DDDnDnnnDDnnnDnanDnnDnnnnDDDDDDD D D n D D D D ^O'i^Ss D D D D D §w\ b\ D D D > gi %lT IH m D D 5. l^lflH /ff ^ D D ^ ySy^^M ^ D D ^^f^»* D a D D D D D D D D D UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS D n D D LIBRARY D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D a D n D D D D D D D D D D D D D a D D D D D D D n D D D D D D D D □ D D D D D D D D D D D D D D nnnnDnDnnnDDDDDnnnDaDDDDnDDDDaaD __L!BPARY • ■ . 1 '.I msf,)ms. ^> 3 / INDEX TO GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE VOL. XXXI. General Correspondence. Acid, Formic, in Honey 638; After Swarming, see Swarming; Agates Soaked in Honey 529; Aikin's Candied Honey 318; Aikin's Candied-honey Pack- age 1008, 1045; Aikin's Honey, Stenog on 133; Aikin's Paper Bag for Honey 191; Alexander's Ex- tracting-room 490; Alfalfa Honey, Future of 331, 332; Alfalfa and Butterflies 199, 246; Alfalfa Cut Late or Early 138, 139, 331, 332; Alfalfa in Idaho 103; Alfalfa for Horses 807; Alsike for Red Clover 450; Alfalfa Hav, Age of for Horses IS; Alfalfa, Hay 951; Alfalfa, 3,000 Acres 21; Alfalfa, Effect of Butterflies on 148; Alfalfa, Cutting after Bloom 393; Alfalfa, Time to Cut for Hay 138; Alfalfa- growers 550; Alighting-boards of Canvas 726; Al- ley's Queen-rearing 995; Alley's Queen-rearing Complicated 958; Alley's Book 958; Alsike Pas- ture 318; Alsike 246; Alsike Clover 278; Ants and Cockroaches, To Kill 476; Apiaries in California 791; Apiaries of Mr. Hooper 540, 543; Apiary in California 842; Apiary of Old Bee-Keeper 290; Apiary, Alexander's 489; Apiary, Arrangement of 244, 339; Apiary, Culvey's 844; Apiary, Mercer's 904; Apiary, Mode! California 925; Apiary, Shedded 719, 722, 725; Apis Dorsata and Other Races 327; Apis Dorsata, Experiments with 96; Arizona. Plants of 1046; Australian Bee-keeping 679; Auto, A. I. R. on first Trip 424; Automobile v. Horse 477; Auto- mobile and the Drinking j\Ian 579; Automobiling 89. Bags for Candied Honey 1008: Bags for Honey, see Paper Bags; Barn, Large Dairy 22, 23; Barrels and Cans. Testing 372; Barrels Tested with Bicycle Pump 153; Barrels, Atchley on 717; Basswood Lumber 752; Basswoods from Seeds 8; Basswoods Not Blooming 663; Basswood, Substitute for 847; Bee Culture in Germany 911; Bee, Ration of 831; Bees for Moving 675; Bees Inside of Buildings 924; Bees under Sheds 719, 721; Bees in Orchards 529; Bees Loafing 847; Bees and Stings 727; Bees in a Pound 685; Bees Fed Not Stimulated 398; Bees in Granary 924; Bees as Embalmers 807; Bees up Trousers Leg 318; Bees Chilled to Death 341; Bees in Venezuela 799; Bees by Freight 274; Bees Carried Out in Winter 160; Bees Dying in Winter Quarters 154; Bees in Florida 7; Bees, Ab- domenless 579: Bees, Best. Hitchinson on 581; Bees. Black, None in Colorado 371; Bees, Black or Italian 954; Bees, Cellared, Long Confined 48; Bees, Coloring Matter in 423; Bees. Exhibiting 961; Bees, Foreign Races 96; Bees, Frozen, Revived 498; Bees, Infuriated 966; Bees, Insuring Against Fire 337; Bees. Insuring 767, 849; Bees, Leather and f ".olden Colored 246; Bees, Long-tongued 48; Bees, Moving 871; Bees, Moving 1014; Bees, Moving 847; ilees, Moving in Hot Weather 884; Bees, Moving Short Distances 199, 344, 494, 1045; Bees, Non- swarming 082; Bees. Poisoned 595; Beesi Poisoning 842: Bees, Poisoning 1012: Bees, Removing from Combs 274; Bees, Removing from Tree 155; Bees, Mortality of in Wintering 03; Bees. Red-clover 724, 725; Bees, So.itary 7(58; Bees, Wingless 929; Bees, Young, for Queen-rearing 8S; Bee-brush 751, 764. 850, 1013; Bee-brush of Pine Needles 596; Bee-brush and Scraping-knife 154; Bee-cellars, see Cellars; Bee- feeder, Ferris 64; Bee-gloves 768; Bee- hpysp 3nd Cellar, Model 100; Bee-journal Reading 758; Bee-keeper on the Kickapoo 337; Bee-keeper's Life — Poem 147; Bee-keeping in California 792; Bee-keeping in Jamaica 487, 539; Bee-keeping, Migratory 722; Bee-keeping, Popularizing 579; Bee- moth, Keeping from the Combs 633; Bee-ranch, Im- mense 21, 24; Bee-sifter 759; Bee-tree, Getting Bees Out of 155; Bee-trees, Laws Concerning 849; Bee- trees, Removing Bees from 549; Bee-trees, Robbing 246: Beeswax, see Wax; Belles. Arizona 833; Bologna Sausage, see Honey in Bags; Bottom-board Feeder 445, 1011; Bottom-board, Tilting 551; Bottom-boards, Fastened, Hindrance 449; Bottling Device 287; Brood for Forced Swarms 157; Brood to Hold Swarms 345; Brood Near Top-bar 832; Brood, Black, Not Among Hershiser's Bees 106; Brood, Chilled 911; Brood-chambers, Shallow 334; Brood- frame, Introducing-cage 240; Brushed Swarms, see Swarms, Forced; Buckbush 59; Buckwheat Honey, York State 758; Bulk Comb Honey 14, 143, 496, 1014; Burnett on Unripe Honey 590; Burr-comb Tool 767; Butterflies on Alfalfa 148, 199. Cacti for Honey 1009; Cage for Queen 685; California Crop 683; California Honey Association 88; California Honey Association 382; Callbreath's Llive-stand 631; Canards, Honey 1045; Cans, Square, To Fill 931; Cans, Testing for Leaks 372; Candied Honey in Paper Bags 191, 1008; Candied Honey Not Salable 285; Candied Honey, Aikin on 191. 195; Candied Honey, Aikin's 384; Candied Honey, Selling 548; Candying, Has- tening or Retarding 596; Canvas Alighting- boards 726; Cappings, To Melt 423; Carbon Bi- sulphide 334; Carniolan-Italian Cross 149; Carpet Grass 65, 141, 553, 680; Catalpa for Honey 65; Catnip at Dr. Gandy's 59; Cellar v. Outdoor Win- tered Bees 912; Cellar Partitioned off 1009; Cellar, Miller's Furnace-heated 1008; Cellar, Hilbert's 805, 832: Cellar. Putting Bees in 449; Cellared Bees Long Confined 48; Cellared Bees Mutilated 152; Cellars in Rock 498; Cellars, Dampness of 805; Cel- lars. Ventilation of 493; Cell Cups . of Wood 931; Cell-cups. Pressed 245; Cell-forming Stick, Carter's 245: Cell-forming v. Queenless Cells 145; Cell- protector 842: Cell-starting, Swarthmore Plan 56; Cells above Zinc 844: Cells Gnawed down by Bees 155; Cells in Upper Stories 345: Cells, Young Brood 619: Cellars or Bee-caves 9; Cellar, Few Colonies in 928; Cellar, Ventilation, Dampness, etc. 394; Cellar, Wet, Good Wintering 394; Cellars, Bee 153; Cellars, Temperature of 15, 331; Cellars, Tempera- ture Variable 372; Cellars Ventilation of 331; Cellu- loid V. Wax for Foundation 160; Chickens Eating Queens 1010; Chunk Comb Honey, see Bulk; Churches, Decay of 48; Clipped Queens, Where to Find 65: Clover. Crimson, or Sweet for Bees 150; Clover, Sainfoin 846: Clover, Sweet 223, 765; Clover, Sweet, V. Alfalfa 807; Clover. Sweet, in Kansas 929; Clover. White. Yielding first Year 103; Clover. White, First Growth 548; Clover, White, in New York 769; Clover, Year of Blossoming 131 : Cockroaches, To Kill 450. 684: Coggshall on Being Posted 758; Cocgshall on Frames 485; Colony in a Garret 290; Colony in Open Air 593; Colony Refusing a Queen 931; Colony, Obstreperous 276; Colony, Size of 579; Colony, Non-swarming 7, 47, 157; Colony, Manipulat- GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. ing 727: Colonies, Broodless 151; Colonies, Strength of, for Cell-building 145; Colonies, Strong v. Weak 874; Colonies, Weak, Killing off 292; Colonies, Weak 238; Colonies, Double-decker 678; Colonies, Char- acteristics of 880; Colonies, Enormous 528; Color- ing in Bees 423; Comb Foundation, Value of 284; Comb Foundation, When to Give 293: Comb Honey in Shallow Brood-chambers 383; Comb Honey, Pro- duction of 954; Comb Honey, Production of 491; Comb Honey, Production of 435; Comb Honey, Pro- duction of 54; Comb Honey, Production of 394; Comb Honev. Bulk, see Bulk: Comb, Drone, When Built 385. 386, 387; Comb Old or New for Queens 105; Comb, New or Old 443; Comb, New v. Old 338; Comb Worker, To Get 426; Combs Meltmg Down 791; Combs to the Top-bars 225; Combs, Age of for Wintering 289; Combs, Empty, to Prevent Swarming 374: Combs, how Long to Use 90; Combs, Moldy, Gnawed 393: Combs, New or Old 550; Combs, Shallow, for Extracting 925; Combs, Surplus, Use for 387; Combs, Too Old 131; Combs, Old or New 131; Combs, Old, v. New 156; Combs v. Founda- tion 553; Combs, Empty, To Keep 633; Congrega- tional V. Presbyterian 88: Contraction 548; Co- operation 224, 382, 497, 619: Co-operation in Cali- fornia 57, 88: Co-operation in Ireland 49; Cover, Miller's 632: Covers, Sealed, Indorsed 105; Covers Discussed 1044: Cuba, A. I. Root in 87; Cuba, Bee- keeping in 234: Cuba, Early Bee-keeping in 670; Cuba and the Drink Question 184; Cuban Apiaries, by A. I. Root 499, 501: Cuban Bee-keepers, Promi- nent 397: Cuban Bee-keeping 918; Cuban Honey in America 758; Cuban Letters of A. I. R. 768; Cucumber, Wild at Dr. Candy's 61 ; Culture, Physical 8, 47. Daisy Improved 687; Danzenbaker Hive 146; Danzenbaker Hive for Comb Honey 397: Dazen- bnker Hive for Swarms 63; Danzenbaker Hive for Winter 154; Danzenbaker Hive. Wintering in 682; Danzenbaker v. 8-frame L. Hive 243: Diet 872; Disease Fighting 926: Disease, New 842: Doolittle on Oueen-rearing 478; Drone Comb 874; Drone Comb from Foundation 424, 841; Drone Comb from Starters 549: Drone Comb from Worker Foundation 1012; Drone Comb in Brood-chamber 708: Drone and Worker Comb 385, 386, 387; Drones for Heat 873. 880, 911; Drones Late in Sea- son 795: Drones Killed off 848; Dysentery Not Caused by Confinement 106; Dysentery v. Con- finement 247. Editor of Gleanings Unbiased 425; Egg of Queen, Hnw Formed 839: El wood's Report 688; Entrances, Wide 678; Excluders. Which Side Up 397: Ex- press Co.'s Selling Honey 242; Extracted Honey, Producing 714; Extracting Combs at one Side at Once 89: Extractors by Gasoline Power 334; Ex- tractor, Mammoth, Steam 679; Extractors. Double Kinging 879; Extracting-house on Wheels 1005; Eves of a Bee 84. Feeder and Winter Cover 158: Feeder on Back of Hive 25; Feeder. Bottom-board 884; Feeder. Cheap 955; Feeder. Koebler's 679; Feeding back 497, 597, 621. 764, 841; Feeding Cheap Sugar 918; Feeding Outdoors 292. 385, 386. 387. 809; Feeding in Open Air 588: Feeding in the Spring 341; Feeding for Winter 75t: Feeding Sugar-cane Juice 25; Fences in Brood-ch-imber 158: Fence for Brood-combs 289; Fertile Workers 371; Fertile Workers 320; Fertile Workers. Killing 553; Fertile Workers, Remedy for 155: Fertile-worker Colony 183: Fertilization in Carbov 388; Fertilization in Small cage S88; Fer- tilizntion in Confinement 94, 132, 388, 676, 912; Fertilizing-boxes, small 536: Fertilizing-boxes, see Oueen-mating; Fertilizing-tent 184; Fertilizing- tent, Whv it Failed 448; Filler, Paint, of Wax 529: 'Fire Loss. Bee-keepers 392; Five- band- ers, see Bees: Forced Swarms 936; Forests, De- stroying 708; Formaldehyde, see Formalin; Formalin a Failure 968; Formalin in Food 708; Formalin 594, 595, 688, 911; Formalin discussed 1014; Formalin Patented 619; Formalin for Foul Brood 424; Formalin for Bee-moth 667: Formalin Gas for Kill- ing Brood 151; Formalin, American 804: Formalin, Successful Use of 390, 441, 442; Formalin, Unsuc- cessful 926; Formalin, To Apply 390. 441, 537; Formalin, How Applied 372; Formalin, Use of 685; Formic Acid in Honey 846, 871; Food Value of Honey 963; Foul Brood 274; Foul or Pickled Brood 805; Foul Brood in Michigan 25; Foul Brood or Something Else 149, 769; Foul Brood and Frame ■ Hives 665; Foul Brood, Canadian Report 55; Foul Brood, How Spread 527; Foul Brood, Odor of 830; Foul Brood, Perforations in S: Foul-brood Law, Cali- fornia 333; Foul-brood legislation. California 333; Foul-brood Law in Idaho 106; Foul-brood Bill, Ohio 342; Foul-brood Bill. Pennsylvania 683; Foul-brood Bill', Illinois 276, 495: Foul-brood Scare 147; Foul Brood, To Cure 390; Foundation Drawn into Drone Comb 424; Foundation Sagging on Wires 922; Foundation Starters 675; Foundation Starters, Worker Comb on 426; Foundation, see Comb Foun- dation: Foundation, Bees Not Working 635; Founda- tion, Full Sheets, v. Starters 151, 3S5, 386. 387, 425, 547; Foundation. Keeping in Winter 345; Foundation, Weed 928: Foundation-cutter. Unique 395; Founda- tion-wire Cutter 395; Foundation-fastener, Young's 634; Foundation-fastener and Folder 687; Founda- tion-fastener, Daisy, Improved 687; Frames Spaced in Hives 442; Frame, Hoffman 764: Frames, Closed-end 146, 546, 800; Frames Closed-end, Size of 159; Frame, Hoffman, Condemned 485; Frames. Hoffman, Nailing 235; Frames, Hoffman, Pro and Con 320; Frames, Hoffman, Stuck up 243; Frames. Metal Spacers for 832; Frames. Propolized 702; Frames. Shallow, Profits in 276; Frames. Shal- low. V. Deep 320: Frames. Spaces Rabbet. Not Practic- able 442; Frames, Staple-spaced 274, 792: Frames, Spacing 708. 871: Frames. Spaced v. Unspaced 528; Frames. Wired 928; Frames. Wiring 336. 347, 449, 667, 758, 759, 801, 1011; Frames, To Wire 398; France Legally Elected 95; Fumes, Poisonous, from Hive 637. Gasoline as a Motor 581; Gasoline v. Bisulphide for Moth 385; Gasoline engine for Extractors 131; Gasoline-engine for Extractors 334: German Press for Squeezing Honey 336: German Wax-press 1011; Ginseng, a Warning 436: Gleanings. Articles 339; Gleanings, Binding 158; Gleanings, Cover 47; Glean- ings Make-up 552; Gleanings as a Text-book 224; Gleanings, Subject-Matter of 292, 343. 398, 449, 637; Gloves, see Bee-gloves; Glucose Dealer Fined $25 157; Government Aid for Bee-keepers 96. 327, 838: Government Aid for Bee-keepers 838; Grand Canyon Illustrated 832. 846; Greiner's Bees 276; Greiner's Filling-device 287. Heartsease in Nebraska 62: Hive of Brick 592; Hives in the Cellar 342; Hives Painted a Warm Color 62; Hives on Stakes 424. 843: Hive. Danzen- baker, for Swarms 63; Hive, Bingham 801; Hive, Large Observatory 961 ; Hive. Opening it Too Much 953? Hive. Samson's 248; Hive. Standard 685; Hives, Danz V. Langstroth 243; Hives 8 or 10 Frame 87; Hives 8-frame Jumbo 432: Hives. Painting with Bees in 345: Hives, Shallow, Discussed 671; Hives, Shal- low 383, 484, 546, 681, 800: Hives, Shallow, Profits in 376: Hives, Stealing. Penalty for 343; Hives, Tenement 238: Hives. Uniformity in 954; Hive- bodies. Depth of 153: Hive-cover. A. C. Miller's 632; Hive-covers of Zinc 664; Hive-covers, protecting 679: Llive-numbering Tags 445; Hive-stands 911; Hive-stand. Callbreath's 631, 885: Hive-stand, Cheap 393: Hive-stand, Danzenbaker 885: Hive-stand, Phil- lips' 198: Hive-stand, Root's 886; Hive-stand of Stakes 392: Hives-tags 474; Hiving Automatic 951, 952, 929; Hochstein's Uncapping-device 639: Hoff- man Frame see Frames: Holtermann on Fertilizing in Confinement 94; Holtermann's Tent 448: Honey Business, Profits in 373: Honey Candving 939, 1044, 1045; Honey Capped Whiter from Forced Swarms l.'^l: Honev Consumed in Cold or Mild Weather 132; Honev as Food 237, 871, 963: Honev and Wax Produced 794: Honey for Grocers 237: Honey Flora of Nebraska 59; Honey in Large or Small Doses 728; Honey from ^lexico 529: Honey Years, Good, Returned 686: Honey Sold by Express Co.'s 242;. Honey Yield. Miller's 832, 872: Honev by Express or Freight 320: Honey in Box 384: Honev in Paper Bags 343. 1008; Honey in Pompeii 477; Honey, Adulterated 684: Honey, Advertising 437; Honey, Apple-blossom 433: Honey. Bad-smelling 152; Honey, Big Crop 678; Honey, Boiled for Dyspeptics 150; Honey, Bottled, Selling 144; Honey, Bulk, in Mexico 285: Honey, Candied. No Sale for 285; Honey, Cap- ping, Why Bees Fail to 63; Honey, Care of 189; Honey, Comb, Production of 54; Honey, Dark 881; Honey, Extracted. 374; Honey, Healing Power of GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 335; Honey, Increasing Demand for 437; Honey, Iron in 9; Honey, Keeping from Candying 968, 1044; Honey, Keeping it Liquid 831, 99G; Honey, Labeling 925; Honey, Name on 321; Honey, Specific Gravity 189; Honey, i-'lanting for 278; Honey, Poi- sonous 682; Honey, Price of 752; Honey, Pure, Wiley on 63; Honey, Raw 423; Honey, Selling 930; Honey, Selling in Groceries 237; Honey, Serving at Table 373; Honey, Soured 926, 967; Honey, Stung 931; Honey, lasting 224; Honey, Uncapped, Experi- ments with 189; Honey, Unripe 590, 683; Honey- bottles, To fill 287; Honey-dew as Winter Feed 809; Honey ^vnives. Use of 996; Honey-packages of I'aper, see Honey; House, Extracting on Wheels 1005; Hutchinson's Pictures 832. Idaho, Bees in 140; Idaho, Echoes from 103; In- crease 374; Insurance on Bees 688; lntr(;ducing Two Virgins at Once 792, 8S4, 927; Introducing, Brood- frame 240; Introducing, Doolittle on 49; Introducing, Kink in 289; Increase, Quickest iSIethod 199; Incubators or Nurseries 751; Ireland as a Honey Country 953; Italian Bands Yellow 638; Italians, Golden 759; Italians v. Robber, traps 25; Italians Not in Sections 914; Italianize, When to 152. Jenkins' Postoffice 246; Journals, Foreign List of 185, 225, 277. Keliogg on Honey 963; King Birds 929. Labels, Paste for 248; Langstroth on Forced Swarms 547; Larva for Queen-rearing 619; Law, Foul-brood Illinois 475; Law, California Foul-brood 333; Laying Worker, see Fertile Worker, Literature, Bee, Introducing 49; Loafing, To Cure 931; Locality 912; Locality, Diltexence in 707; Locality, Im- portance of Knowing 995; Logwood-tree of Jamaica 487; Los Angeles, Cal. 954; Los Angeles Convention 663; Los Angeles, Weather in 971; Lumber Scarce 752. Mail Privileges 48; Market, Chicago 996; Massie's Hive and Book 545; Mating-boxes, see Queen-mating Boxes; McEvoy as Arbitrator 344; AicElvoy on Swarms Mixing 288; McEvoy on Swarms Mixing 397; Meal, Feeding 345; Mercer's Honey Crop 964; Michigan Convention 380; Michigan, Northern 380; Michigan, Northern, for Honey 447; Miller's Honey Flow 832, 872; Miller's Honey Season 751; Moles in Apiary 9; Mosquito-hawks 844, 1010; Moth, Kill- ing 285; Moth-balls in Hives 793; Moth-worms 665; Motherwort 223; Mouse, Dead, in Hive 807; Mov- ing Bees, see Bees; Moving to Better Location 292; Moving Bees Short Distances 551. National 'Ireasury 223; National Constitution 372; National, Changes in 224, 277; National, Membership of 911; Nightingales and Bees 9; Nomenclature, New 2SG; Nomenclature of Bee Terms 152; Num- bers, Hive 596; Nuclei, Forming Small 57; Nuclei, Small, tor Fertilizing 536; Numbering-tags 474, 995. Oklahoma Bee-keeping 765; Ontario Convention in New York 544; Orange-blossom Honey 98; Order- ing Early 753; Organization, see Co-operation; Organization of Bee-keepers in California 57; Over- stocking in Cuba 918. Paper as Winter Protector 423; Parafifine Paper in Sections 395; Paralysis, Bee 25; Paralysis, Bee Sulpliur for 160; Paralysis Cured with salt 396; Paralysis, Rational Cure 438; Paralysis, Salt Cure 396, 450, 551, 595, 663; Parthenogenesis Explained 761; Pasturage, Artificial 637; Pear Blight 97, 288; Pear Blight, Remedy for 344; Pear Juice for Winter Feed 24; Pears from Seedlings Blighting 320; Peddling Bottled Honey 144; Phacelia 8, 47, 344, 527, 718; Phillips on Parthenogenesis 761; Pickled 01 Foul Brood 157; Poison from Spraying 808; Poison from Stings 792; Poison or Disease 591; Poison or What 635; Poisoning 675; Poisonous Fumes from Stings 444; Pollen in Brood-combs 90; Pollen in Sections 133; Pollen, How Bees Pack 727; Pollen, how Packed in Cells 340; Press, Salisbury's 68o; Pridgen on Queen-rearing 231; Priority Rights 320; Propolis in Marengo 831; Propolis, Pronuncia- tion of 913, 953. Queen and Circle of Bees 595; Queen Dissected 839; Queen Leading a Swarm 88; Queen Preferring New or Old Comb 628; Queen Retinue 88; Queens of After-swarms 186; Queens Balled 844; Queens with Dented Sides 389; Queen's Egg, How Formed 839; Queens Fertilized in Carboy 94; Queens Kept from Laying 1012; Queens Stung in Ball 22i, 276, 395, 592, 674, 708, 752, 927; Queens Stinging Persons 550; Queens Two Years Old 159; Queens in Uniting 290; Queens in Upper Story 687; Queen, Decoy 535; Queen, Clipped, in Ball 912, 951; Queen, Age at Fertilization 927; Queen, Breeder, Good 392; Queen, Dents in Side 498; Queen, How Long to Cage 685; Queen, Superseding 636; Queen, Syrian 133; Queen, Why Balled 871; Queen Why Balled 930; Queens, Clipping 186; Queens, Clip- ping 384; Oueens, Clipping 637; Queens, Introduc- tion of. Quick 664; Queens, Int'g Two at Once, see Introducing; Queens, Late-reared 794; Queens, Lon- gevity of 581; yueens. Marking 911; Queens, Nursery 4S; Queens, Preference for New Comb 726; Queens, Pre-judging 621; Queens, Replacing 581; Queens, Sterile and Supersedure 398; Queens, Supersedure of 581; Queens, Where to Buy 87; Queens, Where to Fina after Hiving 64; Queens, Young Bees 597; Queenless, No Cells 596; Queen-cages, Aliller 320; Queen-clipping 47 6, 527, 675; Queen-fertilizing Bo.xes 19; Queen-rearing 9; Queen-mating, Whole- sale 19; Queen-rearing, Alley's 958; Queen-rearing, Best Plans for 107; Queen-rearing, Doolittle on 478; Queen-rearing Pridgen on 231; Queen-rearing Pridgen on 283; Queen-rearing, Stanley's Plan 446; Queen-rearing in Full Colonies 536; Queen-rearing in Summer 184; Queen-raising in Upper Stories 397; Queen-rearing, Science of 761; Queen-right 663; Uueen-trap tor Swarming 133; Questions and An- s~wers 223, 289, 398. Rambler 158; Rambler's Death 87; Rambler Memoriam 99; Rambler's Pastor's Letter 244; Ram- bler, Unpublished Facts about 288; Raspberries for Loney 373; Rat and Mouse Trap 393; Red-clovei Queens 728; Reproduction in Insect Life 761; Keputation, Building up 709; Robber Flies 725; Robbing, Bad Case 962; Robbing, To Prevent 381; Robbing, To Stop 320, 922; Robbing, and Gasoline- torch 9o2; Root Not a Candidate for Director 951. Sage, White 792; Salisbury Wax-press 440; 475; Samson's Hive 248; Science, Pseudo 241; Scraper, Swarthmore's 147; Scraper, Handy 394; Sections 4x5 87; Sections Darkened by Brood-combs 619; Sections Whiter over New Combs 184; Sections by Weight or Piece 952; Sections by the Piece or Weight 995, 996; Sections of Cottonwood 680; Sections, Cost of 926; Sections, Cost of 952; Sec- tions, Getting Bees in 914; Sections, Selling Unfin- ished 150; Sections, Taking off 664; Sections, To Get all Fancy 383; Sections, Well-filled 841, 849; Sec- tions, Unfinished 850; Sections, Unfinished 928; Sec- tions, Very Small 475; Section-press, Handy 448; Section-holders, To Nail up 445; Secor's Poem 50; Shaken Swarm, see Swarms, Forced; Shallow Hives, see Hives; Shedded Apiaries 719, 721; Skunks 768, 769, 847, 930, 1013; Smoke at Entrance 912; Smoke, Use and Abuse of 880; Smoker Fuel 448, 751, 707, 758, 769; Smoker Fuel, Excelsior 681; Smokers 879; Smoker, Brodbeck's 433; Smoser, How to Hold 476, 751; Smoker, New Corneil 527; Smoker, Corneil, New Lid 832; Smoker, Jumbo 528; Smoker, Vesuvi- us 594, Smokers, Breech-loading 886; Smokers, Light 930 Smokers, To Handle 715, 963; Smoker-bellows with Tin Binding 476; Smoker-hook a Nuisance 475; Snake Imbedded in Propolis 1014; Snow at Entrances 153; Spray-pump in Apiary 680; Spring Dwindling 238; Stachelhausen on Brushed Swarms 54; Stamps, Rubber, Use Recommended 321; Stamps, Rubber 450; Stanley's Queen-rearing 446; Staples to Fasten Bottom-boards 475; Starters Preferable to Drone Comb 959; Starters, Use of 233; Stinging Queens, see Queens; Stings in Birds' Crops 727; Stings and Rheumatism 634; Stings, lb Cure 597; Stings, Effect of 929; Stings, Neglecting 477; Stings, To Cure 848; Stings, Curing 7 67; Stings, Pain of 707; Stings, Poison from 792; Stinging v. Biting 638; Stings, Inhaling the Poison of 444; Stings, Rational Treatment of 588; Strainer, Rambler's 597; Sulphur for Bee Paralysis 160; Sun Extractor, Artificial Pleat 593; Supers, To Take Off 931; Supers, Emptying of Bees 620; Supers, Shallow v. Full- depth 629; Supers, Taking Off 809; Supersedure, To Detect 397; Swarms Mixing 552, 682, 847; Swarms Prevented from Mixing 397; Swarms Shaken Before Starting Cells 274; Swarms Watched by Dog 318; Swarm, Mammoth 803; Swarm, Truant 919; Swarms, After, Preventing 530; Swarms, Driven 543; Swarms, 2fc33^ GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Forced, Stachelhausen on 54; Swarms, Forced, El wood on 143; Swarms, Forcea, Langstroth on 547; Swarms, Yorced, for Extracting 15G; Swarms, Forced 54, 151, /53, 708, 751, 959; Swarms, Forced, Ahead 290; Swarms, Forced, a Failure 841; Swarms, Forced, Un- successful 96G; Swarms, Forced, a Modification 792; Swarms, Forced 233; Swarms, Forced, Swarming 995; Swarms, Jounced, etc. 2S6; Swarms, Mixed, Mel^voy's 546; Swarms, Removing from Trees 879; Swarms, Re- turned, Swarming again 87; Swarms, Sifted 540; Swarms, Stopping with Smoke 619; Swarms, To Prevent Mixing 288; Swarms, to Prevent Mixing 535; Swarming 186, 530; Swarming Announced by Parrots 443; Swarming, Dadant's 871; Swarm- ing, Forced 247, 248; Swarming, Forced, Fight- ing 199; Swarming, Prevention of 54, 380, 629, 758, 849; Swarming, Unusual 683; Swarming, Early 157; Swarmers, Non, Strain of 967, 1009; Swarth- Swarthmore's Small Mating-boxes 19; Syrup, Feed- ing 849; byrup To Make 809. Taired Paper Objectionable 681; Tarred Paper for Winter 534; Tenement Hives 238; Texas Pseudo Science 241; Thieves Caught in California 873; Tiiieves France Catches 529; Thistle Blue 595; Thomas' Winter Case 882; Tiering Up v. Under 491, 493, 528, 580, 620, 663; Tiering Up Rathpr than Under 383; Tiering Over or Under 839; Tool, Burr-comb 767; Tool, Hive 791; Transferring 804; Transferring by Short Method 591; Trans- ferred Combs to Hold in Frame 156; Transferring from Box Hives 345; Trees, Rapid-growing 63. Umbilical Cord in Bees 8, 241, 276; Uncapping- device, Hochstein 848; Uncapping-knife, Hochstein's 629; Unfinished Sections, see Sections; United States as Seen by Spanish 997; Uniting 754; Unit- ing in the Spring 226; Unqueening in Spring 791. N'enezuela for Bees 799; Ventilation of Cellars 15; Ventilation in Summer 883; Ventilating Hive 184; Virgins, Introducing Two, see Introducing, Watermelons in California 964; Water, Dis- tilled 791; Walkins again 444; Watson's Ranch, Nebraska 21; Wax Indigestible 65; Wax on Of- fending Objects 638; Wax and Honey Pro- duction 336; Wax Production 918; Wax Produc- tion Profitable 336; Wax from Sugar 709; Wax in Tropics 336; Wax, How Much to Squeeze 132; Wax, Preparing for Foundation-mill 681; Wax, Rendering in Boiler 439; Wax, to Separate from Propolis 150; Wax-press as Honey-squeezer 872; Wa.x-press, Cheap 439; Wax-press from Cider-press 597; Wax-press, German 1011; Wax-presses Run by Water or Steam 132; Wax-press, Spring for 49G; Wax-press, Squeezing Honey in 336; Weed Foun- dation 284; West Indias, Notes from 154; Wheel- barrows 1012; Wheelbarrows, Improvement in 391; Wiley on the Purity of Honey 63; Winter Case of Strawboard 882; ^VinteT Hives, to Pack 24; Win- ter Losses 133; Winter Packing v. No Packing 371; Winter Repositories, see Cellars; Winter Stores 724; Winter, Preparing for 998; Wintering in Tenement Hives 238; Wintering in Tenements 967; Wintering Two Bunches of Bees 183; Wintering Indoors or Out 157; Wintering with Supers 926; Wintering, Mortality of Bees 63; Winter-case of Tarred Paper 534; Winter-passages in Combs 998; Wiring, see Frames; Wooden cell-cups, Why Better 931; Worker Comb, To Get 426; Wrists, Bare 620; Yellow-jackets 1010; Yellow-jackets, Killing 152, Zinc, Perforated, Which Side Up 397. Editorial. Acklin, Ethel, Recovered 281; Aikin's Paper Bag for Honey 1001, 1045; Alkali Lands Reclaimed 585; Ahalfa, Cutting Before Blooming 93; Alfalfa, Cutting it Before or After Blooming 12; Alfalfa, Food Value of 12; Alfalfa Honey, Quality of 375; Alfalfa-growers, see Bee-men; Alpaugh to Cuba 51; Amendments, Proposed, for the National 624; Ameri- can Bee-keeper 324; Ants Spreading Foul jjrood 11; Apiaries, Arrangement of Hives 533; Apicultural Support at Ottawa 956; Appropriation for Bee- keepers 136; Arizona, Plants of 1040; Association, National, see National; Austria, Drouth in 91; Automobile Trip, A. I. R.'s 710; Automobile Trip of Editor's 61; Automobile, Editor's 378; Automobiling, Pleasures and I'enalties 532. Barber, Ira, on Wintering in Cellars 229; Barrels and Cans, Leaky 325; Basswood, Scarcity of 428, 713; Bee Editors, Qualifications, for 1005; Bees and Spraying 584; Bees Dangerous 916; Bees and Fruit 957; Bees and Pear-blight 282; Bees Necessary to the Fruit-grower 13; Bees Poisoned 376; Bees to Cuba, Root's Shipment 51; Bees, Five-banders, for Comb Honey 623; Bees, Minus Abdomen 531; Bees, Moving to Our Outyards 481; Bees, Moving Short Distance 1045; Bees, Red, from Colored Syrup 379; Bee-brush, To Make 755; Bee-brush, Handiest 533; Bee-cellars, Ventilation of 229; Bee-gloves 585; Bee- journals, Subject-matter of 135, 187; Bee-keeping for Women 668; Bee-stings, Easing Pain of 755; Bee- stings that are Painful 585; Bee-men v. Alfalfa-grow- ers 917; Bee-suit 916, 957, 1005; Bee-cellar Under Machine-shop 279; Beef Diet 130; Bennett, Dema, Death of 479; Bingham, T. F. 1002; Blight, see Pear- blight; Boardman Feeder Improved 4S3; Bottom- board, Danzenbaker's New 431; Bottom-boards and Covers, Fastening 430; Brood-chambers, Shallow 227; Brood, Pickled 377; Butterflies v. Bees as Blighting Agency 11. Cages lor Export 667;- California's Good Year 376; California, Rains in 227; Candying of Honey, Phil- osophy of 326; Candied Honey in Paper Bags 711; Candied Honey, Paper Boxes for liiOl; Candied Honey, Problems of 1045; Cans and Barrels, Testing 325; Carpet Grass 228, 324; Cellar Wintering, see Bee-cellars; Cell Cups, Swarthmore's 755; Cells, To Graft 587; Chicago Convention 956; Cincinnati Convention, see Ohio Convention; Clover for Bees Vol; Clover, Sweet, Canard about 666; Clover, White, in Wisconsin 606; Clover, Red, Affected by Weather 756; Coggshall on Closing Entrances 429; Colony that would Not Swarm 669; Colorado Anti-adultera- tion Law 427; Comb Honey, Manufactured; Comb- mills, Inventor of 1002; Commission Men, Untried 877; Co-operation and the Policy of Gleanings 378; Cost. Counting the 1000; Covers 1044; Covers and Bottom-Boards, Fastening 430; Cuba, Climate of 135; Cuba, Hilbert on 376; Cuban Honey in Ameri- can Markets 667; Cuban Shipment of Bees 51. Danzenbaker at Medina 711. Entrances, Closing in Cold Weather 429; En- trances, Contracting in the Fall 755; Exercise, Scien- tific 136; Extractors, Jumbo, Run by Power 483; Ex- tractors, Power 92; Extracting-houses, Portable 583. Fertilizing Queens in Small Boxes 712; Food Value of Honey 955; Food, Pure, see Pure Food; Forced Swarming, see Swarming, Forced; Forest Fires and Lumber Question 714; Formaldehyde, see Formalin; Formalin, Adulterated 955; For- malin Tried by Weber 877; Formalin Treatment Not Thorough 915; Formalin for Foul Brood 326; Forty \ ears Among the Bees 189, 229; Foul and Black Brood, Identity of 586; Foul Brood Dis- appearing in Ontario 280; Foul Brood v. Pickled Brood 377; Foul Brood in the Human Mouth 324; Foul-brood Bill for Ohio 917, 956, 1000; Foul- brood Bills in Various Legislatures 228; Frames Supported on Nails 1044; Fowls' Extracting-house 583; Fowls Visited by the Editor 379; France, Gen- eral Manager 189; Frames, Self-spacing or Loose 999; France a Busy Man 533; France a Good Man- ager 431. Gallup, Death of 376; Gasoline Engine for Ex- tracting 92; Gleanings, Contents of 135, 187, 227, 279. Hayes, Oakie, Refusing to Pay for Queen 376; GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Heads of Grain Department 279; Health Talks 136; Heddon on Commercial Organization ISS; Heddon Patent Expired 187; Hetherington on Forced Swarming 130; Hive Lumber, Cost of 1004; Hive, Size of 9o7; Hives, Arrangement of in Bee-yard 533; Hives, Cost of Making 1000; Hives, Home- made, v. Factory 1003, 1U04; Hive-stands, Dual 877; Honey Business, Profits of 325; Honey Crop for 1903 5S4, liib; Honey in Paper Bags 1001; Honey Keeping Liquid 1044; Honey Situation in Cali- fornia 583; Honey, Candying, Philosophy of 3:^6; Honey, Cuban, in America 607; Honey, Kellogg on 955; Honey, Prices too Low 429; Honey, Pure, De- fines 13; Honey, Kipe and Unripe 957; Hyde Mar- ried 533. Insurance on Bees 755; Introducing, Massie's Method of 370; Irrigation in Alkali Lands 585. Kellogg on Honey 955; Kodaking at Medina 068. Langstroth and Quinby 1002; Los Angeles Con- vention 024, 757, 1002; Lumber for Sections Scarce 428. McF)voy for Director 956; McEvoy's Plan to Stop Swarming 280; Miller's Book, 189; Moore's E-xport Cage 007. National and General Manager 915; National Association, Troubles in 52; National Board of Directors 4S1 ; National Convention in Los Angeles 4S0; National Forging Aheau, 1045; National, Amend, ments for 624; National, Election for 92; National, Victory for 1005; Nebel, Death of 482; Newman, Death of 280; Newman, Illness of 187; Newell, VVil- mon 583. Ohio Convention 917, 956, 1000. Paraffine for Snipping-cases 324; Parthenogenesis, Problems of 481; Pear-blight Problem 282; Pear- growing Situation, Bees Poisoned 376; Physical Cul- ture 130; Pickled Brood, see Brood, Pickled; Poison- ing During Fruit-bloom 531; Profits in Bee-keeping 1003; Profits in Supply Business 1003; Profits of the Bee Business 3^5; Pure-food Bill 11; Pure- food Bill, National 53, 93. Queen-cell Work at Meaina 712; Queen-rearing Illustrated 587; Queens, Clipping 428; Queens, Fer- tilizing in Small Boxes 712; Queens, Virgins, In- troducing Two at Once 750, 79i, 870; Queens, Why they do Not Lay 755; Questions, Answering 666; Questions and Answers, Value of 135. Rambler Sick in Cuba 52; Rambler, Memoriam of 99; K'ambler's Death Mourned 135; Kambler's Humor 187; Requeening, Time of 755; Review Editor at Medina 37 8; Review Office, Improvements at 136; Roofs of Hives 950; Roofs of Steel 956; Root Factory Prepared for Fire 915; Root, A. I., in Cuba 51. Schaeffle, Death of 281; Sections, Four-piece 1005; Sections, Tall 379, 428; Sections, Unfinished, Selling 750; Self-spacing or Loose Frames 999; Smoker Fuel x^artly Burned 755; Smoker Run by Clock- work 1000; Smoker-hooks 432; Smoker, Mode of Holding 432; Snows, Deep, and Clover 91; Spraying Crops, When 584; Staples for F'astening Bottom- boards 430; Supplies, Bee, Cost of 1004; Swarms Stopped with Blanket 325; Swarms in Tall Trees 711; Swarms, Removing from Tree 623; Swarms, Shaken 379; Swarms, Stopping Two or More 280; Swarms, Stray, at Medina 711; Swarming, Forced 136, 609; Swarming, Furious, at Medina 023. Testing Barrels for Leaks 325. Ventilation of Bee-cellars 229; Virgins, Introduc- ing Two at Once 756, 797, 870. Waite, Dr., on Pear-blight 282; Watkins, S. L. 187, 324; Western Lands Reclaimeu 585; Wiley Lie 1045; Wintering in Cellar in Medina 279; Wiring Foundation 999. Illustrations. Aikin's 10-pound Candied-honey Package 1008; Aikin's Paper-bag Honey-packages 190, 197; Alex- andei-'s Bee-shed 719, 720; Alexander's Extracting- room 490; Alfalfa, Unloading 1052; Alighting- board canvas 726; Anderson's Section-press 448; Apiary of Alexander 49S; Apiary, Barnell's 291; Apiary, Mr. Carroll's 843; Apiary, Culvey's 844; Apiaries, Hooper's 539, 540; Apiary of Mr. Howe 678; Apiary of M. R. Kuehne 924, 925; Apiary of Rambler in Cuba 400; Apiary of Thorne and Eroan- brack 1051, 1053; Apiary of Van de Mark 766; Apiary, Webster's 332; Apiary in Sheds 719, 720, 722; Automatic Clockwork Smoker 1001; Automo- bile with two Roots 724. Bag of Honey 190, 197; Barn, Large, in Nevada 1053; Bees Occupying Dwellings 923; Bees, In- furiated, Illustrated 966; Bees, Moving, at Medina 495; Bee-brush, Hemp 1013; Bee-brush, Keyes' 590; Bee-keeping for Women 669; Bee-moth, Fumigating, Greiner's Method 033; Bee-sifter, Grciner's 700; Bee-stings, Illustrated 008; Bennett, Miss Lodemia 480; Bicycle for Bringing Home Runaway Swarms 723; Bingham's Hive 801; Boomhower's Queen- mailing Cage 797; Bottle-filling Device 287; Bottom- board, Danz Tilting 431; Bottom-board Feeder 884; Bottom-board, lilting, Fitzgerald's 552; Brodbeck's Double-blast Smoker 434; Brood, Pickled 377; Brood- chamber, 20-frame 489; Buckbush at Gandy's 59, 60. Cage, Boomhower's Queen-mailing 797; Cage, Moore's E.xport Queen 607; California Apiary, Typical 924, 925; Callbreath's Hive-stand 031, 632; Candied Honey in Bags 1008; Candied Honey in Paper 196, 197; Cans, To Empty 287; Canvas Alight- ing-board 726; Carter's Cell-pVeparing Tool 245; Catnip Plant at Gandy's 59; Cellar, Bee, Hilbert's 805, 800; Cells from Wooden Cell Cups at Medina 725; Cell-grafting at Medina 587; Cell-cups and cages, Stanley's 446; Cell-cup Tools, Carter's 245; Cell-pro tector Parts 842; Chicago Convention 105; Clark's Wire-cutter for Foundation 395; Clipping, Illustrated 429; Coal Mine Dumps 765; Coggshall's Frame 485; Colonies in Open Air 592, 593; Colonies in the Siding of Buildings 923; Comb-building in Open Air 592, 593; Comb Honey's Barnell's 291; Conven- tion, Chicago 105; Corned Smoker, To Hold 432; Cover, Paper-covered 632; Cowan jumbo Extractor 483; Crowder's Extracting-house on Wheels 1007; Cuban Apiaries, Glimpses of 499-501; Cuban Log- gum Apiary 499; Cuban Shed Apiary 722; Cucum- ber, Wild 61; Cupid's Tricks 753. Dairy Barn, Watson's 22; Daisy Foundation- fastener, Improved 687; Danzenbaker Prize Sec- tions 492; Danzenbaker's Tilting Bottom-board 431; Danz Hive-stand 885. Egg, Development of 839, 840; Entrance-closing for Aloving 675; Extractor, Double-pocket 879; Ex- tractor, Power-driven 483; Extracting-house, Portable 591; Extracting-house on Wheels 1007; Extracting- room, Alexander's 490. Feeder and Cover Combined 64; Feeder in Bot- tom-board 884; F'eeder, F'erry's 64; Feeder, Koebler's did; Fertilizing-box, Keyes' 537; Fertilizing-boxes, Swarthmore's 19; Formalin Apparatus 390; Formalin, Fumigating Device 538; Foundation-fastener and Section-former 687; Foundation-fastener, Young's 634; Foundation-wire Cutter 395; Fowl's Portable Extracting-house 591; Frame, Coggshall's 485; Frames, Hoffman's to Nail 235; Frame, Nail-spaced, for Uncapping 765; Frames Spaced in Hive-rabbets 442; Frames Wired on Thwing's 236. Grafting Cells at Medina 587; Grand Canyon of Arizona 846; Greiner's Bottle-filling Device 287; Greiner on Wiring Frames 801; Greiner's Bee- sifter 700; Greiner's Fumigating-room 633; Greiner's Lamp-heated Solar Extractor 594; Greiner's lene- ment Wintering-case 239. Heartease in Nebraska 62; Hive, Bingham's 801; Hive, Large Observatory 961; Hive, Sampson's 248; llives of Brick 141; Hives, Atwater's 141; Hive- fasteners, Staple 430; Hive-number Tags 445; Hive- stand, Callbreath's 631, 632; Hive-stand, Danz 885; Hive-stand, Root's 886; Hive-stand of Stakes 392; liochstein's Uncapping-device 629; Hoffman's Frames to Nail 285; Honey in Bags 1008; Honey, GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Candied, in Paper 196, 197; Honey, 20 Tons Piled up 1051, 1052; Honey-stand, Phillips' 198; Honey- storage House, Mercer's 964; Hooper's Apiaries 539. 540. Incubator, Stanley's 446; Introducing-cage, Kint- ner's 240. Tamaican Bee-Keeping, Illustrated 487-490; 539- 543. Keyes' Bee-brush 596; Kintner's Introducing-cage 240. Lewis, G. B. 846; Logwood Branch and Blossoms 488; Logwood-tree 487. Martin Cartooned 99, 103; Martin, John H. 99; McManus Rabbet-spaced Frames 442; Mercer's Honey-storage House 964; Miller's Paper-covered Cover 632; Moore's Export Queen-cage 667; Mov- ing Bees at Medina 495; Moving Bees, aintrance- closing Device 675; Murray's Wheelbarrow 391. Nebel, J. 482; Nebraska Honey Flora 59-62; New- man, Thos. G. 280; Nuclei, Swarthmore's 19, 20, 21; Numbering-tags 445. Observatory Hive, Large 961. Palm, Royal, in Cuba 502; Paso Real 500; Phillips' Truant Swarm 920, 921; Phillips, E. F. 764; Pickled Brood 377; Piper's Swarm-catcher 535; Poison from Bee-stings 668; Pridgen's Queen-rearing Hive 231, 232. Queen Eggs, Development of 839, 840; Queen- ceils a la Stanley 883; Queen-cells Reared at Medina 725; Queen-clipping Illustrated 429; Queen-fertiliz- ing Box 537; Queen-mating Boxes 19, 20, 21; Queen- rearing a la Stanley 806; Queen-rearing Hive, Prid- gen's 231, 232. Rambler Cartooned 99-103; Rambler's Apiary in Cuba 499; Rambler's Cuban Apiary 400; Rambler's Portrait 99; Rambler's Slate 400; Rat-trap, Murray's 393; Reno, Nevada 1054; Residence and Apiary of Van de Mark 766; Reversible Extractor, Double Pocket 879; Root Co.'s Apiary in Cuba 501; Root, A. I., in Cuba 500, 501; Root, A. I., and Huber in Automobile 724. Salisbury's Wax Press 440-442; Sampson's Hive 248; Scraper, Swarthmore's 147; Scraping-boxes Swarthmore 147; Scraping-tool, Mack's 767; Section former and Foundation- fastener 697; Section-holder, to Nail 445; Section-press, Handy 448; Sections, Prize 492; Shed Apiary 719-722; Shed, Bee, Alex- ander's 719, 720; Smoker, Automatic Clockwork 1001; Smoker, Brodbeck's 434; Smoker, Breech-load- ing 886; Smoker, To Hold 432; Smoker, Vesuvius Improved 594; Smoker-hinge, Getaz' 879; Smoker- hook 432; Solar Extractor, Lamp-heated 594; Spanish Senoritas 502; Stakes for Hive-stand 392; Stanley Cages 806; Stanley Queen-cells and Stanley Gun- wads 883; Stanley's Queen-incubator 446; Staples for Fastening Hive-covers 430; Stevenson, Waldo, and Family 252; Stings, Bee, and their Effect 668; Swarm-catcher, Piper's 535; Swarm, Hiving 669; Swarm, Truant 920. 921; Swarm, Mammoth 803; Swarms, Runaway, I5rought Home on Bicycle 723; Swarthmore's Bee-catching Box 57; Swarthmore's Mating-boxes 19; Swarthmore's Queen-house 486; Swarthmore's Scraper 147; Sweet Clover on Coal- mine Dumps 765. Tacks, Double-pointed, for Fastening Covers 430; Tenement Wintering-case 239; Thwing's Method of Wiring 236; Thomas' Winter-case 882; Tool, Hive- scraping 767. Uncapping-device, Hochstein's 629, 848; Uncapping Nail-spaced Frame 765. Vesuvius Smoker Improved 594; Von Siebold 763. Watermelons in California 955; Watson's Dairy Barn 22; Watson's Ranch 22; Wax-press, Salisbury's 440; Wax-press, Spring 496; Wheelbarrow Springs 1012; Wheelbarrow, Murray's 391; Whitcomb, E. W. 59, 60; Wild Cucumber at Gandy's 61; Winter-case, Strawboard 882; Wire-cutter for Foundation 395; Wiring, Carr's Method 449; Wire Frames, Greiner's Method 677; Wiring Frames, Greiner on 801; Wir- ing, Young's Method 247; Women, Bee-keeping for 669. Young's Method of Wiring 247. Contributors. Aarons, C. M. 155; Achard, C. B. 188; Acklin, H. G. 428, 627; Adams, T. J. 546; Adams, N. 157; Ahlers, H. C. 248, 597; Aikin, R. C. 191, 286; Allen, Wilfred 65; Allen, J. H. 450; Alexander, I. S. 719; Alexander, L. 487; Alley, H. 158; Ames, F. 25, 341; Anderson, A. G. 448; Asam, H. 389; Astie, E. 443; Atchley, E. J. 717; Atwater, E. F. 106, 140, 687; Austin, L. P. 349; Avant, L. W. 930; Averill, B. F. 764; Avon, B. 450; Axtell, Mrs. L. C. 384. Bachler, J. 96G, 1012; Baldwin, J. W. 199; Bar- nell, J. 290; Barnhart, C. L. R. 966; Bassett, Nellie G. 61; Bates, G. A. 334, 398; Baier, J. G. 685, 847; Beauchamp, J. W. 1009; Bechly, F. 676; Beck, B. 1003; Bell, L. R. 18; Bellamy, J. R. 813; Bellangee, J. L. 595; Bender, C. F. 289, 626; Benoit, F. .^52, 682; Benton, F. 65, 327, 532, 684, 725, 768, 842; Bergh, L. J. 804; Bixby, J. L. 481; Blackman, J., & Son 626; Blaisdell, W. S. 927; Blake, C. 199; Blake, C. S. 230; Blake, E. L. 63, 150; Blakely, T. 159; Blayney, H. G. 669; Blunk, J. P. 626; Boardman, H. R. 875; Booton, H. 930; Bostwick, G. A. 596; Bowen, J. 846, 883; Bowling, W. 638; Bramel, G. W. 450; Bray, ]V.. 1012; Brewer, M. S. 626; Brockunier, W. W. 159; Brodbeck, G. W. 382, 433, 625; Brown, F. E. 57, 497, 683; Brown, R. M. 1016; Bryant, S. G. 344; Buell, S. D. 450; Bulkley, Mrs. R. 552; Burke, J. J. 967; Burnett, R. A. 590, 683; Burns, J. H. 767, 849, 885. Callbreath, J. S. 631; Campbell, S. M. 634; Can- oles, G. W. 681; Carr, H. M. 449; Carson, W. S. 188; Carter, C. K. 151, 245, 393; Gary, W. T. 45o, 482; Gary, W. W., & Son 688; Casselman, J. 152; Chalmers, D. 592; Chambers, J. E. 597, 959; Cham- pion Evaporator Co. 403; Chantry, T. 449; Chapin, R. S. 394; Charron, A. M. 345; Chenoweth, J. I. 188; Chesterman, Mrs. A. E. 595; Churchill, E. G. 397; Clapp, N. A. 404; Clare, F. P. 386; Clarke, A. A. 394; Clarke, F. H. 927; Clarke, L. H. 1009; Claxton, L. 687; Clemans, A. 288; Clifton, F. J. B. 6'i9; Clover, K. 537; Coggshall, W. L. 485, 758; Cogswell, F. H. 626; Coman, B. 290; Conklin, E. G. 481; Cook, A. J. 199, 287; Cook, F. P. 725; Cooley, S. 929; Cormac, J. 620; Coursey, J. A. 628; Craig, J. M. 332; Crane, J. A. 432; Crane, J. E. 627; Crawford, N. J. 344; Crowder, J. F. 1005; Crowell, C. A. Jr. 398; Crum, G. B. 395; Crust, W. R. 727; Cullum, G. 627; Culvey, J. W. 844. Dadant & Son 626; Danzenbaker, F. 99, 157, 628; Darby, J. J. 1014; Davis, J. M. 549; Davidson, E. M. 234; Davison, W. T. 725; Denman, G. H. 627; Dewitt, L. A. 847; Diamond, J. F. 107; Dibble, H. D. 188; Dickson, C. G. 62; Dierker, J. H. page 627; Doan, S. 152; Doolittle, G. M. 15, 637, 712; Doud, A. V. 809, 849; Dubois, E. 152; Dubois, E. G. C. 248; Du Bois, F. 156; Duley, G. W. 343. Eagerty, W. H. 1012; Eastwood, W. O. 158, 922, 1011; Eddy, F. L. 638; Ellenberger, G. M. 928; Ellsworth, R. H. 292; El wood, P. H. 143, 688; Emerson, G. L. 382; Ereanbrack, C. K. 550. Farrington, S. 626; Fatjo, A. E., V. B. 236; Fay, J. W. 146; Ferry, H. S. 64, 158; Finstad, J. 152; Fitz, Hart H. 842, 884; Fitzgerald, J. 552; Fixter, J. 846; Flanary, C. H. 725; Fleming, A. D. 11; Fouch, F. R. 155, 769; Fox, E. 596, 728, 764, 856, 1013; France, N. E. 627; Francis, E. N. 768; Frank, J. C. 188; Freeman, S. 404, 597; Frost, C. W. 688; Fuge, C. S. 807; Fuller, O. C. 683, 769. Gandy, J. L. 627; Gallimore, Rev. C. 967; Gates, C E. lOlS; Gathrignt, W. C. 552; Gehrels, W. B. 285, 839; Getaz, A. 547, 879; Gibbs, J. M. 289, 760, 880; Gill, M. A. 385; Gilliland, W. J. 342, 887, 956; Gilstrap, W. A. H. 331, 343, 550, 846; Golden, J. A. 808; Goodwin, G. E. 627; Grantham, B. 152; Gray, J. W. C. 847; Green, J, A. 138; GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Green, W. J. 813; Greene, C. N. 627, 847; Greiner, F. 544, 595, 677, 720, 728, 759; Greiner, G. C. 188, 238, 287, 325. 339, 494, 593, 633, 769, 801, 963; Griffin, J. W. 153; Griffen, S. J. 637; Guernsey, A. H. 396; Guyton, J. W. 759. Haines, G. W. 537, 688, 1014; Hairston, J. T. 151; Hall, B. 627; Hall, B. C. 681; Hall, B. D. 813; Hall, F. W. 449; Hall, J. P. 626; Hall, L. E. 62; Halter, A. J. 724; Hahman, W. 441; Ham- ilton, C. R. 444; Hamilton, J. C. 592; Hambaugli, J. M. 333; Hamm, B. 1018; Hammersmark, J. T. 343; Hams, C. S. 150; Hand, J. F). 105; Hanson, G. M. 397; Hardy, A. A. 682; Hardy, R. A. 850; Harts. M. 626; Harrison, Mrs. L. 686; Harvey, F. H. 930; Hatch, C. A. 628; Hawley, G. M. 444, 967; Hayes, C. F. 153; Heard, J. 345; Heberly, J. A. 344; Heinkel, A. 553, 850; Hendrick, G. R. 149; Herrick, G. 1013; Hershiser, O. L. 383, 435, 491, 627; Hertzberg, O. F. 930; Higgins, H. A. 628, 843; Hilbert, J. 798; Hildreth & Segelken 428; Hill, M. H. 930; Hilton. G. E. 627; Hinkley, G. E). 1044; Hoaglin, 769; Hochstein, C. F. 294, 401, 629; Hochstein, L. B. 848; Hocket, Louis 63; Hofifa, W. I. F. 597; Hoffman, F. H. 596; Holle, R. C. 443, 726; Hollins, R. C. 392; Holtermann, R. F. 94, 189, 284, 388, 915; Horton, R. D. 728; Howe, G. B. 678; Howell, E. D. 450; Hubbard, G. K. 334; Humphrey, F. W. 844; Hunt, M. H. & Son 627; Hutchinson, W. Z. 67, 446, 835; Hyde, H. H 14, 143, 338, 1014; Hyde, J. L. 685, 847; Inglas C. S. 24; Issel, C. H. 65; Jackson, S. B. 594; Ja cot, A. D. 550; Jameson, H. M. 553; Janes, W. M 63, 635; Jaynes, H. E. 726; Jenkins, J. M. 246, 595 Johnson, J. E. 97, 343; Johnson, M. G. T. 292 Jones, H. B. 106; Jones, H. L. 727. Keating, P. 842; Kellogg, Dr. J. H. 963; Ken nedy, B. 887; Kershaw, C. 724; Keyes, D. R. 246 536, 596, 837; Kilgore, A. J. 154, 188, 395, 930 1008; Kilian, E. H. 25; Kimball, J. 627; King, C R. 928; Kintner, C. V. 240: Knight, A. 65; Knight L. iv. 682; Knoeger, F. W. 1010; Knolle, A. H 154; Koehler, H. 679; Kretchmer, 628; Kuehne M. R. 392, 679, 925, 1011; Kyle, J. G. 247. Lacey, F. 160; Lammey, J. 971; Lane, A. 63 Larrondo, J. E. 553; Lathrop, H. 147, 337, 1019 Lathrop, W. W. 593; Laws, W. H. 105; Leach, L T. 884, 1011; Lee, A. G. 199, 584; Lehr, A. R 157; Leitenberger, J. J. 768; Lemaster, P. G. 767 Leyvranz, A. 681; Lilian, E. H. 150; Lilley, Bogar dus & Co. 628; Lindemuth, L. H. 636, 809; Little W. 253; Littlejohn, W. H. 805; Lockhart, F. A 103, 324; Long, I. 929; Lyte, J. W. 628; Lytte J. R. 156. Macdonald, J. A. 155; Mack, J. M. 767; Marlow A. E. 929; Marshall, M. 684; Marshall, W. G. 1010 Martin, A. L. 344; Martin, j. H. 288; Mason, J 626; Mason, J. B. 627; Massie, T. K. 496, 545 561; Matteson, I. C. 726; May, C. H. 559; Mc Adams Seed Co. 627; McCook, J. 695; McCarroll 842; McEvoy, W. 55, 288, 344; McGlade, F. 627 McGregor, A. 243; McKay & Stroud 626; McKeon J. 682, 767; M'Kellip, W. A. 335; M'Lean, D. A, 139, 588; McManus, T. 442; McVicker, G, 445; Measer, J. J. 626: Merritt, F. M. 626; Mid dleton, Geo. R. 149; Miller, A. C. 238, 340, 493 534, 632; Miller, C. 685; Miller, Dr. C. C. 243 343, 626, 804, 856, 964, 1008; Miller, F. J. 631 Miller, S. E. 627, 715; Miller, S. F. 157; Millie C. R. 247; Minchin, S. 164; Minnick, J. A. 848 Mohler, G. H. 569; Moore, H. F. 95, 956; Moore J. P. 393, 667; Morgan, F. W. 246, 853; Morrill F. L. 962; Morrison, W. K. 96, 141, 233, 336, 629 671, 799, 838; Morse, J. E. 69; Moyer, E. 887 Moyer, M. 237; Muckle, R. 292; Murphey, M. W 288; Murray, E. C. 753; Murray, J. W. 391; Mur ray, R. V. 393, 450; Muth, Fred W. 149. Naftee, W. C. 680; Nance, J. L. 849; Nebel, J. & Son 628; Newell, W. 241, 675, 680; Newman, M. L. 674; Nichols, M. D. 393; Norton, C. E. 805. O'Brian, Mrs. J. 345; Oliver, L D. 150; C.t, W. 447; Osburn, H. G. 670. Pace, H. M. 592; Page & Lyon Mfg. Co. 628; Parker, c. L. 876; Parker, C. F. 886; Parker, G. D. 682; Parman, L. W. 160; Patrick, W. H. 637; Patton, J. S. 551; Peak, S. A. 591; Pease, G. F. 849: Peck, S. A. 848; Peterson, R. 809; Petitt, S. T. 331, 548; Pettengell, C. H. 450; Phillips, E. F. 761, 839; Phillips, G. W. 490, 539, 919, 958; Phillips, H. B. 198; Phillips, M. H. 624; Pickard, W. T. 445; Pickup, E- 626; Pierce, C. H. 160, 498; Piper, H. 535; Place, G. H. 159; Policy, R. W. 188; Pouder, W. S. 626; Portland' Seed Co. 666; Pridgen, W. A. 231, 283; Proven, R. 592; Prillaman, T. H. 292; Prother & Arnold 627; Pulsier, C. F. 688. Quiren, H. G. 145, 498, 553, 968. Rauchfuss, G. 93, 625; Rawlins, T. F. 394; Rector, \V. E. 549; Reed. T. M. 188; Reetz, W. 806; Reno, J. T. 926; Reynolds, J. H. 728; Rhoads, M. P. 160; Rice, R. B. 626; Rice, W. G. 638; Riddell, J. B. 926; Rohrig, W. 625; Root, A. I. 380, 588; Root, E. R. 59, 99; Root, J. 445; Rose, D. E. 807; Ross, F. C. 807; Rousseau, L. C. 551; Rozelle, G. E. 594; Russell, H. H. 29. Saffell & Kerrick 628; Salisbury, F. A. 439, 627, 686; Sanders, H. E. 188; Savage, C. P. 804; Schaeffle, E. H. 152; Schneider, J. 97; Schrock, H. J. 1012; Schwarz, J. J. 595; Schwartzburg, E. H. 683; Scott, W. H. 151; Sears, H. C. 924; Secor, E. 52; Selck, W. W. 628, 769; Selser, W. A. 627; Shackelford, T. T. 807; Shearman, J. O. 800; Shepard, M. W. 841; Shirer, G. R. 150; Short, M. L. 637; Simmons, C. L. 681; Simpson, W. 768; Slayton, D. 341; Smith, A. W. 627; Smith, Mrs. E. E. 887; Smith, G. H. 635; Smith, J. A. 727; Smith, K. 929; Smith, W. P. 244; Smithkons, H. W. 148; Sniffen, C. L. 638; Snodgrass, R. L. 929; Snyder Penn Co. 144; Somerford, F. N. 918; Somerford, W. \V. 397; Sparhawk, N. A. 246; Stachelhausen, L. 54, 636, 714; Stafford, H. F. 844; Stebbins, Mrs. C. A. 447; Stewart, C. 106, 326, 441; Stewart, E. L. 497; Stewart, W. L. 160; Stinson, E. 10, 15; Strangways, G. W. 387, 675, 808, 928, 929; Strauli, A. 636; Suhre, H. W. 805; Swarthmore 19, 56, 147, 485; Swartz, R. H. 153; Swinson, A. L. 392. Tackaberry, A. B. 968; Talbot, F. 345; Tate, T. 626; Taylor, R. L. 769; laynton, R. W. 157; Terry, T. B. 569; Thomas, D. B. 103, .58, 882; Thompson, B. J. 627; Thompson, J. H. 98; Thompson, J. W. 390; Thwing, C. B. 235, 345; Tinsley, C. R. 1009; Tracy, W. J. 861; Tribbelt, W. E. 242. Ueck, Wm. 24; Union Hive & Box Co. 625; Utt, L. J. 597. Vassmer, H. O. 595, 804; Van de Mark, F. W. 765; Veith, A. 155, 498; Vickery, W. 626. Wager, D. I. 158; Walsh, J. 292; Warner, A. D. 551, 637; Washburn, F. L. 961; Watts, A. C. 761, 861: Wanford, D. 684; Weaver, A. 448; Weaver, V. 722: Webber, E. 597; Weber, C. H. W. 151, 228, 628; Webster, E. S. 247, 332, 445; Weingart, G. W. 25; Wessing Bros. 625; Weston, E. B. 153: Weston, G. B. 809; Wheeler, E. C. 626; Whitaker, E. H. 626; Whiting, J. I. 768; Whitney, W. 848: Whitney, W. M. 437; Wickson, B. J. 324; Wilber, V. 732; Wilcox, F. 849; Wiley, H, W. 53, 63, 532, 842; Williams, J. E. 626; Wilson, C. W. 244; Wilson, H. 597; Wilson, J. W. 448; Wilson, R. A. 638; Wimmer, Jacob 107; Wing, B. M. 25; Wise, J. S. 248: Wisterman, R. T. 398; Wolfe, A. D. 971; Woods, D. L. 926; Wood, D. 64; Woodman, L. C and A. G. 628; Woodward, C. E. 25, 295, 296, 395, 401, 592, 638, 927; Wood- ward. E. N. 484; Wright, A. J. 543. Yates. C. 253; Yoder, G. J. 103; York, G. W. 626; Yost, C. A. 243; Young, A. P. 25, 247, 398; Young, J. G. 638; Young, N. 634. Zahler, E. F. 718; Zimmerman, J. 1010. GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Our Homes and Notes of Travel. Alfalfa in Different Localities 412; Alfalfa on Michigan Soils 104; Aluminum v. Tin 811 : Apiary, Somerford's 397; Apiary, Starting, in Cuba 501; Apiary, Woodward's 294; Automobile Factory, Olds 729; Automobiles 557; Automobile, Cost of Run- ning 935; Automobiles v. Horses 731, 733; Auto- mobile Trip in Michigan 560, 770; Automobling in Michigan 560, 643, 688, 770, 932. Belmar Cave -455; Bees, Stingless, in Cuba 109; Bingham, T. F., Visit to 770; Boys, dealing with 504; Breakfast, None, in Cuba 163. Cabin in the Woods 554, 972; Cappings, To Render into Wax 161; Cardenas, Cuba 454; Clover, Sweet, Future of 1020; Cold, Catching, Terry's Theory 508; Consumption, To Cure 1020; Cook- ing, Root's Short Cuts 555; Crown, Neglecting 969; Cuba, Our Own Apiary in 108, 161, 249; Cuba, Travels in 66; Cuba, Two Days in 251; Cuban Apiaries and Managers 294, 293, 453, 499; Cuban Homes 109; Cuban Mission Work 201, 252; Cuban Travels 111, 200. Diet of Lean Meat 1019: Dollar for Looking Yi Second 349; Doolittle Queens in Cuba 295; Drugstores and Liquor 1018; Gardening in Cuba 346; Ginseng, Its Cultivation 36; Grand Canyon 810; Greenhouse, ^ Acre 505. Healing, Divine 559; Hicks and Weather Bureau 599; Hives, Log, in Cuba 499; Hochstein's Apiary 250, 293, 401; Honey, Selling on Sunday 971, 1017, Hottest Place in U. S. 812; Humbugs and Swindle* 404. Imagination Affecting Health 598. Language, Spanish 68; Lettuce Under Glass 505; Lippia Nodiflora 936. Maine as a Healtn Resort 349; Maple Sugar In Michigan 402. Onion, Giant Gilbraltar 164; Onions, Freaks of 349; Orange Nursery in Cuba 348. Pansy-bed 554; Paso Real, Cuba 499; Pineapples in Cuba 250; Plum, Sloe 936; Potatoes, Wintering in Michigan 559. Queens, Doolittle's 935. Rambler's Apiary in Cuba 349; Rambler's Death 451; Rhubard, Growing it in Winter 09; Shallots 412; Stealing Ideas 642; Strawberries in California 939; Strawberries, New Varieties 641; Strawberries, 500 from ^ Acre 506; Sugar-mills of Cuba 347; Suicide, Haste to Commit 453; Sunday on Saturday 1015. Temperance in Cuba 162; Temperance Matters 26; Tobacco Column 509; Town with Saloons, Ef- fect on Churches 772; Transportation Companies, Are they Soulless 639; Travels in California 933; Vetch, Sand 689, 813. Waterworks of Havana 456; Weather Bureau 506; Whisky Advertisements 507; Whisky Business, Treating 507; White's Advertising Agency 933; WilKin Sisters, Visit to 711. Yumuri Valley 456. Fig. 169.— The Root-German Steam Wax-pre.ss. Price $14.00. Shipping weight, 70 lbs. ROFITS. Many bee -keepers allow old combs and scraps of beeswax to collect, which, for lack of time and the proper utensils, are scattered or eaten up by moth -worms. A big item would be added to the year's profits by the timely ren- dering of said wax by an econom- ical process. We believe the press illus- trated herewith fills a long-felt want in rendering wax. B. Walker, Clyde, 111., says: Was inclined to believe at first that the German wax-press was a failure; but after a thorough trial I was well pleased. I secured 30 lbs. more wax from one day's use of the machine than I would have secured by the ordinary method of rendering". N. E. France, Platteville, Wis., State In- spector of Apiaries, and General Manager National Bee keepers' Association, says: The German wax- press is by far the best ma- chine or process to save wax from old black brood- combs. Manufactured by Uhe A. I. ROOT CO,, Medina, OHio, U. S. A. Volume XXXI JANUARY 1 1903 Contents Stray Straws, by Dr. Miller Pickings, by Stenog - - Conversations with Doolittle - Editorials 9 II 11 - 11 11 - 12 12 Pure-food Bill Ants and Pear-blig-ht Butterflies and Alfalfa - Alfalfa Cut Early or Late An Expert Deceived or Misled General Correspondence - - - . Bulk Comb Honey, dy H. H. Hyde 14 Winter Repositories, by Doolittle 15 Alfalfa for Horses, by L. B. Bell 19 Section- box Nuclei, by Swarthmore 18 Watson's Ranch, by E. R. Root 21 Heads of Grain ------ 24 Pear-juice for Winter Feed - 24 Winter Hives and How^ Packed 24 Bee Paralysis, etc. - - 25 Temperance Progress 26 By A. I. Root Our Homes - 26 By A. I. Root 14 /'■' \ jHEAJ.IlHilRooTCo ^ e MEDINA L(l^iN3 '^""" ^ * OHIO i) Western Edition Entered at the Postokkice at Mbdina, Ohio, as Second-class Matter. Ready for Your Orders! We have in stock ready for immediate delivery a Carload of Root's Supplies such as Dovetailed and Danzen- baker Hives, Cowan Extrac- tors, Sections, etc., etc. If you want Root's goods be sure to specify it in making- your or- der or inquiry. We also han- dle local-made supplies. Let us have your specifications early so we may not disap- point you when you need the supplies. Smith's Cash Store, (Iiicorpoialed) San Francisco, Calif. Colorado Bee-keepers 1 Get our prices before purchasing else- where. We are selling first-class make of goods at lewer prices than the cheaper goods can be purchased for. If requiring Hives, Sections, Honey- extractors, Shipping- cases. Knives, Hee Smokers and Veils, Comb Founda- tion, or any thing else in the line of BEE-KEEPERS^ SUPPLIES you should remember that The L. A. Watkins Mdsc. Co. Denver, Colorado, are headquarters for the State, and furnish local associations who can use as much as a carload at carload prices direct from the factory, or smaller lots from our well-furnished warerooms In Denver, at prices that defy comp/ti- tton for equal quality of goods. We are agents for The A. I. Root Com- i'any'h GrOODS for Colorado, and want to hear from bee-keepers in need of supplies. We buy honey and wax. I.r«t TJs Hear from Yot&« Bargains All goods advertised last month are sold. This month we have a few sec- ond-hand hives to sell. They have nev- er been used, are all set up and painted white. For prices and particulars write us. In a few days now we will have a new car of the very latest bee- hives, sections, smokers, bee - veils, foundation, extractors, and every thing for bee-keepers. Give the DANZENBAKER HIVE a trial for comb honey. You will be pleased. Send for catalog. t«^ ^ Carl F. B\icK, Ati^\ista, Kansas. Btxtler Cotxs\t>-. Announcement 1 We desire to call the attention of all bee-keepers in Washington, British Columbia, and adjacent territory, that we're now the Northv^-estern agents for The a. I. Root Company, and are prepared to furnish from stock here, and at other Washington points, any thing required by bee-keepers. Send your specifications early. If we do not have the goods wanted this will enable us to get them in our next car- load. Catalogs free. LILLY, BOGARDUS & CO., Seattle, Washington. Nonhern-grown Seeds, Trees and Plants, Poultry and Bee Supplies, Spray Pumps, Fertilizersand Garden-tools. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE Honey Column. GRADING-RDLES. Fancy.— All sections to be well tilled, combs straight, firm- ly attached to all four sides, the combs unsoiled by travel- stain or otherwise ; all the cells sealed except an occasional cell, the outside surface of the wood well scraped of propolis. A No. 1.— All sections well filled except the row of cells next to the wood ; combs straight ; one-eighth part of comb surface soiled, or the entire surface slightly soiled ; the out- side of the wood well scraped of propolis. No. 1.— All sections well tilled except the row of cells next to the wood ; combs comparatively even ; one-eighth part of oomb surface soiled, or the entire surface slightly soiled. No. 2.— Three-fourths of the total surface must be filled and sealed. No. 8.— Must weigh at least half as much as a full-weight section. In addition to this the honey is to be classified according to color, using the terms white, amber, and dark ; that is, there will be " Fancy White," " No. 1 Dark," etc. CTTY MARKETS. New York. — Not much demand for comb honey. Receipt.^ are not large, but more than is wanted now. We quote fancy, lora)l,5'-4; No 1. lS(a)14; buckwheat, 12(g)13>^. Beeswax, 28 o 29, and go d demand. Francis H. Leguett & Co., Dec. 22. Franklin and Varick Sts., New York. Kansas City.— Market steadv at quotati-ns. We quote fancy white, per ca.se of 21 sections, $;^ 50: No. 1, $3.40: No. 2 and amber, J3 2o. Hxtracted white, per lb , ~@~14; amber, tig 6^. Beeswax, 27(a30 C. C. Clkmons & Co., Dec. 20. 306 Grand Ave., Kansas City, Mo. Philadelphia. — Comb honey .selling very freely, with light arrivals We quote fancv white, 16(5117; No. 1, lo(a,Ur. No 2, 14. E.Klracted, f Micy while 8: amber, 6a»7. Bees- wax, firm at 30. We are producers of honey, and do not sell on commission. Wm. a. Selser, Dec. 23. 10 Vine St.. Philadelphia, Pa. Denver — Demand for both comb and extracted honey light, and we do not expect any imprrvemeiit until afte the holidays Fancj' white comb brings J3.50 per case of 24 sections: No 1 white, $3 lOfo «3 25; No. 2. $2.75. R.xtracted. 754rti8;^ per lb. Beeswax, wanted at 22'ai26, according to color. The Colorado Honey Producers' Ass'n, Dec. 2A. 1440 Markr t St., Denver, Col. Cincinnati. — The oomb-honey market is a little quiet, as a'most everybody is fill d up and there is hai-dly anv new coming fn. There is no change in piice-, and "e quote same as follows: Fanc\ water white 16; off grades le-s The market tor extrHcled white clover shows a slitht advance. Fa cv white clover brings H'-zi'' 9; al alfa waer white Vi^CafilA; am- ber, if anv thing, ha* weakened -quote same in bar- rels at 5}{'(a/)^A. Beeswax, 27ia 28 C. H. W. Weber, Dec. 22. 2146 Central Ave., Cincinnati. Ohio. S.AN Fr.ancisco. — Prices of honey remain the same as when last q oted. The season'.- hofey crop is now all ut of tht- hands of i>roducers; but as honey is only used as a flavoring for glucose there is sufficient on hand for that purpo.se, and as the compounding of glucose and honey is very profitable at present prices me whoUsale price is not apt to advance, save for comb honey. E. H. Schaeffle, Dec. 18. Murphy.s, Calif. New York.— The market on comb honev is dull and inactive While the supply is not large the de- m ind has fallen off to a large extent, and prices show a weakening tenden y. Fancy white, 15, No. 1, 14; No. 2, 13, buckwheat, 10cg)12. Extracted white, 754; lisfht amber, 6{4to7; dark, 5^(0.6. Beeswax, firm at 28'a29 HILDRETH & SECiELKEN, Dec. 23. 26.5-7 Greenwich St., New York City. For Sale. — I,ight and buckwheat extracted honey in cans and kegs; sample. 8c. I. J. Stringham, 105 Park PI., New York City. For Sale. - Extracted honey, from alfalfa, at 7Jic for No 1 select, 7c for No. 1, (j% for No. 2; discount on 1000-lb. lots. Send for sample. D. S. Jenkins, l,as Animas, Col. For Sale. — White extracted honey from alfalfa in 60-lb cans, at $4.50 each; light amber honey mixed with Rocky Mountain bee-plant, fine flavor, $4.20 each. Prices on small cans and pails on application. M. P. Rhoads, Box 216, l,as Animas, Colo. For Sale. — Alfalfa water-white honey, 60-lb. cans, two in a case, at 754c; fancy basswood in 2.j0 lb. bbls., 8c: same in 60-lb. cans, two to a case. 9c. We buy and sell for cash only. E. R. Pahl & Co., 294, 296 Broadway, Milwaukee, Wis. Wanted.— Beeswax ; highest market price paid. Write for price list. Bach, Becker & Co., Chicago, 111. Wanted. —Honey and beeswax. Mail sample, and state price delivered here. C. H. W. Weber, 2146, 2148 Central Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio. Wanted — Comb and extracted honey. State price, kind, and quantity. R. A. Burnett & Co., 199 South Water St., Chicago, 111. For Sale. —Extracted honej'. Finest grades for ta- ble use. Prices quoted on application Sample by mail, 10 cts. to pay for package and p istage. Orel I.,. Hershtser, 301 Huntington Ave., Buffalo, N. Y. For Sale.— Several thousand pounds comb honey in Danzenhaker 4x5 sections. .Shall commence filling orders in August. Wm. Morris, IndHoNE,Y •iAHD HOME. •1NTE.FIEST^ TublishedbvTHEAll^OofCo. ' , ia° PtRVtAR'^'\s)"^EDlNA•OHlQ• VoJ. XXXL JAR U 1903. Na J. Happy New Year! That picture of A. I. Root, page 1030, looks so natural that it makes me kind o' lonesome to have a good talk with him. A HORSK so bad with rheumatism that he was only fit for light work was badly stung by bees, and then he was as good as ever. — Prak. Wegweiser. A COLONY having 11 frames of brood in- creased in weight from May 2 to 6 33 pounds; another of nine frames increased only half as much! — Schweiz. Bztg. Was not that exceptional? With a fourth more brood I should expect more than a fourth increase of stores, but hardly twice as much. Pkof. G. de Bunge says in Zeitschrift fuer Biologie that, among the hydrates of carbon which serve as foods, honey holds an exceptional place. Of all the sugar}' matters, honey is the only one containing iron; and, strangely enough, almost exact- I3' in the same quantity as found in white bread. [Put this down as another point in favor of honey as food. — Ed.] You ask what more I want than shaking or brushing, Mr. Editor. I want some- thing ttiat will not deplete a colony of its bro d — its future bees. [But ^Yhen one practices the double-drive plan of return- ing all the hatched brood to the first drive of bees, he does not deplete a colony; and, if I judge rightl3% the majority of the shak- ers or brushers practice the second drive. — Ed.] I want that index for 1902. If I have to take my choice between that and the next number of Glkanings, I'll take the index; but I'd rather have both. [You shall have it. I suspect there are many others who have not written for the index who never- theless want it. We shall be glad to send them a copy any time they call for it. A volume of a periodical, without an index, comes next thing to being worthless — espe- cially so if time is any factor. — Ed.] Liixembtirg Bztg. relates that a number of drones and workers freshly killed were laid at the entrance of a hive in the even- ing. Nightingales came and devoured the drones but did not touch the workers. Is it not possible that some other birds have the same discrimination? [Quite likely, although I have seen king birds catch com- mon bees on the wing. The bee is caught at the waist, and crushed instantly. The bird then alights on a perch, and other ob- servers have said that his birdship chews away at his victim, keeping the sting al- ways out of his mouth, until he has ex- tracted the honey and the juice, and then drops it. This part of the performance I have never witnessed, although I have re- peatedly seen the act of catching. — Ed.] We were talking, Mr. Editor, about a colony that never thinks of swarming, and then, p. 1012, you say, "But the colony you think never thinks of swarming may swarm just the same." Well, you are incorrigi- ble. We were not talking about what / think. We were talking about a colony that never thinks of szvarming — not one that / think. I've no secret by which I can know that a colony will not swarm, but I do not despair of finding some feasible plan of dealing with a colony that will leave it without the desire to swarm, and such a supposed case I was talking about. [Right j'ou are; but, admitting all that, the apiarist must somehow have some means of knowing whether a colony will ever think of swarming. If you can not get that knowledge, then your never-think swarm has no practical value. — Ed.] Comparing South Florida with the North, H. F. Hill says in Review that in Florida bees consume vastly more stores; the period of a queen's useful life is re- duced about one-half; combs kept in an open shed from season to season as at the North would be destroyed within a very few days by the moth larvae; and whereas GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Jan. 1 in the North quantities of comb honey can be stored in the fall without fear of deteri- oration, "in the humid atmosphere of South Florida it would most likely become worthless as a merchantable product with- in a week after being taken from the hive." [This is a condition that prevails in other portions of our country that are warm. The bee-keepers in the extreme south do not need to worry about winter, but they do need to be concerned as to whether the bees have stores enough. — Ed.] Phacelia seed is advertised in Glean- ings, but no one has told us yet about its value as a forage-plant. If it has no value in that direction I wouldn't give much for the seed. [We had phacelia seed in our catalog some 20 years ago, but there was so little call for it that we dropped it out. Another thing, it is regularly advertised in the principal seed catalogs at from 5 to 15 cents a packet. You can get it of Thor- burn, Henderson, Childs, or Vaughan. They catalog several different varieties, but say not a word in any of them of its value as a forage-plant, although Thorburn says it is good for bees. If it has a value for stock, it must be that it has never been discovered until of late. Better buy a pack- et and test it, and see if the horses and cattle will eat it. It may be that, like sweet clover, they may be taught to eat it. —A. I. R.] You haven't the right answer to that linden-seedling conundrum, p. 1011. The seedlings come up under the row of 25 or more trees leading down to the road, and neither horses nor other stock have any chance at them. One tree is right in front of the house, and the seedlings come up in the grass, and then disappear the same as the rest. [Ernest's answer may not be 1 ight, but I insist that mine is. The seed- lings can not grow if hindered by grass and weeds, and especially where the mother- tree takes all the nutriment and moisture. Just as soon as there is a second leaf on, take them up and transplant them into a good rich bed. As their natural native home is in the woods, this bed should be shaded by trees in the hottest part of the day, or, better still, by a slatted frame of lath, just as we shade ginseng, evergreen seedlings, etc. I prefer the slatted Irame for shade, because, if it is in the shade of trees, said trees are liable to take the moisture and nutriment from the ground. Now, doctor, am I not right about it? — A. I. R.J The perforations in the cappings of foul brood, says the British Bee J., are be- cause the bees never finished capping the cells or for some unknown reason opened them again. At the Chicago convention I under- stood N. E. France to say that they were caused in some way by the gases of the de- caying larvas. Strange that so little seems known about it. By the way, I wish you could have heard that man France talk about foul brood. I was inclined to think it a mistake to give a whole evening to so foul a subject, but afterward concluded the mistake was in me. He made it intensely interesting. [From my own observation, after having examined hundreds and I might say thousands of specimens of foul brood that have been sent us by mail, I am strongly of the opinion that Mr. France is right. Around the perforation it will be noted that the capping has a greasy thin- ned-out look as if there had been a grad- ual disintegration of the wax until it be- came so thin at the center that a hole oc- curs. I have somtimes thought that the bees attempted to open up these cells, and, getting disgusted with their job because of the foulness of their contents, leave the cells barely opened. But I think the other theory is more tenable. — Ed.] Dr. Gallup has announced in American Bee Jotirnal the discover}^ of something like an unbilical cord in young queen bees, and the idea seems to be received with some fa- vor. C. P. Dad ant saj's in that journal: "If there is an unbilical cord — and there is one if Gallup and Doolittle have not mis- taken something else for it — it is time that our scientists found it. . . . But if there is an unbilical cord, it surely exists in all the bees." And if in all bees, why not in all insects ? The idea that some- thing playing so important a part in insect life— something that can be seen with the naked eye — should have entirely escaped the observation of all the keen observers who have studied the bee up to the present time is something past easy belief. It is easier to believe that somebody's dreaming. [Some way I can not enthuse very much over this umbilical cord. I did not suppose that the organ belonged to any but mam- mals. It appears to me that somebody is wading in deep water. — Ed.] Friend A. I., that "physical culture" business is a fine thing. You can't be in the best condition all over unless your mus- cles are worked all over. Many a dweller in the city might add 20 per cent to his life by joining a good physical-culture class. But 3'ou're just right, that a proper ration of physical labor at useful work out in the blessed country air is worth all the phys- ical-culture classes in the world. [The trouble with ordinary productive labor is that it is liable to oz'^r-develop one set of muscles, leaving the others neglected. Sci- entific physical culture aims to develop all the muscles alike, and not to overdo any of that developing. There are those, how- ever, who practice physical culture in their homes who very often overdo it. I may have more to say about this, as I happen to be one of those who are deriving a great deal of benefit from physical culture of five minutes a day in the house or outdoors. Every muscle and organ of the body is stimulated; and if I live ten years longer it will be because of that five minutes' prac- tice per day. If our readers desire me to give cuts and illustrations I will tell what I know, and not charge them a cent. — Ed.] 1903 GLEAXINGS IN BEE CULTURE. "e^ mmm To-day we start the glad new year With resolutions strong To do the right, to aim up high, And grapple w th the wrong. REVUE INTERNATIONAL K. The Szviss Bee Journal says, in speaking of honey as a cure for burns: A child two years old was severely burned on the arm, in boiling water. The membier was imme- diately bathed in honey, and wrapped in a linen cloth. The pain ceased immediately, and the healing was very rapid, the honey keeping the air from the burn. The ban- dage was changed ever}' day. It was easi- ly removed, without hurting the child, by first moistening the cloth with warm water. Mr. Kyburz, in the Swiss Bee Journal compares the Dad ant, Burki-Jeker, and the German (Normalmass) hives, they having respectively a capacity of 150, 100, and 55 liters. He finds that bees in the small hives never reach a normal force. A hive of 150 or 100 liters has its space better filled than does one of 55 liters. The weight of two colonies, one having 11 frames of brood, the other 9, shows for the first a net increase of 15,050 grams, and for the sec- ond, 7450 grams, from the 2d to the 6th of May. It now seems that one of the good medic- inal properties of honey is due to the pres- ence of iron — one of the indispensable ele- ments in pure blood. Prof. G. de Bunge, of Germany, says that, of all sugary sub- stances, honey alone contains iron; and, strange to say, the quantity is just about the same as that found in white bread. In 2 lbs. of liquid honey he found l7-hun- dredths of a grain of salt of iron; and for this reason honey occupies among the hy- drates of carbon, which serve as food, quite an exceptional place. The editor says one of the things most to be dreaded in the apiary is Monsieur le Mole. "The mole makes a nest of dry leaves in the hive itself, and there, finding food and shelter, it lives like a rat in a cheese. It eats honey. The mole is easilj' recognized. It has a tail as long as that of a mouse, but the animal is larger. Its skin is a beautiful white on the under side, and of a reddish brown on the back. It is still more remarkable for its eyes, which are large and prominent. It is a bad thief." It is a long time since any com- plaint has been made against the mole in this country. A little piece of wire netting would keep them out. A Belgian bee journal tells of a bee- keeper there who has discovered that some birds, at least, will kill drones but never touch a worker. He killed a dozen drones and six workers and put them on a board in front of a hive. This was to test the discriminating powers of the nightingale, which bird seems to be plentiful in that country. In a few moments one of these birds alighted on the board and took the drones but left the workers, seeming to know that the latter were loaded, and not fit for the crop of a bird. We could spare a few workers here for the sake of a few nightingales. ^J^eiofiboniyJleJdj By 5) RAISING QUEENS ; BEE- CAVES. "Good evening, Mr. Doolittle. I ran over a little while to-night to have a talk with you about something I am very much inter- ested in. I am thinking of going into the queen-rearing business next year; and in order to plan rightly I should like to have you tell me about how many queens can be sold from one nucleus colony in one month. If I can tell this it will help me in deciding how many nucleus hives to make this win- ter." "In answering this question, Mr. Jones, I will say that very much depends on the weather, the loss of queens when going out to meet the drones, more being lost some seasons than others, and whether you give the nucleus colony virgin queens or insert nearly mature queen-cells." "I did not suppose that I could introduce virgin queens successfully, so had not thought of the virgin-queen plan. Is such plan generally successful?" " Some practice the virgin-queen plan and are successful; and where this is done you might succeed in sending off three queens a month from one nucleus. But, either be- cause I am unskillful or my locality is different, introducing queens from one to three days old from an incubator or queen- nursery has proven an unsafe method with me, and one that causes more labor and worry than the time gained would compen- sate for." That is as I had expected it would be with me, from the few trials I have made with virgin queens, and that was the rea- son I asked about the success in the matter. Supposing I use the ripe-cell plan, how- many would I be likly to get in that way?" 10 GLEANIiXGS IN BEE CULTURE. Jan. 1 '* By using- the cell-plan, and having a system perfect enough so that the queen may emerge from the cell within twelve hours after being given to the nucleus, 3'ou will usually have a laying queen in said nucle- us in ten days from the time of giving the cell. Then in order to have your nucleus hold its own as to bees, this queen should be allowed to lay four or five days before sending her off." "Why should she stay so long? I should think she would lay enough in one or two days to keep the nucleus good." "Undoubtedly she would did the bees bring her eggs to perfection; but I have found that, as a rule, if the queen is taken away when the combs contain only her eggs, the bees will remove or devour the most of them;when if a part have hatched intolarvse, all will be preserved, and in this case our nucleus is strengthened in bees according as the queen lays eggs." "Then I shall not be likely to get three queens a month from a nucleus?" "No, I think not; for we have yet to con- sider the loss of queens on their wedding- trip, as hinted at before, when in some seasons quite a few fail to return, while others are sometimes balled on their return till they die, or are valueless, either for sending ofif or for home use; and anj' or all of these things make the matter of any cer- tain number of queens from any nucleus, in any certain time, very uncertain." "What has been your average?" "My average number from a nucleus, during the i>ast fifteen j'ears, has been about two a month, and that is about the way I feel safe in calculating. Some nuclei do bt tter, others not as well, so it is always well to calculate on having a few more nu- clei than you really think 3'OU will need to fill all orders; and even then if your case proves any thing like mine you will be obliged to return money for some unfilled orders at the end of the season." "Well, perhaps we have talked long enough on this matter. I think I can cal- culate very well from what I have learned. I now wish to ask you something about a winter repository for my bees for another year. I have determined that this shall be the last winter I will leave all of my bees outdoors, and I wish to commence operations this winter while I have leisure time to work." "What kind of repository did you think of building?" "There is a clay bank near my bee-yard. If I dig into this bank a hole some 24 to 30 feet long, 10 feet wide, and 7 feet deep, walling the same with stone, the front end of which will be out of ground considerably, will it be too damp for the bees?" "I think not if well drained, and proba- bly it would not be too damp if not drained at all, only so that the water may not come up about the hives, should a sudden freshet occur during the winter." "But do you not consider dampness in- jurious to bees?" "No, not under certain conditions. I be- lieve I am right in saying that none of the bee fraternity have ever positively proven that dampness is injurious to bees. May I ask a question? Is not a damp cellar the best to winter bees in? A moist air is pro- motive of health in our houses — why not in bee-cellars? In many places, schoolrooms are not considered fit for pupils unless there is a dish of water on the stove or other heat- er, continually giving moisture off into the air." "Is it not thought that dampness causes bee-diarrhea?" "It is so stated by some, but I believe dampness in winter repositories is one of the agencies in causing bee-diarrhea only when the temperature is so low as to con- dense the vapor on the inside of the hives and combs. In all of this talk on this sub- ject it would be well to consider the dif- ference in effect on animal life between a warm damp atmosphere and a cool damp one for cellar wintering. It is the cold damp atmosphere that is to be dreaded; and un- less that front end of }our proposed cellar is well covered with earth I should fear too low a temperature during cold spells in winter, which low temperature would cause the dampness to be detrimental to the bees. I should be much more concerned to have the temperature entirely in my control than about dampness." "What should the temperature be to se- cure the, best result?" "From 43 to 48 will do pretty well; but a steady temperature of 45 is as near perfec- tion as can well be obtained. Give me a cellar that will not vary from 45, and good stores, and I have little fear as to how the bees will come out in the spring. This I say after many j'ears of successful cellar wintering, and after watching others who have invariably wintered their bees well also." "Well, how can I fix that front end?" "After you have your cellar or bee-cave built, cover the front end over with from three to four feet of earth, and over the whole put a roof so that the dirt may be kept dry at all times of the year, and I think you will find you have something that will be a joy to you for years to come, no matter whether you have two hundred colonies or twenty to winter therein." "How deep would you go into the bank?" "The deeper and further back you go in- to your knoll the more even will the temper- ature be likely to keep; and the more even the temperature, if it is as high as 45 or above, the more successful will the bees winter. I have used successfully a cellar (very similar to the one you propose build- ing) for 26 years, with the exception of one winter when I used an oil-stove in it, when I lost heavily through the poisonous vapor given off into the room by this stove." "I must be going now, and I thank you for 3'our advice on all of the many points we have touched upon." 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 11 Wr have a larg^er amount of good availa- ble matter on hand awaiting- insertion in these columns than we ever had before. Some of it may not be published for two months yet. Those of our friends who have sent us some good articles will understand why they have been delayed. AN ENCOURAGING OUTLOOK FOR CALIFOR- NIA. M. H. Mendleson, of Ventura, Califor- nia, on Dec. 12th writes: " We are now having a splendid rain. Last season at this time the soil was nearly dried up." This year he saj's the ground is wet down nearlj' three feet, and present indications go to show that this will be the wettest win- ter the}' have had in 3'ears. This, if it means any thing, means that 1903 may be a big year for honey. ANTS THE CHIEF MEANS OF SPREADING PEAR-BLIGHT. The statement is made in American Gardenins:, referring to pear blight, that the blighted twigs exude a milk-white liq- uid ; that this fluid the bees are likely to get and spread to the flowers of healthy twigs which thej' may visit. The bees would have no occasion for sucking up the virus, and there is no use in la3'ing the blame on them, where common ants (very numerous in California where the blight is the worst) crawl all through it and thence all over the trees. While the bees maj' spread the virus from a diseased to a health}' blossom, it is extremely improbable that they should seek out the poisonous sap from a diseased twig. While I was in California looking through those great pear-orchards, so fearfully blighted, I saw ants in great numbers crawling all over the diseased and healthy twigs, and some of the twigs were covered with that deadly milky fluid. I believe the time will come when it will be proven that the bees are not the chief means of spread- ing the blight; that those ever-present ants, that are continually crawling over the trees from top to bottom, will be declared to be the real culprits. BUTTERFLY VS. BEE AS AN AGENCY FOR BLIGHTING PEAR TREES; WHAT THE BUT- TERFLY IS DOING IN THE WAY OF DE- STROYING ALFALFA, PREVENTING IT FROM YIELDING HONEY WHEN IN FULL BLOOM. Whii,e I was sojourning in Arizona I was told that one of the worst pests of the alfalfa was a little yellow butterfly that hovered over the great fields in such im- mense numbers that the air was almost yel- low with them at times. I was told that they would eat the blossom, injuring the plant and cutting off the exudation of hon- e3'. Now it appears, from an article in the Weekly Tulare Register, Tulare County, California, for Dec. 12, that the butterfly may be also responsible for the spread of pear-blight; and why shouldn't it be, when there are such countless numbers of them at just the right season of the year? Mr. A. D. Fleming, in the issue above named, has this to say: What has become of the Hanford fruit-men who are accusing Ihe houey-bees of spreading the ptar-blight? They said they were going to inclose last spring a few ot their pear-trees while iu bloom, those that were not affected with the disease, to see if the bee-, had not been spreading the disease. My fight is n t against the poor honey-bees, but for them. 1 want to know what we are g ing to do with the yellow butterflies that are abi ut lo starve the bees to dtalh. They are intermediate in size and when the alfalfa gets in bloom they &.■ e there by the millions to stay as long as the bloom lasts, and to suck the last bii ol sweetness out of the bloom. I should judge that there were enough alfalfa-blossoms on my ranch lo have made a thousand pounds or twoth' usa'nd of honey. But, alas! I ha\e only thiee .'■tands of bees; and evety time I ex- amined their sui ers ihey proved to be empty, Srtve one that made some 5 poui as of honey. It was about all they could do to live. The poor bees would come in from f'>raging so weak, so tiied. and perhaps hungry, th it they would fall down at the month of their hive exhausted, scarcely able to get in Starving the bees is not all that Mr. Butterfly has done He i)lighis the alfalfa bloom, which prevents it from seeding well, They are like the grasj-hoppers, worse in son.e places than others. They struck my alfalfa so hard that it was impossible for any of it to go to seed. Tulare, Dec. 10, 1902. A. D. Fleming. PASSAGE OF THE PURE-FOOD BILL IN THE NATIONAL HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Recent press dispatches show that this bill, which has been so long before the public, and for the enactment of which there has been such a strong demand, has finally passed the lower House by a good substan- tial majority. The majority is so strong that it would seem as if it ought to go through the Senate with a rush; btit it is very probable that, this session being a short one, the bill may be "held up" in committee by " influence " brought to bear by the food-mixers or glucose people. We would urge every one of our subscribers to write to his Senators, urging the support of this most excellent measure. Don t delay writing, but attend to the matter just as soon as you read this item. Go to your desk and write a letter at once. Let us keep the iron hot, for there is no more im- portant work before the bee-keepers of our leind just now than this. The following is a copy of the item in one of the press dis- patches: Washington, December 19. — The House to-day pa.ssed the pure food b 11 by a vote of 72 to 21. 'I here was not a quorum present, but the point was not raised by the op, onents of the measure. The s) eakers to- da\ were Messrs. R'chard.son (Ala.), Hepburn dowa), (iaines (Tenn.), and .Schirm (Md.), for the measure, and Mr. Chandler (Mi^s.) against it. The bill prohibits the introduction into any Stale or Territory or the Distiict of C'llumbia or from any foreign country, or the shipment to any foieign coun- try, of any article of food or drug which is adulerated or misbranded. The abjve inhibition is made to apply 12 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Jan. 1 Id any one shipping or delivering within the regions iidnied any such food so adulterated. Adulterations ill the bill are defined as follows: In the case of drugs, if sold under a name recog- nized in the United States pharmacopeia, and the drug differs from the standards of strength, quality ot puri- ty, as determined by the test laid down in such phar- macopeia at the time of the investigation, so that its strength or purity falls below the professed standard Under which it is sold; if it be an imitation of or of- fered for sale under the name of another article, and in the case of a confectionery, if it contain terra alba, barytes, talc, chrome yellow, or other mineral sub- ?>tances, or poisonous colors or flavors. In the case of food, when any substance is mixed with it so as to lower or injuriously affect its quality or strength so that such product when offered for sale shall tend to deceive the purchaser. If it is falsely labeled as a foreign product, or imita- tion of another substance of a previously established name, or which has been trade-marked or patented. If it consists in whole or in part of a filthy, decompos- ed, or putrid animal or vegetable substance, or any portion of an animal unfit for food, or if it is the proci- uct of a diseased animal or one that has died otherwise than by slaughter. GROWING alfalfa; ITS FOOD VALUE; IS IT A FACT THAT IT IS MORE PROFITABLE FOR THE RANCHER TO CUT THE ALFAL- FA BEFORE OR JUST AS IT BLOOMS THAN AFTER IT HAS GOT INTO FULL BLOOM? Bulletin No. 114 of the Kansas State Agricultural Colleg-e Experiment Station has reached my desk. It contains a great deal of valuable information on the subject of alfalfa-growing, and I only wish that I could publish the entire text of it. As it is, I find it possible to place before our read- ers only a few paragraphs from it. :«j In some of my late articles I have spok- en of the value of alfalfa hay as a food for stock. In one case I mentioned that 110 pounds of alfalfa hay was equal to 100 pounds of bran for nutritive value. On page 80 of the bulletin above mentioned there is a paragraph that bears directly upon this point, and here it is: COMPOSITION OF ALFALFA. The^foUowing table, compiled from Bulletin 103, 'ssued'by the chemical department of this Station, shows the per cent of digestible matter found in vari- ous feeds. The percentage is calculated on the mate- rial in the condition it would be found when fed: Feed Tested. i. ^ ^ ^ di U.a Eh Alfalfa hay, cut 10 per cent in bloom. 13.24 39.26 0.89 Alfalfa hay, cut half in bloom. . . 11.90 40.26 0.39 Alfalfa hav, cut in full bloom . . . 10.43 43 17 0.69 Red-clover'hay 6.58 35.35 1.66 Timothy hay 2.89 43.72 1.43 Prairie hay 0.61 46.90 1,97 Corn-fodder 1.98 33.16 0.57 Kafir-corn fodder 3.22 48.72 1 15 Wheat bran 12.01 4123 287 The digestibility of alfalfa hay, prairie hay, and Kaf- ir-corn fodder was determined in feeding experiments made at this Station by the chemical department. This table shows that in protein, the most valuable part of our feeds, alfalfa hay cut when one-tenth in bloom is worth ten per cent more than bran. In other words, a ton of good Kansas alfalfa hay will supply as much of the material needed to make growth of lean meat, milk, and blood as 2z00 Ujs. of wheat bran. The reader can easily make comparisons with other feeds. Kansas alfalfa can be rai.sed, cut, and cured and put in the feed-racks on the average farm for two dollars per ton. The large yield has already been shown in this bulletin. A consideration of the yield, the composition, and the cheapness of alfalfa should be a strong inducement to Kansas farmers to increase their acreage and handle their seedings of alfalfa in .such a way as to secure the largest yield and prolong the life of the plants. It has often been asked how to prepare the soil, how much seed to sow, etc. The following covers the matter quite fully, at least for the region of Kansas, and it would probably apply to all the territory in the semi-arid regions from Iowa down to Tex- as: If the soil and the air are moist, the most even stand is secured by sowing the seed broadcast. Cover light- ly with a harrow and then roll, unless there is danger from blowing. If the weather is dry or there is much wind, broadcast seeding is a failure. The seed ger- minates close to the surface of the ground, and the wind dries out the soil and kills the young plants al- most as fast as they start. Generally the best way to sow alfalfa is with a press-drill. Mix the seed with equal parts by measure of coarse corn chop, bran, or fine sawdust; drill anil cross-drill, sowing half the seed each way. If eithtr a hoe or disk drill is used, care must be taken not to get the seed too deep; about twelve times the diame- ter of the seed is the proper depth, if this places the seed in moist soil. The press wheels pack the moist soil closely around the seed, causing quick germina- tion. Occasionally a heavy beating rain will fill up the drill furrows before the seed has germinated, and bury it so deeply that the young plants die before they can get to the surface. In the fall of 1901 this Station lost 12 acres from this cause. This difficulty is not common. Alfalfa should be sown alone. It does not want a nurse crop. Sometimes a good stand is secured when alfalfa is .seeded with some other crop, but many times it fails utterly. Young alfalfa is a delicate plant, and it needs all the moisture, plant-food, and sunshine available; and usually, when it has to share these with another crop, it dies. But the all-absorbing question, the one that is i'}Hporta7tt arid vital to the bee-keeper located in the alfalfa regions, is whether it is good practice for the rancher to cut his alfalfa as or just before it cotnes into bloom. Two or three of our correspondents have said of late that there was no cause for alarm, that it was not profitable to cut at such a time. But the statements made in this bulletin would seem to indicate that it is profitable to cut it just as the plant first comes into bloom; and that means then that the bees will not get very much benefit out of it. The melancholy facts (melancholy to bee-keepers at least) are thus stated on page 65 : WHEN TO CUT ALFALFA FOR HAY. Alfalfa should be cut when not more than one- tenth of the plants have come in bloom. Cut at this early stage, the yield of hay for the season will be much greater than if the alfalfa is cut near maturity, and every pound of hay secured will be worth more for feed. We cut a strip through a field of alfalfa when one- tenth was in bloom; another strip was cut after full bloom had passed. The strip cut early was nearly ready to cut the second time when that cut after full bloom was being harvested the first time. The strip cut early grew vigorously through the season, and made three cuttings and a good aftermath. The strip cut after full bloom gave a low yield the first cutting, and did not grow sufficiently to yield a good second cutting. Early cutting invigorates the plant. The late cutting of the first crop seems to injure the plant more than at any other time, and we have found it profitable to cut alfalfa the first time as soon as one-tenth was in bloom, even though the weather was bad and we knew that the crop would spoil in curing. The increased yield from succeeding cut- tings over that cut late much more than makes up for the loss of the first crop. Successful clover-growers the first time they try al- falfa often ruin the stand, so that it has to be plowed up, by waiting to cut until it reaches the stage at which clover is usually cut. The great value of alfalfa is the large amount of 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 13 protein it contains, that material in feed that is abso- lutely necessary for the formation of blood, lean meat, and milk." The higher the protein in alfalfa the more valuatile the ciop I'he chemical department of thisS ation foi.nd the effect of cutting alfalfa at dif- ferent stages as follows: Protein. One-tenlh in bloom IS 5 per cent. One-half 'n bloom 17 2 In full bloom 14.4 The Colorado Experiment .Station found the effect of cutting alfalfa as follows: Protein. Coming in bloom 18.5 per cent. Half in bloom 14. ti In full bloom 12.9 The I'tah Experiment Station for five years cut al- falfa at different stages of maturity, and fed the crop in producinu beef. The average production per year per acre was as follows: Hay. Beef. In fir«t bloom 5.35 tons. 700 lbs. In full bloom 4.00 •' 562 " Half blooms fallen ...4 55 " 490 " These experiments made in three States — Kansas, Colorado, and Utah— prove that alfalfa cut in the first bloom will give the greatest yield and feeding value. HOW TO CURE ALFALFA. The leaves of alfalfa contain nearly four times as much protein as the stems, a ton of dried alfalfa leaves containing as much protein as 2800 pounds of bran. Every effort, then, should be made to cure the alfalfa in such a way as to save all the leaves possible. The method of curing will vary with the condition of the crop, ground, and weather. When alfalfa has made a slow growth, and at the time of cutting the ground and the weather are dry, there is no difficulty in cur- ing. Often, under these conditions, it is safe to rake within a few hours after mowing, and stack a few hours after the alfalfa has been put in the windrows. When alfalfa has made a rapid growth, and is rank and succulent, and the weather and ground are damp, the problem of curing is a difficult one. It is easy to dry the leaves, but the stems will contain much moist- ure after the leaves are too dry. Alfalfa hay should become so dry before stacking, that, when a handful of stems are twisted together, no water can be squeez- ed out The most practical way to accomplish this, and at the same time save the leaves, is the p'an to adopt, and this will vary with different seasons and places. There is usually no difficulty in curing any but the first crop. When the conditions for curing the first crop are unfavorable, we have usually found the most practicable methods to be to cut the alfalfa early in the morning, after the dew is off, allow it to barely wilt in the swath, then rake, and before night put in tall narrow cocks After the dew is off the next morn- ing, and the surface of the ground has become dry, we open these cocks carefully, so as not to shatter off the leaves. If the weather is favorable the hay may be stacked in the afternoon ; if not, we recock carefully, and repeat treatment until the hay is properly cured. It was M. A. Gill, I believe, who said we need have no cause for alarm; but when one reads very carefully what is said in this bulletin here quoted he is led to wonder if it is not true after all that the bee busi- ness in the alfalfa re<,''ions will, after a while, become less and less profitable. If the statements contained in this bulletin are true, the rancher will look to his own inter- est rather than that of the bee-keeping neighbors round about him; and if he can get help enough at the right time he will cut his hay just before it will be of any value to the bees. cells built at least in part by the bees them- selves. So far, so good; but next appears the following remarkable statement: Honey is subject to much adulteration, the adulter- ants (and substitutes) being glucose, cane sugar, and invert sugar, and mixtures of these. " Honey in the comb " is frequently glucose which has acquired more or less honey odor and flavor by being poured into comb from which the genuine article has been drained. It is bad enough to have lies circulated about us and our business by the ordinarj' newspaper; but when a supposedly expert man, who is expected to know and under- stand his business, takes hearsay evidence like this and puts it forth as sober scientif- ic fact, the matter is still worse. A marked copy of this will be sent to the State Chem- ist, Prof. B. W. Kilgore, who, we hope, will rectify the statement in the next issue of the bulletin. If he thinks it is possible to pour glucose into comb and then cap it over by machinery or by any process what- soever, so that the stuff will deceive the public or any one else (for that is implied as a result also), we should like to have him prove the fact. Yes, we will pay him one thousand dollars in gold if he can dem- onstrate that it can be done. Glucose is too thick and too mucilaginous a substance to be poured into comb in such a crude manner as that. In fact, it will hardlj^ pour at all, to say nothing of running into the cells, expelling the air, even if it would be possible to cap the combs over afterward by^ny art known to man. We trust that Prof. Kilgore will do us the kindness to look into this matter a little further. AN EXPERT DECP:IVED OR MISLED. In the Bulletin of the North Carolina State Board of Agriculture at Raleigh, for September, appears a statement to the effect that pure honey maybe defined as a nectar of flowers and other saccharine exudations of plants gathered by bees, and stored in ARE BEES NECESSARY FOR THE FRUIT-GROW- ER AND GARDENER? We extract the following from the Ameri- can Agriculturist for Nov. 29: The cucumber blossomed, but that was about all. Some grew }4 or Ji inch long, and then shriveled up. Mr Bunce thinks this result was owing to the flowers not being fertilized in the natural way through the agency oi bees. When the doors of the tent were open- ed the bees came in freely, and after that some cucum- bers grew large enough tor small pickles. Before the bees entered not a single cucumber set. The melons did not do well, but this might be partly in conse- quence of their having been planted late. The presence of bees in a tent is considered by Mr. Bunce indispensable to success. He thinks if the doors of the tent were left open in the middle of the day, bees would come in. When asked if other and unwel- come insects would not also enter, he replied that the moth producing the tobacco-worm flies only at night He savs strawbei > les have been grown under cloth on Long island with brilliant success, the fruit maturing two weeks earlier than in the open. But bees must be allowed free entrance. The article is headed "Growing Vege- tables Under Glass," and gives a record of a number of recent experiments. I have clipped only a small part of the article, and mainly to show not only the value of the bees but the absolute necessity of them un- der some circumstances for a successful crop ; and in regard to this matter of cloth protection our readers ma}' remember the report I made from our Ohio Experiment Station. I think there is a new field open, of considerable promise, for growing manj- products under cloth. — A. I. R. 14 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Jan. 1 BULK COMB HONEY. Its Demand; Its Production Profitable. A few years ag'o bulk comb was practi- cally unknown; but to-day there is scarcely a bee-keeper in the United States who has not heard of it and how it is produced; and it is now the principal product of the Southwestern Texas bee-keepers. Its pro- duction is rapidly graining" ground, not only all over Texas, but is gaining a footing- in Nebraska, Colorado, and Utah. The de- mand from the consumers for this article is rapidly g^rowing, and is keeping far ahead of its production; and of this fact the bee- keepers are rapidly catching on. There are many reasons why it is gaining a hold with both the consumer and the producer, and especially the former. When the con- sumer buys a can of bulk comb honey he feels sure that he is getting a pure sweet, just as the bees made it. He feels that he is getting full weight, and he knows that he has bought it at a less price per pound than he could have bought section honey. Then he has his honey in a nice bucket where the honey can not break or lose out when cut into; and when he has eaten out the honey he has a useful pail left. These are some of the reasons why the consumer prefers bulk comb honey to section honey. I am talking of the majori- ty of the people. Of course, there are the wealthy who will always buy a limited quantity of section honey because it is high in price and has to them a fancy look. Bulk comb is produced in either full bod- ies or shallow Ideal supers. If the former is used it is hardly practical to fasten in full sheets of foundation, as the frames can not be wired because we expect to cut the honey out; but with the Ideal frames we can use full sheets if we so prefer. Ideal supers and frames are preferred generally, because they are not so large, are not so heavy to handle, are nearer the right amount of room to give a colony at one time, and they can be freed of bees much quicker than full bodies. To free them of bees we simply smoke down between the frames well, and then pry the super loose and jounce it, when it will be found that most of the bees will fall out. They can then be stacked up and a hole left at the top, when in two or three hours' time the last bee will have left the supers. Then, again, the supers and frames are nice for extract- ed honey, should the bee-keeper in any event desire to so use them; and, in fact, in putting up bulk comb it requires about one third extracted hone^' with which to put the comb up. In packing bulk comb we cut out the comb nicel3' and place it in the cans, and after- ward pour in extracted honey to cover the comb and fill up the crevices, and in this way about one-third extracted honey goes in; and it must be remembered that this ex- tracted honey goes in at the comb honey price. It has been found both practical and profitable to produce both comb and extracted honey in the same apiary, and, in fact, on the same hives at the same time; for many have found that it pays them to h.ive one super of combs on top of the regu- lar brood-nest so that the queen may fill it with brood before the honey- flow, if she likes; and when the flow comes these su- pers catch the first nectar; and as soon as the flow is on and the bees have commenced to secrete wax, this super of combs is lifted and the empty frames of foundation placed between them and the brood, which is the most effectual way of baiting bees into the supers; and it will be found that, where colonies are so worked that swarming is kept in check, if not entirely preventC'l, the queen is left in entire possession of the reg- ular brood-nest; and by the time the flow is over, the brood will have hatchf^d from the shallow super of combs, and the bees will have filled it with extracted honey; and this is just what we shall want in put- ting up our comb honey, as we have al- ready shown that at least Ij the honey must be extracted with which to pack the comb. It has been demonstrated time and again that bees will store all the way from 50 to 100 per cent more honey when worked for bulk comb than they will when worked for section honey; and many believe (the writer included) that, where the bees are worked as outlined above, nearly if not quite as much bulk comb honey can be pro- duced as could be produced of extracted honey alone; and especially does this hold sfood where the localities have fast flows of honey, in which a great amount of wax is always secreted, whether there are any combs to build or not. We will now show the relative cost of bulk comb to section honey. When we buy bulk-comb supers and frames we have bought them to use for years; when we buy sections they are for only one season's use, whether they are filled with honey or not. Then we have to have costly separators, followers, etc., that soon give out to be re- placed. When we go to ship we have to have costly glass-front shipping-cases, and these cases in turn are packed in crates for shipment. When we pack section hon- ey we have to take lots of time and patience to scrape the sections. When we pack bulk comb honey we buy cases of cans and cut the honey out into them. When we get ready to ship we have to pay a high rate of freight on section honey, and run the risk of having a good part of it badly damaged or destroyed altogether. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 15 When we ship bulk comb we gfet a low ex- tracted-hone}' rate, and have the assurance that it will go throug-h as safely as if it were extracted honey. When we go to pre- pare supers for the harvest, all we have to do to our bulk comb supers is to scrape the top-bars a little and fasten in the founda- tion; but with section honey we have to make up shippinf^'-cases and sections, and spend a long- time putting the foundation in just rig-ht. When the supers are put on, the bees go to work in the bulk-comb supers at once, and in a big' cluster, thereby for- g^etting^ to swarm; but with section supers the bees have to be carefully baited and coaxed into the supers; and when they g^et there they are cut oft" into 24 or more small compartments which the}' have to tr}' to keep warm; and to get them sealed out to the wood we have to crowd the bees, there- by losing- honey. By crowding- we lose as much honey as we do when the supers are first put on by reason of the bees being- slow to enter the sections. Just how much honey is lost by the bees being- slow to en- ter the sections, how much is lost by crowd- ing-, and how much is lost by swarming, I am unable to saj': but it is considerable. You maj' take the items in the production of the two honej's from beginning to end, and there is not an item that is not in favor of bulk comb honey, except solely in the matter of price received; but, friends, where unbiased men have tried the pro- duction of the two honeys side by side, and carefully taken into consideration every factor, they have invariably found that they can make at least 50 per cent more money producing bulk comb; and many have placed the per cent much higher. There is another fact: Not one of the men who once quit section honey has gone back to it. We were ourselves large section-hon- ey producers several years ago, but have been converted, and have disposed of most of our section-honey supers, and to-day have a large pile of them awaiting a pur- chaser. You may say, "I have no trade or de- mand for bulk comb honey." I will say that all j'ou have to do is to produce it and offer it for sale, and you will soon have a trade that nothing but bulk comb will sat- isfy'. You may say, "But I shall have to ship my honey, and what then? There is no market for this new product." I will say, take your honey to the cities and offer it yourself, and you will find a ready and appreciative market, and one that will next year demand more bulk comb, and the gro- cers will have to order their supplies from you. There is no question that a market can be found. The bee-keepers of Texas have found a market for more than thej' can produce, and I take it that the bee-men of other States have the same intelligence and the same " get up and get " that the Texas bee- men have. The packages used in putting up this ar- ticle are now most largely 3, 6, and 12 lb. tin friction-top pails that are put up in crates holding 10 of the 12-lb. cans; 10 of the 6-lb. cans, and 20 of the 3-lb. cans. There is also some demand for bulk comb in bO-lb. cans, 2 in a case, the cans having 8-lb. screw-tops. These are sometimes or- dered where the buyer desires to put the honey into glass packages for a fancy trade. In conclusion, I wish to refute the state- ments made, that the production of bulk comb honey was the old-fogy way of honey production. I assure 3'ou that it is not, and that it requires as much skill and as fine a grade of honey as it does for section honey. I also assure j'ou that the consumers are behind this move, and that it is only a question of time when the production of sec- tion honey will almost have disappeared. Should there be any who read this, who desire further information, I shall be glad to give it. Floresville, Tex. [In my southwestern trip of a year and a half ago I was fully convinced that bulk honey or chunk honey was getting to be more and more in vogue, both among pro- gressive bee keepers and the consumers themselves. Still, I found some bee-keepers who thought it would be better to educate the consumer to the use of section honey, believing there would be more money in the production of such an article. But I must admit that Mr. Hyde has advanced some very strong arguments in favor of chunk honey; and why should we bee-keepers not cater to the various demands? One locali- ty will use large quantities of candied ex- tracted honey; another will use nothing but crystalline liquid extracted; still another, fancy comb honey; still others dark honey, almost as black as black strap itself. Ca- ter to what the locality calls for, — Ed.] ABOUT WINTER REPOSITORIES FOR BEES. The Question of Temperature and Moisture ; Venti- lation vs. no Ventilation. BY G. M. DOOLITTLE. It is often well to take a look over the past at the end of the year, to see if we have made an advancement, stood still, or gone backward; and if we have stood still or gone backward, then we should make an effort to do better during the year to come. These thoughts presented themselves to me on reading of late, pages 1.^4, 187, 2^4, 323, 337. 364, 371, 373, 374, 375, 383, 387, and 475 of Gleaninhs for 1902, on all of which will be found items of more or less length per- taining to wintering bees in special reposi- tories, such as consumption of stores, un- easiness of bees, setting out for a flight, opening and closing doors, etc. From the reports given on many of these matters I c3 degrees above zero. When I next went in we had had a month without the snow even softening in the shade, while much of the time during this month the mercury had stood at from zero to eight below, yet I found the temper- ature inside the cellar at exactlj^ 45 on en- tering it. Then in the spring it had been so warm from March 20th to the time the bees were set out that all of those 10 to 15 foot snowbanks, spoken of on page 187, were all gone, and the grass quite green; but in going into the cellar to commence setting the bees out, a look at the thermometer found it standing at 45^, or the same it was soon after the bees were set in the fall pre- vious. Here allow me to digress again. Mr. Bingham says (page 387), "The tem- perature of the earth laelow the frost-line is between 32 and 34, yet Mr. Doolittle has no trouble in keeping his bees at about 50. How is that 10 to 20 degrees of heat obtain- ed? I need not say by the consumption of honey — every one knows that." Years ago, when discussing this wintering prob- lem, James Heddon told us that the temper- ature of the earth a few feet below the frost- line was not far from 42 the year around; and from many experiments made I proved that Mr. Heddon was correct. And as the back end of my bee cellar or cave is ten feet under ground, and over all two roofs, be- tween which there is from three to four feet of dry earth, the temperature therein rare- ly goes lower than 42 when it is shut up, whether there are any bees in it or not. Hence Mr. Bingham's 10 to 20 degrees melt away to only three that the bees have to warm by the consumption of honey. And the strange part of the matter is that both Mr. Bingham and Editor Root think I would be so much better off if I would put in a great big ventilator to run the warm air, which the earth gives, out into the cold, so that I could have the pleasure of having each colony consume an average of 14 pounds more of stores each winter, to say nothing of the extra work of attending to .ventilators, opening doors, and setting the bees out for winter- flights, besides having a part of them come out weak in the spring, or fail entire- ly, as Mr. Bingham admits a part of his did, on page 475, and all for the sake of getting rid of dampness or moisture! Let me repeat again, gentlemen, that "damp- ness does no harm to the bees so long as the temperature is right." And many of the colonies, nearly half, were made up of united nuclei used during the summer for queen-rearing, all of which came out in excellent shape, and built up 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 17 to good colonies early in the season, in spite of our unfavorable and wet spring-. While Editor Root was reporting his bees uneasy and roaring, only as the doors were open- ed, my bees were as quiet as they were in December, and the loss of bees on the cellar bottom was scarcely more than six quarts during their whole stay in the cellar. No, no, gentlemen; until you give abetter report than you have done I can not afford to put in one of those great 16-inch-square venti- lators— no, not even for the sake of testing the matter. But I do not have the least ob- jection to Mr. Bingham, Editor Root, and all others who are so inclined, shutting their ventilators entirely for a week or two, or putting their repositories in a condition where an even temperature of 45 degrees is maintained, for "the sake of testing the matter;" for by so doing they may see their way clear not to advocate a backward movement as they did the first half of 1902. In closing I wish to notice a little argu- ment of E. R. Root's which is based on a fallacy. It is found on page 375. The ar- gument is based on the mistaken idea that during winter "the temperature of their (bees) bodies is about the same as ours or any warm-blooded animal." I think, now that I call his attention to the matter, Mr. Root will remember that, in the experiments which I conducted several years ago, dur- ing two winters, with a self- registering thermometer, conclusive proof was given that, at all times when in winter quarters, when the bees were in a state of quietude so conducive to good wintering, and when no brood was being reared, the temperature inside the cluster was only from 63 to 65 degrees; while when in uneasiness, or when brood was being reared, the temperature of the center of the cluster went up to from 95 to 98 degrees, or to about the temperature of the human body. This shows the reason of the great consumption of stores where bees are uneasy and go to brood-rearing, in that they have to "burn" honey to raise the temperature of the cluster from 63 to 65, up to 95 to 98. And with this extra con- sumption of stores usually comes out of season brood-rearing, rapid wearing-out of vitality, bee diarrhea, spring dwindling or death, or both. It is a very rare thing that any brood is found in any of my colonies when first set from the cellar, but during the next three weeks the hive sare filled with brood to an extent never obtained by those which have become uneasy and brood- ed out of season. And as the bees which may survive from this out-of-season brood- ing are practically of no use it is far better that the bees keep quiet, with no brood till spring is fully open, and then go to brood- rearing with a will, using their stores and vitality in perfecting bees which, when coming on the stage of action, count from the start toward a prosperous season. Think the matter over, brethren. If I am at fault, don't follow me. If right, I shall have added my mite to the sum total of the knowledge gained thus far in our pursuit. And these winter months are just the time to do lots of hard thinking along apicultu- ral lines. Borodino, N. Y. [Mr. Doolittle has one condition that most of us do not and can not have; and that is, absolute control of the temperature of his bee-cellar; for he says he has a varia- tion of only half a degree, notwithstanding the outside temperature varied from away below zero to a warm atmosphere and green grass. Absolutely uniform temperature like this was impossible in our machine-shop cellar, which varied all the way from 38 up to 55 and even 60. But Mr. Doolittle is laboring under a se- rious misapprehension if he supposes our cellared bees consumed 20 lbs. of honey per colony. The consumption of honey was be- tween 5 and 8 lbs., notwithstanding the fact that heavy machinery was rumbling over them during the day. The bees did not have more than 10 or 12 lbs. per colony to start with; yet very many of them had half that amount of stores left, and came out in the spring in good condition. If Mr. Doolittle were to have a variable temperature I am strongly of the opinion that he would have to have copious ventila- tion at night. When I suggested more ven- tilation for his cellar I was not aware that he was able to keep so exactly an ideal temperature — 45 Fahrenheit. It is not to be supposed that he would get any better results than he now does, if his consump- tion is only about 6 lbs., and the bees keep perfectly quiet. Our bees in the machine-shop were per- fectly quiet so long as they had ventilation at night, no matter if the temperature did not go up as high as 55 Fahr. They would lie in dormant clusters, thus contracting according to the temperature of the room. The great mass of bee-keepers do not have conditions that are ideal; and I there- fore think my advice to give plenty of ven- tilation, especially where the temperature is variable, would mean better wintering — much better — than if that same cellar were shut up tight. For example, the bees at" our outyard cellar were shut up practically tight all winter, and yet they had dysente- ry, and wintered badly. Then, too, it is important to give flights toward spring— one or two — with just such cellars. I am not able to speak in regard to the conditions that exist in the case of Mr. Bingham and his cellar, and he will doubt- less speak for himself. With regard to the temperature of the earth, my own experiments about 20 years ago, of letting a thermometer down into va- rious wells all over Medina, the thermome- ter being drawn up in a bucket of water, showed that the temperature of the water 10 or 15 feet below the surface of the ground was about 45. Assuming that the air from the surface would warm up the water to some extent, it was reasonable to conclude 18 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Jan. 1 that a temperature of 42 Fahr. would be about the temperature that prevails in Me- dina soil. Mr. Doolittle sug-g-ests that we shut our cellars up a week and note results. We did do that repeatedly last winter and the winter before; but with a rising- tempera- ture during- the day, due, no doubt, to the warm steam heated room above, the bees would get uneasy. Referring to my statement on page 375, I would say that I referred only to the condi- tions that exist in our cellar with its vari- able temperature. — Ed.] ALFALFA. Full-grown Hay Better for Horses than the same Amount of Young Feed. BY L. B. BELL. I wish my mind were as free from fear of the "bogy" of early alfalfa-cutting- as our Colorado friend Gill's seems to be from his comforting- letter in Nov. 1st Glean- ings. After reading- his article I thought we had all "borrowed " considerable trou- ble over the matter, and it was with a light heart that I pitched into an old rancher here (a well-posted Yankee, growing alfal- fa as a business). I managed to retreat in fairly good order, but with the impression on my mind that one of us had been misin- formed on this subject, and I longed for a reserve force of experiment-station reports to fall back upon for reinforcements. His statements were in effect that nearly every experiment station in the alfalfa-growing region had reported that alfalfa contains the greatest amount of "protein" when only one-tenth in bloom. Now, one thing is certain with me— that this rule was pretty generally followed this year in this locali- ty, with the result that I secured only one- fourth of a honey crop. I wish this question could be settled con- clusively. There is too much difference of opinion on the matter. I find the difference even among alfalfa-growers, and the argu- ments pro and con lead me to believe that the question can be settled, and settled in favor of the bee men, especially in localities where the hay is used largely for feeding horses. I know this much about the matter: You couldn't run fast enough to give a livery- stable man a load of alfalfa to feed horses for fast driving. Why? Because the qual- ity varies so on account of the difference in the time of cutting that they have formed a prejudice against the hay, and will not feed it if they can get any thing else. Horses fed on alfalfa cut before the first seed be- gins to form are not fit for hard driving; and work horses fed on alfalfa a tenth in bloom are soft and washy, with no endur- ance or strength. It is entirely too laxative for horse feed. These I know to be facts in which practi- cal men will bear me out; so you can save them to put in your digest on this subject, which I hope you may see fit to prepare, or have prepared by some one competent to do so, as soon as we can get it settled on suffi- ciently solid ground, and know just what we are talking about. Some argue that horses will not eat all their hay when the alfalfa is overripe, as the stems are too tough and woody; but they have in a large measure jumped at a conclusion, and a wrong one. If I am not mistaken, a gov- ernment ration of hay is 18 lbs. per day; but if the hay is cut before maturity, a horse will eat 30 lbs. or more, and still be hungry, because of the lack of nutrition in the hay; while a horse fed 25 or even 18 lbs. of mature hay will probably leave some of it, not because it's woody and tough, but because he has been sufficiently nourished; and a horseman who understands his busi- ness will not hesitate long on which one to take out for a long drive or hard long pull. What Mr. Gill says in regard to the val- ue of alfalfa cut in full bloom coincides with my experience and with that of most practical men who reason things out; but I suspect that that "fountain of wisdom," the experiment station, sometimes puts out opinions evolved by a process of experiment- ing so exhaustive that there has been no time nor strength left for thinking. I have written to our experiment station to find out what they think about it; and I would suggest that the editor of Gleanings also write to each of the several stations in the alfalfa-growing region, and get such data as may have been issued, or any re- vision of opinion which they m.iy make. I doubt the wisdom of saying much of the bee men's interests in the circular, as many men (I am sorry to say) are just selfish enough to look with distrust upon any ad- vice coming from such source, and would rather lose something themselves than have any of their fellow-men get something iff their land for nothing. There would be several economic points to be considered, such as the extra amount of irrigating required to make up the weight in the crop: also the extra running over the ground with mower, rake, etc. Camp Verde, Ariz. [In this issue, in the editorial department, I hrive already made liberal extracts from the Kansas Experiment Station regarding this matter of the time when to cut alfalfa. I am now of the opinion that friend Gill did not know, when he wrote in Gleanings for Nov. 1, that there was such a strong tendency on the part of the ranchers to cut alfalfa earlj'. But the tide may turn the other way when the buyers of early-cut ha^' discover that it is too laxative for horses, and that it is not suitable for horse feed as compared with other hays, or alfalfa cut older. Our columns are open to the full and free discussion of this matter; and let us know in just what predicament or posi- tion the bee-keepers in the alfalfa reg^ion are already placed or will be placed in the future. — Ed.] 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 19 FORMING SECTION=BOX NUCLEI. How Provision may be Made for Mating from Forty to Fifty Queens by tiie Bees of One Strong Col= ony , as Practiced by "Swarthmore." BY SWAKTHMOKK It does not require more than a teacupful of bees to surround a young- queen with the necessarj' environments for maternity-flight — the onlj' question being how best to har- ness such a small force in order to get the best results with as little time and labor as possible. We must bear in mind that it can not be expected that verj' small nuclei will main- lain themselves without assistance; there- fore the hives should be of such construc- tion as to be quite easilj' handled, either sirgly or in numbers — wholesale matini; being the idea — in lots of twelve or twentj - five at a time. Details of the fertilizing-box I am now using, and the one that has been so success ful in the hands of Mr. Fr. Greiner anil SWAKTHMOKE MATING-BOX FOR SICTTING OUT. others the past season (see Gleanings for Sept. 1. 1902, pages 726 to 727), is as fol- lows: A simple box for holding two4'4x4'4 section-box frames, having- a half -inch flight-hole on one side, as shown, covered with the screen in the photogr^iph. The frames are attached to the lid or roof board (which may or may not be divided) by means of staples driven part way into Ihe wood, and tiien bent at right angles over the frame, which holds the same secure- !}•, yet permits ready removal by a simple twisting motion. Standard lj^:sx4 '4 x-+ '4 sec- tions, split in the middle, are used for frames. When the frames are dropped into place in the box, the top opening will be entirely closed, and the little frames will have a bee-space from the bottom and sides of the little hive. A 34 -inch-hole, coming- directly between the two frames, is made in each lid for the purpose of inserting- queen-cells or feeders. Foundation is fixed into these small frames, and eight of them are then fitted into a Langstroth frame, and several such are hung- in large hives to be drawn out and supplied with hone^'; after which they are removed as wanted, and fixed two frames in each box, as shown in the photograph above. It is always better to have some brood in the combs; but brood is not imperative when SWARTHMORE CONFINING - SCREEN FOR FORMING NUCLEI. making up isolated nuclei. Of course there is some chance of failure without brood, but of such small consequence that the loss is hardly noticeable in the end. However, stocks of brood, honey, and pollen may be held always in reserve by keeping a nucle- us colony of from three to five frames con- stantly upon small combs fitted into Lang- stroth frames. Supply twelve mating-boxes at a time,, each with two nicely drawn combs well supplied with honey; then run into each box a teacupful of bees in the following manner: Twelve confining-screous (shown attach- ed to a box in the first photograph) of pe- culiar construction are to be at hand. 20 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE, Jan. 1 Two rims are made, of half-inch strips, A^-kSYz. One rim is covered with wire cloth, while the other is covered with a thin board. A ;V-inch hole is cut in the center of the thin boards, from side to side, but close to the lower rail of the rim. Small staples driven into the board- covered half, one at each end, and then forced into the screen-covered half, serve to hold the parts together. If for any reason it is necessary to cast the bees from the confining--screeu, as in strenothening- nuclei on their stands, simply separate the parts, jar out the bees, and replace. Staples serve very well for holding the screens in place, although some prefer wire nails driven in diagonally at either end. If for any reason it is desired to confine bees in the screens, a Swarth- more shell will just fit the escape-hole. These screens are very useful for trans- porting bees for strengthening purposes. Nearly everj' bee-keeper nowadays starts his cells by taking up a few bees in a screen-covered or ventilated hive-body; and, after the cups are well under waj', said bees are returned to the hive from which they were borrowed, the cups being given to full colonies to be completed. Instead of returning such bees to the loan- in,'- colony the}' may be used in forming small nuclei b}' the use of the screens just explained; and at the height of the season the loss will not be felt by any strong col- ony. Place the escape-hole toward the light, and darken all other openings. Now place a con fining-screen above the escape-hole; and as 3'ou draw the cork, slide the screen downward and over the hole, in alignment with the hole, into the hive-bodj'. The bees will immediately pour out of the hive-body into the confining-screen. It's like draw- ing honey from the extractor. Let them fill the screen full, then slide it up, and at once cork the hole. Place the thumb over the hole in the confining-screen (keeping the wire toward the light), and at once clap the screenful on to the point of a nu- cleus-box, as shown in the first photograph; attach it there by the use of staples, as plainly shown. Now bring on another screen and another, until all the bees have been drawn from the hive-body. If any are left they can be returned to the hive from which they were borrowed, in the usual way. After all the boxes have been supplied, drop a just-hatched virgin into each box, or supply a hatching cell through the hole in the lid, and at evening set out the boxes and remove the con fining-screens. In the photograph (see next page), the mating-boxes are set out singly, but they may be grouped in twos and fours as illus- trated in Gleanings by Mr. Greiner. Each is provided with a little stand and covered with a board. Feeding is done by means of vials covered with muslin or SWAKllIMOKE FORMING NUCLEI WITH HIS CON KINING-SCREENS. At one end of your screen-covered hive- body bore a ;V-inch hole and provide a cork which can be quicklj' drawn and replaced in said hole at will. Remove the started cups at about 10 o'clock in the forenoon, and by noon (or before) the bees will be w ild to escape from their confinement in the screen-covered hive-body. screw-tops, or candy forced into a cage in- verted on top of each hive. Remove all queens as soon as mated, and in three days drop in another just-hatched virgin or a ripe cell. If tes ing is desired, cover the flight-hole with a bit of zinc to prevent the queen from leaving the box after fertilization. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 21 When any of the nuclei show signs of weakness, take the queen and brush the bees into the next box three days later, and on the next round restock the empty boxes. It is just as eas}' to run bees into screens in this manner as to return them to the hive; therefore any losses from any cause may be quickly and cheaply made up. With a little experience, however, au3' bee- keeper can run his boxes for months with- out loss, and at a minimum of expense. queens that a larger nucleus with more bees and standard-size frames wmII do, and I believe he has in a measure succeeded, notwithstanding that there are many who saj' that the thing can't be done. If, as Mr. Greiner suggests, one can form, from one strong colon}', fifty mating nuclei instead of five, and if from that fiftj' a large part of the queens can be fertilized, one can hardl}' afford to stand on the outside and saj' "the thing can't be done." But I mm' IdljIiUi' THREE HUNDRED MATING-BOXES SET OUT. If a handhold-like slot is cut directly over the escape-hole, on the inside of the hive- bod}', covered with a strip of drone-exclud- ing zinc, any undesirable drones will be sifted out as the bees pass from the hive- body into the confining-screens. [Complaint has been made that the other plan, offered by Swarthmore some time ago, of mating queens in the small single-comb boxes, was not a success. Al- though he says he made it work j-et it was evident that it would be a failure in the hands of the average beekeeper. The plan that he now ofters is an improvement in that the mating boxes are larger, having two combs. Mr. Henrj' Allej', the veteran queen- breeder, has for years used small nuclei of this kind, but haying- three or more frames. Whether more than two are necessary for the average bee-keeper I can not saj'; but certain it is, Friedmann Greiner, one whom I regard as exceedingly careful and con- servative in his .>;tatements. sa3's he has made the plan above outlined work to his entire satisfaction, and if he has I am sure other bee-keepers equally expert can; and no one should undertake to rear queens in a wholesale way, either for himself or for the market, unless he is fairlj' expert. The problem that Swarthmore has been working at, is to make a handful of bees, as it were, do the same work in mating of would b}' no means advise one to trj' it on a large scale at first. Let him try a dozen boxes properly equipped, as did Mr. Grei- ner, and if these work trj' more. Swarth- inore appears from the photo to have some- thing like one hundred, or did have last summer in successful operation. It should, perhaps, be stated that these small nuclei might (I don't know) not give satisfactory results after the honey or swarming season. Robbers might make short work of them. — Ed.] Notes of Travel WATSOX'S RANCH IN NEBRASKA; SOME OTH- KR INTERESTING FEATURES ABOUT THAT GREAT farm; A POSSIBLE BEE-RANGE OF 5000 ACKES OF alfalfa; SOME OF WAT- SON'S SAYINGS. In our last issue I was telling something about harvesting the alfalfa on this great ranch. I have since learned that the crop of alfalfa put up this year on the ranch w^as 10,000 tons. Just think of it: Ten tons 22 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Jan. 1 of haj' in this eastern country to the farm is calleii h\<^; but when we mulliplj' that b}'^ one thotisand we can form some idea of the immensity of the crop. As if that were now, as he explained, there is g^ood money in them. Another one of his hobbies was shippings cattle from Mexico to his ranch during: win- TH1-, RANCH eAKKlA(,K — ADMlKlNc; A !■ INE STAND OF CORN. MR. WATSON AT THE RIGHT. not enough, more land is to be seeded, for ter, and then turning- them loose on that alfalfa is a paj'ing crop when meat and fine aftermath of alfalfa, after the haying" pork are so high; and, b_v the by, one of Mr. season is over, to fatten. The alfalfa dur- Watson's hobbies is raising hogs; and just ing winter furnishes good pasture for a. THE T,AKC-,ESr STOCK AND DAIRY BARN IN THE WORLD (wATSON'S KANCh). 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 23 good part of the winter; and with the help of those immense stacks of alfalfa right out in the field he could make those cattle sleek and fat, ready for deliver}' in the Chicago markets. The plan had not fully materializ- ed yet; but why shouldn't it work, and he and the other fellow make good money? he asked, and why shouldn't they? Now having looked over the alfalfa-field let us go up to the ranch itself, or. rather, to the center of it, where is located the largest dairy barn in the world, probably. It is 317 feet long by 96 feet wide, having 34- foot posts. It has an immense silo in connection, and through the center of it run tracks for carrying the feed for the cattle without any pitching or handling from stall to stall. It will accommodate 350 cows without t3'ing. There is another shed at right angles to it, 568 by 48 feet. This will hold 600 tons of hay; and cattle, how many it will stable I do not know. In connection with the ranch there is a corn-crib that holds more than 10,000 bushels of corn; a grain-bin 240 by 16. On the ranch are 57 dwelling-houses in which live the workmen and their families. In one part of the ranch up on the hills where the land has hitherto been perfectly worthless for any purpose whatever, Mr. Watson has thriftj'- grovving orchards. The wise heads in the vicinity said it would be no use to set out trees on those barren wastes — "wouldn't nothing grow there." But," allee samee," he has shown that fruit cnn be grown there successfully. His 5000 cherrjs 3000 plum, and 7000 peach trees all testify to his re- markable mastery over the climate and the soil. What he has done in showing the possibilities in this semi-arid country without irrigation has been worth millions of dollars to Nebraska. The great Union Pacific Railroad recognizes his work, and seems disposed to offer him every facility for the carrying-out of his plans. A little the other side of the dairy barn was an immense creamery, and Watson's butter is known all over that part of the country. An expert has this in charge; and what Mr. Watson does not know about the business, this man does. In connection with the other departments is an immense poultry' establishment. Mr. Watson has called in an expert poultry- grower, who had, I believe, at that time, 1000 chickens, all of them growing thriftily, and without disease. It is the intention of Mr. Watson, I believe, to have ultimately 10,000 chickens on the ranch at a time. They are housed and taken care of in a modern waj' in small flocks in a place. The bee business of the ranch was on a comparatively small scale, but Mr. Watson proposed with the advice and help of Mr. Wilson to take it up extensively. "Just think," he said, "of five thousand acres of alfalfa all in bloom at once, and bees enough to get the honej', and the bee-range all 3'our own I Don't you think I could get some hon- ey?" As he said this his eyes fairly gleamed with enthusiasm. Said he, "Mr. Wilson and I will make some money, eh?" And that reminds me that Mr. Watson goes into partnership with all t'he heads of his departments giving them in addition to their salary a share in the crops, and, as he said, "What is wjv business is theirs al- so. I don't have to nag 'em to make 'em hustle, for they hustle for themselves, and that's the waj' I do business with my good men." . I believe this is the largest ranch in the world, under one man. There are other ranches controlled by stock companies that are much larger. Indeed, I believe there is one alfalfa-ranch within about 40 miles of Denver — well, it seemed as if I was about an hour in riding through it, and that too in a Pullman car at full speed. But here is a genius at Kearney, Isleb., who has been able thus far to spread him- self over several lines of industry, and who, through his great faith in himself and in the soil, has mnde every one of these lines pan out well. The land in the vicinity had come up in value since Mr. Watson has demonstrated what it can do; and he is as anxious that ever}' one else in his locality should do as well as he; for he takes pride in exploiting new schemes and showing the world how it can make a living off the soil. Perhaps I can give the reason of some of Mr. Watson's success by giving a few of his sayings; for as I talked with him he uttered great truths every now and then; and after I got on the train I jotted down as many as I could remember. Here are a few of them: "I shall be dead a long time, and I be- lieve in making the most of opportunities while 1 live." " There are some men who never move fast enough to keep out of their own dust." This sentiment bubbled over while we were driving with the wind through a cloud of dust, the dust keeping pace with us. As he hurried up the horses he went on to tell that a man to suit him was one who could keep out of his own dust, who could make things move and get good results As we drove past some ground that had not been plowed up, covered with weeds ( and there are weeds that grow on that great ranch simpl}^ because there are not men enough there to take care of them) , Mr. Watson said: "I believe in the usefulness of even weeds, because they make us work." Then he went on to txplain that a certain kind of weeds would loosen the soil when plowed under, and make an excellent fertilizer. He did not believethe greatCrea- tor put all these so-called nuisances on earth without some purpose. It was the business of every one of us, he thought, to find out what that purpose is, and utilize it b}' turn- ing the weeds into money. While we were talking about whether the ranchmen would in time cut alfalfa just as it is in bloom, Mr. Watson gave it as his opinion that we need never worr}' about that. Alfalfa grows so thriftily that we can not keep up with it. Nine times out of ten 24 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Jan. 1 it will be cut too late rather than too earljs no matter what is the belief of the ranch- man himself. A few more sayings are worthy of record: "I believe in the gospel of enthusiasm. I believe in saving steps by having all the paths on the ranch in a beeline." By standing at the ranch-house we could easily see the paths or roads running out from a central point like the spokes of a great wheel. After commending one of his men for some good work he did, he said, "I believe in expressing my appreciation of my men when they do good work, when," said he, with a twinkle in his ej'e, " it will not spoil them. There are some men whom I can not possibly praise without making them good for nothing; and there are others to whom honest praise is a wonderful stimu- lant to do better." While Mr. Watson may be somewhat vi- sionary and Utopian in his views of things, and while it is true his plans and business ventures have not always been successful, it is a great treat to be in his presence, to feel the electricity of his energy and enthu- siasm. Needing some more data for this write-up than what I possessed I wrote to Mr. Wil- son making further inquiry. After furnish- ing me the desired information he gave me a pen picture of Mr. Watson and the ranch that is worth reproducing and here it is: "The farm is remarkable because it is solving some of the greatest problems of agriculture of the great West, in that por- tion where the rainfall is light and drouths are severe and frequent. In his schemes and plans he is bold and confident; his optim- ism is unbounded. It is surprising how he camly reviews discouragements — not dwell- ing long on them, for his fertile mind de- mands action. " Probably no other man in the West is such a master of the science of soil culture and tillage as Mr. Watson. As for prepar- ing a cherry orchard, he just put it to al- falfa, and after two years this was disked until in a fine condition of loam and alfal- fa, and then prepared for the young trees. It is remarkable how soil of this prepara- tion will hold moisture and afford plant food. Probably one of the most valuable things he has discovered with alfalfa is that by seeding it thinly and sowing bluegrass between, cows can feed on it with perfect safety, with no danger from bloat." A. I. ROOT OFF FOR CUBA. A. I. Root left for Cuba the day after Christmas, going by way of Florida, where he stopped for two days. Here he fell in with Jacob Alpaugh, a fine mechanic, and one of Canada's best bee-keepers. Mr. Al- paugh was also on his way to Cuba, and he and A. I. R. go on together. That ship- ment of bees, from last reports, was piling in the honey, and Mr. Root had at attack of old-fashioned bee-fever. He said he felt as if he must go down and " help the boys extract." We shall hear more from him. P^l^«*»n PEAR-JUICE FOR WINTER FEED. Is it safe to leave pear juice with the pom- ace outdoors so the bees can go to it as they please, now, or will it hurt them? My neighbor has bushels of pears going to waste. The juice is much sweeter than maple sap. C. S. Ingals. Morenci, Mich., Nov. 2. [I certainly would not let the bees have such juice if I could avoid it. If they have gathered much of it and put it in their hives, you will be apt to have severe winter losses before spring, or at least bad cases of dysentery, with colonies greatly weak- ened when the bees are able to fly at the return of warm weather. If you are sure you have got pear-juice in your combs, bet- ter extract it, or, better still, give the bees combs of good stores. The pear-juice combs will come in good play next spring for stimulative feeding. — Ed.] WINTER HIVES, AND HOW PACKED. 1. Do the chaff hives have a movable bot- tom-board? 2. Is there any packing at the bottom or only on the sides? 3. Do you think these hives are warm enough for a temperature which sometimes for weeks gets to be bO below zero? At pres- ent my hives are packed in an outer box something like the Cowan double-walled hive with 4 inches of packing at the bottom, 7 inches on sides, and 2 supers with a bur- lap over frames, all filled solid to the top. I hope this will be warm enough, but it is too expensive for a large apiary. My in- tention is to increase to about 50 colonies. At present I have 7. Can you tell me whether it would be good to make Dadant hives square in order to hold about 13 frames instead of 10 as now? Dorchester, Wis., Nov. 8. Wm. Ueck. [1. No. 2. As a rule, the regular chaff hive is packed all around on the sides, ends, bot- tom, and top, with packing material of some sort, but not necessarily chaff. Bottom packing is not really essential. 3. In your locality I would not advise the ordinary chaff hive, because it would not be warm enough. Hives packed as you de- scribe would do very well, perhaps; but a better way would be a good dry warm cel- lar, with facilities for ventilating the same at night during the winter. I would not advise making the Dadant hive square. It would be too big. This would be a case of "getting too much of a good thing." — Ed.] 1903 GLEANINGS IN REE CUL'IURE. A SUGGESTION KOR A BEE-FEEDER; HOW TO PUT STARTERS IN HOME-MADE BROOD- FRAMES. I have never seen a feeder that was just what I thought it ought to be. I should like to have one that fastens on to the back end of the hive, and feeding through an auger-hole. Then it would not be in the way in examining bees, and could remain in place all the time. When it needs refill- ing, raise a tin cover and pour the syrup through a wire cloth into the pan. I will give my way of putting starters in brood-frames, as I never saw it in print. Take a strip of wood '2 inch thick by 1 inch wide, and long enough to go easilj'^ inside of the frame under the top-bar. Now place one edge of this strip to the center of the bottom side of the top-bar, and drive two tacks in the top side of the strip at the edge of the top-bar so that there will be no more trouble in getting the strip to the right place. Now melt some wax, and make some strong soapsuds to wet thoroughly the edge of the strip before placing in position in the frame. Turn the frame bottom up- ward, and let the bottom-bar lie across the arm, holding the end next to j'^ou a little higher than the other. After placing the starter in the frame, pour the wax over the end next to you, and let it run to the other end. With a little practice one can put starters in that answer every requirement. Cave Citjs Ky., Nov. 6. A. P. Young. [Bee-feeders such as you describe have been made, but they have never become very popular. Besides necessitating the mutila- tion of the hive, they require an expensive feeder. A cheap simple feeder, one that can be used at the entrance or inside of the hive, is better than a complicated trap on the outside. Your method of fastening foun- dation will do very well when the bottom side of the top-bar is not grooved. — Ed.] BEE PARALYSIS. I have sent you a few dead bees along with this letter, to see if 3'ou can give me any information as to the cause of their death. This colony has a two-year-old queen, and was my best one this spring, until the trouble began, six weeks ago. They die faster than the bees can carry them oflf, as there are many on the bottom- board. I have examined the comb, and find no sign of foul brood. They have the ap- pearance of being swollen. I have 30 hives and this is the only one that is troubled. Rockland, Mass., Nov. 11. F. Ames. [The sample of dead bees you send, and the symptoms you describe, point to bee par- alysis. In the Northern States the disease rarely if ever does any great damage. I think I would advise, however, removing the queen and substituting another. If the disease reappears again next season on those combs, and in those same hives, burn the combs and scorch out the inside of the hive. Such proceedure is hardlj' ever nec- essary, and is resorted to only in extreme cases. — Ed.] FOUL BROOD IN MICHIGAN. Is there any cure for foul brood, or any law in regard to people keeping infected bees? There are two apiaries near me that have foul brood. B. M. Wing. Sheridan, Mich., Nov. 11. [Most certainly there is a cure — a law, and an inspector to see that such law is carried into effect. I commend your case to Foul-brood Inspector W. Z. Hutchinson, Flint, Mich.— Ed.] ITALIAN BEES IN PLACE OF ROBBER-TRAPS. There is much being written just now on robber-traps. Much valuable reading-space is taken up illustrating them, etc. The best robber-trap I have ever used or seen is a good colony of Italian bees. There is more profit in one colony of Italians than in all the bee-traps ever invented. If a col- ony becomes queenless, and is being robbed, place a sack over the hive and pour water on the sack. The water will run down on to the entrance, which makes the robbers soon give up the undertaking. C. E. Woodward. Matanzas, Cuba, Oct. 10. [Much of what you say is true, and I would have pure Italians if for no other reason. But Italian bees, if good workers, will rob fearfully if the bee-keeper is in any way careless. The best preventive of rob- bing is skill and extreme care, coupled with a knowledge of the general robbing propensities of bees. — Ed.] Do queens stop laying eggs at this time of the year or sooner? I opened one of my hives to-day, and couldn't see an egg or larva, all the brood being capped. Let me know if this happens each year, or whether it shows that the hive has no queen. E. H. Kilian. Mascoutah, 111., Oct. 14. [Queens almost invariably stop laying, in normal colonies, in the fall of the year. The fact that you saw no eggs or larvae would not be an indication that the queen was absent; but, on the contrary, that the conditions were normal. — Ed.] Do you know if any one has ever tried feeding sugar-cane juice to bees in order to have them complete sections? Do you think it would be successful after the honey- flow has ceased? G. W. Weingart. Picayune, Miss., Oct. 13. [Cane-sugar juice can be fed to bees, and they would make a sort of syrup honey of it; but under no circumstances would we think of using it to fill out sections, unless the customer who bought such sections was told plainly that it was cane-sugar hone3^ The general experience is, when the public is told that a section is iilled with sugar syrup it will have none of it.— Ed.] 26 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Jan. 1 OUR HOMES, BY A.I. ROOT. So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breatli came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army. — Eze 37 : 10. A few days ag-o as I was passing- along- the streets of Medina I met an old neighbor who has been quite active all his life in temperance work, and of late years espe- cially in the Anti-saloon League work. He has had quite a spell of sickness, and was just able to be out in the sunshine for a little airing-. Thinking- to cheer him up I began to tell him of the temperance victo- ries at the present time here in Ohio. He is of a peculiar temperament, and given to odd and startling- speeches. His reply to my remarks, as nearly as I can remember, was something- like this: "Why, Mr. Root, the people have g-ot so tired of being- dead so long- that they can not stand it a minute longer, and so they are all waking- up here and over there, and all around," sweeping with his hand the whole face of the horizon. Of course, I had to smile at the thought that dead folks sometimes get "tired" of beings dead; and as I pondered, walking- along-, I smiled out loud, and since then I have several times had a g-ood big- laugh at the thought of dead folks getting- tired of being dead. Now, please do not think me irreverent, dear friends. While I laughed at Bro. Shaw's oddity I thanked God ag-ain and ag-ain that some of the dead folks we have all round us are at length tired of being- dead, and that Mr. Shaw's remarks are true. The whole wide world is waking- up. In our Homes for Sept. 15 I quoted from Bro. Reed's ser- mon where he said there were dead people all through the world walking- about — peo- ple who are spiritually dead — people to whom the Holy Spirit has ceased to speak; those who have no care or anxiety for the welfare of humanity, especially youthful humanity. Now, if some of you still insist that the world is just as dead as it has been all along-, and is going- to remain dead — in fact, prefers to remain dead — I want to give you some facts. On page 951, Nov. 15, I copied from one of the Cleveland papers in regard to the movement on foot to retire the old police officers, for they absolutely ivould not enforce the laws against saloons. If you have read the daily papers you prob- ably know that from that time forward a strict enforcement of law commenced in Cleveland. One of the Toledo papers, in commenting on the matter, said Cleveland now-a-days was as dry on Sunday as a "covered bridge." The saloonists were surprised and astonished; 47 of them were arrested and fined, Nov. 30. But even this did not seem to arouse them to the fact that the police, for at least once in the world, "meant business." The next Sunday a lot more were arrested. One of the liquor papers, in wailing about the way in which old laws that everybody considered obso- lete were enforced, "gave themselves away" by declaring that they lost the sale of 2000 barrels of beer in just one Sunday. Some of you say I mean 200 instead of 2000. Nothing of the sort. It was 2000 barrels. Now, mind you, I am talking about barrels and not kegs. The brewers had been in the habit of disposing of about 2000 barrels of beer every Sunday in Cleveland; and the arrest for intoxication on God's holy day dropped off at once. Relative to this I make the following extract from an address by Hon. Frank Arter, of Cle%'eland, entitled "The Saloon and the Christian Sabbath." ■with a recent closing of the saloons on the Sihbath, there has been a decrease of over .seve ty-five per cent in the arrests nade for drunkenness on that dav, and with no murders, no brawls, and with a i ossiliility of decent people of the citv walking the streets without fear of insult. On the first Sn day the .sal ons were closed, there was less beer by 2r'00 barrels sold. On page 950, Nov. 15, I told you what five kegs of beer did among a gang of Italian railroad men. Well, the beer made here in Ohio is exactly as bad as that made in Northern Michigan. Some of j'ou may say, "Oh! well, this may not last long. The police of Cleveland have taken on a spasm of law enforcement; and when you get down to it you will find, Bro. Root, it is all for political effect in some way or other. You see if it holds out." God bless you, my dear friend, of course it will hold out if you and I make it hold out. The great Father above did not place us on this green earth to go about as living corpses; but he meant us to be live men, and to insist on the enforcement of our laws. You may say these "spasms" of temper- ance work are confined mostly to Ohio; that the rest of the United States and even the rest of the world is going on in about the same old way. Well, if this were true I should thank God that the people of Ohio are waking up, and, in the language of our text, "standing upon their feet an exceed- ing great armv;" for it has been many times said that Ohio is not only central in a geo- graphical sense but that it is getting to be central in an educational and moral sense. Thank God again, if this is true. I am proud to think that I was born in Ohio, and at a time when I could help just a little in the temperance work. Coming to life is contagious. Michigan is getting the fever: so is New York; and Indiana, and Kentucky to s'"me extent Hn spite of her celebrated whisky 1; and Virginia and Pennsylvania are both beginning to turn over in bed and give signs of restlessness if nothing more. May God be praised, if it be indeed true, that they too are getting "tired" of being dead so long. But just now I want to tell you the good news that is coming from Ohio. In our last issue I told you of our victory in Collinwood. In that place 36 saloons are now closed up. Collinwood is one of the eastern suburbs of Cleveland. Lakewood, a suburb on the 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 27 western side of the city, has also come out with a tremendous victory, and everybody is^rejoicing". Is it g'oing- to damag-e busi- ness? The Cleveland Plain Dealer of Dec. 7 says, " Real estate is active in conse- quence." It further, says: Messrs. Mai thfws & Gilbert are makings a sale of their lot.s. selling: them at an average of fifty a week for 82-10 each. he saloons in ' eautiful I^akevvnod, Cleveland's .sniokt less section, will be abandoned Dec. 22d and this fact alone establish s Lakewood as the only subnib except Hast Cleveland that w.ll be devot- ed sti ictly to residence pm poses. While I write, other suburban towns around Cleveland, Bedford, Nottingham, Glenville, and others, are also commencing' vig-orous fights ; and with God's help they will beat the enemies of righteousness. I will tell you why. The saloon-keepers are not ready to wind up business. They are making- preparations to move (or have moved) just over the line, where they won't be "worried." Of course, the />d?c/>/^ object to more saloons when they are all satisfied the^' have toomany already ; and the saloon- keepers already on the ground also object. Just here let me say that some of the other temperance orgfanizations have complained that the Anti-saloon Leag-ue method is like driving a mad dog- into another county. If this is true, dear friends, it is bad to drive a mad dog- or a saloon-keeper over on to your neighbor's premises. But, bless your heart, the adjoining county must "'get on amove" in a like manner. They must come to life, stand up on their feet, and chase these mad dogs clear off the face of the earth. Let us get them on the run, and worry them until, in sheer desperation, they go down into the sea as did the swine in that story in holy writ. At the Anti-saloon Congress Supt. Baker told us of 91 towns in Ohio that had gone dry under the Heal law. Yesterdaj^'s daily said it is now 95 ; and while I write I think theremust be a full hundred. Do you say the blind pigs and speakeasies are selling just as much liquor as ever in the dry towns? Why, m}' dear brother, you have not yet got over being dead. At Columbiana, O , Wm. Ryan was fined SlOO and costs just because he sold a temperance drink — at least he claimed it was — that hecalled "malt mead, " containing less than two per cent of alcohol. Now, they did not even succeed in proving that the malt mead was beyond the limit of the law, and was nothing more than a tem- perance drink; but they convicted him ^o/^/y on the fact that he had taken out a federal license, thereby acknowledging!; that he was engaged in selling intoxicating drinks; and that was the third penalty of the kind im- posed underthatlaw in Columbiana County. In the past week two places here in Medina that claimed they sold only " soft drinks " have been fined nearly $400 each just be- cause the records show that they had in like manner taken out a United States license for selling intoxicating drinks. Truly the way of the transgressor of tem- perance laws is getting to be full of pitfalls. In getting good men into office, Supt. Baker said at the congress, "Every man who con- nives at or favors the saloon must go— go down and out. We care not what political party has boosted him in, we propose to boost him out. If a man is so wet that he must wear gum boots, we propose to pre- sent him a canoe to row out." Rev. C. L. Work, of Granville, O., said, "I find that 73 men who used to sit in legislative halls have now through the League been relegated to rear seats at home, where they will stay until the}' show fruit meet for repentance." We are frequently told that the League is all right for 5;«a// towns but that we can do nothing with the cities. Xenia has a population of 9000; but their 33 saloons went out like a snuffed candle. Cleveland has 2000 saloons now ; but the suburban towns all around it are getting in such splendid fighting trim that it looks just now as if the entire city might soon be in war. May God grant that this war shall commence soon. Let me digress a little. One summer evening, just a few weeks ago, I took a trolley-line out of Cleveland westward. It is one of our new lines, and for a distance of something like ten miles brand-new saloons had been thickly located on both sides of that electric line. My im- pression at that time was, the business was a little overdone; but those fellows seemed to think that the " march of progress " de- manded a beer-shop about every ten rods or less on every new electric railway. The further they got out into the country the more scattering were these saloons ; but some enterprising fellow had started one at almost every point where the cars stop. I was wondering at the time whether it was possible that our Ohio people were going to let this thing continue. May God be praised that now these same Ohio people are coming to life, as Bro. Shaw had it. and they are coming to their senses. At Barnes- ville, O., they had a speakeasy that made them so much trouble people armed them- selves and went at it with axes. Of course, they had the law on their side. Mayor White says he gave the order to the marshal as follows: Go in the name of the law and with its power, and. with hatchet and chib, break down, bring out, and de- stroy the blind tiger, and let neither man. be -st, nor devil stand in your way until your work is done thoroughly and completely. Since then I have learned the saloon- keepers buried a lot of cans of dynamite where the marshal would be likely to strike them with his pick-ax. Here are the particulars: Barnesville, O., Dec. 8 — Marshal Charles Fogle and two deputies armed with axes started this morn- ing to make the ninth raid on a "blind tiger" operat- ed in the Herd building. They barely e.scaped explod- ing twenty-four railroad torpedoes loaded with dyna- mite, and .so arranged that it would be easy for the officers to strike them with their a.xes. The officers entered the building and found several men drinking in front of a barricade built of cross-ties. They noticed a strip of pasteboard across the barricade, and, tearing it off. found the concealed torpedoes. Had they struck the barricade with their axes their death would have followed. Thr inntates escaped, but much liquor was confiscated. (iLKAXIXGS IX RF.E CL'L ILK]-. Jan. 1 I feel that it would be an injustice to our colored friends to omit mention of the ad- dress of Prof. E. B. Curry, a colored man who is president of the Curry College, at Urbana, Ohio. He said: '• There is not a negro in the United States manu- facturing beer. It is all made by some other fel- low. lApplause ) I protest against the negro being invited to help pa}- the cost of a traffic from which he never has nor can receive the least benefit. "(Applause.) " The l-JO.litK) negroes of Ohio .say we appreciate the enormous cost ol our emancipation; and now that the people are waging a still greater conflict against an evil still greater, we wish to have a hand in it. (Ap- plause ) We abhor it, and ask the privilege to fight this den of immorality, now seeking to-day a grave for our prosperitv." '■ I ask you to' tip your hat to the patriotism of the unbleached American. We are whitening within." Before closing- I wish to say something in regard to the army canteen. At one of the conventions of the Liquor League re- cently, in view of the tremendous headway the Anti-saloon League was making it was suggested that they, the whisky people, would have to get out a lot of literature, and do " missionary work " as Christian people do. They proposed to ransack the world to find leading divines, if possible, who will defend the saloon. They would make extracts from their writings, and spread these circulars broadcast. They also propose to hunt up army generals who favor the saloons. They are trying to gain their point by manipulating statistics, these statistics being in defense of the saloon and canteen, which by some hook or crook are to be got into the papers. They propose to buy the space if necessary; but they want it put in the reading-matter. Here is a sample of the newspaper statements that are sent out. Of course, we have some generals in the army who are dead men — that is, dead to the influences of the Holy Spirit. I clip the following from a rectnt daily; and please notice, friends, it is from General Sanger — do not forget the name — who is working for the reinstatement of the army canteen: FAVORS THE CANTEEX. To remedy these conditions the post exchange, at which light bet r was sold, was exercisng a wholesome influei ce, and General Sanger believes the exchange should be again made a possibility by removing all restrictions on the sale of beer and light wines. Let me now give you some of his reasons for favoring the canteen; and, by the way, it is an excellent sample of the style of reasoning that comes from these army generals. The mothers of our land have, as you well know, protested with all their might against having their boys taught in- temperate habits by the canteen. Here is what General Sanger says in regard to it: To the fear, so often expressed by the opponents of the canteen system, that the saleof beer would initiate. or induce habits ot intemperance. General Sanger .sho%vs irom a careful census of the o42 companies of troops in the Philippine Islands that in tiO companies eveiy enlisted man used vinous, m It, or spiritvious liquors at da e of enlistment: in 1:W companies, be- tween 90 and 100 per cent; in 58 companies, between SO and bO per cent; in 25 companies, between 70 and 80 per C' nt; in 20 companies, between 00 and 70 per cent. Un'ortunately quite a number of men habitually diink to excess; and as this number will probab y increase if the men are obliged, as now, to resort to native liquors in order to satisfy what to many of them is a perfectly natural craving, the result will be most de- ploraVjli. I know figures are sometimes dry read-- ing; but it behooves us who love righteous- ness (and pay taxes) to note carefully these figures. In 60 companies, every enlisted man was a drinking man at the time of his enlistment. How is that for soldiers to de- fend our rights? Is it true that our national army is composed of a gang, the most of whom could not get a job on any of our lead- ing railways, or, say, in any of our leading manufacturing establishments? God forbid. The daily that gave place to the above, said in an editorial on another page that it was a pity if the officers of the army of the United States could not have a law enforced to banish saloons, say for five miles from every army post. This indicates, without question, that the management of the daily paper did not sympathize with the report from General Sanger that they were in- duced to publish for some reason or other. Another point, in our navy intoxicating- liquors have been ruled out for several years past. How is it that we can not have total abstainers in the army as well as in the navy? If the above figures are true, is it not high time that we had a regular housecleaning, and that our drunken and drinking privates, and officers as well. were gotten out and some clean men with clear brains put in their stead? General Sanger suggests that the appetite for strong- drink "is a perfectly natural craving." Several young boys have gone from Medina County — yes, they have enlisted and gene to the Philippines to fight our battles — boys who were clean and pure, and had no such natural craving. I think the greattr part of them came back proof against this terribly dangerous ordeal of army life. It behooves every father and mother in the land to contradict these reports that the brewers are circulating through the papers and their circulars. This General Sanger and all the rest of his gang need to be spot- ted; and we each and all should write to our Representatives in Congress, and pro- test against this terrible state of affairs that the whisky men themselves are bring- ing to light. God is with us, and we shall prevail — that is, is we are thoroughly tired of being "dead men," and are ready, as in the language of our text, to " stand up upon our feet, an exceeding great army." SOME KIND WORDS FROM HOWARD H. RUS- SELL, SUPERINTENDENT OF THE NATION- AL ANTI-SALOON LEAGUE. Years ago, when the Anti-saloon League was just started here in Ohio, at one of our meetings at Lakeside I asked Mr. Russell to go with us for an hour or two out on the lake to a very pretty bathing-spot. He an- swered me something like this: " Mr. Root, I should like to go with j'ou, but I positively can not spare the time." " Why, Bro. Russell, don't you ever take a vacation, for an hour or two, in Jul}-? " 1903 GLEAXIXeiS IX BEECULTLRE. 29 I think I shall remember his reply as long- as I live. It was something- like this: " Mr. Root, when the Anti-saloon Leag-ue has succeeded in getting- a law passed that can be enforced to break up the saloon bus- iness, then I am read\' to take a vacation; and I am afraid I can never take one con- scientiously until that time comes." Well, during- the past season we have for the first time in the history of the Anti-sa- loon Leag^ue reached the point he mention- ed. We have the Beal law, and it is being- enforced, and the saloons are g-iving- way before it in considerable numbers; therefore Bro. Russell has evidently decided he can conscientiously take a vacation, and I have his permission to put in print a letter he wrote me in September. ^fy dear Fi iend: — \ desire to write to you once more to thank you again for your general interest in the work in which I am engaged, but more particularly to let you know how much good you are constantly do- ing me and my family through your department in Cleanings in which you give your attention to the interests of "Our Homes." I have scarcely missed reading a single copy of that part of the paper for many months past ; and after reading them I general- ly send them home, and they are read in the family. I think I have been moved to dictate this letter just now because of the special interest aroused in my mind by your work in rebuilding the walls of the country church that had gone down. I sent the copy of the paper home, marked on the margin, " How A. I. R. spends his vacation." How much more good could be done during the va- cation season by Christian people, without really tax- ing themselves to any great extent, if they would only open their eyes and "see things to do," to u.se an ex- pression Mr. Mood3' once used in a conversation with me. I spent my summer vacation upon a little farm in the town of Grafton, N. H. I found there was no church within six miles, and that a good many of the neighbors were not attending church anywhere. My dear old father, 80 years of age, is a Rector emeri/us of an Episcopal church in Iowa. He and my dear moth- er spent the summer with us He consented to read the Episcopal service every Sunday, and I assisted him so far as preaching was concerned The children dec- orated the dining-room with roses, wild flowers, and branches of the evergreens, and we changed it into a beautiful church-room every Sunday morning, and it was filled as full as it would hold with our neighbors, who seemed delighted with the privilege of attending such a service, and expressed regret when the services were concluded, at the end of our vacation. One old lady said that she had not attended a service before for three years, and expressed her hearty appreciation of tne privilege. I did not expect to write at such length when I be- gan my letter. You will be interested to know that I am g^iving considerable time just now to fostering the work here in New -^'ork State, which is yet in its be- ginnings, but which promises to be a strong and force- ful organization in the future. I am looking after the woik in other new States by correspondence, and ex- pect to be able to visit several of them personally the coming year. I hear good tidings continually about the work in Ohio. I think you and my other com- rades in The A. I. Root Co. have a right to be justly thankful that you have done so much to help forward the work in ofiio. I believe it is one of your best in- vestments. Please tell Ernest or John that I am ap- preciating and reading the copies of Gleanings they are sending me regularly, and give all the members of the firm and family my assurances of continued affec- tion and esteem. -V'ours very heartily. New York, Sept. 11. Howard H. Russell. Our A.^end lOcen B poBtaue f r prpat loul- U .try book j ust issued, e5|,laining remart- ■^able piarantee under which we seU. 110 \ards lioe Poultry. Ilcliahir IiicnliUur A BrnoderCo., Box B- 19 (juincf. 111. Wagon World Awlieel. Half a million of these steel whet Is have been sent out on our wagons and to fit other wagons. It is the wheel that determines the life of any wagon, and this is the longes-t- lived wheel made. Do you want a low-down Handy Wagon lc> use about the ])lacc? We will fit out vnnr old wagon with I lectrlc Wheels of any size and any shape tire, -tra ght or staggered spokes Nociacked hubs, no loose spokes, no rotten felloes, no reset- ting Write for the big new catalog. It is free. E'ectric Wheel Co., Box 95,Quincy, III. THE TEST of a fence is, "How long does it la.st?" and " How well does it serve its purpose?" How's ours ? Page Woven Wire Fence Co., Box S, Adrian, Michigan. The Automatic Sure Hatch s Free Trial 30 of the best incubator ever made. New automatic direct action reirulator -greatest improvement ever made in incubators. No coiiipli -aiions. hold at reasonable price. D m't pay iIouIIh for otitofdate machine. Large illustr ucd c^m:! ...-ne i ri-e. SURE HATCH INCUBATOR CO., ^Clay Center, Neb. or Columbus, Ohio.^ KT II riBli^ I F0R300AYS That's the way we sell the gp^tSES ROY&L l5. x> X: Ph cq bJ 5 18 40 81) 40 75 1 25 18 4() 30 40 75 1 -AT 18 4(1 30 40 75 l;;5 18 41) 80 40 75 1.25 J8 40 80 4(1 75 1 ,25 18 40 31) 40 75 1 25 18 40 80 40 75 1 25 l.") H5 20 85 «0 1.00 15 :h5 m 35 tiO 1.00 15 85 20 85 W) 1.00 15 85 20 85 fiO 1.00 15 85 20 85 m 1.00 25 5lt 85 50 R5 1 50 15 85 20 85 fiO 1,(K) 15 35 20 35 60 l.UO n $3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 2.50 2.50 2.50 2.50 2.50 3.50 2.50 2.50 Seconds, while we have them, will be half piice (for month in the year and guarantee .safe delivery ; that I have many fine breeders on hand. Price. $3.00 each. Tested, each, $1.25: five for $6.00. Prices reduced after March 15. Send for circu'ar. W. H. Laws, Beeviile, Texas. Two Virginia Farms for Sale, at 50 per cent of their actual value if sold within 60' days. Farm No. 1, -100 acres, 60 acres Jamfs Rivt r low- grounds worth $6< per ac e. S36U0 r!JO acres uplands wrth SIO per acre, $8100; buildings at lowest estimate worth $30011; $3000 cash S200t) on time at 0 per cent in- terest, takes this property worth $10,000 P'arm No. 2. 400 acres watered by t » o fine nioutitaiti stream-, on which are 100 acres of fenile bottoms. 100 acres up- lands in cultivation and pa turage, alance is virgin forest which will cut 200.000 feet of first- lass lumber: good dwelling and some outbuildings. $3500 will buy this farm— $.'500 cash, balance to suit the pu chaser. The land on these two farms is fertile-, free from stones, and every ac e tillable, after clearing B. F. Averill, Howardsville, Va. (;'RUSHED OYSTER SHELLS. 100 lbs.. 40c; 200 lbs.. ^^ 05^-; Mica Crvsial Grit. 100 lbs.. .57c; 'iOdlbs., $1.(17', or 100 lbs. each, $1. Poultry need both. Order , now. Catalog free. WISE & CO.. Butler, Ohio. POULTRY PAPER 3 Honths and book, "Plana for Poultry-houses," 10 cts. Paper one year and book, 'i5 cts, if you mention Gleanings (reg. price, 50 cts) Inland Poultry Journal, Indianapolis, Indiana. 1700 FFPPFT^ All sizes; some trained; first- \U\J\J I L,IVIVL, I O. class stock. New price listi free. N. A. KNAPP, Rochester, Lorain Co., Ohio. 1903 GLEANINGS IN REE CULTURE. 35 GET ACQUAINTED with the Bee-keepers' Review. You can do it now at very little cost, and you will be surprised at the amount of valuable information and helpful ideas that are packed within its pages. For $i.oo you will get all of the issues for 1902 (except the January issue, the sup- ply of which is now exhausted, but some other excellent number will be sent in its place) and the Review for all of next year, thus giving you the issues -of two years for only $1.00. Add $1.00 more to the order (making $2.00 in all) and your order will be booked for a queen of the Superior Stock to be sent next spring. W. Z. HUTCHINSON, = = FLINT, MICHIGAN. ,^5 •^«^-3J-S-S-S^-3^-5-5-3-S-5-5-5^4^^id^ c ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ ♦ ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ RAM'S Standard American Z Railroad=systeni Atlas t and Shipper's Guide 1 1 iiS^^i^i The only atlas with railroad systems in colors. It embraces all the good points ot other Atla ts, and contains many additional leatuies of its own. Send' for sample map and information. 552-556 Wabash Ave., Chicago, III 130 Fulton Street, New York City. *^«^ f^&fr t ^* &&& w-tr* ^. 9- «-fr» ^^Sr ^^^ ^^ FOR SALE: Comb # Extracted HONEY: in carlats or less. If in the market, state quantity wanted, and we will name you '■ lowest price." Samples of Extracted fur- nished on r' quest. It you have any Comb or Extracted to ship, correspond with us. Established 26 Years. S. T. Fish & Co., Chicago, Illinois. 189 South Water Street. Nursery Stock of All Kinds ! Complete line of TREES, VINES and PLANT.S ; hardy and true to liame. Write for pince-< before pi cing orders. E. A. Boal Co., Nurserymen, Hinchman, Michigan. Sample Free DO IT QUICK? i Modern Farmer & Busy Bee, 50c. ^ ♦ American Poultry . Journal, 5()c. ^ 4 Gleanings in Bee Culture. .H.OO. ^ ♦ All for $1.00 if you mention this 4 ♦ paper, and address ^ J riodeni Farmer, St. Joseph, Mo. ♦ ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦»♦♦»♦♦♦♦♦< ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ Root's Goods in Central Michigan! Sold at their prices. Present given with each order ar:ounting to 92 or over. L,ist sent free. W. D. Soper, Rural Route No. 3, Jackson, Michigan. The Ms&l Piano Hiiilt antici [>atinK thoilemanil of tbo^e satisfied with iiothiim but thb Ijesi auJ looliiny for a piano ot the Highest Artistic Creation Kto you conxideritm tlie purcliase of a pianoV Our pro|n)sition will prove more en- tertaining than any you hive had. l\itiii<„i and Jiill innn-nhitini, fr. I{„v F F.iri U nviH-. IiKlinnii 36 GLEANINGS IX CEK CULTURE. Jax. 1 Gleanings in Bee Culture [Established in 1873.] Devoted to Bees, Honey, and Home Interests. Published Semi-nlonthly by The A. I. Root Co., - - Medina, Ohio. A. I. ROOT, Editor of Home and Gardening Dep'ts. E. R. ROOT, Editor of ApiciiUural Dept. J. T. CALVERT, Bus Mgr, A. h. BOYDEN, Sec. TERMS. $1.00 per annum ; two years, $1.50; three years, $2,00; five years, $:100, in advance,- or two copies to one address, $1,50; three copies, $2,00; five copies, $3.75. The terras apply to the United States, Canada, and Mexico. To all other countries 48 cents per year extra for postage. DISCONTINUANCES. The journal is sent until orders are received for its discontinuance. We give notice just before the subscription expires, and fur- ther notice if the first is not heeded. Any subscriber whose subscription has expired, wishing his journal discontinued, will please drop us a card at once; other- wise we shall assume that he wishes his journal con- tinued, and will pay for it soon. Any one who does not like this plan may have his journal stopped after the time paid for by making this request when ordering. CATALOG FOR 1903. We are pleased to announce that we are a little ahead of former years in getting our catalog out on time. We have already begun mailing the new edi- tion for this year. We are mailing to southern terri- tory first, and will get around to the entire list as .soon as possible. If j-ou can not wait till your copy arrives in its turn, we shall be pleased to mail you one on request sent to us on a postal. NO. 25 JARS IN STOCK AGAIN. We are pleased to be able to announce that we are again supplied with No. 25 glass jars which have become so popular for putting up extracted honey for retail trade. They hold an even pound of honey. While we can supply them in crate at 50 cts. per gross less than in barrels, yet we have had so many com- plaints of breakage in .shipments going long distances in ciates. we can not recommend that method of ship- ping except for short distances We cin sell the new " Tip Top " jars cheaper than the No. 25, and many prefer them. Either supplied promptly to tho.se in- terested. BEESWAX WANTED. The market for beeswax remains steady with a mod- erate supply. We are shipping so much foundation to dealeison next season's trade that we are using a much larger quantity early in the season than we have in for- mer years ; con.sequently our surplus is exhausted, and we aire using supplies as fast as they arrive. We shall be pleased to hear from those having wax for sale. We are paying at present for average wax, delivered here, 2S cents cash, 30 in trade, and from one to two cents ex- tra for choice quality. Send on your shipments as soon as ready ; and be sure to mark them, so we may know whom'they come from. Write us at the .same time, and send shipping-receipt and a notice of the weight ship- ped. SECOND-HAND FOUNDATION-MILLS. We have on hand and offer for sale the following second-hand foundation-mills. Any one desiring a sample of the work of any one of these machines, or further particulars, we shall be pleased to accommo- date on request. No. 013. 2x6, hex. cell, extra-thin super. Piice, $8.00. No. 014. 2x6, hex. cell extra-thin super. Price, $8.00. No. 037, 2x6, hex cell, ex thin super, good. Price, $10. No, 2132, 2x6, hex. cell, thin super. Price, $10. No. 2227, 2x6, hex. cell, thin super. Price, $10. No. 2275, 2'/^x6, hex. cell, ex. thin super. Price, $10. No. 035, 2x10, round cell, medium old-style frame, in good condition. Price, $12 No. 038. 2x10, round cell, med. to light, in good con- dition Price, $14. No. 050, 2x10, round cell, medium. Price, $12. No. 014. 2x10 Pelham, nearly new. Price, $6 No. 034, 2}ixV2}4, round cell, very old style in fair condition. Price, $10. No. 043, 2V^xl4, round, medium to heavy, good con- dition. Price, $14. No. 051, 2x10, round cell, me*iium brood. Price 810. Special Notices by A. I. Root. CJINSENG AND ITS CULTIVATION, HARVESTING, MAR- KETING MARKET VALUE, ETC. The above is the title of a new book just published by the O. Judd Co. It contains 144 pages, is full of beautiful illustrations, and it is, without question, a very valuable book for those who are growing or in- tend to grow ginseng I have looked it over very care- fully, especially that part of it devoted to the medici- nal properties of the plant, and I am sorrv to say it has no medicinal value, or nearly none, outside of Chi- na; and their ideas in regard to its value are very like- ly mostly superstition. It is true, there are a few peo- ple in the United States who think it has medicinal value, and a medicine is already in the market made frum ginseng. It seems to me exceedingly strange our .American people do not at least unagine. with the Chinese, that ginseng has some wonderful virtue. I htve all my life been in sympathy with all horticul- tural opera"tions unless, indeed, it has been the cultiva- tion of tobacco: and I .still believe in growing even that to kill bugs, but not to kill our boys. I con ess I have read over the ginseng book with great interest: and I have been tempted again and again to have a ginseng- garden in place of the one little patch we have across the way. I do not think it will ever harm anybody in the way tobacco does: and I do not know tha' it does any harm to the Chinese unless it is to furnish them a god to worship. I should not wish to go into the busi- ness of making idols of brass or gold, or of wood or stone; however, I believe ginseng has some medici"al properties. May be it is not a valuable medicine for every one, but I think it is good for me, or at least it was when a boy. I used to carry it in my pocket to chew whenever I felt symptoms of a chronic dysentery that has followed me tiearly all my life; and for many years it was certainly a good medicine for me, or at least I imagined it was gooi, and this ?nay amount to the same thing. This book has many photos of beau- tiful ginseng-gardens. The same kind of lath covering that they use for pineapples and other tropical fruits in Florida is what you want for ginseng. In fact, a covered ginseng-bed looks exactly like a pineapple- bed. This book gives a very fair estimate of the profits — that is, at present prices of the root. It has none of the spread-eagle figures that go away up into the mil- lions. Perhaps you have all seen them. If you want the book we can mail it to vou for 50 cents. YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS. Every man and woman, and, for that matter, every child, should be urged very early to adopt some partic- ular way of signing his name and address Yes, as soon as a child can write his name he should be urged to adopt some particular form. If he decides to use only initials let him always do it the same way. If his name is Smith, in view of the great number of Smiths he had better spell out in full his first or second name; but having once decided (perhaps by the aid of his friends) just how he is going to make his signature, let hxm a!~uavs slick io it. And he should also be en- couraged to have a rubber stamp to put on his station- er\', so that all can know in pljin and unmistakable 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 37 letters just what he is called, and how he is addressed. Married women especially should heed the above. It is a woman's privilege to write her name Jlrs. John Smith or Mrs. Susan Smith ; but she should be u ged to do always one or the other. A few days ago " Mrs. John Smith " complained that she sent us .some mon- ey, and we did not give her credit. After much fuss and bother our book-keeper found she signed her name Mrs. Susan Smith, and wrote from a different postoffice from what she had ever written before, and therefore the book-keepers were obliged to open an account with :Mrs. Susan Smith at some other post- office ; and hadn't one of the employees happened to remember some honey being placed on the book where no account could be found, I do not know what would have been done. The better way, by all means, is to have your cor- rect name and address printed on envelopes or writ- ing-paper, one or the other, or both It can be done for a few cents. But if this is too much trouble, then get a rubber stamp, and stamp every thin.g you send out, not only to save this great busy world time and money, but to save ^(^«>'.sc//annoyance and disappoint- ment. Lots of people make haste to call great busi- ness firms dishonest, just because these people them- selves have not got euou.gh life and p>ush to avoid the trouble of blundering addresses, as I have indicated in the above. If 3'ou can not scrape up enough energj- to let folks know who you are and where yovi live, in black and white, you ought to have been born a cen- tury or two ago, when it did not matter so verj' much whether the outside world knew you were alive and kicking or not. Wants and Exchange. Notices will be inserted under this head at 10 cts. per line. You must SAY you want your adv't in this department, or we will not be responsible for any error. You can have the no- tice as many lines as you please ; but all over ten lines will cost you according to our regular rates. We can not be re- ■ponsible for dissatisfaction arising from these " swaps." WANTED.— A man to work at bees in Cuba, com- mencing April 1st. But little experience neces- sary. All questions gladly answered. Write at once to F. L. Powers. Artemisa, Cuba, W. I. w ANTED. — To sell ginseng seed at 95.00 per ounce. A. P. Young, Cave City, Ky. WANTED.— To sell 10 bbls. White Bliss Triumph po- tatoes—a little sunburned or green, but all right for seed— not sorted, $2.00 per barrel: will ship in the spring. J. W. Bittenbender. Knoxville, Iowa. WANTED.— To sell at a bargain, 40 colonies of bees in frame hives, in southwestern Georgia. Hives and bees in good condition. H. M. Carr, CranfiUs Gap. Texas. W.\NTED.— To exchange a large list of second-hand goods, as good as new, for foundation, mill, and extracted honey. Address QuiRiN THE Queen-breeder, Parkertown, Ohio. WANTED.— Seven cents for sample package of our famous honev and menthol cough-drops. R. H. Smith, St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada. WANTED.— A young man with a fair knowledge of apiculture to do general work on a small farm with an apiary of 150 stands. John S. McClure, LasCruces, N. M. WANTED.— Would like to buy good second-hand hives— 8 or 10 frame X.. pattern and Heddon— and 200 colonies bees. Describe with price. Elton Lane, Route 12, Groton, N. Y. w ANTED.— Comb to render into wax; will pay cash. A. P. Lawrence. Hickory Corners, Mich. w ANTED.— To exchange Angora goats for any thing useful. Ed. W. Cole & Co., Kenton. Ohio. Vy ANTED. — To sell for cash, 5 gal. square tin cans. '" used for honey, at about half price of new cans. AI.SO elegant exhibition \'l-Vo. no drip honej'-cases f'-r plain Danz. and 4^X4^ sections; made for Pan-Amer- ican. For prices, etc., address Orel L- Hershiser, 301 Huntington Ave., Buffalo, N. Y. WANTED. — To sell bees and queens. Also putty- knife with iron handle and strong steel blade — just the thing for prying and scraping about hives, etc., 15c postpaid. O. H. Hyatt, Shenandoah, la, WANTED.— To sell 600 stands of Italian bees in .Sim- plicity hives in lots to suit buyer. Will deliver the same to any point in the West if desired. Corres- pondence solicited. Tyler Bros , Nicolaus, Cal. WANTED.— To exchange my new price list of 2000 ferrets, now ready to ship, for your address on a postal card. N. A. Knapp, Rochester, Ohio. WANTED —To sell a 10-h.p. horizontal engine with upright boiler, with pump, smoke-stack, and all connections, for $125. J. W. Bittenbender, Knoxville, Iowa. WANTED — We want to hear from those having choice comb honey to sell, stating quantity, qual ity, size, and style of sections, and how packed. If not yet packed for shipment state how soon you can have it ready, and the price asked delivered here or free on board at your place. The a. I. Root Co., Medina, Ohio. WANTED.— Two good, reliable, temperate, and ex- perienced bee-men — men of order and neatness; one of these to thoroughly under.stand queen-rearing, providing the season or winter proves good. M. H. Mendleson, Ventura, Cal. WANTED.— Those that are thinking of building to send us their names. We shall do your work at reasonable prices, and guarantee satisfaction. EvERSON & Everson, Brilliant, Ohio. W^ w^ TANTED. — Man with small family, who has some practical knowledge of bee-keeping and is not afraid to work, to work in apiary and fruit farm the coming summer of 1903; house and garden furnished. State wages expected. A. E. Woodward, Grooms, N. Y. WANTED.— Steady position, by a young man of 21. as apiarist; or book-keeper or .salesman in a hu.'-- tling business; four years' experience in an apiary: correspondence solicited. Lafayette Haines, R. F. D. No. 1, Hyde Park, Dutchess Co., N. Y. WANTED.— An experienced man to take charge of apiaries. Addre-s with references. Dr Geo. D. Mitchell & Co , Ogden, Utah. w ANTED.— To sell 48 stands of bees. Address M. F. Martin, Manchester, Ohio. ^-VNTKD.— Experienced dairyman and farmer to move into new tenant house and help care for 30 to 40 cows Stable has cement floor. Bidwell stalls, and Woodward watering device. I ship the milk. Wages, J25 00 per month, house-rent, garden fuel, and other privileges. Give your age, state now many in family; also name and address of your last employer. J. P. Watts, Kerrmoor, Pa. ANTED.— To exchange drs' goods, ready made aud mink furs (cost $')0— se'll cheap) for extractc I honey or offers. Jos. Reid, Man.sville, N. Y. ANTED.— To exchange 6-inch foundation-mill for wax. honev, or $5.00 cash. I. J. Str'ingham, 105 Park Place, New Y'ork. WANTED.— Tvpewriter, wheel hoe and drill, and beeswax. Write for list of propertv in exchange F. H McFarland, Hyde Park, Vermont. WANTED.— Redwood, cedar, or sugar-pine hive-bod- ies. Slate price. H. Vogeler. New Castle, Cal. w w w w ANTED —To sell 40 colonies of bees in 8 L.-HofF- mau frames, at $3. CO each. C. Brown, New Castle. Cal. 38 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Jan. 1 PACE tc LYON, New London, Wisconsin. A^ MANUFACTURERS OF AND DEALERS IN . . . Now ^ ^ ^ Ready ! Sixty-four Page Catalog of every thing- bee-keepers need. ♦ Illustrated and fully described. T Especially valuable to begin- ners for the information it con- tains. Send your address on a postal and get it now. Estab- lished 1884. J* M* Jenkins^ Wetumpka, Elmore Co., Ala, »»♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦»♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦»♦»♦♦ BEE-SUPPLIES. BEE-KEEPERS' SUPPLIES. . . . Send for Our Free New Illustrated £ Catalog and Price List s Kretchmer Mfg. Co., Box 60, Red Oak, la. Best-equipped factory in the West ; car- ry a large stock and greatest v.iriety of every thing needed in the apiary, assur- ing BEST goods at the LOWEST prices, and prompt shipment. We want every bee-keeper to have our FREE ILU'S- TRATED CATALOG, and read descrip- tion of Alternating Hives, Ferfnison Su- pers, etc. IVt ite at once for a catalog. AGENCIES Tre.ster Supply Company, Lincoln, Neb. Shugart & Ouren, Council BlufTs la. Chas. Spangler, Kentland, Ind. BINGHAM SMOKER. Dear Sir:— Inclosed find $1.75. PleaRe send one brass smoke-engine. I hcive one already. It is the best smoker I ever used. Truly yours, Henby Schmidt, Hutto, Tei. MADE TO ORDER Bingham Brass Smokers, Made of sheet brass, which does not rust or burn out; should last a lifetime. You need one, but they cost 25 cts. more than tin of the same size. The little open cut shows our brass hinge put on the three larger sizes. No wonder Bingham's four-inch smoke-engine goes without puffing, and does not drop inky drops. The perforat- ed steel fire-grate has 381 holes to air the fuel and support the fire. Hea\'y tin smoke-engine, 4-inch stove, per mail, |1.50 ; S^^-inch, $1.10; 3-inch. |1.00; 2'/4-inch, 90c; 2-inch, 65c. Bingham smokers are the originals, and have all the improvements, and have been the standard of excellence for 23 years. Only three larger ones brass. T. F. Bingham, Farwell, Michigan. Volume XXXI JANUARY 15 1903 m^EE CULTME Contents Market Quotations - 43 Stray Straws, by Dr. Miller 47 Pickings, by Stenog - - - - Conversations with Doolittle - - Editorials A. I. Root in Cuba The Editor's Automobile Trips Rambler's Sickness and Death Troubles in the N. B. K. A. - General Correspondence - - - - 54 Prevention of Swarming-, Stachelhausen 54 Canada's Inspector's Report, McEvoy 55 Starting Queen-cells, Swarthmore 56 Organization in California, Brown 57 Honey Flora of S. E. Nebraska, Root 59 Heads of Grain - - - - 6i Offensive Odors from Hives - 61 Northern Illinois as Location 62 Death-rate of a Colony - - 63 Notes of Travel - 66 By A. I. Root The A J. (Ml Root Cq OHIO i) Eastern Edition Entered at the Postofkice at Medina, Ohio, as Second-class Matter. •■^^i*^B^B^»«^i^^M^^»^^ DONT BUY SUPPLIES until you see our 44th annual catalog. A full line of hives and fixtures best adapt- ed to our New England climate. Also best brands of Comb Foundation and Section Boxes. We have also made arrangements to keep a general stock of The A* L Root Co/s Goods at Their Prices. (Parties desiring these goods can get them of us and Save Freight Charges. Bees, queens, afid nucleus colonies from the Very Best Strains in America. A 40 - page illustrated catalog sent free. W. W. GARY &: SON, Lyonsville, Massachusetts. Root's Bee - Supplies for tHe >SoutK Atlsintic States at Root's Prices. Q\iicK iSliipments and L.OAV FreigKt Rates. One-harse wagons, Corn-shellers for Poultry, Family Grist-mills, Corn and Cob Mills, Feed-cutters, Tilting and Sliding Table Saws, Steel-runner Attachments for Vehicles. Send for Catalog H. ^^ Ra^wlings Implemer^t Company, Baltimore, Md. Northeastern and New England Bee = Keepers ! Order goods now. Don't delay. Have them ready when you need them. We keep a full line in stock at Medina prices. Save both time and freight by order- ing of us. Beeswax want- ed. Bees and queens fur- nished in season. J. B. MASON, Mechanic Falls, Maine. Manager The A. I. Root Co.'s N. E. Agency. Are You One of Them ? We refer to those successful bee - keepers in Michigan who use Root's Goods. We are the authorized jobbing agents for The A. I. Root Co. in Michigan. Send your order to us and save in freight charges and time. Send your name for our 1903 catalog. Beeswax wanted. Early -order dis- counts, 4 per cent to Jan. 1, 3 per cent to Feb. 15. M. H. Hunt & Son, Bell Branch, Mich. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 43 Honey Column. GUADING-RULES. Fancy.— Allsei-tioiistohe wfU iilled. combs straislit. firm Ivattacheil to all four t-idos, the combs unsoiled bytrave Btain. i>r otherwise : all the cells scalcil except an occasional cell. the outside surfacooftlie wood well scraped ol propolis. A No. 1.- All sections wll lillcd e.\cept the row ot cells nett (olhew.io.l ; combs straight ; one-eit.'ht h part of comb surface soiled, or t he ent ire Mirface ^1 iu-1.1 ly ^.oiled ; the out- side surface ,.f t he weed >vell ser^iped of propolis No.l.-Allsectionsw.dl tilled except t ho row of cells next to the wood ; combs comparatively even ; one-eiehth part ot comb surface soiled, or the entire surface slightly soiled. No. 2.— Three- fourths of the total surface must bo hlled "^Norli-Must weigh at least half as much as a full-weight In addition to this the honey is to he classified according to color, usiuK the terms white, amber, and dark ; that is, there will be "Fancy White," " No. 1 Dark," etc. CITY MARKETS. MiLW.'MTKEK. — There is a ver>' quiet condition of matters relating to our market for honey of all kin• Beeswax, 27^0128. C. H. W. Weber, Jan. 9. 2146 Central Ave., Cincinnati, O. Bt'FFAi.o — The price of honey is firm in this market. Demand a little slow, but holders not inclined to shade prices to sell tancy white comb, 15'^ 16; A No. i. 14(1! 15; No. I, i3!/2('g}i4; No. 2. I2y2{a,iy, No. 3, I2('ffii2'/^; No. I dark. ii''aj2; No. 2, io(«:ii. White extracted, 7fi'7;^; amber, 6''i(a7: dark 5!X(g6 Beeswax, 28*30. W. C. TOW.NSEND, Jan. 10. Buffalo, N. Y. Sax Fr.\ncisco. — Honey market as follow.s: Comb, per lb., iofaii3. Kxtracted, water white, 6}4(a7; light amber, 6@6}4; dark amber, 4C0C.S. Beeswax, per lb., 2« cts. K. H SCH.\K1-EI,E, Jan. 3. San Francisco, Cal. New York. — Demand for comb honey is only fair, but buckwheat extracted is wanted. Fancy comb 15c; buckwheat, 12(0^13. Beeswax scarce and "a good de- jiiand, 29(030. hR.ANCis H. Lkggett ^t Co.. Jan. 10. Franklin and Varick Sts., New York. Cinc»Go. — The best grades of white comb sell at 15 foii'i per lb. : travel-stained and light amber. i3'« 14; darkt^r grades, io'a>i2 Kxtracted, 7^. 8 for white, and 6;^7 for amber. Beeswax steady at 30 cents. R. A. BfRNETT & Co., Jan. 9. 199 South Water St., Chicago, 111, Denver —Demand for both comb and extracted honey light, and we do not expect any improvement until aftei the holidays. Fancy white comb brings $:?.50 per ca.se of 24 .sections: No. 1 white, $3.10tofii 25; No. 2, 12.75. Extracted, 7|^(a8j^ per lb. Beeswax, wanted at 22(32(), according to color. The Colorado Honey Producers' Ass'n, Dec. 22. 1440 Market St., Denver, Col. Kansas City.— Market steadv at quotations. We quote fancy white, per case of 24 sections, $i 50; No. 1. $H.40; No. 2 and amber, p, 25. Extracted while, per lb , 7@7H; amber, 6(g6^. Beeswax, 27(a30 C. C. Clemons & Co., Dec. 20. 306 Grand Ave., Kansas City, Mo. For S.ale. — I^ight and buckwheat extracted honey in cans and kegs; sample. 8c. I. J. Stringham, 105 Park Pi., New York City. For Sale.— Extracted honey, from alfalfa, at 7^c for No. 1 select, 7c for No. 1, Ojl for No. 2; discount on 1000-lb. lots. Send for sample. D. S. Jenkins, I,as Animas, Col. For Sale. — White extracted honey from alfalfa in 60;lb. cans, at $4 .50 each; light amber honej' mixed with Rocky Mountain bee-plant, fine flavor, $4.20 each. Prices on small cans and pails on application. M. P. Rhoads, Box 216, I^as Animas, Colo. For Sale. — Alfalfa water-white honey, 60-lb. cans, two in a case, at 7}^c; fancy basswood in 250-lb. bbls., 8c: same in 60-lb. cans, two to a case, 9c. We buy and sell for cash only. E. R. Pahl & Co., 294, 296 Broadway, Milwaukee, Wis. Wanted. — Beeswax ; highest market price paid. Write for price list. Bach, Becker & Co., Chicago, 111. Wanted— Comb and extracted honey. State price, kind, and quantity. R. A. Burnett & Co., 199 South Water St., Chicago, 111. For .Sale. -Extracted honey. Finest grades for ta- ble use. Prices quoted on application. Sample by mail, 10 cts. to pay for package and postage. Orel L,. Hershiser, 301 Huntington Ave., Buffalo, N. Y. We will be iti the market for honey the coming sea- son in carloads and less than carloads and would be glad to hear from producers everywhere what they will have to offer. Seavey & Flarsheim, 1318-1324 Union Avenue, Kansas City, Mo. Oxar Advertisers. ■ safe arrival and satisfaction guaranteed." So slates the Storrs & Harrison Co., nurserymen, florists, and seedsmen of Painesville, Ohio, in their adverlisements. and so they have stated for all the years they have been soliciting the business of our readers. We have often had dealings with this firm as they are so near Medina ; and we recommend our readers, who are not already customeis and re eive their free catalog, to start right at once by sending their address on a postal for the new 1903 book. Once more we remind our readers that much valuable information is now found in the books furnished by our advertising friends. Take for example those found in this issue. Our attention is just called to the new ileparture of the Iowa Incubator Co.. Box 197, DesMoiiics, la. I'lease write them at once for their book. Cox Bros, write us they are using one of Wilson Bros, mills and it is giving ^«/;;v satisfaction in every way. even better than tliev were led to expect. They use' it for all the work on the ranch, and some for the neighbors as well. 44 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Jan. 15 1. '^he Best Bee-g'oods in the World are no better than those we make, and the chances are that they are not so good. If you buy of us yoti will not be disappointed. We are \indersold by no one. Send for new catalog and price list and free copy of THE AMERICAN BEE-KEEPER; in its thirteenth year ; 50 cents a year ; especially for beginners. '^hQ W. T. Falconer Man'f 'g Co., JamestoAvn, New YorK. W. M. Gerrish, Epping, New Hampshire, carries a full line of our goods at catalog prices. Order of him and save the freight. iiriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiniiiiiiiiiiiuhiiiifiiiiiiiiHiiiiiMiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiri^ 1 1. J.Stringham, New York City 1 I 105 Park Place. | I OUR 1903 CATALOG is yours for the asking. The supplies I I listed in it are practical and up-to-date. We furnish everything = I a bee-keeper uses, and will not be undersold. It will be a plea- = I sure to quote you prices on any thing you need ; Freight Paid to | I your R. R. station if you prefer. Bees and queens during the = = season. Apiaries, Glen Cove, Long Island. = ?iniiiiiiii»i»iniiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitMiniiiiiiiiiiiniiiiMiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiniii»iiHitniiiiiiiiiniiMiiiiiiMiiiiiif^ fiK »!». »iv »iv fi». »iw f|C »|C »ie »|C »ie fie »ie fiC fi^ »iv »ik »> »iv fiw 4 Bee-Keepers! 4 %y Send us a list of the goods you want »,r ^i, and we will quote prices by return mail. ^I|^ *i^ Discounts on early orders. . i^ '^fi^ ^*^ \J|/ L^. C. "Woodinan, Grand R.apids, Micli. yU ^^ fiC fiC' »|C »iK ular prices, we will make the following low rates on journals: Gleanings in Bee Culture, 'y^ .Sfe. semi-monthly, one year, 50 cts.; American Bee Journal, weekly, one year, 70 cts. Xli, ■^ "'■'^'^'^'^'^'^'^'^'^''^^^■'^■'^'^^^''^'^''^'^''^''^'■'^■^'■^^ ■^ X|>{ C. M. Scott & Co , . . . 1004 East Washington St, Indianapolis, ind. j„„„ „„,„„„„„„ „.. *W yfK L. C. Woodman Grand Rapids, Michigan. ; ; VK >V The Fred W. Muth Co., S. W. cor. Walnut & Front, Cincinnati. Ohio. :n||R ArFNIPIPQ" xi^ "S^ Fred W. Foulger & Sons Ogden, Utah. = """ HWtl^UICO = -^ f^ Colorado Honey Producers' Association, 1440 Market >St.. Denver, Colo. Z r xti y^ Colorado Honey Producers' Assocn, R. C. Aiken, Mgr , Loveland, Colo. E THEY WILL FILL YOUR : '^ f^ Grand Junction Fruit-growers' Association, . . Grand Junction, Colo. = ORDER PROMPTLY - >V, yjx Robert Halle, Montrose, Colo. = = 'S^ >V Pierce Seed & Produce Co Pueblo, Colo. = If you are located near = >V •Spf E. T. Abbott St. Jo.seph, Mo. = any of those, send us = 'TIS ^^ Chas. Dadant & Son, Hamilton. Ills. : yoiir name and ad- = .^ ■Jff F. C Erkel 515 First Ave., N. E-, Minneapolis Minn. ; dress, and write them E '5^ V «?een writing^ Our Homes and other matter out- doors. When he left Medina he had a hard cold, and wore a heavy overcoat, and a fur cap drawn down o^er his head. He looked as if he were pinched with the shivers. While we are having zero weather and a high wind. I can just imagine the pleasure he is having- sitting- outdoors writing- for Gleanings, and perhaps in his shirt- sleeves, enjoying- a genuine winter's sum- mer. THE EDITOR'S AX7TOMOBILE TRIP AMONG THE BEE-KEEPERS THIS SUMMER. I HA\"E toured among- bee-keepers on the bicycle: have ground centuries day after day. with the sweat rolling down off my nose: I have traveled on horseback, and in the buggy: I have even gone so far as to at- tempt to ride a burro at the fast pace of a mile an hour, and got off at the end of the first half -hour quite used up. I have tour- ed on steam-cars and electric cars: and now there seems to be only one means of locomo- tion that I have not yet tried: and this sum- mer, nothing preventing. I hope to try the eccentricities of a gasoline-automobile. As soon as the roads will permit I expect to make a trip on a long-distance "auto"' among the bee-keepers of Xew York. Penn- sylvania. Indiajia. and Michigran. I have just placed my order for a 1903 Friedman car with double-opposed-cylinder seven- horse-power g-asoline-engrine. It has all the latest improvements, and it is capable cf being speeded all the way from one to 25 miles per hour. It is guaranteed to plow through sand : and I should not be surprised, judging from its substantial construction, that it might plow through mud. Mrs. E. R. R. and Lei and will accompany me on some of my trips, for I will shoot out one or two hundred miles, making Medina the hub of the wheel, so to speak, and my various trips representing the spckes. The macnine is ordered, and will be deliv- ered about the first of February. In the mean time I am studying up g-asoline-en- g-ines ana automobiles in g^eneral. for I pre- sume I shall have some disagreeable stop*. for all gasoline-engines have a quee*- wny of being "balky "" at times. I shall make seme short trips along- about the first of May. roads permitting-, and will beg^in my lony- tours some time in June. We have been testing- the efficiency cf the 52 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Jax. 15 street-car for carrying- an apiarist to and from our j-ards; and having- had some ex- perience in hasing horses nearly killed ( and one killed I from stings, I am now wondering if I can not drive an automobile clear up to the bees without its kicking up a fracas and smashing things all into smithereens. I have been in two or three horse run- aways, and Mrs. Root has a mortal terror ever}' time she gets behind a spirited ani- mal. We are now hoping for a genuine good time visiting among bee-keepers with- out being scared to death every time we pass a thrashing-engine or a street-car. The machine I have purchased is a Fried- man, made bv the Friedman Automobile Co., 3 Van Buren St., Chicago; and if you wish to look at an up-to-date beautiful ma- chine— a veritable "red devil" capable of standing hard knocks, and of making fast time, send for a circular to the above ad- dress. Better do it an}- waj-; then if per- chance I come through your vicinity j'ou maj' recognize its '"satanic majesty" com- ing down the road at a terrific clip. BALLOT : to be used bj' members of Xatioual Bee-keepers' Association ia December, MKK. THE RAMBLER SICK IX CUBA. Mr. J. H. Martin, better known as the Rambler, has been very sick with fever; but from the last account he was on the mend. He is getting to be pretty well ad- vanced in life, reaching »i3 last December; and the last time I saw him lin California) I could see that age was beginning to tell on him. He has been working hard in Cu- ba securing a crop of hone}-, and we trust he will now save his strength sufficiently' so we shall have the opportunity- to enjoy again his good-natured chats. Later, Jan. /j. — The sad news has just been cabled us by our Minager, Mr. de Beche, that Mr. Martin is dead. Of course, there were no particulars; but the run of fever was evidentl}' too much for him, and the end came all too unexpectedly. That broken blackboard on page 946 by artist Murray was almost prophetic of the end. It was almost Rambler's last note to the pub- lic, and as I look at the brol en and shatter- ed pieces I can not but think of the genial soul, the light of which for this earth has gone out forever. Particulars will be given in our next issue, together with a biograph- ical sketch. TROrBLES IX THE XATIOXAL BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATXOX. Our readers will remember that last sum- mer a complication arose in the selection of a General Manager. The board of Direct- ors, having discovered that it had appointed Mr. E. T. Abbott illegally to that oflice, re- called its action, and requested Mr. Secor, whose resignation had not been formally accepted, to fill out the unexpired term, which he did. A good deal of bitterness and unpleasant feeling was engendered, but it was finally left to the December election. At the last election Mr. Secor put out the following ballot: For General Manager for U>03, to suc- ceed Eugene Secor, who wishes lo retire. iX. E France, of Wisconsin, has been r. gularl.v and properl.v nominated, and is believed to be worthy of yoar support. I (Write name voted for.' For 3 Directors to succeed Thos. G. Newman, G. M. Doolittle. and W. F. Marks. Write 3 names below. The name of Mr. N. E. France was the only one of the candidates in the field that was named; and immediately a good many inquired why it was that other names that had been proposed in the bee journals were not also incorporated in the ballot, and whv' there should be "electioneering" for the one candidate. Some complaint was made because the amendments offered by Mr. Abbott at Denver were not also offered for adoption or rejection at the hands of the membership, and no reason given for their omission. There was a call for a new election, as many of the friends of Mr. France believed that the ballot was unfair — that either no name should have been mentioned on the ballot, as has been the custom heretofore, or else that all the names shotild be included. In reply to these va- rious charges Mr. Secor makes the following- statement: Mr. IV. Z. Hutchinson: — I have 3-our recent letter in which you saj- there is some dissatisfaction among some of'ttie members of the Association regarding the form of ballot recently sent out. and bccaus there were no constitutional amendments submitted, i am sure that any fair-minded member will, when he Teams the facts in the case, exonerale the General Manager from blame in 1 oth cases. The reason why :Mr. France's name was mentioned on the voting- blank was that he w.is the only person nominated in a proper manner. His name hid been regularly pre- sented to the Chairman of the Board and seconded by at least half a dozen members It therefore came to me official Iv, and I wis obliged to call attention to it. Perhaps it ma\' be slated that other names had been mentioned in some of the bee-journals. Granted. I no fr think I remember one person who fo nominated three or four men for the iome office. B it by what con- stitutional provision is thr Board of Directors or the General Manager required to take cognizance of every suggestion made by ;very person who may write to periodicals published in' the L-nited States? Why w-ere not these nominations made to the proper offi-' cials of the Association? Unless these matters are brought to me per.sonally I can not undertake the re- sponsibilitv of endorsing them. Now as to the consiiiutional amendments offered at the Denver convention: How could I submit so im- portant a matter as that to a vote without a wo^d from the Secretarv? In fact, I never saw a copy of them until the voting-blanks had been mailed, and then onlv a stenc graphcrs report of them. Dr. Mason wrote me. soon helore his death, that he had no copy of the proposed amendments: that they had never been turned over to him. If the Secretary of the As- sociation could not certify what the proposed amend- ments were, how should'it be expected that I should take the responsibility of interpreting them? 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. I said before, and now repeat, that I did not see even a purported copy of any proposed amenJmcuts till after the voting-blanks ha'd been printed and sent out. If we are not to be governed by cxiustitutional authority, why have a constitution? If we do not pr-ictice business methods, and follow parliamentary usages, our a.ssocialion is but a rof)e of sand and is not worth saving I hope soon to turn over to my successor the records and funds of the largest and most prosperous bee- keepers' a-sociation in the world: and if we will stop our quibbling about unimportant matters, and put our shoulders to the wheel in the spirit of fraternal help- fulness, the future of the Association will be brighter than ever; but if factionalism ai;d loveof office prevail it will be rent in twain, and die a premature death EVGENE Secor. General Manager. This seems like a reasonable and fair statement save in one point: I don't see that an explanation has been offered why the name of Mr. France (and I voted for him and will vote for him ag^ain if fjiven a chance) should be favorabl_v recommended on the blank ballot that is supposed to favor no one. I presume Mr. Secor did not intend to have the statement construed as electioneerings matter, for he is a man who means to be fair. I am free to acknowledge that I was one of the parties who was in favor of a new election, and am yet if it can be held with- out bringing greater complications. I took the ground that, while I believed Mr. Secor ma3' have proceeded in a perfectlj- legal manner, the ballot has the appearance of unfairness. I had come in possession of information to the effect that many who ex- pected to vote for Mr. France voted for Mr. Abbott, to rebuke what they thought was an unfair ballot. The Directors are talking these matters over informall_v among themselves. Ju. abide by the decision of the Directors: and that the Board take time enough to go all over the case carefully, and then decide what is best to do. that pure-food bill xow before the senate; do it now. It will be remembered that I referred, in our last issue, to the fact that the pure-food bill had passed the lower house of Congress. and was then before the Senate; and I ask- ed our readers to write their Senators, urg- ing their support of the measure. The fol- lowing letter from Prof. H. W. Wiley, Chief Chemist of the Department of Agri- culture, Washington, will explain itself: Dear Mr. Root:^\ am gratified in reading your arti- cle on the pure-food bill, on page ii of Gle.-vnixgs for January. This is a righteous measure, and the good word you .say in regard to it is the most helpful at this time. I msh that you could approach the Senators from Ohio in some way so as to induce them to work for this bill and secure favorable action before the end of the session. Every influence which is now brought to bear on the Senators in favor of the bill will do much good. Thanking you for your interest in the matter, and for the good work which you are doing all along the line of bee culture. I am. H. W". Wilet, Chief of Bureau of Chemistry. Washington, D. C, Jan. S. Prof. Wile\- is in position to know wheth- er this measure is a good one or not, and when he endorses it that should be enough. I do not see how any Senator who has any regard for the stomachs of his constituents can refuse to support it. I wrote to our own Senators, and received from each a statement, signed b.v his secretary, that my letter would receive "careful considera- tion," and that is all I know. I urge the bee-keepers of Ohio, every one of them, to write one letter to Senator J. B. Foraker, and another to Senator M. A. Hanna, of the United States Senate. Washington, D. C, urging them to do all they can to bring this '■ righteous measure " to a vote before the session ends: and it is incumbent on ev- er}- bee-keeper in ever^' other State to do likewise bv- his own Senators. I do not believe our subscribers fully re- alize how important this is. Nothing that has come up in ^ears will do more to sup- press adulteration than this. If I could have my wa^-. every one would send in a letter, if he has not already done so. before he ate or slept. Do it now is a very good rule, especialh- in a case like this. We are inclosing an index for 1902 in this issue. We received so many requests from our subscribers for an index that we concluded we had better send one to every subscriber. We have been greatly- delayed in our printing department, or otherwise this index would have been out sooner. The present index is the most voluminous, b}' all odds, we have ever sent out. GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Jan. 15 PREVENTION OF SWARMING; COMB = HONEY PRODUCTION. The Veteran of the Brushed=Swarm Method Tells How his Method Diifers from those Recently Spoken of in the Bee Jounais; the Caged° Queen Plan of Preventing Swarming. BY L. STACHELHAUSEN. In the last few months I have found in Gleanings nearly ."^0 articles about brush- ed swarms. Nearly all of the writers crit- icise or recommend brushed, shook, or forced swarms for increase in place of natural swarms. Only three of the writers seem to pay any attention to my method, described in Gleanings for Nov. 1, 1900, which de- signs to prevent all swartning and all in- crease. We see that both manipulations are just opposite; they are similar only in this respect, that in both cases the bees are shaken or brushed from the combs. This shaking of bees from the combs is one of the most common and regular operations in the apiary — nearly as much so as smoking the bees. If we need a single brood comb for any purpose we shake the bees from it. If we sell bees by the pound we shake and brush them through a funnel from the combs into a box. In artificial swarming we shake. Before the invention of the bee-es- cape we had to shake and brush the bees from the honey-combs for extracting; and for a few 3'ears we have jounced the whole super, a la Martin, and that is a w-holesale shaking. That artificial swarms can be made bj' shaking and brushing the bees from the brood-combs, I have known at least since 1878. In 1883 I worked an out-apiary for comb honey, and controlled swarming to my full satisfaction by shaking the bees on starters; that is, by artificial swarming, and had a good honey crop too. It is only about 4 years that I have experimented to prevent swarming entirely by this manipu- lation of shaking and brushing. I caught the idea by scientific speculation, and the whole thing was new to the bee-keepers when I published m3' article in Nov., 1900, and it is still not understood as j-et, as so many prominent bee-keepers do not see the diff^erence between my method and the forced swarm for increase. That these forced swarms, known more than twenty years, have gained more attention, I was glad to observe; but it seems to me this is a very slow progress, as, for instance, Doolittle recommended the plan repeatedly iji Glean- ings. My method of preventing swarms is some- thing quite different. In the spring, and before the honey-flow, we can generally prevent swarming by the use of very large hives, and our colonies develop in them to an admirable strength. When the honey- flow commences, I remove all the brood, be- cause the young bees, which would hatch every day in large numbers, would not find enough young larva; to be nourished, and this causes an extension of the blood, and, in consequence, the swarming fever. A surplus of 3^oung bees compared with the number of young larva; in the hive, will soon cause swarming under favorable con- ditions. This is not merely theory, but it can be proven by experiment. This brood taken away must be given back to the colony as soon as it is changed to bees of such an age that they will not cause swarming any more, and will be able to help in gathering honey. This giving back all the bees when they are ready for doing field work is the main point in my management. It can be done in difi'erent ways — either by shaking the bees from the brood-combs twice in front of the main colonj% or by moving the hive with the brood-combs, and so, a la Heddon, draw- ing the bees from it to the main colony, at last by shaking all the bees 21 days after- ward from the now emptj' combs in front of the main colony. Of course, this shaking can be done only once, and earlier — for in- stance, on the tenth daj% and the capped brood-combs used elsewhere. This is some- thing between the two manipulations. When all the brood is removed, the brood- chamber is contracted, and starters are given. This forces the bees up into the sec- tions and causes them to work there at once. I think this is the best possible condition of a colony for storing honey in the sections. The difference between a forced swarm and my method is that, bj^ forming a swarm, we divide the colony permanently, giving to one part nearly all the bees and the queen; to the other part, only a few bees and all the brood. By my method for producing comb honey, and at the same time preventing swarming and increase, I remove the brood and a few bees temporarily only. The idea is to re- move the young bees and give them employ- ment in a separate hive till they are old enough to do field work in the main colony. We see that, by this method, the field force of a colony is not diminished at all. The only objection worth mentioning is that the colony has to build a set of new combs, and this will take some work and some honey. I am of the opinion that a col- onj^ during a good honey-flow produces wrix arbitrarily, especially if little or no brood is present — that is, if the colony is in the condition of a swarm. The production of wax will consume some honey; but this is more than balanced by the multiplied vigor of the swarm. This is of so much value that sometimes during a short honey- flow we may get a considerable amount of sur- plus honey from strong swarms, while oth- 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 55 er colonies not divided would ffive no sur- plus at all, but would raise a number of useless consumers. That a swarm hived on starters will give more surplus honey in sections than a swarm hived on empty combs is proven bj' experiments conducted by Hutchinson about 20 3 ears ayo. Under some circumstances foundation may be pref- erable; but to fj^ive empty combs to a forced or natural swarm is a mistake at all times, if comb hone}' in sections is desired. Another method of preventing swarms is to remove or cage the queen and to cut out the queen-cells at the right time once or twice, and at last introduce or liberate an- other or the same queen. Compared with my plan I see some objections, and the plan has not found many followers, so far as I know. As soon as the queen is removed or caged, the swarming impulse is started at once, and can be lessened afterward only by weakening the colony considerably. With mj' method the swarming impulse is prevented in the main colony, or checked at once, if queen-cells should have been start- ed, when the colonj' is shaken from the combs. The swarming impulse dominates in the hive with the brood-combs; but here it is no disadvantage, because this colony can't swarm before a young queen will hatch. Again, colonies in this condition will not work with the same vigor as a swarm. In the third place, finding the queen and cag- ing her takes more time with these strong colonies than shaking the bees and the queen from the combs, to say nothing about hunting up queen-cells and cutting them out. Fourth, as the laying of eggs is dis- continued as long as the queen is removed or caged, the colony will get weak at a cer- tain time, and this is an objection if the honey-flow is of long duration or if a second honej'-flow is to be expected later, as is the case in my locality. According to Stray Straws, Dec. 1, Dr. C. C. Miller seems to prefer to breed a non- swarming race of bees to prevent swarm- ing'. It seems to me this is a very difficult problem, and I am not willing to wait till it is solved if I wish toestablisli an out-api- ary. My experience with Carniolans and North German heather bees teaches me that the most prolific races of bees are those which swarm the most. The Italian bees do not swarm as much as these two races. because they diminish breeding as soon as a honey-flow of au3' amount is beginning; and this qualification is not always desira- ble. If we would breed a non-swarming race of bees it seems to me that this race may not have the desirable prolificness, and we want prolific queens from early spring till the commencement of the honey-flow, and we should give them a chance to lay as many eggs as possible at that time. By using large hives this is accomplished in the easiest way. In most localities, and here in most years, the colonies in these large hives will not swarm before the main honey-flow, but they are not in proper con- dition for the production of comb honey. I contract the brood-nest as described above, and bring- the colony into the condition of a swarm. This forces the bees at once into the sections, and causes the comb honey to be whiter than if produced over old brood- combs. We know that a strong swarm, just before the main flow commences, is desirable for comb-honey production. It has the only ob- jection, that, during the first 21 days, no young bees are hatching, and that this swarm will get weaker every day by losing old field bees. I overcome this objection by giving back all the bees at the right time, so the colony will always have as many field bees as it would have if I had never manipulated it or than the colony would have had if no swarming took place; conse- quently I can see no reason why it should not gather as much honey as another colo- ny not manipulated which did not swarm. The necessary manipulations are not dif- ficult, and do not take much time; and I think it is hardly possible to find a more simple and more profitable way to prevent swarming, with the same security, if we work our colonies for comb honey in sec- tions. In the above I have neglected all points of less importance which I explained in m^^ two articles in Glkanings for Nov. 1 and Dec. 1. I have tried to explain the principles of m}' method as plainly as pos- sible, without theorizing very much, and I hope that this management will be under- stood now by the bee-keepers. Converse, Tex. [Your plan, as I understand it, does not dift'er greatly from the brushed-swarm plan lately advocated, where the colony is given back its brood in the form of bees at a sec- ond drive. It has seemed to me that this second brushing or drive was a very impor- tant feature of the plan. Without it one will lose a large part of the benefit. The Stachelhausen scheme of brushing or shak- ing has come to stav', I think, even if we were slow to take hold of it at first. We owe friend S. a vote of thanks. — Ed.] CANADA'S F0UL=3R00D INSPECTOR'S REPORT. The Work of a Successful Inspector in Ontario. BY WJI. M'EVOV. When on my rounds through the province, inspecting apiaries, I alwa3's pickeYl out the best man in every locality' that I went into to go the rounds with me, and tiiught him how to tell foul brood in every form and stage, and also how to cure the diseased apiaries in the shortest possible time with the least loss of time and materials, and finish \yy having- these same apiaries built up into good paying ones. B3' this system of having a good man in nearl}' ever_v local- ity I was able to manage the business for the whole province, and did get hundreds 56 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Jan. 15 of apiaries cured of foul brood, and very many of these are among- the best-paying- ones now in Ontario. In all cases of dis- putes between neighbors (and 1 had many of these to deal with) I went back very soon after, and in almost every case I succeeded in g-etting- peace of the most lasting- kind made. I often had all I could do to keep some men from rushing- into the courts with cases against parties from whom they bought diseaserl colonies. In some cases notes for over $200 had been given, and in others the cash had been paid. I often begged of these sorely troubled men not to g-o to law, but to leave all to me to get jus- tice done, and this they did do in every case, and I got justice done, and kept every case out of court. Where many colonies were sound, and only a few diseased, and a note g-iven, I ar- ranged for the diseased ones not to be paid for, but every dollar to be paid up in full on all that I found sound. The one man got the diseased ones for the curing, and the other his pay for the good ones. Some of the sales were so unjust that I pressed for the mouej' to be given up at once, and it Vv'as. My method of treatment never fails to make a perfect cure of every diseas- ed apiary when the owners do their work right, and nearlj' everv bee-keeper does it; but where thej' don't I have to see that they do. The bee industry is booming in Ontario now, and at our convention held lately in Barrie a "Honey Exchange" was started, and I believe it is going to prove to be the best thing that has been brought forward in many years. During the season of 1902 I visited bee- yards in the counties of Huron, Middlesex, Perth, Brant, Wentworth, Lincoln, Wel- land, Halton, York. Cardwell, Gre}', and Simcoe. I inspected 91 apiaries and found foul brood in 30 of them, and dead brood of other kinds in many others which had been mistaken for foul brood. I also found several fine apiaries completely cured of foul brood that had been reported to be dis- eased. The frequent showers that we had in the early and middle part of the past honey season kept the bees in their hives for hours at a tiine; and this taking place when the bees had a very large quantity rf lar\;e to feed caused a rapid using-up of the stores; and as fast as the cells were emptied the queens laid in them, and soon after that all brood-chambers became full (>f brood : and as they were left in that condition with the bees being driven in from time to time by the rains which were followed by sudden warm spells, it brought on the g-reatest rage of swarming ever known in Ontario, and created a great demand for comb foun- dation; and some bee-keepers, not having any on hand, and not expecting to get an3^ very soon, used some old combs (that were saved from colonies that had died from dis- ease), and spread the genuine article — a thing the same parties will never do again. All old diseased combs should be melted and put through a wax-press, as that is the only kind of extractor that will take all the wax out of old combs. It would greatly improve the apiaries in many localities if their owners would use more foundation and melt a part of their old combs each year until they were all re- newed. While on my rounds through the province I was much pleased with the very generous treatment that I received from every bee- keeper. Woodburn, Ont. [ It was Mr. J. B. Hall, atone of the con- ventions I had the pleasure of attending, who facetiously remarked that "McEvoy's Irish blarney" would carry him through everywhere; that opposition and fighting would vanish immediately, and I should judgre it had. Ontario is to be congratulat- ed on having so able and tactful a man for inspector. — Eu. ] CATCHING BEES TO START CELLS. How Swarthmore Catches up Young Bees, While They are Out for Play, to Give bis Cells a Good Start; Opening Hives Unnecessary; Robbing Entirely Prevented. BY SWARTHMORE. I have often noticed, in starting queen- cells, that the bees which dp the feeding and the ones that are the first affected by the loss of their queen, are those just at the age of flight. The older ones, just going to field, feed larva; if forced to it and the very young bees do some nursing, if need be; but the bulk of the feeding, under nor- mal conditions, is done by the bees one sees on playspells at certain times of the day. A pint of bees of the correct age will start more cells, and feed the queen larva; more liberall}', than a quarter-peck of old, young, and quite 30ung bees mixed. It's the older bees that create disorder in their efforts to escape from the cell-starting box. They smell the new honey and pollen, and are wild to bring it to the hive. And so with the nurses. They thrash and mourn at the loss of their queen and brood; they have no desire other than for a queen; and when furnished with the larva; their wants are entirely supplied. Then thej' will turn to cell-building with a will, and remain as quiet as bees can under confinement. It is impossible to shake from brood- combs, in the ordinary way, only bees of the correct age for queen-cell starting. Even if done at noon, more or less field bees and plent\' of quite j'oung ones are shaken into the ventilated box. It can not be helped unless one catches up a cell-start- ing force while the little dears are at plaj'. I have used with success a trap-box inade from an empty super for holding 4 '4 sec- tions, which I place at the front of a full hive, end up, for a few minutes, as the 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 57 young- bees are just starting out on a cleansing flight, and in this way catch up all the bees needed to start a batch of cells, with very little trouble, and practically no labor. Just stand aside and let the screen till up. When full, tilt the super forward; and as you do so, slide the thin lid, C, down so as to cover completelj' the back opening of the super. The first opening is covered with wire net, as is distinctly shown. '^•^^--J'T''''- '>>' Carrj' the trap to the operating-room and place it upon a bench of convenient height, wire down, and raised upon blocks to ad- mit air, and then let it remain until the bees fairly beg for a bit of brood or a queen. r.^ T^ An opening is cut through the lid, C, which is covered with a tin slide, T, until the bees become fully aware of their queen- lessness, then they are admitted to a set of combs, tiered above the super, b}' simply drawing the tin slide, T. The bees will almost immediately troop joyously up and take possession of the combs. Give them larva? at once. I use a small hive-body holding 5 combs 4VX8'2. This I place directly over the opening, H. On the combs are placed the cell-bars for holding Swarthmore compress- ed cups; and as soon as the bees occupy the combs the larvie are inserted through the holes in the cell-bars, each cup having been supplied with an eg^ deposited there bv the breeding queen. Twenty- four cups are given, and all are generally accepted. The body being small, the cluster is com- pact, and heat is maintained, vet ventila- tion is good, and, as a result, we get fine cells. ORGANIZATION AMONG BEEKEEPERS IN CALI- FORNIA. California Organized ; Organization Begun on a New and Substantial Basis. BY F. E. BROWN. Organization is the watchword on the Pa- cific coast among the bee-keepers, and it behooves the committee of the National or- ganizers to do fast work or the local branch- es of the National Association will be far in advance of the mother order. Last week the writer went to Los Ange- les to attend the California State Bee-keep- ers' Association, and there was much en- thusiasm along the line of national organ- ization, and I assure you I did all I could to promote the national idea of marketing honey, and wish to report that my time was not wasted. There was a committee ap- pointed at that convention to organize for the marketing of honey, consisting of L. E. Mercer. G. W. Broad beck, M. H. Mendleson, J. F. Mclntyre, Emerson Bro's, and F. E. Brown. This committee spent one day after the meeting adjourned, and effected one of the most substantial organizations ever known on this coast. The name of the new organization is the California National Honey- producers' As- sociation. It is a stock company, and the papers of incorporation are now pending; term of years fifty, with a capital stock of $25,000, each stand of bees to represent a share, with a par value of five cents per share. This is so placed that it will not exclude any one from coming in. They are to have a board of five directors, who will elect and emploj^ a local or general man- ager, whose duty will be to grade all honey, seal it with a seal bearing the name of the National Association, which will guarantee to its consumers the pure article. After the honey is graded and sealed it is never to be opened until it is opened for consump- tion. Any one who will buy a case of Cal- ifornia honey whose seal h:is not been affix- ed, or if it lias been broken, will in the fu- ture take the risk of getting what he orders; but on the other hand, if the package that he orders bears the seal of the California National Honey-producers' Association he can depend upon it he has the genuine ar- 58 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Jan. 15 tide. This should be encouraged every- where; aud let every locality so org-anize; but be sure to recognize the National Honey - producers' Association by leaving a place to couple on when the latter organization has been perfected. Grading-rules will be discussed so that they will be uniform as nearly as possible. When the official grader of the National Honey-producers' Association takes a sam- ple out of a case of honey, this sample is then placed in a sample bottle, and the bottle is then placed in a hole that has pre- viously been bored in the center-piece of the shipping case, so when the honey in any case needs to be sampled it will not be nec- essary to break the seal, but simply lift the sample bottle from the center-board and you have the correct sample before you; and that, too, in the proper form so you can see it. I again suggest that every well-to-do bee- keeper, or any other one of good standing where there is no commercial organization, take the responsibility upon himself and effect such an organization. The plan of the Colorado Hone3^-producers' Ass'n is a good one. It is very much like ours, and perhaps the Colorado plan is better known than some other. Have a central place to transact the business; also a business man- ager to do the business, whose duty should be to grade, seal, and sell all the products of its members. Except the honey sold at retail, all honey sold at retail by any pro- ducer will be free from any charge of the Association. And any member who can turn over to the manager of the local Asso- ciation an order for a car of honey will re- ceive a specified per cent of the sale of the same, up to the amount of his own product. This the local Association can just as well do as to pay it to some broker; and in this way the producer who now has a trade, and is selling by the carload lot, will still retain his customers, and it will be made an object for him to do so; and the same way with the retail man. He will not be called upon for a commission for the honey that he sells in this way, by retail — I mean in lots less than carloads; so you will see that it encourages the selling of the honey by the members, both in small and car lots, and at the same time it is the strictest kind of co-operation, and not competition as we now have it. When the National Honey-producers' Association is fully organized it will be a gigantic brokerage system, one that will be perfectly safe and reliable, one in which all its goods will be of its own protiuc- tion, and offered to the market from thes-e local organizations; in other words, these local organizations, which are now seek- ing a market for their honey, will then find tills National Honey- producers' Association a channel in which to market their goods, and a small commission will be paid to the N. H. P. A., which will be very small, and smaller as the volume of the business in- The article published in the Bee-keepers'' Revieiv for December, by E. B. Tyrrel, has many points that are worthy of consid- eration. He mentions the necessity of com- petent organizers to work up the local or- ganizations. This, I think, is well, and along this line I have worked, and have reached every convention possible. Co-op- eration and organization of a national type has been my hobby. But I can not see how it is going to be such a hard task as Mr. Tyrrell seems to be impressed with; for when the plan is de- cided upon by the committee, and accepted by the National Bee-keepers' Association, it will be a very easy matter to elect the proper officers, and then proceed to busi- ness, while the honey that is now marketed by the locjil association will not all be turn- ed over to the National the first year. It will grow in favor year by year, until soon we shall be in control of the entire output. The thing now to do is to effect the local or- ders everywhere; and as soon as the other part of the machinery is in working order, then couple on, and we are then one great train, loaded with the purest honey that is so sealed that it can not be tampered with until it is in the home of the consumer, where we will unload and load up our cars with the gold that has heretofore gone ta build up the palaces of the millionaire. Come along, brethren; don't be afraid of a good thing. If it were possible for this committee on plans to get together, then some speedy work could be accomplished; the machinerj^ could be set to work, and organizers could be placed in the field, armed with definite plans, and we should be prepared to han- dle the coming crop. While this would call for some expenditure of money, it would be a saving of far more money by controlling what will naturally be lost if we continue as we are another season. [The California bee-keepers are proceed- ing along the right lines. Gleanings will be glad to assist them in any way in its power, and its columns are open for any thing further they may desire to say. Mr. F. E. Brown was one of the commit- tee appointed at the last National conven- tion at Denver to consider plans for the formation of a National Hone3'- producers' Exchange or Association, said organization to co-operate with the local State organiza- tions operating on the same line. Califor- nia has taken a right step forward. If it selects a good manager, as did the Colo- rado organization, all will go well. An exchange may be ever so well organized and equipped; but if it does not have a good man back of it, with business qualifi- cations, it is liable to be a failure. Mr. Frank Rauchfuss, of Denver, Col., has proven to be an ideal manager. He is ge- nial, honest, and a good business man; and, what is more, the bee-keepers of Col- orado have confidence in him. He has. been tried, and not found wanting. — Ed.] 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 59 THE HONEY FLORA OF SOUTHEASTERN NE= BRASKA. The Other Plants Besides Catnip Found in the Vi. cinity of Dr. Uandy's Home, Humboldt, Neb. thing: of the value of buckbush as a honey- plant, and then stopped before a g-ood-sized field of it that he had sown on some waste land. The plant was out of bloom at the BV E. K. ROOT. (In p. 805, Oct. 1, I stated, in re- ferring- to my visit at the home of Dr. Gandy. that it was my opinion that catnip did not cut very much of a figure in honey production, in the locality, and then added that I would, later on, g^ive some photos of other honey-plants. The land for the most part is deep and rich, of a chestnut or black color. The natu- ral wild flora is ver}' abundant, but perhaps not moresothan in otherpor- tions of Nebraska. Dr. Gandykind- ly drove Mr. Hutchinson, Mr. Whit- comb, and myself over the country, giving us an excellent opportunity to take photos along the way, and some of those that I then took I now take pleasure in presenting to our readers. In Figure 1 is shown a thrifty-growing catnip-plant in Dr. Gandj-'s bee-yard just back of his house. His little daughter, and his son. Dr. Gandy, Jr., stand in the rear. His son is, I should say, about 5 feet 9 in height, and so the reader can get an idea of the size of the plant, although this is only one plant. While on the road leading south from town Dr. Gandy told us some- I'lG. 1. -A LARGE CATNIP-PLANT HOME APIARY. AT DR. GANDV'S^ •^^m^'--^-^^^^'^'-- ' t^'Mf^:^ '• ^ ■■ ■« -^ n ^•r-r.- FIG. 2. — A FIELD OK BUCKBUSH SOWN OKIGINALt.V BY DK. GA.N'DY r.o GLEANINGS IN I'.KE CULTURE. Jan. 15 lime of our visit, but the little white seed- hilKs or berries showed very distinctly. Ill Fig". 2 we have a partial view of the field with Mr. E. Whitcomb standing- in the middle g-round. After having secured this shot I requested our jovial friend to step nearer while I took a closer view of him and the plant he had just pulled up by the roots. In speaking- of him, perhaps it is proper to remark that he is one of the leading and influential bee-keepers of Nebraska. As he lives at Friend, not far distant, he was invited by Mr. Hutchinson and myself to meet us at Dr. Gaudy's. He is a Director of the N. B. K. A., and was President at the meeting- held in Philadelphia. He is a genial dry joker, and I can almost see a smile on his face, notwithstanding he looks so Sober. See how straight he stands, for FIG. 3. — E. WHITCOMB, OF FWIKVn, NF.B. A STALK OF BUCK BUSH. he is an old soldier, and has been taught to stand erect. Dr. Gandy did not regard buckbush as important a honey-plant as catnip; it was more easily propagated; in fact, when it once struck root it was almost impossible to eradicate it. For that reason it would not be advisable to sow the seed of this plant on any thing but waste land. He did not think that either plow or cultivator could tear it up, and he intimated that there was danger that it would spread like a noxious weed. Continuing on our drive, and following the river, we came up to several large patch- es of wild cucumber. The vines had cover- ed the entire bank in luxuriant profusion for a good distance each wa}'. The large general view I took of it was unsatisfactory and hence is not reproduced; but the next shot, of the leaves and flowers, is shown inFig. 4. The planttrail- ed all overthetrees, alongthe rail fences — in fact, it covered every thing. Dr. Gandy regarded it as a very important honey-plant, and said if there were onl}'^ more of it it would yield con- siderable honey. The specimens shown in the plate are about a third the natural size. Little white flowers surmount the ends of the stalks; and, like many another honey-plant, their chief attraction to insects is their sweetness. Wild cucumber is pretty well distributed, not only over all that part of Nebraska, but all over the United States. I have seen it everywhere, except, perhaps, in the far West and in the ex- treme South. In Fig. 5 we have a very pret- ty field of heartsease. At the time of my visit, the plant was just in its prime. The bees were working busily on it, and the peculiar odor could be detected qu te a distance awa}'. Large fields of it in meadows and in cultivated ground were seen ev- erywhere; and the beautiful combination of pink, and the deeper violet intersprinkled with pure white, made a verj' pretty efTect. If, for example. Fig. 5 could be shown to j^ou in the natural colors you would see something having- a beautiful blend of color. While the smart- weed of the East, a near rela- tive, has dark-red bitter-smell- ing flowers, the heartsease has heads sometimes white, and sometimes sprinkled with white, pink, and violet, and some deep violet. I could not help noting that the heartsease in that part of the countr}' seemed to be more vigorous in its growth than the same plant in Ohio Jind else- EXAMININO 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 61 where. Indeed, it is a well-known fact that in Kansas and Nebraska it is one of the most important sources of honey. If I re- member correctl}', one man in Nebraska once reported a yield of 400 lbs. from two colonies, or an average yield of 200 lbs. from forty or sixt}' colonies. Mr. Whitcomb seemed to be decidedly of the opinion that the large amount of honey in the hives in Dr. Gandy's yard was largely from hearts- ease. The bees were piling into the hives, evidently loaded with nectar. He got down on his hands and knees, and placed his face near the entrance. "Yes," said he, rising, "that is heartsease, for it has the characteristic smell." Dr. Gandy has several very fine blood- hounils. Some of the older dogs have been trained to service; and it was really inter- esting to see how they would take scent, track the individual, and then when they got "hot on the trail" would give that deep bay that would, I should &ay, make the one tracked think the very devil or a lot of them were after him. Mr. Vhitcomb took along two of the pup- pies, siying, with that dry smile of his, "Mrs. Whitcomb will probably raise a rumpus when she sees these pups." Later Mr. W. told me his wife had become recon- ■ciled to the pup*;, and that they were grow- ing rapidly. OFFENSIVE ODORS FROM THE HIVES IN THE FALL. What is the cause of an extremely offen- sive odor, noticeable about bee-hives at times during the fall? Would any honey that chanced to be on in the supers ever become fit to eat, or could it be made so? Will you kindly give prevention and cure? Nellie G. Bassett. Mulberry Corners, O., Nov. 8. [Very often in the fall of the year bees will gather honey from some fall flower which, before it is ripened, or is in the process of ripening, gives out a sort of sick- ening odor from the entrance of all hives in which such honey is stored. I know, for example, that unripe heartsease hone}' in a hive gives out a sickening smell, or at least it is sickening to me. There are others that at times give off similar odors. It is well known that the process of ripening FIG. 4.— WILD CUCUMBr-:K, showing the leaves ^ND BLOSSOMS (ONF-THIRD S Zi;). 62 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Jan. 15 eliminates the bad taste of a good many different brands of honey. For example, the nectar from the flower of onions is very offensive; but after it has been thoroughly ripened by the bees the offensive odor is practically gone, and the honey is not un- pleasant.— Ed.] NORTHERN ILLINOIS AS A HONEV LOCATION; WOULD IT PAY TO MOVE BEES THKRE? How does Northern Illinois rank as a honey- producing section? Do you think it a better place for producing honey than here in Vermont? I do not suspect it is a very good place; but would it pay to move about twenty colonies out there if I were going any wa3^? The bees are in Simplic- ity hives, and in very good order. I am wintering there on their suinmer stands. How early in the spring could they be moved? How should they be prepared for shipping? I suppose they w^ould go by ex- press. About what would be the rates from here to Chicago, and would I be allow- ed to go with them provided I pay mj^ fare? Leon E. Hall. North Springfield, Vt., Nov. 29. [Northern Illinois is no better for honey than your locality in Vermont, probably; but if you are going for other reasons we would advise you to sell your bees where they are, rather than pay express charges to move them to Illinois, for the charges will probably be as much as the bees are worth. A cheaper way would be to take the express charges and buy bees and put them in new hives after you get to j'our new location. You can move bees at any time in the spring; in fact, they can be moved in the dead of winter; but when the air is very cold, combs are liable to be brittle. If the bees are to be moved it should be done when the temperature is above freezing. — Ed.] painting hives a warm color. In wintering bees with telescope covers why would it not be a good plan to paint the covers black? They would, if black, keep the hives warmer, during the day at least. C. G. Dickson. Kensington, Md., Sept. 17. [We have made it a rule to paint our winter cases with common Venetian red. A warm color may have the advantage of drawing enough heat from the sun at times to warm up the cluster in the hive, thus causing it to turn over and move on to more honey, and thus be prepared for the long cold snap. I have observed this: that some- times colonies outdoors have starved to death because the cluster has consumed all the honey within three or four inches of it. If \ ■ i: ■ ;^fe'i FIG. 5. — A fine field OF H ICARTSEASE. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 63 there had been a warm spell of even one daj', this cluster would probably have mov- ed over far enough to get over on to the honey, and all would have been well. — Ed.] WHAT IS THE QSUAL DEATH-RATK OF A COL- ONY IN WINTER? I have just begun bee-keeping, and I have five stands in the old ten-frame Sim- plicity hive. There is an oilcloth spread over the brood-frames closely, and about a month ago I made sacks of burlap to fit the hives, filled these with chaff, and pressed them down closely on the oilcloth. The opening into the hives is just the same as it was in the summer. It seeins to me that these bees ought to do well, but they are d^'ing. Pvvcrj' day a dozen or more dead bees are rolled out of each hive. They are not dying for want of food, for there is more than 30 lbs. of honey in each hive. Is this only an ordinary' death rate? If it is not, what is probably the cause? I also want to know which is best for bees — sweet or crimson clover. Do these clovers furnish hay and fertilize land like red clover? E. L. Bl.AKE. Grand Tower, Illinois, Dec. 10, 1902. [The trouble is, your bees have hardly sufficient protection; that is to sajs a cush- ion on top of the frames is not enough, al- though it is good so far as it goes. Your better way would be to put that colony in the cellar, provided you can darken it, and the temperature can be kept somewhere about 45 Fahr. — Ed.] THE DANZ. HIVE USED IN MANAGING SHAK- EN SWARMS. Bees seldom make any surplus honey here in spring, but consume it all and breed in most prolific manner. I have about 50 col- onies in 8 and 10 frame L. hives. I am go- ing to get Danz. hives and set one in place of populous colony, after removing it, and then shake j'oung bees from it and two oth- ers into the empty Danz. with joun_i,'- queen, and from these 3 L. hives shake out every 10 days all yojng bees into said Danz., use my whole 50 L. hives thus, 3 to 1. fed into the Danzies, and I believe I can make a lot of spring hone}' here and surprise the old bee-keepers who saj' it is useless to try till fall. If I fail there will be no loss, as the}' do nothing but breed as it is in L. hives, in the usual way of working; but I feel confident thej' will pile a lot of honey in sections wVien treated that way. That will be "shaking" in earnest, and then following' it up with plenty of re-enforce- ments. I don't need any extracting-supers to get them above when I do that, as I found last fall by driving three box- hive colonies into one Danz. which worked finely, except that the colonies began to run down too quickly, but the young bees continually shaken from 3 L. hives into one Danz. will remed}' that. In fall I want extracting su- pers to start them above; and then if strong colonies, and plenty of honey, no more to do. Bees never went into winter better than ours here this time. Brood-chambers are y"«// of finest quality of honey ;ver3' late breed- ing, and hives full of young bees. My bees were bringing in pollen yesterday, and I presume they are breeding some yet. In this locality I disbelieve in any kind of upper-story fixing, but back my judgment with risk of bees, and leave all mine with nothing above brood-chamber but the ven- tilated gable top. I have not opened one of them since Oct. 20, which gives time for thenn to seal up everj' crevice before severe weather. With plenty of honey and young bees, that is all I ask for. In shallow hives it may be different. Paducah, Ky., Nov. 2. W. M. Janes. RAPID-GROWING TREES FOR SHADE TO BEE- HIVFS. Will you kindly tell me what variety of tree to plant or set out that will give a shade to the hives in two years' time— some ([uick-growing kind that you are familiar with? They must grow tall enough to clear a man's head with a globe bee- veil on. Vorden, Cal., Dec. 8 Albert Lane. [The eucalyptus of your State and the Cottonwood of Arizona are both very rapid- growing trees. If I remember correctly I saw some cottonwoods in California. There is a species of willow there that is also a rapid grower. Almost any nurseryman in your vicinity could give you the desired in- formation.— h.D.] A REASON FOR BEES NOT CAPPING OVEK HONEY AT times; CLOVERS AS HONEY-PLANTS. Please tell Dr. Miller the seasons have alread}' changed. Last year was very dry, this season extremely wet, and this was a poor year for the bees. Some of them are short of winter stores. Some of them have the most uncapped honey in combs I ever saw in the fall. I think the cause of this was the long-continued fall flow of nectar in the dift'erent clovers, but not enough to produce wax; consequently the honey stor- ed was left uncapped. Louis Hocket. Fairmount, Ind., Nov. 26. .