UL ELE TT - oe ALBERT R. MANN ee LIBRARY NEw YorK STATE COLLEGES OF AGRICULTURE AND HOME ECONOMICS AT CORNELL UNIVERSITY EVERETT FRANKLIN PHILLIPS BEEKEEPING LIBRARY Cornell University Library The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu3 1924003652009 Liu 6281 €2D'EzS 4s Aleiqiy Aytsuaay dD UN 1aus0. Card og eee © ape Art. 12.4 jqto. 2- pera La gph/ lt IF QUINBY’S NHW BEHE-KEEPING. The Mysteries of Bee-Keeping Explained. COMBINING THE RESULTS OF FIFTY YEARS’ EXPERIENCE, WITH THE LATEST DISCOVERIES AND INVENTIONS, AND PRESENTING THE MOST APPROVED METHODS, FORMING A COMPLETE GUIDE TO SUCCESSFUL BEE-CULTURE. + BY . L. C. ROOT, PRACTIOAL APIARIAN. WITH 100 ILLUSTRATIONS, AND A PORTRAIT OF M. QUINBY. NEW YORE: ORANGE JUDD COMPANY, 245 BROADWAY. 1879. Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1879, by the ORANGE JUDD COMPANY, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. CONTENTS. PREFACE, ...cs000neeserse dais Gislaiasinainnone MEMORIAL OF M. QUINBY.. ....... INTRODUCTION......... 020.202 cece eee BEE-KEREPING ; THE OLD AND THE NEW CHAPTER I.—Tse Honex-Bex. Simple Facts in Its Natural History—The Queen—Workers—Drones— Construction of Comb—Gathering and Storing Pollen—Gathering and Storing Honey—Propolis and Its Use—Brood Rearing—When it Begins—Form of the Brood-nest—Process of Egg-laying—Prep- arations for Swarming—Facts and Theories Concerning Generation —Fertile Workers. .. CHAPTER II.—Iratran Bres. Italian or Ligurian Bees—First Introduced into America—Characteristica How to Procure Italians—Color not an Absolute Test of Purity— Other Varieties ....:..04..0««: ei#pieistealee snes se dsieeeevQeESeH Teese CHAPTER III.—Sources or Honey. Sources of Pollen—Early Honey Plants—Singular Fatality Attendant on Silk-weed — Basswood—-Later Honey Plants—Buckwheat—Honey Dew—Do Bees Injure Grain and Fruit !—Injury to Ripe Fruit—How far will Bzes go for Honey ?—Best Season for Honey................ CHAPTER IV.—TsHE Aptary. Preliminary Study—Location—Immediate Surroundings—Bee-Keeping in Cities and Villages—Arrangement of the Hives—Distance Between Hives—Hives should Set Level—Disadvantages of High Stands— Marking the Location—Moving Bees Short Distances—Shade—Bee Houses—House Apiary—When to Purchase Bees—Where to Buy— Transportation Beneficial—How to Select Swarms—Expense of Bees and Fixtures—Transporting Bees—Taking Bees on Shares—Financial Results—Overstocking........... Bierce ce divisoss, dep aSiareeigieigipiatew mainte CHAPTER V.—ConrTro.iine BEEs. Their Disposition—Smoke a Controlling Agent—Modes of Using De- eayed Wood—Quinby Smoker—Mceans of Protection—Suitable Dress for Women—Interest Dispels Fcar—Remedies for Stings............ 5 23-39 3343 48-66 66-87 87-94 v1 CONTENTS. CHAPTER VI.—Hrvzs anp Boxes. Movable Comb Hive—Construction and Advantages—Intelligent Manipu- lation Necessary—Hanging Frame or Langstroth Hive—Frames— Division Board—Side-boxing Hives—Observatory Hive —New Quinby Hive—Standing Frame—Panels or Side-boards—Small Bottom-board for Quinby Frames—Outcr Case not Always Essential —Complete New Quinby Hive—Position of the Frames—Stands for Hives—Alighting Boards—Roofs—Painting Hives—Accuracy Essen- tial— Honey Boxes—Section Frames Objectionable—Two-comb Boxes—Block for Setting up Boxes—Single-comb, or Section Boxes —Construction of Section Box—Guide Combs—Separators—The Clamp..... ws isin lnoveia/ ied She: Sin ain Gu miariatate aig SiSiniSiesate'e. igioieteiaiois auaeia sieeaveisisie sisson 95-125 CHAPTER VII.—TRANnsFERRING. Advantages—Time to Transfer—Preliminaries—Process...........0..++.125-129 CHAPTER VITIL— QUEENS. Importance of Selecting Good Stock—Fertilization in Confinement— Rearing Queens; When to Rear—How to Rear Queens—Another Method—Forming Nuclei—Queen Nursery—Queen Cages—Introduc- ing Quecns—Clipping Queens’ Wings—Process—How to Handle a Queen—Age of Queens—Drone-Laying Queens—Loss of Queens— Indications of Loss—More than one Queen in a Hive................129-152 CHAPTER IX.—Naturat anp ARTIFICIAL INCREASE. Natural Increase—When Swarming Commences—Indications of Swarm- ing—Preparations— Which Bees Compose the Swarm—Immediate In- dications of a Swarm—How to Hive them—Emergencies—Separating Swarms—Swarms Returning to the Old Hive—After-Swarms—Pre- venting After-swarms—Artificial Increase—Straight Combs—Controll- ing Swarming—Non-Swarming Hives—Methods — Depriving of a Queen—Suggestions—Hints for Exceptional Seasons...,..... ....+.152-172 CHAPTER X.—Boxine anp Surpivus Honey. Putting on Boxes—Removing Boxes—Care of Box Honey—Presence of Larve—Suggestions for Securing Choice Specimens of Honey..... 172-179 CHAPTER XI.—Tut Honey EXTRAcTOR AND ITs Use. Its Value—Description—Desirable Features—The Use of the Honey Ex- tractor--When to Extract—Arranging Hives for Extracting—How to Extract—Curing Extracted Honey—Honey Knife—Sccuring Extra Combs of Honey—Securing Guide Combs—Relative Amount of Box and Extracted Honey. ............... aa vaereasedare: si Cae teeeeesass 180-190 CHAPTER XII.—Wax anv Coms. Wax—Honey-Comb—Size of Cells—Hexagonal Shape not Essential— Cost of Comb—Artificial Comb—Supplying Material for Comb— Comb-Foundation—Sheeting Wax—Wire in Foundation — Advan- tages of Wire—Heavy Foundation Preferable—Uses and Value of Foundation—Fonndation in Surplus Boxes—To fasten Foundation in Frames—Expense of Foundation Machines—Rendcring Wax........190-203 CONTENTS. Vil CHAPTER XIII—FEepina. Its Necessity—What to Feed—Preparing Food—Feeders—Honey in Combs for Spring Feeding—Feeding to Secure Surplus in Better Form—Honey Should be Warm when Fed................ aidtaiene seiensio 204-211 CHAPTER XIV.—Rosgine. General Remarks—Indications—Remedies.... ... ainthivesh aasieeiiesk ees 212-216 CHAPTER XV.