worth while to keep her in hopes of her being

mated later? I sen^- name for reference and-
sign — T. D., Broughton-in-Furness.

Reply. — 1. The time occupied in rearing,
a queen bee fi-om the time the egg is laid is
about fifteen days, and the prime "swarm
usually issues about eight or nine days before
the young queens left in the parent hive begin
to hatch out. 2. No use whatever ; once a
young queen starts laying she will never take
a mating trip, but remains a dtone-breeder
as long as she lives.

[3341.] Bees Carrying Off Foundation. — ■
!May I ask your advice on the following inci-
dent ? To one of my stocks of bees, on June 8,.
I gave a rack containing twenty-one lib. sec-
tions, some fitted with full sheets of founda-
tion, and a few with combs from which I had
extracted contents last year. The bees had
taken possession of the rack when I looked at-
it a few days later. On looking at them to-
day I was astonished to find that every par-
ticle of wax foundation had been removed
from the section in each. I therefore ask : .
What is the cause of this, and what course-
should be adopted ? As an experiment, I have-
put on an excluder, and substituted a rack of.
shallow-frames for the empty section rack. — :
P. W. L. (Capt.), Berks, Jm\e 25.

Reply. — We should like to see one of the
sections from which the foundation has been-
carried off' by the bees, never having heard of
a similar case to the above.

[3342.] Dealing with Chilled Brood.— I en-
close some pieces of comb cut out of a frame
in a strong hive. There was plenty of larvae-
in other comibs, but this was the only one-
that had these black ones, and you will notice
that other cells in this same comb have-
apparently normal larvae. Would you kindly
tell me what it is, and if it is likely to infect,
the other combs ; also the cause and means of
prevention and cure, if any? The upper half
of the comb had only normal larvte in it, and
I put it in a queenless nucleus. 2. Ought I
to have destroyed it? I was careful to see-
that there was no iblack larvte left in it. T
should be much obliged if you would let me-
have an answer in next issue, as others here-
are anxious for information also. — Kew,.
London, W.

Reply. — -1. The dead larvae in comb is
chilled only. W^e find no foul brood in cells.
2. It is very probable that the sealed brood
would be chilled to death in the nucleus hive,
as small colonies of bees are unable to sustain
a sufficiently high temperature to hatch any
brood beyond their own little cluster.

hotps io §mt

A vomival charge of Sn. 6ii. is mode for noiicen {not
exceeding 7 lints'^ in th,i» a lunin, 10 Hues charged Ss. 6d.,
up to l.'i iine« ;'".. vhich covers cost of insertion from
order till date of show. Cash shotdd accompany orders'
for insertion.

July 18, at Ashby-de-la-Zoucli, Lei-
cestershire.—Show of Bees, Honey, and Applianceg^
in connection -with Annual Flower Show. Three open
and two local classes, and one L.B.K.A. Bee demon-
strations. Schedules from J. H. Dunmore, Secretary,
Alandale, Ashby de-la-Zouch. Entries Close:
July 16.

June 28, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

!.d9

July 19 and 20, at Gainsboroueh.— Show

of Honev, Hives, and Bee Appliances in connection
with the Lines Agricultural Societ.v. Bee Depart-
ment under management of the Lines B.K.A. Four-
•teen classes. Liberal money prizes and silver medals.
Schedules from R. Godson,' Hon. Sec, Lines B.K.A. ,
Tothill, Alford, Lines. Entries closed-
July 25 and 26, at Cardiff.— Annual Show rf
the Glamorgan B.K.A. in connection with that of fhe
Cardiff and County Horticultural Societ.v. Honey,
Wa.x, Appliances, etc. Classes for members, novices.
Five open classes, with prizes for sections and
Bee-appliances, 308., 15s. Entry fee for one or more
of the open classes to non-members, 2s. 6d. Schedules
from Wm. Richards, Hon. Secretary, The Red House,
•Gabalfa, Cardiff. Entries close July 20.

Auffust 1, at Henbury, near Bristol.—

Annual Show of Honey and Wax, of the Henbury
District Beekeepers' Association, with bee lectures,
' oy the County Council's expert, in connection with
the Horticultural Society's Exhibition. Open classes,
good prizes (two with free entr}'). Hon. Sec. J.
Atkin Waller. Pen Park, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol.
Entries close July 25.

August 29> at Cliester.— Cheshire B.K.A. Show
in connection with the County Agricultural Societv.
Open classes for Hives, Observatory Hives, Sections,
and Extracted Honey. Baroness Burdett Coutts' prize
hive for best exhibit shown by cottager member.
Seven classes for members. Schedules from T. A.
Beckett, St. Werburgh Chambers, Chester. Entries
•Close August 8, or at double fees, August 15.

August 8 to 10, at Middlesbrough.—

•Show of Honey, etc., in connection with the Royal
Torkshire Agricultural Society. Schedules and form
of entry from John Maughan, Secretary, Blake street,
York. Entries close June 30.

August 8, at Clevedon, Somerset, in con-

• nection with the Horticultural. .Show. — The Somerset
" B.K.A. will hold its first annual Honey Show as above.
-Several open classes-. Schedules from Louis E. Snel-
grove, Hon. Sec, Cromla, Locking Road, Weston-

• super-Mare. Entries close July 21-

August 9, at Abingdon Park, North-
ampton- — Honey Show of the Xirthants
B.K.A. Special prizes, including the Baroness
Burdett Coutts' prize hive for cottager mem-
bers, also three open classes, including one tor
single lib. jar honey. (Entry free.) Prizes, 20s.,
10s., 7s. 6d., and 2s." 6d. Schedules from R. Hefford.
Hon. Sec, Kingsthorpe, Northants. Entries close
August 3.

August 9, at Madresfield, Malvern. —

Annual Show of the Worcestershire Bee-keepers'
lAseociation. Open class. Schedules from Mr. Geo.
Riohings, 2, Shrubbery Terrace, Worcester.

August 16, at Yetminster, Dorset. —

Annual Show of the Yetminster and District B.K.A.
held in a field kindlv lent by Mr. Jolliffe. Four open
classes, including three 1-lb. jars extracted honey,
three lib. sections, and cake of beeswax. Schedules

- from G. Leeding, Hon. Sec, Bradford Abbas, Sher-
borne. Entries close August 10.

August 17. — In Public School. Port'
William. — Honey Show in connection with the
Horticultural Society. Classes for sections and ex-
tracted honey, open to amateur and cottagers. CTial-
lenge class (open to all) for three lib. jars extracted
honey: prizes. 20s., 12s., 8s., and 4s. — Schedules from
Secretary, Horticultural Society, Fort William, X.B.

August 24, at E xeter ■— Annual Show of the
Devon B.K.A.. in conjunction with the Devon and
Exeter Horticultural Society. The Baroness Burdett-
Coutts' prize, hive for the best exhibit shown by cot-
tager members ; Dr. Philpott's prize of £1 Is., for the
two best sections of comb hi'ney. All open classes.
Schedules from the Hon. Sec, A. S. Parrish, Heavi-
tree Road, Exeter. Entries close August 18-

August 30, at Montgomery— Honey Show
in connection with Horticultural Exhibition. Two
• open classes for six 1-lb. sections and six lib. jars
extracted honey, 2l8., lOs. 6d., 58., in each class.

- sxtracted honey. PrizeB, IDs., 5s., 28. fid. Entry fee.

Is. each class. Schedules from Mr. W. J. Jones, Secre-
tary, Montgomery. Entries close August 23-

September 8, at Dumfries— South of Scot-
land B.K.A. 14th Annual Show of Honey, Bees, and
Appliances. Five open classes — viz., three lib. jars,
three 1-lb. sections, and for single jar and section
(free entry), and cake of wax ; also handsome money
prizes and valuable medals, for members only.
Schedules from Jas. Johnstone, Sec, Nelson Street,
Maxwelltown. Entries close September 1-

September 13, at Castle Douglas —Honey

Section, Dairy Show. Liberal prizes. Five oi>en
classes — viz., three 1-lb. jars, three 1-lb. sections,
single jar, single section, and for cake of beeswax.
Schedule from Jas. Johnstone, or from L. Aird, Hard-
gate Schoolhouse, Dalbeattie. Entries close
September 1.

September 8 to 15, at the Agricultural
Hall, London. — Honey Show in connection with
the Confectioners', Bakers', and Allied Traders Annual
Exhibition and Market. (See larga advertisement on
page i.) Open t^o all British Bee-keepers.
Entry fee in each class one shilling. Schediiles from
H. S. Rogers. Secretary, Exhibition Offices, Palmerstoni
Hr.use. Old Broad Street, London E.C.

September 22 to 29, at the Agricultural
Hall, liOndon. — Honey Show in connection with
the Twelfth Annual Exhibition and Market of the
Grocery and Kindred Trades. Nearly £50 in prizes
for honey and beeswax including four prizes of £4,
£3. £2, and £1, in honey trophy class. Open to
all British Bee-keepers. Schedules frrm H. S.
Rogers, Secretary, Exhibition Offices, Palmerston
House, Old Broad Street, London, E.C.

September 27, at Altrincham. — Annual

Show of the Altrincham Agricultural Society. Good
Money Prizes for Honey along with Silver and Bronze
MedaJs of the Cheshire B.K.A., and others. Open
Class for Frame-hive (unpaiuted). Schedules from J.
Herbert Hall, 2. Dunham Road, Altrincham.
Entries close September 9.

October 9 to 12, at the Agricultural
Hall, London.— Show of Honey and Bee Produce
in connection with the British Dair.M Farmers' Associa-
tion. Numerous and liberal prizes for honey, etc.,
including the valuable Silver Clial'enge Cup of the
B. B.K.A. .Schedules from Mr. Wm. C. Young. Secre-
tary, 12. Hanover S<juare, Loudon, W. Entries
close September 12.

Notices to Correspondents & Inquirers.

Letters or queries asking for addresses^ of manufac-
turers or correspondents, or where appliances can be
purchased, or replies giving such information, can only
be inserted as advertisements. The space devoted to
letters, queries, and revlies is meant for the general
good of bee-keepers, and not for advertisements. We
wish our correspondents to bear in mind that, as i t is
necessary for us to go to press in advance of the date of
issue, queries cannot ahoays be replied to in the issiie im
mediately following the receipt of their commnaication.

Midlothian (X.B.).— The queen looks old and
worn-out, but there is nothing to indicate
any disease about the other bees.

(Sl-Rs.) W. C. L. (Merionethshire).—!. Bee
Plants. — ^The clover you send is' not clover
at all. but the common sea-pink [Anuria
vulgaris). The heather is bell-heather
Erica cinc7'm), and is a moderatelr good
honev-plant; but the best variety of
heather for bees is the common heath
{Erica vuhjari.i). 2. August is too early -to
pack bees up for winter, especially in a.
heather district, as a good deal of honey is
oathered from heather during that month.
The end of September is a more suitable
time, unless the weather is exceptionally-
cold and w'et.

Nkmo (Leominster).— Queen Cast Out.— Queen
is probably a virgin, but has been so badly

260

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. June 28, 1906.

"balled" by the bees for some hours, that
she is all out of normal condition. We will
be pleased to have bee-notes at any time
from you for insertion in our columns.
G. W.. "G. (Derbyshire).— Loss of Stocks.—
We sympathise with you in your bee trouble,
and c"annot account for the Avholesale losses
you have sustained. Xo. 1 sample shows
no sign of foul brood, but the sealed cells
containing dead larvae (almost dried up) are
covered with green mould. Other cells
contain pollen infested with pollen-mites.
No. 2 same as Xo. 1, both look as if bees
had suffered from want of food. Xo. 3 is
is affected with foul brood, and is ?^he only
sample containing moist remains of larvae.
No. 4, sealed cells covered with mould. X"^o
foul brood at present. This looks like a
case of black (brood.

Suspected Comhs.

A. J. H. (Tring).— This is a very bad case of
foul brood, evidently of old standmg. We
should advise burning the stock without
delay.

Anxious (Derbyshire). — There is foul brood
in comb sent, which, to judge b}' its black
appearance, is old and useless.

NtrnQCAii (Thirsk). — Comb sent shows slight
traces of foul (brood, and there is also a lot
of drone brood in worker-cells. If the stock
is a strong one it would be worth your while
to re-c|ueen and deal with the bees as
directed in " Guide Book," page 152.

A. E. (Acocks Green). — X'^o trace of foul brood
in sam^ple of comb, though from appearance
of dead larvae it looks like a case of "black
brood."

J. X". (Portobello).' — ^Sample shows slight signs
of foul brood in incipient stage.

L. W. (London, S.E.). — Bad case of foul
brood of old standing.

M. M. (Midlothian). — ^Comb is affected Avith
foul brood.

Scotia (Perths.).— A bad case of foul brood.
Unless bees are very strong it would be ad-
visable to burn the lot lest other stocks
become infected.

G. S. (Essex). — The piece of comb shows sitrns
of foul brood, but as it is evidently a mild
case we should advise vou to treat the stock
as directed in the " Guide Book."

*** Some Letters, Queries and BepUes, Sc,
ar' nnaroo/Jrfhlv held over till necrt vedc

Special Prepaid Advertisements.

Twelve tcordg and uiider Sixpence: for every additional
Three words or under, One Penny.

Advertisements for current Issue must be received
by first post on Tuesday.

"T^T'AXTED, several STROXG SWARMS, healthy
f T KiiRlish bee8 in skf ps ; cheap. — ,J. RKES
JONES, Llanon, Aberystwyth.

1 Q A /^ SELECTED QUEENS, Woodley's strain ;
1 •'I'U guaranteed healthy and safe arrival in
Bafetv-introdiicinK cage, 3s. 6d. ; virfrins, Is. 3d. —
T0LLIN(;T(>X. Woodbine Apiary, H;ithern, Lough-
borough.

SPLENDID 1906 QUEENS, fertile. 48. Hd. each.—
A. J. BUTLEB, F.R.H.S., Westville, Scotter,
Lincoln.

FOR SALE, 30 good SECTIONS, surplus lot, not
granulated, 15s. — HEATtl, Sawbridgeworth,
Herts. Q 79

STRETCHING and SAGGING of FOUNDATION pre-
vented by simple device. Will last for j'ears. 20
odd years' proof. Sample 7 penny stamps. Full set
for one frame. Is. Id., with directions for use. —
W. PALMER, 5, Clarence Place, Croft Street, New-
castle-upon-Tyne. Q 78

WILL CUSTOMERS kindly return all empties be-
longing to A. COE, Apiary Hall, Ridgewell,
Halstead, Essex? Q 77

TJALF TON splendid Light English New WHITE
Xl CLOVER HONEY, £3 per cwt. Sample 3d.—
ALBERT COE, Apiary Hall, Ridgewell, Halstead,
Essex. Q 76

Q

UEENS, from Sladen's strains, several 1906 fertile,
5s.— PAUL, Salisbury Road, Bexley. Q 75

IN one of the prettiest villages in East Devon, on
a nice farm; FURNISHED APARTMENTS.—
SOUTHCOTT. Gittinsaw Apiary, Honiton. Q 73

IpOR SALE, 20 stocked Carniolan HYBRIDS, each,
on eight frames, .\bbotfs pattern, six of brood;
all combs wired and worked from full sheers. — T. W.
SHAW, Eden House, Sedgefield, Co. Durham. Q 74

"Y\rANTED, GEARED EXTRACTOR, two frames,

VV secondhand, perfect. Aiso Honey Ripeners.

Lowest.— PADDOCK, Uppington, Wellington, Salop.

• Q 72

FOR IMMEDIATE SALE, owner going abroad, TWO-
new WELLS' HIVES ; in use one season. Price,
including Wells' and Winter Dummies, 12s. 6d. each.
Also a quantity of well-built Section Combs. 3s. 6d.
per sack of 21. Metal Dividers.— F. R. COURT, Green
Street, Sittingbourne. q 71

EXTRACTED HONEY, 6d. lb. ; 28 lb. tins. Sample
3d. Large nunil)er of Section Crates for Sale,
Is. 9d. each.— LING, Shady Camps, Cambs. Q 70

HOLIDAYS.— Cornwall ; delightful situation near
sea and .Land's End ; 30s. — S. HARBORNE,
Apiary, St. Bunyan, E.S.O. Q 69

B

ELGIAN HARES.- Prize bred Doe, others ; »:ile or
exchange. Honey Extractor, Mail Cart wanted,
18, Hartington Terrace, Brighton. , q 68

N

EW SECTIONS FOR, SALE. NEW SECTIONS.—
J. P. FISON, Holningsea .Apiarv, Cambridge-.

Q 67

PURE EXT'RACTED HAMPSHIRE 1206 HONEY
FOR SALE, 281*. tins, Scs. pei' cwt.. Sample 3d'.
Cash or deposit. — A. GREEN, Tanglej-, Anduver.

Q 66

STRETCHING and SAGGING of FOUNDATION pre-
vented by simple device. Sample seven stamps-.
Full set for frame, Is. Id.— W. PALMER, 5. Clarence
Place, Croft Street, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Q 65

QUEENS (celebrated Doolittle strain of Improved'
Italians). — A customer writes : " The virgin I
had from vou last year has done splendidly. Stock
now on 33 Standard Frames." Virgins. Is. 6d. ;
Fertiles, 5s. Safe delivery guaranteed. First come,
first served.— DAVID TAYLOR, 1, Uminster. Q 64 ■

QUEENS, Native, 1906.— Fertile, 2s. 6d. : Virgin,
Is. 6d. ; post 2d. ; in introducing cage. Nuclei,
3-frame, 1906, Queen, DOs. Honey, new season's,
light, cwt., 52s. 6d. ; three cwt., £7 10s. " S. C."
Jars. 8s. dozen. Combs, Brood, 7d. each.— CHARTER,
Tattingstone, Ipswich. 0 63

COMFORTABLE APARTMENTS for Brother Bee-
keepers visiting Douglas. Terms : Tea, bed^
and breakfast, 3s. 6d ; or full board, 58. per day.—
rlORSLEY's, Merridale House, top of Castle Drive,
Douglas, Isle of Man.

AN ENGLISH BEE-KEEPER, of wide experience;
seeks an ENGAGEMENT in a warmer climate. —
Address " APICULTURE," " B.B.J." Oflice.

July 5, 1906.] THE EHITISH BEE JOURNAL.

261

(JdMal ^0tim, ^t

THE " ROYAL SHOW " AT DERBY.

A SPLENDID STJCC'ESS.

The sixty-seventh annual exhihition. of
the Royal Agricultural Society was held on
an admirably-chosen sjDot at Alvaston.
about a mile outside Derby. A more suit-
able place could not have been selected,
the formation of the gi'ouud being such as
to keep the various sections of the show (in
spite of the enormous extent of exhibits)
compact, and easy of inspection by visitors.

The occasion was notable also as mark-
ing a return to the former course of hold-
ing each annual show in various counties
of England,' and, following, as it did, the
disastrous effects on the fortunes of the
Society by the attempt to establish a per-
manent showground in London, it was in
the highest degree encouraging to find that
so splendid a success was achieved by the
new departure. Indeed, it now seems cer-
tain that the Society may look forward to
a 231'osperous time for years to come. The
show was by no means favoured with re-
gard to weather, two of the four days being
quite spoilt by heavy rain, yet the num-
ber of visitore for the four daj's reache<i
the enormous total of 119,000.

We must defer till next week the few
o])servations we may wish to make on the
bee department of the show, but altogether
the display was a very fine one.

Messrs.' T. I. Weston, Walter F. Reid,
and Peter Scattergood judged the exhibits,
while Mr. W. Broughton Carr acted as
steward of the department.

AWARDS.

CJasa ^18. -^('oUrrf ion nf Hires and Ap-
pliniicrx. — 1st, W. P. Meadows. Syston,
Leicester ; 2nd, Abbott Brothers, Southall,
London ; 3rd, E. H. Taylor, Welwyn,
Herts; r. and h.c, W. Shepherd, Higher
Broughton, Manchester.

Class 419. — CompJrtc Frame-hive for
General T^se. — 1st, Abbott Brothei-s ; 2nd,
S. P. Soal, Rochford, Essex ; 3rd, W. P.
Meadows ; r. and h.c. Ceo. Rose, Gt.
Charlotte Street, I/iverpool ; h.c, W. P.
Meadows.

Class 420. — Complete Franw-hire for
Coftaaer^s Use, price not to exceed lO.s. 6d. —
1st, E. H. Taylor; 2nd, S. P. Soal; 3rcl,
James Lee and Son, London ; r. and h.c,
Abbott Brothers.

Class 421.— B"o(u>// Extractor.— 1st, W. P.
Meadows ; 2nd, W. P. Meadows, ; r. and
h.c., Jas. Lee and Son.

Class 422. — Observatory Klvc with Bees
and Queen. — 1st, J. Pearman, Penny
Long Lane, Derby ; 2nd, J. Bakewell, Bur-

ton-on-Trent ; 3rd, W. Dixon, Beckett
Street, Leeds ; r. and h.c, G. Rose.

Class 423. — Any Appliance connected
u-ith Bee-hepinrj. — No award made.

HONEY.

Entries in Classes 424 to 427 can only be
made by residents in Cheshire, Cumber-
land, Derbyshire, Durlram, Herefordshire,
Lancashii'e, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire,
Monmouthshire, Northumberland, Not-
tinghamshire, Rutland, Shropshire, Staf-
fordshire, Warwickshire, Westmorland,
Worcestershire, Yorkshire, the Isle of
Man, Ireland, Scotland, or Wales.

Class 424.— TuT^r 1-lh. Sections.— 1st,
G. W. Buttery, Wheaton Aston, Stafford ;
2nd, J. Pearman ; 3rd, J. Stone, Little
Cubley, Derby; r. and h.c, J. Helme,
Weobley, Hereford.

Class ^25.— Twelre 1-lh. Jars of Extracted
JJf]ht-Coloured Honey. — 1st, T. S. Holds-
worth, Kirton Lindsey, Lines. ; 2nd, Job
Astbury, Kelsal, near Chester ; 3rd, R.
Morgan, Cowbridge, Glamorgan ; r. and
h.c, Jas. Lee and Son ; h.c, J. Pear-
man and John Stone.

Class 426.— Ti/r?rr llh. Jars of Extracted
Medium or Varh-Cohmrrd Honei/. — 1st, J.
Boyes, Cardiff ; 2nd, J. Helme, Weobley,
Hereford ; 3rd, R<?v. G. C. Bruton, Gt.
Hay ward. Staffs; r. and h.c, W. H. Bird,
Stapenhill, Burton -on -Trent.

Class 427. — Tu-elrr l-lJi. Jars of Granu-
lated Honei/. — 1st, F. F. Upton, Rugeley,
Staffs. ; 2nd, W. H. Bird ; 3rd, Sydney
Durose, Burton-on-Trent ; r. and h.c, J.
Stone ; li. c , Joseph Boyes, Cardiff, and
Arthur Fox, Bardsea. LTlverston.

Entries in Classes 428 to 431 can only
be made by residents in Bedfordshire,
Berkshire, Bucks, Cambridgeshire, Corn-
wall, Devon, Dorset, Essex, Gloucester-
shire, Hampshire, Herts, Hunts. Isle of
Wight, Kent, Middlesex, Norfolk, North-
am])tonshire, Oxfordshire, Somerset, Suf-
folk, Surrey, Sussex, and Wiltshire.

Class ^28.— Tirelrr 1-lh. Sections.— 1st,
Chas. Lodtje, High Easter, Chelmsford ;
2nd, E. C. R. White, Newton Toney. Salis-
bury ; 3rd, R. Brown, Somersham, Hunts ;
r. and h.c, W. Woodley, Newbury, Berks ;
h.c, J. Garratt, Meopham, Kent.

Class 429.— Tirr/ir 1-/^. Jars of Extracted
Jjiqht-Colonred Honri/. — 1st, C. Lodge ;
2nd, D. Hancox, Deddington, Oxon ; 3rd.
E. C. R. White ; r. and h.c, W. P. Mea-
dows ; h.c, Richd. Brown.

Cla.ss i\ZO.— Twelve 1-lh. Jars of E.rtractcd
Medium or Dark-Coloiirrd Hounf. — 1st,
E. C. R. White ; 2nd, F. J. Old, Pidding-
ton, Northants ; 3rd, R. Brown ; r. and
h.c, Jesse Garratt.

Class 431. — Twelve 1-lh. Jars of Granu-
lated Honeif. — 1st, J. Barnes, Burwell,
Cambs. ; 2nd, W. Woodley; 3rd, C.
Lodge; r. and h.c, F. R. Ford, Burwell,
Cambs. ; h.c, W. P, Meadows.

262

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[July 5, 1906.

Class 432. — Three Shallow- frames of Comh
Honey for Eortracfing.— 1st, E. C. R.
White ; 2nd, R. Brown ; 3rd, J. E.
Williams, Morehampton.

Class 433.— .S'ix 1-/?). Jars of Heafhrr
Honey. — 1st, J. Berry, Llanrwst, X.
Wales; 2nd, T. Walker, Hawkshead,
Lanes: ; 3rd, W.«A. Woods, Normandy,
Guildford; r. and li.c, Walden Bros.,
Wimbledon, S.W.

Class 434.— .S/j" Jars of Heafhrr Mix-
ture Extracted Honey. — 1st, W. E. Brook-
ing ; 2nd, F. F. Upton, Rugeley, Staffs;
3rd, A. G. Pugh, Beeston, Notts : ; r. and
h.c.', E. P. Betts, Camberley, Surrey ; li.c,
W. Dixon.

Class 4^5.— Honey Trophij {Attractive
Bisplat^ in any Form).— 1st, J. Peai'man ;
2nd, W. H. Bird ; 3rd, Sydney Durose";
r. and li.c, Gray and Ball, The Apiary,
Lincoln.

MISCELLANEOUS.

Class 436. — Beesirax (Not less than
2?&. — 1st, E. C. R. White; 2nd, R
Brown ; 3rd. C. Lodge ; r. and h.c, Mrs.
H. H. Woosnam, Newton Abbot, Devon ;
he, Miss A. M. Morley, Temple Brewer,
Lincoln.

Class 437. — Beesirax (Not less than
3 lb., m Shape, Quality, and Vaclaije Suit-
ahle for the Hetail Trar/r).— 1st, E. C. R.
White ; 2nd, J. Pear man ; 3rd, J. Berry ;
r. and h.c, F. W. Frusher, Crnwland,
Peterborough.

Clas.s 438.— -Ho/iey Tineaar {^-Callon).^
1st, G. Gray, Eagle Hall. Lines. No other
prize awarded.

Class 439.— 3ft'rtr/ (^-Cation).— 1st, T. H.
Geary, Enderby, Leicester.

Class ^0. —Exhihit <,f a Practical
or Interestiny Notour Connected u-ith Bee
Cixltiire.—lst, F. W. L. Sladen, Ripple
Court, Dover; Certificate of Merit, W.
Dixon ; r. and h.c, J. Gray.

('lass^^l. — Exhibit of a Scientife Nature
not M\)iti(ini'd in Fori'iioijui Classi's. — 1st,
Geo. Hayes, Beeston, Notts (Nature Study
of the Honey Bee) ; Certificate of Merit,
Geo. Rose (lantern slides and bee books) ;
r. and h.c, John Carver, Wellington,
Salop (Api)liance for rapid glazing of
sections).

ADVICE ABOUT EXAMINATIONS.

BY AN EXAMINER OF WIDE EXPERIENCE.

(Second Article.)

Comjng now more especially to the ex-
aminations conducted by the B.B.K.A.,
my remarks will be principally ])ertineiit
to candidates wlio enter for first-(dass and
second-class certificates of expertship. But
at the outset there is one point to which all
entrants should attend, viz. : —

1. Study carefully, and follow delinitely,
the regulations which give a clear outline

of the requirements under each class.
These regulations have been drawn up and
revised with much thought on the part of
those who have framed them, and,
naturally, examiners are bound to adhere
to them. Now, for second-class certifi-
cates, the pi'eliminary condition is,
" Evidence of a fair education is requisite."
While, for third-class, practical work and
oral answers to simple questions are suf-
ficient, a distinct advance is expected in
■each of the remaining classes, Hence can-
didates whose spelling, grammar, and
punctuation are very faulty cannot be said
to give evidence of having received even
a " fair education," and though remarkable
clearness of thought, ability in expression,
and sound knowledge, may go far to atone
for literary lapses, it would be imnossible
to pass by such defects as I have named
in the case of aspirants to first-class certifi-
cates, from whom is demanded " Evidence
of a good general educatiim." If this
point is borne in mind disappointment
will be saved to some whose laudable am-
bition is fatally handicanped by early
scholastic deficiencies. Should it seem
hard to any to be thus cut off from the
higher grades of certificates, they hiust
remember that the Council of the B.B.K.A.
have been oldiged to regard the interests
of the whole science and art of bee-kee'iing,
and to maintain, for the general welfare,
distinct and important differences between
the classes of expertships. ' The necessity
for this course has become the moi'e urgent
since County Councils and other public
bodies have called into requisition the ser-
vices of bee-experts, whose qualifications
are vouched for chiefly, if not entirely, by
the class of certificate which they have
gained by the B.B.K.A. examinations.

2. Keep very definitely to the exact sub-
ject (if each question. It is worse than use-
less to ramble off on side issues or to enter
into details wliich are dragged in, rather
than contained in, what the examiners
have really asked. lender this head it may-
be well to give one or two concrete ex-
amples. If then, a question is put as to
the establishment of an apiary, it is by
no means ex])ected that a dissertation
should be written on manipulations and
management. If the treatment of an out-
break of " bee-pest " is in question, there
should be no description of the nature and
causes and evidences of the disease. And,
again, if asked what circumstances make
the feeding of stocks desirable, it is futile
to give desci-iptions of apparatus and re-
cipes for syrup or candy.

3. Do not limit your reading, especially
for first class, to one or even two text-
books, however admirable. It is important
to have some knowledge of the works of
several authors, of various views, experi-
ence and authority. Moreover, it is very

July 5, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

263

advisable to assimilate all information, so
that, instead of adhering to the words of
any particular writer, answers may be
i^iven in the candidate's own language,
Successful paraphrase affords evidence
both of an understanding of the point in
question, and of an alertness of mind which
may rightly tell in an examination.

4. Take some pains in learning to draw
diagrams. Two advantages accrue from
this course. First, the eye will greatly
assist the mind in apprehending and re-
taining facts capable of being represented
by drawings ; and, secondly, the faculty of
making such drawings on a blackboard or
on paper will be an immense help towards
arousing and maintaining the interest of
any lectures which an expert may have to
give. A third, if temporary, benefit is that
in examinations good diagrams, when
asked for, tell in the allotment of marks.

5. Lastly, cultivate thoroughly legible
handwriting ; avoid flippancy and attempts
at jokes ; read over and make necessary
corrections to your papers before giving
them up, and see that the pages are num-
Ijered and arranged in their proper order.

To those who have had to pass various
examinations the advice and hints I have
given may seem to some extent superfluous.
Candidates who are unfamiliar with such
tests of knowledge and ability will do well
to consider with care each of the points
mentioned in my two articles.

^ormpnkut

The Editors do not hold themselves responsible/or the
opinions expressed by correspondents. No notice will
be taken of anovymous communieations, and corre-
spondents are reqziested to write on one side of the paper
only and give their real names and addresses, not neces-
sarily for piMication, but as a guarantee of good faith.
Illustrations should be draion on separate pieces of pap»r.
We do not undertake to return rejected communications.

BEES CARRYING OFF FOUNDATION.
[6351.1 When I saw this query (3341) in
the B.B.J. , June 28, I thought that I
was about to get the solution of a conun-
drum which had long puzzled me. I first
observed it some years ago, in a section
rack m which I had a pief^ nf j^late glass
for tlie " follower," so that the thi'ee out-
side sections could be watched ', and to my
surprise, instead of drawing out these
end sections, the bees gradually nibbled
away the foundation. It happened that
these three sections were fitted with wax
which had been kept for two or three
years, and I thought possibly this might
have something to do witli the conduct of
the bees. I therefore replaced tht s<' sec-
tions with three fresh ones, fitted with
full sheets of new foundation. The bees
at once started drawing these out, and by
the secoml day all three were uniformly

built to about half the full depth. But
at this stage they stopped building, and
again nibbled away the comb from the
edges, so that it gradually became less
and less, until at last there remained only
a small scrap of comb hanging from the
top bar of each section not much bigger
than a full-sized queen-cell. Since then I
have frequently noticed that when more
sections have been on a hive than the bees
have required, on removing them at the
end of the season, many of the pieces of
foundation, which were originally " full
sheets," are found to be greatly reduced
in size, and of irregular shape, through
having been more or less nibbled away
round the edge. I am inclined to think
that the bees realise that they have super-
fluous wax on hand, and make use of it
for the purpose of capping their stores.
In fitting up sections I now no longer trim
off the little bit of foundation which pro-
jects above the split top, and I find that
the bees always^nibble it down close to the
wood. — G. S. N., Godstone, Surrey.

A POINT IN QUEEN-REARING.

[6352.] I note Mr. Farmer (6349, p. 256)
advises bee-keepers who wish to raise
queens at small expense to use mating-
boxes, " i;i lohidi very few bees suffice." I
have been raising queens on rather a large
scale for some years, and after trying the
mating-boxes found the loss of both
queens and bees was far greater than if
the standard (or a medium-sized frame)
was used. In consequence of this I have
discarded the small nuclei boxes alto-
gether, and now use a frame Sg in. deep
and 7 in. wide, so made that two will,
when placed end to end, hang in a stan-
dard body-box, just the same as a stan-
dard frame. For bee-kec.:)ers who wish to
raise a few queens only probably the
standard frame is to be preferred. Per-
sonally I do not consider the " Swath-
more " system of section frames of niuch
use in this district, at any rate. In fact,
I think the more bees there are in all
queen-rearing operations the better chance
there will be of raising and mating prime
and prolific queens. A big lot of bees
will generally give a good account of them-
selves, whilst small lots are, with me,
usually a failure. — E. W. Carbines.

FIXING FOUNDATION.

A SIMPLE AND EFFECTIVE DEVICE.

[6353.] Seeing in your columns so many
com])laints recently of foundation stretch-
ing and sagi7ing, I send you herewith i
sample of a simple device I have used for
over twenty years to prevent same, and I
can safely say that during those years I
liave not had an instance of stretched
foundation, and consequently not a sagged

"264

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[July 5, 1906

oomb in my apiary. I first made and used
it for making a full-sized comb out of two
pieces of foundation, one under the other,
so as to fill a deep square frame, thus avoid-
ing about three inches of drone-comb at
the bottom. The most severe test I ever
put it to was the season before last, when,
having nine pounds of driven bees on hand,
and only four drawn-out combs to put
them on, I filled up with seven sheets of
foundation fixed with this device, and next
day (a wet one, and no bees flying), about
mid-day, carried them a mile and a half
to the station, whence they had a thirty odd
mile rail ride, and at end of that about
two miles in a trap to the heather. It was
a risky venture, and I was almost surprised
on their return to find every comb perfect —
as flat as boards, and, better still, every
comb full of honey. The fixers were on all
the time. They should be taken off at end
of three or four days after being in hive,
or when comb is half or three-parts built-
out, and danger of stretching gone. If left
longer they are apt to pull the comb a little
in taking off, but even then do no actual
damage to comb. I will send a sample pat-
tern to anyone for seven stamps (see adver-
tisement). Anyone can make them, and
the cost is next to nil, as you will see. —

NONDESCHIPT.

WORKER-BEE IN QUEEN-CELL.

[6354.] I am forwarding for your inspec-
tion a queen-cell containing a fully
developed worker-bee in exactly the same
jDosition as I found her (head foremost
in the cell) in one of my neighbour's hives.
This hive had swarmed, and also sent off
a cast, and not wishing to further weaken
his stock, we went through it in order
to cut out all queen-cells but one. We
found eight cells, all capped, but not an
empty cell from which the young queen
accomjianying the cast had hatched.
While removing one of these cells I
noticed the queen cut the capping, and
in a few minutes push her way out. Four
of the others contained young c^ueens on
the point of liatching, two others con-
tained queens in the imago stage, and the
eighth the worker-bee. To my mind this
confirms the explanations (6329 and 6330,
p. 234) that the worker entered the cell
after the queen accompanying the cast
had left it, and had thus been imprisoned.
— W. CopSEY, Seaton.

[From appearance of cell, we should say
this has been the case. — Eds.]

THE B.B.K.A. INSURANCE SCHEME.

[6355.] Referring to the time policies of
insurance should date from, may I suggest
that a period between January 1 and De-
cember 31 would, according to my experi-
ence, be much more convenient fov bee-

keepers. At present they have to insure for
two i^eriods to cover one bee-season.

Members also sometimes send in appli-
cations late in June or in Julv. and on their
learning that the insurance will only hold
good to July 31, decide to wait till August,
the conditions thus entailing unnecessary
trouble, and, as an accident may happen
in the meantime, I certainly think that the
present period is to the disadvantage of
members. — George Satjndeks, Hon. Sec.
and Treasurer, Cumberland B.K.A. ,
June 30.

SECTION " CRATES " OR " RACKS."

[6356.] Would not the most suitable
name be " section super " and " shallow-
frame super " ? Except with bee-appli-
ances, a crate is in the nature of a
skeleton box or case, and a rack is always
understood to be a frame of a single
thickness, with bars or lattice. Take any
dictionary definition, and it naturally
gives the above ideas of racks and crates.
— A. Harris, Wavendon, Bucks.

CAPPINGS OF COMB.

By "L. S. C," IlMey, Yorks.

Extra Super Boom (p. 242). — How many
bee-keepers use the Raynor crate ? Yet
what a useful adjunct this may be to the
regular supers. A weak stock will often do
work in one of these, particularly if drawn
comb be given, when no satisfactory
work would be done in a larger super, and,
when tiering the supers, one of these acts
as a fine bait-holder. The extra room can
be gauged to a nicety, and the unfinished
side of the sections brought to the middle
with the minimum of work. For starting
the season, for weak stocks, and for " dry-
ing off," each hive might with advantage
have two of these small racks.

Wirinfi Foundations (p. 242). — Four or
five vertical wires cut to short length, say.
Tg in., and embedded (roughly spaced) in
the foundation before fixing, and one hori-
zontal wire near the bottom of the frame
itself, would, I tliink, give good results
with foundation wliich showed signs of sag.
The vertical wires would support the foun-
dation (lui-ing building, and the horizontal
would support the weak spot in the com-
pleted comb.

" Sagging," and also the enci'oachment
oi adjoining combs, may be jDrevented if
the sheet is drawn out between slatted
dxxmmies. Such providers prevent too many
bees from hanging on the sheet, and pro-
vide an additional support for the cluster.

Sinnnns (p. 244). — The value of a ^rime
;natural swarm lies in the fact that it is
definitely headed by a -fertile queen, will
consequently build up rapidly, and will
usually store surplus in the current year,
(Coniinued on page 266.)

July 5, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

265

HOMES OF THE HONEY-BEE.

THE APIABIES OF OUR READERS.

Our bee-garden picture this week shows
a portion of the apiary of Mr. Geo. E.
Gelletlej% a reader in whom we take more
than ordinary interest, from the fact of its
owner — seen in photo — being deaf and
dumb. Yet he is not only an enthusiast
in the craft, but makes his own hives,
manages his bees on up-to-date lines, and,
notwithstanding natural drawbacks, is in
every way a successful bee-keeper, as the
following notes, written at our request,
will show. He says : —

" When I was a very small boy my grand-
father kept about twenty stocks of bees in
skeps, which always proved a source of

some trouble (being only an amateur car-
penter-), was successful in making five
hives, to which I added two of the
"W.B.C. " type, bought in the flat from
one of your advertisers in Gloucester. I
transferred my stocks from skeps to frame-
hives by setting the former on top of body-
box of the latter, the bees then transferring
themselves. In 1902 I found myself the
jwssessor of seven stocks, all in excellent
condition, and during that season I took
60 lb. of good honey from one hive, and
from that time I have gone on making
what progress I could.

" My practice is to allow bees to gather
honey in August and September for their
own winter stores, which they are able to

MR. GEO. E. GELLETLEY's APIARY, HATIIERTON, CANNOCK, STAFFORDSHIRE.

great interest to me, but on his death in
1890 my father (who did not care for bees)
sold them off. I was sorry to be thus de-
prived of this interesting hobby, and
determined to keep some bees of my own",
but was not able to do this till 1900, when
I bought two skeps from a Mr. Uewsbui-y,
who had an apiary of about eighteen skeps
about a mile away from my home. Soon
after this I visited a friend at Wheaton
Aston, who is a beekeeper, and there first
saw modern framehives, the appearance
and convenience of which pleased me so
much that I made up my mind to make
such hives for my own bees. I carefully
measured the size, etc., then procured some
strong boxes from a local shop, and, after

do from the heather growing abundantly
in this district. I find a ready sale for my
honey in the town and shops in the neigh-
bourhood, and usually get Is. per lb. retail.
Since making my first start in bee-keeping
I have learnt a great deal about bees,
chiefly from the "Guide Book," and have
successfully performed the operations of
making candy and syrup, dividing stocks,
transferring, and making up good stocks
from driven bees, etc. so I think I can
now claim to be a full-fledged bee-keeper.
I am also fond of gardening, and like to
see flowers growing in front of mv hives.
As I cannot write well for print, please
alter my notes where needed. Wishing all
your readers a successful season in 1906."

266

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [July 5, 1906.

(Continued from page 264.)

In a large number of cases such stocks
would re-queen themselves ; but, in any
case, this matter is under the control cf
the bee-keeper. It is good advice to the
beginner to insist upon early prime natural
swarms. The strain is right, for one thing.

Formic Acid (p. 248).— I can well believe
that a hypodermic injection of bee-poison
would be beneficial in atony. The specific
ijistance is that of a sturdy beggar who
came limping up to the apiaiy for relief,
and obtained an immediate gain in tone,
i-etiring at the double, waving his crutch
in his paralysed arm ! Laugh? Certainly
not!

" An EiniJiKli Bec-hecpcr " (p. 250) seeks an
engagement in a warmer climate." This is
terse, but open to misconstruction. Does
his experience include the brimstuning of
bees?

" TFo/f/i a Guinea a. Hire" (p. 250). --If
the hive is Avorth a guinea, why charge
22s. 6d. ? If it be the remedy for swarm-
ing which is worth so much, it is cheap
at the price. One would expect to pay at
least Is. Igd. !

A Swinrj Windcnv (p. 253) in the honey
cupboard consumes valuable room in a
limited space. Where this is important, a
loose gauze-covered panel, which may be
reversed, will be found satisfactory.

Price of Honey (p. 254). — The remedy for
low prices is, of course, a combine. Locally,
this means missionary work on the part of
members, inducing all to join the Associa-
tion, and use the official label. I know of
one County Association which contem-
plates a depot for members' honey. Per-
haps some of the secretaries will say what
thev find to be possible of accomplishing.

White Star Bees (p. 255).— These maybe.
under any circumstanct'S, the best stock in
the apiary ; but is it fair to make com-
parison between a stock of them wintered
with two supers containing abundant
honey and other stocks wintered in brood-
box only ?

In reply to W. F. Farmer (6349), I can-
not inform him authoritatively whether
the foubbrood germ will develop in a dead
chilled bee, but I do not think that it will
do so und(>r normal conditions — that is,
presuming both to be nresent in the same
hive- so that I should suspi^ct signs of
diseas(> in such larvjB to be due to more
than accidental contact. I shall have, how-
ever, some cultuj-e experiments in pi'ogress
again when the busy s(M.son is over which
may determine the point.

I also have come across suspicious cases
where the definite signs of foul lirood were
arising', and am at the moment expeciing
a report from one of these. 1 sliall hope
biter to refer to the sul)ject. It has already
been suggested, ij,nd it is quite reasonable

to assume, that there may be brood diseases
of which we know little or nothing owing
to the removal of the affected larvfe, and
such possibilities are indicated by ana-
chronisms in the age of the brood. Where
disease is found which exhibits an.y un-
usual characteristic, I think it should be
investigated, if possible, before destruc-
tion.

^mr'm and ^le^lifs.

[3343.] Swarming Vagaries. — ^As a constant
reader of j^our valuable journal, I beg to ask
for advice on the following: — ^I have a hive
that was in good condition this spring when
our expert paid his usual visit, and all went
well till June 7, when a swarm issued and
settled on a currant bush, 20ft. distant from
hive. Being away at work myself at the time,
my wife covered the bush with a white cloth,
thinking to give me an agreeable surprise on
coming home to dinner, but, on her going to
the spot an Lour afterwards to see how the
swarm looked, not a bee was to be seen. So
I thought the bees had returned to the parent
hive as the latter was so full of bees. Nine
days later another strong swarm issued from
the same hive and clustered in two lots — a
large cluster on an apple tree and a small one
on a gooseberry bush. This time I was sent
for, and soon got the two lots hived into a
skep and left them under the shade of an'
apple tree iiU 6 p.m., wheii I put them into
a frame hive fitted with foundation. The
skep and bees weighed over 91b. Next day,
Sunday, about 1 p.m., the whole swarm left
the new hive and settled asain on an apple
tree, about 50 vards distant from hive. I
again got them into the hiviiig skep. and left
them under the tree so as to give the flying
stragglers of swarm a chance to get in ; but
I had not been ten minutes gone when the
swarm came out with a rush and started off
in full flight. I followed the vagrants for a
quarter of a mile, but lost sight of them, and
the swarm was gone for good. On Monday,
June 18, another swarm issued from same
hive, and, without settlina; at all, flew clear
away, and was lost. Next day I had a look
into hive and cut out four empty queen-cells,
leaving two that were capped over. There
was hardlv anv brood in comb, but plentv of
drones. Not being able to see a queen, I left
the two cells, as there is a rark of sections
on, and I am doubtful if they will get finished
this season. Last vear the same hive yielded
me sixty-three nicely capped sections. So I
ask if you can tell me the cause of bees leav-
ing new hive, and leavinf? skep also? — A.
Vasselin, Ipswich, June 26.

Rkply. — It is not easy to give a reason for
such vagaries on the part of swarms as are
recorded above. CnrioUisly enough, they
seldom occur to experiencc<l hands in the
iialt, ourselves among the number. There
must have been .some slight mistake in some
item of the hiving operations : but we svm-

July 5, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURTTAL.

267

pathise with our correspondent in^ his dis-
appointing experiences of swarms, and con-
sequent partial loss of the season's honey
crop.

[3344.] Queens Mating in Swarmed Hives.
— My frame-hive swarmed on May 28, and a
second swarm, or "cast," issued on June 8;
but the latter returned to the parent hive same
day. On examining the brood-chamber in
the same day, there was neither eggs nor un-
sealed ■brood in combs. But I saw several
queen-cells, which I removed. On June 17 I
again examined the hive. Still no eggs or
young brood was visible. The bees behaved
just as if the queen were dead. I therefore
introduced a frame containing eggs and brood,
in all stages of development, taken from the
swarm of May 28. 1. Was I right in acting
in this way? 2. -at would happen if I were
to get and introduce a fertile queen? Would
any queen-cells that the bees might be pre-
paring be destroyed, in the presence of an
accepted fertile qiieen?— F. D. E., Bedford.

Reply. — 1. The proper course would have
been to wait till it became certain that the
young queen heading the parent hive was
mated and laying before venturing to assume
that the parent hive was queenless. Some-
times a young queen is unmated for a full fort-
night after hatching out. 2. If the young
queen has not disappeared, but is eventually
mated, she will head the colony and destroy
any alien that may be introduced. When a
queen is accepted and laying, ail quecn-cells
will be destroyed.

[3345.] Dicindling Colonij in June. — About
a montli ago I purchased a stock of bees,
which were duly sent by rail, and on arrival
they seemed a good, strong lot, but since then
the bees have d.windled, rapidly, till they
barely cover three frames ('they covered nine
at first). There is a small quantityof worker
brood and eggs in one frame only, and in the
others I notice dead brood scattered here and
there, the cappings of which are perforated in
many cases. I am sending sample of comb for
your inspection, and I do not think 'there is
anything wrong ; but never having seen foul
brood myself, I cannot be sure. I think the
queen must have been damaged on the railway
journey. If healthy, would it be worth while
to requeen, or should I unite to another lot?
Thanking yoil in amticipation for replv, I send
name, etc., and sign— W. H. B., Walthamstow.

Rkply. — On examination we find foul brood
in one cell only of sample comb sent, and
cannot understand the rapid dwindling of the
colony from nine to less than three frames
covered by bees in so short a time. The cold
weather in May would, no doubt, check breed-
ing by lowering the hive temperature, and the
consequent loss of bees would do the rest. We
should not advise requeening, because the pre-
sent queen may not be resp<jnsible for stoppage
of breeding, and a new queen might do no
better.

[3346.] Ileathrr Bee-foratje. — I enclose two
sprigs of heather, numbered 1 and 2 respec-
tively. No. 1, as will lie seen, is in bloom,
while No. 2 is not in flower. No. 1 is blos-
soming early this year, and I expect will
continue blooming more or less until August,

when No. 2 will be a mass of small pui-ple
bloom all around us here. As an afterthought
I also enclose another variety now in flower,
which I number 3, and is the light-coloured or
pink bell flower ; the deep purple one being
No. 1. Please say: — 1. If any of the tnree
specimens is the true "ling" heather, Calluna
vulgaris, and if not, are they of much value
for honey ? I never get much honey in supers ;
I fancy the bees store most of it in body-boxes
for winter. 2. Would it be adN^sable to stimu-
late the bees with syrup during the last fort-
night of July to get tliem sti-ong for the heather
flow? Or (3) should not the heather which
is now in flower and keeps in flower until
No. 2 is in full bloom be sufficient to keep
the queen up to full laying strength? The
rocks and hills will be pui-ple with the bloom
of No. 2 in about five or six weeks time,
weather permitting should we not get some
surplus. — Light, Point Lynas, N. Wales.

Rkply. — Regarding the sprigs of heather
sent,' No. 1 is Erica cincrea, or bell-heather.
No. 2 is the true "ling" (Calluna vulgaris),
and No. 3 the Erica tetralix. The value of
each as bee forage is very different. No. 2 being
by far the best of the three fbr its honey-
yielding qualities. No. 3 is not valued by bee-
keepers at all.

[3347.] Bees Deserting Hive. — Strong Swarm
in Hollow Tree. — Looking into one of my
hives in the latter end of June, which, when
I put the sections on some time before, was
well filled with brood and honey, I found that
the bees had completely deserted it, and dis-
appeared entirely, and'on making inquiries I
find that they must have come out three days
before. Thecombs appeared perfectly healthy
when examined, but there was no honey, and
only a very little brood in them. 1. In view
of this, would you advise me not to use the
drawn-out combs for another hive ? 2. Will the
hive be safe to put anotner lo. of bees into?
3. I should like to know the cause of
desertion. 4. Would you also tell me If it
is possible to entice a swarm out of a hole in
a hollow tree? I discovered the runaways on
Sunday whilst walking round the farm with.
my father. I believe they must have taken
possession of the tree within the last two or
three days. I send name for reference, and
sign — H."A. M., Cringleford.

Rkply.— 1. The particulars given above
point to its being a case of bees deserting hive
either because of the stores running out, or
of some mischance having happened to cause
death of the queen. If no eggs were seen in
cells, the latter appears to be the most probable
cause, as queens do occasionally take a flight
in spring. 2. Quite safe. 3. You cannot
" entice " a swarm out of a hollow tree ; the
only way is to get at the bees and combs, if
possible, l>v removing a portion of the tree, or
by cutting"the latter down, and removing bees
and combs by cutting out the latter piecemeal.

[3348.] Drones Cast Out in May.— I have for
some time been watching my hives closely for
the appearance of drones, and on June 8 I
found about two dozen drones dead outside,
and several crawling about on the ground.
In the evening I should think there Mere a

268

THE BRITISH BEE JiyURNAL. [July 5, 1906.

hundred cast out. They seemed to come out
of the hive, and on starting to fly fell down.
I have three istocks. Early in the year I
lost one with paralysis and dysentery, later
on another was attacked with same complaint,
but I took all food away and treated as a
swarm; I am glad to say they are all right
now, and doing well. I forgot to mention the
hives the dead drones are from are very strong,
bees in one on eleven frames, the other on ten.
I placed section racks on both in first week
of June. If you can tell' me the cause of the
drones dying I shall be much obliged. — iAlum
Bay, I. of W.

Reply. — On the face of it, we should say
the cold weather in early .JunCj and no honey
obtainable outside in consequence, has caused
the drones to be killed off by the bees, because
of threatened scarcity of food. Assuming this
to be so, the present good bee-weather will
soon restore the sti'ength of Ihe colony, and
the loss of drone-life will be rather beneficial
than otherwise.

!ft0ttfS to €mt

A nominal charge of Sx. 6d. in made for notices (not
exceeding 7 liiies) in this column, 10 linen charged 3s. 6d.
up to 15 lines fis.. which covers cost of insertion from
order till date of show. Cash should accompany orders
for insertion.

July 18, at Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Lei-
cestershire.—Show of Bees. Honey, and Appliances,
in connection with Annual Flower Show. Three open
and two local classes, and one L.B.K.A. Bee demon-
strations. Schedules from J. H. Dunmore, Secretary,
Alandale, Ashbyde-la-Zouch. Entries Close
July 16.

Jnlv 19 and 20, at Q-ainsborouerh.— vShow

of Honey, Hives, and Bee Appliances in connection
with the Lines Agricultural Society. Bee Depart-
ment under manasfement of the Lines B.K.A. Four-
teen classes. Liberal money prizes and silver medals.
Schedules from R. Godson, Hon. Sec, Linos B.E.A.,
Tothill, Alford, Lines. Entries closed-
July 25 and 26, at Cardiff.— Annual Show of
the Glamorgan B.K.A. in connection with that of fhe
Cardiff and County Horticultural Society. Honey,
Wax, Appliances, etc. Classes for members, novices.
Five open claRses, with prizes for seotions and
Bee appliances, 30s., 15s. Entrv fee for one or more
of the open classes to non-members, 28. 6d. Schedules
from Wm. Richards, Hon. Secretary, The Red House
Gabalfs. Cardiff. Entries close July 20.

Auerust 1, at Henburv, near Bristol.—

Annual Show of Honey and Wax, of the Henbury
nistrict Beekeepers' Association, with bee lectures,
bv County Councirs expert, in connection with the
Horticultural Society's Exhibition. Open classes, good
prizes felasses with free entry). Appiv Hon. Sec, J.
Atkin Waller, Pen Park, Westburj-oii-Trym, Bristol.
Entries close July 25.

Aug-ust 1. at Bishop's Stortford.— Honev

.Show in eonnpction wif.h uishnp's Stortfnrd Flower
.Show. Open elapses. Schedules from W. J. Kit.ion,
Stansted, Essex.

Aug'ust 1. at TJpwell. Wisbecb.— Hortieul
tural Society's Show. Open classes for Honey, iiicliiding
gift class for lib. jar. Schedules from Hon. Sec,
.1. Hy. Inman, TJpwell, Wislieeh. Entries close
July 28.

Ausrust 6 (Bank Holiday), at Melton
Constable Park. - Aiinunl Show of the North
Xorfolk B.K.A. Schedules from C. .T. Cooke Edgefield,
Melton Constable. Entries close July 38,

Aug-ust 8 to 10, at Middlesbroug-b.—

Show of Honey, etc., in connection with the Royal
Yorkshire Ag^ricultural Society. Schedules and form
of entry from John Maughan, Secretary, Blake street,
York. Entries closed-
August 8, at Clevedon, Somerset, in con-
nection .with the Horticultural. Show. — The Somerset
B.K.A. will hold its first annual Honey Show as above.
Several open classes. Schedules from Louis E. Snel-
grove, Hon. Sec, Cromla, Locking Road, Weston-
super-Mare. Entries close July 21-

August 9, at Abinpdon Park, North-
ampton- — Honey Show of the Northants
B.K.A. Special prizes, including the Baroness
Burdett Coutts' prize hive for cottager mem-
bers, also three open classes, including one for
single 1-lb. jar honey. (Entry free.) Prizes, 208.,
10s., 78. 6d., and 2s. 6d. Schedules from R. Hefiord.
Hon. Sec, Kingsthorpe, Korthants. Entries close
August 3.

August 9, at Madresfield. Malvern. —

Annual Show of the Worcestershire Bee-keepers*
Aesociation. Open class. Schedules from Mr. Geo.
Richings, 2, Shrubbery Terrace, Worcester.

August 16. at Tetminster, Dorset. —
Annual Show of the Yetminster and District B.K.A.
held in a field kindly lent by Mr. Jollifle. Four open
claesee. including three 1-lb. jars extracted honey,
three lib. sections, and cake of beeswax. Schedules
from G. Leeding, Hon. Sec, Bradford Abbas, Sher-
borne. Entries close August 10.

August 17. — In Public School, Fort
William. — Honey Show in connection with the
Horticultural Societyi Olasses for sections and ex-
tracted honey, open to amateur and cottagers. Chal-
lenge class (open to all) for three lib. jars extracted
honey; prizes, 20s., 12s., 8s., and 4s. — ^Schedules from
Secretary, Horticultural Society, Fort William, N.B.

Aug'ust 24, at Exeter- — ^Annual Show of the
Devon B.K.A., in conjunction with the Devon and
Exeter Horticultural Society. The Baroness Burdett-
Coutts' prize, hive for the best exhibit shown by cot-
tager members; Dr. Philpott's prize of £1 Is., for the
two best sections of comb honey. All open classes.
Schedules from the Hon. Sec. A. S. Parrish, Heavi-
tree Road, Exeter. Entries close August 18-

August 29, at Chester— Cheshire B.K.A. Show
in connection with the County Agricultural Societv.
Open classes for Hives, Observatory Hives, Sections,
and Extracted Honey. Baroness Burdett Coutts' prize
hive for best exhibit shown by cottager member.
Seven classes for members. Schedules from T. A.
Beckett, St. Werburgh Chambers, Chester. Entries
Close August 8, or at double fees, August 15.

August 30, at Montgomery.— Honey Stow
in connection with Horticultural Exhibition. Two
open classes for six 1-lb. sections and six lib. jars
extracted honey. Prizes, 10s., 58., 2s. 6d. Entry fee,
Is. each class. Schedules from Mr. W. J. Jones, Secre-
tary, Montgomery. Entries close August 23-

September 8, at Dumfries— South of Scot-
land B.K.A. 14th Annual Show of Honey, Bees, and
Appliances. Five open classes — viz., three 1-lb. jars,
three 1-lb. sections, and for single jar and section
(free entry), and cake of wax ; also handsome money
prizes and valuable medals, for members only.
Schedules from Jas. Johnstone, Sec, Nelson Street,
Maxwelltown. Entries close September 1.

September 13, at Castle Douglas —Honey

Section, Dairy Show. Liberal prizes. Five' open
classes — viz., three 1-lb. jars, three lib- seotions,
single jar, single section, and for cake of beeswax.
Schedule from Jas. Johnstone, or from L. Aird, Hard-
gate Schoolhouse, Dalbeattie. Entries close
September 1.

September 8 to 15, at the Agricultural
Hall, Xiondon. — Honey Show in connection with
the Confectioners', Bakers', and Allied Traders Annual
Exhibition and Market. (See large advertisement on
page i.) Open to all British Bee-keepers.
Entry fee in each class one shilling, Schedules from

July 5, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

269

H. S. Rogers, Secretary, Exhibition Offices, Palmerston
iiouse, Old Broad atieet, L,oaduu t,.\J.

September ^O, 21, and 22, at Crystal
Palace. — tiurrey H.ii.A. Auuual iixliibmon oi Bees,
Houey, Wax, and Appliances, etc. Xwenty-six classes
(ten open to aJlj. Increased prizes and medals,
ftcbeduies' froKi I". iJ. Wnite, secreoary, Marden House,
Kedliiil, Surrey, lintries close ibeptember /.

September 22 to 29, at tlie Agricultural
!H.alx, I.iOIiaoil.. — Honey Snow m coiinecDion with
the iweilth Annual Exhibition and Market of the
Lirocery and Jiindred Trades. Nearly iJbO in prizes
lor honey and beeswax including tour prizes ui tl,
±;^, ij^, and ajl, in honey tropny class. Open to
all uritisli Jaee-keepers. bcheduies trom H. cj.
Kugex-s, Secretary, jixhibition UlHces, Palmerston
House, Old Broad Street, London, K.O.

September 26, at Altrincbam. — Show of
Honey Products, ' in connection with Altrlncham
Agricultural Show. Open to United Kingdom : Glasses
lor Hives, Observatory Hive, li Jars extracted Honey.
Upen to County oi Chester only ; Classes for Irophy,
Amateur-built Hive, Two ijhaliow Bars, 12 Jars Kun,
i<d Sections, Wax, etc. Special classes lor cottagers.
Special classes for Society s district. Liberal prizes.
Low entrance fees. Schedules from Mr. J. H. Hall, ^,
Dunham Koad, Aitrincham. £ntries close
September 9.

October 9 to 12, at the Agricultural
Hall, Liondon.^-Show oi Honey ana Bee I'roduce
in connection with the British Dairy i'armers' Associa
tion, JJumerouB and liberal prizes for honey, etc.,
including the valuable Silver Challenge Cup of the
B.B.K.A. Schedules from Mr. Wm. C. ifoung, Secie-
tary, 12, Hanover S<-iuare, Loudon, V*. ii,uliled
close September 12.

Douglas, Isle of Man, June 29. — Since
writing you rain has done wonders on the
island, and I noticed to-day bees working
on the clover. But 1 find we are nearly two
weeks later here than in the South ot Eng-
land. 1 think we can claim to have a longer
honey-How, and 1 never got such good re-
sults from my bees till I settled here. With
young queens, each stock gives a good ac-
count ot itself ; and another good thing I
have never seen honey-dew here. — Thos. J.
HORSLEY.

Notices to Corresponaents cfc Inquirers

J. W. (BlackhiU). — Insurance for Bee-Keepers.
— 1. The policy of insurance referred to only
covers risk of damage done by bees within
a given area. It would, we fear, be im-
practicable to arrange a scheme for covering
risks in taking bees to and from the moors.
2. Correspondence on insurance matters
should not be addressed here, but to the
B.B.K.A., 12, llanover Square, London.

W. SouTHCOTT (Honiton). — Pickled Brood. — 1.
To give you " the cause, symptoms, and
cure of pickled brood " is quite beyond the
limits of this column. Several pages of the
B.B.J, have been devoted to the subject,
and you should look up the matter for your-
self in back numbers. 2. The title oi the
article headed " Hutchinsonia," by our con-
tributor "D. M. M.," is e.xplained by him-
self.

W. J. F. (Brilley, Yorks.). — Re-queening
Stocks. — 1. Early autumn is a favourable
time for re-queening, as it affords a chance
of young bees being raised before the bees

are packed down for winter. 2. The names
OI makers ot •• wee.* " foundation appear in
our advertisement pages.
J. ^ jti. IV. (iJramiiaU). — o^ee Nomenclature. —
'i-iie uee sent is commonly Known as tne
saud bee, irom its ounowmg noies in sandy
places aiiu aepositing tneie^n its larvaj lor
uatcliing out in due course. x'articulars
regaitiing us natural history will be tounu
lu i.\lr. olaaen s articles on "Our vviia
rJees, ' puousued some tune ago in our
pages.

Nuci^KUs (Birmingham). — Eorniing Nuclei. —
ihis cannot be uone on the piaa proposed,
it must Oe done on ortiioaox unes, if at all,
irom sucb directions as are given in tne
'■ Uuide 1500K, ■ or m lur. aiaaen s recently
puDlisned paper on "x'orming i.\uclei" in
tne 15.13. J.

Honey (i^rkhall, N.B.).— Dark - Coloured
Honey. — Ihe uark colour ol sample sent is
attrioutable to tiie source irom wnicb the
lioney came. If oak trees are plentiful in
y our district there may oe Loneyclew in it ;
the iiavour, however, is fairly good. We
do not trace any sign oi hawthorn honey in
sample.

R. MoNCBiEFF (Derby). — ^Honey Vinegar. — To
niaKe honey vinegar on proper lines you
should read the Rev. G. Bancks' booklet ou
tne subject. From simple lermentation
of houcy and water, is very well in its
way, and a fairly good vinegar sometimes
results ; but honey vinegar lor the show-
bench needs more than this.

D. S. (Coimonell, Ayrshire). — Dealing with
Eoul liiood. — ^1. We are unable to give jou
the adaress of Mr. t\ Lyon, who aavertised
in B.B.J, seventeen years ago. 2. Ihe
remedies sent out from this office are not
sold as cures, but '■ remedies,'' and, it pro-
perly used, are effec-ve tor the purpose.

T. S. (Clay Cross). — The Sweet Bay Tree. — 1.
We are trying to get reliaule information
regarding the tree you name as above for
next week's issue, to which please refer. 2.
if you will send name of maker of founda-
tion used we will reply to query in print.

W. J. B. (Newport, Mon.). — Foundation in
Bell-Ulass Super. — These supers are now
seldom used, out in former days — 'before
foundation had reached its piesent make
and form, it was customary to attach small
pieces of clean worked-out comb to the zinc
tube, "^ith which each ^ass was furnished
for ventilation purposes, jihis gave a start
to the bees in comb-building. In later days
the bee-keeper hxed strips of foundation to
the surface of the glass by warming the
latter, so that bees might cluster wii,^out
difficulty in the glass and start wrork
therein.

Suspected Combs.

H. Webber (Surrey) and M. D. C. (Chisle-
hurst). — Samples sent contain foul brood
of old standing.

Beginner (Swanley Junction). — There is no
sign of brood (foul or otherwise) in sample
sent. The combs, however, are black,
thick with age, shapeless, and distorted
— drone-comb predominating — and quite uq-

270

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. July 6, 1901

fit for use in a hive. They should be cleared
* ' oiit and replaced with clean, straight,
worker-combs.

E. M. A. (Colchester). — Foul brood is develop-
ing in comb sent.

J. W. (Seaton Carew). — There are slight signs

._of foul brood in two cells of comb sent, but
the disease appears to be quite in the in-
cipient stage, and rest of sealed brood is in
normal condition, and apparently all right.
We should leave the stock as it is, to do its

...best till the season is over. "Fanning at
enti'ance " is, at this season, rather a sign

"of prosperity than otherwise.

("-> - • ■ »■

Special Prepaid Advertisements.

Twelee words and under Sixpence: for every additiotial
Three words or under, One Penny.

Advertisements for current Issue must be received
by first post on Tuesday.

STOCKS IN SKEPS, 1906. Fertile Queen, 128. 6d. ;
ditto ou three standard frames wired, lis. 6d. ;
ditto with Sladens direct Golden Prolific 1906 Queens,
15b. 6d.— W. woods, Normandy, Guildford. Q 97

THREE FRAME NUCLEUS, with 1906 laying
Queem, lOs. 6d.— A. J. BUTLER, F.R.H.S.,
M^eetville, Scotter, Lincoln. q 96

READY for Delivery, healthy FERTILE QUEENS
(1906), 58. 6d., in introducing cage«, pose free —
CARBINES, Bee Expert, .Gardinham, near Bodmin,
QjrnwaU. . - . Q 95

WANTED, HONEY RIPENER and DRAINER,
perfect condition. — Particulars, CLARK,
Boarban^;, Grange-over-Sand*. q 94

STING PROOF GLOVES, 28. ; with sleeves, 28. 6d.,
post free. Why pay more? — KENT, Manufac-
turer, Dorckester q 93

r/T| STANDARD SHALLOW FRAMES, clean, ex-
tJ\J' tracted combs, guaranteed healthy, 6d. each.
HARRIS, Wavendon, Bletchley, Bucks. q 92

RELIABLE QUEENS,! ISOS,, 3*. 6d. each.—
WILKES, 29, Addison Road, King's Heath, Bir-
mingham. Q 83

^lUJiBN FOR SALE, now iayiag, 4s.— H. E. HALL,
11, Parli Street, London, .N. : . Q-91

Q

TILLEY'S PATENT (" Won't Leak '0 SECTIONS,
sample 6d., post paid. Complete Super, 38. 6d.,
on rail.— J .T. GODWIN, Agent, Dorchester. Q 90

T>,ROTHEE BEE-KEEPERS visiting Cornwall, pleasa
X^ note, APARTMENTS.— BEST, Trewoon Apiary,
St. Auste'U. , ' Q 89

TWO STOCKS LIGHT COLOURED BEES, in stan-
dard frame hives, zinc roofs ; also three empty
hives, all in excellent condition, the lot £5 ; one
large Geared Extractor and one llipener, little used,
£2 Iba. ; one Parishes' Waiter Jacket Food Cooker,
very useful for boiling up food for dogs or poultry,
£?.-rWrit©, " SPRINGHAVEN," Wickhftm Road, Sut-
ton, Surrey. q 88

ANOVELTY.--AUTOMATIC MINERAL WATER
MACHINE, delivering bottle for, one penny ;
miHe to hold from one to six dozen. One has been, in
irte- five years.- Price according to size. — Apply H.
HAWKINS, Burgheath, near Epsom. Q 87

N

■fltyNEY EXTRACTOR, 198- 6d., coat 258. ; large
±I,' Wax Extractor, 88. 6d., worth 128. 6d. ; both
n(Ef<r ; genuine bargain ; free on raU.— HEWETT, Iron-
E^pi^ri ' iiiton, Hants. Q 66

I Finest ENGLISH honey, ISs. per 28 Ib. tin;
. Bample, 2d.— DUTTON, Terling, Ewex. Q 86

LIGHT extracted HONEY, in 28 lb., 14 lb., and
7 lb. ting, at 6d. per lb. ; sample, 3d. Cash
with order.— CHARLES H. BOCOCK, AJjhley Apiaries,
Newmarket. Q 84

Queens, Specially Selected for honey jgathering,
fertile, in introducing cage, 2s. 8d., post free.—
CHARTER, Tattingsltone, Ipswich. Q 98

TON WHITE CLOVER HONEY, B2fl. 6d. ewt. ; in
S.C. jars, 88. doz. ; sample, 2d.— CHARTER,
Tattingstone, Ipswich. Q 99

HALF TON splendid Light English New WHITE
CLOVER HONEY, £3 per cwt. Sample 3d.—
ALBERT COE, Apiary Hall, Ridgewell, Halstead,
Essex. Q 76

IN one of the prettiest villages in East Devon, on
a, Bee farm; FURNISHED APARTMENTS.—
SOUTHCOTT, Gittiaham Apiary, Houiton. Q 73

I' j^OR SALE, 20 stocked Carniolan HYBRIDS, each
on eight frames, Abbott's pattern, six of brood;
all combs wired and worked from full slieets. — T. W.
SHAW, Eden House, Sedgefleld, Co. Durham. q 74

EXTRACTED HONEY, 6d. lb. ; 28 lb. tins. Sample
3d. Large number of Section Crates for Sale,
Is. 9d. each.— LING, Shady Camp, Cambs. Q 70

HOLIDAYS.— Cornwall ; delightful situation near
sea and Land's End; 308. — S. HARBORNE,
Apiary, St. Bunyan, R.S.O. Q 69

EW SECTIONS FOR SALE. NEW SECTIONS.—
J. P. FISON, Holningsea Apiary, Cainbridge.

Q 67

PURE. EXTRACTED HAMJPSlHlRE 1306 HONEY
"FOR SALE,' 281b. tins, 566. per cwt. Sa;mple 3d.
Cash or deposit. — A. GREEN, Tangley, Audover.

Q 66

STRETCHING and iiAGGING of FOUNDATION pre-
venjted by simple device. Sample seven stamps.
Full set for frame. Is. Id.— W. PALMEli, 5, Clarence
Place, Croft Street, Newcaatle-upon-Tyne. Q 65

QUEENS (celebrated Doolittle strain of Improved
Italians).— A customer writes: "The virgin 1
had from you last year has done splendidly. Stock
npw on 33 Standard Frames." Virgins, Is. 6d. ;
Pertiles, 5s. Safe delivery guaranteed. First come,
first served.- DAVID TAYLOR, 1, Ilminster. Q 64

COMFORTABLE APARTMEJfTS for Brother Bee-
keepers visiting Douglas. Terms : Tea, bed,
and breakfast, 2s. 6d ; or full board, 58. per day. —
xIORSLEY's, Merridale House, top of Castle Drive,
Douglas, Isle of Man.

AN ENGLISH BEE-KEEJ»ER, of wide experience,
seeks an ENGAGEMENT in a warmer climate —
Address " APICULTURE," " B.B.J." Office.

WANTED, SECTIONS, first quality ; prompt cash ;
also extracted per cwts.- W. CHILTON, Brook-

side.f-olegate, Sussex. '•

i)QTH YEAR.— Queenb: Imported Italians, 6s. 6d. ;
Ou Home-raised Italians and Cai'niolanB. 6b. 6d. •
British, 4b. 6d. each. Also Swarms and Nuclei. — F.
WOODHAM, Olavering, Newport, Epsex. q58

WORTH A GUINEA A HIVE.—" Never Swarm
System," 3id., free. "Never Swarm" Hives,
best, most complete made, 22a. 6d.— HARRIS, Waven-
■lon, Bucks. Q 49

7S. 6d. HIVES. 7s, 6d.— The Bee-keeper's Oppor-
tunity. Standard size, with super complete,
painted. Hlustration sent, -r OXONK APIARY,' Trim-
ingham, Norfolk. <J ,47

WANTED, lib. SECTIONS NEW HONEY.— Price
and particulars to T. 0. TICKLER, Pasture
Street, Grimsby. Q 44

EW SECTIONS, BONEYCoMB.— Supplies wanted,
at onoe.— SMITH, Cambridge Street, Hyde Park.

Q 23

N

July 12, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

271

(Editorial ^0tim, ^t.

THE "ROYAL SHOW" AT DERBY.

{Continued from page 262.)

The time at our disposal last week — be-
fore dispatching our notes on the " Royal "
— precluded more than a few brief lines on
the show as a whole ; but later on we
had full opportunity for observing the
keen interest taken in the bee depart*
ment by the enormous crowds of visitors
on the last two days, and the contrast to
" Park Royal " was remarkable. At the
latter show the sparse attendance and the
apathy of visitors was chilling in the ex-
treme, while at Derby, on the last two
days, no sooner was the bee tent erected
and the lecturer ready to begin than the
crowd suri'ounding the enclosure was so
great that Mr. Herrod could hardly make
himself heard als all. Indeed, the whole
of the bee department was well attended,
and keen interest taken in the exhibits
by numerous visitors, till the show closed.
With regard to the exhibits, the first
place . must, of course, be given to
Class 418 — Collection of Bee Appliances
(6 entries). Very large collections were
staged, all of which were good, and
showed an advance in the quality of goods
shown and the effects of keen competition
among our leading manufacturers. The
awards in each case were well merited, as
they appear in prize list last week.

Class ^19.— Complete Hive for General
Use (14 entries). — The first prize went to
Messrs. Abbott Bros, for what the makers
term a "New Model W.B.C. Hive," and
an excellent "model" it is, as we can
testify, in view of the many faulty hives
on the market bearing those much-abused
initials. Mr. S. P. Soal took 2nd prize for
a strong, well-made hive constructed of
much heavier timber than that generally
used. It will meet the views of those who
prefer strength to lightness in handling.
Mr. W. I'. Meadows securwl 3rd with a
good hive, priced 30s. Wc were glad to
note that tlie higher awards both went
to hives costing only 24s. each.

Class 420. — Frame-Hive for Cottagers'
Use (7 entries). — Here again the judges'
awards went in favour of heavy timber in
hive-making, Mr. E. H. Taylor taking
1st for a strongly-built dove-tailed hive
of heavier wood than we should care to
use, and remarkably cheap at the price
(10s. 6d). Mr. Soal again secured 2nd,
with a strong hive to which the same re-
mark applies. Messrs. Jas. Lee and Son
and Abbott Bros, were awarded 3rd and
h.c. respectively for good hives much lighter
in make and well-known to bee-keepers.

Class A21.— Honey Extractor (5 entries).
— The machines shown in this class were
good, but Mr. Meadows easily secured
the honours without much competition.

Class 422.^ — Observatory Hive with Bees
and Queen (10 entries). — The prize list
printed last week gives full merit in every
case where deserved. A few of the obser-
vatories were badly staged so far as re-
gards either ventilation, provision against
chilled blood, or shortage of food supply,
but the others were very good.

Class 423. — Neio Appliances Connected
with Bee-keeping (6 entries). — No award
made. We confess our inability to entirely
concur in the above verdict, though in
most cases it was fully justified.

The remaining classes — apart from bee-
produce — may be summed up by saying
that in Classes 440 and 441 the awards
were, to our mind, well placed and well
earned.

The honey section was very good indeed,
considering the early date on which the
" Royal " Show is held. The display, as
a whole, was the best we have seen for
some time. The division of the whole
country in two groups (North and Soutli)
appears to work out more satisfactorily
than the former grouping of counties. The
14 classes for honey and wax produced an
aggregate of 154 entries, and was keenly
contested. We close by congratulating the
B.B.K.A. on the complete success of the
Royal Show of 1906, which augurs a new
career of jDrosperity for all concerned.

Mr. W. Broughton Carr conducted an
examination of seven candidates for the
3rd class certificate of the B.B.K.A.

HONEY IMPORTS.

The value of honey imported into the
United Kingdom during the month of
.June, 1906, was £5,213. —From a return
furnished to the British Bee Jottenal by
the Statistical Office, H.M. Customs.

^mt^mkntt

The Editors do not hold theinaelveg refpongtUe for the
opinions expressed by corre»pondtnts. No notice will
be taken of anonymous communwMons, and corre-
spondents are reqtiested to write on on^ side of the paper
only and give their real names and addresses, not neces-
sarily for'publication, but as a guarantee of good faith.
Illustrations should be drnum on separate pieces »/ paper.
We do not undertake to return rejected communications.

AMONG THE BEES.

SOME CURRENT TOPICS.

[6357.] How magical a change the
genial heat of summer, with a nice
flow of nectar, works on the energy
and activity of an apiary. Up till
then there has been no craving call for
undue haste and bustle. Bees have
taken business in a free-and-easy way. or

tiT!

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [July 12, 1906.

leisurely rolled home with pellets of pollen
of many hues. But it was all done delibs]--
ately. Now all is haste and hurry — a kind
of eager scramble goes on ; each little
worker is so intent on duty that it
has no time for idle dalliance or
loitering by the way. Its outward
track is direct, and its motions full
of life. Its homeward journey speaks
tellingly of a deliberate ptirpose, which
brooks no delay in its fulfilment. Dutv's
call must be obeyed. Nectar has to be
gathered now, or perhaps never, because
the future conditions may be unpropitious.
So, at it every eager bee goes improving
each shining hour, as if it were its last on
earth, storing away, too, not for itself, but
for future generations.

Caught Napping.— 1' must confess that
for once my system of never feeding has
been found wanting. This, if ever, has
been a season when a certain amount of
systematic feeding would have been worth
twenty times the cost to many bee-keepers.
At the present time my bees are something
like a month behind, and very few colonies
will be in a fit rendition to make anything
like a profit out of the clover flow. Strong
nuclei lots would have the pull of most of
them, and give a better retxirn with a good
season. Most colonies may be in fit con-
dition for the heather, but that crop has
been uncertain for so long that it is idle
to count on it for very much. Meanwhile
the summer is passing, and at the end of
.lune no supers were placed on hives, as
only a small minority show any bees on
outside combs. A few days, however, may
make a magic change.

Nurlpi. — This is the season when this
operation is in full swing. It almost seems
as if babv nuclei may prove at least
a semi-failure in our fickle climate.
I should like to recommend amateurs
to follow the teaching advocated in
Chapter IV., Mr. S^aden's "Queen
rearing in England," an excellent little
work, by the way. Any novice can success-
fully carry out this plan and rear queens
equal to the best as honey-gatherers at
. very little oiTtlay. Cut out the finest of
theso cells when almost ripe, taking care
not to press or injure the cell ; hang it in
a spiral wire protector in the hive you
wish re-quoened, and you can count on
suceesR. The best time to do so Js on or
jibnut tho seventh day after swarming. If
ilosirorl, several of these may be placed in
llie now hive till they hatch., and then, if
(lie weather is bright and sunny, a week in
flie small colonies shouhl secure mating.
If only a limited number should be re-
quired, the larger nuclei lots make security
(loul)ly sure.

Tlip Magic nf Clhavgr,. — Bee-keepers have
no doubt noted that bees changed from one

locality to another in early spring, as I
noted lately, seem to benefit bv the change,
and work with a new energy. I have noticed
the same in maldng minor changes. A
queen shifted from one hive to another
gives the bees of the latter a new stimulus,
resulting in better work. A shift into a
new hive, and especially when the bees are
placed in new combs, frequently brings
about a transformation. A queen got from
the South and safely introduced at the
right time wakens even a dull colony
into new life. Here, however, is a case
which is somewhat a mystery to me.
An old queen at the head of a colonv shows
evidently failing powers, so that the bees
resolve on swarming, and carry out their
intention. That queen in the new hive goes
at it as if slie were the most prolific
mother, filling every cell almost, with only
worker eggs. She may — likely will — fall
oflf suddenly later, and in all probability
be superseded by the bees in autiimn as
a spent force ; but the fact remains that
for weeks she goes on laying as if she were
in her prime.

Prerrnfion of Sirarming. — Three things
have been borne in upon me lately in
moving out and in among bees and bee-
keepers. 1. So-called non-swarming hives,
after a season or two, become normal hives
by the utter neglect of the special cham-
ber below the brood-frames. Their owners
cease to reckon on them as aids to swarm-
prevention, and disregard their existence.
2. The plan of working a set of unfinished
frames in front of regular broofl-body is
falling into disuse, as it too often proves
an illusory swarm-preventor. A professor
wrote of it the other day : " The svstem
was tried with five hives, and all the five
swarmed ! 3. Swarm-catchers and kindred
appliances are being consigned to the bee
museum, as they have, year after year,
proved a delusion and a snare. I should
like to say a favourable word of all three,
but, after mature deliberation, I have no
good word to say. — B. M. M. , Banff.

TWO QUEENS IN ONE HIVE.

THE " ROYAL " SHOW, ETC.

[6358.] I have noticed that when two
swarms are hived in one skep (a thing
which often happens to cottagers) each
swarm will take a side and build comb
until they moot, when, I suppose one of
the queens is dethroned, though I have
sometimes, when driving siu-h skeps in the
autumn, found iwo queens in one skep.

T enjoyed my look round tlie hive depart-
ment of the " Royal " Show, and very much
admired the way in which Mr. W. Herrod
delivered his lectures. There was no stick-
ing fast or hanging fire, but just a steady

July 12, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

273

flow of information which every one could
hear, no detail being missed out or slurred
over.

I exhibited a hive of my own make and
style of working bees, and, though not suc-
cessful in winning a prize, was not sur-
prised or disappointed when I saw the prize
hives of Messrs. Abbott, Meadows, Soal,
etc., and noticed how beautifully finished
off they were, one of them being dovetailed
more like a cabinet than a bee-hive. I
have all sorts of hives in my apiary, hold-
ing from ten to eighteen frames, and after
many experiments am egetistical enough
to believe that my hive of ten frames,
hanging at right angles to the entrance, is
jfche most useful of all, because it can be
worked for oomb and extracted honey, for
swarming, or non-swarming.

I have worked my bees for many years
on the plan described by Mr. Alexander
on page 202, B.B.J. , May 25, 1905, and I
never use shallow-frames. My method is
to put on a rack of sections. When the hive
is nearly full of bees, when the sections are
about half-full, I take oflf the rack and place
another hive over the lower one, leaving
the queen on one frame of brood below, and
filling up with nine empty combs or sheets
of comb foimdation. with excluder between
the two hives. The second story, or
" double," thus holds the nine frames of
brood, to which a frame of oomb founda-
tion is added, and the rack placed on the
top. This gives the qiieen nineteen frames
for egg-laying, and wholly prevents any
Intention of swarming. As the brood
hatches out in the top chamber the combs
are filled with honey ; and so good, tough
combs are obtained for extracting. The
chief advantage this plan has over shallow-
frames is that these combs can be used for
driven bees, or they may be stored for
using for the same purpose again.

If the queen happens to be an unusually
prolific one, an extra " double," or racks
may be used. For re-queening purposes it
is a good plan to make a nucleus from each
hive, and add it with its young queen to
the parent stock in the autumn. Some
consider this an extravagant method of
re-queening, but if the nucleus is formed
when the honey-floAv is half or nearly over,
the loss of three frames of brood at that
period make little difference to the yield
of sui^ilus, and are of considerable value
when retui'ned in the autumn full of young
bees, because the old bees, after a hard
summer's work, are dying off very rapidly
just then. It will thus bo understood from
the above remarks that a rack of sections,
ten standard frames of sealed honey, and
a nucleus may be secured froTii one hive
by my method of working. I have occa-
sionally secured twenty sealed standard
frames, but the former is usually about the
-average yield, and it is absolutely neces-

sary to have young queens. A hen begins
to fail rapidly after the second season, and
so does a queen. Although bees are sup-
posed to supersede their queen when neces-
sary they often do not do it until she is
completely worn out. — Amateur, Chelten-
ham, July 9.

THE B.B.KA. INSURANCE SCHEME,

[6359.] I support Mr. Geo. Saunders's
suggestion (6355) that the insurance period
under the B.B.K.A. scheme should be from
January 1 to December 31. The present
arrangement under which the period com-
mences on August 1 is by no means a con-
venient one, and entails unnecessaty
labour on the secretaries of the associa-
tions. Whalr happens, according to my
experience, is this. Many applications are
made about the date of the commencement
of the period ; dilatory members continue
to apply from time to time during tbe fol-
lowing three or four months ; the issue of
the annual report in the early part of the
year stirs up two or three more ; then the
expert's advice leads to some further appli-
cations in April, May, and June, and in
regard to them one is never quite certain
whether the applicant understands that
the date of the expiration of the period
is July 31, or is under the impression that
the payment of the premium will safeguard
him for twelve months. Subscriptions
usually become due on January 1, and I
am certainly of opinion that it would be an
advantage if insurance premiums became
payable on the same date. I should like
to suggest also that the proposal form
should be altered so that an applicant
should not be deprived of the copy of the
regulations when he fills up the proposal
form. This is the case now, because the
regulations are printed on the back of rie
forms. It would be much better for the,
insurer to be able to retain the copy of the
regulations for reference. — Edwaud Chak-
LKY, Hon. Secretarv, Cheshire B.K.A. ,
July?.

THE SWARMING FEA^R.

CA'Sr IT BE CHECKED ?

[6360.] I have a small apiary of eight
hives located two miles from home. All
were re-queened las.t autumn, one working
in sections and on seven shallow-frames.
Each hive has already stored, say, 36 lb.
or 40 lb. of surplus honey up to the present
time, and we are just in the height of the
honey-flow. Three of the st<pcks liave sent
out huge swanns, and all of these have
decamped and been lost, and the other four
may go any time. I have been careful to
give "room in advance." My hives have
a ventilating hole in floor-board. I have
lifted up the front of hive Ij in., and have

274

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [July 12, 1906.

taken every precaution I am acquainted
with to check swarming, but in spite of all
I have failed in my object. Now I am
searching my pile of B.B.J.'s for a back
number with informaticm on this point. I
find I have lost or lent the number con-
taining Mr. Eymer's method, and I, will
thank you to send me same at your con-
venience. Our good and worthv bee-brother.
"D. M. M.," Banff," in June 22, 1905
issue (pages 241 and 242) gives a simple
method, and I would be greatly obliged if
he would kindly say how long approxi-
mately a young queen would take to fill
the lower chamber containing one frame
of bees with queen, and, say, eleven frames
of foundation, so that one could form an
idea when to commence operations. In my
own case I should prefer to shake bees from
standard frames in top chamber, and re-
move same bodily, then replace with two
crates of shallow-frames, the top one con-
taining drawn-out combs and the lower one
foundation, and leave until the flow ceased,
and extract. Perhaps he would favour me
with his valuable opinion.^ — Aiithtjr H.
Wilkes, Four Oaks, Birmingham.

QUEENS NOT TAKING WING.

[6361.] In thanking you for reply to my
query in B.B.J. , I send particulars of a
little incident which happened recently in
connection with one of my queens, and I
thought it might possibly be of interest
to your readers. I had a " cast " from one
of my hives on June 30. I got the bees
into a skep, but afterwards returned them
to the hive they came from. In doing this
I threw the swarms out on to a board placed
in front of the hive, and while watching
noticed that the bees were a bit slow in
running in. Presently I turned my head
and saw about a dozen bees on my shirt-
sleeve, and among them was the queen-tiee.
She must have flown on to the place where I
noticed her, so I moved my sleeve a little,
and held my arm near the board, when
the queen separated lierself from her body
guard of wcu'ker bees, one of which imme-
diately flew on top of the queen's back and
seemed to pull her on to the board, and in
a moment she ran into the hive. Is this a
thing common in bee-life, or is it some-
thing new? I have never seen or heard of
such a thing happening before. Another
curious thing also happened with same
queen. On the previous day to that men-
tioned above the hevv. came ont apparently
for swarming purposes, but the queen did
not take wing along with the swarm ; she
only came out on the flight-board and ran
all over the board, and while doing this
some bees went under her while others ran
over her — in fact, she had quite a field-day

running over the board ; but eventually she
went back again into the hive without
attempting to take wing, much to my sur-
prise.— J. S., Newton Poppleford, Devon,
[It seems clear that the young queen re-
ferred to has for some reason a difficulty or
disinclination to take wing ; very unusual,
so far as our personal experience goes. —
Eds.]

DO STRANGE BEES JOIN A SWARM ?

[6362.] "Hants Bee" last week (6346,
joage 255) raises the above query. I say
"Yes, certainly they do." As a case in
point : A stock of blacks I had just trans-
ferred from a skep swarmed out, and the
wind carried them right through some
eighteen stocks in full work. When I
hived those bees they had not only in-
creased in numbers, but I saw several
golden workers and drones among them
from one of my most populous colonies.

To pass to another matter. While watch-
ing an Italian bee working on the whit^
clover, I was surprised to see that she
crawled from head to head instead of fly-
ing. I watched her work on two or three
heads in this way, and then, seeming to
have got her load, she climbed to the top
of a long stalk of grass. Here she moved
her wing rapidly, and I saw she had but
one. Poor little bee ! Whether she had
lost her wing since she left the hive or had
crawled out (some two feet or more) to
work, I cannot say, but it seemed to me
remarkable, and rather pathetic, that a
bee maimed in this way should u-ndertake
the duties of gathering honey. I put her
back on the floor-board. She ran in,' ap-
parently quite insensible to her loss. —
L. A. ViDLER, Rye, Sussex.

NOTES FROM WARWICKSHIRE.

[6363.] The weather has been very
favouraUe here for bee-keepers, and, i)ro-
viding it keeps warm for another month,
we shall have a very good year. The fields
anmnd arc white with clover, and the lime
trees covered with buds, which will be in
full bloom in about a week. I may add
that the clover and lime bloom are our
chief honey source, and if it is bad weather
when the last-named is out we fare very
badly. Last year was a record harvest
with me, and from one stock I took 170 lb.
of extracted honey, while several other
stocks averaged 100 lb. each. Is not this
very good ? May I also ask if any other
Warwickshire bee-keepers have done better
than this last year? — Enthttsiast, Strat-
ford-on-Avon.

[Yes, very good indeed. — Eds.]
(" Correspondence" continued on page 276.)

July 12, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

275

HOMES OF THE HONEY-BEE.

THE APIABIE8 OF OUR KEADERS.

Mr. Herbert Simmonds, whose ai^iary
appears below, is another welcome addition
to the long list of our readers who are
gardeners by profession, and are also
enthusiastic and successful bee-keepers.
His bee-keeping experiences, written at
our request, will be found both use-
ful and interesting to Jourxal readers.
He sajs : —

" I commenced bee keeping in 1895
through the influence of Mr. Ed. Stevens,
of Latimer, Bucks, from whom I bought
mv first swarm and hive. He also lent me

of fruit and lime trees, sainfoin, white
clover, and charlock. I have never broken
any records in " big takes " of honey, my
largest lot from one hive being 110 lb. ;
but, up to the present, I have always
managed to sell all the honey I can get
at 8d. to lOd. a lb. retail for sections, and
8d. to 9d. for extracted honey. I make a
point of telling my customers that honey
is meant to be eaten as a food, and not
stored away as a remedy for colds, etc.
Last year I sold 540 lb. (nearly the whole
of my harvest), taken from ten hives —
spring count ; I also increased my apiary,
and have now seventeen hives. My only
experience with foul brood occurred a few

MR. HERBERT SIMMON DS" APIARY CHIPPERFIELD, KING'S LANGLEY, HERTS.

a copy of your " Guide Book," and helped
me with advice in many ways. This swarm
gave me twenty-one good sections that
year, and I remember how proud I felr,
because I put them on the hives and took
them off when full without any assistance.
For a number of years my apiary increased
very slcwly, chiefly because of the hives
being heated in my very small garden.
After settling dov/n in Chipperficld in my
occupation as gardener, I (through the
kindness of a neighbouring farmer) placed
my hives in a corner of a meadow quite
close to my house. It is protected from
cold winds by tall hedges, and there is
abundant forage for the bees in the shape

years back. I then jjurchased seven hives
in the winter when it was impossible to
examine them, which I freely admit was a
risky thing to do, and when spring came
I found one hive badly affected with foul
brood, and four others slightly so. I im-
mediately destroyed the worst stock, and
made three stocks of the remaining six,
burning the whole of the combs, and fol-
lowing dii'ections given in "Guide Book"
as to treatment. This com|)lct.ely stamped
out the disease ; but I would impress upon
all beginners in bee-keeping to buy swarms
anil new hives if they wish to succeed.

My plan for keeping free from disease
is to always use naphthaline in hives,

276

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [July 12, 1906.

medicate all food tvith naphthol beta, give
each stock two new frames in brood-nest
every spring, taking out two of the oldest,
and thus renewing brood-combs completely
every few years. The figures seen in photo
are my wife, with my three-year-old son,
and myself. My wife does most of the
bottling and lalxdling of honey, and helps
me in the apiary in many ways, such as
looking out for swarms, etc. I may say
that I make all my own hives, and have
won several jjrizes at local and other shows.
I will now conclude these somewhat
lengthy notes by wishing all bee-keepers
a record season for 1906."

(" Correspondence " continued from page 274.)
SWARMING VAGARIES.

[6364.] I sincerely sympathise with your
correspondent (3343, page 266). If he had
read the little booklet on " Never Swarm
System " he would have avoided the
trouble, as I had such cases in mind when
first deciding to give my experiences in
controlling swarming.

"Nuclei.'^ — This seems a specially good
season for nuclei. I examined one on
June 30, which had been made just over
three weeks. There were five combs with
brood, one patch of sealed brood being 10 in.
long and 6 in. deep. This nuclei was one of
three made from one Idt. The queen was
taken out with two frames of brood and
given two empty combs, and now she has
seven combs of brood, the bees well cover-
ing nine frames (no, not artificially
swarmed !).

" Quern-renring " (page 263, 635S). — My
experience is that " very few bees do not
suffice " to raise queens from the cells, as
the royal brood gets chilled. Opinions
differ and experiences vary ; but my de-
cided opinion is that swarming in any
shape or foi-m is out of date. — A. H.,
Wavendon, Bucks.

JUNE RAINFALL.
Total, 2.07 in.

Heaviest fall, .69 in. on 28th.
Rain fell on ten days. — W. Head,
Brilley, Herefordshire.

urm and |lpplifs.

[5349.] Tnt.roducinrj Qurens. — ^On April 28 I
removed an old queen from a hive of hybrid
bee,s, and on May 2 I initroduced an Italian
in a " Benton " mailing cage. Five days later
I could see no eggs, nor the new queen,
although the cage was empty, but
found several sealed queen-cells. On May 16
I found all the queen-cells open, except one,
which was still sealed. I was unable to see
a queen. On May 23 I found the one sealed

queen-cell just in the same state, and still no
eggs ; but the baes were balling a queen,
which must have been one of ithose hatched
before May 16, as at that date there was only
one cell which was and still is sealed. I
separated the bees twice, and each time the
queen dropped into the hive. Eventually I
found them balling her on the alighting
board, where, on being captured and ex-
amined under a glass, I found her wings had
been nibbled so that I fear she is useless,
unless she ihas mated. Would you kindly in-
form me: — '1. Is she a virgin; and, if not,
would it he any lise to introduce her into
another queenles« hive? If so, would
you kindly return her. 2. What wa»s pr<}-
bably the reason of the bees' enmity to her
(which was most determined) ; as I could see
no other queen, and there were no eggs. Of
course, the bad weather lately has been
against mating? 3. When introducing a new
queen in one of these mailing cages, after the
bees have been at least three days queenl&ss,
should all queen-cells be cut out at time of
introduction, or four or fi\ie days later? In
the latter case, would not the bees destroy
the other queen-cells, as soon as they receive
the new queen, if they accept her? I enclose
the queen in the cage that the other came in,
and have put in some " special " candv- I
enclose card for reference and sign — ^Kew,
London, W.

Reply. — ^1. The queen has every appearance
of being unmated, and in our opinion she has
not been reared in the hive where found, but
is a virgin queen that has entered the wrong
hive after a mating flight. In any case, she
would have been useless as a breeder after
the severe "balling" inflicted on her by the
bees. 2. As suggested above, it is likely
she was an alien queen. 3. If an alien queen
is accepted there is no need f,o trouble about
queen-cells ; the bees will settle that matter
themselv&s.

[3350.] Beturning Swarms.-^One of my
hives swarmed on June 10, and the swarm
was put into a separate hive. On examining
the parent hive. I found two queen-cells and
left them, intending if a second swarm issued
to restore it and to destrov the remaining
cell. -On June 23 I discovered a swarm in a
small tree near the hive. They had made
some comb on a brancx- which I forward to
you. Before returning it to the parent-hive,
I removed seven queen-cells, six of which
contained young queens. The seventh queen-
cell was empty, btit as a young queen was
found dead outside the hive this morning,
no doubt she had escaped when the queen-cell
was cut out and had been killed by the queen
of the swarm returned on the 23rd. wan you
tell me:— 1. Whether the swarm only
emerged the day I found it, or must tlip" have
been there some time for the cximb to have
aiTived at its present stage? 2. When a first
vSwaTin hap left a. liivo, is it a. good nractice
to leave all queen-cells until a second swarni
issues, and then destroy any queen-cells
before restoring the second swarm? Tb"
alternative process appears to be to cut all
the queen-cells but one after the first swarm
has left ; but being only a beginner, I hav^
been afraid of leaving the least advanced cell

July 12, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE J0UR:N'AL.

277

and thus keeuin? tne bees unsettled till she
emerges. I may sav that I began the season
■with two hives," and have now a swarm from
each — one covering ten frames (swarmed May
27), and the other six.— A. H. M. T.

Reply. — 1. Judging by the slignt indica-
tions of comb-building seen on branch of trefe
sent, tlie swarm had only been clustered for a
few hours when removed. 2. The practice
followed, after a swarm issues, depends on the
bee-keepers' intentions. If increase is
desired, the parent colony may ue divided
into several nucleus colonies and queen-cells
utilised in various ways. Or all queen-cells
removed but the most forward one. Some-
times the second swarm. is returned the same
evening and the young queens allowed to take
their chance^ as to which kills the others off.

[3351.] Virgin Swarms. — ^Can you give me
any reason for the following. Last Sunday
week one of my two stocks of bees swarmed
out of a skep which i was waiting to transfer
into a frame-hive. At least two-thirds of the
bees left with ttie swarm, which was safely
hived, aaid in a day or so the queen had started
la^'ing in the new hive ; then on the Thurs-
day they swarmed again. I never heard of
such a proceeding before, seeing that the bees
seemed to have settled down after the first
swarming. 2. I want to go in for the three
examinations for certificates of the B.B.K.A.
Will you kindlv tell me where I can get oarti-
culars as to timee of exams., books, etc. I
believe there is no association for this county
or any part of it. — (Mrs.) D. E. ..., Sussex.

Reply. — 1. It is not often that a orime
swarm, after being hived in a frame-hive,
sends out a swarm the same year ; but when
it does occur, the swarm is commonly termed
a " virgin swarm." 2. The particulars required
mav be had from the secretary of the
B.B.K.A., Mr. E. H. Young, 12," Hanover
Square, London, S.W.

[3352.] YoUng Queens Starting to Lay. —
With reference to the sentence which appears
at the commencement of chapter 23 of the
"Guide Book," wherein we read: — "When
a hive swarms, or loses its queen, a period of
nearly three weeks generally elapses before
eggs can be laid," I should "be much obliged
if you would kindly explain this. I ask: —
Why should there be such a long interval in
the case of a hive which swarms? I presume
that in this case the young queen emerges
from the hive on tlie fifth day to get fertilised,
and ought to lay eggs at once. I therefore do
not understand the interval of three weeks
mentioned. — F. D. E., Bedford.

Reply. — When a top swarm leaves the hive
it is usually eight to ten days before a second
swarm, or "cast," comes off, and, if the latter
is returned to the hive, a «erond period of
four or five days, or more, elapses before the
young quBPn is fairly started on her maternal
duties, so that the case, as stated in " Guide
Book " is quite correct.

[3353.] Increasing StncJc.o. — T have found a
few cells of foul brood in my best hive, but
it seems to have yielded to treatment as per
"Guide Book." The queen of the colony in
question is, and has been, most excellent, and

before she is damaged by age or disease, 1
am anxious to secure as many young queens
from her as I can. Will you therefore kindly
state (1) What is my best course at this time
to this end? (2) Having had several slight
cases of foul brood in my apiary, I am in-
tending at the end of this season to remove
old combs without brood, extract honey, place
combs with brood at end, to be removed after
hatching of brood, and replace old combs with
new foundations, and feed with medicated
syrup. Kindly state if this is safe and de-
sirable as means of stamping out germs of
disease. I send name, and sign. — ^Enquirer,
Suffolk.

Reply. — (1) Your best coiu'se will be to
procure a copy of the book by Swartlimore,
entitled " Increase," if sufficiently experienced,
to carry out the details given in dividing
colonies and rearing queens. On the other
hand, a simpler method will ibe found in the
" Guide Book," showing how to form nuclei.
(2) If the disease is in the incipient stage
only, the plan j-ou propose will be effective,
but if the disease has reached the spore
stage, your plan will extend the disease in-
stead of curing it.

[3354.] Sivarms Decamping. — Having been a
B.B.J, reader for over a year without having
noticed a similar case, I should be much ob-
liged if you can account for the following : —
On 'Slay 31 I bought a very strong swarm of
bees, and the same evening they were put into
a new hive. Xext day I closed up the frames,
and in so doing noticed that the bees were
working well and seemed contented. Two
days later I found four frames of comb prac-
tically drawn out, and bees busy, working
hard and well. They seemed so strong tliat
I gave them the full ten frames, as I was to be
away from home for a month. That evnniiig
(June 3) I left England, only returning yes-
terday to hear that the bees had deserted in
a body on Tuesday the 5th, and after cluster-
ing for a very short time on a tree near by,
went off, and have not been heard of since I
I must tell you that from the time the swarm
arrived until the day the bees decamped, they
were regularly fed with medicated synip, ^
pint per day, so that it cannot have been of
hunger swarm. Indeed, a few cells had pollen
stored in them. I can, of course, see no trace
of eggs, as the swarm left nearly a month
ago. I have asked several bee-keepers, but
they are also unable to account for the bees
leaving after five days, and would be glad to
hear of any possible cause. Thanking you in
advance for a line of reply in B.B.J. I send
name for reference, and sign. — G. H. P., En-
field.

Reply. — If you are certain that the swarm
was headed by an adult mated queen, we
cannot account for the desertion. On the
other hand, if the queen was a virgin, the
subsequent decamping points to loss of queen
on return from a mating flight.

[3355.] Swarms from Suspected Hives. —
Referring to sample of comb enclosed, kindly
reply in next issue of B.B.J, to the following
queries : — (1) Why cells have not hatched ?
(2) What would you advise me to do with a

278

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [July 12, 1906.

5^1b. swarm from a hive in which there are
nearly a hundred such cells scattered over
five or six combs? (3) How would you treat
the parent hive mentioned above, seejng that
it has bees in it now, covering eleven'f rames ?
The reason of its being strong is that a second
swarm, after coming off in due course, re-
turned to the parent hive on two successive
days. (4) How would you treat a swarm
that came from a hive in which t found a very
few foul broody cells? (5) How, and how
soon can one make sure whether a swarmei^
hive has a fertilised queen or not. Thanking
you in advance for replies. I send name, and
sign — A. X., Trewooh, Cornwall, July 2.

Reply.— (1) The larvae in four cells of
sample comb sent have died simply from
lack of warmth during the process of hatch-
ing. (2 and 3). Treat both swarms, and the
parent hive as healthy, if the latter on exam-
ination is found to be as free from foul brood
as sample of comb received from you. (4)
Simply use preventives and keep a careful eye
on the way in Avhich brood hatches out. (5)
You cannot safely decide this question till
worker-brood is s'cen to be hatching out all
right.

.= — t

ilioujs to ®«mt.

A nominal charge of 3.i. 6d. i.i made for notices (not
exceedina 7 lines) in this column, 10 lines charged Ss.6d.,
tip to 15 lines .'>■'>.. which covers cost of insertion from
order till date of show. Cash should accompany orders
for insertion.

July 18, at Ashby-de-la-Zoucli, liei-
cestersliire.— Show of Bees, Honey, and Appliances,
in connection with Annual Flower Show. Three open
and two local classes, and one L.B.K.A. Bee demon-
strations. Schedules from J. H. Dunmore, Secretary,
AJandale, Ashby-de-la-Zouch. Entries Close
July 16.

July 19 and 20, at G-ainsborouprh.— «how
of Honey, Hives, and Bee Appliances in connection
with the Lines Agricultural Society. Bee Depart-
ment under management of the Lines B.K.A. Four-
teen claBses. Liberal money prizes and silver medals.
Schedules from B. Godson, Hon. Sec., Linos B.K.A.,
Tothill, Alford, Lines. Entries closed-
July 25 and 26, at Cardiff.— Annual Show of
the Glamorgan B.K.A. in connection with that of {he
Cardiff and County Horticultural Society. Honey,
Wax, Appliances, etc. Classes for members, novices.
Five open clasBes, with prizes for sections and
Bee appliances, SOs., 15s. Entry fee for one or more
of the open cIbsspb to non-members, 2s. 6d. Schedules
from Wm. Richards, Hon. Secretary, The Red House,
Gabalfa, Cardiff. Entries close July 20.

August 1, at Henbury, near Bristol.—

Annu«l Show of Honey and Was, of the Henbury
District Beekeepers' Association, with bee lectures,
by County Council's expert, in connection with the
Horticultural Society's Exhibition. Open classes, good
prizes (classee with free entry). Apply Hon. Sec., J.
Atkin Waller, Pen Park, Weatbury-on-Trym, Bristol.
Entries close July 25.

August 1; at Bishon'.s Stortford.— Hiniry

Show in (•i>nn<rtinn wifli iiJRlirip's Stortford Flower
iShow. Open rl'jHFVs. ScliedtiliH from W. .T. h.itBiin,
hitanfifed, I'>rkpx.

August 1. at TJpwell, Wisbech.- Hnrticul
tural Sncirty's Show. Open clasHi'B fur Honey, including
gift class for lib. jar. Sf;hpdulrB from Hon. Sec.,
.T. Hy. Inman, Upwcll, Wisbech. Entries close
July 28.

August 2, at "Wallop, Hants.— Honey Show

in connection with Wallop Horticultural Society will
be held in the grounds of Wallop House by kind
permiesion of Mts. Ross. Open classsg. Apply Dr.
Burt, The Grange, Nether Wallop. Entries clOSe
July 25.

August 6 (Bank Holiday) at Cambridge.

— The Cambs and Isle of Ely Beekeepers' AsBociation
have arranged for a show of Ho!iey, Wa.x, and Bee
Appliances, at the Mammoith Show to be held in
Cambridge on the above date. Liberal prizes are
offered. Each class is fipen to all the world. The
gift classes being presented to local charities.
Schedules from the Hon. Sec, G. E. Rogers, Beeholm,
Cambridge. Entries close July 30.

August 6 (Bank Holiday), at Melton
Constable Park- — Annual Show of the North
Norfolk B.K.A. Schedules from C. J. Cooke Edgefield,
Melton Constable. Entries close July 28.

August 8 to 10, at Middlesbrough-
Show of Honey, etc., in connection with the Royal
Yorkshire Agricultural Society. Schedules and form
of entry from John Maughan, Seeretary, Blake-street,
York. Entries closed-
August 8, at Clevedon, Somerset, in con-
nection with the Horticultural Show.— The Somerset
B.K.A. will hold its first annual Honey Show as above.
Several open classes. Schedules from Louis E. Snel-
grove, Hon. Sec, Cromla, Locking Road, Weston-
super-Mare. Entries close July 21.

August 9, at Abingdon Park, North-
ampton- — Honey Show of the Northants
B.K.A. Special prizes, including the Baroness
Biirdetfc Ooutts' prize hive for cottager mem-
bers, also three open classes, including one for
single 1-lb. jar honey. (Entry free.) Prizes, 208.,
10s., 78. 6d., and 28. 6d. Schedules from R. Heflord.
Hon. Sec, Kingsthorpe, Northants. Entries close
August 3.

August 9, at Madresfield, Malvern. —

Annual Show of the Worcestershire Bee-keepers'
Association. Open class. Schedules from Mr. Geo.
Richings, 2, Shrubbery Terrace, Worcester.

August 15, at Wye-— Kent Honey Show. Six-
teen classes for Honey and Bee ' Products. Grea.tly
increafied cash prizes; Classes 1 to 11 open to Kent;
Classes 12 to 16 open to the United Kingdom. Open
classes include — Single lib. |ar light extraeted honey;
single lib. jar dark ditto, 20s., lOs., 6b., in each
class ; lib. section, silver cup. Trophy class First
prize silver cup, value £3 Ss. Best collection of Bee
Appliances, first and second prizes. Special arrange-
ments for Bee Demonstrations and many other new
attractions added this year. Schedules on receipt
of stamp from J. Tippen, Secretary, Wye, Ashford
Kent. Entries close August 10-

August 16, at Yetnjinsber, Dorset. —

Annual Show of the Yetminster and District B.K.A.
held in a field kindly lent by Mr. JoUiffe. Four open
classes, including three lib. jars extracted honey,
three lib. sections, and cake of beeswax. Schedules
from G. Leeding, Hon. Sec, Bradford Abbas, Sher-
borne. Entries close August 10.

August 17. — In Public School, Fort
William. — Honey Show in connection with the
Horticultural Society,. Classes for sections and ex-
tracted honey, open to amateur and cottagers. Chal-
lenge class (open to all) for three lib. jars extracted
honey; prizes, 20b., 12s., 8s., and 4s. — Schedules from
Secretary, Horticultural Society, Fort William, N.B.

August 24, at Exeter— Annual Show of the
Devon B.K.A., in conjunction with the Devon and
Exeter Horticultural Society. The Baroness Burdett-
Coutts' prize, hive for the best exhibit shown by cot-
tager members , Dr. Philpott's prize of £1 Is., for the
two best sections of comb honey. All open classes.
Schedules from the Hon. Sec. A. S. Parrish, Heavi-
tree Road, Exeter. Entries close August 18-

August 29, at Chester.— Cheshire B.K.A. Show
in connection with the County Agricultural Society.
Open classes for Hives, Observatory Hive«, SectionB,
and Extracted Honey. Baroness Burdett Ooutts' prise
hive for best exhibit shown by cottager member.
Seven classes for memberB. Schedules from T. A.
Beckett, St. Werburgh Chambers, Chester. Entries
Close August 8, or at double fees, August 15.

July 12, 1906.] THE BKlTISH BEE JOURKAL.

279

Auerust 30, at Montgomery.— Honey Show
in oonnection with Horticultural Exhibition. Two
open claBses for six 1-lb. sectiona and six lib. jart
extracted honey. Prizes, lOs., 58., 28. 6d. Entry fee,
Is. each class. Schedules from Mr. W. J. Jones, Secre-
tary, Montg(.mery. Entries close August 23-

September 8, at Dumfries- — South of Soot-
Hand B.K.A. 14th Annual Show of Honey, Bees, ajid
Appliances. Five open classes — viz., three lib. jars,
three 1-lb. sections, and for single jar and section
(free entry), and cake of wax ; also handsome money
prizes and valuable medals, for members only.
Schedules from Jas. Johnstone, Sec, Nelson Street,
Maxwelltown. Entries close September 1.

September 13, at Castle Douglas.— Honey
Section, Dairy Show. Liberal prizes. Five open
claeses — viz., three 1-lb. jars, three lib. seotions,
single Jar, single section, and for cake of beeswax.
Schedule from Jas. Johnstone, or from L. Aird, Hard-
gate Schoolhouse, Dalbeattie. Entries close
September 1.

September 8 to 15, at the Agrricultural
Sail, Liondon. — Honey Show in connection with
the Oonfeotioners', Bakers', and Allied Traders Annual
Exhibition and Market. (See large advertisement on
page 1.) Open to all Sritisb. Bee-keepers.
Entry fee in each class one shilling. ScheduJeB from
H. S. Rogers, Secretary, Exhibition Offices, Palmerston
House, Old Broad Street, London, E.O.

September J?0, 21, and 22, at Crystal
Palace. — Surrey B.K.A. Annaal Exhibition of Bees,
Honey, Wax, and Applianoes, etc. Twenty-six classes
(ten open to all). Increased prizes and medals.
Schedules from F. B. White, secretary. Harden House,
Redhill, Surrey. Entries close September 7.

September 22 to 29, at the Agricultural
Hall, London. — Honey Show in connection with
the Twelfth Annual Exhibition and Market of the
Grocery and Kindred Trades. Nearly £50 in prizes
for honey and beeswax including four prizes of £4,
£3, £2, and £1, in honey trophy class. Open to
all British Bee-keepers. Schedules from H. S.
Rogew, Secretary, Exhibition Oflices, Palmerston
House, Old Broad Street, London E.O.

September 26, at Altrincham..— Show of

Honey Products, in connection with Altrincham
Agricultural Show. Open to United Kingdom : Classes
for Hives, Observatory Hive, 12 Jars Extracted Honey.
Open to Oounty of Chester only: Classes for Trophy,
Amateur-built Hive, Two Shallow Bars, 12 Jars Run,
12 Sections, Wax, etc. Special classes for cottagers.

^ Special classes for Society's district. Liberal prizes.
Low entranae fees. Schedules from Mr. J. H. Hall, 2,
Dunham Road, Altrincham. Entries close
September 9.

October 9 to 12, at the Agricultural
Sail, London. — Show of Honey and Bee Produce

■ in connection with the British Dairy Farmers' Associa
fcion. Numerous and liberal prizes for honey, etc.,
including the valuable Silver Olmllenge Cup of th«
B. B.K.A. Schedules from Mr. Wm. O. Young, Secre-
tary, 12, Hanover Square, London, W. Entries
close September JSi.

*»» We regret that the address of Mr. W. E. Brook-
ing, of Mulborough, Kingsbridge, Devon, who won
first prtze in Class 434 at Royal Show was omitted
from our report last week.

Notices to Correspondents & Inquirers,

E. A. (Cambridge|. — Liability of Bee-Keepers
for Damage to Horses, etc. — ^1. Y«6, a bee-
keeper is liable for damage done to horses
or cattle through bee-stings. 2. You wiii
obtain particulars of an insurance scheme
promoted by the B.B.K.A. for the above
purpose by writing to the secretary. Mr.
E. H. Young, 12, Hanover Square, London,
S.W.

T. S. (Clay Cross). — A correspondent to whom
we sent your specimen, writes: — "The

sprig of willow ,is the Salix triandra
(Black Hollander), It is very easy to culti-
vate, and is struck from cuttings. I have
quantities of it growing on my land here,
and the bees are so fond of it that they
clear the whole of the pollen from the cat-
kins."

J. W. J. (Willington, Durham). — A Beginner's
Difficulties. — 1. Bees, as a rule, cast out
drones in summer when weather is adverse
or food is running short. 2. A bee-smoker
rnay be made more effective in subduing
vicious ibees, by adding a little tobacco to
the smoRer fuel.

L. Illingworth (Cambs.).— Cases for Four
Bee-way Sections.— Sorry to say we cannot
name a dealer who stocks these. Perhaps
some reader may be able to help you by
sending a line to tnis office,.

T. C. P. (Kettering).— A Swarming Diffi-
culty.—We think you may be certain that
parent queen of the hive has been lost, and
that accounts for the) swarm returning; so
that the colony is now headed bv a voune
queen. J J b

Suspected Combs.

H- W- W. (West Bridgford).— Comb sent is
affected with the disease called (in America)
"pickled brood." The methods of treat-
ment followed by those who .have had ex-
perience of this bee malady in America have
already been recorded in our pages. You
might, perhaps, be disposed to follow the
treatment followed in " (4uide Book " (page
162)— I.e., making an artificial swarm of the
Ibees and giving full sheets of foundation
in place of old comibs in frames. This has
been found effective.

Ayrshire Novice (Mavbole, N.B.) —1 Comb
IS affected with foul brood, but evidently
not a bad case, though two cells show the
disease in pronounced form. We advise
drastic measures, as the stock is weak and
Ibees not worth risking your other five
healthy colonies to save them 2 The
honey from diseased stock is quite suitable
tor house use, being inociious to hum.nn
beings. Thanks for your appreciation of
B.B.J.

T. S. (Hayle). —There is no foul brood in comb
sent.

W. G. (Yorkshire).— Sorry to say comb is
diseased, foul brood being plainly discern-
lole.

G. A. W. (Manchester).— Sample was not
suitable for diagnosing, tmt wo fear there
IS foul brood in it.

W. II. S. (Birmingham).— Comb sent shows
loul brood m very pronounced form.

AN.XIOU.S (Abergavenny).— The comb sent
shows all the symptoms of "piekle<l brood "
as described in articles from .^nierican
bee journals, which have appeared fn our
own columns.

C. W. ^^ (Market Harborough).—" Pickled
Brood." — There is no sign of Bacillus
Alvc't in comb sent; nor is the appearance
of dead larvse in cells similar to that men-
tioned by Mr. W. J. Farmer on page 233

280

THE BRITISH BEE^ JOURNAL. July 12, 1906.

and known in America as '" pickled brood."
In the lattei" case the dead brood, is found
in large patches, and when the cell-capping
IS removed the dead larvae is iseen to be
watery and soft in appearance as if
" pickled " — nence the name. In your
sample the immature dead bees were -dry,
and firm, with numbers of young bees
hatching out. Nearly a dozen walked out
of cells while sample was being examined,
vvti think the fact of the stock referred to
having sent out two swarms has caused the
tixjuble, and it will com© round before tlie
season closes.

*#* iiome Letters, (^iieries and Mtpues, <fcc.,
ors unavoidaoly neuL wer i%U ntxt tvtek.

Special Prepaid Advertisements.

Twelae wordx and under Mxpeuve : for every additional
Three wtrroa vr ■under, Une i'tmny.

EXliLlSH HO>'EY I'UKCHASKD m any quantity
lor piuuipt cash. »enu sample, suauing quau-
ULy, and we will send prolupc oner lor all you xiave.
— isi-KljNU a:Nl» Co., L.l'i)., Brigg, Lines. K 1/

OAKGAl^.— bHAl^LOvv CO^BiJ lor fclUi'KKlAG ;
X> cietui, BLiaignt, nealtny ; £>o'. and Os. aozen.—
V» AL.ji.i:,j.t, L-uUiecnuuer, Ir'airxoroit. it lo

WAiNXliU.— GUUU MONEY EXTKACTOK aad
Kli'JiiNtK.— i-'j^EKiUAi, Liuiineld Koad, i'our
Oa^a, tinulmgiia.m. H lo

QUKJENS, specially selected from honey-gathering
stocks ; lertiiei na^civea., in, introducing cage,
iis. ad.— C'haKTKK, Tattiug^one, Ipswich. K, li

LIUHT KXTRACTKD honey, 52s. 6d. cwt. ; in
screw-cap jars, tos. dozen ; sample, iid.— OMAK-
XjiK, 'lattiugstone, ipswicn. B, 14

O ECTIONS and EXTKACTED HONEY, in bulk ;
O first quality; sample, ;id.— PUlLEN, Kamabury,
Mungenora. k i<i

DKIV'EN BEES, with Queens, commencing August ;
3s. 6d. per lot, cash with order; boxes returned;
orders in rotation.— T. PUELiEN, Kamsbury, Hunger-
'ortt. '^^ K H

TWO n«w, two old HIVES, on ten Standard Frames,
328. and 25s. each ; Well's Hive, with rack of 21b.
sections, ■ ilL— ENULISH, 16, Visiter Street, Soots-
waod. K 9

HEALTHY DRIVEN BEES, commencing August";
delivery to August 20, 48. per lot ; after this
date, 6b. 6d. ; orders cash ; delivered rotation ; boxes
returnable.— H. C. SMITH, The Apiary, Woodman-
cote, near Cirencester. k 10

MY SECTION RACKS are well known in East
Sussex as the besit and cheapest ; all Beekeepers
should try one ; 2s. post free; or with 21 sections,
■Btartera and dividers, 4g. poat free ; my lOs. 6d.
Bar-Frame Hives are a real bargain.— RANSAAI.
Wiute Clover Apiary, HelUngly, Susseix. k 8

OOD SECTIONS WANTED.— R. CARTER, Chait-
ridge Green Farm, Chesham, Bucks. b 7

G

WANTED, SECTIONS; any quantity taken.—
COOK, 56, Hop Exchange, Borough, London,
S-E. B6

WANTED, CYLINDER EXTRACTOR, second-hand,
perfect:— J. WRIGHT, Molbuiy, Bushey Heath,
Herts. u 5

FOR SALE.— STRONG NATURAL SWARMS, ge-
, curely paokod, 12b. 6d.— LINSTEAD, North Lop-
Lam. Tbetford. B 3

rpWO TONS FINHST LIGHT EXTRACTED HONEY
JL for sale, in lots, to suit purchasers. Write for
prices, Stating quantiiby required!. S«unpl6s,( 5d.—
CHARLES H. BOCOCK, A»hley Apiaries, New-
market. R 4

QUEEN-REARING.— MEADOW'S APPARATUS (12
eups) for sale ; excellent order ; extra cages ;
useful for introducing; 68. — "B.," care of this Jour-
nal. R 2

WANTED, TWO FRAME OBSERi^AIORY HIVE;
good maker ; Sipproval.- CREBER, Whitchurch,
Tavistock. b 1

TylT'ILL CUSTOMERS kindly return all empty
f T Honey Tins belonging to A. COE, Apiary Hall,

Ridgewell, HaJstead, Essex.

IUnAlbs. SPLENDID NEW WHITE CLOVER
> out/ HONEY, £3 pel- cwt. ; sample, 2d. ; in
zjSlb. tins, same rate.— ALBERT COE, Apiary Hall,
Ridgewell, Halstead, Essex. b 18

STOCKS IN SKEPS, 1906. Fertile Queen, 128. 6d. ;
ditto on three standard frames wired, lis. 6d. ;
ditto with Sladena direct Golden Prolific 1906 Queens,
158. 6d.— W. WOODS, Normandy, GuUdford. <J 97

READY for Delivery, healthy FERTILE QUEENS
(1906), 38. 6d., in introducing oage«, posx fi'ee —
CARBINES, Bee Expert, Cardinham, Bear Bodmia,
Cornwftll. ■ . . Q 95

STING PROOF GLOVES, 28.; with ileeves, 28. 6d.,
post free. Why pay moreV — KENT, Manufac-
turer, Dorchester tj ii3

UEEN FOR SALE, now laying, 48..— H. E. HALL,
14, Park Street, London, N. Q 91

Q

TILLEY'S PATENT (" Won't Leak '') SECTIOSb,
eample 6d., post paid. Complete Super, 38. bd.,
on rail.— J .T. GODWIN, Agent, Dorchester. Q 90

HONEY EXTRACTOR, 19b. 6d., cost 258. ; large
Wax Extractor, Bs. 6d., worth 12e. 6d. ; both
new ; genuine bargain ; free on rail.- HEWETT, Iron-
monger, Alboh, Hants. Q 86

HALF TON eplendid Light English New WHITE
CLOVER HONEY, £3 per cwt. Sample 3d.—
ALBERT OOE, Apiary Hall, Ridgewell, Haistead,
Essex. Q 76

IN one of the prettiest villages in Bast Devon, on
a Bee farm; FURNISHED APARTMENTS.—
SOUTHCOTT, Gittisham Apiary, Honiton. Q 73

FOR SALE, 20 stocked Carniolan HYBRIDS, each
on eight frames, Abbott's pattern, six of brood ;
all oomb8 wired and worked from full sheets. — ^T; W.
SHAW, Eden House, Sedgefleld. Co. Durham. Q 74

HOLIDAYS.— Cornwall ; delightful situation hear
sea and Land's End; 308. — S. HARBORNE,
Apiary, St. Bunyan, R.S.O. <J 69

N

EW SECTIONS FOR SALE. NEW SECTIONS.—
J. P. FISON, Holningsea Apiary, Cambridge.

Q 67

PURE EXTRACTED HAMPSHIRE 1906 HONEY
FOR SALE, 281ib. tins, 668. per cwt. Sample 3d.
Cash or deposit.— A. GREEN, Tangley, Andover.

Q 66

QUEENS (celebrated Doolittle etrain of Improved
ItalianB).— A customer writes : " The virgin 1
had iErom you last year haa done splendidly. Stock
now on 33 Standa»d Frames." Virgins, Is. 6d. ;
Fertiles, 5s. Safe delivery guaranteed. First come,
first served.- DAVID TAYLOR, 1, Ilminster. Q 64

WANTED, SECTIONS, firet quality ; prompt cash ;
also extracted per owbe.— W. CHILTON, Brook-
side, 1-olegate, Sussex. , , ;

EW SECTIONS, HONEYCOMB.— Suppliee wanted,
ab oBoe.— SMITH, Cambridge Street, Hyde Park.

Q 29

N

July 19, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

281

(Kiitoml ^0tim, &t.

THE LATEST BEE SCARE.

Among the various bee scares which have
had a " turn " in the columns of the daily
Press, none withiii our knowledge has been
taken more seriously by leading papers
than the most recent one regarding the
disease known to bee-keepers for over
twenty years as bee-paralysis. This is
stated to be "a new and highly infectious
disease," which we find, a so generally
solid leading journal as the Standard
giving prominence to in type as large as
one expects to see when notifying some-
thing of national importance.

Not only so, but the B.B.J, office has
been honoured by a call from representa-
tives of several leading papers (including
the Standard) enquiring if we could give
them reliable information on the subject.
Unfortunately, as it happened, we have
boon away from the office for several days
past, busily occujDied in the prosaic, but
none the less useful, work of examining
candidates for the B.B.K.A. experts' certi-
ficates, and consequently failed to see any
of the Press-men who were good enough to
make enquiries. We hope, however, to
refer to the subject more fully next week
l)y way of relieving the minds of bee-keep-
ing readers from any alarm that may be
felt. Meantime, we hope Mr. Cooper,
local hon. sec. of the Hants and Isle of
Wight B.K.A., will forgive us for saying
that he will have something to answer for
if correctly reported as having " estimated
that quite half the bees kept in the Isle of
Wight are now dead " ! Also that the
disease " had not yet appeared on the main-
land," or that " if it got a footing there it
would probably mean the ruin of the bee-
industry so far as England is concerned."

The Editors do not hold themselves retponsible for tht
opinions expressed by correspondents. No notice ivill
bt taken of anonymous communiaations, and corre-
spondents are requested to write on one side of the paper
only and give their real names and addresses, not necet-
sarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith.
Illustrations should be dra"m on separate pieces #/ pap*r.
We do not undertake to return rejected eom,tnunications.

NOTES BY THE WAY.

[6365.] We have passed St. Swithin's
Day, and our bees in the South are now in
the last period of surplus-honey gathei'ing
from the last sources of the year — i.e., the
limes, along with what little is left of white
clover, the modern farmer's " aftermath."
In this district we get very little super
storing after the lime trees have done
flowering. There is a good show of blossom
on the trees, but the weather is dull and

cool, with westerly breezes. It makes ono
long for a week's sunshine with the ther-
mometer at 80 deg. in the shade. This
would start the hives booming again.

What of tkii Harvest? — In this part we
have had a poor season in every respect for
the bee-keeper. A cold, cheerless spring, in
which it was impossible to get stocks up
to the " boiling-over " point, even with the
greatest care and attention, along with
constant feeding. Then we had a few days
of warm weather, followed by a chilly, dull,
and unsettled week. Then came a few
days of sunshine and warmth, which
started swarming, followed by a cool, sun-
less, rainy week, in which the bees scarcely
gathered enough for their dailv wants. In-
deed, stocks began killing off the drones
in my apiary, and thus completely shat-
tered our hopes of any further swarms in
1906. After a sunny day or two the limes
■ — our last hope — came into bloom, and
from present appearances this hope seems
destined to be spoilt (as the early crop was)
by want of warmth and sunshine. It
appears that in widely-divided parts of
England similar conditions prevail, but
this shortage of crop will not, I suppose,
influence prices. I notice one advertiser
in your paper offering new English honey
cheap (evidently to catch the market) be-
fore he had honey to supply customers
with. I was, therefore, glad to see others
called attention in your columns to the in-
jury done to the craft by these rush-at-any-
price bee-keepers, who perhaps have a good
income from other sources, simply keeping
a few hives as a " hobby," or. may be,- for
the good of the missionary cause.

Bees Nibbling Away Foundation. — •
Towards the end of the honey-harvest bees
will (and do every year) nibble away the
foundation given them in the sections,
using the wax — as they do propolis — to fill
up all crevices in the supers. This I have
proved, year after year, but I do not think
they use it for capping the honey, as some
suppose. The only plan of testing this
would be to use coloured wax for the
nibbled sections, then the colour would
show if used on the face of the capped
honey.

Wirincj Frames. — When using full sheets
of foundation I usually make two holes in
top-bar near the ends, and similar holes in
side-pieces near the bottom-bar ; then
stretch the wire diagonally and twist the
wires where they cross each other near the
centre. By this means I have had good
resitlts in every coml) built of " weed "
foundation. I notice a correspondent,
"A. H., Wavendon" (6338, page 244),
"cannot understand why bee-keepers prefer
prime swarms. " As I have sent out many
of these in the past twenty years, I may tell
him the secret, and it is this: A prime
swarm will fill in a good season a hive and

282

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[July 19, 1906.

from forty to seventy sections. A young
queen can be given if desired, or required,
which in most cases is not required, be-
cause the 11906 swarm is headed by a
year-old queen. But there are many
chances that the queen may get injured m
a long journey, or by the inquisitiveness
of their owners, who in handling queens
may not be sufficiently careful. Therefore,
unless a record is kept in each hive the
age of the queen may not be correctly
given when sending off a swarm ; but,
judging the matter on broad lines, the fact
of a hive sending out a 4 lb. or 5 lb. swarm
early in the month of June is fair practical
proof tha^ a very prolific queen accom-
panies the swarm. — W. Woodley, Beedon,
Newbury. ^^ _^

A PROBLEM IN SWARMS.

[6566.] About a fortnight ago, on going
to my apiary, I found that one of my
unoccupied hives had been taken posses-
sion of by some hybrid Ligurian bees. I
was delighted, having long wanted some
bees of this breed to improve my own. On
going further through my hives I was still
more astonished to find two other hives
with the same kind of bee busily passing
in and out of the entrance. T carefully
eXa^giined. each colony, and found in the
first about a pint of bees, and in the others
rather less, None had a queen, and many
of the bees flew from the frames as I lifted
them out, as they will do under such cir-
cumstances. When I went down again at
night there was not a single bee left in
any of the three hives. But the next day
the little golden-banded strangers had
taken possession of the same three hives,
and were busily working on the old pollen
in the combs, and possibly manipulating
fragments of wax. But at night they again
Jill disappeared. I was greatly puzzled as
to tlie meaning of these tactics, which con-
tinued nearly a fortnight. Do you think
it probable that a large swai'm had passed
over my apiary, and that the rearguard,
accidentally or otherwise, straggled into
these three hives, which are in three dif
ferent parts of my apiary of about twenty-
five' hives? Why should they come explor-
ing the hives each day and evacuate them
each- night? T thought it possible that the
main body of the swarm had settled m
some barn or l)ush not very far off, and
located in v'ory bare quarters, so far as
le^ards l^^c-'forage, or may, be the bees
paid their daily visit to my throe hives to
secuf^-.the Pf^Uen thoy could not obtain
elsewhere.

I know that while I am Idling you this
yeu are giving me very black marks for
allowing erri])'ty hives ..with a few elderly
frames tf) stand in my apiary to possibly
decoy neighbours' swarms ; ])ut there is
only one other hive in our parish, and that

IS a mile away, the next being nearly tw )
miles off. So I think if bees swarmed a«
far as that, if they did not alight ihere
(which they have never done before), they
would go to the hollow of some tree, or
where they would be hopelessly lost to
their owner. But, as there are no otlier
bee-keepers near me whom I can harm 1
do confess to hoping some of my own errant
swarms may be saved, as ours is such an
exposed position, with no trees or cover
near.

Now comes the strangest part. Two days
ago, when I paid a visit to my bees,
imagine my delight when I found that a
complete colony had taken possession of
the first hive, and were working indefatig-
ably. I soon found the queen, and fed the
bees, besides giving them more frames ;
they cover seven or eight. The other two
hives contained a few stragglers, as usual.
Now, imagine my astonishment when this
morning I found that the second of these
hives was also tenanted by a complete
colony, with a fine queen, and working so
busily that already, in twenty-four hours.
the cells were half full of honey ! And so I
ask : What is the clue to these manoeuvres ?
I feel inclined to dismiss the theory
that the original swarm, accompanied by
a few of these pioneers, quitted their tem-
jjorary abode for more comfortable quar-
ters. Are they two casts from the parent
hive ? Or was the prime swarm accom-
panied by two or more young queens that
have now headed these colonies ? Where
did the bees (before these queens arrived
with their armies) return to each night ?
And why did they come back so regularly
each day? Was it only for pollen or pro-
polis, or did. instinct tell them the casts
would soon come off, and were they making
ready the home in advance ? Or was it
merely an accidental circumstance that on
the issue of the swarm or cast these
'"visitor" bees, being with them, would
naturally return to their haunts, and thus
the others would follow or accompany
them in an aimless kind of way? But is it
not remarkable that the second swarm (if
it was a second) should act exactly in tho
same way with a day's interval ?

May I hope for a third family in the
third hive ? Have you ever known of bees
preparing a future home like this before ?
It certainly has never come within my bee-
experience of more than ten years. — Qttken
Bek, Bridport, .July 9. ■ ,; - •

[The b(!es (Hyl)rid Ligurians) were
pioneers, and, finding a icomfortabJe home,
look possession.— Eds.]

THE SEASON IN NORTH NOTTS.

[6367.] We have had splendid bee-
weather here. With the exception of i
vei-y light fall of rain there has been no
break for three .or four weeks and no cold

July 19, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

283

winds, so that the bees have held high
revels.

I do not remember having ever before
seen such a wealth of white clover bloom
as there is now in this district, but unless
rain comes speedily and in quantity I fear
its time is nearly over. With rain we
might still have it yielding well for another
fortnight or three weeks. One or two in-
dications show that the flow of nectar is
diminishing, not the least significant being
the disposition of workers to attack the
drones. This tendency is very evident to-
day (July 14).

I had four stocks in prime condition to
open the season with, and one of which
threw a large swarm on May 29. The
others have been prevented from swarming
simply by giving plenty of room. A strong
second swarm — or " cast " — followed after
the usual interval, but the bees returned
to the parent hive after being hived, and
this happened three times. Twice they
clustered, but once they returned without.
From what I hear about the doings of
stocks in skeps swarming has been a perfect
nuisance in this neighbourhood.

My best hive is now four stories high —
i.e, brood-chamber, set of standard frames,
and two sets of shallow-frames — and
packed with bees from top to bottom, and
this from a single stock driven from a big
sugar-box on August 19 last year. Two
others were built up from driven bees.

My experiences this year have decided
me on two points. First, I shall never
again work sections and extracting frames
on the same hive. Second, I do not intend
for the future to make any type of hive
except those with loose body-boxes. This
is- not because of anything connected with
yield, etc., but simply because of ease in
handling and cleaning.

I have already removed two racks of
nicely-finished sections, and have com-
menced extracting. The honey is of fine
quality, practically pure clover, and the
lightest in colour I have ever harvested.
One word with regard to section-racks.
I have two kinds in use — one fitted
with tin girders, and the other with
simple strips of wood. I prefer the
latter ''very much, for the sections
come out much cleaner owing to the
closer fit. Trusting that the honey-yield
all round will be as good as mine promises
to be, I sign — XoitTH Notts.

BEES IN COURT.

OWNERSHIP OF SWARMS.

[6368.] I herewith enclose you cutting
from the " Bristol West(?rn Daily Press "
of a case whicli is very interesting to bee-
keepers, and I thought it would be useful
to readers of the Bee Jotjrn'al, with your
comments thereon. I have always been

under the impression that if the swarm
were followed a claim could be made, and
that this was enough to establish it. This
case seems otherwise. — ^W. L. Pretty,
Bristol, July 16.

F. M. Beamish, Pucklechurch, sued
Thomas Nicholas for a swarm of bees or
their value, 20s. Mr. Batson, solicitor,
defended. Plaintiff said he kept over
twenty stocks of bees, thirteen of which
were the Italian variety which he im-
ported direct. These were distinguished
by the yellow bands on their bodies, and
there were none but his in the district.
He found the bees had swarmed, and two
days after found that defendant had
hived them in his garden. He offered him
5s. for his trouble if he gave them up,
but he refused. Specimens of English and
Italian bees were shown to his Honour.
Mr. Batson was proceeding to cross-
examine as to identity, when his Honour
said the law was, you can follow the
swarm and not be liable for trespass ;
but if anyone else follows and hives them
they become his property. Bees must
always remain wild, and there is no dif-
ference between English and Italian bees.
He quoted Blackstone as to the law. The
property in the bees became that of de
fendant directly he hived them. To de-
fendant : Now, Mr. Nicholas, will you let
him have these bees if he pays you 15s. ?
I cannot make you give them up, but you
ought to. — Defendant : I am not sure they
are his bees. — His Honour : Very well, I
shall not give you costs. .Judgment for
defendant without costs.—" Western l)aily
Press," July 16.

BEE NOTES FROM DERBYSHIRE.

[6369.] The weather this spring was
so changeable ihat bees were lost in
large numbers when foraging. Some
days, being exceptionally warm, en-
ticed the bees out, and then a spell
of cold east winds came, and many
bees were lost. Stocks were, how-
ever, in much better condition at the end
of April this year than last. By the third
week in May my bees covered ten to twelve
frames, and pleiit}^ of brood on both sides,
but feeding was still necessary owiu" to
the low temperature. But the weather
again improved, so I supered several liiveg
on May 28. A good swarm issued from
one of my hives on June 3, which was re^
turned, after making a nucleus and re-
moving the suri)lus queen-cells. Several of
my other hives have since swarmed, queens
proving very prolific this season. During
June we had good bee-weather, on the
whole, and some nice honey was stored.
July has also been a good month so far.
Several good showers of rain helped the
clover, and caused the " aftermath " to

284

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [July 19, 1906.

make rapid growth, I took several racks
of completed sections and shallow-frame
supers off on July 9, and the extracted
honey was distinctly flavoured with haw-
thorn. What has been stored lately, how-
ever, is chiefly from clover, and is of good
quality. To all appearance this season will
be a good one in this county, and I hope
it will be for all bee-keepers, especially
those who to some extent depend on the
bees for their livelihood. Anyway, we
have to be thankful that there is no honey-
dew here this year, as our crop was com-
pletely spoilt with it in 1904.

I take a great interest in bee-keeping,
and am pleased to see it is extending
rapidly. No doubt this is largely due to
its being so often noticed in the Press.
Ever since I began to take the Journal
and Hecord four years ago I have read
both papers with great interest, and hope
our Editors will be spared for some time
yet to continue their good work. I par-
ticularly enjoy the *' notes " from oul
Scotch friends, " D. M. M. " and W.
McNally, as I do those of Mr. Woodley—
they are all so practical.

I hope brother bee-keepers in other parts
of the country will let us know how they
have progressed this season, so that we can
each compare "notes." — W. H., Derby,
July 6.

INSURANCE FOR BEEKEEPERS.

[6370.] Referring to the invitation from
the Council of the B.B.K.A. set forth in
report of their meeting and appearing on
page 251 of Bee Journal, I am instructed
by the committee of the Notts B.K.A. to say
that they consider the Insurance year as
now fixed, to be most inconvenient, seeing
that it breaks into two seasons. Our com-
mittee therefore suggests that it should
run from Lady Day to Lady Day. The
reasons for this are : —1st, at that period
the season is just opening : 2nd, Annual
Meetings are being held, and at such times
members would be more likely to take it
up or remember to renew existing policies.
—Geo. Hayes, Secretary, July 12.

CAPPINGS OF COMB.
By " L. S. C."

Bees Gnawiiuj Foundation (p. 263). — This
does not happen so readily during a honey-
flow, natural or artificial ; but it is a
mistake to h-ave much ff)undation on the
hives at other Hmes. A little, partly drawn
out, will act as a " W.B.P. " for the sur-
pluR wax-scales wliich might othei-wise
reach the floor-board, not to be collected
again by the most economical housewife.

Qurm-renrinq (p. 263). —There seems to
be a growing opinion that sections are too
small for mating combs, in tMis country at
least. My own frames arc half-standard.

and are quite small enough for me. I can-
not think that Mr. Farmer really intended
that queens should be " raised " in such
nuclei, but only mated. Queens raised by
" very few bees " would be the veriest
scrubs !

Fixing Foundation (p. 263). — Dr. Miller
uses small strips of wood soaked in hot
wax and immediately laid upon the foun-
dation. These become permanently at-
tached, and eventually built over. In
emergency, for part sheets to 'be joined,
such strips might be used in pairs, one
either side the sheet, clip fashion.

Worker in Queen-cell (p. 264). — I have
just had a queen-cell brought to me con-
taining a virgin queen alive and well, but
reversed, and unable to back out of the
cell, which was partially closed, whether
by accident or design was impossible of
determination. Other virgin queens were
at liberty in the hive, and she had
evidently entered either for refuge or, less
likely, for the food which the cell still con-
tained. The cell showed decided thicken-
ing at the orifice.

Baynor Crate (p. 264).- — It is amusing to
notice that this critical writer uses the
words " crate " and " rack " indiscrimin-
ately in the same par ! The explanation
must be that " Raynor crate " has always
been the specific term for this rack.
Messrs. Abbott Bros, call this the "Bent-
hall." Which is right?

Caught Napping {p. 272). — As potential
teachers, our own mistakes would seem to
be easily first, and, after them, the mis-
takes of others. In a beginner, at least,
confession of mistake is a sign of progress,
and our thanks are due to old hands like
our good friend " D. M. M. " for such open
confession as this. It is doubtful if thei-e
is any infallible hive system which will
permit of unvarying adherence year after
year, and even systems tried and proved
may fail in exceptional years where a
locality docs better or worse than its habit.
It is better, however, to have the system
than to be continually experimenting with
a whole apiary.

Nucleus or Nuclei. — The latter word bids
fair to become a singular noun ! I have re-
cently had candidates who spoke of " a
nuclei," and even "D. M. M. " (p. 272) says
" strong nuclei lots," whichwould appear t'>>
be a d()u])le plural, and "A. H. " (p. 276)
says " this nuclei." Nucleus, gentlemen,
please ! But these are probably com-
positors' errors. I, too, have suffered from
tile same .stick ! If so, it is hereby urged
upon them that the culprits become bee-
kee])('vs in order to learn the technicology
of the craft !

Magic of (Tfiange (p. 272). — Is a failing
queen a cause of swarming ? Would it not
])e more likely to cause supersedure? Is
not the apparent failure often due to pollen.

July 19, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

285

clog ? Is not also the revival of power after
swai"ming due to more efficient stoking?

Two Queens in One Hire {p. 272), — If two
swarms become accidentally united, and
against the wish of their owner, they may
be separated h\ hiving them at once in a
large receptacle, such as a Wells hive
with the division removed. If a comb be
placed at each end the probabilities are
that the next morning will find the swarms
clustered separately upon them.

The Alexander Flan (p. 273). — If there
is an excluder between the tiered hives,
how can the queen *lay in " nineteen
frames " ? Perhaps this should read nine,
the tenth comb being already occupied by
brood.

Queen Not TaUncj Wing {p. 274).— This
queen, or another, took wing all right the
following day, or when she was a day older.
Much water may run under the bridge in
a day, and, in the case of a hive prepared
to throw a cast, much may happen in
twenty-four hours !

[3356.] Quean Not Laying. — I should be
greatly obliged if you would kindly give me
information upon the following point through
the B.B.J. On June 22 I had a strong swarm
which was successively hived — according to
" Guide Book " instructions — ou six frames.
Upon examination to-day I find five frames of
comb fuUy drawn-out, and have, accordingly,
inserted another frame of foundation ; but
there is no sign of larvae or brood of any sort.
The bees are gathering honey well, and also
pollen, having some of the former sealed over
on two frames. Should not the queen have
been fertilised before this ? The weather
here has been rather bad lately, but we have
had a few fine days since the swarm was
hived. I shall be glad to hear whether you
think all is well, or whether I had better get
another queen and insert her in the hive.—
J. H. W., TSIorton, Bingley, July 4.

Reply. — The queen of " a strong swarm "
should have been fertilised and laying when
received, and if this was the case it is diffi-
cult to understand there being " no sign of
larvae or brood of any sort " in the combs
when the swarm has been hived for nearly a
fortnight. We should expect to see eggs in
four or five days, at most, after hiving. Your
best course it is examine the combs of brood-
nest without delay, and if no eggs or young
larvae are seen the queen must be found, if
there. On the other hand, if an unmated
queen was sent with the swarm, she may pos-
sibly be still unmated. Tf the hive is queen-
less, not a day should be lost in procuring and
introducing: a fertile queen.

[5357.1 Making Arfifirial Swarms. — Wish-
ing to increase my stocks I made an artificial
swarm yesterday, and thous;h I did not keep
quite to the method described on page 94 of
" Guide Book." I think they will do very
well. Instead of taking out the frame of bees

on which the queen was found, I left it ia. the
hive and removed all the other frames (with
the bees on them) and put them in a new
hive a little distance off. I then filled the
old hive with frames of foundation which
were partly pulled out this morning. (1) Do
you consider the artificial swarm wUl do all
right this way? (2) I should like to take in a
French bee paper, but do not know where to
get one. Would you kindly let me know
where I might get " rApicufteur," and how
much it is ? Thanking you in anticipation for
replies. I send name for reference, and sign
— " Abeille," Cheltenham, July 4.

Reply.— (1) W^e cannot understand why
you should depart from the instructions given
in the " Guide Book," and ask if we approve
of your method. The directions given in the
book named are the outcome of long prac-
tical experience, apd if adhered to will make
for success. On the other hand (and we say
it in all kindness) your plan simply courts
failure by ignoring the principle on which
the making of an artificial swarm successfully
is founded. In other words, the "swarm," ii
placed on the old stand, will be all right, but
the brood left in the parent hive will, unless
the high temperature now prevailing con-
tinues, probably be chiUed to death for want
of bees to keep it warm. (2) The French
journal, " I'Apiculteur," may be had from 28,
Rue Serpente, Paris, at 6 francs per annum,
post free.

[3358.] More Swarming Troubles. — On May
12 I successfullv hived a fairly large swarm,
which by the tfiird week in June covered ten
frames, but the bees did not start work in
the super, put on early in that month, till
the 29th. when I found they had taken posses-
sion. Three days lat-er, however (July 2), two
swarms issued, one large, the other small.
The latter made off and was lost, while the
larger one was not found until after I had
examined the hive, and cut out half-a-dozen
queen cells. I attempted to hive the large
swarm as soon as it was discovered, but being
in a very difficult position for hiving I was
unsuccessful, as the bees on being disturbed
returned to the parent hive. I then put two
new frames of foundation in the latter and
placed an excluder over the hive-entrance for
twenty-four hours. Will you kindly tell me
— (1) Why two swarms should issue at the
same time? (2) If it was right to cut out
queen cells so soon after they had swarmed?
(3) If it was right to put a queen excluder
at the entrance? (4) Is it probable there is
a voung queen in the hive? (5) The name of
the Secretary of the Xotts. B.K.A. ? The
hive seems to be doing well, and the bees
are in the super and covering all the twelve
brood frames. I send name, etc., and sign
—"Notts."

Reply. — (1) It was not two. but one swarm
divided into two clusters. The smaller lot
e^lently had the queen with them, and being
lost, the large cluster hung till found, when,
on being disturbed and queenless. the bees
returned to the parent hive. (2) As it turned
out. your action in cutting out queen .cells will
have cost the bees a fortnight or three weeks
in raising a new queen to replace Che lost one.
(3) Xo, it is always bad (sometimes disas-

286

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [July 19, 1906.

trous) policy to \attempt to stop swarming by
preventing the free exit of bees from a hive
at svrarming time. (4) The bees will prob-
ably be raising one. (6) Mr. Geo. Hayes,
Mona Street, Beeston, is Sec. of Notts. B.K.A.

[3359.] A Swarming Incident. — -A word of
reply on the following matter through your
valuable paper, of which I am a regular
reader, will much oblige. I have had an
argument with a bee friend on the following
question, and in order to decide this matter,
1 will be glad if you will say, can a swarm
of bees be driven from a skep into a frame-
hive without queen first going in?

I had a swarm on Sunday last. I first hived
the bees into a skep, then at night when it
was dusk I drove them into a frame-hive,
and the bees all went into the latter quite
nicely, leaving queen alone in the skep. I
captured her in a glass and let her run into
the hive along with the last of the bees.
This is what led to our argument, for my
friend could not believe that I had done as
stated above, and stoutly maintains the
opinion that the bees would not enter the hive
until the queen had gone in. I send name
and sign — " Queen," Derby.

Reply. — We cannot quite see what is meant
by " a swarm of bees being driven from a skep
into a frame-hive." If the swarm is got int<)
a hiving-skep the bees are thrown out in a
heap from the latter on to a board, or a cloth,
and allowed to run into the frame-hive, pre-
pared beforehand to receive them. Some-
times the queen runs in very soon, and at
other times she may be among the last to go.
Is this what you desire to know?

[3360.] Misha'p to Queen Bee. — I shall be
much obliged if you will give me your opinion
as to whether the enclosed queen has been
killed by the bees or by a rival queen? I
ought to explain that I had been examining
the hive in order to find out if it had
swarmed, as a swarm had issued unseen, and
I could not tell where it came from. I found
the dead queen on the floorboard surrounded
by a few bees. I cut out all queen cells and
returned the swann. I put one of the queen
cells into a queen-cell cage and placed it into
the hive from which the queen came out.
I therefore ask — ^(1) Is this correct, and if so
(2) what shall I do next?— A. S. B., Pudsey,
Yorks., July 4.

Reply. — (1) Bee sent is a fine, full-sized
adult queen, as nearly black as a native can
be. There are no signs of " balling," and
from other indications we think it is certain
that the mishap has occurred when you were
examining the frames, as mentioned above.
(2) I'nh^ss you purchase a fertile queen to
give the stock, it will be the simplest course
to allow the bees to raise one for themselves,
which they will do as the hive had not
swarmed.

[3361.] 7JfaZm<7 with Swarm ft and ^' Cants.'*
— May I trouble you for advice on the fol-
lowing : — I had a swarm from a skep on May
30, which is now housed in a frame-hive and
in first-class order. I put the bees on eight
full .sheets of foundation, of which five frames
were found full of brood on both sides a fort-

night after they have hived. From the parent
hive I had a second swarm or caSLt on June
17 (Sunday). The last-named was nearly as
large as the first swarm. This lot also was
put into a frame-hive, and is doing very good
work in houey-gathering. but not getting on
fast with the brood-nest. I fancy that the
reason for this slow progress must be owing to
the queen being probalbly an old one.
She has laid a nice lot of eggs, but only in
small patches, say about four or six cells with
an egg in each ; then she seems to move away
to another place. A friend having given me a
fine, ripe queen cell, I made a special exam-
ination of the abov«-named " cast " in order
to see if there was any improvement, but
found none ; indeed, only two combs con-
tained any brood at all. I therefore removed
the queen and inserted the queen-cell men-
tioned above. There were plenty of drones
in the hive. I send the queen alive for you
to examine, and will be much obliged if you
will answer the following queries in B.B.J. :
— (1) What is the age of queen sent? (2)
Have I done right in taking her from the
stock and inserting the ripe queen-cell ? (3)
How long will the, new queen be before she
begins to lay? (4) Do you think she will be
safely mated? I take the B.B.J, every week
and am sure it must be a very great help to all
amateurs lilve myself. I send name for refer-
ence, and sign — A. K. F., Lines., July 2.

Reply. — (1) Queen sent (dead on arrival)
was only a few weeks old, and has all the
appearance of a virgin. (2) You should have
allowed a few days to elapse after removal of
queen before inserting the " ripe cell " men-
tioned, in order that the bees might have time
to realise the loss of their queen, and have
made preparation for raising a successor be-
fore giving the cell in question. They may
have allowed the young queen to hatch out,
and they may have torn the cell down and
destroyed the inmate. The first chance
should therefore be taken to examine combs
and see if young queen is safe. (3) Opera-
tions, such as are mentioned above, to be suc-
cessful, need some guidance and experience,
and, in consequence, a guide book of some
kind is indispensable — if success is to be at-
tained— wherein all but the most simple opera-
tions are fully described. (4) If the queen
has hatched safely, there is every chance of
.successful mating at this season.

[3362.] Queen Lost frnrn Nudems TJive. — I
examined a nucleus hive, on July 9, which I
formed a week before, and found that the
queen had duly hatched and torn away the
side of the remaining queen-cell, but I could
not find the queen, so I put frames back, and
examined fronts of the other hives and found
the enclosed queen, which I take to be a young
one, in front of tho i)arent hive, which stand.".
four hives away. She was quite dead when I
picked her up, but not stift" and brittle like
bees that have been dead and exposed for some
time to the atmosphere. What T desire to
know is, 1, Is she a young queen ? 2. Has she
been mated? 3. Is it possible she flew away
on my examination of the combs, and on enter-
ing another hive, was killed by the defenders?*

July 19, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

287

A reply in the " B.B.J." will greatly oblige. I
send my name, etc., and sign myself. " blow
Coach," Kendal.

Reply. — 1. No, the queen is an adult. 2.
She is fertilised, and, no doubt, a laying
queen. 3. Tiie young queen may have been
lost on her mating trip, or may possibly be
stiU in the hive, but the dead queen found in
front of the colony from whch the nucleus "
was formed may be from another stock, a,nd
been killed and cast out of the parent hive of
the nucleus in question. You had better
examine the latter again, and let us kriow
result.

[3363.] Utilising Driven, Bees.- — An old skep-
pist with whom 1 have lately come into con-
tact has promised me some three or four skeps
of bees in the autumn if I wiU drive them
instead of him using the " sulphur pit." Could
you please tell me how soon it should be done
m order to make a strong stock of the bees':f
I have a hive, but would they, at so late a
date, draw out the foundation or build their
brood nest? 2. Shall I have to ieed them
through the winter? I cannot find in the
"Guide Book" any details with regard to
"Driven Bees." The honey season is back-
ward about here, no surplus having been re-
moved yet, so far as I know. I possess two
stocks, one of which is doing well, and such
hard and late workers. Many thanks for the
valuable information contained in the
" B.B.J." and Record, which I constantly read.
Name sent for references. — " Perplexed,"
Berks, July 9.

, Reply. — If the bees can be had at end of
August there will be ample time to build them
into good stocks for wintering before cold
weather sets in. It will only be necessary
to feed the bees liberally with a rapid-feeder
until they have the combs built out, and
201b. of sealed food in store by the end of
September.

[3364.] Bees Not Working in Sections. — ^Ih
April last I purchased two stocks of bees,
one of which swarmed in May, the other on
June 4. Since then I have had three casts
or second swarms from the parent hives. Two
of these I united, and the third one I joined
to the top swarm of June 4, thus successfully
making two very strong stocks, both of which
are working vigorously, each having already
built out seven frames of comb. The founda-
tion used is Root's weed (dione cell), and
should work out all right. 1 am a novice in
bee-keeping, and have strictly adhered to the
valuable instructions given in the " B.B.J." and
" Guide-Book." I find all the parent hives
are very strong, with an abundance of stores
and brood in combs. Both have sections on,
with queen-excluders between frames and the
section- racks. Two of the sections have cohrb
in, but as yet the bees are not working in them.
The foundation used was purchased locally,
and apparently made in the U.S.A. (I en-
close sample for inspection.) The May swarm
is working well in sections fitted with the same
foundations, and I will be obliged if you
will tell me if any further steps can be taken
to induce bees to work the sections ? I enclose
name for reference. — F. B., Thanet.

Reply. — The refusal of bees to wnrk in
sections may be safely attributed to the de-

pletion of the hive after sending out two
swarms. This being so, we cannot give you
any hope of surplus being got from the parent
hives this year. With regard to the comb
foundation given, you migtit read what Mr.
Woodley says in his " Notes " (page 281), in
which he exiDresses his opinion on bees refusing
to work on foundation and nibbling it away
for use in the hives.

[3365.] An Amateur's Queries. — Being an
amateur bee-keeper, I crave a little informa-
tion through ttie columns of your useful
little paper : — I began in April, 1905, with a
skep 1 got from a friend, having never pre-
viously seen a swarm or even ventured near
to a hive. From this stock I got two swarms,
and housed both successfully in frame-hives,
made by myself, but by no means perfect.
Indeed the only dimensions I was sure of,
being the height and width. Since then, I
have, with the help of the bee-keepers' " Note-
book," made three hives of proper size, etc.
This year on May 30, the original stock in
the skep threw out a strong swarm which are
now hived on nine frames. On June 10, a
small second swarm — or cast— issued from the
parent skep. These were also hived, but the
bees hardly cover two frames. This stock I
call No. 4. The stock made from last year's
swarm (No. 2J sent out a prime swarm on June
11, and the bees are now hived on six frames.
This is No. 5. Then on June 22 a second swarm
came off and clustered on a Scot-ch fir about
forty yards away at a sufficient height
to allow of a body-box being placed on a
cask close to the tree. I had no Standard
frames on hand, but a few shallow ones which
the bees immediately took possession of with-
out any effort on my part. While they were
thus comfortably hiving themselves, I ex-
amined the parent hive. No. 2, for queen cells,
and saw that one was open and the queen
evidently at liberty, the other two being
sealed over. I removed the cap from one, out
of which soon emerged a worker bee. There is
a probable explanation of this in the " B.B.J."
of last week. The third cell contained what
appeared to me, to be a young queen probably
past the imago stage. I then carried the swarm
to the hive and sh<x)k all the bees into it, 'giving
them in addition two brood frames, taken from
other hives to strengthen the stock. When the
swarms issued from No. 2, the stock was
supered with eight shallow frames, these hav-
ing been put on two weeks prior to first swarm
issuing. There are now no bees above the
excluder, and I should be glad to know, if
possible : 1. What I can do to get the super
completed? 2. Is July a good time to drive
bees from the skep into a W.B.C. Hive? 3.
When is the proper time to unite two swarms
which are now very weak ? I may say in con-
clusion, that all I know about bees and any
ability I may possess, and all my manipula-
ting are entirely due to the " Bee-keeper's
Guide," which I shall not fail to recommend
to any bee-keeper I may cx)me across. I send
my name for reference and sign G. R., Car-
marthen.

Reply.— It is quite difficult to get supers
completed by stocks that have sent out swarms
unless the season is a very good one. The fact
of bees leaving the super altogether since the

288

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [July 19, 1906.

swarm of June 11, shows that there are not
very many bees left below, and your only
chance lies in a continuance of the ingathering
for a fortnight or more from this date. 2.
The best time to drive bees from the skep is
twenty-one days after the first swarm canie
off. At that time the combs are broodless and
the young queen heading the stock will have
been mated. 3. Autumn is the best time for
uniting weak stocks.

Jhflttis ta €iomt

A nominal charge of 2s. 6d. is made for notices {not
exeeedino 7 lines) in tHs column, 10 lines charged 3s. 6d.,
up to Ui lines 59.. which covers cost of insertion from
order till date of show. Cash should accompany orders
for insertion.

July 19 and 20, at G-ainsborouRli.— Show

of Honey, Hives, and Bee Appliances in connection
with the Lines Agricultural Society. Bee Depart-
ment under management of the Lines B.K.A. Four-
teen classea. Liberal money prizes and silver medals.
Schedules from R. Godson, Hon. Seo., Lines B.E.A.,
Tothill, Alford, Lines. Entries closed-
July 25 and 36, at Cardiflf.— Annual Show of
the Glamorgan B.K.A. in connection with that of {he
Cardiff and County Horticultural Society. Honey,
Wax, Appliances, etc. Classes for members, novices.
Five open dasses, with prizes for sections and
Be€ appliances, SOs., ISs. Entry fee for one or more
of the open classes to non-members, 2b. 6d. Schedules
from Wm. Richards, Hon. Secretary, The Red House,
Gabalfa, Cardiff. Entries close July 20.

August 1, at Henbury, near Bristol-—

Annual Show of Honey and Wax, of the Henbury
District Beekeepers' Association, with bee lectures,
by County Council's expert, in connection with the
Horticultural Society's Exhibition. Open classes, good
prizes (classes with free entry). Apply Hon. Sec, J.
Atkin Waller, Pen Park, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol.
Entries close July 25.

August Ij at Bislioj2's Stortford.— Honey
Show in connection with aishop's Stortford Flower
Show. Open classes. Schedules from W. J. iiitson,
Stansted, Essex.

August 1. at TJpwell, Wisbech.— Horticul-
tural Society's Show. Open classes for Honey, including
gift class for lib. jar. Schedules from Hon. Sec.,
J. Hy. Inman, Upwell, Wisbech. Entries close
July 28.

August 2, at Wallov. Hants —Honey Show
in connection with Wallop Horticultural Society will
be held in the grounds of Wallop House by kind
permission of Mrs. Ross. Open classes. Apply Dr.
Burt, The Grange, Nether Wallop. Entries close
July 25.

August 6 (Bank Holiday) at Cambridge.
— The Cambs and Isle of Ely, Beekeepers' Association
have arranged for a show of Honey, Wax, and Bee
Appliances, at the Mammoih Show to be held in
Cambridge on the above date. Liberal prizes are
offered. Each class is open to all the world. The
gift classes being presented to local charities.
Schedules from the Hon. Sec, G. E. Rogers, Beeholm,
Cambridge. Entries close July 30.

August 6 (Bank Holiday), at Melton
Constable Park. — Annual Show of the North
Norfolk B.K.A. Schedules from C. J. Cooke Edgefield,
Melton Constable. Entries close July 28.

August 8 to 10, at Middlesbrough-
Show of Honey; etc., in connection with the Royal
Yorkshire Agricultural Society. Schedules and form
of entry from John Maughan, Secretary, Blake-street,
York. Entries closed-
August 8. at Clevedon, Somerset, in con-
nection with the Horticultural Show.— The Somerset
B.K.A. will hold its first annual Honey Show as above.
Several open classes. Schedules from Louis E. Snel-
grove, Hon. Sec, Cromla, Locking Road, Weston-
Bupcr Mare Entries close July 28.

August 9, at Abingdon Park, North-
ampton. — Honey Show of the Northants
B.K.A. Special prizes, including the Baroness
Burdett Coutts' prize hive for cottager mem-
bers, also three open classes, including one for
single 1-lb. jar honey. (Entry free.) Prizes, 208.,
10s., 78. 6d., and 28. 6d. Schedules from R. Hefford.
Hon. Sec, Kingsthorpe, Northants. Entries close
August 3.

August 9, at Madresfield, Malvern. —
Annual Show of the Worcestershire Bee-keepers'
Association. Open class. Schedules from Mr. Geo.
Richings, 2, Shrubbery Terrace, Worcester.

August 15, at Wye— Kent Honey Show. Six-
teen classes for Honey* and Bee Products. Greatly
increased cash prizes ; Classes 1 to 11 open to Kent ;
Classes 12 to 16 open to the United Kingdom. Open
classes include — Single lib. jar light extracted honey;
single 1-lb. jar dark ditto, 208., 10s., Ss., in each
class ; lib. section, silver cup. Trophy class First .
prize silver cup, value £3 3b. Best collection of Bee
Appliances, first and second prizes. Special arrange-
ments for Bee Demonstrations and many pther new
attractions added this year. Schedules on receipt
of stamp from J. Tippen, Secretary, Wye, Ashford
Kent. Entries close August 10.