\ CARD from prof. W. WILEY. Mr. Editor. — I appreciate the great fight you have made for the purity of honej'. I am sure that every believer in the principle of pure food feels grateful for the work which you have done in that line. While the evil of honey adulteration is not entire- ly eradicated, it is certainly not so ram- pant as it was before the fight against it was made. I shall not be willing to lay down my arms in this matter until nation- al itnd State pure-food laws together com- pletel}' eradicate the great evil which has so long been a menace to the prosperity of the honey industr3\ H. W.WrLKV, Chief of Bureau of Chemistry. Washington, D. C, November 24. 64 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Jan. 15 THE FKRRY FEEDKK AND COVER COMBINED. Bee-keepers have had in time past consid- erable trouble in spring feeding, also stim- ulating small colonies, disturbing the bees, getting them cross, as well as being badly stung, taking off covers, killing ihem, and getting them excited, causing them to con- sume more honey while adjusting the feed- er. These inconveniences and trouble have caused me to invent a feeder that is a com- bination of a winter cover and feeder; can also be left on as a summer cover, and much better than the thin cover; as it will keep the sun from the top of the hive, it can be used as a cover at all times, and is always ready for a feeder or stimulator at any sea- son of the year, and will not disturb the bees, and there is no danger of being stung. I will give you a description of the Ferry feeder. Take a regular super which is 5 inches deep, and in the center put a Simplicity feeder, cutting into the sides of thp super so the ends of said feeder will sit in, so the bottom of it will be about '2 inch from the bottom of the super. On both sides of the Simplicity feeder put a partition '2 inch from the feeder the width of the super, also a bottom, and fill in these partitions, both sides of the feeder, with ground cork, chaff, or leaves, also a cover over the Simplicity feeder, leaving I'/i inch space on top for bees to go into the feeder above this, and fill in with cork, chaff, or leaves. Through the top cover on the super have a hole hav- ing a pipe extending into the Simplicity feeder, through which the feed can be put, honey or syrup (sugar and water), and in this pipe you put a cork. Your yard being fitted up with the Ferry feeders, j'ou re- quire little feeding or stimulating. Take your pail of honey or syrup, a dipper hold- ing "2 pint, and a funnel, and j-ou can go over a yard of 100 colonies in a very short time. Remove the cork from the pipe, put in the funnel, put in a dipper of feed, and so on through the yard. You little know what a help this is until you trj' it. If the stock of honey is getting low it is important. In the spring, even if your bees have plenty of honejf, it is a stimulant, a change of food, and gives the bees new life, and they will work with more energy and vim. You may say it is a little expensive, but it is done only once, and you always have them. Your bees will make more honey the ■first season than the cost of this "Ferry Feeder." I will send 3'ou a drawing of the " Ferry Feeder " and cover combined. H. S. Ferry. Mount Vernon, N. Y., Oct. 29. [Your idea is all right, but, as you say, it is a little expensive. From my stand- point, however, a Doolittle " division-board feeder, costing less than a fourth as much as the one you describe, would secure to you all the advantages you get in the feed- er illustrated. It has the feature of warmth; and being in the form of a division-board it can be inserted right down in the brood- nest where there is the greatest heat; and, moreover, it will hold about three times the amount of feed of the ordinary Simplicity trough. — Ed.] ARE OUEEN.S FOUND ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE HIVK IN A CLU.STER OF BEES AFTER A SWARM HAS ISSUED? On page 800, speaking of clipped queens, the editor says, " The queens coming out with swarms should generally be found in front of the hive with a cluster of bees." Dr. Miller's Straw, page 845, commenting says, " May be she should, but she isn't, at least not in this locality.." The editor's footnote still insists on the correctness of his statement. My experience of nearly 40 3'ears, in Indiana and California, agrees with Dr. Miller. Not more than one case in fifty have I ever found a cluster of bees with the queen. She either goes back into the hive, or is found crawling around by her- self. The text-books say the old queen leads the swarm. In my experience the clipped queen is among the last bees to leave the hive, and sometimes does not come out at all, while virgin queens are usually among the first of the swarm. Writers gen- erallj' say a queen on the combs may be found with a body-guard following her, making love to her, so to speak; and the ,text-books picture her thus attended by her loyal body-guard. This is not in accord- ance with my observation. The queen is rarely found thus, except when she is first mated, and has not yet disposed of the drone appendage, or when she is old, and her ab- domen extended by disease or other cause. In these two cases the bees will frequently cluster around her, apparently tr^'ing to re- move the difficulty. Is this the experience of others? If I am not mistaken the editor of Gleanings and man}^ of his correspond- ents advocate raising queens from cells where the bees are trying to supersede their queen. I do not think as good queens can be raised from egg'?, laid by a sick queen as can be from a healthy and vigorous lay- er; and bees rarely supersede before the queen shows signs of failing, and some- times hold to the old one until there is no brood left to raise a young one from. Now, Mr. Editor, won't j'Ou "look a lee- dle out" next year and see if I am not cor- rect? Don't follow the old ideas just be- cause such eminent men as Langstoth, Quinby, and others taught them. All honor 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 65 to these great men for the light they have given us; but they were human beings, and the human family may err, even the wisest of them. Delos Wood. Santa Barbara, Cal. [You and Dr. Miller may be right; but certain it is that many clipped queens I have found near the entrance of the hives, from colonies that had just cast a swarm have had a cluster of bees around them. It may be that I happened on to the "excep- tions that prove the rule." You say the text-books say the old queen leaves with the swarm. The ABC has never said this. Indeed, if j'ou will read the two first paragraphs on the subject of swarming, in either the old or new editions, you will find that it says the queen is among the last to leave the hive. I do not know of any modern text-books that have taught that the queen was \\\& first to lead out. Again, j'ou say that writers generally say a queen on the combs maj' be found with a body-guard following her. Here again you have it a little too strong. I don't know that there is any such state- ment in the ABC, but it does state that the bees will very often stand about the queen. I have watched the queen by the hour, and there is apt to be a circle around her. She will push herself among the bees, and they will back out of the way; and if she stands still they will circle around her. But in opening the hive it is not my practice to look for a circle around the queen, for there will be no circles of bees just then. The queen is apt to be somewhat frightened, and the bees more or less disturbed; but if the frame be held in the hand for a few minutes she regains her self-possession, and then the bees will gradually circle around her if she stands still — at least, these are m}' own personal observations. Yes, I do advocate raising queens from cells where the bees are trying to supersede their queen; but here again you have mis- read. The supersedure queens are not used for supplying the cells with eggs or larvae. Cells grafted from a choice breeder are put into a hive where the bees are try- ing to supersede the queen, because those bees will accept almost any thing in the way of cells given. I do not know of any author or writer who advocates using the eggs of a failing or supersedure queen for grafting his cells. Haven't j^ou misread or hastily read some of the authors and writers? — Ed.] 1. Please state the value of Catalpa speci- osa as a honey-producer. I have set out a number of trees. I notice Frank Benton gives it in Honey-bee, pp. 67, 68, and wish to know if others have found it of value. 2. Also the Russian mulberry. 3. Would EchiuiH vulgare (viper's bug- loss, or blueweed ) be of value as a honey- plant to naturalize in waste places? (Not- ed in F. Benton's Honey-bee, Plate VIII., opposite page 64. ) 4. Is asparagus of value as a producer of pollen or nectar? Wilfred Allen. Windsor, Ct., Oct. 2. [This was sent to Prof. Benton, Washing- ton, D. C, who replies:] 1. All of the catalpas are visited freely by bees for honey. I am unable to say whether a preference is given to one species or the other. Catalpa speciosa, being the hardy catalpa, is receiving greater atten- tion as a cultivated tree than the other ca- talpas, and no doubt will in the future be of some value to bee-keepers. 2. I have never seen bees visiting mulber- ry-trees of any kind. It is possible they might work on the ripe fruits under some conditions, although I have not observed this. Certainly the blossoms are not attrac- tive to them. 3. The viper's bugloss, or blueweed {Echiiim I'ulgare), I do not consider a pest under a good system of cultivation; and as it is quite tenacious of life it can be readily naturalized by roadsides and in waste fields. It is true that it sometimes makes its way into meadows where the grass has been left to stand long; but, as indicated above, wnth a proper rotation of crops, since plowing wholly eradicates it, it is not to be believed that it would be a serious pest. The plant remains in blossom for some weeks, beginning in June and lasting well through July, in middle latitudes. The honey is of most excellent quality, clear and white, with good body, resembling in the main white clover honey. 4. Common garden asparagus, when per- mitted' to blossom, is eagerly visited by the bees for its honey. I do not recollect whether pollen is collected or not. When grown in large areas it may be regarded as a plant of some importance, especially as it comes in midsummer, when there is often a dearth of other hone5'-producing plants. Frank Benton. Is the carpet grass a forage-plant for do- mestic animals, or is it obnoxious to them? Alonzo Knight. Plain City, Utah, Nov. 4. [I do not know, but I think carpet grass is not a forage-plant ; neither is it particu- lar obnoxious to stock; but my belief is that they would eat almost any thing else in preference. — Ed. ] Is the wax that comes with the honey digestible? Chas. H. Issel. Glenville, O., Nov. 18. [Probably not; but I never heard that the wax eaten from comb honey did any partic- ular harm. It would simply pass through the alimentary canal, neither aiding nor retarding assimilation or digestion. Of course, if too much wax were eaten it might do harm. — Ed.] 66 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Jan. 15 NOTES or TRAVtl^ I BY A. I. ROOT. ^^ '^W^^S^^^^^& Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word, that they all may be one.- John 17 : 20. Now thi^ i sav, that everj^ one of you saith, I am of Paul ; and I of Apollos ; and I of Cephas ; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you ? —I. Cor. 1:12. 13. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ loved the church, and gave himself for it ; that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle, or aiiy such thing ; but that it should be holy and without blemish. — Eph. 5 :25, 27. OFF TO CUBA.* About the holidays the boys sug-gested I should make a trip to Cuba ; but when I expressed a fear that I might get the chol- era, or get swallowed up in an earthquake, Mr. Boyden (our younger son-in-law) said they didn't have either at all; and. further- more, they didn't have even mosquitoes. Mr. B. has made two trips to Cuba, and has been mainly instrumental in working up the large trade we have there. I left home the day after Christmas, and have so far had some verj' "pleasant sur- ])iises'" on the waj-. I want to tell yow about some of them along in the line of re- cent conveniences for the traveler. For just fy.5.55 the Louisville & Nashville Railroad .i}.;reed to take me to Cuba, bring me back when ready, and to be reasonably careful that I should not get lost or get into trou- ble. On account of the cold wave and snowstorm (didn't the Weather Bureau fore- tell it well all over the country?) our train was two hours and a half late in getting into Cincinnati; but a nice young L. & N. chap picked me out and placed me on my reserved sleeper, even though he had to sit up until after midnight to do it. At Nash- ville the conductor said I would have to change cars; but before the train stopped, a very good-looking fellow in uniform told me to stay right in my seat until he came after me, saying he would personally place me on the right train and in the right car. Of course, this was all plain; but when every one had left the car, and the}' began liauling it (empty) to another part of the city, I began to fear this fellow who seemed io be " boss of the gang " had forgotten me in spite of his good looks; but a porter I got sight of (the porters are nice fellows too) said: ■' Oh I you just wait one second more and he will be after you all right." The "one second " proved to be about 20 minutes; but they finally pushed the car, with only myself and the porter in it, right up against the car I was to take. Just one thing more: The railroad that runs into Cincinnati wanted a dollar iov supper, so I didn't have * As Travels and Homes will necessarily run togeth- er more or le?s, I shall not, for the present, attempt to keep them separate. any; but next day the L. & N. gave me three verj' nice meals in a very pretty din- ing-car, nicely served., for just about an even dollar. Whenever I have paid a dol- lar for a single meal because I could not well help it, it has usually proved to be a burden on my conscience, and on my digest- ive apparatus also. Our train was due at Jacksonville early in the morning, and 1 had planned not to travel on Sunday; but we didn't get in till just about time for church and Sundaj'- school. W^hen I let any thing hinder me from attending Sunday worship I feel as guilty (or more so) as when I pa}- a dollar for a single meal. I asked the trolley-car conductor if he could take me near a Con- gregational church; but he said he did not think there was any such. Their church burned down at the big fire. I knew this wasn't true; but I did not want to be seen hunting around just at church time for my own denomination. Now, dear friends, I want yon to listen to what happened. It has often seemed as if God so plans, in his loving care over ine, Io try me every little while. Was it not so in this case? I told the conductor that, as it was church time already, he might let me off as near as he could to a7iy church. "All right; I will take you within two blocks of a new Methodist church." On the way I considered how gladly' the Methodists have always united with us in temperance and other work, and felt quite glad to be with them. These pleasant thoughts were interrupted by finding I had blundered (as usual). A couple of boys said, "There a'n't any Methodist church about here; but right over there is a new Baptist church, and they are just commenc- ing Sunday-school." While I turned my steps I turned my re- flections also to the fact that xny father and mother were both Baptists, and very soon I was not only reconciled but happy to think f if worshiping with the Baptist people. We had a very nice Stinday-school; and, by the way, could anybodj' tell from any Sun- day-school what church it was? During ihe intermission a good brother informed me the boys had made a mistake, and that the beautiful new edifice we were standing in was a^ Pi esbyterian church. Then I con- sidered that it has often been said there is very little difference between Congregation- alists and Presbyterians any way, except that the former are not quite so stiff and formal, and perhaps aristocratic, as the latter. I very soon began to feel quite at home with these good people. Now, friends, this is not quite allot the test. A little later it was announced tnat the regmar pastor was obliged to be absent, and that the Rev. Dr. Gale, a Congrefi^ational minister, would preach to us. The events of the morning, the mistakes and blunders of my own and others, had taken the measure of the attitude of my heart toward all these branches of God's worshipers. But even this was not all of the lessons I was to I'JOo GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 67 learn. After the meetin^^ the good brother I talked with said in substance: " Mr. Root, before the hre there were two churches — a Xorf/i jind a South Presbyte- rian. Both were planning new buildings; in fact, a gre^it part of the money was in the banks, and both buildings were insur- ed. After the fire, something or somebody suggested iinititio^, and then everybody was astonished to find almost no objection any- 2i'/iere. I told Mrs. Root I believed God called me to take this trip, or, rather, that he had something for me to do awa3' from home, although I had no idea what it was. Is it possible he wishes me to use mj^ influ- ence and abilitj' to bring about a closer unit}' between the churches ? He knows how my heart is in it. The temperance work, the Endeavor work, the Y. M. C. A. work, the W. C. T. U. work, and many other things are leading that way. Unit- ed, we stand ; but divided, we fall. The next daj' a new friend who has been reading the Home Papers, Mrs. M. Lewis, of New Smj'rna, unconsciouslj^ turned light on this matter from another standpoint. She ver}' kindly volunteered to go with me a short distance to point out a crooked path to another bee-keeper. On the vva}' we pass- ed near a colored settlement. She said something like this: *• Mr. Root, that our colored friends may not be behind the whites you will notice they have a good manj' churches for so small a town. They can't get along with- out two kinds of Methodists and two kinds of Baptists, and so the.v are trying to keep up /£)«;■ churches and yb//;- ministers out of their scant}- earnings." May God help us to do better, if it is in- deed true that these poor friends are look- ing to us to set them a pattern I For whom Christ died.— I. Cor. S;!!. Our steamer came in sight of Havana about daylight, January 2. She anchored right close to the wreck of the Maine. I was a stranger in a strange land; not a soul around me could understand our lan- guage. As I looked at the rusting relic of the recent awful tragedj' that stirred the whole world, there was atendencj'to unchar- itable feelings toward the new and strange people. But about this time something sug- gested the words at the head of this paper, "for whom Christ died." A tug came out to take us to the dock. Our people sent a letter, asking our agent at Havana, Mr. F. H. de Beche, to meet me at the landing; but I arrived just before the letter did. While I was on the tug a nice-looking young fellow approched, and, touching his hat, inquired in very good English if this was Mr. Root. I assented, and inquired if he was sent to look after me. " Mr. Root, no one sent me; but I know Mr. de Beche, and something of the business he is doing with your company; and when I saw 3-our name on your bycicle-trunk I thought perhaps I could aid you." He assisted me in having my valise pass the custom-house examiners, went with me and hunted up Mr. de Beche, and wouldn't accept a cent as pa}' for his time. As Mr. de Beche was busy for a good part of the day I begged to be allowed to run over the city a good deal alone. I wanted to take my own time in studying humanity in this, to me, new world. Havana has a population of toward a quarter of a million, and this vast multi- tude are, as it seemed to me, out of doors the greater part of the time the year round. The shops and stores are mostly out of doors; the porches or awnings extend out so far it makes the street exceedingly narrow. At first it seemed to me they were uncom- fortably narrow; but after a little I found some advantages in the narrow streets. For instance, it makes the shops cool and shady — the more so as the buildings are all of stone, even to the roofs and ceilings. Like the coral rock in Bermuda, when first quarried it can be easily sawed into stone slais, or, you might almost say, " boards." I found people of all nationali- ties side by side, on the most friendly terms — Spanish, Negro, Chinese, and a sprinkling of Americans, but no one appar- ently above or much above the others. They seem to prefer to be called Cubans instead of singling out the different races. Until recently, getting married has been so expensive that a great many heads of families have never been married at all le- gally; and, although separations are rare (thank God), this easy way of starting "homes" has perhaps tended much toward amalgamation. In the city everybody is fairly well dressed, and, as a rule, the peo- ple are clean. They have a great abun- dance of very pure spring water. A part of the stores advertise that English is spok- en; but out in the open street, perhaps not one in a hundred speaks anything but Span- ish. As I looked them over I kept saying in my mind, "For whom Christ died;" and as a new love and compassion filled my heart I became very happy. I believe God called me to that trip up in Northern Mich- igan; I believe he was pleased to see me plead with them for the upbuilding of that scattered little church. I did not know zv/iy his voice in my heart seemed to call me toward Cuba; but when the beautiful thought of our text came into my mind, and began to unfold, "For whom Christ died," then 1 began to comprehend a little. I do not know what I am to do or how I am to labor; but I feel strangely called toward these mixed races of people. In Mr. de Beche's office there is a fine large phonograph for sale. It is kept going a good deal to show people how it can talk and sing. During the day it commenced playing "Dixie's Land." A spindling colored juvenile lis- tened awhile. The melody touched a re- sponsive chord; his arms and legs beg^an to keep time to the music, and then he danced as only children of his race cafi dance. It was an innocent, childlike dance, and I 68 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Jan. 15 thought of what lay before him in the life God has g-iven him to live for good or evil. Then came the thought, "For whom Christ died." I took a ride on the electric cars, two or three miles out into the suburbs. I wander- ed around among the fine residences with their beautiful tropical gardens adjoining. Here we find all the rare and costly green- house plants of the North in their wild and untrameled beauty. Crotons grew like trees, with a variety and brilliancy of col- or far ahead of any thing produced in the greenhouse. Hibiscus and camelias. with blossoms larger and of greater variety, al- most startled one as he suddenl}' comes up- on them. To crown all, I came across a Bougainvillea that covered a summer-house with such a mass of bewitching and bewil- dering color I burst out with an exclamatiDn of delight. Bright colors seem to belong to Cuba. The stone dwellings are painted or whitewashed with various bright tints. You look through the green foliage, and see what appears to be a patch of blue sky, but find out it is the wall of a house so near the col- or of the sky you can't tell the difference. The colored girls and women delight in colors; and when they "slick up" in the afternoon, and come out on the street in their soft "summer drapery," rivaling in color the bright tropical flowers, one may smile at their efforts to follow their whiter sisters and look attractive; but when he re- flects that it is such as they "for whom Christ died " I hope he breathes a prayer that they too may be led in wisdom's ways. When I started on my trip Mr. Boyden gave me a card telling me where to go in Havana to find Mr. de Beche. He had it "Obispo St. No. 15." When I started to go over the city Mr. de Beche also gave me a card. I stuck both in my pocket, think- ing thej' were, of course, the same. When I got lost (as I felt sure I would) I showed my card and was told where to go, and found my place very quickly. In the afternoon I had an appointment to meet Mr. Fred Craj'craft at 5 o'clock, at the same place. About half- past four I went to the place, " Obispo 15," but the street was changed — nothing familiar. It inade me think of a bee when somebody has carried his hive away. There I was, a stranger in a strange citj'. with the only human being I knew " spirited away," and, worst of all, he had taken his business house and the whole street. I thought of the Arabian Nights. I applied to a policeman. He very kind]}' found somebody who could talk Eng- lish. I showed my card, and they said my card was not right; but when I told them I was there since noon at "Obispo 15," and vny friend and his store were there, they were greatly puzzled. Those who knew ihe city were called in. They looked at me to see if I was sane, and looked at my card. While I was considerably worried, it made my heart glad to see half a dozen men stop their own business to bother with a stran- ger. Not one turned away until they got me out of trouble. Finally one of them said: "Why, that place is C Reily St., not Obispo." Then I found Mr. Boyden had made a mistake in the street. On my former trips I had referred to the printed card without noticing my written address was not the same; but the accident gave me an insight into and an acquaint- ance with these people I should not have gctten otherwise. They seemed worried and troubled because they could not help me out of my dilemma. While on the cars coming out to our api- ar}^ a very pretty j'oung girl got on the train and sat in front of me. Over her jet- black hair was a head dress of some kind of lace. Her soft dreamy ej'cs had an in- nocent, pure, childlike look that made one turn to her again and again. She made me think of the tropical flowers I have been trying to describe. "Surely," said I to myself, "this rare picture of feminine love- liness must be as pure and good as she seems." A little later the fumes of a cigar- ette came across my face. A hand as beau- tiful as the face of the owner lay on the sill of the open window, and, as sure as you live, the cigarette that anno5'ed me rested carelessly between those dainty fingers. Again my little text rang out sharp and clear, "For whom Christ died." I am writing on a little stand out in the open air this 7th day of January. Our Cu- ban neighbors are curious about our little city of white bee-hives. A little girl of eight has just been here. She and I are friends already. She can read and write Spanish, but not English. We are teach- ing each other. A bright j'oung man comes to see us nearlj' every day. He knows but two words of English, "good by." We all have a big time laughing when he comes, shakes hands all around, and says, clear and plain, "good by," when he means "good morning," or "how do you do?" I am sure I think I can not be mis- taken in feeling that these people, these "for whom Christ died," are read^', and would gladlj' listen to the message the dear Savior bade us carry to them. "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. " You know, friends, some- thing about how Bro. Reed and I labored last summer in trying to build up that bro- ken-down church. I am not done with it j'et, but God seems to have called me to a new field; and as I look it over, the word of the Savior comes into my mind. • Woe unto tliee. Chorazin! woe unto tliee. Bethsaidn! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had l>een done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repent- ed long ago in sackcloth and and ashes. ^Matt. 11:21. I do not know how much missionary work has been done in Cuba; but I am impressed that these people are ripe for a great har- vest. I am told that there is a Baptist church started at Pinar del Rio, 20 miles west of here. The missionar}' will, of course, have to learn Spanish. Almost 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 69 none of these people speak Eng-lish. Schools are started but as yet they teach only Span- ish. As I look over this land of perpetual sum- mer, and g'et acquainted with these mixed races, " /c"' ivhotn Christ died,'''' my heart fairly bounds at the thouijht of teaching- these people, youni,'- and old, of that dear Savior and his wondrous love for us all, without any distinction of race, station, or color. BY A.I. R O 0T7 ^^f%ff WINTER RHUBARB — GROWING IT IN THE DARK. This is a new line of hig^h-pressure g^ar- dening that does not seem to be very much understood. One of the clearest and best articles in reg^ard to the whole matter, I find in the A/ichi<^an Farmer for Nov. 29. It accords with my own experience so ex- actly I thought fit to give it, slightly ab- breviated, a place here. within the past few years the dark forcing process has assumed such proportions, and by methods so eas- ily understood, and so inexpensive as to application, that there is no longer any necessity for the expensive systems formerly in use. Then, too, the quality of rhubarb grown in the dark is so far superior to that grown under glass, and the yield is so much larger, that the advantages of the new over the older practices are placed clear beyond the region of debate. From the financial view-point, it offers the very best of in- ducements, as the crop is grown and placed upon the market in midwinter when no other garden crop can be grown except bj- the expensive methods of the greenhouse. So, to the gardeners oeated within reach of markets, a winter enterprise is opened up which offers very remunerative returns. Of this phase I shall not speak further except to call attention to a conimercial cellar in actual operation. When the roots first put in were exhau.sted, the cellar was apain filled and two full crops were grown during the winter, which brotight in the market upward of ^HiO from a space 12x60 feet in size. A WINTER LUXURY. The particular features which I wish to emphasize are the ease with which every family may grow a gen- uine winter luxury, and from December un il April may have a dailj- supply, and almost for the asking. HOW TO GROW IT. The only conditions for entire success are strong vig- orous roots two years old and upward, and a warm corner in the cellar where the li.ght can be entirely shutout. This last condition must be followed lo the letter, as it must have entire darkness, in .so far as daylight is concerned, to reach perfection. As to pre- paring the roots, dig them out any time before the ground freezes too solidly to prevent digging. L,eave as much soil adhering as"possil)le, and allow them to freeze thoroughly, the liarder the better. Do not neg- lect the freezing through and through, else you will meet with disappointment. After the clumps are fro- zen, trim them up evenly, removing all the protruding prongs so that they may'be set closely together. They are now ready for forcing. Set them snugly together on the cellar bottom (eitl er cement or earth floor), and fill up the spaces with loose .soil. If the crowns are covered ■"» or li inches deep it will do no harm, and is just as good; but they should be filled up level at least. Xow tack an old carpet or heavy blanket to the ceiling above, allowing it to fall clear to the cellar bottom and entirely surround the bed. The cellar wall will form one side of the enclosure, or two sides, provided the bed is in the corner. The enclosing with the carpet is simply to shut out the light and retain the heat, which may be supplied with a Ump or lan- tern. There must of course, be some artificial heat to induce growth and this is secured by setting the lamp or lantern right down among the clumps. As stated above, the daylight must be rigidly shut out; but the lamp light will do no harm, onlv the chimney or lan- tern glolie should be smoked so" that even that light will be subdued. The rhubarb is very accommodating as to temperature; and if the lights' go out and the heat goes down it will do no harm. The temperature may vary from .50 toS;j or 90 degrees, and changes will do the stalks no harm. The higher temperatures in- duce quicker growth and higher colored stalks, while a lower degree will give a heavier yield with less brilliant color. If the work is well done, the stalks will be so crisp and brittle that they will almost break of their own weight, and will be of the most beautiful color imaginable. There will be but very little leaf- growth, and that of the brightest lemon color, and the stalks as a whole will be the most beautiful vegetable product that grows out of the ground. AN|e.\SIER WAY. Now to make the work still more eas}' and general of application, any corner where frost and light can be successiully barred out will answer every purpose. Use a corner of a shed, a store room in the house, and even a barrel ur large box in the kitcheu by the range or cook stove will make a nice place. It may be grown anywhere, as tliere is no objectionable odor; and if grown in the kitchen it saves going down cellar to pick it. The facts are, it is one of the most dainty and wholesome winter vegetables grown, and the work is so easy and simple tliat every lamily may and ought to grow at least a generous table supply. Any variety will answer; and after the roots are once put in. thty require no attention whatever except to keep the heat going, a part of i he time at least. An occa sional watt- ring is beneficial; out if the roots were well supplied with frozen soil when put in, ih-^ mois- ture from the thawing will nearly or quite carry them through. Better results will, of course, be obtained by keeping them fairly well moist. J. E. Morse. Wayne Co., Mich. THE ,RFSULT OF THE LAST ELECTION. The following is the restilt of the last election, held in December, for the election of officers for the National Bee-keepers' As- sociation, and about which so much trouble has been raised : Having received from El is K. Mason. Secretary of the National Bee-keepers' Association, the le iilts of the December election f.)r General Manager and three Directors, 1 make the following announcements: Whole number of votes cast for General Manager, 610 of which N. E. France received 489; E T. Abbott 117; scilteriiig, 4. Mr. N. E. F'rance is hereby declared elected General Manager. Whole number or votes cast for Directors, 567, Mr. G. M. Dooliltle receiving 364 ; W. F. Marks 262; T. G. Newman 249; Udo roeppe wein 149; Wra. A. Selser J0.5; Wm. McEvoy 86; G. W. VanGundy 74. The rest of the votes are scuttered among 120 m mbers. no one of them receiving more than :?2 vt)tes. Mr. G. M. Doo- little, having received a majority vote, is hereby de- clared elected Director No other candidate for Di- rector having .received a majority vote, as is required by the constitution, no other is elected. The constitu- tion says that the Directors' term of office "shall be four years, or until their siicc.ssors shall be elected and qualified;'' thus Mr. W. F. Marks and Mr. Thos. G. Newman retain their offices, at least for the pre.s- ent. W, Z. Hutchinson, President National Bee-keepers' Association. I do not understand that this announce- ment prevents the calling of a new election if the Board should so order after it has had time to go over the situation. 70 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULIURE. Jan. 15 One Cent buys a postsil card which will carr.v .voiir address for Great Crops of vStrawberries and How to Gro'w THem 450.000 i!uo vai lei ii-c.Ai:~oOrape8,Sinall i i ...i«ei ..x^c^i, loot- ed stock. Gt-mniif. i-heap. 'J sainiilf '■urraiits mailed for 10c. l»esc. piiv-'i list liee. LLWIS UOtsttl, Kreduuia, N. V- Union Combination Saw For Ripping, Cross- cutting, Rabbeting, Mitering, Grooving, Gaining, Boring, Scroll sawing. Edge - moulding. Beading. Full line FOOT and HAND POWEE machin- ery. Send /or cataloi^ A. SENECA PALLS MFG. 'CO., 11 Water St., Seneca Fs., N.7. The best book on strawberry-growing ever writ- ten. It tells how to grow the biggest crops of big berries ever produced. The book is a treatise on Plant PHysiology and explains how to make plants bear big> berries and lots of tHetn. The unl.v thoroughbred scientili- cally grown strawberry- plants to be had for spring planting. One of them is worth a dozen common scrub plants. They grow big red berries- There is GOLD in straw- berries and bees if you go at it right. The book tells how to dig it out. The book is sent free to all readers of Gleanings in Bee Culture. Send your address to me. R. M. REIvLOGG, TKree Rivers, MicK. The Jdeai Pmno Built anticipating the demand of thofie satisfied with nothing but the best and looking for a piano of the Highest Artistic Creation Are you considering tlie purchase of a piano? Our proposition will prove more en- tertaining than any you have had. dilnlng and Jiill infiyrmnlioii Irre on applicutiun. TIIE 1»ACKAK1> CO.MPANY P. O. Box F Fort Wnyiu-. Indianii Mr. A. i. Roofs Writings of Grand Traverse territory and Leelanau Co. are descriptive of Michigan's most beautiful section reached most conveniently via the Pere Marquette R. R. For pamphlets of Uiohigan farm lands and the fruit belt, address J. E. Merritt, Manistee, Michigan. "This for That ant. Gp 99Ttad8 anything you h»ve for anything you 3ur gigantic [laper that prints thou«and_ _ . trial subscription lu cts. Your money b fully if you are not rielighte t. Address, THI!» FOK THAT, 1.521 Star Bids., Chicaeo •hange cheer- UWVaVjWW iKknnnftffim FENCE! STRONGEST MADE. Bull Strong, Chicken- Tight. Sold to the Farmerat Wholesale Prices. Fnlly W.irranlcd. Catalog Free. COILED SPRING FKXCE CO. Box 101 , Wincbester, Indiana, U. 8. A. BARNES' Hand and Foot Power Machinery. This cut represents our combined circular saw, •which is made for bee- keeper's use in the con- struction of their hives, sections, boxes, etc , etc. Machines on Trial. Send for illustrated cata- log and prices. Address W. F. & Jno, Barnes Co., 545 Ruby St., Rockford. : Illinois. 1903 GLEAxMNGS IN BEE CULTURE. 71 SEEDS ARE THE BEST THAT CAN BE GROWN If you want the choicest vegetables or most lieantifiil flowers yon should read BURPEE'S FARM ANNUAL FOR 1903, -?o well known as the "Leadina; American Seed Cataloa^ue." It is mailed FRE E to all. Better send your address TO-DAY. W. ATLEE BURPEE &. CO., PHILADELPHIA. THIS CHECK and several smaller ones I received the past season for Strawberries (not plants). That was because I have only the best. It pays to get the best. I none but the best. I can't afford to liave any other. The cost of plants is comparatively a small Item and the best is none too good. I will send my beauti- fully illustrated catalogue with lithoyraplied covers of High Grade Strawberry Plants by return mail for two 2c stamps. It interested send to-day. This will not appear again. Address, W. F. ALLEN. Salisbury, Md. 210Kindsforl6c. It is a fact that.Salzer's seeds are found In more garuens and on morefarms thaiij " any other in America. There is ^ reason for this. We own and op- erate over oOiiO acres for the produc- tion of our choice seeils. In order to , induce you to try ttiem weniake i the following miprecedented ofler:| Foi' 16 Cents Postpaid 25 sorts wonderful onionSf Svlii 25 sorts elei^ant cabb.i^e, NrlfJI 15 sons mu^fnificentcari-ntSf 25 peerless lettuce vurielies, 25 rare luseious radish, 20 splendid beet sorts, 75 gloritmslj- beaut itul flower seeds, ^ in all 210 kinds positively fumisluiiK buslielsof clianiiing (lowers and lots and lots of choire vei;etablps, togi til- er with our pT^'at catalogue telling all ,' about Ahicari.ni W heat, Itilliun IKil- ( lor Grass. Triisitite, hronnis, Speltz,' etc., all for only Itic. ui stamps and this niitloe. Union Heed at bnt 60e. a pound. JOHN A. SALZER SEED CO., La Crosse, Wis. SMALL FRUITS. arl an I i Mii.rM\cil v.irieties of R;ispl.erries, Bl.itklerries, tjcT.se erries. Ci rrants. Lirapes, StrawLerries, »tc. f.irry ,,l:..il sr..wti an.l ir.i»rmnu-.-.l l,j n.e. .sh,,, ..,,17 cIp.u,. > i.-orou,. weU rooted, freih dug plants that give te9ult«. Write fur late catalog. Allen L Wood, Wholesale Grower, Rochester N.Y. PRAVINO V-J* (lurlinr of sprayers ana appli- aiii-ts tits cverv" man s needs. Hand, Knapsack, Bucket, Field. Barrel, and Power Flir^ve'-s twnrv styles. fnifi>t« Inriiiilmi t-tc. ?clrrtt!-c ■■^cfil irifl reliatl-. Tntalop free THE DEMING CO.. Salem, Ohio. 11.,-. m ri.irnfj. Ilc.i,imi llu'.'^.ll .CI,\cagG ,111. 50c SEED FREE ^ni^ lis tn-day, your name and address 011 :i p.jatal ami we ivili m.iil you FRKE lin .dsome Illustrated Seed Catalog-containing Hill and plan pood for 50c worth of Flower or :.-elable Seeds KUEK. Your selection to iutrudu^e Pi nit and Ornamental Trees, ICtc.,havo been the standard of excellence for nearly half a century. Wo send by mail postpaid. Seeds, Plants, Roses, Riilbs, Vines ancl Small Trees and guarantee safe arrival and satisfac- tion, lart^er by express or freiffht. Direct deal will insure you the best and save yon monej Try us. Your address on a postal will briiisr you onr elegant 168 page catalogue free. 49 years, 4t greenhonses, ],000acres. THE STORKS «fe IIAKKISOX CO., Box 171, PAINE8VILLE, OHIO. a GRAPE VINES 100 VarletieSo AlsoSmall Fruits. 'Juahtyunsnrpasscd. \\irrantedtrue.\'erycli.i;.. 3 s unplc- vin.s .ii.dlcd for |5c. »>-- t-i.ptivc price list free. LEWIS ROESCH.Frtdoiila, >'. Y 72 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Jan. 15 QPRAY= PUMPC ^^^ *■ Save Money by * ^^^ A J Buying One of Ours. ^ J ^^"^ They will do as much work; being all brass, are lighter to handle, and are more durable: will generate a higher pressure, there- by making them the easiest pump to operate on the market Write for catalog, and get treatise on spray- ing, free. Agents wanted. J. P. QAYLORD, Succ. to P. C. Lewis Hfg. Co., Box 66, Catsl^ill, N. Y. The "Star" Ventilator. .storm pi oof, effective: for ven- tilating all kinds of buildings, barns, stables, and factories of all kinds. Send for illustrated booklet Merchant & Co., Inc., Philadelphia, Brooklyn, New York, and Chicago. M'nf'rs High-grade Bright Tin — _ 1 1 1 — E PACE 3 E z:: § — cs;^ ^g§ @ feidi ^ ORIGINAL. We were weaving Page Coiled-wire Fence many 5 ears before an\- other fence company, now in existence, was in business. We are weaving it yet. Page Woven Wire Fence Co.. Box S, Adrian. Michigan. THE QUEEN BEE now in the hands of the printer. telU how to rear THE BEST OF' OUEENS and tells the cause of and remedy for injury in ship- ment; how they maybe Directly introduced with posi- tively no risk of loss or injury, and mucli other valu- able information. It describes the Twentieth Century DOUBLE=WALL IDEAL COMBINATION HIVE, the best ''all-purpose" hive in existence. It tells how, b_v combination, a single-wall hive is converted into a double-walled hive without extra costs, etc. Order a copy to-day. Advance orders received for 12 two-cent stamps. T. K. MASSIE, Tophet, Summers Co., W. Va. H-T-X published monthly; 64 pages: tells all about hunting, trapping, and raw furs. .Sample copy lu cent-:. Hunter-Trader-Trapper. Gallipolis, Ohio. Box 31. fRUSHED OYSTER SHELLS. 100 lbs.. 49c: 200 lbs., ^^ 9r)c; Mica Crystal Grit, 100 lbs.. .57c; 200 lbs., $1.07, or 100 lbs. each, $1. Poultrv need both. Order now. Catalog free. WISE & CO., Butler, Ohio. HONEY QUEENS! Laws' Leather=colored Queens. Laws' Improved Golden Queens. Laws' Holy Land Queens. l,aws' queens are doing business in eveiy .State in the Union and in many foreign countries" The demand for Laws' queens has doubled any pre- vious season's sales. Laws' queens and bees are putting up a large share of the honey now sold. Laws' stock is being sold for breeders all over the world. Why ? Because it is the best to be had. Remember ! That I have a larger stock than ever; that I can send you a queen any month in the year and guarantee safe delivery ; that I have many fine breeders on hand. Price $;^.00 each. Tested, each, $1.25; five for 86.00. Prices reduced after March 1.5. .Send for circular. W. M. Laws, Beeviile, Texas. f The "Best of Everything {. THE through train service of the Chicago & North-Western Rail- way from Chicago to Omaha, Denver and the I'acific Coast on the west, the Black Hills and Dakotas to the northwest and to Milwaukee, Madison, .St. Paul, Minneapolis and Duluth on the north, is as nearly perfect as modern and skillful management can make it. The Overland Limited, a magnificent electric-lighted train, less than tliree days Chicago to San Fran- cisco, daily. The Colorado Special, only two nights to Denver from the Atlantic seaboard. Solid train Cliicago to Denver. The North=Western Limited, an electric lighted daily train between Chicago, St. Paul and Minneapolis. H. R'. MiCm.i.i>uGn. \\. B. Kniskeen, 3d Vice-President. Passenger Traffic Manager. Chicago, III. =^FOR SALE= Comb # Extracted HONEY: in carlots or less. If in the market, state quantity wanted, and we will name you '• lowest price. " Samples of Extracted fur- nished on request. If you have any Comb or Extracted to ship, correspond with us. Established 26 Years. S. T. Fish & Co., Chicago, Illinois. 189 South Water Street. Queens == 1903 == Queens. We have ten different yards five to twenty miles apart, where Italians, Cyprians, Ilolylands, Carnio- lans, atid Albinos, are bred for business. Tested queens, $1 50; §8.00 for 6; $15.00 per dozen. Untested, $1 Oo each; $5 00 for ti ; 89.00 per dozen. Our best and finest breeders, $5.00 each. One and two frame nuclei a specially. Bees and Queens in any quantitv to suit purchaser. Safe arrival and reasonable satisfaction glial anteed. The Jennie Atchley Co., Box 18, Beeviile, Tex, POULTRY PAPER 3 Honths and book, "Plans for Poultry-houses," 10 cts. Paper one year and book, 25 cts, if you mention Gleanings (rtg. price, 50 cts) Inland Poultry Journal, Indianapolis, Indiana. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 73 A Man Can Not Know too fluch about his business. No saying is truer than "Kuo\vledf,'-e is power." Man}' bee-keepers have failed who might have succeed>.d, and many who have succeedetl might have enjoy- ed greater success had the\' possessed all of the knowledge it would have been possible for them to secure concerning their business. When I was a bee-keeper, before I began publishing the Ri:viK\v, I found it to my interest to read all o the bee- journals pub- lished. Time and again a single item was worth dollars to me. I doubt if it would be possible for a practical bee-keeper to read the Bee-kI':kpp:ks' Review one year without gaining information worth many times its cost; and, just at present., a new subscriber can get two years for the price of one. That is, to any one who sends Si. 00 for the pres- ent year, twelve back numbers will be sent free. Most of them, but not all, will be 1902 numbers. 24 numbers for only $1.00. W. Z. Hutchinson Flint, Mich. COMMERCIAL POULTRY "The Poultry Paper That Is Different" teaches how to make poultry pay, makes experts of beginners, and turns loss to profit, We will send it to you for a whole year, twice a month. 24 times, for 50 cents. We want agents too. Good pay, big premiums or cash. Send for a free sample copy. DRAPER PUBLISHING CO. Dentm C'4S 324 Dearborn St. SSHICAGO, ILLINOIS TIf£ WHOLE FAMILY There was a man in our town Who thought himself quite wise, He said the poultry papers Were filled up full of lies. He said his wife kept chickens. And that they didn't pay, They had enough to eat he said — And yet they wouldn't lay. Onetime COMMERCIAL POULTRY Was sent him by a friend. He read and practiced what it taught — His troubles had an end. Now he and his whole family Are happy as can be. When asked what made the change he says: •COMMLRCIAL POULTRY— see?" m^m WE WILL SAVE YOU FROM $10 TO S45 °" ^-ost any uir^d orstyle of machine. SuUdireit fr.iufact.TVbuMiigalUulusiiR-n sexp.'nsrsaiHl dealers c.r agents exh..rl.itant i Our machines lia\c iii..ili;in feali.rcs not p..5besst;cl !>>■ any (ithors. Itull- Kcuril'.e ^j^ Stand; finest altachuieiiU I'KtK. Latvxt duoicii woodwork, tlie stylish swfll front, piiliKlied oiik. Gnarantceri t.i bo better than Iwi.r tii.- I ri-... SlIIITFli- ON' AIM'KOVAI.anvwhor. in U. S. < i^'-*^ SweM Front ARLINGTON GEM >i;i5.t»0 Ke In. It: all att.1 ].,,.,, h. flat Tensif.n an.lXee.ileliar DniiiPslir and While. ARLINGTON QUEEN Takc-ui.. s-.in.-a-.Ne« ll..mi-. 1)( »S.=> OO K,!U-Mlar 5 Drawer : with fine MarqMetry I)c...rat *l4."'..00Beautifnl 1 Door Desk fal.inct *1 <5.4 Write for onr (atalogue, <)4 pages heantif i:'!v illnst $14.75 ARLINGTON r sunr as SinL'iT, « heel !!<.->.-..»»« iicaul.ir.^Di $«>.°>.00 Antoniatic ' *r.5.0«Be.intifnl Con 111 achines sold for lull '20 $11,25 Machines right-KKEE. CASH BUYERS' UNION, si 111.11 made. Disc Ton- i(, Iniltpendei t lake-lip, ^ f- tVi kiiii mill 8:uiidnrii. ■1ro|. Head* 17. 75 ..,, Cal.ii.et $19.75 (I. ski'alii ct*a8. 75 ai.out loiving Sewing K345 CHICAGO. ^^M rl ' '^"*^' ^^^ names and addresses of ten fruit-trrowers to Wt 10 Soulhern Fruit Grower, Chattanooga, Tennessee, for a j'ear's subscription. Regular price ,-Oc per year. Offer good only to new subscribers. Tweiitv pai;es or tnore every inotith. If you grow any kind of fruits you can not we'll afford to be without it. Samples free. ffmmmnnmmnmmnmn. \mmnmmmHmwnmnmh*fnmmmmfmmmmm mmnym, 74 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Jan. is ORDEf^ EARLy '(~7^ If you want to get a new buagv and want to have it madp to your order \or youbiiouid send for \.be mammoth ciitalogue of our 1^ SPLIT HICKORY VEHICLES at once. It will tell yon about onr 100 exclusive styles of vphicles made of second growth Split Hickory— split, not sawed— any of which will bo made t.iT.n^^^^^l 30 DAYS' FREE TRIAL returnable after trial if not just as yon expected. Wehave salis- fled thousands and can satisfy you. Our SPLIT HICKORY SPECIAL at $ J 750 Is the bicgest buggy bargain in the world. !"•»-*■ m "^^ . Boribed in full in our catalogue. Send forthat "" ~ fS^ catalogue before y u lay down this paper. I \WOHiO CARRIAGE MFG. CO., 47' Station Cincinnati, O. ALWAYS READY. \5he ADAM cvTter is always clean and ready for work. Impossible to choke it up. Cleans itself. I The Only Bone Cutter with ail ball bearings. Works quii'k.yandeasily. No choking or injuring of fowls by slivers or sharp pieces. Cuts a clean light shave that is easily di- gested by smallest chicks. Send for Catalog No. 39, I Contains niucn valuable 'information on the cut le question. You will be pleased with it. Sent free upon request. W. J. ADAM, JOLIET, ILLS. I Nothing equals green cut liuiie for hens. ■^ Any one can cut it with .Mann's ^td^i Bone Cutter. I Open hopper. Automatic feed. lO Pays' I FreeTrial, NopayuntilyouVesatisfied. I Ifyoudon'tlikeit.returnatourezpense. Isn't this I better for you than to pay for a machine you nercr tried? Catl-g free, p. W. MANN CO.,, Box 37 , Jlilford, Ilass. Rl/OU rOUR MONEY BACK If not .sati.Nlied with <=»is BONE CUTTER. ^ Runs easiest. All impruve 1'?. Catalfipue free. E. C. STEARNS CO., Box 107 SYRACUSE, N. Y DOUBLE Don't spend spare time thinking: what you might be if your salary were doubled! Doing, not thinking-, will make ^our wish a reality. Otir free booklet, 'Are Your Hands Tied?" tells you what to do and how to do it. Thousands have already doubled or largely increased their salaries by following our plan. Under our guidance you can do the same. Act today! I. C S. Text- books make it easy for those already at work to Learn By Mail Mofhaniral. Steam, Electrical, Civil, Hinin^, Tele- phoiip, and Telegrapii EniAlneerins; Shup and Founilry Practice; Hecbanical Wrawimr; Archi- leclure; riuinbing; Sheet-MetBl l'Rttern'l)rRflinp ; (heiiii-trv: Oniamenlal De«!irn ; I.ctterinic; Book- Ueepini; Stenocrapliy : Engli.h llranches; Teach- ing; Locomotive liiinning; Electrotherapeutics; (Jerman; Spanl!.h; French. Circular free. State subject that interests you. INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENCE SCHOOLS, ' Box 799, SCK ANTON, PA. Y^ ^ WSLSON'S ■"(^/P Jl JVeiv Green Bone, Shell WUl ^"^ Vegetable Cuttef for the Poultryman. Also Itoiie Itnils for mHking phos- phate aiulfertiiizer at small cost for the farmer, from 1 to 40 borse- powf-r. Farm Fcfil Mills irrind fine, fast ami ea^y. Setul for ciiviilars. WILSON BROS., Sole Mfgrs., Easton, Pa. EVERGREENS Hardy borts, Jsursery prown, for wind- breaks ornament and hcdpes. Prepaid. $1 to $10 per KlO-r.O Great Bargains to select from Write at once for free Calalogua and Bargain Sheet. Local Agents iv.inted. D.Hill/s;:cS.DuntIee,IIL 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. The Automatic SURE HATCH INCUBATOR vith new automatii' lie be.^t haulier on clii m refrulatoi at fair price oi rth. 30 Days' Trial. Don't experiment with untried "T machines. Get a ^SUI■e Hatch fbesnre. New catalog, full. >fillns- \p^ tratious and valuable information Free. SURE HATCH INCUBATOR CO., I'luTlcndT, N,l.. 01 t'oliiiiibus, Ohio. .. , .^ , . i, ^ Jb. free Trial «^ [Counting Chicks Before Hatching is not safe unless you have au IOWA ROUND INCUBATOR K. r. Baiiernnnste: . Norwood, Minn.,got493chickB from M\\ eL.'g-s. He followed directions, th-; m.i- ehine did the work, because it was built on right principles and by Rood workmen. The I*>\VA hiis fiber-board case, does not shrink, swell, vv-arp or crack. Recrnlation and ventilation perfect. Our free book gives more te.stiuionials and full particulars. Everything about incubation free. IOWA INCUBATOR COMPANY, BOX 197,DES MOINES, IOWA OU'RE LOOKING for just such a machine as Miller's new Ideal Incubator, le perfect liatclicr, SrtdnyR' trial. Abso- 1 lutely automatic. Test it I yourself. Blfr poviltry and lioultrv supply book free. I J. W. Mine- Co., Box 48.Freeport,I11. RELIABLE ' is a word that st.inds for the liest Incubators and Brooders in tile world. Each has special dis- tinjuiahine features. Send 10c postage for Book No. 19, juat out, giving guarnnfy of * nvjney hack if incubator is not satisfactory. Kriiahle Incub.itorand RrnnderCOi, Box It 4>i (tiiiiic;-, Illinola. 110 Yards Fiae Pooltrj. $ I 4^.80 For I ^ 200 Egg INCUBATOR Pcrffct in cn^truotion nnd action. Hatfhcs t,'vcrv ftrtilu egg. Write for catalog to-day. GEO. H. STAHL, Quincy, III. The Royal Incubator | )odan(l -o well ihat wedon't a-kyouto buyttbe- r r.^ Tou irT it. 'Kntircly ■olts. Maj ve send jou one ■ :i trial? Catalogue free. K()Y.(M\(;nt\'roK ((nii'AW, l>ip.5tj:'.,U'", -Mi.inis.Ia. Give the a Chance. Boy Habits of thrift are most desirable in a buy. The spirit of self-reliance and se!f-respeLt in a boy is en^jendered by his ability to make money. Any boy can make money in the poultry busi- ness. It costs little to start him. The best way to start a buy in tiie jloultry business is to buy him a CYPHERS Incubator and Brooder. Uur new HJ 3 li..ok, "How to Make Money witli Poultr.v and Iiiciibator«,"(l'J6 pages, 8x1 1 inches), tells the whole poultry st. tv better than we can tal k it. It will start a lioyriulit anil keephim ri.'ht. Sendlllcent? to pay post- ageon book No. 74. ( Book is free i. Circulars mailed free. CYPHERS INCUBATOR COMPANY. . BafTnlo, X.Y. Chlcau-o, III. Boston. .Ilass. .New York, N.Y. ..-t*H^".-.«.->-.g.<»»j. H<>^.'«^-Tg««>...J<.-^J-^JO.o '.'^ .A«.-^ Ih« Successfvl poultryman uses a SUCCESSFUL Incubator and Brooder, the kind that brines big hatches and does not go to pieces from heat and moisture. Thebcbtouilt machines i-'n the market. Perfect system of regulation. Send 6 cents in stamps to cover actual co^t of mailing for Incubator and Poultry Bocks. Stamkird Poultry and Poultry Supplies Books in five different languages. Write for them to-day. DES MOINES INCUBATOR CO.. D«pt. 503 Dm HoIbm. la., ar DepL 5t)3 Buffalo, N. T. nBc^a°r^WE||N'=.".^^^^^^^ iin200si^E CAXfREE IWHYP^^ORE ESTD. ia^alSPRINOFI^^PdMia Get the Best A Good Spray Pump earns big ^ profits and lasts for years. THEEOUPSE\ is a good pump. As tical fruit growers we | were using the com- mon sprayers in our own orchards — found | their defects and then invented The Eclipse. Its success practically forced us into man- v.facturing on a large scale. You take no chances. We have | done all the experimenting. Large fully illustrated Caldlogue and Treatise on Sprayittg — FREE. MOIIiai.l. .V MOKT.r.V. Ken ion irarb. The Greider Strains^ fift ;if the I liml to make prize Very low prin-s on binls .-iiul etrtrs. I'orisiciering quality. Klepant l',"i:; catalogue sent postpaid for 10 cents. AVrite to-day . B. H. GREICEK, RHEEMS, FA, 76 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Jan. 15 Q eanings in Bee Culture [Established in 1873.] Devoted to Bees, Honey, and Home Interests. Published Semi-monthly by The A. 1. Root Co., - - Medina, Ohio. A. I. ROOT, Editor of Home and Gardeuing Dep'ts. E. R. ROOT, Editor of Apiciiltural Dept. J. T. CALVERT Bus Mgr. A. L. BOYDEN, Sec. TERMS. $1.00 per annum ; two years, $1.50; three years, $2.00; five years, $;100, iti advance; or two copies to one address, $l.oO ; three cojjies, 52.00 ; five copies, $3.75. The terms apply to the United .States, Canada, and Mexico. To all other countries 48 cents per year extra for postage. DISCONTINUANCES. The journal is sent until orders are received for its discontinuance. We give notice just before the subscription expires, and fur- ther notice if the first is not heeded. Any subscriber whose sub.scription has expired, wishing his journal discontinued, will please drop us a card at once; other- wise we shall assume that he wishes his journal con- tinued, and will pay for it soon. Any one who does not like this plan may have his journal stopped after the time paid for by making this request when ordering. Special Notices by A. 1. Root. THE HOME VINEYARD. The above is the title of Fanners' Bulletin No. 156, and it is one of the best of the Farmers' Bulletins. It contains lo pages, full of illustrations. It gives the plin of propagating the grape that I gave for several years in the .\ B C book, and also gives the Fuller sys- tem, or somethin • very much like it, in detail. If j-ou are going to plant one or more grapevines >end to the Hon. James vvilsin, Secttary of Agriculture. Wash- ington. D. C, and tell him you want Farmer.-?' Bulletin No. 156. DISSATISFACTION IN BUSINESS DEALS. On my return home, after I had attended to my cor- respondence, etc., I asked our people here if thev had any "jangles" or disagreements they would like to have me look into. I was glad to learn there were not many; but there were .some letters from .some of our adverti.sers. especially in the Wants and Exchange de- partment, and from those who had received goods from said advertisers. Of course, in such cases we try to act as peacemakers; and just now I want to mention one of the troubles. .\ queen-breeder received an order and sent queens without the money; but. not hearing from the man in due time, he asked for h s pay. But this man excused himself from paying by saying the queens were "not good." This thing has come up several times in years past; and I believe I once de- cided that the man who received queens, or, for that matter, any thing else, and neglected to acknowledge the receipt of the goods, and did not write any thing at all until he was asked Jor the pav he was not entitled to a rebate. Of course, circumsances may sometimes alter cases; but as a general rule I would say that who- ever receives goods of any sort for which he has not paid, and neglects to say any thing or do any thing until he is dunned for his money, forfeits his cliim to a rebate. Manv business firms, you are well aware, ,'ay on their stationery, ".\ll complaints mu.st be made inside of ten days." Of course, you can not alwavs tell whether a queen is good or bad in.side of ten days; but if j-ou do not pay inside of ten days you should cer- tainly write something, stating whether the queens were received in good order or not. If they are dead, mail the cages right back just as you received them, with full statement. If you neglect to do this, or say. nothing at all. I should say you should pay the bill iii full unless the sender is willing to divide the loss. If the queen is received in apparently good order, and proves to be a drone-layer — that is, if she is warranted to be a tested queen — almost any breeder of good repu- ta'ion will make the matter satisfactory — that is, pro- vided you have acted fairly and honorably. But do not, under any circumstances, fail to let the' man who has tru'-ted you know about it. Postal cards are cheap; and a man who will not make use of them un- der such circumstances ought to be the loser. The best advertisement any man can have is the reputation of being prompt . Answer quickly, especially the man who has entrusted you with his goods without getting the money first. BEESVt'AX WANTED. The market for beeswax remains steady with a mod- erate supply. We are shipping so much foundation to dealers on next season's trade ihat we are using a much larger quantit}- early in the stason than we have in for- mer years ; consequently our surplus is exhausted, and we are using supplies as fast as they arrive. We .•■hall be pleased to hear from those having wax for sale. We are paying at present for average wax. delivered here, 29 cents cash, 81 in trade, and from one to two cents ex- tra for choice quality. Send on your shipments as .soon as ready ; and be sure to mark them, so we may know whom they come from. Write us at the same time, and send shipping-receipt and a notice of the weight ship- ped. Convention Notices. A series of bee-keepers' institutes will be held in this .State as follows: Canandaigua, March 2, '?,; Romulus, March 1; Auburn, March 5; Cortland, March 6 Fulton, :March 7; Syracuse, March 9 10; Amsterdam, March 11. Prof Frank Benton, of Washington, D. C , who is furnished bj- the U. S. Department of Agriculture at the expense of the Bureau of Institutes o the -State De- partment of Agriculture, will address the meetings. The New York .Stute As ociation of Bee-keepers' so- cieties will hold i s annual meeting at Syracuse, ^Nlarch 10, at 10 A. M., in the City Hall. Prof. Benton and oth- er prominent bee-men have informed us of their inten- tion to attend this meeting, and a profitable and inter- esting session is in store for those who attend. Spe- cial rates have been secured for entertainment at the Manhattan Hotel, Fa\ ette .St., at 51 25 per day. Romulus, N. Y'. ' C B. Howard, Sec. The Michigan State Bee-keepers'i Association will hold its annual convention Feb. 3d and 4lh, in the C juiicil Rooms of the City Hall, at I., > using, l he rooms are in the third story, back away from the noise of the street, yt t thev can be reached by the elevator. Arrangements have been made at a nice, clean hotel, the Wentworlh H' use, only two blocks from the place of meeting, where bee-keepers will be accommodated at Sl.'O a dav. The Michigan State Dairymen will hold iheir con- vention at the Agricultural College. Lansing-, on the same dates, as also will the Slate Veterinaries, thus enabling the members of all three societies to come at reduced rates. When buying your ticket you will pay full f.ire aiid a'k for a certific ears; let us turn out and show our appreciation of the event. W. Z. HUTCHTN.SON. President. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 77 I Order $1 per 1000 Heavy, white, high-cut, size6-X- A neat little coupon on each envelope will earn you dollars. i)lher station- ery cheap. For particulars and sample, address at once oward Co.. 516 Masonic Temple, Chicago. Ills. I?nn PFPPFT^ All sizes; some trained; first- li,\f\f 1 iwlVlVlw I O. class stock. New price list free. N. A. KNAPP, Rochester, Lorain Co.. Ohio. To make cows pay. use Sharpies Cream Separators. "Business Dairying"' and cat. ZSS free. W. Chester, Pa. Wants and Exchange. Notices will be inserted under this head at 10 ct.s. per line. You must SAY you want your adv't in this department, or we will not be responsible for any error. You can have the no- tice as many lines as you please ; but all over ten lines will cost you according to our regular rates. We can not be re- sponsible for dissatisfaction arising from these " swaps." WANTED.— To sell 10 bbls. White Bliss Triumph po- '^' tatoes— a little sunburned or green, but all right for seed — not sorted, $2.00 per barrel; will sliip in the spring. J. W. Bittenbender, Knoxville, Iowa. 'IVANTED.— To exchange a large list of second-hand '" goods, as good as new, for foundation, mill, and extracted honey. Address QuiRiN the'Queen-breeoer, Parkertown, Ohio. Y^ANTED.— Comb to render into wax; will pay cash. '" A. P. Lawrence, Hickory Corners, Mich. \^ ANTED. — To sell for cash, 5 gal. square tin cans, '" used for honey, at about half price of new cans. Also elegant exhibition 12-lb. no drip honey-cases for plain Dauz. and 4^X4% sections; made for Pan-Amer- ican. For prices, etc., address Orel L,. Hershiser, 301 Huntington Ave., Buffalo, N. Y WANTED.— To sell 600 stands of Italian bees in Sim- ' ' plicity hives in lots to suit buj'cr. Will deliver the same to any point in the West if desired. Corres- pondence solicited. Tyler Bros , Nicolaus, Cal. WANTED.— To exchange my new price list of 2000 '" ferrets, now ready to ship, for your address on a postal card. N. A. Knapp. Rochester, Ohio. VU.^NTED —To sell a 10-h.p. horizintal engine with ' ' upright boiler, with pump, smoke-stack, and all connections, for S125. J. W. Bittenbender, Knoxville, Iowa. WANTED.— Two good, reliable, temperate, and ex- perienced bee-men — men of order and neatness; one of these to thoroughly understand queen-rearing, providing the season or winter proves good. M. H. Mendleson, Ventura, Cal. WANTED. — Partner to go into bee-business who has bees and localitj'; I furnish all capital and expe- rience. G. KocKENBAUGH, Cauiden, N. T- \V.\NTED. — To exchange an Odell tjpewriter and '" one Clipper bicycle for a good camera or Kodak, observatory-hive, bees-, or supplies. Add' ess I,. F. We.wer, Wingate, Ind. WANTED.— Those that are thinking of building to •' .send us their names. We will do your work at reasonable p'.ices. and guarantee satisfaction. EvERSoN & EVERSON, Architects, Brilliant, Ohio. Y^ANTED —We want to hear from those having ' choice comb honey to sell, stating quantity, qual- ity, size, and style of .sections, and how packed. If not yet packed for shipment state how soon you can have it ready, and the price asked delivered here or free on board at vour place. 'The a. I. Root Co., Medina, Ohio. w ANTED. useful. ■To exchange Angora goats for any thing Ed. W. Cole & Co., Kenton, Ohio. IVANTED.- To exchange step-ladders or common '' ladders for a tent about 20x40, old or new. Edward Gigax, Archbold, Ohio. WANTED.— All the readers of Gleanings to send ^' for the 196-page illustrated book " How to Make Money with Poultry," offered on page 75, by Cyphers Incubator &■ Brooder Co., Buffalo, Chicago, Boston, or New York. Mention Gleanings in Bee Culture if you want one and it will be sent free. w w w ANTED.— To exchange 6-iiich foundation-mill for wax, honey, or $5.00 cash. I. J. Stringham, 105 Park Place, New York. ANTED.— Typewriter, wheel hoe and drill, and beeswax. Write for list of property in exchange. F. H. McFarland, Hyde Park, Vermont. VVANTED. — An experienced man to take charge of ' ' apiaries. Addre s with references. Dr Geo. D. Mitchell & Co , Ogden, Utah. V^ANTED.— A Union combination saw, No. 5; must ' ' be cheap and in good condition. Write, stating price, to 1447 Charles St., St. Paul, Minn. \VANTED.— You to read what A. T. R. says on page '" 36 of Gleanings, Vol. 31. Order this book at once, and write me for prices on ginseng seed, or other information you want. A. P. Young, Cave City, Ky. ANTED. — Two hundred stands of bees in any kind of hives, l,angstroth preferred: must be cheap. T. E. Hand, Wakenian, Ohio. WANTED.— To -sell 260-acre farm, apiary with 75 '^" hives attached; 100 acres in cultivation; general- ly level and productive; new two-story house, barns, etc; ten miles to county site and station: good commu- nity. J. A. Clements. Green Bush, Walker Co., Ga. WANTED.— To exchange Dadant uncapping-cans for cash, honey, or any thing I can use in the apiary. O. H. Hyatt, Shenandoah, la. WANTED.— For cash, 250 or 300 colonies of bees in ten-frame hives; extra combs also. Prefer those that have been run for extracted honey in the South- ern States. State prices on cars and what you have for sale. J. D. Ruoads, I,as Animas, Colo. WANTED.— To sell gladioli bulbs, Groff's Hybrid.s— 13 gold medals at Buffalo; blooming size. $1.00 per 100 postpaid. O. Coblentz, New Madison, Ohio. WANTED. — To sell, or exchange for brood founda- tion, 75 Lewis division-boards, nailed: also 700 No. 1 4^^x41^x1 -ij sections, open four sides, new goods. Chas. D. Handel. Savanna, 111. WANTED. — An experienced man lowoik in comb- honey apiary. State experience and what salary wanted. Cheek & Wallixger, Las Animas, Col. WANTED. — A young man with a knowledge of api- culluie to So general work on a small farm; apiary small. State salary exp cted. A. Richter, Bushkill, Pike Co., Pa. W^ WANTED. — Owing to recent death of my husband I want to sell my bcf s and entire outfit, consisting of 200 colonies of bees now located in three apiaiies; two locations on Mangrove Island to move bees to in summer, three boats -including one ga-oline launch, all necessary appliances to run for extracted honey. To those interested I will give full particulars. Mrs. Anna M. King, Wabasso, Florida. WANTED.— To sell a distinguished half interest in newly estatilished apiary, comprising in a'l 43 colonies of hees, 130 hives, 125 lbs. coml) foundation, honey and wax extractors, wagon, and various articles necessary. Well located, and in charge of good bee- keeper who will increase and work the bees the com- ing season at reasonable wages already agreed upon. Will sell at less than cost that I may extend another yard. Sole and indefeasible ownership conveyed by bill of sale. If not .sold by first of March, will be withdrawn. A tare chan2. Hives, Weed New Pro- cess Foundation, Cowan Extractors, Smokers, and every thing that you will likel3' need. We are now booking orders for Buck's strain of Italian queens. Last year we were swamped with orders in the spring, so I wish to ask my customers to send in their orders early so as to avoid the rush. vSend for 1903 catalog. The 1903 edi- tion of A B C of Bee Culture for sale. Carl F. Buck, Augusta, Kansas. Butler County. Announcement ! We desire to call the attention of all bee-keepers in Washington, British Columbia, and adjacent territory, that we're now the Northwestern agents for The a. I. Root Company, and are prepared to furnish from stock here, and at other Washington points, any thing required by bee-keepers. Send your specifications early. If we do not have the goods wanted this will enable us to get them in our next car- load. Catalogs tree. LILLY, BOGARDUS & CO., Seattle, Washington. Northern-grown Seeds, Trees and Plants, Poultry and Bee Siipplies, Spray Pumps, Fertilizersand Garden-tools. ij 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 83 Honey Column. GRADING-RULES. Fancy —All sections to be well filled, combs straight, firm Iv attached to all four sides, the combs unsoiled by travel stain, or otherwise ; all the cells sealed except an occasional cell the outside surface of the wood well scraped of propolis. A No l.-AU sections well filled except the row of cells next to the wood ; combs straight ; one-eighth part ot comb surface soiled, or the entire surface slightly soiled ; the out- side surface of the wood well scraped of propolis. No 1 -All sect ions well filled except the row of cells next to the wood ; combs comparatively even ; one-eighth part ot comb surface soiled, or the entire surface slightly soUert. No. 2.— Three-fourths of the total surface must be failed "no" 3!— Must weigh at least half as much as a full-weight In addition to this the honey is to be classified according to color using the terms white, amber, and dark ; that is, there will be '^Fancy White," " No. 1 Dark," etc. CITY MARKETS. Denver. ^Fancy white comb honey, |3.50 per case of 24 sections; No. 1 white. $:^.00^$:^.2.5; No. 2, $2..TO@ S3.00. Extracted honey, "',^(gSf^. Beeswax wanted at 22(a27, according to color and quality. The Color.ado Honey Producers' As.s'n, Jan. 22. 1440 Market St., Denver, Col. Ne^v York. — Jlarket quiet. No large arrivals, but enough stock to supply the demand. Fancy comb, 15; No. Tcomb, 13@14; buckwheat comb, 12rai:). Beeswax worth 29; good demand and no stocks on hand. Fr.\ncis H. Leggett 8: Co., Jan. 20. Franklin and Varick Sts., New York. Chicago. — There is no change in the honey market from quotations given in last issue. The weather has moderated, and we hope that the ensuing two weeks will give us a better movement. R. Pi.. Burnett & Co., Jan. 20. 199 .South Water St.. Chicago, 111. CiNCiNN.ATi. — The demand for comb honey has fall- en off. which generally happens right after the holi- days, although prices rule as before. White clover comb. 15'/4; extra fancy water white. Ki; no demand for lower grades. E.xlracted honey in fair demand, and sells as follows: amber, by the ^arrel. .5j^(a.5%; in cans, 6; alfalfa. 7'/4; white clover, 7J4(&8J^. Beeswax sells from 28 to HO cts. per pound. C. H. W. Weber, Jan. 20. 2140 Central Ave., Cincinnati, O. Detroit. — Not much honey in market, and demand fair. Comb honey, white .A No. 1, 17; white No. 1, 14(g) 1.5. Extracted. 8®8!a;. Beeswax, 28a 30. M. H. Hunt & .Son, Jan. 15. Bell Branch, Mich. Philadelphi.'V.— Very little change in the prices ot honey or wax since our last quotation, and call not very brisk, although some lots are moving r ff every day. We would quote fancy white comb, 15(alli; No. 1, 14; Xo. 2. \%. Extracted, white, 8; amber, 7. Beeswax, 2!t. We are producers of honey and do not handle on commission. Wm. A. .Selser Jan. 10. 10 Vine St., Philadelphia, Pa. S.\N Francisco. — Honey market as follows: Comb, per lb., io@i3. Extracted, water white, 6;4(ai7; light amber, 6(^654; dark amber, 4(55. Beeswax, per lb., 28 cts. E. H. Schaeffle, Jan. 17. San Francisco, Cal. Xrw York.— Demand for comb honey quiet on all grades, and prices show a downward tendency. Supply quite sufficient to meet demand, if not mqre. We quote fancy white at 15; No. 1 at 14; No. 2, 12@13; dark and buckwheat, lira 12. Extracted also quiet with abundant supplies with the exception of white clover. We quote white ac 7; amber, tji4; dark, (i; common, in barrels. tKl.'a tio per ga.lon. Beeswax firm at 29(a;TO, with liille supply. Hildreth & Segei ken. Jan. 2:?. 2ft5-267 Greenwich St., New York, N. Y. For Sale. — L,ight and buckwheat extracted honey in cans and kegs; sample, 8c. I. J. Stringham, 105 Park Pi., New York City. For Sale. — White extracted honey from alfalfa in 60-lb. cans, at $4.50 each; light amber honey mixed with Rocky Mountain bee-plant, fine flavor, $4.20 each. Prices on small cans and pails on application. M. P. Rhoads, Box 216, I,as Animas, Colo. For Sale. — Alfalfa water-white honey, 60-lb. cans, two in a case, at 7J4c; fancy basswood in 2.50-lb. bbls., 8c: same in 60-lb. cans, two to a case, 9c. We buy and sell for cash only. E. R. Pahl & Co., 294, 296 Broadway, Milwaukee, Wis. Wanted. — Beeswax ; highest market price paid. Write for price list. Bach, Becker & Co., Chicago, 111. Wanted— Comb and extracted honey. State price, kind, and quantity. R. A. Burnett & Co., 199 South Water St., Chicago, 111. For Sale. —Extracted honey. Finest grades for ta- ble use. Prices quoted on application. Sample by mail, 10 cts. to pay for package and postage. Orel I,. Hershiser, 301 Huntington Ave., Buffalo, N. Y. We will be in the market for honey the coming sea- son in carloads and less than carloads and would be glad to hear from producers everywhere what they will have to offer. .Seavey & Flarsheim, 1318-1324 Union Avenue, Kansas City, Mo. Our Advertisers. the deming cat.\log. The 1903 catalog of the Deming Company, of Sale, Ohio is just off the press. As usual, our readers will look to it to exemplify in practical form the latest ideas in spraying orchards, vines, potatoes, shrubbery, etc. The Deming people have been so long engaged in the busine.'s of making sprayers, and their whole line has been brought up to such high efficiency in the estimation of spraying people, that it has become second nature to look to their catalog to show what is best adapted to any particular purpose. It includes hand, bucket, knapsack, barrel, mounted, and po^ver sprayers. In certain sprayers of their line, notably the Century, Simplex, Peerless, and Success Knapsack sprayers, the mechanical agitation of the liquid, in- suring perfect mixing of poison with the water, is ^worked out to a nicety. The wide adaptability and 'getieral usefulness of the line can not be realized with- out perusing the catalog. As usual, it will be mailed to any one writing for it, provided you mention this paper. "BURPEE'S seeds GRO^V.'' This famous motto of an equally famous seed-house is true in a double sense; for not only do Burpee's seeds grow when planted, but they grow constantly and very rapidly, year by year, in the favor and confi- dence of all who cultivate vegetables and flowers. So intimately ig the name ot this hou.se associated with all that is best in seeds, that the advent of Burpee's Farm Annual is awaited each year as an event of real importance in planting-circles Of this publication — well known and universally spoken of as "The Lead- ing Amer can Seed Catalog'" — the 1903 is.sue is espe- cially noteworthy. It is an elegant book of 184 pages, with beautiful colored plates; a veritable storehouse of valuable information regarding choice flower and vegetable seeds, and mailed free to planters every- where. It is much to be recognized as the largest mailorder seed-house in the world, but it is yet more to mail all over the world " The Best Seeds That Grow." Both of these di'-tinctions can bs truthfully claimed by Burpee, Philadelphia. To make cows pay. use Sharpies Cream Separators. 'Business Dairying" and cat. 288 free. W. Chtster, Pa. 84 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Feb. 1 "Uhe Best Bee-g'oods in tHe World are no better than those we make, and the chances are that they are not so good. If you buy of us you will not be disappointed. "We are undersold by no one. Send for new catalog and price list and free copy of THB AMERICAN BEE-KEEPER; in its thirteenth year ; 50 cents a year ; especially for beginners. 75he W. T. Falconer Man'f* g Co., Jamestown, New York. W. M. Gerrish, Epping-, New Hampshire, carries a full line of our goods at catalog prices. Order of him and save the freight. dJiiiMiiiiiiNiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiinniiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiMiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii^ . J.Stringham, New York City | I 105 Park Place. | I OUR 1903 CATALOG is yours for the asking. The supplies | I listed in it are practical and up-to-date. We furnish everything | = a bee-keeper uses, and will not be undersold. It will be a plea- | = sure to quote you prices on any thing you need ; Freight Paid to = = your R. R. station if you prefer. Bees and queens during the e = season. Apiaries, Glen Cove, Long Island. | ^,...v-,,,...Mi«jiuMn...M-..........ii,,MiinniiuiUFii(|||||||||||||||||||Mllllll!lMMIII!l»"MUijMM(||||l|||||nillllllllllllllllli^ »iv »iw fiv »iv ^\C f\C f\C fiC f\^ »ie »ie fie »ie f\C fie »iC fiC r^ tt^ f\^ 4 Bee-Keepers! 4 ^f<^ Send us . a list of the goods you want '^.r ^i, and we will quote prices by return mail, ^l^ i"^ Discounts on early orders. 'i^ ^f the old combs being solid pollen; but let the honey-flow slacken or cease, and the queen will at once return to the old combs, and nothing but a flow of honey, or feeding un- til waxsecretion begins, will induce the queen to use again newly drawn combs or partly drawn foundation. This I have proven over and often in the past few years. When partly and full drawn combs have been brought over from the previous seasons, these combs have been put in the brood- nest in spring in place of frames of brood removed; and unless a honey-flow was on, these combs would remain untouched by the queen, even passing over and laying in the black combs beyond. Then, again, it is the custom in the South, where much honey is put on the market in the shape of "bulk comb," to carry over as many drawn combs of foundation as possi- ble. I have seen these supersof new combs stacked on the hives fully covered with bees, but not an egg would be laid in them un- til the honey- flow began; then it is that the queen will occupy these new combs at once. Why the queen will prefer and use new comb during a honey-flow and will not use any thing but old combs at other times, I c;ui not explain. In the case of Mr. Hutch- inson (Stray Straw, p. 971), searching an old black comb in a nucleus for first-laid eggs, I would account for it in this way: It is seldom that a nucleus run for queens be- comes prosperous enough to store much honey or build new comb; and there being a vacancy prepared in the old comb, right among the brood, from eggs of the previous queen, it is natural that the queen would occupy this first. If the nucleus is strong with a good field force of honey coming in, I should expect eggs in newly made comb as quickly as in the old black combs. Beeville, Texas. W. H. Laws. [Dr. C. C. Miller's attention is respectful- ly called to this. It is no little source of gratification to know that a practical queen- breeder — one of many years' experience — has given me no little aid and comfort. Mr. L., I think, explains just the conditions when queens will favor new comb and when not; and it appears to me that his ex- planation quite dissolves the bitter wrangle between Dr. Miller and myself. Come, doc- tor, let's shake. — Ed.] SEALED COVERS ENDORSED. I notice on page 907 Mr. Gill condemns the sealed covers in rather strong terms. I have had splendid success in wintering bees under sealed covers, both in Northern Iowa, where the thermometer registers 30 below zero, and in Ohio, where it seldom went as low as 20, and did not stay at zero long at a time, and the sealed cover has been a success with me in both places (rive me a good strong cluster of bees with plent}' of good stores of honey, and I would not give any one ten cents to warrant them to winter perfectly under sealed covers if properly packed. There should be a good warm quilt and several inches of good 106 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Feb. 1 dry packing-, with a good roof over all; of course, the sides should be packed as well as the top. Absorbents are not at all neces- sary to the successful outdoor wintering- of bees. Chaif or other packing- is not valu- able as an absorbent of moisture merely, but rather as a retainer of the heat generat- ed by the cluster, giving- it back to the bees during cold spells, thereby enabling them to maintain a tolerably even temperature, the same as is secured in a hot-water incu- bator by using several inches of sawdust. I winter most of my bees out of doors, and the chaff is always dry, whether I use sealed covers or quilts. When quilts are used I use several thicknesses, so it amounts to about the same as sealed covers. J. E. Hand. Wakeman, Ohio, Nov. 26, 1902. [Our own experiments, covering a period of six or eight years, now confirm us in the belief that sealed covers in this locality, for wintering, properly protected with packing- material, give better results than absorb- ing cushions placed directly over the clus- ter of bees. Absorbents become damp or moist from the breath of the bees before spring, while the packing over the sealed cover remains perfectly drj'. Under it the moisture as it collects will form in drops and run out of the entrance, while that con- tained in a cushion is a constant menace to the health of the bees. — Ed.] NO BLACK BROOD AMONG HERSHISER'S BEES. Mr. E. R. Root: — During the past year it was intimated in Gleanings that Orel L. Hershiser had black brood in one or more of his apiaries. Accordingly Morti- mer Stevens, State Bee Inspector of the fourth division, selected a time most favor- able for the discovery of any disease, and called on me to accompany him, that there might be no question of the existence or non-existence of disease in his apiaries; and while I feel that a report should have been sent to j'our publication earlier, it is but just to Mr. Hershiser to say that, after a most thorough inspection of all his api- aries, we were unable to find any black or foul brood, or any evidence that they had ever been infected. By direction of the Department of Agri- culture, the four State bee inspectors are now conducting a crusade ag-ainst the adul- teration of honey, with g-ood results. As soon as the statistics can be compiled the Department will send the bee journals the results of the season's work for the sup- pression of bee diseases. Charles Stewart, State Bee Inspector ^d Div. Sammonsville, N. Y., Nov. 22. [Mr. Hershiser is a very careful bee-keep- er; and I should not suppose that black brood would get much of a start in his yard without his knowing it. We are glad to know that the State Bee Inspector finds no trace of it. — Ed.] A CASE OF BEE DYSENTERY -WHICH WAS NOT CAUSED BY CONFINEMENT. Have you ever known bees to be sick be- cause of something they were feeding on? Last spring while on many varieties of wild clover, fruit-bloom, etc., my bees were af- fected just as the ABC book describes them to become from confinement in winter. I could not observe that they were swollen or distended; but they dropped over my hands and about the hive. Sometimes they exuded a yellowish substance exactly like 3'ellow paint, and sometimes it would be a dark brown. No confinement in my case, as they had been working finely; had swarmed — in fact, it has cast four swarms. I find no mention of it in any of my bee books, hence I ask you about it. Arbuckle, Cal. Henry B. Jones. [This case is a little peculiar; for when bees can fly it is a rule that any tendency to dysentery will disappear. I should be inclined to think it a case of bee-paralysis, for all the symptoms you have named could be applied to that disease, except that I never saw paralytic bees void a dark-brown excrement. The color is usually a trans- parent yellow. It is possible there is some- thing in the fields that bees gather that causes a violent dj'sentery, even when the weather is warm. Perhaps some of our veterans can give us some parallel cases. If so, let us hear from them. — Ed.] foul-brood law in IDAHO; UNOCCUI'IED bee-ranges in the SPATE. I enclose a program of our annual meet- ing, held Dec. 19 and 20. The meeting was very well attended A foul-brood bill was drawn up, pure-food measures indorsed, and a resolution passed to discourage out- siders, intending to engage in bees exclu- sively, from locating within three miles of any association member without that mem- ber's written consent. Some of our members have from 400 to 1000 colonies, and they ob- ject to the assertion, published in Glean- ings, that there is abundant unoccupied pasturage here in W^estern Idaho, in the Boise, Paj'ette, and Weiser Valleys. One Utah apiarist declares that if we pass a foul-brood bill he will, in his next trip through Idaho, scatter foul-brood honey from one side of the State to the other. He also offered three of our members foul-brood honey to enable them to destroy the apia- ries of the would-be bee-keeper. All our best locations are surrounded by more or less worthless sage-brush land. In addi- tion to this, it is no myth that alfalfa is cut too soon, with us. Red clover and timothy are much grown here, and do not yield sur- plus honey. Our crops are usually small, but we are sure of some honey everj^ 3'ear. We realize that you intended no misrepre- sentation in regard to this portion of Idaho, and believe you will be willing to show some of the disadvantages also. If any api- arist desires to come here, let him come pre- 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 107 pared to buy land of his own, and to raise alfalfa seed. Land here is very valuable —$35 to $200 per acre. E. F. Atwater, GetiH Mgr. Boise, Idaho, Dec. 22, 1902. [I am glad you are going- to make an ef- fort to have a foul-brood law^, and Glean- ings will give you any assistance possible. Saj', if you will give us the name of that Utah apiarist who threatens to scatter foul brood in Idaho, and can give satisfactory proof from several witnesses that he made such a threat, we will publish him to the world. Get his picture if you can. Such a fiend and rascal as that ought to be branded all over the bee world. My own opinion is, he could be held accountable for such a threat, and Gleanings will put $25 up to begin the cost of prosecution. I am not sure but this case should be brought be- fore the National Bee-keepers' Association. Such a man should be driven out of the State, or sent to jail, where he belongs. When the writer went through a portion of your State, he drove over a great deal of alfalfa country where there seemed to be no bees; and I was told there was much more of it in other portions of the State also available for bees. Since then I have been informed that there has been a great rush of bee-keepers to the locality mentioned, and the probabilities are there is no field va- cant. I do not believe bee-keepers in any local- ity object to having more bee-keepers come to their vicinity, providing that such new comers do not encroach on bee-range al- ready taken up. But there are some who rush into new count r3% and squat their bee- j'ards within a mile or so of another yard, that has the reputation of getting much hone}'. Let bee-keepers take note of the fact that Idaho, so far as it is settled, is al- ready dotted over with bee-j'ards. But in Idaho, as in nearly every other State, there is a great deal of sage country now desert that will be opened up just as soon as the State and nation put in irriga- tion-ditches so that this land, fertile as it is, can be made available for growing alfalfa and other crops. If one really desires to get a new location, let him ascertain what fields are to be reclaimed by irrigation. There is no law against being the first one in the field.— Ed.] WHAT MADE THE BEES DIE SO? I had four colonies of bees, and the}' have all died since the first of November. The two first were late swarms, and had but very little honey; the other two had plent}^ of honey. The trouble began early in the fall. Every time that I examined them there would be quite a number of dead bees on the bottom-board, and some litter like bits of comb. When I opened the hives there was about a quart of bees in the clus- ter which looked very much like live bees except that their abdomens were slightly swollen, and looked whiter than usual. There was no young brood, and no moth- worms. I failed to find a queen in either hive. I should like to have your opinion in regard to what was the matter; and if you know what caused the trouble, what would be the remedy? If I get more bees, would they be liable to take the same disease? Beaver, Mo. Jacob Wimmer. [I assume in the first place you are win- tering y6ur bees outdoors. There is a pos- sibility that the bees gathered something in the fall that induced early dysentery, al- though you do not speak of the fact that any of the hives are stained, although I infer that the bees are diseased because you say the bodies are swollen; and that leads me to suggest that possibly they have paraly- sis or bee palsy — sometimes called the trembling disease. The litter of little bits of comb in the bottom of the hive suggests that mice or some other rodents are gnaw- ing at the combs. Without knowing more of the conditions it is pretty hard to say what the trouble was. It is possible that the hives being in an exposed position, and the entrances large, the bees became chill- ed, and they are dying from cold. — Ed.] THE BEST METHODS OF QUEEN-REAR- ING, ETC. 1. Is the " Doolittle method " of rearing queens in upper stories above a queen-ex- cluder, and getting them fertilized from the same a success — that is, when there is an- other queen below? 2. What book has the best method or methods of rearing queens in it? 3. How is the Danzenbaker hive for queen- rearing? J, F. Diamond. Fly Mountain, N. Y., Oct. 10. [ 1. No, only at certain seasons and under some conditions. The appendix to Mr. Doolittle's book fully covers this point. 2. This is a hard question to answer. Some prefer the Doolittle method, and some prefer the Alley plan. Both have their good points. But a modification of the Doolittle method as recommended by W. H. Pridgen or by Swarthmore ( E. L. Pratt) I would consider an improvement. Mr. Doolittle brought out, or, rather, brought to prominence, the artificial-cell-cup plan. The two other gentlemen have, in my judg- inent, made improvements to such an extent that one can rear more queens with less labor. Therefore if you wish to get the best "book" on queen-rearing you will have to consult the current literature in bee- journals. 3. Very well adapted for it. In the rear- ing of queens it is an advantage to have frames a little smaller than the Langstroth; and to the extent that the Danzenbaker frame is smaller or shallower than the Langstroth, to that extent it is better for queen-rearing. But this is not all. The general construction of the Danzenbaker is such as to make a warmer brood-nest — a very important consideration when the clus- ters of bees are necessarily small. — Ed. J 108 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Feb. 1 NOTES or TRAVH I BY A. I. ROOT. "our owx apiary." How funny it sounds to take that old fa- miliar heading-, under which I wrote for so many j'ears! Well, "our own apiary" here in Cuba is certainly the handsomest apiary I ever saw. In fact, it is beyond any of my wildest flig-hts of imagination, away back when I signed myself "Novice." Now, mind you, I do not say it is the best arranged apiary, for it certainly is not, es- pecially for queen-rearing; but it may do very well for honey. It is a veritable "White City" of miniature "business" houses. Mr. de Beche planned it, and Mr. Warden (under some protest) carried it out. The hives occupj^ a plot of 5X10 rods. There are 10 rows of hives with 50 hives in each row. This brings the hives between three and four feet apart from center to cen- ter. Each outside row faces outward, then iYitvQ. 2^x0. four pairs of rows facing each other. The alley between the rows, where the entrances are, is about 10 feet wide; the allej' between the back ends of the hives is about 6 feet. This gives room for a wheel- barrow to turn round, and plenty of room for workmen to pass, even with a load of stuff. The rows of hives are as " straight as a string," as you see on p. 1023. Nov. 15. The ground in these six-foot alleys is as clean and smooth as a brickyard. The wide alleys are now a beautiful and nicel}' kept garden where we get our sup- plies for the table. From the stuff planted six weeks ago we have now lettuce, onions, radishes, string beans, and Irish potatoes almost as large as hen's eggs. I believe it has been already mentioned that the 500 colonies were, at least most of them, only strong nuclei that had been used last season for queen-rearing. Well, these nuclei built up by December so that they gave 10,000 lbs. of verj' nice white extracted honey. Now please, friends, do not get wild over this, but remember it is only 20 lbs. per colony, and that nice honey here is worth only about 3 cts. per lb. The hon- ey crop so far does not half pay the expense of getting here. The bees fly and get some honey every day; but at this date, Jan. 8, they are getting only about enough to keep the brood going. Without question, there are too many in one spot to give much hon- ey. I have greatly enjoyed watching them cease flying at night, and starting out in the morning. I picked out the colonies that were first to bring in honey and pollen, and then Mr. Wardell referred to his record and showed me that all I had marked extra had red-clover queens. It looks to me just now as if that queen that Ernest made such a stir about by putting a big price on her (S200) may have been worth to the bee-keep- ing world tJwusands of dollars. More than 1000 of her daughters have been sent into almost as many apiaries, and reports show, almost every time, greater crops of extract- ed honey. This particular strain is, per- haps, not the best for comb honey. Since the above was written I have visited the school. About 100 pupils are enrolled, and three teachers are employed. I am told the buildings were put up and the schools started by the United States. The reading- lesson while we were present was about Christopher Columbus, and I could, there- fore, follow it to some extent. Surely we of America should have a warm place in our hearts for Spain and her people, out of re- spect to the memory of Columbus, if for no other reason. In another room the teacher had put a sentence on the blackboard, beau- tifully written. It was, " Las margaritas blancas adornan los campos." With a lit- tle assistance from the postmaster I render- ed it, " The white daisy adorns the fields." The postmaster, Senor Rodrigo, is the only one in the town who speaks English. Through him as interpreter I had quite a talk with the teachers. No such thing as a Sunday-school has ever been held. The scholars sometimes sing in the day school; but the teacher said smilingly they made such bad work of it she seldom tried to have them sing. I got acquainted with the children readily by showing them my wheel, and they showed me their writing- books where they had copied the motto on the board. I am sure it would be an easy matter for one who can speak their lan- guage to start a large Sunday-school. Can any one tell me how much has been done in this line in Cuba? TEMPERANCE AND INTEMPERANCE IN CUBA. In one respect there are no saloons in Cu- ba; in another, they are everywhere, even in the little towns and country stores. There are no saloons with screens in front, as we have them in America. Liquors are sold in broad daylight, and, in fact, in Havana they are mostly sold out on the walk, you might almost call it. I have seen no intoxicated people, and nowhere in the city did I see crotvds drinking as we see in the saloons in our American cities. Saloon- keepers themselves have admitted that re- moving the screens would destroy more than half their trade. I do not think the Cubans are very much given to (?)fc'6';--drinking. As nearly as I could determine, the principal drink at these places is an imported wine. Every one of these places furnishes drink- ing-water free. At the terminus of the elec- tric-car line I saw the vender pass out tum- bler after tumbler of pure water, and no- body ever seemed to think of thanking him. CUBA; COST OF LIVING. It is too cold now (Jan. 9) for much hon- ey-gathering or queen-rearing. We have no thermometer, but our postmaster said it was down to 50 one night, and I think it must have been 45 last night. There isn't 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 109 a stove in the island that I know of, nor a house with a chimney. Cooking- is mostly done with charcoal; but as it costs Si. 00 a bushel, we use wood — mahog^any. I chop wood to keep warm, until the sun is up. My catarrh, or grip, is all gone except when I get chilled. My wheel is a real comfort. The paths made by barefooted children are ver3'^ nice for the wheel, and I can go miles through the fields on these paths. I judge the3r have never seen a wheel before, the way thej' gaze and gather round me. Milk is 10 cts. a quart; eggs 3 cts. each; flourTcts. per lb. ; Irish potatoes Sets. ; beans 9 cts., etc. Rice and sweet potatoes are the cheapest. Rice is 5 cts., and sweet pota- toes, of the grower, only about one cent. Thej' are away ahead of any we have at home. I think I could eat them every meal, with a good relish. Meat of all kinds, pork, beef, venison, etc., is all 20 cts. per lb.; chickens about 30. Oranges and bananas are about a cent apiece. Many things are necessarily dear because they don't keep in this climate, and consumers therefore buy only a little at a time, say 10 cents' worth. Grocers seem to prefer to sell this way, and then they c?ix\ guess at the proper amount for 10 cts., without the bother of fussing with scales. I think an American store with American ways of doing business would be a big success; but, of course, the storekeep- er would have to speak Spanish. Right in the streets, near the stores, and, in fact, close to the schoolhouse, we see children four or five years old stark naked. It saves clothing, and then they are so easy to wash. Some good woman should start a "mothers' meeting" among these people, to correct this and similar things. Who will undertake it? I fear I have made too much of the objec- tionable features of Cuba. The climate is beautiful at this time of year, and the peo- ple are exceedingly friendlJ^ Theft or crime of any sort seems very rare. Every thing is left outdoors, but so far we have not missed a thing unless it is the little slates on the bee-hives. The small children took some of these at first. Of course, they did not realize the mischief they made. I CUBAN HOMES. I might almost say "Our Homes," or, rather, " Our Horne,'^ for it is now a Cu- ban home. " Our " means Mr. Wardell, whom most of you know about more or less; Stephen N. Green, a Medina boj' who has been several j'ears one of our office boys in Medina, but who took a notion to study Spanish a year or mpre ago, and who was, therefore, chosen to go with Mr. Wardell. Well, besides these two 3'our humble ser- vant has been there for a week or more an inmate of this Cuban home. The most of these homes, at least those in the little town of Paso Real, are built of poles from the woods, covered with leaves from the palm- tree. A building 9x12. that we had made for a kitchen, cost, entire, S18.00. A couple of men brought the material and did the work, so the house was ready to " move in- to " for the above sum. I might add, too, that they did it on Sunday. They didn't get it all done the first Sunday, so they waited until the next and then finished it. As there was nothing said, when the bar- gain was made, about working on Sunday, we could not very well complain. It might have been a little difficult, also, with Ste- phen s command of Spanish, to explain why Sunday was any different from any day — that is, to these people. Posts were first driven into the ground at the four corners; then poles were set up and down about every two feet. Across these, horizontally, still lighter poles were firmly tied with tough bark. These hori- zontal poles were about 15 inches apart. Now for weather-boarding, imagine a great corn-husk, large enough to wrap up a small- sized man. This comes off the palm-tree where the leaf is attached to the trunk. These husks are laid out on the dewy grass over night until they will flatten out on the walls of the house. To keep them flat, another horizontal pole is tied on the out- side, the "big husk" being very firmly tied between the two slender poles. The roof is made of palm or palmetto leaves, very much as we make a thatched straw roof in the North (see picture on p. 1023, is- sue for Dec. 15). The roof projects a good deal all around to shade the walls; and where there is a porch, it goes over the porch also. To get air, the walls seldom go clear up to the roof; but no storm can beat in, as the roof goes over far enough, and comes down low enough to prevent this. There are no chimneys. The smoke from the fire used in cooking goes right through the po- rous roof; and I have never seen a smoky apartment in Cuba, even when a fire is first started. We have all this ventilation every day in the year, mind you, and I for one like it. There isn't a pane of glass in a house in the town except the schoolhouse, and I almost believe it would be better for the pupils without it there. There are shutters, to be closed in bad stormy weath- er, but at no other time. Iron rods are across the store windows, to keep out thieves, but I have never heard of any steal- ing. The floors are usually just the ground tramped hard. When the broom is used often it does not look so very bad. I think this dirt floor is cooler in hot weather than a board floor. There are no stoves. Cook- ing is mostly done with charcoal in an iron bowl made for the purpose. This bowl has a sort of standard, with an opening to let the ashes out, and to let in air. We burn wood, cut up short, in these iron bowls. STINGLESS BEES, AND BEES IN LOG HIVES IN CUBA. This morning I visited on my wheel Mr. Ciriaco (rutierrez, three miles away from our place. Although Mr. G. has 100 oxen pasturing in one field, and other things on his farm to match, he lives in such a house 110 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Feb. 1 as I have described. Out under the eaves he had several boxes of stingless bees. These boxes are 8 inches square and 20 long-, made of ,''3 -inch boards. The honey and pollen are stored in cells, or, rather, bottles of wax, set upright with the top open. These cells are large enough, some of them, to hold, say, one or two tablespoon- fuls of beautiful honey. They are about the shape and size^of a pullet's egg, small end up. When filled they are sealed over. The brood-comb is a separate affair; and as the bees are smaller than common ones, the cells are smaller, and the comb is /!07-i- zontal. Mr. G. was kind enough to make us a present of a hive; and while I write, (out of doors) they are carrying in the hon- ey and pollen at a big rate, close \>y my head. We have just opened their hive and sampled their honey; but they made no ob- jection of any sort. They keep the entrance to their box contracted by propolis so only one bee can get in or out at a time; and woe betide the insect of any sort that pre- sumes to come near the sentinel that always guards this doorway day and night. Should a robber Italian presume to come near, a dozen dart for him with lightning rapidity and fury. Although they can not sting, 1hey have very powerful jaws to bite. Now, then, you who would like to keep bees, and raise j'our own honey, but fear the stings, here is jour chance. Of course, you will have to come to Cuba, for I do not think Ihev w-iU stand even Florida's cold weath- er. ' How much honey can they gather? Mrs. G. vaid they would give perhaps two qujirts of honey per colony per season. Mr. Gutierrez has also the common black lues, i.bout 25 hives; but they are mostly in horizontal hollow palm logs open at each end. Many of the hives are full of honey, and beautiful white combs are hanging out covered with bees and glistening with new honey. I touched the beautiful comb with my finger, and, remembering I knew "white" in Spanish I said "bianco," and the children who were showing me around were delighted to find I wasn't al- together deaf and dumb. If one wanted < nly honey for his own table, I don't know but that a couple of colonies in hollow logs, in Cuba, might fill the bill pretty well. When the bees are building comb out in the open air it certainly looks very pretty. Some of the hives were just a palm husk (such as I told you about) rolled up, and one hive was just a sheet-iron cylinder. It seemed to make no difference to the bees. El Nuevo Testamento de Nuestro Senor y Salvador Jes-u Cristo. Dear friends, I am very, very happy to- night. I did not expect to be happy, and I have not been happy, to tell the truth, even in this land of perpetual summer, and so this wave of peace and joy is a surprise to me— yes, one of my " happy surprises." I told you some time ago that I felt God wanted me in Cuba; and when I saw the thousands who were growing up in igno- rance and darkness I thought I could see why God wanted me ' in Cuba. The chil- dren seemed glad to see me, and, for that matter, the parents also have seemed glad to see me; but what can I do, not knowing their language, and, as my friends accuse me, being too old to learn? Then I inquir- ed if there were not books and papers for the children and parents, such as we have in such great abundance all over America. But I was told there were none ; and on looking about in the homes I have found none. The children sometimes fiy to sing, but not one of them has ever heard a Gos- pel Hymn, and I fear they have never heard of the gospel at all. I asked about mission- aries to Cuba, but was told Cuba had none and didn't ivant any. People told me if I encouraged an acquaintance with the chil- dren they would be all over us all the time, and steal every thing. I remonstrated, and was laughed at for my faith, as my dear old mother was laughed at years ago for her faith in humanity. Perhaps I should explain that there was a little ground for fearing the children. When these little friends had learned to smile, and to shake hands with me, although they could not talk, they naturally came about our apiary, and the little slates Mr. Wardell uses were very attractive in their eyes, and I fear some of them were thoughtlessly taken. Now, the value of a slate is a trifle com- pared to losing our record in rearing- high- priced queens. We could not explain the harm thej^ did, for we could not talk to them. I finally, however, took a little slate to the schoolteachers and asked them to ex- plain to all the pupils the trouble it must make if they even picked up a slate, and I think there has been no meddling since. Of course, I made inquiries of every one I met in regard to what had been and was being done to teach the children, but got little en- couragement. All seemed to decide they were "no good;" "education would make them more tricky and dishonest." etc/ A learned man, and a prominent physician, in Havana, a man who uses neither coffee, tea, tobacco, nor stimulants, a man of means and of high position, said in substance: "Mr. Root, if YOU should go on as you propose, for about four generations, you might get a child here and there who would tell the truth, and then j'ou might make Christians of souie of them." I groaned in spirit while I tried to ex- plain to him that our way was to labor first to bring them to " Jesu Cristo," and then telling the truth would take care of it- self. Mr. Hilbert (the strawberry and chicken man of Michigan), when he landed here was much inclined to be severe on the Cu- bans; and, dear friends, I presume I could fill our journal with complaints of them; but God forbid that I should waste my time in dwelling on or telling of the sins of any people. We are all responsible, more or less, for all that is wrong. Well, Mr. Hil- bert and the rest laughed at my faith; but 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Ill still the3' admitted it was a praiseworthy work to be laboring- to make the world bet- ter. Mr. Hilbert, however, had been with us hardly 48 hours before he confessed we had some good neighbors. He visited the man who had the stingless bees; and al- though they could talk only by signs, and a little aid from Stephen, he came back with praise of this man that wasn't stinted either. Last Saturday night we got off the train at Havana while it was raining. On ac- count of our ivheels we could not get to our hotel, either bj' cars or cab. We didn't find anybody for some time who could talk our tongue enough to guide us. Finally a verj' gentlemanly well-dressed Cuban who could talk English a little said he would go with us. Mr. Hilbert offered to pay him. but he declared "not a cent." This man went with us clear across the city; and then, as Hilbei^t declared he could "make it alone " the rest of the way, he consented to turn back. We were soon lost again, however; and just as we decided we imisi bother somebody else with our troubles, this true friend reached ua on a run (in the rain). He had been watching us from a distance, fearing w^e might have more trou- ble, and this time he piloted us to our hotel door. I wish I had this man's address, so that I might let his kind act be known. Now you can realize somewhat how it pains me to hear my brother Americans condemn so severely the whole of the Cu- bans. Even though I can not talk to them I have learned to love them already. I like their musical speech; I like their ex- travagant gesticulations, which are not only expressive but often possess a degree of grace. One little girl at Mr. Moe's (of Candelaria) showed such an aptness that I told Mrs. Moe she had talent for elocution; and then Mrs. Moe explained that her brother was a lawyer, and had been giving her lessons. At my request she gave a recitation she had once given at their " Fourth-of-July " celebration. Afterward she read some passages of English that Mrs. Moe had taught her, and did it quite well; and Mrs. Moe said she understood the meaning of what she read. Now, this child is thirsting for knowledge, and there are thousands like her. Sunday I found a Congregational church only a short walk from our hotel (71 Prado), and the pastor gave me a lot of little papers illustrated, and in Spanish, by the Ajnerican Stcnday-sclwol I'nion, so you see I was right when I de- clared there was literature for these chil- dren in their own language, if we could only get hold of it; and how shall it ever get to them unless we bestir ourselves, hunt it up, and put it into their hands? There is one child especially who lives near our apiiry, and she and I have become great friends. I can see in her the promise of a noble woman if she is led aright. Well, when Stephen told me he saw a cigarette in her childish mouth, it did not di.scourage me; in fact, it onlv made me more in a hur- ry to put into her little hands the story of " Jesu " the "Cristo." In taking an old friend around to see some of the sights of the city, in a beautiful spot (Tacon St., No. 4), near the water's edge we found a little bookstore that read overhead, "American Bible Society." It almost made my heart jump with joy. In a neat glass showcase, almost out on the walk, were open Bibles, one column Eng- lish and the other Spanish. A New Testa- ment in both languages is only 25cts. each. Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and the book of Psalms were each in Spanish, very neat- ly bound, for only 5 cts. per copy. I knew this before, or ought to have known, that I c )uld get all these helps of the Bible Socie- t}', to which I have given hundreds of dol- lars in years past. But' this is not all. A very bright little Cuban woman has charge of the store, and she is doing quite a thriv- ing business in selling Bibles and Testa- ments, and nothing else. She and I soon became friends, you may be sure. During the war she went north, learned our language, and was given this position. Said I, "Surely, my young friend, you have given jvcz/r heart into the keeping of the dear Savior, so that you can rejoice with every Bible that is sold. Is it not so?" " Oh! yes," she said. "I love to see peo- ple buy these books, because I am so sure it will make them happy." She urged me to call again, and kindly told me what car to take to get to my hotel. Thank God! thank Godf there is one spot in this great city of almost a quarter of a million where something is sold that, in- stead of tearing down soul and body, lifts poor weak humanityfrom "death unto life." I got out of the car and sat down on one of the seats in one of the beautiful parks at the head of the "Prado." I opened my Spanish Bible and began to stud}' it. Then for the first time it began to dawn on my intellect that a Christian's best book from which to learn Spanish is the Bible. I turned first to the title-page from which I have taken my text. " Jesu " the " Cristo" are to me now words sweeter than music. I opened the book to " San Juan IV.,'" and read verse 10. One who knows a little of Latin can readily follow a good deal of the Spanish; and then came one of my " happy surprises." Reading the Bible in another tongue gives another and often a new view of the meaning. We are so familiar with many passages they seem to have lost their meaning to us. The effort to render it in another tongue throws a strong searchliglit on the words, if I may so express it; and as I read I became very happ3% as I said in my opening words. My mother used to be happy in reading her Testament by moonlight. Almost a hundred years later, in a strang-e city, /found great joy in go- ing over the words in a strange tongue. Perhaps I felt happy, too, to think of the little bundle of Spanish books and leaflets I had just forwarded to my friends in Paso Real for their children. 112 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Feb. 1 !i" 1 900" FAMILY WASHER FREE. Greatest invention of tiie Age Labor and Expense of Wasfiing Clotlies Cut in Two. No More Stooping, Rubbing, or Boiling of Clothes. EVERY HOUSEHOLD NEEDS ONE. The '• 1900 " Ball-bearing Family Washer will be sent absolutely free to anyone answering this advertisement, withovit deposit or advance payment of any kind, freight paid, on 30 days trial. The VM) Ball bearing Washer is unques- tionably the greatest labor-saving machine ever invented for family use. Entirely new principle. It is simplicity it; elf. There are no wheels, pad- i dies, rockers, cranks, or complicated machinery. It revolves on bicycle ball-bearings, making it by far the easiest-iunuing washer on the market. No strength required, a child can operate it. No mOiC stooping, rubbing, boiling of clothes. Hot water and soap all that is needed It will wash large quantities of clothes (no matter how soiled) perfectly clean in 6 minutes. Impo.ssible to injure the most delicate fabrics. As the Supt. of the Savannah Yacht Club says: " // is a rc'Oitder. Our washing is veiy large a>2d "Tve have ahvays had two women on Monday and "one on Tuesday. Our cook and the yard boy now "do the zvashing in 4 hour s much better than before" Newman, Ills., July 5, 1900. I can testify that the 1900 is the best washer and the easiest-running machine It will absolutely clean the clothes, cuffs, and bottoms of ladic-s' white skirts better than can be done by hand. The washings that took my wife from 5 to 7 hours to put out by hand, can easily be done in 2 hours.— R. A. SKINNER. Ken.see, Ky., March 21, 1900. I did a double washing for myself yesterday and made (i.t cts. from my borders, besides all my cooking, milking, and housework. It takes less .soap with your machine than in the old way. I have no need of the wa>hboard any more. MRS. I,. A. BARTON. ONAL.SKA, Wis , Jan. 4, 1901. We are a family of 5, and as I had a .'> week's wash it was an immense one. Had it all out in )! hours and never had nicer looking clothes. I did not even put my hands into the water. I can not too strongly recommend the ' 19IK) ' washer. MRS. J. M. WILSON. Write at once for Catalog and full particulars to "1900" Washer Co. ^:^^Z^:h.,. It Isn't the Name " PAGE " that made the fence famous : it's the quality which the name stands for. Page Woven Wire Fence Co., Box S, Adrian, Michigan. neWea! Piano f {. Built anticiiiatint; the demand of those satisfied with nolhiiit: but the best aud looking for a piano of the Highest Artistic Creation Are you coiisiileriiii.' the purcliasse of a piano'? Our proposition « .11 piovR more en- tertaining than any yon hwe had. i'lildnii/ and Jiill irifnrmi'tinn trfe on applicattun. TlIK PA€KARI> COMPANY P. «. IJ0.X F Fort «'«} II.-, Indian.. The "Best of Everything THE through train service of the Chicago & North-Western Rail- way from Chicago to Omaha, Denver and the Pacific Coast on the ■west, the Black Hills and Dakotas to the northwest and to Milwaukee, Madison, St. Paul, Minneapolis and Duluth on the north, is as nearly perfect as modern and skillful management can make it. The Overland Limited, a magnificent electric-lighted train, less than three days Chicago to San Fran- cisco, daily. The Colorado Special, only two nights to Denver from the Atlantic seaboard. Solid train Chicago toDenver. The North=Western Limited. an electric lighted daily train between Chicago, St. Paul and Minneapolis. H. R. MtCui.LouoH, W. B. Kniskern, 3d Vice-President. Passenger Traffic Manager. Chicago, 111. POULTRY JOURNAL How to :Make Poultry Pay. A paper worth a dollar, but will send it to you one year on trial, including book, Plans for Poultry Houses, for '.'.5c. Samplf copy FREE. Inland Poultry Journal, Indianapolis, Indiana. 1903 GLKANl.XGS IX BEE CLLI Ll^E. 113 New Goods in Root's Catalog for 1903. Tjhe "A" Bottom-board. This is some- tliiiii; entirely new tlii-^ season. It consists of a'i'g- inch rim with a tilting floor-board, allowing an aVgfencies carrying a stock of our hives, etc., will he supplied with these improvements in time for this season's trade. If not posted as to where you can buy our supplies advantageously, write us. Ne'w Eaition. With the beginning of the new year we an- nounce the revision of the A B C of Bee Culture, which is not only re- vised inside but has a new dress as well. The 190o edition marks the S)th thousand. While the book is, in the true sense, an A B C of bee culture, in that it is adapted to the requirements of beginners, it is also a comprehensive X Y Z of the subject, and no veterin can afford to be without it. $1.20, postpaid. E6e A. I. Root Co., Medina, Ohio. To ST. PAUL and MrNNEAPOLIS. The train of trains is the Pioneer Limited of the Chicago, Mil- waukee & St. Paul Railway. It ha.s no equal, and it runs over the Fast Mail route. Leaves Union Passenger Sta- tion, Chicago, ().30 o'clock every evening:. F. A. MILLER. Gen Passenger Agt.. Chicago E. G. HAYDEN. Traveling Passenger Agent. 217 Williamson BIdg.. Cleveland. HONEY QUEENS I Laws' Leather=colored Queens. Laws' Improved Golden Queens. Laws' Holy Land Queens. Laws' queens are doing business in every .State in the Union and in many foreign countries. The demand for Laws' queens has doubled any pre- vious .season's sales. Laws' queens and bees are putting up a large share of the honey now .sold. Laws' stock is being sold for breeders all over the world. Why ? Because it is the best to be had. Remember ! That I have a larger stock than ever; that I can send you a queen iny month in the year, and guarantee .safe delivery; that I have many fine breeders on hand. Price j;^. 00 each. Tested, each, $1.'25: five for fOOO. Prices reduced after March lo. Send for circvi'ar. W. H. Laws, Beeville, Texas r^^/' I ?f Printed to Order $1 per 1000 Heavy, white, high-cut, size 63^. A neat little coupon on each envelope will earn you dollars. Other station- ery chea]). For particulars and sample, address at once Howard Co., 516 Masonic Temple, Chicago, Ills. 114 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Feb. 1 Strawberry Plants and Seed Potatoes. How to Grow Big'j-est Crops. Finest Fruit. DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE FREE. Send for it. Barsrains in New Varieties. FLANSBURGH & PEIRSON, Leslie, Mich. and everything of the best at riglit prices for Or- cliartl, Vineyard, liiiAVii, Park, Street, (harden and Greeii- lioii!>e, Rarest New, t'lioloest Old Seeds, Plants, Roses, Bulbs, Small Trees, etc., sent by mail postpaid, larger by express or freight, safe - arrival and satisfaction guaranteed. Your address on a postal will bring you our elegant 168 page catalogue free. Direct deal -will insure you the best and save you money. Try it. 49 years, 44 greenhouses, 1,000 a ores. THE STOKRS ,%! II.\RKISOX CO., Box 172, PAINESVILLE, OHIO. Hammond's Seeds Lead in vigor, yield, earliness and quality. Belter can- not b; had. Prices very low. Wj <-an sa\e 3CU money. Northern Grown always the BEST. Our handsome 100-page catalog Garden, Field and Flower mailed free on request. "Harry n. Hammond Seed Co., Ltd. DA' CITY, NEW STRAWBERRY. Estiinutfd yield 7110 bu. per acre. Netted 1400. Ot) per acre for us. Beau- tiful, round as an oranjre, large, good (juality. 75 other varieties. Jlany new llaspberries, Blackber- ries and other fruits, especially some new apples. Our new Cata- logue tells all about it. Sent free. W. N. SCARFF, New Carlisle, Ohio. EVERGREENS Hardy sor^s, Kursery grown, for wind- breaks, ornament and hedpes. Prepaid. $1 to $10 per lOO-fjO Great Bargains to select from Write at once for free Catalogue and Bargain Sheet. Loral Agents vrnnted. D.HilUp:^fai?s?,Dundee,in. S GRAPE VINES 100 Varieties. AisoSmall Fruits. Quiii'yimsurpnsseri. Warranted true. V'ery cheap. 3 '^tiiiple vines mailed fur I5C. 1*-- scriptive price list free. LEWIS ROESCH,Fri-EVIING CI)., Salem. Ohio. llmion 4- lluhbell. Tfcsfcm Agts., Chicago, III. BARNES' Hand and Foot Power Machinery. This cut represents out combined circular saw which is made for bee- keeper's use in the con- structiou of their hives sections, boxes, etc., etc. Machines on Trial. Send for illustrated cata- log and prices. Address VV, F. & Jno. Barnes Co., 545 Ruby St., Rockford. Illinois. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 115 >r''Y'§i View of Green's Nursery Co. Farms, Rochester, N.Y. Home of the Thanksgiving Prune, Red Cross Currant, Corsican Strawberry, Rathbun Black- berry, WUder Early Pear, Worden Seckel Pear, York State Prune, American Blush Apple, and oihernewandrare varieties of fruit. Established 1S76. "We offer for sale 750,000 apple, cherry, peach and other orchard trees, and millions of small fruit plants, grape vines, roses, etc. Our new catalogue is double the ordinary size. We give one new Thanksgiving Prune tree (worth $1.50) free with each early order of ^5.00. Our specialties are: Apple, i6c. ; Peach, 12c.; Cherry, 15c.; Small Fruit Plants, Roses, Vines. loo-page catalogue free. 2 new Red Cross Currants mailed for loc. Secrets of Emit Gro-^-ing, 150 photos, loc. Copy Green's Fruit Grower Good salary paid for work at home! GREENS NUllSERY CO., nOCllGStcr, N. I. Seeds \ Grow Burpee's Proluihly you have heard of this fsimoiis motto for many years but have poll jn-Qved for yourself that Burpee's Seeds ;ue the BEST that Grow? If not, write to-rlay for IJurpee s Farm Animal forl'JOS— so well-known as ■'TlieLiHitin^ Aiuer- iciin Seed Catalogue." It is an e egant U < k of 184 pages. Willi beautiful coloretl platis and will be sent FKKE ti> iilaiUPi-s everywhere; —to others upon receipt of !0 cents, which is less than cost jier copy in quarter million eliiions. Write TO-l)AA'. Do not «lela> ! It issullicient to address simjiiy BURPEE, Philadelphia vol) WANT qOQD EGGS ^YOUBUYIEED" YOU WANT _r WRITE FOR CATALOGUE- NorthrupKing&Co. "S e: e; E> s ivie: rvj >W1NNEAJ>01-1.5 • •jWINIM. Salzer's Rape Rives Kicb, grcon Jf*^ food at,^R.*J ton FARM SPELTZ— ^What is it! C'atalos tfUs. SEEDS SALZER'S SEEDS NEVER FAIL! 1,000,1 Proudest record of any seedsman on cartli, Rnd yet we are rracliiii!; out Inr mnre. 'We desire, liy July ]i-t, eki.ooo more and hence tliis luipiecedented oiler. $10.00 for lOc. ' We will mail upon receijit of lOe. in stamps our weat cataloi;r.e, ^\■o^tU Sieo.CO to any wide awake fanun- or };:irdener to- gether with many farm seed samples, ^eosint?, lieardless Barley, Broinus, ' *■ Kape, etc., etc., positively worth $10.00 to Ret a start with, ^ uponreceipt of butluc.^Rfl lu stamps, ^rfft^p^^^io, alone. Please . send this .adv. with IOC. to .'^alzer Send at once. SPRAY PUMPS The Pump That Pumps SPRAY PUA\PS Double-actlnp.Lift, Tank and Spray irPUMPS i^'TL store Ladders. Etc. < Shay TOOLS Valve ofallkJn(!s. Write for Circulars and Prices. Myers Stayon Flexible Door Hangers with steel rollerbebrings, easy to push and to pull, cannot be thrown off the track— hence its name — "Stayon." Write for de- scripiive circular and prices. Exclusive agency given to right party who will buv in quantity. F.E. MYERS &BRO. Ashland, - Ohio. 116 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Fkr. 1 ':i^f,m^ Why Buy a Smith Premier Typewriter BECAU3E cf its Simple, Fric- tloalcrs r.Icchanism. BECAUSE of its Complete Keyboard* BECAUSE of its Automatic Typecleaning Device* BECAUSE cf its Perfect Work. BECAUSE of r;^ DvTrability. Catalogue Sent Free. The Smith Premier (Typewriter Co., 158 Prospect, Cleveland, O. ionnfknrj C C M A C f strongest innfM^tft^M- "tront;. Ctiiclcen- WtWgttWsWttmt ^ '^-^ f^- •'''■jl'l to the i-armer at Wholesale ivlvl«l«iwl*l ^"^S"^ /""^ Warranted. Catalofr Free. M^^Zi^^^ t OILED SPRIS6FE.ME CO. '**—*■*—* Box 101. Wlnelierter, Iiidlaaa, C. 8. A. Mr.A. I. Root's Writings of Grand Traverse territorj- and Leelanau Co are descriptive of Michigan's most beautiful section reached most conveniently via tht Pere Marquette R. R. •=:•.. aiirsr. ;. 2. Me:::".. Ua;::-.55. i:i:>ijai One Cent buys a. postal card which will carry your address for Great Crops of Strawberries The best book on strawberry-bowing ever writ- ten. It tells how to grow the biggest crops of big berries ever produced. The book is a treatise on Plaint PKysiology and explains how to make plants bear bi^ beirries azid lots of them. The only thoroughbred scientifi- cally grown stra-wbenT- plaxxts to be had for spring planting. One of them is worth a dozen common scrub plants. They grow bi^ red berries. There is GOLD in straw- berries and bees if you go at it right. The book tells how to dig it out. The book is sent free to all readers of Glzaxixgs is Bee Ccltxtee. Send your address to me. R. M. KELLOGG, TKree Rivers, MicH. SMALL FRUITS. S;an''ard and i m proved varieties of Raspberries, Bla.kberri'-s, f>>ose erries. Currants, Grapes, Stranljerries, well ro>j'.fi. fr^st dLi? p'.mt? liit ?>« T'r--j,is. Writ* f'jr 1»M •atiloj. Allen L. Wood, Wholesale Grower, Rochester N.Y. ^STREES 200 varieiieo-Ai-ioOrapeis^inall i ruii«ei- . i-^^-t ''-''^'- ed stock. Genuine, cheap. 2 sample currants mailed for 10c. l>ebc. priC'S list tree. LEWIS kUEatU, f redouia, 5. »- Root's Goods in Central Michigan I Sold at their prices. Present given with each order amounting to S2 or over. List sent free. W. D. Soper, Rural Route No. 3, Jackson Michigan. i9o: GLEANINGS IX BEE CULTURE. ii: A Man Can Not Know too Huch about his business. No saying: is truer than "Knowledge is power.." Many bee-keepers have failed who might have succeeded, and many who have succeeded might have enjoy- ed greater success had the^' possessed all of the knowledge it would have been possible for them to secure concerning their business. When I was a bee-keeper, before I began publishing the Review. I found it to my interest to read all of the bee-journals pub- lished. Time and again a single item was worth dollars to me. I doubt if it would be possible for a practical bee-keeper to read the Bee-keepers' Review one year without gaining information worth many times its cost: and, just at present, a new subscriber can get two years for the price of one. That is. to any one who sends Sl.«X> for the pres- ent year, twelve back numbers will be sent free. Most of them, but not all. will be 1902 numbers. 24 numbers for onlv ?1.<>1. \V. Z. HUTCHINSON, Flint, Mich. TEAMand°FARM HARNESS for SI6-95 iitrong plump stock. f't-rfeot in sue. shape ani f.r.sh. iTrace*. 1^ ■'^^ acnUe s stiu-hed. Padft. h>.v-k and terrel. Lines, s in. IS ft. A GRE.XT ' LEADER b«3use it gives satij- jfa.-tion first. Ia.st, and always. Our nion" Harness will please vou in \l price and quality. Speoliil. «" ' "^ heavy wh.Me >3lhsrteam c I'.srsfS BUGGY i no eQual i:T "Union" IDEAL fOr539j95 Ha« oomfurt. stTie ani We Kuurantee its exL-ei.ecc* for t"c years. T'r.e rriteir ears quality Has f enuine leather tnnioi.r! i leather quarrertop. Lons distance, self lilir.r ax'.es. Sihe tri»=;rcs 19l»S"stvle-rX10>- Bl*iGll>ST»NPTHBTESIOFTliiK. We euar^intee ^uife deliverT and ftatlsfaotlon, NEW C.VTALO*; freeon revj-est" the Iarce«t veiiicl*" and hiirne«» catalog issje^.1. lirtaics the ch ..-est l;re ot KTEKY U.tK.NKSS A KlReAIS. We Bake all si>les of harness. carts. ninaN^uts. road wae-ris. delivery and express waevcs. srricc waccns. trccks fsrm wafocs. buggies, jhaetons, stanhoi.1* «)-.rrevs. A's' sinele bnccv. truck and surrev harness, exrress.srrme waffon. farm, tesun aniilartber harness- OA6H UErEBS* L'MO.N, ManufHctmrerB of tlaraess and Veklelee, J>«pt, P-^:> CJUCAtH), lU* The "Star" Ventilator. > Queens == 1903 == Queens. Storm proof, effective: for ven- tilating all kinds of building.';, .ims. stables, and factories of '.; kinds. Send for illustrated booklet Merchant &. Co., Inc., Philaoelphia. Brooklyn. New York, and Chicag:o. Mnfrs High-grade Bright Tin CATALOg FREE! \R and \V. PLY KOCKS. W. W"Y- ^NDOTTES. B MINOKCAS. LANG- -HANS. LT BR.\HMAS. \V. and BIFF LEOHORNS. HOrD.\NS. .\s good as vou pav double for or vour niotiev Mck. W. W. SHAMPANORt. Box D. Little SiUer. N.J. We have ten different yards nve to twenty mile~s apart, where Italians. Cyprians. Holylands. Caruio- lans, and Albinos are bred for business. Tested queens, fl -50: S**.00 for 8: Jlo.W p)er dozen. Untested. $1 (k> each: jS.W for t> : f 9 UO per dozen. Our l^est and finest breeders. 55.00 each. One and two frame nuclei a specially. Bees and Queens in any quantitv to suit purchaser. Safe arrival and reasonable satisfaction guaranteed. The Jennie .Mchley Co., Bo.x 18, Beeville, Tex. H-X-X published monthly: tU pages: tells all about hunting, trapping, and raw furs. Sample copv 10 cent*. Hunter-Trader-Trapper. Gallipolis. Ohio. Box 31. CRLSHED OYSTER SHELLS. 100 lbs.. 49c: 200 lbs., ti>c: Mica Crystal Grit. KVlhs..oTc: iOO lbs.. <1.0T. or UX> lbs. each." jl. Poultrv need both. Order now. Catalog free. WISE & CO.. Butler. Ohio. i'yfif\ CPDDPTQ All sizes: some trained; first- liUU rCI\l\Ci»?. class stock. New pric '.ist free. .N. .\. K.N.APP, Rochester, Lorain Co., Ohio. 118 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Feb. I Counting Chicks Before Hatcliing is not safe unless you have an IOWA Re^ND R. C. Bauerrainstei , Norwood, Jlinn., got493 chicks from &03 eggs. He tollowed directions, the ma^ chine did the work, because it was built on right principles and by good workmen. The IOWA has fiber-board case, does not shrink, swell, v/arp or crack. Resulation and ventilation perfect. Our free book gives more testimonials and f uU particulars. Everything about incubation free. hoWA INCUBATOR COMPANY. BOX 197,DES MOINES, IOWA ^ We're so sure that we make the most satisfactory incubator in the world that well send you one on 30 days free trial. Try a hatch. If you like it, keep it. What do you say? Handsome Catalogue Free. Royal Incubator Go. Dept. 503, Des Moines, la. The Automatic Sure Hatch ies: 30 Days Free Trial of the best incubator ever made. New automatic, direct action regulator greatest itnproveiiientever male in incubators. No coiiipH aiions. Sold at reasonable price. D ui't pny iloni Ic for out of date I machine. Large illnstnU'ci I'-ii ■ -lu' i ree. SURE HATCH INCUEATOR CO Clay Center, Neb. or Columbus, Ohio — ^ TRYftH IDEAL. J. W. Miller's incubator— made by -_ the man who knows. It is ,r-^^ ^ really self-regulating. fT^'ogggij 30 DAYS FREE TRIAL 'J^ We get no money until \'ou are per- fectly satisfied. Poultry Book Free. J. \V. MILLEK to., Box 48, Freeport, III. (Poultry supplies and thorouglibred /(niuls.') 110 lards Fine Puullrjr, RELIABLE INCUBATORS and BROODERS. t^aii^faction guaranteed or your money l.:i'k. >€nd lOcent8i»oBtape f* r preat jiuul- •17 t.M..lt just isgued, eifilaining remark- .iMf trunrantee under whiL-h we eell. £li-lial>lf Incnlt^tur A RrnnderCo., Box B-i9 , 111. SKCIB WITMA smmruL INCVBATORS are u.sually bought because the purchaser wants to make more money out of his chicks. Whether he does so or not depends entirely on whether he gets the right kind. The S\iccessf\il In.c\jbaLtors make money. You don't have to test them. We do that. We know what they villi do when they are sent out. If you want to find out about a good low priced machine that always works and never shrinks or swells with use, write for one of our catalcgues, S in 5 languages. An incubator book that goes to the heart of things and tells the truth. Sent free anywhere. Write now. DES MOINES INCUBATOR CO., Dept. 5«3 D.s .lloiiies, la. Uept. 503 Buffalo, M. 1. $ I ^-80 For I A 200 Egg INCUBATOR Perfect in construction nnd action, H:it.:lics cverv fcrtiic ecg. Write f..r ciit.-ilu- tu-'lav. GEO. H. STAHL, Ouincy, 111. W^ ^^^^^ wmm^^m^^^^^^s^ ba!lJi»^^^^^^^M#]ili»{i »,.:,■ C!^»''^S>^ N«l!lJ"T.*ND PREMIUM U5-f";>«y''r/* »l BUCKEYE iNEUBATORCOmjSfS" 1 g"f^^ POULfRY BOOK My 1903 catalogue. Elegant in illustration, full of practical hints, descnbes 56 hreeds of prize winners. Low prices for birds and eggs. Book postpaid, 10 cents. Calendar for 1903 on cover. B. E. GREICER, EKEEMS, FA. Fruit Packages of All Kinds. — ALSO — BEE=KEEPERS' SUPPLIES. . . Order your supplies now before the bijsy season catches you. Price list free. Address BERLIN FRUIT-BOX COMPANY, Berlin Heights, - - Erie County, OhlOv 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 119 •imiunyd is the name that stands for thn best that can be made in BUGGIES, CARRIAGES and SUIiR£;ys ^ This is our ^t^ m ■■ mt ^^ SPLIT HICKORY SPECUL $4/.90 It has all the special foatures of a $inn.OU job. Space does not permit description here. We send it anywhere on 30 DAYS FREE TRIAL to prove all our claims. Send for cataloR. Our mammoth new catalogue gives descriptions and prices on our full line of exclusive styles. A full line of harness at wholesale iirires. OHIO CARRIAGE MFO. CO., Station 07, Cincinnati, Ohio. DEAL DIRECT ^1?^ FACTORY Don't pay retail price for carriages or harness. Write for our catalogue and learn about our eystem of SfUins direct from factory to customer. Two protiis are saved to you. Satislactioii is guaranteed, or you can re- turn tbe purchase and we will pay trei)j;lit charges both ways. We have the largest assortment of buggits, surreys, phaetons, carriages, and other high grade vehicles, as well as harness and horse accessories in America. Write for the catalogue to-daj-. THE COLIMBIS CARRIAGE A HARNESS COMPANY, Factory and (Icnornl Oflice, fOLlIMUrS, O. \ Write tO Western OOice and Distribuling lloase, ST. LOl'IS, MO. J nearest office. -^.^Y WILSON'S C^ff|/i '*'***' Gteen Bone, Shell and Vegetable Cutter fot the Poulttyman. Also Bone :>lill«i for making phos- phate and fertilizer at small cost for the farmer, fiom 1 to 40 horse- power. Farm Feed Mills grind fine, fast and e:i^y. Send for circulars. WILSON BROS., Sole Mfgrs., Gaston, Pa. A FRIEND to poultrymen — to chickens. Adam'sS Cutter It runs easily because it has ball bearings. It cuts clean, quickly and perfecly. Makes a fine bone shaving such as chickens re- fiuire. Before vou bu^ send for free catalogue No. .'W W. tJ. ADAM, JOLIET, ILL. ■'tmyniiiimiitii ,(■ it ^: .- tl;ein f...M tint 111 ikes them lay. Open liopperaiul automatic feed make cutting al- ways easy.- Sent on TEN DAYS' FREE TRIAL. No pay until you prove that it cuts faster and easier than any other. Isn't that better for you than to pay cash in ad\'ance for a machine you never tried? Catalogue free. F. W. MANN CO., Box 37, Jlllforil, Mass. WANT EGOS? A- The HUMPHREY Open llopppr ! GREEN BONE and VEGITABL^. 'GUTTER doubles ei;g yield, cuts feed bill in half. Guaranteed to cut more bone in less I tlmt. with lo9. U>>or than tnj other. Send for | •pectftt trial offer aod haoJs APVERTISED ANTWHERE. Sewing Machines $7.25 TO ^OC CA Shipped 01 ^frVlvV approval Swell Front tinywhere in U. S. No money ly-L, in' udvsiiioi-. All kinds, all^fl styles; direct from factories. ' •" AvoidiuR salesmen's expenses and dealers or agents e.xorbi- . , . tap.t profits saves jou from .fL) ff'/ ' to $45. Estab.1885. 250,U0ii sold, fii-f^ Testimonials from every state. » ,^^,-^ ^-,. Keference: First Nat'l Bnnk, S , ^^T^ „ Chicago. Send for big illnstrated catalogue showing all Btylesaiid samples of work. „niiz <^i ■ ckaU BVYKH'^ IMOA. Dept- K245 Chlcttg.. Wood=working Machinery. :^^§M For ripping, cross-cut- "V ^^^t£A.\^T^ "^ ting, niitering, grooving, < , vHTV i^"'. 1 boring, scroll-sawing, edge \'y^l ll\' moulding, mortising; for ', i.f,lll?j^\i working wood in aii.v man- />=2_ nor. Send for catalog ^I."" ' ;r Xin' The Seneca Falls M'fg Co.. ^l -^--Jt^ 44 Water St ..Seneca Fs.,N.Y. -- --*^ — Foot and Hand Power 120 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Feb. 1 Gleanings in Bee Culture [Established in 1873.] Devoted to Bees, Honey, and Home Interests. Published Semi monthly by The A. I. Root Co., - - Medina, Ohio. A. I. ROOT, Editor of Home and (iardening Dep'ts. E. R. ROOT. Editor of AvicuUural Dept J. T. CALVERT Bus Mgr. A. L. BOYDEN. Sec. TERMS. $1.00 per annum ; two years. fl.oO; three years, ^.00; five years. $8.00, m advance; or two copies to one address, $1..50 : three copies, $2.00 ; five copies, $3.75. The terms apply to the United States, Canada, and Mexico. To all other countries 48 cents per year extra for postage. DISCONTINUANCES. The journal is sent until orders are received for its discontinuance. We give notice just before the subscription expires, and further notice if the fi rst is not heeded. Any subscriber whose subscription has exp'red, wishing his journal discon- tinued, will please drop us a card at once; otherwise we shall assume that he wishes his journal continued, and will pay for it soon. Any one who does not like this plan may have his journal .stopped after the time paid for by rnaking his request when ordering. SWEET CORN ADVANCED. There seems to be a shortage of sweet corn; and our stock could not be replaced ac much higher prices; we therefore quote, till further notice, pint, 9 cts ; quart, 15 cts.; peck, Jl.CO bushel. S3. 75. Please note, also, that a misprint occurred in the price of Hubbard squash seed. The price of a single pound should read 75 cents. SUPER- SPRINGS. Referring to the new-style super-spring shown in our catalog, we have been greatly hindeied and de- layed in securing wire and tools for bending, and we now find that we can produce more easily a flat steel tempered spring curled up with a small hook on each end, which will be very much better than either the old or the new wire spring, in that it will more surely s ay where it is placed, and i> not so liable to get out of place as the wire. It can be very easily inserted or removed. We expect to be ready to furnish them within a few days. ;Most of the supers which we have sent out so far in this j'ear's shipments have contained the old-style springs. If any wish *o try the new we will mail enough for 5 super.* for 15 cents in stamps. Then you can determine for yourselves whether you like the new or the old better. NEW-STYLE SMOKERS. As will be seen from our new catalog, the standard Cornell smoker, which has become so popular with those who have tried it in comparis-on with others, has been modified somewhat in design, and two new sizes added — a Jumbo with 4 inch barrel, and a Junior with 2^-inch barrel. We have also added the new breech- loading smoker Vesuvius to our family of smokers. The new dies for these new designs have been com- pleted only within the past few days, and a good many of the standard Corneils of the old style, and of part old and part new, are in the hands of dealers, and will be used in filling orders till they are disposed of. If vou must have the latest style you will need so to spec- ify in your order or you may get one of the old as long as any of this stock remains. COLD-FRAME OR HOT-BED SASH OF CYPRESS. We are now prepared to furnish sash of cypress, having secured a supply of this lumber for the pur- pose. It is one of the most durable of woods for out- side use. and is largely used for greenhouse bars and sash. It is light and strong, as well as durable. We are changing the dimensions of the bars so that thej' will shut off less light from the seed-bed. The thick- ness will be W-i inches instead of Iris, as formerly, with tenons ^ inch thick instead of Ji inch. The out- side bar-i are 'IVi inches wide instead of 3'/^. The sash will still be (i feet long, but 3 ft. 2^ inches, or 6 ft. 3 will still be 6 feet long, but 3 ft 3 inches wide, instead of 3 ft. 4 inches, and, as regularly furnished, will take four lows of 8x10 glass We can also supply them for 3 rows of 11-inch glass. The price shipped, knocked down, will be 80 cents each; j3.7o for 5, or $7.00 for 10. We still have the old-sljle pine sish, 3 ft. 4 by 6 ft., which we will sell at the same price if any prefer them. At the present price of pine lumber they are worth more money, but we will close them out at this price to any who may want them. Glass, 8x10, for sash at $3.00 per box; 5 boxes at $2 85; 10 boxes at $2.70. Great Pouhry Book Free. Those of Our People who are interested in In- cubators, Brooders, all kinds of Poultry Supplies and the poultry industry in general, should send at once for a copy of the new 1903 book — "How to Make Money with Poultry and Incubat- ors." It is published bv the Cyphers Incubator Co., of Buffalo, N. Y. It will be mailed free to all of our people who will write to them asking for it. The greatest recommendation we can give this book is to say that it is Ihe best thing the Cyphers people ha- e yet p .blished. It's the only book we know of that treats the wliolesubjectofprofital le poultry growing, etc. There are special chapters on the different branches of the poultry business — duck growing, broiler raisin;, etju farming, winter production of chickens, broilers, e c. These sulyects are treated by the best experts in the country. Tliere are hvmdreds of photographic views of the largest poultry plants all over the t_lnited States, England, Ger- many, Ilolland, New Zealand and o'her foreign countries. There is too much that is good to tell it all in this small space. Send for the book. FREE, postage paid during the next thirty days, if you raent.on this paper. Low Rates -TO California. Via Chicago. Milwaukee & St. Paul and Union Pacific line. February 15 tj April 30, 1903 Only i8^33 Chicago to San Fran- cisco. Los Angeles, and many other California points. One-way, second class, colonist tickete Will be glad to send you addi- tional information. F. A. MILLER. Gen Passenger Agt.. Chicago. E. G. HAYDEN. Traveling Passenger Agent. 217 Williamson BIdg., Cleveland. old favorite and stand- ard pieces. Catalog free Also latest popu- lar hits at 21c postpaid. R left RnrtVc Write for orices on any thing vou want. AlbU DUU&b. M. T. WrigHt, Medina, O. 10^ Sheet Music 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 121 Do You Buy Queens If so, it will pay vou to investigate my cUiinis. I breed from best honey-gathering stock, and rear queens by best-known methods. I guarantee good queens, and beautiful, gentle bees. Some of my customers have bought 11^) to 3(X1 queens per year for their oivn yards. Write for circular and information. J. B. CASE, Port Orange, Fla. nnill TDV PAPTTR, mnst'cl, 20 papea, ll'UUL I n I 25 cents per year. 4 months' trial 10 cents. Sample tVee. 64-page practical gonltry book free to yearly aubscribera. ook alone 10 cents. Catalofrae of PonltM bookflf reo. eouUry Advocate, Syracuue, JJ.X. Wants and Exchange. Notices will be inserted under this head at 10 cts. per line. You must SAY .vou want .vour adv't in this department, or we will not be responsible for any error. You can have the no- tice a8 many lines as you please ; but all over ten lines will cost you according to our regular rates. We can not be re- sponsible for dissatisfaction arising from these " swaps." WANTED.— To exchange stationary gasoline engines 1 to 10 h. p., bicycle motors, and frames for mo- tor cycles, for wood and metal working machinery, worn out gasoline engines, etc. Twin City Bicycle Co.. La Salle. 111. w w ANTED. — Experienced bee-keeper with some cap- ital, as partner in the business, in Cuba. INI B. I,., Prado 7, Havana, Cuba. ^.\NTED.— A second-hand steam engine, from 2 to -1 horse-power. State make and condition, also lowest cash price. C. E. Glazier. Dover, Delaware. W.\NTED. — To exchange a 22-caL27 shot Winchester rifle, and an outfit complete for making crayon portraits, for a good incubator, b cycle, graphophone, or camera. D. B. Thomas, Odin, Mo. WANTED —To sell or exchange for bees or supplies one McCormick corn -shredder, been used one week, just as good as new; and one McCormick corn- harvester, been used two seasons. C. L. PixNEY, LeMars, Iowa. WANTED. — To sell 125 colonies of bees in hives of H L.-HofTman frames Price, $3.00 each; also complete outfit for 2(H) colonies at a bargain. No failures in 9 years, (iood home market. T. H. Waale, Sara, Clarke Co., Wash. WANTED.— To sell 10 bbls. White Bliss Triumph po- tatoes—a little sunburned or green, but all right for seed— not sorted, $2.00 per barrel; will ship in the spring. J. W Bittenbendek, Knoxville, Iowa. WANTED. — To exchange a large list of second-hand goods, as good as new, for foundation, mill, and extracted honey. Address QuiRiN THE Queen-breeder, Parkertown, Ohio. WANTED.— To sell for cash, 5 gal. square tin cans, used for honey, at about half price of new cans. Also elegant exhibition 12-11). no-drip honey-cases for plain Danz. and A%y.^% sections; made for Pan-Amer- ican. For prices, etc., address Orel L,. Hershiser, 301 Huntington Ave., Buffalo, N. Y /ANTED.— To sell 600 stands of Italian bees in Sim- plicity hives in lots to suit buyer. Will deliver the same to any point in the West if desired. Corres- pondence solicited. Tyler Bros., Nicolaus, Cal. WANTED.— To exchange my new price list of 2000 ferrets, now ready to ship, for your address on a postal card. N. A. Knapp, Rochester, Ohio. ^\NTED —To sell a 10-h.p. horizontal engine with upright boiler, with pump, smoke-stack, and all connections, for $125. J. W. Bittenbender, Knoxville, Iowa. W^ w w ANTED. — Comb to render into wax; will pav cash. A. P. L,awrence, Hickory Corners, Mich. w ANTED.- useful. -To exchange Angora goats for anv thing Ed. W. Cole & Co., Kenton, Ohio. ANTED. — To exchange step-ladders or common ladders for a tent about 20X-10, old or new. Edward Gigax, Archbold, Ohio. ANTED. — To print your return envelopes. No. 6, 25 for 10c. The Bee Farmer, Woodstown, N. J WANTED.— To sell good catnip seed for 10 cents an ounce, or 3 ounces for 25 cents. O. S. Hinsdale, Kendricks, Idaho. w w w ANTED. — Bees in Delaware and Washington Co., N. Y. S. W. Mudge, Glen Cove, N. Y. WANTED.- To exchange extracted honey for Cy- pher's incubator, 1901 or 1902 make. I often have a place for a good bee-keeper's boy. Buy and sell bees, and second hand hives wanted. W. L. Coggshall, R. 12, Groton, N. Y. WANTED. — Names and addresses of those who want good books or sheet music. A.sk for what you want. M. T. Wright, Medina, Ohio. w ANTED. — To exchange a Root foundation-mill, 10 inch, almost new, for offers. W. H. I,aws, Beeville. Texas. 'ANTED— To sell 50,tK)0 well-rooted strawberry- plants, grown from new beds. Senator Dunlap. and t) other choice varieties. 25 to -10 cts. per hundred; 10 per cent discount in lots of 500. Also eggs from gilt-edge Barred Rocks, and Vandresser laying straiu. White JUeghorns, $1.00 per 15. P. Hostetler, East I.- w« 1 1 filled, combs straicht, firm ly atcaclud to all four siuvs, ihc combs uusoiled bytravel- Btain or otherwise ; all thi' cells scaled oxcuut an occasional cell, t ho outside surfaceoft In- wood well scraped of propolis A No 1.— All sections well filled except the row of cells next to the wood ; combs straitiht ; one-eighth part of comb surface soiled, or the entire surface slightly soiled the out Bide of the wood well scraped of propolis. No. 1.— All sect'oi'.s well tilled except the row of cells next to the wood ; combs comiiaratively even ; one-eiehth part of comb surface soiled, or the entire surface slightly soi.cd. No. 2.— Three-fourths of the total surface must be filled and sealed. No. 3.— Must weigh at least half as much as a full-weight section. In addition to this the honey is to be classified according to color, using the terms white, amber, and dark ; that ig, there will be " JEiaucy White," " No. 1 Dark," etc. Cincinnati. — The comb-honey market continues to be draggy, and hardly any demand, and therefore price- have weakened. Fancy white clover sells for 15(0; ■'■>[4- For amber there is no demand. The mar- ket for extracted is fair, and prices rule as follows: Amber, o}i(a.o'/2. tty the barrel in cans it brings a lit- tle more; alfalfa, "7J^; white clover, 8®8!4. Beeswax, '2S(a:M). C. H. W. Weber, Feb. 7. 2146 Central Ave., Cincinnati, O. Chicago.— The market is in a rather unsettled state. The offerings of late have been numerous, and there is a tendency toward lower prices owing to the supply being much larger than expected at this sea- son of the year. Ihe fancy grades of white will sell at l">''l(icts. per lb., but any thing below this grade is difficult to place at anything above 10® 12. E.Ktract- ed honey is also easy, with the best grades of white obtainable at 7(aS. and atnbers at 6^7. Beeswax is sttaJy at 30 cts., upon arrival. R. A. Burnett & Co., Feb. 7. 199 Sotith Water St.. Chicago, III. Schenect.\dy —Our stock of both comb and ex- tracted is greatly reduced, and we look for an increas- ing demand at the opening of the Lenten season. Producers still having honey on hand should now send it forward. No change in prices. X->. 1 \vhite clover, 15; off grades. Ti'il}, buckwheat. I2fal8. Extracted, light. 7«S; dark, ()!4 T 7J4. Ch.-\s. McCulloch, Feb. S. .523 State St., Schenectady. N. Y. S.AN Fr.\ncisco —Honey market as follows: Comb, per lb.. lO^a 13. F;xtracted," water white, H'oCa"; light aiTiber, G®6^; dark amber, Jfaio. Beeswax, per lb., 28 cts. E. H. SCH.-VKFFLE, jan i^. San Francisco, Cal. Ai-it.\NY. — There is very little honey here of either comb or extracted, and prices oti good-condition stock remain firm, and think will do so. there being no stock to carry over. We quote while-clover comb, 15; mixed, 14; daik or buckwheat loo 11; extracted, w-hite. 7J4@8; buckwheat, 7;^. Beeswax 30. MacDougal & Co., Feb. 2. 375 Broadway, Albany, N. Y. Phil.\delphi.\. —Comb honey has been moving fair- ly wt 11 the last ten days. The supply is getting scarce, but the demand is equally decreasing, so the prices are maintained about tlie same We quote fan- cy comb. ItJalTc. No. 1, lo.'alti; amber. It. Extracted. fancy white. 8; amber, 7. Beeswax in good demand, 29c We are producers of honey and do not handle on commission. W.m. A. Selser, Feb. 9. 10 Vine St., Philadelphia, Pa. Kansas City. — The demand for honey has bfen very lieht. with receipts fair. We quote as follows: Extra fancy, per case of 24 sections, j3 40; strictlv No. 1. J-3.30: No. 1 amber. $;5.O0(a53.25. Extracted white, per lb., 7; amber, t)(S6J^. Beeswax. 30. C. C. Clemons & Co., Jan. 31. 30(5 Grand Ave , Kansas City, Mo. New York — The demand has not improved, and the supply is more than the demanrl. I,arge sales can not be forced, even at cut prices. Fancy comb, 15; No. 1 comb, 13(0,14; buckwheat comb. 12'a 13; mixed, 11@1'2. Beeswax firm at 30, and good demand. Francis H. Legoett St Co., Feb. 7. Franklin and Varick Sts., New Ycfrk. Buffalo.— The stock of honey in our market is quite light No extracted here, and some call for it. F'ancy white comb, 15'*1H; A No 1, I4'a'5; No. 1 13^@ 14; No. 2, 12;,i'n)13; No. 3. 12(&12^; No. 1 dark,' ll(ai'i2; No. 2 dark, lOrail. Extracted, white, 7^@8; amber "@7^; dark, 6@6J^. Beeswax, 28(5. 30. W C. Townsend, Feb. 3. 1P7 Scott St., Buffalo, N. Y. For Sale — We are sold out on alfalfa honey, but have ten 3'0-lb. bbls. of light amber and buckwheat at 7c; forty 250-300 lb. bbls fancy basswood at 8c: 60-lb. new cans, two iii a case. 9c. E. R. Pahl & Co., 294. 291) Broadway, Milwaukee, Wis. For Sale.— One barrel partly full (near 400 lbs.) of extracted honey mixed with honey-dew, but light color; good for feeding or factory purposes. Price 5^^ cts. per lb. John A. Thornton, Lima. 111. For Sale. — Choice alfalfa honey, two 60-lb. cans to the case, at 7Hc f. o. b.. Cedar Rapids. la., or Spring- field, 111. H. L,. Weems, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. For Sale. — White extracted honey from alfalfa in 60-lb. cans, at $4.50 each; light amber honey mixed with Rocky Mountain bee-plant, fine flavor, $4.20 each. Prices on small cans and pails on application. M. P. Rhoads, Box 216, L,as Animas, Colo. Wanted. — Beeswax ; highest market price paid. Write for price list. Bach, Becker & Co., Chicago, 111. Wanted — Comb and extracted honey. State price, kind, and quantity. R. A. Burnett & Co., 199 South Water St., Chicago, 111. For Sale. —Extracted honey. Finest grades for ta- ble use. Pinces quoted on application. Sample by mail, 10 cts. to pay for package and postage. Orel L,- Hershiser, 301 Huntington Ave., Buffalo, N. Y. We will be in the market for honey the coming sea- son in carloads and less than carloads and would be glad to hear from producers everywhere what they will have to offer. Seavev & Flarsheim, 1318-1324 Union Avenue, Kansas City, Mo. Our Advertisers. northern-grown f.arm seeds. Dviring the past ten years there has been an enor- mous demand for Michigan-grown farm seeds. The wonderful yields that have been secured fn m Ham- mond's select varieties of seeds are something phe- nomenal Ihe Hammond Seed Co., Ltd., do an enor- mous business in seed pota oes. Their crop the past season aggregated 274 carloads, which would make about eight good solid trainloads. On farm seeds another large train would be required to haul the above-named seeds to say nothing (f the tons and tons of vegetable seeds sold. Any one wanting seeds, either" vegetable, field or flower, should not fail to write to Harrv N. Hammond Seed Co.. Ltd., Bay City, Mich., for the'ir handsome 100-page seed catalog. It is mailed free for the asking. Mention Gleanings in Bee Culture. of interest to POILTRV-R-AISERS. When I commenced feeding fresh cut green bone, about the first thing I did was to find iis feeding value by actual test. Hens under like conditions with fresh-cut green bone added to their feed, la'd nearly twice as many eggs during the winter sea.son and a third more iii the .summer sea.son than did the lot without bone. Fiftveight chicks hatched at the .same time, from the sam'e kind of eggs, were divided into two lots and treated the same, except that one lot was fed bone extia. The lot with bone extra to their feed grew much faster, and at the f nd of thirteen weeks— the end of the test — a person would never have thought thcv were once the sime lot. The lot fed the bone were tiot onlv larger but had clearer and bright- er plumage. The "lot that ate the bone went through the test with a loss of but one, while the lot without the bone sustained a loss of five. This, witli other observations, leads me to believe feeding bone will lessen the death-rate in chicks and that old hens will be heaUhier.— fVm Jack. Martinsbiirg. Ind., in Fann- ers^ Guide. 128 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Feb. 15 ^6e Best Bee-g'oods in tlie World are no better than those we make, and the chances are that they are not so good. If you buy of us yoti will not be disappointed. We are undersold by no one. Send for new catalog and price list and free copy of THB AMERICAN BEE-KEEPER; in its thirteenth year ; 50 cents a year ; especially for beginners. j ^he W^. T. Falconer Man'f *g Co., Jamestown, New YorK. W. M. Gerrish, Epping-, New Hampshire, carries a full line of our goods at catalog prices. Order of him and save the freight. % 5 i ^B*Ti fiiiiiiiiiMiniiiiiiiiiniiiifiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiifiiMiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii^ 1 1. J.Stringham, New York City | I 105 Park Place. | i OUR 1903 CATALOG is yours for the asking. The supplies | I listed in it are practical and up-to-date. We furnish everything | = a bee-keeper uses, and will not be undersold. It will be a plea- | = sure to quote you prices on any thing you need ; Freight Paid to i = your R. R. station if you prefer. Bees and queens during the | S season. Apiaries, Glen Cove, Long Island. | SiiuiiniiiiminiiiiiiitinirirMt!inni»»ii»iirMniiiiiiii»iiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiriiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiitiiiniiiiiiiiMiiiiiiiiiiiiiii»iir^ We are Jobbers of Bee-keepers' Supplies in this State, reprssenting The C. B. Lewis Co., and Dadant & Son. WHOLESALE AND RETAIL \Z^ltr:lr,%%'^^^^^^Z^^:^^^^^^^ LEWIS C. & A.G. woodman, Grand Rapids, Micl?. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 129 BEE= KEEPERS' ^SUPPLIES^ The verj' best of g^oods. Large and complete stock. Years of experience. The best shipping^-point in the United States to ship from. HOOSIER IN= CUBAT0R5 and BROODERS The world can't beat them. They are the product of 9 years of manufacturing. Send for our 1903 catalog- and sup- plement. It tells all about these goods. C. M. SCOTT (El CO., KKU East Washington Street, IncliaTka]3olis« - IixdiaTka. '40 Years Among the Bees," BY DR. C. C. MILLER, ft Good Book by a Well -known^ Bee- Keeper. Every Bee=Keeper will want to read it. IT will contaia over 300 pages, be bouad in handsome cloth, printed on good book-paper, and illustrated with over luo beauti- ful, original half-tone pictures, taken by Dr. Miller himselt. The book will show in detail how Dr. Miller does things with bees. The first few pages of the new book are devoted to an interesting biographical sketch of Dr. Miller, which finally tells how he happened to get into bee keeping. Seventeen years ago he wrote a small book, called, "A Year Among ihe Bees," but that little work has been out of print for a number of years. While some of the matter used in the former book is found in the new one, it all reads like a good new story of successful bee-keeping by one ot the masters. How to Get a Godu ot Dr. Miller's Book The price of this new book is fl.CO, postpaid; or, if taken with the weekly American Bee Journal for one year, both will be sent for $1.75. Address the publishers, GEORGE W. YORK & CO., 144 & 146 E. Erie Street, - CHICAGO, ILL. If you have never seen the old American Bee Journal, write for a free sample copy and also a catalog of Bee-Keeper's Supplies. ROOT'S GOODS AT KOOT'S PRICES. ittmer's Foundation. RETAIL it^U' AND WHOLESALE. This fotindation is made by a process that produces the superior of any. It is the cleanest and purest. It has the brig-htest color and sweetest odor. It is the most transparent, because it has the thinnest base. It is totii-rh, clear as crystal, and irives more sheets to the pound than any other make. 'WorKiEig 'Wax into Founidation for CasK a Specialty. Bees^wax Always Want- ed at HigHest Price. Catalog giving- full line of supplies, with prices and samples, free on ajiplication. Cus. Dittmer, Augusta, Wisconsin. ^fc are the Largest M'f'rs ol Bee-keepers' Supplies in the NortJiwest. ^ Send for Catalog Minneapolis, Minnesota We Have the Best Goods, Lowest Prices, and Best Shipping Facilities. 130 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Feb. 15 MUTH'S SPECIAL THE BEST Cover and Bottom-board Warp-proof. Finest lumber and workmanship. Cost us more, but we sell at same price as regular. Send for catalog and see special inducements. THE FRED W. MUTH COIVIPANY, CINCINNATI, OHIO. Honey and Bee-keepers' Supplies, Front and Walnut Sts. ^ WATERTOWN, WISCONSIN, U. S. A. 2 I Bee-Keepers' Supplies! i^ 1903 Catalog Ready, if you have not been receiving a copy annually, send us your name fi\ ^J^ and address, and one will be mailed to you free. ^^ £1^ Special Offers. Oi all cash orders received before April 1st, 1903, we allow a discount of two ^A, ^:^ percent. To parties sending us an order for supplies amounting to flO.CO or more at reg- ^I^ y^ ular prices, we will make the following low rates on journals: Gleanings in Bee Culture, 'y^ yte semi-monthly, one year, 50 cts.; American Bee Journal, weekly, one year, 70 cts. Xli Xtx C. M. Scott & Co., . . . 1004 Blast Washington St., Indianapolis, Ind. ,,,,.,,,,,,11,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,....,. ^t^ yfK I,. C. Woodman Grand Rapids, Michigan. ; z >Jx ^ The Fred W. Muth Co., S. W. cor. Walnut & Front, Cincinnati, Ohio. : nilR AnPIMPIPQ " >t^ y^ Fred W. Foulger & Sons Ogden, Utah. = "" ^ HUt-IHOItO : fj^ >♦> Colorado Honey Producers' As.sociation, 1440 Market St., Denver, Colo. r Z vV yjX' Colorado Honey Producers' Assoc'n, R. C. Aiken, Mgr , Loveland, Colo. = THEY WILL FILL YOUR E '5^ ^d Grand Junction FruiJ^-growers' Association, . . Grand Junction, Colo. : ORDER PROMPTLY - ^X yjy Robert Halle Montrose, Colo. E I "5^ V^^ Pierce Seed & Produce Co., Pueblo, Colo. = If you are located near = >ii. TjS? E. T. Abbott St. Joseph, Mo. = any of those, send us E f^ ^^ Chas. Dadaut & Son, Hamilton, Ills. = your name and ad- = jA/f y^f F. C. Erkel 515 First Ave., N. E., Minneapolis, Minn. = dress, and write them E VJ>f v4^ l,illy, Bogardus & Co., Seattle, Wash. z for prices. = jii ■5^1^ Klauber. Mangenheim & Co., San Diego, Calif. Z Z y^ jAr J. K. Hill & Co., Uvalde, Texas. tiiiiiiiiiii iiiiiiiiiir vjy HEADQUARTERS FOR BEE-SUPPUE "Roofs Goods at Root's Factory Prices." Complete stock for 1903 now on hand. Freight rates from Chicinnati are the lowest. Prompt service is what I practice. Satisfaction guaranteed. Langstroth Portico Hive and Standard Honey-jars at lowest prices. You will save money buying from me. Catalog niaHed free. Send for same. Book orders for Golden Italian, Red-clover, and Carniolan queens Kor prices, refer to my catalog C. H.W.WEBER, CINCINNATI, OHIO Office and Salesroom, 2146-8 Central Ave. Warehouses, Freeman and Central Aves. • delvoted: •andHoNEY »MD HOME.- ' idWTHEA-1 U- s ii° ptRVtw^"^ ^^"^EblN A- Ohio •' Vol. XXXL FEB. J 5, J 903. No. 4. Well, well ! it seems like old times to have A. I. Root writing- about bees ag-ain. More power to j'our pencil, Bro. A. I. M. Ed. Bertrand saj's bees attack a person worse ■when stooping- than standing-; perhaps because when stooping he has more the appearance of some animal. [I have never noticed this characteristic on the part of the bees. They are so quick in their ac- tions at times, that, even if thej' were a tri- fle more inclined to attack a person in a stooping- position, the fact might not be ob- served.— Ed.] That first verse of Eugene Secor's poem. p. 90, is hardly a fair sample. It's merely the introduction. When he gets to talking about what those eleven j'oungsters did and saw in the old days when some of us were not as stiff in the joints as now, it just takes hold of the heart-strings. [That's what I meant to say, doctor. I hope all will get the book. I did not have room for quotations. — Stenog. ] It is noticeable that, in the discussion as to whether brood-combs become too old for best results, the foundation-makers of this countr}' seem to be a unit in saj'ing that old comb rears just as large workers as new. Certainly self-interest would not range them on that side. [Yes, it is to the interest of the foundation-makers to talk the other way. If it were true that old combs should be renewed everj' ten years or oftener, the foundation-makers would be sure to make quite a handle of the fact in their advertising. — Ed.] Success to you, Ernest, in getting up that gasoline-engine I I've a whole lot of faith in it. [The more the thing revolves in my mind, the more sure am I that I am on the right track. That one day of turn- ing the crank of a six-frame Cowan ex- tractor in California, extracting 12 lbs. to the gallon, sage honey, did more to pound into me the necessity of some sort of power to turn such machines, instead of hand-power, than any thing else. Yes, it pays to get out among the bee- men and actually encounter what they have to run across. — Ed.] The editor wants to make friends with me about bees preferring old or new comb, p. 105. Um-m-m, I s'pose so ; but I don't see any clear proof given by Mr. Laws that bees in any case preferred new comb. The nearest he comes to it is that the brood is scattered in the old comb, the other cells being filled with pollen. Of course the brood would be scattered if the cells were pre-empted b3' pollen. I'd like to hear of just one case where the bees passed over old comb in good condition, leaving cells in it entirely empty, to occupy new comb or foundation. [This summer, if I can get the time, I will look this matter up a little more. — Ed.] That testimony of A. I. Root, p. 105, is to the effect that he sowed white clover in August, 1901. and after growing that year it blossomed the next year. That was hardly blossoming the first year. Last year I sowed white-clover seed in the win- ter in the window, transplanted the plants in the open ground, and they blossomed finel}^ Some of the same seed was sown in the open in the spring; and if it blossomed at all it was poorly. But it didn't have the best chance. After all, the usual question is not whether it blossoms the first year, but whether it yields honey. It hardly seems it would blossom at all without yield- ing honey and producing seed. [Probably A. I. meant it blossomed within 12 months after sowing, not that he sowed it in 1901 and cut it in 1901.— Ed.] I noticed an error in the last Straw, p. 48, where it says 86 to 162 per cent means 132 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Feb. 15 86 to 162 "out of every 10;" but the error shows on the face of it, for any one with a slight kuowledg-e of percentage knows that so many per cent means so many out of ev- erj' 100 and not "out of ever^' 10," so I didn't think it worth while to say any thing about it. But a correspondent writes in rather severe terms, questioning either my truthfulness or my knowledge of percent- age. As I consider myself fairly at home in percentage, and would like to build up a reputation for veracity, I hasten to say to my disturbed friend that I think when that Straw was w-ritten there was a zero in it that was either lost out in the mail some- where between here and Medina, or else it was carelessly dropped on the floor of the printing-shop in that Buckeye town. Yes, that "10" should be "100." In the experience I have had pressing wax, it has appeared to me that time is one of the most important factors — a factor that has not been sufhciently emphasized. If you double your pressure and cut your time in two, I think you'll not get as much wax. If you give half the pressure for twice as long, I think you will get an in- crease of wax. [Right you are, doctor. We have learned by experience that it is not tons of pressure, but a mild pressure exerted often or continuouslj', that does the work. The free wax must have tinie\.o dis- engage itself from the mass of foreign mat- ter; and a high pressure in a short time will not accomplish as much as a low pres- sure applied intermittently; but each inter- mittent pressure should be a little harder than the one preceding; that is to say, the mass of slumgum should be reduced in size a little at a time. One may say it takes time to do all this. That is true; but at the present price of wax it pays to take the time, especially if taken in bad weather or at night. — Ed.] Observations at Swiss experiment sta- tions show that more honey is consumed by the bees in mild than in severe winters. This accords with the fact that in this country bees consume more in the South than in the North. [Exactly. And yet there are some who do not seem to compre- hend why this is so. When it is very cold and the bees are properly housed or protect- ed they go into a quiet sleep — not a state of hibernation, but a state where activity is practically suspended, where there is no brood-rearing, where the waste of tissue is as nothing comparatively, and they merely exist. In such conditions the consumption of stores to supply the waste will be very light; but in a warmer clima,te, where the bees can have flights every now and then, when they can move around on the brood- frames, rearing a little brood, there is a large waste of tissue, and of course it has to be made up by eating more stores. When bees are poorly protected outdoors thej' will eat more than if kept reasonably warm. This is why cellared bees consume less than those outdoors. — Ed.] Wax-presses in which the wax is press- ed under continuous heat, for some strange reason, seem to be less in vogue in this country than in Europe. But they're forc- ing their way to the front here. I have had a strong leaning toward hot water rather than steam, partly because of its advocacy in foreign journals, partly because it seem- ed to me that wax when kept continually under hot water would be kept hotter than when steam was merely allowed to force its way through the wax. But I have been obliged to change my mind when confronted with a machine that would confine the steam to such an extent that, as in the German wax- press, the steam would escape from the upper part at the boiling-point. If the same heat can be maintained with the steam, then it must have the preference, for conven- ience in getting the wax out is all on the side of the steam and against hot water. [We went all over that ground very care- fully here at Medina, and came to the con- clusion that there was no advantage in the use of hot water over steam. Pressing wax under hot water is a messy job; and steam under pressure can be, as you know, hotter than 212.— Ed.] That experiment concerning fertiliza- tion in confinement, p. 94. As I understand it, the tent stood close beside a large api- ary, represented bj- the o's in the illustration ; the nuclei containing the virgin queens were in the tent, or beside it at A, and the drones at B. Let me suggest how it might have been: At the time of day when the virgins were inclined to flight, there was a great roaring in the large api- ary so close b}', and the virgins would try to fly in the direction of that roaring. If the drones were attracted by the same noise, it would only attract them to fly into the tent. Slightly corroboratory of this view, I may mention that, for a good many years, following the lead of Adam Grimm, I left an opening for ventilation at the back of each hive at the top. Although in some cases this seemed a freer opening than the regular entrance, the young bees never used it for their play-spells, nor was it ever used as an entrance. The only reason I could see was that the young bees were attracted by the noise at the regular en- trance. Now suppose Mr. Holtermann had set the nuclei with the virgins at B ; is it not possible that they, following the direc- tion of the noise, would have made their waj^ freely into the tent ? [You have very possibly solved the m\'ster3' as to why the j'oung queens did not come out inside of the incloiure. But Mr. Holtermann is going to write another article on the subject, and will doubtless cover this point in detail. I want to saj' right here now that Mr. Hol- termann's experiment convinces me that the plan can be made to work. — Ed.] oooo oo O O O' o o o ooo o oo oooooo o ooooo oooooo 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 133 _ j^ow Oi/r ^J^ei^hboryjieldj From east to west, from north to south, War's growling notes are lieard ; The Slav, the Briton Gaul, Greek, Hun — Yes, all mankind — seem stirred. That " bolog"na-sau.sag-e " honey sent us bv Mr. Aikin is deserving- of all the praise bestowed on it. It looks like a block of marble about the size of a quart cup. The g-ranules are too fine to be noticed,, causing- the mass to taste like some cream candy. Foreign bee journals as well as those pub- lished in this country teem with new l^inks. in inachinerj' for the use of bee-keepers ; also new methods of manipulation in the apiar3'. In our last issue Dr. Miller, in Straws, referred to a machine for extract- ing- honey from both sides of the comb at once. The tops of three frames are fasten- ed tog-ether so as to form a triangle. The space between them is filled b}' a wheel to which the frames are attached. As the wheel revolves, like a common grindstone, the frames also rotate in the same plane. The apparatus is covered above and below with a cover, probably of tin, and the honey runs out of a faucet at the bottom. In the same journal, Gazeite Apicole, one of our French exchanges, I see a device to capture the queen during swarming. I think a de- scription will make it plain without a cut. The inventor sa3's: "Mv apparatus consists of a kind of hop- per, 24X24 inches at the top, and about 16X16 at the bottom. This bottom is closed by means of perforated tin. The hopper rests tight over an open hive-bod3'. Sup- pose I wish to capture the queen or all the queens of a swarm. I shake the swarm into this crib. Immediately the bees will go through the perforated tin. and enter the box below. On top of the tin the queen or queens will be found, when their cap- ture will be easy. If I wish to introduce the queen to the swarm I let her run through a hole in the hive- bod 3'." Progres Apicole informs us of the death of Dr. Reisser, President of the Algerian Bee-keepers' Association. He died in Phil- ippeville. Algiers. Dec. 9. He was editor of the only bee jourtial published in the Arabic language. Dr. Reisser was well known in Europe, and his death is a real loss to bee-keepers there. In the same journal I find the following, apparently starting in Germany: "Mr. Barthel. near me, had a fine 3'oung Syrian queen. She hatched in June, be- gan to laj- in Jul3', and soon had several frames filled with eggs. Although the col- ony was populous and the honey-flow good, Mr. B. never found any larv;f in the cells. He told me about it, and asked my advice. I proposed to him to make some experi- ments, and he agreed. I took a frame con- taining some of these false eggs, and intro- duced it to a colony from which I had taken the frames of brood, and whose queen I had caged. The eggs produced no larva», al- though the experiments were made in dif- ferent ways. In the fall, the honey-flow diminishing, we fed heavily, but always unsuccessfully. We wintered the colony under the best conditions, but unfortu- nately the queen died during the winter. The trouble was doubtless owing to some sexual defect in the queen." POLLEN IN SECTIONS, ETC. "Hello, Doolittle ! Shoveling snow, are you?" "Looks like it. Smith. What a terrible stonn we have had for the past twenty-four hours! Did you ever see it snow and blow harder than it did 3'esterday afternoon? "I do not know that I ever did — could not see ten rods, the storm was so heavy, and it piled into buildings ever3'where. Have vou noticed how this south storm drove the snow into the entrances of the hives till it has piled the snow clear up between the combs?" " No, I had not looked at the seven hives which I have outdoors, but I know that it does sometimes do this where the entrance is not shaded from the sun or shielded from the wind. I always shield mine." "How do you do this? It is something I never heard of. I supposed it was neces- sary to leave the entrances open all winter." "The entrances are not closed more than yours. I simply set a wide board on the bottom-board to the hive, leaving it out away from the hive, where it rests on the bottom-board four or five inches, so that, when the top is leaned up against the hive above the entrance, it will stay there, thus making a storm-door, as it were, in front of the open entrance. Let us go up to the hives, and then you will understand better about this, and we will see virhether the snow has blown in or not. There, do you see how nicely that leaning board shields the entrance and front of the hive from sun and snow?" "Yes, certainly. I wonder some one has not written about this." "I have written the matter up, but not in several years. There, now that the board 134 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Feb. 15 is removed, you see there is no snow in the entrance." "That is so. And mine was chock full and the snow clear up among the combs. Well, this was not what I came over for, but it has more than paid me for coming. But why do you wish the hives shielded from the sun?" "In bright sunshiny days during the months of February and March, where the sun can strike the hives in front, and shine directly in at the entrance, the bees are oft- en enticed out into this warm sunshine; and finding it so warm and nice in this bright sheltered nook they think it must be thus warm everywhere, so take wing only to be chilled as soon as they come into the cool air away from the entrance, fall down on the snow, and perish, and thus valuable bees are lost which would not think of ven- turing out when the air was thus cold if the sun was not allowed to shine in and on the entrance, so as to entice them out." "Why, that is perfectly plain as you ex- plain it, and it accounts for the loss of thousands of my bees every winter, which I have seen lying dead on the snow. But I had consoled myself that I was right in leaving the hive thus exposed to the sun, as I have read somewhere that they should be so left that the hives might be dried out and warmed, which was to the benefit of the bees. What do you think of this part of the matter?" "That part may be all right; and if you will stop to think while you are looking at these boards, you will observe that these shield-boards do not proj ct on either side of the hive, therefore the snn can shine on the east side of the hive till very nearly noon, and soon after noon it begins to shine on the west side, and continues to do so un- til it goes down in the west. This warms and dries the inside of the hive all that is necessary, while it does not entice the bees out till it is warm enough for them to fly and get back safely." "Well, now, that is so. I'll fix mine that way at once before I lose more bees. But how about these boards when it is really warm enough for the bees to fly?" "There comes the main objection to them. When it is warm enough for the bees to fly it is better to have them removed, which I do; and then at night, or as soon as it turns cold again, I replace them. This makes some work, but I am satisfied that it is paying work. But you spoke as if you came over for some special purpose. I should like to talk with you an hour, but I have to leave home soon to meet an appointment." "Well, I'll try not to hinder you long. I came over to ask you why bees store pol- len in sections. I had one colony the past season that stored large quantities of pollen in the honey-boxes, while the other colonies stored very little, if any. If there is any help for this matter, I wish to prepare that help during this winter, so that it may be ready when wanted next season." "The storing of pollen in the surplus- apartment is largely brought about by th6 queen filling the brood-chambers so full of brood that there is not room enough for all of the needed pollen below." "Then larger hives would be a remedy." "Yes, for such storing does not very often happen when a large hive is used; but with our small brood-chambers of the present day it is not at all unusual for this state of afifairs to exist where no honey-board or queen-excluder is used." "Then you think a queen-excluder would help this matter?" "Yes, I know it will, and especially the queen-excluding honey-board made of per- forated zinc and wood; and I think it would well pay for using on this account alone, where the brood-chamber used is not larger than from six to eight Langstroth frames. I think you contract your hives bj^ means of dummies down to five or six frames, do you not?" "Yes, and that is probably the trouble. But is there no other plan of avoiding this matter?" "Yes, there is what is known as the 'break-joint' honey-board, which is almost entire proof against the storing of pollen in the sections." "What is a break-joint hone3'-board?" "It is a honey-board so made that the openings from the brood -chamber to the sur- plus-apartment come directly over the cen- ter of the top-bar to each frame, instead of being over the passageways between the combs, as our honey-boards of the past were made." "What is that for?" "This causes the bees to come up on the top-bars of the frames till thej' reach the centers of them before they can enter the sections, when, by then going up through the bee-space, they are in the sections. Or, in other words, this gives a crooked passage- way instead of the continuous passageway of our fathers." " What has this to do with the matter? " "Such a circuitous route causes the bees to think that the room above is not a part of the brood-chamber, so they do not store pollen in it, for pollen is, as a rule, stored close to the brood. P^or tTie same reason, large hives give the same results, as in this case there is usually quite an amount of sealed honey between the brood in the hive below and the surplus-arrangement above. ' ' "But it is not calculated that bees will store as much honey in the sections with the large brood-chamber, is it?" "No. It is claimed that bees will not work as well in section boxes where they can store large quantities of honey below before they commence in the sections, so it is thought that a small brood -chamber is much more preferable during the white- honey harvest, even if we do have to go to the trouble of making and using a special honey-board to keep the queen and pollen out of the sections. But I must be off now." 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 135 y^^:JloOT In this issue we are oblig'ed to leave out our usual installment of illustrated matter, for the simple reason that a large amount of j^ood matter has been accumulating- for several months back, and is still awaiting a chance to get before the public, most of which, too, is already in type. So this time we put in nothing but pure reading- matter, and that relating largely to ques- tions and answers. Some of them are somewhat belated; but it is the best we can do. HOW THE rambler's DEATH IS MOURNED BY OUR READERS. Kind and endearing expressions showing real sorrow and love for the Rambler are coming in by the hundreds. I knew our friend was dear to all our subscribers; but I never realized that he had so closely inter- woven himself into the hearts and affections of all our readers. Those whom he met on his travels seem to feel especially the loss. Thej' think of him as a near and dear friend and brother, taken, as it were, from their midst; for as he appeared in almost every issue of this journal our readers felt as if they were keeping in close touch with him; and now to know that they shall see and hear him no more, the blow seems to strike deep to the heart. I should be glad to publish some of these letters; but at this rate I could fill up sev- eral issues with such letters alone. As it is, I can onlj' refer to them in this general way; and I am sure I am expressing the thanks of his surviving relatives and his many friends when I say we one and all feel deeplj' grateful for all these kindlj^ ex- pressions of love and affection. THE CLIMATE OF CUBA, AND HOW^ A. I. ROOT ENJOYS IT THI:RE. In a letter recently received from A. I. Root, in Cuba, he says he never felt better in his life. Verily he seems to have found the "fountain of perpetual youth," not in Florida, but in Cuba. The climate seems to be delightful ; his malaria is entirelj^ gone, and he goes about thinly clad, like the natives. When he left Medina he had a pinched look; malaria and chills were hanging over him ; he was muffled up in heavj' overcoat and overshoes, and had a fur caji drawn down over his head and ears. Now these things are all cast aside. Pie is outdoors most of the time, riding a wheel, and is recuperating as perhaps he never did before, even in Michigan, which latttr place has seemed hitherto to be a panacea for all his ills. It is barely possible that some of our readers may have imagined that the climate of Cuba is unhealthful, from the fact that our dear friend the Rambler died of fever; but where he was located in Taco-Taco it was swampy, and infested with mosquitoes of the malarial kind. But the main por- tions of Cuba, especially in the winter, are decidedly healthful. THE GENERAL SUBJECT-MATTER OF A BEE JOURNAL ; THE VALUE OF QUES- TIONS AND ANSWERS. ~ I HAVE often wondered what parts of our journal were most interesting to the mass or the great majority of our subscribers. I have supposed the technical articles from the limited class of expert bee-keepers were eagerly read by other expert bee-keepers, but that the department of questions and answers was of but little interest to them. And yet I have had bee-keepers of many years' experience tell me they have often picked up many valuable little kinks in that part of our journal. In this issue we have given an extra num- ber of questions and answers, and I shall be glad to hear from our subscribers as to whether or not a preponderance of this kind of reading is what they want. Perhaps a little experience of my own may be somewhat suggestive. I am a be- ginner in automobile driving. I sent for several text - books on running gasoline- engines, and subscribed for two automobile journals; but I am free to acknowledge that the part of these journals most interesting to me is that relating to questions and answers. The long technical articles are too much for me. A subscriber, for exam- ple, goes on to state that his gasoline- engine slowed down very fast, and finally came to a standstill, and he could not make it go. The answer of the editor, who is supposed to have "been there." is "mighty interesting reading," I can tell j'ou. From the department of questions and answers in these journals I have picked up more ideas of value in the management and running of these horseless vehicles than I have from any other department of the papers or from anj' book; and when I came to compare my own experience as a novice in the auto- mobile line I began to wonder whether my experience might not be almost identical with that of beginners in bee-keeping who are eagerly thirsting for information. We can make our text-books as elaborate as we please ; we may try to cover every phase of experience ; but there are many combinations of experience that can not be entirely covered in text-books ; and it therefore devolves on some editor, who has learned in the dear school of experience, to pilot his brother-man out of darkness into light. I should be very glad to get postal-card expressions from some few thousands of our subscribers. By the way, it may not be known, but Gleanings goes regularly to over 15,000 families now; and we as pub- 136 glilanings in ]!]<]•: cui/iuuh:. Fi:n. 15 lishers .iiul editors are anxious to know just what those families wish to have in the way of a bee journal. KOKCKD SWAHMING AS PKACTICKD BY J. K. HK'rJIICKINGTON AND 1'. H. KLWOOJ). In this issue there is an article by P. H. lOlwood, who has been associated for many years with Capt. J. 10. lletherinf,^ton. The latter has owned as many as 3()()() colonies, and Mr. lOlwood something- over 1000. They, tofi^ether with Mr. Cof^gshall, of West (Jroton, same Slate, come near beinj^ the most extensive bee-keepers in tlie worhl. It appears that Mr. lOlwood and Mr. Ileth- ering-ton have for years jiracticed forced swarminf^ in one form or another. A rriCNTION, HKK-KKKPKKS; THl-; NATIONAL GOVKKNMICNT TO OUK All). (JiJK subscribers are urj^ed to write a let- ter at once to the Hon. Ked field Proctor, Chairman of the Committee on A},^riculture anil Forestry, of the United States Senate, luf^ini:;- an addition to the appropriation fur apicultural investij^ation. JJe sin-e to make the particular i>oint that i/iis is to he in ad- dition lo the present sum proposed for the Department of JCntoinotof^y. 1 am informed that, as the matter now stands, the funds of the Division could be used, but probably not unless we }^et somethinj^'- added to the amount now available. Apiculture is now named in tiic bill reported fr<-)m the House to the Senate, and referred to tiie committee of which Hon. K'ed field Proctor is Chair- man, 'i^his is very imnortant; ;intl now that our subscribers have the opportunity to ffet a more substantial rccoj-^nition in the way of financial aid for exjierimental work cm the part of the j,'-overnment of the United States, they should write at once, or, still better, send a telegram to the address g^iven above. IMPKOVICMKNTS AT THK RICVIKW OFFICE; THK MUSIC OF HKAVY MACHINKKY. I HAVio just noticed by the Jiee-I;eepcrs' AVz^/Vrf that my CO- laborer, W. Z. Hutchin- son, is also trying- the eccentricities of a g-asoline-engine, not in an automobile, but to run two printing^-presses. Somehow I5ro. Hutchinson strikes on the same hobbies that I have had, and one of them has been amateur ])lu)tog-raphy. But I5ro. Hutchinson has put in a gaso- line-engine, shafting, and a l)ig- cylinder press, to run off the Revieiv . Formerly he set the type at home, and hired the print- ing- done up town. Now he has rev<.M-sed the process — has his type set by machinery up town, and does his printing- at home. He writes very graphically of his experience in writing- editorials anil preparing copy for the k'evie^v amidst the "fussiness of a gasoline-engine," and the "clank, clank, grind, g-riiul," of two presses going on in the room below. He writes: I am likf ail t-clitor I once icail al)oiit. Some one asked him if llu- noise oftiie presses il id not disUirl) him. " No," he ci led, ■' Ih.it is sweetest music in my cars. -What worries me 's when 1 don't liear it." It may seem strange to some, but noise of this kind does ru)l disturb me. Some of my best writinjj has 1 een done on a railroad train. The monoionous noise acts ;is a curtain, sliutting out all other disti actions. For several years I have dictated my "stufT" in a room just above the press-room. The "clank, clank, grind, grind," express- es the situation exactly ; and 3'et these things never disturb me. On the other hand, if the noise stops I wonder what the matter is. Just now there are two cylinder presses, both driven by electric motors, rumbling beneath me. In an adjoining room, just back of nie, the book-binding is done, with its combination of noises. In another near- b3' room is the chuckety-bang of platten job presses. Then there is the rumbling of heavy trucks, and the moving of heavy freight, in the packing-rooms, and every now and then the roar of a ponderous fieight train carrying- coal froin the near-by mines to the lake; and yet, strange as it seems to me, I am never annoyed by any of these things. now TO GET-WIOLI. AND KKICP VVFLL; SCIKN- riFic KxicKCisi'; ; an icxpickifnck ok THIC KDirOK THAT MAY HlC USKFUL TO SOMK OTHICK UKOrHKK OK sisricK. In this issue I have referred to the fact that my father's health has gre. tly im- proved during his stay in Ctiba. Some of our friends and readers have been learning indirectly that my health has been f.iiling. The strentiuus life of a manufacturer and of- trying- ti) get out a bee JDurnal has been rather wearing on a little chap like me; but I am glad to announce lo our subscrib- ers that I am now on the mend again. Something over eight yeais ago I broke down with what the lioctors called nervous prostration, and then I went on the beef diet — see Gi-fanings for 18%, pages 67f>, 708, 710, 785. I fell awav in weight from 140 to 107 lbs.; but after taking the diet I got up to 155 lbs. The trementlous stimu- lus I then received has lasted me up till within a few months back. But again my nerves, or something, beg-an to fail; and again I looked lotiie beef tliet, and to Dr. J. M. Lewis, of Cleveland, in the Kose Build- ing-, to ptill me otit of my troubles. l*'or a few weeks b.-ick I had not been able to sleep well. My mind would keep on with the busy whirl of the factory; but I had not been on the diet for three days before that beautiful child sleep came back, and I have been having those dreamless sliunbers of fully eight hours for the last five wteks. For the benefit of some our newer read- ers, and for the benefit of those who have ii-Kpiired what has l:)i-ought about this mO'it I)leasing ch.inge, I will repeat very briefly the essentials of the treatment. Round steak of mature beef with all the fat cut off from it, preferably ground and broiled, is the chief article of diet. A little bit of dry toast, dried clear through, mind you, so that it is as brittle as a ]>icce of glass, constitutes the other portion of the 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 137 diet. But now listen. The iimoiint of dry toJist, to f^et satisfactory rcsul's, should not b'" over a quarter of the bulk or weij^ht of the meat. A tonic, prescribed by Dr. Lewis, is taken before each meal, and a preparation of pepsin after. A full pint of water, as hot as it can be swallowed, is to be taken about an hour and a half before each tncal. This part is very important, for but very little liquid is taken while eat- inf^. As Dr. Lewis explains, the stomach can not take care of a slo[)py mass, for the reason that the dif^estive lluids are neutral- ized by the excess of water. The puri)osc of the hot drinks between meals is to wash out the stomach, leaving- it clean for the next supply of nourishment. When a pa- tient commences on the diet he may have to bo;,Mn on as low as five or six ounces of meat. He must cut down some of his phys- ical activities, for his strength will begin to decrease, and he may lose flesh. Lut if he can start on about eight ounces, and di- gest it, he probably will not lose either Hesh or strength. When I began on the diet this last time, I started with eight ounces, and am holding^ my own. But that is not all. 1 take, in connec- tion'"', light physical exercises, for it will be understood that our phy^>ical frames are macliines, and some portions of them be- come s.uggish from want of action. (Jne of theexercises is to lie prone on the back and lift both feet (keeping both knees rigid and straight) at a right angle to the trunk of the body, or perpendicular to the floor. They are raised and lowered very slowly a few times. The patient next reverses the operation by keeping the feet on the floor and raising the body. As soon as it as- sumes an upright position, or a sitting- pos- ture, the patient is to reach forward, keep- ing his legs straight, and touching his toes if he can. He raises and lowers, repeat- ing the operation as long^ as he can do .so without too much fatigue. He next stands upright,s wing sdown ward, keeping the knees or leg^s straight, and touches the llofjr if he can, or .as near as may be, and then rises to a perpendicular. In this way he swings for- ward and backward. He next bends side- wise at the hips, keeping the body straight so far as the front and |back are concerned. He thus rocks sidewise, bending as far as he can. He now takes deep breathing-ex- ercises that consist of taking into the lungs a large amount of air, expanding^ the dia- phragm as far as j)ossible. He then expels it, drawing- the diaphragm in, exhausting- the lungs as much as possible. This heavy breathing should be kept up vigorously, enough to make a sound like a steam-engine puffing and blowing. But be sure you cause your diaphragm, or stomach-walls, to expand and contract. The effect of all these exercises is to stimulate the action of the bowels, which, perchance, may be slug- gish. One should be very careful about over- * This is separate and apart from the beef diet, and may have to be omitted until the patient acquires more strength. doi)i[^ in the "physical-culture exercise." When he begins his work he should start quite moderately, and increase a little every day. I<'ivc to ten minutes of exercise j>er day, either before going to bed or just after getting- up, ought to be enough for a artner. ■Whose heart was always true. As a tree by waters planted. And watered from above. This man took root in "Ernest" With purpose bom of love : And branches spread around him. Of the trees he loved so well. ■W'lth little -Rootlets" coming. In his heart and home to dwell. God's blessing rested on him. A veteran long ago. Although he signed "a novice," The bee-menall well know That he lead in even." effort. Improvement fast to bring. And ne'er secured a patent Upon a single thing. In keeping of the bees And making of the hires, "With planting of the trees. So ordered they their lives. The business grew apace. Large buildings then were made. And in that cosy space Foundations firm were laid. The bee- had pretty queens. The hives had sweetest honey. The girls, while in their teens. Helped earn some honest money. There's much of love and beauty still Within that busy mart. And th" honey-bees among the trees Still plav an active part. There are 'roots of trees and trees with roots, .\nd trees from roots all free : But the root that bears the choicest fruit Is the only root for me. A great and useful business grew From that one little plant ; I would describe if I had words. But then, vou know. I can't. This plant, well ' Rooted, "has taken "Root." And now it bears a tree Whose product goes to all the earth, To aid the little bee. THE BEE-KEEPER'S LIFE. BY HARRY LATHROF. The beauty of life for men who farm Will not compare with that of ours Who find among the hives of bees a charm Of sweetness drawn from many flowers. It ought to make us better far Than swine-herds might exp>ect to be. Unless our spirits prove to be at war With Nature as her charms we see. These living wonders make us feel How ignorant and small we are. And bring us down before the Lord to kneel. Lest we his perfect work should mar. Then let us reverence in each heart The works of God we see while here. And labor with a will to do our piart As faith and dutv make it clear. .A Tool for Freeing the Propolis, and Brace and Burr Comb from the Top-bars of Brood and E.xtracting-Fraraes at One Stroke. Without Danger of Hacking the Wood. BV SWARTHMORE. The scraper is simply a piece of hardened steel, ground along- its upper edge like a shear, and notched at one end to the depth of one inch to permit scraping' and separat- ing the -wax from the propolis in an auto- matic manner. It has t-wo holes near its lower edg'e for bolting' the blade firmly to the bench, uncappingr-trcr.eh. or tank. mnL '■ i3^.\RTHM0RE zSCRAPER, .H N CB ^B From S to S is the scraping surface for removing propolis from top of bars. N. notch: H. scraping surface for removing ■wax from sides of bars. B, B, holes for bolting blade to bench. The ground edg-e of the blade is indi- cated by shaded lines, and. when attached to the bench ready for use. the shear edge of the scraper from S to S is visible. Only a portion of the bench, box. or tank is cut away or notched to match the notch X in the scraper, so as to permit scraping- the wax and burr-comb from the sides of top- bars without turning- the frames. S-WARTHMORES SCRAPER ATTACHED. B, box for holding scrapings. D, division-board for separating wax from propolis. S. scraper bolted in place. F, frame in position for scraping. N. notch for scraping sides of bars. To scrap>e a frame, grasp it in both hands at either end of the top-bar, close to the side-bars, and draw it firmly across the shear edge of the scraper at S. which removes the propolis from the top of the bar and drops it into its proper compartment to the left of the division-board. Now pass the comb into the notch X, and draw it in such a manner that the side of the top-bar comes in contact with the shear edge of the blade at H (see first drawing . which will remove all burr or brace combs 148 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Feb. 15 and deposit them in a special compartment at the right of the division-board D, where they can be quickly gathered for melting into wax. Now remove the frame and clean the oth- er end of propolis; then slide it into the notch and scrape the remaining wax from the side of the bar. Thus with three or four quick strokes a frame may be cleaned top and bottom, and, what is more, the bulk of the wax is at once separated from the refuse — a recommendation in itself. When extracting I take in a set of eight frames at a time; and after throwing out the honey I run them over the scraper, and all are quickly rendered clean and nice for rapid handling. A putty-knife is useful to keep the scraping-blade free of wax. Brood- combs can be scraped fairly well without dislodging all the bees, which is quite a saving in time. When scraping the brood-frame in the spring, fasten the scraper outside some- where in a central location, or have it portable by nailing the box to the wheel- barrow. CAN BUTTERFLIES DESTROY THE BLOSSOM OP ALFALFA? A Few Corrections. BY H. W. SMITHKONS. My Jan. 1st Gleanings came yesterday, and I want to write you my appreciation of its neat, artistic, and up-to-date appear- ance. I am more than pleased with the change. I have read Gleanings for 18 years, and have subscribed for it for five years more to come, so 3'ou see I take an in- terest in it. I usually turn first to the edi- torials, because I like the sensible treat- ment you give to subjects that are sometimes queerly handled by the correspondents. Keep on with your footnotes. Your answer on p. 8 to Dr. Miller's Straw on that item about an umbilical cord in bees is worth one year's subscription. I know it is difficult to keep all absurdities and errors out of a magazine that has many contributors; but for the sake of new sub- scribers who might become prejudiced against a good paper, I should like to call your attention to one or two in the last issue. In Stenog's department, the item about the mole is away off. If he were familiar with moles he would not have cop- ied that fiction from the Revue. A mole has a short tail; rudimentary, inconspicuous eyes; short, thick, silky fur, the color of a mPvltese cat; and large hand-like paws, and it lives wholly in the ground. What Ste- nog's picking describes is the white-bellied wood-mouse. I know them well, for they frequently occupy the boxes which I have all over the farm for bluebird's nests. They have large shoe-buttonlike eyes, and are very spry. They naturally live in the woods, and gather linden and other seeds; but they also do much damage in corn- shocks and bee-hives. On p. 11 you speak of the butterflies on alfalfa, and say you were told they "eat the blossom." If you had stopped to re- member that butterflies have no mouth-parts to eat, like grasshoppers, which often eat off clover-blossoms, but that they have only a tiny slender tongue for licking or sucking up sweets, I don't think you would have be- lieved that report. Say — did you ever try honey for tirene in a punctured bicycle-tire? Our boys once tried it in a pinch, and now they use- noth- ing else. I started with bees (one hive) 18 years ago, at the age of 14, and have made them pay well every year. I have 60 colonies, all in ten-frame chaff hives, and raise only fanc3' comb and extracted honey for the home market at Lorain. I had nearlj' a ton this year from 35 colonies, and am just about sold out. I hope that Texas "bulk honey" business will never extend up here, as it would only open the way for adultera- tors. I raise fancy comb from such colo- nies as are able to produce it, and extract- ed from the weaker, and put the latter on the market in '2 -lb. tumblers. As I run the apiary as a side issue with a large fruit-farm I need to simplify the operations as much as possible; therefore the ten-frame chaff hives were allowed to swarm once. I shall try the "shook" swarms next sea- son. North Amherst, O., Jan. 8. [I am very glad to have any thing that appears in Gleanings, that is incorrect from a practical or scientific point of view, set right. Some one else, whom I do not now recall, mentioned the fact that the but- terfly could not eat the blossoms of alfalfa, as it had no mouth parts. I am not an en- tomologist, and do not know; but I assume from what you say that you are well posted, and I therefore accept your correction with thanks. But butterflies undoubtedly do damage of some kind in alfalfa-blossoms in some re- gions in Arizona, for some years they swarm in countless thousands over the fields of it. The blossoms seem to blight or wither, and somehow I got the impression that this with- ering was due to eating the blossoms Per- haps Mr. Will Chambers, who gave the in- formation to me, will enlighten us further. You have my sincere thanks for your very kind words regarding my work on the journal. No, I never tried honey in leak}' bicycle- tires; but I am sure it would work satisfac- torily. When we were doing bicycle-re- pairing in our machine-shop, we used to pay S2.00 a quart for tirene. I afterward discovered that the stuff was nothing more nor less than finely pulverized plumbago, molasses, and a mixture of corn meal or bran. These last ingredients were doubt- less put in to disguise the fact that the stuff was really molasses that cost a cent or two a quart, and for which we paid $2.00. Hon- ey has a quality that syrup does not possess, 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 149 in that it will dry and form a sort of mucil- aginous surface, and I am sure it would make a most excellent tirene. In reg-ard to moles, Stenog at my elbow sa3's, " Perhaps there are species of them in France that tally exactly with the de- scription of the French writer. I was sim- ply giving a translation, and do not hold mj'self responsible for what the writer said."— Ed.] WAS IT FOUL BROOD? This summer I found what I thought was foul brood. A hive had three or four dozen sunken cappings with dead larv£e in a pu- trid condition, some in open cells, and some would be ropy and string out on a twig or spear of grass. This fall, a month or six weeks later, I examined the colony. There was brood on both sides of two frames, about the size of a man's hand; and not a sign of foul brood was found. The cap- pings were bulged out, and brood was in a healthy condition. Should I burn that de- ceitful colony? In the spring I also found similar stands, only not so much dead brood. I looked through them two or three times during the summer, and found them all right. Do bees ever make a cleauing- up of this foul matter when in a putrid con- dition? If the}' do, perhaps I caught them in this cleaning, and will find them foul- broody later on. An experienced bee-man here told me foul brood was never found better after once getting among the bees. Is this the case? Would foundation be dan- gerous to use, made from wax melted from foul-brood\' combs? Could j-ou furnish me a book treating on the cure of foul brood? Geo. R. Middleton. Wagerman, Idaho, Nov. 10. [I think there is no doubt that the colony you describe had foul brood. It is not an uncommon occurrence for an affected colony to clean out the combs, and for a time at least the brood will appear to be health}'. But my experience is that such a colon}', if left to its own individual efforts, will every now and then develop the disease. The trouble will continue, and sometimes con- tinue for several years. While foul brood may never get the upper hand of that colony, the presence of the disease in it is a con- stant menace to that whole apiary. There is something strange in it, but some colonies seem to have the power to resist the disease, notwithstanding it will break out every now and then. But that same virus, if carried to ayiother hive, would mean the al- most immediate destruction of the colony. I would not burn the hive, but I would burn the combs, put the bees on frames of foundation, and put them in a clean hive, back on the stand. The hive itself I would char out by spraying it on the inside with coal-oil and lighting it. While it may not be necessary to disinfect the hive, I certain- ly would be on the safe side, if that is the only colony you have in the yard. — Ed.] GETTING BEES OUT OF INACCESSIBLE PLACES. Could you tell me the best way to get a swarm of bees out of the siding of a house, and save the swarm? They went in there last August. When is the best time to take them out? G. R. Hendrick. Cora, Kan., Jan. 27, 1903. [Mr. McDonald describes in this issue a very satisfactory method of getting bees out of a tree or inclosure. But if you wish to do the work up quickly, and at the same time get the honey, blow considerable smoke into the entrance or where the bees get into the house; then with a cold-chisel pry off the siding. If you do your work carefully you can get the bees and combs out, and then you can replace the siding without very much damage to the house. A little putty and a coat of paint would make it look as well as ever. — Ed.] the CARNIOLAN-ITALIAN CROSS. In response to a call for information con- cerning the Carniolan-Italian cross, I will say I have in one of my apiaries, side by side, five colonies in ten-frame hives, repre- sentatives of their respective strains, each having characteristics of its strain, and I could not say which I prefer. First in the row is the three-banded long tongue, every bee alike. Their superior does not exist. Next, imported Carniolan just ended her third season; next the strain golden Italian; then two Carniolan-Italians. It was exceedingly interesting to study closely the nature of each during the three last seasons. Early this spring the three first mentioned started off with the Carnio- lan the strongest, the three banders second, and golden third. For a time neither of them seemed to increase rapidly (owing to unfavorable spring). Then all at once the Carniolans began to increase rapidly (just seemed to bloom), it was not long until I gave the other two each a frame of brood and bees from them, to start them going, because it was getting late, if I expected any honey. You could see the improvement in the two very quickly. The latter part of May I noticed queen- cells in my Carniolan colony; and, knowing their willingness to swarm, I quickly chang- ed their minds by making two nuclei, when it was time for mating, placed entrance- guards in front of all hives except the three- banders, and I now have two true to name, Carniolan-Italian cross. Their bees re- semble the three-banders, though somewhat ISO GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Feb, is darker, and bands more narrow, with characteristics of Carniolans, gentle to the extreme, boil over when you open the hive; and breeders — never had better; was no time until these two nuclei were as strong- as any in the lot. The only thing that pre- vents their becoming popular in the hands of novices, and apiarists having many col- onies, is their swarming propensity; how- ever, I must say I give them close attention, and seem to catch them in the nick of time, as they never swarmed for me. In the fall of 1901 I presented a friend of mine with one of my fine Carniolans, be- cause he was taken with their gentleness; but last August he did away with them. He said, " That colony swarmed only seven times in less than three months," so it seems I averted their swarming impulse, and my friend failed to understand. My Carniolan Italians will always have my closest attention. I find they winter better, and breed up better in the spring. I helped strengthen my weaker colonies with frames of brood and bees from them. I often thought if I could only combine the good qualifications of these different strains, I would have a race that might be christened "Eureka" bees. Cincinnati, O. Fred W. Muth. DISPOSING OF UNFINISHED SECTIONS. I have about 60 unfinished 1-lb. sections. Some are half full of honey, and some are nearly finished, but have no honey in them. Now, what I wanted to do was to put those that contained honey over my bees in the spring so that the bees would carry this old honey into the brood-chamber. In this way I thought of saving the bees the trou- ble of remaking the section. Would this be practical? or would last year's honey be dangerous to the bees or young brood? In case I couldn't use them as mentioned, could I use them in mating queens as prac- ticed by Swarthmore, page 19, Jan. 1? E. H. Lilian. Mascoutah, 111,, Jan. 20, 1903. [You could put the unfinished sections on top of the brood nest in the spring; but they should be covered with cushions or packing material. The bees will be likely to go up into the sections, and make that their brood- nest, because that would be the warmest part of the hive. The sections would be badly soiled, and I would not, therefore, recommend this manner of cleaning out the unfinished sectiens. The better way would be to stack them up in some hive outdoors; contract the entrance down to just what one bee can go through at a time. The first few warm days you have, the bees will rob out this hive; but be sure to keep the en- trance down verj' small or else it will make a big excitement in the bee-yard. The sec- tions will be cleaned out without any soil- ing, and without any great disturbance in the yard. You might use them as recommended on page 19 of our Jan. 1st issue.— Ed.] HOW TO render out WAX FROM PROPOLIS. Save up all the scrapings of sections, frames, and other fixings, until the season is over; then put the mess in an old tin pail; pour water on until an inch or more deep over the stuff; put it on the stove and heat very nearly to boiling: stir frequently, and the wax will come to the top, and the propolis sink to the bottom. Set it off the ^tove and let it cool until the wax hardens. Lift it off, then warm up again until the propolis is quite soft, when it can be poured into some dish to form a cake so it will be convenient to handle. Have the molding- dish quite wet, or grease it a little, to keep the stuff from sticking. Save your pail for another season, as it will be very hard to get it clean, as the stuff sticks very closely. Greene, la. G. R. Shirer. boiled honey FOR DYSPEPTICS. I can not use honey ordinarily unless it is cooked — the fresher the honey, the more it requires. Boiled till a dark amber, like syrup, suits me best. I know many people so constituted. Last year I fixed a lot for a man who had denied himself all honey for 20 years. The best cure for the severe pain of honey sickness is warm cow's milk — fresh from the cow. C. L. I have 20 colonies of bees. The hive I use takes 9 frames 12/-^X1034:. Is that large enough for a brood-chamber? Is it advis- able to raise three or four frames of brood to the surplus-chamber before preparation is made to swarm, placing perforated divi- sion-boards between? I. D. Olver. Bobcaygle, Ont., Jan. 26. [A brood-chamber such as you have men- tioned is large enough, or what would be considered standard capacity, although not standard in size. We would not advise you to commence with an odd-sized frame like this, for the reason that your supplies would cost you a good deal more than stan- dard goods. It is advisable to raise all the brood you possibly can before the swarming season. You can scarcely raise too much. — Ed.] I should like to know which is the better pasture for bees — • crimson clover or sweet clover. Is alfalfa better than either of these? E. L. Blake. Grand Tower, 111., Dec. 20. [As between crimson and sweet clover, I am of the opinion that the former, on an equal area and under equal conditions, will produce much more honey. But the fact is, sweet clover, because it is so widely scat- tered, and because there is so little of the crimson, produces actually more honey. Alfalfa I should consider best in a dry cli- mate — altogether the best of the three; but in a humid climate, or what is known as the rain-belt, crimson or sweet clover would produce more honey. — Ed.] 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 151 FORMALINE GAS FOR I^ILLING FOUL BROOD. I\Fr. Root: — You ma}'^ recollect that, when iu Denver, I was talking^ to j'ou about kill- ing' the foul-brood g^ertn by fumig'ating- it with formaline g'as, by Prof. Harrison's method. I mentioned to yon that I would experiment with this fumig^ating cure just as soon as I arrived home. With the assist- ance of a bee-keeper, I beg^an operations immediatel}'. This g'entleman had a hive infected with foul brood. We took the in- fected frames from the hive and placed the bees in another hive. We then fumig^ated it with the formaline g'as, and, when disin- fected, replaced the infected frames in the old hive. *We then shook the bees back on to the orig^inal frames. The result was, that the colony cleaned up the combs nicely, and a few days later the combs were filled with eg'g's, and, later, larvae, the latter be- ing- perfectl}- white, and no sig^ns of foul brood since in the colony. Later in the sea- son I tried this method for friends who had colonies afflicted in the same manner. As the season became too late for brood-rearing- I could not ascertain anj' results. About three weeks ag-o I sent two frames, which had been badU' infected (but which I had previousl}' fumigated, to kill the spores of foul brood) to Prof. Dr. Guyer, of the Uni- versity of Cincinnati. I requested him to endeavor to restore life to the foul brood, which he promised to tr3' to do. A few days later I sent him another frame infected with foul brood (this frame I did not fumigate). To-da}', two weeks after, I visited the pro- fessor ag-ain, and he reported that he had made about 20 trials, all told. The frame not fumigated, he says flourishes with foul brood. To the other frames, which werey)/- niigated by this process, he said it was im- possible to restore any signs of life. He still has part of the finnigated frames, which he will experiment with further, and will then report results. I will acquaint you further with any future results we maj' secure. C. H. W. Weber. Cincinnati, O., Nov. 22. [This is interesting- and valuable, and I hope those who are in a position to do so will give the new drug a trial. — Ed.] WHY HONEY IS CAPPED WHITER FROM FORCED swarms; IS IT BEST TO GIVE A NEW SWARM A FRAME OF BROOD? Dr. Miller says in Stray Straws, Nov. 1, " Honey is capped whiter, is a claim made for forced swarms, p. 864; and it is made in such a wa}' as to be understood as mean- ing whiter than with natural swarms. It is capped whiter than in a hive with black combs, but no whiter than in a hive with a natural swarm." I said, " Honej' is capped whiter. As you well know, jou get whiter-capped sec- tions over newly built combs." I meant you get whiter-cappied honey by forcing the swarms at the beginning of a flow than by running the old colonies for comb honey. Of course, the honey is no whiter than from natural swarms, provided the natural swarm is hived on foundation or starters. Probably Dr. M. isn"t aware of the fact that a great many bee-keepers hive swarms on old black combs, and expect a gilt-edged article. I find that a great many of my swarms hived on starters and run for comb honey were rather light, as we had no fall flow, and I had to feed some; but I am consoled, as I had nearly all they made in nice white sections which I wholesaled at 15 cts. per section. In another Straw Dr. M. says, "Shook swarms are being pretty thoroughly shaken up just now; and while the shaking is go- ing on it would be well if the question could be settled as to whether it is best or not to have a frame of brood given to the swarms." I settled that question to my satisfaction several years ago. The worst absconding I ever had was when I would always give a frame of eggs and brood. I quit doing so, and would give plenty of room, shade the hive, also give plenty of ventilation, and I hardly ever have a swarm leave the hive. It isn't natural for bees to find brood in their new home — that is what they have left. They find conditions partly as they left them, so they proceed to construct cells and prepare to swarm, provided they don't leave at once. If a coi-nb be given, and the rest of the frames contain starters, if they stay they will build more drone comb than if all frames contained starters. J. T. Hairston. Sulina, I. T., Nov. 15. BROODLESS COLONIES. I have two colonies of bees that have neither brood nor eggs. They are new col- onies that I got this season, and both have queens but no brood, although they had plenty' in September. They have lots of honej', three or four frames being full. As I am a beginner I should like to know if these colonies will be safe for winter in this condition; and if not, please state if thej' need new queens, and whether tested queens would be necessary. Navarre, O., Nov. 18. Wm. H. Scott. [You will not find brood in a normal col- ony in your locality in November. The queens are probably all right and should be left alone. — Ed. J DOES IT pay to USE FULL SHEETS OF FOUNDATION IN THE BROOD-NEST? I will state mj' experience. I had one swarm of bees come out about the middle of July, three years ago, and I filled the eight frames with half-sheets of foundation, and the next day a swarm came out nearly the same size, and I filled the eight frames with full sheets of foundation, and in one week I put a super on each of those hives, 152 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Feb. is and in the fall I found the one that I filled with half sheets of foundation had just fill- ed the hive full, and nothing- in the super; and the hive that I filled full of foundation, I found the hive full, and the super full of honey and 24 sections nicely capped over; so I consider that the extra outlay of 25 cts. for the extra half of the 8 sheets of foundation brought me in return $3.84 worth of honey at 16 cts. per lb.; and since that time I have always filled the frames in the brood- chambers with full sheets of foundation, no matter when or what time of the year they came out, and I have always considered that it paid me. C. K. Carter. Eagle Grove, Ga., Dec. 7. [While one swallow does not make a sum- mer, there have been quite a number of re- ports to the same effect as the one g-iven. One of the best bee-keepers in Ohio Mr. Chalon Fowls, of Oberlin, even g^oes so far as to say that he can afford to make his own hives out of drygoods boxes, but he can not afford to go without full sheets of foundation. Circumstances and methods of management alter cases; and it is pretty hard to lay down a rule that will apply in all cases; but with ordinary management full sheets give better results than half or quarter sheets. — Ed.] BAD-SMELLING HONEY IN THE HIVE. I have a hive of bees in my cellar, which has started to cut the comb from the frames, and it stinks badly from the honey they got. The honey is white and nice, and it is a new swarm and hive. There have been two bee-keepers to look at it, but could not tell the cause, so I thought I would write and see what you think about it. Joseph Finstad. Esdaile, Wis., Dec. 15. [I am unable to suggest what the trouble may be. To be on the safe side, it might be well for you to send a sample of the comb to your foul-brood inspector, N. E. France, of Platteville, Wis. Even if the comb is not diseased, Mr. France, being a practical bee-keeper, would be able, prob- ably, to suggest the cause of the odor. In the mean time I might say that the bees might have been gathering, from some source, honey which, before it is thoroughly ripened, is foul-smelling. — Ed.] A question of nomenclature. In Europe we are called " bee-masters;" in the East, "bee-keepers;" in the West, "bee-herders," while here in the mines we are known as ' ' bee experts. ' ' Who can coin a word that will mean the man whose bees keep him, and place him in a separate class from those who simply " keep " bees? Shake, shook, shooked, brushed, artificial, forced, or suppressed swarms is not in it, in comparison. We are trj'ing to frame an act to stop effectually the sale of adulterat- ed honey in California; and unless the act is weakened by an amendment of some com- mission-house association we will make the name "Pure California Honey" the standard. E. H. Schaeffle. Murphys, Cal., Dec. 18. [You are right. We have no specific term by which we may designate the spe- cialist bee-keeper — the one who makes his living by his bees. Mr. Hutchinson has come as near to it as anybody by the use of the word "specialist bee-keeper. " I do not see but we shall have to use a lot of circum- locutions; for it is better to be too "wordy" than to be too brief and lack clearness. — Ed.] mutilated bees in the cellar. I have thirty colonies of bees in my cellar, apparently doing very well. However, there are many bees all cut to pieces — heads, wings, legs, and bodies lying on the alighting-board. I can not see any signs of mice in the cellar. What is the cause of it? If it is mice, will they injure the colonies? Several hives were affected the same way last winter. Do you think it is vermin that are killing the bees or eating the dead ones? The hives are raised one inch from the bottom-board. Seth Doan. Molesworth, Ont., Feb. 4. [From your description it seems very plain to us that either mice or rats are working among your bees. You would do well to put out poison or set traps to get them out, otherwise they may be the means of ruining or destroying your colonies. — Ed.] a method for killing yellow-jackets. Close the hive at night, and leave it clos- ed till 8 in the morning. In the evening set a can-lid filled about half full of powdered brimstone on the alighting-board in front of the hive. One yellow-jacket will take home enough to kill all of his colony. J. Casselman. Peck, Idaho, Oct. 4, 1902. Will it do to Italianize bees at this sea- son of the year? B. Grantham. Morriston, Miss., Nov. 5. [I see no reason why, in your locality, you could not Italianize very nicely at that season of the year. Indeed, I should as- sume that it would be the very best time. But Italianizing here in the North should generally be practiced in late summer or in the fall, or whenever the main honey-flow is past and when there is little honey com- ing in from natural sources. — Ed.] 1. Is there any way to make a queen lay in the winter, and is it profitable? 2. Would it be advantageous to have a hive so constructed that the 1-lb. hone3'-box- es could be set down in the hive proper? Edward Dubois. Providence, R. I., Nov. 11. [No to both questions. — Ed.] 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 153 SNOW AT ENTRANCES ; BEE-CELLARS. I am a reader of Gleanings, and would like to ask 3'ou a few questions. 1. Does the snow that blows and stops the entrances of the hives do any harm? 2. Do bees ever get any pollen from bass- wood? I want to put a bee-cellar under the kitch- en of my house. I am going- to dig it 7 feet deep, and put up another wall. This will make two walls. Will the noise over them disturb them, or would you ceil over- head and pack with sawdust? How large should it be for 75 or 80 colonies? How large a ventilator would you have come out through the wall at the door, if any? It registered 10 above zero outdoors, and 29 under the house, with a hole two feet square in the wall. R. H. Swartz. Naples, N. Y. [1. No, not generally. Snow does no harm around the entrances unless it melts and then freezes, making a hard crust over the entrances, or, worse still, freezing them up entirely. In our locality we never pay any attention to snow. On the contrary we like to have it banked around the hives. 2. I am not sure, but I think they do. Make your cellar as large as possible. There will be no danger of your getting it too large for 75 or 80 colonies. The cubic capacitj' of the cellar should be large in proportion to the number of colonies it will actuallj' hold so far as room is concerned. I would not have any ventilator in the door. Open and close the door at night when it is warm outside. Nor would I have any windows in the cellar if you desire to make it suitable for bees. Windows cause too much of a variation in temperature. — Ed.] hive-bodies; what depth is prefer- able, JUMBO, LANOSTROTH, OR DAN- ZEN BAKER? I wish you would tell us the result of 3'our trial of Jumbo hives. The last I saw in re- gard to them you said thej'^ were "boomers;" but I believe you did not tell us how they compare with the eight-frame hives in regard to yield of honey. Unless I can run on to some second-hand hives I shall have to get some new ones for another summer, and I am at a standstill to know what size to get. I think I should like the Danzenbaker for the first season; but when the bees come to breed up the following spring I am afraid the hives would be too small unless doubled up. Could you tell us what is the practice of Mr. Vernon Burt and others who are us- ing this particular hive? Where one does not wish to double up hive-bodies in the spring, would not the regular ten-frame Dovetail be preferable? E. B. Weston. Auburn, N. Y. [The answer to your question depends much on locality. If j-ou lived in Cuba or in Texas, I might advise j'ou to use Jumbo hives. While personally I like such hives, the frames are deeper than regular Lang- stroth, and can not be used with standard hives. All things considered for your lo- cality, I would advise the ten-frame Lang- stroth hive, providing extracted honey were the object. If you desire to produce comb honey, I would recommend first the Dan- zenbaker, then next the eight-frame Dove- tailed Langstroth hive. If the Danzenbaker brood-nest is too small part of the season, it can be-easily doubled up in the breeding season, and then, just before the honey- flow, contracted to one brood-chamber. If 3^ou do not like to double up, the ten-frame would be better, perhaps; but it is not nearlj' so good a hive for comb honey as the Danzenbaker. Just what Mr. Vernon Burt's practice is, I do not know. He dou- bles up with some colonies, possibly; but the Danzenbaker brood nest is no smaller in cubic capacity than the eight-frame Dovetailed hive, and it is not ordinarily the practice to double up the Dovetailed. If 3'ou desire to produce comb honey, and your market calls for deep sections, I would rec- ommend to you the Danzenbaker system throughout. — Ed. ] 1. How soon, after making a forced swarm, can I introduce a fertile queen to the parent stock? 2. Are your red-clover queens Italian? 3. Does cotton-plant secrete much honey? and what grade would you class it? Oenaville, Tex. J. W. Griffin. [1. You can do so immediatelj% but 3'ou should make sure that all cells and virgin queens, if any, are disposed of. In ordi- nary practice there will probably be no cells, and 3'ou could introduce a new queen in the parent colony the same or the next day; that is, the queen could be caged on the same day that the colony received the shaking. 2. Our red-clover queens are reared from Italian stock. The old original red-clover mother came from Itah'. 3. Yes, some honey, but just how much I do not know. While it is regarded as a white honey, the flavor is a little off for ta- ble use. That we have handled had to go to the manufacturers. Cotton honey has a tendenc3' to foam — just wh3', no one knows; and that makes it rather objectionable for bottling or for any table use. — Ed.] Wh3' not advise adjusting a bic3'cle-pump for testing honey-barrels before waxing, in place of the lungs? Few men are such good blowers, except when it comes to blowing their own horn. C. F. Haeger. Hill City, Tenn., Dec. 17. [A bic3'cle-pump would tfo ver3' nicely; but the rubber tubing should be mounted in a cork just large enough to fit the bunghole of the barrel ; then when the barrel is pumped full of air — enough so that v'ou can hear a hissing around an3' possible leak — let the cork and pump stand in the bung, then proceed to drive the hoops down until 154 CLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Feb. 15 the hissing- ceases. Pump in more air, and listen for more hissing, and again drive down the hoops as before. A foot pump would be a little more ser- viceable than the ordinary hand pump, but either could be used. It may be well to state that barrels should never be tested for leakage with water — that is, those designed to receive honey for shipment. Use nothing but dry air. Even if there is a leak, the water will cause the wood to swell, and close it; then if the bar- rel be filled with honey the honey will ab- sorb the water in the staves, and then the old original leak will appear when the staves are dried out again. In other words, a barrel that would be suitable for ship- ping water or other liquids would not be suitable for shipping honey. — Ed.] THK DANZENBAKEK HIVE FOR WINTER. 1. I used this summer for the first time the Danz. hive. They look so shallow I feared there might be trouble in wintering- in them. I have cases to put around them, and allow for two inches of planer shavings all around the hives, and four inches on top of the frames. Please tell me if they need any thing more. 2. I have a few queens that I raised in three-frame nuclei. I used an eight-frame Langstroth hive, put a half-inch partition in it, and have a nucleus on each side. I should like to keep the queens over winter. Can I do so? atid if so, how? A. J. KiLGORE. Bowling Green, O., Oct. 6. [1. No. You have given all the protec- tion that they naturally' require. 2. Yes, you can winter two nuclei in one hive outdoors. While it can be done, the chances of success will be very much better by putting- all such hives containing two little clusters in a dark dry cellar having a uniform temperature throughout the winter. Two bunches of bees are never as good for wintering as the same number in one clus- ter.—Ed.] TROPICAL NOTES FROM THE WEST INDIES; ITALIAN BEHS LIKED BEST IN TRINIDAD. For several months past we have had all we could do to keep our bees alive on ac- count of the wet season and the scarcity of honey-flowers. About the middle of Octo- ber some improvement set in, and honey be- gan to make its appearance rapidl}'. It was, however, very dark in color, and slightly strong and bitter. One of our strongest hives was given a frame of sec- tions, and filled about two-thirds of the space, when the inevitable swarm went off, and collection ceased for the time being. Even this honey was poor and dark in col- or. In new combs at date, fine clear and ■well-flavored honey is making its appear- ance. In a few months' time, when the log- wood comes in flower, we shall have the finest honey of the season, equaling the produce of any country in the world. We have had three swarms from our 14 hives of black bees, but none from our 6 Italians. The latter are collecting honey much faster than the black bees, and of better qualit3'. I find the Italians do not produce drones at the same rate as the black bees, which fact probably accounts for the difficulty of getting them to replace the stronger bee. We are not experts in Trini- dad, and should like to know how to increase the output of drones. At the present time any drone-cells are being filled with honey, so that it would appear useless to introduce drone foundation for the purpose of rais- ing the required number of gentlemen. Imported Italian queens take readily to a few combs of the black bees, and rapidly make strong colonies. We are now able to procure these at a cheap rate from a neigh- boring colony in the West Indies. What a funny word that ' ' neighboring " is ! In this instance our "neighbor" is nearly 2000 miles away. The common and popular idea of the West Indies is that the islands are in a bunch. What a mistake that is can be recognized only by making a tour through them. Not a bad idea to get away from the northern winter, and is now being followed by those who can aftord the time and money. The cost of a trip is very reasonable and comfortable. Steamers from New York sail about every two weeks. The industry of bee-keeping is progress- ing slowlj' in most of the islands; but in Trinidad the popularity and paying char- acter of cacao cultivation somewhat calls away the attention of the people from the smaller industries. J. H. H. Trinidad, Nov. 5. [You can increase the number of drones by putting drone comb in some of your best breeding colonies. — Ed.] BEES DYING IN WINTER QUARTERS. What is the best way to feed bees in the winter? I have two hives which I think need looking after. Subscriber. [Give the bees hard rock candy, laying sticks of it on the clusters of bees. If you do not know how to make it, get j'our baker, or some one who understands candy-mak- ing, to make you a clear cr3'stal candy, sticks of it to be brittle as glass, out of pure granulated sugar. Don't use any flavor- ing. Some use Go3d candy. This is made by mixing powdered sugar and honey into a stift" dough. Almost any one can make that, but the dry granules are apt to rattle down between the brood-combs. — Ed.] A COMBINED BEE-BRUSH AND SCRAPING- KNIFE. I have for the past year been using a Coggshall broom and knife combined that proved so efl"ective that perhaps some of the readers of Gleanings would find it to their advantage to make one also, as it is a very simple affair. The blade is a long one, tapering down to a point. I tied it to the broom-handle with only a cord, but it came 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 1S5 off occasionally, so it will have to be fas- tened on some better wa^^ Perhaps some kind of fastener on the broom could be de- vised in which the blades could fit. The blade should, of course, be strong-, have one sharp edg-e for cutting and scraping, and should project out six or eight inches from the broom-handle. Try this and you will find you can pry a lid off a hive, pry a comb out, and brush the bees otT in a hurry. San Antonio, Tex. A. H. Knolle. [It is no doubt advisable, where possible, to have two tools combined in one. It is a nuisance to have to carry along a box or basket with a variety of implements; and if one can make one, in addition to the smoker, do all the work, he is that much ahead. — Ed.] A NOVEL WAY OF GETTING BEES OUT OF A BEE-TREE WITHOUT CUTTING IT. Mr. Root: — Referring to the inquir}' on p. 945, in your November 15th issue, of C. MacDonough, Jr., relative to a method of getting- bees from a tree, I desire to give you a plan by which I secured a fine large colonj' from a cottonwood-tree last summer. The idea may not be new to more experi- enced apiarists; but to me it was entirely original and successful. In this particular instance, however, the bee-exit was quite close to the g-round. I commenced by inserting- into the cavity a three-foot section of one-inch hose pipe. I then covered it and the exit about a foot deep with mud and sand, and packed it down. Finally the bees found their way out of the hose pipe, and, after more or less confusion, into the cavity again. I allowed the pipe to remain as it was for three or four daj's, to accustom the bees to running- throug-h it, at the end of which time I took an empty hive, bored an inch auger-hole in the back of it, and inserted therein the end of the pipe. After two or three days more of confusion on the part of the bees, and when they had again learned the new en- trance (that is, through the hive), I removed the hive long enough to attach a bee-trap to the hole formerly bored in the hive, and put it back in position, with the hose this time entering- the hole in the bee-trap. I then hung a comb of brood, together with full sheets of foundation, in the hive, and in- serted therein a caged queen. In a short time I again visited it and found the queen released, the bees very \i\x%y in comb-build- ing, and the g-reater portion, as I imagin- ed, of the bees that had been in the tree taking up housekeeping in the hive. I was afraid to remove the hive and open up the old entrance for fear the bees would desert their new home, so it has remained on this stand ever since, and will remain until later, when I will take it away. In the mean time they have built up a strong colony, and a hive full of winter stores, but have made no surplus. I assume, of course, that a few bees re- mained in the tree, and by this time have either died of starvation or old age; but I succeeded in acquiring a good strong colo- ny from what, at first, seemed to be a hope- less job, as in this instance also I was not allowed to molest the tree in any way. I presume that, in Mr. MacDonough's case, the same plan could be adopted by having several short joints of hose pipe with screw ends, stopping the bee-exit securely around the pipe with cement or something else, and by degrees screwing the short sections on to the pipe until he got the bees entering it near the ground, when the rest would be easy. J. A. Macdonald. Denver, Col., Nov. 27. [Your plan is all right — only you secured no honey from the tree, but that would not be a large item probably. — Ed.] GETTING BEES OUT OF BEE-TREES WITH- OUT CUTTING. Mr. MacDonough might secure honey from that tree as I do from bees in the wall of my house. Take 3'our usual hive and fill with frames having full sheets of foundation. Put a bee-escape on the hole in the tree so they will have to come out in the hole. You will saw out just under lid in the back cor- ner of the hive. Then to get out they will have to crawl down over those sheets of wax, and enough will spot the entrance to guide all. After a day or two they will go to work, and later a super can be used. About August draw your hive away from the tree a few inches, and put block back in the hole, leaving itindependent of thetree. Then if you will supply them with young egg^s and brood the chances are they will requeen, so you can move them, leaving the tree to operate on another year. F. R. FouCH. Parma, Idaho. A REMEDY FOR FERTILE WORKERS. I find that when, either by carelessness or oversight, a colony becomes queenless long enough to permit a fertile or lajnng worker to usurp the place of a queen, the colony refuses to accept either a cell or a queen, laying or virgin. But my experi- ence here has invariably been that, as soon as the fertile worker commences to la}^, the bees do their best to rear a queen from the eggs deposited by her. My reme- dy is to change the larva, and I am always rewarded by the 3'oung queen reared by themselves being accepted. I do not know what becomes of the usurper, but probably she receives short notice to quit. Perhaps my locality may have something to do with it. If, however, this should prove to be useful to some other bee-keeper I shall feel amply rewarded. C. M. Aarons. leremie, Hayti, West Indies. BEES BITING OFF THE CELLS OF COMBS. 1. During the last year I have found two hives in our apiarj', in which the bees be- gan to bite off the cells of combs about four years old. I have thought that the bees did 156 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Feb. 15 so only because the combs were old, and probabl}' therefore were unfit for brood. Please tell me how old combs of the brood- nest should be allowed to become brfore be- ing- removable? When are they too old? 2. What shall I do to get the best result in rearing, now and then, some good queens, for my own use? What season is the best to do this, and must or should bees be fed with something while the}' are engaged in rearing queens? I find that some hives are far superior to others in gathering honey, and I suppose that this depends most on the queen. Now, if I take a comb with fresh brood with the bees thereon and place them in a small box adapted to the purpose, do you think the bees will or can rear a good queen, provided those eggs are from a good queen? Alphonse Veith. St. Meinrad, Ind. [1. I do not know why bees should bite off the ceils of the comb unless the frames are spaced too closely. The age of a comb would cut no figure in the matter. I don't know when a comb is too old for use. The late R. Wilkin, and I believe Doolittle, said they had some 30 years old, and they were still doing good service in brood-rearing. I do not think there is any thing in the state- ment that brood-cells grow smaller; for bees reared out of either old or new comb, with the same queen, are the same size. 2. If you desire only a few queens I would advise you to take swarming-cells during the swarming season — those that are at least 9 days old — and insert them in nu- clei, or, perhaps, better still, insert them in queen-cell protectors and then in a colo- ny from which the queen has just been killed. If the cell is given to the colony at the height of the honey season, swarming will be checked, at least for the time being. No, I would not advise taking a comb with young brood, with bees thereon, and putting them in a small box for the purpose of rearing queens. The bees would go to work, of course, and rear cells; but a small nucleus will not do as good work, as a rule, as a strong colony. — Ed.] IS THE FORCED-SWARM METHOD OF NO VALUE TO PRODUCERS OF EXTRACTED HONEY? I have never worked bees for comb hone}'. I am interested onl}' in extracting. Mr. Stachelhausen saj's, p. 893, that, when he produces extracted honey, he does not de- pend on forced swarms. He has other ways, some of them preferable. Now, if all this forced-swarm writing in Glean- ings is not for my class of bee-keepers, will you please tell me how to inform myself about these other methods he speaks of? Frederick DuBois. Sanibel, Florida, Dec. 15. [Forced swarming is, perhaps, an unnec- essary procedure in the production of ex- tracted honey. The method Mr. Stachel- hausen refers to related, probably, to hav- ing large hives or two small ones, one on top of the other. A large brood-nest, wheth- er in one or two stories, extracted every week or ten days, will not be inclined to cast a swarm. Perhaps a better plan, in- stead of taking off the honey too early, is to raise the super that is filled with honey, and put under it a super of empty combs. In the mean time, the bees in the super above will have an opportunity to ripen the honej' thoroughly, after which it may be extracted. There are other methods, but they are more thoroughly explained in the text-books than I can do it here. — Ed.] OLD COMB vs. new; DO QUEKNS PREFER EITHER, OR IS IT ONLY A WHIM OR NOTION OF DIFFERENT QUEENS? It is strange the differences we bee-keep- ers find, or seem to find, in the manner of work of our bees. For instance. Dr. Miller has for years been stating that, in his ex- perience, queens prefer old comb, and yet there are contradictions of this, and 3'ou yourself are inclined to side against him. Now, if j'ou watch this matter next season, as you propose, you will find, if your queens act as do Dr. Miller's and my own, that they most decidedlj' prefer old comb to new. I have had queens, both in nuclei and full colonies, skip a bright new comb until they had filled the old black combs on either side with eggs, and this not once butmanj' times, and every season. Is it lack of ob- servation with others, or a peculiarit}' of Dr. Miller's and my own queens? I am sat- isfied that locality is accountable for many differences, but scarcely for one like this. C. S. Hams. Holly Hill, Fla., Dec. 16. [The apparent conflict of opinion in this matter, I think, is explained verj' satis- factorily on page 105, Feb. 1. — Ed.] HOW TO KEEP OLD TRANSFERRED COMBS IN A NEW FRAME WITHOUT THE USE OF WIRE OR STRING. I have never seen (in print) my way of fastening combs when transferred to frames. It's easy. First prepare a bundle of nice smooth corn or cane stalks, about 9 inches long, to reach across the frames. The top joints, which are ^s to J2 an inch in diame- ter, are all right. Larger pieces may be split. Now take a strip of pine, /2 inch wide, and just long enough to reach across the inside of the bottom-board. It should be just as thick as the side rails, so as to form a rest for the middle of the bottom-bar of each frame. This will prevent heavy combs from sagging till fastened by bees. When the hive-bodj' is placed on the bot- tom, the first comb fitted in the frame may be placed at the side of the hive with a corn- stalk or two between them. If frames are of the self-spacing kind, after fitting the combs they maj' be all set in with sufficient cornstalks between to keep each comb in place. Then put in a division-board and 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 157 crowd the frames up snug- and tight. When the bees have fastened the combs you may draw out the cornstalks, tip the hive back, and take out the comb-rest. I see you often fasten combs with twine. Dr. Miller prefers tine wire. If I wanted to be contrarj' I'd use cornstalks. Chambersville, Pa. J. P. Lytlk. [As I understand your method, you sim- ply use cornstalks set down between the frames to keep the combs from tumbling- against each other. Somehow this seems a little crude to me, j'et I have no doubt it answers the purpose. Cornstalks vary in size, and uniformity of diameter would be an important requisite to hold the combs exactly in the center of the frames. Ordi- naril}- it does not pay to transfer any comb into a frame unless it can be in one solid piece, and cut large enough to make a snug tit against the top and bottom bar and end- bars. Such a comb does not need staying up. In these day^s of foundation, and a de- sire to avoid drone comb, it does not pay to use little bits of comb, and fit them against other pieces to make one solid comb. One had far better use a comb-starter fastened against the top-bar, and have them built out into worker comb during the season of brood-rearing. — Ed. ] THE NEVER SWARM COLONY BETTER THAN tHE FORCED swarm; three good RULES. The subject of prevention of swarming, as discussed in Gleanings, has been in- teresting. The methods of forcing or shak- ing swarms have all been practiced here with various success; but wejagree with Dr. Miller that the colonies kept at home with no notion of swarming are best for honey-producing. I have several colonies, with live years' record, in that line. If swarming could not be prevented I would quit bee-keeping, as high trees and other necessary work prevent close watching of bees. My methods of work have been gleaned from the workers reported in Gleanings, and I am still getting new hints to make the work easier each year. I have three good rules to offer: 1. Mr. Boardman's rule, "Keep all colonies 5//'07/c'. '" 2. Allow no sealed honej^ or drone comb in the brood-nest during June (from Mr. Doolittle). 3. Careful spacing and arrangement of brood during fruit-bloom, giving room for queen-supers as needed. These apply to Ohio. In Florida seasons are different. Nellie Adams. Perry sburg, O., Nov. 24. BKOOD IN THE BROOD-NEST EOR FORCED SWARMS. In J. E. Crane's article on made swarms I notice the words in italics against giving any brood lest they swarm out or start queen-cells, and then swarm. He must have a Carniolan cross in his stock. I know they may swarm with a brood-chamber only partly filled ; but I never had a colony with a year-old queen start cells or swarm when I have left them two or three frames of honey, eggs, and brood. If it is liable to happen it could be cured by giving frames of seal- ed and hatching brood to give the queen laying space at the start to keep her out of the super without using an excluder. F. Danzenbaker. Washington, D. C. CAUSE OF early SWARMING. What do j'ou think was the cause of so much early swarming in this vicinit}-? Be- fore they would go up into the supers and go to work they would swarm again just as soon as they could get ready. This was a general thing all over our section of the country. The forced swarms did not act that way. They^ all filled their cases in fine shape so far as tried. S. F. Miller.' North Manchester, Ind., Dec. 22. [A light honey-flow, continued day after day, is more productive of swarming than a heavy honey- flow. It seems to be the rule in Texas, when a small amount of honey is coming in every day, that swarming will be the rule of the daj'; but just as soon as the nectar comes in with a rush, swa'ming eases up; and that is true to some extent in almost all parts of the United States. You have given a good testimonial in fa- vor of forced swarms. If your hone3'-flow starts off very lightly% I would hy all means treat all your colonies according to the forced-swarm plan. — Ed.] A GLUCOSE dealer FINED $25 AND COSTS. I hand you a clipping from the Evenin_^ News, of Tacoma, regarding prosecution under food act. R. W. Tavnton. Tacoma, Wash., Sept. 11. The monthly report of Food and Dairy Commission- er E. A. McDonald for August, shows but one prose- cution, as follows: Simple, Honey: brand. Wild Rose; manufacturer. Pacific Coast Syrup Co., San Francisco; tned before Judge George, King County; dealer. Star Grocery Co., Seattle ; fine, yio and costs; analysis — ash, 7 per cent; sucrose, 9 27 per cent; reducing sugar, (U.OS per cent; direct polarization plus H.2 degrees; direct polarization at 24 degrees minus 1 degree. [This is good. A few more prosecutions of like nature would stop the nefarious business. — Ed.] IS IT pickled brood ? Last spring I had a hive in which near- ly all the other brood died, and the bees would remove it from time to time. It seem- ed to die just before being ready to seal up, to the young bee gnawing out of the cell. First it was white; later it would turn brown. There was no odor, neither was it ropy. Later on in the summer I transfer- red them to foundation, but I guess I was not careful enough, and it did not stop it, although not as bad. I think it will be the same in the spring. After the bees in the old hive had all hatched that would, I put 158 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Feb. 15 them on foundation, and it was a success. I see a few cells in some other hives, also in hives two miles away from mine. I thoug^ht it must be pickled brood. I have 12 fine combs with honey and pol- len, and I should like to save them. Do you know of any way by which it can be done? Albion R. Lehr. Hallowell, Me., Dec. 13. [The symptoms you describe tally very closely with those given for pickled brood. I should incline to the opinion that is what it is.