—DisEases AND ENEMIES OF BEEs. Dysentery — Foul Brood—Indications of Foul Brood—Remedy—Due toa Fungoid Growth—Remedy—Parasites—Bee Moth—Where their Eggs are Deposited—Development of the Larve—Destroyed by Severe Cold —Remedies—Moth-Proof Hives—Rats and Mice—Birds—Ants, Toads PONE: SIGS icici xine key baaieuind sade rk eaxeedrpnauanedyeanaaces + 216-231 CHAPTER XVIL—MaRkEETING Honey. Subject of Importance—Neatness— Objection to Large Cases—Two-story Cases—Small Cases Popular—Preparing Boxes for Market—Grading Honey—Packing Honey—-Marking Cases—Reliable Dealcrs—Material for Cases—Manufacturing Cases—Transportation—Preparing Ex- tracted for Market—Process of Liquefaction—Kind of Package.....232-240 CHAPTER XVII.—WrinTerne. Preparing Bees for Winter—Perfect Quiet Essential—Ont-of-Door Win- tering—In-Door Wintering—Artificial Heat—Dryness—Best Arrange- ment of a Cellur—A Special Building for Wintering—Clamps— When to Place Bees in Winter Quarters—Flight during Winter—Setting out Bees too Early in Spring—Healthy Excrement always Dry...... 241-255 CHAPTER XVIII.—Honeyr. Uses as Food and Medicine—Adulteration of Syrups—Different Qualities of Honey—Extracted Honey—Adulteration of Honey........ Saison 255-260 CHAPTER XIX.—NorTEs FoR THE SEASONS. Spring—Summer—Autumn—Winter...... sluetoniouts se neataeecene scenes en 5s QO0-263 CHAPTER xx. CONclUsiON.... cacccecscssccncccccncccccescccceterteensteessnersaeesee 0+ Q0d ROE LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. Portrait of Mr. Quinby ueen roups of Bees Worker...... Sting of Wor! Drone... ... Eggs and Larvee. Ovaries of the Qu White Clover........ Alsike Clove Motherwort . Silkweed . j Basswood or Linden - Fuller's Teasel....... Wild Teasel..... Smooth Sumach. Golden Rod Hives upon Roofs at Ilion, N. Y.... 6 View of Author's gas! % House Apiary of J. H. Nellis, Cana- oharie, N. Y... The Quinby Smoker. a6 The uinby Smoker, Improved.... 91 The Bee Veil..........ceseee weeeee 92 Iron for Holding Frames... Hanging-Frame » Hive and nik 2 Hanging-Frame. mice seas Division Board.. Observatory Hive New Quinby Hive, with Frames A BOXES iisviecesinsicsinacdswineine Faster 103 Standing Frame... .. .....+-+...0e 105 Hook on the ‘End of Standing Brame i ics cdsrtaniaennerie vienna ie "106 Form for Building la i Panel for Side of Frames. . c Panel, Improved........-..+.0ee08- 107 Small’ Bottom-board for Quinby Hive oncuos is sgeteraiessescegenaes 103 Quinby Frames and Boxes in Clamps Large Bottom-board, with Frame.. 110 The ' Quinby Hive Clasp aria taheasisiatatete 11 The Quinby Hive with Roof... Roof for Hives........ sss eeee Tin for Corner Posts of Boxes... Two-Comh Box, 6 Honey-Board. Block for Setting up Boxes. .. Standard for Tops of Boxes.. Tin Point for Holding Glass.. Section Boxes...............- _ Form for Making Section Boxes. Separator .............4. mibiepeet Improved Separator. An Empty Clamp............ Clamp Filled With Boxes... ae Frame Containing Six Boxes....... Frame Containing Three Boxes. ...124 Transferring Board mo Transferring Sticks 8 Transferred Combs... ..-+e+-2-e+- 128 Nuclcus Box 133 Comb with “Brood for Queen Rais comb with Brood Inserted in Comb.134 Queen Cells Built upon Comb ......135 meen Nursery......-.seeee seeeee ee 186 ucen-Cell Box.. 141 een Cages....... 143 ueen with Clipped Wing.......,. 147 rood of Drone-laying ues in Worker Cells............65 150 poets Cells over Drone Brood .....150 luster of Queen Cells and a Queen Cell cut from Comb ............. Everett’s Honey Extractor..... ... 180 The Excelsior Honey Extractor....181 A Two-story Hive......... ayabeonateiass 184 Van Deusen’s Clasp.. 184 Straight Honey Knife.. . 188 Curve-pointed Honey Knife.....! 188 Bingham & percent gsiinn 8 Honey Knife iiss oseswnes: ve ciesee os Yacaies 188 Wax 190 Machine for Making Metallic Comb.193 ST of Setting up Metallic Distorted Cells in Foundation. 2.2. 197 Comb Foundation with Wires..... 197 Machine for Making Worker-Comb Foundation.... .-...... ajemenesaver 198 Swiss Wax Extractor....... : The Author's Wax Extractor. 203 Feeder for Suinby: Bive on Panel, ,206 Van Deusen’s Feede! 208 ee of HUE Combis ‘for Feed. The Toney y Bug... Prichodes ‘Apiarius. nate dome ste seats Seed-glass for Examining Parasites. 332 * American a heaieiae ie he Beomo soia esbuecvapsraiare Sistwisisiasare’s The: Women Gallery Removed Larva of Bee-moth.........- Cocoons of Bee-moth. . The Bee-killer............. Three Sizes of Honey Boxes.. " Eight Five-pound Cases Recased. . .234 eee Cans of Extracted Honey in Cas waarcs of ana Hive Prepared for Winter ics. ic sevnies ciceeene on Thermometer ....-......-0. cscs eee Double Clamp for Wintering Bees.. Bol PUBLISHERS’ PREFACE. When the former edition of this work appeared, in 1866, it marked a great advance in the literature of the Apiary, and at once became the standard authority. Very soon after its issue, the process of extracting honey — was introduced, and almost revolutionized the practice of bee-keeping ; this had hardly become an established suc- cess when comb-foundation demanded attention, and re- quired other modifications of former methods. These great improvements were tested, simplified, and adopted by Mr. Quinby, and with a view to present these and other new methods, he was planning a new edition, when his sudden death occurred, at the age of 65. Thus was arrested a career of nearly half a century, during which he had devoted himself to the improvement and devel- opment of bee-culture, all of the fruits of which, in dis- coveries and inventions, were freely given to his fellow- laborers and the public. Though Mr. Quinby was prevented from preparing his contemplated new edition, the results of his later years of labor are not lost. The work fell to the