August 16, at Yetnjinster, Dorset. —
Annual Show of the Yetmlnster and District B.K.A.
held in a field kindly lent by Mr. Jolliffe. Four open
classes, including three lib. jars extracted honey,
three lib. sections, and cake of beeswax. Schedules
from G. Leeaing, Hon. Sec, Bradford Abbas, Sher-
borne. Entries close August 10-

August 17. — In Public School, Port-
william., WigtO'wnshire.— Honey Show in con-
nection with the Horticultiu'al Society. Classes for
sections and extracted honey, open to amateurs and
cottagers. Challenge class (open to all) for three
1-lb. jars extraoted honey; prizes, 208., 12s., 8s., and
4s. — Schedules from Secretary, Horticultural Society,
I'ortwilliam, N.B.

August 22 and 23, at Shrewsbur^f —

Annual Show of the Shropshire B.K.A. in connecTion
with the Horticultural Society's Great Floral Fete m
" The Quarry," Shrewsbury. Seven open classes for
honey. Classes with free entry for single 1-lb. jar aiTd
single lib. section. Schedule-s from S. Cartwright, Hon.
Secretary, Shawbury, Shrewsbury. Entries clOse
August 10

August 24, at Exeter-— Annual Show of the
Devon B.K-.'i., in conjunction with the Devon and
Exeter Horticultural Society. The Baroness Burdett-
Coutts' prize, hive for the best exhibit shown by cot-
tager members , Dr. Philpott's prize of £1 Is., for the
two best sections of comb honey. All open classes.
Schedules from the Hon. Sec. A. S. Parrish, Heavi-
tree Road, Exeter. Entries close August 18-
August 29, at Chester— Cheshire B.K.A. Show
in connection with the County Agricultural Society.
Open classes for Hives, Observatory Hives, Sectiona,
and Extracted Honey. Baroness Burdett-Ooutts' prize
hive for best exhibit shown by cottager member.
Seven classes for members. Schedules from T. A.
Beckett, St. Werburgh Chambers, Chester. Entries
Close August 8, or at double fees, August 15.
August 29, at Porbury Gardens, Read-
ing.—Honey Show of the Berks. B.K.A. Sehedulea
from the Hon. Sec, D W. Bishop-Aekerman, 161,
King's Road, Reading. Entries close AugTist
August 30, at Montgomery —Honey Show
in connection with Horticultural Exhibition. Two
open classes for six 1-lb. sections and six lib. Jari
extracted honey. Prizes, lOs., 5s., 2s. 6d. Entry fee.
Is. each class. Schedules from Mr. W. J. Jones, Secre-
tary, Montgomery. Entries close August 23-
September 8, at Dumfries.— South of Soot-
land B.K.A. 14th Annual Show of Honey, Bees, and
Appliances. Five open classes— viz., three lib. jars,
three 1-lb. sections, and for single jar and section
(free entry), and cake of wax ; also handsome money
prizes and valuable medals, for members only.
Schedules from Jas. Johnstone, Sec, Nelson Street,
Maxwelltown. Entries close September 1-

September 12 and 13, at Edinburgh —
Thirtwnth Annual Exhibition of Midlothian B.K.A.
in Waverley Market. Open classes for six sections
heather, si.x" sections flower, six jars heather, six jars
flower. Prizes, 15&., 10s., 58. Entry, 28. per class.
Schedules from W. Weir, Heriot, Midlothian.

September 13, at Castle Douglas.— Honey
Section, Dairy Show. Liberal prizes. Fiv© open

July 19, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOUBNAL.

289

claeees— viz., three Mb. jars, three lib. sections,
flingle jar, single Bection, and for cake of beeswax.
Schedule from Jaa. Johnstone, or from L. Aird, Hard-
gate Schoolhouse, Dalbeattie. Entries close
September 1-

September 8 to 15, at the Agricultural
Sail Iiondon. — Honey Show in connection with
the Confectioners', Bakers', and Allied Traders Annual
Exhibition and Market. (See large advertisement on
page i.) Open to all British. Bee-keepers.
Entry fee in each class one shillirig. Schedules from
H. S. Rogers, Secretary, Exhibition Offices, Palmerston
House. Old Broad Street, London, E.O.

September ?0, 21, and 22, at Crystal
Palace.— Surrey B.K.A. Annual Exhibition of Bees,
Honey, Wax, and Appliances, etc. Twenty-six classes
(ten open to all). Increased prizes and medals.
Schedules from F. B. White, secretary, Marden House,
Eedhill, Surrey. Entries close September 7.
September 22 to 29, at the Agricultural
Hall, Liondon. — Honey Show in connection with
the Twelfth Annual Exhibition and Market of the
Grocery and Kindred Trades. Nearly £50 in prizes
for honey and beeswax including four prizes of £4,
£3, £2, and £1. in honey trophy class. Open to
all British Bee-keepers. Schedules from H. S.
Eogers, Secretary, Exhibition Offices, Palmerston
House, Old Broad Street, London E.O.

September 26, at Altrincham.— Show of
Honey Products, in connection with Altrincham
Agricultural Show. Open to United Kingdom : (Classes
for Hives, Observatory Hive, 12 Jars Extracted Honey.
Open to County of Chester only : Classes for Trophy,
Amateur-built Hive, Two Shallow Bars, 12 Jars Eun,
12 Sections, Wax, etc. Special classes for cottagers.
Special classes for Society's district. Liberal prizes.
Low entrance fees. Schedules from Mr. J. H. Hall, 2,
Dunham Road, Altrincham. Entries close
September 9.

October 9 to 12, at the Agricultural
Hall, London. — Show of Honey and Bee Produce
in connection with the British Dairy Farmers' Associa
tion. Numerous and liberal prizes for honey, etc.,
including the valuable Silver Challenge Cup of the
B. B.K.A. Schedules from Mr. Wm. O. Young, Secre-
tary, 12, Hanover Square, London, W. Entries
close September 12.

Notices to Correspondents & inquirers,

Geo. Em.sly (Aberdeenshire). — -The name of
the insect sent is TricMosoma, a kind of
saw-fly. Though belonging to the same
natural order as the honey-bee, it is a very
. different insect, the larva being a cater-
pillar which feeds on the leaves of trees. —
F.W.L.S.
J. B. Kershaw. — The box contains two fe-
males of the common solitary bee, Andrena
/•M?m.— F.W.L.S.
W. T. (Hollingbourne). — Re-queening Stocks.
— If the stocks have not swarmed for two
seasons, it will be advisable to destroy the
queens and let the bees re-queen themselves
without delay, as soon as you can remove
surplus-chambers now on the hives.
G. W. A. (Carlisle).— Mr. F. R. Cheshire.—
This well-known scientist commenced bee-
keeping in 1871, and died September 16,
1894. We cannot give his age.
H. T. B. (Stroud).— Honey for Showing.—
Honey sent is from clover, and, except for
being a bit thin, would do for the show-
bench. It is quite good enough for a local
show.
G. D. (Malmesbury). — Honey for London
Shows. — The flavour, colour, and aroma of
sample are all good, but its consistency is
hardly dense enough for a large London
show. It might be improved in this re-
spect by warming in water heated to about
90deg. to lOOdeg. Fahr.

Elad (Salisbury). — Transferring Bees from
Cross-built Combs. — ^Our advice is to let
the bees transfer themselves in spring, as
directed in " Guide-Book.' You would, by
so doing, secure the present season's crop,
and could winter the bees better than by
driving the bees in autumn and compelling
them to winter under bad conditions. Cane-
sugar syrup will do as well as honey for
feeding-up with.
J. A. (Grangemouth). — Queen Lost on Mating-
Flight. — Owing to our enforced absence
from town, your letter has been overlooked,
and a reply now will be useless. If you
will send a line to say how the stock stands
at 73Tesent, we will reply in following
"B.B.J."
T. S. (Carlisle). — Queen Laying in Sections. —
It is best to allow the drone-brood in
sections to hatch out, after which any
honey found in them may be extracted.
It is quite probable that no more eggs
may be laid in sections.
Magnum Asenditim (Bui well). — ^Bee Nomen-
clature.— The numbered specimens sent are
as follows : (1) (alive) slightly crossed with
Carniolans ; (2) (also alive) common variety,
showing slight cross, as before, with car-
niolan blood ; (3) (dead) common kind.
G. H. (Kent).— Honey Shows.— (1) See the
list of " Shows to Come " in this issue for
date of show. (2) Spacing Frames with
" W.B.C." Ends. — When " starters " only
are used for swarms, the narrow spacing
Avill prevent bees from building drone-
comb, but when combs are built-out, the
" ends " should be fixed at normal distance
apart. (3) Driven Bees. — ^It is only need-
ful to feed the driving bees rapidly, if got
first week in August. They will build out
combs before weather becomes too cold.
Twenty pounds of cane sugar will make
enough syrup to render the bees safe for
winter.
G. C. (Margate). — Breeding from Selected
Queens. — Do not follow any improvised
plan of your own for queen-rearing ; follow
the methods proved to be workable, prac-
ticable, and successful. To do otherwise is
to court failure. Consult the pages of
"Guide-Book." or read Mr. Sladen's work
on " Queen-Rearina: in England." Either
of these works will tell you all about the
subject you are interested in.
puxprrfrd fornhx.
F. Arthttr (Rhyl). — Comb contains nothing

worse than pollen.
J. H. N." — ^The samnle sent is quite useless
for diagnosing foul brood. Will you there-
fore please send on a piece about 2in. or
3in. square containing suspected cells, just
as removed from the hive, witliout probing
or disturbing the larvse, we will then do
onr best for you.
A. H. fTring). — Bad case of foul brood ; treat

as advised in " Guide-Book."
Inqftrer (Devon). — Your sample shows a
tviiical case of "black brood," only that
the dead larvsp has not reached the hard
stage which follows later on.
,7. B.' F. (Huntly, N.B.).— Sample is affected

with foul brood, but not of virulent type.
E. S. H. (Totteridse). — Comb sent has never
been bred in at all. It contains pollen only.

290

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. July 19, 1906.

Special Prepaid Advertisements

Twelve loords and under ^Sixpence: for every additional
Three words or under, One Penny.

FOR SALE, 16 healthy stocks of BEES, in good
hives (2 in " Wells " hives), with Abbott's broadr
shoaldered frames ; >al&o several empty hives, frames,
supers, and other appliances; well-made hut, on
wheals, good as new, cost £8, wiU take £5. Will sell
the lot cheap, or separately if desired. — Further par-
ticulars from R. CHAPMAN, Bee Farm, Newton, Ket-
tering. B 35

NEW LIGHT SCOTCH CLOVER HONEY, £3 cwt. ;
sample 3d. Deposit.— GILBEBTSON, 43, High
Street, Annan, Dumfriesshire. B 23 '

WANTED, lib. SECTIONS NEW HONEY.— Price
and particulare to T. G. TICKLER, Pasture
Street, Grimtby.

VERY Strong Stock of "NEVER SWARM" BEES,
crowded on ten standard frames, in nearly new
hive, with lift, complete. What cash offer'.'— MUL-
LEY, Upton-on-Severn. B 31

WANTED, a few cwts. LIGHT HONEY.— Sampie
and low€«t price to SHACKLETON, Thorner,
near Leeds. B Zc

QUEENS, specially selected from honey-gathering
stocks ; fertile Black English, 1906, in introduc-
ing cage, 2s. 8d., free, by return post ; LIGHT EX-
TRACTED HONEY, 52s. 6d. cwt. ; in screw-cap ja.rs,
8s. dozen, sample 2d.; HONEY TINS (new), estra
strong, no leaking, air-tight lids, Ss. 6d. dozen, 301bs.
capacity ; COMBS BROOiJ, suit driven bees, healthy,
7d. eaoh.— CHARTER, Tattingstone, Ipswich. R 21

HEALTHY DRIVEN BEES WANTED, in four, six
or eight-pound lots, first and second week in
August. WiU give Is. per pound, provide travelling
boxes, and pay carriage. Cash by return post after
receipt of bees.— J. BALMBRA, East Panide, Aln-
wJok. ° ^

FOR SALE, three good eecondhand HIVES, free
from foul brood; uewly painted; 58. each. — H,
FKY, " Alwinton," Godstono Road, Purley. B 25

TWO STRONG HEALTHY NATURAL SWARMS FOR
SALE.— ANWYL, Frondeg, Machynlleth. R 26

-f-CTANTED, RIPENER and STRAINER, two ?wt.,
VV with lift preferred.— FBASER, 9, Rheda Ter-
race, fieator Moor. B 19

OVERSTOCKEE' ; 24 SWARTKMORE Mating boxes,
7d. each.- DAWSON, Rookery Lane, Wolver-

hampton.

R 34

1 1 f\f\ SECTIONS ; also RUN HONEY, packed to
iiUU requirements; offers invited.— THE RAE-
BURN APIARIES, Sawbridgeworth. R 33

WANTED, two Stocks of HEALTHY BEES, with
hives; state price.— J. HOWARTH, 52, Bury
Road, Tottington, Lancashire. B 28

WANTED, secondhand GEARED EXTRACTOR; in
good condition ; Cowan preferred.— Particulars,
GILL, West Street, Boston . B 32

1 ft A^ SELECTED QUEENS, Woodley's strain,
I if U D guaranteed healthy and safe arrival in
safety ; introducing cages, 38. 6d. ; Virgins, Is. 3d.—
TOLLINGTON, Woodbine Apiary, Hathem, Lough-
boro'. ^ 29

SECTION GLAZING.— Best quality laoe paper, made
especially for bee-keepers' use; lOO, in white
pink, green, or blue, 6d., 300 Is. 4d., 500 2s. 2d., 1,000
38. 9d., post free; laoe one side, laoe ibands (lace both
sides), wliite 2|, 3 and 34 wide, 100 Is. 2d., 200 28. 3d.,
500 4s. ; a few in pink and blue, 100 Is. 4d., 200
2e. 6d., post free.— W. WOODLEY, Beedon, New-
bury. ^_?^

FOB SALE, FOUR STOCKS, in modem frame hives,
with healthy young Queens. No reaeonable offer
refused.- GLANFIELD, Nntfleld, Nursling, Hants. B 20

TWELFTH YEAR.— Healthy DRIVEN BEES, with
fertile Queens, early in August ; cash with or-
der; orders in rotation; 1,000 SECTIONS wanted.—
W. SOLE, Certified Expert, Poplar Grove, New Maiden,
Surrey. B 36

ENGLISH HONEY PURCHASED in any quantity
for prompt cash. Send sample, stating quan-
tity, and we will send prompt offer for all you have.
—SPRING AND CO., LTD., Brigg, Lines. B IV

SECTIONS and EXTRACTED HONEY, in bulk;
first quality ; sample, 3d. — PULLEN, Ramsbury,
Hungertord. r 12

DRIVEN BEES, with Queens, commencing August ;
3s. 6d. per lot, cash with order; boxes returned;
orders in rotation. — T. PULLEN, Ramsbury, Hunger-
ford. R 11

TWO new, two old HIVES, on ten Standard Frames,
328. and 25s. each ; Well's Hive, with rack of 21b.
sections, £1.— ENGLISH, 16, Lister Street, Scots-
wood. R 9

HEALTHY DRIVEN BEES, commencing August ;
delivery to August 20, 4s. per lot ; after this
date, 5s. 6d. ; orders cash ; delivered rotation'; boxes
returnable.— H. C. SMITH, The Apiary, Woodman-
cote, near Cirencester. R 10

IQAA lbs. SPLENDID NEW WHITE CLOVER
lOUv HONEY, £3 per cwt. ; sample, 2d. ; in

Z8lh. tins, same rate.— ALBERT COE, Apiary Hall,
Bidgewell, Halstead, Essex. B 18

READY for Delivery, healthy FERTILE QUEENS
(1906), 3s. 6d., in introducing cages, post free —
CARBINES, Bee Expert, Cardinham, near Bodmin,
Cornwall. Q 95

STING PROOF GLOVES, 2s. ; with sleeves, 28. 6d.,
pos* free. Why pay more? — KENT, Manufac-
turer, Dorchester Q 93

TILLEY'S PATENT (" Won't Leak ") SECTIONS,
sample 6d., post paid. Complete Super, 38/ 6d.,
on rail. Brace Sections, odd pieces of nice honey-
comb, also well-built Sections, should all be put 'in
the above and placed on the hive, the bees will enter
and make saleable.— J. T. GODWIN, Agent, Dorches-
ter. Q 90

HONEY EXTRACTOR, ISs. 6d., cost 25s. ; large
Wax Extractor, Bs. 6d., worth 128. 6d. ; both
new ; genuine bargain ; free on rail.— HEWETT, Iron-
monger, Alton, Hants. Q 86

IN one of the prettiest villages in Bast Devon, on
a Bee farm; FURNISHED APARTMENT-S.—
SOUTHCOTT, Gittisham Apiary, Honiton. Q 73

HOLIDAYS.— Cornwall ; delightful situation near
sea and Land's End; 308. — S. HABBOBNE,
Apiary, St. Bunyan, R.S.O. Q 69

QUEENS (celebrated Doolittle strain of Improved
Italians).— A customer writes: "The virgin 1
had from you last year has done splendidly. Stock
now on 33 Standard Frames." Virgins, Is. 6d. ;
Fertiles, 5s. Safe delivery guaranteed. First come.
first served.— DAVID TAYLOR, Ihninster. Q 64

WANTED, SECTIONS, first quality: prompt cash;
also extracted per cwts.- W. CHILTON, Br6ok-

*ide, .f-olegate, Sussex.

EW SECTIONS. HONEYCOMB.— Supplies wanted,
at once.— SMITH. Cambridge Street. Hyde Park.

o 29

N

COMFORTABLE APARTMENTS for Brother Bee-
keepers visiting Douglas. Terms : Tea, bed,
and breakfast, 28. 6c< ; or full board. 5b. per day.—
flORSLEY's. Merridale House, top of Castle Drive,
Douglas, Isle of Man.

PROTECT YOUR FRUIT.— Tanned Garden Netting,
only best quality supplied. Order promptly, as
nets are scarce and must be dearer. 25 x 8 yds-.
50 > 4, and 100 x 2 yds., 98. each. Add ten per c^nt.
for other si/^s.— L. WREN AND SON. 139, High Street,
Lowestoft. o 92

July 26, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

291

^iit0rial ^0tias, ^t

BRITISH BEE-KEEPERS'ASSOCIATION

The monthly meeting of the Council was
held on Thursday, July 19, at 105, Jermyn
Street, S.W., Mr. T. W. Cowan occupying
the chair. There were also present Dr.
Elliot, Messrs. W. Broughton Oarr, J. B.
Lamb, W. F. Reid, E. Walker, and the
secretary. Letters explaining unavoidable
absence were read from Miss Gayton,
Messrs. R. T. Andrews, R. Godson, W. H.
Harris, J. P. Phillips, and A. G. Pugh.

The minutes of the previous meeting
were read and confirmed.

Three new members were elected, viz : —

Mrs. S. S. Lee, Monro Lodge, Littlewick,
Maidenhead.

Mr. G. Buchanan Simpson, Briarbank,

Bedford.
Mr. Alex. Willmott, Bartholomew Close,
E.G.

The report of the Finance Committee was
presented by Dr. Elliot, with details ' of
receipts and expenditure to date, and was
duly approved.

Arising out of some correspondence in
regard to the recent examination for first
class certificates, a suggestion was made
that, in future, candidates be not required
to complete the examination in one day,
but that the naper-work and lecturing be
taken on separate dates. This matter is
to be further dealt with at a future
meeting.

In response to applications received, a
number of appointments of judges and
examiners were made to officiate at fixtures
in vai'ious districts.

Acting on the recommendations of
examiners whose reports were received, the
Council resolved to grant third-class certi-
ficates to the undermentioned candidates,
viz. : —

Misses Janet Barlow, Ida Brown,

Capper, Amy Cross, Dorfithea Cockin,

D'Ombrian, Florence Dyer, Cai-oline

'Hulbert, Nora Hunter, Ethel James,

Margaret Legg, Gladys Lewin,

McLaughlin, Violet Mackie, Margaret
Macintyre, Gwendolin Price, Florence
Pocock, Alison Ransford, Margai-et
Ricardo, Winifred Saunders, Eva B.
Sinckler, Gladys Towsey, Elizabeth Tudor ;
Messrs. Geo. Bakewell, .Tas. Bakewell,
W. H. Bird, W. Henson, Frcflk. W. Hunt,
James Kennan, R. Moncric^ff. Rev. W.
Roberts, and Dr. H. W. L. Waller.

It was decided to ascertain the feasi-
bility, and probable cost, oi making an
appeal on a point of law against the deci-
sion of Judge Emden in the case recently
heard at Dartford, Kent, to the effect that
there was " no more property in bees than
in birds that alighted in trees."

A somewhat lengthy discussion ensued
on the proposals for alteration of date of
future insurance policies. In deference to
the expressed wishes of several affiliated
associations, it was I'esolved to apply for
a new policy commencing on March 25,
1907, and terminating on March 25, 1908,
and to endeavour if possible to extend the
risks under the existing policy from.
August 1 to March 25 next ensuing. This
will be done if suitable terms can be
arranged with the underwriters, but other-
wise the insurances will cease during the
approaching winter season, when the risks
are practically nil.

Next meeting of Council, Thursday,
September 20.

SPECIAL NOTICE

RE INSTJEAlgCE FOR BEE-KEEPERS.

Tlie attention of all interested in this
matter is directed to the above announce-
ment in the report of the meeting of Council
of theB.B.K.A., from which it will be seen
that .the new policy is to commence on
March 25, 1907, instead of August 1, 1906,
and that, in order to effect the necessary
change of dates, the insurances will cease
during the ensuing intei-val, unless special
arrangements can be made for the exten-
sion of the risks under the policy which
terminates on August 1. A further
announcement will be made -in due course,
until when no furtlier premiums should be
remitted.

LTNCS. AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

' ANNUAL SHOW AT GAINSBORO'.

The Annual Show of the above society
was held at Gainsboro' on July 18, 19, and
20. The honey department was, as usual,
under the management of the Lincolnshire
B.K.A., and an excellent show both of
honey and appliances were exhibited ;
among them being four splendid trophies
of honey and three fine collections of ap-
pliances.

The total entries reached the satisfactory
number of 107. Mr. W. Herrod gave
lectures and demonstrations with bees in
the bee tent on each day, which were not
only well attended, but the public
clamoured for more. Altogether, the show
was a great success.

Mr. F. J. Cril)l), Retford, and the Rev..
Sidney Smith, WheLlrako Rectory, York,
officiated as judges and made the following
awards :

292

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [July 26, 1906.

MEMBEKS ONiT.

Exhibit of Comb, or Extracted Honey and
Wax ; staged on. space 4 ft. by 4 ft. — 1st,
T. S. Holdsworth, Kirton-in-Lindsey ; 2nd,
W. Patchett, Cabourn, Caistor ; 3rd, A. W.
Weatherhogg, Willoughton.

OPEN CLASSES.

Twelve 1-lb. Sections. — 1st, A. W.
Weatherhogg ; 2nd, J. W. Seamer,
Grimsby ; 3rd, R. Godson, xothill, Alford, ,
Lines.

Twelve 1-lb. Jars Extracted Honey. —
1st, D. Seamer ; 2nd, J. Pearman, Derby ;
3rd, T. Blake, Stockbridge, Hants; 4th,
W. Hatliff, Grasby, Lines ; resei*ve No.
W. Patchett.

members' classes.

Twelve 1-lb. Sections. — 1st, A. W.
Weatherhogg ; 2nd, T. W. Swabey, Lines. ;
3inl, W. Patcliett ; 4th, D. Seamer.

Twelve 1-lb. Jars (Light) Extracted Honey.
—1st, W. Patchett ; 2nd, Miss Ada Morley,
Wellingore, Lines. ; 3rd, D. Seamer ; 4th,
T. S. Holdsworth ; reserve No. E. Godson.

Tivelve 1-lb. Jars Extracted Honey (other
than Light).— 1st, J. Househam, Huttoft,
Lines ; 2nd, T. S. Holdsworth ; 3rd, G. E.
Arrand, Heapham, Gainsboro' ; reserve,
F. W. Gelder, Gainsboro'.

NOVICES ONLY.

Twelve 1-lb. Jars Extracted Honey.—
1st, T. W. Swabey; 2nd. L , Stephenson.
Soixth Thoresby ; 3rd, Rev. H. Larken,
Nettleham, Lines ; reserve, H. Hill,
Carlton-le-Moreland.

Twelve 1-lb. Jars Granulated Honey. ^ ~
1st, T .S. Holdsworth ; 2nd, F. W. Gelder ;
3rd, Miss Ada Morley. •

Bees' TF«.7;.— 1st. W. W. D;wy ; 2nd F.
Han-is ; 3rd, F. W. Frusher.

OPEN CLASSES.

Observatory Hive with Bees and Queen. —
1st, Jas. Lee and Son, London ; 2nd, T.
W. Swabey, Lincoln; 3rd, D. Seamer,
Grimsby.

APPLIANCES.

Collection of Hives and Appliances. —
1st, Jas. Lee ami Scm, London : 2n(l, W.
P. Meadows, Syston ; 3rd, E. H. Taylor,
Welwyn.

i'ompkte Frame-Hive for General Use.—
(Cost not to exceed 25s.). — 1st, AV. P.
Meadows ; 2nd, Jas. Lee and Son ; 3rd.
W. R. (iarner. Dyke, Bourne.

Complete Frnmr-Hlve (cost not to exeee<l
12s. 6d.).— 1st, W. P. Meadows; 2nd. E.
H. Taylor; 3rd, Jas. Lee and Son.

Neio Appliajice Connected ninth Bee-
Keepin,,.- 1st, Ecv. R. M. Lamb, Burton
Pids.-a, TImII ; 2n.], W. P. Meadows.
{(Umimnuicaic.d.)

(^mxnpxihut.

The Editors do not hold themselves respomible for the
opinions expressed by correspondents. No notice will
be taken of anonymous communications, and corre-
spondents are reqiiested to write on one side of the paper
only and give their real names and addresses, not neces-
sarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith.
Illustrations should be dramn on separate pieces of pap»r
We do not undertake to return rejected communications.

AMONG THE BEES.

SECTIONS AGAIN.

[6371.] Six and Half-a-dozen. — Quoth J.
M. Ellis (6345, page 255) " Quality of honey
a year old is perfect. Perhaps this may
be credited to its being better ripened ia
the thinner combs." Perhaps, but perhaps
not ! Reader, just turn back a leaf to 2nd
column on page 253, and see what the
writer of the lines sayeth there : — " Sec-
tions now being taken from storehouse are
as fresh as they were in August, and as yet
they show no signs of granulatio«." These
latter were the despised and reviled ^ by
2 in. Hear what M. A. Gill— with his
1,000 odd hives — says of them. " If I were
to start anew, I would adopt the old 4^ by
4^ section, because it doesn't take any talk-
ing or explaining to sell even a car-load of
them." The authors of "Modern Bee-
Keeping " give it as their opinion that the
" chief advantage of the tall section is that
it is more pleasing to the eye, conveying
the impression that it contains more honey,
but this point is not of sufficient impor-
tance to warrant a bee-keeper in changing
fixtures." Dr. Miller reiiorts " that his
market does not like them bettei-, if a*
well, as the sqiaare secbion." I could go
on quoting ad infinitum slighting, depre-
cating, or condemnatory opinions of our
tall acquaintance, but let my heeding
stand.

Misnamed Flowers. — The name " butter-
euii " is cited as a misnomer. Cows shun
it in eating grass, and instead of im-
proving milk or butter it helps to give
it a bitter and undesirable taste. The
honeysuckle, instead of being a bee-flower,
as its name would imply, is not visited by
the bee at all, for the good reason that
its tongue cannot penetrate so deep as to.
allow any sucking uj) of whatever nectar
the bloom may contain. Now and again
we hear of red clover bees, and T fancy I
remember seeing them adyertised in this
country, but after extensive observation
T can confidently affirm that I never saA'
one single bee waste time even trying to
sip from a main crop of red clo\er. Its
])rescience teaches it that isuch a vain quest
would be time and labour lost. Butter-
wort is another misnomer, being, a flow^^r
wiili a very sharp acrid tastcj. It deserves
notice, however, bocause it has the ability

July 26, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

293

to trap, and actually eat, quite a large
number of small flies. A viscid exuda-
tion from its leaves gums down the
struggling fly, and the more it seeks to
free itself, the more of this gluey substance
is poured on it, while the leaf rolls in-
ward to still further trap it. Then, at
leisure, the plant quietly proceeds to
digest the fly^all but the skeleton, which
it ejects.

Queen Breeders, or Queen Bearers. — •
How many bee-keepers have we got fit
to be classed in the first category in our
country ? I have my doubts ! It may be
heretical to say so, but I fear we have only
Hearers of Queens. For one thing the
demand is too small to induce a good man
to devote much of his time to the necessary
work. Then, few remain so long in the
ranks as to make a full study of this in-
tricate question. Also, bee-keepers are
content to accept any queen sent them what-
ever its pedigree may be. A colony may
do well one or two seasons, raising immense
populations, and incoi/tinently its owner
rushes to the conclusion that here is the
source for his future mothers. He acts on
the impulse (it is nothing else), and floods
the market with his queens, even gets fancy
testimonials telling wonderful stories of
their " prolificness." Yes! But what of
their comb-building, their honey-gather-
ing, qualities, their capping attainments ?
What of their temper, their hardihood,
their longevity, their working qualities,
their staying powere, their powers of
offence and defence, and a host of
other .points all worthy of considera-
tion ? How many of those Vho supply
queens give much more than a passing
thought to drone production ? In

every other line of life special considera-
tion is given to the males ; but here we
have joining" in the race the lame, the halt,
and the blind, the weak and decrepit,
the puny and the stunted, reared in worker
cells. Nay, even our bee-books tell us
these latter can do duty, whereas the whole
crew should be rigidly swept away, miles
from any queen-rearing apiary. As to race,
who cares? Cyprian and Syrian wasps
have blent their blood with nobler races,
handino' down their demon tempers to many
generations. The whole "mongrel crew"
scattered broadcast over our land, crossed
and intercrossed, have contaminated the
purity of the native race and have handed
down undesirable traits we will never
eliminate, seek as we may. But nobody
ever seeks. What our queen breeders
desire above all, apparently, is to push
.their particular strain, thus tending to
disseminate all over the land a hetero-
geneous comoound of all and sundry, a
kind of conglomerate of the worst as well
as the best.

A Labour of Love. — "Whosoever will
have profit and commodity of bees,
must overlook them many times, because
they require much more diligence, pains,
and industry, than either expense or cost,
Notwithstanding to those that love them,
it is rather to be termed a pleasure and
delight, than any irksome or labovirsome
toil ; for what is it to spend a quarter of
an occasional hour amongst them to over-
look their wants." So wrote Levitt about
the year 1600, and we moderns will all
acknowledge the wisdom of his words. The
" toil " is not excessive at any time of the
year, but now, and for some months to
come, that quarter of an hour, two or three
times a day, will be of great advantage
both to bees and bee-keeper. Under
modern methods this is particularly true
while swarming and supering need atten-
tion. The pleasure and delight will be
greatly augmented by the results accruing
from the benefits of this cai-e and attention.
— D. M. M.. Banff.

QUEEN RAISING.

IN MINIATURE HIVES.

[6372.] Perhaps my last contribution
(page 256) was not sufficiently clear. I
have not, so far, tried to raise queens from
the egg in these small boxes, but have
succeeded in getting them from sealed cells
placed in such boxes. My mating-box^s
are made to take three sections cut down
to 7-8 in. width, and each fastened to a
top -bar. These boxes take three such
miniature frames hung side by side as in
an ordinary hive ; I get some brood raised
in them first, then give the cells. I have
had ordinary brood hatched in these boxes
after putting in an old fertile queen and
as many bees as they would hold, the
combs being almost built-out to begin
with. . My experiments are not yet com-
plete, and it will require another season
before a definite result is arrived at. But
they show that the above plan succeeds.

As regards getting new queens by re-
moving the old one, the plan will, no doubt,
succeed, but it will be a most difficult thing
to prevent the bees from swarming if all
the queen-cells save one are not cut out
at the right time. As I said, it is better to
buy queens than to follow this plan, unless
special reasons make the practice occasion-
ally desirable.*

I am fond of experiments myself, one
learns more that way than by the study of
books after a certain stage of proficiency is
reached. — W. .J. Farmer, Cornwall, July
27.

GETTING RID OF FERTILE WORKER.

[6373.1 Referring to the hive with fertile
worker I recently told you of ; three days
after writing you I had a swarm from one

294

THE BRITISH BED JOURNAL. [July 26, 1906.

of my hives, and having plenty of ripe
queen-cells I put one in tlie hive and left
it alone to see what would turn up. A
week afterwards I started on my annual
holidays, and on returning last night I
examined that hive and was very much
pleased to find that the ripe queen-cell
had become a laving Queen, and a veiy
good one at that. I would not have had
the fertile worker, but before putting in
the Golden Italian I used it for bringing
forward queen-cells. Thanking you for
the trouble taken, I send name and sign —
J. A., Grangemovith, July 20.

HIVES ON SCALES.

DAILY "WEIGHT OF HONET GATHERED DAILY.

[6374.] I am sending you herewith a few
particulars of the work done by one of
my stocks of bees ; in six days they have
increased in weight 54 lb. (full table of
times and weights given below). You will
see they lose Ig lb. between 8.0 p.m. and
6.30 a.m., and about another Ig lb. from
6.30 a.m. to 8.0 a.m. The latter, probably,
from bees going out to field work. Do
you think they actually consume the other
1^ lb. in the night, or would the honey
lose weight by evaporation? Should be
glad of your opinion on this as I have
mentioned it to one or two bee-keepers and
they cannot understand it.

Table showing weight at times named : —

June 18.— 8 30 a. m 67 lbs.

12.0 noon , 70 ,,

4.0 p.ni 75 ,,

6.0 p.m 77 ,,

June 19.— 6.30 a.ni 75J ,,

8.0 a.m 74 „

12.0 noon 78 ,,

4.0 p.m 81 „

8.0 p.m 86 ,,

June20.— 0 30a.m 84J „

8 0 a.m 83i „

2.0 p.m 90" ,,

60 p.m 95*,,

Extra Rack of drawn-out Comb, given weighing 10 lbs.

June 21.— 8.0 a.m 103 lbs.

12 0 noon 105 ,,

4.0 pm 109 ,,

8.0 p.m 112.^ ,,

June 22.— 6.30 a.m Ill' ,,

80 a-m 110 ,.

12.0 noon Ill ,,

4.0p.m 118 ,,

6.0 p.m 121 „

8.0 p.m 124 ,,

ui 23.— 630a.m 122 ,,

8.0 am 121 ,,

12.0 noon 125 „

6 0 p.m ; 131 ,,

8.0 p.m 1322 „

The stock has not been fed or stimulated
in any way, but was wintered with .'in
empty shallow-frame rack underneath the
brood chamber. This was filled with ten
shallow-franies about April 20. On May
12, I put a queen excluder and rack (jf
drawn out shallow-combs on top, and on
June 18 plarred the stock on the scales at
8.30 n.m. The times of wt^ighing are not
quite regular as I am not always at home
to attend to it. — John Stevens.

VIRGIN SWARMS.

{6375.] It may be of some interesfc to
B.B.J, readers to know that a swarm of
bees that I had on June 2 again swarmed
on Tuesday, July 17, and this notwith-
standing the fact that the bees were work-
ing in the second rack of twenty-one
sections. It occurred on Saturday, when
I was giving the hive an overhaul, and
had destroyed sixteen queen-cells, my
object being to prevent it from swarming.
I hived the swarm mentioned, and put it
on the old stand. I then gave it the two
racks of sections, and intend to unite the
old stock to it before going to the moors.
Do you think this plan better than if I
had returned the swarm to the old hive?
This is the first time I have known a
swarm give off a swarm the same season.
— Albert Lee, Co. Durham, July 18.

[If the " virgin swarm " is fairly sti*ong
your plan will answer well, otherwise the
second plan would be best. — ^Eds.]

NOTES FROM MID LOTHIAN.

BEES NIBBLING AWAY FOUNDATION.

[6376.] The weather here has been exceed-
ingly cold for some days past, with very
heavy rains ; consequently our bees work-
ing in sujjers are not getting on for want of
warmth and sunshine. I notice our friend,
Mr. W. Woodley, in his " Notes by the
Way" (page 281), thinks that bees do not
nibble away wax to seal over honey. A
brother of mine has an exhibition glass-
box on one of his hives, with four combs,
and in hi^ case the bees started and pulled
down one of the combs to seal the remain-
ing three. We see them working busily
at it, running about with little bits of
comb in their mandibles. The four combs
were full of honey at the time this work
began, and the bees started at the top to
take down the comb, which was 13 in.
long, 4^ in. deep. We never came across
the like of it before.—" Mac," Mid Lothian,
July 21.

WORKER BEE IN QUEEN CELL.

[6377.] With this letter I am forwarding
a queen-cell just removed from one of my
nucleus hives. It was quite sealed over when
found, but as the date of hatching was
past I removed it, and on taking off the
ca])ping a worker was revealed, head fore-
most, in the cell. Having already found
three other cells in this state, more care
was exercised in removing the insect, the
cell wall being cut away. The fact was
then made clear that the bee had evidently
entered the cell after the queen's exit and
commenced to remove the surplus "royal
jelly." After securing a "load" of the
latter, the bee had evidently turned, and

July 26, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

295

in doing so the dorsal surface of the abdo-
men stuck fast to the "jelly," preventing
it from leaving, and it was then sealed
in. I trust the specimen will travel safely,
so that you can see this fur yourself.
Name sent for reference. — "Nottid,"
Berks, July 17.

[The condition of bee sent quite clearly
shows how it had been caught in the cell
before the latter was capped over by its
fellow-workers. — Eds.]

BEES IN COURT.

[6378.] Referring to the case reported
on page 283 last week, Mr. Pretty has
forwarded you the report of Mr. Beamish's
case in the County Court, and seems
alarmed at a reversal of English law.
The report itself shows that the law is
clearly reaffirmed. It seems quite clear that
Mr. Beamish did not follow the swarm,
' but, liaving excellent reason for believing
that the bees were his, sued for their value.
Though the law did not substantiate his
claim, Mr. Beamish is to be congratulated
on the two significant words in the judg-
ment, "without costs." — S. Jordan,
Bishopston, Bristol, July 19.

LEGAL OWNERSHIP IN SWARMS.

[6379.] I would like to draw your
attentioii. to a claim recently heard at
Dartford, Kent, in which George Young,
gardener, Hextable, sued Robert Ball,
a neighbour, for the value of a swarm of
bees. Young's wife saw the bees belong-
ing to her husband going in a hive
belonging to defendant. Judge Emden
said it was a curious point that had
been raised, and one that had not
been raised for centuries apparently.
Plaintiff had no case in law. He then re-
ferred to an ancient authority which stated
that in a swarm of bees that alighted on a
tree there was no more property than " in
the birds that make their nests therein."
He must non-suit plaintiff, but without
costs. The law would have to be altered
before anyone in plaintiff's position could
obtain redress. Referring to the above, J
always thought, and believe jpii have
stated the fact in the " B. B. J.,"
that so long as an owner or his agent does
iiot lose sight of the bees he can claim
them or their value. If we are correct,
would it not be a good thing for the
" B.B.K.A." to inform'judge Emden of the
authority in our favour. — T. H. Bukgess,
Guinea Street, Exeter, July 17.

[The facts, as slated in former cases,
where the legal ownership of swarms was
made the subject of dispute have appeared
in our pages, and may be referred to by
anyone sufficiently interested. But they
are somewhat different to the above

account, quoted from the Maidstone Tele-
graph. In that case the judge appears to
be obviously wrong in stating that the
"point" was a "curious one," that had
" apparently not been raised for cen-
turies." It has been raised more than
once in our time, and decided, on the
authority of Bhickstone, that if the owner
of the hive from which the swami issues
(or someone representing him) sees the
swarm leave the hive, and, without losing
sight of the hees, sees them cluster on a
given spot, he can claim and take them as
liis property. Moreover, he can follow the
swarm on to the premises of another person
without being held liable for trespass, and
if refused permission to take the bees he
can recover them (or their value) in the
County Court. Our correspondent suggests
that the B.B.K.A. should "inform Judge
Emdem of the authority in our favour."
We fear the only legal coarse would be an
appeal to the higher Court, which means
heavier costs than the parent association
could well bear. — Eds.]

[3366.] Swarms Coming Off while Manipu-
lating. — I had been taking several queen-
cells for giving to nuclei, and was
drivmg some confused bees from the
coverings mto the hive with a very little
smoke, when off went a swarm from the
top of the open hive and from entrance. I had
noticed that a queen-cell had apparently just
hatched, and that the cover was still attached
to the mouth of cell, though open. Do you
think a frightened virgin queen would take
flight, if alarmed by a puff of smoke? The
bees knit in two clusters, about 10 feet apart,
and remained steady while I made prepara-
tions for securing them, which I soon did,
and placing two skeps with the intention of
uniting the bees in one of them, I hived the
first lot of bees, which entered well. Then I
went to dinner. On returning I found the
swarm had deserted the skep and the depleted
parent hive was fairly populated again. So
I hived the other cluster in its place, and this
stock is doing well. What I wish to know is
whether two queens went off with the bees
when they started to swarm? If there was
not a queen with each cluster why did the bees
remain steady on the ledge and in the skeps?
On the other hand, if there were two queens
why did one part of the swarm return to the
parent hive? 2. My second query is this: —
A swarm went to an inaccessible long branch
at the top of a tall pear tree. A neighbour
mounted a ladder as far as the bough would
bear his weight, and tried with a rake to
shake the bees down on to a sheet on the
ground. He failed, but about a dozen or so
bees fell, and among them the queen, which
seems odd. She fell apart from all others. Two
bees found her, and remained with her. She
must have been hurt, for she died in about an
hour. The swarm went back home, but have

296

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [July 26, 1906.

done nothing this year, and are doing nothing
now. I send the queen, and should like to
know what her age is? 3. Is honey from a
stock effected with foul brood in spore stage,
if well boiled, safe for feeding to bees? B.,
Lines.

Reply. — 1. We have had a swarm of carnio-
lans coming off when giving a rack of sections,
but not otherwise, or with any other strain of
bees. 2. Queen sent was an adult, and has
probably been fatally injured while being
shaken from the bough. 3. Honey must be
boiled nearly two hours before it is safe to use
it as bee-food.

[3367.] Swarming Vagaries. — ■! first com-
menced bee-keeping last year with an
old, healthy stock, well reported on
by our expert, and early this year,
wishing to - have another hive, I
bought a nucleus colony formed last season
and wintered on four frames. This little
stock v/as fed on syrup, as per " Guide Book."
all throut^h the spring, until the tenth frame
was added on June 14. Whole sheets of founda-
tion were used in each frame, and an additional
frame put in only when the others were
covered with bees. They were very strong at
the end of June, so I gave them a rack of
sections. On Tuesday June 3, they had not
entered the sections, but on Friday a swarm
issued, and after circling round for some time
returned to the hive. 1 therefore ask.-— 1. Is
this an unusual occurence? 2. Why did the
swarm return to the hive ? I cannot find any-
thing in the " Guide Book " about this, and
therefore ask for a line of reply in the
"B.B.J.," of which I am a regular and
interested reader. I send my name, and sign
"Interested, Salop."

Reply. — 1. The bees had evidently made
preparations for swarming, and that being so,
the Toom was given too late. 2. It is by no
means an uncommon occurrence for swarms to
return to their hives after swarming out.
Sometimes the queen fails to leave with bees,
at others she falls to the ground and is lost —
in a word, " bees do nothing invariably."

[3368.] 5ees Bef using to Work. — As a reader
of your journal I should be grateful for advice
on the following : — The hive of a neighbour
was shown to me a week or two ago with bees
swarming on the alighting-board but in a
sleepy, listless state. This had gone on for
weeks, and the stock had never swarmed. T
opened the hive, and found' no supers had
been put in, and it was crowded up in the
roof with bees. I took out five frames full of
brood and queen cells, and put them (with
the bees on them) into a new hive and put a
super on the old hive and five new frames
below to replace those removed. I hear the
new hive is now doing well, and the old one
has the bees hanging about just as before.
Can you say what is the matter, and what
should be done? M. G. H., Gornhill, N.B.

Reply. — So far as we can judr;c without
inspection the frames in body and box need
renewing. It may be from age or being
pollen-cloggnd. or from other causes, but the
facts relatfid above aft'ord no fiirtht.'r clue than
makes above reply, probably the right one.

[3369.] Avoiding Swj>crf,vfitiH Drowx. —
I should be much obliged for your advice

(1) as to how I can get worker brood-cells
built along the bottom of some combs I have?

(2) Do you or any readers of the " E.B.J."
know of a cheap solution which can be
bought (or made) to kill bracken and other
vegetation in immediate vicinity of hives? —
" Apis," Pembroke, July 9.

Reply. — 1. Slice a piece off bottom edge
of combs, and fix a strip of worker-cell
foundation in its place by means of hot
molten wax. 2. We cannot help you here.
Perhaps some reader will kindly help us in
replv to this query?

[3370.] Dealing with Cross-built Oombs. —
As a reader of your valuable journal, and a
lover of bees, T should be obliged if you
would answer the following questions. Last
autumn I bought a strong lot of bees in a
frame hive, and upon examination I find that
the frames' of comb are all joined into one ;
and as I have on hand some standard frames
filled with honey as supers on my other hives,
I should like to remove the brace-combs from
the brood-box of hive in question, and replace
with straight combs. I therefore ask : 1.
How am I to remove the combs from hive, as
they are all joined together? 2. Could I
drive the bees from hive and then remove
comb? 3. If so, when would be the best
time to operate? Thanking you in advance,
— ^L. Newton, Essex.

Reply. — ^The task before you is so difficult
that we should have some knowledge of your
ability in handling bees before giving direc-
tions for doing the work.

AMERICAN AND COLONIAL PAPERS.

Extracts and Comments,
by d. m. macdionald, banff.

A Slap for the " Bahy."— In "A. B. J."
Mr. Alley goes for the " baby nucleus,"
and being one of the most experienced and
extensive queen-rearers in the world his
opinions have great weight. " Good
queens cannot be reared on the baby
system, or by the half-staiTed and half-
nourished way some people say they can.
There should be plenty of bees to cover all
the combs and brood of a nucleus. If I
were to start again in the queen-rearing
business I would not tolerate small boxes.
Take my advice and use the standard
frame for nucleus. You will have but one
sized frame in the apiary ; many styles
and sizes are a nuisance. I would use
three frames ; not less than two in any
case. Don't adopt any baby fixtures if you
wish to succeed with bees. All the text
books on apiculture advise us to " keep
all colonies strong." We should keep
this fact in mind at all times, print it in
capital letters, and post it in some con-
spicuous place in the apiary." So even in
America all are not in love with the baby
nucleus. For myself I have quite recently
expressed the opinion that it has not
turned out an unqualified success on this
side.

A "Head" Swarm. — Our language is

July 26, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

297

being steadily enriched (?) by apioiiltural
terms coined in America. Here is Mr.
Hasty enjoying a laugh and calling on
even little children to laugh, because we
in England call prime swarms head
swarms. Well, if the word is used, I for
one never either saw it printed or heard it
spoken. [Xor have we. — Ed.]

Control of Swarming.- — The subject is
perenially cropping up, and it is a moot
point with many whether we are any
nearer a full solution than we were rears
ago. Plans, systems, and new methods
crop up annually ; only to be discarded or
" improved " upon the following seasons.
A summary of a long discussion at
Chicago seems to be that every single
plan had its drawbacks and failed to act
according to rule, and one leading bee-
keeper even went the length of saying " I
would rather pay a man a dollar a day to
sit in my apiary and watch for swarms and
hive them, than to try any plan of con-
trolling increase that I have discovered
yet." Mr. Arthur Wilkes (630. pa^e
274) will find this subject dealt with in
August Recced.

Introducing Queens. — Here is what one
who introduces from 300 to 400 queens
every year has to say on the subject, and
they are wise words : — " This is one of the
knottiest of questions, and one that has
cost bee-keepers thousands of valuable
queens. It has cost us so many that we
now seldom try to introduce a queen into a
full colony. We would much rather have
our young queen hatch in what would be
considered a small colony, and then as
soon as she commences to lay build it up
i«i two or three days into a strong colony
by giving her combs of hatching bx-ood.
In tnis way we never lose a queen ;
whereas by the introducing method many
times the strange queen will be allowed
to live only until she has laid eggs four
or five days, and the bees begin to have
plenty of larvae to rear a queen from. If
it is not convenient to get your queens in
a nucleus, then introduce them into small
colonies that have no uncapped brood,
especially if the queens are valuable ones."

Very "Simple." — "To say that any race
is able to resist foul brood when well
started is very simple," says J. E. Cham-
bers in "Gleanin'^s." He had tried all
manner of cures for foul brood, and came
ultimately to the wise conclusion that no
process which did not contemplate the re-
moval of every drop of infected honey must
end in failure. Allowing the colony to
rear a new queen, or giving them a new
one, is no true cure. The conclusion the
writer comes to must be given in his own
words— "I positively know that Italian
heiyi are nut proof against foul brood,
Heitfeer is there a possibility of curing the.

disease as long as there exists a drop of
diseased honey in the hive." He em-
phasises this by printing it in italics. I
would use great big capitals if that would
make it sink the deeper into the minds of
bee-keepers tinkering with this vile scourge.
Anyone who asserts that any queen will
cure foul brood is " simple " — very simple.
I, for one, thank thee, Mr. Chambers, for
teaching me that word !

How to Place on Sections. — For many
years now I have placed on my sections
atop of those already on the hive, making
certain to have them in position rather in
anticipation of tTie bees' requirements. I
was pleased to leam that so excellent a bee-
keeper as G. M. Doolittle practises this
method. " The super well forward is
placed next the brood-chamber on top of
this, and on top of this is put the one
nearly completed, and on top of the two I
place the empty super of sections. The
thing sought after is to give room in such a
manner that we shall not have a lot of un-
finished sections should the season prove
poor, and at the same time provide plenty
of room for the largest yield anticipated.
I think it better to use caution at all times
about putting an empty super under a
partially filled one, and especially so after
having found that by putting the empty
one on top better results' can be obtained."
As this writer advises in another place,
readers might " paste this in their hats "
for future reference.

Enthusiasm.— Dr. C. C. Miller (now 75
years of age, says : " I was out watching
the bees working on the plum blossom. I
think I watched them with just as keen in-
terest as I did 45 years ago." Mr.
Hutchinson, always enthusiastic, declares ;
" I must retain the enthusiasm of my youth,
or life would lose its chiefest charm. I
know that I am following bee-keeping with
an enthusiasm equal to that of 30 years
ago. A man is just as old as he thinks."
Mr. A. I. Root is renewing his youth, and
has started again the work of queen-rear-
ing. Mr. Doolittle is quite boyish in his
writings, and, judging by them, he is as
young in heart and enthusiastic as ever.

On this side we have — first and ablest
of all bee-men — Mr. Cowan still among
us as senior Editor, though some two
years younger than his "junior." Then
Mr. W. Woodley — now in his sixtieth
year--renewing his youth, and carrying
on his beloved apiculture with as keen
ardour and enthusiasm as in his novitiate
days. Then our "junior" Editor — does
not the very name smack of adolescence?
— carries on his apiculture work with
such vigour, and enthusiastic zeal that
ninete<m out of eveiy twenty of our readers
imagine he is quite youthful, instead of
being in his seventieth year. Our " Grand
Old Man " ©f Bee-keeping.

298

THE BRITISH BEE JOtJRNAL. [July 26, 1906.

Rainfall, 1'52 in.

Heaviest faU, 1"00 in.
on 28th.

Eain fell on 8 days.

Below average, "60 in.

Sunshine, 261*9 hours.

Brightest day, 18th,
14"4 hours.

Sunless days, 0.

Above average,
hours.

Maximum tempera-
ture, 78° on 23rd.

Minimum tempera-
ture, 37° on 5th and
6th.

WEATHER REPORT.

Wbstbournb, Susskx,
June, 1906.
Minimum on

35° on 5th.
Frosty nights, 0.
Mean maximum,

65-9.
Mean

47-1.
Mean

561.
Below average, 0"9.
Maximum barometer,

30-45 on 20th.
Minimum barometw,

29-58 on 1st.

32-9

minimum,
temperature.

L. B. BlRXHTT.

A nominal charge of 3s. 6d. is made for notices (not
exceeding 7 lines) in this colwnn, 10 lines charged 3s. 6d.,
up to 15 lines 5s., which covers cost of insertion from
order till date of show. Cash should accom,pany orders
for insertion.

Auerust 1, at Henbury, near Bristol.—

Annual Show of Honey and Wax, of the Henbury
District Beekeepers' Association, with bee lectureB,
by County Council's expert, in connection with the
Horticultural Society'e Exhibition. Entries
closed-
August Ij at Bisliojg's Stortford.— Honey
Show in connection with aishop's Stortford Flower
Show. Open classes. Schedules from W. J. I^itson,
Stansted, Essex.

August 1, at XTpwell, -Wisbecli.— Horticul-
tural Society's Show. Open classes for Honey, including
gift class for lib. jar. Schedules from Hon. Sec.,
J. Hy. Inman, Upwell, Wisbech. Entries close
July 28.

August 2, at "Wallop, Hants— Honey Show
in connection with Wallop Horticultural Society will
be held in the grounds of Wallop House by kind
pel-mission of Mrs. Ross. Entries closed-
August 6 (Bank Holiday) at Cambridge.
— The Cambs and Isle of Ely Beekeepers' Association
have arranged for a show of Honey, Wax, and Bee
Appliances, at the Mammoth Show to be held in .
Cambridge on the above data Liberal prizes are
offered. Each class is open to all the world. The
gift classes being presented to local charities.
Schedules from the Hon. Sec, G. E. Sogers, Beeholm,
Cambridge. Entries close July 30.

August 6 (Bank Holiday), at Melton
Constable Park. — Annual Show of the North
Norfolk B.K.A. Schedules from O. J. Cooke Edgefield,
Melton Constable. Entries close July 28.

August 8 to 10, at Middlesbrough-
Show of Honey, etc., in connection with the Royal
Yorkshire Agrrioultural Society. Schedules and form
of entry from John Maughan, Secretary, Blake street,
York. Entries closed-
August 8, at Clevedon, Somerset, in con-
nection with the Horticultural Show. — The Somerset
B.K.A. will hold its first annual Honey Show as above.
Several open classes. Schedules from Louis E. Snel-
grove, Hon. Sec, Cromla, Locking Eoad, Weston-
su per Mare Entries close July 28-

August 9, at Abingdon Park, North-
ampton- — Honey Show of the Northants
B.K-.\. Special prizes, including the Baroness
Burdett Coutts' prize hive for cottnger mem-
bers, aiio throe open classes, including one for
single 1-lh. Jar honey. (Entry free.) Prizes, 20g.,
lOs., 7b. 6d-. and 28. 6d. Schedules from R. Hefford.
Hon. See, Kingethorpe, Northants. Entries close
August 3.

August 9, at Madresfield. Malvern. —

Annual Show of the Woroestersliire Bee-keeperi*
Association. Open class. Schedules from Mr. Gea
RichiBgs, 2, Shrubbery Terrace. Worcester.

August 15, at Wye.— Kent Honey Show. Six-
teen classes for Honey and Bee Products. Greatly
increased cash prizes; Classes 1 to 11 open to Kent;
Classes 12 to 16 open to the United KingdAm. Open
classes include— Single 1-lb. jar light extracted honey;
single 1-lb. jar dark ditto," 208., lOs., 58., in each
class ; lib. section, silver cup. Trophy class First
prize silver cup, value £3 3s. Best collection of Bee
Appliances, first and second priees. Special arrange-
ments for Bee Demonstrations and many other new
attractions added this year. Schedules on receipt
of stamp from J. Tippen, Secretary, Wye, Ashford
Kent. Entries close August 10.

August 16, at Yetminster, Dorset. —

Annual Show of the Yetminster and District B.E.A.
held in a field kindly lent by Mr. JoUiffe. Four open
classes, including three 1 lb. jars e.Ytraoted honey,
three lib. sections, and cake of beeswax. Schedule*
from G. Leeding, Hon. Sec, Bradford Abbas, Sher-
borne. Entries close August 10.

August 17. — In Public School, Port-
'william, Wigtownshire- — Honey Show in con-
nection with the Horticultural Society. Classes for
sections and extracted honey, open to amateurs and
cottagers. Challenge cla«8 (open to all) for three
1-lb. jars extracted honey; prizes, 20s., 128., 8s., and
4s.— Schedules firom Secretary, Horticultural Society,
Portwilliam, N.B.

August 22 and 23, at Shrewsbury.—

Annual Show of the Shropshire B.K.A. in connection
with the Horticultural SocietyJs Great Floral Fete in
" The Quarry," Shrewsbury. Seven open classes for
honey. Classes with free entry for single 1-lb. jar aiTd
single lib. section. Schedules from S. Cartwright, Hon.
Secretary, Shawbury, Shrewsbury. Entries close
August lO

August 24, at Exeter.— Annual Show of the
Devon B.K.A., in conjunction with the Devon and
Exeter Horticultural Society. The Baroness Burdett-
Coutts' prize, hive for the best exhibit shown by cot-
tager members , Dr. Philpott's prize of £1 Is., for the
two best sections of comb honey. All open classes.
Schedules from the Hon. Sec, A. S. Parrish, Heavi-
tree Road, Exeter. Entries close August 18-

August 29, at Chester.— Cheshire B.K.A. Show
in connection with the County Agricultural Society.
Open classes for Hives, Observatory Hives, Seotiona,
and Extracted Honey. Baroness Burdett-Ooutts' prize
hive for best exhibit shown by cottager member.
Seven classes for members. Schedules from T. A.
Beckett, St. Werburgh Chambers, Chester. Entries
Close August 8, or at double fees, August 15.

August 29, at Forbury Gardens, Bead-
ing.— Hone.y Show of the Berks. B.K.A. Scheduler
from the Hon. Sec, D W. Bishop-Ackerman, l&i,
King's Road, Reading. Entries close August

August 30, at Montgomsry— Honey Show
in connection with Horticultural Exhibition. Two
open classes for six 1-lb. sections and six lib. jara
extracted honey. Prizes, lOs., 5s., 28. 6d. Entry fee.
Is. each class. Schedules from Mr. W. J. Jonea, Secre-
tary, Montgomery. Entries close August 23-

September 8, at Dumfries.— South of Scot-
land B.K.A. 14th Annual Show of Honey, Bees, and
Appliances. Five open classes — viz., three 1-lb. jars,
three 1-lb. sections, and for single jar and section
(free entry), and cake of wax ; also handsome money
prizes and valuable medals, for members only.
Schedules from Jas. Johnstone, Sec, Nelson Street,
Maxwelltown. Entries close Septenxber 1.

September 12 and 13, at Edinburgh.—

Tliirttienth Annual Exhibition of Midlothian B.K.A.
in Waverlcy Market. Open classes 'for six sections
heather, six sections flower, six jars heather, six jars
flower. Prizes, 15s., 10s., 5s. Entiy, 2«. per class.
Schedules from W. Weir, Horiot, Midlothian.

September 13, at Castle Douglas.— Honey
Section, Dairy Show. Liberal prizes. Five open
classes — ^viz., three 1-lb. Jars, three lib. sections,
single jar, single section, and for cake of beeswax.
Schedule from .las. Johnstone, or from L. Aird, Hard-
gate Schoolhouse, Dalbeattie. Entries close
September 1.

September 8 to 15, at the Agricultural
Hall, London.— Honey Show in connection with

July 26, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOUBNAL.

299

. the Oonfeotioners', Bakers', and Allied Traders Annual
Exhibition and Market. (See large advertisement on
page i.) Open to all British Bee-keepers.
Entry fee in each class one shilling. Schedules from
H. S. Rogers, Secretary, Exhibition Offices, Palmerston
House. Old Broad Street, London, E.O.

September 30, 21, and 22, at Crystal
Palace. — Surrey B.K.A. Annual Exhibition of Bees,
Honey, Wax, and Appliances, etc. Twenty-six classes
(ten open to all). Increased prizes and medals. •
Schedules from F. B. White, secretary, Marden House,
Bedhill, Surrey. Entries close September 7.

September 22 to 29, at tlie Agricultural
Sail, London. — Honey Show in connection with
the Twelfth Annua} Exhibition and Market of the
Grocery and Kindred Trades. Nearly £50 in prizes
for honey and beeswax including four prizes of £4,
£3, £2, and £1, in honey trophy class. Open to
all British. Bee-keepers. Schedules from H. S.
Bogers, Secretary, Exhibition Offices, Palmerston
House, Old Broad Street, London E.O.

September 26, at Altrincham.— Show of

Honey Products, in connection with Altrincham
Agricultural Show. Open to United Kingdom : Classes
for Hives, Observatory Hive, 12 Jars Extracted Honey.
Open to County cf Chester only : Classes for Trophy,
Amateur-built Hive, Two Shallow Bars, 12 Jars Run,
12 Sections, Wax, etc. Special classes for cottagers.
Sjjecial classes for Society's district. Liberal prizes.
Imw entrance fees. . Schedules from Mr. J. H. Hall, iJ,
Dunham Road, Altrincham. Entries close
September 9.

October 9 to 12, at the Agricultural
Hall, London. — Show of Honey and Bee Produce
in connection with the British Dairy Farmers' Associa
tion. Numerous and liberal prizes for honey, etc.,
including the valuable Silver Challenge Cup of the
B.B.K.A. Schedules from Mr. 'Wni. C. Young, Secre-
tary, 12, Hanover Square, London, W. Entries
close September 12.

Notices to Correspondents & Inquirers,

*** A correspondent who signs himself
"Amateur" (Biistol), in aisking "How
Long do Bees Live After Losmg their
Sting: " says : On the 13th inst. I caged a
queen with nine workers in a Benton cage,
and in the operation four of the bees left
their stings in my hand. This morning
(16th) they are all still alive and active.

We have received a number of Jetters and
press-cuttings from readers referring to the
" bee paralysis " scare, and it was our in-
tention to reprint some information regard-
ing the above-named disease, but owing to
the lack of space, we are obliged to defer
it for a short time.

" Concerned " (London, E.). — Bees and Jam
Factories. — There is no act of Parliament
we know of that specially relates to bees.
The only claim a jam manufacturer can
make against bee-keepei-s is for damage to
stock or a loss of business. We have heard
of a case where it was found necessary to
cover the windows of a factory with wire-
cloth during the season of jam making.

G. S. (Staffordshire).— Uniting Bees.— The
two stocks of bees in question would be of
no use whatever to the stock to which you
joined them. In fact, drones are less than
worthless in a honey-producing apiary at
this season. It is also more than probable
that it is not a laying worker, but an nn-
mated queen, that is the egg-producer in
this case.

W. Kopp;rts (Sn»s©x).— Hives in Competi-

tions at Shows. — The annual show of the
Surrey B.K.A. will be held at the
Crystal Palace on September 20, 21, and
22, and there are (see "Shows to Come")
open classes for single hives.

Beginner (Birmingham). — We cannot say
anything about the bees you describe as
" whitey in colour," and say if they
are diseased, unless we had a few for iir-
spection.

" Bingo " (Colchester).— Bee Story. — It would
serve no useful purpose to print an extract
from a serial story such as you are good
enough to write out for the B.B.J. The
author is evidently not a bee-keeper, and
draws largely on the imagination for his
statements.

W. J. W. (Britford). —Vicious Bees.— We
should put up with the trouble caused by
the irascible character of the bees till the
present honey-flow ends ; then re-queen, as
proposed.

J. H. B. (Lincoln). — Re-Queening and
Uniting Bees. — 1. You should be quite
certain that the " very strong stock " has
not re-queened itself during the three years
the present mother bee is supposed to have
been at its head. We say this because
bees do at times depose their queens when
getting worn out. If the point is fixed be-
yond doubt, we should prefer the orthodox
method of uniting the strong stock and
the " cast " (headed by a 1906 queen) by
removing first the old queen, then, after
dusting both lots of bees well with flour,
joining both lots by removing half the
combs from eaeh, and alternating the
frames in one hive. If this is neatly done
the bees will unite without any fighting.

" Shellan " (Isle of Man). — Queen Mating.
— One of the drones sent shows physical
signs of having mated with a queen, but
in the other two the indications are differ-
ent, and probably have been caused
through excitement.

A. J. W. (Stevenage). — Lantern Slides for
Use in Lecturing on Bees. — These may be
hired from the B.B.K.A., on application
to Mr. E. H. Young, Secretary, 12, Han-
over Square, London, W.

Suspected Comhs.

H. RowswELL (Dorset). — The dark stuff in
the cell sent is probably the remains of a
queen larva, which, fi'om some reason, has
died in the cell while surrounded with
royal jelly. In the crushed condition of
queen-cell when received we can offer no
other explanation.

F. Arthur (Rhyl). — The " dark stuff- " in
some cells of newly-built comb is simply
fresh-gathered pollen.

L. Keyser (Winchester). — The comb_ sent
shows a clear case of "black brood." We
hope to deal with the disease so-named in
the course of a week or two. The " scare ^
in the Isle of Wight is caused by quite
another and different bee disease, viz.,
"bee paralysis."

*#* Some Letters, Queries and Repliei, dfcc,
are unavoidMy held ovtr Ml next iJPtek.

300

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

July 26, 1906.

Special Prepaid Advertisements.

Twelve words and under Sixpence: for every additional
Three words or under, One Penny.

OPARE VIGOKOUS QUEENS, laying, 28. 6d. each.
io A. J. BUTLER, F.R.H.S., WestvUle, Scotter, Lin-
coln^ ; R 38

GC. BURGESS, Rose Cottage Apiary, Wenden,
• Saffron Walden, Essex, has for sal© 1906 Cockerels,
White Leghorns, grand laying strain ; Indian Game,
Golden Wyandottes, etc.. Pullets and Cockerels; also
honey, tomatoes, and new potatoes. (Stamp.) r 56

EXTRACTOR, •' THE LITTLE WONDER," in per-
fect order, 8s.— PLANT, Forge Mills, near
Middlewich. B 5t)

STRONG STOCK, in frame hive, covering ten frames
(wired), two section racks, 50 sections, dividers,
excluder and lift, on rail, 23s. ; on© ditto, etc., on
nine frames, 20s. — W. PARIS, Ringmer, Lewes. b 53

HANDSOME OBSERVATORY HIVE, fitted with
feeding stage, double-glass both sides, brown
leather shoulder strap and buckle.; takes one standard
frame and three sections ; splendid attraction at bee
or flower shows ; each side has small ornameatal per-
forated zinc for ventilation ; will take 21s'. ; no ex-
change.— W. PARIS, Ringmer, Lewes . R 54-

DRIVEN BEES ; large supply ; strong, healthy lots,
with Queen, 5s. ; also laying 1906 Queens, 28. 6d.
— T. BRADFORD, Expert, 3«, Droitwich Road, Wor-
cester.

in WO EXCELLENT 1906 QUEENS, 48. each (in intro-
JL ducing cage).— APIARY, 3, Maitland Park Road,
N.W. R 51

THREE-FRAME NUCLEI, 1906 LAYING QUEENS,
10s. cash.— HEMMING BROS., Standlake, Wit-
ney^ R 50

HEALTHY DRIVEN BEES in August ; alio STOORts
on Frames, with or without hives. — Apply G.
BOGGIS, Stockton, Bungay. R 49

WANTED, a few owts. LIGHT HONEY.— Sample
and lowest price to SHACKLETON, Thorner,
near Leeds. B 48

THREE-FRAME NUCLEI, with Laying QUEENS,
one year old, 10s. 6d.— A. J. BUTLER, F.R.H.S.,
Westville, Scotter, Lincoln. R 47

WANTED, a few cwt. good LIGHT COLOURED
MONEY, 281b. tins.— Offers to "A.," B.B.J,
ottice. R 46

HONEY EXTRACTOR, 19s. 6d., cost 25s. ; large
WAX EXTRACTCR, 8s. 6d., cost 12s. 6d. ; both
new.— HEWETT, Laburnum Apiary, Alton, Hants.

SINGLE FRAME OBSERVATORY HIVE, with space
for sections over. — HEWETT, Laburnum Apiary,
Alton, Hants. _^ r 45

LB. HONEY TINS (lever lids), 4s. per dozen.—
FORD, Dunstall Road, Wolverhampton. r 44

2»

|_| ONEY-COMB FOUNDATION.— Eflicient machinery
JLl. and system for production of foundation ; capa-
city, 5 tons per week by one mechanic, and about
three youths to assist ; One thousand pounds cash
and percentage on output, will purchase complete
outfit.— H. E. HALL, 14, Park Street, London, W. r 43

I, NOR SALE, BELGIAN HARES. Offers wanted for
JL buck and doe, and seven young ones (6 weeks
old); winners of 1^ prize Wallingford and Reading.
— LONGHURST, Cottage Homes, Wallingford. R 42

FOR SALE, beautifully marked SPANIEL DOG,
well bred and broken; good appearance; 268.,
or offers ; must sell. Approval ; Deposit. — TALLMAN,
Kingston, Kingsbridge, Devon. B 41

F

INEST ENGLISH HONEY, 158. per 281b. tin;
sample, 2d.— DUTTON, Terling, Esteex. R 40

HEALTHY DRIVEN BEES, 48. per lot, cash; de-
livery in August. Orders in rotation. Boxes
returnable. — H. KEMP, Frome, Somerset. B 39

W

ANTED, HONEY in exchange for fowls.- CHAS.
HOWES, Fishponds, BrigtoL R i'l

STOCKS on three frames, 10b. 6d. ; dit*o on four,
lis. 6d. ; 1906 fertile Queens.- W. Woods, Nor-
mandy, Guildford.

HONEY EXTRACTOR.— Abbott's "LITTLE .WON-
DER," good as new, price 5s. — Court, Wilgate,
Heme Bay Road, WTiitstable, Kent. b W

FOR SAIiE.— STRONG NATURAL SWARMS, se-
curely packed, 12s. 6d.— LINSTEAD, North Lop-
liam. Thetford. r 3

NEW LIGHT SCOTCH CLOVER HONEY, £3 cwt. ;
sample 3d. Deposit.— GILBERTSON, 43, High
Street, Annan, Dumfriesshire. B 23

WANTED, 1-lb. SECTIONS NEW HONEY.— Price
and particulars to T. G. TICKLER, Pasture
Street, Grimsby.

QUEENS, specially selected from honey-gathering
stocks ; fertile Black English, 1906, in introduc-
ing ciige, 2s. 8d., free, by return post ; LIGHT EX-
TRACTED HONEY, 528. 6d. cwt. ; in screw-cap ja.rs,
8b. dozen, sample 2d. ; HONEY TINS (new), e.vtiLi,
strong, n» leaking, air-trght lids, Sa. 6d. dozen, 301bs.
capacity; COMBS BROOD, suit driven bees, neuiLin ,
7d. each.— CHARTER, Tattingstone, Ipswich. R 21

HEALTHY DRIVEN BEES WANTED, in four, bIx
or eight-pound lots, first and second week in
August. Will give Is. per pound, provide travelling
boxes, and pay carriage. Cash by return post after
receipt of bees.— .T. BALJiBRA, East Parade, Aln-
wick, B M

SECTION GLAZING.- Best quality lace paper, made
especially for bee-keepers' use ; 1(X), in white
pink, green, or blue, td., 300 Is. 4d., 500 2s. 2d., 1,000
38. 9d., post free; lace one side, lace bands (lace both
sides), white 2|, 3 and 3i wide, 100 Is. 2d., 200 28. 3d.,
500 4s. ; a few in pink and blue, 100 Is. 4d., 200
2s. 6d., post free.— W. WOODLEY, Beedon, New-
bury. B 27

DRIVEN BEES, with Queens, commencing August ;
3g. 6d. per lot, cash with order ; boxes returned ;
orders in rotation. — T. PULLEN, Ramsbury, Hunger-
ford. R 11

HEALTHY DRIVEN BBES, commencing August ;
delivery to August 20, 4s. per lot ; after th)»
date, 3s. 6d. ; orders cash ; dalivered rotation ; boxes
retuNiable.— H. C. SMITH, The Apiary, Woodman-
cote, near Cirencester. R 10

I UAA lt>s. SPLENDID NEW WHITE CLOVER
I OUv HONEY, £3 per cwt. ; sample, 2d. ; in

281b. tins, same raCe.— ALBERT COE, Apiary Hall.
Ridgewell, Halstead. Essex. b 18

READY for Delivery, healthy FERTILE QUEENS
(1906), 38. 6d., in introducing cages, pott free —
CARBINES, Bee Expert, &ardinbam, near Bodmin,
Cornwall. Q 95

STING PROOF GLOVES, 2h. ; with sleeves. 28. 6d.,
post free. Why p^ more?— KENT, Manufac-
turer, Dorchester Q 83

IN on* of the prettiest villages in Bast Devon, on
a Bee farm; FURNISHED APARTMENTS.—
SOUTHOOTT, Gittisham Apiary, Honiton. Q 73

HOLIDAYS. — Cornwall ; delightful situation near
sea and Land's End; 30b. — S. HARBORNE,
Apiary, St. Buryan, R.S.O. Q 69

QUEENS (celebrated Doolittle strain of Improved
Italians). — A customer writes : " The virgin 1
had from you last year has done splendidly. Stock
now on 33 Standa»d Frames." Virgins, Is. 6d. ;
Fertiles, 58. Safe delivery guaranteed. First come.
first served.— DAVID TAYLOR, Ilminster. q 64

WANTED, SECTIONS, first quality ; prompt cash ;
also extracted per owts.— W. CHILTON, Brook-

*ide, .?-olegate, Sussex.

EW SECTIONS, HONEYCOMB.— Supplies wanted,
at once.— SMITH, Cambridge Street, Hyde Park.

^^ iJi

COMFORTABLE APARTMENTS lor Brother Bee-
keepers visiting Douglas. Terms : Tea, bed,
and breakfast, Ss. 6d ; or full board, 5b. per day —
flORSLEY's, Merridale House, top of Oaistle l>riv«,
Douglas, Isle of Man.

N

Aug. 2, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

301

(ffiitorml ^0tim, ^t,

GLAMORGAN B.K.A.

ANNUAL SHOW.

The aniiual show was held July 25 and
26, in connection with that of the Cardiff
and County Horticultural Society, at the
Sophia Gardens, Cardiflf. The -^^rfect
weather caused crowds of people to witness
a record display of bee-produce. The com-
petition was close in the members' classes,
but in the open classes it was very trying
to the judges. The extracted honey was
of exceedingly fine quality. As a matter
of fact, the exhibits in most classes were
worthy of prizes. The Rev. AV. H. A.
Walters, Haverfordwest, and Mr. Samuel
Jordan., Bristol, made the following
awards : —

HEMBEKS' CIiASSES.

Twelve 1-lb. Sections (7 entries). — 1st, R.
Morgan, Cowbridge ; 2nd, D. George,
Merthyr-mawr, Bridgend ; 3rd, "NY. H.
Williams, Llangan.

Six 1-/6. SedioJhs (12 entries). — 1st, J.
Boyes, Cardiff ; 2nd, D. George ; reserve,
G. H. Mitchell, Llanishen ; li.c., R. J.
Edwards, Lisvane.

Three Shallow- frames for Extracting (6
entries). — 1st, R. Morgan ; 2nd, J. Boyes ;
3rd, C. Spiller, S. Fagans ; c, T. W.
Roberts, Penarth.

Twelve 1-lb. Jars (Light) Extracted Honey
(7 entries).— 1st, W. H. Williams ; 2nd, R.
Morgan ; 3rd, J. Boyes ; reserve. Freeman
Gravil, Cardiff; v.h.c, John Rees,
Lisvane.

Six 1-lh. Jars (Light) Extracted Honey
(10 entries).— 1st, T. W. Roberts ; 2nd, R.
Morgan ; reserve, W. H. Williams ; v.h.c,
D. George.

Txoelxe 1-Tb. Jars (Medium, or Bar!;) Ex-
tracted Honey (8 entries). — 1st, J. Boyes ;
2nd, G. P. Workman, Llanishen ; 3rd,
R. Morgan.

Six 1-lh. Jars (Medium or Darl;) Ex-
tracted Honey {12 entries). — 1st, D. George ;
2nd, J. Boyes; v.h.c, R. Morgan; h.c. ,
G. P. AA'orkman.

Beeswax (not less than 1 lb.) in Eetail
Form (6 entries). — 1st, R. Morgan ; 2nd,
D. George.

Articles of Food containing Honey (9
entries). — 1st, D. George ; 2nd, R. Mor-
gan ; 3rd. John Rees.

Complete Frame-hive. — No award.

Six 1-lb. Jars Extracted Honey (Novices)
(3 entries). — 1st, J. Kitt, Wenvoe ; 2nd,
T. AV. Roberts; h.c, T. Richards, AMiit-
church.

OPEN CLASSES.

Tu'elve 1-Tb. Sections (11 entries).— 1st,
C. W. Dyer, Compton Crossing, Newbury ;

2nd, E. C. R. White, Newton Toney, Salis-
bury ; 3rd, D. George ; reserve, F. C.
Pullin, Warminster; v.h.c, C. Lodge,
Chelmsford.

Twelve 1-lb. Jars (Light) Extracted Honey
(13 entries).— 1st, C. W. Dyer ; 2nd, W. H.
Williams; 3rd, E. C. R. White; reserve,

D. George; v.h.c., C. Lodge.

Beeswax (not less than 2 lb.) in Beta'tz
Form (8 entries). — 1st, C. Lodge ; 2nd,

E. C. R. White ; 3rd, D. George.
xCollection of Appliances (3 entries). — 1st,

John Hibbert and Sons, Cardiff ; 2nd,
E. J, Burtt, Gloucester, and Brown and
Sons, Bristol (bracketed equal).

Observatory Hive with Bees and Queen. —
1st, T. W. Roberts.

Mr. W. T. Watkin Lewis, J.P., kindly-
lent an observatory hive, showing brood
supered with sections in various stages of
construction.

Mr. Stevens, of the "Dorothy" Restau-
rant, Cardiff, again generously sent two
large cakes sweetened with honey, to be
distributed among the visitors.

At intervals each day demonstrations
with bees were given in the new bee-tent
by the Rev. H. Morgan before the usual
eager crowds. — William Richards, Hon.
Sec, July 30.

SWARMS, ANCIENT AND MODERN.
By Colonel H. J. 0. Walkee,

Many are the odd places in which bees
have swarmed and tried to establish them-
selves since the far-off day when, leaving
their rocky homes and the primaeval forest,
they became associated with mankind. The
appearance of swarms is often mentioned
by the ancient Greek and Roman historians,
and it is curious how much importance was
attached to the movements of bees — to
whom, indeed, a divine origin was attri-
buted— and how sometimes good, and
sometimes evil, omens were foreboded from
them. Clustering on the standards of an.
army, or on a general's tent, they presaged
victory or defeat, according to the inter-
pretation of the soothsayers.

Herodotus, recording in the 3rd Book
of his History the defeat of the Greeks
and Cyprians by the troops of Darius,
about 500 B.C., writes: "The Amathu-
sians cut off the head of Onesilus
because he had besieged their city, and
taking it to Amathus placed it over the
gates, where, when the head had hung for
some time and become hollow, a swarm of
bees entered and filled it with honey-comb.
Upon which the Amathusians consulted the
oracle, aivl were admonished that they
should take down the head and inter 't,
and make yearly sacrifice to Onesilus as to
a hero, and that if they did this their
affairs would prosper. This was done ac-

302

THE BKlTiSH BEE JOURNAL. [Aug. 2, 1906.

cordingly, and the sacrifices continued up
to my time." The incident will recall to
mind the swarm mentioned in the Book
of Judges as having taken possession of
the carcase of the lion slain by Samson,
the Israelitish champion, the carcase
having doubtless been reduced to hide and
bone by the action of animals and a scorch-
ing sun.

Cicero, the great Roman orator, in his
1st Book on Divination, quoting Philistus,
a historian of Syracuse about 400 B.C., tells
a tale of swarming that will make a serious
call on the believing powers of the modem
bee-keeper. "When Dionysius the Elder,
afterwards ruler of Sicily, was marching
through the island, he urged his horse into
a river, where it was carried away by the
torrent. Failing, in spite of great efforts,
to get it out, he was v.'alking on despon-
dently when " suddenly he heard a neigh-
ing, and looking back he was glad to
see his horse coming along quite lively,
with a swarm of bees hanging to its mane.
Of such importance was this omen that a
day later he had begun to reign."

It was a tradition that in their infancy
Plato, Pindar, Virgil, and other men of
eloquence had been visited by bees which
built honey-combs about them as they lay
in their cradles. The same incident is said
t-o have happened to St. Ambrose about
340a.b., and according to another legend
of the church, a swarm of bees accompanied
St. Dominicus on his journey from England
across the Irish Channel in the 6th century,
A.D. A disciple of St. David, he had been
learning bee-keeping with a view to the im-
provement of the craft in the sister island,
and when he w-ent on board a swarm
accompanied him. Unwilling to deprive
the hospitable brotherhood of such
valuable prperty he returned to the
Abbey, the bees going with him ;
but they would not b'e left behind,
and in the end Father Dominicus took
with him the swarm, to found, with St.
David's blessing, prosperous colonies in the
Comitatus of Dublin, at a place still known
in the days of the 17th Century Chronicler
as Ecdrsia Apiarii. otherwise Lann-
beachaire, the Bee-master's Church.

There is no reason to doubt the thrilling
episode related by the Rev. John Thorley
in his " Melisselogia, or the Female Mon-
archy, London, 1744, how the bees
gathered on the head and shoulders of his
maidservant, Anne Herbert, and how she
stood it out bravelv until the queens had
been caught and the swarm drawn away
from her. Had it happened in these day's
we might have hoped for a snapshot phot'o-
grapli in the B.B..J. whore so many
swarming vagaries have found a record.
As for instance on page 302 of Vol. XXX.
where, as sometimes happens, a swarm has

reverted to original principles and built
combs under a ledge. It may be noted that
in 1826 two French bee-keepers, J. and \.
Martin, wrote a treatise in favour of open-
air treatment, Lcs Ruches a Vair liore,
Paris. The combs were to have a remov-
able canvas case for winter and spring.

His Majesty's mails have before now been
held up by a swarm of bees having taken a
fancy to a pillar-box and gone in throngh
the slit, and a few days ago it was reported
that one had entered a dog kennel to the
discomfiture of the rightful owner. In
my own experience, the most curious choice
of a dwelling has been a rabbit hole in
the bank of a plantation. The poor bees
were smoked out with sulphur before I had
heard of it, but a part of the combs they
had built was still visible in the opened
burrow.

Quite recently I heard, from a lady who
has started bee-keepincr not far from where
I live, that a swarm had left its hiving skep
and taken refuge in a railway lamp-post,
where it seems scouts had been observed on
the previous evening by the station-master.
Wlien my friend arrived on the scene, most
of the bees had withdrawn into the hollow
of the post, and it is much to her credit
that, by dint of digging under the post and
smoking, they were successfully hived in.
the course of an hour or two.

The moral of my story of swarms is an
old one: — "Bees do nothing invariably.''
If rightly considered, this is their greatest
charm.

Leeford, Budleigh-Salterton, July 12tll.

(Hormi^mkna.

The Editors do vot hold themselveg responsible for the
opinions expressed by correstpondents. So notic* will
be taken of anonymous communications, and corre-
spondents are reqmsted to write on one side of the paper
only and give their real names and addresses, not neces-
sarily/or publication, but as a guarantee of good faith.
Illustrations shoiUd be drainn on separate vieces of pap*r
We do rwt undertake to return rejected communications.

NOTES BY THE AVAY.

[6380.] Since my last "notes "were writ-
ten, the wish I expressed therein for a
week's sunshine, coupled with a high tem-
perature, has not only been fulfilled, but
it has started my good stocks booming,
and has also brought the bees clustering
outside the hives in large numbers. A
neighbour informed me the other evening
that his strong hives had a gallon of bees
lianging outside his hives every night, and
that thej' were making honey fast ! Another
bee-keeper told me he had cleared all his
hives of their honey, as bees in his district
never stored after "Swithins" — i.e., mid

Aug. 2. 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

303

July. Well, I am. thankful to say my bees
have been storing honey fast, early and
late, and racks of sections put under bhe
others on July 19 are nearly completed.
This is from various sources, such as. I'mes.
whit« clover, blackberrv. and a field of
buckwheat near by. This is my first ex
perience of the last-named plant. I was
afraid the colour would be too dark, but
the blend makes a very palatable honev,
about the colour of that from the vetch,
but of a better consistency.

This orrand snell of fine weather has
turned our wail into a paean of thanks-
giving, and will also t)ut our stocks into
good condition for winter by insuring srood
«upr)lies of stores, thus saving the work
and expense" of feeding.

Wasps. — These pests are more numerous
about here than they have been for the
past two or three seasons. The nests, when
found, are easily destroved bv plac-ng a
piece of cyanide of notassium at the en-
trance to nest. Place it just so that the
wasps pass over the lump either in soing
in or coming out of their nest, and every-
one passing over will die.

Driren Bpps. — The season is now close on
us when driven bees will be coming: to
liand. some to strengthen established stocks
for winter, and some to biiild up stocks
that are weak from some cause. In the
first instance, it is advi<5able to give a
comb of brood where such is available (or
two if thev can be soaredV then five or
six full sheets of foundation, and feed
Tapidlv every nicrht. as much as is reqiiired,
to carrv them throuqh the coming winter.
One strong lot will do fairly well ; but two
lots united will, under equal treatment,
form a more satisfactory colonv in the
autumn, and be likelv to do better the fol-
lowing spring. When building up or
strenjrthening colonies by uniting, use flour
as a pacifier ; first remove the old queen.
then flour both lots of bees till they are
like dusty millers, and by spacing the
combs in body-box a little further apart
than usual in the latter, the bees can be
shaken over the frames ; then spread a
slightlv carbolised cloth over them, and
thev will be down out of the way at once,
and the quilts can then be nut in place
and all made comfortable. Give the bees
a little syrun for a few nights to start the
-queen breedinfr.

Supering. — In nearly every instance
■during my bee-keeping experience I have,
in giving additional storage room, placed
the second super under the first, and,
Tvhen a third is needed, it goes under the
second, and the first comes off. This is mv
invariable practice. My hives are just
made to take two racks, with plenty of
wraps beneath each roof. I always wrap

up the sections warmly, and am still simple
enough to believe that by so doing I am
securing better-finished sections than if I
used a simple square of carpet only as a
covering. I have seen some bee-keepers
work with top of hive wedged up to allow
draught. I do not want draughts. .Tf
there are such my bees persist in filling up
every crevice with propolis, so evidently
they do not want cold or draughty supers.
— W. WoODLET, Beedon, Newbury.

INSURANCE FOR BEE-KEEPERS.

BUYING AND SELLING HONEY.

[6381.] I am glad to see that the question
of the time to renew the insurance policies
is being raised. I .endeavoured to do this
last year, but, there being no response,
concluded that the craft generally were
satisfied. I still adhere to the month of
May as the most suitable time to date
policies from, there being many removals
at Lady Day, which in our county of Lin-
colnshire is April 6, The new home is then
known ; and any who, like myself, takes
their bees from home for the season, are
unable to say with any amount of certainty
before that month where they are likely to
be located. Each year I have bees *t
places not named in the policy, and none
at some of the places named therein, which
exposed me to risks that, if time of removal
was May, I should be able to avoid, because
I should by then have discovered the " pas-
tures new." and settled the location. Is
it neccessary to have one date for the whole
of the country? Could not each county
association settle its own time as most
suitable to its members ? I ask these ques-
tions, as I can quite see that our little
friends will be all astir in the sunny south
before their friends in the north have
awakened their owners to insure. There-
fore, I again name May as the intermediate
and most suitable time for ijorth, south,
and the shires.

While writing, I should like to point
out to our appliance-makers the great need
to .make provision for the removal of stocks
by so adapting the front of hive that ven-
tilation can be safelv given with little
trouble. Instead of doing this, the opposite
appears to be the general rule. I bought
seventy stocks this spring, and had to work
like a slave for two days to get them ready
for removal. On the other hand, an equal
number of my own hives could have been
got ready in less than two hours. A piece
of wood nailed across front, with entrance
cut in I by 8^ with a saw-cut through top,
through which a piece of perforated zinc
is slipped, one side with a piece nicked out
for one bee only to pass at a time, and which
can be reversed for removal, makes the

304

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[Aug. 2 1906.

operation the work of a moment only, and
is ample for all seasons and requirements.
I note that there is a tendency on the
part of large buyers to run the price of
honey down this season, one firm that
nses your advertising columns, boasting
that they can get all they want at 5d. per
lb. Bee-keepers who accept such prices
are acting most unwisely ; every bee-man
should make it a rule to fix a fair price
on his produce, and not allow the buyer to
be seller also. The producer should con-
sider the craft generally, and keep at bay
the sharks — as I may term all firms who
are securing all they can at such prices.
They list it wholesale at 9s. 6d. per dozen
1-lb. jars, and, supposing their expenses
of bottling, etc., 2id. per lb., this leaves
them a clear 2d. per lb., which is Id. too
much, Remember, friends of the craft, no
firm could buy at this price unless the seller
is willing to accept it.— F. W. S., Linos.

A SWARMING INCIDENT.

[6382.] I shall be obliged if I may de-
scribe a swarming incident which I encoun-
tered yesterday, and have the benefit of
your opinion regarding it. I have six
stocks and six nucleus hives in which
young queens are being reared. Of the six
parent stocks, four had swarmed prior to
June 29, and two have not yet done so, as
far as I can ascertain. When the swarm
was discovered yesterday, I concluded that
it was probably from one of the two
hives that had not previously swarmed,
and, wanting to keep these two as strong
as possible, I decided to cut out the
queen-cells and to return the swarm ; but
on examining first one and then the
other of these two hives, I could find no
signs of a swarm having left either of
them. Each was busily working, with
what I took to be the usual number
of bees in it, and there were no
queen-cells, nor traces of any having been
in the hives this year. Of the other
four stocks, the last to swarm did so
on June 28, and, as I know from having
examined the frames a few days later, one
young queen was hatched and the rest of
the queen-cells destroyed. Knowing this,
I paid no particular attention to this hive
at the time, except to see whether the bees
were showing any signs of excitement at
the entrance. They appeared to me to
be working just as usual, but later on
in the day i examined the frames and
found a queen-cell which, from the rough-
ness of its edge and general newness of
appearance, I felt had probably contained
a young queen a few hours before. I will
call this hive No. 1.

Before making the examination of the
frames of No. 1, as just described, I noticed
signs of great excitement round the entrance

of another hive, which I will call No. 2.
Numbers of drones and workers were hover-
ing round it. As none of the other hives
showed any signs of excitement, I con-
cluded that the swarm must have come from
this one, although it contained a swarm,^
headed by a Camiolan queen of last year^
that had left the parent hive on June 4.
On examining the brood-frames, I found
five queen-cells of which four were closed,
and came to the conclusion that this was
the hive I was looking for. I then cut out
the queen-cells and proceeded to put the
swarm back by letting the bees run up. a
sheet placed at the entrance. As soon as
I did this a terrible battle began, and soon
hundreds of bees were dead at the
entrance. The swarm had clustered on
two branches and, fortunately, my gar-
dener, who was helping me, had an acci-
dent with' the second branch and dropped^
it, which saved this half of the bees from
being made to join in the struggle. These
bees, after being dropped, rose and even-
tually clustered again on the first branch,
which I had thrown into some long grass.
Knowing, from the battle going on, that
I must have chosen the wrong hive to re-
turn the bees to, I put a hive body over
those now on the branch and in the grass,
and almost all went up into it, which made
me feel that the queen was probably with
them.

At 9 p.m. I went back with my gardener
to put this hive on to a stand, and I then
noticed that a little cluster of bees, about
as large as a tennis-ball, had formed on
the branch. As some of them were running
about in a very unsettled manner, I thought
that the queen could not be with them and
I decided to shake these few at the entrance
of No 1, as I had by this time discovered
the empty qiTeen-cell in the latter and
suspected that it, after all, must be the
hive I wanted. They ran in without any
notice being taken of them, but, unfortu-
nately, the queen was with them, and she
also got in before I could capture her.

Feeling pretty certain, now, that this
was the hive I had been looking for, and
knowing that there was no queen with
the bees I had hived earlier in the day,
I placed their hive with the entrance facing
that of No. 1, into which the queen had
gone, and close to it.

This morning, I found a dead queen out
side No. 1, and the hive opposite to it
empty. There are a few dead workers
between the two hives, but not so many
as to lead one to think that any fighting
had taken place, except between the two
queens. I enclose the >lead queen and
half-a-dozen workers who were alive and'
standing round her when I found her.

Having stated my case I will be glad of
your opinion on the following points : —

(1) Can you say if the insect sent is ft

Aug. 2, 190b. J THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

305

fertile queen, and, therefore, the one that
went away with the swarm ; or the young
queen that must have hatched out almost
immediately after the swarm left the
parent hive? (2) Is it probable that the
bees of the swarm will have gone back
into the parent hive, No. 1, which is oppo-
site to it ? (3) Is it Tiot unusual for a young
queen to hatch out so soon after the swarm
has left? (4) Is it not unusual for a hive
to send off a " cast " so long as 23 days after
the first swarm issued? (5) Is it not
xmusual for a swarm, even of Carniolans,
to raise a lot of queens and be ready to
swarm again within 47 days, as in hive
No. 2 ? I was under the impression that a
swarm need never be suspected of swarm-
ing again the same year. These Carniolans
have done almost no work in their super,
having only filled three sections.

I know Carniolans are notorious for
swarming, but I had no idea that they
are so bad in this respect as mine appear
to be. The queen in No. 2 is the first of
this breed that I have had, and I feel dis-
inclined to have any more to do with any
of her kind. When she Avent away with
her swarm on June 4, I took 6 frames out
of the parent hive, to form 2 nuclei, and
left only 4 frames in it. In spite of this
the parent hive sent off a cast on June 18,
so, if I had not yesterday destroyed the
queens which were being reared by the
first swarm, I should probably have had
a sixth lot this season from the one parent
hive. I feel that I had probably better
examine the nuclei to see if they are also
rearing queens. Such prolific bees would
be splendid if their swarming propensities
could be kept down, but I feel that tliis is
impossible unless one is prepared to hunt
for queeil-cells about once a week.

I forgot to mention that hives No. 1 and
2 had plenty of room in the supers, though
No. 1 was getting rather crowded until
I put in a second rack of shallow-frames
about ten days ago.

Please ex'cuse this terribly long letter.
I enclose my card, and sign mvself — E. L.,
Perthshire, July 22.

[Queen shows no trace of Carniolan
marking — seems just a common brown
queen. Bees are very slightly marked, but
not so light as most j^ure Carniolans. —
Eds.]

"SELECTED QUERIES."
[6383.] — In the '' j-ears ago" of our
journal we sometimes had a most useful
" selected query," which brought valuable
answers from the leaders of our craft. On
November 24, 1887, for instance, was the
following: ""Which is the best, cheapest,
and quickest way of getting a quantity
of combs built out for use in extracting?
Should starters be given, or full sheets of

foundation ? " with replies from Messrs.^
W. B. Webster, Wm. McNally, W. Carr,.
E. Simmins, G. J. Buller, J. H. Howard,
"VY. Woodley, and. that Nestor of bee-keep-
ing, the delightfully scholarly and prac-
tically inventive Rev. George Raynor. I
have one of his hives still in use, and it
would delight his spirit to see the three
crates of shallow-frames filled with beau-
tiful honey which I am taking from that
hive, which he himself once used.

Could the old plan be revived ? Another
generation has arisen, and methods have
vastly improved in twenty years. I would
suggest that a useful " selected query " at
this season would be : " What is the best
way of getting frames from which the
honey has been extracted cleaned up by
the bees before putting them away for
ilgxt season ? " We might get some good
" wrinkles " from some bf our friends. We
are all friends in " Our Journal. " — A.
Arthtr Headley, The Rectory, Alresford,
Hants, Julv 23. '

GLASS COVERS.

[6384.] — For the last six months I have
been considering the utility of glass covers,
and how they should be made.

I have also carefully studied all that has
been published in the B B.J. on tliis sub-
ject, and, since others of your readers may
be interested in this, I venture to send you
the details of the glass covers I am making.
I make a flat picture-frame, § in. in thick-
ness, Ig in. wide, and 17^ in. by 16 in.
outside measurement. Upon this frame I
place a sheet of glass not less than ^ in.
thick, and 16^ in. by 15^ in., with a round
hole cut at its centre, not less than 2 in. "n
diameter. The bees will propolise the
glass to the frame and the frame to the
super, but the glass may be removed by
jDassing a knife between it and the frame,
or the frame with the glass propolised to
it, may be detached by a knife between the
frame and the super.

- To cover the central hole, in non-feeding
times. I use a strip of glass IS^ in. long,
and at least an inch wider than the dia-
meter of the hole, or this might be a strip
of wood — either would help the glass cover
to support the wraps above it. But I am
thinking of making the flat picture-frame
out of wood § in. thick, and the glass sheet
13^ in. by 15 in. I shall sink into it, and
fasten it to the frame, so as to leave a clear
g in. between the glass and the frames in
the super below. — J. B. L., Loughborough.

DESTROYING BRACKEN.

[6385.] In replv to vour correspondent
"Apis" (3349, "page' 296), Pembroke^
incffiiring how to get rid of bracken, I may
state that no known solution will have

306

THE BBITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Aug. 2, 1906.

any permanent effect on them. If, how-
ever, they are cut four or five times a
year, while in a sappy state, before the
leaf unfolds, they bleed freely, and even-
tually die. Cutting after this stage has
practically no effect. — A Beekeeper,
Dumfriesshire, July 27.

A CURIOUS QUEEN-RAISING
INCIDENT.

[6386.] On July 11 I made an artificial
swarm by removing a large stock to
another part of garden, allowing all flying
bees to go into a prepared hive placed on
the old stand filled with five sheets of
foundation and one comb of sealed brood,
Taut no queen, as the stock was too large
and vicious for me to handle them. On
the 18th I took a fertile queen, intending
to introduce her io the new stock, but
owing to a slight slip in handling, she
dropped among bees, and was almost
instantly killed ! Having some virgin
queens in course of mating, nothing was
done until last evening (July 25), when
on proceeding to the hive in order to
insert a ripe queen-cell, I found on one
of the combs of newly drawn-out founda-
tion (and just about beins sealed over), a
finely developed queen-cell, with royal
jelly and living larvse inside. I am won-
dering if any of your readers have ever
seen or heard of a similar case? — Apis-
Amatetje, Bristol.

CAPPINGS OF COMB.
By"L. S. C," IlMey, Yorhs.
The Latest Bee Scare (p. 281). — One is
sorry to see that further reference to this
subject has been crowded out. Some of us
must write a little less in future ! If this
is bee-paralysis proper, there is no need
to be over-alarmed. The disease is well
known in the United States, and efficient
treatment appears to have been discovered.
We do not want it to spread, however,
whether new or not ; and, if the facts are
not exaggerated, our good friends in the
Isle of Wight are urged to stamp it out for
the good of the craft without delay. We
sTiould like to know not only how much
truth there is in the report, but what steps
have been taken to overcome the disease,
and the result. Also, very particularly,
where the disease first obtained a footing,
and from what source.

The Missionary Cause {p. 281). — It is a
sin to undersell the ordinary producer for
this or any other philanthropic cause.
Indeed, honey sold for such purposes
should, one would think, easily command
more than market prices. See to it,
Utopian friends, that your gifts are not
.paid for by those who can ill afford to do

so — your bee-keeping "neighbours" nearer
home.

Bees Nibbling Foundation (p. 281). — It
has been satisfactorily proved that sections
near or over old brood-combs are capped
darker than those over new combs, owing
to the use of bits of second-hand wax.
There is much to be said in favour of comb-
honey production over starters only.

Is not "Queen Bee" (p. 281) mistaken
in supposing his to be practically the only
bees for a two-mile radius ? Whether cr
not, it should be easily possible to trace
the source of two large swarms of Golden
Italians !

Why has "North Notts" (p. 283) de-
cided against the combined use of sections
and extracting-f rames ? Is there not an
advantage in the use of these latter in a
hanging section-rack?

" Amateur Bee-keeper " (p. 287) reminds
me of the general misuse of this term when
" novice " is intended. " Only an Amateur ''
is a common but mistaken reflection.

Third-class Experts {p. 291). — What a
first-class crop, and 70 per cent, of them
are ladies ! May we extend to them the
right-hand of fellowship ?

Queen-rearers (p. 293). — An indictment of
cheap queen^ is that of " D. M. M."" The
best queens will always command good
prices, like any other kind of specially
select stock. But the test of such must be
primilarly the quantity and quality of the
honey produced. Temper is an important
point ; but beauty is only skin deep, and
the over-pursuit of this or any other
secondary quality may lead us to disap-
pointment at the bottom of an empty cell.
Let us breed from the most consistently
productive stock ; and if hybridising bees
will give us more and better honey, let us
have hybrids by all means. But do not let
us spoil the blacks in the process.

Hives on Scales (p. 294). — Some of the
loss during the night is, of course, due 'o
evaporation^ but friend Stevens will have
to be up even earlier than 6.30 if he wishes
to see the first bees leave the hive these
mornings ! An hourly analysis for one
night would be of interest ; but it should
not be difficult to arrange an automatic
indicator for a short continuous record.

Swarminq During Manipulation (p. 295).
— I had this occur once when my disturb-
ance allowed the release of a virgin queen
which the bees had confined to the cell,
and which they were feeding through a
slit in the capping. This queen must have
been ready for exit for at least a day, as
otherwise she would have been unable to

fly-

Head Swarm {p. 296). — A recent Ameri-
can publication had a very good photo-
graph of one of these ! The operator's hat

Aug. 2, 1906. J THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

307

was covered by an evidently " prime
swarm. If this presented Mr. Hasty's in-
formant, the swarm may have been
" settling " with the other bee in his
bonnet ! Let us hope they came to correct
■" terms."

(^mrm and gl^jli^s.

[3371.] Young Queens Cast Out of
■Swarmed Hive. — Will you kindly let me
know in next issue if the enclosed cells are
two queen-cells and one drone-cell? They
were taken off frames from which I had a
.strong swarm on 1st July. To-day, July
17, I found another swarm among my peas,
and so I conclude the two swarms came from
<the same hive, as I had only one hive before.
On examination of the hive to-day I found
brood cepped over, and two queen-cells
(somewhat simjiar to the enclosed) on one
frame, seventeen days after the first swarm.
There were no eggs or grubs in the hive.
'The bees are working well. Not finding any
■eggs in the hive, must I conclude there is
ino futile queen in the hive? Must I cut out
one of the supposed queen-cells? Reply in
■your next issue will oblige. — A. Litherl-^nd,
Pemberton, July 17.

Reply. — ■Queens have hatched out from
"two of the three cells, and it is more than
■probable that by the time these lines are in
print the queen will be laying all right.
The third cell is imperfectly formed, but was
intended for a queen-cell. It is not uncom-
mon for young queens to be a fortnight be-
fore they are mated and laying.

[3372.] Bees and Heather //one;/.— Within
two minutes' flight of my hives there are
patches of heather, scattered here and there ;
and within a mile Ave have considerablv
more. Probably the first-named forage Avould
not benefit my bees much, but the latter
should. What I wish therefore to know is :
1. Should I in about a fortnight's time take
off the shallow-frames now on the hives and
replace them with sections? Or, is the heather
loo far away to expect much result? 2.
When shallow-frames are returned to bees
to clean up, I presume they should be re-
moved again in a few days. Is this so? 3.
Is it best to wait until frames are quite
•capped-over before removing from hives? 4.
Will one lot of driven bees be sufficient for
wintering if obtained by middle of August?

I should like to sa^- how much I appreciate
the B.B.J. The way some of your writers,
wise men in the craft, are constantly seek-
ing to interest and instruct beginners, appeals
■to me very much, every new thing discovered
is quickly made known. It is not a question
-of "Can you keep a secret," all improvements,
it seems to me, are given out to the bee
world. — Beginner, Birmingham.

RErLT. — 1. If the heather in question is the
true " ling " Calluna vulgaris, it shovdd be
worth while to prepare for sui-plus-gathering
from it, as proposed. 2. The wet frames
will be cleaned up bv the following morning
if put on at nightfall. 3. Yes, much the

best. — Much obliged for your kindly appre-
ciation of B.B.J.

[3573.] Bee-keeping and Fruit-growing. — I
am hoping to commence next season (in a
small way) fruit-growing and bee-keeping. I
have been doing something with bees since
early in 1902, and now control the hives of
one or two friends around. I have just ob-
tained Mr. Cowan's " Honey Bee," and have
also always had the " Guide-Book," and an
older edition of Simmin's " Modern Bee
Farm," and in view of my plans for the
future, will you please say? 1. Do I need
other works on bees for practical purposes?
2. Will you suggest a good "book on fruit-
growing, from strawberries and currants to
orchard fruit? 3. Do some large bee-keepers
give a few days' instruction (practical) to
people needing such for moderate fees?
Thanking vou in anticipation of replies to
above.— H.' 0. M., Bristol.

Reply. — 1. You might find the ABC of
Bee Culture helpful, but, beyond that, no
other books are needed for all practical pur-
poses connected with the craft. 2. The only
extensive bee-keeper we know of who is also
a fruit-grower on a large scale is Mr. R.
Brown, Flora Apiary, Somersham, Hunts.
He might be willing to take a pupil.

[3374.] Deposing Queens.— The accompany-
ing queen was thrown out of her hive re-
cently, and I should be much obliged if vou
could inform me as to the cause of death? I
may say the hive had not been touched for a
week. On examining the combs I find a
large number of unhatched eggs, so that she
has been laying quite lately. I therefore ask :
Will it be safe to allow the bees to rear a
queen from these eggs, and to re-queen other
hives with the resultant queens. It was my
intention to rear other queens from the one
mentioned above, as she was the best in my
apiary. I should be much obliged for an
early answer to this, as the queen-cells will
soon be well underway. — "Apis," Pembroke.

Reply. — Queen is a fine adult, and there is
no sign of injury or damage to account for
death. There is no reason Avhy queens should
not be reared from eggs left in the hive for
requeening your other stocks with.

3n ^\mm I0 ®Dmf.

A nominal charge of 2x. 6d. is wade for notices {no
exceedino 7 lines) in this column, 10 lines charfjed Sg. 6d.,
up to 1-5 lineg 6".. which covers co»t of insertion from
order till date of show. Cash should accompany orders
for insertion.

Aug-ust 2. at Wallop, Hants.— Honey Show
in connection ■with Wallop Horticultural Society will
be held in the grounds of Wallop House by kind
permission of Mrs. Ross. Entries closed-
August 6 (Bank Holiday) at Cambridge.
—The Cambs and Isle of Ely Beekeepers' Association
have arranged for a show of Hnney, Wax, and Bee
Appliances, at the Mammoth Show to be held in
Cambridge on the above date. Liberal prizes are
offered. Each class is open to all the world. The
gift classes being presented to local charities.
Schedules from the Hon. Sec, G. E. Rogers, Beeholm,
Cambridge. Entries close July 30.

August 6 (Bank Holiday), at Melton
Constable Park. — Annual Show of the North

308

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[Aug. 2, 1906.

Norfolk B.K.A. Schedules from C. J. Cooke Edgefield,
Melton Constable. Entries close July 28.

August 8 to 10, at Middlesbrough-
Show of Honey, etc., in connection with the Jioyal
Yorkshire Agricultural Society. Schedules and form
of entry from John Maughan, Secretary, Blake street,
York. Entries closed-

August 8, at Clevedon, Soifierset, in con-
nection with the Horticultural Show.— The Somerset
B.K.A. will hold its first annual Honey Show as above.
Several open classes. Schedules from Louis E. Snel-
grove, Hon. Sec, Cromla, Locking Road, Weston-
super-Mare Entries close July 28.

August 9, at Abingdon Park, North-
ampton- — Honey sLow of the Northants
B-K.A. Special prizes, including the Baroness
Burdett Coutts' prize hive for cottager mem-
bers, also three open classes, including one for
single 1-lb- jar honey. (Entry free-) Prizes, 208.,
10s-, 78- 6d-, and 28. 6d. Schedules from R. Hefford.
Hon. Sec-, Kingsthorpe, Northants. Entries close
August 3.

August 9. at Madresfield, Malvern. —

Annu.ll Show of the Worcestershire Bee-keepers'
Association. Open class. Schedules from Mr. Geo
Richmgs, 2, Shrubbery Terrace, Worcester.

August 15, at Wye-— Kent Honey Show. Six-
teen classes for . Honey and Bee Products. Greatly
mcreased cash prizes ; Classes 1 to 11 open to Kent ;
Classes 12 to 16 open to the United Kingdom. Open
classes include— Single lib. jar light extracted honev ;
single 1-lb. jar dark ditto," 20s., 10s., 5s., in each
class; lib. section, silver cup. Trophy class First
prize Sliver cup, value £3 3s. Best collection of Bee
Appliances, first and second prizes. Special arrange-
ments for Bee Demonstrations and many other new
attractions added this year. Schedules on receipt
of stamp from J. Tippen, Secretary, Wye, Ashford
Kent. Entries close August 10-

August 16, at Yetminster, Dorset. —

Annual Show of the Yetminster and District B.K.A.
held in a field kindly lent by Mr. Jolliffe. Four open
classes, including three 1-lb. jars extracted honev,
three 1-lb. sections, and cake of beeswax. Schedules
from G. Leeding, Hon. Sec, Bradford Abbas, Sher-
borne. Entries close August 10.

August 17. — In Public School, Port-
william, Wigtownshire-— Honey Show in con-
nection with the Horticultural Society. Classes for
sections and extracted honey, open to amateurs and
cottagers- Challenge class (open to all) for three
1-lb. jars extracted honey; prizes, 20s., 128., 8s., and
4s.— Schedules from Secretary, Horticultural Society
Portwilliam, N.B.

August 18, at Bor^ue, N"-B-— Honev and
Flower Show, to be held at Borgue, Kirkcudbrigut,
N-B. Open cla.sses. Schedules trom E. S. Munro The
--Vcademy, Borgue, Kirkcudbright, N.B. Entries
close August 18.

August 22 and 23, at Shrewsbury.-

Annual Show of the Shropshire B.K.A. in connection
with the Horticultural Society's Great Floral Fete m
"The Quarry," Shrewsbury- Seven open classes for
honey- Classes with free entry for single 1-lb- jar and
single 1-lb. section. Schedules from S. Cartwright, Hon.
Secretary, Shawbury, Shrewsbury. Entries close
August 10

August 24, at Exeter-— Annual Show of the
Devon B.K.A , in conjunction with the Devon and
Exeter Horticultural Society- The Baroness Burdett-
Coutts' prize, hive for the best exhibit shown by cot-
tager members. Dr. Philpotfs prize of £1 Is., for the
two btst sections of comb honey. All open classes.
Scheciales from the Hon. Sec. A. S. Parrish, Heavi-
tree Road, E.xeter. Entries close August 18-

August 25, at Barnton, Cheshire-— Honey

Show 111 f-oniipction with Floral and Horticultural
Exhibition— two country, and six local classes for
honey and wax. Cheshire B.K.A. silver medal to win-
ner of Ist prize for 'county honey. Schedules from
F. Hindley, Hon. Sec, 88, Runcorn Itnad, Barnton,
Northwich. Entries close August 18

August 29, at Chester.- Cheshire B.K.A. Show
in connection with the County Agricultural Society.
Open classes for Hives, Observatory Hives, Section*,
and Extracted Honey. Baroness Burdett-Coutts' priie
hive for best exhibit shown by cottager member.
Seven classes for members. Schedules from T. A.
Beckett, St. Werburgh Chambers, Chester. Entries
Close August 8, or at double fees, August 16.

August 29, at Eorbury Gardens, Bead-
ing.—Honey Show of the Berks. B-K.A. Schedule*
from the Hon. Sec, D W. Bishop-Ackerman, it>u
King's Road, Reading. Entries close August

August 30, at Montgomery.— Honey Sbxr-v
m connection with Horticultural Exhibition. Two
open classes for six 1-lb. sections and six lib. jar»
extracted honey. Prizes, 10s., Ss., 2s. 6d. E^try fee,
Is. each class. Schedules from Mr. W. J. Jones, Secre-
tary, Montg(/mery. Entries close August 23-

September 8, at Dumfries- — South of Soot-
land B.K.A. 14th Annual Show of Honey, Bees, aiid
Appliances. Five open classes — viz., three 1-lb. jars,
three 1-lb. sections, and for single jar and section
(free entry), and cake of wax ; also handsome money
prizes and valuable medals, for members oniy.
Schedules from Jas. Johnstone, Sec, Nelson Street,
Maxwelltown. Entries close September 1.

September 12 and 13, at Edinburgh- —

Thirteenth Annual Exhibition of Midlothian B.K.A.
in Waverley Market. Open classes for six sections
heather, six sections flower, six jars heather, six jars
flower. Prizes, 15s., lOs., 5s- Entry, 28. per class.
Schedules from W. Weir, Heriot, Midlothian.

September 13, at Castle Douglas-— Honey

Section, Dairy Show. Liberal prizes- Five open
classes — viz-, three 1-lb. jars, three 1-lb- sections,
single jar, single section, and for cake of beeswax.
Schedule from Jas. Johnstone, or from L. Aird, Hard-
gate Schoolhouse, Dalbeattie. Entries close
September 1.

September 8 to 15, at the Agricultural
Hall, London.— Honey Show in connection with
the Confectiouera', Bakers', and Allied Traders Annual
Exhibition and Market- (See large advertisement on
page i-) Open to all British Bee-keepers.
Entry fee in each class one shilling. Schedules from
H. S. Rogers, Secretary, Exhibition Offices, Palmerston
House. Old Broad Street, London, E.O.

September 20, 21, and 22, at Crystal
Palace- — Surrey B.K.A. Annual Exhibition of Bees,
Honey, Wax, and Appliances, etc. Twenty-six classes
(ten open to all). Increased prizes and medals.
Schedules from F. B. White, secretary, Marden House,
Redhill, Surrey. Entries close September 7.

September 22 to 29, at the Agricultural
Sail, liOndon. — Honey Show in connection with
the Twelfth Annual Exhibition and Market of the
Grocerj' and Kindred Trades. Nearly £50 in prizes
for honey and beeswax including four prizes of £4,
£3, £2, and £1, in honey trophy class. Open to
all British Bee-keepers. Schedules from H. S.
Rogers, Secretary, Exhibition Offices, Palmerston
House, Old Broad Street, London E.C.

September 26, at Altrincham.— Show of

Honey Products, in connection with Altrincham
Agricultural Show. Open to United Kingdom : Classes-
for Hives, Observatory Hive, 12 Jars Extracted Honey.
Open to County of Chester only: Classes for Trophy,
Amateur-built Hive, Two Shallow Bars, 12 Jars Run,
12 Sections, Wax, etc. Special classes for cottagers.
Special classes for Society's district. Liberal prizes.
Low entrance fees. Schedules from Mr. J. H. Hall, 2,
Dunham Road, Altrincham. Entries close-
September 9.

October 9 to 12, at the Agricultural
Sail, London. — Show of Honey and Bee Produce-
in connection with the British Dairy Farmers' Associa-
tion. Numerous and liberal prizes for honey, etc.,
including the valuable Silver Challenge Cup of the-
B. B.K.A. Schedules from Mr. Wm. C- Young, Secre-
tary, 12, Hanover Square, London, W. Entries
close September 12.

Aug. 2, 1906.J THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

309

notices to Correspondents & Inquirers,

Letters or queries asking for addresses of manufac-
turers or correspondents, or where appliances can be
purchased, or replies giving such information, can only
be inserted as advertisem.ents. The space devoted to
letters, queries, and replies is meant for the general
good of bee-keepers, and not for advertisements. We
wish our correspondents to bear in tnind that, as is
necessary for us to go to press in advance of the date of
issue, queries cannot alwaysbe repUedto intheinkxte im,-
mediately following the receipt of their communications.

'" Concrete " (Workington). — 1. When the
larvse in a queen cell is found in an abnor-
mal position it goes to show that the frame
of comb on which the cell is found, has
been shaken roughly when handling. 2.
Yes, it is best to have queens raised in
strong stocks in order to avoid risk, the
cells being abortive from lack of proper
warmth during the hatching process. 3.
The queen-raiser from whom you purchased
the queens would be the best person to
inquire from with regard to the death of
queens, as he knows what kind of cage is
best. Five days is too long to keet) a
virgin queen caged in the colonv to which
she is to be introduced. 4. You should
procure Mr. Sladen's book on " Queen-
Eearing in England." It gives all the de-
tails asked for on the subject.

Suspected Combs.

A. B. (Dunaskin). — Drone-comb containing
dead larvse is of no use in diagnosing. We
should have worker brood in worker comb.

"Anxious" (Glam.). — Sample of comb sent
is a typical one showing a thoroughly bad
case of foul brood needing drastic treat-
ment.

N. X. J. (Staffs.).— There is foul brood in
sample, but not in a bad form, indeed in
some respect the dead larvse somewhat re-
sembles "pickled brood."

S. M. Watson (Poole). — Sample No. 1 (two
pieces : The newly-built bit of comb has
dead brood in cells (not foul brood), but
resembling "black brood," as known in the
U.S.A. _ No. 2 (old black comb): Shows
"F. B." in two or three cells only.

J. Roberts (North^p). — No disease in comb ;

stock is headed by a drone-breeding queen,

and is therefore useless.
Doubtful (Sheffield). — There is foul brood

in both samples, but the disease is only

starting. in recently-built comb. ' The old

piece is badly affected.

T. H. S. (Yorks.). — No foul brood in sample,
in which only one batch of brood* has been
reared. The dead larvae bears some
resemblance to " pickled brood," but It may
be " chilled " onlv.

E. M. M. (Chipping Norton). — Comb ((quite
newly built) contains only honey and fresh
pollen.

X. Y. (Banff). — Very bad case of foul brood ;
in fact, the dead larvse in comb is rotten
with disease. The whole contents of hive
; should be burnt.

Honey Samples.

W. G. H. (Newport, Mon.).— The honey is
good in flavour and colour, but not dense
enough for a keen competition ; would do
very well for a local show.

"Ideja" (Gloucester). — The sample is
good in ilavour, but if in a lib. jar would
be rather too " deep golden " in colour for
a big show. It is also somewhat thin.
Will do for local show.

E. H. P. (Gravesend). — Very good sample.
Will do for any show bench.

J. B. (Salisbury). — Hardly good enough for
showing ; colour faulty, and honey not well
ripened. The pamphlet you name is out
of print, but we shall have a further supply
in a short time.

A. D. (Mexborough). — ^Sample is very good
in flavour, consistency, and colour ; in-

- deed is good on all goints, and very suit-
able for the show bench.

Diana (London, E.C.). — ^There is no honey
dew in sample, its dark colour being due
to the forage it was gathered fi'om. It is
hardly suitable for table use. The flavour
is coarse and rank, while the aroma is un-
pleasant. It appears to be gathered mainly
from privet.

Special Prepaid Advertisements

Txoelne words and under Sixpence: for every additional
Three words or under, One Penny.

HEALTHY Stocks in good Standard Hives, 208.
each.— JARVIN. Colefow. Glos. R 85

1 O n fi SELECTED QUEENS, Woodley's strain,
I rf \ / O Guaranteed healthy and safe arrival, in safety ,
introducing cages, 3s. 6d. ; VIRGINS, Is. 3d.— TOL-
LINGTON, Woodbine Apiary, Hathern, Loughboro'.
R 84

FOR Sale, ten strong, healthy stocks of BEES in
frame-hives ; a number of boxes of shallow ex-
tracting combs, section racks, etc. ; 3cwt. 19C5 good
LIGHT HONEY, in 281b. tins.— PENFOLD, Wes*
Street. Epsom. R 85

FOR Sale, a quantity of HIVES, full of Bees and
Honev, in healthy condition ; also BEE AP-
PLIANCES.—Apply to Mr. WALTER STEVENS, Bath
Lane, Mansfield, Notts.

DRIVEN BEES, guaranteed healthy, with Queen,
3b. txX. ; ditto, specially selected, with 1906 fer-
tile Queen, 4s. 6d. Extract ^rom order just to hand :
— " The bees I had from vou last year have done
splendidly."— W. SOLE, Certified Expert, Poplar
Grove, New Maiden, Surrey. R 82

TWO STOCKS OF BEES, three empty bar-frame
hives, geared extractor, heather press, smoker,
super clearer, good condition, 50s. the lot ; owner
going abroad.— PICKTHALL, Low Laithe, Bingley,
Yorks.

WANTED, one or two driven lots or stocks of
CAKXIOLAN BEES.- F. MERCHANT, Ames-

hury, Wilts. R 79

FOR SALE, four dozen ACME BLOOM PROTEC-
TORS ; cost 36s., will take 18s. ; or what offers
in bees or bee appliances?— GIBSON, Newton Bewley,
Stockton-on-Teeg; R 78

QUEENS, choice fertile 1906, bred from my non-
swaiining stocks, 3s. each; immediate despatch.
— TAYLOP., Hollyhurst, Boldmere Road, Wylde Green,
near Birminsrham^ ^ R 75

ONEY. finest qualitv, 6d. lb. ; 281b. tins; sample
2d.— H MAY, Kingston, Wallingford. R 77

H

SEVERAL HUNDREDWEIGHTS FINEST NEW
LIGHT EXTRACTED HONEY, £3 ewt.— TIL-
LING, Hcssenford, Cornwall. R 76

310

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[Aug. 2, 1906.

Prepaid Advertisements [Continued).

HEALTHY DRIVEN BEES, with Queen, 5s. per
lot ; also 1906 Queens, 2s. 6d. each ; boxes re-
turnable; 10th season.— A. B. MORETON, Expert,
HaUow, Worcester. R 74

FLAG TO PRETORIA"; "AFTER PRETORIA";
67 numbers, 2Jerfectly clean. Exchange for
strong health}' driven bees, honey, good extractor, or
sell 17s. Also about 200 Hobbies' designs, 3s., or
otfers.— FRY, Kerton Villa, Bury Lane, Horsell, Sur-
rey. B 74

WANTED to exchange for healthy bees, eight
prize-bred Black Minorcas hens, one year old ;
Smethurst and Haslam's strain.— J. HOVVARTH, 31,
Well Bank Street, Tottington, Bury, Lanes. B 73

MEADOWS, Syston. — Clearance sale of extractors,
obsenatory, hives, etc. Prices on applica-
tion^^ B 72

EXTRACTOR, "COWAN'S RAPID," wanted. Send
lowest price ; mus\ be^ in thorough order.' —
WOOD, 67, Park Road, Crouch End. R 71

BUSINESS Wanted; baker's, groceiils, or both com-
bined, within 20 miles of London. Must be a
good sound business, and bear thorough investigation.
Preference given to one in a good bee-keeping dis-
trict.—" W. A.," B.B.J. Office. B 70

FOB SALE, two LIGUEIAN 1906 QUEENS, 3s.
each ; DRIVEN BEES, two strong lots, English-
Ligurian Hybrids, As. each; EXTRACTOR, Baldwin's
" Little Wo?.der," new last year, 5s.— F. P. CHEES-
MAN, Sutton Valence, Kent. E 69

"f^J' ANTED, small OBSERVATORY HIVE, cash, or

y \ exchange Taylor's Non-Swarming Hive. — PARK,

Dempster Street, Greenock. B 68

ri'^WO or three QUEENS to spare, 2s. each; second-
± hand hive, 5s.— STEVENS, Churchill, Oxford-
ahire. b 66

T7f;r ANTED, PRACTICAL GARDENER, with good

T T experience of bee-keeping. — Reply by letter,

stating age, wage, also send reference®, to SAM-

MONS BEOS., Walsall. E 65

TEN GOOD SKEPS of BEES, healthy, strong, well
provisioned, 10s. 6d. each.— POSTMASTER,
Haconby, Bourne. E 64

OBSERVATORY HIVE FOR SALE, Lee's make;
holds three frames and sections ; Bryce feeder ;
double glass sides ; revolves on solid stand ; in per-
fect conditon, £2 7s. 6d. ; free on rail.— OLIVER G.
PIKE, Winchmore Hill, Middlesex. B 63

WORKING OBSERVATORY HIVE, takes two
standard frames and four sections (revolving), all
mahogany, £1 ; exchange honev, bees, or appliances.
— WAKERELL ,21, Mansfield Road, Croydon. E 62

ODAK NO. 2 FOLDING POCKET CAMERA ; sacri-
fice 25s.— MARTIN, Beekeeper, Wokingham, r 60

K

IMPORTED ITALIAN QUEENS, 6s. 6d. ; home-raised
Italian and Carniolan, 5s. ; British, 4s. ; swarms
—Nuclei or fuU Colonies. Fair prices.— E. WOOD-
HAM, Clavering, Newport, Essex. E 59

D

|RIVEN BEES wanted ; any quantity.— E. H. TAY-
LOR, Welwyn, Herts. E 61

THREE-FRAME NUCLEI, 1906 LAYING QUEENS,
10s. cash.— HE.VIMING BROS., Standlake, Wit-
ney^ B 50

ANTED, a few cwts. LIGHT HONEY.— Sample

and lowest price to SHACKLETON, Thorner,

near Leeds. E 48

SINGLE FRAME OBSERVATORY HIVE, with space
for sections over.— HEWETT, Laburnum Apiary,
Alton. Hants. ^* B 45

HONEY-COMB FOUNDATION.— Efficient machinery
and system for production of foundation ; capa-
city, 5 tons per week by one mechanic, and about
three youths to assist ; One thousand pounds cash
and percentage on output, will purchase complete
outfit.— H. E. HALL, 14, Park Street, London, N. E 43 '

DRIVEN BEES ; large supply ; strong, healthy lot*,,
with Queen, 5s. ; also laying 1906 Queens, 28. 6d.
— T. BRADFORD, Expert, 68, Droitwich Road, Wor.^
cester.

FINEST ENGLISH HONEY, 15s. per 281b. tin;
sample, 2d.— DUTTON, Terling, Essex. E 40

HEALTHY DRIVEN BEES, 4s. per lot, cash; de-
livery in August. Orders in rotation. Boxes-
returnable.— H. KEMP, Frome, Somerset. E 39

STOCKS on three frames, lOs. 6d. ; ditto on four,
lis. 6d. ; 1906 fertile Queens.— W. Woods, Nor-
mandy, Guildford.

NfifW LIGHT SCOTCH CLOVER HONEY, £3 cwt. ;
sample 3d. Deposit.— GILBERTSON, 43, High.
Street, Annan, Dumfriesshire. E 23

WANTED, 1-lb. SECTIONS NEW HONEY.— Price
and particulars to T. 6. IICELEE, Pasture
Street, Grimsby.

QUEENS, specially selected from honey-gathering
stocks ; fertile Black Engliaii, 1906, in introduc-
ing cage, 28. 8d., free, by return post ; LIGHT EX-
TRACTED HONEY, 52s. 6d. cwt. ; in screw-cap jarSj
as. dozen, sample 2d.; HONEY TINS (new), t-.xt-ra
strong, na leaking, air-tight lids, 8s. 6d. dozen, 301b8.
capacity; COMBS BROOD, suit driven bees, healthy,
7d. each.— CHARTER, TattLngstone, Ipswich. r 21

SECTION GLAZING.— Best quality laoe paper, made
especially for bee-keepers' use ; 100, in white
pink, green, or blue, 6d., 300 Is. 4d., 500 2s. 2d., 1,000
3s. 9d., post free ; lace one side, lace hands (lace both
sides), white 25, 3 and 3^ wide, 100 Is. 2d., 200 28. 3d.,
500 4s. ; a few in pink and blue, 100 Is. 4d., 20O
28. 6d., post fiee.- W. WOODLEY, Beedon, New^
bury. E 27

DRIVEN BEES, with Queens, commencing August ;
3s. 6d. per lot, cash with order ; boxes returned-;
orders in rotation.— T. PULLEN, Ramsbury, Hunger-
ford. B 11

HEALTHY DRIVEN BEES, commencing August ;
delivery to August 20, 4s. per lot ; after this
date, 3s. 6d. ; orders cash ; delivered rotation ; boxes
returnable.— H. C. SMITH, The Apiary, Woodman-
cote, near Cirencester. E 10

READY for Delivery, healthy FERTILE QUEENS
(1906), 3s. 6d., in introducing cages, post free —
CARBINES, Bee Expert, Cardinham, near Bodmin,
Cornwall. Q 95

STING PROOF GLOVES, 28. ; with sleeves, 2s. 6d.,
post free. Why pay more? — KENT, Manufac-
turer, Dorchester Q 93

HOLIDAYS. — Cornwall ; delightful situation near
sea and Land's End; 30b. — S. HARBORNE,
Apiary, St. Buryan, R.S.O. Q 69

QUEENS (celebrated Doolittle strain of Improvedi
Italians). — A customer writes : " The virgin 1
had from you last year has done splendidly. Stock
now on 33 Standaid Frames." Virgins, Is. 6d. ;
Fertiles, 5s. Safe delivery guaranteed. First come,
first served.- DAVID TAYLOR, Ilminster. Q 64

WANTED, SECTIONS, first quality ; prompt ca«h ;
also extracted per cwts.— W. CHILTON, Brook-
side, f-olegate, Sussex.

EW SECTIONS, HONEYCOMB.— Supplies wanted,

at once.— SMITH, Cambridge Street, Hyde Park.

Q 29

COMFORTABLE APARTMENTS for Brother Bee-
keepers visiting Douglas. Terms : Tea, bed,
and breakfast, 28. 6d ; or full board, 5s. per day —
iIORSLEY's, Merridale House, top of Castle Drive,
Douglas, Isle of Man.

A PRONOUNCED SUCCESS.— The BUEKITT BEE-
GLOVE. With sleeves, Ss. 6d. per pair, po»b
fres. Without sleeTPS, 28 6d. per pair, post free. The-
best, cheapest, and most satisfactory glove for bee-
keepers.- EDWARD REYNOLDS, Glove Maker, Andt-
over, Hampshire Wholesale prioea to the trade

N

Aug. 9, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

311

(KiMal ^0tim> ^L

HANTS AND ISLE OF WIGHT B.K.A.

SWAXMORE BBANOH.

The annual show of the above branch
was held at Bishop's Waltham on July 31
in connection with' that of the Bishop's
AValtham Horticultural Society. The
feature of the show was the all-roimd ex-
cellence of the honey shown. Little or no
dark or inferior honey was on view, a cir-
cumstance which correctly indicates the
actual experience of bee-keepers in the dis-
trict this season, though " takes " in a good
many cases have been small. The Rev.
W. E. Medlicott acted as judge, and made
the following awards: —

TircJrc 1-lb. Sections. — 1st, W. G. Hedges ;
2nd, E. Ainsley ; 3rd^ W. Cooper.

Six 1-/6. Sections. — 1st, W. Cooper ; 2nd,

E. Ainsley ; 3rd, F. Sandall.

TInrr l-'lb. Sections. — 1st, E. Hedges ; 2nfl,
W. Co()i>er ; 3rd, A. Eoyds, jun.

l-lh. Section.— 1st, E. Hedges ; 2nd, Miss
Martin ; 3rd, E. Ainsley.

Norices Only — Three 1-Ib. Sections. —
Special prize to Miss E. Annels.

La/rfiest nnd Br'.s/ Disijlay of Honey. — 1st,
W. (i. Hedges ; e4;[ual 2nds, E. Hedges
and E. Ainsley.

Tinlre l-lh. Jars Extracted Honey.- — 1st,

F. Sandall ; 2nd, E. Ainsley ; 3rd, W. G.
Hedges.

Til ice l-lh. Sections and Three l-lb. Jars
E.ftracted Honey. — 1st, F. Sandall ; 2nd,
E. Ainsley ; 3rd, Miss Martin.

1-lb Section and l-lh. Jar Extracted Honey.
—1st, E. Hedges ; 2nd, E. Ainsley.

Three \-lb. Jars Granulated Honey. — 1st,
E. Ainsley; 2nd, W. G. Hedges.

Two Shallow Frames of Comb Honey
—1st, E. Ainsley; 2nd, W. G. Hedges;
3rd. E. Hedges.

MEMBERS ONLY.

24 lbs. Honey — Twelve l-lh. Sections and
Tn-elre 1-lb. Jars Extracted Honey. — 1st,
W. G. Hedges; 2nd, E. Ainsley'; 3rd, F.
Sandall.

The awards in this last competition in-
clude a silver medal, bronze medal, and cer-
titicate respectively. — ■ A. Royds, Jux.,
Swanmore, jjishop's Waltham.

©bituar^.

BEATH OF MR. R. COCK.

The death took place on Sunday, at his
residence in Stafford, of Mr. Robert Cock,
F.R.H.S., the horticultural lecturer and
instructor in gardening and bee-keeping
for the Staffordshire County Council. Mr.

Cock was appointed instructor in 1892,
and as his duties took him into all parts
of the administrative county, he had be-
come a familiar figure, especially in the
rural districts. A few v/eeks ago a move-
ment was started in the county for pre-
senting him with a testimonial in con-
sideration of the great services he had ren-
dered in connection with gardening, bee-
keeping, and poultry-keeping in Stafford-
shire.— (Communicated.)

The Editors do not hold themselves retpongible /or the
opinions expressed by correspondents. No notice toill
be taken of anonymous communieatiom, and corre-
spondents are requested to write on one side of the paper
only and give their real names and addresses, not neces-
sarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith.
Illustrations should be drawn on separate pieces «f paptr
We do not undertake to return rejected eommunieationa,

AMONG THE BEES.

riRIXa BLANK CARTRIDGES.

[6387.] First let me express my pleasure
that one so well qualified as Mr. Crawshaw
has aijparcntly become a regular contri-
butor to the pages of the Jourxal. I under-
stand he is an enthusiast in regard to api-
culture. Some years ago he was kind
enough to write expressing a hope that a
conti'ibution, wherein he differed from me
S(miewhat, would not displease, and I was
glad to reply, " No." I would only welcome
any criticism which would elucidate the
truth. I can assure readers that I am very
far indeed from looking on myself as 'n-
fallible, and I should be only too well
pleased to have my errors pointed out and
corrected. AVith this preamble, let me a^
gently and succinctly as I can touch on
three or foi*- of Mr. Crawshaw's recent
criticisms where he has fired blank car-
tridges.

SJint No. 1. — On page 224, in dealing with
the running of an apiary, with four or five
visits a year, he adduces Doolittle's autho-
rity quoted by me as an instance of
boomeranging myself, because Mr. C. thinks
the latter's teaching supports " W. Z. H."
How ? Why, Doolittle has already doubled
the other's number of visits, with more
to follow. This l)oomerang has, there-
fore, rel)ounded on the critic !

Slot No. 2. — "This nuclei" quoted from
" A. H.," is, of course, wrong. Used as an
adjective, with a singular or a plural noun,
it should be nucleus hive or nucleus hives ;
and I fancy I could refer to such a use on
my part scores of times. But, as quoted
on ))age 284 from page 272, the Printers
Devil was not at fault, because I guess my
manuscripF, rightly or wrongly, will show
the words as printed. I used the tei-m
" nuclei lots " advisedly, and maintain that

312

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Aug. 9, 1906.

there is a distinction, and a diflference. As
the idea stood in my mind, the whole phrase
is an equivalent of " a collection of nuclei."

Shot No. 3. — An aged queen not a cause
of swarming ? What ! Who can point out
a single writer of the one thousand and
one who have given us bee-books who has
not told us this simple truth ! The sug-
gested solution of " stoking " is rather
finical criticism, because, young or old, it
is all a question of food.

Ttdcli or Crate. — We are getting no " for-
rarder " on this moot point, I fear. Out
of deference to the expressed opinions of our
Editors, I now write (at least, wlien I re-
member) the term as rack, but I always
think of it and sjieak of it as crate, and in
all nay records I write it so. I am a little
afraid if I were sitting an exam., and my
pass depended on using rack alone, I would
be plucked. If so, why?

" A Swarming Incident. " — The writer of
No. 6382 would have saved himself some
worry and trouble if he had been aware '^f
a simple device, recorded in the JotrRNAL
several times, for discovering the hive from
which his swarm had issued. Remove the
swarm out of sight when they have taken
possession of the hiving skep. Take half
a cupful of bees, flour them well, and throw
them down on a board or old newspaper,
when, after a good shake, they will make
for the spot where tlie swarm had settled ;
but, finding it vacant, they will at once
make for their old home. In a few minutes
a score or more of dusty bees will be found
fanning busily at the entrance of the
swarmed stock. Rightly gone about this
device is infallible eveiy time, and is well
worthy of being preserved for future use.
" Paste it in your hat," as the /vmericans
express it.

Experiences. — Last year I had no swarms.
" This year, up to date, I have had none.
Some say they have a swarming strain of
bees. I cannot quite see what causes such
excessive swarming with many. I have had
dealings this season with common blacks.
hybrid blacks from driven lots, hybrid
Cyprians, hybrid Carniolans, hyl)rid
TJgurians, and pure Italians. None have
swarmed. The Carniolans are busy in three
racks, filling every section with bees. A
neigh})()ur last year had three swarms, and
the parent stock under similar circum-
stances. Whence the difference ? The
Cyprian cross are not specially " cross,"
but they have ;i strange style of stinging.
They .simpl^' sit down on the liand and
coolly thrust in tlieir darts without any fuss
or signs <,)f animosity. Their spears can
penetrate, however. They have a worse
feature here, at least. Hundreds of the
young come out every day crawling feebly
about. If it is a sunny day they gradually
gain strength and return to the hive. If

it is cold, sunless^ or with a strong wind
blowing, so many appear to succumb that
the ground round about is strewn with their
corpses. Another peculiarity worth noting
is that they seem lacking in the bump of
locality. They enter the hives on either
side of their own quite freely, and many
even waste time attempting to find an en-
trance into an empty hive two to the left.
With all this going on, it may be taken that
progress in the sujiers is slow — very.

Our real honey season opened as late as
July 21. Almost ever since we have had
excellent bee weather, and, white clover
standing out well, good work has been done,
All hives are strong, and the heather is fast
opening. With colonies all fit, we now
only require suitable weather to count on
an average season at least, in spite of the
backwardness of spring and early summer.
The price here is, so far as I can learn, lOd.
per section, and they were advertised earlier
in the Elgin i'ourant at Is. each. Takei>
all over, the season up to date is only a
fair one. So many hives spring-dwindled,
so many more died out, and the genial
weather was so long in coming that only the
strongest colonies will give anything like
a good average. In a few favoured localities
reports are good — in some cases very good.
—I). M. M.: Banff.

"SELECTED QUERIES."
[6388.] May I be allowed to support the
suggestion of your reverend correspondent
on page 305 (No. 6383) that " Selected
Queries " should be revived in the B.B.J.,
and if we can get rej)lies from leading mem-
bers of the craft I think it would "
be both interesting and instructive to
us amateurs. Curiously enough, I
wanted an answer myself only the
other day to the very query put in the
last par. of the letter referred to. I always
try and fill my " heather " supers with
built-out conrbs, and this means removing,
extracting, and again replacing the frames
by next evening at latest, or else one is likely
to have a swarm coming off if the weather
is hot. Last year I tried putting the wet
sections back on the hives at once to be
cleared out. but the bees had to be pre-
pared for their journev to the mooi-s the
same night, and I found that they did not
trouble to remove the clover honey from
the sections at all, but filled them up with
that gathered from the heather. Now, I like
to have my heather-honey pure and un-
mixed, and so go to the trouble of taking
four stocks of bees right on to " Didsworthy
Warren," a remote spot in the heart of
Dartmoor, a spot which may be described
as " miles away from anywhere "■ — indeed,
there is only a foot-track to guide one to it,
l)ut the old motor I'ets there all right in the
end, and the result, so far as regards

Aug. 9, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

313

heather-honey secured, well repays me for
the trouble, while to watch the sun rise over
the Tors of Dai'tmoor is well worth getting
up at 3.30 a.m. for.

This year I have tried a new plan. I
placed the wet sections down by a brook
where my bees go for water, and the result
was most satisfactory, for, the next day
being fine, they cleaned up 300 sections,
and there was not the slightest upset or sign
of robbing. Perhaps you will say it was
a risky thing to do, l)ut the fact remains
the bees were quite peaceful, and have re-
mained so up till now. — Richard Bayley
August 2.

[We are not sorry to liave our friend Mr.
Bayley's letter expressing similar views to
those of the Rev. A. Headley on page 305,
but think it will be generally admitted by
those who were readers of the B.B.J, nearly
twenty years ago, when the " Selected
Queries " was a feature in our pages, that
the subject was " pjayed exit " at the
time. Not only was it made a feature of
the B.B.J, in tliose days, but it was
adopted on a much larger scale in American
and other bee-papei's, and the general result
was by general consent found to be more con-
fusing than instructive, as merely showing
that " doctors differ " in bee-keeping as in
other things ; and so, the " Selected
Query " having died out, we think it would
be a retrograde step to revive it. In fact, as
showing the trend of up-to-date bee-keep-
ing, we rather think that most readers
would consider that a slight dash of " clover
flavour " would do no harm at all to a good
section of the strongest and best-flavoured
section of heather-honey. — Eds.]

ROSS-SHIRS BEE NOTES.

[6389.] The season here promises to turn
out better than at one time seemed likely.
The weather was not bad, but somehow we
did not exiierience the heavy honey-flow
usually associated with a dry July. St.
Swithin's brought rain, and the following
week was extremely wet and cold. The
robbing note was sounded and drones being
evicted, it looked as if all was over until a
sudden return of sunshine caused honey to
come in at a great rate.

Bees are w^ovking against time now. All
this week the whirr of the mower was heard
from morn to dewy eve. Several fields are
still a mass of bloom and redolent of honey,
but a few days will see them made bare.
Opinions vary as to whether the crop is
to be ahead of or back on last year's, but
August and the heather will decide that
point. Good stocks will give two to three
racks of sections from clover. A stock of
native bees is covering twenty-four frames,
having over eighty sections filled with

comb and honey, and a shallow super on
top with foundation fully drawn out and
jjartly stored. This is good, but a stock
of Italians puts the other quite in the
shade.

Five storeys full of bees from roof to
floor-board, and honey being sealed in the
top sujjer placed empty above the pre-
ceding ones. I have given a rack of sections
above all, and bees took possession at once.

By the way, bees are doing far better
woi'k in extracting supers than in sections.
But for the great number of combed-sections
left over from last season results would not
be so good. Swarming has afflicted many,
and absconding lots not a few have left their
owners lamenting.

We are now on the eve of the heather-
hai-vest, and stocks are in excellent condi-
tion to do the best of work.^J. M. Ellis,
Ussie Valley, July 28.

BEES UNITING OF THEMSELVES.

SUKPLTTS QTJEEXS AND SWARMING.

[6390.] I have taken your Journal now for
over two years, and, not having read or
heard of a similar experience to my i wn, T
though it might be of some interest to know
that on July 20 two of my stocks swarmed
simultaneousljr, and the two lots jo'ned
together. On returning them in the even-
ing to one of the parent hives I caught and
removed four queens as the bees were run-
ning into the hive. Again yesterday (Sun-
day, the 23rd) I had two swarms, and from
these I took five surplus queens. Probably
a good many of your readers are not aware
how common an occurrence it is for several
virgin queens to come off with swarms at
times. On the day previous to that above
I had another " happening " of an unusual
kind which may be worth recording. A
single-frame nucleus with queen cells, being
dealt with for hatching out, apparently all
hatched just before the time they were due
for inspection, for on examining tlie frame
I took five queens off the comb, besides
leaving one on the frame, and there were
some sealed cells left for hatching out later
on. — W. Fay, Havant.

[Incidents like the, above, though not
unusual, are always interesting to readers,
many of whom are not aware that it is a
common occurrence for several young queens
to issue along with second- swarms or casts.
—Eds. ] _

BEE-BREEDING.

[6391.] The remarks made by your corre-
spondent, " D. M. M.. Banff," on page 293,
entirely misrepresent this branch of bee-
keeping. It is not a fact that " nobody
ever seeks to eliminate undesirable traits,'
and I feel sure that there are queen-breeders

314

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Aug. 9, 1906.

in our country besides myself who pay care-
ful attention to drone-breeding, and who
take i^ains to breed for the improvement
of honey-pi-oduction and other important
characteristics, and Miot for prolificness
alone. If " D. M. M. " had ascertained
what is being done in this direction in tliis
country he would not have written what
he did. — F. W. L. Sladen, Ripple Court
Apiary, near Dover.

A WORD IN FAVOUR OF
CARNIOLANS.

[6392.] Poor Carniolans! They seem to
be done for.' Your correspondent, " E. L. ,
Perthshire" (B.B.J., August 2, No. 6382),
gives it to them very hard. Well, with as
much sincerity as he does, I may sa^, noG
only that I have not to complain of them,
but that they have done the best of all my
stocks. Evidently there are Carniolans
and Carniolans, and although, probably, we
shall never have a perfect bee, yet I believe
in the possibility of a selection which
would do away with what is excessive in the
swarming pi-opensities of the Carniolans,
whilst retaining their good qualities of
gentleness and prolificness. Why does not
" E. L. " try that selection for himself.

I may add that I have several stocks of
first-cross Carniolans which have given a
very good account of themselves. One has
swarmed once. Another has not swarmed
for two years ; has yielded me already three
heavy supers this year, and is the gentlest
stock in disposition in the whole apiary. —
Be. Colomban, St. Mary's Abbey, Buckfast,
Devon.

BEE NOTES FROM CORNWALL.

THE COMPARATIVE MEEITS OF DIFFERENT
RACES OF BEES.

A good many contradictory statements
are made as to the relative values of Eng-
glish and foreign bees. I think much of
this diversity of opinion arises from the
absence of accurate experiment. Some extol
Italians to the skies, others give them a
bad name. Now, any bee-keeper of ex-
perience knows that the different stocks
even of one race vary immensely in the same
apiary. It might very easily happen that
a stock of Italians would turn out an extra
good one or the reverse, and the bee-
kec'j)er's report would be good or bad accord-
ingly. For my part. I have had stocks
of English bees that none could excel, and
I have had some less .cxtrellent. I have one
stock of Italian l)ees that I can find no
fault with as regards vigour and utility,
l)ut the bees are not as L'entle as most of my
English stocks. It is the only Italian stock
that I have, as I have rather a fancy for
our old British race of beos, that are .as
good, I am certain, as any that can oe
obtained. My bees are, however, not ab-

solutely pure English, as I have got them
from many parts of England, and some show
traces of Italian blood. I think a little
crossing is of advantage ; but one stock of
Italians is quite enough for a very large
apiary for crossing jKirposes. In this way
we should have more English blood than
any other, and, in my opinion, it will be
a great pity if ever we cease to have a dis-
tinctive British hive bee.

I have tried Tunisian bees, but so far
have always lost the queens from some cause
or other before I had a working colony ;
but I have had Tunisian hybrids, and find
them very good in every way, and in no
way different to English bees, save in
appearance.

To settle the comparative merits of dif-
ferent races, an -exact experiment should
be made as follows : — On the same day cut
out the very finest queen-cell from an Eng-
lish stock and from an Italian stock, and
get two of the verv finest queens of each
race that can be procured. On a date when
both are laying make two artificial swarms
of exactly the same weight — one English,
one Italian. Let this be done early in the
season. Put each on the same number of
frames, and treat each exactly alike. Both
hives should be kept on scales, and accurate
particulars obtained. The artificial swarms
should contain, say, 6 lb. of bees each.
This should once for all settle the matter-
from the utilitarian point of view. Of
course there are more points to be con-
sidered than the weight of honey obtained,
such as the nature of the capping on the
sections, etc., but the test should be made
chiefly for honey-gathering powers. I have
not the leisure to do this myself, and it is
too late for anyone else to experiment this
season, but }jerhaps some one will try it
in 1907.

The experiment would be more complete
still if two sets were dealt with, and one
worked for extracted honey only and the
other for sections.

It is to be hoped that some effort will
be made to ])reserve English bees in their
l)urity in at least one i-emote apiary. A
time will come when they will fetch a fancy
price, l)Pcauso the tendency is to introduce
a lot of Italian blood. Bee-keepers like
myself who are surrounded by many others
cannot do anything in this way. A
bee-keeper should be located a long way
from others in order to really carry oil his
bobby or business in a satisfactory way.
Unless isolated he cannot keep a large
apiary ; it would be too risky while his
neighbonrs do nothing to keep free from
foul brood. Besides, if apiaries are very
near to each other there is likely to be
trouble at the swarming season fr'->m mixed
and lost swarms.

rHcc of Homy. — I am sorry to see that

Aug. 9, 190b. J THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

315

there is still a tendency to undersell in the
honey market. This is one result of the
flooding of the craft by unsuitable persons.
They get one good year, and forget that
there are also lean years, and that it pays
very l)adly for labour to sell at a very low
price. Eee-keepers are unbusiness-like io
accept whatever an advertiser chooses to
offer. They should work as hard to get a
good price as they do to get the honey.

Baising Queens. — I am now able to state
positivelj- that large sealed queen-cells in-
serted in small mating-boxes, witli a full
supply of bees and a little brood, will de-
velop into fine queens, quite as satisfactory
as those hatched out in a large stock. I
can also say that the only queen I have

(who assists me, and often gets violently
stixng), and myself pretending to know a
lot."'

Hoping it will interest B.B.J, readers in
the old country. — J. E. C, Launceston,
Cornwall.

QUEEN-MATING.

[6394.] I am much obliged for your reply
to my query, which I received by post this
morning. As a matter of fact, an examina-
tion of the hive in question on Friday last
showed a fair number of eggs in the cells,
so presumably all is going on well. I
omitted to say in my query that the swarm
was really a second one — it had been out
before, but returned to the hive, having

AN APIARV IX JAMAICA.

raised from the egg in a mating-box is
small, similar to those raised in full stocks
from small queen-cells. — W. J. Fahmer,
Cornwall.

BEES IN JAMAICA.

[6393.] I enclose photo of Mr. Westmore-
land's apiary at Annotto Bay, Jamaica, of
which my brother, Mr. Watson Crawshaw,
is manager. You will rememl^er publish-
ing an article by him in your Recokd for
November, 1902. In describing photo, my
brother says : —

" The building on left-hand is the honey-
house, in the centre of picture a small coolie

apparently lost its queen, hence the swarm
referred to in my query would be headed
by a virgin queen. Nevertheless, the time
the queen took to get fertilised — about three
weeks — seems exceptionally long, judging
by what I have read. Again thanking you
for your reply, I am — .T. H. W., Bingley.

WEIGHT OF SECTIONS.
[6395.] I took off a rack of sections the
other day containing twenty-one sections )f
the ordinary 1-lb. kind, and, seeing they
were extra well finished, I weighed them,
after scraping off all propolis, etc. They
weighed 25 lb, ISg oz. ; one of them turned

316

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL [Aug. 9, 1906.

the scale at 20 oz. They are filled, I be-
lieve, with white clover honey. I wonder
what is the record weight of a rack of
twenty-one sections. Perliaps some reader
of the B.B.J, will be able to say. — East
Sussex, August 4.

BEES AND FRUIT GROWING.
[6396.] As an intending fruit-grower and
bee-farmer, it may interest " H. O. M. "
(3373, p. 307) to know that I fiiad the
following books on fruit growing of great
service: — "Profitable Fruit-growing," J.
Wright, Is. ; "Chemistiy of the Garden,"
H. Cousins, Is. ; and " Tlie Varieties of
Fruits," published at 2d. by the Royal
Hoi-ticultural Society, Vincent Square,
S.W., all of which are very reliable works,
and are just what a beginner wants. —
O. R. F., Regent's Park.

WEATHER REPORT.

Wbstbournb, Sussex,
July, 1906.
Minimum on grass,

37° on 2nd.
Frosty nights, 0.
Mean maximum,

71°
Mean minimum,

51-7
Mean temperature,

61-3"
Above average, 0'8.
Maximum barometer,

30-25 on 9th.
Minimum barometer,
29-85 on 19th.

Rainfall, -53 in.

Heaviest fall, •21 in.
on 18th.

Rain fell on 8 days.

Below average, 1-98 in.

Sunshine, 261-7 hours.

Brightest day, 25th,
14 hours.

Sunless days, 0.

Above average, 27-2
hours.

Maximum tempera-
ture, 79-5° on 30th.

Minimum tempera-
ture, 41° on 1st.

L. B. BlRKJlTT.

JULY RAINFALL.

Total, .76 in.

Heaviest fall, .27 in. on 13th.
Rain fell on fourteen days. — W. Head,
Brilley, Herefordshire.

^ntrm m& ileplics.

[3375.] Clippiny Quccni^ and Losfi of
Svianiu. — At the beginning of this season, I
had two stocks of bees in frame hives. I
led both Stoi.-ks in spring and so got them in
good condition and stionu: in numbeis. Later
on 1 clipped the wings of both queens in order
to avoid loss of swarms, and examined the
frames of both colonies each week, and
cut out any queen-cells found on the combs ;
but T evidcmtlv missed one cell in the
hive (No. 1) for the bees swarmed, and,
in consequence of the queen's inability to
take wing, naturally returned to their
hive; the old (|ueon being presumably lost in
the grass near the hive. After a while, this

same stock swarmed again, and, not being
seen to issue, the swarm was lost, notwith-
standing all my trouble in removing the cells.
Of course, as you are aware, it is an easy
matter to miss a queen-cell in June when the
frames are so crowded with bees ; and unfor-
tunately, too, this lost swarm must have been
a very large one as could be seen by the few
bees left in the parent hive. The' result is
1 have not had any surplus from this stock.
Then, with regard to the second hive (No 2)
about which I am now writing, it sent out
a swarm in June, and I could not understand
the bees hanging out so long before the swarm
came off. My natural surmise was that the
bees had come out with the old " clipped "
queen, but, as 1 could not find her in front
of the hive, 1 then came to the conclusion
that No. 2 hive also, had swarmed before, as
I knew there was a young queen with this
swarm, for as soon as 1 put a few of the bees
in a skep, the others all followed. Before
running these back into the hive, 1 examined
the frames and found a young queen on one.
This frame I took away and then ran the
swarm back with the other queen. After this
operation, No. 2 did moderately well in
supers, but lo and behold ! on July 22, whilst
looking through a nucleus hive, I noticed on
the ground in front of same the old clipped
queen from No. 2 hive. There could be no '
possible mistake after seeing the wings
clipped. I really cannot understand this at
all, unless it is a known fact that bees will
protect an old queen and prevent young ones
froni killing her. This is what 1 should like
your opinion on. The old queen in question
must have been in fhe hive quite a month,
but after tolerating her for that time they
turned her out. 1 always look forward with
pleasure for the B.B.J, and have derived much
information from same. You will, of course.
see that 1 have had rather a bad season, and
have taken very little surplus in consequence
of what is detailed above. — -L. M. C,
Holbeach.

Reply. — The cause of your " bad season "
is primarily, traceable to the effort made to
prevent Ibss of swarms by the American
method of wing-clipping ; a method never
kindly taken to in this country, for reasons
with which we entirely agree. In. your case
the initial mistake was in not removing all
the queen-cells, but this error would have
turned out a blessing in disguise had you not
been so unfortunate as to lose the swarm.
In fact, No. 1 hive would no doubt have
;nelded a good harvest of honey, and made a
strong colony for next years' work, if the
swarm — ■ which followed loss of the parent
queen — had not flown away and been lost.
With regard to preservation of the old
"clipped " queen of No. 2 hive, we can offer
no explanation beyond saying it is a remark-
able case ; one of the exceptions provino: the
rule that " bees do nothing invariablv."

[3376.] Dnalinf/ wifh Fonl Brood.— I send
herewith the worst piece of comb from a hive
whi('h T am thoroughly convinced is affected
with foul Inood. Immediately on discovery
I destroyed all combs (excepting those con-
taining sealed honey, that I have cut out for
own use) franu-s. (guilts, et<'., and put the bees
into a skep without food for two days. I

Aug. 9, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

317

shall then run the bees into a fresh hive on
full sheets of foundation and feed with medi-
cated syrup. The hive, which was already
painted inside, I intend scouring out well, as
directed in Guide Book, with carbolic solu-
tion, and giving another coat of white lead.
Would you kindly say whether I have done
right? I have followed the instructions given
in the British Bee-keepers' Guide Book as
closely as possible, also looked the matter up
in the back journals. — P. W. Olton, Kincar-
dineshire.

Reply. — Comb sent is badly affected with
foul brood, and your prompt method of deal-
ing with it was quite right. If followed up
with care, there is no reason why you should
not be successful in dealing with the trouble
in question.

[3377.] Domesticating the Humhle-Bee. — 1. I
have found a nest of the humble-bee {Bomhus
Arjrorum) in our garden which I should very
much like to put into a hive in order to enable
me to study their habits. My father says he
will provide the hive and help me if I first
find out whether it is possible to attain my
wish. I shall therefore, be much obliged if
you will tell me whether it is possible, and,
if so how it should be done? The nest is in
a mound of earth and stones from which it
c^n easily be dug out. 2. Can you also oblige
by giving me the name of a book on humble-
bees?— J. E. L. Junr.,Blairhill, Stirling, N.B.

Rkply. — 1. You will have little difficulty
beyond carefully digging out the nest and pro-
viding a suitable box for housing it in. Our
esteemed contributor Mr. F. L. Sladen. exhi-
bited a humble-bee's nest at a show held in
Kent some years' ago in which the bees were
seen working busily, the little creatures pass-
ing in and out of the nest, threading their way
home between the spectators in the most
interesting fashion. 2. Mr. Sladen's articles
on " Our Wild Bees " can be had from this
office.

[3378.] Re-Queening Hives. — I would be
obliged if you vnll give me a line of advice
on the following: — I have reared a queen in
a small nucleus hive of two standard frames,
with which I intend to re-queen the parent
stock this August, and so I ask : Will' it be
necessary to cage the queen in the nucleus
before uniting them to the parent hive, and
insert her afterwards? Or could I not
simply dust over all the frames with flour
and put the frames of the nucleus in, as
they are now with queen? The parent hive
would, of course, be made queenless twentv-
four hours pievious U) the operation -^H. W.,
Anerley, S.E.

- Replv. — Your safest course will be to first
cage the queen of the nucleus^ colony ; then
insert in the nucleus hive several combs, of
brood (without bees) from the stock to be re-
queeiied. This done-, set the- nucleus, as pre-
pared, on the stand of the stock to be re-
queened, moving the latter to the stand of
the nucle.us. You will thus get all the fly-
ing bees of the parent hive into the nucleus.
Then, after thirty-six hours, remove the old
queen from the parent stock, and transfer
the combs and bees of latter to the nucleus
colony, which will have Ijccome a strong
stock.

[3379.] Are Bees a Nuisance to Neighbours ?
— I am a bee-keeper of several years' standing
and a regular subscriber to the Bee Journal,
and would be glad if you will kindly advise
me in the following difficulty : I have a garden
12 yards wide, and about 80 long, attached to
my dwelling house. At the far end, away from
the house, I have four stocks of bees, about
two yards away from a wall, say 5 ft. high,
which faces south and runs the entire length
of the garden. On the other side of this wail
is my neighbour's garden, and for some reason
my bees appear vicious this year and have
stung my neighbour. I have done all I can
to remedy this evil. Can my neighbour compel
me to give up my bees, or remove them? I
may say I came to reside here on purpose to
keep bees, as is well known here to all. I send
name and sign. — Bee-Keeper,

Reply. — Your neighbour can compel you to
remove the bees if he can prove in a Court of
Law that they are a source of danger, and a
nuisance to huu, not otherwise.

[3380.] Transferring Bees — Old versus New
Methods. — ^Having just become a subscriber
to the B.B.J. , 1 will be obliged if you can
help me in the following difficulty. I com-
menced bee-keeping about seven years ago, by
purchasing a weak swarm in a straw skep, and
the bees have gone on increasing till my apiary
numbers six stocks, all in skeps, none of
which have swarmed this year, furthermore,
I may say none of the hives have been touched
to see their condition since the first was put
on its stand seven years ago. I have now
obtained a copy of the " Guide Book," and,
acting on the inforniation gathered from it, I
intend to drive the bees from all my skeps and
put them into frame-hives this autumn. My
next idea is to purchase three modern frame-
hives, costing about lO's. or 12s. each, from a
reliable firm. Three of the six skeps (num-
bered 1, 2, and 3, respectively) were supered
this year, and the present prospective result
is: — 'No. 1, about three lib. sections; No. 2,
four or five ditto ; No. 3, supered with a straw
cap (holding 121b. of honey), will be about full
up. Taking my seven years of bee-keeping in
skeps, and leaving out the present year's re-
sults, I have had about 41b. of honey on the
skep plan. I do not think, therefore, that
bee-keeping can be called a profit-making pur-
suit, if carried out on old-fashioned lines, and
in order to bring about a better state of things
in my apiary, I purpose buying three hives at
price named, have the frames fitted with full
sheets of foundation, and then drive the whole
six skeps, and unite the bees of two skeps in
each one of the frame-hives. By so doing, I
shall make three stocks in all with two lots of
the driven bees in each of the frame- hives." I
have never driven bees before, and so I ask :
— 1. Do you think I shall be successful without
getting any help, au-d will two stocks peace-
ably unite without any fighting? 2. As the
skeps with supers on must be stronger in bees
than those not supered, would it be best to
unite a weak lot to a strong one in each case
in order to equalise the bees in each of the
frame-hives? 3. Then, with regard to the
queens to head each of the frame-hives.
Should T have to choose between them and
destroy the worst, or let the queens fight it out

318

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Aug. 9, 1906.

among themselves ? Finally, I ask. (4) when is
the proper time to start the alDove operations ? I
have probably not stated my case veiy plainly,
but hope you will he able to make it out and
give me a few hints to help me on the way of
getting my oees to work on better lines than
the old sleep plan. Thanking you in antici-
pation, I send name and sign — H. Ct., Bucks.

Reply. — It depends largely on yourself
whether you can go through the work with a
sufficient amount of success to enable you to
dispense with outside help. Many of those
who read the " Guide Book " carefully have
driven bees, and united them very well on a
first trial. The question is, can you? We
should advise you to attend a bee-show, if
possible, and see bees driven by an expert in
the bee-tent. This done, form your own
conclusions on the point. 2. It shows useful
forethought to ask this question, but you can
judge better with regard to equalising the
bees for each stock when driving operations
are in progress. Make the frame-hives as
equal in population as you conveniently can.
3. The queens of the strongest lots should be
selected for heading the new colonies, if you
can manage it readily, but do not let that
point be over-strained ; the fittest queens
usually survive when matters are decided by
combat. 4. The end of August or first week
in September is the best time to build-up
stocks from driven bees.

%n Choirs ia §amt

A nominal charge of Ss. 6d. is made for notices (not
exceeding 7 lines) in this column, 10 lines charged 3s. Gd.
up to 15 lines 5«.. v^hich covers cost of insertion from,
order till date of show. Cash should accompany orders
for insertion.

August 8 to 10, at Middlesbrough.—

Show of Honey, etc., in connection with the Boval
Yorkshire Agricultural Society. Schedules and form
of entry from John Mau^han, Secretary, Blake-street,
York. Entries closed.

August 8, at Clevedon, Somerset, in con-
nection with the Horticultural Show.— The Somerset
B.K.A. will hold its first annual Honey Show as above.
Entries closed.

August 9, at Abingdon Park, North-
ampton. — Honey Show of the Northants
B.K.A. Special prizes, including the Baroness
Burdett Coutts' prize hive for cottager mem-
bers, also three open classes, indudinsr one for
siiifflo 1 lb. jnr honey. Entries closed.

August 9, at Madresfield. Malvern. —
Annual Show of the Worcestershire Bee-keepers'
Association. Open class. Schedules from Mr. Geo.
Richings, 2, Shrubbery Terrace. Worcester.

August 15, at Wye.— Kent Honey Show. Six-
teen clagges for Honey and Bee Products. Greatly
increased cash prizes; CHasses 1 to 11 open to Kent;
Olasses 12 to 16 open to the United Kingdom. Open
classes include — Single lib. jar light extracted honev;
single 1-lb. jar dark ditto, 20s., 10s., Ss., in each
olflss; 1-lb. section, silver cup. Trophy class First
prize silver cup, value £3 38. Best collection of Bee
Appliances, first and second prizes. Special arrange-
ments for Bee Demonstrations and many other new
attractions added this year. Schedules on receipt
of stamp from J. Tippen. Secretary, Wye, Ashford
Kent. Entries close August 10-

August 16, at Yetminster, Dorset. —

Annual Show of the Yetminster and District B.K.A.
held in a field kindly lent by Mr. Jolliffe. Four open
classes, including three 1-lb. Jars extracted honey,
thi'ee lib. sections, and cake of beeswax. Scbedulei

from G. Leeding, Hon. Sec, Bradford Abbas, Sher-
borne. Entries close August 10.