— Ed.] A correction; not a feeder, but a win- ter COVER. In Gleanings for Jan. 15, p. 64, editor's comments on the Ferry feeder and cover combined, you say the idea is all right, but a little expensive. You also say, "From my standpoint, Doolittle's division-board feeder would secure to you all the advan- tages of the feeder illustrated. It has the features of warmth, and, being in the form of a division-board, it can be inserted right down in the brood-nest where there is the greatest heat. It will hold three times the amount of feed." You have described accurately the advan- tages of a division-board feeder, and all the qualities you describe are correct; and ior fall feeding for a colony to store in its hive for the winter you are correct; but even then a Miller feeder is still better. You have not made a comparison of any qualities or purpose that the Ferry feeder possesses. It is not intended for the purposes you have described. It is intended for a winter cover to protect the bees from the cold and storms of the winter; and at the same time, should you ever desire in the spring to stimulate the colony a little, you have this advantage of the Simplicity feed- er in such a position that 3'ou can feed and not remove the cover as you would by the way you would in using the division-board feeiier. H. S. Ferry. Mount Vernon, N. Y., Jan. 28. WHAT ONE OF THE VETERANS THINKS OF THE RAMBLER. Allow me to say that no publication de- voted to apiculture ever contained such sad news as did Gleanings of Jan. 15, in the announcement of the death of J. H. Martin. In his death, one of the brightest lights in bee literature has gone out. I wish I could find proper words to express my sorrow and regrets at his sudden death. Rambler has visited me twice, and the more I saw of him and read his writings the better I liked and respected him. How we shall all miss him in Gleanings! Henry Alley. Wenham, Mass., Jan. 26. innocent mirth from the pages of Glean- ings. I could not realize I loved him so un- til the sad news of his death came like a blow upon us. Soon A. I., Dr. Miller, Doo- little, and others of the " old guard " must, according to nature, pass to the other side. Dear old Rambler! how consoling to think of him enjoying the society of the Savior, and of the sweet young wife whose early death made his life so pathetic! Peace to his soul and honor to his name. May the ties of friendship tighten more closely about us is the desire of the Rambler's friend, Odin, Mo., Jan. 27. D. B. Thomas. binding back numbers of gleanings. Several have recommended wire nails for binding Gleanings. I think I have a much better way to keep them securely bound. Materials required, a straight awl, a large darning-needle, and a strong cord. Wrapping-twine will do if you double it. Take 6 or 8 copies at a time, and punch 3 holes near the back — one near the top, one at the middle, and one at the bottom. When all the copies are punched, first pass the needle downward through the middle hole, then upwai"d through the top-hole, then downward through the bottom-hole, and lastly upward through the middle-hole; draw up snug, and tie the ends across the cord, passing from top to bottom hole. It makes a spring-back binding. In punch- ing the second lot of papers, use one of the first lot as a gauge, in order to have the holes jibe. D. I. Wagar. Flat Rock, Mich., Jan. 21. A deserved TRIBUTE TO THE RAMBLER. Through long acquaintance with the writings of Mr. J. H. Martin I learned to love him, and feel that we, as a fraternity, Tvill sadly miss his noble sentiments and A BROOD-CHAMBER ARRANGED WITH CLEAT- ED FENCE SEPARATORS BETWEEN BROOD-FRAMES. I have a suggestion to offer for your con- sideration. Why not, when you arrange a brood-chamber for the reception of a colo- ny, adopt a plan analogous to the one you practice when you prepare a super with fences dividing the rows of sections from each other ? Brood-frames with starters would, in this case, take the places of the rows of sections in their section-holders, while fences of suitable dimensions, with spaces wide enough to allow the queen to pass through, set alternately between the brood-frames, would keep them apart, and thus, it mieht be expected, or at least hoped, would prevent the building of combs so crooked or irregular as to interfere with the ready manipulation of the frames. If upon trial it were found that these fences thus arranged in the brood-chamber served a similar purpose as well as do the fences now used in the supers, the wiring of comb foundation would no longer be necessary; while a narrow strip of foundation as a starter would probably serve as well as or even better than a whole sheet. As soon as the fences would have fulfilled their pur- pose they could be removed. Only a few, therefore, would be needed. As a substitute for the no-drip honey- 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. U9 crates, I have been using plain crates made honey-proof by dropping- a teaspoonful of hot melted parafline in one corner, and then b}^ tilting- it around causing- the paraffine to tlow all about the outer marg-in of the bottom-board of the crate in the angle be- tween it and the sides and ends. A little excelsior is used to keep the sections a tri- fle off the bottom when packing. W. O. Eastwood. Whitby, Ont., Jan. 23. [Fences could be used in the brood-nests when onlj' starters are used to good advan- tage. Possibly here is an idea worth de- veloping, for it would save quite an expense in foundation. We will try to give the mat- ter a test this summer. The hot paraftine poured into the bottom of the shipping-case would not be as good as the paper tra3's nor as cheap. — Ed.] of what it is outside. Where the bees are subject to such extremes of temperature it is far better to have them outdoors; and, if I mistake not, you will find that those in the building will not winter nearly as well as those outside. — Ed.] IF BEES ARE DOING WELL OUTDOORS IN SIN- GLE-WALLED HIVES, JAN. 1, WILL IT PAY TO MOVE THEM IN? We have 39 colonies; 17 of these we placed in winter quarters shortly after Thanksgiv- ing, and the remainder are outdoors. It is our first wintering indoors. The apart- ment is perhaps 12x20, oflf a spacious hog- house; however, the bees are the only occu- pants. It is well ventilated and dry, but is not protected from cold from below by any wall or any thing of that sort. The build- ing is much colder than a purposely con- structed bee-cellar. We removed the last of the bottom-boards from those indoors a few da3's ago, and all seem to be doing finely thus far. Also those outdoors seem to be experiencing no dilficulties. With one exception all of the colonies have gone into winter quarters with heav\'^ stores. Under these conditions would you kindly advise us if, at this time, it would be advisable, un- der the circumstances, to move outdoor col- onies? There is a tight plank floor in the house. None are chaflf hives. We scattered chafi" on the floor, then laid 2X4 scantling on edge on chafi^, then removed bottom-boards and placed hives on this. In such a build- ing would you consider it advisable to re- move bottom-boards? We do not find any thing in Gleanings that covers this par- ticular case.) Thomas Blakelv. Mason, Mich., Dec. 29. [I infer from your description that your winter repository is an upground building. If it is not also frost-proof it would not be a verj' desirable place to winter bees. The temperature in a repository should not go below 35 degrees, and better not below 40 nor much above 55. The ditficulty with an upground repository, such as you describe, is that it is subject to great extremes of temperature. In warm weather it might be up to 60 or 70 inside, with the result that the bees would be very uueas}', and fly out and die. In very cold weather the temper- ature might go down within a few degrees TRANSFERRING J FORMING NUCLEI FROM ONE COLONY IN ORDER TO INCREASE RAPIDLY. I wish to ask for a little information. I have a colony of bees and the A B C of Bee Culture. I am making some hives on the American plan, with closed-end frames hanging on a '4 -inch strip nailed near the top. Last year, July 1, I got about a quart of bees; and by feeding lightly I raised a large colony, filling a box hive 12^2x15, by 24 deep, inside measure, within 6 inches of the bottom, and put them in the cellar where, apparently, they are doing finely now. I wish to increase next summer (pro- viding they come out all right) to the ex- treme limit of my ability. If I transfer them by placing a hive on top of the box hive, as described in the ABC book, and allowing them to go above at their leisure, can I take away two or three frames of brood, and form nuclei as fast as the queen fills them, leaving enough to hatch to keep the old colony full, and get queens from you bj^ ordering a few days ahead as I need them during the summer? I prefer this method; for if I should fail in my first at- tempt I would have the old colony still to try again. I simply wish to raise bees next summer; and how long a notice would you generally require to get a queen here? and wouldn't it be good polic3' to give my old colony full sheets of foundation to aid them in starting early so as to be in full blast by June 1? Geo. H. Place. Omaha, Neb., Jan. 15. [Closed-ends frames are all right, but we would advise you to adopt some standard size. The American or Gallup frames — that is, frames nearlj' square — are ver}' lit- tle used now, and hence we would advise 3'ou to adopt the Langstroth pattern. The saving in the cost of supplies, if 3'ou have to buy them, will be considerable of an item. While you can make increase in the manner j'ou outline, a far better way would be to transfer b\^ the Heddon plan, as described in the ABC book, then you can make a di- vision of the colony afterward, much more satisfactorily. I do not see how you could fail by the Heddon method of transferring. I would advise the use of full sheets of foundation — that is, if you proceed on the plan you describe. — Ed.] A COLONY whose QUEEN WAS THREE YEARS OLD, AND DOES NOT SWARM. I have in my possession a colony of bees in which the queen is over three years old. Said colony has not swarmed since it was put into the hive in 1899. She kept her col- ony very strong all last season, and went 160 G^i..VNlI\GS IN BEE CULILRE. Fkb. :5 into winter quarters strong- last fall. The strangest thing- in my mind about these bees is that I looked for drones at different times during last spring and summer, and could not find any, either in the hive or among the unhatched brood. W. W. Brockunier. Sewiclcley, Pa., Jan. 5. [If the bees are on combs built from full sheets of foundation, it is scarcely to be ■wondered at that you donot find drones in the hive. If there are drone-cells, and no drones reared, it is a little remarkable. It has been said that the presence of a large num- ber of drones in ahive is conducive to swarm- ing. The converse of this claim might be that the very absence of them may indicate that the bees have no notion of swarming-. Such a queen should be used as a breeder, if you have not already done so. A queen whose bees are not inclined to swarm, or do not swarm at all, are just the kind of bees we are looking after. Dr. C. C. Mil- ler, of Marengo, 111., would no doubt be glad to stock up from her. May be if you "work" him right you might get big mon- ey out of him for a few queens. — Ed.] CELLULOID AS A SUBS TITIJ PE FOR WAX IN FOUNDATION. In your replj' to A. B. Anthon}', page 987, regarding a substitute for beeswax in foun- dation, you make mention of several articles that you have tried. Have you ever tried celluloid in thin sheets with cells stamped, and the whole given a thin coating of wax? Danbury, Conn. Frank Lacey. [No, I never tried the substance; but I am satisfied it would be altogether too expen- sive for the purpose. If I am wrong, I shall be glad to be corrected. But even if it is cheap, I should question very much whether such an article would ever be used b}^ the bees. They would not be inclined to build their wax superstructure on top of the celluloid foundation, and I should im- agine they would "stick up their noses," and leave it in disgust. Foundation made of metal like pressed tin, or of wood, has been used; but the bees built their wax on top of the cell walls after a fashion, as they evidently did not like it. — Ed.] YOUNG BEES BEING CARRIED OUT DURING WINTER. My bees on the 16th of January made a good flight. Some of my colonies brought out young bees nearlj' full grown. Please tell me the cause, as I can't find any thing in Gleanings. I am wintering my bees on their summer stands. McBrides, Mich. Wm. L. Stewart. [It looks very much as if your bees have been rearing brood, and that this brood had nearly matured, became chilled from a cold spell, and died. In this case the bees, at the first opportunity, would empty out these cells, and dump the contents at the en- trance.— Ed.] a model bee HOUSE AND CELLAR. My bee-cellar is dug out of hard lime- stone, and then floored and ceiled all over with matched lumber. The bees winter well in it; but as I have a house built over it (see photographs) the floor is wet on account of the warm air from the cellar. Can j^ou tell me how to keep it dry? The tempera- ture does not vary more than one or two de- grees from 44. I expect to put a part of my bees in the house next spring, for an experi- ment, as it will hold b4 hives without crowd- ing. M. P. Rhoads. Browntown, Wis., Jan. 5, 1903. [There is no way you can remove the excess of moisture except by some scheme of ventilation. Moisture in a bee-cellar does not necessarily do any harm, provid- ing the temperature is kept uniform, or rea- sonably so, and providing the bees have fresh air occasionally. But, according to Doolittle's experiments, a cellar reeking with dampness, without ventilation, win- ters bees successfully providing the temper- ature can be kept absolutely uniform at 45. —Ed.] sulphur as a cure for bee-paralysis. In July, 1902, I noticed a swarm of bees in my yard that seemed to be in a state of continual agitation. Bees would be run- ning about the entrance, and I could count from 12 to 25 or more bees at any time of day in the grass about the hive, in a dying condition. Some would be on their back, kicking; others would be crawling about, and showed a distinct trembling motion, and all had a sort of greasy, shiny appear- ance. I knew the queen was j'oung and prolific; but the bees died off so fast they could gather no surplus. I decided it was bee-paralysis. A few months before. I had read an article in Gleanings by Mrs. E. B. Hawkins, about sulphur being a cure for the disease. I procured a silt-cellar, filled it with powdered sulphur, removed each comb, and lightly sprinkled the brood. In two or three days I examined the combs to see what damage the sulphur might have done, but found every thing apparently all right. I then gave them another good dose — larvae, eggs, bees, and all — and in about two weeks the bees had entirel}^ disappear- ed. Let some one else try it. I will guar- antee the sulphur to do no harm. Kilbourn, Wis. C. H. Pierce. What will be the best way to handle a queeuless colony next spring? They are heavy in stores. L. W. Parman. [You had better give that colony a queen as soon as you can. Queenless bees are quite apt to succumb during winter, even when they have all other conditions favor- able. If you have not a queen that you can get, better unite that colony to some nucle- us. If the bees have been long queenless, there will not be much likelihood that they will attack the queen furnished them with the nucleus. — Ed.] 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 161 WOTtS or TRAVEI^ 't^;ggi) r^f 57 j-g?5r*-_: OUR OWN APrARY IN SUNNY CUBA. It is now the 29th of January, and honey is coming' in ag^ain. The sound of the extract- or is music to me while I sit here, without coat or vest, and write. The bees are too busj' to rob, and Mr. Wardell and Stephen are happy. The door to the extracting- room is wide open, and every now and then a great pan of cappings is put in the sun wax-extractor; but tlie bees, for a wonder, don't seem to care much even for cappings. Yesterday I went out on my wheel to see where the honey came from. Tlie country roads here are little more than cow-paths, or a sort of road made by drawing water with an ox-team on a sort of rude sled, or, rather, stoneboat, made of a forked log. Sometimes the water is drawn in a barrel, but ofteoer in a natural barrel made by sawing- off the bulged part of the trunk of the roj^al palm. This beautiful palm-tree has its trunk bulged part way up to the top, exactly as a seed-onion stalk is bulged, and fur the same reason — to give it strengtli to stand the blast, with the smallest possible amount of material. This bulge is hollow, or filled with only a sort of loose pith. I followed one of these paths in its devious way past the Cuban cottages, down to the river. Whenever j-ou can strike a trail where the}- have been hauling water you have a Jirie wheel-path. Wheels are so unusual here that people stop their work and often rush out of the houses to see one pass. The river (as it is called) has a swift current over a beautiful pebbly bot- tom; and as the water comes from a sulphur spring back in the mountains it has tlie rep- utation of possessing" medicinal qualities. Be that as it may, it certainly makes me feel like a new man whenever I take a bath in it. Well, when I was takini^ my accus- tomed bath I thought I heard bees overhead, and investigation a little later showed a great quantity of them humming- about the top of a ro3'al palm, close to the water's edge. This palm bears great bunches of nuts, perhaps all or more than j'ou could wheel on a wheelbarrow, and they are us- ed here onU' for feeding swine. In fact, they are almost the onl}^ feed they have for pig's. As the lean pork is about the best I ever tasted anywhere, it maj' be owing to this "nut diet." I wonder if our good friends at Battle Creek, Mich., couldn't see their wa^' to "let up" a little on flesh for food if it were produced by exclusive nut diet. How do they get these bunches of green nuts from the tops of these great trees? Why, men trained to the business, with a peculiar rig of stout rope, climb the trees and cut oif the clusters for five cents a tree, and I am told some men will climb over 100 trees in a da}'. Do you say I am writing about pigs, etc., instead of our apiary? Not so. Listen. After the bunch of nuts is cut off, this wonderful tropical tree proceeds at once "to grow more nuts to feed more pigs," etc. ; and one man said a thrifty tree would give a crop of green nuts every month in the year. Another man said, not so many as that, but that it 7C'ou/d send out a great ([uantity of blossoms in a very short time after the nuts were g-athered, and I found the bees just roaring on these great loads of blossoms. I had for some time suspected the honey, at least a larg-e part of it, came from this source, because the bees were go- ing- in great num^bers in the direction of the palm forests. cappings; how shalt. wr kendkr them INTO wax? With the taking of 14,000 lbs. of honey there is, of course, quite a lot of cappings, especially as zae allow the combs to stay in the hives until most of them are sealed over. I have heard some say we could get just as much for our honey, whether sealed over or not; but we do not believe in that sort of doctrine, even in Cuba. Good thick well-refined honey is worth more for any purpose than thin raw honey that may fer- ment, and burst the barrels. What shall we do with all these cappings? First, we are to drain all the honey out possible; then (according to j/iy notion) we are to save hoik wax and honey, and we want both in the very best shape possible. The solar wax-extractor is the only thing- to do this, so far as I know. All steam and boiling-- water arrangements would spoil the honev. Some Cuban bee-keepers say the honey sticking to the cappings is not worth the trouble; but I can not as yet agree with them. A plan for rendering- all wax, in use here, is to make a stout tight box of plank, with a bottoin of galvanized iron. Set this on bricks, and build jvist a small fire under the iron bottom, so as not to scorch or burn the wood sides. Put in a little water, then your wax. When melted, dip the clear wax from the surface and pour it into tubs made by sawing a barrel in two. To get the wax out of the tubs, loosen the top hoop or hoops. I saw one huge cake of wax taken out of such a tub; but in doing it a gallon or two of thick dark honey spread about on the ground. With honey at 35 to 40 cts. a gallon, the loss was not much; but if this honey had been taken out with the solar extractor it would have been the very best, for all honey obtained from cap- pings is thicker and 7-iper, and better for table use (to my notion any way), than any that comes direct from the honey-extractor. Of course, the solar wax-extractor is slow, but a little attention of a minute or two once in a couple of hours is all it needs, and I think a large size will keep up with any apiary if it is kept going whenever the suu shines. We have found trouble so far in getting the bees to rear brood in the winter time. The weather is certainly warm enough, and pollen is coming in great plenty; but the brood-nest is apparently so filled with hon- 162 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. FiiB. 15 ey that the queen can not find a place to de- posit eggs. I have been very reluctant to accept this as an explanation ; but other bee-keepers assure me such is the case, and some of them say our red-clover strain is worse than any other in thus filling- every empty space with honey. I have sug-gested getting- hybrids, or, better still, some of the Syrian or Holy Land bees, that are such persistent raisers of brood in season and out of season ; but the objection is made that they swarm so much the remedy is worse than the disease. All agree the red-clover bees are the fellows for honey if we could only keep up the population of the hives. Throwing- out the honey with the extractor seems to be the only remed}% and some seem to think the great objection to producing comb honey here is the filling of the brood- nest with honey so no young bees can be reared. The temperature for the last 15 or 20 days has been from 75 to 85, day time, and 65 to 75 at night. With 500 colonies in one yard there has been considerable trouble with robbing, a great part of the time, whenever we attempt to take out and put back the combs in extracting. We usually take out from 75 to 100 combs (not taking any with unsealed brood), before doing any extracting. After these are emptied we take out a similar lot, putting the emptied comb in their places. A tent is put over the hive when lifting out the combs and brush- ing the bees off. There are altogether too many bees here in one spot to manage queen-rearing successfully. TEMPERANCE, HEALTH NOTES, ETC., IN 'CUBA. A very good friend of mine said, "Now, Mr. Root, you must not go and write up all the good things about Cuba, and put a rosy coloring on it all, and say nothing about the bad. Be honest and fair, and tell the bad as well as the good." Perhaps his timely injunctions are need- ed, especially as my disposition is toward "thinketh no evil," and, besides, it does seem unkind, and out of place, to mention unpleasant things when every one has been so kind and courteous. For instance, a beautiful little woman (a bee-keeper's wife) apologized for giving me a bedroom that was so filled up with crates of nice comb honey I could hardly get into bed; and I did have to turn edgewise to get to my wash-bowl and pitcher in the morning. I might have grumbled at such accommoda- tions, and complained of the "homes" of Cuban bee-keepers; but what would these people, or any body else, have thought of me? I will tell you what I said, and I said it honestly^ too. " My good friends, years ago, when al- most a boj', I had dreams of great piles of beautiful comb honey, and very likely I shall dream of such things to-night; and the beauty of it is now and here, that, should I wake up and look about me, I shall find these extravagent dreams have all come to be a reality. Don't you worry about putting me to sleep in a place with such surroundings." Now in regard to temperance in Cuba. Not only do almost all the stores in Havana sell drinks, but all the stores in the country towns sell drinks, and furnish coffee and refreshments. In Paso Real there are near- ly a dozen stores (general stores we would call them in the North). These all sell drinks, and sell to everybody, black or white; man. woman, or child. Anj'body who has a nickel can get a drink. This is bad, and no doubt much money is paid for drinks that should go for food or to clothe the naked children; but to my great sur- prise I have not yet seen any one the least bit drunk in Cuba. If I am right, there is no tax or license on intoxicants. If one wants to get drunk he can do it with very little money. I can only guess why intem- perance is not worse with the bars all down, as it were. First, there are no screens, and no secrecy about these drinking-places. It is all in ope7i daylight. No one goes behind the counter or into any back room. Secondly, there is very little beer sold, comparatively. In Havana there are a few places that advertise beer, but little or none in the country and country towns. The com- mon drink is some sort of red wine, served in little glasses. This wine, I am told, is brought from Spain, in the "garafones" pictured and described on page 903, Nov. 1. I have never tasted it, and don't know how intoxicating it may be. There are police, or home guards, all over the land, on the trains, in city, town, and country; but I can not see that they have much if any thing to do. Perhaps their constant presence is a restraint to disorder. Again, we hear much of the Cuban coffee — the "drip" coffee that friend Poppleton told us how to make eight or nine years ago. Now, this is the finest ccffee (if one wants coffee) I ever tasted; but the average Cuban does not drink a great quantity of it. When I first came here I had some of my old trouble in ths tropics — a tendency to chronic dysentery — and I began to worry for fear I could not get my favorite diet of toast and scalded milk; but I soon found it was no trouble at all. At almost any res- taurant they would come to the table with tw^o tea-kettles, one in each hand. First they would pour into a large tumbler scald- ed milk until you indicated with your fin- ger how high up on the glass; then coffee half an inch, or a whole inch, as you de- sired, was put in to fill up. Now please stick a pin right here — I want to digress. Some years ago I told you of a new "health fad " — going without 3-our break- fast. A book has, in fact, been written about it, and lots of good people tell us this simple thing would almost run doctors out of business. Huber has, for the last two years, had only two meals a day from pref- erence, and says now he likes that way better. Well, almost all Cubans have been living this way for years past, for centu- ries for aught I know, and the greater part 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 163 of the Americans, when they get here, fall in with the fashion. It made me think of the "new onion culture" that was, a few years a.go, heralded by all the agricultural papers as a " new discovery " of great value. When I got over to Bermuda I found they never grew onions any other waj', and had followed it for probably a hundred years or more. Traveling in other countries often takes the '" conceit " out of a body. There is one little thing about this " ten- o'clock breakfast," however, that should be mentioned. These good people take a little coffee when the^' tirstg'et up. Now go back to where we stuck that piu. The coffee is mostly scalded milk. Do you wonder they get along so well on only two meals a day? Once more: A very bright woman (there are many of them here in Cuba) told me conhdentiall}' thej' scalded their milk and put a little salt in it so it would keep in this warm climate. I im- agine they have it on hand at all hours in the day; for twice when I wanted to take a wheel-ride, and start about daylight, I found a big tumbler of hot scalded milk, flavored with a little coffee, with a roll right hand}'. On each occasion I rode eight or nine miles with ease after this repast ; but it was on the beautiful stone road called the "calzada." Just one more pleasant fact: Mrs. Root can tell you that I am always better pleased with my food when it is a little scorched. Whenever she (or any other i^ood woman) begins to apologize for over- done cooking, I can always say honestlj', "Oh! don't worrj^; it will please me, at least, all the better." Well, quite a few of the Cubans have the good sense to prefer greatly their milk just a little " scorched," and that hits me to a dot. I said I could not learn there was any legislation in regard to the sale of drinks. There is a law, however, in regard to drink- \ng-water. Every vender of drinks is oblig- ed to furnish, free, good drinking-water, and he is furthermore required to wait on his free- water customers before anj' other. He must have this good water so handy he can set it before Avhoever calls for it, with- out a moment's delay. The first daj' I got into Havana I rode out to the terminus of one of the electric railways. The car stopped close to an out- door drinking-stand. As the people rushed up to the counter, saying something I could not understand, he set out a row of large glasses of very clear nice-looking water, and every man that took a glass poured down the whole of it and went off. I was surprised to see these people drink such a lot of water, and more surprised to find not one even stopped to thank him. I was aft- erward told the citjs or the country, as the case may be, paid him for doing this, and therefore no thanks were expected. Oh how I would rejoice to see every saloon keeper (as long as we tnusl have them) in our land, and the keeper of soft drinks also, paid by the government for furnishing free water in like manner! And I would rejoice slill more to seethe whole liquor-traffic out in the open air, in like manner. A little time ago when there was a dis- cussion in regard to removing the screens from the saloons of Cleveland, and having no back rooms or back doors, a brewers' convention frankly declared it would "knock out " from one-half to three- fourths of their trade. To be sure,\\. would. "Men love darkness rather than light, because their deeds are evil." I fear I am not telling many of the bad things about Cuba, after all ; or if I do I find some good feature about it, or some re- deeming thing to follow. Please bear with me a little while I speak of something not often mentioned in print, even though it is a thing of very great importance concern- ing the health of the multitudes in the city, A man at our hotel told us that, only four or five years ago, it was the custom for men and boys, little and big, to respond to the call of nature on the best streets in the city of Havana, in open daylight ; and it had been the fashion so long it could not be stopped until the health authorities made water-closets at the corners of the parks, and close by the busy streets. These closets are made of galvanized iron, rather ornamental than otherwise, and large enough to accommodate three or four men at a time. Streams of running water keep the sanitary conditions right. At first I was puzzled to know how they kept down vandalism, for I could not believe these people were an exception to the world at large in this respect. Investigation showed that, while the occupant was mostly con- cealed from view, the lower part of the structure was open to view. The police, or home guards (as well as everybody else) could see the occupant's feet, and nearly up to his knees; and he could see the premises were at all times clean and tidy. When I took in, after several days' observation, what all this meant, I fairly groaned in spirit to think no American city, at least so far as I know, had ever adopted any thing of the sort. Just a few weeks ago I got off an electric car in a northern cit3\ I asked for a closet, and was referred to a saloon. Of course, the saloon-keeper has a nice closet (or should have), and you are expected to buy something if you use it. That is right. I/e should not use his money to accommo- date the whole wide world, without pay. Instead of going to the saloon I went to the nearest hotel, and found a xevy plain no- tice, " These closets are for the accommo- dation of the guests of the hotel. Other people ww^/" go elsewhere. " I went to the clerk with a handful of change and told him I came in on an electric car, and expect- ed to go out on another in ten minutes, and that I was abundantly able and willing to pay for all I wanted. He smiled, but re- fused to take anything. I am told this ex- cellent sanitary arrangement was planned and carried out by Geo. E. Warring, who 164 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. P^.'.B. 15 f^sive his life in planning- sanitary sewage for Havana, assisted by Gov. Wood. Very likely our electric railways are planning something nice, and we hope our cities will combine with them and bring- about a much-needed reform. THE GIANT GIBRALTAR onion; SMALL GREENHOUSES, ETC. I got one ounce of seed of vou and put out 600 in the hot-bed. I thought for a while thty were not going to be any good, as they ran to necks in.stead of bottoms. I bent the tops down a time or two, and about half of them made good large i nions. The rest of them are in the garden yet. They are fine onions to eat raw, very mild. I want to put up a small greenhouse to raise toraato- p'ants and other garden-pla ts. I thought of making it l(> feet long, a ! ed on each side 3 feet wide. Would it do to cover it with oilcloth? And as to heat, if I put a heati tie-stove in the far end, and run a stove-pipe along back to the vent, would it heat it sufficiently? How high would you make the bed-, and how deep? I shall be thankful'for your advice. Dundee, Oreg. S. Minchin. Friend M., I do not think I would risk oilcloth for your plants. It might, however, do in your localitj' if you have no heavy snows. Cloth is better, of course, than no protection at all; but it is seldom used where one has artificial heat like the stove you mention. On page 29 of our book "'• What to Do " is a little greenhouse of that kind made of sashes. This gives a p.^th through the center 2 ft. wide and about 3 ft. deep. The beds are about 4,;2 ft. wide. ( >ne can stand up in such a structure right under the ridge. We used such a green- house very successfully by warming it with steam-pipes. I think you would be better pleased to use glass sashes than to under- take to do any thing with oilcloth. Our book on tomato culture gives very full di- rections for using cloth-covered beds in lo- calities where there is no snow and the weather seldom much below the freezing- point. THE QUEEN BEE now in the hands of the printer, tells how to rear THE BEST Of= QUEENS and tells the cause of and remedy for injury in ship- ment; how thev mav be Directly introduced with posi- tively no risk of loss or injury, and much other valu- able information. It desciibe's the Twentieth Century DOUBLE=WALL IDEAL COMBINATION HIVE, the best "all-purpose" hive in ex'stence. It tells how, by combination, a single-wall hive is converted into a "double-wal ed hive without extra costs, etc. Order a copy to-day. Advance orders received for 12 two-cent stamps. T, K. MASSIE, Tophet, Summers Co., W. Va. Leather-colored Italians For Sale. My bees were awa»^ded 1st premium at the Minne- sota State Fair in 1902 and 1901. Queens guaranteed in quality and transporiation. In standard 8 or 9 f'ame hives, $5 00 each on car. A reduction on lots of 20 and over. Ready for shipment April 10. W. R. ANSELL, Mille Lacs Apiaries, iMilaca, Minnesota. LOW RATES WEST Only §33 Chicago to San Fran- cisco, Los Angeles, Portland Ta- coma. Seattle, and many other Pacific Coast points, every day February 15 to April 30, 1903. One-way, second class, colonist rates via Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul and Union Pacific line. To the Northwest via this route, or via St. Paul. Additional in- formation on request. F. A. MILLER. Gen. Passenger Agt., Chicago. E. G. HAYDEN. Traveling Passenger Agent, 217 Williamson Bidg., Cleveland. You Require I Supply PERFECT PENS My queens took first prize at the State Fair, in Nov., 1902. I have piles of testimonials from leadin.g bt e- men. to the good qualities of the queens I sent out last season. Under dale of July 3, 19(i2 F. A. L,ockhart, of Caldwell, N. Y., writes: "the doz. queens arrived all alive, and are a FINE LOT; "and again later on, "We like your stock, it is O. K." I am addisig extensively to my queen-rearing plant, breeding in separate apiaries Golden and Leather- colored Italians (both strains are red-clover worker.s), CarniolauF. and Holy-lands, ot ch nicest strains. My Golden stock is from one of Doolittle's choicest breed- ers All my queens are raised under the best pos-ible conditions, from extra-good honey-gatherers. Queens ordered now will be ma led when desired. Untested, $1.00, or |9. 00 per dozen; tested, ttl.25; a few choice breeders at $2 50 each. GEO. J. VANDE VORD, Daytona, Fla. HONEY QUEENS 1 » Laws' Leather=colored Queens. Laws' Improved Golden Queens. Laws' Holy Land Queens. Laws' queens are doing business in every State in the Union and in many foreign countries. The demand for Laws' queens has doubled any pre- vious season's sales. Laws' queens and l)ees are putting up a large share of the honey now sold. Laws' stock is being sold for breeders all over the world. Why ? Because it is the best to be had. Remember ! That I have a larger stock than ever; that I can send you a queen any month in the year and guarantee safe delivery ; that I have many fine breeders on hand. Price J3.00 each. Tested, each, |1.'2.t; five for Snw Cataloent' of \ ohioles nnd Ilarne«>». IT IS FKEE. 'Tnlon" H!.rne«« 1» the Best. The quality of our goods is always ill tlie lesul. CAsH BL'YliKS'lJSlOA, l>ept. 245 Chlcujto, 111. To ST. PAUL and INNEAPOLIS. The train of trains is the Pioneer Limited of the Chicago, Mil- waukee & St. Paul Railway. It has no equal, and. it runs over the Fast Mail route. Leaves Union Passenger Sta- tion, Chicago, 6.30 o'clock every evening. F. A. MILLER. Gen Passenger Agt.. Chicago. E. G. HAYDEN, Traveling Passenger Agent, 217 Williamson BIdg.. Cleveland. 166 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Ffb 15 One Cent bu^^s a postal card which will carry j'our address for Great Crops of vStra^wberries and Ho-w to Gro^v Them X anything yo The best book on strawberry-growing ever writ- ten. It tells liow to grow the biggest crops of big berries ever produced. The book is a treatise on Pla>\t Physiology and explains how to make plants bear big berries and lots of tbem. The only thoroughbred scientifi- cally grown stra-wberry plants to be had for spring planting. One of them is worth a dozen common scrub plants. They grow big red berries. There is GOL^D in straw- berries and bees if you go at it right. The book tells how to dig it out. The book is sent free to all readers of Gleanings in Bee Culture. Send your address to me. R. M. KELLOGG, TKree Rivers, MicK. 99Trade anything for "TKis for That want. Get our gigantic paper which prints thousan^ls of ex- chitnpe advertisements. Six months' trial suhscription, 10 cts. «'XU1^ FUR THAT*' PCB. CO^ 1342 Star BIdg,, «:UItliiO. Mr. A. I. Roofs Writings of Grand Traverse territory and l,eelanau Co. are descriptive of Michigan's most beautiful section reached most conveniently via the Pere Marquette R. R. For pamphlets of Michigan farm lands and the fruit belt, address J. E. Merrltt, Manistee, Michigan. Why Buy a Smith Premier Type"writer BECAUSE of Its Simple, Fric- tionless Mechanism. BECAUSE of its Complete Keyboard. BECAUSE of its Automatic Typecleaningf Device. BECAUSE of its Perfect Work. BECAUSE of its Durability. Catalogue Sent Free. The Smith Premier Typewriter Co., 158 Prospect, Clevelzind, O MWOikffAW FENCE! STROMGEST MADE. Bull strong, Ohicken- TiRht. Sold to the Farmer at Wholesale Prices. Fully Warranted. Cataloir Free. COIJLED SPRING FENCE CO. Box 101 , Winchester, Indiana, V. S. A. Wood=working Machinery. For ripping, cross-cu ting, mitering, groovi boring, scroll-sawing moulding, mortising working wood in any man- ner. Send for catalog yi. The Seneca Falls M'f'g Co., 44 Water St ., Seneca Fs., N Foot and Hand Power 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 167 BI T D irj IC n? 9 C^ Largest Mail-Order Seed House mail you get your money's worth in the Best Seeds that Grow— and you have your choice of Rare Novelties for I903, which cannot be had else- where. Write to-day (a postal card will do) for our complete catalog'ue —FREE to all who intend to purchase seeds. w. ATLEE BURPEE & CO., Philadelphia. nCJIPIJ fPCCC Fine, stocky, hardy, grown on the bank of Lake t bHUil I llbEaW Erie two miles from any peach orchards and free from borers and all other diseases. Large stock of l*ear, 1*Iuim, Apple, anip)e of j Te<>«inte. Speltz. .Mucnroiii \\ iient, *>8 bn. per C Oi:iiil (lover. ■ • -i: - -l t ■ i|.t of l<)e i.n-i;iKe. S J S IVlEl ?>J Strawberry Plants and Seed Potatoes. How to Grow Biggest Crops. Finest Friut. DESCRIPTIVE CATALCGUE FREE. Send for it. Bargains in New Varieties. FLANSBURGH & PEIRSON, Leslie, Mich. SMALL FRUaTS. Sianilanl ari'l i inproved varieties oi Kas|nierries, Blackberries, Goose erries. Currants, Grapes, Strawberries, etc". Everv plant irrown aii.iiv one wiio will mention thin paper in writ iner. Better write now, "lest you for- get." Address nearest office. CYPHERS INCVBATOR COMPANY. BnlTalo, M. Y. thicago, ill. Buotoa, Muss. Atsw lark, N, T. ljin5giMJ!ZMM.f.^g|$lll^°<200f.iflWHYP^^QRE 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 170 WE WILL SAVE YOU FROM $10 TO $45 g?s?jre°oVm%"^h'^^"e'! Sold direct fruiu factory »avin(; all salesmen s expenses ami dealers or agents exhorhit&ut profits. Our uiachines have modern features uot possessed t)y any others. Kali*Hearli tStund; finest sttachuieuts FKKi:, LutvHt deMitfu wuuclwork, tlie etyl • Weil front, pol'sheil ouk. Guarantied to be better than niariiima s.ld for twice tlie price. HHll'I'Elt ON A PI'KO VAl. anywberf in U. S. (iuarai.ir.-.l -ill >,arri. Swell Front ARLINGTON GEM 4i:iu.00 Regular 5 draw Inchuling all qttacliiuents. r Drop Head ARLINGTON QUEENrn'r,5eI=r Take-np, same as New Homo, DoitieHllcand White. S»;>.00 Keeular 5 Drawer DropWlJ 7C with fine Jl.irquctry Decorations, 0'^» ■ »» t45.n4> Beautiful! Door Desk Cabinet lill 6.45. ARI INRTnil HiRhestanu made, Disc Ten- HllklllU I Vn sion. Independent take-up, same as Slnser, Hhreler & Wilson and Standard. ■{i.'vri.OO Regulars Drawer Drop Head #17.45 tftG.'i.OO Automatic Lift, Drop Cabinet (1 l>.t5 41 > 5.00 Beautiful 2 Door Desk Cabinet lOSiS. 75 Write for our Catalogue. fi4 pages bcautifull f illustrated. Contains all points about buying .Sewing Uftchiues tlEbt-FBKE. CASH BUYERS' UNION. Dept. B r-i5 CHICAGO. $H.25 DEAL MRECT^^IACTOEY Don't pay retail price for carriages or harness. Write for our catalogue and leurii about our Bjetem of Sflling direct from faetorj' to customer. Two protits are saved to j'ou. Satisfaction is guaranteed, or.vou <'an re- turn the purchase and we will pay freight charges both ways. We h the largest a.ssortment of buggies, surreys, phsetons, carriages, ai other high grade vehicles, as well as harness and horse accessories, in America. Write for the catalogue to-day. THE COLIMBVS CARRIAGE A: HARNESS COMPANY, I Factory and tieneral Onlfe. COLfMlllS, O. \ M'rite to Western Olllce and Distributing Ilonse, ST. LOl'IS, HO. } nearest Office. WkMS LATEST BONE CUTTER \^ rM Makes healthier fowls. All latest improvements. S^NT ON TEN DAYS' FREE TRIAL. No money until ynu're satisfied that it cuts eas^ier and faster than any other. Isn't that better than pavine cash in advance lor a machine that yon never saw! Catalogue tree. F. W. MANN CO., Box 37, Milford, Mass. MORE EGGS-LESS FEED OPi:.M H< iPFEK. Humphrey 1 Bon -<' Cutter Vegetable 1 double your epg vield and cut your feed liUinhalf. Guaranteed Incut easier and faster tijan any other. Trial offer and catalogue free. HI JIPIIREY & SONS, Box ol, Jollet, III. Every Chicken Man Needs a green bone cutter. The Adam alone is ball bearing, it cleans itself, it cannot bei-oine clogged or choked, It is fed at the pleasure of the oper- ator. Yi)U will want to know of it. Send for our Illustrated Catalogue No. 3V before you buy. Sent Free. W. J. ADAM, Joliet, Ills. WILSON'S Netv Green Bone, Shell and Vegetable Cuttef for the Poultfyman. Also lloiic .>Iill<4 for making phos- phate and fertilizer at small cost for the farmer, from 1 to -10 horse- power. Farm Feed Mills grind fine, fast and easy. Send for circulars. WILSON BROS., Sole Mfgrs., Easton, Pa. .80 For 200 Egg INCUBATOR 12 action. HiitohoH fvory feriiltj egg. \Vriic fur cutalog to- each more than the tin; and in these the binding on the bellows as well as the hinges and legs will be of brass in addition lo the bra.ss fire cup. We have on hand a few of last year's style Corneil smokers of brass which we offer at jfl.OO each. By mail, $1.25. DEL.WED SHIPMENTS. Owing to the inability of some of the railroad sy.s- tems of the countr\ to handle the immense amount of freight of all classes there have been orders in force on several lines refusing lo receive freight of a general nature for quite a number of days. In this way a good many shipments have been delayed in reaching desti- nation, and some we w-ere unable to ship promptly be cause they would not be takeu till the embargo was lifted. We mention the matter here so that we may not be blamed for delav-- bevond our control. BUSINESS BOOMING. We have already shipped since September, on the business of this j'ear, over sixtv carload shipments of bee-keepers' supplies against Ic-s than 45 up to the same date a year ag". Notwithstanding this we areas badly crowded and behind on orders as we ever were at this season, having on hand unfilled orders for more than twenty carloads. The outlook from almost every direction, as near as it can be estimated at this time, is most pr mising for a favorable season. We hear of abundant rains in Southern California, which gives promise of a good season there; also in Southern Texas. Don't put off too 1^ ng the placing of j'our order for j'ovir season's needs or j-ou t' ay e disappointed in the time you re- ceive them. We allow an early-order cash discount of 3 per cent for orders accompanied by the ca^h this month, which it is worth your while to take advantage of. Convention Notices. A bee-keepers' institute will be held March 2 and 3, in C.in iudaigua. N. Y. The Ontario County Bee- keepeis' As-ociation will hold its regular annual meet- ing in connection with this institute. Prof. Frank Benton has been engaged by Director of Farmers' In- stitutes, Jlr. Dawley, to attend this meeting. Naples, N. Y. Friedemann Greiner, Sec. A series of bee-keepers' institutes will be held in this .State as follows: Canandaigua, March 2, 3; Romulus, March 4; Auburn, March 5;"Cortland. March (i Fulton, March 7; ,Syracuse, March 0 10; Amsterdam, March 11. Prof Frank Benton, of Washington, D. C . who is furnished by the U. S. Department of Agriculture at the. expense of the Bureau of Institutes o' the State De- partment of Agriculture, will address the meetings. The New York St.^te As ociation of Bee-keepers' so- cieties will hold is annual meeting at Syracuse, March 10, at 10 A. M., in the City Had. Prof. Benton and oth- er prominent bee-men have informed us of their inten- tion to attend this meeting, and a profitable and inter- e-'ting session is in store for those who attend. .Spe- ci.il rates have been secured for entertainment at the Manhattan Hotel, Faj ette .St., at $1 25 per day. Romulus, N. Y. C B. Howard, Sec. Queens == 1903 == Queens. We have ten different yards five to twenty miles apart, where Italians, Cyprians, Holylands, Carnio- la IS, and Albinos, are bred for bu.Mness. Tested (lueens, $1 5''; I.S.00 for 6: $15.00 per dozen. Untested, $1 0 ' each; $5 00 for 6 S9 00 per dozen. Our best and finest breeders, $5.00 each. One and two fame nuclei a specialty. Bees and Queens in any quantity to suit purchaser. Safe arrival and reasonable .'atisfactiou guaranteed. The Jennie Atchley Co., Box 18, Beeville, Tex. Wants and Exchange. Notices will be inserted under this head at 10 cts. per line. You must SAY .vou want your adv't in this department, or we will aot be responsible for any error. You caa have the no- tice as many lines as you please ; but all over ten lines will cost you according to our regular rates. We can not be re- sponsible for dissatisfaction arising from these " swaps." w w ANTED.— A few bees on I,, frames. Write, stating price, etc. H. W. Coley, Westport, Conn ANTED. — To print yotir return envelopes, 25 white XXX No. 0, for 10c. Ihe Bee Farmer. Woodstown, N. J. \\7ANTED — Bees on shires. Best and .purest locality '"^ in ttie State. Alsi will buy bees, Address B. F. Howard, Hayt's Corners, N. Y. 'UL' ANTED.— Boy or young man for wo'k in green- '' hou>e and truck garden, with some bee, poultry, and farm work. Steady employment to the right man C. Weckesser, Marshallville, O. Y^ANTED —By a girl, a girl as partner, age 10 to 30, '^' to buy and opetate a small poultiy, frint, and bee farm in Missouri or Illinois, mainly poultry. About $100 apiece necessary te begin, balance time payment, about $500. Enthusiasm and business abili- ty desirable. The very best of references as to integ- rity and character required. F^or particulars address Miss H.. care of The A. I. Root Co., Medina, Ohij. 190 J GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 173 w ,' ANTED. — To sell bees and queens. O. H. Hyatt. Sheuandoah, Iowa. w w w ANTED. — To correspond with some young man who wants to learn the bee business. H W. COLKY, Westport, Conn. ANTED. — To sell or exchange an automatic gauge lathe and one broom-handle lathe Address W. S. Ammon, :21C Court St., Reading, Pa. .ANTED. — To sell basswood-trees for spring plant- ing. One to four feet, 10c each; 10. 75,-; lOi), S").00. G W. Petrie, Fairmont, Minn. w ANTED.— To sell SO colonies of bees at $:^. 00 each. Or bee pasture wanted June 1 for -IQfticolonies. C. D. Brown, New Castle, Cal. \X7ANTED.— To exchange 100 acres of good land in "" Finney Co , Kan., 17 miles north of Garden City, for bees; a bargain. Address Geo. R. Williams, Box 101, Ottawa, 111. WANTED. — To exchange Root's hives for comb hon- ey complete, for B. P. R. and S C. B Leghorn chickens. Write me Perry Focht, R. F. D. No. 1, Wapakoneta. Ohio. IVANTED.— To .sell, or exchange for stock 3 0 colo- '' uies of Italian bees in fra:ue hives, with comb- honey super and honey-house; bees at Hotchkiss, Colo. Address S. W. Weeks, Delta, Col. VJ^ANTED.— Forty colonies Italian bees in 8-frame L,. ' ' bodies; strong colonies and plenty of honey; sat- isfaction guaranteed; $1.00 each, shipped in April and May. W. E. YoDER, Lewisburg, Pa. \V ANTED. — A number of Italian colonies on shares; •' must be No. 1 in every particular. Let me hear from some good reliable men only, with full particu- lars Fred P. Elshee, L,. B. 56, Waverly, N Y. w ANTED.— Comb to render into wax; will pay cash. A. P. Lawrence, Hickory Corners, Mich. IV ANTED. —To sell 10 bbls. White Bliss Triumph po " tatoes— a little sunburned or green, but all right for seed — not sorted, $2.00 per barrel; will ship in the spring. J. W. Bittenbender, Knoxville, Iowa. VVAXTED. — A buyer for a copper liquefying and fill- '" ing tank, capacit)' 400 lbs. of honey, practically new; will sell at a bargain. For full particulars, price, etc., addreys Ir-i D. B.\rtlett, East Jordan, Mich. IVANTED.— To sell catnip-seed grown on mammoth '* cultivated plants, at 25 cts. per oz.; special price in quantities. Honey producing artichoke tubers or sprouts, 50 cts. a peck. Joseph M. Martin, New Carlisle, Ind. WANTED.— To sell 50 stocks of Italian bees, 50 pat- '' ent hives, stock of tools, implements, bee-sup- plies, and foot-power Barnes saw at bargains; all new. Cause, lost health and u.se of right hand. Write. C. S. I.NG.iLS Morenci, Mich. VVANTED — A man with small faniilj' to wo' k a good '^ farm of 40 acres, and an up-to date apiary of 200 colonies, on shares; or can work the bees without the farm. A very good chance for the right man. W. K. Forbes, Plainwell, Mich. VY.\NTED.-Farni hand with no bad habits, that wi.shes to learn bee-keeping. I prefer one that wants steady employment. I keep about 500 colonies, and run for both comb and extracted honey. Please state wages wanted. W. J. Stahmann, Bruce, Wis. \VANTED. — A boy of fourteen to eighteen years of foreign parentage— German or French preferred — to work in apiary or on farm. An excellent oppor- tunity is offered to "the right party to work into a good paying business, as I wajit to retire as soon as possi- ble. A good Christian home for a boy of good habits. For full particulars address A. Mottaz. Utica, 111. VVj^NTED. — To sell my formula for protecting fruit- trees from rabbits, mice, borers, etc. My own discovery, after trying almost all other methods only to fail. Guaranteed not to injure trees. Cheaper than any other process. Only $1 00 The secret worth many dollars. Agents wanted Big profits Ad;ed, li(ailr>; buckwheat, 13(0; 14. Kxtracted buckwhett. ~li; white, 7J4(a8 Beeswax wanted at 30. Our market is going to clean all out of honey this season, and carry none over. MACDotTGAL & Co., Feb. 10. 375 Broadway, Albany, N. Y. Cincinnati. — The comb-honey market continues to be draggy, and hardly any demand, and therefore prices have weakened. Fancy white clover sells for 15(«Ji554. For amber there is no demand. The n ai- ket for extracted is fair, and prices rule as follows: Amber, oj^faols, by the barrel; in cans it brines a li - tie more; alfalfa, ~y>\ white clover, S(d>S%. Beeswax, 28(330. C. H. W. Weber, Feb. 18. 2146 Central Ave., Cincinnati, O. Denver. — Comb honey has not been much in de- mand lately, and prices have a downward tendency No 1 white c imb, |:{0OdS3'.'5 per case of 24 sections: No 2, $2 5'i(ai$2 75 No" 1 white extracted. 7^te.Sj3 Beeswax, 22Caj27. according to color wnd cleanliness Colorado Honey-Producers' Ass'n, Feb. 1. 1440 Market St., Denver, Col. Chicago. — The market is in very much the sane condition as when last quoted. There is still an ex- cess of fair to good comb honey, not too much fancy, but more thau an abundance of other grades. R. A. Bdrnett & Co., Feb. 19. 199 South Water St., Chicago, 111. Schenectady —Our stock of both comb and ex- tracted is greally reduced, and we hive hardly enough' to fill orders, especialh of fancy white comb and dark extracted We quote No. 1 white clover. H'n 15; No 2, 130)14; buckwheat, 12(0.13. F.xiracied. light. 7(a8; dark, 6e Best Bee-g'oods in tKe World are no better than those we make, and the chances are that they are not so good. If you buy of us yOM will not be disappointed. We are undersold by no one. Send for new catalog and price list and free copy of THB AMERICAN BEE-KEEPER; in its thirteenth year ; 50 cents a year ; especially for beginners. U/ye "W. T. Falconer Man'f 'g Co.. Jamestown, New YorK. W. M. Gerrish, Epping, New Hampshire, carries a fuH line of our goods at catalog prices. Order of him and save the freight. J £jniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniimiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniimmiiiiiiiiiiiii^^ 1 1. J.Stringham, New York City I I 105 Park Place. j I OUR 1903 CATALOG is yours for the asking. The supplies | I listed in it are practical and up-to-date. We furnish everything | I a bee-keeper uses, and will not be undersold. It will be a plea- | = sure to quote you prices on any thing you need ; Freight Paid to | I your R. R. station if you prefer. Bees and queens during the | = season. Apiaries, Glen Cove, Long Island. 5 ^iiiiiimiiiiiiMiiimiiiiiiiiiMiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiMiiiiiiiiiMiiiiiiMiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiMiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiMiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiirF We are Jobbers of Bee-keepers' Supplies in this State, representing The C. B. Lewis Co., and Dadant & Son. WHOLESALE AND RETAIL llZ'tr%'X.S\Z\^^^^^^^^^ LEWIS C. & A.G. WOODMAN, Grand Rapids, Mich. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. djiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinii^ 181 Dr. Miller's New Book. By Return Mail. — :V28 pages; 112 original illustrations; — ~ cloth bound; gold-lettered. — I "Forty Years Among the Bees" | ~ Every bee keeper will want to read ~ — this new bee-book. It is enough to 52 ~ say that Dr. C. C Miller wrote it. = — It tells howDi. Miller does. Price S ZZ J1.(X), postpaid: or the liook and the ^ — weekly American Bee Journal one S = year, both for J1.75 Better order — — now. .Send for free sample of the ~ ^ Bee Journal and catalog of bee- — — supplies. — I George W. York & Co., | E 144=6 East Erie St., Chicago, Illinois. E E "Root's Goods at Root's Prices." = TillllillllllllllllllllllllllllllHIIIlMllilllllillllltMIHIIIIIIIir? BEE= KEEPERS' ^SUPPLIES^ The very best of goods. Large and complete stock. Years of experience. The best shipping-point in the United States to ship from. HOOSIER IN= CUBATORS andB ROODERS The world can't beat them. They are the product of 9 years of manufacturing. Send for our 1903 catalog and sup- plement. It tells all about these goods. C. M. SCOTT (SI CO., 1004 East Washington Street, Indianapolis, • Indiana. r Dittmer's Foundation. RETAIL AND WHOLESALE. This foundation is made by a process that produces the superior of any. It is the cleanest and purest. It has the brightest color and sweetest odor. It is the most transparent, because it has the thinnest base. It is tough, clear as crystal, and gives more sheets to the pound than any other make. "WorKing >Vax into Foundation for CasH a Specialty. Bees^vax Al^vays "Vl^ant- ed at Hig'Kest Price. Catalog giving full line of supplies, with prices and samples, free on application. Cus. Dittmer, Augusta, Wisconsin. MarsHfield Mariufacturing Co, Our specialty is making SECTIONS, and they are the best in the market. "Wisconsin bass- wood is the right kind for them. "We have a full line of BEE-SUPPLIES. Write for FREE illustrated catalog and price list. CVie MarsHfield Mantxfacttxring Company, MarsHfield, "Wis. 182 GLEANINGS IN BEE CUL TURE. Mar. 1 MUTH'S SPECIAL THE BEST Cover and Bottom-board Warp-proof. Finest lumber and workmanship. Cost us more, but we sell at same price as regular. Send for catalog and see special inducements. THE FRED W. MUTH COMPANY, CINCINNATI, OHIO. Honey and Bee-keepers' Supplies, Front and Walnut Sts. S WATERTOWN. WISCONSIN, U.S.A. ' ^ y^ "Sis' I Bee-Keepers' Supplies! C^t 1903 Catalog Ready, if you have not been receiving a copy annuallj', send us your name ^^ ^^ and address, and one will be mailed to you free. ^^ >fa Special Offers. 0*i ^l' cash orders received before April 1st, 1903, we allow a discount of two .Sji. ^J^ percent. To parties sending us an order for supplies amounting to $10. CO or more at reg- ^t. Xpt ular prices, we will make the following low rates on journals: Gleanings in Bee Culture, y^ iji semi-monthly, one year, 50 cts.; American Bee Journal, weekly, one year, 70 cts. Xtj y^ C. M. Scott & Co., . . . 1004 East Washington St., Indianapolis, Ind. j,,, iiiiiiiiiiii m. .^jL. ^JX l,. C. Woodman Grand Rapids, Michigan. ; ; ytt vfx The Fred W. Muth Co., S. W. cor. Walnut & Front, Cincinnati, Ohio. = flllR AnPNPIPQ - >li TtX" Fred W. Foulger & Sons Ogden, Utah. = "" " HUtHUItO = -^ ^d Colorado Honey Producers' Association, 1440 Market St.. Denver, Colo. = Z ^^ Tk Colorado Honey Producers' Assocn. R. C. Aiken, Mgr , Loveland, Colo. = THEY WILL FILL YOUR Z "Six ^d Grand Junction Fruit-growers' Association, . . Grand Junction, Colo. = ORDER PROMPTLY - ^M 7^ Robert Halle Montrose, Colo. = E ypt ^d Pierce Seed & Produce Co., Pueblo, Colo. = if you are located near = ^t ■Spt E. T. Abbott St. Joseph, Mo. = any of those, send us E XjX V^ Chas. Dadaut & Son, Hamilton, Ills. = your name and ad- - Xtt yff F. C. Erkel 515 First Ave., N. E., Minneapolis. Minn. = dress, and write them 5 >J^ vV lyilly, Bogardus & Co., Seattle, Wash. z for prices. E ^ti yff Klauber. Mangenheim & Co., San Diego, Calif. = = >Jk vjx J. K. Hill & Co., Uvalde, Texas. niiiiiimiiu iiiiiiiiiiir x^ HEADQUARTERS FOR BEE-SUPPLIES "Roofs Goods at Roofs Factory Prices." Complete stock for 1903 now on hand. Freight rates from Cincinnati are the lowest. Prompt service is what I practice. Satisfaction guaranteed. Langstroth Portico Hive and Standard Honey-jars at lowest prices. You will save money buying from me. Catalog mailed free. Send for same. Book orders for Golden Italian, Red-clover, and Carniolan queens For prices, refer to my catalog. C. H.W.WEBER, CINCINNATI, OHIO, Office and Salesroom, 2146-8 Central Ave. Warehouses, Freeman and Central Aves. • DE-VoTEDV •.".ndHoNEY *MD HOME. 'ubhshedW-TWEA l"RooY Co. $i£spER\tAR^'\® "Medina-Ohio- Vol. XXXL MAR. I, J 903. No. 5. Br.C. C.Miller. Mr. Editor, it's bad enoug-h for you to try to " work '' me; but when you sick W. W. Brockunier on me, p. 160, you're going too far. I THINK several queens have been report- ed like that one on p. 133. I have had just one. She kept laying all right, but never an Q^^ hatched. I killed her. D. I. Wagar, in binding Gleanings, p. 158, gauges the punching by using a pre- viously punched number. He may like bet- ter a punched piece of tin as a gauge. I THOUGHT— still think — that we ought to have had a new election for a General Man- ager. But I believe in submitting to the ma- jority, and the thing now to do is to push forward unitedly together. Hon. Redfikld Proctor, U. S. Senate. Have you written him, urging additional appropriation? See page 136. [It may be too late to write now; but it will do no hurt to send a letter, at all events. — -Ed.] A GOOD IDEA, that of J. P. Lytle, p. 156, to have a strip on the bottom of the hive to support the bottom-bars of frames with new- ly transferred combs. If not prevented in some way, heavy transferred combs are sure to make bottom-bars sag. Studying Utah bulletins has made J. A. Green rather blue about alfalfa — p. 139. A good dose of the Colorado bulletin will cheer 30U up, Jimmie. [Get a stack of those bul- letins and hand them out, Jimmie, to those ranchmen in your neighborhood. — Ed.] Butterflies swarming on alfala-blos- soms and blossoms blasting. Isn't it pos- sible the butterflies lay eggs in the blos- soms, and the larvjt get in some lively work? [Very possible. Prof. Cook refers to the same matter in this issue. — Ed.] Dr. Eastwood suggests fences to get brood-combs built straight, p. 159. Colvin's comb-guides were used for that purpose more than 40 years ago, but were cast aside long ago. [But foundation was not in use at that time. Possibly that would make a d i ff erence. — Ed. ] A WORD to beginners. Whatever else you may believe or not believe, set it down as one fixed article in your creed that the queen is the all-important factor in a colo- ny, and that the time and trouble taken to rear the very best will yield immense re- turns on the investment. The answer to I. D. Giver's question, p. 150, is true, but the question might be answered more fully by saying that for ex- tracted honey it works all right to raise three, four, or all the frames of brood above excluder, leaving queen below, and if all are raised he may have no swarming. C. M. Aarons can not get a laying-work- er colony to accept any kind of queen, page 155. Let him try a virgin just out of the cell, or not half a day old. Remember, too, that it is not a single worker that's laying, but a large number are at the miserable business. They probably just quit when a better layer starts in. C. H. W. Weber I know to be a very solid sort of German, so I put a good bit of faith in his experiment with formalin for foul brood, p. 151. Just as I said in a Straw some time ago, if formalin kills every thing in the comb, then we can save our foul- broody combs. [The experiment of Mr. Weber is certainly interesting. We shall hope to try it if given an opportunity this summer. — Ed.] "Two BUNCHES of bees are never as good for wintering as the same number in one cluster," page 154. Right. And the one cluster will winter, probably, not quite, but very nearly, as well if a thin board is shoved down through the middle of it. Thafs just the way it is when two nuclei are properly lodged in one hive. I've many a time seen them in the cellar in winter clustered just like a single cluster with the division-board between them. 184 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Mar. 1 J. T. Hairston is quite right, p. 151, in saying that whiter sections would be se- cured over new than over old combs. Jesse Oatman once told me that he seriouslj' thoug-ht of melting- up all his old combs and having new built for the sake of whiter sec- tions. The bees carry bits of the old combs to help cap the sections. But they don't carry them any great distance, and thick top-bars make the distance so great from the combs to the sections that it's nearly or quite as good as having new combs. I'm afraid, Mr. Editor, that you concede too much to G. H. Place's plan of increase, p. 159, when j'ou say he can make increase that way, especially as he wants to increase " to the extreme limit of ability." With a hive 24 inches deep, and combs built only three-fourths down, there is very little prob- ability that the queen will go up and laj' in a story placed over. [You have read more into what I said than what I intend- ed, for you hitch on to what I wrote a state- ment of Mr. Place. I said he could make increase on that plan, and so he could, aft- er the combs were built down. But I went on to say that there was a better way. — Ed.] The advice of the editor to the inexperi- enced, p. 145, to rear queens during swarm- ing time, is equally good advice for the ex- perienced bee-keeper who rears only for his own use. Only the man who rears queens for sale, and so can not rear a sufficient number during swarming time, needs to take the extra trouble to rear them at other times. For the up-to-date bee-keeper, how- ever, it's not the best thing to trust to swarming-cells Take your colony with best queen, build it up very strong by add- ing brood from other colonies, then un- queen it, and you'll have a lot of cells as good as swarming-cells, and all from best stock. Another suggestion as to that fertilizing tent. p. 132. Let the entrance of the nucle- us having the virgin queen be half in the tent and half out, the outside part having excluder zinc, and the part opening into the tent being closed at all times only when de- aired to have the young queen fly. Then when the queen would try to get out through the excluder she would not fail to get over the edge of it into the tent. [Yes ; but why shouldn't the workers get into the hab- it of getting into the tent as well as through the perforated metal? If the workers min- gle with drones inside of the tent, they cause confusion. We are told that the suc- cess of the plan depends on keeping the workers out. — Ed.] R. Rhomberg, in an able article in Bie- nen- Vater, reports investigations as to ven- tilation. He put a straw mat over a hive, filled the hive with smoke, then watched the smoke escaping upward. It came through the needle-holes, the wrinkles in the binding, and especially along the crack where the cushion lay on the hive, but nev- er a bit came through the straw. That the straw is impermeable is further shown by the fact that it becomes damp. If air pass- ed through it, then the moisture would pass through and settle on the outer surface, - leaving the mat dry. If he is right, and I suspect he is, then we are a bit off in think- ing that cushions are good because the air passes through them. They are good be- cause they are non-conductors, keeping warm. The air must be allowed to escape through little holes or cracks, and the un- der surface may be water-tight, only so it is warm. [There is something in this, I believe. Absorbents will take up water; but if they would allow air to pass through them, that water would be evaporated, but it is not. The common practice now is to put a sealed cover over the brood-frames in winter, and then the so-called absorbents on top, not to "absorb," but to provide a non-conductor of heat. — Ed.] W. Matthes {Deutsche Biene?i-Freund) claims that a bee, for all its thousands of eyes, doesn't see as well as a man. Like- ly he's right. Although they work in the dark, they can do that by the sense of feel- ing. But they can't get around outdoors without a lot more light than is absolutely necessary for a man. Bees don't sting as much in a house-apiarj% because thej' can't see so well. In the evening, when it is still light enough for you to see quite dis- tinctly, throw a bee in the air and it will never find its hive. When a cloud comes up on a bright day, the bees hustle home for fear it will get too dark for them. [That is true. Bees do not seem to see clearly. To get rid of a lot of bees when I had sud- denly brought on an onslaught, I on one oc- casion dodged behind a post, dropping down low. The bees bumped into the top of the inanimate thing just as if the}' thought they had got their man; but as soon as they struck they flew off, concluding they had made a mistake. In the same way a lot of bees will follow one up to an open door; but just the minute he steps inside, they will stop and hover around, for apparently it is blank darkness to them. It is probable that all the operations in the hive are per- formed more by feeling and smelling than by sight. — Ed.] A. I. Root's report shows Cuba ahead of this region as to some phases of the drinking business. Now I'd like to know whether treating is as common there as it is here. Take away screens, and stop treating, and you will cripple the saloon business no little. [Right you are. We are forced to get rid of the saloon by de- grees, and as soon as public sentiment will back up the law. One of the first laws we ought to have is one that will prevent screens in front of any place of business ex- cept, perchance, legitimate restaurants, banking-houses, and other businesses of that character. Why does the American saloon have a screen in front of it? Simply because it would not do to have its acts be- hind subject to public gaze. " Thej' love darkness rather than light, because their 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 185 deeds are e%'iL'* Why shouldn't our gro- ceries, our drug^stores, our bakeries, and our meat-shops have screens in front of them? As to treating', a penniless old drunk once told me that, without a cent of money, he could get all the liquor he wanted at an3' time. All he had to do was to hang' around with the crowd and take his drink when some one else who had money was disposed to "set 'em up." Four or five fellows walk into a saloon at the invitation of one of them. One treats. No. 2 con- cludes he had better treat; and so on, every man, if he has any monejs " sets 'em up," and all the hangers-on, without money and without price, drink to his health (?). By the time each has had five drinks, when the natural appetite would crave but one, they are pretty "bummy." The treating habit is not seen in any but the American saloon. Yes, let us pull down the screens and also stop this treating'. Let us knock out one prop after another until the whole miser- able business totters. — Ed.] ^J^ei^hboriyjieldj By jj An error occurs on p. 160 of our previous issue. In speaking of sulphur as a cure for paralysis, Mr. Pierce meant to say, " I then gave them another good dose, larvae, eggs, bees, and all, and in about two weeks the disease had entirely disappear- ed." As printed, it said the bees had dis- appeared. I have been asked several times to make out a list of the principal German and French bee journals, with their addresses. For the benefit of our German readers, and perhaps others, I here give the names of all that come to our office. It would be well to remark that German bee journals represent, as a general thing, some particular section or organization, the journal being publish- ed for the special benefit of such, just as trade journals are here. In this country each journal stands on its own merits, and tries to teach the best methods for the entire United States. Deutsche Imker aus Bohmeti (Bohemian Bee-keeper) is a fine journal in every re- spect. It has about 32 pages besides a large amout of advertising. It is published in Prague (Prag), Bohemia. It is edited by Hans Bassler. Bietienwirthschaftliches Centralblatt is published in Hannover, Prussia, Georg- strasse 32 (32 George Street). It is 38 years old, and quite progressive. Leipziger Bienen-Zeitiing. This, as its- name indicates, is published in Leipzig, Germany. I suspect more Germans w^ould be interested in this journal than any other one printed in Germany. The issue for Feb- ruary has 16 pages of reading-matter and 24 of advertising, and is, in this respect, the best-patronized bee journal I have seen. Much attention is paid to questions and answers, and to gleanings from other jour- nals. The price is 40 cents for Americans. Bienenzucht (Bee Culture) is edited by F. Gerstung, Ossmannstedt, Thuringia, Prus- sia. It has 16 pages, and is beautifully printed. lllustrierte IMonatsblaetter fuer Bienen- zucht. This is edited and published by one of the most prominent bee-writers in Europe, Mr. Thodore Weippl. The ad- dress is Klosternenburg, near Vienna, Aus- tria. It has 20 pages, beautifully illustrat- ed. Most German bee journals are almost entirely destitute of pictures. The number under consideration has a view of the field seen in a microscope, four inches in diam- eter, showing plainly the germs of foul brood. The article accompanying is de- signed to show the identity of Bacillus alvei (the germs of foul brood) and Bacillus mes- entericus, often found on potato-peelings. There seems to be increasing doubt, I be- lieve, as to the identity of these scourges. The French journals will be mentioned in the next issue. El Colmenero Espanol is one of the best foreign journals that reach us. It is made up largely of that which is of interest in most other foreign journals. Here is some- thing relative to the introduction of queens, which I never saw yet, and may be worth trial. I translate it from the Spanish: " When I introduce a new (lueen to a col- ony I take away the old mother and give to the bees a new queen inclosed in a cage. The next day I go back and take the cage out and submerge it for an instant in cold water, and, without waiting, let the queen run loose among the bees. " Queenless colonies, those having too many drones, or which have laying work- ers, are treated in this way. Since doing this I have not lost a queen, and have not injured one, either native or foreign. " I think it well to add a few observa- tions, based on my experience, as to the reason for the fa%'orable reception of the queen that has been submerged in that sort of bath. When the queen finds herself so wet in the hive she remains motionless on the comb, numbed by the cold water. It is admitted that a queen which remains quiet inside of a hive is not so readily attacked by the bees as one that runs around in an agitated manner here and there. The bees get near her and suck oft" the water cover- ing her, without molesting her in any man- ner. It is needless to say that, after hav- ing dried her, they will not kill her. Per- haps, on account of her bath, she loses her distinctive odor." 186 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Mar. 1 "^ WHRN DO QUEENS, GOING WITH AFTER- SWARMS, MATE? ETC. " A neighbor and myself have been hav- ing a dispute over the mating of queens, and we have agreed to leave the matter to you to decide. Will 30U do this, Mr. Doo- little?" "That will depend somewhat upon the matter for decision. If the matter comes within my experience, I can tell you what m3' experience has been." "The matter is of considerable impor- tance to me, as I wish to clip all queens as soon as mated, but I wish to be sure that they have mated, for it would spoil them to be clipped before they are mated, would it not?" "Certainly. And it is always well not to clip Siuy queen until she has commenced to lay; for often they are seen to return with everj' evidence of having successfully mated, only to go out again before they commence laying. But what is the thing that you and your neighbor are disagreeing upon?" "My neighbor claims that almost all young queens are mated previous to the time they go out with after-swarms, and that, if I can see these queens when run- ning in with the swarm, at time of hiving, as I very often do, then is the time to clip them, and thus save looking them up later on." " Well, what is your claim?" "I claim that very few, if any, queens are mated before the after- swarm leaves the hive. We both agreed to abide by your decision, so you need not be afraid to say what you think, for each of us will take it kindly, no matter which is wrong." " I mistrust that your neighbor has kept very few bees, or else has inclined his ear to some of the 'knowing ones;' for if any bee-keeper of any prominence ever put forth the claim that any queen leading out any after-swarm had mated or become fertile, before she so led out the swarm, it is something that I have failed to note; and such claim would show that the maker of it could not have looked into the matter very thoroughly. I have made swarming and queen-rearing a study for the past 25 years, spending da3's, weeks, and months upon it; and if any queen was ever fertiliz- ed, or even flew out to meet the drone while there were other young queens in the cells, it is something I have never noticed, and something that all of my experiments go to prove never happens." "Can you tell us why it should not so happen? ' "All know that after-swarming comes only from a plurality of queens in the hive, and these queens are always those which have never been out of the hive at all, ex- cept as they may have gone out with an after-swarm, and been returned by the apiarist." " Do I understand you to say that there is a lot of queens running about among the bees, at time of swarming?" "No, not that. As a rule, during after- swarming all young queens which would naturally emerge from the cells, except the first one out, are kept in the cells by a guard of bees which feed them through a hole or small opening in the cell, made by the young queen trying to bite the cover ofif; and these queens are constantly quawking because they are kept prisoners after they are fully mature, and would naturally emerge; and the one which has her liberty is piping back in her enraged condition — enraged because the bees keep her from de- strojdng these quawking inmates of the cells. Youhave heard thiscontroversy among queens going on in the hive at after-swarm- ing time, have you not?" "Yes. But I did not know that this would have any effect on the mating of queens." " While such a state of things as this is kept up in the hive, no queen has any de- sire to mate. Her only ambition now is to kill these sisters of hers which are assert- ing their rivalry so vigorously, and no after- swarming is ever conducted except under just such a state of affairs. I think j-ou can now see where the mating of a queen would be effected by such conditions." "Yes, I do. But do you think that there never was a case where the young queen was fertilized before an after-swarm was hived?" " I should not wish to say just that, for I had one case where an after-swarm had been kept back for several days by unfavor- able weather, and where only one queen went with the after-swarm, in which I had every reason to believe that said queen was fertilized while she was out with the swarm, or that she went from the swarm while it was clustered on the limb, as I saw this queen entering the hive with the other bees, with the drone organs attached to her, and she commenced to lav two days afterward." "Would you consider this as an excep- tion?" " I certainly should, for this is the only case I remember in all my experience. I believe the rule to be that all queens accom- panying an after-swarm wait about their wedding-trip until thej' are established in their new home, which is not, in the case of a plurality, until all the queens are killed but one. When they are thus established, then in from one to four days after hiving, on some pleasant afternoon, and quite often when the bees come out for a playspell, the queen will be seen to leave the hive, and usually will come back sucessfully mated. Thus you will see that my experience goes 1903 CLEAN IXGS IN BEE CULTURE. 187 1o prove that you were rig^ht and your neigh- bor wrong". " "Yes; and that if I had heeded him I should have ruined every queen whose wing- I clipped when I saw her running in with the swarm. But don"t you clip any queens when you see they have wings while they are running- in the hive?" " Where I know for certain that a swarm has a laj-ing queen, I would catch her when seen with the swarm, and clip her; but all clipping should be done before the prime swarm issues, for otherwise the swarm may take a notion to go to the woods before I have a chance to hive them. There- fore I always make sure that all queens are clipped before an\' prime swarm issues; and thus there is no uncertaint}' about the mat- ter." " When do you consider the best time to clip?" "At time of fruit-bloom in the spring." "Why?" " Because, at this time the bees are gen- erally very much engaged in the field, so there are few old ones in the hive and in the way. And as few young bees have yet emerged from their cells, there are compar- atively few young bees in the hive. 'J his, with the queen being extremely prolific just at this time (under the influence of the first new honej' coming in), which prolifiic- ness enlarges her abdomen to the maximum size, makes it so that she is easily seen among the few bees, while she is so clumsy under her burden of eggs that she is not in- clined to run and hide, as she often will later on. These things combined make it decidedly the best possible time tt) make sure that each queen is clipped." " Well, I must be going. I thank 3'ou for this interview.-' "You are welcome. And when you have more questions jou wish to ask and know about, call again." Mr. JamrsHkddon, of Dowagiac, Mich., desires to have it announced that the patent on his divisible-brood-chamber hive has ex- pired, and that the same is free to the pub- lic. rambler's humor. In the February issue of the Bee-keepers'' Keview the editor very exactly describes the humor that was characteristic of the Rambler's writings. He says: He was decidedly the humorist of our ranks. His humor was not the wooden, niade-to-order. try-to-be- fuiinv on-purpose kind, that kind that makes a man shudder, shut his teeth together hard and think thoughts that must not be spoken. Rambler's humor was spontaneous. It bubbled up like a clear spring that goes laughing and .sparkling down the niountain- side. His humor -was like that of Josh Billings. It was philosophy expresstd in a humorous way. A sad but strange feature, considering the humorous stjle in which he wrote, was that deep down in his heart was a great .sorrow. He was not given to talking of this, but he once wrote me that, when the wife of his youth died, the light of his life went out. No man has done more to brighten and lighten the pages of Gleanings than has Rambler. ILLNESS OF THOMAS G. NEWMAN. Mr. T. G. Newman, formerly editor of the American Bee Journal, and General Manager of the National Bee-keepers' Un- ion for a number of years, during which time valuable precedents in law were secur- ed, while going to the postoffice in San Francisco suddenly lost consciousness and fell to the pavement. He was carried to a drugstore, and regained consciousness suf- ficient to give some information concerning himself. "He is now in a critical condi- tion, and complete rest is the surest and al- most the only means of assuring his restoration, even to where he may take up the work he has been compelled to drop." He is, at present, editor, treasurer, and general manager of the Philosophical Jour- nal, of San Francisco. Mr. Newman has had a very active career, and the hard work he has been doing these many years is now beginning to tell on his not overly strong constitution. He has our sincerest sympathy. DOES HE INTEND TO PAY FOR THE QUEENS? Mr. S. L. Watkins, of Grizzly Flats, Cal., has been getting queens of several breeders, and, so far as we know, he has not paid for them. In 1901 he ordered of Mr. W. H. Laws, of Beeville, Texas, six queens. These were sent; but he wrote back five were dead; and Mr. Laws, desiring to be generous, sent six more. Mr. Watkins al- .so ordered queens of W. A. H. Gilstrap, of Grayson, Cal. ; but up till very lately he had settled with neither party, although the accounts are nearly two j'ears old. W^e have understood he has ordered queens of other people in the same way, for which he has rendered no equivalent. He makes fairly good promises to pay in a given time, but for some reason fails to make them good. We have written him twice, and he wrote back some months ago apparently fair letters, telling of his misfortunes; but, so far as we can ascertain, he has not paid any of these parties a copper, and now they do not hear from him. Whether the man is unf2-lb. is 3 inches square and 9^4 deep. The 5-lb. is 3j4 by 10, and the 10-lb. 5 by 10^2 . These measurements, when containing the amounts, leave enough top to the bag to fold over the honey to keep out dust. I have previously spoken of the square shape of the bottoms. This is necessary unless the bags are to be held in a form or mold while hardening. With this bottom the bag assumes the round form when filled. All things considered, I believe the round bet- ter than any other shape. If square, the corners would be much more subject to damage than a round surface, and then there is no need of any mold or form. So far I have just put the bags into boxes and let them stand, the boxes piled on top of each other. I plan, however, to make spe- cial boxes or trays, these to be tight enough to keep out dust and insects, as flies, but so as to lie flat when not in use, so as to store in small space, making each tray so that the bottom of each is a cover for its neigh- bor beneath. The bags must be paraffined or waxed. I got the first lot without waxing, and the majority of those used in experimenting proved satisfactory; but I got one report, and had one experience at home that show- ed the need of waxing. I will say that my experience with the bags in marketing is as yet limited. It was but a year ago that I undertook to use them for general market- ing, and then I had a stock of lard-pails that took the bulk of my 1901 crop. It was in that year that I developed the bag ques- tion to the point that I was satisfied to adopt it, but did not get in the first order for bags till in the winter of 1901 and 1902, then I had to melt honey and repack; but I did this, and put up enough to send ship- ments to several customers, sold some to peddlers, and some in home stores, f I A customer from another State reported that he thought the honey would not keep in his climate — it would melt. About the same time, 1 had some bags standing where there was a draft of damp air from the green- house and cellar passing over it, and dur- ing a few days of damp foggy weather I found the bags drawing dampness so that the honey just under the paper was getting soft, and the bag sticky. But while this was an unintentional test, it so happened that there were both paraffined and unpar- affined bags in that particular spot, and the waxed was dry and in as good condi- tion as ever, only the unwaxed being damp and absorbing moisture. I was glad to have that experience, for I was about to buy many thousands to put up a big pros- pective crop; but the new stock were order- ed all paraffined, and it is of them that the editor has samples. Experience teaches us many lessons, :and I found two more as I dealt with the new waxed bags. First, the manufacturers packed the bags in bundles wrapped in heavy paper, and tied with cord, and in the long journey from New York the wrappings were worn through in some places, and torn in others by the rough and tumble with other goods. In 190^ GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 19= shipping' they should be so packed that Ihey can not be damag"ed. There was no ,i,'reat number spoiled. The other thing- learned was that when opening- the bag- to till, they ought not to be so cold that the wax is hard, for sometimes the paper will break into a little hole. It would be all right in summer weather, or in a room not too warm at all to work in. Both these points are simple and easily adjusted, but are some of the details to be understood. In closing- I will just say that the ques- tion of marketing- in the candied condition is settled. No doubt there will be many people who will continue to say it can not be done, but I know it can, and have done it. It seems to me that, after selling in manj' towns and several States, and that everywhere the honey g-oes it always calls for more, until I can not produce enough to suppl}' my demand, ought to be evidence enough to satisfy any ordinary mortal that there is something^ in it. Some will call me a iool for telling- about it; but I am not one of the other kind of fools who think that selfishness is the sum of wisdom. As I said at the Denver convention, there is a field almost as wide as the commercial world, and wh}' should I be so nig-g-ardly as to withhold information from my breth- ren that may help them while it will not hurt me? There is room j-et for man}' more in the marketing- field. One thing more : This development has cost me something. If it helps others, I shall rejoice in their prosperit}'; but, breth- ren, please don't fiood me with letters to know all about it. and ask me to take my valuable time to write all over the country detailed descriptions at my own expense and neglect of my own business. I have to make a living by the sweat of my brow as do others. A few have written and asked information and samples, and have inclosed stamps, and this is no reflection on them, and the}- are not so to consider it. M}' pur- pose in writing this is to forestall those who are so thoughtless as to expect long replies without even a return stamp. Loveland, Col. R. C. Aikin. [I will explain to our readers that the bags of honey here shown are those which were facetiously styled by Mr. Abbott, at the Denver convention, " bologna-sausage packages."' This raised a good deal of merriment, and, as I reported in Gi^eanings at the time, there was a warm discussion between the candied-honey men on one side, led by Mr. Aikin, and the bottled-extracted- hone}' men on the other side, led by Editor York. Both sides gave " convincing proof" that their wa}' was the wa}' to sell extract- ed hone}-. Xotwiihstanding all the fun about the bologna-sausage package. I believe it has come to stay, and Mr. R. C. Aikin deserves a vote of thanks for showing what can be done in putting up extracted honey in a package that costs practically nothing-, and ill so compact and substantial a condition that it c'ln be shipped clear across a conti- nent without leakage or damage. Indeed, Mr. Aikin, at my request, made to him at Denver, sent me a kegful of his bologna honey. Every one of those " sausages " came through in good condition. They were packed in the keg with straw, and came through as " honey in kegs." They were quite a novelty in our honey department, and were prominently display- ed on our shelving near the time-clock; and as the employees marked off their time, they stopped, looked at the honey, admired it, and (would you believe it?) without any urging on our part they came very near taking the whole lot before I had a chance to see any of it and sample it. I got down- stairs just in time to save the few packages shown in the photo, and get one for myself. "My, oh my!" I said, "don't sell any more." "But," said the time-keeper, " the men are clamoring for more. They say it is the nicest honey they ever tasted. They like it in that shape." And that reminds me that we have quite a number of employees who prefer candied honey to the liquid transparent article, be- cause it can be spread on bread and butter, and eaten without smearing up a mouth covered with whiskers. A little inquiry showed that the em- ployees felt that, when they were buying the new "bologna-sausage" honey, they were not wasting any money on the pack- age. They were buying just the pure con- densed sweetness in very palatable form. If Mr. Aikin had only sent us a barrel of it, I believe it would have been all taken in a day, and even now our men are asking for more of it. Well, I took one package home to my own table; and while I am not a great eat- er of honey I set a "sausage" on a plate, peeled it according to directions, or about as shown in the picture. My folks were away from home, and I was at liberty to eat in a way that would probably have called down the disapproval of my w-ife. Yes, I "shoveled" that honey in — spread it on my bread, and enjoyed a huge feast. The honey tasted all the better to me be- cause I thought here was a package that cost practically nothing so far as the con- tents were concerned, and which I was sat- isfied was a commercial success. In the modern bill of fare the day may come when we shall see bologna-sausage honey as one of the articles; and I can see in my mind"s eye the waiter at the hotel bring on one of those cheeses on a plate; and I can just fancy the epicurian sitting ilovvn and shoveling that cheese in. But, of course, the consumer will have to be ed- ucated. It would not do to put such an ar- ticle in the restaurants of Chicago, espe- cially if Bro. York were around. It would not go. But in Denver, in Loveland, in all localities where honey in candied form is recognized as a standard product of the hive, these cheeses will go like hot cakes. 196 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Mam. 1 And, only think — these bag^s can be reduced in size, so that one with a sweet tooth can g-o into any of the stores and buy a nickel's worth, peel his " sausage," and get an amount of sweetness that will leave an}' form of confectionery clear in the shade. What would be the matter of getting our newsbo} s on the train educated up to sell- ing a nickel's worth of honey just as they sell cracker-jack, chewing-gum, and a doz- en other things? Let the boy explain that this is guaranteed to be absolutely pure honey. Let the grocer tell the same thing- to his trade. Let there be printed matter showing how it is put up, and why honey candies. AtKIN S PAPER-BAG HONEV-PACK AG F, FOR CANDIKD HOXF,V, iyv3 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 197 I do not believe in going- back on bottled honey or comb honey; but let us cater to all kinds of trade and demand of a leg-itimate character. In our exhibits of hone^^ let us show the beautiful white combs in sections — clear sparkling- honej' in bottles, in tins, and, last of all, hold up to the unsophisti- cated public another form of honej' in paper bags. Explain that it is pure, and then say that honey in that form is the cheapest sweet, and perhaps you maj' say the purest; for onl}' the verj- best of any extracted hon- ey will candy, the thin and watery portions usually draining- off, I suggest that our readers try this bolog- na-sausage package. The}^ should get the bags and learn just how to put the honey up. Set it outdoors where it will quickly candj' when the weather is cold; and when it turns to a nice compact solid, just try your local trade. But do not fail to post the retailer on the merits of the goods. I tried to engage quite a quantit}' of Aikin's bologna- sausage honey; but out of his crop of 23,000 lbs- he has only a little left, and he explained that he could send only a little. He had practically' sold all ■out, and he could not get enough of it. Colorado honey was a rather scarce article last season, as our readers may possibly know. It is possible that Eastern honej' would not cand}'^ quick enough to make the bologna sausage practicable in the East. The dry climate of Col- orado, and its beautiful alfal- fa that candies so quickly, make the bologna-sausage package one of the best nov- elties ever introduced in the State. There are other States, like Texas, California, Utah, Idaho, and Montana where such a package would be a perfect success, even if it could not be made a commercial pos- jsibility in the so-called rain- belt of the East.— Ed.J \l.ater. — Just after the fore- going was written I sent one of these packages of bologna-sau- sage honey by mail to Dr. Mil- er. I gave instructions to the mail clerk to give it no special wrapping, but merely to cover it with strong paper, tie it, and put on the necessary postage. Mj' idea was to see whether honey could be sent that waj- in 2- Ib. packages bj- mail, without endangering Uncle Sam's mail-bags. There certainh' ■would be no trouble during cold weather, and I do not think there will be much dur- ing summer. Knowing Dr. Miller to be somewhat opposed to candied hone}' I sent this sample, thinking that it would go a long way toward convincing him of the marketabilit}' and edibilitj' of this form of bologna-sausage honey. In writing about some other things in a private letter he has this to say about the bologna-sausage hon- ey, and it speaks for itself:] As to Aikin's " bologna sausage," I have read what he has written on the subject, and heard him talk about it, but never took such a great deal of stock in it. But a live specimen of the article on the table before me during one meal has converted me. Heretofore m}' view has been about this: " Yes, it saves mone}- to use paper for the package, and so it can be sold for less, and thereby the consumption may be a little in- creased, but that's all that can be said in its favor. I don't like the granulated as well as the liquid article, and most people are of the same mind." AIKIN S I'APKR-BAC, HOXEV-PACKAGK DISSECPED KOK THIO TABLE. But the " sauiiage " was before me, and it was only fair to give it an impartial tri- al. I took my penknife, slit down the pa- per in three or four places, peeled it oflF, and left lying on the plate the honey, look- ing much like a brick of butter. Right then and there I was strongly impressed with the convenience of the package; and not only that, but the onvenience of the honey after the paper was removed. In- deed, I think Bro. Aikin has been some- 198 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Mak. 1 ^vhat remiss in uot making' more of this matter of convenience. The simple matter of peeling- off the pa- per is more convenient than getting- candied honey out of any other packag-e whatever. <>n the whole it is doubtful whether an\- package of liquid hone}' can claim the same convenience. The paper peels cff clean without any waste, and can be thrown into the fire. Emptj' liquid honej' out of any package, and unless a gcod bit of time is taken there will be waste. The convenience continues after the pack- age is skinned. The whole brick may be left on the plate; but it is, perhaps, better to take off a slice, just as 3-ou would of butter, say a quarter of a pound or so. Then with a knife on the plate to go with the honej'. let it be used exactly as butter, and the convenience over liquid honey will loom up. Help yourself to liquid hone}', .ind if 3-ou are not an expert you will have it string-ing over the table. No matter how expert you are, j-ou will have trouble in getting just the amount you desire. With the candied honey on a plate, \'Ou can g-aug-e the amount 30U take just as easiU- as if it were butter. Then it is more convenient to get on bread the candied honey in just the amount 3-011 want, and just ivhcre you want it. When using liquid hone3' on bread I do not always succeed in keeping it frr m getting on my fingers; and one of the things that I abomi- Hj^te is hone}- on m3- fingers. Sometimes I get the hone3- in m}- whiskers, and I feel pretty sure I should get my mustache daub- ed with it if m}- face were decorated with an ornament of that kind. With candied hone}- there is no more trouble than with butter. But when all is said about the matter of convenience, it is candied honey after all, and I didn't like candied hone}-. Now I am ashamed to make the confession, but I mav- as well be honest, and confess that, al- though I am a man full-grown, I had never before thoroughly tested candied hone3-. On this particular evening, however, I deter- mined I0 go the whole figure, not merely using the candied honey on a single mouth- ful of bread, but on several slices. / liked it. I couldn't see but that I liked it just as well as liquid hone3', although it was a su- perb sample of honev-, and perhaps it was not just the fairest test. It came to me from Medina, but I think it was put up b\' Aikin. If it was a fair sample of what he is deal- ing out to customers with little means, I do not wonder he can work up a trade. Now don't be too hard on me for being so prejudiced that I thought I didn't like gran- ulated hone3-. when all the time I reall3- didn't know. I suspect that a large num- ber of people in the world are in the same boat, and all that is needed to convince them of their error is to get them to give the matter a fair trial. And it ma3- be that the "bologna sausage" is the best thing to help secure that trial. C. C. Mili.f.k. Marengo, 111. I send 3-0U, under separate cover, a photo of m3'^ hone3'-stand. It is made of white- wood, and finished in its natural grain. The sides are '2 inch thick, and shelves '4 inch. The displa3'card on top of the stand gives m3' guarantee for the hone}- I sell; also a few facts about extracted hone3'. I have used these stands for nearl}- three seasons, and the}- have more than doubled my sale of honey. The merchants are pleased with them, and give them a good place on their counters. Auburn, Me. H. B. Phillips. [Mr. Phillips sends a printed letter to the merchant, offering him a honey-stand free of charge on the receipt of an order for six dozen jars of honey. As the honey is heated and sealed air-tight it is not expected to candy; but if it does it will be replaced with that which is liquefied. The jars are returned to the merchant from the consum- er. Who receives 3 cents for them, and the merchant in turn sells them back to Mr. Phillips for 3'j cents. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 199 This stand looks very much like the Wil- liams stand as shown in the A B C of Bee Culture, under Extracted Honey. — Ed.] WILL THERE BE FIGHTING AT THE SECOND DRIVE IN FORCED SWARMING? TINNED WIRE FOR BINDING GLEANINGS. In brushing- swarms, when the second drive is made after all the brood is hatched will the bees of the first drive not kill the bees that are being- run in the second time? I should like to know how to manag-e that part of it, as I don't want anj' increase. Did 3'ou ever hear of sewing the back numbers of a book with tinned wire? It is a better binding than wire nails, as they are too stiff. C. Blake. Wilbur, Ont., Feb. 10. [As a rule there will be no fighting- at a second drive, and especially so if both lots of bees be smoked before the union takes place. One should be careful, of course, that the second lot of bees should not have a virgin queen or something thej' recognize as such. If thej' have one, and there is no choice between the old and the one furnish- ed bj' the second drive, brush them together, for the bees will take one of the queens, disposing of the other. Your scheme of binding with tinned wire is excellent, I believe. — Ed.] HOW TO MOVE BEES A SHORT DISTANCE; ARTIFICIAL BEE-PASTURAGE. 1. I wish to move and change my bees in the apiarj'to which the}' belong. Thej' are too close together, and face the east. I want to change them into rows facing south. When and how is the best way to do it? 2. What is the matter with motherwort for a honej'-plant? I see you don't give it in the A B C of Bee Culture. 3. In the spring, when bees are getting some pollen and little hone}' when feeding, ought it to be done at night, so as not to bother them from working? Does feeding make them lazy about working on plants. Jamesport, Mo. J. W. Baldwin. [1. If the bees have been confineti in hives outdoors for two months at a time, or, bet- ter still, if the\' have been in a cellar all winter, the}' can be set on their summer stands next spring anywhere without any trouble; but if thej' have a flight everj' week or so, sothatlheir locations are fairlj' well fixed, it would not be advisable to make a slight shift of the hives. 2. Motherwort is a fairlj' good honey- plant if there could be enough of it found growing wild on waste land. It ver}- sel- dom cuts any figure in the hives, because ther is so little of it. We once had quite a patch of it on our hone3'-farm; and, while the bees were verj' busy on it, we found it would be too expensive to furnish artificial pasturage of this kind to take care of an apiary. The land could be more profitably used in growing something that would fur- nish hay, fodder, or seed, as well as nec- tar. It is an established rule that it does not pay to plant any thing for honey unless the crop, aside from the honey, will pay the expense of cultivation. In this list we can include alfalfa, buckwheat, rape, and white, red, and crimson clover. Where there is a great deal of waste land that is growing up to weeds, one can, to some little advantage, scatter sweet-clover seed, and perhaps catnip; but he will have to do a tremendous lot of scattering before he be- gins to discover any effect in the hive. Dr. J. L. Gandy. of Humboldt. Neb., has probably done as much as any one in this line; but it is to be doubted whether he has been able to increase his honej' crop materia 11}' by scattering seeds of good hone}'- plants. 3. Yes, it might be advisable to feed at night; but in case the bees are not disposed to forage as much as they should, a little stimulative feeding during the day will make them rush into the field to discover the source of this new supply. Ordinarily bees need no stimulating of this kind. — Ed.] YELLOW BUTTERFLIES NOT ENEMIES OF THE ALFALFA PLANT. J/r. Root: — The yellow butterflies (spe- cies of colios) never injure clover of any kind, nor any plants. They sip nectar from flowers, and may and do aid some in pollination. The caterpillars do at times eat from the clovers; but, so far as I have ever observed, they are never abundant enough to do any considerable harm. I know of only two serious enemies of alfalfa — fjophers and goldthread, or dodder. Claremont, Cal. A. J. Cook. [It was probably a mistake in supposing that the yellow butterflies had any blight- ing eft'ect on the blossoms of the alfalfa. The fact that they swarmed over the fields of it in countless thousands, so that the air was yellow with them over the fields, shows that they were after the nectar as well as the bees, and to the extent that they robbed the bees of just so much honey, to that ex- tent they were an enemv' to the bee-keeper. We are obliged to Prof. Cook and others for the correction. — Ed.] THE OUICKESr METHOD OF INCREASING. 1. What is the best way of increasing the number of hives in a small yard to the larg- est number possible, in as short a time as possible? 2. By the method that you will likely mention, what number could you reach in one season, providing you started with 20 fair colonies and the season is favorable? Addison, Ont., Feb. 13. A. G. Lke. 1 Almost any standard method of forming nuclei will give you good results. These have been given so often in our columns that it would be unnecessary to repeat them here. 2. I do not know what could be done; but I once took 12 colonies, and without any 200 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Mar. 1 feeding- increased them to 100 strong colo- nies, and secured about 1000 lbs. of ex- tracted honey. This was done at an out- yard which I visited on a bicycle once a week, during the season, spending about four or five hours each trip. If one prac- tices stimulative feeding — feeding before and after the honey-flow — he could, if he had the requisite skill, go beyond this. At the time I made this increase we had a good season for honey, and ordinarily I should not expect to do as well. — Ed.] NOTES OF TRAVLL 4 BY A.: .ROOT . How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed ? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a JDreacher?— KOMANS 10 :14 One Saturday afternoon Mr. W. W. Som- erford (the "man who talks," as poor Rambler had it) came to our rooms (No. 89 Prado), and said we were to go out to his place on our wheels that evening, and that he would then, Sunday morning, take me over to Mr. Eraser's mission at Guanajay. You maj' think it funny, but Guanajay is usually pronounced " Wah-nah-//z_^/t." In Spanish, gu is given much the sound of w, and 7 is always called /z, or given the sound of h, and the accent is on the last syllable. It was so late before Somerford got ready to start, darkness overtook us; but before it was quite dark we stopped to look over an apiary that has quite a history. Our older readers may remember that, years ago, A. J. King, of ihe Bee-keepers' Magazine, ca.me to Cuba to start an apiary on what was then considered a pretty large scale, for the Casanova Brothers. It was about the time I commenced sending out the " Simplicity" hive, or hives made so they could be piled up two. three, or even fo2ir stories high. The Kings made a hive similar, and called it the "Eclectic" hive. For shade, the wealthy owners made sheds of galvanized iron, supported on iron posts, and these sheds are standing to-day, not only dura- ble, but artistic and neat in appearance. After the Kings left Cuba, Osborne (for- merly of California) took charge of this apiary, and it was here he ordered from us the largest extractor in the world, to be run by a steam-engine. I saw the engine and the great "Jumbo" extractor; but both are now standing idle, while a Cuban takes all the honey with a common small extractor to be turned by hand. This once beautiful apiary that cost so much money is now very much on the road to ruin. After we took the road we had both dark- ness and rain, and I should have given up getting home until Sundaj' morning, but not so our good friend S. He is not only a "talker," but he is a " pusher " iij any thing he starts out on. For a time it seem- ed as if we could not keep our wheels un- der us, they slipped about in the mud so badly; but S. declared a little further on the- roads were of a different character, and so it proved. His bright little wife was taken rather by surprise to see a visitor covered with mud ushered in late Saturday night, and she made quite an apology because my bedroom was so filled with crates of beauti- ful section honey I could hardly get into it. I replied something like this: "When I first became crazy on bee-keeping, long years ago, I used to dream of great piles of beautiful honey in neat little packages. It was only a dream, however, then; but now, to-night, shoiild I wake up and see by the bright moonlight what is all around me, I might, for the first time in life, find my boyhood dreams all realized; therefore, dear Mrs. S., do not feel at all worried, even if I do have to turn 'edgewise' to get to that pretty little washstand when I get up in the morning." Mr. S. has something new in bottom- boards for hives. His are made of stone, "or, rather, of the material they make the tiles of for roofing their houses. They are made at a tile-factory, and cost only about ten cents each. They can be set close to the ground, and never rot or warp. He was then filling an order for "chunk honey" in square cans. He has large screw caps put on the cans (six inches or more across) ; and after the can is filled with pieces of comb honey, extracted honey is poured over and around it, and he said he was then getting more per pound for it than other bee-keepers were getting for comb honey in sections. I presume, however, this demand did not continue; for while I write I am told he is in New York marketing that nice honey that filled my bedroom that night. Sunday morning Mr. S. and his wife on their tandem, and Mr. Hill and myself on our wheels, all started on the beautiful cal- zada (government stone road) for church and Sunday-school, nine miles away. On these beautiful stone roads, graded so as to have no hills that one can not run up and down without trouble, it is no task at all to go on a wheel ten miles to church. I have several times " reeled off " a mile every 5 minutes. At every kilometer (pronounced here ^/ow-eter), there is a stone post with big plain black figures, numbering the dis- tance. A kilometer is about two-thirds of a mile, and these " mile posts " are exceed- ingly convenient. I think Bro. Eraser will excuse me if I say right here that I am z'ery much in love with himself and his good wife. One explanation is that, before I met them, I was hungering and thirsting to see some kind of mission work going on in Cuba. Mr. Somerford told me Eraser was a man after m3' own heart, and also that, in his opinion, he was one of the very besl men in the world. Mr. Eraser has been on the is- land three j^ears, under the auspices of the American Missionary Society. He has a very pretty building near the center of the town, that contains the schoolroom, library, and a very pretty home for his family. He 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 201 has Sundaj-school and preaching every Sabbath, and, I think, a Thursday-evening- meeting; then there are two free evening schools during the week, to teach English, to anj' one who maj' want to learn. I have been there two Sundays, and have at each service talked to the children and people, through Bro. F. as interpreter. My eager desire to know them and learn their lan- guage was met by them perhaps more than half way. It may seem a little extravagant for me to say it, but it seemed a good deal like •' love at first sight," on both sides. They were mostly children eager to learn, and for ilieir sakcs I became a child too for the time being. There were some fathers and mothers present, and they soon became warm friends of mine because of my anxiety for the best interests of the children. I asked how manj^ had Bibles, Testaments, or parts of Bibles, that they could read ev- ery daj'. Almost all raised their hands. Brother F. said they regarded the lesson- papers and cards with texts on as a part of the Bible. When I asked how many read something from the Bible every day, they almost all raised their hands. I told them of the happiness I found in reading my Bi- ble every daj' in Spanish, and advised them in a like manner to learn to read the Bible in English. I told them it was a sad fact that there were some very bad words in English, but I hoped there was nothing to correspond in Spanish. There was some sad shaking of the heads, however, as they thought the matter over. I have been as- sured, however, that profanitj' and blas- phem\' are not nearly as common in Span- ish as among the Americans. If this is true, dear friends, shall we not all try very hard to avoid teaching this great evil while we give them English that they may get what is good? They (especially the chil- dren) are looking to me to teach them what is new and what is valuable. May God help America to use this great opportunitj^ to teach, to give them only what is good and pure. I asked if it was possible to "tell lies" in Spanish, as people do in English. A very bright-looking business man said, " Tell Bro. Root that the verj' same words that are used to tell the truth can also be used to tell lies.'''' One great feature of the work is singing Gospel Hjmns. When words are sung, there is plenty of time to give a full and correct pronunciation to each one. I am quite sure no music was ever sweeter and more touching to me than to hear those childish voices express the beautiful senti- ment of these hymns in the Spanish tongue. At the close of the service the roll is called, and each one responds with a scripture text. There were 94 enrolled, and some- thing like 80 present; and I do not remem- ber that a single one, young or old, failed to repeat a text. They were on hand, many of them, long before meeting time, and a crowd was always in the street be- fore the open windows during each session. Several lingered after meeting to practice hymns. On one of these occasions two bright young men sang several Gospel Hymns with me, first in English, then in Spanish. They corrected my pronuncia- tion, and then in turn I corrected theirs. While their awkward attempts to speak our words as I spoke them made me laugh, it drew my heart toward them in a way I have never felt before. I know they will be honest and true, for the love of Jesus Christ, that love that " surpasseth all understand- ing," is in their hearts. One of them said, as we closed our mutual lessons, something like this: " Mr. Root, I am glad 3'ou came here. I hope you will come again — often. It gives me much pleasure to know you." May the dear Savior guide, direct, and keep Florentina in his efforts toward a new life, and in his desire to learn all that is good and pure and true. At one of the week-day meetings Bro. F. put on the blackboard the first verse of the Gospel Hymn, " Wonderful Words of Life:" Sing them over again to me, Wonderful -words of life ; l,et me more of their beauty see, Wonderful words of life. Words of life and beauty, Teach me faith and duty — Beautiful words, wonderful words, Wonderful words bf life. It was verj' plainly written, and one pu- pil after another came up and stood before the board and read it aloud in English. With some prompting, all got through with it. Many had to try again and again after their patient (and loving) teacher; but the final was when they all joined together with enthusiasm axidsangihQ verse through. I did not know what the custom was, but I could hardy resist showing them 7iiy appre- ciation of their eft'orts by clapping my hands. It seems they understood it, for I got a volume of thanks, expressed in differ- ent Spanish words and phrases. Now, lest I am giving the bright side too much of all this mission work, I might add that there is considerable noise and dis- order in all their exercises. Brother F. was inclined to feel troubled about this; but I said, "Never mind the noise. A noisy school is far better than a dull sleepy one." He told me, however, that, just be- fore I came the second time, some boj' fixed a pin so as to stick out of the toe of his boot. This he pushed up through the cane-bot- tomed chairs so as to make people jump; and the trick was played, not only on the boys, but on younj^ ladies as well. Mr. F. did not get hold of the guilty one, but he gave the whole school such a "lecture" that it stopped at once. The great Father has not made us all alike. Some have remarkable talents in one direction and some in another, but this dear brother has a remarkable gift for this kind of work. I thank God that he has given me such a love for my fellow-men that I can at least appreciate and see some- thing of the outcome that is likely to follow such undertakings. 202 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Mar. 1 FOUL BROOD MAY COME into your apiary when you least expect it. The sooner you discover its ; resence. the less difficult and expen- sive will be its eradication. If you knt^w exactly what to do when >ou discover it, much valualile time may be saved. No better iustiucticn and advice on these points can be found than that given in a five-page article written by R L Taylor, and published in the February Bee - Keepers* R.evie'w. It is comprehensive, yet conci.se The uescription of the disease, the instructions how to detect it, are the best and most complete of any I have seen. No one need be mistaken in identifying foul biood after reading this article. Mr. Taylor then goes on and tells how to hold the disease in check la vtry important point), prevent its dissemination among other colonies, bring all of the colonies up to the honey harvest in a prosperous con- dition, -ecure a ciop of honey, and, at the same time, get rid of the foul brood. If you wish lo know how to recognize foul brood to get rid of it with the least possible loss if you wish to be prepared for it should it come, send 10 cents for a copy of this issue of the Revie'w. With it will be sent two other late but different i.'-sues of the I<.ea ■vie'w ; au'l the ten cents may apply upon any sub- scription sent iu within one year. A coupon will be sent entitling the holder to the RevieAV one year for only !)0 cents. W. Z. HUTCHINSON, Flint, Mich. Split Hickory Buggy Bargains Sold direct to user from factory at factory prices, sent anywhere on 30 DAYS' FREE TRIAL and guaranteed ior two years. «>Hi- 1903 catalogue Is now ready and contains iiiin- dredw ol exclusive sij'les of vehicle* and harness of every description. It is free and you should send for it before buying a vehicle or harness. We manufacture every vehicle we otfer for sale. If you get a Split Hickory you are sure of getting something that will please you and a bargain. Remember you can only buy a Split Hickory of us direct as we do not sell jobbers or dealers. This Is our SPLIT HICKORY HUMMER Has 30 nz. full rubber top, split hickory wheels, best steel axles & springs, finely finished, | neat, strong and substantial, the best value ever offered at the price. Sold on 30 days' free trial and If it don* t prove itself a bargain and if you don't consider you have saved $15.00 send it back. And here Is our SPLIT HICKORY SPECIAL the buggy that won such favor In every state la the union last year. Impos- sible lo give description here. Has 100 points of merit. Nothing like it ever offered vehicle buyers before. We only ask a comparison with a. $6.').00 buggy at retail and if, in your judgment, it isn't better don't keep it. Costs you nothing for the trial. SPLIT "^HICKORY WiNNER It not only wins trade for us, but. praise from every user. Has genuine leath- er quarter top, spring cushion and back, boot, carpet, double braced shafts, In fact evervrhlngcomplete and up-to- date. Is roomy, comfortable, easy riding and light running. Everyone shipped on trial, no questions asked If not satisfactory : just send it back If it Isn't $20.00 cheaper than equal quality at retail. This Is our Split Hickory ."FASHION" extension top SURREY Roomy, com- fortiible, strong and substantial. Equal to surreys that retail for from $100 to $12.5. Will last a lifetime. Everyone shipped on 30 days' free trial and guaranteed two years. Write at once for our free catalogue of vehicles and harness; a penny spent for a postal may save you $25.00. Remember there is only one place to get Split Hicliory Vehicles and that is at our factory. We have no agents. OHIO CARRIAGE MFC. CO., - Station 27, Cincinnati, Ohio. ssisqFENGE ! STMJMGEST MADE. Bull- strong. Chicken. Sold to the Farmer at Wholi-H^ile s. Fully Warranted. Catalog i'ree. COILED SPRING FENCE CO., lUl Wincheaier. Indiana, U. S. A. Wood=working Machinery. For ripping, cross-cut ting, mitering, groovi _ boring, scroll-sawing, edge moulding, mortising ; for working wood in any man- _ ner. Send for catalog A."" The Seneca Falls M'f'g Co., 44 Water St ., Seneca Fs.. N. Y Power 99Trade anything you hiiTe for anything you "This for That ■want. Oct our gigantic paper which prints thousan'it of ex- ch:)nee advertisements. Six months' trial euhscription, 10 eta. «TUU FOB THAT" FIB. CO., IU> SUr Bldg., I UICAtiO. WOO GRAPE VINES 100 Varieties. Also Small Fruits. Quality unsurpassed. W .irranted true. Very cheap. 3 simple vines mailed for I5C. T'e- s.iiptive price list free. LEWIS ROESCH.Frc-doi.Iu, A-X" >i INDIANA STEEL& WIRE CQ. i^'r.\ ouvi LOl 1903 You Hcquire I Supply GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 203 PERFECT QUEENS My queens took first prize at the State Fair, in Nov., 1902. I have piles of testimonials fiom leading bee- men to the good qualities of the qneen^I sent out last season. Under datf of July 3, UKi'i F. A. Lockhart, of Caldwell. N. Y., writes: " i he doz queens arrived all alive, and are a FINK LOT; '"and again later on, "We like your stock, it is O. K " I am adding e.xteusively to my queen rearing plant, breeding in separate apiaries Golden and Leather- colored Italians (hotli strains are red-clover workers), Carniolanr. and llolv-lands. ot ch )icest strains. My Golden stock is from one of Doolittle's choicest breed- ers All my queens are raised under the best possible conditions, from extra-good honey-gathertrs. Queens ordered now will be ma led when desired. Untested, fl.(H). or Jil.OO per dozen; tested, tH.2o; a few choice breeders at $2 50 each. GEO. J. VANDE VORD, Daytona, Fla. HONEY QURENSl Laws' Leather^olored Queeus. Laws' Improved Golden Queens. Laws' Holy Land Queens. I^aws' queens are doing business in every State in the Union and in many foreign countries. The demand for Laws' queens has doubled any pre- vious season's sales. Laws' queens and bees are putting up a large share of the honey now sold. Laws' stock "is being .sold for breeders all over the world. Why ? Because it is the best to be had. Rertiember ! That I have a larger stock than ever; that I can send you a queen anj month in the year and g^iarantee safe delivery ; that I have many fine breeders on hand. Price |3.00 each. Tested, each, |l.'2o; five for S6.00. Prices reduced after March 15. Send for circu ar. W. H. Laws. BeeviHe, Texas. Do You Buy Queens If so, it will pay you to investigate my claims. I breed from best huney-gathering stock, and rear queens by best-known methods. I guarantee good queens, and beautiful, gentle bees. Some of my customers have bought UK) to 300 queens per year for their 07un ya'ds. Write for circular and information. J. B. CASE, Port Orange, Fla. Leather-colored Italians For Sale. M}' bees were awarded 1st premium at the Minne- sota .State Fair in 1902 and 1901. Queens guaranteed in qua ity and transpor alion. In standard S or 9 f-ame hives. *.t 00 each on car. A reduction on lots of '20 and over. Ready for shipment April 10 W. R. ANSELL. Mille Lacs Ariaries, /Vtitaca, Minnesota. CATALOG FREE! HVR and W. PLY. KOCKS. W. WY- ANDOTTHS, B. MI.VORCAS. LANG- SHANS, LT BR.\HV1AS. W. and BUFF LEGHORNS, HOUDANS. As good as vou pav double for or vour monev back. W. W. tanK. Capacity : 300-mile "Water- tanK. Weight 940 lbs.; seven-horse power actual. Will run at any speed up to 25 miles per hour, and climb any grade up to twenty per cent. For catalog, address Friedman Atitomobile Co., 3 E^ast Van Buren St., Dept. B, CKicago, Illinois. (f> (f> (fl (f> (f> (f> (fy (fy (fy The Test of Time not only proves the increasing- popularity of plain sections and fence separators, but the superiority of these supers for the production of comb honey over other styles. The use of Root's Hives with plain sections and fence-separator equipment mean riore Fancy Grade, Better Price, Larger Crop, Less No. 1 and 2 Grades, Satisfied Merchant, Increased 5ales, Enthusiastic Customers, Greater Profits. and a ready market the coming- season, which is one of the important factors in the building-up of a home market for honey. It is one thing to dispose of a fair grade of honey at a moderate price, but quite an- other to retain the g-ood-will of the merchint handling 3'our honey. To secure this co operation and stimulate the trade, great care should be exercised as to the attractiveness of the honey offered. It should not only be "Fancy," but the honey should be well capped, and put up in neat shape. To obtain these results you should use Dovetailed hives and supers equipped with plain sections and fence separators. Insist on Root's make and 30U will not be disappointed. The A. I. Root Company, Medina, Ohio. N. B. — If you are not posted as to -where you can buy Root's Goods advantageously, write ns. Ask also for catalog of Beekeepers" Supplies and specimen copy of Gleanings. il/ \)/ \)/ \^/ \); 206 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Mak. 1 APPLE TREES This spring finds us with an ^ unusually large stock of extra fine ^^ young trees. Every tree guaran- ■ teed on a whole root, free from dis- I ease, smooth, vigorous, shapely. ■ We want to supply you this spring from this matchless stock. Summer Apples. Yellow Transparent, Red Astra- chan. Summer Rambo, Red June, Early Harvest, Golden Sweet, Early Strawberry, and others. Fall Apples. Maiden's Blush, Gravenstein, Fall Rambo, Fallawater, Haas, Duchess of Oldenberg and others. es. Jonathan, King, Limber Twig, Missouri Pippin, Northern Spy, N. W. Greening, R. I. Greening, Rome Beauty, Stark, Scott's Win- ter, Smith's Cider, Tallman Sweet, Wine Sap,Willow Twig, and every other kind worth planting. We believe that our spring of 1903 apple stock cannot be equalled anywhere. We nack so there can be no injury in shipping. Absolutely safe arrival guaranteed any- where in the United States. REMEMBER we are headquarters for Peach and Kieffer Pear Trees, Strawberry Plants. Asparagus Roots, etc. New spring catalogue mailed free. Write at once for special apple list. HARRISON'S NURSERIES, Box 58 Berlin, Md. # SEEDS, PLAhTci, ^^Zc^^s^S, Bulbs, Vines,Shrubs, Fruit and Ornamental Trees ■ h!^ 4 "^^^ best by 49 years test. !:i^^'i!^-«M* 1,0UJ acres, 40 in hardy roses, 44 greenhouses of Palms, Ferns, I'lciis, Gerau- f iiiiis, Everbloonilng Roses and other things too numerous to mention, Seeds, Plants, Roses, Etc., by mail postpaid, safe ar- rival and satisfaction gn^r- anteed. Llecrant 168 page catalogne free, send for it and see what valnes we give for a little money; a number of cheap col lections of Seeds, Plants, Trees, Etc., oflered which wiJl interest you. THE STORRS A HARRISON CO., Box i;4, PAiNESVlLLE, OHIO. A WOiVVAN FLORIST 6 EVERBLOOMINQ CARNATIONS THE C EM SET for 25 Ct8. Mrs. LawNon, largest pink White Cloud, purest white Estcll?, dazzlins; scarlet Arma^lndy, white and red Moriiiiis Glory, satin pink Abuuduiii-e, deep rose All will bloom this Summer. Send 25 cents for the above Six Colors of Carnations. Some Spechil BARGAIN'S in Flower Collections 5 Lovely Tea Roses, will bloom all summer - 25 cts. SPrize-winninu Chrysanthemums, World-hpaters, 2.5 cts. 8 Beautiful Coleus, will make a charming bed, 25 cts. 5 Cannas, all ' olors, ever blooming ... 25 cts. 6Fuchsias, all different. - . . . . 25 cts. 10 Lovely Gladiolas, the prettiest flower grown, "ia cts. 10 Suoerb larxe-''owerPd Panei> plants - • 2:> cts. 12 Pkts. Fower seed, all different. - . . 50 cts. Any Five Collections for One Dollar. Guarantee satisfaction . Once a customer, always one. CMt:..1og FREE. MISS ELLA V. BAINES, Box 58 Springfield, O. REPETITION is the life of advertising— It is also the life of the largest mail-order seed trade iu the world— BURPEE'S! Were it not for repeat-orders every year from satistied planters we could not supply the Best Seeds that Grow atsuch moderate prices. Wo want everj^ one who appi'eciates (juality to write for Burpee's Farm Annual for" 1903. I>ong Iciiown as "the Leading American Seed Citalogne," it is better now than ever before. An elegant boolj of 184 pages, with beaiit'f'il colored plates and hundreds of illustrations, it tells the plain truth. Write to=day! Do not delay! It's FREE. W. ATLEE BURPEE & CO., Philadelphia Oats est, best yielding oats are Michigan Northern Grown. HHmniond'boroui, well rooted, fr^lfi dujplmnU th»t Rlie tMulu. Write for late c»l»lo«. Allen L. Wood, Wholesale Grower, Rochester N.Y. 2IO Kinds for i6c. It is a fact tliat Siilzer's seeds are found In more gardens and on morefarrus than, "' any other in America. There is ^ reason for this. We own and op- erate over oOiiO acres for ilie produc- tion of our choice seeds. In ordei- to -, induce you to try tlieni we ni.ike ' tlie following unprecedented otfer.-j Fof 16 Cents Postpaid ^ 25 sorts wonderrnl onions, 'J5 sorts elegant cabbage, 15 sons mugiiitlcent carrots, 25 peerless lettuce varieties, 25 rare luscious radish, 2U splendid beet sorts, _ 75 gloriously beaulitul flower seeds. In all 210 liinds positively funiisliing bushelsof charniiug llowcrsjuid lots and lots of chou-e vetjclabli s, t<>ni tli- er with our great catalogue telling all about Macaroni Wheat, Itiliiuii l»i>l. L lor Gru.ss, Teoslnte, Bronius, Ppeltz,' etc., all for only 10c. in stamps and tills notice. Onion seed at but 60c. a pound. JOHN A. SALZER SEED CO.. La Crosse, Wis. IM Oentury Sprayer » small cut of which is shown in this advei emeu t.offersmoi-e ad van rages to theorcliar ist. fruit groweKetctlian a'l y or !i ^Iiraying outlit on tlie marl.et. Prass cylinder, brass valves, "everla,sting" fabric plunder packing and the or.- thoroughly reliable a;;- itator. Cylinder 2' j ins., stroke .'iins. J hen. too.it sells at a lower price than other good pumps. S nd ti'r handsome ( ree catalogue, showing full line of pump.'i and twenty varie- ties of sjirayers. THE DEMING CO,, Salem, 0. \\ e»ifrn Airrntb — lletiion A- Hubhi-IUiliira^o, III. LOW RATES WEST ODly ^33 Chicago to San Fran- cisco, Los Angeles, Portland Ta- coma, Seattle, and many other Pacific Coast points, every day February 15 to April 30, 1903. One-way, second class, colonist rates via Chicago, Milwaukee & St Paul and Union Pacific line. To the Northwest via this route, or via St. Paul. Additional in- formation on request. F. A. MILLER. Gen. Passenger Agt., Chicago. E. G. HAYDEN. Traveling Passenger Agent. 217 Williamson BIdg., Cleveland. To make coves pay. use Sharpies Cream Separators. 'Business Dairying" and cat. iW8 free. W. Chester, Pa. 208 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Mar. 1 Free to All Housekeepers The "1900" Ball = bearing Family Washer Saves Time, Money, and Worry; Host Perfect, Simplest Washer Known; No riore Stooping, Rubbing, Wearing=out, or Boiling Clothes. A FAIR AND SQUARE PROPOSITION In Order to Prove to the Most Skeptical that the " 1900 " BalNbearing Family Washer is Unquestionably the Greatest Home Labor=saving Machine Ever Invented, We will SEND YOU ONE ABSOLUTELY FREE without deposit or advance payment of any kind, Freight Paid, on 30 Days' Trial. If you like it you can pay for it in cash or on the installment plan at the end of 30 days. If you don't like it, all you have to do is to ship it back to us at Our Expense. You run no risk, no expense, no obligation whatever. The 1900 Ball=beariog Washer is unquestionably the great- est labor-saving- machine ever invented for family use. En- tirely New Principle. It is simplicity itself. There are no wheels, paddles, rockers, cranks, or complicated machin- ery. It revolves on Bicycle Ballbearings, making it by far the easiest-running washer on the market. No strength re- quired ; a child can operate it. No more stooping, rubbing, boiling of clothes. Hot water and soap all that is needed. It will wash large quan- tities of clothes (no matter how soiled) perfectly clean in 6 minutes. Impossible to injure the most delicate fabrics. Saving in wear and tear of clothes, to say nothing of the saving in soap and materials, pays for machine in a short time. Don't be prejudiced. This is entirely different from and far superior to any other washing-machine ever made. Read These Convincing Testimonials: A Day's Wash in Three Hours. Sherwood, Md., Jan. 15, 1901. The washer I received from you is the best I ever saw. It will do all you claim for it. I can do the washing in three to four hours, where it took a col- ored woman a who e day to do it. We have ten boys and three girls, and you can judge from that that we have large washings. Myself and daughter would not part with this machine for twice what it cost. We live on a farm. Mrs. L,evi H. Harrison. Greasy Overalls Washed Clean. San Francisco, Cal., Dec. 25, 1899. 1900 Washer Co. Gentlemen: I received the wash- ing machine in good order on the 15th inst. My wife had saved three weeks' washing to try it. She com- menced washing at seven o'clock, andl at eleven all the clothes were on the line. It would have taken two days to do all this work the old way; and the washing was done clean. Greasy overalls, which I use in the engine-room, could not have been done nicer in a steam laundry. She would not part with the washer if she could not get another like it, if she was offered $100. Yours truly, Chas. Blum, Marine Engineer, 1006 Channing Way, West Berkeley Cal. Fifteen Machinefuls in Four Hours. Chicago, July 13, 19(X). Last week I started to wash with your 1900 Ball- bearing Washer. A neighbor saw me wash my little boys' waists (which were terribly dirty), and we were both surprised to see there was not a spot left. On Monday we did a big wash of 15 machinefuls, and the work was done in four hours. It is the best machine I ever .saw, and I have tried many. It works so easy my little boy can run it. Mrs. a. H Centner, 636 Diversey Boulevard It is a Wonder. Savannah Yacht Club, ) Savannah, Ga., Jan. 21, 1901 / After a thorough trial of your 1900 Washer on all kinds of washing, I think you have a ' wonder " We have a very large washing'and have always had two women on Monday, and one to finish on Tuesday. Our washing cost us $10 per month. With your wash- ing-machine, our cook and the yard boy did the wash- ing in four hours, much better than it was done be- fore. Your machine is all that you claim for it. W" M. KiDWELL, Supt. Costs nothing to try. Sent to any one absolutely free for a trial of 30 days. We pay freight both ways. No money required in advance. Send for book and particulars to The "1900" Washer Co., 295 H State Street, Binghamton, N. Y. Buy Your Bee-supplies of S. D. Bueil ! $3.00 Quality Eggs $1.00 per Setting You can .save money. He handles The A. I Root Co 's Supplies. Send list of goods wanted, and let him quote you prices. Send for catalog. S. D. Buell, Union City, Mich. to every reader of this paper who sends us an order this month 25 varieties of thoroughbred poultry. Every first and second on Buff I.,eghorns Orpingtons, and others at four shows last fall. Catalog for stamp. E. R. Phllo Poultry Association, Salem, New York> 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 209 WE WILL SAVE YOU FROM $10 TO $45 g?s?;re°oVm%"^h'j;,"e'! Sold direct from factory saving nil salesmen's expenses and dealers or agents exhorbitant profits. Our uiiicliines have modern features not possrsied by any others, liali- Hearing i Stand; finebt attachments t'KI^K. LateHt deitlica woodwork, the stylish • well front, pol'uhod oiik. Giiarniitoed to be better than machines s.dd for twice the price. MIlI'l'Elf OV A ITKO V.\l. anywhcru in U. S. (iuaranleed i!u .xars. Swei. Front ARLINGTON GEM lii'Ju.UO Regular S drawer Drop Head ^Cl O Pa Including all attachments^ 9* I »^0 ARLINGTON QUEEN Lr^Jr^r Take-np, same as Newllomp, Dom»Htlr aiidWhlte. $8«.00 Resular 5 Drawer Drop ^j J 7C with fine Marquetry Decorations, W "^» • ** 94.'>.00 Beautiful I Door Desk Cabinet 1)1 1 6.45. ARLINGTON: ghestarrn niaile, Disc Ten. n. Indeiiendeut take-up, same as Singer, Wheeler & VVIIkod and Standard. Ifd.'i.OO Regulars Drawer Drop Head #17.76 l)lfi.~>.00 Automatic Lift, Drop Cabinet $1 9.75 #75.00 Beautiful 2 Door Desk .Cabinet mas. 76 Write for our Catalogue, fi* pages beautifully illustrated. Contains all points about buying Sewing Machines tlght-FUKE. CASH BUYERS* UNION. Dept. B 245 CHICAGO. Italians. Queens == 1903 == Queens. Wc have teti different yards five to twenty miles apart, where Italians, Cyprians, Holylands, Carnio- laiis, and Albinos, are bred for business. Tested queens, $1 .50: $8.00 for 6; $15.00 per dozen. Untested, $1 Oil each; $o 00 for ti ; 8<).00 per dozen. Our best and finest breeders, $5.00 each. One and two frame nuclei a specialty. Bees and Queens in any quantity to suit purchaser. Safe arrival and reasonable satisfaction guaranteed. The Jennie Atchley Co., Box 18, Beeville, Tex. Carniolans and CHoice Queens a Specialty. V» ><» Having adiied extensively to our queen- rearing plants in the North and the South we can furnish any nunil'.er of queens on short notice. Carrkiolax^S. Very prolific, hardy, gentlest bees known. Great comb builders. Sealed combs of a snowy whiteness. A worker on red clover. Italiax^S. Gentle, prolific, swarm very little, fine workers, and a red-clover strain. THe Carniolan-Italian Cross. A cross giving the combined qualities of each race, are hustling workers, the coming bee for comb honey. 1 untested queen, |I.0O: ti for $5.00; 12 for S9.00. Test- ed, $1.50. Best breeder, $:5. 00. i3est imported breeder, .$5.00. For full colonies, one or two frame nuclei, large orders for queens, send for descriptive price list. Orders booked now will be filled when desired. T. A. I^ocKHart Iills for makingphos- phate and fertilizer at small cost for the farmer, from 1 to 40 horse- power. Farm Feed Mills grind fine, fast and easy. Send for circulars. WILSON BROS., Sole Mfgrs., Easton, Pa. IIIL^IUilili'i GREEN BONE and VEGETABLE CUTTER II save half your feed bills and double egg yield. Guarantee 1 to cut more bone, in less t me, w-th less la- bor, than any other. Send for Special Trial Offer and handsome catalogue. HUMPHREY 4fe S«NS, BOT 51, Jollff, IlllnolD. 1903 GLEANINGS IN I'.l^E CULTL'RE. 211 ]>EAL DiiiEcr ^ij^iAeroEy Dou't pay retail price for carrlaijes or harness. Write for our catalogue anil loam about our system of Bcliiiii,' direct from factory to cuslomer. Tno iirollts are saved to you. JSaiishictiun is guaranteed, or you can re- turn the purchase and we will pay )reii;lit cliarmn lioih ways. We liave the hiriiest assortment of bu^giis, f-urrcys, plia!ions, carriages, and otherlii:;h prade vehicles, as wi 1! as hariies.sand horse accessories, in America. Write for llie catalogue to-daj-. Tin: COLISIIJI S CAKKIACE A IIAKNERS COMPANY, . F:i(lorjf mill C.nirr.l Onic,-, (OLI .THUS, O. \ Write tO Western UOicu and Uinlribuling llunse, ST. LOl'lS, BO. / nearest office. IRON AGE IMPLEMENTS are better than ever, need now tomake ttiisyear's profits for the new Iron Age look, sliowin? the full ine. ¥u\\ of wavH to save worii. FREE. BATEMAN MFG. CO Boxi20,Grenloch,N.J. Corn earliest and produces largest crops. Hammnnd's Sixty Day Flint, Ameriran Trlde, Kai-e Horse Dent and Thorougrhhied White Dent are tlie 4 famous varieties today. American Pride made 197 hu. slielled corn per arre. Fifteen otlier sorts. 100 I»i);e cataloi»ue fudy describiug tiv se wonderful corns sent on request. lURKY N. HAMJIUNU SEED OOMI'ANY. Ltd. Box69 , Bay City, .Mich. Seed $1.00 l>u. and up Michigan North- ern tlrown is the 2uo vai leiieK. .Ai:ioGrBpe8,8niall i' rmiseii.. ijest loot- ed stock. Genuine, cheap, i! sample currants mailed for 10c. Liesc. pric? list tree. LEWIS BUKsCU, Fredoula, N. ¥• Onill TDV PAPER, fllnstM, 20 papefc r UWfc I n I S5 cents pep year. 4 months* trial 10 cents. Sample Free. 64-page practical gonltry book free to yearly sabscribera. 00k alone lu cents. Cataloftne of ponltrj books free. fouUry Advocate, Syracose. li.X. Pa.ir Most Pop\jla.r Va-riety of Chickens In nituril colors. 12 x 18 inches, lor (raming. mailed m lubr Iree l"r 25c. lor nine monlbs' trial sub-crip- lion to The Fealher. The most beautilully illus- tratrd poultry paper — (owls in natural colors on cover — 36 paces, showing how to make money rcklslng chickens. Hegnlar price. SOc per year SJiislaction truaranleed or money refunded, EHnw7k.r(l & Co ""•'' TENTH ST N w. Don't Keep Hens ers .ire gctlins rich . ri thp n. w i.lan I. ilrst result the sume ■ciM way, whileotii- w plan l.ilrst results nmnllily ic |.ou!tryj..urna:. .Six lii.i. trinl pii' s.-riptinn Mic. for »v.. MoT.ev l.ark rho-rfidlv if imt X) KO.d»T for punicol.m ixnd FRKfi "llo. I (ha n. Snow & To., Ilepl. i:i!l Qulncy, III. Wise Man's Wagon. The man who has had experience in running a wagon knows that it is the wlieels that determine the life of the wagon itself. Our ELEGTRiG ^^ have given a new lease Of life to thousands of old wagons. 'Ihey can lie had in any de.sired height.and any width of til 6 up to 8 inches. With a set ottliese wheels you can In a few minutes have either a high or a low down wagon. '1 he Eleelrlc Haii.ly « nsron is maile by skilled workmen, of best selert- od niateriaj— white hicicory axles, steel w heels, steel hounds, etc. Guaranteed to carry 4000 lbs. Here is tlie wagon that will save money (or you, as it lasts almost foiever. Ourcatalog describing the uses ot these wheels and wagons sent free. VViitelorit. ELECTRIC WHEEL CO., BOX 95 QUINC^ ILLINOIS. BARNES' Hand and Foot Power Machinery. This cut represents out combined circular saw, which is made for bee- keeper's use in the con- struction of their hives, sections, boxes, etc., etc. Machines on Trial. Send for illustrated cata- log and prices. Address W. F. & Jno. Barnes Co., 545 Ruby St., Rockford. Illinois. 212 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Mar. 1 Gleanings in Bee Culture [Established in 1873.] Devoted to Bees, Honey, and Home Interests. Published Semi-monthly by The A. I. Root Co., - - Medina, Ohio. A I. ROOT, Editor of Heme and Gardening Dep'ts. E. R. ROOT, Editor ot Apicultural Dept. J. T. CAI^VERT. Bus, Mgr. A. t,. BOYDEN, Sec. TERMS. |1.00 per annum ; two years, $1.50; three years, $2.00; five years, $8.00, in advance; or two copies to one address, $1.50 ; three copies, $2.00 ; five copies, $3.75. The terms apply to the United States, Canada, and Mexico. To all other countries 48 cents per year extra for postage. DISCONTINUANCES. The journal is sent until orders are received for its discontinuance. We give notice just before the subscription expires, and further notice if the first is not heeded. Any subscriber whose subscription has expired, wishing his journal discon- tinued, will please drop us a card at once; otherwise we shall assume that he wishes his journal continued, and will pay for it soon. Any one who does not like this plan may have his journal stopped after the time paid for by making his request when ordering. BEESWAX MARKET. During the past month we have secured over twelve tons of beeswax — the larger portion of his being im- ported wax from our neighbors in the South. This provides us with a better stock than we have had for some time We shall need a good deal more before the season is past, and trust that our friends who have it to furnish wi 1 send it along whenever they accu- mulate enough for a shipment. We are paying, till further notice, 29 cents cash, 31 in trade, for average; one cent extra for choice yellow wax. BUSINESS STILL BOOMING. Although we have shipped out the past month some eighteen carloads, and have gained a little on the or- ders, we still have unfilled orders on hand for about a dozen cars, some of which are not wanted at once. We are in position to take care of orders with rea- sonable promptness where shipments are urgently needed. During the month of March an early-order cash discount of 2 per cent maybe deducted on all or- ders accompanied by remittance. The delay to trafiBc on the railroads is still quite serious, and it is well not to delay your orders too long if you would receive your goods in season for use. A NAIL-PULLER FOR A QUARTER. On receiving a shipment of hives or other goods, how often have you felt the need < f a good nail-puller with which to open the boxes without breaking or splitting them? Such nail pullers as were effective have been beyond the reach of most people who have a box to open only occasionally. Here is some- thing that works on the same principle as the best nail-puller, and yet is within the reach of every one. It will be worth all it costs in opening up one ship- ment of hives. It is nickel-plated, weighs only three ounces, and may be carried in the vest-pocket, yet it is strong enough to draw nails up to two inches. The jaws are bedded over the head of the nail; then with the hammer attached, the nail is easily drawn. The head may pull off from some cement-coated nails, and then, of course, you can not get a hold on them. Usually the grip is such as to hold the nail under the head, so it is not likely to come off. Price only 25 cts. each; by mail 30 cents. A heavier size is made that - will take 2i4-inch nails. Price 35 cents ; by mail, -K). "How to Make Morvey with PouHry and Incu- bators" is the title of the new 1903 Poultryman's Guide and Catalog (196 pages) of the Cyphers Incu- bator Co., of Buffalo, N. Y. It shows photographic views of the largest and most successful poultry plants in the United States, England, Germany, New Zealand and South America, and contains twelve special chapters, each written by an expert, treating of profitable poultry keeping in all its branches, as follows: Starting ,with Incubators, Handling Chicks I in Brooder, Feeding Chicks, Duck ' Producing on Large Scale, Broiler Raising, Profitable Egg-Farming, Egg and Poultry Combination, Egg and Fruit Fanning, Scratching- Shed House Plans, Incubator Cel- lar and Brooding House Plans, Feeding for Eggs, Standard-Bred Poultry. Most valuable book of the kind ever issued. Write to-day for free copy, asking for book No. 74. Sixty pages devoted to illustrated description of Cyphers Non- Moisture Incubators, Apartment Brooders, Poultry Foods and Clover Products. Wants and Exchange. Notices will be inserted under this head at 10 cts. per line. You must SAY you want your adv't in this department, or we will not be responsible for any error. You can have the no- tice as many lines as you please ; but all over ten lines will cost you according to our regular rates. We can not be re- ■ponsible for dissatisfaction arising from these " swaps." w .\NTED.— To buy up 50 to 300 colonies of bees. J. W. Warner, Box 20, Constance, Ky. w ANTED. — To sell a Barnes machine of latest mod- el cheap. G. F. Tubes, Annincreek, Pa. WANTED.— To sell fine Early Michigan seed pota- toes $1.00 per bushel. Joseph Sowinsky, New Era, Mich. w w ANTED. — To print your return envelopes. 25 white XXX No. 6, for 10c. The Bee Farmer, Woodstown, N. J. \VANTED. —Two men with families, to work on ' ' farm and keep bees on shares. Every thing fur- nished must be o k. T J, Penick, Williston, Tenn. \VANTED,— To sell 3000 No, 1 Ideal sections, 3J^x5x "" 1^ with open top and bottoms, for $4,50, Sam- ple free. Geo H Denman, Pittsford, Mich. ANTED, — A hustling, honest, temperance man to work on my farm and to peddle vegetables H W. Hoar, Rangelcy, Me. WANTED.— To sell extra good catnip seed ; 10 cts. an ounce or 3 ounces for 25 cts. ; 1 lb , $1 15, O, S, Hinsdale, Kendrick, Idaho Y^ANTED,— To sell farm of 52 acres with iraprove- ' ' ments, $800; 80 stands of bees at $2, Farm stock, if wanted, J H. Johnson, Middaghs, Northampton Co., Pa. WANTED.— Man, either married or single, to work on farm by month or year. Must no use tobac- co, drink or swear. Give references, state age and experience. C. J. Baldridge, Kendaia, Seneca Co , N Y. IVANTFID.— To buy a Second hand foot and hand '' power saw for hive-making: Barnes or Seneca Falls combination machine preferred .^^tate condi- tion, make, number, and lowest cash price. Second- hand foundation-mill wanted also; must be cheap and in good condition. J, I Chenoweth, Albia, la. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 213 w w ANTED. — To sell bees and queens. O. H. Hyatt, Shenandoah, Iowa. w w w ANTKD — To sell or exchange an automatic gauge lathe and one broom-handle lathe Adiiress W. S. Ammon, 2H) Court .St., Reading, Pa. ANTKH — To sell basswood-trees for spring plant- ing. One to four feet, 10c each; 10, 75c; 100. JVOO. G W. Petrie, Fairmont, Minn. ANTED —John, some new ginseng seed. Mine are the oldest that can be found. A P. Young. Cave City, Ky. ANTED.— Bee keepers to send 10 cts. for sample paper bags for putting up extracted honey. R. C AiKiN, Loveland, Colo. IVANTKD.— To .sell home and apiarv in fine tupelo '' range. If you mean bu.siness. address D. R. Keyes, Wewahitchka Fla. Vy ANTED. —To exchange good mandolin for"; a two- ' "^ frame honey-extractor. E. N. EvERSON, Brilliant, Ohio. .\.NTED. — To sell sweet potatoes; choice seed; best varieties. Send for descriptive price list. L,. H. Mah.\n, Box HH. Terre Haute, Ind. w W.\NTED.— To exchange full -blood Scotch Collie pups, or coons, for full-blood male St. Bernard, or cash. F. S. Williams, Gelatt, Pa. WANTED —A partner to raise bees and honey for sale, or a helper; good business for right party. JAS. Reed, Camden, N. Y. W.\NTED.— To exchange Root's hives for comb hon- ev complete, for B. P. R. and S. C. B. Leghorn chickens. Write me Perry Focht, R. F. D. No. 1, Wapakoneta, Ohio. \VANTED.— To sell, or exchange for stock 3^0 colo- " nies of Italian bees in frame hives, with comb- honey super and honey-house; bees at Hotchkiss, Colo. Address S. W. Weeks, Delta, Col. WANTED.— Farm-hand of good steady habits; no tobacco, whisky, or swearing allowed. Write, stating age and experience, and wages wanted. A good place for the right man. P. E. Twining, Kipton, Ohio. WANTED.— To sell a ten-room dwelling with all modern improvements; .select neighborhood in the growing city of Bristol, Tenn., 14,000 population; rents at SIO.OO a month. Write for circular of this and other property-. M. D. Andes, Real Estate Agent, Bristol, Tenn. WANTf;d. — To sell, or exchange for bee-supplies, the encyclopedia Britaniiica, ninth edition with American revisions and additions: 25 volumes. 8x10^ inches, cloth binding, good condition; cost $50— value it at $15. Ira N. Dunn, Glen Hazel, Pa. \VANTED.— Position, by j'oung man of 21, in apiary; '' will also do general farm work, and will also take position that requires some education. Have in the past worked on my father's apiaries of 200 colo- nie.s. Stale wages you can pay. Correspondence so- licited. Hi'GO Kokhler, Tisch Mills, Manitowoc Co , Wis. WANTED.— To sell 50 stocks of Italian bees, 50 pat- " ent hives, stock of tools, implements, bee-sup- plies, and foot -power Barnes .saw at bargains; all new. Cause, lost health and u.se of right hand. Write. C. S. ING.A.LS, Morenci, Mich. IVAXTED — A man with small family to woik a good ^^ farm of 40 acres, and an up-to date apiary of 200 colonies, on shares; or can work the bees without the farm. A very good chance for the right man. W. E. Forbes, Plainwell, Mich. Y^ANTED.— Farm hand with no bad habits, that "" wishes to learn bee-keeping. I prefer one that wants steady employment. I keep about 500 colonies, and run for both comb and extracted honey. Please state wages wanted. W. J. Stahmann. Bruce, Wis. w w ANTED.- Comb to render into wax; will pav cash. A. P. Lawrence, Hickory Corners, Mich. ANTED. — To exchange Angora goats for anv thing useful. Ed. W. Cole & Co., Kenton, Ohio. w w w .\NT1'!D.— .Assistant apiarist; state age, experience, and wages desired. Address C C. Hawley, Jr., Berthoud, Col. \1/'ANTED.— To exchange my new price list of 2000 "^ ferrets, now ready to ship, for your address on a postal card. N. A. Knapp, Rochester, Ohio. ANTED.— To sell thick - top L. frames, in flat, from yellow pine, at »8.00 per 1000, f . o. b. G. F. Tucker, Blountstown, Fla. 'ANTED— To sell a 10-h.p. horizontal engine with upright boiler, with pump, smoke-stack, and all connections, for $125. J. W. Bittenbender, Knoxville, Iowa. WANTED— To sell 10 bbls. White Bliss Triumph po- tatoes—a little sunburned or green, but all right for seed — not sorted, $2.00 per barrel; will ship in the spring. J. W Bittenbender, Knoxville, Iowa. \\/ANTED. — A buyer for a copper liquefying and fill- '" in^ tank, capacity 400 lbs. of honey, practically new; will sell at a bargain. For full particulars, price, etc., address iRA D. Bartlett, East Jordan, Mich. iVANTED.— A good second-hand Barnes foot-power ' saw, in exchange for supplies. .State condition and price The A. I. Root Co., 1200 Maryland Ave., S. W , Washington, D. C. WANTED.— To sell 600 stands of Italian bees in Sim- plicity hives in lots to suit buyer. Will deliver the same to any point in the West if desired. Corres- pondence solicited. Tyler Bros , Nicolaus, Cal. W^ w^ WANTED. — Bee-man to ass'st in running 200 colo- nies. Write, stating your experience, and wages required to W. R. Ansell, Apiarist, G. N. Ry.. St. Paul, Minn. RANTED. — To exchange stationary gasoline-engines 1 to 10 h. p., bicycle motors, and frames for mo- tor cycles, for wood and metal working machinery, worn out gasoline engines, etc. Twin City Bicycle Co.. La Salle, 111. WANTED.— A position to care for bees along the Pacific coast. Have had a limited experience; am of Swedish-American descent, 24 years of age. State wages when writing Herman Rolf Box 96, Rose Creek, Minn. WANTED —To sell or exchange for bees or supplies one McCormick corn-shredder, been used one week, just as good as new; and one McCormick corn- harvester, been used two seasons. C. L- Pinney, LeMars, Iowa. WANTED.— For cash, 250 or 300 colonies of bees in ten-frame hives: extra combs also. Prefer those that have been run for extracted honey in the South- ern States. State prices on cars and what you have for sale. J. D. Rhoads, Las Animas, Colo. ANTED.— To sell for cash, 5 gal. square tin cans, used for honey, at about half price of new cans. Also elegant exhibition 12-lb. no drip honey-cases f'^r plain DSnz. and i%X^\i sections; made for Pan-Amer- ican. For prices, etc., address Orel L- Hershiser, 301 Huntington Ave., Buffalo, N. V. w w^ RANTED— To sell 50,000 well-rooted strawberry- plants, grown from new beds. Senator Dunlap, and 6 other choice varieties. 25 to 40 cts. per hundred; 10 per cent discount in lots of 500. Also eggs from gilt-edge Barred Rocks, and Vandresser laying strain. White Leghorns, Jl.OO per 15. P. Hostetler, East Lynne, Mo. WANTED.— A boy of fourteen to eighteen years of foreign parentage-German or French preferred — to work in apiary or on farm. An excellent oppor- tunity is offered to the right party to work into a good paying business, as I want to retire as soon as possi- ble. A good Christian home for a boy of good habits. For full particulars address A. Mottaz, t'tica, III. 214 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Mar. 1 PACE $c LYON, I New London, Wisconsin, I MANUFACTURERS OF AND DEALERS IN . . . BEE-KEEPERS' SUPPLIES. . . . Send for Our Free New Illustrated Catalog and Price List Now d^ ^ Ready ! Sixty-four Page Catalog of every thing- bee-keepers need. Illustrated and fully described. Especially valuable to begin- ners for the information it con- tains. Send your address on a postal and g-et it now. Estab- lished 1884. J* M* Jenkins^ Wetumpka, Elmore Co., Ala, ^^nfififtff^ff^fj^l^f^MnHHf^pikm^ I ♦^ —^- BEE-SUPPLIES. Kretchmer Mfg. Co., Box 60, Red Oak,la. Best-equipped factory in the West ; car- ry a lar^e stock and greatest variety of every thing needed in the apiarj-, assur- ing BEST goods at the LOWEST prices, and prompt shipment. We want every bee-keeper to have our FREE ILLUS- TRATED CATALOG, and read descrip- tion of Alternating Hives, Ferguson Su- pers, etc. IVrt'/e at once for a catalog. AGENCIES Trester Supply Company, Lincoln, Neb. Shugart & Ouren, Council Bluffs, la. Chas. Spangler, Kentland, Ind. BINGHAM SMOKER. Dear Sirr— Inclosed find $1.75. Please send one brass smoke-engine. I have one already. It is the best smoker I ever used. Truly yours, Henbt Schmidt, Hutto, Tex. MADE TO ORDER Bingham Brass Smokers, Made of sheet brass, which does not rust or burn out; should last a lifetime. You need one, but they cost 25 cts. more than tin of the same size. The little open cut shows our brass hinge put on the three larger sizes. No wonder Bingham's four-inch smoke-engine goes w^ithout puffing, and does not drop inky drops. The perforat- ed steel fire-grate has 381 holes to air the fuel and support the fire. Hea\'y tin smoke-engine, 4-inch stove, per mail, $1..50; .S^-inch, $1.10; 3-inch. $1.00; 2^-inch, 90c; 2-inch, ti.5c. Bingham smokers are the originals, and have all the improvements, and have been the standard of excellence for 23 years. Only three larger ones brass. T. F. Bingham, Farwell, Michigan. Volume XXXI MARCH 15 1903 2f«EE GUUraM Contents. Market Quotations - 219 Stray Straws, by Dr.Miller 223 Pickings, by Stenog - - - 225 Conversations with Doolittle 226 Editorials 227 S]ialIo\v Brood-chambers and 4X) Sections Formaldehyde for Foul Brood - - Foul-brood Bills Before Various Legislatures Carpet Grass, or l,ippia Nodi flora Forty Years Among the Bee - - - - Ventilation in Bee Cellars - - - - General Correspondence- - - Pridgen on Queen-rearing - - Forced Swarms, by IV. K. Morrison Bee-keeping in Cuba, by E. M. Davidson - Nailing Hoffman Framts, by C. B. Th^ving - Moving Bees, by A. E. vb. Fat jo - Honey for the Grocery Trade, by M. Mover Cause of Weak Colonies, by A. C. Miller - Heads of Grain ------ 242 Selling Honey Through U. .S. Express Carter's Cell torniing Stick - - . . Golden and Leather-colored Bees Compared Simple Method for Wiring Frames I'orced Swarms - ■ The sam^on Hive ------ Notes of Travel Bv A. I. Root ,1 vl. m V^ ■^^ito^vs^' TheA.L e MEDINA 2:3-! 234 2a) 23(i 237 23S Root Cq OHIO 3 Western Edition Entered at the Postoffice at Medina, Ohio, as .Sbcond-cla^s Mattkr. Ready for Your Orders! We have io stock readj' for immediate delivery a Carload of Root's Supplies such as Dovetailed and Danzen- baker Hives, Cowan Extrac- tors, Sections, etc.. etc. If you want Root's goods be sure to specify it in making your or- der or inquiry. We also han- dle local-made supplies. Let us have your specifications early so we may not disap- point 3^ou when you need the supplies. Smith s Cash Store, (Incorporated) San Francisco, Calif. Colorado Bee-keepers! Get our prices before purchasing else- w here. We are selling lirst-class make of goods at lewer prices than the cheaper goods can be purchased for. If requiring Hives, Sections, Honej- extraetors. Shipping - cases. Knives, ]^ee Smokers and Veils, Comb Founda- tion, or any thing else in the line of BEE-KEEPERS' SUPPLIES you should remember that The L. A. Watkins Mdse. Co. Denver^ Colorado^ are headquarters for the State, and furnish local associations who can use as much us a carload at carload prices direct from the factory, or smaller lots from our well-furnished warerooms in Denver, at prices that defy competi- tion for equal quality of goods. We are agents for Tbe A. I. Root Com- pany's Goods for Colorado, and want to hear from bee-keepers in need of supplies. We buy honey and wax. L^et Us Hear from You.. Now Ready! We have the lars^-est stock of Root's goods that ever came to Kansas, and we are ready to supply j'our needs in the apiary. We can save you freight and time by buying of us. Danz. Hives, Weed New Pro- cess Foundation, Cowan Extractors, Smokers, and every thing that you will likely need. We are now booking orders for Buck's strain of Italian queens. Last year we were swamped with orders in the spring, so I wish to ask my customers to send in their orders early so as to avoid the rush. Send for 1903 c italog. The 1' 03 edi- tion of A B C c f Bee Culture for sale. Carl F. Buck, Aug:usta, Kansas. Butler County. Announcement ! We desire to call the attention of all bee-keepers in Washington, British Columbia, and adjacent territorj', that we're now the Northwestern agents for The a. I. Root Company, and are prepared to furnish from stock here, and at other Washington points, any thing required bj' bee-keepers. Send your specifications early. If we do not have the goods wanted this will enable us to get them in our next car- load. Catalogs tree. LILLY, BOGARDUS & CO., Seattle, Washington. Northern-grown Seeds, Trees and Plants, Poultry and Bee Supplies, Spray Pumps, Fertilizeraana Garden-tools. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 219 Honey Market. GRADIXO-RUI-ES. Fancy.— All sections to ho wi! 1 lilled, combs straight, firm l.v aHacln'ci to ull four sides, t lie combs unsoiled by travel Btaiii orothirwiso ; all thi' cill.-J scaled oxceut au occasional cell, tlie outside surface of t lie wood well scraped'of propolis A No 1.— All sections well tilled except the row of cells next to llie wood ; combs strainht ; one-eiRhtii part of comb surface soiled, or the entire stir face slightly soiled the out eideof the WDOil well scraped of propolis. No. 1.— All sections well filled except the row of colls next to the wood ; combs conuiarat ively even ; one-einhth part of comb surface soiled, or the entire surface si iglitly soi.ed. JJo. 2.— Three-fourths of the total surface must be filled and sealed. No. 3.— Must weigh at least half as much as a full-weight section. In addition to this the honey is to be classified according to color, using the terms w hite, amber, and dark ; that is, there will be " Saucy White," " No. 1 Dark," etc. New York.— There is a fair demand for white stock at IT) for fajicy; No 1, 18®14; amber, 12; with sufficient supply to meet the demand. Dark honej will be cleaned up with very little left. It is selling at about 11. Extracted honey rather weak, and in quantity lots prices are gentr.illy shaded. We quote wh te 7@ 7^<.; amber. t)'/4(a.7; dark. 6. Beeswax firm and scarce, ami at good demand from 30@81 for good average. HiLDRETH & SEGELKEN, Mar. .5. 265-7 Greenwich St., New York City. Chic.'VGG. — The demand for comb honey has been and is of small volume Prices are weak — concessions being made where necessary to effect sales. Fancy while comb is held at l'>(a,Ui all other grades of while irregular at l;?rall; light amber, I0(wl2; dark and am- bers. 9ia 10. Extracted clover and basswo' d, 7(g.S; other white grades, (3(0,7; atnber, 5^(aiG'4. Beeswax steady at 30. R. A. Bltrnhtt & Co., Mar. 7. 199 South Water St.. Chicago, 111. BfFF.^LO. — There is very little honey in our market, and prices and demand better than usual at this sea- son of the year. Faiicv while comb, 1.5vilti; A No 1, 14a 1.5, No. i, Vi]4(aU: No. 2, 12!4(a.l3; No. 3, 12(a]2y2; No. I dark, llfajl2; No. 2 dark, 10 a 11. Extracted, white. ~]4@8: amber. 7@7}^; dark, 6(dt)i4. Beeswax, 28fo30. Beeswax 28(a30. W C Townsend, Mar. 7. 167 Scott St.. Buffalo, N. Y. New York — The market on comb honey is weak; demand has improved, but not enough to hold up prices. Fancv comb is worth 11(0(1."); No. 1, IH'2'3,13; Extracted, 4^'@8'^. Beeswax firm at 30a32. Francis H. Lkggett *!: Co., Mar. 9. Franklin and Varick Sis., New York. Cincinnati. — The demand for extracted honey is good at the following prices: Amber, barrels, o^(a6J4, accordintr to quality; white clover, S^aH. Fancy comb hoiiev. 1")';(0>HJH- Beeswax strong at 30. The Fred W. Mtth Co., Mar. 11. Front & Walnut Sts , Cincinnati, O. Philadelphia. —The season for comb honey is now nearlj- over, and very litlle call with some few sales. There is a large lot held back, this being offered at low prices, and market is a little weak. We quote fancy 14(^1."); No. 1.14; amber. 12(5113. F.xlracted fancy white, 7(a8. Beeswax, 30, and in good demand. We are pro- ducers i-f honey, and do not handle on commission. W.M. A. Selser, Mar. 10. 10 Vine St., Philadelphia, Pa. Kans.as City. — The demand for both comb and ex- tracted honey is better, with receipts light. We qu )te as follows: Extra fancv, per case of 24 sections, J3 40; strictly No. 1. |:5.30; No. 1 amber, $:ilX)CgiS.3.25; No 2 while and amber. $2.50. Extracted white, per lb., 7; amber, 6^6^^. Beeswax, 30. C. C. Clemons & Co., Feb. 21. .306 Grand Ave., Kansas City, Mo. San Fr.\ncisco — Honey market as follows: Comb, per lb.. 10«il3. Extracted, water white, 7; light amber, o@6^; dark amber, 5. Beeswax, per lb., 2.S cts. Mar. 1. K. H. Schaeffle, Murphys, Cal. For S.\le. — 1000 lbs. or more of extracted basswood honey, first quality, at 754c; also 1000 lbs. or more of amber slightly mixed with honey-dew, at oc, f o. b. here. Franklin Minnick, Baraboo, Wis. F'oR Sale.— Oue barrel partly full (near 400 lbs.) of extracted honey mixed with "honey-dew, but light color; good for Feeding or factory purposes. Price 5^ cts. per lb. John A. Thornton, L,ima. 111. Wanted.— Beeswax ; highest market price paid. Write for price list. Bach, Becker & Co., Chicago, 111. Wanted. — Fancy comb honey. State what kind you have, how put up, and price per pound. C. M. Scott & Co., 1004 E. Washington St., Indianapolis, Ind. For Sale —We are sold out on alfalfa honey, but have ten 3"0-lb. bbls. of light amber and buckwheat at 7c; forty 250-300 lb. bbls fancy bapswood at 8c: 60-lb. new cans, two in a case. 9c. E. R. Pahl & Co., 294, 296 Broadway, Milwaukee, Wis. Wanted — Comb and extracted honey. State price, kind, and quantity. R. A. Burnett & Co., 199 South Water St., Chicago, 111. For Sale. —Extracted honey. Finest grades for ta- ble use. Prices quoted on application. Sample by mail, 10 cts. to pay for package and postage. Orel I,. Hershiser, 301 Huntington Ave., Buffalo, N. Y. We will be in the market for honey the coming sea- son in carloads and less than carloads, and would be glad to hear from producers everywhere what they will have to offer. Seavey & Flarsheim, 1318-1324 Union Avenue, Kansas City, Mo. Our A.clvertisers. Read the advertisement of the Deming Co., Salem, Ohio, in another column of this paper. Any one interested in quick and economical farm and garden work should obtain a copy of the Iron Age Book for 190:^ by writing to the Bateman Mfg. Co., Box 120. Grenloch, N. J. Our readers should see what the Ohio Carriage Mfg. Co., Station 27, Cincinnati, have to offer. Write them for prices and illustrations. They have a special bar- gain for Gleanings readers. Their adv. is on page 2ti3, this issue. The National Bee -Keepers' Association. Objects of The Association: To promote and protect the interests of its members. To prevent the adulteration of honey. Annual Membership, $1.00. Send dues to the Treasurer. Officers: W. Z. Hutchinson, Flint. Mich , President. J. U. Harris, Grand Junction. Col., Vice president. Gi:orge W. York, Chicago. Ills., Secretary. N. E. France, Platteville, Wis., Gen. Mgr. and Tieas. Board of Directors : E. Whitcomh, Friend. Nebraska. W. Z. Hutchinson, Flint, Michigan. A. I. Root. Medina, Ohio. R. C. AiKiN. I.oveland, Colorado. P. H. Elwood Starkville N. Y. E. R. Root, Medina, Ohio. T. G. New.man, San I'rancisco, Cal. G. M. DooLiTTLE. Borodino, N. Y. W. F. Marks, Chapinville, N Y. J. M. Hambaugh, Escondido Cal. C. A. Hatch, Richland Ctr., Wis. C. C. Miller, Marengo, Illinois. 220 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Mar. 15 U/>e Best Bee-g'oods in tKe World are no better than those we make, and the chances are that they are not so good. If you buy of us you will not be disappointed. We are undersold by no one. Send for new catalog and price list and free copy of THE AMERICAN BEE-KEEPER; in its thirteenth year ; 50 cents a year ; especially for beginners. U/je "W. T. Falconer Man'f 'g Co., Jamestown, New YorK. W. M. Gerrish, Epping, New Hampshire, carries a full line of our goods at catalog prices. Order of him and save the freight. iiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiMiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiniMiiiiiiiMniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiin 1 1. J.Stringham, New York City f I 105 Park Place. | I OUR 1903 CATALOG is yours for the asking. The supplies | = listed in it are practical and up-to-date. We furnish everything = = a bee-keeper uses, and will not be undersold. It will be a plea- = = sure to quote you prices on any thing you need ; Freight Paid to = = your R. R. station if you prefer. Bees and queens during the | = season. Apiaries, Glen Cove, Long Island. § ^iiiiiiiiiiminmiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiMiiiiiMiiiiiiiiiiniiiHiiimiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiimiir^ We are Jobbers of Bee-keepers' Supplies in this Staie, representing The C B. Lewis Co., and Dadant & Son. WHOLESALE AND RETAIL llZ'1oro'X.X'=^^^^ LEWIS C. & A.G. WOODMAN, Grand Rapids, Mich. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. iJlllllllllllllllllllllllllllllIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIILt 221 Dr. Miller's New Book. By Return Mail. S 328 paees; 112 original illustrations; S = cloth bound; gold-lettered. — I "Forty Years Among the Bees" | 3 Every bee-keeper will want to read H 2 this new bee-book. It is enough to ^ = say that Dr. C. C. Miller wrote it. E E It tells how Dr. Miller does. Price E 3 Jl.OO. postpaid; or the book and the = E weekly American Bee Journal one S ~ year, botli for jl 75 Better order S E now. Send for free sample of the E :: Bee Journal and catalog of bee- — S supplies. — I George W. York & Co., | E 144=6 East Erie St., Chicago, Illinois. E = "Root's Goods at Root's Prices." = ?illlllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll!llllli|||||illlllllllllllllllllf7 I BEE= KEEPERS' ^SUPPLIES^ The ver3' best of goods. Large and complete stock. Years of experience. The best shipping-point in the United States to ship from. HOOSIER IN= CUBATORS and BROODERS The world can't beat them. Thej^ are the product of 9 years of manufacturing. Send for our 1903 catalog and sup- plement. It tells all about these goods. C. M. SCOTT (a CO., 1004 East Washington Street, Dittmer's Foundation. RETAIL AND WHOLESALE. This foundation is made by a process that produces the superior of anj^. It is the cleanest and purest. It has the brightest color and sweetest odor. It is the most transparent, because it has the thinnest base. It is tough, clear as crystal, and gives more sheets to the pound than any other make. "WorRirig 'Wax into Foundation for CasH a Specialty. Bees^vax Al^vays "Want- ed at HigKest Price. Catalog giving full line of supplies, with prices and samples, free on application. Gus. Dittmer, Augusta, Wisconsin. We are the Largest MTrs oi Bee-keepers' Supplies in the NortJiwest. Send for Catalog Minneapolis, Minnesota We Have the Best Goods, Lowest Prices, and Best Shipping Faciiities. GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Mar. 15 Muth s Wonderful Inducement A Genuine Imported Straw Skep as a Premium with orders for $25. The lot is limited. Speak quick. They create no end of interest. A complete line of Lewis' Matchless Supplies at their factory prices. Our Muth's Special Dovetail is made to last a lifetime; no warp to cover and bottom. Buckeye Red=clover Queens ready to mail March 15th. Prices : Si each, six for S5. None better in the Universe. Send for a catalog-. The Fred W. Muth Co., Cincinnati, Ohio. Front and Walnut Streets. WATER TOWN, WISCONSIN, U. S. A. ee-Keepers' Supplies 903 Catalog Ready, if you have not been receiving a copy annually, send us your name and address, and one will be mailed to you free. Special Offers. On all cash orders received before April 1st, 1903, we allow a discount of two per cent. To parties sending us an order for supplies amounting to $10.00 or more at reg- ular prices, we will make the following low^ rates on journals: Gleanings in Bee Culture, semi-monthly, one year, 50 cts.; American Bee Journal, weekly, one year, 70 cts. C. M. Scott & Co., . . . 1004 East Washington St., Indianapolis, Ind. ly. C. Woodman, Grand Rapids, Michigan. The Fred W. Muth Co., S. W. cor. Walnut & Front, Cincinnati, Ohio. Fred W. Foulger & Sons, Ogden, Utah. Colorado Honey Producers' Association, 1440 Market St., Denver, Colo. Colorado Honey Producers' Assoc'n, R. C. Aiken, Mgr., l,oveland, Colo. Grand Junction Fruit-growers' Association, . . Grand Junction, Colo. Robert Halle Montrose, Colo. Pierce Seed & Produce Co. Pueblo, Colo. E. T. Abbott St. Joseph, Mo. Chas. Dadant & Son, Hamilton, Ills. F. C. Erkel 515 First Ave., N. E-, Minneapolis, Minn. Lilly, Bogardus & Co., Seattle, Wash. Klauber, Mangenheim & Co., San Diego, Calif. J. K. Hill & Co., Uvalde, Texas. jiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii E OUR AGENCIES = THEY WILL FILL YOUR = ORDER PROMPTLY * * m * * ~ If you are located near Z any of those, send us 2 your name and ad- z gK Z dress, and write them r VJx S for prices. ; Xji, niiiiiiillllllllllMiiilliiii HEADQUARTERS FOR BEE-SUPPLIES "Roofs Goods at Roofs Factory Prices." Complete stock for 190.3 now on hand. Freight rates from Cincinnati are the lowest. Prompt service is what I practice. Satisfaction guaranteed. Langstroth Portico Hive and Standard Honey-jars at lowest prices. You will save money buying from me. Catalog maTled free. Send for same. Book orders for Golden Italian, Red-clover, and Carniolan queens For prices, refer to my catalog. C. H.W.WEBER, CINCINNATI, OHIO. Office and Salesroom, 2146-8 Central Ave. Warehouses, Freeman and Central Aves. • DELVoTE.^ -.-Jib Hon EY •AHD HOME, -INTERESTS TublishEdyTHE^l^OoYCo. , ""sPh" PER\tAR'^'\9 "Medina- Ohio •' Vol. XXXI. MAR. J 5, 1903. No. 6. ^Q^JDrCCMiLLER, Shall I be obliged to get a Spanish dic- tionary in order to understand any thing A. I. Root says, next time he comes to Marengo? Basswood-trees are advertised, p. 209, "6X12 inches." Does that mean they're 6 inches high and 12 inches through, or t'other wa}'^? [I give it up. — Ed.] Bro. Doolittle's visitor, p. 186, asks, " Do I understand j'ou to say that there is a lot of queens running about among the bees, at time of swarming? " and the reply is, "No, not that." But isn'f there a lot running about at time of swarming, in those cases where a lot is found in an after- swarm? Sweet cloves, p. 199, 5^6';;/^ to be thrown out of the list that includes alfalfa, buck- wheat, etc., and classed as fit only to be grown on waste land. Now you quit that, Mr. Editor. You know very well that in some places sweet clover holds up its head with alfalfa, and it is constantly growing in favor. [All right. I will include sweet clover.— Ed. ] Here's the wav it is given in a German- French bee journal: At the exposition in St. Louis, in the State of Colorado, in 1904, Mr. Swink,the largest owner of bees in Amer- ica, will have 5,000,000 bees in 640 hives, and he intends to furnish them the necessa- rj' flowers for their harvest. [The editor of the German-French bee journal who com- piled this remarkable statement possibly has only a smattering of English, and was unfortunate enough to mix fact and fiction together. — Ed.] In response to your desire, Mr. Editor, to know what your readers want, let me say that, in the copy of Gleanings that you send me, I'd like a fair proportion of ques- tions and answers. Those who are more experienced than I may afford to skip them, but I never dare to skip one for fear there's something in it that I don't yet know. Then don't forget the pictures — and the footnotes. But if any footnotes get scattered in among these Straws, please let them be respectful. [All right; but if you put chips on your shoulder for me to knock off, I am likely to knock them off. — Ed.] You ASK, Mr. Editor, referring to that tent business, p. 184, "But why shouldn't the workers get into the habit of getting in- to the tent as well as through the perforated metal? " For the same reason that the workers don't come into the tent where the drones do; because it isn't the regular en- trance, and is opened only at set times when it is desired to have the virgins and drones fly. [But if it is open only at set times, why shouldn't a queen follow in the wake of the crowd of the workers, wasting her time in trying to get out at the regular entrance? And it is likely, if she fails at this entrance, that she will go to the one at the rear. — Ed.] J. W. Baldwin says, p. 199, that mother- wort is not given in the ABC. Look again, friend Baldwin ; it's there, in its proper place, between milk- vetch and mountain laurel. The editor wouldn't answer you whether feeding bees makes them lazy, but 3'ou needn't worr}' about that. You'll have to study up some prett}' bad plan of feeding if you succeed in making them lazy. [But it is not true, doctor, that there is danger of feeding, when there is honey in the fields to such an extent as to make the bees actually lazy ? that is, they look to the feeder rather than to the field. A. I. R. concluded, from an experiment that he conducted once, that he made one or two good colonies actually lazy right in the height of the honey-flow. —Ed.] That S921.60 in the treasury of the N. A. B. K. A. has a healthy look. [Whatever m^ly be said of Mr. Secor's course, in the way of criticism, the fact stands out clear and strong that he has carefully husbanded the funds of the bee-keepers put into his 224 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Mar. 15 hands as a sacred trust. Whenever we have got into litigation of any sort, the fact that there was a thousand dollars in the treasury of the N. B. K. A., and the further fact that there were a thousand members who could, if necessary, pour in another thousand dollars, has had a tremendous influence on the minds of our enemies, the adulterator, and municipal authorities that were disposed to declare bees a nuisance. Mr. Secor has shown another good quality — an ability to keep still when "under fire." Again, we might have had a General Man- ager who would not have turned over a single cent. — Ed.] The Leipziger Bietienzeitung offers $250 for an absolutely certain test for pure hon- ey. [Any good chemist who has made the analysis of honey a specialt}^ can determine nearl}' enough for all practical purposes whether honey is adulterated or not. Some- times when the percentage of sugar syrup is very low it may be difficult to detect it; but the ordinary commercial glucose, such as is used in the United States, at least, is very readily discovered. The average chemist who has never had much to do with the analysis of honey, may make a mistake; but one who is at all familiar with the range of the proportions of the different properties or elements that go to make up ordinary honey can very readily show the spurious fromithe genuine; indeed, the courts of our land accept the statement of a relia- ble chemist. I do not know why the Bie- nenzeitung should feel under the necessity of offering $250 for an absolutely certain test. If it desires a test that can be used by any bee-keeper, without a knowledge of chemis- try, it might just as well make the offer ten times as large, and be perfectly sure of keeping the money. — Ed.] Sometimes bee - keepers will agree to market through certain avenues, and then take up with a better offer elsewhere, say you, Mr. Editor, p. 189. I have been under the impression that there was nothing dis- loyal in a member of a honey exchange sell- ing outside at any time, providing he sold at a higher price. Am I wrong in that ? [It all depends on what kind of contract is entered into with the organization of which the bee-keeper is a member. In the Colo- rado Association, one of the most successful organizations of its kind — perhaps the most so — the bee - keepers buy up a certain amount of stock, and I think the members are supposed to market their product through the organization. But suppose Mr. A, a member of the organization, does sell at a higher price ; he does not break down the market, it is true ; but should not his fellow-stockholders share in the better price he is able to secure in the slightly increased dividend that will be made later ? If the bee-keepers are going to band together for mutual protection, they should be willing to give to the organization for the sake of what it may give them in return — a higher level of prices year after year. — Ed.] Replying to the question whether balled queens die from stings or suffocation. Dr. W. G. Sawyer, in A>nerican Bee-keeper, doubts the sufl^ocation, because he found that, when he immersed drones completely in water for fifteen minutes, nine-tenths of them revived and were as lively as ever, and he thinks queens would not be so differ- ent from drones. I suspect he is right. Neither does the stinging theory seem tena- ble. If bees sting any thing, they're not likely to be two or three hours at it. My guess is starvation. [But haven't I seen stings lodged in the body of a balled queen? Yes, I am sure I have. But the fact that drones can be kept under water for so long a time, and still be revived, is a new fact. Wouldn't that also argue, rather, that the queen can get along for a considerable length of time with very little air? and is it not rather improbable that a ball of bees should be so tight as to exclude fresh sup- plies of air? If the queen smothers that way, why shouldn't several of the bees die also? We know a queen is more hardy than any of the workers — or at least the fra- ternity has generally held to that opinion. —Ed.] Mr. Editor, after reading some things you say on p. 188, I'm just the least bit afraid that some of the beginners may expect that Gleanings is to take the place of a text-book. That should never be. If a beginner can't have both a bee-journal and a text-book, let him by all means start with the text-book, and then get Gleanings just as soon as he can get the money for it. When he has studied the ABC throughout, he is then in condition to profit by what he reads in Gleanings. But Gleanings is noplace in which to answer which bees lay the eggs, how to form nuclei, nor any other of the things plainly told in the ABC. But in the faithful study of the ABC there will be some things the beginner can not fully understand, and Gleanings is the place in which to ask for clearer light ; and after the contents of the ABC have been fully mastered there will still be plenty of things coming up all the time to 3sk questions about, and he should always feel free to ask them in Gleanings. [You have hit the nail squarely on the head ; Mr. Begin- ner will, therefore, understand that the suggestion offered by Dr. Miller as to what Gleanings should be is a settled policy of its editors and publishers. We have al- ways tried to make our journal supplement the book — not take the place of it. — Ed.] Editor Hutchinson thinks there ought to be some changes made in the N. B. K. A. constitution, and says: "In fact, one great source, if not the source, of most of our late troubles has been from a lack of definiteness in our constitution." Perhaps. Undoubt- edly there ought to be some change, but the question is whether it is best to try to make it so definite as to meet every possible emer- gency that may arise, or to rip out some of its present definiteness and depend a little 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 225 upon common sense. [I have for some time back held that we have too much constitu- tion. It is impossible to prescribe a set of limitations in advance that will cover all conditions and circumstances that may arise in the future. I would be in favor of having- less constitution, with broader powers delegated to a Board of Di- rectors, of men selected for their fitness and wisdom, and who shall not be elected year after year, simply' because the membership does not know who else to vote for. I would further favor having a nominating commit- tee composed of three men who are familiar with the capabilities of the best men in the Association. That committee should pro- pose a set of names, and let the membership select from that set. A Board of Directors composed of wise men having broad powers delegated to them could proceed along the lines of common sense and expediency rath- er than have to run up against an unconsti- tutional limitation. But the time to talk about this matter is not now, but some three or four months before the next election. I will endeavor to open the question if nobody else does at that time. In the mean time, let us make the best of circumstances, and get down to business. — Ed.] E. F. Atwater, in American Bee-keeper, gives an explanation which is new to me, and is probably correct, as to the difference in the observations of Editor Root and my- self concerning brood being built clear to the top-bar. He says: " Dr. Miller's frames are filled with combs built from full sheets of foundation stayed with splints; no sagging there; so brood is much more likely to extend to the top-bars. Root's combs are built from foundation starved with horizon- tal wires, consequently sagging all along the top-bars, and bees dislike to rear brood in cells ever so slightl}' elongated." [When I first read this over it seemed like a rea- sonable and probable explanation; but I said I would go out into the honey-house and look over some hundreds of our combs, and I did. Well, I did not find one in a hundred that had elongated cells; and in a great majorit_v of the combs the cells with- in one inch of the top-bar were exactly the same size as those four or five inches down; and yet by holding these combs up to the light I could easily see where the brood had been reared, b}' the darkened shading. In most cases it was two inches down from the top-bar. There is a little knack in wiring horizontTlly to prevent sagging of founda- tion. Wires must not be drawn too tight nor too loose. If you ask me to describe just how to get the right degree of tautness, I can onl}' say this is a matter of feel. But, " allee samee, " there is a tendency toward a light-weight foundation in the brood -nest; and ere many years roll by we expect to use foundation as light as super, in which case we shall be compelled to use splints or perpendicular wires, or, better still, per- pendicular wires alreadj' incorporated in the foundation. The amount of brood in a brood-frame depends largely on the strain of the queen. A little Syrian, Holy Land, Cj'prian, or even black blood results in full- er frames of brood, I think. I suppose your bees are not as pure Italians as ours are, and this may account for the partial difference in the brood line. ^rowOuy ?J winter's reign at last is o'er ; He yields to Spring's tnild sway ; Her scepter clothes the fields with green, And strews with flowers our waj'. The French have a very large apicultural literature, each journal seeming to be well supported, and tilled with up to- date arti- cles. Without any attempt to describe them all separately, I give their names and addresses. If I were called on to name any one of them which I should think occupies the most prominent place it is Mr. Ed. Bertrand's Revue Internationale, Geneva, Switzerland. Mr. Bertrand's place as an editor and bee-inan is such as to make him well known all over Europe. He was inti- mately associated with the elder Dadant up to the time of the death of the latter; and among the chief contributors to-day is Mr. C. P. Dadant, whose writings consti- tute a perennial charm for those interested in bees and who can read his articles in the French language. Here are the names of the most of the other French bee journals : Rucher Beige, Liege, Belgium. This is a splendid journal every way, both in con- tents and printing. L' Abeille, Huy, Belgium. Very progres- sive. Bulletin de la Societe d'' Apiculture d' Al- sace-Lorraine. Mundolsheim, Alsace, Ger- many. This is German and French. Bulletin de la Societe de la Somme. Amiens, France. Revue Eclectique. Sainte-Soline, France. Gazette Apicole, Montfavet, France. Progres Apicole. This is edited by Mr. S. Thibaut, of Mont-sur-Marchienne, Bel- gium. This journal is widely' quoted, and occupies a high place. L'Apiculteur, 28 Rue Serpente, Paris. This is a very old journal — the oldest I know any thing about, and a large one. Before Mr. Hamet's death it was a vigorous opponent of movable frames, favoring the old style of hives. It seems to have lost this peculiarity, and is a thoroughly good journal. If any of our readers can make use of a bee journal in Danish, Dutch, or Bohemian I should be glad to hear from them. 226 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Mar. is In my list of German journals in the pre- vious issue I overlooked Bienen- I'ater, one of the best journals published in that tong-ue ; also Praktischer IVegweiser, Oran- ienburg-Berlin, Prussia. \\u BEE-KEEPERS' REVIEW. In the issue for February, Mr. R. L. Tay- lor has an article on foul brood, vehich is certainly worth all the journal costs a year. It is said of Mr. Taylor that he "holds foul brood at arms' leng-th, and laug-hs at it;" hence it is likely he understands what he is writing about. \h AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL. Although I have not had much to say about the Old Reliable lately, it is not be- cause it does not deserve it. Mr. York is not relaxing any of his efforts to make his journal indispensable to every bee-keeper. The high moral tone of the journal is very commendable. Mr. Hasty is always at his best here. ^ /r«^ h\ "^ "^M f®®Mi"irii5ii^ ^^^ UNITING BEES IN SPRING. "Good morning. Mr. Doolittle. Nice morning for the first of March." " Yes, this is a nice morning, Mr. Smith. Soon be time for active work with the bees again. Think the few I have out may pos- sibly fly a little before night. They will if it keeps still and clear as it is at present. " " The most of my colonies are coming out weak, I fear, and I came over to have a little chat with you about them. What shall I do to get the most comb honey and also a little increase?" "Had you asked me this question some years ago I should have said, 'Unite these weak colonies as soon as possible in the spring;' but from later experience I will now say, leave each colony in its own hive till June." " What has caused you to change your mind?" " Later experience has proven to me that, where two or more colonies are so weak that the3' will not live till summer, if left in their own hive without reinforcing, they will not live through till summer if united, no matter if as many as half a dozen such colonies are put together. And I am not alone in thus thinking, for my experience has been the same as that of nearly all of those who have tried the same thing and reported in the matter." "Deciding that it is not best to unite weak colonies in early spring, what shall be done with them so I can secure comb honey from them?" " After trying every thing recommended in our different books and papers, and not being pleased with any, I finally worked out the following after much study and practice. All colonies which are consider- ed too weak to do good business alone are looked over, about the time pollen comes in freely from elm and soft maple, and each shut on as many combs as the}' have brood in, by means of a nicely adjusted division- board, so that the heat of the little colony may be economized as much as possible; and, also, seeing that each has the neces- sary amount of honey in these combs, or within easy reach, to last them at least three weeks." "Why is it necessary to have so much food on hand?" " If we would have brood-rearing go on rapidly in any colony in early spring, and especially in weak colonies, the bees must not feel poor in honey, nor have any desire to economize what they have. Such weak colonies can send only a few bees to the field for nectar, even when the flowers are yielding plentifully; hence, if we would make the most of our reduced colonies we must give them so much food that they are willing to use it extravagantly." "How long should the colonies be kept shut up this way?" " These colonies are to be kept shut up on these combs till they have filled them with brood clear down to the bottom corners, before more combs are added." "Why is this necessarj'?" "Because breeding will go on faster with the heat, and cluster kept in compact shape, than it would if both were spread out over more combs. In no case do we allow more than half the number of combs we use in our hives; and if any colony in early spring has brood in more than one-half of the combs, the same colony is good enough to take care of itself without confining it with division-boards. ' ' "When these combs are all filled with brood, what then?" "Then the stronger of these has a frame taken from it, taking the one having the most nearly mature brood in it, this frame being given to one of the next weaker col- onies, or, say, to one which lacks one frame of having half that the hive will contain." "Why don't you give this to the weak- est?" "That is the question I used to ask; but don't make this mistake, which many do, of giving this frame of brood to the very weakest, hoping to get it ahead faster. The answering of the question is this: The weather has not yet become steadily warm enough so but there is danger of los- ing the brood by chilling, as well as injur- ing the brood they may already have, should a cold spell occur, as I did several times while I was experimenting. By giving it to a colony nearly as strong as was the one from which it was taken, both are benefit- 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 227 ed, and both can furnish brood to another colonj' which is only a little weaker than the second, in a week or so. I think j-ou see this part now." "Yes, I do understand. But what about the colony from which you took the brood?" " I now give this a comb quite well filled with honej', which is set in the place of the comb of brood taken. This stimu- lates this colon\- to g-reater activity, and causes the queen to till this comb with eggs almost immediately, thus turniniif the honey into brood very rapidlj'. If the hone}' is sealed, the cappings to the cells should be broken, so as to cause the bees to remove it at once. This is best done by passing- a knife flatwise over it, bearing- on enough so as to mash down the sealing- to the cells." " What do 3'ou do next?" " I keep working the brood from the very strongest down, steo by step, as the bees advance and the season progresses, till the time the weakest colony (one having, say, on!}' two combs filled with brood by this time) can take brood enough, without dan- ger of chilling, to make it of equal strength with all." " You now have all of the w-eakest colonies, which were shut up with division- boards, with five frames of brood — that is, supposing that 3'our hive holds nine combs." "Yes; and having them thus -we are ready to unite, which should be done about two weeks before the honej'-harvest comes, that the best results may be obtained." "Please explain minutely about this uniting, so I may fully comprehend how it is done." " To unite, go to No. 1 and look over the combs till you find the one the queen is on, when j'ou will set it, queen, bees, and all, out of the hive, so as to make sure that j'ou do not get the queen where you do not wish her, when _you will take the rest of the combs, bees and all, to hive No. 2. After spreading out the combs in this hive, set those brought from No. 1 ih each alternate space made by spreading the combs in No. 2, and clo?-e the hive." "Why not set the combs in all together? It would be less work." " The alternating of the frames is so that the bees will be all mixtd up, and, thus mixed, they never quarrel, as each bee that touches another is a stranger. Bees often quarrel, and a lot are killed where no precautions are taken." " Thank you for telling me this. Now what next? ' " The colonies are now allowed to stand thus for a few days till they are strong enough to enter the sections, when they are to be put on; and if your experience proves any thing like mine you will have a colony which will give as much comb honey as would that colony which was called 'the very best you ever had in the spring.' In this way you will have half as many col- onies in excellent condition to work in the sections as you had weak colonies in the spring; and if the season is at all good, you will secure a good yield of comb honey; while, had you united in the early spring, or tried to work each one separately, little if any surplus would have been the result, according to my experience." " How about any increase?" " These united colonies will be nearly as likely to increase by swarming as other colonies considered good in the spring. If you wish more increase than this, the comb with brood, bees, and queen, wh'ch are to be put back into hive No. 1, together with an empty frame and one partly filled with honejs can be built up to a fair-sized colony for wintering. This little colony will build straight worker comb for some time; and as soon as it ceases to do this, take the work- er combs built by another colony just like it, and put them with No. 1 till the hive is full, and you have as nice a colony as you can get in any other way." Sixteen extra pages this time. There have been a number of good rains in California so far, but I am told, by those who know, that there hav6 not been enough to insure a honey crop. It has been very warm for the last week or so. I have been expecting the bees un- der the machine-shop to begin to "scold." Notwithstanding it is quite warm in their compartment, they are as quiet and peace- able as I ever saw^ them. But there are not so many bees in the cellar this spring as usual. I hereby acknowledge my thanks to those who have so kindly written me regard- ing the general subject-matter of Glean- ings. And, dear friends, while you are telling about the things you like, do not hesitate to speak about the things you don't like. A little honest criticism is often more helpful than praise. SHALLOW brood-chambers AND THE 4X5 SECTIONS. In the American Bee Jourfial for March 12, Mr. R. C. Aikin, of Loveland, C.il, ad- vocates an elastic double-brood-chamber hive suitable for accommodating 4X5 sec- tions. It is surprising how many of the progressive bee- keepers are turning their thoughts in that direction. At the last Chicago Northwestern, 4X5 sections re- ceived quite a favorable mention. As time 228 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Mar. is goes on, it comes more and more into prom- inence. It started first in the East, and is now g-radually working westward. It was Capt. J. E. Hetherington who first intro- duced this section, or what was practically the same thing, 3JiXS, I think, at the Cen- tennial at Philadelphia in 1876. FORMALDEHYDE AS A CURE FOR FOUL BROOD. Some two or three issues ago, Mr. Weber, of Cincinnati, told of a very interesting and satisfactory experiment showing how he thoroughly disinfected combs affected with foul brood. At that time I requested him to keep us posted in regard to his further experiments. In a letter just received, he writes: Mr. /?oo/.— Fulfilling my prohiise made you some time ago, to inform you of any future developments regarding the cure of foul brood by means of formalin gas, I now hand you the final report of Prof. Guyer, of the University of Cincinnati. The combs men- tioned in his report were sent to me to experiment with, by friend bee-keepers. After fumigating them I sent them to the professor, with the request that he endeavor to find signs of life; but, as he says, he could not. Following is his report: Seventy-five tests for foul brood in bee-comb. Tests were as follows: 40 tests on comb which had been sub- jected to formaldehyde-culture, medium-agar at 37°C; 10 tests on comb containing honey treated as above ; 15 tests on comb as above culture, medium boriellon at 37°C ; 10 tests on comb (foul brood) not treated with for- maldehyde. Bacillus alvei (germ of foul brood) was found in the comb not subjected io formaldehyde; none was found in the combs which had been treated with formaldehyde. This establishes beyond a doubt that formalin gas is a sure cure for foul brood; and I hope that bee-keep- ers who are unfortunate enough to have colonies af- flicted with this disease will give the new cure a trial. I will cheerfully furnish directions, etc., to any one upon request. C. H. W. Weber. Cincinnati, Ohio. I do not feel so certain myself that forma- lin gas is an absolutely sure cure; but the experiments thus far conducted by Mr. Weber give us great reason for hoping that we have something here of more than ordi- nary value. If vie can treat diseased combs by so simple a plan as this, we can wipe foul brood out of a yard with very little ex- pense or trouble. Yes, by all means, Mr. Weber, tell us the exact process by which you succeed in disinfecting the combs above mentioned. If you will furnish us the di- rections, it will save you writing, perhaps, hundreds of letters. FOUL-BROOD BILLS BEFORE THE VARIOUS STATE LEGISLATURES. FouL-BROOD bills are now in the hoppers of several of our States and Territories. Our bee-keeping friends are hereby notified that it will take an unusual amount of pres- sure to get the bills through both Houses, as there is always some Senator and Rep- resentative who has some pet measure of his own that he desires to have put for- ward; and when there is a lot of such fel- lows, each with a pet measure, a foul-brood bill is liable to go by default simply be- cause it is crowded out. A foul-brood bill is now before the legislature of Texas which requires the owners of bees to report in case of foul brood, or other contagious diseases, to the State Entomologist. The measure is weak, it seems to me, because it provides no penalty on the owner of the bees for not complying with the order. But the entomol- ogist may burn the bees. There is another foul-brood bill before the Maine and Illinois State Legislatures, and one has lately passed in California, and is now a law. Keep up the pressure all along the line. CARPET GRASS, OR LIPPIA NODIFLORA. One of our correspondents, Mr. H. M. Jameson, of Corona, Cal., calls our atten- tion to the fact that Bulletin No. 45, issued by the Agricultural Experiment Station of Arizona, published at Tucson, has some- thing to say about this wonderful honey- plant; but, strangely enough, it says noth- ing about the fact that it yields honey; but it gives prominence to the fact of its making a good binder to the soil; that it is found on both hemispheres, and extends north from the South American tropics to Central America, Mexico, and into California, Tex- as, and the South-Atlantic States. Prof. Thornber, the writer, says, "Recent ob- servations indicate that Lippia nodiflora can maintain a continuous layer of green, with a less amount of water, than any oth- er desirable plant in our borders." It is not a forage-plant, he explains, as " graz- ing animals entertain a dislike for it;" and for this reason it is all the more valuable as a sand and soil binder. In sandy re- gions, with a limited amount of water, or in the case of embankments where it is de- sired to hold them together, and not let the water run over the banks, on cultivated lands, it has no equal. It can be propa- gated very readily from cuttings. In the region of Nicolaus, Cal., as I have before explained, it is one of the most val- uable honey-plants known. The gold-wash- ings in that vicinity have destroyed the soil, killing out alfalfa; but along the dikes or embankments to prevent the further over- flow of the river, destroying more land, this beautiful carpet grass forms a soft, thick, bedlike mat. It is spring}' to the feet; and when one lies down on it he almost feels as if he were buoyed up by a brand-new hair mattress. I was fortunate enough to be present when bees were working on it. The tiny blossoms were covered by them. Not only do bees work on it, but they carry in large quantities of honey — tons of it — yes, carloads of it — of a beautifully flavor- ed thick white honey that will rank with any mountain sage in any part of California. This carpet grass, or Lippia nodiflora, would be a most wonderful acquisition to Florida, if once introduced; and this leads me to say that the Arizona Agricultural Station, Tucson, "will endeavor to furnish Lippia nodiflora in limited quantities to all who may apply. When received it should be planted immediately in rows one or two feet apart, in well-watered and well-pre- pared soil. " After the plant is once well 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 229 started, cuttings can be taken off, and it can be further propagated. When a firm stand has been secured, they may then be transplanted to washes and other similar situations where it may be desired to hold the soil together. If the plant is valuable as a soil-binder, the bee-keepers all over the world should make an effort to get it introduced in their localities, not necessarily because it is a soil-binder, but because of the great amount of fine honey; and when once introduced it will stick like many other creeping plants of its kind. Further particulars can probably be gath- ered from Prof. J. J. Thornber, of the De- partment of Botany, of that Territory. Whether or not bee-keepers and others out- side of Arizona would be furnished these cuttings free I can not say; but probably some will be supplied to all who apply for it, at a nominal cost. "forty years among the bees." In our last issue I promised to tell you more about this new and interesting book bj' Dr. C. C. Miller. I have read page af- ter page of it; and the more I read, the more I am convinced that it is one of the most practical books that was ever written. There are 101— yes, 1001— little kinks, little tricks of the trade, little ideas, and big ones too, which, while they may be old to some of the veterans, I am of the opinion will prove to be new and useful to the ma- jority of them. The doctor has crowded into these 330 pages his ripest experience; and not only that, he has drawn from the ideas of others so that we have the very latest and best in the way of practical in- formation from one who has actually spent " forty years among the bees." In our previous issue I spoke of the fact that the writers of text- books, and editors of papers, often assume too much knowledge on the part of the one they are supposed to instruct. Our author, while he is not writ- ing for beginners, does not assume any thing of the sort. He describes just what he does in the bee-yard, and hoiv he does it. Even in the simple matter of catching a queen, he goes into full details, illustrat- ing by photograph each step in the opera- tion. And that reminds me that, some four or five years ago, I told the doctor he ought to get one of those little pocket kodaks; that one who wrote as much as he did ought to be able once in a while to give a picture of the fiiodiis operajidi. The next thing I knew he had bought him a little camera, and was snapping it on every thing right and left. Why, 3'ou just ought to see how he illus- trates in his books his various manipula- tions with that handy little instrument. Take, for example, his method of getting bees oft' the combs, as shown in Fig. 26, p. 83. Without the book itself I can not de- scribe to you exactlj' the vigorous shake or " shook " he gives a comb; but with his left 'hand he grabs the end-bar securely; then with his right hand, or fist, rather, he comes down on the back of his left hand, holding the frame, with a quick sharp blow. Why, you can actuall}^ see Dr. Miller's chubby fist knocking every bee clea7i off. Did you ever try to shake a comb with two hands, giving it the most vigorous kind of " shook," but it would not "shook" all the bees off unless they were black ones? Well, take Dr. Miller's plan, and, presto! every bee will drop inslanter. In Fig. 28 he shows the art of sweeping bees oii the comb; in Fig. 31 how he stays up his foundation with wooden splints, and a good plan it is too. Again, we get a glimpse of the doctor holding his Miller feeder, just as if he were describing its merits before a convention. Another view that is most interesting is the drive leading up to the Miller mansion. On one side of the road is a row of beauti- ful lindens, making the view from a purely artistic point very attractive. Fig. 29 shows the sealed brood of lajnng workers; and it is the best representation in printer's ink of such brood I have ever seen. Fig. 60 is a remarkable view of a section filled with foundation — one large top starter and one narrow bottom starter. In Fig. 61 we see the doctor in his light summer clothing, trimming foundation up for sections. Yes, we can almost see the sweat rolling down his good-natured face. In Fig. 83 we are forcibly reminded of the fact that the doctor believes in cool dress for summer work among the bees. One thick- ness of clothing, bee-veil, and hat, shoes and stockings, complete his regalia, and he looks very neat and comfortable standing up among his favorite rose-bushes. In Fig. 84, again, we see Miss Wilson, his sister-in- law, in her very neat bee-suit. Well, I might go on and describe each of the 101 pictures that are so interesting and also in- structive. Yes, the book is full of good things — pack- ed full of them, and I question very much whether any progressive bee-keeper, begin- ner or veteran, can afiford not to read this book clear through. You may say you have read the doctor's writings for years. Grant- ed. But you will find that there are many little kinks that he describes in this book, that he has never put on the pages of a bee- journal — not because he was not willing to impart what he knew; but because, when he sat down to write a book, one thing after another suggested itself until he unfolded a new story that is as good as a story and far more profitable. The price of this book is $1.00, postpaid. We will club it with Gleanings, both for $1 75. VENTILATION IN BEE-CELLARS; HIGH TEM- PERATURE; MESSRS. DOOLITTLE's AND barber's BEE-CELLARS. In the Bee-keepers'' Review for February appears an article from Ira Barber on this subject. Mr. Barber has been an advocate of hit;h temperature in bee-cellars, and has insisted that one of the chief requirements for successful wintering is to keep out sup- 230 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Mar. 15 plies of fresh air from the outside. From that article I make several extracts which will speak for themselves: ' when I was in the habit of airing my bees in winter quarters, they did all of their roaring in the celljr; but when they got to their stands in the spring there was no roar left, for there would not be enough bees left to get up a good respectable roar. After 1 learner) that bees would winter nicely with what air was in the cel- lar, and what naturally finds its way there, I found my bees did their roaring on the wing; and 75 or 80 per cent of them were ready for the sections when sent out. ****** ; I should like to have Dr. Miller, and several others who are in the habit of airing their bees, agree to test this way of wintering, and see for themselves how strong and healthy their bees will come out. Don't be alarmed if they do roar, for they are always happy, as a rule, when they roar the loudest. * * * I* I have wintered them so hot they could not stay in the hives, but would be all in a mass together, yet they came out the strongest lot I ever saw. No fresh air was allowed to reach them in that condition. In ca.>-e a man has only a few colonies they will win- ter fairly well in almost any cellar; and, of course, would not raise the temperature (f the cellar so as to require any spcial attention; if it did not freeze, the bees would" be all right. It is where large numbers are kept together, that fresh air is so demoralizing to them. Then a little further on, referring to my- self, he says: I hope that if E. R. Root comes up into this State next summer he will come on to this locality, where some of the largest bee-keepers of the State are to be found, and where all use large hives, ard where all winter the bees in cellars as I have described. If circumstances had been so I could have 'g-otten away, I certainly would have taken a run up to Mr. Barber's cellar, and incidentally stopped off to see Doolittle's. I will try to do so next winter. Our own experience shows that the bees in a cellar without ventilation, especially where the temperature can not be controlled, is disastrous to the bees. They roar, fly out on the cellar bottom, and die in large numbers; and roaring with us seems to presage no good. Last year we had something over 200 colo- nies in one of the compartments of our shop cellar. On the floor above there was heavy machinery in motion, with the occasional dropping of heavy castings, and yet the bees wintered well, and are now doing so again this winter. In February, of last year, when it began to warm up outside, the temperature in the cellar began to rise. The bees became uti- easy, flew out on the cellar bottom, and it was evident that the loss would be consider- able. We picked out one warm day, and set a part of the bees out for a flight. Af- ter a good cleansing they were returned to- ward night. That lot of the bees became immediately quiet, but the other portion roared as before. These were set out on another day, and returned, when they also ceased their roaring. Previous to this when we found the bees would become un- easy we could quiet them down by giving them ventilation at night, closing the doors before morning. This had the effect of neither increasing nOr decreasing the tem- perature; but it did purify the air. This winter we put in only 40 colonies where formerly we had 200; and at this date, March 10, there are not enough dead bees on the floor to fill a two-quart pan; and those that are on the floor are as dry as though they had been dead for some time. We have not had to ventilate, for the simple reason that the compartment is large for the number of bees confined; and it may not be necessary to give them a winter flight. Now, my own theory of the matter is this: That a lack of pure air causes the bees to become uneasj' and hence active. They consume their stores, as a matter of course clogging the intestines. This makes them stilt more uneasy. When they are restless from this cause, nothing but a flight will quiet them; but when they are restless from want of pure air, a supply of it makes them immediately contented and quiet. The accompanying letter, received from one of our correspondents, you will notice is along the same line: I wish to add my testimony in regard to ventilating a bee cellar, and in takirg bees out for a flight and returning them to the cellar. I use a part of my house- cellar partitioned off with matched boards. The tem- perature keeps between 38 and 41 degrees, with but little variation ; air is rather damp, but I have a ce- ment floor, and cellar is mouse-proof. The winter of 1901 being the first I had tried, as I was afraid the cellar was too cold and damp, I put six colonies in for experiment. In March they were mak- ing more noise than earlier in the winter, causing me much anxiety; so when we had a warm day about the middle of the month. I set them out. They had a good fly. cleaned the hives of dead bees, etc.; were carried back in the evening, and were very quiet till they were set out for good a month later. From what I have read since, I do not think they had become so uneasy as to cause a veteran to worry; but I think it did them good, for afterward during the whole month they were very quiet — as quiet as when first put in. and all came out well in the spring. This winter I have eleven colonies in the cellar; have taken more pa-ns to ventilate, and up to the pres- ent time (Feb. 221 they are very quiet — more so than those were 1 ist year. I have 40 colonies out of doors, packed in planer shavings. Chas. S. Blake. Ashby, Mass., Feb. 22. I do not presume to contradict so good an authority as Mr. Doolittle or Mr. Barber; but I firmly believe that, in the average cellar, and with the average bee-keeper, he will do better to ventilate occasionally, and perhaps set the bees out some warm day for a flight. A plan of procedure that will work well with experts like Mr. Doolittle or Mr. Barber might prove disastrous with the average bee keeper. Mr. Doolittle has a cellar that will maintain the temperature absolutely within half a degree. This makes, no doubt, a modifying condition, ren- dering it unnecessary for him to give his bees any other ventilation than what would percolate through the cellar doors or walls. The absolutely uniform temperature keeps the bees quiet, or in a state of quiet and sleep, where the activity, and consumption of stores, are kept down to the lowest point possible; hence little ventilation is needed. But now comes our friend Mr. Barber, in- sisting that temperature is not essential, and that they must have no fresh air. Another winter, if my health and time will permit, I hope to see that cellar, to de- termine, if possible, why his experience and ours should be so diametricall3' oppo- site to each other. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 231 PRIDQEN ON QUEEN-REARING. Pridgen's Queen-rearing Tenement Hive; the Detail of Its Construction. BY W. A. PRIDGEN. [Some time ago, as our readers will remember, Mr. \V. H. Pridgen began a .'^eries of articles detailing his system of queen-rearing which had attracted some attention in the bee-journals. In the mean time, lack of time, and a desire on his part to test some new devices which he thought might prove superior to those he had been using, induced him to drop the matter for the time being. He has since had an opportunity to test these new things, and has now placed in our hands the manuscript to complete the entire series. The initial article of the new series is begun with this issue. it will be noted that he uses a sort of queen-rearing tenement hive of special design one that stands up on legs at a convenient working distance. In fact, this whole hive is so constructed as to enable him to throw one or more brood-nests together; to change the entrance from front to rear: to unite, and perform many^ necessary operations for the rearing of queens. In order to understand the description the reader should first study all the engravings, getting as fair an idea as possible of the detail of the hive before he takes up the general description. Without any pre- liminaries, Mr, Pridgen plunges into his subject as follows:] This hive is especially constructed to overcome the perplexing manipulations nec- essary with ordinary hives in preparing bees for cell-building-, to accept cups, etc. It has been in practical use for two seasons, and meets all of the requirements under all conditions. It can be used as one mammoth hive of six times the ordinary size, and con- tains anj'where from one to six virgin or laying queens, or some of both; or in a few minutes it can be changed to any desired number of distinct hives up to six, and each contain a normal colon3' of bees. Any portion made queenless can be worked as a queenless colony, or communi- cation can be given through queenexclud- ing zinc to an adjoining apartment contain- ing a queen, thus giving one complete con- trol of the situation. A stud}' of the illustrations, all of which are of the s.'ime hive, will give one a pretty correct idea of its constructioii, and better enable him to understand the cause and ef- fect of the difterent manipulations. As shown in Fig. 1, with every thing in- tact it forms six distinct hives, with no communication from one to another, in which the bees winter better than in ordinary sin- gle-wal!ed hives, aseach colony is benefited more or less by the warmth of the others. AVhen the time arrives to commence queen- rearing'- operations, instead of drawing brood and bees from other colonies to pre- pare one over an excluder and laying queen, in the ordinary way, it is only necessarj' to remove a queen and work the bees as queen- less, or give communication to an adjoining apartment, and work them as is the case over an excluder. In this wa3' queens can be removed, and communication given from one apartment to another, according to the wishes of the op- erator, until all but one or two queens are Fig. 1. removed, and communication is given from one apartment to another throughout. When this stage is reached, three or four batches of cells in different stages of development can be kept in the hive all the time. Each apartment has two entrances at each end, the hive being alike on both sides, with only a sheet of zinc between them, one being below and the other immediately above it, all of which are closed, except those actually needed, by means of plugs cut to fit them. In this way drones or queens may be al- lowed to fly from certain apartments, or prevent their flying at will, besides being able to change entrances from one end to another of certain apartments from time to time, for reasons that will present them- selves. When arranged for winter, the center apartment in top tier, and two end ones in Fig. 2. bottom tier, are given entrances on one side, and the order reversed for the other three on the opposite side, which gives ample room between them to prevent the mixing and fighting of the bees after they have been separated in the fall and become dis- tinct colonies. In making the test, the idea was to carry the experiment far enough to see if a num- 232 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Mar. 15 ber of queens could be worked with com- munication from one apartment to another, by having- two excluders (with at least a bee-space between them) at each division, and nothing- has transpired to prove that a greater number than has yet been tried would not work in perfect harmony under these conditions, though what effect an insuffi- cient supply of stores might have is not known. To make a perfect queen-rearing hive, which is the main idea in the one herewith illustrated, the bottom hives, as shown in Fig. 1, are not at all essential. They only serve the purpose of furnishing more apart- ments, while it would be just as easy to build them all side by side, as shown in Fig. 2, and thus be able to get at the inside by simply removing the covers instead of having to slide them out as drawers, as shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 2 shows the hive with these left off, the covers to these bottom hives being used as bottom-boards for the top chambers. As will be seen in Fig. 3, this is divided into three apartments bj^ two tight-fitting division-boards at each partition, with a space of -'4 inch between them, from within two inches of the bottom up. Fig. 3. The boards on which the bottom hives are suspended extend up between these division- boards two inches, and all are securely nailed. The)' also extend below three inch- es, and have small strips nailed to the low- er edges on which corresponding strips nailed to the sides, at the tops of the hives, shown suspended in Fig. 1, rest while being inserted or withdrawn, as an ordinary money-drawer found in the stores, except that they are not made close-fitting up and down, but, instead, there is a space of 1>2 inches between in which to add queen-ex- cluders or solid boards, as the case may re- quire, between the upper and lower stories, and still admit of some wedging-up. The two end-boards that support the low- er hives are nailed to the ends of the main hive, which can be seen in the picture; and, while only two wedges are shown, still it takes four to each hive suspended (one at each corner) , and whether or not there is an excluder placed between to double the excluders between upper and lower stores (there being one made fast in the bottom of each chamber), or a solid board to cut off communication be placed between, still there must be at least a half-inch addition- al space allowed for wedging up, as close- fitting slides will not work well when gum- med with propolis, sa3nng nothing of the certaint)' of crushing bees by their use. Fig. 4. When the wedges are withdrawn at one end of a chamber it is allowed to settle slowlj' without a snap or sudden jar, which, when repeated at the other end, allows the rests or flanges to come together, and the hive is ready for withdrawal endwise, which is easily done without crushing a bee. When it is ready to be returned, simply slide it under and wedge it up to a tight fit. Fig. 4 shows one bottom hive wedged up without a cover or excluder; another partly withdrawn with an excluder over it, while the third one is withdrawn and shows the queen-excluder in the bottom, which is a bee-space above the main bottom, both being securely nailed. It also shows covers to the different upper apartments, one being re- moved, as well as the narrow strips that fit between them, and cover the spaces between the double partitions shown in Fig. 3. By removing these narrow covers, the dif- ferent division-boards, etc., shown in Fig, 3 can be removed or adjusted without open- ing a single chamber, one of which is shown elevated while the other is in place. As elsewhere referred to, the partitions as shown in Fig. 3 are double walls with a f'4- inch space between except within two inch- es of the bottom, where they come into con- tact with and are nailed to the boards to which the bottom hives are suspended. The openings in the partitions forming the passages from one chamber to another are 5X10 inches, and neither reaches the ends, bottom, or top, over which the zinc is nailed on the sides next to the brood-chambers, which leaves a space as wide as the difl'er- ent boards used in making the partitions are thick, between the zinc and the solid division-boards used to cut off communica- tion between the different chambers. In Fig. 3 is shown one of these boards 190^ GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 233 partly inserted, while the other one, leaning- ag-ainst the main cover to the whole hive, shows strips nailed across the ends. These strips fit against one partition wall while the smooth side of the board covers the opening in the other, but does not reach the bottom of the space between the walls, which allows anj' bees to escape that may be in the space at the time the board is in- serted. The one with the rings, which are bee- escapes, fits the same waj', the escapes be- ing used when cells are being built t)y bees made queenless to supply additional force from brood and laying queen to the cell- builders, while those made of bars, one of which is also partlj' inserted, are bridges to assist the bees in passing from one cham- ber to another when communication is given, and also to prevent the filling of the spaces with comb. Double zincs are wanted everywhere to prevent attempts of attacks by queens in adjoining apartments, when communication is allowed between two or more having queens, as well as to insure more satisfac- tory work in cell-building, and hence the necessit}' of double zincs in these partitions as well as between upper and lower stories under similar circumstances. The entrances at each end of every cham- ber, below the queen-excluding sheets of zinc, are the full width of the chambers, while those above them are only about two- thirds of their width, the most of which are shown plugged up in the pictures. The necessity of so many can be better understood when the point of manipulation is reached. One of the \ery necessary things not shown in the illustrations is the provision for feeding without opening the hive. For instance, the two sectional covers shown in place, on Fig. 4, have holes near the cor- ners, to correspond with the holes bored in- to the top-bars of Doolittle feeders, through which the latter are filled, wire-cloth cones being attached to the holes in the covers, that extend down into those in the feeders, through which feeding is done, and not a bee can escape, a piece of section or small block being used as a cover for the hole in ■each one. While the above descriptions do not cover all of the little details, yet no doubt with the pictures as helps, and an understand- ing of the objects in view, any one with a mechanical turn of mind can construct a hive embodying the same principles, and that will work in a satisfactory manner. [In the subsequent articles Mr. Pridgen will tell something about his methods; how he gets drones out of season ; how he suc- ceeds in rearing good queens after the honey-flow ; how, in short, he is enabled to overcome many of the obstacles that present themselves, either to the ciueen-rearcr or to the practical bee-keeper who desires to rear a few queens from some good stock he hap- pens to have in his yard. — Ed.] FORCED SWARMS. A Note of Warning ; the Practice of Using Starters "Pernicious in the Extreme;" Full Sheets of Combs Advocated. BY W. K. MORRISON. My experience with brushed swarms has been considerable and satisfactory, but I wish to warn some of your readers against one or two errors in connection with this practice, with particular reference to tropi- cal bee-keeping. First, it has been proposed to use " stiirt- ers " of foundation when hiving the brush- ed swarms — a practice which I feel justi- fied in stating is pernicious in the extreme. I know of no one error that afflicts tropical bee-masters more than this bad habit of putting bees to work in a brood-chamber fitted out with starters. Times almost without number I have seen the folly of it, hence I feel like uttering a note of warning. It has often pained me to see large masses of brood-comb occupied with drone-cells — a sheer waste. This is invariably due to the use of "starters." The man who uses starters, instead of producing large yields of honey has large numbers of drones fly- ing about which eat the honey as fast as the busy bees can collect it. The beginners particularly should never on any account use starters, no matter what the text-books may say. If combs are not available, use full sheets of foundation. If the bees are troublesome, and will not enter the sections, use a shal- lower frame. Either the Ideal or the Dan- zenbaker will answer. Any thing is bet- ter than starters. There is another serious objection to starters. The queen is restrict- ed for room to lay her eggs. This is some- thing serious, as the swarm rapidly dwin- dles in size, and after a lapse of four weeks becomes weak, and usually makes no head- way after that. The main advantage in brush swarming is in providing the queen with plenty of room to lay in bright clean combs having neither brood, honey, nor pol- len in them. Such a colony never dwindles, for the obvious reason that plenty of young bees are coming forward the while to take the place of workers dying in the harvest- field. If combs are given to the newly form- ed swarm it is evident the queen will not at- tempt to go upstairs where there is only foundation. Where full sheets are used it is better to wait 24 to 48 hours before put- ting on the sections to allow the queen to settle herself in the brood-chamber. It stands to reason that, if the bees have no combs to build below, they will all the more readily build the sections above, as they are anxious to build combs. But it simpli- fies matters very much if a shallow brood- chatnber is used. At the same time it is bad policy to use a brood-chamber that is too small. The Ideal is quite small enough. I believe in large hives to get large yields, and had Mr. Dadant advocated a hive com- posed of three stories the same size as his 234 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Mar. 15 extractiug'-super I would have aj^reed with him in toto. It takes lots of bees to produce lots of honey; and except in peculiar locali- ties it pa3's to keep the queen laying- to her greatest capacity all through the honey peri- od. Particularly is this true of the tropics and warm countries generally, where the season extends through several months. Clogging of the brood-chamber with hon- ey and pollen is the s'umbling-block of the tropical apiarist, and brush swarming is one method of overcoming this. As soon as it appears that the hive has become congest- ed, brush swarming is in order, as it gives the colony a fresh start in life, and also g-ives the apiarist a chance to deal with the combs that are left behind. The latter are better if placed over another colony where the pollen is removed, the brood hatched, and honey stored in their place. It is no use at all to brush-swarm small colonies. The honey is extracted in due season, when the apiarist again has fresh clean combs fit for anj' purpose. There is no doubt at all that brush swarm- ing is an effective way of controlling- in- crease; but it seems to me the person who brush-swarms a colony only to give it "starters" has committed a very grave er- ror, to say the least. He has lost all or nearlj' all the advantages of our modern hives, for the bees will certainly build one- fourth to one- fifth of their comb with drone- cells, and no apiarist can stand such a steady loss. If the bees must be compelled to enter the section, some other way must be found rather than use these '" starters." Better use plenty of " baits " if the frame used is the Langstroth. Drawn combs are great drawers. This ma}' appear to be a sort of advertisement for the makers of comb foundation. So it is, in a sense; but from my own experience I feel so strongly about it that no stone should be left unturned to help dissipate the fallacy of using starters in a brood-chamber. It is natural that persons should desire to save expense in equipping their hives; but so far I have noticed the most successful bee-keepers use full sheets of foundation right through their apiaries, and they are wise. [The practice of using starters or full sheets is one that depends somewhat on locality, though Mr. Morrison seems to give good proof showing that it is bad pol- ic3' to use starters anywhere. I should be g-lad to see this phase of the question dis- cussed a little more. — Ed.] BEE-KEEPING IN CUBA. BY E. M. DAVIDSON, M. D. Mr. Root: — It might be of interest to the readers of Gleanings to hear from co- workers in the honey industry down here in "the Pearl of the Antilles." Others of American blood and American bee-knowl- edge have invaded the western part of Cu- ba with their busy bees; but we wish it known that in this, the first American col- ony in Cuba, La Gloria, the industry' in nectar-gathering has made rapid progress, and we claim for this spot on the northern coast of Cuba, not an ideal bee paradise, but nevertheless a paradise as compared with man}' a place in the States where the problem of successful wintering is such a great one. Ordinarily one of our greatest honey- flows comes in December; but the rainy season coming on late, instead of in Jul}', has interfered considerably with hon- ey storage in supers. We have organized a fairly strong bee- keepers' association here, and with many members who are real students, and some up-to-date bee-keepers of some standing-. Officers of said association are: President, J. Hammond; Vice-president, James Rob- inson; Dr. E. M. Davidson, Secretary. We shall represent thousands of colonies in time, for possibly we can get the Cuban bee-keepers here interested in the American way, and transfer from their log- hives to American ones; and we may bring- them under the control of our association. All along the north slope of the De Cubi- tas Mountains can be found the Cuban log hives, running now mainly for wax. The Cuban bees are the black German; but our association members are rapidly obtaining the Italian from United States queens. Our aim in organization will be to obtain membership in the United States National Bee-keepers" Association; and we hope to gain admission to the United States Nation- al Honey-producers' Exchange if one is formed. We are praying for this as fer- vently as we pray for our island to be an- nexed to the glorious Union of the States. You may hear from us and Cuban condi- tions from time to time. Root's goods predominate in this section; but we should be glad to have a depot of goods on hand to draw from at will for cash. We all deplore the sad death of Rambler. His slate is indeed broken beyond repair. Mr. A. I. Root is on the island, and he would be welcome to La Gloria if he would only come this way. La Gloria, Cuba. [Many thanks, friend D., for your kind invitation. I only regret that it did not get into my hinds before I left Cuba. To tell the truth, I did not carry with me a list of our Cuban subscribers; but when I go again next fall, as I expect to do, I shall most as- suredly hunt you all up. I have already stirred up the bee-keepers west of Havana to the importance of a bee-keepers' conven- tion to be held once or twice a year or often- er. I know many of them plead lack of time and the expense of travel in Cuba; but I judge, from my own observation, that if bee-keepers would get together and talk things over, there is hardly one of them that would not be benefited, say to the extent of S25 a year, by such a conference. I am ex- ceedingly glad to know you have made a start.— A. I. R.] 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 235 NAILING HOFFMAN FRAMES. A Very Unique and Effective Plan for Doing the Work Expeditiously. BY C. B. THWING. Having- 3000 Hofl'man frames to nail, it occurred to me to try to devise means for doincf the work as rapidly as possible. The plan I evolved enables me to nail and wire Hoffman frames at the rate of 30 per hour (when I move livel}'), and every nail and staple goes exactly where it will do the most good. It is, of course, important to have the mei- terials conveniently placed, and to perform staple comes 3 s inch from the notch in the end-bar, and the nails }( from the same line. The nails are '+ inch apart. Guide F holds the end-bar square. I prefer to have the staple placed at an angle, because its lower leg will then strike the top-bar to one side of the foundation groove, and also because it is less likely to split the end-bar, when so. placed, than when set straight. :^ For wiring I fasten a small box, G, see Fig. 6, about 12x16, to the wall, with its bot- tom as high as my breast. Into the side of the bottom of this box I drive two lOd com- mon nails, slanting a little downward. The nails project far enough so that, when a THWING'S PLAN FOR NAILING HOFFMAN FRAMES. the various operations in such an order that no false motions be made. Fig. 1. general view, shows how I find it convenient to place things. The nail-boxes should be wide and shallow, with nails spread out ffc=^ ro— -m THE WOODEN ANVIL OR SPACING- BLOCK. frame is hung upon them the heads hold it snug against the box. Theslantof the nails lets them spring down a little when the but- ton H is turned down upon the frame. On the end of the box G, Fig. 6, at the left, is screwed a ^notched piece J, Fig. 5, which keeps the frame from slipping endwise. A little box, K, Fig. 6, exactly wide enough to hold a spool of wire, is placed 4J2 feet from the nearest end of G. The wire runs through a small hole in the end of this box, and the blocks LL prevent the wire from slipping over the ends of the spool. The best driver is a small-nosed farrier's ,or electrician's hammer. over the bottom. It saves time to have two boxes for second nails, as shown. The wooden anvil or holder I) in Figs. 1 and 2, for spacing the nails and staples, consists of a block 4x4 and 7 high, to which is fas- tened a block, K, notched out on its under side to admit an end-bar onl}' when the beveled edge is toward the right. It has in the middle a large notch for the staples, and two smaller ones for the nails. A stop or guide on the under side of K admits the end-bar far enough so that the top of the TO NAIL A FRAME. Take a bottom-bar, 1, Fig. 1, from the pile; start the nails and let it lie till need- ed. Take an end-bar, 2, in Fig. 1, from the pile; slip it in the anvil D, Fig. 2; pick up a staple with the left hand; pass it to the 236 GLEANINGS IN KEE CULTURE. Mar. 15 iing-er and thumb of the right hand, which holds the hammer about the middle of the handle. With the right hand set the staple in place against the right side of the cen- tral notch; hold it in place with the left thumb, which rests against the beveled cor- ner of E, Fig. 2, and comes flush with its top. Set the nails in the same way, the it three or four times about the point where it leaves the nail to break it oflf, and the job is done. It takes a long time to tell it; but one minute is long enough in which to do it if you move fast and waste no time between motions. This plan consumes two or three extra Fig. 6. ! i t ' .) i ".li \y ■--< Tr*>— ^PAN v'-,' ■ ' a-jTTir y^b b(l g- 10- -8 -II 12 thwing's method of wiring frames. right one first. Slip 2, Fig. 1, out and in- sert 3, repeating the process followed with 2, except that the staple slants the other wajs so that in both cases it may strike the thicker strips of top-bar, see Fig. 3. Before removing 3, seize a top-bar in the left hand (the pile of top- bars was laid so that all have the thick side of the bar at the left when lying grooved side up); press the end-bar 3, Fig. 3, in place with the small end pushed against the body; drive the nails home; slip the little spacing-block, 4, Fig. 1, in place, and drive the staple down to the proper level. Keeping the block in the left hand, and the hammer in the right, turn the frame and nail No. 2, Fig. 3, but do not drive the left-hand nail quite home, see Fig. 4. It projects ^s inch to fasten the wire, etc. Turn the frame down with 3 to the right, and put 1 in Fig. 1 in place. The right-hand nail in 1 is also left pro- jecting >s inch for reasons to be explained. TO WIRE A FRAME. Place on the support G, Fig. 6, with the end 2 at the right, the end 3 resting in the notch of J, Figs. 5 and 6. Start the wire through the upper middle hole at 7, Fig. 6, back through top at 6 to nail 5; loop it once around this; nail with '2 inch or less over length, and drive the nail home with the hammer. With the shears cut off the wire at a mark near K, in Fig. 6, and finish the wiring through 8, 9, 10, 11, to nail 12; loop it temporarily about this nail, and tighten the wire. To do this rapidly and effective- ly, seize the middle of the top wire in the right hand near the right end, and catch the loop (now rather snug already) with the finger-nails of the left hand and slip the right hand along the wire toward the left to remove any kinks. Let go with the right hand first and seize the second wire to draw up the slack held in the left hand. Repeat the process, alternating the hands; loosen the end at 12, and fasten it tight. Last of all, loosen the button, remove the frame, drive nail 12 home, and, taking the loose end of wire in the thumb and finger, revolve inches of wire, but saves two nails and the time taken to drive them. The plan of working both ways from the middle of the wire saves much time, and obviates practically all of the trouble from kinking. [Nearly every one has his own peculiar way of doing things; but Mr. Thwing has devised a very simple and methodical plan for putting frames together, and his article will be very seasonable just now when api- arists are preparing to put together frames received from the supply-manufacturers. — Ed.] MOVING BEES. A Serious Accident, Resulting in the Loss of a Team of Mules ; the Importance of Extreme Caution. BY A. E. VB. FATJO. Some three weeks ago I had an exception- al experience with moving bees; and for your guidance I give a hasty account of the occurrence. I was moving a few hundred colonies from one apiary to another, and on the day of the accident some 38 colonies were placed on a large hay-wagon drawn by four black mules. The wagon left the apiary at 4:30 a. m., and had traveled three miles over good, bad, and indifferent roads, when, after pulling up a rather steep and long hill, they reached a macad- amized road. The teamster was told to re- arrange and tighten his ropes. While mov- ing the hives to a better place it seems the gable cover was strained enough to let a bee or two out at a time; but the next cover had closed the opening by being pressed under it, so when the hive was moved an inch or more the bees came flying out. I was driving a few hundred yards in the rear, and immediately^ hastened to the wag- on, called for the smoker, that, unfortunate- ly, the loader had borrowed from the apia- rist (who was walking in the rear of the load), and, through inexplicable careless- 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 237 ness, had let it g-o out. I tried to crush in some tissue paper; but the space between the jjfable covers was too small. I had or- dered the teamster to unhitch the mules; but he lost his head, and, with the loader, manapred to cover the ground as hastilj' as possible, not even stopping' to look behind. In the meantime a bee stung' one of the rear mules, and she swerved to one side and up- set the wagon into a ditch on the side of the road. This broke open some ten or twelve hives, and the road was filled with thou- sands of bees whose temper was the keen- est. They stung' every thing in sight which had life. Even chickens did not escape. The poor mules looked as if thousands of gold buttons had been sewed on them; then as if streaked with white paint. As the bees left their lances in the mules I pulled out a veil from mj' pocket and drew it over my face, smashing with m^' hands the forty or fifty bees which were all over m^- head. I then took the Cuban apiarist's machete and proceeded to cut out the mules as fast as possible. After a half-hour's hard work I got three out, the fourth being jammed between the telephone-pole and the wheel. The mules were led about two miles away, and instructions were given to give each a pound of salt, and to take out the stings. But neither was done, and all three died an hour or so afterward. The fourth was not taken out for hours afterward, and then ■taken proper care of, but it also died. Wh^' it lived longer than the rest was a mysterj', as it was stung more frequently than any of the other three. Mj* mare was stung about thirty or fortj' times, but was taken care of immediately, and two hours afterward I drove her back home. I will, later on, give you details, telling which of the covers, bottoms, etc., stood the least dam- age. I drank a large glass of extremel}' salt water, and. with the exception of feeling' badly for an hour, I was not too sick to talk. I could not tell how often I was stung. Santiago, Cuba. [While this experience was disastrous to our correspondent, it may prove to be very valuable to our readers. We can not put too strong emphasis upon the necessit}' of having a go5d smoker well lighted, and ready for instant use. If Mr. Fatjo had had smoke at just the right time, the dis- aster could easil}' have been averted. But in an impending danger of this kind it is eas}' for one to lose his head. I remember once thinking, when a boy, what I would do if a friend of mine were drowning — of the methodical way I would proceed; how I would dive down after him, bring him to the surface and to the shore, and resusci- tate him; hut I shall never forget, when the real experience did coinc, how I seemed to be paralyzed. I saw my friend go down right before my eyes, within about ten feet of me. It seemed hours before I could re- cover myself sufficiently to use m}- reason. Then, instead of husbanding- my strength, I struck out wildly under the water after my friend, used up m3' breath, and stran- gled. If it had not been for timely assist- ance this tale would never have been told. Human nature is a good deal the same the world over; and when bees get on a ram- page like this, one is not apt to do the wis- est thing. Indeed, he might do the very things that these two assistants of Mr. Fatjo did do — and that was, to run. But our correspondent, if he had had a little smoke, would probably have averted the disaster; and if his helpers had done as he told them, the lives of the mules would in all probability have been saved. My own experience last summer convinced me that a pound of salt given soon enough to a horse badly stung will probably save its life. For the benefit of those who did not read of that experience I refer them to page 685, last year. — Ed.J HONEY FOR THE GROCERY TRADE. Importance of the Producer Keeping in Touch with the Retailer ; the Grocer who Makes a Special ty of Selling Honey, and the One who does Not ; Honey as a Food. BY M. MOVER. The hone}^ trade this year has not been up to expectations. Prices opened in the fall rather high. The crop was reported short. Bee-keepers held back, and dealers were anxious to secure it. We still find considerable quantities in the hands of bee- keepers, and dealers have more on hand than Vney care for, and, in consequence, prices are easier. Many dealers would be glad to sell out at what they paid, and even at a loss. It appears that honej' goes into use quite briskly at a certain price; but when held above that point other things will take its place. I think if bee-keepers would sometimes confer Avith some of the largest dealers at their conventions, and find out the best means to bring the value of honey as a food before the consumers it would be very much to their interests. At present it .seems to be the aim of bee-keep- ers to get their hone}' off their hands at the highest prices, and care ver}' little what becomes of it after that. The}' have not studied sufficientlj' the importance of creat- ing a greater demand for their goods. A pail of good honey, sold in good condition, will create a demand for another one; but if it does not give satisfaction it spoils the sale of perhaps a dozen. I know from per- sonal experience that families averaged 10 lbs. a month as long as they got a good ar- ticle, and that one pail of inferior cut off that demand for a whole j'ear. They im- agined they got tired of honey, when the fact was the honey was not up to the mark. Honey requires a good deal of attention, and to be properly put before the custom- ers; and this is not done when every grocer sells honey, and when any mixer can adul- terate it and sell it. Years ago there was very little honey 238 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Mar. is sold; in fact, there was uut very much pro- duced, and people in our city would buy it only in small quantities as a medicine. Handling- only specialties at the time, we made honey one of them. We brought it before our people, and in every possible way impressed upon them the value of hon- ey as a food. The result of this was, so far as our influence reached, that people used, I am safe in saying-, five times as much honey as they do to-day. When it was noticed, by the ordinary g-rocer, that we were selling- so much honey, thev all dabbled into it, and, not wishing to do the advertising for others, we discontinued; and the result is evident all over the city. Common grocers, without any experience, were taken advantage of by some bee-keep- ers or mixers, and were loaded up with poor honey. This, as already shown, had the effect of checking- the demand. People are, as a rule, ver3' ignorant of the real value of honey as a food; and to educate them in this point, and how to put the best quality of honey unadulterated into their hands, is a problem of greater importance to be considered by bee-keepers than the skill of producing more. B3' wise and ju- dicious work in this line I am sure that a market will open up for all the honey that will be produced in our country. Toronto, Canada. [M. Moyer & Son are general grocers and provision merchants of their city, and the statements made by the senior member of the firm can be taken with some degree of authority. — Ed.] CAUSE OF WEAK COLONIES. A Rational Cure for Spring Dwindling. BV ARTHUR C. ]MILLP;R. Among- the many topics which bob up se- renelj' every now and then is that of the treatment of weak colonies in the spring. It is one of those things which fail to get set- tled; but, after all, could much else have been expected when we consider how the subject has been treated ? I am going to try to settle it, for a while at least, by giving the reasons for some op- erations and against others. Like many another trouble it ismore easily prevented than cured, and more profitably; for, with but few exceptions, the weakness is due to faulty preparations the previous fall. Such faults, for instance, as poor or failing queens, or queens introduced too late in the season to small colonies or those composed mostly of old bees. Other causes are, too late preparation, late overhauling, and imperfect protection. But having the weak colonies in the spring-, what shall be done with them, and ivhy? One of the old rules was, to unite enough such colonies to make a fair-sized one; but such never stay put. They steadily dwin- dle until they are as small as any part was at the beginning-. Another rule, but much less often given, is to unite one or more of the weak colonies with a fairly strong- one. This practice is excellent. Here are the whys: A colony weak in the spring is composed very largely or entirely of old bees. They must keep warm, gather food, and rear brood. Each day their numbers decrease rapidly, and but few young bees are hatch- ed to take their place. The old bees are enfeebled; they easily succumb to the ad- verse weather conditions, and wear out quickly, the effort to keep warm and rear brood being too much for them to do suc- cessfulh'. Unite several such colonies, and you have not materially changed the condi- tions. It is just as hard for them to feed brood; nearly as much energy is required to keep the necessary heat, and their death- rate is the sum of that of the individual colonies. But put one or more such weak- lings with a good colony. The old bees are at once relieved of all nurse duty, and of playing furnace. They start out from a warm hive, and can put every bit of their waning strength into gathering nectar, the usual work of such bees under normal con- ditions. While they last they are a real aid to the strong colonj^; and when they are gone, young bees, nourished by the nectar they have gathered, are ready to take their places. Uniting in the fall is generally done un- der reversed conditions. The bees are al- most always young, or a large part of them are; brood-rearing is decreasing, and field labor is about over, consequently a combi- nation then of several small colonies into one good-sized one is successful if done ear- ly enough. In talking about the age of bees in this connection it should be borne in mind that with them age consists of time elapsed plus work done. Find the rvhy, and methods will create themselves. Providence, R. I., Feb. 9. [Your ideas are sound in theory and practice. — Ed.] TENEMENT CHAFF-PACKINQ FOR WINTERING BEES. Outdoor Packing in General. BV G. C. GREINER. We know from 5'ears of experience that we can not winter bees in single- walled hives on their summer stands with anj' de- gree of certainty. This applies to localities where winter conditions are the same as here in Western New York, with an oc- casional zero-blizzard of a week or more at a time. As a choice I should prefer a prop- erly built bee-cellar to winter my bees; but as we can not all be as favorably sit- uated as Mr. Doolittle, whose underground cellar does not vary more than ]z degree from 45° F., no matter how the temperature changes outdoors, we have to do the next 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 239 best thing-, and resort to chatT hives or their equivalent. For winter use, chaff hives are all right; thej' give verj' good results in wintering, but the}' have some unpleasant features which make them verj' objectionable for summer use. To suit my individual notions they are too clumsj', too heavy to handle, and, what is still more anno3'ing, the}' are not as accessible, supers as well as brood nests, as our single-walled hives. To over- come these objections I use now, after some experimenting, an adjustable chaff-box, which combines the advantages of a well- built chaff hive with the easy, convenient management of the single-walled hive. The accompanying illustration gives the idea; a portion of the front and the chaff jiacking is left awaj-. The box is made in sections; sides, ends, top, and bottom, are all separate. Each part is well cleated, and fitted to its place. The cleats are all on the inside. This may not be very es- sential, but it makes a nicer, smoother job in appearance, and prevents the water from soaking in, which it would do if cleats were on the outside. The whole structure is held together bj' eig^ht square headed three-inch wood screws, two at each corner, and four two-inch screws of the s?me kind, one in the middle of each side, and end at the bottom. The top is simpl}' laid on; the only fastenings are the end cleans, which fit inside of the box to keep it from getting out of place. A layer of roofing-paper is tacked on to protect the whole from above. The dimensions of the box are governed bv size and number of hives, and our individ- ual preferences. I allow about three inch- es of space all around for chaff" packing, and put five colonies in one box. I have tried larger boxes, holding- nine colonies; but I found, while they are more economical in regard to expense and labor, they are, besides other disadvantages, too large to be easily handled. We all know that bees find their homes mainly by being- accustomed to their loca- tion. Appearance, also, has a tendency to keep them from going astray. We can change either of these two factors (the for- mer cautiously), and the other will be a help to pilot them home. In packing for winter we have to change both, and here is where we have to use some precaution to guard against loss of bees. As a rule, our bees are more or less scattered over the bee-3'ard during- our summer campaign. I aim to have mine in rows of about eight or nine feet apart, and from two to three feet between the hives. In our chaft'-boxes, with three inches of chaff" between them, they have to stand nearly as closely as they can without interfering with one another. It would not do to move them from their scattered position and place them in a new habitation, so different in appearance, at the same time, but it is strictly necessary that thej' occupy the place they are to take in their chaff-box, long before the attempt to pack is made, to make sure that they are well g.cquainted with their location. It may seem like a long job to move and arrange all the colonies of an apiary from their scattered positions into close-standing sets of five and five, but it is not. If right- Ij' managed, if we use a little forethought during- the summer in placing our colonies, -<^^ ^nam- )nals only, and no amount of argument can change the meaning of the term. What I strongly suspect is this: Dr. Gal- lup has discovered, in the development of queens under the most favorable conditions, an organ or tube throug'h which the queen is enabled to take up some of the surround- ing food-media, after passing into the pu- pal stage. However, with all due credit to the doctor for his discovery, the fact still remains that he has given this structure, or organ, an entirely erroneous name. It re- 242 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Mar. 15 mains to investigate the formation and growth of this organ, to determine from what segments or portions of the body it is pro- duced, and name it accordingly. When a queen with an "umbilical cord" appears in our apiary, we will immediately inves- tigate her anatomy with a view to ascertain- ing just what that structure is. Another bone of contention is that of Bacillus alvei and Bacillus viesentericus. Dr. Lambotte's contention that these two germs are identical is not well supported, as shown by his own statements. While the fact that these two germs have the same general form and appearance under the mi- croscope, while both have the same effect when injected into the circulation of an an- imal (presumably a guinea-pig or a rabbit) , and while cultures of mesentericus may de- stroy more or less brood, these arguments are not convincing. Anj' foul decaying mat- ter— which is reallj' what a culture of tnes- eniericus amounts to — spread over healthy brood, would be likely to kill it. Cleanli- ness is as much a necessity for the develop- of bee-larvae as for the development of a small babe. Likewise Dr. Lambotte found that Bacillus niesentericus would grow on cultures made of the larvEe of bees. Mesen- tericus is a saprophytic germ; that is, one which derives the organic material for its growth from decaying organic matter (in contradistinction to " parasites," which de- rive their nourishment, or part of it, from /zz;/w^ organisms) . True saprophytes are rarely confined to any one material as a "host," but the same saprophytic germ may often be found upon a variety of materi- als. Dr. Lambotte's assertion that cul- tures of mese7itericus killed larvae, but fail- ed to start a contagious disease, is strong evidence that mesentei'icus is a true sapro- phyte, and not in any sense a parasite, as is Bacillus alvei. Past experience has dem- onstrated that the introduction of Bacillus alvei into an apiary when brood is in the hives invariably results in contagious foul brood. No other kind of foul brood is known. This, mesentericus has failed to do; and until Dr. Lambotte has demonstrated that the introduction of niesentericus produces a contagious disease in no way distinguish- able from foul brood, his statement that the two species are identical must stand as ex- tremely doubtful. College Station, Texas, Jan. 27, 1903. [I am glad we have so capable a man as Mr. Newell at the Apicultural Station in Texas to separate fact from fiction and false science from real science. When I first saw the reference to the umbilical cord, I regarded it more as a joke than any thing else ; but apparently a good many corres- pondents began to think there was some "science" about it. That there may be something corresponding to the so-called umbilical cord is probably true. Mr. Newell's statement regarding Bacil- lus alvei and Bacillus mesentericus is un- doubtedly true science. It did not seem possible at any time that an old and recog- nized form of rot was an old enemy under a new name. — Ed.] SELLING HONEY THROUGH THE U. S. EX- PRESS CO. ; A GOOD SUGGESTION. I w'ish to inform my fellow bee-keepers that I have found a safe and easy way of selling honey. The U. S. Express Compa- ny publishes a list each month of goods for sale along its line. You write to the Order and Commission Department, New York, stating what 3'ou have to sell, and from what station. They will print it and send the slips broadcast. I have sold every bit of my honey at a good figure to agents in Indiana, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. If you have honey to sell, call on your near- est agent for information. Spottswood, Va. W. E. Tribbelt. [Your suggestion is a very good one; and while w^e have known that the United States Express Co. did a general commission busi- ness of this kind, the matter has never yet come before our readers. It costs nothing for a bee-man to apply to his local express agent; for, indeed, the express company charges nothing, for, as the compan3' says, its remuneration comes out of the haul of the produce. Mr. Tribbelt incloses one of the U. S. Express Co. 's commission blanks. The following is an exact copy of the head- ing and announcement: UNITED STATES EXPRESS CO. ORDER AND COMMISSION DEPARTMENT. Price List No. 99 New York, Jan. 22, 19a^. Agents must have these lists distributed among our pattons Dealers can buy, and producers can sell any and all commodities they handle through our O. and C. De- partment. Our agents will solicit orders from dealers and quotations from produce) s, and furnish informa- tion relative to this department. All prices F. O. B. at shipping-point, and subject to market changes All orders must be given to the local agent, who will fur- nish proper stationery, and forward same to the agent at shipping-point A'o guarantee given; our agents simply transact business between producer and dealer for the express charges derived therefrom. Immediately following this is a long list of various kinds of produce, telling where the same is located, and the price. At va- rious points in Michigan, fish is quoted at 10, 7, 6)4, 4J2, according to the kind. Cel- ery is cinother prominent item. Apples, grape juice, lettuce, nuts, honey, maple su- gar, eggs, poultry, butter, pet stock, swine, etc., are listed. These commission blanks are sent all over the United States, and anj' one can often obtain produce at reasonable figures. Among the items of honey I notice two tons 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 243 of white clover at 13'2 in 1-lb. sections, at Eau Claire. Wis. Another item of white clover at 18 cts. ; amber at lb, in the comb or bottle, at Noble, Pa.; still another is white clover at IZ'j cts. at Spottswood, Va., the postoffice of our correspondent above, and which he says he sold iit a satisfactory fifjure. Observe, you pay no commission except the express; and if you sell to the other party, " he pays the freis'ht."