hands of Mr. L. CO. Root, his son-in-law, as well as his business associ- ate for many years. That Mr. Root is favorably known as an Apiarian, is shown by the fact that he was, for 9 x PUBLISHER’S PREFACE. - many years, President of the Bee-keepers’ Association, and he now properly succeeds Mr. Quinby in literature, as well as in business. Indeed it is fortunate that the unfinished task of Mr. Quinby has fallen into the hands of one who was so familiar with his methods and thought ; while he presents Mr. Quinby’s later views, as none other could have done, he greatly increases the value of the work by adding largely from the results of his own ex- tended experience. It has not been found practicable to indicate which of the new matter is by Mr. Quinby or which by Mr. Root, as the record is often of their united experience ; both being more desirous of establishing use- ful facts than of claiming the credit of their discovery. PREFAOKE, It is well known to those familiar with the previous editions of this work, that Mr. Quinby wrote and offered it to the public, with a hope of awakening a clearer con- ception of the immense quantities of honey annually pro- duced by the bloom of field and forest, and of utilizing these hitherto undeveloped resources, by encouraging a more general adoption of bee-keeping as a pursuit. The figures which he gave at that time, seemed incredi- ble to the uninformed, yet he lived to see his own expec- tations more than realized, in the rapid progress that has since been made. During the latter years of his life, he was particularly anxious to embody his ripest experience, and most impor- tant discoveries, in a new and thorough revision of his book ; and had his life been prolonged a few years, this work would have been done by his own hands. Encouraged by the publishers, and inspired by the wish to fulfill his desire to keep step with the progress of his beloved pursuit, I have endeavored to prepare this revision, and compile the results of his experience ; and. thus, so far as lies within my power, carry out his idea of still farther elevating bee-keeping to the honorable po- sition it deserves, as a scientific calling. I have thought it desirable to retain, as far as possible, Mr. Quinby’s original language upon points which he developed with much clearness, and in which but little, if any, advance has since been made. This is but just to him, when we remember how indefatigable and painstak- ing he was, in his efforts to arrive at the exact truth, when he was not only unaided by any of our modern fa- cilities for investigation, but rather, was impeded by all the obstacles which popular ignorance and current preju- dice could present. I have been unable to reproduce literally much of his later writings on topics of. recent development, as they XI XII PREFACE, mostly appeared in periodicals, and needed condensation ; yet, much of the matter presented is really but the re- sult of his observations, expressed in my own language. Very many views have been advanced as worthy of con- sideration and adoption, which might have been corrobo- rated and strengthened, by quoting the sanction and prac- tice of many reliable bee-keepers ; but in many instances, I have omitted to do this for lack of space, trusting that all will believe that nothing has been recommended, that has not been put to a practical test. I must express my indebtedness to many of our lead- ing writers and practical apiarians, for many ideas and suggestions that have been of much value to me, and which, true benevolence dictates, should be disseminated. for the good of all, And I am also under no small obli- gation to the enterprising ‘‘bee-men” of foreign coun- tries, both of the past and present; and although be- longing to far distant countries and nationalities, every true bee-keeper must feel that their love for the study of the Honey-Bee, is a bond of sympathy which makes us all brethren. While I have thus been greatly aided in many ways, my confidence in an ability to accomplish Mr. Quinby’s intentions, has been chiefly derived from the circum- stances of my intimate association with him during the latter part of his life, when a half century of assiduous toil and study had well fitted him to become a teacher in his special vocation. Combined with this, I have had an active personal ex- perience of ten years in bee-keeping (making it my ex- clusive business) ; and thus, I hope to sustain the orig- inal reputation of this work, for “simplicity and relia- bility” and at the same time, to make it, what the author designed it to be, a comprehensive and practical treatise on ADVANCED Bez CuLTURE. May, 1879. L. C. Root, Mohawk, N. Y. MEMORIAL OF M. QUINBY. By Capt. J. E. Herwerinaton, Curerry Vauiey, N. Y. I approach the task before me with mingled feelings of love, admiration, and duty ; love for the man, cemented by intimate friendly relations with him for more than twenty years. J went to him when a mere lad for in- struction in bee-culture, and he so beautifully unveiled the wonderful mysteries of the natural history and prac-: tical management of the honey-bee, that I left him that- day, impressed as I had never been before. As I after- wards learned to know him, I found that his kind, considerate manner, and evident pleasure in imparting instruction, were but the manifestation of qualities of heart and purpose, strongly marked in his character. My admiration for his sterling, manly attributes, and eminently useful life, inspire me to attempt, in a small measure, to discharge a duty resting on me, in common with every bee-keeper in the land; that of putting in some enduring form, a tribute to his unselfish life-work in promoting the science of bee-culture. His