August 17. — In Public School, Port-
•wrilliam, WigtOTvnshire.— Honey Show in con-
nection with the Horticultural Society. Classes for
sections and extraxited honey, open to amateurs and
cottagers. Challenge class (open to all) for three
1-Ib. jars extracted honey; prizes, 20s., 128., Ss., and
4s. — Schedules from Secretary, Horticultural Society,
Portwillia,m, N.B.

August 18, at Borgue, N'.B.— Honey and

Flower Show, to be held at " Borgue, Kirkcudbi-igfit,
N.B. Open classes. Schedules from E. S. Munro, The
Academy, Borgue, Kirkcudbright, N.B. Entries
close August 15.

August 22 and 23, at Shrewsbury.—

Annual Show of the Shropshire B.K.A. in connection
with the Horticultural Society's Great Floral Fete m
" The Qaarry," Shrewsbury. Seven open classes for
honey. Classes with free entry for single 1-lb. jar and
single 1-lb. section. Schedules from S. Cartwright, Hon.
Secretary, Shawbury, Shrewsbury. Entries close
August lO

August 24, at Exeter- — Annual Show of the
Devon B.K.A., in conjunction with the Devon and
Exeter Horticultural Society. The Baroness Burdett-
Coutts' prize, hive for the best exhibit shown by cot-
tager members. Dr. Philpott's prize of £1 Is., for the
two best sections of comb honey. All open classes.
Schedules from the Hon. Sec, A. S. Parrish, Heavi-
tree Road, Exeter. Entries close August 18-

August 25, at Barnton. Cheshire-— Honey

Show in connection with Floral and Horticultural
E.xhibition — two country, and six local classes for
honey and wnx. Cheshire B.K.A. silver medal to win-
ner of 1st prize for 'county honey. Scbedulps from
F. Hindley, Hon. Sec, 88, Runcorn Road, Bnrnton,
Northwich. Entries close August 18

Augnst 28, at Cartmel. near Grange-
over-San ds. — Show of Honey, etc., in connection
with the Cartmel Agricultura.l Society. Schedules
from Willinm Cragg, Secretary, Cartmel, via Carn-
forth. Entries close August 16.

August 29. at Chester.— Cheshire B.K.A. Show
in connection with the County Agricultural Societv.
Open classes for Hives, Observatory Hives, Sections,
and Extracted Honev. Baroness Burdett Ooutts' prize
hive for best exhibit shown by cottager member.
Seven classes for members. Schedules from T. A.
Beckett, St. Werburgh Chambers, Chester. Entries
Close August 8, or at double fees, August 15.

Augnst 29, at Eorbury Gardens. Bead-
ing.—Honev Show of the Berks. B.K.A. Schedules
from the Hon. Sec, D W. Bishop-Ackerman. 161.
King's Road, Reading. Entries close August

August 30, at Montgomery— Honey Shew
i» connection with Horticultural Exhibition. Two
open classes for six 1-lb. sections and six lib. Jar»
extracted honey. Prizes. IDs., 58., 2s. 6d. Entry fee.
Is. each class. Schedules from Mr. W. J. Jones, Secre-
tary, Montgf-mery. Entries close August 23-

September 1. at Bramhall, Stockport.—
In the grounds of the RiMnilmU Hall. Honey Show-
under the ausi)icos of the C. B.K.A. Liberal prize.i.
Ijow entrance fe^es. Open and Lowl (three mile liniir')
Classes. Sehedulcs' from .lohn Sihsim. Hawthorn
(Jrove. Bramhall. Entries close August 24.

September 8. at Dumfries.- South of Scot-
land B.K.A. 14th Annual Show of Honey, Bees, and
Appliances. Five open classes — viz., three lib. Jars,
three 1-lb. sections, and for single jar and section
(free entryll and cake of wax ; also handsome mon»y
prizes and valuable medals, for members only.
Schedules from .Tas. .Tohnstone, Sec, Nelson Street,
MaxweUtown. Entries close September 1.

September 12 and 13, at 'Fdinburgb.-

Thirteenth Annual Exhibition of Midlothian B.K.A.
in Waverley Market. Open classes for six sections
heather, six sections flower, six jars heather, six jars
flower. Prizes, ]5s., lOs., ."is. Entrv. 28. per class.
Schedules from W. Weir, Heriot, Midlothian.

September 13, at Castle Douglas —Honey

Section, Dairy Show. Liberal prizes. Five open
classes — viz., three 1-lb. jars, three lib. sections,
single Jar, single Bection, and for cake of beeswax.
Schedule from Ja«. Johnstone, or from L. Aird, Hard-

Aug. 9, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

319

grate Schoolhouse, Dalbeattie. Entries close
September 1

September 8 to 15> at the Aerricultural
Sail, liOndon. — Honey Show in connection with
the Oonfectioners', Bakers', and Allied Traders Annual
Exhibition and Market. (See large advertisement on
page i.) Open to all British. Bee-keepers.
Entry fee in each class one shilling. Schedules from
H. S. Eogers, Secretary, Exhibition Offices, Pahnerston
House. Old Broad Street. London, E.O.

September HO, 21, and 22, at Crystal
Palace. — Surrey B.K.A. Annual Exhibition of Bees,
Honey, Wax, ^nd Appliances, etc. Twenty-six classes
(ten open to all). Increased prizes and medals.
Schedules from F. B. White, secretary, Harden House,
Eedhill, Surrey. Entries close September 7.

September 22 to 29, at the Agricultural
Hall, London. — Honey Show in connection with
the Twelfth Annual Exhibition and Market of the
Grocery and Kindred Trades. Nearly £S0 in prizes
for honey and beeswax including four prizes of £4,
£3, £2, and £1, in honey trophy class. Open to
all British Bee-keepers. Schedules from H. S.
Rogers, Secretary, Exhibition Offices, Palmersion
House, Old Broad Street, London E.O.

September 26, at Altrincham.— Show of

Honey Products, in connection with Altrincham
Agricultural Show. Open to United Kingdom : Classe*
for Hives, Observatory Hive, 12 Jars Elxtracted Honey.
Open to Caunty cf (Jhester only : Classes for Trophy,
Amateur-built Hive, Two Shallow Bars, 12 Jars Eun,
12 Sections, Wax, etc. Special classes for cottagers.
Special classes for Society's district. Liberal prizes.
Low entrance fees. Schedules from Mr. J. H. Hall, 2,
Dunham Road, Altrincham. Entries close
September 9-

October 9 to 12, at the Agricultural
Hall, Liondon.^^how of Honey and Bee Produce
in connection with the British Dairyi Farmers' Associa-
tion. Numerous and liberal prizes for honey, etc.,
including the valuable Silver Challenge Cup of the
B. B.K.A. Schedules from Mr. Wm. O. Young, Secre-
tary, 12, Hanover Square, London, W. Entries
close September 12.

Notices to Correspondents & Inquirers,

A. W. 'Anerley). — Bees Dying Outside Hive.
— Bees sent appear very young ; too young
to venture outside their hive. But beyond
saying this, we see nothing to indicate
cause of death. Possibly the warm weather
may have tempted them forth, and not
being able to take wing, they would perish
on the ground, as stated.

H. P. D. (Nottingham). — Comb Foundation
Making. — The process of preparing wax
sheets and converting same into comb-
foundation is far too complicated a business
for us to give the necessary description in
this column, even if we were sufficiently in-
formed on the subject ourselves, which we
are not. The " Root " machine you have
acquired must be one of the ordinary
machines formerly used by that firm, who
now manufacture foundation only by the
" Weed " process. For those who care to
make their own comb-foundation the
" Rietche " press is, we think, more suit-
Oible than the old-style roller press, as the
wax " sheet is " c<ist " 'between two com-
pressed plates, thus dispensing with all the
paraphernalia of tanks and dipping.

CouNTBA^ Ramblkr (Omagh). — ^Bee Forage. —
The plant is Si/mphrr! carpus raccmosus
(snow berry), a native of North America,
and cultivated in gardens in this country.
Nectar in abundance collects in the base of
the flower and on the inner wall of its
dilated lower portion, and is prevented from

flowing out by long close hairs, extending
inwards upon the lobes of the corolla.
Nectar is collected by bees, but where
wasps are very abundant, these get the
greater part of it.
Vacation (Warwick).— Removing Supers.—
Unless there is plenty of heather growing
within reach of your bees, all supers should
be removed before you leave home. If
allowed to remain on the hives till Septem-
ber the bulk of the honey, now in surplus-
chambers, will be carried down into body
boxes by the bees themselves.

Sussex Downs (Brighton).— Removing Unripe
Honey.— Unsealed honey should never be
taken from hives except under special cir-
cumstances, because it is not sufficiently
ripened for keeping purposes. In your case
we should put the shallow frame in ques-
tion through the extractor and give it Ijack
to the bees as food ; then uncaw the sealed
portion and extract it for household use.

FoBE.STER (Glos.).— 1. The "mating boxes" re-
ferred to are those in which queen bees are
kept until fertilised, on what is known as the
Swarthmore " plan. 2. The plan described
in the " Guide Book " is as good as anv you
can try. Swarms hived on " starters "
only of foundation usually build nnich
superfluous drone-comb, hence the advan-
tage of us.ing full sheets of foundation.

J. Price (Hereford).— Queen Cast Oout.— The
insect sent is an adult fertile queen. It
appears to be a case of re-queening by the
bees themselves, and the fact of the "stock
vielding 451b. of Lonev last year, and doing
badly this season, it eeems a much-needed
case of changing queens.

C. H. E. (Horsham). — Dealinsx with Unfinished
Sections. — It is very advantageous in the
closing days of the honev season to remove
finished sections from racks and replace
them with others oaitly conmleted. The
bees may be well able and willing to finish
off partly-filled ones, where they would not
start work at all in empty sections if
offered them.

W. J. F. (Manchester). — Late Delivery of the
B.B.J. — We regret to hear of your trouble
in getting your B.B..J. in time, but your
local newsagent is at fault, not John. Hey-
wood. That firm have a full supply of the
B.B.J, every Wednesday afternoon from
our printers in London, and the copies are
in Manchester before 5 a.m. on Thursdav.
It is, therefore, vour local man who needs
what you term " stirring up."

Suspected Combs.

Amateur (Luton). — There is no foul brood in
comli sent, and it is different from chilled
brood. In fact the dead larvfe has much
of the anpearance described in the ABC of
Bee Culture as "black brood." A little
trouble in examining the dead larvae would
make it clear why these bees do not caiTy
the brood out themselves.

C. H. E. (Horsham). — Very bad case of foul
brood. We advise burning the lot, at once.

320

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[Aug. 9, 1906.

P. M. E. (Settle).— No foul brood in small bit
of comb sent. The dead larvae is chilled
only.

Anxious (Worcester).— Comb shows a slight
attack of foul brood only, in which the use
of known preventives would probably be
effective.

Honey Samples.

C. L. (Lines.). — 1. Sample i.s mainly from
clover, and good on several points, .but
while quite "suitable for a local show-bench,
it woiild hardly stand a chance of winning
at a London show. 2. Granulation may be
retarded by keeping honey in a warm, dry
cupboard where it will not be exposed to the
light. We shall be very pleased to have
photo, as promised, and, if suitable, we will
have it engraved for our " Homes " pictures.

HuDD (Lindley). — The honey sent is thin and
of poor flavour, the latter being rather
strong and rank. It might sell when granu-
lated better than in liquid form, if it can be
kept from fermenting. ,

B. R. (Rotherham). — Honey will be quite suit-
able for table use, but not as bee-fdod.

Diana (London, E.G.). — There is no honey
dew in sample, its dark colour being due
to the forage it was gathered from. It is
haTdly suitable for table use. The flavour
is coarse and rank, while the aroma is un-
pleasant. It appears to be gathered mainly
from privet.

Special Prepaid Advertisements

Twelve words and under Sixpence : for every additional
Three words or under, One Penny.

HEALTHY STOCKS, in good Standard Hives, 20s.
each.— JARVIS, Coleford, Glos. r 85

EXTRACTED HONEY, 50s. cwt. ; lib. glazed sec-
tions, 100«. gross; carriage paid.— THE RAE-
liURN APIARIES, Sawbridgeworth. R 91

EXCHANGE young or old Ferrets for Driven Bees.
— W. POCOCK, 36, Aylesbury Road, Bromley,
Kent. R 90

10/t^ PROLIFIC QUEENS, 3s., in introducing
l»» \) 0 cage. Safe arrival guaranteed. — BR.
COLOMBAN, Buekfast, Buokfastleigh, Devon. R 89

HEALTHY DRIVEN BEES, 5s per lot. Delivery

commencing on August 18th. Boxes free. —

W. D. T. RICHARDS, Postman, Kingswinford,
Dudley. R 88

QUEENS, selected from honey-gathering stocke. —
Bkick English, fertilci, 1906, 2s. 8d., free, in
introducing cage, by return. Nuclei, four-frame, 10s.,
p!K;ked free. Brood Combs, suit driven bees, 7d.
each. Light Hfjney, 14*i. per 281b. tin, 5^s. bd. cwi.- •
CHARTED,, T.ittingBtonc, Ipswich. R 87

Ii^OUR DOZEN SAINFOIN SECTIONS, best qu'ality,
' Be. dozfjn. — NORTH, Poplar Hall, Crossing,
Braintree, Essex. R 86

HONEY, three to four cw+.., very fine, in 281b.
tins, 6d. lb.- " BEEKEEPER,"' 17,. Catherine
Street, Salisbury. R 96

H

ONEY, finesb quality, 281b. tin®, 6d. lb. Sample
'2d.— H. MAY, Kingston, Wallingford. R 95

ENGLISH-MADE HONEY JARS (lib., screw cap),
158. 6d. gross, two gross SOs.- .TA8. DYSON,
Stainforth, Doncaster. r 93

BEES of my hardy prolific strain of selected
workers. 1906 tested Queens, Ss. 6d. Three-
frame Nuclei, with Queen, 128. 6d. Bees, Is. 6d.
lb., for 5Ib. lots or over. Packages to be returned.
Guaranteed healthy. Safe arrival.— WHITING, galley
Apiaries, Hundon, Clare, Suffolk. R 94

HEALTHY DRIVEN BEES, with Queen, 5s. psr lot.
Package returnable. — JOHN P. PHILLIPS,

Spetohley, Worcester. R 92

HONEY, the usual quality, but' suppliesi short,
56s. per cwt. ; 281b. tins, 14s. Sample 3d. —
OWEN BROWNING, Ashley, Kingsomborne, Hants.

HONEY EXTRACTOR, 198. 6d., cost 25s.; large
WAX EXTRACTOR, 8s. 6d., cost 12s. 6d. ; both
new.— HEWETT, Laburnum Apiary, Alton, Hants.

TWO STOCKS OF BEES, three empty bar-frame
hives, geared extractor, heather press, smoker,
super clearer,* good condition, 50s. the lot ; owner
going abroad. — PICKTHALL, Low Laithe, Bingley,
Yorks.

QUEENS, choice fertile 1906, bred from my non-
swarming stocks, 3s. each ; immediate despatch.
—TAYLOR, Hollyhurst, Boldmere Road, Wylde Green,
near Birmingham. r 75

HEALTHY DRIVEN BEES, with Queen, 5s. per
lot ; also 1906 Queens, 2s. 6d. each ; boxes re-
turnable; 10th season.— A. R. MORETON, Expert,
Hallow, Worcester. R 74

MEADOWS, Syston. — Clearance sale of extractors,
obsen'atory, hives, etc. Prices on applica-
tion. R 72

IMPORTED ITALIAN QUEENS, 6s. 6d. ; home-raised
Italian and Carniolan, 5s. ; Britieh, 4s. ; swarms
— Nuclei or full Colonies. Fair prices. — E. WOOD-
HAM, Clavering, Newport, Essex. R 59

RIVEN BEES wanted ; any quantity.— E. H. TAY-
LOR, Welwyn, Herts. R 61

D

WANTED, a few cwts. LIGHT HONEY.— Sample
and lowest price to SHACKLETON, Thomer,
near Leeds. E 48

SINGLE FRAME OBSERVATORY HIVE, with space
for sections over. — HEWETT, Laburnum Apiary,
Alton, Hants. R 45

DRIVEN BEES ; large supply ; strong, healthy lots,
with Queen, 5s. ; also laying 1906 Queens, 2s. 6d.
— T. BRADFORD, Expert, 68, Droitwich Road, Wor-
cester.

SECTION GLAZING.— Best quality laoe paper, made
especially for bee-keepers' use ; 100, in white
pink, green, or blue, 6d., 500 Is. 4d., 500 2s. 2d., 1,000
Ss. 9d., post free; lace one side, laoe ibands (lace both
sides), white 2|, 3 and 3i wide, 100 Is. 2d., 200 28. 3d.,
500 4s. ; a few in pink and blue, 100 Is. 4d., 2(X)
28. 6d., post free.— W. WOODLEY, Beedon, New-
bury. B 27

DRIVEN BEES, with Queens, commencing August ;
3s. 6d. per lot, cash with order ; boxes returned ;
orders in rotation.— T. PULLEN, Ramsbury, Hunger-
ford. R 11

■pEADY for Delivery, healthy FERTILE QUEENS
X\) (1906), 3b. 6d., in introducing cages, pott free —
CARBINES, Bee Expert, Cardinham, near Bodmin,
CornwalL Q 95

HOLIDAYS. — Cornwall ; delightful situation near
sea and Land's End; oOs. — S. HARBORNE,
Apiary, St. Buryan, R.S.O. Q 69

WANTED, SECTIONS, first quality ; prompt cash ;
also extracted per cwts.— W. CHILTON, Brook-
«»ide, .F-oIegate, Sussex.

A PRONOUNCED SUCCESS.— The BURKITT BEE-
GLOVE. With sleeves, Ss. 6d. per pair, post
fre3. Without sleeves, 28 6d. per pair, post free. The
best, cheapest, and most satisfactory glove for bee-
keepers.—EDWARD REYNOLDS, Glove Maker, And-
•ver, Hampshire Wholesale prioes to the trade

Aug. 16, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAIi.

321

(f itorml ^oiim, ^t

THE LATEST BEE SCARE.

BEE-PARALYSIS.

Reverting to the brief reference — in our
issue of July 19- — to the " latest bee scare,"
and the intention expressed therein of
again referring to the subject, we may-
say the " scare ' ' has not yet died out.
Further articles on the subject have ap-
peared in the daily press, and press-
cuttings have been sent to the B.B.J.
office by bee-keepers naturally anxious to
know if the craft in which we have so
deep an interest is really doomed to de-
struction. The curious part of the matter
is that our good friend Mr. E. H. Bellairs,
the active and indefatigable hon. secretary
of the Hants and Isle of Wight B.K.A.
for many years past, has not said a word
in print on the subject, while one of
his local hon. secretaries,' Mr. Cooper,
of whose experience, or even knowledge,
of bee-craft we know nothing, has, so to
speak, made himself famous by letters to
the Press, in which he refers to bee-
paralysis as " a new and highly infectious
bee-disease," at present (happily) confined
to the Isle of Wight, but which " if it
spreads to the mainland, will probably
mean the ruin of ' the bee-industry in
England."

All this is, no doubt, very alarming from
Mr. Cooper's jioint of view ; but, as stated
m our former reference to the matter,
bee-paralysis has been known to us, and
to all who are versed in the literature of
bee-keeping, for many years past.

Bee-paralysis has not, so far, affected
bee-keeping in this country to any extent,
and on this account no one here has
closely investigated its cause or possible
means of cure, though several remedies,
such as sulphur, salt, re-queening, etc.,
have been mentioned from time to time in
our pages.

In America, however, where the disease
first made its aj)23earance and has proved
so real a menace to the industry, much
more has been learned as to the nature
and progress of the malady. We there-
fore print below what is said of it in
the "A. B.C. of Bee-culture," a work re-
garded as authoritative by the leading
bee men of U.S.A. : —

BEE-PARALYSIS.

This is a disease that is much more
prevalent and virulent in warm than in
cold climates. Almost every apiarist m
the North has noticed at times, perhaps,
one or two colonies in his apiary that
would show bees affected with this dis-

ease. But it seldom spreads or makes any-
great trouble ; but not so in the South.
It is known tO' affect whole apiaries, and
seems to be infectious. Unless a cure is
effected in some way, it will do almost as
much damage as foul brood itself.

Symptoms.

In the early stages an occasional bee
will be found to be running from the
entrance, with the abdomen greatly
swollen, and other respects the bee
has a black, greasy apijearance. While
these sick bees may be scattered thi'ough
the hive, they will sooner or later
work their way towards the entrance-
evidently desiring to rid the colony of
their miserable existence. The other bees
also seem to regard them as no longer
necessary to the future prosperity of the
colony. In fact, they will tug and pull
them about as they would at a dead
bee until they succeed in getting them out
on the grass, where the poor bees seem
willing to go to die alone. Another
symptom is that the bees often show a
shaking or trembling motion. In the
eai'lier stages, so far as I can remember,
this peculiarity does not appear ; but l^ter
on it manifests itself very perceptibly.

Treatment and Cure.

As . yet we know of no reliable cure.
In many cases destroying the queen of the
infected colony, and introducing another
from a healthy stock, effects a cure.
This would seem to indicate that the dis-
ease is constitutional, coming from the
queen ; but in the South, where the dis-
ease is much more prevalent and destruc-
tive, destroying the queen seems to have
but little effect. Spraying the combs with
a solution of salt and water, or of carbolic
acid and water, has been recommended ;
but, so far as I know, these do little or
no good. One writer recommends remov-
ing the diseased stock from its stand, and
putting in its place a strong, healthv one.
The diseased stock is then removed to the
stand formerly occupied by the healthy bees.
He reports that he has tried this in many
cases, and found that an absolute cure
followed in everj^ instance. The rationale
of the treatment seems to be that the
bees of the ordinary colony having bee-
jiaralysis are too much discouraged to
remove the sick ; as a consequence, the
source of infection — that is, the swelled
shiny bees — are allowed to crawl through
the hive at will. But when the colonies
are transposed, the healthy, vigorous bees
of the sound stock carry the diseased bees
entirely away from the hive. The sick
and the dying being removed, the colony
recovers.

Mr. O. O. Poppleton, of Stuart, Fla.,

322

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Aug. 16, 1906.

has had a large experience. One plan
that he uses is as follows : —

He sprinkles sulphur over the affected
bees and combs, but not until all the
diseased brood in the colony has been
removed and put into a strong, healthy
one ; for Mr. Pojjpleton says the sulphur
kills all the unsealed brood and eggs ;
that no harm residts in putting the brood
among healthy bees, as he finds the source
of the malady is not in the brood or
combs, for he has put combs from para-
lytic colonies repeatedly into healthy ones,
and never' (but once) did the disease
develop in any such colony, and that wa<
a year afterwards.

At first the disease seems to get worse
instead of better. The colony will
dwindle, but in two weeks there will be
a decided improvement, and finally the
colony will be cured, and will stay cured.
In many cases, Mr. Poppleton thinks, it
may be necessary to repeat the application
of the sulphur about ten days after the
first one. This makes sure that every bee
has received a curative quantity of the
sulphur, even if it were not in the hive
at the first dose.*

While the foregoing has worked well,
yet because it is attended with a rapid
reduction of the strength of the colony so
treated, and because the disease has a
tendency to run in certain strains that are
very susceptible to it, Mr. Poppleton
' thinks that, in the long run, it may be
better to use the following plan:^ — H(5
forms as many nuclei from strong, healthy
stocks as there are sick colonies to be
treated. As soon as the nuclei have young
laying queens, he gives them, as fast as
they can take, care of them, one or two
frames of the oldest capped brood from the
paralytic colonies, and thereafter till all the
brood of such colonies is used up. The
diseased bees and queen he next destroys
with sul2:)hur fumes, fumigating the hives
at the same time.

Repeated tests have shown that para-
lysis is never transmitted by brood or
combs, but that it is carried by the dead
or sick bees. It is, therefore, important
that in giving the combs to the nuclei
there be no dead bees in the cells.

Mr. Poppleton prefers this to the sul-
phur plan because I'e thus gets rid of
all diseased bees and queens that might
transmit the trouble to their descendant?;,
and has, moreover, bealthy young queens
in the colonies that are as strong as, or
stronger than, if he had followed the
sulphur 7)lan, which plan does not eradi-
cate the hereditary tendency that may oe
left in the old queen. If not convenient,
then, to use the nucleus plan, replace the
old queen and use the sulphur.

* Always Bpray t'he sulphur on in tho cvRnirKf.

NOTTS BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL SHOW.

The above was held in connection with
the Mansfield Horticultural Society, in th-
beautiful grounds kindly lent to them by
Mrs. Clarke, Can-Bank, on Bank Koliday,
August tth, the day being delightfully line
aod the attendance a recoid one.

The entries in the Bee and Honey
Department was also a record one, and ihe
<iuality of the honey staged was excellent.
Mr W. Broughton-Carr, London, officiated
as judge of the Honey Class, assisted by
Mr. W. Herrod, Luton, the awards being
as follows : —

Trophy of. Honey in any Form and of
any Ymr.-— 1st, W.' Ball, E'd,gle Hall ; 2nd,
W. L. Betts, Mansfield Woodhouse ; 3rd,
D. Marshall, Cropw^ll Butler.

Ttvelve \-Vk Jar s Light-coloured Extracted
Honey.— \?,t', T. Marshall, Sutton-on-Trent ;
2nd, 'W. L. Betts; 3rd, W. Sentance,
Shelton ; 4th, J. Willson, Shirebrook.

Tuelve 1 lb. Jars Dark-coloured Extracted
Ho7iey. — 1st, A. G. Pugh, Beest m ; 2nd,
G. Marshall, Norwell ; 3rd, D Marshall ;
4th, W. Ball ; h.c, T. Hilton, Laxton.

Six 1-lb Sections. — 1st, U. Marshall ; 2nd,
G. Marshall ; Srd, E. G. Ive, Boughton.

Six 1-lb. Jars Gramdated Honey. — 1st,
J. North, Sutton ; 2nd, A. G. Pugh ; 3rd,
G. H. Pepper, Farnslield ; h. c, K. G.
Turner, Radcliff.

One Shnllov Frame of Bowy for Ex-
tracting.— 1st, J. Willson ; 2nd, G. Marshall ;
3rd. J. North ; 4th, W. Ball.

Six l-lb. Jars Extracted Honey {Novices).
—1st, ,L Willson; ^nd, W. L. lietts ; Srd,
J. North ; h.c, W. Adams.

Honey Vinegar. — W. ball.

Observatory Hive ivith Bees and Queen. —
1st, E. G. I've; 2nd, G. Marshall; 3rd,
W. L. Betts.

Beesirax.—'\^t, G. Marshall ; 2nd, W. Ball.

Mr. George Hayes, of Beeston, hon. secre-
tary to the association, delivered several
lectures during the afternoon to large
audiences.

Mr. W. Broughton Carr held an ex-
attirfation during the day for the 3rd class
experts' certificates of the B.B.KA., four
candidates presenting themselves.— (^Cowt-
iiiunicafed.)

NORTH iMPTON'SHIRE B.KA.

ANNUAL SHOW,

The annual show of the N.B.KA. was
held on Thursda.>, August 9 (by permis-
sion of the Corporation) in Abington Park,
Northampton, the Museum Committee
T»lacing a large, light room at our disposal
The entries numbered 187, over 175 of which
were staged. In the two open classes for
single i-lb. jars of honey the entrie.s
numbered 84; these were set up at one end
of the room on step-staging, and produced

Aug. 16,1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

323

an interesting display. Some excellent
supers of honey were shown in competition
for the Baroness Burdett-Coutt's prize^ also
several not for competition.

The Honey and Wax exhibits were judged
by Mr. W. Herrod, while Mr. Alderman
Tonsley placed the awards in the class for
cakes sweetened with honey. Mr. Herrod
gave demonstrations in the bee tent, and
lectured to the large audiences who crowded
around the tent. The show was, on the
whole, one of the best ever held by the
Association.

Twelve l-lb. Secttons.-^lst, H. Collins,
Berry Wood ; 2nd, C. Saunders, Kingsthorpe ;
3rd, .Jas. Adams, West Haddon ; 4th, Geo.
Page, Holcot ; v.h.c, H. England ; h.c, W.
Manning.

Twelve 1 lb. Jars {liqht) Extracted Honey.
—1st, C. Wells, Oxendon ; 2nd, G. Odell,
Roade ; 3rd, Jas. Adams ; 4th, A. Arlidge,
Lower Weed on ; 5th, VV. Manning ; v.h.c,
G. Page ; h.c, H. Clues, Long Buckby.

Sir l-lb. Jars {dark) extracted Honey —
Ist, Jas. Adams ; 2nd, F. J Old, Piddington ;
3rd, W. Manning : v.h.c, G. Odell.

Six %lb. Jars Gramdated Hone;/. — Lst,
J. Adams. (No other piize aw^arded).

Three Shallow Frames of Honey for
Extracting. — 1st, J. Adams ; 2nd, C J.
Burnett, Northampton ; 3rd, C. Weils ; 4th,
W. Manning.

Beeswax .—\^t, C Wells ; 2nd, J. S.
Partridge, WoUaston ; 3rd, Mrs. Collins ;
4th, G. Odell ; v.h c, H. Collins.

Six l-lb Sections {novices only). — 1st, Mrs.
Collins ; 2nd, C. f^aunders ; 3rd, Mrs.
Burnett ; h.c, C- .1. Burnett.

Six I lb Jars Extracted Jloney. — 1st, H.
Clues ; 2nd, E. Thompson, Mou'lton ; 3rd,
G. Hicbman ; v.h.c, Mrs. Collins,
• Sniper of Comb Honey (glass or loood).
— Ist, Mrs. Burnett; 2nd, C. Saunders;
3rd, Miss Burnett.

SPECIAL PRIZKS.

Single 1 lb. jar extracted Honey (o]>en
class). — 1st, James Kerr, Dumfries N.B. ;
2nd, W. Patchett, Cabourne, Lines. ; 3rd,
H. M. Saunders. Thetford, Norfolk ; 4th,
W. J. Cook, Market Ptasen ; 5th, O,
Orland, Flore ; v.h c. G. N. Coles, Cliipping
Norton.

Single 1 lb Jar Extracted Honey (oj)en
class. Special).— iHt, F. G. Hillier, Andover:
2nd, S. G. S. Leigh, Broughton, Hants ; Srd,
H. M. Saunders ; 4th, W. J. Cook ; v h c
W. Patchett, h c , W. F. Trineman, St.
Stephens by Saltash.

Svper of Hone y {Baroness Bnrdett Coutts'
l'ri-ejnve).—\d, O. Orknd ; 2nd (by the
Association), W. Allen, Kingsthorpe.

Honey C'aZ-e.— 1st, Mi.ss Nellie Burnett,
Langham Place ; 2nd, Mrs. C. J. Burnett ;
3rd, Mrs. Facer, Louisa Koad, Northampton;
4th, Miss Burnett, v.h.c Mrs. Hetlbrd,
Kingsthorpe. —{(Jommunica ted. )

NORTH NORFOLK B.K.A.

ANNUAL SHOW.

The annual show of the above associa-
tion was held in Lord Hastings' park,
Melton Constable, on Bank Holiday.
Favoured by the beautiful weather, crowds
came from the villages to enjoy the flower
sliow, cricket match, and sports provided
for their entertainment, and many found
a great attraction in the well-arranged
honey tent with its 137 exhibits, and the
lectures given in the demonstration tent.

Mr. T. I. Weston ofiiciated as judge of
honey, etc., and made the following
awards : —

Twelve l-lb. Sections. — Ist E. Robb,
Outwell ; 2nd', W. J. Norman, Harpley ;
3rd, J. D. Softley, Massingham.

Twelve l-lb. Jars Extracted Honey. —
1st, J. D. Softley ; 2nd, W. J. Norman ;
3rd, Rev. A. Downe-Shaw, Kettlestone.

Six l-lb. Sections. — 1st, J. Graveling,
Thornage ; 2nd, A. Chesney, Bale ; 3rd,
S. Mayer, Hemblington.

Six l-lb. Jars Extracted Honey. — 1st,
S. Smalls. North Creake ; 2nd, Rev. A.
Downe-Shaw ; 3rd, J. Mayer.

Bcc.i<u-ax. — 1st, J. NicKolls, Shipdam ;
2nd, Rev. A. Downe-Shaw; 3rd, J.
Smalls.

Ticclre l-lb. Sccfiuns (Open).— 1st, W. J.
Norman ; 2nd, W. Fake. Massingham.

Twelve l-lb. Jars Extracted Honey
(Open). — 1st, W. J. Norman ; 2nd. W.
Fake ; 3rd. W. Towler, Edgefield.

Sinqle l-lb. Jar Extracted Honey. — 1st,
W. J. Norman ; 2ik1, S. Smalls ; 3rd, W.
Patchett ; 4th, J. Smalls.

Sinylc l-lb Sections. — 1st, H. W. Saun-
ders, Thetford ; 2nd, E. Robb ; 3rd, J.
Mayer ; 4th, W- J. Norman.

Baroness Burdett-Coutts' prize hive for
Best Three l-lb. Sections and 3 lb. Ex-
tracted Honey (agricultural labourers
only). — B. Bennett. Bale.

Challenge Cup. — Best Exliibit in Show.
— E. Robb, Outwell. for twelve l-lb.
sections.

Mr. T. I. Weston also held an examina-
tion of candidates for the third class
expert's certificate of the B. B.K.A.

CAPPINGS OF COMB.

By L.8.C., Ilklpy, Yorks.
Wa.'ips (p. 303). — It is true that
cyanide of potassium in a confined space
will kill wasps, but wasps die hard, and it
seems almost incredible that they should
die as the result of simply passing over a
lump of it. It is not surprising that there
should be an increase in these creatures,
for two years have been unfavourable to
them, and the result of this has been tha*^
(inly the hardiest have survived, and these
have interbred, so that out of adversity
the race has triumphed! We may expect
a further increase next year. I am not

324

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Aug. 16,1906.

sure if we ought' to call them " uests,"
for they do an enormous amount if tcod.
An excluder zinc porch or a swarm-
catcher will protect a hive from the
ravages of the largest species.

Packing TLivcs for Travelling (p. 303).
— I have adopted a very neat and simple
ventilating device, given to me by Mr.
Shepherd, and which, I believe he now
supplies. This consists, roughly, of a re
movable screen front, which will give almost
any entrance up to l^in. deep, and will
close entirely upon reversal. I have
modified it somewhat, and find it most
satisfactorv. A little later I will describe
more fxxllv than is here possible a simple
packinpr device which has taken my stocks
to the moors this year with absolute safety,
and the minimum of labour in packing.

A Swarming Incident (p. 304). —
" D. M. M." has uncapped this comb so
well fp. 312) that I will only extract it.
I was just ready with the knife, though !
These useful " tips " ought not to be for-
gotten. Use is the' best tag for memory!
Curious how doctors differ about swarm-
ing as a virtue or a vice. It has been the
salvation of the race of bees, and has its
definite uses to-day, and we cannot get
rid of the propensity — even if we would—
all in five minutes !

Selected Queries (p. 305). — For cleaning
up sections I use a three-frame nucleus
box, with side entrance, tied in front of
an ordinary hive, partly closing the en-
trance. The bees of the stock have free
access, and I find it invaluable for this
work, the whole of which is done rapidly
and with no disturbance. Any one stock
mav be stimulated or fed in this way.

'Blank Cartridges (p. 311). — Now isn't
that real nice ' of " D. M. M."? His
welcome is very welcome indeed, and I
feel quite warm towards him. But I am
bound to train my friendly euns upon
him. It is only right to explain that my
cartridges are all blank, and are not really
intended to wound or destroy. After all,
it is better to fire blank cartridges than
to miss the target with ball. Might hit
a beehive, instead of a bull ! Mine are
light manoeuvres, and I only fire off the
ammunition which is served out to me.
But T avoid the use of smokeless powder
in my willingness to indicate my position
for such renrisals as I deserve.

Between ourselves, they are reallv
" smoked cartridges." and are intended to
induce the human bees to dip once more
into the fillerl combs.

"Shot No. 1 " Cp. 311V— I think
"T). M. M." has right on his si^e. I
wrote admitteHly from memory alone, and
this is iust the kind of comment and cor-
rection my criticisms are intended to
draw, if possible. Thank you. " D. M. M.,"
I will look the matter up again in " Glean-
ings."

Shot No. 2. — I am not convinced !
"Strong nuclei" lots does not go down
well — anyway, it is badly expressed. Even
with explanation it only becomes " a
strong collection of nuclei." Why does
not " nucleus lots " express the present
intention ?

Shot No. 3. — I stick to my guns,
blank cartridge or not! As it does not
yet appear reasonable to me, all the old
bee-books in existence will not make me
believe that a failing queen can be the
cause of swarming if other favourable con-
ditions are not present. I maintain that
if swarming occurs it is due to these other
conditions, and the presence of cells is
only coincidental — accidental, if you like.
Usually, however, a failing queen is super-
seded, and the virgin allowed to hatch
before her death. A very strong lot might
conceivably send off a swarm with the first
virgin queen ; but I have had no such ex-
perience, and, anyway, this was not
"D. M. M.'s" intention. That the feed-
ing of the queen has a good deal to do
with the laying is well known, but a young
queen will do better than an old one under
unfavourable conditions. She simply must
lay eggs, so that it is not " all a matter
of feeding." If "D. M. M.'s" facts are
correct, and my partly playful theory of
more efficient stoking on the part of the
bees (who have, by the way, nothing but
the queen to fee^d for nearly a week after
swarming), it is unaccentable to our
friend. Perhaps he will think it over, and
give us a more reasonable solution.

Spring Dwindling (p. 312). — Is not
this due to some of those failing queens
which swarmed the year before? Better
have them superseded in future,
"D. M. M.," dear. BANG! Another
blank !

DEATH OF MR. JOHN STONE.

We deeply regret to announce the death
of Mr. John Stone, of Cubley, a well-
known bee-keeper, and one of the oldest
and most respected members of the Derby-
shire B.K.A., which took nlace suddenly
at his residence on Tuesdav. July 24. It
appears that in the early morning of that
day Mr. Stone was in his usual healthy
but later on became unwell, and passed
away shortly after noon. We have been
favoured by the hon. sec. of the Derby-
shire B.K.A. with the following particu-
lars regarding the deceased gentleman,
which will be read with interest by many
bee-keepers outside the county where he
was so well-known ; nor do we doubt that
readers generally will join us in tender-
ing our sincere sympathy to Mrs. Stone
and the family in their bereavement.

Born in the year 1843, Mr, Stone com'

Aug. 16, 190b. J THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

325

menoed early in life to take an interest in
farm work, being employed in the same
village in which he afterwards commenced
farming on his own account.

His connection with bee-keeping extends
back for a period of twenty-five years,
during which time he has. taken the
keenest interest in the pursuit, not only
as an ardent supporter, but as a very active
member of the committee of the county
association.

As an exhibitor he was one of the most
successful of (Derbyshire bee-keepers,
having won numerous gold, silver, and

classes for bees and honey were included ;
indeed, he held appointments to ofl&ciate
at three' coming shows to be held during
the present autumn season.

But in addition to his keen interest in
bee-keeping, he also found time for other
pursuits, taking a special pride in his
garden and its products, and all horti-
cultural work. In this connection he was
awarded several prizes at various horti-
cultural shows during the last few years,
receiving, among other awards, the_ cham-
pionship certificate for horticultural work
given bv the Derbyshire County Council

THE LATE MR. JOHN STONE.

bronze medals and other prizes at the
county shows. Ho was also the first mem-
ber to win the silver challenge cup (pre-
sented by J. L. P. Barber, Esq., J. P.,
Chairman of the Association), and having
won it three years in succession it was
decided that he should hold the cup as
his own. Mr. Stone then kindly presented
a similar cup to the Association to be
competed for as before.

Mr. Stone's apiary, at the time of his
death, consisted of forty eight stocks, in-
cluding seventeen swarms hived this season.
He had for a number of years officiated
as judge at local flower shows, where

Technical Education Committee. He also
secured the second-class certificate of the
St. Jolui Ambulance Association, and in
addition held the office of churchwarden of
his parish for fourteen years, besides being
for many vears school manager.

Mr. Stone was married twice, and leaves
a widow, two sons, and three daughters to
mourn his loss.

The funeral took place on Friday, July
27, at Cubley, and was attended by many
sympathising friends and neighbours of
the deceased gentleman, the Derbyshire
B.K.A. being represented by the hon.
sec, Mr. B. H. Coltman.

326

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL [Aug. 16, 1906.

(&tiirmpn&tntt

The Editors do not hold thetnselves responsible for the
opinions expressed bii corresponden's. No notice will
be taken, of anonymous communioatiovs, and .corre-
sponiUnts are requested to write on one side of the papier
only and give their real nomea and addresses, not neces-
sarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith.
Illustrations should be drawn on separate pieces of paper
We do not undertake to return rejected communications.

NOTES BY THE WAY.

[6397.] The fine weather still continues,
and being combined with a high tempera-
ture the bees are still busy at work ;
though not adding much in supers they
are storing up a future supply of food for
the winter months. This is cheering to
the busy bee-man, as it will later on save
labour and cash, two items of moment,
especially as our season is not quite up
to the average.

As soon as the bees are kept at home by
a change of weather, and a slackness of
work is observable, see that all entrances
are contracted ; this will reduce the
chances of the persistent robbing so often
rife at the close of the season's work. But
should " robbing-out " set in or show
itself as starting, deal with it at once by
giving a good sprinkling to all hives with
the watering-can ; then close the entrance
of cne hive being robbed with a piece of
perforated zinc till the evening. Then,
should any doubt exist with regard to the
health of colony, destroy the bees (both
ro'bbers and victims) and strain the honey.
But if the combs are seen to be good and the
colony healthy, though weak (as it is only
weak lots which fall a prey to the robbers
if entrances are normal), procure a strong
lot of driven bees and unite them to the
weak lot, after first removing the queen.
Do not run any- risks by leaving the new
and old queens to "fight it out," or you
may still have the old queen left. Use the
flour dredger as a pacifier when uniting.

I notice our friend " D. M-. M.'s"
remarks on queen rearing, and am not
going to contradict him ; the demand for
queens in this country would not in my
opinion pffly to produce them in great
numbers on spec. I know of one who
raised a larger number than usual, and at
end of the season had to kill off about one
liundred queens. There was no demand,
although advei'tised every week, and the
party in question was a good bee-keepca*
and breeder to boot. I myself do not
rear many more than I require, though 1
give every attention to their t[uality ; and
1 generally have enough to supjdy all de-
mands for "ye olde Englishe bee." We
have not, so far as I know, any " faddists "
in our near neighbourhood to go in for all
and sunrlry foreign or prettily marked

bees, therefore I am able to keep my stock
about as pure as it was twenty years ago.
My bee-man at onr out apiary said to me
last year : " That end hive, Mr. W., is the
most vicious in the whole apiary," and
on critical examination I found one or two
bees slightly lighter in their markings
than ordinary. I at once killed the
queen, and this year the colony has been
one of my gentlest (one of my own 1905
queens was introduced), and one of my
best stocks this season. — W. Woodley,
Beedon, Newbury.

LONDON V. PROVINCIAL SHOWS.
[6398.] It is dan-^erous to meet the lion
in his den, but, I fear, far more risky to
face an Editor in his sanctum. And yet
we bee-keepers so regard our joint editors
as guides, counsellors, and friends that
one is almost emboldened to ask if you
really mean all that a man from the
country would imply from your note
in " Honey Samples " to " C. L. (Lines) "
in this week's B.B.J. ? (page 320). Some
of us have never visited a big
London show, while you have ample
exjDerience of both London and country
shows. You give such publicity to
"open classes" in your column, "Shows
to Come," that it may almost be expected
that many of our best country shows may
secure entries from some of our best pro-
ducers, and I surmise that most of these
producers are not in London, but in the
country. It may reasonably be considered
that the average exhibits would be much
higher in character in the London shows ;
but would not, here and thejre, some of
the best honey be staged in the country?
Without the invidiousness of mentioning
our best-known exhibitors, your columns
testify to their getting a good share of
prizes in the country. Some of our West
Country prizes have even gone to Lincoln-
shire, as well as Hants, Berkshire, and
other counties. One of my greatest
pleasures in the enjoyment of the fun of
going round the show after judging — to
see where the prizes have fallen — was ex-
perienced last week, when I found that
the first prize winner in the " novice "
class had also taken 1st in the " open "
single pound class. T am certain, from
■ careful reading of the Jottrnal for ncarlv
twenty years, that you would never dis-
courage a painstaking novice from hoping
to attain the hiehest honours. And even
the n()t<' now referred to is encouraging to
the inquirer.

If I tr'ospass. please forgive me ; if yo^i
look with kindly tolerance on my remarks
please accept my thanks. — S. .Jordax.

[We are glad to have the views of our
friend, Mr. Jordan, plainly put in the
above communication, for -several reasons.

Aug. 16, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

327

First, it affords us an opportunity for
saying that the advice given on page 320
was jirompted by the wisdom with which
he too generously credits us. Moreoverj
we hope that readers will take it to heart
in its fullest sense, as being fully justi-
lied by our own experience. W? receive
many scores of samples of honey every
season, sent by zealous bee-men desirous
of winning at our London shows, and
whenever a sample reaches us good
enough in quality to stand a chance at
a metropolitan show we invariably ad-
vise this being sent up. But — and "here's
the rub " — it will be found that at these
shows the great majority of the exhibits
have already won lorizes elsewhere. This
knowledge has been brought home to us
forcibly after many years' experience as
judge at metropolitan shows, and it is
our appreciation of the confidence re-
posed in our opinion by those who ask for
advice that impels us to inake the distinc-
tion referred to.

We are very pleased to see that our
correspondent, and several other capable
men we could name, are makins their
way to the front rank as judges at im-
portant provincial honey shows ; nor do we
doubt that all older hands will regard it
as a hopeful sign for the fixture of the
craft when men of the right stamp are
forthcomincf to- take the ^laces of older
ones, whose share of the work is nearin?
its end. Nor do we doubt that most of
them are inspired with an honourable
ambition to take a share of the labour of
judging in London when we may hope to
welcome them as colleagues. But we can
pi'omise them a tough task in re-judging
their own awards made at previous shows ;
indeed, we are inclined to doubt their
enjoyinc " the fun of going round the show
after the judging, to see where the awards
have gone." as Mr. Jordan jocosely puts
it, if he finds that he has placed Smith
first and Brown nowhere in London, while
the positions have been exactly reversed
by himself at a previous show in the
country.

This is what makes judging, as well as
pi'ize-winning, a very difficult task in Lon-
don compared with the provinces, and we
hope justifies our makin-" a difference
between the two as stated in the reply on
page 320.— Eds.]

ROSS-SHIRE BEE-NOTES.

. [6399.] Unless the weather of August
quickly changes for the better, 1906 will
scarcely rank as a record season. True,
I took 140 lb. of sealed honey from a single
hive last week, btit this is quite excep-
tional, none of those worked for sections
being likely to give more than three racks

— from clover, at least. The removal of
supers from the above hive revealed a
population so enormous that eleven frames
and two racks of sections would not hold
them, so more room was given, and the
bees now occupy over eighty sections.

We have so far had only three good bee-
days this month ; most of the time it has
been too wet or cold for work on the
heather ; but we still hope things will
improve, and the purple hills furnish a
fair crop of luscious honey, as they used
to in past years. As a result of the in-
different season, sales are easily made.
Good clover sections are selling freely at
9s. per dozen, and the prospective heather
crop is in anxious demand at any reason-
able price. With no glazing or railway
carriage to whittle down the profits, the
above price is decidedly satisfactory.

Our Southern friends who wax wrathful
over the iniquity of those who advertise
honey at about the price of sugar-candy
would, in my opinion, do well to ignore
the "dumpers," and concentrate all ener-
gies on opening-up trade at home. — J. M.
Ellis, Ussie Valley, N.B.

THE SWARMING SEASON IN BERKS.

[6400.] This certainly has been a swarm-
ing season, in this district of Berkshire, at
any rate, notwithstanding the pronounce-
ment of our friend, " D. M. M.," in the
"B.K. Record" for this month. I know
at least three persons who could have sup-
plied him with all the swarms he needed
had he applied in the swarming season.
Ajiropos of " checking swarms," I fancy it
would be somewhat risky sometimes to
exchange the hives of a strong and weak
colony.

Hiving a swarm on " starters " only has
not been a complete success with me this
season, but as the swarm was ojily a
moderate one I hope to test the point next
year, and then with a rack of sections
supered. It seems feasible that this prac-
tice will be more successful. By the way,
I venture to think many are eagerly await-
ing tlie promised paper by your contri-
butor, whose initials appear above. His
papers ai-e not only interesting and
interesting and instructive, but there is a
breeziness about his writing which reminds
one of the true " ling " or Scotch heather.
Albert Sandys, Abingdon, August 7.

HONEY IMPORTS.

The value of honey imported into the
United Kingdom during the month of
.July. 1906 was £3,821.— From a return
furnished to the British Bee Journal by
the Statistical Office, H.M. Customs.

328

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Aug. 16, 1906.

^ntrm m& §^ti^lm.

[3381]. Making Artificial Swarms.—Ahoai
a year ago, on geiting possession of " Cowan s
Guide Book" (1881 Edition), I read it and
became intensely interested in 'bee life. 1
have since read other books— with much
profit— including the latest edition of Mr.
Cowan's book. I have not been sa/tisfied with
the theory merely, and a few weeks back I
became the happy possessor of two stocks
of bees. I was anxious to increase my hives,
but as neither of the stocks appeared likely
to swarm I naturally ventured to do it artifi-
cially on Saturday," July 21. I followed as
closelv as I understood the instructions in
" Guide Book," as directed under the heading
"Making three Colonies from two." I shall
appreciate your views in B.B.J, as to whether
it is likely to Ibe a success. My procedure
was somewhat as follows : —I prepared a new
hive (call it No. 3), placing in it three frames
of empty comb and two of foundation. I
next took from hive No. 1 five frames of
brood and honey, shook iall bees back into
stock-box, and then placed these frames in
No. 3 ; after covering all up, I placed feeding
bottle, with syrup, above the frames ; then
I removed hive iNo. 2 to about four yards
away, and placed No. 3 where it stood. Sooa
the alighting board of No. 3 was crowded
with bees, and, examining the, inside a little
later, I found bees gathering on combs nicely.
I then placed three frames with built-out
combs and two with foundation into hive
No. 1 to replace; apparently everything is
going satisfactonily in this hive. Being quite
a novice, having only seen a bee-keeper one
day ait work, I ask '(1) Did I do rightly as
above? Hive No. 3, of course, is without a
queen, but I noticed that on the frames in
eerted there were three queen-cells half built.
I would also be glad to know (2) will the
bees in hive No. 3 raise their own queen and
use these queen-cells? (3) li so, how soon
should I expect the new queen to commence
la-i'ing? (4) When ought I next to examine
this hive? I should add a line to sav the
next day (after operating, a large number of
dead and dying beos were seen lying in front
of hives. (5) Is this the result of fight-
ing, or would it be possible that I had used
the smoker too freely? — T. L., Penge, S.i'J.

Reply. — 1. Quite right, so long as you were
sure of there being rr/ffft in addition to brood
and honey in the combs removed from No. 1
hive. 2. Yes. 3. A queen usually begins to
lay from six 'to ten days after hatching out
if she is fortunate in getting quickly mated ;
but this period may be considerably exten'led
b-" various circumstances over which the bee-
keeper has no control. 4. Not till the bees

are seen to be carrying in pollen freely. 5

The killing of bees will have arisen from
your inexperience in such operations.

[3382]. Cvrioiis Use of Co7nh-Oappin{fK hy
Bees. — The enclosed piece of comb was taken
from a hive with frames hanging parallel
to entrance, at the back of which I had

thrown a quantity of comb-cappings after
frames had been through the extractor, for

the bees to clean up the wet cappings. I
may say the lower part of all the twelve
combs in the hive are treated in similar
fashion to the small piece sent. Will you
kindly give your opinion with regard to it?
Do you think that the bees are kneading
these wax particles and placing them on
combs in the way shown ready for the cap-
ping-over process when fitted with food? —
"Apis- Amateur," Bristol, August 10.

Reply. — ^We cannot think that the bees had
any such object as you suggest when treating
the comb as seen in sample. The way in
which they deposit their food in cells for
future use entirely does away with your view,
because the bee must have access to the base
of a. cell before beginning to regurgitate the
contents of its honey sac. and in some cells
of sample the opening left is so small as to
preyent this entirely. To see combs treated
as shown is quite new to us, the added
surface seen being easily discernible from its
light colour, compared with the very dark
old comb lin the frames.

[3383]. Dealing with. Susj)erted Oomhs. —
Would you please say if there is any disease
in the enclosed sample of cximb? I have been
a bee-keeper some time without ever having
seen foul brood, but I am anxious to nip
it in the bud if present. The perforated
cells containing the white grubs made me
doubt whether it was altogether healthy. —
J. M., Mansfield, Notts.

Reply. — ^There is no disease visible in
comb sent. All brood in sealed cells has
reached the imago stage, and some of the
young bees were alive when comb was exam-
ined, but the very strong odour of carbolic
acid makes it probable that the bees have
deserted the brood, and that there has in
consequence been insufficient warmth for
enabling the young bees to hatch out.
Another possibility is that the hatching brood
has been killed by the fumes of carbolic acid.

%u ^hm% ia €I(rmc.

A nominal charge of 3s. 6d. is made for notices {nOf
exceeding 7 lines') in this column, 10 lines charged 3s. 6d. '
up to Ify lines 5s.. which covers cost of insertion from
order till date of show. Cash should accompany orders
for insertion.

Auffiist 17. — In Public School, Port-
•william, Wipto-wnshire— Honey Show in con-
nection with the Horticultural Society.

August 18, at Boreue, IT.B. — Honey and
Flower Show, to he held at Borgue, KirkcudbrigRt,
N.B. Entries closed.

Aug-ust 22 and 23, at Shrewsbury.—

Annual Show of the Shropshire B.K.A. in connection
with the Horticultural Society's Great Floral Fete in
" The Quarry," Shrowshiny. Entries closed.

August 24, at Exeter.— Annual Show of the
Devon B.K.A. , in conjunction with the Devon and
Exeter Horticultural Society. The Baroness Burdett-
Coutts' prize, hive for the best exhibit shown by cot-
tager members. Dr. Philpott's prize of £1 Is., for the
two bfst sections of comb honey. All open classes.
SchedaleB from the Hon. Sec. A. S. Parrish, Heavi-
tree Road, Exeter. Entries close August 18-

August 25, at Barnton, Cheshire —Honey
Show in connection with Floral and Horticultural
Exhibition— two country, and six local classes for
honey and wax. Cheshire B.K.A. silver medal to win-
ner of 1st prize for goynty boney. Schedules from

Aug. 16, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOtJUNAL.

329

p. Hindley, Hon. Sec, 88, Runcorn Eoad, Barnton,
Northwich. Entries close August 18-

AuRust 28, at Cartmel. near Grange-
over -Sands. —Show of Honey, etc., in conneotion
with the Cartmel Agricultural Society. Schedules
from William Cragg, Secretary, Cartmel, via Carn-
forth. Entries close August 16.

August 29, at Chester-— Cheehire B.K.A. Show
in connection with the County Agricultural Society.
Open claBses for Hives, Observatory Hives, Sections,
and Extracted Honey. Baroness Burdett-Ooutts' prize
hive for best exhibit shown by cottager member.
Entries closed.

August 29, at Eorbury Gardens, Bead-
ing.— Honey Show of the Berks. B.K.A. Schedules
from the Hon. Sec, D W. Bishop- Ackerman, 161,
King's Road, Reading.

August 30, at Montgomery.— Honey Shew
in oonnection with Horticultural Exhibition. Two
open clasBea for six 1-lb. sections and six lib. Jan
extracted honey. Prizes, 10b., 58., 2s. 5d. Entry fee.
Is. each class. Schedules from Mr. W. J. Jonet, Secre-
tary, Montgomery. Entries close August 23-

September 1. at Bramhall, Stockport.—

In the grounds of the BramhaU Hall. Honey Show —
under the auspices of the C. B.K.A. Literal prizes.
Low entrance fees. Open and Local (three mile limit)
Classes._ Schedules' from .John Sibson, Hawthorn
Grove, "BramhaU. Entries close August 24.

Septemljer 8, at Dumfries— South of Soot-
land B.K.A. 14th Annual Show of Honey, Bees, and
Appliances. Five open classes — viz., three 1-lb. Jars,
three 1-lb. sections, and for single jar and section
(free entry), and cake of wax ; also handsome money
prizes and valuable medals, for members oniy.
Schedules from Jas. Johnstone, Sec, Nelson Street,
Maxwelltown. Entries close September 1.

September 11, at Blenheim Park, Wood-
stock.— Annual Show of the O.xfordshire B.K.A. Open
classes for single lib. section, and for single lib. jar
Extracted Honej', with free entry. First prize, 10s. ;
2nd, 5a. ; 3rd, 2s. 6d. H. M. Turner, Hon. Sec, 4,
Turl Street, Oxford. Entries close Septem-
ber 6.

September 12 and 13, at Edinburgh.—

Thirteenth Annual Exhibition of Midlothian B.K.A.
in Waverley Market. Open classes for six sections
heather, six sections flower, six jars heaJkJber, six jars
flower. Prizes, 15s., lOs., 5s. Entry, 2». per class.
Schedules from W. Weir, Heriot, Midlothian.

September 13, at Castle Douglas.— Honey
Section, Dairy Show. Liberal prizes. Five open
classes— viz., three 1-lb. jars, three 1-lb. sections,
single jar, single section, and for cake of beeswax.
Schedule from Jas. Johnstone, or from L. Aird, Hard-
gate Schoolhouse, Dalbeattie. Entries close
September 1

September 8 to 15, at the AgricultTiral
Sail, Xiondon. — Honey Show in connection with
the Oonfeotioners', Bakers', and Allied Traders Annual
Exhibition and Market. (See large advertisement on
page i.) Open to all British Bee-keepers.
Entry fee in each class one shilling. Schedules from
H. S. Rogers, Secretary, ELxhibition Offices, Palmerston
House. Old Broad Street, London, E.O.

September 20, 21, and 22, at Crystal

Palace.— Surrey B.E.A. Annual Exhibition of Bees,
Honey, Wax, and Appliances, etc. Twenty-six classes
(ten open to all). Increased prizes and medals.
Schedules from F. B. White, secretary, Marden House,
Eedhill, Surrey. Entries close September 7.

September 22 to 29, at the Agricultural
Hall, liOndon. — Honey Show in oonnection with
the Twelfth Annual Exhibition and Market of the
Grocery and Kindred Trades. Nearly £50 in prizes
for honey and beeswax including four prizes of £4,
£3, £2, and £1, in honey trophy class. Open to
all British Bee-keepers. Schedules from H. S.
Rogers, Secretary, Exhibition Offices, Palmerston
House, Old Broad Street, London E.O.

September 26, at Altrincham.— Show of

Honey Products, in connection with Altrincham
Agricultural Show. Open to United Kingdom : Classes
for Hives, Observatory Hive, 12 Jars Eixtracted Honey.
Open to County of Chester only: Classes for Trophy,
Amateur-built Hive, Two Shallow Bars, 12 Jars Run,
12 Sections, Wax, etc. Special classes for cottasere.

Special classes for Society's district. Liberal priae*.
Low entrance fees. Schedules from Mr. J. H. Hall, 2,
Dunham Road, Altrincham. Entries close
September 9.

October 9 to 12, at the Agricultural
Hall, London. — Show of Honey and Bee Produce
in connection with the British Dairyi Farmers' Associa-
tion. Numerous and liberal prizes for honey, etc.,
including the valuable Silver Challenge Oup of the
B. B.K.A. Schedules from Mr. Wm. 0. Young, Secre-
tary, IZ, Hanover Square, London, W. Entries
close September 12.

Notices to Correspondents & Inquirers,

W. iiAMBRooK (Sittlngbourne). — Bees Depos-
ing Queens. — ^From the particulars given it
seems quite certain that the queen of the
colony was being deposed by the bees them-
selves, and under these circumstances it is
not at all uncommon to find a young queen
hatched out and mated before the old
mother-bee is killed and cast out. Indeed,
cases have been known where the old and
young queens have been living peaceably
together for several weeks before the end
came.

GwENYWFA (Ruthin). — -Bees Removing Honey
fi;om Skeps into Sections. — It is not at all
certain that the bees will remove honey into
shallow-frames or to sections from skeps,
the probability being that they will store
it in the bodv-lbox i! left in the hive. 2.
The queen sent is apparently a virgin, and
it appears as if she had been starved to
death. 3. The queen-cage is a poor one.

John Egberts (Ruabon). — ^Driving Bees from
Skeps. — As you have the " Guide Book "
by you, we need only reter yoii to pages
138, and 139, where full information will be
found, with a page illustration of "Driving
Bees."

A. K. jNI. (Spalding). — ^Bee Nomenclature. —
The condition of dead queen isent makes it
impossible to judge definitely with regard
to pure race or variety. AH pubesence
(or hairiness) is gone from the abdomen,
apparently from the queen having been
"balled." We may, however, safely say
that it is a pure Ligurian or Carniolan, but
a hybrid of some sort.

Suspected Cortibs.

J. McG. (Ayrshire). — ^There is no foul ibrood
in comb. Since the stock is strong in bees
and headed by a young queen, we advise
treating it as a case of chilled brood only.
" Pickled brood," as it is termed in America,
is quite different to .yours, and it is more
than prdbable that the colony will go on
all right now you have a young queen at its
head.

Amateur (Yorks, W.R.).— Bad case of foul
'brood.

Disappointed (Leicester). — Piece of new
comb (never bred in), contains nothing
worse than freshly-gathered pollen and
honey.

Honey Samples.

P. W. (Southport). — Your sample appears to
have been collected from tree-blossom in-
fested with aphis, or green fly. It is not at
all suitable for taible use. There is nothing
unusual in the contents of two supers on
one hive being quite different in quality;

330

*IWE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Aug. 16, 1906.

from each other, or the fact of bees working
on different flowers at the time each super
was Sbeing filled.

(Mrs.) A. T. K. (B'hiam). — ^Sample is contami-
nated with honey-dew, and thus rendered
impalaJtaible for table use.

R. A. (Bicester). — The light-coloured sample
is very good indeed. It is granulating with
a nice grain and of good colour. The dark
sample is, of coarse flavour, thin and poor
in quality.

Tyke (Northant,g). — Honey sent is nauseous
in flavour and aroma. Not at lall fit for
table use. You are probably right in sup-
posing it t obe from " ragwort," or ragweed.

*** Some Qv£ries and Bepltes, &c., are
unavoidably held over till next week.

Special Prepaid Advertisements

Twelve wards and under Sixpence : for every additional
Three words or under, One Penny.

DRIVEN' BEES, Is. 3d. per lb. ; young Queens,
Is. 6tl. ; boxes returnable.^BROWN', Somers-
ham, HuHta. S 18

HE.^LTHY DRIVJ:N BEES, with young 1906 Queen,
5s. per lot ; package not returnable. Put on
rail same day order is received.— W. D. T. RICHARDS,
Postman, Kings?nnford, Dudley, Worcester. S 19

HEALTHY DRIVEN BEES, headed by 1906 Queens,
f.o.r. ; package free; 5s. lot. — BROWN, E.xpert,
King Stireet, Wellington, Salop.

FINEST ENGLISH HONEY, 15s. per 281b. tin ;
sample, 2d.— DUTTON, Terling, Essex. s 80

YELLOW CROCUSES, slips Arabi Alpinus, 100
Is. 3d., free.— BRAYSHAW, Aultmore, Keith. S 17

DRIVEN BEES, delivered, 5s. 6d. ; Queens, 3s. ;
four-frame Nucleus, 12s. 6d. ; Section Glass, 2s.
gross.— 70, Highgate Road, Birmingham. s 16

GOOD GOAT, full milk; also lady's bicycle. Ex-
change for driven bees.— W. GEE, Ware Road,
Hertford. S 15

DRIVEN BEES, a good supply, strong healthy lots,
with 1906 Queene, 58. ; natural raised laying
Queens, 2s. 6d.— T. BRADFORD, Expert, 68, Droitwich
Road, Worcester. ' S 13

PURE ITALIAN 1906 QUEENS, from selected stocks.
53. each; satisfactiion guaranteed.— H. POTTS,
Expert, Dutton, Preston. Brook, Warrington S 14

GOOD HONEY, 28 lb. tins, 6d. lb.— GEORGE
THOMPSON, " Beecroft," Helpringham, Lin-
colnshire, s 12

WANTED, BEE APPLIANCES in exchange for ONE
TON of GOOD HONEY; or would sell in any
quantity to suit purchaser. — For price and sample
(2d.) apply T. STAPLETON,, Gwinear, Hayle, Corn-
walL 8 11

OR SALE, DRIVEN BEES; la. 6d. per lb.— J.
WAYMAN, Cottenham, Cambridge. S 10

F

FOR SALE, NEW BELL GLASS SUPER, to hold
10 lb. honey, nearly new ; shallow frame super,
for straw Rkep, with 10 frames and roof ; two years'
issue f)f B.B..T. What offers? or exchange Driven fiees.
—A. DOURING, Bank Street, Moxboi-ough, Rother-
ham. 8 9

QUEEN BEES, 1906, Camiolan Hybrids, 2g. cash ;
fertile.— REV. A. H. MAWSON, Ufflngion Vicar-
age, Shrewsbury. 8 8

WASTED, exchange for healthy stock of driven
be«, p(«»lt,ry, laying, to valuie.— HIGGS, North-
rode, Conglaton. S 7

FOR SALE, ONE STOCK OF GOLDEN ITALIANS,
30s. ; two stocks Hybrids, 25s.— SAXELBY, Hall
Green, Birmingham. s 6

STOCKS of BEES for SALE, singly or otherwise;
moving.— WARD, Sudborough, Louth. s 5

FOWL RUN, covered with movable floor, boards
bolted together (by Meech) ; also portable wire
run, each 24ft. long ; equal to new. Sell or exchange
stocks of bees, bar frames.— NICHOLAS, Tyseley Hill.
Acocks Green, Birmingham s 4

FOUR THREE-FRAMED NUCLEI, with 1906 laying
Queens, 7s. 6d. each.— J. ADDYMAN, Knotfield
Lodge, Horsforth, Leeds. s 3

QUEENS, 1906, (Sladen's atrains), 48. 3d. ; three-
frame nuclei, lOs.^PAUL, Salisbury Road, Bex-
ley^ S_2

BEES, from eleven healthy skeps, to drive early,
5s. per lot, on rail. — ARCHER, 64, Kingston
Road, Oxford. r 99

EDISON HOME PHONOGRAPH and 35 records, new
last year, extra large trumpet, cost £9 2s. 6d. ;
and Tamlin's lCX)-egg incubator, wifh self-supplying
lamp, new last year, cost £3 15s. What offers in cash
or bees and appliances? — Address Fj. SHARP, Bidwell,
Dunstable, Beds. ~ S 1

QUEENS, eelected from honey-gathering stocks ;
Black English, fertile, 1906, 2s. 8d., free, in in-
troducing cage ; Nuclei four-frame, lOs. ; brood combs,
suit driven bees, 7d. each ; driven bees, Is. 6d. per
lb. for 41b. lots, packed free ; now ready. Light honey,
301b. tin 14s. 6d., 52s. 6d. cwt. ; sample 2d.— CHARTER.
Tattingstone, Ipswich. B 98

"1 K QUEENS from driven swarms, 2s. 3d. each ; 12
JLO for 22s., free ; also 50 lb. beautiful clover and
sainfoin honey, 258., sample 2d. — NEWMAN, 117,
Coldharbour Lane, S.E., and Windmill Farm, Chalfont
St.. Giles, Bucks. s 20

HEALTHY STOCKS, in good Standard Hives, 20s.
each.— JARVIS, Coletord, Glos. R 85

ENGLISH-MADE HONEY JARS (lib., screw cap),
158. Jd. gross, two gross 308.— JAS. DYSON,
Stainforth.lS'oiicaBter. R 93

BEES of my hardy prolific strain of selected
workers. 1906 tested Queens, is. 6d. Three-
frame Nuclei, with Queen, IZs. 6d. Bees, Is. 6d.
lb., for 51b. lots or over. Packages to be returned.
Guaranteed healthy. Safe arrival.— WHITING, "/alley
Apiaries, Hundon, Clare, Suffolk. R 94

HEALTHY DRIVEN BEES, with Queen, 5s. per lot.
Package returnable. — JOHN P. PHILLIPS,

Spetchley, Worcester. R 92

HONEY, the usual quality, but' euppliesi short,
56s. per cwt. ; 281b. ting, 148. Sample 3d. —
OWEN BROWNING, Ashley, Kingsomborne, Hants.

HONEY EXTRACTOR, 19s. 6d., cost 258.; large
WAX EXTRACTOR, 88. 6d., cost 12s. 6d. ; both
new.— HEWETT, Laburnum Apiary, Alton, Hants.

QUEENS, choice fertile 1906, bred from my non-
swarming stocks, 38. each; immediate despatch.
—TAYLOR, Holly hurst, Boldmere Read, Wylde Green,
near Birmingham. R 75

HEALTHY DRIVEN BEES, with Queen, 5s. per
lot ; also 1906 Queens, 28. 6d. each ; boxes re-
turnable; 10th season.— A. R. MORETON, Expert,
Hallow, Worcester. R 74

MEADOWS, Syston. —Clearance sale of extractors,
observatory, hives, etc. Prices on applica-
tion. B 72

IMPORTED ITALIAN QUEENS, 68. 6d. ; home-raised
Italian and Carniolan, 58. ; British, 46. ; swarms
—Nuclei or fuU Colonies. Fair prices. — E. WOOD-
HAM, Claverhig, Newport, Essex. B 59

DRIVEN BEES wanted ; any quantity.— E. H. TAY-
LOR, Welwyn, Herts. B 61

Aug. 23, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

331

Editorial ^Gtim, ^t.

THE HONEY SHOWS OF 1906.

The time is nuw drawing near wlien the
honey shows of 1906 will be things of the
past, to be talked over by past masters in
the art of showing with novices who have
not only run the veterans close in the rac:i
for honours, but have frequently come in
first. We venture to say^ that, in this
connection, results snch as we have in mini
constitute one of the best features of our
exhibitions. The experie^nced bee-man
owning a hundred stocks has no advantage
over the beginner with a few hives, so far
as i-egards the quality of his produce. The
bees of both gather nectar from the same
flowers, and an intelligent bee-keeper, with
the well-ctjiplied experience of a year or
two, can stage his honey equally well with
he who has been showing for twenty years.

This being so, and the fact of good honey
being plentiful, we invite the attention of
all who possess such to the important
exhibitions to be held in London
during the next few weeks, for which the
dates of closing entries are near at hana.
An opportunity is there afforded for secur-
ing honours well worth striving for, as well
as very valuable nioney-iirizes, which tend
to sweeten the winner's success.

The exhibitions to which we refer are
those to be held at the Agricultural Hall,
the Confectioners' iand Grocers', respec-
tively, taking place first (full particulars
of these will be found in the advertisement
on page iii. of this issue). It will there
be seen that e:— jeptional advantages are
offered to exhibitors of hives, honey, and
beeswax, the entry fees being merely
nominal, viz., one shilling for each entry.
Other advantages are named in the prize
schedule, which is sent free to all appli-
cants.

Next comes the Surrey B.K.A. Show at
the Crystal Palace, on September 20, 21,
and 22, followed by the evergreen " Daiiy
Show," on October 9 to 12, for which
entries cliose 'on Septembeu- 12. These
shows will be visited by many thousands
of people, who will there see bee-produce
at its best to the manifest advantage of all
concerned.

We therefore urge those of our readers
to whom the above remarks apply, to
seize the opportunity afforded them of
making a first appearance on the show
bench of these important metropolitan
shows. It is a chance not to be regarded
lightly, and the samples of honey lately
submitted to us for examination fully
justify us in offering this advice, and
saying that those who avail themselves of
it will have no cause for regret.

HENBURY DISTRICT B.K.A

ANNUAL SHOW.

The eighth annual show of the above
association was held in connection with
that of the Horticultural Society, on Aug.
1, at Henbury, in a field kindly lent by
Major-Generai Sami^son-Way, C.B. The
entries numbered 122, over 110 of which
were staged. Messrs. Jordan, Brown, and
Burtt otticiated as judges, and owing to
tile keen competition and high quality of
the exhibits had an arduous task in
making the following awards: —

OPEN CLASSES. -

Trophy of Honey.— 1st, E. Hutton,
Westbury-on-Trym ; 2nd, Ax-thur Baker,
Henbury.

Twelve 1-lb. Sections.— 1st, C. W. Dyer,
Compton Newbury^ Berks i 2nd, E. C' R.
AVhite, Salisbury ; 3rd, J. Coates, Bath ;
v.h.c, Jones Bros., Andover.

Twelve 1-lb. Jars Extracted Honey. — ■
1st, W. Tremblin, Chipping Sodbury ;
2nd, E. C. R. White ; 3rd7 Jones Bros. ;
v.h.c, C. W, Dj^er; c, J. Coates.

Siiifjle 1-lb. Section. — 1st, W. Pretty,
Shirehampton ; 2nd, J. Goodsell, Cran-
brook, Kent ; 3rd, J. Trebble, South
Molton; v.h.c, E. C. R. White; c, C.
Pike, Westbury-on-Trym.

Single 1-lb Jar Extracted Honey.— 1st,
E. C. R. White; 2nd, S. G. S. Leigh,
Broughton, Hants ; 3rd, Miss Edwards,
Stamford; v.h.c, T. George, Henbury;
h.c, E. R. Nash, Pluckley, Kent.

Beem-fl,r.— 1st, E. C. R. White ; 2nd,
Arthur Baker ; 3rd, W. H. Pretty ; v.h.c
E. Hutton; h.c, T. George; c, H. Jolly,
Clifton.

Queen's Wasi)s. — 1st, A. Denham, Hen-
bury.

members' classes.

Twelve 1-lb. Sections. — 1st, H. Jolly,
Clifton ; 2nd, T. George ; 3rd, W. H.
Pretty; v.h.c, C. Pike; h.c, E. Hutton.

Twelve 1-lb. Jars Extracted Honey. — ■
1st, C. Vincent, Henbury ; 2nd, E. Hut-
ton ; 3rd, W. H. Pretty; v.h.c, T.
George; h.c, W. S. Moore^ Patchway.

Six 1-lb. Sections.— 1st; T' George ; 2nd
C. Pike; 3rd, W. H. Pretty; v.h.c, E.
Hutton ; h.c. Miss Vera Waller, West-
bury-on-Trym.

Six 1-lb. Jars Extracted Honey. — 1st,
Miss Vera Waller ; 2nd, T. George ; 3rd,
E. Hutton; v.h.c, Arthur Baker; h.c,
W. H. Pretty.

Three Shalloio Frames for Extracting.—
1st, W. H. Pretty ; 2nd, Arthur Baker ;
3rd, E. Hutton.

Three 1-lh. Sections.— 1st, T. George ;
2nd, C. Pike; 3rd, C. Vincent; v.h.c,
Miss Waller; h.c, W. H. Pretty; c,
W. H. V. Board, Henbury.

Three 1-lb. Jars Extracted Honey. — 1st,
E. Hutton ; 2nd, W. H. Pretty ; Srd, C.

332

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Aug. 23, 190S.

Vincent; v.h.c., T. George; h.c, Miss
Lavingtori;"c., Miss Waller.

COTTAGEBS ONLY.

Three- i4b. Jars Extracted Honey.—
1st, M. Joyner ; 2nd, J. Baker ; 3rd, Mrs.
Stagg.

Three 1-lb. Sections.— 1st, Mrs. Stagg ^
2nd, M. Joyner ; 3rd, J. Baker.

KOVICES ONLY.

Three l-lb. Jars Extracted Honey.—
1st, W. H. Pretty ; 2nd. J. Baker ; 3rd,
M 'joyner;- v.h.c, W. H. V. Board.

Three 1-lb. Sections.— 1st, W.IL. Pretty;

2nd, M. Joyner ; 3rd, C. Fry. Westbury-

on-Trym ; v.h.c, W. Greenslade, West-

bury-on-Trym ; h.c, H. George, West-

■ bury-on-Trym ; c, W. H. V. Board.

SPECIAL PRIZES.

Silver Medal— W. H. Pretty (30 points).

Bronze Medal— T. Georae (23 points).

There were lectures siven during the
afternoon by the County Council's expert,^
Mr. Burtt, who was unfortunately un-
able to manipulate the bees owing to the
inclement weather.

J. Atkin Waller, Hon. 6ec.

LETC'ESTBRHHIllE B.K.A.

ANNUAL SHOW.

The annual show uf the arbove assooia-
tion was held in connection with the
twenty-first annual tlower show at the
Abbey Park, Leicester, on August '/ and
8. There was a large sliow of- honey, the
quality being excellent, owing to the ex-
ceptionally good season. Mr. Richard
Brown, fcioniershanij oihciated as judge, and
made the following awards : —

Observatory Hive with Queen and Bees.—
1st, S. Clarke, Leicester; 2nd, T. H.
Geary, Leicester ; c, A. Meadows, Market
Harborough.

Twelve 1-lb Bectiuns. — 1st and Silver
Medal, H. Dilworth, Shangton ; 2nd, J.
Waterfield, Kibworth ; 3rd. T. H. Geary -^
h.c, F. Picker sgill, Withcote ;, c, W. W.
Falkner, Market Harborough.

Twelve 1-lb. Jars {Lujht) Extracted Honay
(North Leicester only).— 1st, F. Pickers-
gill ; 2nd, S. Spray, Melton Mowbray ;
3rd, G. A. Hobbs, Leicester ; h.c, J. G.
Payne, Lutterworth; c, E. A. Jesson,
North Kibworth.

Twelve 1-lb. Jars (Light) Extracted Honeij
(South Leicester only).— 1st, W. Wesley,
Desford ; 2nd, H. Dilworth ; 3rd, H.
Hopkins, Enderby ; 4th, J. Waterfield ;
h.c, J. Flavell, Leicester Forest West;
"c, Hy. Bradbury, Kirby Muxloe.
• 'Tweke 1-lb. Jars (Dark) Extracted Honey.
—1st, J. Waterfield; 2nd, H. Dilworth;
'3rd, Mrs. W. Falkner, Market Har-
borougji. ;

■ Three Sli allow Fravus uf Comb Honey
1st, J. Waterfield ; 2nd, W. J. t)avey,

Market Bosworth ; 3rd, H. Dilworth;
h.c, W. W. Falkner.

Display of Honey.— 1st, J. Waterhouse ;
2ud, W. P. Meadows, Syston ; 3rd, T. H.
Geary.

Six 1-lb.. Jars (Dark) Extracted Honey
(novices only). — 1st, J. Kenney, Cosby;
2nd, J. Flavell, Leicester Forest West.

Six 1-lb. Sections (novices). — 1st, W.
Spriggs, Shawell ; 2nd, A. McVinish,.
Beaumanor.

Six 1-lb.. Jars (Dark) Extracted Honey
(novices only). — ls1;, J. Kenner ; 2nd, W.
Monk, Ashby Magna.

Six 1-lb. Jars (Light) Extracted Honey
(Baroness Burdett-Coutts' prize, for cot-
tagers nnlv). — 1st, W. Wesley, Desford..

Honey Bcv&rage. — 1st, T. H. G«eary ;
2nd, S. Clark.

Beeswax. — 1st. T. H. Geary ; 2nd, Mrs.
Waterfield. Kibworth'.

Honey-Cake. — 1st, Mrs. Waterfield j
2nd, T.H. Geary.

WORCESTERSHIRE B.K.A.

ANNUAL SHOW.

The Annual Show of the W.B.K.A. was
held on Thursday, August 9th, at Madras -
field, Malvern, in connection with the
Madrestield Agricul<l>ural Show. The total
exhibits numbered 63, slightly in excess of
last year, and were of very good quality.
Dr. Walpole-Simmons was again appointed
judge, and made the following awards : —

Complete Frame- Hive for General Use.—
1st, Geo. Kichings ; no other entry.

Twelve \-lb. Sections. — 1st, C. H. Ha- nes,
Hanley Castle ; 2nd, W. E. Hyde, Ledbury ;
3rd, J. P. Phillips, Spetchley.

Sijc 1-lb. Sections.— 1st, W. E. Hyde ;
2nd, Miss G. Willan, Hanley Castle ; 3rd,
C. H. Haynes.

Twelve l-lb. Jatrs Extracted Honey. — 1st,
C. H. Haynes ; 2nd, T. Rouse, Tenbiiuy ;
3rd, W. E. Hjde.

Stjo \-lb. .Jars Extracted HoTiey. — 1st,
C. H. Haynes ; 2nd, Geo. Richinga ; 3rd,
A. R. Moreton, Hallow.

Six l-lb. .Jars (Dark) Extracted Honey. —
Ist, Geo. Richings ; 2nd, C. H. Haynes ;
3rd, T. Rouse.

Tiveliu' l-lb. Jars Extracted Honey (Cott-
agers only).— 1st (hive presented by the
Baroness 'Burdett-Coutts), W. E. Hyde ;
2nd (hive, in flat, value lOs.), W. Vokins.

Single Shallow-Frame Comb-Honey for
Extraetiwj —1st, J. L. Brierley, Worcester ;
2nd, J. Toombs, Ledbury ; 3rd, T. Rouse.

Jieesivax.— 1st, A. R. Moreton ; 2nd, Miss
Johnson, Guarlford.

Sim lie l-lb Section.— 1st, J. Coates ; 2nd,
H. F. Jolly ; 3rd, G. W. Kirby ; 4th, S.
Gibbs ; v.h.c, Miss Hardwick, Portishead ;
h.c, J. W. Brewer.

JJeeswax (open).—\st, L. E. Snelgrove ;

Aug. 23, lft06.]l THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

333

2nd, B, J. Over ; 3rd, G. W. Kirby ; h.o
J. Brown.

Collection of Appliancts — 1st, Brown &
Sons, Bristol ; 2nd, Ward & Co., Path.

Observatory Hive. — 1st, L. E. Snelgrove ;
2nH, G. W. Kirby.

Highest number of Points in Shoiv
{Challenge Honey Pot).—G. W. Kirby.

Baroness Burdett-Coutts Prize Hive
{Cottager ^Pemhers only). — S. Gibbs.
. Three Shalloiv- Frames for Extracting.
1st, G. W. Kirby ; 2nd, B. J. Over ; 3rd, W.
H. Pain, Bridgewater.

Beesivax.—\s,t, G. W Kirby ; 2nd, B.
J, Over ; 3rd, 0. .Jones. Knowlo.

Three 1-lb. Jars Granulated Homg. — 1st,
C. .Jones, 2nd, G. W. Kirby, 3rd, S. Gibbs.

Six 1 lb. Sections.— '[^t, G. W. I^irby, 2nd,
J. Coates ; 3rd, J. W. Brewer ; v.h.c. C.
Jones, h.c. G. Tatliam, Wedniore.

Six 1-lb Jars Extracted Honey. — Ist,
G. W. Kirby ; 2nd, G. H Cafie ; 3rd, W.
Withycombe : v.h.c, C, Jones ; h.c,
S. Gibbs.

Honey and Confections. — l8t,G.W. Kirby.

Three 1-1 b. Sections (Novices). — 1st, G.
Tatham, Wedmore ; 2nd, Miss Terrell,
Clevedon ; 3rd, C. Jones; vhc, M.
Tilley, Wrington.

Three 1-lb. Jars Extracted Honey. — 1st,
C. Jones; 2nd, G. Tatham; .3rd, Miss
Hardwick. — L. E. Snelgrove, Hon. Sec.

(^mt^mkut

The Editors do not hold themselves responsible for the
opinions expressed by correspondents. No notice will
be taken of anonymous communieations, and corre-
spondents are requested to write on one side of the paper
only and g-ive their real names and addresses, not necee-
larily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith.
Illustrations should be dratmi on separate pieces «f pap*r
We do not undertake to return rejected eommumcations.

AMONG THE BEES.

QUEEN BEAKING.

[6401.] As, just the other day (page 272),
I wrote in commendatory terms of Mr.
Sladen's book on queen rearing, and in-
ferentially at least of his system, he
might not have been the first to take um-
brage at what I wrote in the issue of
July 26. Inasluuch as I have made an
exhaustive study of the subject, including
Mr. Sladen's own book, I fail to see what
force there is in lois contention that I
either wrote in ignorance of my theme, or
entirely misrepresented this bi-anch of
bee-keeping. I repeat and emphasise my
two chief assei'tions, viz., that we have
very few who make a definite study of
this interesting subject, and that even
these few, as well as the many who simply
rear queens, are flooding the country with
"undesirable aliens." I had no thoughts
of Mr. Sladen when I wrote my first para-

graph, but ready to hand he supplies con-
firmation of the truth of both statements.

Open liis " Queen Bearing at the very
first page, and you will find the introduc-
tory words of liis preface inform you that,
originally written in 1904, it was necessary
in 1905 to have it ''entirely re-writ-ten."
If the subject had been thoroughly under-
stood, whv should it be necessary to have
it not only re-cast but re-writ'-en ten
months after? Evidently from his own
words Mr. Sladen had only then evolved
from his 73U2jilage as a queen rearer, and
become a master in the art, as I acknow-
ledge he now is. How many other queen
rearers in the country, however, is he
prepared to certify have shed tliejr
cocoons ? Remember, I never said there
were none. I simply expressed a doubt
(and that only interrogatively) if thers
were manv. On the second point Mr.
Sladen's own advertisement is evidence,
for he then^ advertises six or eight separ-
ate " strains " or races, sujjplying, I have
no doubt, excellent queens. But that is
not my point, which is the contamination
of the jjure native race and the resulting
"mongrel crew." When we find, "selec-
tion by colour for the honey-producing
character of our bees " recommended it
puzzles me. I saw a resultant queen bred
true to this test doing excellent work the
other day, but I know of "goldens" (not
from Mr. Sladen) described as " weeds " :
and worse, in four northern counties tEey
are openly accused of introducing and
disseminating foul brood. So it may be
seen the subject is a thornv one.

Influence of Mace. — About ten years ago
a bee>-keeper imported some Cyprian
queens and crossed them with Camiolans,
but finding them faulty he killed all these
queens. To-day his bees show a cross
varying from workers that might be taken
for average blacks to almost pure-looking
Cyprians. The blood runs on generation
after generation, in spite of persistent
attempts to breed it out. A Canadian
bee-keeper, over twenty years ago, intro-
duced Caucasian queens, and finding- them
"undesirables," has been trying ever since
to extirpate all traces of the race, but it
persists. It is a strange feature. Never-
theless we see it in animals and human
beings. Distinctive traits and types crop
up in families after slumbering, it may
be,' for generations, and the same holds
good in apiculture. Therefore it behoves
bee-keepers to pause and study over future
generations, whose work may be handi-
capped by the cai-^elessness of their fore-
fathers.

Tltc Bee Hires of Europe. — According to
an American Consular report from Frank-
fort the total European production of
honey is at present estimated to amount
to 80,000 tons, at an approximate value of

334

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. ^ug. 23, 1906.

fi'om two to two and a half millions ster-
ling. Germany leads in the production
with 1,910,000 bee - hives, furnishing
20,000 tons of honey. Spain is next with
1,690,000 hives and 19,000 tons of honey.
Austria-Hungary is third with 1,550,000
hives and 18,000 tons of honey. I am not
prepared to certify that the above figures
are correct. I simply record them. But
the thought strikes me that if so some
must have sold out very cheap, as the
whole works out at about threepence j)er
jjound, so I sigh thankfully that I am not
of either of these nationalities.

Space Below Frames in Winter. — Lately
American bee keepers have taken to what
they call deep-bottom boards, allowing a
space of nearly an inch below frames hi
winter. More recently some, not satisfied
with this depth, have increased it to two
inches, and reports speak of " every hive
fitted up in this way coming out clean,
dry, and fit." The practice has been com-
mon in this country for many years, the
inventor of the system being, I believe,
our junior editor. Instead, however, of
using a cumbrous bottom board (Anylin
floor-board), he fives a space of three
inches by means of an eke familiar to all
who have seen illustrations of the
"W.B.C." hive— and who has not? It is
claimed that bees winter better with hives
allowing this space, that the air is kept
fresher and sweeter, that combs are drier
and healthier, and that all debris, dead
bees and other waste matter, is kept at
a respectable distance from the cluster.
I think the idea is an excellent one. The
"eke" as designed by "W.B.C." comes in
handy, too, in converting a shallow body
into a standard one, while in spring, when
removed from below, it makes an admir-
able space for accommodating additional
packing above the brood-box when it is
needful to conserve heat carefully.

Extracted. — The infinite superiority of
Nature's handiwork over the finest work
of man is clearly illustrated in the relative
fineness of the point of a bee's sting and
that of a delicate cambi'ic needle. Under
a powerful microscope the former is
hardly discernible, while the latter ap-
pears to be about an inch in diameter and
very coai-se and rough in finish.

A naturalist who has a taste for the
curious in science has recently made a
series of experiments to test the strength
of insects as compared with th(^ strength
of other creatures, and he finds that in
7iroportion to its size a bee can pull thirty
times as much as a horse.

The smallest number of bees that can
carry 1 lb. of honey is 10,000, but it may
require up to double that number, or
20,000, to carry that weight. One pound

of bees may number 3,700, but it may take
5,500 — ^with an average of 4,800. Drones,
■on the other hand, run from 1,800 to
2,000 to the pound.

There are 28.86 worker-cells and 18.47
drone-cells to the inch, but 28 and 18 will
be found sufficiently near the mark in
making any calculation. — D. M. M.,
Banff.

DRONE LARVA IN QUEEN-CELL.

BEES NIBBLING AWAY FOUNDATION.

[6402.] I am forwarding for your inspec-
tion a queen-cell that contains, in place of
the queen, what I take to be a fine drone
larva (nearly in the pupa stage). If this
is a drone, it must have been reared in
the same cell, which was one of six formed
on one frame by the bees themselves. The
cell in question was due to hatch two days
before I cut it out, and as it did not hatch
(the other five came all right), I opened
the cap of cell to-day, to find (as I sup-
pose) that the bees had made a curious
mistake in doing their best to produce a
queen from a drone-egg.

I have seen worker bees that have been
reared in queen-cells (not recently). I put
it down at the time as probable that the
larva was too old to jaroduce a neen
when the cell was formed around it, or
that it had not received sufficient royal
jelly or attention in some way. I always
open any queen-cells that are sealed over,
yet fail to hatch properly, and have this
day opened one that contained no larva
at all, nor any sign of such. There was
just a quantity of royal jelly, but no
cocoon.

I think the bees do many things during
the honey-flow in a way that they would
not do in a less busy time.

Referring to the mention of bees carry
ing off foundation (6351, page 263). I may
say that early in June I put a number
of frames fitted with new sheets of founda-
tion into an otherwise empty hive, on a
stand in my bee-garden. Soon afterwards
quite a number of bees were seen passing
in and out of the entrance of the hive,
which had been left open. I opened the
hive, thinking a swarm might have taken
possession unobserved, but found only fifty
or sixty bees, all hard at work nibbling
away small particles of the wax founda-
tion, and carrying it away on their hind
legs. I had often noticed that bees had
nibbled away the foundation in the hives,
but in this case they were gathering wax
with a will.- — E. W. Cakbines, Cardin-
ham, Cornwall.

[The queen-cell received contained a
dronc! larva which had nearly reach(id the
pupa stage. — 'Eds.]

Aug. 23, 190b. J THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

335

AN OCTOGENARIAN BEE-KEEPER.

[6403.] Quite recently I was talking to
an old gardener, Clayton by name, aged
eighty, who lives near my own apiary at
Greenford. He was a very enthusiastic
bee-keeper some years ago, but told me he
was " afeared of bees now," and has not
kept any for the past twelve years. He
has taken many prizes at the Crystal
Palace and elsewhere for honey in years
gone by, but I was most interested in his
hive, which I take to be a " Nutt's Col-
lateral Hive." It was given to him fifty
years ago, and the person who gave it had
it many years before that, so it may be put
down to quite 60 years old. As far as the
interior is concerned it is still as sound

windows. You will notice that the legs
are nearly gone, and I had to prop the
relic up to take a photo. What an
elaborate entrance door, with its tinned
and ornamental roof ! It contrasts
strangely with the present-day hive, built
for utility. I suppose makers had more
time in those days, and they turned out
good work. You will observe the owner
standing behind the hive. He is wonder-
fully hale and hearty, and is still able
to, and does, a good day's work. Trusting
this may be of interest to your readers. —
B. E. BucKWELL, Acton, W.

WEIGHT OF SECTIONS.
[6404.] Referring to the letter of your
correspondent, "East Sussex," in last

-VN OCTUGJINARIAN BEE-KEEPEE.

as the day on which it was made, but now
inhabited by spiders instead of bees.
Thinking there must be a number of B.B.J,
readers who, like myself, have never seen
a collateral hive except in engravings, I
took two photos of it, and herewith enclose
them if you would care to make use of
them in the Journal. From " Nutt's Book
on the Management of Bees, 1835," which
I have ; apparently the swarm was put into
the centre box, and when the stock in-
creased and became crowded, the tin slides
were drawn and the bees were given passage
way to the right or left hand box, and also
bell-glass supers were placed on top of
centre box. There are still zinc ventilators,
which you will notice in the photo, also
place for thermometers and inspection

week's "B.B.J." (6395, page 317), I was
induced by it to turn up my old note-book,
and from its pages I take the following
record, which is, I fancy, " gey ill to beat,''
as we say in Scotland. In 1899 I sent six
hives to the moors. On my first visit 1
find I took off eighty-four sections, weigh-
ilig 95 lb. (nett weight, comb and sections
only). I have not got the weight of the
individual racks as removed, but find that
when I packed the honey for sale 126 sec-
tions weighed 140 lbs. That year some of
my sections weighed over 20 ozs., and were
beautifully white and sealed level with
the wood. Alas ! never since that year
have I been able to look upon such a lovely
lot of heather honey. — A Berwickshibe
Bee Keeper, Duns, N.B., August 10.

336

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL [Aug. 23, ia06.

DEALING WITH i^OUL BROOD.

[6405.] I am sorry to say that foul ibrood Las
visited my apdary, and compelled me to de-
stroy three of my nine stocks, which means
a loss of 4001bs. of honey to me. I have taken
BO far, 841bs. of surplus from four hives, and
expect 421bs. more yet if it rains soon.

J. must thank you fox publishing my query
re bee forage plants, last February. Ail my
sections (I work only for comb honey) are very
well finished off this year. I have sold a
lot at Is. per lb., and the customer was very
pleased with flavour, etc. I also ex-
amined a hive slightly affected with foul
brood, but find that bees are keeping it at
bay. I am treating as per "Guide j3ook."
It is a very strong prime swarm of this year,
but has not yielded any surplus at all. It
is chockfull of honey and brood now.

I boiled all my infected hives for ten
minutes in the copper, and burnt all the in-
terior fittings in the fire — metal-ends and all

^so I hope I have stamped the disease out.

I think drastic measures like that ought to
take eft'ect. I, hear that the season has been
very good round this part of the country.
I send name for reference.— Perplexkd
(Essex).

fuems and §,^lm.

[3384.] Queen-Mating from Selected Drones.

^i am only a fifteen months' old bee-keeper,

but already I am vastly interested in the
subject, and in your Aveekly contribution to
the literature relative thereto. I have also
read a good deal elsewhere, but have not been
able to learn what I am about to ask. I will,
if I may, preface the question with a state-
ment : At the commencement of this spring
I had two hives, headed respectively by a
native and an Italian queen, each of which
bred drones. The colony of natives did not
swarm, but, owing to an accideint whereby
I lost four-fifths of the original swarm, the
Italian colony has swarmed twice, and the
new queens have apparently been crossed by
native or English drones. I have, therefore,
now four hives — one native, one ^ure Italian,
and two of hybrids. Judging by results, I
place them in the following order of value :
(1) Italians, (2) hybrids, and (3) natives. I
am anxious, therefore, to perpetuate the pure
Italians if possible, hence my question. From
my reading it would appear that drone-eggs
are the product of the queen, without any
assistance from fertilisation by the mating
drone. This makes me ask will the resulting
drones from the cross-bred Italians, which
will apear next spring, be pure Italians or
not? My object in writing is, therefore,
apparent: I propose to get rid of the native
queen, ajid to substitute for it cither a pure
or a cross-bred Italian. By this means I hope
to have only pure Italian drones in my apiary,
and so give my next year's qncens, a better
chance of mating with these alone. I think
perhaps, your answer, if the question has not

been dealt with before in the pages of the
journal, may be of interest to more readers
of your valuable organ than myself. Name
sent for reference. — ^G. B., Wallington,
Surrey, August 11.

Reply. — ^We fear your attempt to get queens
mated from selected drones wiU only end in
disappointment. The fact that young queens
often travel long distances before mating takes
place, renders tne control of mating only pos-
sible by having drones of the kind selected
on the wing belore any other drones are flying
within a couple of miles from your own Dees.
[3385.] 'Transfer rinij Bees to Frame Hives. —
I should be much obliged for information on
the following : — About the latter part of May
last year I found a strong swarm of bees clus-
ter ea just outside my garden. As I happened
to be leaving home at the time and Laving
nothing else at hand, I successfully hived the
swarm into a large box holding a bushel or
more. Being in London and only able to get
home for a day or two at a time, no trouble
was taken with them. I believe the box was
full last August. They, however, turned out
strong in Spring and have been so all through
the present Summer, and not having swarmed
(which was expected every day), about June
28 I slightly raised one side, and it seemed very
heavy and quite full with bees and comb. To
prevent swarming I gave more room by placing
another box on .top. I expect to be among
the bees shortly and intend to start in a pro-
per manner. My idea was to get " W. B. C."
hives. What I wish to know is : (1) When is
the best time to transfer the bees to these
hives (if done), and (2) if done now, what is
best method of so doing? According to
" Guide Book," Avhich I have just purchased,
Spring is best, but I would ki^e to get them
settled as soon as possible. I have also pur-
chased an early May swarm from which I
Lave lost a cast, and I wish to treat these
bees in the same manner as the others. I
have also the opportunity 'of taking a swarm
from an old rotten tree ; could you tell me
best way of doin'g this ? I send name for
reference and sign — ^Baknsbxjry.

Reply. — Referring to both queries enumer-
ated above, we may say the task of transfer-
ring bees at this season means neither more or
less than driving the bees and deaiing with
them as driven lots by feeding liberally till
they fill the new hives with combs. The
operation could only be undertaken by a
skilled bee-keeper with any chance of success,
and we don't know Low far your experience
goes. Consequently we should like some in-
formation on this point before we take the
troiible and time involved in describing a
plan for you to follow.

[3386.] Sfimulatincf Young Qizeens in
Autumn. — I shall be much obliged for your
advice in the following : I recently over-
hauled my hives, and found one stock fuHv
covejed with bees on all frames and plenty
of brood, but with very little honey in the
combs — in fact, honey was. found in three
frames only, and not much at that. I have
not had an ounce of surplus from this st<5ck ;
while the super is exactly as when. I put it
on, two months ago. It was a strong stock
in spring, but tLe expert, when on his spring

Aug. 23, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

837

■ visit, showed m« no leas than four queen-cells
hatched out and a fifth nearly hatched.
Evidently the bees have swarmed two or
thfee times, but so far as my personal know-
ledge goes, they have not. They are still
fairly strong in numbers, and have plenty of
brood hatching out. The point, therefore, is,
shall I feed them now or wait awhile, and
then give syrup. There is still a slight honey-
flow on, but everything is dried up here
now. I send name for reference, and sign

■ Perplexed (Essex).

Reply. — We advise you to keep the bees
going by slow-feeding from this time forward.
This mil stimulate the young queen in the
work of egg-laying at a time when in the
natural order of things brood-rearing would fall
off concurrently with the cessation of honey-
^thering from the fields.

•[3387.] U'tiiting Bees in Well's Hive. — I have
recently hived a driven lot of bees in a large
double-entrance or " Well's " Live already con-
taining a stock in one half. This second lot
of ibees are headed by a young queen, while
the other stock has an old one. I intend to
Hnite^ these, two. stocks by removing the
perforated dumrayboard. Will you please
saj' :^ 1. W,oukl there be any risk of
the bees fighting when this is done ?
%.^ iShould i first kill the old queen, or
would the younger one be certain to get the
best of the combat? Reply will much oblige.
-f-ANxious, Coventry.

Reply. — ^1. Little or no risk if the bees of
both lots are dusted with flour before uniting
and the old queen is removed during the opera-
tion. 2. Yes, kill the queen first as stated
above.

1^588.] Uniting Swarm with Weah Stock. —
On the morning of July 29 I united a strong
swarm with a weak stock. In doing this, I
acted according to instructions in your valu-
able " Guide Bookj" first removing the old
queen from the weak stock, and floiiring both
stocks well, etc. This morning I found en-
closed queen on the flight-board of one of my
hives, and should like to know if this is an
old Or a young queen, and what you think is
likely to have been the cause of her being
ejected. Am I right in thinking the united
lot is not que^enless ? A reply in next week's
B.B.J, will much oblige. — J as. A. Macguegor.

Reply.— -The queen is an adult bee, but
wiiether it is. the mother-bee of the swarm or
not we cannot say. The proper course is for
yQ\^ to examine the hive into which the swarm
was put, and see if the queen is there, and
all .right.

A^'SQ.'] Uniting Bees in "Well's" Hive.—
As ^ constant reader of your valuable
paper, I should be glad of a reply to the follow-
ing:— In the last week in June I introduced
a virgin queen to a four-frame nucleus
colony. Fourteen days later I examined
th&". combs land found the young queen
lading.' I then added two more frames,
an<i in a week's time there was sealed
hro6d therein. I ithen united the colony with
a>_<;queenless nucleus in a " Well's hive," one
si'^e of which was occupied by a strong stock.
This nucleus had previously ,been supplied
wofbh a virgin queen, 'but she had disappeared,

and I noticed til.*t the bees fTom the otlier
part of the hive were passing freely into the
adjoining compartment (perhaps robbing).
Now, after a fortnight, I find the second queen '
has also disiappeared, without having laid
any eggs since uniting. Very few bees re-
main, and they have built queen-cells which
at present are empty, and they have nothing
but sealed brood in the combs. I therefore
ask : 1. Is there any possibility of the bees
raising a new queen? 2. Do you think it
likely that they had been destroyed by the
bees from the othey part of the hive? I sign
myself — ^Drone, Kent, August 6.

Reply. — 1. We think it more than probable
that the same thing would occur again if you
make another attempt at giving a queen to the
bees in question. 2. It would be easier to
answer this query if we had the " Well's "
hive and its bees under personal observation ;
but, judging from the particulans given, it
seems clear that the bees of both compartments
of the hive are fraternising comfortably, and
may be taken as one family with one mother-
bee at the head of the colony. If you wish
to stock the " Wells " with another colony, it
should ibe done by shutting the second com-
partment oft' for a time, and then introducing
a new lot of bees into it.

[3390.] A'ea/'i/i^ Superfluous D rones. — 1. Sup-
posing a novice put drone-cell foundation into
a new frame-hive, then allowed a stock of
bees from a straw ski^p to transfer themselves
into this hive, according to Guide Book's in-
structions, what would be the result? Woma
it be certain to mean the raising of an excessive
number of drones in the colony, even though
headed by a good young fertile queen? 2. If
such is the case, what is the "Best thing to do
with such hive? — ^G. Crapper, Sheflfield.

Reply. — ■!. Yes, but we hope no one would
be so thoughtless as to give drone-cell founda-
tion imcier the circumstances named. 2. If
the bees are now at work on drone-cell founda-
tion, the frame should be examineu to see
the condition of combs, and worker-cell
foundation substituted wherever possible in
the frames.

ilwrtrs tff €amt.

A nominal charge of 2s. 6d. is made for notices {not
exceeding 7 lines) in this column, 10 lines charged 3s. 6d. ;
up to 15 lines 5s., lohich covers cost of insertion from,
order till date of show. Cash should accompany orders
for insertion.

Auerust 24. at Exeter.— Annual Show of the
Devon B.K.A., in conjunction with the Devon and

Exeter Horticultural Society. Entries closed.

August 25, at Barnton. Chesliire.— Honey

Show in connection with Floral and Horticultural
Exhibition — two country, and six local classe* for
honey and wa:f. Entries closed.

August 28, at Cartmel. near Granere-
Over-Sands.—Show of Honey, etc., in connection
with the Cartmel Agricultural Society. Entries
closed.

AugTist 29, at Chester— Cheshire B.K.A. Show
in connection with the County Agricultural Society.
Open claMes for Hives, Observatory Hives, Seotions,
and Eztraated Honey. BaroneM Burdett-Ooutta' priae

338

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Aug. 23, 1906.

hiy« for best exhibit shown by cottager* member.
Entries closed.

Auerust 29, at Forbury Qardens, Bead-
ing.—Honey Show of the Berks. B.K.A. Schedulee
trom the Hon. Sec., D W. Bishop-Ackerman, Ibi,
King's Boad, Beading.

August 30, at Montgomery.— Honey Sh&w
in connection with Uorticulturai Exhibition. Two
open oiuoaes for six 1-ib. seotioos and six lib. Jars

extiacied honey. Entries closed.

September 1. at Bramhall, Stockport.—

In the grounds of the Bramha.ll Hall. Honey Show-
under the auspices of the C. B.K.A. Liberal prizes.
Low entrance fees. Open and Local (three mile limit)
Classes. Schedules from John Sibson, Hawthorn
Grove, Bramhall. Entries close August 24.
September 8, at Dumfries.— tiouth of Soot-
land B.K.A. 14th Annual Show of Honey, Bees, a<nd
Appliances. Five op^n olaseee — viz., Ihree lib. jars,
three 1-lb. sections, and for single jar and section
ifree entry), and cake of wax ; also handsome money
prizes and raluable medals, for members uui/.
Schedules from Jas. Johnstone, Sec., Nelson Street,
Maxwelltown. Entries close September 1.

September 11, at Blenlieim Park, Wood-
stock.— Annual Show of the Oxfordshire B.K.A. Open
classes for single lib. section, and for single lib. jar
Kxtracted Honey, with free entry. First prize, lOs. ;
2nd, 58. ; 3rd, 28. 6d. H. M. Turner, Hon. Sec., 4,
Turl Street, Oxford. Entries close Septem-
ber 6-

September 13 and 13, at Edinburgh..—

Thirteenth Annual Exhibition of Midlothian B.K.A.
in Waverley Market. Open classes for six sections
heather, six seotiona flower, six jars heather, six jars
flower. Prizes, 158., lOs., 5s. Entry, 2«. pef class.
Schedules from W. Weir, Heriot, Midlothian.

September 13, at Castle Douglas.— Honey
Section, Dairy Show. Liberal prizes. Five open
classes — ^viz., three 1-lb. Jars, three 1-Ib. sections,
single jar, single section, and for cake of beeswax.
Soluidule from Jas. Jotmstone, or from L. Aird, Bard-
gate Schoolhouse, Dalbeattie. Entries close
September 1.

September 8 to 15, at the Agricultural
Hall, London. — Honey Show in connection with
the Confectioners', Bakers', and Allied Traders Annual
Kxfaibition and Market. (See large advertisement on
page i.) Open to all British Bee-keepers.
Entry fee in each class one shilling. Schedules from
H. 8. Bogers, Secretary, Exhibition Offices, Palmerston
House, Old Broad Street, London, E.G.

September 20, 21, and 22, at Crystal

Palace.— Surrey B.E.A. Annual Exhibition of Bees,
Honey, Wax, and Appliances, etc. Twenty-six classes
(ten open to all). Increased prizes and medals.
Schedules from F. B. White, secretary, Marden House,
Bedhill, Surrey. Entries close September 7.

September 22 to 29, at th.e Agricultural
Hall, London. — Honey Show in connection with
the Twelfth Annual Exhibition and Market of the
Grocery and Kindred Trades. Nearly £bO in prizes
for honey and beeswax including four prizes of £4,
£3, £2, and £1, in honey trophy class. Open to
all British. Bee-keepers. Schedules from H. S.
Bogers, Secretary, Exhibition Offices, Palmerston
House, Old Broad Street, London E.G.

September 2.6, at ^Itrincham.- Show of
Honey Products, in connection with Altrincham
Agricultural Show. Open to United Kingdom : Classes
for Hives, Observatory Hive, 12 Jars Extracted Honey.
Open to County of Chester only : Classes for Trophy,
Amateur-built Hive, Two Shallow Bars, 12 Jars Bun,
12 Seefcions, Wax, etc. Special classes for cottagers.
Special classes for Society's district. Liberal prizes.
Low entrance fees. Schedules from Mr. J. H. Hall, '^
Dunham Boad, Altrincham. Entries close
September 9.

October 9 to 12, at the Agricultural
Sail, London. — Show of Honey and Bee Produce'
in connection with the British Dairy Farmers' Assoola-
tioiL Numerous and liberal prizes for honey, etc.,
including the valuable Silver Challenge Cup of the
B.B.K.A. Schedule* from Mr. Wm. C. Young, Secre-
tary, 12, Hanover Square, London, W. Entries

close September 12.

October 18 to 21, at Waverley Market.
Edinburgh. — Honey show in connection with
the Tenth Annual Edinburgh and Midlothian Indus-
trial Exhibition. All open classes. Beautifully illus-
trafed prospectus, price 2d., from A. HutchirLsoii, 15,
LeiiJh Street, Edinburgh. Entries close Sep-
tember 2*7. (See advt., page ii.)

Notices to Correspondents & Inquirers,

H. ■ C. (I.O.W.).— Bee Paralysis.— The two
articles to which you refer were written by
tne editors of this journal, who hold them-
eelves responsible for all that was said there-
in. Moreover, your letter, presumably
sent for publication, practically . confirms
everthing we said, and the words quoted are
printed 'ixrb. et lit. from press cuttings sent
m scores by readers asking for information
concerning the matters dealt with. So
" famous '' was the name of our correspon-
.dent becoming, that the B.B.J, office was
beginning to feel perturbed through callers
and inquirers desirous of knowing what it
was all about. Having said this much, we
trust our correspondent will endeavour to
convey the information quoted from the
" A B C of Bee Culture " in our issue of
last week to all bee-keepers in the Isle of
Wight whose apiaries are troubled with bee
paralysis, so that they may possess the latest
information on the subject and be perhaps
able to benefit themselves in dealing with
the disease in question. We have forwarded
your letter to our contributor " L. S. C."

.C. A. W. (Hathersage). — Accidents Caused
by Bees. — We receive press cuttings re-
porting most of the accidents caused through
bee-stings and as a rule consign them to
the " W.P.B." It is always regrettable
when such things do happen — which is not
often — but it caimpt do any good to print
accounts of them in the B.B.J. Incidents
of this kind get publicity enough in thb
daily press.

Enquirek (Cheshire). — 1. Mr. G. Rose, Great
Charlotte iSt. , Liverpool, stocks a transparent
window-label for honey, which is useful and
attractive as an aid to creating a market
for honey. 2. Some dealers besides Messrs.
Abbott Bros., Southall, may stock the
'triangle-ibrand honey jars, but we cannot
say who they are, nor do we know who
supplies the other brands you name.

G. 0. ((Ootacamund, S. India). — The only
dealer we know of who used to import and
sell the bees you refer to, appears to have
now almost given up importing them.

W. J. F. (Cleator Moor).— Defaulting Adver-
tisers.^There must be a mistake somewhere,
as it is within our knowledge that numerous
readers have availed themselves of the
offer, and yours is the first and only com-
plaint we have had.

MiEL (Leicester). — ■Using Fence Separators.
— 1. The " ridge " sometimes seen on face of
sections worked with the fence separator
is due to some fault in the separators used.
As made and used in America, the "ridge"
you justly complain of is never seen. 2. The
pamphlet you name can be had from the
Rev. G. IBancks, Ilartley Rectory, Long-
field, Kent.

Aug. 23, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

339

Novice (Wharfedale). — Bees Transferring
Themselves. — ^In placing stocks of bees in
skeps above the top-bars of frame-hives for
the purpose of transferring the bees into the
latter, it must be done during the proper
^season, viz., when the bees need room
for expansion of the brood-nest and are
preparing to swarm. At that time they will
start work in the frame-hive offered them,
but this plan muet not be deferred till the
swarming season is practically over, as the
bees will not then avail themselves of the
proifered room.

R. WiLLAN (Staffs). — Removing Bees irom
Hollow Tree. — 1. If your runaway swarm
has located itself in a hollow tree as stated,
the entrance hole " being a considerable
height from the ground," and you " will not
■be allowed to cut a large hole in the tree,"
we advise you not to attempt the task
of destroying the bees with cyanide of
potassium in order to get the honey. " The
game will not be worth the candle," and
an accident might happen such as we do not
care to think of. 2. The hon. sec. of the
Staffs B.K.A. is the Rev. G. C. Bruton,
Great Haywood Vicarage, Stafford.

W. W. Bole (Essex). — Bee Nomenclature. —
The insect sent is a female of one of the
British wild bees known as the Megachile
or leaf -cutter bees. All of these construct
the cell in which the larva is reared from
the leaves of trees, skilfully cut and folded
by the mother-bee itself. These cells are
wonderfully made, and arranged in holes
bored in wood by the bee.

J. W. (Glasgow). — Like the above your speci-
men also belongs to the leaf-cutter species,
but it is smaller than the first-named speci-
men, and is a female MagacMle argenkifa,
which forms its tunnels in sandbanks.

R. M. (Lines.).— The sprig of heather sent is
the Erica cinerea, or bell-heather. It is
not the best for honey, though it yields
fairly well in isome reasons. Calluna
vulgaris, or common ling, is the finest
heather for bee forage.

W. A. (Truro). — Underselling and Over-
crowding.— It is hardly worth filling space
with suggestions asking for B. K. Asso-
ciations to lay oiit their spare cash in
advertising the virtues of honey. We know
of few B.K.A.'s with any spare cash on
hand, and bee-men ishould certainly try
and make a market for themselves. The
same may be said of preventing overcrowd-
ing hives in a given neighbourhood. It
cannot be done in this country.

A. G. ' W. (Gloucester).— Bee Insurance. —
(1) For information on this subject apply to
Mr. E. H. Young, Secretary B.K.A. , 12,
Hanover Square, London. W. _ (2) Queen
sent is an adult, and shows no sign of being
aged or worn out.

Suspected. Comh.

T. L. (Wakefield).— About nine out of every
ten of sealed cells in comb sent, contained
a young bee alive and ready to hatch out,
nor was there more than three or four cells
■with brood in larval condition, and in these
cases the dead larvae were chilled. It

is therefore certain that, save for a very few,
the brood will hatch if left in the hive, and
we advise leaving the stock severely alone
till the season ends. It is so common to
see scores of dead bees on the ground below
hives at some seasons, that they are but
little noticed by experienced bee-men.

(The later sample of dead larvse received
since the above, is fully characteristic of
" black brood," as described in American
bee journals.)
DouBTipuL (Derby). — There is "F. B." in
comib, but it does not appear to be a bad
case, and with the use of preventives, it is
quite likely the stock will be all right
again ere long.

Honey Samples.

F. G. Brown (Wilts.). — Your honey is an
excellent sample from white clover. It
would stand well on any show bench.

T. W. (Colchester). — No. 1 sample. An ex-
cellent honey on all points for the show-
bench. No. 2 is many points below No. 1,
but is a fairly good honey for marketing
purposes. No. 3 is also a very good honey
indeed, but hardly equal to No. 1. It is,
however, better than No. 2.

K. H. (Sheffield). — Sample is good honey some-
what spoilt by a little honey-dew.

F. W. (Essex). — ^1. Your honey is good enough
for the show-bench anywhere. Colour,
aroma, and flavour, (being quite up to show
standard. 2. It is mainly from white clover
but has a " dash " of sainfoin in it.

J. \V. (Notts. — ^Both samples are very good.
That in tall bottle is less clear and bright
€lian the one in small flat phial, and it would
be improved by straining, to free it from a
few small specks. Of the two, we prefer
the sample in small phial for the show-bench.

Fred Brewers (Lines.).- — The clear sample
(No. 1) sent is a nice honey, quite suitable
for the show-bench at a local show ; but
hardly up to winning quality for an impor-
tant exhibition. No. 2 is rapidly granula-
ting, ibut there is nothing uncommon in
this ; some honeys will granulate far sooner
than others, and as yours come from Lines.
the early granulation may arise from the
bees having wovked on the fields where
mustard is grown for seed.

F. H. (Leicester). — Your sample is very good
indeed on all points. The fact of its being
" very thick " is a very strong point in its
favour, and we consider the honey before
us as we write, is of winning standard for
any show bench.

MiEL (Leicester). — 1. Sample is very good in
colour, flavour, and consistency, but full
of air-bubbles. It will stand very well on
show bench.

A. Crow (Sheffield). — There is nothing wrong
with your honey to make it unfit either for
bees or for table use. It is only a bit thinned
by autumn-gathered honey from the bramble
or blackberry, which is usually thin and
dark in colour.

R. D. (Grosvenor). — ^Sample is fairly good in
flavour, but colour is made dark by honey-
dew. It is quite fit for table use.
*^* Some Queries and Repitet, <§•<•., cvre

unavoidably Md over till next week.

340

THE BRITISH BEE JOTrRNAL. [Aug. 23^ 1906:

Special Prepaid Advertisements

Twelve words and under Sixpence : for every additional
Three words or under, One Penny.

KITE CLOVEE SECTIONS, full weight, good
oolouT, 8s. dozen; 6 dozen lots, 7b. dozen,
packed secure; free on rail.-W. BURDEN, Mere •
Wilts. . —^

BEES —Four strong healthy rtocks for sale, in
'•Ciowan'- hives; £1 each%-ELM HOUSE, Bolton
Road. Grove Park, Chijwick. ^ ^°

EXTRACTED HONEY. 508. cwt. ; lib. |l^zed_ sec-
tions, 100s. gross; carnage paid.— THh- ±iA£.-

BURN APIARIES, Sawbridgworth. R^J-

^ii;NS 5s. ; Driven Bees', comb and brood. Is. 6d.
' lb.— KEATLEY, Four Oaks, Birmingham. S «,ij

Q

H

ONEY, finest quality, 281b. tins, 6d lb. Sample
2d.— H. MAY, Kinggton, Wallingford. » ""^

G

HFALTHY STOCKS on four fraimes, with 1906
Queen lis &d.; three ditto, IDs. 6d ; good

stocks^ in skep«; 1^ Q"'^^'^' /''^'^'^mS' S 41

13s. 6d.— W. WOODS, Normandy, Guildford. s ">\-

TTEALTHY DRIVEN BEES and QUEEN, 4s. per
H loT; box returned.-E. GARNER, Broom, Biggle^^
wade, Beds.

21 CWT. of HONEY for Sale, in i cwt. tina.-D
^ COLE, Hertingfordbury.. Heritford. s^5»

WELLS HIVE, complete ; swarm catcher new
skep and cap, lot"^ 23s.-PICKERSGILL, B.shop
Monkton, Leeds. ::

WANTED DRIVEN BEES. Will give in ex-
^chLge poultry, laying.-HIGGS, Northrod^

Congleton.

GOD CI>OVER SECTIONS for Sale.— Apply J. W
' NELSON. Appleby, Westmorland. ^ ■^

GOOD SECTIONS, 8s. per dozen ; carriage paid on
3 dozen; Light Extr^ted, in ^^^w caps, 8^.
dozen; in toe-over, &s. 6d, dozen.-W. CANHAM
King's Parade, Soha.m, Cambs. " ^ ^

T7I0B SALE, PURE ENGLISH HONEY, light colour;
r also a few dozen Sections; sample 3d.— W J.
LANE, The Oucko:>. Ashwell, Herts^ _lJr

QECTIONS^^^drfill^d^to^S^^

O purchasei-s; 7s. per dozen.— PHILLIPS, F'sbP'!®

(_; ree n. Stevenage, Herts. ^ |^ — i

FOR Sale, 40 dozen CLOVER SECTIONS.-^. DAY,
Oflley Grange, Hitchin, Herts. ^_^

ITUJRrSALE, STOCK or BEES, in frame hive, with
J super and nine ehallow combs, 17s. 6d. ; three
section racks, with dummies and metal dividers, 5s.—
THOMA'3, Pwlleroohan Rectory. Pembroke. s_^

SEVERAL STOCKS OF BEES FOR SALE, from
17s. 6d. to 308.-M1SS SAXELBY, HaU Green
IMi-mingham. ' !_ii

STING PROOF GLOVES, 2s.; with sleeves, 28. 6d.,
post free. Why pay more?-KENT, Manufac.
turer. Dorchester. __^ ^ '^"

WANTED, exchange for two 15 lib. skep supers,
complete, starters, etc. ; good condition. Offers
wanted.— THOMAS, Abei-diir, Gellywen, St. Clears, S_

Waleg. ?_f^

CJECONDHAND HIVES for Sale (or e.\change bees),
O ventilated b<*ttom with shutter, cheap ; guar-
•inteed to have contained heailthy bees; double
walled.— IB, Sheaf Garden Terrace, Sheffield. 8 24

DRIVEN BEES, with Queen, healthy, and safe
arrival guaranteed, la. 3d. per lb. tiU Sept.
15 • after that date Is. ; ca,9h with order ; bo.tes f o be
returned, or charged 38.-CHARLES H. BOCOCK.
Ashley Apiaries. Newmarket. s_46

HONEYCOMB DESIGN. Crown, 1906; splendidly
wriiked out and ready for show benoh ; cheep.—
C. COX. Honeycomb Design Maker, Brampton, North-
nmpton. ^ ^^

TESTED NATIVE QUEENS. July reared, post free,
in automatic introduoing cage, 28. 6d. for oa*h.
—CHARLES H. BOCOCK, Ashley Apiaries, New-
market. " ^5

tl'

FOR SALE, SIX HEALTHY STOCKS of BEES;
five stocks in box hives (one double), and one in
skep, with section racks and spare sections, miper
clearer, smoker, feeder, etc., with more than suf-
ficient stores for wintering, price £5 ; giving up bee-
keeping.— MARTIN, •" Cumbria," Cowper Road. Deal,
Kent. s 22

"T3AYN0R" EXTRACTOR; never been in use;
X\i perfect condition; 12s. 6d.— HUTCHISON,

Earlston, Prestwick. 3 23

QUANTITY FINE EXTRACTED HONEY for SALE,
608. cwt., including fins; samples 3dj. — AVERY,

Deverill. Warminster. 3 40

EALTHY DRIVEN BEES, with Queen, in 41b.
__ or more lots, at Is. 3d. jier lb. ; boxes return-
able, or will be charged for. Also Healthy Fertile
Young QUEENS, at Is. 6d. each, post free.— R.
BROWN, Flora Apiary, Somersham, Hunts. S 47

HEALTHY DRIVEN BEES, with Queen, 58. lot ;
fertile QUEEN BEES, 3e., per post 2s. 2d.,
packa.geg free.— ROLLINS, Stourbriidge. a 44

E EALTHY DRIVEN BEES, with young 1906 Queen,
. 5s. per lot ; package not returnable. Put on
rail same day order is received. — W. D. T. RICHARDS.
Postman, Kingswinford, Dudley, Woroeater. s 19

HEALTHY DRIVEN BEES, head*d by 1906 Queens,
f.o.r. ; packag:e free; 58. lot.— BROWK, Expert,
King Street, Wellington, Salop.

YELLOW CROCUSES, slips Arabi Alpinas, 100
Is. 3d., free.— BRAYSHAW, Aultmore, Keith. S 17

DRIVEN BEES, a good supply, strong ha«lthy lots,
with 1906 Queens, 58. ; natural raised laying
Queens. 2a. 6d.— T. BRADFORD, ExpM-t, 66, Droiiiwioh
Road. Worcester. S 13

GOOD HONEY, 28 lb. tins, 6d. lb.— GEORGE
THOMPSON, " Beecroft," Helpringham, Lin-
colnshire^ 8 12

WANTED, BEE APPLIANCES in exchange for ONE
TON of GOOD HONEY ; or would sell in any
quantity to suit purchaser. — For price and sample
(2d.) apply T. STAPLETOX,, Gwinear, Hayle, Com-
wall. 3 11

TOOKS of BEES for SALE, singly or otherwiBe ;
moving. — WARD. Ludboriigh. Louth. S .6

FOUR THREE-FRAMED NUCLEI, with 1906 laying
Queens, 78. 6d. each.— J. ADDYMAN, Knotfleld
Lodge, Horsforth, Leeds. s 5

QUEENS, selected from honey-gathering stocks;
Black English, fertile, 1906, 2s. 8d.. free, in in-
troducing cage ; Nuclei four-frame, lOs. ; brood oombs,
suit driven bees, 7d. each; driven bees. Is. 6d. per
lb. for 41b. lots, packed free ; now ready. Light honey,
301b. tin 14e. 6d., 52s. 6d. cwt. ; sample 2d.— CHARTER.
Ta 1 1 ingstone. Ipswich. R ^

BEES of my hardy prolific strain of selectad
workers. 1906 tested Queens, 5s. 6d. Thr*e-
frame Nuclei, with Queen, 128. 6d. Bees, la. 6d.
lb., for 51b. lots or over. Packages to be returned.
Guaranteed healthy. Safe arrivaL-WHITINQ,. Valley
Apiaries. Hundon, Clare. Suffolk. R 94

HEALTHY DRIVEN BEES, with Queen, 5s. per lot.
Package returnable. — JOHN P. PHILLIPS,
Spetchley, Worcester. R 92

QUEENS, choice fertile 1906, bred from my non-
swarming stocks, 38. each; immediate despatch.
—TAYLOR, Hollyhurst, Boldmero Road, Wylde Green,
near Birmingham. ^ B 75'

SECTION GLAZING.— Best quality laoe paper, made
especially for bee-keepers' use ; 100, in white
pink, green, or blue, 6d., 300 Is. 4d., 500 28. 2d., 1,000
3e. 9d. , post free ; lace one side, laoe ibands (lace both
sides), white 2|, 3 and 3^ wide, 100 1». 2d., 200 28. 3d.,
500 4s. ; a few in pink and blue. 100 Is. 4d., 200
28. 6d., post free.— W. WOQDLEY, Beedon, New-
bury. R ^'

DRIVEN BEES, with Queens, commencing August ;
38. 6d. per lot, cash with order ; boxes returned ;
orders in rotation.— T. PULLEN, Ramsbury, Hunger-
ford. " ^^

READY for Delivery, healthy FERTILE QUEENS
(1906), 3b. 6d., in introducing cage*, port free —
CARBINES, Bee Expert, Cardinham, near Bodmin,
Ornwall. Q ^

S

Aug. 30, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

341

(Bitorial ^0tir{^, ku

YORKSHIRE AGRICULTURAL
SOCIETY.

SHOW AT MIDDLESBROUGH.

The Annual Show of Honey and Bee
Appliances in connection with the York-
shire Agricultural Society was hell- at
Middlesborough, on August 8, 9 and 10.
The weather was unfavourable, but there
was a good attendance of visitors, while
the. display of honey and appliances was
the best that has been seen at the York-
shire Sliow for the last five years.

Two additional County Classes (with 32
entries) helped to stimulate competition
among bee-keepers on a small scale, and,
but for the drought, this year's exhibition
would undoubtedly have been a record one.
During the three days the Rev. R. M. Lamb,
of Buiton Pidsea, gave lectures on bee-
keeping, practical illustrations being supplied
by Mr. Dixon, of Leeds.

Mr. Boyes, of Beverley, acted as judge,
and made the following awards : —

OPEN CLASSES.

Collection of Sives and Ajjpliancis. —
1st, Wm. Dixon. J^eeds ; 2nd, E. H. Taylor,
Welwyu ; 3id, A. Jemieson, York.

Complete Frame Hive for General Use. —
1st and 2nd, Wm. Dixon.

Observatoru Hive with Bees and Queen. —
1st, Wm. Dixon ; 2nd, E. H. Taylor.

Honey Trophy. — 1st, Wm. Dixon (one
entry only).

Twelve L-lb Sections Heather Honey. — 1st,
Wm. Dixon ; 2nd J. Pearman, Derby.

Twelve l-lb. iSections other tkan Heather. —
1st, A. W. Weatherhogg, Lincoln ; 2nd, J.
Pearman; 3rd, H. WaddingLon, Borobridge.

Twelve l-lb. Jars extracted Heather Honey. —
1st, Jno. Berry, Llanrwst, N. Wales; 2nd,
H. Waddington.

Twelve l-tb. Jars Extrac'ed Honey. — 1st, J.
Pearman ; 2nd, Jno. Berry ; 3rd, Wm.
Dixon.

Btcnvax (3lbs.)— Ist, F. Harris, Boston ;
2nd, Jno, Berry ; 3rd, J. Pearman.

COUNTY CLASSES.

Six l-lb Sec'ions (Amateurs only), 32
entries.— 1st, G. Garbutt, Tbornaby; 2nd,
E Adamson, Tarn ; 3ri, J. E. Phillips,
York.

Six l-lb. Jars Extracted Honey. — 1st
John Oldtield, Rotherham ; 2nd, C Middle-
ton, Ripon ; 3rd, E. Adamson, Tarn,

SOMERSETSHIRE B.K.A.

ANNUAL snow.

The first Annual Honey Show of the

above Association was held at Clevedon, in

conjunction with the Horti(;ultural Show,

on August 8th. The list of entries was

large onei and th5 general quality of the

exiiibits so high as to render it by no mean
an easy task for the Judge, Mr. S. Jordan,
of Bristol, to allot the prizes. Most of
these fell to exhibitors in the county. This
seems to be a good auguiy for the success
of our new As.^ociation.

The lectures given in the bee tent by Mr.
J. W. Brewer, of Bath (on behalf of the
Somerset County Council) were much ap-
preciated by large crowds of visitors.

LIST OB' PRIZES.

Display of Honey.— 1st, G. W. Kirby,
Knowle ; 2nd, L. E. Snelgrove, Weston-
super-Mare.

Twelve l-lb. jars Extracted Honey. — 1st, E.
L. and H. C. Jones, Andover ; 2nd, G. W.
^ irby ; 3rd, G. H, Caple, Stanton Prior ;
v.h.c, S. Gibbs, Bleadrey ; h.c , J. Der-
rick, Portishead; c, B. J. Over, We.ston-
super-Mare.

Twelve l-lb sections. — 1st, G. W. Kirby ;
2nd, James 'Coates, Tiverton ; 3rd, J. W.
lirewer, Bath ; v.h.c, H. Griffiths, Henbury ;
h.c, H, F. Jolly, Clifton ; c, J. Brown,
Bristol.

Single l-lb. jar Extracted Honey. — Tst, J.
Charlton, Weston-super-Mare ; 2nd, J. Der-
rick, Portishead ; 3rd, G. H. Caple ; 4th, J.
Coatcs ; v.h.c, G W. Kirby ; h.c, W. Withy-
combe, Bridge water.

Sinijle l-lb Section. — 1st, J. Coates ; 2nd,
H. F. Jolly ; 3rd, G. W. Kirby ; 4th, S.
Gibbs ; v.h.c, Miss Hardwick, Portishead ;
h c, J. W. Brewer.

Beesiuix (n-pen). — 1st, L. E. Snelgrove ;
2nd, B, J. Over ; 3rd, G. W. Kirby ; h.c,
J, Browo.

C(jllectio)i of Appliances — 1st, Brown &
Sons, Bristol ; 2rid, Ward & Co., Bath.

Observatory Hiv'. — Ist, L. E. Snelgrove ;
2nd, G. W. Kirby.

Highest Number of Points in Shoiv
{Challenge Honey Pot). — G. W. Kirby.

Baroness Burdett-Coutts' Prize Hive
(Cottaijer Members onlxf). — S. Gibbs.

Three Shallow-Frames for Extracting.
1st, G. W. Kirby ; 2nd, B. J. Over ; 3rd, W.
H. Pain, Bridgewater.

Beeswax.— l9,t, G. W. Kirby ; 2ad, B.
J, Over ; 3rd, C. Jones, Knowle.

Three l-lb. Jars Granulated Honey. — 1st,
C. Jones ; 2nd, G. W. Kirby ; 3rd, S. Gibbs,

Six I lb. Sections, — 1st, G. W. Kirby, 2nd,
J. Coates ; 3rd, J. W. Brewer ; v.h.c, C.
Jones ; h.c, G. Tatham, Wedmore.

Six l-lb .Jars Extracted Honeq. — Ist,
G. W. Kirby ; 2nd, G H Caple ; 3rd, W.
Withycombe ; v.h.c, C. Jones ; h.c,
S. Gibbs.

Honey and Confections. — lst,G.W. Kirby.

Three l-lb. Sections (Novices). — 1st, G.
Tatham, Wedmore ; 2nd, ]\Ii8s Terrell,
Clevedon; 3rd, C. Jones; vhc, M.
Tilley, Wrington.

Three l-lb. Jars Extracted Honey. — 1st,
C. Jones; 2nd, G. Tatham; 3rd, Miss
Hardwick. — L. E. Snelgrove, Hon, Sec.

342

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Aug. 30, 1906.

YETMINSTER DISTRICT B.K.A.

ANNXTAL SHOW.

The Yetmiaister District Beekeepers'
Association held their annual show at
Yetminster, on August 16, in a field
kindly lent by Mr. G. Jolliffe.

The number of entries were hardly as
numerous as in previous years, especially
in the open classes, but the quality of the
honey was excellent and the competition
very keen. Demonstrations vrith live bees
were given during the afternoon by Mr.
M. H. Tilley, Technical Instructor for the
County of Dorset, which were well
attended.

Mr. W. Boalch, Yeovil, judged the ex-
hibits and made the following awards : —

members' classes.

Shallow-frame of Comb Honey. — 1st, T.
and 2nd, G. Deeding, Bradford Abbas ;
.3rd, T. Bishoj), Bradford Abbas.

ShallrMVj Frame of Comh Honey.— 1st, T.
Trott, Leish ; 2nd. F. Trott, Leigli ; 3rd,
W. Pomeroy, Bradford Abbas.

Six 1-lb. Sections. — 1st, A. F. Brister,
" Thornford ; 2nd. G. Deeding ; 3rd, F.
■ Trott.

Bell Glass (over 10 lb.).~lst, C. Smith,
Wyke ; 2nd, G. Deedins: ; 3rd, T. Bishop.

Bell Glas.f (under 10 lb.).— 1st, G. Deed-
ing ; 2nd, T. Bishop ; 3rd, C. Smith.

Six 1-lb. Jars (Darlc) Extracted Honey. —
1st. T. Bishop; 2nd, G. I^eding.

Six 1-lb. Jars (Light) Extracted Honey.—
1st, T. Bishop 2nd, G. Deeding ; 3rd,
C. Smith.

Beesimx. — 1st G. Deeding ; 2nd, T.
Bishon: 3rd, F. Trott.

Collection of Honey and Wax. — 1st, T.
Bishop ; 2nd, G. Deeding.

OPEN classes.

Three 1-lb. Jars Extracted Honey.- — 1st,
T. G. Hillier, Andover ; 2nd. T. Bishop.

Three 1-lb. Section.^.— 1st, T. G. Hillier ;
2nd, E. C. R. White, Newton Toney,
Salisbury.

Beeswax.— 'Equal 1st, E. C. R. White
and G. Deeding.

Three 2-lb. Sections (Tilley's Patent).—
1st, T. Bishop.

Collection of Bee Flowers.- — 1st, Miss
Deeding, Bradford Abbas; 2nd, Miss
Mary Patch, Bradford Abbas.

KENT HONEY SHOW.

The Annua] Show was held on August
T'tli, at Wye, in connecti(Mi with the local
irorticultural Show. This Sjiow has )'iscu
to large Tiro)if)rtions, and attracted a very
great attendance of visitors. The entries
numbered 298, as against 187 last year. The
Committee had provided a largo maniuoe,
and the exhibits made a magnificent

dis])lay of honey. The trophies were a
grand lot, and along with the whole of the
exhibits must have entailed a very heavy
task on the Judges. The only drawback
■\^'a,s that the Bee Lectures and Demon-
strations could not be given owing to half a
gale blowing at the time.

The Judges were the Rev. Canon Carr,
Adishara, and the Piev. W. M. B. Osmaston,
Goodnestone, who made the following
awards : —

COUNTY CLASSES.

Six l-lb. Sections (25 entries). — 1st, W. S.
Mortley, St. Michael's ; 2nd, E. R. Nash,
Pluckley ; 3rd, S. Burden, Headcorn ;' 4th,
.1. Garratt, Meopham.

Two Shallow frames Comb Honey for Ex-
tracting.— (17 entries). — 1st, W. j. Moody
Smith, Pluckley ;_ 2nd, E. R. Nash ; 3rd, S.
Darlington, Charing ; 4th, S. Burden.

Six 1-lb. Jars (Light) Extracted Honey. —
(30 entries).— 1st, E. R. Nash ; 2nd, S. D.
Dixon, Kennington ; 3rd, W. S. Mortley ;
4th Hon. Mrs. Deedes, Hythe.

Six l-lb. Jars (Dark) Extracted Honey. — (21
entries).— 1st, J. G. Hall, Wye ; 2n'*, W. J.
Moody Smith ; 3rd, J. Dunster, St. Michaels ;
4th, A. E. Allchin, Kennington.

Three 1-Ib. Sections and three l-lb. Jars Ex-
tracted Honey. — (18 entries). — 1st, E. R.
Nash ; 2nd, W. S. Mortley ; 3rd, J. Garratt.

Bee.swar, — (18 entries). — 1st, E R. Nash ;
2nd, T. Head, Canterbury ; 3rd, Mrs. Hall,
Wye.

Mead.— id entries).— 1st, Mrs. Hall ; 2nd
H. Head, Wye.

Soft Bee Candy (10 entries).— 1st, E. R.
Nash ; 2nd, S. Darlington.

Honey Cake (11 entries). — 1st, Mrs. H.
Wilson, Wye ; 2nd, Mrs. S. Burden, Head-
corn ; 3rd, Mrs. T. Burgess, Willesborough.

Display of Bee Flowers (5 entries).— 1st,
W. Hills, Kennington ; 2nd, Mrs. H. Wilson.

Two l-lb. Jars extracted Honey (cottagers
only, 5 entries). — 1st, J. Chittenden, Wye ;
2nd, A. Mills, Wye.

OPEN classes.

Honey Trophy. — 1st, and Champion Silver
Cup (presented by Mrs. Henry J. King) E.
R. Nash ; equal 2nds and specials, S. Burden
and Mrs. J. G. Hall.

Single l-lb. Jar (Light) Extracted Honey.—
(52 entries) —1st, H. W. Saunders, Thetford,
Norfolk ; 2nd, S. G- S. Leigh, Broughton,
Hants. ; 3rd, F. G. Snith, Hythe, Kent.

Single lib. Jar (Dark) Extracted Honey. —
(30 entries). — 1st, J. Kerr, Dumfries, N.B. ;
2ad, F. G. Smith ; 3rd, Miss Currie, Siberts-
wold, Kent.

Single l-lh. Section. — 1st and Champion
Cuj) presented by the Mayor of Tenterden,
E. R. Nash, Pluckley, Kent ; 2nd, A. W.
Weatherliogg, Willoughton, Lines. ; 3rd,
T. 0. Hillier, Hurstbourue Tarrant, Hants.

Collection of Bee -appliances. — 1st, T. Head,
Canterbury ; 2nd, Mrs. Seadon, Bromley.
John TiPpen, Secretary

Aug. 30, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

343

AMERICAN AND COLONIAL PAPERS.

extbacts and comments.
By D. M. Macdonald, Bannf.

What Causes Spring Dwindling?. — "A
dozen persons," says Mr. J. L. Byer in the
Canadian Bee Journal, " would probably
give as many different answers to the
query," He himself declares his case
'■ inexplicable," although he makes a guess
that the long distance bees had to travel
for early spi'ing food and water may be
an inciting cause. On page 324 it is
set down to " those failing queens which
swarmed the year before." Now I suffered
badly, like Mr. Byer, last spring, but age
of queens had nothing to do with it, as, ao
far as I observed, young and old suffered
alike. If I were to make a guess I would
set it down to the early cessation of honey-
flow the previous season, with the conse-
quent curtailment of autumn breeding.
As a resultant, too many aged bees, and too
few young bees, went into winter quarters ;
while the early approach of winter, and
its being lengthened out to the end of May,
made a considerable, or even an abnormal,
amount of spring dwindling almost in-
evitable.

Salt in Beeswax. — The American Bee-
keeper advises the use of salt freely in
rendering beeswax. " The resulting pro-
duct wdll be of much better colour than
where no salt is used in the process."
Some of our wax prize-takers might let us
know what value they set on the above
suggestion.

Sane Words. — " Unless the queen-breedeT
produces honey on a fairly large scale, or
gets his breeders from one who does, what
can he know about the honey gathering
qualities of his stock ? " These sane words
were written by Mr. J. A. Green. Dr.
Miller placed his imprimatur on them in
the last issue of Gleanings, and I heartily
endorse them.

Weak Hives. — Mr. Alexander says
*' some bee-keepers are so slack that a large
per cent, of their colonies give them little
or no surplus. The idea of having one
hundred colonies, and getting surplus from
only seventy-five, is all wrong, and this
way is a slipshod method of caring for bees.
My advice is, just as soon as you find a
colony that is not doing well, attend to it
at once. That is your business. Either
put it in such a shape that in a few days
it will be all right, or unite it with
another. If you do not want to unite, put
it with your nuclei, and consider it one of
them," Tinkering with weaklings is little
good. We don't keep bees for the sake of
merely counting a large number of hives.

Some New Bee Diseases. — In view of the
fact that " Black Brood " is making its
presence felt in this country, it may be

well to give some means of differentiating
between it and Foul Brood, insomuch as
they have several features common to
both. "The two diseases have several
symptoms that are alike. For example, the
general apjjearance of comb affected with
either disease ; perforated and sunken
cappings, yellow, brown, or coffee-coloured
larvfe is about the same. Both have a
distinctly disgusting odour, and the odours
are alike, or very much so. Foul brood
smells like old glue, while the diseased
matter from black brood has a little more
of a putrid smell. The main point of
difference, however, is that the one ropes
and the other does not. The dead matter
from foul brood strings out half an inch to
an inch, while in black brood it has a ielly-
like or watery consistency. Pickled brood
sometimes looks very much like black, but
it does not have the odour." Black brood
can also be very devastating, as we are
informed that it " came very near wiping
out bee-keeping in New York," and it
seems from Mr. Root's reports that it is
becoming more general. Seeing that
queens are being sent over to us in con-
siderable numbers, it is well that bee-
keepers should keep a wary eye on the
progeny of these queens. Our Australian
cousins have had a considerable experience
of bee paralysis, and several large yards
have been all but wiped out by its ravages.
I regret that none of the writers of prize
essays in the Australasian Bee-Keeper have
submitted reliable cures worthy of being
reproduced here. They seem to be groping
in the dark, and trying any likely pallia-
tive. One crumb of comfort I can give.
So good an authority as Mr. Morley
Pettitt, Canada, says in A.B. J., " We gener-
ally consider this disease liardly worth
serious consideration in the north. No
matter what the treatment, it usually disap-
pears in a good honey-fiow. Still, occasional
reports show that it is well worth looking
after, and it should be thoroughly investi-
gated by our scientific men."

Three Queens in One Hive.—'M.r. L. H.
Scholl reports an instance of this unusual
occurrence. " I united two hives with old
failing queens. Later I found cells, and
destroyed all but one. At a third visit I
found the colony unusually strong, and
hunted up the queen to clip her in order to
hinder them from swarming. I soon
found an old clipped queen hobbling over
the combs depositing eggs! On another
frame I found a second clipped queen, and
on looking further found a third queen
that was mated and laying, which was the
young one. So I had three laying queens in
a hive at one time." As there is "nothing
new under the sun," some of our readers
may be able to cap this story.

Size of Frames — Editor York, page 553.

344

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Aug. 30, 1906.

states that the Langstroth frames are 35
per cent, larger than our Standard. I,
after allowing for thicker wood and taking
internal space (the true test), work it out
at rather under 25 per cent. Our hives,
with ten or eleven frames, have practically
the same breeding space as an 8 frame
Langstroth. In view of this, the following
sentence from Dr. Miller, in an article on
" What hive I would use if I were starting
anew," is very interesting and instructive.
" My hives are eight frame, used two story
high whenever needed before the honey
harvest, but always reduced to one story
when supers are given." ^

Improvement of Bees. — As illustrating
the force of my recent contention regarding
queen-rearing, I extract the following from
recent writings of Mr. Green, whose know-
ledge and experience is very varied and
extensive. " The results have been piti-
fully small and inadequate considering our
opportunities. Leaving out the claims of
advertisers, many of which are not sub-
stantiated by results, it does not seem that
anything wonderful has been done. Too
much of our breeding has been done hap-
hazard, and without any intelligent system
or direction. My own experience with
some of this so-called superior stock has
been very disappointing." I venture to
say this will be the experience of most.

€mt^m&mtt

The Editors do not hold thetnselves responsible for the
opinions expressed by correspondents. No notice will
he taken of anonymous commuwieations, and corre-
spondents are requested to write on one side of the paper
only and give their real names and addresses, not neces-
sarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith.
Illustrations should be dravm, on separate pieces »f paptr.
We do not undertake to return rejected communications.

*»* In order to facilitate reference, Corrssponderts<
when speaking of any letter or query pienously insetted'
■will oblige by mentioning the rni/mber of the letter as well
as the page on which it appears.

PACKING HEATHER-GOING HIVES.

[6406.] It is a little late for this to be
useful for hives going to the moors, but
they will shortly return and, in any case,
I have found the device described here so
satisfactory and so simple in operation
that I cannot but think that it may be of
advantage to others. It is necessary, of
course, that brood combs shall not onlv be
prevented from lifting, but also that they
shall not swin^ much, nor slide at all to-
wards the side of the hive, and this device
is intended to prevent ail movement of the
combs, whilst still allowing clustering
space by the removal of some of the side
combs. It consists of a top-rail of, say,
7-8in. X 3-8in. stuff, to which is attached at
intervals cross-bars of the usual width of
the comb spaces. The device is pressed

down between the end bars of the frames,
and screwed to the hive end in such a
manner as to press firmly upon the top-
bars of the frames. This is accomplished
by first pressing the device close home, and
then slanting the screws required at A. A.
in a slightly downward direction, which
will then, as they nip finally home, make
all solid. Additional screws may be used
in the other cross-bars, but this appears on
trial to be unnecessary. The cross-bars are
glued to the top-rail and immediately
screwed solid with a button head screw.
This makes the device very strong. The
use of it does not necessarily interfere with
the metal ends, nor with the position of
the combs, but in those which I have made
the cross-bars were also made from 7-8in.
X 3-8in., and the frames were correspond-
ingly wide spaced for the journey. These

^

s;

I

I

I
I

SitiCUf TO -w

^FAces y^MD^

^W^^' M£i£

■Tc^£iy >

orbss-bars would, no doubt, do equally
well made from 5-8in. x ^in. stuff. It is
intended that two packers be used, but in
my experimental run one only was used to
each hive, and a quick journey was made
over rough roads without detriment.

The sketch shows device for eight frames
only, as mine were made that way, the
extra room being given at the sides, and
filled up on arrival at the moor by thick
dummies, the bees being thus crowded into
the supers. The cost of the device is very
small and it can be used any number of
times, and occupies little space when
out of use.— L. S. Ceawsiiaw, Burnside,
Ilkley, Yorks.

Aug. 30, 190b. J THE BRITISH BEE JOUIINAL.

3 45

OUR VILLAGE BEE CLUB.

[6407.] It may perhaps interest yon to
hear that our village bee club, about which
you were kind enough to print a letter of
mine last year, still continues to flourish,
and is doing its best to encourage the pur-
suit which we all have at heart.

We now number eighteen members, and
I am glad to say that on the whole we have
had a good season, though the honey-flow
proved to be a short one, owing to lack of
rain. It has, however, been dithcult to get
the bees to complete sections satisfac-
torily ; very few were filled out to the
edges, owing, I supjjose, to the honey
coming in slowly while they were being
filled. Still, we have nothing to grumble
at. My own take (by no means the largest)
is ten racks of shallow frames, seventy sec-
tions and a swarm ; this from seven hives.
I have also succeeded in raising two Golden
queens, which are now at the head of
strong nuclei. I have a stock of " Long-
tongued " Golden bees, but they do not
appear to be very good at honey-gathering,
though they are very good at stealing it, as
I have found to my cost, they having
cleared out a weak stock belonging to a
fellow-member.

There being no flower show held in our
village this year, we were disappointed 'i
our honey show, but eleven of our mem-
bers exhibited at one held in the neigh-
bouring village of Church Lawford, and
carried off a fair share of the prizes. As
secretary of our club I had the pleasure cf
taking over eight lots of honey, and a very
big job it was, to say nothing of the time it
took to stage them all ! I had, however,
most valuable assistance from a member
who gave up a day's work to help me. I
only mention this to show that a bee club
is of some use. We also seized the oppor-
tunity to combine the show and our amiual
excursion, and in the end twelve of us sat
down to tea, having as an honoured guest
our association's expert, Mr. Franklin, who
also kindly judged the honey with his
usual ability. Out of fourteen prizes in the
five classes nine were carried off by our
members, not so bad I think for a small
club.

Last year I had two hives diseased, and
as our expert did not consider it a bad
case, I determined to try the effect of spray-
ing, as did one of our members who also
had a hive in the same condition. We jn-o-
ceeded thus: — Each frame was lifted out,
and the whole, bees, brood and all, sprayed
with a solution of Izal, as recommended by
Mr. Simmins in his book, each affected
cell being opened, and filleil with the solu-
tion, in fact everything — including the
hive — was soaked with it. However, the bees
seemed none the worse, and the treatment
was repeated at intervals of a week — in one
case seven times, and in the others four

and five respectively. After the second
time it was thought that there was an im-
provement, and in the end we hoped the
disease had gone, and supered the stocks.
In the autumn, being suspicious of one
stock, I re-queened it, and the other, I
think, re-queened itself. I fed up as usvial
with syrup, and gave a cake of candy for
the wintex*.

This spring our expert considered both
my hives to be healthy, but about three
weeks after his visit I found it developing
in both hives, and also in a third. Think-
ing I ought to have given the bees clean
hives as well as spraying, I again, with
the helj) of the same member, got to work,
only instead of Izal I used soluble phenyle,
according to the diixjctions in the " Guid3
Book." I got a clean hive, washed it out
with the disinfectant, and transferred the
stock into it. I then scrubbed out the old
hive with boiling water, washed it out with
carbolic acid of the strength given in the
Guide Book, and set it aside to dry. At the
end of a week this was repeated, the old
hive being used to put the bees into, and,
in addition, the combs and bees were
sprayed as well. This was done three
times, the whole process being gone
through with each affected hive. They were
then supered, with the following result :
The first gave three racks of sections, the
second a strong swarm and eleven sections,
the third a rack of shallow frames. Now
I am waiting till our expert pays his
autumn visit. Do you think there is much
chance of their developing foul brood, or
should I have starved them for forty-eight
hours first? I thought that as they must
have used up the honey they brought off
with them in building comb I was reason-
ably safe. If these stocks still have foul
brood I shall put them through the starva-
tion treatment. Has my plan of opera-
tions been on the right lines, or have I
done something wrong ?

My theory is that my treatment last year
checked the disease, but that as the season
progressed the bees filled such cells as con-
tained spores with honey, and that as they
used the honey as food in the spring the
spores were set free to work their fell pur-
pose.

As I was doubtful which racks of
shallow frames had been on the ajQfected
hives, before using any of them this year I
thoroughly washed my whole stock of shal-
low combs, and then, by means of a garden
syringe, using disinfectants as before, ani
then boiled the metal ends for three or four
hours. Would this render the combs safe
for re-iise ?

I should not have inflicted this long
account of my treatment of the disease on
you, but that I am anxious to have your
opinion on the one or two points indicated.

We find the club a great help in keeping

346

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL [Aug. 30, 1906.

up interest in the pursuit, and besides we
have been able to assist each other at
times. The member referred to above as
helping me, and myself drove two lots of
bees out of packing cases, and successfully
transferred them into bar-frame hives for
two new members. All work among the
bees seems to me more interesting if car-
ried out with the help of a fellow-member,
with occasional rests for bee gossip and a
smoke, and when opinions differ as to the
best way of carrying a job through, useful
discussion is often started. ^ — R. Meadk,
Secretaiy, Dunchurch Bee Chxb, August 23
[We are glad to have your method of
dealing with foul brood ; it helps to show
how needful it is to "go slow" in attri-
buting value to the use of certain remedies
which cannot possibly effect cures, though
they mav appear lo have the desired effect.
—Eds.] '

ENGLISH V. ITALIAN BEES.

£6408.] Italian bees are certainly very
good, b\it the trouble with them is that the
hybrids, between English and Italians, are
of the most unreliable temper. Sometimes
they turn out more gentle, at other times
the cross-breds are as vindictive as wasps,
flying up to sting immediately the hive is
opened. As the result of my experience with
them, I have decided in future to have no
nutre Italians.

The Italian queens specially bred may do
wonderful things, but if our English queens
had only the same attention bestowed on
them they would give as good an account
of themselves. They are too frequently
bred from inferior queen-cells. If the bee-
keeper really wishes to be agreeably sur-
prised with what English bees can do, let
him breed queens from the very finest queen
cells only. I guarantee they will equal any
foreign race, and be gentle into the bar-
gain. For crossing purposes let him get
pure English queens fi'om distant apiaries ;
this will give the necessary change of blood
to correct the mischief of too close in-
breeding.

Our foremost queen-breeders would find
it well worth while to take as much pains
with the English breed as they apparently
do with the foreign varieties. When
I buy English nueons I frequently
get some sent me which are i^ery inferifjr
The English race of bee is not at fault ;
•t only wants to be carefully bred, f have
tried several kinds — some very good — but
none are better than the English. — Ajax
Cornwall, August 27.

BEES CLEANING UP WET COMBS.

[6409.] My plan of getting bees to clean
u]) coinbs after extracting is to use contract-
ing boards with holes about the size of a

wine-bottle cork, close to lower edge, and
place five or six combs in super and put
super on top of quilts, and overhanging the
back-space. The bees clean up that num-
ber comfortably in twenty-four hours, and
if left forty-eight hours they repair any
broken or damaged comb. Since adopting
that plan I have never noticed the least dis-
turbance amongst the bees. Then when
combs are well cleaned I replace them in
super-crates, and paste several thicknesses
of paper top and bottom to keep out moths
when not in use. By exposing combs (to be
cleaned) in the open there is a decided risk
of starting robbing, either with your own
bees or those of your neighbours.

Nuclei or Nucleus. — Referring to " Cap
pings of Comb," page 284, " L. S. C. " is
quite right — it was an inadvertence of mine.
The words should, of course, have been
" this nucleus," though the word seems
inappropriate.

Swarms. — Mr. Woodley, in his " Notes
by the Way" in B.B.J, of July 19 (page
281) questions my not being able to under
stand " why bee-keepers should prefer prime
swarms." I find I did not say "prime"
swarms. At the same time, I know that if
stocks are fed specially and got to swarm
by mid-May, and are then hived on built
out combs while being fed up until supers
are put on, and then have supers given to
them with built-out combs, it is possible
to get forty to seventy sections from a
swarm in the season, but certainly not from
the ordinary swarms of .lune 15 to 25. i
should say, too, that any bee-keeper who
sold a prime swarm at the usual price—
10s. 6d. or 12s. 6d.— knowing it would give
even forty sections, would be quite a
philanthropist.

Weed-killer. — The cheapest I know of is :
2 oz. of carbolic acid (98 per cent.) to one
and a half gallons of water, preferably hot
water. This is also an excellent vermin-
killer, and the cost for 120 gallons 5s., or
gd. per gallon. This will destroy even
thistles and nettles, and the seeds, too. — •
A. H., Wavendon, Bucks, August 27.

DESTROYING WASPS' NESTS.
[6410.] I observe that your correspon-
dent L. S. C. (page 323) has doubts about
the effectiveness of cyanide of potassitim in
destroying wasp nests. Let him try it ;
place a small bit well in the entrance hole
and pour some water oVer it ; this makes
the gas come off more freely. The opera-
tion can be carried out in the middle of
the day, and in half an hour the nest can
be dug out. This is advisable as the
cyanide only kills the adult wasps ; those
not hatched out it has no effect on. These
pests are very plentiful round our apiary
at High Beech ; six nests wei'e accounted
for last week, and we hear of five more, all

Aug. 30, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOtTRNAL.

347

close at home. This has been a pretty
good season in tliis district, 250 lb. being
taken off four hives, the best hive yielding
nearly 80 lb. — Bell Begs., High Beech,
Walthamstow.

^ntrm m& ilfplks.

[3391.] Starting Bee-Keeping. — I would feel
greatly obliged if you vsrould tell me how to
proceed in the following case. I only com-
menced bee-keeping this season, and have
taken over a frame-hive from my brother.
This hive had not swarmed for three or four
years, and during that time the bees have not
stored much honey, except for their own use ;
they seem strong enough as regards numbers,
but I notice that there are a great number
of drones among them. A super was put on
the hive about the end of June, but the bees
are working very little in it. I have been
reading all I could about bee-keeping lately,
and have an idea that it would benefit the
hive in question to insert new frames filled
with foundation, and also either a Ligurian
or Carniolan queen. If you think this course
tuivisable will you please instruct me when
and how to do it? — A. W., Leicester.

• Reply. — ^It appears fairlv certain that there
is either too much drone-comb in the hive or
else that the queen now heading the colony is
a drone-breeder. We therefore advise you to
examine the frames in order to ascertain which
of the two conditions named exists. If the
combs are at fault, several of these may be
removed (one at a time) in order to get good
new worker-combs in lieu of them. If the
queen is at fault, drone-brood will be seen in
worker-celLs ; this will, of course, necessitate
a change of queens as soon as convenient, and
you will do well to leave foreign queens
severely alone till more experience has been
gained.

[3392.] Bees Not Working in Sections. — Will
you please tell me the reason why my bees
will not work in the sections? I bought two
strong stocks on 10 frames at the end of April,
and when the expert visited me he said that
I should put another rack of sections on in
three weeks' time, but when I looked, in three
and six weeks, the section racks were still
empty. I wrote asking the expert the reason
of this and he said the bees must have
swarmed, and that I should get the honey
from the swarm. I had one swarm and hive^
them in a ten-framed hive with a rack of
sections, and in the last week of July all the
sections were still quite empty. Will you
therefore please tell me what I can do to
make my bees work in the sections? The
" Cluide Book " 'does liot tell you. I have spent
£5 10s. on bees, hives, sections, etc., and I
was told (and I have also read) that one
"should get expenses back the first year," but
I have got no honey, yet I think there is
plenty of food for the bees in Torquay. —
M. P. T. (Torquay).

Reply. — We print the above letter in full,
as tending to show- how difficult a task we have

at times in answering correspondents who
take their ideas of what bees should do en-
tirely from what appears in books, or even
from the advice given by experts who
are, so to speak, on the spot. Uur corres-
pondent (who we venture to think is a lady)
must not be misled either by persons or books
who say that expenses (£5 10s. in this case)
can be " got back the first year " from honey
taken from the owners' hives. The " Guide
Book " makes no such definite statements as
these, it being understood that the directions
given must be read in the light of ordinary-
intelligence. This being so, we can only eay if
no honey is being secreted in flowers owing,
may be to adverse weather, the bees cannot
gather honey or work in the sections given to
them. We therefore think it needful to
assure our correspondent that if the " Guide
Book " is carefully read and studied, all the
necessary information for managing bees wiU
be in the hands of its readers, but bees cannot
ibe managed by rule of thumb, while much
depends on the weather at the time. We must
also request readers to bear in mind the well-
known truism "bees do nothing invariably."

[3395.] A Bundle of Queries. — Will you
kindly help me by answering the following
questions in the B.B.J, and for which I thank
you in advance? 1. What breed is the en-
closed queen, and can you tell how old she
is and the causal of her death? I found
her on the alighting board the day after I had
examined the hive. She does not appear to
have been crushed. 2. When a hive is
supered with three racks of shallow-frames,
should the top ones be taken off after the
third one is filled, or would it do any harm to
leave them on, and let the bees continue to
work with four or five racks on? If it would
do no harm I would like to take all off to-
gether. 3. I have been successful in prevent-
ing swarming with all my twelve hives save
one ; is there any fear of them swarming when
at the heather (which is about 26 miles away) ?
4. If queen-cells were started and hatched at
the heather, would there be any fear of old
queen being destroyed by newly-hatch«d
virgin? 5. How many frames of brood should,
as a rule, be left in body-boxes when intended
for the heather. 6. I have one or two hives hold-
ing twelve frames and have taken out two,
thus leaving them ten frames each. Is this
right? These are rather long questions, but
I hope you will shorten them to suit. I en-
close name, etc., but would like to sign myaeli
—Northumbrian.

Reply. — 1. Queen sent is an adult bee of
the ordinary or native variety, and evidently
fertile. Though no outward signs of damage
are seen on the body, we fear the dead insect
has been fatally injured while the frames were
being examined. 2.^ It does no harm, but
good, to leave racks of shallow-frames on hive*
as long as honey is being freely gathered in
the fields; but directly the inflow ceases,
some, at least, of the surplus should be re-
moved, and all boxes taken off when honey-
gathering ceases. 3. Very little fear indeed,
because, as a rule, swarming for the year is
over before the heather-going time begins.
4. Ten frames will be ample for btood-body
at the heather. 5. Yes, quite right.

848

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Aug. 30, 1906.

[3594.] Transferring Bees to Frame-Hives.
— Will you kindly advise me iu your next
issue of B.B.J, as to management of a swarm
in a straw skep; They were a late June
swarm of this year, very strong apparently
when 1 got them, as they had been tiived
some days before being sent on to me. I
decided to leave them as they were until
spring, and then transd'er to a frame-hive.
About the middle of July they appeared in-
clined to swarm, clustering outsiae the skep
in great numbers, so put on a super, hoping
the bees would, do some work in it. A few
days ago I took it off and lound they had
never oeen working in it at all. 1 then
turned, up the skep, and as there was brood
in the co-mbs, 1 concluded the ibees were all
right. Since then I have watched them care-
fully, and notice that they do not appear to be
working much, very few bees going in and
out, so this evening i had another inspection,
thinking they mignt be queenless. There was
a very little brood on one comb only. Do
you tliink that the queen is old and worn out 'I
II is quite useless my attempting to find the
queen, and so 1 ask, would it be any use
giving a young fertile queen? If you advise
my doing this, please direct me how to do it
in a skep? Thanking you in anticipation, I
enclose name and sign — ^Novice, South
Petherton, August 25.

Reply. — From details given above it seems
certain that the queen now headling the stock
is old and worn out. We, therefore, advise
you to prepare the frame-hive in the usual
way for building-up stocks from driven toees.
This done, buy a good stock of the latter
with a young and vigorous queen, and when
your purchase has come to hand safe, drive the
ibees and queen from their present hive, cap-
ture and kill the old queen, and then shake
both driven lots up together in one skep, dust
-both lots with Hour from a dredger, and throw
the bees out on to a large llight-board — ^fixed
in front of the frame-hive— and let them run
in. If fed liberally dur'ing this autumn, the
pbees should build up into a good stock before
being put up for winter.

itouis to €emt.

September 1. at Bramhall, Stockport.—

,ln the grounds of the Bramhall Hall. Honey Show-
under the auspices of the G.B.K.A. Entries closed.

September 8. at Dumfries.— South of Soot-
land B.K.A. 14th Annual Show of Honey, Beea, and
Appliances. Five open olaBses— viz., three lib. Jare,
three 1-lb. eeotiong, and for single jar and section
(free entry), and cate of wax ; also handsome money
prizes and valuable medals, for members oniy.
Schedules from Ja«. Johnstone, Sec, Nelson Street,
Maxwelltown. Entries cl^ose Septenxber 1.

September 11, at Blenheim. Park, ■Wood-
stock.— Annual Show of the Oxfordshire B.K.A. Open
classes for single lib. section, and for single lib. jar
Extracted Honey, with free entry. First prize, lOs. ;
2nd, 68. ; 3rd, 2a. 6d. H. M. Turner, Hon. Sec, 4,
Turl Street, Oxford. Entries close Septem-
ber 6.

September 12 and 13, at Edinburgb.—

Thirteenth Annual Exhibition of Midlothian U.K. A.
in Waverley Market. Open classes for six sections
beather, six sections flower, six Jars heather, six jars

flower. Prizes, 153., lOs., Ss. Entry, 2ft. per class.
Schedules from W. Weir, Heriot, Midlothian.

September 13, at Castle Douglas.— Honey
Section, Dairy Show. Liberal prizes. Five open
classes— viz., three 1-lb. Jars, three 1-lb. sections,
single jar, eingle section, and for cake of beeswax.
Schedule from Jas. Johnstone, or from h. Aird, Hard-
gate Schoolhouse, Dalbeattie. Entries close
September 1.