^' The advantage of this commission scheme is that one can pick out the nearest post- office having tlie kind of produce he desires to secure. He simply goes to his local ex- press agent and asks him to get what he calls for. And, again, when he has produce to sell he gives the items of it to his local agent, and requests him to place it in the commis- sion department of the company at New York — no writing at all until a customer is found, when the sale is consummated and the cash turned over. If you do not wish to trust j'our man, all 3'ou have to do is to send the produce subject to the C. O. D. plan, by which the express company will collect your mone^' and turn it over to j'ou without any chance of loss on your p irt. The practicability of the scheme lies al- most entirel_v in the fact that very often a customer a short distance away can be se- cured, when the express charges will com- paratively light. For long hauls or heavy shipments the plan would not be feasible. If 3'our honey is sold to other parties through other channels, you will, of course, notifj' the company that the goods are dis- posed of; but, ordinarily, if one places his produce in the hands of the express compa- ny he should wait a reasonable time for returns. — Ed.] HOFFMAN FRAMES TOO MUCH STUCK UP WITH propolis; how to convert into MILLER NAIL-SPACED FRAMES. Dear Dr. Miller: — I have almost decided to take mj' jack-knife this spring and cut all the end-bar projections off my Hoffman frames, thus reducing them to the regular hanging frame. I have about 800, manj' of which have been in use from five to ten years. As the result of j'our experience and excellent practical judgment I want j'ou to advise me in the matter. My objec- tions to Hoffman frames are, too much pro- polis; crowds the division-board against the side of the hive; the frames can not be crowded close enough in the spring; can not be used to advantage in supers for ex- tracting ; must be spaced like hanging frames — that is, only 7 in an eight-frame hive, and 8 in ten-frame, thus doing away with the Hoffman principle, and making them non-interchangeable. There are oth- er objections, such as increase of cost, and necessity for extreme accuracj' in making. Last spring I had 300 made hy a regular dealer in supplies, and he made awful work. The advantage of rapidity in han- dling, shipping bees, and moving to out- apiaries, does not count with me. . To put it very mildly, I would say that for the ex- tracted-honey producer they are a decided nuisance. Alpine McGregor. Inglewood, Ont., Can., Jan. 17. [Dr. Miller replies:] Where there is no propolis there is much advantage in the partially closed ends of the Hoft-man and the automatic spacing. The trouble is that you have propolis, and the frames which worked like a charm when in use only a week become intolerable with time. Your jack-knife remedy w^ould, I think, be an improvement; and if you don't care for rapidity of handling nor exactness of spacing, then nothing further is needed. Pardon me, however, for doubting that you mean just what you say when you say that the advantage of rapidity of handling does not count with you. Automatic spacing I think we must have in some form, for ra- pidity and exactness. Answering j^ou categorically, the proba- bility is that reducing your frames to loose hanging frames will be better than to keep them as they are. I have done more or less whittling on mine; and if I were to come to a hive full of Hoftmans now, it would be a question whether I would transfer them into Miller frames or whittle the objection- able projections and then make them self- spacing with nails or staples. If you take the latter course, whittle away the V-shaped edge (leaving the other edge untouched) until you make the end-bars I's inches wide. Then take a wire nail or a staple, and drive into the unwhittled side at each end until it projects % inch. These will work very well mixed in with Miller frames, and I advise any one in a gluy re- gion to try a few of the latter. Marengo, 111. C. C. Miller. [We have made an effort to introduce frames with metal spacers, and for several years have offered for sale staple-spaced frames. Yes, we have, where we thought propolis was bad, recommended them in lireference to the Hoffman; but " they don't go!' I have been surprised over and over again to learn how the trade will have the Hoffman. After all, it is only in certain localities that propolis seriously handicaps the handling of such frames. Propolis, though, is very bad in Marengo, much worse than it is here in Medina, and I do not blame the doctor, nor, perhaps, our cor- respondent, for wanting something else. — Ed.] the DANZEN BAKER AND THE EIGHT-FRAME LANGSTKOTH HIVE. I have 55 colonies of bees in 8 and 10 frame chaff' hives. I expect to increase 25 next 3'ear; and what bothers me is the hive- body, as I make my own outside or winter case. Would you advise me to buy the Danz. or the Langstroth Dovetailed? Will bees store more honej' in the Danz. than the other? Will they winter as well (that is, will they need as little feeding? 244 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Mar. 15 I run for comb honey, and want the very best hive I can buy. Which is the better — the 8 or the 10 frame Langstroth? Winchester, Ind., Nov. 24. C. A. Yost. [For the production of comb honey, espe- ciall}' a fanc}' article, I know of nothing- better than the Danzenbaker. While, as a rule, one hive will not produce any more honey than any other standard hive, yet the one tnay put more of it in )iiarketable shape. Our own experience is that the Danzenba- ker will have less honey in the brood-nest after the honey- flow, and more in the sec- tions. The brood-nest being- shallow, the honey is forced abo\e. Take, for example, the Danzenbaker and eig^ht-frame Lang-- stroth-Dovetailed hive, each would produce, we will say, 75 lbs. of honey, both comb and extracted. The Danzenbaker might have the proportion of 65 lbs in the supers and 10 in the brood-nest, while the eig-ht- frame Dovetailed, being- deeper, might have 50 lbs. of comb honey in the supers and 25 lbs. in the brood-nest. In this supposable case the Danzenbaker would have 15 lbs. more of comb honey, which, we will say, is worth 15 cts. per lb., as ag-ainst, perhaps, 15 lbs. of extracted honey at 7 or 8 cts. per lb. in the eight-frame Dovetailed. This is, possibly, putting the proportion a little stronger than it would be in prac- tice; but Mr. Vernon Burt, who is rapidly changing his eight-frame Dovetailed hives over to Danzenbaker, says, after three or four years' test, he is fully satisfied that he can clear more money with the Danzenba- ker than he can ofl: the eight-frame Dove- tailed. In other words, he converts honey in the brood-nest into comb honey at a high- er price. If he sells this at 15 cts., he puts in its stead, after the honey season, a three or four cent syrup made from the best gran- ulated sugar. He therefore cleans up ten or eleven cents if the proportions I have named hold true. Suppose he cleaned up only five cents, then for every pound of hon- ey he gets more from the Danzenbaker than he would over the Dovetailed, he makes five cents. If in the supposable case he gets 5 cents more, his profit in the Danzenbaker over the Dovetailed will be 75 cts On 100 colonies this would amount to $75. Now, please do not, any of you, go and take this supposable case and make out that I claim that the Danzenbaker will clean up 75 cts. per hive more than the Dovetailed. I sim- ply wish to illustrate that a shallow hive may, under favorable conditions, make more money for its owner than a deeper hive that will accommodate just so much more honey in the brood-nest.— Ed.] APIARY IN STRAIGHT ROWS OR ON THE HIT- AND-MISS PLAN. . Up to this time I have had my hives (50 colonies) scattered around promiscuousl}% giving me some trouble in attending to them this way. A few days ago I put them in two straight rows, about a yard apart. Some one to-day suggested that this would give me trouble, the hives all looking so nearly alike the young queens would get mixed up and I would be likely to lose some of them. Will you kindly give me your idea? W. P. Smith. Penn, Miss., Feb. 9, 1903. [It is true, there is some objection to hav- ing hives, in straight rows, all hives alike, and all opening in the same direction. At our yard in Medina we found it necessary, years ago, to have the entrances point to the four points of the compass, and to ar- range them so there would be no two hives pointing in the same direction within thirty or forty feet. If you happen to have a variety of hives, mix them up in the row; then, where possi- ble, station one hive near a shrub for shade; another near a tree, and another near some other distinguishing object. The plan we now like best is grouping, putting three or four hives in a cluster, per- haps ten inches apart, and each group ten feet from any other group. One group can be placed under a big tree, and another group under a small one. Still another can be placed near the bee- house, and an- other before some other equally prominent object. A bee, on returning from the field, seeks its group and then singles out its own hive-entrance in the group, which, if there are three hives, may be the one in the middle or the one on either side. The bees in one group do not get mixed up; but it sometimes happens that young bees will fly from one hive in a group, say from the northeast corner of it, and return to the northeast corner hive of the group next ad- joining. But all this will be avoided if one group looks difl^erent from some other on account of some surrounding object. Where trees are scarce there can be several groups in between the trees. Those groups un- shaded should be covered with shade- boards. This alone will make a distin- guishing characteristic, and will help to avoid the general confusion. Unless one is rearing queens' he does not need to pay so much attention to the ar- rangement of his entrances. It is only the young bees that get confused, as a rule, and they are generally accepted in any hive. — Ed.] AN OPEN LETTER FROM THE SAMBLFR'S PASTOR ; THAT CLOUD OF SORROW ; SOMETHING OF THE RAMBLER'S CHURCH LIFE. A friend has sent me a copy of your jour- nal containing the obituary notice of John H. Martin, formerly of Hartford, N. Y., and I can not forbear writing a few words, as his friend and former pastor, expressing my appreciation of your estimate of this noble man, who has gone to his reward, and adding my own tribute to his Christian character and sterling worth. My ministry began with the First Con- gregational Church of South Hartford, N. Y., April, 1889, of which church John H. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 245 Martin was the senior deacon. All of my correspondence was with him reg'arding- the pastorate, and he thus stands in a peculiar relation in this way with the be- ginning" of my ministry. During" the years of my pastorate we were brought ver3f close- ly together. I came to know him thorough- ly. Scores of times we were in consulta- tion regarding affairs pertaining to the church, and a warm personal friendship accompanied all. In your article regard- ing his life you call attention to the large fund of humor that the " Rambler " had. This is true, and j'et he was a man of heavj' burdens and of great sadness of heart as well. I remember very well meet- ing him one morning when, as I noticed how careworn and pale he looked, I asked concerning his trouble. He replied, "You know it is written, ' Hope deferred maketh the heart sick'" (Prov. 13:12). There is a case of real heroism here that this brother, instead of surrendering to his sorrows and trials, looked on the bright side, and allow- ed humor and good cheer to win; and in this I am sure his Christian faith was his great aid. A noble Christian gentleman of kind spirit, and an earnest desire to benefit his fellow-men, has gone home to God. His bodj^ rests near the noble hills he so dearly loved, and his memory will long remain in the hearts of those who knew him, and in the knowing learned to love him; and the Rambler's last journey over the goal, we believe, has been to the heavenly city. C. W. Wilson, Ashland, O. Pastor Cong. Church. [We are very glad to hear from Rambler's old pastor. We knew the Rambler as a bee-keeper, as an inventor, as a traveler, as a humorist; and we knew, also, he was a man of sterling Christian character; but Mr. Wilson has opened up some phases in Rambler's church life that may be of inter- est to his friends, and we gladly present them to our readers. — Ed.] carter's cell-forming and cell-stick- ing STICK. There is an item on page 587, last year, in Gleanings, where it speaks of buying cell- cups. It would be too slow work for me to stick them fast. I should prefer the wax in a little ball; and, with an inven- tion of mine, press it fast to the bar. Thus the making and fastening are done in a second or two. My device is made of wood, as shown. It is best to make of boxwood, as that kind of wood will make the smooth- est cell-cup, and sharpest on the edge. I have one of that kind, and it works very well. directions. Wet or soak the machine in water, and keep it wet so the wax will not stick to it. I use medium brood foundation cut in pieces an inch square, and in a warm place, so the wax will work easily. I gather a piece up in a ball and put it in the end where the largest hole is at C ; then I press the wax down on the bar where I want it to stick, and hold it there with my left hand. Then I push the former, B, down the small end of the hole A, and turn it part way round, back and forth, two or three times, and still keep pushing down with my left hand until the former has been well pushed down. I turn back and forth to the right and left. I next hold the former down, and lift up and turn to the right and left with my left hand. That takes the one piece away from the wax while the former holds it fast to the bar — see upper part of the drawing. Gently turn the former to the right and left, and lift the former out of the cell-cup, when the result is as shown at D and E. C. K. Carter. Eagle Grove, Iowa. [We sent this device to our artist, Mr. Murray, of Cleveland, requesting him to follow directions so that he could show the fnodus operandi. After finishing the draw- ing, he tells of his experience as follows: I have tried the device, and have no doubt it will work after a fashion; but in my hands, working under difficulties, the product was rather ragged and un- sightly, and I think it would have a tendency to make bees cross-eyed; but practice would no doubt greatly perfect it. As you sent no wax I purloined wife's ironing-wax, and in due course of time had cells galore from Dan to Beersheba all over the kitchen- sink, greatly to said wife's astonishment, and immi- nent danger to the statu quo of the family. After all, I would pronounce the thing a success in skillful hands. R. V. M. I did not try this device myself, but gave it to an employee to test. His experience with the first lot was much the same as Mr. Murray's. I believe the principle to be correct and right. We prefer, however, to form the cells on the same general plan by the thousand, and then stick them on the bars afterward, for we believe we can perform the two operations separately in less time than in one operation as shown above. We will show our plan a little later.— Ed.] 246 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Mar. 15 THE POSTOFFICE OF MR. J. M. JENKINS CHANGED TO HONEYSUCKLE. Please change my address from Wetump- ka to Honej^suckle, Ala. I have not moved — still doing business at the old stand; but a new postoffice has been established right on our premises, and we are now able to get Gleanings, our letters, orders, etc., about two hours earlier, and have one hour longer to work before the mails are closed to go out. We hunger and thirst for our mail, for we want to work it up and ans- wer promptly, and this change will help us greatly in our efforts to be prompt. As it was, the train passed within 30 feet of us, going to Wetumpka station, thence nearly a mile in a push-cart to the postoffice, and when all the mail for the town was distrib- uted, registers written up, etc., by using a bicycle the boy could get ours to us by and by- About two hours later we had to send over what we had ready, and the rest of it next time. I made application for a postoffice, stating the facts as they exist, and asking for investigation of same. The Department was fair enough to see the dis- advantages a growing business was labor- ing under (to say nothing of any near neighbors), and gave us the postoffice, with two mails per day. So when you come to see us again, get your ticket to Wetumpka; but when you write us, remember we shall receive it hot from the track at Honeysuckle, Ala. J. M. Jenkins. Wetumpka, Ala., Feb. 21. [When I visited Mr. Jenkins, nearly two j'ears ago, it seemed to me a little strange that all his mail matter, which might have been unloaded within a short distance of his factory, had to go two miles across the river, then back again, making hours of delay. Mr. Jenkins is to be congratulated on the change. If I remember correctly, the honeysuckle is a prominent plant in his neighborhood. — Ed. J GOLDEN and LEATHER COLORED BEES COM- PARED. In Gleanings for Feb. 1, page 1, I notic- ed that the lea^/ier-colored bees are spoken of as "probably the better bees;" and my experience of a good many years is that the leather-colored bees for honey-gatherers are the best, but they do not build as white comb as the goldens. Three seasons ago I had in mj^ bee-yard, in Georgia, a golden queen selected out of 24 from J. B. Case, and also the leather-colored " red clover" queen from your apiary, and in the spring they started oflf with the same conditions; but the red-clover colony produced several pounds more than the golden, but capped dark and greasy-looking, while the golden colony produced the most beautiful section honey I ever saw. Neither colony showed any disposition to swarm. These were the two finest queens I ever owned. I have purchased a good many queens from differ- ent breeders, directly and indirectly, and out of each lot some of them always proved inferior, except the lots from J. P. Moore, which always made a good average, though none of them ever came up to your red-clo- ver queen or the one extra one from J. B. Case. All points considered, I think this Case queen the finest I ever owned; but she was an exception to most goldens. Wewahitchka, Fla. D. R. Keyes. [We are glad to get this good word for the Italian queens, even if it is a good adver- tisement for some of our friends. — Ed.] ROBBING OUT THE BEE-TREE. On page 155 you say that J. A. Macdon- ald secured no honey from the tree. Why couldn't he set his bees to robbing the stores in the tree, after all the brood emerged? In a cherry-tree near my yard is a colony I have planned to kill next fall, and then in- troduce a pint of iny bees to bring the honey to my hive. Would not that plan work well and safely? I like Gleanings first rate, and am so new at the business that nearly all is in- structive to me, but perhaps the questions and answers are most so. Reading, Mass. N. A. Sparhawk. [Yes, certainly, the bee-tree could be robbed out providing there were no young bees just hatched to defend at the entrance. —Ed.] alsike; does it yield every year? Will alsike produce honey every year? If so, would not that when raised for seed with white clover, red clover, catnip, and a sprinkling of other honey-plants in the fall of the year, make a locality among the best as a honey-producing one? Can bees be sent by fast freight in spring, with safety? O. H. Townsend says they can. What do you think about it? Eeland, 111. F. W. Morgan. [You can set it down as a rule that no honey-plant will yield honey every year, and the clovers are no exception unless perhaps it be the alfalfa in the irrigated regions, where conditions are largely under the control of man. Alsike affords one of the best artificial pasturages there is known. But you might sow acres of it, and still not be able to make any perceptible increase of honey in your hives ; but when farmers all around you sow red clover or alsike largely, then you will be able to get some surplus. But there ought to be at least 50 or 100 acres of it within range of the bees. If a number of colonies are to be sent at one time, by all means send by freight, fast or slow, but send a man along with them. It is not practicable to send bees by ex- press, except in nucleus or one-colony lots. Bees go at a rate and a half, and they do not have to go very far by express before the express charges more than equal their 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 247 value. There is no trouble about sending- bees by freig^ht, and that is the o?ily way to ship them in any quantity. — Ed.] HOW BU rxiCKFLIES INDIRKCTLY DO DAMAGE TO ALFALFA. On pages 11 and 148 mention is made of butterflies damaging- the alfalfa-blossoms. While the butterflies themselves probably do a great deal of damage by suckiniif the nectar from the blossoms, thus depriving- the bees of large quantities of honey, the worst damage is done hy the worms which hatch from the eggs laid b}- the butterflies. They are something- like the web-worm, and are very destructive here some seasons, not only eating: practically all the blossoms, and so destroying- all chances of a seed crop, but thej' also do much damage to the haj- crop by eating a large proportion of the leaves. E. S. Webster. Hutchinson, Kan., Feb. 27. [I was sure I was not misinformed when I stated that the butterflies did damage to the alfalfa. Our correspondent explains just in what way they work havoc among the alfalfa-blossoms. — Ed.] DYSENTERY NOT CAUSED BY CONFINEMENT; FORCED swarms; WHAT TO DO WITH THEM. I notice on page 106 a case of bee dysen- tery which was not caused by confinement, by Mr. Henrj'B. Jones. Our bees were af- fected in the same way last spring. Would the shake-swarm method be a good thing in this locality for increase? Do you put the " shook " swarm on the old stand, or move it away and leave the moth- er hive there? Would it be better to let the young bees raise their own queen or give them one? J. G. Kylf:. Velasco, Tex. [The forced swarm is put on the old stand, while the old colony may be put a few inches to one side or on an entirely' new location. It would not be practicable to put the forced swarm in a new location, as too many of the bees would return to the parent hive. As a rule, the new swarm has the queen, and the parent colony raises a queen from the cell given. But the pro- cedure may be varied by introducing a lay- ing queen, but no great advantage would be secured. — Ed.] FORCED SWARMING ; BEES IN PARKS, ETC. 1. In forced swarms will the parent hive as well as the forced swarm give surpluses the same season? 2. Which of the two will most likely do the better work? 3.' Which should have the old queen for best results? 4. Will an inch-mesh wire-netting fence six feet from the hive-entrances, standing four feet high, interfere greatly with the convenience of the bees? 5. Would bees do well in Gordon and Wade Parks, Cleveland, where th^re is much shrubbery and many perennial plants? 6. Is the country east of the State Hospi- tal for the insane, in Newburg, a good hon- ey district? 7. If I wire my frames horizontallj', and put in 3'or 4 perpendicular inch strips, im- bedding them in the wires, will the bees build the rest of the comb with the midrib to the wires? and will they build all work- er comb if the strips are worker founda- tion? Chas. R. Neillie. Miles, O., Feb. 2. [1. No. Surplus would be expected ordi- naril}', from the forced swarm only. 2. The forced swarm, if put on the loca- tion of the old hive, would gather altogether the most honey. As a rule very little honey would be secured from the parent hive, and none at all if manipulated according to the directions ordinarily given, by which all the remaining bees at a second drive are given to the swarm. 3. The swarm should have the queen. 4. No. 5. I see no reason why this should not be an ideal location. 6. This ought to be as good a location as any other portion of Ohio. Not knowing the locality I could not give you any defi- nite information. 7. You can work this plan, providing it is not the season of the year when the bees are building store or drone combs. The bees would unite the several strips into one comb. But such a plan is very objection- able, from the fact that the bees would have to join on several strips of comb ; and even if they were disposed to build all worker, the line of demarcation would result in irregular cells, many of them drone size. Better by far use horizontal starters, fasten- ing to the top-bar. — Ed.] A SIMPLE method FOR WIRING F^RAMES. Having bought a lot of frames, and wire to wire them, I was lost to know just how to do it. I will give you the way I did it, which works verj^ niceljs and the wiring- board costs nothing. \^ Plank 3 I < !,l > ' - . r^™^*! Drive ten 8- penny nails into a plank from the bottom as shown; one to hold the spool, five for the tension, and four to hold the frame. Drive two small tacks in the flat edge of the end-bar at A and B. Put the wire through the holes I, I, and draw through till as shown in the cut; then thread and tie the wire to tack B, and 248 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Mar. 15 drive it up. Now tighten and secure to tack A, drive up, and twist off the wire. A. P. Young. Cave City, Ky., Feb. 7. [Your plan is very simple and good. The scheme of having nails driven in a zigzag line next to the spool is excellent, because it will make just enough friction to enable drawing the wires reasonably taut. — Ed.] FORCED SWARMS. After having read so much about forced swarms I am prompted to suggest that there will be many novices who will make many serious mistakes in this line. In the first place, very few will know when the colony is ready to be forced, and then it is not any simple matter to get the bees in just the right condition In my opinion a colony that is in moderatel}' good strength should not be bothered unless there is unmistaka- ble evidence that it is preparing to swarm. I think this forcing business is for people who have out-yards which they can not at- tend to; but for the average bee-keeper I think the matter of swarming should be left to the bees. I shall have about 30 col- onies this spring, and shall be satisfied to clip the queens and allow the bees to do the swarming. I think we shall have the earliest season I have ever seen. I was out in the j^ard yesterday, and noticed the bees bringing in pollen to a considerable extent. Will you please tell me if this is an indication that there is brood in the hive, or do they bring in pollen before the queen goes to laying? If we do not have anj^ unusually cold weath- er during this month my bees should be ready to swarm by April 1, as they will have nearly two months to breed up, and they have the greatest abundance of good stores, and a few trees are beginning to bloom. J. S. Wise. Hazlehurst, Miss., Feb. 2. [The question of forced swarming depends entirely on whether you want to take care of the swarming at your convenience, or have it take place on the hit-and-miss plan when you are away from home, or when }'ou are busily engaged. From the mass of evi- dence that has been submitted, it seems clear now that one can, by the forcing plan, make the bees swarm at a time when it suits his convenience. While clipping queens' wings does away with climbing trees and chasing after swarms, yet if you happen to be absent the swarm will come back and try the same trick again. It may keep on maneuvering thus for several daj-s, wasting their most precious time. Mj' opinion is, judging from what I read, that you can not afford to let nature have her own way. When bees go in quest of natural pollen it may be before or after they have brood in their hives. The presence of new pollen in the hives is quite apt to start the queen to laying, although the probabilities are that the queen has laid some eggs before pollen has been brought in. In our locality the queen will lay a few eggs, sometimes in February, but not usually before March. A few warm daj'S of sunshine breaks up the cluster, with the result that the queen will lay a small patch of eggs. When the next cold spell comes on, if the cluster can cover these eggs, well and good; if not, the brood dies. Egg-laying is pretty apt to precede pollen-gathering by a good many days; but when the natural pollen does come in, it usually means settled warm weather, and the queen usually tries to make the best of the opportunity offered. — Ed.] Will you kindly tell me how to fix up a room in a barn, and about what size to have it for stores, bees, hives, etc. Edward G. C. Dubois. Providence, R. I., Nov. 24. [The size of the room will depend alto- gether on the number of bees you expect to keep. For an apiary of 100 colonies a workshop or room 10x10 ought to be fairly ample. The room should be absolutely bee- tight — that is, if you expect to store honey in it. A self-closing screen-door should be used in connection with the regular door. The windows should be provided with bee- escapes so the bees can escape in case they get inside. — Ed.] paste for labels. In making paste for labels on tin I use equal parts of hot water and honey, and dissolve enough corn starch to make a thick paste. This works perfectly. West Bend, Wis. H. C. Ahlers. The Samson hive, first used by the ancient Egyp- tians, afterward adopted by England as a national emb'em Out of the eater came forth meat, and out of the strong came forth sweetness. — Judges 14:14. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 249 NOTES OF TRAVtl, I BY A. I. ROOT . ;;^^??^^ OUR OWN APIARY IN CUBA; THE GERMAN WAX-PRESS, ETC. After we had been runuinji: the solar wax- extractor several da3S with cappin<;-s there was quite an accumulation of " slumg-um " — so much, in fact, that it was a hindrziuce to the melted wax j:;-etting- throug-h into the wax-pans below. I spread out this slum- g-um and let the sun work on it one day, au'l it seemed so free from either wax or honey I could hardly believe it of much value. As I wanted to test the wax-press, however, I decided to see how much wax I could g-et out of it. Robbers are very bad about the solar machine, even if it is opened only a minute in the middle of the day. I suppose it is because the hot air from the melted hone}' and wax draws them by the odor, just as the burnings wax does when we are bee-huntingf. On this account we usu- allj' ofien the machine either very early in the morning- or after sundown, when the bees have stopped flying-. Accordingly we scraped out the slumg-um just at nig-ht, while it was yet hot; and then to get the wax-press at work quickly 'we filled the lower part with boiling- water. Then we set it over a little fire outdoors. The ma- chine has so much heavy metal about it I told the boj's I feared it would be bedtime before it all g'-ot hot enough to press out every bit of wax. To mj' pleasant surprise, how- ever wax was coming- from the machine in about 15 minutes, and it ran quite a stream for more than an hour. As several presses had been broken b\' turning- too hard on the screw, I was very careful; and after we had secured much more wax than I expect- ed to get, I decided we had g-ot out all of any account, and let the fire g:o down. When we started, the wire-cloth basket was neiirly full, and I presume this was rather too much for one "dose," as I discovered this morning- there was yellow wax all throug'-h the remnant, and we are going- to give it another " g-rind " to-night. I dis- covered that, if }'ou turn down the screw all j'ou think the machine will bear, in a few more minutes of steaming- the screw will turn down more quite easil}'. When you h.'ive such a larjje dose in at once as we did. it takes a g-ood deal of steaming- to warm the mass clear through; and it is, therefore, best to work only a small amount at a time, as mentioned in the directions. I was not onl}' surprised at the amount of wax obtained, but also at the quality. It seems to be almost as nice as that fiom the solar extractor. The steam extractor spoils anv hone}' that may be in the comb or cap- pings, as the condensed steam dilutes it so it would be of no use, unless to make vin- eg-ar; but the solar extractor separates the honey from the wax, and makes the honey thicker; but v^here it runs down on the black iron bottom, the honey is of but little value unless for feeding- bees. The taste is not bad, yet few people would care to put such dark honey on the table. It might do very well for honey cakes or " honey ginger- bread.''^ CUBAN APIARIES AND THE MEN WHO RUN THEM. The apiaries west of Havana are either close to the calzada, or pretty near to it, for convenience of getting- to and from Havana, and also to save expense in moving the hon- e}'. I have been told there are better places for bees than any that are now located, but these points are so far from the railroads and the hard stone government roads (cal- zadas) that it would cost more than the hon- ey is worth to get it to market. It has al- ready been suggested that some one try raising wax only, in these localities, and Mr. de Beche has made some experiments that lead him to think it may be made a success. Has any one tried tearing off the combs as fast as built (and before any hon- ey is stored in them), and compelling the bees to keep building more? Of course, brood would have to have room so as to keep up the population; but has any one suc- ceeded in making bees work for wax only? If there are times when they won't build combs without feeding, feed back the hon- ey that gets into the combs and has to be ex- tracted. Wax is now worth here 35 cts., spot cash, while honey scarcely nets the bee-keeper who is away from the railroads more than tivo cents a pound at the present time. I know something about what it costs to get the crop to market, for I rode on an ox-cart, loaded with honey, five miles to the station, and it took us two hours and a half. This was during a dry time, when the country roads were drj' and hard; but during the rainy season, in some places it would be just about impossible to get honey or any thing else to the nearest station. As a rule, however, the honey-flow is all during the winter time, when no rains come, and the ground is hard and firm. Mr. Somerford's apiary is nearest Havana on the west, and Mr. Harry Howe comes next. He is described by Ernest while • in York State as the " Lightning Opera- tor." I did not see him at work with the bees, for, to tell the truth, he, and / too for that matter, were more taken up with his six-months-old "girl baby" than with the bees. Mr. H. has helped to cement the un- ion between Cuba and America by taking a Cuban lady for a wife. She is, however, a native of the Canary Islands, and a very bright little woman, although she does not as yet speak much ?2nglish. The baby is not only the prettiest I saw in Cuba, but she has the sweetest name to me in all the world. It is just "Susie." It is Mrs. Root's name, and I have not seen her dear old self since the day after Christmas. Mr. Howe's home is in the ruins of an old stone mansion, and there are the remains of won- derful gardens of rare tropical fruits all round it. 250 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Mar. 15 With the exception of the pineapple, most of the new and strang-e Cuban fruits are too swpet for me. I did not see much of Mr. Howe's apiaries, but he was exceedingly kind in going- about with me to visit other bee-keepers whom I could not well have found without his assistance. Mr. Glenn Moe, one of the leading and most successful bee- men, has his home in Candelaria. He has three apiaries, comprising nearly or quite IflOO colonies. During the summer some kind of shade is needed, as most bee-keepers agree. Mr. Moe has secured this in one apiary, by planting- bananas. These g-row up in one season, and require but little care, but thcN' give shade in the coldest months, when shade is not needed. I presume this does not matter very much unless one wants to build up weak colonies in the winter time. To do this, no doubt a clear exposure to the sun would be better, say in December and January, Mr. Moe has also some fine look- ing pineapples in one of his apiaries. Leaky barrels are a great trouble, and sometimes a h'lg e.vpefise, in Cuba; but I believe the barrel-makers are getting- the trade now so they can stop most of it. The material is shipped here from the North, and the barrels are set up here by Cuban coopers. Mr. Moe and his boj's were hav- ing some trouble with barrels at one of his places when I was there. They do not seem to think it necessary to g© to the ex- pense of using- paraffine, as described in the ABC. If the hoops are heav}' enough to bear very heavy driving when the barrels are hot and dry, before filling, and then heavy driving a/^er the honey is in, they seldom leak much. No matter how well the barrel is seasoned before filling, the honey will take out moisture from the wood so the hoops can be driven considerably after fill- ing. Mr. Moe wanted to " show " me some of his nice queens before I went away. I re- plied I cared more for what a queen could do than what she looked like. He answer- ed: "That is it, exactly, Mr. Root," and then he showed me a hive three stories high, and not only boiling over with bees, but with . brood in all three stories; and then he told me they had gathered something- like 30 gallons of hone}' (if I am correct), and were still at it. I think he has decided to rear queens from such colonies, without regard to looks of either queen or bees. I believe Dr. Miller has been doing somewhat the same. Now, if we can have all this, and at the same time get ge^itle bees, what do we care for color? Mr. Wardell tells me that, notwithstanding all that has been written on this subject, the average custom- er will make a fuss if he pays for an ex- tra queen, and she isn't large and yellow all over. If these people would come down here and try to raise honey for two cents a pound, they might decide dift'erently after a while. Mr. Powers, who has charge of the Cogg- shall apiaries between Mr. Moe and Mr.- Howe, has only got started in Cuba, but he is getting things in very good shape. Mr. Young, two miles and a half from Taco-Taco (Rambler's home), has only commenced; but he is quite enthusiastic, and has all his arrangements in very good shape. He purchased 25 nuclei in October, and built them up so as to take 1300 lbs. of hone.y from them before Jan. 1. He has ta- ken considerable since, but I do not know how much. I shall speak of Rambler's apiary further on, and also of the bees near Matanzas and some others. I came pretty near passing bj' friend Hochstein, because, at the time I was near- est his place, the unusual rains in January had made it next to impossible to get from the calzada to his place, nine miles off to- ward the mountains. The worst part of it is, that no one could ever find his way amid the many branching footpaths, or, as we would call them in California, " trails," without a guide. After quite a spell with- out rain, along in February, Mr. Howe said we could get over there, and ver}' kind- ly offered to go with me. I left my good friends the Frazers at Guana jay about da}'- light, and made the nine miles to Mr. Howe's in about at hour. Then we rode about two miles on the calzada ; and two miles more across the lots over a pretty rough foad brought us to Punta Brava, Mr. H. 's nearest railroad station. There are several things to be encounter- ed in getting to the foot of a mountain in Cuba or any other land. One is that an optical illusion persuades j'ou that, just a little ahead, you will get to where it is downhill. But the " downhill " never comes. It looks down, but your wheel seems stub- born and contrarj'. When you turn around and try riding the other way, however, the wheel is all right, and goes very easilj'. Another thing is. that where there are few residents, gates or bars are used to keep in the stock. An open road would require a fenced road on both sides. To avoid this, gates or bars must be opened or let down whenever you cross on to another man's premises. When friend Hochstein hauls his hone}' to the station he has to go through seven different gates or bars. When I reached his place I was pretty tired; but the sight of his good wife and bright and enterprising family made me soon forg-et it. Friend H. has not only toward 500 colo- nies of bees (in one spot) all or nearly all in two-story hives, but he has turkeys, chickens, guinea fowls, ducks, pigs, and cattle. The poultry is nearly all in charge of a bright young lady they call Miss Em- ma. She has now about 200 \oung turkeys (40 old ones), and about as many chickens, besides other fowls. These all have to be driven into their respective coops and shut up every night, or they will be lost. To- ward night it was my pleasure to see how it was done. Some of them had to be caught and carried back repeatedly. The chick- 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 251 ens zvould get up in the trees, ,and the ducks preferred the open air on iop of their coops instead of beiuj,-- shut up. After all were in she asked her father to g^o with her up the mountain-side for a missing- hen- turkey. It made me think of the " ninet3' and nine." The truant was found on a nest of egg-s which she and her father brought down, and "hived" in a barrel with 18 eggs. I will tell you the rest in next issue. TWO DAYS IN CUBA. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. — Psalm 23:0. I was up before daylight, because I had a 35-mile wheelride before me, and I want- ed to take as much as I could, of it before the sun became so very hot. I was going out alone among strange people, and people who did not understand my speech. As I knelt by vcvy bed on first getting up, I said: " O Lord, thou knowest what this new day ma}' bring forth, but / do not; bless and guide my footsteps." I told my good friend, Mr. de Beche, I could manage verj' well to get food and drink, but I should be very glad if he would write something in Spanish that I could give to the people when I felt the need of one of mj' little naps, and he smilingly gave me a note that he said would provide me what I wanted. The calzada to Giiines (pronounced G"«/«-ess) is over hills for sev- eral miles out of Havana, and I found the road quite dusty near the city, so it was not so pleasant at first; but further on it is more level, and as clean and smooth as one could ask; in fact, it is one of the finest roads for wheeling I ever saw. To add to its beautv', there are great shade-trees for miles, some of them a j'ard in diameter, whose great masses of foliage cut off every bit of the sun's raj's. Again and again I thanked God for life, health, and strength. About half way I reached one of the api- aries belonging to Messrs. de Beche and Cra3-craft; and, feeling a little tired, I gave mv note to the young Cuban in charge. He took me to a house near by, where the fam- ily had just taken their ten-o'clock break- fast. Of course they urged me to sit down and have breakfast too; but I had taken a lunch a mile or two back. I asked if an}' of the little crowd present spoke any Eng- lish, but all shook their heads, and for a while I felt like a deaf and dumb man among a crowd of lively children. While the mother prepared a room for me I began using my wits to get acquainted. For a time it seemed as if every Spanish word I knew played truant to my memory when I wanted it most. I soon, however, got the children to laughing, and then we began to get acquainted. One volunteered to show me he could count "one, two, three," in English; then another, with m}' assistance, counted six; and to encourage him I clap- ped my hands in approval. Seeing some schoolbooks on the table I asked one after the other to read to me in Spanish. This they were proud to do, especially after I had praised the smaller ones by loving pats onthe head aftereach reading. Then /volun- teered to read the easy lessons in their first reader, and when the smallest reader cor- rected my awkward attempts at pronounc- ing the Spanish words their delight w;is complete. I thought of the Scripture words. " and a little child shall lead them." Tru- ly a little child was leading me; and al- though I did not know it just then, the de.>r Savior was just in the backgroun ' leading both, or, better still, leading all. I h;id won the children; but how should I, with- out speech, tell them of the " Son of God who taketh away the sins of the world"? My prayer was very unexpectedly answered. A little blackboard stood up against the wall. I have been singing Gospel hymns in Spanish at the mission meetings for sev- eral weeks past. I have partly learned the words without learning their meaning. I motioned for the chalk, and tri. d to write the first verse of " What a Friend we have in Jesus." I should have failed had not one of the women who had heard it some- where come to my help. With much eras- ing and correcting, and with some help from the schoolmaster, who came in a little later, we had on the board: O que amigo nos e.« Cristo ! El llevrt nuestro dolor ; Y nos manda que llevemos Todo a Uios en oracion. What a friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry Every thing to God in prayer I Of course, we had only the Spanish. I have given both for the convenience of our readers. Now, please notice that, although 1 knew not the meaning of the words I had written (of course, I knew what the ivhole meant), even the smallest one knew, for it was his mother tongue. When I commenced to sing in Spanish, then they clapped their hands; and when their childish voices join- ed in with mine, correcting vay faulty pro- nunciation, such a flood of joy and thanks- giving filled my heart it seemed for a time as if I could not bear it all. The "deaf and dumb" stranger of half an hour before was, by a miracle ( it almost seemed so to me), actually leading them in singing praises to God in their own mother tongue. I almost forgot about my nap; I forgot that I was tired; but when I had taken it, and was ready to go, thej' all wanted me to stay longer. One of them explained bv motions that, as it was downhill toward Giiines, I could make my wheel go very fast. This she illustrated by making her hands revolve one around the other. I won- dered greatly at their readiness to read or sing at the invitation of a stranger. Think of the contrast between these and the Sun- day-school children I told you about at Bingham, Mich., last summer. Some of our missionaries here have since informed me it is characteristic of the Cubans to answer and take hold, without embarrassment. As I sped swiftl}' on the beautiful road I felt very happy. When I got to the point where the road turns down from the high land into the valley around Giiines, I thought I never beheld a more lovely view — 252 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Mar. 15 not even the celebrated Yumuri Valley, de- scribed by Humboldt. As I came near Giiines I wondered if it were possible the day could bring' forth any more experiences in the Lord's work. I re- member thinking', as I came into the town, I had no right to expect any more such op- portunities or " happy surprises " in one day. Mr. de Beche said he was sorry he could not give me a letter to some one who spoke English, but he thought I would be able to get track of them when I got there. Before I got fairly well into the town I saw a card hanging' before a place looking' much like Mr. Frazer's mission school at Guana- jay. The card read, "Iglesia Evangelica. " Surely this must mean some kind of a mission station, I reasoned, as I rapped with the big brass knocker. Almost in- stantly the door was opened, and a very bright little girl (see picture) said: " Bring' in your wheel, please, and come in and sit down while I call mamma." It made me think of Pilgrim's Progress; was this the house of the "Interpreter"? Come to think of it, I believe it was, but I do not yet exactly understand how it was that /, covered with dust and sweat, and with a dusty and muddy wheel (for it had rained on the way) should get such a recep- warm welcome to when they entertained a stranger " unawares." Pretty soon Bro. S. said he had just been over to see one of their people (a Cuban) who had just taken a g-reat notion to bees. This young- brother, Antonio Senti, has bought 100 hives, has the ABC book, price list, and Gleanings, and yet can scarcely read or speak a word of English. He can only look at the pictures. When told he was at the very time in a quandary about putting- the hives together I proposed we g'O over at once and see him. I loved hUn at first sight. How could I help it when I found he was a young con- vert in the mission, and as zealous and full of enthusiasm to hold up the gospel as he was to learn bee culture? On the way I told Bro. S. to direct me to their best restau- rant, for I had not dined except getting some crackers and coffee at a wayside gro- cery. He declared I should g'O to his home instead, after we had made a short call on Senti. Now, I was so taken up with this young brother I actually forgot all about my lack of dinner, and so did Bro. S., but I freely forgive him. When teaching those children to sing that hymn I forgot all ab lut being tired and sleepy. Do you re- member what the Savior said to his dis- ciples after talking with the woman at the REV. A. -WALDO STEVENSON AND FAMILY, GDINES, CUBA. tion from the minister and his -svife. They are Presbyterians, and this is a Presbyte- rian mission; but I want to assure our good friend Dr. Miller ( and the women-folks there) that it hasn't hurt dear brother Stevenson and his good wife a bit to be Presbyterians. In our last issue I said some pretty extravagant things about Mr. Frazer and his wife, and now I want to say that I found another couple at Giiines exactly like thein. When the little girl opened the door and invited me in, and when I got acquainted with these two, I thought of the words, ''^Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me," etc. Mr. S., years ago, had read Gleanings, and knew at once who it was that his wife and little girl had given such a well? " I have meat to eat that ye know not of." Since that exceedingly pleasant visit at the missionary's home in Giiines I have se- cured a picture that has already been used in the Home Missionary Monthly (box 146 Madison Square, New York), of Bro. Ste- venson, his wife, and three children, which I take great pleasure in presenting here. I do not know but I rejoice all the more over the memory of that visit because of the fact that these people are not of my own denomination. When we are really engag- ed heart and soul in the Master's work, we shall not only forget to be tired and hun- gry, but, dear brother and sister, we shall forget whether we are Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians, or any thing else. We shall 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURR 253 remember that we belong onl}' to the Lord Jesus Christ. Some time in April there is to be a conference of all the mission work- ers from all the difierent denominations that are laboring;- in mission work in Cuba. Oh how g'lad I should be to be present at such a conference! As this does not now seem to be possible, it certainly' is my privile.^^e to pra}' that the spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ maj' be so poured out at that meeting that all the denominations shall clasp hands as thej' report progress, and unite together in the bonds of Christian fellowship. At 5 p. M. the train brought Dr. J. Mil- ton Green, of Havana, Superintendent of the Presbyterian missions of Cuba, who gave an address at the mission in the eve- ning. It was a great privile(^e to meet all these. As I closed my ej'cs in sleep in the minister's home (he would not hear of vay going elsewhere — Presbyterian too — do you hear. Dr. Miller?) it seemed to mejustze/o«- derful how my praj'er of the morning had been answered. Instead of being off alone among strangers, deaf and dumb, as it were, I have found friends I am sure I shall treasure in memor}' as long as I live; and instead of being dumb, why, I don't know that I ever did much more talking in one day in my life. If Mrs. Root had been along I feel prett}' sure she would have cau- tioned me about talking /oc mjich. Bro. Stevenson did not recall what I said about being hungry in the middle of the afternoon until we were around his well- filled table a little after 5 o'clock. Then he began all at once an humble apology for having forgotten to take me to his home and give me some refreshment, as he promised to do when I spoke about going to a restau- rant. I assured him that he need not apol- ogize at all, and told him that m}^ joy in finding a young convert hungering and thirsting for knowledge, not only of bees, but of his newly found Savior, made me entirely forget weariness or hunger, as I have mentioned above. And then I remem- bered one of those verses which I have been reading over and over in Spanish as well as in English, in the fourth chapter of John, which shone out just then with wonderful beaut}' : Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. Twice during that one brief day I had caught glimpses of the wonderful truth that, when we were engaged in the Mas- ter's work, as we may be and should be, even fatigue and hunger vanish out of sight. The next day it was arranged that Mr. Senti and myself were to visit Mr. Fred Somerford at Catalina, 10 miles away. The road is such we had to make it on horseback; and for the first time in 30 years I road that distance in the saddle. Dear Bro. S. had provided himself with a lot of tracts (in Spanish). I think he got them of Dr. Green, who is agent for the American Tract Society (128 Manrique St.), and he left tracts at most of the houses on the way, giving some words of encouragement with them. It made me feel ashamed of myself. Mr. Somerford was absent, and it was rain- ing, so we sat down together on the porch and studied his Spanish testament and bee culture alternately. How could we two vis- it when neither knew the language of the other? Well, the memory of that day re- minds me of a story I heard long years ago. An Irishman had a habit of bragging abotit what a great fighter a one-armed brother of his was. At one time when he got a going on his favorite theme he said, '* Why, Jemmy once killed two of the inemy entoirely, b}' just knocking of their heads together." When some one asked how that could be, when "Jemmy" had only one arm, he answered, " Och! but Jemmy, when he got really a going, afightmg, forgot all about the one arm, and kept on fighting just the same." Well, Antonio and I, when we got " really a going," forgot all about our ignorance of the other's tongue. I grasped more Spanish in a little while, and he more English, than I would have supposed possible. When I found it impos- sible to get an answer to him on some mor- al or religious question, I would take his Spanish testament and find some appropriate passage for him to read. A man who was cutting sugar-cane was driven in by the rain. Antonio engaged in conversation with him. Pretty soon I was appealed to; my answer was given by pointing out a passage in the Spanish testament, and it took all my Spanish, I assure you, to find the passage I wanted in a testament all Spanish. Mr. Somerford finally returned, and we had a brief but very pleasant visit that I shall mention elsewhere. As it continued to rain, I discovered another very pleasant surprise in regard to Cuba. We went home on the train and took our horses with us. The ticket for a horse costs only double that for a man. I wondered, as I closed my eyes that second night, if it were possible still anoth- er day could afford such opportunities as the one just passed \iy had brought me. Kind Words from our Customers. OUR GARDEN SEEDS. I purchased the best garden seeds from you last year that I ever grew, and I should like very much to have your seed price list this spring. Cooperstown, Pa., Mar. 1. Clyde Yates. THE STRAWBERRY TRANSPLANTER. I planted lO.OX) plants last spring which have grown nicely, except that the cut-worms took hold of them after they were put out. and killed them in spots. I bought one of vour transplanters last fall, and filled out the vacancies with it. The plants did not seem to know that they had changed their location, but just grew right along. The transplanter does its work to perfection, and is worth a great deal more than j'our price for it. Wm. I^ittle. Marissa, 111. 254 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Mar. 15 Our Line of ^^Eureka'^ Goods are unequalled in merit and are therefore sold under positive guarantee of quality. Embraces Wind Mills — steel and wood. Water and Storage Tajiks— steel and wood. Eureka Feed Grind- ers, Steel Saio Frames, etc. For sale at your dealer's. If not there, write us direct and we will see that you are supplied. Send for catalogue— mailed free. Smith & Poraeroy Wind Mill Co., Mfrs., Kalamazoo,Mich. EUREKA 5TEEL kills currant-worms, potato-bugs, cabbage- worms, arxl insects on flowers; used 22 years success- fully. Sold by the Seed=dealers. For booklet on Bugs and Blig-ht, address B, Hammond. - Fishkill-on Hudson. - New York. il-'IDUll Root Company. Medina, Ohio. ' ci Quar-t^r On receiving a shipment of hives or other goods, how often have j-ou ftlt the need • f a good nRil-puller with which to open the boxes without breaking or splitting them? Such nail pullers as were effective ha%e been beyond the reach of ni. st people who have a box to open only occasionallv. Here is some- thing that works on the same principle as the best nail-puller, and yet is within the reach of every one. It will be worth all it costs in opening up one ship- ment of hives. It is nickel-plated, weighs only three ounces, and may be carried in the vest-pocket, yet it is strong enough to draw nails up to two inches. The jans aie bedded over the head of the nail; then with the hammer attached, the naii is fasily drawn. The hf-ad may pull off from some cement coated nails, and ihen. of course, you can not get a hold on them. r-.uillvthe grip is such as to hold the nail under the head so it is not likely to come off Price onlj' 2-5 cts. eacH; by mail 30 cents. A heavier size is made that will take 2>^-inch nails. Price 35 cents ; by mail, 40. TREES, VINES, and PLANTS. Hardy-grown Nurserv Stock. Large supply at less than trade prices. Keiffer and Peach. Specialties. Send list of wants for quotations. E. A. BOAIv CO., Hinchman, Berrien Co.. Mich. If Printed to Order $1 per 1000 Heavy, white, high-cut, size 6^- A neat little coupon on each envelope will earn you dollars. Other station- ery cheap. For particulars and sample, address at once Howard Co.. 516 Masonic Temple, Chicago. Ills. H-X-X published monthly; 64 pages; lells all about hunting, trapping, and raw furs. Sample copy lu cents. Hunter-Trader-Trapper, GaUlpolis, Ohio. Box 31. How to Make Poultry Pay. A paper worth a dollar, but will send it to you one year on trial, including book, Plans for Poultry Houses, for L'Sc. Sample copy FREE. Inland Poultry Journal, Indianapolis, Indiana. Qfllll TDV PAPEir, moBt'd, 20 p»gefc rUIIL I n I 25 cents per year. 4 months' trial 10 cents. Sample Free. 64-page practical goultry book free to yearly subscribers, ook alone 10 cents. Catalofrne of ponltr; books free. fouUrt/ Advocate, Syraciucv N.Z POULTRY JOURNAL --*^' My specialty is queen-rearing. I rear two strains only— Long- tongue Red-clover Three-banded and the Golden Five - banders that work red clover as well as the three-banders These two ** ITAI'V^ ■ strains are the best bees in this Jf ISiALa' \j^,^ country, all things considered. •r ^ i . t "^w. I furnish more dealers with queens than any other breeder in this conntr\'. 'Why? Because the queens give their customers the best satisfaction. I insure all to be purelv mated, lintested, 7.5c each; tested, in April, SI 2.5 after April, $1 0' each. My former address was Caryville. Tenn., but my queen trade has doubled for several years and I have moved to Texas. Remit bv postal monev order to Daniel Wurth, Karnes City, Karnes Co., Texas. Thenar" Ventilator. storm proof, effective; for ven- tilating all kinds of buildings, barns, stables, and factories of all kinds. .Send for illustrated booklet Merchant & Co., Inc., Philadelphia, Brooklyn, New York, and Chicago. M'nf'rs High-grade Bright Tin 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. FOUL BROOD MAY COME into your apiary when you least expect it. The sooner you discover its vresence. the less difficult and expen- sive will be its eradication. If you know exactly what to do when you discover it, much valuable time may be saved. No better instruction and advice on these points can Vie found than that given in a five-page article written by K 1,. Taylor, and published in the February Bee - Keepers' R-evie-w. It is comprehensive, yet concise The descrii.lion of the disease, the instructions how to detect it, are Ihe best and most complete of any I have seen. Xo one need be mistaken in identifying foul brood after reading this article. Mr Taylor then goes on and tells how to hold the disease in check (a very important point), prevent its dis.semination among other colonies, bring all of the colonies up to the honey harvest in a prosperous con- dition, secure a crop of "honey, and, at the same time, get rid of the foul brood. If you wish to know how to recognize foul brood to get rid of it with the least possible loss if you wish to tie prepared for it should it come, send 10 cents for a copy of this i.ssue of the Revie-^v. With it \vil\ be sent two other late but different issues of the R.e- view ; and the ten cents may apply upon any sub- scription sent in within one year. Acoupon will be sent entitling the holder to the I<.eview one year for only 90 cents. W. Z. HUTCHINSON, Flint, Mich. QUEENS for BUSINESS and PROFIT These are to be had of Will .'^tcliley He is now prepared to fill all orders promptly, and breeds six different races in their puriiy. You must remember that all of the PURE Holylands that now exist in the I'. S. originated from the Atchley apiaries, and they have the only imp rted mothers known to the United States. Untested queens from these laces, 3 and 5 banded It^ilians Cyprians, .\lbinos. Holylands, and Carniolans lired in their purity from o to 35 miles apart, February and :March, $1.00 each, or 19 00 per dozen. All other months, Voc each, S4 2") for six, or ;-^ (K) per dozen. Tested queens of either race, from J1..J0 to 5;^ 00 each. Breeders from $3 .')!! to SIO 00 each. 1, 2. and 3 frame nuclei and bees by the pound a spe- cialty. Prices quoted on application. Safe arrival and perfect satisfaction gu^^ranteed. A tri 1 order will •convince you. Price list free. WILL ATCHLEY. P. 0. Box 79, Beeville. Bee County, Texas. Queens == 1903 == Queens. We have ten different yards five to twenty miles apart, where Italians, Cyprians. Holj'lands, Carnio- lans, and Albinos, are bred for business. Tested queens, $1 50; SiS.OO for 6; $15.00 per dozen. Untested, $1 0 I each: $.5 00 • for 6 ; S9.00 per dozen. Our best and finest breeders, $5.00 each. One and two frame nuclei a specially. Bees and Queens in any quantitv to suit purchaser. Safe arrival and reasonable .satisfaction guaianteed. ORDER "The Southland Queen," $1.00 per year. Send for sample copy and our 1903 catalog; tells how to raise queens and keep bees for profit. Root's Supplies. The Jennie Atchley Co., Box 18, Beeville, Tex. $QUEENS--$BEES-NOW. A. L. Swinson, Queen=breeder, furnishes best to be Tiad in U. S. First=handed, Warranted queens, $1.00. Tested, $1.50. Breeders, 85 to $10 American Albino Italians, and Adels mated to Albinos. SWINSON & BOARDMAN. Box 358, Macon, Qa. You Require ! Supply PERFECT PENS My queens took first prize at the State Fair, in Nov., 1902. I have piles of testimonials from leading bee- men to the good qualities of the queens I sent out last season. Under date of July 3, 1902 F. A. I.,ockhart, of Caldwell, N. Y., writes: " The doz queens arrived all alive, and are a FINE LOT; "and again later on, 'We like 3'our stock, it is O. K." I am adding extensively to my queen-rearing plant, breeding in separate apiaries Golden and Leather- colored Italians (both strains are red-clover workers), Carniolanr. and Holy-lands, ot ch nicest strains. My Golden stock is from one of Doolittle's choicest breed- ers AH my queens are raised under the best possible conditions, from extra-good honey-gatherers. Queens ordered now will be maled when desired. Untested, fl.OO, or 19.00 per dozen; tested, »1.25; a few choice breeders at $2 50 each. GEO. J. VANDE VORD, Daytona, Fla. Laws' Leather=coIored Queens. Laws' Improved Golden Queens. Laws' Holy Land Queens. IV. H. Laios: — Your queens have proved to be excel- le)it. My apiary stocked with your /.fa/'Acr queens are a sight to behold during a honey-flow, and the Goldens are beyond description in the line of beauty. ^ ours are the ^est for comb honey I ever saw. I want more this spring —.£. A. Ribble, Roxton, Tex., Feb ig. 1903. it'. H. Laiiis: — The 75 queens (Leather) from you are dandies. I introduced one into a weak nucleus in May, and in Sep' ember I took 285 lbs of h ney, leav- ing 48 lbs for winter My crop of honey last season was 48,(X10 lbs I write you for prices on 50 nuclei and 150 Leather qneens.^Joseph Farnsworth, Idaho Falls, Idaho Feb. 16. 190J. Prices of Queens; Each, »1 00: 12, $10.00 Breed'-rs, extra fine, guaranteed, each $^.(Q. Send for price list. W. H. Laws, Beeville, Texas Say, all Beekeepers i Do You Buy Queens One Question, Please. If you were ofTercd a hive that would save you one- half of your time and labor in its manipulations; one that would save you more than $1.00 per hive in costs of extras: or a double-wall hive for the price of a single-wall hive, would you not investigate its claims or merits? The 20th Century Ideal does all the above. Then why not be on time, and send to-day for circu- lars 1 Sec pages 72 and Ifil: also the Refieiv for Feb.. paries 48 (excu.se errors on that page) and (iO. Book and hive are two of the grandest ' hits " of the age. Order book NOW. Price 25;, and your money back if you are not sitisfied. T. K. MASSIE, Tophet, Summers Co., W. Va. pOR SALE.— Forty colonies Italian bees in 8frame • L. bodies; strong colonies and plenty of honey; .satisfaction guaranteed: jt.OO each, shipped in .•X.pril And May. W. E. Yodek, Lewisburg, Pa If so, it will pay 30U to investigate my claims. I breed from best honey-gathering stock, and rear queens by best-known methods. I guarantee good queens, and beautiful, gentle bees. Some of mv customers have bought 100 to 300 queens per year for their own yards. Write for circular and information. J. B. CASE, Port Orange, Fla. Leather-colored Italians For Sale. My bees were awai-ded 1st premium at the Minne- sota State Fair in 1902 and liXll. Queens guaranteed in quality and transporiation. In standard 8 or 9 f'ame hives, $5 00 each on car. A reduction on lots of 20 and over. Ready for shipment .\pril 10. W. R. ANSELL, MiUe Lacs Apiaries, Milaca, Minnesota. 256 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Mar. 15 and the names and addresses of ten fruit-growers to Southern Fruit Grower, Chattanooga, Tennessee, for a year's subscription. Regular price 50c per year. Offer good only to new subscribers. Twenty pages or more every month. If you ^ . grow any kind of fruits you can not well afford to be without it. Samples free. 4 ♦♦♦♦♦♦^H* ♦♦♦♦♦♦<«^ ♦ ♦♦ ♦♦♦^^♦♦« ♦ HOE^iEY-CANS! The new friction-top honey-cans have been made the standard honey-pack- age of Texas by the Texas Bee-keep- ers' Assoc'n. The 3-lb. cans, 20 to a case; 6-lb. cans, 10 to case, and 12-lb. cans, 10 to case. These cans beat any package yet discovered. Write me for prices or the name of carload dealer nearest you. Udo Toepperweln, San Antonio, Texas. ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ Economy in California Travel A double berth in a tourist sleeper, Chicago to San Francisco, costs only S6. The service via the Chicago, Mil- waukee & St. Paul and Union Pacific line is thoroughly comfortable and satisfactory. Thro' tourist sleeper to SanFrancis- co leaves Chicago at 10:25 p.m. daily. If you're interested write for folder. F. A. MILLER, Gen. Passenger Agt.. Chicago. E. G. HAYDEN, Traveling Passenger Agent. 217 Williamson BIdg.. Cleveland. Ir. A. I. Roofs Writings of Grand Traverse territory and I,eelanau Co. are descriptive of Michigan's most beautiful section reached most conveniently via the Pere Marquette R. R. for pamphlets of Michigan farm lands and the fruit belt, address J. E. Uerritt, Manistee, Michigan. '^^^^ Choicest of Tested Queens By Return Mail $1.00 Each. vigorous and prolific queens, reared from the best of Imporled and Home - bred mothers, vi'hose projjjeny is the best of honey-gatherers. Safe arrival and satis- faction guaranteed. J. W. K. Shaw & Co., Loreauvilk, La. Buy Your Bee-supplies of S. D. EudII! You can save money. He handles The A. I Root Co 's Supplies. vSend list of goods wanted, and let him quote j-ou prices. Send for catalog. S. D. BueU, Union City, Mich. BARNES' Hand and Foot Power Machinery. This cut represents our combined circular saw, vchich is made for bee- keeper's use in the con- struction of their hives,, sections, boxes, etc., etc Machines on Trial. Send for illustrated cata- log and prices. Address W. F. & Jno. Barnes Co., 545 Ruby St., Rockford. : Illinois. Wants and Exchange. Notices will be inserted under this head at 10 eta. per line. You must SAT you want your adv't in this department, or we will not be responsible for any error. You can have the no- tice as many lines as you please ; but all over ten lines will cost you according to our regular rates. We can not be re- ■ponsible for dissatisfaction arising from these " swaps." 1\/ANTED.— To sell bees and queens. '* O. H. Hyatt. Shenandoah, Iowa. IVANTED.— Comb to render into wax; will pay cash ^^ A. P. lyAWRENCE, Hickory Corners, Mich. ANTED. — To exchange Angora goats for any thing useful. Ed. W. Cole & Co., Kenton, Ohio. w w ANTED. — To sell a Barnes machine of the latest model. G. F. Tubes, Annincreek, Pa. w ANTED.— To sell thick -top L. frames, in flat, from yellow pine, at 88.00 per 1000, f . o. b. G. F. Tucker, Blountstown, Fla. w ANTED.— To sell or exchange an automatic gauge lathe and one broom-handle lathe Address W. S. Ammon, 216 Court St., Reading, Pa. w ANTED.— To sell basswood-trees for spring plant- ing. One to four feet, 10c each; 10, 75c; 101), $5.00. G. W. Petrie, Fairmont, Minn. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 257 w ANTED.— John, some new ginseng seed. Mine are the oldest that can be found. A. P. Young. Cave City, Ky. w ANTED —Bee-keepers to send 10 cts. for sample paper bags for putting up extracted honey. R. C. AiKiN, Loveland, Colo. WANTED —A good second-hand Barnes foot-power saw' in exchange for supplies. State condition and orice The A. I. Root Co., 1200 Maryland Ave., S. W , Wa.shington, D. C. WANTED.— Experienced man to run apiary through May. June, and July. W. W. Starrett, Litchfield, Ohio. WANTED.— To exchange 500 Canna bulbs for best offer in bee supplies. Maurice W. Royal, Gardiner, Me. WANTED.— To exchange pipe-stock and dies, nearly new, for incubator or offers. ' James Ro.-vt, R. D. 1, Canandaigua, N. Y. W\NTED —A voung man of good habits to assist in running apiaries. State age, experience, and wages required. F. B. C.^vanagh, Gait. Mich. WANTED.— To sell fine Early Michigan seed pota- toes at 81.00 per bushel. Joseph Sowinsky, New Era, Mien. WANTED.— At once, 200 swarms bees. Will pay cash. Quirin, the Queen-breeder, Parkertown, Ohio. W\NTED —A man to care for an apiary on shares inoneof the best locations in the South. Want to increase to .500 colonies. J. B. Slone, Slone, La. WANTED —To sell to supply dealers and queen- breeders list of 100 names of Idaho bee keepers for 50c. E. F. Atwater, Box 91o, Boise, Idaho. /ANTED —To sell 50 stocks of Italian bees, 50 pat- ■ • ent hives, stock of tools, implements, bee-sup- plies, and foot-power Barnes saw at bargains; all new. ■Cause, lost health and use of right hand. Write C. S. INGALS, Morenci, Mich. w W\NTED —To exchange stationary gasoline-engines " 1 to 10 h p bicycle motors, and frames for mo- tor cycles, for wood and metal working machinery, worn-outgasoline engines, etc. coii» m Twin City Bicycle Co.. La Salle, 111. W\N'TED.— A man with small family to work a good farm of 40 acres, and an up-to-date apiary of 200 colonies, on shares: or can work the bees without the farm. A very good chance for the right man W. E. Forbes, Plainwell, Mich. w w w ANTED.— To buy .50 colonies of bees for cash; must be cheap. F. B. Cavanagh, Gait, Mich. WANTED.— To sell sweet potatoes; choice seed; best varieties. Send for descriptive price list. L. H. Mahan, Box 143, Terre Haute, Ind. ANTED.— To exchange for bees, parlor talking- machine, nearly new, with some sixty records. Edward Brown, Moravia, N. Y. /ANTED —Every one interested in GOOD ROADS to read the catalog of the Electric Wheel Co., of Quincy, Ills. Mention Gleanings. WANTED —Man of good moral habits to work for eight months on farm and in apiary. Herbert Manley, Box 27, Sanilac Center, Mich. w J\NTFD —A position to care for bees along the " Pacific coast. Have had a limited experience; am of Swedish-American descent, 24 years ot age. State wages when writing HERMAN ROLF BOX 96, Rosc Creek, Mmn. WANTED —To sell or exchange for bees or supplies one Mccormick corn-shredder, been used one week just as good as new; and one McCormick corn- harvester, been used two seasons. C. L. PiNNEY, LeMars, Iowa. W\XTED —Man, either married or single, to work " on farm bv month or year. Must not use tobac- co, drink or swear. Give references, state age and experience, g^j^^j^jp^g Kendaia. Seneca Co . N Y. /ANTED— To buv a second-hand foot and hand ■•'■ power' saw for" hive-making; Barnes or Seneca Falls combination machine preferred. State condi- tion make, number, and lowest cash price. Second- hand foundation-mill wanted also; must be cheap and in good condition. J. L Chenowkth, Albia. la. WANTED —To sell for cash, 5-gal. square tin cans, used for honey, at about half price of new cans. Also elegant exhibition 12-lb. no-drip honey-cases for plain Danz. and 4^X4^ sections; made for Pan-Amer- ican. For prices, etc.. address Orel L- Hershiser 301 Huntington Ave., Buffalo, N. Y. WANTED —Position by young man who under- stands bee keeping and care of stock. Homer Upton, LaGrangeville, Dutchess Co., N. Y. w ANTED.— To sell a No. 5 Seneca Falls combination sawing-machine (new) with moulding and groov- ing attachments. B. Hahn, Sturgeon Bay, Wis. WANTED.— If willing to give alfalfa a trial, I will send seed for a large plot for 25c. Add stamps if vou want the Khiva sunflower. See garden notes. W.M. C. AiKiN, Angwin, Cal. W^ w^ /ANTED —By the year, a steady j'oung man to take care of my bees and work in the greenhouse or garden at spare time. Geo. M. Kellogg, Pleasant Hill, Mo. /ANTED —To sell eggs for hatching from Black Langshans ; Heetticht famous prize - winning strain. Eggs, $1.00 for 15. R. L- Castleberry. Sherman, Kansas. WANTED —A reliable man to care for 140 colonies of bees (run for comb honey) on shares or for wages. References asked for and given. • Ward Lamkin, Ledyard, Cayuga Co., N. \. ANTED -To exchange a genuine Stradivarius • violin 1.50 years old, foundation-mill, bone-mill shotgun, revolver, clothes-wringer, game roosters, and fox-hound pups^ Elias Fox, Hillsboro, Wis. WANTED —A position in an apiary on the Pacific Coast by an experienced bee-keeper. Ten years experience in Texas and Indiana. Make offer of wages- give location of apiary and time help is need- gjf ^ ' ^ F. R. Roe, Jordan, Ind. w w^ WANTED.- Customers to send for my booklet de- • ■ scribing my Rhode Island Reds, Light Brahmas, and Barred Rocks ; hardy, prolific, /arm-bred pure stock from which I sell the eggs to hatch at 6 cts each. Walter Sherman, 100 Boulevard, Newport, R. I. WANTED —Experienced bee-man to take charge and run about HOO colonies: sttady place for rit ht party. State experience, reference, and wages wanted WALTER L- HAWLKY, R. F. D. No. 2, Fort Collins, Colorado. WAN TED —Every reader of Gleanings in Bee Culture who h^s even an orchard or garden should send to the Southern Fruit G'o^^'>,'^^^^^% nooga, Tenn., for a copy of their paper. It i^ fu of iuieresting news of the fruit world, and ver>- helpful. rANTED —To sell an apiarv of 25 colonies of bees, • . in good condition: also a lot of supplies consist- ins of 12o hives in the flat, 50 hives made up and pamt- td M supers, 2000 .sections, a foot-power saw, honey ind wax extractors. Will lake $80.00 for the entire outfit worth $:M); must be sold. The apiary and sup- pies a^e located at Delhi. Jersey Co., " -^ /o; P^J:^';^"- lars address H. D. Edwards. Sapulpa. Ind. Ter. ANTED —To sell, on account of blindness, 100 col- " oniesof honey-bees in lots to suit purchaser, in single or double walled hives. Or the entire plat coisistiiiK of the above bees, extractor, smoker, queen- excluder honey - boards, bee - escapes, extracting - combs second-hand bee-hives, etc. Apmp, establish- ed 23 years. The good will and trade included. Five minutes' walk from railroad station Chas. Faville. South Wales, jn. y. W^ w 258 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Mar. is. The ma^i PJano Built anticipating the demand of those satisfied with nothing but the best and looking for a piano of the Highest Artistic Creation Are you considerins the purchase of a piano? Our proposition will prove more en- tertaining than any yon have had. Catalnq and Jull informiilinv frt-e on application. THE FACKAKI* CO.MI'.VNY P. «. Box F Fort Wiiyiu-. Iiidinnii v3 YOUR ^: Don't spend spare time thinking: what you might be if your salary were doubk'd! Doing, not thinking-, will make ^our wish a reality. Our free booklet, 'Are Your Hands Tied?" tells you what to do and how to do it. Thousands have already doubled or largrely increased their salaries by following: our plan. Under our g-uidance you can do the same. Act today! 1. C S. Text- books make it easy for those already at work to Learn By MaiB Jlerhanlrnl. Stcini, Eleetriral, Civil, Kinln^, Tele- phone, nnil Telegraph Enuinerrlng; Shop and Foundry Practice; Hpchanfral Drawlne; Arrhi- teotiire; riunibing ; Sheet-Metal Pat tern I)raftiD(f ; fhemUtry; Ornamenlal Dcslea ; I..'lterlng; nook- keeping; Stenography; Engliah Itranches; Tearh- Ing; LocaraotlT* Uunniag; Electrotbcrapeutlci; German; Spanlth; French. Circular free. State subject that interests you. INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENCE SCHOOLS, Box 799, SCRANTON, PA. r To make cows pay, use Sharple.s Cream Separators. 'Business Dairying" and cat. 288 free. W. Chester, Pa. The "Best of EVeri^thing THE through train service of the Chicago & North-Western Rail- way from Chicago to Omaha, Denver and the Pacific Coast on the west, the Black Hills and Dakotas to the northwest and to Milwaukee, Madison, St. Paul, Minneapolis and Duluth on the north, is as nearly perfect as modern and skillful management can make it. The Overland Limited, a magnificent electric-lighted train, less than three days Chicago to San Fran- cisco, daily. The Colorado Special, only two nights to Denver from tlie Atlantic seaboard. Solid train Chic a go to Denver. The North=Western Limited, an electric lighted daily train between Chicago, St. Paul and Minneapolis. H. R. .MiCwLLour.H. 3d Vice-President CHICAGO, III W. B. Kniskern, Passenger Traffic Manager. LOW RATES WEST Only JB33 Chicago to San Fian- cisco. Los Angeles, Portland Ta- coma. Seattle, and many other Pacific Coast points, every day February 15 to April 30, 1903. One-way, second class, colonist rates via Chicago, Milwaukee & St Paul and Union Pacific line. To the Northwest via this route, or via St Paul. Additional in- formation on request. F. A. MILLER. Gen. Passenger Agt., Chicago. E. G. HAYDEN. Traveling Passenger Agent, 217 Williamson BIdg., Cleveland. S»iiit^«J FENCE! STRONGEST MA DE . BuU StrijiiK, Chicken- Tiprht. Sold to the Farmer at Wholesale Prices. Folly Warranted. Catalog Free. COILED SPRING FENCE CO. Box 101, tVlnchester, Indiana, C. S. A. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Z59 Grand New Book for 1903. "How w York, H. T. 'Hoist Mcm mHA smsm You Will Not Fail in the chicken busi- ness if you start riiiht with a Incubator and Brooder. Not experiments but machines with years of successful record. Perfect resulatidii- per- fect hatches. Do not swell nor shrink. A variety of styles and sizes. Larsre in- cubator bonk ( 156 pages) free. Books in five languages. Des Moines inch. Co., Dept. ."iOS Dps Moines, Iowa, or Dcpt oOS. Buffilo, N.Y. KT i i r § Sl^ i FOR so BAYS That's tte way we sell the fse^Ss^'"^ '-l_~£::^ia ROY&L IHGUSnQR.Il&i?^^ the hest self-rc^latinf. ROYAL li-.CUEATOa CO.. |},^ Dept. 503.Cesr^o'nes,l3wa. trmer RELIABLE thit itn for the no' Yards Fine Poaltrj. ,t Incul'ators and Brooders in the world. Each has special dis- tiryruishinf; features. Send 10c postage for Boole No. 19,juat out, giving guaranty of nvtney hack i f incubator is not eatiflfactory. Uellahle Incabat/irand KrnoderCo., Uox B 19 Quiucy, IIIIdoIb. $ I ^.80 For I ^ 200 Egg INCUBATOR Perfect ia cODStmction &nd I action. Hatches every fertile egg. Write for catalog to-day. GEO. H. STAHL, Quincy, III BT7ILD YOUR OWN INCTJBATOB. boutwO I.NiIli.\TOR I A In.. lii-|il. i:'" OiiinrT, III. CPRAY = PUMPC ^^ * ^ Save Money by «. ^^k ^ jf Buying One of Ours. 4 J They will do as much work; being all ^^ brass, are lighter to handle, and are more durable; will generate a higher pressure, there- by making them the easiest pump to operate on the market. Write for catalog, and get treatise on spray- ing, free. Agents wanted. J. F. GAYLORD, Succ. to P. C. Lewis Hfg. Co., Box 66, Catskill, N. Y. Get the Best A Gooft Spray Pump earns big profits and lasts for years. THE ECLIPSE is a good purap. As prac- tical fruit growers we were using the com- mon sprayers in our own orchards — found their defects and then invented Tlie Eclipse. Its success practically forced us into man- ufacturing on a large scale. You take no chances. We have done all the experimenting. Large fully illustrated Catalngue and Treatise on Spraying— FREE. MOHRITX * MORT.ET. Benton ITnrbor. Mloh. Wagon World Awheel. Half a million of these steel wheels have been sent out on our own wagons and to fit other wagons. It is the wheel that determines the life of any wagon, and tliis is the longest lived wheel made. Do you want a low down Handy Wagon to use about the place? We will fit out your old wagon with Elec- tric Wheels of any size and any shape tire, straight or stag- gered spokes. No cracked hubs, no loose spokes, no rotten felloes, no resetting. Write for the big new catalogue. Itisfres. Elaotilc Wheel Co., Bex 95 Quincyt HI** yyiLSOiM's New Green Bone, Shell and Vegetable Cuttet fof the PouHryman, Also Bone Mills for making phos- phate and fertilizer at small cost for the farmer, from 1 to 40 horse- power. Farm Feed Mills grind fine, fast and easy. Send for circulars. WILSON BROS., Sole Mfgrs., Easton, Pa. Y I OU'RE LOOKING for just such a machiue as Miller's new Ideal Incubator, the cerfet/t hatcher, sent on 80 days' trial. Abso- lutely automatic. Test it yourself. Big poultry and poultry supply book free. J. W. Mlllc-t'o., Bo.\ 4S.Freeport,IIl. IS45D000"PSEMIUH5 260 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Mar. 15 $750 HYDRO CARBON Capacity : 100 - mile Gasoline> tanK. Capacity : SOO-mile "Water- tanK. Weight 940 lbs ; seven-horse power actual. Will run at any speed up to 25 miles per hour, and climb any grade up to twenty per cent. For catalog, address Friedman Automobile Co., 3 Bast Van Bviren St., Dept. B, CHicag'o, Illinois. .■^a -.^ •.2fc -.Jfi •-:» --Sa -.^ -^a '.ja 'JSi via -.^ '..J& •,:» -.^ :.2 -^s i^ :.2& • jsk -Ja i2 :.2 '.^ •-:» -.^ vS -.ik . I The Test of Time I ^l; not only proves the increasing popularity of plain sections and fence 'T. 'f' separators, but the superiorit}' of these supers for the production of Vf/ M\ comb honey over other styles. The use of Root's Hives with plain ^i^ :!,: sections and fence-separator equipment mean .ff 'f^ vl/ III Larger Crop, flore Fancy Grade, i- ;L Less No. 1 and 2 Grades, Better Price, .ff •J- Satisfied Merchant, Enthusiastic Customers, W/ 'f> Increased 5ales, Greater Profits. il/ •'- and a ready market the coming- season, which is one of the important If/ /|'\ factors in the building-up of a home market for honey. It is one thing \||jf #A\ to dispose of a fair grade of honey at a moderate price, but quite an- •^• •'• other to retain the good-will of the merchiut handling your honey. \t» /^t To secure this co operation and stimulate the trade, great care should ^t t^ be exercised as to the attractiveness of the honey offered. It should -k- •^- not only be "Fanc}-," but the honej' should be well capped, and put w /^\ up in neat shape. To obtain these results you should use Dovetailed kAjf 4r§\ hives and supers equipped with plain sections and fence separators. •!• •'!• Insist on Roofs make and you will not be disappointed. W' ^t' vl/ (^y The A. I. Root Company, Medina, Ohio. \ki '^y N. B. — If 3'ou are not posted as to where you can buy Root's Goods advantageously, \Mt i|i write ns. Ask also for catalog of Bee-keepers' Supplies and specimen copy of Gleanings. ■yk'^ 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 261 r WINTER IN California. Sunshine and summer, fruit and rtowers all winter long in Cali- fornia. The quick way to g'et there is via the Chicago, Mil- waukee, & St. Paul, and Union Pacific line. Three through trains, Chicago to SanFrancisco, every day. F. A. MILLER. Gen. Passenger Agt.. Chicago. E. G. HAYDEN, Traveling Passenger Agent, 217 Williamson BIdg., Cleveland. Wood=working Machinery. For ripping, cross-cut tin^, mitering, grooving boring, scroll-sawing, edge moulding, mortising ; for working wood in any man- ner. Send for catalog A. The Seneca Falls M'fg Co., 44 Water St ., Seneca Fs., N. Y Foot and Hand Power Fruit Packages of All Kinds. — AI,SO — BEE=KEEPERS' SUPPLIES. . . Order your supplies now before the busy season catches you. Price list free. Address BERLIN FRUIT-BOX COMPANY, Berlin Heights. - - Erie County, OhlOo A NEW STRAWBERRY. Estimated yield 7iio bu. per acre. Netted UW).Oit per acre for us. Beau- tif'ul, round as an oran^'e, large, Kond (|uality. 75 other varieties. JIany new Kagpherries, Blackber- ries and other fruits, especially some new apples. Our new Cata- logue tells all about it. Sent free. W. N. SCARFF, New Carilsle, Ohio. 200 EGG INCUBATOR S H> our new plan V"'U can secure our SEW lUKA IXllBATOR at nominal cost. Doubt* WalU. Rrfno,^!, Tri.y.. Ntinx-ri Copin-r HnLl.T. Im|m.~J Tiuik, SifrtT Lump. Hrpil.lor. W - SEW IDEA INdlBATOK, Box 1B9 QtlXOY. ILL. 8 g"^'^ POULTRY BOOK Uy l'.iOSratalotiie. Klepant in illustration, full of practical hints, describes 06 breeds of prize winners. Low prices for birds and eggs. Book postpaid, 10 cents. Calendar for 1903 on cover. B. H. GBEISEB, KHEEUS, FA. When You plant Your Potatoes^ VE Be SURE that every row is well planted from end to i nd, every hill full count, every Diece ot seed in M O 1 S X soil It makes all the difference between a big- proht and a small one. Acms Hand Potato Planters Take care of just that snme profit: they plant cheaply, easily and you are always sure that tiie wuik is done just right. POTATO IMPLEMENT CO. 2 Catalocj lice. Traverse City, Mich. m « « ■ TTTT W ■ ■ fc ■ ■'■TBTj M COSTS' Greatest, Cheapest Food on Earth for Sheep, Swine, Cattle, etc. ■Will ho worth SlOO to you to read what Salzcr's catalog says about rai;o. BiiOSson Dollar Grass ^ wiU p isiii\ely make you ri'"!i; I'i tons of liav anilluts of pasture per acrf'. so also tiroinus, Peaoat, S|ielt.:, SI;icaroni wheat for arid, hot soils, 63 bus. per acre. 20th Century Oats, 250 bus. per acre and Teosiute, Yields 100 tons Green Fodder per acre. Forthls Notice and 1 0c. ■we mail bis catalog and 10 Farm Seed Novulties, fully worth $10 to geta start. 5ALZER SEED CO.."g^ wmwaBuwMMBBWfj ar-TB-M Strawberry Plants and Seed Potatoes. How to Grow Biggest Crops. Finest Fruit. DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE FREE. Send for it. Bargains in New Varieties. FLANSBURGH & PEIRSON, Leslie, Mich. SMALL FRUITS. standard and improved varieties of Raspberries, Blackberries, Gooselierries, Currants, Grapes, Strawberries, etc. ErsrT plant (rruwn an' uiiarsnteerl by me. Ship nnlj clean, riRoroua. weU rooteJ, fresh dug plants that give results. Write for Ute catslog. Allen L, Wood, Wholesale Grower, Rochester N.Y. 450.000 2U0 vaiieiic-K.Al^oerapes,8mall truii»ete,iiest rout- ed stock. Genuine, cheap.- 2 sample currants mailed for 10c. l>esc. price list free. LEWIS UOESCU, Fredonia, N. Y- AT.W >C IMIANA STEEL* WIRTCP. tiVVlriMUS 100 BASSWOOD or LINOEN, $2.00 Prepaid to any address in the U. S. Thi.s is the tree that bee-keepers have long wanted. We have a big supply of 0x12 inches, and will bill all orders promptly as above. Easj- and fast growers. I5asswood blos- soms make the most and best honev. Order as many as you want, but not less than 100. Offer good for spring of 190;? only. Evergreen Nursery Company, Sturgeon Bay, Wis. 262 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Mar. 15 « SEEDS ARE THE THAT CAN BEST BE GROWN If you want the choicest vegetables or most beautiful flowers you should read BURPEE'S FARM ANNUAL FOR 1903, -so well known as the "Leading American Seed Catalogue." It is mailed FRE E to all. Better send your address TO-DAY. W. ATLEE BURPEE &, CO., PH I LADELPH I A. ^^E^ YOU BUY E^ ^HENVOUBUYIeeds YOU WANT ^.^m^ ?^al: PLAINT 0^ Write for catalogue* WETHRUPKlNli&Ci •s e: E D s iviE rsi THE APPLE MAiy above all others is the one who needs to spray. Good, smooth, even sized, disease-free, salable apples are now an impossibility without spraying. For the apple man's use notlii ng quite eiiual-^ our Century Barrel Sprayer. Submerged brass cylinder, brass ball valves, everlasting plunger packing, a.-tomatic agitator. Unequalled for durability, ease of operation, free water ways. Eighteen Btjlesof Bi.rajcrB. fatal L-neirith f..rmulas and testimouialB free. THE DEMINC COMPANY, SALEM, OHIO. »>sliTn Al-Is., bi'iiiin.V M iiM., II, ( liloaL-0. One Cent buys a. postal card which will carry your address for Great Crops of vStram^berries and How to Grow TKem The best book on strawberry-growing ever writ- ten. It tells liow to grow the biggest crops of big berries ever produced. Tlie book is a treatise on Plaxxt Physiology and explains how to make plants bear big' berries and lots of tHem. The only thoroughbred seientili- cally grown straivberry plants to be had for spring planting. One of them is worth a dozen common scrub plants. They grow bigj red berries. There is GOL^D in straw- berries and bees if you go at it right. The book tells how to dig it out. The book is sent free to all readers of Gleanings in Bee Culture. Send your address to me. R. M. KELLOGG, THree Rivers, MicK. SSSiSSSGRAPEVINES 100 VarietieB. Also Small Fruitf..Tree»,Ac..B('St Hoot- ed stock, (ienuine. cheap. 2 sample vmes mailed lor lUc. Uescriptive price-list free, LKWIS HOtStU, I; redunla, «. X. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 263 DEAL DIRECT VJ^ FACTORY Don 't pi\y rotiiil price for carria^ies or lianu'ss. Write for our catalogup and learn al)out our system of selliiii; direct from factory to customer. Two iirotita aresavetons, carriages, and oilier high grade vehicles, as well as h:lrne^s. horse rugs and other horse accessories, in America. Write for the catalogue to-day. ■ XA THE COLUMBUS CARRIAGE & HARNESS COIViPANY, t^i Factory and General Office. COLUMBUS. 0. ). Write to \//i Western Office and Distributing House, ST. LOUIS. MO. j nearest office TEAM and°FARIVI HARNESS for $^6;_95_ Stroiie plump stoek. "L'rfeot in size, shape and finish. iTraees. 1)4 in. double & stitched. I'lids. hooii aud terret. Lines, y, in. 18 ft. A GREAT LEADKK because it gives satis- ifaction first, last, and always. 4>llr Union" Harness will please you in ' price and qiiality. I^peoliil, two " eavv whole leather team collars $3 KVEKV HAK.NE8S A KAKGAIN. ffe make all styles of harness. BUGGY e&rts, runabouts stanhop< "Union" IDEAL for S39.95 Hasiioeauul for comfort, Btyle and wear at the price. We lEUUi'Uiitee its excellence for two years. The price means quality.^ Hasgeiiuine leather trii & leather quarter top. Long I distance, self oiling axles, trimmings 194»SHtrle "tNION" HlOGIESST.tNWTHKTESTOFTlJlE. We euariintee safe delivery and satisfaction. NEW CATALOG free on request, the largeRt vehicle and harness catalog issued. Contains the choicest line of agons, delivery a nd express wagons, spring wagons, trucks, farm wagons, buggies, phaetons, buggy, truck and surrey harness, express, spring wagon, farm, team and lumber harness. CASH UUVEB8' UMiON, Manufuctarerg of Harness and Vebtcles, Vept, F245 0U1CA«0, ILL. ONLY $15 High Arm 7 Drawer Guaranteed 20 yrs 90 Days' Trial Golden Oak Po.-^itive four-motion double-feed, lock-stitch, aiiloinatic l)obbin winder, jiateut. stitcti-regn Intor, self-threading ibrotigiiout, self-.>-etl irig neeitlpi. Hand.'^oine GOLDEN OAK, .'^evcn drawer table, witb indestructible bent wood box top. Complpta set of attaclinieiits, accf'.-sorie.s and iii- .striictioD book fri-i'. \Vh ijrepay frciglit west to Mi.ss. river and south to Teii- nos.see. Money re- funded after a !K1- day trial if not fii- tirely satisfactory. ''"'- -- Yoti cannot buy a maclii (h;it will do better 'York than i ,,..i, 1, .- thor- oughly well built of best material.'^ and hand- .■JoiTielv finished. Needles and repairs at any tinv. .Send US .^l and we will shii) inachiiii- ('. O. D. subject to examination. The same machine with .5 instead of 7 drawers fcr Drop heatl machines at .•?I8 and' .*;ifi. D( buy a machine until yon cet our free illustrated catalog. OHIO FARMER, Cleveland, Oliio Only $13.50 The Best Buggy Bargain You ever saw in your life — Split Hickory Jummer. i5iif.a.»Ti«> ■j--"^ V/ We will sell you thia genuine Split Hickory, 0-oz. full ruljber-toi> Buggy for ibSS.OO and I send it to you on 3U days FREETRIAL that ,ou may hitch to it aud use it enough to fully iatisfy youreelf that you have aspendid bar- gain, and that every claim we make is true. On top of this free offer we give you a two years guarantee. We have an immense fac- I tory turning out thousands of jobs yearly, all (it which we sell direct, from ourfactoryto user, is the reason wo make thistruly won- I derf ul buggy oifer. This buggy is made of selected second prowth split hickory— split, not sawed— and is I a thoroughly high grade vehicle at a low price. It has heel braces on sliafts, good carpet, full rubber top, solid panel spring back, h-'m. round edge steel tired wheels, boot on back of body, high leather dash, storm apron, side curtains, open hearth, oil tempered springs, Norway iron bolts aud forgings, and many other points of merit. It is handsome and durable, and you can have your choice of oil and lead paint in colors. N OT a cheap thing about the .lob except the price. Send at once for our 1-S pace, 19u3 Catalogue, which givesdescriptionsand prices of our coraiileteliue cf vehicles aud harness. I It i" FKEE. OHIO CARRIAGE MFO. CO. Station 2- tiiiclniiati, O. THE CARE TAKEN in the manufacture of EV'HRY FOOT of Page Fence must be appreciated by useis. Our trade is growing. Page Woven Wire Fence Co., Box S, Adrian, Michigan. 264 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Mar. 15 Gleanings in Bee Culture [Established in 1873.] Devoted to Bees, Honey, and Home Interests. Published Semi-monthly by The A. I. Root Co., - - Medina, Ohio. A I. ROOT, Editor of Home and Gardening Dep'ts. E. R. ROOT, Editor of Apicultural Dept. J. T. CAIvVERT, Bus. Mgr. A. t,. BOYDEN, Sec. TERMS. $1.00 per annum ; two years, $1.50; three years, $2.00; five years, $;i.0O, m advance; or two copies to one address, $1..50 ; three copies, $2.00 ; five copies, $3.75. The terms apply to the United States, Canada, and Mexico. To all other countries 48 cents per year extra for po.stage. DISCONTINUANCES. The journal is sent until orders are received for its discontinuance. We give notice just before the subscription expires, and further notice if the first is not heeded. Any subscriber whose subscription has expired, wishing his journal discon- tinued, will please drop us a card at once; otherwise we shall assume that he wishes his journal continued, and will pay for it soon. Any one who does not like this plan may have his journal stopped after the time paid for by making his request when ordering. BEES'WAX M.\RKET. We are paying, till further notice, 29 cents cash, or 31 in trade, for average; one cent extra for choice yel- low wax. THREE CARLOADS OF HONEY-JARS. We have orders with two factories for three carloads of honey-jars to be delivered soon. One car of No. 25 jars and Mason jars goes to our branch in Mechanic Falls, Maine, while another car is coming here. The third car is of square jars also — Tiptop jars. We are getting in position to take care of orders for honey- jars promptly, and at the best available price. BUSINESS BOOMING. The orders continue to roll in in good volume, so that we are still fifteen cars behind on orders for car- loads. Smaller orders are shipped with reasonable promptness within two or three days after being re- ceived. The railroads continue to annoy by delay to shipments in transit. The consequence of such de- lays in bee-keepers' supplies are not quite so serious now as they will be later on; and it is of the highest importance that you anticipate your wants as far in advance a« possible, so as not to be without the goods when the time comes that you are ready to use them. Two per cent off for cash with order this month. SECOND-HAND FOUNDATION-MILLS. We still have on hand a good assortment of second- hand foundation-mills, which we list as follows. Any one desiring samples from ihese mills, or further par- ticulars, we shall be pleased to supply on application. No. 014. 2x6, hex. cell, extra-thin super. Price $S 00. No. Oo7. 2x(). hex. cell, ex thin super, good. Price $10. No. 2132, 2x6, hex. cell, thin super. Price $10. No. 2227. 2x6. hex. cell, thin super. Price $10. No. 114.5, 21^x6. hex. cell, thin super. Price $10. No. OoO, 25^x12, round cell, medium. Price $12. No. 044, 2x10. Pelham, nearly new. Price $6. No. 034, 2j^xl2^, round cell, very old style, in fair condition. Price 810. No. 043, 2^x14, round, medium to heavy, good con- dition. Price $14. No. ( 51, 2sl0, round cell, medium brood. Price 810. THE NEW SUPER SPRINGS FOR 1903. We have up until lately been using wire springs to produce the necessary compression in comb-honey supers. These were secured to the inside of the super side. There came to be a general demand for a re- ii/oinble spring, and we accordingly constructed some samples made of wire; but owing to the difficulties of manutacture. and the further fact that the tension of the V ire varied considerably, we finally decided on flat steel springs of the shape and style shown in the annexed engraving. This spring is very similar to if not identical with the super-spring first used by Capt. J. E. Hetherington, of Cheiry Valley, N. Y., some 30 years ago, and which, we understand, he has been using ever since. While this form of spring is a little more expensive for the material used, it is easier to make. The Root Co. is now turning out these springs bv the thousand. All the 1903 supers put out by us from this date on will have these springs; and we anticipate they will be well received by the general bee keeping pub- lic. Capt. Hetherington, who for many years enjoyed the reputation of being the most extensive beekeeper in the world, is not apt to adopt an impracticable de- vice: and the fact that he pronounces the principle good is pretty good evidence that the fraternity at large can safely adopt it. There are those who prefer a spring fast to the super instead of loose. By putting the spring in position, and driving a staple" over one end, these may be securely fastened. A staple .similar to the No. 11 double-pointed tack but a little wider is needed. We will have them soon at 20 cts. per pound. Special Notices by A. I. Root. I am at home again in Medina. — A. I. Root. JAPANESE BUCKWHEAT. Trial packet, 4 ounces, bj' mail, postpaid, 5c; i lb. by mail, postpaid, 15c; peck, 35c; '4 bushel, 65c; bushel, S1.25; 2 bushel, $2.25. These prices include b?g to ship it in. Ten or more bushels, purchaser paying for bags, 95 cents. CUCUMBER SEED LOWER. Until further notice we can make the price of Early Frame, Improved Early White Spine, and Green Pro- lific or Boston Pickle cucumber seed at 15 cents per ounce, or $1.25 per lb. This is for new fresh seed, grown expressly for us. PRICES ON CLOVER SEED AT THIS DATE. Alsike clover, bu., $10; '^ bu., $5.25; peck, $2 75; 1 lb., 20c, or bv mail, 30c. Medium clover, bu., $9.00; H bu., $4.75; peck, $2.50; 1 lb., 18c, or 28c by mail. White Dutch clover, bu . Si5.00; H bu., $7.75; pk., $4.00; 1 lb., 30 c; 1 lb. by mail, 40c. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 265 Peavine, or Mammoth Red clover, same as medium. Alfalfa, same as medium. Crim.sou, or scarlet clover, bu., $1.50; ^ bu , 2 40; peck, $1 25; 1 lb . 10c, by mail 20c; 3 lbs., by mail, 50c. .Sweet clover. 100 lbs., 10c per lb.; 10 lbs. a't I2c: 1 lb.. 15c; by luail, 25c per lb. Yellow sweet clover, Gc per lb. addiliotial. I-"or sweet clover with hulls off, 5c per lb. ill addition to the above prices. SEED POTATOES— ORDER EARLY. If vou serd in your order now you ran get them without being sprouted a particle You can get exact- ly what j-ou want, for our .--tockof firsts is all complete; and. tnost of all you can save disastrous delays by not getting them when you are ready to plant. Preightof all kinds, as you may know, is more or le«s delayed by the overcrowded condition of the railroads generally; therefore it will be better all around to get yourordtrs in at once. TABLE OF PRICES. NAME. Varieties are in order as resards time of ma- turing ; earliest first, next earliest second, and so on. Red Bliss Triumph Six Weeks Early Ohio Early Michigan Early Trumbull Bovee New Queen Freeman Lee's Favorite Twent iet h Century State of Maine Maule"s Commercial . . . . Carman No. 3 Sir Waher Raleigh Kinc of Michigan California Russet New Craig __• s a M 3 .o x> H, cs • 4-1 «4H jd £ £ 3 $ 18 $ 40 $ 30 % 40 •t 75 *1.'25 18 41) 30 40 75 1 '25 18 4<) ■M 4(1 75 1.'25 18 40 ■M 40 75 1 '25 18 40 80 4<) 75 ] :'o 18 40 30 40 75 1.'A5 18 40 ■A) 40 75 1.'A5 18 4<) •A) 40 75 1,''5 18 40 80 40 75 ^:>f> 1.1 85 '20 3S tiO 1(X) 15 :i5 '20 35 tiO i.no 1.5 ii5 '20 35 (iO 1.00 1.5 H5 •20 35 «l 1.00 15 :i5 '20 85 HO 1.(H) 25 50 :« 50 85 1 50 15 85 '20 35 (iO 1.00 15 35 '20 35 60 1.00 Seconds, while we have them, will be half price (for description of .seconds see page 828), but at the present writing, Jan. 1, we are sold out of seconds except the following four kinds : Early Michigan, I^ee's Fa- vorite, New Queen, and Maule's Commercial. A barrel can be made up of as many varieties as you choose, and they will be at barrel prices if you have a whole barrel or more. POT.-\TOES AND GARDEN SEEDS TO BE GIVEN AWAY. Everybody who sends $1.00 for Gleanings (asking for no other premium), may have '25 cents' worth of potatoes, seeds, etc.. providing he mentions it at the time he .sends in the money; and every .subscriber who sends us SI. 00 for a new subscriber so that Gle.'^n INGS may go into some neighborhood or family where it has not been before, may have 50 cents' worth of po- tatoes;, seeds, etc. You can have your premium potatoes sent by mail. express, or freight; but if you want them by mail, you must .send the money for postage. F'or '25 cents you can have 5 lbs. of potatoes; but the postage and packing amounts to ten cents for each pound; and I do not believe you want to pay .50 c nts in postage for 25 cents' worth of potatoes. As a rule, potatoes sho-.ld go only by freight; 25 cents' worth is hardly enough for a freight shipment; so by far the better way would be to have them shipped by freight with other goods. The expre.ss charges on only "25 cents' worth are very often as much as the postage, and sometimes more. OfR NORTHERN-GROWN SEED POTATOES. The Red Triumph is perhaps the earliest potato known, but it is very apt to blight in many localities. Six weeks is a select extra early strain of Early Ohio. The Early Ohio is the standard early potato almost the ■world over; but as a rule it is not a large yielder. Earl\- Michigan is one of the very earliest potatoes, and is almost without a fault as to quality, quantity, etc. Early Trumbull is not (juite as early as the foregoing, but it is a tremendous yielder. The Bovee has made quite a sensation since its advent fouror five years ago. New Queen, in many localities, seems to be the "queen" of the lot, a little Inter than the foregoing, but a tremendous yielder. The Freeman is the first really handsome potato among the extra earlies. Lee's Fa- vorite looks almost exactly like the New Queen, but it is a little later. Twentieth Century. .State of Maine, Carman No. 3, and bir Walter Raleigh, are all tre- mendous yielders; and on our ranch last year in North- ern Michigan they looked so much alike' the bovs said there was hardly a choice in the lot. MauU '.s Com- mercial stands well with the lot just enumerated, and perhaps it will outyicld aii)' of them; but it is a red- dish potato. Whitteii's White Mammoth is one of the largest yielders, and is a potato of excellent quality; but it is not as handsome in shape as the Carman No. 3 and some others.- The California Russet is equal in quality, probably, to any in the list, and stands out sharp and clear above all, as the potato having no scab. It may not yield as well as some others, and the tubers are not quite as handsome, although they are of good shape; but there are never any scabby "ones. The New Craig is certainly the latest of all po"tatoes, giving some of the largest crops, providing vou can give it the whole sea.son to grow in. Plant them early, and they will keep growing till frost. COLD-FRAME OR HOT-BED SASH OF CYPRESS. We are now prepared to furnish .sash of cypress, having secured a supply of this lumber for the pur- pose. It is one of the most durable of wo^ds for out- side use, and is largely used for greenhouse bars and sash. It is light and strong, as well as durable. We are changing the dimensions of the bars so that they will shut off less light from the seed-bed. The thick- ness will be i''2 inches instead of i^s, as formerly, with tenons ■< inch thick instead of % inch. The out- side bars are 2V2 inches wide instead of 31^. The sash will still be 6 feet long, but 3 ft. 3 inches wide instead of 3 ft. 4 inches, and, as regularly furnished, will take fc)ur rows of 8x10 glass. We can'also supply them for 3 rows of ii-inch glass. The price shipped, knocked down, will be 80 cents each; $3.75 for 5. or $7.00 for 10. We still have the old-style pine sash, 3 ft. 4 by 6 ft., which we will <;ell at the same price if any prefer them. At the present price of pine lumber they are worth more money, but we will close them out at this price to anj' who may want them. Glass, Sxio, for sash at $3.00 per box; 5 boxes at $2.85; 10 boxes at $2.70 A NEW TESTAMENT IN SPANISH AND ENGLISH. We have just received from the American Bible So- ciety a lot of Testaments, one column printed in Span- ish and the other in Engli,sh — that is, the two are side by side. I can hearti y recommend this Testament as a method of learning Spanish. If you read your Bible every day— and I hope there are many of our readers who do this — with one of these English-Spanish Testa- ments yon can also read a little Spanish every day; and you will be surprised to learn how soon the Span- ish words will become familiar to you Of course, few will undertake this unless they are in localities where Spanish is largely spoken. I hope the bee-keepers of Cuba will all provide themselves with such a Testa- ment; and I know by experietice that in California, Arizona. Mexico, and many other parts of the great West, a little .Spanish is a great benefit; and I know, too, from experience, that it is a wonderful privilege to anybody who loves God's holy word to be able to get it in another language than his own. The mental exercise, and the real honest enjoyment that I get out of my Spanish-English Testament, have been worth to me a hundred times what it cost. The books are bill- ed to us hy the American Bible .Society at just '25 cents each, which we sell them for. If wanted by mail, add 9 cents for postage. As an incentive to young people to take up the study of Spanish, permit me to mention that a shorthand writer who can read, write, and speak English and Spanish, can command in Havana from $125 to $150 per month. A book-keeper who is conversent with both English and Spanish can com- mand from $75 to $100 per month. I hardly need men- tion that this book will be equally valuable to Spanish people who are learning F^nglish; and I wish our Amer- ican friends would present the matter to their Span- ish neighbors. Just think of it dear friends — at the same time they are learning our lanp-uage they will be getting a knowledge of the word of God that will raise men out of darkness and into the light. CONVENTION NOTICES. The Northern Michigan bee-keepers will hold a con- vention, March 25 and 2fi, in the town hall, at Bellaire, Antrim County. Special rates have been secured for entertainment at the Ellis House and the Bellaire House, at $1 00 per day. A. I. Root expects to be pres- ent, and give a talk on Cuba. 266 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Mar. 15 I PACE $( LYON, I I New London, Wisconsin. I MANUFACTURERS OF AND DEALERS IN . . . BEE-KEEPERS' SUPPLIES. . . . Send for Our Free New Illustrated p Catalog and Price List ^ I We Have | \ Not rioved. I f The government, recognizing the ^ ^ necessity of a great and growing bus- f > iness enterprise, for better mail ser- ^ •^ vice has given us a postoffice on our J ^ premises, which enables us to change ^ ^ mails with the passing trains instead C ? of through the Wetumpka, Alabama, * % postoffice more than a mile distant. > This gives us our mails about two ^ hours earlier, and also one hour for J making up outgoing mail. This will ^ be particularly helpful in our queen ■? business. We are now booking or- > ders for Italian queens, l,ong-tongued ^ and Leather colored; both good. I J. n. Jenkins, I Honeysuckle, Alabama. i I Shipping=point and Money=order Office at Wetumpka, Alabama. BEE-SUPPLIES. Kretchmer Mfg. Co., Box 60, Red Oak, la. Best-equipped factory in the West ; car- ry a large stock and greatest v.riety of every thing needed in the ipiar}', assur- ing BE.ST goods at the I,OWEST prices, and prompt shipment. We want every bee-keeper to have our FREE ILLUS- TRATED CATALOG, and read descrip- tion of Alternating Hives, Ferguson Su- pers, etc. IVriteuioticeJoi a ca la log. AGENCIES Trester Supply Company, Lincoln, Neb. Shugart & Ouren, Council Bluffs, la. Chas. Spangler, Kentland, Ind. BINGHAM SMOKER. Dear Sirr— Inclosed find 11.75. Please eend one brass smoke-en^iiie. I have one already. It is the ln'>t smoker I ever used. Truly yourw, Henby Schmidt, Hutto, Tex. MADE TO ORDER Bingham Brass Smokers, Made of sheet brass, which does not rust or burn out; should last a lifetime. You need one, but they cost 2.5 cts. more than tin of the same size. The little open cut shows our brass hinge put on the three larger sizes. No wonder Bingham's four-inch smoke-engine goes without puffing, and does not drop inky drops. The perforat- ed steel fire-grate has 3><1 holes to air the fuel and support the fire. Heavy tin smoke-engine, 4-inch stove, per mail, $1.50; 354-itich, $M0; 3-inch, $L0O; 2i4-inch, 90c; 2-inch, f;.5c. Bingham smokers are the originals, and have all the improvements, and have been the standard of excellence for 23 years. Only three larger ones brass. T. F. Bingham, Farwell, Michigan. Volume XXXI APRIL 1 1903 ^ mBEE GULTOffl^ Contents Market (Quotations... 271 Straws 275 Pickings 277 Conversations with Doolittle 278 Editori'als 279 The Heads of Grain Department Those Bees in Machine-shop Basement Foul Brood to be a Thing of the Past McKvoy's Plan for Stopping Swarms Death of Thomas G. Newman Dtath of Ernest H. Schaeffle, in California Solution of the Pear-blight Problem General Correspondence 283 Pridgen on Queen-rearing, bv IV. A. Pridgen... 283 Comb Founaation, by R. F. Holterniann 284 Bulk Honey in Mex'ico, by W. B. Gehieh 2S5 The New Nomenclature— a Plea, dy >?. C {iKin 28b Heads of Grain 279 279 280 280 280 281 282 Convenient Device for Filling Honey-bottles Something about Scorpions, from Prof Cook Unpublished Chapter in Life of the Rambler Don't Let Your Swarms Get into a Mix up Questions and Answers in Gleanings. Combs, and Their Relation to Winter Losses Colony in the Garret that has Never Swirmed .\piary and Product of 6.>year-old Bee keeper Moving to a Better Location 2*)2 Feeding Outdoors Near the Apiarj i'ti Notes of Travel 293 By a. I. Root. Advertisements. . .297 -\^V'^ The A.I. g MEDINA Root Cq OHIO i) Western Edition E.N'TERF.D AT THE POSTOFFICK AT MEDINA, OHIO, AS SRCOND-CLAbS MATTER Ready for Your Orders! We have in stock ready for immediate delivery a Carload of Root's Supplies such as Dovetailed and Danzen- baker Hives, Cowan Extrac- tors, Sections, etc., etc. If you vpant Root's g-oods be sure to specif}' it in making- your or- der or inquiry. We also han- dle local-made supplies. Let us have your specifications early so we may not disap- point you when you need the supplies. Smith s Cash Store, (Incorporated) San Francisco, Calif. Colorado Bee-keepers! Get our prices before purchasing else- wliere. We are selling lirst-class make of goods at lewer prices than the cheaper goods can be purchased for. If requiring Hives, Sections, Honey- extractors, Shipping - cases, Knives, Bee Smokers and Veils, Comb Founda- tion, or any thing else in the line of BEE-KEEPERS^ SUPPLIES you should remember that The L. A. Watkins Mdse. Co. Denver^ Colorado, are headquarters for the State, and furnish local associations who can use as mucli as a carload at carload prices direct from the factory, or smaller lots from our well-furnished warerooms in Denver, at prices that defy competi- tion for equal quality of goods. M'e are agents for The A. I. Root Com- pany's Goods for Colorado, and want to hear from bee-keepers in need of supplies. We buy honey and' wax. Let Us Hear from You. Now Ready! We have the larg-cst stock of Root's g'oods that ever came to Kansas, and we are ready to supply your needs in the apiary. We can save you freight and time by buying of us. Danz. Hives, Weed New Pro- cess Foundatioat Cowan Extractors, Smokers, and every thing that you will likely need. We are now booking orders for Buck's strain of Italian queens. Last year we were swamped with orders in the spring, so I wish to ask my customers to send in their orders early so as to avoid the rush. Send for 1903 citalog. The V'03 edi- tion of A B C of Bee Culture for sale. Carl F. Buck, Augusta, Kansas. Butler County. Announcement ! We desire to call the attention of all bee-keepers in Washington, British Columbia, and adjacent territorj', that we're now the Northwestern agents for The a. I. Root Company, and are prepared to furnish from stock here, and at other Washington points, any thing required by bee-keepers. Send your specifications early. If we do not have the goods wanted this will enable us to get them in our next car- load. Catalogs tree. LILLY, BOGARDUS & CO., Seattle, Washington. Northern-grown Seeds, Trees and Plants, Poultry and Bee Supplies, Spray Pumps, Fertilizersand Garden-tools. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 271 Honey Market. GRADING-RTJLES. Famot.— All sections to be wil I filled, combs straicht, firm ly attiicln-2S, according to quality. CoLOR.'\Do Honey-Producers' a'ss'n, March 24. 1440 Market St., Denver, Col. Boston. — Our market continues firm with a decreas- ing demand. Fancy No. 1 stock in cartons, 16 ; A No. 1, 1.5; No. 1, Uii ; No. 2, 13i^(a)14. Extracted, 7(28^- Blake, Scott & Lee, March 12. 31, 33 Commercial St., Boston. Mass. Detroit. — Fancv comb honey, Iti ; No. 1 dark, 12@ 1 1. Beeswax, 28ra50. Very little honey in the city, and that in the hands of the retailers. Demand fair. March lii. M. H. Hunt & Son. S.4.N Fr.\ncisco.— Comb honey nominal. Extract- ed, water-white, 7; light amber, 6^ ; dark amber, .5. Beeswax. '2H. March 12. E. B. Scharffle, Murphys, Cal. Albany. — Honey market qviiet with good demand Slid light receipts in both comb and extracted. Season is about over, and well cleaned up for another season. Beeswax wanted at 30. MacDougal & Co., March 21. 375 Broadwaj', Albany, N. Y. PHiL.^DKLrHiA.— The season for comb honey is now nearly over, and very little call with some few sales. There is a large lot held back, this being offered at low prices, and market is a little weak. We quote fancy 14<'a^l.5; No. 1, 14; amber, 12'iiil3. Extracted fancy white, ~(aS. Beeswax, 30, and in good demand. We are pro- ducers of honey, and do not handle on commi.ssion. Wm. a. Selser, Mar. 23. 10 Vine St., Philadelphia, Pa. Chicago. — The trade is of .small volume, with little change in prices of any of the grades. Choice white comb sells at 1.5<'ailt), with other and off grades slow at 2 lo .5 CIS. less. Extracted, 7(a8 for white, according to kind and flavor. Dark grades. ^>'4vax Al>vays AVant- ed at Hig'Kest Price. Catalog giving full line of supplies, with prices and samples, free on application. Cus. Dittmer, Augusta, Wisconsin. MarsKfield Manufacturing Co. Our specialty is making SECTIONS, and they are the best in the market. Wisconsin bass- wood is the right kind for them. We have a full line of BEE-SUPPLIES. Write for FREE illustrated catalog and price list. "Ac Mars H field Mantxfactviring Company, MarsHfield, "Wis. 274 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Apr. 1 MUTH'S SPECIAL THE BEST Cover and Bottom-board Warp-proof. Finest lumber and workmansliip. Cost us more, but we sell at same price as regular. Send for catalog and see special inducements. THE FRED W. MUTH COMPANY, CINCINNATI, OHIO. Honey and Bee-keepers' Supplies, Front and Walnut Sts. ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦»♦»♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦»♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦»♦»♦♦♦♦ BBE-REEPERS "We have on Hand r&skdy for PROMPT SHIPMENT ♦ I E>6e Largest StocK ^w^e ever Carried J ♦ of HIVES, SECTIONS, and all OtKer SUPPLIES. t j_ ^ = t ♦ Perfect Workmanship and Finest Material. ♦ ♦ All parts of our Hives are made to fit Accurately. ♦ ♦ No trouble in setting them up. ♦ ♦ Our customers say it is a pleasure. ♦ ♦ We are not selling goods on NAME ONLY, ♦ ♦ But on their Quality. ♦ I =^ =j I G. B. LEWIS COMPANY. | 2 Mantifacttxrers Bee-Reepers* Stipplies. ^ 4 ♦ t Catalog Free. Watertown, Wisconsin, U. S. A. J J : ♦ »♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦»♦♦♦♦♦♦ ♦♦♦»♦♦♦♦ ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ »♦♦»♦♦♦♦ ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ ♦ HEADQUARTERS FOR BEE-SUPPLIES "Roofs Goods at Roofs Factory Prices." Complete stock for 1903 now on hand. Freight rates from Cincinnati are the lowest. Prompt service is what I practice. Satisfaction guaranteed. Langstroth Portico Hive and Standard Hoiie.v-iars at lowest prices. You will save money buying from me. Catalog mailed free. Send for same. Book orders for Golden Italian, Red-clover, and Carniolan queens For prices, refer to my catalog. C. H.W.WEBER, : : CINCINNATI, OHIO. Office and Salesroom. 2146-8 Central Ave. Warehouses, Freeman and Central Aves. JOURHAlJ • DELVOTI •.-J4dHoNE.Y •MD HOME. CbhshejymEAl^ooY Co. " \ Vol. XXXI. APR. U J 903. No. 7. Br.C.CMiLLER. Staple-spaced frames don't go in this country except for end-spacing. Perhaps the right kind of spacers would go better than staples. In Europe, nails with heads of such thickness as to be driven automatic- ally to the proper depth have been regular- ly quoted in price lists for years, but you can't get them in this country. A LITTLE KINK that I don't remember seeing in print may be worth mentioning. When bees will not be easily shaken or pounded C'ff a comb, and 3'ou don't care to get a brush, try this: Hold up the frame with the left hand by one end of the top- bar, and while thus suspended pound on the top of the top-bar near the other end with the tall of the right hand; then re- verse ends and pound again. What vol' Sav, Mr. Editor, p. 242, raises the question, " Under what circumstances would you advise shipping comb honey by express rather than freight? " [In my next to the last paragraph I intimated what those circumstances might be. The great bulk of comb honey goes by freight because express is too expensive. But hon- ey maj' be shipped by express when the dis- tance is short and the weight light. — Ed.] "Thf.ke I.S NO trouble about sending bees b}' freight," and "it is not practicable to send bees by express, except in nucleus or one-colony lots, ' ' p. 246. But unless rulings have changed, 3'ou can't send bees by freight except in car- lots o'n some roads. [Many roads will take less than a carload of bees by freight if prepaid and at owner's risk. Railroad companies do not like to take per- ishable property like bees, and undertake to get them to destination in good order un- less the freight is prepaid or a man goes with them to see that they are properly cared for. No charge is made for carrying the man who takes care of the bees. — Ed.] Friends, please don't get to quarreling whether swarms should be shaken before or after queen-cells are started. What's right for one may be wrong for another. In my own case I wouldn't think of shaking in the home apiary till cells were present. In an out apiary with a small number, where I wished to limit the number of visits, I'd shake 'em all when it suited me, cells or no cells. [We must be governed by conditions. —Ed.] Prof. F. C. Harrison, of Canada, has an article in the French bee journal. Revue Internationale, in which he gives a table, evidently prepared with no little care, com- paring the characteristics of B. mesenteri- cus vulgatns (Fluegge), B. mesentericus [vulgarisf) (Dr. Lambotte), and B. alvei (Chesh. and W. Cheyne). He thinks the identity of B. alvei with the more common form is far from being proven. It will be a relief to believe that it is not possible for a microbe existing everywhere to assume at some inauspicious moment a form that we so much dread. As I read what you say in last Glean- ings, Bro. A. I. Root, I can't help heartily wishing you were here. Every night for a month you'd see all the pastors of Marengo on the same platform in the tabernacle in the most perfect harmony, while Evangelist W. A. Sundaj' preaches to an audience sometimes numbering more than a thousand. After he has talked for an hour and a half in a perfect torrent, it seems only the length of an ordinary sermon. If he ever preaches within a hundred miles of Medina it will pay you to go and hear him. If you'll come while he's here, Mrs. Miller will let you have that north room to nap in all day long. [That north room is most delightful. I al- ways sleep soundly at the Miller home. — Ed.] Illinois bee-keepers, don't fail to write at once to your law-makers about that foul- 276 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Apr. 1 brood bill if you haven't already done so, unless you can do as I did, button-hole your man when he is at home and get him to promise the right thing. [Yes, yes ! No bill can be passed unless the representa- tives can be made to feel that their constit- uents want the measure. Besides bee- keepers writing themselves, they should go to influential men and politicians in their vicinity, and get them to write to their Sen- ators or Representatives, or both. One who has a little "political pull" will have ten times as much influence as one who has little or nothing to do with politics. — Ed.] G. C. Greiner is a practical sort of man, but I couldn't puzzle out how he moves 40 per cent (not 4 per cent, as the types make it) of his hives in straight rows so as to get them in close rows of five each, although I worked on it for some time with pieces of paper numbered. Then when I got to the footnote I was as badly puzzled to under- stand how the editor could easily get his group of five hives into a straight row. But there is this probable dift'erence in the two cases: Friend Greiner has done his (even if I can't), and the editor has never tried his. [Why not have a group of five hives in a row if you want them? What is to hinder? You can have five in a straight row in a group as easily as you can have three. Yes, I have tried the plan outlined. You must have got a wrong idea in your head some way. — Ed.] Ye editor explains, p. 244, how 75 cts. per colony is cleaned up by having shallow frames and feeding sugar at the close of the season. I wish H. R. Boardman would tell us whether he can or can not clean up as much with deeper frames and feeding sugar before the beginning of the season. [But you are introducing a new condition. I was not talking about feeding before the har- vest, but of the relative difference between deep and shallow frames, both sets of frames to be treated exactly alike, except in the matter of feeding afterward. Any colony on deep or shallow frames will produce more comb honey, especially if the season be short, if the brood-nest is filled with sugar syrup so that new honey, when it does come in, will have to go into the supers direct. If we are going to make compara- tive tests, the conditions under which each one is made should be exactly the same prior to the harvest. — Ed.] WiLMON Newell has blazed a new track by coming out plainly on p. 241 and con- demning that nonsense about an umbilical cord in queen-cells. I don't know whether our scientific men think it beneath their dignity, or whether they're afraid of get- ting into trouble by it, but it seems to be a rule with them never to say a word against any glaring error, unless it comes from some other scientist. Rev. W. F. Clarke said bees dropped poison from their stings into honey, and used their stings as trow- els to work wax, and I don't remember see- ing a word against it from any scientist. Prof. McLean said he fertilized queens by hand, and no one had the backbone to chal- lenge the statement. So I take off my hat to the Texan entomologist. But when he says he strongly suspects that Dr. Gallup has discovered a food-carrying tube, I sup- pose it may be permitted one of the laity to strongly suspect that nothing at all has been discovered that was not known before. [Mr. Newell is the right man in the right place. He is one from whom we shall hear more later. Besides having a scientific training, he is intensely interested in bees. Ed.] YotiR PLAN of stealing a march on an obstreperous colony, Mr. Editor, p. 241, by grafting their queen-cells with choice lar- va?, is good. You may save a week's time over that plan if you happen to have a young queen just hatched. Here's what I think is true: A young queen just out of the cell, if she has not been imprisoned in the cell by the bees, will be kindly received in any colony, no matter whether it has a laying queen, laying workers, or what not. If the colony has a satisfactory queen, this young queen will be killed as soon as she is old enough, perhaps when a day or so old; but in all other cases she will assume control. [I know a young queen just hatch- ed will be more readily accepted than one a few hours old; and when introducing vir- gins we also prefer to have them when they are downy, young, and somewhat fee- ble. They then seem to elicit the sympa- thy of the bees, which immediately go to caressing. But, doctor, if I remember cor- rectl}', I tried to give to the obstreperous colony to which I referred a young virgin as well as cells. But they had their dan- der up, and proposed to do things in their own way. The handling of the virgin pos- sibly gave the scent of a human being to her, and that was sufficient reason to kill her, and they did instanter. — Ed.] You SAY, Mr. Editor, p. 224, you have seen stings lodged in the body of a balled queen. Yes, you have seen a queen stung to death that had been in a ball. But did you ever see a queen stung zvhile she was in the ball? I don't know, but I think a queen is never stung while she is in the ball, and I much doubt the physical possi- bility of such a thing. If the bees sting a queen while in a ball, why should they leave her unstung an hour or more before giving her the fatal stab? Did you ever know a queen to be stung in a ball if the ball was thrown into cold water? Weren't the cases in which you saw the queen stung those in which you poked or smoked the bees away from the queen enough so that one of them could sting her? Left entirely to themselves, do 3'ou believe the bees could sting a balled queen if they would ? Do you believe they would if they could ? In a case in which you have not found the balled queen till she was dead, did you ever find that such a queen had been stung? Your reasoning as to the improbability of a 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. queen being- sufifocated in a ball is all right. (I do not see how it is possible to know whether the queen is stung- when she is in the ball. But I remember once pull- ing a ball to pieces and finding the queen almost lifeless, with a sting in her side. Possibly she was stung before she was balled. It is true that, when the bees ball a queen, the tails are out and the heads in, as if they were trj'ing- to get hold of her and pull her to pieces. We have had one queen crippled by having one and possibly two legs pulled off. After her experience she would fight any bees that showed fight, and we could introduce her to any hive. She was a regular tartar. We used to pick her up and give her to aqueenless col- colony. The3' would pitch into her, but she would meet the onslaught. We would close up the hives, and in a few days she would be laj'ing as serenelj' as ever. The trouble with average queens is, they will throw up their legs in utter helplessness, and squeal; and that is enough to make almost any bee enraged. — Ed.] After talking about some changes that should be made regarding N. B. K. A. af- fairs, page 225, j-ou say, Mr. Editor, that "the time to talk about this matter is not now, but some three or four months before the next election." I don't know, I don't know. I don't believe we'd get any too much light upon it if we began right now. [But is it not true that bee-keepers are tired of this? Would it not be a relief to drop the least suggestion of our old trou- bles for the time being, then when cool so- ber judgment reigns supreme we can dis- cuss this matter better? If we go to talk- ing publicly about the constitution now, we shall discuss it all summer; and I am sure we will disgust most of our readers, who do not know any thing about the con- stitution, and care less. Members of the National Association constitute but a small percentage of the subscribers of the average bee paper, and there is probably' not over a tenth of the membership itself that will be interested even then. The place to discuss this is in committee, or by actual corres- pondence among those who are interested, or are \)y experience competent to advise; then when the crude ideas are evolved into something tangible, present it to the readers of the bee papers next fall. There is another thing: If we go to discussing the constitution now we shall put too much em- phasis on those features of the old consti- tution that were the cause of "our late un- pleasantness," and very likely some other important things that may lead to future trouble will be slurred over or omitted. I am firmly convinced that bee-journals are not the place to discuss constitutions — at least just now. But I would agree with you that the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee should take the mat- ter up immediately, for it will take time to carry this thing through by correspond- ence.— Ed.] The following beautiful and graceful tribute to the memory of the Rambler comes from my friend Dr. Frederick Webley, of Santa Rosa, Cal. I have never seen the doctor, but I call him "friend" on account of some pleasant correspondence from him. He will be remembered as the author of "The Humming of the Bees," page 652 of last year. Good by. Rambler ! Oft have we fared together, In pleasant and in stormy weather — You with one constant quest in mind, A land of honey and a home to find. I,ost are the tales, the lore you had to tell, Of nature and the craft you loved so well. Good by. On this last ramble, fare you well; Where you have gone, no longer need you roam. There is the land of promise and of home. \b There is to be a great international api- cultural exposition in Vienna, Austria, be- ginning April 4, and lasting till the 26th. Every thing pertaining to bees that can be found by ransacking the different countries of Europe will be on exhibition. It is un- der the auspices of the Emperor Francis Joseph, one of the most liberal and pro- gresive rulers of Europe. His wife, who was murdered two years ago in Italy by an anarchist, was a verj' active friend of all that pertained to the welfare of her peo- ple. It is a pity we can not have a Dadant or a Miller to make a report for us, for it will doubtless be a very interesting affair. Since giving the names of the principal bee jotirnals published in French and Ger- man, I have found the following additional ones, most of which do not come to this office. It is really surprising to see what a vast literature the bee has gathered around itself. Bienenvater aus Boehniefi, Tetschen, Aus- tria. L' Abeille et sa Culture, Ampsin, Bel- gium. De Bieenvriend, St, Ghislain, Belgium (Dutch). Die Bie, Herenthals, Belgium (Dutch). Abeille de I'Aisne (French), address un- known. Bulletin de Rucher des Allobroges, ad- dress unknown. L^ Abeille Luxembourgeoise, French. U Apicoltore, Milan, Italy. This last is one of the greatest and best bee journals published in any land. Swedish Bee Journal, Jampoking, Swe- den. I was just about to express a regret that Russia was not represented in bee journal- 278 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Apr. 1 ism when a fine sample of what I wanted was laid on my desk. It is called Pchelo- vodnie Listork. The Russians still use the Greek alphabet, thus causing- their books to have a very strange appearance to us. The kindred people, such as Poles, Bohe- mians, and Slavs, use the common Roman letter, but the Russians still use Greek. This is all caused by the latter being Greek Catholic and the others Roman Cath- olic. But Russia is fast forging to the front, and now has at least one bee journal that, in outward appearance at least, is equal to any published. By the way, a Mr. Titoif is working- in this establishment at the present time, and will spend about two years here in learn- ing- all he can about bees and hive man- ufacture. He is an accredited representa- tive of the Russian Department of Agricul- ture, and will probably do much toward introducing modern apiculture in that vast empire where the most modern and the most ancient tools are used side by side. Vcela Moravska is the name of a 40 page bee journal published in the Bohemian lan- guage, address not known. It is nicely printed, and is doubtless fully up to the times. M PLANTING FOR HONEY. "Good morning. Is this Mr. Doolittle, the bee-keeper?" " That is what some people call me." " Well; I have been reading your conver- sations in Gleanings for some time back, so I came to see you (by letter) this morn- ing. I have an idea, and I want to ask you about it." ' ' Ideas are good things to have ; and if 3'oa have one that is of value, no doubt the read- ers of Gleanings will be glad to hear about it." " But this idea was not for the benefit of somebody else. I wished your advice re- garding it, that I mj'self might be benefit- ed by your advice." " Perhaps I shall not be able to advise you very much, but I will do the best I can. What is the idea?" " My idea is that, if I can sow or plant something that will bloom about the time white clover fails, I can greatly increase my crop of honey, and the same be a good investment for me. Now, what I want to know is, what is likely to pay best for honey alone, or for honey and some crop of fruit or seeds." " This question covers the ground of much discussion which has come about during the past; and I believe that the conclusion come to by nearly all practical bee-keepers is that it does not pay to plant really good land with any seed or plants for a crop of honey alone. ' ' " That is discouraging. I had ten acres of excellent land, right close by my bees, and I had hoped that there was something I could plant for honey that would bring me better returns than the good crops I raise on it, of corn, potatoes, cabbage, etc. I have a notion to try the thing any way. I could stand it for a few years, even if I did not get big returns from it. If I do this, what would you advise putting on it?" " If I were to think of planting for honey alone I can think of nothing better than melilot, or sweet clover; for in this locality this plant commences to bloom at about the time white clover begins to fail, and contin- ues to bloom from then till frost comes in the fall, to a greater or less extent." " But will not sweet clover furnish food for stock as well as honey for the bees?" " Some say that stock can be taught to eat it, in which case it becomes a valuable forage-plant, and pays better than almost any other forage- pi ant, aside from its hon- ej'-producing qualities; but. so far as I know or can learn, no animal will touch it in this locality." " What next would you advise me to try?" " Alsike clover is one of the best plants for both honey and hay; and for quick re- turns there is probably nothing better, tak- ing every thing into consideration, than is this clover." "But that blooms at the same time the white clover does, does it not?" "Yes, unless precaution is taken it will bloom at the same time the white clover does; hence it is of less value than it would be, so far as honey is concerned, could it begin to bloom at about the time white clo- ver failed." " You spoke about precaution being tak- en. What did you mean by that?" " Alsike clover can be made to bloom very nearly when wanted, within reasonable limits, by turning stock on it, and letting them keep it eaten down short till about two weeks before you wish the bloom to commence, when it will give a good crop of blossoms and a fair crop of hay, though the hay crop will not be quite as large as it would if it could have had its own way." " Is there nothing else that will help this matter out?" "As you are somewhat young in years, if you have the patience to wait I would ad- vise you to plant basswood. In the list of honey-producing trees and plants it stands first in bountiful yields; and in fine flavor, beautiful color, and qualit}' of the honey produced, it is second to none, while the day is coming when any thing in the way of basswood lumber will sell at a price that will make it profitable to the one who can furnish any lumber of that name." " Are 3'ou confident of this?" 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 279 " Yes, I am. Fifty years from now this grand tree will have practically ceased to exist in our forests, and be little known save as it is planted bj' enterprising' persons, or exists in some of the g'orges or out-of-the- way places so inaccessible that it will be considered too much trouble to procure it. Where there were iiity trees in this section in m\' bo\'hood daj's of forty-five years ago, there is hardly one now; and the few that are left are of the 'second growth;' or so crooked and scrubbj' as to be of little value for lumber. I have about 200 trees on my land, all the waj' from six to fifteen inches through at the butt, straight as an arrow, and from 50 to 75 feet tall, and no one would hire me to have them cut off, just for their prospect in lumber alone, while many of them resound with the merry hum of the bees at blooming time nearlj' every j'ear." " Did you plant these trees?" " No. They were little poles which had come up from trees which had been cut down a few 3'ears before I came in possession of the land. I have been advised to clear the land several times during past j'ears, but I said no; and now that they have got so nice a start, the same persons who advised clearing off, admit that this is the nicest wood lots, and of more value than almost anj' of the land round about." " Have you any further advice?" " To prolong the season so as to have honey in August, I would advise sowing buckwheat. The honey it produces is not of so great value as the white honeys, yet it comes at a time when it helps the bees in building up for winter, and brings a price in market that will pay for the labor expend- ed; while the grain will amply pay for the whole raising of the crop, so that all that is secured by the bees and their keeper is clear gain." '* I must be going now, for I have hin- dered you long enough." " Before you go I wish to call your atten- tion to something we have not even hinted at, which I consider as of the greatest val- ue in all of this planting-for-honey matter." " What is that?" "Have 3'ou any waste land lying about you that is growing up to weeds, burdocks, etc.?" " Yes, plenty of such; especially about the fences." " Well, did j-ou never think that these waste places might be utilized? By plant- ing something there which will produce much honey, this can be made to take the jilace of the weeds, briers, and daisies, so that the planting for honey may be benefi- cial, not only to the bee-keeper, but to all others, as something of value to some one takes the place of that which is of value to no one, and that which is often worse than no value; for the scattering of seeds from these waste places is often a nuisance to those who live where the winter's drifting snows may carry the seeds of noxious weeds far and wide. Kight here is where I would advise you to commence operations first." ^j^^^^J" ^^^^^ Lj^^I ^EC^^^^Tii^^ Si.-r.S-.'-*- HEADS OF GRAIN DEPARTMENT FOR VETER- ANS AS WELL AS BEGINNERS. A GOOD many of our subscribers have gotten the impression somehow that the de- partment of questions and answers, or what we call Heads of Grain, is designed exclu- sively for beginners. If any one has that impression, I wish to disabuse his mind at once. An old veteran will often contribute a valuable fact from experience, that needs onlj' one or two hundred words to tell it. Such items go in the department of Heads of Grain.* I should say that at least half of that department is intended for veterans. Technical matter does not necessarily have to be in the form of long-winded articles. Some of the most valuable and brightest ideas come from the veterans, written with a pencil, fingers bedaubed with propolis. These people have not the time to go into a long dissertation when only a few words are necessary to set forth the facts or ideas. If there is any know-it-all who is making a practice of skipping these shorter items, he is missing much. THOSE BEES IN THE MACHINE-SHOP BASE- MENT. We are just taking our bees out of the cellar this afternoon, March 26. They have been confined in the apartment all winter, and during the warmest part of the weather outside they are keeping comparatively quiet. But some one of our employees (no one knows who) went into the bee-room and turned on the electric light. The first I knew, it was on. It probably had been burning several days, glaring away at those bees. When I first went in I felt sure that at least a third of the colonies were dead, and the rest of the bees very much depleted. I shut off the light, and closed the door. I said to myself, •' Those bees are done up, sure." Some employee doubtless blundered into the wrong room. Striking against an electric-light globe he turned it on. This^ of course, drew the bees. The result was, he became frightened, left the room, and shut the door. Well, to-day I expected to find many of them gone up; but imagine my surprise to find them in remarkably fine condition — not a colon}' dead. But let me tell you there are more dead bees on the floor — yes, four or five times over — than there were about a week ago before the light had been turned on. At that time there were hardly enough to fill a two-(iuart measure out of 40 colonies. Many of these * The article from Mr. McEvoy and the one from Mr. Greiner. both in the depariment of 'Heads of Grain" in this issue, are cases in point. 280 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Apr. 1 colonies were nuclei, too weak to winter outdoors, and yet they all seem to be heal- thy. There are no dysentery marking^s on the hives worth mentioning-, and the drop- pings are the voidings of healthy bees. A dry cellar and plenty of fresh air seemingly hold dysentery in check. m'evoy's plan of stopping the outcom- ING of two of more SWARMS AT ONE TIME, AND MIXING TOGETHER. In this issue, Mr. Wm. McEvoy, of foul- brood-inspector fame, tells of a very unique plan for preventing several swarms from mixing up, or, rather, preventing them from coming- out entirely. His plan of covering the entrances tight with sheets or blankets of all such colonies as are casting or pre- paring to cast a swarm is one that I should have said would not accomplish the object sought, for the reason that the bees would boil out under the blankets through every available opening. But Mr. McEvoy is not a man to recommend a thing of this kind un- less it would work; and, assuming that it does exactly what he says it does, he has offered a little kink to the trade that will be worth many dollars to many another person. It would then behoove the bee- keeper to have half a dozen blankets handy. If he uses the whole six he could purloin some of his wife's sheets. Probably these last would require to be held down with bricks, stones, or other objects, so thatthey would not leave gap-holes for the bees to escape. I should be glad to hear from some of our subscribers as to whether they ever tried a plan like this. I intended to make this a footnote ; but it got crowded out of its proper place, so I put it here to direct attention to Mr. McEvoy's article. " FOUL BROOD SOON TO BE A THING OF THE PAST IN ONTARIO." Mr. McEvov says that "foul brood will soon be a thing of the past in Ontario." When we remember that at one time the province had more of this disease in it than any other equal area in North America, it reflects no little credit on the inspector, backed by a good law. He goes on further to state that Ontario sustains " more sound and very choice apiaries, for the number kept, than any other country in the world." I learn with some degree of surprise that an effort has been put on foot, in spite of this excellent showing, to get an inspector for each of the 43 counties or 344 townships. It is estimated this would make an expense of over S10,000. Surely the Canadian bee- keepers will be content to let well enough alone by continuing Mr. McEvoy and Mr. Gemmill as inspectors. The plan of coun- ty inspection was tried in Michig-an and New York, and abandoned; and the only State where it gives any degree of satisfac- tion is California, some of the counties of which are larger than some whole States. I believe I am within the truth when I say that the Ontario bee-keepers know enough to let well enough alone. DE.\TH OF THOMAS G. NEWMAN. Within the last eight months time has taken away four of the old veterans — veterans of the veterans in the bee-keeping- industry. First, July 16, came the death of the venerable Charles Dadant, one whose name was revered by bee keepers both in Europe and America. Next followed our genial Dr. A. B. Mason, on Nov. 12, one of the most enthusiastic workers and officers of the National Bee-keeepers' Association we ever had. Then on Jan. 13 our corres- pondent, J. H. Martin, went to the great beyond, the much-loved Rambler, who ram- bled all over the United States, and finally passed his last days in Cuba. Now we are compelled to record the death of another, the old Roman, " the old war horse," Thom- TUOMAS G. NEWMAN. as G. Newman, who died in San Francisco, March 10, at the age of 69, of gastritis. Mr. Newman was born near Bridgewater, England, in September, 1833. At the early age of ten he was left fatherless, the moth- er being left penniless bj' reason of the fa- ther indorsing for a large sum. Young New- man was put out at work, learning the trade of printer and book-binder. Next we hear of him in Rochester, N. Y., 1854, where he secured a permanent position in the job- room of the American. Several months lat- er he was promoted to assistant foreman- ship of the Rochester Democrat. Again we find him as publisher and editor of a paper called the Bible Expositor and Millennial Harbinger. Once again he moves to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he published his first daily paper. This he subsequently sold, 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 281 and moved to Chicag'O, in 1872. Here he started an illustrated journal; but the pan- ic of 1873 ruined him, bringing on a loss of $20,000. About this time he was introduced to Rev. W. F. Clark, with the result that he came into possession of the American Bee Jour- nal, paying for it S2000. As Dr. Miller has well said, " For a man not afflicted with the bee-fever, in cold blood to pay more than S2000 for the simple good will of a pa- per, with no printing-otTice, or supplies of any kind, shows an unbounded confidence in the future of bee-journalism. Few men, under the same circumstances, would have achieved his success." But with indomita- ble will and hard labor he brought the sub- scription-list up from 800 to over 5000, and the paper was a financial success. The alYairs of the paper were considerably in- volved and mixed up when Mr. Newman took hold; but A. I. Root well remembers the prompt and energetic business way in which the new owner settled up all out- standing accounts. He employed as editors Rev. W. F. Clark, Mrs. E. S. Tupper, and Dr. C. C. Miller. His paper prospered to such an extent that in 1879 he went to Eu- rope, at his own expense, to attend the var- ious apicultural conventions in England, France, Austria, and Germany. Mr. G. W. York, the present editor of the American Bee Journal, knew Mr. Newman better, perhaps, than any one else, and in his issue for March 19 he pays this glow- ing tribute to the memory of our departed friend: Probably the Imajority of our readers will best re- member Thomas G. Newman as editor of the A merican Bee Journal. He was our honored predecessor, relin- quishing all connection with this journal June 1, 1892. With the exception of about one year of the eight pre- ceding that date, Mr. Newman was our employer, and he was a good one too. As we look back now upon those years, when we were getting hold of the ins and outs of both the bee-supply and publishing business, we wonder that he could have been so uniformly pa- tient and courteous, when we must have been exceed- ingly trying manv times. But he was ever the same, though often suffering with ailments, and burdened with busines.ss perplexities and cares. Mr. Newman published the American Bee Journal for about twenty years, taking it at a time when the l>ee business wa.s' practically " in the beginning." We belie%'e the paper then had less than 800 subscribers. When he left it, it had ")000. He was a tireless toiler, and took great pride and interest in his work. He was fearless for the right, and did all he knew to do in order to make the American Bee Journal oi the most value to its sub.scribers. It was no easy task for us to follow in his foot,steps, as we were then wholly un- known to the bee-keeping world. But under his direc- tion and training for years, we were daring enough to make the attempt, even though it was a risky thing for us to do. Mr. Newman's host of bee-keeping friends will look upon his picture and read 'these few memorial lines with sadness, They knew him well. He helped Ihem fight their bnttles and win their victories. He may have made a few enemies — but who that stands for'any thing worth standing for has not? But Mr. Nemnian never held a grudge against a mortal man, He was ever kind and forgiving, and ever strove to live by the Golden Rule. In liusiness he was an hon- est man ; true to all ; and leaves a rich moral heritage to all who knew him. Our readers, we know, will unite with us in extend- ing to Mrs. Newman and family sincerest sympathy in this their time of bereavement. While Mr. Newman did splendid work on the American Bee Journal, he performed extraordinary and valuable services for the bee-keeping industry while serving as Gen- eral Manager of the National Bee-keepers' Union, of which he was the founder. The valuable precedents in law which were es- tablished under his generalship have been of incalculable benefit to the bee-keepers of the United States; and although the labors of the office were excessive at times, he worked without compensation, and it was only during the last two years or so of his incumbency in office that he accepted any salary. During the last few years of Mr. New- man's life he struggled with almost total blindness at times, and all the time with poor health. He was by nature and habit an indefatigable worker, and when his affliction of eyesight came on it would seem that most men would give up. Not he. With the help of a reader and a stenograph- er he struggled on, " burning the candle at both ends" until the tired body and mind that had been crying out enough ceased to pull in the harness any longer. THE LITTLE SWEET SINGER OF THE CHICA- GO CONVENTION FULLY RECOVERED. Our readers will remember Miss Ethel Acklin, whose picture we gave in Glean- ings some two j'ears ago. She was the one who played and sang so delightfully at the Chicago convention, and again at the Buffalo meeting of the National Bee-keep- ers' Association. Last fall she underwent a severe operation, and her life was de- spaired of. At the recommendation of her physicians her parents finally took her to California, where, it was thought, a tempo- rary change would tide her over the worst, and it did. We are glad to inform our readers that the danger is now past. Mr. Acklin has been at home in St. Paul for some time. Mrs. Acklin and Ethel will now join him very soon. The impression seems to have gone out that the Acklins had gone to California to remain permanently. This is a mistake. Mr. Acklin has a flourishing business in St. Paul, where he is prepared to meet his friends and patrons as before. THE DEATH OF ONE OF OUR CALIFORNIA CORRESPONDENTS. Mr. E. H. Schaefkle, one of our old correspondents in California, died at his home in Murphys, Calaveras Co., March 7. Just prior to getting notice of his death I received a letter from him, stating that, al- though he was verj' weak, he was able to keep up his correspondence. He told how a friend admitted to him — a man who is supposed to know — that hone3^ was adulter- ated in San Francisco in spite of the pure- food law. He explained that the law was good enough, but that those whose business it was to enforce it were somehow under the control of the mixers, and the nefarious business went on without let or hindrance. 282 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Apr. 1 Mr. Schaeffle had been working- several 3'^ears to get a pure-food law passed; and if he had lived long- enough he would have made it hot for somebody in San Francisco, as there would have been some exposures. He was a man who worked unflinchingly in the interest of bee-keepers in his section of the country. All through the last ses- sion of the State legislature, his son writes, he had been working strenuously for legis- lation that would aid in the suppression of honey adulteration, and for protection from foul brood, although he was so weak that all his work was done through dictation. He believed in pure honey as well as every thing else that was square. That his la- bors were not in vain is evidenced by the fact that the foul-brood law in California, which was defective in some particulars, was amended, and the bill was signed by the governor in January. California bee- keepers probably have now as good a law as they could ask for; and our friend Mr. Schaeffle, who has just passed away, de- serves no small thanks. A POSSIBLE SOLUTION OF THE PEAR- BLIGHT PROBLEM BY WHICH THE BEES AND THE PEAR-TREES CAN BE ALLOWED TO EXIST IN THE SAME VICINITY. It will be remembered by our readers that Dr. M. B. Waite, of the Department of Agriculture, Washington, a year or so ago discovered that bees, among other insects, carried the virus of pear-blight from one blossom or tree to another. This statement came from a strong friend of the bee, who has given it as his candied opinion that perfect fruitage in orchards could not take place without the little friends of the bee- keeper. But the stubborn fact was that one of the primal causes at least of the spread of pear-blight that has wrought such havoc in the orchards of California was the bee. It will be remembered that the bee and fruit men were preparing for a conflict; that the latter averred that they would set out poison if the bee-men did not remove their bees from the vicinity of the pear-trees; and the National Bee-keepers' Union was appealed to, and as an officer of that Asso- ciation the writer appeared on the field to see what sort of compromise could be effect- ed. The result of this visit was that a truce was declared, and the bee-keepers, for experimental purposes, decided to re- move their bees from the infected regions — at least during the time the trees were in bloom; but in spite of the fact that the ma- jority of bee-keepers kept this agreement in good faith, there would be an occasional bee-keeper, even among the fruit-growers, who would still leave his bees in the old lo- cation. It was evident that, unless every one complied with the proposition, no bene- fit would accrue. Well, matters have been going on from bad to worse. There have been talks of "courts," "poison," and a great amount of bad feeling has been engendered. Now comes this Dr. Waite, according to the newspaper reports, and says that the pear-bligh€ can be removed without inter- fering with the industry of bee-keeping. According to a newspaper report (a source which we do not always credit, but which seems in this case to bear the appearance of genuineness). Dr. Waite has discovered a plan by which "colonies of the bacilli " already existing in pear-blighted trees can be located and removed from the tree before it comes into bloom. Dr. Waite is quoted as saying, referring to the pear-growers, " Let them put the diseased part of the tree out of the way before insects begin to fly, and before the blossoms come out for them to alight on." Very simple. And now Dr. Waite is to be sent by his depart- ment to Colorado, to show the orchardists how to discover the "colonies of bacilli," and get them out of the way before bees and other insects have an opportunity to carry the infection. According to the same report, the "colonies of blight bacilli live in green bark where the blighted discolored portion blends oflF gradually into the nor- mal bark." The doctor simply recommends a little common sense and some tree surgery. One of the largest pear-growers in Cali- fornia told me that the pear-men themselves were largely responsible for the spreading of the disease. Granting that the bees were the chief agent in spreading the infection, he said that many of the growers allowed the diseased trees to exist on their premis- es without pruning. When they come into bloom the insects carried the infection from flower to flower and from tree to tree. It is evident that all the fruit-growers will have to take unusual precaution to ex- amine every twig in their orchards, and cut out the diseased portions. The failure of one pear-grower will put in jeopardy the interests of all the growers in his vicin- ity, to say nothing of the fearful damage among his own trees; and I would suggest that the kee-keepers themselves co-operate with the growers, and, if necessary, donate some of their own time in helping to prune the trees. A helpful spirit of co-operation will do more to solve this intricate problem, and place both industries on a paying basis, than any law, court, or poison could ever effect. The large pear-growers in the vicinity of Hanford, Cal., so far as I could see, were progressive men. It was the small growers who talked venom and "poison," "courts" and "fight." I omitted to mention that Dr. Waite says the pruning-knife or shears must be dipped in some disinfecting medium every time it cuts off a limb of a tree. It would be mon- strous foolishness to scatter the blight from tree to tree in the very act of preventing such spread. Of course. Dr. Waite's new plan may not prove to be entirely effective, from want of perfect co-operation and thoroughness. If they fail to take the means at hand, then the bee-men can hardly be held accountable before the courts. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 283 PRIDQEN ON QUEEN-REARING. Cell-buildiug. BV W. A. PRIDGEN. To prepare the bees for cell-building- we will first consider the manipulation with the hive as shown in Fig-. 2, last issue, page 231, with only three chambers, as it is less complicated; and, to simplif3' matters, we will imagine that each chamber is lettered, beginning- at a at the left, and going to the right with b and c in order, each being stocked with a distinct populous colony of bees, a and c having entrances on one side and b on the other. Remove the queen from a, and, two or three daj's later, these bees will be ready to complete cups that have been accepted by broodless and queenless bees confined, as has already been described, without de- priving them of their brood, though any queen-cells found started on their combs at the time the accepted cups are given to them should be destroyed. When the queen is removed, a comb of brood and adhering bees maj' be taken with her to form a nu- cleus, and thus leave a space for the cell- frame, and separate those left to fill the space until the cups be given, or the queen alone may be taken, and a space made by removing a comb containing no brood when the cups are given, provided the combs left in the hive are so arranged as to place the cups in the center of the brood-nest. The bees can remain in this condition un- til the cells are sealed, and then remove the division-board in the partition between a and b, and insert the bridge; or communication can be given between them when the batch of cups is inserted and have the cells completed as is the case over an excluder with a laying queen below. The point to be emphasized right here is the fact that this hive is conveniently ar- ranged for having cells built by queenless bees, or those in touch with a laying queen, according to the wishes of the operator. Communication should be given every time as soon as the cells are sealed, if it is not done before, so that the bees will act like those recently made queenless, in case it is necessary to cut off communication with the queen, to have the next batch of cups accepted and the cells sealed, though this is seldom necessarj' in either case, if the hive is kept crowded with bees; though when the first batch of ripe cells is remov- ed, all the brood in chamber a will be sealed; and if the bees fail to accept the cups promptly, without their first being giv- en to confined queenless bees, then simply cut oft" communication between a and b by removing the bridge and dropping a solid board into the slot, late in the eve- ning, and the next day they will be found in a condition to accept cups promptly. If one is not in a hurry to have cells built, communication can be given when the queen is removed; and when all the brood is seal- ed, remove the queen-cells built on the combs, and then drop a solid board, or one provided with bee-escapes, into the slot, be- ing sure to have the escapes so arranged as to conduct the bees from the queen's chamber to a, if the latter be used, and in this way one may have the first batch of cups accepted by these bees. The same manipulations apply to cham- ber c, throughout, though they should not both be worked at the same time, but so managed as to remove a batch of ripe cells, first from one and then the other every five or six days. As soon as the point is reached at which communication is given from the queen's chamber to one or both of the others all the time, a bee-escape should be adjusted to the entrance to the queen's chamber, so that the bees can pass in through it, but can not pass out until all passing is through the partitions and chambers a, b, and c, and then stop the entrance to the queen's chamber. Not only because more satisfac- tory work at cell-building is done in a chamber having the main entrance; but in case a swarm issues we want to throw the working force all into the cell-building chambers, and so depopulate the queen's chamber that the swarm-cells will be de- stroyed, and the queen will begin to lay at once, without its having to be opened. This is easily accomplished by simplj' adjusting the solid boards in the partitions, when the swarm issues, or as soon afterward as convenient, and again open the same en- trance below the zinc excluder to the queen 's chamber, which is far ahead of caging queens and cutting out cells to prevent swarming, as one never lays in a business- like manner so long as she is in touch with bees that have the swarming fever. The swarm naturally returns to the en- trances of the cell-building chambers, and are in condition to accept cups and contin- ue the work to a state of perfection. Under these conditions all sealed cells should be removed, and given to queenless bees or those over excluders to be cared for until ripe, and at the same time furnish the cell-builders, from which they are ta- ken, a supply of freshly grafted cups. In five or six days communication can again be given from the cell-builders to the queen's chamber, and the bee-escape adjusted as before, only to repeat the operations as oft- en as a swarm issues, which causes the apiarist but little annoj'ance unless the swarm unites with another that chances to be out, or is joined by a queen that is tak- ing a flight. In this event, cut oft" commu- 284 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Apr. 1 nication between the different chambers as before, being sure to open the entrance to the middle one (the queen's chamber) on the opposite side, as in the first case. Ad- just entrance-g-uards to all the entrances not stopped, being- certain that none of those above the queen-excluders are open, and return the swarm joined by the strange queen, or the united swarm, as the case may be, to the cell-building chambers. The queen with the swarm can, as a rule, be found trying to pass through the entrance-guards; but if from any cause she should pass any one of them she would then be excluded from the brood-chamber by the zinc in the bottom of the hive, the guards to be removed when no longer needed. These permanent excluders not only serve the purpose of preventing the escape of objec- tionable drones, which may be trapped from the entrances above them, but also prevent the entrance (and consequently the destruction) of the cells by virgin queens, or those with swarms that may be attracted by the cell-builders, which is sometimes the case when cells are being built by queen- less bees, or even those in communication with a laying queen, if there be an entrance to the portion of the hive from which the queen is excluded. Every time a batch of cups is given and accepted, combs of brood, mostly sealed, taken from other colonies in the apiary, should be substituted for those in the cell- builders' chambers from which the brood has emerged. These should be placed next to the cells or cups every time, and thor- oughly examined as often as a batch is re- moved, for cells that may be constructed on them, all of which should be destroyed, as the hatching of a queen means the destruc- tion of the cells in that chamber, and often an untold amount of trouble to find her. So long as cells are constructed on the combs of brood given, we have positive proof that the bees are in condition to do excellent work at cell-building, a thing they almost invariably do throughout the season in a hive properly constructed or arranged, if it be kept crowded with bees of all ages, and sufficient feeding be resorted to when the flowers do not yield sufficiently to meet the daily demand. But a better plan of keep- ing up the desired strength in the cell- building colonies is to have the brood all sealed above excluders in other hives, and examine them for cells when transferred with adhering bees to the cell-building colonies. By so doing the brood to be fed is never in proportion to the force of nurse- bees, which tends to bring about the super- sedure impulse and the conditions wanted for the best results in cell-building. These combs of brood are usually secured from nuclei, and placed over the excluders to be sealed, and those taken from the cell- builders, which are usually filled with honey or sj'rup, are given to the nuclei in exchange, and therebj' bring about the conditions wanted in both. While, as a rule, it is better to allow the cells to re- main where they are built, until they are ripe, and are ready to be distributed among the nuclei, or to have a nursery adjusted over them, as the case may be; still, when the cell-buildc-s are inclined to build drone comb around and between them, as is often the case during a honey-flow, or when heavy feeding is resorted to, it is much better to remove them as soon as they are sealed, with adhering bees, to nuclei that have been queenless two or three daj's, or to less populous and prosperous colonies over excluders, as perfect queens seldom emerge from cells unless they possess the peanut appearance. Continued. COMB FOUNDATION. Its Value and Use; the Weed Foundation the Best> BY R. F. HOLTERMANN. It has been my privilege, either under the Ontario, Quebec, or Canadian Domin- ion Government, as a farmer's-institute worker, to meet a good many bee-keepers, and also to visit a good many in their homes. Quite recently I returned from al- most a month's trip of the above nature. Comb foundation has also been a study with me for many years, not alone practic- ally in the apiary, but in its manufacture. So far as I know, the first experiments conducted in testing in the five various grades of comb foundation were planned by me. The Michigan Agricultural College, when they began experiments with founda- tions, courteouslj' sent me samples of each grade to test, saying they sent it because I had already been carrying on some investi- gations. So strongly am I impressed with the value of comb foundation, that, after careful reflection, to do without it would probably mean for me to go out of bee-keep- ing. I certainly would have to go out of it as a business had my neighbors access to such a valuable asset for the bee-keeper ; and yet I find bee-keepers all through the country who are trying to save (dare I call it this?) by economizing (?) in the use (or not use) of comb foundation. It has long been admitted that foundation gives us straight combs ; a starter will do next, and prevents drone comb if a full sheet is used. For this purpose it is worth many times its price. Let us remember that many generations hatch in a comb dur- ing the legitimate lifetime of a comb. Then the bees are saved material. The value of this we do not know. The bees are also saved work bj' the use of foundation. In times of heavy flows the bees can not build comb as rapidly as the bees can gather. Here and in the doing-away with drone comb, lies, in my estimation, the greatest value of foundation. In a short honey- flow, running for comb honey, I be- lieve it pays to use only a very narrow 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 285 starter in the brood-frames. It compels the bees to put the houey almost entirely in the sections; and when we g^o to the expense of runninir a colony for comb honey, the more they put in marketable shape the better. We can take combs out of extracted-honey hives run under more advantaj^eous condi- tions for rapid storing-, or we can otherwise afterward supply the comb-honey hive. But if the flow is prolong-ed, as it may be with us — clover, basswood, and then buckwheat — I would prefer the increased brood, which a good queen is likelj' to give throuffh more rapid space being provided her for laying- by the use of full sheets of foundation. When it comes to the production of comb honey it is amazing to me how any one can be so foolish as to do without full sheets of foundation in the sections. That by using a proper grade of section foundation — that is, by taking a piece of virgin comb, and then comb built upon foundation, and testing- it with the tongue, a difference maybe found, means nothing. The tongue as a feeler has the trick of making a mountain out of a molehill. That a difference can be detect- ed by careful inspection with the eye and spoon, is also of little consequence. Honey is almost invariably eaten with bread, when the extra wax, perfectly harmless in the alimentary canal, is unnoticed. Bj' the use of comb foundation we get evener comb. It is attached better to the side and bottom of the section, and room is more rapidly provided for storing. The bees are less likely to swarm, there being more of an inducement to go into the supers. Now as to the comb foundation. I regret that, in the report of the Ontario Bee-keep- ers' Association convention, page 37, Amer- ican Bee Journal , through some one's slip a decidedly wrong impression is g-iven of what was said bj' me about the Weed foun- dation. I distinctly said that I had not found other section foundation more accept- able to the bees. In fact, so far the contra- ry is my experience, and I hope no one will use that incorrect statement as evidence of the superiorit}- of other makes. The Weed foundation has, for brood or sections, the advantage over any other I have so far used, of staj'ing better where it is at the beginning; less sagging-, or none at all. It is stronger; less weight per sheet in the brood will answer — a great saving. I fill the sections, the sides just hanging free; also the bottom; no starter needs to be used with this foundation, you can depend on it. The great objection I have to the ordinar}' foundation put upon the market is that it is not large enough to fill properly the section or frame for which it is made. B3' the close of this season the amount of brood founda- tion I expect to have used for the last year and this (this includes surplus combs) I ex- pect will have reached close to 10,000 sheets; so I back up in practice what I advocate. I have 100 comb honey supers holding 36 sec- tions each. Every section, last year and this, will have a full sheet of foundation. Brantford, Canada. BULK HONEY IN MEXICO. Can.1ied Honey Nat Saable; Gasoline for Killing; Wax.wDrms in pace of Bisu'phide of Carbon. BV W. B. GEHRELS. After reading- Mr. Hyde's article on bulk comb honey, page 143, Feb. 15, I should like to give some of our experience in that line. The way we fasten foundation in shallow frames is by using- a wax tube to run a little hot wax in the groove of the frame after the foundation is inserted; and for frames that have a comb-guide we sim- ply use a roller foundation-fastener to fas- ten the starters on. After the first starters are put in we seldom use foundation ag-ain; but when cutting out the honey we leave half an inch of comb for a starter, the bees seem to work faster on this than on founda- tion, and get the combs just as straight. Where the frames are filled several times in a season this will be quite an item in saving foundation, besides saving time. At the end of the season we cut out the comb honey, leaving only half as much for a starter, stack them up, and let the bees clean out the honey. If wax-worms should get in the strip of comb left, use bisulphide of carbon to kill the worms. A neighbor told me that gas- oline would kill wax-worms by using it the same way as bisulphide of carbon — name- I3', by closing a stack of supers tight and letting a quantity evaporate by setting it in the supers in an open vessel. Both bi- sulphide of carbon and gasoline should be handled carefully on account of their in- flammability. My experience is not the same as Mr. Hyde's in selling candied honej-. I have sold large quantities of honey in Texas, mostly in San Antonio, and the greater part of m3'^ customers alwaj's objected to candied honey, either comb or extracted. Nothing has caused me more trouble than people objecting to honey after it was candied. It certainlj' spoils the looks of honej', es- pecially when it is in glass. Most people never stop to think that this gray-looking stufT is hone}' in the jars. For the winter trade, give me section hone}', and good ex- tracted that I can liquefy. I like to have some of each kind — sections, chunk honej', and extracted; for in this way I can suit almost anybody who likes honey, at almost any time. In selling hone}' to groceries, especially wholesale stores that buy to resell in bulk and ship, I often found the need of a small cheap jar or tumbler that would seal tight, and could be retailed for 10 cents apiece after being filled. The ordinary ';-pint jelly-tumbler answers the purpose for the home city trade; but there is no way of sealing it tight enough to ship with safety. The empty jars ought not to cost over 3 cents apiece, and ought to be in cases holding 2 dozen in a case. If any one has a jar of this size, '3 pint, and description, he could find a ready market for it. 286 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Apr. 1 We expect a fine honey-flo\v from orang-e and lemon very soon. The bees are al- ready working on them to some extent. The buds are not open, but thej' secrete some honey from the stems of the buds and tender young leaves. Montemorelos, Mexico, Feb. 26. THE NEW NOMENCLATURE. A Plea for the Term " Forced Swarms," to Cover "Jounced," "Shaken," and "Brushed" Swarms. BY R. C. AIKIN. Friend Root: — I have previously veritten on the subject of proper names for swarms other than natural ones; but 3'our remarks on page 47 stir me again. The term driven has already a special meaning in apicultu- ral affairs that does not apply to any form of shaking or brushing; but the term swarm does applj' to a congregation of bees wheth- er accumulated by instinct or forced and unnatural methods. In that item you saj' " shaken, shook, brushed, jounced, or forc- ed." Don't you see that your last name covers all the others? If you had left out the term "forced" and put the "or" be- fore "jounced," you would have said all that you did saj'. The various terms you used are but qualifying ones showing by what method the forced swarm was made, so that to use any one of them is not proper; but it would be proper to say, " made forced swarms by brushing, driving, etc." It seems to me so plain a matter that there should be no quibbling about it whatever, at least along the lines so far considered. I should not consider the name " artifi- cial " at all the one, for it does not fully cover, because of its use. Artificial is not real, such as a wooden horse, cow, or other thing — wax flowers, etc., but we do make a swarm of bees a real swarm, and not a wooden or wax one. It would be more prop- er to say artificial swarming than to say an artificial swarm, for we are describing the art of making swarms as compared with the natural or instinct plan; but. the division made, we have a swarm of bees just as we have swarms of flies or any other insect or any thing else that congre- gates in great numbers. Even should you scatter the bees until they cease to be a swarm they again congregate and become a swarm or aggregation. Many times I have thought to speak of other uses of words that are superfluous and amusing, but have refrained, partly be- cause I am not a grammarian, yet the blunders are so very plain that any one should observe them. L-ook at these: The house burned up; the dog chewed up; he gathered up his apple crop (or anj' other crop) ; I swept up (together) the bees, swept out the house, cleaned oflf the porch, cleaned out the stable, washed off" my face, or hands, brushed down the walls, etc. I once heard a schoolgirl criticise her mother for some trivial mistake in the use of language; and to call her attention to the fact that she her- self was not perfect I said, " Minnie, do you ever sweep the house out?" She blush- ed, and looked at the floor, then stammer- ed, " Yes, sometimes." I replied, " You mean you sweep the dirt out," which at once turned the laugh. In almost every case the words out, off, up, and down are superfluous. The house in re- ality burned down; but even that is not proper; it simply burned, or was consumed. The poor man having his face and hands washed off is surely in a bad fix. Now, friend Root, I would not have writ- ten this but for the fact that that swarm question is up for settlement; and the term that will be adopted depends mainly upon what }'ou and other editors and writers use, especially editors; and it behooves you to start right and insist on the proper name until it is fixed. I am glad to see that many are using the name I advocate, and many say "shook or forced," you see, naturally gravitating to forced because it seems to cover or convey the thought better. Loveland, Col. R. C. Aikin. [I think it is pretty well agreed among us that " forced swarms " is the term to use, covering a variety of manipulations, and so far I have endeavored to substitute this term when it is used in a ge^ieral way ; but it is perfectly proper to use "jounced," "brushed," or "shaken" to indicate the specific mode of handling such swarms, and I do not see but we shall have to allow the use of them when the precise means of handling is to be pointed out. " Driven swarm " may be proper enough for a gen- eral term, and personally I should not ob- ject to it; but the word " forced " has come to be a part of our nomenclature. If you attempt to criticise the common uses of the language which are recognized as proper wherever the English language is spoken, you will get into deep water. The use of the adverbs in connection with the verbs cited may, perhaps, be superflu- ous, but they have come to be a part of the language, and accepted by all the best scholars. We could not change them, even if we would. I would defend Minnie by saying she was perfectly proper in saj'ing she could "sweep the house out," on the ground that usage recognizes the legitimacy of the term. If you attempt to throw out the superfluous adverbs all through the language 3'ou will have a bigger job on your hands than to try to reform our spelling. But it behooves us, nevertheless those of us who are coin- ing words, to make them as accurate as possible to start with, so that foreigners learning our language will not be confused as was the Frenchman when his head was sticking out of the car window, and he was told to " look out." He protested that he was looking out, notwithstanding a tele- graph-pole was liable to take off his head. But our language is not the only one that is incongruous in some of its phraseology. —Ed.] 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 287 A CONVENIENT DEVICE FOR FILLING HON- EY-BOTTLES. Whenever I had occasion to till small re- ceptacles, such as tumblers, jars, fruit-cans, etc., from a square 60-lb. tin can, I al\va3-s found it a most unpleasant and difficult task. The g^eneral make-up of the can, its straight, smooth sides with no handles or FIG. 1. projections of anj' kind, together with its comparatively heavy weight when full, re- quired a somewhat trick-like manipulation to succeed without having more or less hon- ey running down on the outside of the large can or the one to be filled. A simple little device which I have constructed and used lately changes this heretofore anno3'ing work to a pleasant pastime. FIG. 2. The accompanying illustrations give ench part separate and all in combination. Fig. 1. frame or standard; Fig. 2, basket; Fig. 3, the whole in operation. The basket revolves or swings on a pair of '4 -in. rivets, and with the can when full nearh' balances, so that a very light pres- sure with the left hand is sufficient to tip it forward until the desired stream of honey is running. When the small can is full, a slight backward move of the can will stop the flow; and with a turning motion of the right hand, the edge of the small can scrap- ing the lower edge of the outlet, all the dripping' hone}' is cleaned up and the job done in a neat and workmanlike manner. FIG. 3. It will be noticed in Fig. 3 that the out- let is on the upper side of the can. To run a clear stream and prevent the honey from running down the can, a portion of the con- tents, perhaps two gallons, should be drawn in this way. After that the basket may be tipped in the opposite direction, and the rest drawn.- When nearly empty, the can should be taken from the basket; and by holding it corner wise almost every drop can be made to run out. La Salle, N. Y. G. C. Greiner. [This device is very ingenious as well as simple; and for filling from the square can, nothing could be handier. — Ed.] spiders; something about scorpions, FROM prof. cook. Mr. Root: — The " scorpio spiders" sent you by a customer in South Africa, and which he said he saw hanging by the nip- pers of the forearm to the bee's legs, were very well named by 3'our correspondent. They belong to the great spider order, Arac/mida, and to the scorpion group which have been known b^' the name Pedi palpi, because the palpi, which are really mouth organs, are long, and look as though they might be feet, though they are the fifth pair of long organs, and none of the spider group have more than eight legs. Your correspondent probablj' mistook these for legs, as he spoke of them as holding on by their forearms. This group has also been known as A}-i/iro- •'^ 292 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Apr. 1 MOVING TO A BETTER LOCATION. Would it pay one who is just beginning' in bee-keeping in a poor place for bees to move to a locality where basswood, white- wood, and sourwood abound? Don't you think the above-named trees, in addition to persimmon, red-bud, locust, etc., would be a very desirable place? I know of such a place ten miles from me. J. H. Prillaman. Simpsons, Va., Feb. 18. [If 3'ou can easily move to abetter locality, we would advise you to make the change. Dr. Miller has said that he would not rec- ommend any one to go into bee-keeping very largely, and depend on white clover as his main and almost only supply of nectar. Some seasons basswood will yield heavily while clover will be almost a failure, and again the reverse may be true. If j'ou have a good business aside from bee-keeping in the locality where you re- side, I would not advise you to give it up for bees by going into another locality that may be more favorable. The bee business is rather uncertain as a means of livelihood; and the average person had better have something else to tie to. — Ed.] THE subject-matter OF GLEANINGS; A GOOD WORD FOR DOOLITTLE'S ARTICLES. I am glad you are going to let your read- ers tell you what they like in Gleanings; I read a bee paper or book for what I can get out of it of practical use. Of course, I can devote only part of my time to bees. The world has too much of interest and business for me to devote much time on sen- timent or pleasure. I can not spend time to read long articles for what little practi- cle use I get out of them. Along this line I enjoy Mr. Doolittle's talks best of all. He, every time, clears up a point of interest to me. Next I like the questions and ans- wers. They are in the same line. And I have received enough of value in the dis- cussions of forced ssvarms to pa}' ine for five years' subscription to Gleanings. M. G. T. Johnson. Binghamton, N. Y., Feb. 5. FEEDING outdoors NEAR THE APIARY ; IS IT PRACTICABLE? Can I, just before wintering colonies, place sugar syrup or honey in an adjoining garden, about 120 yards away, separated from my apiary by a belt of maples 25 feet high? Would this unsettle the apiary and in- cite robbing,or can I place food in the apiary itself? All feeders seem to induce robbing. I intend having buckwheat in another gar- deu, and thought to place feed-stands there. I don't sell sugar stuff, but use it only in brood- work, and have all frames marked so as to distinguish. R. Muckle. Clandelborge, Manitoba, Feb. 25. [It is usually not practicable to feed any syrup of good quality outdoors in open feeders. If syrup of granulated sugar is fed at all it should be almost as thin as water. Years ago we used to feed water sweetened with lumps of grape sugar, with- out inducing robbing ; but let me tell you if 3'ou feed the ordinary syrup, two parts of sugar to one of water, you will have trou- ble. You might be able to feed such syrup if you inclosed the feeder in a box, and al- lowed an opening so that only one bee could get through at a time. But I would hardly advise this. It makes a disturb- ance, even worse than feeding inside of the hive. If 3-ou ieed in Boardman, Miller, or Doolittle feeders, at night, giving the bees most of the syrup before morning, it will cause very little disturbance next day. Feeding alwaj's stimulates, and has a ten- dency to cause the field bees to hunt around, nosing into every thing to see where that big- supply came from; and woe betide the nucleus with too large an entrance. — Ed.] KILLING OFF WEAK COLONIES INSTEAD OF WINTEKING. I am a new bee-keeper — that is, I have five swarms. Last fall one of my neigh- bors who keeps bees advised me to kill my weak colonies that would not winter. I did so, and have four hives with brood-frames partly filled with honey, and partly with pollen, or some such stuff. Part of the hon- ey is ver}^ dark. Would it do to put new swarms in the same hives? If not, what can I do with it? In last Gleanings I see advised the saving of old comb. John Walsh. Stanstead Plains, Quebec, Can. [Your neighbor gave j'ou bad advice. Where there are only a few nuclei they can usually be wintered quite well in a good cellar, providing they have sufficient stores and the cellar be kept dark. We have win- tered many nuclei that way, and consiUt-r it is throwing awaj'^ property needlessly to kill off the bees of such. Yes, 3^ou can use the combs next spring, even if the honey is dark. — Ed.] WHEN to give full SHEETS OF FOU>DA- TION. Last fall I took all of the drone combs away from my bees, and now I wish to put whole sheets of foundation in, and do nuc know when is the best time to do it next spring. Had I better put it where the drone comb was taken out, or put them in the cen- ter of the brood-nest. Some of them had one whole comb; some had two combs. R. H. Ellsworth. Homets Ferrj', Pa., Mar. 2. [I would not give the bees any foundation until they are crowded for room. If you de- sire to spread the brood for the purpose cf increasing the strength of the colony, insert now and then a full sheet of foundation be- tween the frames of brood; but be careful not to carry this too far in cool weather. — Ed.] 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 293 NOTES or TRAVEL f BY A.r.ROOT . !^^^^^2?^^*s^5;^5rf CUBAN APIARIKS AND THE MEN WHO RUN THEM. Resuming' mj' story on pa^-e 251 of last issue, it is not only turkeys, chickens, ducks, etc., that friend Hnchstein has around his home, but they have some of the prettiest white doves in boxes up under the eaves of the house I ever saw. A pair of young;- doves, almost large enough to try their wings, were tliere, and the^^ were looking out of their domicil verv curiously at the (to them) new world. Some of the folks, just for fun, lifted out one of them and put it on the doorstep outside. The "papa" dove was off hunting food for his younesters. When he came back and found one of them had gone outside, as he supposed, without parental permission he was "mad as could be," boxed their ears (figuratively speak- ing), and gave them a srood sound scolding, and then pushe-^ them bade inside, and just laid down the law, commanding them never to think of even putting a head outside until /le, with his mature wisdom, decided they were old enough to go outside and look out for themselves. There are lots of intei-est- ing things around that Hochstein home at the foot of the mountain. A beautiful spring bursts forth from the rocks just above, and friend Hochstein is planning to use it for irrigation. It wns very windy at the time of rny visit; notvrithstanding, the bees were just "pouring in with loads of sweetness. I think I never saw so many bees coming in with loads in all my life before. When the wind would let up a little the}' came in from one partic- ular direction through the canyon, down the mountain-side, until the air was almost black with them. And, by the WRy, bois- Iprous wind, or something else, made the bees remarkably "ugly" that day. I do not know but they blamed us for the fact that the wind hindered them in their work — a great deal like complaining human be- ings, aren't they? Well, I saw bj' the looks of things that friend Hochstein was getting a tremendous crop of honey from the nearly .'■00 hives, all in one spot, most of them two- story, and many of them three. "Friend Hochstein. how much honey have you taken already this season from this apiary? " "I am not going to tell j'ou, Mr. Root." " Well, I should like to know zv/iy you are not SToing to tell me," said I laughingl3^ " Well," replied he, " Rambler asked me that same question last year, and I told him just as I have told j'ou; but, notwithstand- ing, it got out, and now there is quite an apiary started over here in thi» south, anoth- er on' the west, another on the east, and now I am expecting every day somebody will locate just above me on the side of the mountain. Every time they see me take a carload of honey over to the station, they say to themselves, ' Whv, that fellow is mak- in? money hand over hand,' and then go right straight and start another apiary. I am going to take my honey to the station after dark after this, and I will not tell a soul how much I am getting. I was think- ing of starting some out-apiaries myself after a while; but just look at it." Now, I presume the above is not friend Hochstein's exact words, but something to that effect; and I, for one, protest against this fashion of dropping down with a lot of hives close to a successful bee-keeper. In drilling for oil it may be all right; but where there are miles and miles of good ter- ritory for honey unoccupied, what sense or courtesy is there in crowding up toward somebodj' who is already doing fairly well? With the tremendous job it is to get honey and supplies to and from the station, one would suppose friend Hochstein would have comparatively full swing, and I think he went away out there just on purpose to be free from bee-keeping neighbors. F^riend H. has several convenient inven- tions in and about his apiary. One is that he has a door to his honey-house so it opens automatically when you come up to it with a wheelbarrow full of combs of honey. The moment the weight of the barrow gets on a plank that leads up to the door, the door swings open. Then the man who is operat- ing the extractor, by pulling a cord over his head, shuts it up. This arrangement alone saves lots of time and hard work in opening and shutting doors. His son, also, has invented an arrangement to clasp the lower end of the frame while slicing off the cappings. We expect to get illustrations of this later. He also uses very successfully a solar wax-extractor just like the one we have at Paso Real; but in order to have it turn easily so as to face the sun, he has it on a platform that turns on a bolt. I be- lieve somebody suggested, some years ago, taking an old wagon- wheel and fixing it on a post for an axle so it would turn easily, then attach your extractor to this wheel. This makes the whole apparatus swing so easily that you can turn it by just a touch of a finger. Well, friend Hochstein found it was a bother to lift out the square tins whenever thej^ got full of wax; so he has an opening with a piece of gaspipe attached to it that lets the wax run into a suitable re- ceptacle down below the bottom of the solar extractor. Last, but not least, the broom he uses to brush off the bees is made on a 40-penny spike, the head being inside of the handle of the brush, the sharp end of the spike protruding from the end of the handle. This gives one a good solid tool for prying the frames loose, and a brush for brushing off the bees with the other end of it. I do not know who makes these brooms or brush- es; but I think there would be a big sale for them if advertised in the right way. 294 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Apr. 1 T think the finest g-uavas I ever ate (and I think I ate pretty nearly a plateful) were at friend Hochstein's. They grow wild all over his ranch. In fact, some of the finest tropical fruits g-row out in the fields or woods, ofttimes wasting their sweetness on the desert air. Guavas are so plentiful and cheap that you can buy a good-sized brick of guava jelly for only a dime. I know friend H. carries out his threat — at least to some extent — of hauling away, his honey by night, for I rode over to the station between three o'clock in the morn- ing and daylight, on his ox-cart containing a load of honey.* MR. woodward's apiary nkar matanzas. Mr. de Beche told me I must certainly visit Matanzas and Cardenas. He said, after I got hold of Mr. Woodward I would get along all right; but he added that I would not be likely to find anybody who could speak English, on the way to Ma- tanzas. After worrying people along the way about as usual, because I could not speak their language, I finally got hold of Mr. C. E. Woodward in the great store and warehouse of J. Landetta. Mr. W. was just getting into a saddle to visit some one of the seven apiaries; but he put his horse uD and went with me over to his home in Guanabana. On the way over, he told me something of his history as follows: Three years ago he became discouraged about bee-keeping in Florida, and put all of his worldly goods, bees included, on to a schooner, and set sail for Cuba; but when he undertook to land his bees the Cuban officials interfered and said he was trans- gressing some of their laws, and proceeded to confiscate the whole outfit. He remon- strated, and tried in vain to explain to them that it would be his financial ruin ; th'Ht the bees would have to be set out on the ground and have a fly or they would all die. Either the Spanish olficial did not understand or did not care. In despera- tii.m he went to Mr. Landetta, a wealthy business man of Matanzas. By the aid of an interpreter he manasred to tell his story. Mr. Landetta was touched by the storj' of the poor man's distress, and proposed to Mr. Woodward to go in company with him in the bee business. Of course, our good friend Mr. Woodward accepted the proposi- tion, for he was like a drowning man catch- ing at straws. Mr. Landetta went to the Spanish officers, and said, "Those bees ♦While I write, the following letter is put in my hand: Mr. Root:~I hope you flid not suffer any ill effects from your buBpy-ride in an ox-cart through the rain. Next time we will take a canvas cover along. Punta Brava, Cuba. O. F. Hochstein. The above brings vividly to mind the experiences of that night in the ox-cart. When we started out. the moon and stars were shining onlvas they do .shine aw^v down in that tropical land, and every thing was lovely. But an hour later the clouds came up. and the rain began to f.ill: and as 1 hid n i clothing but a new Cuban suit of thin linen I was in somewhat of a pre- dicament. But it did not hurt tne any. for the sun shone out bright soon after rising. belong to me, and this man is in my em- ploy. You let him take the bees and other stuff off" from that boat." The Spanish officials grumbled some what, but Mr. Landetta had wealth and influence at his command, and they were obliged to submit. We bee-keepers can imagine with what a feeling of relief Mr. Woodward straightened himself up, took a big breath of fresh air (this was Cuban air) as he rolled up his sleeves and went to work. Well, he is at work yet — at least I suppose he is. He had SO colonies of bees to start with. In three years these 60 col- onies with the assistance of 600 three-frame nuclei which he purchased of Fred Cray- craft,* have been increased to 2000 colonies located in seven apiaries. Friend Wood- ward now takes care of one of the seven apiaries at his home, and superintends the management of the other six. He told me the greatest part of his time was spent in the saddle, riding from one apiar}' to the other. His partner, Mr. Landetta, fur- nishes the capital and he furnishes the brains to manage, or at least they have some sort of partnership that seems to be satisfactory. When I was there they were filling one order that amounted to about $16,000. I believe this was extracted honey to go to Germany. I now wish to tell 3'ou a little about Mr. Woodward's home. His house and apiary are located in an old fruit-orchard or gar- den. Unlike the rest of the Cuban apia- rists, he insists on having every hive locat- ed at least seven or eight feet from every other one. In fact, the plan is very much like the hexagonal apiary described in the ABC book. The ground is kept clear uf weeds and rubbish by hoeing; and to avoid disturbance from the bees I think most of the hoeing is done by moonlight. They have plenty of moonlight nights in Cuba, and it is a cooler time to work than when the sun shines. I told him I was afraid our American men would make a kick about working nights as well as days — want dou- ble pay, or something of that sort. He said he did not find any trouble about getting his helpers to clean up around the hives by moonlight. Several times, you may remem- ber, I have said, "This apiary is the handsomest one I ever saw in all my life." Well, when I was at friend Woodward's I told hitn his was the pleasantest-looking apiary I ever saw in my life anywhere. Our apiary at Paso Real looks very hand- some with its mathematical accuracy, but it is right out in the sun. Friend W's is * VIr. Fred Craycraft, whom many of our older read- ers will recognize, is now a cu.stom-house officer iu Havana He has been a bee-keeper all his life, and wrote articles ^or Juvenile Gleanings more than twen- ty years ago. Well, now I am going to tell a story of what can be done in Cuba. Tf I do not get it straight, friend Cravcraft will have to correct me. A year ago last January he took 10) nuclei, to see what he cnuUl do \viih them. Before July, from these 100 he sold to Mr Woodward the fiOO three-frame nuclei, and had 150 left He rea'-ed all the queens himself, with the ex- cption of 100 wtioh he purchased of J. B. Case, of Port Orange Fla. Mr. Woodward paid him $1-500 for the 600 nuclei, or $2 .")0 each. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 295 all in the dense shade of tropical trees. His bees are all a fine strain of Italians. Just let me say something to the readers of Gi-KANINGS rig-ht here. Ernest has been pretty thoroughly criti- cised, not onljf^ in Gleanings, but in other bee journals, for suggesting that our red- clover queen was worth $200. Now, mind you. I am not going to advertise our queens this time. Friend W. got his best queen of our veteran friend Doolittle. He paid $10 for her, and then paid for a nucleus besides to ship her in, so as to have her come in good order ready for breeding. He has stocked the whole apiary I saw, with queens from this Doolittle queen. The hives are mostl}' two- story, and some of them three- story. The bees are nicely marked, gentle to handle, and good workers. "Friend Woodward, how much do you suppose that Doolittle queen has been worth to you — that is, how much money has this apiary given you because of the fact that ever}' queen is of that Doolittle strain instead of being of the hit-and-miss kind which most of the Cuban bee keepers get along with? Haven't you actually saved $200, the price Ernest put on our choice queen? " " Whj', Mr. Root, that Doolittle queen has been vioxXh Jive hundred dollars to me, counting the queens I have reared from her that have been used to stock others of our apnaries; and 1 am testing some of her daughters with the view of using them for breeders when she is gone."*'" Now, friend Woodward may have been a little extravagant in the above; but I will jeave it to our veterans in bee culture — is it not possible that a bee-keeper can be bene- fited to the extent of hundreds of dollars by starting business with a queen that is supe- rior as a breeder? Mr. Woodward has another trick in ex- tracting that may not be new, and. in fact, I think I have heard of it before. We will suppose you have a two-story hive and a strong colony of bees, and the combs are nearl}' ready to extract — that is, the bees have begun capping some of them in the center. Now, instead of extracting these combs and putting empt}' ones in their place, suppose you lift this upper story up and put a storj' of empty combs right under it; while the bees are finishing the capping of the top story, they will have the second one pretty well filled with raw honey; then when the top storj' is ready to extract, lift up the second, and put another story of empty combs under it as before. Friend W. uses ten-frame Dovetailed ♦After the above was dictated. Ernest received the following from friend Woodward. It is a little bit of a joke on your humble servant, but it .sometimes does us good to get a glimpse of the way others see us. Mb. E. R. Root:— Your fathwr did make me a call (which which was all too shorti. but I could not pcrsuait" him to stay loneer. 1 saw very soon that he was a lover of the hon- ey-bee, for he was in my apiary about all the time he was at my home, and il seemed to me he was a man who was always in a hurry. He would walk from one hive to another like lightninK. and would take in the whole thing at a glance. I hope to see him again soon. C. E. Woodward. Gaanabana, Cnl>a, March 6. hives containing Hoffm.an frames. He says that, where an apiary is often intrusted to a man who is not very much experienced, he very much prefers Hoffman frames, for then one can not make bad spacing. Now, Moe, Hochstein. Howe, and perhaps all the bee-men west of Havana, will not have a Hoffman frame on the premises. What are you going to do about it? Mr. Woodward is certainly successful; his apiaries are neat and tidy; he gets the honey, and his bees are so handled that they are not cross to work with. His combs are all made of full sheets of foundation on wired frames. His wife had been making foundation, with the help of a Cuban boy, the day I arrived. By the way, friend W. has a model home. It is more after the fashion of the Florida buildings. His library and sleeping-rooms are upstairs; and, while I think of it, I be- lieve very good authority has decided that, in the exceedingly damp climate of Cuba, an upstairs sleeping-room is to be prefer- red. The air is so damp most nights — that is, there are such heavy dews — that, if you should leave a sheet on the clothes-line over night, in the morning it would be almost as wet as if it had been dipped in water. Just one more thing about friend Wood- ward's home. Before we got into the house a pet parrot named Catara Real hurried out of the house to meet him with the most endearing expressions of love. I just had to have a good big laugh to see the parrot make such an ado at the sight of her own- er. As she talked Spanish I could not tell what she said; but she climbed up his trowsers leg, got on his shoulder, rubbed her head against his face and neck, and nibbled his ears with her bill, and talked and talked and talked. She would never bite him too hard; but if anybody else touched her, or tried to, she would go into a fury right away. When he was out in the apiary among the bees, or when he was at- tending to his correspondence, she remained perched on his shoulder, and kept calling him loving names. At night, when it was bedtime, he put her up into a perch over- head; but she kept on talking to herself, and several times in the night I heard her familiar voice. You see, parrots in Cuba are almost in their native home. They would go into the tops of the tallest trees if their wings were not clipped. Friend Woodward has a hive on scales, such as I pictured in the ABC book; and he watches these scales as a gardener watches the thennometer or barometer. When I was there, the hive on the scales was showing a yield of three or four pounds a day. If I ain correct, he said he had se- cured as much as 300 lbs. of comb honey from one hive in one season. But a large 3'ield of comb honey almost always means reducing the colony in strength until it is almost ruined; whereas, when the colony is run for extracted honej' the queen has room to keep right on la3'ing and raising brood. Several hives gave over 500 lbs. of extracted honey in a season. As a rule, 296 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Apr. 1. queens do not last as long- in Cuba as here in the North. The strain upon them, con- sequent on laying every day in the year, uses them up in about half the time it does here, where they have the winter for rest. One of his apiaries near Matanzas is very much like the one I have mentioned. A bright young American boy has charge of it. He showed me a hive that had given 322 lbs. this season, and the two upper sto- ries were full of honey, and ready to ex- tract. I have thought best to add a letter received from friend Woodward after I left: Fn'end Root.— J have that last row of bee-hives put up in fine shape, and the apiary is all cleaned up. and looks nice indeed. I shall finish extracting in three days more, and that will make 28 tierces (of 1200 lbs. each) of honey up to date. I will keep you posted on my own apiary the coming season. I shall do some experimenting this coming season By the way, Bro. Root, I see in the new ABC book, that the bees in ball- ing the queen sting her to death. In all of ray expe- rience with bees I have never known a queen to be stung by the bees balling her; but instead of stinging her they smother or suffocate her; but I have never found a queen, after she has been balled, to be of any value I have got foul brood all wiped out of my apiary, and I hope it will never show itself again. The bees are getting a little honey at present. The scales indicated one pound to-night, the first time in several days. But brood-rearing has been kept up to a high point; so you see again I'm not troubled about my bees not having plenty o' brood. I am having young queens mated right along with no trouble Of course, I do not save every queen, but I save 90 per cent of them, and I did no better than that in Ohio or Florida. C. E. Woodward. Guanabana, Cuba, March 5. In speaking of Mr. Woodward's apiary I should have mentioned that he starts his nuclei in little boxes that hold four regular L. frames. He places these little boxes right where he is going to plant his next hive; and these boxes take the place of the regular hive until the queen has filled the combs with eggs, and the bees begin to be crowded. Then the box is taken away, and a one-story hive is put in its place. I saw these boxes at Mr. Fred Somerford's, and 1 believe they are used considerably in many apiaries. It not only answers the purpose of a full hive until the four combs are crowded with bees, but is lighter and easier handled. They are usually made of % or yi inch lumber. l_ Now that I have said so much about hand- some and convenient apiaries, I feel some hesitation — in fact, I ought to feel it — in speaking again about "the best-arranged apiary I ever saw." Can't help it, however. When I got to Mr. Fred Somerford's I spent two hours in his apiary, before he got home, and I was obliged to conclude he had an apiary that was at least in some respects ahead of any thing else I ever saw before. This apiary at Catalina was originally planned and built by our good friend Mr. de Beche, and he sold it to Mr. Somerford. It is an old fruit-garden. There are orange and banana trees, guavas, and ever so many other kinds of fruit growing so thick that the whole apiary is a dense shade. There are two rows of hives about ten feet ap^rt, and these hives are pretty close to- gether; in fact, I found it hard work to find an opening between two hives so I could readily walk through. You see I am tak- ing back some things I have recently said about having each hive with space enough so one could walk all around it. There is a purpose, however, in having the hives so close. The alley between the back ends of the hives is about ten feet wide, as I have said, and it is kept perfectly clean, and the ground is smooth and level, so you can run a wheelbarrow or a cart without a bit of trouble. The reason the bees do not get mixed in regard to their entrances is on ac- count of the dense shrubbery all around the entrances. The bees have to twist through nooks and crannies, each one to find its own home, and this fixes its loca- tion so it never misses it. Now, the " crowning " part of this apia- ry is a shed of palm-leaves with the eaves so low that they come down pretty near the front ends of the hives, reaching beyond the entrance so that no storm blows in enough to wet the hives. His hives are perfectly protected from the weather, hence they need no paint; in fact, some writers have said they are better off without paint. Why, to get right down to it, this is almost a house-apiary, and I believe it is the first really successful one I have ever found. One remarkable thing about it is that there no bees under the shed in the alley. For one thing, it is too 'dark; and another is, it would be a little difficult for them to get inside on account of the thick shrubbery around the entrances; notwithstanding, the rubbish is cleared away enough so the bees have but little difficulty in getting in and out of their hives. The advantage of this arrangement is that the apiarist is always under shelter from sun and rain; in fact, I think he might extract right while it is raining. It is so dark inside that the bees hardly ever come in to sting the operator. When they are shaken off the combs they dart out under the eaves and go in at their own entrance. I was all around without protection, as I have said, for an hour or two; and, even though the bees were busily at work, not one attempted to sting me. There are three sheds in all, with perhaps 50 hives in a row on each side, making 100 hives to each shed. The sheds are arrang- ed in the form of a letter E. If he had built one on the third side he would have had a regular hollow square. The extracting-room is built at one cor- ner. The combs are wheeled up an inclin- ed approach so as to get into the upper part of the extracting-room, letting the honey go down through into a tank and then into barrels by gravity. To understand the ar- rangement better, I give a photo, taken by our departed friend Rambler. It might also be worth while for you to turn back to page 734 and read the description. On p. 734, Sept. 1, Rambler tells us that, although Fred Sometford has used four and six frame extractors for a dozen years, he has settled down on a two frame " Nov- ice " machine. In fact, it is the very thing that your humble servant, A. I. Root, de- 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 297 vised, and has recommended for years past. It is very much cheaper than any other extractor; It is light to handle, and ever so much easier to carry around in a wagon to out-apiaries; and I have kept say- ing for 3'ears that one who is an expert with that old Novice L. frame extractor could get out more honey in proportion to the help emploj-ed than with any of the big ones. Mr. Somerford told me that he has for some time wanted to express his ap- proval of the improved Novice extractor re- centlj' purchased. He says it works ever so much easier than his. old one, and yet the price was only S8.50. When I wrote up my visit of two days to Giiines I did not mention two apiaries I visited. One of them belongs to Mr. de Beche. It is about half way between Ha- vana and Giiines. I hooe my good friend Mr. de Beche will excuse me if I say there is not very much " stj'le " about this apia- rj' that is managed by a young Cuban who does not talk English. He does pretty much all the work himself, and manages to " round up " at the end of the year with a very good profit indeed, on the credit side of the books. Mr. de Beche told me that I would find many things to criticise; but he added that, so long as the apiary j'ielded him good returns — a much better per cent than some where high-priced Americans kept every thing in "good order" — he thought I ought to be a little bit easy in my criticisms. B3' the way, it behooves all of us northern people to go slow about finding fault with the way people do things in oth- er climates. This young Cuban, for in- stance, will take out not only frames of hon- ey, but filled sections from hives, and close the hive up without putting any thing in its place. At his next visit there are, of course, pieces of beautiful snowy-white comb at- tached to the cover right above where the section was left out. The boy tears off these pieces of comb and throws them in a heap in the honey-house, and he had a pretty good-sized heap when I was there. The owner replies, " What does this matter when one gets a greater yield of wax than from almost any other apiary, and 1 lb. of wax is worth about 16 times as much as 1 lb. of honey?" " By their fruits ye shall know them." Another thing, this boy, when he was in a great hurry, did not bother to smoke the bees out of the way or smoke them off when he shut the cover down. The consequence was, the bees began to sting before I got through the gate leading to the apiary; but on the other hand, as before, he gets more honey in proportion to the pay he re- ceives than almost any other apiarist. I wonder if he has not run across the "Lightning Operator," Harry Howe, and got some hints,|that enable him to get through with the work in an apiary expeditiously. When near the town of Giiines I visited another api- ary, also managed by Cubans, and, I believe, quite success- fully. It belongs to Dr. Tor- ibio del Viller, of Giiines. My friend Senti took me to the doctor's home and introduced me. When the doctor arose from his seat he said smilingly in substance, "Why, my dear Mr. Root, it affords me very great pleasure to look into your face and take you by the hand. Not only do I owe to you all I know about bee-keeping and all I have ac- complished on that line, but, my dear sir, I am actually indebted to you for the fact that I know enough of the English lan- guage to speak, read, and write it, at least to some extent." The doctor then explained that, some years ago, he became very much interested in bees. Knowing no language but the Spanish, he procured all the bee-books in that tongue; but they were so very unsatis- factory, and so much behind the times, as he found out by seeing the work of a few American bee-keepers who had just located near there, that he bought the ABC book, even though he could not read it. Of course, he could look at the pictures, and with the help of an interpreter he got hold of enough to make him really thirsty for more; and he actually learned English in order that he might read the ABC book; and, of course, he was delighted to find what a new world was opened to him in the line of oth- er literature when he could read English. Now, friends, if you are still interested in what I have been telling j'ou about the apiaries of Cuba' and their managers, it will pay you to read again what Rambler wrote last year. 298 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Apr. 1 This Man has kept bees 25 years. He makes sure of a crop by having- out-apiaries widely scattered. He has learned how to manage them with very few visits. One 50 miles from home, established two years ago, is visited only four times a 3'ear, yet the profits have averaged Sl50avisit. He tells all about it in the Bee- Keep- ers' Review for March. Send ten cents for this number, and with it will be sent two other late but different issues, and the ten cents may apply on any subscription sent in during the year. A coupon will be sent en- titling the holder to the Review one year for on- ly 90 cents. W.Z.HUTCHINSON, Flint, Mich. QUEENS for BUSINESS and PROFIT Queens == 1903 == Queens. These are to be had of Will Atchley He is now prepared to fill all orders promptlv. and breeds six oifferent races m their purify. You must remember that all of the PfRE Holvlands that now exist in the r. S. originated from the Atchlev apiaries, and they have the only imported mothers known to the United States Untested queens from these races, :i and 5 banded Italians Cyprians. Albinos, Holvlands, and Carniolans bred iu their purity from 5 'to 35 miles apart, hebruary and March. $1.00 each, or S9 00 per dozen. All other months, 7.5c each, $4 25 for six, or <■< 00 per dozen. Tested queens of either race from J1..50 to $i 00 each. Breeders from ?8 .50 to 810.00 each 1, 2, and 3 frame nuclei and bees by the pound a spe- cialty. Prices quoted on application. .Safe arrival and perfect satisfaction guranteed. A trial order will convince you. Price list free. WILL ATCHLEY. P. 0. Box 79. Beeville. Bee County, Texas. $QUEENS--$BEES--NOW. A'.L. Swinson, Oueen=bree(ler, furnishes best to be had in L . >,. First=har.ded, Warranted queens $100 Tested, $1.5n. Breeders, go to $10 American Albino Italians, and Adds mated to Albinos. SWINSON & BOARDMAN, Box 358, Macon, Oa. We have ten different yards five to twenty miles apart, where Italians, Cyprians, Holj'lands, Carnio- lans, and Albinos, are bred for business. Tested queens, $1 .50; S8.00 for 6; $15.00 per dozen. Untested, $1 Oo each: $5 00 for 6 ; 89.00 per dozen. Our best and finest breeders, $5.00 each. One and two f'ame nuclei a specialty. Bees and Queens in any quantitv to suit purchaser. Safe arrival and reasonable .satisfaction guaianteed. ORDER "The Southland Queen," $1.00 per year. Send for sample copy and our 1903 catalog; tells how to raise queens and keep bees for profit. Root's Supplies. The Jennie Atchley Co., Box 18, Beeville, Tex. The Choicest of Tested Queens By Return Mail $1.00 Each. Vigorous and prolific queens, reared from the best of Imported and Home - bred mothers, whost; progeny is the best of honey-gatherers Safe arrival and satis- faction guaranteed. J. W. K. Shaw & Co., Loreauville, La. 190; GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 299 Golden Italian & Leather Colored QUEENS WarraTilol to give ,'atisfaclion, tliose are the kind reared by Qiririn=the=Oueen=Breeder. We guarantee every queen sent out to please you. or it may be returned inside of 00 days and another w 11 be sent "gratis" Our business was established in 1H8S. our stock originated from the best and highest-priced Long-tongued Red=clover Breeders in the U. S. We send out fine queens, and send them promptly. We guaranter safe delivery to any State, contintntal island, or European Country. The .A. I. Root Co. tells us that our stock is extra fine, while the editor of the American Bee Journal says that he has good reports from our stock, from time to time. Dr. J. L,. Gandy. of Humboldt, Nebr., says that he secured over -ICX) pounds of honey (mostly comb), from single colonies containing our queens. A FEW TESTinONIALS. P. F. Meritt. of No. Li Breckenridge St., Lex- ington. Ky.. writes: The bees sent me last July did splendidly. Each colony has at least 75 lbs. of honey — pretty good for two-frame nuclei. Mr. J.'Roorda. of Demotte, Ind.. writes: Send me six more queens, the 48 sent nie last spring are hustlers. Mr. Wm. Smiley, of Glasgow, Pa , writes: Your bees beat all the rest, now send me a breed- er of the same kind. A Norton, Monterey. Calif., writes: Your stock excels the strain of Jlr. , which is said to oiitstrip all others. Your stock excels in profit- able results as well as in beauty. Queen-rearing is our specialty; we give it our u more) as any breeder in the North. No order is to mail. Send all orders to Price of Queens Before July First. 1 6 12 Selected Warranted $1 00 1 50 2 00 4 00 2 50 $5 00 8 00 10 50 14 00 $9 50 Tested 15 00 Select Tested Extra Selected Tested— the best that money can buy Two-frame Nuclei, no Queen 25 00 Add the price of whatever queen is wanted to that of nuclei. Our nuclei build up fast, and if not pur- chased too late will make some surplus. ndivided attention, and rear as many queens (perhaps too large for us, as we keep 300 to 500 on hand ready Quirin=the=Queen=Breeder, Parkert^^wn, OHIO. Carniolans and 'W A "% • CKoice Qtieei\s Italians* a specialty. ><»'<» Having added extensively to our queen- rearing plants in the North and the South we can furnish any number of queens on short notice. Carrkiolans. Very prolific, hardy, gentlest bees known. Great comb-builders. Sealed combs of a snowy whiteness. A worker on red clover. Italiai^S. Gentle, prolific, swarm very little, fine workers, and a red-clover strain. THe Carniolan-Italian Cross. A cross giving the combined qualities of each race, are hustling workers, the coming bee for comb honey. 1 untested queen, $1.00: 6 for S.5.«); 12 for J9.(X). Test- ed. $1.50. Best breeder, $:?.00. Best imported breeder, $5.00. For full colonies, one or two frame nuclei, large orders for qiieens. send for descriptive price list. Orders booked now will be filled when desired. F. A. IvOcKHart CSi, Co.,Cal dwell, N.Y. Leather-colored Italians For Sale. flMy bees were awa-^ded 1st premium at the Minne- sota State Fair in 1902 and 1901. Queens guaranteed in quality and transportation. In standard S or 9 ftarae hives, $5 00 each on car. A reduction on lots-of 20 and over. Ready for shipment April 10. W. R. ANSELL, Mille Lacs Apiaries, Milaca, Minnesota. Laws' Leather=colored Queens. Laws' Improved Golden Queens. Laws' Holy Land Queens. iV. H. Laws: — Your queens have proved to be excel- lent. My apiary stocked with your Z^aM^r queens are a sight to behold during a honey-flow, and the Goldens are bej-ond description in the line of beauty. N ours are the best for comb Intiey I evrr saw. I want more this spring — E. A. Kibble, Roxton, Tex., Feb ig. igoj. W. H. Laws: — The 75 queens (Leather) from you are dandies. I introduced one into a weak nucleus in May, and in September I took 285 lbs of h ney, leav- ing 48 lbs for winter My crop of honej' last'season was 48,000 lbs. I write yo'u for prices on 50 nuclei and 150 L,eafher c\\.x&ens.— Joseph Farnswort/i, Idaho Falls. Idaho. Feb. i6. igoj. Prices of Queens: Each. 81 00; 12, $10.00 Breeders, extra fine, guaranteed, each ^'lO. Send for price list. W. H. Laws, Beeville, Texas. You Require Supply PERFECT ftUEENS I'ntil further notice, to keep up with orders for Golden queens from old customers who find them to be splendid workers. I shall di.scontinue the other yards. I can send Holy I( Sold at their prices. Present given with each order amounting to 82 or over. I.,ist sent free. W. D. Soper, Rural Route No. 3, Jackson Michigan. 99Trade anythlBf you hare for anything jroa want. Get our figantic r»l'^ ^^^___ '■C»»/^««r that jou could come JL/O 1. %J\X Jlm.I»0 VV nearer getting what you want, and when you want it. from the New Cen- tury Queen-Rearing Co. (John W Pharr & C. B. Banks- ton), than anywhere in the United States? Untested, 50c.; tested. 3 and -5 band. Toe; all other races, Jl.OO. Send for circular. Berdair, Goliad Co., Texas. Bargains in Trees. 100 No. 1 (5 toTfDKiefferPearTreesforjl'J.Oil, f. o. b. Others equally cheap. Will be pleased to quote. E. A. BO AX, CO., Hinchraan, Mich. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 301 Our Line of ^^Eureka'^ Goods are unequalled in merit and are therefore sold under positive guarantee of quality. Embraces Wind Mills — steel and wood. Tracer and Storage ra7iA;s— steel and wood. Eureka Feed Grind- ers, Steel Saw Frames, etc. For sale at your dealer's. If not there, write us direct and we will see that you are supplied. Send for catalogue— mailed free. , Smith & Pomeroy Wind Mill Co.,'IMfrs., Kaiania200,IV\ich. EUREKA STEEL LUW nAltu WluI High An, 7 Drawer Only ^33 Chicago to San Fran- cisco, Los Angeles, Portland, Ta- coma. Seattle, and many other Pacific Coast points, every day February 15 to April 30, 1903. One-way, second class, colonist rates via Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul and Union Pacific line. To the Northwest via this route, or via St Paul. Additional in- formation on request. F. A. MILLER, Gen. Passenger Agt., Chicago. E. G. HAYDEN. Traveling Passenger Agent, 217 Williamson BIdg.. Cleveland. If vou are interested in Culia, and want the truth about it, .sutiscril)e tor the HAVANA POST, the only Knglish paper on the Island. Published at Havana', Cuba. $1.00 per month, 510.00 per year. The "Star" Ventilator. storm proof, effective; for ven- tilating all kinds of buildings, barns, stables, and factories of all kinds. Send for illustrated booklet Merchant & Co., Inc., Philadelphia, Brooklyn, New York, and Chicago. M'nf'rs High-grade Bright Tin POULTRY JOURNAL ?^- Vllltr^Z'^r7. a dollar, but will send it to you one year on trial, including book. Plans for Poultry ffousfs, for l!.5c. Sample copy FliEE. Inland Poultry Journal, Indianapolis, Indiana. High Arm 7 Draw Guaranteed 20 90 Days* Trial Golden Oak Positive foiir-mnliou double-feed, lock-stitch, automatic hobbiu wiuder, patent slitch-regu- Intor. self-threading throughout, pelf-setting needle. Hand.some GOLDEN OAK, seveiv drawer table, with indestructible bent wood box top, Completa .s.'t of attachments, accessories and in- st miction book free. We prepay freight west to Miss, river and south to Ten- nessee. Money re- funded after a 90- day trial if not on- ,^., tirely satisfactory. '■' '■-' You cannot buy a maciiine at any price that will do better work than this one and it is thor- oughly well built of bestmaterials and hand- soinelv finished. Needles and repairs at any time. .Send us .$1 and we will ship machine C. O. D. subject to examination. The same machine witli .'> instead of 7 drawers ft r Drop head machines at .$1.S and .-rhj. Do not buv a machine until vou get our free illustrated catalog. OHIO F.VRMER, Cleveland, Ohio. Only $13.50 14 200 EGG INCUBATOR $ a Hv our li.^w rl-m yn run M.:u.e our KKM IDK.t I.M IH.troK at iiniiunal cost. Double WftlU. B,-mnTiil.!o TtRj,. NwPM-rj Copi'cr "I" QLIXCY. ILL, 302 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Apr. 1 Built anticipating thedemanfi of those satisfied with nothing but the best aud looking for a piano of the Highest Artistic Creation Are you considering the purchase of a piano? Our proposition will prove more en- tertaining than any you have had. Catalog and Jiill information fn'e on application. THE PACKARD €OMI>AXY P. O. Box P Fort Wayiu-. Indiana DOUBLE Don't spend spare time thinking what you might be i£ your salary were doubled! Z'ozw.e', not thinking:, will make your wish a reality. Our free booklet, 'Are Your Hands Tied?" tells you what to do and how to do it. Thousands have already doubled or largely increased their salaries by following: our plan. Under our guidance you can do the same. Act today! I. C. S. Text- books make it easy for those already at work to Learn By Mail Hrrhanical. gtram, Elcctrirul. Civil. Hinln^, Tele- pbonr. and Telegraph Enmlnerrins^ ; Shop and Foundry Prnctlce; nerhanicsl Drawing; Archi. tccture; Plumbing ; Shret-DIetal Pattern Drnfting; Chemistry; Ornamental Design ; Lpttertng; Book- keeping; Stenoerapliy : En^Iinh liranebes; Teach- ing; LocamotlT* Itunning; Electrothtrspeutlca; German; SpanUb; Frencli. Circular free. State subject tli.it interests you. INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENCE SCHOOLS. Mox 799, SCKANTON, PA. To make cows pay. use Sharpies Cream Separators. Business Dairying" and cat. 288 tree. W. Chester, Pa. California, Oregon, Washington Prom Chicago via the Chicago & North- western Railway daily. Pullman Tourist Sleeping Cars Chicago to San Francisco, Los Angeles and Portland daily; double berth rate from Chicago only .^'6.00. 5 Personally Conducted Excursions each week. Choice of routes. Round-trip tickets :ire also on sale daily at reduced rates. Two through trains a day to San Francisco and Portland. The only double-track railway to the Missouri River. All Agents sell tickets via Chicago & Northwestern Ry. W. B. KNISKERN, Pass'r Traffic Manager, 22 Fifth Ave.. Chicago. New Overland Service. Three through trains Chica- go to San Francisco every day via the Chicago. Milwaukee & St. Paul and Union Pacific line. Direct connections for North Pacific Coast points. California is less than three days from Chicago via this route. F. A. MILLER. Gen. Passenger Agt., Chicago. E. G. HAYDEN. Traveling Passenger Agent. 217 Williamson BIdg., Cleveland. aiGRAPEVINES 100 Viirieties. AlsoSmall Fruit».Tree»,.V <■. P.. stKnot- ed stock. Genuine, cheap. 2 sample vines nuult il ' "r 10c. Uescriptive price-list free. LEWIS KOEStU, Fredunia.S.K. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. iron fige implements front seed-time to harvest 11" you are (li)iiijr any Id iid of farm orKardeu work slow ly, painfully ami f.\ pensively, write and learn how (juickly, easily, and cheaply you can do it with tlio proper Iron Age tools. The new Iron As4«- ISuoU (describes them ail. Fre*-. EATE3IAN MKO. TO. Box -JO, Greitlocls, N. J. HHHIIlilI'MI' ' i|iiilll'g'ftll»tlig»iS! i03 1)on't Waste Your Potato Fields Skipped hills, withered seed, idle fence corners and ends of rows are all waste. $1 Acme Hand Potato Planters Plant every row in the field full count and put tlie send into MOIST soil where it can't dry out. Thev help to make BIG CROPS Catalog free. POTATO IMPLEMENT CO. 1 3 Traverse City, Michigan Ih« SucccssImI poultiyman uses a SVCCESSFVL Ii\cubafor and Brooder, the kind that brines big batches and does not (TO to pieces from heat and moisture. The best built maciiines on the niarlcet. Perfect system of regulation. Send 6 cents in stamps to cover actual cost of mailing for Incubator and Poultry Bqfks. Standard Poultry and Poultry Supplies Book« in five different languages. Write for them to-day. DES MOINES INCUBATOR CO., Dtpt. 503 1)M Iloln«c I*., n Dept. 5(13 BulTalo, H. T. 110 ludB Fine FoiUtrj. RELIABLE INCUBATORS and BROODERS. Patl^fact'p'U p\iaran1i-.-d or your money hack, hicnd lOcen-s i.">'ai^f f" "««< I'">»'- try book j U8t issued, explaining remark- able guarantee under which we sell. Bellable Incnbator Jk BruoderCo., Box B- 10 qnloc}', Ul. BUILD YOUR OWN INCUBATOR, wc 3iiUf tn !.l«-teii'm- 1 rat fl plans by which a -' lU Kii(. aq IImT WAftlt IM lliATUR can be built for aboutwO "-■nro;'. I, AT,;-. T,.„k<. K-j-^lBiora. cW.. »tco.t. Bic n.on.v r:.- :,- I ..:'.. • .-j,. W- ■ . 1..-d»y for pnrticnlar* ftnd KltEfi ,t ■■ll.,« •...■,l.>k. A,.!.- ..... Slon.-yw,ll, Mlrirubalor." nnon. Snow ii; In., |)ppt. 130 Qulncy, III. .80 For 200 Egg INCUBATOR 12 Perfect in ronstruliou nn action. Hatrhe* ev.r.T ftrti eg^. Write for catalui; lo-da; GEO. H. STAHL, Quincy, III Actual Results of the advantagos of spraying are sliown in above picture. Thetwo piles of ipples came from the same number of trees in the same or- chard row. Tlie bit,' pile from sprayed trees. Pictures taken Irorn actual photographs. eSltSpraying Pumps buetot, kiiap'-ick, bnrrrl, hand iind power, are ma'e by the undersigned, inventors and sale owners of many new valtiable spraying fixtures and features. Write forfiee catalogue j and booklet on insects, plant and fruit diseases. THE DEMING CO., SALEM, O. f Pa.ir Most Pop\ila.r I Va.riety of Chickens In natural colors. 12 It 18 inches, for Iraming. mailed Tn tube tree inr J5c. lor oine months' trial sub-crip- tion to The Feather. The most beautilully illus- trated poultry paper — fowls in natural colors on cover —36 paees, showing how to make money reLlsing chickens. Regular price. 50c per year Satisfaction guaranteed or money relunded. Geo. E. Howswrd «, Co.. '""jLI^'^i:" *T; "i " f^*^^^^ POULTRY BOOK My 1903 catalogue. Elegant in illustration, full of practical hlnt», describes 56 breeds of prize winners. Low prices for birds and eggs. Book postpaid, 10 cents. Calendar for 1903 on cover. i B. H. OBEIDEB, SHEEKS, PA. ^iitREis 200 varieiieH.AlsoOrape8,^mall I' ruitseiu.ijeft, rootl- ed stock. Genuine, cheap. !J sample currants mailed for 10c. l>esc. price list free. LtWIS UOEsCU, Fredouia, N. Y- FENCE! STRONGEST MADE. Bull strong, Clilcken- Tight. Sold to the Farmer at Wholesale Prices. Fully Warranted. Catalog Free. COILED SPRING FENCE CO. Box 101, Winchester, Indiana, C. S. A. K INDIANA STEEL& WIRE CO. MUNCIE. INDIANA. Onill TOY PAPER, UlnstM, 20 psgeflk rllUUI n I 25 cents per year. 4 months' trial 10 cents. Sample f^ree. 64-page practical poultry book free to yearly snbsoribera Book alonelO cents. ('ataiofcuR of p.- Itri bouksfree. /'ouUry ^(ioocute, Syrauust. .N.K. 304 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Apr. 1 $750 HYDRO CARBON Capacit>' : 100 > mile Gasol ne« tank. Capacity : 300>xnile "W^ater- tank. Weight 940 lbs.; seven-horse power actual. Will run at any speed up to 25 miles per hour, and climb any grade up to twenty per cent. For catalog, address Friedman Aiitomobile Co., 3 Bast Van Buren St., Dept. B, CHicag'o, Illinois. Buy Your Bee-supplies of S. D. Buell ! You can save money. He handles The A. I. Root Co. 's Supplies. vSend list of goods wanted, and let him quote you prices. Send for catalog. S. D. Buell, Union City, IVIIch. Squabs are raided in 1 month, bring big prices. Kager market. Money- makers for poultrymen, farmers, women. Here is something 'ivorth looking into. vSend for our Free Book, " How to Make Money With Squabs " and learn this rich industry. Addie.ss PLYMOUTH ROCK SQUAB CO.. ig Friend St , Boston, Mass. H-X-X published monthly; H4 pages; tells all about hunting, trapping, and raw furs. Sample copy lu cents. Hunter-Trader-Trapper. Gallipolis, Ohio. Box 31. IQc Sheet Music Old fayorite and stand- ard pieces. Catalog free. Also latest popu- lar hits at 21c postpaid. Jlcrt Rnnto Write for prices on any thing you want. HIbU DUUl^b. M. X. "WrigKt, Medina, O. Printed to O^der $1 per 1000 TT PRICE CATCHES TRADE, but our quality holds it year after year after year. Page Woven Wire Fence Co., Box S, Adrian, Michigan. BIvACK A.NI> HYBR.ID QX7EE:NS. 200 •' Gallup's umbillical cord " natural swarm-rear- ed, black and hybrid queens, from box hives as trans- ferred. Blacks, 20 cts. Hybrids. 2-') cts. Select 10 cts. extra. John M. Davis, Spring Hill, Tenn. Heavy, white, high-cut, size 63^. A neat little coupon on each envelope will earn you dollars. Other station- ery cheap. For particulars and sample, address at once Howard Co., 516 Masonic Temple, Chicago. Ills. Wood=working Machinery. For ripping, cross-cut ting, mitering, grooving: boring, scroll-sawing, edge moulding, mortising ; for working wood in any man- ner. Send for catalog A. The Seneca Falls M'f'g Co., 44 Water St., Seneca FS..N, Mr.A. I. Root's Writings of Grand Traverse territory and I,eelanau Co. are descriptive of Michigan's most beautiful section reached most conveniently via the Pere Marquette R. R. For pamphlets of Miohigas farm lands and the fruit belt, address J. E. Uerritt, Manistee, Miohigan. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 305 GOOD READING We Mention here a few booklets, pamphlets, etc., which we will mail free upon appli- cation to parties interested. If you wish the whole number, enclose 5c for postage. Books for Bee-keepers is a booklet of 16 pages which gives a complete list of bee- books, including German and French bee-books and translations; books on fish- culture, strawberry-growing, greenhouse construction, gardening, etc. Bees and Queens is an 8-page booklet containing much valuable matter on the subject of queens ; reasons why they don't lay ; test of purity, etc. It also names price on imported and domestic, Italian and Carniolan queens, nuclei and full colonies. Facts About Bees is a 72-page book by F. Danzenbaker. It is of especial interest to producers of fancy comb honey. It deals chiefly with the Danzenbaker hive ; draw- ings are used to show the construction of the hive and the manipulations to secure the best results. A number of pages are devoted to reports of bee-keepers who have used this hive. Ninth edition now ready. Mailed for 2-cent stamp. Outfits for Beginners is a little pamphlet giving the initial steps necessary for one to make a successful start in bee-keeping. It also includes a number of outfits, and names prices of same. Food Value of Honey is a 14-page leaflet by Dr. C. C. Miller. It tells why honey should be eaten in preference to other sweets, and includes many cooking recipes in which honey is used. This is intended for free distribution by producers to stimu- late a greater demand for the sale of their honey. It can be printed with the pro- ducer's card on front cover and advertisement on the back, very cheaply, if desired. Seed Catalog. This lists seeds for the garden, seed potatoes, basswood seed and trees, alsike, white Dutch, medium and mammoth red-clover seed, alfalfa, sweet and crimson clover seed, buckwheat, rape, cow-peas, turnip, sunflower, soja beans, and coft'ee-berry. borage, catnip, dandelion, motherwort, figwort, mustard, spider- plant, portulaca. Rocky Mountain bee-plant, sweet peas, and other seeds; ther- mometers, barometers, powder-guns, insecticides, tobacco-dust, sprayers, hot- bed sash, starting-boxes, potato-planters, transplanting-machines, etc. Rubber-stamp Catalog illustrates and describes self-inking stamps, molding and block stamps to be used with ink-pads. Model and U. S. band daters, ink-pids and ink for renewing the same, interchangeable stencils, metal-bodied rubber-type and holders, and printing wheels. Label Catalog includes samples of one, two, and three color work ; also labels printed on three colors glazed paper ; price lists for the printing of circulars, catalogs, letter, note, statement, and bill heads ; shipping-tags, envelopes, business cards, etc.; display cards and caution cards for shippers of honey, etc. Spanish Catalog is an abridged edition of our regular catalog of Bee-keepers' Supplies, and is of interest to Spanish readers only. Give us the names of any of your Span- ish friends interested in bee-keeping. U/ye A. I. Root Co., Medina, OKio. 306 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Apr. 1 FREE to All HOUSEKEEPERS! THE ^M900" BALL=BEAR1NG FAMILY WASHER A Wonderfully Simple Invention that Cuts in Half Time, Labor, and Expense of Washing Clothes. No More Rubbing or Stoop5ng==Monday's Drudgery No Longer to be Dreaded. EVERY HOUSEHOLD in the LAND CAN HAVE ONE FREE In order to prove to the most skeptical that the •'11100" Ball-bearing Family Washer is unquestionably the greatest home labor saving machine ever invent- ed, we will send you one alisolutely free without de- posit or advance payment of any kind, freight paid, on 80 DAYS' TRIAL,. If you like'it, \ou can pay for it either in cash or on the installment plan at the end of the trial. If you don't like it, all jou have to do is to ship it back to ns at our expense. You run no risk, no expense, no obligation whatever. The 1900 Ball bearing Washer is unquestionably the greatest labor-saving machine ever invented for fam- ily use. Entirely new principle. It is simplicity itself. There are no wheels, paddles, rockers, cranks, or com- plicated machinery. It revolves on bicycle ballbear- ings. making it by far the easiest-runiiing washer on market. No strength required, a child can operate it. No more stooping, rubbing, boiling of clothes. Hot water and soap all that is needed It will wash large quantities of clothes (no matter how soiled) perfectly clean in six minutes. Impossible to injure the most delicate fabrics Saving in wear and tear of clothes, to say nothing of the saving of soap and materials; pays for machine in a short time. Don't be prejudiced. This is entirely different from and far superior to any other washing-machine ever made. The " 1900 " Washer is not a cheaply made machine. It is constructed of the very best materials; it is hand- some, compact, and strong, and will la.st a lifetime We receive constantly thousands of flattering letters from people who have used the " 1900" Washer. They are all unsolicited and must naturally be sincere. We shall be pleased to send to any one writing for it our book of testimonials, which are guaranteed to be gen- uine and exact copies of originals on file at our office. Among the recent letters we repropuce the following: Peoria, 111., Sept. 2, 1902. I have given the washer a good trial, both with my washing and bedding. It is the best machine I have ever used for blankets; in fact, I think it is the best all-around washer I ever heard of. I would not do without mine. Mrs. I,illian Sellers. Washington D. C, Sept. 8, 1902. You will find enclosed payment for the "1900" Washer. It fully comes up to our exoectations, and is all that you have claimed for it. We will take great pleasi^re in recommending it to all who wish to avail themselves of one of the greatest labor-saving devices ot modern times for domestic purposes. Wm. F. Salter. East Plymouth, O., Feb. 2, 1902. } Postt fRce, Ashtabula, Ohio. | We have been using the " 1900" Washer since May 15, 1900. Have done over 1200 washings, and I think it is good for as many more. We do family work from Ashtabula. We have used eight different machines, and the "1900" beats them all for good and fast work and durability. Geo. N. Bi'RNET. Hart, Mich., Aug 2.5, 1902 Please find enclosed money-order to pay for my washer in full. We are well pleased with the washer. A great many people have looked at it. My mother, 8o years old, and I, who am a cripple in a wheeled chair, have done our washing in it for the last three weeks. Mrs. Alice Rouse, 4203 Troost Ave., Kansas City, Mo., May 14, 1902. I have given your washer a fair trial. It is the best washer I ever saw. It has washed our heavy blankets with ease. I washed them last spring and rubbed more than an hour and yet they h» d to go through again, but the " 1900 " Washer cleaned them thorough- ly clean. We do our washing very quick, and have no tiredout feeling as of old. I wish every lady had a washer. Mrs. J. h. Banner. It costs nothing to try the "1900" Washer. It is sent to any one absolutely FREE on oO days' trial. We pay freight both ways. No money required in advance. Send for book and particulars to The 1900 Washer Co., 295 K St., Binghamton, N. Y. kills currant- worms, potato-bugs, cabbage- worms, and insects on flowers; used 22 years success- fuUy. Sold by the Seed=dealers. For booklet on Bugs and Blig-ht, address B, Hammond, - Fishkill-on-Hudson, - New York- 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 307 DEAL DIRECT VJi FACTORY TV^ITH THE 'X)on't pay retail price for carriages or harness. Write for our catalogue and learn aliout our system of selling; direct from factory to customer. Two proiits are saved to you. Sai isfaction is Kuaranleed, or you can return the purchase and we will pay freight cluirt;es both ways. We have the larfj;est assortment of buggies, surreys, pusetons, carriasies, and other high grade vehicles, as well as harness, horse rugs and other horse accessories, in America. Write for the catalogue to-day. THE COLUMBUS CARRIAGE & HARNESS COMPANY, Factory and General Office, COLUMBUS. 0. ) Write to Western Office and Distributing House, ST. LOUIS. MO. j nearest office. KALAMAZOO QUALITY KAliAITIAZOO BUGGIES are the standard by which other makes are judged. They are best. We manufacture all our buarTies and fi-narantee the quality to be the very h'-hest. No soconds. We have made buggies 23 years and ori""-inated the plan of selling direct from factory to you on 30 Days' Free Trial givinf? you all profits u=^nally paid to wholesaler and retailer. Send lor our New Buggy BooSi, FKEIi, M"ke a selection and give the bu^try a trial. Every vehicle we oCer for sale made in our own factory. KALAMAZOO CARRIAGE & UARNZSS MFG. CO., 133 Ransome St., Kalamazoo. Micb. Write Catalog Today SPLIT HICKORY WINNER TOP BUGGY Made of selected second prowth split hickory throughout. Handsome and durable. This is a thoroughly high-grade vehicle at a low price and has heel braces on shafts, panel carpets, leather quarter top, solid panel spring back, open bottom spring cushion, boot on back of body, high leather dash, storm apron, side curtains, oil and lead paint (choice of colors), open hearth oil-tempered springs, Norway iron clips, bolts and forgintrs and a hundred other points of merit. Guaranteed for two years. SENT ON 30 DAYS' FREE TRIAL. Hitch up to It and use It before you decide. It will pay anyone to borrow the money and pay Intere.-t on it to take advantage of ttio great Sciving contained In this buggy bargain. It is an investment for years. Secure our larse catalogue, sent free If you write, describing this and numerous other vehicles and harness at bargain price*. We lead the world in quality, style and price. Address OHIO CARRIAGE MFG. CO.,Station27 Cincinnati f*. yVtLSOIM'S New Green Bone, Shell and Vegetable Cutfet fof the Poultryman. Also (tone .^I ills for making phos- phate and fertilizer at small co8t for the farmer, from 1 to 40 horse- ? power. Farm Feed Mills grind fine, fast and eanv. Send for circulars. WILSON BROS., Sole Mfgrs., Easton, Pa. Wise Man's Wagon. The man who has had experience in running a wagon knows that it is the wheels that determine the life of the wagon itself. Our ELEGTR!Gw'h7^ have given a new lease of life to thousands of old wagons. They can be had in any desired height.and any width of tire up to 8 Inches. With a set ot these wheels you can in a few minutes have either a high oi a low down wag-on. The Eleclrlc Haiiily Wagon is maile by skilled workmen, of best selec t- ed material — white hickory axles, steel wheels, steel hounds, etc. Guaranteed to carry 4000 lbs. Here is the wag-on that will save money lor you. as it lasts almost forever. Ourcatalog describiTig the uses ot these wheels and wagons sent free. Write for it. ELECTRIC WHEEL CO., BOX 95 QUINCv ILLINOIS. { ^AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA*rAAAAAA« $2.50 a Bbl. POTATOES I.,nrgo«t irpo« eraofSeod Potatoesin Amcrlen. ^ Thc'-lJiiral Vow Vorl.< r" ci ves SnIzerVKar- J Iv WiHcoii.iii n vic-hl of T Vi liii. per a. I'rlecu J dirt ell cup. :M:iminot li need biiok and Kiimple of J Teo«int<>, Speltz, Mucuroiil Wlieat, A.S.VI,Zr.RSi:KDC<>.I-oCron»o,\VI«. { 308 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE Gleanings in Bee Culture Apr. 1 [Established in 1873.] Devoted to Bees, Honey, and Home Interests. Published Semi-monthly by The A. I. Root Co., - - Medina, Ohio. A I. ROOT, Editor of Home and Gardening Dep'ts. E. R. ROOT, Editor of Apicultural Dept. J. T. CALVERT. Bus. Mgr. A. L. BOYDEN, Sec. TERMS. $1.00 per annum ; two years, $1.50; three years, ^.00; five years, $:3.00, in advance; or two copies to one address, $1.50 ; three copies, $2.00 ; five copies, $3.75. The terms apply to the United States, Canada, and Mexico. To all other countries 48 cents per year extra for postage. DISCONTINUANCES. The journal is sent until orders are received for its discontinuance. We give notice just before the subscription expires, and further notice if the first is not heeded. Any subscriber whose subscription has expired, wishing his journal discon- tinued, will please drop us a card at once; otherwise we shall assume that he wishes his journal continued, and will pay for it soon. Any one who does not like this plan may have his journal stopped after the time paid for by making his request when ordering. ST. PAUL BRANCH. Mr. Acklin, in charge of our St. Paul Branch, al- though obliged to be absent two months the past win- ter, is taking care of the business at .St. Paul as usual, and will soon be joined by Mrs. Acklin and Ethel, who have been spending the winter in California, and are returning much improved in health and strength. Mr. and Mrs. Acklin have served the bee-keepers of Minnesota so well during the years since they began handling Root's goods that they are held in high es- teem, which is well merited. BEES'KVAX WANTED. We are still in need of beeswax, and have decided to raise our offer a cent a pound. We will pay, until further notice, 30 cents cash, 32 cents trade, for aver- age wax delivered here. We shall be very much sur- prised if the price goes any higher this season. We are using considerable imported wax this year. As a rule the price in Europe is .so much higher than it is here that little imported wax comes to the United States: but this year the tables seem to be turned. The importation of wax will tend to keep the price from going any higher. If it does go higher the price of comb foundation will have to be advanced again. A SHORTAGE OF SECTIONS. So far as we can learn, all manufacturers of sections are in about the same fix. The supply of dry white basswood suitable for making .'■ections has been very short. We have paid fancy prices for quite a time to keep our :nachinery going at a moderate rate. Our surplus stock of sections is about all gone, and we can not crowd our section machinery for over a month yet. or until the new cut of lumber is dry enough to iise We have tried to buy from .several other manu- facturers in order not to get liehind on orders for sec tions. but find they are likewise short of sections and dry lumber. It is early in the season yet, and few orders have been delayed as yet; but if we should have an old-lime houej'-flow this summer, as we have every prospect of having, there is bound to be more or less disappointment in getting sections later in the season. We do not believe there will be enough to go aiound. We have quite a little colored basswood which will make just as good sections as the white; but we would not dare to send them out as No 1. although they would be far belter than sections made of new lumber not properly seasoned, or of lumber dried in the kiln. Bee-keepers ate too fasid ous in the matter of color. Were it not for this senseless fad there would be plenty of lumber for sections. BUSINESS BOOMING. If the volume of business handled is a fair indica- tion, this bids fair fo be one of the heaviest sea.sons we ever knew. We got started early last fall, loading up our dealers in the hope that, when spring came we would be in better shape Id take care of orders promptly. But. notwithstanding the fact that, up to Jan. 1 we had shipped two dozen more cars than we had the year previous, we are at this date as far be- hind as ever on carload orders. Since September last we have shipped 87 cars, and we have orders ahead of us for over fifteen more, most of them urgently needed. The reports from dealers indicate a large increase in the amount of goods sold over former years in most cases We are doing our best to tirrn out the goods as needed; but there is more or less delay on carload orders from dealers. SECOND-HAND FOUNDATION-MILLS. We still have on hand a good assortment of second- hand foundation-mills, which we list as follows. Any one desiring samples from these mills, or further par- ticulars, we shall be pleased to supply on application. No. 014, 2x6, hex. cell, extra-thin super. Price $8.00. No. 0;^7. 2x6, hex cell, ex thin super, good. Price $10. No 2132, 2x6, hex. cell, thin super. Price $10. No. 2227, 2x6, hex. cell, thin super. Price $10, No. 2275, 2J^x6, hex. cell, ex. thin super, Price $10. No. 0.')0, 2%xl2, round cell, medium. Price $12. No. 044, 2x10 Pelham, nearly new. Price $6. No. 034, 2\ixV2}4. round cell, very old style, in fair condition. Price 110. No. 051, 2x10, round cell, medium brood. Price $10. Wants and Exchange. Notices will be inserted under this head at 10 cts. per line. \fou must SAT you want your adv't in this department, or we *ill not be responsible for any error. You can have the no- rice as many lines as yon please ; but all over ten lines will sost you according to our regular rates. We can not be re- iponsible for dissatisfaction arising from these " swaps." 117 ANTED. — To sell bees and queens. O. H. Hyatt. Shenandoah, Iowa. 117ANTED.— Comb to render into wax; will pay cash. ' ' A. P. Lawrence, HicTiory Corners, Mich. WANTED.— To sell or lease for this season, 47 col- onies of bees in good location. J. B, Summers, Berthoud, Larimer Co., Col. w w ANTED.— John, some new ginseng seed. Mine are the oldest that can be found. A P. Young. Cave City, Ky. ANTED.— Having facilities for rendering wax by steam, I will pay cash for old comb. N. L- Stevens, R. D. 6, Moravia, N. Y. WANTED.— To exchange 15 S. C. White Leghorn eggs, for tested Italian queens. C. L- Brooks, Deansboro, N. Y. w w ANTED.— To exchange or sell 50 colonies of Ital- ian bees, for honey or cash. David Daniel, Hawthorn; Pa. ANTED.— To sell single comb White Lechorn eggs for hatching at $1.00 for 26; 53.00 per 100 J. P. Watts, Kerrmoor, Pa. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 309 w w ANTED. — A Barnes machine of the latest model. H. H. JEPSON, Medford, Mass WANTED.— To exchange pure Barred Rock eggs, 15 for 1 tested queen or 2 untested; $1.50 value. Russel male. John C. Stewart, Hopkins, Mo. ANTED. — To sell a Deering binder in perfect or- der, used two years: price Jtid.CK). C. Upton, I,a Grange Ville, Dutchess Co., N. Y. WANTED.— To sell farm of .M acres; also38s'ands of bees and fixtures in basswood and white clover country. William Fox Greenwood, Wis. C ark Co. R. D. No. 2. WANTED. — A good reliable bee-man, competent to take charge of apiary. Mu^t be of good habits. State experience, and wages wanted. Name parties for reference. W. P. Morley, l,as Animas, Colo WANTED.— In exchange for nursery stock, bee-sup- plies of all kinds, including 30 extiacting bodies complete with combs. E. A BOAL Co., Hinchman, Mich. WANTED.— 100 or 200 swarms of bees in 1-lb. cages. Must be cheap. Send for my new 1003 queen cir- cular. Will pay cash or trade incubators cheap. G. RouTZAHN, Biglerville, Route 3, Pa. RANTED— To sell 20 colonies Italian bees in L. hives, warranted strong in bees and plenty of honey; S4.00 per colony; percentage off on 5 or more. K. P. Cratherman, 623 St. L,ouis St., Lewisburg, Pa. RANTED.— To exchange Encyclopaedia Britannica, for any thing that I can use in bee supplies; 26 volumes, index, and guide; good condition, 1896. RuFus Christian, Meldrim, Ga. W^ w WANTED. — To exchange or sell for cash, selected, second-hand 60-lb. cans, practically as good as new, for 35 cts. per case f. o. b. Chicago. B. Walker, Clyde, Illinois. WANTED.— To sell seed potatoes at 65 cts. per bush. Varieties, Carman No. 3, .Sir Walter Raleigh, Sen- eca Beauty, Earlv Ohio, Rural No. 1 and No. 3. A. B. BUES, 432 West I,ima St., Findlay, Ohio. WANTED.— To sell 50 stocks of Italian bees, 50 pat- ent hives, stock of tools, implements, bee-sup- plies, and foot-power Barnes saw at bargains; all new. Cause, lost health and use of right hand. Write. C. S. Ingals, Morenci, Mich. WANTED.— An apiary to work on shares; refer- ences exchanged. Also will sell cheap in North Tennessee, one colony Root red-clover Italians, 59 supers full of sections ready for use, 5 lbs. fdn. and .500 sections. R. S Becktell, New Buffalo, Mich. r.\NTED.— To sell 40 colonies of Italian and hybrid bees, half in 10-frarae Simplicity hives, and half in 12 frame Gallup hives, with all fixings for comb and extracted honey. Can take care of them no more. Philip Steitz, Stottville, Col. Co., N. Y. w WANTED.— An experienced bee-keeper to establish and take charge of a commercial apiary on a plantation in Mexico When writing state terms of employment desired and send references. W. H. Verity, 303 Fullerton Bldg., St. Louis, Mo. W^ w^ RANTED— To purchase 200 to -100 colonies of bees in Northern California, Oregon, or Texas. State price f. o. b. car; also kind of hive, with or without su- pers, and condition of bees, about April 1 to 10. Dr. G. D. Mitchell & Co., 329 Wash. Av., Ogden,Utah. RANTED.— A reliable man competent to take charge of from 200 to 2-50 stands of bees that could be had at once. We would pay wages this year and might make permanent arrangements for a term of years if agreeable at the end of the season. J. R. Si-EASE. Roswell, New Mexico. W.'VNTED.- To .'ell or exchange about 55 shipping- cases for square sections, and 50 extra glasses; 500 beeway sections; a quantity of section-holders and pattern separators, all in fla't. Al.so nailed section holders, separators, and division-boards that have been u.sed. F. L. Wignai-i- w w ANTED. — To buy 50 colonies of bees for cash; must be cheap. F. B. Cavanagh, Gait, Mich. ANTED. — To sell sweet potatoes; choice seed; best varieties. Send for de.scriptive price list. I,. H. Mahan, Box 143, Terre Haute, Ind. \V ANTED. — Bee-keepers to send 10 cts. for sample '^' paper bags for putting up extracted honey. R. C. AiKiN, IvOveland, Colo. Y^ ANTED. — A young man of good habits to as-ist in " running apiaries. .State age, experience, and wages required. F. B. Cavanagh, Gait, Mich. WANTED.— To sell fine Early Michigan seed pota- toes at $1.00 per bushel. Joseph Sowinsky, New Era, Mich. \\/ANTED.— At once, 200 swarms bees. Will pay '' cash. QuiRiN, the Queen-breeder, Parkerlown, Ohio. WANTED.— A good second-hand Barnes foot-power saw, in exchange for supplies. .State condition and price. The A. I. Root Co., 1200 Maryland Ave., S. W , Washington, D. C. WANTED.— Man, either married or single, to work on farm by month or year. Must not use tobac- co, drink or swear. Give references, state age and experience. C. J. Baldridge, Kendaia, Seneca Co , N Y. WANTED.— To sell eggs for hatching from Black l,angshans ; Heetticht famous prize - winning strain. Eggs, $1.00 for 15. R. Iv. Castleberry, Sherman, Kan.sas. W^ /ANTED.— To exchange a genuine Stradivarius violin 150 years old, foundation-mill, bone-mill, shotgun, revolver, clothes-wringer, game roosters, and fox-hound pups. Elias Fox, Hillsboro, Wis. WANTED.— Customers to send for my booklet de- scribing my Rhode Island Reds, Ught Brahmas, and Barred Rocks ; hardy, prolific, farm bred, pure stock from which I sell the eggs to hatch at 6 cts. tach. Walter Sherman, 100 Boulevard, Newport, R. I. W^ WANTED.— Experienced bee-man to take charge and run about 3U0 colonies ; stt ady place for right party. State experience, reference and wages wanted. Walter L- Hawley, R. F. D. No. 2, Fort Collins, Colorado. WANTED.— To sell for cash, 5-gal. square tin cans, used for honey, at about half price of new cans. Also elegant exhibition 12-lb. nodrip honey-cases fr>r plain Danz. and 4^X4'^ sections; made for Pan-Amer- ican For prices, etc., address OrelX,. Hershiser, 301 Huntington Ave., Buffalo, N. Y. W^ WANTED.- To sell an apiarv of 25 colonies of bees, in good condition; also a lot of supplies consist- ing of 125 hives in the flat, 50 hives made up and part- ed 50 supers, 2000 sections, a foot-power saw, honey and wax extractors. Will take |.S0.(,0 for the entire outfit worth $;i(X); must be sold. The apiary and sup- plies are located at Delhi, Jersey Co.. 111. For particu- lars address H. D. Edwards, Sapulpa. Ind. Ter. W^ f . Iv. >V 1G>.\U1^, Fort McKavelt, Menard Co,, Texa.s. 'ANTED.