writings have made their impress on bee-literature, and his name is familiar in every home where honey bees are kept for pleasure or profit. Thousands are to-day enjoying a delicious and wholesome article of food that would have remained ungathered, except for his earnest advocacy of the business as a source of revenue to the nation, and profit to the bee-keeper. He wasever unselfishly urging people to adopt this calling, that the millions of pounds of honey annually going to waste, might be garnered for the use of mankind ; and he devoted XIII XIV MEMORIAL OF M. QUINBY. the best of his life to imparting instruction that would lead to this end. Thus, through his writings, and through his life-work for the benefit of mankind, he built to himself a monument more enduring than brass ; and to complete the memorial, it is the wish of all who knew him to have inscribed on its tablet, that which will testify to his broad, christian character, as well as. to such qualities of heart as are best revealed in home life to kindred and friends. I was asked to write of Mr. Quinby because I knew him ; none could know him but to love him. We, who were accustomed to gather at his fireside, can never for- get his warm hospitality. He was of a happy, even temperament, always ready with a hearty welcome for his friends, and a kind word for every one; ever willing to spread the broad mantle of charity over the short- comings of his fellows, yet equally prompt with quick censure for a wrong that could be righted. True to his Quaker education, he was an intense hater of shams, especially of the human kind. He was honest, a characteristic that is getting to be as rare as it is valu- able. There is no principle in business better established than that “Honesty is the best policy.” Mr. Quinby, unlike many men, was honest from principle. His life- work was to elevate bee-keeping to the dignity of a pur- suit among men, and he accomplished his mission. Bee-keeping as a specialty will date from his time, and if Huber has earned the title of “ Prince of Apiarists,” certainly Mr. Quinby is entitled to that of “Father of Practical Bee-Culture.” In apiarian history there are four names that will stand out prominently beyond all others; Huber, the blind apiarian, who, by his untiring perseverance, discovered more of the interior workings of the bee-hive than any other man that ever lived ; Dzierzon, the Quinby of Germany, who confirmed the hitherto unbelieved state- MEMORIAL OF M. QUINBY. KV ments of Huber, and added that equally surprising one of partheno-genesis ; Langstroth, our own countryman, inventor of the movable comb-hive (the most im- portant invention ever made in bee-culture), and author of a work, that for scientific accuracy and beauty of expression is unsurpassed; and last, but not least, our own Quinby, who, adding largely to the knowledge of his predecessors, combined the whole into a system of prac- tical management, unequalled in simplicity and feasi- bility ; and, finally, as a crowning act of a lifetime spent in the service of others, gave to the world his celebrated discovery that the liquid part of honey is, under favorable conditions, entirely evaporated within the body of the bee; a discovery second to none ever made in the history of the insect. He was not only author of our most practical work on bee-keeping, but inventor of an almost perfect movable-- frame hive, and the originator of numerous other useful devices. I predict that his invention of asmoker, combin- ing the principle of an upright tube and bellows, will, in the near future, be in the hands of every bee-keeper in the land. It has often been asked, ‘‘ Why did not Mr. Quinby accumulate a fortune in keeping bees ?” : To this question, I think this answer may be given: It is true that Mr. Quinby never became wealthy in a pecuniary point of view, but this was not because he was unable to make-bee-keeping a lucrative pur- suit. He did reap handsome profits in his busi- ness, but was continually distributing his gains in the search for more knowledge, and means for imparting it to others. His views of a true fortune did not permit him to enjoy the mere possession of money. With him, knowledge was better fortune than gold ; and in another light, he considered the ability to do something for the benefit of mankind, a perpetual reward—treasures laid XVI MEMORIAL OF M. QUINBY. up in heaven. Whenever he obtained any new idea that would benefit others as well as himself, it was forthwith given to all who would receive. His life was, in every sense, a life of usefulness, and not wholly devoted to the interests of bee-culture, for he took a living interest in anything that he thought would benefit society; as an advocate and helper in the tem- perance work he did no mean service. He possessed true kindness of heart, and believed it to be a religious duty to make all with whom he came in con- tact better and happier, and he regarded that life a failure that did not leave the world the better for having been lived. The following little incident tells its own story : On the day of his funeral, some bare-footed boys had fol- lowed down the street to the front of the house, where one of them turned up a sorrowful-looking face, and re- marked to the officiating clergyman: ‘‘I am sorry Mr. Quinby is dead ;” on being asked why, he replied, ‘‘ He gave us apples, and pears, and sometimes grapes.” They then asked if they might see him. : Generally, sickness, as a warning for preparation, pre- cedes dissolution, but in the case of our friend, at the small hours of night, when reposing in quiet slumber, the message came. His wife noticed an unusual breath- ing—she immediately called the family, but before they reached