September 8 to 15, at the Agricultural
Hall, Ijondon. — Honey show in connection with
the Oonfeccioiiera', Bakers', and Allied Traders Annual
Exhibition and Market. (See large advertisement oa
page i.) Open to all British. Bee-keepers.
Jiintry fee in each class one shilling, achedules from
H. S. Rogers, Secretary, Kxhibition Offices, i^almerstoa
House. Old Broad Street, London, E.O.

September 5J0, 21, and 22, at Crystal

Palace.— Surrey B.K.A. Annual Kxhibition or Bees,
Honey, Wax, and Appliances, etc. IVenty-six classes
(ten open to all). Increased prizes and medals.
Schedules from F. B. White, secretiary, Marden House,
Redhiil, Surrey. Entries close September 7.

September 22 to 29, at the Agricultural
Hall, Xiondon. — Honey Show in connection with
the iweltth Annual Exhibition and Market of the
Grocery and Kindred Trades. Nearly ±;bO in prizes
for honey and beeswax including four prizes of £4,
£3, £2, and £1, in honey trophy class. Open to
all British. Bee-keepers. Schedules from H. S.
Kogers, Secretary, Exhibition Ottioes, PaLmersion
House, Old Broad Street, London E.O.

September 26, at Altrincham.— Show of
Honey Products, in connection with Altrincham
Agricultural Show. Open to United Kingdom : Classes
for Hives, Observatory Hive, 12 Jars Extracted Hon^.
Open to County cf Chester only: Classes for Trophy,
Amateur-built Hive, Two Shallow Bars, 12 Jars Run,
12 Sections, Wax, etc. Special classes for cottagers.
Special classes for Society's district. Liberal prizes.
Low entrance fees. Schedules from Mr. J. H. Hall, A
Dunham Road, AltrincAam. Entries close
September 9.

October 9 to 12, at the Agricultural
Hall, Liondon. — Show of Htfney and Bee Produce
in connection with the British Dairyi Farmers' Assoou-
tion. Numerous and liberal prizes for honey, etc,
including the valuable Silver Challenge Cup of the
B.B.K.A. Schedules from Mr. Wm. C. iToung, Secre-
tary, 12, Hanover Square, London, W. Entries
close September 12.

October 18 to 21, at Waverley Market.
Edinburgh. — Honey show iu connection with
tho Tiiiith Annual lidiuburgli and Midlothian Indus-
trial Exhibition. All open (ilasses. Beautifully illus-
trated prospectus, price 2d., from A. Hutchinson, 15,
Leitli Street, Edinburgh. Entries close Sep-
tember 27.

November 9 and 10, at Chorley, Lanes.
—Honey Show of Lanes. B.K.A. in ooimection with
Ohorley ChrysanWiemura Society's Annual Show.
Four Open Classes^. Exhibitors allowed to bring
honey for sale. Schedules from W. 0. Smith, Town
Hall Auction RoKins, Chorley, Lanos. Entries
close November 3.

Notices to Goneapondenta & Inquirers,

B. C. (Ascot). — ^C4ranulation of Honey. — It is,
we believe, generally understood that
honey will granulate more rapidly when
exposed to full light than when kept in a
dark place.

F. E. Sterne (Herts). — Bees .not Working in
Sections. — (1) Jt is impossible for us to
say " why a strong lot of bees with a young
queen have neither swarmed nor taken to
sections given to them." There may be
several reasons, but with only the above
details to jiulge from we regret our ina-
bility to afford any reliable explanation.
(2) The secretary of the B. B.K.A. is Mr.
k. H. Young, 12, Hanover Square, London.

Aug. 30, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

349

G. W. (Leominster). — Black Brood. — Some

particulars regarding black brood will ap-
pear in a short time in our pages, but the
question of "how to cure it" must, we
fear, remain uncertain for some time to
come.
J. S. (Peases West). — Driving and Wintering
Bees. — (1) Full particulars with regard to
driving and wintering bees appears in
"Guide Book" (pages 138 to 140). 2. The
bees should be wintered on about six
frames, four of which must be well filled
with sealed food at end of September.

W. P. (Blaydon-on-Tyne). — Bee Nomen-
clature.— Bees sent appear to be Ligurian-
Carniolan hybrids. They are quite young
bees, and may have been tempted out of
the hive by the warmth before they were
strong enough to fly.

W. D. (Winchester). — Bee Paralysis.-— We
cannot give you more information than
what appears in " B.B.J." of August 16,
pages 521 and S22.

A. H. M. T. (Leeds).— Toads and Bees.—
Seeing that toads are admitted to be con-
firmed bee-enemies, it is taken for granted
that they must be guarded against. Some
bee-keepers catch and remove them to a
distance ; others mercilessly destroy them
when found, but the difficulty of a flight-
board sloping to the ground i-s easily got
over by raising the lower side till nearly
level by means of a couple of thin iron
rods, up which the toads cannot climb on
to the board.

Scotland (Shiskin), Arran. — Honey from
Scotch Kail.^We never knew there was
any difference between " Scotch kale " honey
and that from cabbage or any other of
the brassica tribe. It is well known that
bees work very hard on these when the
bloom is plentiful.

Meirionwr (Dolgelly). — Varieties of Heather.
— No. 1 is the Calluna vulgaris (or com-
mon ling), and is the best bee-forage for
heather honey. No. 2 is the E. Ictralix,
which is of no use to the bee-lceeper.

Iloncy Scanjiles.

G. C. (P. Wood). — Of the four samples sent,
No. 1 is the best, being very good indeed
on all points ; and as such is suitable for
any show bench. No. 2 is about the same
as No. 1 in colour, but stands below it in
other respects. It is a capital honey for
marketing. With regard to No. 3, it is a

■ good sample of dark amber - coloured
honey ; very suitable for showing in a
class for " medium - coloured " extracted
honey. No. 4 is of excellent flavour and
aroma, but is granulating so rapidly as to
make it suitable only for selling as a granu-
lated honey.

F. B. (Wallington). — Sample is of very fair
quality, good for table use, but too deep in
colour for the show bench unless entered
in class for honey of medium colour. Many
thanks for your appreciation of the B.B.J.

Idegia (Ross, Hereford). — Without being of
high quality, sample sent is quite suitable
for table use. The colour is rather dark,
owing to its having been partly gathered

from such sources as lime, blackberry, and
other autumn bee-forage.

NovGOT (Yorks). — A nice sample of honey,
mainly gathered from clover, and the lime
blossom.

L. S. (Sussex). — Sample sent is a capital
honey, good enough for any show bench.
Being of deep golden, or amber, colour,
and as your query is, " Is it good enough
for a London show ? " we say it is, but to
make sure of colour (which is different in
a larger jar), we should enter it in both
classes — viz., light and medium — if you can
stage a dozen of each.

D. J. T. (Bryn, Llanelly). — Sample is very
good indeed on all points. .

W. H. (Whitney-on-Wye). — The strong aroma
and flavour of " Eiffel Tower lemonade "
adhering to the cork and green glass jar
in which sample was sent makes it impos-
sible for us to judge either the colour,
aix>ma, or flavour as honey. Sorry the
crop in your parts is not so good this year
as in 1905.

Forester (Coleford). — ^We regret to say your
sample is very inferior in quality, being
thin, dark, and watery, while the flavour
makes it altogether unfit for table use.
Other questions are answered at head of
this column.

DisAproiNTED (Olton). — ^Sample not at all bad
in colour ; it is bright and clear, but dark-
ened somewhat by the bees having worked
on late autumn flowers, with perhaps a
little honey-dew, but not much. If allowed
to granulate, it would do very well for
table use.

P. T. B. (Manchester).— No. 1 would do
very well for local show if warmed a little
in hot water to remove the cloudiness
caused by incipient granulation.
Suspected Combs.

W. D. (Ipswich). — Comb sent shows a very
bad case of foul brood. Your friend should
destroy the stock entirely.

C. A. (Enfield Lock). — There are traces of
foul brood — in the incipient stage — in
sample sent.

BucK.s (Chesham). — There is no disease in
either of the two samples of comb. With
regard to honey sent, ,it is good on all
points except for being rather thin, and
needing straining to remove the small par-
ticles visible in sample. It will do very
well for a local show.

G. E. H. (GIos.). — There is no foul brood
(Bacillus alvci) in comb sent. Nearly all
the sealed brood has reached the pupa
stage ; indeed, some of the young bees are
alive and already hatching out while we
were examining the comb.

Anxious B. (Yorks). — There is no disease in
comb, which contains only drone-brood in
worker cells,

R. B. D. (Horsham). — Comb is affected with
foul brood of old standing. Y"ou should on
no account be induced to buy the stocks
offered for sale.
\* Some Queries and Bepi%es, Sc, are

unavoidably h«ld over till next week.

850

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[Aug. 30, 1906.

Special Prepaid Advertisements

Twelve words and under Sixpence : for every additional
Three words or under, One Penny. ___^___

WANTED, Situat'ion as handy-man in apiary, gar-
den, etc. ; expert.— E. Short, Plaistow, Brom-
ley. Kent. S 74

HEALTHY DRIVEN BEES, with Queen, 5s. per
lot ; also 1806 Queens, 2s. 6d. each ; boxes re-
turnable; 10th season.— A. R. MOBETON, Expert.
Hallow. Worcester. R 74

FINEST ENGLISH HONEY, 15s. per 281b. tin;
sample. 2d.— BUTTON, Terling. Essex. s 67

PURE ENGLISH HONEY for Sale ; £2 16s. cwt. on
rail. Sample. 3d.— H. HOWARD, Bassingbourn
Road, Litlington, Royston, Cambs. S 67

PLANT NOW.— What offers per 100 or dozen for
Toogood and Son's, Canterbui-y Bells? — S.
HARRIS, Aberieldy. [ S 54

FEW 1906 QUEENS, 3s. 3d. each.— B. MAOKEN-
DER, Seeds and Bees, Newark. S 64

A

THREE GOOD MODERN HIVES, quantity new
frames, section's, foundation," ex'cluder, zinc,
etc., free on rail, bargain, 30s. the lot.— MORGAN, 71.
Croydon Grove, Croydon. ?_Z1

DRIVEN BEES, 4a. 9d. ; 1906 Queens, 2s. ; Section
Glass, Is. 6d. per hundred ; or exchange wax.—
HANNAM, Highgate Road, Birmingham. s 60

TAYLOR'S GEARED EXTRACTOR for Sale, with
covers, good condition, new last year. Price
18g.— HOSEGOOD. 6. The Waldrons, Oroydon. s 70

WELLS HIVE, complete ; swarm catcher, new skep
and cap; lot £L— PICKEBSGILL, Bishop
Monkton, Leeds. 8 66

DRIVEN BEES FOR SALE, 3s. 6d. per lot ; guarj
anteed healthy.— WOODING, Sutton, Sandy.
Beds. s_52

WANTED, DRIVEN BEES in exchange for Buff
Orpington mother and four Ancona chickens,
five weeks.— MULLEY, Upton-on-Severn. s 62

FOR SALE.— On© gross sections, 7s. dozen. Ex-
tracted Honey, in 141b. tins, 566. cwt.— ARTHUR
ADCOCK. Meldreth. Cambs. S 72

DRIVEN BEES ; large supply ; immediate delivery ;
strong healthv lots, with Queen, 4s. 6d ; best
natural raised Fertile Queen (1906), 2s.— SOLE, Ex-
nert. Ijondon Street. Whitfchurch. Hants. S 65

QUEENS, selected from honey gathering stocks.—
Black English fen'ile 1906, 2s. 8d., free, in in-
troducing page ; nuclei four frame, 10s. ; brood combs,
7d. each ; driven bees. Is. 6d. per lb. for 41b. lots, now
ready. Light honev, 301b. tin, 14s. 6d. ; 528. 6d. cwt.
Sample, 2d.— CHARTER, Tattingstone, Ipawioh. s &8

STRONG HEALTHY STOCKS.— Hybrid Italians, on
11 frames,. with young queens, 20s.— THOS. WIL-
COX. Talywain, Monmouthshire. s 57

OB SALE, PURE ENGLISH HONEY, light colour,

also few dozen Sections. Sample, 3d.— W. J.

LAW, The Cuckoo. Ashwell, Herts. S 56

WANTED, healthy stock pure Carniolans.
State lowesSi price. — BRADBURY, Harrop
GreJ^n, Diggle, Oldham. s 55

SEVERAL STRONG HEALTHY STOCKS of BEES, in
frame hives, 15s. per single stock. Death of
owner cause of sale.- MOULDEN, 37, Leys, Chipping

Norton. 8_53

HEALTHY DRIVEN BEES, 1906 Queen, 4s. per lot ;
41b. lot, and 1906 Queen, Is. 3d. per lb. ; box
returned.— E. GARNER, Broom, near Biggleswade,
ILhIs. _ ^51

OvlcKSTOOKED.— Three stocks in Abbott's Cottage
Hives, all new last season, guaranteed healthy.
Price, 208. each.— 4, Ealing Park Gardens, Ealing.

8 50

EXCHANGE No. 2 " Brownie " Camera, in good
order, for swarm of driven bees, or sell.— BOR-
DESSA, Pannal Ash, Harrogate. 8 73

STRUP FEEDERS, " The BEST," refilled without a
bee escaping, Is. 6d., twelve 168., free.—
HARRIS, Wavendon, Bucks. S 61

LIGHT EXTBACTED HONEY, in 281ib. tins, tina
free, carriage paid, 7d. per lb., cash or deposit.
Sample, 3d. Special quotations to large buyers. —
BOCOOS, Ashley Apiaries, Newmarket. S 59

DBIVEN BEES, guaranteed healthy. Is. 2d. lb.
Orders booked.— TIBBLE, Netheravon, Sali8«
bury. s oj

WANTED, a SUN DIAL, in exchange for bees.-"
Reply SUNDIAL, " Bee Journal " Office, s 49

IT^OB SALE, 9 stocks of bees, 7 new hivesv 5
nucleus hives, wax extractor, honey extractor,
2 smokers and 6 queen excluders, 11 shallow frames
with wired foundation and racks, 4 racks sections. 2
Porter bee escapes, 1 glass bell. No reasonable offer
refused. — COLLINGS, 19, Crescent Road, Bromley,
Kent. s 63

CLOVER HONEY, GUARANTEED PURE.— 1 lb.
screw-cap bot^tles, 77s. gross, 21b. ^ gross; ^ lb.
ditto, 45s. gross, 138. i gross ; sample, carriage paid,
8d. Also honey in bulk. Further particulars on
application. Orders executed' in rotation. — TURNER
BROS., Sandpit Poultry Farm, Croydon. 3 75

EXTBACTED HONEY, 50s. cwt. ; lib. glazed sec-
tions, 100s. gross ; carriage paid. — THE RAE-
BURN_APIARIES^ SawbridgewOTtk_ b 91

HONEY, finest quality, 281b. tins, 6d. lb. Sample
2d.— H. MAY, Kingston , Wallingford. 3 42

STING PROOF gLOVES, 2s. ; with sleeves, 2s. 6d.,
post free. Why pay more? — KENT, Manufac-
turer, Dorchester. S 26

DRIVEN BEES, with Queen, healthy, and safe
arrival guaranteed. Is. 3d. per lb. tiU Sept.
15 ; after that date Is. ; cash with order ; baxes to be
returned, or charged 3s.— CHARLES H. BOCOOK,
Ashley Apiaries, Newmarket. S 46

ONEYCOMB DESIGN, Crown, 1906; splendidly

worked out and ready for show-benoh ; cheap.—

C. COX, Honeycomb Design Maker, Brampton, North-

ampton. 8 21

TESTED NATIVE QUEENS, July reared, post free,
in automatic introducing cage, 2s. 6d. for cash.
—CHARLES H. BOCOCK, Ashley Apiaries, New-
market. 8 45

EALTHY DRIVEN BEES, with Queen, in 4157

or more lots, at Is. 3d. per lb. ; boxes returtt-

able, or wiU be charged for. Also Healthy Fertilis

Young QUEENS, at Is. 6d. each, post free. — E.

BROWN, Flora Apiary, Somersham, Hunts. S 47

HEALTHY DRIVEN BEES, witt Queen, 58. lot;
fertile QUEEN BEES, 2s., per post 2s. 2d.,
T>aokaa-€3 free. — ROLLINS, Stourbridge. S 44

HEALTHY DRIVEN BEES, headed by 1906 Queens,
f.o.r. ; package free; 58. lot.— BROWN, Expert,

King Streeti. Wellington, Salop. s 48

YELLOW CROCUSES, slips Arabi Alpinus, 100
l8. 3d., free.— BRAYSHAW. Aultmore. Keith. S 17

DRIVEN BEES, a good supply, strong healthy lots,
witk 1906 Queens, 5s. ; natural raised laying
Queens, 2s. 6d.— T. BRADFORD, Expert, 68, Droitwich
Road, Worcester. S 13

GOOD HONEY, 28 lb. tins, 6d. lb.— GEORGE
THOMPSON, " Beeeroft," Helpringham, Lin-
colnshire^ 8 12

BEE^ of my hardy prolific strain of selected
workers. 1906 tested Queens, 5e. 6d. Three-
frame Nuclei, with Queen, 12s. 6d. Bees, Is. 6d.
lb., for 51b. lots or over. Packages to be returned.
Guaranteed healthy. Safe arrival.— WHITING, Valley
Apiaries. Hnndon. Olnre. Suffolk. R 94

HEALTHY DRIVEN BEES, with Queen, 58. per lot.
Package returnable. — JOHN P. PHILLIPS,

Spetchlev, Worcester. R 92

QUEENS, choice fertile 1906, bred from my non-
swarming stocks, 3s. each ; immediate despatch.
—TAYLOR, Hollyhurst, Boldmere Road, Wylde Green,
near Birmingham. B 75

SECTION GLAZING.— Beet quality lace paper, made
especially for bee-keepers' use ; 100, in white
pink, green, or blue, 6d., 300 Is. 4d., 500 2s. 2d., 1,000
3«. 9d., post free; lace one side, laoe (bands (lace both
sides), white 2J, 3 and 34 wide, lOO Is. 2d., 200 2b. 3d.,
909 48. ; a few in pink and blue. 100 Is. 4d., 300
28. 6d., poet free.- W. WOODLEY, Beedon, New-
bury. R 27

Sept. 6, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

351

C^dtorial ^0tm ^r,

SHROPSHIRE B K.A.

ANNUAL SHOW.

The Annual Show under the auspices of
this Association Avas held in '' The Quarry,"
Shrewsbury, on Wednesday and Thursday,
August 22nd and 23rd, in conjunction with
the Shropshire Horticultural Society, whose
magnificent show has now become world-
famous. Considerably over three tons of
honey were staged, and some very fine
samples were staged The Rev. T. J. Evans,
Rock Ferry ; Mr. T. D. Schofield, Alderley
Edge ; and Mr. J. Tinsley, Eccleshall,
officiated as judges In some classes the
competition was so keen that considerable
care was necessary in arriving at a decision.
■ The Judges reported that several samples
of extracted honey would have received
recognition, but were spoilt by the excessive
use of carbolic acid or smoke, which rendered
the exhibits absolutely unpalatable through
this impregnation, and they desired to
warn future Exhibitors against this per-
nicious haoit. The Artizan and Cottager
Members were the greatest offenders in this
respect.
The awards were as follows : —

OPEN CLASSES.

Twentv-four \-lh. Sections. — 1st, J. Carver,
Wellington ; 2nd, S. Cartwright, Shawbury.

Twelve 1-lb. Sections.— \ at, J. Carver ;
2nd, C. W. i-'yer, Compton, Newbury ; 3rd,
A. Hamer, Llandilo.

Tiiie,niy-Jour l-lh. Jars Extracted Poney. —
1st. S. Cartwright ; 2nd, J. Boyes, Cardiff;
3rd, R. Morgan, Cnwbridge.

Twelve 1-lb. Jars Extracted Honey
—1st, R. Morgan ; 2nd, J. Boyes; 3rd, C. W.
Dyer; v he, J. Kerr, Dumfries, an'l H.
Cleaver, Leamington ; h.c. J. W. Mason,
Carditf; W. Patchett, Cabourne ; C. J.
Carver.

Twelve \-lh. Jars Medium- colored Ho^^fy. —
1st, J. Boyes ; 2nd. R. Morgan; 3rd, E. K.
White, t^alisbury ; v.h c, fcj. Cartwright ;
h.c, A. Hamer, C. T Rouse, Tenbury.

Single l-lh. Jar Extracted Honey — Ist, R.
Morgan ; 2nd, W. .1. Cooke, Binlirook ; 3rd,
C W. Dyer ; v.h c , A. Hamer ; h c , J.
Leech. J. Churton, vVoUerton ; c, S. Cart-
wright.

Siyigle \-lb Section. — l.st, J. Carver ; 2nd,
S. Cartwright ; 3rd, W. H. Brown ; c, A.
Hamer.

members' classes.

Twenty-four iJb Sections. — 1st, J. Carver ;
2nd. S Cartwright.

Twelve 1-lb. Sections. — 1st, J. Carver; 2nd,
P. Jones, Chelwick.

Twentii-fonr Uh. Jars extracted Honey. —
1st, S. Cartwright ; 2nd, Mrs. AV. Powell,
Longley ; 3rd, J. Carver.

Twelve 1-lb. Jars Extracted Honey >

— 1st, S. Cartwright; 2nd, J. Leach; 3rd,
J. Carver ; c, E. Rrookfield.

Tivenfy-four lib. Jars dark Extracted
Honey. — 1st, J. Carver ; 2nd, J. E. Harts-
horne, Broseley ; 3rd, P. Scott, Broseley ;
v.h.c, R. Blakeraore, Bayston Hill.

ARTISAN members ONLY.

Twelve 1-lb. Sections.— 1st, E. Brookfield
Mydale ; 2nd, J. Hammond, Hope Bowdler;
c.,L. Powell, Longley.

Twelve l-lb. Jars extracted honey. — 1st, J.
Churton, Wollerton ; 2nd, T. H. Frost,
Ellesmere ; 3rd, J. Mills, bhavingtou ; v.h c,
B. Thomas, Bella Po^t.

Six 1-lb. Jars Extracted Honey. — Ist
J. Churton ; 2nd, E. Brookfield ; 3rd, W.
Rowley, Bomere Heath ; v.h.c, L. Powell,
c, T. H. Frost.

cotta(;er members only.

Six 1-lb. Sections. — 1st, J. Bright, Card-
ington ; 2nd. J. Jones, Chelwick ; 3rd,
G. Butters, Bio re Heath.

Single l-lb. Section — 1st, J. Bright ; 2nd,
G. Butters ; 3rd. J. Jones.

Twelve l-lb. Jars Extracted Honey. — 1st,
J. Stanton, Besford ; 2nd, G. Butters ; 3rd,
J. Bright

Six l-lb. Jars Extracted Honey. — 1st,
J. Stanton ; 2nd, G Butters ; 3rd, J. Bright.

Six Sections Comb Honey and Six Bntthn
Extracted Honey (prize, a hive, presented Ijy
the Baroness Burdett-Coutts, president of
the B.B.K.A)— 1st. J. Stanton; v.h.c, J.
Blight ; c G. Butters.

open classes.

Honey Trophy.— lat, J Carver ; 2nd,
W. H. Brown ; 3rd, A. Hamer, Llandilo ;
4th, P. Scott.

Complete Frame-hive — 1st, W. P. Meadow.s,
Syston, Leicester ; 2nd, Little and Cooper,
Siirewsbury.

CollecHon of Bee-oppUanres. — Ist, W. P.
MeadoAvs ; 2nd, Little and Cooper.

Two l-lb. Beesirax.—]Ht E. C While ; 2nd,
Miss H. Hadcliffe ; 3rd, F. Harris, Boston ;
v.h.c, W. Passant, Basciiurch ; v.h c, J.
Lap'beit, Northwich ; c J, Berry.— 6.
Cartwricht, Hon. Secretaiy, Shawbury,
Salop.

CAMBS. AND ISLE OF ELY B.K.A

annual shoav.
_ The Annual SIioav of the above Associa-
tion Avas held in cunnection AA'itli the
Mammoth S1k)w, held in Cambridge on
the August Bank Holiday, | and the result
proved most gratifying,' the entries being
IBl, as against 102 last year. The quality
of the honey staged was of a very high
order, and involved great care and time < m
the part of the Judges, Messrs. R Brown,
Somershaiu I and, Allen Sharp, Bramj ton,
Avho madf the following awards : —

IJonti/ Tropin/. — 1st, J. Barnes; 2nd.
F. J. Ford; 3rd. G. Hill; v.h.c, C. J.
Mapey ; he, G. E. Rogers; Special Prize
for Taste in Staging, C. J. Mapey.

352

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Sept. 6, 1906.

. Twelve \-lh. Sections. — 1st, A. Barber ;
2nd, R. Alderman ; 3rd, A. E. Tollemache ;
v.h.c , F. Gordon ; li.c.,G Hills; c, J.Barnes.

Twelve \ lb. Jars {Light) Extracted Honey.
—1st, W. Lhallis ; 2n'd, H. M. Saundors ;
3rd, J. Barnes and Jas. Lee & Son (equal) ;
v.h.c., W. .J. Cook ; h.c, A. Ball ami C. W.
Fake.

Twelve 1 -lb. Jars (Medium - coloured)
Extracted Honey — 1st, J. Short ; 2nd, R. S.
Askew ; 3rd, A. Barber.

Tivelve \-lh. Jars Gramdated Honey. —
1st, C. Dunn-Gardner ; ^nd, C. J. Mapey ;
3rd, J. Barnes.

Three Shnlloio Frames C omh-B tyncy . —
1st. F. J. Pollendine ; 2nd, F. Gordon ; 3rd,
F. R. Ford ; v.h.c, J. Short ; h.c, C. Dunn-
Gardne'-.

Beeswax. — Ist, C. Dunn-Gardner ; 2nd,
F. Gordon ; 3rd, G. Dellar ; v h.c, C.
Catling ; h c , W. Coxall.

The Baroness Burdett-Coutts' (President
of the B.B.KA.) Prize Hive (for Cottagers
only). — W. Challis.

GIFT CLASSES.

Single \-lh. Sections. — 1st, R. Alderman ;
2nd, A. Barber ; 3rd, A. E. Tollemache ;
v.b.c. G. Hill ; h.c, H. M. Saunders.

Single 1 lb. jar extracted Honey. — 1st,
1st, K. W. Lloyd ; 2nd, W. Challi's ; 3ra,
J. Barnes ; v.h.c, H. M. Saunders ; h.c,
J. Lee tfe Son.

The Judges, Messrs Brown and Sharp,
demonstrated at intervals in the Bee tent
tp crowds of interested spectators. — G. E.
Rogers, Hon. Sec.

0iom^dnAtut

The Jlldliors do not uold Ctieinselves le-jjo-nmOU joi the
opinions expressed by correspondents. No notice wilt
be taken of anmiymous communications, and corre-
spondents are requested to write oil one aide of the paper
only and give their real names and addresses, not neces-
sarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith.
Illustrations should be dragon on separate pieces of pap»r.
We do not undertake to return rejected communications.

AMONG THE BEES.

COMBS. FULL SHEETS, OR STA.RTEKS FOll
SWARMS.

1 6411.] As a rule it does not pay to give
a newly hived swarm fuUy-built-out comb,
yet it does not do to be dogmatic and
say: "It never pays." I have employed
them this year with, I consider, good
effect. Three lots of driven bees, owing
to paucity in numbers, went under in
eai'ly spring, and their combs, all fresh
and new. were used to house English
swarms, with a distinct saving of valuable
time and material for the new swarms,
and no loss. So that all over it was pure
gain. These bees had consumed all their
uorgod stores en route, and so were not
provided with special mat<-^rial for build-
inc. With a new-swarmed lot in the home
apiary it is different. Their honey-sacs

are full to repletion, their wax-sheet
" factory " is in full swing, and the pro-
cess of construction in the wax-pockets
goes on automatically. The bees are
hungering and thirsting for comb-build-
ing, and to hinder their desire would be a
pure waste of valuable material. All this
rules fii^ly drawn-out comb out of court
in competition with full sheets or starters.
Not only so, but with a full flow on, bees
block up the cells with honey as gathered
from the fields, and soon start capping
the stores, thereby blocking the queen,
and cram'->ing her egg-laying powers by
restricting the cell-area in which she can
lay. Super room, although placed on,
will generally be neglected, as the bees
seem to reason it out that it is a saving
of time and labour to store in every
vacant cell below, to the detriment of
surplus stores, and the lessening of the
nopulation of the hive. Therefore, hiving
on full frames of comb must come third
in order every time.

We are taught — and the teaching is wise
— that we can " spare the bees " by giving
full sheets of wired foundation to swarms
.v.'ith advantage to all concerned — bees
bee-keepers, large ponulation, finely-built
combs, and extra surphis honey. A free
use of foundation upstairs and down is
to be commended, as a rule — but th'jre
are exceptions. I think the subject is of
such importance that I would like to see
a full discussion, conveyinp^ the results of
experience, showing in what, if any cir-
cumstances, hiving on starters is a saving
to bees and bee-keeper, because I con-
tend, at times, it is.

Thirst. — A strong swarm of bees in the
full flush of a heavy flow generally builds
so quickly that the cell surface far out-
runs the oixeen's powers of occupation.
Here the sheets of foundation hurry up
matters still further, and capping honey
starts in the brood -frames as a serious
business instead of the sutrplus being
stored above. The qiieen, if prolific, may
force the pace later on, and compel some
honey to be uncappetl and stored else-
where, but here we have a large amount of
extra work imposed on the bees, which
thev rather resent, because they freqiiently
sulk and cra'tip the nueen's powers of
ovipnsitinfi'. ,With starters only she keeps
in line and hurries on comb-building, so
thnt there is no time or opportunity to
soal cells in tTie brood nest. So evenly
balanced indeed are her powers of e"g-
layipn^ and the bees' powers of comb-build-
ing that they go on as if part and parcel
of one plan, to the mutual advantage of
all internal arrantrements.

Second, — An average swarm, building
enmb over the surface of nine or ten
frames, has its forces spread out too much
for overtaking the best and quickest work.

Sept. 6, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOTJUNAL.

358

Concentrated on, say, six frames of star-
ters, heat is generated with the waste of
iess caloric, a larger relative force is freed
from constructive duties to forage abroad
for fresh stores, while a further contin-
gent can devote its attention to necessary
tendance on eggs and larvfe. There is, -'n
a word, a better division of labour at less
cost of heat and tissue. A large swarm
should at first receive the full complement
of frames, and in twenty-four hours all
not well covered with bees should be tem-
porarily withdrawn. There is here a
saving of foundation with. I think at
times, an acceleration of work.

Third, — So many novices, and others,
insert half or quarter sheets of foundation
so carelessly that comb^ are badly built,
while with some only of these inserted the
added weieht of bees hanging from them
causes even good foundation to sag and
stretch, resulting in badlv-shaped cells,
frequently almost oval in form. Starters
in such a case prove not only true economy
but a distinct gain, as far more regular
combs are obtained, v/hich prove a valu
able* asset in the future history of the
colony.

Fourth, — But these quarter, half, or
three-quarter sheets may frequently give
way, causing not only a nasty breakdown,
but a distinct loss of foundation and
honey, and a very considerable consump-
tion of valuable time. Nothing is more
aggravatinsr than discovering, after two
or three days of hard and indefatigable
work on the part of the bees, that all
their toilsome labours have ended in
nought, and that it has to be all tediously
gone over again. If badly inserted, full
sheets are even worse.

These are onlv a few sample cases,
which could be very largely added to by
every bee-keeper who hives a large num-
ber of swarms. The restricted area of,
say, six frames, gives bees comb-building
for about ten days after hivinpf, and during
that time it seems to me to be an almost
universal rule that bees construct only
worker-cells. So here we have, with star-
ters only, the best possible comb built,
with no drone cells. But, as T have noted
above, a further benefit follows. With
a good heavy flow on, many workers are
set at liberty to forage, and r>art of this
material, if stored, would blork the brood-
bodv, so almost from the first a rack of
sections should be given above to supply
room for this overplus. At — or about —
the end of the ten da vs. more frames may be
added, but these should, in general, be
furnished with full sheets of foundation.
Tn using starters one sheet provides five
frames, which means a considerable savin?.

The chief dread with many ts that when
only starters are nrovided bees build too
much drone-comb. That is so when the

whole set of frames are given to even a
strong swarm. But when about four of
a ten-frame hive are withdrawn a day after
hiving, the restricted room enables the
queen's ege-laying and the workers' comb-
building to keep pace, while the super-
room above hinders any thought of hurry-
ing on large cells for storage or drone-
rearing. Those who find this being done
might try close spacing, which very
effectually prohibits the building of drone-
comb. If every alternate frame has its
W.B.C. ends drawn back, so that only
every second frame has its metal ends act-
ing as spacers, the bees build only worker
cells. Of course, these should be re-
placed in their true position giving a regu-
lar double bee space between each comb.

Second swarms, or first swarms headed
by young unfertilised queens, can b-^
trusted to build only worker cells, while
the same may be said safely of nucleus
hives, to which only starters have been
given, and indeed, of any lot of bees re-
duced to a small number of frames, if
bees are not too numerous. Such a lot
may be kent on buildinfr such combs if
frames of brood are withdrawn to keep
them from becoming too strong. —
T). M. M., Banff.

A BEGINNER'S BEE NOTES FOR 1906.

A STirrESSFUL START.

[6412.1 Possibly a few brief notes of a
one season bee-keeper's success may be r.f
interest to those about to commence in this
most interesting occupation, provided you
think it worthy of a place in your pages.
A short account of one of my two hives
appeared in vour query colximn on May 24
(3298. pase 206). The hive there mentioned
was, evidently, successfully re-queened, for
six and sixteen days after the nuery re-
ferred to was written the combs were
well filled with eggs and brood, sealed and
unsealed ; not only so, b^^t the stock
eventually gave me between eighty and
ninety T)OTinds of clear amber-coloured
honey of a beautiful aroma and flavour.

My second stock, purchased from a local
exT^ert. and was alive with wax-moth,
yielded about thirty nounds. On August
4 — though T know nothing whatever of the
operation of "driving" beyond what T had
read in your invaluablp (and to my opinion
in dispell sahlr) " Ouide Book " — I drove two
lots of "condemned" bees — one a swarm,
and the other a " cast " from the same hive
— brought them home in two skeps. joined.
the two lots together by emptying one into
the other, and "shaking them up like
peas," and. finally threw them on to a sheet
in front of a W.B.C. hive and let them
run into it. T had previously fitted the
hire with eight sheets of wired foundation.
This lot I fed liberally for some days, then

354

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Sept. 6, 1906.

more slowly, and on the 20th inst. the
combs were well filled with sealed brood.
I had left the queens to " fieht it out." I
should like to say for the encouragement
of your querist H. G.. Bucks, (No. 3380,
page 317) that he will have no difficulty in
transferring his stocks if he follows " Guide
Book " directions. T found it an advantage
to pin a strip of calico, about eight inches
wide, at the back of the skeos where the
edges join, this will prevent the bees " boil-
ing over" the sides of the full skep.
" Blanket " pins will be the best to use.
Since my first attempt at driving I have
repeated the operation, but in hiving, I
threw the bees on to the top of the frames,
and prefer that method.

I should strongly advise any beginner to
thoroughlv protect himself from stings.
T am obtaining lid.. lOd. , and 9d. a pound
for my honey, according to the quantity
taken, and conclude by wishing all bee-
keepers as STiccessful a year as T have had.
—Cambist, Stamford, August 24.

BUYING DRIVEN BEES.

rOU BTJILDING-tTP STOCKS.

[6413.] There is a prejudice among many
bee-keepers against driven bees because
they consist largely of old and worn-out
workers. As a matter of fact, however,
driven bees, properly fed and cared for.
breed with such vigour until quite late in
the autumn and winter so well that they
make, in my belief, far better stocks for
the following season than any others,
having such an enormous population of
yonmi bees.

I have this season sold far more driven
bees to former customers, who have proved
their value, than to new customers. The
enclosed s]>eciinen fi'om many letters I have
received may interest readers if you have
room to spare in your pages. To avoid
risk of soliciting a free advertisement I send
name, etc., and sign — Advertisek,
August 21.

" Dkak Sm, — On September 14 last year
I received from you two lots of driven bees,
which have done rather well considering
the reputation some people give to bees
obtained in this way.

" I had both lots hived on arrival, and at
once commenced to feed through a Canadian
feeder as fast as the bees would take the
(•ane-sugar syrup down, until both lots
were established on six frames, with be
tween 25 lb. and 30 lb. of food in each.
T then covered all warmly down and left
tliem alone until December, when on a
fairly warm day T looked in and found all
well, and again closed up until January,
when I gave to each lot a 2-lb. cake of
candy, and ke})t this going until May,

when I received a visit from the expert,
who reported favourably on all he saw.
You will be pleased to know I have already
had 80 lb. from one lot in shallow-frames,
with a rack of 24-lb. sections now on, and
from the other have obtained twenty-seven
good sections, and expect to take twenty-
seven more in a day or two — not at all a
bad beginning even with ' driven bees.'

" I now ask : Can you supply me with
more of the same sort, and I, at least, shall
not grumble?

" Since writing you on Aiigust 2 I put
on eight shallow-frames, to be cleaned up
after extracting, and have been imable to
remove them until this week-end, when lo
ray surprise I find them not * cleaned up,'
but with 27;^ lb. of honey in, and all sealed,
which brings my total for the larger take
off the one hive under-estimated at 100 lb.,
so I can tell yoii I am more than pleased."

BEES AT THE HEATHER.

[6414.] I felt rather disappointed with
my B.B.J, this week. I did think some
one would have said something i-brut tha
all-important question of heather pros-
pects just now. I felt I could not le=:
a,nother week pass without sending an
" Echo " on the subject. I was at the moor
where ai-e now located ten liives on Sep-
tember 1, and the way honey had come ir.
since the hot weather started is most re-
markable. A rack of twenty-four sections
put on less than a week ago, were almost
worked out and completed. I can hardly
keep })ace with the bees in giving more
super-room ; but they seem in such a
hixrry to get rid of their loads that they
drop most of the honey in the brood nest,
the combs there being simply clogged up
v/ith honey, so that vigorous young qxieens
put in just before the hives were sent to the
moors are crowded out from egg-laying in
hives that had empty supers on till la.it
week ; while in another hive, headed by a,i
old queen, the bees had crowded her on to a
patch of comb as big as my hand. Unless
the queens do some breeding after they
got home, I look forward to having some
hives full of honey and very few bees next
spring. But the mischief does not end at
the heather. I have three stocks at honix^.
the bees of which have found their way to
the moor (though it is quite five miles
from here), and they also are crowding the
(lueens out of brood-nests in the same way.
It seems as if bees can travel many miles
on these hot, calm days we are having. I
tasted heather honey quite plainly in a hiv4
at my home apiary at Pilsby last Friday
]Tight, on a bit of new comb built-out
during the last fortnight. I bought 1 cwt.
of sugar a week or two ago, to feed up with
at home ; but I fancy that sugar will noc

Sept. 6, 1906. J THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAIi.

355

be required for bee-food if the hot weather
keeps on. I am wondering if the bees of
our Scotch friends are doing as well as
mine ; if they are, they will be having a
record year for heather-honey.

Referring to the question of three queens
laying in one hive (page 343), a friend of
mine had three young queens on one fram.?
in an observatory hive at Clay Cross show
for two days, and he saw two of them
moving about quite comfortably together
several times. They were put in separate
nucleus hives after the show, and they ar-i
now laying grandly. Hoping these few
lines will make interesting reading. — Tom
SliEiGHT, Chesterfield, September 3.

THE LATE HONEY SEASON.

PKEVALENCE OF THE BRATJLA CCECA ON

QUEENS.

[6415.] The honey season here has l>een
the latest that I ever remember. Usually
the honey-flow is over by the third week in
•July, but this year I have noticed supers
being slowly filled nearly up to the end of
August.

I was surprised to read (on page 272) of
what a poor season our friend "D. M. M."
was having, while I had just been reading,
in a back unmber of "B.B.J." (October 5,
1899, page 395), an account of a marvellous
yield of honey he had secured that year
from a four-jiound English swarm.

What has become of the new artificial
comb invention? I thought that we werj
going to enjoy the discovery this summer
and be rid of split or grooved top-bars
with its nuisance of moth grubs.

In my article in " B.B..J." of July 12
(page 272) the sentence (in third paragraph)
" and wholly prevents swarming " should
luive been "and usualUj prevents swarm
iiig." And as to the inquiry re number of
biiiod frames, I may repeat that the queen
on one coml) of brood with nine frames of
comb foundation is left below, whilst nine
combs of brood and one frame of foundation
is placed a})ove, with an excluder J>etween.
So that the queen has had the use of nine-
teen frames, and, as I have before stated, it
usuall^y prevents any desire to swarm, i
must say that I like this way of working
hives above all others, because a rack of
sections may be first secured for the eariy
market, and the extra chamber for ex
tracted honey follows later. Moreover,
bees store honey more willingly and faster
in frames than in supers. Also, in a foul-
broody district (and there is more foul
brood about than jjeople are aware of) the
brood combs can be thus renewed every
year if desired. I should like to give my
idea of the most economical and profitable

way for a novice to commence bee-keeping,
and, if our Editors will find room and not
consider me a bore. I will furnish such an
article for next week's ".Journal."

Has anj'one noticed how very prevalent
has been the red or blind louse parasJVi
on queens this season ? I have noticed
some queens only three weeks old covered
with these vermin. — Amatetje, Chelten-
ham.

P.S. — I am wondering what sort of a
swarming season our good friend Wm.
Woodley has had. Whether he has had
many mix-ups ; and if the cold, backward
spring has prevented him from supplyin^;
all his numerous customers?

HONEY EXHIBITING AT LONDON

SHOWS.

EDITORIAL ENCOURAGEMENT.

[6416.] I find that the enquiry I made
through your columns as to the quality of
my honey has drawn some remarks from
your correspondent. Mr. S. Jordan (6398.
page 326), which, but for your admiral)^'
footnote to his letter, would imply that
you discouraged me and other country be3-
keepers from competing in Ijondon shows.
No man who understands bees or honey
would be so discouraged, but would strive
for all he was worth to win. I sincerely
thank you for your replv to me on page 320,
and will tell you what it has done. In .July
I was showing at a large flower show wheri
there was keen competition in the honey
classes. The judge (a provincial man)
did not give me an award at all. He said
my honey was perfect in every inspect bi:!;
flavour, but that this was spoilt by bees
gathering from sycamore and hawthorn.
I felt convinced that he was wrong, and
that it was mainly from clover, so sent a
sample to the B.B.J, office for your de-
cision. Had it not been for your a^nswor
in B.B..J. I would have been disheartened,
and should not have shown the honey any
more. Encouraged by your revly. I en-
tered it in three shows, and was awarded
first on every occasion. I will be compet-
ing in the London shows, no doubt, as your
knowledge and experience prompted you
to pass your opinion that our particular
(Midland) district was not quite so good as
many — at least, this vear, from the sample
I sent you. I have yet the ambition to win
at a London shew, and, beint; young. I
have plenty of time to do it yet. I hope
to become more closelv allied with the
B.B.J, and its Editors, also with the
B.B.K.A., as through reading your journal
I have been fired with enthusiasm for bee-
keeping, and am dett^rmined to try my
luck on a London show-bench. — C. L.,
Lines.

356

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL [Sept. «, 1906.

Rainfall, 1 "54 in.

Heaviest fall, '52 in.
on 16th.

Rain fell on 9 days.

Below average, 1" 09 in.

Sunshine, 238'1 hours.

Brightest day, 3rd,
13'1 hours.

Snnless days, 0.

Above average, 23 "4
hours.

Maximum tempera-
ture, 84-5° on 31st.

Minimum tempera-
ture, 44° on 20th.

WEATHER REPORT.

WueTBOURNB, SnSSKX,

August, 1906.
Minimum on grass,

42° on 20th.
Frosty nights, 0.
Mean maximum,

71-2°
Mean minimum,

54-8°
Mean temperature,

63-0°
Above average, 3*0.
Maximum barometer,

30-40 on 28th.
Minimum barometer,

29-66 on 14th.

L. B. BiRKjrrT.

AUGUST RAINFALL.

Total fall, 2.32 in.
Heaviest fall, .45 in. on 1st.
Rain fell on 17 days.— W. Head, Brilla/,
Herefordshire.

CAPPINGS OF COMB.
By L.S.C., Ilkley, Yorks.

Uniting Driven Bees (p. 326). — I would
clench Mr. Woodley's good advice to " re •
move the old queen" by going further, and
saying that, in my opinion, the old queen,
if laying, is almost certain to be retainei
at the expense of the travelled young queen
which is not laying. At least, I believe
that to be the reason of their choice ; an i
as it has always worked that way with mo
I take no more risks.

Difficult Judging (p. 327). — Judging is a
thankless task anyway, and it is perhaps
not unreasonable that " Smith and Brown,"
taking first and second at one show, should
find the nosition reversed at the next.
Where judging is very close, the merest
trifle may turn the scale. For instance
the slightest damage in transit from show
to show might comparatively disparage or
otherwise a tip-top comb-honey exhibit. A
tiny weeping might be noticed by the judge
which had escaped the exhibitor. It is
also conceivable that the staging ot t\u->
better light might aflFect an award which,
however carefully given, is finally a matter
of personal judgment ; and judges are not
superhuman or infallable, but perhaps, like
the bees, " do nothing invariably." By
the way, I am getting a bit tired of that
expression !

Influence, of Race, (p. 333). — It seems im-
possible that any race should persist in any
apiary in spite of the bee-keeper's eflFor'^s
to extirpate it. Has he tried excluder
traps for all undesirable drones, and en

tirely re-queening from stocks, headed by
pure, unrelated queens?

Extracted (p. 334).- — Is not th6 compari-
son between the needle and the bee's sting
rather exaggerated here ? The wasp's stiag
must be still finer, as it seems to do its work
a great deal quicker. I only speak from
experience !

Bees Carrying Wax (p. 334). — These pre-
sent a peculiar c-ppearance. The wax is
not packed tightly like pollen, but the
" mouthfuls" are piled up in the corbicul le
in such fashion that it is difficult to see how
they remain in place at all, after the en
trance to a crowded hive.

Frime Swarm with F.B. (p. 336). — This
is unusual, is it not? Was it hived o'n
foundation in a clean hive, I wonder?

Sane Words (p. 343). — Migh+ not the
queen-breeder keep track of '*^fie honey
qualities of his stock by offering re
purchase premiums for those queens which
did the best in actual practice ?

Black Brood (p. 343). — The Americans
seem doubtful whether our foul brood is the
same as their own. One well-known writer
(W, Z. Hutchinson, in the August " Re-
view ") now describes black brood as the
same as European foul brood ; but his dc^
scription of the scale does not tally.

Three Queens in a Hire (p. 343). — Ap-
parently there is no limit to the number of
fertile queens which might be in a hive
under supersedure conditions.

Swarms (p. 346). — 'A. H. " says that a
mid-May swarm, hived on built-out combs,
specially fed until supered with built oxit
comb, may possibly yield forty or more sec
tions. Then he criticises a bee-keeper who
will sell such a sv/arm for even 12s. 6r).,
knowing that it will give forty sections.
This is hardly fair arithmetic, is it, friend
" H. 'i' ? I am asked 15s. and carriage
extra for such swarms "by mid-May,'' an 1
then do not get them ! But what about
the other contributpry conditions ? Do
they cost nothing? And are there no bad
years for even such reasonable and care-
fully tended purchases?

Destroying Wasps' Nests (p. 346). — If I
ever had any doubts as to tho effectiveness
of cyanide of potassium they are now en-
tirely dispelled. I would thank Bell Bros,
for the tip as to wetting the cyanide. T
tried this with a strong nest, placing some
lumps in a spoon containing water, and
an hour later dug up the nest with im
punity.

I have also just taken a nest of the wooJ-
wasp (F. media) which was built in a goose-
berry bush, by the expedient of covering the
bush entirely with a sheet, and burning
a gunpowder-paste squib underneath. But
for F. vulgaris the cyanide is much more
satisfactory than a squib. The fumes pene-
trate much more eflFectively, and the en-

Sept. 6, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

357

trance need not be stopped. I once made
a powder-paste squib, and put it into a
smoker to ensure that the fumes should be
puffed right into the nest. You know the.
rest, of course ! Don't tell anyone 1

(litems m& §,^\m.

[3395.] Dealing with Foul Brood.— I should
be very pleased if you would answer the
following questions in the " E.B.J." : (1) Is
there any danger in outdoor feeding where
foul brood is in the neighbourhood if the
syrup is medicated with naphthol beta? (2)
In 1904 I found what I thought to be two
cells infected with foul brood in the coffee-
coloured stage in one of my hives. I cut
these two cells out, and, as I always do vnth
all my stacks, fed with medicated syrup,
and kept naphthaline in the hive. During
1905 I saw no signs of the disease at all, but
in June of this year I found two more cells
infected and removed and destroyed the
comb altogether, and since then they seem
perfectly healthy. I am fairly well acquainted
with foul brood, but should like to know if
you think it possible that they can have foul
brood, or the germs of foul brood in the
hive, as the bees are on the same combs as
in 1904. Is it necessary to boil for two
hours such appliances as rapid feeders, etc..
and metal ends used with infected stocks?
(4) Would it be too late to re-queen at the
present time by killing off the old queen and
letting the bees raise one for themselves?
Drones are still in the hives. — J. C. T.,
Leicester, August 22.

Eeplt. — (1) We do not think so, if the
bees can be guarded against starting to rob
each other's hives. The free- feeding should
be done some distance away from the apiary,
say, forty or fifty yards. (2) It is, of course,
possible, but not at all probable. (3) No.
(4) Yes ; the end of August is too late for
bees to start queen-raising for themselves.
The difficulty of safe mating makes it alto-
gether too risky.

[3396.1 Ridding Hivp? of Braula Cceca.- —
Being in need of advice, T again appeal to
you for the help which is .so generously ^ven
in the "B.B.J. ," especially as '' believe the
clearing up of the points mentioned will be of
general interest. On Aug 16 I examined one
of my stocks, which was found to have no
eggs or brood with the exception of one patch
(sealed). This hive is one of my -strongest
stocks, .Tnd ha,s always yielded the best honey
results, this year being no exception. I
noticed the queen had several branla cnera
^or blind louse) on her, and so I ask : 1. Is
this suflficient to cause her to cease laying?
TTavinc been frequently troubled in the same
way before, and the oueen ceased laying, I
wondered if yon could give any method of
Tiddir.n- hives of this p'^st b^^vond that on
nagr 160 of the " Guide Book." The hive in
question was new this spring, and for the
queen to cease laying so early seriously
weakens the stock for next vear. 2. I su-

pered two of my stocks in the same manner,
and at the same time, with shallow frames,
but the honey from one wa& cloudy when ex-
tracted and three weeks after was candied.
Can you tell the reason of this, and how to
avoid it, as the other stock produced some
of the clearest and best .honey I have ever
seen. 3. How long do you consider that
frames should be used in the brood-chamber
before being melted up? Of course, some
hives have been more bred in than others,
but can you give some general idea when a
comb has been, say, in the middle of the hive
all the time. — Name sent for reference.
W. A. T., East Devon.

Eeply. — There is no more effective way
than that mentioned. 2. You cannot control
the foraging bees, and some vdll frequently
visit entirely different flowers to other stocks
in the same apiary. 3. About five years use
is, we consider, quite enough, and if a couple
of frames are renewed each year it assists in
keeping all in good, healthy, workable con-
dition.

[3397.] Removing Bees from Box After
Transferring. — I have taken in the B.B.J.
nearly seven years, and have, as a rule,
always been able to find a way out of a
difficulty by looking up back numbers ; but
this time I' cannot find what I think would
help me, so I ask for your help in the follow-
ing : — Two years ago I had a swarm, and
the bees were hived temporarily in a cube-
sugar box, but owing to my iUness they were
left in the box all winter. In May this year,
however. I put the box on the top bars of a
frame hive, thinking that the bees would
transfer themselves below, but they have so
far only drawn out four combs, which are
now well covered with bee^, and the queen
is evidently laying there. I should therefore
like to remove the box. as I fancy there is a
lot of honey in it, as the box is very heavy.
Will you therefore please tell me in this
week's B.B.J, how to take the honev? There
was a feed-hole cut in the top of the box,
but all the other parts are nailed on. Could
I remove one side of the box and smoke bees
down, BO that I could cut out the comb? I am
a member of the Essex B.K.A., but have
happened to be away from home each time the
expert called. The last time he called he
left word to sav the bees were going on all
right. I shall be very thankful for any ad-
vice you can give me with regard to this hive.
I might say I have now only two stocks, as
the expert advised me to destroy the others
owing to an oiitbreak of foul brood. —
A. H. F., Crays, Essex. Sept. 1.

Reply. —The box should be gentlv pri/ed
up a little, so as to allow of a wedge — cut
from a broken section — -being slipped in at
each corner. Blow a little smoke in at the
junction of the old box and the hive-body :
then, with a .screwing motion, lift the box off
and set it on a board, so that no bees can jjet
out. Then examine the frames in lower hive,
and see that either the queen is there or
eg£cs and broorl in the comb. Cover the bodv-
box down, and remove the box with bees and
honey to a distance away — thirtv or fortv
yards if convenient — and turn it bottom up-
wards, thus allowing the bulk of the bees
to fly back home. Repeat this operation at

358

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Sept. 6, 1906.

intervals, covering the bees with a cloth for
a few minntes at a time, then releasing them,
till all, or nearly all, have left the box,
when you can deal with the combs and honey
by cutting out after the bees have left and
gone home

[3398.] Transferring Bees and Combs from
Skeps. — On August 24th I transferred the
contents of six straw skeps into three frame-
hives, putting two lots of the bees together in
each case. I selected the best of the comb
from the skeps and filled five frames with this
comb, which contained a small quantity of
brood and was well stocked with honey and
pollen. The other two frames are filled with
full sheets of foundation. I am feeding
them at the side of the hive (inside) with
the odds and ends of the honey to endeavour
to get the bees to also build out foundation.
and fill it with food. "When fitting the old
combs into the frames I used sticks to keeo
the combs in position in the frames which
latter are wired. I shall take the sticks
away when the combs are firmly fixed. In
vievi^ of what has been done, I ask : 1. Will
the five frames of comb and two of founda-
tion to each hive be suflRcient, or will it be
better to have more? 2. Do you think the
bees will do all right if kept warm on top.
and is there a reasonable -nrobability of their
coming out as strong stocks in the spring? — •
H. M., Croydon, August 28.
. Eepiy. — 1. Seven frames of comb will be
ample for wintering the bees on, to use more
would be a disadvantage. 2. There i? no
reason why the bees should not do well if
well packed and headed by voung prolific
queens. At the same time, we do not nporove
of transferring old combs to new frame-hives.
Had our advice been sotitrht before trans-
ferring, we should have recommended you to
adont the plan of wintering part of the
stocks in the skews and allowing the bees to
transfer themselves to the frame-hives in
.soring. You would then have had the ohance
of comparing results of the two different
methods of transferring.

[3399.] Maldiuj Artificial Swarmtt ^ in
Autvmii. — As a reader of .the "B.B.J.," I
should be pleased if you will inform me
how to manage one of my stocks of bees
which has not swarmed this year, and yet is
packed with bees between the inner and out-
side cases of the hive, both back and front.
and is building comb in both places? T can-
not turn the quilts back without pulling bees
out. 1. Is it possible there are two queens
in the hive to cause this? 2. Could T make
an artificial swarm by placing a box fitted
with combs and foundation over the quilt :
and then, if they fill the box, remove it and
the bees as a swarm, then introduce a fertile
queen to the bees at night? 3. Would 41b.
of driven bees with queens make a stock "and
winter alright if hived the third week in
September? T have just looked at the bees
in the crowded hives, and they seem very
like as if starting "robbing." — T. R.,
Sheffield.

Ricpi.Y. — No. it -is . quite inipossiblo to ex-
plain the condition in this way. 2. You must
on no account try to make an artificial swarm
at this season, as proposed. 3. Yes, if yon

quite understand how to build up a stock

from driven bees, but it is very late to

operate so late as the third week of this
month.

>h(rtti8 to §omt.

A nominal charge of Sn. 6d. in made for notices {not
exceeding 7 lines') in this column, 10 linen charged St. 6d. ;
up to 15 lines 5x.. which covers co»t of insertion from
order till date of show. Cash should accompany orders
for insertion.

September 8. at Dumfries-— South ot Soot-
land 6.E.A. 14th Annual Show o{ Honey, Beee, and
Applianoe«. Entries closed.

September 11. at Blenheim. Park, "Wood-
stock.— Annual Show of the Oxfordshire B.K.A. —
Entries ciosed.

September 12 and 13, at Edinburgrh.—

Thirteenth Annual Exhibition of Midlothian B.K.A.
in Waverley Market. Open claBses for Bix section*
heather, six eections flower, six jars heather, six ia,T»
flower. Prizes, 15s., 10s., 5b. Entry. 2%. per class.
Schedules from W. Weir, Heriot, Midlothian.

September 13, at Castle Dougrlas.— Honey
Section, Dairy Show. Liberal prizes. Five open
classes. — Entries closed.

September 8 to 16, at tlie Agricultural
Hall, liOndon. — Honey Show in connpction with
the Confectioners', Bakers', and Allied Traders Annual

Exhibition and Marlcet. (See outside cover adver-
tisement. Open to all British Bee-keepers.
Entry fee in each class one shillin(r. Schedules from
H. S. Rogers, Secretary, Exhibition Offices, Falmerston
House. Old Broad Street, London, E.G.

September ^O, 21, and 22, at Crystal
Palace. — Surrey B.K.A. Annual Exhibition of Bees,
Honey, Wax, and Appliances, etc. Twenty-six classes
(ten open to glII). Increased prizes and medals.
Schedules from F. B. White, secretary, Marden House,
Redhill, Surrey. Entries close September 7.

September 22 to 29, at the Agricultural
Hall, liOndon. — Honey Show in connection with
the Twelfth Anniial Exhibition and Market of th^
Grocery and Kindred Trades. Nearly £60 in prizes
for honey and beeswax including four prizes of £4.
£3. £2. and £1, in honey trophy class. Open to
all British Bee-keepers. Schedules from H. 8.
Rogers, Secretary, Exhibition Oftioes, Palmerston
House, Old Broad Street, London E.G.

September 26, at Altrincham.— Show ot
Honey Products, in connection with Altrincham
Agricultural Show. Open to United Kingdom : CHasses
for Hives, Observatory Hive, 12 Jars Extracted Honey.
Open to Gonnty rf (jhester only : Glasses for Trophy,
Amateur-built Hive, Two Shallow Bars, 12 Jars Run,
12 Sections. Wax, etc- Special classes for cottagers.
Special classes for Society's district. Liberal prizes.
Low entrance fees. Schedules from Mr. J. H. Hall, 2,
Dunham Road, Altrincham. Entries close
September 9.

October 9 to 12, at the Agricultural
Hall, London.— Show of Honey and Bee I'roduce
in connection with the British Dairy Farmert' Asaoois
tion. Numerous and liberal prizes for honey, etc.,
including the valuable Silver Ohallengre Oup of th«
B. B.K.A. Schedules from Mr. Wm. 0. Young, Secre-
tary, 12, Hanover Square, London, W. Entries
close September 12.

October 18 to 21, at "Waverley Market.
Edinburgh. — Honey show in connection with
the Tenth Annual Edinburgh and Midlothian Indus-
trial Exhibition. All open classes. Beautifully illus-
trated prospectus, price 2d., from A. Hutchinson, 15,
Leith Street. Edinburgh Entries close Sep-
tember 27.

November 9 and 10. at Chorley, !Lancs.
-Honey Show of Lanes. B.K.A. in connection with
Ohorley Ohrysamtliomum S(X!iety'B Annual Show.
Four Open Classes. Exhibitore allowed to bring
lioney for sale. Schedules from W. G. Smith, Town
Hall Auction Rooms, Chorley, Lanes. Entries
close November 3.

Sept. 6, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

359

Notices to Correspondents & Inquirers,

Varieties of Heather (Stockton-on-Tees). —
Thos. Wilcox (Talywain, Mon.). J- W.
QiBSON, and J. W. Cook (Suffolk). — Send
samples of bloom of the Calluna vulgaris,
or common ling, -wmch is by far the best
heather for bee-forage and yields the
genuine heather honey so highly esteemed.

CALLUNA VULGARIS
(Common Ling).
P. A. J. Watson (Sussex, J. W. (Notts),
and three other correspondents send sprigs
of bloom from the above - named heath,
Calluna vuh/aris, along with samples of
Erica Cincrea, or bell-heather. We there-

ERICA CINEREA
{Bell-heather).
fore insert illustrations of both vai'ieties
of heather so that there may be no mistake
made by correspondents and bee-keepers,
generally, as enabling them to judge for
themselves with regard to the best bee-
forage for heather honey.
B. E. C. (Devon). — Bees Attacking Neigh-
bours:— If your neighbour can prove that

your bees are,^ danger and a nuisance to him
when on his own premises, thus depriving
him of what is, in legal phrase, termed
" peaceable possession," you may be com-
pelled to remove them. On the other
hand, it must be shown that the bees have
caused the real ground of complaint, and
that the complainant is not needlessly afraid
of being stung or otherwise damaged.
Honey Samples.

T. G. R. (Maidstone). — 1. Your sample of
extracted honey will do vei*y well for the
show-bench at the shows mentioned as
taking place at the Agricultural Hall, on
September 8 and 22 respectively, if
entered in the class for " medium coloui'ed
extracted honey." 2. The honey from
broken section is poor in flavour and aroma,
from bees having gathered from what we
think is the weed known as " rag-weed "
(or moi-e properly Rag wort).

O. E. H. (Glos.). — Sample is very good on all

points as a " light coloured " extracted
honey. It will do very well for showing at
the show referred to, held in London.
Letter came too late for reply last week.

L. C. Pollard (Norwich). — Sample is an ex-
cellent light coloured honey, very suitable
for the London shows mentioned.

.T. K, (Cheshire). — 1. Sample is good honey
a bit spoilt by an admixture of honey dew.
It is quite suitable for table use. 2. Glad
to hear you find our papers most instructive
as well as interesting. We try to make
them so.

G. T. Hern (Croydon). — Sample is "medium "
in colour, bright and clear, but is rather
rank or coarse in flavour (see reply to
T. G. R. above).

H. C. M (CoUingham). — We cannot judge
honey sent in a bit of old dark comb cut
from a skep. However, it seems to be fair
in flavour, and is certainly eatable if vou
do not mind its appearance

f^usvected Comb.t.

J. R. W. (Sutton-on-Hull).— We regret to
say all three samples of comb are affected
with foul brood in pronounced form,
and it is quite certain that the bee-
keepers to whom you refer cannot be
" Experts " or they would at once recognise
the disease in sealed cells. The fact of
your being " a novice at bee - keeping "
compels us to advise you not to try and cure
three stocks of bees all diseased at this
season. It would mean much labour and
anxiety for you, and the task is quite be-
yond any but an experienced bee-keeper.

W. D. (Lanes.). — Comb sent is in a very bad
state, such as should not be tolerated in a
well - kept apiary. There is foul brood of
old standing in a few cells, but some brood
is hatching out. The comb appears as if
the stock had been " robbed out " by the
bees of other stoeks.

T. P. (Croydon). — There are signs of F.B. in
comb, but only in the incipient stage, and
as the colony has re-queened itself there
seems a good chance of the remedial mea-
sures taken being successful.

*#* Some Qv^rits and MtpUei, <&c., are
unavoidably h*ld over tUl next week,

360

THE BRITISH B££ JOURNAL. [Sept 6, 1906.

Special ^i Prepaid Advertisements

^ X w^iuK, wurdis aiih uuuer mxi/encn : fvr every uUaU'torMi
UUiree wuros or under, Vne Famvy.

|i">Oit SAl/ii, line I'^ctiaoted and Comb ilOJNJiY, m
X bult. — X. PULLEN, Bamabury, Hungerford.

s bb

M^

WAKTJED, TO HIKE, HONKY EXTRACTOR, tor
week.— wemwoiDli JUouse, George i^ane,
W ajiatea<d. S yy

GOOD, STBONU, HEALTHY STOCKS of BEES, m
Erame Hives, zUs. to oOs.' Exiiactea Honey,
t^s. cwt. ; 1-ib. jai-s^ 7d.— H.' WIijSON', l^ivermere, Bury
at. Edmunds. -.i- .:; ,,,' , ., s <o

Y>JttOOij oOxKiiiC); suit dnven'iJees, iiealtliy, Vd. eacii.
JL> Honey lius, ih-ih. capacity, lever lids, extra
boiong, Bs. dozen. Eight Honey screw-cap Jars,
as. bd. dozen; gross, Jib; ^0-ib. Tin, 148. bd. ; cwt.,
oiis. bd. ; sample ' id.— CHARTER, iatcingsGone,
Ipswich. s 78

j^RIVEN BEES.— Immediate delivery, 56 lots, with
XJ fertile Queens, ac 5s. 9d. ; 190o fertile yueen,
i.i., per post ; guaranteed.— W. SOLE, Expert, London
Si^reet, V\ hitchuixih, Hante.

LOi^EY FOR SALi!-, about i cwt., at 5d. per lb.
Sample free. — A. BOlMELL, VVitley Court Gar-
dens, Stourport. S 80

* O TOCKS OE BEES FOR SALE, singly or otherwiae ;
O moving. — WARD, Ludboruugh, i^outh. a 81

l_j EALTHY DRIVEN BEES 5s. lot. Boxes free.—
Jul H. KEMF, Erome, Somerset. s V>A

r rWfO FRAME HIVES FOR SALE, empty, bs. eachT
JL good makers ; leason tor saie, moving.—
aoLLiVAN, Rivermede, Harpeiiden.

Aytr ANTED, to exchange go<id j-ook rifle for Honey
Vr or Bee appliances, value 30s.— Particulars from
E. oTOREY, Hereford, Herts. s 85

PKRi'ECT COMBS, from Foundation and Driven
Bees, by using " Nondescript " device. Cannot
Btretob. Better than wiring. Z() years' proof in large
apiary. Sample, '/ stam^as. Full set for one frame,
15 stamps. — PALMER, Hayton, Retford, Notts, s 89

EXPERIENCED EXPERT seeks SITUATION as All-
round or Handy Man. Fair amateur joiner
und hive, maker.— W. PALMER, Hayton, Retford,
Notts. 3 88

V ( h tl I ^^- 1-^ttHT ENGLISH HONEY, £3 and
"W»V/V/V £2 16s. per cwt. Quotations bulk,
oample, 5d.— ALBERT CoE, Apiary Hall, Ridgewell,
Halstead, Essex. s 97

"TSTAISTLD, HEATHER HOinEY PRESS, reliable
V T make ; good condition. — METCALFE, Pannal,
Leed*. s 96

QTOCKS IN SEEPS, 1906 Queen, plenty natural
k? stores, 128. 6d., 15s. 6d. Stocks on four frames,
brood and stores, lOs. 6d. ; 1906 Queen. Orders booked
for driven bees, 6s., with Queen. Despatch in few
days.- W. WOODS, Normandy, Guildford. s 95

QUEENS, choice fertile 1906, bred from my non-
swarming stock, 3s. eiich. Immediate despatch.
—TAYLOR, Hollyhurst, Boldmere Road, VVylde Green,
near Birmingham. s 94

OELL OR EXCHANGE for Driven Bees, Bell Glass
KJ Super, Shallow Frame Super, for Skep, ten
frames, and roof, complete ; 9s. 6d. or exchange.— A
DOWNING, Bank Street, Mexborough. s 93

DRIVEN BEES, guaranteed healthy, with fertile
Queen. Is. 2d. lb. Honey, 538. cwt.— TIBBLE,
Netheravon, Salisbury. S 92

PURE ENGLISH HONEY, 28-lb. tins, 128. ; also
Sections, 78. per dozen ; carriage paid. Driven
Bees, 48. per lot.— BLAIiE, Cruwyshayes. Rackenford,
Witheridge, Devon. g 91

CLOVER HONEY,, £2 lbs. pur cwt. ; packed free.
Sample, 2d.— COMLEY, Fairford, Glos. s 90

HONEY, fine quality, 568. per cwt. ; two cwt. and
above ait 53s. Sample, 3d.— OWEN BROWN-
IN'G. .^shli'v.. Kingsombnrne. Hants. s SV

1pXTRAt;TED iloNEi', SOs. cwt.; lib. Jars, 968.
J gross. Sections all sold out.— THE RAEBURN
APIARIKS, Sawbridgeworth, Hertg. a 86

ipOR SALE, strong Chapman HONEY PLANTS, 6d.
per dozen.— Apply J. COMLEY', 246, Cricklade
Road, Swindon. s 84

171INEST ENGLISH HONEY, 158. per 281b. tin;
: sample, 2d.— DUTTON, Terling, Essex. s 67

FEW 1906 QUEENS, 5s. 5d. each.- R. MACKEN-
DER, Seeds and Bees, Newark. 8 64

A

WELLS HIVE, complete ; swarm catcher, new skep
and cap ; lot £1.— PICKERSGILL, Bishop
Moiikton, Leeds. s bb

HEALTHY DRIVEN BEES, 1906 Queen, 4s. per lot ;
41b. lot, and 1906 Queen, Is. 3d. per lb. ; box
returned. — E. GARNER, Broom, near Biggleswade,
Beds. 8 51

^ifRUP FEEDERS, "The BEST," refilled without a
O bee escaping. Is. 6d., twelve lbs., free. —
ii,>.RRIS, Wavendon, Bucks. a 61

LIGHT EXTRACTED HONEY, in 281ib. tins, tins
free, carriage paid, 7d. per lb., cash or deposit.
Sample, 5d. Special quotations to large buyers. —
BOCOCK, Ashley Apiaries, Newmarket^ ^S 59

W

ANTED, a SUN DIAL, in exchange for bees.-
Reply SUNDIAL,, •' Bee Journal ' Office, s 49

(CLOVER HONEY, GUARANTEED PURE.— 1 lb.
J screw-cap bottles, 7Vs. gross, iils. i gi-oss ; i lb.
d.tto, 45s. gross, 13s. i gross ; sample, carriage paid,
8d. Als.0 honey in bulk. Furtner particulars on
, application. Orders executed in rotation.— xURNER
BROS., Sandpit Poultry Farm, Croydon. S 75

H

ONEY, finest quality, 281b. tins, bd. lb. Sample
2d.— H. MAY, Kingston, Wallingford. s 42

STING PROOF GLOVES, 2s. ; with sleeves, 28. 6d.,
post free. Why pay more? — KENT, Manufac-
turer, Dorchester. S 26

DRIVEN BEES, with Queen, healthy, and safe
arrival guaranteed. Is. 5d. per lb. tiU Sept.
lb , after that date Is. ; cash with order ; boxes to be
returned, or charged 3s.— CHARLES H. BOCOCK,
Ashley Apiaries, Newmarket. s 46

HONEYCOMB DESIGN, Crown, 1906; splendidly
worked out and ready for show-bench ; cheap. —
C. COX, Honeycomb Design Maker, Brampton, North-
ampton. 8 21

rpESTED NATIVE QUEENS, July reared, post free,
JL in automatic introducing cage, 2s. 6d. for cash.
—CHARLES H. BOCOCK, Ashley Apiaries, New-
market^ 8 45

HEALTHY DRIVEN BEES, with Queen, in 41b.
or more lots, at Is. 5d. per lb. ; boxes return-
able, or wiU be charged for. Also Healthy Fertile
Young QUEENS, at la 6d. each, post free.— R.
BROWN, Flora Apiary, Somersham, Hunts. 8 47

HEALTHY DRIVEN BEES, with Queen, 58. lot;
fertile QUEEN BEES, 2s., per post 2s. 2d.,
])ackages free. — ROLLINS, Stourbridge. 8 44

L, EALTHY DRIVEN BEES, headed by 1906 Queens,
Xl f.o.r. ; package free ; bs. lot. — BROWN, Expert,

King Street. Wellington, Salop. s 48

DRIVEN BKES, a good supply, strong healthy lots,
with 1906 Queens, 5s. ; natural raised laying
Queens 28. 6d.— T. BRADFORD, Expert, 68, Droitwich
Road, Worcester. .s 13

GOOD HONEY, 28 lb. tins, 6d. lb.— GEORGE
THOMPSON, '• Beecroft," Helpringham, Lin-
colnshire, s 12

HEALTHY DRIVEN BEES, headed 1906. Queens
3s. 6d., 4s, tid. per lot, f.o.r., receipt of order
package frt-e, I5th season; less per quantity, ^tandard'
Frames of food, 4 to 6 lbs. weight. Is. 6d. Medicated
Honey and Sugar t'andy. New Process, 4s 6d. per 14 )bs.
Fine Light Honey 56s. per cwt., tins free, sample 3d —
W. H. BROWN, Expert, 1, High Street, Shrewsbury."

BEES of my hardy prolific strain, selected workers.
1906 tested Queens, 38. 6d. ; Bees, Is. 6d- lb., fur
51b. lots or over. Packages to be returned. Guaran-
teed healthy. Safe arrival. — WHITING, Valley
Apiaries, Hundon, Glare, Suffolk. a 94

Sept. 13, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

361

(Editorial ^utos, ^L

THE CONFECTIONERS AND ALLIED
TRADES' EXHIBITION.

HONEY SHOW AT TKE AGRICULTURAL HALL.

The Fourteenth Annual International
Exhibition and Market of the Confec-
tioners' and Allied Trades opened on Sep-
tember 8 at the above hall,, and remains
open till the close of the present week.

There was a still further increase in the
demand for space this year over that of
1905, and in consequence the honey com-
petitions were again relegated to the an-
nexe in the North Gallery. The change,
however, gave those specially interested in
the display of honey and bee-products a
better opportunity for examining the ex-
hibits than in the ci-owded avenues below.

The directors of these exhibitions have
given such unmistakable evidence of their
desire to foster and encourage the bee-
industry of this country by affording an
opportunity for bringing the good qualities
of British honey, wax, etc. not only be-
fore the public of the metropolis, but
before the tradesmen of the whole king-
dom who assist the bee-keeper in the dis-
posal of his produce, that we have been
more than surprised at the facilities
afforded to those concerned not being more
fully appreciated.

With the object of drawing the atten-
tion of our readei-s to the subject, we in-
serted a short editorial, in our issue for
August 23, once more inviting attention
to the valuable money prizes and the
merely nominal entrance fee. To these
advantages was added the unusual privi-
lege of being aole to enter each exhibit
for both shows connected with the Trades
Exhibition — viz.,- the Confecrtioners' on
the 8th, and the Grocers' on the 22nd.
By this arrangement exhibitors could leave
their honey in the hall to be staged (free
of cost beyond the shillin'-^ entry fee) at the
second show, with the prize winners at the
previous one debarred from competing.
All this was plainly put before our readers
on page 331, and bearing in mind the
fact that tlie great body of competitors
are men who, while keen as they should
be in striving for prizes, can ill-afford to
throw away money in vain attempts to win
at big shows, we were astonished to find
them apparently oblivious to the favour-
able chances of success afforded at the ex-
hibitions we are referring to. This was
specially noticeable in the Honey Tronliv
Class, four exhibits only being staged —
two by well-known men, one by a novice,
who staged a trophy for the first time and
the other by a bee-keeper who rarely ex-
hibits. The money prizes were £4, £3,

£2, and £1, respectively, and these four,
for the outlay of one shilling each, for
entry-fee, carried off £10 in prizes ! It
makes one wonder if bee-keepers are asleep,
or attach no value to prize winning.

In the same way we were grievously dis-
appointed with the class for sections. The
prizes here were, we believe, higher than
at any other show in the kingdom, yet
only twelve exhibits were staged (for five
prizes), the three best of which had to be
disqualified for ovei'-lacing. We refrain
from giving the names of the delinquents
(well-known exhibitors) ; but they
deliberated threw away the valuable
prizes offered through inexcusable care-
lessness.

Several of the other classes were also
poorly represented, much to our regret, and
the only class in which the judges had a
stiff task before them was that for light-
coloured extracted honey. Here over five
hundred 1-lb. jars of excellent honev were
staged, and we wished that the number
of prizes could have been doubled, so good
was the quality of the honey shown.

The limits of space prevent us from say-
ing more now, but we hope to pay another.
visit to the hall before the week ends, and
add a line of comment on the several classes
in our next issue. In the meantime, we
venture to hope that no prizes will be
allowed to " go a-begging " at the coming
Grocers' Exhibition, opening on the 22nd
inst., and for which there is yet time to
make an entry if sent in without delay.

Mr. W. Broughton Carr, London, and
Mr. F. B. White, Redhill, Surrey, offi-
ciated as judges, and made the following

AWARDS.

Outfit for Beginner in Bee-Kceping. — (2
entries) 1st, Jas. Lee and Son, Highbury,
London, N.

Display of Honey (comh and extracted)
and Honey Products, shown in suitably
attractive form for a tradesman's window
(4 entries). 1st (£4 and B.B.K.A. Silver
Medal), R. Brown, Somersham, Hunts ;
2nd (£3), Jas. Lee and Son; 3rd (£2),
O. R. Frankenstein, St. James' Terrace,
Regent's Park ; 4th (£1), Joseph Herrod,
Sutton-on-Trent, Newark.

Twelve 1-lb. Sections (12 entries). — Three
exhibits disqualified for overlacing. — 1st
(£1 15s. and Bronze Medal)^ Jas. Lee and
Son ; 2nd (£1 5s.), Joseph Herrod ; 5th
(5s.), Miss S. M. Baker, Donnington Road,
Willesden. (3rd and 4th not awarded.)

Twelve 1-lb. Heather Sections (5 entries^
— One exhibit disqualified for overlacing. —
1st, F. Collinson, Canonbury ; 2nd, A. Mac-
donald, Glenurquhart, Inverness. (No 3rd
awarded.)

Three Shallow Frames Comb Honey for
Extracting (8 entries). — 1st (£1),
Jas. Lee and Son; 2nd (15s.), E.

362

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. Sept. 13, 1906.

C. R. White, Newton Toney, Salisbury;
3rd (10s.), T. Mai-shall, Ivy Cottage, Sut-
tou-on Trent.

Twelve 1-lb. Jars Light-coloured Ex-
tracted Honey (44 entries).— 1st (£1 15s.)
and B.B.K.A. Certificate), J. Lee and Son ;
2nd (£1 5s.), T. Marshall ; 3rd (15s.), R.
Brown; 4th (10s.), G. F. Brown, Corsham,
Wilts ; 5th (5s.), Jno. Berry, Llanrwst,
N. Wales; v.h.c, R. Morgan, Cowbridge ;
W. Challis, Boro' Green, Newmarket,
and S. G. Leigh, Broughton, Hants. ; h.c,
H. W. Saunders, Thetford, Norfolk, E. C.
R. White, A. Dell, Leigh, Lanes., and G.
Laywood, Market Rasen, Lines.

Twelve 1-lb. Jars Medium-coloured Ex-
tracted Komy (27 entries).— 1st (£1 5s.),
Jas. Lee and Son; 2nd (£1), A. Young,
East Street, Chatham ; 3rd (15s.), J.
Boyes, Queen's Head Hotel, Cardiff ; 4th
(10s.), R. Morgan; v.h.c. C. J. Burnett,
Hester Street, Northampton ; h.c, J. Clay,
Wellington, Salop, and Mrs. Harris, High
Ferry, Sibsey, Boston, Lines.

Twelve 1-lb. Jars Bark-coloured Ex-
tracted Honey (8 entries). — ^Ist (£1), Jas.
Lee and Son ; 2nd (15s.), J. Waddell, Al-
winton, Northumberland ; 3rd (10s.), Miss
G. A. Warley, Tadcaster, Yorks.

Twelve 1-lb. Jars Heather Honey (5 en-
tries).—1st (£1), Jno. Berry; 2nd (15s.).
F. Collison ; 3rd (10s.), W. Cowans, Roth-
bury, Northumberland ; 4th (5s.), J. Clay.

Twelve 1-lb Jars Heather Blend Honey
(5 entries).— 1st (20s.), A. G. Pugh,
Beeston, Notts; 2nd (15s.), A. Brightwell,
East Liss, Hants ; 3rd (10s. )j F. Collison ;
4th (5s.), Jas. Lee and Son.

Twelve 1-lb. Jars Granulated Honey '12
entries). — 1st (£1 5s.), J. Boyes ; 2nd
(£1), R. Brown ; 3rd (15s.), R. D. Frusher,
Crov/land, Peterboro' ; 4th (10s.), E. C. R.
White; v.h.c, Jas. Lee and Son; h.--.,
J. Clay.

Beeswax in Calces, Quality of Wax, Form
of Calces and Package, suitable for retail
counter trade (9 entries). — 1st (£1), G. Hunt,
Hawton Road, Newark; 2nd (15s.). C.
Dunn-Gardner,' Fordham Abbey, Soham,
Cambs. ; 3rd (10s.), Jas. Lee and Son ; 4th
(5s.), R. D. Frusher; v.h.c, S. Wright,
Urlmislow, Cheshire, and E. C. R. White :
h.c, W. G. Hills, Comberton, Cambs.

Beeswax, judged for quality of wax only
16 entries).— 1st (£1), R. D. Frusher ; 2nd
(15s.), Jas. Lee and Son ; 3rd (10s.),
E. C. R. White; 4th, Mrs. Harris; v.h.c,
R. Brown.

REVIEW.

" Btitish Gi^asses. — There is no more happy
and wholesonia "sign of the times" than
the rapid increase in this country of the
taste for Nature study, and the new fancy
takes the desiraljle form of home study.
The ra.ge is all for things British. This, at

any rate, is the experience of the Country
Press of Kensington, who have, we learn,
been inundated with applications for their
Nature Study (British) picture postcards,
of which thirty, in five sixpenny packets,
have so far been issued. British fern
fronds, British tree 'leaves, iBritish tree
boles, and British trees in winter-
all of these have already been brought
before our readers. People are now
asking for grasses, and the Country
Press meet the demand by issuing twelve
cards for Is., depicting twenty-three in-
teresting sDeci s, popularly and botanically
named, showing magnified fructification
and giving the time of flowering.

HONEY IMPORTS.

The value of honey imported into the
United Kingdom during the month of
August, 1906, was £2,106. From a return
furnished to the British Bee Journal by
the Statistical Office, H.M. Customs.

The Editors do not hold themselves responsible for the
opinions expressed by correspo7idents. No notict will
be taken of anonymous communieationt, and corre-
spondents are reqiiested to write on one side of the paper
only and give their real natnes and addresses, not neces-
sarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good jaith.
Illustrations should be drawn on separate pieces of papvr.
We do not U7idertake to return rejected communications.

*♦* In order to facilitate reference, Corrtaponderts,
when speaking of any letter or query previously inserted,
will oblige by mentioning the number of the letter as well
as the page on which it appears.

NOTES BY THE WAY.

[6417.] The jjassing of the season should
remind us that we must now begin to lay
the foundation of our next season's work ;
the falling of the leaves tells us that the
buds of another year's growth are just
pushing them off, thus preparing continu-
ally for the great changes of the growth.
Yet through all Nature's varying moods
one has perforce to aclaiowledge 'tis
always the same in the end ; and so with
our bee work and the life of the bee there
is a continual change going on. But to
the non-ob§ervant one there is but little
change ; the hives occupy the same posi-
tions they have done for years past, while
every single life of the number of busy
workers in the apiary is a new one. Yet
how like their forbears, labouring with
the same vim, and filled with the same
jealous watchfulness of their home, the
same rk.'.adiness to give their lives in
defence of home. And so it should be
with us ; we, too, must relax no effort in
the care and attention needed in dealing
with our willing workers.

The first necessity at present is a supply
of water in districts such as my own,

Sept. 13, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

363

where drought lias prevailed for some six
or seven weeks. Every pond and water-
course is dried up, and I find it as neces-
sary to supply water to the bees as m the
spring and early summer months. Our
bees are very quiet just now ; the long
spell of heat and drought has parched
everything up. There are no flowers for
the bees to visit, in fact, I never remember
the fields so bare as they are now; the
aftermath of clover is everywhere dried
up, not a flower for the poor humble bee
except a Scotch thistle here and there m
the old leys.

Wasps have this year been a great pest,
and very troublesome at the hives. I have
destroyed large numbers of them, but still
they come.

Value of Swarms.— The value of an early
June swarm to the purchaser depends on
the localitv in which the bees work during
the season. Those swarms I referred to in
a previous " Note " were sent ayont the
Tweed, and if your correspondent " A. H.,"
(whose letter appears on page 346), will
refer to a previous year's B.B.J. — I believe
it was in 1899— he^ will see mentioned a
swarm I sent to our friend, " D. M. M.,"
Banff; also that in the particular year
alluded to they had a very good honey
season in Banffshire, and before the season
ended that Juno swarm gathered some
200 lbs. of honey. That was the largest
quantity ever heard of as being gathered
by a swarm of the same year. I have in
the years since gone by received some
glowing accounts of the good working
qualities of English bees from Beedon,
especiallv some swarms I sent many years
ago to Dornoch, N.B., and also to the
West of Scotland.

The principal work of the month is
getting stocks into good condition for
the cominor winter, i.e., with an abund-
ance of foo'd. Young queens and plenty of
bees— the latter mainly young ones— are
sure to do well, for most stocks with young
queens will continue breeding this month.
If hives are clogged with honey, part of
the latter should be extracted from the
back or side combs ; then replace them
in the centre of hive to be cleaned up.
This will start breeding.— W. Woodley,
Beedon, Newbury.

BEE NOTES FROM NORTH NOTTS.
[6418."] I am sending a few more notes
in continuance of those which appeared
in your journal on July 19 (page 283).
The honey season here has been a good one
on the whole, the yield being very fair
in weight, and the quality good. IMost of
'the surplus I secured was gathered during
July, chiefly from clover. Some darker
stuff was, however, obtained in June from

the hawthorn, etc. The hives round
about here of which I can get particulars
have stored about 30 lb. to 40 lb. per
hive ; not bad for the neighbourhood. I
have heard of fifty-seven sections and
48 lb. of extracted honey respectively
being taken from two stocks. Our locality
is not now a very good one for bees, owing
to the extensive building operations of
late years. No sui-jdus at all has been
stored since August 1 owing to the want
of rain ; in fact, the pastures have lost
their usual green colour and become a
beautiful brown (quite scorched up), the
soil hereabouts being very light and
sandy.

We have not had a good rain since
June 28 and 29. i.e.. during the Royal
Show time ; and I have no doubt our
Junior Editor, Mr. Carr, well remembers
those two days, as I do myself, after
being examined by him in the downpour.
In consequence of the lack of bee-forage
raused by the drought, and the subse-
quent hot weather which has prevailed
«ver since, the bees have been very mis-
chievous, and "robbing" has only been
prevented with great difficulty.

The splendid weather this season has,
liowever, been a good thing for getting
young queens mated, and I have not heard
<»{ many failures. But it has been a bad
one for cases of decamping swarms, many
bee-keepers having lost both swarms and
*-asts. One skeppist I called upon last
week had lost three out of four swarms
through the bees not clustering well. This
same bee-keeper (although he had kept
bees for forty years) had only seen a queen
once during the whole time, and. from
ivhat I could learn from him he said he
does not really know now what one is like.
I find the brood-chambers of stocks are
almost bare of stores this autumn, and
they will require well feeding up in
consequence ; l)ut, having had a good
season, this does not trouble us much.
r will now close, hoping that 1906 has
been a good year for most bee-men, and
that it will be repeated in 1907. I hope
also other bee-keej)ers will let us know
how they have fared this season. I
should guess that it has been rather a
good time at -the moors. I only wish I
was fortunate enough to be within easy
reach of the "ling." I sign as before —
NoKTH Notts, September 4.

COMMENCING BEE-KEEPING.

HINTS TO begin:n'ees.
[6419.] In accordance with the promise
made in last week's B.B.J. (6415, page 355),
I will attempt to give you my idea of the
most economical method of beginning to
keep bees.

364

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Sept. 13, 1906.

The two methods usually advised are
either to buy a swarm in spring or to pro-
cure driven bees and feed them up in
the autumn. These are both excellent
methods, but the plan I projiose to de-
scribe is, to my mind, more economical
and profitable than either.

In nearly every village there are several
skeppists, and at this period of the year
they usually sell, or " take up " (with sul-
phur) their surplus stocks. To a beginner
I say : Go to a skeppist and buy a good
stock which has swarmed this summer. It
should weigh at least 30 lb. gross (if 35 lb.
to 40 lb. all the better). Here a word as
to foul brood. If the skep in question has
sent out a good swarm (do not buy it unless
it has) it will probably be healthy, but
in any case blow in a pufE or two of smoke,
and then take a good sniff between the
<:t)mbsv If all right it will have the
pleasant be© and honey odour ; if
diseased, the smell (somewhat like that of
rotten eggs) is unmistakeable. In lifting
the skep take care that the combs run
parallel to your body if they have no sticks
running through them, otherwise the combs
may break off and fall at your feet. Such
a skep should be bought by weight, and
will probably cost 3d. per lb. and upwards
just as it stands.

A piece of strainer-cloth may be tied
over it at night when the bees are all in,
and after the purchase is completed get
home by the most convenient method of
transit by road or rail. After setting up
skep hive on its permanent stand see that
the entrance is at least two inches wide ;
if not, cut it .so with your penknife. A
si law hackle (usually obtainable for a few
pence from any bee-keeping labourer)
slKv.ld be placed over the skep to keep :t
v';>rm and dry. Beyond glancing at the
entrance occasionally to ensure its not being
choked up with dead bees, the skep should
be left severely alone for the winter.
Abcut the first or second week in May
r f xt, according to the weather at the time,
t)ie skep will be crowded with bees and
brood, and some evening at dusk it should
be quietly lifted up and a franie-hive fitted
with comb-foundation placed under it.
Care should be taken that tbis hive stands
exactly level, or the combs are liable to
be built out of the frames. The hive
should have the telescopic lift, and the
junction between or around the two hives
should be well filled up with pieces of old
cl(jth or of paper to keep the whole thing
warm. When there is a good lot of brood
in the frames below — say, in about thrcn;
weeks — a sheet of excluder zinc miist bo
placed on the frames under the skep.
taking care that tlio queen is below. If
sho is still in the skep it must be driven,
and the queen run in on to the frames. In
anotlier three weeks, or by June 14, which

is usually the time when the chief honey-
yielding plants, such as clover and sain-
foin, begin to blossom, all the brood in the
skeps will be hatched out, and the skep
must be taken away and its contents ex-
tracted, the bees either being driven out
or removed over-night with a super-
clearer. If left on it will be filled up with
honey, thereby causing double the messi-
ness and trouble to extract. A rack of
sections or of shallow-frames is then placed
on the hive, and when half-full of honey
other racks are given below, the first one
according to the district, weather, and the
honey-flow.

We have thus got rid of our skep, and
our bees are comfortably settled on new
combs in a modern hive.

It may be contended that I am advo-
cating the use of straw skeps, but I am not
■ — I do not like them. A third of the comb
space in them is, as a rule, occunied by
drone comb. But for wintering bees, a
well-made skep, weighing 30 lb. to 40 lb.,
with a young queen, will safely go through,
the coldest winter or most backv/ard spring
without the fuss and bother of autumn or
spring stimulation.

With reference to the usual methods of
beginning bee-keeping. If you buy a
swarm, costing (with carriage) anywhere
up to £1, you certainly obtain nice,
clean combs entirely free from foul
brood, and, with a real good district,
aided by a good ^ season, you may per-
haps secure the surplus mentioned by
Mr. Woodley on page 282. On the other
hand, if the summer is cold or dry, the
swarm will barely provide itself with stores-
It will have a queen one or more years old,
and, unless re-queened, the stock will only
cover about thr*ee or four combs the fol-
lowing April, and many suffer from spring
dwindling. As to the other methods, if you
can obtain driven bees for the driving, well
and good ; but to buy them at 3s. 6d. +0,
5s. per lot, and then mix two or more lots
together on six or eight sheets of founda-
tion, costing 4d. per sheet, besides feeding
with 20 lb. to 50 lb. of good cane sugar,
brings the cost of a colony made up like
this to 15s. or more.

There are other possibilities connect-d
with tJie above style of commencement
for if you want an artificial swarm it is a
simple matter to remove the skep to another
stand after the bees are well started below,
and the queen is in the bottom hive ; you
may then treat the latter like a swarm,
placing on a rack of sections at once if a
honey-flow is on.

All (his may seem " ancient history " to
niaiiy of your rcsaders, but the method has
.-ilways answered well with me when I have
bought stocks in skeps, and I venture to
say that it is more economical, as well as

Sept. 13, 1906.J THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

365

more certain in its results, than the afore-
said two methods advised usually.

I could give my own results with skeps
bought at various periods, but I have
already trespassed too long on your valu-
able space, so I send name for reference,
and sign — Bee-keepek, Cheltenham, Sep-
tember 8.

BEE NOTES FROM NORTH BUCKS.

[6420.] Referring to the question of
uniting driven bees, I never think of unit-
ing two lots if they are taken from combs
with worker-brood in them, but I make it
a rule to remove the combs from the skeps
for the benefit of the skep owners ; I then
get an opportunity to see if the driven
bees are healthy. They always do so well
in my hands when dealt with in this way,
that it has occurred to me to take out all
combs from frame-hives at end of the
season except the two or three with brood
in them. I then extract the others and re-
turn them to the hive, after which I feed
up just as I do driven bees.

I note the remarks of iD.M.M. on " Combs,
full sheets, or starters for swarms,"
in last week's "B.B.J." (6411, page 352),
which recall an experience of my own in
that line. A rather large stray swarm
came to me on June 30, 1903, and was
hived on six brood-combs and four shal-
low-frame combs in centre. On the fol-
lowing day I removed the shallow-frames
and put them in a super along with
four others. I then substituted four
brood - frames fitted with full sheets of
foundation for the shallows taken
away, and within twenty-four hours the
bees had nut honey in nearly every cell of
the brood-frames. The super with eight
shallow-combs was then put on top of the
brood - frames, and quite filled by St.
Swithin's day. But as there was brood in
the shallow-frames I had to wait till mid-
August for brood to hatch out before taking
off, the weight of surplus being about
301bs. The swarm was estimated at 10 or
121bs. It does not seem possible for them
to have done so well on even full sheets,
let alone starters. I " took up " a skep on
September 7 (a swarm of May 24) which
weighed between 50 and 601bs. I after-
wards put the bees into a frame-hive for the
owner. In closing I add a line about the
honey yield in North Bucks. My own
average was about 601bs. per hive, but I
have made my best lots into nuclei. Some
made in June cover at date of writing
seven, eighty and nine frames respectively,
whilst others have been again divided and
are now doing well. — A. H., Wavcndon,
Bucks., September 8.

VILLAGE BEE CLUBS.

BEES AT BARNWELL.

[6421.] Kindly allow me to thank Mr.
Meade (6407, p. 345) for his very interest-
ing account of the " Dunchurch Bee Club,"
and the attempts to check foul brood. I
wish there were a few more bee clubs about.
They would help the bee industry im-
mensely.

We have had a fairly good honey season
in North Northants, but the price of honey
is very disappointingj many are selling ct
6d. per pound.

I have a stock of bees that are exceed-
ingly bad-tempered. I lifted a rack of
shallow frames off last week, and about
half the bees swarmed out of the hive and
literally covered my clothes with stings.
It happens that this stock is extraordinarily
industrious or I should re-queen it. I am
very pleased to see that there are still some
bee-keepers who do not introduce foreign
queens because they are prettily marked.
I am sure our good old English bees are
far superior. If new blood is wanted in an
an apiary, why not buy an English queen
from some other district ?

I can show some comb-honey gathered
by English bees that I am quite certain nu
foreigner can beat. Is not that letter of
your correspondent, " M. P. T. " (3392.
page 347), amusing ? It appears to me that
some people think they can obtain a for-
tune from bees without any experience o*
trouble ; but I find that a lot of attention
must be paid to the working of hives be-
fore bees can be made to pay. If you think
this random letter is not fit for print there
is always the " W.P.B. " handy. I enclose
name, and sign — Avondale, Northants,
September 1.

^JOTES FROM MID-LOTHIAN.

K.AIN ! RAIN ! ! RAIN ! ! !

[6422.] According to the old Scottish
legend, if it rains on July 15 we will have
rain more or less for six weeks, and this
year we have had the legend fulfilled to
a day. Some little surplus has been
gathered from the clover, and with the
extra warmth we expect some from the
heather, but the rain has spoilt our pros-
pects of a good year. As an exception,
however, to the general poor results, I may
say we had an English swarm this season
that built out and filled eight frames
from Ig in. starters of foundation in six
days, and are now working in a rack of
2-lb. sections, which is half full at date
of writing. I introduced a virgin queen,
one of the so-called "eight-mile strain,"
being anxious to get some long-distance
flyers, but it got lost in the mating. This
is the third queen I have had from that
advertiser. These bees are, to my mind,

366

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL [Sept. 13, 1906.

a rash speculation ; they seem to be caged
too long, and don't get the same attention
from birth that a natural queen does.
So when this last one failed I inserted a
frame of eggs from another hive, and they
reared from these eggs a queen that got
safely mated. But this queen in every
way resembled a drone, except for the legs,
which were very long and extra hairy.
The bees allowed this drone-like queen to
lay a patch of eggs perhaps four inches
square, and then set about building two
queen-cells, and when the cells were well
forward they destroyed the queen. I let
them go on with their cells, and eventu-
ally both hatched out, and on examining
the frames I found the smallest virgin I
ever saw ; in fact, it was smaller than a
worker bee.

In conclusion, I may say all our swarms
are hived on starters, and the_ bees have
to be taken about six miles to the heather.
This is our twentv-fifth season, and we
have only missed two seasons during that
period, and only one comb broke down, no
wires, and often combs are not built to the
bottom of the frames. When built from
starters you sometimes get undesirable
drone-comb, but I confess I do like to see
a certain amount of drone-comb, as it pro-
vides store room for the winter. Every
spring it should be moved to the outside.
A hive on starters will outweigh one on
full sheets every time. I send name for
reference. — MaiC, Mid-Lothian, Sept. 8.

DEALING WITH FOUL BROOD.

[6423.] I should like to offer a sugges-
tion for dealing with foul brood, probably
known to and practised by some of your
readers, which might possibly be of some
use. This district is a terrible place for
foul brood, and I am inclined to think it
spreads largely through people keeping
bees in frame-hives, letting them die out,
and not troubling to move the hives, just
as much as by the much-abused straw
skep, which latter will, at least, rot in a
reasonable time if not removed. My own
bees have practically been twice " wiped
out" in the last twelve years, but I am
now trying another plan, by using hives
holding fifteen frames. In the spring I
build out the full niimber (fifteen), and on
supering reduce to twelve or ten if there
is no brood in the combs to be removed.
In the autumn, again, I reduce to ten,
taking out five of the oldest combs (to
melt down for wax), and return the five
new ones' built out in the spring. In this
way the combs are renewed automatically
every two years, and by adopting this
plan I hope to keep the pest in check.

It seems plain to me that the fifteen-
frame hive had several advantages, for

with a good queen-excluding dummy, and
also a plain dummy, one can place a poor
comb beliind the Q.E.D., and in three
weeks remove it free of brood. One can
also manipulate the frames without
having to keep at least one outside the
hive, and I find in a hive of fifteen frames
reduced to ten or twelve on supering that
the bees soon go aloft.

I also used to be much troubled with
wax-moth, but by using frames (" Hoff-
man ") with no saw-cut right through the
top-bar my- hives are free from this pest
at present. On the other hand, I hope the
standard-frame will not be altered. If
the hive used is not large enough, have
another frame or two ; but I can remem-
ber when my father "scrapped" all his
" Woodbury " hives and frames, because
you cannot work two sizes of frame with
any comfort or economy. Probably
British engineering practice would not
have advanced to where it now stands but
for, that great engineer, Whitworth, who
standardised the screw-thread, while our
English engineers are sticking to it ; there-
fore, I say, let us stick to our standard
frame, unless some very much more
forcible argument can be given for an
alteration than has been adduced up to
the present. I wonder if you, or any of
your readers, happen to remember seeing
a patent hive made by a man named
King? My father had one, and I have
kept it on till now. It is not a movable-
frame hive, but a box about 18 in. long,
10 in. wide, 15 in. deep, and has a row
of drawers on top as a super. The back
is nearly all glass, with an outer case
and a door at the back. It makes the
best kind of observatory hive I know of,
and one's friends can watch bees working
as long as they like ; moreover, the bees
do very well in ' them. I had 85 lb. of
comb honey a few years ago from one, but
the last few seasons have not been very
good. The present year is very fair with
me, and I am well satisfied. If you
would like a photo of the hive referred
to, and some particulars, later on, I will
send them, as some of your readers might
like to make one in the winter.

I hope you will forgive this "yarn,"
but I find writing is as bad as talking
about bees ; once you begin, you can't
stop. — ^RiCHABD Bayly, Plymouth.

[Send on photo by all means.^ — Eds.]

BEE PARALYSIS.

[6424.] Some yeiars ago I had a bad
attack of this in my apiary. About fifteen
stocks were affected, and from strong col-
onies the bees went down in numbers to less
than weak ones. In fact, with the excep-
tion of one hive, they were reduced to one
and two frames of bees — and sparsely

Sept. 13, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

a6T

covered they were at that. I attributed the
trouble at the time to the hives being over-
heated when taken to the heather, for, not
having far to take them^ I vjas rather care-
less as to ventilation. When the disease
broke out and during the whole of the tim^
it continued, I noticed that all the sealed
honey was wet and sweating. As the bees
decreased in numbers I took the uncovered
combs away and melted them down for wax.
The honey in them had a sour smell and
taste, but the smell was especially notice-
able. Indeed, so long as there was any of
the old honey left in the hives the trouble
kept on ; but as soon as it was cleared out
the disease disappeared, and I have never
seen any trace of it in my hives since. All
the stocks managed to recover their
strength again by the end of the season.
I wonder if any of your readers have noticed
the " sweaty " or damp appearance of combs
when the disease was present ? Name, &c. ,
enclosed for reference. — 'Nondescript,
Notts, September 3.

TWO QUEENS IN A HIVE.

[6425.] Having seen several queries and
remarks in B.B.J, lately about finding two
queens in a hive, I thought it might in-
terest your readers to know that twice dur-
ing' the last month, while doing expert
work in Essex, I have seen two queens in
one hive, the first time at the apiary of
Miss Potter, Enfield, on August 16. In
this hive there was an old queen in tlie
centre of hive and a virgin on the outside
comb. The other case was more remark
able, and occurred at the apiary of Mr.
Brooks, at Ashingdon Chase, i 'i
August 28. Both queens were on
the same comb and the same side
when seen, one an old, worn-out quee;i
and the other a young, fertile one. Judg-
ing by the amount of brood and eggs, these
two must have been together in the hive
for some time, as the old queen was too
feeble and decrepit to have been able to
account for it.

- Bees in this county are still breeding
freely, and many stocks, have liot yet killed
off all the drones. — jAisiES Herrod, Trent-
side Apiary, Sutton-un-Trent.

A DISTRICT B.K.A. FOR KENT.

[6426.] As a result of the success attend-
ing the five lectures on bee-keeping at
Crayford by Mr. Garratt, on behalf of the
Kent County Council, a number of inter-
ested persons met at the parish room on
August 9 for the purpose of forming a
bee-keepers' association.' Mr. H. Lane,
Bexley Heath, being elected chairman
pro tern. It w^s unanimously resolved
that an association be formed under the
title of the Crayford and District Bee-

keepers' Association. After full discus-
sion, the following officers were appointed :
President, Mr. E. R. Stoneham, Crayford ;
Vice-Presidents : Mr. J. Roper, Slade
Green ; and Mr. H. Lane, Bexley Heath ;
Secretary and Treasurer : Mr. J. M. Bates,
Slade Green School, Erith. An Execu-
tive Committee of six was also appointed,
with power to add to that number. The
subscription (for the present) was fixed at
Is. per member. It was also decided to
become affiliated to the British Bee-
keepers' Association.

It is hoped that the Association will
grow and become a power for developing
the bee industry in Kent.

The next meeting will be on Thursday,
October 11, at Crayford Parish Room,
7.30 p.m., when Mr. Roper will give an
address on "Foul Brood."— J. M. Bates,
Sec. and Treas., >Slade Green School,
Erith.

[3400.] Swarming Vagaries. — 1. I found en-
closed bee on aJighting board of a hive; will
you kindly tell me if she is a. queen or worker !
if the former, is she am old worn-out one, and
do you think the beets have xequeened them-
selves ? She was lying quite alone. 2. About
six weeks ago I found quite a- large number
of bees lying dead or dying in the road about
60 yard.s from the hives, with shed, trees,
and hedge intervening; what do you think
may have caused this? 3. On July 5 a weak
colony (which had only just pulled through
the winter on six or seven frames, and which
I had fed up in spring with several pounds
of candy and given three frames of brood
from other hives) swai-med ; I was not at
home ; they were, however, safely skepped
in readiness for a friend who was coming for
them ; the next morning they swarmed again
out from skep, and after being caught, came
out once more, were skepped, and all being
well, were left until 6 o'clock in the evening,
when on going to the skep, it was found that
every bee had disappeared. A fortnight after-
wards (July 19) a small swarm of bees was
observed on the other side of fence by the
gardener. Thinking at first it was my truant
swarm, I hived it, and an hour after put
it into the pai'ent hive. (They were not seen
on the wing by anybody.) Please tell me if
you think it was the original swarm returned,
OT a cast? 4. I have some syrup left over
from that with which I fed the above weak
colony last autumn ; kindly say if this can be
tiped this ,autumn for feeding purposes?
Awaiting reply in your valuable paper, from
which I have received many hints, I enclose
card and sign C, Bucks.

Reply — 1. Bee sent is not a queen, but a
worker. It looks longer than usual, and so
has deceived you, hut the longer abdomen is
owing to abdominal distension or from over-
gorging. The bee lived some time after re-
ceipt, but was constantly disgorging honey

368

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Sept. 13, 1906.

or syrup till it died. 2. It is difficult to say
without personal inspection. 3. It is quite
probable that the swarm found on the fence
was a portion of the original swarm with the
queen, ajid had been in the hedge all the
time. 4. Yes.

[3401.] Re-Queening Stocks. — I purchased a
skep of bees in the spring, and by June 28 they
had trajisferred themsedves to a frame-hive.
The queen, proving a good one, filled 13
frames with brood and the stock was then
Bupered with shallow-frames. In Angtist, not
knowing the an-e of queen, I thought best to re-
queen the stock, but owing to the good quali-
ties of the old mother-bee I wished to pre-
serve her, and therefore gave her to a nucleus
colony. (I omitted to mention that when I
took the queen away I found a queen-cell
capped as if for a late swarm, and all frames
filled with "brood and stores.) Since being
placed in the nucleus the old queen has been
laying well, but the bees have again raised
a queen-cell as if to replace her. Should vou
consider it a case of an almost worn-out queen,
and the result a queenless stock later on? I
am greatly interested in the "B.B.J. ," to
which, together with the " Guide-Book," I
am indebted for my knowledge of bees. I
am also interested in the pictures of bee-
keepers' apiaries. Do you not think it would
be interesting to some of we younger readers
to be brought into contact with the olcier and
larger apiarians by means of their portraits
in " B.B.J." Perhaips I an/ only asking for
what has been done (I am only a three-years-
old reader). It gives one more interest in a
man's writings when one can picture him in
his apiary after seeing the writer personally
or by photo. It was bi'ought more forcibly
to my mind when reading of the death of
Mr. J. M. Hooker, whom, until then, I had
always regarded as an American bee-keener.
— J. Dawson, Wolverhampton.

Reply. — We cannot always account for the
vagaries of bees at times with regard to
deposing their queens. When onoe they start
queen-cell building it seems impossible to
stop them. In your case we should have
done much the same as yourself, and advise
you to retain the old queen till she fails in
prolificness and then replace her. 2. The sub-
ject has already been fullv dealt with in our
pages. A few years ago there appeared por-
traits of all the leading bee-keepers of the
day. Now that our " Homes of the Honey-
bee " appear at regular intervals the portraits
of the bee-keepers who own the apiaries,
illustrated generally, are shown, so that the
need of special portraits are in a measure
done away with. Personally, we do not care
to see the portraits of bee- men constantly
appearing in print. It is a little overdone, we
think, in some of our contemporaries.

_ [3402.] Transferring Bees and Re-Queen-
ing.— I began beekeeping this year by pur-
chasing a swarrn, which v/as delivered and
hived in a W.B.C. hive, in the first week in
June last. It took the bees until July 6 In
draw out and cover the seven frames I hived
them on, at which date I put on the excluder
zinc, and gav^ a rack of sections. Before
doing £0, however, I examined the brood-
chamber, which seemed in a very flourishing

condition, and full of both brood and honey.
The ibees did not enter the sections for some
time, but they have now become very nu-
merous, and fill every one, and they have
fully built-out all the full sheets of founda-
tion almost to their utmost extent. So far,
however, there does not appear to be any
honey at all in the combs; in fact, there
seems to be very little honey to be gathered
in the locality except, perhaps, from a large
field of camomile growing about 500 yards
away. About a week after putting on the
rack of sections, I was wondering why the
bees did not take to them, and on examining
for the cause I discovered that the 2dnc was
put on with the slots parallel with the frames
instead of at right angles, as recommended
in the "Guide Book." I tried to move the
zinc, but found it fastened to the tops of
the frames too firmly to make it possible
without causin,g a great disturbance. Can
you teU me (1) how to move the zinc? (2)
Whether, in view of the time of year, and
absence of honey, I should remove the
worked-out sections and put the remaining
three full frames of foimidation in the brood-
chamber, and feed up the stock with a rapid
feeder? Or should I allow the rack to stay
on at present, and feed up later without add-
ing more frames to^ the brood chamber? (3)
Should I re-queen the stock, and, if so, when
and how? The swarm, I have reason to be-
lieve, is from a hive which swarmed last year,
ISO the queen starts her third year in 1907. (4)
I have a large quantity of cotton yarn (as per
enclosed sample) : would this not make good
winter padding round the sides of the hive?
I am now a regular reader of both the
Journal and the Record, and having kept
the brood-chamber so small you will quite
understand that I am bitterly disappointed

at gathering no homey at all this year A.

R., Wallington, Surrey.

Reply. — 1. The section-rack must first be
removed (without disturbing the quilts), and
set on a board, sO' that the bees will not set
out; then smoke the bees down, and keep
them down, while the excluder zinc is prized
up at one corner, and pulled off. This done,
cover the frame tops with a quilt, bo that no
bees can escape, and take the section-rack
some distance away. Remove the top cover-
ing, and let as many of the bees as will take
wing go back home. 2. We should not
give the bees any additional frames of found-
ation to work out this year. Winter them on
the seven frames of comb they now occupy.

3. We should not Te-queen unless you are
certain that the queen is old and worn-out.

4. The material. will make good winter pack-
ing for the frame tops, but no winter packing
is needed with a W.B.C. hive.

[3403.] Value of Text Books in Helping
Beginners. — As a bee-keeper of only about
three months' standing, I am seeking further
information, and so- I ask : 1. With reference
to the wintering of bees, the 'Guide Book'
says: "Extract all unsealed stores." I sup-
pose this does not refer to when there are
only about half a dozen cells unsealed? At
the end of May I had a small swarm — not
3 lbs. in weight when it came to hand — which
I fed for about aeven days, and then had to

Sept. 13, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

369

leave the bees to look after themselves, as I
was going away on my holidays. On my re-
turn I find that the bees have drawn-out ten
frames of brood comb, which are now nar-
tially filled with honey and brood. 2. Would
you advise me to take out a couple of frames
for wintering, leaving those with the most
honey: 3. It so, how would you suggest
taking the honey from the frames removed,
as it would be hardly worth while putting
two frames with only a small portion of honey
into the extractor? I have only one hive at
present, wishing to " go slowly." As a rule,
I find all infonnation I require in the " Guide
Book," and thanks to that and the help of
the B.B.J, (which I have now taken for
nearly twelve months) my experience of bee-
keeping has so far been intensely interesting.
— Thanking you in anticipation, W. J. B.,
Leicester, September 10.

Reply. — ^1. If the "Guide Book" is read
carefully, and its instructions followed closelv
you will rarely go wrong. At the same time
its readers are supposed to usei their intel-
ligence on such a point as that referred to.
There is no mention of extracting all un-
sealed stores in the chapter on " Wintering "'
(page 161), but the danger of wintering bees
on unsealed fond is distinctly mentioned as
being conducive to dysentery. This being so,
it should be readily understood that the men-
tion of extracting "all sealed stores" in the
final chapter of the " Guide Book " was not
intended to be taken literally, as if " half a
dozen cells " of unsealed stores would affect
the bees one way or the other. 2. If eierht
of the frames contain 30 lbs. of sealed stores
there is no need for more, and the two re-
maining frames may be removed, but some
bee-keepers prefer leaving in the whole ten
frames for winter. Tliis is merely a matter
of slight divergence in the views of able bee-
masters. 3. If the unsealed honey is so small
in quantitv as not to be worth using the
extractor for, we should certainlv not trouble
about extracting it at all. Thanks for your ap-
preciation of " Guide Book," and also of the
B.B.J.

3tt ^\im% ta €iamt

September 12 and 13, at Edinburgh-—

Thirteenth Annual Exhibition of Midlothian B.K.A.
in Waverley Market. Open classes far eix eectiona
heather, six sectlona flower, six Jars heather, iix Jar»
flower. Prizes, 153., lOs., 58. Elntry, 2e. per class.
Schedules from W. Weir, Heriot, Midlothian.

September 8 to 15, at the Agricultural
Sail. Iiondon. — Honey Show in connection with
the Ctonfectionerg', Bakers', and Allied Traders Annual
Kxhibition and Market. (See outside cover adver-
tisement. Open to all Britisb Bee-keepers-
Entry fee in each class one shilling. Schedules from
H. S. Rogers, Secretary, Exhibition Offices, PaImer>ton
House. Old Broad Street. London, E.O.

September 13, at Castle Douglas.— Honey
Section, Dairy Show. Liberal prizes. Five open
classes. — Entries closed.

September J?0, 21, and 22, at Crystal
Palace.— Surrey B.E.A. Annual Exhibition of Bee«,
Honey, Wax, and Appliances, etc. Twenty-six classes
(ten open to all). Increased prizes and medals.
Sohedulea from F. B. White, secretary, Marden House,
Bedbill, Surrey. Entries close September 7.

September 22 to 29, at tlie Agricultural
Hall, Iiondon.— Honey Show in oonnectlon wilfa

the Twelfth Annual Exhibition and Market of €h«
Grocery and Kindred Trades. Nearly £50 in prissM
for honey and beeswax including four prizes of £4.
„i; £ '.f ?•*.,. ^i' ^ J>oney trophy dass. Open to
all British Bee-keepers. Schedules frwn H S
Rogers, Secretary, Exhibition Oflaces, Palmerston
House, Old Broad Street, London E.O.

w£!^*1?^^®^. ^?' ** Altrincham.-Show of

Honey Products, in connection with Altrincham

w''wJlpi""av®''°'^V ^^ ^ "°'*^ Kingdom : Olasset
O^Pn IJ^ o?''*r''^^^°'^^' 12 Jars Extracted Honey.
Open to County of Chester only: Classes for Trophy,
^ateur-built Hive, Two Shallow Bars, 12 Jars Rui

IL^i ?"• ^^- ^°- ^P^'*^ "^0^* 'or cottager..
Special classes for Society', district. Liberal prize..
Low entrance fees. Schedules from Mr. J. H. Hall 1

Septembtn. ^'^"''''^- ="*^i«« <=1°««

H2?l*°Tn^^^«*°«P' a* *lie Agricultural
Hall, London.— Show of Honey and Bee Produce
in connection with the British Dairy Farmer.' AtBoeiA-

B B k'?* ^^ J' "*''J* Silver'^Ohallenge (^Tof th^
?.^ ;^ ^'le'lulM from Mr. Wm. O. Young, Se^l

closed: "^ *'"'"■'• ^°'^'*°°' ^- E^tri^»

Edi'^T^hlJviT,^^ %^^' ^l Waverley Market,
the Tenth^^;,^! ^^"^^ '^^ '° connection with
fHal IviiK-f"- ^'a,^'"''"''^'* ^<^ Midlothian Indus-
tr«l/^ '''°?- All. open classes. Beautifully illus-
Sh &r'pH' P»f''^,,2'*"J'-°" A- Hutchin/on, 15.
tember"27.'(te'"ac?^. p^^^'^ ^^^^ ^epJ

/f 7^|ro? LTni^^:Kl ^n^-^ntl^i^-lt^ri

Four '^r,.? r^,''"*^''"T .Society's Annual Show
hn^L t^ Classes Exhibitors allowed to bring
^Zt^ .^°l,?^^^-S'^^^^hB from W. G. Smith, Town
Hall Auction Rooms, Choriey, Lanes. Entries
close November 3. J^in;ries

Notices to Correspondents & Inquirers,

W H. S. (Notts.).-Exhibiting Bees in
Iradesmen's Windows.— There can be no
valid objection to enterprising tradesmen
seeking to attract buyers on the way you
mention, but when it comes t<j their selling
snch stuff as the sample sent as "choicest
strained honey" we should fancy that
buyers would themselves protest and ask for
the return of their money. Our opinion of the
L-hoicest ' etc., is that it is some wretched
loreign stuff entirely unfit for table use.
With regard to its "being a punishable
offence, as you say, the remedy is in the
hands of any one who buys it by informing
the authorities connected with the pure
food Acts.

Novice (Cheltenham). Queen Cast Out
Dead. — The queen-bee sent, though small
in size, bears the appearance of being old
and worn-out. As the stock is weak it is
useless for re-queening, but the bees, if
healthy, may be united to the adjoining
colony.

C. S. S. (Weymouth).— Wax Moth in Hives.
— 1. Without liaving any personal know-
ledge of " Keating's powder," as a means
of destroying wax moth, we feel pretty
safe in saying that it will not have the
desired effect. 2. When combs are infested
with the moth larvae it is advisable to bum
combs and frames at once. 3. The bees
will have entered other hives. 4. The
queen found on floorboard would probably
be worthless.

*♦* Some Queries and Repiie*, <fcc., art
unavoidUMy hdd over till next week.

870

THE BRITISH BEB JOURNAL. [Sept. 13,1906.

Special Prepaid Advertisements

Twelve words and under Sixpence : for every additional
Three words or under ^ One Penny.

FINE 1906 TESTED QUEENS, naturally reared, post
free, in introducing cage, 2s. 6d. ; pure imported
Italians, 5s. 6d. ; pure imported Carniolians, 6s. 6d. —
PIDDUCK, Sunnyside Apiary, AJsager, OhesMre. l 3

FOR Sale, six SHEEP DOG PUPS, on rail, lOs. each.
Particulars, Id. stamp.— RIDLEY, The Apiary,
Homey Common, Uokfleld, Sussex t 14

DRIVEN BEES, good supply, strong, healthy lots,
headed with laying 1906 Queen, 5s. lot, Is. 3d.
per lb. weight ; also laving 1906 Queens, 2s. — T. BRAD-
FORD, Certificated' Expert, Droitwich Road, Wor-
cester. T 15

BRITISH BEE JOURNALS " for sale, 10 years
and 5 volumes, well bound, 1886 to 1895.
Will take cash or honey.— ROBERT CAMPBELL,
McLean Place, Dumbartoru T /

100

GOOD SECTIONS for disposal, 7s. per dozen.
— E. L0ARIN6, Thrapstom, Northants. s 99

WANTED.—" Beekeeper's Guide Book," 12th and
16th editions, in good condition, in exchange
for new copies of latest edition. — Write to MANAGER,
B.B.J. Office, 8, Henrietta Street, Covent Garden,
London. W.O.

ROOT'S "A.B.C. OF BEE CULTURE" (1903),. per-
fectly new copies, 3s. 6d., post free.- MANAGER,
B.B.J. Office. 8, Henrietta Street, Covent Gai-den,
London, W.C.

DRIVEN BEES, 4«. 6d. ; 1906 Queens, Is. 9d. ; wax
wanted. — ^HANNAM, Highgate Road, Birming-
ham. T 1

HEALTHY DRIVEN BEES, Is. 2d. lb., boxes 6d.,
returnable ; grand young Heather Queens (fer-
tile), in introducing cagesi, 2s. 6d.— HOOD, Marine
Cafe, Whitby (late of Pickering). t 2

DRIVEN BEES, with Queen, healthy and safe,
arrival guaranteed, Is. per lb., cash with order;
boxes to be returned or charged 3s. — CHARLES H.
BOOOCK, Ashley Apiaries, Newmarket. T 5

TESTED NATIVE QUEENS, July reared, post free, in
automatic introducing cage, 2s. 6d. for cash,
order early, supply nearly exhausted.— CHARLES H.
BOCOCK, "Ashley Apiaries, Newmarket. T 4

w

ILL exchange new frame hive for strong stock
in skep. — R. MAUDE, Dipton, Co. Durham, t 6

Or\ STONE FINE QUALITY HONEY, 568. cwt., tins
fjyj free, carriage forward, free sample. — JACK-
SON, Duxford, Cambs. t 8

PURE BLACIC MINORCA COCKERELS, hatched
early April, fine birds ; sell or exchange stocks
or driven bees.— RICHARDS, Thurlby, Wallington,
Surrey. t 16

N

EW LIGHT CLOVER HONEY, 400 lbs., at 6id.—
BEECH, Saltersford, Barnton, Northwich. T 9

NEW THIS SEASON; owner going abroad; four
" W.B.C." hives, with bees, £1 Is. each; two
" Wl.B.C.'" inner ichambei-.i, with bees, on eight
frames, two stocks on six frames ; about 100 Standard
Drone and brood combu, once in extractor, at ^d each ;
ehallow combs, " T.H.H." self distancing, at 5d.. all
combs wired ; shallow frame cratcH ; (jueen excluder
sheets, at 4d. ; Little Wonder extractor, 38. ; no rea-
sonable offer for lot, or separately, refused. List for
stamp.—" OWNER," care of this "journal. T 10

CROCUS BULBS (yellow), Araibi Alpinus slips, 100
iB. 3d., free.— BRAYSHAW, Aultmore, Keith. Til

THE NEW FOUNTAIN FEEDER, made from syrup
tins, -cheapest and best ; bees cannot escape in
refilling ; try one ; easily made. Send 7 stamps and
lid of syrup tin ; three for Is. 6d. — Invented by H.
HAWKINS, Beekeeper, Burgheath, Epsom. T 12

FOR Sale, nine good STOCKS of BEES, good hives,
all standard frames,' a quantity of shallow frames.
lot £12 ; selling through owner leaving.— G. HUNT,
Wycombe Marsih High Wjcombe. t 13

F

OR SALE, fine lixtracted and Comb HONEY, in
bulk. — T. PUL'LEN, Ramsbuiy, Hungerford.

GOOD. STRONG, HEALTHY STOCKS of BEES, in
Frame Hives, 20». to 308. Extracted Honey,
56s. cwt. ; 1-lb. jars, 7d. — H. 'WILSON, Livermere, Bury
St. Edmunds. s 76

BROOD COMBS, suit driven Bees, healthy, 7d. each.
Honey Tins, 30-lb. capacity, lever lids, extra
strong, 8s. dozen. Light Honey Screw-cap Jars,
8s. 6d. dozen; gross, £5; 30-lb. Tin, 148. 6d. ; cwt.,
52s. 6d. ; sample 3d.— CHARTER, Tattingstone,
Ipswich. S 78

S

TOCKS OF BEES FOR SALE, singly or otherwise ;
moving. — ^WARD, Ludborough, Louth. s 81

WANTED, to exchange good rook rifle for Honey
or Bee appliances, value 30s. — Particulars from
E. STOREY, Hertford, Hei^s. S 85

PERFECT COMBS, from Foundation and Driven
Bees, by using " Nondescript " device. Cannot
stretch. Better than wiring. 20 years' proof in large
apiary. Sample, 7 stamps. Full set for one frame,
13 stamps.— PALMER, Hayton, Retford, Notts, s 89

EXPERIENCED EXPERT seeks SITUATION as All-
round or Handy Man. Fair amateur joiner
and hive maker.— W. PALMER, Hayton, Retford,
Notts. S 88

2n, .A LBS. LIGHT ENGLISH HONEY, £3 and
• UUU £2 16s. per cwt. Quotations bulk.

Sample, 3d.— ALBERT COE, Apiary Hall, Ridgewell,
Halstead, Essex. S 97

STOCKS IN SKEPS, 1906 Queen, plenty natural
stores, 12s. 6d., 13s'. 6d. Stocks on four frames,
brood and stores, 10s. 6d. ; 1906 Queen. Orders booked
for driven bees, 58., with Queen. Despatch in few
days.— W. WOODS, Normandy, Guildford. S 95

QUEENS, choice fertile 1906, bred from my 'non-
swarming stock, 3s. each. Immediate despatch.
—TAYLOR, Hollyhurst, Boldmere Road, Wylde Green,
near Birmingham. s 94

HONEY, fine quality, 568. per cwt. ; two cwt. and
above aA 53s. Sample, 3d.— OWEN BROWN-
ING, Ashley, Kingsomborne, Hants. S 8?

FOR SALE, strong Chapman HONEY PLANTS, 6d.
per dozen. -Apply J. COMLEY, 246, Cricklade
Road, Swindon. 8 84

FINEST ENGLISH HONEY, 158. per 281b. tin;
sample, 2d.— DUTTON, Terling, Essex. s 67

HEALTHY DRIVEN BEES, 1906 Queen, 4s. per lot ;
41b. lot, and 1906 Queen, Is. 3d. per lb. ; box
returned.— E. GARNER, Broom, near Biggleswade,
Beda. 8 51

SYRUP FEEDERS, "The BEST," refilled without a
bee escaping. Is. 6d., twelve 168., free.—
HARRIS, Wavendon, Bucks. S 61

LIGHT EXTRACTED HONEY, in 281ib. tins, tins
free, carriage paid, 7d. per lb., cash or deposit.
Sample, 5d. Special quotations to large buyers. —
BOCOCK, Ashley Apiaries, Newmarket. 8 69

WANTED, a SUN DIAL, in exchange for bees.-
Reply SUNDIAL, " Bee Journal " Office. S 49

H

ONEY, flne«t quality, 281b. tina, 6d. lb.
2d— H. MAY, Kingirton, Wallingrford.

Sample
s 42

Sept. 20, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

371

(Editorial ^otia^, &r.

THE CONFECTIONERS' EXHIBITION.

{CoiifiiiiK (J fram piiijc 362.)
A second and more leisurely visit to the
Agricultural Hall on the 14th inst. served
if Tiossible to emphasise the feeling of regret
with which the honey department of the
show im^jressed us. To begin with, we
may mention the new departure made by
the exhibition authorities in offering jirizes
for bee-ap])liances. This class was added
to the schedule mainlv because of the fre-
quent coniDlaints made by visitors to the
bee section — whose interest had been
aroused by what they saw — that no hives or
bee-appliances were on view, and it was
expected that manufacturers, si^ecially
those located near London, would have
deemed it worth while to exhibit in this
class in order to meet the requirements of
the case at a very small cost to themselves.
The result was two exhibits (staged by the
same firm), one full and complete, and the
other smaller in cost, and suited to a be-
ginner of limited means. As only one prize
can be given to the same exhibitor in any
class, the second and third prizes were not
awarded, but the failure to secure a^iy ade-
quate entiy in the class under notice is
difKcult to understand.

The trophy class and that for twelve 1-lb.
sections were dealt with last week as being
in the highest degree disappointing, al-
though in the former class the few exhibits
shown were of the highest quality and ad-
mirably staffed. Concerning the rest, some'
excellent honey was staged in the class for
three shallow fi'ames of comb honey, all
the awards going to very good samnles in-
deed. The light-coloured extracted honey
class, with its forty-four dozen 1-lb. jars
on view, was a sight to see, and it would
have been a very satisfactory task for the
judges could they have awarded a prize
to all exhibits worthy of the same. Class
006, for medium-coloured honey (twenty-
seven entries) was also good, the honey
being of far better quality on the whole
than is usual in that class. Dark-coloured
honej', though only re resented by eight
dozen jars, was a fairly good class for
quality, the prizes going to very good
samT)les. Extracted heather honey^ how-
ever, was as badly sun])orted a class as that
for heather sections, only five entries being
staged for the four prizes offered. The
quality, however, was very good, esj)ecially
in the winning jars.

Class 009, another new class introduced
for the first time, was also a disat^'ioint-
ment so far as regards the number of en-
tries, five entries only being staged for four
prizes.

With a class taking in so many other-
wise not very good flavoured honies, and,
moreover, having the quality immensely
improved by a dash of heather, we expected
to see a full entry and keen competition.
As it was, there was almost no competition
at all — nothing more than selecting the best
lots in the order of merit. We hope that
our readers will wake up next year to the
possibilities of this class. Class 010, for
granulated honey (twelve entries) was a
very good class, the winning samples being
splendid, and those which just missed a
prize almost equally worthy. The remain-
ing classes for beeswax — i.e.. Oil, for cakes
suitable for counter trade (nine entries),
and 012, for three 1-lb. cakes, judged for
quality of wax only (sixteen entries) — were
very good indeed, the exhibits being of
excellent quality, and making a capital dis-
play.

We hope the number of entries will be
satisfactory next year, and more in propor-
tion to the value of the prizes offered. The
selling classes have been so badly supported
that we have little doubt they will be
withdrawn.

(Il(rrmp0ndtnn\

The Editors do not hold theinselves responsible for the
opinions expressed by correspondents. No notice will
be taken of anonymous communiaations, and corre-
spondents are requested to write on one side of the paper
only and give their real names and addresses, not neces-
sarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith.
Illustrations should be drawn on separate pieces of paper .
We do not undertake to return rejected co7nmunications.

*♦* In order to facilitate reference, Corrtsponderts,
when speaking of any letter or query previously inserted,
will oblige by mentioning the nurnber of the letter as well
as the page on which it appears.

AMONG THE BEES.

IliASCIBILITY.

[6427.] The seafeon of the year, the
nature of the flow, the amount of interfer-
ence they are subjected 1."^ as well as cli-
matic conditions, all go to explain the un-
certain temper of bees at times. Race also
counts considerably, and the l)lending of
certain races almost invariably produces
" cross " bees, for although we must very
frequently indeed seek the prime cause for
ill-temper in the actions and conduct of
their owners, yet I am confident that the
introduction of certain new strains with
the object of securing the energy and
vitalit}' which some preachers tell us are
lacking in our natives has produced an
amount of temper in my own bees I have
hitherto l)een a stranger to.

The following incident is, I think, worth
recording. I was lying reading one day
lately under the shade of some young trees
when a number of bees came buzzing about
my head and face. Formerly, in some-

372

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. Sept. 20, 190G.

what similar circumstances, I simply
ignored their presence, but their attentions
on this occasion became so marked that I
decided to execute some of them with the
object of .(jetting rid of the interruption,
and also to decide the nature of their
markings. About half a dozen were laid
low when I got aural and ocular demon-
stration that I was becoming the centre
of attraction for quite a large number of
bees, and, not only so, their attentions
became so marked that I had to rise and
quit my lair. I tried to walk off with as
much dignity as possible away from the
hiA-es, but I had to mend my pace until
at last it assumed a species of run. The
whole procedure was so unwonted, and so
unfamiliar to me for many years, that I
did not fully grasp its. importance until I
had got more stings in a few seconds than
I generally get for months— all about the
"back of the' head and neck. My theory is
that the odour of the mutilated bees at-
tracted the attention and raised the ire of
their confreres "to such a high pitch that
all within reach became temporarily de-
moralised. Perhaps, too, the rapid motions
of my hands in killing the bees was a cause
of offence. In any case, I learned a use-
ful little lesson.

Heather men know that bees generally
are more cross-tempered during the late
flow, specially on verv hot days near its
close. Thev sting, too, at that time with a
degree of force and venom unknown at
other periods of the year. Their whole
being seems to be so impregnated with the
eager desire for indefatigable and unin-
terrupted work, that any check or hind-
rance is at once markedly resented. Here,
too. their line of flight is not in one parti-
cular direction in front of their hives, and
so straight for the foraging fields as is the
case at other times of the -ear. They seem
to go out and come in from all directions, so
that the whole surroundings are a perfect
maze of flying bees. Therefore, in walk-
ing behind the hives or doing any mani-
pulations, the bee-keener is still in the line
of flight. I consider it a wise discretion,
for this reason, to keep away from close
proximity of the hives throughout the day
as much as possible, and carry out any
oi.erations late or early. This tends lo
keej) Ijees in a sweeter temper, and perhaps
helps to preserve one's own. Under the in-
fluence of the sudden injection of venom
from two or three stijigs, even ministers

have been known to . I'll not say

wliat !

With the atmosphere heavily charge I
with electric currents, bees are frequenU'-
of a very uncertain temper, and it is best
in such circumstances to leave them alone.
In dull, misty weather, when it rains fin-
—a Scotch mist — they are generally cioss.

The enforced idleness, the want of the ex-
pected supply of nectar, and the crowJcl.
state of the brood-chamber, when the con-
gested atmosphere is over-charged wiui
unwonted gases, puts the eager workers-,
crowding in each other's way, into '11 tetv-
per. Should, however, the sun shine all
is hurry and bustle, and they ply ihc'i-
incessant labour in peace with each ot'ie,'
and all the world. Man is largely a,
ci'eature of moods and tenses, regulated to
a considerable extent by the nature of tli-^
weather. Can we wonder, then, that be-".:,
whose success or failui'e so entirely de-
pends on trood or bad weather, should be
govenied by this benign or baneful in-
fluence, which counts so extensively iii die
short span of their brief life.

Every bee-keeper is in duty bound to
keep his bees in as good a temper as pi^s-
sible. both for his own comfort and good
name, as well as for the credit of the craft
in general.

When I remember that I am the possessor
of rather over one million insects with
stings, it makes me anxious to do every-
thing possible to keep them in a happy
frame of mind, and a sweet, gentle temper.
In taking off sections, whatever method is
followed, it is important to handle honey
only, not bees. Therefore, clear all racks
ancl crates before withdrawing them from
the hives. Use smoke plentifully at the
critical moment, but not in bver-profusion.
If you employ carbolic cloths, avoid over-
saturating them, as in this condition they
not only leave an iinpleasant odour on the
honey receptacles, but even on the honey,
while there is a danger of demoralising
the bees, or even rousing instead of con-
trolling them when the cloths are over-
charged. Do nothing to set the bees a-rob-
bing, as at this time a boom set up is most
difficult to allay. Late afternoon or early
morning is the best time to deprive bees
of their surplus at this season of the year,
as this gives time for all commotion to sub-
side quietly when work is over.

My new " All Goldens " gave me a hurry-
up the other day. I understood they were
gentle as lambs, stuck to their combs, and
never flew at their owner as our maligned
blacks are said to do. I was sadly un-
deceived. Trusting to their .wood nature, I
began by using very little smoke. Open-
ing the "ive in a free and easy way, there
followed five minutes of the liveliest exjieri-
ence I have ever had among the bees. —
D. M. M., Banff.

THE CONFECTIONERS' EXHIBITION.

[6428.] I have read your editorial of last
week (page 361) dealing with the above,,
and beg to send a line or two on the subject
l)y way of rei)ly. Personally I am not sur-

Sept. 20, 1906.] THE BKITISH BEE JOURNAL.

373

prised at bee-keepers being reluctant to
enter their honey at these large shows.
Take my own case. Last year I made an
entry in the class for light-coloured ex-
tracted honey at the Grocers' Exhibition,
in London. I find the total cost of cax'riage,
etc., to and from the show was 16s. 9d.,
rather a big amount for the honour of stag-
ing one dozen jars of honey. Now add to
above the cost of a railway journey of 300
miles, with loss of day's work and some-
thing for the inner man, and you will
agree, no doubt, that it was a pretty expen-
sive exhibit. But this is not all. I made
that journey for the educational gain which
I felt sure must follow ; but imagine my
surprise upon arrival at the hall on the
Monday, to find a barrier keepi^ig the
public six or eight feet away from the
chief exhibits (with a uniformed attendant
in charge), and to find that the prize cards
had not been affixed to the exhibits, even as
late as 2.30 p.m., though the awards were
made on the Saturday jjrevious.

If this is considered grumbling without a
cause, please forgive me, but I have felt
sore about it ever since, and if other ex-
hibitors of last year were in anything like
my position the disawiointment complained
of in your remarks is partly accounted for.

Further, I consider the standard testing-
glasses for light honey serves but one use-
ful purpose, that is, to prevent complete
disqualification of " class" entry. To
my mind, one mi'Tht as well show a jar
of treacle as stage honey in the " light
class, which only just comes inside the
colour test, as this seldom or never takes
a ]jrize, therefore it appears a foolish and
unnecessarv expense to do so.

If the honey — to win — must (besides
possessing the necessarv good points) be so
very light in colour, what chance has any
exhibitor showing in the same class with
honey of a darker colour, although classi-
fied correctly ?

His onlv chance is to enter the next
season's honey in the " Not for Competi-
tion " class. But, what a position !
Beautiful honey, too dark for the light
class, vet not dark enough for the medium
class ! With everv good wish to our
Editors, allow me to send name, etc., and
sign as before — Workkr, Notts, Septem-
ber 17.

["We were sorry to receive the above sin-
gularly unfortunate account of " Worker's "
experience of last year's show, but our cor-
respondent cannot justly blame anyone but
himself for what we regard as the most
serious item on which his complaint is
grounded — viz., cost of carriage. If this
is explained we will go into the other
matter and endeavour to afford a satisfac-
torv exj)lanation in next week's issue. —
Eds.]

A BEE-MAN'S COMMENTS.

[6429.] I would like to offer a few re-
marks on some of the articles in B.B.J.
of September 6. First, with regard to
"D. M. M.'s" article on page 352 dealino'
with full sheets or starters of foundation
for syarms, I have use " starters " only
iov a 4-lb. swarm. The bees were hived
on six frames, and as a result I got two-
thirds of the frames built out with drone-
comb. True, that was in the davs of my
novitiate, and I should probably" manage
It better now ; but it gave me such a dread
of excessive drone populations that I have
never used starters since, for that stock
seemed to be full of drones next season.
The best result i ever had from a swarm was
about two or three seasons later, when I
hived an 8-lb. swarm— the largest I ever
had— on four drawn-out combs and five
full sheets of foundation, and placed on
the stand of old stock. I took 73 lb. of
surplus honey from them that same season,
but u#xt spring the stock was so weak in
bees that I united them to another colony.
I had given them in their first season a rack
of sections when hived and a second one
a week afterwards, and only fourteen days
later took the two off completed with forty-
two of the best sections I ever obtained.
The date of hiving was June 7, the flow
from sainfoin commencing on the same day.

Referring to Mr. Tom Sleight's remarks
(6414, page 345) respecting his bees having
filled-out brood-nests with stores from
heather, I may say that I have never seen
bees better provisioned in brood-chambers
than they are this year in this neighbour-
hood, though we have not any heather.
My experience of the late hoiiey-flow is
quite the same as that of " Amateur's "
(6415, page 355), The flow is generally
over by the third week in July, but this
year my bees were gathering quite till the
middle of August, which is fortunate, or
they would not have been able to gather
much surplus, for it was well on in June
l)efore thev made a start. My hives which
did not swarm averaged about 40 lb. each,
which is very fair for our district.

Some bees in tliis neighbourhood have
done very badlv, although healthy. I hare
noticed also with "Amateur" the jireval-
ence of BiauJa coca this season on driven
bees. They are r -t gensrally very pre-
\ "lent about hero.

I hope few bee-keepers have been so
plagued with wasps as myself this year.
Tliey have cost me many shillings in
damaged sections notwithstanding the fact
of my having destroved all nests I have
been able to locate with boiling water.
Yet still they come. On going to drive
some bees at a neiehbourinj; village two
miles distant last week I found two skeps
completely cleaned out l)y wasps.

374

THE BHITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Sept. 20. 1906.

The quality of my honey this year is very
good, free from lioney-dew, which is not
often the case. Apoloa;ising for taking so
much space, I sign myself — Mid-Oxox,
September 7.

BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATIOX.

DISTRICT B.K.A. FOR CEOYDOX.

[6430.1 I have been requested by a few
prominent bee-keepers in Croydon to try
and make it known that there is a great
desire to start an association here, to be
called " The Croydon and District Bee-
keepers' Association," in-^rder that we can
if possible run an annual show and get
more people tc take an interest in apicul-
ture. I have received letters from a num-
ber of persons who are desirous of becoming
members through a notice being jnit in a
local paper, and we have thought that we
could get in touch with more bee-keeners
if it was made known through your columns.
We do not get any bee-lectures or bee-tent
here unless some one is generous enough to
pay for it out of their own pockets, which
is not very often. True, there is an asso-
ciation for Surrey (probably the best in
existence), but owing to some slight clause
in the Surrey County Council grant it ap-
jiears that they cannot do Croydon the
justice they would like to. We therefore
feel that we are to a certain extent left in
the cold. I am not a member of the
Surrey Association and in consequence I am
not acquainted with the full particulars ;
lait I elo not think that the T)roposed asso-
ciation need be in anv way antagonistic to
the SuiTey Association. On the contrary,
it could be made a branch of it, and uee-
keeping would be more localised. I have
about thii'ty bee-keenei-s anxious to com-
mence, and onlv two of them are members
of the Surrey B.K.A. , so that we feel con-
fident of success, if we can once get the
start. I will be glad, therefore, if any
person desirous of joining will communi-
cate with me, and may say we shall shortly
be calling a meeting for the j)uri)ose of
arranging matters. — A. Wakerell, Sec.
pro tern., 21, Mansfield Road, Croydon.

BEES AND COLOUR IN FLOWERS.

HAAE THEY AXY PREFERENCE ?

[6431.] I thank you very much for your
kind letter, in reply to mine, asking for
information or observations likely to build
up Lord Avel)ury's conclusion, viz., "That
bees show a decided preference for blue
flowers." The experiments are described
as follows by Lord Ayebury : —

" In order then to test the power of bees
to appreciate colour I placed some honey
on a slip of glass, and put the glass '^i
coloured paper. For instance, I put somt^
honey in this manner on a piece of blue

l^aper, and when a bee had made sever.il
journeys, and thus become accustomed to
the blue colour, I placed some more honey
in the same manner on orange paper about
a foot away. Then, during one of jhe
al serces of the bee, I transposed the two
ccltairs, leaving the honey itself in ihe
same place as before. The bee returned .is
isual to the place where she had bean
iiccustomed to find the honey: but though
it was still there, she did not alight, but
paused for a moment, and then dashed
sLrirJaht away to the blue paper. No one
V. h(i saw my bee at that moment could have
barl the slightest doubt of her power of
iistinguishing blue from orange. Again,
having accustomed a bee to come to honjy
cii blue paper, I ranged in a row other
supplies of honey on glass slips placed over
jiapei of other colours, yellow, orange, red,
green, black, and wliite. Then I continu-
.■'lly transposed the coloured paper, leaving
thf honey <in ':li.' same sjJots ; but the b.^e
riways flew to the blue paper, wherever is,
jiiighi be."

J have received several replies from able
experts expressing the view that bees may
have visited the blue paper laden with
honey in preference to other coloiii*s in
Lord Avebury's experiments. I have
found but few exjaerts who have made ex-
jieriments with different colonred ffowcrs so
as to enable them to give an absolute de-
cision. All the experiments are fully
described in "Ants, Bees, and Wasps."
" On the Senses, Instincts, and Intelligence
of Animals," by the Right Hon. Sir John
Lubbock. Bart., F.R.S., M.P., F.L.S.,
D.C.L., LL.D. Also in his reply to Prof.
Platean in " The Linnean Societies
Journal," Botany, Vol. 33, " On the
Attractions of Flowers for Insects," read
November 4, 1897.

These experiments are so very conclusive
and coincide with the deductions I am able
to make from the study of the technical
press, that there is no alternative but to
rely on the facts elucidated by such care-
ful, painstaking, and exact experiments.

G. W. Bulman, Esq., M.A., B.Sc, has
recorded several Tables of Observations
in the Znnloijist, June, 1902. Also in a
paper on " Insects and Flowers," read at
the Eastbourne Natural History Society.
December 19, 1902, giving numerous ob-
servations and facts which should be
accepted as a definite decision, he con-
cluded his paper by saying " these facts
jn'ove conclusively that whatever the bee's
taste may be, it does not specially select
hinc fl<)}n>)s for its visits."

The second problem raised in this dis-
cussion, viz., "Can Insects Reason?" has
elicited a number of affirmative replies
accompanied by many illustrations and
anecdotes from observers who are able to
(" Correspondence " ccnt'mued on page S76.)

Sept. 20, 1906. j THE BEITISH BEE JOURNAL.

375

HOMES OF THE HONEY BEE.

THE APIARIES OF OUK. KEADEKS.

We have numbered a good many bee-
keepers who are gai'deners among those
whose bee-gardens have been pictured in
our '^ Homes of the Honey-bee,'' but our
friend, Mr. Peed, is, we believe, the first
nurseryman whose apiary has been illus-
trated, and we gladly welcome as a reader
one who follows a line of business believed
by some to be injured more or less by bees
entering their greenhouses and doing
damage therein by their visits to blooms
for the purpose of pollen-gathering, etc.
His own experience as a bee-keeper is in-
teresting, and needs no addition from us.
He says : —

br.ard laid in front of the prepared frame
hive, and the manner in which the little
creatures all ' faced right about, and
marched like drilled soldiers into the
■ new Jiouse ' was a sight once seen, never
forgotten

" My next move was to buy a number
of second-hand hives, which had once
formed part of a fine apiary, and these I
thoroughly cleaned and painted ready for
future use. At last a friend presented
me with two swarms, but when I wenf;
for them, I found one lot had decamped,
and it being rather late in the season, I
had to feed the remaining stock consider
ably, but they eventually proved the
most profitable lot in the ajiiary.

MK. THOMAS FEED'S APIARY, WEST NORWOOD, LONDON.

" Being a regular reader of your
val table journal, and seeing from time
to time the excellent jiliotos of your
friends all over the country, I thought
possibly my brief bee ex]jerience would
help to encouraee others.

"I commenced bee-keeping by purchas-
ing a skep of bees from a gardener, an<l
having another gardener fiiend wlio is an
expert, I asked him to recommend a
frame-hive for me to buy. This he readily
did, and I soon procured one. Then came
the great sensation, when my friend
arrived to drive the bees from tlie skep
to their new home. After " driving,"' T
thought it a wonderful sight when he
threw the bees from the skep on to the

■'Our district is not considered a good
one for honey, although one bee-beeper
here took sixty 1-lb. sections from one
hive, and sold them all at Is. each, this
summer, and that within two miles of my
a]uary, at the ancient village of Dulwich.

" It was during the summer of 1901
that I had my first experience of hiving
swarms. One very hot morning I went
out to look at the bees, and was surjirised
to see thousands of them streaming forth
from one of the hives. After a little time
I sa'w that the swarm was clustering on
an elm tree in a corner of the garden,
very high up, and, with the help of
some onlookers, we raised a ladder, which
had to be placed on the public footpath.

376

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL [Sept. 20, 1906.

In a short time the place was as lively
with peopi-e as with bees. However, I
donned a bee-veil, and up I went, with
saw in hand, to sever the branch and
bring down the swarm. The branch being
too strong and heavy, I shook it over an
empty skep. and eventually brouglit down
a very fine swarm, which was successfuUy
hived. Hearing shortly afterwards that
a vagrant swarm had settled on a tree
near at hand, I went to investigate, and
found, to my great satisfaction, a very
fine swarm, which I secured without much
trouble.

''I next bought a bee-house or shed
holding five or six skeps of bees, but the
bees had located themselves in colonies all
over the inside of the shed, in some cases
the sheets of comb were hanging from the
roof 18 in, deep and 2 ft. wide, and mostly
full of honey, too. I got about 1 cwt. of
honey, besides the stocks of bees. The
price I paid for the house and bees I must
not tell you, ur it might make some friend
jealous. I fear I have made my notes too
long, so will conclude by wishing you long
and continued success with your instruc-
tive and interesting journal."

(" Gorrespondene '' contitived from pige 374.)

prove that ants and bees are attracted by
colour. This problem should not be in-
dexed as insoluble.

Should there be any further notes or
observations — either editorial, or from any
of your readers versed in the subject
• — to make on these matters that will
be conclusive evidence (or illustra-
tions, slides, etc., to loan), I shall
esteem it a great favour if you will
kindly let me know, and I shall
be pleased to reciprocate at any time if
in my power to do so. — J. T. Rodda, Grove
Road, Eastbourne, August 22.

KEATING'S rOWDER FOR WAX-
MOTHS.

[6432.] If the basis of " Keating's
Powder" is jiyrethrum, your correspon-
dent, " C. S. S., Weymouth " (page 39),
would be well advised not to use it in his
hives. In my early bee-keeping days I
was pricking out some pyrethrum from a
seed-],>ed into a border and went straight
to one of my hives for some manipulation.
The bees simply astonished me by m:ikir.tj
as straiglit for me as they could, until I
rememl)ered that pyrethrum is the chief
intrreilient in some insect powders.
Washing my hands with carbolic soa]). I
})re.sented mvself a<.'aiii to the bees, and was
received just as if nothing had ha'ipened.
I once found out in a similarly unexpected
manner that saltpetre used in brown

paper to make it smoulder infuriated the
bees. Was it Shakespeare who called it
'■ villainous saltpetre " ? — S. Jokdan,
Bristol, September 14.

ITALIAN BEES.

ARE THEY DESIEABLE FOK BEGI^■^'EKS ?

[6433.] I think a word of warning should
be given to beginners before they attempt
to Italianise their colonies. My past ex-
perience proA'es that these bees remain pure
for a very brief time only ; in fact, it is
nearly impossible to get young queens
mated with Italian drones. The result is,
the pure Italian virgin mates with a black
drone, and this cross in nearly all my
cases gave a strain of extremely bad-tem-
pered workers. If beginners in handling
them get badly stung they are apt to give
up bee-keeping in disgust, which is a pity,
for I consider it one of the most interest-
i]ig of hobbies. The temper of these bees
does not seem to improve very much by a
second cross.

I generally use a carbolic cloth when
examining my hives, and these hybrid
Italians only run down while the cloth
covers them, to immediately reappear
directly one attempts to remove the frames,
many taking wing and not infrequently
attacking the operator wholesale.

I had a stock of black bees in the country
which I could do almost anything with,
by just using a cigarette ; but I should
be very sorry to examine any of ro" Italian
stocks now without a veil.

I have now about seventeen stocks of
these Italian hybrids, but I think next year
I shall rear from a black queen and
gradually re])lace these undesirables, as I
do not consider that their virtues by any
means counterbalance this vice. I admit
that they gather later tlian the blacks^
and I also think them more prolific.

I wonder wliether any other bee-keeper
could give a similar ex])erience or other-
wise.— W. F. H. , Croydon.

[We rather think the cai-bolic cloth is in
a great measure the cause of bees acting as
stated above, and have many times j.een
the same residt follow the use of a too
strongly carbolised cloth on a stock of
brown or native bees. — Eds.]

BEES IN A NEWSPAPER C FICE.

[6434.] For the past fortnight an obser-
vatory hive has been exhil)ited in the omce
window of the Surrrij Daihj Argus, at 121,
iJii.h Street, Croydon.

The hive consisted of two frames with
sections at the toj), and the bees had access
to the open by means of a tube.

The bees were watclied ]>y a crowd of on-
lookers from eai"ly morn till late at night.

Sept. 20, 1906.J THE 13111T1SH BEE JOURNAL.

3T7

The Surrey Daily Aryus published daily
au article on " Bees and Bee-keeping,''
specially written for that journal.

This combination of such an extended
object-lesson in the window, with a well-
written article appearing daily in the
columns of this local paper, has set Croydon
talking about bees, and led to a desire to
form a bee-keepers' club or association for
Croydon, which it is understood^is now in
process of formation. Mr. A. Wakerell,
21, Mansfield Road, South Croydon, is act-
ing as secretary pro tern. — .J. S., Croydon,
Seijtember 15

SELLING DRIVEN BEES.

[6435.] Please stop both my advertise-
ments for the sale of driven bees. Thanks
to your esteemed paper, I am inundated
with orders, which I am executine as
quickly as possible. I have worked at
high pressure from dayliglit till dusk. I
should be obliged if you could insert this
as a word of explanation to my customers,
as it is quite impossible for me to write
an explanation to every one. I should like
to assure them that their orders will be
despatched in due coul'se. Thanking you
in advance — W. H. B., Wellington, Salop,
Sejjtember 15.

^ur'm m\A §^^\m.

[5404.] Sivann-i Building Queen-celld in
" Wells'" Hive. — May I ask you to answer
me the following question through your valu-
able B.B.J. ? /In July I ihivedna li'aro^ 'Swarm in
a frame hive. They have done exceptionally
well, but I have been unable to account tor
two queen cells found on a comb I was ex-
amining last month. I don't know whether
there are any other queen-cells on comibs, not
having examined. The bees were placed on
frames, some fitted with full sheets and
others with half or quarter-sheets of founda-
tion. I have been bee-keeper for a number
of \'ears, but have never known of a siniilar
case previously. I don't think they have
thrown off a swarm nor re-queened, and
so I ask ; — 1. What do you think of the case?
2. I had a very strong swaim from a " Wells "
hive, each compartment of the hive beino- on
twelve frames in brood-box, and e,ight
standard frames in isupers. About three
weeks later, in examining the hive I found
the bees had left the oxjmpartment which had
swarmed, and jouied with its neighbours,
both lots being busy removing stores from
one to the other. This also puzzles me.

Another case I wish to state is that one of
my swarmi;, placed on ten full sheets of
foundation, gnawed away the wood from
under top-bars of several frames (unwired),
causing the foundation to drop down durins;
the next day. Removing this, I found that
the combs seen in these empty frames were

built-out sooner than when full sheets were
put in. 1 state this because lately I have
noticed that differences of opinion exist with
regard to the value of foundation.

Could you give me name and address of a-
skep-maker, as I wish to have some special
skep-supers made? Awaiting your reply, I
sign myself, " Bienenfreind," Padiham, Lanes.

Rkply. — 1. We should say it is simply a>
case of the bees re-queening themselves, that
is if the cells seen are more than partly-
formed ones. 2. It is quite common for the
bees of (both compartments of a " Wells" "
hive to join forces when one lot becomes
queenless, as they not seldom do in these
hives. 3. It seems to us physically impos-
sible for bees to " gnaw aw.ay weed," as
stated, and so cause foundation to drop down
in a few hours, as alleged. Consequently,
there must be some other way of accou- ■'nrg
for the fall of foundation. Any .appliance
dealer would give you the name, etc., of a
skep-'maker if you send stamped postcard
for reply.

[3405.] A Beginner'.^: Queries. — Will you
please say : — 1. What are the reasons for put-
ting salt and vinegar in sugar-syi'up ? I sup-
pose the former, however, is to prevent the
sugar re-crystalising. 2. What is the differ-
ence between wasps and hornets, and how are
they distinguished? We are greatly troubled
here with "wasps this season. 5. In Julv I
caught a Dragon-fly snapping up live worker
bees (bees on the wing). As I do not re-
mendier seeing anything about them in
B.B.J. , will you please say whether they are
a recognised "enemv of bees, and do they do
much bee-catching? 4. Is much of the comb-
foundation made nowadavs of pure bees-wax?
There seems to be a lot of stuff now made
from adulterated material. Can you say
what firms make good bees-wax foundation,
as I suppose pure foundation is better tor
the bees ? Is the American " Weed " made of
bees-wax? Seeing so niany bee-keepers retail
their wax, I do not see how foundation
manufacturers can get good bees-wax without
they buv foreign stuff; that is, supposmg
thev use bees-wax to make foundations from.
Judged by the price we pay for comb-founda-
tion, we 'ought, I think, to get good stuff
made from pure wax.— I send name, and
sign, "Commerce," Derby.

Reply.— 1. We do not know that salt is
absoluteiy necessary in syrup-making, but
the known fondness for saline liquid is. no
doubt, taken into account in making the
svrup palatable to the ,bees. 2. The n^ain
difference lies in the fact of the hornet being
more than double the size and weight
of an ordinaiT wasp. 3. The dragon-fly is
not included among the enemies of bees. 4.
Yes, the best makers of foundation a.lways
use unadulterated beeswax in its manu-
facture.

[3406.] rtUi.'<ing Pollen-Choked Cotnb-'^.-An-^
July I discovered one of my hives was
queenless. I took out several combs which
were completely filled with pollen, replacing
them with foundation and a comb of brood-
I writ€ to ask : (1) If I might use these pollen-

378

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Sept. 20, 1906.

filled combs for driven bees? (2) Or would
it be best to place them in a super, with
queen-excluder zinc be<tween, and let the
driven bees take down what honey there is in
them to draw out foundation ibelow. and then
boil them d'own for wax? Reply will oblige. —
W. J., Salisbury.

Reply. — (1) Pollen-choked combs are use-
less to the bees and unfit for boiling-down
ior wax ; not worth the mess and trouble
involved. (2) The bees, would use up any
unsealed honey while being fed liberally for
comb - production, but we should put the
comb through the extractor for preference
if there is any quantity of it.

[5^01. ^Swa?- mi ng and Queen-Cells. — To a
iswarm hived early in July I introduced a
young queen on August 1, having re-moved the
old one trwenty-six 'hours eariier. On August
19 a 4-lb. iswarm cam-e oft", and on examining
*Jhe hive laftei'wards I found the queen and
one ripe queen-cell, and a few vacant ones. I
therefore as'k : — 1. Was the queen accompany-
ing this swarm the one I introduced ? 2. If
not, niusit we 'assume that she was badly
received, and that queen-cells were commenced
immediately on discovery of tihe loss of old
queen, or were queen-oelLs commenced before
I removed oldi queen? I enclose sample of
section foundation taken from a rack which
has been a failure, and ask : 3. What is the
cause of the holes? I p-aid- top price for the
foun'diation, and it comes from a well-known
deialer. — A. P. W., Xewton-le-Willows,
Lanes.

Reply. — 1. We sihould say yes. 2. There
does ncit seem to ibe any reason for this
assumption. 3. The foundation has a sitale
look, and is, we think, not of this year's
' make ; oitherwise w-e do not see anything
wrong Mith it. If (l>ees had been strong and
needed room for honey-storing they should
have worked rthe foundation out and used it
for surplus, provided, of course, that honey
■was to (be had, and the sedtion-rack was
^warmly wrapped to make it warm and snug
lor the bees' use.

[3408.] A Lady Amateurs Bee Troubles.—
I have lately started two frame-hives, and
should like to know the best course to pursue
with regard to them. I hived a large natural
swarm on June 20 in a skep, and on the 30th
transferred them, by the process descjibed on
page 26 of the " Guide Book." successfully into
a W.B.C. hive holding ten frames. On July
22 I moved three of these frames (all of which
had been fitted with full sheets of foundation)
and found two of them already worked out
by the bees. I then put on a rack of shallow-
^'rames with queen-exchKler zinc between. A
fortnight afterwaidis not a bee had gone up
into the super, so I removed the zinc and
they have since gone up, and worked-out four
or five of the frames and deposited therein
some very thin dark honey, which latter being
•unfit for use, I removed the whole super. I
may also add that I removed it once before
the above occasion, and have done the same
once since, and each time the bees have ap-
peared very excited, clustering at the entrance
an<] circling al)()ut in the air above the hive

as if they intended to swarm, for some hours.
[My desire is to transfer the seven frames and
all Ibees to another W.B.C. hive, as the one
they now occupy is unpainted ; not only so,
but ibees have .also got into the side of the
hive owing to one of the frames not being
pushed up to the side. I also wish to- remove
the present queen and give them a young fei-
tile one of this j'ear, besides returning the
three frames I took out to crowd the bees up
into the super on July 22. Kindly tell me : —
1. Is this rigiht or not? 2. Why is the honey
so dark in super? 3. Why are the bees so
excitable some days? With regard to hive
No. 2, the case is as follows: — ^A fortnight
ago I purchased a stock in a frame-hive made
by an amateur. The hive is completely
crammed with honey and bees, weighs about
601b., and on the top of frames is a box in
which the bees have built combs and deposited
pollen in the lower part of same ; the top part
of the same combs being filled with the fi-nest
straw-coloured honey. I must keep the bees
in their present hive for the winter, as it con-
tains .all their winter stores, and the frames
cannot be transferred, being badly Oouilt and
not of the right size. These ibees also have
several times -ecome greatly excited for a
few hours as the others did. Kindly give me
your opinion about this hive also, .and state
possible cause of excitement. I shall also be
glad to know name and addTess of the secre-
tary of the Northants B.K.A.

The disadvantage to many of keeping bees
is the difficulty in selling the honey. I know
two 'bee-keepers near here, one of whom has
given up as he could.-uot sell his honey at any
price. The other, who keeps twenty hives,
has the most Ibeautiful clover sections, and
finds the greatest difficulty in getting 6d. per
pouind for them, and out of this has to pack
and deliver the honey ; whereas all the shops
never charge less than one shilling each for
pirime sections. — F. C. B., Northan/ts.

Reply. — The plan followed is not based on
the instructions given on p. 26 of " Guide-
book." The directions there given are for
hiving a swarm, not for transferring at all.
Consequently the method adopted was not
suitable. 2. The dark colour of honey is due
to the source from whence the bees gathered
the honey. 3. The " Guide-book " contains
full information on this point. Regarding
hive No. 2, the upper box should be removed
and the contents appropriated for use, the
bees being allowed to return to their hive.
Mr. R. Hefiford, Kingsthorpe, near North-
ampton, is secretary of the Northants
B.K.A., and will no doubt be able to tell
you how members are able to sell their bee
produce. But much depends on the bee-
keeper himself in the matter of marketing
honey to advantage. Some can get rid of
their surplus readily, while others utterly
fail because of theii' lack of business
methods.

[5409.] Wide-Spared Frames for Svrplus.
— May 1 ask, if, in your view, are not the
shallow-frames liui thesupers. too closely placed.?
I ask this, since an outside frame from one of
my supers has the most perfect comib I have
ever seen. The space between this frame

Sept. 20, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

379

and the wall of the hive was double the space
between the other frames, but the bees built
out cells on the out«r side of this frame of a
nrach greater depth and regularity than they
did in the half-space they had between the
other frames. One sweep with the knife un-
capped the whole side. Has there ever been
a diiscussion in the Journal or Record re
the distance between the honey franres? If
so, I should much wish to read it. — I send
name, and sign— J. B. C, Loughborough.

Rkply. — ^It is a matter entirely of prefer-
ence and for the bee-keeper himself to say
whether he will space his shallow-combs at
same distance apart as those in brood-cham-
bers, or have t)hiicker and heavier combs for
extracting. We thi-nk it is generally known
to the craft, and all dealers stock the wide
W.B.C. ends, made specially and used for
heavy comibs. Not a few prefer the ordinary
spacing for surplus-chanrbers, because of their
experiencing some difficulty in extracting
heavy com'bs wdthout breaking. With regard
to width of frames in brood-chambers, spac-
ing, etc., there have been numerous lengthy
discussions on the subjecit fully reported in
past iss'ues of the B.B.J. We could send on
copies O'f soinie containing the aiiticles in
question, if required.

PRESS CUTTINGS.

BEES IN A RAILWAT STATION.

A hive of bees caused a wild commotion
at Burgess Hill Railway Station, in Sussex,
a little while ago.

A large parcel addressed to a local resi-
dent was tumbled out on to the platform
by a railway employee. The parcel, which
contained a hive, gave way, and out
fctreanied the bees, causing the porter to
run for his life. The stationmaster
ordered, threatened, offered rewards, but
none of the porters was daring enough to
remove the parcel. Finally, an outside
porter, an elderly man, was induced to lift
the parcel by the offer of a shilling, but
when the bees buzzed round his head he
dropped the package and fled.

All day the bees held the staff at bay,
but at eitrht o'clock at night they returned
to the hive, which was then hurriedly
closed up and carried to its destination. —
BaiUj Mail.

^t\[U% fpm \\\t

Flora Apiary, Somcrsliam, Aufiuxt 18. —
Bees are in splendid trim, working early
and late on buckwheat and red clover.
Pome driven bees I put on seven frames
of foundation a fortnight ago have five

frames
brood. -

sealed over
-R. Brown.

and two wi/h young'

'^hm l0 ii^mc.

A nominal charge of 3s. 6d. is made for notices (not
exceeding 7 lines) in this column, 10 lines charged 3s. 6d. ;
up to 15 lines 5x., which covers cost of insertion fro^n
order till date of show. Cash should accompany orders
for insertion.

September RO, 21> and 22, at Crystal
Palace.— Surrey B.K.A. Annual Exhibition of Bee»>.
Honey, Wax, and Appliances, etc. Twenty-six classes
(ten open to all).. Increased prizes and medals.
Schedules from F. B. White, secretary, Harden House,
Eedhill, Surrey. Entries close September 7.