— To sell, on account of blindness, 100 col- onies of honev-bees in lots to suit purchaser, in single or double walled hives. Or the entire plant consisting of the above bees, extractor, smoker, q^een- excluder honey - boards, bee - escapes, extracting - combs, second-hand bee hives, etc. Apiary establish- ed 23 years. The good will and trade included. Five minutes' walk from railroad station. Chas. Faville South Wales, N. Y. W\NTED —You to know where vou can get queens for queen mothers that will produce queens whose workers will give you a profit when other strains of Italians will fail. This strain of Italians was originated 30 years ago, and has a record ot 800 lbs. of honey (single colony) in one sea.son; 5 tons ot comb honev from 33 colonies, one season. Rose Comb Buff I.cghonis (original) true Leghorn type as good layers of large white eggs as the W hites, and 25 per cent larger, and hardier; golden beauties, superior B. P. Rocks; snow-white Wyandotles. Hand- some circular to all free. Prices low. G. Boomhower. Gallupville. N. Y. 310 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Apr. 1 I PAGE $c LYON, | New London, Wisconsin. I MANUFACTURERS OF AND DEALERS IN . . . BEE-KEEPERS' SUPPLIES. . . . Send for Our Free New Illustrated Catalog and Price List ^MWWWIVWAWWMMM WWWWWWMWW»WWW» f^ : We Have | l Not rioved. I ff The government, recognizing the % necessity of a great and growing bus- > iness enterprise, for better mail ser- ^ vice has given us a postoffice on our *C premises, which enables us to change > mails with the passing trains instead ^ of through the Wetumpka, Alabama, ^ postoffice more than a mile distant. > This gives us our mails about two C hours earlier, and also one hour for % making up outgoing mail. This will ^ be particularly helpful in our queen f business. We are now booking or- ^ ders for Italian queens, I^ong-tongued ^ and L,eather colored; both good. ^ > J. n. Jenkins, | I Honeysuckle, Alabama. > < Shipping^point and Money=order » > Office at Wetumpka, Alabama. # __ BEE-SUPPLIES. Best-equipped factory in the West ; car- ry a large stock and greatest variety of every thing needed in the apiary, assur- ing BEST goods at the I^OWEST prices, and prompt shipment. We want every bee-keeper to have our FREE ILI^US- TRATED CATAIvOG, and read descrip- tion of Alternating Hives, Fergtison Su- pers, etc. IVrite at once for a catalog, AGENCIES l»ii Bac t\ n f\t\ v\ t t\ t t Trcster Supply Company, I,incoln, Neb. Kretchmer Mfg. Co., Box 60, Red Oak, la. '^'siM$^,^sss^t^^- Dear Sir:— Inclosed find .fl.75. Please send one brass smoke-engine. I have one already. It is the best smoker I everused. Truly yours, Henry Schmidt, Hutto, Tex. MADE TO ORDER Bingham Brass Smokers, Made of sheet brass, which does not rust or burn out; should last a lifetime. You need one, but they cost 25 cts. more than tin of the same .size. The little open cut shows our brass hinge put on the three larger sizes. No wonder Bingham's four-inch smoke-engine goes without puffing, and does not drop inky drops. The perforat- ed steel fire-grate has 381 holes to air the fuel and support the fire. Heavy tin smoke-engine, 4-inch stove, per mail, $1.50; .S^-inch, |1.10; 3-inch. $1.00; 2i4-inch, 90c; 2-inch, 6.5c. Bingham smokers are the originals, and have all the improvements, and have been the standard of excellence for 23 years. Only three larger ones brass. T. F. Bingham, Farwell, Michigan. Volume XXXI IN-BEE CULTJJJffi Contents Markkt (Quotations ...315 Straws 319 Pickings 321 Conversations with Doolittle 322 Editorials 324 California Honey Crop Encouraging 3'24 Paraffine v. Taper Tray for Shipping-cases 824 Foul Brood in the Human Mouth 324 The Candying of Honey S2(i Formaldehyde for Black Brood 326 Profits in the Honey Business R25 Stopping the Mixing of Swarms with Sht ets...325 Testing Barrels and Cans for Leaks 325 General Correspondence 327 Government Aid for Bee-keepers 327 Temperature of Bee-cellars 3H1 F^arlv or Late Cutting Alfalfa 331 Foul-Lrood Legislation in California 333 The Use of Carbon Bi^iulphide 334 The Healing Power of Honey for Animals.... .'.335 Bteswax in the Tropics 336 Bee-keepers on the Kickapoo River 337 New or Old Combs lor Queens 338 Hkads of Grain 339 Arrangement of Hives in the Yard 339 H3W Pollen is Packed in the Cells 340 Bees Chilled to Death Coming to Life 311 Need of Foul-brood Law in Ohio 343 Robbing Hives , 313 Short Heads of Grain 313-315 Notes of Travel 346 By A. I. Root. Special Notices. ..3b0 j^m^.^^ , ilililiiiiiiiiiiiiiii mill II The A.I. e MEDINA s^ Root Co> OHIO 3 z-^" Eastern Edition Entered at the Postoffice at Medina, Ohio, as Second-class Matter. DONT BUY SUPPLIES Until you see our 43d annual cat- alog". We've a carload of Root's Goods, and supply many goods not advertised in our catalOJ,. Roofs Sections, Weed^s NeW' Process Foundation a Specialty. We can supply these gfoods at their prices, and thereby save you valuable time and heavy freight charges. Bees, queens, and nucleus colonies from the very best strains in America. A 32-page illustrated catalog free. ( W. W. GARY & SON, ; Lyonsville, Massachusetts. > S for tHe iSotiftK A.tlstntic States at I^oot's Prices. Q\iicK SHipmerits and Low Frei^I^t Rates. One-harse wagons, Corn-shellers for Poultry, Family Grist-mills, Corn and Cob Mills, Feed-cutters, Tilting and Sliding Table Saws, Steel-runner Attachments for Vehicles. Send for Catalog H. ■i^ B^a^vling's I Implement Company, Baltimore, Md. Northeastern and New England THE BEE -KEEPERS p^,^^. HIVE Order goods riow. Don't delay. Have them ready when you need them. We keep a full line in stock at Medina prices. Save both time and freight by ordering of us. Beeswa]x wanted. Bees and queens furnished in season. J. B. Mason, Mechanic Falls, Me. Mgr. The A. I. Root Go's. N. E. Agency. Ontario ''^ ^ Bee-Keepers will be pleased to learn of the establishing of a depot for the distribution of the celebrated line of ROOT'S BEE-SrPPIvIES from the Capitol City. By placing your order with us you will save the delay and inat- tention which is not uncommon with the importation of small shipments from the States. We shall keep on hand a large stock. Give us a list of your requirements, ask also for our bee-catalog. £r. Grainier CSl Co., Florists, '^I^c'^.^a^ef*- Toronto. The comb-honey hive is one of our specialties. Send for booklet telling about it. We are the jobbing agents for The A. I. Root Company in Michigan, and want the name and address of every bee- keeper in the State, whether you have one swarm or 500. M. H. Hunt & Son Bell Branch, Mich. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 315 Honey Market. GRADING-RTTLES. Famct.— All sections to ho wt-U filled, combs straight, firm ly .-ittaohfd to all four sides, the combs uusoiled by travel- Btain or otherwise ; all thf cells sealed esceut an occasional cell, the outside surfaceof the wood well scraped of propolis A No 1.— All sections well tilled except the row of cells next to llie wood ; combs straight; ; one-eighth part of comb surface soileil, ortlie entire surface slightly soiled the out- side of the wood Will scraped of propolis. No. 1.— .\U sections well lilled except the row of cells next to the wood ; combs comiiaratively even ; one-eighth part of comb surface soiled, or the entire surface slightly soiled. No. 2.— Three-fourths of the total surface must be filled and sealed. No. 3.— Must weigh at least half as much as a full-weight section. In addition to this the honey is to be classified according to color, using the terms white, amber, and dark ; that is. there will be " £aiicy White," " No. 1 Dark," etc. Sax Francisco. — Comb honey nominal. Extract- ed, water-white, 7 ; light amber, G^^ ; dark amber, 5. Beeswax. 28. March 25. E. B. Schaeffle, Murphys, Cal. Detroit. — The demand for comb honey is light, and prices have a downward tendency. Prices are as follows: Fancv comb honev, loJ^^lO; No. 1 dark, 12@1-1. Beeswax," 29@31. M. H. Hunt & Son, Apiil 10. Bell Branch, Mich. K.\NS.\s City. — Our market is almost bare of comb honey, but the demand is good. We qu )te as follows : fancv white comb, per case of 24 sections, |3 oO; No. 1, $3.40'; No 2 white and amber, $;5.00fg;S:B.25. Extracted white, per lb., 6J4; amber, .')]/i(g,6. Beeswax, No. 1, 2.5. \ ^ C. C. Clemons & Co., April 2. " 306] Grand Ave., Kansas City, Mo. New York. — A fair demand for comb honey in small quantities, and supplv more than sufficient. We quote fancv, 13®14 : No. 1. '10@13 ; buckwheat, 10@13 ; California extracted, (i}i(qiS\i. Beeswax, 32faj33. Fr.-\ncis H. Leggett & Co., April 7. Franklin and Varick Sts., New York. Toledo. — W^e beg to give the quotations as follows: Fancy white, 17(&18; A No. 1, 16; no demand for am- ber. Extracted white clover, in barrels, 8; light am- ber, in barrels, 7. Beeswax, 27ta:29 Griggs Brothers. April 8. 214 Jackson Ave., Toledo, Ohio. CiNCiNN.-^Ti. — The comb-honey market has weak- ened a little more, and is freely offered at the follow- ing prices: Fancy white, llfgjlo; no demand for amber whatever. The market for extracted has not changed, and prices are as follows: Amber, in barrels, 5j<((a5'/4; in cans, 6^6^; white clover, S'nS'A. Beeswax, 28(g30. C. H W Weber. April 7. 2146-8 Central Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio. Philadelphia.— Sales have been light for the last ten days, and the warm changeable weather has de crea.sed the demand. We quote fancy white comb 1.5fai 10; No. 1. 14. Extracted white, 7(5)8; amber, 0^7 Beeswax, 30, and in good demand. We are producers of honey, and do not handle on commission. Wm. a. Selser, April 8. r;g X't "^ lO vine St., Philadelphia, Pa. New York. — Comb honey is moving rather slowly of late, and prices are declining somewhat. We qtiote fancy white at 14(ai5; No. 1 white, 13; amber, 11(0)12. Extracted quiet and ea^^y. with plenty of supply. We quote white at H%(dt~: light amber, 5!^@6 ; dark, 5. Beeswax steady at 30@31. HiLDRETH & SEGELKEN, April 8. 26.5-7 Greenwich St., New York City. BuFF.ALO.— Choice white honev is in very fair de- mand; lower grades moving slowly. Receipts are more liberal than was expected for this year, and this season of the vear. Fancy white comb, 14H(^'15; A No 1, 14a)14'4: No. 1, 13'/rai4; No. 2, 12-913; No. 3. 11 @12: No. 1 dark. 11(&-12- No. 2 dirk, lO'gill. Extracted white. 6'a.7; dark, i]4(q>'>'A. Beeswax, 28(6/.32; scarce and wanted. W C. Townsend. April 11. 178, 180 Perry St.. Buffalo, N. Y. Chicago. — Choice to fancy white comb honey sells in a limited way at 15(316. There is no certain price for other grades, but they sell slowly at 3 to 5 CIS. less per pound. Extracted 0(a7 cts. for white grades; ambers, 5J^2@'>K- Beeswax wanted at 32. R. A. Burnett & Co., April 7. 199 South Water St., Chicago, 111. Denver. — We quote No. 1 white comb honey, $3.00 @S3.25 per case of 24 .sections ; No. 2, $2.50(®$2.75. Ex- tracted, choice white alfalfa, 714^8^, according to quantity taken. Beeswax wanted at 22 y» a bee-keeper uses, and will not be undersold. It will be a plea- m \iii sure to quote you prices on any thing you need. Full colonies * % of Italian bees in hive, $7.50; nucleus colonies, $3.50; tested * « queens, $1.25; untested, 90c. Apiaries, Glen Cove, L. I. ■m ^» «^^ -S^-J -S^-i "i-i^ ^*^ -S-S^ -3^^ -9^-J *^^ ^5^ ■•'•* -5^^ *«« «^ii »«« ^^^ ;**» *3* ** We are Jobbers of Bee-keepers' Supplies in this State, representing The C. B. Lewis Co., and Dadant & Son. WHOLESALE AND RETAIL lrnrir^^XVa°gf=r^rd"cS^^^^ LEWIS C. & A.G. WOODMAN, Grand Rapids, Mich. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. dJIIIIliiiiiiilliiiiiiiiiiilllllilllliliililiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiliiiL:: 317 Dr. Miller's New Book. By Return Mail. ^ 328 pages; 112 original illustrations; S ~ cloth bound; gold-lettered. ^ I "Forty Years Among the Bees" | S Every bee-keeper will want to read ^ S this new bee-book. It is enough to S = say that Dr. C. C Miller wrote it. = = It tells how Di. Miller does. Price S :z $1.00, postpaid; or the book and the = — weekly American Bee Journal one S S year, both for $1 75 Better order ^ ^ now. Send for free sample of the ~ S Bee Journal and catalog of bee- ^ 3 supplies. S I George W. York & Co., | i 144-6 East Erie St., Chicago, Illinois. = E "Root's Goods at Root's Prices." = TJlllllllllllMIIIIIIIIIIIMIIIIIIIIIIIIIMIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIMIIIIIIlf; BEE= KEEPERS' ^SUPPLIES^ The very best of g^oods. Large and complete stock. Years of experience. The best shipping-point in the United States to ship from. HOOSIER IN= CUBATORS and BROODERS The world can't beat them. They are the product of 9 j^ears of manufacturing. Send for our 1903 catalog and sup- plement. It tells all about these goods. C. M. SCOTT (a CO., 1004 East Washington Street, Iz^diax^apolis, - Ix\(liax\a. Dittmer's Foundation. RETAIL AND WHOLESALE. This foundation is made by a process that produces the superior of any. It is the cleanest and purest. It has the brightest color and sweetest odor. It is the most transparent, because it has the thinnest base. It is tousrh, clear as crystal, and irives more sheets to the pound than any other make. "WorRing "Wax into FouridatioJTi for CasK a Specialty* Bees^vax Al^vays "W^aiit- ed at Hig'Kest Price. Catalog giving full line of supplies, with prices and samples, free on application. Cus. Dittmer, Augusta, Wisconsin. le are the Largest MTrs ol Bee-keepers' Supplies in the NortJiwest. Send for Catalog Minneapolis, Minnesota We Have the Best Goods, Lowest Prices, and Best Shipping Facilities. 318 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Apr. 15 Mutli's Special the Best! Cover and Bottom-board Warp-proof Finest Lumber and workmanship. Cost us more, but we sell at same price as regular. Send for cat. and see special inducements. THE FRED W. MUTH COMPANY, CINCINNATI, 0. Honey and Bee-keepers' Supplies, Corner Front and Walnut Streets. ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦»♦♦»♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦»♦♦♦»♦♦»♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦»♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦< I BBE-REEPERS I We Have on. Hand ready for PR.OM PX SHIPMENT % 6>6c Largest StocR vv^e ever Carried ♦ of HIVES, SECTIONS, and all OtHex- SUPPLIES. Perfect Workmansliip and Finest Material. All parts of our Hives are made to fit Accurately. No trouble in setting them up. Our customers say it is a pleasure. We are not selling goods on NAME ONIvY, But on their Quality. G. B. LEWIS COMPANY. ♦ T Manufacturers Bee-Keepers' Supplies. ! I Catalog Free. Watertown, Wisconsin, U. S. A. < ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦<»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»4-»»»»>»»»»»»^^ ♦♦♦♦♦■»♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦< HEADQUARTERS FOR BEE-SUPPLIES "Roofs Goods at Roofs Factory Prices." Complete stock for 1903 now on hand. Freight rates from Cincinnati are the lowest. Prompt service is what I practice. Satisfaction guaranteed. Langstroth Portico Hive and Standard Honey-jars at lowest prices. You will save money buying from me. Catalog. maHed free. Send for same. Book orders for Golden Italian, Red-clover, and Carniolan queens For prices, refer to my catalog. C. H.W.WEBER, : : CINCINNATI, OHIO. Office and Salesroom, 2146-8 Central Ave. Warehouses, Freeman and Central Aves. JOUR • DELVOTED •To -Be. ELS-'. -.-jidHoNEY tflND home: 'ubhshed wtheA ll^ooY Co. l°° PER\tftR'^'\@"MEDINA-0hlO' Vol XXXL APR. J 5, J 903. No. 8. To HELP get wax out clean, it is advised in Leipz. Bztg. to stir into the melted mass some cut straw, then press. Buckwheat, says F. Greiner, in Amer- ican Bee-keeper, yields abundantly on the hilly portions, but very poorly on the flats. Takes me back a quarter of a century to hear A. I. Root talking enthusiastically again about bees. Keep it up, Bro. Root; but kind o' careful like, so it'll last. Camphor will drive ants away from hives. — ///. Monatsblaetter. [Might it not also drive away the bees? What is offen- sive to one would be likely to be offensive to the other. — Ed.] R. F. HOLTERMANN says, page 285, "No starter needs to be used with " Weed foun- dation. What under the sun does he mean? [I give it up. This may have been a mis- print that I overlooked. — Ed.J The experience of C. F. Bender, p. 290, confirms the view that, wherever bees have an equal choice between old comb and foundation or new comb, they always pre- fer the old, whether for honey or brood. Si'KAKING of sleeping upstairs in Cuba, p. 295, it is well known in the medical fra- ternity that in malarial regions those sleep- ing downstairs may be badly shaken with the ague while those sleeping upstairs are exempt. Sylviac, in Le Rucber Beige, says that from observations in different parts of France, and in Texas, he learns that dur- ing harvest there is a nightly loss of one- fourth of the daily income of a colony. [France and Texas! That is a rather queer combination for Frenchmen to talk about. — Ed.] I've had bees crawl up my trousers leg, and it's any thing but comfortable; but, my! C. E" Woodward must have baggy trowsers to allow a parrot to climb up his trousers leg. Come to think of it, may be the parrot climbed up outside. Friend Doolittle says, p. 278, pasture alsike till two weeks before the time you want it to bloom. Others say, mow it be- fore blossoms are formed. 1 wonder which is better. I suspect the pasturing might be worked later than the mowing. Yes, Mr. Editor, I own up that I had the wrong idea in my head when I said I didn't see how you could easily get a group of five hives into a straight row. I sup- posed you meant a group like the S. E. Miller group in the ABC book. I hardly suppose you would advocate having a group of five close together in a straight row. W. Fitzky, the industrious gleaner of Centralblatt, mentioning Ferry's dog report- ed in Gleanings, says they may have not only long-tongued bees from this country, but as the latest specialty " swarm-an- nouncing American dogs. [Our German correspondent might get prices on these dogs in dozens and hundreds lots. He evi- dently implies that they are quite numer- ous. The Root Co. will buy up 100 or so if they are obtainable. I have no doubt we could obtain a good market for animals that would watch bees and sound the alarm when they swarm. — Ed.] R. C. AiKiN has succeeded in making me swallow his "bologna sausage*' and then " look pleasant, ■' but I can't swallow (with- out gagging) his definition of " swarm " as merely a "congregation of bees,'* p. 28b. Strictly speaking, I doubt there ever being any swarm without swarming, although by courtesy the term may be applied to an imitation. And I hardly see why he ob- jects to the imitation being called " artifi- cial," for the word "artificial" has, for its first meaning, " produced by art rather than by nature." But if he comes back at me too hard, I'm ready to crawfish; for one of the things I never expect to master is the English language. 320 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURK Apr. is "I SECOND heartily A. I. Root, p. 293, in his "protest ag-ainst this fashion of drop- ping down with a lot of hives close to a suc- cessful bee-keeper." And I suppose there was a time when protest was made against dropping down with a bunch of cattle close beside a successful cattle-raiser. But the moral protest didn't work, and the man had to get legal protection for a certain territory. I once got a hornet's nest about my ears for saying that bee-keepers needed the same protection as cattle-raisers or farmers. I was right, but there's such a thing as get- ting too far ahead of your times. Against robbers, Ungar. Biene recom- mends a veil of mosquito-netting hung over the entrance. The robbers will settle on the netting, vainly trying to enter, while those inside will force their way out else- where. But if they're as persistent as rob- bers are in this locality, I'm afraid they would keep right on trying to get in. [Mos- quito-netting will not work with our bees. We have tried it hundreds of times. Wet grass or weeds thrown over the entrance are about as good as any thing I know of. A little carbolic acid in the water that is used to wet down the grass will make the robbers hover around at a distance. — Ed.] A correspondent wants a dozen im- proved Miller queen-cages, and asks for a price list. I've no price list, and don't sell supplies. The old-style Miller cages may be found on old supply lists, but not the improved as described on p. 246 of " Forty Years Among the Bees." Possibly others may not think these an improvement. I sent one to Editor Root two or three years ago; and as he never said any thing about it I suppose he thought the old was better. [Yes, such a cage was sent, but I did not like it as well as the old one. The latter has some features for the general trade that the new one does not possess. — Ed.] Who would have thought of " Somnam- bulist " rubbing his eyes open long enough to side with the editor against me? To my suggestion of outdoor work he says in Pro- gressive Bee-keeper: "Nothing like it, doc- tor; but the prescription is not convenient for all, and field work needs some varia- tion about it to give the best results, other- wise the same set of muscles gets all the ■culture, while others, as much or more in need, languish for want of being used. The proof of the pudding is in the eating. If you doubt the exhilarating effects of physi- cal culture, just try it once for a short time. When one is alread3^ tired out it seems unreasonable to expect additional ex- ercise to prove restful. Such is, however, the case." " I SUPPOSE they destroy the fertile work- er at once," says B. Coman, p. 290. Some beginner, on reading that, will understand that there is only one laj'ing worker instead of a whole lot, if not most of the bees in the colony. Better make the correction in a footnote, Mr. Editor, every time any thing of that kind is said. If you haven't room for so many footnotes, then "cut it out." [While I can readily believe there are gen- erally more than one fertile worker, yet how do we know or how can we know that there is only one in all cases? Is it not probable that there is only one laying worker in a hive sometimes? If it has been definitely proven that there is more than one fertile worker in a hive in every instance, I have not seen the proof. On the other hand, has it not been stated that the fertile worker was caught in the act, killed, and that thereafter the promiscuous egg-laying ceas- ed? It seems to me such evidence was pre- sented some years ago. — Ed.] I wonder if M. W. Murphy didn't mis- understand that nurseryman who told him that pears grafted or budded on seedlings never blight. At one time I raised seedling pears by the thousand; and when they were budded I had hundreds of them to blight. I think he will find that nearly all, and I'm not sure but all except the one original tree, of any named variety are budded or grafted on seedlings. [Our readers may not know that Dr. Miller, years ago, embarked in the fruit business quite extensively. The younger bee-keepers may be surprised to know he has a good many acres of fruit on his place. The care of it is in the hands of his hired man or a brother-in-law, while the doctor devotes himself to his bees. It is, therefore, to be presumed that the doc- tor, when he talks about pear-blight, is speaking from personal observation and ex- perience; but we are glad, " allee samee," that he got switched off from the pear busi- ness to the bees. — Ed.] A. I. Root says, p. 295, C. E. Woodward very much prefers Hoffman frames so as to have automatic spacing, while Moe, Hoch- stein, Howe, and perhaps all the bee- men west of Havana, will not have a Hoffman frame on the premises, and asks, "What are you going to do about it?" I'll tell you what I'd do, Bro. Root; I'd advise them to use Miller frames. Then they'd have all the advantage of automatic spacing without the intolerable nuisance of the bee-glue, which is almost certainly the reason the Hoft'mans are disliked. [I do not know about Mr. Hochstein nor Mr. Moe; but Mr. Howe did not like Hoffman frames when he was working witn Coggshall in New York; indeed, the latter started with unspaced frames. I always felt that if Mr. Cogg- shall had commenced with Hoffman frames he would have preferred them to any thing else; but it might surprise yon to find how many would not like your style of frames. We tried to introduce metal-spaced frames in certain parts of Cuba, but they would not take. — Ed.] Referring to that 75 cts. business, p. 276, you say I'm introducing a new condition. Sure; and a new frame. But the question remains a fair one: Will the shallow frame with feeding after the harvest clean up any more than H. R. Boardman will with the deeper frame and feeding the same amount 190c GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 321 before harvest? [I do not know. But how is this question, with its new conditions, re- lated to the former question? to which I re- ferred on page 244, Feeding: before the honey-flow as practiced by Mr. Boardman is a verj' dift'erent procedure, and for a dif- ferent purpose, from feeding after \.\\q. honey- flow, as it is sometimes practiced by the Danzj'ites. In the case of the former, even if the colonies are strong they are fed to crowd the brood-nest with stores so that all new honej' will go above In the case of the latter, the depth of the brood-frames takes care of the matter automatically to some extent so that, whether the apiarist is negligent or too busy, the honey when it does come in will be forced above. When syrup is given after the honey flow, it may be given in one large feederful at one dose, and taken down in a night. It is then de- signed simply to give the bees winter stores just before they go into winter quarters. There is no idea of stimulation about it. Mr. Boardman designs to stimulate as well as to crowd the brood-nest. If the questions are to be linked together at all, the same procedure before and after should be given to each kind of hive. — Ed.] " HoNEV may be shipped by express when the distance is short and the weight light," quoth ye editor, page 275. I used to think that, but experience taught me differently. It is true that you can send a small amount a short distance by express as cheaply as by freight, and in less time. But the cost is not the chief objection : it's the rough handling, at loading and unloading, and it will be the same for a long distance as for a short, unless there is a change of roads. Also it will be worse for a light than for a heavy weight, for express men just throw things. Experience tells me it would be risky to send 5 lbs. of comb honey 5 miles by express. [Your experience has been a good deal like that of others, and ours too — that a small shipment of comb honey sent by express is liable to be smashed or damag- ed. The rate from here to Cleveland is 40 cents on 100 lbs. Suppose I wish to send 200 lbs. of honey, it costs only 80 cts; then if it were crated, the handles sticking out at each end, the honey should be (but it is not always) carried without breaking. A li{;ht fragile package weighing 10 or 15 lbs., that can be thrown like a brick, is lia- ble to be damaged. It often happens that for a short distance 200 or 300 lbs. can be sent cheaper than by freight. When it is sent bj' express it is delivered to the con- signee. When sent by freight there is a cartage item of at least 50 cts., to sa}' noth- ing of the delay and the freight itself. For a distance of 25 to 50 miles, the express will often be cheaper than freight. Let us take an example : The freight and cartage on 100 lbs. of comb honey to Cleveland would be 75 cts. The express on this same weight (including cartage) would be only 40 cts., and the goods would be delivered in three or four hours. On 200 lbs. to the same point the cost would be slightly in favor of freight, or 75 cts. as against 80 cts. by ex- press. On 300 lbs. the ratio would be 86 cts. and $1.20 respectively. But having said all this, I suspect the average ship- ment of less than 200 lbs. had better go by freight; for, as you say, comb honey by ex- press is quite liable to be broken because the goods are shoved in and out of the ex- press cars in a hurry, slam- bang ker-bump ker-smash fashion. The messengers and agents have to hustle, for the conductor stands with hand raised, ready to give the signal for the starting of the train. — Ed.] J) Darkened days — drizzle, rain, Fog, and steamy air ; Muddy roads, no glimpse of sun — April everywhere. \U AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL. Concerning honey as a staple article of food, Mr. Hasty well says: Oranges and lemons are luxuries, but somehow the people will have them. Honey is a luxury, and most people consent to go without very easily, if the article is not handy This queer and ugly fact should be fig- ured on in decidii g as to the possibility of a Honey Exchange. Al.so, this related fact that higher prices are not nearly so much needed as the cultivation of the market clear from the bottom. Doubt whether the proposed Exchange will cultivate or do the opposite thing. A stream is not expected to rise higher than its fountain : and an organization formed of those who extract their honey before it is really ripe will hardly refuse to handle unripe honey. \b If there is any one thing that ought to be proclaimed on the housetop it is the follow- ing, from J. M. Young: Every bee-keeper should have a small stamp, then stamp all his stationery and every thing he sends out by mail. On every bit of matter sent through the mail, put your name and address, for it will .'ave your customers, and people who do business with you, a world of trouble. Again, it prevenis mistakes in many instances. I put my name and address on every sec- tion I use on the hives, or that the honey is built in, and I also use it on every box I send out by express or freignt. The latter statnp, of course, must be a larger one, for shipping by freight or express. As stamps are so cheap now, there is no reason for any man, who writes letters, to go without one of these conveniences. Many who write for the press sign their names in such a way as to be entirely illegible, and their address the same often omitting one or the other, which they would not have done if a stamp had been handy. " G. C. Greiner. Producer of Pure Honey, La Salle, N. Y.," has our thanks for stamping every sheet he sends us. Of course, a type- writer answers the same end. likr Should the name of the producer of a given quantity of honey be retained on the 322 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Apr. 15 packag-e till said honey reaches the con- sumer? This question is now being dis- cussed with more vigor than usual. Mr. Alma Olson takes the position that his name should be allowed to stand on his honey packages, and says: t^If the dealer were to erase my name and substitute his own he would be robbing me of my just dues; and if that is not illegal it ought to be punishable. But there is an unwritten law governing these things. I am not in the mood, neither do I have the inclination, to make a reputation for Mr. A's or Mr. B's honey; neither do I care to build up the reputation of all the honey produced in Idaho by painstaking care. And there is a natural law of compen'iation which rewards each individual for his greater efforts. Mr. York replies: We never say on our labels that we are f he produce? s of the honey we sell. We have spent hundreds of dol- lars in creating a demand for "York's Honey," and not for Olson's or that produced by Jones. Their whole crops would be but as a "drop in the bucket " compared to what wt sell during a season. We stand back of all the honey that goes out as " York's Hon- ey," and know nothing of Olson's or Nelsons or Mil- ler's honey, and care nothing about their honey. We are not working to sell their honey, unless we buy it, when it becomes " York's Honey," like any other good honey we buy. After it passes out of their hands they have nothing further to do with it, having received their pay for it. When you sell your wheat or oats to a dealer do vou insist on having your name on the bags holding" the wheat or oats? 'Well, hardly '. It "hardly" seems to me that Mr. York's reasoning is correct. Suppose all wheat is sold in bags, and that there is a great de- mand for the Olson wheat. He says that none is to be regarded as genuine unless sold in bags labeled with his card. If the York brand sells for 10 cents a bushel more than the Olson, would it be fair to say Ol- son wheat is York wheat simply because Mr. York bought it? Doesn't the name be- fore the article mean the producer rather than the handler? In the long run it prob- ably makes but little difference, however, as the consumer knows but little about the producer except in rare instances. However, this argument all depends on whether comb or extracted honey is meant. If Mr. York has a uniform brand of blend- ed extracted honeys, he has a perfect right to sell it as such; and then, of course, the identity of each separate brand would be lost, label and all. But if a certain brand is in great demand in Chicago, the produc- er would probably not find it necessary to send it there, as he could sell it at home, where he is known. Just as the above was written, the fore- man asked me where to put the following. As it comes in so pat here, I am glad to make room for it: I hand you herewith the following resolution : '^Resolved, That this, the New York State Associa- ciation of Bee-keepers' Societies, in convention assem- bled at Syracuse, March 10, 1993, recommend and urge the bee-keepers to place their name and address upon the packages containing their honey, both comb and extracted, and that this resolution be forwarded to the bee journals for publication." Romulus, N. Y. C. B. Howard, Sec. \k$ ROCKY MOUNTAIN BEE JOURNAL. The above has just closed its third 3'ear. Unlike some of the newer publications it gives evidence of stability and usefulness. Indeed, it has already proven a power for good in Colorado. It well deserves every success. The Colorado Experiment Station, as we have already announced, has decided that the best time to cut alfalfa is at the period of full bloom. In commenting on this, Ed- itor Morehouse says: If this view of the matter is accepted by our farm- ers, there need be no fear that the bee industry will ever become extinct in Colorado, through the tenden- cy to cut alfalfa before it blooms. In fact, extreme early cutting is not practiced to such an extent as some would have us believe; and with such good wholesome advice as the above from our agricultural- college professors, we expect to see it lessened in the future. " Well, Doolittle, how are you this morn- ing? " " Rather better of my rheumatism than I have been for a week back. How is Mr. Smith?" " I am pretty well to-day, thank you. I want you to tell me something about in- creasing bees. Will you do it? " " What! you got bees? " • "Yes. I have purchased five colonies, and wish to increase them to ten or more. Is there any way of multiplying colonies, except b3'^ swarming, as the bees conduct this, for increase? " " Why do you wish any other way than natural swarming? The bees know how to increase themselves rather better than any beginner can do it, if not better than is in the power of the veteran." " I must be from home from half-past sev- en to half-past five each day, except Sun- days; and if there is any way to multiply my colonies other than by natural swarm- ing it would be much more convenient for me. Please tell me something about this matter." " I think I can give you no better advice than to purchase some good book on api- culture before undertaking artificial in- crease; for in most of them the subject is discussed quite extensively, and to greater extent than would come in the space allot- ted to this department." " I will do this; but can you not at this time give me in brief some of the principles governing artificial or forced increase of colonies? " "Artificial swarming is based on the following facts : First, a queen and some workers, a thousand or more, constitute a swarm or colonj' of bees, capable of carry- ing on all the labors of the hive." 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURK 323 " But, aren't drones necessarj' as well?" " Necessity for drones comes onlj' in case of young' unfertile queens. The second fact is, that worker bees, without a queen, can rear queen if they are furnished with a comb containing- egg's or larvas under three days old. Third, a part of the bees of any colon3% unless too small, may be taken from the hive or colony, with or without the queen, without disorganizing any of the others." " Don't you take a part of the combs from the old colon}' in making new swarms? " " You can, or j-ou need not, just as suits j'ou best; and this brings me to the fourth fact, which is, that a part or all of the combs may be taken, with their contents, from a colonj' of bees without destroying them, as they will immediately go to work to replace it, if fed, when honey is not coming in from the fields. Then fifth, and lastly, queens can be reared in an}' desirable num- ber by taking the queen awaj' from any populous colony, according to the number; and, when nearl}- mature, they can be giv- en to the queenless part of any division made. These facts, while they form the basis for artificial swarming, are subject to man}' qualifying conditions, and a mere knowledge of them alone would not enable a novice to multiply his colonies to the best advantage." "How, then, am I to know how to in- crease my colonies to the best advantage? " "By getting some book; or, if you can aflrord it, all of the books on apiculture, and studying them, and. through the knowledge thus gained, and thorough knowledge of the economy of the hive, and the habits and peculiarities of the inmates thereof, coupled with what I have just told you about the five facts, will, with a person of ordinary ability, give success in proportion to the energy and perseverance of the one under- taking the matter." " Do you think I could succeed? " " I do not know why you should not, for I judge you have the qualities named ; but you will want to go a little slow at first. The greatest and most damaging error that nearly all beginners fall into is an inclina- tion to overdo the matter. After getting started they generally 'swarm' their bees to death, as the multiplying seems so easy during the honey-flow, and they find them- selves in possession of a lot of weak colo- nies, with little stores for winter, when that season arrives, only to drag out a mis- erable existence for a little while, or die of spring dwindling before settled warm wea- ther arrives. Another error, in the average locality, is almost as bad as the above, which is, putting off" the increase of colo- nies till too late in the season." " When is the right time to multiply my colonies? " " No definite time can be given, as very much depends on the season and locality; but it is well to do it as early as you can. In the Northern States it can generally be done with safety from the 10th to the 25th of June, and in the Southern States from one to two months earlier, according to the latitude." " How can I tell about this matter? Is there nothing definite to go by? " ' " The only safe guide is the condition of the colonies to be operated on. The hives should be well filled with brood and bees, and honey coming in from the fields, to have the proper conditions exist. This will oft- en occur from one to three weeks before natural swarming would take place? " " Why begin so early? " "Because the majority of us wish to se- cure as much surplus honey as possible along with the increase. In this way the parent colony, as also a swarm made at that time, will, by the time when honey be= comes abundant, be filled with comb and brood, and ready to take advantage of the honey harvest by storing a nice surplus; while, if left till later, each part would have all this work to do at the most impor- tant period of the year. Two or three weeks thus saved, frequently amounts to the difference between an excellent yield of honey and not enough to pay expenses." "Can I make all increase at the same time? " " This is not usually the case, as many colonies will not come into proper condition for dividing when the more advanced are ' ripe ' for the operation, on account of all not coming through the winter in equally good condition, having old or failing queens, etc. ' ' "What shall I do with any weak colo- nies I may chance to have? " " Such colonies may be united with oth- ers, after destroying old queens; or, if the queen is vigorous, a frame of emerging brood may be given from one of the most prosperous colonies, as soon as the weather becomes warm enough so there is no dan- ger of the brood perishing on account of too few bees to care for it properly." " How large an increase would you think best to make? " "That depends on your wants. Having the colonies in proper condition, it is well to decide whether a great increase of bees is desired or a good crop of honey. Both can not well be secured at the same time. If we are satisfied with doubling our colonies, and do that in time, a fairly good yield of honey can be expected in most localities; but a greater increase can not be ventured upon without a great sacrifice of honey, often to the exclusion of the whole crop." " I thank you very much for the informa- tion given, and with the help of some bee- book which I may get I think I shall suc- ceed very well. What would you think of my purchasing the A B C of Bee Culture as that book? " " It is a good one. In fact, it is the only bee-book that is kept up to date at all times. You will certainly make no mistake in purchasing it now; then when you can do so, get others, which will tend to broad- en your mind still further." 324 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Apr, 15 One who reads the American Bee-keeper from time to time can not help feeling- im- pressed with the fact that its editor, Mr. Hill, is a practical bee-keeper himself. He is an adept in swinging the queen's Eng- lish. I envy him his talent. HO FOR California! I have been informed that the next meet- ing- of the National Bee-keepers' Associa- tion will be held in Los Angeles. The National will follow its old custom by fol- lowing the G. A. R. Low rates have been promised, and the Californians will be able to entertain right royally. Further partic- ulars will be given later. ENCOURAGING FOR CALIFORNIA. Prospects for a honey crop this season in California seem just now to be exceptionally good — just the year for holding the next National convention at Los Angeles. Mr. Hubbard writes: Dear Sir: — We have been having some splendid March rains, and I con.Mder the prospects for honey as bright as the year 1894, which was the best I have experienced in ten years. It is the late rains that count for a honey harvest; and so much of this sea- son's rainfall has been at the best possible time for honey-plants. Orangeblo.ssoms are now beginning to come, and the rains will insure a good flow from the hills mountains, and plains after they drop. Riverside, Cal., March 31. G. K. Hubbard. S. L. WATKINS, AGAIN. In our issue for March 1, we stated that Mr. S. L. Watkins, of Grizzly Flats, Cal., had been obtaining queens from several of the best breeders, ordering them in half- dozen and dozen lots, without paying for them; that his promises were always good, but that the fulfillment of them was very bad. It seems that Mr. Gilstrap, of Cali- fornia, and Mr. Laws, of Texas, were unfortunate enough to lose through him. The following, from another queen-breeder, Mr. F, A, Lockhart, is another case in point, and speiks for itself: We noticed your editorial about Mr. S. I,. Watkins, Grizzly Flats, Col , not paying for queens ordered of queen breeders in different part*! ot the country, etc. We would add that, during 1901, we sent him ten queens. He made all kinds of good promises, but as yet has failed to keep them. For the past six months he has made no reply to letters Caldwell, N, Y. F. A. Lockhart & Co. If Mr. Watkins deliberately intends to get something for nothing, the queen-breed- ers of the country should be warned. If he is really unfortunate, and really can not pay for the (jueens, then he should make a statement, which statement we will gladly place before our readers ; but in either case he has no business to order queens when he is owing for stock already pur- chased. A TEASPOONFUL OF HOT PARAFFINE FOR SHIPPING- CASES, VS. A PAPER TRAY. On page 159 Dr. W. O. Eastwood, of Whitby, Ontario, Canada, suggested pour- ing a little stream of hot paraffine (only a teaspoonful) in one corner of a shipping- case, then tilting the case around in such a way that the paraffine would flow along the line of the crack formed by the bottom and the sides and ends of the case. This will be all right if the bottom is of one piece, and even then the dividing crack can be closed in the manner stated, with a lit- tle more paraffine. In my footnote I rather discouraged the plan, but the more I have thought the matter over, the more I have concluded it may be practical after all. Dr, Eastwood pronounces it good; and un- doubtedly it is good if the manufacturers of bee-supplies would make their shipping- cases perfectly tight, or so they can be made tight when put together. LIPPIA, OR BERMUDA GRASS — WHICH? Referring to the new honey-plant men- tioned in our issue for March 15, Mr. E. J. Wickson, of Pacific Rural Press, writes: Mr. Root: — I apprehend that, in your article on car- pet grass, on page 22S, March 15, jou have confused Bermuda grass with Lippia. Your description of what you encountered at Nicolaus fits Bermuda grass exactly, but I apprehend that nobody would have such feelings upon lying down upon a growth of Lippia, for that is not grasslike at all, but more like a small- leaved prostrate shrub with small woody stems. Lip- pia may be a good honey-plant, but I have never heard it mentioned in that connection. F). J. Wickson. San Francisco. Cal., March 25. Mr. Wickson is probably in position to know that there is possibl}' and probably a a confusion in names. I am sure of this: That the carpet grass that I referred to is very springy and spongy under foot. I should be glad to have Mr. J. H. Erich, of Nicolaus, Cal., where I saw the plant, send a sample of the grass or leaves to Mr. Wick- son for identification. It would be a joke if we have been talking about two different things. FOUL BROOD IN THE HUMAN MOUTH (?). I LEARN through the American Bee-keep- er that I am credited with saying that the germs of foul brood exist in the human mouth. This interesting piece of " news " comes clear from Ireland. What I did say once was that, in my younger days, when I was studying with the microscope, I used to examine some forms of bacteria as found in the human mouth. "Bacteria" is a general term for microscopic life, some of which is of a disease-breeriing character; and the editor of the Irish Bee Journal ap- parently makes me coincide with the no- tion that foul brood exists in the human mouth, because, forsooth, Bacillus alvei, the microbe of foul brood, is one of the bac- teria. I found bacteria in my mouth, er^o my mouth contained foul-brood germs. The 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 325 logic is a little strained. I have never held the opinion that the disease with which we are familiar, and which has made such havoc among- our bees, ever resides in any thing but the larval growth of insects. In- deed, it is probably confined to the larvae of bees exclusively. TESTING BARRELS AND CANS FOR LEAKS. Editor Hill, of the American Bee-keep- er, referring to what was recently given in Gleanings for testing honey-barrels by blowing air into them, says it is " very un- reliable." And then he goes on to say: a decidedly better wa^' is to place the lips firmly in or against the aperture, draw into the lungs and ex- halt- through the nose all the air possiiile, by repeated draughts, which necessarily become shorter as the air is pumped out of a tight leceptacle. By this means much more povser, with less effort, is ex rted; and in case of a leak, in testing cans, the inrushing air from outside, while the breath is momentarily held to listen, will reinflate the j.arily collapsed tin, thereby keeping up a constant crackle and ring as the sides rtadjiist themselves to the original position. In testing barrels, when a leak occurs, and whiie the bung is yet stopped by the human pump, the hissing of rushing air may be audible : or if the leak be verj- small, the suction at bung will be gradually reduced, and readily recogniz- ed by the pumper. But Mr. France (and I regard him as one of the most careful and conservative bee- keepers I know of) illustrated at the con- vention how reliable the pressure plan was with him. He explained that, when a bar- rel is pumped full of air, the hand should be dipped in water or moistened with sali- va, and be held over the hissing place. Bubbles will form at the point of the leak, and all that will be found necessary will be to drive a hoop down at that point until the hissing ceases. But when the process is reversed I can hardly see how the leak could be located so readily. I'll have Bro. Hill show me the trick when I go to Florida. STOPPING THE MIXING OF SWARMS WITH A BLANKET OR SHEET As the swarming season will soon be on in many localities, I hasten to place the let- ter of G. C. Greiner, on this subject, before our readers. It appears that the plan of stopping the swarms as advocated by Mr. McEvoy, in our last issue, page 28U, is a nesv old kink. Mr. Greiner writes: The reported scheme of retaining or confining an outcoming swarm by means of sheet or blanket is an- other case of a long-known little kink that is new to many, even to some of the bee-keeping veterans. More than twenty years ago we used to run to the house after sheets for that purpose, and last summer I stopped a number of swarms in this way. Some times the plan works like a charm; at other t mes it doesn't. Your supposition of bees boiling out from under the sheet is quite correct. In spite ol all tuck- ing up and stopping every little openii g visible I have failed raanv times to stop them. They would come out and find an outlet somewhere, even'if they had to crawl through the grass. The trouble is, we are not always ready with the sheet just in time, when they first begin to issue; and it takes but a very few min- utes for quite a large portion of the swarm to be in the air. Then if the queen is with them, which she is apt to be, all the sheets of the household will be of no use. But there is another case, when a sheet will do good service. It sometinjes happens that a swarm, instead of alighting somewhere else, takes a notion to enter the hive of another colony, which may mean its own annihilation. A sheet thrown over such a hive will prevent the calamity, and induce the swarm to alight where it is more desirable. G. C. Greinkr. La Salle, >.. Y. Apr. 4. When several swarms are coming out at once, the bee-keeper is put to his wits' end, and will be glad to grasp at a straw; and even if the blanket or sheet plan does not hold the bees in, it may succeed to such an extent as to save him a great deal of an- noyance. PROFITS IN THE HONEY BUSINESS. One of our subscribers would like tc» know something about the profits of bee- keeping OQ a moderate scale. He has just been investing in the business, and wishes, to know what he may reasonably expect.. The question is a hard one to answer, as so much depends on the locality and the man, and the number of bees to the area. On the average, perhaps, in the Northern States, in what is known as the rain-belt, one might expect to get anywhere from 25 to 50 lbs. of comb honey, and perhaps from 25 to £0 per cent more of extracted. There will be some seasons when he might secure as much as 100 lbs. on an average, and oc- casional seasons when there would be nei- ther comb nor extracted, and the bees would require to be fed. Taking one year with another, a small bee-keeper ought to aver- age about 35 lbs. of comb honey, on a con- servative estimate, providing he has reason- able skill and love for the business. The comb honey might net him, deducting the expense of selling, from 8 to 12 cents; the extracted, from 4 to 7. These figures do not include the labor of producing the hon- ey nor the cost of the fixtures. The cost of the supplies, exclusive of sections and foun- dation, ought to be sufficient to cover 10 to 20 years if no increase is made. Suppose we put the comb honey at 25 lbs. as the average, and the price secured 10 cents net. The actual money he would get from the commission merchant or grocer might be about $2.50; but out of this he must deduct a certain amount for labor, and 10 per cent on the cost of supplies, to be on the safe side. With only a few bees the labor would count for nothing, as the work would be performed by some member of the family or by the man of the house, who could, during his spare hours, do a little with bees and work in his garden. In case of one two, or three hundred the labor item must be figured. The larger the number crowding the avail- able territory the smaller the profit per hive. In other words, a small apiary will always yield larger returns proportionally than the large one. I would not care to go into all the details, as there are so many di- verse conditions that might arise that some one might be apt to take my figures and say that they do not fit his locality; but a rough estimate for an apiary and in a locality not overstocked, not including the labor on the S2.50 actually received for honey sold, ought to leave a net profit somewhere about $2.00. This would be on the basis that the locality did not require much feeding in the fall. If feeding was found to be necessary, 50 326 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Apr. 15 cents more would have to be deducted, mak- ing- a net profit of $1.50. On this basis it will be seen that the profit in one season ought to pay for the hives and supers, in one year, or come very close to it, leaving the investment good for ten or more years. If we figure it that way the ten per cent need not be figured in. For a professional man, or one who has other business, even these returns are not bad. Even if he se- cured only enough for family use, the diver- sion or change to relieve the tired brain is worth something. FORMALDEHYDE FOR CURING BLACK BROOD, AS TESTED BY THE INSPECTORS FOR NEW YORK. Most of our readers know that New York has an excellent foul-brood law, the State being divided up into four districts, one in- spector for each district. Charles Stewart, one of the number, seeing what Mr. Weber had to say regarding formaldehyde as a cure for foul brood, in our issue for March 15th, page 228, writes as follows: I read C. H. W. Weber's report on the use of formal- dehvde for the cure of foul brood, with much interest, especially as the bee-inspectors of this State have been experimenting with this powerful disinfectant during the past .summer whenever a little time could be spar- ed from State work, in order to determine if it would cure black brood, which, you know, is much more to be dreaded than foul brood. ,. , ., About thirty tests were made by my.selt and other careful bee-keepers by treating diseased colonies on the shake-off plan, then using about three tablespoon- fulsof formaldehyde to the number of combs we could pack in about 4>^ cubic feet of space. These combs were then given to healthy colonies, and with an occasional exception which could usually be traced to some outside .source of infection, the brood was healthy, the combs being capped regularly over the brood. Some of these combs, before being given to the bees were the worst cases ot black brood we could find, but were, of course, first treated with vapor of formaldehyde. c t, ,.,, Later in the season, about twenty colonies ot healthy bees were given combs very heavy with honey and pollen taken from diseased colonies, and vaporized. These colonies were carefully marked, and before long we shall know if we were succe.sssul in killing all the germs when they were located under both pollen and honey It seems almost too good to be true ; but, even if it is a failure in this experiment, we expect to give them a longer and stronger dose and try it again. At first we bought a small vaporizer of A. B. Hue- sted & Co of Albany, N. Y ; but, later, wishing to do business on a larger .scale we made a larger one our- selves, and bought a gallon of formaldehyde from the above'firm, for |:3 00. As a precautionary measure we expect to vaporize all of our extracting-combs this season before giving them to the bees, and feel confident that, in this kind of combs, where but little honey remained from last season no germs will survive the treatment. Sammonsville, N. Y. CH.4.S. Stewart, New York State Bee-inspector, Third Division. This is indeed encouraging. As Mr . Stew- art well says, black brood is more diffi- cult to eradicate than foul brood. We have now reports from three different sources, of careful experiments, going to show that for- maldehyde may prove effective for curing foul brood without destroying either the combs or the brood that still remains healthy. . The method that requires the burning of the combs, and substituting one or more sheets of foundation, is necessarily some- what expensive; but hitherto it has proven to be the only reliable method for curing either black or foul brood; but the gas or vapor from formaldehyde may be so pene- trating and powerful that it enters clear into the combs, killing even the spores; and when we remember that the spores them- selves have been exposed to a boiling tem- perature, in some cases for an hour, with out killing them, the gas must be powerful indeed. I can not help feeling some doubt as to whether any gas or chemical, unless so powerfully corrosive as to destroy even the brood, would fail of killing the spores. And this leads me to say that so good an authority as Inspector McEvoy, of Ontario, is doubtful about the efficacy of formalde- hyde. He even goes so far as to say it does not cure. Let us stand open to conviction, however; for z/' the new germicide will do half what has been claimed for it, it will prove to be a great boon for bee-keepers. No specific instructions are yet given, just how to apply the spray; but I assume the drug is bought in the liquid form, and that the same is sprayed on combs with any of the atomizers sold by the ordinary drug-houses. Of course, the foul-brood or black-brood inspector would require some- thing a little larger, capable of covering several combs at once, or so powerful as to force the vapor clear up through all the combs while they are in the hive. I hope that those of our friends who have black brood or foul brood in their apiaries will make tests of the drug, and report to us as soon as they can definitely determine what it will do. It is not sufficient to have the combs remain healthy for 30 days. All bacilli, the active principle of the disease, are undoubtedly killed by the drug; but the question will be whether spores that are capable of resisting a boiling tempera- ture for so long a time would be destro3'ed by such drugs. If these spores subsequent- ly find lodgment in the tissue of the young larva;, there is a strong probability that black or foul brood will develop, as the case may be. THE CANDYING OF honey; SOMETHINGS WE KNOW AND don't KNOW ABOUT IT. It is generally conceded that honey left in the comb does not candy nearly as read- ily as that which has been thrown out from the extractor. There is something about the agitation — thecoming in contact with a large quantity of air — that causes honey to go into a semi-solid state. It is a well-known fact that honey extracted and fed back, or fed for the purpose of filling out our unfin- ished sections, has a tendency to granulate more quickly than comb honey which has been filled and completed wholly from the product direct from the fields. Sometimes it is urged as an objection that feeding back is unprofitable because so much comb honey would come back on the producer's hands as so much " sugared comb honey." A case recently came under my notice that has seemed interesting in connection with the statement already made. A large 1903 GLE/\NINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 327 shipment of Cuban comb honey went to New York. It was beautiful. It was well flavored, well filled out, white, and the buyer had every reason to suppose it would be a g'ood seller, because it arrived just when the market was a little bare of domes- tic comb honey. But a few weeks later he was chagrined to find this honey was candying-, and he came to the conclusion that all Cuban comb honey would candy in like manner. As he was a larg^e buyer, and had promised to take a large amount of such goods, he wrote back to his Cuban customers to " hold off." An investigation revealed the fact that the first lot of Cuban honey that had been received was largely fed-back, and, like all such honey, it should be sold to the consumer at once. Subse- quent shipments of comb honey from Cuba, I understand, to this same buj'er, have been all right. The Cuban bee-keepers had learned in the meantime it would not pay to feed back to fill out their sections, and accordingly they shipped only that which had been filled from the product di- rect from the fields. (Juite a number of other facts of like na- ture have come before us at different times; and while one can at times feed extracted hone}' to finish out some of his unfinished comb honey, he must make arrangements to have this honey turned over to the con- sumer as soon as possible. Feeding back does not hurt the flavor in the least; and it is onl\' after the lapse of time that its sell- ing quality is affected, and that almost wholh' through the tendency of extracted hone}' to " leaven the whole mass." Two or three years ago, when I attended the Colorado State Bee-keepers' Association convention. Prof. W. P. Headden, of the Agricultural College and Experiment Sta- tion at Fort Collins, Col., gave an interest- ing address on candied honey. Among oth- er things, he stated that agitation caused honey to candy more quickly than it other- wise would. If I remember correctly, he gave it as his opinion that the reason comb honey did not granulate as quickly as ex- tracted was because the latter was subject- ed to the extracting process — aviolent throw- ing and splashing causing it to come in contact with a great amount of air. There were two or three at the convention who testified that, in order to hasten granula- tion, they had actually been stirring the honey in addition to putting it in a cool place. It is another well-known fact that maple- sugar syrup may be brought to a granulat- ed condition much more rapidly if it be stirred during cooling than if it is allowed to stand in a quiet condition. Whether there is any chemical or mechanical relation be- tween the honey and syrup I can not say. Another fact is that honey subjected to a temperature of 160 or 180 degrees Fahren- heit will remain liquid for perhaps a year or more if it be sealed while hot. What does the heat have to do with it chemically? Another interesting and well-known fact in connection with this matter is a little pe- culiar. Here are the sage and alfalfa hon- ey that are produced in the same climate, and within a few miles of each other, or perhaps within a mile itself. One will candy very readily, and the other will re- main liq.uid without any particular treat- ment for nearly a year or more, in spite of its previous agitation in the process of ex- tracting. What the chemical difference is between the two honeys that should cause this tendency in one to solidify, no scientist has so far ever pointed out. It is still another well-known fact that extracted alfalfa honey will candy more quickly than perhaps any other honey known. Mr. R. C. Aikin, as our readers may remember, takes advantage of this fact when he allows it to run into paper bags to solidify. There is a great deal that we do not know about this subject. What we do know can be comprised in a few hundred words. What we do 7iot know might fill a large volume. I wish that we might in some way stimulate an inquiry that will lead to a more exact and scientific knowledge where- by we can hasten it in one case, or retard it in another, just as conditions warrant. I should be glad to hear from any of our sub- scribers who are in possession of facts that will lead to further light. QOVERNMENT AID FOR BEE=KEEPERS. Comments on Mr. W. K. Morrison's Article ; Apis Uorsata and Otber Races of Bees Considered. BY FRANK BENTON, United States Department of Agriculture. The general tendency of the suggestions under the above heading in the article by Mr. W. K. Morrison, p. 96, Feb. 1, is cer- tainly good; for any discussion of the sub- ject which calls attention to the various lines of work that might be carried out through governmental aid, and which might result beneficially to the bee-keeping industry in general, and add to the prosperity of the country by increasing the revenues from this branch of agriculture, is commendable. Some things, however, are brought for- ward in the article in question as though they were there presented for the first time; whereas in every instance the suggestions are such as I have repeatedly recommended, both in addresses before bee-keepers' associ- ations, in various articles which have ap- peared in the apiarian publications, and 328 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Apr. 15 in sugg-estions which I have annually made in the reports which have gone from the Division of Entomology to the head of the Department of Agriculture, and on which were based the recommendations made by the Department to the Committees on Agri- culture in Congress. There are certain points mentioned by Mr. Morrison to which I wish to call attention, as I think they need some further elucidation. He says, regarding Apis dorsata, the giant bee of India: " I believe Apis dorsata would be a valu- able acquisition; but as it has never been domesticated, and we are practically with- out information as to its habits, it seems doubtful whether we should ask for govern- ment aid for such a scheme. It seems to me it would require the attention of experi- menters for several years before any thing tangible would result." I judge that, when Mr. Morrison wrote this, he had forgotten having written in 1896 (see Gleanings, p. 561, Aug. 1, 1896), the following: " Dr. Alfred Russell Wallace, the friend and co-worker of Dnrwin, is still alive, and takes great interest in bee-keeping, and is as well posted as most bee-keepers in re- gard to practical bee-keeping. He is the man who has told us the most about Apis dorsata. In fact, we could hardly ask for more than he has told us from time to time." Let us get from Wallace himself a hint as to what he may know of practical bee management, and also see what he has told us of Apis dorsata. Having here before me a copy of Wal- lace's work, "The Malay Archipelago," I quote a paragraph from his description of the manner in which a native of the island of Timor secures the wax and honey from Apis dorsata. The man had ascended a tree, his face, arms, and legs perfectly bare*. "He lay at full length on the limb, and brushed off the remaining bees with his hand, and then, drawing his knife, cut off the comb at one slice close to the trte, and, attaching a thin cord to it, let it down to his companions below. He was all this time enveloped in a crowd of angry bees; and how he bore their stings so coolly, and went on with his work at that giddy height so deliberately, was more than I could un- derstand. The bees were evidently not stu- pefied by the smoke nor driven far away by it ; and it was impossible that the small stream from the torch could protect his whole body when at work. There were three other combs on the same tree, and all were successively taken, and furnished the whole party with a luscious feast of honey and young bees, as well as a valuable lot of wax. After two of the combs had been let down, the bees became rather numerous below, flying about wildly and stinging viciously. Several got about me, and I was soon stung and had to run away, beating them off with my net, and capturing them for specimens. Several of them followed me for at least half a mile, getting into my hair and persecuting me most tenaciously, so that I was more astonished than ever at the immunity of the natives. I am inclined to think that slow and deliberate motion, and no attempt at escape, are perhaps the best safeguards." Those familiar with bee manipulation scarcely need to read any comments on this, since they will at once see how little knowledge of practical bee manipulation Mr. Wallace possessed at the time he wrote the paragraph. What Dr. Alfred Russell Wallace told of Apis dorsata was that: " It builds huge honey-combs, suspended in the open air from the under side of the lofty branches of the highest trees. These are of a semicir- cular form, and often three or four feet in diameter." This is all the information in his work of 650 pages on his travels in the East. Doubtless in communications to the Entomological Society of London, and pos- sibly in periodicals, he may have given some further account of these bees, but nothing from the bee-ke»per's standpoint. In my own published articles I have been able to state positively the size, appear- ance, and something of the qualities of the workers, drones, and queens of this spe- cies. I was able to determine that the tongues of the workers of this species are appreciably longer than those of our own honey-bees; also that the combs were not merely three or four feet in diameter, but often reach a length of five feet, and some- times even six feet; that they are composed of hexagonal cells, twenty to the square inch, the brood-comb being 1>^ inches thick, and the upper portion of the comb where honey is stored often six to eight inches in thickness; that no distinctive drone comb is built, but drones are reared in the same- sized cells as the workers ; further, that multiple combs are sometimes built; that is, two or three combs side by side, where the attachment permits, contrary to the statements frequently seen in print to the effect that Apis dorsata is strictly a uni- comb bee. As to their habits, I have been able to state that they are most industrious workers, good honey and wax producers; that they fly with great strength of wing; and that the drones fly in great numbers just at nightfall, even after the flights of the workers have ceased for the day; fur- ther, that the sting of Apis dorsata is not more painful than that of our honey-bees, nor is the bee any more inclined to sting when brought into frame hives, and that it seems to be quite amenable to the use of smoke. Moreover, the colonies which I placed in frame hives did not desert their combs in the frame hives except under con- ditions which would have caused any bees to do the same thing— conditions beyond my control, and largely brought about through enforced neglect of the colonies, occasioned by protracted illness. I was able to determine that the workers of Apis dorsata are very tenacious of life; in fact, possess remarkable vitality. The 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 32Q bees are often found at altitudes of 4000 or .^000 feet, where forests occur, yet seem to withstand this temperature successfully. They are rarely seen in the lower or coast reg^ions. This indicates a certain dejj^ree of hardiness. I should like to call Mr. Morrison's at- tention also to an article entitled "Apis Dorsata, the Giant Bees of India," pub- lished in the American Bee-keeper for 1895, pases 81—84. ^iMr. Morrison says further (p. 96, Glean- ings, P'eb. 1, 1903): "But why not broaden the subject? Why stick to one bee? Apis Indica we know can be domesticated, and is not likely to be a nuisance to civiliza- tion." One might suppose from his manner of putting this that the idea was original with Mr. Morrison. I wonder if he ever read the following, which may be found in an article over my name in Gleanings for June 15, 1892, page 450: " We may hope to bring to this country Apis Indica, a bee smaller than our ordi- narj' honey-bee, but an industrious gather- er, which in quite limited numbers is kept in hives by the natives of India. It might be found that Apis Indica would visit only smaller flowers than our bees, and thus, even if kept in the same field, not lessen the j'ield we obtain from the races already here. It would be no small gain for the apicultural interests of the country if three apiaries could be kept at one point without material interference with one another." And, again, on p. 12 of my "Manual of Apiculture" (Bulletin No. 1, new series, Division of Entomology, U. S. Dept. of Ag- riculture), the first and second editions of which were issued in 1891 and the third in 1899, I said of Apis Indica: " The common bee of southern Asia is kept in very limited numbers, and with a small degree of prof- it, in earthen jars and sections of hollow trees in portions of the British and Dutch East Indies. . . . Some 10 or 12 lbs. is the most reported from a single hive. It is quite probable that, if imported into this countr}', it would do more. These bees would no doubt visit many small flowers not frequented by the hive bees we now have, and whose nectar is, therefore, wast- ed." From the above it is evident that we do not need, as Mr. Morrison would have bee- keepers believe, "to domesticate .-//>/5 /«- dica," since it is already cultivated in va- rious parts of India, and, as a matter of fact, in the Dutch East Indies as well. In referring to regions from which valu- able bees may possibly be obtained, Mr. Morrison follows up the question of broad- ening this, subject with the suggestion that " Africa has bees in abundance over its whole length and breadth. Are none of these valuable? We do know that bee-keep- ing is the sole occupation of large tribes of people in that continent." And, again, he says: " The East Indies, Siam, South Chi- na, South America, Asiatic Turkey, and other countries all have their little honey- gatherers. It is very likely indeed that some of them are of great merit and worthy of early introduction." As a comment on the foregoing I would state that we know something of the bees of the whole northern part of Africa, of portions of the western regions of South Africa, and also something of the eastern part of Africa; and these all belong to our species, as now classified, and will inter- breed with our honey-bees. Furthermore, there are no indications that any of them are superior to the races or breeds of Apis viellifera which we now possess. Of course, it is quite impossible to say that there are not very different bees, perhaps more valu- able, and very possibly some which belong to other distinct species of bees than Apis melli/era, in the interior of Africa. It is a matter worth investigation; but since there are much more promising fields still open, they should be looked to first. Before accepting the statement that bee- keeping is the sole occupation of large tribes of people in that continent, I should want some definite proof or good authority. Of the other regions mentioned, omitting the East Indies, there is comparatively little hope of finding any thing new and valuable which would not be found in India itself. There are some possibilities in Siam and South China, and some of the bees found there are similar to those of India proper. In South America there exists no native species of the genus Apis, but only the stingless melipones; and, however valuable these may be in the absence of others, none of them have been found to be superior to our bees or likely to compete with them in any respect. The combs of all resemble in consistency and general structure those of our own bumble-bee, and the irregular clumps of honey-cells are made of a coarse wax mixed with pollen, the whole resem- bling in color and qualities the brown cells of the bumble-bee. The yield is insignifi- cant, and many species of these bees do not stand any degree of cold such as they would meet in even most of our Southern States, the ordinary temperature of 50 degrees be- ing sufficient to cause them to give up their flight. To investigate the bees of South America before undertaking a thorough study of those in some other portions of the world would be simply absurd. We know all the races existing in Asiatic Turkey and their qualities. Several of them have been cultivated, and it is incredible that any exist there that would excel those we now have from eastern Mediterranean lands. The best comment, however, on Mr. Mor- rison's suggestions as to regions from which valuable bees may possibly come is a mere mention of his omissions! Starting with the Caspian Sea and proceeding eastward, there are vast regions about whose bees we know very little — Turkestan, Persia, Af- ghanistan, Cashmere, India, Eastern Turk- estan, Thibet, Upper Burmah, and western China, as well as Mongolia. These are the most promising fields for new and start- 330 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Apr. 15 ling- varieties and species. Among the Dutch East Indies, Borneo, Celebes, and very likely also the Philippine Islands, there are varieties of Apis dorsata or possibly a distinct species recognized by some ento- mologists as Apis zonata, whose workers are said to be even larger than those of dor- sata. To chase off into the interior of Afri- ca, or, worse still, the interior of South America, after bees that are almost certain to be not superior to those we novy^ have, and in many instances are almost surelj^ known to be inferior, would be folly, when the Asiatic territories named, and others adjacent to them, in which Apis dorsata and Apis Indica do exist, are not j-et ex- plored. In addition to these, the race of Apis mellifera which is found in Dalmatia, bor- dering on the Adriatic, and the bees from the territory lying between the Black and Caspian Seas, known as the Caucasian race, as well as some of the types, very probably of our species. Apis mellifera, which exist in the Himalaya Mountains, should also receive more attention before going on some other "wild-goose" (bee) chase. I have repeatedly advocated an examina- tion of the honey-producing plants of other countries, and the introduction of any which give evidence that they would be valuable in this country. Since large sums of money are annually expended by the government for the distribution of seeds, plants, and cuttings, I see no reason why, if bee-keep- ers were to ask for it, they might not have some attention given to plants that would be of particular value in their occupation. Requests have repeatedly come to the Department of Agriculture for lists of trees suitable for planting in cities and towns. In making up these, all points for and against the respective species are consid- ered. I have frequently arranged given lists with reference to their honey-produc- ing value, and in the final account this was taken into consideration. The opportuni- ties in bee-keeping in connection with ra- tional forestry, and the benefits to both in- dustries through their connection, have not escaped my observation, and I have made frequent mention of them to leading for- esters. Mr. Morrison says: "But before bee- keepers apply for more recognition let them make up their minds what they really want, before presenting an appeal for aid. It would be a verj' grave mistake to apply without a well-defined program ready, one that would clearlj' appeal to the practical man. Congressmen are very practical men. ' ' Before proceeding to discuss the particu- lar points involved in the above, allow me to call attention to Mr. Morrison's new in- consistency, in that he says, referring to the importation of Apis dorsata, " It seems rather doubtful whether we should ask for government aid for such a scheme." Yet in the very next paragraph, when advocat- ing the thorough investigation of the East Indies, Siam, South China, South Ameri- ca, and Asiatic Turkey and other countries for their honey-bees he says, " This is hard- ly a field for enterprise, and is just where a kindly government might step in to assist." Now, as to having a " well-defined pro- gram. ' ' When a request is presented through the Department of Agriculture for an ap- propriation, a definite program is rarely laid down, but more frequently the general lines of work are indicated which it is believed would be beneficial to carry out; and when the sum is appropriated the par- ticular work to be undertaken is determin- ed by the officials in charge of the general subject: nor are they hampered in this; so that it would suffice, were a general effort made to secure a definite sum of money for experimental work in bee culture, which could be taken to include the investigation of foreign races of bees and honey-produc- ing plants, should other lines not be deemed more imperative at the time. Instead of being " liable to service in all sorts of wild- cat enterprises," as Mr. Morrison seems to fear, it is more likely that one might be tied down to routine work, all very well in it- self, but preventing the accomplishment of enterprises of great importance and value. It is quite certain that any one engaged in experimental work for the government would endeavor to sustain his own reputation by undertaking only legitimate work promis- ing only good results, and would carefully avoid any thing that might be ranked as " wildcat." Just here I will digress sufficiently to re- fute the idea which, over Mr. Morrison's name, can be found on p. 554 of Gleanings for July 15, 1898, in which he imputes to the late Prof. C. V. Riley the desire of " spend- ing money on the study of wild bees and not on practical aid to the bee-keeping in- dustry." It was Prof. Riley's desire to solve the problem of Apis dorsata; and had his way been followed, that enterprise would long ago have been put through. This might not have been done with any special appropriation for apiculture, since, contrary to the statements made in the ar- ticle cited, there was at that time no spe- cial appropriation for apiculture, and the funds which were devoted to this purpose by Dr. Riley were drawn from the general appropriation for the Division of Entomol- ogy- In conclusion, I have but to reiterate what I have frequently said before, that all that is necessary to secure a special appropria- tion to be expended in the interest of api- culture, in whatever lines may be deemed best by those who are competent to decide the matter, and willing to offer their sug- gestions freely, is for apiarian societies and great numbers of bee-keepers of the coun- try to make an active effort to intiuence their members of Congress, and especially the committees on agriculture, to see the justice and importance of devoting a defi- nite and liberal sum to this purpose. Washington, D. C, March 30. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 331 TEMPERATURE OF BEE-CELLARS. Subject to Conditions ; other Important Factors; Ventilation more Important than Temperature; Keeping up instead of Building up. BY S. T. PETTIT. Answering a question throug-h Glean- iN<;s concerning- the proper temperature of bee-cellars, I will say that anyone temper- ature for all bee-cellars, and all conditions of hives and bees in those cellars, will fit iust about as well as one size of boot will fit the feet of all men. I believe 45° is about right when the hives have nothing more than a cloth over the tops; but I be- lieve 38 to 42 is beUer when each hive has a good cushion on it. But there are other conditions, both of cellars and of hives — important factors in good wintering — that must be considered to determine the right temperature for each cellar. I never could pronounce definitely upon the proper tem- perature of any given cellar without first consulting the bees in that cellar. If they are happy and contented, and manifest it by their silence and dryness, I would note that temperature; and if it has prevailed for some time I would decide that it is about right for that number and condition of the bees in that cellar. But cellars dif- rer so much in construction, material, and conditions of exposure to and protection from bleak winds that it may be necessary in some cellars, in order to continue a good supply of fresh air, to allow the tempera- ture to drop to 36 during cold spells. To make my point clearly understood, let me suppose a cellar, well built of brick, cement, or stone, and practically air-tight, and well supplied with adjustable venti- lators, but a portion of it above ground, and in a pretty cold place. Now, it is clear that, in severe weather, the tempera- ture will drop considerably — may be to 36 or even 35. Well, if the temperature will, in all probability, rise to 38 or 42 in a few days, it is better not to close the ventilators nor to change them very much, for, very likelj', if they be closed the bees will soon become restless and more or less noisy, and the temperature will rise, perhaps, to the ideal of perfection in many minds — ^5; but I can assure you that teinperaficre at the expense of pure air is a bad trade — a losing move. With warm top packing, or without it, I would rather winter at from 35 to 40 than deprive the bees of a continuous supply of good air. Mr. Editor. I am unworthy of recognition as an humble writer if I shrink from expressing my convictions, even if I stand alone. But I say that the remarks of many of the veterans, such as "build- ing-up," "getting the bees ready for the honey harvest," "coaxing the bees into the sections," also of expressed errors in man- ner of wintering, clearly show that the wintering problem is not yet fully under- stood and disposed of; ihdeed, I question if comparatively many yet comprehend the grand possibilities of perfect wintering. It is not enough to say, "My loss is only 4 per cent; " the important question is, "What about the condition of the 96 per cent? Mak- ing two out of three, or giving help from the strong to the weak, are perhaps the next best things to perfect wintering; but they lag a long way behind in the race of the season. Here is one difference. Good strong col- onies may be made from brood and bees taken from those likely to swarm too early if nearly all are in perfect condition. The one who can make five good colonies out of four gets a long start ahead of the man who mikes two out of three, and yet the spring count may be the same. If bees are so strong when sections are given that they are glad to go up for elbow room, not more than one hive in fifty will fail to go to work; and the closer the sections are to the brood, the more bees will be crowded into them. You see they can't help going to work. Re- fusing to do so would be doing violence to the nature of bee life. There they are, crowded right against warm, soft, tempt- ing foundation; brood- chamber full, and their sacs so full that their whole bodies are just aching for a place to put it, and more coming in. Talk about building up the bees for the honey harvest! Let us sub- stitute keeping up for "building up;" bet- ter fall and winter work, and less spring work. Another thing, poor wintering is respon- sible for the impaired usefulness and even for the lives of many good queens. Aylmer W., Ont., Can. [I am with you in believing that temper- ature at the expense of pure air is a bad trade. I also agree most heartily with you when you advocate fresh air and lots of it. Indeed, I am not sure your views are not orthodox. — Ed.] EARLY OR LATE CUTTING OF ALFALFA DE- PENDENT ON LOCALITY. The Future of Alfalfa Honey; The Condition not Reassuring to the Bee.keeper in California. BY W. A. H. GtLSTKAP. You are nearer right on the alfalfa ques- tion when you say that it " depends some- what on locality" than the contestants generally are on this subject. It is mainly a question of locality. Few questions are settled to suit every- body at the present time, and for various re isons they can not be. But this problem has been really discussed on two lines, and they have been so blended as to cause con- fusion. 1. Is alfalfa cut earlier than it was sev- eral years ago, and therefore oftener in the season? 2. Is it more profitable to cut early than after the plant is more mature? 332 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Apr. 15 As reg'ards the first phase, it is easy enough for any one living" in an alfalfa country, with two got d eyes and a fair memory, to decide. Local conditions have differed for many years in various locali- ties in California, but in many olaces the tendency is toward early cutting. Experiment stations should be able to de- cide such questions right, so farmers could tell exactly what is best; that is what the stations exist for. Experimenters can bring chemistry to bear on the subject, and then prove or disprove the practical appli- cation of the conclusions thus obtained bj' feeding stock and carefully noting results. Then why don't they agree? Different en- vironments naturally bring different re- sults. It would seem strange if the most successful mode of handling alfalfa on rich sandy loam would necessarily be best on a thin limestone soil where the growing sea- son is more than a third shorter. The best hay for horses may not be best for beef stock or milk production. If any one has advo- cated very early cutting of hay in this val- ley, when the hay is intended for horse feed, it has never reached my attention. Many claim that alfalfa should be in full bloom for some time to make best feed for beef cattle, and many claim it should not stand so long. But when it comes to dairy stock I do not know a man who has changed from late cutting to early, and then changed back to late cutting. As dairying is rapid- ly coming to the front, it is revolutionizing the alfalfa business. As farming is usual- ly done on methods which are supposed to give best average results, the alfalfa is all cut young where dairying is the main thing (and it generally is), and little thought is giv- en to the small loss, if any, that is brought about by feeding the "wishy- washy " feed to other stock. Mr. Aikin has told in a past volume of Glean- ings that the alfalfa growing near fences, along ditches, etc., is of considerable help to the apiarist in his locality. The same is true here, although some farmers turn cattle in after each cutting to graze these nooks down. Some honey is secured before each cutting on nearly any ranch, although the amount may be quite small. In practice, the mower does not always do its work as quickly as in theory it should, owing to miscalculation or rush of work. I think this occurs oftener wilh small farmers, as they are less methodical about their work, just as a large department store is managed on stricter business prin- ciples than a country grocery. It is as safe to expect alfalfa honey in the future as it is to calculate on sage or white clover honey. Very likely there will be a decrease in the amount during the next decade when our entire country is considered. Of course, the acreage of al- falfa is expected to increase as well as some unoccupied territory to be occupied. If an apiarist contemplates going to an alfalfa country it would be well to investi- gate this very important point before lo- cating. If he is located, and finds early cutting is greatly reducing his crop it may be wise to move his bees out of the country, as the most extensive bee-keeper in this county (Stanislaus) and some others did last year. I think that is about all there is of the subject — largely locality. Modesto, Cal., Feb. 18. LATE CUTTING OF ALFALFA. I inclose a clipping from the Kansas Farmer, of Dec. 18, on early and late cut- ting of alfalfa. Although the writer of the article is not writing from the bee-keep- er's standpoint, his experience would seem to be pretty good evidence in favor of al- lowing the alfalfa to bloom long enough be- fore cutting to give the bees a chance to gather a good deal of honey from it.i Editor Kansas Farmer.— "Sly experience in cutting alfalfa is different from sonie others'. For instance, most if not all the writers on the subject say, cut the first crop early, when one-tenth of the plants are in A PAKT OF K. S. WKBSTIOK S Al'lAKV. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 333 bloom, and the succeeding crops will be much heavier than if the first crop is allowed to stand until it is all in bloom I have just read Bulletin No. 114, issued from the experiment station at Manhattan, and it says, "Alfalfa should be cut when not more than one- tenth of the plants are in bloom. Early cutting in- vigorates the plant. The late cutting of the first crop seems to injure the plitit more than at any other ti^ne." In September, 1901, I planted six acres to al- falfa and got a splendid stand. In the last week of May, litO'2, I concluded that one-tenth of the plants were in bloom, and the crop was ready for cutting, and I cut ten swaths around the field. It set in so rainy and cloudy that I stopped the mower and wait- ed two weeks for fairer weather, lamenting all the time that I was injuring the hay crop by letting it stand .so long without cutting. But I was surprised, when I came to cut the second crop, to find that the piece that I cut earlier did not turn off more than about one-half as much as the piece I cut later; and this was the case with the third and fourth cuttings. All through the season I could distinguish the very line where the earlier cutting left off ^n I the later cutting commenced. The ground and soil are all the same, rich bottom, about thirty feet above permanent water, no weeds foxtail, or crab grass in the field. The hav from the earlier cutting did not remain on the field to injure growth of second crop. Please ex- plain to me whv my alfalfa acts so contrary. Garnet, AndeVson Co., Kan. J. 5l. Craig. I also inclose a photo of part of my apia- rj' — four hives, with my wife standing be- hind them; the other two hives are on an- other stand which doesn't show in the pic- ture. E. S. Webstkr. Hutchinson, Kan. FOUL = BROOD LEGISLATION IN CALIFORNIA. BY J. M. HAMBAUGH. Among- the very first bills introduced into the California legislature in January was one with the following title: An Ac/— To amend an act entitled an act fo por- mote the apicultural interests of the State of Califor- nia by providing county inspectors of apiaries, and defining their duties, and providing for their compen- sation, and repealing an act entitled, " An act to authorize the board of supen'isors of the several coun- ties of this State to appoint inspectors of apiaries, and provide for their compensation, and defining their duties, and for the further protection of bee culture," approved March 13, LSS3, said first-named act having been approved February, 20, 1901, and adding five new sections, seven, eight, nine, ten, and eleven, and pro- viding for making the violation of certain .sections thereof a misdemeanor. Senator Ward and Assemblyman Bur- gess, both of San Diego Co., introduced the bill simultaneously in both houses, and they made rapid headway, reaching the Governor among the very first, to claim his signature. All honor to them, and thanks to all in our legislative halls who so gener- ously contributed to the needs of the suffer- ing bee-keepers, with their influence and votes. Many thanks, also, to those wide- awake officers and members of the Califor- nia State Bee-keepers' Association, TTniver- sity Farmers' Club Institute, California Central Bee-keepers, etc., and especially our good friend Prof. Cook, who so ably and generously championed the cause of the bee-keepers, and while, in our individ- ual estimation, it does not meet ever3' re- quirement, we believe we now have upon our statutes the best foul-brood law on the continent of America. It will be noticed the last live sections and the amendment to the fourth section were enacted at this ses- sion of the legislature. Sec. 1 — Whenever a petition is presented to the board of supervisors of any county, signed by ten or more persons, each of whom is a property-holder, resident of the county, and possessor of an apiary or place where bees are kept, stating that certain or all apiaries within the county were affected with the dis- ease known as foul brood, or any other disease which is infectious or contagious in its nature, and injurious to the bees, their eggs, or larv:e, and praying that an inspector be appointed by them, whose duty it shall b:f to supervi-se the treatment of said bees and apia- ries as herein provided, the board of .supervisors shall, within twenty days thereafter, appoint a suit- able person, who shall be a .skilled bee-keeper, in- spector of apiaries. Upon petition of ten persons, each of whom is a resident property-holder, and pos- sessor of an apiary, the board of supervisors may remove said inspector for cause after a hearing of the petition. Sec. 2. — It shall be the duty of the inspector in each county to cause an inspection to be made, when he deems it necessary, of any or every apiary or other place within his jurisdiction in which bees are kept ; and, if found infected with foul brood, or any other infectious or contagious disease injurious to the bees, or their eggs or larvae, he shall notify the owner or owners, person or persons, in charge, or in possession of said apiaries or plact s where bees are kept, that the same are infected with foul brood or any other disease infectious or contagious in its nature, and injurious to bees, their eggs, or larvae, and he shall require such person or persons to eradicate and re- move such disr-ase or cause of contagion, within a certain time to be specified. Said notice may be served upon the person or per- sons or either of them, owning or having charge or having possession of such infected apiaries or places where bees are kept, by any inspector, or by any per- son deputized by the said inspector for that purpose, or they may be served in the same manner as a sum- mons in a civil action Any and all such apiaries, or places where bees are kept, found infected with foul brood or any other infectious or contagious disease, are hereby adjudged and declared to be a public nui- .sance: and whenever any such nuisance shall exist at any place within his jurisdiction, or on the property of any non-resident or on any property the owner or owners of which can not be found by the inspector after diligent search, within the county or upon the property of any owner or owners, upon whom notice aforesaid has been served, and who shall refuse or neglect to abate the same within the time specified, it shall be the duty of the inspector to abate the nui- sance— either by treating the disease or by destroying the infected hives, together with their combs and bees therein. The expense thereof shall be a county charge, and the board of supervisors shall allow and pay the same out of the general fund of the county. .Sec. 3. — It shall be the duty of the county inspec- tor of apiaries to keep a record of his official acts and doings, and make a monthly report thereof to the b ard of supervisors; and the board of supervisors may withhold warrants for salary of said inspector until such time as said report is made. ,Sec. 4 — The salary of the county inspector of apia- ries shall be four dollars per day when actually engaged in the performance of his duties, and item- ized necessary traveling expenses incurred in the per- formance of his duties, as prescribed in this act. Sec. ".—The inspector of apiaries may, in his discre- tion, order the owner or owners, or other persons in charge of bees kept in box or other immovable or stationarv comb hives in apiaries infected with foul lirood or any other infectious or contagious disease, or within a radius of three miles of such diseased apia- ries, to transfer such bees to movable-frame hives within a reasonable time to be specified in such order or notice; and in default of such transfer by the owner or owners, or other person in charge of such bees, the inspector may destroy or cause to be de- stroyed all such hives,' together with their contents, and the expense thereof shall be a county charge, as provided in section two of this act. .Sec. 8. — Any-person or persons who shall import bees into the State of California, which said bees are not accompanied with a certificate from a duly author- ized inspector of apiaries, or bee-inspector, certifying that such bees are free from foul brood and other infec- tious or contagious diseases, or who shall import bees from another county within this State not having a 334 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Apr. 15 Taee inspector, into a county having a bee inspector, shall immediately, upon receipt of such bees, cause them to be inspected by a duly authorized inspector of Apiaries; atid if such bees are found to be infected with toul brood or other infectious or contagious dis- ease, such inspector shall proceed to have such disease eradicated, as provided in section two of this act. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor. Sec. 9.— It shall be unlawful for any person owning or controlling bees within this State, which are known to be infected with foul brood, or other infectious or contagious disease, to remove said bees to a new loca- tion, without first giving ten days' notice to the coun- ty inspector of apiaries, stating when and where he intends moving said bees. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor. Sec. 10. — Any person or persons whose apiary is in- fected with foul brood or any other infectious or con- tagious disease, and who sells or offers for sale from such infected apiary any bees, hives, bee-fixtures, or appurtenances, or who shall expose in his bee-yard or elsewhere any infected comb honey, beeswax, or other infected thing, or who conceals the fact that his apiary is so infected, shall be deemed guilty of a mis- demeanor. Sec. 11. — Any person or persons who shall resist, impede, or hinder in any way the inspector of apiaries in the discharge of his duties under the provisions of this act shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor. Sec. 11. —This act shall take effect immediately. THE USE OF CARBON BISULPHIDE. Why it may Prevent Comb Honey from Candy- ing; a Motor Bicycle for Running a Honey- extractor; Siiaflow Brood'ciiambers. BY GEO. A. BATES. If honey really does not candy in combs that have been fumed w^ith carbon bisul- phide, the reason is easy to guess. The bi- sulphide is a solvent of wax, and its vapors might easily soften the cappings as damp weather softens glue. Then you would ex- pect the soft and therefore adhesive cap- pings to run together wherever the bees have left a crack. That they do leave cracks is shown by the way comb honey absorbs moisture when careful customers put it in the ice-box to keep. Once the cells are sealed tight, there is no mystery about the failure to candy, and the bisulphide would evaporate and leave the wax hard on the very first chance. In fuming combs I like to spread a cloth wet with the bisulphide over the top combs. This fills the pile of boxes with saturated vapor almost at once, while it takes quite a while to climb over the rim of a saucer; and as diffusion is going on all the time, it never gets as strong. Here in New York the price of carbon bi- sulphide is 12 cents a pound, if you furnish the bottle. This is so much less than the price you mention (35 cents) as being charged by drugstores, it seems as if some- thing ought to be done to bring it within the reach of bee-keepers at a more reason- able cost. The above bisulphide is double-refined. The cheaper kind is listed at 7 cents in 50- Ib. lots, and ought to be good enough. I am using for hives the 5^4 -inch-deep su- pers, ten-frame, two or three of them for the brood-chamber. Such a hive has many good features— one being that, in these shal- low frames, thin surplus foundation can be used. I have been using it for three years now; and another is, that every thing is in- terchangeable. But they are principally useful for "shook" swarms and similar manipulations. Last summer I tried R. C. Aikin's plan on three colonies (Gleanings, 335, 1901), with great satisfaction, and this summer ought to be a good test, for the way the bees swarmed was rather exasperating. You don't have to hunt for the queen— just slip in the excluder, and at the end of the ten days there is no chance of mistake as to which side she is on, and she can be set aside to build up for the fall flow, which they did this year to the extent of three stories of brood; but then there has been no lull in the honey-flow at all this year up to date, Sept. 1. If the plan will work this way every year it will suit me better than any kind of brushing. Why these doleful wishes that the gaso- line-engine could be controlled so as to run an extractor? I should be quite happy if that were the hardest problem to solve in connection with bee-keeping. A motor with changeable spark-time, like the bicycle- mo- tors, ought to be very satisfactory, if used with a fair-sized fly-wheel and a friction clutch. For that matter, why not use a mo- tor-cycle? It will carry you to the out-api- aries, and do the work when you get there. I have had my lathe running by butting the back wheel of a motor-cycle against the fly- wheel, the bicycle, of course, being raised so that the wheel can turn freely. I expect to do a great deal of sawing on this plan before spring. You may say that the expense is prohibi- tive; but that is not necessarily so. Our motor and accessories, not counting the bi- cycle, of course we had that, have not yet cost S30; but it is home-made, and it is not likely that many bee-keepers have the nec- essary tools. Yet a very good cycle-motor can be purchased in New York for $27.50 from the Chas. E. Miller Co. An acquaint- ance of mine is using one. We had it here to test, and it seemed very well made in- deed. It ought to be possible to get motor- cycles, second-hand, at a reasonable price before long. We have recently been using a 12-horse- power Packard motor carriage by jacking up one rear wheel and putting the fly-wheel of a screw-cutting lathe in contact with it; but it is rather too much of a good thing. A friend in the neighborhood has just built (or altered) an automobile for prospecting. It has a 25 horse-power gasoline-motor, and a pulley at the back of the machine for ex- tracting rock drills or any thing else. The engine-shaft runs straight through to the back of the machine. The greatest objec- tion at present is the lack of a governor on such motors. It takes one person to regu- late the speed and another to do the work. Highwood, N. J. [I had not thought of the use of a motor bic3xle for running an extractor. Sure 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 335 ■enough, it would carry the apiarist to his outyard, and then could be hitched to an extractor with the proper transmission, throwing out the honey while the combs are being uncapped. There may be more in this idea than appears at first on the sur- face. In looking up this gasoline-engine subject I found that the simplest and most practica- ble means of control is by the lead of the electric spark. I will explain, for the bene- fit of those who are not familiar with the gasoline-engine, that a charge of gasoline and air is drawn in at one stroke. The pis- ton returns, squeezing the charge into about a third of the space it occupied when the piston was out full length. Just at, or be- fore this point, an electric spark explodes the mixture, generating a great pressure, forcing the piston out. The return stroke exhausts the burned gases, when a new charge is drawn in as before. If the elec- tric spark is fired when the compression is greatest, then the greatest speed and power are evolved. The firing of the spark can be timed to take place at any point in the stroke; and, obviously, the later the firing, the less efficient the charge of gas will be. Less power will be evolved, and consequent- ly there will be less speed. This method of speed control, in connection with throttling the gasoline, which still further reduces the speed of the engine, is the one that is used on the best automobiles of to-day. It is not practicable to throttle a gas-en- gine as one would throttle a steam-engine; but a great range can be secured in the manner above explained, sufficient to give the necessary speed to an extractor, fast or slow. As soon as we can, we will construct a gasoline extracting-outfit something on the lines suggested. But before building such a machine we desire to study up the subject thoroughly in order that we may put out the most practicable machine that can be devised. In the mean time we shall be glad to receive further suggestions. A little motor that is used on bicj'cles would run an extractor very readily, and it would not be very difficult for one of an ingenious turn of mind to rig one up. In the mean time, where a correspondent is able to develop the idea we hope he will furnish us a photo or drawing of the entire rig, so that we can present to our readers the newest and latest thing in honej'-ex- tracting. Perhaps Mr. Bates will develop it.— Ed.] THE HEALING POWER OF HONEY FOR DOMES. TIC ANIMALS. BY WILLIAM A. M'KELLIP. U. S. Consul, Magdeburg, Germany. One can see from the following instance, taken from an article by a Mr. Kuederli, in the ''Swiss Bee Journal,'''' that pure bee honey can be of very great service in the care of domestic animals. A very fine cow of the author's became very difficult to milk after calving, and was for this reason operated on by a veterinary surgeon. Whether insufficient care was taken during the operation, or from other causes, the cow was taken with a severe inflammation of the udders, during which she gave, instead of twenty liters of milk daily, only seven to eight. Movable hard bodies formed inside the udders, which de- fied every treatment employed. The owner then remembered that he had read some- where that, in the case of swellings and in- flammations, pure honey often brings about very satisfactory results. Therefore, after milking, he rubbed warm honey into the cow's udders until the honey had thorough- ly soaked into the skin. Even after the first trial, an improvement was noted; the cartilaginous formations grew smaller, and disappeared entirely after ten days, and the quantity of milk increased to sixteen liters daily. Results just as surprising were gained by a teacher who used honey for his fowls, about which he informs us as follows: A very fine white turkey, which had al- ways had a very good appetite, suddenly lost the same, always sought the coop, and let his head hang. He had, according to all signs, a high fever. When one opened his beak, it was full of slime. After the owner had waited four or five days for an improvement, he remembered his honey-pot, which had already been of service in the sick-room in case of fever and catarrhal troubles. He thought that what is healing for man ought to help the beloved bird, and his hope was fulfilled. He brought some bits of candied honey, and, while his wife held open the patient's beak, he pushed in three or four pieces, one after another. Some hours afterward he went again into the coop in order to repeat the treatment. He had this time taken a piece of brown bread with him, and dipped small bits of it in fluid honey. After he had pushed down the first piece, the turkey snapped at the second, but was either too awkward or too weak to swallow it without assistance. After three or four pieces of honied bread had been given to him in this way he re- gained his old appetite, and — thanks to our honey cure — completely recovered. A short time afterward, the teacher no- ticed that one of his Minorca hens, which he had raised himself, refused to eat, and every few minutes emitted a sneezing sound; the head was also somewhat swollen. At the same time he found out that a rooster of his neighbor's had had the same trouble for several days. In the latter case the head was so swollen that the fowl had not been able to open its eyes for several days. He shut his sick hen in a cage, therefore, and began his honey cure. Three days afterward it was possible to let her out in a healthy condition. The next day another fowl was taken sick with the same symptoms. Then he said, "It is high time that I take to my well-tried cure." He put the end of his finger full of honey several times into 336 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Apr. 15 the bird's beak, and when he paid his pa- tient another visit in an hour and a quar- ter the sound in breathing had totally dis- appeared, and the sneezing- stopped also in a few days. " I am firmly convinced,*' said the teach- er, at the close of his communication, "that in the case of catarrh, and in the first stages of diphtheria in fowls, no better medicine ex- ists than honey, to be g-iven every two or three hours, and I should like to advise every one to use this simple and cheap cure in such cases." BEESWAX IN THE TROPICS. How its Production may be Made Profitable ; how Extracted Honey and Wax for Market can be Produced at One and the Same Time ; Squeezing the Combs in a German Wax=press, and Selling the Wax ; why Tropical Honey may be Just as Good as any Northern. BY W. K. MORRISON. Some of the tropical apiculturists, owing to the low price of honey, are disposed to pay more attention to the production of wax, which is now rather high in price viewed from the standpoint of the buyer. Most bee authorities have laid it down that wax pro- duction would not pay. This may be true of the temperate zone, while it may be very different in the hot latitudes. By way of preface, however, it may be pointed out that the price of really first-class honey in the English and Continental markets is not low at all — rather it is that tropical-honey pro- ducers neglect quality for quantity. More attention to quality should be the watch- word of the tropical bee-master, for I hold the opinion that just as good honey can be produced "way down south" as "up north." It is all in the method. It is quite possible to produce a fair amount of wax, and at the same time im- prove the quality of the honey produced, even though that great oracle, the A B C of Bee Culture, should say otherwise; and if I lay down the dictum that better honey can be secured by dispensing with the centrifu- gal extractor, don't all shout at me at once. One of the most important points in wax- producing is to have no drone comb in the brood-chamber. Now, this means just what it says. Apiarists have often assured me their brood-chambers contained no drone comb, when, as a matter of fact, it contain- ed what I should term a goodly quantity. As soon as the honey season arrives, or is about to arrive, put on queen-excluders over all the brood-chambers, and place on the surplus chamber with frames containing only starters. Having no drone comb be- low, the bees will simply make a rush to construct some upstairs long before the hon- ey-flow has reached its zenith. If the bee- keeper gets the chance he can cut out some of the comb before the bees get honey into it. But what will probably suit most peo- ple is to wait and let the bees fill the comb with honey, allowing it to be sealed over and fully ripe. The next procedure is to cut the combs out, leaving about an inch in each frame as a starter, immediately putting them back. The combs so cut out may be put in the (German wax-press, and the honey pressed out. This is the most expeditious way, and does away completely with the mussy job of uncapping. If proper care is used in the various manipulations the honey may be run into packages at once, as squeezed hon- ey requires no straining or settling. In England and other European countries, honey-presses are quite common, and can be bought in London for $1.50. This may seem like going backward, but it is far from it, as a little experience will show. Fine combs built on foundation in the brood-chamber, with queen-excluder zinc, are things not thought of by old-fash- ioned folks, and j'et these are the essentials of successful wax-production in the tropics; in fact, it is hardly worth while to trj' to get along without them. A great many colonies can be handled by one person in this way, swarming is efi^ec- tually controlled, and worry reduced to a minimum. For example, there is no trouble in keeping the combs free from moths from one season to the next. There is, however, another plan bj' which more wax is secured and less honey. In this case the same brood-chamber is used with the zinc excluder. But, two surplus chambers are used, preferably two Ideal supers with shallow frames. The upper one is allowed to be filled with honey, but the middle one is cut every week or so be- fore the bees get a chance to fill it with honey. The apiarist, however, has his work cut out to keep the middle chambers clear of combs. The bees seem to " abhor a vacuum," and constantly build up the combs so ruthlessly torn down by the apia- rist. Of course, this plan implies consid- erably more work than the other, but more wax is actually produced. One of the cardinal points in wax pro- duction is to have no melting of the wax. If melting is resorted to it adds to the ex- pense, and is entirely unnecessary. A Boardman solar can be used; but if I were using it I would alter it considerably. I would use aluminum instead of sheet iron, as it keeps more heat, and is much cleaner. I would abolish the strainer, and use a dam instead to catch sediment. Wax should be molded square, and shipped in boxes to suit foreign markets, and the net weight of the wax should be marked on the box. White paper should be used to line the box; if not, dust gets in and reduces the value of the wax; for if the least bit dirty, the buyer has to refine the wax, and, of course, that being so, he will pay less for such wax. There is really no reason why a large amount of wax may not be shipped from the West Indies. The conditions are favorable; and with intelligent care the product ought 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 337 to rank very high. Cleanliness is an all- important point, and it is easier to prevent impurities g^etting- into the wax than to take them out afterward. [There is a great deal of practical value in Mr. Morrison's article, and especially to those in the southern part of the United States, and in the tropics. I do sometimes think we concentrate too much of our ener- gy on /loney-production only, overlooking the fact that wax is high in price. There are times when a low-priced honey, due to poor markets or excessive freight rates, will make wax-production very profitable. The scheme of using an ordinary wax- press, perhaps such as may be had of any dealer, and squeezing the honey out of the combs and selling the wax in the good old- fashioned wa3% deserves more than passing attention. In European countries wax- presses are common articles of sale among the dealers. Wax is high in price, and both the honey and the wax are produced at one and the same time. With such con- ditions the honej'-extractor is superfluous ; and the wax-press, or, perhaps, more exact- ly speaking, a honey-press, is a necessity. At the Buffalo convention of the National Association, some four or five years ago, Mr. R. C. Aikin produced a temporary shock on orthodoxy by soberly announcing that it was his private opinion that more money could be made by crushing the combs for the wa.v and honey than by ex- tracting them for the honey alone. Perhaps I have not stated this exactly as he put it ; but I am not so sure but that certain con- ditions of market and locality render this a statement of fact. We should be glad to hear from those in position to speak from experience. — Ed.] BEE-KEEPERS ON THE KICKAPOO RIVER. Practical Plan for Insuring Bees against Fire Loss. BY HARRY LATHROP. For a few days I have been visiting some of the bee-keepers on the Kickapoo. This was for 3'ears a locality very much noted for its great crops of basswood honey, Vio- la on the Kickapoo, and Richland Center on Pine River, being centers of honey-produc- tion. But I am sorry to say that the field is on the wane so far as honey-production is concerned. The buzz-saw and the excel- sior-mill are fast ruining the trees that have made this localitj' famous. I have recently visited the bee-keepers over on Pine River, including the Pickards and C. A. Hatch. The Pickards use and prefer the Gallup hive and frame for ex- tracted honey, as does G. W. Wilson, with whom I have just had a pleasant visit. Mr. Wilson still gets fair crops of honey at his home yard, as he has done for many years, and I believe his methods are worthy of •consideration. His hive is the same size in length and width as the eight-frame "L." hive, but it contains 12 frames that are 17^' inches deep. He has strong colonies, the deep frame being favorable to safe winter- ing and abundance of stores. For the i)ro- duction of extracted honey I believe I should prefer his hive to any thing else I ever saw. But for comb honey, or for comb and ex- tracted both, give me the standard L. frame or the seven-inch case. One- great trouble with the L. hive is that the bees are so often short of stores, and require so much feeding. It is the deep hive that always has "too much honey" that will uniformly show up a strong colony for the working season. But in this short paper I wish to intro- duce a subject about which Mr. Wilson and myself had a very earnest conference. It relates to insurance against fire on bees while in the cellar or on their summer stands. Mr. Wilson stated that he could not get any insurance on his bees, and I have heard others say the same thing. I have carried some, but the rate was high. Now, what we propose to have is a mu- tual-insurance association to be operated through or among the members of the Na- tional, or among the members of each State association. I think it should be so arranged that the bees of each member should be insured against loss by fire at any season of the year, for two-thirds of their actual value, to be determined by an appropriate board. In case of a loss each member would be as- sessed pro rata according to the number of colonies he owned at the time of the loss. For example, A is a member; his bees are entirely destroyed by fire. It will require an assessment of one cent per hive on all the bees owned by the membership to repay the loss of A as determined by the official board through their local agent or other- wise. If B owns 55 colonies his assessment would be 55 cents. What do you think of it? You remember that I was up here several years ago, and met a bee-keeper (?) who gave me some pointers regarding "foul brood," stating that he had "seen it so bad that there were at least a dozen eggs in each cell." I met the same man the other day, and did not know him till the subject of foul brood was incidentally mentioned. He then asked me if I could tell the queen or worker bee that caused it. I caught on to the fact that he was the same party, and at once changed the subject. I will close by informing you that the Wisconsin bee-keepers are not all dead, nor have they all decided to go to Colorado. Calamine, Wis. [It is true that ordinary fire-insurance companies will not take any insurance on bees. There is no reason why they should be a greater hazard than ordinary farm property. I am not sure but the National Bee-keepers' Association might do well to give this matter consideration. Suppose, for example, we have, in addition to the GLE.\XIXGS IX BEE CLXTURE. Apr. 1; resT-Llar dues of ?1.0O. a sp>ecial fee for in- surance — say 5*3 cents on a colony. Is it not possible that a fourth or a half of the members would be on the insurance list? Suppose we have CMie-fourth. There would thai be a fund, according- to the member- ship as it now stands, of $125. Xow. out CI the $125 there would not be one loss in 25 years. If experience should show that in- surance could be carried for less, then re- duce the fee. But suppose we started out bv offering- to insure the bees for 50 cents more than the regnlar fees of $l.C"0. This ■would place in our treasury quite a large s-im. In four years it would net $500. I am not so sure but the Assoc iaticm could undertake to insure bees for the simple an- nual dues of $1.00. This would protect them from litigeiticHi, against loss by fire. and would secure all the other privileges of the AssociatioD. The effect of such a feature would be to stimulate a larg-e growth in membership. If the indemnity feature in the event of fire were limited to a sum not to exceed $2>I«J in any one case, it woiild prevent depleting^ the treasury. But before the AssociatioD sbotild attempt to take in the insurance feature without any addition- al cost- it should impose an assessment for the privilege, and then see what experience would determine in the future. — Ed.] NE^' OR OLD COMBS FOR QUEEN'S. fo— <»fiw ia FbD Sbeeu for the BroodKharabers ami SmfCTS Advocated, and ^^liy. BV H. H. HYDE. I have noticed the discussion of late as to which a queen prefers — old or new comb in ■ivhich to deposit e^gs. This whole matter rests on the age of the queen and the pros- perity of the colony; but it may be safely said that, upon the whole, queens prefer old combs to new oaes. In the early spring of tiie year, all queens prefer the old combs, and' will often fill them with brood when they will not touch the new combs. I have t^MXight that, perhaps, the old combs having several goierations of cocoons in their cells, were warmer for that reason, and ctmse- quently easier for the bees to keep the brood warm.' Young queens will lay in new combs aimcBt as readily as old combs. When the colcHiy is prcsperous, or after warm weather has come, I can not see that there is much preference sho-wn by queens as to which they prefer, old or new combs, there being but slight preference shown for old combs. All failing queens will not lay in new combs at all unless that is all they have in which to lay. I am not an advocate of changing combs every few years, but I do believe that, after ten or fifteen years' iervice, all combs should be replaced with neiv ones for various reasons, chief of which is, I believe, it is a good plan from a sani- tary point of view, and the possibility that, from long use, the combs seem to get too heaw and full of cocoons. I am not giving the foundation-makers a free puff, but it is my experience that it pays us at all times to use full sheets of foundation in the brood-frames, whether it is when building up by the nucleus method, taking care of swarms, either natural or forced, or in extracted-honey production. We have 1000 colonies of bees, and have tried using foundation in different ways and in different amounts from starters to full sheets, wired, and we now use full sheets of foundation in the brood- frames. By this means we get all worker combs, which is oneof the chief considerations: and. besides, we believe the gain in honey is more than sufficient to meet the cost of the foundation. In the supers we have used starters, half- sheets, and full sheets: and we believe that the gain in honey by using full sheets will pay the cost of foundation several times over. Last year was a very p)oor one for honey. We had only one short irregular flow: colonies that had supers of full sheets of foundaticm built out the frames and capv- ped the honey, while colonies having even half- sheets were away behind in the way of honev. If we had had full sheets in all our supers last year we would have harvest- ed OTie-third or one-half more honey. In a good year the difference is not so apparent, but none the less real. We do not notice the difference so much. While the honey-fiow is good, colonies build out the frames having starters about as well as those having full sheets: but those having full sheets are filled the quickest: for dur- ing a rush of honey ziax is precious, ajid the bees do not naturally secrete enough wax to keep pace with the honey brought in. Xow. when we give full sheets we have placed them where they have enough wax to make a good start on the combs, and the result is we get. in our experience, from one-third to one-half more honey. We use the Ideal shallow-frame sup)er5: and while localities may differ, we can not see that, in the majority of them, this could affect the matter of using full sheets or less; for we hare found them best for both slow and fast honey- flows. In our locality we get our first honey April Ist to 10th, and the flow continues off and on until in July; hence we desire all the brood we can get in the brood- nest: and by using foundation in full sheets we are able to get more brood there, and oKire honey in the supers; and it is highly important to keep up the brood-rearing un- til the middle of June. If we were in a lo- cality having only one short honey- flow, and did not desire increase, then I suspect we would prevent all swarming possible: and where we coiild not, hive on starters in brcod-irames and full sheets in the supers; for extra comb and brood after the honey- flow would be of little value, and too much of the latter would be objectionable. CVPBIAN AXD HOLY-LAXD BEES FOR TROP- ICAL CLIMATES. '• Our own apiary in sunny Cuba," Feb. 15. was very interesting to me, and I note that A. I. R. has found trouble in getting 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 339 the bees to rear brood in the winter time, they being disposed to fill the brood-nest with honey, and the queens being indis- posed to laj'. Now, what 30U need down there is Holy Land or Cyprian bees, either pure or their hybrids. They will give you all the brood you want, and will keep you raising colonies of bees that will just roll in the honey. A. I. R. seems to think that the^- would be too hard to control in the way of swarming. Not so. Mr. Root; they are less inclined to swarm than Italians if you will give the queens room and the bees room to store their honey. Don't undertake to use the same small hives with these strains that you use with three-banders. If you do, then they may be inclined to swarm. They must have room; and if they can't get it they will swarm — otherwise not. Our locality is one of long honey-flows, and we have found that, if we use three- banders, thej- may be all right for the first flow; but that ends it with them: after that they reduce the brood and allow the hive to become clogged with honey. Extracting the honey out of the brood-nest will do some good, but not much; hence we have turned to the more prolific races of bees, as they give us more honey and less manipulations and less watching for swarming when we give them plenty of room. For all localities having two or more flows or one long slow flow. Holy Lands or C3'prians are decided- ly the bees to keep. Introduce some of the blood into that Cuban apiary, and you will see things move along much more satisfac- torily. GENERAL ARTICLES PREFERRED. I notice, Mr. Editor, that you call for ex- pressions as to which part of Gleanings is the most instructive — the general articles or the departments, especially that of questions and answers. For my part I prefer as much of the general articles as possible, for I get but little out of the questions and answers department. True, there may be things learned occasionally by j>erusing that de- partment; but I think the time wasted in reading is more than the kinks learned, and for that reason I am in the habit of passing that department with little or no notice, sel- dom doing more than glancing at the head- lines. I. of course, suppose that, for the beginner, the department of questions and answers is the most valuable, and that you as editor will have to give us some of both. I certainly appreciate your willingness to give us what the majority of the subscribers prefer, and you may record me as preferring general articles. Floresville, Texas. [From a sanitary point of view it ma\' be advisable to renew the combs every few years providing foul brood or black brood has ever been in the vicinity. In our own case we found we never really got rid of the disease until we had renewed all our combs that had been used somewhere in the apiary during the time we had foul brood just before. It would be continually crop- ping out. My earliest and first expjerience in bee- keeping was with Cyprians and Holy Lands, and I should readily suppose that, where other races were disinclined to rear brood, they would raise their full quota in season and out of season, first, last, and all the time. This quality in a warm cli- mate, where the honey-flows are long, is a good one ; but it is a very undesirable one in northern localities where the season is short, and where one wishes above all things not to have all the winter stores used up in useless brood- rearing when there will be no subsequent honey- flows. Even a dash of the Eastern blood in ordi- nary Italian stock will greatly increase the amount of brood. Yes, I can readily see why you generally prefer general articles, for you are no nov- ice, although, if I am correct, you are un- der 25 by considerable. But do not make the mistake of supposing that the depart- ment of questions and i^nswers is designed for beginners only. Over half of that de- partment relates to discussions with the veterans. If you skip it from the force of habit you may fail to get some of the best that is published in this journal. — Ed.] THE ARRANGEMENT OF Hn'FS IN A BEE- YARD: THE GROUP PLAN OR INDI- VIDUAL PLAN. Allow me to say that I consider your footnotes one of the best features of Glean- ings; and if it is not intruding up>on your time too much I would ofter the following footnote to your footnote: Where is the difference, where the econ- omy in room and steps, to have your bees in close-sitting grroups of five or ten feet apart, or to have them scattered with two feet between? I always imagined I had mv' bees spaced as closely as possible and have the necessary elbow room to work among them. The reason why I want from two to three feet between my colonies is because, when working with my bees. I always stand beside the hive, not behind; besides. I like to have room for a new swarm ;it may be the old one) beside every colony. Then to have the rows eight or more feet apart is to have a chance to set the old colony ahead of the old stand, which is very convenient when shaken off or back of the same, as in cases of hiving on the old stand. I practice both methods more or less. Besides, when working in one row the oi">erator does not stand so much in the bee-line of the row next behind him as when thev stand closer. 340 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Apr. 15 - You nre right. It causes quite a little trouble hiuI annoyance to shift back and forth in f i in. Minion type. French seal, divinity circuit, rrd-undergold edges. Nearly 400 page^ of helps, including illustrations, concord- ance, maps etc. Same with Ihumh index. $1.38. Post- age 17c extra for eithtr. Sheet Music. Catalog and special offer free on request Address M. T MTrigHt. Medina, OHio. S. D. BUELL Manufactures bee hives, and is agent forj The A. I. Root Co.'s goods, which are sold at factory prices. Catalog sent free. Bees for sale. Beeswax wanted. Union City, MicK. Golden or Leather colored Honey Queens bred from the Laws strain. Untested, Jl.OO; tested, 11.25 ."-elected tested, 81.50; extra selected, $2.00, breed- ers, $2 50 to $5 00. N ne better. H. C. 1 RIESCH, Jr., Dyer, Ark. '* Dollar Italian Queens" Ready for delivery May 10. Send for price list. E- E. Lawrence, : Doniphan, Missouri. When you need Queens and want your order filled at once with the best queens that money can buy, we can serve you ai>d guarantee satisfaction. W e have a fine strain of Italians that can not be excelled as honey-gatherers. We can furnish queens fiom either imported or home-bred mothers. Choice tested, Jl.OO each. Untested, 75c; J8.00 per doz. J. W. K. Shaw & Co., Loreauville, La. Say, all Beekeepers One Question, Please. If you were offered a hive that would save you one- half of your time and labor in its manipulations: one that would save you more than $1.00 per hive in costs of extras; or a double-wall hive for the price of a single-wall hive, would you not investigate its claims or merits? The 20th Century Ideal does all the above. Then why not be on time, and send to-day for circu- lars? See pages 72 and 1B4; also the Review for Feb., pages 48 (excuse errors on that page) and 60. Book and hive are two ot the grandest ' hits" of the age. Order book NOW. Price 25c, and your money back if you are not s tisfied. T. K. MASSIE, Tophet, Summers Co.. W. Va. Onlx One THotxsand Copies of my new work Improved Queen-rearing, printed Book is selling like hot cakes. All new points in queen-rearing brought down to 1903. L,ots of new points, too. Order at ' nee a"d get book and one of the Finest Add Breeding Queens for $2.00. Catalog and prospectus rtadv. Hei\ry Alley, "W^enHaxn, Mass. Our A.dvertisers. A large lot of comb foundation shipped by Dadant & Son, of Hamilton, 111., to their F ench correspon- dent at Paris, Mr. R Gariel was unexpectedly stopped at the custi>m-house at Havre, France, and ordered examined for traces of adultetation, by the French revenue officials Samples of the foundation were fornardtd to the government chemists at Rouen, who. alter analysis, reported the foundation to be made of absolutely puie beeswax. Our readers should see what the Ohio Carriage Mfg. Co., Station 27, Cincinnati, O., have to offer. Write them for prices and illu.'-trations. Their advertise- ment is on page 355 of this issue. Wagon's Worth depends uponits convenience and ( life. The life depends upon the ( wheel. You get every conveni- ( enoe of the Modern Low Handy < Wagon and dou ble its life by using i LEGTRIG Metal Wheels For a few dollars you turnyour { old running frears or one you can^ I buy for a song, into a new wagon. Straight or stag- • gered oval steel spokes. The stoutest wheel you can ( ' buy. Any height, fit any wagon. No repairs, no rut- < ' ting, light draft, long service. Let us send you free ( ' catalog to show you how it saves you money. Electric Wheel Company., Box 95, Quincy, Illinois. E PRAVINO Our line of sprayers ana appli. ance.'i fits every man's needs. Hand,Kr\apsack,Bucket, Field. Barrel, and Po^ver sprayers. twenty styles. Bestnozzlei ^ made, attachnipnta. forninlag etc. — Selectthe useful and reliable. Catalog free " THE DEMING CO., Salem, Ohio. Weaeem agents, Henion ^ Hubbell , Chicago ^lU MMJiifinMliliiilliHlll— ■— ■— g^^'^ POULTRY BOOK My 190S catalogue. Elegant in Illustration, full of practical hinta, describes 56 breec's of prize winners. Low prices for birds and eggs. Book postpaid, 10 cents. Calendar for 1903 on cover. S. H. OKEIDES, RHEEMS. PA. BARNES' Hand and Foot Power Machinery. This cut represents our combined circular saw. which is made for bee- keeper's use in the con- struction of their hives, sections, boxes, etc., etc. Machines on Trial. Send for illustrated cat*- log and prices. Address W. F. & Jno. Baraes Co., 545 Ruby St., Rockford. IllinoU. Wood=working Machinery. For ripping, cross-cut- ting, mitering, grooving, boring, scroll-sawing, edge moulding, mortising ; for working wood in any man- ner. Send for catalog A. The Seneca Falls M'f'a Co., 44 Water St., Seneca Fs., N. Y. Foot and Hand Power tt ^ PAGE FENCE BEING acknowledged the Standard, why don't some compa- ny try to imitate its quality and serviceability? Page Woven Wire Fence Co., Box S, Adrian, Michigan. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 353 $750 HYDRO CARBON Capacity : 100 - mile Gasolii:\e> tanK. Capacity : 300- 355 kt 14750 Something never before attempted by any carriage manufacturer. A buggry everybody is talking about. A regular 175.00 buggy sold to the consumer on SO ©ays' Fr€>e Trial for only S47.60. Has lOU points of merit. Here are u few of them: 'Wlieels, Buaft.-^, bnd.v and all pear woods carried otio hundred days In pure oil and lead beforppainted. 36-inch Keuuiuo loathore on tlio shafts. Special liool braccB on ehatls. Quick Bhlftlnsr shaft coupliuge. Lonj; distance, duet proof n.Tlo-i. Full lonKth velvet carpet a:id side panel carpets. Full lenpth Bteel body loops. Reinforced back curtaui. bcrewed rim wheels. Lunuitudinal center eprinf? under the body. Four extra clip;* on the axies. IVIore than are furnished by anyone else. ^-Inch Bteel tires. Full box frame sprint? cushion. Solid panel eprin^ bacii. Ail wool head- lining. Genuine full leather quarter top with genuine ruhber roof, back curtain and side curtains. Body, fancy striped or plain as preferred. Gear painted any color wanted. Full silver mounting's, without exira charge, If ordered. Tlieso ar(> only a few of the many points of merit on this buggy, and every part !• covei'ed bj bur Iron-clad two jear Kxariintee. We ship this buggy to anyone, anywhere, with the positive agreement that If cus- tomers are not satisfied that it is the best buggy they have ever seen, from a standpoint of finish, quality, style and durability, it can be returned to us at our expense, and not one cent paid for it. Write us at ouco for our handsome, new, illustrated catalogue, whicli is sent free. It not only describes every part of this buggy fully, but illustrates and describes a complete line of all styles of vehicles, at prices that will save you from £25.00 to £50.00. We have thousands of testimonials from customers on our books, who have saved money in buying from us, and what we have done for them, we can do for you. 'fl'ry iim au our new plan yu can secure our J- NEW IDEA IStlBATOR at nominal est. I Double Wall,, R«mqv&b)« Tri»y.. Nur^rr Copi .r ^ Bcntor, Impre.rf T»iik, S.rrty L.mp, BtBu'"'"' ■ " '■ ^ Can .-i«o You Money \r,lt. f„, FBKR Cir,-nlu AdJr NEW IDEA lN(UltATOK, Hot 1»!I QtlNCY. ILL. 8 LOW RATES WEST Only ^33 Chicago to San Fran- cisco, Los Angeles, Portland, Ta- coma, Seattle, and many other Pacific Coast points, every day February 15 to April 30, 1903. One-way, second class, colonist rates via Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul and Union Pacific line. To the Northwest via this route, or via St. Paul. Additional in- formation on request. F. A. MILLER, Gen. Passenger Agt., Chicago. E. G. HAYDEN. Traveling Passenger Agent, 217 Williamson BIdg.. Cleveland. If you are interested in Cuba, and want the truth about it, subscribe for the HAVANA POST, the only English paper on the Island. Published at Havana, Cuba. $1.00 per.mouth, $10.00 per year. The "Star" Ventilator. storm proof, effective; for ven- tilating all kinds of buildings barns, stables, and factories of all kinds. .Send for illustrated booklet Merchant & Co., Inc., Philadelphia, Brooklyn, New York, and Chicago. M'nf rs High-grade Bright Tin PAPKR» illnst'cl, Wi pagefc 26 centa pop yoar. 4 months ijcenls. Mmpie f'Tee-. fri-pas"- •t-U'-al p<.'ii;,v nook in.'O to reuriy .•' ."- i-''"r>». B<«>k -lone 1(1 ofpts. t'atn.iojT"^' • 'fJ ly A'iuoc^ie,i)itii^ — ■■ -i-Jf 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 359 DEAL DIRECT ^K!' lion't I'M.v ntail |iru-(> I'nr carriiiyi-s or lianuss. Write for our cataloguo and learn almnt our ^'ysu■la of selliiiL; iluvit from factory to customer. Two proliis uresavid to you. Saiistactinn is ;:uaranlieil, or you can return the purtliaso anil we will pay freight chartios both ways. We have the larsiest assortiiieut of hni;gies, surreys, phretons, carriages, and other hish grade vehicles, as well a3 harness, horse ru^s and other horse accessories, in America. Write for the catalogue to-day. THE COLUMBUS CARRIAGE & HARNESS COMPANY. Factory and General Office. COLUMBUS. 0. ) Write to Western Cffico and Distributing House, ST. LOUIS, MO. J nearest office. LCf^fMrTT'"''"-^"^ YOURS FREE FOR 30 DAYS [ SS'^^a^nK^rft^Sy 30 Days' Free Trial "We ITIakc Onr Buggies, every oco of them, in our own factorj'. Wo soil direct to you, saving nil profits. Get onr new Biicgy Book, FEEE. It will save yon money. Kalamazoo Carriage & Barness Mfg. Co., 133 RansomcSt., Kalamazoo, Mich. Handy Farm Wagons make t lie worK easier for both the man and team. The tires being wide they do not cut into the ground; the labor of loading is reduced many times, because of the short lift. They are equipped with our fam- ous Electric Steel Wheel*, eitherstraightorstag- ger spokes. Wheels any height from 24 to 60 inches. White hickory axles, steel hounds. Guaranteed to carry 40t)0U)S. Why not get started rightby putting in one of these wagons. We make our steel wheels to fit any wagon. Write for the catalog. Itisfrea. ELECTRIC WHEEL CO., BOX 95, QUINCY, ILL.^ "iiig Hatches That's the test of an incubator and that's the record of the SUOOESSFUL. Mccm wim smm Don't experiment. Get a time tried and proved in- cubator. The hiicrei'iiriil ; only hatchespi-rfectly, , but it u ill ln>.t a lite-time— does not swell nor shrink. (jet our big incubator book ( l.ifi pages 1 tree. Other L'atalogues in 4 languages. Des Moines Inch. Company, Dc-pl. .mi;!. Pis MoIm.8, lown, or I .-111 .-.(i:i. Bulfald, \»Y. 1.80 For 12 INCUBATOR Pfrfect in conilrticlioti rn. I ftotion. Hftt4:hei every forti' eg^. WrtU for cataloi? to-day GEO. H. STAHL, Quincy, III The Same Old Story A modern machine always beats hand work Tht Hardie Whitewashing Machine works .so much faster, forces the liquid into every crack and destroys germs and insects which the brush would pass over. The complete ma- chine, express prepaid for only $7 50 Sold under an absolute guarantee. Full particulars on application. The Hardie Spray Pump Mfg. Co., Dept. J Detroit, Michigan. BUILD YOUR OWN INCUBATOR. HOT WATEK I.NUUBATOR . W. rurniflh Lamps. Tpinki, R«>guli\torn. f iilnni nnd FKt:£ Channon, 8now& To., Itept. ]3!> Qpincy, III. STRONGEST _ \DE. Bull KMVkflknVj " ^""^^ ■ strong, Chicken- K£7£^Va«aKi Tight. Sold to the Farmerat Whol«ale :£5S.S.«.«.Sj rncen. Fully Warranted. Catalog Free. W*«*W»W*W»W| COILED SPRINe FKM'E CO. Box 101, Wlncbeat«r, Indiana, C. 8. A. aoo varlelifK. AlsoGrapeih^niall t ruiinetc.l.ebi, 1006. ed stock. Genuine, cheap, 'j sample currants mailed for 10c. Desc. pricy list free. UiWlS BOtbCU, Fredonla, n. I- 360 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Apr. 15. Gleanings in Bee Culture [Established in 1873.] Devoted to Bees, Honey, and Home Interests. Published Semi-monthly by The A. I. Root Co., - - Medina, Ohio. A. I. ROOT, Editor of Home and Gardening Dep'ts. E. R. ROOT, Editor of Apicultural Dept. J. T. CALVERT, Bus. Mgr. A. L. BOYDEN, Sec. TERMS. $1.00 per annum ; two years, $1.50; three years, $2.00; five years, $3.00, in advance; or two copies to one address, $1.50 ; three copies, $2.00 ; five copies, $3.75. The terms apply to the United States, Canada, «nd Mexico. To all other countries 48 cents per year extra for postage. DISCONTINUANCES. The journal is sent until orders are received for its discontinuance. We give notice just before the subscription expires, and further notice if the first is not heeded. Any subscriber whose subscription has expired, wishing his journal discon- tinued, will please drop us a card at once; otherwise we shall assume that he wishes his journal coatinued, and will pay for it soon. Any one who does not like this plan may have his journal stopped after the time paid for by making his request when ordering. SECOND-HAND OO-LB. CANS FOR HONEY. We have a good stock of very good second-hand 60-lb. cans, two in a case, which we offer in 25-case lots or more at 40 cts. a ca.se ; 10-case lots at 45 cts. The most of these cans have been used but once ; are bright, and practically free from rust, and are a bargain at the price. • BEESWAX MARKET. We have secured, during the past two or three weeks, nearly ten tor.s of beeswax, and now have a very good stock on hand. .Still at the rate we are now making it up into foundation this will not last us through May, and we are prepaied to take in all you can send us until further notice, at 30 cts. cash, 32 cts. trade, delivered here. HONEY JARS AND BOTTLES. W^e have received here a carload of over 200 gross of honey-jars, consi>-ting of 5 oz., ;<, 1, and 2 lb square jars with corks; 1 and 2 lb. squaie jars with spring-top fastener ; ^ and 1 lb. Tiptop jars with spring top fa<- tener ; also 1-lb. octagon jar furnished with spring-top fasteners. Prices on these various jars are given in our catalog. Those who use them in larger quantities will do well to write us for prices, stating quantity, style, and size used. We are expecting very soon a carload of No 25 jars and Mason jars. A car of these jars has been delivered at Mechanic Falls, Me., where large quantities are used by H B. Phillips, of Auburn, Me., and by C G Turner, of Mechanic Falls, Me., in putting up honey for the retail trade. Others in the East, using these jars, can order from our branch at Mechanic Falls, Me., J B. Mason, manager. PAPER BAGS FOR CANDIED HONEY. We now have a supply of paraffine-c att d bags, ox 7^, right size for 2 'bs. of candied honey. These we can supply in small or large quantities at the same price as the folding cartons for 1 lb. sections listed in our catalog with the same extras for printing The po.stage on 100 bags would be 30 cts. Price of the baes plain is 60c per 100; 500 for $2 50: $4 50 per 1000. .See page 25 of catalog for table of prices of cartons, and apply same prices to bags in same quantities and styles of printing. FOUR-BEEWAY NO. 2 SECTIONS. We have a surplus stock of No. 2 sections, 1}^ and 2 inches wide, with four openings, which we should be glad to dispose of to those who can use them If too wide we can reduce them to 1%, We are turning out sections at the rate of about half a million a week, and our visible supply of basswood is becoming exceeding- ly limited. We have a furthersupply engaged to keep us goitig full blast till the new stock is plenty dry enough to use, and trust the railroads will not fail us to get it here as fast as we need it Should we run out we have cream-colored lumber to fall back upon, which will make just as good .sections as any we ever made, if no one would object to the off color. SPECIAL C.4PS FOR BOARDMAN FEEDERS. We have just adopted a new cap for Mason jars, to use in the Boardman feeder It is on the pepper-box principle instead of the Hains principl'- heretofore used. We have a special tin screw without lining, which fits any standard Ma.son jar. This cap is perfo- rated with t>8 vei V fine holes. The jar filled with syr- up, and fitted wfth this cap, is inverted and placed in the feeder-box, the hole in the top of the box being of such size as to hold the jar y^ inch t) % above the bottom. This allows the bees to sip the feed fiom the fine holes. With the old cap if the jar was tipped very much the feed would leak out ; but with the new style it will not leak. We are able to offer these caps at ju^t half the price the old ones are listed — 5 cents each ; 40 cents for 10. By mail, 1 cent each extra. SECOND-HAND FOUNDATION-MILLS. '"We still have on hand a good assortment of second- hand foundation-mills, which we list as follows. Any one desiring samples from these mills, or further par- ticulars, we shall be pleased to supply on application. No. 014, 2.x6, hex. cell extra-thin super. Price $8 00. No. 0:-)7, 2x6, hex cell, ex thin super, good. Price$10. No. 2132, 2x6, hex. cell, thin super. Price $10. ^ No. 2227, 2x6, hex. cell, thin super. Price $10. No. 2275, 2i4x6, hex. cell, e,x. thin super. Price $10. No. 050, 2}^xl2, round cell, medium. Price $12. No. 014, 2x10 Pelhara, nearly new. Price $6 No. 034, 2j^xl2%, round cell, verj' old style, in fair condition. Price $10, No. 051, 2x:0, round cell, medium brood. Price 810. Special Notices by A. I. Root. WHITTON'S WHITE MAMMOTH POTATOES. By a blunder the above new and valuable potato was omitted from our table of seed potatoes in our issue of March 15, although we did describe them. The price is $2,50 per barrel, $1.00 per bushel; 60c per half-bushel, and 35c per peck. .Seconds at oiif-half the above prices. Red Triumphs same prices as above. SHALLOTS. Once more we have obtained about 4 bushels of this desirable kind of onions that have been so hard to get. Price $2 50 per bushel; 75c per peck, or 15c per quart. Quart by mail, 25c. Convention Notices. ANNOUNCEMENT. Bee-keepers of Missouri will meet in convention at Moberly, in the Commercial Club rooms, at 2 o'clock p. m on the 22nd day of April, 1903, to organize a Missouri State Bee-keepers' Association. We expect to complete our organization on that day and have some bee-talks the next day following Ever}body is invited who is interested in bees and honey. Let us have a good turnout and a good time. Good hotel accommodations can be had at $1,00 and $2,00 a day. The Monitor Printing Companj' will tell you where the Commercial Club rooms are located. W. T. Cary, Acting Secretary. Wakenda, Mo., March 18. D); GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 361 Wants and Exchange. Notices will be inserted under this head at 10 ots. per line. You must SAY you want your adv't in this department, or we will not be responsible for any error. You can have the no- tice as many lines as you please ; but all over ten lines will cost you according to our regular rates. We can not be re- ■poDRible for dissatisfaction arising from these " swaps." \VANTED.— To sell bees and queens. ^' O. H. Hyatt. Shenandoah, Iowa. w ANTED. — To buj- 50 colonies of bees for cash; must be cheap. F. B C.'WANagh. Gait, Mich. w ANTED —To sell Sir Walter Raleigh seed pot' toes, OOc bu. A. P. Lawrence, Hickory Corners, Mich. VVANTED.— Ha\'ing facilities for rendering wax by '"^ steam, I will pay cash for old comb N. 1,. Stevens, R D. 6, Moravia, N. Y. IV AN TED. -To buy 200 colonies of bees in first-class ' ' condition and in standard hives. H. F. Hagen, 625 High St., Denver, Col. \Vr ANTED —To exchange or sell 50 colonies of Ital- '' ian bees, for honey or cash. David Daniel Hawthorn; Pa. WANTED. -To sell single comb White Leahorn eggs for hatching at $1.00 for 2ti; $;?.00 per 100 J. P. Watts, Kerrmoor, Pa. \VANTED.— Bee-koepers to send 10 cts. for sample ' ' paper bags for putting up extracted honey. R. C. AlKlN, L,oveland,'Colo. VV ANTED. — A yoitng man of good habits to as-ist in '' running apiaries. State age, experience, and wages required. F. B. Cavanagh, Gait, Mich. Y^ANTED —.50 hives with supers complete in the flat. ^^ What have you? T. I. Chenoweth, Albia, Iowa. VVANTED. — To sell or exchange a good hound coon ' ' and mink dog. A fine worker. O. H. TowNSEND, Otsego, Mich. w ANTED. — To exchange 25 volumes of farm, bee, and fruit papers, for Barred P Rock eggs. JAS A. Gillette Burchinal, Iowa. w ANTED. — Reliable farm hand, who undenstands all kinds of farm work. Mu--t be temperate. The Chas. McClave Co., New London, Ohio. \VANTED. — To exchange pure Barred Rock eggs, 15 '^ for 1 tested queen or 2 tintested; $1.50 value. Russel male. John C. Stewart, Hopkins, Mo. \VANTED. — In exchange for nursery .stock, bee s"p- '' plits of all kinds, including 30 exti acting bodies complete with coma's. E. A BoAL Co., Hinchman, Mich. yVANTED.- Reliable agents to sell standard stock, '' poultry, and insect powders. Also Go-Fly for spraying live slock. Write The Chas. McClave Co., New Londoti, Ohio. VV-^NTED —To sell .50 dovetailed 10 frame supers in flat fur A'{xV{ plain sections, complete except sections Root's last vears goods, never opened. Will take 814 .50 for the 'lot. f. o. b. Or will exchange for Langstroth extracting combs. F. W. Lesser, Johnstown, N. Y. VVANTED.— To sell standard bred White Leghorn, ^* Barred_ Plymouth Rock, and White Wyandotte eggs, for 75c per setting of 15 or will exchange for tested Italian queens. J. Ferris Patton, Newtown, Ohio. VVANTED.— At once, 200 swarms bees. Will pay '' cash. Quirin, the Queen-breeder, Parkertown. Ohio. WANTED.— To sell sell two colonies of bees, also a '' full line of supplies for the bee business, very cheap. A. Wilson. Maywood, 111. w ANTHD.— To sell or let on shares, 30 colonies of bees in chaff hives, HolTinan frames. Benj. Passage, 1287 St. Aubin Ave , Detioit, Mich. YY ANTED. —To sell or exchange 25 Simplicity hive.s, '' new and complete, and 100 Simplicity "bodies, practically new. Write for prices. A. Y. Baldwin. DeKalb, Illinois. \VAN TED — To exchange for cash or offers, one two- '' frame Cowan extractor, used but two seasons in a small apiary; also one Bingham knife. I. A WooLL. Elsie, Mich. yVANTED.— To sell for cash, 5 gal. square tin cans, ' ' used for honey, at about half price of new cans. For prices, etc., address Orel L. Hershiser, 301 Huntington Ave., Buffalo, N. Y. VV ANTED. — To exchange bees for foot-power saw. ^' Sixty colon 'es of bees in fine condition for sale; also two fine improved farms for sale. F L. Wright, Webberville, R F. D. 2, Mich. iVANTED. — To exchange Encycloptcdia Britannica, ' for any thing that I can use in bee supplies; 26 volumes, index, and guide; good condition, i89(j. RUFUS Christian, Meldrim, Ga. VyANTED —To exchange or sell for cash, .'elected, '' second-hand 60-lb. cans, practically as good as new, for 35 cts. per case f. o. b. Chicago. B Walker, Clyde, Illinois. VyANTED — To sell seed potatoes at (!5 cts. per bush. '^' Varieties, Carman No. 3, Sir Walter Raleigh, Sen- eca Beauty, Early Ohio, Rural No. 1 and No. 3. A. B. BuhS, 432 West Lima St., Findlay, Ohio. VV' ANTED — To sell or exchange 25 Simplicity hives, new and complete, and 100 Simplicity bodies, practically new. Write for prices. E. Y. Baldwin. De Kalb, 111. \yANTED.— Man, either married or single, to work '" on farm by month or year. Must nut use tobac- co, drink or swear. Give references, state age and experience. C. J. Baldridge, Kendaia, Seneca Go , N Y. \yANTED. To exchange a genuine Stradivarius '' violin 150 years old, foui'dation-mill, bone-mill, shotgun, revolver, clothes-wringer, game roosters, and fox-hound pu, s Elias Fox, Hillsboro, Wis. \1/ANTED.— To purchase 200 to 400 colonies of bees "' in Northern California, Oreeon, or Texas. State price fob. car: also kind of hive, with or without su- pers, and condition of bees, about April 1 to 10. Dr. G. D. Mitchell & Co., 329 Wash. Av., Ogden Utah. WANTED. — A position by a single German, of good habits, has 15 years' experience with bees; also gardening, fruit, stock, and dairy farming. Can give good reference State wages and length of time wanted. Address F. O. G., Granite, Md. WANTED.— Customers to send for my booklet de- scribing my Rhode Island Reds, Light Rrahmas, and Barred Rocks; hardy, prolific, farm bred, pure stock from which I sell the eggs to hatch at ti cts. each. Walter Sherman, lOi) Boulevard. Newport, R. I. Y^ANTED.- To sell, on ace unt of blindness, 100 col- " onies of honey bees in lots to suit purchaser, in single or double walled hives. Or the entire plant consisting of the above bees, extractor smoker, q'een- excluder, honey - board.s, bee - escapes, extracting - combs, second-hand bee hives, etc. .\piar>- es'ablish- ed '23 years. The good will and trade included. Five minutes' walk from railroad station. Chas. Favillk South Wales, N. Y. 362 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE Apr. 15 PACE ^ LYON, New London, Wisconsin, MANUFACTURERS OF AND DEALERS IN . . . BEE-KEEPERS" SUPPLIES. . . . Send for Our Free New Illustrated ^ Catalog and Price List ^ »vwi^vvws/wvyvw' The government, recognizing the necessity of a great and growing bus- iness enterprise, for better mail ser- vice has given us a postoffice on our premises, which enables us to change mails with the passing trains instead of through the Wetumpka, Alabama, postoffice more than a mile distant. This gives us our mails about two hours earlier, and also one hour for making vip outgoing mail. This will be particularly helpful in our queen business. We are now booking or- ders for Italian queens, I,ong-tongued and I,eather-colored; both good. J. n. Jenkins, HoneysuckSe, Alabama. Shipping=point and Money=order > Office at Wetumpka, Alabama. ^ KretcHmer M*f' g' Company, Box OO, Red OaK, lo-wa. bee:- ^ ^ SUPPLIED! Best-equipped factory in the West; carry a large stock and greatest variety of every thing needed in the apiary, assuring BK8T goods at tiie LOWEST prices, and prompt sliipnient. We want every bee-keeper lo liaveour KREK ILLUSTRATED CATAL()(;, and read description of Alternating lliNcs, Ferguson Supers. M^rite at once for catalog. A.^ei»cies. Tresler Supply Company, Lincoln, Neb. Sluigart k Ouren, Council Bluffs, Iowa, Foster Lumber Company, Lamar, Colo. BINGHAM SMOKER. Dear Sir:— Inclosed find $1.75. Please send one brass smoke-engine. I have one already. It is the best smoker I ever used. Truly yours, Henrt Schmidt, Hutto, Tex. MADE TO ORDER Bingham Brass Smokers. Made of sheet brass, which does not rust or burn out; should last a lifetime. You need one, but they cost 25 cts. more than tin of the same size. The little open cut shows our brass hinge put on the three larger sizes. No wonder Bingham's four-inch smoke-engine goes without puffing, and does not drop inky drops. The perforat- ed steel fire-grate has 381 holes to air the fuel and support the fire. Hea\'y tin smoke-engine, 4-inch stove, per mail, $1.50; 3^-inch, $1.10; .3-inch, $1.00; 2'4-inch, 90c; 2-inch, 65c. Bingham smokers are the original.s, and have all the improvements, and have been the standard of excellence for 23 years. Only three larger ones brass. T. F. Bingham, Farwell, Michigan. Volume XXXI TOSBEE CUIiTOH Contents Market Quotations 367 Straws, by Dr. C. C. Miller 371 Pickings, by Stenog- 373 Conversations with Doolittle 37+ Editorials 375 Rufusing to Pay for Queens t 37() New Hive with"Closed-end Frames 3'6 Policv of Gleanings toward Co-operation.. ... 87(i Alfalfa Houey ; Its Quality 376 Mr. Hilbert and His Opinion of Cuba 37(i I^atest from the Pear-growing Regions. 377 Editor Hutchinson at Medina 377 General Correspondence .-80 Northern Michigan Bee-keepers' Convention. .3.«0 California Honey-producers' Association 3K2 Comb honey Production 3S3 Aikins Candied Honev 3S4 Full Sheets vs. Starters in Brood-nest 3S.5 Plea for Starters against Full Sheets 386 Foundation Starters 3S7 Fertilization of Queens in Confinement 3'8 Heads of Grain 389 Queens with Dented Sides.-. 3^9 Curing Foul Brood ......390 Improvement in Wheelbarrows Suggested .3H1 Simple and Cheap Hive stands .392 Right Kind of Free Advertising 3 f_> Cutting .\lfalfa after Bloom 393 Rat or Mouse Trap 3'^ per lb. Beeswax wanted at 22@28c, according to color and citanliness. Colorado Honey-Producers' Ass'n, April 21. 1440 Market St., Denver, Col. S.\N Fr.\ncisco — Comb honey nominal. Extract- ed, water-white, 7 ; light amber, 6^^ ; dark amber, 5. Beeswax, 28. April 15. E. B. SCHAKFFLE, Murphys, Cal. Milwaukee.— The receipts of honey since our last have been small. The supply is not large of extract- ed, yet enough for the demand while fancy comb is not enough for the demand, and of common grades enough, and would prefer less. We advise grading up and producing better quality, and then belter val- ues can be demanded. We quote fancy 1 -lb. sections, 16fail7; No. 1. 14f^l(i; amber and inferior, nominal 8(a) 12'/^: extracted in bbls., kegs, and cans, white. 7(a8c; dark. fi )unds in the center of the super all nicely c ipped. thej' built brace-comb in the center of nearlj' every pound, bracing- the comb to the fences. I should like to know the cause, ;nNGS TOWARD CO- OPERATION DEFINED. I AM surprised to notice that I am credit- ed by one of the editorial writers in the Progr-essive Bee-keeper with being- opposed to co-operation. Possiblv* such an ideama}- be gathered from a single quotation, if it is taken separate and apart from all the other things I have said on this subject; but is that a fair way to set forth one's opinion or position? I have been heartily in favor of co-oper- ation, and have referred editorially a num- ber of times to the splendid organization in Colorado. In this issue it is with no little satisfaction that I note that California is in a fair way to have a successful State or- ganization for the marketing of its crops of honey. A few wild and visionary schemes have" been proposed: and from a business point of view, if an attempt were made to carry them into effect, failure only could be met. 'with the result that the general idea of co-operation would receive a blow from which it would not soon recover. For fear that some may not understand our position, I wish to say this: That we are heartliv- in favor of co-operation, and will do all we can to further and help on any plan that is business-like and practicable in' its general scope. But the talk about a national co-operative body to sell honey would be a little premature, just now. ac- cording to my way of thinking. "^Vhen we can get four or five State organizations at work effectively, we shall then stand a bet- ter chance of launching forth an exchange that will be national in character. Let us go slow; but be sure that what we do under- take would make a sure go. Gleanings opposed to organization? I know of no reason why it should be. What is helpful to the bee-keepers at large would be immensely beneficial to the publishers and manufacturers. Certainly the present ruinous price-cutting and lack of co-opera- tion is damaging and demoralizing to every interest connected with the bee-keeping in- dustry. the re^■iew editor at medina ; a visit with mr. chalon fowls, of oberlin ; how to make red bees out of yellow ones; that horse that was so badly STUNG. Mr. W. Z. Hutchinson, of the Review, is foul-brood inspector for Michigan. Hap- pening to be in the southeast corner of that State on one of his inspection-tours he de- cided to go a little further and visit some of the bee-keepers in Northern Ohio. We had the pleasure of a visit from him on the 23d and 24th of April. Although he is a little past 50, yet he is well preserved for his age. Tall, straight as an arrow, he does not look to be over 40. Those of our people who had never seen him remarked that thej* would have known him at once bj' his pho- tograph. Of course, I took W. Z. out on mj' auto. A number of times I ran the machine up to the point where I thought I could make him flinch. When I asked him if he could stand it at a little higher speed, he laugh- ingly remarked that he could stand it if / could. Well, to be frank about it I did not dare to go much above 15 miles an hour on those countrj- roads. As it was, we were jounced or "shook" like beans in a box. What if I should lose m3' grip or head, or run into something? What if I could not stop the thing? What if I should run into a ditch, and the thousand-pound automobile should be piled up on us two editors? We solemnly agreed that t/iat wouldn't be de- sirable or comfortable," and I slowed down. I proposed taking our friend to Oberlin and Xorwalk in the machine to see Mr. Fowls at the former place and Mr. Board- man at the latter; but the condition of our Ohio roads, and the general appearance of the sky, made it seem inadvisable. To prolong our "unconventional convention" I finally decided to go with W. Z. H. on the street-car, at least part waj'. I went as far as Oberlin, where Mr. Fowls helped make up our convention. It will be remem- bered that he is the extracted-honev- man who makes a specialty- of bottling his hon- ey, and selling the same at retail. He has now four outyards. and is one of the few who make bee-keeping a specialty*. He re- marked, as he looked toward W. Z. with a twinkle, that he was going to keep "more bees;" and instead of producing extracted honey onU-, and carr\-ing some of it over from season to season, he proposed dividing his crop into fanc^' comb and fancy bottled goods. Our readers will recall that, some three or four years ago. Mr. Fowls had quite an experience with a horse that was nearly stung to death, and that he himself escap- ed verv' narrowU'. He had tied the "old mare," as he said, back of the yard near the fence. On the other side of this fence there was a couple of nuclei which he had forgotten all about. During the night the horse in some way broke through the fence and upset one of the hives. In the early morning Mr. Fowls heard a peculiar rack- et. Suspecting what the trouble was, he dressed and rushed out to the horse, bare- footed and bareheaded. M\'. oh mj-1 how the bees pitched at himi He returned, how- ever, in inglorious defeat. Remembering that that seemed cowardlj-, and that the poor horse was tied with a rope, he rushed back, this time in spite of the bees and stings, and untied the rope. But the mis- chief had been done. Almost screaming with pain he called for hot water, which 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 379 was applied to his face and hands, to his great relief. In the mean time the horse had run from thej'ard, and was raring- and throwing itself in fearful agony. The neighbors rushed to her assistance. Doc- tors were called. Some advised cold water, and some called for water with soda. But Mr. Fowls insisted on cloths wrung out of hoiliug^ water. The horse was held down at her head while the cloths were applied. He had some fears, he said, that the cloths might cook the skin, but they did not. The time required in wringing and swinging them in the open air probabl}- reduced the temperature so that thej' would not do that. Hot cloths were applied all over the animal except the head. He never thought of ap- plying them there also; because, in order to hold the animal down on the ground, it was necessarj' for some one to sit on the head. Now mark this : The only places that swelled at all on the horse were on the head, where the hot cloths had not been applied. The eyes of the poor beast were swollen shut. The lips were so badly swollen that the mouth looked like that of a rhinoceros. The ears were fearfulU' puffed up. So badly swollen was the nose, that actually, Mrs. Fowls said, the poor animal could not get her mouth in a common water- pail. I remarked that I should have liked to be there to take a photo of her at the time. Although her appearance was laugh- able in the extreme, Mr. Fowls said he did not think he would be mean enough to let me snap the instrument on her and show her to our readers, even if / could have the heart to do it. Mr. Hutchinson and I looked at the horse, and the only marks that could be seen at this time on her were some bare spots on her flanks and legs. But she is afraid of bees, and alwa^-s will be; and for some time afterward Mr. Fowls said it was diffi- cult to get her near the j-ard where she had been so fearfully stung. She remembers it yet when she hears the hum of bees around her ears. A JOKE ox MR. fowls; RED BEES; A HINT TO EXHIBITORS. Mr. Fowls related one incident that was somewhat amusing. In visiting one of his outyards he found one hive where the bees were red instead of j-ellow. Thej' were beautiful to look upon. He caged a few, and was going to send them to one of the aforesaid editors, when, lo, the next morn- ing the bands had turned back to their original yellow. He was nonplused. A few days after, he went back to the j-ard and found more red bees. Finally his thirteen or fourteen j-ear-old bo3' said, " Why, pa, the}' are red because thej' have been eating red candj- syrup." His father protested that that was impossible. "Here is a row." said the bo^-, pointing, "to which you fed red candy syrup, and here is a row where j'ou didn't." Examination showed, sure enough, that the red-candj* row showed red bees and red combs, while the other row showed bees of normal color. It seems Mr. Fowls had had an opportu- nity to buv- some candj- from a candy-maker at a low price. It was made of granulated syrup, and he decided to use it. I think it was red peppermint. At all events, it was this red stuff that gave the cand^- or sj-rup its color. When the bees were filled with this red stufiF. their bands on the abdomen, instead of showing yellow, the color of the fluids in their bodies, would show pink or red. Here is a valuable trick for exhibitors at fairs and expositions. Thev- can color these bands from green to red so long as the col- oring element is not poisonous. All one would have to do would be to feed his bees a colored sv-rup, using, in the case of red or purple, aniline. A verj' little of it would give a rich color like ink. Now arrange to put the bees on a window, or so the light would shine through them after they have been fed. I imagine it would be quite a drawing card, especially' if one could get a blue and a green. Ordinary- bluing would answer for the blue, aniline for the red or purple: and green — well, I am not enough of a chemist to suggest. Certainly Paris green could not be used. Now to return to our unconventional con- vention. We talked over tall sections. Mr. Fowls' verdict was that Ideal sections were not ideal; but he was favorably impressed by the 4X5. As for shaking swarms, he had practic- ed it for 3-ears, but never supposed it could be applied to the whole j'ard to advantage. He expects, this coming summer, to shake all the bees at his outv'ards, as this would obviate the necessit}' of having an attendant to look after them. He desired to move one 5'ard a few feet; and he wondered if the shaking would not enable him to make the shift. Mr. Hutchinson thought it would. If he tries the experiment I hope he will let the bee-keeping world know about it. I did not go on to Mr. Boardman's with Mr. Hutchinson, concluding I would see our friend at a later time when the roads permit me to go with the automobile. By the way, A. I. R. expects to go with me on m}' first auto trip. He appears to enjo\- the fun of this horseless kind of riding as much as j'our humble servant, and that is saying a good deal. Oh the roads! They are hor- rible now — deep ruts and great hubs, with occasionally here and there a shallow mud- hole. And that reminds me that I have been stuck in the mud twice, and had to go through the humiliating.experience of get- ting an old farm-horse to help pull me out. Not being familiar with the handling of the machine I backed too far down into the ditch into some soft mud. The traction- wheels were in the mud, and, of course, when I applied the power thev' simply slipped around and around, and the ma- chine was powerless to extricate itself. I am a little more careful how I back, espe- cially when I can not see where I am go- ing. 380 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. May I REPORT OF NORTHERN MICHIGAN BEE=KEEPERS' CONVENTION. Held at Bellaire, Mich., March 25 and 26. BY A. I. ROOT. I returned from Cuba just as our issue for March 15 was getting- ready for press; and just as the form was being made ready, my eye caught sight of the convention notice on page 265. Well, Mrs. Root and I hurried up our arrangements for our Michigan trip so as to take iji this convention; and I am glad to tell you it was not only one of my happy surprises, but one of our happy surprises, for I think Mrs. Root enjoyed it as much as I did. Bellaire is situated on the Pere Marquette railway, and the surroundings are very much like ours at Bingham. It is also located on a string of little lakes that are connected together so that an excursion steamer runs regularly back and forth down them during all the summer months. I do not know how many miles this excursion steamer embraces; but I think it must be toward 100; and all the way along there are little lakes connected by narrow chan- nels. In consequence, there is any amount of water power from the "babbling brooks" that come tumbling down the great hills. Bellaire is not only well lighted by* electricity generated by water power, but there are several large man- ufactories where they make clothes-pins, wooden bowls, and a great variety of wood- enware. The price at which these house- hold commodities are sold is simply aston- ishing. Why, they told us of a woman who was buying clothes-pins by the gross for kindling-wood. She said it was not only the best but the cheapest kindling that she could get hold of as she was situated. The attendance at the convention was not large; but what was lacking in numbers was made up in quality. My good friend Hilton was president as usual; and with W. Z. H., of the Review, right at his elbow, taking down notes, they not only made a good-looking span, but a very efficient team in running a convention successfully. W. Z. H. will probably give a complete report through the Revieiv, and so I will simply go over briefly the subjects discussed. Friend Berg, the plum-man I wrote up last fall, was on hand, and he was just as good-natured and full of fun as ever— per- haps a little more so. I rather think his big crop of fruit and honey, especially the plums, helped to make him good-natured. He said there was a woman in his locality who was getting double the amount of hon- ey he secured, by throwing it out before the bees had time to cap it over. In fact, he said some of her honey was but little more than sweetened water. But she got double the number of gallons because the water had not yet evaporated out of it. She was selling water by the pound at the price of honey. When I arose and asked how it was that it did not sour on her hands or on the hands of her customers, he replied, " Oh! this woman is sharp. She is sharper and brighter than we men-folks, in a great many ways. She sells all her honey to a confectioner in Traverse City, and he boils it all up into candy before it has had time to sour. He does a thriving business in making honey candy, and she does a thriving business in giving him fresh honey right from the hives every morn- ing." Of course, there was a big laugh at this. But, dear friends, here is a very valuable point. W. S. Hart, of Hawks Park, Fla., and some bee-keepers in California, have made machines to evaporate this raw thin honey; but I believe they have been mostly dropped. Now, the confectioners and can- dy-makers, men of our large cities, have all the "rigging" to take this raw honey and make it into honey-cakes or honey-can- dy. I did not learn the lady's name who started this new industry; but is it not pos- sible that we bee-keepers may in time de- cide we owe her a vote of thanks ? PREVENTION OF SWARMING. This whole subject was discussed as usu- al; but I got a new idea, or one that is new to me. We all agree that, by the use of the extractor, swarming can be discour- aged much better than where we work for comb honey. If you give the bees plenty of room to store as near the brood-nest as pos- sible, or, better still, right in the heart of the brood-nest, you will discourage swarm- ing. Well, now, instead of using the ex- tractor in throwing the honey out of the combs in the brood-nest, suppose we have half-depth stories and half-depth frames. In this way we can get a case of sections, either empty (or, where the bees have part- ly drawn out and filled the combs), not only close to the brood -nest, but we can get it right in the brood -nest. Our friend Bingham, and others who advocate these very shallow frames, perhaps can tell us more about this. Mr. Fred Somerford, of Cuba, produced a very fine crop of comb honey which was secured on half-depth frames, if I am correct. In fact, he had so large a crop he himself went with it to New York to make a sale. The locality of Northern Michigan was discussed a good deal. The wild raspber- ry, that springs up all over wild land where the timber has just been cut ofl^, is one of the best sources, not only in quanti- ty but also in quality. A bee-keeper pres- ent said a neighbor of his, Mr. James Martin, of Alden, Mich., had, during the past season, increased from 7 to 50, and se- cured 1500 lbs. of honey; and the stunning part of it is, he is a beginner, but, of course, an enthusiast. I am not quite sure they said he got hold of the ABC book, but I think it must have been that way, and then he gave his whole time and atten- tion tc it, figuratively speaking, and made a success the "first pop" that outstrips all 1O03 CLEAXiXCS IX r.F.E CULTURE. 381 the veterans. It is a little humiliating- to think how many times this has happened before. Now, if I have not got this right, will James Martin please stand up and tell us the truth in the matter ? Mr. Chapman recommended a plan for requeening in the fall after the honey-g^ath- ering- is mostly over (so that a few days more or less without a queen would not be of much account), by having a lot of queens cells almost ready to hatch; then remove the undesirable queens and give the colony a cell in a queen -cell protector. Friend Hutchinson suggested right here another point in favor of requeening in the fall; young- queens can be purchased at a lower figure at such a time than at any other in the season. WHAT TO DO WITH DARK HONEY FROM THE SOLAR EXTRACTOR. I mentioned, while in Cuba, that the honey from cappings, where it is rendered by the solar wax-extractor, was too dark to be marketable at a good price. Friend H. K. Beecham, of "Williamsburg-, said he made vinegar of this kind of honey; and, in fact, he used all the sweets or sweet wJfter, accumulating in the apiary, for the production of vinegar. He said he had six barrels of nice vineg-ar on hand at that time. Somebody suggested that you could get the honey that clings to the cappings off in good shape by putting them in a pan and setting them in the oven. The oven would warm it up so gradually that the wax could be melted without even injuring the color of the honej'. Some of the women present inquired what compensation the women ought to have for having a man around the cook-stove with the honey and wax on his boots, etc. I think it must have been Bro. Berg who suggested the cappings should be turned over to the women, and let them manage it and the oven. If I remember correctly, there were some murmurs among the ladies present at giving them so much extra work, when perhaps their household duties took all the time. Bro. Berg sug- gested that they have all the honey that comes from the cappings as compensation. Xow, perhaps it was my imagination, in- stead of one of the women, that asked if thej- could not have the zvax also. Some- body suggested that the greater part of the honey could be squeezed out of the cappings by taking a double handful and squeezing them into hard tight balls, thus making the honey ooze out. Well, one of these same women (they did not talk out loud very much, but they kept whispering to each other) wanted to know whether the bee- keeper took the trouble to zvas/i his hands before he squeezed out this extra- fine honey from the capping^s. While I am speaking of the bee-keepers' wives and daughters present, perhaps I might mention that every one seemed to be •exceedingly' pleased to see Mrs. Root, for almost the first time, attending a convention in company with your humble servant. In fact, somebody, I do not know who, brought an easy rocking-chair in the afternoon for her to sit in. She sat in it a little while, and then made the other women take it by turns; and, by the way, is not that an ex- cellent idea, bringing one or more easy seats for the ladies, especially the elderly ones? We men-folks do not get tired of talking about bees and honey from eight o'clock till dinner-time; and, to tell the truth, a great many times the president often has hard work to g-et the meeting ad- journed when dinner is ready. Well, it would not be at all strange if the wives and daughters should get a little weary, and an easy-chair or two mieht induce them to come oftener. In fact, Mrs. Root has talked so much about meeting the bee- keepers and their families, she has at least /^arZ/j' prom- ised me to go with me next time when I in- vite her. PREVENTION OF ROBBING DURING EXTRACT- ING TIME. When I made my last visit to the Paso Real apiary, in Cuba, they had been extracting; but the bees got to robbing so badly the men actually had to stop work. In fact, it was about the worst case of robbing I ever saw — that is, that kind of robbing. In the first place, our apiary of 500 colonies, where the ground was as clean as a brickyard, and no shade, was a bad arrangement, at least when the sun got to be pretty warm, as it was in February. Secondly, our peo- ple there had a fashion of taking out a wheelbarrow-load of empty combs and put- ting them back over the hives as soon as the honey was removed. At the convention at Bellaire the matter was alluded to, and I think it was Mr. Beecham who suggested that combs right from the extractor should not be put back on the hives until dusk, or after dark. Why, at Paso Real I have seen, I might almost say, bushels of bees, instead of saying a bushel, piled all over the two-story hive where a set of combs had just been put on the upper story right from the extractor. They covered the whole hive, entrance and all; and not only that hive, but the adjoining hives. Sentinels and every thing of that sort were " snowed under" by piles of robbers. Of course, hundreds of bees were stung. A tent might be used to cover one hive, but the robbers poured on to the adjoining hives. My neigh- bor Hilbert suggests that the reason of this is that ten empty combs dripping with hon- ey right from the extractor, placed over the strongest colony in a yard, will have a ten- dency to draw every bee in the hive (senti- nels and all) right into the upper story to look after these combs; and during the time while the bees are licking up this honey, robbers can, as a rule, march right in. After learning the trick — that is, when the honey-yield begins to slacken, bushels of robbers will follow along where extracting is being done. I told them, when I saw the state of affairs, to shut right down and stop; but the boys said they wanted enough honey to fill some barrels to be shipped 382 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. May 1 rig-ht away; that the hives were full of honey, and they did not have any work on hand but to take it out. Where we have it I would suggest putting- back these empty combs by the lig^ht of the moon. If you think it can not be done I will go and show you how. Another thing, a full set of drip- ping combs put over any hive, even while the bees are busy gathering honey, stops work in that colony for pretty nearly all the day. If you put back the empty combs at night, the colony will be ready to go out and do a good day's work next morning. I should be glad to mention the names of all the dear friends who were present and took part in that excellent convention of bee-keepers, but space will not permit. THE NEW CALIFORNIA NATIONAL HONEY- DUCERS' ASSOCIATION. PRO = A Statement from President Brodbeck. BY G. W. BRODBECK. Permit me to present to you some of the outlines of our organization as inclosed. We are meeting with much encouragement ; and as the prospects for the season seem to brighten, increased interest is also develop- ing in the project at hand to help the bee- keepers. The majority of the bee-keepers in this State are poor men, consequently the only hope they have of bettering their con- dition is by a co-operative movement in con- junction with the large producers. Our object is not to secure high prices for our product, as some seem to charge, but we do claim that the present cost of production makes it imperative that we demand better compensation for our labor than we have secured in the past; and unless we do suc- ceed in attaining this, the result will be that the small producers will drop out en- tirely, and the production of California honey will be confined entirely to the large producer and specialist. The leaders of this movement are all capable of disposing of their own product, consequently you will recognize the fact that our efforts are not entirely selfish. GEO. L. EMERSON, SEC. SANTA ANA. GEO. W. BRODBECK, PRES. LOS ANGELES. .>32 I,aughlin Building. CAIJFORNIA NATIONAL HONEY PRODUCERS' ASSOCIATION. LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA. Incorporated under the laws of California. Dec. 26, 1902. Capital stock $2.5 000. divided into .500,000 shares, par value 5 cents. Principal place of business, Los Angeles, California. Directory for 1903 : L. E. Mercer, Ventura ; Geo. W. Brodbeck, Los Angeles; M. H. Mendelson, Ventura; L. S Emerson Santa Ana ; Geo. L. Emerson, Santa Ana. Officers : Geo. W. Brodbeck. President, Los Angele.s; M. H. Mendelson. Vice-president, Ventura; L. S. Emer- son, Treasurer. Santa Ana ; Geo. L. Emerson, Secre- tary, Santa Ana. That co-operation on the part of the bee-keepers of California is the only pos.sible means of solving the present unsatisfactory methods of marketing our prod- uct is seemingly evident to all. Other industries in this Slate have pa.ssed through all of the varied stages of a hopeless struggle that we have ; but, fortunately and wi.sely, they united their interests, laying aside individual competition, and thus accomplished by co-operation what they had failed to do as individuals. The object and aim of this organization is to follow none but tiied and proven methods; but all these can not avail unless the bee-keepers fall in line and sup- port this effort to help them. With the object of enlisting their support we offer this as a prospectus of the aims and intentions of this association. We propose organizing local associations wherever bee-keepers can concentrate thtir product. This con- centration of large quantities of honey and wax increases their value in mny ways, and lessens the expense of grading and handling. By combining and buying in large quantities we reduce the cost of supplies, and secuie carload rates upon them. Uniform grades of honey will be established, ex- tracted being graded as white, light amber, amber. A storage warehouse will be established at Los An- geles and wherever local associations are > rganized. Storage rates and insurance will thus be reduced The association will be enabled to obtain better rates of interest for money advanced on honey than individuals, thus decreasing the co^t of holding honey. The membership requirement of one share of stock for every colony of bees confines the management to bee-keepers only. Tiie price of stock being small excludes no one, and also limits the possibility' of speculation. The limited capital compels the management to do all business on a cash basis, consequently all orders must be accompanied by cash. Retailing and supplying home markets is com- mended and encouraged. A commission will be charged for selling in car lots. All honey sold by the individual in les-s than car lots pays no commission. All honey sold by individuals must be at a price not less than that fixed by the man- agement at the time of sale. All s-ales of car lots, made by individuals, pays a commission of one per cent. All honey graded, sealed, tnd stored will be charged the actual expense of di iug the .'■ame. One of the greatest advantages to be obtained is that of preventing adulteration by a sealing device which we intend to attach to every an of our honey. When people find that they can secure an absolutely pure honey by buyiug that which bears our seal intact, they will insist on having our brand. This will raise the price of our honey to such an extent that adulter- ators can not afford to use it. Another strong feature is our information bureau. By getting accurate crop teports and conditions gov- erning the future crop, we can keep our members thoroughly posted as to the quantity ol horey pro- duced, or that in all probability will be producecl, and thus we shall be in a better position to know what the price should be We wish to call your attention to the fact that every thing is offered to the members as a privilege that they can secure if they wish, and they are not under any obligaiion to deal with the association unless they choose. Thus the association offers to its membership all the advantages it is able to secure at actual cost, and asks in return that the members pay simply for what they get. and stand their proportionate amount of expenses ^as they share in all profits). This, and a promise to not sell for less than the association prices. is, we think, not too much to ask of any man for what we can do in return. We will gladly furnish any further information upon request. The great opportunities which this Association has for the improvement of the bee industry, and the well-known reputation of the Directors as honest and .successful business men, serve as a guarantee that every stockholder will receive prompt and lasting benefit from this organization. Geo. L. Emerson, Sec. [The California Association has made a good healthy start, and it rests with the California bee-keepers to take hold. Fac- tionalism should be unknown. Any other organization that has failed to materialize should disband and help along the one that has got as good a start as this. Mr. Brodbeck, and all the Board of Directors above named, are men of high character and business standing, and the new organ- ization ought to meet with favor. — Ed.] 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 383 COMB-HONEY PRODUCTION. How to Obtain the Best Results, Both as to Quan- tity and (Quality ; the Art of Malting ail the Sec- lions in a Super "Fancy;" the Relative Proper, tion of Comb to Extracted Honey. BV OREL L. HERSHISER. [Those who attfiided the Pan- American exposition will remember some beautiful comb honey which Mr. Hershiser produced on the grounds. It was well filled out— renarkably so — and heau'iful to look at. Mr. Hershiser explained that he c'd not follow the orthodox melV.od of tiering up; that is to say, he re- versed the method. Some lime ago I requested hira to trll us about the plan in detail — a plan whereby he could make nearly every section in a super " Fancy." This he promised to do by saying he would send the a: tides in time to make them seasonabl-e. This is the first one of the series.— Ed.] The theme "Comb-honey Production" is one that has always been popular with writers on apicultural topics; and as long- as further treatment of the subject promises to be profitable it will not become worn threadb ire. Whatever of better classifica- tion of known facts, in addition to newly discovered methods, the application of which will make apiculture more remunerative as an avocation and a better pa3'ing- business as a vocation, is of vital importance to the bee-keeper. Frequently' nature, in her lavi«hness of the necessarj' conditions, will enable the unscientific and unprogressive bee-keeper, who does iilmost nothin have writers indicate the number of col- onies the}' were operating; but it so often happens that a man with a few colonies, a c ose observer, is able to contribute much of value to those who own several hundred colonies that I have come to believe that a man's abilitj' to give information does not i.ccessaril}' aepend on mere bigness or num- ber of his apiaries. Doolittle, for example, itoquired most of his experience from a com- paratively small apiarj-; and yet during ihat ver}- time there were hundreds of bee- 1 eepers owning five times as many as he, who were sitting at his feet as the Gama- liel of modern beedom. E. E. Hasty, the bright and versatile writer of the Ainejican Bee Journal, has only a few colonies; and yet I venture to say there is not a more practical man in all our ranks. On the other, hand an extensive bee-keeper maj' so deputize his labors to others that he maj' know but little about the details. As to how many colonies Mr. Morrison has, I can not saj-; but he has kept bees in various climates, and has had an opportuni- ty for observation that many of us have not had. He is educated, and trained to draw conclusions from the standpoint of the scien- tist, as well as a practical man. As intimated by Mr. Gill, in the article preceding, this question of foundation ver- sus full sheets hinges largely on local itj', but not altogether, I suspect. It is possible that Mr. Gill and Mr. Morrison might trade localities, and each still be of the same opin- ion, after trying full sheets and starters. Hello again! But here comes an old corres- pondent, a practical bee-keeper, one of the veterans, who indorses full sheets, and strongly supports Mr. Morrison. FULL SHEETS OF FOUNDATION ; MORRISON INDORSED. I wish to indorse all that W. K. [Morrison says on page 233 in regard to using starters in the brood-chamber. I have not used any for several 3-ears, for the reason that the bees would fill all or nearlj' all below the starter with drone brood. I prefer full sheets, but would use empty frames instead of starters, although all bees do not work alike. One of m\' neighbors told me that he did not need an}- foundation in his sections ^that his bees built combs all right with- out any — a new experience to me. J. T. Van Petten. Washington, Kansas. [Bj' way of variety we have still another advocate for starters. — Ed.] FOUNDATION STARTERS. What to Do with the Surplus Combs. BY GEO. W. STRANGWAYS. Mr. Morrison, on page 233, takes a very extreme view with regard to the use of foundation starters. Taking his discussion as a whole, I have to saj' that, if you give me a colony able to raise good healthy drones, I will give 3'ou a colonj' able to give you a good suppU' of honej-. Bj" this, don't take me to mean that the more drones j-ou have the better the results. But who ever heard of a colon}' of bees swarming without their drones, and, consequently, what will they do with full sheets of foundation? If the colony be a strong one they will certainly convert considerable of the brood founda- tion into drone comb, and thus foundation, with the bus}' bees' patience and valuable time, is wasted. I have always used starters with the ex- ception of a few trials with full sheets, and in those trials I was annoyed, not merely by having the bees convert some of it into drone comb, but by finding the combs warped, and that even with wired frames; and often when a hot spell would occur I would find the foundation leaning one comb into another, making very crooked combs, caused, of course, by the heat and weight of bees. My object in using foundation is to get straight combs, not brood- combs, for I don't think you can compel the bees to build all brood-comb. Of course, our object should be to have as much brood-comb as possible built; and to obtain that you must have col- onies in condition for this work. All small colonies with young queens, and even me- dium to strong colonies, will build little else than worker comb. I get the greater portion of my combs built from such colo- nies. 388 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. May 1 In extracting, if I find a colony with more drone comb than is desirable after ex- tracting- (I work principally for extracted), I place the frames with much drone comb in them to the outside of the brood-nest; and if it is a case of too much drone brood, any that I find in proprer condition for dropping out of the cells, I simply take a sharp uncapping-knife, shave off their heads with the cappings, turn the comb on its side, hit the frame a light tap with the back of my knife, and if it has been well shaved j'ou will find but few drones left. At the end of the season, or when the oppor- tunity occurs, exchange these combs for some with more worker comb; then with the uncapping-knife cut out the drone comb and trim up the remaining, which will be work- er comb, by cutting it wedge-shaped, and try again. Another season you will have your wax for profit. But such combs can be used for extracting, and will be filled with honey just as readily as those with worker comb. I use these regularly in the upper story for extracting. With these conditions you can not use wired frames, or, in other words, starters and wired frames won't work together; but the other way wired frames must have full sheets, and then the bee-keeper takes the consequence; but wire is so light it would offer very little objection in the cutting. Mr. Morrison's article has, of course, ref- erence to tropical conditions and the pro- duction of comb honey, which I suppose would make some difference; but I am of the opinion that, even for comb honey, the drone pest could be kept in check by the system I speak of. Elora, Ont., Can. [It is a fearful waste to let bees build drone brood. It would be cheaper for you to put such combs in the solar wax-extractor, and substitute worker combs. The sagging or stretching of foundation, or one sheet leaning against another, can be largely, if not entirely, overcome by wir- ing. Even with starters I would use wire. I have seen bee-keepers during extracting waste a great deal of valuable time in fuss- ing with combs insecurely fastened in the frames, all for want of wire. If one's time is worth any thing, he can not afford to throw awaj' good time during the rush of the season in handling these fragile combs like eggs. A very little time spent in wir- ing the frames in the off-season of the j^ear, when one can do not much else, will save a great deal of time in the extracting season. Now, to sum up this whole discussion, I am of the opinion, after reviewing all the evidence, that, in the majority of the local- ities in the United States, at least, one can manage to have all worker-combs built from starters, and thus save considerable expense in the way of foundation. Some do man- age it, and whj^ not others? If his locality will permit of it, let him cut down his foundation-bill, say one-fourth. While we are makers of foundation, in a large way, we desire to have truth come out, even if it should cut down our trade. — Ed.] THE FERTILIZATION OF QUEENS N CONFINE- MENT. More about Fertilizati in a Glass Carboy, referred to on Page 94 of o. Journal for Feb. 1st; Fertilization of a Queen in a Small Wire.cloth Cage. BY R. F. HOLTERMANN. Since writing my last article on the above subject I have been in the province of Que- bec for the government institute meetings. Other matters have kept me very busy, hence the delay in following up the subject as suggested by you. I wrote Mr. Row- some privately for further information. The following bears upon the subject in hand, and is a reply to my letter for further par- ticulars. The letter is dated Feb. 9. " In reply to your favor of Feb. 7 I may say that I did not experiment with the fer- tilization of queens during the past season, as I was busy during the swarming season. This method of fertilization did not origi- nate with me. I heard of it from a Mr. Inksetter, a farmer near Ancaster, who is sawing up a bush three miles north of here. He was ill all one summer, and amused himself with queens and drones in this way, with, so he says, complete success. I do not clip queens; but as I saw coition take place in the carboy, and laying fol- low, I came to the conclusion that the fer- tilization occurred in the carboy." Now for a startling experience which I heard from a bee-keeper, Mr. A. B. Com- stock, Sherwood, N. Y. Last summer he was inspecting a particularly' fine colony, and found a number of queen-cells just hatching. He removed the hatching queen- cells, intending to dispose of them as soon as he was through with the colony in hand. This took considerable time; and when he returned to the bunch of cells there was just one hatching-cell left. He took the queen out of this, caged her under an old- fashioned wire-cloth cage, the ends fraj'ed and bent down into the comb; it was about 4 inches square. Under the cage was some hatching brood, drone and worker; he also caged two or three drones with the queen Owing to the rush of the season it was some 16 days before he remembered the queen Upon inspecting the cage he found the queen alive, and having laid in the worker-cells. One drone was dead in the cage. He cut a hole from tlie other side of the comb into the cage, out of which the queens and bees passed into the hive. The queen proved l. be an excellent one; but to his surpris- the eggs deposited by the queen under 11. e cage produced worker-bees. I can not help connecting the demijohn experiment and this. Our friend Corn- stock's method, if successful, would be very simple, as comparatively little time or ex- 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 389 pense would be involved. Many may try it this summer. Now as to my experiment. Lack of time was the trouble with me. I could not watch the tent as closelj' as I should like to. In these cases the g-overnment should step in; and let us hope that the Department of Ag'riculture at Washing-ton will receive at least S20,000 a year to carry on investig^a- tions. You will notice I attributed my fail- ure to the nuclei with queens being- between the tent and the larg-e apiary, the noise of fly- ing bees and drones drawings them to the per- forated-metal entrance. By putting- the nu- clei on the other side of the fertilizing--tent the position in this respect would be re- versed. This point I saw before last season closed; but my large buckwhat harvest pre- vented undertaking any more at the time. At Syracuse Mr. F. H. Cyrenius, Oswe- go, stated he thought he could help me in preventing the queen from trying to get through the entrance through which the bees were flying, and kindly invited me to Oswego. Gladly availing myself of the in- vitation, to Oswego I went. He for another purpose shades this entrance through which worker bees fly, and throws all the light he can on the entrance to which he wishes to invite the queen. Now, I did not do this; in fact, the queen had not only to pass through a Js-inch-wide hole in a ^-inch- thick board at the rear of the nucleus, but through a hole of similar width in a J/s-inch- thick board fence. In the above I have given every thought I have upon the reason of my failure, and the remedy. It is, perhaps, with a little re- luctance; but having gone so far, it is only natural to desire to crown the effort with success. Yet I hope many will try these experiments. Many can try the first and second, and a few the larger. All I ask is that, as success crowns the effort, it shall be reported in Gleanings. Of course, should Prof. Benton tr3' these experiments it will have to be published through the regular channels. Brantford, Ont. [These reports are interesting and valu- able; but the}' are so contrar}' to the ex- perience of others that we are almost in- clined to put an interrogation-mark after them. Is it possible that Mr. Rowsome, Mr. Inksetter, and Mr. Comstock could each have been mistaken in what each saw or thought he saw? Did fertilization ac- tually take place in the carboy, or some- thing which looked ver^' much like it? The expeiience of Mr. Comstock seems to leave no doubt, if he is a man of veracity and experience, that the queen taken from the cell was actually fertilized by the dead drone found in the cage with her. The fact that there were eggs in the comb that she herself laid, and that these same eggs de- veloped worker bees, seems to indicate that edition had actually taken place; but even if it had, I should be more inclined to think that the general rule, that queens must be fertilized in the open air, still holds true. Nature sometimes makes a deviation from the general laws laid down for her; and it is possible that she did so in the case re- ported. If so, it would be a new fact to us that queens may be fertilized in confine- ment in rare instances; and it is possible that there are conditions under which fer- tilization could be made a success when both the drone and the queen are confined. There is food for thought here, and an op- portunity for experiment; and with Mr. Holtermann I sincerely hope the United States Government can at some time, if not in the immediate future, conduct some ex- periments that will give us a little light on this question. As it is, I commend this article to the consideration of Prof. Frank Benton, at Washington, and Mr. William Newell, of College Station, Texas, and oth- er stations where apicultural experiments are being conducted, — Ed.] QUEENS WITH DENTED SIDES; A QUEEN THAT WAS CONDEMNED, BUT PROVED TO BE ALL RIGHT FOR HONEY. Last summer I bought seven of your red-clover queens. One of them got hurt in some way in the mail. She had a small dent in her body, just below the waist. Mr. J. Zay advised me to send her back by re- turn mail. But I thought I would try my luck. I had a very large colony of blacks, and put her in with them. Last Tuesday, March 17, I looked all my bees over, and found her still alive; but her body is all turned to one side. There is no brood nor any eggs. The other six are full of yellow bees. Mr. Zay bought one red-clover queen of The A. I. Root Co. She was dark, and her bees still darker. He called them good for nothing, and was going to replace her with a golden queen, and he gave the Root queen to me. I caught a swarm of black bees on the 4th of July, and put the Root queen in on the 6th, and took 42 nice sec- tions of red-clover hone3'from the Rootqueen. Now, Mr. Editor, you and I do not agree on finding no brood within two inches of the Hofl'man-frame top-bar. I have Root chaft" hives, Hoftman frames. Hill device, and a five-inch cushion on top, and they have brood right up to the top-bar. My single Dovetailed hive has a little brood down in the center. In spring it's too cold to rest on a top-bar, and in summer it is too hot. Bees, as a rule, will select the safest part of their hive for their brood. I don't 390 GLEAxMNGS IN BEE CULTl'RE. May 1 think Dr. Miller's spliuis make a hive any warmer, nor Mr. Root's wire any colder. B"t if you want brood up to your top-bars, you must do as Mr. A. I. Root advised in his ABC book — get out your blankets and keep your hives warm. I shall have to buy 50 supers this year; so please tell us, are the sections in the outside rows on the M super with six fences as well filled as a P super with 8 fences? Henry Asam. Carleton, Mich. [Sometimes the dent in the side of a queen seems to do no harm. I remember several of our best breeders that had a slight dent somewhere in the abdomen. The queens were verj' prolific, and their bees excel- lent honey-gatherers. So far as I can re- member, they did uniformly good work, and filled out their allotted days. It is quite possible to conceive, however, of a case where the dent may be so deep, like the one you describe, as to cause a permanent in- jury. We book your order, therefore, for another queen. The case of Mr. Zay simply shows that he did not know a good thing when he had it. A great many bee-keepers judge a queen by her looks and not by her perform- ance nor by the performance of her bees. If she had been golden yellow, and good for nothing, he possibly would have been very well pleased with her. "Forty-two nice sections " after the 4th of July is not a bad record. It is true that warmth of the brood-nest will make a great difl^erence in the amount of brood built in a brood-frame; but Dr. C. C. Miller uses the same kind of single- walled hive that we do, so that his brood- nests are no better protected than ours. But the season of the year makes a very great difference as to how far the brood is built up to the top-bars. If you are in the habit of having double-walled hives throughout, and look 3'our combs over just before the honey- flow, you will find the brood much nearer the top. Regarding the relative difference between the M and P super, the one using outside fences and the other not, I can not remem- ber that any specific comparisons have been made between the two supers; but I have noticed this: That fences, when placed be- tween the sides of the super and the side of the brood-nest, have a tendency to make a better filling of the sections on the outside surface. At all events, it has been report- ed that all those supers having outside fences give better- filled outside sections. But the M super, Danzenbaker of ten-frame width, is now supplied with an extra fence, so that the two supers are now on an equal basis. — Ed.] CURING FOUL BROOD; ANOTHER SUCCESS- FUL USE OF FORMALIN AS A GERMI- CIDE; HOW TO APPLY, ETC. In February 15th Gleanings, C. H. W. Weber speaks of curing foul brood with formalin, and I decided to write you of my experience along the same line. Never hav- ing seen foul brood, it secured such a hold in my yard before I discovered it that every hive was more or less affected with it. You can imagine how I felt; and, not knowing exactly what to do, I went to Mr. Couse, secretary of the O. B. K. A., and he kindly came and went over my yard, and recom- mended me to cure them according to the McEvoy plan, which I did; and up till Sep- tember I5th no signs of the disease appeared in any of my hives. Another thing, my extracting-corhbs were wet, as I did not place them on the hives after extracting for the bees to clean out, and Mr. Couse said it was a pity to melt them up, and that it would be a good idea to try the formalin on them as recommend- ed by Prof. Harrison. I did so, and no hives on which I placed the combs showed any signs of the disease at last examina- tion, Sept. 15. Another fact, I had a set of dry brood- combs that showed foul-brood marks, and I decided to try an experiment on them. I placed them in the fumigating-box, and fu- migated them with l/z oz. of formalin; let them stand over night, and next morning fumigated them again with 1 oz. of forma- lin. I then hived a second swarm on them, and no foul brood appeared up till last ex- amination, about the last of September. Now, do not think that I claim said hive is free, for the germs may be still there, and may develop next year. ^CORK IN nOli inLiD. LlDonCOVtR. FELT ON COVER (SuPElP^ T71 d: •SPOUT Fitting Over hose Ll SPOUT iNSIDtOFHOSE FORMALii>iE BOX 5UPLf\LEG S.LEl, ALCOHOL LAMP For fumigating the combs I used a super as follows: I first tacked felt around the bottom and the top edges of the super. I then nailed a board solid to the bottom of the super, and bored a ^4 -inch hole in the center of the same. Over the hole I tacked a piece of felt 4X4, and cut a hole in the same to cor- 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 391 respond with the hole in the bottom of the super. I next g-ot a piece of engine- hose about 8 inches long, and a round pressed tin box, 4 inches in diameter, 1*2 inches deep. I took this to tlie tinsmith, and got him to make a J4-inch hole in the center of the lid, and solder a 2- inch spout on the same so as to fit tight when shoved inside of the hose, and solder the lid tight to the box. He then took a piece of tin 4X4, cut a ,^4 -inch hole in the center, and soldered a spout on to tit tight over the hose. This I nailed tight to the bottom-board. For a lid to cover the super I used a heavy flat board with a :V-inch hole bored in the center, and cork to fit in the same. Now set your eight or nine combs in the super; place the lid on top; leave the cork out and put something heavy on the board to hold it solid on top of the super, but do not cover the hole. Remove the tin from the bottom end of the hose, and pour into it l '2 to 2 oz. of formalin; place in position again; and, under the same, place an alcohol-lamp. Light the lamp; and as soon as you detect the fumes of the formalin coming out of the hole of the lid, cork it up, and a few seconds after remove the lamp. I would recommend leaving the combs in the fumigating-box from i2 to 18 hours, and be sure to have the box and attachments as nearly air-tight as possible. Above I give you a drawing-, showing, as nearly as I can, how I had the box ar- ranged. J. W. Thomson. Britannia, Out. [Mr. Thomson speaks of using 2 oz. of formalin. I suppose he means the liquid, for it comes in two forms — in the powder, and in the liquid condition. The former is less powerful, but will accomplish the same result if enough of it is used. So far reports have shown that formalin gas, when properly applied, disinfects the comb. We have had so far, I think, some five or six reports, all decidedl3' favorable save one. I hope that bee-keepers all over the country who have the disease in their apiary will immediately conduct experi- ments, and report results. If we can dis- infect combs without melting them up, from foul-broody or black broody hives, we shall have made a long stride ahead. I still have my doubts about it, but am open to convic- tion. This reminds me that Mr. C. H. W. Web- er, of Cincinnati, has prepared a little pamphlet on the treatment of diseased col- onies with formalin gas. The price of the pamphlet is 25 cents.— Ed.] ers have not called attention to it long ago, which I am not aware any one has done. I inclose a sketch which will explain it- self. The barrow in the cut is supposed to be a modification of the Daisy, and the main points of dift'erence are simply these: 1. Two wheels on the axle, instead of one — one at each end of the axle; and if the axle were made a third longer, and the wheel end one-third wider, it would be bet- ter. 2. Make the floor of the barrow level, the front end level with the back end. .<;^ AN IMPROVEMENT IN WHKELBARROWS SUG- GESTED. I wish to call your attention to what I think would be a very valuable improve- ment in wheelbarrows for bee-keepers, and for other people too, for that matter, and yet so simple that I am surprised that oth- 3. Make the end-board perpendicular, in- stead of slanting backward, and make it a little higher than in the Daisy. 4. Make the handles with a much greater upward curve, if it can be done. This is very desirable. 5. Make oil-cups, or orifices, in the bear- ings, for oiling the axles; and these would be much better if protected by a little mov- able cap to exclude the dirt. These oiling- cups would be a valuable improvement in the Daisy, or any other good wheelbarrow. Now, this barrow would not be as pretty and artistic as the Daisj', but it would be far better than any other I have ever seen. It would not be for ever read 3-^ to tip over when in use, as the single-wheel barrow is. You would not have to laj' a piece of 2X4 scantling across the back end, and lay in a loose floor, in order to carry supers of comb, hives of bees, or jars of honey level; and when you removed one of two jars, you need have no fear that the other would instantly tip over — jar, barrow, and all. And then your perpendicular back-board would be of some use to you, instead of being of very little use as it is now. Then when you wished to weigh your hives for winter (or weigh any thing else) all you would have to do would be to place your scales upon your level barrow, wheel out among the hives, and go to work. John W. Murray. Excelsior, Minn, Mar. 12. [Wheelbarrows have been made with two wheels; and while they have certain ad- vantages, they have disadvantages which, in the minds of many, more than counter- balance. Two wheels would make more friction, and involve more expense. But the worst feature is, they will not run in a path or on a narrow board. If one had good nice level driveways smoothed down, or a bee-yard as smooth as a brickyard, a two- wheeled barrow would do very well. A sin- g^le wheel in a narrow path would run much easier than two wheels on ordinary sod. 392 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Mav 1 Your idea of curving the handles, and having- the front board perpendicular and the platform level, is all right. Take that same wheelbarrow and put one of the wheels in the center, and throw the other aside, and you have a better carrier, or at least one that will suit the average person and the average beeyard better. If I were going to use a two- wheeled ve- hicle I should prefer a hand-cart, for then the load would be carried almost entirely by the wheels. In the barrow that you show, the man would have to carry too great a proportion of the load. The plan of hav- ing the ordinarj' barrow with the platform slanting toward the wheel, is for the very purpose of shifting the load as far as possi- ble on to the wheel. When the handles are curved and the platform horizontal, there is quite a tendency to drag or catch the legs unless the grass is mown pretty close. — Ed.] a simple and cheap hive-stand. I have been considerably bothered to find something to set mj^ bee-hives on. If I set them on bricks the bricks are let down b3^ the earth-worms, and the blue grass grows up in the way of the bees. So I have hit on this plan: I make 4 stakes 3 in. wide, one inch thick and two feet long; drive them in the ground about 1 foot; space them one near each corner of the bottom-board and level up with a spirit-level, with the notch A pointed inward from the sides; slip the hive in, and there you are. My stakes are made of creosoted pine, from a piece of bridge-timber. Of course any durable tim- ber will do — for instance, bois-d'-arc hedge cuttings. My boys call this philippenoing. What do 3'ou think of it? Sladensville, Ky. R. C. Hollins. [I had often thought of four simple stakes, but had never got around to try them. The pl.Hu is simple and cheap. It offers another advantage, in that the operator, in working over the hives, can shove his toes under, permitting him to get closer to the hive. This maj' seem like an insignificant ad- va!itage; but when one is bending over and tr_\ ing to get out the furthest frame on the opposite side, and keeping it up day after day, he finds it an advantage to get as close to the hive as possible. Then there is another advantage. In moving the hives one can stoop down and reach under them with his fingers. Manj-^ of the hive-stands d(.> not permit of this. The onl^' objection to the stakes is that they can not be readily shifted. But if one has laid out his apiary carefully he can drive stakes, by line and by measurement, just where he will always desire to have his hives, whether on the collective or individual line plan. I do not know but the Root Co. had better consider the idea of having stakes ofi^ered for sale, soaked in some permanent wood preservative, at so much a hundred or thou- sand. The bulk that they would take in shipment would be very small; and when one ordered a hundred hives he would order, of course, 400 stakes. The expense of this would be insignificant, and he would have first-class hive-stands all ready to drive in the ground, ready to receive his hives as soon as he has them nailed up. — Ed.] A bee-keeper's fire-loss. Our apiary is located 3'2 miles down in the river swamp below Macon, upon an Indian mound which is about 25 feet high, and about 300 feet in diameter at the bot- tom, and about 150 ft. at top. We have the top filled with bees. Then we have cut a spiral shelf, beginning at the top, and go- ing down and around the mound till we reach a point just above the highest fresh- water mark known. At the foot of the mound, and above high water, we built a house last spring to work in and keep our supplies, etc. In fact, every thing con- nected with the bee business, except the hives of bees, was in this house. On Sun- day night, March 22, this house, with ev- ery thing we had, except the bees, and eight or ten hives of them which were not near enough to catch, were burned up, so we have nothing left except the bees, and a few — perhaps 2000 or 3000 — old sections on the hives that remained over, and were not taken ofi^ the hives. We didn't know of our loss for a week after it happened, as the water was too high to get there. Thus our prospects are largely blasted for this spring. The honey-flow will be on in about 7 or 8 days more. We will try to fill orders for queens; but nuclei and bees by the pound we can't. Our loss in .supplies and fixtures is between $400 and S500, with no insurance, to say nothing of the loss of honey and trade due to destruction of our supplies. A. L. Swinson. Macon, Ga. [We regret to hear of your loss by fire. This only emphasizes the importance of having what is known as insurance for bees. — Ed.] THE right kind OF FREE ADVERTISING; MORE THAN LIVING UP TO THE GOLDEN RULE. I read with interest what you say about Mr. Hutchinson as a queen-breeder, page 241. Well, he carried this further than any fair-minded man should ask for; but I in- close j'ou a letter from J. P. Moore which will prove that there is one more of them. The facts in the case are as follows: 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 393 I purchased last j'ear of him six queens, which all came throug-h alive, and were safel.v introduced, but laid very sparingly. The bees tried at once to supersede them by build injr cells. Although I frustrated their intentions at the time, they g^ot the best of me finally, and all of them were superseded by fall. I wrote the facts to Mr. Moore, asking- him how soon he could send me some others, telling him at the time that I did not hold him responsible for the bad luck I had, and am of the same opinion now, as he fulfilled his side of the deal all right. ( The inclosed letter explains his ideas of it.) I have written him that I accepted his offer, but thought it no more than right that I should bear half the bur- den at least, and therefore would send him S3. 00 as soon as the queens arrived here. Now, such men should have a little free advertising, I think, if honesty is worth any thing. M. R. Kuehne. Pomona, Calif. [We take pleasure in presenting Mr. Moore's letter. It is in pleasing contrast to some letters sent out by breeders. — Ed.] Mr. Kuehne: — I am very sorry to hear that the queens were superseded. I think 5'ou are right. They evidently got injured in the mails,. They were bunched together, three cages in a bunch, when I mailed them; and, as they were single when they reach- ed 3'ou, they must have been in a "smash- up." I will replace them free of charge the last of June or the first of July. I have as many orders booked as I can fill by the 10th or 15th of June. Many thanks for j'our kind words. J. P. Moore. Morgan, Ky. CUTTING ALFALFA AFTER IT IS IX BLOOM. I enjoy noting the editor wrestling with the alfalfa-cutting question. There is hope for the bees and owners, because there are likely to be behind time alfalfa-cutting harvesters. The best time here to cut alfalfa is right after it begins to bloom: and ever}' day it stands after that is so much better for bees. Alfalfa honey is very scarce in our hives on account of this condition. M. D. Nichols. Escondido, Cal. I The hope of the bee-keeper in the early- cutting regions will rest largely on the tardiness of the mower in cutting some of those large fields. Mr. H. D. "Watson, the man who has 3000 acres of alfalfa at Kear- ney, Neb., said to me when I spoke of this matter, "Don'tr you worry at all. The early cutter in theorj' will always be late. The result is, he will cut his alfalfa late r.ither than early. Even if he believes in early culting he will generallj- practice late cutting." Now, whether this is so or not throughout the irrigated regions, I do not know. But knowing human nature as I do. that farmwork is usuall}' behind, I should assume that the alfalfa-grower woiild let his crop get into bloom before he did much cutting. — Ed.] A RAT OR MOUSE TRAP. I am illustrating herewith a trap that may be useful for bee-keepers. It can be attached to a deep crock or barrel, or any box round or square, whichever comes han- diest. Take a piece of heavy stiff springy paper; slightly dampen it, then adjust to crock or barrel, and tie down securely by twine. Let the paper then dry; and, if desired to be kept, give it a coat of shellac or any other oil or varnish. For a few days put bait in the center of the paper, within easy access of the victims; then re- move the bait and cut paper along lines shown, and glue bait to apex centers, and the trap is ready, self-adjusting, and will do the business. Vermin caught can be destroyed by water in which they plunge, or by fumes. R. V. Murray. Cleveland, Ohio. [Mr. R. V. Murray is our regular artist, and takes a great deal of interest in every thing that pertains to bee-keeping. Know- ing that rats and mice are enemies to bees, and nuisances to the bee-keeper, he sketch- ed this simple mouse-trap that anj' one can make. I do not know whether the idea is original with him or not. I think I have seen it somewhere; but it is good, neverthe- less. The trouble with ordinarj' traps is that, after they are once sprung, they are useless till reset; and, besides, when they do catch a mouse it must be taken out or there will soon be a foul odor. The trap shown in the illustration resets itself as soon as it has done its work. If one will put a strong solution of brine in the crock, the victims will be pickled as soon as they are caught, and there will be no smell. After the vermin have all been caught, the string can be loosened, and the contents of the crock dumped and buried. I have one of the regulation mouse-traps in my office; and every now and then I can detect a fa- miliar odor, and then look down at the trap, back of my desk; because, you see, I forget all about the trap until my olfactory nerves apprise me of the fact that something is wrong. Then I have to get the nasty car- cass out of the trap, and reset. — Ed.] MOLDY COMBS ONAW^ED DOWN. On page 155. in reference to bees biting off the cells of combs, I would say I have had old combs that got mold}' on part of the combs, and I put them in hives where there was a new colony of bees, and the bees went at the old moldy combs and cut them away down to the bottom of the cells, 394 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. May 1 and they did not build the cells out ag-ain. But when the comb was not moldy the bees did not disturb it at all. C. K. Carter. Eagle Grove, Iowa. [If the bees had needed more room they would have built out those gnawed-down combs; and if they have not done so al- ready they will do so yet when the honey season opens up. — Ed.] cept, perchance, the few times when he goes- into the cellar to make examinations. — Ed.] GOOD WINTERING IN A DAMP WET CELLAR; VENTILATION, DAMPNESS, AND TEM- PERATURE CONSIDERED. I took my bees out of the cellar March 20, and find them in fine condition — only one dead colony out of 183. The bees are bright and healthy, and in remarkably good con- dition. I am a firm believer in taking bees from the cellar as early as possible, the benefit of which I have proven by my own experience in the past. The condition of my cellar was such that almost any one would condemn it for the purpose of winter- ing bees; but notwithstanding I never had bees winter better, either outdoors or in the cellar. My cellar is built in a clay bank with about three feet of dirt over it, and this dirt is covered with a shingled roof. It is 8 ft. wide, 28 ft. long, and 6>2 ft. high, with two doors in place of where Doolittle has four. The past winter, it has been ex- ceedingly damp, with some water actually standing on the cellar bottom. It has al- ways been said that one of the most essen- tial conditions of cellar wintering is that it be practically dry; but I have just wintered my bees in fine condition with the reverse condition. It would also be considered that I put almost too many bees in a cellar of th.it size. The cellar is provided with two ventilators — one that opens at the bottom of the cellar, admitting fresh air, and the other opening at the ceiling-, and both go directly up through the roof, with cap at the top to prevent light from entering. This cellar has maintained almost an even temperature all winter. The thermometer registered just 52° all winter, until just before I took them out, when it went up several degrees. The stores which the bees wintered on were largely fall honey, although there was more or less clover honey in most of the hives. I have come to the conclusion that so much dampness in a cellar is not so disastrous after all, if the temperature and other con- ditions are all right; and I write this that others may draw their conclusions. Marion, Mich. R. S. Chapin. [I think it is generally conceded that a cellar may be reeking with dampness, and yet give good results in wintering, provided other requisite conditions are present. One of those conditions is uniform temperature, and a reasonable amount of fresh air; but our friend Doolittle, who has had a good many years of experience, and ought to know, believes that, with uniform tempera- ture, ventilation is not essential, for his cellar is kept closed from fall to spring, ex- QUESTIONS REGARDING THE PRODUCTION OF COMB HONEV. 1. Is it better to remove supers, or the honey from them as they fill, and replace them, or to add other supers, thus tiering up? 2. For comb honey, is it proper to use full sheets of foundation? 3. Does the foundation mar the taste of comb honey? T. F. Rawlins. Elk Creek, Cal. [1. A good deal will depend on whether you have many supers to remove. If the season is very slow it may be advisable to take off the filled sections one by one, substituting empty sections in their place. But in large apiaries it is the usual prac- tice to remove the whole super. If the su- per is not quite filled, and honey is coming in well, raise it up and put an empty super under it. If the season is toward its close, put the new super on top. 2. If you wish to get the most honey in a given time, we would advise using full sheets of foundation. 3. No. But combs built off from founda- tion have a slight midrib that bee-keepers can detect or notice if they think of it; but the general consuming public never thinks of it, and won't if we don't call their at- tention to it. — Ed. ] SOMEE USEFUL devices; a handy scraper; A UNIQUE foundation- CUTTER. The enclosed sketches are my own ideas, and I use them successfullj'. I have not seen anything in Gleanings or elsewhere that can do what each one of the tools here shown can do in the same time. No. 1 is a hive and bottom-board scraper. It is a piece of glass cut in shape as shown, with a piece of hard wood for handle, with saw- kerf in to hold the glass. It beats any kind of steel blade. I use its sharp end for scraping sections also. No. 2 is my instantaneous foundation cut- ter. It cuts a pound of wax into any size, sheet, or starter, or both, at the same time, absolutely true. Any child can operate it by placing the sheets of wax on the block of wood, pulling down the frame. The cut- ting is done by the wires. The block is hard wood, with saw-kerfs in to correspond with the wire that cuts the wax. The dot- ted line around the table or block is a rim for the cutter-bar to rest on when down to prevent breaking wires. The wires are on a loop-shaped hook with thumb-screws for tightening wires. The frame is made with a groove all around, and the wires are set to correspond with the grooves in the block; for whatever size the operator wishes strips for starters in brood-frames can be cut also, if desired. The frame is made by bolting two pieces of steel together, leaving space all around for 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 5Q5 •setting: wires, aud hing'ed on to the block, at each corner. No. 3 is a plain frame, made to hold eifj^ht •sections, 4\{ X4!i(, and used for feeding- un- finished sections to bees in the cellar that out breaking- the wires at annoyinfjly fre- quent intervals, we have a device that could be used to very pood advantag-e by every bee-keeper. We will endeavor to give the idea a trial ourselves. In the mean time we should be pleased to have reports from those who can test it. — Eu] No. 1. — Block of wood with saw-cuts therein, corres- ponding to vsire in frame 3. No. 2.— Saw-cuLs; can be made in anj' direction, and crossing each other at any point, same as the wires in frame No. 3. — Iron frame, with handles 5-5 and stops 6-6. provided with strung cutting-wires 4-4 and thumb- nuts 9-9 for tightening wires. 7-7.— Hinges with bolts on which frame moves. S. — Screw-holes to secure block or machine to table. The machine consists of the iron frame, necessary wires, thumb-nuts, block of wood for foundation, •screws, 2 small bolts for hinges. are short of stores, by removing- one or two frames. This is put in place, and bees a^e not disturbed. If not needed for feeding- they can be put in the extractor the same as brood-frames. This is better than stack- ing up supers and letting- bees clean up, as you get it where needed, and can feed it any time. To put sections in the frarne, loosen the top-bar; when in, drive nails to hold firm. A. A. Clarke. Le Mars, Iowa. [All three of your devices are excellent. The frame for holding the sections is simply the application of an old principle of the wide frame when comb honey was produced wholly in such frames in full-depth supers. The scraper is very simple and cheap; but would not the glass become dull very soon? and would it not be just as well to use pieces of glass without handles and throw them aside as soon as they are dull? A wooden handle would be more convenient, it is true, but it would be a rather nice job to put the piece of glass into the handle, for the simple reason that glass varies in thickness; and a saw-kerf that would just fit one piece would be all wrong- for the next. Your scheme for cutting foundation is very unique. I would not have stipposed for a moment that a wire, drawn however taut, could be shoved through a whole pound of foundation, leaving a nice clean-cut square ■edge. If it will do this in every case, with- ouEEN.s balled; suffocated or stung to DEATH. After reading Stray Straws for Mar. 15, p. 224, I"m of the opinion that you did not quite strike the kej'-note when you sajs "But haven't I seen stings lodged in the body of a balled queen?" No, Mr. Editor, bees never leave their stings in a queen or drone, neither do they leave their stings when stinging other bees to death. I be- lieve I wrote you a short time ago that queens are never stung while being balled. It is true that a queen is worth less, as a rule, after once being balled; but she meets her death through suffocation and starva- tion. I once saw one queen sting to death 7 queens, and the first queen was stung 7 times, held off at arm's length. For just cage a queen and put in a bee from another hive, and watch results. You will never find a sting left in the one killed. Matanzas, Cuba. C. E. Woodward. [Perhaps you have stated the general rule; but I am very sure, for I remember the circumstance, that I took one queen out of a ball that had a sting in her body. The fact was strongly impressed upon my mind at the time. I have spent some five or six summers rearing queens in an apiary of 400 nuclei. My chance for seeing the ex- ception that proves the rule was good. Isn't it another rule that has come to be accept- ed, that bees never invariably follow a pre- cise rule? — Ed.] paraffine paper for covering sections in the spring. What is best to place over the sections to keep them clean when in the supers over the bees? I used the Danzenbaker paraf- fine tnats, but the bees eat them badly. I don't know why — possibly " location," or possibly "starvation," or possibly a mis- chievous inclination; but this I know, it is "an abomination," and I should like to know what others use. A. J. Kilgore. Bowling Green, O. [We regret to say that the paraffine pa- per did not prove to be a success, largely for the reason that the directions were not in all cases carefully followed, where it was stipulated that old newspaper, or some other packing of some sort, should be crowd- ed on top of the sections; and even when the packing was put on as directed, some bees would gnaw the paper. Mr. Danzen- baker has abandoned the paper now. We had not ourselves advised putting any thing over the sections except the super- cover or hive-cover, and this should be a bee-space above the sections. — Ed.] 396 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. May 1 BEE-PARALVSIS; IS SULPHUR AN APPARENT OR REAL CURE? I believe bee-paralysis is just as conta- g-ious in the South as foul brood in the North. I first noticed the disease in my yard in July, 1902. It reduced the one col- ony to a mere nothing-, which I placed with another colony for winter, when the trouble stopped until this spring. When young bees began to hatch, the disease promptly broke out in 14 out of 30 colonies, many of which at this date are weaker than they were in January, while colonies not affect- ed have begun swarming. I read Mr. C. H. Pierce's article in Gleanings for Feb. 15, page 160, recom- mending sulphur as a cure for paralysis, which he claims he obtained through Gleanings by Mrs. Hawkins. He (bj^ er- ror) states that in two weeks the bees had entirely disappeared, which was corrected on page 185. Now for the other part of my story. Not wishing to lose my bees entirely by a roundabout way by using sulphur when fire is cheaper, I decided to try it on a small scale. I sulphured bees, combs, brood, and all, on three hives. Re- sult, one week after, very few bees dying; some sealed, and some larvas just hatched. Second dose, second week, same condition, only less sealed brood. Third week, dis- ease gone; sealed brood gone, small amount of larva?; very few bees (cured). Now, will they stay cured ? I think not, and why ? The machine has simply stopped for lack of fuel. When there is more hatching brood, the disease will take fresh hold. If this is not correct, why does it stop with brood- rearing in the fall, and begin with it in the spring ? Sulphur destroys only the cul- ture and not the disease. I don't wish to contradict Mr. Pierce, but I don't think he saw far enough. But if he is right and I wrong I hope you will apologize for me when he comes through Ohio. I can only plead ignorance. G. B. Crum. Pearson, Ga., Mar. 23. [When you speak of sulphuring your bees in combs, I assume that you mean sprin- kling the yellow powder on the bees. As you surmise, many diseases that are contagious — perhaps all of them — have what may be called the inert and active state. There are the spores and the bacilli. The former would probably not be affected by any cold application of sulphur ; but the latter might be killed by it. As long as the spores are not destroyed the disease may reappear. — Ec] BEE- paralysis; strong brine as a cure. Much has been said from time to time in Gleanings about bee-paralysis, its cause and cure. I see on p. 720, Sept. 1, that so far there is no cure that has ever been named for it. Paralysis is not very preva- lent here, although I have seen several cases where bees died outright with it. I will now give my experience with it, which I hope may be beneficial to my bee-keeping friends, although you may think this a sim- ple remedy, and it is; but I have made a permanent cure in every case that I have treated with it. In 1900 I had two colonies of bees strong enough to begin storing honey in the supers, on fruit-bloom. About that time they were taken with paralj'sis very badly, and at the beginning of white clover they had left the supers, and I took them off, and they were dwindled down to less than half their num- bers. There were quarts of dead and dy- ing bees in front of the hives. Then I look- ed them carefully over, and found more brood than the bees could actually cover. The queens were bright and active, ani the brood looked all healthy; but they were now going down rapidly. I made up my mind to kill or cure them by experiment, and this is what I did: I went to the pork- barrel and took out a dish of strong brine. I went to one hive, opened it, took off the cloth on top, took a wisp of fine grass, dip- ped it in the brine, and sprayed them all over the top of the racks quite freely, then the entrance of the hive, and all the sick bees in front several feet around, and closed it up again. Then I repeated the same op- eration with the other, and watched the result. In three or four days I saw a marked difference with both colonies. There were not half as many sick bees, so in four or five days from the first spraying I re- peated the operation, and in two weeks aft- er the first spraying there was not a sick bee to be found in either colony, and it has never returned. As foul-brood inspector I have found sev- other cases, bad ones too, that I have treat- ed in the same way, with perfect success in every case. In 1901 I had two more of my own (mild cases). I treated them separate- ly, one at a time, to see if my test was all right, and it was as before. These two first colonies that were so bad grave me one super of 28 sections on the windup of white clover. I intend to experiment more with this, and in a little different form. It may prove to be of some value to bee-keepers, and it may not. It certainly has with me, so far. A question arises in my mind — will this have the same effect on bees in a southern climate it does here in Michigan? Let them test it and report. Bees must have plenty of salt here. I salt mine about once a month during the breeding season. Where they get water for that purpose it keeps them healthy. This is what led me to try the brine-spraying process. After this has been tried lay those troubled with bee-paral- ysis I should like tohave them report through Gleanings. A. H. Guernsey, Pres. Ionia Co. Bee-keepers^ Ass'n. Ionia, Mich. [We have had reports before, to the effect that salt would cure bee-paralysis. We have also had others to the effect that it was an absolute failure for the purpose. But it may be that spraying the bees and combs 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 3«r7 with a strong- brine solution would be more effective. I should be glad to hear from our subscribers who are afflicted with the dis- ease in their apiaries; for the treatment prescribed is so simple, and so easily ap- plied, that it would be well to try it. Bee- paralysis is apt to be in a good many local- ities in the United States, and we ought to have in the neighborhood of 25 or 30 reports during the summer. — Ed.] THK PROMINENT BEE-KEEPERS OF CUBA; THE DANZENBAKER HIVE FOR COMB HONEV. Mr. G. E. Moe is still alive, but looks and limps around "ghost-like" after his thousand booming- colonies. Health all gone. And the American tramp? Big apiaries booming, and he "down in the back " and the honey wasting. F. O. Somerford, another thousand- hive man — where was he? Gone to the States for for his health, after rustling so man3'bees for so long; and I could name a few more. But I shall have to mention seeing two of the big lights that create and distribute ideas — not the "common Sam Slap" kind either, but solid "facts about bees," facts that cost money to know. Mr. Danzenbaker, of hive fame, was one of the gentlemen, and I am sure that his coming to Cuba will help the comb-honey business here in quality and quantity, as there is not another man on the globe who is so well up on comb honey as Mr. D. is — no, not one. To know him and his hive is assurance enough that it is the best comb- honey hive in the world — none excepted. His hive, not super, I have al- ways classed with the Heddon; but I am sure now that it is the only real thing for comb honey — real nice comb honey, I mean. The super to it I have known all the while could not be beaten, so I have a thousand of them on hand, but had tested only a few of his hives — a pair — and they have the most comb honey to the hive, or more than $3.00 to the hive ahead of the rest of the best hives in the same ranch, although not the strongest colonies. So I will say truthful- ly, " Danz. hives" for comb honey, first, last, and all the time. The other gentleman is a man from Rus- sia— a college man, an engineer, draftsman, etc., but a thorough pencil artist, schooled in bee culture in Russia, with manj^ years, and moves to his credit in America, east, west, and south. He is just over from Flor- ida with a boatload of bees, 300 colonies, and is temporarilly located at Cabanas, on the north coast of Cuba, with his real Amer- ican tramp hive, and goes again to Florida for mangrove bloom in Maj^ The features of his hive, after sketching and trying them by the dozen, are many; combination comb and extracted-honey hive, queen nuclei included in the hive (same hive) along- with wax-growing department; and for a tramp hive it's always ready with extra queens, as well as other good features. But I am of the opinion that by the time its inventor, Mr. Patrin, gets a thousand or two of them on the road at the same time, he, too, will come up missing, as captain, and then what? W. W. Somerford. Caimito, Cuba, Jan. 4. [I will explain that the foregoing came, as will.be seen by the date, some time ago, but it was mislaid. As it contains some facts of interest we place it before our read- ers, even at this late date. — Ed.] PREVENTING SWARMS FROM MIXING; THE M'EVOY SHEET PLAN. As I read about McEvoy's plan for stop- ping the outcoming of two or more swarms at one time, and mixing together, in the April 1st issue of Gleanings, and that you wished to hear from others who had tried this plan, I will say that I have prac- ticed this plan for the last three years, and it has worked satisfactorily. I use an old quilt or blanket, which I keep handy for this purpose; and as soon as two hives show signs of swarming at the same time I put the quilt or blanket on one of them, putting bricks on the corners of it to keep it down; and as soon as the other swarm is hived I take it away. It some- times happens that the hive covered will swarm within half an hour again. I think it is a good plan, and one that saves both money and work, and a plan well worth trying. G. M. Hanson. Christine, N. Dak., Apr. 7. raising oueens in upper stories; how TO TELL WHEN THE BEES ARE SUPP:RSED- ING THE OUEEN. Can a good queen be raised from the queen-cells that are raised by the bees in the super above the honey-board? How can you tell when a queen is being superseded? Manhassit, N. Y. J. Schneider. [Good queens can be and are raised in upper stories ; but very possibly when the queen-breeder would like to get the cells reared upstairs the bees will not carry out his wishes. A prosperous colony in the time of the honey-flow, or if fed a little every day, will usually rear cells in the upper story, without trouble; and the queens from such cells are equal to the very best. But the bees must be given cell-cups supplied with royal jelly and larvas. When a queen is about to be superseded you will usually find cells started in the hive. She acts more or less feeble, and lays sparingly. If the hive is left to itself, the next thing you will see when j'ou examine itagain will be the oldqueen missing,and the young one doing service in her place. — Ed.] excluders; putting the rough side IN FOR the CONVENIENCE OF LOADED WORKERS. I want to call your attention to an idea that came to me within a year, in regard to excluders. If you use reason you will 398 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. May 1 see that bees can pass through loaded the same way the zinc is punched, better than from the opposite way. Now, isn't this the cause of complaint that bees do not work as well through excluders as without? It seems to me very certainly the reason. It seems strange, too, that, as there have been so many fine points brought out, that this has never been thought of; and as there are thousands of excluders made, regardless of which side is up, it is of great account. Of course, part happen to be right. I desired to call your attention to it, feel- ing interested for all. I would bj'all means put it smooth side toward the loaded bees, whether whole sheets or in strips between wood. I use excluders wholly for both comb and extracted honey. I got 1000 lbs. in one rainy and cold season (from 7 colonies, spring count) . Hallowell, Me. E. P. Churchill. [We have for years made our Alley drone- excluders and honey-boards so that the smooth edge is presented to the in-coming laden bees. It is barel}' possible that oc- casionally a trap or a honey-board might be sent out with the zinc put in the wrong side to. — Ed.] STERILE OUEENS AND SUPERSEDXJ.^E. If an old queen gradually, in spring, say May or early June, becomes sterile, what is the natural procedure of the workers? Will thev of their own accord start queen- cells when they iind she is fast becoming useless, or will they wait till it is too late? If they choose the former method, what be- comes of the old queen? Charles A. Crovvell, Jr. Winthrop, Mass., Mar. 24. [When queens begin to fail through age, or from injury, the bees will usually start the building of cells before they give out en- tirelj'. Of course, it may sometimes happen that, before such cell-building begins, the old queen may die. In that event, so long as there is larvas old enough, cells will surely be raised. If they raise cells before she fails, and a young queen is hatched out, the two may be allowed to exist in the hive side by side without interference. But this is the exception. As soon as the 3'oung queen appears on the scene the old one as a rule steps down and out. Whether mortal combat takes place, resulting in a victory for the young and strong, or whether the bees themselves take matters into their hands, and kill the old queen, I can not sa}^ Perhaps Doolittle, or some or our veterans, could tell just what is done. — Ed.] queen to more vigorous egg-laying? Do bees ever rear brood if no pollen is in the hive? R. T. Wisterman. Gasport, N. Y. [Give j'our bees some combs of sealed stores. We make it a rule, every fall, to set aside a good supply of such combs. In the spring, when it is too cold to do much feeding, we insert one of these combs in the brood-nest. — Ed.] feeding bees without stimulating. My bees are rearing brood, and have con- sumed nenrl y all of their honey. What and how can I feed them so as not to excite the moke technical and scientific and less elementary matter called FOR. I would rather miss any part rather than thatcnlled " General Correspondence." and wish there were more of R. C. Aikin, and also more by that other Miller — Arthur C whose ver}^ didactic way of speaking did not prevent his remarks from being very sug- gestive and interesting. The way of hav- ing each article followed by an editorial comment I particularly like. It sets one to thinking in a very lively way to compare the two points of view, and consider which is nearer the truth. Geo. A. Bates. Highwood, N. J. young's method OF wiring frames ; A correction; department of ques- tions AND answers like A big convention. You get the wrong idea from the wiring- board on p. 247. Mr. Thwing, on p. 236, gives my idea, but in a little different wav; that is, to nof get too much loose wire off the spool at once. He begins in the middle of the frame, and has to lose 2 in. of wi'-e on each frame, making 83 ft. of loss on ."^00 frames. The tension is only to hold the wire, and not to make it tight in the frame, as you say. See my cut again. Put the wire through 1-1, and then pull throug'h far enough to go back through 2-2; then put it through 2-2 Now the trouble is at hand. Hold the end of the wire in the right hnnd, and pull the wire through 1-1 with the left hand, working both hands simultaneously until you have enough wire through to make 3 and 4, and some to spare; then you have at no time no more loose wire than does Mr. Thwing This board can also be fitted up for putting in the foundation with- out moving the frame. Mr. Editor, I like j^our department of questions and answers. It makes me feel as if I were at a great big convention, and you were chairman. Let more write and tell what we know, and let Mr. Root weed it out, but, as Dr. Miller savs, "respect- fully.' That is right, Mr. Editor. Hold a tight rein on the doctor. When old horses do run ofT they do more harm than the young ones do, for they usually take the whole family with the old horse. But do not let Dr. Miller drive you through every mud-hole. A. P. Young. Cave City, Ky. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 399 NOTES or TRAVLt 4 BY A. I. ROOT. ^B SSSsa^sJ^^^Esi^is RAMBLER AND HIS APIARY. On m^' arrival in Cuba, about Jan. 1, one of the first things I asked about was something concerning Mr. Martin, his loca- tion, etc. Mr. de Beche informed me that Mr. Martin was sick, and had sent him word that he was going to one of the city hospitals, and that, on receipt of such word, he had phoned to every hospital in the city and thej- declared that no such person had been there. INIr. de Beche therefore con- cluded the Rambler must have got better, and that I would find him at his ranch in Taco-Taco, near Paso Real. I according- 1)' made a trip to our apiary. After I reached there, however, ^Ir. de Beche wrote me that Mr. Martin ivas in the city after all, and that, after reaching the hospital, and not getting better, he wrote to Mr. de Beche to come and see him. Mr. de Beche, with that letter in his hand, went to the hospital Mercedes, but was again told there was no such person there, but he finally succeeded in reaching him. Either the people at the hospital had got things mixed or else Mr. Martin, when he reached there, was too sick to write his name plainly. His death came very suddenly, as you have been told by friend Danzenbaker on page 99, Feb. 1. After his death I went to that same hospital, accompanied by Mr. Dan- zenbaker, and had an interview with Miss Anna E. O'Donnell, who took care of Mr. Martin while he was there. This lady in- formed us that Rambler talked but very little. He was too sick. She said the doc- tors pronounced his disease pernicious ma- larial fever — a kind of fever that takes pa- tients off very suddenlj'. Before he died, when some of the friends were visiting him he tried to talk to them but was too weak. One of them gave him a pencil and some paper, and he wrote a few words that could hardly be made out, and then gave it up, being too sick to even write. This hospital is one of the finest in the city, if not the best, and has everj- appli- ance, apparentl}', for the care of the sick. In fact, it is the best-arranged institution of the kind I ever saw. In my conversation with the nurse I was satisfied that they employed the best medical skill, and that all their arrangements are clear up to date for the care of the sick. Some time afterward I visited Mr. Mar- tin's apiary at Taco-Taco, and had quite a talk with Mr. Gilson, the young man whom Mr. Martin employed a short time before his death. The apiary is located but a few rods from the station, and in a thicket that, in wet weather, would be a wet swamp. It is, without question, an ideal place for bees; but it certainly is not a very good place for one to live in, especially when the swamp is full of water. Mr. Gilson (now in charge of the apiary) tells me that they were ad- vised to get their water at a well in the town, or drink boiled water. I believe Mr. Martin did this for a time; but when they were hurried with business, and quite a stream was running close to the apiar3% they got their water from that stream, and Mr. Martin drank of it freely. The water was so high in that locality that it got into their honey-room, and the3' were obliged to set their hives up on stands to keep the wa- ter from running into the entrances. Poor Rambler became so much interested in the wonderful progress he was making in build- ing up an apiary that he doubtless not only neglected his drink, but I fear, from what I am told, he neglected to take the necessary time to prepare wholesome cooked food. Of course, we do not mean to find fault nor criticise our poor friend who has now gone from us; but it may be well for the living to consider and take heed. I for one would not keep my health very long unless I had good wholesome food at regular hours. I have tried "cold victuals" several times in my life; and while that does very well for one or two meals it does not pay as a rule, at least, to follow it up. Let us now consider a little why Mr. Martin was so busy. When he first came to Cuba last April, he stopped with our good friend Mr. Glenn Moe and his wife at Candelaria. His rations there were of the best, as I happen to know by personal ex- perience; and Mr. Moe and his wife very much enjo3'ed havingthe Rambler an inmate of their home. His first venture was to agree with Mr. Moe for 100 three-comb nuclei — two combs of brood and one of hon- ey; and in consideration that Mr. Martin would furnish every thing in the way of hives and fixtures, he got the nuclei at the low price of $1.50 each. This was all that Mr. Martin had for his start, with the ex- ception of five Cuban hives made of hollow logs. You will notice these in the picture on another page. He selected a locality close to a railroad station, and right in a swamp, or woods where flowers were plen- tiful and laden with hone3\ Since the sad outcome of this uridertaking, it is very easy for us to say," Why didn't he go a little further from the station, on the bank of the river where high water could not make his ranch so wet?" We do not just know how he managed to build up those nuclei; but we do know that at the time of his death there were very nearly or quite 300 colonies of bees, a great part of them filling two- story hives, and that he had taken 16,800 lbs. of extracted honey and 3'2 tons of comb honey. This is certainly remarkable. Not only did these bees work with a vim, but Mr. Martin must have worked early and late, and left no stone unturned to break the record in the way of building up an apiary in an astonishingly short space of time, at the same time securing a crop of hone3' that seems almost beyond belief. I very much regret that our people here w w H m 2 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 401 in Medina, by a blunder, made a statement on the cover of our bee keepers' catalog', to the effect that he commenced with onlj' 50 nuclei. Mr. Boyden, who furnished this item, says that, as nearly as he can remem- ber, he understood Mr. Martin himself (while he was in Cuba) to sa}' that he had only 50 nuclei. It maj' be interesting- right here to look ag-ain at that slate shown on page 4b9, June 1st. U.^A .