the bed, he had answered the summons. A noble spirit had fled back to its Maker, a loving family circle was broken, and the earthly life of the Pioneer Bee-keeper closed. Thus, at the age of sixty-five, ended the life-work of our counsellor, friend, and public benefactor. How fit- ting that a life so pure should have so peaceful an end- ing. He passed from earth— “ Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch About him, and lics down to pleasant dreams.” INTRODUCTION. BEE-KEEPING: THE OLD AND THE NEW. Fifty years ago, Mr. Quinby, then a lad of nineteen, procured his first hive of bees, and began bee-keeping. He was wholly unacquainted with their management, save with the simplest directions for hiving swarms, and the use of brimstone for securing the honey, when desired. A practical, instructive treatise on bee-culture was not to be found, and a periodical devoted to the subject was as yet unthought of. The prevailing ignorance of the simplest facts in their natural history, with the conse- quent inability to rationally explain the causes of pros- perity or failure, was the foundation of a wide-spread be- hef that ‘‘ luck” was the presiding genius of the bee-hive. Signs and superstitions of all kinds were current in the lack of more intelligent teachings, and the good old man who warned Mr. Quinby against his habits of study and examination into everything in and about a bee-hive, but reflected popular opinion, when he said : ‘‘ Your bees will never do anything if you potter with them so much.” In those days, the only hives were sections of hollow logs, boxes of various dimensions, and curious cones built of straw, which certainly attested to the ingenuity, if not to the progress of theage. If honey was wanted, recourse was had to the brimstone pit, and the unhappy bees were doomed to yieid up not only their diligently gathered treasures, but their lives also; a sacrifice to ignorance, not without pareilel in the history of the human race. By and by, gleams of better methods began to dawn, and the most enterprising saw glimmers of a more ra- tional system oi treatment, which should secure the pro- ducts without the destruction of the producers. 17 18 BEE-KEEPING : THE OLD AND THE NEW. Rough, uncouth, wooden boxes were constructed and placed upon the hive, and the bees had access to them through holes bored in the top. These were succeeded by others more neatly made, with a hole in each end, covered with glass that the progress within might be inspected. Thus, the first steps in the right direction being taken, it was easy to devise boxes with glass sides; and twenty- five years ago, we find Mr. Quinby recommending boxes six inches square, with glass on all four sides, with the remark that, ‘the expense of making is a little more for the same amount of honey, yet, when it is marketed, a few customers will prefer this size.” Up to that date, the chief advance in practice, seems to have been in the better adaptation of the box-hive to the production of surplus. Mr. Quinby’s desire to understand the minutest details of everything which came under his observation, led him to become thoroughly familiar with the habits of his little favorites; and, unaided by the discoveries of foreign writers with which he was then wholly unacquainted, he demonstrated for himself many of the facts and princi- ples which the progress of to-day easily enables us to verify. At the end of a quarter of acentury, he had so satisfac- torily established a system of bee-keeping that would in- sure reasonable return for a stated investment, that he felt warranted in publishing the first edition of this work en- titled ‘‘ Mysteries of Bee-keeping Explained.” He hoped thereby to benefit others by disseminating the knowledge he had acquired, and to encourage an industry, evidently designed by the Creator, when he caused uncounted flow- ers to annually secrete tons of liquid honey, and created a tiny insect with instinct to gather and preserve this “* treasure-trove.” Simultaneously with this publication, appeared the first edition of ‘‘Langstroth on the Hive and Honey Bee.” These two works were the first of any great value that had been written in America. BEE-KEEPING : TIE OLD AND THE NEW. 19 Their coincident appearance was always a great grati- fication to Mr. Quinby, as it afforded no opportunity for either to accuse the other of profiting by bis investiga- tions ; and gave to both the honor of much original dis- covery.* These books were subsequently revised, Mr. Lang- stroth’s in 1859, and Mr. Quinby’s in 1865. About this time, the ‘‘ Bee-keeper’s Directory” by J. 8. Harbison, appeared. Mr. Harbison was the pioneer bee-keeper of California, and has done much to develop bee-culture in that State. Mr. Langstroth’s book marked an era in bee-culture ; the invention of movable combs, therein elucidated, open- ing a field which all enterprising apiarians feel to be almost unlimited. A more accurate knowledge of the functions, and habits of the bee, improved methods of obtaining sur- plus, control of the interior economy of the hive, and many other advantages were derived from this invention. From this period, progress began to be more rapid, and with each progressive step the facilities for improve- ment were proportionally increased. The next great discovery, that liquid honey might be removed from the combs without injuring them, gave to bee-keeping a still greater impetus. The last ten years have given us Mr. Quinby’s discoy- ery concerning the dry feces of the bee, and his invention of the Bellows Smoker. The latest feature that has marked our progress, is the production of comb-foundation in a practical form. Let us notice for a moment what these changes have done for us in point of production alone. *As an expression of Mr. Langetroth’s appreciation of Mr. Quinby’s work, I give the following, from his writings; ‘‘I shall here quote from one of the most common-sense works on practical bee-keeping, which has ever been written in our language. * * * I refer to the ‘Mysteries,’ etc., by Mr. Quinby. This treatise bears marks, on almost every page, of being the work of an accurate, experienced, and thoroughly honest observer.” 