September 22 to 29, at tlie Agricultural
Hall, Liondon. — Honey Show in connection with
the Twelfth Annual Exhibition and Market of the
Grocery and Kindred Trades. Nearly £60 in prizes-
for honey and beeswax including four prizes of £4,
£3, £2, and £1, in honey trophy class. Open to
all British. Bee-keepers. Schedules from H. S.
Rogers, Secretary, Exhibition Offices, Palmerscon
House, Old Broad Street, London E.G.

September 26, at Altrincliam.— Show ot
Honey Products, in connection with Altrincham
Agricultural Show. Entries closed.

October 9 to 12, at the Agricultural
Hall, London.— Show of Honey and Bee Produce
in connection with the British Dairy Farmers' Awocia-
tion. Numerous and liberal prizes for honey, etc.,
including the valuable Silver Challenge Oup of the
B. B.K.A. Entries closed.

October 18 to 21, at Waverley Market.
Edinburgh.. — Honey show in connection with
the Tenth Annual Edinburgh and Midlothian Indus-
trial Exhibition. All open classes. Beautifully illus-
trated prospectus, price 2d., from A. Hutchinson, 15,
Leith Street, Edinburgh Entries close Sep-
tember 27- (See aAvt. p. v.)

October 18 and 19, at Kilmarnock, N.B.

—Honey Show in connection with the annual exhibi-
tion of the Ayrshire Agricultural Soc'ety. Schedules
on applicat'.ou to .lohn Howie. Seciejary. 58, Alloway
Street, .\yr. Entries close October 5. (See
advt. p. V.)

November 9 and 10, at Chorley, Lanes.

—Honey Show of Lanes. B.K.A. in connection with
Chorlev ChrvsantTiemum Society's Annual Show.
Four Open Classes. Exhibitors allowed to bring
honey for sale. Schedules from W. G. Smith, Town
Hall Auction Rooms, Chorley, Lanes. Entries
close ISTovember 3.

Notices to Correspondents & Inquirers,

Letters or queries asking fcr addresses of mcnufae
turers or correspondents, or where appliances can be-
purchased, or replies giving such information, can only
be inserted as advertisements. The space devoted to
letters, queries, and replies is meant for the general
good of bee-keepers, and not for advertisements. We
wishour correspondents to bear in mind that, as it is
necessary for us to go to press in advance of the date of
issue, queries cannot always be replied to in the issue im.
mediately following the receipt of their communicationt.

Geo. Moie (Cmnberland). ^Forage for
Hetather Honey.— 1. The sprig of heath sent
is the <true ling, CaUiina vuhjari-i. (see
B.B.J. of Septeniiber 6, page 359). 2.
Regarding consisitency of .honey, the air-

880

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Sept. 20, 1906.

Sample is

a sitrong

isiource not

louibble must obviously travel upwards more
slowly dn a jar of honey when reversed,
when the honey is of good consistency,
seeing that honey is thinner when unripe.

Honey Samples.

,S. Mitchell (Herefordshire). —
of " miedium " colour, hlaving
aromaltic odour from some
familiar to us. It is of good flavour, and
a nice honey for table use.

D. W. J. (Harrogate). — Buying Second-hand
Hives. — We have heard of the hive which
bears the name mentioned, and know some-
thing regarding its supposed merits, but
have 'had no practical experience of it, nor
can we give any helpful information about
it.

Grip (Aberdeenshire). — iRe-liquefying l^kanu-
lated Honey in Comb. — Cut up tihe combts
and place in a dish, then put the latter in
a pan of hot water, and keep hot till comb
and honey are thoroughly liquefied. Then
remove uish, and, when all is cx)ld, lift off
tihe wax in a solid cake.

W. A. B. H. (Co. Durham.— Leaf Cutter
Bees. — Full particulars regarding the
iMegachile, or leaf-cutter bee, apipeared in
our monthly, the B.K. Record, for this
mo-nitth.

J. C4. (Kent). — iKeeping Jars of Honey in the
Sunshine. — ^It will not injure the flavour of
honey to keep jars, containing it in the sun,
and it certainly helps to ripen, or (improve
its consistency, if so kept for some da vs.

♦** Some Queries and Bept%eg, <fcc., are
unavoidably held over till next week.

Special Prepaid Advertisements

Twelve words and under Sixpence: for every additional
Three words or under ^ One Penny.

OUARANTEED HEALTHY DRIVEN BEES, 5s. per
stock, with 1906 Queen ; bees with four-standard
-frames', stores, brood and queen, 10s. ; Queens, 1S06,
2s. 6d. ; »toclv!f in skepsi. 12s. 6d. and 15&. 6d. ; Stores
good.— W. WOODS, Nom'and.v, Guildford. t 18

COWAN EXTRACTOR, by Meadows, splendid
machine, al] parts plated, only used once, 40s.
— A^.'ERY. Deverell. Warminster. T 23

BROOD COMBS, »uit driven 'bees, 8d. each ; light
honey screw cap jars, 8s. 6d. dozen, £5 gross;
30 lb. tin, 15s. ; cwt., 53s. Sample 2d.— CHARTER,
Tattinigs.tone, Ipswich.

"Tir ANTED, HEATHER SECTIONS. State price, de-

T T livered free, good conditon.— FISON, Rawdon,

Leeds. x 37

FINE YOUNG PROLIFIC QUEENS (1906), 2s. 6d.
each to clear,— WaKEKELL, Mansfield Road,
Croydon. T 20

ONE CWT. VERY FINE EN(iLISH EXTRACTED
HONEY, m.iinlv from clover, £3. Sample sent.
— S. S. CLEAR, Sh'prcth, Cambs. T 26

FOR SALE, PURE ENGLISH HONEY, light colour;
also few sections. Sample, 3d.— MR. \V. J. L.AW,
The Cuckf«, Ashwell, Hcits. t 24

EXCHANGE Pure White Leghorn or BuK Orpington
Cockcrel.M (March and April), Huntei's best pen,
direct (others equally go(jd), for good stircks in gkiqiB,
<lriven bees, pullets, or Indian Runner ducks. -
BRACE, 36, Warner Street, Barnsbury. t 19

FINEST ENGLISH HONEY, Ss. per 15 lb. tin.
Sample, 2d.— WITHER, Hawkenbury, Staple-
hurst. T 32

TWO CWT. HONEY, in 28 lb. tins, 14s. per tin ;
tins free.— THOMAS, Pwllcrochan, Pembroke.

T 30

WHITE CLOVER SECTIONS, 7s. dozen; 2 dozen
lots, carriage paid, at 8». dozen, very carefully
packed). Also Extracted Honey, 6d. lb. ; 28 lb. lots
carriage paid.— MRS. JUKES, North Road, Mere,
Wilts. T 29

EXTRACTED HONEY for sale, good colour, £2 168.
per cwt., on rail. Sample, 3d.— HOWARD, Bass-
ingbourn Road, Litlington, near Royston, Cambs. t27

FOR Sale, two strong stocks, of BEES, on six
fra nes natural honey ; inspection invited. What
offers'?- DYER, Nettlecombe Court, Taunton, T 34

FOR Sale, ten HIVES, uniform pattern, best make,
new, and one season's use (photo); also "Cow-
an," " W.B.C.," "Shepherd" hives, from 7s. 6d. ;
also appliances, including splendid extractor ; would
part exchange. Honey, poultry, wanted. — ^DANKS, 77,
Ladywood Road, Birmingham. T 35

SMALL APIARY for sale, four strong stocks It«lian
Hybrid bees, spare hives, extractor, and neces-
sary appliances for a larger apiary ; seen by appoint-
ment,—13, The Circus, Greenwich. T 36

FOB Sale, three cwt. SPLENDID LIGHT HONEY,
in 56 lb. tins, at 6d. per lb. ; tins inoluded.
Sample, 3d.— AVERY, Deverell, Warminster. T 22

F

OR Sale, guaranteed pure ENGLISH HONEY, at

6d, lb.— tSIGGEKS, Great Dunham, Norfolk. T 21

ABOUT one gross 30 lb. new strong honey tins;
offering at 9s. dozen to clear. — ADAMS, Dun-
ton, Biggleswade. T 33

1906

QUEENS, from healthy driven skeps. Is. 6d.,
free.— BRAYSHAW, Aultmore, Keith. T 31

DRIVEN BEES for Sale, 3s. 6d. per lot, guaranteed
'rree from disease, on rail free; pure Extracted
Honey, 53s. per cwt.— DENNETT'S GREAT APIARIES,

Whitchurch, Hants. T 25

2n AA LBS. LIGHT ENGLISH HONEY. 6d. lb. ;
• VJUU quotations bulk; ^ample 3s.— ALBERT
COE. Apiary Hall, Ridgewell, Halstead, I*sex. t 28

BRITISH BEE JOURNALS " for sale, 10 years
and 5 volumes, well bound, 1886 to 1895.
Will take cash or honey.— ROBERT CAMPBELL,
McLean Place, Dumbarton. T V

WANTED.—" Beekeeper's Guide Book," 12th
edition, in good condition, in exchange
for new copv of latest edition.— Write to MANAGER,
B.B.J. Office, 8, Henrietta Street, Covent Garden,
London. W.C.

ROOT'S "A.B.C. OF BEE CULTURE" (1903), per-
fectly new copies, 3s. 6d., post free. — MANAGER,
B.B.J. Office, 8, Henrietta Street, Covent Garden,
London, W.O.

HEALTHY DRIVEN BEES, Is. 2d. lb., boxes 6d.,
returnable ; grand young Heather Queens (fer-
tile), in introducing cages, 2s. 6d.— HOOD, Marine
CafiS Whitby (late of White Heather Apiary, Picker-
ing).

CROCUS BULBS (yellow), Arabi Alpinus Blips, 100
Is. 3d., free.— BRAYSHAW, Aultmore, Keith. Til

THE NEW FOUNTAIN FEEDER, made from syrup
tins, cheapest and best ; bees cannot escape in
re-fill i ng ; try one; easily made. Send 7 stamps and
lid of syrup tin ; three 'for Is. 6d.— Invented by H.
HAWKINS, Beekeeper, Burgheath, Epsom. t 12

Sept. 27, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOUHNAL.

381

(Editorial ^otxm, ^t

BRITISH BEE-IvEEPEHS' ASSOCIATION

The monthly meeting of the Council was
held at 105, Jermyn Street, S.W., on
Thursday, September 20, Mr. T. I. Weston
occupying the chair. There were also
present Colonel Walker, Dr. Elliot,
Messrs. R. T. Andrews, W. Broughton
Carr, J. B. Lamb, and the secretary.
Letters apologising for inability to attend
were read from Miss Gayton, Messrs. T.
W. Cowan, R. Godson, W." H. Harris, J. P.
Phillips, A. G. Pugh, W. F. Reid, and E.
Walker.

The minutes of the previous meeting
were read and confirmed.

Three new members wer'3 formally
elected, viz. : — Mr. Richard M. Brown,
Holly Street, Luton ; Mr. William Dun-
mall, Station Road, Wadhurst, Sussex ;
Mr. Sam Wakefield, Cross Heath Mill,
Newcastle, Staffs.

Dr. Elliot presented the Finance Com-
mittee's Report, which was formally
adopted.

Reports on recent examinations for Third
Class Expert Certificates were received and
considered. In accordance with recom-
mendations of the examiners it was re-
solved to grant certificates to Miss L. F.
de Quincey, Miss Stubbs ; Messrs. F. W.
Beamish, H. W. Beckett, W. L. Betts, R.
M. Brown, Chas. Calvert, W. E. E. Charter,
H. Dickman, Rev. A. Downs-Shaw, H.
Fieldhouse, O. R. Frankenstein, C. Lay-
wood, Herbert .J. Moore, G. Mytton,
Bertram J. Over, Edwin Pope, Walter H.
Pretty, Edward Robb, A. G. Skippen, P. J.
Stokes, William Davy Southcott, E. C.
Waring, Thos. Wells, Geo. White and A.
Wilmot.

It was decided to hold examinations for
second class certificates on Friday and
Saturday, November 16 and 17.

It was also arranged to hold a con-
versazione of members to follow the meet-
ing of Council on Thursday, October 11.
TIv? conversazione to open at 5 o'clock, the
subjects suggested for discussion being : —
The New Bee Disease (Black Brood) ;
Taking Honey from Hives ; and Feeding in
Winter.

The Council will be gratifi'ed by a large
and representative attendance of members
of the Association and its affiliated
societies, particularly those who are visit-
ing London to attend th? Dairy Show.

Numerous horse and motor 'buses pass
the Agricultural Hall to Regent Sti-eet
and Piccadilly Cii-cus, which is only five
minutes' walk from 105, Jermyn Street,
whei-e the meeting is held. Light refresh-
ments will be served as usual.

THE GROCERS AND KINDRED
TRADES' EXHIBITION.

HONEY SHOW AT THE AGRICITLTTJRAL HALL.

The fourteenth annual Exhibition and
Market of the Grocery and Allied Trades,
held at the Agricultural Hall, London,
was opened on Saturday last, the 22nd
inst., and continues till the end of the
present week.

It was very gratifying to find a con-
siderable increase in the number of
entries compared with the previous show
on the 8th inst. In other departments also
more space was occupied, so that visitors
to the honey exhibition had the unique ex-
perience of making their way to four
goodly lengths of standing situate in dif-
ferent parts of the gallery in order to get
a view of the whole.

The exhibits, too, looked very well in-
deed, six handsome trophies of honey and
bee products coming first into view, fol-
lowed by the classes for sections, light-
coloured extracted honey, shallow-frames
of comb-honey, beeswax, etc. In the light
honey class the forty-eight dozen of 1-lb.
jars made an iriiposing display, and, the
quality being on the whole excellent,
looked exceedingly well.

In the trophy class it was regrettable to
see in one case a verv fine exhibit spoilt
by the introduction of things so adverse
to good bee-keeping, marketable shape,
and saleable honev for table use as to pre-
clude its chance of a high place in the
competition.

In another case such items as pickled
red cabbage, pickled onions, etc., greatly
disfigured the exhibit, even though honey
vinegar was used. In the other classes
the only disappointincr thing was to again
see capital exhibits disqualified, some for
overlacing. and others entered obviously
the wrong class ; but in spite of disap-
pointments and drawbacks — for which ex-
hibitors themselves were alone to blamt.
— it was a very fine show, as will be ad-
mitted by all who pay a visit to the Agri-
cultural Hall before the week ends.

Mr. W. Broughton Carr, London, and
Colonel H. J. O.^ Walker. Budleigh Salter-
ton, Devon, officiated as judges, and made
the following

AWARDS.

Ouffit for Beginner in Bee-Kceping. — (No
entries).

Bisplaxj of Honey (comh and extracted)
and Honey Products shown in suitably
attractive form, for a tradesman's window
(6 entries). 1st (£4 and B.B.K.A. Silver
Medal), S. P. Soal, Rochford, Essex ; 2nd
(£3), C. W. Dyer, Compton, Newbury,
Berks; 3rd (£2), J. Waddell, Alwinton,
Northumberland ; 4th (£1), E. Waring,
Dunstable Street, Ampthill ; v.h.c, J.
Carver, Wellington, Salop.

382

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. Sept. 27, 1906.

Twelve 1-lb. Sections (19 entries). — One
exhibit' disqualified for overlacing. — 1st
(£1 15s. and Bronze Medal), J. Carver ;
2nd (£1 5s.), J. Clay, Wellington,
Salop; 3rd (15s.), C. W. Dyer; 4th (10s.),
J. Briggs, Paxton, Berwickshire ; 5th (5s.),,
A. W. Weatherhogg, Willoughton, Lines. ;
v.h.c. Rev. R. M. Lamb, Burton Pidsea,
Hull;' v.h.c., S. P. Soal.

Twelve 1-lh. Heather Sections (12 entries).
■ — One exhibit disqualifisd for overlacing. —
1st (20s.), J. Carver; 2nd (15s.), J. M.
Balmbra, Alnwick, Northumberland ; 3rd
(10s.), J. Waddell; v.h.c, A. Fox, Bard-
si?a, Ulverston; v.h.c, H. Waddington,
Borobridge, Yorks.

Three Shallow- frames Comb Homy
for Extracting (7 entries).— 1st (£1), J.
Herrod, Sutton-on-Trent, Newark ; 2nd
(15s.), J. Ti-ineman, Bridgend, Lostwithiel,
Cornwall; 3rd (10s.), J. Willson, Shire-
brook, Mansfield, Notts; v.h.c, C. Dunn-
Gardner, Fordham Abbey, Cambs.

Twelve 1-lb. Jars Light-coloured Ex-
tracted Honey (48 entries). — 1st (£1 15s.
and B.B.K.A. Certificate), H. Dilworth,
Shangton, Kibworth ; 2nd (£1 5s.), R.
Morgan Cowbridge, Glamorgan ; 3rd
(15s.), J. Waddell; 4th (10s.), A. Dell,
Leigh, Lanes ; 5th (5s.), T. G. Hillier,
Andover, Hants; v.h.c, W. J. Cook,
Market Rasen, Lines ; H. Geary,
Leicester ; H. M. Saunders, Thetford ; C.
Lodge, High Easter, Chelmsford; h.c,
Mrs. F. Harris. Sibsey, Boston ; S. G.
L^igh, Broughton, Hants ; C. W. Dyer ;
H. Cleaver, Leamington Spa.

Twelve 1-lb. Jars Medium-coloured 'Ex-
tracted Honey (39 entries). — 1st (£1 5s.),
S. G. Leigh ; 2nd (£1), W. Sproston, Gt.
Haywood, Staffs; 3rd (15s.), W. J. Wood-
smuth, Pluckley, Ashford, Kent ; 4th
(10s.), T. Marshall, Sutton-on-Trent,
Newark ; v.h.c, J. R. Freeman, Billing-
hurst, Sussex ; J. Willson ; J. Trineman ;
h.c, P. E. Grinstead.

Twelve 1-lb. Jars Dark-coloured Ex-
tracted Honey (14 entries). — 1st (£1), G.
Marshall, Norwall, Newark, Notts ; 2nd
(15s.), G. Hills, Coton, Cambs ; 3rd (10s.),
T. Marshall ; v.h.c, G. W. Kirby.

Twelve 1-lh. Jars Heather Honey (9 en-
tries).—1st (£1), H. Waddington; 2nd,
(15s.), W. Sprostoi) ; 3rd (10s.), J. Wad-
dell; h.c, T. Richards, Church Greasley,
Derbyshire.

Twelve 1-lb. Jars Heather lilrnd Honey
(7 entries).— 1st (20s.), G. H. Wynn,
Haslemere, Surrey; 2nd (15s.), J. Berry,
Llanrwst, N. Wah^s ; 3rd (10s.), F. A.
Kent, Dorch?ster; 4th (5s.), J. Carver.

Twelve 1-lb. Jars Granulated Honey. —
(7 entries).— 1st (£1 5s.), F. W. Gelder,
Sturtoh-by-Stow, Lines; 2nd (£1), C.

Lodge ; 3rd (15s.), J. Clay ; 4th (10s.), J.
Herrod.

Beesicax in Cakes, Quality of Wax, Form
of Cakes and Package suitable for retail
counter trade (14 entries). — 1st (£1), J-
Pearman, Penny Long Lane, Derby ; 2nd
(15s.), J. Herrod; 3rd (10s.), Mrs. F.
Harris; 4th (5s.), J. Berry; h.c, W. G.
Hills.

Beeswax judged for quality of wax only
(18 entries).— 1st (£1) C. Lodge ; 2nd (15s. i.
J. Berry; 3rd (10s.), J. Herrod- 4th (5s.),
J. Pearman ; v.h.c, C. Dunn-Gardner; H.
M. Saunders; J. Clav ; h.c, R. Mei-ri-
man ; R. Lockwood ; W. G. Hills.

irONEY SELLING CLASSES.

Extracted Honey in 1-lb. Jars, — by Sample
with price (5 entries). — Certificates of Merit
awarded to E. Matthews, H. Dilworth, F.
W. Gelder, Mrs. G. H.^athcote, F. Chap-
man.

Comb Honey in, Sections with price per
dozen (6 entries). — Certificate of merit
awarded to E. Matthews, H. Geary, A.
Brightwell, T. Hunter, F. Chapman, J.
Goodhall.

(&ormpn&mt.

The Editors do not hold themselves responsible for the
opinions expressed by correspondents. No notice ivill
be taken of anonymous communications, and corre-
spondents are requested to write on one side of the paper
only and give their real names and addresses, not neces-
sarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith.
Illustrations should be drawn on separate pieces of paptr .
We do not undertake to return rejected communications.

*♦* In order to facilitate reference, Corrtsponderts,
when speaking of any letter or query previously inserted,
will oblige by mentioning the number of the letter as well
as the page on which it appears.

HUMBLE-BEES WANTED FOR NEW
ZEALAND.

[6436. J The Canterbury Agricultural
and Pastoral Association (New Zealand)
are again wanting a supply of fertilised
queens of certain British species of humble-
bees for the fertilisation of the red clover
in 'Nli'w Zealand. Last autumn you were
good enough to publish a letter and ad-
vertisements in the " British Bee Journal,"
to which many of your readers kindly re-
sponded, with the result that I was en
abled to send out by the s.s. " Paparoa "
a small i)arcel of queens, 66 per cent, of
which arrived alive, thanks largely to
special (;aro taken of them by Mr. White,
As in the case of wasps, the queen hum-
ble-bees are br'nl in the Jiests in large
numbers towards the end of the summer
(July to September). They then leave the
nests, and -diU^r being fertilised they bur-
row singly into the ground or into thick
moss or thatch, and there pass the winter

Sept. 27, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

388

in a torpid or semi-torpid condition, wak-
ing up in the spr'ing to found fresh colonies.
Many species prefer to hibernate in banks
or slopes facing north or noi-th-W?st at
dV'ptlis varying from 6ins. to 2ft., where
they are often dug up by gardeners,
labourei-s, and others. Others species are
frequent^ly found by thatchers when remov-
ing old thatch from barns and cottages.

It will be s<?en by the advertisement on
another page tlvit Is. each is offered for
desirable specimens. At least ten times
the number obtained last year are wantxl.
When found they should .be placed with
some damp moss in a small tin box, having
a few holes pierced in it for ventilation,
and sent to me by post. They should hi

Bombus terrestris.

disturbed as little as possible and kejjt in
a cool place. Specimens that may be
found flying or on flowers are not wanted.
There are about twelve Bi-itish species
of humbl?-bees, and any of these are ac-
ceptable, except one common species, B.
terrestris, and the very similar and closely
allied species B. lucorum, also the species

Bombus hortorum.

of the allied inquiline genus Psithyrus
(formerly called' Apathus). The Psithyri
may be distinguished from the true hum-
ble-bees by their dusky wings and hard,
rather less haiiy bodies. B. terrestris and
lucorum are large black-hair|?d species with
bright yellow bands and white or tawny
at the tip of the body. As there are several
other large black species having yellow
bands and white tip, onje of which, B.
hortorum is particularly desired, I have
thought it best to make drawings (which
T enclose) of the two species, showing
in what way the arrangement of the jidlow
bands differs in B. terrestris and B. lucorum
from that on B. hortorum, etc.

B. pratorum, a smaller black-haired
species with yellow bands arranged as in

B. terrestris, but with an orange-red (not
white or tawny) tip, is desired. B. lapi-
darius, or largi black-haired species with
a bright red tip and no yellow bands, com-
mon in many places, and burrowing in the
ground, is specially desired. All the
smaller and lighter coloured sp'3cies, often
called carder bees or moss bees, are also
desired.

Searching for these bees might p'?rhaps
be a profitable occiipation for any unem-
ployed known to " B.B..J." readers. I am
anxious to receive as many queens as pos-
sible dui'ing Octob'^r, the latest date for
sending being October 27. It is hoped
that the description given of B. terrestris,
lucorum, and psithyrus will enable collec-
tors to ideiitify these and so prevent pos-
sible disappointm'ent.— F. W. E. Sladen,
Ripple Court Apiaiy, near Dover, Septem-
ber 19.

DEALING WITH FOUL BROOD.

[6437.] Mr. Bayly in his communication
(6423, page 366) suggests a plan of dealing
with foul brood which I have advocated
in the "B.B..I." and elsewhere for some
time, viz., the regular renewal of brood-
combs. So far as I have had experience
of foul brood in my own apiaiy and in the
hives of others, the great source of danger
lies in the honey stored in the hive. The
bees in autumn rob from infected colonies,
but the disease does not tht?n appear, there
being no breeding going on ; but in the
spring, when the infected honey is drawn
on for brood-rearing, the disease shows it-
self. If we then feed with non-infected
food the disease is checked, and if we spray
with a disinfectant in addition we seem-
ingly effect a cure, especially if non-in-
fected food be freely given or new honey
be coming in. But this "cure" is only
temporary, and as soon as ever the old
infected stores ar^ drawn upon for food the
disease breaks out again. I have tested
this thoroughly. Bee-keepers are warned
against the danger of conveying infection
on their clothes to other hives, but there
is comparatively little danger of this unless
the disease exists in the spore stag'd ; in
fact, the hive itself may be used again
almost without disinfection if no spores
are present. Mr. McEnvoy appears to suc-
c?ed fairly in 'America without disinfec-
tion, but I myself pref(?r a 48 hours' fuming
with formalin. ^Driven bees are safe to use
after the usual quarantine ; so are
s%varms, but I doubt if they would be
safe if they came from a hive with
dry spores. The success of the quaran-
tine plan shows that the danger lies
in the food. The bee-keeper must stop
foul brood befoi'? it gets to the spore stage.
If he does that he loses only the combs and
some young brood, but if he lets it go to

384

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Sept. 27. 1906.

the spore stage the chances are that all
the crevic'es of the hive and of his appli-
ances will be thoronghly infected. Stop
the disease by spraying, then drive in the
autumn, and feed up for winter on clean
food.

I stopped a case of foul bi'ood this spring,
and on driving in the autumn found only
^ three cells affected in the whole liive. I
find that foul brood sometimes affects one
or two cells only in a hive and does not
spread any further, because these cells are
sealed over and never get perforated, and
while they remain sealed there is no
danger from th^m.

I am inclined to tliink that pickled
brood, foul brood, and black brood are
closely related, because I have seen in the
same hive specimens of all thre*?.

So far I have txsually seen foul brood in
sealed cells to commence with ; this I think
is a mild type ; the worst sort is that which
attacks the unsealed grubs at all stag"^ of
growth and spreads rapidly. — W. J.
Farmer , Truro. September 23.

THE COXTECTIOXERS' EXHIBITION.

JTBGES AXD COLOtrR OF H0NT:T.

[6438.] I have been much interested in
your remarks on the Confectioners' Ex-
hibition, and also in the l'?tter signed
'• Worker " (6428). for although yoiu* con-e-
spondent seems, as you say. to have only
himself to blame for the enormous amount
of carriage paid by him on his exhibit, yet
in his remarks on the colour of honey for
show purposes Iv? raises a question which
has certainly deteri'ed me. and nerhaps
others, from competing at the bie shows.
I therefore take up my pen to state mv own
case in the hop? that you will deal wit'i
our difficulties in an early issue. The
honey gatliered by my bees comes chiefly
from sainfoin, and is of a distinctly yellow
colour, some having also a slightly green
tint. It certainly tastes very nice, and
everyone who tries it speaks highly of it.
I have only this morning received an order
for a dozen lib. jars from a lady and gen-
tleman, who say they never liked hon'ey
until they tasted mine. Xow. if I should
stage an exhibit, it will have to go into
the lisht class, where I suppose it will T)e
passed over in favour of sonv? which is al-
most the colour of water. Again, if I turn
my attention to sections, I fear my sections
with their primrose coloured cappings will
stand no chance against an equally good
exhibit with white cappinss. There still
remains two other classes in which I may
compete at some future show, viz., granu-
lated honey and wax. I am anxiously
waiting to see how my honev will granu-
late, as this is the first year I have worked
for extracted honey. As to wax, I have
hardly sufficient to show this year.

In conclusion, if my letter is not already
too long, just a word as to the season. I
started with two stocks and purchased four
swarms early in June. I intended to
work the two stocks for extracted, and the
swarms for section honey ; but as a check
in the honey-flow occurred soon after the
sections were put on, I removed most of
them and gave shallow-frames instead.
The two stocks did very well, one yielded
lOOlbs.. the other rather-over that weisht.
From th'?" four swarms I secured nearly
lOOlbs. of extracted honey and about three
dozen sections between them.— L. I., Cam-
bridge, September 21.

MY BEE WAGOX.

[6439.1 -^t your request. I here enclose
photo of my bee wagon and if it possesses
sufficient interest for your readers I shall
be pleased to see it in the " B.B..J.'' I am
a beeman of long standing, having practi-
cally kept bees all my life. My father was
a skeppist bee-keeper for a great part of
his time, and when a lad it was my delight
to be amongst the hives. In those days all
beyond a certain number of skeps had to
e;o to the sulphur-pit. and in this way I
have se;en as many as 12 to 14 good stocks
of bees suffocated year bv year. For mv-
self, however. I did not like this bee-kill-
ing job, and when I erew up to manhood
I made a start on my own account. Soon
aftenvards I wanted to tiy the niew
methods of manasring the bees and hives,
consequently the old man and myself began
to differ in opinion, and he used to say
" tha wilt throw all thy money away ■:>r\
these new f angled ways." But I per-
severed and made progress. I used to work
my luees for section-honey only and soon
saved a few pounds from the sale of va\
surplus honev, and when I got married
later on the first thing I did was to bti-- a
pig out of my "' bee money." and in up-
holding the advantages of the new plan I
said '■ Come and look at my bele-pig. dad."
Tliis just suited the old man, and ^.leased
him much. Since then I have developed
into a full-blown beeman. and have taken
up my if^sidence in a couutn' village two
miles from a railwav station. But I soon
found myself severely handicapped in get-
ting the swarms I sold to the station, and
as I send away a large quantity of stocks
in boxes and swarms in skeps everv y^ar,
the cost of conveyanrte to the station.
Is. 6d. each time a lot was ready for de-
spatch, soon became a serious loss. Some-
times four of five swarms to go at once, an I
sometimes only one. but the cost was al-
wavs Is. 6d. This T could not stand, so T
said to my wife, who is a r^al beenian's
wife and helper (she hives more swarni': 'ii
the season than I do mvself). if "I l'vr»
till another season I will save this Is. 6d.

Sept. 27, 1906.J THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

385

per journey," and this is how I did it. I
piu-chased four old cycle wli|?els and set to
work, and I soon had a good bee-wagon
of my own making, and on which I can
convey 12 swarms in either boxes or skeps
to the station at once, and there is no shak-
ing or damage done. So I thought that it
might be helpful to some brothjr bee-
keeper situated like myself to see the re-
sult. Your readers will see at a glance
that the boxes and skeps shown are
" empties " which were returned after thfe
b'^es had been delivered to purchasers,
and the " pony " in the shafts is your
humbll? servant. The wagon is 6ft, long,
and 15ins. wide, the wheels being put un-
der the frame-work mucli in the same way
as any other wagon. The^- have a through

Does bee-ke'^ping pay ? I answer yes, and
pays well undl^r good management. I also
advise all beginners to furnish themselves
with Mr. Cowan's " Guide-book," many
dozens of which book I have circulated in
this part of the countiy. Wishing good
luck to all readers. — E. J. T., Uowdall,
Snaith, Yorks.

EENDERIXG BEESWAX.

[6440.] Xow that the honey season is
owr, the melting up of old comb and pieces
of wax — if not already done — needs atten-
tion ; for this purpose many kinds of wax
extractors are sold, but nothing I have yet
tried comes up to washing in the upper
part of a honey-ripener followed by m'?lt-

A IIOME-MAUK UKK-WAGON.

axle, and the front wheels are fixj^'d on a
loose pivot for turning round. I may say
when I go my rounds delivering and sell-
ing honey and helping bee-keei^)ei's I al-
ways tak? a few copies of the " B.B..J." and
give them to those who aiHj not already
readers. I travel all over our disti-ict
among the bees. Last year I had 105 stocks
under my management, so your readers
can gui?ss that I had some work on my
hands. I overhaul as many stocks in one
year as any one man in this pai't of the
country, which is a splendid place for bee-
forage. I am also pleased to say only one
bad case of foul brood has come under my
notice, and I have sonre splendid " takes "
of honey, and can always sell my produce
at a fair price. We often hear it asked :

ing in a saucepan. For the benefit of
those who have not tried this plan, it
might, perhaps, be useful if I described
more particularly how this is done.

First, th'^ upper part of honey-ripener is
filled with the comb etc., and then placed
in a till) — an ordinary wasliing-tub will
do — containing enough cold water to float
the wax ; the wax must then be brok.^n up
and rubbed with the hands until not a
particle of honey or soluble dirt is left,
changing the water once or twice during
the operation ; the wax is then allowed *o
drain, so that all water may 'escape through
the strainer in the honey-ripener ; it only
remains to melt the wax in a saucepan over
a slow fire, and pour into a mould, in which
a piece of m.uslin has been laid. Lift the

386

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL [Sept. 27, 1906.

muslin and th'3 wax will be left in the
mould, the refuse being retained in the
muslin. In order to prevent cracking, a
I)iece of newspaper under the mould, and
a piece of thick pap'n- or cardboard above,
will have the desired effect.

This operation takes less time, is less
messy, and jjroduces wax of a much better
colour than when an ordinary or solar 'ax-
tractor is used. — EiRNEST H. Oldham,
Southgate, September 24.

THE LESSONS OF A BEE SHOW.

DISAPPOINTED VISITORS.

[6441.] For some time past I have been
watchins the " Bee Shows to Come " column
in the "^B.B.J., and noted that of the
"Surrey Bee-beepers' Association." I am
one of those who have the Saturday half-
holiday (a day, when a good many men
get away from business) and took the op-
portunity of attending at the Crystal
Palace in the hope of learning something
in the bee line. Judge then of my disap-
pointment on arrival at finding half of the
exhibits railed off and guarded by a burly
man in blue ; only a privileged few being
allowed within the sacred precincts. The
bee tent had been removed, and there were
no manipulations or lectures which I most
wanted to see and hear, and from what
could be gathered from those around. I
Avas not alone in the general disappoint-
ment.

I notice one of th'? obiects of the Asso-
ciation is " to spread a knowledge of the
industry and encourage all who can do so
to nractice bee culture."

To hold a show on what was evidently
regarded as an unsuitable date (b'?ing prac-
tically a free day), and to deny prospective
bee-keepers the privilege of taking home a
fi'w tips, does not tend to promote the
objects of the Association, and is money
and energy wasted. These shortcomings
were made up to some extent bv the kindly
attention and explanations of the maltn's'
representatives who were most courteous
anrl obliging.

I hope to make a start in the craft next
spring, mv teacher being the "Guide-
book," which has had a fasciuating in-
terest for me (name sent for refei-'ence). —
" South Nouwood," September 24.

BEES IN THE ISLE OF MAN.

[6442. 1 I herewith enclose a few notes on
my second year's work among the be'?6. I
have had a very successful season in everv
way. My best stock has yielded three full
10-frame supers and a 5-frame nucleus.
The bees are Italian hybrids. Several other
colonies liav? given two supers, while from
my second best hi^'e T took a rack of sections

in addition. Last season I was troubled
with excessive swarming, but this year I
have only had two swarms from ten stocks,
thanks mainly to your teaching in the
"B.B.J." The swarms were returned to
their respective hives, and I thus kej)t work
going on in suj^ers without a break. No
honey was stored during the greater part of
August, the weath'?r being very bad ; prac-
tically all my honev was collected by the
end of July and a little during the early
part of September.

I am indebted to the Jottknal and
Guide Book for being able to diagnos'? two
cases of foul brood among my stocks in
May. After treating them, according to
the most known ])lans. I was disappointed
to find the disease reappear in the combs,
so I promptly burnt both lots.

I am also indebted to your abl'a con-
tributor, D. M. M., Banff, 'for his method
of clearing supers. I have found it so suc-
cessful that I shall alter my other hives so
as to make them suitable for this plan of
working. I find it better tO' work among
the be?s without veil or gloves whenever
possible,- as it causes less disturbance in
the apiary. When swarms settle on trees
I find it the best way to climb the tree and
fasten a line to the branch on which the
bees have settled ; then cut the branch and
lower it into an empty hive. This done I
place skep on top and cover the whole with
a sheet. The operation never takes me
more than about fifteen minutes. I shall
be obliged if yon will let me know if it is
an advantage to winter stocks -with a super
left on ? If this is done I take it that the
'excluder will have to be removed ? I ex-
pect the bees would winter in the super
and the queen lay there in spring.

Without being able to say how much
honey my stocks would average, but th'ere
is more honey in my house than I have
ever seen during my life. — J. J. Mough-
TON, Laxey, I.O.M.. September 24.

[W^e never leave supers on hives in
winter. — Eds.]

THOUGHTS ON QUEENS.

THE SEASON IN NORTHUMBERLAND.

[6443.] In looking through my B.B.J.'s
for the last four weeks, I find that several
writers have touched upon the question of
queens other than the native variety.
Now, the variety which is bi-ought most
prominently before us by advertisements,
etc., is the Italian, and I would like to
ask : What are the points which are used
to recommend it? Is not great stress laid
on its being, first and foremost, peaceable
and a good honey gatherer? two points
which are extremely desirable, so much ,
SO' that beginners — as soon as they have
mastered the operation of queen-introduc-
tion, are strongly tempted to Italianise all

Sept. 27, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOTTBNAL.

387

their English stocks. Well, what happens
as a natural consequence? Why, in two
years after the change of breed we find
them complaining of the viciousness of
their bees, owing to the young Italian
queens mating with English drones. If
we could be sure that the foreign queens
would mate with foreign drones, it might
be more profitable to keep them than the
English, if we work for extracted honey ;
but for comb honey, they cannot touch
the old English blacks. I must confess
that it is an advantage to the bee-keeper
when his English queens cross with the
Italian drones, but for them to cross in
the other direction is to produce a race
of " stingers " rather than one of good
honey-gatherers.

Bees at the Heather. — I was glad to see
Mr. Tom Sleight's note on page 354. I
have five stocks at the moors, three of
which were worked on the " Alexander
system " up to the end of July, and are
now on ten frames with forty-two sections
on the top. On August 30 I received word
that these three stocks were hanging out,
so I put another rack of twenty-one sec-
tions on the top of the others, to act as
a cooler, and in doing so I noticed that
the racks then on were well on towards
completion, so, given a continuance of
fin© weather, I should secure sixty-three
sections from each of these hives. The
other two stocks (swarms hived in June)
wei'e not quite so forward. The season
all through, however, has been a record
season here, and bee-keepers generally are
in a good humour with themselves.

In conclusion, my opinion as regards
breed of bees best suited for a locality like
ours, where there is clover and all the
summer flowers natural to an agricultural
district, followed by heather in the
autumn, is that the blacks cannot be
excelled and in many cases not equalled.
Finally, keep your queens young, by pre-
venting swarming and requeening each
year after heather is finished. — J. H.
WiLLOOX, Haydon Bridge.

AMERICAN AND COLONIAL PAPERS.

EXTRACTS AND COMMENTS.

By D. M. Macdonald, Banflf.
Age of Queens. — So good an authority as
Mr. Doolittle has tha following to say on
this interesting subject: — "The super-
seding of all queens as soon as they are
two years of age is quite a task, even if it
, were n'aceessary, but when we come to con-
sider that, with the rank and file of bee-
keepers, most queens are as good the third
year as the second, while vary many queens
prove good the fourth year, unless the
apiarist uses such strenuous plans that
they are overworked. Queens with me ar-e
good and prolific for three years, and some

are doing good work in their fifth year.
It is a waste of time to go through this
work of re-qu6'3ning simply for the reason
that some unthinking person (tuithinking
along this line) has recommended such a
course." This is a very large admission,
especially from a queen rearer. I noted
just latily that another large beekeeper
supersedes on the principle of failure in
keeping up the pace to his minimum re-
quirements. This shows right good sense.
Some of my more aged quaens this year did
very well, whereas some of this year's breed-
ing have already been sacrificed. A bee-
k?eper near says all his young queens of
last year swarmed this season, but two or
three old ladies stuck to active work. Ag3
in a bee is no true criterion of its senility,
and the same holds true of queens. In
both cases ivorh ages more than length of
days.

The Best Bee in Sicitzerland. — One
thousand Svidtzers are engaged in queen
rearing, and of these 77 per cent, favour
the black bee ; 15 per cent, prefer hybrids,
and 6 per cent. Carniolans, leaving only 2
per cent, for other races, including
Italians. One of the Beeke'apers' Associa-
tions sent to its members cards, asking
which race of bees they preferred. 1,865
voted for blacks, 393 for hybrids, 147 for
Carniolans, and only 48 for Italians. The
Editor of American B.J., from which
paper I quote, adds : — " And the majority
is sensible."

Strong Colonies. — Our Canadian cousins
are more than ever convinced of the im-
portance of having stocks strong to ensure
the best success. Mr. Pettitt says : —
" Some of the colonies came throiigh the
spring in a weak condition. These have
been* almost at a standstill e^'^ar since.
While strong ones have gained tre-
mendously, and stored sui^olus, medium
ones have built up strong, but have stored
nothing, and weak colonies are w?ak still
in mid July." Although he recognises that
there are other influences at work he
evidently credits the aue;?ns with at least
a large percentage of the deterioration,
and then proceeds to give a pretty good rule
for regulating supersedure. The queen's
work is watched from week to week, and if
she does not gain — if the brood chamber
assumes that honey-boxmd appearance so
indicative of a poor queen — off comes her
h'?ad. The same rule is followed with Br.
Miller's bees. Miss Wilson says: — "If a
queen is doing good work she is not killed
on account of age, but if her work is poor
she is deposed at the first convenient
opportunity. "

Feeding Bees with Hweftencd Water- — A
writer in the " American B'?e Journal " be-
lieves in this form of stimulation as the
best and safest. " I feed in spring only
sweetened water, three fourths lukewarm

388

THE BRITISH BEE JOtTRKAL. [Sept. 27, 1906.

water and on's fourth honey. Fed thus it
does not tax the strength of the bees as it
does when they have to fly out and sip ice
cold water. I thus save thousands of bees,
and not only that but the temperature of
the cluster is not lowered, which saves
brood from being chilled. The bees
evaporate my sweetened water, and their
continual activity will cause the queen to
become more prolific. Bees thus fed gave
me 2501bs. per colony on an average, while
my neighbours,, who are pretty well up to
date beekeepers, got barely lOOlbs."

Biffercntiafing Types of Foul Brood.— It
is quite getting the fashion among some
American 'editors to speak of American and
European foul brood. It has been recog-
nised for several years now that there are
two tvpes of it in this country, or at least
that different outbreaks are more or less
virulent. We have had it reported on
what may be considered reliable authority
that cui-es have been aff ?cted in many in-
stances, and even in some cases assertions
have been made that it has cured itself.
The other type runs riot with the strides of
a giant, and death and extinction in-
evitably follows. Nothing but annihilation
by burning can cure that stock. Hundreds
can testify to this as the fruits of sad ex-
perience. Some remarks bv the editor of
the " Be-^keepers' Review " deserve con-
sideration, but I can only cull a few
sentences as follows : — American and
European foul brood seems to b? the names
rlecided on bv a maiority of the inspectors.
There are wide difFerences between these
two types of the disease, but it would be
difficialt to say which was the most destruc-
tive. Black European foul brood is
certainlv more virulent when it apnears
first, but after a time it loses its virulence
in a large degree. Tt mav anpear and then
disappear. American foul brood never
cuts such capei-s. Once it is in a colony it
stays, unless removed by the hand of man.
The scale of the American variety, when it
dries down, sticks to the ^^ide of the c^ll so
closely that it is impossible for the bees to
remove it. In the European variety the
scale can be easily removed. The bees can
very easily clean out the cells if they
choose ; somethintr that they cannot do
with the American varietv. The bees
s'eem to be able to resist arid overcome the
one, in the other case when the cells be-
come infected the disease stavs there. The
be'^s can't clean it out; and the time finally
comes when there are few clean cells in
which to rear brood ; and, even in clean
cells, the brood is almost certain to become
infected from the food that is given it.
The colony is doomed." The above extracts
will cive the American idea of dif-
ferentiating ; but I venture to assert that
the ripe experience of our junior editor

(W. B. C.) in handling specimens from all
parts of Great Britain and Ireland will
bear me out in stating that we have this
latter type present in this country in its
most virulent form. Mr. Samuel Simmins
seems to be the chief authority on which
American editors baise their theory of the
mildness of our foul brood. I often think
this gentleman must have had experience
of only the milder type ; because I Jcnow his
professed cure cannot extinguish the viru-
lent form of foul brood.

[We cordially endorse Mr. Macdonald's
statement with regard to the — no doubt
unintentional — ^misleading nature of the
'editorial remarks quoted above. What-
ever weight our American friends may
attach to the views of Mr. Simmins'
as an authority on foul brood we feel it
incumbent on us to say that the Editors of
The British Bee Journal do not share the
opinions of the gentleman named in the
slightest degree. In fact they are directly
opposed to him on the question. Mr.
Cowan's views on the subject of foul brood
as set forth in the "Guide Book," are in
accord with the teachings of science, added
to the author's personal experience in deal-
ing with the disease. Nor are the views of
the junior editor (W. B. C.) less pro-
nounced, and are recorded in the pages of
the " B.B.J." week by week. So there need
be no uncertainty and no difficulty with
our American contemporaries in judging of
European foul brood as it is known in this
country. Not being contributors to
American bee-papers we leavei our good
friends over there to inform themselves
with regard to British authoritative
opinion with the materials in their hands,
and if they fail to do this the fault is not
ours. — Eds.]

f3410.] Dealing with Foul Brood in
" Wells' " Hive. — ^When giving my four
stocks the final look through, as I hoped, the
other day, before packing them down for the
winter, I discovered one lot (one side of a,
double hive) affected with foul brood, though
not badly. The next evening I proceeded to
make an artificial swarm of the affected bees,
but found that, instead of running into the
empty box where I wanted them to enter,
they ha^d run along the flight-iboard, forced
the grass out of entrance of the other stock,
and were iswarming in there. So I had to
artificially swarm the second lot as well,
though they were perfectly healthy. I staryed
them for forty-eight hours, and then put them
in a clean hive, and am feeding up on medi-
cated syrup. I hope, therefore, that they will
now be all right. What I want your advice
about is the combs in ishallow-frames and half-
filled sections which I took off that stock.
After extracting the contents, I aim afraid

Sept. 27, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

389

some of them got on to my other two stocks
(now perfectly healthy) to be cleaned up, and.
as I had about twenty-one partly filled sec-
tions, I filled the rack with them, and would
now like to have them cleared up if you think
it safe? The shallow-frames are already
cleaned up, sO' I cannot remedy that if
entails any risk of mischief being done. I
therefore ask: — 1. Is there any risk of in-
fection from shallow-frames taken from in-
fected hive? 2. If so, would the risk be re-
moved by thoroughly fumigating with burn-
ing <sulphur, and then spraying with Izal, and
would they then be fit to go on next year? or,
3. Must the whole of them be melted up, and
next year, after boiling supers and section
racks, .start again with clean foundation? 4.
With regard to the two stocks which I found
healthy, but which had helped to clean up
empty combs, I may say I am hoping to keep
them healthy by keeping the quilt of each
damped every few days for the next two or
three weeks with disinfectant. Do you think
it sufficient precaution ? Name sent for refer-
ence.— A. C. H., Sussex.

Eeply. — 1. If spraved with soluble phenyle
we find no harm to follow the use of combed
sections, from slightly afi'ected stocks. 2.
There is little or no advantage in fumigating
in such a case. 3. No. 4. We should not
damp the quilts with disinfectants at all. No
advantage would be gained thereiby.

[3411.] A Beginner's Queries. — ^I would be
glad if you will give me some information on
the following .subjects : — I am a beginner at
bee-keeping, having started with no more
information than I found in the " Guide
Book," with which, and a load of firewood, I
constructed a Cowan Hive and peopled it with
a swarm in June. Since that time I have
carefully studied each of your valuable
periodicals as they appeared. There is no
brood in the hive now. all combs being filled
with honey, and nothing has been done in
the supers. I suppose I should have hived
them on seven or eight frames instead often,
adding the other frames later in the season ;
but, to make certain, I ask: — 1. Is this not
so? 2. Next year I want honey, not in-
crease, I proi^ose, therefore, at an early date
(say end of March) next season, to extract all
honey from nine frames of brood-chamber,
then replace them ana add a rack of shallow-
frames fitted with full sheets of foundation,
and immediately commence feeding with
syrup. If this is done, will the bees put the
syrup given into the shallow-frames as re-
quired, and leave the whole of the brood-box
for breeding? 3. The rack of shallow-frames
would be allowed to remain permanently after-
wards, and racks of sections given above for
storing surplus in. Is this the best course
for me to pursue, honey being my main
object? 4. I have no extractor, and as £ s. d.
has to be considered, I will make one myself
if you will let me know the best distance from
face of the comb to centre of extractor? 5.
At what temperature is it safe to open a hive
in winter? Wishing your journals every
success, I send name and sign — Cottnty,
TStafIs, September 22.

Reply. — 1. There is no reason why a June
swarm should not be hived on ten frames, if

the season warrants it ; but it is advantageous
to contract the hive at first in order to facili-
tate comb-building, adding the full number
before supering. 2. We strongly advise you
to leave the honey now stored in the brood-
body of hive where it is, unless there is more
of it than really required for the bees' use
during winter and early spring. This should
hot be less than 251b. when the bees are
packed down for winter. The clearing out
of surplus food from brood-body is best left
till early .spring, when "stimulating" begins.
3. If the shallow-frames are left on the hive
all winter, and no queen-excluder between
them and the brood-chamber below, early
breeding will start in the shallow-frames,
wliich is very undesirable. 4. You will find
it an extremely difficult task to make an
extractor from the vague bit of information
asked for in your query. We advise you to
try and get the loan of an extractor as a pat-
tern to work from ; without this the chance
of your home-made machine being serviceable
is, we fear, somewhat remote. 5. Don't be
guided by the thermometer at all when the
question of opening hives in winter arises ;
be guided by the bees themselves. When
,they are on the wing and flying freely, you
may be sure that no great harm will follow
inspection of the combs. It wUl lower the
temperature of the brood nest for a time, but
that does not matter. On the other hand,
don't open hives in winter unless there is
real necessity for so doing.

%tt ^kttis is €imit

October 9 to 12. at the Agxiculttiral
Hall, London.— Show of Honey and Bee Produce
<n connection with the Britiih Dairy Farmers* AscocU-
tion. Numerous and liberal prizea for honey, etc.,
including the valuable Silver Challenge Oup of the
B.B.K.A. Entries closed.

October 18 to 21, at "Waverley Market.
Edinburprli. — Honey show in connection with
the Tenth Annual Edinburg:h and Midlothian Indus-
trial Exhibition. All open classes. Beautifully illus-
trated prospectus, price 2d., from A. Hutchinson, 15,
Leith Street. Edinburgh Entries close Sep-
tember 27. (See advt. p. v.)

October 18 and 19. at Kilmarnock, N.B.

— Honey Show in connection witli the annual exhibi-
tion of the Ayrshire Agricultural Society. Schedules
on application to John Howie, Secretary, 58, Alloway
Street, Ayr. Entries close October 5. (See
advt. p. V.)

TTovember 9 and 10, at Cborley, Lanes.

—Honey Show of Lanos. B.K.A. in connection with
Chorley Chrysantliemura Society's Annual Show.
Four Open Classes. Exhibitors allowed to bring
honey for sale. Schedules from W. G. Smith, Town
Hall Auction Rooms, Chorley, Lanes. Entries
close ISTovember 3.

Notices to Correspondents & Inquirers,

Amateur (Northumberland). — Bees Hanging
Out in September. — The hanging out you
complain of is, no doubt, caused by the
hives being too warmlv covered and wrapped
with the feilt mentioned. Six quilts on
each hive is altogether unsuitable in such
a warm month as this has been. If the
hives are too crowded and the heather is
blooming well, we should give another rack
of sections below that already on.

390

THE BKITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Sept. 27, 1906.

F. W. HtTXT (Devon). — ^Yellow Bees from
Native Queen. — ^It is quite clear tJriat th&
queen in question has mated with a Ligurian
or some other variety of yellow drone. It
seems curious that with " ten hives of
iblacks in your own apiary, and twenty other
colonies of blacks within a mile, and plenty
of drones in all of them," your -nung queen
should meet a yellow drone, but the fact of
her having done so is quite apparent. You
must bear in mind that with Italians four
miles away, as stated, it would not be at
all strange to see cross-mating, when we
know how very rapidly both queens and
Hrones fly when intent on mating.

J. Fairall (Hellingly). — News of ]Mr. Frank
Benton. — Reference to our issue of June 22
last year (page 241), will show that Mr.
Benton is not only alive and well, but is
now engaged on an expedition connected
with apiculture ^n behalf of the U.S.A.
Department of Agriculture, and that, as the
accredited agent of the American Govern-
ment, he is travelling more than half round
the world seeking for bees and bee-forage
plants likely to be of advantage to Ameri-
can bee-keeping.

Bazaar (Weybridge). — Bee Demonstration in
November. — We cannot give much hope of
a " demonstration with live bees " at a
bazaar in the month of November being a

' success. In fact, the chances are in favoi;,r
of the bee-show turning out anything but
an attraction to visitors. 2. An observa-
tory hive might certainly be kept on view
if staged in a warm room and well wrapped
up at night.

Jas. Howarth (Westhoughton). — Removing
Supers. — ^Supers should be removed from
hives as soon as the honey harvest begins
to fail. In vour case, if there is no heather
within reach, the time for removal should
be when second-crop clover has ceased
flowering.

Suspected Combs.

E. B. (Rhyl). — The four pieces of comb sent
are almost wholly filled with honey and
pollen, the few cells not so occupied con-
tain no foul brood, but dead larvae in dif-
ferent stages of development, some full
grown and dead from " chill " only. In
view of this, and your having already
destroyed the bees, there is no need for
special precautions in having the hive dis-
infected. Ordinary washing out with hot
water, with a good handful of common
washing soda will therefore suffice'.

F. T. C. (Maidstone). — There are slight signs
of incipient foul hrood in comb sent.

Axxiors (Bristol). — The comb sent is free from
foul brood, but the remains of dead larvae
in several cells bear the appearance of
"black brood," or " New York bee disease,"
so named from its having first appeared in
the State of New York. If you defer any
attempt at cure till soring, as proposed, you
may hear some particulars regarding the
disease in question in our pages, as the
matter is to come up at the conversazione
on Octoiber 11.

Special Prepaid Advertise merits

Twelve ivords and under Sixpence : for every additional
Three words or under, One Pe n ny.

QUEEN HUMBLE BEES WANTED.— One shilling
each offered for hibernating queen humble bees
of any species (exeepfc " BombuiSi terrestris " and
" Lucorum " amd " PsithyTus), delivere-d alive to
F. W. L. Sladien, Ripple Court Apiaiy, near Dover,
during Octobea- (not later than October 27), for ship-
ment to New Zealand. For particulars as to where to
search ior, and how to distinguish the^ various species,
and how to pack them, «©a lette'- iiii " B.B.J." of "^ep-
t ember 27, a^age ■'^2. t 40

WANTED, QUANTITY OF GOOD SECTIONS.— R.
CARTER, Chartridge Green Farm, Chesham.
Bucks. T 39

RIVEN BEES WANTED, 6 lb. lots, cheap, without
queers.— WALLACE, Bramhall, Stockpoi-t. t 38

D

^* Some Querirx and Replies, 4''"., are nn-
avoidahly held over till next ivfek.

1 Q( lA GRANULATED LIGHT HONEY, pound screw
J-t/UU bottles, 8®. 6d. dozen; yellow orccus,
snowdrops, Is. 100 ; daffodils, white narcissus, Is. 6d.
100, 25d. di'zen ; mixed narcissus, datlod'ls, Is. lliQ,
2d. dozen ; hyacinths. Is. 6d. doze;nj ; Chapman honey
plant, 3d. packet, post free.— WEST, 83, Stoke Road,
(Josport. T 41

THREE WELL-STOCKED SKEPS, HEALTHY BEES,
12s. each ; Driven Beesi, Is. 3d', lb.— S. DARLINti-
TON, Charing, Kent. T 42

FOR SALE, 20 lb. THIN SUPER FOUNDATION,
Is. 8d. lb., or would exchange. —GRANT, Huyton,
Lanes. T 44

1CWT. H0NP:Y for sale, in i cwt. tins.- D. COLE,
HeitingfordDury, Hertford. T 4S

EXTRACTED ENGLISH HONEY, lis. per 28 lb. tin ;
sample, 2d.— DUTTON, Tei-ling, Essex. t 46

APIARY, with connection, 14 bar-framed hives,
double walls, cork packed, strong, healthy stocks,
averago yieJd 75-20 lb. each, complete outfit —
HUDDER, Stoke-by-Mayland, Colchester. t 48

on DOZEN 1 LB. SCREW-TOP JARS LIGHT EX-
.^UtrACTED HONEY, 9s. dozen, carriage paid;
samide. 2d.— TILLIN(;. He^^senford. Crn-nwall. T 47

FOR Sale, six SHEEP DOG PUPS, on rail, 10s. each.
Particulars, Id. stamp.— RIDLEY, Th© Apiary,
Horney Common, LTckiield. Sussex. T 14

HEALTHY DRIVEN BEES, with Queen, in 4 lb.
or more lots, at- Is. 3d., per lb. ; iboxes return-
able, or will be charged for.— R. BROWN, Flora Apia.ry,
Somershami, Hunts^ s 47

QUEENS, Pure Imiwrted' Carniolam, 1906, guaran-
tie|eid fertile, bs. eiachi'— OVERTON, Cl'awley,
Catalogues of apmliaaices free. ^T_43

CLOVER HONEY (guaranteed pure) ; 1 lb. sorew-cap
bottles, 77s. gross., 7s. dozen; i lb. ditto, 45«.
gross., 4s. 6d. dozen; bulk, 48s. cwt., 25s. 56 lbs.;
sample, carriage paid, 8d.— TURNER BROS, Sandpit
Poultry Farm. Croydoi> T 49

GUARANTEED HEALTHY DRIVEN BEES, 5s. per
stock, with 1906 Queen ; bees with four-standard
frame?', storesi, br.-id and queen, lOs. ; Queens, 1S06,
2s. 6d. ; stocks in skepsi, 12s. 6d. and 15s. 6d. ; Stores
good.— W. WOODS, Normandy, Guildford. T 18

SMALL APIARY for sale, four strong stocks Italian
Hybrid bees, spare hives, extractor, and neces-
sary appliances for a larger apiary ; seen by appoint-
me ii t. — 15, The Circus, Greenwich. T 36

FOR Sale, three cwt. SPLENDID LIGHT HONEY,
in 56 lb. tins, at 6d. per lb. ; tins included.
Sample, 3d.— AVERY, Deverell, Warminster. t 22

2l\C\C\ I-'BS- LIGHT ENGLISH HONEY, 6d. lb.;
.'JUU quotations bulk; sample, 3d. — ALBERT
COE, Apiary Hall, Ridgewell, Halstead, I*sex. T 28

HEALTHY DRIVEN BEES, headed 1906, Queen,
3s. 6d., 4s, (id. per lot, f. o. r., receipt of order
package free, 15th season; less per quantity. Standard
Frames of food, 4 to 6 lbs. weight. Is. 6d. Medicated
Honey and Sugar Candy, New Process, 4s 6d. per 14 lbs.
Fine Light Honey .^s. per cwt., tins free, sample 3d.—
Vs'. H. BROWN, E.xpert, 1, High Street, Shrewsbury.

Oct, 4, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

391

(gdttorml ^otim.M.

SURREY BEE-KEEPERS'ASSOCTATION

ANNUAL SHOW AT THE CRYSTAL PALACE.

TTie eleventh annual show of the Surrey
B.K. A. was held at the Crystal Palace on
September 20, 21, and 22, and was again
a complete success, resulting in one of the
largest displays of honey and bee-produce,
bees, hives, and appliances, staged at any
exhibition held this year, the entries num-
bering nearly 300.

The honey staged made a fine display,
both in the members' and open classes, the
latter being of a very high character.

In consequence of the enormous crowds
visiting the Palace on the last day, the
honey exhibits had to be railed off for
the protection of the exhibits.

The trophies were a distinct feature, as
was also an interesting and instructive
exhibit connected with laee-culture, staged
(not for competition) by the hon. secretary
as an educational object-lesson. This
exhibit occupied some twenty feet run of
staging, and attracted much attention.
There were five large collections of hives
and appliances.

Altogether, the exhibition was of a most
interesting and instructive character, and
it is hoped will do much to promote the
bee-keeping industry in this country.

The judges were Dr. Elliot, London, and
Mr. A. J. Carter, Billingshurst, Sussex,
who made the following awards : —
members' classes.

Twelve 1-lb. Sections. — 1st. A. P. Short,
Thornton Heath ; 2nd, E. Bontoft, Cater-
ham Valley ; 3rd, G. B. Bisset, Walling-
ton ; h.c, F. Bowers, Coulsdon, and H.
Tobutt, Wallington.

Six 1-lb. Sections.— 1st, A. P. Sliort ;
2nd, T. W. Ringer, Tatsfield ; 3rd, J.
Miles, Cheam ; v. h.c, F. Greene, Cran-
leigh ; h.c, F. J. Bernau, Reigate.

Six 1-lb. Heather Sections.- — Ist, A. Seth-
Smith, Cobham ; 2nd, E. P. Betts, Cam
berley.

Three Shallow-Frames of Comb 'Honey. —
1st, A. P. Short; 2nd, A. Watkin, New
Maiden; 3rd, J. Kachlor, Croydon; h.c,
A. Watkin and T. W. Ringer.

One Shalloic-Frame of Comb Honey. —
1st, A. Watkin ; 2nd, H. Tobutt ; 3rd; R.
Luff, New Maiden; h.c, A. Watkin and
T. W. Ringer.

One Standard-Frame of Comb Honey. —
1st, S. R.Whitley, Lingfield ; 2nd, A. E. C.
Mumford, Redhill ; 3rd, J. Kachler.

Twelve 1-lb. Jars (Liqht) Extracted Honey.
—1st, A. P. Short ; 2nd, J. Docura, Hor-
ley; 3rd, T. Chater, Wallington; v.h.c,
E. Bontoft; h.c, Mrs. C. E. Bisset, Wal-
lington, and P. W. Worsfold, Shalford.

Six 1-lb. Jars (Light) Extracted Honey. —
1st, A. P. Short; '2nd, T. Chater; 3rd,

F. B. Marshall, Worcester Park; v.h.c,
C. H. Rose, Wimbledon; h.c, E. T.
Grove, Evvell, and T. W. Ringer.

Six 1-lb. Jars Extracted Heather Honey.
—1st, E. P. Betts; 2nd, G. Bullen, Cob-
ham; 3rd, A. Seth-Smith ; h.c, J. Shar-
land, Haslemere.

Six 1-lb. Jars (DarJc) Extracted Honey. —
1st, E. T. Grove ; 2nd, J. Sharland ; 3rd,
J. Kachler; h.c, Mrs. Bisset ; C. A. Over-
ton, Charlwood ; and S. Silvester, Wor-
cester Park.

Six 1-lb. Jars Granulated Honey. — 1st

G. Wynn, Haslemere ; 2nd, J. T. Hurd-
well, Camberley ; 3rd, F. Perigal, Kings-
wood, Reigate ; h.c. Miss Wickham Jones,
South Norwood, A. P. Short, and W. Sole.

Display of Honey and Bee Products. —
1st, T. W. Ringer; 2nd, F. B. White,
Redhill.

Bccsimx. — 1st, E. Bontoft ; 2nd, A. P.
Short; 3rd, A. E. C. Mumford; h.c,
F. J. Bernau and T. Chater.

Articles of Food containing Honey. — 1st,
Miss Wickham-Jones ; 2nd, A. E. C.
Mumford ; 3rd, F. J. Bernau.

Six 1-lb. Jars Extracted Honey {non-
previous winners only). — 1st, F. E. Mai'-
shall ; 2nd, A. P. Short ; 3rd, F. Poupart ;

Hive given by the Baroness Burdett-
Coutts, President B.B.K.A. {cottagers only).
■ — 1st, C. Monk, Kingswood, Reigate ; 2nd,
P. W. Worsfold ; 3rd, S. Silvester.
open classes.

Six 1-lb. Section.t.—Ut, H. Hillier,
Andover ; 2nd, C. Lodge, Chelmsford ;
3rd, Miss Gapp, Chelmsford; v.h.c, H.
Clai-ke, Icklesham ; h.c, A. Sunley, South
Milford, Yorks.

Six l-ll>. Jars (TAght) Extracted Honey.—
1st, J. Lee and Son, Highbury ; 2nd, E. L.
and H. C. Jones, Andover ; 3rd, H.
Hillier; v.h.c, W. J. Norman, King's
Lynn, and E. and H. Jones; h.c, W.
Moi-gan, Cowbridge ; H. W. Saunders,
Thetford, Norfolk; and W. J. Cook,
Market Rasen.

Three Shallow-Frames of Comh Honey. —
1st, E. C. R. White, Newton Toney, Salis-
bury ; 2nd, J. Lee and Son ; 3rd, C.
Lodge.

One Shalloici-Frame of Comb Honey. —
1st, E. C. R. Wliite ; 2nd, C. Lodge ; 3rd,
J. Kachler.

Beeswax.— 1st, E. C. R. White ; 2nd, C.
Lodge ; 3rd, H. W. Saunders.

Interesting Exhibit cnnnectrd with Bee
Culture. — 1st, T. Carl, Crawley.

Observatory Hive with Bees and Queen. —
1st, A. E. C. Mumford ; 2nd, C. S. Green-
hill, Wimbledon ; 3rd, C. T. Overton and
Son, Crawley.

HIVES AND APPLIANCES.

Collection of Hires and Appliances. —
1st, J. Lee and Son ; 2nd, C. T. Overton

392

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Oct. 4, 1906.

and Son; 3rd, E. H. Taylor, Welwyn,
Herts; v.h.c, Mrs. Seadon, Bromley,
Kent ; h.c, C. S. Greenhill.

Complete Frame-Hive for General Use.
(Price not exceeding 15s.) — 1st, E. H. Tay-
lor ; 2nd, C. T. Overton and Son ; 3rd,
C. S. Greenhill.

Outfit for a Beginner in Bee-Tceepmg.
(Price not to exceed 30s.) — 1st, E. H.
Taylor ; 2nd, C. T. Overton and Son ; 3rd,
J. Lee and Son.

Mr. C. T. Overton, bee-expert, gave lec-
tures and demonstrations at intervals in
the bee tent to large and appreciative
audiences.

The Editors do not hold themselves responsible for the
opinions expressed by correspondents. No notice will
be taken of anonymous communications, and corre-
spondents are requested to write on one side of the paper
only and give their real names and addresses, not neces-
sarily for publication, b%it as a guarantee of good faith.
Illustrations should be draion on separate pieces of paper.
We do not undertake to return rejected communications.

*^* In order to facilitate reference, Corrtsponderts,
when speaking of any letter or query premouslu inserted,
will oblige by mentioning the number of the letter as well
as the page on which it appears.

AMONG THE BEES.

THE EVOIiTJTION OT THE MODERN HIVE.

[6444.] They had hives of diverse shapes
and sizes in various countries in olden
times. Some were of osier, some of bark,
Bome of hollowed trees, and some of square
boards " three feet high and a foot
broad." Some were made of earth, and
some of rods or wicker work, daubed
within and without with cow dung. Pliny
records that in his time hives were mad«
of all these materials and of many shapes,
but he also states that a Roman Consul
had one made of " very clear horn," by
means of which bees were observed at
work. It is a fact worth noting that a
kind of reaping machine was also invented
about the same period, so they must have
been go-ahead times, both in agriculture
and apiculture. Certain hives now used
in savage countries are of tiles, rounded
and shaped roughly, with a door at the
end for taking out the honey ; and 'in
India at the present time one of the same
shape is kept within the dwelling, built
in sections, so that the inner part may
be withdrawn, and the honey appropriated
without disturbing the bees.

It is a curious fact that, notwithstand-
ing the many important attempts for nearly
two hundred years to evolve something
which would oust the old straw skep, that
practically, bee-keeping was carried on just
about a century ago much the same as it
was prosecuted in the most primitive times
when the first dawn of change began to
appear in th" form of bee-literature.

Nay, so tardy were the newer modes in
making any headway, that it may be said
that bee-keeping was carried on ther.,, and
in many places till quite recently, in a less
enlightened way than it was two thousand
years ago in some of the more enlightened
countries of the world. Not that dis-
coveries were unknown, or that certain
changes and imj)rovements had not taken
place, for we must acknowledge the good
work done by Merve and Gedde and
Shirley, and many others treading in their
footsteps, in evolving hives which at least
paved the way for the improvements of
later times. The hive patented by Gedde
in 1675, whatever may have been the
genesis of its origin, secured kinder and
more humane treatment for the bees,
cleaner and fairer honey, stronger colo-
nies, and, consequently, greater quantities
of pure surplus from each hive. All these
invetitors kept that commendable desire,
" humanity to the honey bee," in the fore-
front of their improvements, and what-
ever advance was made, we may safely say
our countrymen stood ever in the van, so
that in hives, as in books, they were in
the front rank, and made it possible by
their search after light and knowledge for
moderns to arrive at the (qualified) state
of perfection to which we have now arrived
in the matter of hive construction.

These seekers after light travelled differ-
ent roads. Out of the old dome-shaped
straw skep was evolved Huish's halfway
house, which later became Neighbour's
hives — the essence, of perfection as far as
straw allowed man to travel. Along an
almost parallel path walked those who
with wood instead of straw sought (but
did not find) perfection on the naidiring
principle, which before the days of comb
foundation was perhaps the most prob-
able route. Many others, from the days of
White, or earlier, sought to secure per-
fection in honey production by means of
their collateral hives, with bitjod body and
side pavilions for surplus. Each of these
three classes had their ideal of what a bee-
hive should be, and did their best to carry
their system to perfection. But, after
travelling so far in their journey, it ap-
pears to me all three landed in a
eul de sac.

But let us revert to ancient times. At
first, in ^ constructing bee-hives, rough
osier, willow, or other twigs were bent
into any convenient shape, and the inter-
stices, after cross-weaving thom, were care-
fully daubed and coated with clay, slime,
or cow dung, to keep the bees in and th«
cold and wet out. Bough and unshapely
many of these domiciles undoubtedly wer«
at first, for each designer and constructor
was a law unto himself. But at a very
early date some compromise between

Oct. 4, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

393

square or parallel walls would take place,
with the object of making something of a
roof to ward off moisture more effectively.
So out of this evolution gradually brought
about the dome-shaped form so common
for centuries.

Another point leading to the san.-- re-
sult, at even an earlier date, would be the
observation of the disposition of cluster-
ing bees to assume a rounded form. They
would also note that the queen, in dispost-
ing of her eggs, followed much the sam«
rule. So, almost as a result of natural
laws, we find a hive curved at the top
or rising up to a dome-shape. It was
early recognised that bees were able best
to defend themselves from cold when clus-
tered in the manner of a sphere, so that
men's minds readily adapted themselves to
supply the want with a shape " that is
likest to an egg witli the top cut off." All
the " philosophers " asserted that the bees'
cluster being in the form of a globe were
better able to generate heat and keep it
up with less expenditure. Thus practice
and philosophy went hand in hand in reci-
procal accord to bring about the housing
of bees in dome-shaped hives, which be-
came their almost universal horn* for long
ages.— D. M. M., Banff.

(To be continued.)

IMPORTS OF HONEY.

[6445.] Those of your readers who wore
interested by the tables of quantities and
values of foreign honey imported into this
country, given on page 395 of your volume
for 1904. will be glad to have them brought
up to date. I therefore send you the
figures, hoping you may be able to print
them now that the pressur'3 on your pages
caused by the show season is relaxing.
You will not find them quite in the same
form, as the Board of Trade Returns under
the head of honey are not now made up in
such detail. For comparison I again give
the 1891 figures : —

1004 1905 1801

France cvvt. 1,326 1,240 1,216

United States, Atlantic 2,4.52 3,624

,, Pacific 1,711 .531 8,118

Chile 2,928 3,358 5,099

Otliev Foreign Countries 1,723 1,564 6,878

British Wtst Indies .. ,-,cwt.
Other British Posse.^'sions ...

10140

10,945

1,842

1?,317 21,311

12.661 1,«14

2,357 619

Total ... 22,927
Value £29,127

25/4.8

27,335 23,544
34,763
25/5 per CwL.

T. I. Weston.
Hook, Winchfield, Sept. 24.

THE SEASON IN DEVONSHIRE.

[6446.] I here give a brief account of the
honey season in this part of the country.
First, as regards the weather, the all-
important factor in bee-keeping, I may say

it has teen not only T!?markable but
unique, so far as my memory serves, seeing
that we have had an almost total absence
of rain during nearly three months. Evian
when abundant and refreshing showers
were reported near London and in the
Midland Counties, hen^ we had nothing
more than a kind of mist, barely sufficient
to even damp the dust of our _ roads.
Thus, everything being dried up in this
hilly part of Devon, and the income of
n!3ctar entirely stopped all supers were re-
moved from the hives at the end of July,
fully five weeks earlier than usual. Yet
notwithstanding this drawback the honey
crop has been fairly good owing to an
un!?xpected flow of heather honey. One
morning about the third week in August,
after we had' at last got some rain, I was
startled by the loud hum of our bees on
the wing. They went all in one direction,
and as they came home heavily laden I
could not help experiencing a feeling of
anxiety lest their activity should be due to
some unlocked for windfall, not generally
to the advantage of the bee-keeper; as
when some unwary one tries to extract his
honey in the open air. Soon, however
(although some days previously I had seen
the heather-bloom half withered away) a
sharp, yet pleasing smell, unknown to me
for several seasons, came out of all the
hives. It was really heather honey, which
the bees had to travel more than a mile to
reach. After a few days, seeing that the
bees were clustering in great numbers in
the porches I 'examined some hives and
found them quite ovei-filled with honey.
The side combs had to be removefl at once
and empty ones given instead. I do not
know if this happened to other bee-keepers,
but to me it seemed an extraordinary
occurrence. From August 20 to the
beginning of September we had genial
summer weather, the thermometer
registering in the shade 86 deg. Fahr. on
August 31. Tausht by the failure of the
heather crop of the preceding years I had
taken otily four hives to the moors, and
when I went to see them these stocks were
also cramped for room. All the hives are
now strong and well provided with winter
stores, so I have every reason to be satisfied
and to thank God for the past season,
especially when I havs had news fi'om pro-
ficient bee-keepers in France to say they
have not got a pound of surplus honey.—
Bb. CoLOMBAN, O.S.B., St. Mary's Abbey,
Buckfast, Devon, September 29.

BEES IN NORTH BUCKS.

[6447.] Wasps are very numerous this
year. I notice them very partial to ripe
apples and completely clean them right
out, leaving only the core and skin. I
gathered one apple hollowed out in this

394

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[Oct. 4, 1906.

way full of wasps, and killed twenty-seven
of them as they came out, or two at a time.
It occurs to me that a few over-ripe or wasta
apples placed twenty yeards away from the
hives would tend to attract the wasps, and
thus leave oiir bees alone and afford a
chanc'3 of destroying the pests. We have
killed many hundreds on and in the apples
this season.

Swarms. — I find my estimate of 501b. of
honey in a skep of bees mentioned on page
365 was too high. My neighbour tells me
h'3 had only 251bs. of honey from it — yet
it was a full-sized new skep. It certainly
weighed over 501bs. when taken up. But
notwithstanding what Mr. Woodley and D.
M. M., Banff, say, I still hold to ray opinions
respecting swarms in general. While on
the subject of swarms I may mention an
incident worth recording that hannened in
my own apiaiy on September 20, when my
son came ininning to me saying. " There's
a lot of bees in. the hedge." On looking
towards the place indicated the bees seemed
to be almost all gone ; but then on looking
around I noticed a small -swarm clustered
on top of one hive and hanging down the
back, some fluttering about over a surface
of lOin. or so. On getting my smoker into
use to try and find out if a queen was with
them the bees clustered on my hat, but
th'5y seemed particularly good tempered.
I could not find a queen or account for the
incident in any way. They soon dis-
persed, but I could not find out which
hive they came from.

Size of Drones. — I usually " take up " a
number of skeps each year, and my ex-
p'arience is that drones in frame hives are
fully as large as those in skeps, if not
larger. The drone cells on combs in my
frames measure four cells to lin. or
9-32in. each. This, 'even on worker-
foundation.

Fertile Workers. — Can anyone tell us how
to distinguish these ? I have never had
one in my hives before this year. But
several times, although I 'examined the
combs I could not spot it. I judged by a
number of eggs being seen in each cell,
and drone-brood raised in worker cells.
It was in a nucleus hive that I saw this. — •
A. IT., Wavendon, North Bucks, Sept. 24.

HEREFORDSHIRE AS A
COUNTY.

BEE

[6448.] I am much obliged for your reply
respecting my honey sample in iast week's
issue of "B.B.J." I can now, I think,
clear up the matter as far as r'^gards the
source from which the honey was mainly
collected by the bees. Close by my apiary
there are a great number of " Sally " or
" Sallow " tr.^es, and during the months of

May and June I noticed manyvbees working
on the blooms. In fact during the early
hours of the morning the trees seemed alive
with them, but not so in the aft'emoon.
I have looked up my bee-literature and
find that " Sallow " is mentioned, and is
good for honey and pollen. My own ex-
peiience this season thus s'eems to be right,
and that honey from that source is good,
both as regards colour and quality.

Pei'haps some brother bee-keepers will
give th'c'ir experience on the point. From
my limited experience of Herefordshire it
seems good for bee forage with its abundant
fruit bloom, and of hawthorn edges white
with blossom and pknty of white clover
in the pastures. Bees are certainly kept
in good numbers, but in going about from
place to place I have seen very few frame
hives, th'3 major portion of stocks being
housed in skejos. No doubt there are some
up-to-date beekeepers among us, for I saw
only a few days ago good honey in the
window of a shop in Hereford very taste-
fully got up, with a prize card hung above
it " 2nd prize at the ' Royal ' Show, Derby,
1906. " It makes me ask if there is no bee-
keepers' association for Herefordshire? I
am told there is, but that very few bee-
keepers are interested in it, — S. M.,
Bodenham, September 24.

SHOWS AND SHOWING.

[6449.] Now .that most of our largest
shows are over, may I be allowed to make
one or two suggestions re the above?
Your correspondents, " Worker " (6428,
page 372) and "South Norwood" (6441,
page 386), remark that when visiting the
Confectioners' Show, and that of the
Surrey B.K.A. , held respectively at the
Agricultural Hall and the Crystal Palace,
London, they were disappointed to find
exhibits guarded by officials and railed
off from the public. I was an exhibitor
at the Altrincham Show, Cheshire, on
September 26, and was very pleased to
see exhibits taken care of by an attendant.
Personally, I am in favour of this
guardianship, seeing that so many persons
attend these shows who are inclined to
become too inquisitive, often to the ex-
pense of the exhibitor. Further, I should
like to suggest that bee-appliance manu-
facturers and persons directly interested
in the sale of bee-goods be debarred from
entering exhibits in the extracted honoy
section classes. While not wishing to
adopt a dog-in-the-manger attitude, I
think .amateurs and beginners in bee-
keeping would stand a much better chance
of carrying off some of the prizes offered
if my suggestion was adopted. It would
be interesting to have the opinions of

Oct. 4, 1906.] THE BEITISH BEE JOURl^AL.

395

brother bee-keepers expressed on the
above.— Name sent for reference. — " Show-
ing," Yorks, September 28.

A VISIT TO THE GROCERS' SHOW

[6450.] I feel it impossible for me to let
pass the opportunity generally afforded to
readers of the " B.B.J." of expressing my
dlalight with the honey exhibition at the
Agricultural Hall on September 26. It
fell to my lot when at the exhibition to
git into close conversation with a young
man who appeared to be partly in charge
of the honey stands, and he at once made
me feel at home with him. For firstly he
gave m'3 a capital lesson on the merits of
the "W.B.C." hive on exhibition, ex-
hibited by the makers, Messrs. Lee and
Son. Then he escorted m'3 round the
whole of the exhibits, pointing out to me
the different varieties of honey, etc., also
affording me a practicable lesson on show-
ing honey in its b?st form. And before I
had parted fx-om him I felt that I had, as
we Scotchmen say, " a bee in my bonnet."
I was so delighted that I could not sleep
for bees and honey staring m!3 in the face.
However, I was pleased with almost every-
thing I saw on the honey stands, and very
grateful for the instruction and courtesy
I rfaceived from all round. Such pleasant
ways of initiating one must tend to induce
people to become members of a bee asso-
ciation, as I intend to be at an early date.
I was also advised to get a copy of the
"Guide Book," for which I enclose P.O.
value and postage. I also thank you in
anticipation of you inserting this in your
Journal, which I already receive weekly
from my newsagent. I enclos!3 card.^ —
Scotchman, Rochester.

[Very pleased you enjoyed your visit to
the show, and hope the favourable impres-
sion i1?ceived will remain and gi'ow
stronger as experience is gained. The
" Guide Book " has been sent, and we trust
you will- profit by its teaching, which, if
carefully carried out, will keep you in the
right track. — Eds.]

THE STANDARD FRAME,

StTGGESTED HARMLESS IMPROVEMENT.

[6451.] If this frame were 5 inch less in
depth it would enable bae-keepers to make
their hives with less labour and expense.
Commercially there are no 9-inch planed
boards obtainable, tha nearest is 8|. The
frame could be reduced 5 inch to fit this
commercial wood, and not be in anyway
depreciated from any point of view. It is
a simple matter, but it would save pounds
to be!2-keepers. — W. J. Farmer.

THEFTS OF HONEY AT THE MOORS.

[6452.] Several moor-going members of
the Northumberlasd and Durham Bee-
keepers' Association have this year had
heather honey stolen while on the moors.
The matter has been put into the hands of
the police, but so far the jierpetrator has
not been discovered.

The custom here is to pay Is. per hive
for standage and looking after to the
tenant of the moors, and I am being asked
whether any l?gal liability rests on the
tenant who has received his fee to make
good any loss by theft from a hive while
in his charge ? ! am therefoil? led to
inquire. Can you assist us in this matter?
I send name and sign — Hon. Secretary,
Stockisfield-on-Tyne, September 29.

[We have no personal knowledge of the
legal liability attaching to caretakers. —
Eds.]

CAPPINGS OF COMB.

By L. S. C, Ilkley, Yorks.

Tainted Honey (p. 351). — If it were
thoroughly realised how easily honey may
be tainted more use would be made of the
escape-board and less of th'a smoker and
carbolic cloth. I have heard of honey so
tainted by a tarred hive as to be uneatable !
Honey is essentially a delicacy, and should
be tr'?ated delicately.

Driven Bees Dying in JVinfer (p. 352). —
This is often due to the new combs being
filled with syrup. These are cold comfort,
and if I were unabl'? to give the bees
clustering room below their stores I would
space such combs double distance, or alter-
nate them with frames containing only
starters of foundation, so that the bees
might i'?ally cluster.

Swarms on Starters (p. 352). — In place of
reducing the number of frames I would
prefer to hive upon a full set of shallow
frames with starters. With the standard
frame, combs built in this way are often
completed with dron'? comb in the corners,
even although well enough begun. Again
bi'ood combs should be wired, and when
built from starters naturally over the
wires, they are often faulty. Every-
thing must be just right to obtain perfect
combs in this way. It is all right where
the bees are strong enough or where wax is
want-ed, but otherwise a set of shallow
combs will be completed better, and may
be permanent. .With the shallow set the
bees are snread under the whole area of
the super. If drone-comb be built it will
usually be at the outside, and will
generally contain honey at fii^t, and may
be used for 'extracting purposes. The
worker-combs will contain brood, and prac-
tically the whole of the honey will go above.

396

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[Oct. 4, 1906.

Of course this necessitates another manipu-
lation or two, but my own system involves
the use at times of a set of shallow brood-
frames in addition to the regular standard
set.

" Casts ^' Building Worker Comh (p. 353).
— It is, I believe, Doolittle who maintains
that, with a virgin queen, drone-comb is
built so invariably that combs in process
■will show whether the stock has bsen de-
queened. I do not know exactly upon what
observations this is based for I find that
such bees build worker-comb, but there
may be conditions other than the miere
possession of a virgin queen which would
overrule the matter.

Hiving Driven Bees (p. 354). — I prefer to
hive them in the old-fashioned way,
through the 'entrance, and to observe the
condition of the bees and queen, but it is
certainly quicker at times to hive the bees
in a space at the sid'3 of the frames, and
better, if the operation happens to be done
late in the day at this time of the year.
If the be'?s are hived on the top of the
frames it is quite a mistake to attemtit to
drive them down with a carbolic cloth.

Doubling Hives (p. 355). — Would
" Amateur " kindly explain more fullv how
he obtains an " early rack of s'actions " by
this method ?

Editorial Encnuraqement (p. 355). — The
editorial on p. 361 does not read like dis-
couragement of provincial or any other ex-
hibitors. But the matter does not rest
with tha editors, and those who are deter-
mined to get prizes will get them, whatever
the encouragement.

Wintering Bees in Sheps (p. 364). — In
this cold and bleak district at best cot-
tagers do not make a success of fram'3-hives.
They maintain with truth that the bees
winter better in the skeps. "Avondale"
(p. 365) seems to have had a warm time
with that bad tempered stock. It sounds
as though there would be a heavy wastage
of bee-life every time th'?' hive were ex-
amined. It makes me wonder if it would
have been possible to wring the poison out
of his coat under th'? mangle '

Eight Mile Strain (p. 365).— High-flown
description this ! Is this a " strain " of
the imagination? "Whose is this strain rf
"long distance fliers?'" It sounds as
though they had been accidentally crossed
with homing pigeons !

Drone-Like Queen (p. 366).— Has this
freak been lost? I should much like to
have s'een it. I would willingly purchase
abnormalities of this kind rather than they
should be lost to us.

Wax Moth Cp. 366).— I hope that no be-
ginner will, in ignorance, adopt Hoffman
frames to prevent wax moth. In addition
to. some other objections there is too much
wood for our size of comb, and there are

plenty of other frames obtainable without
the saw cut.

Bee Paralysis (p. 366). — This sounds more
like a case of dysentery due to fermented
honey. But I am inclined to the vi'dw that
paralysis is also an enteric disease, and I
have just received an interesting letter
from Mr, Cooper of the Isl'e of Wight,
which tends to confirm this view.
* Irascibility (p. 371).- — With the heather
flow over and stores mostly sealed, uniting
is a touchy job, and much simplified if
some syrup be poured over the frames a
few minutes prior to operating.

Scent Infuriating (p. 372). — It may be
that there was some special odour about
the person to induce the first unwarranted
attack, and this may have been the con-
tinuing cause, but bees would seem to
sting in the same place almost as readily
as they will swarm upon the same bough.
Of course it must be scent, but it looks
very much like force of exampl'3 !

Over One Million Insects (p. 372). — If
" D. M. M." had given us the exact number
of his hive defenders it would hardly have
been possible to have contradicted him.
What an army of amazons ! And yet how
much less to be dreaded than a similar
number of — say — ^fleas !

(^mm mi ^t^\m.

[3412.] Bees and Foreign Queens. — I should
like your advice on the following point ; —
Two weeks ago I requeened a stock of
English bees with an Italian queen, and now
have a nice lot of brood in various stages.
To-day, however, I discovered a queen cell
sealed over, and another started with Royal
jelly at bottom of the cell. This induces me
to ask (1) is not this a very unusual proceed-
ing, and at this time of year? The queen is
still in the hive — in fact, I saw her to-day,
and she is still laying, because there were
plenty of eggs about. The bees had also
built out about 2in. square of drone comb,
some of the cells in which contained grubs.
I should explain that the stock was trans-
ferred from a skep to the frame-hive rather
late in the summer — too late, at least, for
the bees to collect a full winter's supply, so
that I have been of late giving back to the
bees the honey extracted from the skep—
diluted with an equal volume of water — at
the rate of about 1^ pints twice a week. Do
you think that the bees imagine that spring is
at hand, from their getting so much honey
at this season? (2) Ought I to do anything
besides cut out queen cells, if any more
should be started? (3) I suppose I ought to
cut out the drone-comb, t,oo, when it is sealed
over? — H. Emmons, Southampton, Sep-
tember 24.

Reply. — (1) Very unusual, but we have
known of the same thing occurring before
when a foreign queen has been introduced to

Oct. 4, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

397

a native stock in autumn. We should not
allow the sealed queen cell to hatch out, but
remove it along v^^ith the second one started,
(2) We don't see the need for doing any-
thing beyond what you have mentioned. (3)
Yes, by all means remove the drone-brood
when sealed.

[3415.] A Beginner's Queries on Hiberna-
tion.— I venture to send a few queries, and
will be glad to have replies thereto in your
most instructive paper, the " B.B.J." : 1.
What happens to bees in the winter? 2. If
they hibernate, what is exactly the process,
and during which months do they hibernate?
3. Do the bees eat at all while hibernating?
Any information upon the winter state of
bees would be most interesting and instruc-
tive to a Midland Counties " Beginner,"
Burton-on-Trent, September 23.

Reply. — ^We print above queries in order
to show how needful it is for beginners to
provide themselves at the very outset with a
reliable text-book on bees and bee-keeping
before they can hope to succeed or even to
make satisfactory progress. This is the first
item of advice we offer. For the rest, we
may briefly reply : 1 and 2. Bees do not
hibernate in the fullest sense of the term —
Le., they cannot live without food in winter
as some insects do. Their hibernation goes
no further than remaining clustered in a
lethargic state for mutual warmth, but re-
quiring food all the time. In fact, the whole
colony would perish if entirely foodless for
a . week or so. 3. Above, reply answers this
query.

[3414.] Bees Entering Houses in Autumn. — '
What is the reason of bees invading a room?
For three successive days the dining-room at
the Vicarage was invaded to such an extent
that the family had to clear out. I could
see no trace of a queen, and the bees wearied
themselves in trying to get out till they were
swept up in a shovel and cast out I There
are no hives at the Vicarage, and none
within 100 yards. It is a mystery to me. I
send name, etc., and sign " Silver How,"
York, September 24. . .

Reply. — There must, we think, have been
some attraction to draw bees to the house
when the incident related above took place.
Maybe there was something going on in the
domestic oflaces of the Vicarage — ^preserving
or sugar-boiling of some kind. If this was
so, and the servant had closed the window
on observing bees coming, we could under-
stand the little foragers — on pilfering bent — ■
making their way inside the house by any
open window they could find. Some explana-
tion of this kind is the only one we can give
from a distance.

[3415.] Swarms Deserting Hive for House
Roof. — ^A swarm of bees left their hive in the
garden of an old house in this neighbourhood
and entered a small hole in the wall near the
roof of the house mentioned. The walls are
of uncommon construction — i.e., stucco out-
side, of considerable thickness, and having
an interspace of some inches between the
inner and outer shell, which makes it prac-
tically impossible to see where the swarm
has attached itself ; and as the bees enter

immediately above a much used door,
although high up near the roof, I therefore
ask : Do you think it likely that they may
in tirne become troublesome ; and, if so,
what is the best way of getting rid of them ?
Would it be advisable to extemporise a bee
escape over the hole? Your reply will oblige.
— ^A. Dickinson, Leamington, September 24.
Reply. — We do not think there need be
any fear of the bees becoming troublesome
if left undisturbed. They evidently enter too
far above the doorway to cause annoyance.
Besides, it is a well-known fact that bees
have been in possession of similar places
undisturbed for years. It is only when a
large amount of honey has been stored and
the occupants of the houses are anxious to
appropriate the hidden treasure that trouble
comes in.

[3416.] Contracting Hives for Winter. — I
have taken two frames of honey from brood-
nest from my hive in order to contract it to
eight frames for winter. One of the combs
has a little unsealed honey, otherwise there
is about 3|lb. sealed in each, and I now ask :
1. What would you advise me to do with
them, as I have only the one hive? Or 2.
Do you think it is advisable to take them
out at all? Of course, I shall feed the bees
now, and so ask, when is the best time of
day to feed ?— R. Howlaxd, Kent.

Reply. — 1. It is not absolutely necessary to
contract hives at all for wintering, although
it is advantageous to have all combs covered
by bees, as they winter better in that con-
dition. In your case, however, we shouJd
much prefer to leave the combs of natural
food now in the hive rather than have to feed
the bees with sugar syrup to replace the
stores taken away in order to fulfil the first-
named condition. Our advice, therefore, is,
leave the combs where they now are, 'and
thus save expense, worry, "and risk. Your
second query is answered by above reply.

[3417.] Dealing With Heather Honey. — ■
Will you kindly say what is the source of
the enclosed honey? It will not extract,
and some of it resembles strong jelly in con-
sistency. We have both "ling" and bell-
heather on a heath about two miles away,
but it is said by bee-keepers who have sent
hives there not "to yield heather honey. The
bees do not clean up the combs when placed
on after extracting, but will do so if ex-
posed (at the risk of starting thieving)
several yards from the hives. The season
has been a fair one. My own average from
five hives is 40 a hive, mainly sections.
Awaiting your replv, and thanking you in
anticipation. — R. P., North Shropshire,
Sept. 25.

Reply. — Your sample is a good heather
honey, though not entirely from the "ling."
We cannot understand your " extracting "
honey of that class. It should be all stored
in sections, built from "starters" only, so
that the comb could be eaten (wax and all)
after the capping has been removed without
any inconvenience. This is the way all " ling "
honey should be stored for table use, and it
brings the highest price if so prepared for

398

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Oct. 4, 1906.

market. Good heather honey must be re-
moved from the comb by means of a Tioney-
press ; it will not extract. —

[3418.] Minute Insects in Comh Capping.
■ — Looking throiigh a stock of bees recently
I noticed that the capping on the honey was
rather peculiar. Never having seen any-
thing like it before, I had a closer look into
it, and it appeared to me like a lot of
tunnels under the capping, and I at once
thought of the articles written in the Bee
JoTTRNAL on the subject last summer. I am
sending you on a piece of comb as it came
from the hive. If it is of any interest to
beekeepers, and you think Mr. Sladen would
like to have a piece sent him, I shall be very
pleased to forward him a sample, unless vou
send the enclosed specimen to him. Every
comb in the hive is like it more or less.
The stock was a swarm this summer. T also
notice on some of the bees Braula cceca. Tonlv
came here from Kent fourteen days ago, so I
cannot give vou more particulars of it than,
the above. Anv comments you have to make
on it can be put in the " B.B.J," and signed,

T 'p' Rttotit

'p.g._Some parts of the combs are netted
like a spider's web.

Eeplt.— The bit of comb sent was _ so
crushed in packing that it was almost im-
possible to judge of the mischief complained
of. If you will send another piece, properly
packed, we will ascertain definitelv what the
trouble is. In the former cases referred to,
the tunnelling was not under the capping,
but in the capping itself.

PRESS CUTTINGS.

CTTRTOTTS SWARMING INCIDENT AT CARDIFF.

Mr. F. Williams. Cathays Coal Supply,
Cwennvth Street, Cardiff, writes : —Yester-
day (Tuesdavl monrning I sent one of mv carts
out with a load of coal in baskets, and after
deliverinfr the coal at different nlaces the cart
returned home at noon with the emntv bas-
kets. J. Smart, the haulier, took the horseout
of the cart into the stable, and then I noticed
a lot of bees flving about the cart.^ and on
inspection I found a swnrm of bees in one of
the baskets. I sent for Mr. Cable, 21, Male-
fnnt Street, and he got them all into a hive.
This seems verv strange How did the bees
cet into the liasket on the road without the
haulier knowinsr anvtliinsr at all abou!: it? He
was quite surprised when I pointed the matter
out to him.— -S'rtu/^- Wales Daih/ News.

BEES AND -ROARDS OF GTTARDTANS.

Bee-keepino' is a profitable and an in-
structive hobby, and one would have
thought that an apiary was a most
desirable adjunct to a workhouse. The
bee, as evei'vone knowg, affords on.? of the
best examples of industry and of social
and domestic economy to be found in
nature, and the moral lessons which it
inculcates ought to be of the greatest
benefit to the inmates of the workhouse.
But bee-keisping does not appeal to the

Grantham Board of Guardians, who have
ordered their workhouse master to give
up this hobby becaus.e they are afraid some
of the inmates might have the misfortune
to get stung. Bees are not in the habit
of stinging people luiless they are
molested, but if the guardians are so
solicitous regarding the inmates of their
workhouse, it is to be hoped they will also
abolish pins and needles, knives, forks,
fires, and boiling water. — Birmingham
Daily Mail.

INTERESTING EXTRACTS.

EXTRACT FROM LIFE OF SIR RICHARD BURTON,

" He travels and expatriates ; as the bee
From flower to flower, so he from land

to land ;
The manners, customs, policy of all
Pay contributions to the store he gleans ;
He seeks intelligence from every clime,
And spreads the honey of his deep

research
At his return — a rich repast for me ! "
The careful insect 'midst his works I

view.
Now from the flowers exhaust the fragrant

dew ;
With golden tVeasures load his little

thighs.
And steer his distant journey throu]fh

the skies.
Some, against hostile drones the hive

defend.
Others with sweets the waxen cells dis-
tend :
Each in the toil his destined offi ;e

bears.
And in the little bulk a mighty soul

api^ears. Gay.

%tt ^hm ia §mt

A nominal charge, of S.i. 6d. i." made for notices (not
exeee.dina 7 lines) in this column, 10 lines charcjed. Sg. 6d.;
up to IB lines 5!>.. which covers coxt of insertion from
order till date of show. Cash should accompany orders
for insertio7i.

October 9 to 12, at the Agricultural
Hall, liOndon.— Show of Honey and Bee Produce
In conppotlon with tlie Britiiili I>«lrv Funnerf' Awooia-
tion. Numeroui and liberal prir.et for honey, etc.,
including; the valuabln Silver Ohallenge Oup of the
B.B.K..\. Entries closed.

October 18 to 21. at "Waverley Market.
TJdinburpli. — Honey show in connection with
the Tenth Annual Edinburp'h and Midlothian InduB-
trial Exhibition. All open classes. Beautifully illus-
trated prosnectuB. price 2d., from A. Hutchinson, 15.
Leith etreet, Edinburgh. Entries closed.

October 18 and 19. at Kilmarnock, N.B.

—Honey Show in connection with the annual exhibi-
tion of the Ayrshire Agricultural Society. Schedules
on application to John Howie, Secretary, 58, Alloway
Street, Ayr. Entries close October 5.

November 9 and lO. at Chorley. Iiancs.
-Honey Show of Lanoa. B.K.A. in connection with

Oct. 4, 1906.] O^HE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

899

ChorJey Chrysanthemum Society's Annual Show.
Four Open Claase*. Exhibitorg allowed to bring
honey for sale. Schedules from W. G. Smith, Town
Hall Auction Rooms, Chorley, Lanes. Entries
close November 3.

Notices to Correspondents & Inquirers,

Letters or queries asking ftr addresses of manufac-
turers or correspondents, or lohere appliances can be
purchased, or replies giving such information, can only
be inserted as advertisements. The space devoted to
letters, queries, and replies is meant for the general
good of bee-keepers, and not for advertisements. We
wish our correspondents to bear in mind that, as it is
necessary for us to go to press in advance of the date of
issue, queries cannot always be replied to in the iesuc im •
mediately following the receipt of their communioations .

F. P. Cheesman (Kent).— Bee Parasites. —
1. The insect you mention is the Braula
cceca, or blind louse. It is fully described
and illustrated in the " Guide Book." 2.
It will not spread to your other hives un-
less the combs are interchanged. To rid
bees of the parasite tobacco smoke is
effective, causing it to drop from the
bees to floorboard, when it may be brushed
off, and cannot re-enter, the hives.

"Disappointed" (St. Austell). — Awards at
London Shows. — Your suggestion would no
doubt be helpful to expectajit exhibitors,
but a little reflection will, we think, con-
vince you of its impracticability. It is ob-
vious that no one but the judges themselves
could furnish the particulars asked for ;
and to require those long-suffering gentle-
men to take on this additional task to
duties already onerous enough would be
unreasonable in the highest degree. More-
over, we may remind all exhibitors of a
simple fact they seem apt to overlook, viz.,
it needs but to enclose an addressed half-
penny postcard in the package containing
the exhibit (with number thereon), when
the awards will be forwarded by first post
after they appear.

G. C. F. (Stoke-on-Trent).— Prepaid Ad-
vertisements.— We cannot fix the "market
value " on any goods advertised in our pages.
The prepaid colunui is used by advertisers
whose goods we never see ; but, even if
seen, it is not for us to fix prices. Readers,
as a rule, regard the prepaid column as one
of the most useful and interesting features
of the paper's contents, and thousands of
poimds change hands through its medium
every year. In fact, it is not too much to
say that no bee paper that can be named
here, or the world over, is made one-half
the same use of as the British Beb
Journal. We do not use the "please
mention this Journal " foot-note to ad-
vertisements, preferring to let their
numbers speak for themselves.

Sus'pected Combs.

Doubtful (Yorks). — There is no disease in
comb sent. The queen is evidently old
and worn out — -in fact, is a drone-breeder.
The comb shows this by worker-cells being
occupied with drone-brood only.

Sir H. Stewart (Eamelton, Ireland). — The
frame of comb sent is, we think, affected

with the disease known as "black brood."
In fact, the dead larvae in a dozen or more
of the sealed cells have been carefully re-
moved, and will be shown (in proper phials,
of course) at the coming conversazione of
the B.B.K.A. next week. The dead larvas
in your sample is in a much earlier stage
of development than the other specimens
we have preserved for the same occasion,
and will thus be helpful in showing the
gradual eft'ect of disease on the dead
larvae. We hope our senior editor will
have something to say on your specimens,
as it is hoped that Mr. Cowan will intro-
duce the subject on the 11th inst. at
Jermyn Street.

M. J, (Hailsham).— The two tiny bits of
comb sent are not suitable as a means of
diagnosing foul brood — one sealed cell
only in each, and that containing a dead
larva that might have died from chill only.
There is no sign of F.B. in either of the
cells.

Honpij Samples,

Enquirer (Sheffield).— Of samples sent, No. 1
is good in colour and of very fair flavour,
but it has an unusual " tack " that would
probably spoil its chance in a keen com-
petition. No. 2 would do very well in a
class where heather flavour is allowable,
its deep golden colour being a good point.
It is, in fact, a good sample of " heather-
blend " honey. No. 3 is mai"nly heather,
from E. cinerea, but thin and rank in
flavour.

W. B. B. (Evercreech). — Sample has been
taken from hive before the honey was
fully ripe ; the flavour is not at all bad,
and would sell well when granulated, unless
fermentation set in. It is thin at present.

D. Cole (Hertiugfordbury).— The glass jar
reached us smashed in post through inse-
cure packing. From the slight evidences
left in parcel we think it would be a very
good honey; thick, clear, and, we think,
entirely from white clover.

W, NoRRis (Bradford-on-Avon). — We regret
miscarriage of your letter. The sample
was excellent on all points, but too light
in colour for the medium class at the show
in question.

J. P. (Bolton-le-Moor). — We think your
honey is likely to be a blend from ragwort
(ragweed) and heather. It is very thick
and of fair colour, but the flavour is coarse
and rank, probably got from the ragweed.

S, S. Hatwood (Brighouse). — Both your
samples are heather honey contaminated
with honey dew. No. 1 being very thin,
and of coarse flavour and dark, and, in
consequence, not good for marketing pur-
poses. No. 2 is better than No. 1 both in
colour and flavour, but in each case the
colour and consistency marks it as from
E. cinerea, or bell heather. It is quite
fit for sale to persons who care for strong,
rank-flavoured honey,

B. Alcock (Dundee). — 1. Yours is a very
good sample indeed of a clover and heather
blend honey of the best kind. The

400

THE BRITISH BEE JOtJRKAL.

[Oct. 4, 1906.

heather source is the true ling, Calluna
vulgaris. 2. It is a capital honey for mar-
ket. 3. Those who buy good heather honey
never expect it to be without air bubbles
after pressing. The bubbles cannot be got
rid of.
F. G. F. (Twickenham). — 'Both samples are
spoilt by honey dew. The race or strain
of bees which gathered it can have no
effect, good of- bad, on the honey stored.
No. 1 will only bring a low price on the
market. No. 2 is better, being very thick
and strong-flavoured, and will not please
most palates.

T. Steir (Mitcham). — ^A fairly good sample
of medium-coloured honey. It is a bit
damaged by a strong flavour, not very
palatable, but it will make a good table
honey when granulated and solid.

B. Wither (Dunmow). — Your three samples,
numbered 1, 2, and 3 respectively, judge
themselves by colour only as accurately as
when tasted. No. 2, pale-golden in colour,
is by far the best, being very good on all
points. No. 3 is darker than No. 2, and
several points inferior all round ; while
No. 1, darkest of all, is very much inferior
to either of the others.

Doubtful (Sheffield . — Sample is largely
mixed with honey dew. It is very thick,
as if from leaves of trees. The flavour is
so poor as to make it unsuitable for
marketing.

*^*" Some Queries and BejiUes, tfc-, are un-
avoidably held over till next meek.

Special Prepaid Advertisements

Twelve words and under Sixpence: for every additional
Three words or under, One Penny.

\ TTENTION is called to the special offer of
XX " BRITISH GOLDEN " Etc., Queens in Mr. Sla-
den's axlvertisement this week. T 70

FINEST 1906 EXTRACTED HONEY, 28 lb. tim, 148. ;
tine free. Sample, 2d.— R. M. BROWN, Holly
Street, Lutori. T 63

SELL or Exchange four stocks in frame hives, well-
fed, heialthy, also other appW-anoes, £3 ; or good
12-bore breech loading gun ; owner going abroad. —
MacPHEE, Station, Thornton, Fifeshdre. T Sf

DRIVEN BEES for Sale. 38. 6d. per lot, guaranteed
free from disease, on rail free ; pure Extracted
Honey, 53s. per cwt.— DENNETT'S GREAT APIARIES,
Whitchurch, Hants. 1 25

HEALTHY DRIVEN BEES, Is. 2d. lb., boxes 6d.,
returnable ; grand young Heather Queens (fer-
tile), in introducing cage«, §8. 6d. — HOOD, Marine
Oaf6, Whitby (late of Whit© Heather Apiary, Picker-
ing).

GOOD HONEY, 28 lb tias, 6d. lb. — GEORGE
THOMPSON, "Beecrott," Helpringham, Lin-
colnshire. 8 12

OFFER wanted for good CAMBRIDGE RUN
HONEY.— SEAMARK, Cycle Manufacturer, Wil-
linghani, Cambridge. T 68

FOR Sale, 16 DOZEN SECTIONS of HONEY, first
quality, 7b. diozieni. F. COUSINS, Mistert'on,
OaiioBboro'. T 64

FOR Sale, ONE STOCK of BEES, in standard' frame
hive, well provisioned for winter, healthy, £1. —
URSELL, Oxford Street, Newbury. T 62

FOR Sale, SIX STOCKS, itt good hives; expert's
report good ; also two skeps, with 1905 and 1906
swarms ; selling owing to ill-health ; seen' by appoint-
ment.—GADSBY, Ivydene, Hutton Boad, Shenfield,
Essex. T 61

FATHER HONEY for Sale, 7d. per lb.— WRIGHT,
71, Weetgate, Pickering, Yorkshire. T 60

FALTHY DRIVEN BEES, with 1906 Queen, 4a
per lot ; none under 4 lbs. sent out ; packed
free.— HARRISON, Bee Farm, Middleton, Picker-
ing^ T 59

OR Sale, an EXTRACTOR and few hives, cheap.—
BURROWS, Plaistow, Bromley, Kent. t 68

F
F

RIVEN BEBS for Sale, 2&. 6d. per stock.—
WADEY, Broadstone, Dorset. t 50

INEST WHITE CLOVER HONEY, in 28 Jb. tins.—
H. BROUGHTON, Barrow, Hull. T 51

11 CWT. of GOOD HCNEY, 56s. per cwt. ; also lOtf
2 Sections, slightly granulated, 6s. 6d. per dozen,^
CUCKSEY, MildenhaJl Road, via Soham. T 56

IX DOZEN SANFOIN SECTIONS, well flUed, 7b. 9d.

per dozen, carriage paid ; also 28 lb. tin Sanfoin

Hoaiey, ^d. lb.— NORTH; Poplar Hall, Ci-essing,

Braintree, Essex. t 55

BEES.— Stocks on eight frames. Black English 1906
Queens, guaranteed healthy and perfect condi-
tion, saife delivery ; skeps from 12s. 6d. ; ample
store® ; honey, light, extracted, liquid, or granulated',
screw jars, 8b. 6d. dozen, £5 gross, 53s. cwt.—
CHARTER, Tattingstone, Ipswich.

EXPERIENCED Bee JExpert wa,nitB Situation as
Handyman ; gaideming (no glass), poultry, frame
hive, etc., making. — W. PALMER, 174, Curzon Street,
Netherfleld, Nottingham. T 55

OR Sale, EXTRACTED HONEY, 54®. per cwt.—
MYLAND, Stanley Terrace, Basingstoke. T 69

F

TWO DOZEN 1 lb. JARS (full pound size) HONEY,
good colour and Jlavour, wirriage paid per Carter
Paterson for 18s.— MARTIN, Model Apiary, Orping-
ton, Kent. T 65

QUEEN HUMBLE BEES FOR NEW ZEALAND.— A
large number of these having already been re-
ceived, no more are wanted for the present. — F. W. L.
SLADEN, Ripple Court Apiary, near Dover.

1CWT. of FINE EXTRACTED ENGLISH HONEY,
48s. ; new Cowan Extractor, 35S.— AVERY, Dev-
erell, Warminster. T 67

SALE or Exchange for Bee appliances, collie pups
(good working strain). Particulars, stamp. —
MOSELEY BANK APIARY, Hallow, Worcester. T 52

QUEENS ; pui-e imported 1906 Oamiolians, very pro-
lific and exceedingly good-tempei'ed, 6s. each,
post free ; imix)rted Italian, 5s. 6d., post free. — PID-
DUCK, Cheshire Association Expert, Sunnyside Apiary,
Alsager, Cheshire. T 66

WANTED TO PURCHASE : Heather Sections, de-
livered in good condition to Manchester ;
Heather Run Honey, delivei'ed to Lavington Station
(6.W.R.), with pure Beeswax. Any quantities de-
livered, Lavington Station. In making offei'® send
samples Run, Honey and Beeswax. — GORDON ROWE,
Honey and Beeswax Merchant, Market Lavington,
Wilts.

I (II i/- GRANULATED LIGHT HONEY, pound screw-

Xt/UO cap glass jai-8, Ss. 6d'. dozen; yellow crocus,
snowdrops, Is. 100; daffodils, white narcissus, Is. 6d.
100, 2id. dozen; mi.xed naicissus, daffodils. Is. 100,
2d. dozen. ; hyacinths, Is. 6d. dozen ; Chapmam honey
plant', 3d. packet, post free.— WEST, 83, Stoke Road,
Gosport. T 41

APIARY, with connection, 14 bar-framed hives,
double walls, cork packed, strong, healthy stocks,
average yield 75-20 lb. each, complete outfit. — FLUD-
DER, Stoke-by-Mayland, Colchester. t 48

HEALTHY DRIVEN BEES, with Queen, in 4 lb.
or more lots, at 1«. 3d. per lb. ; <boxe« return-
able, or will be charged or. — R. BROWN, Flora Apiary,
Somersbami, Hunt*. 8 47

Oct. 11, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

401

(g£itorial ^rtias, ^t.

QUALIFYING FOR BEE EXPERT

The following letter from a would-be
qualified expert of the British Bee-
Keepers' Association is dealt with here, as
securing for it more prominence than the
writer intended, first, because the subject
is in itself an important one, and affects
all who are desirous of becoming experts
in bee-keeping ; and secondly, because it
affords us the opportunity of making plain
some points that need clearing up in order
to avoid future disappointments.

Our correspondent says: — "I am de-
sirous of studying bees and bee-keeping
with the idea of becoming a qualified ex-
pert, and in view of this I ask if you
would kindly tell me through your valu-
able paper ("the B.B.J.) the proper way to
go about it, and what books would be
required, also where the latter are obtain-
able? It may be well to say that I am
already a bee-keeper, having a small
apiary of six hives. Thanking you in ad
vance, and wishing your paper every suc-
cess Xwhich it deserves), I beg to sign my-
self, 'Queen Bee,' Colne, Lanes., Octo-
ber 6."

With regard, then, to our correspon
dent's query, the initial step is to write to
Mr. E. H. Young, Secretary British Bee
Keepers' Association, 12, Hanover-square,
London, for the syllabus required. The
latter document, in addition to other
information, states what books are recom-
mended as being necessary, and any book-
seller will procure them (or they may be
obtained from this office). Practically,
however, the only books alasolutely neces-
sary for the third-class examination are the
"British Bee- Keepers' Guide-Book," by
T. W. Cowan, and "The Honey Bee," by
the same author. It is hopeless for a can
didate to expect to pass without being so
wen acquainted with the subject as to be
able to answer correctly certain questions
which the B.B.K.A. deem essential before
a certificate of efficiency can be awarded.

Only those who have ofiiciated as
examiners, together with candidates who
have gone through the ordeal, can fully
realise the situation when an aspirant who
finds liimself totally unprepared to answer
the questions put to him, through having
no idea beforehand of the nature of the
examination he was to undergo. Quite
recently a candidate informed us that he
" had never read the ' Guide Book,' or any
of the books recommended by the
B.B.K.A." Another, when unable to
answer questions, said It was years sin;e

he had troubled to read a text-book, and
he had forgotten many decails about which
he was asked. Such incidents as these are
all too frequent, and we feel sure our own
experience is not exceptional. Of course,
there generally follows the natural regret
that some definite idea of what the
examination comprises is not supplied
beforehand to candidates by the county
association to which they belong.

If the above remarks help to dispel the
uncertainty now existing on the points at
issue, and if would-be experts will take the
trouble to read up the subject before pre-
senting themselves for examination, it will
be found much more satisfactory both to
examiners and to Jhose who desire to
secure the~ coveted certificate.

CHESHIRE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY

SHOW AT CHESTEK.

The annual show of the Cheshire Agri-
cultural Society was held on the Roodee,
Chester, on August 29 ; the honey section
being under the management of the
Cheshire B.K.A. The Rev. T. J. Evans,
Rock Ferry, and Mr. T. D. Schofield,
Alderley Edge, officiated as judges, and
have favoured us with their report on the
bee and honey exhibits, which (somewhat
abridged) we print at foot. Their awards
were as follows : —

Complete Frame-Hire for General Use. —
1st, Mi-s. W. Cartwright, Moore, near
Warrington; 2nd and 3rd, George Rose,
Livei-pool ; r., W. Shepherd, Higher
Broughton, Manchester.

Ticelvc 1-lb. Sections. — 1st, Abraham
Hamer, Llandilo ; 2nd, J. Pearman,
Derby ; 3rd, William Reece, Tarporley.

Ticelvc 1-lb. Jars Extracted Honey. — 1st,
John Berry, Llanwrst, Wales ; 2nd, A. S.
Dell, Leigh, Lanes. ; 3rd, Hugh Berry,
Llanwrst, Wales.

Observatory Hive with Bees and Queen. —
1st, Herbert Potts, Dutton. (No other
prize awarded.)

Six 1-lb. Sections. — 1st and Silver Medal,
William Kelly, Sandycroft, Chester ; 2nd,
William Ratcliffe, Barthomley ; 3rd, Fred
C. Kelly, Hawarden.

Twelve 1-lb. Sections Extracted Liijht-
C'oloured Honn/. — 1st and Bronze Medal,
E. Maxwell, Malpas : 2nd, B. Thomas,
Market Drayton; 3rd, J. Griffiths, Tar-
porley.

Twelve 1-lb. Sections Extracted Medium-
Coloured Honey. — 1st, Tliomas Brockle-
bank, Heswall ; 2nd, S. Gerrard, Hes
wall ; 3rd, Mrs. R. Taylor, Rossett.

Six 1-lb. Sections Extracted Honey. —
1st, Mrs. Nickson, Malpas ; 2nd, George
Lambert, Northwich ; 3rd, Fred C. Kelfv.

402

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Oct. 11, 1906.

Six 1-lb. Sections Extracted Money. —
1st, Walter Johnson, Chester; 2nd, J.
Griffiths, Tarporley; 3rd, Charles Brook-
field, Chester.

Ttcu Shallow-Frames of Comb Honey. —
1st, Fred C. Kelly ; 2nd, E. Maxwell, Mal-
pas ; 3rd, H. B. Eaton, Sandbach.

Exhibit of not less than 1-lb. of Wax. —
1st, Job Astbury, Kelsall, Chester; 2nd,
William Eatcliffe ; 3rd, George Lambert,
Northwich.

The Baroness Burdett-Coutts' Prize Hive.
—William Ratcliflfe.

judges' eeport (abridged).

The entries were not as numerous as last
year, and there was a good deal of dark
honey exhibited, owing to the poor quality
gathered this season in Cheshire, except
in a few favoured disticts.

There were only six entries in the class
for twelve 1-lb. sections of comb honey,
the first prize going to an exhibit of
beautiful sections. It seems a pity more
entries cannot be obtained for this attrac-
tive-looking class, and we would suggest in-
creased value in prizes, and more exten-
sive advertising among section-producers.
Some very good honey was shown in the
open class for twelve 1-lb. jars of extracted
honey, a fine sample from Wales, good on
all points, taking first ; whilst the second
and third prizes went to very good exhibits.
Some nice tall sections came to the fore
in the class for six 1-lb. sections, but the
lace edging came dangerously near the
maximum allowance.

In the class for twelve 1-lb. jars of ex-
tracted light honev many absentees were
apparent. Only three exhibits could be
classed as good, the rest were poor
flavoured, or unripe honey.

For twelve 1-lb. jars extracted medium-
coloured honey, the first and second prizes
went to delicious blends of heather and
clover. The rest were samples of
ordinary quality, and one sample was dis-
qualified as too light in colour.

The class for two shallow-frames of comb-
honey is growing in favour, some very fine
combs being staged.

In the class for not less than 1-lb. of wax.
we have seldom, if ever ^een a finer lot of
wax exhibited. The prizes went to care-
fully prepared samples of beautiful wax,
which well deserved their awards.

There were two classes for six 1-lb. jars
extracted honey, but tliough the entries
were numerous, the exliibits were poor in
quality owing to the bad season.

The class for complete frairic-hive for
general use brought eight entries, and is
always an interesting class for bee-keepers.
The awards went to hives of the
"W. B, C." pattern, which still holds the

field as a most practical hive. Unfortunately
the makers of the hives staged do not adhere
to the original pattern, as designed by
" W. B. C." Only one of the prize hives
had movable legs, and the porch and floor-
boards were not flush with the sides. We
would suggest a closer following of the
original specification.

The final class was for observatory hive
with bees and queen. We do not like to
see bees confijied to the hive in an oppres-
sively hot tent, and it would be better to
do away with this class unless arrange-
ments were made for the bees to fly. The
first prize had to be withheld from the
best hive owing to the combs not being
visible on both sides. The exhibits were
well staged, and the stewards are to be
complimented on their management.

SHOW AT CASTLE DOUGLAS.

The show of dairy nroduce, honey, etc.,
was held at Castle Douglas on Thursday,
September 13. The honey section in con-
nection with above being under the auspices
of the South of Scotland Bee-keepers' Asso-
ciation, was again a decided success. The
number of entries (about 100) was a good
average. English exhibitors were not so
numerous this year as formerly, and those
who did forward exhibits were not fortunate
enough to get amongst the prize-winners.

OPEN CLASSES.

Three 1-lb. Jars Extracted Honey. — 1st,
Q. Aird, Dalbeattie ; 2nd and 4th, J. M.
Stewart, Mollance Gardens ; 3rd and v.h.c,
James Kerr, Dumfries; h.l., T. Drysdale,
Clarebrand ; c, R. Slater, Hardgate.

Three 1-lb. Sections. — 1st, R. Slater ; 2nd,
Q. Aird ; 3rd, John M'Donald, Dumfries ;
v.h.c, James Johnstone, Maxwelltown.

Single 1-lb. Jar Extracted Honey. — 1st
and 2nd, Q. Aird ; 3rd, R. Slater ; 4th and
c, J. Johnstone; v.h.c, J. M. Stewart;
h.c, James Kerr.

Simile 1-lb. Section. — 1st, Q. Aird ; 2nd,
James M'Leod, Haugh-gf-Urr ; 3rd, R.
Slater ; 4th, James Kerr ; v.h.c, J.
M'Donald.

Beeswax. — 1st and 3rd, Q. Aird ; 2nd,
J. M. Stewart.

(^ONFINED TO MEMBERS.

Super of Honey (any toeighi). — 1st, R
Dalziel, Haugh-of-Urr ; 2nd, J. M'Leod;
3rd, Q. Aird.

Six 1-lb. Jars E.vtracted Honey. — 1st, Q.
Aird ; 2nd, J. M. Stewart ; 3rd, R. Slater;
4th, T. Drysdale.

Ttrio 1-lb. Sections. 1st, Q. Aird; 2n:d
and 3r(l, Jolm M'Donald; 4th, James
Johnstone ; v.li.c, Mrs. Wm. Smith, Twyn-
holm.

Six 1-lb. Sections.— 1st, R. Slater; 2nd,
Q. Aird ; 3rd, John M'Donald.

Oct. 11, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

403

Three 1-lb. Heather Sections. — 1st, James
M^Leod ; 2nd, Q. Aird.

Three 1-lb. Jars Extracted Hcatlicr Honey.
— 1st, James Johnstone ; 2nd, Q. Aird.

Super of Heather Honey. — 1st, Q. Aird.

DAIEYMEX ONLY.

Three 1-lb. Jars Extracted Honey. — 1st,
James Lamberton, Sandbed, Dumfries ;
2nd and 3rd, Mrs. Smith.

HONEY IMPORTS.

The value of honey imported into tho
United Kingdom during the month of
September, 1906, was £1,112. — From a
return furnished to the British Bee
Journal by the Statistical Office, H.M.
Customs.

(Emt^m&tut

The Editors do not hold themselves responsible for the
opinions expressed ■ by correspondents. No notice will
he taken of anonymous communications, and corre-
spondents are requested to write on one side of the paper
only and give their real names and addresses, not neces-
sarily for publication , but as a guarantee of good faith.
Illustrations should be drawn on separate pieces of paper .
We do not undertake to return rejected communications.

♦** In order to facilitate reference, Corrtsponderts,
when speaking of any letter or query premously insetted,
luUl oblige by ntentioning the number of the letter as well
as the page cm which it appears.

NOTES BY THE WAY.

SELLING THE CROP.

[6453.] With the incoming of October we
turn our attention from outside woj:k in the
apiary to the honey-room and the market-
ing of our crop. Should it be comb-honey
requiring to be got ready for sale, see that
every particle of brace comb and propolis is
scraped off every section, and if the number
of sections to be dealt with is large, care-
fully grade them into first and second
quality, and those not so well filled or less
transparent, along with those in which are
seen a few unsealed cells, into third. Those
of pale primrose colour, well filled and
nearly transparent when lield up to ihe
light, are the quality which I call No. 1,
and when glazed or cased with glass both
sides they will bring you Is. each retail,
or 10s. per dozen delivered to the trades-
man for retailing. No. 2 are equally well
filled as No. 1, though not so transparent ;
the'se will bring 8s. 6d. or 9s. per dozen,
according to tlie market and extent of order.
Customers taking two or three gross for
cash on delivery will naturally expect to
buy a little cheaper than when only two or
three dozen are taken. No. 3 quality will
sell at 7s. or 7s. 6d. per dozen. Those not
filled well enough for market should have

the honey extracted and the combs given
back to the bees to be cleaned up and
stored away for use another season. Racks
of empty combs so cleaned should be
wrapped in paper with a small piece of two
of naphthaline in each parcel and stored
in a dry cupboard on a shelf for use another
yt'ar. I advise bee-keepers to always glaze
or box sections l)efore sending out. It costs
money and labour, but it pays to do it, not
only from the financial point of view, but
as helping to hold the trade together. Be-
sides, it enhances the value to the trades-
man by keeping it secure from wasps, flies,
etc., while protecting the tender combs
from the finger-and-thumb marks of care-
less assistants.

We have glazed every section sent out
this season (except one dozen required for
immediate use), and have had several large
orders from different customers for despatch
one after the other, and all have been
glazed. It may seem tedious work to some,
but it forms oiie of the most pleasant items
of labour connected with bee-keeping in our
household, for my good wife loves the work
equally with n;yself.

I trust readers have attended to the work
in the aj)iary mentioned in my last
" Notes." If not, do not delay another
week, but make ready for winter. If you
have no " Hill's " device to place on top of
your brood-frames, place two or three short
pieces of split lath over the centre under
the first quilt, then make «sure that the
quilt fits well down on all sides of the
frames, and finally place extra quilts, or a
chaff-cushion, and ojien the hive entrance
to three or four inches. See that the roofs
are weather-proof ; if not, cover with a
piece of thin zinc. This is durable, and,
considering the time it will last it comes to
be as chea]) as anything. If })ainted light
stone-colour, it is not more heat-absorbing
than wood.

Melt ui) any old pieces of comb, also all
scrapings, as soon as tlie work is completed,
thus i^reventing the breeding of wax-moth,
whicli, I hear, has become quite a pest in
many parts of the countiy, and in our
district also. We have always to be on
guard to clear up every old comb, otherwise
it is infested with larvte if left only a short
time during the summer months. — W.
WouDLEY, Beedon, Newbury.

THE STANDARD FRAME.

[6454.] Readers of the B.B.J, will re-
member that in the early months of this
year the question of the standard frame
was the subject of much discussion. The
impression left upon my mind by x-eading
that discussion was that no sound and
valid reason was forthcoming for making
anv change in the size of the frame ; and I

404

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Oct. 11, 1906.

maintam that unless it can be proved
beyond all doubt that a departure from the
size of the " standard frame " is a real
stejD in advance, a. ,step which the progress
of apiculture makes it necessary for all
who do not wish to be left behind to
adopt, it would be a most fatal mistake
for the B.B.K.A. to give its official sanc-
tion to such a change. Let experimenters
use any size frames which their experi-
ments dictate, but let the " standard "
frame remain unchanged so far as its vital
outside measurements are concerned.

I notice a letter on page 395 (6451) from
Mr. W. J. Fai'mer, suggesting that the
frame should be 5 in. less in depth, as " it
would enable bee-keepers to make their
hives with less expense, because commer-
cially there are no 9 in. planed boards
obtainable." But how about the exjiense
to the hosts of bee-keepers who already
have hives made to take the present stan-
dard frame ? This would indeed be robbing
Peter to a very considerable "tune," in
order to pay Paul an inconsiderable trifle.
Moreover, I have never met with the
slightest difficulty in getting 9 in. planed
boards ; whenever I have ordered such
boards from a timber merchant they iiave
been supplied without a hint that com-
mercially they were not obtainable, so that
I confess that Mr. Farmer's statement was
news to me. There was on-^' | oint which
the discussion referred to brought out, and
that was that the present frame is not quite
strong enough in the top-bar. I say not
quite strong enough advisedly, because,
after all, it is only a very small percentage
of these frames that "sag.'' This shows
that the frame is ver[/ nearly stronjr enough.
This slight ^defect is perfectly easily reme-
died by niaking the top bar a little wider,
and many makers are producing such
frames. A year ago I bought a number
from a well-known London firm, the top-
bars of which were exactly 1 in. in width ;
none of which has shown the least sign
of " sagging."

There can hardly be any donbt that the
" saw-cut " furnishes the neatest and most
secure method for fixing foundation, but
many of those who took part in the dis-
cussion voted against it, chiefly on the
ground that it encouraged and harboured
wax-moth. There is however, a very simple
and effectual remedy for this fault, which
I have practised for a number of years.
It is this : Melt in any suitable tin a few
lumps of paraffin wax, and with a brusli
paint oyer the top of the frame after the
foundation is flxed, so as to entirelv cover
tlu! saw-cut, and leave the top of the frame
perfectly smooth with wax. No wax-moth
grub will ever make its home on the top-
bar of a frame so treated.

If I might presume to do so, I would

venture to suggest that the B.B.K.A.
should sanction a frame under the name
of " The New Standard Frame," which
should only differ from the old standard
in having a wider toji-bar. The bee-keeper
would then know exactly what he was
getting when he ordered the " New Stan-
dard " frame. At present every maker is
a "law unto himself," and makes frames
which are a little wider, or a little thicker,
or a little diffei'ent in some other way, so
that uniformity is in danger of being lost,
and uniformity in the movable j)arts of our
hives is a very vital matter. — G. S. N.,
Godstone, Surrey.

"SHOWS AND SHOWING."

[6455.] Under the above headin^i', your
correspondent " Showing " (6449, page 394)
refers to an important matter when applied
to the subject of bee-appliance manufac-
turers competing in the same classes as
the general public, who are often mere
novices in the craft. It would be a good
thing if some change could be made to
get over this difficulty without interfering
with the legitimate rights of bee-appliance
dealers, etc., exhibiting and competing for
the highest honours offered at the various
exhibitions. Having attended the shows
held at the Agricultural Hall, London,
for several years now, I think it is regret-
table to see the plums falling into the
same basket every year, with so few varia-
tions.

I agree with " 6449 " that we ought not
to be selfish to the extent of barring the
professional from exhibiting, but there
ought to be classes specially provided
for the specialists in the craft. It is most
discouraging to the budding bee-man to
send a lot of goods to the large shows at
considerable (though necessary) expense, to
find he is "nowhere in it." I do not want
to be hard on the dealers, or to say they
are not scrupulously honest in showing
goods ; but where a large dealer is buying
in thousands of sections yearly, what is
there to prevent a selection of the best
sent in, and use for exhibition purposes?
The chance of infection is infinitesimal,
and the temptation is most alluring, even
to the most conscientious man, for, having
entered the list of competitors, he is natur-
ally anxious to get first, because of the
advantage it gives him in the honey mar-
ket. I have noticed sections carefully
" faked " to deceive the judges, and that
by a prominc nt exhibitor ; cells carefully
tilled, and sealed, etc. Tlien again, in the
extracted honey classes, a lot of tricks and
devices are employed to get the splendid
exhibits one sees at the large shows.
Again, in the wax classes, the splendid

Oct. 11, 1906.] THE BKITISH BEE JOURlTAL.

405

exhibits one sees proves that there are
secrets behind it that baffle the novice,
and as he looks at his poor stuff, upon
which he has spent so much time and
thought, he turns away disgusted, and
probably is discouraged for ever after. I
remember a conversation with a large
dealer in wax (whom I frequently notice
is a successful exhibitor in the wax
classes), who told me he paid a lot of
money for the secret of clearing wax for
the manufacture of foundation, etc. That
being so, one cannot be surprised if he
now employs the secret to carry off the
highest awards offered for public competi-
tion. I have heard this often discussed
amongst bee-men, and suggestions made
that the time is ripe for exposing and
dealing with it. Perhaps the Editor will
kindly offer some suggestion to guide us in
this important matter.- — A. E., Wilts,
October 8.

TWO QUEENS IN ONE HIVE.

OVEESTOEED BROOD-CHAMBEES.

[6456.] Whilst recently touring in Suf-
folk I came across two queens comfort-
ably working in the same hive. The owner
had housed a driven lot of bees in the hive
referred to, and they took possession of
the three outside combs. Two days later
another lot of driven bees were run in, and
these occupied the other three outer combs.
At the time of my inspection (five weeks
afterwards) both lots of bees were com-
fortably working through one entrance and
feeding at the same feeder over the centre-
combs. I thought this incident might be
of interest to some of your readers but
I am afraid one of the queens will be
" missing " later on when both clusters
meet, and the respective queens come
into close contact. The honey season
here has been a remarkable one all round,
although in the early part of the summer
notliing much was done by way of storing
surplus. In August, however, an unusual
amount of honey was stored. Bee-keepers
generally were surprised to find extracted
supers (j3ut on for clearing up wet combs
only) again filled (to my own knowledge
in Suffolk) with beautiful honey. At my
own home we had a similar honey-flow
about the same period, but alas ! the honey
was too dark to be worth the trouble of
extracting. I notice some of your corre-
spondents are finding brood-chambers
clogged with stores. I am afraid that
there is rather too much honey crammed
in brood-chambers this autumn, and have
no doubt that some will be disapjiointed
next spring in finding bees weak. My
opinion is that this year stocks will have
too much stores left on hand, and, in con-
sequence, will be scarce of bees when most

wanted. In some cases I notiesd every
cell of brood-combs filled with stores and
not a bit of room for breeding. I think it
will be advisable to insert an empty conab
in centre of brood-nests, and thus avoid
what must in some cases spell disaster
through too early cessation of breeding
brought about by queen being entirely
cramped out. — Joseph Peice, South Staffs.

BEE NOTES FROM ROSS-SHIRE.

A GOOD EEPOET.

[6457.] With all its vicissitudes, 1906
must be classed as an excellent season. My
own experiences have been the most
favourable for many years. In the case of
those hives run for comb-honey, my returns
from actual sales show an average of fully
£3 per colony— to say nothing of what was
used in my home or given away. This,
along with an increase of 100 per cent., is
quite satisfactory. Sales have also been
good. I am cleared out with the exception
of about four dozen sections, and these,
being mostly heather, are unlikely to lie
long on my hands. Clover sold at 9d., and
heather sections at Is. each wholesale;
paying figures both. Stocks all over go
into winter quarters in excellent condition
with abundant stores, so the future outlook
is decidedly promising. — J. M. Eli<is,
Ussie Valley, October 3.

MY BEE WAGON.

[6458.] I received the extra copies of
B.B.J, quite safe, and tender best thanks
for the same, and also for inserting the
photo of my bee wagon. I am pleased to
think that the photo has created so much
interest among members of our craft. I
have received quite a big pile of letters
from your readers, all seeking information
about it and about bees or bee-keeping. I
am unable to answer all this correspond-
ence just now, but will try and do so later
on, as I am at present full up with work
getting my bees ready for the winter. If
you will kindly insert this in next issue
I shall feel obliged, and if any cost I will
pay. — E J. Thompson, Snaith, Yorks.,
October 3.

SWARI^IING VAGARIES.
[6459.] Many thanks for your kind reply
to my " Swarming Vagaries " and " Dis-
tended Worker" in B.B.J, of Septem-
ber 13 (page 367). Probably you will not
be surprised to hear that particular hive
mentioned yielded only 4 lb. of surplus
honey this season, while my other two
hives between them gave me rather better
than 70 lb. Very full and well-finished
combs indeed. Yours very gratefully, '' C,
Bucks," October 6.

406

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Oct. 11, 1906.

BEE-HIVES IN SHOP WINDOWS.

[6460.] No doubt when live bees are
exhibited in a shop window they cause a
crowd to assembl-8, but. I would ask, is it
humane to r€)st)rt to such a means of
advertisement ? We cannot, unfortu-
nately, go through life without causing a
certain amount of pain and death, whether
we " go in for gardening " or keep bees ;
but to inflict unavoidable pain is a very
different thing to doing it wilfully. It is
quite easy to believe that the Siorrey Daily
Argus never thought its live-bee exhibitioii
was hard on the bees, as well as painful
to all bee-lovers who understand the nature
of the inconvenience caused to the insects
by continued confinement, in the light,
too, with the exhausting effort to get
through the exasperating glass barrier to
liberty.

I once pointed out to a" Liverpool gro3 3r
that a similar exhibition in his win-low
was cruel, and, to his credit, he agreed
with my contention.

Let us discountenance such practices
To sell our honey may be veiy difficult, but
we must not be cruel in order to assist us
to do so. — W. J. Farmer.

HIVES ON LEGS v. STANDS.

[6461.] I have noticed that most bee-
keepers use the orthodox four legs on each
hive. I wonder how they keep level. I
use pitch pine quartering 3in. by Igin. and
14ft. or 15ft. long edgeways, and nailed to
cross pieces 3in. by 3in. by 18in., placed
angleways. This frame can easily be
placed level on three pairs of small brick
jiiers. Hives can then be placed any
desired distance. I find that length very
suitable as a stand for four hives, and ex-
tremely convenient when manipulating.

Autumn Fecdim/ for Bees. — It has been
an interesting sight to see the bees — both
driven lots and nuclei — ^carrying in pollen
during the last few weeks, in contrast to
other stocks well supplied with stores,
whence scarce a single bee is on the wing,
even when the sun has been shining full
on the hives for hours. One wonders where
the bees get such loads of bright orange-
coloured pollen at this lateeeason. — A. H.,
Wavendon, North Bucks, October 8.

WASPS.

[6462.] Has anyone ever tried keei)ing
these interesting though, to the bee-keeper,
noxious insects? We kept several at one
time in ordinary bee-hives fitted with
glass tops. The nests were procured by
stujxifying the wasps at night with smoke
from a giiiip()W<lcr squib (a "Catherine
wheel " unrolled does sijlcndidly). Do not

give too small a dpse, or they may begin
to wake up when the subsequent digging
operations begin. With care, the nest can
be extracted entire ; any little damage
done to the outside covering will soon be
repaired when the inhabitants recover
from the effects of the gunpowder smoke.
It is a most interesting sight to see the
wasps at work making "brown paper."
A ball of chewed up rotten-wood is held
in the two front legs and flattened out
into a ribbon by the jaws, the wasp walk-
ing backwards at the same time. We are
glad our tip re " cyanide" was of use to
" L. S. 0." It is a small return for the
many useful things we gather from his
communications. We would ask your
correspondent if he has not made a mis-
take with reference to the wood-wasps ?
This should be V. sijlrestris. V. medid
is similar to F. vulgaris in habit, etc.,
the only difference being that the yellow
colouring on the abdomen is much darker
in the former, while V. si/lvestris is con-
sidera'bly the smallest of any of the
English social wasps.

. Br aula coeca (page 355). — We find these
very prevalent this year, probably due to
the very mild winter we had. — Bell
Bros., High Beech.

AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER RAIN-
FALL. ^

Total fall, 2.32 in.
Heaviest fall, .45 in. on 1st.
Rain fell on seventeen days.

SEPTEMBER.

Total fall, 1.11 in.
Heaviest fall, .40 on 14th.
Rain fell on seven days.

— ^W. Head, Brilley, Herefordshire.

^mx'm m& ^^Im.

[3419.] Bees Dwindling in Aufu7nn.. — Could
you assist me with advice on the following
points? I have six hives of bees, four of
which have given a good amount of surplus
honey, mostly from heather. On removing
some supers to-day, I examined the brood-
body and found almost every cell in the ten
frames full of sealed honey, but scarcely any
brood. I understand from the " Guide-book "
that a strong lot of autumn-raised bees are
wanted Ui carry on the colony until the
spring, and, with this end in view, ask,
should I remove the combs and replace them
with sheets of foundation ; or, on the other
hand, will it be better to let things remain as
they now are? I have a few drawn and
partly-drawn-out combs by me, and could use
these up if needed. I only started bee-keep-

Oct. 11, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOUB,NAL.

407

ing in 1905, and did not make much of it
at the time. Since then, however, thanks
mainly to your most useful " Guide-book "
and the "B.B.J.," I have increased my stock
from one to six hives (all home-made), and
they serve the purpose very well, as may be
guessed, when I have taken about 2001b. of
surplus honey from them. — Name sent for
reference by Conqueror, New Forest.

Replt. — It will be advantageous to remove
two or three of the sealed combs of honey
and replace with worked-out empty combs, as
you have these by you. If feeding is done
judiciously and a constant supply kept up,
the queen wUl probably start laying for a
week or two, and thus attain the object you
have in view. Glad to hear of your success
this season.

[3420.] Winteriiuj Bees on Unsealed Stores.
— I am the happy possessor of three colonies
of bees. Two of them came in their hives
in July last, and the third artificially swarmed
as explained in the "B.B.J." of Augnist 16
(No. 3,381, p. 328). On examining these hives
on Saturday last I found larvae and capped
brooa in each, and in one hive the brood was
principally in the shallow frames m super,
which I had left on in hope all would have
hatched out ere this. On examining the
frames of the artificially swarmed hive I
noticed that one or two capped cells looked
suspiciously like foul brood, and I therefore
inserted a piece of stick into these and out .
of one came a dead bee, almost black and
gluey. From a second the dead bee was
yellowish, and a third brownish. I shook
all the bees into the hive and removed the
frame. I then uncapped all the other cells,
and found all the larvae apparently healthy
except one, which I enclose herewith. The
frame I removed from one of the other hives
when artificially swarming. May I ask your
advice, through your valuable paper, on the
following points : (1) Is this foul brood ? (2)
If so, what steps ought to be taken to check,
seeing it is now October ? (3) I found a great
many cells with uncapped honey — ^will the
bees cap these? (4) Will it be all right to
leave these with the bees? I might say I
have been feeding with medicated syrup
during September (recipe No. 6). — Subscribing
myself, T. L, Penge, S.E.

Ebplt. — 1 and 2. We should really have a
better sample to judge from. The tiny bit of
comb had some sort of " contents," but, being
probed prior to sending, the " remains " in
the- single cell were hardly distinguishable
from wet pollen. It may have been a crushed
larva, but we could not tell without much
trouble, and so we should like a larger bit
of comb, with a few sealed cells. 3. Not
unless the cells are full and feeding is con-
tinued. 4. Bees do not do well on combs of
food not capped over.

[3421.] Bees Perished from Want after
" li'ohhlnj." — I am sending you by this post
specimens of comb containing brood. Would
you very kindly examine them and give the
result in the next issue of the " B.B.J." ?
The entire colony from which they were
taken has recently perished. I noticed some
months ago that the bees were very inactive.

I then examined the hive and found that the
colony had dwindled down to a mere hand-
ful. I tried requeening, as I thought per-
haps it had lost its queen, but this was
clearly not the case, since both the queen
and the whole colony, as I h.ive already said,
have perished. I enclose my card and sign
myself — A Beginner, Dolgelly.

Reply. — ^Ck>mb bears the appearance of hav-
ing been " robbed out." There is no trace of
disease about the dead larvae in cells, which
seems to have perished for lack of warmth
The case suggests queenlessness before close
of the honey season, and that the motherless
bees had been despoiled of their stores by
robbing from neighbouring hives.

[7A22.]Blending Honey. — 1. My clover honey
this year is dark owing to the limes, but it
is excellent in other respects. I therefore
ask : Shall I do right in mixing it with my
heather honey, of which latter I have just
been taking 100 lbs. from two hives? There-
fore I ask you to please say (2) what propor-
tion of clover I should put to the heather
honey, if any? 3. I have some half-filled
sections ; would it be the best to save them
for next year, or put them behind the dummy
for bees to empty? Reply will oblige. —
B. R., Sheffield.

Reply. — 1. If blended with care, a mix-
ture of clover and heather makes a very
saleable honey for table use. 2. Simply add
sufficient to make the heather bloom pre-
dommate. Some prefer a mild heather
flavour while others like it more strong.

ARE BEES WILD ANIMALS?

SINGULAR COUNTY COURT APPLICATION.

An exceptionally interesting application
was heard in the Sheffield County Court
recently, before his Honour Judge Mansel-
Jones. The matter arose out of an execu-
tion issued by the High Bailiff in an action
by George Slater and Sons, printers, uf
Sheffield, against John Hewitt, a bee-
keeper, of Totley. The High Bailiff seized
a number of hives of bees, and the applica-
tion was by the Registrar for directions to
the High Bailiff as to whether the bees
constituted goods and chattels, under the
County Courts Act, which the High Bailiff
was entitled to seize. Mr. J. E. Wing
.appeared for the defendant, and Mr.
E. W. Clegg for the plaintiff.

Mr. Wing contended that the High
Bailiff' was only authorised to seize +he
goods and chattels of the defendant, and
the question arose as to whether bees con-
stituted goods and chattels. He suggested
that there were certain things exempt from
distre.:ss, among them being certain wild
animals. He contended that bees came
under this definition, were wild, and be-
longed to no one, and were not seizable by
the High Bailiff. All wild birds, such as
partridges, and several wild animals came

408

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Oct. 11, 1906.

under the same law. Mr. Wing quoted
several cases illustrating his point.

Mr. Clegg, replying, stated that in his
opinion, if the bees belonged to no one,
plaintiff could not complain if they were
seized.

His Honour asked if there could be any
objection to the hives being seized.

Mr. Wing could not suggest that the
hives were not goods and chattels.

Mr. Clegg then thought that the hives
could be seized while the bees were in them.

Mr. Wing : The bees might object to
that, and it is risky to annoy them !
(Laughter.)

Eventually his Honour, stating that the
point raised was an interesting one from an
academic standpoint, said he must hold
that the High Bailiff was justified in
seizing the hives and bees. — Sheffield
Independent.

SCHOOL CHILDREN'S BEE COMPANY.

A NOVEL trNDEBTAKING.

How many shareholders in a big busi-
ness concern would like to see a dividend
of 166 per cent, paid on invested capital ?
That is the amount of the dividends just
paid by the Hildenborough School Chil-
dren's Bee Company. This novel concern is
run in connection with the National
Schools, and all the shareholders, who are
acquiring, or have acquired, a practical
knowledge of bees, are school children. The
shares are sixpence each, and the holders
are receiving tenpence per share as their
dividend, some taking it in money, and
others in honey. It is very amusing to
hear the boys buying and selling shares,
which they actually do. In view of the
excellent returns, shares are now at a pre-
mium.— Kent Messenger.

tonts to €)amt.

A nominal charge of 2s. 6d. is made for notices {not
exceeding 7 lines) in this column, 10 lines charged 3s. 6d. ;
up to 15 lines 5s., lohich covers cost of insertion from
order till date of show. Cash should accompany orders
for insertion.

October 9 to 12, at the Agrricultural
Hall, London.— Show of Honey and Bee rrjduce
In connection with the Brltiih Dairy Farmem' Awocia
tion. Numeroui and liberal prizea for honey, etc..
Including the valuable Silver Challenge Oup of the
B.B.K.A. Entries closed.

October 18 to 21, at "Waverley Market.
Edinburgrh. — Honey show in connection with
the Tenth Annual Edinburgh and Midlothian Indus-
trial Exhibition. All open classes. Beautifully illus-
trated prospectus, price 2d., from A. Hutchinson, 15,
Leith etrcet, Edinburgh. Entries closed.

October 18 and 19, at Kilmarnock, N.B.

-|-Honey Show in connection with the annual exhibi-
tion of the Ayrshire Agricultural Society. Schedule!
on application to John Howie, Secretary, 58, Alloway
Street, Ayr. Entries closed.

November 9 and 10, at Cborley, Lanes.

-Honey Show of Lanos. B.K.A. in connection with
Chorley Chrysanthemum Society's Annual Show.
Four Open Classes. Elxhibitore allowed to bring
honey for sale. Schedules from W. G. Smith, Town
Hall Auction Rooms, Chorley, Laacs. Entries
close ITovember 3.

Notices to Correspondents & Inquirers,

Letters or queries asking for addresses of manti/ae'
turers or correspondents, or where appliances can he
purchased, or replies giving such information, ean only
he inserted as advertisernents. The space devoted to
letters, queries, and replies is m«ant for th* general
good of bee-keepers, and not for advertisements. We
wish our correspondents to hear in miitd that, as it is
necessary for us to go to press in advance of the date of
issue, queries cannot always be replied to intheitsue im-
mediately following the receipt of their communications.

THE confectioners' AND GROCERS* EXHIBITION.

*** Several letters referring to the recent
Confectioners' and Grocers' Exhibition at
the Agricultural Hall have been received,
and are not lost sight of, but for
the present we would simply invite the
attention of correspondents to the fact
that these particular shows are for traders
and consumers, as well as bee-keepers, and
when members of our own craft talk about
debarring traders from competing — as some
do — ^they are ignoring the main object the
directors have in view in giving liberal
prizes in order to attract the classes mainly
concerned. It is also far from wise to talk
about " giving amateurs a chance " by ex-
cluding well-known prize-winners. To do
this would prevent beginners from knowing
what can be done on the show-bench by
those who have attained high position in
the craft for the quality of their produce
and know how to place it before the public
in attractive form.

*** Labels for " Heather-blend " Honey. —
Can any reader oblige a correspondent (writ-
ing from " Bi'idge of Allan"), by giving
the address of a dealer where he can
get labels for mixed heather and clover
honey? If so, please send name of dealer
on postcard to " B.B.J." office, and we will
forward same to Scotland.

Anxious (Harrop Green). — ^Queen cast out.
— 1. Judging by appearance the dead queen
sent was the mother-bee of the Carniolan
.stock. 2. The only thing to do is find out
for certain that the stock is queenless'; this
done, the bees must either be united to
another colony, or a laying queen intro-
duced.

W. Brauston (Hereford). — Disinfecting Shal-
low Frames. — It will be quite .sufficient to
spray the combs with soluble phenyle as
directed on page 167 of Buide Book.

Oct. 11, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

409

"Kendal" (Cumberland). — Bees like Dusty
Millers. — The bees sent have apparently
been working on the Canadian or (Giant)
Balsam. They always look "like dusty
millers " when that plant blooms in autumn
near the hives.

"Wizard" (Alderley Edge). — Bee Xomencla-
ture.- — Dead queen sent is a first cross
Ligurian. It is too dry for examination of
ovaries, but appears to be a virgin queen.

A. S. B. (Pudsey).— Heather Honey. — A
" press " is absolutely necessary to remove
ling honey from combs because of its den-
sity. The only other way to get it from
combs is to slice the combs up and hang
them in a flannel bag before the fire ; then
use pressure to force the honey through
the flannel, but it is a messy job.

Amateur (Midlothian). — Doolittle's " Golden
Prolific" Bees. — We are not aware that
these bees leave their own hives and " mix
promiscuously with all other stocks within
reach." It must surprise your friends,
whose bees are at the heather, to find the
" yellow jackets " in all their hives, but we
have not heard of this peculiarity before.
Perhaps some other readers will kindly give
their experience of these bees?

Rev. T. Garland (London). — The "Leaf-
Cutter " Bee. — We have no blocks illus-
trating the above. Messrs. Lovell, Reeve,
and Co., Henrietta Street, Co vent Garden,
would probably have such on sale, but they
would not, of course, loan them to anyone.

M. H. Jones (Wrexham). — Earwigs in Hives.
— There must be something wrong with
your friend's management of his " seven
hives " to have secured no surplus honey
at all this year and " finding the hives full of
earwigs ! " The bees must be either diseased
or so weak from other causes as to have
given up work and allowed free ingress to
the earwigs, which no stock of bees should
do. The earwigs seek the shade afforded
by the half-empty hives, but do not " eat
the honey," as your friend supposes. Our
advice to your friend is, procure a text-
book on bees, and from il he may gather
information which should enable him to
keep clear of such trouble as that com-
plained of.

A Beginner (Braintree). — Wax-moth in
Hives ; and Buying Worthless Skeps of
Bees. — There is no means of protecting
weak stocks from the ravages of wax-moth.
Only strong colonies can contend with these
" bee-enemies." With regard to the worth-
less stocks purchased, you should deal with
the seller about that, but the only chance
of a beginner is to purchase from a reliable
man and start fair with a good, healthy
stock of bees. To do otherwise is to court
failure.

Dodo (Birmingham). — Rust about Bees and
Hives.--There can be no question about
rust being objectionable to bees and their
keepers, but the very slight amount that
could accumulate in " feeders " cannot do
harm to the syrup placeu in them for the
bees' use.

J. W. (Durham). — Complaints against Adver-
tisers.— It is utterly impossible for us to
give advice (even if disposed to do so) with
regard to complaints against unfair treat-
ment on the part of advertisers, without
hearing both sides of the case. This we
have proved over and over again, and in
the great majority of cases the fault lay
with buyers. If a man will not send
satisfactory goods, after taking cash for
same, the remedy lies in the County Court.
Otherwise a solicitor should be consulted.
To publish names, along with defamatory
statements is libellous, and must De guarded
against.

H. W. W. (Cirencester). — Bee Candy.— Your
sample will answer for present use, but it
may become very hard after moisture has
gone, and be then unusable by the bees as
food.

HoneTf Samples.

A. L. R. (Tamworth-in-Arden).— Samples 1
and 2 are mainly from clover, but there is
plain evidence of bees having worked on
other plants, which we cannot name. No. 3
is dark in colour and poor in quality, owing
to honeydew from tree leaves being within
reach of your bees.

E. Thorpe (Pateley Bridge).— Your honev is
almost entirely from " ling " or true
heather ; but it has a small admixture from
other sources that deteriorates the quality
somewhat. It should, however, sell well,
as being a good heather honey.

Suspected Combs.

^- ^\- G-— There are slight signs of incipient
toul brood in comb sent.

J. C. P. (Kew).— Sorry to say the sample of
comb IS affected with foul brood of malig-
nant type, and we advise burning bees
comb, and frames. It is useless trying to
cure bad cases like yours.

J. B. I. (Saltney).— Comb shows a decided
case of foul brod.

*»*_ Some Queries and Replies, 4v., are un-
avoidably held over till next meek.

Special Prepaid Advertisements

Twelve words and under Sixpence : for every additional
Three words or under, One Penny:

QUEENS. FINE 1906, naturally rear«l, price 2s. 6d.,
pi«f) free. — PIDDUCK, Sunnvside, Alsaeer,
Cheshire. " .p gg

CROCUS BULBS (yellow), Arab! Alpiiuis slips, 100
Is., free.— BRAYSHAW. Aultmore. Keith. t 85

3 TON LIGHT CL0\T;R HONEY, guaranteed pure,

4 6d. per lb. ; quotatiions bulk ; sample, 3d.—
ALBERT COE, Apiary Hall, Eidgewell, Halstead. Eg-
f£^j T 80

OOD SUPPLY of YOUNG DRIVEN BEE.S, hi-aded

with 1906 Queens, 4s. 6d. per lot, skep or ho.>:

to be returned.— G. A. GILLETT, Prudential Aseur-

ance Co., Moreton-in-Marsh. t 86

BEES. — Stooks on eight frames, Black English, with
1906 Queensi, guaranteed healthy and perfect con-
dition, £1; skeps, 128. 6d. ; safe delivery. Honey,
light e.vtracted. liquid or granulated, screw jars,
88. 6d'. dozen, £5 gross ; bulk, 55s. cwt.— CH.\RTER..
Tattingstone, Ipswich. t 54

410

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Oct. 11, 1906.

Prepaid Advertisements (Continued).

STRONG STOCKS of HEALTHY ITALIAN HYBRID
BEES, in well-made double walled hives, well
stocked with food, for sale.— Write 13, The Circus,
Greenwich. T 88

11 CWT. FINEST WHITE CLOVER HONEY, in 28 lb.
2 tins, 14s^. 6d. each. 66s cwt. ; also quantity in
1, 2 and 3 Ibl glass jars, 7s. dozen lbs; sample 3d.—
LILLEY, Mill Farm, Dean, Kimbolton. T 77

EXTRACTED HONEY, 56s. per cwt. : m 14 lb.
tins; sections, 7s. doaen ; £3 18s. gross.—
ARTHUR ADCOCK, Meldretli, Cambs. t 76

EXTRACTED CLOVER HONEY for Sale; light
coloar, 56s. per cwt.— THOMAS PILGRIM, Great
Chesterford, Eseex. t 74

SELL or Exchange secondhand Hives, Extractor,
Ripener, Feeders, etc. ParticulaTs. stamp. —
PRICE, Expert, Stouiside Apiary, Old Hill, Staffs, t 78

SECTIONS for Sale, both heather and clover ; reason-
able terms ; price on application. — SPENCE, Eaist
Witton, Middleham, Yorks. T 81

WANTED, BEES ; exchange for Irish Water Spaniel,
broken, second season. — JOHNSON, Butterton,
Newcastle, Staffs. T 82

FIRST QUALITY HEATHER HONEY, in 1 lb. screw-
oap jars, 9s. dozen — THOS. WILCOX, Talywain,
Monmouthshire. T 85

PAIR of RABBITS, not related, also five .voung
rabbits, all grass fed, on rail, lis. the lot ; on
exchange for two 4 lb. lots of Driven Bees, with 1906
Queens.— A. STREET, Pits-ea, Essex. t 84

DARK HONEY for sale, in quantities to suit pur-
chaser, 6d. per lb. — PHILLIPS, Beekeeper, Stev-
enage. T 71

FOB Sale, eight STOCIvS of BEES, 30g. each, also
three Observatory Hives, six racks of shallow
frames, 3s. each. — " C. V.," 19, Crescent Road, Brom-
ley, Kent. ' T 72

FOE Sale, twenty STOCKS of BEES, in Taylor's
Colonial Hives, with two section crates to each
hive; rrust be sold ; hive® nearly new.— J. WEBSTER,
Hitchin.

(■^ RANULATED 1906 HONEY wanted, any quantity,
T 5d. i>er lb., carriage paid.— ,Send sample to
W^ATT, Bishopswood, Chard, Somerset. T 73

STOCKS on four frames, 10s. 6d. ; ditto in skepsi,
12b. 6d., 13s. 6d., with 1906 Queens; guaranteed
healthy.— W. WOODS, Normandy, Guildford. T 87

THOROUGHLY experienced and practical Bee Ex-
j>ert seeks Situation ; gardening (no glasB),
poultry, fair amateur joiner, good frame hive makeir.
— W. PALMER, 174, Curzon Street, Netherteld, Not-
tingham. t 79

FINEST 1906 EXTRACTED HONEY, 28 lb. tin, 148. ;
tins free Sample, 2d.— R. M. BROWN, Holly
Street, Luton. T 63

GOOD HONEY, 28 lb tins, 6d. lb. — GEORGE
THOMPSON, " Beecroft," Helpringham, Lin-
colnshire, s 12

H^ KALTHY DEIVEN BEES, with 1906 Queen, 4a
per lot ; none under 4 lbs. semt out ; packed
free.— HARRISON, Be© Farm, Mlddletoa, Picker-
ing. T 59

F

INEST WHITE CLOVER HONEY, in 28 lb. tins.—
H. BROUGHTON, Barrow, HuU. T 51

11 CWT. of GOOD HCNEY, 56s. per cwt. ; al»o 100
2 Sections, slightly granulated, 6s. 6d. per dozen. —
CUCKSEY, Mildenhall Road, via Soham. t 56

QUEEN HUMBLE BEES FOR NEW ZEALAND.— A
large number of these having been received, no
more aire wanted. — F. W. L. SLADEN, Ripple Court
Apiary, near Dover.

SALE or Exchange for Bee appliances, colli© pups
(good working strain). Particulars, stamp. —
MOSELEY BANK APIARY, Hallow, Worcester, t 52

WANTED TO PURCHASE: Heather Sections, de'
livsred in good condition to Manchester ;
Heather Run Honey, deliveredi to Lavington Station
(G.W.R.). Pure Beeswax, any quantites dielivered
Lavingt.on Stait.ion. In making offers send
samples Run Honey and Beeswax. — GORDON ROWE,
Honey and Beeswax Merchant, Market Lavingtom,
Wilts.

1 Qf)(\ GRANULATED LIGHT HONEY, pound screw-
It/UO cap glass jars, 8s. 6d'. dozen; yellow crocus,
snowdrops. Is. 100 ; daffodils, white narcissus. Is. 6d.
100, 2id. dozen ; mixed narcissus, daffodils, Is. 1(X),
2d. dozer. ; hyacinths, Is. 6d. dozen ; Chapman honey
plant, 3d. packet, post free. — WEST, 83, Stoke Road,
Gosport. T 41

APIARY, with connection, 14 bar-framed' hives,
double walls, cork packed, strong, healthy stocks,
average yield 75-20 lb. each, complete outfit. — FLUD-
DER, Stoke-by-Mayland, Colchestei. t 48

CLOVER HONEY (guaranteed pure) ; 1 lb. screw-cap
bottles, 77s. gross., 7s. dozen; i lb. ditto, 458.
gross., 48. 6d. dozen; bulk, 488. cwt., 258. 56 lbs.;
sample, carriage paid, 8d.— TURNER BROS, Sandpit-
Poultry Farm, Croydon. T 49

ROOT'S " A.B.C. OF BEE CULTURE " (1903), per-
) fectly new copies, 3s. 6d., post free. — MANAGER,
B.B.J. Office, 8, Henrietta Streeti, Covent Garden,
London, W.O.

SE(7riON GLAZING.— Best quality lace paper, made
especially for bee-keepers' use ; 100, in white
pink, green, or blue, 6d., 300 Is. 4d., 500 2i. 2d., 1.000

36. 9d., post free ; lace one side.— W. WOODLEY,
Beedloni, Newbury. R 27

COMFORTABLE APARTMENTS for Brother Bee-
keepers visiting Douglaa. Terms : Tea, b^,
and breakfast, 2s. 6d ; or full board, 6s. per day. —
KORSLEY's, Merridale House, top of Castle Driye,
Douglas, Isle of Man.

WANTED, for scientific purposes, QUEEN BEES
and WORKER HORNETS? Will brother bte-
keepers oblige?— HERROD, Apiary, Luton.

THE HONEY BEE.

Its Natural History, Anatomy, and Physiology.
By T. W. COWAN, F.L.S., &c., &c.

Thoroushly Revised and brouarht Up to Date.

Illustrated with Seventy-three Figures of One Hundred and Thirty-eight Illustration
In " art " covers, price 2», 6d. ; postage, 3d.

Oct. 18, 1908.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

411

(Bdit0rml ^0tm ^t,

BRITISI1 BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION

The monthly meeting of the Council was
held at 105, Jermyn Street, S.W., on
Thursday, October 11, Mr. W. Broughton-
Carr occupying the ohair. There were also
present Miss Gayton, Messrs. L. Belsham,
T. Bevan, J. B. Lamb, J. P. Phillips,
Ernest Walker and the Secretary. Letters
expressing regret at inability to attend
were received from Messrs. T. W. Cowan,
R. T. Andrews, W. H. Harris, H. Jonas,
A. G. Pugh, W. F. Reid, and P. Scatter-
good. The minutes of the previous meet-
ing were read and confirmed. Three new
members were elected, viz. : — Mr. Thos.
Burberry, Hook, Winchfield, Hants ; Mr.
P. W. Miles, Alburgh, Harleston, Norfolk ;
and Mr. Wm. Paterson, 12, Montague
Terrace, Ayr, N.B.

On the recommendations of the ex-
aminers it was resolved to grant Third
Class Expert Certificates to Miss Grace E.
Shaw, Messrs. W. G. Darker, H. R. Elli-
sou, W. F. Ho,^good, Frank Hubbard, A.
H. Peach, F.' Pickersgill, and W. H.
Weller.

The remaining business consisted of
making the necessary arrangements for the
Conversazione of members following th.e
Council meeting, aJid reported elsewhere.
The next meeting of the Council will take
place on Thursday, November 15.

CONVEBSAZIONE.

On the motion of Mr. Walter F. Reid,
seconded by Mr. Carr, General Sir Stanley
Edwardes, was voted to the chair, and the
attendance included the following ladies
and gentlemen : — General Sir Stanley
Edwardes, Rev. W. E. Burkitt, Miss Gay-
ton, Miss A. M. Gayton, Miss Hodges,
Mrs. Hills, Mrs. Illingsworth, Miss E. B.
Sinckler, Messrs. T. Bevan, L. Belsham,
E. Bontoft, F. Boulton, F. J. Bemau, W.
Broughton Carr, W. E. E. Charter, R. H.
Coltman, E. Chapman, C. Dunn-Gardner,
Geo. Dow, E. E. Ford, G. S. Fauiich, J.
Garratt, W. J. Goldsworthy, A. W.
Goldsworthy, L. L. GoflBn, Geo. Hayes,
C. Hayes, W. Hawkes, F. D. Hills, M.
Hawker, B. Harding, F. W. Hunt, W.
Herrod, J. Herrod, L. Illingsworth, J. B.
Lamb, W. Martin, P. W. ' Miles, J. C.
Mason, W. P. Meadows, H. Morgan, L.
McNeill-Stewart, J. P. Phillips, A. E.
Paul, A. H. Peach, W. F. Reid, C. H.
Rose, A. W. Salmon, Ernest Walker, F. B.
White, W. Walker. A. Willmott, W. Box-
well, and E. H. Young.

After taking his seat the chairman
called on the secretary to read letters from

prominent members expressing regret at
their enforced absence from the meeting.
Mr. Cowan, he said, was unfortunately pre-
vented by illness from appearing to open
the discussion relative to the first item on
the agenda, viz., the bee disease known
as "Black Brood." In continuing, the
speaker said he was sure all would join
with him in sympathy for their chairman,
on account of the reason for his absence.
Nothing short of ill-health would prevent
his being present. He (the chairman) was
glad to see a larger show of ladies than
usual, and hoped that the proceedings of
the meeting would augment their interest
in bee-culture.

Mr. F. B. White then proposed, seconded
by Mr. Bevan, that a message expressing
the sympathy of the meeting be conveyed
to Mr. Cowan under the regrettable
circumstances which prevented his attend-
ance that evening, with a hope that his
illness would speedily pass away. This
resolution, after a few words of commenda-
tion from the chairman, was carried
unanimously. At this point Mr. Bevan
suggested that Mr. Carr should make
some explanation on the subiect of black
brood, which was to have been started
that evening by Mr. Cowan, but the
chairman asked that Mr. Durrant should
first be permitted to bring before the meet-
ing an apparatus he had devised for the
use of bee-keepers, as he (the inventor)
was obliged to leave the meeting early.

This agreed to, Mr. Durrant laid
the contrivance on the table, and pro-
ceeding to explain its use, said he had
been nearly twenty-five years a bee-keeper,
and felt justified in thinking he had passed
the days of his novitiate. During that
period, in company with other bee-keepers,
he had experienced great difficulty in
getting wet combs, scrajDS of honey, and
unfinished sections cleaned up quietly by
the bees. After a great deal of thought
and consideration, he had hit upon a plan
of meeting that difficulty. If he put wet
comb in the open it excited robbing, and
fed other people's bees at his expense.
He had, therefore, made what he would
describe as " Durrant's cleaning up and
feeding tube." a sample of which he pro-
duced, and handed round for inspection.
It was in shape three sides of an oblong ;
the angles were rather short, the length
being from 15 in. to 18 in. The entrances
and exits were at the end of the angles,
over which were fitted tin caps. The space
in the tube was about § in., and the tin
ends were made to taper down to ^ in.,
so as to fit into the entrance of the hive.
When fully perfected, it would be regis-
tered and made in a more workmanlike
manner. As regarded the application of
it, an empty hive was brought up close to

412

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Oct. 18, 1906.

the stock which the bee-keeper wished to
do the work of cleaning up ; one end of
the tube was jDUshed into the entrance of
the hive containing the stock, the other
end into the entrance of the empty hive.
The combs, scraps, and unfinished sec-
tions, or any waste honey which was to
'be cleaned up, was placed in the empty
hive, the latter being made perfectly bee-
proof. The entrance to the hive contain-
ing the bees should be closed to within
Hbout two inches. The bees could be
enticed into the tube by putting a little
honey into each end by means of a feather,
and pushing it down into the large part
of it. So far he had been very successful
in using the contrivance^, which effected
its purpose satisfactorily, but he was
making further tests, and hoped to give
additional details later on.

Mr. Reid thought Mr. Currant's idea a
useful one, and that it met a want in the
apiaiy. They all knew what robbing
meant, and if it could be prevented in so
simple a manner a distinct advantage
would be gained. He (Mr. Reid) would,
however, suggest tliat the passage-way be
covered with celluloid, so that the bees
could be seen to what extent they were
carrying out the intended object.

Mr. Hayes would like to ask Mr. Currant
if he found any difficulty in giving to the
bees honey fi'om other stocks, because this
was at times apt to cause quarelling among
the bees themselves. He (Mr. Hayes) also
supposed that the appliance would be put
on in the evening only, so that the work of
clearing the combs would be done at night
when no bees were on the wing.

Mr. Durrant in reply said the tube could
be used at any time, and as soon as the
bees found the wet combs they would begin
their work of clearing them up and taking
the honey into their own hive. By re-
moving the cover of the box containing the
combs it was quite easy tO' see what had
been done, and when the combs were
cleaned the bees would return to their
hives.

Mr. Illingsworth asked if there was
trouble in getting the bees to enter the tube
at the start, and when they had entered
it did they clear the combs quicky ?

In reply Mr. Dun-ant said all that was
necessary was to put a little honey with a
feather as " bait " at the entrance to tube
entrance to insure the bees finding their
way to the web combs. He also said that
if the bee-keeper wanted to feed his bees
that could be done in the cjuickest way l)y
the conti'ivance before them.

The chairman in summing up the matter
thought the invention was simple and
would serve a good pur])ose, and on behalf
of the meeting he thanked Mr. Durrant
for bringing it before them.

Upon the invitation of the chairman

Mr. Carr then made a few remarks on the
subject of black brood, which Mr. Cowan,
but for his untimely illness, would have
introduced that evening. Unfortunately,
he (the speaker) knew very little about this
bee disease from the scientific standpoint,
but it might be well to mention what had
been done up to date in the hope that Mr.
Cowan on a later occasion would be abJle
to explain his views. He (Mr. Carr) pro-
duced a case in which were arranged a
number of glass tubes containing the
larvje of black brood in various stages, and
these were (handed round for examination,
the members being asked not to change the
positions of the tubes as they lay in the
case, because, as shown, the different stages
of the disease could be traced. In the
. latest stage the larvse was dry when re-
moved from the cell, and they would
observe that although the nutrient matter
on. which the bacilli fed had disappeared,
there still remained distinct traces of the
head, thorax, and outer covering of the
abdomen. Whereas in the case of foul
brood the dead larva, decayed and became
ropy or stringy, and remained so till the
whole dried up, leaving nothing but a tiny
brown scale in which would 1)e found the
spoTes of the disease. But this was not so
with black brood. He had had samples of
the latter from different quarters of the
country, and no one could mistake the
symptoms. In black brood there was no
stringy ropiness, but the coaitents of the
abdomen became soft and of reddish brown
in colour, remaining so till it dried up,
leaving only the outer covering of the
abdomen already mentioned. The tubes
showed the larvae iai) the different istages of
development. In this country they knew
little of the disease, although they hoped
that later on it would be thoroughly in-
vestigated. There evidently would be
samples enough of the real article to be
had during the season foi* the use of in-
vestigators, who may take the matter up.
In America some bee-keepers regarded it
as Jiiot very alarming, but although some
were able to get rid of it a lot of trouble
was caused in doing so when the outbreak
occurred. In concluding, he (Mr. Carr)
recommended bee-keepers to be watchful
for the symptoms. There was no need to
trouble readers of the "B.B.J." with any
descriptions of it at present, but he hooed
they would inquire and tell what they
knew about it to the mxitual advantage
of all.

Mr. Reid wondered whether the disease
was contagious like foul brood. Mr. Carr
thought the evidence tended in that direc-
tion, but it was somewhat contradictory.
Some American! authorities were alarmed,
while others did not consider it of much
importance. Mr. Ernest Walker said he
was testing the matter in his own apiary

Oct. 18, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEIT JOURNAL.

413

whether the disease was contagious or not.
Last autumn he found suspicious cells here
and there in the combs in one or two ot his
hives and an occasional dead giaib, but did
not know the cause of what he saw except
that it was not foul brood. There were
just a few of these dead grubs seen over
seven or eight combs ; but they disap-
peared, and no sign of the complaint was
to be found in the spi'ing, when the bees
were found to be doing well. They were
all sujDered about June 13., He did not ex-
amine them carefully at the time, but
about July 15, as some of the hives were
found to be not doing so well as might be
expected, he swarmed one hive in the
ordinai-y way, took the comb, put it in a
new hive with startei-s only, and one
comb.

He did not examine the combs or bees
then, but he thought tlie latter wanted
wakLiig up, and accordingly gave them
back their supers. Holidays intervened,
and after returning home he found that of
the nine combs left in that hive all the
grubs had hatched out with the exception
of those in twelve to twenty diseased cells.
He then guessed the appearance to be indi-
cative of black brood ; in fact, the dead
larv?e wei-e exactly like those exhibited in
Mr. Carr's preserved specimens as shown.
But at the time he decided to treat the
ailment by getting the bees off combs (as
was done in ca-^Sk of foul brood) aaid
starving them for roi'ty-eieht hours. Tliey
were afterwards put back on full sheets
of foundation, and given a fresh queen,
and they were found perfectly healthy.
But with regard to the other hive every
comb that had been built from " starters "
had the disease in it, and so he decided to
treat it in the same way, and this also
proved equally satisfactoiy. He thought
there was no doubt that the disease could
be cured by treating it in the same way as
foul brood ; but perhaps that remedy
might be considered too drastic, and if
simpler means could be found it would be
an advantage. About mid-July he ex-
amined two other stocks, both of which
had the complaint pi'etty badly, thirty
cells being diseased. Each of these stocks
had old queens, and as he was leaving town
he could not attend to them ; but on re-
turning he swarmed them artificially, and
had got queens ready and combs also ; but
xipon examination he foiuid five young
queens in both hives, which the bees them-
selves had raised. They had cleared out
the disease, and all the fresh brood wa.s
clean and healthy, and remained so now.
And yet those queens were raised from
the diseased parent queen (if she was
diseased), but the fact was that the new
young queens had a beneficial effect.
Whether the cure was a lasting one re-

mained to be seen next year. He was
anxious to test whether the disease was
carried in the honey, and had therefore
given one of the removed combs to a
healthy colony, and intended to watch
closely the result. He had, he thought,
established that black brood could be
cured as foul brood could. As from the
first week in August those hives had been
healthy.

{Ileport conthmed next week.)

THE DAIRY SHOW.

The British Dairy Farmers' Association
held their thirty-first annual show at the
Agricultural Hall, London, on Tuesday,
October 9, and three following days.

The honey section was staged in the
Minor Hall, and a large display of very
fine honey was shown, the total entries
numbering 118.

The judges made the following awards.

Twelve 1-lb. Jars (Light) Extracted Honey
(22 entries). — 1st, James Lee and Son,
Martineau Road, Highbury, N. ; 2nd,
H. W. Seymour, Henley-on-Thames; 3rd,
John Carver, Wellington, Salop ; 4th,

E. C. R. White, Newton Toney, Salisbury :
v.h.c, J. Pearman, Penny Long Lane,
Derby ; Samuel Cartwright, Shawbury,
Shrewsbury ; W. J. Cook. Binbrook, Mar-
ket Rasen ; R. Morgan, Cowbridge ; h.c,
T. G. Hillier, Andover ; Miss G. Wood,
Alton, Hants ; Sydney Durose, Burton-
on-Trent; E. C. R. White.

Twelve 1-lb. Jars (Medium) Extracted
Honey (other than Heather) (21 entries). —
1st, Chas. Lodge, High Easter, Chelms-
ford ; 2nd, Jas. Lee and Son ; 3rd, H. W.
Seymour ; 4th, Mrs. Lawrence, Shriven-
ham, Berks ; r. and v.h.c, J. Trineman,
Lostwithiel, Cornwall ; h.c, Frederick J.
Old, Piddington, Northampton ; R. Mor-
gan ; c. , John Carver.

Twelve 1-lb. Jars (Dark) Extracted Honey
(includirvj Heather Mixture) (8 entries). —
1st, Jas Lee and Son ; 2ncl, H. W. Sey-
mour ; r. and v.h.c, Richard Brown;
h.c, E. C. R. White; John Carver.

Tirelre 1-lb. Jars Extracted (Ling)
Hcatlier Honey (7 entries). — 1st, Thomas
Walker, Hawkshead ; 2nd, W. Sproston,
Shugborough, Staffs; r. and v.h.c, John
Helme, Norton Canon, Weobley ; v.h.c,

F. F. Upton, Rugeley, Staff's.

Twelve 1-lb. Jars Granulated Honey
of 1905 or any previous year (9 entries). —
1st, Richard Brown ; 2nd, F. W, Frusher,
Crowland, Peterborough ; 3rd, H. W. Sey-
mour.

Tirrlrc 1-lb. Sections of Ci.mb Honey C14
entries), — 1st. J. Pearman ; 2nd, H. W.
Seymour ; 3rd, Sydney Durose. Burton-on-
Trent ; r. and v.h.c, Jas. Lee and Son;

414

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Oct. 18, 1906.

h.c, E. C. R. White; Richard Brown;
John Carver.

Display of Camh and Uxtiachd Honey
(7 entries). — 1st, H. W. Seymour ; 2nd,
S. R Soal, Rochford, Essex ; 3rd, Jas.
Lee and Son; r. and v.h.c, Richard
Brown; v.h.c, H. W. Seymour; h.c,
John Carver.

Beeswax (not less than 2 lb.) Judijed for
Quality (15 entries).— 1st., E. C. R. White ;
2nd, Chas. Lodge ; 3rd, H. W. Seymour ;
r. and v.h.c, J. Pearman ; v.h.c, F.
Harris, High Ferry, Sibsey ; h.c, H. W.
Seymour ; Richard Brown ; c. , W. F.
Trineman, Saltash, Cornwall ; E. C. R.
White ; R. Godson, Tothill, Alford, Lines.

Beeswax {hot less than 3 lb.) in Market-
able Cakes suitable for the JRetail Trade
(12 entries). — 1st, J. Pearman ; 2nd, F.
Harris ; 3rd, H. W. Seymour ; r. and
v.h.c, E. C. R. Wliite ; v.h.c, Jas. Lee
and Son; F. W. H. Frusher ; h.c, Chas.
Lodge; John Carver; c, George Deller,
Royston, Herts.

Intercstini/ and Instructive 'Exhibit of a
Practical Nature (3 entries). — 1st, John
Carver ; r. and v.h.c, Jas Lee and Son ;
c, H. W. Seymour.

The Silver Challenge Cup of the
B.B.K.A. was awarded to H. W. Seymour,
who having previously won it in the years
1902 and 1903, the cup now becomes his
absolute property.

(^mxt%pxikut.

The Editors do not hold themselves responsible for the
opinions expressed by correspondents. No notice will
be taken of anonymous communications, and corre-
spondents are requested to write on one side of the paper
only and give their real names and addresses, not neces-
sarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith.
Illustrations should be drawn on separate pieces of paper .
We do not undertake to return rejected communications.

Comrnunicatinns relatincj to the iUerai'y department,
reports of AKsneiations, Shows, Meetings, Echoef, Queriea,
Bonks for Rev ew, .(c, mint bi addressed only to ",The
Editors of th« ' British Bee Journal,' 8. Henrietta-
street, Covent Garden London. W.C." All busine.is
crtmmunicationn relating to advertisements, &c., munt be
addressed to " The Manager, ' British Bee .rounial,'
Office, 8, Henrietta-Street, Covent Garden. London, W.C."

*,* In ordjcr to facilitate reference, Corresponder ts,
when spenkinq of any lettt^ or qwry previously inserted,
wi.'i oblige by mentioning the r-umber of the letter as well
as the page on which it appears.

AMONG THE BEES.

CtrilRENT TOPICS.

[6463.] rhilanthropic Bcc-kcepcrs. — A bee-
keeper (A. H. , Wavendon, page 346), who
prides hims;4f on being up-to-date and
also a practical man, lately expressed h
doubt al)out getting large takes from
swarms of the current year, and he has

dubbed those who sell such paying swarms
philanthropists. If so, Messrs. Herrod and
Woodley have played the role this year as
far as I am concerned. I obtained a 15s.
swarm from Beedon on June 6, and it
turned out such a success that it ended the
season by yielding me a surj^lus take of
109bs. of beautiful honey in sections all
well finished, and several pounds in sec-
tions pai-tly finished. From Luton as late
as June 27 came a 15s. swarm. "A. H."
would no doubt have been content if it had
filled its nine or ten frames. Well, it
not only did that but it gave me a sui"plus
of 89 well-finished sections, in addition to
several well on to being finished. Being a
practical man " A. H." must bow tO' facts.
So I have supplied them without comment.
I see swarms advertised much cheaper than
the price given above ; but, recognising
that siomething more than the actual
weight of bees goes to make up a paying
swarm I generally prefer paying the higher
price, becavise I find it pays. " A. JI."
gives a cheap weed-killer (page 346) which
I mean to test next season. It is cheap,
easily obtained, and its application is
simple, so that, if it is effective, bee-
keepers should take a note of it. Many
of these simple practical " tips " make up
the value of the Jouris^al for the whole
year.

Prices Current. — I wish I could get down
to Pickering and I would dO' my best to
pickle somebody there. What ! Heather
honey at 7d., rubbish! Don't, please,
Mr. Wright. You are not ri.ght, yon are
wrong. Withdraw that advertisement at
once ! It must have been a slip of the
printer, who mistook yonr price of Is. for
7d. ? Look at Mr. W. McNally's state-
ment in last Record, " Real heather honey
can easily fetch Is. 6d. per 11)." See,
xVberdeen quotinar at least Is., Banffshire
Is. 2d., and Selkirk Is. 3d. Why should
York be a black sheep in a white flock 'i

Clover honey sold well here at first, bi;t
lately several dealers have got overstoeked.
Prices varied from 8d. to lOd. , with
perhaps an average of 9d. Sections were
very fine, and the quality first-class. All
my own went in one- lot to the centre of
England. Heather honey has gone in
small lots at Is. 2d. as yet.

I think bee-keepers are to a great extent
resj)onsil|le for the reduction in price. They
rush their honey too suddenly into the
dealers' hands. If they would only have
more patience, and study the market, they
would do much better. The fact is that
over a great part of the country there has
been a shortage in the surplus, so' that the
prices ought to rule firm, and easily main-
tain last year's average. On dry soils,
where the drought told, the returns have
been lifjit for clover and flower honey
especially.

Oct. 18, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

415

Cappinrjs of Comb. — I think Mr. Craw-
sliaw and myself practically agi-ee on the
subject of failiiuj queens. The difference,
if any, is only one of degree, with the incli-
nation of the see-saw rather in his favour.
I would not like to carry out his suggestion
of hiving on shallow-combs. The brood
nest is not the place for such frames. I
think he is right in holding that " casts ''
build only worker-comb. He will see an
improvement on hiving a swarm or driven
bees from above, or in a side sjDace, in
following paragraph.

The scent theory oft>en accounts for irri-
tability. Any disagreeable odour is an
inciting cause. Perspiration on a close
warm sunny day undoubtedly annoys bees.
So does a foul breath.

In giving some late driven lots six fine
fat combs of honey and two empty ones, I
arranged them as follows :■ — One half- filled
comb occupied the centre, the empty combs
were placed on each side, and the plumpest
and heaviest outside. These last were left
with a space of at least a quarter of an
inch between the metal dividers. Bees
can cluster with this space and rearran^-e
their stores before the approach of winter
to suit their own ideal.

Race, or its influence, persists. The
heavy jaw and the woolly head, crops up
in odd cases in families, after lying dor-
mant for a generation or two. You may
have to go back a century for their orisrin.

Hiviiu/ Swarms and Drirrn Bcrs. — Many
advise throwing a swarm or driven lot
do'WJi upon the top of the frames after
spacing these out widely. I don't approve
of the system. Placing them in a side
space is only a modification of the above
plan and is equally reprehensible. An
enlarged platform in front of the hive,
covered by an old newsnajDer, is the best
place to throw clo\vn the bees. If it is
desirable to see the queen nlace the bees
back some distance from the hive front and
let them run up to the entrance gradually.
A minute or so after evicting them from
the skep or box every head is turned to
the entrance, and it generally proves a race
for home sweet home !

Should the weather prove inclement or if
when on a driving excursion you are la+e
in ari'iving home, plane an emrtty W.B.C.
body-box on the floor board. Throw your
bees smartly into this re^^eptacle. and
immediately place overhead the tiiie bodv-
box with frames in position, and you will
And that the bees will quickly run up and
hive themselves. In the mominq; with-
draw the empty box. D. M. M. , Banff.

Printfr'S h-RROR — Tho " printer " has been :it iit
ag'ain ! He has given us two new nnmes in li'tpr;iture.
" Merve " nnd "Shirley" (see p 3&2). Of oDurse, I
wrote Meire ind Thorlei/. Again, on nnse 388. be '^'is
uiada me ppealc ci having a cure " affected." The
effect 801. nds odd !

THE SEASON IN ROSS-SHIRE.

A GOOD KEPOET.

[6464.] While from my point of view the
past season was a rather good one, in some
cases bees — or their owners — have done
badly. Speaking for the immediate neigh-
bourhood, it was noticeable that few colo
nies completed more than a single rack of
sections. Swarms did remarkably little ;
in one instance an early June swarm gave
no surplus whatever — just through the
initial error of hiving on twelve frames.
In most cases failure was credited to the
unseasonable weather of May, which in
the case of colonies wintered on scanty
stores so retarded progress that the early
season was practically lost. Personally, I
was fortunate in having several colonies in
double-storied hives ; these were progres-
sive all the time, and became so strong
in early summer that I was enabled to
divide and sub-divide without materially
reducing the yield of honey. The strongest
was divided into three, the parent stock
yielding 160 lb. of surplus — mostly in
extracting supers.

The young stocks were in excellent
shape for the weather, but an unfortunate
mishap proved fatal to all hopes of surplus
from that source. Of those worked for
comb-honey one only gave over 100 lb. of
surplus, although two others were not far
short of the three-figure mark ; indeed,
they went a bit beyond it, if I were to
count in the extra brood, boxes of honey,
but these were placed on top of original
brood-nests as " feeders " of the most
approved type.

I had no trouble with swarms this sea-
son until on a certain day during the
fourth week of July, when three came off
within a few minutes of each other. As
by that time all spare hives were occupied
by artificial increase, I could do nothing
else than put back the wanderers on
"starters," with supers replaced above,
the removed brood-frames being shaken
free of bees and placed above young stocks
I was building uii for the heather. This
worked very well. The swarming fever
was effectually checked, while the doubled
colonies gave an excellent selection of
sealed brood when preparing for heather.
The quest of this precious crop has been
rewarded with but scant success for some
years. The dark clouds that yeai'ly cast
gloom over the majority of August days
had no silver lining for the unfortunate
moorman. With each successive campaign
everj'thing seemed darker still — except the
supers, and these were ijivariably light
enough, in all conscience. This time
Ajjgust opened favourably, but the
inevitable rain quickly brought down the
temperature, along with our awakened

416

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Oct. 18, 1906.

hopes, and it seemed a sure thing that
the heather must yet again prove a failure,
if perhaps less emphatic than in recent
years. I know at least one bee-keeper who,
growing weary of waiting, removed all
supers, running his unfinished sections
thi'ough the extractor, and closing the bees
down for winter by the last week of the
month.

Fortunately, I was still faintly opti-
mistic, and hesitated about taking such
extreme measures, but as supers were
almost deserted, I recluced nearly all to
a single rack. The season has been one of
suri^rises. The final and most pleasant
was the unlocked for brilliant weather
that marked the close of the season. The
removed supers had to be replaced in a
hurry, and in some cases a third added.
The good time lasted just five days. Sun-
day, September 2, was the best bee-day of
the season ; it was also the last. With
such a late flow, there was naturally more
brood-nest storage than would otherwise
have been the case, but the queens were
not crowded out by any means ; in some
hives brood was found in second frame
from the dummy. None gave more than
20 lb. of pure heather, but as practically
all unfinished clover sections were com-
pleted at the heather, and much of the
mixture sold at Is. per lb., I have every
reason to be satisfied with the season's
work.— J. M. Ellis, Ussie Valley, N.B.,
October 10.

POLLEN-CLOGGED COMBS.

HOW TO CLEAN THEM.

[6465.] The question of what to do with
pollen-clogged combs is continually being
asked by readers of the B.B.J. Personally
I am deeply indebted to your correspon-
dent, "D. A. v.," for the advice given
in B.B.J. , April 13, 1905. Here, bees
gather pollen every month in the year,
and all combs are so filled with pollen
as to be practically useless after the
second season, oftentimes after the first.

For your inspection I am sending here-
with a comb, half of which has been freed
from pollen. I found getting the pollen
out entirely by syriugiug took rather too
much time. I soak the combs in water for
three or four days ; this softens the pol-
len, and the syringe quickly does the rest.
It took five minutes to syringe the pollen
out of the half comb sent (part of the time
was occupied in seeing that a four-year-
old assistant didn't fall into the river).

On July 6 I had two swarms, which
united of themselves. They were hived on
two fully worked-out combs and eight
frames with starters, a rack of sections
with full sheets of foundation being given
at the same time. A second rack was

given on July 15, and a third on the 27th.
By August 15 they had fully filled fifty-
four sections and fairly well filled, the
other nine. Who says a July swarm is
not worth a fly? True, there is rather
much drone cell built in the brood-combs,
but that is a detail. I am content with
the work the colony has done for this
season. — Saml. Harbobne, St. Buryan,
Cornwall.

BEE PARALYSIS.

[6466.] I note that your correspondent
" L. S. C." (page 395) has one "cap" at
least that does not fit well. I refer to the
one on bee paralysis. I can assure him
that there was no sign of dysentery in
any one of the hives affected. All hives
were dry and clean inside, and the combs
same, bar the slight sweating. The bees
affected seemed to have all the symptoms
mentioned in every article' I have since
seen in the Joxjenal on the subject of bee
paralysis. They were twice and thrice the
normal size in the abdomen, and could not
fly. Some were dragged out, others had
Jjusjt strength tio crawl out, and would
make almost an attempt to fly, but fell to
the ground instead, where there would be
sometimes a cluster or heap of a hundred
or more underneath the flight-board with
just enough life in them to show that they
were alive. Ou opening a hive they were
to be seen dotted on the hive-sides, on the
floor-board, and at edges of combs, dis-
tended, but not one burst among the lot.
When the stocks were jjractically recovered
I noticed another curious thing. For
weeks during the hottest part of the day
those hives that had been affected seemed
to be very busy at the entrances. At first
I thought it was a case of " robbers." On
some of the flight-boards there would be
half a dozen or more captive bees at a hive,
as many bees as could get round, and on it
at a time appeared to be pulling and biting
the cajitive, withotit it resisting or trying
to get away. In the end tlie poor bee
would be gradvially bundled off the flis;ht-
board on to the ground with several bees
hold of it, and when even released it flew
up again, only to have the same process
gone through again. A good many of these
odd bees were black and haii-less, and shiny
as a black glass bead, and the blacker they
were the more feeble they seemed. None
of them appeared to be killed outright, but
seemed at last to become too exhausted to
fly up again, and so died. Nearly all the
dead bees on groujid (and there were
many), were black and shiny. It was
certainly not a case of " robbers."

I should like to ask our friend " L. S-
C. " if lie has tried the plan he mentioiis
(page 395) as to placing alternately frames
with starters only between combs full of

Oct. 18, 1906.1 THE BRITISH BEE JOlTRNAIi.

417

syrup for bees to winter on? To me the
idea seems like inviting disaster. His idea
as to covering foundation in saw-cut with
paraffin wax seems Oine better ; but why
have a saw-cut at all ? Why not use solid
top-bars and fasten foundation on with
molten wax? I have tised thousands in
this way, and only had two or three top-
bars give way, and these contained knots.

The standard thickness for top-bar is, I
think, quite strong enough, but would be
better if a little wider. If a full inch or an
inch and an eighth it is stronger and
better, for the reason that very few brace-
combs will be found between it and sec-
tion-racks or next tier of frames..

May I also ask him why foundation in
brood combs should be wired ? I had a
few wired combs in use at one time, but
discarded them because I found that where
the wires ran a number of cells were never
bred in ; therefore I lost many young bees
every time. The combs I refer to were
built from, and on American wired
foundation. I have seen the same objec-
tion to wiring raised by others at times.

Harking back to top-bars, I have had
hundreds of solid topped fi'ames, standard
size, weighing, when full, from six to over
eight pounds each, and not a bent top-bar
amongst them, and some of them had been
in constant use for ten years at east. Name
sent for reference. Nondesckipt.

Notts, October 15.

BEES IN EAST YORKS.

[6467.] I once more send you a few notes
of the bee season in East Yorkshire. They
are much on the same lines as last year,
only more so. Cold weather prevailed here
until the last week in May, necessitating
much attention to bees in the matter of
feeding. I note May 24 as " the first
summer-like day." I had a good swarm
on May 27, and two more on June 3. It
was a hot and a good honey-gathering
month. But we suffered from excessive
drought all the summer. Indeed from the
beginning of April to end of July we had
almost unbroken dry weather. Eaily in
July the clover was useless, grazed down
to the quick, and the fields brown. Con-
sequently our honey season was of the
shortest. The honey, however, is of excel-
lent quality, as the bees worked well in
the hawthorn, which I consider j-ields a
better flavoured honey than clover, though
darker in colour. I have never been able
to accept the general opinion in favour of
light-coloured honey. The best flavoured
honey to my taste is somewhat dark.
This view is, I know, heresy to- most bee-
keepers, but perhaps you will so far
humour an old correspondent, and I am
sending a sample for your opinion. I

have not sent a h<ive to the moors this year,
because of my ulifavoxirable experience in
the past to which I alluded in 1905.
The bees have lately been very busy among
the ivy, owing, no doubt, to the un-
usually mild weathei". One is always
glad to see this last awakening of bee
energy before the winter rest. I have had
about 2501bs. of honey from six working
stocks, and four swarms. — Woldbee,
October 15.

[We were glad to get sample as it clearly
shows how " tastes differ " in the matter
of judging honey. The honey sent is fairly
good in colour and consistency, but the
aroma and flavoxir would, we fear, spoil its
chance if shown in competition with what
are accepted as first-class, or even good
honey. We should like to get your per-
sona-1 opinion on the comparison between
the sample before us and some honies we
jhave judged within the past couple of
months if you should be in town, and let
us know of your visit beforehand. — Eds.].

BEE-HIVES IN SHOP WINDOWS.

[6468.] Your correspondent Mr. W. J.
Farmer (6460, page 406) in commenting on
the hive of bees exhibited for a fortnight
in the windows of the Surrey Daily Argus,
complains of this method of treating bees.
Will you permit me to point out to Mr.
Fanner that in tJxis case the bees had
access to the open, a fact which was so
stated in the "B.B.J." on September 20,
page 376. The object of this exhibit was
not the sale of honey, but educational ; an
Varticle on bees appearing daily in the
columns of the Argus. As a result, although
only six weeks ago, to my knowledge
several persons have commenced bee-
keeping with driven bees ; and, furtlier, it
has led to the foi'mation of a bee-keepers'
association for Croydon and district, the
first meeting of which is announced for next
week. — J. S., Croydon, October 13.

MANAGING PEf D-HOLES IN QUILTS.

[6469.] Most bee-keepers use on top of
the first " quilt " some few thicknesses of
thicker material for warmth; and, when
feeding through- these many will have
noticed that a few bees 'will get hanged,
eitlier by the neck or the legs. To prevent
this I cut all my top quilts of a size, and
with a sharp chisel cut the feed-holes
through (1^ in. x | full), so that anyone
of them when on the hive would have the
hole exactly at centre of frametops ; but
before jDlacing on hive I lined the hole in
quilts with tin. To do this we will suppose
the several thicknesses of material are,
when loose, a good quarter inch thick, they
will when tightened up be nearer an

418

THE BEITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Oct. 18, 1906.

eighth ; so cut a strip of tin six inches
by two, in centre, lengthways ; mark two
lines an eighth ajaart. Then, | in. from
one end (and each side), cut the tin
through down to nearest line ; same 1^ in.
from these " cuts," and so on alternately
till you have four cuts on each side. The
tin will now bend up into same shape as
a comimon match-box cover. Now push
one end of this bent-up tin through the
holes in quilting, bend back the cut pieces
each side, tap with a hammer, and you
have a qiiilt that saves time in fixing, saves
bees from hanging, and with no frayed
edges for bees to be constantly teazing at.
A bit of glass under the tin hole, and
atop of the bottom quilt, keeps all snug
when feeders not on. — Nondescript
(Nottingham).

THE STANDARD FRAME.

[6470.] May I be allowed to say that your
correspondent " G. S. N." (6454, page 403\
may have no difficulty in getting boards
9ins. wide exactly ; but is he sure that
the boards which he gets without difficulty
are not simplv llin. cut down to 9in.
specially for him, and for which he pays
extra? For my own part I cannot get
9in. boards at any timber merchant's
within ten miles round. The boards sold
as 9in. are from over gin. to' gin. less in
width, and I do not think that the size is
any different in any other district, as these
boards are imported sizes.

Until the old hives were out of use it
would be a very simple matter for the
frame makers to supply twoi sizes of frame.
— ^W. J. Fabmer, October 18.

CAPPING S OF COMB.
By L. yS. C, IlMey, Yoihs.

HumUe-hees for New Zealand (p. 382). —
If Mr. Sladen were to communicate with
local secretaries or other bee-men in suit-
able districts, and insert a chatty article,
with blocks, in their local newspaper with
a country circulation, directing that the
queens be brought to these helpers, he
might be able to obtain a sufficiency in a
short time. Perhaps some readers might
assist him in this way?

Hive Disinfection (p. 383). — " If no
spores are present, the hive may be used
again almost without disinfection." Why,
of course it may ! But Mr. Fanner speaks
of a hive as though it could be treated
differently in 'the bacillus and spore
stages, whereas the bacilli themselves be-
come spores when the nutrient matter is
exhausted, or the disease checked. Either

bacilli or spores are present, and if the
bacilli do not appear — and by their works
ye shall know them — then of necessity
must the spores be there. If " no spores
are present " the hive-body is probably
free from the disease, as the bacilli do
not run about like the red louse ! , But no
one can say that a hive is free from spores,
and it is better to err on the safe side,
and thoroughly cleanse, than to take the
risk implied in that word "almost."

Curing Foul Brood in Autumn (p. 384).
— There is a good deal to be said for
the plan of removing the bees from their
combs after they have ceased breeding,
and substituting healthy combs already
filled and sealed.

Colour of Honey (p. 384). — If the honey
of this producer is of such attractive
quality, he need not worry, for it hardly
needs the imprimatur of a show to help
its sale. "Good wine needs no bush!"
All the same, it would be well to try
some of the extracted sainfoin honey in
competition, for although colour must be
considered when judging, it is only one of
several points, and whilst awards may be
made to exhibits of equal quality other-
wise upon the colour point, they cannot
win upon that alone.

Bendcring Beeswax (p. 386).- — ^What is
the theory of the newspaper under, and
the cardboard over the mould, to prevent
cracking of the wax-cake? It is not quite
clear from the description.

Wintering under Supers (p. 386). — If a
stock were very short of stores, nothing
could be better than to give it a super
of shallow extracting-combs. Full, of
course ! If these were the usual drone-
cells, the queen would not lay in them
before their removal in spring was advis-
able.

The " Simmins" Treatment of F.B. (p.
388). — A recantation. I wish to say that,
after having treated one stock with Izal
foi three seasons, having injected hun-
dreds of cells during that period, having
dosed and doused, and generally made the
lives of the bees a misery to them, until
they were more sick of the sight of the
bottle than of the bacillus, the stock still
has the disease !

Weight of Skeps (p. 394). —In the
ordinary way, a fair rough estimate of the
honey to be obtained from a well-filled
skep is about half its weight, but they
vary a good deal with the age of the
combs. The skep, comb, and pollen, and
the waste in crushing accounts for the
loss. I think, however, that an ordinary
skep would not contain much more than
"50 lb." if it were filled barrel fashion!

Size of Drone-crlls (p. 394).— Four cells
to the inch measure ^ in., or in other
words, 8-32 in., not 9-32 in., as stated,

Oct. 18, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

419

and, with regard to " fertile workers " (p.
394), it is, I think, a mistake to suppose
that these occur singly. Where there is
one there may be many. The irregularity
in laying would be thus accounted for,
considering also the probability that the
intervals between laying are much longer
with the worker than vt^ith the queen.

The Standard Frame (p. 395).— If Mr.
Farmer can only obtain 8| in. boards,
there is nothing to jDrevent his nailing a
^ in. lath along tliree edges of the hive
bottom. Referring to the " New Standard
Frame" (p. 404), I might say that at pre-
sent interchangeability is not prevented
by the various modifications, but it is
better that there should be only one recog-
nised standard, and that the best. Would
not the suggested painting of the top-bar
with wax conduce to brace comb ? Has
anyone noticed that deep top-bars without
the sawcut are less liable to this fault?

Wasj^s (p. 406). — Is not your kind corre-
spondent in turn wrong in stating that
the habit of V. media is similar to that
of V. vulgaris ? There are only eight
British wasps, and of these seven belong
to the Vespidse. Of these seven, three
only — V. vulgaris, V. rufa, and V. ger-
manica — burrow in the ground, the other
four, V. arborea, V. sylvestris, V. nor-
vegica, and the hornet — ^V. crabro — being
arboreal. Am I wrong in supposing that
V. media and V. sylvestris are identical ?
I find that his wasp was at one time
named V. britannica. Perhajjs Mi-. Sladen
will very kindly put us right?

<Btht% fpm tk

Wade Court Apiary, Harant, October 8.
—The past season has been an ideal one
in this locality for bees. Stocks that were
weak in the spring and scarcely worth
saving without uniting had ample time for
building up and giving good account of
themselves during the honey flow. An
average of 501b. sui-plus per stock has been
my takings, which is considered good for
this district. " Golden Italians " here
proved superior to the blacks in honey-
gathering, both being under practically
the same conditibns. Also for prolific-
ness the " Golden " at this time of year
are simply crowded on ten frames, whereas
the blacks are not so numerous. The
weather during the last few weeks has been
all to be desired, and breeding has been
and is till continued in all the hives,
some of those with yonng queens working
vigorously and carrying loads of pollen,
which is one of the pleasant sights to the
bee-keeper, both early and late in the year.

With reference to the experience of
" Amateur " (Midlothian) in Journal of
October 11. My experience is somewhat
the same, only the strain is not identical.
You can always find the yellow jackets in
the hives of black stocks, and more
especially so among the honey flow. —
W. F.

%n ^hm% to ®0mc.

A nominal charge of Ss. 6d. is made for notices (not
exceedina 7 lines) in this column, 10 linen charged 3g. 6d. ;
up to 15 lines 5s., lohich covers cost of insertion from
order till date of show. Cash should accompany orders
for iiisertion.

October 18 to 21, at Waverley Market.
Edinburgh. — Honey show in connection with
the Tenth Annual Edinburgh and Midlothian InduB-
trinl Exhibition. All open clagses. Beautifully illus-
trated prospectus,- price 2d., from A. Hutchinson, 15.
Leith Street, Edinburgh. Entries closed.

October 18 and 19, at Elilmarnock, KT.B.

--Honey Show in connection with the annual exhibi-
tion of the Ayrshire Agricultural Society. Schedule*
on application to John Howie, Secretary', 58, AUoway
Street, Ayr. Entries closed.

November 9 and 10, at Chorley, Lanes

-Honey Show of Lanes. B.K.A. in connection with
Chorley ChrysantTiemura Society's Annual Show.
Four Open Classes. Exhibitors allowed to bring
honey for sale. Schedules from W. G. Smith, Town
Hail Auction Roomfi, Chorley, Lanes. Entries
close November 3.

Notices to Correspondents & Inquirers.

Letters or queries asking for addresses of manufac-
turers or correspondents, or where appliances can he
purchased, or replies givin^ such information, can only
be inserted as advertisem,ents. The space devoted to
letters, queries, and replies is meant for the general
good of bee-keepers, and not for advertisements. We
wish our correspondents to bear in mind that, as it is
necessary for us to go to press in advance of the date of
issue, queries cannot always be replied to intfieinsue im-
medidtely following the receipt of their eomnninications.

[*** Referring to honey labels (for " heather
blend "), mentioned on page 408, last week,
^It. George Eose, Great Charlotte Street,
Liverpool, and ]\Ir. E. H. Taylor, Wel-
wyn, Herts, both write to say they stock
.such labels, and can supply them when
required. Mr. Taylor says he keep labels
for English, Scotch, Welsh, Irish, and
Manx honeys.

Literature (Derby). — Back Numbens of
Journals. — 1. We have, of course, back
numbers of manv volumes on sale ; but
when you write of " wanting Journals and
Records prior to 1903 for winter reading "
it is a very tall order, indeed, considering
that the B.B.J, has reached its thirty-
fourth yearly volume. We think the series
of articles published in the B.B.J, some
years ago under the title of " Bee Papers
for Winter Reading " would supply your

420

THE BHITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Oct. 18, 1906.

want, and these may probably be obtain-
able, if desired. 2. The pamphlets we
have on hand (written by the Rev. G.
Bancks) axe those advertised in this week's
issue. 3. We could lemd your friend an
Australian "Bee JouTnal'" from our
" file " copies for perusal, but we do not
■stock them for sale.
H. Jackson (Durham). — Disinfecting Hives.
— ^1. If disinfected thoroughly, according
to directions in " Guide Book," it will be
quite safe to use the hives ; particularly as
they have stood beeless for over twelve
months. 2. We think you may be able to
keep the honey in frames from granulating
by storing them in a dry, warm place ; but
the bees could have kept the honey liquid
far better than you can.

L. iS. J. (Croydon). — We know of no later
edition of Mr. Simmins' book than the one
you name.

Shillington (Herts).— Varieties of Heaths. —
Your sprig of heath is the true " ling "
{Erica calliina), and is the best honey
plant.

E. PoRTEB, (Radlett). — Lantern Slides for Bee-
Lectures. — The slides of the B.B.K.A. may
be obtained on application to Mr. Edwin
H. Young, (Secretary, 12, Hanover Square,
London.

WiLNECOTB (Hockley). — Dead bee sent is a
rather small adult queen, iix appearance old
and worn-out. As to variety, there are
very slight signs of crossing, but nothing
to take note of. Your letter was mislaid.

Honey Samples.

Briton (Bethiesda). — The dark colour «of
sample is caused by a slight admixture of
honeydew. The bees have evidently also
been working on heather [Cinerea). It is
qjiite suitable for marketing.

R. S. T. (Wanstead). — Sample is thin, but
not at all bad in flavour. We find no "bit-
ter taste " about it, as supposed. The
peculiar taste seems to come from charlock
or wild mustard.

*^* Some Queries and R&pUes, 4'(^., are un-
avoidably held over till nSxl week.

Special Prepaid Advertisements

Twelve words and under Sixpence : for every additional
Three words or under, One Penny.

E

IGHT dozen best quality SECTIONS for sale, 78. 6d.
dozen.— CLOUGHTON, Maldoii, Kssex. v 4

STHONU STOCK on eight frames ; home-made hive.
Wells' hive, complete, 30s. lot.— PICKERSGILL,
BiHhop Monktoni, Leeds. U 2

il^IXEST CL0VH;K honey, liquid or jTi-anulated,
sorew-oap jars, 9,s. dozen ; Seetions, Ss. dozen. —
H. DILWORTH, Shangton, Kibworth, Leicester, t 91

PURE HEATHER HONEY, 60 stones for sale, at 78.
per strine ; also Beeswax, Is. 6d. per lb.— HARRI-
SON, Bee Farm, Middleton, PiekeHng. u 8

WANTED to hire or purchase, Lantern Slides on
Bees and Bee-Keeping.'— 75, Latimer .Street,
Oldham. u 8

FINEST LIGHT-COLOURED EXTRACTED HONEY,
in 7 lb. andl 14 lb. tins, 8d. lb. ; in 28 lb. tins,
7d. lb., carriage paid; tins free.— O. DUNN-GABDNEE,
Fordham Abbej', Fordham, Cambs.

EXTRACTED ENGLISH HONEY, lis. per 28 lb. tin ;
sample, 2d.— DUTTON, Terling, Essex. T 46

WANTED, STANDARD FRUIT TREES, also second-
lia,nd Iron Protectors. — 70, Highgate Road, Bir-
mingham. T 96

DRIVEN BEES, 2s. 6d. the stock; Roj-a.1 Sovereiga
Runners, 7s. 6d. per 1.000 ; mixed Daffodil Bulbs,
7s. 6d. per 1,000.— WADEY, Broadstone, Dorset. U 6

LIGHT CLOVER HONEY for sale, £2 16s. per cwt.,
packed free. Sample 2d.— COMLEY, Fairford,

Glos.

FOR Sale, contents of apiary, consnsting (A six good
Standard Bar Framed Hives Bees, healthy,
abundant supply for wintering, two empty hives as
above, two skep hives, lifts and crates of bars and
seotiions, double for each hive, etc. — Particulars,
apply THOS. ALLINSON, Melmerby, S. 0., Yorks.
T 92

PURE COTSWOLD HONEY, SECTIONS and EX-
TRACTED. Prices and sample of extracted, 2d.
— H. SMITH, The Apiary, Woodmancote, Cirencester.

U V

FOR Sale, 2 owts. Pure 1906 HONEY (granulated),
in tins, at 56s. per cwt., free on rail at Salis-
bury ; tin® and packing included. Sample, 3d —
COOMBS, Bee Expert, Bower Chalk, Salisbury. T 99

WANTED, a few good Hives. Exchange typical
young Aberdeen terrier bitch, by well-known
prize dwg, or poultry. — TILLING, Hessenford. t 90

-i 1 GROSS of FIRST-CLASS SECTIONS. What offers?
±^ —ALLEN, Tusmore, Bicester. u 1

HONEY, now on hand ; guaranteed Pure English :
2 cwt. at 508., 5 cwt. a/t 55s., 1 cwt. at 56s.
Tins free ; carriage paid.— F. W. SPRATLING, Haeon-
hy. Bourne.

CHAPMAN HONEY PLANTS.- Strong plants, to
bloom next year, 2s. 6d. per dozen. Seed, 6d.
per packet. — JOHN P. PHILLIPS, Spetchley,
Worcester. t 98

FOR Sale, eight HIVES BEES, healthy condition,
plenty of stores ; several empty hives and ap-
pliances. What, offers? — " G. H. S.," Old Beotory
House, Brundall, Norwich. t 97

PURE NORFOLK HONEY.— One hundred 16 oz. jars
for sale,. £3 10s. the lot, or 9s. dozen, carriage
paid ; 4 dozen' best Sections, 8s. bd. dozen, carriage
pair. — FAKE, Massinglia.m, JCing's Lynn. T 93

CROCUS BULBS (yellow), Arabi Alpinus slips, 100
Is., free.— BBAYSHAW, Aultmore. Keith. t 83

3 TON LIGHT CLOVEB HONEY, guaranteed pure,

4 6d. per lb. ; quotations bulk ; eiample, 3d. —
ALBEET COE, Apiary Hall, Bidgewell, Halstead. Es-
sex. T 80

BEES.— Stocks on eight frames. Black English, with
1906 Queensi, guaianteod healthy and perfect con-
dition, £1 ; skeps, 128. 6d. ; safe delivery. Honey,
light extracted, liquid or granulated, screw jars,
Ss. 6d. dozen, £5 gross ; bulk, 53«. cwt.— CHABTER.
Tattingstone, Ipswich. t 54

STRONG STOCKS of HEALTHY ITALIAN HYBRID
BEES, in well-made double walled hives, well
8t(x;ked with food, for sale. — Write 13, The Circus.
Greenwich. t 88

11 CWT. FINEST WHITE CLOVER HONEY, in 28 lb.
2 tins, 148. 6d. eaoh, 568 cwt. ; ajso quantity in
1, 2 and 3 lb. glass jars, 7s. dozen lbs ; sample 3d. —
LILLEY, Mill Farm, Dean, Kimbolton. t 77

SELL or Exchange secondhand Hives, Extractor,
Ripener, Feeders, etc. ParticuLiTs. stamp.-
PRICE, Expert, Stouraide Apiary, Old HiU, Staffs. T 78

Oct. 25, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

421

(Jitoml ^0tim, ku

BRITISH BEE-KEEPERS'ASSOCIATION

CONVERSAZIONE.

(Continued from page J^IS.)

Mr. Can' said lie was under the impres-
sion, without knowing for certain that
Americans agreed with regard to tlie
disease not being conveyed in the food.

Mr. Reid asked whether there was any
idea as to where the: afflicted bees came
from ; did the queen in question, or the
foundation used, or appliances come from
abroad? It was desirable to trace the
cause of the disease, and they were for-
tunate in having amongst them so good a
bee-master as Mr. Ernest Walker to tackle
the subject.

Mr. Walker replied that one of his
queens was bred from a foreigner, but he
could not say that she had been introduced
to either of the diseased hives last summer.
He knew he had only one doubtful queen.

Mr. Bernau, to whom Mr. Walker
appealed as the gentleman who supplied
the queen referred to, said she was a
Carniolan cross.

The Chairman, in closing the discussion,
said the company would look forward with
interest to what Mr. Walker might be able
to tell them in the spring on the subject
of his experiments.

Mr. Reid, in introducijig the next sub-
ject on the agenda, opened a discus-
sion regarding the causes why the best
honey does not always obtain the highest
prizes, said he had not prepared any paper,
but his object in bringing the matter before
the meeting was that experience<i bee-
keepers miglit give the benefit of their
experience to those not so well acquainted
with their subject. He frequently jivdged
at shows, and had not seldom found honey
of the best quality, yet absolutely unfit
for a prize, because tainted with carbolic
acid or smoke ! He thought Mr. Carr, one
of the most experienced judges, would en-
dorse his complaint. And if so, the very
fact of bringing the matter forward wovdd
be sufficient to warn bee-keepers that at
times, when the honey was not of the best
.flavour, it was largely their own fault.
For instance, carbolic acid gave to honey
a most pronounced taint. With smoke it
was different, but the acid cxjuld be de-
tected in the most infinitesimal quantities.
iThe cause was that the offending bee-
keejjers used too much of it. instead of a
weak solution. The effect of a weak solu-
tion on bees was far better than if it were
strong, because in the latter case they lost
their presence of mind, ran about, became
wild, and were ready to sting anything or

anyone. On the same lines, if strong
smoke be puffed in the bees could not gorge
themselves, but become bewildered and full
of attack ! As regarded carbolic he advised
putting a small quantity in a bottle of
water and when well shaken up, allow the
sediment to settle down, and pour the
water off. A cloth saturated with the
liquid and put on top of the frames would
be sufficient to send the bees down, and
intimidate them more than if the cloth
were soaked in pui*e carbolic acid. Then
with regard to smoke. All sorts of
materials were used for smoker-fuel, but
when using the smoker we must consider
whether the smoke given off would be of
a foul or agreeable odour, because much de-
pended on that. Many things when burnt
pi-oduced a disagreeable smell which would
taint the honey and destroy its chances on
the show-bench. The safest thing of all
to use was pure celkdose, i.e., paper pulp
which gave off very little tarry matter
indeed. All substances that smouldered
produced a certain sort of tar, which
smoked. If blotting paper be burnt, pure
cellulose would be produced, and that was
best. Brown pajjer also was a pure fonn
of cellulose, with a colouring matter (a
mineral substance) added. But it should
be soaked for a month before using ; the
reason being that the paper was well sized
with a kiaid of glue, and if immersed long
enough in water, although the mineral
matter could not be eliminated, it could
be reaidered non-injurious, and a fuel
obtained whieli burnt fairly well. One
form of material (a most objectionable one)
used was old carpets, which contained
aniline dyes, and these volatised quickly
and went into the hive. The first necessity
in removing sui-plus was to get rid of the
bees. Intimidation was formerly the only
means of securing this end, but now they
had the bee-escape — a useful little ap-
pliance that all bee-keepers should use —
but there was some difficulty in getting the
bee-escape on without stings or some ci-ush-
ing of bees. Tliere were two kinds of
estapes, viz. , the " Porter " and the
"Smith." He liked the latter best,
although the " Porter " was quite efficient
for the purpose. To those not familiar
with these escapes he would say, supposing
a rack of sections was being removed, a
puff of smoke should be given on top of
the rack, which should be raised very
gently while the " escape " was being
slipped underneath. This must be done
slowly, or many bees would probably be
destroyed. The best time to operate was
in the evening, because by next moniing
the bees will have gone down into the hive,
and tlie sections are then easily removed.
The honey should then be put right out
of sight and smell of the bees. It was also

422

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Oct. 25, 1906.

useful at this time to have on hand some
of those cardboard boxes made to fit
sections. He hoped he had sufficiently-
introduced the subject for those who pro-
duced honey on a larger scale thaai himself
to give the meeting the benefit of tlieir
experience.

Mr. Jesse Garratt thought Mr. Beid's
advice with regard to the removal of honey
seemed to cany them back a long time in
apicultural practice. He believed most
bee-keepers knew that only an infiuitesi-
mally small quaaitity of smoke was neces-
sary in order to get bees to act in the way
desired. It certainly used to be a common
occurrence for young bee-keepers to over-
dose the bees with smoke ; but he thought
beginners should be told that only the
sligtest possible use of any of the intimi-
dants named was required tO' obtain com-
plete control over the bees. Mr. Reid
spoke in a quasi-complimentary way of the
" Porter bee-escape." He (Mr. Gan-att)
thought it invaluable and indispensable —
indeed, worthy of the highest jjraise. A
complete confirmation was foiuid in the
fact of the appliance being so very largely
used. He did not want to bring it into
comparison with any other, and the
" Smith " escape might, perhaps, be a
little more expeditious, but with the
" Porter " escape one did not expect to
move it for an hour or two, but give it
full time to effect a complete clearaince of
the bees. He (the speaker) did not quite
understand by Mr. Reid's method of
manipulating a rack of sections and the
super-clearer in removing aui"plus. A
very strong right, or left, hand, indeed,
would be required to deal with the busi-
ness by his method. He thought a much
simpler way was to apply a moderate
quantity of smoke, remove the super from
the hive, and promptly put the " cleai-er "
in position above the brood-frames, and
put the super back upon it. By that means
there would be no bee-crushing, although
here and there a bee might be killed ; and
it seamed to him the quicker this process
was carried out — compatible with neatness
and care — the better.

Mr. Illingworth considered the " Porter "
escape very effective in removing surplus.
He had often put it on in the morning
before luncli, and upon returning after
lunch found only about half-a-dozen bees
in the supers. There was no trouble wliat-
ever in using it. Daytime was the best,
and he thought there was no method of
application so good as that recommended
by the B.B..T. and the Record; if closely
followed, viz., raising the suj)ers gently,
and inserting at the cx)rners a thin wedge
made from jjieces of broken section, then
blowing in a puff of smoke to drive the bees
down before lifting the super off with a
twisting motion and setting it on the

"clearer!" and then putiting the whole
back on to the hive. He used hardly any
smoke at all in doing this.

A speaker (whose name we did not catcli)
then asked what was the best course to take
when there were brace-combs between the
section-rack and brood-box ? He had cut
them by means of a string, but would never
do that again, because it upset the bees
very much. (Laughter.)
Mr. Bevan asked if thei'e was any objec-
tion to the use of tobacco smoke when re-
moving supers ? When in Italy not long
ago he had seen the roof of a house covered
with hives, and on inquiring if he might be
allowed to' inspect them, his request was
readily agreed to, and the bee-keeper took
out a long pipe and while they were ex-
amining the hives simply gave the bees a
slight puff of tobacco smoke now and then,
and kept all quiet in this way. If there was
no objection to tobacco it would be very
convenient for bee-keepers who were
smokers.

Mr. Reid recommended fine pin-wire for
severing brace-combs ; sawing with string
would probably cause the death of hun-
dreds of bees ; the wire should also be used
with care, and the severance not huiTied.
With regard to tol)acco smoke, no doubt i"
would have the desired object ; but, if used
in quantity, it could not fail to taint the
honey, and that was a most important con-
sideration.

Mr. Carr had known scores of bee-keepers
who never use anything else but their pipes
when quieting the bees, therefore it was
not an Italian idea only.

Mr. Ernest Walker had this year tried a
new way of using the super-clearer with
very heavy supers, which saved lifting the
latter right oft". He raised the sxipers
slowly from the rear with a piece of section
under the side furthest from himself, then
gave a puff of smoke at the sides of the
sections, and then, taking hold of the side
nearest him, prized it up and put in the
clearer as quickly as possible. This latter
could be so jilaced under two or three I'acks
as easily as under one.

Mr. Rtdd said his method was exactly
similar to Mr. Walker's. He prized up the
super fi'om the rear, and then slippetl in
the "clearer" between the body-box and
section-rack. If the latter was not quite
in place, it became completely so by the
operator drawing the rack gently towards
himself. That could be done successfully
with an infinitesimal number of bee
casualties.

Mr. Garratt thought there must be a lot
of bees passing thi'ough the excluder, which
would be mutilated in the operation as
described ; to which Mr. Reid replied that
he gave them time to get out of the way.

Mr. Hayes' experience was that the bees
on toj) of the excluder found great difficulty

Oct. 25, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

423

ill getting away quicldy ; but he supposed
that when carrying out the method ex-
plained the clearer was cari-ied well over
them until it reached the far side. Mr.
Walker answered that the far side was per-
fectly free from bees because it had re-
ceived an extra puff of smoke.

A gentleman present stated (to the sur-
prise of the Chairman and others) that he
never used a queen-excluder at all below
surplus - chambers. Upon which Mr.
Walker inquired whether he did not find
brood in his sections ? A reply in the nega-
tive brought forth the comment that the
fact was extraordinaiy !

Mr. Herrod objected to the using of any
smoke when removing surplus, because
tiny perforations in the cappings on the
sections would not seldom be found asi a
result. The best method of removing sec-
tions was, to his mind, after letting them
remain as long as jDOssiible on the hive, to
be up very early in the morning (an hour
or more before sunrise) when nearly every
rack of sections could be removed with,
scarcely a bee remaining in it. A little
self-denial, in the shajie of early rising,
would obviate the difficulties encountered
by many. In I'emoving the super a slight
twisting motion should be given, when not
a single bee would be killed. After the last
super was removed and the quilt dropped
in its place the sections should be carried
indoors at once.

Mr. Garratt inquired at what period of
the year this should be done? A great
many people liked to take their honey early
in the season, and he doubted whether Mr.
Herrod's method would apply equally well
in the height of summer. The latter gen-
tleman admitted that his plan was more
suitable for autumn than midsummer, but
the Porter escape could be used for an odd
super I'emoved early.

The Chairman thought the discussion
had been useful. He had never had much
trouble himself in removing supers ; he
simply loosened. the rack, lifted it off, and
laid it on the table by his side. The super-
clearer was then put in jDosition above the
body-box and the rack re})laced without
the slightest difficulty beyond using a
little care so jjs not to ciiish any bees.
He had never tried the sliding-on system
just explained, but suspected that the first
trials would decapitate some bees. With
regard to smoke, he certainly had a smoker,
and it very often went out. He did not
think it absolutely necessary to use a
smoker. Perhaps he had quiet bees ; but,
in any case, he never smoked comb honey,
if only for fear of contamination, but when
cleaning the hives before packing down for
winter, if the bees were troublesome, no
doubt a puff or two of smoke must be criven.
Mr. Reid, re])lying on the whole discus-
s-ion, thanked those gentlemn who had had

so much longer experience than himself for
the information they had kindly supplied.
One intimidant he had used for bees, which
he would recommend to the attention of
bee-keepers. Carbonic acid was now easily
and cheaply oljtainable in the form of soda-
water. It "had the advantage of being ab-
solutely devoid of flavour, smell, or taste,
and was therefore a most useful agent. He
had used this liquid carbonic acid by means
of a rubber tube, connecting a syphon of
soda-water with a bottle furnished with a
cork containing two holes, through one of
which the carbonic acid could be made to
pass out intO' the hive.

Mr. Herrod said that last year they had
a discussion on foreign liees, and a good
deal of doubt was prevalent as to the re-
spective advantages to be obtained from
them. American bee-keepers appeared to
think that no bee on earth was equal to
the Ligurian. But latterly another bee
was Ijeing brouigiht 'tO' notice, and Mr.
Frank Benton was now (on behalf of the
U.S.A. Government) on a voyage of dis-
coveiy in search of a new kind of Cau-
casian bee. But the Caucasians tried here
were foiuid to possess very inferior quali-
ties to the brown or English bee. One great
fault was that they produced section-honey
with a greasy-looking capping. He (Mr.
Herrod) had reported that fault in coimec-
tion with the test he had made of them
on behalf of the B.B.K.A., and it was true
even with the third generation of those
queens. All through the various trials made
with Caucasiian queens the fault of these
unsightly cappings had been handed down
to the present season, and still remained.
All the five queens received from Caucasia,
which had been under his observation, gave
progeny which produced this peculiar
greased capping. He handed round the
room for inspection a section of comb-
honey taken this season at Swanley.

The Chairman said that while that exhibit
was being circulated, he would send an-
other round for inspection. It was from
Mr. Sladen, who wrote explaining that he
was enclosing a box of comb, the work of
ajns indica, received from a cori-espondent
in Ceylon.

Mr. Reid, referring to the Caticasian
bees, asked if the specific gravity of the
honey was thinner or thicker. The
" greasy appearance " of the capping was
pnabably due to the honey touching the
capping. The same would be found gener-
ally after honey had been in a damp place.

Mr. Herrod said there did not seem to
be any difference as regarded the " cap-
ping " by Caucasian bees, no matter what
the atmospheric conditions were, as all the
sections taken had the same fault, and it'
was the same in the cappings in frames
of body-boxes.

Mr. Can- begged to be excused for intro-

424

THE BRITISH BEE JOUBNAL. [Oct. 25, 1906.

ducing the subject of cleaning pollen-
clogged combs, regarding which there would
appear in the following issue of the B.J. a
letter on it from Mr. Harborne, of Corn-
wall, whom many present would remember.
That gentleman had been much troubled
with pollen-logged combs, and he (Mr.
Carr) would hand round for examination
a standard frame of comb which had been
cut in halves by Mr. Harborne, on» jjart
of which was clogged with pollen, and
might almost be regarded as worthless,
whilst the other half (held up by the
speaker) showed the otner half of the comb
after having been completely cleared of
the pollen. The two halves of the comb
were then passed round for inspection, and
the efficacy of the treatment was admitted
by those present.

Mr. Carr hoped he was not intruding
on the meeting more than he ought to do,
but being above all things practical, he
ventured to think there were many pre-
sent who did not know much about heather
honey. He had, therefore, brought sam-
ples (received at the B.J. office only the
previous day) of honey that were ex-
tremely instructive. Many of our southern
bee-keepers did not know what real
heather-honey was, in the proper sense of
the term, as understood by bee-men who
produce that class of honey for safe in
large quantities. There was the Erica
cinerea, or bell heather. But that was not
heather honey at all, as the bee-keeper re-
garded it. The real heather honey - — so
highly valued as a table luxury — was from
the common " ling " Calluna vulgaris.
There was also a difference in the colour
of honey gathered from the same variety
of heather, i.e., Calluna vulgaris. He (the
speaker) then produced twoi samples of
lioney, both from " ling," and both from
Scotland, and he hoped the company would
mark the difference in colour between
them. The darker one was the real Scotch
" ling " honey from the northern Highlands
of that part of the kingdom. The lighter-
coloured sample was also a very good
" ling " honey, but not the equal of the
other produced in the north of Scotland.
The aroma of the latter was splendid, the
true odour of the Highland hills, while
the light sample came from the soutli of
Scotland. He had also to show the meet-
ing another " ling " honey, but it was a
mixture, forming a nice heather blend.
It came from Bro. Colomban, and was sent
fi'om Buckfast Abbey, South Devon. Hn
hoped that by compai'ing the aroma and
flavour of the specimens he had submitted
it would prove an instructive lesson
to all, as enabling them to understand
what Scotch Highland heather honey was,
for it was considered by Scotchmen and
others to be the best honey in the world.
Mr. Carr also showed another sample of

heather honey from E. cinerea, the virtue
of which had been completely spoilt by
honey dew.

Mr. Bernau produced a specimen of
heather honey from E. cinerea, not mixed
with that from any other source, because
nothing else bloomed where the bees re-
sponsible for it were located. It was of
pleasant flavour, had a good aroma, was
very dark, but beautifully clear ; at the
same time it was very thin, and not co'm-
parable to the consistency of Mr. Carr's
exhibits. Many people thought that
heather did not yield much honey, but in
his district he obtained a fair quantity.

Mr. Carr said that honey of good
quality mixed with that from E. cinerea,
made an excellent heather blend ; but
honey from cinerea alone was another
article altogether. As a blend with a thick
honey (a good clover, for instance) the com-
bination was extremely nice.

Mr. White was sorry it should go forth
that there was only one place from which
good heather honey could be obtained.
There were a great many places in this
country in which heather was grown. This
class was supplied from the southern parts
of England, the Midland Counties, Surrey
and Hants, and although perhaps it was
not of the same consistency as tha.t of which
they heard so much from Scotland, still
it was a honey ajipreciated by the public,
and at some shows. Honey from SuiTey
heather had taken first and second prizes ;
so that he considered it a pity that the
Scotch heather honey should be vaunted
as the only satisfactory honey of that type.
Besides, a great deal turned upon taste in
such a matter. He knew people who came
year after year to the Crystal Palace to
buy heather honey that had been, obtained
in Surrey.

(Conclusion of Beport next week.)

(^am^m&mt

The Editors do not hold themselves responsible for the
opinions expressed by correspondents. No notice will
be taken of anonymous communications, and corre-
spondents are reqitested to write on one side of the paper
only and give their real names and addresses, not neces-
iiarilyfor publication, but as a guarantee of good faith.
Illustrations should be drawn on separate pieces of paper.
We do not undertake to return rejected communications.

*^* In order to facilitate reference, Corresponderts,
when speaking of any letter or query premouslii inserted,
will oblige by mentioning the number of the letter as well
as the page on which it appears.

NOTES BY THE WAY.

[6471.1 The Honey Shows of lOOG.—The
last of the lioney shows for the present sea-
son has been held, and the competitive
spirit laid to rest till another year, not
without leaving, I fear, the trail of the ser-
pent rankling in the breasts of some who

Oct. 25, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURI^AL.

425

still think they ought to have received a
share of the awards. I congratulate Mr.
Seymour on attaining his heart's desire, the
" Challenge Cup." He has fought valiantly
for it, and in the opinion of some bee-
keei:>ers should have won it outright at a
previous show.

As a yearly exhibitor at the "Dairy"
since its establishment (till this year), I
know the feelings of bee-keepers have been
very frequently and freely expressed as to
the fairness or unfairness of honey mei--
chants exhibiting at this show. My own
opinion has been expressed before in the
B.B.J. , and to show my disapproval of
such exhibiting, I have boycotted such
firms, so far as regards placing my orders
for bee-supplies with firms who were not
comj>etitors on the honey-show bench. I
write thus in reply to your correspondent
" Showing " (6449, page 394) and also to
"A. E." (6455, page 404). To the latter
I would suggest a few visits to local lioney
shows as a jareliminary before competing
at the larger shows, especially tliose h^ld
in London. Take the class for light honey
at the recent Grocers' Exhibition with 48
entries (it might easily be 58) and only
5 prizes to be awarded among the 48 ex-
hibits. Can he hope to win except he has
some extra special stuff ? Again, should
his exhibit be staged in the last half-dozen
lots, how are judges, who have the mixture
of all the previous tastings, to be able
to discriminate as to the extra quality of
the last few lots if shown as strained out
from the combs or from the extractor ?
No, our friend "E. A." must imjirove its
appearance and also its consistency ; it
must be brighter and clearer and thicker
than the bees store it, or you will not catch
the eye of the judge. You may call this
" faked " honey, but I beg to remind bud-
ding exhibitors that if they will attend
the next " Royal " show (where the honey
department is practically the show of the
B.B.K.A.), so soon as the show-yard is en-
tered they Mali find every kind of exhibit
"faked" throughout the whole show, i.e.,
improved in some way on its original. The
live stock of all kinds (even the swine that
have wallowed in the mud) are washed
clean, and their natural coating of hair
brushed and combed till it shines. Even
the machinery has its cast iron parts
painted with " silver steel paint " to give
it an advantage over its original colour.
The vehicles, too, have every crevice and
wind-crack carefully filled with putty (or
a substitute) before painting to hide uj)
these little matters ; otherwise no " medal "
will be gained by the makers. The work-
ing machinery is always in the hands of
the firms' best mechanics ; shearing ma-
chines in the hands of experts look so
easy to guide over the sheeps' backs. I

have been an interested showman over
forty years, and in every striving for the
mastery I have seen the successful ones
following " The Tarsan's " injunction to
"so run that ye may attain." Have we
not seen the onion-grower making the
necks of his " show onions " small by tie-
ing the said necks round with a coi"d, and
those same onions' necks dressed with white
of egg to tidy up any little raggedness
which may show itself? Show potatoes
washed in water containing gum arable
and carefully dried in the snn to give
them a clean, bright appearance when
staged on the show bench, and in nine years
out of evei-y ten these "improved" vege-
tal)les take the first prizes. These latter
are not my exhibits (I have discoirtinued
vegetable and flowei'-showing for over
twenty-five years). I only give them to
show that in every exhibition the winners
show their very best and if possible " im-
prove " on their very best productions.
Who among bee-keepers of the older genera-
tion does not remember Mi*. Cowan's in-
genious " honey ripener," as shown at
South Kensington a, quarter of a century
ago? No doubt this appliance would so
thicken the extracted honey of those whose
produce is poor on that point, that they
may win a first in 1907 if good on all
other points.

Live Bees in Shop Windows. — I heartily
endorse Mr. Farmer's contention with re-
gard to the cruelty to bees to be confined
in a glass case in a shop window as an at-
traction ! Humane bee-keeping, forsooth !
We see other instances of cruelty in the
treatment by novices of driven bees. These
latter are very often only saved from a
short exit — via the sulphur pit — to a lin-
gering death by starvation !

Hives an Legs. — Aijent the letter of
"A. H." (6461', page 406). I myself con-
sider hives on legs far preferable to several
hives placed on long strips of timber,
When manipulating a hive on a long stand
on which several other hives are resting, it
is i>ossible that a slip may disturb the
whole lot and give trouble to neighbours.
One cannot be too careful in these days of
" compensations." — W. Woodley, Beedon,
Newbury.

USEFUL POINTS IN BEE-KEEPING.

[6472.] Making the Most of tlic Season.
—In reply to " L. S. C." (page 396), refer-
ence to "B.B.J." of July 12 (page 272)
will show my method of obtaining
early sections, with extracted honey to
follow. I have all sorts of hives, and
have t^ried all plans of honey-production,
but I like the method therein described
better than any other ; firstly, because
both sections and extracted honey can be

426

THE BKITISH BEE JOTJBNAL. [Oct. 25, 1906.

secured from the same liive ; secondly,
because there is hardly ever any desire to
swarm while a queen has the use of so
many as nineteen frames ; thirdly, at the
end of the season one has ten good frames
of comb, which may be utilised either for
driven bees or for use next year. In this
way the brood combs are renewed every
year if the district is foul broody. The
doubling-box is an exact duplicate of the
bottom-hive, and may be used for an
artificial swarm with a makeshift floor-
board if desired.

Af/e to irhicli Queens Lire. — I notice
with surpise Mr. Doolittle's remarks
on age of his queens (page 387). It
may be right in America to keep queens
three to five years, but joung queens are
to my mind absolutely necessary in this
country if " spring dwindling " is to be
avoided.

T^filisiufi Driven Bees. — A curious ex-
perience of driven bees happened to me
recently. I ran two lots of these bees
into a hive on 17 lbs. of natural storeSj
and I distinctly saw both queens go in.
Xext moniing the bees seemed settled and
contented, so I nut on a rapid feeder con-
taining 13 lbs. of syrup. A few days after-
wards I noticed with some surprise a
couple of wasps enter the hive unchal-
lenged, whereupon I looked inside, to find
only about fifty bees left, and the stores
and syrup still there I It made me won-
der where the others had gone to, and why
they had forsaken a comfortable and well-
victualled home. I have not y^t been able
to find out the reason.

About Wasps and Price of Honey. —
Wasps have been a perfect plague here
this year. A gardener told me that, fear-
ing for some particular favourite plums
and pears, he offered a reward of 3d. for
every wasps' nest, and in less than a
month he was able to destroy over a hun-
dred nests within a mile radius of his
garden. My grocer tells me that honey is
selling better than usual owing to a short
supply of iam and marmalade. It seems
a pity that a sort of depot cannot be
formed in each county, where small bee-
keepers who have no suitable room at
home could store their honey instead of
rushing it all into the market at one time.
Another "rocer told me he had been
offered 500 sections at 6|rl. each by a small
bee-keeper I As the price retail in all
our Cheltenham shops is 10->rL, the con-
sumer d<K'S not reap any benefit, because a
producer short of room or of cash rushes
his sections into the market at 6^d.. each,
when by waiting a little he could easily
obtain 8d. (and no well -filled section
should be sold for less). Here is a,'^' tip "
on honey selling. Get a square biscuit tin
from your ^rocer (costirifr about 8d., but
I buy mine for less) ; cut a square piece

out of one side, and put in a square of
glass to fit the side. This box will hold
sixteen sections. Get your village post
office or general shop to nlace this box in
the window, and offer the man a commis-
sion on every section he sells. This
arrangement once started, keep him sup-
plied as fast as required. The tins are
excellent for keeping sections in all the
winter, because they take up so little room
on a shelf or in a warm cupboard, and
they keep out all dust and insects.

Wintering Bees. — The best kind of
device for a winter passage is an empty
1-lb. fig box filled with candy. After the
candy is eaten, the box serves as a capital
passage-way over the frames, or for the
bees to cluster in. With quilts over and
a newspaper spread over all, the " lift "
keejjs the paper tight down and excludes
all draught. Moreover, if the newspaper
is left higher in the centre it keeps the
hive waterproof if the roof should be
leakv. — Expert, Cheltenham, Oct. 22,
1906'

THE SEASOX IX XORTH-EAST HERTS.

A GOOD EEPORT FOE 1906.

[6473.] I am writing to report a veiy
successful season indeed : I have taken
over 1,000 sections, m spite of having two
or three runaway swarms. My average
yield is over sixty sections per liive. I
have already sold all but about three dozen
at an average price of 8d. per section.
But, besides this, I have reserved for home
use about 40 lb. of extracted honey.

I am leaving Herts to go to Teynham, in
Kent, and shall be glad if any of your
readers can tell me whether it is a good
honey district or not. Large quantities of
hops and fruit are grown there, but I am
wondering will there be any sainfoin and
white clover. Thanks to the hints griven in
the Board of Agriculture leaflet "Prepar-
ing Honey for Market," and also bv
"D. M. M." and others in the B.B.J., I
have not had a single section damaged in
transit to London and other places. I
hoi)e I shall not find much foul brood in
Kent, as I have not as yet been troubled
with it, and have only seen preserved speci-
mens of the diseased cells when on a visit
to Mr. Herrod's apiary at Luton. I have
not allowed my hives to be examined by
any exjjert for fear of infection being
brought from local apiaries. Indeed, I
should not think of allowing any examina-
tion of my hives ])y an expert at all unless
I believed him to be thoroughly reliable
and trustworthy.

T much enjoyed my visit to Mr. Herrod's
apiary at Luton, which was a splendid
object lesson as to how an apiary should be

Oct. 25, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

427

kept. I (along with many others in this
county) have learnt many a wrinkle from
Mr. Herrod, which has helped me to be as
successful as I have been at bee-keeping,
and I was very glad to know that I should
be able to keep bees in Kent, and I hope
with as much success as I have kept them
here.- — (Eev.) Herbert Newhax, October.

MINIATURE SECTIONS.

[6474.] If this subject has not already
been tackled and e:!?ploded. perhaps the
results of an experiment I carried out this
summer may be of interest to readers of
the B.J. The object of the experiment,
apai't from that of amusement, was to en-
deavour to find out if it were practical to

the block is m.ade to the right size these
boxes can be turned off at a good speed.
The necessary foundation is then fixed by
pressure, and the boxes, after being fitteil
into a shallow-frame, are ready for the bees.
Inside the hive they present as much work
as they did outside, and the bees seem in-
clined to grudge the amount of extra wax
required for the building out and capping
of all these little squares — at any rate, I
found they took the foundation from some
to help work on in the others. This ten-
dency will account for the three blanks seen
in photo. However, taking it altogether,
the bees performed their part very well ;
in fact, just as I had wanted them to do.
so that I had some three or four dozen of
these miniature sections to show at end ui
my experiment. I have still eighteen to
twentv left, and if anv of vour readers

MINIATURE SECTIONS (IN SHALLOW-FR.VME).

get comb and extracted lioney made up in
a manner suitable for retailing in tea-
rooms, etc., at Id. per section or jar. I
notice all sorts of jam, etc., is successfully
retailed in this fashion and possibly honey
also, but I have not yet heard of it.

Jam is put up in small glass jars, and
ten-elevenths of these jars will hold about
1 lb. of honey ; so, on working out, if lioney
is put up likewise, it will give Sgd. per lb.
to the honey-producer, and that for the
honey only, as jars ai-e always returnable.
Whether this is a possible market for
honey may be left to enterprising retailers
to decide. On the other hand, with regard
to sections, fi'om the enclosed photos can
be seen the method I employed to secure
these miniature sections. The wood sur-
rounding comb is from one-inch aspen slips
(as used in match-box making) and is got
into the necessary shape by folding it round
a block and then securing with wax. Once

care to have one I shall be pleased to for-
ward on receipt of 2d. in stamps.

The exjxmse on these sections works out
at less than fd. per dozen, i.e., for wood
and foundation. A shallow-frame (spaced at
the ordinary distance apart) when full
gives thirty-two sections, weighing in the
aggregate about 2 lb. — that is an average
of 1 oz. each. Tenpence per dozen is ob-
tainable for these ; and here again the
question of return will have to be closely
lo^tked at by the honeyman.

These are the principal details of what
I tliought was a very interesting experi-
ment, and if you wish to know anything
further I shall be very pleased to send a
" note " of what the experiment has taught
me.

I enclose — for editorial acceptance —
three finished sections and a blank, along
with the photos already refeii-ed to. — R. N.
Robertson, " Spearhill," Tayport.

428

THE BHII^ISH BEE JOTTRNAL. [Oct. 26, 1906.

AMEEICANAND COLONIAL PAPERS.

E,X TRACTS AND COMMENTS.

By D. M. MacJonald, Banff.

" Bed Clover Bees " : An Exploded Myth.
— We haVe heard a good deal in the past
about " Red Clover Bees," but I never be-
lieved in their existence. Here is what
the Canadian Bee Journal says on the sub-
ject : — "Candidly, I don't take any stock
in the phrase. In an apiary this year just
as many blacks and Carniolans were on the
red clover bloom as were of the Italians ;
and, judging by the empty supers, each
race obtained the same amount of nectar
from the blossomes. Personally, I believe
that one race will work just the same as an-
other on red clover (same seasons)." The
editor of Gleanings has this also to say : —
"There are many who question whether
the honey bee, no matter what the strain,
ever got any honey from red clover. A
great deal depends on the locality, much
on the strain of bees, and everything on the
cliaracter of the season, whether bees work
on red clover or not. When we are asked
whether we will guarantee that one strain
will work on red clover we always reply in
the negative. All we can honestly say is
that 'tiiey will work on red clover if any
strain will, and even then only when con-
ditions are favourable." Thanks! This
year I notice an almost entire absence of
bees in a field with a most luxuriant growth
of white clover. The flowers were of an ab-
normal size, likely on account of the nature
of the soil and heavy manu'ring. Not a
bee visited those splendid beds. I notice,
too, that when worked on such heavy
growths yield dark nectar. Less luxuriant
pastures' supply the very finest clover
honey.*

Exchanging Bives.— Mr. J. L. Byer, in
Canadian Bee Journal says : — " Mr. Hutch-
■ inson equalised his stocks by changing
hives around and placing an overstrong
stock on the stock of a weak colony, and
vice versa. While he changed a large num-
ber around thus, it is gratifying to note
tliat no queens were lost— something I have
been always fearful of when practising the
plan." This may show that others practise
what I recommended on page 117, August
Recced, and that I did not invent the plan.
Indeed, it is a practice handed down from
hoary antiquity. Bonnar gives it as one
of his modes of reinforcing bee hives: —

* We are glad our friend, " D. M. M.," has taken
up this question, and riRht here, to use an American
phrase. It may be well to say we did our best to
'• explode " the myth referred to, over twenty years
ago in the Bee-Keepers' Record, wherein will be found
what we deem reliable proof that the so-called longer
tongue of the ligirian bee was little more than non-
sense. That worthy and reliable Scottish bee-man,
the late Wm. Raitt, who hatli practical experience of
the. subject, judging from the evidence we refer to,
cxilled it an exploded fable at the time, and the same
verdict is apparently now arrived at across the At-
lantic.-W. B. 0.

"Exchange hives about 10 a.m., when the
bees are busy at work (and presumably
when there is a heavy flow on), placing the
Aveak hive where the strong one stood. All
the bees out in the field will on their re-
turn go into the weak hive and unite peace-
ably with its inhabitants. Upon this plan
scarce one out of twenty will fight." Indis-
criminate mixing up is not, however, to be
recommended.

Tentilating Supers. — Several complex in-
ventions to secure this have lately been re-
commended, but I would have none of them.
I wrap up as warmly in summer as I do
in winter. Mr. Root takes the wiser course
when he advises warm wrapping up of sur-
plus chambers: — "I should like to' place
the strongest emphasis possible on the
value of top protection against both heat
and cold. I verily believe the time is
coming when not only the top but the sides
of all comb-honey supers will be protected
by an extra shell or wall, and in addition
some foiTn of packing between."

Worlxing for Profit. — I am at present
much interested in the subject of improve-
ment of stock. The leeway to. be made up
is vast. My own surplus varied all the
way from 100 to what I would set down as
33 per cent. Here is a similarly varied re-
port from Texas : — " In an experimental
yard of twenty colonies, one gave 245 lb.
surplus, four averaged 160 lb. each, ten
gave 90 lb. each, three 60 lb. each, two
15 lb. The difference in surplus stored
was due to the queens more than any other
condition. The colonies were all treated
alike, and had the same chance: I knew
the queens of each colony, and the most
prolific queens had the most populous and
prosperous colony, and produced the most
honey. If all queens had been equally
good the surplus would have been over
5,000, instead of 2,000— or a gain of 3,000
lb. The selling price was 180 dollars. At
the same rate a gain of over 280 dollars
would have been made." Figure again
what the produce would have been if all
had been equal to the poorest stocks, and
then judge if scrtib stock pays.

From Cuba: — "The best strain of bees
for Cuba, I think, are the hybrids^ — first,
last, and all the time. Italians clog the
brood-chamber too much with honey, (o
the detriment of brood-raising. Of course,
we require Italians to have hybrids. Our
bees here run to blacks very quickly ; not,
I think, becatjse, as some suppose, that the
black drones are quicker on the wing than
the Italians, but because to every Italian
drone you can find in Cuba you will find
one million black ones." And yet some
look upon the blacks as of no account !

The Top of a Section. — "I have always
been accustomed to see sections" — says
J. A. Green—" with the lock-comer down,
and i(t came as a distinct surprise to mo

Oct. 25, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

429

when another bee-keeper asked me in sober
earnest, AVhy I put my sections in the
supers upside down ? It seemed he had
been always accustomed to the other way."
Well, that is just my experience, too. I
think placing sections with the lock-comer
up is the connect plan. I don't know if I
have any other than a woman's reason : —
"I think it so, because I think it so," but
I certainly look on it as the natural posi-
tion. I wonder if others here take a con-
trary view ?

^mr'm m& §.^lm.

[3423.] I/isi'Cf Nomenclature. — I send for
editorial examination an insect enclosed in
a match-box, and Avill ha very much obliged
if you would give me through your " Query "
column information as to its name, order,
family, genera, species, and variety. I should
also like t-o know what it feeds on, its habits,
life-history, habitat, etc. It is known here
locally as the " Jasper," and is found by
colliers in the coalmine, most probably being
taken underground in the foreign timber,
which is largely used in the coalmines here.
It is principally found in the French timber
between the bark and the wood, though the
loud hum of the flying " Jaspers " is fre-
quently heard in warm places underground,
where work is not being carried on. They
sometimes bite, when the place swells
slightly. When held by the tail they will
hold suspended a piece of wood many times
their own weight. This specimen was alive
when taken, but died, I suppose, from starva-
tion. It has a remarkable ovipositor, but I
am afraid some of its legs have got torn off. — -
H. Samways, Maesybont, Carmarthen.

We forwarded specimen to our entomo-
logical contributor, Mr. F. W. L. Sladen, who
kindly replies as follows : — The insect sent
is Sirex (/i</as and belongs t-o the family Siri-
cidae of the order Hymenoptera. The Siricidse
are closely related to the saw flies ; the larvae
feed on the wood of trees, and in some places
on the Continent, where they are very com-
mon, they do great damage to fir trees. In
England, S. gigas, though widely distributed,
is never abundant, and the majority of speci-
mens come from imported timber. The female
is armed with a wonderfully perfect wood-
boring apparatus, by which she is enabled to
bore holes in the bark of trees, and so to lay
her eggs in the wood. The insect being often
about l^in. long always attracts attention
when found.

[3424.] Honey from Ihe Veldt. S. Africa.—
I have forwarded by my friend, Mr. Cosgrave,
a small bottle of our " Cape " honey for your
opinion as to its merits, etc. It was gathered
from the veldt or country scrub in the neigh-
bourhood by domesticated wild bees — speci-
mens of which I hope to forward on another
opportunity. I have been a subscriber to
your paper for the last three years, getting it

from a firm of booksellers in Cape Town. I
have about 130 hives, but have not given them
the care, time, and attention they should
have. Thanking you in anticipation for your
opinion on the honey sent. — W. J. H. W.,
Cape Town. S. Africa.

P.S. — I must apologise for not sending you
a clearer sample ; it was just dipped out from
bulk with the spoon.

Rkplt. — We were very pleased to get your
sample, and equally so to have a personal
interview with your friend (and his friend,
Mr. G. D. Rider, of Johannesburg) who
brought it over. The flavour is " a bit coarse,"
so to speak, and is, of course, quite new to
our palate : but it is a fairly good honey, and
quite suitable for table use. On the other
hand, it would not compare favourably with
our first - class home - grown honey. We
showed a sample of the latter to your friends,
and think they will confirm our word on
this point. We will be very pleased t-o hear
from you again.

[3425.] T^till.<ing Z^nfinislied Sections. — At
the end of each season I generally have left
on hand a large number of unfinished sections.
In ex]3laining how this result is brought
about. I may say that when the honey flow is
reaching its close, and I have a rack of sec-
tions on and nearly finished, my usual prac-
tice is to put another rack of 21 sections
underneath the almost finished one. although
I am morally certain that there will only be
mere spots of honey in the sections given last
at end of season. What I wish to ask you is,
therefore, would it be a better way to remove
only five or six finished sections in the original
rack and replace them with new ones, so that
every one would have a chance of being
finished at end of year? I have suggested
this latter plan, but have been told, in reply,
that when you remove single sections in
that way the bees are apt to either cease
Avorking in the rack altogether or carry all
the honey in it down. I lost dozens of
{finished sections this year through bees
emptying cells during the cold, wet spell
we had in the Xorth during July and August,
An answer in B.B..J. Avill oblige. — A. Black,
Stirling, October 22.

Reply. — It is a well-known fact that so
soon as the honey yield begins to fail and
nights are cool, bees will not only cease to
store any remaining honey that is gathered in
surplus-chambers, but will carry down the
contents of unsealed sections into the brood
chamber below. The remedy for this trouble
is, first, to keep section-racks and all surplus
chambers as warm as possible by adding to
the wrappings in order to conserve the
warmth ; second, when more than one rack
of sections is on a hive the bee-keener should
go over the lot and take away those least
filled, or containing very little honey, and
close up the remainder so as to leave as little
"filling" as possible to be done. This and
extra wrappings will help very much in re-
moving such trouble as our correspondent
complains of.

[3426.] Young Bees and Grubs Cast Out of
Hives. — Will you kindly say in next Bee
Journal why bees at this time of the year

430

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Oct. 25, 1906.

throw out young grubs in an early stage,
and also after they are almost ready ior
hatching as fully-developed bees? They have
done so with me both tiiis year and last, and
the young bees cast out are too small in size
to be drones. I have been feeding my stocks
well this year, so that I know they have
plenty of food. The queen is three years old.
I had them in a box until this year, but
they transferred themselves to a frame-hive
placed below about last Whitsuntide.— Thank-
ing you in advance, I send name, and sign
" A Novice."

Reply. — There has been a good deal of
trouble this year similar to that mentioned
above. Young bees have been cast out or
have ventured forth in good numbers only to
die on the ground. It can only be accounted
for by supposing that the progeny of the
mother-bee in such hives is not strong or
vigorous in constitution, owing to faulty
queens. Trouble of that kind rarely occurs
in large apiaries managed by skilled bee-
keepers, and it is most difficult to explain
from ,a distance.

Notices to Correspondents & Inquirers,

E. E. Smith (Weston-super-Mare). — Show
Regulations.— It is clearly understood by
all exhibitors— and, as we think, by the
great majority of bee-keepers—that the
confectioners' and also the grocers' exhibi-
tions held annually in London are different
from ordinary honey shows. In the latter,
all honey staged must be produced by the
exhibitors' own bees, but no effort is
spared by the directors of the exhibition
first named to make it known that their
competitions are not confined to bee-keepers,
but are mainly for tradesmen who may or
may not be bee-keepers at all. Our readers
can labour under no misapprehension on the
point, it being clearly so stated in print on
every occasion when the need arises.

E. LovETT (Great Yarmouth). — ^Granulation
of Honey.— There is no process known as
" refining " extracted honey, by which term
we assume is meant re-liquefying after the

honey has granulated or become solid.
All pure honey will granulate, after keeping
for some time, and may, if desired, be
brought to its original liquid condition by
immersing the vessel containing it in hot
water for an hour or two.

F. Champion (Godalming).— Bee Literature.—
We are sending on your letter to our corre-
spondent "Literature" (p. 419), who will
no doubt write you in reply thereto.

R. J. T. (Thirsk).— Labels for Heather
Honey. — We are not sure who stocks labels
as pattern .sent, but will endeavour to find
out for you and report later.
Honey Sam/plfs.

Thos. Wilcox (Montgomery). —Yours is a
very good sample of Welsh heather honey.
It is entiro'ly from " ling," Calluna vulgaris,
and should stand well on any show-bench.

iNQtriRKR (Now Forest). — Honey sent is an
excellent specimen of heather produce. It
is from the true ling, and the " air bubbles "
you complain of cannot be avoided ;
besides, they are no disadvantage in honey
of that class.

Special Prepaid Advertisennents^

Twelve words and under Sixpence : for every additional
Three words or under, One Penny.

FOR Sale, four stocks bees, bar-frame hives, well
supplied stores, guaranteed healthy, 30s. each ;
also White Wj'andotte cock, splendid laying strain,
68.— HEMMINO BEOS., Standlake, Witney. tr 16

CLOVER, HONEY, guaranteed pure, 28 lb. tins,
14s. ; or would exchange for poultry or ap-
pliances.—MATTHEWS, Great Rollright, Oxon. D 13

FOR Sale, contents of Apiary, consistnig of seven
stocks of healthy 'bees in bar frame hives ;
" Guinea " Extractor, new this seasou, with cog
gearing and lids ; six dozen drawn-out shallow combs,
and all other accessories.— Apply S. ECLES, Clanfleld,
R.S.O., Oxon. V 12

HALF TON HONEY, finest quality, 28 lbs. 14s.,
1 owt. 53s., 2 cwt. and upwards at 50s. Sample,
4d.— OWEN BROWNING, Ashley, Kingsomborne,
Hants. XJ 21

HONEY EXTRACTOR wanted, " Cowan " pre-
ferred ; must be in thorough working order. —
W. A. KENNEDY, Powbank, Prestwick, Ayrshire, u 19

HONEY wanted ; must be light in colour ; sample,
with price, carriage paid. — CARTER, Chartridge
Green Farm, Chegham, Bucks. D 17

F

OR Sale, eight 'dlozen well-filled, Sections, 8s.
dozen. — A. BARBER, Comberton, Cambs. u 18

PRIZE WINNING LIGHT COLOURED HONEY for
sale, in 1 lb. screv-cap bottles, or 14 lb. tins,
also sections, cheap.— DAVID IIANCOX, Deddington,
Oxon. u 14

WANTED, 12 BEST CLOVER SECTIONS; state
price, carriage paid. — VICAR, Rossett, Den-
liighshire. u 9

4 CWT. FINE LIGHT HONEY, in 28 lb. tins, 50s.
per cwt. Sample, 2d.— Penfold, ^Vest Street,
Epsom. ~ TJ 20

TjlOR Sale, ENGLISH HONEY, guaxanteed pure.
Jj Sample. 3d.— W. J. LAW, The Cuckoo, Ashwell,

Herts. T 47

HONEY FOR S.ALE.— For high-class honey, in sec-
tions, glass jars, or 14 lb. tins, apply for quota-
tions ond samples, stating quantities required, to J.
ROWLAND, Brampton, Huntingdon.

DRIVfjN BEES. — Strengthen your weak stocks with
guaranteed healthy driven bees. Is. 2d. lb. ;
fertile Queens, from strong stocks, 3s.— TUCK AND
CO., East Knoyle, Wilts. U 11

QQ STOCKS HEALTHY BEES FOR SALE, three
OO " Wells." the resb " W.B.C hives, well stored;
owner leaving district.— NORTH, Lupton Apiary,
Kirkby Lonsdale. V.J^_^

FINEST CLOVER HONEY, liquid or granulated,
screw-cap jars, 9s dozen ; Sections, 8s. dozen.—
H. DILWORTH, Shangton, Kibworth, Leicester, t 91

PURE HEATHER HONEY, 60 stones for sale, at 7s.
per stone ; also Beeswax, Is. 6d. per lb.— HARRI-
SON, Bee Farm, Middleton, Pickering. u 8

FINEST LIOHT COLOURED EXTRACTED HONEY,
in 7 lb. and 14 lb. tins, 8d. lb. ; in 28 lb. tins,
7d. lb., carriage paid; tins free.— C. DUNN-GARDNER,
Fordham Abbey, Fordham, Cambs.

EXTRACTED ENGLISH HONEY, lis. per 28 lb. tin ;
sample, 2d.— DUTTON, Terling, Essex. T 46

PURE COTSWOLD HONEY, SECTIONS and EX-
TRACTED. Prices and sample of extracted, 2d.
-H SMITH, The Apiary, Woodmancote, Cirencester.

U 7

CHAPMAN HONEY PLANTS.— Strong plants, to
l)l(iom next year, 2». 6d. per dozen. Seed, 6d.
per packet. — JOHN P. PHILLIPS, Spetchley.
Worcester. "^ ^

Nov. 1, 1908.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

431

^itorial ^otim, ^f,

BRITISH BEE-KEEPERS'ASSOCIATION

CONVERSAZIONE.

(Continued from page 424 )

After a general conversation on matters
that had been brought before the meeting,
Mr. Paul, teijeaking un the matter of pollen-
nloggecl combs, said he had found a good
reme<:ly was to soak them in water for a
little while and then turn the garden liose
on them. He simply held the frame in
front of the rose, when the pollen was
readily washed out.

Mr. Reid, in introducing the next sub-
ject, viz., "Feeding in Winter," said lie
was so much encouraged by the amount
of information that had been forthcoming
as regards feeding bees in winter that he
would like to discuss the subject for two
or three hours if time permitted, which
it did not. His idea in nutting it for-
ward for discussion that evening was that
many bee-keepers might be in the position
of shortlv having to feed their bees.
There had been a number of inquiries in
the B.B.J, with regard to this particular
question, therefore anything that could be
elicited in reference to it would be helpful.
Firstly, what should they be fed with?
Naturally, honey would be the best food,
but that would hardly pay unless the bee-
keeper had refuse honey — that is, honey
that could not be marketed. The first
food used for bees was grajje sugar, on
which the Romans used to feed their bees
in the winter, although there was evidence
that cane siie?»r was known to them.
Columella 2,000 years ago wrote a Latin
treatise, iia which he exolained how to
feed the bees. He recommended that
grajjes or figs be saturated in water, and
the solution run off into a split reed,
which was to be pushed into the openine
of the hive. That was a solution of grape
sugar, and he mentioned it to prove some-
thing that had been discussed in Germany.
Some people believed that grape sugar was
not a good food for bees, but there was
the fact that the Romans used it success-
fully ; of course, they had a better article
in cane suear. Glucose had been used for
making artificial honey, but it was a dead
failure, and although a dealer might make
a little profit one year he would very likely
lose the whole of his honev trade during
the next twelve months. But with one-
fifth part of cane suaar in a svrup of
glucose, a liquid was obtained which
would not crystallise so easily as a syrup
made of cane sugar entirely would. The
colder a solution was the more easily it
crystallised ; they would find in the excel-
lent guide books that a certain quantity

of sugar added to a small quantity of
water when warm remained liquid, whilst
when cold the mixture did not. Some
bee-keepers might think that the advocacy
of syrup as a winter food was wrong in
principle, they having been told that bees
ought not to have syrup at that season ;
but there were exceptions to all rules,
and when cases occurred where bees were
starving, they must not rely on saving their
lives with candy alone. Syrup in winter,
it was supposed, caused a loss of bee-life
through chills. For a good manj^ years
he (the soeaker) had fed his bees in the
cluster, and he never dreametl of using
candy. He passed the syrup through a
hole in the quilt, and managed to do it
without chilling them. When he found
them short of sunolies he would pass a
tube down through a | in. hole, and let
some warm syrup go into the middle of the
cluster. The bees would not leave the
cluster, and if they were starving it was
necessary to give them the syrup quickly.
The general plan was to put candy on
top, but care must be taken to choose the
weather for doing that. The bees might'
be at the starvation point at a time when
it was not possible to let them out. He
recommended that a piece of glass should
be put on the opening in the quilt, and
the box of candy over that, and then the
glass could be slid off gently when feeding
was about to commence. With regard to
the makinn' of candy referred to in the
B.B.J. , some of it contained a good deal
of honey. It was desirable to give the
bees a food from which they Avould derive
the most benefit. Besides, honey had the
advantage of keeping the candy moist,
and caused ^non-crystallisation", partly
because it prevented the cane sugar from
crystallising. The question of when to
feed bees was so wide that he would
not venture to go into it. Conditions
varied so very much that it would be im-
possible to lay down any general law, but
he hoped they would be able to liave the
advantage of the experience of the many
gentlemen present thereon. Hundreds of
stocks of bees had been lost this year.
Mr. White, Secretary of the Surrey
B.K.A., would confirm that as regarded
his county. The spring was very cold, and
the bees could not get out to obtain fresh
stores. The result was that those who
did not feed at the right time lost their
bees.

"Mr. F. B. AVhite, in confirmation of Mr.
Reid, said that the winters of the last few
years had been mild, and many people
were under the wrong impression that the
milder the weather the less food was con-
sumed bv tlie bees. On the contra rv, those
who had experience knew extra food would
be required during a mild winter. Num-
bers of stocks wore lost for want of ihis

432

THE BRITISH BEE JOUBNAL. [Nov. 1, 1906.

knowledge. Every case must be judged
on its peculiar circumstanceis, and he only
suggested that bees should be fed if they
required it. He recommended candy as
tlie most suitable food. When breeding
was comino; forward in the spring, there
wei'e the natural stores for them, and the
old bees consumed the candy.

A gentleman jjresent here said he had
always given his bees 30 lb. of food at the
end of August and had never lost a stock
yet in winter.

In reply to a speaker who had heard
that unsealed syrup in hives caused dysen-
tery in winter, Mr. Eeid said he did not
know Avhether there was anything mislead-
ing in the term "syrup." Molasses was
sometimes called syrup ; that, of course,
was not good for bees because it contained
potash salts. He had in mind a solution
of pui'e sugar, whether cane or beet. He
never used anything but pure beet sugar,
which the German bee-keepers did also.

Upon a reiteration of the statement that
liquid food in mid-winter would cause
dysentery. Mr.Reid replied that he knew
of no evidence to that effect.

A gentleman said that he thought Mr.
Cowan's " Guide Book " laid it down that
the proper food for winter feeding was
soft candy, and he (the speaker) generally
made assurance doubly sure by giving a
cake of this in autumn, and leaving the
candy on till it was consumed. He then
supplied svrup food in the spring. He
always understood that syrup was not suit-
able for winter feediner.

Another speaker asked if Mr. Eeid used
beet sugar of the kind supplied at cheap
restaurants, to which the latter ispeaker said
that he certainly would not go to a cheap
restaurant for beet sucrar. What he iised
was refined sugar. He was thoroughlv
conversant with the manufacture of sugar,
and the most clever analyst could not tell
whether refined sugar came from cane or
beet. There was an old objection to beet
sugar, because when it was first made it was
sent over here as an unrefined moist sugar,
supposed to be used in the kitchen only.
The refining of sugar was, however, carried
out to such an extent now that the coarse
Demerara isugar of former days, coloured
with a dye, was seldom seen. A large
quantity of so-called Demerara sugar was
now made in Hambura.

Ml'. Carr said he held to Mr. Cowan's
declaration in the '" Guide Book " in favour
of y)VU'e cane sugar being used for feeding
bees, believing that the autlior's reasons
for advocating it were substantial ones.

Mr. Reid asked ujion what ground that
conclusion was formed, and why a pure sub-
stance obtained from one source was not
as trood as one from another?

Upon which Mr. Carr replied that he had

no doubt Mr. Cowan could answer that

question satisfactorily.

Mr. Bevan said — referring to the ques-
tion of autumn feeding — beginners who
bought driven bees and put them on
combs or loundation generally fed them
on syrup during August and September.

Mr. Eeid remarked that it was a matter
of general experience that syrup was used
for feeding driven bees, and if it was done
earlv enough the bees usually did well.

Mr. Bevan, in continuation of the sub-
ject, said that if the bees had the whole
of their winter stores supplied in the form
of syrup, unless the latter was very thick,
it would during the winter be apt to fer-
ment in the hive and create a certain
amount of dampness, with the result that
bees might be affected with dj'sentery
through too much moisture.

Mr. Carr stated that there was ample
evidence in the pages of the B.B.J, to
show that nothin? of the kind occurred if
the feeding was done in time. Driven lots
of bees were bought and sold in thousands
every year through the advertising pages
of the Journal. Moreover, the same buyers
get them over and over again year after
year. When he ''the speaker) had oc-
casion to vi'sit Mr. Herrod's apiarv during
the present autumn that gentleman was
extremely busy building up stocks from
driven bees.

In confirmation of this Mr. Herrod
said that bees would certainly build out
their combs and po through the winter
well if fed on syrup in autumn, provided
that the feeding was commenced early
enough. If left till late he would prefer
giving soft candv. He had wintered bees
entirelv on candy, by giving them a huge
cake of it (weighing 12 to 15 lb.) covering
several frames. He was bound to ea-"' that
he preferred to use cane sugar for all bee-
food, notwithstandinix Mr. Reid's claim
that beet sugar was as good. He thought
that dvsentery was more likely to ensue
from the latter ; and in fact, he himself
had had ex])erience of this. Sugar syrup
must be made verv thick if it was to be
given to beeis in autumn.

The Chairman, in closing the debate.
said the discussion had been most useful
and interesting. He had always been
under the impression that cane sugar was
best for bees, and accordingly had always
used it, and had never been troubled with
dysentery among hie bees. He always
gave to each stock a cake of candy in
autumn, in order to be safe against possible
loss througli want of food over the cluster.
His candy cake was put in a used box, in
which was fitted a -lai^s top, so that he
could see when the food was fini-^hed and
tell when another cake was needed. Bv
giving candy in this way a bee-keeper

Nov. 1, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOUBNAL.

433

could juds;e of the strength of his stock,
as indicated by the length of time a cake
lasted in each case, and that was usefiil
knowledge for the forthcoming spring.

Mr. Arthur Peach said, with re-ard to
pollen -'clogged combs, he would like to
ask if anv gentleman present had tried
the Canadian system of cutting away the
comb to the base or mid-rib, by which
means all the pollen-clog was removed.
He did not know whether that method was
carried on in England at the present time.
He had done it himself during his recent
visit to Canada, where he was occupied in
a large apiary.

The Chairman inquired of the last
sjjeaker what advantage was gained by
that method over using new comb-founda-
tion? And Mr. Herrod also asked hov/
the residue of the nollen from the base of
the cells was removed ?

Mr. Peach replied that the knife was so
made that it dipped into the comb and
€ut all away down to the mid-rib, removing
every bit of the pollen.

Mr. Herrod thereupon asked, Where was
the value of the system ? The queen would
begin to lay more quickly in comb built
on new foundation. Xot only so, but he
thought the bees would probably bore a
tremendou«3 number of holes in the mid-r'b
if they Ijuilt on that. He now spoke of
what occurred when he tried the process.

Mr. Peach said that one advantage was
that in cutting away the pollen from the
foundation the cocoons were destroyed, the
knife being made in a epecial way to effect
that purpose.

At this juncture a gentleman present
again reverted to the subject of clearing
supers, and said that when he first started
using the bee-escape there was much com-
plaining that they did not attain the end
in yiew, because possibly a brace-comb
might be built right over the entrance
to the Porter escape, or perhaps some honey
from the comb running into the eecape
would prevent the bees passing out. His
own practice was not to raise the super
up and slip the clearer in between, as
some of those present did. He lifted the
super right off, and set it on the clearer,
placed at hand to receive it, then put the
whole in position so that the edge of the
clearer just rested on the alighting-board
of the hive, and the bees would pass out
below and enter the hive. He found that
the very young bees would not so readily
pass out of the clearer, when the latter
was nlaced over the stock. He fancied the
young bees felt the vibration of the bees
in the stock.

Mr. Reid. wishing to avoid any miscon-
ception regarding what he had said as to
Bjrup-feeding, desired it to be understood
that he did not advof;ate syrup asa food

for bees in a general way ; but he did
recommend the feeding of starving bees in
winter with syrup, provided that was ad-
ministered through a tube into the cluster.
N^o doubt if syrup was exposed through the
winter without covering in the hive it
would ferment. He would like also to
repeat that there was no difference between
feeding with cane sugar and beet sugar,
which were scientifically identical. He
had for twenty years used refined beet
sugar, and. what was more, he asserted
that when anyone went to a shop expect-
ing to buy cane sugar he would get beet
sugar without knowinpf it. He concluded
by moving a vote of thanks to the Chair-
man for presiding so ably over the meet-
ing.

Mr. F. B. White seconded the motion,
which was briefly acknowledged by tilie
Chairman, who declared it a labour of love
for him to do anything in promotion oi
bee-culture.

^oxmpn&tntt

Hie Editors do not hold themselves retponsible for the
opinions expressed by correspondents. No notice will
be taken of anonymous communications, and corre-
spondents are requested to write on one side of the paper
only and give their real names and addresses, not neces-
sarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith.
Illustrations should be drawn on separate pieces of paper.
We do not undertake to return rejected communications.

*»* In order to facilitate reference, Correspondert^,
when speaking of any letter or query previously inserted,
will oblige by mentioning the number of the letter as well
as the page on which it appears.

AMONG THE BEES.

BEES, TLOWERS, AXD TRTJIT.

[6475.] The mutual relationship may be
considered beneficial all round, Avith a
preponderance of favours conferred greatly
in favour of the bees. The destruction of
the honey bee would undoubtedly prove
disastrous to the flower and fruit growers,
because their visits are not only bene-
ficial, but an utter necessity. It is, of
course, universally recogiiised that the
bees supply cross-fertilisation, whicli is
required for the proper setting and mature
development of most fruits. \Yhere grown
in quantity it is not enough that a few
bees should visit the fruit-bloom ; they
should be there in their thousands,
because a flower may require repeated
visits before it derives any benefit. At
one period it may not be ready to receive
profitably the pollen shed by the bee ; at
another time the bee may; not have the
necessary supply ; and yet again, climatic
influences may be at work which tends to
nullify the fruits of many visits.. So,
many visits are more certain than few.
Instances are on record where orchard ists

434

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[Nov. 1, 1906.

compelled the removal of apiaries from
the neighbourhood of their fruit-farms,
with the result that their crops subse-
quently were poorer, and the fruit not so
well developed. On the return of the bees
to the old location the crops became
abundant once more, and the fruit growers
became convinced that the bees were a
blessing and not a bane.

I believe it is at times charged against
bees that they puncture such fruits as
grapes, and so prove destructive. Natural-
ists who have given the subject close study
affirm that they never saw any proof of
this statement, and the further assertion
may be made that the form and struc-
ture of their mandibles makes the opera-
tion improbable, if not utterly imj)ossible.
The original injury is generally brought
about by birds, wasps, or rough handling.
Bees are seen at times lapping up juices
from broken fruit, and at once set down
by the unobservant as the real culprits,
because it is apparent that they have
been caught red-handed. But, indeed,
their depredations are now considered, by
those best able to judge, to do good and
not evil, as what they sip hinders injury
being done to other berries, so that these
visits are really a blessing in disguise.
On the other hand, to the apiarist it is
no advantage, as he has no desire to have
such deleterious " nectar " carried into his
hives, because he knows its presence there
would do more harm than good. If in
quantity it will almost certainly lead to
an attack of dysentery, if partaken of at
a time when bees cannot fiy freely. I
would even go a step further, and attri-
bute some of the mysterious instances of
bee paralysis k) the appearance in the
store cupboard of some such deleterious
trash.

Further, in viewing the mutual benefits
it must be remembered that, although
bees at times profit by a fruit-bloom flow,
the bee-keeper seldom expects to get any
surplus honey from this source in any ap-
preciable quantity. Of course, it is a
good spring stimulant, when weather
proves favourable, but it is seldom more
than that. Therefore, the contention is
just that the bees benefit the fruit more
than its bloom benefits the bee. The best
way to convince the fruit grower that he
is not a loser is to educate him to the
value of bees. If he is a bee-keeper he
never thinks of evicting the bees from his
fruit farm ; he knows better.

Tjawson, writing on his orchard and his
bees, over three hundred years ago, says :
" Bees of all things love and thrive in
an orchard. If they thrive (as they needs
must if tlieir guardian love them, and he
is skilful) they will, besides the pleasure,
yield great profit. Yea, the increase of
twenty stocks will keep your orchard."

Most moderns acknowledge that bees,
flowers, and fruit go hand in hand, and
that the first are an accompaniment to the
last two. At times, seed-growers, culti-
vating large areas of different flowers, true
to name and variety, for the sake of the
seed, may have a little cross-fertilisation,
but I believe the percentage is generally
small ; and, moreover, it may be brought
about by flies, wasps, or other insects, or
even by the winds, which are extensive
scatterers of pollen-grains in such circum-
stances as the above.

To most flowers cross-fertilisation is a
wise provision of nature, imparting fresh
vigour to the individual, leading to better
results. Darwin collected a large body
of facts showing, in accordance with the
almost universal belief of breeders, that
with animals, as with nlants, a cross
between dift'erent varieties, or between
unrelated individuals of the same variety,
gave vigour and fertility to the offspring.
Therefore the bees are bound to do an im-
mense amount of, good to the flowers
visited. All the observations that have
been made, whether scientific or practical,
show that their visits are beneficial, and
that in return the bee does not really
rob the flower of any substance essential
to its life and well-being.

Cheshire, in dealing with the relation
of the honey bee to flowering plants yield-
ing fruit, says, of the fertilisation of the
strawberry : " Bees walking over the bloom
seeking honey carry pollen to the stigma.
Where fertilisation takes place the straw-
berry develops, but if it fail in jJart, we
have there a hard, shrunken, greenish
mass. Any dish of strawberries examined
will give instances. Without this fertilisa-
tion no crop follows. To produce a single
perfect strawberry, from one hundred to
double or triple that number of indepen-
dent fertilisations must be accomplished."
If this be so, then we must recognise how
very dependent our fruit crojDs are oir the
visits of bees. Fortunately for us who are
bee-keepers, most of the flowers visited by
bees bestow on them a quid pro quo in
the shape of life-giving nectar, which, by
the cunning device of man, to a great ex-
tent at least, becomes his perquisite to
pay him for the care and attention he
bestows on his bees.— D. M. M., Banff'.

NOTES ON CURRENT TOPICS.

HIVE DISINFKCTION.

J6476. 1 Referring to the remarks of your
contributor " L. S. C." (page 418), re spores
in hives, my contention is that in the
earlier stages of foul brood there are no
spores anywhere, save in the infected food,
and that if we remove the frames and bees
the hive is probably quite free from in-

Nov. 1, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

435

fection — at least, it ought to be. It is, of
course, best to ei*r on the safe side and to
disinfect ; but, in any case, the floor-board
should cei-tainly be disinfected. I am
obliged to " L. S. C.,' for pointing out, on
page 419, that the width of an 8| in. board
may be increased to 9 in. by adding {- in.
laths. In fact, this is what I do myself,
but it means more work and time. I con-
sider that it would very advantageous to
reduce the depth of the frame by a quarter
of an inch, because whole generations of
bee-keepers would benefit thereby and the
present inconvenience would be slight, :i.s
both the old and the new size would be ob-
tainable during the transition period.

Referring to the question of " Bees in
Shop AVindows " where the bees have free
egress and ingress, of course, there can be
no serious objection to such an exhibition.
But as regards the respective objects 'of ex-
hibiting bees for advertising honey or for
inducing more people to go in for bee-keep-
ing, I think that on the whole it is far more
imperative to create a good honey market
than to increase the number of bee-keepers
under present circumstances. For in-
stance, I am extremely surprised to find
heather honey advertised in your pages at
6d. and 7d. per lb. I know Yorkshin?, and
I also know that the bee-keepei-s of Middle-
ton and Pickering get no honey at all from
the moors in some seasons. I know, too,
that they get little clover honey, and in
view of this I scarcely think that bee-
keeping pays them at such a price. Then
we have clover honey offered at 48s. cwt.
Why does not some enterprising bee-keeper
offer some at a Id. a lb., carriage paid ? If
honey sells at all, surely it is just as feasible
to ask a fair price as an utterly poor one.

A question has been raised on the sub-
ject of Italian bees entering hives other
than their own. I have myself found this
to be a general habit, and have no doubt
that if a hive of blacks were set down in
an apiary of Italians that they, too, would
be distinguished as visitors to the Italian
stocks.

It is clear that during the honey-
flow bees do enter hives other than
their own without being in any way mo-
lested. This is one way in which foul
brood may be spread. Therefore, I say,
keep no foul-broody stocks in the apiary.
— W. J. Farmer.

NOTES FROM SOUTH HEREFORD.

[6477.] Vrivoi Bees.— Though only a
beginner may I say a few words in defence
and praise of the " driven bee " ?

Reports on the harvest in this district
are veiy varied. While some bee-keepers
have had big yields, othens -n their im-
mediate neighbourhood have taken no sur-

plus. I am among the fortunate ones, and
this is where my' driven bees . come in. I
started last autumn with two lots of driven
bees. These I fed up with plenty of medi-
cated syrup, and in the spring they turned
out very strong colonies.

I supered both lots about laet week in
May, and on .June 20 took 27 lb. of dark,
though good flavoured, honey from one, and
on the other was two crates of sections
almost full.

My season's take was 96 lb. in sections
and extracted from one lot, and 60 sec-
tions all well filled and a bumping swarm
in July from the other. The swarm is do-
ing well on beven frames and has plenty of
stores. I have exhibited at two local shows
and gained four first prizes and one second
in five classes. I have fed up two more lots
of driven bees this season and am looking
forward to big things next year.

In. this week's Journal's report of the
B.B.K.A. Convensazione, our leading bee-
men seem at variance over the question of
removing surplus honey. I find the following
an easy and simple nlan : After prising
up the super and giving a puff of smoke
I proceed thus — Taking the carbolic cloth
between a finger and thumb of each hand,
letting it hang down in front of the hive,
I remove the super with a sliding motion
along, not across the frames, and draw the
cloth over after it. When the super is
clear of the hive I release the cloth, which
then covem the frame, and hold the super
over the cloth for a short while to drive
the bees up among the sections. I then
place the super on to the clearer, which
I always have ready at hand. To replace
super with clearer under it is also a very
simple job. I roll the cloth back clear of
the ends of the frames, farthest away from
me, and place the clearer and sujjer in
position on the exposed frame-ends. One
quick motion draws the cloth off. and the
clearer ie lowered on to the frames without
a bee escaning.

The whole of the operation is only the
work of a minute and the job is done be-
fore the bees know where they are. I always
use plenty of vaseline on the bottom of
supers, which greatly helps their removal.
—Ideja, October 29. 1906.

PRICES FOR HEATHER HONEY.

[6478.] I do not verv often see a copy of
the B.B..J., but a friend showed me his
to-day and pointed out (on page 414) a
note in your issue of October 18 where
" 1). M. I\I.." Banff, says, ''if he could get
down to Pickering he would do his best
to piekle somebody there.'' I suppose he
means my poor innocent self, but what will
our friend " D. M. M." eay when he sees
advertised in tlie same issue of the B.B.J.,

436

THE BRITISH BEE JOUBNAL. [Nov. 1, 1906.

in which his wrathful comment appears,
pure heatlier honey offered at 7s. per stone,
honey for 6d. per lb. from " Harrison's
Bee-Farm, Middleton. Pickering." I also
notice in the first part of "D. M. M.'s "
article on same page he mentions having
bought a swarm for 15s. I should like to
tell him that we have no such prices here
for <3warms. they can be had for 9s. any-
where ; in fact, I iiever get more than 6s.
and 6s. 6d. for a swarm, so that if
"D. M. M." will come down to Pickering
well su})plied with vinegar he will find
plenty of us poor Yorkshiremen ready to Be
pickled. We also have cartage to pay and
standing x'oom for our hives on tlie moors.
I have no wish to lower jjrices for honey,
as Mr. Harrison's advertisement in the
B.B.J, of October 18 goeis. to prove, but I ask
— Are we to let him do "all the business ?
I hope "D. M. M." will reply to this last
question. — W. "Wright, Pickering, Yorks,
October 23.

LARGE TAKES OF HONEY

FROM JUXE SWARMS.

[6479.] It would be interesting to readers
of the B.B.J. if your contributor
" p. M. M.," would kindly give us more
particulars respecting those two swarms
of ])ees mentioned on page 414 of B.B.J.
on October 1'8, and the management there-
of. It makes one wonder what was the
weight of each swarm, and were they hived
on starters only, or full sheets of comb-
foundation, or drawn-out frames of comb ?
Ako, now many frames did he use when
hiving, and was the section-rack filled
with " starters " or drawn-out combs? All
these items are interesting in view of the
fine results obtained.

I joined a swarm and a cast together
and hived them on eleven frames of founda-
tion, and supered with a rack of fully
drawn-out shallow-frames of comb ; but
my two joined lots absolutely refused to
work in the shallow-frame box, and on
making an examination in August I found
the brood-chamber blocked with honey ; in
fact, the queen had no room for egg-lay-
ing until I removed the frames and ex-
tracted the contents. To-dav (October 24")
the hive is full of bees and brood in all
stages, and the bees are busy carrying in
pollen, more like thev do in April than
on an October day.

If your correspondent "A. H." (Waven-
(lon) has any ivy in or around his apiary
lie will sec soon whore the bees get pollen
from in October. Bees appear to be work-
ing very late this year in our neighbour-
hood, and their present labours will no
doubt be a great saving to the store-cup-
board later on. — S. M. . Leominster, Octo-
ber 24.

BEE-FORAGE IN KENT.

[6480.] In reply to the Rev. Herbert
Newmaji (6473, page 426), who writes 7'e
Teynham as a honey district, I may say
that I know the village very well, and can
safely say that there is plenty of bee-
forage there. I was in the adjoining
parish of Tong about the end of last May,
when my father (who keeps from eighteen to
twenty stocks) had some shallow-frames
nearly fit to take off. Of course, the bees
get a good start with the fruit bloom ; fol-
lowing this comes turnip bloom. The far-
mers in this part of the country grow a lot
of this for seed. After this there is the
clover. I do not know if they will grow
sainfoin there now as I have been away for
some yeans, but thev did not grow much
before I left the district.

With regard to foul brood, I knew of two
bad cases about two years ago at a place
some two miles from Teynham Vicarage.
I was pleased to see our fellow bee-man got
Gucli good results froiu his bees with sec-
tions. It is quite different to my experi-
ence. I have had a rack of sections on one
of my stocks for two seasons and did not
even get them drawn out. But I had ^
box of shallow-frames below them. Yet
the stock was boilinsi over with bees it
the commencement of each season. J. do
not think this is a very good honey di»s-
trict, especially in a dry year like the pre-
sent one has been, for the clover and the
limes are about the only forage we get, and
these dry up so quicklv when there is no
rain. The clover is in bloom now, and 1
saw bees working on it yesterday. —
T. W. S., Middlesex, October' 27.

HIVING SWARMS AND DRIVEN BEES.

[6481.] Why not hive them direct on the
empty combs or foundation ? I have prac-
tised this during the whole of my bee-
,keeping idays, particularly driven bees.
These I get into a six-frame box ; a light
frame is screwed on top to keep the frames
in position (over quilts, of course). A
loose bottom just the width of box with
slips nailed on the edges of loose bottom ;
such slips forming rims up the sides of
box, and then a couple of screws will make
all secure in transit ; so that ten or twelve
of these can be put on a light " pram "
Avheeled trolly for conveyance by road or
rail.

Referring to Mr. Durrant's " Cleaning up
and feeding tube " — described on page 411
— if one has a hive taking twelve or more
frames (and as we seldom leave more than
eight frames to winter bees on), why not
have a back (or side) entrance according <o
which way the frames hang, in lower edge
of the contracting board, and late in the
evening put the wet combs in the vacant

Nov. 1, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOtTUNAL.

437

jjlace thus created ? Or we might set on
the usual outer lift, and then put in the
super with six wet combs or the unfinished
sections. Bees will clean them perfectly
in twenty-four hours. Anyway, that has
l)een my practice for several years, and I
have not seen any signs of robbing or dis-
turbance in any shape or form.- — A. H.,
Wavendon, North Bucks.

POOR BEE-SEASON IN JERSEY.

[6482.] We are having a lovely spell of
sunshine here, and bees are very busy on
the ivy, but the past summer has been so
dry that I have onlv been able to harvest
lOg lb. of saleable honey during the whole
season. Thie is most disappointing after
one's 2>i"ep;ii"ation for a good honey year.
In June last I fitted up over a hundred
sections with the best " Weed " founda-
tion, and had fifty shallow-frames fully-
built of worked-out comb, all of which
were given to my bees anticipating that I
should at least be able to get from 100 to
150 lb. of surplus at the lowest estimate
therefrom. But the whole of the sections
have been removed quite honeyk^ss, and only
in one small super of seven shallow-frames
was I able to extract the few pounds of
honey already mentioned from my six hives.
I have interviewed a number of bee-keepers
on this island, one of whom has obtained
no honey at all from his seventeen hives.
Acs a contrast, his 1905 crop weighed nearly
900 lb. Mv own crop was close on to 100 lb.
from four hives. It looks as if large takes
of honey were a thing of the past, but large
potatoes and tomatoes (grown outside) ap-
pear to have taken the place of honey pro-
duction. I am trving to winter eleven
colonies of bees, and looking forward to
next season as givincr better results.

Best wiishes for continued success to all
readers of our B.B..I. W. W. Kay, St.
Brelades, Jersey, C.I. . October 25.

published by L. Reeve and Co., Heni'ietta
Street, Covent Garden.— F. W. L. Sladen,
October 27.

HUMBLE BEES FOR NEW ZEALAND.

[6483.] I beg to thank " L. S. C." for
his valuable suggestion in '' Cappings of
Comb" (page 418) for procuring queen
humble bees, but thev seem to be more
• easily found this autumn than last and
I have already received as many as I want.
Will B.B.J, readers therefore kindly send
no more ?

Vespa media is not now included in the
list of British species of wasps. Each of
the British species is described in " Hy-
menoptera Aculeata," the latest and best
book on the classification of the British
ants, was])*;, and wild bees. The author is
Edward Saimders, F.R.S., and the book is

NON-USE OF EXCLUDERS.

[6484.] I notice in your report of the
B.B.K.A. Conversazione this week that a
gentleman present stated that he never
used queen-excluders under surplus-cliam-
bers, and never under these conditioms.
found brood in sections (see page 423). That
is preciselv my own plan of working. I
never use queen-excluder under sections,
and sometimes not even under shallow-
frames, and my experience is that brood
doet5 not appear in sections so placed
oftener than one in a thousand ! I there-
fore consider that the advantages of ex-
cluder do not anything like compensate
for the disadvantage of hindering the i>ees
from freely entering section-racks, and,
consequently, tending to induce swarming.
I always advise beginners not to use ex-
cluders if thev onlv work for sections, and
believe that its use by beginners is a fruit-
ful cause of swarming. I generally use ex-
cluders under shallow-frames, altliough I
have even worked these successfully with-
out it in some seasons so the comment
that the fact was " extraordinary " r,ur-
prised me. more particularly as I have
heard many bee-keepers (experts among
them) deprecate the use of queen-excluders
when working only for sections. I may
mention the only cases I have known of
brood in sections was when a " bait-sec-
tion " with honey in was used, and that
particular section in each case was found
to contain drone-brood. — Mid Oxox,
Standlake. October 25.

NOTES FROM A BEGINNER.

[6485.] I am only a novice in bee-keep-
ing, the present being my third iseason.
My start was made in 1904, when my father
brought me a good swarm on June 19, from
which I got 12 lb. of surplus in the follow-
ing year. The same person sent me an-
other swarm, and the man who brought the
bees having had more experience in bee-
work tlian nn-iself, I got him to fix the
foundation in tlie frames and liive the bees
for me. I saw the queen enter hive, and
everytliing seemed right, but after al)out
five days I noticed that the bees were liist-
less and did not seem to work well ; so I
opened the hive, found combs built in all
directions, the foundation having fallen
out of most of the fi-ames on to the floor-
board. My remarks for a few minutes
were doubtlesis not verv edifying, but I took
the frames out. fixed them up again, think-
ing things would go on well. But not feel-

438

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Nov. 1, 1906.

ing quite safe, I looked in again on the
fourth day, but could see no eggs or find
the queen. So I called on a friend and
got a queen from him in cage and intro-
duced her as directed. Then after the
usual time had expired I liberated her, and
next morning found her dead. In this pre-
dicament I got my friend to examine the
bees, when he found a few eggs on the combs
and said there was a laying worker there, and
promised me another queen in the course of a
few days, but failed to get one for about a
fortnight. When he did bring one he opened
the hive to see how matters etood, and to
his surpriise found six young queens moving
about the combs and several others hatch-
ing out. All of these he took away with
him save one, which he left in. The bees
in that hive for the rest of the season con-
sisted of blacks and Italians. Of course,
I got no surplus from them. I had a
swarm from my first stock in May, 1905,
making mv total up to three. One Satui'-
day, about the end of July of that year,
my daughter came home about 5 o'clock and
said there was a swarm on the hedge in
the Uxbridge Road, not far from my house.
So I went and took them in a skep and
placed same inside body-box on stand,
thinking of transferring them on to frameis
in spring. There was about 2^ lb. of bees.
I fed them with syrup made from " Gu'de
Book" recipe, but they would not take
much of it down, although I kept nutting
it on in small quantities. They did not
get on well, however, till one warm day in
early sprins' I took skep off and cut combs
out, tied them in three frames, covered
them up warmly, after giving them some
honey and castor sugar mixed. In about
a fortnight I gave them a comb of brood
from another hive along with a frame of
foundation. I repeated this operation twice
during the next five weeks. The result of
thir-5 was by mid-June this was my strongest
lot, from which I got 60 lb. of surplus
honey. I have taken B.B.J, from my start
and find it both helnful and interesting.
I also have Mr. Cowan's " Honey Bee,"
the "fjuide Book." and one or two others,
which 1 must study if I can get time during
the present winter. — T. W. S.

CyVPPINGS OF COMB.

DnrrnnVs Fcodiwj Tube (p. 411). — This
is simple enough and well worth a trial.
Outside feeding certainly stimulates more
than any other variety. The device is, of
.course, of no use for feeding late in the
year. Bees aro reluctant to clean up un-
finished heather sections j)lac^d under
cover on their very doorstep, let alone next
door! There is, however, a great difference
in the habit of stocks in this matter. Some

will and some will not. It is not much use
expecting a wealthy stock to do much
menial cleaning-up work of this kind.
Hungry but lusty villains are the best " re-
movem while you wait " !

Hiving an Shallow-combs (p. 415). — In tlie
general way the brood-nest is not the place
for shallow-combs, though, after all, the
size of frame is a matter of opinion, as it
is the size of brood-nest which matters.
My management includes the use of a set
of each size for brood purposes, if desired.
If "D. M. M." will state fully the objec-
tion to my suggestion I will discuss it fur-
ther.

Hiving Driven Bees (p. 415). — This year '
I was short of brood-combs, but possessed
some well-filled shallow-combs. I have
hived several lots of driven bece with the
combs arranged in the following order : —
Division board, two full brood-combs, one
empty brood-comb, three sihallow-combs.
The bees are clustered in the angle formed
by the two sizes of comb.

Hiving Driven Bees at Night (p. 415). —
We do not all use " W. B. C." hives, and
many of us cannot conveniently use an eke
under the body-box. When T have been
obliged to hive driven bees by lamplight,
I have filled one half only of the hive with
comb, thrown the bees down in the emptv
half, supported the auilt by a couple of
top-bars, and closed the top of the hive.
This is admittedly an emergency plan, but
it has saved me much time, and has ob-
viated the confusion of the swarm as to
its homeward Avay. and has prevented
trouble with a lot of half-chilled false clus-
ters in the porch angles. It is not clear
to me just why "D. M. M." character' ses
it ai3 reprehensible.

Bee Paralysis (p. 416).— It is not impera-
tive that the sitjns of dvsenterv should be
visible upon the combs, for the sufferers
may be removed 'n favourable weather, as
described by "Nondescript." Tim case
may not have been the usual dysentery, but
would still appear to be an allied enteric
complaint. Paralysis proper would ap-
pear from report to be more difficult of cure.
Our friend's honey a])peans to have been
attacked by a ferment of seme kind, of
which there are manv.

Wintering on Alternate Combs and
Starters (p. 416). — I tried this plan some
years ago without loss, and am packing
up some stocks in this wav for further ex-
periment. The object of the plan is to pro-
vide clustering- room for the bees where the
brood-combs are full of honey. Why should
this plan "invite disaster"?

Sawexit in Tnpbars (p. 417). — The sugges-
tion to wax the sawcut is not mine, but
may 'be useful where such frames exist.
My frames have solid top-bans and have
been fully described in a back number. I

Nov. 1, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

439

dislike the sawcut and would abolish it if
I could.

Wired Foundatinn (p. 417). — The reasons
for this are fully set forth in all the guide
books. The defect of unused cells Avhere
the wires ran would apj^ear to be due to
faulty wiring, caused jjerhaps by the use
of thin foundation.

Heavy Combs (p. 417). — A standard comb
weighing " over eight pounds " would aver-
age two inches thick. How thick Avould it
be where it elbowed its neighbour ? This
is wide spacing with a vengeance ! I might
also say with regai'd to " Feedholes in
Quilt " (p. 417) — this is a very narrow
slot (I5 in. by | in.) for a feedhole, and
being central will only serve for one space.
I prefer a hole which will serve three'
spaces, or two at leaist. If the hole be
placed out of centre, two quilts will auto-
matically close each other. The tin bind-
ing is neat, but the longer dimension given
would appear to be wrong, and should read
4^ in. long, or at most 65 in. long, having
a double end, if cut as described. The
questioiT headed " The Top of a Section "
(p. 438) may be answered by saying : The
reason for niacin"- the lock joint at the top
is primarily because many isecti-ons are
split there to receive foundation. With
other methods of fixina. it is optional which
side is top, but I would still keep the joint
up, because the comb is usually better at-
tached to the upper sides, and there is
less risk of its parting company.

Amafrur or Expert '^— It is a little terri-
fying to inquire of " Amateur " (j). 355)
and be answei-ed by " Expert " (p. 426).
Congratulations are tendered herewith.
By the wav, why should eo many of us
use noms cle plume? Would it not be more
interesting to the maiority of readers if
the personality of the v.'riters were not
veiled in this way ?

Mhiiature Sections (p. 427). — One of these
travelled safely to the north, but was un-
fortunately broken after arrival. A sug-
gestion that the tinv boxes should be filled
with drawn-comb instead of foundation is,
I think, a decidedlv good one.

lied Clorer Bees (n. 428).- The value r.f
this m conjectural, but Mr. E. R. Root is
too emphatic to be mismiderstood, and if
the matter were referred to him, he would
maintain that he has nossessed bees having
tongues appreciably longer than the aver-
age, and that they gave a return when other
stock failed.

[We are fairlv well sure that our friend
"L. S. C" will concur in the "exploded
myth " theory after he has made practical
trial of the I^igurian bee as against the
native. The opinion of the majority of
our largest honev-producers of to-day
should surely cawv weight in confirming
our own view. — Ens."!

Queries mi |lfpl«s.

[3427.] Queens Ceasing to Lay in October. —
A month ago, I found that one of my stocks
(which had this year given me 641bs.' of sur-
plus honey) was queenless ; I therefore pro-
cured a fertile queen and introduced her just
a month ago to-day. Four days later I
examined the hive and found the' queen had
been accepted all right and in good order, there
being already eggs in some of the cells. I did
not have an opportunitv of further examining
the stock till October 25, when to my sur-
prise I found no brood at all in the hive, but
many newly-hatched bees. My examination was
a hurried one, and I did not see the queen.
I may say the stock was not fed after re-queen-
ing, as the bees were well supplied with stores,
I therefore ask : — Do you think it likely that
the queen was laying for only a day or two
after her introduction, and is still in "the hive,
or am I to take it for gi-anted that the stock
is again queenless? I send name, and sign
"Perplexed," Flintshire, October 25.

Reply. — It is very likely that the queen has
ceased egg laying for the year in the ordinary
course, but we advise you to make quite sure
whether this is so or not bv examining the
combs the first fine day when bees are flying
freely. It occasionally happens that alien
queens are killed by the bees to which they
are introduced after being apparently ac-
cepted ; hence our advice.

3u Shorn to #0mf.

November 9 and 10. at Chorley, Ijancs

— Hiiney Show of Ixiiif.^. R.K.A. in ounneotiuii with
Chorle.v Chrysantliemuni Society's Annual Show.
Four Open Classes. Exhibitors allowed to bring
honey for sale. Schedules from W. G. Smith, Town
Hall Auction Rooms, Choriey, Lanes. Entries
close November 3.

Notices to Correspondents & Inquirers,

[*»* A corresuondent, dating from Sulby, Isle
of Man, says : — "I am desirous of learning
from some of your readers who have had
any experience of putting honey up in ^, i.
or 1 lb. tins, whether thei'e is a ready demand
for honey so put up, and can the tin in any
way affect the quality of the honey? "

If any reader can inform our correspondent on
the above we will be glad to publish
particulars.

C. R. W. (Greenwich). — We should require to
see the bee with the curious appendage you
describe as " something like a piece of brown
thread about lin. long hanging from the
extreme end of its body " before venturing
an explanation on the cause thereof.

Jas. Briggs. — This is another specimen of
.S'. ffiffas, although not more than two-thirds
the length of the specimen mentioned on
page 429. it being a peculiarity of these
■vvood-l^ori'Tr I'nsp^ts to vary verv much in
size.— F. W. L. S.

440

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[Nov. 1, 1906.

J. E. Short (Birmingham).^ — ^Damage to
Conib-Capping.— The mischief you mention
is caused by the minute insect mentioned
(and illustrated) by ^Ir. F. W. L. Sladen
in our pages some time ago. There is nO'
comparison between it and the larvae of
wax moth.

Elgin (Cumberland). — Bee Nomenclature. —
Bee sent shows nothing beyond a slight
sign of Ligurian blood, two or three genera-
tions back.

Honey Saviples.

Bkidgfikld (South Wales).— Your sample
of ■' Real \\e\sh " heather' honey is very
good indeed. It is from the true "ling,"
and of fine flavour and colour, not quite so
thick in consistency as to hang in the jar
when turned upside down (as the moor
"ling" of the Northern Scottish Highlands
does) owing, may be, to a very slight admix-
ture of cio'ver honey. It is a good honey,
nevertheless ; one we should never tire of
using.

W. W. (Sutton-on-HuU). — The sample sent is
almost wholly from white clover, and of ex-
cellent consistency and colour. The aronia
is probably less pronounced now than it
would be when taken from the hive, but
there is nothing objectionable about it. The
honey is fit for any show-bench.

E. Greenwood (Blackburn). — No. 1 is a capi-
tal heather-blend honey, mainly from the
true " ling," but only about the consistency
of thick clover-honey. It is an excellent
sample for showing in a " heather-blend "
class. Regarding No. 2. We should not
care to use this on our own table ; though
it is just what one might expect from "odd
leavings " and bits of wax from the honey-
press.

W. F. H. T. (Wiltshire).— Your sample of
honey is good on all points. It is mainly
from white clover. We will be very
pleased to insert your very satisfactory
report in next week's issue.

M. f. D. (Suffolk).— Neither of the two
samples sent is fit for table use. The objec-
tionatjle flavour is due to the flower or other
source from whence it Las been gathered
by the bees, but we cannot recognise its
source. It is so thin that fermentation
would be set up before long, and this makes
it unsuitable for bee-food, unless boiled to
proper consistency of thick syrup.

*^* So7np Queries and Rejdies, 4'6'., are un-
acuidubiy held over till next week.

Special Prepaid Advertisements.

Twelm words and under Sixpence : for every additional
Three words or under, One Penny.

A

ADVKKTI.SEli giving up bee-kceplng wishes to sell
6 Hives of Bees and Appliances. — Apply Donne,
Glencaiin, I'latt's Lane, Hami)>Jlea(l, N.W. U 29

IT^OR Hale, 22 .StanUaid-Frame HIVES of BEES :
. County Assooiaition e.\pert reports good condi-
tion ; healthy. What offeisV Leaving the county. —
WHITING, Chediston, Halesworth. u 30

WANTED, best light, e.xtiacted HONEY.— Sample,
wirh lowest pr;<'o (K.O.K.). and iiuantitv, to
JAMES. 1, Kiver Street, Colne, Lanes. "u 31

171IVE DOZEN CLOVEH HONEY SECTIONS for Sale,
■ 7s. dozen.— SNOWDON, Albuiy, Little Hadham,
Herts. u 32

FINE, LIGHT-COLOURED, EXTR.\CTED HONEY,
in 28 lb. tins, 56s. ewt. ; sample, 2d.— A. E.
ROWELL, Ashdon, S. Walden. u 33

HONEY, guaranteed pure English, now on hand ;
2 cwt. 60s., 5 cwt. 55s. ; tins free ; carriage paid.
— F. W. SPRATLING. Haconby. Bourne, Lines, u i\

LIMNANTHES, splendid for bees; 25 plants Is.,
ICO 3s. 6d., free.- BALLY, Storeton Road, Birk-
enhead. u Zii.

IJL CWT. FINEST WHITE CLOVER HONEY, in
2 28 lb. tins, 14s. each, 56s. cwt. ; also quantity
in 1, 2 and 3 lb. glass jars, 7s. dozen lbs. ; sample, 3d.
— LILLEY, Mill Farm, Dean, Kimbolton. T 77

w

ANTED, six Stocks, any race, healthy.— WAT-
SON, Letton Gardens, Thetford, Norfolk. V 37

HIGH-CLASS Dragoon Pigeons, Chequers, Blues,
Grizzles, splendid type ; written pedigrees, from
5s. each ; bargains. Exchange extracted honey. —
TALBOT, Postmaster, Romford. u 36

HEATHER HONEY, in \ cwt. tins ; quality guar-
anteed same as awarded 2nd prize at Groceries
and Dairy shows; 16s. per tin, tins free. — W. SPROS-
TON, Shugborough, Great Haywood, Staffordshire.
u 35

HONEY, LIGHT EXTRACTED, screw jars, 8s. 6d.
dozen, £5 gross; bulk, 53s. cwt.— CHARTER,

Tattingstone, Ipswich. U 28

SPLENDID HEATHER HONEY, 6s. 6d. per stone.
Sample, 6d.— WRIGHT, 71, Westgate, Pickering.

U 27

rnWO GOOD MAGIC LANTERNS, with several dozen
X. slides, nurserv tales, and humorous pictures,
cheap.— W. WOODS," Normandy, Guildford. U 26

LIMNANTHES DOUGLASSI, splendid honey plant
(white and vellow flower), bloom in May, 120
for Is.— W. HAZELWOOD, Ilminster. U 25

TT/'ANTED, HONEY EXTRACTOR and RIPENER ;

V T exchange Rippingille's hot-water apparatus for

greenhouse. — 10, Eastbourne Terrace, Rugby Road,

Leamington. U 24

FEW spare FERTILE QUEENS, from driven bees,
Is. 3d. each. Order quickly,— GORDON, Bas-
singbonrn. Royston, Herts. u 23

STRONG HEALTHY STOCKS, in skeps ; young
Queens, well stored, lis. 6d.— SOLE, Poplar
Grove, New Maiden, Surrey. u 38

aONEY.- WHITE CLOVER and SAINFOIN
HONEY, in 1 lb. (full) screw-cap bottles, at Bs.
dozen ; also 4^ cwt., same quality, in 28 lb. tins, 56s.
cwt. on rail. Sample, 3d. ; tins free.— P. JE.FFERIES,
Kemble, Cirencester.

FOR Sale, four stocks bees, bar-frame hives, well
supplied sitores, guaranteed healthy, 30s. each ;
also White Wyandotte cock, splendid laying strain,
6s.— HEMMING BROS., Standlake, Witney. U 16

HALF TON HONEY, finest quality, 28 lbs. 14s.,
1 cwt. 53s., 2 cwt. and upwards at SOs. Sample,
4d.— OWEN BROWNING, Ashley, Kingsomborne,
Hants. u 21

HONEY EXTRACTOR wanted, " Cowan " pre-
ferred; must be in thorough working order.—
W. A. KENNEDY, Powbank, Prestwick, Ayrshire, u 19

PRIZE WINNING LIGHT COLOURED HONEY for
sale, in 1 lb. sere v cap bottles, or 14 lb. tins,
iilso sections, cheap.— DAVID UANCOX, Deddington,
Oxnn. u 14

4 CWT. FINE LIGHT HONEY, in 28 lb. tins, 50s.
per cwt. Sample, 2d.— Penfold, West Street,
Epsom. u 20

QQ STOCKS HEALTHY BEES FOR SALE, three
OO " Wells." the rest " W.B.C hives, well stored ;
owner leaving district.— NORTH, Lupton -Apiary,
Kirkby Lonsdale. U 10

FINEST CLOVER HONEY, liquid or granulated,
Borewcap jars, 9s. dozen ; Sections, Ss. dozen. —
H. DILWORTH, Shangton, Kibworth, Leicester, t 91

Nov. 8, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

441

(gitorml ^(ftlm, ^c.

PRONUNCIATION OF "BEE WORDS."
It may be within the recollection of
readere that an interesting discussion was
reported in our pages some t'me ago on the.
pronunciation of the word "propolis," so
often used by bee-keepers, the result being
so satisfactory tliat the accent is now
rarely laid on the second syllable. Occa-
sionally the word is pronounced " pro-
pole-ies," but only by those who do not
mix freely with bee-keepers. In connec-
tion with this, we may refer to a letter
received the other day from a reader who is
— to use his own phrase — " a bee-keeping
Schoolmaster" ou the pronunciation of bee-
words which we hope to deal with later m
a manner satisfactoiT to all.

The subiect is full of interest in view of
the technical instruction now being given
in schools under the auspices of County
Council^', and when teacheva themselves are
- — like our corresjjondent — enthusiastic bee-
men, we shall be more than pleased to be
the means of correcting mispronunciation
by both teachers and students.

The Editors do not hold themselves responsible for the
opinions expressed by correspondents. No notice %vill
be taken of anonymous communications, and corre-
spondents are requested to write on one side of the paper
only and give their real names and addressfs, not neces-
sarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith.
Illustrations should be draiim on separate pieces of paper _
We do not undertake to return rejected co7nmuniccitions. '

*»* In order to facilitate reference, Correspovderts,
xohen speaking of any tetter or query previously inseitrd.
will oblige by mentioning the miinber of the letter as well
as the page on which it appears.

CRITICISING EXHIBITORS.

TIIK AllT OF JUDGING.

[6486.] Our veteran contributor, Wm.
Woodley, in his " Notes " last week
has a few comments on the season's honey
shows. As he is a pastmaster in all that
relates to the showing of honey, hi.s ci'iti-
cisms will carry weight with most readers,
so when they seem likely to mislead he
must pardon their being called in question.
Mr. W. expresses strong disai)]:)roval. to the
length of boycotting those honey-dealers
who exhibit at the dairy show ; yet, but
a dozen lines above, he congratulates a well-
known honey-dealer on his " winning the
challenge cui) outright." Which is the
right opinion? Would it not bo wiser and
more fair to istop all talk of boycott and
lay the blame, if any, on the schedule
under which the dealers exhibit?

C ranting that it is desirable to prevent
dealers from exhibiting in the same classes
as amateurs, will Mr. W., or anyone agree-

ing with him, send a draft wording for
classes for comb and extracted honey which
will carry out their viev/s ? It would no
doubt have the most careful consideration
of the Exhibitions' Committee. The diffi-
culty, however, lies in accurately defining
a " honey-dealer." Again, it might have
been supposed that Mr. Woodley was fully
acquainted with the methodical way in
wliich the judging is done at the large
London shows ; his remark about the end
numbers in a large class is evidence that
he, at any rate, has not learnt how it is
done, and may mislead exhibitors into
thinking that " position " in a class has
anything to do with the chance of winning.
As many readers may like to know the
" how," a few words on the subject may be
accejjtable.-

May I, then, be allowed to say at all
large shows two judges are appointed to
make the awards. On entering upon their
work they are each provided with a judging-
book, containing in columns on its per-
forated pageiis a duplicate set of the num-
bers in each class, and columns for remarks
and awards ; each class i« headed witli its
number in the schedule and a statement
of the prizes to be awarded. No informa-
tion of any descri])tion as to the exhibits
(ir exhibitors is given. One jar of each
exhibit having been uncapped and placed
in front of its fellows on the stage, the
judges, armed with their books, face the
class (whether forty-eight or fifty -eight
entries is no matter), and it is usual for
the judges to begin at opj)osite ends and
work past each other till each reaches the
other end.

As each sample is tasted it is judged for
qualify, a note made in the "remarks"
column, and, as a guide for the seconil
stage, a position more or less near to the
front edge of the bench is given to it.
Arrived at the end the judges couqiare
notes, and a second tasting of some few
settles any discrepancy of opinion that
may have arisen. This first tasting will
disjiose of the majority which are only
good, leaving in the front rank the very
good and very excellent — j)robabljr some
dozen or fifteen samples out of a large
class. The tasting is then gone through
again in order to check or amplify the
notes first made, and this time the samples
are compared one with another. This pro-
cess will jirobably reduce the number down
Ui about half a dozen, which contains the
prize-winners. XTsuallv one or two stand
out super-excellent ; the difficult}' lies in
discriminating between third, fourth, and
reserve numbers. Here the minor points
tell ; flavours being almost alike, colour,
brightness, and consistency are all weighed
in the balance and determine the final re-
sult. It will thus be seen that there is no
question of rememliering what No. 1 is like

442

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Nov. 8, 1908.

when tasting No. 48. It is simply a method
of rejecting — first, " the not good enough " ;
second, " the not quite so good " ; third,
the grading with the utmost care and deli-
cacy of the few " best" left in the running
for the prizes. The winners being finally
settled, the positions on the show-bench
given when going through the second tasting
rapidly points out those which are worthy
of the v.h.c. , h.c, or c. Some will no doubt
ask — Does not the palate become jaded?
Yes, but not quickly. Letting it rest
during the time taken in judging a class
of comb-honey or of wax is siifficient to
bring it back to the normal state ready for
another class of extracted honey. But the
tasting of a long class of dark honey is cer-
tainlj' not a joy! — Libua. October 31.

NOTES FROM IXVERNESS-SinilE.

A .GOOD REPORC FROM Sl'OTLANI).

[6487.] After a season of alternate hope
and despair, the honey harvest in this part,
of Xorth Britain has been, on the whole,
fairly good. The sjiring was for the most
part wet and cold, and, in consequence,
stocks were veiy weak, so weak indeed were
mine that I had no hopes of any surplus. It
was astonishing, however, to see how
rapidly tht- bees inci-eased in numbers dur-
ing June and July, so much po that by the
beginning of Augiist all my hives were in
prime condition. I nut on '' baited " racks of
sections with the highest hoj)es of a record
" take " of heather honey. Everything
promised well for a day or two, then the
'A'eather broke up — as it did last year — aiul
all prospects of honey again vanished.

Mr. Ellis's report of the season in Ross-
shire (6,464, p. 114) was exactly my expe/'i-
ence here. We had a few good days at tlie
beginning of September, during which time
the heather honey rolled in, so that more
surpluis-chambers had to be added. I had
on each hive two racks of sections partly
filled, and, preferring to have a few good
ones well filled and sealed rather than a lot
only partially completed, I did not put on
moi"e for fear of bad weather, except to oue
or two hives. I did this "just for luck, '
as the saying goes, anrl it was fortunate I
diid so, as they got filled up splendidly.
Had I veutured more I would have got
nearly doul)le the quantity of honey I now
have — viz.. an average of about 40 lbs. per
hive. Never have I seen a better lot of
sections than those I tfiok off. Not more
than twenty of the whale lot weighed less
than I62 oz. I have sold them all at Is. 3d.
each wholesale, besides taking the prize at
shows. The demand for heather honey far
exceeds the supply. I find that the " get-
up," neatness, and cleanliness of sections
help the selling more than anything else,
so long as llie qnality of the lioney is good.

of course. I have sold some to shooting
tenants and others, who, having plenty
from their own hives, still buy mine, be-
cause of tiieir good appearance, and co^se
quent suitability for sending as gifts to
their friends.

If alia )i Bees — I have tried these bees nov;
for about five years, and they have been to
me a long sorrow. My charge against
them is that if there is a stop, or shortage,
in the honey flow for a time they stradgh-t-
way begin to seal the half filled sections, so
if there is an improvement in the weather
they are helpless. In this way, two years
ago, I had a lot of miserable half-filled and
sealed sections. The blacks never do this.
Du.ring the present year two healthy and
ci'owded Italian stocks idled away the sea-
son in an unaccountable fashion, and so in
my case it shall be exit Italians !

Lace Bands, cfc. — I wish some of our
dealers would bring out gummed lace bands
with suitable addi'ess spaces and wording
for all kinds of honey, and also gummed
labels. I should think all be<i-keeperii
would be glad of the convemence and use-
fulness of both of these. Another thing
that I reuard as a long-felt want is a minia-
ture booklet, less than 4 by 4, that could
be put tip with packages of sections — some-
thing like the Rev. Banck's booklet, only
smaller and more fanciftil, and more in
praise of comb-honey. Messrs. Root's
" Food Value of Honey," by Dr. Miller, is
the thing, only it is a leaflet and American,
and not very nice. If one of our regular
contributors would write and publisli
something of this kind it would be sure to
sell well, "and would help much to incrensi-
the consumption and the sale of honey. —
A. D., Glenuiquhart, Inverness.

THE SEASON IN HEREFORDSHIRE.

A SATISFACTORY REPORT.

[6488.] The honey .season being now over
we can total up the result, which, in this
neighbourhood, is more favourable than
seemed likely to be the case two months
ago, so far m the amount of surplus is con-
cerned, though the ouality is not up to
the average standard in consequence of a
certain jtroportion of honey-dew being
stored before the flow from the white clover
was over. This is mv first experience of
this particular annoyance. However, the
surplus thus mixed is not l)y any means
uneatable, so I am offering it locally at
3d. per lb., and I do not think there will
be much difliculty in selling it at that price,
although I have more than a hundredweight
of it.

I have had this year a renewal of my ex-
])erience of seven years ago. Although
living at least four miles from any quantity
of heather, I have secured about 160 lb. of

Nov. 8, 1906 ] THE BEITISH BEE JOtTRNAL.

443

surplus from this source. The very fine
weather during August and September
enabled the bees to forage at much beyond
the usual distance. In 1899, it was the
same, when from six hives I got 229 lb. of
capital heather honey. My average " take "
for" 1906 works out at 63| lb. per hive. The
best yield from one lot being 102 lb.
Having reduced my stocks to seven in the
spring by uniting, the total result is en-
coui-aging, for I have increased to eleven
stocks by natural swarming, and have also
secured the surplus already mentioned.
My experience again runs counter to the
dictum that " you must not expect increase
and surplus from the same hive in the
same year." My first hive swarmed on
May 29 ; the swarm yielded 84^ lb. ; the
swarmed stock, ISg lb. ; total, 100 lb.
Another swarm gave 68g lb., and the
old stock 25 lb. ^ total 93^- lb. The
otlier two swarms gathered 8I5 lb. and
882 lb. respectively. Here surely is sur-
plus, as well as an increase from seven to
eleven colonies. The three hives which
did not swai'm gave me 70 lb., 75g lb., and
102 lb. respectively. The two which gave
the smaller amounts were istocks united
in the spring. One wonders whether they
might not have done better if left in four
hives? So far as my experience goes, they
would certainly not have done worse. They
were fairly strong before uniting, having
brood in five or six frames each.

I have also found that " room in ad-
vance " will not always prevent swarming.
A hive supered on May 18 swarmed on
.June 30, having then two supers on, though
not full of honey. The swarm I had on
May 29 threw off a virgin swai'm on July
13, which I returned after cutting out
eight or ten queen-cells. They gave me no
further trouble.

I notice complaints from divers corre-
spondents in your pages about the low
prices at which honey is sometimes offered,
and again complaints that no market can
be found for the surplus secured. And
then I reflect upon the fact that the best
energies of a large number of bee-keepers
are devoted to the work of increasing the
.number of those who are honey-producers,
and I conclude that the two things bear
the relation of cause and effect. The
keener the competition for customers, the
smaller the profit made. The more our
English honey is driven by over-produc-
tion into comiietition with the foreign
su})ply. the lower must the price become.
If some of our numeroius. "experts" did
more to popularise the use of honey as
an article of food, it would be a benefit
to both consumer and producer. T shoiild
like to hear what other friends think on
this subject, and. with vour permission,
Messrs. Editors, T may return to it on a

future occasion. I fear I have already
trespassed too freely upon your space. —
W. H., Brilley, Herefordshire, October 9-

INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION, EDIN-
BURGH.

keid's bee-house.

[6489.] It may be remembered that
a photo and description of my bee-
house appeared in the " Homes of the
Honey-bee " in the B.B..J. of June 8
last year. It was exhibited for the
first time at the above exhibition, held
last month, where it was awarded 1st
prize and silver medal. I had the
jjleasure of meeting several advanced
bee-keeping, amongst whom were the Kevs.
John Allan Gray (Selkirk) and S. Lyle
Orr (Ireland).

I have good reason to be satisfied with
the favourable opinions expressed regard-
ing it.

There is one thing, however, that I wish
to call attention to. One young gentleman
informed me that his father an dhe had
made a hive on the same lines, and when
cross-examined it came out that they had
taken their ideas from the photo of my
bee-house referred to above as having ap-
peared in the B.B.J.

When I sent you the photo the word
"patent" was intentionally prominently
displayed on the new entrances, but for
some reason it did not appear, at which I
felt disappointed, because I meant it as
a warning to probable imitators.

Results would seem to prove that I had
good cause to take this precaution.

It may be possible that some of your
readers may not know why people go to the
trouble and expenise of taking out a patent,
and that they render themselves liable to
be prosecuted if they infringe it.

T ask you, therefore, to allow me to in-
form the knowing ones, and to warn those
who are ignorant that my bee-house is a
patented article, and they cannot legally
imitate it in any way. It does seem hard
that after all the years of thought, trouble,
and expense I have had in bringing my in-
vention to its present state that I should
be deprived of my just rights by others
cribbing my ideas and imitating it. After
last week's experience at the exhibition,
which was the first time it has been shown,
I am satisfied that my bee-house is con-
structed on the rifihf lines. I am, there-
fore, determined to unhold my claim, and
to take legal proceedings against any one
who in any way infringes my patent. —
Alexander ReId, Balloan, Muir-of-Ord,

N.B.

[We are vevy pleased to be the medium of
makina; Mr. Reid's views known, as ex-
pressed in the above letter, an<l with re-

iu

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL, [Nov. 8, 1906.

gard to our having deleted the word
" jjatent " from the photo sent as a con-
tribution to our bee-garden pictures, it
needs only to be explained that we " stop
out " many signs, etc. . that may be re-
garded more or less as in the. light of ad-
vertisements, for the reason that the illus-
trations are not to be taken as advertise-
ments in anv form. — Eds.]

BEES IN DUMFRIESSHIRE.

[6490.] Having seen no report regarding
the past honey season from this part of
Scotland, I send a few notes. The season
here has not been one of the best,
my average take being about 30 lb.
per hive, whereas last year I averaged
62 lb. per hive. My best liive, how-
ever, I ruined by introducing an Italian
queen in March, which proved to be a
clrone-breeder ; a fact I only discovered
about a month later, by which time the
colony had dwindled very much. But I
got another queen and managed to get
twenty-one sections from this hive, besides
leaving enough food for winter. My best
stock yielded 65 lb. extracted honey, the
next being a long wav down, viz., 30 lb.
Three or four of the others only gave about
20 lb. each. My cro^ was all from clover,
there being no heather in this district.
The last half of the month of July was very
wet, which no doubt affected the honey
hai'vest considerably. One very strong
hive, fi'om which much was expected, cTid
next to notliing, owing to excessive swarm-
ing. The first swarm came from it on
•Tune 2, but the bees returned to the parent
hive, so I cut out all oueen-cells and gave
another rack of sections. Nevertheless, the
bees swarmed again in ten days. I tlien
examined the hive and removed three
queen-cells and returned the swarm, but
all to no purpose, for they ewarmed again
seven days afterwards. I then removed
half tlie frames and replaced them with full
sheets of foundation. A fortnicrht after-
wards I once more examined the frames,
(inly to find tlie stock queenless, so that I
had all my trouble for nothing, save a
small bit nf honey. — T. (i., Annan. Dum-
friesshire.

DISTANCE BEES TRAVEL.

[6491.] J am forwarding per post a
lin ])0X containing a rather miscellaneous
collection of bee items. Of the samjiles of
comb, I may say, the two small ])ieces were
l)uilt by a driven lot of boes, and I think
you will aeree with me that these combs
are largely filled with heather honey. The
bees referred to were driven during the very
hot davs at the end of September. I had
two lots, but lost one through the bits of
comb they had Imilt in the ske]) break'ng

down, and the bees being unable to get
out discharged their honey and so perished.
The distance of these two lots of bees from
the heather would be not less than four
miles.

The other and large piece of comb was
cut from one of my. own shallow-frames.
You will see it has been through the ex-
tractor, but through lying about the honey
left in has become rather thin. I notice
that you say heather honey will not extract,
probably ]n\ve heather honey will not, but
I have been able to extract a considerable
amount of heather mixture, though it needs
care. Indeed, I .have been compelled to
put the combs through twice, turning very
slowly the first time and faster at the
second attempt. The reason of this is that
this thick ielly-like honey clogged up the
strainer and prevented me from getting on
with the job. It was next to impossible
to get it through fine muslin, and some-
times the strainer had to be emptied and
washed. One of niy supers now contains
about fifteen pounds of this honey which
I cannot extract.

The «mall earthenware jar of honey is
a sample of that got from the second time
of putting the combs through the machine.
It will soon have granulated solid, but
that obtained from the firtst extracting is
still licpiid and quite clear.

And yet the distance from my apiary
to the heather is h^^ road eight miles ; pro-
bably this distance would be reducecl to
six in a bee-line. I obtain a quantity of
this honey every year, but this year the
quantity has been so great that it has
made feeding for winter quite unnecessary.

Of the two small bits of wax sent, the
round piece was got from the honey-press.
The other niece is from the same lot of old
combs but l)y the old process of boiling in
a bag.

The total (juantity of wax secured fi'om
thirty-four old combs weighed 8 lb., which
is better than burning them.

It may interest you to know that I have
worked out this season some foundation
bought from Mr. T. B. Blow before he
went to Japan.

In conclusion, I beg to thank our Editors
and their numerous correspondents for the
interesting and instructive matter which
apj)ears in the B.B..L every week. But let
us all keep an open mind when new facts
dispel old ideas. ^A STArroEnsniRE Bee-
M.\N, October 27.

[Your sample bits of comb fared badly
in pf)st ; indeed, ^o smashed up were they
that it was impossible to make anything of
them. The liquid honey was in bottom of
box, and the several small packets in paper
were saturated with it. The only thing in-
tact was the little earthenware jar of granu-
lated honey, whicli had probably caused
the smash of bits of comb. There is

Nov. 8, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

445

plainly some heather honey in the last-
named jar, but not much. We cannot say
anything about the rest, except that the
result of your wax from lioney-press is very
satisfactory. — Eds.]

THE BEE-SEASON IN BANFFSHIRE.

AX EXCELLENT KEPORT.

[6492.] In the B.B.J, of last week (page
436) I isee a letter over the initials
"T. W. S. ," in the first paragraph of which
I observe a note of surprise regarding
the particulars of work done by two
swarms as given by your contributor
"D. M. M.," Banff (6463, page 414).
But, in order to show that there is nothing
very extratirdinary in a swarm giving as
many as 109 sections in the same year in
which it was hived, one does not need to
go to England for Bwarnis to secure such a
good return. I am sending you lierewith
the results from my two best stocks this
season. No. 1 on nine of Simmins's com-
mercial frames had an ordinary box of
ten standard frames placed above on June
7, and by July 5 the whole nineteen
frames were crowded with bees and
brood, which were then divided by
simply lifting off the box of ten stan-
dard frames and putting them in a hive
on the stand of the parent stock, and then
shifting the latter to a new stand. This
was done in the fcjrenoon, and in the after-
noon I could see, by the movements of the
bees in the parent stock, that they were
queenlesis. In the evening a laying queen
was introduced, which had been previously
reared from the parent stock. The new
stock has triven me 105 sections and 15 lb.
of heather honey extracted from shallow-
frames, and the parent stock has given
63 sections, altogether 183 lbs. of honey,
and left al)undance of natural stores in
both stocks to last till June next year.

No. 2 was made up of two swarms, which
came off simulitaneously, and united of
themselves. The double swarm was hived
on 11 standard frames, filled with full
sheets of "wired" foundation, and has
yielded 147 marketable sections and 21
partly finished ones. On removal of sec-
tions, however, the stock was found to
be queonless. Init brood had been reared in
every one of the 11 frames, and they had
queen-cells well advanced, all of which
were cut off, and a laying (jueen introduced.
I may mention that mv nine stocks (spring
count) have yielded me 774 lbs. honev and
increased to thirteen rrtocks. All my
honey is sold. Clover fetched 8d. to 9d. per
1 lb.* section ; clover and heather blend.
9d to lOd. per 1 lb. section ; pure heatlier,
Is. per 1 lb. section ; and has realised alto-
gether £28 17s. ll^d. ; expenditure,

£5 IBs. 3d. ; net profit. £22 19s. S^d. (not
counting anything of labour). — W. MoiR,
Banffshire, November 5.

REMOVING SURPLUS HONEY.

A NEW DEVICE.

[6493.] In reading your report of the con-
versazione of the British Bee-keejjers' Ass'V
ciation in your valuable "Bee Journal"
last week, I noticed that the question of
handling supers and the Porter bee-escape
board was discussed, and that bee-keepers
generally experienced great difficulties in
lifting supers, just as I used to have yeai's
ago. Since that time, however, I have in
vented what I call a super-lift, which arts
very well. It will lift one or two supers
h'igh enougli to enable a bee-keeper to in-
sert an empty one under, or only hic;h
enotigh for inserting the bee-escape boards.
Then, by simply reversing the handle, the
super drops back to its former position
Vt'ithout disturbing the bees in the least.
In the case of bx-ace-combs also I can give
the super a twist in the lift, as it hangs on
a threaded pivot from the handle.

I have ]>een advised by a bee-keeper to
patent my super-lift, as he considers it the
most useful aj)])liance yet invented for the
jiiu'ijose of handling supers. For the last
four years I have been a regular reader of
your most valuable Journal, over which I
spend many happy hours in perusing its
pages.

If you can give me a line of reply to say
whether j^ou think the contrivance will be
of service to bt>e-keepers, I will "be much
obliged. — I send name and sign, W. S.,
.Joiner, Pembrokeshire, Oct. 30.

[It is quite imposs'ible for us to express an
opinion on the usefulness or otherwise of an
appliance without insjjection. If yoti cari-
to send one on, we would give our personal
view of your invention, but we never accept
payment for services of this kim!. — Ens.]

HONEY SHOAVS, ETC.

STAGING " FAKED " HONEY.

[6494.] To my mind the indifference of
Ijee-keejiei-s with regard to showing is the
natural result of the adoption of a honey
standard, which puts a pi'emium upon
the " faked " article to the detriment of the
natural product. In a good m.any cases the
prize-card merely registers the exhibitor's
skill as a " faker," and not as a honey pro-
ducer, and if he sells his produce on the
strength of his " success " he stands con-
demned of fraudulent dealing. It is
nothing less than an insult for an exhibitor
who stages the natural article to be effaced
by another whose <"xhibit is honey in name
only. When the natural article, as
finishe<l by Api.t mvUifc.a, receives its due

44G

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Nov. 8, 1906.

recognition, I do nob think there will be any
cause to lament the apathy of bee-keepers.