20 BEE-KEEPING : THE OLD AND THE NEW. I find in an article written by Mr. Quinby, in 1848, for the ‘‘ Dollar Newspaper,” published in Philadelphia, that he takes decided exception to a statement made by another writer, to the effect that he had known 25 lbs. of honey to be gathered by one colony in two weeks. Mr. Quinby lived to see 57’/, Ibs. of extracted honey taken from one colony in two days, and 586 Ibs. from a stock during the season. He also records a gain of 225 lbs. of box-honey from one colony. That these results are exceptional, is, of course, ad- mitted, but that they have been reached, indicates the possibilities to which we may yet attain. A short time before his death, Mr. Quinby remarked that the past five years had shown more progress than the forty years preceding, and he predicted that the five years to come would record even greater advancement. Who shall say that in this he was not correct ? Contemporaneously with these practical achievements, Americans have established a bee-literature which has been a potent agent in disseminating information, and in greatly increasing the number of those engaged in the pursuit. : It would be interesting to be able to furnish correct statistics of bee-culture in the United States. The lists of names in the possession of those who deal largely in bee-keeping supplies, prove that the bee-keepers in this country must be counted by thousands, and the large sales of popular works on the subject are evidence of a constantly growing interest. The oldest. ‘‘ Bee Journal” in this country was founded in 1861, by Samuel Wagner. Aside from his ability as a scholarly and practical editor, Mr. Wagner has done apiarians great service through his acquaintance with the best German bee- masters, and his frequent translations from their writings, thus forming a link between the scientists of that country BEE-KEEPING : THE OLD AND THE NEW. a1 and the progressive minds of ourown. Mr. Quinby much admired Mr, Wagner, and was wont to speak of his ser- vices in this direction with marked appreciation. This “‘ American Bee Journal” is now ably edited by Thos. G. Newman & Son, of Chicago, Ils., and is probably the best exponent of bee-culture in this country, if not in the world, as the views of the most able apiarians may be found in its columns. “Gleanings in Bee-Culture,” published by A. I. Root, Medina, Ohio, is a less pretentious monthly periodical, well worthy of the patronage of every enterprising bee- keeper. It began six years ago, as a modest sheet of eight pages, but the perseverance and active ambition of its editor has greatly enlarged and improved it, and it now occupies a deservedly honorable position. “‘ The Bee-keeper’s Magazine” is an outcome of ‘‘ The Bee-keeper’s Journal and National Agriculturist,” for- merly published by H. A. King & Co., and sustains its position creditably among the bee-keepers of the country. It is published by A. J. King & Co., New York City. ‘¢ The Bee-keeper’s Exchange.” This is a new period- ical, designed to begin with 1879, but the initial number has not yet come to hand. It is to be conducted by J. H. Nellis, Canajoharie, N. Y., an enterprising young man of considerable experience, who promises that it shall be equal to the best. “The Bee-keeper’s Guide” is published monthly at Kendallville, Ind. Never having seen it, I cannot speak of its merits. Notwithstanding the acknowledged merits of our bee- papers, there is ground still unoccupied, and I hope soon to see a periodical that shall be above personal bias, and most fully represent the broadest principles of scientific apiculture. Of modern books we have yet ‘‘Langstroth on the Honey Bee,” a work which will never be out of date to 22 BEE-KEEPING: THE OLD AND THE NEW. those who delight to read of the honey-bee as a christian gentleman and scholar has delighted to write. Aside from its practical vglue, which twenty years have failed to greatly depreciate, its perusal will im- press all with a more elevated sense of the wisdom which gave this tiny insect a place in the system of creation. A recent contribution is the ‘‘ Manual of the Apiary,” by Prof. A. J. Cook, of the State Agricultural College, Lansing, Mich. Prof. Cook is an entomologist, and has opened a field in bee-culture, hitherto comparatively un- explored, in his clear and simple elucidations of the nat- ural history of the honey-bee. His book contains prac- tical matter fully up to the times, and no intelligent bee- keeper can afford to do without it. The “ New Bee-keeper’s Text Book,” by A. J. King, is a revision of the old edition, written by N. H. and H. A. King. It is small and compact, containing many valua- ble hints and directions. Of the latest work before us, ‘The Blessed Bees,” by John Allen, I hesitate to speak, and should say nothing, did I not fear that its roseate coloring might lead the un- wary into grave mistakes and serious failurcs. Were it not that Prof. Cook vouches for the integrity of the author, I should be inclined to regard it as a pleasant fic- tion, which years’ of hard-earned experience have not enabled our most successful bee-keepers to equal in reality. I must not fail to recognize the aid we have reccived from foreign writers in their books and periodicals. We are indebted to