Let me here add that I am not an ex-
hibit<jr myself, but I consider Mr. Wood-
ley's defence of " faking " is weak, and his
similes miss their mark. " Faked " honey
is altered in composition, and this cannot
l)e said of the nig which has been
washed, nor of the machine which has
been painted. The same remarks ap-
ply to the onions and potatoes. There
is" no "faking" in the sense that the
articles have been changed, while the
machines " iii the hands of the firm's best
mechanics" and the " shearing- machine in
the hands of experts " is a question of
jDolicy and dexterity.

Your report of the discussion on the s.Mb-
ject of super-clearing last week is interest-
ing, and I would like to say that a fiienVf
here and myself practised "D. M. M.'s "
plan this year, and found it to answer
admirably. If this meets the eye of ihat
gentleman will he accept my thanks.

Writing of " faking " and super-clearing
reminds me that I have a " Porter " escape
which has been " faked." or something
worse. I bought it from one of your adver-
tisers, whose name is enclosed along with
the escape for your inspection. I offer it to
you for a present, and if you get one bee
to pass it you will succeed where I have
failed. To put a thing like that upon a
hive at night and then face a cloud of angry
bees in the morning has been the experience
of_W. H. W., Beds., Oct. 29.

[It would surely add considerably to the
force of our correspondent's comments on
the alleged malpractices he so severely con-
demns, if some tangible evidence was given
in support of his sweeping charges. We
have had as much personal experience of
shows as m.ost people, and certainly no such
exhibits as " honey in name only " have
ever come to our notice. With regard to
the " Porter "( ?) escape, we quite agree with
your opinion of the escape sent. It is not
a " Porter " escape at all, but a bad imita-
tion of that very admirable bee-apparatus,
and will not answer the purpose of Mr.
P(;rter's invention. — Eds.]

BEE-NOTES BY A BEGXNNER.

[6495.] Thinking that a few notes from a
tyro might encourage other " beginners,"
I venture to send you a resume of my ex-
l)eriences in commencing bee-keeping.

Some years ago I was asked by a friend,
who was iroing away for a holiday, if I
would 7iiind giving another rfvck of sections
to his hive. Such work was entirely a
" new sensation " to me, and not without
some internal misgivings I connented. He
gave me minute instructions how to pro-
ceed, and one evening I jtlncked up enough

courage to enter upon my '"dangerous"
task. Opening the hive, I hurriedly re-
moved the quilt and poured in enough
smoke to stupefy the lot— bo thought I. Then
I essayed to lift the rack, but to my horror
it would not move. The bees begaii to utter
what I subsequently found were "war
cries," and (tell it not in Gath) I became
afraid.

Still, I made several more frantic efforts
to move that rack ; but by this time my
enemies were fairly on the warpath and I
was stung in a dozen nlaces. Then, think-
ing discretion was the better part of valour,
I, like a certain famous general, made an
" advance to the rear." It is true I had
some of mv wounds " in front," but not all.
Later I returned and closed up the hive,
but I was badly beaten. Thus ended my
first " experience " with bees.

Two years passed, and I was in search
of a hobby. What should it be ? Musingly
I remembered the words of the proverb :
" Eat honey, my tson, because it is good,
and the honeycomb most sweet to thy
throat." I thought ruefully of my first
attempt to touch a honeycomb, and I felt
that I was not a Samson, and the^ " lion "
was not dead when I toucheci his mouth.
I wondered if Shakespeare had tried bees
when he wrote that famous question : " To
be or not to be? "

Anyhow, Cras is the cry of to-morrow,
and I wanted a hobby to-day. So I ]jur-
chased a swarm, a hive, and last, but best
of all, Mr. Cowan's " Guide Book," and by
following his simple instructions, at the
end of the year I owned a strong colony of
bees.

The next season, thinking that unity is
strength, I became a member of the War-
wickshire Bee-keepers' Association, and
further, ordered my first copy of the B.B..J.,
whose bright welcome oages have ever since
been my "guide, philosoiiher, and friend."
As the summer advanced, the possibility
of swarms became a problem to me, so I
cut the Gordian knot took Father Time by
the forelock, and made an artificial swarm,
which proved a success.

I was now offered another hive and bees
by a friend who had too many. They had
to be sent across country by rail, and I
think that railway will not forget their
advent ! For that hive was " packed " in
a way unknown to experts ; moreover, the
bees did not like their ' guard " — at least,
thev tried to make him leave his carriage,
but he was more than a "passive resister,"
so the bees got themselves ejected instead,
acriving here in a most unliappy — and
what was still worse — queenless state. T
gave the motherlests bees reinforcements
in a comb of well-advanced brood and some
new-laid eggs, for which they quickly
thanked me by forming a queen-cell. Thus,
at the end of my second season I found

Nov. 8, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOtTHNAL.

447

myself the happy possessor of three " strong
hives in good condition," with which our
expert was pleased on his visit. Needless
to say, I did not get vei'y much " sweet
honeycomb for my throat " that year. Some
forty sections, I think.

This season I started feeding early, and
had very strong hives when our expert
called. Wishing to beat time once more,
and yet to get a little honey, I divided two
of my hives — fed th© queenless portioned
until they got a mother, then nursed them
up into strength for the winter. My other
three hives gave me some sixty complete
well-filled sections, but I had hoped for
more. So next year I propose to work for
honey, and take my swarms as they come.
I also intend to work with shallow-frames
and extract instead of trusting to "sec-
tions." I am now closing my third season
with five hives, trusting to get a good har-
vest next vear.

As a hobby, I have found bee-keeping in-
tei'esting beyond measure — leisure time
has been profitably filled in ; pleasant re-
creation provided ; and— shall I say it? — •
I have tasted the " sweet honeycomb " and
know it is " good," fit even, as Ovid teaches
in Philemon and Baucis, for gracing the
table of the gods ! Then our own dear
St. Francis loved to hold converse with and
feed his brothers the birds. For, sings
Ivongfellow : —

"Around Assisi's convent gate,
The birds, Gods poor who cannot wait,
From moor and mere and darksome wood
Came flocking for their dole of food."

And Tennyson did well to say, " Sweet St.
Francis of Asisisi, would that he were here
again ! " Then, also, our wonderful St.
Anthony preached to the fishes. So, fol-
lowing such noble examples, I love my little
bees ; and if it be true that we can find
" sermons in stones," much more can w©
find lessons in the tireless activity and
motherly government of our "colonies" —
lessons fit for statesmen, which, if learned,
we should not be troubled by problems of the
unemployed or by education nightmares.
— Rev. F. Louis Brasey- Wright,
O.S.F.C, November 2.

HONEY IN SMALL TINS.

[6496.] We note that a correspondent, on
jjage 439 in last week's B.B.J. , raises the
question of putting honey up in small
quantities in tins. We, like the gentleman
in the Isle of Man, should very much like
to hear what others have done in this line.
And it so happens that, when turning over
a quantity of bee-tackle at our old home,
we came across several gross of one-pound
tins, purchased in 1886 by our father, who
used to keep bees in those days.

These tins were marie quite plain -i.e. ,

with no decoration of any kind- — and, in
order to make them suitable for marketing
honey in, a bright and attractive label to
go' right round the tint, would, in our
opinipn, have been absolutely necessaiy.

Judging by the scarcity of honey in this
form at the present day, the idea does not
seem to have been a success, and, with the
idea of bringing honey in this sort of recep-
tacle into more general use, we are trying
" decorated " tins this year, in 1-lb. and
2-lb. sizes, printed in four coloui-s, with
design as illustration, for marketing some
of our own honey.

We have hardly given them a fair trial
yet, not having advertised them much, but
we believe that they will take well in tinu',
being about the most handy form in which
one could have honey ; but it ie not at
all unlikely that the "tinned meat scare"
will probably affect the sale a little at fi.rst.
Besides, people do not like to buy what is
not visible to the eye when purchasing, con-
sequently if they see honey being sold in
glass jars they may prefer it to " tinned
honey."

There is an account by a learned Pro-
fessor (whose name we cannot recall) on
tinned pi-esei'vee in the B.B.J, about the
year 1882, in which the writer gave the re
suits of his experiments, and proved that
tin did not act upon honey. As a matter of
fact, most honey is stored in tins before be-
ing run oflf into bottles. We do not think
it would be advisable to put up honey in
smaller quantities than 1 lb. tins, as your
corr-espondent in the Me of Man suggests.
It appears to us that smaller sizes would
not be suitable, or even practicable. be(uiuse
of cost of tins. — Jones Bros., Andover.

A NEW BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION.

[6497.] Last Thursday evening at the
" Sunflower," George Street, Croydon, a
new bee-keepers' association was formed,
to be known as the " Croydon and Distrct
Bee-keepers' Association," with the idea
of taking in a radius of about five miles
around Croydon.

There was an attendance of nearly forty
present. Mr. Silver was elected to take
the chair, and the secretary pro. tern., Mr.
A. Wakerell, stated that he had received
promises of support from a number of bee-
keepers in the district, who, at present,
belonged to no society, providing the as-
sociation was successfully launched.

Ultimately a resolution was unani-
muusly passed, amid enthusiasm, forming
an association.

Mr. Galbraith was elected chairman of
committee, Mr. Wakerell secretary, G.
White ti-easurer, and the following the
cdmmittee: Miss Shaw, Messre. Bell. IT.

448

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Nov. 8, 1906.

Price, jtm., J. H. Brown, Handley, Pay,
and A. P. Short. All the above appoint-
ments to be revised in three months' time.
The next meeting was fixed at the same
room for Thursday evening, November 8,
at 8 p.m., when Miss Shaw will open a dis-
cussion on " How to Commence Bee-keep-
ing."—.J. S., Croydon, October 27.

ODDS AND ENDS ABOUT BEES.

SOME USErXJL HINTS.

[6498.] The " W. B. C." Mdal Eml.—A
useful device for pushing on " W. B. C."
metal endts may be made from a piece of
vfood 6in. by 4in. by l^in., or thereby.
Mortise a hole in the centre to admit the
end of a standard frame. Now slip on the
metal end and push liome into the socket.
By this means I prepared over 200 frames
in about an hour.

Quctn-maiiuij in Small Bcucfi. — Last year
I expressed an opinion that queens were
much dearer than there was any necessity
for. I had read Mr. Doolittle's fascinating
work and also Mr. Sladen's book on
"Queen-rearing in Engand." I had for
some yeai-s done a little at the artificial
business with a fair measure of success on
Doolittle's plan. I am sorry that I could
not say the same for Mr. Sladen's method.
The bees always became cross-tempered
during manipulation. My chief difficulty
was in getting queens mated. It was just as
cheap to purchase as to rear them. How-
ever, I devoted last winter to hard think-
ing and hard working and evolved out of
my imagination a suitable mating-box —
cost 6d. Of these I ijrepared forty, and
stocked them with comb from frames
cleansed of pollen. The bees employed
would cost about 12s. 6d., feeding about
2s. 6d. ; total £1 15s. ; result, thirty-three
mated queens. The details are very simple
and would take some time to explain fully,
but a»> I have gleaned from many " bee-
men," per]ia])s some of your readers might
care to try the plan.

Polkn-dofif/al Combs. — Your correspon-
dent, Mr. Harborne, reminds me (on page
416) that I have had something further to
say on this sultject for the last six months.
1 am glad to observe that the matter has
been brought before the B.B.K.A., and
that the method has at larst been acknow-
ledged to be efficacious. The manner of
presenting the subject at the Conversazione
of the Association reminds me of Avnrica
bping discovered bv Columhua! Tt is eight
years since I first wrote to the B.B.J, an
account of cleansing such coml)S, Imt for

some reason the letter never appeared —
whether it miissed in post or not I cannot
say. Some years later I forwarded a comb
for inspection, and on receiving it back
by post I cleansed and returned it to- the
post-ofhce in less than an hour. An ac-
knowledgment of the same was duly given,
but with a rather disparaging reference
to older combe. Since then, to several
anxious inquirers on the subject, there
have a})i)eared answers to the effect that
badly clogged combs were only fit to be
destroyed. Now, last summe:^^ I had a
fresh supply of water brought into the
house, and the pressure was so great that
1 immediately turned it to account for
cleansing pollen-clogged combs. I had a
isijecial rose made to screw on to the bath
tap. I then half-filled the bath and put
in as many combs as it would hold. In
about an hour, or whenever convenient, I
turned on the tap and simplv held the
frames under the spray and both sides
would be cleansed in five mijiiutes. As
mentioned above, I stocked all my mating-
boxes from cleansed comb. In cutting
them out I left l^in. on the top-bar, and
used these as startens for swarms. I never
use the syringe at all now, except to wash
finally with phenyle water. I have also
discarded the washing-board. I have de-
stroyed no .f'ood combs for eight years.

CJieap Qurrn-mnfinrj. — No claim is made
to oi'iginality in the following notes. I
am indebted to the works of Messrs. Doo-
little and Sladen for most of the ideas.
I have not read " Swarthmore's " works on
the subject, but mean to study them during
th.is winter. I have read whatever has so
far appeared in the B.B.J, on queen-rear-
ing with trreat interest. I have dabbled
at artificial queen-reari]ig for some yeai-s,
l)ut always mated them in large nucleus
hives of foixr or five frames. Consequently
it was as cheap to buy them ready made.
Fioin some successful mating, with a com-
paratively small force of bees in 1905, I
was convinced that success on a large scale
was possible during July and August in
this locality. I simply wished surplus
(lueens for requeening. or emergencies, and
not for working into nuclei. My prepara-
tions were all made with this end in view.
In 1905 I had a second swarm — the first I
have had for twenty-five years — and noted
a few facts in connection with it. Thus,
ten days elapsed before the queen began
to lay, and as there was no brood it was
evident anv hive having the same condi-
tions ought to succeed as well. I now
settled on a aclf-mntaiiird mating-box, a
confiuiiig-l)ox, and the method of stocking
the boxes when queens were hatched ; also
on making of a number of cages to hold
hatched queens.— I). Vall.a.nck, Dunaskin,
X.B.

{Continuei t.e.d week.)

Nov. 8, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

449

^mm m& §.^lm.

[5428.] Feedinff Bees in. Novemher. — Last-
spring I bought a stock of b«es, and about
the end of June I had a good swarm from
them, which was successfully hived. Both
hives now seem in very good condition, as far
as I can t^ll, and the man from whom I
boug?.t them (an expert), who has kindly
helped me in all my difliculties. says they are
in splendid condition. But with regard to
surplus honey, they have been a failure. On
October 5 I gave the two hives 6 lbs. of candy,
made according to " Guide Book " recipe ; but
the bees began to carry Pt out almost at once
in little pellets on their tongues, and _ by
October 13 there was nothing worth mention-
ing left. I therefore ask: — 1. Docs this sort
of thing often happen? and 2. Why do the
bees carry off the candy in this wav? They
seemed to fly right away with it. Since then
I have been giving them svrup again, as the
weather was so very mild. I shall also be
much obliged if you will tell me — 3. How
long may I go on giving the syrup'' as I am
afraid I did not start as soon as I ought to
have done. — E. Trotman, Timperley.

Reply. — 1 and 2. It never occurs if the
candy is properly made. The bees are simply
carrying off the hard granules they are unable
to consume as food. 3. Svrup-food is not
suitable for feeding bees with in November.
Moreover, if the weather becomes suddenly
cold they will refuse syrup-food altogether and
die if not otherwise provided for. Send us
a sample of your candy, or buy from a deader
a cake of soft candy to show you what thi'
real article is like.

[3429. J Sliarinri Pr<ifif< in Rfe-Kit- pimi. —
Will you please tell me in what wav I should
be paid for managing, say, ten stocks of bees,
and how much you consider a fair sum for
working that number of stocks for the season,
including the work of bottling and selling the
honey? In order to exjilain myself more
clearly, I may say say that I am the owner of
eight stocks of bees, and my neiglilxiur owns
one stock. We are thinking of going into
partnership with our bees, and he will put
capital into the concern up to the value of
my bees, extractor, and about seventy shal-
low-frames of built-out comb. He undertakes
no kind of work with them, not being able to
assist in this way. We want to know the
fairest way for me to be paid on the honey
output. If you will please let us know I will
be much obligetL — T. S., Coventry.

Reply. — The plan usually followed in
America, when bees are worked on shares, is
— if our memory serves — for one man to find
bees and all appliances, while the other does
all the labour of every kijid. The net profits
are then shared equally. In your case, it is
not easy to judge without going over the
Avhole stock to see its value and condition.
Perhaps our esteemed contributor, Mr. W.
Woodley, whose wide experience would give
weight to his opinion, might be willing to set
a fair value on the labour question?

[3430.] Ivformot)ii» on Jinx. — I have some
bees (a condemned lot. diiven in Septenibei),

in a straw skep, and have been told that I
should feed them with 2 or 3 lb. of syrup each
week. This I do by means of an inverted
jam jar with muslinover the mouth, feeding
them when the sun is shining on the skep.
But this plan seems to me to expose them too
much by doing it so often, I therefore ask : Is
it necessary to continue feeding them
throughout * the winter? The nights
may be frosty but the days warm; are
Ihev still to be fed at such times? I have
also been told to put " cow-dung " around the
bottom of skep on the box it stands on ; is this
necessary? I do not care for the idea; is
there any satisfactory substitute? From a
stock of "bees I have 'in a frame-hive, I oidy
took off 21 sections this season. This is a
heather district, but the bees do not gather
any honey after August. I am told that this
is "due to' the very dry sea.son and the conse-
qnent poor bhwmi of the flower, and no fault
of the bees, 70 lbs. having been taken off the
previous year. It this likely to be the correct
leason for the small quantity of honey pro-
duced ? Or could you suggest any other more
probable reason? Hoping you will ex-
cuse the length of my inquiries (I send ^ray
ivtuue for reference), with thanks in anticipa-
tion of reply.— A. V. S., Hants. Oct. 29.

Reply. — Your query is very appropriately
headed " Information on Bees," and, while at
all times glad to help beginners by giving
directions on bee-work, the best information
we can give in your case is to spend Is. 6d. in
a text book on "bees, which will give pages of
instruction on all the points you name, while
we could only give a line or two in this
column. The " Handbook for Cottagers " may
be had for 7d. post free, but those who use
frame-hives should have the more comprehen-
sive work.

[3431.] Moi-in,/ Hivr.< in Wmfrr.—I will be
glad to have an answer to the following in
next issue of the B.B.J. First let me say I am
going to move some bees in frame-hives, some
time this winter. The "Guide Book" re-
conunends a frame to be covered with per-
forated zinc or coarse netting. This frame
is then placed above the top-bars of frames
in body box without any quilts while moving.
I have made such frames allowing the bees
about an inch space above the combs, and
have put the bees away for winter with these
frames on, but have given plenty of warm
quilts above them. I should like to know —

1. Will the bees winter all right like this or
must the quilts be close on the combs? 2.
While moving, must the quilts be left on, or
taken off to allow free ventilation through the
netting? 3. I have a stock of bees covering
seven frames in which there is very little
food stored, but to make good the shortage
I have given them two pounds of candy over
the combs. Will this last them through the
winter? Thanking you in anticipation of
replies, I send name, and sign — H. A. G.,
Harlow.

Reply.— 1. The bees will take no harm by
having a space above frame tops as stated;

2. If weather is cold the quilts may remain,
but if warm, and removal takes place in
middle of the day, only one quilt should be
left on while in "transit. 3. Two pounds of
candy will soon disappear if the bees have

450

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Nov. 8, 1906.

little beyond candy for their daily supply.
You should see how fast they are taking the
candy, and renew the supply as needed.

WEATHER REPORT.

Wbstbournb, Sussex,

October, 1906.

Rainfall, 4-87 in.

Heaviest fall, '97 in.
on 8th.

Rain fell on 22 days.

Above average, 1 "0 1 in.

Sunshine, llS'l hours.

Brightest day, 14th,
9 "5 hours.

Sunless days, 2.

Below average, 8*3
hours.

Maximum tempera-
ture, '65° on 1st
and 11th.

Minimum tempera-
ture, 32° on 15th.

Minimum on grass '

31° on 15th.
Frosty nights, 1.
Mean maximum,

•59°
Mean minimum,

46-7°
Mean temperature,

52-8°
Above average, 4*8.
Maximum barometer,

30-39 on 25th.
Minimum barometer,

29-17 on 30th.

L. B. BiRKHTT.

OCTOBER RAINFALL.

Total fall, 4.59 inches.
Heaviest fall, .85 on 2nd.
Rain fell on 25 davs.

W. Head, Brilley, Hereford.

Notices to Correspondents & Inquirers.

Letters or queries asking for addresses of manufac-
turers or correspondents, or where appliances can be
purchased, or replies giving such information, can only
be inserted as advertisements. The space devoted to
letters, queries, and replies is meant for the general
good of bee-keepers, and not for advertisements. We
wish our correspondents to bear in mind that, as it is
necessary for us to go to press in advance of the date of
issue, queries cannot always be replied to inthei»sue im-
mediately following the receipt of their communications.

[*** A correspondent has sent a box of seed
of the " Chapman honey plant," which he
kindly places at our disposal for any bee-
keepeVs desiring to have a few. We will
send on a few to applicants who send a
stamped addressed envelope to B.B.J.
Office.]

A. M. P. (PenmaenmawT). — Virgin Swarms.
— When a prime swarm issues in June — as
yours did— and, after being housed iri a
frame-hive, swarms again in the following
August, the two months old stock is said to
have sent out a " virgin swarm," though the
latter is headed by the old queen. It is not
easy io say how" the term arose, but the
above is all wo can say about it.

F. Miles (Leicester). — Location for Bees. — 1.
There is rio danger in locating bees near a
running brook, in fact the latter will be
most useful in forming a natural watering
place for the bees. 2. Our preference would
be for the position marked A, as affording
a south aspect, unless the hives could be
placed with entrances facing S.E.
In a Fix (Sutton Coldfield).-— Extracting Bees-
wax.— ^The "■Qerster" wax extractor is one

of the best appliances made for the purpose;
but some prefer the " Solar," which is less
trouble to work, in fact the wax runs from
the combs as the latter melt with the sun's
rays without trouble at all. Some manage
on the old-fashioned plan of using a bag
made of coarse material in which the combs
are immersed in hot water and weighted
down. The wax rising to the surface of
water and being lifted off in a cake after
the water cools.
G. C. (Oughtybridge).— Drone-Cell Founda-
tion.— 1. No good bee-keeper difoards
queen-excluder when working shallow-
frames for extracted honey. 2. There is an
advantage in using drone-cell foundation in
the above, but some honey-producers rise
foundation with a special-sized cell mid-
way between worker and drone size.

Soney Samples.

H. Wkavkb. (Bangor). — Piece of section sent
contains heather honey of excellent quality.
It is from the true " ling," and if stored in
sections would command a high price.

E. W. J. — Sample is mainly honey-dew, from
Lime trees, and is not at all suitable for
table use. It may be used as bee-food.

Suspected Comb.
X. Y. Z. (Sittingbourne). — The dead larvse
and young bees sent seem to be slightly
affected with the disease known as black
brood. The larvse show none of the usual
sign of foul brood.

*^* Some Queries and Bej)lies, ^-c., are un-
avoidably held over till next meek.

Special Prepaid Advertisements

Twelve words and under Sixpence : for every additional
Three words or under, One Penny.

WANTED, HONEY, POyLTEY, part cash for 10-
gulnea cycle, sewing machine. Sample. — HOR-
TON, Flixton, Manchester. V 45

I ^(iri '^'^^- L'IGHT CIjOVEE honey, in 28 lb.
X^OV-zv/ tins, guaranteed pure, 6d. lb. Quotations.
Sample, 3d.— ALBERT COE, Apiary Hall, Ridgewell,
Halstead, Esse.x. V 46

o

NE TON of HONEY for Sale, light colour. Sample,
3d.— LAW, Cuckoo, Ashwell, Herts. U 42

STRONG STRA^^'BERRY PLANTS, 58. per 1,000,
carriage forward.- O. A. PARDOE, Drayton, Bel-
broughton, Stourbridge. V 41

WANTED, 3 PURE ITALIAN 1906 QUEENS ; must
be guaranteed healthy.—" P.," care of this
Journal. ^ P 40

FOR Sale, 1 gross first-grade SECTIONS HONEY,
7b. per dozen ; cash or deposit.— J. TREBBLE,
Romansleigh, South Miilton. rr It

Ol, CWT. PURE ENGLISH HONEY, 5id. per lb.,
jLi2 in 28 lb, tins, on rail; (take the lot carriage
paid for cash order); sample 4d. ; tins free.— SWAIN,
Ryhall, Stamford, Lines. U 43

FOaH Sale, four SKEPS. with strong swarms, in
good condition for winter, lis. each ; also a few
good secondhand frame hives, cheap, almost new.—
HARRISON, Bee Farm, Middleton, Pickering. U 52

PURE HEATHER HONEY, 7s. per stone ; screw-cap
1 lb. jars, 9s. per dozen, packed free.— HARRI-
SON, Bee Farm, Midrtleton, Pickering.

Nov. 15, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOUBNAL.

451

<f itoml ^0tm &t.

PllONUNCIATOX OF "BEE WOEDS."

Reverting to the mention made on 'page
441 last week of the correot pronnnciation
of certain "bee words." we print below
the letter of "A Bee-keeping School-
master,'' along with the list of words
selected by himself from those commonly
used in scientific works on bee-keeping.

Sirs, — As a schoolmaster bee-man I was
much intei'ested to find in a former number
of the B.B..J. a short article by our good
friend, Lieut, -Colonel Walker, dealing with
the coi'rect pronmiciation of " bee-words,"
such as propolis, bacillus, etc., in which the
colonel deftly uses phonetic spelling to cor-
rect tliese eommuuly mispronounced words.
May I suggest that either yourself, the
Colonel, or some other " authority " should
give your readers the correct and accepted
pronunciation of the following words, par-
ticuarly showing the correct placiwi of the
accent and whether the voiceh arc Inrtf/ or
sliort : —

Bee-men who are pushing their study of
the honey-bee into the realm of anatomy
and physiology would. I am sure, be grate-
ful for such a list of pronunciations, which
are apparent enough to classical scholars
but ai'e very jjuzzling to studenti> of meaner
educational attainmenbs.

I can foresee that students reading for the
second-class cei'tificate would cut out such
a list and paste it on the fly-leaf of their
" Cowan " or " Cheshire " for purposes
of reference. — Yours, etc., Thomas Johx-
sox, Seaman's Moss School, Altrincham.
Cheshire, October 9.

The above communication was sub-
mitted to a member of the B.B.K.A. Coun-
cil, in whose knowledge we have confidence,
who kindly replies ai-, follows: —

In rejdy to your requeet, I forward
the subjoined list of forty words, the
pronunciation of which your correspondent,
" T. J.," desires to know. In order to ob-
viate likely criticisms I should wish a few
points to be noted. First, the division
into syllables is not always accordant with
the etymology of the words. In several in-
stances the separation of the letters has
been made to facilitate pronunciation
ratlier than to indicate derivation. For
instance, card-incH would be more correct
than car-din-ea ; also crahon-idcc than cra-
bonidce ; and arthro-poda than ar-throp-oda.
Secondly, in the first word in the list the
initial letter is shoi-t in Latin, though in
English we say apiary and apiculture.

Again, No. 37 is often spoken as if written
trachea. In No. 19 the first two syllables
are sometimes pronounced as if spelt hippo ;
at others as hi-po, the latter being prefer-
able, though we say hypocrite as if written
hippocrU. The second way of spelling
Xo. 11 is the more correct. I need hardly
say that the old-fashioned, rather than the
Continental, way of pronouncing the vowels
is still most largely in vogue among scien-
tific men.

Pronunciation of Words.

1. Ap'-id-se

2. Ar-ren'-5-t6k'-ia

3. Ar-thrijp'-od-ii
i. At'-a-vism

5. Ba-cill'-us alve'-i

6. Brau'-la coeca

7. Car'-din-cs

8. Chit-ine=chlt-een

9. C'hit'-in-ous
10. Cho' ri-uu

22. 0-ceiri=ose'Ui

23. Oe-soph'-a-gus = eesof'agus

24. Om-mat'-i-um

25. Om-ma-tid'-i-uin

26. Pal'pi

27. Piieu-m5-'phy'-ses=

newrnftfyses

28. Pri'i'-pijl-is=prop-olis

29. Re'-au-mur = iay'omur

30. Sarco-lem'-nia

11. Clyp'-e-us = clip-i'--us 31. Sper-ma-the'-ca

12. Coui'-mis-sii'r-es 32. Sper-n3a-t5-ph5r'e

13. C'ra-bon'-idTc 33. Sper-ma-t6-zo'oii

14. De-pressOr'-es 34. Stem'-ma-ta

15. Dzier'-zou 35. Stipe

16. Epi-derm'-is 36. Strlg'-il-is = strijilis

17. Fa;-ccs=fee-sees 37. Tra-che'-a = tarykee'ah

18. Fla-gell'um = flajellum 38. Trr)-chau'ter=trokan'ter

19. Hypo-derm'-is 39. Un-guic'-u-li=ungwi'kuil

20. LC-v-ri-tor'-es 40. Ve'-lum

21. Jlal-pig'-hl-an

We may add that nu'-cle-us (singular ), nu'-cle-i (pluial),

and larva (singular), lar-vw (plural) are sonieiimes
misused as to number.

HONEY IMPORTS.

The value of honey imported into the
United Kingdom during the month of
October, 1906, was £3^215. — From a
return furnished to the British Bee
JouKXAL by the Statistical Office, H.M.
Customs.

The Editors do not hold themselves responsible for the
opinions expressed by correspondents. No notice will
be taken of anonymotis communications, and corre-
spondents are reqtiested to write on one side of the paper
only and give their real names and addresses, not neces-
sarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith.
Illustrations should be draion on separate pieces «f paper.
We do not undertake to return rejected communications.

*»* In order to facilitate reference, Corresponderts,
when speaking of any letter or query previously inserted,
ivill oblige by mentioning the number of the letter as well
as the page on which it appears.

AMONG THE BEES.

AT THE CONVERSAZIONE.

[6499.] I cannot but think that bee-
keepers are frequently needlessly alarmed
at the presence of a few suspicious cells in
a comb or two in a thriving and populous
hive. When we remember the immense
number of eggs • a queen deposits in the

452

THE BRITISH BEE JOtrUNAL. [Nov. 15, 1906.

course of the seaeon, the variation of tem-
perature so constantly inconstant in our
fickle climate, the possibility of insufficient
or defective nourishment, or faulty chyle-
food fed to the larva, the wonder is
that far more abortions are not ob-
served. My belief is that partially digested
food, deleterious matter fed in the shape
of pollen or nectar, irregular feeding, or
utter neglect on the part of some careless
nurse bee, may acount for many suspicious
cells. Then, too, bees must, like man, be
heirs to certain ills, small personal dis-
eases, accounting for jiuiny deaths in the
cells. All this may. at times, be made too
much of and epidemics diagnosed when
there is nothing of this nature present.

I am glad that a warning note has again
been sounded against the too free use of
carbolic in a crude or under-diluted form.
The odour sticks to honey like a limpet to
the rock, and nothing can eliminate its
(jffensive smell and taste when honey is
heavily tainted. I have several times
lately 'warned bee-keepers of this serious
dangei-. Many of them, too, who worship
Lady Nicotine, apply her poisonous fumes
to the bees. I do not like it. I know that
wlien the tobacco is of the strong and vile-
smelling kind, known, I think, as " bogie
coll," it m positively injvirious to the bees.
I liave seen them, after it had been puffed
in at the entrance, come rolling down the
flight-board dazed, stupefied, and with
bodies distorted, showing evidence that
they were suflPering serious pain.

I have not used my " Porter " bee-escape
for several years. Last year and this I
have cleared all out early in the seaison
by simply taking off the rack, when work
had ceased for the day, and placing it
above the coverings, leaving the bees to
ck^ar out by the cone in the roof. The
plan saves a good deal of manipulative in-
terference with the brood-nest, lightens
labour, is perfectly effective, and saves bee
life. When laying down the full rack, de-
posit it on two-inch sticks placed under
each side, and no bees will be crushed,
wliile the space back and front will act
as a clearer so that the top may remain
ccjvered, thus giving practically no smell of
ex])osed honey. Later in the season I cover
ihe coneys and allow the l)eeis to walk down
direct to the brood-nest, as formerly de-
scribed.

Now, Mr. White, vou surely spoke in
error when you said " there was only one
])lace from which fiood heather honey could
l)e obtained." I think nobody made that
rash statement, but many will make the
true asertion tliat the hmf heather honey
comes from north the Tweed. Your " good "
honey from Surrey, which took 1st and
2nd prizes a1 a show, <'ither had no genuine
Highland lieather honey ])itted against it

or the judges were incompetent — not as
judges., but to assign the true positions in
this particular class. Indeed, do not your
own biassed words read, page 424, last para-
graph, as if Lligliland heather honey would
suffer at your hands, and that when you
next judged at the Confectioners', etc., it
may be written large " Nothing Scotch need
apply ! "

I am surprised that the Chairman and
others should be surprised at the iioa-use
of excluder zinc below racks of sections.
I thought that its exclusion from the hive,
when working for comb-honey, was the ride
and not the exception. I see nothing " ex-
traordiiiary " in finding no brood in sec-
tions. I never use it and yet for twenty
years I have not had twenty sections spoiled
with brood.

Notwithstanding what has been said I
would strongly advise that there should be
, no feeding of bees with syrup, from October
t(j March inclusive, unless in a case of the
greatest emergency, and not even then if
a comb or two of natural stores are ava^l-
a])le. It may be a question of locality to
some extent, perhaps ; but I know, here
at least, any such feeding would lead to
dysentery, and the consequent weakening,
or even loss, of the stock. I never use
candy, but I believe in it as the only ra-
tions fit for placing in hives in winter.
Finally, I would always stipulate when
ordering sugar for feeding bees it should
be pure cane. I am not certain that I
always get it, neither can I vouch for the
fact that the grocer can really certify ae to
its being nure cane, but he fxives me a
guarantee that he has nurchased it as such.
A friend who ought to know informs me
that Mr. Reid's statement that " the most
clever analyst " caniiot tell refined cane
from refined beet is too extreme. He says
well-known tests can easily be applied.

t'^ujypressivfi Heaflier Honei/ Sxliihiiit. —
The remarks made above regarding the
juilging of heather honey remind me that
T have " a crow to jjluck " with somebody.
Why do southern show authorities and
judges (either or both combined) do their
utmost to strangle heather exhibits? The
showing of heather honey is being de-
liberately sui)pressed. smothered, annihi-
lated, and the treatment accorded exhibits
looks as if there was a desire to put this,
department out of existence. The attack
is not a spasmodic one, but systematic and
jiersistent, and it has been going on de-
lil)erately for years.' This is no imaginaiy
fancy of a perhaps prejudiced individual,
l)ut a simi)le statement of patent facts, and.
as I would specially refer to the three
])rincipal Tiondon shows to substantiate my
assertion, the proof or disproof is easily ap-
idiod. The Grocers' arc fairlv consistent :
but at the Dairy and Confectioners'

Nov. 15, 1906.] THE BKITISH BEE JOtJENAL.

453

for the past twelve years prizes have been
withheld wholesale. Indeed, i(t is be-
coming quite the fashion to grant only two
out of the four prizes offered — and that
rather, I think, irrespective of number of
entries. Some of my notes read as fol-
lows : — " Four entries, one prize " ; " seven
entries, two prizes " ; '' six entries, three
prizes " ; " two prizes, 1st and 2nd, with-
held." When we remember the long dis-
tance these exhibits have to travel, the
cost of transit, and the difficulties ex--
hibitors have to encounter in arranging for
the staging, I think the above, wliich might
be largely amplified, displays rather scurvy
treatment as a reward for the enthusiasm
which bridges over all these difficulties of
distance, expense, and cold water douches.
Narrowing my point of vision to this
year's shows, I find that at the Dairy seven
entries of extracted heather honey got
only two prizes, which was, apparently,
the only heather honey ishown. En
passant, I may remark none of it
came from Scotland. At the Grocers'
an entry of twelve exhibits of heather
honey sections was cold-shouldered with
three prizes. Nine entriee of twelve
jii-essed heather got the same number,
whereas seven entries granulated obtained
fiiur prizes ; and, strange to say, the new
" blended " class received the same favour.
Why ? At the Confectioners' for five entries
two jjrizes were awarded to sections in th's
claiss, but for jars the same entry got four
prizes. Now, as the iudges at these shows
were well-known and prominent bee-
keepers, one or other of them might gra-
ciously give us some light on the subject.
If, on the other hand, the show authorities
are responsible for this niggardly policy,
of withdrawing with one hand what they
ostensibly btetow with the other, the sooner
they recast their rules and regulations the
])etter.— D. M. M. Banff.

MINIATURE SECTIONS.

A WORD TO EXPERIMENTERS.

[6500.] Following the short account of
this experiment in B.B..J. of October 25,
I have received c^uite a number of letters
asking for further details about these small
sections. If your space will permit, kindly
allow me to replv to these through the
B.B.J. ^ ^

To start at the beginning and with the
common question — Where can suitable
wood be procured and how can it be made
up to the required shape? This is really
the bigger part of the exi)eriment — at least,
where the bee-keeper ie concerned — and
once got over, the rest of the business is
quite trivial.

As can be imagined, the getting of the
required wood in small qucnntities is very

difficult, and to facilitate the work of in-
tending experimenters, both as regards this
trouble and also the subsequent one of
making the boxes neat and to exact size, I
have written the makers of the Aspen Slips,
explaining the circumstances, and asking
what they could do in the way of assist-
ance. Their reply is very courteous and
helpful.

As a sample lot they will make not less
than twelve gross of these small boxes to
the size required, and covered outeide with
a band of plain pai^er For decorative pur-
poses this band could be coloured or printed
to any pattern — so giving the finished sec-
tion an attractive appearance. Unfortu-
nately, until the makers have had some ex-
perience in the making of these boxes, they
cannot name a price but promise on this
sample lot to keep it as low as possible.
What I would now suggest, is that all bee-
keepers intending to experiment with these
sections this coming season should kindly
send me a post-card saying what amount
they would require. A gross is a fair num-
ber for testing purposes (two would be
better), and the boxes will be put up for
postage in hundreds or grosses as may be
found most suitable. As the minimum
quantity of twelve gross must be taken,
along with the fact that after the stated
number is made the makers will not under-
take to make more unless a very large
quantity were required, it is desirable that
all those wishing to have some of these
boxes should send notice as soon as pos-
sible. The slips themselves cost me only
6d. a gross, so I do not anticipate the
boxes coming oiit at more than Is., or at
the outside Is. 6d. , a gross — although I
cannot guarantee this at all, but am taking
for granted that makers keep the cost as
low as they can.

Perhaps some reader could suggest im-
provements about the decorative paper
bands or other matters ?

As shallow-frames are (or should be) all
of same size, there need be no difficulty
about boxes fitting. As long as thirty-two
of thenl are no lugger than the interior of
a frame, the fitting is of small conse-
quence.

The boxes are placed above one another
— foui^ roAvs of eight each — without any
shelf or other support between the rows.
Consequently, the joints of frames must
be nailed or secured at bottom as well as
at top.

For fixing the boxes into frames so that
all is level and tidy, use a flat board some-
what bigger than frames, and on it nail
strips of Hi in wood so that when fi-ame is
laid on these strips it is raised from the
board a little way. I-ay the boxes (pre-
viously fitted with foundation) in position,
wedge ijt place with slips of wood (old

454

THE BRITISH BEE JOtTRNAL. [Nov. 15, 1906.

separators do splendidly), and all is ready.
The boxes are in centre of frame, fixed
tightly, and present a level surface.

Separators between the frames are, I
think, necessary. Possibly tin would be
better than wood, and could be cut to hang
as frames do, this would be freer from
buckling than thin wood. Only a bee
space should be left between the separator
and face of boxes as comb will then only
be built to the edge of wood. Comb pro-
jecting further is not at all desirable.

As to foundation. This must be used,
and far better results will be derived from
the use of " full " sheets than from starters
only. After cutting the foundation to
size, fix it to section by pressure, using a
piece of hard w(vod shaped as a wedge.
This will be found quite sufficient, and
very easily done.

These, I think, are tlie principal details
connected with the experiment, and I now
wait to hear from those of your readers
who care to take advantage of the oppor-
tunity to secure boxes with the least amount
of trouble. The making of them, I can
say, is not exactly a joke— at least, not till
one gets into the way of doing them.

I cannot say where the small bottles re-
ferred to previously can be obtained in
quantities, but perhai^s some reader could
oblige in this respect. Since writing about
these I have come across a bottle slightly
smaller, and so more suitable for honey
retailing, than the ones first dealt with.
Possibly twelve to thirteen of them would
go to the pound of honey instead of, as
fomerly, ten to eleven (not fen. rlcrcnihs, as
in print), and surely with these honey
could be retailed to advantage in res-
taurants and tea-roomfi.

Ai)ologising for this lengthy scrawl,
which I have cut down as much as possible.
• — I am, yours truly, R. N. Robektson,
" Spearshiil," Tayport. N.B.

P.S. — If a small note re these miniature
sections was put in Recokd, it would pos-
sibly augment the number of boxes to order
from maker. I ishal] be ])leased to have
your remarks re the whole subject. —
R. N. R.

A I'AINI'UL SUBJECT. '

[6501.] While in bygone years our bees
were occasionally jirone to sting, their at-
tentions were generally (confined to my own
person, and not until this season did they
molest passengers on the King's highway.

With an eye to profitable increase I had
invested in a few queens of some new
varieties, displaying more or less brilliant
markings, but only one form of temper.
SinfMj these evil spirits entered it, our once
jieaceful bee-garden has been turned into

an inferno wherein none may enter without
defensive armour.

The vicious insects' guardianship was not
confined to their own respective hifves, but
took in the whole apiary and the vegetable
garden as well, so that even the necessary
cabbage for the morrow's dinner had to be
secured under cover of darkness.

When fruit-picking time came the youth-
ful helpers had perforce to pursue their
labours with veil-clad faces, although this
looked susi^iciouely like an attempt to get
behind the Scriptural injunction against
muzzling the ox that treadeth out the corn.

In one case a queen suiJplied to me as a
native produced a family suspiciously
Cyprian — judged by appearance and be-
haviour. When supering they flew at me
like demons, and not content with a single
target for their darts made a fell attack
on the inmates of the poultry yard. Shortly
after a certain individual incautiously
made choice of the neighbourhood of this
hive as vantage ground from which to an-
niliilate a thievish blackbird -caught
sampling a bed of choice strawberries. The
gunshot had unexpected results in that it
brought forth something like the whole
adult population of the colony in a dense
mass and most militant mood. The sharp-
shooter had to flee the spot at a record pace,
shedding hat, gun. and stick by the way,
and pursued to the very doorstep by an
angry host of stinging things !

W^hile the bees were content to wreak
their wrath on bipeds, feathered or other-
wise, matters were scarcely viewed in a
serious light, but during the closing days
of the season, whether it was the heat or
that the fighting units had wind of the
" insurance scheme " being in temporary
abeyance, something like a stinging mania
set in. The first four-footed victim was a
harmless, meditative donkey, placidly
wending its homeward way immersed in
profound thought. Perhaps the bees — ex-
ponents of the strenuous life^ — took excep-
tion to the leisurely gait of the long-eared
one ; in any case, they made a sudden and
terrible onslaught that speedily brought
back the dreamer from realms of philo-
sophic doubt. The yoiithful drivei-s fled
weeping, hotly puiisued by a flying squad-
ron of the enemy.

An awful fate wais in store for the unfor-
tunate animal had not the bee-man come
to the rescue, and. after drawing out of
the zone of fire, smote the enemy hip and
thigh, it not loith. at least nn, the ass's
jawbone, and in many other places where
they were making themselves felt. This was
fairly exciting, but less so than following
episodes, when a nair of ponderous cart-
horses had their usual funeral pace changed
into a thunderous gallop by a wild charge
of the stinging brigade; while the long-

Nov. 15, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOtTRlsrAL.

455

suffering animal that brings us the staff of
life was on different occasions so severely
attacked as to require the ujiited strength
of several men to prevent a stampede !

At the time I auite failed to see any
humour in the situation, being fully con-
cerned with mending or ending the intoler-
able state of affairs. At the outset I shifted
several colonies quite away from the road-
side, giving their supers to other stocks.
This improved matters somewhat, but the
returning bees entered adjoining hives and
stinging recommenced. Fortunately, the
remainder were backed by a thick planta-
tion, and peace was finally restored by turn-
ing the hives right round with entrances
facing the obstruction, to clear which the
bees had to fly high above all traffic.

I do not mean to take any risks next sea-
son, and must shift the lot to some se-
questered nlace where their energies will
find sole outlet in the legitimate work of
honey-gathering. — J. M. Ellis, Ussie Val-
ley, November 8.

HONEY SHOWS.

STAGING " FAKED " HOXEY.

[6502.] As an exhibitor of nearly twenty
years' standing, and the holder of sixty
silver and bronze medals gained at some
of the best shows in England, allow me to
protest against the statement made by a
correspondent in B.B.J, last week (6494-,
page 445), under the head of " Staging
'Faked' Honey." I have never yet
seen any man clever enough to manu-
facture " faked " honey for a show-bench
and gain prizes for what is " honey
in name only." It may be possible for a
dishonest man to '' fake " honey for his
customer that knows nothing about it, but
it is quite l>eyond " W. H. W.," or anyone
else, to beat the best samples of genuine
comb or extracted honey as gathered by
bees from natural sources, such as are
seen on the fihow-benches at the large
shows. If "W. H. W." doubts this state-
ment, let him try it on at the next show,
and if he does so I can promise him his
exhibit will not cost him much in railway
carriage upon its return journey.

But does vour correspondent really think
such a practice exists? Or, is he one of
the class (like some others I know) who
have never produced a first-rate sample of
honey in their lives? These gentlemen
are anxious to learn how the finest samples
are secured, and take the curious way of
trying to sret the information by abusing
those, who, after yearn of study, have
learned how to keep the good stuff from the
bad (for the bees gather both). I think we
can trust friend Woodley not to be
" drawn " in this way. I am very much
surprised that our Editor should publish,

such a letter^ as many consumers and
buyers of honey read the B.B.J, but do not
keep bees. These are the people who may
believe such stuff, and to do harm to
honey-producers.

I think the suggestion of " Libra " (6486,
page 441) inviting suggestions for the
framing of schedules for shows, and rules
governing same, to be sent by exhibitors,
would be very useful, because exhibitom
should have some say with regard to the
laws laid down therein, as they have to
abide by it. If you will kindly open your
columns for this ])ui-pose, it would, no
doubt, remove a lot of complaints. — J.
Carver, Wellington, Salop, November 12.

[Our columns are always open to receive
useful suggestions from readers in the in-
terests of bee-craft. — Eds.]

PROFIT SHARING.

LABOUR VERSUS • CAPITAL.

[6503.] Replying to your correspondent
" T. S.," Coventry, who writes in B.B.J.
of the 8th inst. (page 449), may I be al-
lowed to say there are a good many bees
kept in this country on half shares. In
the case in question, I think " T.S." should
have seven of his eight stocks valued along
with all his accessories, such as extra
frames, extractor, etc. , at a reasonable
and fair valuation. The eighth stock be-
longing to " T. S." might reaeonably go
as an equivalent to the one stock of the
other partner. The latter should then pay
to " T. S." the amount of the valuation.
From that time forward " T. S." would
give his services and look after the whole
business. At the end of the season the
profits should be equally divided. From
that time forward each partner would own
one-half of the property and " T. S." would
continue to give his labour. I send name
for reference and sign — Cornubian", Corn-
wall, November 10.

WINTER FEEDING.

[6504.] I pack my bees for winter accord-
ing to the advice in your monthly, The
Bee-keepers' Record, viz., with a good,
large, flat cake of candy on top of frames.
But a friend of mine, who ignores both
guide-books and experts, uses liquid food
at all times and adopts the following
method : — He puts on toji of frames, when
packing for winter, a light frame about
8 in. long. 5in. wide, and fin. deep, and
tacks a piece of perforated zinc over the
top. This gives a good passage-way for
the bees. Then the quilts have a hole suf-
ficently laree to take an ordinary feeding-
bottle, taking care to have the mouth quite
close to the zinc. The bees get their food
by inserting their tongues through the zinc

456

O^HE BUltnSH BEE JOtJBNAL. [Nov. 15, 1906.

and the calico covering of the bottle, which
is easily placed and replaced without dis-
turbing the bees or letting in any cold air.
I was present when my friend shifted
his bees into clean hives in the spring, and
better or stronger stocks I never expect
to see. — F. J. H., Cranleigh.

SAGACIOUSNESS OF WASPS.

INTERESTING INCIDENT IN WASP-UFE.

[6505.] Having read several reports from
fellow bee-keei>ers of the annoyance caused
to themselves and their bees by wasps, I
wilsh to relate an incident wliich may
arouse a little interest in these unpopular,
but sagaciovis, insects.

On a certain day about the middle of
August last, after I had been extracting
honey, I left some wet combs in a small
room of my house, which is not much used.
The door remained ajar long enough to
allow some thirty or forty wasps to gain
admittance ; but immediately this was dis-
covered both window and door were tightly
shut and further ingress or egress rendered
impossible. Next day I visited the room
v;ith destruction and annihilation in my
mind, but did not complete my task of
slaying right and left, because my atten-
tion was drawn to a wasp gnawing a blot-
ting-pad ; and soon after I saw another at
work, with itis mandibles, on the wall-pa-
per. Although it is well known that wasps
make their nests of a soft paper-like sub-
stance, I marvelled to see them collecting
material v/hen it was impossible for them
to carry it to their homes. In a short time
my interest was etill further inci'eased with
the discover}^ that on the window-blind the
busy little workers had laid the founda-
tions of a house of their own. It seemed
to me that the exposure during two cold
niglits had caused some casualties, making
the number of workers few ; nevertheless,
tliey were willing and skilful and blotting-
jKiper was ))lentiful close at hand. All
the remaining wasps kept hard at work until
H small shelter wais formed, which added to
their comfort at night ; and with ap-
I)arently increased vigour next day the work
was continued, another gallerj' was raised,
and another, until to-day (October 6) their
house appears to be complete. It is about
the size and shape of half a large lemon,
])eantifullybuilt of disintegrated white blot-
ting-])ajK'r. the flat side being attached to
tlio hanging part of the blind and the top
fixed to the roller above.

There are only about half a dozen wasps
left, but they seem to be perfectly happy
;ind fly about the room, when the
sun shine."?, in a vei-y im])crtinent manner,
eat the food ])rovided for them, and retire
wilhin (he portals of their warm ca«tle at
night.

My wife did not fall in with my idea of
introducing a queen to the community, so
they are left to live on the fat of the land
in the bliss of bachelorhood. It is my be-
lief that the wasps did not all originally be
long to the same colony, as slight differences
between individiials were noticed ; still,
they joined forces, fired with the same in-
stinct to build, this being their only means
of self-preeervation. — Robert Gkeen,
Boroughbridge, October 6.

THE CHAPMAN HONEY PLANT.

ECHINOPS SPH^EROCEPHALUS.

The notification made on page 450 last
week regarding free seeds of the " Chap-
man Honey Plant " has brought us so
many applications for seed, coupled in
several cases with a request for cultural
directions, etc., that to save trouble on
all sides we reprint the interesting de-
scription of the plant from Vol. 32, written
by Mr. Walter F. Reid, in which he says :

'■ Some years ago. through the kindnei-is
of a brother bee-keeper, I received some
seed of the " Chapman Honey Plant,"
which has since thriven beyond my mnist
sanguine exjjectations. At the time of
writing I have a veritable thicket of mag-
nificent plants in a corner of my garden,
crowded with bees, and. if not contributing
materially to the honey surplus, yet un-
doubtedly a source of enjoyment to the
bees. The plants attain a height of from
9 to 10 ft., and the profusion of flowers
which they bear mav be seen from the en-
closed photograph of a few of the plants.

There are some minor points about the
"Chapman Honey Plant" which are not
generally known, and which add to its
value. In the first instance, it furnishes
an excellent vegetable in the early spring,
and one that can be easily grown on al-
most any soil. The voung shoots should
be well blanched, like sea-kale, and cooked
in a similar way. The flavour reminds one
of sea-kale with sliLdit resemblance to as-
paragus. A siircession of shoots may be
obtained through the summer by cutting
down the main stems near the ground. The
blanching should be complete, the least
trace of green colour carrying with it a
bitter taste. The stems of the mature
I)lant are long and strolrg, and are very
useful in the garden as supports for flowers,
tomatoes, etc. The seeds germinate
readily, and do not annear to be eaten bv
birds. Even the field mice will not touch
them until germination has begun. The
reason appears to be that the seed is en-
cased in a sheaf of barbed fibres which
penetrate and even traverse the tongue,
])roducing nainful sores.

The flowers not onlv attract ])eeK, but
also many niglit moihs and earwigs do not

Nov. 15, 1906.] THE BUITISH BEE JOURKAL.

457

seem able to resist their seductive aroma.
By tapping the heads of the flowers at
night over a plate or tray containing a
little petroleum the bee-keeper, who is
also a florist, may diminish the number of
earwigs in his garden materially. For
myself, I let the. earwigs live, for they are
great consumers of green blight, and
although they do, undoubtedly, sometimes
injure flowei-s, yet, on the whole, I think
they deserve to retain their little place in
Nature's scheme."

Mr. W. Loveday gives the following cul-
tural directions fo'r "vowing the " Chap-
man Honev Plant " ; —

fi-ames, 6in. ; top-bar, gin. by |in. ; the
sides and bottom, Sin. by fin. by ^in. ; and
when nailed had an inside measui"ement
of Sin. deep and 4-9in. wide. My reason
for fijiing upon this size was I could have
three frames filled from one shallow-frame.
When placed in the boxes there was a ^in.
s])ace between the ends of frames and the
bi)dy-box, and also underneath the frames.
A confining-box was then made from a
" Babbits' soap-powder box." The bottom
was replaced by wire gauze and the toi>
covered with cheese clo-th tacked round one
end and one side. The remaining sides
were jirovided witli two fillets to hold the

(•HAl'MAN HONEY PLANT.
(Echinops Sph(erocephalus).

"Sow thiidy ill Febiuary and iMarch,
or in July and August. Plant out in open
places, 4 to S ft. apart, as soon as the young
plant measures about 3 in. across."

ODDS AND ENDS ABOUT BEES.

SOME USEFUL HINTS.

{Continued from page 448 )
I made forty of the boxes mentioned last
week, 6in. square inside measurement. I
send sketches to make the -construction
plain. Meantime I may say they were
made from white pine sarking boards, 9in.
by |in., at 7^d. per scpiare yard. The

cluth, and with a couple of sprigs so as
to give ready access to the hand. In one
side of the box a slit was cut to admit the
"bee-shoot," or bee-chute. I am indebted
to Mr. Sladen's book on " Queen-rearing "
for this admirable deviw.

In tilling the little frames I grudged to
cut up beautiful shallow-frames, so I used
vp forty sta.adard-fvames .(f comb that I
had cleared of pollen. This gave me thirty
mating-boxes stocked ready. I filled one
frame in each box as I required it with
good isyrup. I may here niention that l^in.
comb was left on the top-bars of the
standard frames, and thev wei-e used for

458

O^HE BRITISH BEE JOTTBNAL. [Nov. 15, 1906.

swarms, as starters. For holding the
young queens for a couple of days I found
nothing better than Mr. Meadow's " Swarth-
more " cages. And here I beg to give a
hint on caging queen-cells. It is this : —
Before caging the queen-cell put into the
cage three newly-hatched bees. They will
attend to thinning the end of the cells, and
queens will hatch out successfully and
strong.

My intention was to stock each mating-
box with bees from a swarmed hive, six or
seven days after swarming ; but for my
earliest queens I had to take the bees from
a strong stock in the middle of a good flying
day. The bees were shaken into the con-
fining-box through the "shoot," and set
in a dark jilace for six hours. The wired
face Avas downwards and the box tilted up
against a wall so that the bees might clus-
ter on the fixed end of the cheese-cloth.

The stocking was done as follows : —
Queens, bees, and boxes were taken into
the bee-house, and the light darkened. The
queen was then dropped into a cup and
a card placed over it. The back frame of
the mating-box was next removed and the
cheese-cloth turned up and a grocer's sugar-
scoop used to gather up in it about one-
half its capacity full of beeis. These were
promptly dropped into the mating-box, as

♦ 10 »

:mating box.
(Inside View). (Outside View).

was also the queen ; the frame was then re-
placed and covers carefully fixed. The en-
trance, l^in. by §in.. was also closed, but
each box had a " cork-hole " in the bottom
over which was fixed a piece of perforated
zinc. Jjate on the following evening, the
entrance was opened, and in every case the
queens were accepted. For all subsequent
batches I procured bees from a swarmed
hive, taking care to leave as many bees
as would cover any unhatched brood.

For feeding I poured a little warm syrup
into the back combs twice a week, using
an ordinary feeding-bottle for the purpose.
In all respects these little colon'es be-
haved like seconds or casts. There was no
brood employed, and the many new obser-
vations I made on the behaviour of the
([ueens should prove of great value for
future guidance in the same pursuit. This
letter is already too long, but if you con-

eider the matter of consequence to your
readers, I shall point out in what way al-
most anyone may have a few queens mated
after any swarm for little or no expense.—
D. Vallance, Dunaskin, N.B

CAPPINGS OF COMB.

By L. S. C, Ilkley, YorJcs.

B.B.K.A. Beport (p. 433). — During
friendly discussion it occasionally happens
that an interpolation occurs which has re-
ference to a previous subject of debate.
Would it not be allowable to so edit the re-
port that such should follow the matter
to which it is relative ? It would certainly
be better to follow.

Food for lliought (p. 434). — " From one
hundred to three hundred independent fer-
tilisations must be accomplished to pro-
duce a single strawberry ! " It is more than
wonderful that strawberries are so cheap.
Then about " Hive Disinfection " (p. 434).
Why disinfect the floorboard if it is bo
certain that there are no spores on it ? Also
with regard to " Width of Boards. " (p. 435).
I should say if an 8| in. board be thor-
oughly wetted it will swell to 9 in. This
might meet the case and would only ne-
cessitate a daily watering of the hives.

Driven Bees (p. 435). — Some writers
speak of these in such termis as would war-
rant a beginner in believing that they were
a distinct race. Collectors must include
" Apis mellifica var. Expulsa ! " The
question of " Driven Bees Travelling Home
on Combs " (p. 436) makes one ask : Is
there sufficient compensating advantage
for the trouble and risk of taking for many
miles of travel dozene. of frames fitted with
foundation, for the sole purpose of hiving
the lots as driven?

Heather Honey at 6d. per lb. (p. 436). —
There is certainly something wrong with
this price. I am getting Is. 3d. for my
heather honey, and others report similar
prices. Surely there is no need for th's
undercutting. The mention of " Honey
from Turnips " (p. 436) makes me say I
should v^ry much like to have a pure
sample of honey from this source. Would
"T. W. S." very kindly descx'ibe ^t ac-
curately for us?

Poor Season in Jersey (p. 437V — Has the
Isle of Wiirht also suffered a poor season ?
Is it possible that there may be a connec-
tion between this matter and the strength
of the recent epidemic ? I have traced the
source of mv nomenclature, relating to
" Vesjia media " (p. 437) to Chambers's
Encyclopiedia, which giveis an illustration
of the nest of this wasp, but no indication
that other than the British sjjecies is de-
scribed. My thanks are due to Mr. Sladen
for his kind informatory note.

Laying Worker or Queen (p. 438). — The

Nov. 15, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

459

probable solution of the case is that the
queen was damaged during the comb re-
pair operation, but not killed. The bees
would not, accordingly, receive another
queen. The queen recovered sufficiently to
lay a few eggs, but feebly and in scat-
tered fashion, and then died. The young
queens were, no doubt, reared from these
eggs.

Honey in Tina (p. 439). — One large pro-
ducer in the Isle of Man uses 21b., lib.,
and, I think, ^ lb. tins, with apparent
satisfaction. I have found that honey is
sometimes tainted near a joint in tinware,
but a fresh, clean surface of new tin is
quite safe, and if a little cheap wax were
to be run around the joint such packages
might be nerfect.

Pafenh (443).— Mr. Eeid m apparently
somewhat to blame if he did not make it
clear in the letterpress that his design was
protected. If tliere is value in his hive,
and the patent is valid, it is to be hoped
that he will put it unon the market and
not keep it in the wilds to no good pur-
pose. About "PayiuQ; Swarms "7p. 445) I
would say neither of these, cases is really
analogoufs to that of an ordinary swarm
purchased from a distance. That^item on
" Statesmanship " d. 447, last paragraph)
makes me think there is a good deal of
"moral" at the end of this iuterestiuf'
story. It is, however, a little difficult tn
imagine any one of our statesmen layinc
eggs for the nation ! "

^utfm m& §,e^\m.

Lo4o2.] i/r<-.<f Carri/in,/ PoIIrn in Ortuher.—
ihe^students at the Diocesan Traiiiincr Collec'e
iork, studv bee-keeping as a branch of natural
historv. They would be gbid to have infor-
mation a.s to the reason of the following (in
their opinion) unusual phenomenon. A hive
which viekled 40 lbs. of honey, has been very
quiet during September, biit for the last
seven or eight days the bees have exhibited
nearly as much activity as in the height of
the season. Ihey seemed very busy goint^
out and returning laden with 'pollen, and
perhaps honey, and all seemed more excited
than usual, as if they were working especially
hard for some particular purpose. Your views
on this point will be much appreciated. Is
it trespassing too much on your kindness \a>
also ask, what is the insect, looking very much
tike a bee, but larger, which visits in large
numbers the Michaelmas daisy? Quite a.
hundred bees were searching three batches of
this flower this afternoon. Thanking you in
anticipation, I append name and sign —
Stxtdent, York, October 10.

'Reply. — ^1. There is nothing phenomenal in.
the activity of bees as described ; it will
probably arise through some very late bee-

forage being available close by. Ivy, for
instance — if flowering freely — will often re-
start young queens egg-laying after they have
ceased ovipositing at the close of the earlier
honey-season, and this would account for the
activity of the bees. On the other hand, some
mischance may have happened to the parent-
queen, and a successor raised, which, although
a worthless drone-breeder, would rouse the
bees to pollen gathering if a few eggs were
deposited on the combs. The stock^ should
he examined on the first fine day to clear up
this point. 2. The insect seen is probably that
commonly known as the drone-fly.

[M5,7>.\Disfanrc Bees Travel fo Heather.— 1
should like your oijinion upon the enclosed
.sample of honey. I take it to be principally
from the true ling {Calluna vulgaris). I
have got about 160 lbs. of it, although my bees
are from four to five miles away from any
amount of heather. The fine autumn of this
year has, no doubt, enabled the bees to maRe
long journeys to the moors, as in 1899, when
I had a similar experience. In that year 1
got 230 lbs. of heather honev, though as a
rule my bees do not e;ather from the 'heather
in any quantity. With kind regards.— W.
Head, Brilley-on-Wye, Herefordshire. Oct. 8.

Reply. — ■Your sample is a good heather-
blend, and the bees have evidently Avorked
on the true ling. It is a curious fact that
such honey has been gathered this year in
many places far away from the moors. "

[3454.] Buildin;/ up S!forl:^ from Driven Bees.
— Kindly reply to the following queries: —
Two of my colonies are built up from, two
driven lots. TV^e united lots of bees were
hived respectively on September 10 last, and
having no stores to spare I gave them combs
partly filled with what I thought was pollen,
taken from a stock headed by a fertile worker.
The combs Avere removed five days previously
and thoroughly well washed with Izal. One
of these combs I did not at the time utilise,
and on cutting this comb up fourteen days
later I found in it a quantity of chilled brood.
As I am not certain that the other combs did
not also contain Ijrood and that it might be
chilled (thou"h none of the latter was thrown
out of the two hives), I am naturally full of
apprehension as to foul brood appearing in
the spring. I therefore ask : 1. Is my fear
well founded? 2. If so. can anything he
done now to prevent it? The bees took down
a fair quantity of syrup up to October 1, and
are provided with cakes of candy on top of
feed-hole. Being fed late they were troubled
by robbers, so I " clausterised " them. 3.
With regard to this latter operation, will you
kindly state if the whole entrance should' be
left open? It is | in. deep by 12 in. wide. —
Sigma. Scarborough, November 8.

Reply. — 1. There is very little cause for
alarm after the precaution you have taken.
2. Nothing can be done beyond using ordinary
preventives. 3. We do not quite know what
is meant by your term " clausterised," and,
in consequence, cannot reply to this query.

[3455.] Gluco.'>e for Bee-Candy. — I should
fee! (jbliged if you woidd say in next issue of
the B.B.J, whether glucose, used in the parti-
cular form of breweries, of which the accom-

460

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Nov. 15, 1906.

panying as a specimen, is suitable for use as
a winter bee-candy? Name enclosed for
reference. — SEWAED,"Bath, November 9.

Reply. — The saccliarine iised in glucose
by brewers might induce bees to take
it as food, but we strongly advise you not to
use it for that purpose. We should on n(j
account give it to bees as winter food.

[3436.] Zhifinished Sections. — ^Owing to the
sudden close of the heather honey-flow in
this district.. I have on hand ninety reetions
about half-filled with heather honev. They
are still in the racks undisturbed, it being my
intention to put them back on the hives
intact when super ing next year. On page 176
of the Record there is a paragraph headed
" Bait Sections," in which Mr. Doolittle" is
quoted on the subject. Since readinr^ his
opinion as to th^e removal of the old honey
before new honey is stored, I have been in
doubt as to whether I should adhere to my
intention, or simply press the honev from the
combs now, and melt the wax. Of course, I
am loath to lose so many drawn-out sections,
and would prefer to keep them if you think
it would be an advantage to do so. I shall be
much obliged for your advice on the matter
in an early issue of the B.B..J. Thanking
you in advance, I send name for reference and
sign— Heather Sectiox, Strachur, by
Greenock, November 8.

Reply. — 'Unless vou have a convenient place
in which to store the sections for winter — i.e..
where they could be keot at an even tempera-
ture of about 65 deg. F., we should press the
honey out for sale without delay. This would
be the safest course in any case, as heather
honey is now in good demand, and "a bird
in the hand is worth two in the bush."

Notices to Correspondent!} & lnauirer<.

PoTSEY (Weymouth). — Gloving Hives. — We
advise you to defer removing " ten hives
7A yards" till the bees have been kept in-
doors by cold weather for a coujilc <if woelss
or more at one spell.

E. B.\LLARD (Wor-shire). — Bee-Candy. — You
have erred somewhere in carrving out direc-
tions in " Guide Book." Sample is hard
as stone, and, in consequence, quite unfit
for bee-food in winter.

F. A. YoTJNG (Diss). — Bee Nomenclature. —
The queen bee sent is apparentlv young, and
of the ordinary brown or native variety.
The worker bee shows slight traces of
Uarniolan blood, Imt not at all marked.

B. E. B. (West Ealing).— Old Bee Books.—
Bagster's work on " The Management of
Bees" (1838) is by no means rare ; indeed it
may be picked up sometimes at second-hand
bookstalls for about a shilling.

Francis (Tortpiay). — ^Bro. Columban's Bee-
Candy. — You must have failed lamentably
in some essential detail to produce only a
thick, clear syrup (as sample) when making
.soft candy. To us it appears as if onlv
par-1)oiled. If the pan was on foi- double
the time stated bv liro. Columban we
shouM say it imust have boiled slowly,
instead of keeping it on a hot fire and
boiling briskb- all the tirhe. You will havo
to try again ; and if you do and report to
us, please quote page of B.B.J, on which
the recipe followed appears.

Suspected Comb.

J. L. J. (Maidstone). — Sorry to say the comb
is affected with foul brood of pronounced
type.

Honey Samples.

W. G. (Leek). — Your sample No. 1 (mainly
from clover) is bright and very good in
colour and consistencv, but it is beginning
to granulate. The flavour is a bit spoilt
by the bees having gatV.ered from some
source imknown to us. No. 2 is somewhat
similar in qualitv, but rather thin. Both
are quite suitable for table use.

R. E. (Amlwch) — ^Both' samples are very suit-
able for showing in different classes, No. 1
being a capital sample for a heather-blend
class. It is from clover and heather. No. 2
is equally good for staging in the ordinary
or light class, being good on all points.
Replying to your other query we may say
loaf sugar (pure cane) is the best for use
in making bee-candy.

R. Bayley (Plymouth). — The two sample
sections of honey sent no doubt left vour
hands in clean, good condition — one from
clover, the other from heather — and the box
was too well made to suffer from rough
handling and leakage in parcels post, but
the honey and comb were completely
smashed out of sections and in liquid form
in bottom of box. It formed a capital
"heather-blend" honey, and, as such, is
being used for our own table. This is the
only expression of our opinion as to quality
that we can offer in reply to your request.

Special Prepaid Advertisements.

Twelve words and under Sixpence : for every additional
Three words or under, One Penny.

GOOD HONEY, 28 lb. tins, M. per lb.— GEO.
THOMl'SON, "Beooioft." Helpringrham, Lin-

ciilnsliire. TJ 49

NO CAPITAL EEQUniED.— Lady wanted to man-
ag'e and extend bee-keeping on poultry farm in
vptui'n for half profits. Small charge for 'board. —
Ti"!TLPHA>' rOULTRY FARM. Bulphaa, Essex, u 31

F

OR Sale, SECTIONS, first quality, 2s. dozen.— D.
EYANS, Ciosising:, Aberg-wili, Carmarthen. U 32

WANTED, HONEY EXTRACTOR. Exchange con-
cert jna, new ; lock-up case ; worth 308. — WIL-
LIAMS, Bootmaker, St. Briavels. u 30

FINEST EXTRACTED HONEY, 14s. per 28 lb. tin.
Sample, 2d.— DUTTON, Terling, Essex. u 29

FIRST PRIZE NORTHAMPTONSHIRE HONEY,
28 11). tins, 14s. 6d.— CHAS. WELLS, Oxendon,
Market Harboro".

A GRAND, DARK, imiNDLE. UPSTANDING
LURCHER DOG, 2 years, good worker, will
catch hare. Exchange for healthy bees or appliances ;
sell £2. Also (for cash") a splendid working white
bitch ferret, quiet to handle, 7s. 6d., and her two dog
young ones, ready foi- work, 58. each. — HELLARD.
.lohn Street, Bridgwater, Somerset. u 27

I^WO NEW, WELL MADE, I'AINTED BAR
I''RAME HIVEiS, with healthy sfcoeka. Queen
excliKlers, and smoker, 15s. each; also good stock in
skep, 7s. 6d. Owner giving up.—" D.," " West
holme," Wilton, Wilts. tj 26

PURE CORNKH HONEY for sale, 3 or 4 cwt. ;
good quality. What offers?— A. L. PERRING,
Pojstrong, Camborne, Cornw.all. u 25

Nov. 22, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

461

BRITISH BEE-KEEPERS'ASSOCIATION

The monthly meeting of the Council was
held on Thursday, November 15, at l05,
Jermyn Street, S.W., Mr. T. I. Weston
occupying the chair. There were also pre-
sent Messrs. R. T. Andrews, W. Broughton
Carr, J. B. Lamb, W. F. Reid, E. V/alker,
and the Secretary. Apologies for inability
to attend were read from Mr. T. W. Cowan,
Mr. D. W. B. Ackerman, Mr. T. Bevan,
Dr. Elliot, Mr. W. H. Harris, and Mr.
R. Godson.

The minutes of the previous meeting were
read and confirmed.

Three new members were elected, viz. : —

Mr. P. Boxwell, 36, Beresford Road,
Canonbury, N.

Mrs. A. Gale, Rayne Place, near Brain-
tree, Essex.

Miss B. Sinckler, 4, Edith Road, Ken-
sington, W.

The Finance Committee's report was pie-
sented by Mr. T. I. Weston, and duly
adopted.

A report upon a recent examination in
Cambridgeshire was presented, and on the
examiner's recommendation it was resolved
to award a third-class certificate to Mr.
T. W. Softley.

It was announced that eighteen candi-
dates' names had been sent in for the
second-class examination on Friday and
Saturday, November 16 and 17. A list of
" supervi;?ors " nominated was submitted
and formally approved.

The draft schedule of prizes for the
honey department of the " Royal " Show
at Lincoln, in June, 1907, was prepared
for submission to the R.A.S.E. The Coun-
cil gladly learned that the Lincolnshire
B.K. Association would co-operate heart'ly
in endeavouring to secure the success of
the show, and that probably " local
classes " would be instituted.

The next meeting of the Council will Be
held on December 20.

REVIEWS.

The Brc-Mastcr of Warrilow. By Tick-
ner Edwardes (London : The Pall Mall
Press, 2s. net). — The author is a well-
known writer on rural subjects, and ro-
mantic articles on bees and bee-keeping,
which have appeared in magazines and
newspapers. In the eleven chapters of
this little book he has produced some de-
lightful stories in connection with bee-
keeping which will be found most interest-
ing, even to those who do not keep bees.
Mr. Edwardes introduces us to a type of
bee-keeper not frequently met with in Eng-

land. We certainly do not often come
across three or four hundred hives in one
apiary in this country, yet the author ven-
tures to introduce us to such an one to be
found in a village in Sussex. " Warrilow "
is the name given to it, and we are left
to guess — from the description and photo-
gi-aphic illustrations — where it is to be
found. The bee-master of Warrilow is a
type of one of that class of old men who,
though born and bred amongst the hives
and steeped from his earliest years in the
lore of his skeppist forefathers, is, never-
theless, imbued with the spirit of pro-
gress, holds decided opinions, and while
conservative is progressive. There is no-
thing new about bee-management that is
not tried, and adopted if useful and prac-
ticable, or quietly discarded if there is
nothing but novelty to recommend it. In
the opening chapter we are introduced to
the bee-master of Warrilow, whom we
meet, with gun on his shoulder, in his
gai'den on a fine day in winter when the
ground is covered with snow and the blue-
tits are busy luring the bees to their de-
struction, and we can easily picture the
scenel so vividly described. Aftefr forty
years' experience with bees the bee-master
has naturally some ideas to give us, and
amongst other quaintlv wise sayings he cau-
tions'us to " beware the foreign feminine ele-
ment," and he adds, "stick to the good
old English black," which he considers " is
a more generous honey-maker in indifferent
seasons, comes from a hardy noi'thern race,
and stands the ups and downs of the
British winter better than any cf the fan-
tastic yellow-girded crew from overseas."
We follow chapter after chapter with ab-
sorbing interest and are given details of
a whole year's work on a bee farm. In
the chapter " A Bee-man of the Forties "
we are reminded of Virgil's Fourth Georgic
with its ancient praise of the goodness of
a garden, and Mr. Edwardes gives us a
charmingly graphic description of one: —
" Coming into the old garden from the
glare of the dusty road the hives themselves
were the last thing to rivet attention. As
you went up the shady moss-grown path,
perhaps the first impression you became
generally conscious of was the slow, dim
quiet of the place — a auiet that had in it
all the essentials of silence, and yet was
really made up of a myriad blended sounds.
Then the sheer carmine of the tulips, in
the sunny vista bevond the orchard, came
urjon you like a trumnet-note through the
shadowy aisles of the trees ; and after this,
in turn, the flaming amber of the mari-
golds, broad zones of forsret-me-nots, like
strips of the blue sky fallen, snow-drifts
of arabis and starwort, purple pansy-
spangles veering to every breeze. And
last of all you became gradually aware

462

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Nov. 22, 190&.

that every brigjit nook or shade-dappled
corner round you had its nestling bee-
skep, half hidden in the general riot of
bloesom, yet marked by the steadier,
deeper song of the homing bees."

The technical details of modern bee-
kietfping are carefully interwoyen in the
natrxative. The book is as interesting to
women as it is to men, for in the chapter
" Chloe among the Bees " we are intro-
duced to the bee-mistress, who shows what
sheds doing in the country to benefit young
women by inducing them to take up the
piarsuit of bee-keeping in the pure air and
quiet of the countryside. She compares
it to other rural pursuits and says, " bee-
keeping is clean, clever, humanising open-
air work— essentially women's work all
through." Without advising its use as a
text-book on practical bee-keeping, we can
with pleasure recommend our readers to
procure this little volume, feeling sure
they will thoroughly enjoy it even if they
have already perused the articles that ap-
peared in the Pall Mall Gazette from the
same writer a couple of years or so ago.
As a gift book for the coming Christmas
season it will be eagerly read by young or
old in whom we wish to arouse interest in
■' that busy little labourer, the honey-bee."

§oxm^mkntt.

The Editors do not hold themselves re*pongible for the
opinions expressed by correspondents. No notice vdU
be taken of anonymous communiaations, and corre-
spondents are reqivested to write on one side of the paper
only and give their real naines and addresses, not neces-
iarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good laith.
Illustrations should be drawn on separate pieces of paper.
We do not uruif-rtake to return reieeted communications.

Communications relaii'^g to the /iterary department,
reports of Assoeiations, Shows, Meetingts, Echoes, Queries,
Books for Review, lie, mu-'t be addressed onii/ to "Tu^
Editors of th« ' British Bee Journal," 8. Henrie/ta-
street,^ Covent Garden. London. W.C." All businens
communications relating to advertisement), jtc, Tnust be
addressed ?o " The Manager, 'British Bee Journal,'
Office, 8, Henrietta-Street, Cooent Garden, London, W.C."

*»* In order to facilitate reference, Corrtsponderts,
when speaking of any letter or query previously inserted,
will oblige by mentioning the number of the letter a* well
aa the page on which it appears.

NOTES BY THE WAY.

[6506.] The weather continues mild. So
far, we have had no frosts. Dahlias are
still in full bloom, and vegetable marrows
continue growing, but the last bee-forage
of the year (the ivy^ is over, and with
colder weather our bees will be confined
to winter quarters. Referring to the ques-
tion of " clearing up extracted combs " at
the late Conversazione, I was somewhat
surprised that the wise heads of our craft
should occupy time in considering any such
method as travelling from hive to super
in a collateral box, when most of them
miist have use<l that simple good old way

of placing the extracted sections or combs
it is desired to have cleared out back into
rack or box, and then in the evening place
the same over the first quilt and wrap up
carefidly, so that no bees can find ah en-
trance from *he outside. If this is done
they will find in a day or two the combs
cleaned out as dry as paper. I always put
eighteen sections (after extracting) in a
rack holding twenty-one. I do this be-
cause all my racks are made with the wood
" slats " on which the sections reet, so that
if I put twenty-one to be cleared out the
bees would only be able to reach the centre
row, but with eighteen only there is room
for the bees to get to all parts. Sometimes
I place a super-clearer— with the escape
removed — on top of quilt (in every case the
feed-hole in quilt is open). The wet combs
are then put on top of " clearer," and, of
course, well wrapped up. I have never
had a case of "robbing" start through
these annual clearinge-up.

Miniature Sections. — I trust — for the
welfare of bee-keepers — that such small
sections, holding one or two ounces of
comb-honey, may never grow into market
demand. Possibly if sold at Id. each for
1 oz. section an expert bee-keeper may
make it pay, but at 6d. to 8d. per lb.— i.e.,
gd. per 1 oz. for sections — ^I feel sure it
will spell financial ruin to anyone who at-
tempts to make a living in producing these
«weet morsels. ' ' . •

I have one customer who requires- honey
in small jars, holding 2oz. and 4oz., and he
tells me that honey sells freely in these small
sizes, but the cost of iars and honey is too
high for there to be any profit in filling
them to sell at a popular price. Even the
so-called ^-Ib. jar — which I find holds 9 oz.

when only filled to the shoulder does

not pay the bee-keeper to put up whole-
sale, for the retailer who sells them at 6d.
each. It pays better t© put your honey up
in 28-11). tins and sell at 56s. per cwt. on
rail. For a sixpenny iar we want one that
holds about 7 oz. This size would take
5 lb. 4 oz. of honey to fill one dozen ; 31 jars
labelled Id. each (Is. per dozen) would leave
a working margin at 4s. 6d. per dozen,
but with ,the present iar holding 9 oz.. it
spells ruin for anyone to supplv them full
of honey to sell at- 6d. each reta'l, when
the retailer's profit is deducted.

I notice your correSpondeilt ■ " Expert "
(6472, i)age 426), refers to jam being dearer
this year. My son, who is a gi'ocer, told
me yesterday he was selling 2-lb. jars,df
jam at 6M. each. I do not think our
honey at lOd. to Is. per jar will compete
successfully with jam. Indeed, I _ have
alwaj's considered honey' a table delicacy,
and not a standard food of the people, like
jam or marmalade or even golden sy'rup.'—
W. WooDLKY, Beedon, Newbury.

Nov. 22, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

463

PRONimCIATION OF BEE-WORDS.

THE LONG AND THE SHORT OF IT.

[6507.] Ill spite of my anonymous fellow-
councillor's attempt to obviate criticism,
I must, with regret, find fault with No. 5
on his pronunciation list, " Bacillus
alve'-i" as it appears on page 451 of last
week's issue B.B.J. A man should have
the courage of his opinions, and, as I have
already on page 353, Vol. XXXI., em-
phatically advocated a different pronuncia-
tion, I feel bound now to take up the
cudgels. My words were : — " In alvei the
stress is on the first syllable, and the al
is sounded as in alcohol. The e is quite
short, and the word might be rendered in
English alveyi : not on any account alveei."
I should not have included alvcus in my
article above-mentioned if I had not been
aware that bee-men sometimes do pro-
noinice it in what seems to me an astound-
ing fashion ; but so positive am I of my
friend and opponent's alvc'-i being wrong
that if after reading my explanation he
remains unsatisfied I will gladly leave the
decision to any respectable teacher of
classics — even elementary classics ■ — to
whom he may please to make reference.

Alveus, sometimes alvus, was pure Latin
for " a hollow " ; hence it came to mean
a hollow vessel, a ship, or a bee-hive.
There are a few such substantives w'th this
ending, as calcens, a slipper ; cdscus,
cheese ; and the familiar nucleus. Ad-
jectives are more common, as auicus,
golden; argen'Uus, silvern; spomtan^is.,
etc. All of eifher kind have the short
penultimate e, except a very few words
taken from the Greek ; as epilnis, a kind
of hawk ; gicfanteus, gigantic. In its
various meanings alveus occurs here and
there in Latin poetry, and in every in-
stance the c is metrically short.

Bee-keeping brethren who chance to
come across a puzzling Latin word may
profit by the general rule that when two
vowels come together the firet is short and
bears no stress. Thus the Latin for bee-
hoUse is alvedrhtm with the main stress
on the second a; that for a well-known
heath is Erica ctnerca, and here the dis-
tinguishing adjective has every vowel
short and the stress is on the second
syllable; cimr'-m not ciner-e'a In the
case of the other well-known heath, E.
tetfalix the stress is on the first syllable ;
tef'rdlix not tetrd'-lix. Erica is generally
pronounced cr'-tca. although according to
its Greek derivation the i fihould be long.
There is no doubt as to the proper pro-
nunciation of the specific adjectives.

Latin is a dead language, and can no
lohger vary. In the pronunciation of the
vowels we English stand alone, though

there are signs of improvement ; there is
some quarrel as to hardening a consonant ;
but the metrical value of syllables is fixed
in the immortal vense of Latin poets, and
can be ascertained bv consulting a good
dictionary. Deal gently, brother bee-man,
with the tongue in which Virgil wrote the
Fourth^ Georgic, noblest of bee-poems.

Returning for a moment to the list,
please note that No. 8, chitine, is from a
Greek word chiton, meaning a tunic or cuirass,
and was fii"st transferred without change
to his own language bv a Frenchman. The
ch in our form of it is not pronounced soft,
as would appear from the list, but hard,
as kitin. In the same way chyle, another
word of Greek origin occurring in our text-
books, though in the list, must be pro-
nounced kvle. — H. J. O. Walkeb., Lieut-
Colonel, Leeford, Budleig'h-Salterton.

LONDON SHOWS.

SUPPRESSING HEATHER HONEY EXHIBITS.

[6508.] What waep has got into " D. M.
M.'s" bonnet that has made him
write so wildly in this week's B.B.J.
under a beading " Suppressing Heiather
Honey Exhibits' " ? He accuses the Southern
show authorities and judges of all manner
of wickedness re heather honey, when, in
truth, he should have fallen with a big
stick on the backs of his negligent com-
patriots. It is admitted that prizes are
offered and classes provided specially for
heather honey. That of itself is surely
evidence sufficient to Prove goodwill, and
naturally having provided the printing, ;
prizes, staging, and attendant to uiipack,
stage, and repack the exhibits, the Exhi-
bition Committee earnestly desire to find
the classes well filled with entries. It may
be asked, What is meant by " well filled " ?
and answered. That a class so important
as " comb heather honey," open to the
whole kingdom, should have at least a
dozen entries, and to be well filled twenty
and upwards. But what are the facts.
Let "D. M. M.'s" own "Notes" provide
the answer, " four entries," " seven entries,"
"six entries." What a beggarly response
to the invitation to compete ! When at
last it came to " two prizes, 1st and 2nd
withheld," because the exhibits sent in
were not worthy of a 1st, it was considered
hiffh time to apply the prize money to a
better purpose, and the dark honey
"heather mixture" class is the outcome
and will prove a success. Wlier^ are the
Scotchmen with their grand heather honey
from " avont the Tweed " ? Echo answers,
"Where'?"

They certainly do not send it soutli for
the Londoner to admire ; indeed, like the
mythical Mrs. Harris, one is tempted to

464

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Nov. 22. 1906.

exclaim, "there ain't no sich stuff." No,
the fault lies with the men who will not
be tempted to exhibit, not with those who
year after year have been dilsappointed
with the poor response to their invitation.

Had " D. M. M.'s" visual organ been at
the Dairy Show this year, he would have
found that the 1st prize for comb-honey
was won by an exhibit of heather sections
from a Midland coimty — a fine example
both of honey and bee-keeping.

Again " D. M. M." writes of "cold
shouldering " and " niggardly policy," yet
he gives figures which prove that a total
of thirty -eight entries were rewarded with
sixteen prizes ! What more could any rea-
sonable man want ; indeed, in London the
liberality of the. managers of the Grocers'
and Confectioners' shows is considered to
be very poorly responded to by the heather-
honey fraternity, so instead of bringing
railing accusations against the brethren
down south, will friend " D. M. M." kindly
explain in what way the assistance and
co-operation of the brethren ayont the
Tweed can be obtained? By so doing he
will very much oblige. — T." I. Weston,
Hook, Winchfield.

THE B.B.K.A. CONVEHSAZIONE.

[6509.] Your correspondent " D. M. M.,"
among other interesting infoi-mation on
page 452, refers to " well-known tests that
can easily be applied " to distinguish re-
fined cane from refined beet sugar. Will
he be good enough to ascertain from h'm
friend "who ought to know," one or two
of these tests and send them to you for
publication ? As " D. M. M." acknowledges
that neither his grocer nor himself can
distinguish between the two varieties, the
information would be of general interest to
your readers.

In your report of the Conversazione I
am made to say that " if blotting-paper be
burnt, pure cellulose would be produced."
My reference to blotting-paper was to the
effect that it was in itself a pure form
of cellulose. On page 422 the " pin-wire "
should be " piano-wire," its stenographic
cousin.

On the subject of small sections, or rather
samples, of comb-honey, these are in com-
mon use in the United States. They are
made in the same way as ordinary sectiouB,
and, with the name and address of the bee-
keej)er upon them, form very attractive
advertisements for an apiary. The idea is
certainly one that should be developed in
this country, and I hope British appliance
makers will be able to produce these minia-
ture sections as suggested by Mr. R. N.
Robertson. — Walter F. Reid, Fieldside,
Addlestone, Surrey, November 17.

SOME BEE-NOTES.

PLEASANT AND " OTHERWISE.''

[6510.] Referring to the article on pro-
nunciation of bee-words in last week's
B.B.J.— No. 37 in the list on page 451 —
the word trachea is quite correct if pro-
nounced trS,k-keia, but I never heard it
pronounced tarykee'ah, although that may
be correct.

The article writteii by D. Vallance, en-
titled " Odds and Ends About Bees,"
(pag'tr,. 448 and 457) is, to my mind,
a very good and practical one. Users
of this system must see that they
shake sufficient bees into the mating-
boxes, in order to keep queen larvae warm
in this variable climate. I would also
destroy any queen-cells that are not fine
and large. My hobby has been queen-rear-
ing, but I have never sold a queen, so I am
not advertising my own goods. Referring to
the first part of this letter, there is one
thing I should like to point out — i.e.,
strictly speaking, this is not queen-breed-
ing. Mr. Vallance rather hits at queen-
breeders' prices.

The reason why a queen-breeder charges
more than it costs bee-keepers to rear a
queen at home is this : — A queen-breeder
has to be continually introducing fresh
blood (breeding queens) to prevent the
queens he sells being inbred. The pro-
geny of some queens so purchased do not
prove up to his standard, consequently he
has to destroy them, and this means a big
loss — choice breeding-a ueens being expen-
sive. By all means let every bee-keeper
breed his own queens, but to prevent in-
breeding he must buy a good queen from
some reliable breeder, and let the daughters
of this queen mate with drones from his
best stock.

I am certain that bee-keepers often for-
get to look at. this matter in a proper light,
and so because oueen-rearers and not
breeders.

If you eo to a farmer he will tell you
that he does not rear the sires for his
flocks because of wishing to avoid inbreed-
ing. Why should bee-keepensi act dif-
ferently ?

I must confess to having missed this
point myself at one time, but since I have
worked on the lines now indicated my takes
of honey have been about doubled.

A large number of bee-keepers destroy
their queens after they are a year old.
Why ? We had a bad season here this year,
but one colony headed by a three-year-old
queen has given me 1801b. of extracted
honey. I nut her in a nucleuis April 7, and
gave her every advantage. Kept feeding
the stock right up to the first week in .June,
and as I had put the hive in the other side
of a clover field the bees had their forage

Nov. 22, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

465

close to their hive entrance. This stock
also gathered a large quantity of honey-
in the fall as well as in summer-time, and
that is what brought the weight of surplus
so much in excess of what other stocks
did. I took the last lot of honey off in
September.

Those bee-keepers who own only four or
five stocks will find it pay better to buy
untested queens from a bi*eeder who can
guarantee delivery of sfood queens, and if
one hag plenty of cash and honey is the
only object, then I should say buy all your
queens, and buy untested one*?, or virgins,
so long as vour stocks are pure.

Now for a different tale : — There is an
old story round here that if a swarm is
going awav. they can be brought down by
firing a gun somewhere near them. Our
gardener came running in, crying,
" Master, Master, run and get your gun,
the swarm's going awav ! " The gun was
duly brouofht and fired, and, isure enough,
" like a shot," those bees came down in a
hurry, and in such a hurry, too. But the
swarm was only hived after many stings,
and it was utterly impossible to go any-
where within a hundred yards of them for
the rest of the summer. On vei-v hot days
the bees " went for " anvbody and anything
quite a lone way off ; but, strange to say,
they were quiet enough the next season,
and so T say to Mr. Ellis, "Do not fire a
gun in an apiary." The concussion of the
air is unpleasant to human beings, how
much more so to beos!

Your readers mav have a lau^h when I
tell you that the cliief reason for keeping
down bracken round the hives in one out-
apiary is that the little Ens;li>5h viper is
in the bracken, one man in the neighbour-
hood dyine from the bite of one this sea-
son. I used never to bother about them
prior to this event, as I have killed one
by jumping on it, but now always wear
leggings. I must thank both those cor-
respondents who gave me " tips " for kill-
ing bracken. — Apis, Pembrokeshire,
November 17.

A BEE-NOTE FROM MEXICO.

f6511.] I beg to thank you for your re-
minder, just to hand, of my carelessness
in allowing my subscription to your very
interestincr Journal to run out, and now
have the pleasure of enclosing postal draft
for a further six uionths' subscription.

Although the B.B.J, is not of so much
assistance to bee-keepers here, by reaison of
the ti'opical climate, yet it serves to re-
mind me of Old England, and I am pleased
to see that some of vour correspondents
are sticking up for the good old English
brown bee. I have kept them in Australia,

and have them here, and a quieter bee I
do not desire ; as to veil or gloves I have
no use for them. Name enclosed for refer-
ence.— F. W. B., Chinipas, Chihuahua,
Mexico, October 16, 1906.

THE HONEY HARVEST OF 1906.

AN expert's EEPOBT.

[6512.] Very few have better advantages
of Knowing and comparing results of honey
harvest than the touring expert. In my
travels I have found great variety of crops,
but taking all into consideration the sea-
son has been good, and in many instances
" record " honey-yields have been se-
cured. Below i give you some re-
jjorts I have received which may
jjrobably interest your readei-B. What
does your correspondent "A.H.," Waven-
don, say to a yield of fifty sections
from a late June swarm in Suffolk, be-
sides providing itself with sufficient stores
for winter? Another report shows ninety
sections and 30 lb. of extracted honey from
a stock slightly diseased in spring. While
again a report gives results from fourteen
hives (spring count) of 904 sections and
907 lb. of extracted honey, an average of
129 per hive, with one stock increase.
While another report brings up the grand
total of 210 lb. from a single stock of the
despised English " blacks." Who desires
better than this ?

While writing, I hope your correspon-
dent, the Rev. H. Newman, will take it in
good part if I crack a nut with him as to
what he savs about experts (p. 426, 6473) to
the effect that he has never allowed an ex-
pert to examine his hives for fear of in-
fection from neighbouring apiaries. Now, I
venture to saj"- this is very misleading, a»5
it seems to give the impreission that ex-
perts must be reeking with spores of foul
brood, and that experts generally have lost
a certain amount of self respect, and carry
about with them and introduce foul brood
from one apiary to another. Who can
wonder at a cottager refusing inspection
who happens to hear of a report like this ?
I grant it is not wise to allow any so-called
expert to dabble with your bees, but
any duly qualified man must know
the need for disinfection after handling
foul-broodv lots. Then again we much-
abused experts are told by another corre-
spondent (6488, page 442) who complains
that instead of increasing the number of
honey-producers we ought to popularise
honey as an article of food. Granted,
but at present I think it iis the duty of the
producer himself to do this. Our duty,
as far as I understand it, is to try and
make better bee-keepers, and I have not
found any business-like bee-keepers who
cannot find a market. I think it a lack

466

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Nov. 22, 1906.

of pluck on the part of the producer in
taking first-hand what is offered him. —
J. Price, Staffs, Second-class Expert.

CLEARING POLLEN-CLOGGED COMBS.

[6513.] At the Conversazione Mr. Arthur
Peach (page 433) sjieaks of a method of
clearing combs of pollen by cutting them
away down to the mid-rib, and asks if this
plan has been adopted by anyone in this
country. For an answer to this he might
be referred to the B.B.J, for the year 1900
(page 480) and I think he will admit that
it has. . See letter headed " A New Use
for the 'W. B. C Uncapping Knife." I
thought it might just interest you to have
this Dointed out, and it is a most expe-
ditious method. In a few seconds a frame
can be cleared of the undeeired pollen, and
practically sans ceremonie. — T. W. White,
Walthamstow.

HONEY SHOWS.

HONEY IN NAME ONLY.

[6514.] The sense in which I used the
above term in my previous letter (6494,
page 445) is easily explained. Honey is
" a mixture of different sugars known as
glucose and a small quantity of cane sugar
and non-saccharine material, and contains
25 per cent, of water." This is the natural
composition. The object of " faking " is
to change this composition, and, if this is
done, the word honey then becomes a mis-
nomer, and the article is, as I described it,
viz., "honey in name only." We may
christen it as we like, but it has no more
claim to the term " honey " than candy
has to be called syrup.

Your correspondent Mr. .1. Carver (page
445) has evidently misread mv letter. I
said nothing about " manufactured " honey,
and as this seems to be the object of
his wrath, his hysterical outburst does not
call for further notice.— W. H. W., Beds,
November 17.

RENDERING BEESWAX.

[6515.] Are brothers of the craft aware
that for rendering beeswax they use such
modern contrivances as the " Gerster "
extractor only, at a great loes to them-
selves, as a little, experimenting will soon
convince them ? In proof of this state-
ment let me refer your readers to the article
in B.B.J, of Novem])or 8 last (page 444),
where " A Staffordshire Bee-man " gets
8 lb. of wax from thirty-four old combs by
the old-fashioned process of boiling in a
bag! Whether this be a record or no, I
challenge anyone to obtain anything ap-
proaching that proportion by the use of a

"Gerster." Thetse modern contrivances
may earn good marks for cleanliness, but
they do not extract the wax. Just squeeze
the refuse from a " Gerster " and see how
much wax runs out. Personally I dis-
cai'ded this appliance years ago, and usually
boil my combs on the fire and pour into
cheese-cloth and squeeze. Thi& does not
require such large receptacles as boiling in
a bag weighted down. — Buzbee, Bassing-
bourn, November 19.

BEE-SHOWS TO COME.

[6516.] The Baroness Burdett-Coutts,
President of the B.B.K. Association, having
kindly decided to allow us to have a com-
petition for her prize hive in connection
with our next annual meeting in February,
1907, at the Scientific Society's Rooms,
Preston, we have decided to supplement the
prize hive with the following prizes, viz. :
let. Baroness Burdett-Coutts's prize hive ;
2nd, Roots's "A.B.C. of Bee-keeping";
3rd, Cowan's " Guide Book " or " Honey-
Bee " ; 4th, bound volume of Bee-keepers'
Uncord; 5th, " Modern Bee-keeping."

The competition is for two 1-ib. jars of
extracted honey (open to the cottage mem-
bere of the L.B.K. Association). No
entry fees. Entries to be sent to me not
later than February 1, 1907 — James W.
Bold, Hon. Secretary. Lancashire B.K.A..
Almonds Green, West Derby, Liverpool,
November 20.

AMERICAN AND COLONIAL PAPERS.

extracts AND -COMMENTS.

By D. M. Macdonald, Banff.

Gold from Bees. — " No, there is no big
profit in the bee-business. But when it
comes to a fascinating, health-giving, and
enjoyable pursuit whicTi will give any ener-
getic man or woman a comfortable living,
our ijurtsuit need take no back seat for any-
thing in the world. If, however, you mean
to make a success of the business, you must
have a real love for it." This is G. M.
Doolittle's opinion, and I say. Amen !

Golden Bees. — " A prominent business
man of Pottstown, who has suffered for
years, was stung eight times by Pratt's
golden clover bees, which are the kind ex-
clusively used for the i-heumatic cure."
This remarkable sentence appears in an
American bee-journal, and the editor
thinks " Perhaps it is something of a joke."

Vrrprndictdar Wiriiiy. — C. H. Howard'
bought hives with ])er})endicular wiring
and found combs built clear down to the
bottom-bar. Dr. C. C. Miller, on the con-
trary, had some 3,000 combs with perpen-
dicular wiring, and tl)e bees built to the
bottom-bar no better than with the hori-
zontal wiring. Mr. E. Root again holds

Nov. 22, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

467

that " perpendicular wiring will permit of
the foundation reaching from the top down
to the. bottom-bar, while with horizontal
this would not be jjoesible without .danger
of buckling." I do not kiiow. Perhaps
some of our B.B.J, readers will give their
experience- .. ,r .

Unfinished 'Secttons.^^ Plaii your .woi'k "
— ^says Mr.i J. A. Green — " so that you w^ll
not have a great lot of unfinished sections
at the close of the season. If you cannot
use extracting combs to finish the season,
fill the supers you put on after a certain
date only half-full of sections, unless the
conditions fully warrant you in giving more
room." This year the season in, our part
of Scotland was so fine near its close, that
I continued to place on sections; but, as
all racks were placed on above, the per-
centage of J uncompleted sections was^ not
high. Many sheets of foundation, how-
ever, were dyawn out, w'hen without their
presence bees would do a good bit of loaf-
ing. I think the "combined" system
would come in handy at the close of tTie
season. ' ' ' v

Sheep iii ihe'Apja'rif.—'Mt: J. A. Green,
in Gleanings, says:— "I got a couple of
sheep to keep down the gcass. They fed
in the apiary, but \yere able to run for
shelter if the bees proved troublesome, and
they soon learned to do so. Since then the
apiai'y has been, kept free from grass and
w6eds." Too many should not be allowed
entrance, as they " bunch " and do hann.
That reminds me that I saw sheep this sea-
son feeding aiftong quite thirty hives, but
they had room to shelter if beets annoyed
them. . ■

CoUui 'and Bees' Temper. — Dr. C. G.
MillejT can give a whole lot of positive
proofs to controvert a recent contention of
mine (in another journal) that bees' tem-
per does not depend on colour. The genial
doT'ior rather gives himself away in the
oi;e instMice ' he siibmits. "The bees "—
he says — -"'peppered' the coloiired shirt;
they ignored the white one." Was it not
rather a question of "odour"? Now my
arguments were positive that dark clothing
does' not make a whit of difference. Yet in
the Canadian Tier Journal Mr. Byer holds
it does ; and now Mr. Eoot barks up Dr.
Millar. Here again, I think, the " odour
theory " explains the whole mystery. A
lifflit hat, never mind the colour, . causes
less perspiration !

" Is ' Bunkum' Unparliamentary TMn-
f/MOf^e .''^ The Query comes from iar-away
Australia, and the querist is the editor
of the Australian Bee Bullefin. As the
said, "editing " embraces 95 per cent, of
work done with the sciissors and paste 'we
m.ay perhaps excuse the cloudiness of in-
tellect yi;hi,ch generated the question. y\ie
English dictionary'— and Mr. Tupper would

have been wise to. have consulted such an
excellent authority first hand — defines
bunkum as "speaking for speaking sake,"
and this describes the case under review
perfectly, so I only called a spade a spade.
Mr. Tupper ingenuously designates me
as " a Mr. Macdonald from Banf " (phonetic
for Banff, perhaps,). That little a implies
that my name is unknown to this Austral
editor; but, when readers are made aware
by the fact that for years his Bulletin rarely
appears without several extracts from my
articles in English and Irish papers, and
that this editor, who knows me not, un-
blushilngl'v; reiproduces wholei [articles of
mine, his pretended' ignorance smacks
somewhat of ingratitude.

Introducing Queens. — In the Australian
Bee-keeper vfe find a novice, who never be-
fore introdnced a queen, nor had seen it
done by anyone else, relating his mode of
procedure. He found it impossible to find
the old queens in his populous hives, so
he proceeded to divide by simply shifting
the old hives to a new site, placing a new
one on the original stand, into which he
returned all the frames of sealed brood.
Here he had a queenless lot of bees, with
no means of rearing a young queen ; field-
bees intent on honey-foraging, and plenty
of young bees, all in the best frame of mind
to accept any qiieen offered them. Per-
haps it would be quite safe to give such
colonies even- valuable queems without
caging them, and at once. I think I would
risk it, but pur novice was more cautious.
In the first place he left the bees queenless
until they knew it, and even then used
queen-cages, leaving the bees unmolested
for several daysi All his batch of thirty-
two queens were accepted. He not only
doubled his colonies but had a good
" take " of honey. The Editor, i n
congratluating his novice friend on
hits successful first attempt at intro-
duction, adds: — "Your method made
sure of the old queen being removed, and
you retained young bees t-o receive the new
queen, leiaving all unsealed brood w th
the old queen. The more young bees that
a hive has, to receive a queen, the greater
the chances of Success."

Protecting Hires in Winter. — Mr. A. C.
Miller has for long been advocating black
building-paper for a winter protection of
hives ; and in the Australian. Bee Journal
he says : — " The theory I had was that
while beins wind and water proof, it would,
bv absorbing the sun's ravs, help to keep
the hives warm and dry, thereby enabling
the bees to feed and clean house, and by
its poor conductivity bv contact, and bv its
not fitting tight to the hive, would be so
slow in permitting the escape of the heat
that it would give the bees ample time to
recluster. ' Th^ r^ults have been all and

468

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Nov. 22, 1906.

more than I expected." Mr. Allen Latham
iis also a strong believer in " black water-
proof paper " covering on hives. I may
say most of my hives are provided with a
cover or hood of black felt during the win-
ter months. It keeps them warm and dry
beyond a doubt, and I think there is some-
thing in the non-conductivity theory.

Fumigating Foul-broody Combs. — " Has
fumigation of brood-combs exposed in a
tight room ever been tried on foul-broody
combs with formaldehyde ? " was a ques-
tion asked at last Chicago Convention, and
Mr. France's reply was, " Yes, but, as a
rule, not successfully." While Mr.
McEvoy's reply was even more emphatic.
He says : — " It will never be a success in
any apiary." The process was tried by
several bee-keepers in this country at one
time, and some believed in it. In Ireland
cures are credited as a result of the opera-
tion. While I believe the fumigation is
very beneficial there would always remain
in my mind a reserve of doubt as to a cure.

BEE-KEEPING IN NEW ZEALAND.

The Editors, Brifisli Bee Journal,

Dear Sirs, — It may be of interest to you
to learn that the Government of New Zea-
land have introduced a Bill into the New
Zealand Parliament this session, now sit-
ting, entitled " The Apiaries Act, 1906,"
under the provisions of which the interpre-
tation of " disease " shall mean Bacillus
alvci (foul brood), GaUeria meUonella and
Achroea grizzella (bee moths) "and any
other diseases or pests from time to time
declared by the Governor in Council."

The Bill goes on to state that every bee-
keeper in whose apiary any disease appears
shall, within seven days after first dig-
covering or becoming aware of its presence,
send written notice thereof to the Secre-
tary of Apiculture.

Inspectors are to be appointed who shall
have power to enter any premises or build-
ings for the purjjose of examining any bees,
hives, or appliances, and shall direct the
treatment to be followed, should the same
be found affected with disease. And, if
in his opinion, the disease is too fully de-
veloped to be cured, he may direct the bee-
keeper to desti'oy by fire the bees, hives,
and appliances, or in default of compliance
with such instructions the inspector may
at once destroy, or caused to be destroyed
by fire, at the expense of the bee-keeper,
•such bees and appliances as he may deem
necessary.

No bee-keeper shall be allowed to keep
upon any land occupied by him any dis-
eased bees bee-combs, or infected hives
or appliances, without taking immediate
steps to cure the disease, nor shall he sell,
barter, or give away, any colonies of bees

or queens reared in any Buch infected
apiary.

Any person who obstructs an inspector
in the exercise of his duties under the Act
or refuses to permit the destruction of in-
fected bees and appliances, or fails to com-
ply with instructions of the inspector, or
commitis any breach of this Act, shall be
liable to a fine not exceeding £20.

No compensation will be given for any-
thing lawfully done under the Act.

I shall be glad to forward you a copy of
the Act, should the same be passed this
session. — I remain, yours faithfully,

C. Wray Palliser.

November 19.

VILLAGE BEE CLUBS.

AN INTERESTING HOME INDUSTRY.

Rather more than two years ago Mr. W.
H. Harris of The Shrubbery, Hayes End,
who has long been interested in apiculture,
determined to try to form a bee-keepers'
club, so as to bring into touch those in
his neighbourhood who kept bees. An
inaugural meeting was held on October
29, 1904, and a fair number of members
were enrolled. The objects in view were as
follows : — (1) To give information relating
to bees and bee-keeping ; (2) to afford mu-
tual help and advice in apicultural diffi-
culties ; (3) to purchase appliances at whole-
sale prices, and retail them at cost price to
members ; (4) to assist one another in the
disposal of bee-produce. Ever since the
formation of the Hayes and Hillingdou
Bee Club, meetings of the members have
been held at intervals of two months at
The Shrubbery, and on several occasions
after business matters have been dealt
with, the jii'esident has given short lec-
tures on various subjects of iscient'fic and
practical interest to bee-keepers. In addi-
tion, arrangements have been made and
carried out for a visit, each spring and
autumn, from the expert of the Middlesex
Bee-keepers' Association, to the apiary of
each member of the club. By these means
much useful information and assitetance
have been given, with the result that ex-
cellent takes of honey have been made
by most of those who belong to the club.
We feel sure the following figures will Be
interesting, if not surprising to many of
our i^eaders. From five hives, Mr. W. H.
Harris has had this year 278 lb. of honey ;
Mr. Dudlev Lewis, five stocks, 182 lb. ;
Mr. E. H. Beckett, three stocks, 150 lb. ;
Mr. Whatman, three stocks, 60 lb. ; Mr.
W. Palmer, two stocks. 120 lb. ; Miss S.
Parrott, two stocks, 80 lb. ; Mr. Stevens,
two stocks, 106 lb. ; Mr. Judge, two stocks,
62 lb. ; Police-sergeant F. Rogers (Park
Road), one stock, 561b. ; Mr. Palmer, jun.,
one stock, 50 lb. These facts prove that

Nov. 22, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

469

bee-keeping, if conducted with adequate
knowledge and skill, can be made a paying
pursuit. But it possesses othar recom-
mendations. Nearly all our garden fruits
are dependent on the visits of insects for
perfect development, and bees are the chief
means by which the necessary conveyance
and application of pollen to the blossoms
is effected. Hence it is a well-known fact
that fruit gardens are most prolific in the
neighbourhood of numerous hives.
(Communicated. )

AEE BEES WILD ANIMALS?

Referring to press cutting, under the
at)ove heading on page 407 last week a
correspondent sends the following from
the Evening Express (Liverpool): — "In
your report of a Sheffield County Court
case under the above heading, the learned
judge decided after a lengthy discussion
that bees were distrainable because they
were chattels, as they wei-e liable to
larceny, though the solicitor for the
applicant raised the novel point that they
were not personal property, because it is
not mentioned under the things which a
bailiff is authorised to seize, and con-
sequently under the category of animals.

" I am svje it would be interesting to your
many readers that even such a minor but
extraordinary point did not escape the
notice of the ancient Rabbis who complied
the Talmud. In a discussion in one of the
Mishnas, jurisprudence section (Baba
Bathra, Treatise 5, Chapter 3), they came
to the conclusion that bees can be bought
and regarded as chattels. They even dis-
cussed which bees the buyer should re-
ceive if he agrees to purchase a year's out-
put of bees from one hive. They decided
that he is to have the first three swanns
(as they are the best), and then alternate
ones, for the rest of the year.

" It is still more remarkable when one re-
members that this law was compiled o\et
fifteen hundred years ago.— M. Kent, 10,
Belgrave Street, LiveiT[30ol, October 9,
1906."

(Queries and %ii^\m.

[3437.] Tin versus Wood (Hrdcra for Scrtvni
Hacks.— As I shall be requiring some more
section racks for next season, I have been
wondering if the ordinary rack with laths at
bottom is the best? It seems to me that if a
bottom arrangement could be made with tin
girders, thus for the sections to rest upon
instead of the wooden laths, there would be
less trouble with propolised sections. I have
noticed two or three times this year that with

laths in removing the top rack from a hive it
has been so glued to the one below that the
tops of sections have broken away and come
right off by sticking on the bottom of the top
super. I hope you can understand my rough
description, but the grievance is a real one.
There is no doubt the arrangement I refer to
has been tried before by someone, and if so I
would like to know the result? With tin
girders the bottom would be loose and be
lifted out along with the sections (upwards).
With regard to the use of excluder zinc under
sections, I never use it when working for sec-
tion honey, and this year I only had one sec-
tion with brood out of 600. This is the first
for 5 years. Will the " Smith " bee-escape
allow for exit of drones? and is it as easy
to fix as the " Porter " in a board ? I find the
bees block the "Porter" at times. — J. G.,
Kent.

Reply. — If racks are properly made with
wooden girders, it has been found that there
is less I'isk of propolising than when tin
girdeft's are used. In districts where propolis
is very abundant it is advantageous to use a
little vaseline between section rack, and this
minimises the trouble named.

[3438.] Bees Deserting Hive in November. —
Would you kindly tell me in your valuable
journal what is the cause of my bees forsaking
their home and stores ? I bought the hive and
bees from a neighbouring beeman this Michael-
mas, and he had evidently neglected them en-
tirely, for the hive and hive-roof was com-
Eletely full of bees and honey from top to
ottom. I drove the bees from the roof and
returned them to the body of the hive, after
which operation took three stones weight of
honey from it. To-day I peeped under the
quilts to see if all was right, and to my sur-
prise found that the bees had gone, save about
a handful, which are queenless. There are 18
frames almost full of honey, and so I won-
dered if I might shake the bees and queen
from another stock (which is very short of
stores), into the deserted hive? I might say,
the bees last mentioned are on very large
frames, while those in the deserted hive are
of standard size and contain over 30 lbs. of
honey. — "Tulip," Walsingham, Norfolk.

Reply. — It is more than probable that dur-
ing the operation of driving and transferring
some mischance has befallen the queen of the
stock to which your query refers, and that the
bulk of the bees have joined forces with one
of your other stocks on finding themselves
queenless. This being so, the best course is
to await a warm day, when bees are fiying
freely, and then remove all the standard
frames into the vacant space left. Then in-
sert as many frames of food as the bees can
cover and close all down for winter.

Notices to Correspondents & Inquirers,

V. U. 0. (Llangnullo).— The Edinbnigh Indus-
trial Exhibition. — We usually receive the
list of awards relating to shows advertised
in our pages, either from the show authori-
ties or through press cuttings. But no re-

4tO

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [N6v. 22, 1906.

port has so far come to hand, connected
•with the above exhibition.

F. J. E,. B. (Amersham). — Varieties of
Heather. — 1. The sprig of heather sent is
the common "ling," and is the best bee-
forage plant among heather. 2. We are not
familiar, with the heaths, that abound in
Ireland, -so carfriot say which variety is
common there, but as we rarely hear of
Irish heather honey, the inference is that
the heather of Co'. Gal^Yay is the Erica
cinerea or bell heather. 5. Erica tettalix is
of no value as bee-forage.

D. W. I. (Harrogate). — Hampshire is one of
best counties for bee-forage and the quality
of its produce.

G. C. (Sheffield).^— Drone Brood, and Drone
Cells. — You are mistaken in your idea on the
above. Drone brood may, be, and is, reared
in worker cells if deposited therein by an
unmated queen, and, moreover, fully de-
veloped drones will result. But with a
fertile queen, unless aged and worn out, the
eggs for drone and worker ptoduction are
found only in their respective cells.

H. S. (Teddington). — Your candy is not suffi-
ciently boiled, and will soon become quite
hard. It also needs more stirring to ensure
a smooth, " buttery " grain.

R. L. Sharp (Formby). — Honey Candy. —
Granula^d honey may'be used as bee-candy
if made stiff enough by kneading into it
sufficient castor sugar for the purpose.

Honey Samples. .

F. G. (Bassingbourne).— Your saithplie is of
excellent quality, and the competition must
have been very keen for it to get rio higher
award than v.h.c.

J. K. (Cheshire). — The sample may or may not
have been gathered (ais stated) in Worcester-
shire, and it may have come from a keg of
imported honey. It is practically impossi-
ble for anyone to say ; but it is bee produce
all the some.

T. Kicking (Derbyshire). — No. 1 is coarse in
quality, and is from mixed Sources. The
flavour also is poor. No. 2 and 3 are fair
in quality, but not up to show standard.

H. S. (Teddington).— No. 2 ia good on all
points but flavour, which is spoilt by some
source of honey which we cannot define.
No. 1 is inferior to the above on all points,
and would not sell well for table use. No. 3
is still worse, and Jias the " taint " of the
smoker badly.

W. Jqnes (Carnarvon). — :No. 1 is a very good
.sample of heather and qlover blend— 'about
two-thirds heather, we should say. No. 2
is almost entirely from clover. Both
samples being granulated, we cannot well
say how' they would stand as liquid honey
on the show-bench, but the flavour is good.
We will be very pleased fx> get your note
on bee-keeping in your part of Wales.

J. H. (Hebden Bridge). — No. 1 is a nice
blend honey:, but with regard to No. 2
(gathered in 1896), Ltis very poor in quality,
and would not be saleable for table use.

Obmskirk (Lancashire).— Therei is Ja consider-
able portion of heather honey in your
sample, whichinakes a nice heather-blend
for talile use.

Suspected Comb.

G. K. J. (Glamorgan). — AU pieces of comb
sent, save one, contain pollen only. But
the last named piece has a few sealed cells
in which were found dead brood exactly
analogous to the " black brood," which has
been frequjeritly referred to in our pages of
late. - '

Special Prepaid Advertisements.

Twelve words and under Sixpence: for fvery additional
Three vt&rds or under, One Penny.

VtrELLS HIVE complete, stock on 8 frames, and
IT appliance, 35s. lot.— PICK^IRSGILL, Bishop
Monkton, Leeds.

HIGH-CLASS DSAGOOITS Cpedigrees guaranteed)
from 5g. each; aleo Exhibition Flying Homerg
from 5s. each. Exchang-e E-xtracted Honey.— TALBOT
Postmaster. Romford. u 49

EXTRACTED HON^y; good colour, in 14 K>. tins.
«r .^^''■'nple 3d. Also few Sections.— W. JOHNSON,
Welbourn, Royston. ., . u 47

pURE HEATHER HONEY, 78. per stone ; two enjpty
J- W.B.C." hives, nearly hew, I2s. 6d'. each. In-

spection mvited.-HARRISON BEE FARM, Middleton,
Pickering, Yorks- u 46

RELIABLE ■• BEE FARM'S Ist quality sections for
sale, 9s. dtozen glazed, Ss. plain, well packed,
Isfc prize and silver medal Grocers' Exhibition', 2nd
prize Dairy, for displays; one 1st and three seconds
for sections and ex:tracted' a* Southend.. We can
show the highest testimonials as to quality -arid- pack-
ihg.^Address S: ^R. SOAL, Rochford, Essex. v 45

Tli^HAT Ofleri, first 18 volumes " Bee Journal,
T T ^ Cotton, Isaac, Wi,ldm!^n, Bonner, and other
rare books ?-,W. GRIFFIN, Stoke R|y^rs, , North
Devon- '^ - - v V^- tr 44

P^Ht^'^.T'";-^"''^ Minorca, also' Leghorn Cockerels
fblaok)i 5S., 4s;, and 5s. 6d. each; or exchange
honey.— ^LSFORD, Bee Expert, HaydonJ Sherborne.

CWVfR HONEY .(guaranteed pure), lib. serew-cap
bottles, 77b. grogg. 21is. , i , gros? ; i lb., ditto,
45s. gross, 13s. \ gross; honey in tins, l4Ib. to 561b.
supplied ;' safe delivery guaranteed- Special serew-
oap honey jars, cleaned, each wrapped . in paper,
178. 6d. gross.— Further particiilars, TURNER BROS,
■Sandpit Farm; Croydon. ' ' ■ ■ > 0 43

LIMNANTHIS DOUGLASSI, splendid bee flowers
(selling well), still a few left, 120 Is., free.—
W. HAZELWOOD, Ilminster. u 42

FOR Sale, several dozen gopd SECTIONS from
various sourcee. — ' GOODSELL, Stssinghurgt,
Cranbrook. > , .... ^j ^j

J^rvLB. PURE BEES WAX in one lump, light in
^\J colour, all from sainfoin and clover cappings,
at Is. 9(1. lb. Sample 2d. Cash.or deposit.-.BROWN,
Flora Apiary, Somersham, Hunts. ' C 39

NOW is the time to plant (Salix Viminalis) gold
osifjrs and (Salex |Treandra) Black Hollander.
Tlie earliest pollen for your bees w HI grow iinj^where,
25 cuttiij)(rii Ig. 6<1., with ir/stru<3tl6rt« hOw to plant.—
R. BROWN, Bee Expert, Somereham, Huirtsr; V 40

CHAPMAN HONEY PLANTS; 'strong piants, ' to
blossom 1907, -28.' 6d. per dozen'. Seed 6cl.' per
packet.— .JOHN P. PHILLIPS,' Spetohley, Worcester.

D 38

Nov. 29, 1906.] , THE BRITISH BEE JOUBNAL.

471

^ditorml ^otim, &r.

PRONUNCIATION OF "BEE-WORDS."

Referring to the subject of " pronuncia-
tion " dealt with in our last twO' issues,
we have received the following letter in
reply to that of Colonel Walker (6507,
page 463) : —

Dear Messrs. Editors, — I regret that
the obvious mistake pointed out by Colonel
Walker in the word " Alvei " escaped my
notice. The " proof," as you are aware,
reached me only on the morning of the
day yo'u were going to press. I, it now
seems, too hastily ran my eye over the
words, and sent you a telegram with re-
gard to one instead of two. I confess,
too, I ought to have said " Chiten " =
"Kiteen." I thank the Colonel for call-
ing my attention to his second point. By
no means wishing to screen mys^elf from
friendly criticism, I sign myself, yours
truly, W. H. Harris, Hayes End, Middle-
sex, November 22.

(Hmt^onkut

The Editors do not hold theinselves retpmisible for the
opinions expressed by correspondents. iVo notice will
he taken of anonymous communications, and corre-
spondents are requested to write on one side of the paper
only and give their real names and addresses, not neces-
iarUyfor publication, but as a guarantee of good jaith.
Illuitrations should, be drawn on separate pieces of paper.
We do not undertake to return rejected communications.

Ci'mmunications relating to the lileranj i epartment,
reports of Ai'S'ieiations, Shows, Meetings, Echoes, Queries,
Books tor Rev ew, <[•<•., mu<t be addressed only to " THE
Editors of thrt * Biitish Bee Jouiual,' 8. Henrie'ta-
street, Covent Garden London, W.C." AH busiiifss
commuiiicationit relating to advertisements, ti-c, mw-t be
addressed ro " The Manager, ' British Bee .Journal,'
Office, a, Hcnrietta-Stredt, Covent Garden. London, W.C."

♦jt* In order to facilitate reference, Corresponderts,
when speaking of any letter or query previously inseited,
will oblige by mentioning the number of the letter as well
as the page on which it appears.

AMONG THE BEES.

PRESERVING SURPLUS HONEY.

[6517.] My first advice would be, sell it
all before the end of the year-, and then it
will be easy " preserving " it in the shape
of pounds, shillings, and pence, or their
equivalent. All comb-honey should be dis-
posed of before Christmas, if possible. I
have seen some racks of sections taken from
the hives, only the other day, all in first-
claiss order. Nowhere can honey be taken
better care of than in the hives, but clear-
ing them in winter is not advisable for
many reasons. A cold, damp store-room is
the very worst place in whif^li to keep honey
in comb. After even a few weeks there
it will be found that sections have de-
teriorated considerably, and very soon they
will be found " weeping," the honey turn-

ing thin and watery, followed by a rank
and sour taste, developing into fermenta-
tion in couiise of time. Honey readily at-
tracts moisture from the atmosphere, and
absorbs it through the porous capping.
The beautiful white, clean surface gets wet
and small beads of moisture ooze through
the sealing, as if it were shedding tears.
Hence the description generally given holds
true — the sections are "weeping." Avoid
this by keeping the honey in a warm, dry
place — a press or cupboard in the kitchen,
as near to the fire as may be, is the very
best position. Where table-salt will keep
without turning moist will suit for honey-
storing. To preserve sections until next
summer, wrap each in a sheet of waxed
paper and parcel these in brown paper,
placing them in a biscuit tin, which can
then be hermetically sealed. Thus kept
they will be fresh in June.

Low-priced Honey. — I will answer Mr.
Wright's question (6478, page 435) by ask-
ing him another. If I sold (as I did) all
my clover honey wholesale at lOd., send-
ing it to the centre of England, why should
he, or Mr. Harrison, or any man, sell
genuine heather honey at the absurdly low
price of 6d. or 7d. ? A little business tact
is often a more urgent desideratum than a
profound knowledge of apiculture in an-^
swering the oft-repeated query, "Do bees
pay ? " I sympathise with Mr. Wright in
his difficulty to get a higher price than
6s. to 9s. for his swarms. I wish I had
known it tliis last summer. If he takes
my advice and advertises in the B.B.J. I
know he will have no difficulty in obtain-
ing at least 10s. to 12s. 6d. for good swarms.
Distance does no^E count appreciably in
forwarding swarms, as they come here from
the South of England for about Is. By
the way, Mr. W. speaks of my "wrathful
comment." May I say no thought of such
a feeling entered my mind. I wrote more
in sorrow than in anger.

"Cappiruis of Comh."— Mr. " L. S. C."
states my case admirably when he says : —
"In a general way the brood-nest is not the
place for shallow-combs." That is exactly
mv opinion, and further words of mine
would only cloud the clear water. Hiving
driven bees from above frames is reprehen-
sible for many reasons — throwing them in
a narrow i?ide-space is almost equally so.
Will the qualifying word modify the state-
ment to the extent so that it will pass
muster with our genial "capper"? For
the novice this limited area is so small
th;it he feels " cabin'd. cribb'd, confin'd,"
and the result is tliat in nine cases out of
ten one-fourth of the bees go into the side-
space ; another moiety gets hurled pro-
miiscuously over the tops of frames to wan-
der about like lost spirits ; a very larg©
fraction cling tenaciously to the box ;

472

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Nov. 29, 1906.

while a considerable contingejjt takes wing,
generally flying no farther alield than the
unlucky operator on whom they bestow of
their loving favours. If timorous he quits,
and then comes chaos! I have known it
all happen.

Large Takes of Honey.— The query by
" S. M." (6479, page 436) reminds me of
another printed so long ago as September 6
last (6415, page 555) wherein the writer
commiserates me on my small returns, and
both bring to my recollection the fact that
I have not given my usual returns for the
past season. I may, therefore, now say : —
Our spring was a wretched one, and winter
clung to us all through May. Bees lagged
woefully behind almost all through June,
but pulled up in early July, the latter part
of the month being decidedly good. The
heather proved the best we have had for
many years, and I finished the season with
the fair average of over 601b. per hive. My
beet dozen supered hives gave me the fol-
lowing surplus in sections : 114, 109, 102,
98, 89, 87, 84, 79, 77, 61, 52, and 48 finished
1-lb. sections. To " S. M.'s" questions in
regard to the two swarms yielding 109 and
89 lb., I would reply as follows : — (1) Both
would weigh nearly 5 lb., but were bought
as 4-lb. swarms. (2) They were hived on
fully drawn-ou.t comb, as I mentioned in
a former issue. (3) They got nine frames,
and no more were given right through the
season. (4) The sections were filled with
full sheets, or rather the sheet of founda-
tion was cut in four, thus nearly filling
the section. (5) No drawn-out combs were
used in the sections, with the exception of
one " bait " section in the first rack given.
(6) All racks were given above the others,
rather before there was any clamant need,
but these were placed below when taken
possession of by the bees, and the nearly-
full ones raised above to seal. At the same
operation an empty rack was placed above
all the others to act as a cooler. (7) No
special attention was given these hives
after the bees were nlaced in them, and no
interference with the brood-nest took place
after the first rack was placed on.

I never remember consigning my bees
to winter quarters better provided with
stores. Indeed, most of them have their
combs a solid block of fine heather honey.
Almost all gathered after the advent of
September went into brood-frames. One
bee-keeper I know — finding the same in his
case — joined on the bees of two hives,
placing them on the combs of brood and
rsuch frames as were only partly filled. He
considers they have ample stores, and he
has netted a nice quantity of pressed honey
to add to his total siurjdus.

Another bee-man makes a regular prac-
tice of shifting three of the oldest, most
irregularly built, or suspicious, combs each

year to the rear of hi© " Combination "
hive. Their places are taken by new frames
with full sheets of foundation. In this
way he steadily renews his combs every
third year. Pressing or extracting these
three rejected combs he considers the honey
obtained more than compensates him for
his trouble ; while he contendei that the
supers of sections suffer little, if at all,
from what is placed in these frames.

I was pleased to see Mr. Moir's report in
a recent B.B.J. He had an excellent sea-
son. When the Banff Bee-keepers' Asso-
ciation visited his " Model " apiary in the
closing days of June he was nearly a month
ahead of me. I have nreviously repeatedly
stated that many northern bee-keepers do
better than I can do. Witness Mr. Moir
and Mr. Ellis, and many more if they
would only tell.— D. M. M.

MISREADINGS.

THE QUESTION OF WRITING KING'S ENGLISH.

[6518.] How very strange it is. Sirs, that
one's communications to the "B.B.J."
are so often misread, or misunderstood.
One might not wonder at this in the case
of your unlearned readers, but when a
" Second-Class Expert " shows his in-
ability to grasp the meaning of words,
not to mention his weakness in writing
" King's English," some surprise is, I
think, only natural. Your correspondent,
J. Price, says (6512, p. 465), "We much-
abused experts are told by another — " but
he forgets to say what they are "told."
He says I " complain " that experts
" ought to popularise honey as an article
of food." Now, Mr. Editor, how could
anyone " complain " about what " ought "
to be done ? If he had written " suggest "
instead of " complain," he would have ex-
pressed my real meaning. My remarks on
the subject of "low prices" were called
forth by the complaints of other corre-
spondents, and were not prompted by my
own experience. Personally, I am quite
able to look after my bees, and also to
mai'ket my honey at a good price, without
expert help (second, or any other class).
If the price offered me is below my figure
I decline it with thanks. And as for
popularising the use of honev. I can assure
Mr. Price that in ten years I have in-
creased the use ten-fold locally by the
methods I have adopted. I never have to
advertise my stock ; mv cnstomers come
again and again — no thanks to any ex-
pert. This class often, I fear, has an axe
of its own to grind.

When best honey is advertised in screw-
cap jars at 7s. per dozen, or less, it looks
as if some bee-keepers fonnd it difficult
to market their produce, but then, per-
haps, thev are not " business-like," your
cori'espondent might suggest. Facts,

Messrs. 'Editors, are awkward things,

Nov. 29, 1906 ] THE BRITISH BEE JOTJIINAL.

473

especially for some theorisers, and facts
point to the supply of English honey ex-
ceeding the demand at the present time.
The remedv, it seems to me, lies in the
direction of using some of the " exjDert "
energy to enlighten the public upon the
uses and value of honey, rather than to
use it in further augmenting an already
too abundant supply. — W. H., Brilley,
Herefordshire, November 26.

MINIATURE SECTIONS.

• [6519.] I am pleased to intimate to the
bee-keepers who have written me for these
small sections, that the minimum quan-
tity of 12 gross has easily been covered —
at the present moment the amount stands
at over 30 gross.

Shall I still keep open for " Record "
readers, or close now with the quantity
on hand? Of course, as mentioned before,
once this quantity is made no more can
be got under the same favourable condi-
tions, so I shall be glad to know whether
" Record " readers are to be given the
chance, in the coming December iiumber,
or not ; also if there are any other readers
wishing a gross to send p. c. as soon as
possible. [Keep "open," please. — Eds.]

I think it will be better to have only
a plain paper band round the sections for
this first lot. Besides keeping down ex-
pense this will probably suit everybody
better. Bee-keepers wishing printed
matter on these sections could use a rubber
stamp made to any desix'ed pattern, and,
as stated bv Mr. W. F. Reid in last week's
JouEXAL, if name and address of bee-
keeper was included the finished section
would be a very nice advertisement.

When everything is fixed up and the
sections ready for post I shall postcard all
those who have applied, giving cost, etc.
This will be sooner or later according to
the answer re " Record " readers.

In rej)ly to Mr. Woodley : — These sec-
tions weigh 1 oz. each, probably slightly
over the ounce, and so to retail them at
9d. a dozen, or in other words at Is. per
lb. for honey, should not spell financial
ruin to those bee-keepers who try them.
It is absurd to susgest selling at 6d. to
8d. per lb., and thus give 100 iier cent, to
the restaurant. I understand lOd. per
dozen is the price i)aid by tea rooms for
their small pots of jam, so that 9d. a
dozen is not an out-of-the-way price for
tliese miniature sections. Again, with
regard to the small jars of extracted honey
retailing at Id. in restaxirants, etc. It
must be understood that Id. is the price
of honey only, the jars being used again
and again. I believe that Mr. Geo. Rose,
Liverpool, has supplied these small jars,
both empty and full of honey, to restaur-
ants and bee-keepers for some time back.

This surely shows that honey can be mar-
keted in this fashion to advantage, and
that Mr. Woodley is on the early side with
his cold water.— R. N. Robertson, Spears-
hill, Tayport, N.B.

MR. S. SIMMINS AND FOUL BROOD.

[6520.] My attention has lately been
called to the last par of Mr. Macdonald's
" Extracts and Comments " on page 388 of
September 27 last. As misunderstandings
are always liable to occur, I should like
to offer a few words in reference thereto.
In the first place, it would be. well to point
out tliat as far as I am aware, I am in no
way responsible for the statements of our
American friends in that they attempt to
draw a distinction between American and
European foul brood. In many articles
published in " Gleanings," I have insisted
that the disease I have knowir in this
country has not been the so-called, nor any
mild type of the pest. The editor of that
journal justly considering my statements to
be statements of fact, suggested that our
bees must be more immiuie than those
cultivated in America. Here again, I
assured him that such was not the case as
regards the bees generally used in the
States; while I regard our native bees as
less able to contend with the complaint
than either Italians or Carniolans.

I have yet to learn that the disease known
as Bacillus alvei is any other than a malig-
nant disease, and I see no reason why it
should in any way be different in America
to that which we experience in this country.
Neither do I know how our American
friends have been able to make the dis-
tinction as quoted by Mr. Macdonald.

In recent years my experience has been
mostly confined to assisting numerous
correspondents in disposing of the malady,
and I have helped them cure some of the
worst known cases. It is some twenty
years since I first studied the now well-
known Bacillus alvei under the microscope
with the late F.R. Cheshire (who discovered
and named the same) ; and that was ten
years after I had my great battle with the
plague — a bitter lesson which has since
stood me in good stead, enabling mo for
many years jiast to keep my own apiary
free from the plague. Mr. Macdonald con-
siders that the genuine Bacillus alvei in its
most advanced form cannot be cured by
my methods, and even goes so far as to say
" i know his professed cure cannot extermi-
nate the virulent form of the disease." I
have, however, stated as a fact that I can
so cure, without medication, at certain
seasons ; or in connection with medicinal
application at other less active periods ;
and without destroying any portion of the
combs. After thirty years' experience of
the disease, possibly I am as much entitled

474

THE BBITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Nov. 29, 1906.

to say " I know " as are my friends who
criticise my statements, and whose adverse
opinions I can well excuse, for does not
he laugh who wins ?

I should, however, like to state that the
particular process of mine has been pre-
sented solely as a basis of cure ; and in no
instance have I advised the inexperienced
to attempt the cure without at the same
time using the specific precautions which
have proved successful in saving many
apiaries. I must again refer to my friend's
declaration " I know," as I feel that the
expression was used without thought. Had
Mr. Macdonald in speaking for himself said
" I can't cure a bad case," nO' possible ex-
ception could have been taken to such a
declaration of fact, but the term used by
him implies that neither can any other bee-
keeper cure a rotten case of foul brood. I
am sure my friend will see the inadvisa-
bility of attempting to speak for other's of
independent mind and action, who from
practical observation and experience are
able to say " I know " in an opposite sense
to that which he has used. While I can
say I am able to cure the worst possible
cases of the genuine foul brood either with-
out or with a medicinal agent, and without
destroying the combs, I am not prepared to
say every one can or should do the same.
Many have thus cured, but while some
others have not the knack of correct appli-
cation, others again may be in a neigh-'
bourhood where the pest is neglected all
around them, while yet again a few may
own bees that are incapable of any regenera-
tive effort. Let us not say " ! can't," but
emphatically "I will," and where the
" will " is persistent, success usually follows
sooner or later. If one strain of bees will
not respond to treatment, it is quite pos-
sible a more vigorous variety may do so,
as I have many times proved. — Saml.
SiMMiNS, November 15.

[We rather think that Mr. Simmins has
overlooked the fact that "Gleanings" or
its editor is not mentioned at all on page
388. The editor referred to is Mr. W. Z.
Hutchinson, of the " Bee-Keep^:s' Review."
Nor can we accept Mr. Simmins' statement
that it was " the late F. R. Cheshire who
discovered and named " the disease in ques-
tion. Foul brood, or " Bee-pest," was
known centuries ago by the ancients as a
hw disease. In was described in 1769, by
Scliirach, who first gave to it the name of
foul brood. Coming to later times its
true nature was discovered thirty-two years
ago by a^ German scientist (Dr. Cohn), who
was the first to declare that foul brood was
caused by a bacillus (called by German
writers Bacillus alveolaris) to which Mr.
Cheshire nine years later gave the name
Bacillus alvei. We make the above facts
known in order that readers may be en-

abled to form their own conclusions on the
subject. — Eds.]

BEE NOTES FROM HAMPSHIRE.

'• The roseate hues of early dawn,
How soon they fade away."

[6521.] Thoise are my sentiments, Messrs.
Editors and bee friends. On June 25
B.B.J, (page 255) I reported "Bees doing
well," and so they have, for themselves,
but the bee-keeper has to put up with a
short crop this year, with the exception,
perhaps, of a few isolated cases. As soon
as the sainfoin was over, so also was the
grand honey-flow looked for, although
there was an abundance of clover iii the
pastures. I understand that the clover
needs a ground temperature of about
70 deg. Fahr. in order to secrete nectar
plentifully. That being so, it explains
our short crop, for the nights in June and
July were very miich below that given,
though considerably higher during the
day. However, we are thankful for what
surplus we have ; with an abiindance of
stores in brood-nests, plenty of bees in
each hive, and young queens, we rest on
our oars, reviewing the past and arrang-
ing our plans for the future.

Hive Boofs. — I have had some roofs
" on trial " for twelve months now. I
described them some time ago in your
pages, and they are fixed 'up as recom-
mended in the "Guide Book." Paint
your roof, stretch on and tack some calico,
" paint " it with boiled oil, let it dry,
then give two coats of paint, and the job
is done. Not a drop of water has come
through, even in the trying weather we
have been having of late. All my roofs
will be treated thus in futurp

During the past season, several cases of
bees re-queening themselves have come
under my notice, and with no appareat
cause for so doing, as each stock had a
young queen given to it last year. They
were not strong enough to swarm, neither
did they, but the queens hatched out all
right. I suppose they were not satisfied
with their lot, and tried to improve it.
I wonder if other bee-keepers have noticed
the same thing?

During the past two or three seasons a
friend of mine lias had one of his rose
trees visited by a certain kind of wild
bee (the leaf-clutter bee), which cuts a
circular piece out of the leaves of the tree
and carries it off for its own j)urpose.
The insect can be plainly heard at its
work, and, strangely enough, confines its
attentions to one tree only, although
several more trees are quite close. 1 for-
get the name of the rose so attended, but
ask, why should this be so, and have
gardener-bee-keepers noticed the same
thing?

Whilst looking back with a fair aniouut.

Nov. 29, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

475

of satisfaction, on my own "doings"
during the past season, I must tender my,
sincere sympathy to our brethren over the
Solent, for during the past twelve mouths
something like a scourge has visited the
apiaries. I have friends over there, bee-
keepers, in different parts of the island,
-and from them all comes the cry, "My
bees have gone under." One wrote asking
"What can be the matter with my bees,
strong in the early spring, but almost diod
out now (summer), and the groiund liter-
ally strewed with their carcases?"
Another, " All my bees have died from
this scourge (? paralysis)." He owned
about seventeen stocks. Another, "I have
lost something like thirty-four stocks.
Another, a clergyman, and an enthusiastic
bee-keeper, is in despair about his pets.
They all ask, " What can I do ? " It makes
me feel thankful that I left the " Island "
five years ago, and brought bees with me.

I am sure the sympathies of all bee-
keepers will go out to our isolated
brethren in their real distress. The last
report I had, only a short time back,
showed the scourge still sweeping the
apiaries out, although at one time, during
the time that the white clover was in
bloom, it seemed to stay its hand. Im-
porting fresh " blood " does not eradicate
the disease ; in fact, they all go the same
way. We can only hope for brighter
times near at hand for our distressed
brethren.

I fear I am overstepping the mark, in
the length of my notes, so will send rest
later on. — Hants Bee, November 24.

USEFUL POINTS IN BEE-KEEPING.

HIVING DRIVEN BEES.

[6522.] Whenever I reach home after
dark with driven lots of bees for hiving.
I simply shake them together in a heap
— as many lots as are necessary, but
usually two — ^on the top of the frames,
covering over at once with a cloth or
clean dust-sheet. This latter must be
done very quickly, or the bees will " boil
over" the sides. The roof is then put
on, and in about half an hour the bees
will have gone down. The sheet may thwi
be removed, and the quilts put on. This
is quite a good method, because the bees
get settled down before morning, and are
prepared for the robbers, which generally
come to inspect a new stock. I see
there is some divergence of opinion on the
question of the " Yield of honey from
skeps." For myself, I should say a ske]}
weighing, say, 30 lb. gross will not yield
more than 16 lb. or 17 lb. of run honey,
because, besides the weight of skep and
live bees, there is often a good deal
of pollen and brood in the combs.

" D. M. M.'s" locality must be an excep-
tionally favourable one for beas, from his
remarks in B.B.J, of October 18 last (page
414). I once bought a swarm for 10s. 6d.
from a cottager in June 4. It was hived
on ready-built combs, and although a
good season, the swarm only produced
twenty sections, and stored 20 lb. for
winter. _

I once fed up my bees with what my
grocer said was "pure cane sugar." The
bees, however, suffered badly from
dysentery, though the feeding was com-
pleted before September 15, and on fur-
ther inquiry, the dealer said he "rather
feared that the sugar was from beet after
all " ! Needless to say, I take care to use
guaranteed pure cane. When bee-keepers
give their " yields " of honey for publi-
cation, I often wonder what "stores" they
allow for the bees before estimating their
surplus? I remember a bee-keeper who
had — on pajier — 20 lb.' per hive better
yield than everyone else had in his
locality. However, upon inquiry it turned
out that he had only left from 6 lb. to
10 lb. of stores in each hive, whereas his
neighbours had left their bees 30 lb.

The average of 129 lb. per hive (page
465) on fourteen stocks is truly a marvel-
lous return, and one would suppose that
the district is extra good for honey-yield-
ing plants.— Expert, Cheltenham.

BEE-FARMING AS AN OCCUPATION.

[6523.] Having recently come in contact
with your excellent paper, the British
Bee Journal, I venture to quote my
experience of last summer on my first
acquaintance with that gi-eatest "of all
wonders to the inexperienced — a swarm of
bees! Not far from my address, in the
month of August, the neighbours were in
a dreadful state of mind consequent on
a ^warm of bees having settled on a tree
in their midst. I was asked, in great
alarm, to go and "take away those dread-
ful bees ! " I removed them in a table-
cloth spread on the lower branches of the
tree, by giving the branch a good shake
the bees dropj)ed into it. Then, having
captured tlu> swarm and allayed the fear
of my friends. I was obliged"^ to make an
impromptu hive, which, when finished,
looked like anytliing short of a bee-hive.
But those bees! They swarmed again,
and had to be re-captured. At last, how-
ever, they f-et aboiut work in earnest, an'l
I became the proud owner of a fine swarm,
and now that their labours for this year
are over, I want to provide them with a
home worthy their labours. Could you,
through the B.B.J.. instruct me how to
set about it? I have plenty of good new
wood and a fair knowdedge of joinery.

476

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[Nov. 29, 1906.

Once on my feet, I hope to develop into
an enthusiastic bee-keeper. Trusting this
will meet with encouragement at your
hands, — T. L., Sheffield.

[You cannot do better than provide
yourself with the " Bee-keeper's Note
Book," price Is. Id., from this office, ft
gives, full details for hive-making. — Eds.]

HONEY IN NAME ONLY.

[6524.] Your correspondent " W. H. W."
(6514, p. 466) should endeavour tO' prove
his previous statement alleging dishonesty
on the jjart of exhibitors, or withdraw it.
In his letter of last week, as I understand
it, he now accuses exhibitors of altering
the composition of the honey staged,
which, as he says, is composed of sugar
of different kinds, etc., ''and 25 per cent,
of water." Does " W. H. W." make it a
ground of complaint that some of this
mixture evaporates ? If so, surely this is
no crime on the part of an exhibitor or a
secret. The B.B.J, and all good bee-books
tell us that honey must be kept in a warjii
place, as near the temperature of a hive
as possible, and this seems the sole ground
upon which your correspondent makets iiis
sweeping charges. — J. Carver, Welling-
ton, Salop.

[The above correspondence must now be
closed. — Eds.]

POLLEN CARRYING IN NOVEMBER.

[6525.] Your correspondent, "Student,
York" (whose query appears on jjage 459),
should come to Cefn y Coed, Menai
Bridge, Anglesey, where I am now staying
for a short time. On some bright, sunny
day in November, and with the snow-clad
l)eaks of the Snowdon range smiling j>t
liim across the water, he may sit for an
hour without hat or coat, watching the
bees rolling into the hives great loads of
the pollen he wondered at a month back ,
and then come with me to an ujjper room
window and see such a stream of beeis
coming and going over one corner of the
garden wall as shall send us trespassing
on our neighbour's grounds to find the
attraction, and here, close by a very so|id
slate sundial, in a warm, secluded corner
is ivybiish, 8 ft. high, a mass of flower,
and as we sit on said sundial, and ■•crhaps
are lulled to sleep by the genial heat cf
a winter's sun and the gleeful murmur of
the haj)py workers, a poor, jaded city
man may be excused if he fancieis June is
hero, and, startled by a steamer's whistle,
he exclaims, "There's La Marguerite!"
But 'tis only the weekly goods steamer
" Christiania " from Liverpool. "La
Marguerite," "St. Judno," and the others

of the fair fleet of North Wales S.S.Co.,
are docked till summer comeis indeed, and
the sun quickly goes down in a great dis-
play of colour, and the days are short, and
a cup of tea by a cheery fire is very wel-
come, whatever.

" Oaraf ei morfa, a'L myriyddedd,
A'i gTviilain gwynioii, a'i gwymp wreigfedd."

" I love her golden shores, her mountains bare.
Her snow-white sea-gulls, and her maidens fair."

■ — George Rose, Liverpool.

MY START IN BEE-KEEPING.

[6526.] I am sending the accompanying
small jar of honey, so that you may give
me your opinion of its quality in the
B.B.J. It was in the latter part of May,
this year, that I had given me two stocks
of bees in frame-hives, which were moved
to our garden. I had no previous practical
knowledge of bee-keeping, but had read
sufficient to give me a strong desire to
possess some bees. Hardly knowing when
supers should be given, I gave a rack of sec-
tions (fitted with foundation) to- each hive
very soon after the bees were settled down
to work. Nearly two months later, however,
I was greatly surprised to find that the
bees had only filled and sealed completely
fourteen of the sections, whilst some others
were partly filled, and a few untouched.
I then si>oke to a very successful bee-
keeper, who hais since then given me much
help and advice. One fine morning Ire
looked thro'Ugh my two stocks, and
declared that both had " foul brood " rather
badly, and advised stringent " doctoring "
as a cure. I shall not soon forget my first
year's bee-keeping. Foul brood has, directly
and indirectly given me a good deal of
experience, which might otherwise have
taken years to find out.

The same evening we turned the whole
of the bees out of their hives into two
skeps, and starved them in the dark for
forty-eight hours, meantime chan-ing
thoroughly the infected hives and burning
all quilts, ^etc. Two days later I returned
the bees to their hives, giving them ;ix
drawn-out frames of comb which my friend
presented me with, and fed them rapidly
with medicated syrup. I was advised to
try and get some driven bees, and I soo:i
obtained a promise of six lots from a skcp-
I)ist bee-man nine m.iles away, for tho
driving. My first experience of bee-di'iv-
ing over, these six lots of bees were placed
in our cellar, and as the three succeeding
days were very wet and cold, they had to
stop there, being fed in the meantime.
The fo'urth day three skeps were placed
round the two hives, so that the strangers
might get used to their fresh surroundings,
and on the fifth, with the help of my
friend and a good deal of flour and com-
motion, we happily strengthened each of

Nov. 29, 1906.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

477

our weakened stocks by the additional
numbei-s of three driven lots. As far as
we could see no fighting took place, and
next morning every bee was busily at
work for its own home. As we had not
jjicked out the queens previous to uniting,
the defeated leaders were cast out of the
hives next morning. Since then the bees
have worked out and filled with syrup
two more standard frames each, both fitted
with full sheets of foundation, and when
I examined the hives about eighteen days
ago, I found in each large patches of
healthy brood, and only recently (Novem
ber 11) I noticed the busy workers were
still cariying pollen into their homes. I
am looking forward to a more successful
time next year, always on the outlook for
the first signs of foul brood, as, unfor
tunately, I am, I believe, in a foul-broody
district. After settling the bees down, I
broke up the combs, and drained out the
honey through flannel, obtaining about
23 lb. (of which I send a sample), and
after much mess and trouble obtained 1 lb.
of fairly good-wax. My first year's experi-
ence, fidl of difficulties, has only made
me more determined to stick to bee-keep-
ing, as I have already found it an interest-
ing and instructive hobby. — F. T. Cox,
Maidstone.

[An interesting start in the craft, and
we hope your trouble will not break out
afresh next year. The honey sent is dark
in colour and coarse in flavour, so it is
not suitable for marketing, but will do for
home use. We shall be glad to hear from
you again. — Eds.]

EXCLUDER ZINC BELOW SECTIONS.

[6527.] I am very pleased to see so many
readei's of our valuable little B.B.J, con-
firming my views on the non-use of
excluded zinc below racks of sections at
the late conversazione of the B.B.K.A.
Like "D. M. M." (who writes on page
452), I was surprised to find that the
chairman and others at the meeting should
wonder at anyone working sections with-
out excluders below them. For myself,
I can say I have never uised excluder
ielow sections, and have not had brood
in any yet. Not only so, but after putting
on a good many racks of sections for
people in this distinct, I have had no
failures in that direction. I spoke out at
the meeting because of thiiiking that we
should make things as simple as we can
for all who kept bees.

We have had a fairly good season in
this pax*t of Kent, my average being abo;r:
40 lb. per hive ; and the colour is good,
but not comparable to that one sees on the
show-benches, the cokpur and apj^earanoe
of which takes one's breath away. I never
can get any way near the best samples

shown, though I live in the midst of clover
and raspberry fields. — Geo. Dow, St. Mary
Cray, Kent.

SWARMS AND LARGE HONEY-YIELDS

[6528.] Your contributor, " D. M. M.,"
Banff, seems to have quite misunderstood
me when writing his article for B.B.J.,
October 18 (p. 414). If Messrs. Herrod
and Woodley had known that the swarms
sent by them to " D. M. M." would have
gathered them surpluses of 89 and 107 sec-
tions respectively, I agaiii say they would
have been "philanthropists." I happen
to know the district around Luton, and I
also know that between London and
Leicester the honey-flow is over by St.
Swithm's Day.

Benderiiuj Wax. — I find the best and
cleanest way is to have a tin dish (not less
than 3 in. deep or less than 13 in. one
way) that just fits your kitchen range
oven ; now a tin or wooden strainer 6 in.
deep or more, to fit into the dish (flannel
serge makes a first-class straining mate-
rial). Pack the combs closely — inverted —
into the strainer, and place in position,
first putting a pint or so of water in the
lower dish, to prevent burning. A " roast-
ing" oven is best — that is, with the heat
passing over the top. By this plan I get
every particle of wax out of comb — usually
clean — in frames. The above refers to \ Id
pollen-clogged combs. But, of course, it
answers perfectly for capjjings and odd
scraps of comb. But with " cappings " I
use merely a warm oven to drain the honey
out first, before rendering the wax. — A.
Harris, Wavendon, North Bucks.

P.S. — I notice an error in my letter on
p. 394 re size of drone-cells. I gave the
size of four cells to an inch and one-eighth,
36-32, that is, 9-32 to each cell.

WAX EXTRACTING.

[6529.] I think the i)ee-man who writes
under the nom de plume of " Buzbee "
(6515, page 466), does not get much help
of a reliable cliaracter when he refers to
" A Staffordshire Bee-man " (6491, page
444), who makes the remarkable statement
that he extracted 8 lb. of wax from thirty-
four old combs, or nearly ^ lb. per frame,
by the old-fasliioned process of boiling.
He challenges anyone to obtain anything
approaching that proportion by the use of
a "Gerster." Well, I might say I chal-
lenge anyone to get that proportion of
" pure wax " from thirty-four old combs
by any method. They may get 8 lb. of
wax and rubbish. I did not like to let
this go unchallenged, as these unverified
statements are very misleading, especially
to beginners. — F. Coates, Cirencester,
November 26.

478

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Nov. 29, 1906.

INTRODUCING QUEENS IN OCTOBER

[6530.] Tlianks for your prompt reply to
my query in B.B.J, of Noveniber 1 re a
" newly introduced queen's ceasing to lay "
(3427, page 439). I had often introduced
queens before, but never had one to cease
laying so so'on after her introduction, and
that was why I troubled you. Your
instructions were followed, and the combs
examined carefully on the following
Satui-day, when " bees were flying freely,"
and I was very glad to find on one of
the centre combs the fine young queen
which I had introduced. Before writing
you, I had once thought of ordering
another queen at once, and caging her
over the frames for a few days, which
plan would, of course, have been like
courting disaster, as certainly the new
queen would not have been accepted, be
sides the possibility oi having the reigning
queen injured in the conflict with her
rival. This experience — to me — again
verifies the saying that " Bees do nothing
invariably," and teaches us to be slow and
sure in deciding matters pertaining to
bees.— T. A. J., Flintshire.

CAPPINGS OF COMB.

By L. S. C, Ilkley, Yorks.

Pronunciation (p. 451). — This authorita-
tive list appears open to criticism. At
least, doctors appear to disagree. When a
word has passed into common currency, it
does seem absurd to attempt to force the
living word to don the garments of the
dead one. Strictly speaking, we might make
two syllables of stipe, but surely, apis must
remain a-pis, and chitine is ki-tin. Cra-
bonidse is mis-spelt three times, and
should be crabronidse. Malpighian would
taste better with the G in " pigeon " than
with that in "pig," but we may not
choose. '■' Pig " is the nearest that our
English tongue will allow. May Malpighi
forgive us! Tarykeeah looks like Arabic,
and appears to have no justification in
either Greek or English. Modern medical
usage is tra-chea, and there is no time
nowadays to roll a letter to the extent
indicated, though no doubt we should
speak in — shall we say — Banff, of the
" Beritish Bee Jouranal " !

Tobacco for Bees, and Bee-cscapC Cones
(]). 452) — There is no doubt that the effect
of tobacco is to cause the bees to " fume
furiously"! Or become, as dear Lewis
Carroll would say, "frumious." "Dazed,
stupefied, with bodies distended, and suf-
fering serious pain." Why, brown naper
will do the same ! How well I reuiem'ber
when I was a boy, how I tried. Bit, hand
yer whist o' sic a subject !

Then about "cones." If much work
be done in the apiary, and nuclei abo'und,
the ordinary bee-escape cone is a positive

nuisance, unless it has a spring to prevent
the ingress of robber bees. Mine are now
all plugged up, and wall remain so except
under necessity.

Tests for Beet Sugar (p. 452). — It may be
that modern beet sugar differs from the
original quality, but Mr. Cowan is most
emphatic on the question of its unsuit-
ability for winter food. Substances may
be chemically alike, but actually very
different, and the only real test of such a
matter is in practice. Good wintering is
not, however, solely a matter of the fluid
food, and improperly considered tests may
easily give fictitious results. In face of
Mr. Reid's obstinate advocacy of beet
sugar, it would be interesting to have full
particulars of Mr. Cowan's tests.

Tliat article by J. M. Ellis, beaded "'A
Painful Subject" (p. 454), is amusing.
Doleful bee-keepers might mark the num
ber, and read it again when they are dull.
From information received, I understand
that the victim has not run so fast for
years. May I recommend "J. M. E." to
erect a miniature rifle range for those bees,
with a clockwork equestrian target, and a
council rubbish notice to the effect that
" Stings may be shot here " ? Possibly the
target might be worth scraping every
winter for* the sake of the " Rheumati-
killer " !

Profit-sliaring (p. 455). — The rate of pay
suggested is too heavy for the first year,
this being half the bees and half the honey
for the labour. Such an agreement ought
not in fairness to be terminable at the end
of the first season. Usually the bees and
their increase remain the property of the
sleeping partner, whilst the working part-
ner provides half the cost of marketing,
including sections or jars.

Queries and §lfpl«s.

[3439.] A Case of Eohbing.—l have been i»
reader of your valuable paper some time, and
also possBiSS a copy of the " Guide Book " and
have realised the amount of useful information
you give. I now venture to ask if you would
reply to the following. In the eaxly days of
September a fairly strong stock in one of my
frame-hives was suddenly attacked by a great
number of ix)bber bees. I at once referred
to the " Guide Book," and put a piece of glass
before the doorway, contracted the entiiance-
islides, etc., etc., but I had to carry out all
precautionary methods recommended before I
was successful in stopping the depredations.
A few days later I looked into the hive to see
the e.xtent of damage, and found three framew,
comb and honey, destroyed, also enough dead,
bees to fill a pint measure. I send a, few for
inspection,, with what I take to be a queen
bee. There are two emptv queen cells in the
hive, but I failed to find a queen. I looked

Nov. 29, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

479

lagain a few diaj^is later, but failed again to
find her ; but was pleased to wseo ep^s and
brood in all stages on one comb, so the queeiii
is evidently all right. There is about enough
bees left to cover four frames, and as I have
fed the bees well do you think they will live
over the winter? There is about 10 lbs. of
honey still left in hive. Would you kindly
tell me if the bees sent are the ordinary Eng-
lish bee? ThiiS is the second season that I
have had bees of my own, so you will know
I have a lot to learn. Name sent for reference
by Novice, Birmingham.

Reply.— Wo see no reason why the stock
should not live over winter, but it would be
well to move the hive a little way from its
present stand when the bees have been con-
find indoors for some weeks by cold. This
may prevent another attack in early spring,
and should be carefvilly guarded against, as a
second onslaught would ruin the stock. The
bees sent were a mixed lot (hvbrids, etc.), but
chiefly the ordinary brov/n bee. There was
a qiieen, among them, lool.ing very like a
virgixi, but we coiild not saj' for certain. !!■
is a clear case of robbing and a partial
slatighter of the I'obbers.

[3M0.] Material fm^ Hive MaJdng.—l. I
should be obliged if you will kindly tell me
what real advantage there is to the bees in
using " yellow pine " instead of " yellow deal "
for the body-box and floor board of hives.
As a beginner in bee-keeping, I am amusing
myself tlus winter in making some hives. I
have a number of your publications as well as
others, and, of course, take in the B.B.J.
but up to the present have found no
explanation as to why yellow pine is used in-
stead of yellow deal. I can afford to pay for
either wood, but do not care to waste money.
Hence my troubling you. 2. Are there any
stamps or special cutters made for cutting out
the " W. B. C." metal ends? Name enclosed
for reference. — "Alpha," Purley, Surrey.

Rkply. — We think you are confusing yellow
deal and white deal. 1. There is no difference
between yellow pine and yellow deal, both
being the same. On the other hand, the com-
mon deal is known as spruce, which latter is a
very inferior wood for hive-making, and
should never be used for that purpose. 2. The
" W. B. C." end is punched out from the sheet
of tin at one stroke of the cutting tool, as is
subsequently the process of folding the piece
of tin into shape, but the machine is altogether
too costly for home use.

[3441.] Lcaling Homy Valves. — The honey
valves or taps of my Extractor, Ripener, etc.,
leak more or less. 'They are of the ordinary
"treacle valve" type. It is neither nice nor
desirable to have honey dripping about the
place, and I should very much like to stop this
nuisance before another season. I therefore
ask. 1. Can any of our readers assist me in
this by detailing a plan of how to make the
valves fit perfectly so as not to leak? 2. I
have just read with considerable interest the
booklet " Bee-keeping, its excellence, etc.," by
" S. J." Can you inform me please what has
become of this gentleman? It is of course,
some time since it was written. — A Regular
Reader, Derby.

Reply. — 1. Honey valves (commonly known
as " treacle taps ") are rendered leak-proof by
having the two faces of the tap ground per-
fectly flat, and if the movable handle of the
tap works close and rather tight when the
supply is cut off, there should be no leakage.
You should inform the maker of the machine
of your trouble, and he will no doubt put the
thing right. 2. The last time we heard of our
friend, the reverend author of the booklet,
named S. J., he was engaged in congenial
clerical work in Jamaica.

[3442.] Bees Clearing UnfimsJ^ed Sections
Outside. — I should like to know if during this
mild weather, it would do the bees any harm,
my putting some unfinished sections' (about
50) in my bee-shed, which is about 100 yards
from the apiary, for the bees to clear out pre-
paratory to next season ? I make this inquiry
because the bees are flying all day, and a few
bringing in nollen from "the furze on warm
days. On inspecting the bees at the beginning
of last month I found they were in satisfactory
condition with plenty of stores ; the only thing
to say against the present activity is that when
they are flying daily they will consume more
food. I put in each hive a 2-lb. cake of soft
candy in the middle of last month, but do not
like to disturb them till the spring. I have
onlv been two years keeping bees, and suc-
ceeded in getting 500 lbs. from fifteen hives
this year, but I started badlv with a lot of
poor hives. My best hives were from Mr.
Sladen, of Dover, and upon clearing I took
165 lbs. each from them. — Naine sent for re-
ference, "Beginner," East Devon, Nov. 25.

Reply. — No harm will arise from allowing
the bees to clear out the unfinished sections as
proposed, but if other hives than your own
are near at hand the bees from them will
assist your own in the work of clearing out the
honey. For reply re honey samples see " To
Correspondents " column.

Notices to Correspondents & Inquirers,

Letters or queries asking for addresses of manufac-
turers or correspondents, or where appliances can be
purchased, or replies giving such information, can only
be inserted as advertisements. The space devoted to
letters, queries, and rep'ies is meant for the general
good of bee-keepers, and not for advertisements. We
wish our correspondents to bear in mind that, as it is
necessary for us to go to press in advance of the date of
issue, queries cannot alioaysbe replied to intheimte im.
mediately following the receipt of their communications.

[*** Mr. J. Barrow, writing fi'om Oadby,
Leicester, says : — " Your correspondent,
W. J. Farmer (page 418), is quite right.
What are called 9-incli boards a.re only 8|in.
But it is quite possible to get 9in. full
boards in yellow pine."

"Scotia (Perthshire).— Dealing with Bees in
Skeps. — It would be better and more pro-
fitable policy to winter the swarms in the
skeps they now occupy, and s^ll them out-
right in spring. To drive the bees so late
in the season for uniting to other stocks, as
proposed, would be a rjsky proceeding,
and getting the honey from the skep
combs by pressing will be a very messy
job in cold weather, to say nothing of

480

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Nov. 29, 1906.

the extreme difficulty of making it fit
for marketing in glass jars. In fact, we
doubt if you could find a purchaser for it.
(2) There is considerable risk in getting bees
that have been for some time queenless to
accept an alien queen and bees so late in the
year. The weather conditions are all against
doing the job well, at this season.
"Hxtdd" (Yorks). — Wintering Bees on Un-
sealed Stores. — If the stocks are all as strong
as stated, and the honey is from heather, we
do not think the bees will take any harm
if there are two or three partly-filled combs
in each hive for clustering on. Good heather
honey is not nearly so watery as sugar syrup,
so there need be little fear of dysentery.
W. Pollard (Silsden).— Candy Making.—
Sample No. 1, though made by "an ama-
teur," is far better than No. 2 (bought from
"a dealer"). The latter is hard as stone,
and useless as winter food for bees. No. 1
only needs a little more boiling (and more
stirring while cooling off) to make it a good
candy.

A. H. P. C. (West Bvfleet),— Supposed loss of
Queen. — No bee of any kind was enclosed
in letter. We kept the matter in view for
a day or two hoping to hear again, when
letter got aside and overlooked, hence delay
in reply.

H. B. (Kerby). — We cannot tell what the
" mixture of beeswax " sent consists of. It
seems to contain such items as beeswax,
lamp black, and maybe tallow, but only an
umbrella maker who uses it, or analysis,
would determine the point.

Novice (Penistone).— Starting Bee-'Keeping.
— All the information vou require will be
found in the " Guide Book," price Is. 8d.
post free from this office.

G. C. (Sheffield).— Straining Honey.— The
usual way of removing honey from conihs
without the help of an extractor is to slice
the combs and place in a flannel or fine
miislin bag. This ba"--is then suspended in
front of the fire, and as the honey is thimxed
down by the warmth it percolates through
the bag into a vessel placed below.

F. W. D. (Woodford). — Preventing Swaxm--
ing. — The objection to confiming the queen
to her hive by means of excluder zinc is an
insuperable one. It has been tried re-
peatedly, always ends in failure, and not
seldom in disaster at swarming time.

T. H. (Derbyshire).- Honey Selling.— If the
honey sold to you was like sample for-
Avarded to this office, we have no hesitation
in saying the same honey never took prizes
at the shows named. Your remedy would
lie in the County Court.

Honey Samples.

W. D. T. R. (Kingswinford). — You cannot
penalise the tradesman for labelling honey
as sample " Choicest Strained Honey," even
if the quality is far from being of the
" choicest " grade. The sample of granu-
lated honey sont, so Inlielled and sold at 6d.
]ier lb., is probably imported from South
America — reminding us of Chilian— is by
no means " choice," and it is already be-

ginning to ferment, but it is " honey " never-
theless, and may be sold as such to people
who care for such straff.

E. T. K. (Amersham). — The "peculiar taste"
you mention as being noticeable in sample
is, we fancy, from the yellow-flowered weed
commonly known as " ragwort " or rag-
weed. ■ It generally flowers 'just before the
clover begins to fail, and not seldom spoils
the honey from that oueen of bee-plants the
white or Dutch clover.

T. E. (Waddesdon). — A very fair sample of
granulated honey ; well rioened, and will
not be liable to ferment. It is not quite so
smooth in grain as we like, but a good
marketable honey.

S. Nye (Sutton). — Your sample is dark and
thin, with a very poor flavour ; it has, in
fact, been "spoilt" by the method used in
extracting. We should use it as bee-food
only.

Beginner (East Devon). — All three samples
are from mixed sources, and show more or
less evidence of the bees being within reach
of heather. No. 1, except for being rather
thin, is a very nice heather-blend honey,
though it is beginning to granulate. No. 2
has a more distinct heather flavour, but
there is a slight acidity that makes us fear
for its keeping properties. No. 3 is fully
equal to No. 1.

Siispected Comh.

Expert (Weston-super-Mare). — W© regret to
say the comb sent is affected with foul
bi'ood of virulent type.

*^* Suvie Queries and Readies, ^'c, are un-
avoidably held over till next week.

Special Prepaid Advertisements.

Twelve words and under Sixpence: for every additional
Three words or. under. One Penny.

EXCHANGE COOPER INCUBATOR, 120 egc^, gootl
working order, for healthy bees in frame-hive. —
C. SMITH, Cuba House, Parliamemfc Road, Iiiswich,
SufFolk. V 52

WANTED. 25 or 30-EGG INCUBATOR. Exchange
good stock b'ees on eight frames, in new W.B.C.
hive. Expert's report healthy.— L. MATTHEWS, Great
KoUright, Oson. U 55

SPLENDID GRANULATED HONEY, screw-cap jars,
9s. dozen, £5 gross.— H. DILWORTH, Shangton,
Kibworth. tr 66

EXTRACTED HONEY, fine light coloured, in 281b.
tins, 54s. per cwt. Sample, 2d.— A. E. ROWELL,
Ashdown, S. Walden.

PURE MINORCA, also LEGHORN COCKERELS
(black), 5s., 4-a., Ze. 6d. each, or exchange honey.
Pure or crossbred Pullets, cash.— ALSEORD, Bee Ejc-
pert. Haydon, Sherborne. . P 57

FINEST LIGHT HONEY, 41b. tins 3s. ; Seotiona,
7s. 6d. dozen.- L. POLLARD, Haynford, Nor-
wich^ P 66

EXTRACTED ENGLISH HONEY, 13s. per 281b. tin.
Sample, 2cl.— DUTTON, Terling, Essex, P 55

1;^0K Sale, three strong healthy STOCKS, in bar-
' frame hives, cheap, £3 the lot.— MORRIS, Shirley
Warren, Southampton. P 54

Dec. 6, 1906.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

481

(gitorial ^irtim, ^t.

EEVIEW.

"DonHs and Whys in Bec-Keeping."
By G. C. Dunn (London, Henry J. Drane,
Is. net). — Notwithstanding the number of
books and other publications dealing with
bee-keeping, the author says there seems
to be something wanting, and he has en-
deavoured to supply that need in the little
book just issued with the above title. The
contents are intended as " warning posts,"
and in his " Don'ts " Mr. Dunn gives brief
details, connected with practical work
among the bees, which should be avoided.
In the " Whys " appended to each " Don't "
we ai'e given the reasons why. He tells
us what to avoid doing, and the reasons,
derived from experience in his own
apiary. In this way useful hints are
given, from which bee-keepers — especia,lly
beginners — cannot fail to derive advan-
tage ; and we strongly recommend a
perusal of the booklet before us as inter-
esting and useful reading during the win-
ter months.

(&mt%pn&ttttt

Tfce Editors do not hold themselves retpomible for the
opinions expressed by correspondents. No notice will
be taken of anonymous communications, and corre-
spondents are requested to write on one side of the paper
only and give their real names and addresses, not neces
iarUy/or publication, but as a guarantee of good faith.
Illustrations should be draum on separate pieces of paper.
We do not undertake to return rejected eommunications.

Communications relatirtg to the literary department,
reports of Assoeiations, Shows, Meetings, Echoes, Queries
Books for Review, dc, mur<t be addressed onii/ to " The
Editors of the • Britieh Bee Journal,' 8. Henrietta-
street, Covent Garden, London, W.C." All business
communications relating to advertisements, <bc., must be
addrensed ^o " The Manager, 'British Bee Journal,'
OJice, 8, Henrietta^Street, Covent Garden. London, W.C."

*»* In order to facilitate reference, Corresponderts,
when speaking of any letter or query previously inserted,
will oblige by mentioning the number of the letter as well
as the page on which it appears.

BEE-KEEPING IX THE TRANSVAAL.

[6531.] The enclosed letter from Miss
Mary Ritchie, Science Mistress, St. Anne's
College, Natal, together with her article
appearing in the " South African Poultry
Journal," of September 21. which we send
under separate cover, may interest your
readers, and if so we shall be glad if you
will find space for its insertion in the
B.B.J. Kindly return the letter after
perusal and oblisre. — C.A.ii{xrROSS axd
ZiLLEN", Pretoria, S. Africa, November 12,
1906.

Dear Sirs, — The bee-notes herewith
(from Soufh African Prndfrij Journal) will
show you with what intei'est we read the

account of your visit to the Orphanage
at Irene, which apeared some time ago
in the British Bee Journal. I have
been intei'^sting the girls at St. Anne's in
bee-keeping, and we, too, have had many
fine times dislodging swarms. I am send-
ing a copy to Mr. Beardmore.

I have an apiary on the coast, but only
of native bees. I was very pleased to see
from the Tran.^faal AgricuJtural Journal
that at last Italians had been brought
safely to tliis country, and should like to
know what you think of them, in com-
parison with our bees ? — Yours sincerely,
Mary Ritchie,

Science Mistress.

St. Anne's College, Natal,
October 31, 1906.

BEE-KEEPING IN THE TRANSVAAL.

One of the most interesting of recent
photographs in the British Bee Journal,
at least from an educational standpoint,
is <a view of the Transvaal Government
Oi'phanage Apiary at Irene — about twelve
miiles south of Pretoria. The apiary,
which consists of twenty-five hives, is
located on a broad green lawn in front
of the buildings. Each hive is on a
separate stand, wliile a large observatory
hive — higher than the others — stands in
the centre. A teacher and two small boys
are seen handling the frames ; the others
are watching in little groups from tlie
drive.

Mr. Cairncross, of Pi^etoiia, who took
the photograph, gives an interesting
account of his visit to the Orphanage. It
was more by accident than design, it
appears, that the children at Irene first
became bee-keepei"s. About a year ago a
swarm of bees- — as is the way of swarms in
South Africa — chose to come indoors, and
took possession of the dormitory. The
Kaffir boy hived them successfully in a
Nestle's milk box. The children, writes
Mr. Cairnoross, were in high glee, de-
lighted with the idea of catching and
hiving bees in this way, and ere long,
when opportunity oflfered, they scoured the
veldt in search of swanns, and were suc-
cessful in finding several colonies located
in trees, crevices, in rocks, ant heaps, and
elsewhere. On these discoveries being
reported to the master, he bought an Eng-
lish hive for use as a model, also " The
British Bee-keepers' Guide Book," and then
gave his head boy, Dan Roux, instruc-
tions liow to pixjceed with hive-making.
Assisted, of course, by a number of other
youngsters, for this boy is only fourteen,
hive-making was soon in full swing.

"The late Lieut. -Governor, Sir Arthur
Lawley, and Lady Lawley~who is a bee-
keeper— were frequent visitors at the
Orphanage, and when they were leaving

482

THE BRITISH BEE JOURKAL. [Dec. 6, 1906.

South Africa her Ladyship presented Mr.
Beardmore, the principal, with her three
colonies of bees."

" Apiculture is taken as lone of the
school subjects .and systematically taught.
To make this more interesting, sketches,
paintings, and drawings, are ' entered,
along with all other notes on the subject.
This with the practical experience in the
apiary gives the cliildren a keen interest
in the work. Mr. Beardmore's idea is
to give the boys a ' hobbv ' in life, and
bee-keeping he believes will not only prove
an interesting but remunerative pastime."
How many other schools in South Africa,
I wonder, have started bee-keeping on such
up-to-date lines ?

Biology, says a modern writer on the
subject, is not what they teach at Oxford
and Cambridge, but watching the living
bee. Nature is not a mere dead form to
be dissected and analysed, but something
alive to be loved and admired. The
secret of all successful Natixre teaching is
to teach, not primarily through knowledge,
-int through delight. Childr-en are ever
'^Beady for adventure, but aimless walks
-ibore them horribly. They will trudge
miles to study a grape-vine in the autumn.
The action of tendrils is real when it
carries the bunches just above their reach
and invites a perilous climb to get the
frmt.

To awaken children, to the beauties of
their surroundings, to find ^n interest for
them in the country — and there is nothing
so interesting as living things — to give
them a peep into the wonders of Nature, is
surely sufficient reason for the establish-
ment of an apiary in every school, even
if there is nothing so delicious as honey-
comb to look forward to. In a new country
like South Africa, with a limited number
of bee-keepers and bees unlimited, such
training as that given at Irene will pro-
vide for many a delightful and profitable
occupation in after years.

Dr. Edward F. Bigelow, instructor in
" Nature-Study " at the Teachei's' Insti-
tutes of Pennsylvania, Delaware, Ohio,
Michigan, and California, has done much
to popularise this study in America, and
show the value of bees from an educa-
tional standpoint. He has lately designed
a hive for the use of schools and collegts,
called the Bigelow Educational Hive com-
plete in every detail for educational pur-
poses, also a small model liive called the
Pearl Agnes, witli fi'ames about the size
of section boxes, for the children to play
with. Outside it has the appearaJice of a
doll's house, tlie fee^der is arranged in the
cliimney, so tlu' juvenih- bee-keeper be-
comes a veritable Santa Claus. But no
school need wait for a five-guinea observa-
tory hive to begin bee-keeping. In most

parts of South Africa wild bees can be
had for the taking, hive, bee-book, and
smoker can be purchased for a guinea, and
children's veils cost 6d. each."

[We are very pleased to again have news
of Miss Mary Ritchie, and of her con-
tinued interest in "the bees." Readers
may remember several racy and nleasant
articles from her pen in Vol. 29. — Eds.]

NOTES BY THE WAY.

[6532.] The Art of Judging. — Your corre-
spondent, " Libra " (6486, p. 441) sur-
prises me ill writing of Mr. H. W. Sey-
mour as a "honey dealer." This, 1
opine, must be a new development on our
friend's part. I know he has had to buy
out a neighbour who would sell his honey
considerably below market price, and who
would not sell a dozen or a gross of 1-lb.
jars cheaper than he did a single jar, and
when the price was 7d. each, no wonder a
retailer was tempted to clear him out.

The method delineated bv " Libra " con-
firms my nrevious note on the difficulty
of judging a large class, of honey when
each exhibit should be tasted. We now
learn that judges start from opposite ends
and pass in the middle, but I cannot see
that it makes any difference, as the same
number has to be dealt with as though the
two judges followed each other along the
exhibits tasting each consecutively. Then
" Libra " says the palate " gets a rest when
judging comb honey." Are we to under-
stand from this that the choicest edible
we have — the one the Avise king admon-
ished his son to " eat, for it is good " — ■
should be judged for appearance only, and
not be tasted to see if the contents are
really honey ? I will add a line to say I
believe that if sections were judged for
quality of contents instead of appearances
the prizes would be differently placed.

Successful S^varms. — One of your corre-
spondents has compared Mr. Herrod
and myself to " philanthropists," because
we 'sold swarms of bees. I have done the
same regularly since 1879, and every year
have had reports of the well-doing of many
and the " extra takes " from the few. But
in my case these big " takes " are from
natural swarms, in the hands of bee-men
who know how to utilise the labour of the
new stocks, coupled with a good honey dis-
trict, and of what is of greater importance
still, a spell of good bee-weather enabling
them to ])ut their eagerness for work to
secui'e the best rest»lts.

I have in previous vols, of the B.B.J.
asserted that I had no use for excluder'
zinc under racks of sections, and I rarely
tret any witli brood in, perliaps four or
five ])er 1,000, and then oiil-" where combed
sections are used as " baits " to entice the

Dec. 6, 1906] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

483

bees into them. This endorses the state-
ment of "D. M. M." (6449. p. 452).

Why are we to produce miniature sec-
tions for use in restaurants ? It seems to
me this is an opening for the " tall sec-
tion " with the thinner combs. These
could easily be cut up into squares or
cubes, and served in small glass dishes
holding about 1 oz. The 1-lb. sections
would cut into fifteen " cubes," or a well-
filled one into sixteen. Thus the 1-lb.
sections at 8d. would give the restaurant-
keeper a good profit, and even with granu-
lated extracted honey the same can be cut
into "cubes." I feel sure that these small
sections of honey cannot be produced
pound for pound so cheaply as 1-lb. sec-
tions. In saying this I am thinking only
of the interests of bee-keepers in advising
the non-adoption of these miniature mor-
sels, as an experiment or a "fad," to see
wha"t can be done. It may be well in the
hands of the few, but to the man whose
work in the apiary means his " bread and
cheese," I feel that thev can never be a
source of profit. — W. Woodley, Beedon,
Newburv.

BOARDS FOR HIVE-MAKING.

PREVEXTING BBACE-COMBS.

[6533.] I mav be thouglit rather hetero-
dox in my opinions, but I consider the
standard depth of 9 in. for hives, and 6 in.
for shallow-frame supers, is ^ in. too deep.
I make my own hives, and have done so
for nine years past. In early days I made
them the standard depth, with the result
that I often had brace-combs built between
supers. Latterly, I have reduced the
width to 8| in. and 5g in. respectively,
with very satisfactory resiilts. Brace-
combs are very seldom built now, unless
where bees are cramped for space, which
condition I do my best to avoid by giving
room in advance of the actual need.

I fix mv runners 7-16 in. from the top
of sides, this just allowing room for the
ordinary " W. B. C." end, while 5 in. is
too much. Thus there is still a space of
7-16 in. below bottom of frames, which is
quite sufficient, if not still too much. The
same principle iis ajjplied to the body-box
imdatis mtitan (Us.

If Mr. W. J. Farmer feels disposed to
adopt this plan, his so-called 9 in. boards
will be wide enough, I should imagine. It
is, however, necessary to see that the
boai'ds are thoroughly dry when made up.
or they will shrink considerably when the
heat fx'om the colony evaporates their
superfluous moisture.

Your correspondent, " Alpha " (344, page
479), mentions " yellow i)ine " in contrast
with "yellow deal." The editorial reply
rightly t-ells him they are identical. But

it occurs to me that by "yellow" deal he
may mean "red" deal, and not "white."
While the latter is quite unsuitable, the
former — or " red " deal — will make a very
good liive, though it is heavier in propor-
tion to bulk, and with more knobs, than
yellow pine. If the latter can be bought
as easily as the " red," I should strongly
advise "Alpha" to secure it. I say "if,"
because I know from experience that " yel-
low pine " is not stocked by timber mer-
chants in all districts.

May I say, for the information of your
correspondent, and readers generally, that
while I use yellow, or red indifferently for
body-box, all outer cases, and roof, I make
use of old boxes for shallow-frame supers.
I fine Tate's Cube Sugar cases are very
handy ; . both sides and ends can be
utilised, and. they answer as well as if
made of more costly matexial. Further,
let me say to amateur hive-makers, put
thick paint in every joint before nailing
them together, and you may then defy the
rain to do' its worst ; of cotirse, not neglect ■
ing to paint the hive externally with at
least two, but preferably three, coats of
best oil paint. — ^^W. H. , Brilley, Hereford.

ODDS AND ENDS ABOUT BEES.

CHEAP QUEEX-MATIXG.

(Continued from page 458.)

[6534.] I make no pretence to pose as
a queen-breeder by selection, further than
to say that, in artificial rearing. I utilise
larvfe from what I consider my best black
queen of the previous season, and in this
hive I tolerate as little drone-brood as
possible. The chances of in-breeding with
me are small. It is, however, a question
whether in-breeding is an unmixed evil.
I do not know the technicalities of cattle-
breeding and poultry-breeding, though I
have been intimately acquainted with all
that is ordinarily known of these subjects
for more years than I have been a bee-
keeper ; and the only point I think per-
tinent to the analogy is that I know many
farmers who, by paying more attention to
the care of their stock than to a " long
pedigree," can shcnv returns that leave
nothing to be desired. A successful Ayr-
shire dairy farmer, who now lives upon
his fortune, recently told me he never
had a "show coo in his byre." His stan-
dard of beauty was conceived from the
daily yield in the '"luggie." I admit he
would have been foolish to mate his sires
with their own offspring, and, of course,
never did so. How far a "jiedigreed"
stock of cattle excels an mipedigreed one
as milk-yielders under similar treatment
is infinitesimal, if it can even be proved
to do so.

lai my cour.st^ of bee-keeping I liave par-

484

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[Dec 6, 1906.

chased a large number of queens at a
cost never exceeding 5s. 6d. each. I may
say that the price doe« not seem flash, and
I may be told that a 25s.' queen would
h%ve made a difference. But when I say
that I have purchased from some whose
names are well known, and bear the
stamp of integrity, I have had no reason
to complain, or do I think anyone would
be justified in carping. Anyway, I can
unhesitatingly assert that none of these
queens have ever distinguished themselves
more than any home-reared queen. It has
satisfied me with a change of blood, and I
have no doubt the general principle of
cross-breeding was furthered.

My best yield of 104 lb. was from a
home-bred black queen, and " I have yet
to learn " that expensive queens are
superior to any ordinary well-developed
one imated with a drone capable of yield-
ing the maximum amount of vigour and
stamina to his offspring.

Becapitulatiou. — The method I have out-
lined in my two previous contributions
is simple. The boxes for mating (sketched
on page 458) are handy, and contain only
216 cubic inches, which is lessened when
the frames are inserted. The frames are
strong, and will last as long as any stan-
dard frame. I employed a " Swarthmore "
frame and cages for holding the queen-
cells until hatched. I made one to fit
in a shallow frame, so that I could either
liatch in the brood nest or above. No
brood in any shape whatever was em-
ployed, BO that your correspondent "Apis "
(6510, page 464) has quite mistaken the
idea. The queens wei-e all from one to
two days old, and no patches of larvse or
sealed brood given. There is nothing to
chill.

Some observations on the behaviour of
young queens will keep until another week.
— D. v., Dunaskin, N.B.

FEEDING GEAR.

[6535.] In the B.B.J, of November 15,
your correspondent " F. J. H." (6505, page
456) tells how one of his friends secures
what I know should be absolute control
over the bees at feeding time in winter or
at any time. I use the words "absolute
control " without hesitation, as you can
well understand how the bees cannot get
up through the zinc to annoy any person
on the other side of it. My own method
of beo-feeding has for years been similar
i<» that described, yet to. some extent
better. I do not use calico over tlu'
mouth of tlie feed-bottle, but more open-
meshed material, such as the coarse lining
used by dressmakers ; cheesecloth should
be equally good. When following the plan
of outside feeding, I usually hang 2-lb.

glass jars outside, near to the hives, and
this causes no' disturbance whatever among
the bees. When feeding inside the hives
I use a flat board of wood of about 8 in.
long, 4 in. broad, and § in. thick (instead
of a " frame " as described on page 456),
in the centre of which I cut a 2^ in. hole,
extending to within | in. of each end of
the board, or sufiicieiatly long to allow the
bees access from, say, four frame-spaces
when the feed-board is laid on top of
the comb-frames. The hole in the feed-
board, lalthough 2^ in. at the centre — in
order to allow many bees to cluster under
the feed-bottle — narrows towards the ends
to about f in. wide, so that it is cut in the
form of ani elongated oval, thus forming
a stiff, unbreakable feed-board when the
perforated zinc has been tacked down to
the upper side of it. By giving a strong
hive access from four frame-spaces to a
2^ in. diameter feeding-space, the bees
will take down 2 lb. of syrup in as many
hours. A feed-board with narrower (but
not shorter) feeding-space, restricting the
access to the feeding-bottle, is required for
slower feeding. Two weeks' feeding in
late March or early April, and another
fortnight's supply in late September or
early October, is sufficient for strong hives
in spring and winter respectively. An
unusually mild winter, with bees out
often, may mean candy-feeding in Feb-
ruary.— D. Macdonald, Girvan, N.B.,
November 28.

PROFIT-SHARING IN BEES.

[6536.1 I notice that your contributor,
" L. S. C," in the last par. of his "Cap-
pings of Comb," page 478, refers to my
letter in B.B.J, of November 15, page 454,
written in reply to a question on " Profit-
sharing," in your issue of November 8.
" L. S. C." says: — "Usually the bees and
their increase remain the property of the
sleeping partner." I don't know what cus-
tom prevails in Yorkshire, but that does
not obtain in this part of the country.
In fact, the custom here is known as half
shares, not as '"profit-sharing."

I have read up the matter again as
stated by myself, and think the apportion-
ment is a fair one. I am sure " L. S. C."
would not get anyone here to take the
job on the terms of his pix>position. In
my view, " T. S." would do better to keep
his bees arid run them on his own account
tlian take a partner on less favourable
terms than^ I suggested, considering that
he has to take the whole of tlie duties
and market the honey. He would only
have that to do if he kejit out of the
partnership, and the returns would be all
his own. The labour of seeing to nine
{(hntitmcd on page 486.)

Dec. 6, 1906.]

THE BEITISH BEE JOURNAL.

485

HOMES OF THE HONEY BEE.

THE APIAEIE8 OP OUR READEBS.

The neat little bee-garden seen below —
along with the owner and his wife — may,
we suppose, be termed the nucleus of a
large apiary intended to occupy the same
ground ere long, concerning which Mr.
Apthorpe says : —

I may call this my first year of real bee-
keeping, although I made a start in 1904.
In that year I began by purchasing a
swarm in a skep from a neighbour. This
was left severely alone till 1905, when it
was placed above the top bars of a single-
walled frame-hive for the bees to transfer
themselves. It unfortunately happened
during subsequent manipulation the queen
was lost, and so the "transfer" missed,

swarm if one came off. But I had no
swarms, as the bees were given plenty of
room in advance.

I like my hives on legs, and to have
calico-covered roofs, these being cooler in
summer and quite rain-proof. I cannot
refrain from telling you mine is intended tc
be an up-to-date apiary. The hives hold
ten frames with plain top-bai"s, and each
has two dummies ; all frames " wired "
and filled with " weed " foundation fixed to
top-bar by molten wax. I found Mr. Mac-
donald's method of clearing quite a success.
I have aliso had to watch the wax-moth
larvfe, which have been my woi-st enemy
so far.

Mr. W. Herrod gave a course of lectures
in this village last winter, from which I

MR. 0. G. APTHOEPE's APIARY, HARLIXGTOX, DTTXSTABLE, BEDS.

and the bees had to be united to a colony
of driven bees. My aforesaid neighbour
being verv old (about 85) decided to clear
his bees out last year, and I bought the
lot, consisting of one frame-hive and
several skeps. Some of the latter sup-
plied the driven bees for the hive already
mentioned, and at the end of 1905 I
possessed two stocks in frame-hivos and
four skeps. During last winter I bought
a "W.B.C." hive from a worthy amateur
bee-keeper and hive-maker, and from this
pattern I made five more. Thus in the
spring of 1906 I was able to substitute
the two W.B.C. hives for single-walled
ones, and transfer the skep bees to
hives of the same pattern. The small hive
seen in photo, was held in reserve for a

gained much information besides being
able to claim the lecturer as a friend to
whom I can go for much valued advice.

I find the " hobby " most interesting, and
also that yiel|ds a fair rate of profit ;
this year has been a good one for honey,
no doubt, in our locality.

I had the hai-dihood to venture an ex-
hibit of extracted honey at the " Confec-
tioners' " Exhibition and although not a
prize-winner, I was not at all ashamed of
my twelve jars at the Show ; as one bee-
• keeper remarked " there was more credit
in failure at a London Show than success
at a local one." However, I hope for the
latter at least, in the near future.

Wishing your valualde paper a continued
success and even a still wider circulation."

486

THE BRITISH BEE JOUETsfAL.

[Dec. 6, 1906;

{Continued from page 484 )
hives of bees properly for a season is
quite worth the " valuation " the isleeping
partner would pay. Of the two, I would
prefer to be the sleeping partner, if my
co-partner was consistent and dutiful. I
know what att-ending to as many as nine
stocks of bees means in time alone, be-
sides the extracting, marketing, and other
minor mes'Sy details.

■ " L. S. C." draws the line at the part-
nership of the " incx^ease of .stock," but it
-means labour to see to them, and does not
the worker earn his share in them ? Be-
sides, the bees are " jirofit " quite as much
as honey. Let us at least be logical.

I -also note, on page 478, that " L. S. C."
states ." the rate of j^ay is too heavy
for the first year," and the partnership
ought not to terminate at that period. I
made it quite clear that the worker must
give a season's services before he earned
his partnership ; and in justice to the
sleeping partner it should be a continuous
partnership for a few years at least, and
all costs of accessories should be equally
shared. I have known partnerships run
here for quite fifteen- years with skeppists.
— Corinthian, Cornwall.

REMOVING BEES FROM TREES.

[6537.1 If of sufficient interest to B.B.J.
readers, I will be glad if you will insert
the following account of how I got two
lots of bees out ol hollow trees. In the
first one, the bees had located themselves
so high up that it took a thirty-staved
ladder to reach the entrance hole. "When
I got up to them, I found, there was a slit
in the tree, but not lai'ge enough to admit
my haud ; so I puffed in a few whiffs of
smoke to quieten the bees, then set to
work enlarging the slit, by chopping away
with hatchet and chisel. In this way I
soon made it wide enough to get my hand
in and reach the combs. But the first
one I got hold of broke off and dropped
down, as if it had gone into a deep well !
So- I -descended to- the ground, and made
some pointed sticks with which to form a
rest, iSO that I could get a second hold
of the combs in case of a slip, for, owing
to the warm weather at the time (August),
the combs were very tender. It luckily
hajjpened that there was a large limb of
the tree just opposite to the entrance hole,
and on this limb I fixed a box, the bottom
of which was forced partly oflf, so as to
make an entrance for the bees into the
box. When I had got all the combs, with
most of th(^ bees adliering, into the box,
I put a couple of the pointed sticks (after
smearing with honey) into the hollow part
of the tree, and thus made a connection
between th<; box and the tree, and in less

than half an hour every bee had gone
into the box, and the job was done.

The second lot I captured only a fort-
night ago (November 19), when I had to
act somewhat differently. The hollow tree
in which the bees had located themselves
was dead, so I had less trouble to get
at them. In fact, a few vigorous strokes
with an axe, and I soon got at the bees,
as they were only about 10 ft. from the
ground. I went provided with a couple
of wooden- buckets and a skep. In this
case the combs were so tough that I could
not manage to break them away from their
top attachments, so had to sever them
where I could, brushing the bees into the
skep and putting the combs into the
buckets. I measured the aperture or
hollow part of the tree, and I found it to
reach 2 ft. -above the spot where the bees
entered, and 1 ft. below, going up to a
point like a pyramid. It was only 8 in.
across at the widest part. You may just
imagine a comb 3 ft. long (or high). It
would have been a curiosity for illustrat-
ing in the B.B.J, if I could have got
it away without breaking. When my task
was finished I had two buckets full of
comb, which when heated and strained
yielded 23 lb. of honey and 11 oz. of wax.
I had to go again to the place where the
tree was next night, in order to gather up
the straggling bees, which hung about the
spot all day, but had clustered at night.
I put a tin beneath them then, and after
some trouble secured them. I may say I
sweetened the owner of trees with some of
the honey. Bee-men must not leave that
out if they operate. — I remain, dear Sirs,
yours very truly, Joseph Hulbert, Heck-
ington, Lines.

P.S. — I have so often seen the question,
"How to get bees out of hollow trees,"
asked in B.B.J, and Record, so thought
would give readers my experience-. — J. H.

"KING'S ENGLISH."

[6538.] Is it not rather a pity that your
occasional but useful contributor "W.K."
is quite so critical and comiDlaining in
his letter (6518, p. 472)? The expert
he criticises seems to me to have
given an intelligent report of the work
in his district, though without the grace
of literary finish or perfect construction of
sentences. That he was sent out to help
bee-keepers in their work is the fault of
the Staffs B.K.A., if fault it be. Why
he was uot sent out to instruct the public
in the uses of honey, or to puish its sale,
as a Staffs B.K.A. commercial traveller, I
do not know. That, if a honey-producer,
he pushed the sale of his goods I can well
believe ; but if this is " grinding his own
axe," well. "W.H." does the same, and

Dec. 6, 1906.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

487

very successfully, Doubtless this county
expert would have to push his own sales
in his own time, in this respect, too, acting
just like "W.H."

But a much wider question is opened
by the quadruple and uncomplimentary
allusions to "experts," in the letter re-
ferred to. I Gcarcely fail to see, in these,
strong disparagement of the B.B.K.A.
Board of Examiners. Of that Board I have
sufficient experience te know that it so
hedges up even the Third-class Certificate
that no one gets it but a practically safe
man or woman. For the Second Class
Certificate the theoretical knowledge of
bees and bee-keeping is much wider and,
as the examination is only met by written
answei-s to questions, the candidates, to
be successful, must be able to write such
passable English as to make himself un-
derstood. That men without rood educa-
tion (and this examination only pre-
supposes a " fair " education) can grapple
with such matters as the anatomy of the
honey-bee successfully, speaks volumes for
their intelligence and application. I be-
lieve it is not unknown that men of culture
fail in this examination. Still further
advance is indicated by the First Class
Certificate, with the ability to lecture on
any branch of bee-keeping Ihat the exam-
iners choose. And it is only at this stage
that the examiners require evidence of a
" good." education. Their reasons are ob-
vious and sound. In our own Association
I have had my share in the appointment
of third and second class men, and first,
too, for district work, and not one has
ever proved incapable of doincr his work, or
of reporting sensibly to his committee.

If "W.H." chiefly wishes to emphasise
the need of popularising the use of honey
he may be reminded that the B.B.K.A.
and all its branch associations expend
much money in shows for this purpose,
besides using all their influence to put
consumers into touch with producers where
necessarv-

I send name, etc., for reference. —
S. J., Bristol.

[6539.] Will you kindly allow me space
for a word of reply to your correspondent,
"W. H. ," whose note appears on page 472
last week? The writer was evidently not
in the best of humours when he read my
letter (6512, p. 465). I must have un-
consciously touched a sore place. My sole
object was to draw attention to the fact
that the duties of experts, as I know them,
are to make better bee-keepers, not to in-
crease their number, as he says. By so
doing they are able to find a better mar-
ket for their produce, in addition to being
able to produce more cheaply and also put
it on the market in proper form. I main-

tain that there is a market for good Eng-
lish honey so put up, the only difficulty
being to bring producer and consumer
together. As to the particular words
your correspondent complains of as being
" misread or misunderstood " (which may
or may not be my mistake), " W. H." may
consider himself justified in iising the
very strong words his letter contains, but
when he writes of experts " having an axe
to grind," I am at a loss to know what
idea he has in view, seeing that he tells
us in words that I call " grinding his own
axe," what he has been doing for the last
ten years.

Bee-keepers may find a difficulty in
some neighbourhoods in getting rid of their
surplus at a good price, iDut when we know
that the best men in the craft are able to
"sell out," and at a decent price, it shows
that it is the unfortunate ones who have
to suffer loss and disappointment from
causes which it is not always in their
power to improve upon or prevent. — J
Price, Staffs.

[We have another letter on the above
subject, and expressing much the same
• views, from Mr. J. P. Phillips, Hon. Sec,
Worcestershire B.K.A., who will no doubt
agree with us that the case is amjjly met
above. — Eds.]

HIVING DRIVEN BEES.

[6540.] It seems strange how "doctors
differ." We have, on page 471, " D. M. M."
sticking to his guns by stating that hiving
driven bees above frames is reprehensible
for many reasons, and then we have one
who signs himself "Expert," on page 475,
going just the opposite. For myself. I
may say, having driven and hived hun-
dreds of stocks, I have come to the conclu-
sion that the " top of frame " plan is most
to be depended on. If the hive is a
"W. B. C," or similar, one, the space
round body-box should be temporarily
filled with some soft material, so as to
keep the bees out of it, and in ninet.y-
nine cases out of a hundred no difficulty
arises, if the instructions given on page
475 are folowed. In all cases I consider
it best to have the " lift " on 'hive before
shaking in the bees, if possible. The
cloth, or dust-sheet, should be dropped in-
side the "lift," so that its weight is on
the bees. (I have generally used cheese-
cloth, or whatever material has been used
to fasten the bees in the skep for bringing
home.) Then a sack laid over the top
of all to keep stragglers in or out, and
there you are ! I have often found trouble
when running bees in at the bottom, and
it has generally been when two queens
have been present. One will have run 'n
with her bees, and the other, with hers,

488

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Dec. 6, 1906.

•would persist in staying outside— under
the porch, generally. A case of this kind
happened with a neighbour only this
autumn, and he called on me to put them
right after the bees had been in two lots,
one out and one in, all night. I send
name for reference. — Nondesckipt, Notts,
December 3.

[Being one of the " doctors " who agree
with "D. M. M." in differing with our
friends "Nondescript" and "Expert," we
add a line to say that we should never
dream of hiving either driven bees or
swarms on any other plan than the orthodox
one followed by nearly all the experts and
hee-men with large apiaries to deal with
we have met during our more than forty
years' experience of bee-work in all its
forms. Much, of course, depends on the
operator himself, seeing that some bee-
keepers— even of long experience — have not
the. same methods of handling bees as are
now practised. At the same time, it is
better that " doctors " should " agree to
differ," and allow everyone to follow the
plan most suited to his own method of
handling the bees. Our own methods are
fairly well illustrated in the " Guide
Book."— Eds.]

SUDDEN DEATH OF L. BARBER,
Esq., J.R

While preparing for press, the following
letter reached us, and we are sure its
contents will be learned with deep regret
by many readers, along with ourselves : —

Deak Sir, — I very much regret to inform
you of the sudden death of our chair-
man, Lewis Barber, Esq., J. P., which
occurred at one o'clock this afternoon on
his return (home from a week-end visit.
I will endeavour to send you some further
particulars for your next week's issue. —
Yours faithfully, R. H. Coltman

December 3, 1906.

NOVEMBER RAINFALL.

Total, 3.68 in.

Heaviest fall, .72 in., on 8th.
Rain fell on 22 days.
A very mild month, free from fogs.
— W. Head, Brilley, Herefordshire.

CAPPINGS OF COMB.
By L.S.C. Ilkley, Yorks.

The Chapman Honey Flant (p. 456). —
This round lieaded hedgehog of a nectari-
ferous giant is highly decorative as well
aiR remunerative. But what a name !
" Echinops sphaerocephalus ! " A bee with
any respect for its mandibles might well
hesitate to pronounce upon the quality of
its banquet! Be, in fact, uftprhj deterred!

Th"s ought to have been inctided in the re-
cent list of jaw-breakers.

" Clausterisecl " (p. 459). — Our vocabulary
seems to be still growing. If this word
be coined to refer to the Claustral device,
I would advise that a large internal en-
trance may be vised with advantage. This
question of entrances is solely one of ven-
tilation with due regard to conservation
of heat. Thus, in the ordinary way, it may
make a slight difference which way the
combs run, and a hive having an " eke "
does not require so large an entrance as
one in which the combs are close to the
bottom board.

Cleaning-up Sections (p. 462). — It is evi-
dent that a rack might hold the full num-
ber of sections if four bee-way sectionsi were
used, as the bees could then traverse the
whole rack. Mr. Woodley evidently uses
two bee-ways, and the bees are admitted
to the central row through the feed hole of
quilt. If. however, the quilts were drawn
back so as to uncover the ends of the brood-
frames, perhaps the work might be done
with a full rack of this pattern. I think
that our friend "D.M.M." once suggested
this.

One to the Queen Breeder (p. 464). — It is
well worth noting that since this bee-
keeper began to purchase queens from the
specialist breeders his takes of honey have
doubled ! One would like to have the exact
figures. If the apparent conclusion be not
modified by the increased experience of
"Apis," then this is the finest advertise-
ment that has appeared in the Journal for
some time.

Snake in the Grass (p. 465). — One would
have thought that a bee-keeper would be
immune to such trifles as vipers venom.
But it may be that the poison is not the
same as that of Apis hypodermica ! Chem-
istry ha<3 not yet succeeded in accurately
determining it. A cross between a viper
and a vicious virgin oueen should produce
a fairly virulent hybrid ! It would, indeed,
" an adder be " to our worries, whilst even
the armour-plated smoker might bellow
for mercy in vain !

INTERESTING EXTRACTS.

(From a Treatise " Concerning the Right

Use and Ordering of Bees.")

By Edmund Southern, Gent., A.D. 1593.

" I remember once there was a gentle-
man, a very friend of mine, which liad
good store of bees, unto whom tlie parson
ifwht) yet liveth, and I feare is one < f
Martin Malapert's house), came and
demanded tythe bees. ' Tythe bees ! ' quoth
the gentleman, 'I never yet payd any,
neither is it the custom in this parish,
and I am loth to be the first that shall
bring it up, and yet I am very willing

Dec. 6, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

489 4

to pay my due; honey, money, and wax
you shall have, with all my heart ; but
bees cannot be told, therefore how shall
I pay them ? ' ' Told, or not tiild,' quoth
the parson, ' or due or not due, I will have
the tenth swarme, and you were best bi-ing
them home to my house.' 'Why, then, I
might deceive you,' quoth the gentleman,
' and bring you a casting or an after
swarme for a whole swarme.' 'Well,'
quoth he, ' honey, money, and wax shall
make amends for that.' 'But you can
never have profit of those bees if they be
castlings,' quoth the gentleman, ' which I
bring you.' ' It is no matter for that,'
quoth the parson, 'this is neighbourly
you.' 'Which shall be done,' quoth the
gentleman. It fortuned within two daies
the gentleman had a great swarme, which
he put into a hive, and towards night
carried them home to the parson's house ;
the parson, with his wife and familie. he
found at supper in a faire hall ; the gentle-
man saluted them, and told the parson he
had brought him some Bees. ' Imary,'
quoth the parson, this is neighbourly
done ; I pray you cany them in my gar-
den.' 'Nay, by troth,' quoth the gentle-
man, ' I will leave them even here.' With
that he gave the hive a knock against the
ground, and all the Bees fell out. Some
stung the parson, some stung his wife, and
some his children and family ; and out
they ran as fast as they could into a
chamber, and well was he who could make
shift for himself, leaving their meate upon
the table in the hall. Tlie gentleman
went home, carrying his emptie hive with
him. On the next morning the Bees were
foiind in a quickset hedge by a poore man,
who since hath had good profit of them,
and is yet living. Within foure daies after
the gentleman was cited to appear before
the ordinary, who, when he came,
demanded why he had used the parson
after that manner? 'Why, Sir,' quoth
the gentleman, ' I have not misused him,
to my knowledge.' ' No ! ' quoth the par-
son, 'did not you make your Bees sting
me and all my folks ? ' ' Not I,' quoth the
gentleman ; ' but you would needes have
a swarme of Bees, the which I brought you
home, according to your own request, and
left in your hall, and since I saw them
not.' T but,' quoth the ordinary, 'why
did you not let them alone in the hive ? '
' So I would,' quoth the gentleman, 'if they
had been in my own garden.' 'Why did
you not let the parson have the hive?'
quoth the ordinary 'I could not spare
it,' quoth the gentleman, 'for I bought
my hive in the market, and I am sure,
as covetous as he is, he can have no tythe
of that. I buy in the market according
to English laws ; but I did by his Bees
as he willed me, and as I have done by all
his other tythes, which I have ever left
in his hall, and so I did these ; and yet

there was no Bees ever demanded for tythes
in our parish till now ; and besides, the
statutes for tythes in this case provided,
is on my side ; but honey, money, and wax
he shall have with a good will.' 'And
that* is not much amiss,' quoth the
ordinary. So noting the circumstances of
every case, gave sentence that both of them
should stand to their own charges. So
they were contented, and afterwards be-
came friends, and if they do not well, I
pray God we may."

Transcribed by (Mrs.) E. A. B., Devon.

[3443.] Uniting Beea^ in November. — May I
ask your advice on the following? I have
four stocks of bees in frame-hives, I have
never attended to them myself, and they have
been neglected this year by the man "whose
duty it was to look after them. From No. 1
stock we took eighty-foui* well-filled sections.
No. 2 yielded me thirty-three sections and
one crate of eight shallow-frames, from which
I extracted 32 lbs. good honey. No. 3 only
filled ten sections ; while No. 4 stored no
surplus. I had another man in to examino
the two last-named stocks a week ago, which
we found badly infected with the wax-moth.
There was very few left, no brood, and hardly
any stores. No. 3 was also troubled with
wax-moth, but not as bad, very little brood,
but a fair amount of stores. We removed
three of the worst frames from No. 4, cut out
the most faulty ones of the others, and gave
instead what stores there were left, closing in
the vacant space with a dummy board. We also
gave both the weak stocks some scented syrup,
and, after removing the quilts, placed a piece
of paper, perforated with small holes, on No. 3,
and then set No. 4 on the top, to try and
unite the bees in this way, but three days
later the front-board was covered with dead
bees and small pieces of comb, while the hive
entrance was choked up. I cleared all this
debris away, and freed the entrance, when
the bees began to come out strong. I had
another examination to-day, and there were no
bees at all in the bottom box, but the top on©
was full of bees. Will you therefore pleas©
say in your journal : 1. Did I do the right
thing in joining them together in the manner
given above? 2. Shall I have to feed them
this winter, or will the bees go down and
fetch the stores from bottom box? I send
name and sign — Anxious, Northants.

Reply.— Your mistake, or " fault," lay in
the method adopted for uniting the two' lots
of bees. The weaker lot has evidently been
exterminated ; but as they were described by
yourself as " very few bees " no great los's
has resulted.

[3444.] Bees Carrying Pollen in Decemher.
— Last Thursday (November 29), being a
warm, mild day, the bees from my hives were
flying very freely, and from one stock the
bees were flying in and out just as they do in

490

THE BRITISH BEE JOUItNAL.

[Dec. 6, 1906.

spring. But I distinctly saw three bees go
into the particular hive mentioned carrying a
considerable quantity of pollen. Is not this
unusual considering the time of year? I
have never noticed pollen carried into hives so
late as this before. — F. Wm. WETHftnALL,
Worcester, December 2, 1906.

Reply. — It is not uncommon to see bees
actively at work at this season in such abnor-
mally warm weather as prevails just now.
There is also an unusual quantity of ivy
bloom this year, and from this the bees get
both honey and pollen.

[3445.] Be.es in Roof of Building. — I have
been a reader of your valuable paper for some
years, and have realised the^ amount of useful
information you give in it. I now venture to
ask if you can help me in the following dif-
ficulty? Under the lead roof, betwixt same
and ceiling of a square building a colony of
bees took up their abode some few years ago,
and this summer appeared to be exceedingly
strong. The entrance is a very small hole in
the building side, which is stone. I should
like to know if there is any method of cap-
turing the bees without damaging leaden roof
or ceiling? — J. T. G., Derbyshire, Decem-
ber 3, 1906.

Reply. — -We can under the circumstances,
suggest no plan of capturing the bees that
we should care to follow ourselves, and so
would prefer to either leave them alone or
plug up the hole and let them die out. It
would be possible to capture the bees by con-
structing a rough box made to hold 4 or 5
frames in which a nucleus colony with queen
could be hung up to the side of the stone-
work of house if convenient. If this plan
was decided on, a Porter bee-escape could be
fixed at the back of the box and the bees in
roof be compelled to pass out through the es-
, cape. They would thus have to fraternize
with the nucleus lot and so be utilised. But
" the game would not be worth the candle,"
and, must of course, involve starvation and
death to the queen now in the roof, so we
should, choose the first alternative.

Notices to Correspondents & Inquirers.

T. E. C. (Redruth).— Heather from Seed.—
Of course, heather like other plants is
raised from seed, and probably a seedsrnan
could supply seed of the common ling
" Calluna vulgaris." Our correspondent
asks, " if any of our Yorkshire friends could
oblige with a few rooted plants;" perhaps
some Yorkshire reader may be able to say.

J. B. L. (Lanark).— Making the W. B. V,.
Hive.— We cannot see where your difficulty
arises, or do we think you will have the
trouble feared if the directions given in the
" Note-book " are carefully followed. When
packed for winter, the roof is used along
with one "lift" as shown in the illustration
(page 54).

H. W. L. (Wolverhampton). — Creating a
Market for Honey. — The two really tan-
gible methods open to bee-keepers for dis-

posing of their surplus honey are (1) per-
sonal effort in your own district as given
from time to time by bee-keepers in our
pages, and (2) the use of our pirepaid
column. With regard to price, you will
find that that very largely depends on the
quality of your sections, both with regard
to appearance of the comb and Havour of
the contents of same. A perusal of our pre-
paid column gives a good idea of prices.

Money Samples.

W. S. (Hamilton). — Sample is from the true
"Ling," but a little mixed from other
sources, being not so good in consistency as
the highest quality of heather honey. All
the same it is a good sample.

*^* Some Queries and Replies, ^'c, are un-
avoidably held over till next week.

Special Prepaid Advertisements.

Twelve words and tmder Sixpence : for every additional
Three words or under ^ One Penny.

3CWT. LIGHT COLOURED HONEY, in 281b. tins,
56s. per cwt. ; tins free.— SHENAON, Hds. Bos-
worth, Rugby. u 82

15

DOZEN SECTIONS to clear, 78. per dozen ; packed
f.o.r.— PULLEN, Ramsbury, Hungerford. u 82

PURE CAMBRIDGESHIRE HONEY, mainly Sainfoin,
in jad-s, 141b. tins, or in bulk ; also a few Sec-
tions.— Apply for quotations and samples, stating
quantities required, to J. HOWLAND, Brampton,
Huntingdon. u 80

WELLS HIVE, complete, stocked with bees, on
eight frames, 30s.— PICKEBSGILL, Bishop
Monkton, Leeds. u 78

LIGHT CLOVER HONEY, £2 163. per cwt., packed
free.— COMLEY, Dynevor Place. Pairford, Glos.

u 77

FOR Sale, 1,000 lb. of Finest Light-Goloured Hamp-
shire HONEY, from Sainfoin and Clover. In feins,
71b., l«b., 28Ib., and 561b., at 6d. per lb. ; screW-cap
jars, safely packed, 8s. per dozen; either in bulk or
quantities to suit customers' requirements ; fi-ee on
rail; sample, 3d.— T. NORRIDGE, Ash Cottage, Ab-
bott's Ann, Andover.

FOR Sale, ten " W.B.O." SECTION BOXES; condi-
tion nearly equal to new. Price, 25s. the lot.—
SOAL, Roobfprd, Essex. , tr 74

FOR Sale, 3 cwt. LIGHT EXTRACTED HONEY, in
14 lb. tins, 56s. cvrt.— ARTHUR ADCOCK, Mel-
dreth, Cambs. u 84

LIGHT COLOURED GRANULATED HONEY, in glass
jars, and 28 lb. tins.— J. CUCKSEY, Elderberry
Farm, Mildenhall Roa<l, Soham. V 83

SECTIONS, best quality, light, large quantity. What
offers?— CLOUGHTON, Maldon, Essex. tj 72

FINE YORKSHIRE HONEY, principally Heather, 10
dozen 1 lb. screw-cap jars, lOa. dozen ; sample,
3d. CLOVER SECTIONS, 9s. per dozen, f.o.r. ; five
prizes this year. Casli or deposit.—STREET, Dish-
forth, Thirsk, Yorks.

PHOTO., Etc., 3d.— The most scientific portable heat-
ing api>aratu8 ever intended for small Conser-
vatories; 24 hours without attention. No fumes.
lOs. 6d. to 168.— T. HOLLIDAY, Astbury, Congleton.
/ •■ •• ' B 69

L)ec. 13, 1906.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

491

o^ditarial ^otim, ^t,

TO FRUIT GROWERS.

DANGER FROM GOOSEBERRY MILDEW.

We have received the following commutni-
cation from the Board of Agriculture and
Fisheries, with a request for its inser-
tion in the British Bee Journal : —

The Board of Agriculture and Fisheries
have received information that the Ameri-
can Gooseberry mildew (Sphsenorotheca
mors-uvae) has been discovered in more
than one place in England, and as there
is reason to believe that the disease, in at
least one case, is of some years standing,
they think it desirable to warn all fruit-
growers, nurserymen, gardeners, and other
growers of gooseberries of the dangers in-
volved. The disease, which is termed
American owing to the extensive damage
it has done in America, is of a very serious
character, and has rendered the culture of
gooseberries unprofitable, and practically
imnosisible wherever it has appeared

The mildew generally becomes visible
during the last half of May or the first half
of .June, when it appears in the form of
" glistening frost-like spots " on the fruit
on the lower part of the bush where there
is usually donee shade. It then spreads
to the leaves and tender shoots. In its
earlier stages it has a cobwebby appear-
ance, which soon becomes white and pow-
dery from the development of the light
conidial spores. Later in the season the
leaves and other parts affected tusrn a rusty
brown. The fungus prevents the berry
from growing, and the fruit becomes worth-
less. All during the summer, therefore,
the disease can easily be detected, and the
bushes can be dealt with according to the
extent of the disease. But during the win-
ter the disease remains dormant, and will
not spread from plant to plant. During
this period, however, it can be conveyed
from one district to another in bushes and
stocks. It is clear that enormous and ir-
reparable mischief may be done in this
wa.v, and it is the duty of all nurse i-ymen
to take precautions not only for their own
sake, but for the sake of the locality in
which they live.

The Board of Agriculture and Fisheries,
therefore, urge all nurserymen and market
gardeners who intend to buy bushes or
stocks of Ribes aureum, whether from
abroad or from Ireland, or even from other
growers in Great Britain to observe the
following precautions.

1. Only to purchase from those growers
or dealers who are prepared to offer a
guarantee that the plants they are selling

are of their own growing, and that no case
of American Gooseberry mildew has ever
appeared in tlieir gardens or in the imme-
diate neighbourhood, and that the said
plants have not been near any gooseberry
plants recently brought on to the seller's
premises.

2. To plant such gooseberry bushes or
stocks as they may buy or acquire from
other premises than their own in a special
part of their nursery or garden at some
distance from other gooseberiy bushes.

3'. To destroy all plants found to be
affected with the mildew and to spray with
Bordeaux mixture all others suspected of
being infested with the object of destroying
any external mycelium or adhering spores
that may be present. This should be car-
ried out during the period when the dis-
ease is dormant.

4. To keep a careful watch on all goose-
berry plants in the forthcoming spring for
any signs of mildew, and to report any
appearance suggestive of the disease to tho
Secretary of the Board of Agriculture and
Fisheries, 4, Whitehall Place, London.
S.W. , immediately it is detected.

5. To assist the Board in discovering any
unreported cases of the infestation during
the past summer.

There is at present no law dealing with
the eradication of the pests of fruit trees
in this country, but the Board believes that
the American Gooseberry Mildew has not
spread very far as yet and that it depends
very largely on the action of the fruit
groweiTs, nurserymen, arjd market gar-
deners whether its further development can
be prevented.

LANCASTER AGRICULTURAL
SOCIETY.

Editors, British Bee Journal.

Dear Sirs, — We beg to inform, you that
at a general meeting of the members of the
above society, held on November 16 last,
the date of the show for next year was
settled — viz., Wednesday, August 21, 1907.
The probable dates of closing of entries
are : Gemeral stock, August 7 ; poultrv,
August 12 ; and dogs, August 15. We
shall be glad if you will announce this fact
in your paper, and insert dates in any show
lists you may be publishing. — Thos.
Armitstead and Son, Secretaries, 2, Yic.
toria Chambers, Penny Street, Lancaster.

CROYDON AND DISTRICT B.K.A.

The monthly meeting of the above asso-
ciation was held at the Social Room, in
rear of the Free Christian Church, Welles-
ley Road, on Thursday, December 6, ajid
was well attended by the members. Mr.

TfHE BRITISH BEE JOtTRNilL. [Dec. 13, 1906.

Pay (a bee-keeper of forty years' standing)
presided, and, in referring to the pleasures
ol bee-keeping, said he hoped the newly-
established association would flourish.
Personally he thanked the originators for
the good work they had done. Mr. W. F.
Hosegood then read a brief paper on " The
Queen Bee," after which an interesting dis-
cussion took place on the merits and de
merits of the Italian bee. A nice display
of prize honey, wax, and up-to-date appli
ances was exhibited by Mr. J. Kachler,
showing, among other things, the straw
skep in its various improved stages up to
the modem hive. Mr. Jask, Chief
Librarian of Croydon Free Libraries,
kindly sent an assistant with a parcel of
bee-books, which members were allowed to
borrow for a fortnight. Many took ad-
vantage of the offer. Votes of thanks to
Mr. Hosegood aind Mr. J. Kachler brought
an interesting meeting to a close. Tlie
next meeting takes place on January 3. — A.
Wakeeell, Hon. Sec.

HONEY IMPORTS.

The value of honey imported into the
United Kingdom during the month of
November. 1906, was £1,320. — From a
return furnished to the British Bee
JouRiv-AL by the Statistical Office, H.M.
Customs.

€mt^pn&tui,

The Editors do not hold themselves responsible for the
opinions expressed by correspondents. No notice will
be taken of anonymous communications, and corre-
spondents are requested to write on one side of the paper
only and give their real names and addresses, not iieces-
farily/orpvMication, but as a guarantee of good faith.
Illustrations should be dravm on separate pieces of paper.
We dc not undertake to return rejected communications. '

Communications relating to the literary Oepartment,
reports of Associations, Shows, Meetings, Echoes, Queries.
Books for Reviein, iL-c, ninut be addressed mUy to '"lui
Editors of the ' British Bee Journal,' 8. Henrietta-
street, Coveut Garden, London. W.C." All husinefs
communications relating to adrerlisements, <i'c., munt be
addrensed /o " The Manager, 'British Bee .Journal,'
office, 8, Henrietta-Street, Cogent Garden Jjondon., W.c!"

*.* In order to facilitate reference, Correspond^rts,
when speaking of any letter or query previously inserted,
will oblige by mentioning the number of the letter as well
as the page on which it appears.

AMONG THE BEES.

THE EVOLUTION OE THE BEE-HIVE.

(Continued from page 393).
[6541.] Bearing in mind the fact
that up till about fifty or sixty
years ago straw was the almost uni-
versal material employed in making
homes for the honey-bee it will be
ne<ressary, to dwell for some time on this
form of hive. Bonner. 1795, a very able

bee-master, who was intimately acquainted
with all the forms of hives then in use, con-
cluded that " experience jiroves straw to
be rather preferable to everything else " ;
and Huish, even in 1844, who knew more
about the, different stvles of hives than any
other man in his day, deliberately chose
straw as the material for constructing the
hive to which he gave his name. He re-
cords his opinion, " Of all the materials
which have been used for the making of
hives, the conviction is strongly impressed
upon me that straw is by far the best."
Later it will be necessary to describe this
hive.

Leaving out of consideration the " hollow
oak" of Virgil, the Roman consul's "hive
of very clear horn," those made of osier
twigs daubed with clay, and those tubes
of " cylindrical form " made of tiles in
which bees were kept, it maj^ be enough
for our present purjiose to begin with those
used from the apicultural dawn in our
islands, which dates from about 1600, and
taking as a type Butler's " Ideal " hive we
have one of the best then known. It was,
in fact, the old dome-built skep almost in
the identical shape and form still to be
frequently seen. Here is his own descrip-
tion : — " The bees best defend themselves
from cold when they hang together in the
manner of a sphere or globe (which the
philosojihers account the most perfect
figure) and therefore the nearer the hive
oometh to the fashion thereof the warmer
and safer are the bees. But, of necessity,
the bottom must be board, for the upright
and sure standing of the hive, and for the
better taking out of the combs. The top
must rise some three or four inches higher
than the just form of a globe to stay the
hackle and throw off the rain. Otherwise,
let your hive vary no more from this round
figure than needs must. From the top
to the skirts it should be 17 inches ; in the
middle, or widest part through the centre,
15 inches ; and at the skirts 13 inches.
This form with these dimensions, will con-
tain three i>ecks, and the abatement of one
inch in each direction abates a gallon in
the contents. Hives are to be made of
different sizes between five and three gal-
Ions, 60 that any swarm, of what quantity
and time soever, may be fitly hived. Have
hives of all sorts, but most of the middling
size." Butler adds the interesting informa-
tion that the best hives made in England
in his time were con.structed by "Tomas
May, of Sunning, about one mile from
Redding, and by William Harper, of Cud-
sen, about four miles from Oxford."

Taking a leap of about half a century we
come, 1657, to Purclias's Best Hive : — " All
things considered the straw hives are the
best, and the bees do best defend them-
selves from cold when they hang round to-

Bee. IS, ,1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOtTHNAsL.

4^3

gether in the manner of a sphere or globe.
So then the hive hath the best shape, that ia
likest to an egg with one end cut off. It
may consist of * twelve strawen wreaths
or cowls,' or more, according to bigness of
the hive. Let the first three ' cowls ' be of
one magnitude and compass, the four next
above them bellying out a little each be-
yond his fellow, that the combs may be
more firmly fastened. Let the other five
by little and little be narrowed to the
centre at the top that it may be pyra-
midal. And after this proportion, if the
hive consists of more wreaths, for this is
the shape of a small hive. I have
some consisting of seventeen or eighteen
wreaths. However, let your hives be too
little, rather than too great, for such are
hurtful to the increase and prosperity of
the bees. If the hive be too great, the
bees will be more lazy, working uncomfort-
ably, because they despair ever to finish
and furnish their house ; but yet if there
be a competent number of bees they will
work industriously — though the vacuity
be large — and complete as much with combs
as shall be sufficient for them. But an
over-large hive is prejudicial to their suc-
cess. Hives are to be made of any size
from a bushel to half a bushel."

I have been perhaps over-copious in the
two foregoing quotations ; but, if so, I have
had a pumose. Even then the danger of
having hives constructed of too great a
capacity was appreciated. Our modern
hives are not at all far from what Butler
thought ideal and Purchas the best hive.
Further, may we not here detect the
original germ of the modern use of a
dummy board, whereby we regulate the
size of the hive to the strength, number,
and ability of the swarm placed therein?

The number of different hives are alread.y
legion, and these articles can only afford
kaleidoscopic glances at long intervals, so
we again jump an interval of another half
century. New ideas were simmering in
men's minds, and humanity to the honey-
bee had led to changee and improvements,
but along another track than that we are
now pursuing. About the closing days of
the seventeenth century combs of " virgin "
honey were obtained even from skeps. They
had actually learned the art of supering.
Hitherto, further space had been added by
ekes, on the naidiring princ'ple, because
these were placed below the hive. Now
we have capped hives : — " Make your hives
of two pieces to take off at the crown or
near the midst of the hive, and when they
have gathered and filled up their house,
then take away the upper part and clap
on a board." Again :—" Raise the hive
with as many ' wreythes ' as is needful to
make the greater plenty and increase.
Making your hives in this way the honey

can be taken at all times, but lespecially
when you perceive by the lifting of your
skep that the bees are well provided with
winter's provision, and that there is plenty
of food yet to gather. Then cap them ! ''
Here we have a species of placing one body
box below another, and a super above. On^
section, the naidir one. was to be cut off
with a string wire, placing a piece of parch-
ment to follow the wire, to catch the run-
ning honey. I presume. The super and the
nadir were judged lawful spoil for the bee-
keeper, and the remainder was left as the
" winter's " provision for the colony of
bees.

" Capping " hives was, however, known
earlier in the seventeenth century, for in
1655, we read : " In July cap your earliest
swarms. In August cap your old stocks,
for now they can bear it." — D. M. M.,
Banff.

PIIONUNCIATION OF BEE- WORDS.

[6542.] Greatly to my regret, I find that
in my very hurried perusal of the " proof "
of " The Pronunciation of Words used by
Bee-men," three mistakes, in addition to
the two pointed out bv Col. Walker, es-
caped my notice. In two of these the letter
" r " iis at fanlt. It should have appeared
in " Crabronidse," and have stood before,
instead of after "a" in what would h^\e
read " traykeah." Also', the final letters
in " ungwikuli " were reversed by the prin-
ter. With apologies for what must seem
great carelessness, but was rather hurry
to get the proof to you, as you were within
an hour or *two of going to press, I am,
yours faithfully, W. H. H., Hayes End,
Uxbridge.

[The above communication should have
appearetl last week, l)ut, when preparing
for press, the MS. by some means dis-
appeai'^d, and there was no time to procure
another copy from Mr. Harris. We are
glad to mention this, as the fault was not
his.— Eds.]

DETENTION CHAMBER FOR BEES.

CLATTSTllALIZING.

[6543.] On September 4 I had a stock
of bees driven from a skep, and put on two
empty combs and four frames of founda-
tion. These were put in position early on
September 5 and fed daily. Three days
later I noticed in the evening a considera-
ble number of bees about the inside of the
hive, the frames of which hung parallel
to the entrance. There was also a " back
door " in lower edge of the contracting
board. Being unsatisfied with the appear-
ance of things, I examined the hive next
morning, when I found that by some over-
sight the front entrance had been closed for
three clear days and four nights ! The bees

494

THE BRITISH BEE JOUENAL. [Dec 13, 1906.

had taken down the syrup each day, and
there were only six or eight dead bees, not-
withstandii'^ the long confinement.

I had a similar experience with a stock
in July last year. Having asked a
labourer to come (very early or very late)
and cut the weeds and grass around my
hives, he was also told to close the en-
trances while at work. He came one
morning and, as directed, closed the en-
trance to one hive— then for some reason
he bolted! but did not tell me he had
been ; consequently I did not discover the
closed hive for several days. Fortunately
this hive, too^ had a back entrance to
vacant space. And the bees seemed none
the worse for their long confinement.
Twelve or fourteen dead only.

The lesson conveyed to me is that hives
on this plan are far preferable to using a
box fitted on in front, as in the " Claustral
chamber." The vacant space being also
open to the roof, with space between inner
and outer case, there is plenty of ventila-
tion. I find, too, it answers perfectly in
feeding bees when there is any danger of
robbing. Seven single lots of driven bees
have been fed on white granulated sugar,
and are now on six frames each of well
sealed stores. — A. Harms, Wavendon,
Bucks.

BEES

FANNING " AT HIVE
ENTRANCES.

[6544.] As a very old and constant reader
of the British Bee Journal, perhaps you
will allow me to bring to the notice of
your correspondents a debatable point in
bee-life, which I should much like to see
elucidated. In a letter recently received
from a well-known authority in apiculture
and judge at honey-shows, commenting on
" The Bee-Master of Warrilow," friendly
exception is taken to a statement therein,
that the fanning bees on the alighting-
board of a hive are drawing out the con-
taminated air. This gentleman m of
opinion that the outside fanners are driving
in the fresh air, and are not oi-eating an
exhaust-current, as the Warrilow bee-man
seems to imply. At the present time it
is impossible to submit the question to the
test of experiment, which would of course
decide the matter at once. I should like,
therefore, to aisk your own opinion, and
that of your expert readers, on the point.
It has always seemed to me that the atti-
tude of the fanning bees, heads towards
the hives and their whole bodies leaning
in the same direction, is proof that the
flow of the air is outward. And I find, in
looking through back volumes of the
British Bee Journal — a very favourite
occupation with me in leisure moments —

that the late Frank Cheshire was of the
same opinion. Writing in 1873 (over
thirty years ago ; but time is of little
account with the timeless honey-bee), he
says, "the fanners at the door of a hive

toil at drawing out the carbonized

oxygen."

Perhaps one of your readers has actually
experimented on the direction of the air-
current, and may be able to decide the
matter. — Tickner Edwardes, December 8.

[Without knowing who '' the well-known
authority " and " judge at honey shows "
may be, his view does not accord with our
own observations. Nor do we think there
can be any doubt on the question of the
directioai of " air-currents " when bees are
"fanning." As a simple test, let anyone
hold a lighted candle (on a hot summer's
night) in front of a hive-entrance, and
watch the flame ; the outward current is,,
at times, strong enough to extinguish it.
—Eds.]

MR. S. SIMJiHNS AND FOUL BROOD.

[6545.] With regard to your editorial
note following my article, p. 474, in B.B.J.
of November 29, please allow me to
say I had no intention of asking your
readers to believe I considered the late Mr.
F. R. Cheshire discovered foul brood as a
bee-pest. You will notice I referred to
my own " discovery " of the plague as hap-
pening some ten years before Cheshire
published the results of his researches.
Even at that period I was only too well
aware I was but one of a great army of
sufferers that had gone before, and who
had experienced in some case<s even greater
unfortunate discoveries (more recently
D/ierzon losing 500 colonies). The disease
described as " pestilence " by some of my
old authors, was sometimes cured bv the
now well-known " starvation " plan ;
though more frequently the doubtful pro-
cess of cutting out the diseased brood was
resorted to. One does not usually say that
fold brood is caused bv foul brood, and my
statement was to the effect that Cheshire
discovered and named " Bacillus alvei,"
i.e. : the cause of foul brood. I suppose we
must agree to differ as to whether or not
he was an original discoverer of the hive
bacillus and its methods of propagation ;
but as one who was then, as now, in very
good company in that belief, I am content
to do honour to the greatness of his work.
With regard to the little matter of Mr.

Macdonald referring! to the Bee-heepers'
Beriew, that was quite evident, but I would
point out that your esteemed contributor

also referred to American apicultural
opinion in general as being influenced by

me, his words being "Mr. Samuel Sim-
{Contimied on jage 496.)

Dec. 13, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

495

HOMES OF THE HONEY BEE.

THE APIARIES OF OUR READERS.

Mr. Gelder promises well as a bee-keeper,
and has had the good sense to point out
that to succeed, the bee-man must not
shirk labour during the summer months.
It is not often we find one man capable of
producing so much in the way of home-
made appliances as our friend, and judging
by the photo, he does his work well. He
says : —

" I am only a young bee-keeper yet, so I
must not be giving advice, which is, of
course, better left to older members of our
craft. On the other hand a few notes con-
cerning my bee-doings may not be unin-
teresting. I cannot remember when I was

soon after hearing of it I joined, and, with
the help and advice of the hon. sec. and
the experts, I got on very well indeed.
The hives seen (numbering twenty-three),
including one ' Wells ' hive and an ' Ob-
servatory," are all my own make, and were
made by myself during the long winter
evenings. They are after the 'W.B.C. '
pattern, which I like best, and are all inter-
changeable.

" I am a tinsmith by trade, and I have
made a point of covering all the roofs with
zinc. I have also made my own extractor,
honey-ripeners, smoker, etc., so I got all
these items "on the cheap." The green-
house seen in the backgroujid (which. I use
for honey-extracting and bottling) was also

MR. F. W. GELDER'S API.VRY, STURTON- BY-STOW, LINCOLNSHIRE.

(first smitten with bee-fever, but recollect,
when a very small boy, catching bees and
putting them into an empty skep in my
father's garden, and then wondering why
they didn't get on with their work ! My
first situation was at a place where bees
were kept, and the hives were put in my
charge, and when the time came for taking
the honey I had a bee-expert to help me.
This operation suited me so much that my
small savings were invested at a sale by auc-
tion, one lot being a stock of bees in a skep,
of which I became the possessor, along with
a lot of out-of-date bee-goods. I made a
wooden hive to fit over the skep (the first
one oin the photo.), and most of the others
have sprung from it. Previous to this time
I knew nothing of the Lines. B.K.A., but

erected by myself, and here, under the
shade of a Marechal Niel rose tree — planted
inside the house — I have extracted many
cwts. of honey.

" With regard to my ' takes ' of
honey, I have several times secured
over one hundred povmds from a single
hive. I have also taken a good many prizes
at local shows for honey, so may consider
myself fairly successful. But bee-keepers
must be pi'epared to spend long hours in
the summer to make a success of the craft.
Tlie apiary seen is located in a sheltered
corner of my father's garden, facing south,
and the photo, was taken by our local
schoolmaster, Mr. S. D. Butterwoi'th.
Wishing all connected with the craft a
successful season in 1907."

496

THE BS-ltlSH BEE JOtTHKAL. [Dec. IS, 1906.

{Continued from page 494 )
mms seems to be the chief authority on
which American editors base their theory,
etc." Consequently, my own reference to
Gleanings, the only American journal to
which i had contributed m^y article on
foul brood, does not appear to me to be out
of order, more especially when it is con-
sidered the latter is one of the most influ-
ential bee-periodicals in the States and
largely reflects that general opinion. —
Samuel Simmins, Heathfield, December 7.

EXPERT'S VISITS.

HONEY SELLING.

[6546.] Referring to the subject of Ex-
pert's visits, may I offer a word of reply
to your correspondent. No, I do not mind
cracking nuts metaphorically, and as Mr.
J. Price (6512, page 465) wants to crack
one with me I will do so. He finds fault
with me for what I said about experts.
There are experts and experts. I have met
some of the best, and do not doubt that he
is one of the right sort.

I started bee-keeping in 1901 with no one
to help me, but I "carefully studied Mr.
Cowan's useful " Guide Book," and later
on read several others. Increasing my
stocks gradually with increasingly satis-
factory results, I became conceited enough
to consider myself as well qualified to ex-
amine any hives, to ascertain their con-
dition, as any third-claes expert. Not
only so, but I thought it possible that one
day the B.B.K.A. might confer an Honor-
ary Degree on me, as during the past two or
three years I have assisted Mr. W. Herrod
at several of his Bee Lectures in N. E.
Herts. In view of this, coupled with what
I have seen of the methods of the expert of
the association to which I belonged, I
deemed it prudent not to allow him to
exatoine my hives, and eventually I ceas.d
to be a member of the Association. I
think it will be generally found that bee-
keepers who work as many hives as I do
(15 to 20), if they do join the B.K. Asso-
ciatione, do so not altogether with the idea
of having to have their own stocks of bees
inspected, but for the sake of otheiis who
have not the requisite knowledge and time
to examine their own hives. With regard
to the sale of honey, I find it is very
difficult for the cottager to secure a market
for his sections, and this is where co-opera-
tion should come in.

I have this year sold altogether 1,000
sections, and have had less difficultv than
when I only kept two or three hives as I
was then asked to nuote for large quan-
tities, which I could not do at the time
— whereas my orders this year came in for
two or three gross at a time. The cottager
with a few hives is forced to sell his eec-

tions to the middleman, who must, of
course, have his profit, and so cnly pays
5d. or 6d. per section, or less, to the bee-
keeper. Honey, I am told, is sold here at
lOd. per lb. in customers' own jars or
bottles. So there is either a small supply
or a great demand in this part. If honey
could have been sold to the consumer,
much would be done in the way of popular-
ising it as an article of food ; but at the
present price at which it is retailed it must
remain the luxury of the few who can afford
to pay one shilling for a pound of honey,
or for a lib. isection. — H. Newman, M.A.,
Teynham, Kent, December 5.

MIS-READINGS OF "KING'S
ENGLISH "

A WOKD TO MY CRITICS.

[6547.] Allow me, Messrs. Editors, to
withdraw the parenthetical remarks re " ex-
perts " contained in my letter of last month
(p. 472), since it seems possible to read into
them, vide " S. J." [6538], page 486, a mean-
ing than which nothing was further from
my thoughts. I had not the least inten-
tion of disparaging the work of the
B.B.K.A. Board of Examiners. In fact,
they had never entered into my thoughts
at all when writing my note.

My remark that the " expert " eenerally
had an " axe of his own to grind," simply
meant, that when your expert was your
business competitor, it was contrary to
human nature to expect him to do much
to find a market for you. I " grind my own
axe," and sometimes turn the griuidstone
for my neighbours while they sharpen
theirs : the latter may be poor bee-keeping,
but, at any rate, I don't receive any pay for
doing it.

In regard to the general question upon
which I first wrote (see p. 443), that '' ex-
pert '' help might be usefully employed to
stimulate the use of honey by the public, I
am still of the same opinion. Your corre-
spondent, J. Price [6539], page 487, says :
" There is a market for good English honey
.... the only difficulty (italics mine) being
to bring producer and consumer together."
Now here surely is a splendid field for ex-
pert energy. What grateful thanks the
" much-abused expert " would earn if he
would remove this " only difficulty," which
many honey-producers find so insuperable.
Again, he says, " The best men in the craft
can sell out at a decent price," but that
" it is the unfortunate ones who have to
suffer loss and disappointment from causes
which it is not always in their power to
prevent." Now, il cannot see why those
" unfortunate ones," if they are members
of a County Associatioin, should not re-
ceive definite help in the direction most
needed. Surely expert assistance would
not be unwisely bestowed in removing some

Dec. 13, 1906.] THE BUl'MSS BEE JOtTRNAL.

49^

of the difficulty with which those weaker
brethren and sisters have to contend, by-
giving them the necessary introduction to
the waiting consumer. I am assuming for
the moment that there is such an indi-
vidual, on the strength of Mr. Price's
assertion. Why he doesn't scan the adver-
tisement pages of the "B.B.J.," where he
would discover a cheap means of obtaining
an unlimited supply, is not quite clear.
Those pages are an eloquent testimony to
the truth of my words in your issue of
November 8 (p. 443) : " The more our En-
glish honey is driven by over-production
into competition with the foreign supply,
the lower must the price become."

Errata. — In my letter (p. 483, 3nd col. ,
6th line) your compositor has " knobs " ; I
wrote knots. In line 18, for " fine " read
find. — W. H., Brilley, Herefordshire,
December 10.

WOOD FOR HIVE-MAKING.

A TIMBER merchant's VIEWS.

[6548.] As a timber merchant, may I be
allowed to enumerate the various kinds of
suitable wood for liive-making plainly be-
fore your readers. 1. " Yellow Pine "
means (in the Trade) Quebec Yellow Pine,
and it is far ahead of any other kind of
timber for hive and frame-making ; but
the price for first-class stuff is so high
that it is fast being superseded by other
kinds. The demand for the first-named
timber has been so great that the forests
are getting farther and farther awa/ from
the rivers, which makes transport very
costly, and. in conseouence, it is chiefly
used now for high-class pattern-work for
engineers, yacht's decks, and a few other
kinds of work where cost is not largely
taken into account. 2. " Yellow Deal, or
Red Deal," means (in the Trade) "Baltic
Red Wood." and is sold in many grades
and sizes. "White Deal" (termed Baltic
Whitewood), is not suitable for out-door
work, 6uch as hive-making, being liable to
twist and split with tlie weather. 3.
"Spruce." This is also a whitewood very
cheap, but not good for Iiives ; it is used
extensively for packing-caee making. 4.
" Canary Wliitewood " (or " whitewood " as
it is often called) is an American wood,
rather expensive ; it is fairly free from
knots and is largely used for "inside"
work. 5. "Red Archangel." This is an-
other grade of (No. 2) " Baltic Red Wood,"
and is, I think, the most suitable wood for
hive-making, if " Quebec Yellow Pine "
(No. 1) be not used. It comes from the
White Sea ports, and the wood is of a
closer nature than that from more southern
ports. It is sold in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th
quality, but in the two latter qualities (3
and 4) there are two many " Shakes," or
faults in the wood for good work. The

four qualities are sold in deals and boards,
and I would advise bee-keepers to purchase
9in. or llin. by 3in. deals, and use the
outside boards for floor-boards of hives ;
the inside boards will be sounder for hive-
sides, etc. I mention this difference be-
cause tlie outside boards from most deals
have slight " Sun Shakes " which do not
matter much in hive floor-boards, as the
bees soon filled them up with propolis, and
being nailed on the bearers they never
split much after being nailed. I send my
name for reference. — Yellow Pine, Ply-
mouth.

[6549.] I should like to thank your cor-
respondent. W. H. (6533, page 483), very
much for his kind advice with reference
to my query (344, page 479) on the quality
of the wood to use for hives.

Not being a timber merchant myself, I
have now asked one of the largest timber
merchants in London how it is I should
be misunderstood in using the words
" yellow deal," and he tells me that yellow
deal is sometimes called in the north " red
deal," but in London and the south, it is
called yellow deal. It is quite a different
wood to yellow pine, and comes from a
different countiy. Yellow deal is far more
largely used than any other wood in Eng-
land for outside work. It is much cheajDer,
harder, and more durable wood than pine,
and can be bought without knots. It
also seems to me that ye#low pine is not bo
cold to the touch as yellow deal, and I am
wondering if the colder feeling in the wood
has any prejudicial effect on the bees in
an extremely cold winter? — Alpha, Purley,
Surrey, December 8.

SHOWS AND SHOWING.

[6550.] I had the misfortune to send an
exhibit of sections and also one extract
of honey to the chrysanthemum show held
at Chorley on November 9, as advertised
in your pages in " Shows to Come." I am
pleased to say that my six sections obtained
2nd prize, and the six jars of extract-ed
honey were "very highly commended."
which is proof positive that they were de-
livered in good condition. But how do I
receive them back? One bottle smashed
and empty, and four sections ruined out
of six ! The reason for this is that, in-
stead of being properly packed for return,
the " packer " had crammed them anyhow
into a box less than half the size of the
one I sent them in, and there being no
room for proper packing in the smaller
box they were bound to get smashed uji.
I ask, is this what should be expected by
exhibitors who send to shows advertised in
your pages ? My " outgoings " for that
show, including value (9d. each) for one
jar and four sections, came to 9s. 6d., and

498

!rHE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Dec. 13, 1906.

t.he "incomings," i.e.. 2nd prize, 5s., so it
left me with a deficit of 4i6. 6d., plus the
" honour and glory." Such was my ex-
perience of the final show for 1906. — F. G.,
Bassingbourn, Herts.

THE LATE J. L. P. BARBER, ESQ.

CHAIRMAN, DERBYSHIRE B.K.A.

With reference to my letter of the 3rd,
inst., notifing the demise of our Chair-
man, J. L. P. Barber. Esq., J. P. I
believe I am correct in saying that
Mr. Barber's connection with bee-keeping,
as chairman of the Derbyshire B.K.A.,
dates back to over 20 years, thougli he was
only in his 53rd year. During the whole
time of his chairmanship Mr. Barber was
very rarely absent from a meeting, and he
guided the Association through trouble-
some times, with conspicuous tactfulness
and consideration for all ; and in so doing
he gained the respect of every member of
the Committee.

Mr. Barber's methods were for peace,
and it was wonderful how he could control
and calm down angry disputants at times.
No one was ever so missed. I think, in the
town of Burton as the deceased gentleman.
ReligiouB and philanthropic societies on
all sides are asking, " Who will fill his
place? We of the D. B.K.A. regard his
loss as irreparable."

The papers I send will give you an idea
of the effect his loss has had on the whole
community in the town. The funeral took
place at the Cemetery. Burton, on Thurs-
day, December 6, and was attended by
repi'eeentatives of nearly every public body
in the town, including his Worship the
Mayor, Deputy Mayor, several aldermen,
members of the Town Council, besides maaiy
county inagistrates and public men con-
nected with religious bodies of the town.—
R. H. CoLTMAN, Hon. Sec, D. B.K.A.

[Though not personally acquainted with
the late Mr. Barber, we have had evidence
of his estimable character as a philanthro-
pist whose main object in life was the culti-
vation of all that is good in his fellow
townsmen. The Derbyshire Bee-Keepers'
Association will feel very keenly the loss of
their Chairman, for it is rarely given to
anyone to hold the re^ai'd of every member
as Mr. Barber did. We are glad to be the
means of conveying the sympathy of
readers, along with our own, to the family
in their sudden bereavement. — Eds.]

CAPPINGS OF COMB.

By L. S. C. IlMey, Yorhs.

Charing Pollen Clog,- — I am wondering
if I may not claim the distinction of having
given the syringing method to the frater-
nity. I certaijily discovered the method,

and made reference to it in a bygone
Journal.

BeMdering Beeswax (p. 466). — Who likes
this messy operation? Not "Mrs. Bee-
keeper," I warrant. The old-fashioned
"bag, brick, and boiler" method is still
a good one, but somehow the housekeeper
fails to appreciate the necessary use of
her " copper " for the purpose. Women
were ever unsympathetic in such matters !
There iisi a new extractor, by Mr. A. C.
Miller, a very practical American bee-
keeper. This has a rotary handle ,at the
top, which permits of the agitation of the
combs whilst boiling, so as to dislodge
all the globules of wax. Whether this
attains the ideal or not, I do not yet
know, but the man who invents a really
perfect extract-all-the-wax-while-you-wait-
and-not-so-long-about-it-either machine
shall have a halo of flying golden queens!

D.M.M. Extracts (p. 466).— These are
always interesting, and we may feel grate-
ful that there should be such a capable
" chooser of the good." His note on " Gold
from Bees," reminds me of a recent Ameri-
can skit in which the golden-all-over bees
had stings of pure metal, and whose pollen
lodes consisted of gold-dust ! Artificial
feeding was found to be rather expensive,
I believe! As to sheep in the apiary, I
• have myself an out-aniary in which the
barbed wire fence is high enough to allow
of my landlord's sheep entering to graze,
whilst heavier cattle are excluded. The
arrangement is satisfactory to both lord
and tenant.

D.M.M. must solace himself that his
original writings are bread cast upon the
waters and may feed someone. It is not
always possible to quote one's authority,
but it is a little annoying to find one's
work pilfered without acknowledgment.
The Australian pirate " clipner " seems
to sail rather close to the wind in his pur-
suit of daily loaves and fishes. Grace be-
fore meat would sound well at least, Mr.
Tupper.

Would D.M.M. give us the cost and
plan of making those felt hive-hoods for
winter protection ?

Bee-escapes (p. 469). — In reply to J. G.
(3437, page 469), the " R. H. Smith"
clearer is not so easily fixed in a board
as a " Porter " escape, but it is much more
effective, if it be used the right way up,
of course. A Porter escape-board, having
a rim may. however, be greatly improved
by the addition of a couple of 5 in. strips
leading from the rim to the edge of the
hole. Bees running around the rim seek-
ing exit are thus brought right to the
escape.

Hiving Driven Bees (p. 471). — I am
tempted to agree with D.M.M., although

Dec. 13, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

499

he does attempt to hoist me with my
own petard in the matter of shallow-combs,
by ignorin? the very important exceptions.
After all, he is right in that the bulk of
such instructions as these are for the be-
ginner or the inexpert, and as such, should
De simple and deal with methods least
liable to accident. All the same, the next
time I have driven bees to hive after dark,
I shall drop them inside the body-box, not
outside. Now, if only the house-wife
would use a tun-dish of the right size, one
might funnel them through the feed-hole !

Feeding Gear (p. 484).— Is not D. Mac-
donald mistaken in advocating strainer
cloth to cover up the feeding jar? It is
not everyone who can invent a wide-
mouthed bottle covered with so coarse
meshed material, without spilling a lot
of syrup. It may, however, be done by the
aid of a suitable slice, or shovel. [It is
quite easy when you know " how." — Eds.].

Profit Sharing (p. 484). — I am obliged
to your anonymous correspondent, " Corin-
thian " (or Cornubian), for his useful
criticism. I do not know what is the
Yorkshire " custom," and do not think
that many bees are kept on shares of any
kind in the county. We Yorkshiremen
prefer, as a rule, to look after "wer' awn."
The arrangement I quoted is the American
form, and my note was perhaps a little
brief. I specified, however, that the cost
of marketing was to be shared, but where
this work is done by the working partner,
his share might be three-fourths. It is
of course, to the working partner's interest
to keep down increase, and he should have
a free hand so to manage as to get the
most honey, year by year. As the sleeping-
partner would provide all hives, combs,
etc., the working r>artner's interest in the
increase would only be slight, but if any
increase were sold he might rank for a
share by agreement.

WEATHER REPORT.

Wbstbournb, Sussex,

November, 1906.

Rainfall, 4 95 in.

Heaviest fall, "66 in.
on 3rd.

Rain fell on 21 days.

Above average, 1'68 in.

Sunshine, 491 hours.

Brightest day, 10th,
6 '5 hours.

Sunless days, 12,

Below average, 2 16
hours.

Maximum tempera-
ture, 59-5° on 22nd.

Minimum tempera-
ture, 28° on 19th.

Minimum on

26° on 19th.
Frosty nights, 2.
Mean maximum,

51-3°
Mean

40-8°
Mean

46°.

Above average, 3 "3.
Maximum barometer,

3055 on 24th.
Minimum barometer,

29-16 on 19th.

L. B. Birkhtt.

grass.

temperature.

^ntm M& ileplbs.

[3446.] Extracting Candied Honey from
Combs. — I have just come into possession of
a quantity of frames ol honey, which latter
is partially candied in the cells. I would be
pleased if you can tell me how to melt the
combs and extract the honey? Could I heat
them in a gas oven ; if so, to what temperature
should I go; or can I put the combs to any
other use ; I would prefer to extract the honey
if possible.. Any information you can give
me will oblige. — C. H. M., Lincoln Decem-
ber 7.

Reply. — You had better first cut the combs
up into slices and put them into a strong bag
of coarse muslin. The two methods available
for extracting the partly granulated honey are
with the help of hot water, or of dry heat,
as preferred. In both plans the combs cut up
into slices and subjected to heat about 90 to
100 deg. Fahr., will suffice and this does less
damage to flavour of the honey than if a much
higher degree is used. If hot water is used,
put the sliced combs into an earthenware or tin
vessels, and immerse the latter in a pan con-
taining hot water for several hours, keeping
the water as hot as the hand will bear.
When combs and honey are thoroughly melted,
withdraw pan from the fire, and when cold,
the wax may be lifted off in a solid cake. If
dry heat is used, place the sliced combs in a
bag of flannel or strong muslin, and hang them
in front of a good fire, with a vessel below to
catch the honey as it drips through when
thoroughly melted. The wax left in bag should
then be immersed in a copper and heated to
boiling point. The wax will then float on the
surface of the water, and when left to cool
may be lifted off in a cake.

[3447.] Syrw]^ Making, Painting Hives. — T
have kept bees for several years, and have
been a reader of the Journal and the Record,"
but have not seen a reason given for the use of
salt and vinegar in the preparation of syrup.
Will you, therefore, kindly reply to the follow-
ing queries in the B.B.J. — 1. and 2. Why is
salt used in syrup, and, for what purpose is
vinegar vised in same? 3. Is there any reason
why hives should not be painted inside as well
as outside, especially if you had a case of foul
brood : — W. Ball," Stoke-on-Trent, Decem^
ber 7.

Reply. — 1 and 2. To give the reasons
"why and wherefore" of every item of bee-
management would be an interminable task,
but the known fondness of bees for salt may
be given as the reason for using it in syrup.
Vinegar is used to prevent the syrup from
granulating. 3. No reason whatever, but it
is not advisable to paint the insides of new
hives. Later on, if disease is suspected,
many bee-keepers paint the insides of hives
as a means of disinfection.

[3448.] Sending Bees to India. — A doctor
residing in Kashmir wants a stock of bees and
hive sent out to him in February next, by a
brother then going out, and I should like to
ask th? fo^lo^ing questions if you will kindly

500

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Dec. 13, 1906.

answer through the Bee Journal.— 1. Are
ordinary English bees likely to answer in that
country? 2. I propose to send bees and hive
•with spare appliances packed separate^ bees to
be sent in travelling box; is this correct?^ 3.
Would it be advisable to give bees a cleansing-
flight on arrival at Bombay, or Karachi,
whichever port is chosen? Your answers to
above I shall be thankful for, also any other
advice you can give.— J. B., Salisbury Decem-
ber 7.

J^PPLY.— 1. Scarcely so well as the less
hardy kinds which have their habitat in hot
countries. 2. Yes. 3. We advise your endea-
vouring to enlist the help of some appliance-
dealer accustomed to packing bees uuder simi-
lar condition to your own. Mr. H. E. Taylor,
Welwyn, might 'assist you in this way, as he
has had experience of such work.

BEE LINES TO BEE MEN.

If you really wish to shine.
In the honey making line,
Feed up light and dose with phenol,^
If she's good you'll find the queen'll
Do the rest.

If the days are cold or breezy,
And through rain the work's not easy.
And the little chaps are teazy.
If you've fed them, they'll be busy,
In the nest.

Once a fortnight you might tend them.
And a comb or two just lend them.
Too much spreading would not mend them,
Too much fussing would but send them
To their rest.

If a harvest song you'd sing,
Th'end of June your combs you d sling.
Bees have now no time to'^ting.
Shallow-frames and crates now bring,
For the rest.

If of drones you've got galore,
Which are eating up your store.
Do not breed for making more,
Bnt only from those stocks which bore,
' Not the rest.

Let young queens be laying well,
Feed up light, for just a spell,
And the brood from this will tell,
Th" end of autumn "cod them well,
Ere they rest.

Then put cakes of candy on,
Flakey, light, not overdone.
This they love to feed upon.
Cloth or felt you pack thereon—
Felt is best.

Then the snow comes down at last,
And when winter's chilly blast
Holds yonr little workers fast,
Snug and warm till this is past
Let them rest.

Jno. Thko. Sibree.
November 6.

Notices to Correspondents & Inquirers,

L. S. (Somerset). — Of samples of comb sent,
No. 1 has cells in one side of comb partly
filled with clover honey of fairly good
quality. On reverse side, the foundation
has not been touched by bees at all, for
some reason. No. 2, the cells on one side
of comb are partly drawn out, but have
never had honey stored in them, whilst in
the other side, they are partly filled with
granulated honey, and that more recently
gathered in liquid condition. The honey
in No. 3 is very good, and comb being
sealed over is ripe and in nice condition. ■

J. A. B. (Bridge of Allan). — Sea Holly as
Bee-forage. — The flower-heads sent are
from the sea-holly (Eryngium maritimum).
It is often found growing in the sand near
the sea shore, and bees work freely on the
blossoms in some seasons.

W. G. (Croydon). — Candy Making. — Your
sample of candy is quite useless as bee-food.
The' sugar has not been properly dissolved
in the water before boiling ; nor has it
been boiled long enough ; consequently the
sugar remains in coarse granules which will
be cast out by the bees untouched.

E. M. M. (N. Wales).— Aboye reply to W. G.
applies to your case, but with regard to
61bs. of sugar not dissolving in 1 pint of
water, it will do so if the sugar is added
(when water is boiling), by stirring in a
little at a time, as it gradually dissolves.

*^* Some Queries and Rejdies, <5't'., are tt,v-
avoidably held over till next wee^.

Special Prepaid Advertisements.

Twelve words and under Sixpence: for every additional
Three words or under ^ One Penny.

FOR Sale, LIGHT GRANUI.ATKD HONEY, ^n 1 lb.
sorew-oap jai's, 8s. 6d. per dozen ; also three
14 lb. tins Honey, 7d. per I'b. ; carriage paid.—
THOMAS WELL'S, 2, Claudius Road, Colchester, u 99

CHAPMAN HONEY PLANT. —Send stamped en-
velope and three stamps ; will return full of
seeds.— NEWBIGIN, Nunwick, Humsbaugh-on-Tyne

SPLENDID HEATHER HONEY, 7b. per stone; three
stone, £1.-HARRIS0N, Bee Farm, Midtlleton,
Pickering. ^ ^"

GOOD CLOVER and HEATHER SECTIONS for sale
What offers?- DUNN, Baldersby, Yorks. U B6

PURE LIGHT HONEY, from own aP"^^--28 Jh-
tins, 508. per owt. Sample, 3d.-H0PKIJra^
Minniis Apiary, Swingfield, Dover.

t: 97

WHITE AND SILVER WYANDOTTE COCKEREUS
from my noted laying strain, March hatched,
7s 6il. and lOs. ; April, 5s. bd. and 7s. 6d.. Orders
MOW taken for sittings of White, Silver, «,"'! Part-
ridge Wyandott^s ; Whit© a.nd Silver, 59. ; Partridge,
10s 6d. (H. Wright's prize strain). Also SimminB
Comueror Hive, with 3 secUon racks, and 300 sec-
tions far same ; wh.at offers?-KEIGHLEY, K.rk Ham-
merton, York.

T70R Sale, 12 STONE EXTRACTED HONEY^ mainly
.r sainfoin and clover, 548. per cwt.-G. DELL11.K,
GTirishall, Grange, Eoyston.

Dec. 20, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

501

Editorial ^(rtitts, &t

DEATH OF DR. DZIERZON.

Early in the year we announced that
this veteran bee-keeper had celebrated his
ninety-fifth birthday on January 16, and
that he was in very feeble health, and it

wards transferred to the University of
Breslau, where he attained such excellence
in his studies that, after liaving finished
his course, he had been first in every class
of his college, and left the University in
the autumn of 1830 with a certificate as
having passed No. 1.

From early childhood young Dzierzon
had a great partiality for bees. His
father keut a few colonies in log hives,
mostly placed in an upright position ;

THK RKV. DR. IJZIKPZON.

is witli sincere regret that we have now to
announce his death.

The Rev. Dr. John Dzierzon was the
oldest bee-keej)er in Germany, and to
him is due in a great measure the progress
made in bee-keeping in Europe during tlie
last century, and Ik- stands out promin-
ently as an eminent man.

The life of Dr. Dzierzon was a simphr
and uneventful one, and was similar to
that of hundreds of clergymen in Ger-
many. He was born on January 16, 1811.
at Lowkowitz, near Kreuzbure, Uj^per
Silesia. He attended the scliool of Low-
kowitz till his tenth year, and was after-

these were at tliat time the kind in general
use in .Silesia. He always found the
greatest ?)leasure in the contemplation of
tlie iufU'fatigable industry of bees, and
while studying at the University lie was in
the habit of taking his walks near to an
a})iary, or where a cohiny of bees occupied
a liollow tree, so that he might enjoy the
sight ()f the industrious insects and listen
to their joyful humming.

His fondness for bees made him choose
a calling in which it would be possibh>
for him to follow the bent of his inclina-
tion.

Dzier?5on was ordained on Mai'ch 16,

502

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Dec. 20, 1906.

1834, and having acted as chaplain in the
Schalkowitz District of Oppeln till July,

1835, he received a clerical appointment at
Karlsmarkt. This brought him a very
small income, but as in succeeding years
it suited him entirely, it never occurred to
him to seek a more richly endowed living.
The garden of his parsonage was a toler-
ably large one, and his first care was to
arrange a ulace for bees. He soon stocked
it with some colonies from his father's
apiary in the old-fashioned hives men-
tioned above. His bees did very well in
them. He, hqwever, was not content with
these primitive hives, but proceeded to
make various changes in them, so that he
might have a more perfect control over his
bees. These changes gradually led ujd to
the invention of moveable combs, which en-
abled him to take out a full brood-comb,
or honey-comb, and insert it in another
hive. He introduced bars, to which the
bees built the combs, and as these were
usually attached to the sides of the hive
(there being no side bars) Dzierzon con-
ceived the idea of opening the hive at the
back so as to enable him to cut tlie at-
tachments. At the commencciiH'Ut Dzier-
zon used single hives called " Lagers " and
"Standers." but afterwards constructed
hives to hold two, three, six, or eight
colonies, in order to economise material
and space. Owincr to t]ie advantages > thus
gained the number of his colonies in-
creased in a few years to four hundred,
and he was constantly making new hives
and planting out-apiaries in the neigh-
bouring villages. He had twelve of them,
but his apiary at Kaidsmarkt was chiefly
used for observations and experiments ;
and after his introduction of the Italian
race,* for breeding these bees and keeping
them pure. This apiary was visited by
numerous people desirous of increasing:
their knowledge in bee-keeping, especiallv
bv schoolmasters, many of whom came by
desire and at the expense of the Govern-
ment, t He was at all times ready to com-
municate the results of his experience
to his visitors ; he also made known his

* Captain Baldensteiii. wlicn stationed in Ttalv, wais
tjie firrt to notice llie expopfliniir indiiKtry of the Italian
lice. When he retired' fiom the army" he settled in
."Switzerland, and nroonred a oolnny from Italy in
September, 1843. His observaticniK impelled Dzierzon
to make an etTorl. in procure the Italian bee ; and by
I'he aid of the Anstrian AKricidtiiral Snriety he suc-
ceeded in obtaining-. lat,p, in February. 1853, a c.olonv
from Mira, near Venice. Dzierzon bei-ifcowed nnich
pains in maintaininfr the ])iirity of his Italian bees, and
thirty years after the first introduction he exhibited
at NeustadA', near Vienna, a perfectly pure descendant
from his original stock.

t Several of the Governments of Europe took s:rent
interest in spreadinp amoner their people a knowle(le:p
of Dzierzon's system of bee-keeping. Prui-^ia- furnished
monthly a number of iieisons from dilferent )):irt8 of
the kingdom with the means of acipiiring a knowledge
of tliis system ; while the Bavarian Government pre-
scribed instruction in Dzierzon's theory and practice
of Vx'e-culture as a part of the regular exiurse of studies
in its teaclieiTft' seminaries.

views in the Frauendorf Journal, which
enjoyed a large circulation at that time.
These articles were afterwards collected
and published in the form of a pamphlet
entitled " Pfarrer Dzierzon's Improved
Method of Bee-keeping." This pamphlet
was very incomplete, and induced Dr.
Dzierzon to publish his views in a more
complete form, which work, after passing
through several editions, was published
under the title of " Eational Bee-keeping,"
the latest and most complete edition of
which appeared in the year 1878. In 1880
this edition was translated into English
by Messrs. H. Dieck and S. Studderd, and
edited by Mr. C. N. Abbott, who then
introduced it to British bee-keepers. The
last book he wrote, " Der Zwillingstock,"
was published in 1890. From 1854 to
1856 he nublished "The Bee Master of
Silesia," but the greater part of his ob-
servations and experieirces appeared in the
BicncnzcUuncj. ■ In this publication ap-
peared his views on Portlwnoricucsis,X and
for eight years, from 1845 to 1853, he had
to fight liard to defend his theory, which
met with the most strenuous opposition,
and it WHS not until he introduced Italian
bees in 1853 that he was clearly able to
demonstrate the correctness of his state-
ments. Baron von Berlepsch at first
vigorouslv opposed it ; but was at length
convinced of his mistake, acknowledged
his error and openly declared he would
come into Dzierzon's camp " with bag and
baggage." Dzierzon's theory, according to
which the drones originate from unfertil-
ised eggs, and all impregnated eggs pro-
duce females, gradually found adherents
and recognition among men of science j
and its correctness was proved by the
microscopical and physiological researches
of Professors Dr. von Siebold and
Leuckart.

In 'recent years M. Dickel made a vio-
lo^nt attack upon this theory, and stated
that all eggs laid by the queen were
fecundated, and that the bees themselves
determined the sex of the eggs by means
of a secretion from special glands. Dickel
and Dzierzon met at the annual congress
of bee-keepers in Salzburg in 1898, where
tliey vigorously defended their theories in
the presence of a large gathering of bee-
kee])ers. Dzierzon's arguments were so
forceful that they constantly elicited ap-
]dause. He has had his partisans and
detractors ; so'me, like M. I'erez, have dis-
cussed the theory most courteously, a few
others have done so with ^xtrfme rudeness,
especially to a man of hii age. It is

t Piirthennf/eiiexin. meaning "rgi'iieratiim <if a
virgin," is the ability of a female to produce offspring
without having been fertilised ; bees have, wiilh many
other insects, tlms faculty. On page 104 of the. R.B.J. ,
Vol. XVIT., it-he theory of paiithenogenesis was
treated at length in a lecture by Professor Von .Siebold,

Dec. 20, 1906] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

503

gratifying to find that Dzierzon lived long
enough to see his theory triumphantly
vindicated before he passed away from
amongst us.

From all parts of the Continent, and
from many of the reigning sovereigns,
Dzierzon has received distinctions and
honours. ■ One of the first which he re-
ceived' was -that signed by Archduke John
in his capacity of President of the Agricul-
tural Society of Graz. The honorary title
of " Doctor " was conferred on him by the
University of Munich. At the Bee- ,
keepers' Congress at Darmstadt, the then
reigning Grand Duke of Hesse invested
him with the Order of Ludwig, and from
the Emperor of Austria he received the
Order of Francis Joseph. The Emperor of
Russia conferred upon him the Order of
St. Anne, and the King 'of Sweden the
Order of Wasa. The photograph we re-
produce from the Blcneii-Vatt'r shows' the
venerable old man decorated with these
Orders. He has also been made an Hono-
rary Member of a great many societies,
and his name is known in every portion of
the globe.

To Dr. Dzierzon we are indebted for the
various artificial substitutes for pollen.
With his eye ever open to discover any
means fnat would be of assistance to his
bees, he observed them bringing from a
neighbouring mill rye-meal, before they
were abh- to procure a natural supply for
the food of the larvse ; and ever since bee-
keepers have been in the habit of supply-
ing the bees with artificial pollen in the
spring.

Dr. Dzierzon, like many other bee-
keepers, has had sad exr)erience of the
virulence of foul brood.' In 1848 this
])lague broke out in his apiary, destroy-
ing several hundred stocks, and leaving
only ten untouched.

vSo vigorous was his fight against the
disease that three years later, in 1851. he
was able with ^jride to point to the four
hundred colonies of healthv bees which he
had worked wp from the ten survivors of
the disaster.

His apiary passed through several
troubles. At one time seventy hives were
stolen, then twenty-four were lost in a
flood, and sixty were destroyed by fire.

In consequence of various ecclesiastical
troubles which occurred at Karlsmarkt.
lu' decided to leave the place where he had
lived forty-nine years. He removed to
Lowkowitz. tlie place of his birth, in 1884.
and took up his. abode with his nephew,
the youngest son of his brother, whose wife
accompanied him to the last in, his visits
to conventions of bee-keepers. At Low-
kowitz he lived a happy, peaceful, and
contented life, his time being wholly taken
up with his bees.

About a year ago Dzierzon was taken

ill, and the worst was feared, but his
vigorous constitution enabled him to rally,
and during the spring he got better. To-
wards the autumn_, however, his strength
began to give way, and he sank rapidly^
until the end came on October 26. To
bee-keepers his loss is great, and his name
will always stand out prominently in the
history of bee-keening in the nineteenth
century.

^Qxmpnkut

The Editors do not hold themselves responsible for the
opinions expressed by correspondents. No notice will
be taken of anonymous communications, and corre-
spondents are requested to write on one side of the paper
only and give their real names and addresses, not neces-
sarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith.
Illustrations should be drawn on separate pieces of paper.
We do not undertake to return rejected communications.

Comm,unicatinng relating to the literary department
reports of Assneiations, Shows, Meetings, Echoes, Queries
Books tor Review, <i'r., must be addressed on/y to "JIllK
Editors of the ' British Bee Journal,' 8. Henrietta-
street, Covent Garden. London, W.C." All busi7iess
communications relativf to ad eertisenie.nts, >kc., muxt be
addressed to " THE MaNxVGEK, ' British Bee .lournal,"
Office, 8, Henrietta-Street, Covent Garden, London, W.C

*»* In order to facilitate reference, Corresponderts,
when speaking of any letter or query previously inserted,
will oblige by mentioning the number of the letter as well
as the page on which it appears.

NOTES BY THE WAY.

[6551.] We are once again near the
greatest festival -of the year, the time of
peace and goodwill, of re-union beneath
the paternal roof, where we shall gather
with heartiest greetings to those who arje
absent. For myself, I extend my best
wislies to all our readers and brother bee-
keepers UiiY a happy Christmastide.

Cheap Feeders. — ^Seeing that this item is
to the fore again; I offer my method of
feeding as practised ever since I have kept
bees in frame-hives :^ — Take a 2-lb. tie-
over honey jar ; cut an oblong-shaped
piece of zinc half an inch wider than the
mouth of the jar and one inch longer the
.other way ; turn the two ends back so
that the neck of the jar can pass under
the turned-back ends ; jDunch a few holes
in the zinc as in the top of a pepper-
castor, and you have a cheap, durable
feeder. The stage may be made from any
odd square bit of board by cutting a two-
incli liole : lay the square of wood over the
feed-hole of quilt, with a small piece of
glass to cover ; fill the jar with, syrup and
invert it over the hole in wooden stage, at
the same time drawing the. glass out of
the way, . This done wrap up the feeder
with any soft woollen material available,
and the food will be taken down in a few
hours. 1-lb. jars also answer very well,
and 2. or 3-,lb. jam jars for rapid feeding.
With glass feeders one can see at a glance

504

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Dec 20, 1906.

if the food is being taken, but with tins
one is apt to allow bees to escape when
the feeder is lifted in order to see if empty.

Cleaning Glass Honey Jars. — I am going
to give all my friends a hint which will,
I think, heljj them very much when they
receive an order for 1-lb. or ^-Ib. jars oi
honey. No doubt you have had to enlist
the helo of the " good-wife " or daughter
to wash and wipe these jars clean and
dry. I lay spe<;ial emphasis on the
word " dry/' because in the future all you
will have to do is to wash the bottles,
rinse them in clean water, and invert them
in a wire sieve (the cinder sieve washed
clean will do very well). Turn a couple of
chairs back to back, place your wet jars
in the sieve on the backs of the chairs
(placed just far enough apart to hold the
sieve full of bottles), then light up your
little oil stove and stand it on the floor
between the chaii's, and in a short time
your jars will be perfectly dry. A paraflin
lamp will answer the same purpose, but
will take longer.

Some of our friends are inclined to
think that " experts " should not only
teach honey production, but also find a
market for the produce. Experts, alas !
are only human ; some may be good com-
mercial travellers, and able to give the
time for a little " drumming," as our
American friends term it, but others may
have secured the B.B.K.A. parchment to
help them to eke out a slender income,
and, excent when on tour (with the route
already mapped out for him and the hours
fixed for his "call," wet or dry) rarely
leaves his native heath ; how, then, is he to
know where to find a market for the honey
of members, and guarantee the quality
and condition of what he is -selling? The
honey, when delivered to the customer so
found, may be anything but ap))etising in
appearance, and not likely to bring repeat
orders another year. Exprrfi) crede. — W.
WooDLEY, Jjeedon, Newbury.

BEES FANNING AT HIVE ENTRANCES

[6552.] To tamper with the compliment-
ary word-veil that shrouds the identity
of Mr. Tickner Edwardes' correspondent —
mentioned on page 494 — would be an in-
distrretion, yet I have good grounds for
stating that his opinion, together with
other suggestions, was Jiot advanced dog-
matically, but as subject to promised
future exjjeriment.

The question of fanning bees is not so
simple as might be su])])()Sc(l. Take first
the not un(U)innion case of a full hive in
summer, bearing a super covered with
some light material pervious to air.
There can be no doubt that the natural
and healthy ventilation of the hive is by

means of fresh air passing through the
entrance to replace the heated air that
keeps making its way upwards through
the covering, to join the outer air, accord-
ing to the construction of the hive. Are
we to suppose that the fanning bees are
fighting against this excellent arrange-
ment, and is it not more reasonable to
assume that they are assisting it?

In the case of an air-proof covering,
such as American cloth, glued down all
round the super, the ventilation is from
our point of view indifferent, much as if
we had to make the best of a very lofty
hall half-filled with scaffolding and plat-
forms, and crowded from top to bottom
with human beings, and hermetical ex-
cept for an opening; about the height of a
door along one side. The fact that in ordin-
ary circumstances and in fairly cool weather
the f-in. entrance provides satisfactory
hive ventilation, without any assistance
from the bees, shows how differently they
must be constituted from ourselves. It
is not exactly so much the desire for fresh
air as for a cooler atmosphere that in-
duces "fanning." Just as in the imagin-
ary hall every lady would be waving a
fan, so when the heat reaches about
80 deg. F. the bees begin to move the air
for their own comfort, as may be well
observed in a large observatory hive. Here
and there, without special reference, as
it would seem, to position, and probably
owing to individual causes, a bee will start
fanning, and you may observe the Avings
in constant motion. It is principally, as
I believe, this desultory tfannjng that
creates the peculiar sound to be heard on
a warm night. Not only is there a wish-
for cooler conditions, but instinct prob-
ably suggests that the superfluous mois-
ture in the fresh-stored honey cells can
best be dissipated by air in motion, just
as waving a sheet of notepaper dries up
the ink.

The fact that the entrance and the
alighting board quite close to it, as well
as (in the case of a weak colony) the floor
and even the walls, are found in the morn-
ing to be wet is by no means suggestive of
a strong air current. -The hive entrance
must, of course, provide both for entrance
and exit of such air current as may exist.
That the current set up by fanning at the
entrance may in tliis case be a mild ex-
liaust I do not questicm. I have made no
experiment with a candle^ but in the
glass-cov(!red passage of my observatory
hive T have occasionally placed a feather.
It has often made irregular movements
away from the hive, and has sometimes
been sucked out of sight towards it. This
is as T should have expc^cted. The en-
trance pi'obably divides itself into two
fairly equal portions, for exit and en-

Dec. 20, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

505

trance respectively. If the air pours out
in a current strong enough to extinguish
a candle it must pour in with equal
fierceness, and I can hardly believe that
this is so because the hive would soon be
chilled. Surely nothing approaching this
can be possible or desirable.

Let us now consider the aspect of a
worker fanning at the entrance. Her
head is towards the hive and inclined
downwards. The direction in which she
faces is of little consequence, seeing that a
bee can fly forward or backward with ap-
parently equal facility. Her wings are in
constant and regular motion, the forward
or upward action to all appearance as
brisk as the backward, and the sweep of
the wing equal in either direction. What
power she may be exerting one cannot de-
termine, but is tempted to believe that the
wings must be moving as quickly as if in
flight. We know the pace of a bee. If the
effect of her wings is to exert a purely
backward effect, she must have to resist
an enormous forward impulse in main-
taining as she does her fixed position.
What attitude should we expect her in
those circumstances to adojjt ? We can
realise it by thinking of a dog resisting
the forward pull nf a stick or rope that
someone is trying to drag away from him,
or of a liorse that refuses to be pulled for
ward. The bee's attitude is very different,
so much so that it was ])robably the sight
of it that induced me, without any special
reflection, to imagine as I- have done, that
in many insj,ances at all events the im-
pulse .she was resisting could not be a for-
ward one. The forelegs are not specially
thrust forward, the hind legs ai'e rather
behind than in front of the body, the hin-
der part of which is so far raised up that
a smart forward impulse would disturb
the equilibrium and send the bee head
over heels. Such, at least, is my recollec-
tion. I believe the action of the wings to
be to some extent u]) and down, and that
the bee merely takes a firm position on the
floor. I find it very hard to believe tliat
twenty or thirty little loairs of double
wings moving thus in the open air can
produce much exhaust effect within the
hive, especially as in many cases the fan-
ner is several inclies from the entrance.
As regards the internal fanning, I have
alreailv stated that I could never detect
any joint action. The more one observes
bees the less can one iletect combined
actiou in anything. "Fanning" takes
place umler very varied conditions, and al-
tliough it may sometimes ai)pear systema-
tii: it is in realitv desultorv.

To sum up, I believe that aUhouch the
air in the hive must be gradually renewed,
and tlie bees sometimes assist towards the
desired result by fanning, there is much
less inlet and outlet than is generally sup-

posed, and most of what takes place is
automatic. Although I am well aware
that a bee can produce, in proportion to
its size, a strong backward or forward air
motion in its immediate neighbourhood,
enough, jx'rhaps, to extinguish a candle,
I do not think that the action of the fan-
ners always if even generally sets up an
exliaust current. My mind is quite cpen
in the matter, because I have n;.'t till
recently iDaid any special attention to it,
and have made no systematic experiments.
I hope to be able to do so next season. —
H. J. O. Walkeu, Lieut.-Gol., Budleigh
Salterton. Dec. 15.

CARNARVONSHIRE BEE NOTES.

A GOOD REPOKT.

[6553.] In the hope that it will interest'
the readers of the B.B..I. I will describe
the site of the little farm where I live.
Located about 600 ft. above sea level, the
inward bound American liners can be seen
passing Holyhead, while at the back we
have a full view of the top of Snowdon.
I had eight hives in the spring, and bought
a swarm at the end of May. From the
latter I got 76 lbs. extracted honey, and
from the whole nine stocks I took 481 lbs.
of surplus honey. Two of my hives sent
out four swarms between them in the
middle of July, so that the pai'ent stocks
only gathered just enough stores for the
winter. I can also say that enough honey
was left in all brood-cliambers after ex-
tracting the 481 lbs. mentioned above, so
no feediu'r was required. This gives an
average of 53 lbs. for each hive. IQO lbs.
is the greatest " take " I have yet had
from one hive. I have three kinds of bees,
English, Carniolan liybrids, and one an
Italian cross. The latter are the best
honey-ofatherers and the worst stingers,
but the Carniolans have the whitest
capping, so I prefer them for comb honey
and the Italians for extracted. I started
keeping bees at the beginning of this cen-
tuiy, and I have always prevented my
stocks from swarming until this year. I
ought to say that the two hives that
swarmed yielded me 40 lbs. each before
swarming. Tlu' land all round is of a
heavy nature, and so I am pretty certain
of a harvest every year. If the bees do
not succeed well with the wHiite clover they
liave good chances with tlie heather, for
there are hundreds of acres covered with
heatlu>r witliin reach, most of it the true
"ling." T have never seen it blossom so
well as this year, and never was there
more suitable weather for gathering the
honev. About this time I went on my
holidays, and on returning home I was
surprised to find that in some hives the
supers had been filled and that conibs

506

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Dec. 20, 1906.

had been worked between the outer and
the inner case. I prefer the "W.B.C."
hive to any other, and I have only one
of another land. It was a pity that there
were not a couple of hundred hives here
at the time of the hot weather. I sell
the honey at Is. per 1-lb. screw-cap jar
and to grocers at lOd. a lb. I manage to
sell out my crop before the year ends,
and I am obliged sometimes to buy more
to satisfy all demands ; there is not much
difference in the amount of money received
every year. I had 56 lbs. for an average
last year, without one swarm. I do not
live on bee-keeping alone, but they pay
well and qive me much pleasure. I had
£18 profit on honey and wax. If any
reader of the B.B.J, happens to come near
here on any occasion, I should be very
glad if he will give me a call. The bees
here are perfectly healthy ; in fact, I
have never "had myself or seen a foul brood
in this county.— Wm. Jones, Brithdir,
Bhosgadfan, Carnarvon.

MATERIAL FOR HIVE MAKING.

THE PRESERVATION OF HIVES.

[6554.] Passing a pleasant hour this
morning with the" Bee Journal, my atten-
tion was drawn to the query headed
"Material for Hive-making" (3440, page
479), and the Editorial reply that "there
is no diflference between yellow pine and
yellow deal, both being the same." I am
quite confident that our Editors would not
unintentionally mislead any of their con-
tributors, yet (inadvertently, no doubt)
their statement is not quite parallel with
the facts. Unfortunately for the unini-
tiated, fhe nomenclature of timber is very
loose, and quite inadequate for the many
varieties of timber that are imported.
Broadly speaking, however, the timbers
that would be obtained, and suitable for
hive-making, are divided into three classes
as follows : (1) White deal (or spruce),
obtained from the spruce trees of Nor-
way, Northern Europe, and sometimes
North America. This tree matures in
about seventy-five years, but is useless for
timber uidess forest grown — 'the specimens
in English parks .being of no value as
timber. The colour of the wood is white,
with a slight brown tinge. The annual
rings, when sawn or planed, form light
brown streaks on the surface. The "sap"-
wood is not easily distinguished from the
" heart "-wood. The knots are distinctly
black, hard, and shrink very much in
seasoning, and frequently fall out. Resin
is often present in blisters .between the
annual rings. The best white deal is
shipped from Onega. That which is
shipped from St. Petersburg cannot be
relied upon, and that from Riga is soft

and fit only for cheap packing-case work.
Any white deal is quite unfit for external
use.

(2) Red (or yellow) deal. This timber
is cut from the Scotch fir (Alris silvestris)
and its §ister the northern pine. The
colour varies from a reddish yellow to
almost as light a colour as white deal, and
the differences are due to the soil and the
altitude at which the tree is grown.
The term " yellow deal " is used to
distinguish the lighter and less resinous
from those containing more turpentine,
and of stronger marked annual rings.
" Red deal " lasts well when properly sea-
soned, and is strong, elastic, and tough,
while it " works " better than white deal.
Small trees carry much sap, which, when
freshly cut, is hard to distinguish from
heart wood. As the tree grows older the
sap diminishes, and when it is seasoned,
turns blue, while the heart turns some-
what brown. Red deal comets from Nor-
way and many of the Baltic ports.
Dantzic sends the strongest and largest.
Memel sends a timber of fine grain. Riga
is smaller, but very fine and close in grain.
The timber generally is straight, free from
knots, and of large dimensions. St.
Petersburg, Archangel, Gefle are also im-
portant ports. The American varieties of
the same timber are commonly known as
"red pine," and come from Canada. It
has red bark, large knots, is reddish-white,
clean and fine in grain, and easily worked,
but_in strength, and generally, is inferior
to the European varieties. Red (or yellow)
deal is undoubtedly the most suitable
wood for hives.

(3) Yellow pine. This is the finest,
softest, and most easily workid timber we
have, being free from knots and resin, and
agreeing well with glue. It comes from
many of the Baltic ports, but chiefly from
New Brunswick, and was for many years
after its introduction to this country
known as Weymouth pine. The trees
grow to a great height, and boards 24 in.
wide may be easily obtained. The rings
are not distinct, and the colour, which
darkens with age, is a brownish-yellow.
The wood is not as strong as red deal.
The knots are few, red in the better
varieties, black in the common, but all
liable to be loose. The American varieties
are stronger, have less knots, and are
distinguished by short, dark, hair-like
lines ]mrallel to the grain. The use of
yellow pine should be confined to the
internal parts of a hive.

I have endeavoured to keep tlie above
description as broad and simple as pos-
sible, in order that the particulars given
may be useful for your readers, who' have
— ^according to my experience^ — a thirst for
any information which is applicable to
bee-keeping. My s.trong opinion is that

Dtc. 20, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

507

bee-keepers should — for the exposed parts
of a hive — use only the best red deal. It
is a little more expensive than white, but
lasts vex'y much longer, and is by far the
cheaper in the end.

" Now, with regard to the preservation of
hives. I first came in contact with bees
and bee-keeping in the apiary of an uncle
in the early 'eighties, when frame-hives
were less common than now, and sulphur
was part of a bee-keeper's outfit. I have
had hives of my own for many years,
and now liave a large apiarv. One of the
first things I did when working on. my own
a;ccount was to abandon the use of " com-
mercially "-made hives. They were to me
the subject of too much capital expendi-
ture, i soon 'found, that I had skill
enough to make my own with red deal
bought from the local timber merchant
(not builder), and so make profitable many
spare moments which before were perhaps
wasfte-d; I have twenty-six hives of my
own design and manufacture^ all double-
walled and some zinc-roofed. Some are
wood-roofed, and some roofed with
" ruberoid," but all are interchangable.
The next discovei*y was that paint wa^
not the. best preservative for hives exposed
to the weather. Moisture will get intO' the
wood, ISO that the paint, in time, either
shells off, or only covers decay. Some-
thing that would soak into the grain of
the wood, and prevent decay, I found to
be better, and of the many prepara-
tions, creosote, "stop rot," "solignum,"
" woodsoline," "carbolinium," I chose
the . latter for general use. To-day I
am well pleased with the result. My
first practice was tO' build my hive
and then coat with "carbolinium,"
but I abandoned this in favour of
coating all sides of wood while in the
flat with "carbolinium," then putting the
wood aside to permit the solution to
thoroughly soak intcS' tlTe wood and ends of
the grain. When the solution, after a
few days, has penetrated the wood, I build
the hive and cOat the exterior with a
second application of "carbolinium." Red
deal j)roperly treated is almost as durable
as seasoned oak, though, of course, not as
strong. The colour of the hives when
exposed to the weather, is a rich and warm
brown, pleasant to the eye, particularly
wlien contrasted with the greens of the
garden. "Carbolinium" costs 4s. 6d. ])er
gallon, and wall cover about 35 yards sup.
of un planed wood, one coat. For the
second coat, a gallon will spread over a
few yards more.

Many of y(vur readers are bemoaning
their inability to get boards 9 in. wide.
A little thon'/ht will obvTate the necessity
of such boards. A brood-chamber can be
made of standard size with boards 8| in.
wide, if' -a little attention is paid to the

detail. With the exception of boards of
such width for the brood-chamber, I use
7 in. boards almost entirely, because this
width is less costly than the wider, yet
answers as well. I enclose card and sign
— Little Western Apiary, December 3.

HAXD-PICKED DRONES.

[6555.] The season for hand-picking
drones is usually in late autumn, alter all
but the ones we have taken good care to
preserve have been driven from the hives
for good. Then if we have a number of
select virgin queens due to fly about this
time, the chances of their meeting the
drones of our choice are made almost abso-
lutely certain.

The customary manner of hand-picking
drones for colour has been to go carefully
through the drone-jn-eserving hive and lift
one comb at a time in systematic order,
pinching each and every drone not quite
up to the standard in markings and size.
This work is done early in the morning,
for at such an hour very few, if any, will
take wins. It is unnatural for drones to
fly early in the morning. The workers,
by feeding and communication, un-
doubtedly encourage the flight of the
drones during the natural hours. The
hours of flight vary with the temperature
outside. Under favourable circum-
stances, however, all drones will be on the
wing between the hours of 1 and 4 p.m.
at this season of the year.

By careful study and close observation
other desirable points may be as securely
fixed in our bees bv selection of individual
drones as that of colour and markings. —
E. L. Pratt, Swarthmore, Pa., Dec. 5.

CLEARING BEES FROM SUPERS.

[6556.] The articles written by our
friend, "D. M. M.," are always good read-
ing, and the advice he gives therein is, as
a rule, worth following ; it therefore seems
almost like hei-esy to doubt anything he
ailvises. but I really cannijt see how his
plan of clearing bees from supers (de-
scribed on page 452) is a saving of bee-
life. In nearly every super — during the
reasonably early season — tliere are always
a number of young bees, many of which
have, perhaps, never flown (a fact especi-
ally noticeable if the day or two previ(jus
have not been warm ones). I ask : What
becomes of these young bees after they
have escaped through "the cones? They
know not where to fly to, so some may get
liome, some may go into neighbouring
hives, some may get down to ground, never
to rise again ! Suppose a shower or
storm comes on while they are escaping ;
tlien the odds are that the majority of
them would get chilled and lost instead of

508

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Dec. 20, 1906.

saved. If a " Porter " or other good es-
cape is used, I do not see why a single bee
need be killed or lost, however adverse
the weather may bc^. It also appears to
me that the difference in labour by fulluw-
ing " I). M. M.'s" plan and by using a
" Porter " is so small as to be not worth
mentionintr- Where does the interference
with brood-nest come in? Does anyone
intei'ft'ro with that by taking any super
off? Name enclosed for reference. — NoK-
DEScHirT, Notts, Uec. 16.

BEES BREEDING IN DECEMBER

[6557.] As a n'gular reader of B.B..J., I
d<i not kn(jw if any others have had the
same experience as myself of bees busily
carrying in pollen in December.

On Tuesday, the 4th inst., the day being
very mild, my bees were going into the
hives loaded with pollen. It was so warm
and the bees so busy that I was curious
eiUJUgh to ventuT'e an examination of a
coupk; of frames in one hive, and found
one of the combs nearly full of young bees,
wliile on the others there were some young-
sters that had never flown, and others
had only just hatched out. I should be
])leased to hear if others have had a simi-
lar ex])ei"ience to my own in such late
breeding as December. — F. B., Tring,
Herts.

[It is not uncommon to have bees gather-
ing pollen freely, where ivy is abundant,
in such abnormally mild weather as the
(■arly part of the nrescmt montli. On the
other liand, it is rare to have young bees
hatcliing out in quantity as stated above^
and it affonls striking evidence of a strong
colony, headed by a jjrolific queen. — Eos.]

KEAIUNG VERSUS BUYING QUEENS.

[6558.] Your (lorrespondent, " D. V.,"
on page 484, refers to my note (6510, page
464) on the question of buying queens
from breeders or using only home-reared
motliers for their stocks. Circumstances
liave prevented me from rej)lying earRer,
but it may be well to say I do not wish to
add anything about the price of queens,
this being a matter every individual must
settle f(tr liimself or lierself. BuFl sliould
like to 7-epeat my opinion tliat it is cheaper
to buy good untested quei'us or virgins.
My notes wen- written with tlie idea of
raising a discussion on tlie necessity of
buying queens, my object being to find
out a valid reason why so few bee-keepers
introduce fresh blood into tlieir apiaries.
1 r(>gret my inability to give " L. S. C.'|
(page 488) the exact figures as to my in-
crease in honey "takes," and if I was able
to do so another thing would have to be
taken into ai-counf, viz., the increasei]

experience gained ; as season after season
goes by one learns more and more, al-
though we have kept bees for twenty-five
years. Returning again to the notes by
" D. v.," I might ask : Is it not very prob-
able that the mothers of his best queens
had mated with drones from introduced
queens ? — Aris, I'embrokeshire, Dec. 16.

AMERICAN AND COLONIAL PAPERS.

kxthacts and comments.
By D. M. Macdonald, Banff.

I'cihllliici Honey. — Two writers record
their experience on this subject in the
Jice-kccpcr's Itcvi^io for Oetober. . Both
travel round the country in specially fitted-
up vehicles, intimating before-hand the
probable date of call. One uses a 10-lb.
l)ail, the contents of which are sold for ono
dollar and he picks un the pail next
journey. His isales steadily increase, the
key to his success being " fairness, good
weight, and good quality." The other wri-
ter has sold 50,000-lbs. of extracted honey!
He considers the whole secret of success
i'3, " advertise properly and persistently,
supply your customers promptly with the
very best, and keen after them." He acts
on the principle that if you cannot get the
mountain to go to Mahomet, he can get the
latter to go to the mountain. "Not ono
in fifty of my customers will sit down and
write out an order for honey," so ho wisely
goes to them and readily effects a sale.

While nuiny in this country might con- .
sidcr it " derogatory to their dignity " to
retail their surplus in this way, very many
others might take a leaf from the book of
these pushing go-ahead Americans with
jn'olit to themselves and all ccnicenied.
With a little push, thousands of pounds
might be readily sold for the hundreds
now placed on the market. Some of those
who thus dispose of their honey might be
good enough to describe their experiences
in the B.B.J, for the benefit of their less
successful brothers.

An Old JViirs' Fable ? — Certain statements
once uttered become stereotyped, and. from
uft repetition, are very liable to get
established as so-called "facts." Here, on
I)agei 861 of the American B.J. is one.
" TS'ot only some, but all honey, light or
dark, that i« ])ut into sections is carried
tlu-re from the brood nest," says Mr. York,
and he quotes Mr. Doolittle as affirming
that '■ when a fielder brings in a load of
nectar she does not go with it into the
super, hut deposits it in some cell of the
brood-chamber, whence it ils afterwards
carried into the surplus apartment." If
true, let us go on believing it, but if even
doubtful, let uis revise our ideas. First, I
wouhl say that such heavy labour of gurgi-

Dec. 20, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

509

tating, regurgitating, charging and dis-
charging into cells, and carrying upstairs,
would be an absurd proceeding for any in-
telligent creature, and certainly so for one
gifted with the brain-powers of Aj^is 'mclU-
fica. Second, I see no necessity for it. It
would be a case of "Love's labour lost."
Third, I have never seen any evidence of it.
Fourthly, and lastly, and including all
the others, it is impossible. C'est impossi-
ble ! shuts the door at once if true — which
it is. With a heavy flow on, every brood-
cell is cram full of eggs, larvaj, young and
old, sealed and unsealed, just emerging
bees, or a percentage of cells being cleared
dry for " Her Majesty's " use, along with a
small pex'centage with unsealed honey and
IMjIlen ready for the nurse-beeis to manipu-
late. Where then are the spare cells for
just gathered iiectar to be even temporarily
stored ? No, like " Tom Bowling," it goes
to the right place — " aloft !

Utopia! Our friend " the Australasian
Bee-keeper believes in calling out local
talent, and monthly produces some very
interesting matter on suljjects jiertinent to
the host interests of aniculture. The sub-
ject of last competition was, "What part
of the l)ee-keei)ing industry most needs
deveioiJinent and nursing to improve tlie
lot of bee-keepers, and how to accomplish
same." The key-stone of the arch is in every
case, wisely declared to be the profitable
sale of the honey-crop. One declares
" Unity is strength ! Let us join together
in one band and we will be successfid." 1
fear the sentence should have a great big
" If " somewhere. The second advisees " Co-
operation as a suitable panacea for all ills.
If he looks across at the doubtful succesfs
of the " Honey Producer's League " of
America, it may, perhaps give his scheme
a pause. The third competitor is even
more aspiring. He reaches Utopia — on
paper. " What I would propose," he sajnn,
" is that a community set together and han-
dle the bee products of the world, as Bir-
mingham has taken to the hardware
business, and Manchester has taken to
cotton. The city would be known all over
the world. Buyers would come from all
parts, and English prejudice would be de-
feated ! " A high ideal is good, but I don't
think Besant's dream of an ideal People's
Palace ever came to full fruition. And I
have myself dreamed a hundred dreams of
PEitFECTiox, but never reached it yet.

Warm Water for Bees. — Several bee-
papers have lately been asserting that the
f(mdness shown by bees in spring for the
neighl)ourhood of a manure heap, was
brought about by the fact that the water
found there could ])e had at a higher tem-
perature. Expei-iments should be made in
the coming spring to test this. It^ie quite

reasonable to suppose that lukewarm water
should be more palatable and less destruc-
tive of the bee-life than water ice cold.

More, or Fdwer Bees— Which'? It is well
known that the editor of The Beriew is
a strenuous advocate of " Keeping More
Bees," yet he takes a sensible view of the
subject and allows an article to appear in
his jjajjer advocating "Keep Fewer Bees
and (jive them Better Care," wherein the
writer says : — " I am convinced that if
some men, would trv the experience of
replacing one half of the number of colon'es
with a proportionate amount of attention,
they would secure as much honey of a
bolter quality, a better race of bees and
such things as foul and black brood would
not to gain such a foothold " — adding that
" the idiy is plain as the way to the parish
church."

Cxirb Drone Production.— " The man who
now allows his bees to rear thousands of
useless drones is but one step, a very short
step, in advance of the man who keeps
his bees in bo.x-hives (or in skeps). I am
sui'e we secure at least three tons of
honey " — says E. W. Alexander — " a year
more? than we should if we allowed our l)ees
to rear drones as some do. In tlic first
place it requii\'s far more food than it does
to rear workers, and then when you consider
the advantage of having nearly all the bees
in a hive producers instead of a large pei'-
centage only consumers, it counts much in
securing sui-plus." From Hyil's time on
most writers advise the sujipression of
drones by aiding the bees in slaughtering
them, but here we are shown a more ex-
cellent way. Prevention is in every way
betler than cure. Make raids on what
brood-cells are in the brood-nest. Cut it
out and replacxj it by worker-comb. But,
better, don't allow bees to build room for
useless drones.

Bend ! Brad ! ! Brad ! ! !— " The Fountain
of Wisdom flows from Books," is a Greek
proverb. A writer in Gleanings wisely ad-
vises " During the long winter evenings, get
out all those back numbez-s of bee journals
and look them over. You will be surprised
to see how many good ideas you can pick
up from them ; especially the summer
numbers that came when you were so
hurried." The advice is excellent, but
read u[) your text-books as well and every
other bee book you can lay your hand on.
digest your reading, and ])lan and scheme
for l)etter rewults next year. A copy of
any or all of the books mentioned on page
iii. of this week's B.B..T. would make an
excellent and appropriate Christmas, or
New Year present to any bee-keeping
friend, or any one Tiieditating a start in
the pursuit. These. ])erhaps my last
words for the fast jjassing year, are the
wisest I have written during 1906.

510

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[Dec. 20, 1906,

^urm m& il^^lks.

[3449.] A Beginners Queries.— Matj I .ask
fox a line of reply to the following queries?
1 Have bees any antipathv to stable manure,
or is it injurious or annoying to them to have
ii deposited within six yards of the hives? 2.
Is there any objection to the bottom wooden
part of a feeder being left over the frames of
the broodchambeT during the winter months?
3 Would it not act as a passage-way for the
bees, land would they not cluster in it if the
wrapping over it is sufficiently warm? Ex-
cuse my ignorance ; this is my first season as
a bee-man.— J. L., Penge, S.E.

Reply. — ^1. The bees would not be troubled,
but it is objectionable to have a manure heap
so close. 2. None whatever. 3. If the vacant '
circular space was filled with soft candy, the
bees would cluster there till the food was
consumed.

[3450.] Ventilating Floorhoards.— Being a
regular reader of your valuable jonrnal, may
I lask you if you coins id er it advantageous to
have floorboards made to lower in front by
being hinged at the back for giving extra
ventilation in summer ? It might also be used
for giving more air space under combs in
winter instead of anything else if a. block with
entrance was provided to fill up the space in
front. My object in writing is to ask if t?.e
above suggestions are of any value to bee-
keepers, or only amount to a useless fad? I
" enclose name and address for reference.—
Amateur Hive ISIaker, Worcestershire
December 12.

Reply. — Your idea of a ventilating floor-
board is very good, and has many .advan-
tages, but it's by no means new, in fact we
ourselves had lives made on the same prin-
ciple in uae nearly thirt-^ years ago, with
fixed legs and movable floorboards, working
on inclined runners, and capable of being
raised or lowered in front by rneans of a loose
wedge. A hive of somewhat similar construc-
tion is described in Vol. II. of the B.B.J, for
ISIarch, 1875.- The fault of the plan, how-
ever, was the risk of crushing bees between
the. floorboard and the lower edges of the body-
box ; and since the introduction of hives with-
out fixed legs, the ventilating floorboard has
drooped out of use.

[3461.] The " Rai/nor" Feeder. ~^i\l you
kindly tell me -.—1. Who sells the "Raynor"
Feeder, like that illustrated in the " Guide
Book " ? 2. What is a good material to use
for the first quilt above the frames? I find
that the lioes gnaw holes through the quilts I
have used. I send name, and sign— Honey-
Bkk, Yorkshire. ^

Rkply.— As several of our leading adver-
tisers stock the genuine "Raynor" Feeder,
we need not specify whom ^ou should apply
to for it, so long ns mention is made of the
"Guide Book" illustration. 2. Bed-ticking
is a good material for the first quilt iwxt
the frame-tops. Some use common jute stair-
carpeting, which is very durable. An im-
portant point, however, is to have a couple of
thicknesses of warm material over the first
quilt, such as the grey felt used for wrapping
steam pipes.

Notices to Correspondents & Inquirers,

J. T. T. (Epworth).— Non-Standard Hives.—
The trouble you justly complain of fre-
quently occurs with beginners who cannoti_
of course, realise the difference between a
stock of bees in a hive fitted with frames of
any shape or size but the B.B.K. standard.
You have done very well to get 30 lbs. of
honey from the lodd-sized frame-hive
this year, but the sooner you get the beea
out of it the better, and a copy of the
" Guide Book " will direct you how to pro-
ceed in doing this. The trouble with No. 2
hive fitted with standard frames is entirely
due to the person who either stupidly or
innocently allowed the bees free access to
the roof and enabled the bees to fill it with
honey in comb, after filling the frames
below. Since you have succeeded in clearing
the roof and settling the bees comfortably
"in the bodjfrbox for winter, your best course
is to study the "Guide Book" and make
the hives proposed from tire information
it contains. As a practical joiner, you will
have no difficulty in doing this before next
season's, bee-work begins.

A. B'. (Winchmore Hill). — Books on, Bee-
Iveeping). — The work referred to is--as its
title implies — 'intended for persons who pro-
pose to take up bee-keeping on modern
lines as a business, and are prepared to
invest something like £500 in the veiiturfe.
It is not written for those who vvill never
keep more than a dozen or S'O of ihives in
their own gardens. Nor do we think it
quite adapted for lady bee-keepers. .

E. M. (St. Asaph).— Candy Making.— If the
sugar is stirred in while water is hot, a
portion at a time, you will not have diffi-
culty in getting the 6 lbs. to dissolve in a
pint of water. The mixture should also be
stirred constantly while cooling off in cold
water until it turns white and begins to
stiffen like thick paste. It is' then fit for
pouring into the moulds. . .

W. S. (Staffs.).— Quality of Honey.— We are
glad to learn from 3'our customer th^t thie
matter, in dispute has been 'amicably settle'd
in your favour. .■OiViJU-io -;o'.'. ■.■'t1 ■-■■:'■

*^* Some Queries and Replies, ^'c, nre un-
avoidably held over till next ween.

Special Prepaid Advertisements.

Twelve words and under Sixpence : for every additional
Three words or under; One Penny.

FINE LIGHT SECTION HONEY, in glazed chses,
6e. per dtizcn, to clear.— TREDERWEN, 3, Weigh-
t(jn Riiad, Anerley. ., ■ V-d

BUFF ORPINGTON. COCKERELS, for ci-ossing:,
Rood laying : strain, 58. . each.— NIC-HOLSON,

Langwathby." ' V 11

WANTED, SECTIONS and RUN HONEY; must be
light in colour ;' oatriage paid to Chesliam
Stiition.— CARTER, Chartridg'^ Green Farm, Olie&ham,
Rucks. T 10

Dec. 27, 1906.] THE BEITISH BEE JOURNAL.

511

(Kdtoml ^otim, ^r.

SEASONABLE.

In additioJi to this being our final issue
for the year, when space is much curtailed
by the fact of its being " Index Number,"
we are making an effort to get the present
issue in the hands of readers before
Christmas Day. We also gladly avail
ourselves of the opportunity for repeating
the time-honoured wish that it may be a
very happy one for all readers, young and
old. The Editors.

A NOTABLE BEE CASE.

BEE-KEEPEKS AT VARIANCE.

(From our own Correspondent.)

An action of much importance to b«€-
keepeii-s was. tried at the Birmingham
Assizes on December 12 and 13, before
Mr. Justice Phillimore and a jury. The
case is the outcome of a quarrel between two
next-door neighboum living at Tile Hill,
Coventry. Mr. A. E. Parkes, the plaintiff,
and the defendant, Mr. T. Reynolds, are
botli bee-keejjers, and members of the War-
wickshire B.K.A., and each has his own
little apiary ; the eight hives belonging
to the plaintiff being located on a plot
of land hired from the defendant, 200 yards
distant, while the bees of Mr. Reynolds
were in his own garden attached to the
house. The issue was further complicated
by disputes between the parties on other
matters connected with Mr. Parkes's
tenancy, the landlord of the house being
a brother-in-law of the defendant. The
leading counsel in the case were Mr. Hugo
Young, K.C., for the plaintiff, and Mr.
H. Maddocks, for the defendant.

In opening his case, Mr. Hugo Young
stated that when Mr. Parkes took the
liouse he was not aware of the position
o^ the defendant's hives — ten in number —
nis tenancv commencing in March, when
the- bees were not active. Later on, how-
ever, these bees (estimated, according to
counsel, at about 500,000) were said to be
a nuisance, because, scenting jam and
sweets, they entered the plaintiff's house
in great numbers, crawling over the floor,
r.;id up tlie legs of the inmates, whom they
repeatedly stung, and in fact, threatened
to drive out his family and friends from
tlie place. The plaintiff's wife and chil-
dren, also his gardener, were stated to have
been stung outside in tlie garden. A
lengthy correspondence was read by coun-
sel, showing other grievances against the
defendant apart from the bees. lb ap-
peared that Mr. Reynolds had offered to

move the bees if Mr. Parkes would
defray the coct of removal, biit this
offer was not accepted. It was also alleged
that Mrs. Parkas, who was in delicate
health, liad been compelled to leave home
for six weeks in consequence of the trouble
with the bees. Damages and an injunction
were claimed.

Mr. Parkes, who is a, jeweller in Bir-
mingham, gave evidence in corroboration
of the opening statement of his oounjsel.
The house was taken on a five years' lease
—dated March, 1905 — from defendant's
brothei'-in-law ; but, soon after entering
into possession, disputes arose on various
inatters, apart from the bees. Later on,
his wife and children were stung in his
garden at various times, and in the end,
when such food as jam was on, the bees
entered the rooms in such large numbers,
that he had to close his house from July 29
to the end of September last year. So
great was the trouble that he had en-
deavoured to terminate his occupancy, but
his landlord refused, and held him liable
for rent till the termination of his lease.
In cross-examination by Mr. Maddocks,
the plaintiff admitted that there might be
some 600,000 of his own bees located 200
yards away, and that it was the habit of
bees to forage at some distance from their
own hives. He fui:ther stated that any-
thing over 30 to 40 vards was a proper
distance to keep hives from a dwelling
house, and when he entered on his tenancy
in March, he knew that Mr. Reynolds kept
bees, but he had made no enquiries about
them. He had not complained of the bees
until August, 1905, that month being the
one when bees wei-e most active in searching
for sweets, and also he bore in mind .that
Mr. Reynolds and himself were membere
of the same bee-keepers' Association. Their
earlier disputes were over other matters
connected with the leasing of land, etc.
The first letter about the bees was dated
August 11. When his family wei-e stung
he did not notify the fact to defendant';
he had proposed,. raising the fence between
the two gardens, but after Consultation
with his wife, had changed his mind on
that point. He gave no instructions to
the expert, Mr. Franklin, to move any of
his hives into his own garden. The judge
here interjected the remai'k : " Bees don't
go to people to sting them ; they go where
there is some attraction." Continuing,
plaintiff said the journey of his wife and
family to Scarborough was not their annual
holiday. He admitted having killed six-
teen of defendant's bees, adding, bees some-
times interfere with people even if not
attacked.

In re-examination, the plaintiff stated
that he could not sav in what direction
bees might go on leaving their hive. A

512

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Dec. 27, 1906.

suggestion, made by the plaintiff, that the
defendant had tampered with the water-
supply pine from the well, was adversely
commented on by the judge. Plaintiff
also said he had received no complaints
from defendant about his (plaintiff's)
chickens.

The first witness in support of the
plaintiff's case was the Rev. E. Davenport,
first-class expert of the B.B.K.A. . and
lecturer for the Worcestershire County
Council. He had inspected the hives in
question, and considered they were dan-
gerously near the house. A more suitable
position would be on the plot of land on
the other eide of the railway, 200 vards
distant. In reply to his lordship, the w't-
ness said he did not think a railway
company could maintain an action for
nuisance because bees entered first-class
carriages ; the injury would be to the
bees. Bees were attracted by sweets, and
one bee would bring others. They would
scent sweets at a distance of half a mile.
In his opinion, the hives were placed too
closely togetheir. Bees beoamei excited
during manipulation. The present was a
good time to move bees. He coneidered
there was no more dangerous site in the
defendant's garden than that which the
hives at present occunied.

In cross-examination, witness said that
bees were most active during the months
April to August. If bees have a clear
space in front of their hives they will fly
straight away from the alighting-board in
front of the entrance. When laden with
honey, bees would come straight home.
There are usually from 40,000 to 50,000
bees in a hive. A swarm would weigh 6
to 71bs. Bees, after passing a high fence,
would take a long flight without coming
down again. Bees do not enter houses
without some attraction, nor have they a
habit of attacking persons. They would,
however, defend themselves, and if they
had crawled up one's trousers they might
sting the leg. Even if there were flowers
in an adjoining garden, the bees might
fly away in another direction for food.

Mrs. E. Parkes, wife of the plaintiff,
said they took possession of the premises
in March. 1905. That summer the bees
came into the house and stung herself, her
children, and the gardener ; eighteen bees
were caught on one day and killed. This
year the bees had not been so troublesome,
as precautions had been taken. No sweet
cooking had been done in the house except
with doors and windows closed. There
were not many wasps about. The witness
and her childr(>n had to go away to Scar-
borough in July because she was afraid of
the bees. Her health had not been good
for the last two years. Being stung was
very painful and upset her nerves ; she had

a great dread of being stung. Her health
was fairly good when she went to the
house. She took a note of the number of
bees killed by her husband on one occa-
sion and produced that note ; the number
was eighteen. She had never told Mrs.
Rejmolds that she or her children had
been stung, nor had she written about it.
On the occasion when the bees were
killed, honey and pineapple were on the
table.

Dr. R. Nurton, the medical attendant on
the last witness, said that Mrs. Reynolds
was of a neurotic temperament, and had a
great fear of the stings of the bees, which
caused inflammation. One Sunday he
noticed several bees in the bedroom and
breakfast room. He could see the hives
from the bedroom window, but not from
the breakfast-room. Mrs. Reynolds was
more liable to fear than an ordinary per-
son. Mr. Flint, a surveyor, produced a
model and plan of the houses and gardens,
and stated that the distance from the
nearest hive to the window of the break-
fast-room was about 15 feet. One after-
noon last summer he was at Tile Hill,
and saw several bees in the house. Eight
of them were killed in his presence.
{Continued next week.)

BRITISH BEE-KEEPERS'ASSOCIATION

The monthly meeting of the Council
was held on Thursday, December 20, at
105, Jermyn Street, S.W., 'Mr. T. I.
Weston occupying the chair. There were
also present. Dr. T. S. Elliot, Messrs. T.
Bevan, W. Broughton Carr, W. F. Reid,

E. D. Till, and the Secretary. Apologies
for inability to attend were read from Mr.
T. W. Cowan, Col. H. J. O. Walker,
Messrs. J. P. Phillips, Geo. Hayes, W.
Richards. A. G. Pugh, W. H. Harris, and

F. B. White. The minutes of the previous
meeting were read and confirmed.

Mr. John Ross Trent, "Ercildourie,"
Lyveden Road, Tooting Graveney, S.W.,
was elected a member of the Association.

A request from the newly-formed Cray-
ford and District Bee-keepers' Association
to become affiliated was acceded to.
Arising out of this affiliation Mr. Till
(whose return to the Council after a some-
what protracted absence due to illness and
other causes, was warmly received by his
colleagues) expressed the hope that means
would soon be found of reviving the Kent
Association. A conversation took place
on this subject, and it was hoped to induce
some gentlemen resident in the county to
actively interest themselves in the subject.

The Finance Committee's report was
presented by Mr. T. I. Weston and duly
adopted. A report upon the recent exam-
ination for second class certificates was

Dec. 27, 1906.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

513

presented, and on the examiner's recom-
mendation it was resolved to award cer-
tificates to Miss Grace E. Shaw, Walling-
ton, Surrey ; Mr. L. A. Vidler, Rye, Sus-
sex ; Rev. H. Ellison, Ashford, Kent ;
Mr. R. M. Brown, Luton, Beds ; Mr.
W. H. Stoppard, Mapperley, Notts ; Miss
A. M. Sopper, Bredons Norton, Tewkes-
bury ; Miss G. Price, Miss Dombrain.
and Miss W. Allen, of the Lady Warwick
Colleoje, Studley : Miss Ida Brown, Miss
Eva Sinckler, and Miss E. Tudor, of the
Horticultural College, Swanley.

Correspondence was read with the Lin-
colnshire Bee-keepers' Association, at
whose instigation it was agreed to add to
the Honev Department of the Royal Agri-
cultural Show, to be held at Lincoln next
summer, special local classes, viz., for 12
1-lb. sections, and 12 1-lb. jars extracted
honey, with prize-monev 20s., 15s.. 10s.,
and 5s. in each class, the competition to
be confined to Lincolnshire and members
of the Lincolnshire Bee-keepers' Associa-
tion only. Entry fee, Is. 6d. in each class.
Silver and bronze medals will also be
qiven as per rule of the Lincolnshire Bee-
keepers' Association.

A request was received from the Roval
Ulster Agricultural Societv for special
rtrizes in the classes for Hoppy at the
Societv's Spring Show. The Council re-
gretted that thev had no funds which covdd
be applied to this particular purpose.

Correspondence on a variety of other
matters was received and dealt with, and
at the reauest of the Board of Agriculture
arrangements were confirmed for giving- ex-
ppvt advice relative to some diseased bees
which had been sent to them.

The next meetinor of +1ie Council will be
held on January 17, 1907.

<&om%pnkut

The Editors do not hold themselves retpomible for the
opinions expressed by correspondents. No notice will
be taken of anonymous communications, and corre-
spondents are requested to write on one side of the paper
only and give their real names and addresses, not neces-
farilyfor publication, but as a guarantee of good faith.
Illustrations should be drawn on separate pieces of paper.
We do not undertake to return rejected communications.

*»* In order to facilitate reference, Corresponderts,
toTien speaking of any letter or query pr eviously inserted,
will oblige by mentioning the nuinber of the letter as well
as the page on which it appears.

AMONG THE BEES.

SUPPRESSING HEATHER HOJOiY EXHIBITS.

[6559.] I asked for " light " on thie sub-
ject, and instead, as yet, we have got but
darkness, generated 'in a cloud of words^
displaying an intolerance of criticism
which in the past has cost apiculture

dearly. I thought at first of replying to
Mr. Weston (6508, page 463) with a tu
quoque, but this rarely advances any
argument, so I will be content with simply
but emphatically saying that I made no
" railing accusation," accused no one of
" all manner of wickedness," and evinced
no signs of " waspishness." When readers
can conscientiously accuse me of indulging
in such a degrading vice as this last im-
plies I will think it high time to cease
contributing to the B.B.J. But let your
readers act as judges.

My contribution on page 452 did but
tell a plain unvarnished tale, supplying
some facts, from which I made a natural
deduction, as unquestionable as a p'ostu-
late of Euclid. My main fact was that
73rizes _are systematically withheld -from
heather honey exliibits, a truth which no
euphemism will over-ride ; and my deduc-
tion is that such treatment must necessar-
ily militate against the success of these
displays. If with twelve entries of heather
honey in sections (Mr. Weston's "well-
filled " class !) we find they are, as I said,
" cold shouldered " with only three prizes,
while the new pet class of " heather
blend " honey receives four prizes, and
granulated honey the same number, each
for seven entries. In view of this need it
be wondered that invidious distinctions
are drawn, and that some look on it as
an injustice ?

Yet Mr. Weston is content to describe
such ti'eatment as justice, and considers
this money, fairlj won by somebody but
withheld, has been applied to a " better
purpose." Alas, poor Yorick ! With such
words fresh in their memory, and this
doubter contemptuously questioning if
there is " any sich stuff," heather-men are
likely to stand still further aloof. That
is, however, by no means my desire, so I
am glad to perceive there is still common
ground between us. Mr. Weston and I
agree that good prizes are " offered," that
too few entries are made, and that for
successful results an effort all round
should be made to put matters on a more
healthy footing, which was exactly my
design in dealing with the subject. We
seem to disagi'ee only in the one essential
point, which with me is an article of be-
lief as undeniable as any or all of the
great thirty-nine. Give the prizes offered,
I say, because, if not, you carry on a
process of strangulation, inevitably ending
in the death of the victim. Even in the
case of the three shows named, proof of
this may be seen. In my last I described
the Grocers' as " consistent," as they almost
invariably give the four prizes offered.
They reap of what they have sown, and
got twelve entries of comb-honey this year,
against five at the " Confectioners' " and

514

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Dec 27, 1906.

none at the Dairy (see Report, page 413).
Last year they stood 15, ^, 0, Let the
two policies and the two results speak for
themselves. As proof of effect following
cause, they are more eloquent than any
words of mine.

[Believing, as we do, that the exhibitions
referred to above are of the utmost value to
the bee-industry of the country, as bringing
together pi'oducers, traders, and consumers,
we have all along been hopeful for their ulti-
mate success. We have also, along with Mr.
Weston, been keenly disappointed at the
failure of the classes for heather honey, and,
with this in view, will in an early issue en-
deavour to let in a little of the "light" our
esteemed contributor "D.M.M." asks for. —
Eds.]

" Suppressing " Foul Brood. — When, a
year or two ago, on ordering from Mr.
Simmins his new edition of a "Modern
Bee Farm," I, while complimenting him
on his book, wholly dissented from the
part dealing with foul brood, stating, if
memory serves me correctly, that his
superstructure was built on an unstable
foundation, and that when tested I feared
it would topple over like a house of cards.
My prognostication has been fulfilled to
the letter. Several very intelligent bee-
keeperg in this and neighbouring counties
were enthusiastic in its favour, but, alas !
they have now changed their minds, and
reverted to the "ordeal by fire." Like
Mr. Crawshaw (page 418), they have made
a recantation. So it is with many others
who have confided their results to me.
Therefore, my " I know " was built on a
securer basis than my own limited know-
ledge. When I find good men and true
all agree that the panacea fails at the
critical point, and further, when I have
never met one single bee-keeper who has
fully succeeded, I am justified, I think, in
warning brethren from pursuing a will-o'-
the-wisp. I am perfectly aware that quite
a number of germicides now on the
market will kill germs. Taken in time, I
believe they will check, or even tempor-
arily supnress, the inception of foul brood
at certain seasons to such an extent as
to lead the unwai\y to assume that a cure
has been produced ; but, by and by there is
a recrudescence of the disease. That is my
decided opinion, and I would much prefer
to trust to Schirach's cure of over one hun-
dred years ago (which is really the mis-
named " McEvoy " modern system) in pre-
ference to Mr. Simmins' treatment. The
one goes to the root of the matter, the
other simply temporarily suppresses the
scourge, in a marvellous manner at times,
I grant, but still so as to leave the seeds
of evil behind, by and bv to spring up
and bear again of their evil fruit. I am
always open to conviction, and when Mr.
Simmins or one of his disciples submits

reliable proof of a cure I will be the first
to urge the fact on the bee world if I can
believe in its efficacy — but not till then.
At present I am in the position of the
man who asks : Can I believe in a miracle ?
Pronunciation of Bee Words. — ^When Col.
Walker some time ago wrote on this sub-
ject there followed a considerable amount
of correcting and re-correcting, tending to
confusion. Recently the list of words
on page 451 has also resulted in amend-
ments and re-amendments, causing some
doubts and difficulties to the " man in the
street." Could not a full and absolutely
perfect list be reprinted on the first page
of the new volume for 1907, to which all
could turn for reliable guidance? I am a
shy individual, and after being informed
(as it is information to me) in "Cappings,"
on pap-e 478, how heathenish our pronun-
ciation in Banff is, I would have still more
hesitation in obtruding an oar. A wise
old " saw " comes up unsought to my re-
membrance : Boys livino; in glass houses
should not throw stones! — D. M. M.,
Banff.

COVERS FOR HIVE ROOFS.

[65G0.] I have received some inquii'ies
by post since my apiary was shown in
your issue of December 13 as to the best
way of covering hive roofs with zinc, and
it may save time if you allowed me to
give particulars in print. In the first
place, then, the material I now use is not
zinc, but galvanised sheet iron (26 gauge),
which can be got at any large ironmon-
ger's at a rather less i>rice than zinc
costs. Galvanised iron will not rust or
warp as zinc isometimes does under a hot
sun. It is also stronger than zinc, but
quite easy to cut up, after a little prac-
tice, with a pair of tinsmith's shears.
In my hands it is no more trouble than
cutting paper. Several of the first hive
roofs I made caused me a good deal of
trouble ni covering, as the roof-boards
overlapped, and in consequence the iron
had to be put on in strips the width of
the board, and the joints soldered. But
I have overcome the difficulty now by
making the roofs with only a slight
pitch and nailing the boards flat on, not
ovei'lapping, then cutting the iron (or
zinc, whichever you prefer) half an inch
larger than the roof all round. I then
bend the spare half-inch down and tack
to the edges of the boards. On no account
sliould any nails be used for the top of
roof, or the water will be sure to find
its way in. If the roof-boards are § in.
thick, the edges of the iron, or zinc, will
tuck in nicely, and not be liable to cut
one's hands when lifting the roofs off.
Perhaps some would prefer to have boards
for roofs slightly stronger than § in., but

Dec. 27, 1906.] THE BBITISH BEE JOtJUlfAL.

515

I am only explaining to you how mine
ai-e made (most of them are made from
Gossage's soap boxes), and when covered
with iron or zinc they are quite strong
and heavy enough for handy manipula-
ting. The only remaining thing needed
is to give the roofs so made a coat of
white paint, to keep them from drawing
the hot sun, and you may rest easy as
to storms of rain, wind, or snow, as I
never have any trouble on that score
now. — F. W. Gelder, Lincoln, Decem-
ber 18.

SHOWS AND SHOWING.

EXHIBITORS AND THEIR COMPLAINTS.

[6561.] As steward of the show men-
tioned by your correrspondent "F. G."
(6550, page 497), I would like to say that
although both his exhibits were packed
in one box, they were firmly and securely
packed, and nothing but ill-usage in
transit could have brought about the dis-
aster which he attributes to me. I may
say that his exhibits arrived at the show
with one section broken, but the judge
did not penalise his exhibit, as he said
the fault was not the exhibitor's. I think
your correspondent, instead of making a
grave complaint in print like this (which
tends to do us great harm), should have
claimed from the railway company. I
have now packed honey for three years,
and this is the first time we have had
a complaint. As to the loss of the box, T
may say that, although labels to address
to and from the show were sent to every
exhibitor, not one-half of them either
filled up the reverse side with their name
and address on, or put their show num-
ber on their exhibits. If your correspon-
dent is a habitual exhibitor, as I should
take him to be, when he writes about the
£. s. d. of the question, why does he not
have a proper exhibition honey-box,
instead of an ordinary soap or canned
meat box with straw in it ? Apologising
for taking up so much space — Geo. B.
Fletcher, "Ladyhough," Chorley, Decem-
ber 18.

[6562.] Replying to " F. G." (6550, page
497), I may say that I was present when
the exhibits were packed up by the steward,
and can assure him that every care was
exercised. As to the other box going
astray, it is not to be wondered at if his
was one of the ioxes (among many) that
came without the number of exhibit. I
may say that the work of the steward and
his assistant — both at the opening and the
close of the show — was greatly increased
owing to so many exhibitors having failed
to number their exhibits. From long per-

sonal experience I may say that I have
never seen a better packer than the steward
at our show. — Frederick H. Taylor, 1st
Class Expert, B.B.K.A.

CLEANING UP WET STORE-COMBS.

[6563.] I have read all the notes on the
subject of cleaning up wet combs after
extracting for yeare in both your papers.
It has again been dealt with pretty freely
of late, but I really did not think that
bee-keepers found any difficulty over the
matter, or I should have given you my
own plan before now, as I got over this
trouble the first year I had a hive of
my own. My method is as follows : —
I first turn back the corner of the quilt
— or leave the feed-hole open (the corner
plan is best) — 'I then put the frame of
comb on the top of the quilt, bottom bar
uppermqst. By placing the comb so, the
bees are placed at a great disadvantage,
because the cells are slanting down
instead of up, and therefore they cannot
store honey in them without first making
structural alterations, a work which bees
are not inclined to take in hand in the
late autumn. I have never known this
plan to fail in securing the desii'ed object.
The manner in which I discovered this
fact was by laying some broken comb con-'
taining honey flat down alongside some
combed sections ; the result was that the
sections were partly filled with the honey
from the broken pieces of comb, while
the latter were not only cleaned up, but
torn to pieces ! I then, with the object of
getting partly filled combs cleaned up,
experimented, and foiuid that if wet
combs are turned upside down, as stated
above, the bees will clean them out, and
yet not gnaw them away, unless they are
hard pressed for room. Shallow-frames
with either broad shoulders or "W.B.C."
ends can easily be balanced bottom up-
wards for the purpose of being cleaned
up. I should like to know if this plan
is new, as I have never heard of it from
anyone else. I now beg to ask a query
myself : What is the easiest way to lock
the several jjarts of a "W.B.C." hive
together without using a lock on each
lift ? I close by wishing a Merry Christ-
mas and a Prospei'ous New Year to our
Editors and all readers of both the B.B.J.
and the Becord. — H. Potter, New Bromp-
ton, December 19.

[The most suitable contrivance we can
think t)f for securing tlie end in view is a
rod of bai'-iron, with screw-thread top, at
each side of the hive, similar to that in the
heather-going hive, made by W. P,
Meadows, Syston. — Eds.]

516

THE BRITISH BEE JOTTUTTAL. [Dec. 27, 1906.

PRESS CUTTINGS.

APIARIAN MOTJKNEES.

Several swarms of bees followed the
hearse of Mr. Oliver J. Seer, a pioneer
apiarist, of Wall Lake, Iowa, and, desert-
ing their hives, swarmed on the trees over
'his grave in the cemetery. During his
life he moved freely among them without
covering his hands or face, and he was
never stung. — Daily Express, November 29.

We have received many amusing press-
cuttingts from Transatlantic sources on
bees and honey, but the above will be hard
to beat.

^ttcms and

[3452.] Bees and Winter Stores. — Being only
a one-year-old beekeeper, I am anxious to
satisfy myself as to the condition of my two
hives. jNo. 1 is a swarm which I got early in
July, but unfoTtunately in the iiiviiig the
queen got killed. To remedy my loss, I got
a complete frame of brood out of a hive of
fine Italians with two queen-cells on, it, and
after o-etting three frames with " starters "
along with the frame of brood, the bees
immediately commenced work. One of the
queens hatched out all right, land when this
hive is now on nine frames, all well worked
out and covered with bees, 1 take it that this
queen has not done badly at all. I do not
know the age of the queen in No. 2 hive, as
being overcome with ', desire at the beginning
of the season to commence bee-keeping, I
bought the first stock that came my way, and
made no inquiries about it, further than
leaining that it was a swarm of the previous
year. On the first visit of our <x)unty expert,
early in June, I was, so to speak, thunder-
struck to learn that this stock was rotten
with foul brood. The bees were immediately
driven into a straw skep. and after having
gone through the starving process, they were
then hived on four frames with "starters" in
a new hive, and fed nearly all through ttie
summer on medicated syrup. No trace of the
disease appeared all through the season, and
this stock is now on seven frames, all well
covered with bees, too. On examining both
hives early in September (I need hardly say
neither of the hives was sunered) I found that
thei'e was about 15 lbs. of honey in each. I
commenced feeding both hives on September
19, giving medicated syrup as directed in
" Cuide Book," using the same pattern feeder
for each. No. 1 stopped taking the sj'rnp on
October 11, having taken nearly nine pints of
syrup, while No. 2 ceased taking syrup on the
2nd, having consumed nearly seven pints.
Both st<^)rks were then packed for the vdnter.
I may say that in the last weelc of November
both hives were busy, the bees carrying in
pollen freely. I therefore now ask :— 1. Are
both hives well enough provided with stores
for the winter, and about when should I ex-
amine them again in the spring to see if any
candy is needed? 2. Would it be better fc

me to get a young queen for No. 2 hive next
season, as the present queen has certainly
ended her second season, and probably may
be three or even more years old ? Name en-
closed for reference. — Irish Eeaber, Stra-
bane, December 15.

Reply-. — 1. The quantity you mention as
having been stored on October 11 should
suffice to carry each stock through the winter,
or say, till the end of February, when an
exammation should be made, and if stores
are running out a cake of fresh made soft
candy will put the bees on the safe side and
also serve to stimulate breeding. 2. If you
can be bsolutely certain that the bees of
No. 2 hive have not re-queened themselves,
it will be very advantageous to give them a
young and prolific queen in the early spring.

Some Letters and Queries ore unavoidably
held over, owing to space occupied by the
Index.

Notioes to Correspondents & Inquirers^

Letters er queries asking for addresses of manufac-
turers or cerrespondents, or where appliances can be
purchased, or replies giving such information, can only
be inserted as advertisements. The space devoted to
letters, queries, and replies is meant for the general
good of bee-keepers, and not for advertisements. We
wish our correspondents to bear in m,ind that, as it is
necessary for us to go to press in advance of the date of
issue, queries cannot, always be replied to intheissiie im-
mediately following the receipt of their communications.

J. M. B. (Knowle). — Pamphlets for Lecturers.
— The pamphlet on " Honey as Food " is out
of print, and we are unable to say if it is
intended to republish it.

J. P. (Polpero). — ^Popularising the Use of
Honey. — Temperance drinks in which honey
is an ingredient have been more than once
made and put on the market, but with in-
different success, consequently ^they have
dropped out of use. Nor do we know of
anyone who manufactures mead in quantity,
though that is not a non-alcoholic bever
age.

V. L. R. (Ellon, N.B.).— Earlier Editions of
" Guide Book." — We have no copies of
earlier editions in stock to offer at reduced
rates, or, indeed, at all, but would willingly
send you a few copies of the latest edition
at trade price (25 per cent, oft') for the use
of " beginners," in whom you are interested.

J. Anderson (Wishaw). — ^Queen Cast Out in
Winter. — ^The stock had better remain as "t
is till early spring, when the bees can be
united to the nearest colony to where the
hive now stands. Sorry for delay in reply.

G. R. S. (Derby).— Making Bee Camly.— Your
sample will do very well for present use ;
it is not quite boiled long enough, and when
the present moisture evaporates, it will, we
fear, become hard and unfit for bee food in
winter.

*** Mr. Geo. Rose, Gt. Charlotte Street,
Liverpool, vantes : " Referring to the in
quiry of " T. E. C." (RedrutJi) in B.J. of
December 6 (page 470), I will be glad to
supply your correspondent with heather
plants at 30s. per 1,000."