them for many theories and practices, which have proved invaluable. There are probably no finer, highly-magnified illustrations of the honey-bee, than are found in the ‘* Anatomy and Physiology of the Honey- Bee,” by Michel Girdwoyn, published by J. Rothschild, Paris, France. Mr. Quinby’s characteristic benevolence caused him to feel a genuine anxiety that bee-keeping should become a THE HONEY-BEE. 23 generally followed pursuit, and those who were familiar with his line of thought, will remember the enthusiasm with which he always encouraged its adoption as a means of increasing the revenues of the country, and at the same time, saving a product that was annually going to waste. If this work shall, in any degree, carry out his wishes in performing this office, I shall feel amply repaid for the embarrassments under which I have labored, not only in the consciousness of having fulfilled a duty to him to whom I have been under so many obligations, but in the gratification of having, ever so slightly, advanced a call- ing that is not only honorable and lucrative, but elevat- ing and ennobling. CHAPTER I. THE HONEY-BEE. SIMPLE FACTS IN ITS NATURAL HISTORY. In its natural state, a colony of bees consists of a queen, several thousand workers and, during a part of the year, a few hundred drones. THE QUEEN. The Queen is the mother of the entire colony. Her only duty seems to be to lay eggs, of which she sometimes deposits two thousand in twenty-four hours. In shape (fig. 1), she resembles the worker more than the drone, but is longer than either, and, like the worker, possesses a sting, but seldom uses it, except in combat with a rival queen. Her color upon the upper side is darker than that of the others ; the two posterior legs and under-side are of a bright copper color. In some queens a yellow 24 THE HONEY-BEE. stripe nearly encircles the abdomen at the joints. All the colors are bright and glossy, and she has but little of the down or hair that is seen on the drones and workers. Different queens vary much in color, some being much darker than others. A still greater variation is presented in the Italian queens, most of which are of a rich golden color, while a few are even darker than the usual shade of the natives. For the first few days after leaving her cell, her size is much less than after she has assumed her maternal duties. The average age attained by the queen, is about three years. The idea that she gov- erns the colony, and directs all their opera- tions, is probably totally erroneous. They manifest a certain regard and affection for her, however, and a half dozen may often be seen gathered around her, as shown in Fig. 1—QUEEN. fioure 2. Bees will, when destitute of a queen, continue their labors to some extent, but her pres- ence is necessary to insure their permanent prosperity. WORKERS. In size, the workers (fig. 3), are smaller than the queen or drones. Upon them devolves all the labor of the colony. They are provided with a sac or bag for gathering honey, and basket-like cavities on their poste- rior legs in which to pack the pollen of the flowers in little pellets, for carrying it home to the hive. They range the fields for honey and pollen, secrete wax, construct combs, prepare food to nurse the young, bring water, obtain propolis to seal up all crevices and flaws about the hive, stand guard to keep out intruders, etc. For the defence of their treasures and themselves, they are provided with a sting and a virulent poison, but will seldom use it when abroad, if unmolested ; they vol- unteer an attack only when near the hive. THE HONEY-BEE, 25 This sting, as it appears to the naked eye, is but a tiny instrument of war, so small, indeed, that its wound Fig. 2.—A GROUP OF BEES. would pass unheeded by all the larger animals, were it not for the poison introduced at the same instant. It has been described as being ‘‘ composed of three parts, a sheath and two darts.” The greatly magnified sting and the. sac containing the poison are shown in figure 4 on the next page. The darts which penc- trate the flesh are close side by side in their sheath or tube below; these darts are also represented at one side and separated to show 2 Fig. 3—WoORKER. 26 THE HONEY-BEE. the barbs or small points with which they are fur- nished. The portions at each side are muscles, etc., which remain attached when the sting is drawn from the bee, as happens when the darts are thrust into the flesh and cannot be withdrawn on account of the barbs; the bee is compelled to leave it behind, and loses its life. The workers are all females with undeveloped organs of generation, yet they possess enough of the maternal instinct to make them good nurses for the brood of the real mother. For several days after the young worker emerges from its cell, it is almost exclusively engaged within the hive, there- after it assists in collecting stores. The life of the worker varies from one to eight months, ac- cording to the time at which it is hatched. In the busiest season it lives but a few weeks, but when hatched at the be- ginning of cool weather, its life is extended through several months. Fig. 4.—THE sTING OF WORKER. 4, DART. DRONES. The Drones (fig. 5), are the male3; their bodies are large and clumsy, and without the symmetry of the queen and worker. Their buzzing when on the wing, is loud, and different from that of the workers. They have no sting, and may be taken in the fingers with impunity. They seem to be the least valuable class in the bee-com- munity. They assist, sometimes, in keeping up the necessary animal heat in the hive; but one only, out of THE HONEY-BEE, 27 thousands, is actually serviceable in fecundating the queen. The number reared depends upon the strength of the colony, and the stores on hand, or being collected. Whenever a scarcity of honey occurs, they are all destroyed. Thus their life is very precarious, being sometimes limited to a few hours, or extended to a few days, “weeks, or months; but averaging much less than that of the workers. Fig. 5.—DRoNE CONSTRUCTION OF COMB. When the flowers expand their delicate petals, and furnish their stores of nectar and pollen, the bees need no stimulus from man to induce them to secure these proffered treasures. Instinct prompts them to collect these stores, and make suitable provision for the rearing of their young.* To this end, comb must be construct- ed; to produce the materials for this, a large amount of honey is consumed, and by a wonderful process of nature, a secretion of wax takes place, of which the delicate combs are speedily built. (See Chap. XII). The cells of which these combs are composed, are hexagonal in form, and ordinarily of two sizes, adapted respectively to the rearing of workers and of drones. Queen-cells are. exceptional in shape and size, and are constructed as needed, with a view to swarming. GATHERING AND STORING POLLEN. The pollen of flowers comprises the chief food of the young bees. When collecting it, the bees alight upon the * The idea is prevalent, that when becs are taken toa warm climate, where they can gather honey during the whole year, they will lose this instinct to accumulate stores, and only provide for their immediate wants. This is an error, as the large quantities of surplus honey stored in such regions, abun. dantly prove. 28 THE HONEY-BEE. flowers, and pass rapidly over the anthers, the pollen- bearing portion of the stamens, detaching a portion of the dust, which lodges on most parts of them, and is brushed together and packed in little pellets in the curi- ous ‘‘ pollen-baskets ” on their posterior legs. This process is much more readily observed, when the bees are collecting rye-meal, which is sometimes given them as a substitute for pollen. That they gather pollen from but one kind of flower at once, is shown by the uniformity of color in the pellets, pollen from different species, varying greatly in color. It is usually packed in worker-cells, and is generally in the vicinity of the brood- combs, but small portions being often found in other parts of the hive. It is easy to observe the bees depositing their loads of pollen. The legs holding the pellets are thrust into the cell, and a motion as if rubbing them together is made for half a minute, when they are withdrawn, and the little loaves may be seen at the bottom. This bee appears to take no further care about them, but another will soon come along, enter the cell head first, and pack the pollen close. The cell is filled about two-thirds of its length in this way, and when sealed over, a little honey is used. to fillit out. This is undoubtedly done to keep it fresh. The collected pollen is known as ‘‘ bee-bread.” GATHERING AND STORING HONEY. The bee gathers honey from the flowers, but does not make it, as is frequently supposed. It is taken into the honey-sac or stomach, and on the return to the hive, is expelled for storage in the cells. The process of filling cells with honey is curious and instructive. It may be observed by quietly removing the side of a modern hive, when the bees are at work on the outside comb, or by arranging a window ina hive, covered with a door or slide. THE HONEY-BEE, 29 The bee goes to the bottom of the cell, deposits a particle of honey, and brushes it into the corners or angles with its tongue, carefully excluding all the air. As it is filled, that nearest the sides of the cells is. kept in advance of the center. This is just as a philosopher would say it should be done. If the cell were filled at once, without attaching the honey to the sides, the external air would not keep it in place, as it now does effectually, when the cell is of ordinary length. When the cell is about one-fourth of an inch deep, bees often commence filling it, and as it is lengthened, they continue to add honey, keeping it within an eighth of an inch of the ends. It is never quite full, until nearly sealed over, and often not then. In worker cells the sealing seldom touches the honey.* But in drone cells the case is different ; in these, honey at the end touches the sealing about half way up. It is kept in the same concave shape while being filled, but being in a larger cell, the atmospheric pressure is less effectual in keeping it in its place; consequently, when they commence sealing these cells, they begin on the lower side, and finish at the top. PROPOLIS AND ITS USE. Propolis is doubtless the gum or resinous coating which protects the buds of many kinds of trees. It may be found in many species of Populus, particu- larly the Balsam Poplar, (Populus balsamifera), and the variety (candicans), known as the Balm of Gilead. I have seen the bees collecting it, and have frequently seen them enter the hive with what appeared to be the pure article on their legs, resembling pollen, except that the surface is smooth and glossy. Itis of amuch lighter color when new, than it is after it gets a little age. I have geen bees when they appeared unable to dislodge the pro- * This is true only of the native bees. 30 THE HONEY-BEE. polis themselves, and were continually running around among those engaged in using it in the hive. When one required a little, it seized the pellet with its forceps, and detached a portion. The whole lump will not cleave off at once, but firmly adheres to the leg, and from its tenacity, a string an inch long, will some- times be formed in separating. This substance is used to solder up all the cracks, flaws, and irregularities about the hive.