£-. A. I. Root: — We are much pleased with the report of your experience of manufacturing maple svrup. It "seems you are getting on to the job all right; however, there ate a few points, or, rather, a few questi )ns, that I can answer that will no doubt be a benefit to you. (jur card of directions is all we have to send out to our patrons, but we are always ready to give explana- tions as far as we are able, where questions are asked. In regard to bucket-covers, they might be a little handier in gathering if there were no bails, but the object of the bail is to keep them from blowing off the pail, as frequently you have a rainstorm with pretty sirong wind We will now explain to you how to operate the felt strainer : Of course, before using, it should be thor- oughly wet in clear water. The syrup-maker should have a can for a settling-can. which is of pretty good height and the strainer is hooked on to a little wood- en frame which lies across the settling-can. After the syr\ip has been strained through the felt strainer until it becomes filled up. and the syrup does not run freely, it should be taken off and laid in the front pan in the evaporator. In large rigs, or where there are large bushes, there should be two felt strainers for use. While the sweet is boiling out of the one la.st used, place the other one in position for use When you wish to make the change, take the one out of the pan. turn it wrong side out, and rinse thoroughlj' in clear water and wring it out, and it is ready for use. Thus, you see, they are easily cleaned and you do not lose anv of the sweet. Your'idea. we take it, is to can your syrup hot. We do not consider that necessary. We do that gener- ally when the syrup is cool, and perhaps we can give you a ])ointer in canning syrup. The syrup-cans are generally made a trifle large, so that, when syrup is done to weigh 11 pounds to an even gallon measure- the boiling sap. I said to myself, " I.ct millionaires have their luxurious dwellings and fine appointments; let the aristocracy have Iheir gold and silver and dia- monds, with their fine clothing, dining-rooms, etc. I would rather have my ' cabin in the woods,' with my little -sug-rcamp out here in the darkness of the night, than any of these things that the great world craves and delights in — at least I iM//i<95^ men delight in these things or else they would not sacrifice so much for them." It makes me think of the old poem: Cleon dwellcth in a palace, In a cottaKC I ; Cleon hath a score of doctors. Not a one have I. There is another verse that I can not recall ; but the ending is — " Happier man am I," and I think that fits my case exactly. ment, it will not fill the can; but it is not necessary to fill the can entirely full. Put in one gallon of syiup; set tlie can a little on a tilt, with the corner where the screw top is the highest, then plqce the screw top over the nozzle and press in on the sides of the can until the syrup flows over the nozzle a trifle; hold it there until you screw down the top so that it is entirely tight. You will have, by running the syrup over the nozzle a trifle, a double seal. You will have your 'seal in the top of the screw top; you also screw the top down into the syrup, which makes it doubly sealed, and you will readily see, by pressing in the can until the syrup runs over the nozzle a trifle, that you have every particle of air out of the can. That is a very important point in can- ning syrup. Syrup canned in this way, ai d stored in a cool dark place, will hold its flavor for a long time. The point of gathering your sap and boiling it in at once is correct. Another important point, have your buckets secure- ly covered, so that you will get iio rain water mixed with the sap; and when the syrup is finished and stiained through the felt strainer, although you may let your strained syrup settle in the settling-can, there will be but a trifle of sediment even in the bottom of the can, when the syrup is turned out. People having a quantity of syrup to can should have a little box made on purpose to set the can in, which will hold it in proper position, and work with a little lever and press the sides in. We are glad to note that the syrup season has not ended and that you still have prospects to experiment to some extent as yet. It seems singular that syrup- makers in that section have already gathered their buckets, as it would not seem to us that, in that north- ern climate, the buds had started so as to injure the syrup. The .syrup in our section this season has been merely nothing: but we have been informed, by parties in Wiscousin, that they are having an excellent sugar season in those northern climates. We saw a statement in the papers a day or two ago, that estimated the loss of the sugar-makers in North- ern Ohio at five hundred and fifiy thousand dollars. In regard to piping your sap down the hill, we would say we never had any per.sonal experience; but we know of several parties that run their sap down hill through galvanized gaspipe. Mr. A. A. IvOw. of New York, is operating some 50,000 trees in the Adirondacks, and he pipes pretty much all of his sap down the mountain, into the valleys. If you should pipe this down and connect your pip- ing with the regi later on the evaporator, we wouid suppose it would be nice to have your storage-tank at the top of the hill. We see no reason why you could not connect your piping with storage-tank at the top of the hill, and attach the same to the regulator on your evaporator. Y'ou would have to keep a close watch on your tank, however, and not let the sap run low unexpectedly. If the sap all ran out j-ou might burn your pan unless y< u were watching it. In regard to storage-tanks, we do not agree with you that they should not be made of galvanized iron. It is no detriment to the sap, as it is never heated in the tank, but galvanized pans for boiling sap we most decidedly object to. Champion Evapor.^tor Co. Hudson, Ohio. With the present good prices for maple syrup I think we can well afford to look after our groves of maple-trees Some time these beautiful trees may be planted for this purpose; but at present there are thousands of pieces of woodland where beautiftil sugar- camps may be made in a comparatively short time by cutting out the other timber. Every sugar-maker has noticed the extra quantity as well as quality (sweetness) from trees in or on the edge of a clearing. Cutting otit every thing else, or, if not quite that, cutting out all undergrowth of no value, will very soon make a wonderful dif- ference in the thriftiness of the maples. If a tree dies now and then, it makes the best firewood in the world; and with prices from S2.00 to S2.50 for a cord of 18-inch wood (during the past winter it has sold for that 404 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. May 1 here in Northern Michigan), it may not be a bad investment to grow maple wood for fuel and for hard- wood flooring, etc. Aside from this, what is prettier on a well-kept farm than a neat and tidy maple grove? Start one going for your grandchildren, and you may live to see them enjoy it. There is one unpleasant feature about maple-sugar making in localities where the soil is clayey. In the springtime it often gets to be very muddy around the camp in going to and from a sugar-bush. In our lo- cality in the Traverse region of Northern Michigan, however, the soil has so large a percentage of sand that we never have any mud, even after the hardest rains. No standing water is ever seen anywhere. In choosing a locality for a sugar-bush I should greatly prefer a soil of this kind. MAPLE SUGAR AND MAPLE SYRUP AS A FEA- TURE OF SOCIAL GATHKRINGS. I do not know that there is any other one thing, I might almost say in the whole round of "God's gifts" to his children, that is equal to nice maple syrup for fur- nishing a pleasant entertainment to visitors who may drop in, or for social gatherings of people, either young or old. Who is there that does not brighten up at the mere men- tion of a sugar-party? Many times when friends come in upon us unexpectedly, how easy it is, with a good store of maple syr- up, to set a panful on the stove, so as to be able to bring in to the guests some " warm sugar " when they least expect it! and if it is at a season of the year when you can find a snowbank in some protected place in the woods, what a wonderful treat it is to give each guest a plateful of snow along with a saucerful of hot sugar! If there are any of our younger readers who have never enjoy- ed dipping the hot maple sugar in a pan of snow so as to make maple wax, let me tell >ou there is a treat in store for them. Then there is another thing yet. It is not every- body who has yet learned to make " maple cream;" in fact, Mrs. Root and I got on to it only this past season. This can be made of the last run of the sugar-bush, even of the syrup that is usually called buddy; or if the sap is soured a little in making it, and the sugar is a little backward about graining, that will not harm it. Boil it down very carefully until it gets hard when you throw it down on the snow, or dip it in cold water. Set it off the fire, put it in saucers, and let them cool, or get nearly cool, without any stirring. When nearly cold, commence stirring the syrup vigorous- ly, and keep stirring it till it gets white like cream. If you manage it just right, it will be nearlj' as white as cream, and so soft that it can be dipped up with a spoon when perfectly cold — something of the con- sistency of ice cream, perhaps a little hard- er. But it is to me the most delicious sweet, and I do not know but I might say the most delicious dish of any kind that the world has yet furnished. I have never heard of maple-sugar ice cream; but let me suggest right here is an opening for somebody to make a small fortune. You want pure ma- ple sugar or pure maple syrup, made with a Champion evaporator, such as I have de- scribed. This maple cream may be put away, say in jelly-tumblers, or something of the kind, and kept indefinitely. Have a lot of these in some convenient place; and when relatives or the neighbors' children come to make you a visit, and you want to give them something nice for a treat, just give each one a little sauce-dish of this ma- ple cream. My impression is, there is more than one little chick around our " cabin in the woods" who will remember "Aunt Sue " for a long while; and I should not wonder if the juvenile mind would for long years associate her name with the dishes of maple cream she gave them. ALFALFA — CAN IT BE GROWN ON MICHIGAN SANDY SOILS? We take the following from the Michigan Farmer. It answers the question, at least partially, that has often come up, "Will alfalfa thrive as far north as Michigan, and especially in sandy soils? " Some people have been growing alfalfa for several yCHrs on the same ground, and sptak very highly of it; in fact, all who have been able to get a good catch are pleased with the results. There are several reasons why alfalfa should have a place in Michigan am ng our forage-plants. First it thrives well on poor sandy soils where it seetns impos- sible to get fair returns frt'm the other clovers, .sec- ond, it thrives during periods of s vere drouth when other crops are practically burned out. Third, it is relished i y stock; and cows or young cattle after hav- ing eaten of it, either as a soiling crop or as cured hay, refuse other feeds like June clover or timothy. Fourtii, it is nutritious fed alone, being equal to timothy and a moderate supply of bran. P'iflh, as a coarse feed for hogs, either a- pasture or to be fed dry in winter, I know of nothing that equals it. .Sixth, it produces three crops per year; it should be cut when in bloom, which is generally from May 20 to June 1; again about August 1. and again about the last of September. The main diiificiiUy seems to be in getting a good catch. At least 20 lbs. of seed should be sown on an acre, more would be better. In April, 1901. I .sowed 20 lbs. per acre with beardlos barUy as a nurse crop; I went over the ground with a roller after sowing; got a fair catch I think harrowing in the seed would be still better. Don't pasture it with any thing any time if you wish to mow it. Don't try to raise seed, as it will not mature well in this climate. Put it on your highest, poorest ground; manure it after the first year, and work it in with a harrow. ■ N. A. Clapp. Oakland Co., Mich. I may add that, in regard to the time of sowing, alfalfa can be put in at any time in May, and good results are obtained by sowing it in June. Right close to our cabin in the woods, in Leelanaw Co., there is a field that has been producing fair crops an- nually for a good many years. HUMBUGS AND SWINDLES. Mr. Root: — I inclose an advertisement and a letter for your consideration. I believe these fellows should be exposed. I did not expect to get the belt free, but wanted proof of their insincerity. Ctdar Mills, O , April 16. Steen Freeman. The newspaper clipping that came with the above letter shows an electric belt flashing out lightning in every direction. Here is the way the advertisement starts out: 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 405 EIvECTRIC BELT 1-RKE: Great electro-chemic belt! Why be a sorrowful, weak mail, when thi.s electrochemic belt will restore you to health and happiness? This great free offer is made to \ on. and it holds good for a few days only: so, write to-day — it is yours for the asking, without one cent of co.st to vou. This is a real gift for adver- tising purposes. We are anxious to give it if it will be any help to you. You simply send us your name, and we' send you' the belt. It is yours to keep for ever, and ■we under no circumstances a.sk for or accept any mon- ey for it, either now or in the future. I have often noticed this class of adver- tisements, and sometimes, I am sad to say, in the relig'ioiis papers. I have thoug^ht several times I would write, just in order to lind out what it was they give away free, or how they would get out of it. To tell the truth, I have several times been tempted to think they really had something- that was such a boon to humanity they were sending it out free of charge in order to introduce it. It seemed as if the thing vitist have merit or they would not oflFer it in that way. But the letter that friend Freeman sends along explains the matter. It starts out in this way: Mr. Steen Freeman : — Your marked symptom- blank has received our careful and most thorough ex- amination, and it will not be necessary for us to tell what your trouble is. You know it, and presume you know the cause of it. What you must consider now is its cure, for you probably know what it will lead to. You see the above is so worded that it will fit any malady, and, furthermore, it is printed on a printing-press, and not on a tj'pewriter. "You know it, and presume you know the cause of it." To make a long story short, they say his trouble is of such a serious nature it will require some powerful medicine to go along with the belt. The belt would not do him any good without the medicine; and it would not be any advantage to them to give it away un- der the circumstances, but quite the contra- rj'. With the medicine, however, it will perform a great cure. The regular price for such treatment as he needs and must have (and that, too, at once) is $20 for a course of two months ; but under the cir- cumstances, on account of their sympathy (?) for him in his bad predicament, they will let him have the medicines at bare cost, $5.90. The belt will be sent absolute- ly free, according to contract. Now, I am not prepared to say that all these things advertised absolutely free of charge are of this character. The great " Heidelberg Institute " is not quoted at all by Dun or Bradstreet, as you may suppose, although they profess to have a capital of $100,000. Of course, they make a wonder- ful parade of the great things that electric- ity does. They do not make mention, how- ever, of the opportunity it gives people of this ilk to rob sick people by persuading them that electricity performs wonderful cures. WAX PROFITS. Fig 169.— The Root-German Steam Wax-press Price |14.00. Shipping weight, 70 lbs. Many bee-kaepers allow old combs and scraps of beeswax to collect, which, for lack of time and the proper utensils, are scattered or eaten up by moth-worms. A big item would be added to the year's profits by the timely ren- dering of said wax by an econom- ical process. We believe the -press illus- trated herewith fills a long-felt want in rendering wax. B. Walker, Clyde, 111., says: Was inclined to believe at first that the German wax-press was a failure; but after a thorough trial I was well pleased. I secured 30 lbs. more wax from one day's use of the machine than I would have secured by the ordinary method of rendering. N. E. France, Platteville, Wis., State In- spector of Apiaries, and General Manager National Bee keepers' Association, says: The German wax press is by far the best ma- chine or process to save wax from old black brood- combs. M antxfactured by XShQ A. I. ROOT CO., Medina, OKio, U. »S. A. \\'t_- are now paving -''^c casli, S'Jc trade, for average wax delivered at Mtdin.i. 406 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. May 1 L. vStacKelHausen, whose picture appears alongside, has an article in the Bee keepers' Review for April, telling how to prevent both natural swarming and increase, yet get the best results in comb-honey production. It is a modification of, or addition to, slowly swarming, wherein the young bees, as they hatch in the old colony, are transferred to the shook swarm on the old stand, thus keeping that booming and piling up the comb honey. Send ten cents for this number, and with it will be sent two other late but different issues, and the ten cents may apply on any subscription sent in during- the year. A cou- pon will be sent entitling- the sender to the Review one year for only 90 cents. W. Z. Hutchinson, Flint, flichigan. I Golden Italian & Leather Colored Warranted to give satisfaction, those are the kind reared by QuJrin=the=Oueen=Breeder. We guarantee every queen sent out to please you, or it may be returned inside of bO days and another will be sent "gralis." Our business was established in 1888, our stock originated from the best and highest-priced Long=tongued Red=clover Breeders in the U. S. We send out fine queens, and send them promptly. We g"arante ] safe delivery to any State, continental island, or European Country. The A. I. Root Co. tells us that our stock is extra fine, while the editor of the American Beejotirnal says that he has good rcpo'-ts from our stock, from time to time. Dr. J. X,. Gandy, of Humboldt, Nebr., .says that he secured over 400 pounds of honej' (mostly comb), f:om single colonies containing our queens. A FEW TESTinONIALS. P. F. Meritt, of No. 13 Breckenridge St., Lex- in";ton, Ky.. writes: The bees sent me last Jul}' did splendidly. Each colony has at least 7.5 lbs. of honey — pretty good for two-frame nuclei. Mr. J. Roorda, of Demotte, Ind., wri'cs: Send me six more queens, the 48 sent me last spring are hustlers. Mr. Wm. Smiley, of Glasgow, Pa-, writes: Your bees beat all the rest, now send me a breed- er of the same kind. A. Norton, Monterey, Calif., writes: Your stock excels the strain of Jlr. , wliich is said to ou«st;ipall others. Your stock excels in profit- able results as well as in beauty. Price of Queens Before July First. 1 6 Selected Warranted Tested Select Tested il 00 1 50 2 OC 4 00 2 50 $.-) 00 8 00 10 50 14 00 $9 50 15 00 Extra Selected Tested- the bes. that money can buy Two-frame Nuclei, no Queen 25 CO Add the price of whatever queen is wanted to that of nuclei. Our nuclei build up fast, and if not pur- chased too late will make some surplus. Oueen-rearing is our specialty; we give it our undivided attention, and rear as manv queens (perhars more) as any breeder in the North. No order is too large for us, as we keep 300 to 500 on hand ready to mail. Send all orders to Quirin=the=Queen=Breeder, Parkertown, OHIO. You Require Supply PERFECT ftUEENS Until further notice, to keep up with orders for Golden queens from old customers who find them to be splendid workers, I shall discontinue the other yards. I can .send Holy Lands and Carniolans mated in this yard at the .same prices These are good cross- es. Untested queens, $1 00 each ; tested, §1.25. A few choice breeders, $2, .50 each. GEO. J. VANDE VORD, Daytona, Fla. Golden or Leather-colored Honey Queens bred from the Laws strain. Untested. Jl.OO; tested, «i.25: .selected tested. 81. .50; extra selected, $2.00; breed- ers, $2 50 to $5 00. Nr ne better. H. C. TRIESCH, Jr., Dyer. Ark. "Dollar Italian Queens" Ready for delivery May 10. Send for ])riee list. E. E. Lawrence, : Doniphan, Missouri. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 407 Victor's = Superior = Italians Go by Return Mail, and are Guaranteed to Give Satisfaction, or Money Returned. I am ready with the same old true and tried stock of Italian queens and bees as of old. My queen-mothers in yards No. 1 and 2 are serving their fourth year in that capacity, li)00-190.'>. Their daughters have pleased The A. I. Root Co., W. Z Hutchinson, O. L,. Hershiser, G. M. Doolittle, R. P\ Holtermann, F. B. Simpson, and many others prominent in apiculture. In fact every cu.stomer has been pleased as far as I have heard. I COl'Ll) Fl'RNISH HUNDREDS OF THE VERY Sf RONGEST TESTIMONlAI^S, but space forbids. Piactically all the queens that I have sent from these yards were daughters and grand-daughters of the two '■ Oil Wells," as we often call them. Untested queens, $1.00 each; select untested, $1.25 each; tested, f2.00; breeders, $3.00 to $7.00. Send for illustrated price list. Queens == 1903 == Queens. We have ten different yards five to twenty miles apart, where Italians, Cyprians, Holylands, Carnio- lans, and Albinos, are bred for business. Tested queens, $1 50; $8.00 for 6; $15.00 per dozen. Untested, $1 Ou each; $5 00 for 6 ; 89.00 per dozen. Our best and finest breeders, $5.00 each. One and two frame nuclei ■.a. specialtj'. Bees and Queens in any quantity to suit purchaser. Safe arrival and reasonable satisfaction guaranteed. ORDER "The Southland Queen," $1.00 per year. Send for sample copy and our 1903 catalog; tells how to raise queens and keep bees for profit. Root's Supplies. The Jennie Atchley Co., Box 18, Beeville, Tex. Laws' Leather-colored Queens. Laws' Improved Golden Queens. Laws' Holy Land Queens. IV. H. Laws: — Your queens have proved to be excel- lent. My apiary stocked with your Z^aM^>- queens are a .sight to behold during a honey-flow, and the Goldens are beyond description in the line of beauty. \ ours are the best for comb honey I ever saw. I want more this spring — E. A. Ribble. Roxion, Tex., Feb ig, igoj. 11^. H. Latvs: — The 75 queens (Leather) from you are dandies. I introduced one into a weak nucleus in May. and in September I took 285 lbs. of h ney, leav- ing 48 lbs for winter. My crop of honey last season was 48,000 lbs. I write you for prices on 50 nuclei and 150 I.,eather queens.— yojA Farnsworth, Idaho Falls, Idaho. Feb. i6. igoj. Prices of Queens: Each. 81.00; 12, $10.00 Breeders, extra fine, guaranteed, each $:5.00. Send for price list. W. H. Laws, Beeville, Texas. QUEENS for BUSINESS and PROFIT These are to be had of Will Atchley. He is now prepared to fill all orders promptly, and breeds six dififerent races in their purity. You must remember that all of the PURE Holylands that now exist in the U. S. originated from the Atchley apiaries, and they have the only imported mothers known to the United States. Untested queens from these races, 3 and 5 banded Italians. Cyprians, Albinos, Holylands, and Carniolans. bred in their purity, from 5 to 35 miles apart, February and March. $1.00 each, or 89 00 per dozen. All other months, 7.^c each, $4 25 for six, or JS 00 per dozen. Tested queens of either race, from Jl 50 to p, 00 each. Breeders from S;l .50 to 810.00 each 1. 2, and 3 frame nuclei and bees by the po. TexT- Learn By Mail ^^Q^ ^Q Make Money ne Meef Plan o ■'jr. "iLrtr WfeB»: £.x«c. Jiia*£-i^ Highest Artistic Creatkm w : « ^.1} A C«_ rwir-gf J J riN/'o lopes Tf '^': C«.. 316 ■»{' Orkly One Thousand Copies Hen-T-y -A ii e> Vv'enham, Ma-ss. Mr. A.!. Root's Writings Pere Marquette R. R. 1905 "-LE.\XIXG5 IX BEE CULTL'RZ. $750 HYDRO CARBON Capacit>' : 100 - xnile tariK. Capacity : 300- mile tanK. ♦ Weight 940 lbs.; seven-horse power s. ::.!£.'. Will nm at any speed np to 2^ miles per hour, and climb anv grade up to twenty- per cent. Fc- catalog, address Friedman Automobile Co., 3 Cast Van Btiren St., Dept. B, CKicago, Illizkois. TRY IT 30 DAYS Our Original Plan. vli:e--:r f— Ir c: --^— r ~ :^ cir be f^t- :: i r'r— :-r -r3 Bnssr Book i^i KALAMAZOO QUALITY dealers' ari ;c"-r^r=: rrri:; vr^ — ;-- in ocr ci^n f2.ctcry, kr — — " : sell d:r;-c: to rc>c VTr ULAJUJOO CAKL» ; : -i Ji^irx (i LX3 K^oss Sl.. Ff Lfciftnaw. ***** mmmh OHIO CiSS! 161 IF5. CO,. Ln&iMeaUft. ammfiiPt^a. it-pure vnctx^ ana tar baek !»<«• to yesrlr 5=reft.-->fri. ri3 Jh2 Deming ^^ Field ^^^A Sprayer One ^an Can Ooerate. 4i: GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. May 1 Special Notices by A. I. Root. PRPMIUM QUEENS. Gleanings one year and untested Italian queens, (from our Southern breeders) only $100. Order early. Supply limited. We are mailing these queens within two or three days after receiot of order. WANTED — SEED OF THE CHAPMAN HONEY-PL.\NT. If anybody has any of the above seed even if only a little,' I wish he would let us know. I am ashamed to say that we neglected sowing any seed before we were sold out. WAX BEANS — ADVANCE IN PRICE. The Davis wax bean is worth just double what we have been offering it for in our catalog. We have sold out all of our own growing, and have been obliged to purchase seed to fill orders; therefore fu- ture prices will be: Pint, lo cts.; quart. 25 cts ; peck, $1.90; bushel, $7.50 To save ourselves trom loss we shall be obliged to give customers their money's worth, instead of q\iantity mentioned in our catalog'. HIGH PRICES ON VARIOUS GARDEN SEEDS. It is true, there are certain places where you can buy, for instance cucumbers, sweet corn, wax beans, etc , at less prices than we have quoted you. But when you get the lower prices you should bear in mind that you get oW seeds. We have frequent offers of old seeds, with the statement that they will germinate 50, 60, or even 70 per cent. Now, the reliable wholesale i ealers will tell this when they offer them for .sale. The retail dealer who sells in small quantities is not so particular. Our cucumber seed was grown expressly for us, and we know it is fresh; the same way with our sweet corn what we have left If von b»iy cheap seeds, look out. SHALLOTS, ONIONS. ONION-SETS, ETC. Even though every thing in the onion line is cheap- er now than it has been for years. I think it will be a miftake to let up on planting onions. Prices are likely to be away up a year from this time. The shallots mentiotipd in our last i.'sue have not gone off very well ; therefore we will reduce the price to 10 cents a quart, or 20 cents if sent by mail. Shallots furnish the first bunching oni ns, and perhaps the best; and it is the best-keeping onion of any thing in the onion line. The large ones will keep hard and firm in the spring when everything else is gone; Hnd the small ones always sell for about the price of onion-sets, and they are ever so much easier to raise. Yi u can plant them any time in May Better try a quart, even if you are not acquaint<-d with them. cow PEAb — PRICES REDUCED. We can furnish the Wonderful cow pea at 10 cts. per quart; same bv mail, 25 cts ; peck. 60 cts.; 'Yi bush- el. 11.10: bushel, $2.00. The Wonderful probably fur- nishes more feed than and other but in nur locality, unless the season i-; very favorable it will not ripen many of the i ods. We are obliged to send south for our seed. The extra-earlv Blackeve will be 15 cts per quart; by mail, 30 cts ; pe'ck, S' 00;' bushel, $:-t..50. This is. perhaps, as early as any variety of cow peas, and will ripen seed almost all through the North. Al- though it does not produce the amount of hay or feed, it is preferred by many, because they can raise their own seed. A leaflet telling about cow peas, how to sow them, and what they are good for, will be mailed on application. They can be planted at any time dur- ing May and June. CRIMSON-CLOVER SEED LOWER. The way clover seeds of all kinds have been march- ing up for the past year or two. it is a little refreshing to find one of them going down, and especially just a little before the time to .sow it We can furni.'-h crim- son clover seed now at a dollar a bushel less than our last quotation : Bushel, $\ 50 ; half-bushel. fl.90 ; peck, $1 (X); 1 lb , 10 cts.; by mail, 20 cts.; 8 lbs. 50 cts. Prob- ably the best time to sow crimson clover is in July, just a>>out the time you sow buckwheat ; and it does tiptop when put in 7uith buckwheat ; at least every ex- periment we have made of that kind is a success. If you can not get it .'own in July, any time during Au- gust will do as well, or nearly so. With every thing favoraV)le it may also stand the winter nicely on good rich ground if sown in September. I would not ad\'ise trying it as late a- October. On our ground we have never failed in getting a good stand and have it win- er nicely when put in as above. SEED POTATOES FOR PLANTING ; PRICES REDUCED. In order to close out the remainder of our northern- grown seed-potatoes we make the following lo'»' prices: Lee's Favorite, Maule's Commercial, Red Bliss Triumph, State c f Maine, Whitton's White Mammoth. All the above will be 65 cts. per bushel; seconds, 40 cts. per bushel. The above are all late potatoes ex- cept the Bliss Triumph ; this is the earliest potato known. Russet, Eirly Trumbull, New Queen, Twentieth Century, King of Michigan, Early Ohio, Early Michigan, Freeman, Craig. All of the above will be 75 cts. per bushel for firsts, 50 cts per bus'-el for seconds. A full description of all these new and valuable va- rieties will be found on page 265. March 15. If \ou want them better order quickly or the kind you want may be gone. WHITTON'S WHITE MAMMOTH POTATO AT 86.50 A BUSHEL. We clip the following from John I,ewis Childs' cata- log for vmv. ^_WHITE MAMMOTH POTATO A mammoth seedling of great promise. It is an unusually strong grower, great drouth and bug resister, and sure crop- per ; tubers extra large, white, oblong, tlattened ; few e.ves, and those on the surface, and a beautiful skin. In quality it Is one of the best, and an enormous cropper. In keeping qmlities it is par excellence, remaining hard and brittle un- til very late spring. Season, medium late — a variety which is sure to be a money-maker ; and for a general-crop variety we think it will prove to Vie the best yet introduced. Fine tubers, 1.5 cts. each ; 3 for 311 cts ; 12 for $1.00, postpaid. Peck, by express, $2.00 ; bushel, .*6.50. I may add just here that this potato was originated right near Medina, and is probably all or nearly all that is claimed for it. Please notice his price is J6.50 a bushel; ours is 65 cents ALFALFA — ITS ADAPr Alii LI 1 V TO DIFFERENT LOCA- TIONS. Dear Mr. .^oo/:— Through >our kindness last season I sent out among readers of Gleanin(,s a quantity of very choice alfalfa seed for trial. It was grown in the high altitudes of Nevada and supposed to be n uch better acclimated for trial n the colder sections of the Northwest. I sent with e ch lot directioi s for sowing and ho* to manage it, requesting that reports be sent me, but at the present time few hiive replied. I am very anxious to have these reports, and am able to reach these people only through Gleanings, as in some way the names have been destroyed. You would, thert fore, greatly oblige an old subscriber if you would kindly make some mention of this in the proper department. Again, this season I have a small lot of very choice seed that can be shared among those wishing to give alfalfa a fair trial, if they will share the cost of seed and postag . say 25 cts. silver (no stam])s), and I will venture to promise each one enough to plant a plot 50 to 100 feet square, if handled according to the direc- tions I shall -end. There is nothing in this for me except my trouble, but I am wil ing to help our brother bee-keepers to know some of the wonders of alfalfa, and you will likelv help some one in making mention of my offers. Alfalfa can be successfully sown up to June 15th in almost evt rv section. William C. Aiken. Angwiu, Napa Co., Cal. [We give place to the above, r ven though it comes a little in the line of free advertising. From reading the different agricultural papers I am satisfied that alfalfa can lie made a great bo )n to farmers through- out almost all the Northern States. It is succeeding here in Ohio; and as an adjunct to the grains for feed- ing all domestic animals it takes a place that nothing el.se can fill. There is an especially great need of seed that has been grown in colder regions. Will those who tested friend Aikin's samples last season send a brief report to us that we may give it in Gleanings?] Couvention Notices. The spring meeting of the eastern part of the North- ern Illinois Bee-keepers' Association will be held at the residence of James Taylor, in Harlem, Winnebago Co., 111., Mav 19 1903 All' interested in bees are cor- dially invited to attend. B. Kennedy, Sec. Ch'errv Valley, 111. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 413 Carniolans and 1 iaiiail.S« a Specialty >^, ^ Having acUieii extensively to our qneeii - rearing plants in the North and {he South we can furnish any number of queens on short notice. CarniolarkSt Very proliSc, hardy, gentlest bees known Great comb builders. Sealed combs of a snowy whiteness. A worker on red clover. ItaliarkS. Gentle, prolific, swarm ven,- little, fine workers, and a red-clover strain. Xhe Carniolan-Italian Cross. A cross giving the combineJ qualities of each race, are hustling workers, the coming bee for comb honey. One untested queen. $1; tj for $5; 12 for $9. Tested, |1 50. Best breeder, jri Best imported breeder, $j. For full colonies, one or two frame nuclei, large or- ders for queens, send for descriptive price list Orders booked now will be filled when desired. F. A. I^ocKHart (Sl> Co. .Caldwell. N. Y. The A. I. Root's Go's Goods in Oktahoma. Save freight bv buying of F. W. VAX DE MARK, klPi,EY, O. T. Catalog free for postal. Wants and Exchange. Notices will be inserted under this head at 10 cts. per line. Yon must sat you want your adv't in this department, or we will not be responsible for any error. You can have the no- tice as many lines as you please ; but all over ten lines will cost you according to our regular rates. We can not be re- sponsible for dissatisfaction arising from these " swaps." w ANTED.— To sell bees and queens. O. H. Hy.-^tt. Shenandoah, Iowa. w -To sell 24 swarms of befs in chaff hives. O. S Thompson, Allen, Mich. w ANTED. — To buy bees or four-frame nucleus. B. F. Howard, Hoyt's Corners, N. Y. WANTED. — Man to raise queens, and take care of bees. F. H. Farmer. 182 Friend St., Boston. Mass. w w '.\NTKD,— Apiarists for the West Indies. Several of our corregpoirdenis want help Write at once for particulars. The A. I. Root Co., Medina, O. ANTED. — Ha\-ing facilities for rendering wax by steam, I will pay cash for old comb N. L. Stevens. R D. 6. Moravia, N. Y. .\NTED. — To sell 40 colonies, crated, «2.50 each; 25 colonies in Jumbo hives. iS.OO. G.\RDiNER L,. Ellis, Millsboro, Del. .\NTED.— To sell select eggs from pure B. P. Rocks, at HO for $1.00 Good stock. D.-vKKODiL Farm, Mt. Horeb, Wis. Y^ANTED.— To buy bees in Illinois, Indiana, Mich- "' igan or Wisconsin. Wm. C. Davenport. Lock Box 80. W'lmeite, 111. w w w w ANTED —To sell 18 strong colonies of bees, $5 00 each. In 10-frame L. P. hive with honey f. o. b. T. N Briggs, Marion. Mass. .\NTED - To sell 200 5-gal honey-cans, all in A No. 1 shape, at 10c per can, f. o. b. at Detroit. Chas. C. Chamberlin, Romeo, Mich. \Y.\NTED.— To exchange for honey, or cash, 60-Ib. ' ' cans, good as new, per case of two cans, f. o. b. here, 40 cents. G. L. Buchanan, Holliday's Cove, W. Va. Y^.\NTED.— To exchange UK) rgg-size incubator and " brooder; never used ; Stahl make, for honey-ex- tractor, babv-carriage, Jersev harness, or offers. C. H. May, Grove Hill. Va. w ANTED.— To sell Sir Walter Raleigh seed potatoes, tiOc bu. A. P. t,awrence. Hickory Corners, Mich. w w ANTED —To exchange or sell 50 colonies of Ital- ian bees, for honey or cash. David Daniel. Hawthorn, Pa. ANTED.— To sell single -comb White Leghorn eggs for hatching at $1.00 for 2tj; «:?.00 per 100 J. P. Watts, Kerrmoor, Pa. w w ANTED. — To exchange 25 volumes of farm, bee, and fruit papers, for Barred P Rock eggs. Jas a. Gillette Burchinal, Iowa. VUANTED. —To exchange pure Barred Rock eggs, 15 "' for 1 tested queen or 2 untested; $1.50 value. Russel male. John C. Stew.\rt, Hopkins, Mo. ANTED.— At once, 200 swarms bees. Will pay cash. Quirin, the Queen-breeder, Parkertown, Ohio. VVANTED. — To sell for cash, 5-gal. square tin cans, "' used for honey, at about half price of new cans. For prices, etc., address Orel t,. Hershiser, 301 Huntington Ave., Buffalo, N. Y. \VANTED — To sell or exchange Winchester sport- "' ing rifle. 32-40 cal.. rim shot; also guitar, both nearly new, for any thing useful in apiary, or ladies' wheel. Elton Lane, GroEon, N. Y. Y^ANTED. — To exchange bees for foot-power saw. "" Sixty colonies of bees in fine condition for sale; also two fine improved farms for sale. F L. Wright, Webber%'ille, R F. D. 2, Mich. IVANTED. — To exchange Encyclopaedia Britannica, '" for any thing that I can use in bee supplies; 26 volumes, index, and guide; good condition, i89t). RUFCS Christian, Meldrim, Ga. VU'ANTED — To exchange or sell for cash, selected, '" second-hand 60-lb. cans, practically as good as new, for 35 cts. per case f. o. b. Chicago B W.alker, Clyde, Illinois. I|^ ANTED —To sell or exchange 25 Simplicity hives. ' new and complete, and 100 Simplicitj' bodies, practically new. Write for prices A Y. Baldwin. De Kalb. 111. IVANTED.— To sell 12 Ideal supers, 8 frame, for 3?4 '"^ x5 sections, nailed and painted, nearly new, with slats, fences, etc., complete, with 425 new sections, for $1.50. A. P WiLKEY, Calvert City, Ky. WANTED.— Man, either married or single, to work on farm by month or year. Must not use tobac- co, nor drink or swear. Give references, state age and experience. C. J. Baldridge, Kendaia, Seneca Co , N. Y. \VANTED. To exchange a genuine Stradivarius '' violin 150 years old, fou'idation-mill, bone-mill, shotgun, revolver, clothes-wringer, game roosters, and fox-hound duus Eli as Fox, Hillsboro, Wis. W' .VNTED.— Agents to sell and attach automatic cut- off to grinding-mills especially adapted for stop- ping aertnotor windmills. For further information address Boniface Strittm.'Atter, Bradlej- Junction, Pa. WANTED.— Customers to send for my booklet de- scribing mv Rhode Island Reds, Light Brahraas, and Barred Rocks ; hardv. prolific, farm bred, pure stock from which I sell the eggs to hatch at 6 cts. each. Walter Sherman, 100 Boulevard, Newport, R. I. W.\NTED.— A bee-keeper to run a large apiar\- for comb honev. in New York State Must under- stand the business thoroughly. Otie who can produce a nice article. .\lso a young man with limited expe- rience, who wishes to learn. I. J. Stringham, 105 Park Place, New York. WANTED.— If you desire the benefit of my thirty vears' experience with bees, and desire to work in m'y bee-yards, and work on the farm when there is no work to" do with the bees, send me your address. Or I could use an e.xperienced man. Bees and emptv hives bought. State experience, and wages expected. W. L. CoGGSH.\LL, Groton, N. Y. W^ 414 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. May 1 I We Have I Not Hoved. The government, recognizing the necessity of a great and growing bus- iness enterprise, for better mail ser- vice has given us a postoffice on our premises, wh ch enables us to change mails with the passing trains instead of through the Wetumpka, Alabama, postoffice more than a mile distant. This gives us our mails about two hours earlier, and also one hour for making up outgoing mail. This will be particularly helpful in our queen business. We are now booking or- ders for Italian queens. I^ong-tongued ^ and leather-colored; both good. ^ < J. n. Jenkins, | I Honeysuckle, Alabama. | i Shipping=point and .Money=order S S Office at Wetumpka, .Alabama. ^ > < ^iVVi^WWWi^tft/W^^WWgWkWkVyWyVVkW^V PACE * LYON, New London, Wisconsin. MANUFACTURERS OF AND DEALERS IN . . . BEE-KEEPERS' SUPPLIES. . . . 5 Send for Our Free New Illustrated ^ S Catalog and Price List ^ KretcKmer M*f*g' Company, Box 60, Red OaK, lo-wa. BEE- ^ ^ SUPPLIED! Best-equipped factory in the West; carry a large stock and greatest variety of every thing needed in the apiary, assuring BEST goods at the LOAVEST prices, and prompt shipment. We want everv bee-keeper to have our FREE ILLUSTRATED CATALOG, and read description of Alternating Hives, Ferguson Supers. H'rite at once for catalog. A.^encies. Trester Supply Company, Lincoln. Xeb. Shugart & Ouren, Council BlulTs. Iowa. Foster Lumber Company, Lamar, Colo. BINGHAM SMOKER. Dear Sir:— Inclosed find $1.75. Please send jne brass smoke-engine. I have one already. It is the best smoker I evernsed. Truly yonr«. Hexp.t Schmidt, Hntto, Tex. MADE TO ORDER Bingham Brass Smokers, Made of sheet brass, which does not rust or burn out; should last a lifetime. You need one, but they cost 25 cts. more than tin of the same size. The little open cut shows our brass hinge put on the three larger sizes. Xo wonder Bingham's four-inch smoke-engine goes without pufBng, and does not drop inky drops. The perforat- ed steel fire-grate has 3.S1 holes to air the fuel and support the fire. Heavy tin smoke-engine, 4-inch stove, per mail, $1.50; 3,^-inch, $1.10; ,3-inch. $1.00; 2'4-inch, 90c; 2-inch, 65c. Bingham smokers are the originals, and have all the improvements, and have been the standard of excellence for 23 years. Only three larger ones brass. T. F. Bingham, Farweii, Michigan. Volume XXXI MAY 15 1903 ;sss*;>i*-' ' ^vsS&J^^jSi^s^^' -^ Market Quotations 419 Straws, bj- Dr. Miller... 423 Pickings, by Stenog- 425 Conversations with Doolittle...426 Editorials „ 427 Colorado Anti-hone\--adulteration I^w 427 Square or Tall Sections 428 Problem of Suitable IvUmber for Sections..42.S Clipping Queens' Wings; How to Do It 428 Price of Honey too Low 42Vi Coggshall on Entrance-closing .429 Simple Method Fastening Bottom-boards..4.^ Gen.,Mgr. France: What He is Doing 4S1 New Danz. Bottom-board Improved 431 Right and Wrong Way to Handle,Smoker..4:>l General Correspondence 432 Eight- frame'Jumbo Hives„ 4.^2 The Brodbeck Smoker 4:^3 Comb-honey Production 4:^5 Increasing the Demand for Honey 437 Bee- paralysis 438 ^ Cheap and Sen.-iceable Wax-press 439 The New Foul-brood Cure 440 Hfads of Grain 442 Self-spacing Rabbet for Frames: New or Old Comb for Bees; Parrots in the Apiarv to An- nounce Swarming; Poisonous Fumes' from a Strong Colony of Bees ; Watkins Again ; .A. Bottom-board Feeder; Hanging Hive-number Tags; Handy Device for Nailing Up Section- holders; Queen Incubator and Brooder; the Odor not Always Indication of Foul Brood. Our Homes 451 Notes of Travel 453 Special Notices 464 r-3S^SSi*»^ TheAJJ^i^rDRootCq MEDINA Eastern Edition Entered at the Postoffice at Medina. Ohio, as Second-class Matter. DONT BUY SUPPLIES Until j'ou see our 43d annual cat- alog. We've a carload of Root's Goods, and supply many goods not advertised in our catalog. Root^s Sections^ Weed^s NeW' Process Foundation a Specialty. We can supply these goods at their prices, and thereby save you valuable time and heavy freight charges. Bees, queens, and nucleus colonies from the very best strains in America. A 32-page illustrated catalog free. W. W. GARY & SON, Lyonsville, Massachusetts. Root's Bee - Supplies for tKe SotitH Atlantic States at Root's Prices. ^^ QtiicK Shipments and Low Freig'Kt Rates. ^^ One-hDrse wagons, Corn-shellers for Poultry, Family Grist-mills, Corn and Cob Mills, Feed-cutters, Tilting and Sliding Table Saws, Steel-runner Attachments for Vehicles. Send for Catalog H. Ra-wling's Implement Company, Bstltimore, Md. 1 Ontario "^^ ^^ Bee-Keepers i DANZ. HIVE will be pleased to learn of the establishing of a depot for the distribution of the celebrated Hue of ROOT'S BEE-.SUPPI.IES from the Capitol City. By placing vour order with us you will snve the delay and inat- tention which is not uncommon with the importation of small shipments from the States. We shall keep on hand a large stock. Give us a list of your requirements, ask also for our bee-catalog. E-. Grainier (Sl Co., 12 Yonge St. A.rca6e Best Fee-g'oods in the World are no "better than those we make, and the chances are that they are not so good. If you buy of us you "ivill not be disappointed. We Are undersold by no one. Send for w catalog and price list and free copy of THE .MERICAN BEE-KEEPER; in its thirteenth year ; 50 cents a year ; especially for beginners. ^he W^. T. Falconer Man'f 'g Co., Jamestown, New YorK. W. M. Gerrish, Epping-, New Hampshire, carries a full line of our goods at catalog prices. Order of him and save the freight. fl. J.Stringham^NewYork City \ \ 105 Park Place. : ^ OUR 1903 CATALOG is yours for the asking. The supplies <»< £ listed in it are practical and up-to-date. We furnish every thing « J a bee-keeper uses, and will not be undersold. Silk-faced veil, »»» £ 40 cts.; three for $1.05, postpaid. Full colonies of Italian bees i» % in hive, $7.50; nucleus colonies, $3.50; tested queens, $1.00; «r \ untested, 85 cts. Apiaries, Glen Cove, Long Island. ijn We are Jobbers of Bee-keepers' Supplies in this State, representing The C. B. Lewis Co., and Dadant & Son. WHOLESALE AND RETAIL jJ Sftferal carloads continuously on hand Send for our 40-page ZSffiSg LEWIS C. & A.G. WOODMAN, Grand Rapids, Mich. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 421 dJIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIilllMllilllllMIIIIIIIIIIIII^ I Our I I Bee = keeping | I Sisters I = is a new department in the old Amer- = ? ican Bee Journal, conducted by Miss Eni= = E ma Wilson, of Mareng-o, 111., a sister- = = in-law of Dr. C. C. Miller, author of = E the popular " Forty Years Among- the E E Bees." ^J* *? The women readers of E E iileatiifigs (as well as the men-folks) E E should have the American Bee Journal, E = and read what Miss Wilson has to E E say each week. W* ^i* Sample copy = = free, or the Bee Journal one year, and E = Dr. Miller's book — both for only Si. 75. E E Book alone, $1.00. Address E I George W. York & Co., | = I44°6 East Erie St., Chicago, Illinois. E ^ "Root's Goods at Root's Prices." ^ ^iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiir; BEE = KEEPERS' ^SUPPLIES^ The very best of goods. Larg-e and complete stock. Years of experience. The best shipping--point in the United States to ship from. HOOSIER IN= CUBATORS and BROODERS The world can't beat them. They are the product of 9 years of manufacturing. Send for our 1903 catalog and sup- plement. It tells all about these goods. C. M. SCOTT ra CO., 1001 East Washington Street, Indiax^apolis, - Indiax^a. Dittmer's Foundation. RETAIL AND WHOLESALE. This foundation is made by a process that produces the superior of any. It is the cleanest and purest. It has the brightest color and sweetest odor. It is the most transparent, because it has the thinnest base. It is tough, clear as crystal, and gives more sheets to the pound than any other make. "W'orRing "Wax into Foundation for CasK a Specialty. Bees'wax A.l'ways V^ant- ed at HigKest Price. Catalog giving full line of supplies, with prices and samples, free on application. Cus. Dittmer, Augusta, Wisconsin. ^e are the Largest M'I'rs ol Bee-keepers' Supplies in the NortJiwest. Send for Catalog. Minneapolis, Minnesota We Have the Best Goods, Lowest Prices, and Best Sliipping Facilities. 422 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. May 15 Complete I^ine of Leviris* MatcHless Dovetailed Hives and Supplies at Factory Prices. Hl-^'l^^^ls^^^ #^«i«&«»v>c« BticReye .Strairk R-ed-clover Qtieens. 1^**""^*<*^^ ^^**^^l.»»e They roll in the honey, while the ordinary starve. MutH iSrtraisk Golderk Italians. None superior. Carniolans. None better. We guarantee safe arrival by return mail. Prices during April, May, and June : Untested, §1.00 each; (i for |.').00. Select Unte.sted, 11.25 each; 6 for $6.00. Tested, $2.00 each; 6 for $10,00. Select Tested, «;^.00 each; 6 for 15.00. Best money can buy, $5.00 each. Two-frame nuclei with Select Untested Queen, $2.75. Send for Catalog, and See Special Ii:\dticetnents. ®^^ Fred W. MutK Co., "^^^irtJl^ Cincinnati, O. I BBB-REEPERS ' X 'We Have on Hand ready for PR.OMPT SHIPME^NT ♦ ■ t S>6c Largest StocK wg ever Carried ♦ of HIVES, SECTIONS, arid all OtKer SUPPLIE-S. i Perfect Workmanship and Finest Material. All parts of our Hives are made to fit Accurately. No trouble in setting them up. ^ Our customers say it is a pleasure. 1 We are not selling goods on NAME ONLY, I Z But on their Quality. 1 I G. B. le:wis company, I T M antifacttirers Bee-keepers* Stxpplies. T I Catalog Free. Watertowii, Wisconsin, U. S. A. ♦ T HEADQUARTERS FOR BEE-SUPPLIES "Roofs Goods at Roofs Factory Prices." Complete stock for 1903 now on hand. Freight rates from Cincinnati are the lowest. Prompt service is what I practice. Satisfaction guaranteed. Langstroth Portico Hive and Standard Honey-jars at lowest prices. You will save money buying from me. Catalog. mailed free. Send for same. Book orders for Golden Italian, Ked-clover, and Carniolan queens For prices, refer to my catalog. C. H.W.WEBER, : : CINCINNATI, OHIO. Office and Salesroom, 2146-8 Central Ave. Warehouses, Freeman and Central Aves. • DE_VoTED-^f""'-'_.. _ •andHoNEY ^Ifcft*^ '^^'' •AND HOME.- 5)i-rt«\.AR^'\@ riEOlNAOHIO- Vol XXXL MAY 15, J903. No. JO. Dr.C.CM/LLER, In discussing the causes of brace-combs in section-supers, it should not be forgotten that too little room may be a cause. Prob- ablj- an}' colony may be forced to build burr and brace combs by sufficient crowding-, in time of heavy flow. [You are right. — Ed.] Paper tied around a hive, and then a close-fitting winter-case over the whole, pro%ed a failure at Medina in wintering bees, while chafi'-packed colonies beside them wintered well (p. 371). But, Mr. Ed- itor, if I understand correctly Arthur C. Miller, his plan was not the same as yours, for he had no case outside the paper. [That is true; but the conditions were more near- ly alike than perhaps appears from my footnote. This matter will be referred to in our next issue by Mr. A. C. Miller. — Ed ] Go SLOW about that raw-honey business, p. 380. So much mischief has been done by putting raw honey on the market that it is dangerous to give any encouragement for experiments in that direction. Besides, would it be feasible for the baker to use up all the honey so nearly at one time? Don't bakers use honey throughout the year? And would there be such a great gain after all over the plan of having the honey ripen- ed in the hive ? If the baker is sharp, he'll hardly want to pay full price for the water in the raw honey, to say nothing about the flavor. That plan of melting cappings in the oven to get out the honey, p. 381, suggests a plan that I have used with satisfaction. Simply put the cappings in something to let the honej' slowly' drain out. "Knew that before?" Of course, you did. But you remember that, after draining a while, the honey dried on the cappings so it wouldn't drain any more. Well, my trick was to set the cappings down cellar before beginning to drain. In fact, the extracting was done down cellar, and it makes a nice cool place for the work. Most of the honey would drain out of the cappings before it was injured by thinning, and the last of it would become very thin with the moisture of the cellar, allowing the cappings to be washed clean without diluting the honey more than was absolutely necessary. But it wouldn't work in places like Colorado, where they keep bread in the cellar. You hesitate, Mr, Editor, p. 379, as to what you're going to use to paint the in- sides of your bees green. You say bluing for blue ; now, use bluing sparingly, so as to make light blue, and feed to yellow bees, and the combination of blue and yel- low ought to make green. Indeed, unless a very dark blue be used to make them blue, I should expect a tint of green in it. [It is true, that a combination of blue and yellow makes green. If a bee is filled with yellow nectar (and nearly all nectar is on the yel- low order), the transparent bands will show yellow. If it is filled with a blue nectar it will show a blue, because those bands are white — not yellow, as you sup- pose. The yellow bands we so much ad- mire are yellow because of the color of the fluid back of them. I will try your experi- ment, however, to see whether the blue will turn green in the bees. But I should not expect it. — Ed.] Mr. Albert Gale is a man for whom I have respect, but I wish he wouldn't use his influence in the direction of confusion of language by using such expressions as one quoted from him on p. 373, "six hives threw off thirteen colonies." Wicked as a certain Ohio editor is "along that line," I think he must gag at least a little at a. hive throwing off a colony. [The quotation from Mr. Albert Gale was an extract from a foreign publication. We do not feel the same liberty about revising or editing ex- tracts that we do in the case of manuscripts. Why, doctor, I had to revise your manu- script this very day. Indeed, you "gag- ged" me very much bv telling about using 424 CLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. May 15 ''starters in place of full sheets in brood- comf'' (italics mine). Of course, I chang-- ed it to "frames," as you will see in the Straw. Say, doctor, I wish you could be an editor just long- enough so I could "get it back" at you. I promise you I would make your life miserable after the two first issues of your paper had appeared. — Ed.] I'm afraid some beginner may be advised in the wrong direction by what Geo. W. Strangways says, p. 387. He made a few trials with full sheets of foundation, and the combs warped, and some of it was con- verted into drone comb. But hundreds of us have made many trials on a large scale without any failure, which rather goes to show that Mr. Strangways failed to fasten his wires into the foundation, or made some other mistake not usually made. I have more than 2000 combs built upon full sheets of foundation, and I don't think you can find a warped one in the lot. Neither will you find a square inch of drone comb in the whole lot which the bees have built upon worker foundation, although you'll find a good bit of drone comb where by some means a hole has been made in a comb, to be filled in at the will of the bees. It would be a very unusual thing to see the drone-cells built upon worker foundation that was straight. If it should be warped or curved, I should expect drone-cells on the convex side. But there's no need to have it warped or curved. [We have thou- sands of beautiful combs built off from full sheets of foundation, and it would be hard to find a single cell of drone comb except near the top-bar. Carelessness in putting in the wires, or attaching foundation to the wires, may result in the stretching of the foundation, making the cells large enough to rear drones. Yes, perhaps the beginner should go slow. — Ed.] In a Straw, p. 372, I said there must be a mistake about formaldehyde curing foul brood without destroying healthy brood, and in a footnote you say, "No mistake," Mr. Editor, and then later on you say, " But it may be that I am wrong in assum- ing that healthy sealed brood will not be killed." This leaves it a little uncertain just where you do stand. Whether the healthy brood be killed or not is a matter of thousands of dollars' difference, and it would be foolish to raise false hopes. lean not conceive the possibility of any drug sufficiently energetic to go to the bottom of a cell of sealed honey and kill a foul-brood spore there, and yet leave uninjured a cell of brood in any stage. [I was first under the impression that only a spray and not a gas was used to disinfect the combs. With that impression I reasoned that the drug could thus be injected into the perforated cappings of foul brood, while the healthy brood with cappings intact would not be molested. But now that we know positive- ly that a gas of a decidedly penetrating character is used, there can be no question that healthy as well as diseased brood will be killed. But, see here, doctor; we can save even the brood by letting it all hatch out that is healthy, then subsequently dis- infect the combs with gas. Of course, we could do that with the McEvoy treatment; but the McEvoy method involves the de- struction of the combs, either by melting or burning up — can't get around it. If the formaldehyde-gas treatment can be made effective, we really do not need to destroy a7iy thing. The same combs and same hives can be used over and over again. I do not feel as sanguine as some do, that formalde- hyde is going to do all that is claimed for it ; but so much has been said in its favor that it deserves careful consideration on the part of practical bee-keepers and all the bee-papers. — Ed.] You SAY you're going to take A. I. R. on your first auto trip. Don't you do it unless he consents to have his hands tied ; for just as sure as you get up a good speed he'll want to go three times as fast, and then he'll grab the thing out of your hands and get to going at such a rate that he'll run you into the Atlantic Ocean. [At first At I. R. was skeptical. He thought the auto- mobile was a "naughty mobile;" that it would break down ; would stop, and would not run. Well, that is the way my machine did until I learned more about handling it; and now that I am able to make it go when I want it to go, father is pleased — very much so — over it. He asks questions, and actually gets down on his hands and knees, and squints under the machine. He now begins to wonder if he could not run it. Well, I am going to give him a chance. We are at present visiting our out-yards with the auto. After my experience with horses stung and killed around the bees it is a real comfort to run my iron horse clear up among the bees without the least fear of the bees stinging it. Sometimes even now when I run up close to a trolley-car or a common steam-car I forget myself and won- der if somet-hing will not happen — not that I shall get run into, but that my horse may get scared. Then the feeling (a very comfortable one I can tell you) comes to me that my steed will not scare. I tell you, the coming way of handling out-apiaries will be with the automobile; and I most firmly believe that Rambler's joke of two years ago, of doing our extracting with the same engine that runs the auto to the out- yard will be realized before we know it ; and I should not be surprised if some enter- prising chap would use his machine for making bee-hives, brood-frames, etc. Yes, I hope to see the day myself when a self- propelled road-scraper will level off our horrible clay roads at a third of the cost the work is now performed for with horses. —Ed.] Go SLOW about advocating setting hives on stakes, p. 392, on the ground that one "can shove his toes under, permitting him to get closer to the hive," until you'v-^ given it a thorough practical trial. I've just been 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE 425 out to try it, and I think you can not sit and work comfortably with your toes further out than your knees. For standing- work it would be- all rig-ht; but it would be bad for clipped queens trying- to make their way back to the hive; also for workers falling down with heavy loads. [The illustration on page 392 should have been modified, per- haps, just enough to obviate the objections you point out. In the first place, I would have the four stakes driven down into the g-round a little further, so that the hive would not stand more than four inches above the general level. Then I would have a rough board of inch lumber, perhaps 10 inches wide, run up ag-ainst the end of the bottom-board so as to give the bees an in- clined runway clear up to the entrance. When bees come in heavily laden from the field, many of them are so exhausted that the}' drop on the g-round. After rising- they will take wing if they can not crawl up into the hive. Some of them may never take wing, but crawl, vainly trying to get into the hive. But it is in early spring that bees are lost unless there is an inclined run- way from the ground up to the entrance. Hives with easy ingress will be much less subject to spring dwindling; and I do not know of any thing that means more money to the bee-keeper than good runways from the ground to the bottom-board in early spring. If we modify the principles of the stake slightly we still secure the advan- tages of cheapness as well as close prox- imity of working distance, and yet elim- inate the objections 3'ou have mentioned. If a young queen is crawling around on the ground I would much rather have her crawl under a hive supported by stakes than to have her run under a hive support- ed by a rim that fits close to the ground, making it necessary to lift the whole hive off the stand to find her. — Ed.] I COMMEND your desire, Mr. Editor, not to be bipsed in your judgment by self-interest; but jour views on p. 388 remind me of the reply of the carpenter's apprentice. He was using a plumb-line up on a building, and the boss called up to him, "Is it plumb?" Promptly came back the repU', •'Yes, it's plumb, and a leetle more.'' I think you're a leetle more than plumb in your views when you say, " One can man- Hge to have all worker- combs built from starters, and thus save considerable expense in the way of foundation." It is possible some may make money by using starters in place of full sheets in brood-frames, but I be- lieve the average bee-keeper will lose by it. I am sure I " can manage " to have all-work- er combs built upon starters; but the i>ian- a^ing will cost more in time and trouble than the full sheets of foundation would cost. Let the beginner use full sheets un- til he has found out by experimenting on a small scale that he is one of the few who can afford to use starters only. [The mem- bers of our company have before now com- plained that I was a litile "'tMO plumb." It would be a natural thing for il.e publish- er of a bee-journal to allow a certain amount of bias in the interest of his busi- ness to creep intohis columns. Realizing that nothing would so weaken a journal as a policy of this kind, I have perhaps erred in going to the other extreme — that of accept- ing and indorsing matter which in its ul- timate tendency is against the interest of the manufacturer, and that means myself with the other members of our company. This question of starters versus full sheets in the brood-nest is a very important one. I suspect it is true that the average begin- ner would make more money, perhaps, with full sheets than starters; but we were talking about some veterans, who make four ounces of foundation answer the purpose of a full pound. If there are some men who can do it profitably, I am perfectly willing that the method for accomplishing the feat shall be fairly exploited in these columns. —Ed.] Wi By 5J Reports, foreign as well as domestic, in- dicate that formaldehyde is the coming (if not arrived) specific for foul brood. It is well worthy of a very fair and thorough trial. \b Vague rumors of the production of bees- wax directly from honey are reaching us from foreign shores. Probably it will be best to depend on the bees for some time yet. Isn't there some way by which bees can be managed to work for wax in quan- tities more than they need, just as they do for honey ? \b AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL. The many friends of Thomas W. Cowan will be glad to read the following : Mr. Thomas W. Cowan made us a very pleasant call on April 29 when on his way through Chicago to Eng- land from his home in California. He seemed to be in splendid health, and looked forward with pleasure to a year and a half of travel. He has a very pleasant home at Pacific Grove, Cal., and when leaving recent- ly the people of the town gave himself and Mrs. Cowan a farewell reception which included practi- cally everybody that could go there. They evidently have endeared themselves to the people of that locality by their many deeds of kindness and genuine worth. Mr. Cowan has practically retired from active work and business, and is able to devote himself to pursuits which yield no financial returns. We trust that Mr. and Mrs. Cowan \/ill have a pleasant and safe jour- ney, and return to their California home much bne- tited by their trip. iti While we know a good deal 1 out Dr. Miller the bee-keeper, the following of a personal character will be read with inter- est by his man}' friends : 426 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. May 15 Dr. C. C. Miller, whom all bee-keepers respect so highly, and many of whom know so well, called on us when in Chicago last week. With the exception of a cough which has bothered him for a few weeks, he is in excellent health, and is able to do considerable work among the bees as well as much writing. He is one of the few old-line bee-keepers, and rightly merits the title of ••Father Miller.'' While there may be many Dr. Millers in the world, there is but one Dr. Miller known well to bee-keepers. Not only those who have a personal acquaintance with him, but all who have read his helpful writings on the subject of bees, hope that he may live yet many years to bless the world with his cheerful presence and excellent apiarian advice. While visiting at a friend's lately I was plaj'ing- at random a fine passage from an organ-book. At the close I was pleased to notice that it was written by our old friend Dr. Miller, whose name as a music- writer was familiar to me before I ever heard of him as a bee-keeper. MODERN FARMER. Mr. Abbott uses no gloves when handling sharpers ; and in speaking of things that are doubtful his advice is good. The fol- lowing sounds like excellent counsel : Do not get the ginseng fever. If all reports are true, there has been more money squandered in this busi- ness now in this country than any one is ever apt to make out of it. The circular of a company that has seeds and roots to sell sa\-s that, by the investment of SIOO. $50,000 can be made in ten years. One is led to wonder why these fellows have not gone out of the business long ago, with more money than they know what to do with. They asked us for advertising rales in the Modern Farmer'. It is needless to say that we did not quote them any rates. GETTING WORKER COMB BUILT. " Say, Doolittle, I came over to see you about having comb built so that it will be worker comb. It is like this: I have quite a quantity of combs left over from last year, which j-ou know was a poor season, which are only partly built to fill the frames, and I wish the bees to complete them this sum- mer, so that there will be as little drone comb in them as possible. How can this be done? " " Well, friend Smith, it can be done in only one way that I know of, and that is by keeping the bees so that they desire only worker brood. When in this condition the}' will always build worker comb." "Will you tell me so I can understand just how this is to be done? " " When any colony is so weak that it has no desire to swarm, during or preceding the swarming season or honey-flow, such a colony will invariably build worker comb (so that worker brood may be reared until the colony comes into a prosperous condi- tion), providing thej' do not have sufficient comb already built. Taking advantage of this fact I use all colonies which are too weak to store honey to advantage at the beginning of the honey-flow, treating them thus: Their combs are generallj^ all taken awaj' from them; but sometimes I leave one comb partly filled with brood, and always one of honey, giving the combs of brood to other colonies so that they will be still stronger for the honey harvest." " What do you do with the combs which are taken away that may not happen to have brood in them? " " These are stored awaj' to hive new swarms on, if thej'^ are perfect worker combs; if not, then they are treated the same as I am about to tell you how to treat those only partly filled, after j'ou have cut the drone comb out." " Excuse m3' interrupting you. You see I wanted to know all about the matter." " When the colony is fixed with its frame of honey, or this frame of honey and one having some brood in it, I next put in one, two, and sometimes three frames with start- ers in them, just in accord with the size of the colony after I have taken their combs away." "But that wasn't what I wanted to know. I do not want to have full combs built, but frames partly filled, finished out with worker comb. However, I am glad you touched on this matter, for now I know how to get full combs built, should I wish to do this instead of purchasing foundation." " I said what I did as a preparing of the way for the other, for the method is the same with the one as with the other; only where frames partly filled with comb are to be built out, the comb of brood is not left in the hive." " Why don't you leave it now as well as with the building of full frames? " " Because, where the bees are to fill the frame with comb from the starter, there will be no place for the queen to lay till thej' build the cells, only as she so laj's in the remaining cells in the comb only par- tially filled with brood; and as she had all the room she needed before the combs were taken away from her colony, this sudden stopping of her laying would be an injury' to her. But where partly filled frames are given she will have all the room she needs after the brood is taken, as well as before." "I see the point now. Is the frame of honey as necessarj' with these partly filled frames as before? " " Yes. In all cases I see that each of these colonies thus building comb has a frame well filled with honey; for should storms or cloudy windy weather come on at this time they would build no comb of any amount, and might starve; while with the frame of honey they will go right on con- verting that honey into comb, storm or no storm. ' ' "How soon will thej' fill out the frames with comb? " " If the right number of frames is given 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 427 to suit the size of the little colony they will fill them very quickly, especially when honey is coming- in from the fields, and each comb will be filled with brood as fast as built." "How long- will they continue to build all worker comb? " " If not too strong the}' will generallj' build comb of the worker size of cell until the bees begin to emerge from the eggs first laid in the newly built combs b}- the queen; but as soon as man}* bees emerge they will change to the drone size of cells: or if the little colony is quite strong in bees they may change the size of cells sooner than this." " How do you tell about this? " " As soon as the first frames given them are filled with comb I look to see how many bees they have; and if they are still well stocked with bees, or in a shape where I maj' expect that they maj' change the size of cell before thej- reach the bottoms of the frames, should I spread those apart which the}- already have and insert other empty or partlj' filled frames, I take out the combs thej' alreadj' have built, and thus put them in the same condition they were in when I started." " Will they still work just as well? " "No, not quite. They will not build combs quite as freelj- this time as thej' did before, unless there can be some young bees emerging; so, if I can conveniently, I give them a comb containing mostly honey and a little brood (if they have such a comb it is left with them, which is more often the case than otherwise) from some other colo- nj', when they are read}' to work the same as before. In this way a colony can be kept building worker comb all summer, or till the bees are nearly used up from old age, the colony becoming so small as to be unable to build comb to any advantage un- der any circumstances. But if just the right amount of brood is left, or given them, so they stay in about the same condition, they will build worker comb all summer by the apiarist supplying honey or feed when none is coming from the fields." " But suppose }'Ou do not find them ver\' strong on your examination — what then? " " If not so strong but that I think they will still continue to build worker comb, instead of taking the brood away I spread the frames of comb (now built) apart and insert one or more frames between them, when these will generally be filled with worker comb before enough 3'oung bees emerge for them to change the size of cell." " I think I understand now, and so will be going." " Hold on a minute. Don't be in too big a hurry." " Why? What is the trouble? " " There is one thing I do not think you take into consideration as fully as you should." " What is that? " "You should always keep this in mind, whenever j'ou find these colonies building drone comb: The combs they then have, all except the one mostly filled with honey, are to be taken awaj' so that they may feel their need of worker brood again, when they will build cells of the worker size the same as they did on the start." " Thank you for this part. I should hardly have known what to do when they commenced to build drone comb had you not stopped me to tell me this. And now, in parting, how man}' combs have you ever had built in this way? " " I have had hundreds of frames built full of worker comb in this way; hundreds completed as you are proposing to do, and hundreds and thousands 'patched,' where I had cut out small pieces of drone comb which had gotten in in one way or another. If you ever have a mutilated comb you wish to have fixed so it will be a surprise to you, just give it to one of these little prepared colonies, and see what nice work they can do at ' patching ' with all worker comb. This last is an item the bee world does not seem to take in fully, and it is something which gives me the most pleasure of the whole, especially where, through mice in winter, or otherwise, comb has been de- stroyed in spots where said comb was in wired frames." COLORADO ANTI-HONEY-ADULTERATION LAW, Colorado has now a pure-food law which was secured through the influence and prestige of the Colorado State Bee-keepers' Association. This law provides that no person shall sell any adulterated or imita- tion honey or beeswax unless properly la- beled with the percentage. Any violation of this law will mean confiscation of the goods, and a fine of from S25 to S500 on the offender. There is no doubt that the Col- orado Association will see that the law is enforced. It has money, men, and power back of it. Score another point in favor of organization. I happen to know, from private sources that can not be questioned, that adultera- tion, in spite of a good law against it, is flagrantly and openly carried on in San Francisco; but "any thing goes in that town," for it is a wide-open place. Gam- bling, drinking places, houses of ill-fame — every thing goes there without let or hin- drance. A large amount of honey is adul- terated in California, and the new Califor- nia organization will do a great work if it can enforce the pure-food law, which is stringent enough if men can be found who : 428 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. May 15 will enforce it. Adulterated California honey is being- sent East with the result that California extracted is getting a bad name in some markets. I hope to put the facts in my possession before the National Association if I can get the consent of the parties who have given me the information. SQUARE OR TALL SECTIONS. "We have several times advised our read- ers that it would be money in their pockets to have their honey put up in tall sections — at least for some of the Eastern markets. There are some local markets in the East, and a good many perhaps in the West, where this is an exception of course. Here is a private letter which was written with no idea of anybody seeing it but us, from perhaps the largest honey-buyers or honey- handlers in the city of New York — Hildreth & Segelken. The extract from the letter speaks for itself: We note one lot of square sections from Mr. with the wooden side and isinglassed front. He is making a mistake in putting vip his honey in this shape, and we wrote him so long ago. Besides, he has his name stamped on every comb. }'o« ought to impress upon him the fact that he should drop t/ie square section and all its attachments, and put his honey up another season in the 4 "as section or the 3%x5, whichever he chooses, as either one finds read- ier sale than the square section, especially the way he puts them up. Hildreth & Segelken. New York, April 30. We buy large quantities of comb honey every season; and the simple fact is, that tall sections always move off faster than square ones. The question as to the style of sections is not a matter of opinion or preference or notion. We have "a condition, not a theory, ' ' to deal with. Manj' bee-keep- ers in the East, notably Hetherington and Doolittle, have been producing honey in these tall sections for some twenty years back, and they know a good thing when they see it — likewise the buyers to whom they sell. Honey in 4x5 sections in our lo- cality goes off better than honey in 3>sx5 sections. The former is a little better pro- portioned, has a thinner comb and a larger surface. THE PROBLEM OF SUITABLE LUMBER FOR SECTIONS. Timber suitable for making sections is getting to be more and more scarce. For- merly basswood was used by the furniture and box makers; but now it is being used by the planing-mills for making doors and door-frames, window-casings, and general house-furnishing. The scarcity of pine has made a heavy demand for basswood, and it will not be many years before many bee- keepers will have to begin to think of some other wood for sections; and yet there is nothing else that fills the bill, for one-piece sections at least. One difficulty now is that bee-keepers are demanding so called snow-white sections for honey. Wood slightly on the cream order 15 just is good, and even better, because it helps to show off the honey by contrast. The idea that white basswood is tougher and stronger than good cream lumber, is an error. The time will come, is bound to come, when bee-keepers will be glad to get even cream sections, and at a great advance in price. The fearful slaughter that is now being made in our forests, and which has been made without any effort to replace these valuable timbers, is going to put hardships on future generations. There are vast areas in Maine and Michigan where the land is good for nothing but to grow pine-trees; and yet no effort has been made by the State or national government to set out young trees to supply the wants of future generations. If we could grow pine and basswood as we can wheat and corn, the problem would be very simple. Since writing the foregoing, the follow- ing has come to hand, and will explain itself: I agree with you on this white-section business be- ing a fad. We use only No. 2 sections, and have done so for years, getting premiums on honey at our State fair the same as those that use the No. 1. There is ab- solutely no difference when the honey is put on the market, so far as dollars and cents are concerned. Commission men sell our honey for as much as any honey put in No. 1 sections. Customers never look at the section. Sometimes I think the cream color is preferable to the white, showing the white honey to better advantage, making or giving more of a con- trast. H. G. ACKLIN. St. Paul, Minn., May 9. CLIPPING QUEENS' WINGS — HOW TO DO IT. To the veteran it may not be necessary to give any special instructions. But even some of these may be surprised to see that some other veteran's waj' of doing it is bet- ter than their own. The problem of clip- ping, to the beginner, especially if he has never accomplished the feat, seems very difficult; and for his benefit especially I show the method that I ordinarily employ. After finding the queen on the comb I smoke the bees just enough to make them stick their heads in the cells. This gets many of them out of the way. Then I reach for the queen. It must be one quick grab. To chase after her with the fingers, occasionally touching the wings, makes her nervous as well as yourself; and the result is, she will start on a run, and then you may as well give up the job if you do not wish to run the risk of maiming her. At another time, when she stands in the center, several bees caressing her, make one grasp for the wings with the right hand, just be- tween the abdomen and the thorax. Do not be afraid of crushing the wings; but be careful to avoid pinching or punching the queen on to the comb, and especially squeez- ing her soft abdomen.* If you catch her right she will be as shown in Fig. 1. She will bend the abdomen over, and reach with her hind legs around behind in the effort, just as shown, to push the fingers away. With the left hand, catch hold of her be- tween the thumb and fore finger in such a *The beginner should first practice on drones, then on worker bees. After acquiring the knack he can venture on a queen. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 429 vfa.y that the fing-er will be on top and the thumb beneath, see Fig. 3. If you grab her by the waist j'ou need not be afraid of hurting her, for this portion of her anatomy will stand considerable pressure without injury. With the right hand take a pair of scissors and clip one wing at about the point shown in the illustration, Fig. 3; but do not clip /w//! wings as there shown. In putting the queen back on the comb, be very careful not to let her drop. Let her down gently on the comb, or raise the fore linger and let her crawl from the thumb on to the comb. I have seen some veterans who preferred to grab hold of the queen as shown in Fig. 2. She is first picked up as shown in 1, then she is caught by the legs as shown in 2. While a veteran can hold a queen in this way, the average beginner would be liable to squeeze too hard and pull her legs of!'; then if you grab one leg only, the queen will revolve round and round till she twists it off, and in all proba- bility take wing. The plan shown in 1 and 3 is the safer to emploj^ There will be times when one does not have hand}' a pair of scis- sors. Very well, he is to pick the queen up as shown in 1; then hold her with the left hand as illustrated in 3. Now with the knife in the right hand, place one of the queen's wings on the corner of a hive- body or hive-cover in such a way that the knife-blade will cut through into the wood, severing the wing. I do not know but I would about as soon have a common knife if it is sharp as scissors. afford to take a bee-paper; or if he does he can not take time to study the markets and keep abreast with the times. His 20,000 or 30,000 lbs. of honey, sold at two or three cents less than the general market, will be quite sure to depress it to the selling price of this particular lot of honey. /x PRICE OF HONEY TOO LOW. It is a well-known fact that, during the last few j'ears, the prices of labor, of manu- factured articles, and of the general food- stuffs, have advanced materially. Honey has advanced, but not in proportion. If this is true, the bee-keeper of to-day must work on a smaller margin than he did a few years ago, when prices on his product were actually lower than now. The A. I. Root Co. would gladly pay a higher price for honey; but we would not dare to offer more than the general market will allow, because we can not afford to pay 25 per cent more than our competitors would pay for the same grade of honey. The trouble is with the producer, after all. So long as there are producers willing to sell at any old price, just so long bee-keep- ers will work against each other. The read- ers of bee-journals would be willing to co- operate. But here is a producer who can't If we can get bee-keepers organized in the several States and in different locali- ties, as they are in Colorado, New York, California, and in several isolated dis- tricts, we may be able to get control of the bulk of the honeJ^ When the cheap lots are all disposed of, then there might be a chance to advance. I am well aware that the task seems al- most hopeless; but if we give it up as a bad job we shall never accomplish any thing. A KINK WORTH KNOWING ; COGGSHALL ON ENTRANCE-CLOSING TO SAVE THE BROOD. On the 2d of May, Mr. W. L. Coggshall, of Groton, N. Y., wrote that it had been very cold in his locality; that ice at that time was IV inches thick; bees weak, and but little brood. He had been driving 30 miles from 7 a. m. to 7 p. m., closing the en- trances of the hives. He carried along a 430 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Mw 15 pailful of sawdust, and threw a handful at each entrance, and in that way closed or contracted the entrances of 600 colonies scattered in I do not know how many out- yards — perhaps eight or ten. When warm- er weather comes, the bees will push this sawdust away themselves; and in the mean time, while it remains cool, the closing or contracting- of the entrances will confine the heat on the cluster, putting the bees in better condition to resist the cold. This is a good point, and I am sure it must have saved Mr. Coggshall a great amount of brood, many bees, and possibly earned for him a good many tons of honey. That leads me to say that, during very cold weather, I believe it would be good policy to close the hives of outdoor-wintered colonies in the same way. If there should come on a warm spell the bees could very easily remove the obstruction. When it is very cold they do not need much ventilation; but when it is warm, they can of their own will enlarge the entrance to suit their own requirements. Beginners as well as some of the veterans had better paste this kink (from one of the most extensive bee-keepers in the world — perhaps the most so) in their hats, against the cold of next winter or spring. Mr. Coggshall has apiaries in Cuba, New York, Colorado, and Arizona. The number of colonies he owns runs up to something over 3000. Most of the men who work for him have acquired the name of "lightning op- erators." One of them is Harry Howe, now of Cuba. I saw one of his operators (not Mr. Howe) shake the bees off from something like 50 colonies during extract- ing time. It was on this occasion that Mr. Coggshall himself went through the "light- ning act," and also exhibited that "pro- fessional kick" by which he removed or loosened the supers from the top of the brood-nests. Things were "lightning" there that day, let me tell you. I was al- most glad when I got out of the yard; for the bees were just beginning to push their lightning stings clear through my clothing. A CHEAP AND SIMPLE METHOD OF FASTEN- ING BOTTOM-BOARDS AND COVERS FOR MOVING BEES TO OUTYARDS. There are many of the veteran bee-keep- ers who do not even yet know of a cheap and simple method of fastening their bottom- boards to the hive-bodies. We have been using for years double-pointed tacks, or crate- staples, as they are sometimes called, and I supposed that every one knew of the trick. But in my travels over the country among bee-keepers I find a good many are still using ropes, and others are nailing through the covers into the bodies. When the bottom-boards are nailed from the under side up into the hive-body with an ordinary wire nail it is not an easy matter to sepa- ate the two parts when one desires to use an extra hive-body without the bottom, and it is harder still to drive the nails in if the bees are in. But four crate-staples, some- times three, will make a very secure and reliable fastening, and yet one which can be easily broken with a common screwdriver, and whether bees are in the hives or not the staples can be driven in very easily. Two staples driven on each side, so as to span the crack between the bottom-board and body, will hold the two together very firmly. Or two staples in front and one in the rear or in the back end do very well. The cover may be secured in the same way. But now let me tell you of a little trick we stumbled on to last summer, which will save dollars in time and wire cloth and wire screens. Instead of using an ordinary wire- cloth screen, take some pieces of one-piece section, >^-inch thick, and lay one piece at each of the four corners, on top of the hive- body. The cover is now set on top; and, as will be seen, there will be a ^s-inch crack on the sides, front, and rear, between the cover and the bodjs and just narrow enough to exclude bees. The knee is now placed on the cover, when a crate-staple is driven in, spanning the body and cover just opposite or near one of these section pieces — see A A in the illustration, also the enlarged view in the lower left-hand corner. With wire cloth nailed over the entrance, and the cov- er secured 's-inch above the hive-bodies, we get sufficient ventilation, even on hot days, if the bees are not to be moved more than about two or three miles. But I would not move during the heat of the day. Let it be in the morning or evening. Now, then, on arriving at the outyard one can very easily draw the staples, that secure the cover or bottom-board, with a common screwdriver. I would use, however, one larger and stronger than the one shown in the cut — one that will stand a good deal of twisting and prying. Push the point of the blade under the staple, near one of the '( 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 431 leg^s. Give the screwdriver a twist. This will start one leg of the staple. Slip the screwdriver along to the other side, and give it a twist in the opposite direction. This will start the other leg. Slide the screwdriver back and forth a couple of times, giving it a twist each time when the staple will be removed. The crate-staple we use is lyi inches wide, having legs or points -'4 inch long. They can be obtained of any of your supply deal- ers, I think, at 15 cents per lb., or you can get them at the hardware store perhaps. A pound will be enough for a whole outyard of about 100 colonies. These staples, be- sides the convenience they afford in moving bees, are useful in mending splits or bad checks in hives. Indeed, we consider them almost indispensable in any bee-yard. GENERAL MANAGER FRANCE AND WHAT HE IS DOING. General Manager N. E. France is do- ing some hard work. He has before him now eight cases of bees under consideration. Two of these are for damages; two for poisoning by spraying fruit-trees, and two of honey adulteration. He now has, or did have on May 5th, 1202 names, nearly all of which are paid up. He has distributed 1500 cop- ies of Bees and Horticulture, and has or- dered 1000 more. Mr. France, if we may judge by the work he is doing, will earn his salary and more too. The Association is to be congratulated on having such an excellent man for the position. While he is not saying very much he is keeping still and sawing wood. The membership should stand by him, and help him in ever}'^ way possible. Our recent unpleasantness does not seem to interfere very much with the flourishing condition of the Association. This is as it should be. Mr. France has always been known as a hard worker and a successful business man. He is carr3'ing these characteristics right into the Association work, and of course that presages success. »y/» .^v^^* rN%» TRADE NOTES BY E. R. R OOT. THE NEW DANZENBAKER BOTTOM-BOARD improved. Very recently we have made a slight change in the Danzenbaker bottom-boards which entirely overcomes the only objection that was ever raised against them. It will be remembered that this hive-bottom has a floor that is pivoted at the back so that it can be raised or lowered in front, closing the entrance up entirely or opening it to its full width. The floor-boards as we first made them had the grain of the wood run- ning lengthwise. So made, they would shrink or swell, making them bind in the bottom-board frame, in some localities, es- pecially if no allowance were made for the swelling of the boards. We now make the floors with the boards running crosswise, and bind them together with galvanized V- shaped channel irons. The ends of the channels lit into corresponding saw-kerfs cut in the ends of the boards. One long iron on each side holds the boards together, and makes a nice smooth anti-friction edge to slide up and down against the side rails of the bottom-board frame. Thus construct- ed, shrinking and swelling can not in the least affect the movement up and down of the tilting floor-board for the purpose of in- creasing or decreasing the depth of the en- trance, because boards do not swell length- wise. The three boards are tongued and grooved together, so that the cracks will al- ways be bee-tight. In the lower left-hand corner will be seen how the floor-board is let into a groove cut in the back cleat of the frame. This groove makes a fulcrum or hinge for the board. On the right of the illustration will be seen a staple driven on the under side of the floor-board. When this is drawn forward slightly, the staple will rest on the end rail, reducing the depth of the entrance just in proportion as the staple sticks above (or be- low, rather) the floor- board. By raising the floor-board, and drawing it forward slightly, the entrance can be contracted down to about X inch deep. When warm weather comes on, and the honey-flow is gone, a slight pressure against the floor- board will cause it to enter into the groove at the rear, and allow the staple at the same time to slip past the rail, giving full Js-inch depth to the entrance. how to use or handle a bee-smoker; the right and wrong way. Within the last five or six years most of the modern hot-blast smokers have been made in such a way that, while in use, the barrel will stand perpendicularly, leaving the coals of fire or hot embers to lie on the grate while the fumes free from sparks or embers are blown out through a curved or deflecting snout. The position of the bel- lows likewise during the interim mentioned has been reversed, putting the large end at the top instead of at the bottom, as hereto- fore. I have been surprised many and many a time to see how awkwardly bee-keepers handle the modern smoker. To my notion 432 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. May 15 there is oaly one way, and that is shown in the accompanying- illustration. The thumb should be on the side of the bellows next to the stove. This lets the hand hang- in the natural position without any twist at the wrist. To handle the smoker, proceed as follows : Stand in front of the hive, with the en- trance at the left and the smoker in the right hand as shown in the illustration. With the left, pry the cover loose, then with the other holding the smoker in a perpen- dicular position, or only slig-htly tilted, per- haps, blow a little smoke over the tops of the frames. After the cover is removed, and the bees have been sufficiently quieted, set the smoker down close to the back end (not the front) of the hive and on the ground. In doing this, the position of the wrist and hand does not have to be changed. Now, then, if the bees begin to act obstreperouslj', all one has to do is to reach down, grab the smoker in the most easy and natural wa3', as shown in the illustration, and blow the smoke over the frames without twisting the wrist or the hand in an awkward angular kink. If one gets to using an implement wrong- ly, he will waste seconds, minutes, and hours of time as the weeks and months roll by. Every movement should be calculated to get the maximum results with the minimum of time and actual muscular force expended. I have seen bee-keepers pick up the smok- er in the left hand, hold it in an awkward way which I can hardly describe, and then when they were through lay the smoker down in front of the entrance, right in the height of the honey-flow. Or perhaps they will lay it on its side behind the hive; then when they want it for an emergency it can not be found. There are many bee-keepers who have a fashion of losing their smokers. Perhaps the weeds are so deep around the hives that, when the smoker is set down on the ground, it can not.be seen. To accommodate all such we have a very convenient hook which is attached to the rear of our smoker-bellows, see cut. This per- mits of the smoker being hung on the hive where it can be easily seen. Then it has another ad- vantage, that, when one is carrying an armful of supers, using both hands and arms, he can hang this hook over the little finger of one hand, leaving the whole hand or both hands perfect- ly free to hold the armful of stuff while he walks to the other part of the yard. These are simple little things; but the man, as I have already suggested, who can save the minutes can save the hours and the days. When labor is high-priced, and can not be had, one's own time should be econ- omized in every way possible. Why, I hase seen bee-keepers grab an armful of supers, take them some distance from the point where they were working, and then go back and get the smoker. May be they forget all about the pry and screwdriver for loos- ening the frames or covers, and have to make another trip. EIQHT=FRAME JUMBO HIVES. Apple^blossom Honey — the Quality and Quantity. BY J. A. CRANE. Some time ago the question appeared in Gleanings, why a hive, L. length, and holding eight frames the same depth as the "Draper barns," would not be a good thing. Now, that is just the hive for me. I have used them exclusively for ten years, and never lost a colony in one of them, and will show my record of honey-yield with any one in this section. They are no new thing here, nor original with me, having been used by bee-keepers in this town for over twenty years. They take regular eight-frame supers for sections, and with i9o: GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 43: half-depth supers and frames the} make an ideal extracting'-hive. I believe the editor himself has, or did have, a leaning- toward a deeper frame than the standard L. I build my own hives; but these hives are made and kept in stock here in town; and more than 90 per cent of the bees in this section are kept in them. I believe the bees winter better, and build up earlier in spring, than in shallower hives, which with me is a vital matter, as it gets me in shape for the first (and sometimes the main) hon- 63'- flow here — that from apple-blossoms. Doolittle once said that, if we could have the same conditions in the hive during ap- ple-bloom that we have during basswood, he thought we could get nearly as much honey as from basswood. Now, there is a great deal of basswood here; but the crop is very uncertain — three good yields in ten years, and only twice in that time did we know it would fail before we found it out by experience. Those causes were late frosts. This county (Wayne) stands fourth in the United States as an apple county, and we can "know it last fall" whether the orchards will blossom or not this year; and also that, if the weather is favorable, and our bees in shape, we shall get honey. In 1901 I extracted from three hives (su- pers and brood-nest) three times in ten daj's, taking from each, at each extracting, a twelve-quart bucketful of honey. Ripe? Yes, it weighed 12 lbs. 3 oz. per gallon. It candied solid the next January, and was pure white — nearly 100 lbs. per colony. My whole yard averaged over 50 lbs. per colo- ny. Now, don't think I mean to say that such a crop can be secured every year; but I have had four yields of apple-blossom honey to three of basswood, so I think it well worth working for, seeing that you need prepare for it only when the trees are going to blossom full. Now about the quality. I retail all or nearly all of my honey; and when a cus- tomer has once had apple-blossom honey he will always call for it again, although I have several other kinds — raspberry, clo- ver, basswood, and generally buckwheat; and last j'ear, for the first time, I had some catnip. It being a very wet season, the stuff grew quite rank, and farmers were too busy, when it did not rain, to cut it; consequently the bees made a drive on it, wet or dry, rain or shine. Wherever there was a bunch of catnip it would be covered with bees from morning till night. Well, just before buckwheat came I extracted the crop, and — whew! I have it yet. I don't want any more. I can't sell it, can't eat it, wouldn't give it away — going to make bees of it. If all catnip is like this, every pound of it sold on the market will spoil the sale of five pounds of good honey. I am strongly of the opinion that, if all low- grade honey were kept at home, the mone.v realized from what is sold would be more than is now received from the whole. Speaking of new ideas, in Gleanings for April 1, an old bee-keeper of more than fifty years' experience recently told me that comb honey treated with bisulphide of carbon could be eaten with impunity by persons who could not otherwise eat honey at all. He cited some cases that came un- der his observation the past year. If this is the case it would seem that the use of the drug does not injure honey in any way, as has been argued in the papers more or less. Marion, N. Y. [For extracted honey I do like a large deep frame, because I know from personal experience that powerful colonies can be reared in such-sized frames ; but for my own purpose I should prefer the ten-frame Jumbo to an eig/i f-fra.me. An eight-frame standard Langstroth or a ten-frame Dan- zenbaker has about the right capacity for the production of comb honey; and to my notion a ten-frame Jumbo, for some locali- ties at least, offers certain advantages in the way of a non-swarming extracting hive not possessed by a hive of smaller dimen- sions. The eight-frame Jumbo is no larger in actual cubical capacity than the ten- frame Langstroth. If we are going to have a big hive, why not go the whole figure? The Dadants found the ten-frame capacity none too large. We have ten-frame Jumbo hives in our yards; and such great cards of brood, and such powerful colonies! It does one good to look at them and see them roll in the honey. I tasted the honey at Dr. Gandy's that had a slight flavor of catnip. It was not unpleasant. But a pure-catnip honey might be very strong, ani totally unfit for the market. I think we have had other reports to that effect. In the same way, hoarhound honey — the pure article — is vile stuff. But a very little of it mixed with some ofher good grade of honey gives it a nice flavor that is not unlike the hoarhound candy of our childhood days. — Ed.] THE BRODBECK SMOKER. A New Principle in the Construction of Smolnbiniis seems to be floating in the atmosphere, and bee- keepers are becoming infected. It is thought b}' man\' that, if all the bee-keepers of the country should combine, they would become masters of the situation, and that better and more uniform prices would be obtained for the products of the apiary. Very' true; but //"—'* there's the rub." To secure or- ganization and combination among any class of producers so widely separated, the majority of whom are operating only in a small way, is next to impossible. When have farmers, fruit-growers, poultry-rais- ers, or any^ other class of producers in a small way, scattered widely over the coun- try, ever been able to combine so as to con- trol the price of any commodity they pro- duce? It is true that the California fruit-grow- ers have, to some extent, been able to fix prices of fruit by organization; but suppose the same fruits were being cultivated by every farmer and small-fruit grower all overthiscountry, as honey is being produced, do you suppose any combination could be formed to control prices? In Jthe first place there is but a small per cent of the bee-keepers who take interest enough in the business to join even a local organization, or who take any literature on the subject of bee-keeping. They treat apiculture as an insignificant branch of farming, like poultry, which is allowed to care for itself, as a rule. If there happens to be a surplus, it is taken, like butter and eggs, etc., to the local grocer, and exchanged for such supplies as are needed, and at such price as the grocer sees fit to give. The price, usually a low one, is fixed, not by the producer, but by the middleman, and is the standard price for that locality. What is the bee-keeper with a few hundred pounds of surplus choice to fancy honey to do but to take what he can get, or go into competi- tion with the grocer and peddle it? F^ew persons are adapted to doing that kind of work, or have the time in which to do it. He might ship to some commission house, but that so often proves so unsatisfactory that he thinks a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, so takes what is oifered at home. This may be said to be an argument in favor of combination. Grant it; but with nine-tenths of the bee-keepers in the country outside of any organization, whom you could not whip in with a cat-o-nine-tails, how are you to combine? Now, it seems to me that the surest and best way to create a demand for honey, and thus enhance the price, would be to get the local press interested; i. e., publish through the local papers instruction or information regarding the uses and benefits of honey as a food, a medicine, etc. It is surprising how little is known by the majority of peo- ple, even in the country, of the value of hon- ey in numberless ways in a family. If we who are interested in this matter (and all bee-keepers ought to be) would thus place before the people in a judicious manner the ways in which honey may be used to great advantage, many families that have consid- ered it a luxury in which they could not in- dulge might be induced to try it. For in- stance, here is a family fond of warm bis- cuit and honey, or pancakes and honey, but think they can not afford it, but would adopt it if they were told that a syrup of granu- lated sugar, costing about 3 cts. per lb., mixed with good thick extracted honey, costing in bulk, say 12 cts. per lb., made a very fine syrup for the purpose, with all the flavor of honey, and making the average cost only about 7 cts. per lb. How much better this would be for the consumer than to buy the stuff put on the market by the trade generally, with nobody responsible for its manufacture, and composed princi- pally of glucose or something worse ! When mixed at home we know what we are using. The above is simply an illustration of what might be done were we to turn our at- tention in the direction of the local papers. We may talk till doomsday through the bee- journals, that nobody sees but the bee keep- ers, and but few of them, I'm sorry to say, and it will never create a demand for honey one iota. What would we thipk of the bus- iness sense of a manufacturing establish- ment that exploited its goods and wares through the medium of a publication that fell into the hands of its competitors only? That is substantially what bee-keepers are doing in their efl'orts to market their honey. They talk in the bee- journals; they talk in conventions, where there is no one to hear but themselves. Why, it almost seems like lying awake at night to talk to oneself. Our queen bee- keepers can give numerous recipes for cooking with honey as an ingre- dient; simple remedies for various com- plaints with honey as an important factor, etc., until the use of honey will be considered a necessity. I repeat, we must get at the public through the local newspaper. Then when the use of honey has become so pnpu- 438 ' GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. May 15 larithat the crop of the small bee-keepers is consumed in the small towns and country, and the people cry for more, the larg^e pro- ducers can easily combine to control prices in the large commercial centers. Then prices will boom, and the millennium in bee- dom will be ushered in until the Attorney- General gets after us, and puts us, bees and all, in jail for unlawful combination. Geneva Lake, Wis. [There is a great deal of truth in what you say. Bee-keepers should contrive some- how to get articles into their local papers, giving general information about the pro- duction of honey — how it is thrown out by means of the extractor, etc. If all of our subscribers would volunteer to send a com- munication to their local papers, describing how they produce comb honey, and inviting any one interested to come and see how honey is taken from the hive, it would stimulate a local demand for honey, and do some per- manent advertising that would be of great value. We are printing by the thousands our honey-leaflets, and they are being sent out all over the land. These, as some of our subscribers know, go on to tell about the wholesomeness of honey; why dj'speptics can eat it when they can not take any other sweet; about the difterent kinds of honey, and finally winds up with a long list of honey cooking-recipes. This leaflet was written by Dr. C. C. Miller, and all the re- cipes have been tested carefully, so that we know they are good. They are furnished at practically their cost to us; and any bee-keeper can have his business card printed on them at a slight additional cost. If one of them is put in every package of honey sold or handed out in bunches of two or three dozen to the gro- cers, to give to their customers in turn, a largely increased demand will be the result. I believe most thoroughly in organization, but it would be futile to attempt any thing in the way of one national in its scope for the purpose of handling honey. Local or State exchanges must first be put on a prac- tical working basis. As is well known, the Colorado association has demonstrated al- ready what can be done; and California has started out with flying colors. — Ed.] BEE-PARALYSIS. How to Cure; a Rational Plan. BY A READER. I notice several inquiries of late in the difl"erent bee- papers in regard to bee-paral- ysis. I have had several years' experience with this disease. Several years ago, when I kept bees in box hives, I noticed this dis- ease, but at that time I did not know what the trouble was, as I was not posted in bee lore; but since keeping bees in frame hives, investing money in them, and depending partly on them for a living, I have studied the disease a good deal, for I have had more or less of it to contend with^ every year since. When the disease first appears the bees will turn black, look slick and shiny, and have a trembling motion. Not every bee that takes the disease turns black; for I have seen them die with it without ever turn- ing black; but they all have a trembling motion; there is always a less number of dead bees around the entrance during a good honey-flow, due, I suppose, to greater activity among the bees at this time, caus- ing more of the aft'ected bees to die out in the fields, as I have found them dead at their watering-places that, to all appear- ances, had died with this disease. I also have found them dead around flowers out in the fields. I have seen them in front of the entrances of their hives with pollen on their legs, trembling, shaking, dying with this disease; so it seems from this that it is very sudden in its attack. At times this is a very peculiar disease, as some colonies never become affected with it, and some that have the disease get well without any treatment, and some will die in a few weeks if they are not treated, while others will dwindle along all season and give no sur- plus honey, and finally get well. I believe some writers have claimed that bad food causes the disease. I don't believe food has much to do with it. In the spring of 1899 and earl3' summer of that year, I had five colonies of bees standing in my yard very close to the dwelling. One of these colonies took the disease; and as I was very busy I never moved them. In about ten days the one next to the affected one had taken the disease, and so on down the line until all had it. One evening I came home, and had a case of robbing on hand. My favorite colony down among the other bees, some fifty 3^ards distant, was doing the robbing. I soon put a stop to the mischievous rascals, but they had almost robbed them out. I expected this colony that did the robbing to take the disease; but, to my surprise, they were never affect- ed in the least. These bees all had stores gathered from the same source. Shortly after this I moved these five colonies some distance from home, as I wanted to get them away from the dwelling. I let them stay two weeks, and moved them back. I noticed after moving them the second time that there were not so many dead bees at the entrances of four of them; but the fifth one, however, was dying badly, and was very weak, so I moved them again, this making the third time that I had moved them. This last move helped them so they soon got all right. But I got no surplus honey from them that season, while the average from colonies not affected was about 100 lbs. per colony. My honey crop for that year was cut short about 40 per cent on account of this disease; and hence I was well nigh discouraged with bee-keeping; but moving these diseased colonies, and noting the effect it had on them, I got the idea in my head that this disease could be cured if properly treated. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 439 Late that summer I had a colony that was about as badly affected as any I had ever seen. While watching- them at work dragging^ oit" dead and d3'ing bees, and in some instances tlying with them and drop- ping them right in front of the entrances of other hives, fastspreadingthediseaseallover the apiar}', the idea occurred to me that if I could trap these dead and dying bees, and destroj' them, I could effect a cure. So I dug a ditch six inches wide and three inch- es deep in front of this hive, the ditch ex- tending around to the sides of the hive. It is necessary for the hive to stand very close to the ground. The health}' bees will drag the diseased ones out and fall into this ditch, and have to leave the sick bee there, for it can't fly out; and all sick bees that crawl out of their own accord will fall into this pit and can't get out, so you have these diseased bees trapped. I go out every eve- ning and take up these dead bees, and burn them, destroj'ing the disease germ, hence I effect a cure. I have tried this remedy sev- eral years, and have never failed yet to cure a colony thus treated; in fict, I would not be in the bee business to-day if I had not discovered this remedy. It usually takes about ten days to effect a cure. [The essential part of the cure above mentioned seems to be isolation. Other writers have said that bee-paralysis could be cured if the bees could be given a chance to carry away the diseased and the dead. -Ed.] «»« A CHEAP AND SERVICEABLE WAX=PRESS. How to Render Wax in a Wash. boiler, and Squeeze it in a Separate Press without Freezing or Chilling. BY F. A. SALISBURY. For a number of years we have been in- terested in wax-presses, having used near- 1}' all styles. The Swiss wax-extractor was the first one, but we found it too slow, be- sides wasting a big lot of wax. We next tried quite a number of processes, but found all to be of no practical use. At last we tried a press, and found it to be better than an}' thing 3'et tried. We have gotten out about 150 lbs. of wax in one day with the help of a large press that used a common jack-screw; but this was too large for ordi- nary use, and took up a great deal of room. Bee-keepers do not, as a general thing, have any thing besides a kitchen stove on which to work melting up combs. Ouite a few have asked us from time to time how to render out wax. but we could only tell them to use some kind of press. At last we tried to get up something that the average bee- keeper could aft'ord to buy, and a year ngo made a press, but found it to be too weak to stand such a pressure as was given to it b}' a screw. This last winter we tried our hand again, and think we have something that will be a benefit to all bee-keepers, for by its use all the wax that is possible to be pressed out with any kind of press can be gotten out by our cheap and simple press. There were quite a good many things to think of when inventing, and some of them are as follows: 1. The wax was to be kept hot as long as possible to prevent it from freezing in the press. 2. The follower should go down as near- ly level as possible, no matter how the slum- gum under it was placed. 3. It should all be inclosed, so that wax would not be spurting out on the floor." 4. The top piece that holds the screw should be perfectly immovable sidewise. 5. The whole top should be covered to pre- vent the escape of heat while pressing. 6. The bolts that go through the wood part should also be perfectly plumb at all times. This can not be done unless the bolts are through wood, for they will move slight- ly, and by so doing the screw will be tip- ped one side, and the pressure will tend to push the follower to one side. With the press you can get out all the wax from old combs that you can melt up on two ordinary kitchen ranges. We have gotten out 49 lbs. in one day with it, of nice yellow wax. We have just seen 153 lbs. of wax gotten out by the Ferris wax-extractor, and it was of a pretty dark color. Now, it is known that iron will turn wax dark, and zinc green. We know this to be so, for we tried zinc or galvanized iron for melting up wax for foundation, and found it would be green after standing some time. With iron the wax will be dark in color. We believe all manufacturers of foundation use wooden tubs in which to melt wax, just for the rea- sons I give. Our press is all wood, and will impart no coloring to the wax. In using the press a common wash-boiler should be used to boil the combs, and they should be boiled till they are thoroughly melted. This is known by a foam coming on top like soapsuds. The comb-cells should be all separate, and just like kernels of corn. This will give a chance for the boil- ing water to melt the wax between them. Have on top of stove a pail or pan contain- ing boiling water, and keep the follower in it, grooved side down. Place in the press a good strong piece of cheese-cloth having the same reach across the bottom and up the sides, and about six inches projecting on all sides. Place a board from top of the boiler to the press, so as to catch the drip, and dip the slumgum into the press till it is within three inches of top; lay cheese-cloth over it so as to protect the follower from coming in contact with the slumgum. Place the follower on top of all, and then the cov- er with the screw. Screw down till a stream comes from the spout, and keep screwing down gradually till all the wax is out. Do not be in a hurry to screw down, but do it slowly. You may ask, "Why not have the press higher or deeper?" But you will readily see that, if it were deeper, bee-keep- ers would fill it too full, and the slumgum, when pressed as fir down as possible, will 440 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. May 15 be still too thick for all the wax to escape. Better not press so much at a time, and be sure all the wax is out. The slumgum, when pressed as much as it can be, should not be over one inch thick, and ;V would be still better. If bee-keepers could have some sort of press that did not cost too much, one Salisbury's home-made wax-press; sec- tional VIEW. they could afford to buy, the foundation used in the brood-chamber would cost them nothing. For example, suppose they had 20 hives in which they wanted to use full sheets of foundation in the frames. Now, to fill 20 hives with lig'ht brood will take about 20 lbs. This at, say, SO cents per pound, is $10.00. Now, after five years' use they have this press, and render the combs into wax. They will get on an average from each hive 2 lbs. of wax. This at 31 cts. per pound, which is the market price now, would bring- them 62 cts. per hive, or, for the 20, $12.40. They are ahead $2.40 by using the foundation, besides having the use of nice straight combs in the hives while in use. I have always contended that the use of foundation in the brood-chamber costs the bee-keepers nothing. If I am not right, will some one please tell me where? By the use of a wax-press the wax can be gotten out at any time, and it is worth cash at any time of the year. We consider wax just as good as cash, and would just as soon have wax on hand as cash in bank. It is simply exchanging cash for wax in the first place, and then cash for wax, without a particle of loss to bee-keepers. All that is needed is some kind of cheap simple practical press that any bee-keeper, no matter how small, can afford to purchase. Syracuse, N. Y. [Mr. Salisbury has been working on the problem of getting up a cheap press. As nearly as we can estimate, this could be sold for about $4.00 at retail; and if one were handy with tools he might be able to make one at a cost of material not to ex- ceed $2.00. The press Mr. Salisbury sent us was made entirely of hard wood. Soft wood might be used, perhaps. But there is danger that it might be too porous or spongy, owing to the absorption of steam from the slumgum. We told our artist to show only two thumbscrews; but recent experiments have convinced us that four will be almost a ne- cessity. Under the influence of the hot steam the cover would be liable to twist diagonally under the strain. With four screws it would probably hold its position. In order to make a separate wax-press — one that does not use either steam or water — effective, the operator must work rapidly, and even then there will be danger of the slumgum "freezing" or chilling. Just when it begins to be a little cold, the free wax will refuse to run off, of course. If one were to follow Mr. Salisbury's di- rections he would probably be able to get very good results. However, I am still of the opinion that a press that allows steam to circulate all around the slumgum during the whole time of squeezing, keeping the wax hot, will yield more wax in the hands of the average person than one that takes it hot from the boiler, and depends on pres- sure being applied before it can cool. I believe our friend is in error when he states that a metal wax-press of galvanized iron, or black iron, would discolor the wax 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 441 goiug- through it. We melt from 60 to 80 tons of wax every season, almost all of which is melted over hot black iron steam- pipes. After a series of experiments we can not see that black iron, as we use it, dis- colors the wax in the least, because the wax flows over them rapidly. If the wax is al- lowed to stand In aji iron kettle for several hours, especiall}' if it is reheated several times, it will darken. If it is confined in a galvanized receptacle for a continued length of time it would assume a greenish tinge. But old comb that is put into either a gal- vanized or black-iron wax-press, and melt- ed, should pass through the machine so rapidlj' that no discoloration will take place — that is, if directions are followed not to let the wax boil or simmer in the inside of the machine. When it is once hot and thoroughly melted, pressure should be ap- plied at once, letting the free wax escape. It will then come out with a beautiful yel- low color. — Ed.] THE NEW FOUL-BROOD CURE. How ^ . inches. Black sage is in full bloom in the coast re- gion. White sage will commence blooming in about a week. G. M. Hawley. Pres. of San Diego Hoyiey Producers'' Ass'' n. El Cajon, Cal. [The Jenny Atchley Co., of Beeville, Tex. , sent queens to Mr. Wa4;kins in exchange for oranges. The bill of lading, says Mr. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 445 Atchley, came, but no oranges, and the railroad company can not find any record of any shipment. It is evident that Mr. Watkins needs a little more " free advertis- ing," and we are quite willing- that he should have it. — Ed.] A BOTTOM-BOARD BEE-FEEDER THAT DOES AWAY WITH OPENING THE HIVE FOR POURING IN FEED, AND PREVENTS ROBBING. I have been using a feeder for some time which I consider ahead of anj' other I have seen, and is to be used with the Dovetailed hive and Danz. bottom-board, deep side up. It is a tin pan 16 inches long, 11 inches wide, and from }i to -''4 inch deep. It is bet- ter to have a wooden rack or frame in the pan for the bees to crawl on while feeding. Having the feeder ready, goto the rear of the hive that needs feeding, and pry the body off the bottom-board, and drive up the bees with smoke. Then tilt the hive for- ward; and if there is any burr- comb on the bottom of the frames, remove it. Place the feeder under the hive in the rear end of the bottom-board and slide the hive forward so as to leave a space for pouring in the svrup. This space is afterward covered with a stick. The bottom-board should be nearly level when feeding. When the pan is placed in the hive it can be left any length of time. It is excellent for fall feeding. Kegg, Pa. George McVicker. A METHOD OF HANGING HIVE-NUMBER TAGS. I inclose a drawing of a hive-number that I have used for some time, and consider a good thing. Take pieces of tin 2X3, or an}' convenient size, place them on the end of a block of hard wood, and with a thin -)4-inch chisel make two cuts in the form of a letter A. Next bend down the central tongue and cut off a little of the point so that, when it is bent back, it will leave just room for a small nail and still not allow the head to slip through. This is a handy device for those who desire to change hive-numbers quickly in the hurry of the swarming sea- son. James Roat. Canandaigua, N. Y. [When I first read this over I wondered why friend Koat did not use a round punch in cutting the hole through the number-tag. Then it occurred to me that a V-shaped hole with the tongue of the A sticking upward could be made with any cold-chisel; and when the hole is made the tag will hang to the nail better; i. e., the angular hole will not permit the tag being blown off as readily. The scheme of using number-tags is >.et- ting to be quite common; and numbeis in connection with the card index or a book give one a very nice and satisfactory history of a queen or colony. In the rearing of high-class queens it is the way to get at the pedigree.- Records on slates are apt to be- come illegible; and, what is worse, some- times some child may innocently displace or run away with the slates. — Ed.] A HANDY DEVICE FOR NAILING UP SECTION- HOLDERS. I send you herewith a description and drawing of an arrangement which I find very handy in putting together Danz. sec- tion-holders. It is made in the shape of a box 17 inches long. It can be any width; but if made 11 inches wide it will just hold 8 section-holders at once. The end-pieces are a little less than 5 inches high, and are set in a full half-inch from each end. On the bottom, at the ends, are nailed pieces about 1^2 or 2 inches wide. But these should not come up far enough for the hang- er pins to rest on them. This makes a lit- tle space '2 inch wide to hold the end-pieces of the section-holders, top ends down, dove- tailed ends up, and hanger-pins out. To use I put 8 end-pieces in each end of the box. Then lay on the bottom- bars, and drive them to their places, and nail. The hanger-pins should be put into the end- pieces before putting together; but before driving them in I take a good sharp j4-inch bit and counter-sink the holes a trifle so that the heads of the pins will drive in en- tirely out of the way, so as not to interfere with the sections. Having the form in the shape of a box makes it very convenient for holding the end-pieces. I throw them into it as fast as I drive the pins into thein, and then they are right handy for setting up into the ends of the form for making up. It will hold all the end-pieces which come in a package of five supers. E. S. Webster. Hutchinson, Kan. [Your plan of nailing up section-holders is very good. It would apply equally well to any section- holder used in the various styles of hives put out by any of the m;inu- facturers Of course, the dimensions would have to be changed to fit. — Ed.] There is not going to be a very big crop of honey. The season is too cold and wet; bees are in bad shape, and are very weak. W. J. PiCKARD. Richland Center, Wis. 446 GLEAiMiNGb iM ULE CULiURE. May 15 QUEEN INCUBATOR AND BROODER; AN AR- RANGEMENT THAT ALLOWS THE BEES ACCESS TO THE CELLS AND QUEENS AT ALL TIMES. One of the greatest objections urged against a lamp-nursery, or any kind of nursery where queens are hatched away from the bees, is that the cells and their inmates are robbed of the actual care of the bees. When the bees have access to a sticking the base of each cell to a No. 12 gun-wad. By the use of melted wax, these wads, with the cells attached, are stuck, at prop- er intervals, to a strip of wood exactly the length of the inside width of a Langstroth brood-frame. Two wire staples driven into the inside of each end-bar slide into slots cut in the ends of the cell-bars, and hold them in position. STANLEY QUEEN INCUBATOR AND BROODER; CELL-CUPS AND FINISHED CELLS. cell, and the time approaches for the queen to emerge, the wax over the point is pared down; and as the queen cuts an opening through the cell, and thrusts out her tongue, she is fed and cheered in her efforts to leave the cell. A queen hatched away from the bees loses all of this food, cheer. The process of transferring larvas to the cells, getting the cells built, etc., have all been described in the books and journals, and need not be repeated here. When the cells are sealed they may be picked off the bar (still attached to the gun-wads) ; and right here is where the special features of and comradeship; and, until introduced to the Stanley process steps in. Each cell, as CAGES OF OUEEN-EXCLUDING METAL. a nucleus or full colony, has not the nat- ural food that she would secure were she among the bees. All of these objections are overcome by an invention of Mr. Arthur Stanley, of Dix- on, Illinois. Mr. Stanley makes the cell- cups according to the directions given in Mr. Doolittle's Scientific Queen-rearing, it is removed, is slipped into a little cylin- drical cage, made of queen-excluding zinc, the cage being about two inches long, and of such a diameter that the gun-wad fits snugly, thus holding the cell in place and stopping up that end of the cage. The other end of the cage is plugged up with a gun-wad. Long rows of these cages, filled 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 447 with sealed cells, are placed between two •wooden strips that tit in between the end- bars of a Lang-stroth frame, and are held in position by wire staples that fit into slots cut in the ends of the strips. To hold the cag'os in their places, holes a trifle larg-er than the diameter of the cag'e are bored, at proper intervals, through the upper strip, thus allowing- the cages to be slipped down through the upper laar, until their lower ends rest in corresponding holes bored part way through the bar. A frame full of these cages, stocked with cells, may be hung in a queenless colony. and will require no attention whatever, ex- cept to remove the queens as they are need- ed. The workers can freely pass into and through the cages, cluster upon the cells, care for them, and feed the queens after they hatch, exactly as well as though the queens were uncaged. These cages are unsurpassed as intro- ducing-cages, either for fertile or for virgin queens. The bees are not inclined to at- tack a queen in a cage to which they can enter, j'et they can surround, caress, and feed her. They can become acquainted with her, and give her the same scent as ihemselves. When desirable to release her, one end of the cage can be stopped with candy, and the bees allowed to liber- ate her by eating it out. B}' putting food in one end of the cage, a queen may be kept caged, away from the bees, the same as in anj' other cage. P^lint, Mich. W. Z. Hutchinson. From the Bee-keepers' Revie'cV,Jan. i. A FOUL-BROOD SCARE; A PECULIAR ODOR RE- SEMBLING THAT FROM AN OLD GLUE- POT IS NOT ALWAYS AN INDICATION OF FOUL BROOD. There has been so much written about ioul brood that I have concluded to give an experience I once had. My 16 hives of bees were set up on brick piers as is the custom in this locality. I had a lawn-mower to keep the paths clean; but as the bees were cross when I went too close to the front of the hives the grass was left to grow there. In August one year there was a very of- fensive smell all over the yard, and it seem- ed to be worse when I opened the hives. I studied the ABC book, and decided that it was foul brood. The hives were all full of brood, and it looked fiat, sunlcen, and shrunken, more than I had ever seen it be- fore, and the cappings were full of little holes. It looked like a terrible undertaking to follow the directions given in the ABC for the cure of foul brood; but something had to be done, for the smell, instead of go- ing away, grew worse until it was a regu- lar "glue-pot " smell. So I began, and in two da3's' time had treated all the hives thoroughly. The next morning I thought I would look at those bees again, for the smell was there just as strong and offensive as ever. I looked into all those hives, and every one of them had begun to make nice combs, and the queens had begun to lay. I then began hunting to find out what could cause the odor. I first thought it might be a dead chicken; but it did not smell like that. I looked under the house and every- where, but found nothing. Finally I looked in the thick bushy grass, just under the hive's entrance, and there I found dead bees an inch or so thick all over the ground, and that was what smelled so. After that, in spite of the bees' crossness, I cut all the grass away with a sickle, and put wood ashes in front of every hive, and I never had any more foul brood. Now, it may be possible that other people make mistakes about this business, the same as I did. If this should be a help to any one I shall be very glad. Mrs. C. a. Stebbins. Broad Creek, Va. [I have read carefully what you have to say, and I am not so sure that you did not have foul brood. The character of the cap- pings would indicate that you had some- thing very much like it, or perhaps equally' bad — black brood; and the treatment you gave was just the one that should have been given, and you gave it none too soon. I am well aware that dead bees do very often smell like rotten foul brood; but I should Conclude it was only an incident that 4hey happened to be there. Foul brood must be pretty bad indeed to be detected by its odor within the immediate vicinity of the infect- ed hive. There is one s3nnptom that you failed to give, and a very important one. If that were present you might rest assured you had foul brood without doubt. That symp- tom is ropiness. If you found the dead mat- ter, when you stuck a sprig of grass or a toothpick in it, would draw out like glue or molasses, you might be sure it was foul brood, for there could be no question about it then. In the presence of the other symp- toms you have named, if the dead matter did not rope, then you may have had black brood. In either case, you should have ad- ministered the treatment you did. Even if you had only pickled brood you would be on the safe side. — Ed.] NORTHERN MICHIGAN AS A HONEY LOCALI- TY, ETC. Would it pay to go to Northern Michigan to better my location? What county would be best to get the willow-herb in ? Do 3'ou think the diflference in the season would cut any figure? Wm. Ort. Pawpaw, Van Buren Co., Mich. [Friend O., your first question is hard to answer, as I do not know what your present locality is for honey. At the recent con- vention at Bellaire, Antrim Co., it was stated that the largest croos were secured in that part of Michigan. Willow-herb is found all over those northern counties, and so I can not say which is best. A lartre part of Leelanaw Co. is now, however, cul- 448 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. May 15 tivated and cleared for growing potatoes; and there is not as much wild land (where willow-herb is found) as in some of the oth- er counties. One of the speakers at the convention thought raspberry was of more value than willow-herb. He said the tim- ber had been cut off so as to leave about 80 acres close by his apiary that was almost covered with wild red raspberry; and as the period of blooming and ripening is much longer than further south, he said it yielded honey more or less for six or eight weeks. The seasons are shorter in North- ern Michigan than where you are, unless it is close by the lakes or other bodies of water. This tends to make the falls later than in the interior of the State. Our own apiary of two hives secured, last season, honey from early in the spring until up into October, and I do not think there was a single day when honey would have been disturbed if left on the tops of the hives. Of course, I did not get a very large yield, for I did not- give them very much attention. That thousand bushels of potatoes kept me too busy, and I was not trying to see what could be done with the bees. I would ad- vise you or any one else who contemplates making a change of locality to take a trip first and visit the bee-keepers in the vicini- ty where they had thought of moving. — A. I. R.] • WHY HOLTERMANN'S FERTILIZING-TENT DID NOT WORK. I have read with interest Mr. Holter- mann's article (p. 94) concerning the fertil- izing-tent that he erected last season; also your and Dr. Miller's comments on the same, in different issues of Gleanings since. Somehow it seems that both you and Dr. Miller have failed to suggest a remedy for Mr. Holtermann's trouble, or guess the cause of his failure. In the first place, I will say that Mr. Holtermann expected his queens to do a very unnatural thing — that of taking their wedding- flight from an en- trance that was entirely unused by the worker bees of her nucleus. Instinct seems to teach the queen that the future welfare of the colony depends wholly on her making this trip in safety, and in rare instances will she depart from her hive through any but the entrance that is used freely by the other bees (workers and drones) of her colony. This is why, I think, in Mr. Holtermann's case, the queens put forth all their efforts in trying to pass the guarded entrance, and not because they were attracted there by the noise of the bees in the apiary, as lie rather intimated. If you will turn to Mr. Holtermann's arti- cle you will find that he used a separate hive for his queens and drones. This I would not do. Arrange it so that each nucleus will have quite a quantity of drones. By allowing the drones to fly from the nucleus at the time of day the queen is expected to take her flight, the entrance that led to the inclosure will be used almost as freely by the drones as is the guarded entrance used by the workers. Therefore the queen will have no choice of entrance. If I could not arrange to have drones reared in the nucleus I would supply the necessary number bj' trapping them from my choice drone-rearing stock, giving them to the nu- cleus a few days before the virgin queen was expected to come forth, and allow them to fly, for a short time each day, through the entrance that led into the tent. Almond Weaver. Nicklow, W. Va., Mar. 6. a handy section-press. I am using a section-press like the one here shown. I have used it for about ten years for thousands of sections. It works to perfection. It can be used more rapidly than any other press I have seen. No. 4 is a lever by which the section is compressed; 2 is a movable wedge, this to be moved only at slight variation of sections; 5 is the dove- tailed end of section; 3 is a board at the back to which the section is held with the left hand while being compressed. Fig. 1 is a spring by which the lever is alwa3's held open. Do you think there would be a demand for the machines? And could it be patented? Anton G. Anderson. Council Bluffs, Iowa. [The principle of this press, while very good, is quite old. We illustrated one very much like it in 1879. Its general design is simple, and any mechanic can make' one. — Ed.I SMOKER fuel; ashfs around hive-en- trances. What is the matter with cotton rags to burn in syiokers? I find coal ashes make an excellent stand for bees. Raise the hive about 6 inches; make a nice door-yard in front with the ashes well packed clear up to the entrance. It's the best thing I find to keep away black ants. Rev. J. W. Wilson. E. Springfield, Pa. [Cotton rags are excellent, but too expen- sive. Rotten wood, punk, peat, planer- shavings, sawdust, dry leaves, or any com- bustible material, cheap and slow-burning, may be used. As a rule we prefer to have excelsior or planer-shavings. Get a barrel or two, and keep them in a dry place, and 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 449 you will have fuel enough to last a whole season, even if you have a large apiary. Coal ashes make an excellent bedding for entrances. They keep down the grass, pack well, but I did not suppose they would also keep off the ants. In a large yard the cheapest and easiest thing to put up is a rough v.s board about 8 by 10 inches. Run it up against the entrance, or attach it to the hive. When the lawn-mower is run through the apiary, lift the board up, cut the grass down, and replace the board. The trouble with coal ashes is that weeds and grass will in time push up through them. — Ed.] GLEANINGS, FROM COVER TO COVER, ALL good; SMALL SECTIONS FOR SOUVENIRS. You request the readers of Gleanings to state which department is most appreciat- ed. Well, now, I shall be obliged to decide that "I don't know," just as does Dr. Mil- ler when he doesn't know. When I get Gr^EANiNGS the first thing I do is to run my finger down inside the wrapper, and "off she goes;" glance at markets, advertise- ments, and settle down to business on "Stray Straws." I'm always sorry when they are finished; and so I continue clear through to the other cover, always feeling sorry that each department isn't longer. I could get mj' dollar's worth from any one department, without the other departments at all, though that would be like a hungry man at a banquet with only one short course, with an appetite and digestive capacity for a full meal. It seems some people read Gleanings as some people eat a meal — "eat the best first, and so have the best all the waj* through the meal." Well, that's all right; but I should be afraid of skipping a "course" somewhere which would contain a good deal of the digestive elements to go with the rest, just as was that last "course" called "Toast" at the bee-keepers' banquet at Denver last fall. That reminds me of the honey served there that evening. Can you tell me from what plant it was produced? at what price j'ou could furnish the sections (those souvenir sections)? I think of pro- ducing sufficient honey in similar sections for a treat at our farmers' institute next winter. I hand you a program of a session held last month at our town. You will notice on the third day's dinner I put up the hon- e}', and they relieved me of 93 lbs. (comb). Hull, la. F. W. Hall. [These verv- small sections could not be made for less money than the regular stand- ard goods. While the material will be very much less, the labor of adjusting ma- chinery adapted for the larger sizes would be enough to offset the difference in cost of material. Perhaps you are as eager to get informa- tion on the subject of bees as I am to get hints on handling automobiles. 1 read my two journals, devoted to that subject, from cover to cover — even all the aivertisements. But the first thing I dive after is the depart- ment of questions and answers. If I ever get to be a veteran in the horseless business I suppose I shall be able to pick out articles here and there that will cover departments of knowledge entirely new to me. The small-section honey to which you refer was produced in Colorado; when or by whom I don't know. — Ed.] CARR'S method OF WIRING. After reading "a simple method of wir- ing frames," on page 247, I made a similar wiring-board; but instead of using two nails under the top-bar I use a %-inch strip the full length of the top-bar, nailed to the board; also nail a thin strip like a bottom-bar to the board for the narrow ends of the end-bars to rest upon, and one at each end of the frame to prevent end play. "instead of five nails for the tension I use three staples; also two staples inside of the top-bar, driven into the board. I like the end-spaced frames, and it seems strange that any one would do without them after giving them a trial. I first used them in 1897, and have since added them to all of my old frames. I also use two of the sta- ples in each hive-body to make a bee-space between the wall of the hive and the first frame. The plain division-board, as now made \iy the Root Co., is as near perfection, it seems to me, as can be. I use one in each hive-body on the side opposite the two sta- ples mentioned, and alwa3's work from that side of the hive. H. M. Cakr. Cranfills Gap, Texas. how to place HIVES IN THE CELLAR IN SUCH A WAY THAT THE DEAD BEES ON A NAILED BOTTOM-BOARD WILL BE NO HINDRANCE. On page 948 F. B. Cavanaugh asks about putting bees in a cellar with tightly nailed bottom-boards. The answer says that if that is done you should clean out dead bees occasionally with a crooked wire. Now, it happened that I got hold of many Lang- stroth-Simplicity with tightly nailed boards in trying to winter in different positions. I finally got to putting the front end three or four inches higher than the back end, with the front toward the wall, and it was all right. Bees dying in the hive during winter work toward the rear end of the hive, and all goes well so far for winter. I have put in between 300 and 400 in over 20 different cellars, always the front rnd at least two inches higher, and I would not 450 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. May 15 g^ive 5 cts. per colony to have them insured to be all right in spring if the cellar will winter potatoes without freezing- or sprouting too much. I have had cellars with two feet of water in a part of the winter, and never less than four inches; and seldom is a cel- lar so I can not make a mud ball from the bottom. Get the temperature right for po- tatoes; arrange j'our hives in a perfectly dark corner, as stated above, and go to Cal- ifornia and spend the winter, and your bees will be all right next spring. Meckling, S. Dak. Thos. Chantry. CHEAP AND EFFECTIVE ADVERTISING; THE VALUE OF RUBBER STAMPS. While looking over Gleanings I notice on page 321 an article from J. M. Young in regard to using a stamp on every thing he sends out. I wish to say that I have been using this method for marking my honey- boxes, also my shipping-cases. I put my name on each and every section taken from the hives that are suitable to put on the market. I also put a label on each one of m\' shipping-cases besides the stamp, and I find that, by so doing, I have been able to build up a pretty good trade; and wherever any of my honey has been sent they al- ways want more of it. I put it up as nice as I can, and find that I make no mistake by so doing. I get from 12'/^ to 15 cts. per section for it. C. H. Pettengell. Long Island, Kan. A unique plan for getting rid of ants AROUND A HIVE. I saw in Gleanings, a short time ago, where a party asked how to get rid of ants. My way is sure death. I take a medium wide smooth board; nail a cleat on one side at each end. then take honey or molasses and stir in Paris green or any poison; then put ,some in the center of the board at the side of the cleats: then turn this side down near the hive. The ants will get their fill and die. The bees can not or will not go under to get poison. This works well with me. S. D. BuELL. Union City, Mich. [Your plan is excellent if the bees will let the poisoned sweet alone. I should sup- pose that they would help themselves to the same dose, especially during a honey- dearth. — Ed.] DRIVING away ants WITH CUCUMBER peelings. One of Miller's last Straws is one advo- cating the use of camphor to drive away ants. Now, you may smile when I mention an old Scotch remedy, and an eflfective one, too, in the use of cucumber peelings or rinds. The lasting qualities are better than camphor, and much cheaper; and I don't see any thing in the substance that would hurt bees. Try it and note the re- sult. R. V. Murray. Cleveland, Ohio. MOTH-BALLS FOR COCKROACHES. May 31st, 1902, W. W. Cozart, of North Carolina, asks for a waj^ to exterminate roaches. If he is troubled with them as I have been he will use moth-balls, and place them where the vermin huddle, which is on top of the hive or under — on top when a false cover is on. Said balls cost 10 or 12 cts. per lb. I find here at the South that roaches are very destructive to bees, as they will eat very many. J. H. Allen. Box Elder, Va., April 18. STORING EMPTY COMBS. I expect to have quite a large number of empty combs on hand this summer. Will you please advise in Gleanings of a good way of keeping them other than placing in hives over or under bees? Ben Avon. Pa. Ben Avon. [Combs taken out of hives in the fall may be stored in moth-proof and bee-proof box- es, or stacked up in emptj^ hives, also moth- proof. But if the combs have been exposed in the mean time, away from bees where the moth could possibly get at them, then it would be necessary to fumigate them be- fore putting them in closed boxes. — Ed.] SUBSTITUTING ALSIKE FOR RED CLOVER. Would it pay to go to the expense of sow- ing alsike clover if you had an unlimited pasturage of red clover? G. W. Bramel. Millersburg, Ky. [If you can get the farmers in your local- ity to substitute alsike for red clover as a matter of experiment on their part, j'ou fur- nishing the seed free, I would advise you to get them to do so if you can. Whether you do or do not, it would be well to try alsike in a field of your own. Alsike would j'ield honey a week or so before red clover, and would prolong your honey crop just that much. — Ed.] A GOOD LOCAL CONVENTION. We had a very successful convention of bee-keepers at Moberly on the 22d and 23d inst. Several parts of the State were rep- resented by prominent men, and we effected a permanent organization, and listened to quite a number of splendid bee talks. We fixed the initiation fee at 60 cts. for new members who may desire to join between now and our next meeting", after which it will be Si. 00 We now have 67 names on the roll. We expect to meet again some time in December. W. T. Cary, Sec. Wakenda, Mo., Apr. 25. SULPHUR FOR BEE-PARALYSIS. I tried the sulphur cure for bee-palsy. It cured the disease in a few days, but killed all the open brood in the hive. E. D. Howell. New Hampton. N. Y., April 20. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 4 1 OUR HOMES, BY A. I. R OOT. Let us not be weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap if we faint not.— Gal. 6 : 9. I have told you the circumstances of friend Martin's death; but I have not said much in reg'ard to some things that transpired after his death; and, indeed, many of the friends concerned will feel like objecting- to some things I am going to mention; but as there are several moral lessons involved, I wish to beg their indulgence just a litttle. Mr. Martin, when he recognized that death was near, made a request that his bod}' be sent to his old home in Hartford, N. Y., for burial. It is not at all probable that he knew how expensive such a pro- ceeding was going to be; and, in fact, no- body seemed aware it would cost $400 or S500. There are some customs and regula- tions in Cuba that we Americans do not un- derstand verj' well. I shall not attempt to go into the particulars, more than to say that the embalming process in Cuba is very expensive. Then there are certain rites and time-honored customs, that I believe be- long to the Roman church, that are not yet overruled or set aside. After Rambler's death, none of the Amer- ican bee-keepers felt like taking the re- sponsibility of advancing the money to have his request carried out; and, in fact, our good friend Mr. de Beche was perhaps the onlj' friend and acquaintance of Mr. Mar- tin who knew enough of the Spanish laws and customs to be able to do this; and when he made inquiries he was informed that, unless he commenced proceedings at once, it would be an impossibility to get Mr. Martin's remains until they had been in the Roman Catholic cemetery two years. At the expiration of two years the remains could be taken up and carried away at an expense of only about S20. After Mr. Mar- tin's death some sort of paper was found — I do not know exactly whether it was a will or not — but this paper mentioned that he had a SlOOO life-insurance policy, and he directed that enough of this be used to pay the expense of sending his body to his old home; and the remainder was to be used in purchasing an appropriate tombstone. Aft- er seeing this paper, Mr. de Beche decided to advance the money from his own pocket, especially' as the authorities would not grant him any time to confer with Mr. Martin's relatives nor even with the bee- keepers on the island. I was, as I have told you, 60 miles away at Paso Real. Mr. de Beche wrote me what he had decided to do; but as I expected to see him in a few days, I am afraid I did not take the trouble to write him that I approved of his under- taking, and would see that he did not lose by coming forward at such a time in such a generous way. I /o brieflj'. We twisted and bent down, and crawled through interminable passaj.;es. There were clock-shelves and mantels, and things that resembled human beings an^l domestic animals, all carved and polished and colored by Nature's fingers. Every little while you can hear the dripping of water. The caves were discovered within a very recent period, so the guide-books tell us. Now let me advise visitors to heed the re- quest of the guide to dispense with everj' bit of clothing they can get along without; and let me say to the proprietors of the cave that, if they want the public to pat- ronize them, they will have to get something better than wax candles. Electric globes would be the thing. And last, but not least, there must be some arrangement to start a current of air. A blower and a suitable pipe to carry air to the furthest extremity, so as to ventilate thoroughly all of these wonderful passages, would make it possible for one to spend an hour or two in comfort away down in the bowels of the earth. After we got back from the cave (and we were not gone over two or three hours] the 456 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. May 15 hackman swindled us ag-ain. I wanted to see Yumuri Valley. He argued, as before, that it was a long- way. After quite a "confab" we paid him half the price he wanted, and then discovered we could have walked it easily. This valley is a great basin, something the shape of a wash-bowl, if you will excuse the illustration. It is entirely surrounded by mountains, and ev- idently was once an inland lake; but either Nature or some of the early settlers of the island cut a passage through close to the city of Matanzas, thus connecting it with the ocean; and as the tide rises and lowers, the water goes up a little way into this ba- sin, and then back again. I suppose this great bowl or basin is five miles across, and it may be ten miles. The mountains surrounding it produce a kind of illusion (especially in people not accustomed to see- ing mountains), so one can not tell whether he is going up hill or down, except by feel- ing that it is hard work going one way and easy in going the other. After my first sight of Yumuri Valley (on another occasion) I followed a trail along up the outlet; and the overhanging rocks and spurs of the mountain produced a sort of weird effect that makes one feel queer. Several times I felt like shaking and pinching myself, and saying, "Well, old fellow, where are j'ou, and ' what are you at,' any way?" It was quite a bad road for the cab-driver, and he got his ve- hicle in the mud a great deal; but if he had told me truthfully in the outset how far it was to the apiary, I should have very much preferred to go on foot. In fact, he had to hitch his horse and let us go on foot part of the way as it was. Now, you might think being swindled twice by this same man was enough; but I was very anxious to see another of friend Woodward's apiaries, and make it before train time, and the fellow got a big price for going out there and then not doing as he agreed to do. Friend Woodward thought he knew these fellows, and knew how to deal with them; but they took so much time in going over the details of the bargain I suggested paying the man his price, to save time. Then after the fellow violated his contract there was going to be more time spent in settling matters. But I proposed again that we get all the good we could in looking over the apiary, and friend W. and the driver settle their differences after I got away. I am sorry to say this about even a poor colored man. But he hires the rig of the proprietor for so much a day, and there are probably a good many days when he does not get hold of a real live Yankee (that has any money) at all. So he has to make the most of his chances when he catches one. I am not yet through with Yumuri Val- ley. No wonder Humboldt said, when he stood on the site of the old church (Monser- rate) on the hill that commands a view of this whole basin, that it was one of the lov- liest valleys in all the world. It is worth a trip to Matanzas to get this view; and I declare I do not know but it is almost worth a trip to Cuba. Now, I must not wind up my Cuba trav- els without a further mention of the won- derful spring or springs that supply the city of Havana with water. This spring is near a station called Vento. A great aque- duct, almost large enough for a man to stand up in, carries the water from Vento to Havana, a distance of nine miles. This aqueduct and all its appointments were made by the Cuban government, and the work is certainly well done. The great springs of Vento are walled in with a cir- cular piece of masonry rising 60 feet high. On top of this masonry is an iron fence to keep intruders out. It is all kept under lock and key. This masonry is about 200 feet across the top of the circular basin, and perhaps 100 feet at the bottom. The water is not quite soft; but it is beautiful drink- ing-water. Where it runs over the stones it leaves no sediment nor incrustation. I do not think it even crusts the pipes. The water boils up a great deal like the springs at Castalia, O., or near Lebanon, Mo. The stones on the bottom are variously colored, like the springs I have mentioned. If I re- member correctly, a million gallons of wa- ter goes to waste every day after supplying the great city of Havana with all the peo- ple need for any purpose. Just as the aqueduct starts out from the spring it meets quite a river; and by a sort of inverted si- phon the water goes down under this river. Here the Spanish people have shown their skill in hydraulic architecture, if I may use the term. Along the side of the aque- duct that goes under the river is a large tunnel, giving plenty of room for the men employed to care for the waterworks to go back and forth with a lighted lantern.' Here the great valves are situated that shut off the water whenever it is desirable to re- pair or clear the aqueduct; and at short in- tervals all the way from the spring to Ha- vana there are round houses that permit the workmen to get out of and into the aqueduct, and also to let in fresh air when at work in cleaning or repairing the great waterway. Perhaps I should caution visitors that one can visit and go through these water- works only on certain da3's. My friend Mr. de Beche, however, being acquainted with the officials, succeeded in getting a permit to go through, even though it was not the regular daj-. This system of wa- terworks was commenced, I am told, in 1858. and completed in 1878. The river under it is called the Almenderas. About 41^2 mil- lions of gallons of water is delivered in the city of Havana daily. The spring is so high above the citj' that the water goes all over it by gravit3\ A beautiful stone road, or "calzada," runs out from the city to Vento. The water is of such excellent quality that I, while in the city, for the first time in years found I could drink cold water without interfering with my diges- 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. tion; but when I was out in the country where water was procured from' different sources, I found by experience I should have to take the trouble to drink boiled wa- ter; and the simplest way to g^et it would be to ask for hot water {agua caliente). The waiters at the restaurants said many times that, while tea and coffee were con- stantly in demand, hot water was some- thing- that nobody ever called for before, and the}' looked at me as a sort of curiosity — a human being- who preferred hot water to good tea and coffee. Mr. A. I. Root's Writings of Grand Traverse territory and I,eelanau Co. are descriptive of Michigan's most beautiful section reached most conveniently via the Pere IVIarquette R. R. For pamphlets of Michigan farm lasds and the fruit belt, address J. E. Merritt, Manistee, Michigan. DUr POULTRY SUPPLIES^ ^ u licie .vuii lu e ;i>suiedot hi^li quality. \\ ecairy ^ only tlie best. KveiythiiiK the poultryman uses, as Ineiiliators. Foods, Kemedies, Api)liances. etc. Also Hit'h Strain Poultry and Hatching Eggs. Our Poultry Specialists will answer all inquiries free of cliarge. Write us freely and ask for free catalog D. W. J. GIBSON & CO., (Inc ) Union Stock Yards. CHICAGO. Iiert. Mk-r., II. M. Hurton. Directcr Xafl Fanciers' Assoiiation. I Rose-comb I Brown Leghorns I 5 8 years breeding and selecting. Finest stock | 5 for size, laying, and markings; 15, 75c; 30, $1.25. | 5 N E. Cottrell, Fayette, Ohio. Onill TOY PAPKR, illnHt'd, 30 pases, rUUL I n I 25 centa per year. 4 months' trial 10 cents. Sample Free. 64-p»ge practical poaltry book free to yearly Bnbscribera. Book alone 10 centB. Catalofrne of ponltM books fre«. J'ouUrif Advocate, SjWiuao^ti.Y. ^^f -:r:^ =i=p:pi 3I3E3:- = t^N^ ^^ri ^^P ^toM u Ever Notice That we constantly advertise Page Fence for the hardest usage and the worst places? Does anybody else? Page Woven Wire Fence Co., Box S, Adrian, Michigan. New overland service via Chicago, Milwauke & St. Paul and Union Pacific line. Thro' sleeper and free reclin- ing-chair car to Denver from Chicago 10.25 P- 111- daily. No changes nor delays. Booklets and folder free. F. A. MILLER, Gen. Passenger Agt., Chicago. E. G. HAYDEN. Traveling Passenger Agent. 217 Williamson BIdg., Cleveland. The "Star" Ventilator. storm- proof, effective; for ven- tilating all kinds of buildings, barns, stables, and factories of all kinds. Send for illustrated booklet. Merchant & Co., Inc., Philadelphia, Brooklyn, New York, and Chicago. M'nf'rs High-grade Bright Tin If you are interested in Cuba, and want the truth about it, subscribe for the HAVANA POST, the only English paper on the Island. Published at Havana, Cuba. $1.00 per month, $10.00 per year. Dai- ly (except Monday). Squabs are raised in 1 mouth, bring big prices. Eager market. Money- makers for poultrymen, farmers, women. Here is something worth looking into. Send for our Free BpoH, " How to Make Money With Squabs," and learn this rich industry. Address PLYMOUTH ROCK SQUAB CO.. i<) Frietid St., Boston, Mass. Fruit Packages of All Kinds. — ALSO — BEE=KEEPERS' SUPPLIES. . . Order your supplies now before the biisy season catches you. Price list free. Address BERLIN FRUIT-BOX COMPANY, Uerlln Heights, - - Erie County. Ohio. 458 GLEANlxXGS IN BEE CULTURE. May 15 oa 3 cc O .ti -cZ c 2 rt 1/3 v^ r2 o " " •— c >(0^ 5 — ® rt !S ^ -^JJ ^ :? 05 0) '><^ 1) .- ■ o x; u rt S 2i o C « c o at ■" *j 4) '^ S-ssi^^-^ m o t- O 3 " C «« " ^ a C> ly-,^ 1) — — 1-- --.-_ ^-. gmm r- V ^ '^ tt "^ ^^ ce _, O I, -y. o ^-S 3 - 3 a) £ S 2 o ; ^ f b ^ s 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 459 H Z PI O I o so !■> ?o m ;s 5 ■" 0 £.0 P ii „ o -1 _. « ?« s 3 ~ O 3- ^' Ha _ O 71 -I iiw as: 312 era • ;::;;0 Akj g p3 (B — ii-i ff_c 2o.'^ g Ey oS^-o;::? "^►1 _ t« eg t« — ? n S o 2.5. ■a ?rn E3 » re • r:^ — o 3 D.P "O «: '^ ::: :o ?o S > «^ ^ O B — ; ^ o. 13 —re c 0 >'"2 "1 P q 3 So"?; p ^«; ^3 1 S*'^ ^ 3 .. re cpj ™ p "'re i-h — ^ -< 5 B's- • j: o " ^o o ai m ^'-"'1 X~pr3 jT-Q o 1 Erra Igpo-liBis: ra 3 o "5 S 3 w i^S. ?!■ [jrjC"2oraOin>P' «'«'<: MSB a "•o'S -is-f°^t' r ObiSo ^^ '"o 3- ™ -< "• a --P _ 5c B oi" o s.3.5;'^ d;-5D B"Spg'^<^53s»"< BreS;7r.. 32^S« re's CO o 3 CD a> CD &> <__ 3* OP CA c o ar ■o 2 (0 M 3 O ^ — — B i 3 - 3 0) p ^ C -1 n G 3 *«3 g C J5 P g -§CP=C x; 3 <; n O 3 ° C w tft C^ o O P ± c ■ "< fTrtO §■02.00-0 Pb c c o a ■ CPO^H p 0-7. -"m "Sp P^ - - ' 3 ■< p 2 ?; H.-:; C -"^ 2 tn - ^ S = ^Mt ;; re = ■ 30 re -1 re W 3; ■ ,: 2.0 Stn &pR-''^3^£?Sm gp.ppi^?,. pO CO 3 CD > = §:5. c 3 ''' 2.=-*^"^re O. 2 " re re c 2 -: ^ • rs • <.3 ^3- CO p 2 3o^ = 0^2 I - =• ago?:- SjJtC^ >"< 5- " o B^ »<3 3 ^-'^ 1 c ^ •< o m2 B ^ «i " "■ 5 X "OP ?og-i'S-f|^a §2 3;? ailing 5Hg ?ra T c» a> o' 0> a ^ POO :-K :2.n s^ 3.00- P o 3 •< _ v: 1 - — - S^^oo, M 0 S'S p ;^ c.^ 3 ES-S m"* So o ^ «0 £->.co o 3 o-p _ -in.2.-' "-c 3 r-T) gx'g-o 353^10 —■O o- .. c:"^ "^0 3 =•£ o-^ o _P 3^ "" ro -1 o -*" n ._ ^^g3P3-:^a 2.rp "■ " "• a OP OQ 460 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. May 15 mmt Don't spend spare time thinking: what you might be if your salary were doubled! Doing-, not thinking-, -will make jrour wish a reality. Our free booklet, 'Are Your Hands Tied?" tells you what to do and how to do it. Thousands have already doubled or largely increased their salaries by following our plan. Under our guidance you can do the same. Act today! 1. C S. Text- books make it easy for those already at work to Learn By Mail nerhMical, Steam, Eleetrlral, CItII, Mining, Tele- phone, and Telegraph Engineering; Shop and Fonndrjr Practice; Mechanical Drawing; Archi- tecture; Plumbing; Sheet-Metal Pattern Draftlag; ChemUtrr; Ornamental Deilga ; Lettering; Book- keeping; Stenographj; Engllih ttranchea; Teach- ing; LoeamotlT* Runalag; £lectroth*rapeutlet; Oeraan ; Spanlib ; French. Circular free. State subject that interests you. INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENCE SCHOOLS, Box 799, SCRAUTON, PA. ^ ^fn||(|||!'ni'ni|iiiiiiiiii!|ii|iii|t[!||iiiiiiii|ii|[iiii:i(|i|iiiiii^ Good Bye old whitewash brush with your hard work and waste of time. The Hardie Whitewashing Machine not only works much faster but forces the liquid into c\ery crack and destroys insect life which a brush would pass over. Send $7.5(1 for the complete machine, ex- press prepaid, if you are nut satistied we re- turn the muney. Full particulars if you HARDIE SPRAT PUMP MFC. CO. DETROIT, MICH. WINDSOR.ONT. BARNES' Hand and Foot Power Machinery. This cut represents out combined circular saw, which is made for bee- keeper's use in the con- struction of their hives, sections, boxes, etc., etc. Machines on Trial. Send for illustrated cata- log and prices. Address W. F. & Jno. Barnes Co., 545 Ruby St., Rockford. : Illinois. n^ idMat Piano Built aDlicipating the dpinand of those t^atistieil wiih nothing l)ut the best auJ looking for a piauo of the Highest Artistic Creation Are you consiflerinc tlie (Hirrhase of a piano? Our proposition w, II provs more en- tertaining than aii.v you hive had. Catalog and Jull iufnrmniinv fn-e on application. THE J»\CKAR1» COMJ'ANY P. O. Box F Fort Wayii.-. Indlann THE BREAK DOWN is usually in the wheel. They receive the strain and wear. They dry out, spokes and feloes rot, tires come loose. Get the service out of wheels you do out of gears by using Electric Metal Wheels. You have a wagon for a life time. Electrics are the staunch- est, tightest, easiest running wheels made. Straight or stag- gered oval steel spokes, cast in the hub, hot riveted in tire. Broad tires, no rutting, light draft, any height, fit any wagon. Write for free illustrated cata- logue on Electric Wheels and Handy Wagons. ELECTRIC WHEEL CO., Box 95, Quincy, Ills. V«^ Our line of sprayers ano appli- ance.s tits every man's needs. Hand, Krvapsack, Bucket, Field. Barrel, and Power sprayers twpnty styles. Best nozzles marie. atrnrhniprtK fornuilas etc. Select the useful anrlreliabi-. Catalog free THE DEMING CO., Salem, Ohio. \re»temagtnta. Ucnion ^ Hubbell ,Chicago,ll1^' Wood=working Machinery. For ripping, cross-cut ting, mitering, grooving, boring, scroll-sawing, edge moulding, mortising ; for working wood in an.v man- ner. Send for catalog A. The Seneca Falls M'fg Co.. - ^ 44 Water St ., Seneca Fs., N. Y. ^ ^ Power 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 461 f READY FOR f Prompt Delivery Red-clover Untested Italian Queens: Each, $1; six, $ 5.70. Red-clover Tested Italian Oueens : Each, $2; six, 11.40. Red-clover Select T's'd It'n Oueens: Each, $3; six, 17.10. Italian Breeding- Queens : ~Each, $5.00, S7.50, and $10.00. Best Imported Italian Queens: Each, $5.00. If 3^ou are in a hurry, send us your order. If you want good queens, send us your order. We do not handle cheap queens. If you want Nuclei or Full Colonies, let us quote you prices. State how many you can use. Gleanings in Bee Culture, one j'ear, and an Untested Italian Queen, for only $1.00. We have already mailed some premium queens, and expect to send them out within a week after orders are received. Don't delay if you want a queen early when she will do you the best service. Queen circular free. U/>e A. I. Root Co., Medina, O. ^ ^ m ^ ^ ¥ * * ^ ^!f*^^^^*^^^^lf^^^^^f^^*#**^ Notice. Have all queen orders can fill by June 1st. Orders booked and filled in turn. W. O. VICTOR, Wharton, Tex. Pure Italian Queens in State of Washington! My friends and patrons I wish to thank for their many kind words; my aim is to do still better. Mis- mating will be rare if ever. I keep only pure stock. Have imported queens from some of the most promi- nent breeders, and queens are reared by the natural- swarming process. Prices in May and June: Tested, $1.50; untested, |1 00; after June, 2-5 cts. less for either. Robt. Mirring, Dryad, Lewis Co., Wash. When you need Queens and want your order filled at once with the best queens that money can buy, we can serve you and guarantee satisfaction. We have a fine strain of Italians that can not be excelled as honey-gatherers. We can furnish queens from either imported or home-bred mothers. Choice tested, Jl.OO each. Tntested. T.Jc; |S.0O per do/.. J. W. K. Shaw & Co., Loreauville, La. Do You Know that you could come nearer getting what you want, and when you want it. from the New Cen- | tury Queen-Rearing Co. (John W Pharr& C. B. Ranks ton), than anywhere in the I'nited States? I'ntested, oOc.; tested. 3 and 5 band, T.tc: all other races, 81.00 Send for circular. Berclair, Qoliad Co., Texas. You Require I Supply PERFECT PENS Norristown, Pa., :March 14, 1903. Dear Sir.— Find inclosed |1.00 for one untested Gold- en queen. ... I wish you would send a queen just like I bought of you last spring. It is one of the best and prettiest queens I ever had. At present my apiary numbers 35 colonies. Yours truly, Henry A. Marklev. These queens are giving general satisfaction. Try some. Address GEO. J. VANDE VORD, Daytona, Fla. Leather-colored Italians For Sale. My bees were awarded 1st premium at the Minne- sota State Fair in 1902 and 1901. Queens guaranteed in quality and transportation. In standard S or 9 fiame hives, $5.00 each on car. A reduction on lots of 20 and over. Strong colonies now ready for shipment. W. R. ANSELL, MUle Lacs Apiaries, Milaca, Minnesota. "Dollar Italian Queens" Ready for delivery May 10. Send for price list. E. E. Lawrence, ; Doniphan, Missouri. QUEENS DIRECT FROM ITALY Fine, reliable. Hnglish price list sent on application. Beautiful results obtained last year. OUR MOTTO — "Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ve even so to them." Address ' MALAN BROTHERS. Luserna, San Giovanni. ITALY. 462 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. May 15 Golden Italian & Leather Colored QUEENS Warranted to give satisfaction, those are the kind reared by Quirin=the=Queen=Breeder. We guarantee every queen sent out to please you, or it may be returned inside of 60 days and another will be sent "gratis." Our business was established in 1888, our stock originated from the best and highest-priced Long=^tongued Red=clover Breeders in the U. S. We send out fine queens, and send them promptly. We guarantee safe delivery to any State, continental island, or European Country. , The A. I. Root Co. tells us that our stock is extra fine, while the editor of the American Bee Journal says that he has good reports from our stock, from time to time. Dr. J. I,. Gandy, of Humboldt, Nebr., says that he secured over 100 pounds of honey (mostly comb), from single colonies containing our queens. A FEW TESTinONIALS. P. F. Meritt, of No. 13 Breckenridge St., I,ex- ington, Ky., writes: The bees sent me last July did splendidly. Each colony has at least 75 lbs. of honey — pretty good for two-frame nuclei. Mr. J. Roorda, of Demotte, Ind., writes: Send tne six more queens, the 48 sent me last spring are hustlers. Mr. Wm. Smiley, of Glasgow, Pa , writes: Your bees beat all the rest, now send me a breed- er of the same kind. A. Norton, Monterey, Calif., writes: Your stock excels the strain of Mr. , which is said to outstrip all others. Your stock excels in profit- able results as well as in beauty. Price of Queens Before July First. 1 6 12 Selected Warranted Tested Select Tested Jl 00 1 50 2 OC 4 00 2 50 $.5 00 8 00 10 50 14 00 $9 50 15 00 Extra Selected Tested- the best that money can buy Two-frame Nuclei, no Queen 25 00 Add the price of whatever queen is wanted to that of nuclei. Our nuclei build up fast, and if not pur- chased too late will make some surplus. Oneer-rearing is our specialty; w^e give it our undivided attention, and rear as many queens (perhaps more) ns any breeder in the North. No order is too large for us, as we keep 3(X) to 500 on hand ready to mail. Send all orders to Quirln=the=Queen=Breeder, ''"'^'^o'„^r" Queen My specialty is queen-rearing I rear two strains only — I,ong- f tongue Red-clover Three-banded and the Golden Five - banders that work red clover as well as the three-banders. These two strains are the best bees in this country, all things considered. I furnish more dealers with queens than anj' other breeder in this country. Why? Because the queens give their customers the best satisfaction I insure all to be purely mated. Untested, 75c each; tested, in April, |1 25— after April, $1 0) each. My former address was Caryville, Tenn., but my queen trade has doubled for several years and I have moved to Texas. Remit by postal money order to Daniel Wurth, Karnes City, Karnes Co., Texas. Laws' Leathef'Colored Queens. Laws' Improved Golden Queens. Laws' Holy Land Queens. IV. H. Laws: — Your queens have proved to be excel- lent. My apiary stocked with your Leather queens are a sight to behold during a honey-flow, and the Coldens are beyond description in the line of beauty. Yours are the best for comb honey I ever saw. I want more this spring — E. A. Ribble, Ronton, Tex., Feb. 79, 190J. IV. H. Laws: — The 75 queens (I,eather) from you are dandies. I introduced one into a weak nucleus in May, and in September I took 285 lbs. of honey, leav- ing 48 lbs for winter. My crop of honey last season was 48,(X)0 lbs. I write you for prices on 50 nuclei and 150 L,eather queens.— yo.f^/A Farnswortk, Idaho Falls, Idaho, Feb. 16. igoj. Prices of Queens: Each, Sl.OO; 12, $10.00. Breeders, extra fine, guaranteed, each |3.C0. Send for price list. W. H. Laws, Beeville, Texas. QUEENS for BUSINESS and PROFIT These are to be had of Will Atchley. He is now prepared to fill all orders promptly, and breeds six different races in their purity. You must remember that all of the PURE Holylands that now exist in the U. S. originated from the Atchley apiaries, and they have the only imported mothers known to the United .States. Untested queens from these races, 8 and 5 banded Italians. Cyprians, Albinos, Holylands, and Carniolans, bred in their purity, from 5 to 35 miles apart, February and March, $1.00 each, or 89 00 per dozen. All other months, 75c each, $4.25 for six, or $S 00 per dozen. Tested queens of either race, from $1.50 to $:3.00 each. Breeders from 83.50 to 810.00 each 1, 2, and 3 frame nuclei and bees by the pound a spe- cialty. Prices quoted on application. Safe arrival and perfect satisfaction guaranteed. A trial order will convince you. Price list free. WILL ATCHLEY, P. 0. Box 79, Beeville, Bee County, Texas. $QUEENS--$BEES— NOW. A. L. Swinson, Queen=breeder, furnishes best to be had in U. S. First=handed, Warranted queens, $1.00. Tested, $1.50. Breeders, 85 to $10. American Albino Italians, and Adels mated to Albinos. SWINSON & BOARDMAN, Box 358, Macon, Ga. Do You Buy Queens If so, it will pay you to investigate my claims. I breed from best honey-gathering stock, and rear queens by best-known methods. I guarantee good queens, and beautiful, gentle bees. Some of my customers have bought 100 to 300 queens per year for their ozvn vards. Write for circular and information. Untested queens. $1 00; $9 00 per dozen; tested, $1.25. J. B. CASE, Port Orange, Fla. 1^03 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 463 and the names and addresses of ten fruit-growers to Southern Fruit Grower, Chattanooga, Tennessee, for a year's subscription. Regular price 50c per year. Offer good onlv to new subscribers. Twenty pages or more every month It you ^ - -^ r growany kind of fruits you can not well afford to be without It. samples tree. kills currant-worms, potato-Liio^s, cabbage, worms, and insects on flowers; used 22 years success- fully. Sold by the Seed -dealers. For booklet on Bugs and Blight, address B. Hammond, - Fishkill-on-Hudson, - New York. 464 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. M\v 15 BUSINESS STILL BOOMING. A late cold spring has checked orders in some di- rections, but not enough to relieve the pressure on us for goods. Most of our small orders, or less than car- load shipments go out within a few davs: but our dealers have to wait three or four weeks, and some- times longer, for carload shipments. We are gaining a little on carload orders, and hope, by the end of the month, if we do not get too many new orders, to be in better shape. BEESW.'^X MARKET. The market for beeswax is already showing a weak- ening tendency. We have stock enough on hand to finish the season without buying any more from wax- dealers; and if present conditions continue we shall have to mark our price down a notch with June 1st issue. For a month or two past we have been accept- ing it right and left till we have accumulated a large stock, but it takes a large stock to keep us going. We have shipped, since the first of .September last, over 100.000 lbs. of foundation. During April our shipments were over 22,000 lbs., and May bids fair to equal or sur- pass it. PAPER HONEY-BAGS. (TWe hereby withdraw the prices named a month ago on paper bags for putting up candied honey. We find a number of things involved in this bag bu.siness which we had not taken into account when we made the announcement which we did. Mr. Aiken, of Lovelend, Col., had been making some preparations to supply the demand for bags, but has turned the matter entirely over to us, inasmuch as we have bet- ter facilities for distributing them through our agen- cies. Owing to the fact that the printing of the label on these bags, when propeily done, must be done be- fore the bag is made up or coated, it is going to be im- possible to supply them with any other than the reg- ular stock label except in very large quantities, at least 10 000 of a size. We hope to arrange to fill in name and address on small quantities in a satisfactory manner; will try to have complete announcement nady for next i~sue. We have the 2-'b. .size in stock of the dark unbleached paper, and without any print- ing; will furnish these to those who wish to try a few at 1 cent each, postpaid, in lots of 10 or more. Special Notices by A. I. Root. WANTED. Seed of the Rocky Mountain bee-plant and spider- plant. SEED POTATOES AT 60 CENTS A BUSHEL. We have about 150 bushels left, principally Red Bli.ss Triumph, Freeman. L,ee's Favorite, California Russet, Maule's Commercial. We have also a few Earlv Michigan, Twentieth Century, and King of Michigan. While they last, any of the above at 60 cts. per bushel, except the Triumph, and these will be only 50 cents a bushel. THE NEW ONION CULTURE, NEW EDITION. Our friends may remember that the first edition, by T. Greiner. came out in 1891. The present edition is greatly enlarged, and substantially bound in cloth. It not only tells all about sowing the seeds, and start- ing plants under glass, but it is a pretty good treatise on growing onions generallj'. It speaks of the new Giant Gibraltar onion, also of the Beaulieu hardy white onion that stands over winter and gives the first nice ripe onions in the spring. The book treats espe- cially, however, of growing onions here in America, to take the place of the fancy Spanish imported onions. It has ISO pages and is fully illustrated. Price oO cts. postpaid. We can mail it from this office. Farm Wagon only $21.95. In order to introduce their L,ow Metal Wheels with wide Tires, the Empire Manufacturing Company, Quincy, 111., have placed upon the market a Farmer's Handy Wagon, that is only 25 inches high, fitted with 24 and 30 inch wheels with 4-inch tire, and sold for only $21.95. This wagon is made of the best material throughout, and really costs but a trifle more than a set of new wheels, and fully guaranteed for one year. Catalog giving a full description will be mailed upon applica- tion by the Empire Manufacturing Co., Quincy, 111., who will also furnish metal wheels at low prices made any size and width of tire to fit any axle. Readers ^Gleanings desiring to know the results of my forty years' expe- rience in rearing queen-bees, and to learn of my new process of producing queens, can do so bv purchasing a copy of IMPROVED QUEEN - REA"RING. The book and a valuable Adel breeder sent by mail for $2. Pr spectus and catalog ready. Adel bees have a ■world-wide reputation. Henry Alley, Wenham, Mass. Queens == 1903 == Queens. We have ten different yards five to twenty miles apart, where Italians, Cyprians, Holylands, Carnio- lans, and Albinos, are bred for business. Tested queens, $1.50; 88.00 for 6; $15.00 per dozen. Untested, $1 OU each; $.5 00 for 6 ; 89.00 per dozen. Our best and finest breeders, $5.00 each. One and two frame nuclei a specialty. Bees and Queens in any quantity to suit purchaser. Safe arrival and reasonable satisfaction guaranteed. ORDER " The Southland Queen," $1.00 per year. Send for sample copy and our 1908 catalog; tells how to raise queens and keep bees for profit. Root's Supplies. The Jennie Atchley Co., Box 18, Beeville, Tex. A Great Paper Enlarges The Feather, Washington, D. C, has been enlarged to nearly twice its former size, and is much improved in every way. The best features of the old size are retained. Positively the most beautifully illustrated poultry paper published. It's practical too. Subscrip- tion price. 50 cts. per year; 5 years, $1.00; 9 months and picture of fowls in natural colors. 25 cts.; sample free. Q.E. Howard & Co., 305 10th St.,N=W.,Wash't'n,D.C. The A. I. Root's Go's Goods in Oklahoma. Save freight by buving of F. W. .VAN DE MARK, RIPLEY, O. T. Catalog free for postal. S. D. BUELIv Manufactures bee hives, and is agent for The A. I. Root Co.'s goods, which are sold at factory prices. Catalog sent free. Bees for sale. Beeswax wanted. Union City, MicH. ^ How to Make Poultry Pay. A paper worth a dollar, but will send it to you one .vear on trial, including book, Plans for Poultr.v Houses, for 25c. Sample copy FREE. Inland Poultry Journal, Indianapolis, Ind. POULTRY JOURNAL gC6[ GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 465 "ow TO iviake Money Any one willing to work can make $18.00 per week selling our absolutely new Pocket Dictionary and Atlas of the World combined; 90 clear concise maps; 35,000 words defined; fits the pocket; worth a dollar to anybody. Send 25 cents for sample and terms. Rand, McNally & Co., Chicago, Illinois. Printed to Order $1 per 1000 Hea\'y, white, high-cut, size 6%. A neat little coupon on each envelope will earn you dollars. Other station- ery cheap. For particulars and sample, address at once Howard Co., 516 Masonic Temple, Chicago, Ills. Golden or Leather-colored Honey Queens bred from the Laws strain. Untested, 90 cts.; tested, SI. 00; selected tested, 81.50; extra selected tested, 82.00; breeders, $2.50 to |5 00. None better. H. C. TRIESCH, Jr., Dyer, Ark. Wants and Exchange. Notices will be Inserted nnder this head at 10 cts. per line. You must SAT you want your adv't in this department, or we will not be responsible for any error. You can have the no- tice as many lines as you please ; but all over ten lines will cost you according to our regular rates. We can not be re- sponsible for dissatisfaction arising from these " swaps." WANTED.— To sell bees and queens. ' O. H. Hyatt. Shenandoah, Iowa. iVANTED. — Langstroth extracting-combs (wired) in '" any quantity. A. D. D. Wood. Lansing, Mich. VyANTED.— To sell Sir Walter Raleigh seed potatoes, ' ' 60c bu. A. P. Lawrence, Hickory Corners, Mich. Y^ANTED. — Man to raise queens, and take care of '' bees. F. H. Farmer, 182 Friend St., Boston, Mass. WANTED.— To sell 400 good extracting combs, L- '' size, 12J4 cts. each. F. H. McFarland, Hyde Park, Vt. w w^ ANTED. — To sell two colonies of bees, also a full line of supplies for the bee-business, very cheap. A. Wilson, Maywood, 111. WANTED.- Apiarists for the West Indies. Several of our correspondents want help. Write at once for particulars. The A. I. Root Co., Medina, O. VVANTED. — Having facilities for rendering wax by '' steam, I will pay cash for old comb. N. L. Stevens, R. D. 6, Moravia, N. Y. w w w w .\NTED— To sell 200 5-gal. honey-cans, all in A No. 1 shape, at 10c per can, f. o. b. at Detroit. Ch.'VS. C. Ch.^mberlin, Romeo, Mich. .\NTED. — To exchange or sell 50 colonies of Ital- ian bees, for honey or cash. David Daniel, Hawthorn, Pa. .ANTED.— To sell single -comb White Leghorn eggs for hatching at 5100 for 26; 5100 per 100. J. P. Watts, Kerrmoo-. P'.. ANTED.— At once, 200 swarms bees. Will pay cash. QuxRiN, the Queen-breeder, Pi'.'-kertown, Ohio. w -ANTED. — To sell first-class tupelo honey in bftr lels of about 375 lbs. net, at 6c f. o. h. G. K. lucKER, lola, Fla. VyANTED.— To exchange for honey, or cash, 60-lb. cans, good as new, per case oi two cans, f. o. b. here, 40 cents. G. L- Buchanan, Holliday's Cove, W. Va. WANTED.— Cowan extractor for taking frames 12 '' inches deep; also four-inch smoker and honey- knife. L. Clark, Wiscoy, Minn. WANTED.— To sell my farm of 102 acres and 40 col- '' onies of bees; old age, the reason; correspon- dence solicited. Wm. G. Snodgrass, Montrose, Henry Co., Mo. WANTED.— To sell for cash, 5-gal. square tin cans, '' used for honey, at about half price of new cans. For prices, etc., address Orel L- Hershiser, 301 Huntington Ave., Buffalo, N. Y. VVANTED. — To exchange bees for foot-power saw. '' Sixty colonies of bees in fine condition for sale; also two fine improved farms for sale. F. L. Wright, Webberville, R. F. D.2, Mich. WANTED.— To exchange or sell for cash, selected, ''■ second-hand 60-lb. cans, practically as good as new, for 35 cts. per case f. o. b. Chicago B. Walker, Clyde, Illinois. VVANTED. — To sell a Barnes foot-power saw, power '' attachment complete, good as new; out of the business. Also Wilson bone-mill (never used 2 hours). Both cheap. H. L- Graham, Grandview, Iowa. WANTED — To sell or exchange 25 Simplicity hives new and complete, and 100 Simplicity bodies, practically new. Any reasonable offer will be accept- ed. A. Y. Baldwin, De Kalb, 111. WANTED.— To sell 75 Langstroth hives (10 and 12 "" frame), with 1000 extracting-combs; also 2000 lbs. extracted basswood honey. " WiLBER Wood, Ono, Wis. \VANTED.— To exchange a genuine Stradivarius "" violin 150 years old, foundation-mill, bone-mill, shotgun, revolver, clothes-wringer, game roosters, and fox-hound pups. Elias Fox, Hillsboro, Wis. VVANTED. — To buy for cash, cheap, 10-frame portico ' ' hives with simplicity upper story, with or with- out brood-frames, in flat. Write quick. Albert L- Martin, Leonardsburg, Delaware Co., Ohio. WANTED.— All the bulk comb, extracted, and sec- ""^ tion honey that we can buy in the State of Texas. We pay spot cash for honey. Write us now or when you have honey. The Hyde Bee Co., Floresville, Tex. \VANTED. — To sell complete volumes of Gleanings, '" Review, and American Bee Journal, and also other bee papers, extending over the past 15 years; nearly all of the bee-journals are bound; also five bee- books. Am going out of the bee- business. G. F. Tubes, .Annincreek, Pa. WANTED. — Agents to sell and attach automatic cut- offs to grinding-mills, which automatically stop them when hoppers become empty. Especially adapt- ed to .Aermoter windmills. For full particulars ad- dress Boniface Strittmatter, Bradley Junction, Pa. WANTED.— If you desire the benefit of my thirty years' experience with bees, and desire to work in my bee-yards, and work on the farm when there is no work to do with the bees, send me your address. Or I could use an experienced man. Bees and empty hives bought. State experience, and wages expected. W. L- CoGGSHALL, Groton, N. Y. WANTED.— To sell S. W. }i of S. E. ^ sec. 26. range 2(), Crystal Lake Tp., Benzie Co., Mich.; 40 acres jiit outside corporation of Frankfort; a nearly finish- ed cottage of six rooms, a small stable, 25 bearing apple-trees, j few oeach-tr'-es. From front porch can be seen a delightful view of the little city of Frank- fort, Lake Michigan, hart i steamers, etc. Unexcel- led as a summer home oi a fruit-farm. Only a few hours from Toledo, Detro' Chicago. Minneapolis, and other cities Write Gen Pass. Agent of Toledo & .Ann Arbor R. R., Toledo, Ohio, for pamphlet describ- ing Frankfort. Cheap at J2200; if bought soon can be .secured at $1400. Also for sale 160 acres, 15 miles east of Frankfort; only j;2.50 per acre 2-j acres ready for the plow. Write C. L. Lmkletter, Agent, Frankfort, Mich., or W. A. HOBBS, Owi^ei. Traer, Iowa. 466 CLEANINGS IN HER CULTURE. M\v 15 We Have I Not rioved. The government, recognizing the necessity of a great and growing bus- iness enterprise, for better mail ser- vice has given us a postoffice on our premises, wh'.ch enables us to change mails with the passing trains instead of through the Wetumpka, Alabama, postoffice more than a mile distant. This gives us our mails about two hours earlier, and also one hour for making up outgoing mail. This will be particularly helpful in our queen business. We are now booking or- ders for Italian queens, Long-tongued and I Office at Wetumpka, Alabama. ^ PACE ^ LYON, New London, Wisconsin, MANUFACTURERS OF AND DEALERS IN . . . BEE-KEEPERS' SUPPLIES. . . . Send for Our Free New Illustrated Catalog and Price List Kretchmer MTg Company, SUPPLIEvS! Best-equipped factory in the West; carry a large stock and greatest variety of every thing needed in the apiary, assuring BEST Koods at the LOWEST prices, and prompt sliipment. We want every bee-keeper to have our FREE ILLUSTRATED CATALOG, and read description of Alternating Hives, Eerguson Supers. Write at oticefor catalog. Agencies. Trester Supply Company, Lincoln, Neb. Shugart A: Ouren, Council Blutfs, Iowa, Foster Lumber Company, Lamar, Colo. BINGHAM SMOKER. Dear Sir:— Inclosed finil $1.75. Please Bend one brass smoke-engine. I have one already. It is the best smoker I everused. Trulv yours, Henbt Schmidt. Hatto, Tex. MADE TO ORDER Bingham Brass Smokers, Made of sheet brass, which does not rust or burn out; should last a lifetime. You need one, but they cost 25 cts. more than tin of the same size. The little open cut shows our brass hinge put on the three larger sizes. No wonder Bingham's four-inch smoke-engine goes without puffing, and docs not drop inky drops. The perforat- ed steel fire-grate has 381 holes to air the fuel and support the fire. Hea\^ tin smoke-engine, 4-inch stove, per mail, $1.50; 354-inch, $1.10; 3-inch. $1.00; 2'<-inch, 90c; 2-inch, 65c. Bingham smokers are the originals, and have all the improvements, and have been the standard of excellence for 2;} years. Only three larger ones brass. T. F. Bingham, Farwell, Michigan. Volume XXXI JUNE 1 1903 Number II JihBEE CUUrjJR]^^ ^^ "Vx^ <#/- Market Quotations 471 Straws, by Dr. Miller 47S Pickings, by Stenog- 477 Conversations with Doolittle 47i Editorials The Season in California 47M The Drouth in This Locality -IT') Death of Miss Lodeniia Bennett.. 47M The Convention at Los Angeles.. -180 " Parthenogenesis ' IM Moving Bees to Our Outvard Ibl Death of John Nebei ^X^. Jumbo Extractors Driven by Power 173 The Improved Boardman Feeder 48:5 General Correspondence Shallow Hives 484 Hoffman Frames Condemned 48.5 A Peep into My Bee-house 48.5 Bee- keeping in Jamaica 4S7 Comb-honey Pioduction 4ill Ventilation of Bee-cellars 493 Heads of GraiJi Moving Bees Short Distances 494 Suggestion for Wax-presses 4iM) More About Bulk Comb Honey 49i) A Plea for Full-pound Sections 4iMl F'eeding Back from Partly Filled Sections..497 National Commercial Organization 4't7 Frozen Bees Revived ^'^ How to Remove Dents in Queens 19S How Bees Wintered in Solid-rock Cellar 49^ Combs Built Crosswise , 49h Notes OF Travel 499 Our Homes 502 Special Notices 51() .484 .494 .¥ TheA.I. e MEDINA O ;' 'N Root Cq OHIO 3 Eastern Edition Entered at the Postoffice at Medina, Ohio, as Second-class Matter. DONT BUY SUPPLIES Until you see our 43d annual cat- alog. We've a carload of Root's Goods, and supply many goods not advertised in our catalog'. Roofs Sections, Weed^s New' Process Foundation a Specialty. We can supply these goods at their prices, and thereby save you valuable time and heavy freight charges. Bees, queens, and nucleus colonies from the very best strains in America. A 32-page illustrated catalog free. W. W. GARY & SON, Lyonsville, Massachusetts, TORONTO is the most centrally located city in the Do- minion. It has unequaled shipping iacil- ities for prompt transportation of goods to remote points. We hnve already in stock large consignments of the celebrated line of R.oot*s Bee-Keepers' Supplies and other shipments will be coming for- ward from time to time. Our catalog is ready for mailing. Let us figure with 3'ou. E. GRAINGER (SL CO. 12 Yongfe .Street A.rcade. Northeastern and New England BEE = KEEPERS Order goods now. D^n't delay. Have them ready when you need them. We keep a full line in stock at Medina prices. Save both time and freight by ordering of us. . Beeswax wanted. Bees and queens furnished in season. J. B. Mason, Mechanic Falls, Me. Mgr. The A. I. Root Go's. N. E. Agency. Root's Bee - Supplies for tHe iSoutK /Atlantic States at Root's Prices. ^^ Q\AicK Shipments and Lo-w Freight Rates. One-h^rse wagons, Corn-shellers for Poultry, Family Grist-mills, Corn and Cob Mills, Feed-cutters, Tilting and Sliding Table Saws, Steel-runner Attachments for Vehicles. Send for Catalog H. Ra-w^lin^s ImpSemeEit Company, Ballimore, Md. THE DANZ. HIVE The comb-lioney hive is one of our specialties. Send for booklet telling about it. We are the jobbing agents for The A. I. Root Company in Michigan, and want the name and address of every bee- keeper in the State, whether you have one swarm or 500. M. H. Hunt & Son Bell Branch, Mich. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 471 Honey Market. GRADING-RtTLES. Fancy.— All sections to bo well tilled, combs fstraight, firm ly attacln'il to all four sides, the combs uusoiled by travel Btaiu or othi-rwise ; all the cells sealed exceut an occasional cell, the outside surface of t he wood well scraped of propolis A No 1.— All sections well tilled except the row of cells next to the wood ; combs straight ; one-»^ighth part of comb surface soiled, or t he ent ire surface si ightly soiled the out- side of the wood well scraped of propolis. No. 1.— All sections well filled except the row of cells next to the wood ; combs comparatively even ; one-eighth part of comb surface soiled, or the entire surface slightlv soiled. No. 2.— Three-fourths of the total surface must be filled and sealed. No. 3.— Must weigh at least half as much as a full-weight section. In addition to this the honey is to be classified according to color, using the terms white, amber, and dark ; that is, there will be " Eauoy White," " No. 1 Dark," etc. HosTo.x. — Our market is practically entirely cleaned up on comb honey, so that the prices are noniinal. Do not look to see any change in this respect until new honey comes in. Extracted is selling still, owing to the waim weather, and we quote our market 7@8, according to quality. Blake, Scott & Lee, May 12. 31. '33 Commercial St., Boston, Mass. Albany. — Honey market quiet and unchanged, with light receipts and light demand. We quote white comb, 1.5@16 ; mixed, 14®1.5; dark, 13(Sil4. Extracted, light, 6'A®7; dark, 6@6^. Beeswax, 30(a32. MacDougal & Co., May 15. 375 Broadway, Albany, N. Y. ClxciNN.^Ti. — The demand for comb honey is nearly over; but, as the stock is almost exhausted, prices keep up. Fancy water-white brings 15®16. The demand for extracted has not changed whatever, and prices are as follows: Amber, in barrels, 0%Ob^i\ in cans, tJaej^; white clover, HaH'i. Beeswax. 28@30. C. H W. Weber. May 19. 2146 8 Central Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio. Denver. — Demand for comb honev liaht. We quote No. 1 white comb honey. $3 00 per case of 24 sections; No. 2 comb honey, $2-0 a,$2~i). Choice white extracted alfalfa honey, 714(0 S'j per lb. Beeswax wanted at 22@ 2.Sc, according to color and cleanliness CoLOR.^DO Honey-Producers' Ass'n, May 12. 1440 Market .St., Denver, Col. Philadelphia. —Very little doing in comb honey now. Not enough sales to Sx any standard price. Extracted honey moving off in spurts but little de- mand. We quote amber. 6@6'-2; white, fiii(g.7}4- Bees- wax, 31. We are producers of honey, and do not han- dle on commission. Wm. A. Selser, May 20. 10 Vine St., Philadelphia, Pa. Milwaukee.— A summer dullness is on the honey market for any grade or kind. Small fruits prevail to tempt the taste and please the appetite. Values are almost nominal, and we can quote fancy 1-lb. sections lti((ll7; A No. 1. 14(al<); dark or amber, nominal, 8(gjl3. extracted in bbls., kegs, and cans, white. 7^fe 9; dark, d'-i'o,!; beeswax, 28.0.30. A. V. Bishop & Co. May 21. 119 Buffalo St., Milwaukee, Wis. New York. — Trade exceptionally quiet, and ver\' litt'e doing. Fancy stock is not plentiful and is solcl at 14; a large supply of other grades on hand, which we are quoting at Il(3I3, according to quality, and in large lots make concess ons from these prices. Ex- tracted unusually quiet, and prices show a downward tendency along the line. Beeswax firm at 30,5)31. HiLDKKTH & SEGELKEN, May 21. 265-7 Greenwich St., New York City. Toledo.— The prices on honey remain steady at last quotations. Fancy white comb. 17; A No. 1, 16; no de- mand for dark. Extracted white clover in barrels, 8; light amber, 7; dark, 6}^. Beeswax. 2S(&'M). Gkiggs Brothers. May 21. 214 Jackson Ave., Toledo, Ohio. San Francisco.— Comb, lO^iilS. Extracted, water- white, 7 : light amber, 6J^ ; dark 5. Beeswax. 28. May 12. E. B. Schaeffle, Murphys, Cal. New York.— The honey market is quiet, with plen- ty of stock on hand. We quote extra fancy comb, 15; fancy, 13; No. 1, 10012; buckwheat. 10. Extracted. California, 6%@8; Sovithern, i%(a.'). Beeswax, 31, and wanted. Francis H. I^'eggett & Co., May 25. Franklin and Varick Sts., New York. Detroit.— Not much honey in the market, and no great demand.^ Prices rule about the same; possibly a little less. Prices are as follows: .\ No. 1, 15@lo^; No. 1 dark, 11J^@12. Beeswax, 30ra.!2. May 8. M. H. Hunt & Son, Bell Branch, Mich. Kans.'^s City. — The supply of comb honey is about exhausted. The demand good. We quote as follows: fancy white comb, 24 sections, $;^,50; No. 1 white comb, 24 sections, $^.40; No. 2 white and amber, $i 00@$3.25; extracted, white, per lb., 6(5;6 14 ; amber, 5}^ . Beeswax, 25(0)30. C. C. Clemons & Co., May 28. 306 Grand Ave., Kansas City, Mo. Buffalo.— Demand is light lately. Season for old honey is about over, and there will be little used until we get new. Fancy white comb, 14@15 ; A No. 1, 13@ 14; No. 1, 12^@13; No. 2, ll(ai2 ; No. 3, 10@n. Extr'd white, 6i^@7; amber, 5'^@.6; dark. 5@5^. No. 1 dark comb, 11^12; No. 2 ditto, 10(gll. Beeswax, 30@;?2. W C. Townsend, May 28. 178, 180 Perry St., Buffalo, N. Y. Wanted. — Beeswax ; highest market price paid. Write for price list. Bach, Becker & Co., Chicago, 111. For Sale.— We are sold out on alfalfa honey, but have ten 3o0-lb. bbls. of light amber and buckwheat at 7c; forty 250-300 lb. bbls fancy basswood at 8c; 60-lb. new cans, two in a case. 9c. E. R. Pahl & Co., 294, 296 Broadway, Milwaukee, Wis. Wanted — Comb and extracted honey. State price, kind, and quantity. R. A. Burnett & Co., 199 South Water St., Chicago, 111. For Sale. —Extracted honey. Finest grades for ta- ble use. Prices quoted on application. Sample by mail, 10 cts. to pay for package and postage. Orel I,. Hershiser, 301 Huntington Ave., Buffalo, N. Y. We will be in the market for honey the coming sea- son in carloads and less than carloads, and would be glad to hear from producers everywhere what they will have to offer. Seavey & Flarsheim, 1318-1324 Union Avenue, Kansas City, Mo. The National Bee -Keepers' Association. Objects of The Association: To promote niid protect the interests of its members. To prevent the adulteration of honey. Annual Membership, $1.00. Send dues to the Treasurer. Officers : W, Z. Hutchinson, Flint. Mich , President. J. U. Harris. Grand Junction, Col., Vice president. i;i;or(;k W. York. Chicago. Ills., Secretary. .N. E. France, Platleville. Wis., Gen. Mgr. and Treas. Board of Directors : E. Whitcomb, Friend, Nebraska. W. Z. Hutchinson, Flint. Michigan. W. A. Selser, 10 Vine St.. Phildadelphia, Pa. R. C. AiKiN, I.oveland, Colorado. P. H. Elwood. .Starkville. N. Y. E. R. Root, Medina, Ohio. Udo Toepperwein, San .Antonio, Texas. G. M. Doolittle. Borodino, N. Y. W. F. Marks. Chapinville, N. Y. J. M. Hamb.\ugh. Escondido, Cal. C. A. Hatch, Richland Center, Wis. C. C. Miller, Marengo, Illinois. 472 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. June 1 6>6e Best Bee-g'oods irk the World are no better than those we make, and the chances are that they are not so good. If you buy of us you will not be disappointed. 'We ^re tindersold by mo one. Send for . w catalog and price list and free copy of THE ..MERICAN BEE-KEEPER; in its thirteenth year ; 50 cents a year ; especially for beginners. U/fe "W. T. Falconer Man'f 'g Co., Jamestown, New York. W. M. Gerrish, Epping, New Hampshire, carries a full line of our goods at catalog prices. Order of him and save the freight. I. J.Stringham,NewYork City i Mr ^ I 105 Park Place. | it OUR 1903 CATALOG is yours for the asking. The supplies * $ listed in it are practical and up-to-date. We furnish every thing ^ £ a bee-keeper uses, and will not be undersold. Silk-faced veil, m t 40 cts.; three for $1.05, postpaid. Full colonies of Italian bees m $ in hive, $7.50; nucleus colonies, $3.50; tested queens, $1.00; m % untested, 85 cts. Apiaries, Glen Cove, Long Island. m We are Jobbers of Cee-keepers' Supplies in this State, representing The G. B. Lewis Co., and Dadant & Sen. WHOLESALE AND RETAIL — • izrlorount;:,^^^^^^^^^^ lewis C. & A.G. WOODI^IAN, Grand Rapids, Mich. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 473 £Jlllllllllllllllllllllllllllltllllllllllllllllllllllllllllltlllllllll± Our Bee = keeping Sisters PEE = SUPPLIER A large and complete stock of every thing- necessary for the api- ary. Send a list of goods wanted, at once, and get our SPECIAL PRICES lllllllllilllllllllllNIUIIIIMIIIIIIIIIIIIinillllllll I C. M. Scott & Co., Indianapolis, Ind. 1004 East Washington Street. = is a new department in the old Amer- = ican Bee< Journal, condvicted by Miss Em= E ma Wilson, of Marengo, 111., a sister- = in-law of Dr. C. C. Miller, author of E the popular "Forty Years Among the E Bees." ^j* V* The women readers of E Gleanings (as well as the men-folks) E should have the American Bee Journal, E and read what Miss Wilson has to E say each week. ■>{' ^i* Sample copy E free, or the Bee Journal one year, and = Dr. Miller's book — both for only $1.75. E Book alone, $1.00. Address I George W. York & Co., E 144=6 East Erie St., Chicago, Illinois. I ■Roots Goods at Roots Prices." | : |^ ||^ ^^^^y^ WORTHINGTON, W. VA. ^illlllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllMlllllllllllilillllllllllin: Circular Free. THE PERSISTENCY which we exercise in the careful selection from year to year of only the choicest breeding queens has brought the Robey strain of Italians up to the highest standard of excellence as regards their docility, pro- lificness, and honey-gathering qualities. This particular strain is the progeny of selections from choice stock of Root's red-clover queens, and Moore's crossed with the very best of our own rearing. WARRANTED QUEENS: Each, 75 cents; six, Sl-25; dozen, $8.00. Dittmer's Foundation. RETAIL AND WHOLESALE. This foundation is made by a process that produces the superior of any. It is the cleanest and purest. It has the brightest color and sweetest odor. It is the most transparent, because it has the thinnest base. It is touerh, clear as crystal, and gives more sheets to the pound than any other make. "WorKing "Wax into Foundation for CasH a Specialty* Bees'wax A-l-ways Want- ed at HigHest Price. Catalog giving full line of supplies, with prices and samples, free on application. Cus. Dittmer, Augusta, Wisconsin. MarsHfield Manufacturing Co, 5 Our specialty is making SECTIONS, and they are the best in. the market. Wisconsin bass- wood is the right kind for them. We have a full line of BEE-SUPPLIES. Write for FREE illustrated catalog and price list. C/^e MarsKfield Manvifacttiring' Company, MarsKfield, AVis. 474 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. June 1 Complete Line of Lewis* Matchless Dovetailed Hives and Supplies at Factory Prices. H5_»Vk_*^l4*«e l^ii^zk^^'v-kc • BticKeye Strain rted-clover Qtieeiis. 1^**~^*<*3^ ^^Vt.^^»*»e They roll in the honey, while the ordinary starve. MutK Strain Golden Italians. None superior. Carniolans. None better. We guarantee safe arrival by return mail. Prices during April, May, and June : Untested, $1.00 each; 6 for $5.00. Select Untested, $1.25 each; 6 for $6.00. Tested, $2.00 each; 6 for $10.00. Select Tested, >^.00 each; 6 for 15.00. Best money can buy, $5.00 each. Two-frame nuclei with Select Untested Queen, $2.75. S»*\A for Catalog* ac^d See Special Ix^ducements. ®*« Fred W. MtitK Co., ^;;?rin«1** Cincinnati, O. ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦»»»♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦»♦♦♦♦♦♦»»♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ BEE-REEPERS X "We Have on. Hand ready for PROMPT SHIPMENT I S6c Largest StocK wg ever Carried of HIVES, SE-CTIONS, and all OtHer SUPPLIE-S. Perfect Workmanship and Finest Material. All parts of our Hives are made to fit Accurately. No trouble in setting them up. X Our customers say it is a pleasure. 1 We are not selling goods on NAME ONLY, i But on their Quality. t G. B. Li:WIS COMPANY. \ Mai:\tifacttxrers Bee>Keepers' Supplies. ? Catalog Free. "Watertown, Wisconsin, U. S. A. ♦ >»♦♦♦♦♦»♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ I HEADQUARTERS FOR BEE-SUPPLIES "Roofs Goods at Roots Factory Prices." Complete stock for 1903 now on hand. Freight rates from Cincinnati are the lowest. Prompt service is what I practice. Satisfaction guaranteed. Langstroth Portico Hive and Standard Honey-jars at lowest prices. You will save money buying from me. Catalog mafled free. Send for same. Book orders for Golden Italian, Red-clover, and Carniolan queens For prices, refer to my catalog. C. H.W.WEBER, : : CINCINNATI, OHIO. Office and Salesroom, 2146-8 Central Ave. Warehouses, Freeman and Central Aves. • dflvoted: •ANdHo/S£Y i^PERVear "X® Heoina-Ohio- VoL XXXI. JUNE U J 903. No. U. I OWN UP that I always thought the yel- low color of Italians was in the horny cov- ering itself, instead of that covering being transparent, as I learn on p. 423. Thanks, Mr. Editor. "If it is true that a colony with a young queen will not swarm during the season she is reared," etc., p. 436. It isn't true. I counted on that, and one year gave young queens to all the colonies in one apiary. They swarmed. I THINK those souvenir sections 2>s X2>s Xlli, at the Denver banquet, were pro- duced by Vice-president Harris; and if I remember rightly he told me they could be produced at only about double the cost of ordinary sections. Combs that have been left out all winter in this locality need no looking after the next summer. Once in a great while the moth maj' lay in them if covered up; but if left without any cover I never knew them to be troubled. [Same here. — Ed.] I DOUBT as to that case, p. 443, meeting the requirements. Of course, the queen wouldn't lay in a comb filled with honey, and here was "a large swarm" with three old worker combs that "had a good lot of pollen and honey in them." If any thing of a harvest was coming in, wouldn't the bees at once fill smy empty cells, giving the queen no chance in them? I LOOKED over that wax-extractor, p. 440, and thought to myself, "Oh, dear! by the time I'd take the time and trouble to make one of them it would be more expensive than to bu}' a German, and probably wouldn't be as good. And it would take less skill to run the German without getting a cheese frozen on your hands." [Your conclusion for the average bee-keeper is a very correct one; but there are some, however, who have not the dollars, but have skill, tools, and an aching void to make things. The Salis- bury extractor is intended for just such people as these. — Ed.] James Roat's plan for making holes in tags, p. 445, is not so easy as making a hole by driving a nail into the tag, and not quite so secure. I don't want the possibil- ity of a tag slipping off when hauling, and I can very quickly draw the nail and change to another hive. [Well, now, I guess you are right, after all. There is no use in go- ing to the trouble of making something that is not as good as a simple nail. — Ed.] Hip, hip, hip, hip, hurrah! Illinois has a foul-brood law! — [This is good news indeed. There, do you see my hat sailing up in the air? Say, you could not have got this law through unless you had had a State organization back of it, and men to push the bill. We are going to try to get a similar measure through the Ohio legislature, and a good example is set us by Illinois, which will be worth much to us. — Ed.] Those staples that fasten bottom-boards to hives, p. 430, I use diagonally instead of vertically, slanting in opposite directions, each one slanting toward the center of the hive at an angle of perhaps 25 degrees. A little more firm against sliding back or for- ward. If you don't happen to have staples, pieces of tin 3XK inch answer very well with a heavy tack in each end. [Come to think, it is our practice to drive the staples diagonally; but I forgot to explain to our artist that little kink.— Ed.] If you don't like that smoker-hook, p. 432, you can throw it away, just as I did years ago. I've often lost my hive-tool when it wasn't tied to me, but never a smoker. I don't want it hanging on the hive with the chance of smoking the bees automatically, even if it wasn't any in the way. [We send along a hook because a number call for it. It does no harm, and is very often a great convenience. Take my advice, and put the hook on as directed; and if you do not vote it is a great conven- ience I shall miss my guess. — Ed.] 476 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. June 1 That trick of having pieces of section under cover for ventilation when hauling, p. 430, is quite a scheme. Still better is it io have bottom-boards two inches deep, giv- ing- all the ventilation necessary at the en- trance. I use only two staples for fasten- ing cover, one at each side. [But very few use bottom- boards having a space under the brood-frames two inches deep. I suspect the majority of bee-keepers would not use so much space. It is, therefore, necessarj' to provide a little ventilation at the top where the entrance is only one inch. — Ed.] Try this: Take a little board and fasten on top, at each corner, a piece of section Ys thick. Take honey or molasses mixed with Paris green, and, if necessary, add enough Hour so it can not possibly run, and put it on the board; then cover over with another board. Place this in, on, or about a hive, and ants and cockroaches can enjoy it with- out the possibility of a bee getting to it. I Your plan is a good one, but I did not suppose that cockroaches could go through a space only }'& in. wide. Mr. E. F. Phil- lips, referred to elsewhere, thinks they can. —Ed.] Clipping, p. 429, is just as I do it, only, instead of holding the queen as in Fig. 3, I have thumb and finger each side of the thorax — perhaps a little less in the way of the scissors, especially as nowadays I use a pair of common pocket scissors with blades }{ inch wide — handy to have always in the hip pocket; and after trying them thoroughly I really believe I like them bet- ter than lace scissors. [But, doctor, aren't the wings of the queen located more on the sides of the thorax than on the top? If you put the- thumb under and the finger over, can you not make a closer cut with the scis- sors? Just try it and see if I am not right. —Ed.] That bad smell in August, mentioned on p. 447, reminds me that some years about that time there has been a very offensive smell all through the apiary upon opening a hive, and others have reported the same. I don't know the cause, but it soon disap- pears— probably caused by some plant on which the bees were working. For the past two or three years we have been great- ly annoyed in the home apiary by the pres- ence of carrion plants, looking a good deal like toadstools, and making one end of the apiary smell just as if a dead animal were there. We have done a lot of digging, but they're hard to find, and as hard to get rid of as foul brood. [Carrion plants do not grow around here, for which I am thank- ful.—Ed.] "Stand in front of the hive," when us- ing a smoker, p. 432. I sit at the side — live longer that way. Whether the smoker is held in the right or left hand at the start depends upon which side of the hive, the hives being in pairs. When taking ofi" the cover the smoker is oftener in the left hand. Where the smoker is set down depends on the wind, for a very little breeze will send the smoke over the hive if the smoker is in the right place for it, and I don't want the bees smoked by the wind. [You did not quote the whole of my sentence. I said, " Stand in front of the hive with the entrance at the left." My general practice is the same as yours, with the exception that I may stand or sit. If the smoker rests on the ground, the wind will but rarely make any trouble. — Ed.] Some seem to think that, with the im- provement of the tin binding, smokers should still have as stiff springs as ever, saying that, with the weaker spring, the hold is unreliable, the smoker almost slipping out of one's fingers, and that the smoker being made mostly for strong men should have a strong spring. Isn't that "slipping out of one's fingers" only seeming? There was no complaint that springs were not stiff enough before the adoption of the tin bind- ing, and there is no question that the tin binding gives a much stronger hold. If the stiffness of the spring is reduced in propor- tion to the increased grip given by the bind- ing, it can not slip out of the fingers any more than it did before, although the light- er grip necessary might at first make it seem so. The stiffness of the spring is to be proportioned to the weight of the smoker, not to the strength of the user. Might as well say that a stronger man should have heavier hives, covers, etc. Ye editor seems to be getting a mania for going into little things, giving minute details as to how they are done, things that it would seem every one ought to know with- out being told. Good! It's a splendid mania. It's wonderful how we can go on year after year doing little things the wrong way if no one tells us better. I think I'm something of a genius in that direction. Years ago I used wide frames with eight sections, holding them out at arm's length to brush off the bees. It took me two years to learn to rest one end of the frame on the front of the hive, making the work only a fourth as hard. [I am interested in little things, because I am doingthose little things myself. I am constantly watching for short cuts; and when I find some one has a better way than mine, I like to show it. I think no harm comes from illustrating the familiar kinks — familiar to us at least; for by so do- ing we may show new tricks to our brother- man. — Ed.] I once saw a man putting on his right shoe, pulling the front strap with his left hand and the hind strap with his right hand. I laughed, and told him he had the wrong hands. But he was so pigeon-toed that his way was best for him. I thought of that when I looked at that picture of holding the smoker, p. 432. I may be pig- eon-toed in my hands, but I hold the smoker just the other way — fingers on the side of the bellows next the stove. When walking, my hands hang naturally with palms back- ward, and to hold a smoker as in the picture would give my wrist a decided twist. [I do 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 477 not know whether your arms are "pigeon- toed " or not; but it seems to me very awk- ward, at least, to hold the smoker with the fingers next to the smoker-cup. If you sit down, as you explained, the axis of your arm will be on the line with the top edge of the smoker-bellows. Then surely you want your thumb next to the fire-cup, and your fingers on the outside of the bellows. Now, then, suppose you straighten up; your smo- ker hanging as it were on a pivot between your thumb and fingers will always point toward the combs without twisting the wrist. The thumb next to the stove will come more natural if you try it that way. —Ed.] I THINK — and perhaps " the wish is fa- ther to the thought " — that I may live to see the day when it will be cheaper to use an automobile than a horse for visiting out- apiaries. Can't you encourage us just a wee bit, Mr. Editor, by telling us that you can get a good auto to-day for a good deal less money than you could a few years ago? It would be just fine to be all through with the anxiety about horses scaring and being stung. And yet — and yet — I'm afraid I couldn't read most of the way on an auto as I do now. [I do not know that I can give you a great deal of encouragement that your ardent wish will be gratified. If you will eat lots of beefsteak, and do not work too hard, I think you will see the day when you can actually buy an automobile for the price you pay for a horse and buggy. Al- ready the operating expense is far below that of a horse. We hear a great deal about expensive repairs, and they are ex- pensive if one does not understand some- thing of machinery. The process of sim- plifying the auto is going on all the time, and the repair item will grow less. Already there is a very good machine offered at re- tail for $375; quite a number at $550, and a host of them at $750. The cost of operat- ing a gasoline-vehicle is about a half a cent a mile, of the run-about type. Figure up the mileage of j'our horse, cost of keep- ing, including the labor every day, or two or three times a day, whether you use it or not, and see where the figures are. When the automobile stops, the only expense is the interest on the investment, and repairs, and these last may or may not be a large item. It can lie idle six months. My auto is kept in a little room, and sometimes dur- ing bad weather it stands for days without any one going near it; and yet it is ready for me almost instantly when I am readj^ for that. For example, Mr. J. B. Hains, of queen-rearing fame, the man who got up the Hains feeder, was visiting us a few days ago. We suddenly discovered that his car was due in three or four minutes, half a mile away, and he had several awkward packages to carry with him. It did not oc- cur to me for a moment that I owned an au- tomobile. We sent a man along to help him, when it struck me I might as well get out my machine, w^hich I did instanter. I caught up with him with his bundles, and rushed him up to the car in time to catch it. He was out of breath, and tired, close on to 70, and a rim to catch the car would have been a severe tax on him. What a relief it was to him to be picked up and whirled up town in a jift'y I Now, answering your question a little more specifically, the price of autombiles has dropped some $200 or $300, on run- abouts, thi^ year, already. Millions of money are being poured into the industry. It will not be long before Yankee genius will be able to turn out a machine so cheap- ly that every one can have one who can af- ford a horse and buggy and a barn. No, throw the barn out of the account. But whether the automobile will be able to go over any roads that a horse and buggy can is doubtful. Good roads and automobiles must go hand in hand. There is no use in buying an automobile unless you can have better roads than where the mud is half axle-deep. — Ed. ] yfeighbonsjieldj )j Earthquakes, floods, volcanoes' blasts, Drouths, and famine sore, Massacres of men by men, Now sadden every shore. Albert Blume, a young farmer living near Clinton, Penn., had a hive of bees in his cellar. It became too damp in the cellar, and he moved the hive to his bedroom. The other morning the bees swarmed, and be- fore Blume, who was clad only in his night- clothes, could escape he was stung about the head, face, and body. The Journal of Antiquities, of Stuttgart, Germany, reports that, among other objects of curiosity found in the ruins of Pompeii, destroyed in the year 79, is a hive filled with honey so well preserved in the cells that the observer can hardly believe it is not fresh. Honey 182+ years old ought to be considered ripe enough, sure. \b The Leipzig Bee Journal says the wounds caused by bee-stings should not be neglect- ed. When a bee-mein is stung he pulls the sting from the w^ound, and generally the event is forgotten. He often has no time for a nearer investigation and disinfection of the wound. Recently such neglect was nearly fatal in the case of a certain bee- keeper. A Mr. K., while hiving a swarm, was stung in the little finger of the right hand. As a general thing, after the remov- al of the sting, he allowed the trouble to 478 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. June 1 pass out of mind; but in this case, after a short time, the finger swelled up, then the hand, then the forearm. Severe pain pre- vented him from sleeping, and his physician was obliged to adopt active measures. By neglecting to purge the wound thoroughly he brought on blood-poisoning. \4> E. T. Abbott says, in Busy Bee: A writer in the Drovers' Journal advises placing empty hives in the bee-yard in the location where they are to remain, in advance of swarming time, so that the swarms may be hived without delay as soon as they leave their old quarters, and says that much trouble and often loss of bees may be averted by this timely precaution. It seems to us that this is likely to cause more loss of bees than any thing else. The hives should be kept in a cool shady place until you are ready to hive the swarm. A swarm placed in a hive that has been standing in the sun is almost sure to leave it. If you do not want your swarms to go to the woods, keep your hives in the shade until the bees are ready to occupy them. Mr. Abbott says further: Every bee-yard should be equipped with a few drone and queen traps. They may seem quite costly, but even one can be so manipulated as to save a deal of trouble in hiving swarms. A swarm-catcher and a good long pole is another tool which will be found to be very valuable during May and June. These can be made by the bee keeper, or bought of supply-dealers, as suits his fancy and his pocketbook. \t/ Considerable excitement prevails in Ger- many among the bee-men over the statement of Mr. Freudenstein, who says, in the New Bee Journal, that nectar is nothing but su- gary water, and, consequently, a bee-keep- er has nothing to do but to give sugar to the bees in order to get a good crop of honey. It is said that this assertion will be warm- ly contested at the next apicultural con- gress at Strasburg, in July. This conven- tion, by the way, will be a big' thing, and attracts far more of the public attention there than any bee convention in this coun- try. Some things connected with it we hardly consider conducive to good morals here. A French journal before me savs, "A lottery of 50,000 tickets, at SO pence each, will not only furnish the exposition committee the means of purchasing a large part of the objects represented, but it will afford the buyers of tickets a chance to se- cure some fine collections on exhibition." Overlooking all that, however, the program for the whole week is on a grand scale, backed by the government, and will be a notable event. The governor of Alsace- Lorraine will preside over the festivities. At the congress, in spite of his 93 years. Dr. Dzierzon will take part. In fact, the whole event is in his honor. He will speak on "the best hive." Those Europeans know nothing about Sunday as we under- stand it, but they know how to honor a great man when they find one. Lang- stroth's comparative obscurity in this coun- try would have been unknown in Europe. Since the above was in type, the follow- ing program has come to hand from Mr. J. Dennler, President of the Press Committee: 1. Dr. Dzierzon, L,owkowitz : How should a hive be constructed to meet all requirements of the bee- keeper? 2. Teacher Burckhardt, Weinsberg. The develop- ment of the brood in spring, on basis of peiiodical investigations in different hive .systems. Thesis I : The brood development is more favorable in hives with ample dimensions than in those with small ones. Thesis : .Steps ought to be taken to intro- duce larger dimensi'^ns generally; the indication, " normal measurement," should be changed. 3. Bassler, Prague. How have we to look at bee life in the light of modern science? 4. Rev. Klein, Enzheim. Feed paste and female bee- larvae 5.- Editor Reidenbach, Rebhorn. The latest in the battle with foul brood, fi. Langer, Prague. The recognition of bee honey with serum. 7. Editor Bohnenstengel, Busslar. The perambulat- ing meeting and its reform. 8. Rev. Grtebener, Hoffenheim. The education of the bee-keeper. 9. (?) In matters of the protection question regarding honey. M /^ 1 ABOUT QUEEN- REARING. "Are you verj' busy to-day, Mr. Doolit- tle?" " No more than usual at this time of the year, Mr. Jones. What can I do for you? It is always a busy time for the bee-keeper after the bees are well under way at brood- rearing. " "Yes, I supposed so. But I wanted to have a little talk with you about rearing queens. I want to raise some this summer, and raise them at just the time I wish them; but I see it is stated that queens reared by natural swarming are generally superior to those reared from eggs laid in worker- cells. Is this a claim beyond reasonable question? If so, how do our queen-breed- ers secure the thousands they send out?" " It would be but reasonable to infer that a plan of queen-rearing which has brought vigorous healthy bees all the way from be- fore Samson's time down to the present, in their native haunts, must produce queens that were very good, to say the least." "That is all right; but do you actually think that an ^^^ laid in a queen-cell is anj' better than an &^^ laid in a worker- cell? " " To say that an ^^^ laid in a queen-cell by the same queen is a better and more vi- talized &^^ than one laid in a worker-cell, is something that very few, if any, would be ready to assume. From years of close ob- servation I can not think that there is any difference in favor of the egg, no matter where it is laid, whether in queen, worker, or drone cells, providing said ^^^ is prop- erly fecundated." " What is the diff^erence then? " "To my mind, the difierence comes in the treatment of the innate life of that o^^^ after it has come to the larval form. In 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 479 natural swarming' a larva intended for a queen from the time it first breaks its shell is nursed all its larval life with a fondness equal to anj' mother's fondness for her child; and in this nursing- we have the part which plays for good or evil in the future queen." " What do you mean by that emphasized, ' all its larval life ' ? " " I mean that, from the very outset, the larva from an egg laid in a queen-cell by the mother queen is fed with royal food, and nursed for a queen; while with an e.^^ laid in a worker-cell, the larva is fed and cared for a longer or shorter period, as a worker bee, and not for a queen." "Yes, I see. But is the food given the queen larva at the outset different from that given the worker larva when it is first hatched from the ^^^1 " " I have never been able to discover that it was, and I think that the majority of our best bee-keepers of to-day believe that the food given all larvie for the first 48 hours of their existence is the same." *' That being the case, then it would seem to me that the matter rested on the condi- tions rather than in the matter of food." " That is the way I look at it; and if by anj' means we can secure a like condition for the just-hatched larva from an egg- laid in a worker-cell, we can secure a like-con- ditioned queen." " Do }'ou think that the majority of queen- breeders secure these like conditions? " '• I do. I have not had the experience of some in receiving from queen-breeders queens of which 90 per cent turned out poor, or ' as worthless as so many house-flies ' as one writer puts it. I have rarely received any thing but first-class queens in all I have purchased; and from these queens purchased, and from what I know of several of our queen-breeders, I have not a single doubt that thousands of the queens sent out by queen-breeders are every whit as good as those reared under natural swarming, for I am satisfied that the most of our queen- breeders to-day spare no pains to bring about an equally favorable condition to that under which natural swarming is conduct- ed, while rearing their queens. Don't mis- understand me, and think there is no dan- ger of producing poor queens, for there is. Much poorer queens than those reared un- der natural swarming can be produced, and will be, unless the work of queen-rearing is rightly done; and it was because that, in the infancy of the queen-rearing business, very little attention was paid to the condi- tion of the colonies while they were feeding the embr3'o queens, that the subject of where the eggs were laid was advanced." " Then you think I can raise good queens when I wish them, do 30U, even should I trj' it outside of the time when the bees are swarming? " " Others have done this; and to say oth- erwise in your case would be to say that you were not equal to the general average of our queen-breeders." " I suppose 3'ou do not wish to take time now to tell me all about how good queens can be reared at any time of the year? " " I am always willing to do almost any thing to accommodate; but to take the time to tell you all about rearing good queens at this busy time of the year would not be reasonable, and would be out of the ques- tion in this department, even were I inclined to spare the time to do so. Nearly all of the bee-books treat on the subject of queen- rearing, and there are two or three books devoted especially to that branch of apicul- ture. Send to the publishers of Gleanings for their book list and then select such as seems good in your sight. After having read the book selected, if there is any thing you do not understand regarding queen- rearing, then I shall be glad to talk with' you on the subject, trying to make it as plain as possible. But before parting, al- low me to say that God placed man at the head of, and gave him control over, all ani- mate nature, and thus it has come to pass that he has been enabled to equal, if not to improve, every thing which he has turned his hand to; and the rearing of queens is no exception to this rule. And if you will study up on this matter by careful reading, I have not the least doubt but you will succeed as well as and perhaps better than those who have come before you in the business." Our latest advices from California seem to indicate that the season is not going to be as prosperous there as was at first ex- pected. But there will be enough honey to sweeten up the bee-keepers at the big con- vention that is to be held at Los Angeles. Do not forget to make your calculations to attend that grand meeting. We were threatened with a drouth during the fore part and middle of May; in fact, no rain fell from the 3d to the 22d; but on the latter date a good shower arrived just in time, and none too soon, to revive nature. A few light showers have followed since, up to to-daj', the 26th, and the prospects for a good crop of clover were never better. In- deed, I never saw more white clover in the fields than now. The heavy rains of last season developed an enormous growth of the plant, and the beautiful little white heads are dotting the fields everywhere. Mis.s LoDEMi.\ Bennett, of Bedford, O., died on the 16th of last April at the resi- dence of J. B. Hains. Miss Bennett was a 480 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. June 1 skillful queen-breeder, rearing' queens at one time for the A. I. Root Co. and for Mr. Hains. As a sample of what she could or did do, she once gra.ited /oriy-eij^/ii Doolittle cell cups on one frame. They were a// accepted without a miss, and every one of them hatched a queen. This breaks the record so far as I know. She was also a successful honey-producer, and occupied a prominent position in our Stale Bee-keepers' Association meetings. She was twice elected Secretary of the Ohio State Bee-keepers' Association, and was secretary of the old defunct organiza- tion at the time of her death. MISS LODEMIA BENNETT. She was for many years a contributor to the Cleveland Plaindealer, one of the larg- est daily papers published in Ohio. She was an active and enthusiastic worker in the temperance and other reforms. A Bible student, she arranged many lessons there from for her co-workers in the temperance cause. Some years ago she used to write for the various bee- journals; but during latter years ill health compelled her to re- linquish some of her activities. THE NATIONAL CONVENTION AT LOS ANGE- LES; WHY BEE-KEEPERS SHOULD GO. Los Angeles, Cal., is to be the place of the next meeting of the National Bee-keep- ers' Association. The time set is August 18 — 20. The Executive Committee, in de- ciding on this date and place, based their decision on the low railroad rates in force at that time on account of the encampment of the G. A. R. in San f^rancisco the same week. It was suggested that we make the Santa Fe route the semi-official one of the bee- keepers. A tourist sleeping-car could be made up largely of bee-keepers, to start from Chicago in time to give a day's stop- off at the Grand Canyon — probably the most remarkable scenery of the kind the world affords. The train is then to go on to Los Angeles, fitly named the " City of the Angels," one of the most delightful cities I have ever visited. It is not delight- ful because of its architecture, but because of the surrounding scenery and its bracing climate. Cool evenings and warm days make living there most enjoyable. Board and lodging can be secured at very reasonable rates. In one of the good hotels of the city I secured a room at 25 cts. a night, and board at 25 cents a meal, and that the very best. There were other places where I could have had accommodations still cheaper. The bee-keepers there are a most hospitable set of fellows, and I shall not forget some of the pleasant hours spent with some of them. This is a good year for California; and if one desires to see the real extent of bee- keeping possibilities in one of the fairest climes the world affords, let him take this trip. Do not go simply because you may get enough at the convention to pay you, but because your horizon of life will be en- larged, and because, years afterward, you can live over again (in memory) one of the most delightful trips you ever took. Just think of it! You can take a car in the morning in Los Angeles, and go to the coast and take a sea-bath. You can then come back to Los Angeles, and eat straw- berries and pick roses. In the afternoon you can go to Pasadena, a little city that is even more beautiful and more perfectly laid out than Los Angeles, where the great wealth of the East has been poured. In- deed, it is almost a heaven on earth. An hour's ride will take you up into the moun- tains where you can get above the clouds — yes, may take a sleighride and enjoy a good snowballing. Just think of it I a sea- bath in the morning, strawberries and roses at noon, a sleighride above the clouds, and snowballing, all in one day! Talk about going " from the sublime to the ridiculous" I This beats any thing for a rapid change of season and scenery. While this is possible in the spring of the year, it may not be pos- sible in August. But one of the most thrilling trolley-rides (dangerously near precipices) that can be imagned is to take an electric car and ac- tually glide above the clouds and look down upon the valle}' spread out like a panorama thousands of feet below. One can see the ocean, and the cities of Pasadena and Los Angeles, and all the small outl3ung towns, with their fine orange-groves and all the beautiful luxuriance of a tropical climate. In short, he can see typical Southern California. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE 481 Bee-keepers, if you fail to take in a trip of this kind (and it is the opportunity of a lifetime) you will be niissinf;;- one of life's greatest pleasures. The round trip from Chicago is $50.00. Rates in the tourist sleeper will be very low. I do not remember just now what they are; but particulars can be obtained, I think, by applying- to Sec'y G. W. York, 144 Erie St., Chicago. NKW MEN ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE NATIONAL. Mr. W. a. Selser, of Philadelphia, Pa., the expert honey analyist and chemist, and Mr. Udo Toepperwein, of San Antonio, Tex- as, one of the leading bee-keepers of that section, have been appointed on the Board of Directors of the National Bee-keepers' Association, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of T. G. Newman and the resig- nation of A. I. Root. No better men could have been selected. A. I. Root has felt for some time that younger men, more in touch with the bees, and more interested in the work of the Association, should be on the Board; and with that end in view he sent in his resignation, to take effect as soon as his successor should be appointed. THE DROUTH IN THE EAST. There has been a protracted drouth in some sections of the East — notably in New York and New England. The following letter from a correspondent in New York will explain itself: Mr. E. R. Root: — This is our 45th day without rain — the longest rainless period since 1791. Clear and cold to-day. May 2i>. Honej' prospects, none. Clover is all dried up. and bees barely living ; soil too dry to pre- pare for buckwheat. A few scattering swarms dur- ing fruit-bloom. Unless rain comes soon we must feed or move. J. D. Bixbv. Guilderland Center, N. Y. The condition of Mr. Bixby's locality seems to be more severe than in most places; but at all events, the rain has held off west as well as east for such a length of time that the amount of clover honey will probably be cut down very considerabl}-. But the drouth is broken now, east as well as west. The fearful storms that have pre- vailed in the West seem to be working east- ward: and if it is not too late there will be a fair crop of clover honey in some local- ities. Clover has not been injured in Ohio. "parthenogenesis" and its unsolved PROBLEMS under SCIENTIFIC INVES- TIGATION AT MEDINA. The Home of the Honej'-bees is especial- ly favored in having with us Mr. E. F. Phillips, of the University of Pennsylva- nia, a thoroughly trained student in zo- ology, to work out a little more fullj' the problem of parthenogenesis, for there are still some unsolved points about it. He has studied the subject of partheno- genesis more thoroughly in relation to oth- er insects, and bees in particular, than perhaps anj' other man in the country. He comes highly recommended, bringing with him the best apparatus that the University affords, for pursuing his scientific investi- gations. We, in turn, have placed at his disposal bees, nuclei, observatory hives, and told our men to give him every assist- ance possible. He is taking nothing for granted,' but takes a nucleus hive and sits down and watches the bees hours at a time. That you may know a little more about him, and something of the importance of his work, I am placing before you an extract from a letter from Dr. E. G. Conklin, Professor of Zoology in the University of Pennsylvania. He writes: Air. E. R. Root: — Permit me to recommend to your favor Mr. K. F. Phillips, one of my graduate students, and the holder of ovir Fellowship in Biology for the coming year. Mr. Phillips has undertaken, at my suggestion, to go over the whole subject of partheno- genesis in the honey-bee in the light of new theories and observations, eliminating, if possible, certain sources of error which are found in the works of the older students of this subject, and considering many features of the problem from new points of view. Mr. Phillips is a clear-headed, well-trained man, and I consider it highly probable that his work will yield valuable results He proposes to offer this work, if it should result favorably, as his Ph. D. Thesis, in which case it will be published in full. Philadelphia, April 20. E. G. Conklin. Mr. Phillips is desirous of securing some drone-laying queens; but fertile workers caught in the act would be regarded by him as a special prize. In order to work out this problem of parthenogensis he needs material. While he is drawing on our 400 or 500 colonies, yet he needs more than our bees at present supply. Fertile workers, virgin queens that lay drone eggs, drone- laying queens — any thing in this line — will be most thankfully received. Any of our readers who have any thing of this nature will please report to me immediately, and I will let you know whether it is something he can use in his scientific investierations. MOVING BEES TO OUR OUTYARDS. As many of our readers know, we have something like 1000 colonies, all told, 500 of which are in Cuba, and 500 in and about Medina. To keep them secure from the depredations of thieves or miscreants bent on mischief, the bees at our outyards are hauled home in the fall. Early in the spring or during the early part of apple- bloom thej' are taken back. The illustra- tion on page 495 shows one of our loads of bees going to the Harrington yard, about lf4 miles directly south of the home yards, where it will be run primarily for honey and for testing certain of our breeders for honey. Those queens that show up the best out of our selected stock will be reserv- ed for the next season for queen-mothers for the great bulk of our queens. Last year one breeder having only a nucleus to start with filled four stories of extracting- combs with honey and bees. Considering the start that she had, she so far outstrip- ped the other colonies that I marked on the hive-cover, "S50 queen. E. R. R. says do not sell." 482 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. June 1 In the illustration there are 54 colonies, the ^reat bulk of which are in one-story chaff hives. There are a few jumbos — in fact, one is seen close to the driver's feet. Mr. Bowman, the teamster, althoug-h not a bee-keeper, is not afraid to take hold and help in the bee-yard when necessary. He is of that stocky muscular build that enables him to lift hives to and from the wagon with no very great effort. Mr. G. W. Phil- lips, the head man of the apiary, recently from Jamaica, stands in the midst of the load. On this occasion we took the 54 col- onies, set them under some large apple- trees in groups of four and five, a little south of the farmhouse where myself and wife expect to spend the summer. As I go back and forth I can look after the bees and enjoy the fun and the work of getting a crop of honey as well as testing for breed- ers, at the same time gather fresh facts from experience. The Harrington location is our best. We own quite an extensive piece of woods ma Je up of old basswoods just adjoining, that have never been cut out. The farming country round about is rich and productive; and I have noticed that the bees in this yard will gather honey, oftentimes, when those in others will be robbing; so iJE there is any honey to be had, this place is emi- nently fitted to test out honey-queens. Our Mr. Bowman, the teamster, and Mr. Phillips, after disposing of their load at the yard, as shown in the engraving, went on about two miles further and picked up another yard of bees which I had previous- ly visited with the automobile, and pur- chased.. An old farmer had become tired of the business, and wanted to sell out. Now we have a clean territory all to our- selves. Our basswood yard, a mile and a half north of us, will be devoted mainly to queen- rearing. Instead of having 400 nuclei all in one yard, all requiring to be fed at times, we now have them in two yards where the bees will have more opportunity to gather honey from natural sources. While we can get good queens by feeding, it is a great deal more work, and more expensive. A larger percentage of the queens can be mated successfully when honey is coming in than when the individual nuclei have to be fed. DEATH OF JOHN NEBEL. Another one of our old veterans passes off the field. This time it is our friend John Nebel, familiarly known to bee-keep- ers who have bought supplies of him fo^ many years at High Hill, Mo. He was a man of strict integrity, well liked, and loved by all who knew him. We have ob- tained a brief biographical sketch from a member of the family, and take pleasure in presenting it herewith: John Nebel, aged 69 years and C months, died very suddenly of rheumatism of the heart at his home in High HfU, Mo., May 5, 1903. He was a prominent and highly respected citizen of High Hill, the leading lumber-dealei , also conducting a lumber-yard in Jones- burg, Mo. He dealt extensively in bees and bee-keepers' .sup- plies, being an active member of the North American Bee-keepers' Association since its organization. Mr. Nebel first commenced with bees on a small ■scale in 1870. In 18S0 he went into the business in an extensive way, uniting the supply department with it in 1883. He had at timf s as manv as :iiiO colonies. He took 16 000 lbs. of honey in ISSti from 123 colonies, spring count, and increa.sed to 183 that year, besides selling many queens. April 22d, 19(13. he went to Mo- berly, where he assisted in organizing the Missouri Bee-keepers' Association, being elected its president. He was taken sick while at IMoberly. On his return home he took to his bed where he lemaii ed until his death. He ate breakfast on the morning of Mav 5, after which he lay down to sleep from which he nev- er awoke. The funeral services took place at Mount JOHN NEBEL. Pleasant Cemetery, near High Hill, conducted by his son-in law, G. K. Keler, under the auspices of the A. F. and A M of Jonesburg. High Hill has lost a good citizen ; the bee-keeping fraternity a friend ; a wife, a kind husband ; and fovir children a loving father. A friend who knew Mr. Nebel well has also written this of him: I have been acquainted with Mr. Nebel but a short time, yet he seemed lite a father to me. I began trad- ing with him in 190O, and have bought all my supplies of him ever since ; and last year he sold a number of queens for me which I saved up from swarming-cells during the unprecedented display of the swarming propensity of my bees. I know he was a good man — genial and kind in all h s dealings, and was sociable and ready at all times to give good advice No one knows how I appreciated him. I can now appreciate more than ever the mournful statements of the jour- nals regarding the veterans. Our Missouri State Bee- keepers' Association had just sprung up, and we had elected Mr. Nebel as president for the ensuing year. There was not a dissenting vote cast. Every member present voted for him at the convention : and, besides, I had over forty votes for him through the mails from parties who could not attend. W. T. Gary, Sec. Missouri State Bee-keepers' Association. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 483 •f/i >,V r^>^ ;^TRADE NOTES J| BY E . R . R O O T. JUMBO EXTRACTORS DRIVEN BY POWER. We are now building- jumbo machines of eiffht- frame capacity, geared up for power. The illustration herewith shows one of the machines. It has the regular Cowan prin- ciple for reversing-, and is built strong in every way. As will be noted by the handle near the pulleys, it has a powerful street- car band brake, so that the machine can be stopped almost instantlj-, even from a high rate of speed. This particular extractor is designed to be driven by means of a gaso- line-engine. We have also made arrange- ments whereby these engines can be sup- plied with the machines. Gasoline power is much cheaper than any thing else. The first cost is much less, so also the cost of operating. THE IMPROVED BOARDMAN FEEDER. Very recentlj' we made an improvement on what is known as the Boardman entrance feeder. The old type of this feeder was on the Hains atmospheric principle. This at times was unsatisfactory for the reason that, if the can of sj'rup were out of plumb, the syrup would run over and leak. We final- THE BOARDMAN FEEDER WITH NEW PER- FORATED CAP. A JCMBO COWAN POWKR-DR tVEN KXTRACTOK. ly, at considerable expense, constructed a die that would make exceedingly small holes in the cap of an ordinary Ma- son jar, carrying out in effect the atmospheric principle first applied to bee- feeders by the veteran E. France, father of N. E. France, General Man- ager of the National Bee-keep- ers' Association. These small perforations in the cap let out the feed only fast enough for the use of the bees. If the syr- up is made properly there will be no leakage. The advan- tage of this feeder is that it can be placed at the entrance of any hive ; and as one goes down the hive-alleyways he can determine how fast the bees are taking feed, and whether the feeders are empty. With a wheelbarrow-load of filled cans he can very easily re move the empty ones and put tilled ones in their stead. For stimulative feeding in spring, there is nothing better, and especiallj' for a queen-breed- er. We use it regularl}' on our queen-rearing hives to keep up the general prosperity of the colony, for to get large well-developed cells — that is, providing honey is not coming in from natural sources — the colony must be highly prosper- ous. When feeding nuclei we 484 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. June 1 take a Mason jar and put the top through a hole of the right size in a thin super- cov- er. This puts the feed directlj' over the cluster. An upper stor3' or cap is then put on top of the hive; and when the feed is ex- hausted, all one has to do is to lift off the cap and put a filled can in its place. Your dealer will be prepared to furnish these caps to fit anj' Mason jar. This makes the expense of this kind of feeder merely nominal; for everj' f amil3' is supposed to have, in the spring- at least, a large sup- ply of empty Mason jars that can be utilized for this purpose. SHALLOW HIVES. A Bit of Experience. BY E. N. WOODWARD. I am wondering what will be the result of all this talk about shaken swarms, shal- low hives, narrow starters, full sheets of foundation, and all the confusing problems of this new s^-stem of forced swarming. I suppose that manj- bee-keepers are plan- ning and expecting great success along this line the coming summer. I don't wish to enter a protest against any sj'stem of man- agement that has proved to be a success in the hands of a skillful bee-keeper; but I should like to speak a word of caution to the inexperienced, for I know how apt we are to follow some new idea or some new theory, without knowing exactlj' where we are being led or what the result may be. I believe that forced swarming (so called) is a move in the right direction if a person has a large number of colonies, and wishes to produce comb honey; but we must keep close to nature, otherwise we are making a serious mistake. To prove this, I wish to bring in mj' own experience. About five years ago an article in one of the bee-journals led me to form the plan of hiving all of my new swarms into shallow hive, with foundation; and the plan looked so plausible to me that I constructed quite a number of such hives, having them leadv' for my first swarms, which usually come soon after white clover comes into bloom; and so, with thoughts of an abundant har- vest, and with visions of a long row of su- pers towering high, I hived mj' best swarms into these shallow hives, placing double supers with 48 sections on top, with queen- excluder, and then waited for results. Well, I was having my way so far; but what did the bees say about it. Dr. Miller? In the first place, thej- held an indignation meeting, and then for two successive days swarmed out, losing valuable time when white clover was in full bloom; and then they loafed awhile, and finall3' began to dwindle; and when the honey season was over I had a few weak colonies and very little honej'. I very soon began to apprehend that I was making a mistake, and so I hived the rest of my swarms into regular Dovetailed hives, full depth, contracted with dummies to correspond to the size of the swarm. Shall we consult the bees again? Their actions- speak louder than words, for they immediatelj' went to work with a vim, with no thoughts of swarming out, and I soon be- gan to tier them up; and at the end of the season many of my new swarms hived up- on the deeper frame gave me lOO lbs. of as fine honey as was ever placed upon the mar- ket. The conclusion that I came to is this: That a shallow frame and hive is not in harmony with the natural instinct of the bee; and, forced out of their natural form and condition, they fail to do good work; but when placed in a hive which gives them room to cluster in natural form, and when their new home is made agreeable to them, they very seldom swarm out, but will very soon adjust themselves to their new surroundings, and the whole machinery of the hive is set in motion. More than all this, the surplus warmth and energy from this more nearly perfect form or cluster flows up into the super above, and an im- pulse is given that sends the busy workers out into the field, and the hum of content- ment and industry is heard from every side, the occupant of the hive being a better judge than we when our opinion is formed from a standpoint of theory. I am pleading for the depth of the regular Langstroth hive in which to place our new swarms. We may contract, if we choose, down to five or six frames, according to the size of the swarms and the prospective honey harvest. So the thought comes to me, "Can we af- ford to place our prime swarms in a shal- low hive, shut down in man3' cases with a queen-excluder, compelling them to begin housekeeping in such a cramped-up place that they must show their resentment by swarming out again and again, and per- haps dwindling until they are almost worth- less, and that, too, in the midst of a white- clover yield of honev'?" This has been my experience with shallow hives. I hope others have been more successful. If so, I should be glad to know it. I for one want the reg- ular Dovetailed hive with full sheets of foundation; for with that management I am sure to get a crop of honey if it is in the field to gather. Hillsdale, Mich. [Your experience hardly proves much. There are thousands of sectional brood- chamber hives in use; and I do not remem- ber seeing a report similar to yours before. There were some other outside conditions, that would account for your experience. 1903 GLEANIXGS IX BEE CULTURE. 485 The mere difiference in the depth of brood- chamber (only 2 inches in this case) could not account for the phenomena j-ou describe. If you were to repeat the experiment it is very likely 3'ou would get just the opposite in results. — Ed.] THE HOFFMAN FRAME CONDEMNED FOR EX- TRACTING. Too Much Trouble from the Ears or Projections Breaking Off. COGGSHALL. After reading what Mr. Alpine McGregor and Dr. C. C. Miller and the Editor saj' on page 243, March 15th Gleanings, I was prompted to say a word. The Hoffman frame has its advantages in moving bees — thej' are alwaj'S fast, and always fast when j-ou want them loose, and they "are a weak frame for extracting. I have one apiary with Hoffman frames; and every time we empt}- the honey, 10 to 15 of the top-bars are broken off; one end of the top-bar is split three or four inches, and the support is gone. You cut the ears off, and that weakens the frame very much; so thej- will soon give out. Dr. Miller saj-s he can handle spaced frames faster than those that are not spaced, and that for rapid work a spaced frame is bet- ter. I beg to differ with the doctor. When a man tries to loosen up a Hoffman frame where the bees have been in two years, and pry off the top-bar. which I have done re- peatedh". and then not get out the frame — well, I won't saj'. ^ the Coggshall "rramc For the good of the order I will describe the " Coggshall " frame — one that 5'ou can drop 3 or 4 inches, full of honey, and the top-bar will not break off. Top-bar is 1 in. X.5s (li**X-'s is still better to prevent burr- combs); end, JsX'2 inch; bottom, ^4 X '4 • Rabbet the top-bar out as shown. Nail with six-penny nails in the top-bar; three- p. in the bottom-bar; put a wire staple in each lower end, and let it stick out '4 inch. You can shake bees without killing them. It is not necessary' to have a 's-inch top- bar. The width is what prevents burr- combs in New York. WIRING FRAMES. Take a thin board three or four inches longer than twice the length of the wire for wiring the frame. Put a mitten or glove on the right hand after fixing the spool of wire, so it will run off" the wire. Then wind on the board 160 or more times around length- wise. Tie with string or wire around the shears or knife and cut the wires at one end. Hang in a handy place, and pull one wire out and put it in the frame. I put only two strands across the frame, putting a tack in the end-bar, and winding the wire around, and driving down the tack, cutting off the surplus wire, if anj'. West Groton, N. Y. [As you are operating, friend Coggshall, it is possible that the Hoffman frame is not as well adapted to your needs as some oth- er; but did I not see 3'Ou work on the "lightning" order — that is, didn't I see you kick the supers off the hives and rip the frames out? Then you extract with the frames just as the}' hang in the hive. In j'our rapid wa}' of working, the frames are picked up and often dropped into the comb-pockets, with the result that the force of the dropping comes on the ears of the frames. I do not mean to saj' that j'Our method is not the proper one; but I have been in dozens of extracting-v'ards where no trouble at all arose from the breaking cf the projections or ears. Then the frames should not be pried at the ears. Thej' are strong enough for all ordinary support, but of course they will not stand prying. In the great majoritj- of localities I have been in, there is no trouble in separating Hoff- man frames. Hooper Bros, of Jamaica ex- tract hundreds of thousands of pounds of honey from Hoffman frames, and they will have" no other. We have tried to introduce the metal-spaced frames, but our customers insist that thev want the Hoffman instead. —Ed.] A PEEP INTO MY BEE-HOUSE. A Home-made Affair. BY SWARTHMORE. The building is about 5X8 feet, ground floor, and ten feet to the tip of the roof. It has a wide window at one end and a broad door at the other. The door is provided with glass but does not open, for of all the nuisances about a bee-house an opening in the door is the very worst imaginable to me. Both windows are provided with balance- shades, such as are used in my home. These shades are green; and, when drawn, the operating-room is as dark as a pocket. I make a distinction between "honey- house" and "operating-room." A honey- house is totally unfit for an operating-room, because of the everlasting lumber and clut- ter, to say nothing about the sticky mess from the extractor, combs about, and the danger of admitting bothersome robbers on all occasions. I want my operating-room clean and clear, free of honey, combs, bees, and mess. But I digress. In my window is a tilting pane which can be quickly thrown open to rid the house of bees after 486 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. June 1 an operation. This window attracts every bee because it is the only light spot in the house at the time; and when I have finished my work I can turn the rascals outside in a twinkling-. They like it, and so do I. The floor of my operating-room is carpet- ed with linoleum, the walls and ceiling- are papered in buff, with a wainscoating- of bright red. There is a rug or two to stand upon. I even have neat Swiss drapery at the window, for adjusting the strength of the light more than any thing else; but it makes an attractive appearance as well. There are some photographs of apiarian subjects on the walls, and some decorative useful articles about. At certain seasons I have a growing plant or two, because I like them always near me. The lighting ar- rangement at the present time (I frequently shift cells at night) is an oil-lamp, but I expect to pipe for gas. The heating stove a I REACH DOWN UNDER THE BENCH AND DRAW NUR- SERIES FILLED WITH VIRGIN QUEENS." is oil too, but of course that will be gas when the change is made. Water I catch from the roof, and always have a generous supply. Across the window end of the house is the work-bench, and along the wall at the right hand are several shelves for holding the numerous articles used in queen-rear- ing. My tools are all at hand without moving from the bench. Along the side, di- rectly beneath the shelves, is a long, low, removable bench for holding the cell- start- ing chambers. Beneath this bench is a slatted ventilator which can be opened and closed at will, and which does not admit light; and above this, on the opposite side, is a wide screen-covered opening into the extracting- room, densely shaded, which can also be opened and closed at will. Thus I can regulate my room to perfect darkness, and at the same time supply ample ventila- tion. Under the benches are several booming colonies which are used exclusively for cell- construction, and there is also nursery ca- pacity within these hives for over 200 virgin queens. Upon the workbench, close to my right arm, are the miniature hives contain- ing the breeding-queens; and at the entrance to the house is a glass hive to show the quality of the queens and bees reared within. All the woodwork inside the house is stain- ed walnut, in dull finish, and the hives are painted pure white, making a very pleasing contrast, and, taken as a whole, is pro- nounced " an artistic scheme." The outside of the house is painted dark olive, with white trimmings. I have a wide awning on the two sunny sides. A vine is fast covering the front and rear. In sum- mer I have palms under the awning and a bench or two for visitors to rest upon. When the sun gets around I can lower a flap for a screen — " it is all so comfortable, so pret- ty! " Now for the convenience of the thing: When I wish to start cells I go early to the hives, before the sun is high, and take up my bees. They are carried directly to the operating-room and placed up- on the low bench I have men- tioned. It is so cool and com- fortable inside that the bees do not thrash as they would out- side in the sun and broad day- light. When it has come time to give them the larvje I go in- side, open the breeding-hive, draw what eggs are needed, and place them directly with the bees set ready to receive them. All is close at hand; I do not have to stir from my tracks. Rain or shine, cold or blow, cell- starting proceeds, for I am under cover, and sc- are my bees. Furthermore, temperature inside can be reg- ulated to suit the operation. In early spring I have a sum- mer heat within mj' house, though it be but 40 outside. Thus I can make an early start. When the cells are fairly under way I simply draw them and place them with the nursing colonies under the bench — no open- ing of hives. Simply raise the covers and peg them in — that is all. The queenless bees are then divided into small nuclei for mating the young queens, by this time hatching in large numbers, as explained in Gleanings, Jan. 1. I simply reach up to the shelves and take down the forming- screens, admit light to the room, and out will pour the bees into the screens. None are lost, for none can escape the confine- ment. The arrangement is quite as pretty as the house in which the deed is done. Along the lower shelf are arranged the mating-boxes; and as the screens are filled they are immediately attached to the boxes; and when all are supplied with their quota of bees I reach down under the bench and draw nurseries filled with virgin queens, and introduce one to each box. All this work is done under cover, mind you, and without moving from my tracks. If I were a lazy man I would seat myself upon a stool and be done with it. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 487 BEC-XEEPING IN JAMAICA. The Home of Logwood. HV I.KSI.IK ALKXANDKR. ]\Ir. Root: — As 3011 have recently been turning' your attentiontothings West Indian, u Jtabl3' Cuban bee keeping^, I have no doubt that a few notes on bee keeping" in Jamaica, with a few tyjiical illustrations, may iuter- rst the vast armv of brother bee- keepers in the States. I am bj' no means a profession- al—only a humble amateur running- an api- arj' of 120 colonies. M\' apiary is situated at Malvern, a verj' large pimento property, iu the wonderful health-giving Santa Cruz temperature is 78°, and our average mini- mum 73. A little over two years ago I started bee- keeping as an experiment with six colonies of Italian bees. In a short time I g-rew to love the work; and when, at the end of the first twelve months, I found I had extracted 1680 lbs. from barely 15 strong colonies, I was not only proud, but I resolved to stick to the business. From 45 strong- colonies this year (by strong I mean the full force of 70,000 bees and upward, according to Doo- little's average) I have taken oft" 4900 lbs. I run the apiary unassisted, save temporary aid at extracting-time; and what with the outdoor work, and the bracing climate, I >r^4>'-"0 colonies, and have an assistant (must be a specialist at lifting heavy weights) I shall consider the matter. I have a rather novel plan in dealing with robbing. The entire colony being robbed is banked with hay which is freely sprin- kled with a brush dipped in whitewash con- taining about a tablespoonful of turpentine. Every robber is branded "white." and I can then detect the colony from which the robbers are issuing, when the entrance is forthwith closed. No matter how thickly the hay is placed around a colony, the bees get ample ventilation, and at night the cov- ering may be removed. The whitewashing is. of course, superior to dusting with flour; and since it saturates the hay. the bees get disgusted as soon as their bodies get foul and sticky, the smell of the turj>entine add- ine to their disgust. There being no local market for it, very little comb honev- is produced in Jamaica — all run for extracted. A good many bee- keepers preserve one season"s empty combs for supering colonies the next honey-flow. Now, I husband Them for my swarms, and since the swarming season follows so close- ly on the honey season, the combs have no time to generate math- worms, which abound here. Hone^- I am speaking of logwood) stored in new ombs is bound to be white; hence I am careful not to give dark combs in supers when the bloom is on. Too much care can not be exercised in this respect, as honev is so easilv discolored or darkened. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 489 From the extractor I run the honey into two large vats. There it is allowed to sub- side thoroughU' for three da\-s, during- which time it undergoes three skimmings. It is then thrown into the extractor, and to the lioney-gate is attached a large muslin bag. After undergoing slow straining it is graduallj' filling the cask below through a cally. The use of the infamous pork-bar- rel, and carelessness in extracting, grad- ing, etc., were also responsible for this sad state of affairs. A well-organized bee-keep- ers' association has now been started. It is onlj' three months old, but is alreadj' do- ing excellent work. It has a traveling salesman in England, and the very first PART OF APIAKV WITH MR. ALEXANDER AT \VORK. funnel, when it is perfectly free of all im- purities, froth, etc. I have found that the average yield here per colony is 119 lbs. I have had colonies yield 210 lbs., but excep- tions do not prove the rule. I manufacture a first-class quality of vinegar from all washings, adopting the method laid down by Mrs. A. J. Barber, in Gleanings for October, 1900, page 763. shipment under the new regime realized 285. per cwt. Of course, all our honej' is now carefully graded and branded by the asso- ciation, which is a guarantee of its puritv'. "We hope to realize once more the old price, 325. per cwt., if not more. Alreadj' lo.OOO gallons of hone}' and a ton of v\-ax have been shipped through the association. We have two able and energetic men at the head of A 20-FKAMK KXPKKIMENTAI, BROOD-CHAMBER, WITH DOUBLE SUPERS ON. Two years ago Jamaica honej- sold in the English market at 32s. per cwt., and 2s. Id. per gallon locally. Through the indiffer- ence of the middleman, or dealer, it went down six months ago to the wretched figure of 125. per cwt. abroad, and 65. per cwt. lo- afl'airs, Mr. H. C. Burnet, the General Manager, and Mr. C. W. McHard}', the Secretar}-, whose postal address is 145 Harbour St., Kingston. The enterprising Elder-Dempster Steamship Co. generouslv- gave our traveling salesman a free trip to 490 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. June 1 Eng'land, and thej' carry all our honey at present at 50 per cent reduced rates. Ja- maica log'wood honey stands on an equal with the best honeys of the world, notably the clover honeys of America; and with careful handliner, such as it now obtains throug-h the medium of the Bee-keepers' As- sociation, it is bound to take its place in the first markets of the world. It is a thousand pities that the prohibitive export duty of l5. per g-allon to America forces us to send nearly all the honey produced in the colony to Europe; for, thous^h the output of the States is so g-reat. there would always be a market for it, since our honey season is at its height when the bees in your own coun- cwt. of honey annually is not accounted for. Taking this into consideration, then the basis of calculation would be as follows: Jamaica, with nn area of 4200 square miles, and an output of 1^,000 cwt. (1,792,000 lbs.) annuall}', would show a yield of 423 lbs. per square mile in round numbers. This is away ahead of Texas, California, and Cuba. \Vhen it is considered that curs is a land of eternal sunshine, and well de- fined seasons; that this is the home of the logwood, one of the finest honey- producing- plants of the world; that here such a thing as foul brood, black brood, or any other bee-disease, is unknown, and, lastly, that here we have the largest yield of honey per CORNiK OF EXTRACTING ROOM, SHOWING ONE OK THE HONEY-VATS. try are in winter quarters. It is obvious that there would be a demand if the hone}' were placed in your market about the month of April. In conclusion I would point out that the basis of calculation of your secretary, Mr. A. L. Boyden (see Gleanings for Ma3', 1902, page 368), viz., the export returns, is hardly a fair one by which to arrive at the yield per square mile— more so when placed alongside of a "Census Report" in the case of Texas. There is the question of local consumption to be considered. From my knowledge I am led to say that at least 3000 square mile, the term "bee-keeper's para- dise " might truly be the desig^nation of our island, Jamaica, land of wood and streams. Malvern, Jamaica. [Mr. Geo. W. Phillips, our head apiarist, formerly of Jamaica, and one who has large bee-Aeeping- interests there now, com- ments as follows:] Little did I think, when on board the train bound for King-ston to attend the bee- keepers' meeting which resulted in the for- mation of the Jamaica Bee-keepers' Associ- ation, and met Mr. Alexander, the writer 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 491 of the above article, that I should ever have the pleasure of supplementing- an article of his for Gleanings, as I do now, from the Home of the Honey-bees; but it is the unex- pected that generally hapipens. We passed through a sort of fairyland on that journey. Logwood was in full bloom; and as the train rushed along its serpentine course among the mountains, the hills, val- leys, and plains appeared one undulating sea of yellow blossoms. There were quite a number of bee-keep- ers on board; and somewhere about the sta- tion called Four-Paths we were joined by Mr. Hooper, the distinguished apiarist of the island. He told us he was having a splendid flow just then, and he and his boys were busy extracting. As we passed the railroad stations near which his apia- ries were located we could see by the full barrels and comb-honey supers stacked up for shipment that his statement was true. The sight of those full barrels gave us fel- lows a sort of inspiration. Mr. Alexander speaks of the perishing or dwindling season. Let me explain what this is. In most localities in Jamaica there is no hone\' coming in from the fields be- tween August and October. During this period judicious stimulating should be prac- ticed. Mr. Alexander has given it a com- paratively refined name; the real Jamaican name is "hard times." These "hard times " follow immediately upon the swarm- ing season, April to June. Where no effort is made to prevent after-swarms, the parent colony is left impoverished, while the late swarms have no time to build up before the "hard times" overtakes them. Can we wonder, then, that, where no feeding is done, the bee-keeper as well as bees ex- perience dwindling times, perishing times, hard times? It is the careless bee-keeper all over the world who allows this condi- tion of affairs to exist, that generally con- demns bee-keeping as a failure, and quits the business with " blasted hopes." Under normal conditions, September swarms are of comparatively rare occur- rence. Of course, even in a small island like Jamaica localitv' makes some differ- ence. Most beekeepers in Jamaica, when start- ing in the business, make the mistake of adopting kerosene-box hives; and Mr. Alex- ander is no exception to the rule. A kero- sene-box, let me sa3% is almost identical with that which contains two five-g.illon honey-tins. The sides are only 's in. thick, thus offering scanty protection from the rays of the sun. Besides, being ridiculous- ly frail, they are liable to collapse, under a weight of honey, at any time. There is not one progressive bee-keeper that I know who has not discarded them for something more substantial. Mr. Alexander is a pleasant gentleman, and an enthusiastic bee-keeper. He is a fellow who knows how to defend his own views too, and I shall not forget the spirited discussion we had on our way to Kingston that day, and the manner in which he de- fended his kerosene-box hive and simple method of queen-rearing. There are many interesting items in the above article which I can not now comment upon. However, let me say that, in order to secure large crops of honey in Jamaica, abee-keeper must have his colonies bubbling over with bees in October. They will then be able to store the necessary amount in the brood-nest from bellflower or Christmas pop, and make a start in the super besides, so that, when the logwood bursts into bloom, the latter part of December, all hands will be ready for work, and the bee-keeper will have the pleasant task of pilings on the su- pers. If the readers of Gleanings desire it, I will say something more in a later issue about bee-keeping in Jamaica. Geo. W. Phillips. COMB-HONEY PRODUCTION. how to Get all the Sections No. 1 and Fancy. Part 3. BY OREL L. HERSHISER. The colony, having been built up to great strength, and prepared for the harvest ac- cording to one of the foregoing methods, is now, at the opening of the honey- flow, ready for the first super. It is not advised to give the super to the colony before honey is being gathered in sufficient quantity to insure continuous work in the drawing out and building of the combs. The more rap- idly the combs are built and finished, the better will be the appearance of the prod- uct. Usually the proper time to put on the super is when the upper edges of the top- bars of the brood-frames begin to have a white and fresh appearance, indicating that the bees are gathering honey and se- creting wax. For fancy comb-honej* production, only the very best white sections should be used. These should be provided with full sheets of the best extra thin comb foundation, care being taken that it is securely attached lengthwise of the middle of the top of the section so it will not drop down when sub- jected to the heat of the hive and weight of the bees which will cluster upon it. To in- sure further the true building of the combs, the hive should be placed perfectly level, especially in the horizontal direction that is at right angles with the sides of the combs in the sections. The best results will be obtained if the first super contains a few fully drawn sec- tions of comb, of which the comb- honey pro- ducer usually has a supply saved over from the previous season. The super thus pre- pared is g-iven to the colony. The upper section of the brood-chamber having been removed, and the super substituted in its place, the space formerly occupied by the colon}', while being bred up for the honey harvest, has been diminished, and the bees 492 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. June 1 will at once commence work in the sections. If the flowers are secreting nectar in abundance it will be but a few days till capping of the combs in the super com- mences, which will indicate the time when a second super should be placed above the first. Capping" will now progress in the first super. At the sime time, the honey- laden bees returning from the fields, not all being able to dispose of their burdens in the first suoer, which is rapidly approach- ing completion, will commence storing in the second, and continue without interrup- tion. The opportunities for work in the first super are rapidly diminishing, and day by day fewer bees can be employed there, till finally the super is finished, and its completion will have been accomplished under the most favorable circumstances for thorough and complete work. But there is no enforced idleness, for the upper super furnishes store room for all the nectar that c in not be stored in the first one. In due time capping will commence in the upper or second super, if the honey- flow continues, which indicates the time when the capping in the first is finished. The first super may now be removed from the hive; and the second one, which is now being capped, substituted in its place, and a third super placed above it. When capping has com- menced in the third super, the second, or one next to the brood-body, will be finish- ed, and may be removed; the third, or one over the second, substituted in place of the latter, and a fourth placed above the third; and so on to the end of the season. The natural instinct of the bee is to store its food as near as possible to the brood. The apiarist should heed the teaching of nature, and keep food and brood in as com- pact a space as possible, and not violate the rule so unerringly pointed out by the Crea- tor, by lifting the partly filled super and 1st Pi-ize 111 -Sect. > .1 r -' .\\ ^\ 'i «i i\ ti i » I « ' . 1 1 > I. :*% A\ . .ll *^ \- J\ - U . 11. .»\ • • •■■ IP - -, . 1 1 ( I • *. •• 1' -A r .■ i - ( 1 n THE PRODUCT OF ONE HIVE OF BLACK BKES AT THE PAN-AMEKICAN IN A DANZENBAKER HIVE, MANIPULATED ACCORDING TO THE PLAN HERE DESCRIBED. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 493 placing beneath it one containing- empty sections, according- to orthodox teaching. Bv practicing- the orthodox method, much of the working force will be withdrawn from the upper super, and work will be distrib- uted through that and the lower one in un- desirable and unprofitable proportion, oft- times resulting in none of the sections being properly tilled. The system of management we have at- tempted to outline, and which we have found to produce profitable results, requires that there be no separating of the working and storing force of bees from the brood more than is necessary by the outward and upward extension of work in the supers; that there be not more than two supers in use on the hive at any one time; that the .supers be removed as fast as completed ; that there be no enforced idleness by leav- ing the super on till finished before giving additional storage room; and. as far as possible, to have the bees complete each su- per while it is next to the brood chamber to insure perfect work. By keeping the colony compact its heat is conserved, which pro- motes brood- rearing, keeps the hive well slocked with bees, resulting in rapid, per- fect, and uniform building of combs in the super. The bees will complete each super separateU', using only the upper one as op- portunity for work in the lower diminishes and finalU' ceases. As the end of the season draws near, the bees will finish the last super, next to the brood-chamber, with honey from the unfin- ished combs in the last upper super. The apiarist will thus approach the end of the season with practicall}- all the unfinished sections in the last upper super, and all other sections, filled and finished fanc3^ General adoption of improved methods of comb-honej' production would exert a far- reaching influence on apiculture. There would result increased consumption, fol- lowed by better demand, and satisfactory prices for honej' in the comb. It can not be denied that beautiful appearance is the most potent factor in marketing. To please the eye will accomplish more, in a pecuni- ary waj', than to please the sense of taste. The Ben Davis apple obtained its almost universal popularit}' with horticulturists, who grow apples for mirket, because of its appearance — a beautiful red, the most de- sirable color for apples — and not on ac- count of its (]ualit3-, which is actually infe- rior. While honey is just as good in sec- tions which have an unoccupied space be- tween the comb and the wood, decidedly the best demand is for those which are filled and capped as nearly solid as it is possible to produce them. The fancy and attractive appearance in- creases the value of comb hone}', and adds dollars to the net profits of the apiarist without decreasing the quantity which the bees will make; but, rather, would there result an increased production. There would also result a decrease of the relative proportion of extracted honey as compared with that in the comb which bee-keepers would produce because of the better price and demiind for the latter. This would tend to improve the demand and price of honey in the extracted form. It is to the financial advantage of the apiarist, from every view- point, to make a special efl'ort to produce fancy comb honey. [The illustration herewith shows the ex- hibit that manj' admired at the Pan-Amer- ican. It was produced by Mr. Hershiser, on the grounds of the exposition, in the Ag- ricultural Building, where many of the bees would be lost, on the very plan he out- lines in these three articles, especially in the one we have before us. This honey, 102 lbs. all told, came from one colony of black bees in a Danzenbaker hive. When it is remembered that the locality around the Pan-American was not of the best, because the lawns were kept mown closely every day, the results were all the more surpris- ing. It is not claimed by Mr. Hershiser that the hive is responsible for this good result, because any hive could be manipulated to a great extent on this principle. But the Danzenbaker or any sectional brood-cham- ber is especially adapted to the treatment. The particular feature of the plan is that, instead of getting a large per cent of sec- tions No. 1 and 2, almost the entire product of the hive is No. i and ^^ Fancy.'''' As will be seen by the illustration, a very large part if not the entire lot of honey would grade as " Fanc}^" Under a diiYerent (or the usual) plan of manipulation, putting an empty super under a filled super, there might have been more boxes of hone}'; but there would not have begun to be as many that would grade as No. 1 and " Fancj'. " Years ago there used to be a good many articles telling what to do with unfinished sections. Some recommended extracting ; others, cutting out and selling for chunk honey; others, putting it back on the hives and feeding it back. It will be remembered that, when these articles were being pub- lished, it was during the very time that the plan of putting an empty super under part- ly finished ones was being exploited and recommended. In other words, if I under- stand Mr. Hershiser, tiering up results in too many unfinished sections, while tiering under increases the No. 1 and "Fancy." Mr. Hershiser"s articles will bear careful reading, and the proof of the pudding is right before 3-ou. — Ed.] VENTILATION OF BEE-CELLARS VIEWED FROM A SCIENTIFIC STANDPOINT. Contrary Experiences Possitiy tfarmoaized. BY ARTHUR C. MILLER. In a recent number of Gleanings jou commented on the different practices in re- gard to the ventilation of bee-cellars, and were at a loss to account for bees wintering 494 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. J U IN t, X well under seemingly contrary conditions. At the outset I must confess that I can not shed much light on the problem; still, I may be able to give you a clue to a solution. First, we have not yet had a full and e.r- act statement of the conditions of Mr. Bar- ber's and Mr. Doolittle's cellars. From such descriptions as I have read I should say that each afforded a greater or less amount of slow but sure change of air. If you will consider the great difference in temperature between the inside and outside air, the porosity of the walls, roof, and earth surrounding them, you will, I think, see the necessity of taking them into ac- count in attempting to find a solution. Moisture of the surrounding soil is also a factor of some moment, also the chemical composition of the soil, as well as its na- ture— whether sandy, gravelly, clayey, etc. If the soil surrounding the cellar or the cellar itself contains much decaying (even if slowly so) vegetable matter, the necessity for ventilation is increased; for such matter tends to give out carbonic-acid gas. But if the ground is very moist, even if drains pre- vent the water accumulating in the cellar, such moisture absorbs some of the carbonic gas produced by the bees' respiration, ard limey soils, under some circumstances, ab- sorb carbonic gas so as to produce a so call- ed bicarbonate of lime. Among other factors are the number of colonies to cubic feet of cellar, size of such colonies, and temperature of cellar. The colder the cellar the more honey the bees must oxidize in order to live, and the con- sequently greater production of noxious gas; also inferior stores or other disturbing con- ditions will have weight in that they cause increased activity, which results in using more oxygen. You are up against the real thing in \ry- ing to solve that problem, and you will have to get down to science to do so. The old ways won't work. It won't do to accept the statement, "My cellar is drj'." You must know how dry it is. It won't do to accept the statement that "three doors keep out all fresh air," or that the "air is never changed in my cellar all winter." You have got to knoiu. You must also know the decree of purity of the contained air. Mr. Cheshire's work contains, in the chapter on Wintering (Vol. 2), a very good essay on the need, value, and use of oxj'gen by the bees. It applies particular!}' to bees wintered in the open; but if you will allow for the difference in the cellar temperature you can form some idea of the amount of air needed in the cellar. I do not have to winter my bees in a cel- lar, though doubtless it would save honey, though at a cost in other ways, but I should like to see the why of the ventilation of cel- lars settled. Get the exact and complete facts, and the problem will cease to be. Providence, R. I. [I would gather from what you say that you are of the opinion that there is more actual ventilation in those bee-cellars where there is supposed to be practically none than the owners of those cellars imagine. This is possibly true; but a very important point to be considered is uniform tempera- ture. I think we may set it down as a fact not to be disputed by any one, that in an absolutely uniform temperature of the right degree, bees require less ventilation than where there is a variation. A warm tem- perature especially seems to require a change of air. — Ed.] MOVING BEES A SHORT DISTANCE; SOME OF THE DIFFICULTIES INVOLVED. To move bees a short distance in the sum- mer, and do it rightly, causing- no confu- sion, is quite a trick after all. Did you move those bees from the south to the north side of that tree at once, or did you move them the length of the hive at a time, once a day? Bees can be moved ahead or back- ward better than sidewise, especially if they are in close-sitting groups. Move them endwise the length of the hive at a time, and they will hardly notice it; but move them sidewise, even as little as the width of the hive, and a great confusion will be the result. As I said before, it is mainly by being accustomed to location that they find their home. By moving endwise, loca- tion is not changed (for practical purposes) ; only the distance is varied a little, one way or the other, as the case may be; but move them sidewise, and every colony except one end one has taken the place of another. Although their relative position (appear- ance) may be retained, their location is completel}' changed, giving them an extra good chance for a general mix-up. Your compositor has made another mis- take. My manuscript says, " in groups of five ten feet apart," meaning, of course, in groups of five colonies each, ten feet apart. The insertion of the little word or between five and ten changes the meaning of the sentence, and makes it illogical. In groups of five colonies five feet apart, there is a differ- ence and economy in room and steps, but not when ten feet apart. G. C. Greinkr. La Salle, N. Y. [That row of hives was moved about three times their length directly backward, i. e., northward. They had been stationed, by mistake of one of our men, as I explained, on the south side of the trees. When I ar- rived at the yard and saw what had been done I was disgusted, and decided I would move the whole row of hives backward, even 496 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. if the bees had located their entrances. So I moved each hive back so that they stood about a foot back of the ttorth line of the trees. This was done at one operation, keeping^ the same relative position of the hives. The only difference was that, to the bees at least, the trees appeared to have mjved southward. There was very little if any mixing, but there was an interruption, for it took the bees nearly all day to become accustomed to the change. Just before the moving- they were working in the field; but honey-g^athering ceased as soon as the workers returned. But conditions were nor- mal, or practically so, the next day. You are entirely correct when you say bees can be moved backward more readily than sidewise. I would not hesitate to move a whole apiary three or four feet back- ward; and it would make no difference if it were moved sidewise providing there were no distinguishing landmarks such as trees. If, for instance, the apiary were located in an open plain or field, without any trees or knolls, nor any thing to distinguish loca- tion, the whole bee-yard, if the relative po- sition of each hive were preserved, could be moved a good man}' feet one way or the other. In the little unconventional convention, made up of Mr. Chalon Fowls, Mr. W. Z. Hutchinson, and mj'self, at the home of Mr. Fowls, a discussion arose as to whether a shaken swarm could be shifted around as readily as a natural swarm. Mr. Hutch- inson, as I reported, was of the opinion that it could be. We should like to have reports from those who have tested the matter. It sometimes becomes very desirable to move a bee-yard from the front of the house to the rear, because of the annoyance to the pas- sersby in a public highway. If the shaken plan would work, the whole yard could be moved backward the depth of the lot, or nearly so. If any one tries the experiment, perhaps he had better put two or three weak nuclei in front to catch the few stragglers that may come back. These, later, can be again moved back. — Ed.] boards, and it ought to just cov with one under each end, ani the center. Tack the board blocks, and lay on top of it two with their centers 2 feet apart es from each end of the board. SUGGESTION NO. 1 FOR IMPROVEMENT IN WAX-PRESSES. On page 675, Aug. 15, last year, mention is made of the fact that a continuous pres- sure under the screw of the wax-press was desirable; but that an ordinary spring, sufficiently stiff, would be too expensive. Let me suggest a wood spring for your wax- press, that is both powerful and cheap. As I do not know the size of the press I shall have to assume dimensions; so we will make our spring 4 feet 2 inches long and 12 in. wide and 10 inches high or thick. We shall need for it six dry hard straight-grained boards of southern pine or other suitable wood, yz X 12 in. X4 ft. 2 in., and 18 pieces of any kind of stuff 1X2X12 inches. To begin, lay down on the floor or bench three of these blocks, exactly two feet from center to center. Now lay on one of the blocks to the board, and lay c second board; on this place thre actly over the three we startec the third board, and on it two over the two on the second boar, in this way till the 6 boards ai are all used up, and you will ht that will surprise j'ou for stre ness, and low cost. These s good service here in war times un cars. Of course, the wood wil time, but will do service a Ion doesn't get wet while under a Ic make a rough elevation or side ■ out my crude directions. M [Your scheme of a wooden sj be all right save for one fatal ot would soon lose its elasticity, spring inside of a wax-press, i on top of it, just as you have the enveloping steam would ver^ it good for nothing. As soofl ; was applied the wooden boards and stay bent. Why, that is ji they bend all bent work. The ' into a steam-box, and when it i ly soaked with hot steam it is the proper curve, and allowed to on-felloes, bicycle-rims, and . work, are treated in this waj'.— MORE ABOUT BULK COMB HONl FOR SECTIONS WEIGHING A FU H. H. Hyde says, page 14, th consumer buy's a can of bulk c . . . . he feels that he is weight." I want to emphasize "full weight.' That tells the story. Consumers are rapidly on" that our so-called "stan tions do not hold a full-weight are demanding bulk honey, blame for this state of affairs? not the consumer. Eight yeai not have a customer who calle honey. Now I have hundreds, takes about 500 lbs. of it eve 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 497 have one customer who will not buy it in the sections at all. He will stand by and see me cut it out of the sections, place in his bucket, and pour extracted honey over it, and g-ladly pa}' for it, and take it away. He says he gets full weight (what he pays for), and that "the comb honey floating- in the liquid honey is very rich and nice." Bulk hone)\ managed with the same care as that of section hone}', and covered with a fine grade of extracted honey, is most delicious to mj' taste. Had yve all adopted a section large enough to hold a full pound, the demand for bulk honey would not now be increasing so rapidly. When a customer buys a package of bulk hone}^ he tells all his neighbors what "rich" honey he has, and soon we have a dozen more customers wanting honey like that we sold to Mr. Smith, It's no use for us to form a mutual-admiration society and say we will stick to a certain size "stand- ard" section, and force our customers to buy light weights. Thej' just simply won't do it. With combs l;'s thick I find it takes nearlj' 20 square inches of comb to weigh a full pound. The4X5 sections contain 17jVo"o% square inches of comb (4-'4 X S-U ). The 4'4 X5 section contains 19 square inches of comb, 4^4 X4. I firmly believe that, if we had adopted the 4'4 X5Xl:Js section, or one of equal capacit}', the demand for bulk honey would not now be increasing so very rapidl}'. But the demand is increasing, and I predict that it will continue to grow. There is one advantage in producing bulk honey that Bro. H. does not mention. When we cut out the bulk honey, place it in the cans, and cover it with extracted honey, there is no trouble with worms get- ting into it. We have no labor nor trouble in fumigating our honey. Speaking of the advantages of closed-end frames, you say, Mr. Editor, in your foot- note to mj' article, page 907: "All that you say in favor of closed-end frames is equal- ly true of the half-closed end or Hoffman. " There is one very important advantage of the closed-end frame that I did not mention. C'osed-end frames confine the bees ivithui the Jraines. This is not true of the half- closed end or Hoffman. To confine the bees within the frames is a very important advantage. No combs can then be built between the ends of the frames and inside of hive-walls. T. K. Massie. Tophet, W. Va. FEF.mNG BACK THE HONEV FROM PARTLY FILLED sections; HOW IT SHOULD BE DONE. I have on hand quite a number of sections partly filled — not marketable last fall, nor filled sufficiently for home use. Please tell me if it would pay to feed the honey in them to my bees. If so, how? Would they leave the combs unharmed? If so, could thej' be used again? I have no extractor, and raise only comb honey. The bees are busy now on the ma- ples. I thought if the bees could use these un- finished sections in raising brood I might be able to have them fill some sections with fruit- bloom honey. E. L. Stewart. Chestertown, Maryland, Mar. 21. [If you put such honey in the upper story of a hive, expecting the bees to carry the honey down into the brood-nest, you may be disappointed. They mayor may not— it all depends on the season of the year. If you wish to have the sections cleaned out, put them in supers and put the supers in hives, stacked up in one tall pile a few rods from the apiary. Give ingress to the pile through only a very small entrance so that only one or two bees can pass at a time. The bees of the yard will rob out the sec- tions very slowly, without making any spe- cial commotion. Mr. Vernon I3urt, our neighbor, has all such sections of his clean- ed out in this way. — Ed. 1 NATIONAL COMMERCIAL ORGANIZATION. I hope that our people will not stop think- ing and talking national organization for commercial benefits. While there is not so much want for it at this particular season of the year, this fall there will be many sad experiences, and the matter will again be brought to the front. Besides the loss to the producers, some have said that it will cost too much to maintain the head office; but it is evident that such have never put the fig- ures together. Here are a few: We will make our basis low, so as to be safe. We will calculate on handling only 1000 cars of honey, that being extracted, which would be 15,000 tons, or 20,000,000 pounds. Figuring upon a selling basis of 6 cts. per pound, we have $1,800,000. As the cost of selling to be upon the basis of 1 per cent, we have S 8,000, which should be ample for that amount of business; when the business doubles, then our resources al- so double, which will be needed for the ex- tra help and other appliances. Now we have figured that it will cost $18,000 to market 1000 carloads of honey through the National Commercial Agency, and we must seek for some benefit, or we are out that amount; but thej' are so numerous we can mention but few. First, as it now is we pay 5 per cent to market the honej*. Here we save 4 per cent, or $72,000, and surely we should be able to keep the selling price at least one cent per pound higher than un- der the present system; and when crops are good we should still hold the prices uniform, which would mean at least two cents per pound; but figuring upon the one- cent saving, and from the 1000 carloads handled, we save 8300,000; add to this the 572,000, and we have $372,000, less the $18,000 selling expenses, and here we are with a net saving to ourselves of $354,000; and when the business doubles we have $708,000, and shall soon reach the million point; yes, and see what we can save of the thousands of dollars' worth of our ^-oods which are now consigned to unscrupulous 493 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. JriNE commission men, and what is sold upon the market below its actual market value by the producers not being posted as to its true conditions. I am sure that there is much in it for us — too much to allow to pass by and not put the machinery in motion. A million dol- lars each year is good money for the other fellow to make from us, and to be placed to his bank account when it is the result of our own labors, and should be retained by us. What do you say? E. R. Root seems to think the people are hardly ready for the million dollars; but it is to be hoped that they will soon reach out and take it. Hanford, Cal. F. E. Brown. [I see no defect in your general plan. The scheme is all right; but getting it into practical effect — there's the rub. I still be- lieve that the best way to get at this prob- lem is to make hard pulls for State organi- zations; then when we get several of them effectively working, start one that shall be national in character. To use a homely phrase, there is such a thing as biting off more than we can chew. It is practicable to organize local and State associations or exchanges; but I think it would not be fea- sible just yet to launch forth a national or- ganization. Your general plan shows, how- ever, how much might be saved by a nation- al organization; and Gleanings will be glad to lend its columns for a general dis- cussion of this kind. I may be mistaken; but I believe we should start from the lesser and work toward the greater. If I am wrong, I should be glad to co-operate with any reasonable effort for getting a national organization launched forth at once. — Ed.] FROZEN BEES REVIVED, AGAIN. In Gleanings for April 15th, page 341, I find an assertion made that "bees chilled to death came to life again." The bees in question were only apparently dead, but not really so. Nothing can be raised to life again by natural means when life is once gone. More than 20 years ago I had the same experience during a very cold winter, with bees that were like dead, and "came to life " again. After a severe cold spell a colony was placed in the sun. A few bees came forth, and, flying about, they soon fell on the icy snow and remained there for about six hours. They seemed to be frozen to death. When I gathered them in a small pasteboard box and brought them into a warm room I could scarcely believe that life was yet in them; but after two hours the bees began to hum within the box. In many other instances, where bees were in nearly the same condition for a longer time they never came to life again. Considering this I am apt to judge that severe cold weather will not kill bees if they have plenty of honey just where the cluster of bees is sitting, provided cold spells do not last too long without interruption. That bees can ever be brought into a state in which they hibei-nate, as some other inst do, without food, is yet to be proved. 1 perience shows the contrary, so far as knowledge reaches. St. Meinrad, Ind. Alphonse Veith [It was Prof. Cook, or possibly some o else, years ago, who conducted a series experiments to determine how long be would stand a hard freeze without actually dying. The results secured by him are practically the same as those you arrived at. No, I do not believe that any intelligent person ever believed for a moment that bees when actually dead could be brought to life again. Such a proposition is too silly to be debated for one minute. — Ed.] dents in queens; how to remove. We notice in your issue for May 1, some- thing about dents in queens, the editor thinking that dents sometimes do no harm. They certainly do no good, but why allow a dent to remain, when ten seconds will remove it ? We have never come across a dented queen but that we could remove the dent; but the longer the dent remains, the more skill it takes to do it. Roll a sheet of paper an inch in diameter, then dent it. Now with thumb and finger press on each side of the dent, and it will snap out. Practice on that paper, and then try a queen. It is rather tedious work to take the dent out of some queens, j'et it can be done. In your issue for April 15 you ask for the names of those who are willing to help support a State organization of bee-keep- ers for Ohio. You may put our name on the list. We will try to be with you this coming winter; but in case we can not, our dollar will be. H. G. QuiRiN. Parkertown, Ohio. [Hadn't thought of your plan before, of pressing out the dent — perfectly simple and feasible. By the wa}', I now see that on page 900, 1901, you described this operation, but I had forgotten it. — Ed.] HOW THE BEES WINTERED IN THAT CELLAR BLASTED FROM THE SOLID ROCK. I have just removed the bees from that cellar blasted from the solid rock. I put in 58 stands Nov. 16; took out 58 March 23, which is ten days or two weeks earlier than we usually set bees out in this section. Soft maples have been in bloom since the 17th. This is the third winter my bees have come through without loss when win- tered in that cave. C. H. Pierce. Kilbourn, Wis., Mar. 23. WHAT TO DO WITH COMBS BUILT CROSS- WISE; WILL SHALLOW BROOD-CHAM- BERS PREVENT SWARMING? I bought a number of colonies in the reg- ular Langstroth hives, but the bees have 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE, 499 had no attention for the last two years, and hence many combs are built crosswise, or at least so crooked that they can not be ex- tracted. Now, I think that the bees will carrj^ out the honej' if these cases are placed below the brood- nest and on top of the brood-nest an ideal super be placed. Do you think that I shall succeed in having- the honej' carried out b^^ the bees, and stored above the brood-nest? Do j'ou think it will prevent swarming if Ideal supers with starters of comb founda- tion are placed on top of the brood-nest as soon as the bees begin to bring- heme a little honey, although pollen is in abun- dance? I think 3'ou under - .«.tand what I mean, for the bees are not gathering- any surplus now or before April, and even later; but the swarming- season is mainly in March, or just a little be- fore hone\' is coming- in in abundance. A Subscriber in Texas. Goodwin, Mar. 7. [Bees ma3' or ma}- not carry the honey to the brood -nest above. A good deal will de- pend on the season of the year. In the fall, toward the approach of cold weather, they might do so. What I should recommend would be to set these hives on a stand by themselves, g-ive an entrance just wide enough for the bees to pass one at a time, and then let the bees rob it out slowly. Of course, if there are a g-ood many bees in the vicinity, not your own, this plan would not be feasible, as it would lose 3'ou too much honey. The plan 3-ou propose would not prevent swarming-. Of course, giving- the bees plenty of room has a ten- dency to discourag-e it. — Ed.] NOTES or TRAVLt * BY A. I. ROOT . SOME GLIMPSES OF CUBAN APIARIES, ETC. First we give another view of Rambler's apiary, the same as is shown on page 400 of our last issue. By comparing this one with the one mentioned above 3'Ou will see that it was taken from a diiferent point of view. FIG. 2. — BEES IN LOG HIVES IN CUBA rambler's apiary from ANOTHER STANDPOINT. On page 109, Feb. 1, I mentioned a visit to Mr. Ciriaco Gutierrez. On page 110 I described particularly this apiary, and I here present two views. No. 2 is taken from the back, and 3 from the front. You will notice in Fig. 3 that one of the hives, instead of being made of a hollow log, is just a piece of palm-leaf rolled up. An3' thing that sheds the rain will answer for a hive in Cuba. In one place I saw a bee-hive made of a piece of sheet iron rolled up. It look- ed like a section of stove- pipe. But that can not be, because they have neither stoves nor stove - pipes in Cuba. Fig. 4 gives us a view of the little town of Paso Real. At the lelt 3'ou get a glimpse of the schoolhouse, the only building in town that has glass windows, and almost the only one that has a floor, except the postoffice. There are, perhaps, half a dozen stores, meat-markets, grocer- ies, etc., but they are all on the bare ground. Most of them have a sort of porch out in front, and here the goods are often exhibited for sale. When it rains hard, the 500 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. June 1 horses are hitched in the shelter of this porch, and, as a consequence, more or less horse manure is found most of the time inside the porch in front of the store, close to the dry- g-co J s and groceries. I believe the proprietor generally shov- els out the droppings a little about once a day. When he has a big run of custom, how- ever, he does not seem to get around to it every day. This state of affairs, however, is found mostly in the smaller towns. Where there is a population of one or two thousand, they usually have some nice stores and eating- places, especiall3' right in the center of the town. Fig. 5 represents j'our hum- ble servant standing by a big banana-bush in the path at our Paso Real apiarj'. I did not expect my picture to be taken at that time; but one cooking variety'. When sliced up and fried, they are something between a nice sweel potato and a good Irish potato. I found FIG. 3. — APIARY OF HIVES MADE OF HOLLOW LOGS, ETC. FIG. 4. — PASO REAL. them very healthful and ap- petizing. The banana grows with great rapidity. The one standing near me grew from the ground in one season. After it has borne a bunch of fruit it is cut off close to the ground, and then it grows up and bears another crop of fruit the next season. Fig. 6 is a picture of Mr. Hilbert when he was on his way to pay a visit to Mr. Ciriaco Gutierrez, the man who gave us the stingless bees. The picture shows the royal palm-trees and other vegetation, and gives a glimpse of the country roads where ox teams haul things to market. of the boys who was visit- ing us from a neighboring apiary snapped his kodak on us. The banana near- est me has not j-et sent up the bud that produces fruit; but it will later on, for ev- ery banana-tree bears fruit more or less once a year. The tree on the right, you will notice, has a bunch of fruit partly visible. There is a great variety of ba- nanas in Cuba. Some are very small, and exceedingly sweet. Some are red and some yellow. And then there are great big bananas — larger than any thing we see here in America. These large ones are mostly the FIG. 6. — A CUBAN ROAD. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 501 Fig". 7 grives us a g'limpse of a couple of younjj ladies, or "senoritas," as they are called in Spanish. The^' are neighbors of Mr. Moe, and Mrs. Moe invited them over to give )Our humble servant a little recep- tion. Of course, we could not talk ver_v much together, but the girls were kind enough to give me some Spanish songs. I told one of Mr. Moe's hired men, the one who has the ko- dak, that I would give a five dollar bill for a picture of the younger one if he could get her while she was laughing and carrying on as she did there at Mr. Moe's that evening. And I would give another five-dollar bill to have the readers of Gle.^nings hear the rattle of the tongues of these Spanish senoritas. And, bj- the wa3-, some of the " senoras " (women) could keep up with them pretty well, I think. We have all heard about American women who could use their tongues, especiall}' v^hen they were at a sewing society', or something of that sort. But my impression is that these Spanish women would get in more words in five minutes than any Amer- FIG. 8. — RENDERtNt, ^^ \ v \W..i IHK SOLAK KX IKAC I OK. FIG. 5. — OUK PASO REAL APIARY. lean woman I ever came across could in fifteen. And then I began to wonder if even they could really comprehend or catch on to such rapid talk. But judging from the rattling rejoinder, I was forced to believe the}' did. The girls in question could talk Spanish to the bovs and the rest of the fam- ily even if they could not to me. If I am correct, the two girls work for a living, and are carrying on a sort of milliner}- store. Mr. Moe laughingly said if I gave their picture in Gleanings he would be able to get plenty of help in his apiary from young men from the States; and he thought that may be they would be willing to work for reasonable wages, "in consid- eration," etc. Fig. 8 is a picture of your humble ser- vant while he is interested in rendering wax with the solar extractor. I was not posing for a picture: but if if remember correctly Stephen snapped his kodak on me without mv knowledge or consent. If Mrs. Root had been consulted in regard to the matter she would have insisted that I go to the barber s and have a little slicking- up done before posing before our readers in this manner. Fig. 9 gives a view of the royal palms, and one that shows the swell in the trunk in a remarkable degree. Notice what a slender sten omes out of the ground, and how it swells o^it like a mammoth seed- stalk onion. The bunches of berries that they feed to (he pigs is seen right up under the foliage where the leaves branch out. I have before stated that these swollen bodies are often used on a sort of drag for drawing water from the springs and streams. 502 CLEAxMNGS IN T.EE CULTURE JUXK 1 QUR HOMES, BY A. I. ROOT. But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good tothem which hate you. bless them that curse you and oras- for them which despitefullv use you. — Luke 0 : 27, 28. After I g"ot on my wheel, as mentioned in our last issue, p. 453, I remembered that it was Saturday, and pretty well along- in the afternoon; therefore it would be iinpossible for me to reach Taco Taco, 60 miles away, without encroaching- on the Sabbath; and I will confess that for awhile it seemed as if I would be almost excusable for pushing- ahead, even on Sunday, especially as my mission was for peace, and it was not a very difficult matter to convince myself that I would be doing- missionary ivork in recon- ciling Mr. de Beche to my young friend Gilson. Then I reflected that at Taco- Trico I could not find a Sunday-school, nor Htteni church service of any kind. So I decided to stop over Sunday with my friend Mr. Fraser and his wife at Guanajay. As it was, I did not get in till after dark. I found my wa.v, however, to the parsonage, and was rejoiced to see the audience-room filled as usual, and to find my friend Fraser preaching a sermon. I did not know that FIG. /. — SPANISH SENOKITAS. . 9.— ROYAL PALM ^WITH ITS SWOLLEN TRUNK. he had a service Saturday night. In order that I might not disturb anybody I opened the door carefully, placed my wheel inside the court, and thought I would slip into the audience-room qui- etly, without disturbing any one. Now, the only door to the chapel opens into the corner of the room where the organ stands. Bro. F"razer, when lie talks to his people, stands beside the organ. Just beyond him was a vacant chair, right beside (and a little back of) the -speaker. This chair was the one I had been in the habit of occu- jij'ing when I was present at the sei'- vices. In order to reach it I would have to go in behind him. I thought I could do this without disturbing him or interrupting the sermon. I failed to consider, however, that the audience had not only become well acquainted with me, but that they would be sue to show the pleasant surprise on their faces when they caught sight of me in my accustomed seat just tjack of the pastor. It was too late, however; but when I sat down I tried to look uncon- cerned. Bro. Fraser read, by the broad smiles on the faces of his audience, not only of the old and young, but white and black, that something had hap- pened; and he gathered from the di- rection toward which all eyes were centering that it was a little behind him, and off at his left. He stopped abruptly in his talk, and then turned right around and confronted me. Bro. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 503 Fraser has a very expressive face. I think I never saw any one who could with his mouth, eyes, and brows — in fact, the whole of his face — express as much as he does. I pre- sume he has acquired it to a certain extent by endeavoring' to make the people under- stand when he had but iin imperfect knowl- edge of their tongue. As he vvhirlo-l around to see what was the matter with his audi- ence I rose up and commenced an apology. When he gave me a prettj' good shaking in the waj' of a welcome, there was a good deal of merriment among- the little flock. He then turned to his audience and said, after he had finished, that / would give them a little talk. Oh how happy I felt to find that little group so glad to see me once more! Just a few daj's before, I had told them I was go- ing back north, and might never see them again; but I added that I would try hard to make them a visit the following winter. As I closed I said I hoped they would be able to understand me in English a year hence; or better still, perhaps, I could talk to them a little in Spanish. Well, on this particular evening when Bro. Fraser asked me to talk I reminded them of what I said on my former visit, and asked them if they had learned to speak English since that time. Now, these Cuban friends are al- ways ready for a harmless joke, even in praj'er-meeting; and instead of replying- to my question they turned on me and asked why I had not learned Spanish (espaiiol) during the week or more that had passed. Then I told them a little story. The credit of my story belongs to the Christian En- deavor World. MR. root's story. "Years ago the millionaires in the city of New York decided to establish an asy- lum for babies that had neither father nor mother to care for them. They according- ly put up a beautiful building, installed it with the nicest cradles and little cots that money could purchase. They hunted up all the finest appliances, for caring for infants, that the world could produce. Then they got some of the best doctors; they had the temperature adjusted just right for babies; the milk was all sterilized; the water and the air were chemically pure, and the en- tire institution was up to the highest notch in a scientific waj-, and they supposed those babies would just grow and thrive, and be away ahead in point of health and intellect of those that grow up in filth, nnd play in the dirt. But in spite of all their skill — in spite of the beautiful cradles ;ind little cots, the babies just cried and fretted and— died. The doctors could not tell what the matter was, and nobody knew why those little waifs should not be happy and he^ilthy. Finally somebody suggested that they turn off the doctors and put the babies in charge of some good woman who loved bahics. I think they hired some mothers who had had experience, and who, they had reason to know, could get hold of the babies and hug and kiss them in the old orthodox way. Now, mj' friends, what do you suppose happened? Wh3s the babies stopped dying, got well and happy, and the institution was a success. The mortal- ity was even less than in the outside world. The whole trouble was this: The poor ba- bies hungered, not only for plenty of milk, but the}', wanted to be loved and kissed and cuddled and talked to. When they opened their eyes in this cold world, and found no one who loved them as babies ought to be loved, they said in their infantile mind, ' Wh}', we might just as well die now as at any other time. Nobody loves us, and no- body cares for us; and what is the use of living? ' "Now, little friends, what is the moral of this story? It is this: It is not only the babies of this world that want to be loved, but it is grown-up people also. If you wish to do anybody good, you must love him. The dear Savior said we should love even our enemies, and do good to them. If you want to bring boys and girls to Christ Je- sus you must love them, just as those moth- ers loved the motherless babies. Just a little way from where we are gathered here to-night there is a reform farm where they are trying to make the bad boys of Cuba good boys. They have beautiful buildings and fine gardens, nice places for these boys to sleep, and plenty for them to eat; but unless there is somebody connected with that reform farm who loves these boys, even the bad ones, they will never make any progress in making them good. If there are bad people here in Guanajay, not only bad men and women, but bad children, we can never make them good unless we com- mence to love them. The dear Savior left his home in heaven, and came here to earth to save us all because he loved us. He came especially because he loves sinners. In fact, he once said that it was not the righteous but sinners he came to save. Sometimes people say God loves good little boys or good little girls. Now, this may be partly true; but it is not more than half the whole truth. God especially loves bad boys and girls, and bad men and bad women: and with this wondrous love of his he tries to make them good. God bless you, little friends; and when I come again to Cuba, may I not only find you loving one another, but loving the great outside world, and by this Christlike love endeavoring to bring more and more bad boys and girls into this mission meeting." I will not take time now to tell you of the very pleasant time I had with Mr. Fraser and his wife the following Sunday. I told them where I was going, and had their praj'ers joined with mine for all the bee- keepers in Cuba. By the wa}', it makes my heart bound now to speak the word "Cu- ba," especially when I pronounce it as the Spj'.nish do — A'(";-bah. Just as soon as it was light I was off on my wheel. I had a good many adventures that I have alluded to elsewhere — at least some of them — before I arrived at Taco- 504 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. June 1 Taco, and stood before Rambler's old hon- ey-house and home. Mr. Gilson saw me through the window; but he made haste to open the door, and seemed very glad to see me. although I thought he looked a little downcast and troubled. When I told him mj' errand he replied something like this: •'Mr. Root, if Mr. de Beche felt half as bad as I do about this whole affair, I pity him from the bottom of my heart. When I got home I could not sleep, and could eat but very little; and, to tell the truth, I have had hardly a moment's peace since I left Havana." I need not take space to give his explana- tion of the matter; but I want to stop right here to put in a plea for the young boys who sometimes do foolish things. The best bo3^ in the world when he is, say, from 18 to 21, is liable to err in judgment. Come to think of it, I have seen boj-s of 60 or more who occasionally did a foolish thing by just an error in judgment. Well, now, my dear brother, father, or whatever you may be, when those boys of 20 make a mistake or a foolish move, do not be too rough on them. Do not scold, and say that " any- body of common sense might have known better." For God's sake, remember how it was when you yourself were a boj-. Re- member the nights when you could not take 3-our night's rest because somebody had been rough on you just because you were yfung in years. Make allowance; go slow; question carefully and gently before you make haste to hurt the poor boy's feelings, and before you crush out the manly spirit that is just beginning to assert itself in this boy. Even if he has been overbearing, even if he has been getting the " big head" just a little, don't be too rough on him. Reason with him kindly and gently. When I asked Mr. Gilson about his talk with the consul, he explained it as I have already done. When I told him that Mr. de Beche and I could not be quite sure he was not going to sell the Rambler apiary and run off with the money, he burst into tears, and cried — I was going to say like a child; but I think I will add that he cried as any good man ought to cry when he is even suspected of dishonesty. "Finally," said I, and I am ashamed of myself that I did not say it any sooner, "Mr. Gilson, I begin to suspect that you are a Christian boy. Am I right? " Between his sobs he replied: "Mr. Root, when I left home in the far- away North I was not only a member of the church but I was superintendent of the Sunday-school. I would not touch a penny of what does not belong to me any more than I would commit suicide. I will give you and Mr. de Beche every opportunity you may wish to investigate my past rec- ord; and if I owe anybody on the face of the whole earth a copper that is not paid, let me know and I will pay it now." Then he cried again. May be he will feel hard toward me for giving this glimpse of his inner life to the outside world; but when I assure him that this simple little story will be the means of making life eas- ier for perhaps a thousand more young men, I am sure he will forgive me. I asked him if he would write a brief letter to Mr. de Beche, apologizing for the way he did. He said he would most gladly; and in a minute more he was looking happy while he wrote the letter. My mission was success- ful— yes, more than successful; and when I knelt and prayed for him, for my friend Mr. de Beche, and for the rest of the bee- keepers in Cuba, I felt again that I had made no mistake in visiting Cuba. God wanted me there; and it was his voice that called, as I told you last fall. In due time I stood in Mr. de Beche's of- fice again. I was well and happy. How could I be otherwise when I was running errands for the Master? Mr. de Beche was also smiling and happy. Almost his first words were that he had got a letter from Mr. Martin's relatives, explaining that the writer was in California at the time of the Rambler's death, and saying that that was the reason why he did not get an answer and thanks for his kind services sooner. When I handed him the letter from Mr. Gilson, explaining that it did not come through the postoffice, but that I went 60 miles to get it, and hoped that, under the circumstances, he would read it and for- give our young friend, he said at once, in a manly way, that of course he would let by- gones be bygones; and I thought he looked especially happy as he read the letter, al- though I do not know what Mr. Gilson saw fit to write. Now, friends, when you are tempted to think the world is cold and unfeeling — that everybody is looking out for No. 1, and that the best thing for you to do is to look out for No. 1 and let the rest go — when you are tempted to have these uncharitable thoughts, remember my Cuban story; and whenever you are tempted to get too low-spirited be- cause somebody has served you a mean trick, or what looks like one, especially if that person should be a boy (may be a boy in experience if not in years), remember this Cuban story; and remember, too, my text for May 15, telling us not to be weary in well doing; and do not forget my story to the Cuban children about loving the ba- bies. It is love that makes mankind better. It is not law, although law is right and proper when nothing else will do. And finally, dear friends, I hope you will have confidence enough in your old friend A. I. Root to believe that he is right when he says there are no circumstances, and noth- ing that can happen in business, or any- where else, that would justify a man in taking his own life. " LET rS NOT BE WEARY IN WELL DOING." The following, from a recent sermon by Rev. Jesse Hill, struck me so forcibly that I have thought best to give it here : 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 505 We grow discouraged because of the little progress we make or seem to make in the Christian life. A man can bfconie a Christian in a tniiuite; hut it takes ti'mf to become a sainf. He can become a Christian so quickly l)ecause that means becoming a pupil A Christian is a learner, a disciple; he is an apprentice in the workshop of Jesus Christ. But perfection in sainthood comes only after long lapses of time, in the majority of cases. It takes years to broaden the sym- pathies. Will power is attained only by the constant choice of the right. The history of tlie growth of a Christian life is in this parable : First the blade, then the ear, then the full corn in the ear. A LETTUCE - GREENHOUSE THAT COVERS THREE-FOURTHS OF AN ACRE. May 2d it was mj' privilege to look over the lettuce-greenhouses of Mr. S. Shisler, of Beach Citj', Ohio. Nine years ago friend S. took a notion to grow Grand Rapids let- tuce, and built a small greenhouse. His crop the first winter paid for the entire cost of the greenhouse and ev6ry thing connected with it; and every j-ear since then he has been increasing his area under glass until now his plant covers just about three-fourths of an acre. He has been successful from his first investment up to the present time. Although he has expended nothing in the waj' of advertising, he has had more calls for lettuce, all the time, than he could sup- ply. I think his average price is from 10 to 15 cts. per lb., according to the season. When I visited the lettuce-greenhouse of the Ohio State University, Columbus, 30U may remember I said they harvested a crop of lettuce every six weeks; but in order to do this they had strong thrift3' plants twice transplanted, to be put into the beds not onlj' the very day but the very hour the crop was removed. Well, Mr. Shisler can take a crop from his beds every /our weeks. He does this by using only potted plants. The seed is sown on good compost, far enough apart to give the little plants plenty of room; and when large enough these are trans- planted, say two inches apart in a good bed of rich soil. After they have made a pretty good root they are placed in 2'4-inch pots. These pots are set in traj's similar to those used for selling strawberries. In fact, Mr. Shisler used to be a strawberry- grower, and he uses his old strawberry- trays for holding these little pots. Of course, he uses the very best of compost, made of old stable manure and sandy loam, to fill the pots. You will remember that these traj's of pots can be easily watered by sub-irrigation. Just set them in a vat con- taining water at just about the right height. The water will then soak up through the pots so as to get them all exactly right. He grows the lettuce in the.se pots until the roots have gone all through the soil and be- gun to " kiss " the sides of the pot, as our English friends express it. Now, then. when he cuts a crop from a bed, the ground is worked over, and potted plants put in the place of those he took out. You may say this is lots of work. But he and his grown-up son attend to every thing without any other help than that from the night watchman. This man is employed to fire up, and keep the temperature just right; and between times he does all of the potting of the young lettuce-plants. It strikes me this man must be a pretty good sort of fel- low, to be night watchman and do work enough to earn wages besides his duties as watchman. Yet I have heard watchmen say several times they would rather have some work to do than to sit down and get lazy, and may be become sleepy. Mr. Shisler has experimented some on different styles of greenhouses; but he thinks now that the even span with butted glass, and not very steep roof, suits him as well as any. You see there is an advantage in having a roof rather flat, in the way of sav- ing glass. I suggested that heavy wet snow might prove to be a pretty severe strain on a roof made so flat; but he says he has had no trouble from that source. When the snow begins to be rather heavy he puts on more heat from the steam-pipes, and thus melts the snow ofi" quite rapidlj'. He greatly prefers rain water for watering his plants, al- though they have very good well water. As he is out in the countrj' one mile from Beach City he has no aid from the town water- works. A windmill pumps the water into an elevated tank, and this gives him head enough to do all his watering. I believe his windmill pumps the soft water out of cisterns also into this elevated tank. The hotises are all connected. The gutters are down, perhaps, three or four feet from the surface of the beds. The beds are all on the ground. And, by the wa}', he has a splendid arrangement along the paths for supporting the earth in the beds. Instead of using boards, as most lettuce-growers do, he uses cheap heavy slate. One edge of the slate is let down into the ground — or, I might say, set down in the path — deep enough to keep its place. The upper edge rests in a bar of wood perhaps 2 inches square. A groove is made in the under edge to receive the top of the slate. These pine bars are supported by a stake driven in the bed flush with the top edge of the bar. As these stakes in time rot oflF, he thinks he will use iron stakes next time, bolting the wooden bar to the side of the metal stake. The wooden bar does not rot, because it is just above the surface of the ground in the bed. Mr. Shisler uses overhead watering. He has pipes running under the ground all over the place, with places to screw on a hose about 50 feet apart. So far he prefers overhead sprinkling; but he thinks he will make some experiments in sub-irrigation. He gets rid of the green fly by fumigation. Now, there is something wonderful in the fact that he has grown fine crops of lettuce every winter for nine years, in the same 506 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. June 1 ground; and, in fact, he has never removed the earth and put in fresh soil — not even in his first greenhouse. Of course, he ma- nures heavily. He dravys in stable manure from the town, and works it over, letting- it ferment until it forms a compost; and this compost is the onlj' manure that he has found profitable. He has not as yet under- taken to grow any thing in his houses in summer. After the last crop of lettuce is taken off — say about the first of May — the whole contents of the bed are permitted to dry up all summer long; in fact, thej' get to be as dry as dust; and my impression is that this thorough drying-out, in a measure, at least, sterilizes the ground. He has never had any rot to do any injury worth mentioning. He has had some damping- off when the plants were young. Of course, he may have trouble from rot or fungous diseases later on; but from the fact that he has had such good success with the same soil for nine years, it looks as if he had not ver3^ much to fear in that direction. Let- tuce-rot is something queer, and oftentimes difficult to be accounted for. One man will have lettuce-rot right along, no matter what he does, whether he uses old ground or new every winter. Another man does not have it at all, no matter what he does. When the sun gets to be so hot as to make the lettucedarkincolor, and too tough, Mr. S. gives his glass a good coat of whitewash. So far his rafters are pine, or mostly that. I believe he has been using some chestnut, which does very well where you can find lumber straight-grained, and no knots. He says he does not care for a groove to carry off the drip water. Such water so far has done no harm worth mentioning. Mr. Shisler enjoys working nuder glass. He is in love with the business or else he would not have succeeded as he has done. And is it not true, my friends, that the man who is in love with his occupation almost always succeeds, while he who goes into something he does not care much about, just because he gets an idea he can make money by it, seldom finds the money he is looking for? Choose an occupation that you are in love with, and then see to it that 3'ou do not let your love grow cold. STRAWBERRIES, JoOO WORTH FROM HALF AN ACRE. I sold, two years ago, within a few cents of 8500 worth of strawberries off from 26 rows 220 feet long, and I sold about $oOO from the same patch last year. bioux City, Iowa. Iorrow, and disappointment; it has always car- ried m its wake .sqiialidiiess, imbecility, inefficiency and vacillation of character; it carries on its face the brand of illegitimacy; it is .sold in the darkness and on the .sly behind curtained windows and closed doors, and no respectable citizen thinks of frequent- ing the saloon in the same open, bold, and above- board way he does a bank, a drygoods store, or a bak- ery. On Sunday he goes in at the front door of the church or lecture-hall boldly and openly but he sneaks around to the "side door" of the saloon, and behind clo.sed doors and closely drawn curtains takes his drink, and hurries out almost ashamed to be seen by those who have come on the same errand and in tne .same sneaking way which he has himself Will some one tell why this is so? Why is it thafit is not thought necessary to put screens before the doors, and curtains at the windows of other places of business? If the saloon has any excuse for e.xistence, if whi.sky has any good in the world to its credit, we are free to confess that we do not know what it is. It is reported to have saved the lives of some people who have been bitten by rattlesnakes, but we are inclined to doubt if 11 It can rightly lay claim to even this much good If it can, it is on the doctrine of " Similia similibus cu- lantur," cure poison with a more deadly poison, I should like to give the above such a hearty amen that every reader of Glean- . INGS could hear it. Not many years ago there was a warm discussion in regard to being too severe on the dram-sellei - Some- body said I was not treating tho iloon- keepers fairly, to which I rep^i , "My good friend, if a mad dog should get loose in your streets, and was biting men, women, and children right and left, would you stop those who were hot in its pursuit to remind them that, whatever they did, they must treat the mad dog fairly?" Somebody said that my comparison was not " fair." I re- plied the only thing unfair about it was the mad dog was destructive to human life only, while the saloon-keeper destroys body, soul, and spirit. I was well aware that friend Abbott is a born orator, but in the above extract he has more than sustained his rep- utation as a vigorous speaker and writer. WHISKY ADVERTISEMENTS. In going in and out of Cleveland on the new electric railwaj'^ one sees out in the fields, and in a good many places, big flaming whisky advertisements. One of the most glaring (and "galling") is one that reads, "Wilson Whisky," in letters a foot long or more. Right under it, in smaller type, is, " That's all." Yes, they have the same thing on garbage-boxes all through the city. There has already been a protest sent in to the mayor, about having whisky advertisements on the neatly painted boxes for rubbish that are scattered all around, even in front of handsome homes. But the signs are there still, so I suppose the city fathers decide the revenue from the whisky men, for this advertising, more than coun- terbalances the protests from Christian peo- ple whose feeUngs have been outraged. I said to myself several times, and pretty em- phatically, it is not "a//," or else I am greatly mistaken in the temper of our peo- ple. I for one would like to see ivar on this matter, right here in our own land, if nothing but war will remedy such a state of affairs. 508 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. June 1 Will Carlton (the "Farm Ballad"' man) seems to feel very much about it as I do. Below is an extract from his magazine for May: Every fV/iere will now publish its first whisky adver- tisement. It has had several offered to it, with good pay, from men who are lining their own pockets by destroying the lining of other people's stomachs; but it has never accepted any of them, not wishing to profit from that kind of money. This advertisement is gratuitous. In riding along the railroads, representatives of our magazite have often seen mammoth signs in the fields and by the fence-sides, labeled "Wilson Whis- ky : That's All." They are intended, no doubt, to con- vey the idea that, when whisky is of that particular brand, it is all right, nothing more need be said, and the drinking may go merrily on. And it may be as good whisky as any that is made, so far as we know; but in connection with any whisky whatever, what a miserable lie rests in those two words — "That's All" ! "All?" There is no whisky manufactured upon this earth that may not draw up the nerves so tightly as to make them unduly loose when the tension is taken away; that may not to some extent injure the beautiful and accurate machinery with which God equipped the human form; that may not push the body a little further on its way to destruction. " All ! " " All ? " There is no whisky that may not put into the system a certain amount of alcohol that should not be there ; that does not augment the effect of such virus as is already in the blood; that does not have a tendency to destroy healthy digestion and proper cir- culation ; that does not contribute another impulse toward the frying of the brain. For heaven's sake, of what was that advertising-agent thinking when he wrote and had painted those two words, " That's All "? More yet : It leads the body into danger A simple fall upon the earth may not hurt the drunken man so much as a sober man, for his body is more relaxed through his very recklessness; but when he falls into the fire it hurts him; when he tips over a kerosene- lamp it hurts him; when he lies in a stupor and is crushed by the carwheels it hurts him; when he gets into a senseless, brutal fight, he is very apt to get hurt —sometimes killed. "Wilson Whisky— that's all" 1 More: The wet-rot of the stuff soon pushes his mind into decay. He may show spasmodic brilliancy now and then that he could not have produced except for liq\ior; but it is at the permanent expense of his fac- ulties The mental products that he gives forth in such cases savor of the sickly hothouse rather than the healthy garden Any habitual drinker may know that his mind has not only reached its highest devel- opment, but has commenced its decadence, and that, however people may laugh at his " brightness " now, he is really on the road to practical idiocy. Every time he performs the role of a lunatic he takes a long step toward permanent mental paralysis. "That's all " ! Worse than any thing thus far said, his moral sensi- bilities soon become clouded. He gradually learns to lie, to cheat, to blaspheme, to blackguard, and to murder, either all at once or gradually. Sometimes, in lucid intervals, he gets a straight look at his own character; and then how he does despise the picture ! He curses his own weakness, and the strength of the adversaries that are pulling him down— the men who sell whisky, the men who make it, the men who advertise it in newspapers and on walls. It was not bravado merely that prompted one Iowa rum-seller lo put a sign up over his door, reading, "The Way to Hell." But even the above is not " all." It is only a small part of it. As soon as a man gets drunk he is likely to become a public nuisance and menace. He insults women on streets and in railroad-coaches; he carries the pestilence of his disorderly presence and his putrid breath into whatever company he goes. "All !" He makes his home into a .caloon: his wife into a hopeless drudge; his children into the worst kind of orphans. He does his best to undermine the foun- dations of his country, and of all countries home. When he comes back to it he is a terror; when he goes away from it he is a fear and a dire apprehension. Nobody knows what he will do while in liquor. "All !" THE PHILOSOPHY OF CATCHING COLD. The following-, from T. B. Terry, has so much good sense in it, and makes the mat- ter so plain in reg^ard to the way we catch cold, that I take it entire from the Practical Farmer: AH readers do not quite understand what has been said on this point, judging by letters received. I said exposure to cold is not the real or primary cause of the condition known as a cold. I will try to explain more clearly. Suppose we had a gasoline-stove in our house, and it should spring a leak. The escaping gasoline, changing into gas, mixes with the air. I know there is a leak there, but neglect it carelessly. By and by I come in : and, wishing to light a lamp I strike a match. Instantly an explosion occurs that injures me considerably, to say nothing of the damage to the house. Now. what would you say was the cause of the explosion? Why, the leaking of gasoline. Not one of you would say, " I think it came from lighting a match." And still that was the secondary (or inci- dental) cause. The primary cause, which all would think of as the real one, was allowing that gasoline to escape into the room. And I doubt not many would say I deserved the injury received. I don't think one of you would advise me to avoid striking matches in the future, but rather to see that there was no gas that the match could ignite, and thai would be good sense. Now, I am convinced that the real, primarv. or first cause of so-called colds is invariably from within, and not from exposure to cold. It is over eating, breath- ing impure air. lack of exercise lack of bathing, or something of this kind. The blood becomes over- charged with impurities. Nature tries to discharge these th'ough the mucous membrane, usually in the head, because the proper channels are unequal to the task. The secondary or exci'ing or incidental cause of the cold, the last straw that brings the matter to a cli- max, may be a chill irom exposure to cold. When the system is in the condition named above, the reactive powers will be weak, of course. But for this un- hpalthy condition, exposure to cold would do no hurt. The climax may also be brought on by eating when over-tired, or by overdoing in any line. Now, when you get a cold, and are a'^ked how you came by it, why not be as sensible as when talking about the gasoline explosion ? Why lay the blame in one case to the real cause, and in the other to the secondary or exciting one? There is as much reason for saying Terrj' struck a match and it blew him up, as for saying you went out without any rirbbers, and caught cold, or facing that wind yesterday, or sitting near that window, which caused a little draft of air, gave you a hard cold. If you were all right internally, no trouble would come from any of these matters, any more than from my lighting a match when there was no gas around. In proof of this, why have you not always taken cold when expo.sed to cold air? "Simply because voirr sys- tem was in a healthy condition when you did not. A person in vigorous health, with pure blood coursing through his body would not be affected unfavorably in . th" slightest degree by these exposures to cold. Which is better — to remove the fundamental cause, or leave 't there and try to be very careful about any possible ex- posure that ma3' bring on a climax? With this kind of care you are constantly making the body weaker and less resistful, and making yourself more and more a hothouse plant. If vou will pay reasonable atten- tion to the plain laws of health, particularly to breath- ing fresh air. not overeating, and taking proper exer- cise, you may soon get in such good health that expo.'- ure to cold will not have any injurious effect. In fact, fresh cold air will act as a tonic, building up your vi- tal powers still higher To test this matter, last Au- gust, when the days were very warm and the nights cool, so my bedroom was so warm no covers were needed to make me comfortable at bedtime ; but be- fore morning I was glad to draw a blanket over me. I lay down about a score of nights without any thing ■whatever on or over me — not even a nig'it-shirt. About 2 A.M. I would waken and find myself nearly as cnld as ice as the four large windows were wide open. Then I would cover up warmly and go to sleep again. No harm whatever came of it. I was cold, and got 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 509 over it again — that was all. But my blood was not clogged with waste material. It was pure, and circu- lating properly, caused by attention to matters named above. Under these conditions I will wear an over- coat a few days, if I wish, and leave it off when an ex- tra-cold day comes. I will even go without my under- clothes any day in winter, or sit by an open window in a hall where a meeting is held, and let cold air blow directly on me, or do any thing else that people gener- ally think causes a cold, and no bad effeclswill fol- low. I have tried the-e things enough to know. But were 1 overeating — eating fiom habit when food was not strongly wanted and relished, and taking in.suffi- cient exercise, and brt-athing impure air largely', then I should not dare to take such chances. By the way, to get fresh air, the other night I got our Mr. Henry, who carries a screwdriver on purpose, to take off the outside storm-sash from my bedroom window. The glass was out of one-fourth of the inside window, and 1 was glad of it, although it was zero weather. INIy only fear was that they might put it in, as the sash was stuck so it could not be raised ; but they did not, and I breathed in good health nine or ten hours each night. I believe in these matters I advocate, good friends, and use them to keep in the best health. Hudson, Ohio. Tobacco. For obvious reasons we withold the name and address of the writer of the following letter: Mr. A. I. Root:—\w the early eighties a relative ob- tained a smoker from you oti the promise never to use tobacco again. This proniise was not what you called for. The fact is, he nez>er used tobacco. His children protested at the time. He always seemed to be an honest man otherwise. He passed on "over the river" a year ago. I used the smoker last season probably the last it will ever be used Every time I lit it last summer the thought would come, " This smoker never was paid for. It ought to be paid for." Though I was in no way responsible for his getting it. still I have used it, and don't know why I shouldn't pay for it. I inclose money order for 75 cents. May the Lord be praised, dear friend, that there is at least here and there a man who wishes to shun even the appearance of evil, and who recognizes that he is, at least to some extent, "his brother's keeper." Another thing, it gives evidence, at least in- directly, that the present generation is more honest than the one preceding it. I believe it is true that mankind in general are get- ting to be a little more keenly sensitive to the importance of being honest in their ac- tions as well as in words. Seventj'-five cents is only a small matter, I know, but it rejoices my heart to know that we have a start made by at least one person in regard to this matter of conscience. Now, is there not some one else who will be moved by this little story to fix up something that hap- pened long ago? I do not mean to put in a plea for what may be due The A. I. Rcot Co., but rather for what may be due your fellow-man. It is a good investment — yes, a magnificent investment — as I happen to \<-no\v irom personal experience. Look back over your life, and pay up whatever you find is not exactly square or is not what it should be. It may not make you any rich- er in this world's goods, but it will make you richer when you come to make that last review before death calls. Once more let me quote, " What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul? " Keep the voice of conscience in good running order, so it may speak out sharp and bright and clear. Do not snub it by your acts, and make its voice so faint that it will in time be no longer heard. Now, dear friend, I wish it were my privi- lege to give your name, but may God bless you for this little act. I!!£ Century Snraysr a small cut of which is shown" in tliis advn tisemeiit.offersmore ad vantages to thuorchn r ist. fruitfrrower.etctliaii any otii - spraying outHt on the marl.er. Frass cylinder, brass valves, everlasting" fabric plune:?r packing and the only thoroughly reliable ag- itator. (,'yUnder 2J< ins., strolco 5in.-<. '1 hen, too, it sells at a lower price than other good pumps. S.nd for Jiaiidsome Tree catalogue, showing full line of pumps and twenty varie- ties of sprayers. THE DEMING CO., Salem, 0. \\ eMprn AcentK— Henion & Hiibbf-II, thicatro, III. Root's Goods in Central Michigan! Sold at their prices. Present given with each order amounting to 82 or over. l,ist sent free. W. D. Soper, Rural Route No. 3, Jackson Michigan. Readers ^Gleanings desiring to know the results of my forty years' expe- rience in rearing queen-bees, and to learn of my new process of producing queens, can do so by purchasing a copy of IMPROVED QUEEN - REARING. The book and a valuable Adel breeder sent by mail for $2. Pr spectus and catalog ready. Adel bees have a luorld-wide reputation. Henry Alley, Wenham, Mass. Red-clover Queens ! We are now ready with as fine queens as can be reared. Unte-ted, 75 cts.; tested, $1.00; breeder, $3,00. Nineteen years in queen - rearing. Send for my circular; it is worth $10 to you. Satisfaction guaranteed. a. ROUTZAHN, BIQLERVILLE, ROUTE 3, PENN. QUEENS DIRECT FROIVI ITALY Fine reliable. English price list sent on application. Beautiful results obtained last year. OUR MOTTO — "Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them." Address MALAN BROTHERS, Luserna, San Giovanni, ITALY. POULT^JOURNAL f^y-.'Vl^ir'^l'^Z a dollar, but will send it to .vou one year on trial, including book, Plans for Poultry Houses, for 25c. Sample copy FREE. Inland Poultry Journal, Indianapolis, Ind. 510 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. June 1 to o o 2t;o u « g Xx ■ 1- ^ CO "1 V c c C o (A c !c o ■*-• 3 r 9 t! S ^ S o a; _, >> N . •< 5 OL "V •- u •- _ « I. S 5 c ^ C ^- IT C o£- o O r- 11 g !• C g tn "o ^ !'> w £ -" '^^ — S ^ V _o..S 5 o t-* ?A ■'^' It. •O g «■; C >- « ^ V. ii_o CI M You Require I Supply PERFECT OUEENS Noriistown, Pa., March 14. 190:1 Dear Sir. — Find inclo.'ed $1.00 for one untested Gold- en queen. ... I wish you would seud a queen just like I bought of you la.st spring. It is one of the best and pretti' st queens I ever had. At present my apiary numbers 35 colonies. Yours truly. Henry A. Markley. These queens are giving general satisfaction. Try some. Address GEO. J. VANDE VORD, Daytona, Fla. Pure Italian Queens in State of Washington ! My friends and patrons I wish to thank for their manv kind words; my aim is to do still better. Mis- mating will be rare if ever. I keep only pure stock. Have imported queens from .some of the most promi- nent breeders, and queens are reared by the natural- swarming process. Prices in May and June: Tested, $1.50; untested. $1 00; after June, 25 cts. less for either. Robt. Mirring,. Dryad, Lewis Co., Wash. When you need Queens and want your order filled at once with the best queens that money can buy, we can serve you and guarantee satisfaction. We have a fine strain of Italians that can not be e.xcelled as honey-gatherers. We can furnish queens from either imported or home-bred mothers. Choice te.sted, |1.00 each. I'ntested, 7.5c; $8.00 per doz. J. W. K. Shaw & Co., Loreauville, La. Do You Know that you could come nearer getting what you want, and when you want it, from the New Cen- iury Queen-Rearing Co. (John W Pharr & C. R. Banks- ton), than anywhere in the United State.s? Untested, 50c.: tested. 3 and 5 band, 7.")c: all other races, 8100. Send for circular. Berclair, Goliad Co., Texas. "Dollar Italian Queens" Ready for delivery May 10. Send for price list. E. E. Lawrence, ; Doniphan, Missouri. W :uiaiitiil to Rive satisfaction, those are the kind reared by QuIrin-the-Queen-Breeder. We guarantee every queen sent out to please you, or it may be returned inside of (io days and another will be sent "gratis." Our business was established in 1S>SS, our stock originated from the best and highest-priced Long-tongued Red-clover breeders in the U. S. We send out fine queens, and send them promptly. We g'larantce safe delivery to any State, continental island, or European Country. I The A. I. Root Co. tells us tha"t our stock is extra fine, while the editor of the A tnfrjcan Bfe Jour-nal .says that he has pood reports from our stock, from time to time. Br. J. I^. Candy, of Humboldt, Nebr., says that he secured over J(K) pounds of honey (mostly comb), fiora single colonies containing our queens.' 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 511 QUEENS Golden Italian & Leather Colored A FEW TESTinONIAL5. r. F. Merilt, of No. 13 Breckenridge St., I 0!) 8 00 10 50 14 00 f9 .50 15 00 Tested Select Tested Extra Selected Tested- the bes. that money can buy Two-frame Nuclei, no Queen 25 00 Add the price of whatever queen is wanted to that of nuclei. Our nuclei build up fast, and if not pur- chased too late will make some surplus. Queer-rearing is our specialty; we give it our undivided attention, and rear as manv queens (perhaps more) as anj- breeder in the North. No order is too large for us, as we keep 300 to 500 on hand ready to mail. Send all orders to Quirin=the=Queen=Breeder, ''^'^S.^"' Strong Testimony in Favor of Moore's Strain of Italians Prof. Frank Benton, of Washington, D. C, whose name is familiar to all progressive apiarists, says : "I have several times, in the cour'e of correspon- dence, and in conversing with bee keepers, had occa- sion to answer the question : ' Where can the best Ital- ians be got ? ' It is, perhaps, not an easy thing to say, with certainty, but at least I have felt I niight be able to tell where GOOD ones could be obtained. A num- ber have been referred to you, for, although I have not tested your stock personally, I thought I knew pretty well, from general reputation, its character. A Dee-keepcr near here— Geo. A. Lanphear, of Vienna, Va — who got some queens of you on my recommen- dation is .so well pleased with them — in fact, gives your bees such a good recommendation to me for gentleness and working qualities, particularly their working on red clover, that I thought I would like to try some myself." I was not aware that Prof. Benton was recommend- ing my stock until I received the above letter. Such testimony as this certainly has great weight, and shows why my business has' grown .so fast. Prices for daughters of my 23-100 breeder, the prize- winner, and other choice breeders : Untested, 81 ^ Having added extensively to our queen - rearing plants in the North and the South we can furnish any number of queens on short notice. Carrkiolai\S. Very prolific, hardy, gentlest bees known. Great comb builders. .Sealed combs of a snowy whiteness. A worker on red clover. Italiai:\s. Gentle, prolific, swarm very little, fine workers, and a red-clover strain. THe Carniolani-Italian Cross. A croFs giving the combined qualities of each race, are hustling workers, the coming bee for comb honey. One untested queen, $1; 6 for $5; 12 for $9. Tested, $1 50. Best breeder, $i. Best imported breeder, $5. For full colonies, one or two frame nuclei, large or- ders for queens, send for descriptive price list Orders booked now will be filled when desired. F. A. I^ocKHart (Sb Co., Caldwell, N. Y. qUEENS (or BUSINESS and PROFIT These are to be had of Will Atchley. He is now prepared to fill all orders promptly, and breeds .six different races in their purity. You must remember that all of the PURE Holylands that now exist in the U. vS. originated from the Atchley apiaries, and they have the only imported mothers known to the United States. Untested queens from these races, 3 and 5- banded Italians. Cyprians, Albinos, Holylands, and Carniolans, bred in their purity, from 5 to 35 miles apart, February and March, $1.00 each, or 89.00 per dozen. All other months, 75c each, $4.25 for six, or $8.00 per dozen. Tested queens of either race, from $1.50 to $<, 00 each. Breeders from 83.50 to 810.00 each 1, 2, and 3 frame nuclei and bees by the pound a spe- cialty'. Prices quoted on application. Safe arrival and perfect satisfaction guaranteed. 4. trial order will convince you. Price li.st free. WILL ATCHLEY. P. 0. Box 79, Beevllle. Bee County, Texas. $QUEENS--$BEES--NOW. A. L. Swinson, Queen=breeder, furnishes best to be had in U. S. First°handed, Warranted queens, $1.00. Tested, $1.50. Breeders, 85 to $10 American AlbinO' Italians, and Adels mated to Albinos. SWINSON & BOARDMAN, Box 358, Macon, Qa. Do You Buy Queens If so, it will pay you to investigate my clai»s. I breed from best honey-gathering stock, and rear queens by best-known methods. I guarantee good queens, and beautiful, gentle bees. Some of my customers have bought 100 to 300 queens per year for their own yards. Write for circular and information. Untested queens, $1.00; $9 00 per dozen: tested. $1.25. J. B. CASE, Port Orange, Fla. Golden or Leather-colored Honey Queens bred from the Laws strain. Untested, 90 cts.; tested, $1.00; selected tested, 81.50; extra selected tested, 82.00; breeders, $2.50 to $5 00. None better. H. C. TRIESCH, Jr., Dyer, Ark. Queens == 1903 == Queens. We have ten different yards five to twenty miles apart, where Italians, Cyprians, Holylands, Carnio- lans, and Albinos, are bred for busine.ss. Tested queens, $1.50; 88.00 for 6; $15.00 per dozen. Untested, $1 Ou each; $5 00 for (i ; 89.00 per dozen. Our best and finest breeders, $5.00 each. One and two frame nuclei a .specialty. Bees and Queens in any quantitv to suit purchaser. Safe arrival and reasonable satisfaction guaranteed. ORDER "The Southland Queen," $1.00 per year. Send for sample copy and our 1903 catalog; tells how to raise queens and keep bees for profit. Root's Supplies. The Jennie Atchley Co., Box 18, Beeville, Tex.. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 513 WAX PROFITS. Many bee-keepers allow old combs and scraps of beeswax- to collect, which, for lack of time and the proper utensils, are scattered or eaten up by moth -worms. A ^ big item would be added to the year's profits by the -timely ren- dering of said wax by an econom- ical process. We believe the press illus- trated herewith fills a ]ons:-felt want in Fig. 169.— The Root-German Steam Wax-press. Price $14.00. Shipping weight, 70 lbs. rendering wax. B. Walker, Clyde, 111., says: Was inclined to believe at first that the German wax-press was a failure; but after a thorough trial I was well pleased. I secured 30 lbs. more wax from one day's use of the machine than I would have secured by the ordinary method of rendering-. N. E. France. Platteville, Wis., State In- spector of Apiaries, and General Manager National Bee-keepers' Association, says: The German wax-press is by far the best ma- chine or process to save wax from old black brood- combs. Mantifacttired by '^hQ A. I. ROOT CO,, Medina, OHio, U. S. A. We are now paying 30c cash, 32c trade, for average wax delivered at Medina. SyjGSii kills currant-worms, potato-bugs, cabbage- worms, and insects on flowers; used 22 years success- fully. Sold by the Seed=dealers. For booklet on Bugs and Blight, address B. Hammond, - Fishkill-on-Hudson, - New York. "ow TO iviake Money Any one willing to work can make JIS.OO per week selling our absolutely new Pocket Dictionary and .A.tlas of the World combined; 90 clear concis-e maps; 35,000 words defined; fits the pocket; worth a dollar to anybody. Send 2.5 cents for sample and terms. Rand, McNally & Co., Chicago, Illinois. r\\^ Tf Printed to Order $1 per 1000 HeavT,', white, high-cut, size 6^. A neat little coupon on each envelope will earn you dollars. Other station- ery- cheap. For particulars and sample, addre.ss at once Howard Co.. 516 Masonic Temple. Chicago. Ills. In Olden Days men were broken on the wheel, now they buy Electric Steel Wheels, and s,ive money. Tlipy (it any wagon. Jladpwitli fitherstag- gereil or straight spokes. Let us toll you hnw to make a low down wapnn with nnv sizp wlii-el, any wi fli tro. Cat.-xlnir tills. It's free. Eltctric Whetl Co., Box 95 Quinuu U' The A. I. Root's Go's Goods in Oklahoma. Save freight by buying of F. W. VAN DE MARK, RIP1,EY, O. T. Catalog free for postal. S. D. BUEIvL Manufactures bee hives, and is agent for The A. I. Root Co.'s Koods, which are sold at factory prices. Catalog sent free. Bees for sale. Beeswax wanted. Union City, MicH. Mr. A. I. Root's Writings of Grand Traverse territory and Leelanau Co. are descriptive of Michigan's most beautiful section reached most conveniently via the Pere Marquette R. R. Tor pamphle'.s of Micblein farm laodj and the fruit tolt, address J. £. Uerrltt, Manistee, Miehlgan. ;i4 CLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. June 1 DOUBLE YOUR ^-^^-Si Don't spend spare time thinking: what you might be if your salary were doubled! Doing, not thinking, will make j^our wish a reality. Our free booklet, 'Are Your Hands Tied?" tells you what to do and how to do it. Thousands have already doubled or largely increased their salaries by following our plan. Under our guidance you can do the same. Act today! I. C. S. Text- books make it easy for those already at work to Learn By Mail nerhanlcal, St»ra, Electrical, CItII, Mining, Tele- phone, aad Telegraph Engineering; Shop and Fonndrj Practice; Hechanlcal Drawlag; Arehl- teetare; Plumbing; Bbeet-Xetal Pattern Drafting ; Ckemlitr^ : Ornamental Deiigm; Lettering; Book- keeping; Stenography; Engliih Branch*! ; Teach- ing; LocamotlT* KannlRg; Electrotharapentlet ; Oeraian; Spanish; French. Circular free. State subject that interests you. INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENCE SCHOOLS, Box 790, SCRAJfTON, PA. % AN EXPERT'S ADVICE can be lunl free by writing: us. Mr. H. M. Horton conducts this department in ^eA. I. Root Co.. Medina, O. The "Star" Ventilator. stormproof, effective; for ven- tilating all kinds of buildings, barns, stables, and factories of all kinds. Send for illustrated booklet Merchant &. Co., Inc., Philadelphia, Brooklyn, New York, and Chicago. M'nf'rs High-grade Bright Tin' Qniil TDV PAPFTR, illtiBt'rt, 20 pspeis IrUUL S n I 25 cents per year. 4 months* trial 10 cents. Sample fVee. 64-page practicJtl ouitry book free to yearly subscribera. ijook alone 10 cents. Catalograe of ponltri .bookafree. i^oujtry^doocate, SyracosesM.x. Page Poultry Fence heaviest and strongest made — fences poaltrv IN, and stock OUT. Dealers don't keep it. Write us. Page Woven Wire Fence Co.. Box S, Adrian, Michigan. ttttttuwni r kliUll ■ ^<^ D' STRONGEST E. BuU iitrc.iiK, Cliicken- Tifjht. Sold to the Farmerat «holes«le Prices. FDlly Warranted. Catnlotr Free. COILED SPRING FKNCE TO. Box lul, Winchester, Indiana, U. S. A. y. INDIANA STEEL& WIRE CQ. MUNCIE. INDIANA. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 515 READY FOR ^ ^ Prompt Delivery x*« Red-clover Untested Italian Oueens : Ked-clover Tested Italian Queens: Red-clover Select T's'd It'n Queens: Italian Breeding' Queens: Each, Best Imported Italian Queens : Each, SI; six, $ 5.70. Each, S2; six, 11.40. Each, S3 ; six. 17.10. 5.00, S7.50, and SlO.O.). Each, S5.00. If you are in a hurrj', send us your order. If you want good queens, send us your order. We do not handle che ^p queens. If you want Nuclei or Full Colonies, let us quote you prices. State how mauy you can use. Gleanings in Bee Culture, one year, and an Untested Italian Queen, for only Si. 00. We have already mailed some premium queens, and expect to send them out within a week after orders are received. Don't delay if you want a queen earlv when she will do j^ou the best service. Queen circular free. C/ic A. I. Root Co., Medina, O. »t^ ,V *t^ ^ v^ 5k v^ ^ $750 HYDRO CARBON Capacity : lOO - mile Gasoline* tanK. Capacity : SOO-mile "Water- tank. Weight 940 lbs.; seven-horse power actual. AVill run at any speed up to 25 miles per hour, and climb any grade up to twent}' per cent. For catalog, address Friedmari Automobile Co., 3 East Van Btiren St., Dept. B, CHicag'o, Illinois. 516 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURK June 1 Gleanings in Bee Culture [Established in 1873.] Devoted to Bees, Honey, and Home Interests. Published Semi-monthly by The A. I. Root Co., - - Medina, Ohio. A. I. ROOT, Editor of Home and Gardening Dep'ts. E. R. ROOT, Editor of Apicultural Dept. J. T. CAIvVERT, Bus. Mgr. A. Iv. BOYDEN, Sec. TERMS. $1.00 per annum ; two years, $1.50; three years, $2.00; five years, $;3.00, in advance; or two cofiis to one address, $1.50 ; three copies, $2.00 ; five copies, $3.75. The terms apply to the United States, Canada, and Mexico. To all other countries 48 cents per year extra for postage. DISCONTINUANCES. The journal is sent until orders are received for its discontinuance. We give notice just before the subscription expires, and further notice if the first is not heeded. Any subscriber whose subscription has expired, wi.shing his journal discon- tinued, will plea.se drop us a card at once; otherwise we shall assume that he wishes his journal coutinued, and will pay for it soon. Any one who does not like this plan may have his journal stopped after the time paid for by making his request when ordering. BEESW.\X DECLINED. Uii'^il further notice we will pay 29c cash, or 31 in trade, for average wax de'ivered here. We have a large supply on hand, and the market is somewhat easier than it was a few weeks ago. By July 1st the price will likely go still lower. GLASS HONEY- JARS. Bear in mind we are supplied with a 'arge stock of honey-jars of the various styles listed in our catalog, and can fill orders for these, both large and small, with promptness Those using large quantities will do well to write us for prices, stating quantities and stj'le used. SECOND-HAND 60-LB C.\NS. We have on hand several hundred boxes of two 60 lb. cans, second hand, but in good condition, which we offer in ten-box lots at 45 cts.; 25 boxes or more at 40 cts. per box. Most of th pe cans have been used but once, and are bright inside, and in good condition. They %/ill need washing out before being filled. NEW BOARDMAN I'EEDER-CAPS. On another page we show the Boardman feeder with the new perforated cap on the pepper-box prin- ciple. These caps fit anv standard Mason jars, being 2>i inches in diameter. Price of caps only 5 cts. each ; 40 cts. for 10 ; by mail. 1 ct. each extra. No change in price of feeder complete with jar, or in flat without jar. BUSINESS BOOMING. There is very little change to report on the condition of ord rs. We are still behind to the extent of 10 or 12 carloads for our dealers, some of whom are awaiting cars to assort up their .stock so as to fill orders com- pletely. We are crowded worst on sections. If any can use No. 2 in 4J4' x 2 or IJ^ x IjS, four heeways. or 4KxlH plain, gs/g x 5 x 1^ plain, or 4 x 5x1 Ja plain, we have a surplus of these sizes, especially ihe two tirst mentioned, which we should like to dispose of. There are few places where a four-beeway section could not be used instead of a two-beeway, with the result that the more free communication by the extra openings would encourage the bees to enter more promptly the super. Over in Great Britain there are a great many more sections used with four beeways than with two, for this very reason. GERMAN WAX-PRESS COVER. To those who have had trouble with breakage to cover-casting of the German wax-pre.ss, we can sup- ply for $1 00 the new oak cross-bar reinforced with metal casting threaded to fit a Ji-inch screw 10 threads to inch, single lead, or 8 threads to inch, double lead, together with the lugs for attaching to the can and cover to fit each side of the bar to close the top of the can. This price is less than half what we would ordi- narily charge for these parts, but is made with the view of our .'■haring in the cost of replacing the covers which have been broken in use. Although we tested the cast cover carefully before adopting it, we later found that too many of them broke in the hands of users to warrant continuing to furnish that style. To attach the new bar it will be necessary to drill four holes through the rim for riveting on the new lugs for clamping the bar to the can. The plunger-plate must be removed to insert the screw through the new bar, when it may be replaced The first presses sent out had single lead screw 10 threads to the inch, while the later machines had double lead screw 8 threads to the inch. In ordering, be sure to specify for which stj'le of screw you want the bar threaded to fit. PAPER-BAG HONEV-P.'VCKAGES — AN EXPLANATION. Readers of Gleanings will please take notice that we have turned over to The A, I. Root Co. the paper- bag business. Our reason for doing this is that we were under difficulties as to printing and di'-tribution. vVhen we took up the matter of supplying bags to bee- keepers, for putting up extracted 1 oney, we did not expect to have any demand worth while this year from eastern territory, and intended to put in a stock here and ship to western producers from l,oveland this sea- son, but w" find a demand from the East as well as from the West, including Canada, The Root Co is .situated nearer the factory than we, and has all necessary facilities for printing and ship- ping to bee-keepers, and can give a better service than we could, so we have decided to turn over Ihe entire business to them .so all orders now in our bands will be filled from Medina : and all those contemplating ordering will direct to The .\ I Root Co instead of to us. The senior member of this firm would al~o take occas'on to thank the many bee keepers who have written kind and complimentary letters relating to his article, in Gleanings for March 1. That article and the little advertisement in the " Wants " column broueht replies from the United States and Canada, and from Mexico, England, P'rance, and Holland, Loveland, Col. R. C. & E. Aikin. AIKI.N H0NEV-B.\GS. Th?se are made of tough paper, straw color, printed in two co'ors, with blank space for name and ar'dress of producer or dealer, and extra-coated with paraffine. They have been thoroughlv tested, and proven to be a success for candied extracted honey. See article in our March 1st issue for illustration and full particulars. We have four sizes which we can supplj' at the follow- ing prices : 2 lb size, 5x7^. 5-lb. SIZE, 7 X 10, ion S 80 I 100 <;i.20 500 3,75 1 .500 5 50 1000 7.01 I loot 10,50 5000 @ 6,f0 I 5000 <& 10.00 3^-LB. SIZE, 6x95^. 10-LB SIZE, 10x10^, 100 S'.OO 1 100 $1,.50 ■500 4 75 .500 7,00 lOCW 8 75 I 1000 1350 .5000 @ 8,25 I 5000 (d 13.00 We will print in name and address of producer or dealer, in different quantities, at the following sched- ule of prices for any size : Lots of lot 30 cts, Lots of 250 ,=0 cts. Lots of .500 75 cts. Lots of 1000 Sl.OO. For each additional 1000, add .50 cents. Each change of name and address counts as a separa'e order. For iustince. 1000 bags printed with four different names and addresses, 2.50 of each, would be 92,00 : with ten different names, $3,00, etc. As the bags must be print- 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 517 ed before they are made up and coated, we can not change the label except in lots of 10 (X)0 or over. We have some plain 2-lb. size of dark-drab paper which we can fnrnish plain at i'2.00 per llXHt less than prices quoted above, or we can print a smaller special label in one color at above rates extra for printing. HOME KI-ORICL"LTURE, HV EBEN E. REXFORD. This is a new book treating oti flowering and orna- mental plants in house and garden. It contains 800 pages, fully illustrated. It tells all about making soil for potting, about potting plants, watering plants, about insects, etc. There is also a very interesting chapter relatintr to small greenhouses. In fact, the whole book is more particularly for home florists and amateur greenhouse-owners than for florists. It is not only fully up to date but it is the best book on the subject for the money I know of. Price 90 cents; by mail, jl.OO. Convention Notices. The Texas Bee-keepers' Association will meet in annual convention at the Agricultiiral and Mechan- ical College at College Station, Texas, July 7 to 10, in- clusive, during the time of the annual meeting of the Texas Farmers' Congress. Cheap excursion rates on the railroads. A large crowd every year, and a jolly good time, as well as the meeting of your fellowmen. and the knowledge gained during the sessions. Grand exhibits of products. A good list of premiums offered. Bring your stuff, whatever you have. Hunter, Texas. Louis H Scholl, Sec'y. DURING SEPTEMBER, 190K the United States Department of Agriculture imported a lot of queens from the Province of Bergamo, Italy, one of which was sent to me to be tested. For prohf- icness and industry she and her offspring are second to none, and I am now prepared to fill orders prompt- ly with her daughters or thp best golden queens at $1.00 each or Si). 00 per dozen. I\I. O. office, Warrenton. W. H. Pridgen, Creek, Warren Co., N. C. Terrace queens have giv- en best of satisfaction ; bred from selected stock; best of workers; very gentle, and fine color. Warrant- ed, $1.00 each; six for ?.5.00; dozen, $9.00. Tested, $1.25. Harold Homer, Terrace Apiaries, Mt. Holly, N.J. Bred for Work 100 = Mounted = Queen=cells and one sample of the S'anley Cell-protector or Introducing-cage, for TO cents postpaid. ./Vz-thixz* Staxiley, X>x3Kon, Xlllxiois. ITALIAN bEES FOR SALE! Full colonies. $1.00; three frames, with queen, §2.25; two frames with queen. 5i Of); one frame, 81.50; queen, 81.00. Mrs. A. A. Simpson, Swarts, Pa. PHACELIA TANACETIFOLIA, the great honey and forage plant, can be planted any time, while there is moisture. It blooms six weeks after sowing. Seed, 1 oz., 25 cts , postpaid. O. LuHDORFF, Visalia, Cal. RED-CLOVER ITALIAN QUEENS, guaranteed to work on red-clover; bred for business, in full col- onies: honevgathering and wintering qualities are prime object. I'nteste'l, $1 00; tested, $2.00 to $1.;50. After July 1. untested, 75c; tested, $1..50 to «:150. • Send for circular list. I. F. Miller. Knox Dale, Pa. piNE QUEENS FROH THE BLACK HILL APIARIES * Golden and I.ong-tongue. Write for price list. Reference, G. F. Davidson iS: Son Carver & Alathis, Props.. Verdi, Texas. 1 EXAS QUEENS FROAA LONE STAR APIARIES. ' We are now ready to furnish you Not rioved. MANUFACTURERS OF AND DEALERS IN . . . BEE-KEEPERS' SUPPLIES. . . . Send for Our Free New Illustrated Catalog and Price List The government, recognizing the necessity of a great and growing bus- iness enterprise, for better mail ser- vice has given us a postoffice on our premises, whch enables us to change mails with the passing trains instead of through the Wctumpka, Alabama, postoffice more than a mile distant. This gives us our mails about two hours earlier, and also one hour for making up outgoing mail. This will be p::rticularly helpful in our queen business. We are now booking or- ders for Italian queens, I,ong-tongued and I A Word of Advice 537 Formaldehyde for Curing Black Brood tsAI More .\bout Bee-keeping in Jamaica 5:^9 Driven Swarms 513 Snap Shots at Ontario Co. Convention 614 Massie's Hive and Book 515 Sifted Swarms 516 Shaken, Swarms Fifty Years Ago 517 U.se of Foundation 517 Heads of Grain -"^-^^ Does the New Growth of White Clover Ever Produce Honey ; Stirters, Swarming. Why Drone Comb is Built from Starters; Getting \\ Bees and Honev Out of Trees; Alfalfa-grow- '\\ ers and Bee-keepers Queens Stinging ; Old V. New Combs for Wintering ; How Salt A Cured Bee-paralvsis; Sulphur lor Bee-paral- ,\ ysis; Moving Bees a Short Distance; Another \m Tilting-floor Bottom-board; How I Stop the • Mixing of Swarms ; Shades ; Small Heads. Notes of Travel 554 Our Homes 556 >r%^ Special Notices 569 The A.I. e MEDINA Root Cq OHIO S) Eastern Edition KNTEKH. at IHF POSTOFFKE AT MEDINA, OHIO. AS SECOND-CLAS* MiTTKR QUEENS BY RETURN MAIL. T We are now breeding from three dis- tinct strains ; viz., Imported or leather color, Root's long'-tong'ued, or red-clo- ver strain, and our old strain of white- banded yellow Italians, or albinos. JUNE AND JULY PRICES : Tested, each Si 25 Select tested, each 1 50 Warranted purely mated, each — 90 Same, per half dozen 5 00 Same, per dozen 9 00 Untested, each 75 Same, per half dozen 4 25 Same, per dozen 8 00 We have also a full line of bee- keep ers' supplies includinsf The A. 1. Root Company's Goods, Root's Sections and Weed's Foundation a Specialty. Send for our 32 page illustrated catalog. W. W. Gary & Son, Lyonsville, Mass. TORONTO is the most centrally located city in the Do- minion. It has unequaled shipping- facil- ities for prompt transportation of goods to remote points. We have alreadj'^ in stock large consignments of the celebrated line of R.oot*s Bee-Reepers* Supplies and other shipments will be coming for- ward from time to time. Our |catalog is ready for mailing. Let us figure^with you. E. GRAINGER (Q, CO, 12 Yon^e iStreet A.rcacle. Northeastern and New England BEE = KEEPERS Order goods now. Don't delay. Have them ready when you need them. We keep a full line in stock at Medina prices. Save both time and freight by ordering of us. Beeswax wanted. Bees and queens furnished in season. J. B. Mason, Mechanic Falls, Me. Mgr. The A. I. Root Go's. N. E. Agency. 1 Roofs Bee - Supplies for tHe SoutH Atlantic States at R.oot*s Prices. Q\iicK SKipxnents and Low Freig'Kt Rates. One-hDrse wagons, Corn-/shellers for Poultry, Family Grist-mills, Corn and Cob Mills, Feed-cutters, Tilting and Sliding Table Saws, ^teel-runner Attachments for Vehicles. Send for Catalog H. Ra'wrlin^s Implement Company, Baltimore, Md. -THE DANZ. HIVE The comb-lioney hive is one of our specialties. Send for booklet telling about it. We are the jobbing agents for The A. I. Root Company in Michigan, and want the name and address of every bee- keeper in the State, whether you have one swarm or 500. M. H. Hunt & Son Bell Branch, Mich. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 523 Honey Market. GRADING-RrrLES. Fancy.— All sections to be well Tilled, oombgatraisht, firm ly uttachi'd to all four siiles.tlu' combs uusoiled by travel staia or otlicTwise ; all tli.- ells soaU'J exceut an occasional cell, the oulside surf aceof t lii> wood woU scraped of propolis A No 1.— All sections well filled except the row of colls next to the wood ; combs straight ; one-eighth part of comb surface soiled, ortheentire^mrface slightly soiled the out side of the wood well scraped of propolis. No. l.—.\ II sections well tilled except the row of cells next to the wood ; combs comparat ively even ; one-eighth part of comb surf.ice soiled, or the cut ire surf ace slightly soiled. No. 2.— Three-fourths of the total surface must be filled and sealed. No. 3.— Must weigh at least half as much as a full-weight section. In addition to this the honey is to bo classified according to color, using the terms white, amber, and dark ; that is. there will be " Eancy WMte," " No. 1 Dark," etc. San Fr.\ncisco. — Comb honej-, nominal. Extracted water-white, 7 ; light amber, tiJ4 ; dark amber, 5. Beeswax. 28. E. B. Schaeffle, May 25. Murphys, Cal. Chicago.— The market is lifeless; no movement ex- cept in extracted at low prices Best grades of white extracted, 5%((Cl3; amber, oiq^li- Comb honey is held at 15 for choice white; any thing not grading up to meet this requirement sold at 2 to 5 cts. less. Beeswax wanted at 32. R. A. Bcjrnett & Co., June 5. 199;South Water St., Chicago, 111. CiNCiNN.iTi. — We have reached the time when there are no settled prices in the honey market. Everybody is waiting to learn how the new crop will turn out, therefore we will sell or ask the old price. Fancy w^ater-white brings lo'gllti. Extracted amber, in bar- rels, 5K@5'2 ; in cans, <3@t)^ ; white clover, SfaSl^. Beeswax, 30. C. H. W. Weber, June 8. 2146 8 Central Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio. Boston. — Our market on comb honey is practically bare, but owing to the hot weather the demand is extremely light. Have not seen any new noney as yet. It can be readily sold at 17(3) IS, if to be had. There is a fair demand for light amber extracted at 'i®~l'2'. best Florida honey bringing 7@8. according to quality. Blake, Scott & I.ee. June 9. 31. 33 Commercial St., Boston, Mass. Philadelphia. — Verj- little doing in comb honey now. Not enough sales to fix any standard price. Extiacted honey moving off in spurts but little de- mand. We quote amber. B&tjU; white, 6^(g<7J^. Bees- wax. 31. We are producers of honey, and do not han- dle on commission. Wm. A. Selser, June 8. 10 Vine St., Philadelphia, Pa. Kan's.-\s City. — The supply of comb honey is about exhausted. The demand good. We quote as follows: fancy white comb, 24 sections, |:5.50; No. 1 white comb, 24 sections, $:?.40; No. 2 white and amber, $? 00fa,$^.25; extracted, white, per lb., 6(§.6J4; amber, oj^. Beeswax, 25 ou some good. Thos. C. Stanley & Son, ManzanolH, Colo., or Fairfield, Ills. Wanted. — Beeswax ; highest market price paid. Write for price list. Bach, Becker & Co., Chicago, 111. Wanted. — All the bulk comb, extracted, and section honej' that we can buy in the State of Texas. We pay spot cash for honey. Write us now or when you have honey. The Hyde Bee Co., Floresville, Tex. Wanted. — Extracted honey: mail sample and state lowest price delivered in Cincinnati. Will buy fancy white comb honey, any quantity, but must be put up in no-drip shippiri^-ca>-es. C. H. W. Weber, 214b-8 Central Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio. For Sale. — We are sold out on alfalfa honey, but have ten 350-lb. bbls. of light amber and buckwheat at 7c; forty 2.50-300 lb. bbls. fancy basswood at 8c; 60-lb. new cans, two in a case, 9c. E. R. Pahl & Co., 294, 296 Broadway, Milwaukee, Wis. Wanted — Comb and extracted honey. State price, kind, and quantity. R. A. Burnett & Co., 199 South Water St., Chicago, 111. For Sale.— Extracted honey. Finest grades for ta- ble use. Prices quoted on application. Sample by mail, 10 cts. to pay for package and postage. Orel L,. Hershiser, 301 Huntington Ave., Buffalo, N. Y. Convention Notices. The Texas Bee-keepers' Association will meet in annual convention at the Agricultural and Mechan- ical College at College Station, Texas, July 7 to 10, in- clusive, during the time of the annual meeting of the Texas Farmers' Congress. Cheap excursion rates on the railroads. A large crowd every year, and a jolly good time, as well as the meeting of your fellowmen, and the knowledge gained during the sessions. Grand exhibits of products. A good list of premiums offered. Bring your stuff, whatever you have. Hunter, Texas. Louis H. Scholl, Sec'y. The National Bee -Keepers' Association. Objects of The Association: To promote nnd protect Ihe interests of its members. To prevent the adulteration of honey. Annual Membership, $1.00. Send dues to the Treasurer. Officers : W. Z. Hutchinson, Flint. Mich , President. J. U. Harris. Grand Junction, Col., Vice president. Gicorgk W. York, Chicago. Ills., Secretary. X. E. France, Plattevilie, Wis., Gen. Mgr. and Treas, Board of Directors: E. Whitcomb, Friend, Nebraska. W. Z. Hutchinson, I'lint, Michigan. W. A. SEL.SER. 10 Vine St., Phildadelphia, Pa. R. C. AlKiN, I.oveland, Colorado. P. H. Elwood. Starkville, N. Y. E. R. Root, Medina, Ohio. Udo Toepperwein, San Anlcnio. Texas. G. M. Doolittle. Borodino, N. Y. W. F. Marks, Chapinville, N. Y. J. M. Hamb.-^ugh, Escondido, Cal. C. A. Hatch, Richland Center, Wis C. C. Miller, Marengo, Illinois. 524 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. June 15 'UhQ Best Bee-g'oods in tKe World are no better than those we make, and the chances are that they are not so good. If you buy of us yo^ will not be disappointed. "We ^re undersold by no one. Send for w catalog and price list and free copy of THK ..MERICAN BEE-KEEPER; in its thirteenth year ; 50 cents a year ; especially for beginners. ^hQ W^. T. Falconer Man'f *g Co., JamestOAvn, New York. W. M. Gerrish, Epping", New Hampshire, carries a full line of our goods at catalog prices. Order of hitn and save the freight. ^!ir &:&&&&& &&& &&&&&& «&& e^&& &&& &:&& ««»^ &&& ^^t^ &&& fri&C^^ &&& »»•■ ^^^ ^^^ C^. 1 1. J.Stringham,NewYork City I I 105 Park Place. | lit W % OUR 1903 CATALOG is yours for the asking. The supplies *»> % listed in it are practical and up-to-date. We furnish every thing f> ib a bee-keeper uses, and will not be undersold. Silk-faced veil, m t 40 cts.; three for $1.05, postpaid. Full colonies of Italian bees * % in hive, $7.50; nucleus colonies, $3.50; tested queens, $1.00; * ■■^, untested, 85 cts. Apiaries, Glen Cove, Long Island. 9< ^ifefet ««« ^^3 ■*«?• ««^ 3«^ 3«« ^«53 -ifif^ ^:9^ •««• -3^^ ««« 944 999 99a fe fet 99« ^* We are Jobbers of Bee-keepers' Supplies in this State, representing The C. B. Lewis Co., and Dadant 6l Son. WHOLESALE AND RETAIL l^rdtr^ounSVaTelrsffi^^^^^ LEWIS C. & A.G. WOODMAN, Grand Rapids, Mich. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 525 iJIIIIMIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIillllllllllimilllllllilMlllie I Our I I Bee = keeping; j I Sisters I = is a new department in the old Amer- = ican Bee Journal, conducted by Miss Em" E ma Wilson, of Mareng-o, IlL, a sister- = in-law of Dr. C. C. Miller, author of E the popular "Forty Years Among- the = Bees." >i* li* The women readers of E (rlcanin^s (as well as the men-folks) E should have the American Bee Journal, E and read what Miss Wilson has to = saj' each week, 'li' >{' Sample copy E free, or the Bee Journal one year, and = Dr. Miller's book— both for only $1.75. = Book alone, Si. 00. Address I George W. York & Co., E I44'6 East Erie St., Chicago, liiinois. E S "Root's Goods at;, Root's Prices," ^iiiiitiiiiiiiiMiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiMiiiiiir? gEE^SUPPLJIg A larg-e and complete stock of every thing- necessary for the api- ary. Send a list of g-oods wanted, at once, and g-et our SPECIAL PRICES iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiij C. M. Scott & Co., Indianapolis, Ind. 1004 East Washington Street. THE PERSISTENCY which we exercise in the careful selection from year to year of only the choicest breeding queens has brought the Robf y strain of Italians up to the highest standard of excellence as regards their docilitv, pro- lificness, and honey-gathering qualities. This particular strain is the progeny of selections from choice stock ( f Root's red-clover queens, and Moore's crossed with the very best of our own rearing. WARRANTED QUEENS: liach, 75 cents; six, S1.25; dozen, $8.00. I L. H ROBEY, W0RTHIN8TON, W. VA. Circular Free. Dittmer's Foundation. RETAIL AND WHOLESALE. This foundation is made by a process that produces the superior of any. It is the cleanest and purest. It has the brightest color and sweetest odor. It is the most transparent, because it has the thinnest base. It is tough, clear as crystal, and gives more sheets to the pound than any other make. 'W^orKii^g "W^ax into Foundation for CasK a Specialty. Bees-wax A-l-vi^ays "ViTant- ed at Hig'Hest Price. Catalog giving full line of supplies, with prices and samples, free on application. Gus. Dittmer, Augusta, Wisconsin. We are tlie Largest M'I'rs ol Bee-keepers' Supplies in tlie NortJiwest. inneapoiis, Minnesota We Have the Best Goods, Lowest Prices, and Best Shipping Facilities. 526 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. June IS Complete Line of Le-w^is* MatcHless Dovetailed Hives and Supplies at Factory- Prices. ■Blllii II ■[■^■iiimwil»ll»H^ HicVK-dT^ec Oni*=»*ir\«» BticKeye 5trai» Red-clover Qtieens. lg»»~v»XC*J9» ^^^XM.'CK^E.M.^ r They roll in the honey, while the ordinary starve. MutK iStraisk Golden Italians. None superior. Carniolai\s> None better. We guarantee safe arrival by return mail. Prices during April, May, and June : Untested, $1.00 each; 6 for |.j.OO. Select Untested, $1.25 each; 6 for $6.00. Tested, $2.00 each; 6 for $10.00. Select Tested, $:5.00 each; 6 for 15.00. Best money can buy, $5.00 each. Two-frame nuclei with Select Untested Queen, 82.75. iSend for Catalog, and See Special Inducements. s>6« Fred W. MutK Co., ^^!^^rtJi^ Cincinnati, O. ►♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦^ BEE-REEPERS ^ We Kave oxt. Hand reads^ for PR.OMPT SHIPMBNT t G>6e Largest StocR ive ever Carried i ♦ of HIVES, SECTIONS, and all Otlier SUPPLIES. I Perfect Workmanship and Finest Material. All parts of our Hives are made to fit Accurately. No trouble in setting them up. Our customers say it is a pleasure. We are not selling goods on NAME ONLY, But on their Quality. G. B. LEWIS COMPANY, : Manufacturers Bee-keepers' Supplies. Catalog Free. "Waterto-wn, "Wisconsin, "U. S. A.. > » ♦ ♦ » ♦ <»4^»<»»»<»'»0»'»<»»»»»»»»«>» ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ HEADQUARTERS FOR BEE-SUPPL-IES "Roofs Goods at Roofs Factory Prices." Complete stock for 1903 now on hand. Freight rates from Cincinnati are the lowest. Prompt service is what 1 practice. Satisfaction guaranteed. Langstroth Portico Hive and Standard Honey-jars at lowest prices. You will save money buying from me. Catalogmafled free. Send for same. Book orders for Golden Italian, Red-clover, and Carniolan queens For prices, refer to my catalog. C. H. W. WEBER, : : CINCINNATI, OHIO. Office and Salesroom, 2146-8 Central Ave. Warehouses, Freeman and Central Aves. • DELVoTELD •AND HOME,- vi' '^ •INTELREST^ TJblishedby-THE7^'I^OO"C Co. I^PtRVEAK'^'Xs) Hedina-Ohio- Vol. XXXI. JUNE J 5, J 903. No. J2. *' The FOOD g'iven all larvae for the first 48 hours of their existence is the same," Bro. Doolittle gives, p. 479, as the belief of the majorit}' of our best bee-keepers. I think that's the first time I've ever seen it set at less than three days, the time set by scien- tists. That long-felt want in smokers, a nozzle that would never tumble off, nor get with age so it wouldn't go on, seems at last filled b3' the new nozzle-cover being sent out from Medina. It's a lot of comfort to be freed from the time-wasting annoyance of the old nozzles, and the new one promises to have staying qualities. Phacelia, which has now been in bloom in the window for some time, has a blue flower resembling the heliotrope, equaling it in beauty, strongly fragrant, although I don't think it has the same fragrance when grown as an open-air plant. It is wonder- fullj' lasting as a cut flower, rivaling the carnation in that regard. I've been trying the corrugated bread- knife for cutting foundation, miter-box fash- ion. It works finelj', and I seemed to be working faster than the old way. But when I timed myself I was surprised to find that I could work 50 per cent faster the old way with a pocket-knife and rules. But I've had much practice the old way. When you clip a queen, and try to let her run off j'our fingers on to the comb, she will generall}' persist in running up on your hand. Take a leaf or other small ob- ject, let her run up on that, then lay leaf and all on the top-bars. [Yes, she will persist in running up on j-our hand unless you can get her nose directly against the comb or bees. — Ed.] "I NEVER saw more white clover in the fields than now," says the editor. Same here; but the first days of June have been so cold and wet that bees could have only about a day in a week to work. [The same here. Notwithstanding such an abundance of clover, the bees do not seem to be work- ing on it quite so heavily as when there has been less of it. But did you ever see so much sweet clover? The dry weather dur- ing the early part of May seems to have been just the thing to give it a boom. Last year sweet clover did not amount to very much because of the excessive amount of rain. — Ed.] The danger of spreading foul brood by means of extracting combs is not light. I learn from Atnerican Bee Journal \.\\2X Prof. Harrison advises disinfecting such combs with formalin. The expense is trifling. He says: "The combs of from 200 to 300 col- onies could be disinfected at an annual out- lay of about 20 cents." Think of it! 10 or 15 sets of combs insured for a cent! [This is a good point; and this fall, when we get a lot of empty combs, I am determined they shall be put through the fumigating-box. It would be well, perhaps, for all careful bee-keepers to fumigate their combs, to be on the safe side — that is, if the formalin treatment is effective in killing spores as well as the actual bacilli. — Ed.] That statement of the editor, page 480, that at the Los Angeles convention we can get a room at 25 cents a night, and best board at 25 cents, made me stop to think whether he could mean it, as there came up before me other national conventions where room (or, rather, bed) cost a dollar a night, and the bed — well, I think I'd just as soon sleep at home. [I am not sure that meals at 25 cts., and rooms at 25 cts., could be engaged at as high a grade of ho- tel during the week of the encampment of the G. A. R. at San Francisco. Los Angeles is about 450 miles from San Francisco. A large amount of railroad traffic will go through that city. Many people will stop there, with the possible result that rates will be advanced. But two years ago this 528 GLEANiNGS IN BEE CULTURE. June 15 June I secured the rates above mentioned at the Natick House, a commercial hotel where some of the best traveling- men stop. It was a fine new building, with nice clean rooms on the European plan. You could engage your room, and get your meals at the restaurant if j'ou happened to be at the hotel; but if you did not, j'ou did not have to pay for something that 3^ou did not get. Board and lodging are much cheaper in Los Angeles, considering quality, than almost any other city of its size and impor- tance in the United State. California is a food-producing State, and every thing in the line of food stuffs, especially fruits, is cheap, even if some other things are high. — Ed.] W. L. CoGGSHALL, p. 485, doesn't agree with me that for rapid work a spaced frame is better, and then throws the Hoffman frame at me. Brother Coggshall, I wouldn't have thought that of you! The Hoffman frame works here just as it does with you, and I would rather have an unspaced frame; but a frame spaced with nails or staples is another story altogether. By the way, W. L., your frame is a good bit like mine, only I've gone still further than you, and there's more of mine. The Jumbo smoker seems a little heavy; but for steady work it's a nice thing to have a fire-pot that holds more than a quart, so you can dump a good section of the chip- 3'ard into it. When fairly started and fully loaded you can let it stand for hours with no fear of its going out. Then it has such a big base that you can leave it stand- ing in the wagon when you drive from one apiary to another, and go right on without relighting when you reach the other apiary. I like it much. [I have come to the conclu- sion that the ordinary standard size of smoker, 3X or 3)4 inches in size, is too small for a large apiary. A 4-inch barrel is none too large for the professional who lieeps bees for the bread and butter he can get out of them. — Ed.] The apiarist should heed the teaching of nature, and not violate the rule by put- ting an empty super under a partly filled ■one, says Hershiser, page 492. You're a pretty one, Bro. H., to talk about violating rules. Isn't it a gross violation of rules to work in sections at all? The rule is to work down, not up. Did you ever know bees in a state of nature to make a fresh start and begin building four or five inches higher up in a new place? And when an empty su- per is put under a partly filled one, isn't the " food and brood in as compact a space as" when the bees begin work in an empty super put on top? Just stop and think a minute. Isn't there just as much vacant space between the top of the upper super and the brood-nest in one case as there is in the other? By practicing the orthodox method you say the work will be distribut- ed in undesirable proportion. When the bees are working in two supers, isn't the' work distributed just as much whether the upper or lower super is the fuller? [What Mr. Hershiser doubtless referred to was that bees will not create a great space be- tween the brood-nest and surplus. As you truthfully say, they build their first attach- ments of comb to the top of the log or box hive, and then work downward? The up- per portion is filled with honej^ and the lower part with brood. In the ordinary plan of tiering up, or, rather, tiering under, we create a big vacuum, so to speak, between the brood and the already partially stored honey. Now, then, do we ever in nature find a condition like this? When an empty super is put on top, no work has begun, and there is no vacuum to bridge over. The bees complete the work below, then go above. — Ed.] Say, Ernest, I wish you'd interview Les- lie Alexander, p. 487, and see if you and he can't come to some kind of a compromise about those 45 colonies averaging 70,000 bees. [Is it not barely possible that Mr. Alexander meant exactly what he said? Mr. Phillips tells me that we in America do not know what strong colonies are. If 3'ou will look over some of the illustrations in this issue, you will see that many of the Jamaican hives are two and three stories high. Years ago, when we used to buy swarms of the farmers, paj'ing for them so much a pound, we secured quite a number that weighed between 9 and 10 lbs. Con- sidering that there are on an average 5000 in a pound, we have 50,000 bees, and these swarms came from one-story hives. Simplic- ity ten-frame. Now, is it hard to suppose that a three- story hive, run for extracting, might average 70,000 bees? A tropical cli- mate is more favorable to the use of large colonies than one like ours. The near- er we get to the equator, the larger the col- onies, as a rule. — Ed.] Putting additional supers alwa3's on top, and never having more than two supers on at any one time, will most certainl3' result in hurr3dng up the sealing and getting sec- tions packed full; and if you want some- thing for a show, sections sealed out clear to the wood, without regard to cost, that's the way to work. It will give a larger to- tal of fancy sections, but I think I can get a larger total of money out of a whole apiary by giving all the earlier supers on top, and adding supers just as fast as the bees fill them. Have your sections all finished next the brood-chamber, and the work will be sooner done, and 3'Ou will also have more tendency to swarming, and in most cases a little more tendenc3' to dark cappings than when the sealing is done further from the brood-nest. I've had colonies working in five or six supers at a time, filling them with bees; and if I had tried to crowd them into two supers there would have been a loss. [Either 3'ou do not sa3' what you mean or I do not undestand 3'Ou. You say, "I think I can get a larger total of tnoney out of a whole apiary 63' giving all the earlier sjipers on top. ^^ Italics mine. That is Hershiser's plan. Don't 3'ou mean, put- ting the "earlier supers" «w^^r those part- 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 529 ly drawn out? At all events, that seems to dovetail better with j'our argument later on. Now, it is possible that j'ou are right — that you can get more actual money by creating- a vacuum between the brood and honey than you can bj' Hershiser's plan of keeping brood and honey together all the time. This is a "nice point," as the lawyers would sa3\ and I should like to hear from our practical comb-hone}' producers. To produce comb honej' for exhibition purposes is one thing; to produce comb honey for the purpose of getting the most monej' is an- other proposition entirelj'. — Ed.] A French journal says a good filler for furniture made of mahogany or other dark- colored wood can be made by melting to- gether 500 parts of beeswax and 125 parts of resin, and adding 125 parts of Indian red. It is very useful in plugging up holes or splits in furniture made of such woods. " I love to steal awhile away" has been sung to another tune at the instance of General Manager France. The Ajuerican Bee Journal says: "Mr. France reports having caught three persons guilty of steal- ing from an apiary of one of the members of the National, on May 16. They were given to the 25th to settle, or take results of the enforcement of the law. Two of the three, before the day was gone, came and settled, and it was thought the third would do so very soon." But there still remains the disagreeable feeling of being consid- ered a thief in the ej'es of the community. A French journal, devoted to the interests of bakers, says, "In a little valley border- ing on the Rhine the cutting of agates fur- nishes employment for a numbc" of persons. Before cutting these stones they are soaked in honey for eight hours, and then in sul- phuric acid for three hours. This opera- tion gives to the stones a beautiful cloudy appearance which is greatly admired in the finished product. The grape sugar contained in the honey, by its combustion in the sulphuric acid, produces this discol- oration. Every agate-cutter uses every year about 100 lbs. of honey in his work- shop. yk An exchange says a shipment of 600 bar- rels of honey recently left Mexico for New York. Last year Rambler showed that these large quantities of honey are design- ed for European markets, and simply touch at New York on the way. It hardly seems likely that so large an amount would be thrown on that one market, even as large a city as New York is, without our New York correspondents reporting it. But there is no disguising the fact that our neigh- boring republic on the south presents a vast field for the bee-keeper, and that it is be- ing fast developed for that purpose. The correspondence at this office alone shows that. \ii The editor of the American Bee Journal gives us the following useful hints which every writer for bee- journals should ob- serve. I've been wanting to say the same thing for a good while; but I rather dislike to tell folks what seems to be self-evident. The editor says, "The correct use of bee terms, at least a few of them, is a matter of more or less perplexity to those not fa- miliar with them. An ^^^ in a cell hatches out into a larva. Larva is the singular, larvcp the plural; one larva, two or more larvcr. Larval is the adjective; as, 'bees in the /arz^a/ state;' N'licleus is the singu- lar, nuclei the plural; one nucleus, two or more nuclei. When used as an adjective, nucleus is the word — nucleus plan, not nu- clei plan of increase, no matter if a hun- dred nuclei are used." Some of our most experienced writers puzzle us at times by using 7iuclei and micleus interchangeablj'. A correspondent of the American Bee Jojirnal says "the question whether bees are beneficial to orchards is somewhat problematical. Bee-men, who are quite ac- curate observers, are positive about it, and are, of course, in favor of the bees' useful- ness to horticulture. Fruit-growers, on the other hand, often claim to find crops just as good, or even better, without the aid of the bees." Some 3'ears ago it was claimed by some that vegetable life is sometimes spontaneous. To prove it a certain culture of boiled stuff was put into a bottle which was then hermetically sealed. In a few days, sure enough, the culture teemed with life But that proved nothing more than that the boiling did not eliminate the first germs of life or else the bottle was not so closely sealed as to exclude germs. So with orchards. Considering the universal- ity of the bee, what fruit-man can say th;it none have been in his orchards? Or if he knows there have been none, how can he prove that his crop would not have been larger if bees had been busy on the blos- soms? If design in nature is evident any- where, it is in the adaptation of the bee to the work of pollination. But that other in- sects may assist in that work is not denied. But what are they? and what reliance can be placed on them as can be on the bees? The writer in question shows very nicely how the blossom attracts the bee, and how the bee in turn scatters the germs of life from blossom to blossom. The experiment 530 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. June 15 has been tried in many instances, always terminating- in a good showing- for the bees; and any orchardist who would object to bees on his trees during- the time of blos- soming seems hardly capable of correct reasoning. "3^ 'mm mmMnikw PREVENTION OF AFTER-SWARMS. "Say, Doolittle, can you tell me how to prevent after-swarms?" "Well, I might tell you how 1 manage in this matter." "I wish you would do this; and, besides, I wish you to go into the minutije of the matter, so that a 'wayfaring man, though a fool, need not err therein.' Last 3'ear I thought I could stop such swarms; but I failed, so I came over this morning to see if you could tell me just how to do it." "After tr^'ing all the plans to prevent after-swarms given to the public I settled down on two plans as the cream of the whole, and will give them to you." "But have you tried them yourself? I don't want any of the cream from the plans I tried last year, for I tell you they will not work, cream or no cream." "The plans I shall give you are such as I have used with success for years, and I judge that what I use with success others can." "Well, probably; but all may not be as used to such things as you." "The only way I become used to a thing is by putting in practice what I read, hear, and see. Can't you do that?" "Yes, I suppose so. I'll try, any way." "The two plans are used in accord with what I wish to do with the parent colony. The one I will tell you about first is used where the old hive is to be carried to a new stand, while the swarm is in the air, on the principle of using the new swarm for the main dependence for comb honey, hiv- ing the same on the old stand." "Do you generally work in that way?" "Yes, I prefer hiving the swarm on the old stand where natural swarming is al- lowed, and then placing the sections which are on the parent colony on the new swarm, as this gives the swarm the most of the working force. By thus doing, the bees do not stop work in the sections, and a good crop of section honey is secured." "Glad to hear that. But excuse me for interrupting." "To accomplish what I desire, I proceed as follows: As soon as the swarm is seen issuing from any hive I go to the shop, where I get a light box made for the pur- pose of carr3ang combs, which has previ- ously been prepared, having the desired number of frames in it, taking it to the hive from which the swarm came, when the frames are set out of the box near the hive. I now take off the super and take out the frames of brood, putting them into the box. If the combs of brood seem to be well cov- ered with bees, and the weather is warm, I shake a part of them off in front of the hive before putting the combs into the box." "What do you do that for?" "So as to get just as many bees with the swarm as possible, that a good yield of honey may be obtained from them, and also that as few bees may go with the combs as is consistent with the preservation of the brood, so that after-swarming will be pre- vented. If there are few bees on these combs of brood, or the weather is cool, I put all into the box, setting the box in the shade, and a rod or so from the hive, as soon as all of the frames of brood and bees on them are in the box." "What do you set them a rod away for?" "So that the returning bees will not go on these combs, as they will sometimes do where the queen has her wing clipped, and the swarm is hived on the returning plan. After the box is set away the frames brought from the shop are put in the hive and properly arranged, by which time the swarm will be likely to return if the queen has a clipped wing. If she was not clip- ped, then the swarm is hived in this pre- pared hive on the old stand, the same as any swarm is hived." " What do you do with the combs and bees that are in the box?" "An empty hive is placed where I wish a colony to stand, and these combs of bees and brood are placed in it, and the en- trance adjusted to suit their wants, when they are left till the next morning. By this time nearly all the old or field bees have gone back to the old location, so that the young bees which remain are ready to ac- cept any thing in the shape of a queen. They are now given a ripe queen-cell, a young virgin queen, or a laying one, just in accord as I have made preparations for them." "Do you keep queens or cells on hand for swarming time?" "Yes. I always prepare for any emer- gency' by starting queen-cells a little be- fore the swarming season; and when these are ripe a few nuclei are formed, and if more queens are about to emerge from their cells than I have nuclei for, the cells are put in cages provided with food for them, which are placed where the heat from any colony will keep them warm, and in this way they are preserved till I ncp them, or they become too old to be of u e." "I had not thought of keeping queens on hand to give to the old colonies having cast a swarm, but I now see it would be a good thing; and see how after-swarming can be prevented by this plan. But what about the second plan?" 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 531 "The other plan which I use is fully as successful as the one just given, but is used where I wish to treat swarms the way they are generallj' treated by hiving- them on a new stand, in which Ciise I proceed as fol- lows: As soon as the swarm is hived I go to the old hive from which it came, and mark on it with a pencil, 'Sw'd, 6-10.' " " What do you do that for? That is all Greek tome." " This is to tell me at a glance that a swarm came from that hive June 10, should that be the date on which the swarm issued, and the one which was marked on the hive. If it should be on another day the date would be different; but the plan is the same, and suited to any day on which any first swarm is cast, or comes off. " " Yes. But what do j'ou put it on there for?" "Wait. On the evening of the eighth da^- from the date on the hive I listen a mo- ment at the side of this old hive; and if swarming has been according to rule I hear the young queen piping, when I know a 3'oung queen has emerged from her cell, and an after-swarm will be the result if not stopped." " What do you mean b}' piping?" "This is a noise made bj' the young queen when an after-swarm is likely to issue, and sounds something like this: T-e-e-e-e, t-e-e-e, t-e-e, t-e, te. After you have once heard it you will never be mis- taken as to what it is, for there is no other sound made b_v bees that resembles it in the least. If no piping is heard I do not listen again till the evening of the 13th daj'." " Why do 3'ou not listen the next day?" " Because the next rule is, that the colo- n}- swarmed when there was onlj' an egg or small larva in the queen-cell, instead of the cell being sealed, as is generally the case, which allows the queen to emerge from her cell from the twelfth to sixteenth day after the first swarm. If no piping is heard by the evening of the seventeenth day, no swarm need be expected. But in nine cases out of ten, where after-swarming is to be done the piping will be heard on the eighth day after the first swarm is cast, so that this listening is no tedious job, for not more than a moment is generally required at any hive." "When it is heard, what then?" " When it is heard I go early the next morning and take everj' frame out of the hive, shaking the bees off from each in front of the entrance as I take them out, and return them again, so that I may be sure not to miss a queen-cell, but cut all off; for I know there is a queen at libertj', from the piping which has been heard. With all the queen-cells out of the hive there can be no more queens to come out, and thus all after-swarming is prevented. In these two plans we have something sure for accom- plishing what we desire, under all circum- stances which may arise." This is a peculiar June. We hear of drouths and destructive floods, of hot weath- er and cool. Now, June 11, it is cool and misty. Our bees are doing little more than to keep up brood-rearing. ABDOMENLESS BEES; AN INTERESTING CASE OF POISONING DURING FRUIT-BLOOM AROUND MEDINA. About the first of May, when spraying was being carried on by some of our neigh- bors, I noticed hundreds and hundreds of our bees, which had lost their abdomens, dropping down on the sidewalks, or on bare spots of ground. In fact, such bees were scattered all over everywhere, but they showed up more plainly, of course, on the sidewalks. These wriggling creatures, without their hinder parts, crawling round, keeling over and over, were, of course, very much out of balance. They appeared great- ly distressed. They would rush around in circles, or tug with their hind legs at their abdomens as if there were some pain or distress in that portion of their bodies. I was nonplused. I watched the bees flying overhead, and noticed the fact that they were coming from the fruit- bloom, and I began to surmise that the trees off in that direction had been sprayed with poisonous mixtures, and that the trunkless victims on the sidewalk had come from them direct. After watching in the air for some time I saw a bee suddenly drop down, without its abdomen, and strike the sidewalk with a bound and a whirl. I looked up again, and finally saw a bee flying toward me suddenly drop, whirling over and over, and land on its back, without its abdomen. That this bee had been flying was very plain. When I first saw it, it was rolling over and over in the air. From some cause or other it had lost its abdomen while on the wing; and at the precise moment of los- ing it, it went keeling heels over head un- til it landed at my feet. I then called the attention of our apiarist to the matter, and we both got down on our hands and knees and watched. Finally I saw a bee tug away at its hind quarters until it actuall3', by the power of its hind legs, tore its abdo- men asunder at one of the segments or rings. But in this case the separation took place, not at the waist, but midway along the abdomen. A further search showed that other bees were tugging away at their bodies, and had torn them loose in the man- ner described. My theory was, the bees that had just come from the field were suf- fering from poison, and that, while on the wing, they would tug away at their bodies GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Jl NE 15 with their legs, and finally effect the sepa- ration of the parts. .We picked up a num- ber of the victims with and without the ab- domen, all of them apparentl}' suffering-. These were sent to Prof. Frank Benton, Apicultural Expert at the United States Department of Agriculture, Washington. May 5 he wrote as follows: The A. I. Root Co.:—! have received yours of May 2, with accompanying cages containing diseased bees, and have made several microscopic slides from the juices of the body, from the honey-sacs, and the bowel contents, but find nothing abnormal. I am quite un- able to account for the peculiar actions of these bees, and the remarkable fact that the abdomen breaks in two in the manner you describe and as is shown in the specimens sent I have asked Dr Wiley to exam- ine them for arsenic, and hope, if they have been poi- soned by spraying he will be able to determine it. Washington, D. C, May 5. Frank Bentom. Supposing, of course, that another letter would follow, we waited till May 27, when he wrote, inclosing a letter from Dr. Wiley, under date of May 18: The A. I. Root Co.:— I take pleasure in inclosing herewith the report of the chemist who examined the bees sent by you under date of May 2, which you sus- pected had been poisoned by taking juice sprayed on fruit-trees, Frank Benton. Washington, D. C, May 27. The letter the doctor wrote to Prof. Ben- ton is as follows: Afr. Frank Benton:— V^e have made an examination of the two samples of bees forwarded to us under date of May 5 and 11, and find that arsenic is not present in either sample, while small amounts of copper are present in both. Is it not possible, perhaps, that the bees were poisoned from Bordeaux mixture, and not trom an arsenical insecticide? You make the follow- ing remarks in vour letter of May 11 : ' If it is possible to find any traces of arsenic in the abdominal cavity of these bees, it would go a long way to .settle the point whether the spraying of fruit-trees does result m the death of honey-bee's." In connection with this we beg to state that we examined some bees last year that were said to have been poisoned by spraying the trees with Paris green. Arsenic and copper were both found. H. W. Wiley. Washington, D. C, May 18. The letter of Dr. Wiley apparently un- locks the mystery of the whole situation. You will note that, while he does not dis- cover arsenic, he does find that the bees were poisoned with small amounts of cop- per. Blue vitriol, the main ingredient of the Bordeaux mixture, or, as the chemists say, copper sulphate, is used now very largely for spraying. Indeed, A. I. R. says that the Bordeaux mixture is used more commonly than the mixtures of Paris green. Our neighbors were probably us- ing the blue-vitriol solution, with the result that our bees were poisoned. It occasioned so great pain that the victims were actual- ly dismembering themselves on the wing and on the ground, killing them by the thousands. I would not have deemed it possible that a bee could literally tear it- self to pieces, as we might say, in the man- ner I actually saw on the sidewalk. I now recall that every spring during the spraying season I have seen bees by the thousands lying scattered over our side- walks, with their abdomens off. Suppos- ing this was the work of birds or insects, or that the bees had been stepped on by some of the numerous children playing on the sidewalk in question, I gave very little heed to the matter. It is doubtless true that others of our subscribers have noticed the same thing in the region of fruit-trees; and if they have, I hope they will hold up their hands. Let us ascertain how general this kind of poisoning has been. It seems to me the fact that Dr. Wiley, the Chief Chemist, found poison at all in the bowel- sacs of the bees, is the best kind of proof that the bees were suffering from bluevitriol. You might suppose that, in our neighbor- hood, our farmer friends would spray only before and after blooming-time ; but so many of them have the idea that A. I. Root scattered sweet clover and dandelion all over this vicinity, it is doubtful whether they would heed any suggestions along the line of saving our bees. Yes, some farmers are not aware that sweet clover is scattered all over the United States, by the dirt roads and railways; that it is a plant of compara- tively recent introduction; and that the dan- delion which grows so thriftily in and about Medina does so because our bees thoroughly pollinate every flower, with the result that the seed matures and germinates readily when it falls to the ground. "the pleasures and penalties of auto- mobiling. " In the May issue of the Bee-keepers'' Re- view, Mr. Hutchinson refers to a ride he had with me on some of the common roads near Medina in my "auto." He gives a very fair statement of his experience, es- pecially of the "penalties," one of the worst of which was the annoyance in the frequent meeting and passing of frightened teams, and that there had to be stops, sometimes, to let a fractious horse by. Medina is a country town, and automobil- ing is somewhat of an innovation in the vi- cinity. It was to be expected that some- thing so novel in the shape of a " red devil ' ' running up and down the streets would frighten the steady old farm horses, espe- cially when out alone; for it is a well-known fact that a horse in a city, or where there are many horses together, will pay but little attention to a novelty. But I am glad to say that those in and around Medina are becoming more and more accustomed to my vehicle, and it is very seldom that I have to stop my machine now. I have seen the day when a bicycle would scare a horse far more than an automobile. What could be more frightful to a horse than to see a man or devil strung up in the air, as it were, kicking, and coming toward him at a rapid pace? but now it would be hard to find one that is afraid of a bicycle; and yet how distinctly I remember that day when I had to get off and hide my machine in the grass ever}' time I encountered a farm horse! The automobile has some- what the appearance of a buggy, except that it is horseless. So far as it looks like an ordinary conveyance it is less strange to the passing horse. Well, when Mr. Hutchinson was with me I was learning some of the eccentricities of 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 533 the new vehicle, and some of the "penal- ties" seemed to stand out more prominent- ly then than they do now. The steering'- lever worried me not a little. I would steer too much, with the result that the carriaj^e would swa}' right and left. Now the steer- ing is automatic, just as it is in the case of the bicj'cle. All the sensation is that the vehicle keeps the road, without any worry or strain on my mental gear. Another thing that bothered me was the control of the power. Sometimes the engine would get to "racing;" then it would hum like a thrashing-machine, and the carriage would go pounding over the roads with fearful jolts every now and then. Now the ques- tion of engine control is likewise automatic. When I desire to stop suddenly, the machine slows down rapidl}*, without any mental calculation on mj^ part. At first I would get "rattled." I did the wrong thing at the wrong time. Yesterday I had the pleasure of riding after mj' father's driving, in a brand-new machine, the Olds. It was somewhat amus- ing to see him go through the same awk- ward moves I did, of steering too much, of giving the engine too much speed, of doing the wrong thing at the wrong time. But it was not long before he made himself a part of the machine in that it would respond to his every wish. The penalties are fast disappearing; and the pleasures — well, I do not know of any more glorious fun for me. Sometimes I ride awaj' up into the night; and the thought that there is no horse to tire, and that it is simply a question of consumption of gaso- line at the rate of half a cent a mile, and a little lubricating oil, is comforting indeed. On a hot day there is no tired, sweaty horse to call out one's sj^mpathy. A mere press- ure of the button gives absolute control of the speed and power, and one feels himself flying on the wings of the wind. Come again, Bro. H., and we will try to give you a better taste of the real pleasure. TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING; LAYING OUT HIV^ES IN SYMMETRICAL ROWS SOME- TIMES A MISTAKE. It is a mistake to have a queen-rearing yard laid out in straight rows, and have all the grass and weeds cut out. Hives should be located in groups of one, two, three, four, and five. Do not have any two groups of the same size and appearance near each other. If there is a group of five hives here, make the next group of two; another group of four. Make each group different from the adjoining one, and, if possible, put near some distinguishing object like a tree or a bush. One group can have a large tree, and another a small one. If tall weeds grow up near the entrance, all the better. While they obstruct the flight slightly, they help young queens in identifying their en- trances. And, by the way, we made a mistake in Cuba in cutting away all the grass in front of the hives, and in putting them in neat straight rows. The native Cuban bee-keeper lets the grass grow. His hives are laid out very irregularly, with the result there is much less robbing than there would be if they were all laid out with perfect regularity in rows, and en- trances pointing in one direction. In an apiary of the last-mentioned kind, it is no wonder the bees become confused, and that robbers get a good start before the inmates of the hive realize what is going on. There is another point: It takes a great deal of time to keep the grass and weeds down. If I were running for honey and money only I would keep the entrances, the paths, and roadways clear, and that is all. You will ask why 3'ou would not find that condition of things at our home yard here in Medina. Simply because it would offend some of our visitor friends. They expect to see something like a park. But take a trip up to the Harrington yard, and you will find things as they are in Cuba. THE HANDIEST BEE-BRUSH. Dr. Miller is quoted by the Review as saying there is nothing better for brushing bees than some growing plant, like aspar- agus, sweet clover, goldenrod, or aster. That is the kind of brush I use — not be- cause it is better but because it is so j^et- at-able. I reach down to the nearest bunch of weeds or grass, and grab up a good handful — enough to make a good stiong sweep. When I am through with it I sim- ply throw it away. But where there is shaking and brushing all day, as dui ing extracting, a special brush for the purpose — one that can be swashed in water — is better than a scraggly mass of weeds. In a recent issue of Gleanings I referred to the fact that Mr. Hutchinson was foul- brood inspector for Michigan, and that he was doing a good deal of his editorial work on the cars. Some of his later items are particularly meaty. Here it a sample: A lining of damp paper put into a vessel into which melted wax is to be poured will keep the wax from coming in contact with the vessel, hence there will be no dish to clean up afterward. Strange as it may seem, the paper will also peel off readily from the cake of wax. Neither will the cake crack while cool- ing, as it is not stuck to the walls of the di.sh. Mr. H. R. Miller, of Kultou, Mo., wrote me about this. General Manager France is having his hands full. In eight difterent places in the United States bees have been declar- ed to be a nuisance. Mr. France is looking after all cases, and showering in doses of truth and fact. There is one case of adul- teration at Denver that is receiving his attention. Mr. H. H. Hyde and Miss Lizzie E. Adams, of P^loresville, Texas, are to be mar- ried on the 18th of this month. Mr. Hyde is one of our occasional contributors; and al- though a comparatively young man he usually has something valuable to offer. Gleanings extends its congratulations to the young people. 534 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. June 15 TARRED PAPER FOR WINTER PROTECTION. Answer to Editorial Comment on Page 371. BY ARTHUR C. MILLER. Mr. Root: — You. have completely missed my point of value in my paper wrapping- for hives. Your experiments have scarcely a thing in common with mine except that each contained the ingredients of bees, wood, wax, paper, honey, and nails. You tied paper around a hive, and then covered it with a close-fitting winter-case. You got thereby a very poor "chaff hive." I do not wonder that the bees died in it. I took a single-walled hive, laid over it a sheet of tarred paper, folded it down and about the hive, and tacked strips of wood around the bottom edges. I thus secured a water-proof and practically air-tight wrapping of black. When the sun shone, that black surface absorbed the heat in a remarkable degree. Even during protract- ed cold spells the snow would melt from such covering, while it would remain on the other hives, both single-walled and chafif. The heat thus gathered warmed the hive through and through, so the bees could and did safely move about. When the sun was gone, the warm wood and air within that black covering yielded their heat very slowly. My theory was this: On pleasant days the black-paper-covered hives would absorb, during the time the sun shone, as much heat as they would lose by radiation during the hours of its absence. Furthermore, that, even if it gave it up in less time, the loss would be so gradual that the bees would be able to re-form their cluster before the tem- perature got too low. Also the bees would have had the advantage each week of sev- eral hours of sufficient heat to enable them to move all they needed to. Practice proves the correctness of the theory. The entrance, always wide open, being at the bottom, did not appreciably affect the results. Days when the wind blew strong- ly into or across the entrance, the tempera- ture did not rise so much, and the bees re- mained closely clustered. You may argue that such warming-up would induce the bees to fly when it was too cold without. The facts are, it did7Vt. I do not claim that such protection is suf- ficient in all climates; but I do believe it is by all odds superior to chaff or sawdust; and that, where bees can be wintered out of doors at all, they can be successfully and profitably wintered with no other protec- tion than the tarred paper about their hives. The tarred paper has two or three disad- vantages. It is dirty to handle in putting on; is not good the second year; and the nail- ing-on of strips to fasten the bottom edges tight is undesirable. I have been looking for some sort of close-woven water-proof black cloth that is reasonably cheap. En- ameled cloth is too expensive and too short- lived. As a moral to adorn the tale, let me say that, had you grasped the why as set forth in several of my articles on the subject, you would hardly have made the mistake. Look for the whys. Find the why, then the methods will create themselves. The general attitude regarding chaff packing has been as if the whole brood- chamber were of the same temperature as that of the cluster. If such were the case, then we might correctly infer that walls which would prevent the too rapid radia- tion of such heat would be desirable. But such is not the case. The cluster is, say, 65° F. ; the air about it and the frames and combs outside of the cluster are almost the same temperature as that of the outer air. The chaff walls keep this air, frames, combs, etc., uniformly cold. Bright sun- shine has precious little chance to heat it. Providence, R. I. [Apparently I did miss the point of your paper wrapping; but in reality I had prac- tically the same thing in mind, as I will presently explain. I used newspaper wrap- ping around the hive, then slipped a thin winter-case of lumber over it, making a snug close fit. But mark this: the winter- cases were painted red, and red is almost as warm a color as black. Contrary to our experience, the red had a decidedly detri- mental effect in our locality by inducing the bees to fly out when they should have stayed inside. The winter's sun in a pro- tected inclosure will warm up a hive quite a considerable, if it be painted red or black. Our experience has shown us that white is a better color the year round. The tarred paper, being jet black, would draw more of the sun's rays, with the result that it would warm the bees up, thus aggravating the very trouble that I speak of. I may cite you to a very familiar illustra- tion in poultry-raising. The time was when it was considered best to have much glass in poultry-houses, the glass facing the south, of course. The object was to draw the suns rays during bright days, warm- ing up the coop. The effect was to make too great a change in the temperature from daj' to night, resulting in injury to the fowls. Now the practice, I understand, is to have no more glass than is absolutely required for light, and to paint the bviildings vi'hite instead of a warm color as formerly. The footnote above was sent to Mr. Mil- ler, who writes:] " The proof of the pudding is in the eat- ing." Most of the colonies which were pro- tected with the black paper now have work well under way in the supers (May 11); 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 535 while of those not so protected, but two col- onies are so employed. Bees within a black-covered hive may possiblj' fly unseasonably, but they donH. Such flights are, as a rule, due to other causes than warmth within the hive. I have often seen the bees moving about the en- trance, and now and then one will hover about outside; but beyond this they seldom go — never harmfully so. The example of the glass in poultry-houses does not fit. The glass permits greater heating (and more rapid), and excessively rapid radiation after the sun has gone. Also in such glassed houses fresh air was sadlj' absent. I've been through the mill, and made a success of it (poultry culture) before I gave it up. Please try my whole formula before you say black paper is "not good." The for- mula is, plenty of bees, sound queen, abun- dant stores, early preparation, and black wrapping. But I may be mistaken. Two years is a short test. A. C. M. [The point I tried to make was that ex- tremes of temperature are detrimental to bees as well as to poultry. A cellar that is subject to a variation in cold, as is well known, will not winter bees as well as one that maintains an even degree. While j'ou take some account of locality, you do not consider that beginners may be misled. Where you are, it is milder than in and about Medina; and Medina is much milder than Marengo, 111. A varying tem- perature that might not be disastrous or harmful around Providence might be de- cidedly so for another locality. I still feel that the average beginner in the average locality' should go slow in applying a black covering, as j-ou describe, around the hive, expecting that such protection will be equal to the regular chaff-packed hive. I base my statement, not on two years of experi- ence on this question, baton a period of five or six with this kind of protection, and on extended travel among the bee-keepers where I have had a chance to see the re- sults of the various kinds of winter protec- tion. And let me say right here, I have known it to be a fact for bees to winter well in the locality of Philadelphia, and Washington, D. C, packed in the manner you describe. The whole question sim- mered down to its last analysis is one of locality.— Ed.] THE MIXING OF SWARMS. How a Texas Man Divides up the Bees with a Decoy Queen into Several Hives; a Practicable Plan. BY H. PIPER. After reading friend Wm. McEvoy's ar- ticle, page 288, I thought I would give a plan I had, as I do not believe in hinder- ing a colony from casting a prime swarm when they decide to do so. That is nature's way. After-swarms are what I call "fe- ver swarms," and I prevent that without pinching out cells either. I have no patent on my plan. I have a cage about the size of a section, wire cloth on sides, and a hole in one edge that you can close' up so as to stay closed. I put a queen (some old worthless one) in this, and fasten her in securely; no bees with her; then I fasten this securely on the end of a 1X3 batten, 8 or 10 ft. long, length to accom- modate your condition. On the side of the batten I fasten a strip four or five inches away from it by cross-pieces, ladder fash- ion; the strip should be 18 or 20 inches long — see drawing. ^ I\'ow, this i:s |)ennanent, queen and all, and in my case the one queen has done me for four or more weeks. The bees feed her, and, when not in use, I hang it up in a tree; but if likely to rain I take it down and cov- er up. The ladder-work fixture on the side of the pole is for the bees to cluster on. Now, you must have the bottom end of the pole sharp, because you will often want to stick it into the ground; but prop up secure- ly, so the weight of bees will not bear it to the ground; and if j'our swarm or swarms are high up, use the hook or projecting piece to attach to a limb. We are now ready to use the outfit. We 536 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. June 15 will say that from Nos. 3, 5, 21, 32, swarms issue, and they all go together. We will just catch the queens (mine are clipped), and put them under a cup glass or in a cage, and set it down in front of the hive from which each came; then we will re- move the hives 5 or 6 ft. away, and put emp- ties with comb or foundation in their place (I generally give a frame of mostly young brood). Now we are ready for the fray. We will take the caged queen on the pole, and insert it in the bunch of bees, and shove it well up to the limb, gently of course; and when we think we have enough we will gently withdraw it and carry to one of the hives, and lay it sidewise close up to the hive, but not so close as to clog the entrance and start some of the bees in. If they do not move of their own accord when they start in, pick the queen up, carefully of course, so as not to injure her, and put her at the entrance and see that she goes in. They will soon be all moving like a flock of sheep. Then just raise 3'our stick up a little and give it a quick jerk, and it is done, and all is well. Go back to the bunch and do the same way until you come to the last lots; then get what you can on your pole, and place it so that the end of the pole with what bees you can get that way are only a few feet away (the nearer the better, though I have managed them at 10 feet away, long range), and in plain view. Now you want a long pole to give the limb a sharp punch to dislodge them, and agitate the limb for about a quarter of a minute, or until they are at- tracted to the cluster on the pole. In case of a large limb or other thing they may sometimes settle on, use the smoker and bee- brush, gently at first, until you get them off; then apply smoke until the place is untenable. This is the best way for hiving, and no sting. Somebody, I think, I hear saying, "Why, those bees will not stay there long enough for you to hive them that way." Let's see. You have had that old queen (in cage) in that bunch repeatedly. They have smelled her, and they will stay until you take them down, if you are not too slow — two hours, I should think, and I have had eight swarms in a bunch at once. Then, again, it is not safe to depend on the swarms (if only one) returning to their hive after they find their queen not with them, be- cause some are liable to go to other hives; and if you have one swarm, and think it is only one swarm, and they will come back, another swarm may issue while waiting, and there maj' by chance a virgin have slipped in. In that case you know the re- sult; also if several swarms issue at once, and are left, they are more than liable to go all together to one hive, and the rest of your hives stand empty. This plan will work, whether a swarm has a queen of any kind or not. Calaveras, Tex. [Some one else, some years ago, told how a decoy queen might be used for catching swarms. At that time the scheme was con- sidered to be entirely feasible, but of late but very little has been said about it. I have used it myself to a limited extent, but believe bee-keepers might employ it to con- siderable advantage in large yards where there is a tendency for more than one swarm to come out at once. — Ed.] REARING QUEENS IN FULL COLONIES. Running for Extracted Honey. BY D. R. KEYES. Raising queens and producing extracted honey from the same colonies, and at the same time, can be done by boring an auger- hole in the side of a regular extracting- hive (or in both sides if you desire to run three nuclei to each colony). Over the hole, inside and out, tack a piece of perforated zinc, and then place against the holes one- frame nuclei, or the little section-box nuclei, like Swarthmore's, with a corresponding hole in the side to fit up snug against the hole in the colony. When you have your cells ready, just before hatching, form your nuclei by placing brood and honey in the little nuclei, and place them in position, and, after a few hours, you can give the THE SWARTHMORE-KEYES OUEEN-REARING NUCLEI ATTACHED TO FULL COLONIKS. Fig. 1. A, B. nucleus boxes, one in contact with hive, the other swung to one side to show hole covered with zinc. Fig. 2 is a thin box to hold full frames; frame, hole, and perforated zinc in dotted line. ripe cells, and the queens will hatch and go out to mate at the proper time from a small opening in the nucleus box itself. You can continue to take queens and supply cells just as you would from any nuclei, and can go on working j'our colonies just as though the nuclei were not there. The little nuclei will be kept supplied with bees 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 537 from the colony, throug^h the zinc; and when you wish to discontinue a nucleus, all you have to do is to put the bees and brood in the colony, and stop up the hole in the col- ony with a wooden plui;- or cork. The old bees from the colony will come into these nuclei, and protect them aj,'-ainst robbers. I prefer my little hives or nuclei made with one side oil' instead of the hole, as this puts the bees in nuclei closer to the hole in the colony; but if this is done you will have to be careful to fasten them ag'ainstthe hive by some means, which s/iould be done any approved waj'. D. R. Keyes. Wewahitchka, Fla. LYour plan seems to be essentially the same as Swarthmore's, illustrated in our issue for Sept. 15, 1901, page 743. That the plan will work seems probable, and we are interested euoug-h to give the matter a trial in our j-ards this summer. The fact that both you and Swarthmore pronounce it a success would seem to indicate that others might have confidence in it. The feature that commends itself to the average produc- er of hone}' is that he can g-o on producing- his regular crop of honey and still rear a few queens for his own use, without in any wa3' interfering with the work of any one colony. — Ed.] «»»»«t« ■ . A WORD OF ADVICE FROM THE OTHER END OF THE LINE. Comb Honey too High-priced; Extracted Honey Li- able to be Adulterated. BY KIT CLOVKR. You people sit down and chat together, month after month, about how to raise bees, and how to "shake " them after they are raised, and how to get the honey after they are shaken, and all that. No doubt it is all interesting to you; but, meantime, what of us? Here we sit, at this end of the line, the consumer's end, and here is the way the matter stands. Suppose I have a house and six children, husband, a boarder, and myself. We all like honey. We want hon- ey. We are fond of hot biscuits and honey, and I propose to make the biscuits, and go out to the grocer's for the honey. " Twenty-two cents a pound." I look at the pretty little section of nice honey, and estimate it. There are nine of us. and one section will not give over four " helps," therefore I must get two sections, at 44 cts., and go without myself, or get three sections at 66 cts. This makes a rath- er expensive relish, and, on a small salary, can not be indulged in often. So I betake myself to the counter of extracted honey. These are attractively put up in cans or bottles. Let me say right here, all honey should be put in jars. The housewife will buy twice as readily knowing the pint or quart Mason jar will do for canning fruit, while the ordinary bottle is a dead loss. But now comes the pick. Who of us all •can know, when we buy a jar of honey, that we are not getting glucose? This is where our trouble is, and this uncertainty prevents the sale of tons of extracted honey. Can't you get up in your might and procure such stringent laws as shall make it a crime to put up or to sell glucose or any kind of an imitation as pure honey? Make the penal- ty heavy enough, and I think the law can be enforced. Please, Messrs. Beemen, when you sit down to talk, make this the subject of your thought until you sweep the spurious stuff out of the market. Brooklyn, N. Y. [The National Bee-keepers' Association, together with the local State organizations, is doing much to get laws that will make the adulteration of honey a crime. The National has already at different times sent delegates to the Pure-food Congress at Washington, and the last Congress of the United States came very near passing a national law that would have stopped traf- fic in adulterated honey between the States. Through the influence of organized effort in Illinois, New York, and Colorado, anti- honey-adulteration laws are in force. Ohio had already a good law before the bee- keepers of our State had taken any hand in the matter. California has a good law, but the officials for some reason are not disposed to enforce it. Bee-keeper and con- sumer alike are interested in pure food, es- pecially in pure honey, and they should at once ally themselves with organized bodies of bee-keepers. — Ed.] FORMALDEHYDE FOR CURING BLACK BROOD. How to Save the Brood, and How to Render the Combs Infected Safe for Use in Healthy Colonies. BY G. W. HAINES. I have read several pieces in Gleanings on formaldehyde for curing black brood. I have used it for two seasons; so I will send in my experience with it. Formaldehyde can be had at any drug- store. If not in stock they will get it. I used it with a spray until I was satisfied it was no cure. Our State bee- inspector, Charles Stewart, asked me to make some trials of fumigation with formaldehyde; so I sent to A. B. Huested & Co., of Albany, N. Y. For SI. 25 they sent me a kit for fumigating, and instructions. I made sev- eral trials that proved all right. I found my kit too small, so I made one. I will try to describe what I have now. I made a large box or cupboard, tight joints, two doors that fit tight all around; where the door closes up I put in a strip of heavy felt. When the doors are closed it is as nearly air-tight as I could make it. It is just wide enough to take two tiers of frames, one in front of each door, and four rows high, twelve in each row. When full it holds 96 frames. To fumigate I use a common bracket lamp. I set on top of the chimney a small 538 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. June 15 wire rack, about ^ inch high. On top of this wire rack I put a machine oil-can that holds about a pint; put a rubber tube on the spout of the can, run the end of the rubber tube in a hole at the bottom of the cupboard; put in the oil- can about half a teacupful of formaldehyde; light the lamp, turn it just high enough to boil the formal- dehyde; then shut the doors tight. I have the lamp burning about an hour, or a little longer. By that time the formaldehyde is nearly boiled away. Leave the doors shut 24 hours, and there will be no black brood, bees, nor moth-larvas left. Open the doors, and air until they smell all right, about half a day, and they are ready for use again. Last season I put two very light colonies down in another lot, and used them to stack on the best frames of brood. As fast as I found a diseased colony I shook them out on foundation at evening; just as the bees stop flying I cover all adjoining hives with some old sack, so no bees will enter them. As soon as they all get in I put on a piece of queen-excluding zinc to keep them from ab- sconding; then stack the best frames of brood on one of the light colonies. Last season I had them 5 to 12 frame hives high. As soon as the brood would all hatch I shook the bees off. fumigated the combs, and used them again; and I kept on stack- ing as long as I could find any disease. When the swarms I use to stack have too many bees I shake out a swarm on founda- tion, and set them in a new place. Some of the worst-diseased combs, after fumigat- ing, I marked on the dates, and set them in the center of a healthy colony, and found them solid full of capped brood. To-day, Apr. 20, I have 92 colonies. A near neighbor that had more bees than I had, when black brood struck us, lost the last of his last winter, and many more have one, two, or three left. Last fall I fumigated all of my extract- ing-frames, and all section boxes that had been on the hives, before putting them away. Mayfield, N. Y. [The wire rack to which you refer is, I judge, a little device to be fitted on to a lamp-chimney that can be bought at the stores for heating a cup of milk for chil- dren at night when the fire is out. We had such an arrangement when our boy was a baby, and we found it to be very effective. If it can not be obtained, any arrangement that will hold an oil-can about half an inch above the top of the glass chimney would answer. The oil-can shown in the illustration is probably not the same thing" that Mr. Haines has in mind. I judge that he uses a spring-bottom oil-can, with a perpendicular snout, such as can be ob- tained for 10 or IS cents at any hardware store. An ordinary rubber tube can be slipped over the snout; but it should first be cut off to give a larger opening. Apparently it is important to have the fumigating cupboard or box as nearly air- tight as possible. Mr. C. H. W. Weber, of Cincinnati, who has had considerable ex- perience, sajs that an ordinary hive is not tight enough. He recommends putting the combs in hives, the hives inside of an air- tight box, then generating gas and forcing it into the box. As Mr. Haines recommends, combs con- taining the disease may be stored in upper stories above perforated zinc over a strong- colony. What brood is healthy can hatch out. The combs can then be fumigated as directed. We shall be glad to get reports from our subscribers who are in position to test this method of cure. So far I do not know of a case where, when the gas has been properly applied, it has failed to disinfect the combs. If more convenient for our subscribers, they can order their fumigating apparatus and chemicals of C. H. W. Weber, Cincin- nati, O. The chemical comes in two forms — fluid formalin and solidified formalin. The former is in 1-lb. bottles costing 50 cents; postage 40 cents extra. The latter is in ounce packages costing 75 cents; post- age 5 cents. The solidified formalin is mrch more concentrated and cheaper — one ounce of it being equivalent to 3 lbs. of the liquid article. The generator, including '2 ounce of the solidified formalin, costs $1.25; postage 20 cents. Send your order to Mr. Weber. And, by the way, Mr. Weber has a little book that gives full par- ticulars on how to apply this drug. Per- haps I am giving our friend a free adver- tisement; but he has spent not a little time and money in helping to develop and bring before the public this new method of cure, and it is no more than right that he be rewarded for his pains. — Ed.] 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 539 MORE ABOUT BEE-KEEPING IN JAMAICA. BY GEO. \V. PHILLIPS. [Mr. Geo. W. Phillips, the writer of the following article, wa-; born and rai.sed in Jamaica. .\ little less than a year ago he came to the I'liited States and subsequently t-ccepted a position with us. As lonsid- erablc interest has been manifested regarding Jamai- ca I asked him to follow up the article of Mr. .•\lexan- dcr. in our last issue, wiih another one telling some- thing about his own bee-keeping operations on the island, and ot that remarkable honey-plant the log- wood Mr. Phillips owns fOO colonies in two yards, one of which — the smaller one — is shown m the first illus ration. He is at present our head apiarist, hav- ing charge of our bet s in and al>out Medina. In this connection I might state that Mr. Harry Howe, of '• lightning-opetato! " fame, is running "our Cuban vard of otlO colonies. — En.] Monster apiaries can be run profitably in Jamaica. During- the log-wood bloom, which comes somewhere between December and ISIarch, 600 colonies or more could eas- ily find pasturage in the same locality; but since the flow of nectar from other sources is not co.rresponding-ly heavy, most of the large bee- men keep but 300 or 400 colonies in each j'ard. Too much can not be said of log-wood as a honey-plant. It has always been, and very likely will always remain, the staple hon- ey plant of the island. While the Ameri- can bee-man sees in dismay the forests of basswood yielding to the ax of the wood- AUCHENDOON APIAKV. Many questions about Jamaica have been fired at me since I came to the States— some of them easilj' answered, and some almost unanswerable— questions of every sort, and upon almost ever}' subject imaginable, and bee-keepers have not been backward in ask- ing their share. For the benefit of the lat- ter, therefore, I write this article, and hope it will be of interest. There is probabl3' no place where condi- tions are more favorable for bee-keeping, and where the apiarist can find more real plea- sure in the pursuance of his favorite task, than Jamaica. To begin with, one has no winter and early-spring problem to solve; but pleasant sunshine, fragrant flowers, and booming colonies exist; while in the north- ern country, zero weather and chafi" cush- ions are the order of the dav. man, and his prospective harvest from al- falfa nipped in the bud, the Jamaican bee- keeper can know with assurance that, un- less the climatic conditions are extremely trying, the big yields from logwood will continue as the years come and go. This pl\oto shows a part of one of our apiaries at a place called " Auchendoon." The trees in the picture are very fine spec- imens of the logwood. There are thousands of acres of the same around ; and when the b'oom is on, and those giant colonies get fairly started, the rush and roar can better be imagined than described. In this apiary the ten-frame hive is used exclusively. Had I the chance to start over again I should prefer a larger brood-nest — the ten-frame Jumbo or twelve-frame Lang- stroth, for instance. The long-continued 540 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. June 15 honey- flows; the chance for building up to meet these flows; the swarming- problem, and other conditions peculiar to the tropics, combine to render a large brood-nest desir- able. Our apiaries are run for extracted honey entirely. The picture above was taken dur- ing the honey harvest. Our manager (who, with his assistant, appears in the picture) was out of vessels to put the honey in, our shipment of tins being a little late. Imag- ine those upper stories filled, and honey still coming in, and the pressing need of vessels, and our manager's nervous impa- tience will be obvious. At the left of the picture is a hive with the cover badly warped, and the side of the away the drudgery from hardest labor, and sweeten the cup of daily toil. In each apiary we keep about 100 nuclei for queen-rearing, and requeen about two- thirds of our colonies every season. Oueens have no winter to rest in, but must be as prolific in December and Januarj' as they are in July; consequently they get worn out early. Exceptionally good ones may be kept for two or even three years; but on the whole it is more profitable to weed out all but the best every year, replacing with 3'oung vigorous queens. We use the Doolittle method of queen- rearing exclusively, modifying the same here and there as our experience and that of others show such modifications advan- Apiary al Lhe Cross Clarendon. Mr. F. A. Hooper in the fori ground. hive covered with bees. Covers must be well made in order to stand the heat of the tropics without warping. Many and happy are the da}'s I have spent working in the shade of those log- wood-trees in "Auchendoon apiary." The clear blue skj", visible through the foliage overhead; the fresh sea-breeze stirring the slumbering branches ; the gurgle of the brooklet flowing hard by ; the beautiful green "commons," spotted with grazing cattle; the distant music of the ocean waves upon the bleached sands of the shore; the towering mountains, their bosoms decked with tropical veqfeta'.ion, all uniting to take tageous. When our colonies are strongest, cells are built between two frames of brood in upper stories; and between August and December we generally' use a ten-frame hive, divided in the middle b3' a perforated zinc division-board, the queen laying on one side of the hive, and cells being built on the other. A strange thing about Jamaican bee- keeping is that no fear need be entertained that bees will swarm during the heavj' log- wood bloom. They swarm almost immedi- ately after, however; and unless one knows how to manage, supers of unripe honey will be removed by the swarms to help 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. S4I build their new homes. This most uapleas- ant proceeding:- may be obviated bj' the use of the " shookswarm " system. After having' piven it a thoroug-h test we are hijrh- ly gratified with the results obtained. Through the medium of various publica- tions on bees, Jamaicans can keep step with the times, and bring into use in their apiaries the mostmoJern systems. Glean- ings and other bee- journals are eag^erly looked for, and their contents devoured b^^ .ill who are interested in the bee business. Something was said in Gleanings not long- ago about a man who read his copies of the same throug-h and throug^h, advertisements and all. I can tell of one of our men who was not even satisfied with the advertise- Among the pioneers of Jamaican apiculture the names of Hooper and Nash stand forth perhaps as prominently as any others. The former has for years held the ag-ency for The A. I. Root Co., and, as a result, is well known by West-Indian bee-keepers. The following- illustrations show some more of the Hooper Brothers' apiaries. These are, for the most part, situated near the railroad stations, so that, while we have to resort to the horse and trap or the bic3'cle as a means of locomotion be- tween apiaries, Mr. Hooper does the most of his traveling on the train. I once made up my mind to visit Hooper Brothers' apiaries; and, with this object in view, I started for King-ston with a friend. One of Hoopier Bro's' out-apiaties run for extracted horey.i The trees are logwood, of which there are 1000 around, and in the honey-flow enough bees can not be got to lake off the nectar. ments in the A B C of Bee Culture, but he learned the entire poem at the beginning of the book — " When Novice first began to tell,'' etc . and was proud of being- able to repeat it through without a hitch. Jamaica boasts of some very distinguish- ed bee-men; and it is my pleasure to say something in this of one of the most exten- sive beekeepers in the island. I should like to introduce him, but can not, since I am sure the readers of Gleanings are nlready acquainted, through its pages, with Mr. F. A. Hooper, of the firm of Hooper Brothers, whose picture appears opposite. On reaching that place we found that the head of the firm was ailing, and conse- quently we did not have the pleasure of be- ing shown around. As a result I am not able to give as detailed an account of the apiaries as I might had I visited them. The views, however, will speak for them- selves. I have heard it said that from 500 to 800 colonies are kept in a single yard. While this may be exaggerating a little, it is a fact that their apiaries are colossal. Mr. Hooper is the most extensive queen- breeder in the West Indies. His bees are for the most part of the five-banded strain. I feel that a tribute of praise is due him for 542 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. June 15 i:he pains he has taken to keep foul brood -out of the island. In introducing breeders imported from the States and Italy into his apiary, he always takes the precaution to remove each queen from her shipping--cage and attendants, place her in a new clean cage by herself, starve her for about twen- ty minutes, and then introduce her. The old bees and cage he consigns to the flames. As a result of this precaution, not one case had correspondence. In the half-hour that we talked together he impressed me as be- ing an enthusiast; and to this fact, as much as to any other, I attribute his suc- cess in the bee business. Show me the man who is signally successful in any de- partment of life, and I will show you an enthusiast. The man who has an object in life, and justifiably applies every faculty of mind and power of body in accomplish- Hooper Brothers' queen-rearing vard at Barbican, St. Andrews. The young man standing in front is the eld- est .son of the senior of this fiim. The little house in the center is the trauspostng-room. of foul brood has yet been known in Ja- maica. A booklet, entitled "Bee-keeping in Ja- maica," has recently been published by this gentleman. For beginners, and. in fact, any one interested in tropical bee- keeping, it will be found both interesting and instructive. I have met Mr. Hooper face to face but once in my life, although for years we have ing his lifework, is the man who succeeds. There are two classes of people in this world. Of one class it may be said, as was said of the "village blacksmith" — "something attempted, something done;" and of the other. " nothing attempted, noth- ing done" — that is, nothing specific at- tempted. True it is, that the former are often laughed at and called cranks; yet it is a satisfaction to know that thej' are the 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 543 cranks that turn tlic ivhecls of progress in human alTairs. I take this opportunitj- to extend my best wishes to the bee-keepers of Jamaica. Medina, Ohio. DRIVEN SWARMS. Method of Treatment; Some of the Difficulties to be Overcome. BV A. J. WKIGHT. I use the word "driven" instead of brush- ed, shaken, jounced, forced, etc , because it expresses a distinctive feature of the plan I use. I was considerablj' surprised when time in the spring-, which I secure as fol- lows: About the middle of February, if the weather is mild, I set the colonies out of the cellar, allowing them to remain until it turns cold again, when they are replaced. The strongest and healthiest will now start brood-rearing if the temperature of the cel- lar i s not below freezing. About the middle of March, if the weather is favorable, each colony is placed on its summer stand, and is well protected by outer covering. Last spring my bees were set out March 22, and examination showed brood in various stages, the be?t colony showing four frames of capped brood on that date. Some writer (was it Mr. Somerford?) said in Glean- T':i\^^mmi iUi,h''''.j»~ \ \', - mm One of Hooper Brothers' out-ap:aries iu Clatcndon. F. A. Hocper in the left foreground. Building shown is. honev-house. the matter of brushed, etc., swarms was first brought up in Glkanings that you seemed to regard it as something new. Why, Mr. Editor, I have been practicing it for a long time. In fact, it is the only method by which I can secure a paying crop of honey in this locality. I can not say whether this plan will work well in all localities: but in localities similar to this, where the honey- flow is usually short and quite uncertain, it seems to be just the thing. The first and very important step is full colonies and an abundance of stores in the fall; brood-rearing at the earliest possible INGS that only a weak swarm would start brood- rearing in the cellar. This is not at all true with me; but the reverse is the case. Each colony is now worked for brood for all it is worth; and when the frames are pretty well filled, another hive is placed above with queen-excluding zinc between, putting capped brood from below above and giving empty frames below, when young eggs are given above, and this is continued at intervals until queen-cells are started in the upper story. When some of these cells are capped over, all but three or four of the best are cut out and destroyed, leaving the 544 GLEANINGS IN DEE CLLIURE. June 15 bees are hatching lively a frame of larvee or others to hatch. Before any queens have hatched out, the perforated zinc is removed, and a frame with wire cloth tacked on the upper side is put in its place, and on this frame '/(-inch strips are placed on three edges, leaving the fourth open for an en- trance. This upper- story entrance should be on the side opposite the lower one. In due time a queen will be found laying above, and both stories must be worked for brood to their greatest capacity, and ad- ditional stories given above or below if re- quired. This must be continued to the com- mencement of the honey- flow. Now take a box of the size of the hive in use; remove the upper story containing the young queen, and place the box over it. Now smoke the bees lightly, first breaking the cappings in a frame below, and then drum gently on the hive, giving the bees ample time to till their honey-sacs. Drum these bees into the box above, making a clean drive if possible. Now remove the old queen with a frame of adhering bees, and place this frame in any empty hive-body. Now break the cappings of a frame in the hive from which the old queen was taken; place the box containing the driven bees over this hive, and drive all bees from be- low into the box above. All being of the same odor, no trouble will result. Have now your frames and supers ready, and dump the bees in front of the entrance. Use all drawn-out comb in the brood-nest below, if shallow, and full sheets of founda- tion in the supers. I have never found it necessary to use perforated zinc between, yet in some localities it seems to be neces- sary. The principal objections to be overcome in the brushed, etc., swarm plan are: 1. A tendency to abscond. 2. The building of too much drone comb. 3. The deposit of pollen in the sections. 4. The building of queen-cells in the col- ony of the parent stock. The fl'nz'^w-swarm plan, as I practice it, overcomes the objections as follows: 1. The driving of the swarm, as detailed, reduces the colony to the condition of a nat- ural swarm, and thus reduces to a mini- mum the liaijility to abscond. 2. The driving of the young queen with the swarm insures the building of worker comb. 3. The use, as far as possible, of drawn- out comb in the brood-chamber is a safe- guard against pollen in the sections. 4. The old queen is a safeguard against the building of queen-cells in the parent stock. If increase is desired, the old queen and hatching bees will furnish it. If not de- sired, then the worker bees may be given from time to time to the new swarm. By the above method there will be no swarm- ing if sufficient room is given in the su- pers. The foregoing plan, to be successful, re- quires close attention to details, a thorough knowledge of the habits of bees, and of the pasturage in the locality of the apiary. I do not, therefore, recommend the plan for beginners. Since writing the above I have received the Dec. 1st number of Gleanings, and note on page 978, Mr. Editor, that you want something on the question of foundation or empty combs in the brood-chamber. If the frames are shallow I use all empty combs if possible — filling out with full sheets of foundation or starters if neces- sary— for the reason that the queen and bees know instinctively that the first thing to do is to produce brood, and they use the material best suited to their immediate needs — namely, drawn comb. The bees proceed at once to clean out this comb, and this gives the queen ample room for the im- mediate deposit of eggs, which keeps her from going into the supers. As soon as the queen begins to lay, the bees will put pol- len below, and neither eggs nor pollen will go into the supers. When the bees are slowly driven — not shook, brushed, jounced, etc., and allowed to fill up on honey, their natural instinct is to use this honey converted into wax for comb-building-; there being no use for it be- low on empty combs, it is carried into the supers, and the foundation in sections is rapidly drawn out. If foundation or starters only are used in the brood-chamber, the bees can not draw it out fast enough to accommodate the full egg-laying capacity of a young prolific queen, and this is particularly true of shallow frames or a contracted brood-cham- ber. Bradford, N. Y. SNAP SHOTS GATHERED AT THE ONTARIO CO. BEEKEEPERS' CONVENTION. BY F. GREINER. As to the disposing of our honey, we bee- keepers are not doing business on business principles. We ought to co-operate. — H. L. Case. We New York bee-keepers have the ad- vantage over our western competitors. We are at the consumer's door. — W. F. Marks. Crop reports of an official character would assist us in establishing uniformity in prices of honey. The sum of 2000 dollars was set apart by the government for api- culture, but was not used. A definite sum should be set apart for gathering crop re- ports. If this business were conducted by the government, figures would not be ma- nipulated, and nothing would leak out pre- maturely.— Frank Benton, Washington, D. C. There is a class of bee-keepers who can not be educated; they will undersell any way. The cure is, to buy their bees. Ricker, Iowa. A good way to space brood-frames is by way of a wide staple to be driven across each 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 545 )rner of the frame. This will at the same me act as a brace.— Frank Benton. I move my bees without spacers. I move )0 or more colonies every year. — Ricker. After a colony- had been wintered in a ngle-walled hive, the hive-walls contained pints of water, or 5 to 6 lbs. — F. Benton. Marks can not winter his bees in chatf. icker wants no chaff; Greiner, only chaff r place in cellar. The Cyprio-Carniolan bee is a success, f a full-blood Cyprian queen is used, the ross will beg-entle. The temper of a cross Dmes from the male, the Carniolan drone, 'his cross has only one fault: It will not o to breed from them. — F. Benton. If you pri-ctice clipping- queens' wings, e sure 3'ou clip ei'ery queen. — Marks. Best time to clip queens is during fruit- loom.— H. C. Roat. A pair of scissors with a curved blade is he handiest for clipping; prefers one not oo short. — Greiner. The wings assist the queen in walking; ihould not be removed entirely or cut too hort. — F. Benton. To cure a drone-breeder, give a comb of merging bees; a few days later, another; hen introduce a queen.— Benton. We manage our apiary as follows: Keep he entrance cleared in early spring. A'hen warm enough we look over the bees, :!ip the queens, give honey when necessary; -•ontract, tuck up, and leave alone till hon- >y-flow, when packing is removed and su- lers given. When swarming occurs we live with five frames on old stand, and put ill boxes on the new swarm; shake part of he bees from the parent hive into the 3'oung' iwarm, and move it to a new location, well tucked up, and then leave it alone. The young swarms are given room as necessarj^; and when the white-hone^' season is over we give each two or three empty frames, when no more is done with them except packing in the fall. — Master Case. Aster ericoida rarely fails to produce hon- ey.— Benton. Kver3' honey-producer ought to know how to rear good queens. The use of swarming cells will eventually produce a swarming strain of bees. Good cells maj' be selected by their size and regularity. Jarring of cells may result in the death or crippling of the young queen. After her last larval moult, the queen remains attached to the fy the general government, hence a citizen of any State will be supplied with a trial supply of lippia nodiflora free of charge upon application. In March last they sent me a nice lot of plants. Every one grew, and all are beginning to bloom, and are running f reel}'. Corona, Cal., May 9. H. M. Jameson. old combs vs. foundation for bees. I was reading an article on p. 443 from Reginald C. Holle, which I don't quite un- derstand. I think from the waj' he talks that the old combs were all solid pollen, and the queen would not lay in them. I never had the queen leave the old comb and go on foundation. I have taken foundation, all built out, and put it in with old combs, and the queen would lay in the old combs first. Arthur Hkixkel. Mauston, Wis. 554 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. June 15 NOTESOF TRAVLI. * BY A.I.ROOT . THE CABIN IN THE WOODS. About the middle of March I felt very anxious to get back to our cabin to see to my peach-trees, and to prepare the ground for planting potatoes, etc. Mrs. Root was not quite ready to go; and I really hope you will excuse me for not telling just w/iy she was not ready to " share my bed and board" at the cabin in the woods. How- ever, I think I may venture to say that, just 2j hours after I started off alone, Rootville was rejoicing over the advent of another member of The A. I. Root Co. Mrs. Boy- den (perhaps better known to our older readers as "Blue Eyes") is now the moth- er of two promising boys; so there are now not only five children but five grandchil- dren. When the older members of the firm get worn out, and have to be "turned out to grass" for a while to recuperate (sent up to the cabin in the woods, for instance), you see there is a prospect of young blood coming in to bear the burdens, like young bees hatching out day by day in a well- regulated bee-hive. Under the circumstances it was deemed best that I should try to get along for two weeks in taking care of myself. Now, while there alone on my ranch I met several of my happy surprises. One was to see the crimson clover I sowed the first week in September budded and blossoming gloriously. I sowed it where I dug 45 bushels of New Oueen potatoes. Down here in Ohio I have recommended that crimson clover be sown in July or Au- gust; but up in Northern Michigan you can sow it as late as September. One reason I did so was that frost never heaves clover out, nor any thing else, in that locality; and I was very agreeably pleased to find not a plant, apparently, of the crimson clo- ver missing. It may have been a favorable winter — I do not know. The crimson clo- ver commenced blossoming the fore part of May; and \)y the first of June it was, in spots, the prettiest sight for a clover- field I ever saw anywhere. Perhaps I had better tell you it is the first clover I ever attempt- ed to sow broadcast in my life. Of course, I got it too thick in spots, and too thin in others; and I was so poorly satisfied with my skill in sowing clover that I bought a machine right away afterward. Well, where I got the clover the thickest it seem- ed to do the best. The first day in June the crimson heads were so close there were spots where there were solid beds of crim- son; and the Italian bees were humming over it, as well as bumble-bees, as I never saw them anywhere else. The plants do not branch out nor grow as tall as they do in Ohio; but there was an immense amount of green stuflF for feeding stock or for turn- ing under. It would seem as if the clover standing now, on a square yard, would be all a man could carry. If it were not among the peach-trees I would try to plow under a little piece to see what it would do for potatoes. Perhaps I may do so yet. Now, friends, here is a wonderful chance to get fertility. Plant your potatoes so that they can be dug and got out of the way by September 1, and you can g-row a mag- nificent crop of clover to be turned under for more potatoes (or any thing else, for that matter), providing you do not plant your potatoes until, say, about the middle of June; and I think most potato-growers in the Grand Traverse region have decided that is the best time to plant. Perhaps the soil does not average as well as that around our cabin. In fact, I am pretty sure of this. The timber on our place is mostly beech and maple, with a sprinkling of hemlock. I have before remarked that it is the fashion in that region, after the woods are cleared off, to grow potatoes year after year for I do not know how long, without turning un- der clover or any green crop at all — at least, this is largely the fashion. They do not want to spare the use of the land; but with this crimson clover you can turn un- der a tremendous lot of clover, and grow potatoes every year right along. Why, if I can do the same thing again (and I do not know why I can not) it just makes me full of enthusiasm to think of it. I know crim- son clover has been pronounced a failure; but I have grown it successfully for six or seven years here in Ohio, without one fail- ure, and I have grown one crop in North- ern Michigan, as I have told you. Why, I would give a lot to have the readers of Gleanings see that growth of crimson clover. ANOTHER OF MV HAPPY SURPRISES. A year ago I mentioned that our good neighbor Mrs. Cole brought us about a doz- en bunches of pansies. She said they were all different. We had a gorgeous display of pansies all through the summer and fall. Mrs. Root first said the blossoms would have to be picked off so that the plants might not exhaust themselves in growing seed; but when the roots got down to that rich woods dirt it was just out of the ques- tion to pick the blossoms, so they went to seed and grew a lot of it. Now. in sowing my crimson clover, when I got up near the house where the pansies are I did not in- tend to sow any; but the seeds flew over, some of them among the pansj'-plants. Well, this spring little pansy-plants were peeping out for a rod or two in every direc- tion. The wind or something else carried them also clear over among our strawberrj'- plants. Well, just about the time the crim- son clover and strawberries were coming in full bloom those seedling pansies were peep- ing out here and there in ever}' direction. The eflect was wonderful. Every man, woman, and child who came near the cabin uttered exclamations of surprise to see the various-hued pansies, no two alike, glitter- ing and gleaming out from among the clo- 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 555 ver and strawberry foliag^e. Why, they were "too comical for any thing," as the little girls say; and the funny part of it was, ever}' last pansy, big and little, turn- ed its face toward the front door of the cab- in. You see they were all on the north slope above the cabin; and in turning their faces toward the sun it seems as if they took par- ticular pains to face the front door. The boys who work for me told about it, and the little girls in their homes came up to see our pansies and crimson clover, and they told their mothers, and their mothers came; and ^-et all this gorgeous display of beauty came unexpectedl}'. It was indeed a "happy surprise." Just north of the cabin, on the hillside, I planted six plants each of twelve different varieties of straw- berries. The}' were sent me by Mr. Mat- thew Crawford, of Cuyahoga Falls, O. I took care of them myself last season, and the raspberries and other wild plants of the woods were so determined to grow up among those strawberries that I began to think along in the fall I should hardly get my money back for all the time I spent. In fact, I was a little disappointed at the growth the strawberries made. I remem- ber thinking that perhaps there was a little too much clay in the sand on that comparatively hard and stony hillside. Besides, it was so full of roots of trees from stumps that were too green to dig out that many of the weeds had to be pulled out by hand. Well, this spring that strawberry- bed was another of my surprises. The fo- liage was not only larger than any thing I had seen before, but the blossoms were large enough and handsome enough to make beautiful bouquets; and while the frost down here in Ohio for a long while gave every strawberry-blossom "a black eye," up there in the woods there was not a blos- som, big or little, spotted by the frost; and when I left there, June 1, the long stems of fruit were lopping down in every direction, under their loads of great green berries. I shall have to tell you later the outcome. By the way, this suggests to me that some of the finest results with strawberries I have ever seen were on new ground, where the woods had just been cleared off. This new ground is nice for potatoes or any thing else, but seems to be specially suited for great crops of strawberries. Now I want to give you another short chapter that perhaps might belong under the head of Our Homes. There are many homes in our land, en- tirely under the charge of men-folks — some- times temporarily, and, again, right along. A good many times it is very desirable that the good wife have a vacation by herself. Very often there seems to be no way for the husband but to keep bachelor's hall. It is hardly worth while to think of hiring a woman or cook of any kind during the tem- porary absence of the wife. Just now it is hard to get help anywhere, outdoors or in; but a man who works on the farm needs to be well fed. He may not only lose money by being on scant rations, but he may lose health and possibly life. Think of poor Rambler. Now, I hope I may be able to give some helpful suggestions. If you can not have a woman or anybody else cook for you, you can afford to have the best of every thing that is to be found in our best fancy groceries in the large cities. A good square meal in a city hotel or restaurant costs about 50 cents; but the food that the aver- age man requires three times a day prob- ably does not cost 10 cents — sometimes not over a nickel. The difference between this and half a dollar is to pay for the cooking expenses, for the various dishes, rent of a convenient room on the street, taking care of the institution, etc. ; therefore the man or boy who does his cooking can have plenty of the best of every thing, and still make money. You can well afford to have not only all the butter, eggs, and milk you want, but you may have potted chicken, boned turkey, canned fruits, vegetables, etc., without feeling you are extravagant. A year ago I spoke of getting along with only a few dishes — that is, where you board yourself. A part of the time during the last two weeks I had helping me five men and boys, and two teams. I chose to set all these people at work so as to get my plow- ing and planting done quickly, and get back here to Medina. I had not much time for cooking, so I began to study the matter; and I want to tell you of one little inven- tion of mine that I think may be helpful to the women-folks. Perhaps they will smile when they are told their old friend A. I. Root presumes to teach them how to cook. Wait a minute. I have often told you of my fashion of drinking water hot instead of cold. I have told you of how I would sometimes gladly give a dime or more for a drink of hot water when I am in a hurry. Well, for years I have been in the habit of having in the summer time things handy so I could get this hot water myself. First I have a little coal-oil stove that cost perhaps 50 or 75 cents. Then I have a quart tin dipper, made of the very thinnest tin that can be found. The thinner the tin, and the less cold metal there is in it, the quicker it will heat over a coal-oil or gasoline flame. I pour into this dipper just the quantity I want to drink — not a spoonful more. Then this is heated over the flame, either coal- oil or gasoline. In the winter time I often heat it by pressing the round bottom of the dipper on top of a hot stove. With this thin tin pressed close to the top of the hot iron of the stove, the water will boil almost instantly, so I do not have to "wait for the water to boil," when I am in a hurry. Well, I had this arrangement in my cabin. One day in a great hurry I thought I would try cooking an &<^^ in the tin dipper. This dipper is made of pressed tin. There is no seam in the bottom. It is round, like the bottom of a wash-bowl. Let me digress a little here. Years ago, when I was making candy for the bees I had much trouble in having the 256 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Junk 15 sugar burn around the sides of the utensils I cook it in. One day I happened to be on the fairground where the candymakers were at work. I noticed they had a little fire made of charcoal. Their sugar and water were in a copper dish with a round bottom. The dish was large enough so the heat from the charcoal fire could be applied just un- der tlie ce7iter of the pan of syrup. The out- side edges were far away from where the heat was applied. In this way they made the hot sugar boil rapidly, without any burn- ing, because the copper boilerwas 1 arge enough to be cool all around where the heat was applied. I have been thus explicit be- cause it is quite important to understand how it is we can cook a variety of things nicely without any burning around the edges. Now let us go ahead. I put a piece of butter in the tin dipper, say half the size of a hickorj'nut; then 1 held it above the flame of the lamp until the butter was melted, and about as hot as it could be without burning around the edges, applying the heat, of course, to the center of the bottom of the dipper. Then I broke an &^^ and dropped the contents carefully in the melted butter. Now, by holding the dipper in my hand, and varying the dis- tance between it and the flame, or, if you choose, turning the flame up and down, I found I could cook an egg beautifully in three minutes by the watch; and to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the dipper I kept constantly shaking it around. In fact, after it was cooked it would slip out of the dipper itself on my plate. If I wanted an ^^^ turned over and cooked on both sides, it took about four minutes. After the &^^ was cooked I could fry enough sliced pota- toes for one meal nicely, in about the same time I cooked the ^^^; and in the same way I warmed up or cooked a variety of articles. When done I took a piece of soft bread and wiped out the butter from the clean bright tin. Lastly, I gave my dipper a good rub- bing with a piece of soft newspaper, when it was almost as clean as when I commenc- ed. A very little soap and hot some water made it perfectly clean, and at the same time furnish dishwater for the rest of my dishes. Now, may be the mothers in many of our homes, who have been absolutely obliged to economize time, know all about what I have been telling you; but I am just egotis- tical enough to think that my plan as given above is far ahead of the way in which the average hired girl operates. I did not waste any food, and I did not have any dirty dishwater. I cooked a good whole- some meal, and had every thing put away, and the table slicked up, in not much more than half an hour. In the way of fruit, I had excellent canned strawberries that Mrs. Root put up last summer. For drink I sometimes used milk; and when I did not have it handy I used malted milk. If I wanted a cup of tea for a change I could have boiling water with my tin dipper in less time than any other apparatus for the purpose I have ever seen, and the dipper was alwaj's bright and clean until — I do not like to tell the rest of it, but perhaps I had better. When I was cooking an ^^^ one day I had got it to going nicely when one of my boys came to the door to ask about the work. I thought I could tell him before the &^^ would take any harm; but I am afraid, as a result, I shall have to in- vest ten cents in a new dipper — that is, if I want to have one that looks as comely as my old one did for many months. Thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things : enter thou into the joy of thy lord. — Matt. 2.j : 21. From very early childhood I have been interested in the matter of flying-machines, especially with the idea of having a ma- chine that would fly without the aid of a balloon; and I was a good deal disappoint- ed when I read in the Scieritific American (I think I commenced reading that periodi- cal when I was about twelve years old, and I have read it pretty thoroughly ever since) that there was no force yet known to me- chanics capable of exerting a power or force in proportion to its weight so as to fly like a bird; and I do not know but this may be true even yet. All the machines and air-ships I have seen described have de- pended on a bag filled with hydrogen gas to buoj' them up while the engine and pro- peller-wheels pulled it against the wind or the reverse." I do remember, however, that some time between 1850 and 1860 somebody suggested there was one force known to me- chanics, of sufficient power to move a flying- machine — the explosive force of gunpowder; and as a proof he suggested the sky-rocket, which flies not only to a great height, but * Perhaps I should add right here that I am well aware there are floating or gliding machines that, when started at the top ot a hill or high cliff, will float as a hawk or other large bird floats a long time on its outspread wings without giving them any motion. It has been said that, when we get a successful floating machine, we shall have mastered the question oi fly- ing machines. A few weeks ago while at Miami, Fla., a strong wind was blowing from the ocean against a sloping bank of sand. This sandtank di- verted the wind so as to make an ascending current. A great lot of crows and other large birds had found this ascending current of air, and were having quite a frolic by letting it keep them suspended without any motion of their wings whatever. Yes, the current would occasionally raise them bodily up away from the earth. They learned by what we might, perhaps, call instinct, to shift their wings and tails so as to glide down hill in the direction from which the wind comes — or at least it would seem they were going down hill, but in reality the ascending current keep's them up, and sometimes raises them still higher, i figured this problem out in my boyhood, when the question was discussed as to how these floating birds could keep up in the air without any flopping motion of their wings ; and if I am correct they never do this — in fact, they can not do it unless they hunt up a spot in the great ocean of air above us where there are ascending cur- rents. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 557 with incredible velocit3\ The Scientific American replied, however, that, althoug-h man}' experiments had been made to pro- duce an eng'ine moved by the explosive force of g-unpowder, there were very great objections, not only in the way of danger of such an apparatus, but the accumulation of soot and acids that would rust and cor- rode the machine. After the discovery of kerosene, however, and the low price at which gasoline and benzine were produced as b3'-products, the matter of producing- mechanical power by "explosion" was re- vived. In 1876, at the Centennial Exposi- tion in Philadelphia, I saw an engine moved by exploding a mixture of common coal gas and atmospheric air. The explosion lifted a great chunk of cast iron two or three feet high. In falling it moved a balance-wheel; and when it came opposite a point near the bottom, another explosion gave it another hoist, etc. It was a great curiosity to a great manj' people besides myself. I was then 36 years old. From that time to this, inventors have been at work on gas-engines. If a little gasoline is allowed to evaporate in a close room, and the gas thoroughly mixed with air in the room in just the right proportion, it will blow up the room like a charge of gunpowder. But while the gun- powder would leave a lot of foul smoke, the gasoline mixture leaves almost nothing. In view of the many accidents and deaths re- sulting from explosions of this kind, the world at large can not be told too often of this matter. Scarcely a day passes but that we read of somebody who smells es- caping gas in the dark, and then lights a tnatch to see where the leak is. Well, friends, you all know more or less b}' this time about gas-engines. That first machine in Philadelphia was constructed with the idea that, after the explosion, it would take a little time, say a quarter or half a minute, to get up some more explo- sive compound and touch it off. Our gas- engines now fill the cylinder with just the right proportion of air and gasoline, and touch it off by means of an electric spark a thousand times a minute, if I have made no mistake. Why, these little motors fairly hum until the sound of the repeated explo- sions almost makes a musical note. A few days ago it was my pleasure to visit Cleveland in order to see a new auto- mobile that was sold at only S375. I took my seat beside the operator on the public square, right in the heart of the great city. It was in the middle of the afternoon, and the streets were filled with electric cars and vehicles of every description. Mj' com- panion made his little machine (for it looked little beside the big vehicles of its class) dart in and out in front of street-cars, right before horses going .t a rapid rate. He turned corners so abruptly that I had to cling to the seat to prevent being thrown out. Then he stopped so suddenlj' I had to cling in a like manner for fear of being flung over the dashboard. Come to think of it, however, there was not any dash- board, for it was a " buckboard " automo- bile. Then when he got a little out of the crowd, in the suburbs of the city, he began letting the thing go, for it seemed like a spirited young colt that only wanted to be let loose. All this was done with the gas- oline-engine I have been describing. At one point, when we were going at a pretty good speed, something needed both of his hands for adjustment, and he asked me to take the steering-lever for a minute. Perhaps he thought I was used to handling such a machine; but I believe it was the first time in my life I ever " held the reins" of an automobile. In an instant, almost, the machine threatened to go into the ditch; but I brought it around in time, and, as might be expected, in my eagerness and fright to avoid the ditch I whirled it around so abruptly that it looked as if I might go into one on the opposite side. Pretty soon I got the hang of the thing a little, and made it go straight in the middle of the pavement. A city ordinance forbids run- ning faster than 15 miles an hour; so each driver has to watch and see that he doesn't go faster than a quarter of a mile in a min- ute. My companion said he could easily go 30 miles an hour if the city would permit it. And now I am coming to the point of my story. I said to my friend, " What do you sup- pose would happen if a drunken man, or a man partly drunken, would get hold of an automobile? " " Well, we have had some such cases; and if there did not happen to be a police- man to arrest him promptly, he might be the means of destroying property, and per- haps many human lives, in just a second or two." It is a bad thing, friends, for a drunken man to get hold of a high-spirited horse; but it would be ever so much worse with an automobile. When I had hold of that lever for just a few minutes I had a vivid concep- tion of the way one feels when he not only guides one of these machines, but when he feels that almost unlimited power and speed are ready to do his bidding. In the Ara- bian Nights we are told of the powerful ge- nii that were ready to perform herculean tasks at a simple wave of the hand of the possessor of the magic lamp. For centu- ries people have laughed at these idle tales, but now it seems as if they were coming to pass. This new mechanical force of many horsepower is untiring. When we have a long journey to make with a horse, we watch him to see how he is standing the journey; and every good man and woman is very careful not to task him beyond his strength. Toward the close of the trip we say, " That horse is too much used up. He ought not to go another mile to-daj'." Now, it is hard to get over this feeling when you are riding in an automobile. You can hardly comprehend that, so long as the tank contains gasoline, the machine is as ready to bound ahead in response to the movement of the lever, after it has run one 558 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. June 15 hundred miles, as it was in the morning-. The iron and steel may wear out, but they know no fatigue. Just at this wonderful stage of invention there is some clashing between the owners of these machines and people who drive horses, especially the farming community. There is an excellent chance to exemplify Christianity and a Christlike spirit on both sides. While Ernest and I have been ex- ceedingly careful in riding through the country, there has been one or two who condemned us and our machine in pretty se- vere terms. The horses have not yet learn- ed about the new conveyance, but they are fast learning. A great many of their own- ers pleasantly insisted that we go right ahead while they make the horse behave himself and teach him that the machine is all right and not to be feared. Very likely some of the drivers of automobiles are over- bearing. In the first place, the machines cost a lot of money — from $500 to $2000 or even $3100. The man who owns one, quite often (if not always) feels a little proud to display to the world the fact that^^ has money enough to go in company with mil- lionaires and bankers and other men of capital. Then he is apt to feel proud of that wonderful power subject to his control. There is a great temptation to induce the people to rush out from their homes, and stare as he goes flying through the streets or over the country roads. There is a re- sponsibility resting on the person who runs an automobile. If he is a professing Chris- tian, an additional responsibility rests on him. Mrs. Root objects to having one or riding- in one, just because it is likely to provoke ill feeling. Now, this is hardly right. While taking- that ride in Cleveland there were automobiles coming and going all the time. Sometimes half a dozen would he in sight at once. We must have passed forty or fifty in just one hour's ride. They were driven not only by gasoline but by steam, and some by electricity. They were delivering merchandise about the city, and doing business of almost all kinds. It would be foolish for the masses to condemn automobiles just because they are at the present time mostly in the hands of the rich. Dear reader, I have given you a little glimpse of the responsibility that rests on one who owns one of these machines. I have given you a glimpse of the temptations that beset the fortunate possessor of one. I have suggested to you the importance of having calm, sober, clear- headed men — yes, and women too— who have the love of Christ in their hearts — who have kindly feeling toward their fellow-men. who love even their enemies, and rejoice in an opportunity of doing good to those who hate them— that is, if there are any such. We want such peo- ple as these, if they are to be found, to run our automobiles, our electric cars, our loco- motives, steamboats, and all these things. Where shall we find them? Every town and city in this whole wide world is search- ing for honest sober men who have wisdom and understanding. The papers are now giving us accounts of the shame and dis- grace that are being revealed in one city after another in the way of public admin- istration. It would almost seem as if hon- est men were not to be had at any price, to be intrusted with responsible positions. The proprietors of great factories are hunt- ing for men who can be trusted. Hundreds apply for places, and the most of them do pretty well; but where can we find men for foremen? Oftentimes we find a boy who seems to be so conscientious and industri- ous that we decide to give him charge of the work in a certain room or department. Sometimes I, the senior member of our firm, shake my head, and say, "The boy is too young. It will hurt him, and hurt those who are under him, to put so much respon- sibility on him all at once. Wait till he is four or five years older." But perhaps the regular foreman is sick, and somebody must take his place at once. This boy knows more about the room than anybody else, and his record is excellent, and we conclude to try him a while. If I am around I usually have a talk with my young friend, and tell him of the dangers. Oh how many mistakes and painful things might be saved if some older person would talk to these boys, and drill them a little when they are suddenly pushed into places of responsibil- ity! Now, you can not all have the job of run- ning an automobile or a locomotive or an electric car; but, dear friends, almost every one of you whose eyes rest on these pages is carrying a like responsibility somewhere. You do not know it, and perhaps you would not believe it, but it is true. You are on trial before God and your fellow-men. You say, "O Mr. Root! you do not know how I am fixed. You do not know how I am cramped, and shut off from the big world; you do not know how I have tried loving my enemies and doing good to those who hate me; you do not know how utterly useless such things are with the people who are around me." But, my friend, I do know. You are not reading your Bible enough; and you are not patient enough in following its precepts, or you would not find things in that shape. The great wide world is watching and hunt- ing for those who are faithful in few things. The great business world is looking for the boy or girl — yes, for the men and women — even those who are well along in life, who can be trusted with responsible positions. While taking that ride in Cleveland I saw a man who must have been between seventy and eighty years of age, on the street, sweep- ing up the droppings from the horses. If that man does his work faithfully — if he can be trusted out of his employer's sight — if he uses not only his muscle but his brain also in making himself useful, in caring for the streets of that great city, he will be promoted, and get better pay. I do not think there ever was a time before when faithfulness in few things was so sure to 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 559 bring' its reward and to enlarge the sphere of activity ( and the wages) of the one who is faithful. Have you longed for more op- portunities? have you wished that you had a little more power that you could bring to bear when things are moving' so slowly? Well, the promise of our text is true. God and your fellow-men are measuring you; and as fast as j'ou can bear more responsi- bility you shall have it. Every little while I run across some boy or girl who has made a pretty good record, and people are beginning to bid for them. Everybody is surprised at the salarj' they are offered. The}' saj', "Why, that man is not worth any such money as that — he can not earn it." But pretty soon some other institution gets its ej'C on him, and he goes higher still. Then is the time that this person wants to be careful about getting— I should like to say the " big- head," but I do not like the expression. Then is the time when this person is in danger of losing his Chris- tianity. We should think that, with pro- motion, he would thank God and be more regular in his attendance at the prayer- meetings, and other religious services; but too often it is the other way. O dear friends, let nothing- tempt you to forsake the religion of j'our fathers — to forsake that good old Bible from which I have taken my text. Let nothing tempt you to forget how God answered j'our pra3'ers when you were humble and meek. "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." DIVINE HEALING, ETC. Bro. A. I. Root: — One year ago a preacher from a northern city settled here who claims to be sane ified. They (himself and wife) go by the name of divine healers — that is, they claim that, through God, they have power to heal all bodily diseases, no matter of what nature they may be. They have built a very fine church, but claim that no man must have his name on the church-book They say that, after a man is once converted, it is impossible fir him to sin. He will not attend our churches, and claims our ministers do not preach the gospel. He does not believe in medicine, and says it's the Devil's work. Bro Root, will you please give us your views on the above mat- ter through the columnsof Gleanings? Grove Hill, Va. C H.May. Friend M., if I am correct, this matter of divine healing has puzzled not only philan- thropists but some of our best doctors of di- vinity; and perhaps no better advice can be given to the world generally than the old text so much quoted: "By their fruits ye shall know them." When our Savior went abroad through the world healing the sick and casting out devils, good fruit followed his work. There never was any question about it, and I admit that for a time it seemed as if good and nothing' but good was coming from the work of some of our divine healers. I think we should, however, al- wajs regard with suspicion any person or organization that leads people away from orthodox churches. Our older readers all well know that I for a time strongly upheld Dowie. When he began his attack on "doc- tors, drugs, and devils," I think that every good man and woman must have felt that he was in the wrong. Of course, there are doctors and druggists who might with some propriety be classed with devils; but he certainly is not warranted in his whole- sale denunciations of the physicians of the world, nor in saying that our sickness is the work of the Devil. Very likely when you see this in print you can tell us that the church you describe is losing its hold on the people. KEEPING POTATOES OVER WINTER IN THE TRAVERSE REGION. Some time last July, when our potatoes in Medina were all too badly sprouted and wilted to be really fit to eat, I visited my neighbor Hilbert, and found they had Rus- set potatoes just as dry and mealy, and just as nice for the table, as at any season of the year. I was surprised, and asked how he managed to keep them in good or- der till July. He said he did not manage at all, but just kept them down cellar. Then I asked him if he did not open the outside door nights, and close it daytimes. His wife replied that the outside door had been open day and night ever since there was no danger of the potatoes freezing. I requested permission to take a lamp and go down and examine the potatoes, and see the cellar. I found the outside door (on the north side of the house) wide open; but the bin where the potatoes were kept, right on the ground, was in a remote corner of the cellar, behind some central bins, so that no light and very little warm air got near them. The place was both cool and dry. The potatoes were in nice condition for either table or market. I think the sprouts had been rubbed off just once. I asked him if it would not pay big to keep pota- toes in this way to be sold on the market in July, or when new potatoes are at their highest notch. He said he had often done this, and got a bigger price for them than at any other season of the year. Well, I made up my mind then and there that I was going to have a place to keep potatoes that would do it successfully with- out the fussing to open and close doors, etc. Well, my friends, 1 have it, and am "hap- py." I have told you something about our barn with stone underpinning. At one cor- ner there is a large outside door, wide enough to run in the wheelbarrow handily. To get the wheelbarrow to run on level ground, we dug a sort of ditch or channel. This answered also for drainage for the cellar if any water should come into it by hook or crook. As we have eavespouts on the barn I think no water has ever got in. Well, the cellar is not all dugout; but we dug a narrow room, say six feet wide, deep 560 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Junk 15 enough so one could stand up and push a wheelbarrow, and then turned a corner un- der the barn, so that it would be dark and cool, even if the outside door is wide open. I stored in this cellar under the barn twen- ty bushels of potatoes, of different varieties, and the most of them in potato-boxes; and as I was afraid of its freezings, the boxes were set in on the ground i3oor, one tier deep. Old boards were laid on top of the boxes, and then a layer of corn- fodder, care- fully removing" every nubbin of corn so that we might not bait rats and mice. On the corn-fodder we placed two or three inches of dry dirt; then a lot of bean straw, per- haps six inches deep; over this a large sheet of enamel cloth which we used to spread over piles of potatoes in the field. I took all this precaution because the barn is a rather open structure. I put on the bean straw because I did not want my enamel cloth to lie on the ground, for fear it might injure it. The potatoes wintered beautifully. When opened up during the last of May they were just as dry, and the late varieties were almost as free from sprouting, as when they were placed there in November. The extra-early varieties had pushed out sprouts, especially those around the outside edges. For table use, June 1, they were just perfect; and as I did not plant all of them, the five or six bushels still there will, I think, keep till the first of July in the same way. This plan is bet- ter than burying them outdoors, because the barn shades them, and keeps all water off. The year before, we had some buried outdoors; but they got to sprouting quite badly by the last of April. I am satisfied that, where potatoes are buried outdoors, they will keep ever so much better if pro- tected by some kind of cheap roof so heavy rains can not soak down to the potatoes. At the present writing (June 13) we find it here a very hard matter to keep potatoes in good order for table use. My impression is, it is next to impossible to have potatoes keep here as they do in Northern Michigan. I do not know exactly why, either; but if this is true, potatoes had better be wintered over in the northern regions, and kept there until they are wanted, and then shipped to our large cities, say in Maj^ June, and July. Why, just look at it. As we go to press, old potatoes are quoted in the Cleve- land market at 90 to 95 cents per bushel; new potatoes, SI. 50 to Si. 75. Nice old po- tatoes may go still higher before new ones get low enough to let them start the other wa3^ Of course, the recent floods in the South have had much to do with cutting off the usual shipments of early potatoes for the Northern cities; and this accounts for the shortage and high prices on both old and new potatoes. Well, now, if a grocer had a few barrels of old potatoes like those I have described, wintered in Northern Michigan, to set outdoors on the sidewalk by the side of the new potatoes that he is obliged to charge 50 or 60 cents a peck for, I think the average buyer would take the nice firm old unsprouted potatoes, even if the price were the same. Why, there is here a tremendous margin and a tremen- dous profit. I suppose cold storage would be a great help in keeping old potatoes in nice order. I have been watching the market for years past, just at the time when new potatoes and old were beginning to compete with each other; and I am sure there is a good chance right here, not only to make money, but to furnish the world with a good whole- some quality of this great staple food prod- uct. If you take notice, new potatoes are held at a dollar a bushel or more for quite a long while after they first make their ap- pearance in the market. At S2.00 a bushel I could almost grow potatoes profitably, started under glass. But keeping old po- tatoes in a good state of preservation along the lines I have mentioned will be much easier than growing new ones extra early. AN AUTOMOBILE TRIP THROUGH MICHIGAN. Michigan is a big State, and there are lots of good people in it. I judge so from the fact that over 800 of 'them are taking Gleanings. I was about to say they were reading Home Papers, but that may not be true. While I have greatly enjoyed the glimpses of the great State while riding through on the cars, I have for several years considered the matter of taking a trip with a horse and buggy, all the way from Medina to the cabin in the woods. But no horse could hold out the way I want it to do; for when I get reallj' started I want to be up about four in the morning — that is, when the da3's are long enough, and travel until seven or eight at night; and when it is moonlight, perhaps do some traveling in the evening. The horse would need rest; but the automobile, with plenty of gasoline knows no fatigue. Perhaps I am mistaken about this; and if so, my visit with you may be a little longer. But I was planning to visit a great many homes in the course of a day, stopping, say, fifteen or twenty minutes and get a glimpse of your home and its en- vironments. If you have any beautiful springs near by, flowing wells, or, say, " happy surprises " in the way of high- pressure gardening, I may decide to stop an hour or two. Just now I am reminded that, years ago, I decided I would be very careful about telling what I am going to do, because so many times the thing I had planned did not come to pass. Well, the only reason I mention the matter now is that you who are located somewhere near the line between Toledo and Traverse City might, if you feel like it, say on a postal card that j^ou would be glad to see the ed- itor of the Home Papers. Now, I can not promise to call on alloi you; but I will try to look in on as many as possible. I may go one way one trip and back again on a different route. Will Mrs. Root go? No. She says she knows by experience that she never could stand flying about from one 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 561 point to another (with hardly time to eat and sleep) the way I usually do when I am visiting. You can address your cards to Medina or to Bingham, Leelanaw Co., Mich. They will reach me in due time either way. CAN A MAN BE BAPTIZED WITHOUT BKCOM- ING A MEMBER OF ANY CHURCH? Mr. Editor : — I am now in trouble. I thought Gleanings was published strictly in the interests of bee-keeping, and no sectarian or orthodox rel'gion, and no partisan politics were admitted into its col- umns, not even questions of political economy, when these questions gravely affect the prices of our lioney. On pages 782 and .S24 brother A. I. R. gives us advice concerning our duty in attending church, and on pages 8(X) and SOI l5r Miller and the editor give us another lecturing. Now, I know I can't reply to the^e diffeient articles without starting up a religious dis- cussion that would not be permitted: but I am in trou- ble, and desire to ask all you brethren what I shall do. rp to some six or eight years ago I was guilty of using profanity. I tried to live honest all my life — really had an innate dtsire to practice the golden rule, but I sometimes was guilty of taking the name of God in vain. At last I becatue conx icted of my besetting sin. I looked around me, and saw that all other sin- ners could give an excuse for their sins. The drunk- ard could give as his excuse that he liked the taste or effect of his "dram." The gambler gambed because he liked the sport ; but for my sin there was no excu.-e under the heavens. It seemed that I was con- victed. I decided to live a Christian life 1 began to read my Bible as I never had before 1 .soon discover- ed that it was my duty to be baptized, and that im- mersion was the ai cient mode I soon discovered that the orthodox denominations did not give us the great depth of meaning attached to the ordinance of bap- tism, but I wished to consecrate myself to Christ, and to have that consecration witnessed by baptism. I applied to a missionary Baptist minister, and asked hnn to baptize me. He told me he could not do so unless I would join his church. His church teaches some things that contradict the plain statements of the Bible, and make Paul's words, "attain to immor- tal.ty by patient continuance in well doing " mean- ingless.' They have some things in their creeds that I can't indorse. So, to join that church simply to obtain baptism I would be acting the hypocrite. I am in earnest in this matter^ I can't afford to be dishonest with myself on so important a matter as my own salvation. What am I to do ? Can't some of you brethren tell me? Seeing the matter in the light I now see it. I could not join any orthodox church with- out violating God's command to " come up out of her (Babylon), my people." Of course, I can't give the scripiuial proof of the light I now see, without start- ing a discussion on this question. I am asking for light— for help. I can't understand that any orthodox denomination preaches the great depth of meaning attached to God's divine plan of salvation, nor to the gospel of glad tidings. They teach contradictions in the Bible which give infidelity a chance to attack the blessed word of God. Any help on this matter would be greatlv appreciated. T. K. M.\ssie. Tophet.' W. Va. Friend M., your kind letter gives us ad- ditional proof, if anj' proof was before want- ing, of the different kinds of people it takes to make up this world of ours. I have read and heard related many strange religious experiences, and many of them as honest and sincere as the one you relate; but I never before, that I can remember, heard of a person who felt that the Holy Spirit impressed him with the need of baptism, and who at the same time felt as yuu do, that he did not wish to unite with any body of Christian people. Since you have writ- ten so frankly to your old fritnd A. I. Root, I think you wi 1 have at least sotne confi- dence in his belief that Christian people ought to be banded together. The maxim, "United we stand, divided we fall," will certainly apply to the Christian religion as well as to every sort of business we find in this world of ours. In business nowadays we are told it is of the utmost importance that, no matter what a man's calling may be, he should unite with others of a like calling. 'j\ recent prominent lecturer told us that, while it was quite customary (and the fashion) a few j-ears ago for people of the same occupation to be clashing and cutting prices, this new centur3r seemed to be ushering in a sort of brotherhood among people of like occupations. Capitalists are uniting and forming S3'ndicates; laboring men are uniting and forming trades unions; yes, bee keepers are uniting in a union to protect their interests and do things thit would be utterly impossible for each man fighting alone. In a like manner, churches are almost a necessity. How can we build comfortable places of worship, how can we send missionaries to foreign lands, how can we pay the minister, unless a lot of us unite and work as a unit? I think you are mak- ing a mistake; but, notwithstanding, if I were a minister of the gospel I think I would baptize you whether you united with my church or with no church. I hope my clerical friends will forgive me if I am not orthodox on that matter, or I fail to see why the plan is not practicable. In regard to creeds, I have been told by members of ever so many different denomi- nations that they could not conscientiously indorse every part of the creed they sub- scribed to; and we find great numbers of people standing outside because they can not find any church creed that exactly fits their convictions. When I united with the Congregational Church here in Medina I did not feel any promptings of the Holy Spirit toward the communion service. I talked the matter over with my pastor and the deacons of the church. They advised me to subscribe to the church creed not- withstanding, saying that, later on, I would see the value, and feel happy in being per- mitted to commune with my brother-Chris- tians.* All this has come true. It is not at all likely that the creeds of the various churches are just exactly what they might be, or perhaps will be in the future. They were framed by fallible men. Notwith- standing this, I believe the Holy Spirit is leading. The various church creeds have been changed, and are being changed, as 3'ou perhaps know; and for that reason I would advise you not to put too much em- phasis on your feelings in such matters — I should like to say your notions, for I believe that the best Christians often have peculiar notions in matters that are not particular- I3' important. * Dear brother, do not be in haste to call certain things, that certain Christians often do, hypociisy. I am sure there is no hypocrisy on mj' part when I indorse the creed of our church without having feel- ing or conviction on this matter of the communion service, as I have explained to you. If each individ- ual insists on having a creed that just suits his convic- tions in every resoect the result must be still more denominations, and I am sure there are enough and mote than are needed already. 562 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. June 15 WAX PROFITS. Fig. 169.— The Root-German vSteam Wax-prc.<;.s. Price $14.00. Shipping weight, 70 lbs. Many bee-keepers allow old combs and scraps of beeswax to collect, which, for lack of time and the proper utensils, are scattered or eaten up by moth -worms. A big item would be added to the year's profits by the timely ren- dering of said wax by an econom- ical process. We believe the press illus- trated herewith fills a long-felt want in rendering wax. B. Walker, Clyde, 111., says: Was inclined to believe at first that the German wax-press was a failure; but after a thorough trial I was well pleased. I secured 30 lbs. more wax from one day's use of the machine than I would have secured by the ordinary method of rendering. N. E. France, Platteville, Wis., State In- spector of Apiaries, and General Manager National Bee-keepers' Association, says: The German wax-press is by far the best ma- chine or process to save wax from old black brood- combs. Manufactured by U/ye A. I. ROOT CO., Medina, OKio, U. S. A. '.Ve are now paying 30c cash, 32c trade, for average wax delivered at Medina. ":sr° PERFECT PENS Norristown, Pa., March 14, 1903. Dear Sir. — Find inclosed $1.00 for one untested Gold- en queen. ... I wish you would send a queen just like I bought of you last spring. It is one of the best and pretti' st queens I ever had. At present my apiary numbers 35 colonies. Yours truly. Henry A. Markley. These queens are giving general satisfaction. Try some. Address GEO. J. VANDE VORD, Daytona, Fla. When you need Queens and want your order filled at once with the best queens that monej' can buy, we can serve you and guarantee satisfaction. W e have a fine strain of Italians that can not be excelled as honey-gatherers. We can furnish queens fioni either imported or home-bred mothers. Choice tested, Jl.OO each. Untested, 75c; }8.00 per doz. J. W. K. Shaw & Co., Loreauville, La. Do You Know that you could come nearer getting what yovi want, and when you want it, from the New Cen- tury Queen-Rearing Co. (John W Pharr & C. B. Banks- ton"), than anywhere in t*^e United States? Untested, 50c.; tested 3 and 5 band. 7")c: all other races, SI. 00. Send for circular. Berclair, Goliad Co., Texas. "Dollar Italian Queens" Read}' for delivery May 10. Send for price list. E. E. Lawrence, : Doniphan, Missouri. QUEENS for BUSINESS and PROFIT These are to be had of Will Atchley. He is now prepared to fill all orders promptly, and breeds .six different races in their purity. You must remember that all of the PURE Holylands that now exist in the U. S. originated from the Atchley apiaries, and they have the only imported mothers known to the United States. Untested queens from these races, 3 and 5 banded Italians Cyprians, Albinos, Holylands, and Carniolans, bred in their purity, from 5 to 35 miles apart, February and March, $1.00 each, or $9.00 per dozen. All other months, 75c each, |4.25 for six, or $S.00 per dozen. Tested queens of either race, from $1.50 to $:^ 00 each. Breeders from 83. .50 to 810.00 each. 1, 2, and 3 frame nuclei and bees by the pound a spe- cialty. Prices quoted on application. Safe arrival and perfect satisfaction gufirauteed. \ trial order will convince you. Price list free. WILL ATCHLEY, P. 0. Box 79. Beeville. Bee County, Texas. QUEENS DIRECT FROIVI ITALY Fine, reliable. Bnglish price list sent on application. Beautiful results obtained last year. OUR MOTTO — "What-soever ye would that men should do to jou, do ve even soto them." Address MALAN BROTHERS, Luserna. San Giovanni, ITALY. Red-clover Queens ! We are now ready with as fine queens as can be reared. Unte-ted. 75 cts.; tested, $1.00; breeder. $3.00. Nineteen j^ears in queen - rearing. .Send for mj- circular; it is worth $10 to you. Satisfaction guaranteed. O. ROLITZAHN, BIQLERVILLE, ROUTE 3, PENN. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 563 QUEEN Golden Italian & Leather Colored w arra:uc(i to give satisfaction, those are the kind reared by Qulrin"the=Queen=Breeder. We guarantee every queen .'icnt out to plea.'^e yon. or it may be returned inside of 60 days and another will be sent "gratis." Our business was establi^lied in 1888, our stock orif^inated from the best and highest-priced Long-tongued Rcd=clover Breeders in the L'. S. We send out fine queens, and send them promptly We gnarante ; safe delivery to any State, continental island, or European Country. The A. I. Root Co. tells us that our stock is extra fine, while the editor of the American Bee Journal says that he has good reports from our stock, from time to time. Dr. J. I,. Gandy. of Humboldt. Nebr., .'iays that he secured over -ItX) pounds of honej- (mostly comb), from single colonies containing our queens! A FEW TESTiaONIALS. P. F. Jleritt, of No. 13 Breckenridge St., I,ex- ington, Ky., writes: The b^-es sent me l.ist July did splenuidly. Each coloi^y has at least 75 lbs. of honey — pretty good for two-frame nuclei. Mr. J.Roorda, of Demotte, InJ., writes: Send me six more queens, the 48 sent me last spring are hustlers. Mr. Wm. Smiley, of Glasgow, Pa , writes: Your bees beat all the rest, now send me a breed- er of tlie same kind. A. Norton, Monterey. Calif., writes: Your stock excels the strain of isir. , which is said to on;st:ipall others. Your stock excels in profit- able results as well as in beauty. Price of Queens Before July First. 1 6 12 Selected Warranted Tested i\ 00 1 50 2 OC 4 00 2 50 $.3 00 8 00 10 50 14 00 ?!J 50 15 00 Select Tested Extra Selected Tested— the best that money can buy Two-frame Nuclei, no Queen 25 00 Add the price of whatever queen is wanted to that of nuclei. Our nuclei build up fast, and if not pur- chased too late will make some surplus. Queen-rearing is our specialty; we giveit our undivided attention, and rear as manv queens (perhaps moret as any breeder in the North. No order is too large for us, as we keep 300 to 500 on hand ready to mail. Send all orders to Quirin=the=Queen=Breeder Parkertown, 9 OHIO. Strong Testimony in Favor of Moore's Strain of Italians Prof. Frank Benton, of Washington, D. C. whose name is familiar to all progressive apiarists, saj's : "I have several times, in the course of correspon- dence, and in conversing with beekeepers, had occa- sion to answer the question : ' Where can the best Ital- ians be got ? ' It is, perhaps, not an easy thing to saj% with certainty, but at least I have felt I might be able to tell where GOOD ones could be obtained. A num- ber have been referred to you, for. although I have not tested your stock personally, I thought I knew pretty well, from general reputation, its character. A bee-keeper near here— Geo. A. L,anphear, of Vienna, Va.— who got some queens of you on \\\y recommen- dation is so well pleased with them— in fact, gives your bees such a good recommendation to me for gentleness and working qualities, particularlv their working on red clover, that I thought I would 'like to try some myself." I was not aware that Prof. Benton was recommend- ing my stock until I received the above letter. Such testimony as this certainly has great weight, and shows why my business has' grown so fast. Prices for daughters of mv 23-1 IX) breeder, the prize- winner, and other choice "breeders : Untested, 81 00 00; dozen, 89/0. Select untested, $1.25 each; six. «H 00; dozen, $11.00. .cafe arrival and satis- faction guaranteed Send for de.scriptive circular. My 2:il00 breeder was awarded a $i'),(X) prize by The A. I. Root Co. for producing bees showing the longest tongue-reach on record. Competition was open to the whole world. I am now filling orders by return mail, and shall probably be able to do so till 'the close of the season. J. P. Moore, L. Box I, Morgan, Kentucky. Pendleton County. Queens Mj' specialty is queen-rearing I rear two strains only — I^ong- tongue Red-clover Three-banded and the Golden Five - banders that work red clover as well as the three-banders. These two strains are the best bees in this countrj;, all things considered. I furnish more dealers with queens than any other breeder in this countrj'. Why? Because the queens give their customers the best satisfaction. I insure all to be purely mated. Untested, 75c each; tested, in April, 81,25— after April, $1.00 each. My former address was Caryville. Tenn., but my queen trade has doubled for several years and I have moved to Texas. Remit bv postal mohe\' order to Daniel Wurth, Karnes City, Karnes Co.. Texas. Laws' Leather-colored Queens. Laws' Improved Golden Queens. Laws' Holy Land Queens. W. H. Lmvs. — Your queens have proved to be excel- lent. My apiary stocked with j-our Leather (\\xee\\s are a sight to behold during a honey-flow, and the Goldens are beyond description in the line of beauty. Vours are the best for comb honey I ever saw. I want more this spring— .£■. A. Ribble, Roxton, Tex., Feb. ig, 1903. IV. H. Laws: — The 75 queens (I,eather) from you are dandies. I introduced one into a weak nucleus in May, and in September I took 285 lbs. of h'ney, leav- ing 48 lbs for winter. My crop of honey last season was 48,(X)0 lbs. I write you for prices on 50 nuclei and 150 I^eather queens.— yoj- Indiana STEEL* w.« CO. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 567 Capacity : lOO - mile Gasoline- tanK. Capacity ; SOO-mile "Watesr- tas^K. Weight 940 lbs.; seven-horse power actual. Will run at any speed up to 25 miles per hour, and climb any grade up to twenty per cent. For catalog, address Friedman Automobile Co., 3 Bast Van Buren St., Dept. B, CKicago, Illinois. Root's S XHey Improved \ wear tn Cowman Blue JacKets. BAIvL-BEAR.ING Honey^Extractor '3 Since the introduction of these extractors some I 14 years ago to the bee-keeping world, we have been experimenting with a view to eliminating weak points, and perfecting the stronger ones. •All sizes* We manufacture all sizes of extractors from the small 2-frame to the 4 and 6 and (S-frame machine-power (power machines made to order only). The can part of these ex- tractors is made of galvanized iron covered with blue japanning, and neatly lettered. Galvanized. The comVbaskets are galvanized wire, well braced; the hinges, hoops, cross arms, and other metal parts, are galvanized after finishing, something you will get in no other on the market. Band-braKe. ah four, .six, and eight frame machines are provided with band-brake, which permits of the stopping of the machine instantly, without danger of breakage. These inachines have larjre metal handles. Ball bear- ings are used which make them very light run- ning. The honey-gates are large, which does not rcr|iitrc the stopping of work to allow the honey to run out. For sale by all large dealers in Bee Supplies. MANUFACTURED DY CAe A. I. R.oot Co., Medina, O. Farm Wagon only $21.95. In order to introduce their Low Metal Wheels with wide Tires, the Empire Manufacturing Company, Quincy. 111., have placed upon the market a Farmer's Handy Wagon, that is only 2o inches high, fitted with 24 and RO inch whee's with 4-inch tiie, and sold for onlv ?:i 9:> This wagon is made of the best material throughout, and really costs but a trifle more than a set of i,new wheels, and fully guaranteed for one year. Catalog giving a full description will be mailed upon applica- tion by the Empire Manufacturing Co., Quincj-,;!!!., who will also furnish metal wheels at low prices made any size and width of tire to fit any axle. BARNES' Hand and Foot Power Machinery. This cut represents our combined circular saw. which is made for bee- keeper's use in the con- struction of their hives, sections, boxes, etc., etc. Machines on Trial. Send for illustrated cata- log and prices. Addres* W. F. & Jno. Barnes Co., 545 Ruby St., Rockford. : Illinois. 568 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. June 15 Gleanings in Bee Culture [Established in 1873.] Devoted to Bees, Hooey, and Home Interests. Published Semi-monthly by The A. I. Root Co., - - Medina, Ohio. A. I. ROOT, Editor of Home and Gardening Dep'ts E. R. ROOT, Editor of ApicuUural Dept J. T. CALVERT, Bus. Mgr. A. I,. BOYDEN, ,Sec. TERMS. $1.00 per annum ; two years, Jl.oO ; three years, $2.00; five years. $3.00, in advance; or two copies to one address, $1.50 ; three copies, $2.00 ; five copies, $3.75. The terms apply to the United States, Canada, and Mexico. To all other countries 48 cents per year extra for postage. DISCONTINUANCES. The journal is sent until orders are received for its discontinuance. We give notice just before the subscription expires, and further notice if the first is not heeded. Any subscriber whose subscription has expired, wishing his journal discon- tinued, will please drop us a card at once; otherwise we shall assume that he wishes his journal continued, and will pay for it soon. Any one who does not like this plan may have his journal stopped after the time paid for by niaking his request when ordering. BEESWAX DECLINED. Un*il further notice we will pay 29c cash, or 31 in trade, for average wax delivered here. We have a large supply on hand, and the market is somewhat easier than it was a few weeks ago. By July 1st the price will likely go still lower. BUSINESS BOOMING. The demand for supplies continues in good volume considering the cold wet weather prevailing in many localities. We are catching up on carload orders, and are shipping small orders with very little delay. Our jobbers and distributing houses Hre supplied with goods, or have them coming, so that they can fill most orders by first train. HONEY-CANS. We have just received a carload of Sgallou cans, in number about 4000. These are put up in boxes, one or two per box, as required, and furnished at the prices quoted in catalog. U e have di-tributed a good many to our jobbers, who are prepared to furnish them promptly. We still have here at Medina a quantity of second hand cans, two in a case, at 84 oO for ten cases; 810.00 for 25 cases These are good for second-hand cans, and well worth the money. DOOLITTLE'S HOME AND API.^RY FOR SALE. Mr. G. M. Doolittle desires to sell his home and apiary, queen-rearing and all, for 82500. Any one who desires particulars should write him direct. He has a Very pretty place of about three acres, situated near .some beautif\il lakes in some of the prettiest country of York State. It is in this very locality where he has done his best work, and made more than a good living fr^m his bees. If he sells he will move on to an estate of a sister lately deceased. GERMAN WAX-PRESS COVER. To those who have had trouble w^ith breakage to cover-casting of the German wax-press, we can sup- ply for $1 00 the new oak cross-bar reinforced with metal casting threaded to fit a ^-inch screw 10 threads to inch, single lead, or 8 threads to inch, double lead, together with the lugs for attaching to the can and cover to fit each side of the bar to close the top of the can. This price is less than half what we would ordi- narily charge for these parts, but is made with the view of our .<-haring in the cost of replacinsr the covers which have been broken in use. Although we tested the cast cover carefully before adopting it, we later found that too many of them broke in the hands of users to warrant continuing to furnish that style. To attach the new bar it will be necessary to drill four holes through the rim for riveting on the new lugs for clamping the bar to the can. The plnnger-plate must be removed to insert the screw through the new bar, when it inay be replaced. The first presses sent out had single lead screw If) threads to the inch, while the later machines had double lead screw 8 threads to the inch. In ordering, be sure to specify for which style of screw you want the bar threaded to fit. PAPER HONEY-BAGS. Our supply of paper honey-bags has not yet reached us but we are expecting them now within a few days, when we .shall be prepared to supply them at the prices named below. Th2se are made of tough paper, straw color, printed in two colors, with blank space for name and addre.ss of producer or dealer, and extra-coated with paraffine. They have been thoroughly tested, and proven to be a success for candied extracted honey. See article in our :March 1st issue for illustration and full particulars. We have four sizes which we can supply at the follow- ing prices : 2-LB SIZE, 5x7J^. 5-LB. SIZE, 7 X 10. 100 % SO I 100 51.20 500....' .3.75 I 500 5.50 1000 7.0^ 1 1001 10.50 5000 @ 6.f0|5000 @ 10.00 35^-LB. SIZE, 6x9J^. 10-LB SIZE, 10x10^ 100 $1.00 I 100 $1.50 500 4 75 1 500 7.00 1000 875 ' 1000 13 50 50OO @ 8.25 I 5000 @ 13.00 We will print in name and address of producer or dealer, in different quantities, at the following .sched- ule of prices for any size : Lots of 101 30 cts. Lots of 250 ."^0 cts. Lots of .500 75 cts. Lots of 1000 $1.00. For each additional 1000. add 50 cents. Each change of name and address counts as a separate order. For instance. 1000 bags printed with four different names and addresses, 250 of each, would be $2.00 : with ten different names, $3 00, etc. As the bags must be print- ed before they are made up and coated, we can not change the label except in lots of 10 00 or over. We have some p'ain 2-lb, size of dark-drab paper which we can furnish plain at 52.00 per 1000 less than prices quoted above, or we can print a smaller special label in one color at above rates extra for printing. Special Notices by A. I. Root. Our seed potatoes are all sold. W.^NTED — J.^P.ANESE BUCKWHEAT FOR SEED If j'ou have any, please mail us a sample, and tell us how much you have and what you want for it. SACK FOR HOLDING SEED POTATOES TO GO WITH THE HAND PLANTER. I should have mentioned this useful invention soon- er. In our recent planting we found the bag a very great convenience. One of our boys used it slung behind his back, or partly so. In this way it is easier to carry a bag of seed, as it leaves both hands untram- eled; and this boy. only 15 years old, would reach behind him and get a piece of potato about as easil as if the bag were right in front. I would not be without such a bag in using the hand planter, and I do not see why it would not be a great convenience to one who drops potatoes by hand. Price, all complete, 40 cts.; bj' mail, 20 cts. extra. 1901 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 569 Kind Words from our Customers. The Vesuvius smoker I received from you is a dan- dy. Best I )iave ever used. Geo. H. Mohler. Holmes, Pa. I have transferred some of tny bees into iny new hives. I am very much pleased with them. They are just as I wanted in every respect. It I had been at your factory I could not" have been better suited. I compliment you very much in interpreting one's wants. ' H G. Blaynev. West Alexander Pa. T. B. TERRY TELLS US HOW MUCH IT IS WORTH TO H.WE A CHEAP FOUNT.AIN PUMP ON THE PREMISES IN TIME OF FIRE. It must be Iti or 18 years ago that I bought a little brass hand force pump of you to clean carrirges with, and to have to use in case of fire, vpith a pail of water. It has al-^aj-s been kept hanging just where it was handy to get at. When lightning struck our barn last summer, and the roof was liurning right over a mow of hay, seconds were precious. Willi scarcely an in- stant's delay, Robert got the pump, and my man two pails of water from the tank in the barn, and they had a stream of water playing on the fire from a lad- der beneath. It was a close call to a heavy los.s; but the little tool used in time saved a thousand times its cost. It speaks well for the qiialil}- of the goods you send out. The pump seems yet as good as ever. Hudson, O. T. B. Terry. A SPECIALLY KIND WORD, AND ONE THAT MAY' BE needed BY SOME OF OUR " LORDS OF CREATION." The following brief letter, as j'ou will see by the date, was written over two years ago. In that Home Paper I described a separation of husband and wife that started about so simple a matter as a pen and ink that could not be found when the husband was in a great hurry. Mr. Root:— I do not know that I have a right to speak in meeting, because I am not a subscriber to Gle.\nings; but I have a very good friend who is, and I always read what A. I. Root has to say; and as this gentleman (every one will admit that no greater com- pliment than this appellation can be paid him) tries to reign over his kingdom with true love and equity, that "pen and ink," in the last .issue, is suggestive. The king is supposed to be as far-seeing as his sub- jects, hence he must know where that ' pen and ink " js kept. Here the habit of calling upon some one to wait upon him comes to light. Now we will pass from this kindly king to others who are narrow and cruel. Many men in their busi- ness and social relations often cringe to others; but when these same men enter their own homes they don the regal crown, and at a wave of the .scepter the weary wife climbs the stairs from cellar to garret, ran- sacks house and barn, to lay some trivial thing at the feet of the monarch. Corollary: A true king will wait upon himself. He will never call upon his loved ones to be his vasssals. St. Paul, Minn., Feb. 2.5, 1901. Reader. The Hardie Whitewashing Machine This complete machine includ- ing 8 ft. hose, extension rod and nozzle, express prepaid for $7.50 It has brass ball valves . mechan- ical agitator, will do the work of 10 men and dolt better. It works so easy. A postal card will bring you full Information. Address, Dept. J .■rr^ Hardie Spray Pump Mfg Co. Detroit, Micbigaa. #1 Wants and Exchange. Notices will be inserted under this head at 10 cts. per line. You must SAY you want your adv't in this department, or we will not be responsible for any error. You can have the no- tice as many lines as you please ; but all over ten lines will cost you according to our regular rates. We can not be re- sponsible for dissatisfaction arising from these " swaps." w ANTED. — To sell bees and queens. O. H. Hyatt, Shenandoah, Iowa. W.\NTED.-To .sell single -comb White Leghorn eggs for hatching at $1.00 for 20; $3.00 per 100. J. P. Watts, Kerrmoor. Pa. w ANTED. — An assistant apiarist; state age, experi- ence, and Silary expected .address W. Hickox, Berthoud, Colo. Y^ANTED. — An experienced beekeeper in Georgia '' wants position in Cuba the coming season. " Georgia," care The A. I. Root Co. \V^ANTED. — To sell for cash, 5 gal. square tin cans, ' "^ used for honey, at about half price of new cans. For prices, etc., address Orel I,. Hershiser, 301 Huntington Ave., Buffalo, N. Y. VLT.^NTED— To exchange copv of New Y01 k Herald, ' ' April 1.5, 1865. in good condition, containing de- tailed particulars of President Lincoln's assassination. Best oiTer gets it. Elias Fox, Hillsboro, Wis. IVANTED. — Agents to sell and attach automatic cut- " offs to grindingniills, which automatically stop them when hopper becomes '=mpty. Especially adapt- ed to Aermotor windmills. Write for particulars. B. Strittmatter, Bradley Junction, Pa. WANTED.— Two experienced beemen who under- stand the production of comb honey; single and reliable men to help take our crop this coming winter; must remain till crop is over, say six months. Address H. G. Osburn, Campo Florida, Cfo. l,a Cantira, Havana, Cuba. WANTED —To sell at a bargain, a quantity of new comb-honey supers— 8 and 10 frame coTiplete, except sections — for standard \% sections. Also a lot of T-supers and supers with section- holders which have been used; all in fine condition, and many have sections and drawn comb in them. Hoffman worker combs wanted. F. B. Cavanagh, Gait, Mich. \17ANTED.— To .sell for cash at Oakville, Appomat- '" tox Co., Va.. the following property: One lot of five acres with a large storehouse and dwelling com- bined, consisting of (i rooms; one nice small dwelling of 3 rooms ; one blacksmith and wheelright shop with complete set of tools; one large shedded barn, covering an area of 2000 square feet; a fine young or- chard of 100 imptoved bearing trees; 11 stands of bees; a splendid location for general store and apiary. White clover and .sourwood grow abundantly, and nearest bee keeper of note 25 miles. This property is in easy reach of 10 churches; postolTice and schools at the place; has fine well of water, and handsome shade- trees. Will also sell annex of 6 acres of wood land. Price of whole outfit, 81300. Apply to J. P. & R. D. Hughes, Oakville, Va. WANTED.— To sell S. W. ■% of S. E. Ji sec. 26. range 26, Crystal Lake Tp., Benzie Co., Mich.; 40 acres just outside corporation of Frankfort; a nearly finish- ed cottage of six rooms, a small stable. 25 bearing apple-trees, a few oeach-trees. From front porch can be seen a delightful view of the little city of Frank- fort, Lake Michigan, harb.i steamers, etc Unexcel- led as a summer home or a fruit-farm. Only a few hours from Toledo, Detro' Chicago. Minneapolis, and other cities Write Gen t'ass. Agent of Toledo & .Ann .-^rbor R. R , Toledo, Ohio, for pamphlet describ- ing Frankfort. Cheap at f2200: if bought soon can be secured at $1-100. Also for sale 160 acres, 15 miles east of Frankfort: only $2.50 per acre 25 acres ready for the plow. Write C. L. Linkletter. Agent, Frankfort, Mich., or W. A. Hobbs, Owi.ei Traer, Iowa. 570 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. June IS PAGE ^ LYON, New London, Wisconsin, MANUFACTURERS OF AND DEALERS IN . . . BEE-KEEPERS' SUPPLIES. . . . Send for Our Free New Illustrated Catalog and Price List We Have The government, recognizing the necessity of a great and growing bus- iness enterprise, for better mail ser- vice has given us a postoffice on our premises, which enables us to change mails with the passing trains instead of through the Weti:mpka, Alabama, postoffice more than a mile distant. This gives us our mails about two hours earlier, and also one hour for making up outgoing mail. This will be particularly helpful in our queen business. We are now booking or- ders for Italian queens, lyOng-tongued and I,eather- colored; both ^'ood. J. ri. Jenkins, Honeysuckle, Alabama. Shipping=point aid A\oney=order Office Sit Wetumpka, Alabama. ^ KretcKmer MTg' Company, Box GO, Red OaK, Iowa. BEE- >^ ^ SUPPLIERS! Best-equipped factory in the West : carry a large stoeii and greatest variety of every tiling needed in the apiary, assuring BEST goods at the LOWEST prices, and prompt shipment. We want every bee-keeper to have our FREE ILLUSTRATED CATALOG, and read description of Alternating Hives, Eerguson Supers. IVrite at once for catalog. A.^ei:\cies. Trester Supply Company, Lincoln, Neb. Shugart & Ouren, Council Bluffs, Iowa, Foster Lumber Company, Lamar, Colo. BINGHAM SMOKER. Dear Sir:— Inclosed find $1.75. Please send one brass smoke-engine. I have one already. It is the best smoker I ever used. Truly yours, Henby Schmidt, Hutto, Tex. MADE TO ORDER Bingham Brass Smokers, Made of sheet brass, which does not rust or burn out; should last a lifetime. You need one, but they cost 25 cts. more than tin of the same size. The little open cut shows our brass hinge put on the three larger sizes. No wonder Bingham's four-inch smoke-engine goes without puffing, and does not drop inky drops. The perforat- ed steel fire-grate has 381 holes to air the fuel and support the fire. Hea\;y tin smoke-engine, 4-inch stove, per mail, $1.50; 3}4-inch, $1.10; 3-inch. |1.00; 2;^-inch, OOc; 2-inch, 65c. Bingham smokers are the originals, and have all the improvements, and have been the standard of excellence for 23 years. Only three larger ones brass. T. F. Bingham, Farwell, Michigan. Volume XXXI WBEE CULT]I1& Market Quotations 575 Straws, by Dr. Miller... 579 Pickings, by Stenog 580 Conversations with Doolittlk...581 EJditorials 583 The Honey Situation in California 583 Portable Extracting House 583 The Honey crop for 1903 584 Spraying Crops; When and How to do it...5S4 Reclamation of Alkali l,ands in Egypt 58.5 Are Black and Foul Brood the same thing? 586 Grafting Cells 587 General Correspondence 588 Open Air Feeding for Bees 588 Bee-stings 588 Unripe Honey for the Confectioner 590 Heads of Grain 591 Transferring by the Short Method, 591; Poi- son or Disease — which ? 591 ; Do Bees ever l,eave a Sting in a Balled Queen? 259; Second Drive of Bees in a Forced Swarm, 592; A Brick Hive, 592; Colony of Bees without a Hive, 593; Combination of Solar and Artifi- cial Heat. 593; Disinfection with Formalin not Necessarily Complete, and why, 695; Ve- suvius Smoker, 594; Brood in a Patent Hive, 5y5; Circle of Bees around the Queen, 595; Blue Thistle, 595; Bee Paralysis, ot*5; Apiary Destroyed by Spraying, 595; Bees Poisoned by the Cotton-plant, o95; Putting on Hue Numbers with a Stencil, 596; Bee-brush made of Pine Needles, o9B; Rambler's Strainer, 597, Feeding Back from Below, 5'I7 Our Homes 598 tjPKCiAL Notices 608 The A.I. (2 MEDINA Root Cq OHIO 3 Eastern BditkMi Bntered at the Postoffice at Medina, Ohio, as Second-class Mattep. We are now breeding' from three dis- tinct strains ; viz., Imported or leather color, Root's long-tongued, oi- red-clo- ver strain, and our old strain of white- banded yellow Italians, or albinos. JUNE AND JULY PRICES : Tested, each $1 25 Select tested, each 1 50 Warranted purely mated, each.... 90 Same, per half dozen 5 00 Same, per dozen 9 00 Untested, each 75 Same, per half dozen 4 25 Same, per dozen 8 00 W^e have also a full line of bee-keep- ers' supplies including The A. I. Root Company's Goods, Root's Sections and Weed's Foundation a Specialty. Send for our 32- page illustrated catalog. W. W. Gary & Son, Lyonsvllle, Mass. TORONTO is the most centrally located city in the Do- minion It has unoqu^led shipping facil- ities for prompt transportation of goods to remote points. We have already in stock large c*>asi'gnments of the celebrated line of R.oot's Bee-Reepers* Supplies and other shipments will be coming for- ward from time to time. Our |catalog is ready for mailing. Let us figure^ with you. E. GRAINGER (SL CO. 12 Yon^e Street Arcade. Northeastern and New England BEB - KEEPERS Order goods now. Don't delay. Have them ready when you need them. We keep a full line in stock at Medina prices. Save both time and freight by ordering of us. Beeswax wanted. Bees and queens furnished in season. Roofs Bee - Siipplies J. B. Mr.son, Mechanic Falls, A1$ Mgr. The A. I. Root Go's. N. rl. Agency. for tHe SotitH Atlar&tic States at R.oot's Prices. ^^ QtiicK vSHipmerkts and Lo^v Freig'hit Rates. One-hDrse wagons, Corn-shellers for Poultry, Family Grist-mills, Corn and Cob Mills, Feed-cutters, Tilting and Sliding Table Saws, Steel-runner Attachments for Vehicles. Send for Catalog H. Ra-wlin^s Implement Coxnpany, Bsiltixnore, Md. -THE DANZ. HIVE The comb-lipney liive is one of our specialties. Send for booklet telling about it. We are the jobbing agents for The A. I. Root Companyj in Michigan, and want tl^ name and address of ever}- bell keeper in the State, whether you have one swarm or 500. , M. H. Hunt & Son Bell Branch, Mich. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 575 Honey Market. GRADING-RTJLES. Fancy.— All sections to be wel I filled, combs straight, firm- y attached to all four sides, the combs unsoiled bytravel- itain or otherwise ; all the cells sealed except an occasional sell, the outside surfaceof the wood well scraped of propolis A No 1.— All sections well tilled except the row of cells lext to the wood ; combs straight ; one-eighth part of comb lurf ace soiled, or t lie entire surface slightly soiled the out- side of the wood well scraped of propolis. No. 1.— All sections w^ell filled except the row of cells next ;o the wood ; combs comparatively even ; one-eighth part of ;omb surface soiled, or the entire surf ace slightly soi.ed. No. L'.— Three-fourths of the total surface must be filled and sealed. No. a.— Must weigh at least half as much as a full-weight section. In addition to this the honey is to be classified according to color, using the terms white, amber, and dark ; that la, there will be " Eancy White," " No. 1 Dark," etc. Albany. — Light demand for honey here now, as it s between seasons. No comb honey here, older new. ;oiild sell some light at 15@1(). Some Southern ex- racted selling at 6c; no other on market. Beeswax wanted at 22c. MacDougall & Co. June 20. 375 Broadway, Albany, N. Y. Kansas City. — No comb honey in our market, vhite or light amber would sell quick at |3.o0 for 24 ections to the case. Demand light for e.^ctracted at rom 5}^@654. Beeswax in demand at from 25@30. C. C. Clemons & Co., June 9. 306 Grand Ave., Kansas City, Mo. Denver. — Demand for comb honev light. We quote ^o. 1 white comb honey, $i 00 per case of 24 sections; ^o. 2 comb honey, S2.i50(a)$2.75. Choice white extracted ilfalfa honey, Ti^cSSJ^ per lb. Beeswax wanted at 22@ 'Sc, according to color and cleanliness. Colorado Honey-Producers' Ass'n, June 13. 1440 Market St., Denver. Col. Toledo. — The market on honey is rather quiet at jresent, as old honey is almst gone, and no new ar- iving as yet. We have on hand about 100 lbs. of No. 1 vhite comb which we are closing out- at 16c. No de- nand whatever for dark. Extracted in barrels white :lover, 8c; light amber, 7c; dark 6^c. Beeswax. 28fe'30. Griggs Brothers, June 11. 214 Jackson Ave., Toledo, Ohio. CiNCiNN.JiTi. — We have reached the time when there ire no settled prices in the honey market. Everybody s waiting to learn how the new crop will turn out, herefore we will sell or ask the old price. Fancy vater-white brings 15'a'16._ Eiitracted amber, in bar- "els, o\i(ahy-2\ in cans, 6ia6i^ ; white clover, 8^8}^. Beeswax, 30. C. H W Weber, Junes. 2146 8 Central Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio. BoiTON. — Our market on comb honey is practically lare. but owing to the hot weather the demand is .:xtremely li.ght. Have not seen any new noney as 'et. It can be readily sold at 17(318, if to be had. ^here is a fair demand for light amber extracted at ||3;7'2: best Florida honey bringing 7(gj8. according to '^uality. Blake. Scott & I,ee, June 9. 31. 33 Commercial St., Boston. Mass. ' Philadelphia. — Very little doing in comb honey jow. Not enough sales to fix any standard price. Extracted honey moving off in spurts but little de- jiand. We quote amber, erdfi'i; white, 0>i(a<7^. Bees- |"ax, 31. We are producers of honey, antl do not han- ile on commission. Wm. A. Selser, June 8. 10 Vine St., Philadelphia, Pa. Buffalo. — Very little demand for honey. Very few uyers will take any more of the old crop. The price • no object to effect sales; a big cut in prices would '>t cause it to move more livelv. Fanc3' white comb, 1 ; A No. 1, 1.3(S14; No. 1, 12V*13; No. 2. Ilfad2; No. 11; dark. lO-a.12. Extracted white, 6J4@7; dark, ;. Beeswax, 28(a32. W C. Townsend, .June 10. 178, 180 Perry St., Buffalo, N. Y. Wanted.— To hear from producers of comb honey in California and Nevada. It may sound unreason- able, but we have probably bought, for spot cash, more comb honey than any firm in the United States, during the past three seasons. We can, no doubt, do 3 ou some good. Thos. C. Stanley & Son, Manzanol'^ Colo., or Fairfield, Ills. Wanted. — Beeswax ; highest market price paid. Write for price list. Bach, Becker & Co., Chicago, 111. Wanted. — All the bulk cotnb, extracted, and section honey that we can buy in the State of Texas. We pay spot cash for honey. Write us now or when you have honey. The Hyde Bee Co., Floresville, Tex. Wanted. — Extracted honey: mail sample, and state lowest price delivered in Cincinnati. Will buj' fancy white comb honey, any quantity, but must be put up in no-drip shipping-cases. C. H. W. Wbber, 2146-8 Central Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio. For Sale. — We are sold out on alfalfa honey, but have ten 350-lb. bbls. of light amber and buckwheat at 7c; forty 250-300 lb. bbls fancy basswood at 8c; 60-lb. new cans, two in a case, 9c. E. R. Pahl & Co., 294, 296 Broadway, Milwaukee, Wis. Wanted— Comb and extracted honey. State price, kind, and quantity. R. A. Burnett & Co., 199 South Water St., Chicago, 111. For Sale. —Extracted honey. Finest grades for ta- ble use. Prices quoted on application. Sample by mail, 10 cts. to pay for package and postage. Orel I,. Hershiser, 301 Huntington Ave., Buffalo, N. Y. Convention Notices. The Texas Bee-keepers' Association will meet in annual convention at the Agricultural and Mechan- ical College at College Station, Texas, July 7 to 10, in- clusive, during the time of the annual meeting of the Texas Farmers' Congress. Cheap excurs'on rates on the railroads. A large crowd every year, and a jolly good time, as well as the meeting of your fellowmen, and the knowledge gained during the sessions. Grand exhibits of products. A good list of premiums offered. Bring your stuff, whatever you have. Hunter, Texas. L,ouis H Scholl, Sec'y. The National Bee - Keepers' Association. Objects of The Association: To promote nud protect the interests of its members. To prevent the adulteration of honey. Annual Membership, $1.00, Send dues to the Trea.surer. Officers : W. Z. Hutchinson, Flint, Mich , President. J. U. Harris. Grand Junction, Col., Vice president. Gjjorgk W. YORK, Chicago. Ills., Secretary. N. E. France, PlatteviUe, Wis., Gen. Mgr. and Treas. Board of Directors: E. Whitcomb, Friend, Nebraska. W. Z. Hutchinson, Flint, Michigan. W. A. Selser, 10 Vine St.. Phildadelphia, Pa. R. C. AiKlN, Ivoveland, Colorado. P. H. Elvi'OOD, Starkville. N. Y. E. R. Root, Medina, Ohio. Udo Toepperwein, San Antoni , Texas. G. M. Doolittle. Borodino, N. Y. W. F. Marks. Chapinville. N. Y. J. M. Hambaugh, Escondido, Cal. C. A. Hatch, Richland Center, Wis C. C. Miller, Marengo, Illinois. 576 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. July 1 S>6e Best B&e-g'oods in tKe World are no better than those we make, and the chances are that they are not so good. If you buy of us yon will not be disappointed. We ^re undersold by no one. Send for w catalog and price list and free copy of THE ..MBRICAN BEE-KEEPER; in its thirteenth year ; 50 cents a year ; especially for beginners. ^hQ W. T. Falconer Man'f 'g Co., Jamesto^vn, New York. W. M. Gerrish, Epping-, New Hampshire, carries a full line of our g-oods at catalog prices. Order of him and save the freight. • I 105 Park Place. I 1 1. J.Stringham,NewYork City % OUR 1903 CATALOG is yours for the asking. The supplies * % listed in it are practical and up-to-date. We furnish every thing j i^ a bee-keeper uses, and will not be undersold. Silk-faced veil, * £ 40 cts.; three for $1.05, postpaid. Full colonies of Italian bees * It in hive, $7.50; nucleus colonies, $3.50; tested queens, $1.00; * ■^, untested, 75 cts. Apiaries, Glen Cove, Long Island. .ii We MaKe a Specialty of Prompt Shipments. If you are in a hurry for supplies send us your order and we will sur- prise you with our promptness. All goods shipped within 10 hours after receiving the order. Over a million sections and two tons of foundation now on hand. Hundreds of hives, and all other supplies READY FOR IMMEDIATE, SHIPMENT. Lewis's and Dadant's Goods. Lewis G.& A.G. Woodman, Grand Rapids, Mich. 1903 GLEAXIXGS IX BEE CULTURE. 577 dJIIIIIIIillllilllllllllllllllllllMlllllllllllllllllllllillllllllllll^ I Our I Bee = keeping | I Sisters I I pEE = SUPPLIEg; is a new department in the old Amer- ican Bee Journal, conducted bj- .Hiss Em- ma WilsoD, of Marengo. 111., a sister- in-law of Dr. C. C. Miller, author of the popular "Fort}- Years Among- the Bees." ^ *? The women readers of C/eamri^^s (as well as the men-folks) should have the American Bee Journal, and read what Miss "Wilson has to sa\- each week. >? li* Sample copy free, or the Bee Journal one year, and Dr. Miller's book — both for onlj- Si. 75. Book alone, SI. 00. Address George W. York & Co., = 144*6 East Erie St., Chicago, Illinois. = = "Root's Goods at; Root's Prices." ^liiillilllllllllllllllllllllllilllllllllllillllllllllllillllllllilir? A large and complete stock of every thing necessary for the api- ary. Send a list .of goods wanted, at once, and get our SPECIAL PRICES iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiii = C. M. Scott & Co., Indianarpolis, Ind. 1004 East Washington Street. THE PERSISTENCY which \ve exercise in the careful selection from year to year of only the choicest breeding queens has brought the Robey strain of Italians upto the highest standard of escellence as reg^ards their docility, pro- lificness. and honey-gathering qualities. This particular strain is the progeny of selections from choice stock cf Root's red-clover queens, and Moore's crossed wdth the very best of our own rearing. Warranted queens, 60 cts. each in any quantity. Satisfaction guaranteed or luonev refunded. I L, H ROBEY, WORTHINGTON, W, VA, circular Free. This foundation is made by a process that produces the superior of any. It is the cleanest and purest. It has the brightest color and sweetest odor. It is the most transp.irent. because it has the thinnest base. It is tough, clear as cr%-stal. and gives more sheets to the pound than any other make. WorKirig 'Wax into Foundatiork for CasH a Specialty-. Bees^vax Al^vays "Want- ed at Hig'Kest Price. Catalog giving full line of supplies, with prices and samples, free on application. Grainger & Co., Toronto. Ont., Sole Agents for Canada. Gtis. Dittmer, Atigtista, Wis. MarsKfield Manufacturing Co. Our specialty is making SECTIONS, and they are the best in. the market. Wisconsin bass- wood is the right kind for them. We have a full line of BEE-SUPPLIES. Write for FREE illustrated catalog and price list. C"Ae MarsHfteld Manufacturing Company, MarsKHeld, ■\Vis. 578 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Julv 1 Complete Line of Lew^is* MatcHless Dovetailed Hives and Stipplies at Factory Prices. H. #•« —1 «,«.«. CA.OlS9 ^^ Vl.Cdl.IS t> They roll in the honey, while the ordinary star\-e. MutK Straim Goldei\ Italians. None superior. Carniolans. None better. We guarantee safe arrival by return mail. Prices during April, May, and June : Untested, <1.00 each; 6 for S'j.OO. Select Untested, $1.2-5 each; 6 for $6.00. Tested ^2.00 each; 6 for slO.nO. Select Tested, S^OO each; 6 for lo.OO. Best money can buv, $5 00 each. Two-frame nuclei with Select Untested Queen, 82.7-5. I Send for Catalog, and See Special Inducements. ^^- Fred W. MutK Co., ^^^LrtJl^ Cincinnati, O. ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦^ BEE-KEEPERS 5 "We Ha-ve on. Hand ready for PR.OMPT SHIPMENT 1 G>6c Largest StocK we ever Carried ♦ of HIVES, SECTIONS, and all OtHer SUPPLIES. ♦ ♦ — =— — = 1 — ^ ■■ t X Perfect Workmanship and Finest Material. % X All parts of our Hives are made to fit Accurately. 1 No trouble in setting them up. X Our customers say it is a pleasure. I We are not selling goods on NAME ONLY, 1 But on their Quality. ♦ ♦ ♦ G. B. LEWIS COMPANY. | Mai^^ifacttxrers Bee«Keepex*s' Supplies. J Catalog Free. Watertown, "Wisconsin, U. S. A. ♦ ^^ ■ ■ ■■■ BHl IWI ^^ **^^ READY TO SUPPLY BY V2wE.C.I>l^ RETURN IVIAIL stock which can not be excelled. Each variety bred in .separate apiaries, from selected mothers; have proven their qualities as great honej'-gatherer.s. GOLDE.N ITALIANS have no superior, and few equals. Untested, 7.5 cts.; 6 for $4.00. RED-CL,OVER QUEENS, which left all records behind in honey-gathering. Unt., 81; 6, for$5, CARNIOLANS— Thc\- arc so highly recommended, being more gentle than all others. Unt., $1. Root's Goods at Root's Factory Prices. Cfjr \JLT XX/IT mr T3f 2146-2148 Central Avenue. • n. W. WlL-Oll^rV, CINCINNATI, OHIO. (Successor to Chas. F. Muth and A. Muth.) •DE.VoTEl^'-*'' •ANDHoNE:>. - •7\HD home:- :> ' TubiishEJby the7\ It^oo-f Co. $i^PERrEAR^'\§ Medina- Ohio- Vol XXXI. JULY I, J903. Na J 3. '^Br.C.CMiLLER. A FEW WEKKS ago I fouod on the ground in front of some hives a few bees in appar- ently bad order, and among the rest one tumbling around with its abdomen torn avva\-. I tried to think what could have caused it, but gave up the conundrum. I suppose the true answer is given on page 531 — the poor thing kicked itself to pieces. A cherry orchard probably had some spray- ing when still in bloom. [We should be glad to hear from others of our subscribers as to whether they have seen bees torn to pieces in the manner described. — Ed.] What A. I. Root says, page 557, about the danger of having an automobile in the hands of a drunken man suggests the thought that if automobiles are to become cheaper than horse-flesh it may become necessary to pass laws against having any saloons. I really believe we'd be just as well off without saloons anyhow. [Yester- day a horse went by drawing a drunken driver. The poor animal seemed to know that its owner needed to be taken care of; and in spite of the pulling and hauling at the lines it kept right in the road. But an automobile would, possibly and probabl}', run him into a ditch and crush him beneath its weight — Eo. ] "Now, IS IT hard to suppose that a three- storj' hive, run for extracting, might aver- age 70.000 bees?" p. 528. Nothing very hard about it for me, but how about a cer- tain editor who not so very long ago was trying to convince me that such a thing was an. impossibility? [Convinceyou that such a thing "was an impossibility"! — why, I can not recall to what you refer. I have advocated strong colonies, "double-deck- ers," for years, and last year at one of our out-yards I had several three stories high. and one or two four stories. If some of them did not have one hundred thousand bees it would be strange. If I was trying to convince you that a colony could not have that number, I must have been inconsistent with my practice and teachings. — Ed.] You're right, Mr. Editor, I made very bungling use of language when I said "giv- ing all the earlier supers on top." I meant having the earlier or older supers always on top, each time putting the later supers under. My practice, like the practice of many others, has been to put the second super under the first, the third under the second, and so on, leaving the oldest super always on the top, except when it comes near the close of the harvest, when the empty super is put on top. I think I should never have thought of trying any other way if friend Hershiser had not stirred me up, but he has set me to think- ing whether a compromise may not be a good thing, and if anj' good comes of it he should have credit therefor. This year I'm putting the empty super next to the brood- chamber, as heretofore; but instead of hav- ing the oldest super always at the top, it will be next above the lowest. I think this will not only hurry up the finishing, but it will especially help about getting the cor- ner sections finished. Editor Hutchinson is doing his share toward popularizing bee-keeping in the magazines. A finely illustrated article from him appears in the June issue of that aristocrat of agricultural magazines, Coun- try Life in America. [Nearly two years ago the editor of Country Life wrote our firm asking us to name someone who would be capable of writing a general article on bees, and who would be able to furnish a set of fine photos for purpose of illustration. We could think of no one abler than our friend W. Z., and immediately put him in touch with the editor of Country Life. The sequel is the fine illustrated article that appears in that paper for June. Mr. Hutch- inson is getting to be known pretty well outside of beedom as a writer on bees. His skill with the camera and with the pen makes him just the man to write popular F80 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. July 1 articles for a popular magazine. All such articles do much to bring honey more gen- erally into use, and the knowledge of how it is produced in such quantities does much to inspire confidence in the purity and wholesomeness of the comb and extracted honey that is oifered for sale. — Ed.] Mr. Editor, let us see how far we can agree about the matter of putting the emp- ty super under or over, and having only two or more than two supers on at a time. If the second super is put below the first, and no other super added till the first is finish- ed, the finishing of that first super will be hastened, and the sections will be sealed clear out to the wood better than if the super had been finished on top, because the bees are so loath to jump over that vacuum and be- gin work in the sections above that they will work away at the lower super till actually crowded oxat. That crowding will also have the effect of increasing the ten- dency to swarm, and it will increase the amount of wax used in brace and burr combs. Thus far, I think, we agree. You may also agree, at least partly, in my further belief, which is this: That that crowding is for a time somewhat as if only one super were present, and there being so little surface on which to work, some of the bees are occupied secreting wax and put- ting it where not needed; whereas, if an empty super were given under, those bees would at once be at more profitable work. Many colonies are strong enough to fill the hive and three or more &upeTs/ull with bees. The limiting such a colony to less space than it can fill must have some effect in limiting the amount of work it can and will do. This is a very practical matter, and I hope with you that before the year is out we shall have light from practical honey- producers. If I can make more mon- ey by it, I am anxious to be convinced that the best way is never to have more than two supers on a colony, the empty super al- ways being given on top. It would make less work, and if it also makes more money I would be foolish to continue any other plan. [Either you did not say what you mean again, or else I do not understand you. You say, "If the second super is put below the first" the finishing of that first super will be hastened. Don't you mean, instead of below, ' ' above ' ' in the quotation just given? If you do, then I think I could agree with you all through. — Ed.] The importance of the matter is my apology for continuing the discussion of that vacuum you speak about, Mr. Editor, p. 528. You say, "When an empty super is put on top, no work has begun, and there is no vacuum to bridge over." That would be so if the work were begun at the bottom of the section, and the bees worked grad- ually up. But the work is not begun at the bottom. The bees cluster at the top, and the upper part of the section is first sealed. You may say the bees begin all over at once. Certainly nearly that In some cases. Let us suppose they commence all over at once. Now let us take two colonies exactly alike, each having a super well advanced, and to one we give a super on top, and to the other a super under. Tell me whether there is not exactly the same vacuum for the bees to start on in each case. Talking about nature, is it natural to force them to begin in a vacuum above. Is it not more natural to have them make a start belozu the partially filled super above? If the colony is strong and there is a good flow of honey, the bees will commence at once in the empty super beneath, and the bees will be working in the two supers for at least a little time before the other colony begins in the empty super above. We talk a good deal, and properly, about the advantage of having foundation so the bees can commence work on a larger surface. Now don't you think there must be a gain in a full flow to have the bees working in two supers in- stead of one ? For it must be remembered that whatever of advantage is gained by having the empty super over (and I have no desire to dispute the advantages), that advantage is gained by the fact that the bees are forced for a time to work in a smaller space. [This is a very important matter, and we invite discussion from our subscribers. Yes, there is a vacuum in both cases, but the conditions surrounding one are quite different from the conditions surrounding the other. In the one case the bees are induced to finish up the work al- ready begun; in the other case they begin another job before finishing the first with the possibilitj' that neither will be finished as it should. — Ed.] ^yromOuf- During the past year much has been said in this journal relative to bee-keepers writ- ing more for the general press and less for a class who need no further enlightenment on the subject of hone}'. The writer is a pioneer in this movement, having written a series of illustrated articles for the Amer- ican Grocer in the summer of 1890, the re- sult of which was very gratifying to him. Some two years ago Mr. W. Z. Hutchinson, of the Review, did the same thing in the Cosmopolitan, on a much more extended scale, reaching a larger audience probably than is enjo3'ed by all the bee- journals copi- bined. But the masterpiece of Mr. Hutch- inson appears in the June issue of Country Life in America, published in Harrisburg, Pa. He gives an interesting summing-up of bee culture, illustrated in the highest 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 581 style of art. The photographs were, if I am not mistaken, all made by Mr. H., and show him to be a master with the camera as well as with the hive. One picture shows a frame of foundation partly filled out in the middle; and if any illustration ever showed where man's skill ceases and God's power begins, this is the one. It is enough to silence for ever all talk about "appropriate machinery" for making arti- ficial combs. Mr. Hutchinson explains the absurdit}' of the comb-honey canards. If a dozen more writers I could name would do the same, they would render a greater service to bee-keeping than all the bee- journals can do. Even at the risk of repeating what is tr,ite to many, I copj^ a few lines in regard to the relative merits of blacks and Italians. It is well put, and I copy a paragraph for the benefit of our new subscribers: Under all circumstances, the Italian probably comes as near being the " all-purpose " bee as does auv variety. The Italians are amiable in disposition, and ven,' industrious, but they have their limitations. The Italians are not as good comb-builders as the black or German bees; they dislike to store their hon- ey far from the brood-nest,' and are inclined to fill the cells so full of honey as to give the sealed combs a darker appearance than that capped by the blacks, the latter leaving a little air-space between the cap- ping and the honey, thus giving the combs a snowy- white appearance. The blacks are good workers when the hardest is abundant and near at hand, but lack the staying qualities of the Italians when nectar must be searched for far and wide. For the produc- tion of extracted honey (that thrown from the combs by centrifugal force, the combs being returned to be refilled) the Italians are the ideal bees, unless it may be in the warmer countries, as in Cuba, where the honej'-flow comes in winter, and as the Italians are apt to slack up in breeding as the season advances, the approach of winter finds the colonies too weak in numbers to take advantage of the harvest. One very fine view shows the home apiary and residence of A. I. Root and the home of A. L. Boyden. In addition to Mr. Hutchinson's skill in the line of artist and writer, his personal bearing and friendly address go far in ren- dering his writings interesting to those who enjoy his acquaintance. Oil BEE-KEEPERS' REVIEW. The Review has the largest proportion of editorial matter, I believe, of any bee- journal. In speaking of bees as a nuisance, all mem- bers of the National Association should read the following: -Some bee-keepers imagine that, because the Nation- al Association has always been triumphant when there has been an effort to drive some member, or his bees, outside the corporation, they can keep bees in almost any way in almost any situation. I am glad to see that Manager France doe's not propose to defend every- member whose bees are declared a nuisance, re- gardless of whether they are a nuisance or not. All bee-keepers well know that a large apiary might be so managed as to become a terrible nuisance to near neighbors in a city or village. I investigated a case last year in which the bee-keeper was decidedly to blame. He even went so far as to stir up his hybrids purposely, on hot afternoons, that he might hoot and jeer at his neighbors when they had to " cut for the house." Then he boasted that he belonged to the National Association, a thou.sand strong, which would stand by him. It stood by him by advising him to move his bees out of the village. Of course, this is an extreme case; but we all know that, even with the best of management, bees will sometimes prove an annoyance, if not a nuisance. A fine view of a windmill arranged for pumping water, shelling corn, grinding feed, and running a saw to make hives, etc., is given. Concerning these mills, the editor says: For a farmer bee-keeper who has wood to saw, water to pump, and feed to grind for stock, and bee- hives to make, I can think of no more desirable power than that of a good windmill. The rapid advent of gasoline as a motor power will, I think, cause Mr. H. to write differently in a few years. Here is an item about Dr. Gandy: Dr. J. I,. Gandy, Humboldt, Nebraska, has sold a carload of bees to go to the famous Watson ranch of Kearney, Nebraska. Roy Wilson will have the man- agement of the bees. The Humboldt paper says that twelve men worked all night preparing the bees for shipment, and some of them " bore marks of their labor " the next day. m mth REPLACING QUEENS. " Say, Mr. Doolittle, how long do queens live?" " What led you to ask me that question, Mr. Brown?" "We are told in the bee-papers that, to reap the best results in honey, queens over two years old should not be allowed as mothers of colonies. I suppose from this that the writers think that from two to three years is the average life of the queen. What is your experience in this matter?" " My best queens live to be four, five, and, in some instances, six years old; but the average life of queens is about three and a half years. The length of a queen's life, other things being equal, depends upon the tax that is put upon her egg-laying powers, and under our modern management queens do not average so long-lived as they did in box-hive days. " "Would you think it best to change all queens that were three years old? I have some such that were just as good layers as ever last fall, and came through in my strongest colonies, and I was wondering whether I ought to change them this sum- mer. What do you think?" " I do not think that the question of age should be considered in the matter of chang- ing queens, except so far as it may be tak- en as a sort of rule to judge of when they will be apt to fail. I would not replace a queen so long as she lays up to her full average, especially at this time of the year, for during the month of June any queen that has even less than the average value can supply eggs which will be turned out into bees at the right time for the honey 582 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. July 1 harvest; while if a general change is made, many colonies are likely to lose thousands of eggs at best, and, not only this, the young queen is often very liable to bring a lot of workers on the stage of action in time to become consumers rather than produc- ers." " Would it have been better to change in early spring? " "No. A change at that time would have been worse yet, as it would have resulted in a loss of bees at just the time when each bee is of the greatest value to push forward the rearing of others for the honey har- vest. " "When would you change queens then?" "If queens must be changed I would ad- vise waiting till the harvest of white honey is over, for the loss of eggs usually sustain- ed through a change of queens will then be little or no loss, as they are generally hatched into larvas at a time when said larvae have to be fed out of honey stored in the hive, while the mature bees generally consume more of the stores already laid aside than they add to them." " What is your opinion in this matter?" "With one exception, I pay very little at- tention to the matter of changing queens, where the colonies are worked for honey instead of queen-rearing, for I find that , nineteen colonies out of twenty will super- sede their own queens as soon as they need changing; therefore, with the one exception it is a waste of time for me to be worrying about this matter, keeping track of the ages of all queens, etc., when the bees will look after the matter at the proper time." "Then you think I better not undertake these things?" "That would be my idea. The bees will attend to the changing, and make fewer mistakes than you are likelj^ to make, no matter how careful and wise you may be. If you think I am wrong in this matter, set apart a certain number of colonies to try ■each way, and a term of years will tell you which will pay you better." "You spoke of an exception in this mat- ter. What did you mean by that?" "1 find that more queens are superseded during the month of August than at any other time of the year; and so by a little forethought, and a little work, I fix it so that the bees will attend to this matter, if the queen is failing, and at the same time accept queens from my very best stock to do it with, instead of supplanting their queen with inferior stock, as they would do if left to themselves, providing their mother was not of the best breed obtainable." "How can you accomplish such a thing as that?" " It is very simple. Just before the close of the white-honey harvest, at a time when the bees will rear as good queens as at any time during the season, I start queen-cells in proportion to the number I consider I wish, starting them from brood from the queen which has given me the best results during the past; and if I have chosen the right time these cells will be 'ripe ' at just the time the bees will be most likely to start cells for supersedure. " "How do you know the colonies which are starting supersedure cells?" "I do not know this, nor do I think it worth the trouble to find out. I judge from outside appearances, and the amount of white honey stored, which colonies may be liable to supersede their queens, and those I would desire to have do so; and when I have decided this matter, I give one of these ripe cells to each of such colonies." " How do you give these ripe cells?" "Always by putting them in queen-cell protectors. You know what they are?" "Yes, but that was not what I meant. Tell me how you put them in the hive." "That part is very simple. Having the ripe cells all in cell-protectors, I go to the hives designed for them; and if the bees are still in the sections, I put one of these pro- tected cells in any section where I think the bees will be likely to care for it till the queen emerges. If no sections are on, or the bees have left the sections, then I lift the cover, spread the frames a little, suffi- cient to allow the cell-protector to go just below the top-bar of the frames, when the frames are brought back in place again, which crowds the protector into the comb so that it is held in place as in a vise." "Any certain place between the frames where you put them?" "I have had the best results where the cells were placed the furthest away from the brood, consistent with the bees' caring for them, which is generally near the back upper corners where the most sealed honey is allowed." "What about the protector? Do you take that out as soon as the young queen has come out?" "No. The simplicity of this matter is the little work required in accord with the results obtained. I pay no attention fur- ther than what I have told you, not opening the brood-chamber to the hive again till the next season arrives, when the cage is found and taken out, usually when clipping the queen's wings during fruit-bloom." "Oh! I begin to see. You can tell the number you succeed with by the cage be- tween the combs, and the queens not having their wings clipped?" " Exactly." "About what proportion do you find with undipped wings?" "That depends somewhat on years. Some years the bees do not allow their queens to rear as much brood as others, and in cases of the maximum amount of brood not being reared, not so many are accepted. But generally I find that from one-half to two-thirds of these cells are ac- cepted and a young queen from my best mother is reigning the next spring in place of the old one of the summer before." "And in this wa3' your stock is growing better with each year?" "Exactly. And herein a gain is made 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. :83 also. Try it next Aug-ust, and see if you are not pleased with the idea." Elsewhere in this issue we have called for reports of the hone}' crop throughout the United States. Be sure to condense these reports on to postal cards, not exceeding a half-dozen lines. Mr. Wilmon Newell, who a few months ago accepted a position as Assistant State Entomolog-ist in charge of the Experimental apiary at the A. & M. College, College Sta- tion, Texes, has now resigned to accept a similar position as Assistant State Ento- mologist of Georgia. In the meantime Mr. Louis Scholl, Hunter, Texas, Secretary of the State Bee-keepers' Association, has been appointed to fill the position vacated by Mr. Newell. Both have been promoted, and are both good men for their places. THE HONEY SITUATION IN CALIFORNIA. The following letter, recently received from the California National Honey-produc- ers' Association, will explain itself. Mr. Editor: — California bee-men owe you a great deal for many different subjects wisely sumined up in this valuable journal ; but. in my mind, the most im- portant is the continued and persistent effort to keep down the tendency to booin the crop prospects to such an extent as to surprise and alarm the conservative bee- man. It is a positive fact that no one can be sure of a big crop in Southern California until it is produced. All that a person can justly say (when the conditions are most favorible) is that the prospects are good for a crop of honey up to the time of the report. It makes many of us tired who have had the most experience, to read a positive assertion that " a certain season will be a record-breaker," or that California will " produce so much honey that we shall not know what to do with it." I wish to add my emphatic protest to that of Gleanings against these reports, as they create a hardship, not only for the bee-men but also the deal- er, for tliey are, in nineteen out of twenty cases, wide of the mark and utterly misleading. The reports sent to the California National Honey- producers' Association show that reliable men from different sections estimate that Southern California can not, under the most favorable conditions, secure more than from one-third to one-half of a crop this season. In three of our own apiaries the queens stopped laying for three weeks, and all the others are affected in a lesser degree by the continued cold dark weather. Unless it should come off warm within the next two or three weeks, we shall have practically a crop fail- ure in Southern California except in a few small lo- calities which have been favored with more sunshine than the rest, and report as high as 30 lbs. to the colo- ny now in the tank.«.. Again, I wish to say, do net report j'our crop pros- pects on the highest possible output under the most favorable conditions, for we seldom get all these con- ditions that are required to make a large yield. Geo. I,. Emerson, Sec. C. .\. H. P. Ass'7i. I,os Angeles, Cal., June 11, 190o. It has been our policy to report as nearly as possible the e.vac^ condition of the season in different localities. To try to "bull the market" in the interest of bee-keepers, when there was a big crop of honey, might be almost as disastrous as to "bear" it at the wrong time. What producers need is an absolutely truthful statement, so that prices may be regulated accordingly. If the statement goes out that there is a .scar- city of honey, many producers would hold their crops with a view of getting higher prices. While they are holding, others would be unloading their crop, with the re- sult that the market would be going down, down, down, and the fellows who are hold- ing would, in the end, have to sell lower than their neighbors who have taken ad- vantage of an early sale, when the nrices were comparatively good. If, on the other hand, inflation reports go out when the crop is light, prices will rule low at the very be- ginning, with the result that a good bulk of the honey will be sold at a low price when it might just as well have obtained a high- er figure. PORTABLE EXTRACTING HONEY-HOUSE. When I visited Mr. Chalon Fowls, in Oberlin, in company with Mr. W. Z. Hutch- inson, a few weeks ago, he showed us a very neat extracting-house in the barn, that he had just completed, of such size and shape that it could be moved from one yard to another. The total cost of the structure, not including any labor, was only $15.00. As he is a specialist bee-keeper, he has spare hours which he can devote to general work that comes in effective during the gen- eral rush of the season when he has no leisure. Accordingly, in the spring he con- structed indoors a small extracting-house 6X10X7 feet high, inside measurement. From the floor to the top of the peak, the distance is 8 feet. The roof-boards are sides of drygoods- boxes which are then covered with tar felting. A door and two windows (the latter sliding so as to pro- vide for the escape of the bees) complete the structure. Mr. Fowls now concludes that it would have been better if he had made it two feet longer and one foot lower. This would have required no more material, made the building no more expensive, but at the same time more convenient as well as roomy. The space overhead does not count for much, but floor space is every thing. After the building was constructed, the next thing was to move it. Mr. Fowls made a wooden axletree to fit the rear wheels of his regular wagon, of a sufficient length so that the wheels would clear the building. This was connected to a reach which would be long enough to allow the building to clear the running gear and the front wheels on the regular axletree. After the building was mounted in the manner described, it was run up in front of the photographer's office, and a picture taken of it. The result is shown in the il- 584 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. July 1 lustration on page 591. Incidentally I might remark that the picture shows a part of the campus and some of the buildings of Oberlin College. These bring back to me pleasant memories of when I was a student at Oberlin some twenty-two or twenty-three years ago, where I spent four years of time, and where I put in some of the hardest work I ever did in my life. But to return: I asked Mr. Fowls the question whether he could not have con- structed the building at one of the outyards, where it was to be located, more cheaply than he could build it in the barn and then imove it out afterward. "Possibly," said he. " But the building viould not have been put up when I had the spare time, in the barn. Rain or shine, I could go on with my work, a little to-day and a little to-morrow, and so on until I had completed it; and the only cost of mov- ing was the hard-wood axletree for the rear wheels. " His regular bee-horse, the one that was nearly stung to death, was put at the work of drawing the building to its permanent location. Permanent, I say — permanent until some other yard might be deemed bet- ter for bees; and herein is a possible advan- tage in having the building portable. One can never tell how long he will use some particular location. Farmers may change their crops from alsike or red clover to timo- thy. Basswoods may be cut off to such an extent as to render the location, once good, very poor. Moving the yard say a mile or two might make the difference between a good profit and a loss. B3' constructing the extracting-house so that it is portable at all times, one is in position to "pull up stakes and go to pastures new" and better. This building is large enough to store quite a crop of comb honey. Mr. Fowls mentioned to me the number of thousand pounds; but any one can figure out just how much it would accommodate and still leave sufficient room for the extractor, the uncap- ping can or box, and other necessary tools for the work. THE HONEY CROP FOR 1903. The season has been very peculiar throughout the United States. At the be- ginning of the season the conditions were exceptionally favorable. In California the bee-keepers were rejoicing in the fact that thej' had a sufficient number of inches of rain to insure a crop; but cooler, chilly weather came on, and the result is in doubt, although it is probable that there will be a light crop. In Colorado so far as we know there will be the usual crop of alfalfa. In the central portions of the country there have been continued drouths. This was finally broken by downpours of rain, and chilly weather continuing clear up to the present, with the result that we have been getting too much of a good thing. While there are thousands of acres of clover-fields in bloom the bees have rot been able to get out to anj' very great extent. If the weath- er should turn warm from now on, a fair crop of clover for some sections could be se- cured. In portions of New York State and especially in New England the drouth has been very severe. Rain has begun to come, but the probabilities are it has come too late. Taking it all in all, the general con- ditions seem to indicate only light crops of honey throughout the United States. The next ten days will tell the story. There is yet a chance for a good basswood flow and some clover honey. A. I. R. reports for Northern Michigan that there has been no rain for three weeks. Here we have had rain every day, and that is a fair sample of the variable conditions of weather over the United States. In one place it is severe drouth; in another, too much rain and cold, and in some sections awful floods. It is a queer season taking all in all. The condition for Ontario, Canada, is thus stated by a correspondent: Mr. E. R. Root: — After reading the report of Mr. J. D. Bixby, of Guilderland Center, N Y., in which he states that thej' have been fortj'-five days without rain, I thought that I would just report to you the condi- tions in this locality, which I fancy are worse even than in Mr. Bixby's. From the 2d of April until the 7th of June (65 days) we did not have ten minutes of rain — bees barely living; no swarms yet and very poor pTospects of any; hives ver5' light in gennral. All kinds of crops are stunted so that they will not amount to anything much this year. What little clover there is, is just beginning to bloom. We had a nice rain on June 7. We have had a number of fires also, and some very disastrous, on accovint of the drouth; but please remember, Mr. Root, that such a drouth as this is a verj' unusual occurrence herein Ontario. A. G. i,EE. Addison, Ontario, Can. Our subscribers all over the United States are requested to send in postal cards tell- ing something of the season and the pros- pects. Make inquiries and then report on a postal. Don't write long letters, but condense your statement into a half-dozen lines if possible. Just before going to press. — Weather con- ditions are very much improved. Wisconsin reports a good honey -flow. "spraying crops;" when and how to DO IT. A newly revised edition of the bock, " Sprajdng Crops," of 136 pages, by Clarence M. Weed, Professor of Zoology and Entomology of the New Hampshire College, has just been issued from the press of the Orange Judd Co. It is clear up to date, covering the whole subject from be- ginning to end, and profusely illustrated. The first chapter relates to general princi- ples; to spraying; enemies to be destro3'ed by the poisonous mixtures; to their habits; the parasitic fungi which have to be de- stroyed b3' contact poisons. The book also includes the spraying of shade-trees, orna- mental plants, flowers, vegetables, field crops, and even domestic animals. Partic- ular emphasis seems to be given to just how to prepare the mixtures for the differ- ent kinds of work enumerated. But that part which is particularly interesting to 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 585 the bee-keeper is that which relates to zvhen to spray. In relation to this on page 49 the author says: It is coimuonly believed that spraying trees in blos- som, in case the arsenites are used, endangers the lives of the bees visiting the blossotns. In some re- gions laws to prevent this have been enacted. Spray- ing at such times seems unnecessary, and intelligent fruit-growers should not practice it. The bees are es- sential to the production of fruit, and there is no ex- cuse for destroying them. And again on page 52 he writes further: June— The first part of Jfune usuallj' marks the fall of the flowers of most fruit-trees. Never spraj' while trees and vines are in full bloom. Make the second application as soon as the petals have fallen. This will be late in May or early in June, for apples; a week or ten days later for other fruit-trees and grapes. Make the June treatment thorough. A good general rule to follow after the second spraying is to let each additional treatment be made from ten da3-s to three weeks after the preceding one; the shorter interval if there are heavy washing rains; the longer if the weather is comparatively dry. From the standpoint of a fruit-grower, if not of the bee-keeper, it would appear that, for the codling-moth at least, the one that affects apple-blossoms, there is no advan- tage in spra3'ing during blooming-time; be- cause on page 2, in speaking of this moth, the author says: " The parent of this little pest is a small chocolate-colored moth, which appears in the spring soon after the blossoyns have fallen, and deposits its eggs in various places upon the young apples as well as upon the adjacent leaves." The italics in the above are mine. It appears there would be no use in spraying before that time. He credits our own Prof. A. J. Cook with priority of discovery of sprajnng apple-trees to prevent injuries caused by the codling- moth — experiments which, he says, have proved to the horticultural public that the remedj' was safe and sure; and it was, he adds, through Prof. Cook's enthusiastic advocacy that the American fruit-growers to-day are now able to put out more and better fruit. BEE-STINGS THAT WE DO NOT LIKE. If there is any place over my whole body that I do not like to get a sting outside my face it is up my sleeve on my wrist. Ordinarily I never take any precaution about putting on cuffs or extra sleeves that are bee-tight; that is, fitting closel3'^ around the wrist. But last week when I went down to the yards (it was just after a rain) the bees were particularl3' cross. Two or three got up my sleeve and stung me on the wrist. I paid very little attention to the matter, although I suffered considerable pain. Ex- amination showed that one of the stings was right in one of the blood-veins, and an- other near one of the nerve-centers. The next day the arm seemed to be lame, and what was strange, there were sj'mpathetic pains in the other arm in exactly the same place as in the other. Hereafter I shall wear tight-fitting sleeves, or, better still, long sleeve gloves with the fingers cut off at the ends; and this reminds me that they are used by a very large number of practical bee-keepers. It behooves us all to be care- ful not to get anj' more stings than is abso- lutely necessary, for the effect of the ac- cumulated poison maj' be serious in its effects in after years, as it was in the case of Langstroth and some others. And, b}'^ the way, should these sleeves be treated with any preparation like linseed oil, paint, or any other substance to render them more sting-proof? We have been send- ing out for a couple of years special bee gloves that were soaked in linseed oil, but it has always seemed to me that the oil would make the sleeves warm, causing un- due perspiration to the parts protected. My own notion is that a sleeve made of heavy ducking, not treated at all, would be better than having something that would make the fabric stiff and unwieldy. We should like to get the opinion of our subscrib- ers, as we are thinking of getting up a spe- cial bee glove, or sleeve, with the fingers cutoff', for a very large class of bee-keepers who are looking for something of just this kind. RECLAMATION OF ALKALI LANDS IN EGYPT AND IN AMERICA; MORE GOOD BEE- TERRITORY FOR BEE-KEEPERS. The United States Department of Agri- culture, Bureau of Soils, has issued a bul- letin by Thomas H. Means on the subject of reclamation of alkali lands in Egypt. The author has investigated the methods that have proved to be successful in North- ern Africa, with the view of recommending those same methods, where effective, for the waste lands of our western country. There are a number of illustrations show- ing lands that were formerly deserts, sup- porting nothing but alkali weeds, that are now growing clover, rice, and cotton in luxuriance. How this was reclaimed and made to bloom as a garden of Eden is ex- plained in this bulletin. Various illustra- tions through it show fields of cotton, rice, samar (this last a kind of plant that is used for making mats and rugs). There are several plans for reclaiming the land. One, the oldest, is known as the basin plan. The soil is flooded over a con- siderable area to the depth of several inches. The water is then allowed to run oft", carry- ing with it a strong solution of the alkali in the soil. In some cases the alkali is carried down into the subsoil, leaving the upper portion suitable for growing of shal- low-rooted plants like rice. But the plan generally in vogue is a modification or an improvement of theone just mentioned. The land is thoroughly' leveled so as to hold a broad expanse or sheet of water. Open ditches, of a depth of 30 inches or more, are dug at intervals of 150 to 450 feet apart. The leveled-off land is "banked up and flooded to the depth of about four inches until sufficiently leached of alkali to per- mit plant growth." This method, while effective, is objectionable on account of the 586 GLEAxXIXGS IN BEE CULTURK JULY 1 ditches. In some cases the sides of the ditch erode, and in any case the ditches themselves occupy considerable area, ren- dering- that portion of the land useless for crop production. This objection is very nicely overcome by the use of tile-drains in place of the open ditches. The four inches of water gradually percolates down into the tile, carrying with it large quantities •of the alkali, which is then carried away. This plan is being used in some of our western States and Territories with very satisfactory results, and the author express- es the hope that much of the alkali land of our great West can be permanently re- claimed for the growing of some of our im- portant crops, as, for example, alfalfa. The reader will now understand why the reclamation of these waste lands may be of supreme interest to the bee-keeper. It is well known that the available good bee- territory in the United States is becoming limited; and it is only by utilizing the deserts, turning them into productive coun- try, that more territory can be made avail- able. If the experiments now being con- ducted in various portions of the United States shall continue to prove successful, there will be millions of acres opened up for homes for ranchers, and last, but not least, bee-keepers. We shall be glad to have any of our sub- scribers who are near some of these places where experiments of this kind are being carried on post us as to the result of them, for I can not imagine any thing more im- portant than this one question of new ter- ritory unoccupied, and which can be made available for our friends the bees. ARE BLACK AND FOUL BROOD ONE AND THE SAME THING? A REPORT FROM THE DE- PARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. A REPORT has been issued from the De- partment of Agriculture of the State of New York upon the investigation of infectious bee-diseases, by Veranus A. Moore and G. Franklin White, of the New York State Veterinary College, Cornell University. Specimens of black, pickled, and foul brood have been submitted to each of the above named, and pure cultures made. On page 7 of this report a somewhat surprising statement is made, that foul and black brood are one and the same, and I copy that portion of it. It was thought at first that the bacillus so constantly associated with the " black brood " was the organism described by Howard as Bacillus millii wbicli lie pro- nounced to be the cause of the "New York bee-disease" or " black brood. " A more extended study of this or- ganism, however, showed that it did not correspond to the description given by Howard, but, to our sur- prise, it did not resemble Bacillus alvri of Cheshire and Cheyne. A very careful study of this organism from the different specimens of " black brood " con- firmed the identity oT the species from the different sources. While there seem lO be slight variations of this organism from the description o\ Bacillus alvei r^- cently published by Harrison there are no differences that can not be attributed to differences in the nature of the media, temperature of cultivation, and, possi- bly in addition to the.se, influences of environment be- fore the cultures were originally made. And on page 9 we find the following: The most striking differences between the various specimens of brood sent to us as " black brood " and the description of " foul brood " is, that most, but not all, of the dead larvae in our specimens were not vis- cid. The specimens we received labeled as " foul brood " differed very little in their general character from those of "black brood." The " pickle brood " specimens varied. Some of them were apparently identical with the " foul brood, " while others present- ed a var.etj' of changes in the larvce. The micrococci found in the first specimens of "pickle brood" were thought for a time to be the cause, but thus far we have not obtained satisfactory evidence to that effect. You will remember that, some time ago, Dr. W. R. Howard, of Fort Worth, Texas, at the suggestion of this journal, . made some quite exhaustive researches into the general character of the New York bee-dis- ease, or black brood. Specimens of the affected combs from the inspectors of New York were sent to Dr. Howard, who, after some extended study with his microscope, during which something like 1000 slides of the diseased matter were examined, report- ed through these columns that he had found the microbe that was the cause of this new disease that was responsible for the loss of so many colonies in Central and Eastern New York. He designated the microbe as Bacillus millii. He is a skillful bacteriol- ogist, and fully realized the importance of separating and isolating the said microbe, making pure cultures of it. Whether his conclusions were properly drawn is not for me to say; but this is true, that the black brood that / have seen differs in several important respects from the ordinary foul brood, and the inspectors of New York State have been unanimous, if I am correct, in the verdict that black brcod has alto- gether different characteristics from the other disease more commonly known. The dead matter of the former has a gelatinous character, and only slightly ropy or stringy, while that of the latter is decidedly ropy and gluey, with a distinct odor like that of any ordinary glue-pot. If there is any ap- preciable smell present at all in black brood (and usually there is none) it is sour. Black brood seems'to spread a little more easily; that is, it is a little more con- tagious. While it is true the same treat- ment, the "McEvoy," cures both diseases, the black, when it does get started, seems to be more destructive, and more difficult to bring under direct control. It should be said, however, that there are some bee-keepers in New York who claim there is no difference between black and foul brood; that they are one and the same disease; and even Inspector McEvo}', of Canada, whose opinion certainly should carry some weight, has expressed the same opinion. This is a matter that will bear further investigation. It is possible that foul brood under different environments will show dif- ferent symptoms, but I should hardly sus- pect it. I have seen samples of what was reported to be black brood that had a sour odor, that was scarcely ropy, and yet was devastating the whole yard of bees in spite of all the owner could do. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 587 GRAFTING CELLS. While our artist was in Medina last summer he made a sketch of the different methods of grafting". In the first place, a lot of wax cell cups are stuck on to a cross- bar running- through the brood-frame. The comb, of course, is cut away. There may be anywhere from one to two dozen cells in a frame; usually twelve is about as man}' as the bees will handle in one hive to advantage. The cells are stuck on to the bar by first dipping the bottom of the cell cup into melted wax, and quickly setting it down on the wooden cross-bar while the frame is turned upside down as shown in illustra- tion 3. The wax is kept hot on an oil-stove. After having prepared a num- ber of frames, the next operation is to find a queen-cell having a larva in it some three or four days old, or at an age when there will be a large amount of royal food packed away in its bottom. The larva is removed, and the food is stirred up. We next go to a hive and select a frame from our queen-breeding colony, which has a large number of eggs just hatched. This is taken before a strong light, and we are now all ready for the grafting. With the end of a tooth- pick a small amount of royal jelly is dropped into a cup. Another drop is put in the next cup, and so on till the whole dozen cells are supplied with the royal food. The amount of jelly may vary from the size of a No. 6 shot to a BB shot; in fact, one can put in as much as he pleases. Doolittle recommends the size of a BB shot; but we have obtained very good results by using a less amount. We now hold the comb up to the light, showing the young larvie, and pick out one individual. This, is done b}' inserting- the sharp end of a pick under the larva, and lifting- it out. It is then gently deposited in the royal jelly in one of the cups. A little twirl of the toothpick will dislodge it, leaving it in the jelly. Another larva is picked up in the same way, and set down in one of the cups, and so on till all are grafted. Where one is grafting a large number of cells, the first proced- ure should be to supply all the cell cups with a small quantitj' of royal food. When every thing is in readiness, take the comb out containing the selected larva;, putting one into each cup. As soon as a frame of cells is graft- ed it should be set down into a queenless colonj', or any colony, in fact, that is selected for start- ing cells. Some queen-breeders prefer queenless stocks for cell-starting. Others will use the upper story of a strong colony if honey is coming in. Our Mr. Phillips has se- cured verj' good results by using a colony containing a queen; but the cell- cups them- selves are surrounded by a perforated zinc cage. Strange as it may seem, the bees will sometimes start the cell cups even while the queen is present; but as a gener- al rule we have found it necessary to cage the queen for a day or two to give the bees a sense of queenlessness. They will then start the cell cups; and after they are once well going they can be put in the upper story of any strong colony, and completed. But we are now using with considerable 588 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE July 1 satisfaction wooden cell cups — little blocks of wood with a X-inch hole bored down into them, say fi inch deep. These are then filled with a piece of soft wax. A cell- forming- stick of the proper size, having a rounded end, is then punched down into this little ball of wax in the hole in the block. A little twisting- and working will form a very nice cell cup. These wooden cups are then to be graft- ed and secured to any cell-bar. A nail is run through the wooden block lengthwise so the point just sticks through, say ^\ or Yi of an inch. When the cup is grafted, this sharp point is shoved up into the cell- bar, where it sticks. The beauty of these wooden cups is that they can be handled like so many clothes- pins. The wooden end can be jammed into a comb, or it can be used to block up a wire-cloth cylindrical cage or a cage made of perforated zinc, depending on whether we want the bees to have access to the queen or not after she hatches from the cell. A little later on we will give further il- lustrations showing our present modus op- erandi, which differs somewhat in general details from those herewith presented. OPEN-AIR FEEDING FOR BEES. BY A. I. ROOT. A few days ago, while in the Traverse region, a neighbor bee-keeper, Mr. James Smith, of Turtle Lake, paid me a visit. He has kept bees for only two or three years; in fact, he is almost a beginner. A neigh- bor of his, an old bee-keeper, told him this spring that he could stimulate his bees to raising brood and building up much faster by open-air feeding. He had a lot of part- ly filled combs, and by the advice of this veteran he hung them out in the open air to let the bees uncap the honey and carry it to their hives. Of course, this soon made a row. But his instructor told him he could not stop after he had once commenced ; that if the bees got to robbing each other he must put out still more honey to keep them busy. After he had pushed ahead on this line un- til he had lost 18 colonies out of about 75, he began to be suspicious that the instruc- tions he had been following were rather bad. He had been reading Gleanings, and had seen what was said there about open-air feeding. I asked him if he had seen Ernest's recent caution. He said he had. Now, ye veterans and others, I wish to make a little protest. There may be times and circumstances when an old hand can hang out combs in the open air, espe- cially if he stays right there to watch things and look out; but I do think it is very un- wise, not to use a stronger term, to advise or even suggest that beginners, or perhaps we might say the average bee-keeper, should be told to put honey out of doors for the bees to take care of, without making trouble. When Gleanings was started I said on its pages, and also in the ABC book, that the bee-keeper should be exceedingly careful about leaving honey exposed or doing any thing that would incite robbing, or get his bees in a notion to get honey from any other source than the flowers. When the bees in an apiary get a mania for robbing it is a hard matter to get them over it. If they learn it in the fall I have good reason to be- lieve they will commence the same thing in the spring; and when they once get a going, it is not alone the weak and queenless colo- nies, but those that are in very fair order, and doing well, that will sometimes be wiped out in just a few hours. Another thing, this young friend had stores sealed up in the combs, ready to put in any hive that needed feeding; and there is certainly no better or safer way to feed in the world than to give a colony combs of sealed stores. From experiments I have made, I believe that nearly if not quite half of the honey will be lost where the bees uncap it in the open air and carry it to their hives and seal it up again. BEE-STINGS. Their Rational Treatment. BY D. A. M'LEAN. The old and well-worn adage of a small amount of prevention being worth a much larger amount of cure would be peculiarly applicable in considering the above sub- ject if it were not that, unfortunately, our "prevention " does not always prevent, and we are obliged to resort to the " cure " after all. The best management of bee-stings is, no doubt, to so manage as not to receive them; but, as all bee-keepers know, this is not practicable, and all who handle bees ex- pect to receive more or less stings. While to many, and probably the greater number, this is a matter of indifference, to a good many, and especially the younger members of the fraternity, it is quite a se- rious matter, and one of the principal ob- stacles or objections to an otherwise ex- tremely pleasant occupation. It is, then, perhaps, worth while to see if we can not discover some more certain relief for the pain of the stings, and some more success- ful method of treating them, than has so far been recommended. All remedies for relief from the pain of bee-stings, so far as I know, consist in the application of some supposed antidote to the poison, or of agents having some other supposed action, imme- diately over the wound made by the sting. Now, I wish to indorse emphatically what 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 589 is said on this subject in the A B C of Bee Culture under the head of "Stings." To suppose that, bj' applj'ing- a remedj' to the surface, j'ou can neutralize the poison that has been injected entirel_y underneath the skin into the sub-cutaneous tissues, and do it almost instantlj', as it must be done to prevent the effects — irritation of the nerves, causing- pain, and, later on, swelling, does not seem to me very reasonable, and I am convinced it rarely if ever succeeds. Let us consider for a moment the "anat- omy and phj'siology," if I may so call it, of a bee-sting. The poison is injected un- der the skin, among the fine network of nerves, blood-vessels, and lymphatics, which lie in that position. Now, the pain due to a sting may be divided into three separate kinds or portions. F^irst, the sharp lance-like stab as the sting penetrates the flesh. Then after a brief interval begins the pain due to the action of the poison on the contiguous nerves. The r uration of this, the severest pain, is variable from a few seconds to half an hour, or even more. Then after a still longer period, swelling, with its attendant uncomfortable feelings, supervenes. This third stag"e is frequent- ly' absent, especially with those who have been frequently stung. The first of this series we do not expect to be able to avoid unless we escape the sting altogether; and it is to the second and third that we direct our remedies. Now, what, if any thing, can we do to prevent or alleviate the effects of the poison? Let us examine a little more carefully what takes place. The material injected be- neath the skin consists largely of an acid substance that is a violent irritant to nerv- ous filaments. As soon as it is placed in contact with those filaments pain is felt, and the blood-vessels and lymphatics be- gin to absorb it, spread it into the surround- ing tissue, and carry it away. If the en- tire contents of the poison sac were to be thrown into a vein of considerable size, and carried directly to the heart, I can very well understand how a single sting, by causing- a clot of blood to form in the vein, might produce a very serious and possibly fatal result. But the pain produced by the poison in contact with the nerves is of only brief du- ration if left entirely alone. Why? Prob- abl}' because the acid of the poison has become neutralized by the fluids and sub- stances it has come in contact with. Now if, as soon as a dose of the poison is re- ceived under the skin, the small area in- volved could be cut off from the surround- ing tissue and all spread of the poison pre- vented until it had lost its virulence, no other effects would follow. Now, this is exactU' what I propose to do as far as can be done with the means at hand, by my method of treating bee-stings, and that I have followed for a number of years with very gratifying results. When I receive a severe sting (and there are grades of severity as you all know), with my finger-nail I scrape out the sting if it is still adherent, and immediately grasp with the thumb and finger the por- tion of skin where the puncture is, squeez- ing it very firmly between them — in fact, pinching if quite violently. This has the effect of ..numbing, to a great extent, the sensibility of the nerves in the portion pinched, so that the effect of the poison is not felt on them. It also has the effect of preventing the spread of the poison into the surrounding tissue. After holding in this manner for a few seconds I ease up on the pinching. If the pain begins to return I tighten the "pinch" again, and hold it until, on letting loose, the pain no longer returns, and I know the poison has lost its power to produce irritation of the nerves, and, consequently', pain; and that is gen- erally the end of the trouble with that sting. Occasionall}', and especially if you have forgotten during the first hurt of the sting, and rubbed the spot a little, you will have swelling later, with the discomfort attend- ing it; but the severe pain caused by the poison has been avoided. This may be considered a good deal of trouble and loss of time, and, if resorted to every time a sting is received, it might be so; but that is scarcely necessary. Of the stings I receive while in the yard, probably four-fifths of thein could not be located by me in five minutes after receiv- ing them; but, there is the other fifth. As every bee-keeper knows, he occasionally receives a sting that is painful beyond all sense or reason, and makes him feel as though he wanted to say or do things. These are the stings that the pinching treatment will relieve, and enable him to keep his temper, and, after a few minutes, go on with his work; and I consider it well worth the time and trouble required. To sum up the treatment, do not rub the place when a sting is received ; do not re- sort to medicines applied over the spot, as they can do little or no good; do 7iot lose y^our temper. Do at once, if the sting ap- pears to be a severe one, and you have time, scrape out the sting with the finger-nail; grasp, with the thumb und finger, the skin where the puncture is located, and raise from the flesh underneath, and pinch it hard, holding it firmly until, on letting loose, the pain no longer returns. Resume your work with the charitable thought toward the bees that they do not sting you in a spirit of malice, but in the legitimate defense of their home and property. Fort Larimer, Col., June 1. [Your treatment seems reasonable; and whether you are a physician or not, it is quite in line with a similar one applied in the case of rattlesnake-bites. A friend of mine in Texas had a little girl that was bitten b}' one of the reptiles on the arm, be- low the elbow. Her arm was tightly band- aged just above the wound, to prevent car- rying the virus by means of the blood to the heart. In the mean time a doctor was 590 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. July 1 sent for. When he arrived he stupidly or- dered the bandage removed at once, with the result that the poison was carried al- most immediately to the heart, causing- death in a few minutes. Mj' friend told me that this physician simply did not un- derstand his business or else he would not have given such blundering and fatal ad- vice. The trouble was he ordered the band- age removed ioo soon, before the poison could be diluted locallj'. The girl was do- ing nicely up to the time of the loosening of the bandage. I understand that snake- bites should, when possible, be treated by cutting off the circulation to the heart by means of a rope or handkerchief bound tightly above the wound. The bitten por- tion should be cut out, or when practicable the poison should be sucked out by the mouth. An old trapper once told me that he was bitten at a point where he could not strangle the circulation, so to speak, or reach the wound with his mouth, and he was alone. With his hunting-knife he cut out the portion of flesh bitten by the snake, for there was no time to lose. The part re- moved turned perfectly green in a few min- utes, but our old friend lived, without the use of li(iuor or any other dose. Now, then, to get back to our text, j'our treatment is a good deal like the rational treatment ap- plied in the case of snake-bites. But with bee-stings it is not necessary (and perhaps it may be impossible) to remove the virus, because the opening through which the poi- son is injected is very small indeed. If I understand the philosophy of your treat- ment, it is that the poison will be dissipat- ed locally in the blood, and when the pain disappears the blood with the poison great- ly diluted can be allowed to circulate as before. — Ed.] UNRIPE HONEY FOR THE CONFECTIONER AND BAKER. How it May Injure the Sale of Good Honey ; a Vig- orous Protest. BY R. A. BURNETT. In a recent number Mr. A. I. Root, in one his Home articles, spoke of a bee-keeper in Northern Michigan who sold her honey in a perfectly raw state to a confectioner, and that both the buyer and seller of said honey seemed to be well pleased with their opera- tions. "The producer sold a much larger quantity of hone}' from each colony of bees by taking it out of the combs before it was sealed than if it had been sealed and allow- ed to ripen before extracting." Now, if there is any one thing that is more injurious than another to the sale of extracted honey, it is unripe or improperly cured honey. I do not know that I have read any thing in a long time which anno}-- ed me more than the publicity given to that method of obtaining a large quantity of hone}'. I have for many years sold honey to man- ufacturers; but where they got uncured hon- " ey it had the effect of reducing their con- sumption in the near future, as it did not give satisfaction in the product of which it was a component. I will take the liberty of citing a most striking example of marketing honey in a green state. Certain bee-keepers in the main buckwheat sections of New York, in recent j^ears, got immense returns from their bees by taking off the combs be- fore the honey had been sealed, or very soon thereafter. Some of them were called " Lightning Operators." Their honey was sold on the reputation that buckwheat hon- ey had made for itself, that of being a good article for baking purposes; but after two or three 5'ears of disappointment with buck- wheat honey (that they occasionally got hold of) these manufacturers finally deter- mind that they would use no more buck- wheat hone}', for of late it had been very unsatisfactory in many instances. The re- sult is, that for the past two or three years these largest of consumers will not have any thing to do with honey that has any symptom of buckwheat about it; and as its use for other purposes is very limited we have great difficulty in disposing of it; and when we do it is at a low price. I am firmly of the opinion that, had it not been for the greed of these bee-keepers, buckwheat honey to-day would be in as great demand as it was ten and twenty years ago; for at that time it was consider- ed one of the best kinds of honey for bak- ing purposes. Some mention has been made of late con- cerning Cuban honey, or the honey of the West Indies, which honey has also been largely used for baking. If these tactics of marketing the unripe product are followed they will soon bring the product of that section into such disrepute that honey from the islands will be shunned just as buck- wheat is in the United States at the pres- ent writing. Chicago, June 6. [Mr. Burnett is entirely right, and we (A. I. R. and myself) wish to endorse his protest from beginning to end. Mr. Root senior only meant to refer to what had been done by one bee-keeper in Michigan; but it is apparent the practice should be con- demned just as vigorously as actual adul- terating, for the one leads almost to as seri- ous consequences as the other. It is well known to the writer that some bee-keepers in York State have been careless about put- ting out unripe buckwheat honey; they supposed that so long as it was used for manufacturing purposes no harm would re- sult; but if they could see some of the pro- tests I have seen, they would let the honey fully ripen in the combs before extracting. It is true that the market for York State buckwheat extracted has been injured al- most beyond repair. In saying this I do not mean to imply that all buckwheat from that section has been unripe. — Ed.] 1903 GLEAxVINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 591 TRANSFERRING BY THE SHORT METHOD. I have a very strong- swarm that came to me iu 1902, in a box hive, that I intend to transfer as soon as they swarm, by the " Heddon short waj'," as desciibed in the A B C of Bee Culture. If the. queen should refuse to come out, what could I do to get her? My old hive is only partly filled with frames; and their delay in swarming- is be- cause, I suppose, the}' are filling- the hive to the roof. On page 337, in the ABC book, you sa}', " If the old queen in the new hive is a valuable one she should be cag-ed at the time of making- the second drive." Why should she be caged at the second drive? S. A. Peak. Northumberland, Pa. [If the queeu refuses to come out after driving (an altogether unlikely probabili- ty), the only thing- to do is to tear the hive to pieces and hunt till you find her; for to carrj' out the Heddon plan the old queen must be out of the old hive and in the new one. If j'ou do not see her at the first drive that would not be proof that she did not run in with the rest. The old queen should be caged at the sec- ond drive, for the simple reason that, in the old hive in the mean time, there may and probably will be either a virgin or a laying- queen, or possibly several virgins. If there is no choice between the old queen that is run out at the first drive, and the young queen or queens in the second drive, pay no attention to the queens, but let them fight it out, on the principle of the " survi- val of the fittest."— Ed.] POISON OR DISEASE — WHICH? I am sending you a specimen of a dis- eased honey-comb which is troubling us bee-keepers of this county in half a dczen apiaries, to m}' knowledge. It has appear- ed in 50 to 250 hives. In my opinion the disease is neither foul brood, black brood, nor pickled brood. A great many of the bees have no wings. You can see they are not capped over, but slightly raised above the comb. It is worse in some hives than in others. I have lost 80 hives. The bees did not all swarm — only a few; and what did swarm with me went into the hives. The disease is in the mountains mere than in the valleys. The honey crop up in this CHALON FOWLS' POKTABMC EXTRACTING HOUSE. SEE EDITORIALS. 592 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. July 1 count}' will be poor on account of disease; also weather has been cold up to the present time. We had frost in mountain districts up to the 20th of May; climate seems to be chang-ed altofjether. A. L. C. New Almaden, Cal., May 29. [The brood has been examined, but I am unable to diag-nose it. It seems to have none of the symptoms of foul brood, black brood, or pickled brood. If you were not practical bee-keepers I should say that this sample of comb had been chilled or over- heated at some time. Heat or cold would cause the 3'oung- bees to hatch without wing-s. We are sending- your letter, to- gether with the brood, to Prof. Frank Ben- ton, Apicultural Expert at the Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C. But I would suggest, in the meantime, that, if heat or cold is not responsible for the con- dition, it is poison. The bees have gather- ed this poison, either from the spraying of trees or because certain persons have set out the pois:)n with a view of killing off the bees. The poison theory seems to be the most probable of any thing. — Ed.] DO BEES EVER LEAVE A STING IN A BALLED OUEEN? If what j'ou say is true on page 395, in re- gard to bees leaving their stings in a queen, it must also be true that they leave their stings in drones and robber bees. And, if this is so, please inform me how long a col- nj' of bees will have a standing army. Matanzas, Cuba. C. E. Woodward. [But the drones and workers are of small importance compared with a queen; and if the bees, we will say, in rare instances, would leave a sting in a queen, it would not necessarily follow that they would also leave a sting in drone and robbers, because the desire to make way with a queen is much more pronounced ? After all, I am only referring to the exception that proves the rule. That I saw the sting in the queen's body, I know. In proof that I was not mistaken, I submit for your considera- tion the testimony of one who has seen just what I saw. Just listen: I notice on page 395 what both Mr. C. E. Woodward and yourself have to say about bees leaving their sting' in a queen. Mr. W. is wrong, as I have taken a queen from a ball of bees with three stings stuck into and adhering to her. D. Chalmers. Poole, Ont , May 11. Mr. Chalmers is an old correspondent. But if this is not enough, there is more proof that we could get. — Ed.] the second drive of bees in a forced swarm; will they fight? When you add the bees that have hatched from the brood of the old hive to the new forced swarm, will the bees belonging to the forced swarm not treat bees from that source (the old hive) as strangers? Trair, Iowa. Robert Provan. [As a general rule you can shake a sec- ond lot of bees after they have hatched from the brood-comb? in front of the hive having the first lot of bees. The old hive should, of course, be removed then to a new stand. There may be fighting on the part of the bees; but in the case of the average Italians, when a lot of bees are dumped in front of an entrance there will be no quar- reling. If perchance there should be, smoke them a little. — Ed.] A BRICK hive. Would it be a success to build a hive on a solid rock, with brick plastered for sides? That would give a 4-inch wall all round. I think it would be cool in summer and warm in winter. John C. Hamilton. Henderson, Okla., May 20. [Such a hive as you outline would be al- together too cold in winter. The brick wouH convey the cold air of the outside clear into the cluster of the bees; moreover, such a hive would be too expensive. — Ed.] HIVELESS BKES in COLORADO. What kind of weath- er does it take for flowers to secrete hon- ey? What is the mat- ter when drones are led out in the spring and killed? H. M. Pace. Kj'sburg, Ky. [Generally speak- ing, hot weather with hot nights, with every now and then a warm rain, produces condi- tions favorable for nec- tar secretions. When drones are killed in the spring it would indicate that the bees are possibly short of stares. — Ed.] 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 593 A COLONY OF BEES WITHOUT A HIVE. About six weeks ago a friend of mine found a bee-tree in an old lipple-orchard, and wanted me to go with him and get the honey. ] supposed from what he said that they were in a hoi low tree, asd is generally the case, an was very much surprised to lind them in a branch of ihe tree, where thej' had evidently been since early last summer. They must have had an uuhap p_vtime during the m my cold rainy days we have had here in Connecticut the past season. The lat- ter part of October we had a good many frosty nights, and that we should have found any bees at all on the combs was surprising to me. There were not i\ny bees on the outside, but from betwen the combs I shook into m}' nucleus box about a quart of golden Ital- ians. I inclose two pho- tographs, one showing the apple-tree on which the runaway swarm had made their home. The other one shows a closer view of the home; but we did not get an}' hone}': not a trace could we find in anv of the cells. W. W. Lathrop. Bridgeport, Ct., Dec. 16. [As will be seen from the date, the photos and letter came to us some time ago. After we had the engravings made we lost track of the manuscript until now. It is very unusual in the northern and eastern States for a swarm of bees to build combs in the open air; but it is not an un- HIVELESS BEES FROM THE LIMB OF AN APPLE-TREE. common thing in California, and some of the climates warmer than we have it here in the East Several years ago I myself photographed one such colony hanging to the eaves of the honey-house of R. C. Aikin, at Loveland, Colorado. It was a swarm he said that had clustered under the eaves of the build- ing, and not having time to take care of it he left it with the result that it built comb, and he was proposing to leave it out all winter. He did so, but the col- on}' died. My photo that I secured at the time I now present for the first time in connection with the one by Mr. Lathrop. — Ed.] % HI\'K1.1 SS I'. I KS IN CON Ni:C TRU I COMBINATION OF SOLAR AND ARTI- FICIAL HEAT. To render wax on a large scale, es- pecially from old combs, and do it effectively, that is, leave as little wax as possible in the refuse, pressure un- der steam is probaly the only success- ful way. At the same time, a solar wax-extractor is a very desirable im- plement in any apiary. We are well aware that it is not a perfect machine — it is too slow in its operation. I have watched it many times, trying to find some way to make some improve- ment whereby its eflficiency might be increased. I could see the wax drop off from the little chunks of comb, could see it run down the sheet-iron bottom, but yet it would take a good 594 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. July 1 while before it would run in the dish. I discovered that the wax at the lower end, just before it passed (or during- its passage through) the screen would thicken and not move as readily as it did higher up; and for experiment's sake I decided to add some artificial heat. By means of a swing-shelf (see illustra- tion) I placed the little Daisy foundation- fastener lamp in such a position that the top of its chimney just entered a hole in the wooden bottom, right below that place where the running wax seemed to lose its mobility. The effect was surprising With the lamp- attachment it required less than half the time to fill the dish at the lower end that it did before without it, and I am well satisfied that the little lamp greatly increases the wax productions of the extractor. A swing- shelf is preferable, because,' by its easy adjustment, a perpendicular posi- tion of the lamp can always be maintained. La Salle, N. Y. G. C. Greiner. [The principle of using artificial as well as solar heat for melting wax is one that has been in use in Colorado for some time, and with very good results. Our readers remember that R. C. Aikin, of Loveland, Colorado, and Mr. Philip Large, of Long- mont, the same State, both use artificial heat in connection with that from the sun. The principle is correct, and it may be worth the while of supply manufacturers considering the advisability of an attach- ment for artificial heat on the plan above shown, when so ordered on solar wax-ex- tractors which they make. — Ed.] DISLNFECTION WITH FORMALIN NOT NEC" FSSARILY COMPLETF, AND WHY. In disinfecting combs containing foul brood it should be borne in mind that, while the bacillus alvei is destro3-ed by for- malin, when completely exposed to its ac- tion, bacteria (or spores) covered with wax, paraffine, or other air-tight covering, are not killed by any thing without melting the wax. Any bacteria or spores that the bees might incorporate in the wax of the comb during construction or repairs would es- cape the effects of formaline. Later, in making repairs, should the bacteria be un- covered, reinfection would follow the first visit of the comb-builders to the brood. Frames and hives brought to the labora- tor}'^ to furnish cultures of the bacillus alvei were easily disinfected by placing the hives and empty frames in the dry sterilizer and running the temperature up to 400° F. Aft- er repainting, new colonies were introduced^ with no return of the infection. Disinfection with gas requires great at- tention to details; crevices filled with wax or propolis containing bacteria would be a constant menace to the health of the new colon}'. In the average apiary the wise and am- bitious larva will prefer new combs, and a hive that has been baked in the stove; and he will leave the foul- brood honey to the apiarist — it is beyond the pale. Shirls B. Jackson, M. D. Pittsburg-, Pa., June 9. [What you say is undoubtedly true; at all events it would be well to err on the safe side. — Ed. ] THE VESUVIUS SMOKER — A SUGGESTION. I was trying a new Vesuvius smoker to- day. It works very well as it is; but would it not work better if that back end that has theh andle on and the grate in had a cylin- der-shaped tin a little smaller than the back that has the grate in, fastened to the back end solid, and extended up to the snout against another grate with a little air-space between this new cylinder-shaped tin and the body (or stove) of the smoker, as it is. now? The air-space between the two would let it work just as easily as it does now ; be- sides, it wouldn't get so hot. Then the best thing about it would be that the fuel could be put in at the open end of this new C3'linder- shaped tin, and leave the fire all at the back end, the same as a muzzle-loading smoker. Or if it is not necessary to put an extra grate up against the snout, there could be a rim there to keep the fine coals from getting in the air-space between the two cylinders Geo. E. Rozelle. Maple Lake, Pa. [Your suggestion is in line with that made by one or two others. It may be that it would be an improvement, although it would increase the cost slightly. We will have some smokers made on that plan, and test them this summer. The illustration shows the idea in detail. — Ed. ]i 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 595 BROOD IN A PATENT HIVE. Why did not my bees raise brood in the fall, October and November ? A man came here and wanted to sell me a hive and the right to make them. He said there was no brood in ours, but in his hive they would make comb all winter, and brood. I did not believe it; but thej- have so far. In some ways I like the hive; in others I do not. But it is the onlj' hive that was mcik- ing" comb and brood, and is now. Mrs. a. E. Chesterman. Cowden, 111. [In a normal condition bees seldom raise brood in the fall. If that patent hive had brood in it, it was only accidental. A 3'oung queen that has just begun egg- lay- ing will often and generally lay in the fall when older queens will have ceased; and it is possible that the patent hive had such a queen in it. — Ed.] THE CIRCLE OF BEES AROUND THE OUEEN; THE EDITOR'S VIEW CONFIRMED. iMr. Editor: — You are right, on page 64. Queens are often, if not usually, surround- ed by a circle of bees, and the latter's ac- tion toward the former is as j^ou say when the colony is undisturbed. I have watched this a great many times in my full-size ob- servation hives; but as to finding a clipped queen, after a swarm has issued in a clus- ter of bees on the side of the hive or some- where, that has been an exception with me. BLUE THISTLE. Echium vulgare, blueweed, or blue this- tle, page 65, appears to be a bad weed in Virginia. The meadows are one continuous mass of blue blossoms — -a sight to behold, and not easily forgotten. If land were farmed systematically, and a short rotation practiced, the weed could do but little harm. It is a question whether bee-keeping could be carried on profitably in Virginia with- out the blue thistle. I have seen the bees on the blossoms in October, but they do not work on them profitably as late as this. It is seldom that a perceptible amount of hon- ey is stored in August. The quality is good, but hardly equal to our basswood or clover honey. F. Greiner. Naples, N. Y., Feb.* 2. THE NEW DRUG CURE FOR FOUL BROOD; A CORRECTION. Your footnotes to Dr. Miller, page 7.^, and to Mr. J. M. Thomson, page 391, are somewhat misleading. "Formalin," *"for- mol," "formaldehyde, " etc., are aqueous solutions, about 40 per cent of formic alde- hyde, a gaseous body formed from methyl alcohol by oxydation. Disinfection is ac- complished by boiling the 40- per cent solu- tion of formaldehyde in a generator and conducting the liberated gas into the com- partment to be disinfected, which should then be kept closed about 10 hours. Drug-- gists, of whom the substance would have to be boug'ht, also sell generators with in- structions how to use. Mr. J. M. Thom- son's device ought to prove perfectly relia- ble; perhaps he uses a little too much for- malin, as the directions for 1000 cubic feet of space to be disinfected is given as 5 ounces. Spraying will be entirely useless to kill germs. Pastilles and a powder un- der the' name of "glutol" are not to be recommended, as the percentage of formal- dehyde gas in them is not certain, and they would have to be regenerated as the solu- tion. H. O. Vassmer, Excelsior Springs, Mo., May 7. BEE-PARALYSIS; DON'T MAKE THE BRINE TOO STRONG. On page 397 you ask for experience of bee-keepers in treating bee-paralysis. Aft- er reading the preceding article by A. H. Guernsey, I concluded to try the brine cure on my bees, as 1 was troubled with paral- ysis last season, and have been more or less this spring. I took two handfuls of rock salt and made about two quarts of strong brine, then spread the combs and gave them a good sprinkling May 30. As a result hundreds of adult bees were killed by the brine; but at this writing it .is too soon to see whether the brood and larvje are affected. I write this as a warning to oth- ers to be careful not to use brine too strong. Denver, Colo. J. L. Bellangee. A WHOLE APIARY DESTROYED BY SPRAYING. Please discontinue my subscription for Gleanings, as I am hardly able to keep it up; besides, my whole apiary was ruined entirely by a conscienceless neighbor spray- ing his trees when in bloom. Berne, Ind. Jacob J. Schwarz. [This is one among numerous other in- stances that show how bees are killed by spraying when trees are in bloom. Certain manufacturers of spraying-outfits claim that the spraying- liquids they recommend will not kill the bees; but they do just the same. Any thing sufficiently powerful to kill forms of life that injure our fruit-trees is sure to be strong enough to kill a like form of life— the larvas of bees. — Ed.] BEES poisoned ON THE COTTON-PLANT. Did you ever hear of any trouble in the Souih about putting Paris green on the cot- ton to kill cotton caterpillars or worms? I hear it will kill them. I moved my bees here, so that it did not kill all of them when it was used. James McCook. Natchitoches, La. [J. M. Jenkins, in the cotton-belt, to whom this was referred, replies:] I have had several reports of parties los- ing all or nearly all their bees from plant- ers poisoning the cotton to kill the caterpil- lar, or "army worm," that occasionally appears, and that will destroy the cotton crop if allowed to. The remedy is to spray the plant with Paris green or other poison; 596 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. July 1 and as this is in June and July, when other forage is scarce in most localities, it catch- es the bees. J. M. Jenkins. Wetumpka, Ala., Apr. 21. PUTTING ON HIVE-NUMBERS WITH A STEN- CIL. After reading " A Method of Hanging Hive-numbers," on page 445, I was prompt- ed to write mj' experience. I have been a reader of GLEANI^GS for some time, and these suggestions offered from time to time are of great help to me as a beginner. Aft- er treating my hives and supers to three coats of paint, I number them in black paint. For doing this I use stencils of my own make, with figures three inches high cut in cardboard. I number the hive, cover, supers, and stand. This, it seems to me, adds to their beauty. It also is of use to me in keeping a diary. I devote one page to each hive, stating when hived, number of pounds of comb hone3' taken off each year, whether wintered in cellar or out- doors, if fed in spring or fall, and many other small matters that are very interest- ing to refer to later in an experimental way. F. H. Hoffman. Carleton, Mich., May 25. HOW TO HASTEN OR RETARD THE CANDY- ING OF EXTRACTED HONEY. Friend Root: — With reference to hasten- ing- or retarding granulation of extracted honey, I would say that, in my practical exper ience of 20 years, if you wish to hasten it. extract before it is ripe, and keep in a cool place. If you wish to retard it, defer extracting until thoroughly ripened, then keep in a warm dry place. It seems to me that is about all there is to this matter, from a non-scientific standpoint. PREVENTING THE MIXING OF SWARMS BY THE CLIPPED-WING PLAN. After having considerable experience with sheets and blankets for the prevention or stopping of the mixing of swarms, if there are several of them in the air at a time, as there frequently are, and the bees are de- termined to enter one hive, or a less number than that from which they issued, I would say the sheets or blankets are quite eft'ec- tual; but where the object is to prevent mixing, and where one swarm is in the air, and were over issuing, and the sheets or blankets are used for the purpose of stop- ping the issuing of these swarms, / would say that in nine cases out of ten they would be a failure; and in the first case I would rather have a good smoker than a wagon- load of sheets and blankets. I am speak- ing from personal observation, based on the supposition that the queens of these swarms are all clipped, caged, and at the entrance of their new hives, on old stands. The old hives being removed, I have had as high as 8 swarms in the air at the same time, and each one hiving itself indi- vidually and automatically, with no help- er, and no assistance except a Bingham smoker, and some of the hives only two feet apart. Elias Fox. Hillsboro, Wis. A BEE-BRUSH MADE OF PINE NEEDLES. I send you a bee-brush I use and make in a few minutes' time, out of pine needles, which is, I think, decidedly the best plan of brush I have ever used. The shape en- ables you to brush the bees from both sides of a comb without turning the brush in your hand, and the point at the end is just the thing for getting the bees out of cracks, holes, and corners. These brushes should be made prefera- bly of light broomcorn, shaped from the front end as made, see cut, and do the trimming off the back, as this allows all flexible straw on edges of brush. The Coggshall brush is too thick and too broad and too stiff, and cripples thousands of bees, and angers many. I extract from 5 to 7 bbls. of honey a day, and brush all the bees with one of those crude home-made affairs. We have no broomcorn here, or I'd have made a better-looking sample. Wewahitchka, Fla. D. R. Keyes. [Some of the Coggshall brushes that have been sent out are too heavy — have too many strands. We have tried to get the broom- makers to thin them out more, but they seem determined to make them heavy, be- cause they are accustomed to make them so. Any one who has a bee-broom that is too heavy can very easily thin it out with a pair of shears, to a point when it will give a light, gentle sweep over the combs. — Ed.] QUEENLESS bees THAT DIDN'T BUILD CELLS. Wishing to Italianize a colony of blacks, I removed the queen, finding her on the frame, thus leaving them with plenty of brood and eggs. Going back a few daj^s later to look for queen-cells to destroy', I was surprised to find there were none. Thinking it was a case of two queens, I ran them through an excluder. Still I was more surprised, as I found no queen. Thinking she had eluded me I ran them through again, but no queen could I find. The bees — a populous colony — allowed all brood to seal without a single cell started. Lastly, to cap it all, they accepted an Ital- ian queen which at once commenced laying. Are black bees subject to insanity, or did they mistrust another queen was com- ing? G-. A. BOSTWICK. Verbank Village, N, Y. [This case is quite remarkable, if you are sure there were no cells; for it is one of the rules that queenless bees will always 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 597 build one or more cells. In this case it is quite possible, and I might say probable, that there was one or more cells built, that escaped j'our notice. I have seen cells cap- ped over, the ends of which were but a little more than flush with the combs, which could very easily escape scrutiny. I am of the opinion that, if you had not in- troduced a queen, you would have found later a virgin in the hive. — Ed.] HOW TO CONVERT A CIDER-PRESS INTO A WAX-PRESS. I read Mr. Salisbury's description of his wax-press with interest. 1 will suggest an improvement. When I made my first ship- ment of bees from the South, some years ago, I had a lot of broken combs. I made 100 lbs. of wax, which was pressed in a cider-press. I got most of the wax out, but it made a mussy job. Two years ago I had a bottom, circle, and follower, made out of beech wood, that looks exactly like Mr. Sal- isburj-'s cut. I made 150 lbs. of fine wax during my spare time in two days. I placed a blanket over the press to keep the heat in. Bee-keepers having a cider-press can con- vert it easily into a wax-press. . West Bend, Wis. H. C. AhlerS. PLURALITY OF OUEENS FROM SUPERSEDURE. I have a colony of bees that superseded their queen. Instead of finding only one queen about their hive they hatch from I found thirteen nice queens. A few were in the cells j^et, ready to crawl out. I counted the cells that had queens in, and found some 30 in all where queens had hatched out. Now, what is the cause that so many hatch out, and the bees do not kill them when the first one is hatched out? Wm. I. F. HOFFA. Womelsdorf, Pa. [The circumstance you relate is nothing so very unusual, except that there were more than the average in the case of a queen that is superseded. Hybrid bees, or Ital- ians crossed with Holy Lands or Cj'prian, might raise thirty or more cells when they were superseding an old queen if she was about played out. — Ed.] CURING A BEE-STING BY THE APPLICATION OF A SLICED ONION. I noticed in A B C of Bee Culture that nothing but hot or cold water is any good for a bee-sting; but I was stung on the face, and it swelled up in my head, and down to my shoulder, and it kept swelling for twenty-four hours, and I bathed it in cold water, and then went on with my work. My mother looked in a doctor book, and that recommended fresh-cut onion above all others. I tried it, and the swelling started to go down at once. Ethridge Webber. Tolland, Mass., June 15. [You will pardon me, but I question very much whether the application of the onion had any thing to do with the reduction of the swelling. The poison from a bee-sting is injected through the skin through a very minute opening. The very fact that swell- ing took place shortly after, goes to show that the virus had been dissipated locally in the tissue to such an extent that no rem- edy of any sort, applied from the outside, could possibly neutralize the poison in such a way as to reduce the swelling as you describe. Heat relaxes, cold contracts. The only thing that would be of any value after swelling takes place is hot or cold water, preferably hot. In the one case it would reduce congestion of the parts; in the other, it would reduce the fever. Al- ternate application of hot and cold water would be more beneficial than either alone. —Ed.] young bees necessary to encourage the flight of oueens. As a general thing I do not like to offer any advice; but in the matter of mating of queens in confinement, I am sure that you will always have trouble trying to get young queens to go out where no young bees are allowed to fly. With me such a thing would be worse than folly. Not having suf- ficient young bees is the main cause of the section-box nuclei being a failure. They encourage and direct the young queen more than you think. Remember, I know this from trial and close observation. Vigo, Texas. J. E. Chambers. [There may be something in your sugges- tion.— Ed.] FEEDING back FROM BELOW. Have you ever tried feeding from below when feeding back? I fed this way last year, and had such good success that I shall try it again this season. The honey finished in this way was as nice as any I had. Steen Freeman. Cedar Mills, O. [The usual plan is to feed from above. I have never had any experience in feeding back, and could not form an opinion as to the merit of the plan you speak of. Per- haps some of our subscribers who have, can give us their experience. — Ed.] rambler's STRAINER. What back numbers of Gleanings con- tain a detailed description of Rambler's strainer? Is the improved strainer on the market? L. J. Utt. Pala, Cal., May 5. [Rambler's strainer was described and illustrated on page 683 of our issue for Sept. 15, 1899.— Ed.]_ a cheap hive-tool. A good hive-tool is apiece of buggy-spring. You can find plenty of them at an}' shop where they repair buggies, already broken in two, and sharpened at one end flat. Some are square on the flat end, and some round. Clinton, 111. Henry Wilson. 598 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. July 1 OUR HOMES, BY A.I. ROOT. And the Lord God formed man out of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. — Gen. 2: 7. I was somewhat surprised recently to see the Sunday School Times take the posi- tion strongly that the soul perishes with the body, and that it is only the spirit that is imperishable. Of course, there were sev- eral correspondents who disagreed, and quoted the scripture to prove their position. The editor replied that the terms body, soul, and spirit are often used in the Bible in a broad sense, or perhaps interchangeably; but he insisted, notwithstanding, that the general meaning of the word "soul." as used in the Bible, is the part that perishes with the body. After thinking the matter over, and studying my Bi- ble, I am inclined to believe that the po- sition is correct. For instance, the Holy Spirit is often mentioned. We speak of the influences of the Holy Spirit; but nowhere in the Bible is there any mention of the soul of God, nor any suggestion that God is a soul. Souls belong to humanity, and perish with the body. If this is so, the ex- pression "immortal soul" is an erroneous one. No souls are immortal; but the spirit is immortal, and lives for ever. Now, this is a little preface to what I want to talk about; and may be you will think the connection with the following is rather remote; yet somehow or other they persist in linking themselves together. I am going to quote again at length from my good friend T. B. Terry. Perhaps some of you m.ay think that we are giving a good deal of space to this matter of health, and to the food we eat. I admit it, and some- times I am tempted to think that our discus- sions do not amount to much after all; but I think daylight is coming; and friend Terr J' gives us a most vivid glimpse of the direction from which daylight is to come. Now read carefully the following, taken from the Practical Farmer for Feb. 7 : THE POWER OF THE MIND OVER THE BODY— WORK FOR HEALTH WITH ABSOLUTE FAITH IN VOUR SUCCESS. Several years ago, when the writer was sick in New York, a first-class pi ysician vas employed. He ap- peared to know his business perfectly. After analyz- ing the urine, as he said, he understood the case ex- actly. He told friends that I was in a critical condi- tion; however, I got better in a few davs. Before I left he said to me: "You are subject to kidney trouble. There is an excess of acid in the urine. In the future you rausi never eat any thing that is sour— vinegar.sour strawberries, .sour oranges, lemons, etc. They will ag- gravate this chronic trouble of yoiir.-^." This was said with authority, and I had no more doubt of the truth of the statement than I had of being alive. His man- ner and earnestness made it a settltd fact in my mind. I did just as he told me, for years, except that once in a while the desire tor sour strawberries, or some lem- onade, was too great, and I ate a few, or drank a single glass, aUva s expecting to pay dearly for it In every single instance my symptoms grew worse after indulg- ing in this way, showing conclusively to my mind that the doctor was right, of which I had never had the slightest doubt, however. During the warm weather in particular, how I did want something sour! At last I would indulge, and increased trouble would come in a few hours, "sometimes I kept at it, but was soon in such distress that I was only too glad to quit it. Al- though the doctor's directions wer«; carefully follow- ed, as a rule, and other good doctors consulted, life was a burden much of the time during those years. Well after a time I began to think and study over the matter in dead earnest. My old motto, " Where there is a will there is a way." came to my mind, and I wondered why that could not be applied to curing bodily troubles as well as poor land and hard times. Being in a frank mood to-day, let me tell you that my first inspiration came from a so-called fakir. When I was complrteiy discouraged, could not eat anything scarcely without its hurting me, and doctors and med- icine did no permanent good, a circular happened to come from a man who promised to cure any disease, no matter how bad, if the breath still remained in the body, and to do it entirely without medicine. Treat- ment, $5.00 a month I read it to wife, making fun of it. of course. She said: " If there is any possibility of his helping you any, why not try him? If you do not take anj' thing he can not hurt you." Now I knew it was all a humbug, but. just for the pleasure of study- ing the scheme, and having something new to think about and to help pass away the time, I sent $5.00, with description of my troubles. The reply came promptly, and was overflowing with hope and un- bounded assurance that the writer could not fail. He impre.ssed on my mind with wonderful force, what I was fairly well up in before, that I must have more oxy- gen from breathing more fresh air, for one thing. But here was the great point, which I copy irom his letter: "Just settle it, once for all, in your mind, that you are going to get entirely well, sooner or later, doctor or iio doctor, as you "certainly are." Why, mv dear friends, I went down stairs after reading that inspir- ing letter, like a boy, and within 24 hours new life be- gan to come into my body. The mind, the spirit, was rou.sed marvelously by the positive assurance, or mag- netism, or .whatever you call it, of the man, and, frank ly. he did far more forme than all the doctors had been able to do; and still not long afterward the postal authorities arrested and fined him for using the mails to swindle people. Doubtless his game was to make monev, and he claimed to do wh't he could not, but I was vastly more th-m satis Ded with the value I received for my money, and before I get through you shall judge about the doctors. Among other things, I got some good litmus paper at a drug.store in the city, and began to keep an exact record of what I ate and drank daily, and how I felt, and the condition of urine. I_,iimus paper, you know, is blue but turns red when wet with acid, more or le^s, according to the amount present. In due time it was proven, abso- lutely that when I felt the worst and suffered most there was the least acid in the urine. When I told this to one of the physicians who had tried in vain to ciire me, he said at once, " It is an alkali condition, then, that is making the trouble." Oh! why couldn't he have discovered this years before? Well, I at once made a quart tiowl full of good strong lemonade, and never took it from mj' lips until the last drop was drained, and another quart went the same way before night. Oh, how good it tasted! I had craved it so. It did not hurt meat all; in fact, I at once felt better. I knew when drinking it. absolutely, that the doctor had been wrong. Not ten dajs before, my wife had lemonade on the table at dinner time, and I wanted it so badly that at last I drank one glass, expecting that it would hurt me, as the doctor said, and it did. There is no chance for mistake in this matter; I know what I am writing. I now use lemons freely whenever the acid is craved. I carry lemons and sugar with me, winters, always. My troubles in the past came partly from withholding from the body the very fruit acids that it needed and craved sometimes almost beyond endur- ance. You may.gather several points from this article. One is the marvelous power of the mind over the body. When you determine to get well any way, whether or no, you have made a tremendously long step in that directioti. I confess I could not believe myself that the very thing I needed would hurt me, just because I was certain it" was going to, if I had not actually had years of experience in the matter, on both sides of the question. Many a physician owes his success, not to drugs he gives, but to the power he possesses of mak- ing patients certain they are going to get well right along. On the other hand, unscrupulous doctors can keep their patients back and line their own pockets. As the space is more than full you may look for the other points; they are easy to find. 190i GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 599 There, friends, the above is from Terrj', whose reputation is world-wide as a teach- er and lecturer at farmers' institutes. You may smile when you read it. I am not sure but I laugfhed out loud. You may say there is no particular point to it; but there is a point that gives a glimpse of the wonderful waj' in which we were created, according to our text, and the waj' in which man be- came a living soul. . ^\'e are creatures of habit. "Wh}', look here. I have a nap ev- ery daj' just before dinner. My system, or whatever you may call it, has become so accustomed to it that it clamors for quiet, rest, and sleep, just — well, we will sa3' as a pen of pigs get uneasy when thej- are not fed about the usual time. This involunta- ry part of mj'self that takes care of the di- gestion and other things gets into a habit, or rut. On Sunday, in order not to get drowsy during the serinon, I take a nap, as a rule, at 9 oclock. I have no trouble whatever, in going to sleep. I alwa3's go to sleep instantly. All other days my nap is at half past ten. Well, every Monday morning at 9 o'clock I begin to feel used up and worn out. Do you know why? Well, it is because, the day before, this peculiar machine of mine hiid a resting-spell; and because it was the day before, it has got a notion into its head (if you- will excuse the expression ) that a rest should come every day at 9 o'clock. For a good while I did not understand wh^* these feelings came at 9 oclock. After a time I "caught on" that it was Monday morning when I had them. Then I remembered it was the shadoiv, if I maj' so call it, of the nap I had the day before. It may not be so with every one; but my organization strongly demands regular hab- its. The machinery gets ready for food, gets readj' for water, at regular periods; and it runs better if supplied at regular in- tervals. You all know more or less about this. You have all had experience in the same way. Well, now, this doctor told Terry that a particular kind of food was hurting him. He proved it b}' chemical demonstration. An excess of acid and fruit would have to be stopped. Wh}', no won- der our poor friend said it was " as plain as daylight." He stopped eating fruit, fully expecting that indigestion and dis- tress would cease, and the}' did so. Why, I have gone without fruit, lemonade, and things of that sort, a great part of mj' life, just as friend Terry did, and have told friends where I was visiting right and left that I could not eat such and such things without getting in'o trouble. Once in a while I would break over, as friend Terry says he did, and then I would watch for the unpleasant symptoms. Usually they came. Sometimes, however, they did not. At Omaha, when bee-keepers were eating Rocky Ford muskmelons by the dozen, I said, '■ Well, now, I do not believe this beautiful fruit or vegetable will hurt me. It seems as if God designed it for human food," and I pitched- in with the rest. I had a good half-dozen, one after the other. They all assured me so positively that such fruit would not hurt anybody that I began to have faith it would not hurt me a parti- cle. Now, friends, let us not be in a hurry to rush to conclusions. There is another side to this, I feel convinced. When Terry was conducting farmers' institutes in Missouri he not only ate fruit at mealtimes at the ho- tels, but he went out into the markets and bought it by the basketful; and I remember wondering if he could stand so much fruit. My impression is, he was eating too much. We have all had experience in eating fruit too freel}', say when it sets our teeth on edge, and there is pretty clearly an excess of acid in the system. At such a time, I believe it is the thing to have a meal or two of nice beefsteak and graham bread. By the way, I always crave cheese when I am eating a good deal of fruit. I think nature would indicate pretty nearly what we need if we could get rid of our notions. Yes, dear friends, I do believe that we are all full of notions. W^ith some like myself you might callit "hobbies." We carrj' these notions and hobbies to an extreme; but does it not seem almost incredible that we should carry them to such an extent that fruit or lemonade would cause us distress, just be- cause we got a notion it would? Is there a possibility that fermentation can get a go- ing, and rouse us up at night during a sound sleep, just because we have got a no- tion in our heads it would? Why, I am ashamed to admit it, but I am afraid it is true. People g^et a going in certain direc- tions, and they lose their common sense — yes, they "lose their heads. " A man told me an hour ago that the present cold spell (I am wearing an overcoat while I dictate) right here in June was clearly predicted by Hicks. I attempted a little remonstrance. Said I, "Did Hicks say there would be a cold spell here in Northern Ohio?" "No, he did not say that; but he said there would be hailstonns and cold rains in different parts of the country. " I replied that he could alwa3's say that with safetj'. There never was a June with- out cold rains and hailstorms somewhere; but when he said, "Oh! but Hicks is al- wa3-s right, I have watched him for years, " I had to givcit up. There is no use in talk- ing with such a man. He has a notion that Hicks has miraculous foreknowledge, and that it will come out just as he expected it would, every time. You need not laugh at his faith, for there are manj' of us who rea- son in the same way. I do not suppose our faith in our special ruts would bring a hail- storm, but I do think it might produce a stomach ache. The action of the mind, as Terry says, has such an influence on diges- tion that digestion itself is a slave to it. The very small boy is too sick to go to school. He is a truthful, honest boy. Suddenly a party comes along that is going fishing. He begins to plead with mamma. He says, and saj's truthfully, "O mammal if I go 600 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. July 1 fishing' I won'tbesick, I just know I won't." If his mother lets him go fishing- (of course, it is not the proper thing for the mother to do) it is just as he predicted. He has not an ache, and is not sick a bit — never felt better in his life. Now I am going to say something that may be a mistake. I think on the whole I will not say it — I will only suggest it. When I went to Dr. Salisbury (and Dr. Lewis later) they examined my urine and told me what the trouble was, and prescribed a beef diet. When I suggested I did not be- lieve that even the beef diet would stop my malarial chills, they were so emphatic and positive, and they explained it all out so plainly with their scientific instruments and superior knowledge, I could not help believ- ing they were right. I once said to one of them, "Why, doctor, how is it possible that you persuade so many people — even those who have been all their lives in the habit of being a slave to their appetites, to under- take this terrible ordeal?" I had been through the ordeal, not only weeks but months, and I knew what it was. The reply was something like this: " Oh ! we know we are right, and they soon become convinced that we are right, and then they get well and strong. " Well, now, my suggestion is that proba- bly a lot of this may be explained in the way Terry has outlined it. Why, of course this explains a lot of the new treatments — Christian science, telepathy, absent treat- ment, etc. It is not only unnecessary to see the doctor and hear him talk, but they have acquired such skill of late that they write a little circular, like the one Terry paid S5.00 for, and this circular will have so much en- ergy and vim in it (they used to call it "an- imal magnetism") that he, the author, makes people believe what he says. They eat what ihey please ; and if their faith holds out they are all right. Now, then, can the mind of a sick man be well by just the force of his own will? I do not dare say he can ; but I will say he can to a great ex- tent. Then, again, here is a perplexing question : How is it that sickness comes up- on us when we are honestly working hard at our appointed tasks — yes, the tasks that we love? Why 5c per dozen; |3.25 per gross. 8-oz. " 45c '■ 4.25 1-lb. " 60c " 5 75 2-lb. •: 75c " 7.50 No. 25 Glass Jap. V. J While the No. 25 jar is more expensive than a common tin-top tumbler, it .s the ni.est package we know of for one pound of honey. It is clear flint glass with porcelain top and tin screw-rim and rub- ber ring to seal tight. We have them packed 2 doz. in a partione 1 c.ise, ready to ship safely when filled with honey, without ad- ditional packing We furnish them also packed 12 dozen in a crate or a bbl. Price 60c per 10; |5.75 per crate; 56.25 per bbl; _-l 20 per box of two dozen: six boxes, $6.75 No. 143, same style, holding about 14 oz., '25c per gross less Tip-top Honey-jars. This is a new-stjde jar sealed with rubber ring under rim of a glass top held secur- ly with spring-top fastener. This fast- ener is applied to a great vari- ety of bottles and jars used for different purposes. We have select d two stsl' s among them all as being most suitable for honey. The 1 and 2 lb .square j irs above may be had with ~p ing top fastening instead of cork at 75c per gross extra. The style shown adjoining, called Tip-Top, we can furnish in two sizes. % lb — 45c per doz ; gross, ff4 50. 1 lb.— 50c per doz.; gross, $5.00. Mctson Fpuit-japs. These are very largely used for canning fruit, and are often used for hone^' as well. As we V)uy them by the carload, we can make the following prices at Me- dina, all put up complete with porcelain-lined caps and rub- bers, in cases of one dozen: Size. Doz. 1 6 doz. J2 doz. Pint Quart !-2-gallon. $ 65 58 75 *8 15 3 30 4 35 |6 -^5 6 50 8 50 AIKIN HONEY-BAGS. Our supply of paper honey-bags has not yet reached us but we are expecting them now within a few days, when we shall be prepared to supply them at the prices named below. These are made of tough paper, straw color, printed in two co'ors. with blank space for name and address of producer or dealer, and extra-coated with paraffine. They have been thoroughly te.sted, and proven to be a success for candied exti acted honey. See article in our March 1st issue for illustration and full pr^niculars. We have four sizes which we can supply at the follow- ing prices : 5-LB. SIZE, 7 X 10. $ 80 I 100 S1.20 3.75 1 500 5.50 7 0t I ItOi 10.50 6.(0 I £000 @ 10.00 10-LB SIZE, 10x10^. $1,00 1 100 $1.50 4 75 I 500 7.00 8 75 HKK) 13 50 ,5000 @ 8.25 I 5000 @ 13.00 We will print in name find address of producer or dealer, in different quantities, at the following sched- ule of prices for any size : I,ots of 101 30 cts. Lots of 250 'f? cts. Lots of 500 '7 cts. Lots of 1000 5IOO. For each additional 1000, add 50 cents. Each change of name and address counts as a separate order. For instance 100(1 bags printed with four different names and addresses, 250 of each, would be 82.(K) ; with ten different name.s, $:5.00, etc. As the bags must be print- ed before thev are made up and coated, we can not change the label except in lots of 10 00 or over. We have some plain 2-lb, size of dark -drab paper which we can furnish plain at $2.00 per 1000 less than prices quoted above, or we can print a smaller special label in one color at above rates extra for printing. 2-LB SIZE, 5x7'/^ 100 500 1000 5000 @ 3^-LB, SIZE, 6x9% 100 .500 1000 THE A. I. ROOT CO., Medina, Ohio. 602 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. July 1 HO, FOR CALIFORNIA There;? Back Xnll From Chicago A. J. Kennedy, Pass. Agent, Williamson Building, Cleveland, O. ^ « * * ^ * ^ * Tickets on sale Aug. ist to 14th inclusive. "^ Account meeting of National Bee-keepers' Ass'n. , -^ Travel via the Sasita Fe — the " Grand Canyon >|5. Line." ^ Most picturesque and pleasant route. -^ You can also have privilege of going one way and ^ back another. (Round trip via Portland one way is $11.00 ^ higher.) J Final return limit, Oct. 15th, 1903. ^ Full information and copy of beautiful book on Cal- ^ ifornia, on request. "^ ^ I Atchison, Topeka & SANTA FE Railway System. { 190c GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 603 E "1 900" BALL-BEARING WASHER FREE FROM FACTORY TO YOUR DOOR. Freig'Ht Prepaid BotK Ways on 30 Days* Free Trial. No deposit or advance i>aymex\t re- quired: if x\ot satisfactory, returrk at otir expe>\se,i\o qtiestioxxs asKed The '^'igoo'' BALL-BEARING Washer is the greatest time, labor, and expense saving appliance ever invented. An absolute necessity to Households, Laundries, Hotels, Boarding Houses, Piiblic Institutions, etc. Only practical, si)iiple, and easy running washer ever made. Hundreds of thousands now in successful use. The " 1900" BaII=bearing Automatic Washing Machine is the simplest, easiest running', most efficient machine for washing- clothes ever invented. It is a thoroughly practical labor-saving machine for washing all kinds and g^rades of materials, from the finest laces to the coarsest fabrics. It is constructed on scientific principles. It revolves on ball-bearings, which render the rotary movement as easy as the wheels of a high-grade bicycle. The "1900" Washer will wash any garment without boil- ing, without scrubbing-, and without wear or tear. There is absolutely no need of using anj' chemicals. Soap nnd hot water are the only necessary thing-s to do per- fect work. The Washing is Done While the Operator Sits by the side of the Tub, Revolving it by the Handle half way around to right and left. CONVINCING TESTIMONY. $1000 will be forfeited to any one proving tfiese letters not genuine. Iowa Park, Tex., Feb. 16, 1903. I started to wash with your -' 1900 " -Washer ju.st one year ago. I am well pleased with it. It washes the clothe.'' perfectly clean without rubbing by hand. 1 have washed a carpet with the machine and also a wagon sheet made of r2 oz duck. TJxU feet. Both parties who bought through me are highly pleased with their machines. Mrs. Amand.^ Bruhakhu. REMEMBER-Vou take absolutely no risk, incur no expenseor obligation whatever. The washer is sent by us on 30 days' trial, freiKht prepaid both ways; and positively without any advance or deposit of any kind Nininger, Va., March 11, 1903. The "1900" Washer that we bought of you last June acts like a charm. I can not say enough for it. It d les all you siy it will. I would not be without it for $50.00. I wish every housekeeper in the United States had one. We sing loudly the praises of your '1900" Washer. "You are at liberty to publish this. Mr and Mrs. J. C. Pullen. For catalog and full particulars of this liberal and absolutelv genuine offer, address | ,_._^ . *' 1900 "WASHER CO , 295 N. State St., - .. Bin^hamton, N. Y. References: First Xat. Bank, Biiighamtou, N. Y. SLUGSHOI kills currant-worms, potato-bugs, cabbage- worms, and insects on flowers; used 22 3'ears success- fully. Sold by the Seed=dealers. For booklet on Bugs and Blig-ht, address B. Hammond, - Fishkill-on-Hudson, - New York. 604 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. July 1 Bee-keepers! Attention! We are again rearing the best of queens for market. We have 1000 colonies of bees, the best stock, and 10 vears' experience. We have either Golden Italians or three banders. Price, "octsieach: SI. L'") for 6, $8t0 for 12; tested, $1.50 Safe arrival and satisfaction. Give us a trial. All ordtrs filled promptly We keep a large .'lock of honey-cans of all sizes ready for prompt shipments. Get our prices. We also want all the section and bulk comb honey that we can buy, and will take some No. 1 extracted. We pay spot cash. Write us. 5>6e Hyde Bee Company, Floresville, Texas. (Successors to O. P. Hyde & Son.) Pruit Packages of All KindSc — Al,SO — BEE=KEEPERS' SUPPLIES. . . Order your supplies now before the busy season catches you. Price list free. Address BERLIN FRUIT-BOX COMPANY, Berlin Heights, - - Erie County, Ohlo» Handy Farm Wagons maUe the work easier for both the man and team. T lie tires being wide thej' do not cut into the ground; the labor of loadinc is reduced many times.because of the short lift. They are equipped withourt'am ous Electric Steel Wheels, eitherstraightorstag- per spokes. Wheels any height from 24 to CO inches White hickory axles, steel hounds. Guaranteed to carry 4000 lbs. Why not get started rightby putting in one of these wagons. We make our steel wheels tofit any wagon. VVritelor the catalog. Itisfres. ELECTRIC WHEEL CO., BOX 95, QUINCY, ILL.^ Our Spring Sales prove that Page Fence quality is appreciated. Page Woven Wire Fence Co., Box S, Adrian, {Michigan. ^^ FENCE! STRONGEST MADE. Buu strong, Chicken- Tight. Sold to the Karmerat Wholesale PrICfH. Fully Warranted. Catalog Free COILED SPRING FENCE CO. Box 101, Winchester, Indiana, C. 8. A. rtnill TOV PAPKlt, illnstM, 20 pii.K«», XUUL I n I S.'i corns per ytiir. 4 mom hs' triallOcontB. Sample tree. 64-page practical gonltry book free to yearly subscribtru, ;ook alone 10 cents. Ciataloiran of l")altr j ibookaf ree. eouUry Advocate, Syracuise^ W.Z The "Star" Ventilator. stormproof, effective; for ven- tilating all kinds of buildings barns, stables, and factories of all kinds. Send for illustrated booklet. Merchant & Co., Inc., Philadelphia, Brooklyn, New York, and Chicago. M'nf'rs High-grade Bright Tin If you are interested in Cuba, and want the truth about it, subscribe for the HAVANA POST, the only English paper on the Island. Published at Havana, Cuba. Jl.OOper month, $10.00 per year. Dal- ly (except Monday). nv^^ lope Printed to Order $1 per 1000 TT Hea\'y, white, high-cut, size 6^^. A neat little coupon on each envelope will earn you dollars. Other station- ery cheap. For particulars and sample, address at once Howard Co., 516 Masonic Temple, Chicago, Ills. Mr. A. I. Roofs Writings of Grand Traverse territory and l,eelanau Co. are descriptive of Michigan's most beautiful section reached most conveniently via the Pere Marquette R. R. For pamphlets of Michigan farm lands and the fruit belt, address J. E. Uerritt, Uanistee, Michigan. Squabs are raised in 1 month, bring big prices. Eager market. Money- makers for poultrymen, farmers, women. Here is something worth looking into. Send for our Fre» BooK, " How to Make Money With Squabs " and learn this rich industry. Address PLYMOUTH ROCK SQUAB CO.,. jg Friend St., Bosto?i, Mass. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Wind Power 605 is the cheapest power known. For a farmer- bee-keeper, who has stove-wood to cut, water to pump, and feed to g^rind for stock, •corn to shell, and bee- hives to make, noth- ing can equal a well-arranged power wind- mill. The Bee-keepers^ Review for June illustrates a wind-mill thus arranged, and a bee-keeper who has such a mill, and uses it for all the purposes mentioned, contributes an article, giving cost, advantages, and drawbacks, together with several other in- teresting items on the subject. He has had his mill six years, and can speak from ex- perience. Send ten cents for this number, and with it will be sent two other late but different issues, and the ten cents may be applied on any subscription sent in within a year. A coupon will be sent entitling the holder to the Review one j'ear for only 90 cents. W^. Z. HUTCHINSON. Flint, Mich. Capacity : lOO - mile Gasoline- tanK. Capacity ; SOO-mile XVater- tanK. Weight 940 lbs.; seven-horse power actual. Will run at any speed up to 25 miles per hour, and climb any grade up to twenty per cent. For catalog, address Friedman Aiitomobile Co., 3 £ast Vai\ Btireni St., Dept. B, Chicago, Illinois. VENTILATED BUSHEL GRATES These crates are the most convenient things that can be used on the farm. Apples, potatoes and other fruits and veg-etables can be gathered, storod and taken to market in them without re- handling. They allow air to circulate freely through them. Our crates cost 8 cents each ready to nail together. Made of best material and with decent care will last a lifetime. Can be "nested" together to store away. Our Illus- trated booklet No. 12 telling all about them free. GENEVA COOPERAGE CO., GENEVA, O. 606 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Ju .V 1 Queens == 1903 == Queens. We have ten different yards five to twenty miles apart, where Italians, Cj'prians, Holylands, Carnio- lans, and Albinos, are bred for business. Tested queens, |1 50; SS.OO for (i; $15.00 per dozen. Untested, $1 00 each: $.5.00 for ti ; 89.00 per dozen. Our best and finest breeders, $5.00 each. One and two frame nuclei a specialty. Bees and Queens in any quantitv to suit purchaser. Safe arrival and reasonable satisfaction guaranteed. ORDER "The Southland Queen," $1.00 per year. Send for sample copy and our UIOIS catalog; tells how to raise queens and keep bees for profit. Root's Supplies. The Jennie Atchley Co., Box 18, Beeville, Tex. Readers ^Gleanings desiring to know the results of my forty years' expe- rience in rearing queen-bees, and to learn of my new process of producins; queens, can do so by purchasing a copy of IMPRO'VED QUEEN - REARING. The book and a valuable Adel breeder sent by mail for |2. Pr< spectus and catalog ready. Adel bees have a world-wide reputation. Henry Alley, Wenham, Mass. DURING SEPTEMBER, 1901, the United .States Department of Agriculture imported a lot of queens from the Province of Bergamo. Italy, one of which was sent to me to be tested For prohf- icness and industry she and her offspring are second to none, and I am now prepared to fill orders prompt- ly with her daughters or the best golden queens at $1.00 each or $9 00 per dozen. M. O. office, Warrenton. W. H. Pridgen, Creek, Warren Co., N. C. 100 = Mounted = Queen=cells and one sample of the Stanley Cell protector or Introducing-cage, for 70 cents postpaid. -A.x-tl»x».i- S-tanlesT^, X3i3Koxa, Xllinois. ITALIAN tSEES FOR SALE ! Full colonies, $1.00; three frames, with queen, 8;2.25; two frames with queen, %l 00; one frame, SI. 50; queen, 81-00. Mrs. A. A. Simpson, Swarts, Pa. Pure Italian Queens in State of Washington ! Untested. $1.00; tested, $1..50; after June, 25c less for either. Queens are reared by the swarming process. Mismating will be rare if ever. I keep only pure stock. Robt. Mirring, Dryad, Lewis Co., Wash. The World's Recnrd '^°'^ ^^^^^ yields of hon- 1 lie TT Ul lU a IVCCUI U ey my ^ees have stood the test for 30 years Italian queen mo hers a special- ty. If you want to see the best and most novel queen- cage ever invented for introducing safely. Send for a queen and you will get one. Circular free. F. Boomhower, Gallupville, N. Y. Bred for Work Jribe?t T^a dsfacul^; bred from selected stock; best of workers: very gentle, and fine color. Untested 75c each: six, *4 25; twelve, $8.00. Tested, 81.00; six,' 85.00: dozen, $9.50. Harold Hornor, Terrace Apiaries, Mt. Holly, N. J. HONEY=QUEENS, GOLDEN ITALIAN are hustlers, and their bees are gentle and can not be excelled gathering honev. Untested, 90c; tested, $1.00; breeder, extia fine. $i.0O, none better. H. C. IRIESCH, Jr., Dyer, Ark. RED-CLOVER ITALIAN QUEENS, guaranteed to work on red clover; bred for business, in full col- onies; honev gathering and winteiing qtialities are prime object. Unteste Ci CHoice Qtieei\s liaiiails^* a Specialty ^ >^ Having added extensively to our queen - rearing plants in the North and the South we can furnish any number of queens on short notice. Carrkiolans* Very prolific, hardy, gentlest bees known. Great comb builders. Sealed combs of a snowy whiteness. A worker on red clover. ItaliaTkS. Gentle, prolific, swarm very little, fine workers, and a red-clover strain. THe Camiolan»Italian Cross. A cross giving the combined qualities of each race, are hustling workers, the coming bee for comb honey. One untested queen, $1; 6 for $5; 12 for $9. Tested, $1 50. Best breeder, $.3. Best imported breeder, $5. For full colonies, one or two frame nuclei, large or- ders for queens, send for descriptive price list. Orders booked now will be filled when desired. F. A. LocKHart (Sb Co., Caldwell, N. Y. You Require I Supply PERFECT ftUEENS Norristown, Pa., March 14, 1903. Dear Sir. — Find inclosed $1.00 for one untested Gold- en queen. ... I wish you would send a queen just like I bought of you last spring. It is one of the best and prettiest queens I ever had. At present my apiary numbers 35 colonies. Yours truly. Henry A. Markley. These queens are giving general satisfaction. Try some. Address GEO. J. VANDE VORD, Daytona, Fla. When you need Queens and want your order filled at once with the best queens that money can buy, we can serve you and guarantee satisfaction. We have a fine strain of Italians that can not be excelled as honej'-gatherers. We can furnish queens from either imported or home-bred mothers. Choice tested, $1.00 each. Untested, 75c; $8.00 per doz. J. W. K. Shaw & Co., Loreauville, La. HERE'S IHE place FOR GOOD QUEENS PROflPTLY. We are too busy raising queens to write big ads. Our customers like our queens, and we think you would too. We rear by best methods from best stock, and guarantee good queens. Our prices for select, 81.00; six, as they run, 84.50 ; twelve, $8.00. Free circular. J. B. CASE, Port Orange, Fla. Do You Know that you could come nearer getting what you want, and when you want it, from the New Cen- tury Queen-Rearing Co. (John W Pharr & C. B. Banks- ton), than anywhere in the United States? Untested, 50c.; tested. 3 and 5 band, 75c: all other races, 81.00. Send for circular. Berclair, Goliad Co., Texas. "Dollar Italian Queens" Ready for delivery May 10. Send for price list. E. E. Lawrence, : Doniphan, Missouri. QUEENS DIRECT FROIV! ITALY Fine, reliable. Bnglish price list sent on application. Beautiful results obtained last year. OUR MOTTO — "Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them. " Address MALAN BROTHERS, Luserna. San G-iovanni, ITALY. piNE QUEENS FROH THE BLACK HILL APIARIES ■ Golden and Uong-tongue. Write for price list. Reference, G. F. Davidson & Son. Carver & Mathis, Props., Verdi, Texas. l'>03 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 607 QUEENS Golden Italian & Leather Colored Wai raiiteii to give satisfaction, those are the kind reared by Qulrin=the=Oueen=Breeder. We guarantee every queen sent out to pleas^e you, or it may be returned inside of (iO days and another wll be sent "gratis" Our business was established in 1S8S, our stock originated from the best and highest-priced Long;-tong:ued Red-clover breeders in the U. S. We send out fine queens, and send them promptly. We guarante safe delivery to any State, con'inental island, or European Country. The .\, I. Root Co. tells us that our stock is extra fine, while the editor of the Atnerican Bee Journal says that he has good reports from our stock, from time to time. Dr. J. I,. Gandy. of Humboldt, Nebr., .says that he secured over JtK) pounds of honey- (uiostly comb), from single colonies containing our queens. A FEW TESTinONIALS. V. \' . Merilt, of No. 13 Breckenridge St., I^ex- ington, Kv.. writes: The bees sent tne last July did splendidly. Rach colony has at least 75 lbs. of honey — pretty good for two-frame nuclei. Mr. J.Roorda, of Demotte, Ind.. writes: Send me six more queens, the 48 sent me last spring are hustlers. Mr. Wm. Smiley, of Glasgow, Pa , writes: Your bets beat all the rest, now send me a breed- er of the same kind. A. Norton. Monterey. Calif., writes: Your stock excels the strain of Jlr. , which is said to outstrip all others. Your stork excels in profit- able results as well as in beauty. Price of Queens After July First. 1 6 12 Selected % 75 1 00 1 50 3 00 2 00 $1 00 5 00 8 00 $7 00 9 00 Tested Select Tested Extra .Selected Tested— the best that money can buy Two-frame Nuclei, no Queen Add the price of whatever queen is wanted to that of nuclei. Our nuclei build up fast, and if not pur- chased too late will make some surplus. Queen-rearing is our specialty: we give it our undivided attention, and rear as many queens (perhaps morel as any breeder in the North. No order is too large for us, as we keep 300 to 500 on hand ready to mail. Send all orders to Quirin=the=Queen=Breeder, Parkertown, OHIO. Strong Testimony in Favor of Moore's Strain of Italians Prof. Frank Benton, of Washington, D. C, whose name is familiar to all progressive apiarists, says : "I have several times, in the cour-e of correspon- dence, and in conversing with bee keepers, had occa- sion to answer the question : ' Where can the best Ital- ians be got ? ' It is, perhaps, not an easy thing to say, with certainty, but at least I have felt I might be able to tell where GOOD ones could be obtained. A num- ber have been leferred to you, for, although I have not tested your stock personally, I thought I knew pretty well, from general reputation, its character. A bee-keeper near here — Geo. A. Lanphear, of Vienna, Va.— who got some queens of you on my recommen- dation is so well pleased with them — in fact, gives your bees such a good recommendation to me for gentleness and working qualities, particularly their working on red clover, that I thought I would like to try some myself." I was not aware that Prof. Benton was recommend- ing my stock until I received the above letter. Such testimony as this certainly has great weight, and shows why my business has grown so fast. Prices for daughters of my 23-100 breeder, the prize- winner, and other choice breeders : Untested, 75c each; six, J4 00; dozen, 87.50. Select untested, $1.00 each; six. Jo 00; dozen, $5).0O. Safe arrival and satis- faction guaranteed Send for descriptive circular. My 2:5-100 breeder was awarded a S2-J.00 prize by The A. I. Root Co. for producing bees showing the longest tongue-reach on record. Competition was open to the whole world. I am now filling orders by return mail, and shall probably be able to do so till the clo.■^e of the sea.son. J. P. Moore, L. Box I, Morgan, Kentucky. Pendleton County. QUEENS for BUSINESS and PROFIT These are to be had of Will Atchley. He is now prepared to fill all orders promptly, and breeds six different races in their purity. You must remember that all of the PURE Holylands that now exist in the U. S. originated from the Atchley apiaries, and they have the only imported mothers known to the United States. Untested queens from these races, 3 and 5 banded Italians, Cyprians, Albinos, Holylands, and Carniolans, bred in their purity, from 5 to 35 miles apart, February and March, $1.00 each, or f 9 00 per dozen. All other months, 75c each, $4 25 for six, or $8.00 per dozen. Tested queens of either race, from $1.50 to |3.00 each. Breeders from S3. 50 to $10.00 each. 1, 2, and 3 frame nuclei and bees by the pound a spe- cialty. Prices quoted on application. Safe arrival and perfect satisfaction guaranteed. A trial order will convince you. Price list free. WILL ATCHLEY, P. 0. Box 79, Beevllle. Bee County, Texas. Laws' Leather-colored Queens. Laws' Improved Goidea Queens. Laws' Holy Land Queens. IV. H. Laivs: — Your queens have proved to be excel- lent. My apiary stocked with your /.^aZ/K-r queens are a sight to behold during a honey-flow, and the Goldens are bej'ond description in the line of beauty, \ours are the best for comb honey I ever saw. I want more this spring— .£. A. Ribhle'. Roxton, Tex., Feb. /?, 1^03. IV. H. Laws:—'X\\t 75 queens (I.eather) from you are dandies. I introduced one into a weak nucleus in May. and in September I took 285 lbs. of honey, leav- ing 48 lbs for winter. My crop of honey last season was 4S,000 lbs. I write you for prices on 50 nuclei and 150 Leather queens.— yojr/A Farnsworth, Idaho Falls, Idaho. Feb. 16. 1903. Prices of Queens: Each, 81-00: 12. $10.00. Breeders, extra fine, guaranteed, each $:?.t0. Send for price list. W. H. Laws, Beeville, Texas. 608 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. July 1 Gleanings in Bee Culture [Established in 1873.] Devoted to Bees, Honey, and Home Interests. Published Semi-monthly by The A. I. Root Co., - - Medina, Ohio. A. I. ROOT, Editor of Home and Gardening Dep'ts. E. R. ROOT, Editor of Apicultural Dept. J. T. CALVERT, Bus. Mgr. A. I,. BOYDEN, Sec. TERMS. $1.00 per annum ; two years, $1.50; three years, $2.00; five years, $3.00, in advance; or two copies to one address, $1.50 ; three copies, $2.00 ; five copies, $3.75. The tferms apply to the United States, Canada, »nd Mexico. To all other countries 48 cents per year extra for postage. DISCONTINUANCES. The journal is sent until orders are received for its discontinuance. We give notice just before the subscription expires, and further notice if the first is not heeded. Any subscriber whose subscription has expired, wishing his journal discon- tinued, will please drop us a card at once; otherwise we shall assume that he wishes his journal coatinued, and will pay for it soon. Any one who does not like this plan may have his journal stopped after the time paid for by making his request when ordering. BUCKWHEAT. r Our notice in last issue has brought to us several lots of Japanese buckwheat, aggregating over twenty bushels; and while this lasts we will furnish it at the following prices: Trial packet, 4 oz., by mail, 5 cents; 1 lb., postpaid, 15 cts. By freight or express, at your expense, peck, 40 cents; Yz bushel, 70 cents; one bushel, $1.S5; 2 bushels, $2.50; ten bushels or more, $1.15 per bushel, bags included. BUSINESS. Our orders are in good condition except for sections. We are still over a week behind on .section orders, al- though we are making about 600,000 a week. Our lack of lumber in the winter and early spring put us behind so we have not been able yet to catch up. Most of our agencies are supplied with a fairly com- plete assortment. We still have a surplus over orders of No. 2 in i}{xi''4xl]4 plain; 3^-8x5x1 '4 plain; 4x5x1^^ plain; 45^x4i^.xl|g and 2-inch four beeway. These latter can be reduced to 1% in width if there are those who prefer to use them rather than wait for what they would rather have Orders for other goods are up, and being filled promptly. Some, which include sections, are, of course, delayed a few days for these. In spite of unfavorable weather the demand for sec- tions indicates a gocd honey flow, and frequent reports from different sections confirm this opinion. BEESWAX. Until further notice we will pay 28 cts. cash, 30 in trade, for average wax delivered here. From one to two cents extra for choice yellow wax. We find it necessary to give again our oft-repeated injunction to be sure to put your name and address in or on j'our shipment so that we may be able to identify it when it reaches us. Write us also, stating how many pack- ages and what kind, whether box, barrel, or sack, and the gross weight, weight of package or tare, and the net weight as you make it. We sometimes get as high as ten or a dozen shipments in a day; and unless you are careful you not only make us a lot of trouble but may have your own settlement delayed. We just recently found the owner of a shipment received last August. The shipment came in without any name or notice or shipping-receipt; and instead of writing to us to inquire about it, giving particulars, the shipper, after waiting several months, made claim on the rail- road for the wax. The claim papers showed delivery to us on a certain date last August, and our record tallied with the unidentified shipment. SLATE TABLETS. We are again supplied with slate tablets such as we used to catalog for making hives in queen rearing. We have tried tor some time to secure these at a rea- sonable price and have finally succeeded. One con- cern wanted 5 cents each on an order f or 5000, but we bought them so we can offer them for sale at 2 cents each. In lots of 10 or more $1.75 per 100; 500 for $7 50. Our stock has not arrived at this writing, but we ex- pect it here within a few days. << Tested Queens.** No ! not for color, but for honey. Will sell queens from colonies that have stored a good surplus from palmetto; some have 3 10-frame supers full to date. Old enough to show what they will do, but not aged. Price for queen and bee brush, $1 00. £AR.AH A. SMITH, Grant, Fla. CARTONS FOR HONEY Wanted to introduce the best, most practi- cal, lowest- price carton for honey, all things consider- ed; costs nothing. We have wholesaled honey in this city for 30 years. We have seen no honey-carton equal to this. Send us five two-cent stamps, and we will send you sample, together with explanation, and some practical suggestions regarding matketing honey to best advantage; also live poultry-. We originated and introduced the new popular one-pound section. Established in 1870. H. R. WRIGHT. Wholesale commission. Albany, N. Y. Root's Goods in Central Michigan 1 Sold at their prices. Present given vrith each order amounting to S2 or over. I,ist sent free. W. D. Soper, Rural Route No. 3, Jackson Michigan. The A. I. Root's Go's Goods in Oklahoma. Save freight by buying of F. W. VAN DE MARK, RIPI^EY, O. T. Catalog free for postal. Red Cloyer and Three and Five- Banded Queens. Untested. 65 cts,; 2 for $1.00. Fine tested queens, $1.00 each. Remember we guarantee our queens to work red clover as well as white clover. Get my circular. Plenty of queens, and go by return mail. Fifty and one hundred, special prices. G. ROUTZAHN, BIQLERVILLE, ROUTE 3, PENN. Wood=wofking Machinery. For ripping, cross-cut ting, mitering, groovi boring, scroll-sawing, moulding, mortising ; for working wood in any man- ner. Send for catalog A. The Seneca Falls M'f'g Co., 44 Water St.. Seneca FS..N.Y. - - 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 609 f4^:m!V?M-.liM Colorado And Return. First class to Denver, Colorado Springs, and Pueblo from Chicago, daily, throughout the summer, good re- turning October 31. The Colorado Special fast daily train, one night to Denver from Chicago and the central States (only two nights enroute from the Atlantic seaboard), leaves Chicago daily 0:30 p. m. A second daily train leaves Chicago 11 :30 p. m. Per- sonally conducted excursions in tourist sleeping-cars. For sleeping-car reser\-ations, descriptive pamphlet, " Colorado Illustrated," and full particulars, address A. F. CLEVELAND, 234 Superior St., Cleveland, 0. S. D. BUELL Manufactures bee-hives, and is agent for The A. I. Root Co.'s goods, which are sold at factory prices. Catalog sent free. Bees for sale. Beeswax wanted. Union City, MicK. POULTRY JOURNAL ^^^ TUllr^l^^r?^ a dollar, but will send it to you one year on trial, including book, Plans for Poultry Houses, for 25c. Sample copy FKEE. Inland Poultry Journal, Indianapolis, Ind. COR SALE. — Fine, carefully reared queens, from a * hardj-.prolifichoney-gathering strain of 3-banded Italians; can also furnish queens from Doolittle Gold- en strain, if preferred: untested, 6-3 cents; tested, $1.00; selected breeders, $2.50 FARL Y. SAFFORD, Salem, N. Y. COR SALE.— 100 colonies Leather colored Italian ' bees. A tested queen in each colony. In 8 frame Dovetail hives. Price after July 1.5 and during Aug., $1.00 each. In lots of 10, $3.-50 each. F. A GRAY, Redwood Falls. Minn. TEXAS QUEENS FROM LONE STAR APIARIES. We are now ready to furnish you queens from the best stock of any race. These queens are equaled by few and inferior to none. Write for price list Q. F. Davidson & Son, Props., Fairview, Texas. COR SALE. — A few Queens, whose bees are extra •^ yellow, such as most breeders ask $5 00 for. Our price. $3.00 each. F. W. VAN DE MARK, Ripley, Okla. A dozen young mismated queens at $3 CO or 30 cents each. B. F. AVERILL, Howardsville, Va. Wants and Exchange. Notices will be inserted under this head at 10 cts. per line, ■yon must SAT you want your adv't in this -Ir-partment, or we will not be responsible for any error. You can have the no- tice as many lines as you please ; but all over ten lines will cost yon according to our regular rates. Wo can not be re- Bponsiblfc for dissatisfaction arising from these " swaps." \I7 ANTED.— To sell bees and queens O. H. Hyatt, Shenandoah, Iowa. VV ANTED. — To exchange for choice honey, or cash, '' 60-lb. new cans, used for honey one month, as good as the day they were made. J. A. Buchanan, HoUiday's Cove, W. Va. VVANTED. — Your address on a postal for a little '' book on Queen-Rearing. .Sent free. Address Henry Alley, Wenham, Mass. VVANTED.— To sell, second-hand 60-pound cans, ' ' as good as new. Correspondence solicited. lyEWis C. & A. G. Woodman, Grand Rapids, Mich. Vj^ ANTED. — To sell for cash, 5 gal. square tin cans, ' ' used for honey, at about half price of new cans. For prices, etc., address Orel I,. Hershiser, 301 Huntington Ave., Buffalo, N. Y. WANTED.— To exchange copy of Ne^a Yoik Herald, '^' April 15. 1865, in good condition, containing de- tailed particulars of President I,incoln's assassination. Best offer gets it. Eli.-vs Fox, Hillsboro, Wis. W.\NTED.— Tosell, for 6.5 cents each, choice untest- ed queens, reared frcm selected mothers, the Carniolan-Italian cross — the coming bee for comb honey? A trial order will convince vou. .Satisfaction guaranteed. I,. H. Perry, Cigarville, N. Y. WANTED. — Agents to sell and attach automatic cut- offs to grinding-mills, which automatically stop them when hopper becomes empty. Especially adapt- ed to Aermotor windmills. Write for particulars. B. Strittmatter, Bradley Junction, Pa. WANTED— To .<=ell, .500 Hoffman brood-frames, 10 lbs. light brood foundation, 10 lbs. light-brood section foundation, 1000 sections, i'^A plain; .50 honej'- boards, 8-frame< wood-bound zinc; 300 section-holders 100 separators; cleated nails for frames, etc., included. All new. One Cowan two-frame extractor, second- hand. Will sell cheap for cash. G. F. Tubbs. Annincreek, Pa. WANTED. — To furnish you select long tongued Ital- ian queens at the following prices: Untested Jl.OO each, 810.00 per dozen. Tested. 11-25 each, $12.00 per dozen. Four years' experience in rearing queens for the trade. Safe arrival and reasonable satisfaction guaranteed. Chas M. D.arrow, Route No. 3, Nevada, Mo. Reference, by special permission, the Nevada Bat k- ing Co., of this citj'. WANTED.— To sell for cash at Oakville. Appomat- tox Co., Va., the following property: One lot of five acres with a larse storehouse and dwelling com- bined, consisting of 6 rooms; one nice small dwelling of 3 rooms ; one blacksmith and wheelwright shop with complete set of tools; one large shedded barn, covering an area of 2000 square feet; a fine young or- chard of 100 impioved bearing trees; 11 stands of bees; a splendid location for general store and apiary. White clover and sourwood grow abundantly, and nearest beekeeper of note 25 miles. This property is in easy reach of 10 churches; postoffice and schools at the place: has fine well of water, and handsome shade- trees. Will also sell annex of 6 acres of wood land. Price of whole outfit, S1300 Applv to J. P. & R. D. Hughes, Oakville, Va. w w 'ANTED. — To sell, a Barnes foot-power saw. H. H. JEPSON, Medford, Mass. rANTED.— To .sell S. W. }/i of S E. K sec. 26 range 20. Crystal Lake Tp.. Benzie Co., :Mich.; 40 acres just outside corporation of Frankfort; a nearly finish- ed cottage of six rooms, a small stable, 25 bearing apple-trees, h few neach-trees. From front porch can be seen a delightful view of the little city of Frank- fort, Lake Michigan, harb. i .steamers, etc Unexcel- led as a summ«'r home oi a frui-farm. Only a few hours from Toledo, Detrou Chicago Minneapolis, and other cities Write Gen Pass. .Agent of Toledo & Ann Arbor R. R.. Toledo, Ohio, for pnmphlet describ- ing Frankfort. Cheap at $2200; if bought soon can be secured at $1400. Also for sale 100 acres, 15 miles east of Frankfort; onlv $2.50 per acre 25 acres ready for the plow. Write C. L. Linkletter, Agent, Frankfort, Mich., or W. A. Hobbs, Ownei Traer, Iowa. 610 GLEAMXGS IN BEE CULTURE. July 1 i PACE ^ LYON, I I New London, Wisconsin, I MANUFACTURERS OF AND DEALERS IN . . . BEE-KEEPERS' SUPPLIES. . . . Send for Our Free New Illustrated ^ Catalog and Price List ^ We Have I Not rioved. The government, recognizing the necessity of a j^reat and growing bus- iness enterprise, for better mail ser- vice has given us a postoffice on our premises, wh ch enables us to change mai^s with the pr.ssing trains instead of through the Wctumpka, Alabama, postoffice more than a mile distant. Tl'is gives us our mails about two hours earlier, and alo one hour for Kicking up outgoing mail. This will be p;r'.icular!y hclpul in our queen business. We are now booking or- ders for Italian queens, I,ong-tongued and Leather colored; both ^ood. J. n. Jenkins, Honeysuckle, Alabama. Shipping=point a-d Money=order > ^ Office at Wetumpka, Alabama. ^ ■^A. f%^^&^^^ i-i-Siiif'A-'^^^-'iVti.. BE.R- f KretcHmer M*f ^ Company, Box GO, Red OaK, Iowa. Best-equipped factory in the West; carry a lurge stock and greatest variety of every tiling needed in tiie apiary, assuring BEST g^.ods at the LOWEST prices, and prompt sliipment. M'e want every bee-l:eeper to have our FREE ILLUSTRATED CATALOG, and read description of Alternating Hives, Ferguson Supers. IVrite at once for catalog. A.^ez\cies. Trester Supply Company, Lincoln, Neb. Shugart & Oiiren, Council Bluffs, Iowa, Foster Lumber Company, Lamar, Colo. BINGHAM SMOKER. Dear Sir:— Inclosed find 11.75. Please Bfnd one brasn smoke-engine. I have on« already. It i.s the best, smoker I ever used. Trulwonrs, Henky Schmidt, Hutto, Tex. MADE TO ORDER Bingham Brass Smokers, Made of sheet brass, which does not rtist or burn out; should last a lifetime. You need one, but they cost 25 cts. more tlian tin of the same size. The little open cut .shows our brass hinge put on the three larger sizes. No wonder Bingham's four-inch smoke-engine goes without puffing, and does not drop inky drops. The perforat- ed steel fire-grate has.S81 holes to air the fuel and support the fire. Heavy tiu smoke-engine, 4-inch stove, per mail, $l.oO ; 3^2-inch, $1.10; 3-inch. Jl.OO; 2'/2-iuch, 90c; 2-inch, (i5c. Bingham smokers are tlie oricrinaUs, and have all the improvements, and have been the standard of excellence for2o years. Only three larger ones brass. T. F. Bingham, Farwell, Michigan. Volume XXXI JULY 15 1903 fl^EECUMMB '^ VvV'^^^^^^^^^^I^P^ Market Quotations 615 J^^^^^^^IS^^ Straws, by Dr. Miller... 619 Pickings, by Stenog- 621 Conversations WITH DooLiTTLE... 62 1 ^^***^ **^^^r Editorials 623 ""^W^W Furious Swarming in Medina 623 ^^irtJpliKHf Kive-l)andeis for Comb Houey 623 '^^aamsamimil Getiing .Swarms from the tops of Trees 62S A Colony that never Thinks of Swarming 624 •\^\ ^^H^^HIiy Proposed Amendments to the Constitution 624 ~^^ "" x^:^^BRSSSiMM» Xhe t,os Angeles Convention ...624 5^5OT^™nif| Honey Ciop for lyiXi 625 General Correspondence \. 628 ^.i Inill Wiring Frames 628 Hochstein's Uncapping Comb-holder 62t> Shallow vs. Full-depth supers 629 A Convenient Hive-stand 631 Miller's Cloth-paper Hive-cover mo2 To Keep Empty Combs 633 Ji will Heads of Grain 634 ^^jH||l Young's Foundation-fastener, 634; Rheuma- ,~^' nvHjil tism riom too many Stiu > . . , 4; Bees not in- ' V» vttl clined to work on Foundation Below, 635; /m\M Bees Dying in Idaho, 635; Shaken Swarm-., /i, -^M Snpeisidiug t^iieens. 636; Poisonous humes f xsVm of the Hive, 037; Aitificial Pasturage, . 637; Picking up Queens to Clip, 63/; Uo Bce.s Cov- er Offcuoing Objects wiih Wax or Propolis? (i{8; Pluraliiy ot nggs in a Cage, 638; Queens (cx/ ^JffiV Biting instead of Simgiirg 63&; Yellow Bands / >1K^ in Italians, 63S; Formic .-^.cid in Honey, lp)^ - , ' ^^m Canvas I.,eggings, 63S. f-WX i' ) ^ T^V ^UR Homes 639 r/ 1 "terfT^^m. Notes of Travel 643 ?f. >^^^^Hn|^^^w fc>PECiAL Notices 652 >3 ^^^' The A. I. f®^ Root Co; ^ e MEDINA y^gJJ OHIO S ' (s-^\ //^' Eastern Edition. Bntbrbd at the Postoffice at Medina, Ohio, as Second-class Mattkb. We are now breeding^ from three dis- tinct strains ; viz., Imported or leather color, Root's long-tongued, or red-clo- ver strain, and our old strain of white- banded yellow Italians, or albinos. JUNE AND JULY PRICES : Tested, each Si 25 Select tested, each 1 50 Warranted purely mated, each 90 Same, per half dozen 5 00 Same, per dozen 9 00 Untested, each 75 Same, per half dozen 4 25 Same, per dozen 8 00 We have also a full line of bee-keep- ers' supplies including The A. I. Root Company's Goods, Root's Sections and Weed's Foundation a Specialty. Send for our 32- page illustrated catalog. W. W. Cary & Son, Lyonsville, Mass. TORONTO is the most centrally located city in the Do- minion. It has unequaled shipping facil- ities for prompt transportation of goods to remote points. We have already in stock large consignments of the celebrated line of R.oot's Bee-Keepers* Supplies and other shipments will be coming for- ward from time to time. Our Icatalog is ready for mailing. Let us figure.with you. £. GRAINGER (Sl CO. 12 Yon^e Street i\.rcacle. Northeastern aad New England BEE - KEEPERS Order goods now. Don't delay. Have them ready when you need them. We keep a full line in stock at Medina prices. Save both time and freight by ordering of us. Beeswax wanted. Bees and queens furnished in season. J. B. Alascn, Mechanic Falls, Me. Mgr. The A. I. Root Go's. N. E. Agency. WANTED' COMB and EXTRACTED HONEY If Vou have Comb Honey to Sell, Write us Answering these Questions. Quantity r Gathered from Put up in sections Price at which you will ship. If You have Ext'd Honey to Sell, Ouantit}' Gathered from How put up Price at which you will sell. Send sample We Want the BEST Grades in ANY Quantity. THE A, /. ROOT CO., MEDINA. OHIO. J -THE- DANZ. HIVE The comb-honey hive is one of our specialties. Send for booklet telling about it. We are the jobbing agents for The A. I. Root Company in Michigan, and want the name and address of every bee- keeper in the State, whether you have one swarm or 500. M. H. Hunt & Son Bell Branch, Mich. I 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 615 Honey Market. GRADIN-G-RTJLES. Faitct.— All sections to bp well filled, combs straight, firm ly attached to all four sides, the combs unsoiled by travel stain or otherwise ; all the ceils sealed exceut an occasional cell, theoutr-ide surface of the wood well scraped of iiropolis A No 1.— All sections well tilled except tlie row of cells next to the wood ; couibs straight ; oue-<»ighth part of comb surface soiled, or t he eut ire ;*ur face slightly soiled the out Eideof the wood well scraped of propolis. No. 1.— All seet'ous well filled except the row of cells next to the wood ; combs comparatively even ; one-eighth part of comb surface soiled, or the entire surface slightly soi.ed. No. 2.— Three-fourths of the total surface must be filled and sealed. No. 3.— Must weigh at least half as much as a full-weight section. In addition to this the honey is to be classified according to color, using the terms white, amber, and dark; that ia, there will be " £ancy White," " No. 1 Dark," etc. BrFF.ALO. — There is no more demand for old white comb honey. As soon as I can get some nice new, can sell at a verj- good price. Some call for strained clo- ver or basswood honey. Fancy white comb, old, 14 (3)I5c ; neTV, 17@1S; A No". 1 l.i^fOiH ; •• imU; No. 1 •■ '• " 13 (Sl.S^; •' 15^16; No. 2 12 ®12^; " 14(a-15; No. S 11 (g»12 ; " r2@13; No. 1 dark " " 11 ra!l2 ; No. 2 ■• ■• •• 10 (all. White clover or basswood extracted. KaS'c: amber, 6 @6^; dark. ogaj^. W. C. Towxsexd. July 9. 178, 180 Perry St.. Buffalo, N. Y. Phil.adelphia. There is almost nothing doing in the honey business at the present time, very few sales having been made in the last two weeks in Philadelphia —not en lujh to !!.■? ihe price, and no new comb honey as yet. Southern honey is being offered quite freely .a'large crop having been produced in Florida, "liiio^ is ih ■ ruling price paid by dealers here to sell it again. Beeswax in good demand, and for bright yello IV SOc paid on arrival. We are produ- cers of honey, and do not handle on commission. Wm. A. Selser, July 7. 10 Vine St.. Philadelphia, Pa. New York. — Some new crop comb honey now ar- riving from Flon la and the South, and fancy stock in fair demand at 14c per lb., and 12(o 13 for No. 1 with no demand whatever for dark grades. The market on extracted honey is in a very unsettled condition, with prices ranging from .')'.i.3'/ for light amber, o^rfft (j'4 for white, and the common Southern from oOqoo per gal. Beeswax stearlv at from 3'Vo 31. HiLDRETH & SEGELKEN, July 8. 265-7 Greenwich St.. New York City. Mii.w.^UKKE — The honey market is without any very interesting feature;;; only old on hand and moslly extracled of either amber or white in cans, barrel.-, or kegs. Comb all inferior in quality, and quotations are almost nominal Prospects seem lavorable for a new crop of honey, which will be fine, judging from the wonderful crop of clover. We q'lote fancy one pound sections at KialS; .-k No. 1. one-pound sections 1.5fal6: old of a" V kind SS. Befs-,va< 2Sfa.30. "" A. V. Bishop & Co., June 29. n9 Buffalo St , Milwaukee, Wis. Toledo — No new honey has put in an appearance as yet, but would biing as follows: Fancy white. ISc; No. 1.17; No. 2. Iti. Extracted in bbls . white clover, 6;^; in cans, 8; amber, bbls., o!-?: cans 7. Beeswax. 28 6'A #30 July 8. Griggs Brothers. 214 Jackson Ave.. Toledo, O. Albany. — Honey market very quiet now. It is be- tween seasons here now; no stock and little demand. Some light comb would sell at loc if here; extracted quiet at ()@7. Beeswax 30fg.-i2. MacDougall & Co. July 1. 37.D Broadway, Albany, N. Y. San Fr.vncisco.— New comb, per lb., white, 14c; light amber, 13}4. Extracted, water-white, (i'/i; light- amber. H; (lark amber, nominal. Beeswax. 32. I don't buy honey. Please don't write me, as it merely wastes your time and mine. July 1. Ernest B. Schaeffle. Chicago.— At present there is little call for comb honey: some new is offered, and for fancy 14@15 per pound is asked. Extracted sells at 60til4 for best white; amber grades oCafi dependingupon flavor, body, and package. Beeswax 30c. R A. Burnett & Co., July 8. 199 South AVater St., Chicago, 111. Cincinnati. — We have reached the time when there are no settled prices in the honey market. Everybody is waiting to learn how the new crop will turn out, therefore we will sell or ask the old price. Fancy water-white brings l.^'Sie. Extracted amber, in bar- rels, 5^vS. 150 Michigan St., Buffalo, N. Y. Jobbers of Ccmb and Exlracted Honey. We have a large jobbing trade in comb honey, and can u.se any-sized shipments up to car lots. We want oCOO cases as early shipment as possible this season and can use all grades. Will buy delivered in Buffalo or handle for your account. . . . . Correspond with us before plac= ing your output this season, REhERENCES: Manufacturers &. Traders National Bank, Buffalo, N. Y., any Express Co., Dun or Bradstreet Agencies, Buffalo", N. Y. 616 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. July 15 S>6e Best Bee-g'oods in tHe World are no better than those we make, and the chances are that they are not so good. If you buy of us yo^ will not be disappointed. "We •\re undersold by no one. Send for w catalog and price list and free copy of THB ..MERICAN BEE-KEEPER; in its thirteenth year ; 50 cents a year ; especially for beginners. U/ye W^. T. Falconer Man'f *g Co., JamestoAvn, Ne\v York. W. M. Gerrish, Epping, New Hampshire, carries a full line of our goods at catalog prices. Order of him and save the freight. ^«r &&&&&&&&& S-&& &&& lr&& &Sr& &&$^ &&&€-««->&& &:&S^^&& f^(:€^^ &S-& e^frfe. &&£^ fi&& f^^. I I.J.Stringhani,NewYorkCity I t 105 Park Place. J It OUR 1903 CATALOG is yours for the asking. The supplies t> ii/ listed in it are practical and up-to-date. We furnish every thing ft Of a bee-keeper uses, and will not be undersold. Silk-faced veil, fi Of 40 cts.; three for $1.05, postpaid. Full colonies of Italian bees ¥ It in hive, $7.50; nucleus colonies, $3.50; tested queens, $1.00; S :^, untested, 75 cts. Apiaries, Glen Cove, Long Island. ijn ,!iya We Make a Specialty of Prompt SHipments. If 3'ou are in a hurry for supplies send us your order and we will sur- prise you with our promptness. All goods shipped within 10 hours after receiving the order. Over a million sections and two tons of foundation now on hand. Hundreds of hives, and all other supplies READY FOR IMMEDIATE. SHIPMENT. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 617 IJIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllli^ I Our I I Bee = keeping | I Sisters I = is a new department in the old Amer- = = ican Bee Journal, conducted b^' Miss Em- = E ma Wilson, of Marengfo, 111., a sister- E E in-law of Dr. C. C. Miller, author of = E the popular "Forty Years Among- the E = Bees." *? *? The women readers of = E G!eanin_(;s (as well as the men-folks) ~ E should have the American Bee Journal, = E and read what Miss Wilson has to s = sa}' each week. ^ i^* Sample copj'^ ~ E free, or the Bee Journal one year, and E E Dr. Miller's book — both for only Si. 75. = E Book alone, SI. 00. Address = I George W. York & Co., | E I44°6 East Erie St., Chicago, iliinois. = = "Root's Goods at Root's Prices." = ^ililllililllllllllllllllllllllllllllilllltltjlilllfllillilillljlillf? PEE = SUPPL!Eg; A larg-e and complete . stock of every thing- necessary for the api- ary. Send a list of g-oods wanted, at once, and get our SPECIAL PRICES lllllllllllllllllllllllilBIIIIMIIIIMItlllllllMIIIIIII C. M. Scott & Co., Indianapolis, Ind. 1004 East Washington Street. THE PERSISTENCY which we exerci.se in the careful selection from year to year of only the choicest breeding queens has brought the Robey strain of Italians up to the highest standard of excellf-nce as regards their docility, pro- lificne.^s, and honey-gatherine qualities. This pariicular strain is the progeny of selections from choice stock ' f Root's red-clover queens, and Mr ore's crossed with the very best of our own rearing. Warranted queens, 60 cts. each in any quantity. Satisfaction guaranteed or money refunded L H R03EY, W0RTHIN8TON, W. VA. Circular Free. Dittmer's Foundation. R.E.TAII^ AND WHOIvESALE. This foundation is made by a process that produces the superior of any. It is the cleanest and purest. It has the brightest color and sweetest odor. It is the most transparent, because it has the thinnest base. It is tough, clear as crystal, and gives more sheets to the p >und than any other m^ke. 'WorRillg Wax into Fovindation for CasK a. iSpecialty-. Beeswax Al'ways "Want- eel at Hig'Kest Price. Catalotc giving full line of supplies, with prices and samples, free on application. E. Grainger & Co.. Toronto, Ont., Sole Agents for Canada. Gtis. Dittmer, Au^tista, Wis. We are tlie Largest MTrs ol Bee-keepers' Supplies in the Northwest. r Catalog. inneapoiis, Minnesota We Have the Best Goods, Lowest Prices, and Best Shipping Facliities. 618 • GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. July 15 If r^r^nm A r^ty A r> I r~* The Universal Satisfaction Our Queens J ? REMARKABLb.... oooive. % it Sterling Ga , Tune 29, 190:5.— I was showing my father yesterday how my bees, which I bought ^ S from vou were outworking every thing in my apiary. Send me 4 Buckeye Red-Clover Queens, and 2 JJ ^ Muth 'Strain Golden Italians. I will order more after next extracting. Thos. H. Kincade. |J ^ Buckeye Strain Red-Clover Queens. They roll in honey, while the ordinary starve. jj ^ Muth Strain Golden Italians. None Superior. JjJ "i^ Carniolans. None Better. «f> Ito Untested $ .75 each, 6 for $4.00 Select Untested $1.00each 6 for $5.00 J S Tested ::...:..:: 1.50 each, 6 for 7.25 .Select Tested 2.50 each 6 for 12.00 JJJ ^ Best Money Can Buy .....$3.50 each. ^ *!^ if> ^ Send for Catalog of Bee-Supplies: Complete Line at Manufacturer's Prices. (P S '^^^ Fred W. Muth Co., Front & wainut, Cincinnati, Ohio. J|J ^ We Have on Hana ready for PROMPT SHIPMENT X S6e Largest StocK we ever Carried ^ ♦ of HIVES, SECTIONS, ai\ci all OtHer SUPPLIES. ♦ t — ♦ X Perfect Workmanship and Finest Material. % 1 All parts of our Hives are made to fit Accurately. X i No trouble in setting them up. X X Our customers say it is a pleasure. X I We are not selling goods on NAME ONLY, 1 X But on their Quality. ^ t ♦ G. B. ivKV/IS COMPANY, : Maz^tifacttirers Bee-Heejiers' Supplies. T Catalog Free. "Watertown, "Wiscoi^siii, U. S. A. ♦ ; »♦»♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦»♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦»♦»»» ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ ^1^ ■ ■ ^^m pil IWI ^^ NOW READY TO SUPPLY BY \2^B.C.INO RETURN MAIL stock which can not be excelled. Each variety bred in separate apiaries, from selected motners; have proven their qualities as great honey-gatherers. GOI^DEIN 1TA.LIA.NS have no superior, and few equals. Untested, 75 cts.; 6 for $i.0O. RED-CLOVER QUEENS, which left all records behind in honey-gathering. Unt., 81; 6, forjo. CARNIOLANS— Tlicy are so highly recommended, being more gentle than all others. Unt., $1. Root's Goods at Root's Factory Prices. ClJr ■m«7 "^mjTT ■OXr "D 214G-2148 Central Aventxe, • n« W. WIvDll^iVy CINCINNATI, OHIO. (Successor to Chas. F. Muth and A. Muth.) n.^® • DELVOTCD-*? -^-^'f-^^ •ANbHoNE.Y- '.frC^ ■ "■ •;\NDHOME.- ^> •1NTE.KEST6 '<^ 7 v -1 # . '^Ltiisnedfv THEAI KOOI' Co - perViar'^'x® Medina Ohio- Vol. XXXI. JULY 15, J903. No. 14. Mr. Editor, I wish you'd ask Mr. Phil- lips to remove the queen from a colony, then tell us the age of the larvae he finds in the queen-cells started. [Mr. Phillips is here- by requested to carrj' out Dr. Miller's in- structions. I suppose YOU mean our head apiarist, and not Mr. Phillips the scientist of the University' of Pennsj'lvania. — Ed.] Noting the case mentioned by G. A. Bostwick, p. 596, I maj' say that I've had cases where the bees were ver3' slow about starting cells, and I thiyik that the amount oi young brood present has something to do with it. I've sometimes wondered whether preparation of cells might not be postponed indefinitely by the constant addition of eggs and joung brood. I SMILED to myself when I read A. I. Root's desire to be free from notions, p. 600. Wh^-. bless 5'our heart, friend Root, 3'our fresh notions from time to time, and the en- thusiasm with which 3'ou talk about them, do us a whole lot of good. Don't take the notion that 3'ou oughtn't to have notions. Some day I expect you to be free from no- tions, but it will be when you're dead, very dead. Thk new thing in Mrs. Bulkley's plan, page 552, is the stopping of a swarm with smoke. If that is thoroughly reliable, I'm not sure but it is less work to watch for the swarms and smoke them back than it is to keep going through the colonies to look for cells. Yes, I'm sure it's less work to smoke a swarm back than to go through the colony for cells, and each colony gives only one job of smoking, whereas it maj' give more than one job of cell-hunting. Referring to the note of H. O. Vassmer, p. 595, I may say that, according to volu- minous literature sent me by Schering «& Glatz, New York, the word "formalin" is patented in this and other countries, and applies onl3' to the preparation made by the Schering Chemical Works. It is a guaranteed 40-per-cent preparation, used not only in liquid form, but in the form of pastils; indeed, they seem to recommend pastils as the best form for ordinary disin- fecting, and claim that they are stable and reliable. There has been some difference of opin- ion as to whether a member of a honey ex- change has the privilege of selling his hon- ej' outside the association. The secretary of the California National Honej'-producers' Association clears up this point in the Rocky 3lou7ifain Bee Journal, so far as that association is concerned. The members " are not under any obligation to deal with the association unless they choose," only they must not sell for less than the associa- tion prices. I've known for a long time that bees would carr}' up bits of dark comb from the brood-combs to darken the sections unless there is quite a distance between the two; I have now learned that they carry them down as well. I shook a swarm from 'No. 61, then put the brood over the sections. The queen sta3'ed in the lower stor}', and worked there all right, although no exclud- er was used ; but, so far as I could see, every section in the upper super was being built out with darkened wax. I've just been out to the home apiary this morning, July 7, and I found 2 colonies with 5 supers, 18 with 4, 21 with 3, 11 with 2, and 2 with 1, while most of them have had taken from them one or two finished supers. That averages a little more than 3 supers to a colony, and they're all filled with bees. Now, if I should limit to two supers those that have 4 or 5, what would those bees be doing that are now crowded in the other two or three supers? [Good for you, doctor. May you be blessed with five supers per colony clear through. — Ed.] Yes, Mr. Editor, you're right; I meant " above " where I said " below," page 580. I'm ashamed of such blundering work. But there's a little excuse just now when 620 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. July IS the bees are rushing- me so that I must get up at 4 o'clock in the morning- if I get any time to write. Say, if I should quit work- ing with bees and reading so much about them, don't you believe I could furnish you a better quality of straw? I'd then have time to polish up each straw nicely, and not put ' ' below ' ' for ' ' above ' ' nor "above" for "below." [No apology is needed, doctor, only it does me good to " rub it into you " as a sweet revenge for your having pointed out my misplaced words. The quality of your straw is all right. If your strength will permit, keep on .as you have been doing, and hereafter I will change the below s to aboves when they get misplaced, and say nothing about it. — Ed.] I'm doing nowadays what I've not been able to do for several years. When a su- per of sections is ready to come off the hive, I just take it off without doing any thing about driving the bees out, cover up the hive, then set the super on top and let the bees take their time to march down the side of the hive to the entrance. Not the slight- est hint of robbing if it stands there all day. [In other words, that means you are having a remarkable honey-flow. Some time last week, when our basswood was at the height of its run, we took some broken combs, or combs that had been built to the cover, containing honey, and set them on a board temporarily until we could take care of them. It was not long before a few rob- bers were hovering over them, notwith- standing the bees v/ere dropping in at the entrance in a waj' that seemed as if they could not be working stronger. It is possi- ble that the very bad weather we had been having for three weeks prior had got some bees to smelling around to see what they could steal; and these same bees, doubtless, when they ran across some honey in these exposed combs, were ready to help them- selves rather than go to the fields. Hereto- fore I have always thought it was safe to exposfe honey in the height of the honey- flow. I now conclude that sometimes you can not and sometimes you can. — Ed.] A BARE -WRIST, when working with bees, is more free from stings, I think, than one with the ordinary shirtsleeves whose cuff •will allow the entrance of the hand. If the wristband is such that the button is sewed on, I have it sewed on far enough back so as to make the wristband a snug fit. If a detached cufl'-button is used, I take mj^ pocket-knife and punch a fresh hole further back in the part of the cuft' that is under. [Yes, 3'ou are right. An open sleeve does invite the bees to sting more than one that is closed tightl3' around the wrist. The average shirt-maker seems to think, howev- er, that it is necessary to have a loose band. I have been using lately, with considerable satisfaction, some oversleeves made of dark- colored material, that fit tightly around the wrist, and reach up beyond the elbow, at which point it is gathered with a rubber cord. I also like gloves with good long sleeves reaching up to and beyond the el- bow, with the fingers cut off when the weather is not too hot; and I like them also when I have to tackle a colony of cross yel- low five-banded bees. And, by the by, these bees are much crosser than the aver- age of leather-colored stock direct from im- ported queens; but I am not sure but they go into comb- honey supers a little more readily than the regulation Italians direct from Italy. See editorials. — Ed.] Later. — Since writing the foregoing our shop-girls have, at my suggestion, gotten out a new pattern of glove and sleeve that I like better than any thing I have seen yet. It is simply a long-sleeved glove without any fingers or thumb; that is, the whole of the fingers and thumb stick through holes close to the palm of the hand. — Ed.] Speaking of having the empty super un- der or over, you say, Mr. Editor, p. 580, "In the one case the bees are induced to finish up the work already begun; in the other case they begin another job before finishing the first, with the possibility that neither will be finished as it should." That's just it; in the first case a lot of bees must stand looking on while the job is being finished, while in the second case they are all at work. Even if you object to that statement, j'ou must admit that, when in- duced to commence work sooner in the add- ed super, there is just so much more ground for the bees to be at work on. The argument in favor of foundation because it gives at once a larger field on which the bees can be working applies with equal force to placing the supers in such position as to get the bees working on a larger sur- face as soon as possible. "The possibil- ity that neither will be finished as it should" is a very remote possibility at the beginning of a season when I have every reason to expect from the colony 3, 4, 5, or more finished supers. All the same, I'm doing more at putting empty supers on top than I ever did before; and I heartily thank O. L. Hershiser for stirring us up about it. [I do not reallj' know on which side of the argument I am. The events of the past week have shoved me one day on this side and the next on the other. But I am glad that Mr. Hershiser has called attention to this matter, for the fraternity at large had begun to assume that it was good practice alwaj's to put the empty super under the partly filled one, at the beginning of the honej'-flow at least. But (would j-ou be- lieve it?) in some cases colonies that were treated on the tiering-under plan, new su- per put under the one partly filled, com- menced work in the new supers, and actual- ly abandoned the upper supers, or nearly so, where the work was already begun. I was astounded — never saw the like of it before. Then I began to feel that, if\ had followed Hershiser's plan of putting the emptj' super over, the bees would have con- tinued their work in the lower super, and graduall3' worked intothesuper above.— Ed.] 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 621 ^j* Y/JeieJiboKsJieldj '''iu^ii-r ^T 5? BEE-KEEPERS' REVIEW. The July issue is a fide one in every way. The frontispiece shows a half tone of Blan- chard's Music Hall, Los Ang-eles, where the National convention will be held. It is a magnificent place, and an audience of 500 would be scarcely perceptible in it. A pi- ano on the stag-e seems to be awaiting Dr. Miller. It is surrounded by tropical fruits of various kinds. Those who can attend this convention will be highly favored. \b R. L. Taylor contributes an interesting article on what to do at the end of the sea- son — how to equalize the sections as the harvest nears the end; how to arrange un- finished sections that are to go back on the hives. In regard to feeding back to get un- finished sections filled out, Mr. T. says: A few years ago there was much said about feeding back liGuey to secure the completion of unfinished sections ; but the idea seems (rightly, I think) to have gone out of fashion. Honey thus produced is not of very good appearance. It begins to candy in the fall ; soon becomes solid, and is of a decidedly poor flavor. I now th'iik it is preferable to so manage that the number of unfinished sections is so small that there is no occasion to resoittothat method of disposing of them. H. R. Boardman writes on the same sub- ject, and says substantially what Mr. Tay- lor does about feeding back. (See Doolittle, next column.) Mr. Wm. McEvoy tells how to treat foul brood after the honey harvest. This is a star article, written at first as a private letter to Mr. Hutchinson, who is now foul- brood inspector of Michigan. \lu AMERICAN BEE-JOURNAL. From a very modest beginning, Miss Emma Wilson has made her department, "Our Bee-keeping Sisters," one of the best in the Old Reliable; in fact, I think it is the most so, although friend Hasty is a close second when he does write. Miss Wilson's scholars ask a good many prac- tical questions which are ably answered. In regard to getting a foul-brood law in California, Prof. A. J. Cook saj's: California secured an excellent law, with no ex- pense and very little effort. Whj' was this? Because Southern California is very generally organized. There are many farmers' clubs. Thus they have tre- mendous influence. Thty considered as a whole the matter of legislation, and decided that they needed six laws, one of which was the foul-brood law. They went solidly to the I^egislature, and secured every en- actment that they desired. The following, in regard to pre-judging queens, by G. M. Doolittle, is well worth the consideration of all who bu3' queens. I deem it one of the most remarkable cases Mr. Doolittle has given us. After speak- ing of certain queens that were condemned by Dr. Gallup and Mr. Alley, he says: I will say that I had one of tho.se worthless (?) Ham- lin queen.S sent me as a premium for securing the most subscribers to a certain bee-paper in a given time. The queen came in June: and as she was from one of he best breeders of the seventies, I thought to give her the best possible chance, which I did. Imagine my surprise to find that, with all my extra care and coaxing. I could get her to put eggs in only .three Gal- lup frames, and very scattering at that. I came very near pinching her head off in the fall, but finally con- cluded to give the colony frames of brood and honey from other colonies, and thus the colony was got through the winter. The next season she proved no better than she had the year before, and I have no doubt Dr. Gallup would have called her a " worthless degenerate," and Mr. Alley would have alluded to her as " worthless as a house-fly." Was she thus? Well, we shall see. I had her in my hand one day, beipg just about to pinch the life out of her, when the thought arrested me that Dr. Hamlin would not send me a worthless queen as a premium and that I would rear a few queens from her, which thing I did, she dying soon afterward, of apparent old age. All of these young queens proved to be extra good ones, and one of them was the mother of the colony which gave me 506 lbs. of honey in 1877, and was used in laying the founda- tion of my present apiary; 466 pounds of this honey sold at 20 cents per pound, and 100 at 15 cents, the total cash resulting from that colony that year being |108.20. Was her mother worthless? Quite a " house-fly," wasn't she? Stood way up by the side of the best of cows as to value! The honey sold from this colony during that year amounted to 18.20 more than Mr. Al- ey prized his $100 queen at, and lacked only $i)1.80 of giving as much cash in a single year as the celebrated Root long-tongued queen was ever valued at. And yet, if I do not misinterpret Dr. Gallup, he would no more have bred from that Hamlin queen than he would from those two imported worthless (?), degen- erate (?), housefly (?) queens he got of A. I. Root, which he tells us about on page 423. FEEDING BACK EXTRACTED HONEY. "Good afternoon, Mr. Doolittle. Do you know any thing about feeding back ex- tracted honey to produce comb honey?" "Just a little. But what put that sub- ject in your mind at this time of the year?" " I read somewhere last winter that if one were to run an apiary for extracted honey, during the harvest of white honey, and feed the same back to the bees to put into sections, said extracted honey would sell in the section form for enough more to give me a big profit. Is this a fact? And if so, how and when should extracted honey be fed back in order to produce comb hon- ey?" "Feeding back extracted honey in order that comb honey may be obtained is some- thing that has been tried by very many of our best apiarists, and still remains, if I am right, an unsolved problem with some of those who have tried it. Some have re- 622 GLEAxMNGS IN BEE CULTURE. July 15 ported success and others a failure; but if I am rig^ht again, and I think I am from what I have read and heard, those who con- sider it a failure, to a greater or less ex- tent, far outnumber those who consider it a success. ' ' " That is something I did not expect to hear. Have you ever tried it yourself?" " Yes; and from my experience in the matter I feel like saying that, if any one must feed extracted honey to his bees in or- der that comb honey may be produced, it could be better fed in the spring, in order to hasten brood-rearing, thus securing mul- titudes of bees in time for the honey har- vest; then by putting on the sections in the right time, a large crop of comb honey may be secured if the flowers do not fail to bloom or secrete nectar." " But suppose we get the bees in time for the harvest in some other way, do you not think it could be done at a profit? " " My experience did not so argue. It led me to believe that it is better to secure the honey in the sections in the first place, rather than have it stored in frames of comb, and then thrown out with the ex- tractor that we and the bees maj' go through with much labor and stickiness to secure the same thing which might have been se- cured without all this trouble." "I do not fully understand. Explain a little more minutely." "The practice of feeding back is on the principle of producing two crops in order to secure one, and it seems strange to me that any one would argue that such a course would pay in the long run. Even under the most favorable circumst-ances, such as hav- ing the bees finish nearly completed sec- tions of honey, I could not make it more than barely pay, if I counted my time what it was worth to me in other ways. At the close of certain seasons, when I would have a large number of unfinished sections, many of which were so nearly finished that a few ounces of honey would apparently finish them, it seemed that it might pay to feed a little extracted honey to finish such; but after a careful trial of the matter, cov- ering a period of some fifteen years, I final- ly gave it up as not being a paying invest- ment, even in such cases, to say nothing about extracting with the view of feeding the honey for the bees to fill sections with from start to finish." " What you say sounds quite reasonable; but I believe I will try two or three colonies so as to prove the matter for myself. How would you advise for the best results? " " I have no objections to your trying the matter; but rather rejoice that you have so decided, for you may strike on something we older ones have not; and by going slow, as 3'ou propose, it will be no very serious loss to 3'ou if you succeed no better than I did. But to your question: It is generally conceded that the best results can be ob- tained by feeding the extracted honey right at the close of the early white-honey har- vest, so that the bees are kept active." " Can you tell me how I should prepare the hive for this work? " "It is generally thought best, I believe, to take away all frames except those which are quite well filled with young brood, when preparing the colony for feeding back, using dummies in their places; but if all combs are filled with sealed honey, except those which the brood occupies, these combs of honey will answer as well as dummies, so far as I can see. You might try both ways, and then you could tell which you like best, should the thing prove a success in your hands." " How about the honey to be fed? Shall I feed it just as I find it, as stored away from the extractor?" " I think all agree that this honey should be thinned to the consistency of raw nec- tar, if not a little more, by adding the nec- essary amount of warm water." "How large an amount can I thin at a time? " " Only the amqunt needed for feeding at one time should be thinned, or two feedings might possibly answer; for if the thinned honey is allowed to stand long in warm weather it is quite liable to sour and spoil." " How about feeders and feeding? " " Almost any way of feeding will do. I set an empty hive at the rear of the one be- ing fed, making a communication between the two at the bottom so the bees could come in where the feed was. In this empty hive I placed division-board feeders to a suffi- cient number to hold 25 lbs. of the thinned honey. This whole 25 lbs. would be car- ried out of the feeders the first day, and usuallj' nearlj' the same amount the second 24 hours, but later on they would not carry so fast, when only what they would nearly clean up each day would be fed, as the thinned feed is liable to sour in the feeders, if the bees are several da3's in taking it out." " Thank j^ou. I must be going now." " Before you go I wish to say that there is an item regarding comb honey produced in this wa3^ which we have not touched on." " What is that? " " This fed-back honey is far more likelj' to candy or become hard in the coaib than that put in the comb at the time it is gath- ered from the fields." " How is that? The writer of the article I was reading said that section honey pro- duced in this waj' looked very fine indeed." " When first taken from the hive it looks very nice and attractive; but when cool weather comes on in the fall it assumes a dull, unattractive appearance, thus show- ing that the honey has hardened in the cells; while comb honey produced in the ordinary way is still liquid, and will keep so for from one to three months after the fed-back article has become so hard as to become almost unsalable." " That will be quite a drawback. But I still think I will try the matter on a small scale." 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 623 In a private letter received from Inspect- or N. D. West, he says he "believes" that the formaldehj'de scheme is a boon. He thinks, however, that he and his colleagues deserve as much credit for its introduction as an}' other person, except Prof. Harrison, of Canada. He says he "believes," by which I take it he is not yet prepared to make a positive statement until some fur- ther experiments have been made. FURIOUS SWARMING AT MEDINA. Bees have swarmed more furiously at our home and outyards this season than we have ever known them to do before. The season was so rainy and cold up to the 28th of June that the bees were on the verge of starvation, although rearing brood at a good rate. Well, when we did have bright days and hot weather, or what the farmers call "corn weather," the nectar came in with a rush, for the fields were white with clover everywhere, and basswood was just beginning on the 28th of last month. The result Avas, the bees poured out of the hives like shot out of a gun. They did not stop to fill up their hives; but the long-hoped- for weather had come, and it was "hur- rah, boys!" or, rather, "hurrah, girls! let us swarm now, and not wait for more cold and rainy weather to set in." The result was, I had to drop my work here in the office, and turn out and help the "boys," who had more than thej' could do in giving the bees more room. I enjoyed shinning up the trees at the basswood yard, for swarms; but let me tell you I let one of the boj's do most of the "shinning;" for at 41 I do not feel quite as agile as I did tW'Cnty or more years ago. FIVE-BANDERS FOR COMB HONEY — THEIR ANCESTRY. Neighbor H., or Mr. H. B. Harrington, who years ago made a specialty of Cyprian queens, reared thousands of them, hived several swarms of five banded bees at the home yard on Sunday, June 28, while the rest of us were at church. When I got back, he asked how long we had been keep- ing Cyprians. " Why," said I, " we haven't any." "Ohl but you have," he insisted. "They have the same markings, and act in the same nervous way. You can't fool me. I know the Cyprians well." I believe he is right. I have alwaj's said that the five-banded bees were quite apt to show Cyprian traits, and that I believed their ancestry was pure Cyprians. But whatever their origin, I find many of them good workers, as were the Cyprians; and, as I have said in a Straw in this issue, I think the}' are a little more inclined to en- ter comb- honey supers than the average leather-colored Italians. The time was, when we had nothing but imported stock direct from Italy in the yards, when we could go through them al- most any time without a veil, bare- armed. One season I worked unprotected for six weeks without getting a single sting, and I was in the yard constantly. Now that we have a sprinkling of five-banders as well as of the leather-colored stock, let me tell you I very seldom go through any of the yards without a veil on. This sprinkling of ex- tra-yellow blood of Cyprian origin makes the bees crosser. how TO GET SWARMS DOWN FROM THE TOPS OF TREES. Elsewhere I speak of the fact that we have been shinning up trees to get swarms. You may wonder why we did not pursue the good old orthodox plan of having the queens' wings clipped, or why the colonies had not been shaken, to stop all of this un- necessary climbing and chasing. In the first place, some of our customers object to having their nice queens clipped — don't like the looks of them. In the second place, the swarming weather caught us by surprise. We had about given up having any honey- flow, and the problem had been to keep our bees from starving. But the season opened up and the bees swarmed, and how should we get them out of our tall basswoods? No way under the sun but to climb after them. We used a jack-knife to cut off the limb on which the swarm hung, then by carefully dodging among the limbs we climbed down to the ground as best we could, handing the swarm to an attendant as soon as he could be reached. But the jack-knife in cut- ting jarred the limb. I finally took down a big pair of pruning-shears, two big potato- sacks, and some stout string, supplying the boy who did the " shinning" with all these before he went up the tree. The shears were handy for clearing out a space through which to let the bees down. After reach- ing the swarm, the boy would proceed to slide the bag up around the bees. Then he would grab the neck of it around the limb, and with the pruning-shears clip it ofi". He could then with his rope let down bees, limb, bag, and all, or he could climb down without danger of jarring the bees off, or without any fear of being stung. In de- scending through the tree, holding a limb from which a big swarm is hanging, one is liable to bump it against the foliage, dis- lodging many of the bees, filling the air full of them. These will in all probability alight on the limb nearest where they were first clustered, with the result that another climbing is necessary to get all the bees. The coffee-sack or bag saves all this trou- ble. The pruning-shears are a vast im- 624 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. July 15 provement over the jack-knife. "When the bees swarmed we had to hack awa}' with this ever-present and usually convenient tool, but which, on occasions of this kind, was any thing but convenient or suitable. I have been wondering- if it would not be a good thing for those who do not clip the wings of their queens to have a special belt gotten up in which could be fastened a small short saw, a pair of strong pruning- shears, a smoker, a rope, and perhaps some other tool that might be necessary to complete the equipment. The majority of bee-keepers believe, and believe rightly, that the only way to handle swarms is to do so by the clipped-wing plan. But something will happen, on ac- count of which they will not get at the job, or perchance some queens will be skipped. In either case a swarm or two is liable to get to the top of a tree, and nothing but climbing after it will bring it to earth again. I have seen the day man^' and many a time when an outfit of tools, with a pair of climbers already hitched to a belt, and ready to strap on, would be worth a good deal. There is nothing like be- ing prepared for an emergency; and when one is a hurry, the more convenient and handy his tools are, the more effective will be the work. the los angeles convention; railroad fare; hotel accommodations, etc. Remember the National convention at Los Angeles, Aug. 18—20. A good many bee- keepers are going on the Santa Fe route, from Chicago. If we can get 18 people to go clear through from that point, the bee- keepers can have a tourist car all to them- selves. . About a dozen have already signi- fied their intention of going. It will make a great trip, and we hope a few more can be induced to go. The regular fare to Los Angeles and return, from Chicago, not in- cluding berth and sleeper, is $50.00. The tourist sleeper is $6.00 one way for berth, and of course two can be accommodated in a berth, making actually $3 00 per head. The extra cost of seeing the Grand Canj^on will be $6.50 for car fare, and $2.00 for berth. Most if not all of the bee-keepers expect to take in the Grand Canyon. As many stop-overs will be allowed as desir- ed, west of Colorado; and one can come back by any route he desires. But ar- rangements must be made in advance; and if you wish to get a berth in the tourist sleeper you had better engage it at once. If bee-keepers should not be able to get the required number, 18, the car will be filled up with other people, and probably every available berth will be taken, and more too. For particulars inquire of Sec'y Geo. W. York, 144 Erie Street, Chicago. In the way of hotel accommodations at Los Angeles you can get board at from 15 to 25 cents a meal, and lodging at 25 cents a night. For particulars inquire of C. H. Clayton, 739 Aliso St., Los Angeles, Cal., or of Mr. Phillips, who writes as follows: In regard to " eating and sleeping " the bee-keepers from the East who may attend the Natit nal meeting, let me add a word to what you have already said. As you suggested, prices have stiffened somewhat since 1901; but Dr. Miller and all who come to visit Los An- geles may rest assured of being entertained in com- fort at very reasonable rates Rooms may be had at from 2.5 cts. per day up. At the Savoy, directh' across Broadway from the Chamber of Commerce, over the deparlment store, also in many other rooming-houses and hotels, the inside rooms generally cost, for one person, 50 cts., and the outside ones— that is, those lighted by windows instead of skylights, cost $1.00 (>^ome rooins more) for two persons. But all are at- tractive and comfortable. The Natick House, where you stayed, advertises a follows: "The Popular Hotel remodeled, 75 additional rooms, all newly furnished. Every thing strictly first-class. Elevator, American plan, |1.25 to $3.00 per day. Latter includes suites withprivate baths. Kuro- pean plan, 50 cts. up." Then there are very numerous cheap lodging- houses; and the center of the city, or a wide circle just outside the business center, is almost wholly given up to rooming-houses. It beats any city with which I am acquainted, in that regard. You must know that Los Ant^eles is " in the business" of entertaining visitors; in fact, it derives its principal revenue from that source For those bloated bondholder bee-keepers who have no need of economy, or those who, being out for a oncein-a-lifetime lark, are anxious to "do the whole thing," there are the Van Nuys and the Aiigeli'S, where prices are quite " respectable." There are many 1.5-cent restaurants: and if j'ou want a 10-cent meal, with meat and vegetables, well cooked, go to Warner's restaifrant, on Souih S iring St , near Fifth, only two blocks from the Chamber of Com- merce. The people who eat there are apparently as respectable and as well dressed as the average bee- keeper (I mean when the bee-keeper is " out "); and one may s t and study the sc ipture texts around the room while waiting for his order. It is not a charity but a money-making eating-room, and thousands of good people patronize it. You can add to the simple meal, if you wish, one- third of a pie for 5 cts., for instance, with ice-cream adr'ed for luck. Of course, you would not expect a " great big meal " for this price. At 10 cts. nothing can be allowed for waste. I need only add Ihat 1 have not the Temotest inter- est in these places, but am just giving you a leaf from my own experience in a city with which I am quite fainiliar. I am the merest tyro compared with the masters in the art who are to convene at I^os Angeles; but, as " a cat may look at a king," I hope to see and hear the master of Marengo and the " Bee Sage " of Borodino, along with yourself, Mr. Editor, and others whose names are household words to readers of the bee- journals. M. H. Phillips. Coviua, Cal., July 2. PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITU- TION. Past experience has shown the need of a new constitution for the National Bee-keep- ers' Association. The following proposed amendments have been submitted so that the bee-keepers, when they meet at Los An- geles, will have something as a basis upon which to work. President's Office, National Bee-keepers' As- soci.4tion. The following amendments to the Constitution of the National Bee-keepers' Association have been ap- proved by a majority of the Board of Directors, and of the Executive Committee; but before laying them be- fore the coming convention at Los Angeles it is de- sired that all shall have an opportunity to criticise and suggest, hence their publication. Suggestions and Criticisms may be sent to President Hutchinson, who will lay them before the committee having the matter in charge. ARTICLE III. — Membership. Sec. 1, to be amended to read as follows: Sec. 1. — Any person who is interested in bee culture, and in accord with the purpose and aim of this Asso- ciation, may become a member by the payment of $1.00 annually to the General Manager or Secretary; and said membership shall expire at the end of otie 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 625 year from the time of said payment, except as provid- ed in Section 10 of Article V. of this constitution. No member who is in arrears for dues, as shown by the books of the General Manager, shall be eligible to any ofifice in this Association; if such disqualification occur during the term of any officer, the office shall at once become vacant. Sec. 2, to be amended as follows: Sec. '2. — Whenever a local bee-keepers' association shall decide to unite with this Association as a bodj', it will be received upon payment by the local Secreta- ry of 50 cents per member per annum. Article W.— Officers. Sec. 1, to be amended to read as follows Sec. 1. — The officers of this Association shall be a General Manager, a President, a Vice-president, a Secretary, whose terms of office shall be for one year, and a Board of twelve directors, whose term of office shall be four years, or until their successors shall be elected. Sec. ;i. to be amended to read as follows: Se:c. 3. — The President, Vice-president, Secretary, and General Manager shall be elected by ballot, dur- ing the month of December of each year, by a plurali- ty vote of the members, and assume the duties of their respective offices on the first of January succeeding their election. Sec. 4, to be amended to read as follows: Sec. -I.— The President, Vice-president, Secretary, and General Manager shall constitute the Kxecutive Committee. Sec. 5. to be amended to read as follows: Sec o. — The Directors to succeed the three whose terfn of office expires each year shall be elected by ballot during the month ot December of each year by a plurality vote of tne members The three candi- dates receiving the greatest number of votes shall be elected, and assume the duties of their office on the first of lanuary succeeding their election. The Board of Di- rectors shall prescribe how all the votes of the mem- bers shall be taken, and said Board may prescribe equitable rules and regulations governing nomina- tions for the several offices. Article V.. Sec .'^ to be amended to read as follows: Sec. .3 — It shall be the duty of the Secretary to keep a record of the proceedings of the annual meeting; to receive membership fees; give a receipt for the same, and turn all moneys received over to the Treasurer of the .\.ssociation, together with the names and postoffice addresses of those who become members; to make an annual report of all moneys received and paid over by him. which report shall be published with the annual report of the General Jlanager; and to perform .such other duties as may be required of him by the Associa- tion: and he shall receive such sum for his services as may be granted him by the Directors. Article VII. — Vacancies. — Amend by adding the following clause to the end thereof : Any resignation of a member of the Board of Directors shall be tender- ed to the E.xecutive Committee: any resignation of a member of the Executive Committee shall be tendered to the Board of Directors. Article IX. — Amendments.— This constitution may be amended by a majority vote of all the members voting, providfng such propo.sed amendment has been approved by a majority vote of the members present at the last annual meeting of the A.ssociation, and copies of the proposed amendment, printed or written, shall have been mailed to each member at least 45 davs before the annual election. HONF.Y-CROP FOR 1903; QUANTITY AND QUALITY, PRICES, ETC. This has been a peculiar season; but, taking- all thing's into consideration, there will be more white-clover honey this year than last. The season has been exception- all3' good in a great part of the white-clo- ver region, particularly in "Wisconsin, Min- nesota, Illinois. Iowa, Indiana, and Ohio. In some of the Southern States the season has been poor. In the New England States there has been an almost complete failure; but recent rains have toned up the situa- tion so that some honey will be secured. The yield of white honey has been light in many parts of New York; but, as in the New England States, the recent rains have improved conditions, but not quite enoug-h to affect materially the crop of white honey, but sufficient to make, probably, a fair flow from buckwheat. In Pennsylvania the season has been poor to fair. In Nevada and Utah the sea- son has been good, and the honey is of first quality. In Arizona the flow has been less than the average. In Kansas and Nebras- ka the crop has been light in most sections. In Washington the season has been poor. Texas will not come up to the average. Idaho has had a severe loss of bees. In Colorado there may possibly be the usual crop, but the season was unfavorable in the early part of it. In Southern California, notwithstanding- the early prospects were so flattering-, there will be only about a third of a crop. In the central part of the State the season is little if any better. As to the quality, the honey will be ex- tra-fine this 5^ear; and even if there should be more of it this year than last, it will be so much better that the prices ought to hold the level of last year, especially if we take into consideration the g-eneral advance in other things during- the past year. In the Eastern markets, where production has been light, there ought to be a general ton- ing-up of prices. There will not be a large amount of California honey shipped east this year, probably; so what little honey is produced ought to bring- g-ood prices. The following- reports are from leading- bee-keepers and dealers in bee-keepers' supplies throughout the United States. After writing the foregoing the weather turned cold, and this seems to be general over a great portion of the United States. If this cool weather continues it will chop the flow from white clover almost square off. That being the case, the expected crop will not be as large by considerable as seemed likely on the surface of things three days ago. For convenience the reports are arranged alphabetically by States. Telegram — Present indications for honey crop, less than averagis; irrigation water short; we expect fair prices. Wm. Rohrig. Tempe, Arizona, July 9. Telegram. — One-third crop for Southern California. Price, extracted, five to six cents ; comb, ten to eleven. Union Hive and Box Co. I,os Angeles, Cal., July 8. Telegram. — Present estimate from crop reports in, not over one-third. Geo. W. Brodbeck. Los Angeles, Cal., July 6. Up to the present time the prospects are not very flattering. We made our first extracting about June 20; very little poor-grade comb honey taken off thus far; but the carpet-grass may give us considerable honey later in the season, as has been the case in former years We do not look for more than an aver- age crop at the best. Wessing Bros. Nicolaus. Cal.. July 8. We are having a very late season this j-ear, and for this reason it is hard ^o say at present what the crop will be. Bees came through in a rather weak condi- tion, and many colonies are not strong enough to work in the sections yet: however, the weather condi- tions during the past two weeks^ have been favorable ; and should this continue we may yet hope for a fair crop of honey. Frank Rauchfuss. Denver, Col., July 8. 626 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Jllv 15 The honey crop in Mesa County promises to be a good average one Bees began work late; but alfalfa is being allowed to bloom more fully before cutting than has been the custom in past years. This alone should cause the bees to make up for lost lime. Debeque, Colo., July 0. McKay & Stroud. Our season is now over, and the poorest honey crop in thirty years. J. E. Williams. Sparks, Ga. The crop outlook of white-clover ■ ield is good. No flow from basswood. E. C. Whekler. Marshalltown, la., July 0. We have been having a very good flow of white honey during the past month, which continues with good prospects. J. Blackman & Son. Nevada, Iowa, July 7. Fields are white with clover blossom; nights too cold for nectar secretion. No basswood blossoms; perhaps Yi crop: 25 sections to colony, spring count. No honey up to June 15. Bees flitting on blos.'oms; too much moisture in the ground; sweet clover in bloom. Des Moines, la., July 6. Jas. Cormac. For Jackson Co., la., the white-clover crop is beyond all precedent It began about June 1, and will con- tinue two weeks longer if weather conditions are fa- vorable. F. M. Merritt. LaMotte, la., July 6. Prospects are better than last year; excessive cold rains and cloudy weather; swarming more natural than a year ago. If the 65 colonies give me enough for my own table I shall be satisfied. I,et's go fishing, Ernest. Moorland, la , July 5. J. P. Blunk. [Yes, when I come up your way again. Thanks. — Ed.] The prospect for a honey crop is very good here, and the honey is snow-white. I never heard of so much swarming and absconding. The crop is all clo- ver honey, before sweet clover bloomed — something I never heard of before. Joseph Mason. Fairdale, 111., July 9. Bees swarmed too much. More white clover than common. Flow of honey good, and good quality. I think the hot sun will soon dry up and stop the flow. Kasbeer, 111., July 8. E. Pickup. I can report an extra good harvest from white clo- ver—about 40 lbs. average of section honey, finished to this date. F. H. Cogswell. Virden, 111., July 7. This part of the world is covered with white clover, hence a good flow of honey — the best for years Wyanet, 111., July 4. James P. Hall. I will place the fourth super containing forty 1%-in. sections on one colony, all from white clover. Who can beat it? While I "work bees I have a deputy to work the office. M. S. Brewer, P. M. Philo, 111., Julys. The white clover here is unusually good. Honey- flow is very good since June 15. Honey is white as snow. Cold and rain interfered for a few weeks in June. Bees are booming now; sweet clover is also coming bountifully— best year in twenty. Springfield, 111., July 4. M. Harts. One hundred miles west of Indianapolis. Honey crop good here— one of the best in the past s- ven years. Home market is good also, and dealers pay 15 cents by the case for comb. C. F. Bender. Newman, 111.. July 7. The honey-flow up to date has been by far the best I ever saw; fields white with clover which is full of nectar. R. B. Rice. Mt. Carroll, 111., July 4. Located five miles south of LaSalle. White clover abundant and yielding well. E. H. Whitaker. LaSalle, 111., July?. I never before saw such a sea of white clover, and never expect to see it again. Nuclei become so cram- med with honey that I must be constantly taking out the filled frames; and combs with a little honey set out weeks ago for the bees to rob out have still honey in them, although a few bees seem always at work on them. C. C. Miller. Marengo, 111., July 8. Our reports show that the far East has practically no honey, and the far West perhaps not more than half a crop. The central portions of the country seem to be having an enormous flow; especially is this true of the locality within, "say, 300 miles of Chicago. The demand for bee-keepers' supplies has not been so great in ten years. It seems that everybody wants a lot of supplies, and wants them right away. There seems to have been a great deal of swarming, and a good yield from white clover. Personally, we have never seen such a perfect mat of white-clover bloom as there is in this locality this sea.son. We doubt if it will be necessary for the price of honey to be lowered vei y much, if any, from the price of last season. We think the people are ready to buj' honey more freely than ever before. This, we think will be especially true as the bulk ot the hone3' produced is of white clover, and that seems to be the kind preferred by the majority of the people; at leist they think that is the kind they ought to have. The joke is usually on them, as they are apt to call nearly all kinds of honey clover honey. There is practically no new honey on this market as j'et, but we suppose it will begin to come in very soon. George W. York. Chicago, 111., July 1. The crop is very good right around us, all clover. The cool weather did not seem to do it any harm, and we believe that there will be a very good crop of bright-colored honey. Personally we have harvested a larger yield than for 13 years past. Our home apiary will average over 130 lbs. per colony at this date, be- sides more swarms than common, for we rarely have much swarming. Dadant & Son. Hamilton, 111 , July 2. Generally, throughout the State, the yield has been the best for ten years. The flow has been prolonged, and I have had several reports from reliable sources of an average of over 100 lbs. to the colony from white clover. Walter S. Pouder. Indianapolis, Ind., July 1. I wish to state that the honey prospects for North- east Indiana have not been better in the last twelve years June 25 I placed a fair average colony on scales and found they gained 7 lbs. during the day, and also for two preceding days the gain was 7 lbs. per day. As this colony is only one out of forty doing equally well, it certainly ought to make the heart of any bee-keeper rejrice. White clover is abundant everywhere. S. Farrington. Kendallville, Ind., June 29. We have not a pound of honey in this immediate lo- cality for market. It requires some hel p from the bee- keeper to keep bees alive, or abundant enough for use next month. March maple bloom during 15th to 20th caused bees to whiten combs even more than fruit- bloom later, and three to four weeks later farmers were reporting swarms. Some have been taking a super from best hive-s — dark honey. Some white clo- ver with honey-dew mixed. One farmer reported honey-dew from oats-field. I think we should be safe in counting -JO to 75 lbs. average, according to ability and management of bee-keeper with our best apiaries, and of this crop our home markets have been using nearly all. Prices will be maintained as well as last year, as our market is well sold out, and towrs north of us will need supply. W. Vickery. Evan.sville, Ind , July 3. White clover is splendid; basswood, off year. Col- ony on scales gained 38 lbs. in five daj's; b; st day, 9 lbs.; poorest, 7. Many working in third super. Kendallville, Ind., July ti. S. Farrington. Throughout the fore part of the season the outlook was poor, though the earth was covered with white clover. The weather was so damp and cool the bees did not fly. But about the middle of June a wonder- ful flow began, and has kept up to the present. I have about 1000 well-filled Danzenbaker sections, and nearly that many more on that bid fair to be filled, as the flow is as abundant to-day as ever, owing to pow- erful rains a few days ago (49 colonies). At the north Mr. Baker has done still better. His 50 colonies will yield him 5000 lbs. He has about half that amount already. Jacob Tate. Peru, Ind., July 4. Bees have done but little, just barely kept alive, too cool and wet. The freeze of April 30 and the flood of June 1 have taken all the bloom. The second crop of alfalfa is now just coming on, and in a week or ten days it will be in bloom. I fed my bees through June to pull them through; no swarms but 5 out of 100, and had to feed them to save them. Outlook is slim for a honey crop unless the alfalfa does well from now on. Hutchinson, Kan., July 6. J. J Measer. April, May. and part of June, mostly cool and rainy. Even when the sun shone we had many cool days, and bees could not gather nectar to amount to any thing, and brood-rearing was much retarded. White clover bloomed in greater abundance, I think, than I ever saw it. Since about June 7 the weather has been 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 627 more favorable, and bees have done fairly well. They are now working on red, white, alsike, and sweet clover.s. I have taken :V2 lbs. from my best colonies run for comb honey. Some colonies (the best) have filled two ten-frame bodies, IS frames. VVill extract in a few days. Prospects for fall crop fair to good. The latter seldom fails entirelj- here. Hluffton, Mo., July J. S. E. Miller. Prospects here are ver>- promising for good honey crop -better than for several years. I now have 20 colonies, and some have supers two-thirds full of honev, and very little swarming. J. H. Dikrker. St. "Louis, Mo'. July t>. Good honev-flow from clover— best in years; bass- wood not in vet, but not half the trees show buds. Collins, Mich., JulyH. Geo. E. Goodwin. Clover honey in comb will be 40 lbs. per colony, spring count. Basswood light; not many buds to open. Geo. H. Denman. Pittsford, Mich., July 6. The honey crop in this vicinity is the best that we have had for a number of years; fruit-bloom coming with good weather, and abundance of clover follow- ing. So far as we are able to judge, the crop will be good throughout our section of the State. We would make special mention of Huron and Sanilac Counties as being the banner counties so far as we can judge from reports coming in. The price remains good at present, and with it a tendency to market the crop early. White clover ^vill probably yield for some time yet.' There is little basswood in our vicinity, and we can not tell what the prospects are elsewhere. Bell Branch, Mich., July 7. M. H. Hunt & Son. We have not had suchja season in ten years so far for the production of honey, and, so far as 1 can learn from my extensive correspondence, and the amount of goods shipped, it is quite general over the .State. The conditions are favorable for a good crop of clover honey. Beyond that I can't predict, and I can't saj- as to the prices that may be secured; but the cjuality so far is good, and it should bring as much as it did last year, as the quality will be much better. Fremont, Mich.. July '2. Geo. E- Hilton. Clover-honey prospects good. In June I extracted some dandelion and wild-cherry honey, besides build- ing up colonies strong J. Kimb.all. Duluth, Minn., July 6. Our bees at home. Ft. Snelling, Lake Garvias, L,ake Phalen. and Mora are all doing well. The willow- herb at Bruno. Minn., looks as nice as I ever saw it, and we expect as large a crop as we had three j'ears ago from the willow-herb, giving us over 200 lbs aver- age per colony. Reports from all over this State and North Wisconsin are all good— many say, " Best white- clover crop for years," etc., amounting to about the same. Not many have spoken about the basswood, but some say it looks well; and what we see here, at Mora, and Bruno, Minn., looks well I .see no worms on the trees. H. G. Acklin. St. Paul. Minn., July 3. The season commenced with a severe drouth lasting to June 1. when the whole countrj' seamed burning up and shrouded in smoke followed by heavy rains for two weeks, since which time we have had partly fair partly cloudy but cold weather, especially cold nights, and the whole country covered as I never saw it before with clover bloom, but no honey. Bees have gathered verj* little honey to date, and cast b it few swarms. .At present they are up to the swarming- point. hanging on Froiri reports received, and from the present outlook, not over a third of a crop will be secured, and prices should rule higher than last year. Mechanic Falls. Me , July 8. J. B. Mason. Prospects for honey are poor; too dry up to June 10; now too much rain; basswood just opening, but not many trees will bloom. Some colonies starved during the cold backward spring. Bl'Rdett Hall. Chittcnango, N. Y., July 5. Fruit-bloom furnished the necessary stores for brood-rearing, but no surplus. Colonies were slow in building up during the spring on account of continued cool weather. There has been a good growth of clover, but constant rains kept the bees from w^ork during the first week or ten days after it opened. Considering the abundant bloom, the bees are not gathering honey as fast as might be expected, and it now looks as though there would not be more than half a crop of clover honey from clover in this portion of the State. Sweet clover and basswood promi.se fairly well. There are very few basswood-trees left in this locality. I am informed that, owing to the drouth, there will be no white-clover honey to speak of in the middle and eastern part of this State. Orel L- Hershiser. Buffalo, N. Y., July i». The outlook for a crop of honey is very good. Up to about one week ago the prospects were poor; but now the weather is warm and sultry, and bees are working in the sections, and we have reports of bee- keepers extracting. We think the season will be .30 per cent better than a year ago, and price for honey will probably be the .same as last year. F. Boom- hower writes, "Have taken 100 lbs. of comb honey from one hive." F. A. Salisbury. Syracuse, N. Y., July 6. Honey crop here almost a total failure. Too wet during clover bloom. A. W.Smith. Parksville, N. Y., July 8. We are having a heavy flow from catnip, hoarhound, and the clovers. I already have on my fifth 10 frame hive. My best colony has given over 400 lbs. surplus already. Basswood did not bloom in southeastern Nebraska this year. The flow along the Missouri line will be light. J. L. Gandy. Humboldt, Neb., July 3. Fourteen miles east of Columbus. A tremendous flow of honej' here, and the end is not in sight; crowd- ing the queens out. Sweet clover is just coming in; catnip in bud. Frank McGlade. Pataskala, O., July 6. The prospects for a honey-yield are above the aver- age for this locality. Basswood is yielding well, and white clover is plentiful, and still looking thrifty and bright, and we think it will yield all of this month if weather is favorable. We are getting 1.5 cts. for comb honey. Mc.Adams Seed Co. Columbus Grove, O., July 9. No rain from April 15 until June 1; rained 22 days in June, anH 3 in July. Jly bees are swarming. .Spring City, Pa., July 6. Geo. Cullum. We have nothing to report as to the season, except that orders continue to pour in, and a good many cus- tomers are reporting many swarms and taking off full supers of honev. Prothero & Arnold. DuBois, Pa., July 1. Bees wintered well. The spring and early summer have been favorable for the development of strong colonies. Recent rains have interfered with honey- gathering, but have prolonged the clover season two or three weeks, Basswood is budded full, and the acreage of buckwheat will be more than the average. Tn fact, prospects for a large honey crop are bright in Northern Pennsylvania. Charles N. Green. Troy, Pa.. July 7. We have had much peculiar weather. Prospects were at the first of the season for a big crop. Bees did very well, and about 25 per cent ahead of June 1 the previous year, but during June bees did .scarcely any thing, and consumed all the honey in their brood- chambers for increase, and now they are starting in to work again very freely, and using consi'^erable of it in the first story, and we think this condition is the same in New Jersey, Helaware, Pennsylvania, and North- ern Maryland. This has made things dull in June. I would sav. on the whole, that the crop in this section will be only fair, using your terms, or about half a croD comparing with a period of ten years. Philadelphia, Pa., July 3. Wm. A. Selser. A drouth lasting from early April till June 8 has nearly ruined our prospects for honey here in Ver- mont. I doubt if there is as much honey in hives July 1 as two months ago. I have had but one new swarm so far from o'iX) colonies. There will be but little bass- wood bloom. The abundant rains of the past three weeks, with cool, cloudy weather have started a new growth of clover that is just coming into bloom, from which we hope we may secure a light crop of honey later. J. E. Crane. Middlebury, Vt., July 1. Through spring, season was too wet and cold. With June came plea.sant weather, abundance of white clo- ver which has yielded well (something it does only once in several years here). Basswood promises well, hut not open vet. B. J. Thompson. Waverly, Wis., July 6. White clover bloom is abundant; honey clear, and fine body; have extracted up to date 33,500 lbs. Our Cowan 4 frame extractor ran out over a ton to-day be- fore noon, and will do as well this afternoon. Platteville, Wis., July 1. N. E. France. 628 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. July 15 According to statements made by our customers, we consider the outlook very favorable for a good honey crop, although the cool weather in the early part of summer has had a tendency to keep down swarming. The weather here of late has been such that it war- rants a good crop. Price of honey is somewhat higher than last year, but finds a ready sale in this market. According to some of our customers' statements, the honey crop will be better than any that they have had within the last five years. Page & I^yon Mfg Co. New I,ondon, Wis., July 9. We are in the midst of the best white-clover honey harvest I have ever known. It will last ten or twelve daj'S yet, with favorable weather. No basswood hon- ey, although some trees are in bloom ; but there are not enough trees producing this j'ear to make any showing on the crop. C A. Hatch. Richland Center, Wis., July 9. As well as we are able to determine, the honey crop throvigh the section over which we sell hives has been fairlygood this season — what might be considered a medium crop. Prices range about the same as last season, wholesaling at from 13 to 17 cents, and retail- ing at from 15 to 25 cents per section. The minimum retail price here is 20 cents for fancy honey. The 1 and 2 grades are anywhere from 15 to 20 cents retail. Washington. D. C, July 8. Saffell & Kirrick There has been a good crop of white clover, but there seemed to be no smell of sweetness in the air, except two or three days, owing to cold days and nights; too much rain; bees do not notice it. So far in Virginia, Mar5dand, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, I have heard of no large yields. What I have seen are hardly up to the average at this date. There is a fair show of clover still booming, with good weather since July 1, and the bees are doing better. Washington, D. C, July 8. F. Danzenbaker. 7>/<§-raw.— Weather unfavorable; supply of honey less than last vear: prices high; will go higher. Seattle, Wash., July 8. Lilley, Bogardus & Co. The following- came too late to classify. W'e had a light early flow, and we now have a good flow from mesquite; but I don't know how long it will last. No very large crop if expected. There is time yet for a fall Bow. J. A. Coursey. Click, Texas, July 11. Telegratn.— Season is good— over average crop ex- pected; quality extra; early shipment available, last years' pi ices maintained. Jno. W. I,yte. Reiio, Nev., Julj- 9. Telegram— V^^hiy per cent of bees d'ad; 50.000 lbs. honev in sight. Wm. W. Selck, Sr. Idaho Falls, Idaho, July 9. I have tried to learn what the prospects are around this vicinity, and came to the conclusion that, if the weather will keep on as now, with a few warm show- ers, we shall have, after all, a very good honey-crop. The weather we had brought on a second flow of white clover, and this will help us considerably. Honey in compari.son with last year is offered this year so much more, and prices will rule lower. Cincinnati, O., July 8. C. H. W. Webeij. At present we are having one of the best white-clo- ver honey-flows. There seems to be a widespread white-clover flora which continues beyond the usual blooming period. On account of the unusuall3' wet spring, heartsease is coming into bloom fully a month sooner than usual, and at "this writing it promises a good fall honey-flow. Notwithstanding the good flow of honey in the territory referred to, there seems to be an advance in the price of honey, due to a greater de- mand, mainly from the working people, who, receiv- ing better wages, now purchase heney for almost dai- ly con.sumption. Heretofore they purchased honey onlv sparingly as an article of luxury. Red Oak, la., July 7. E. Kretchmer. The honey crop through the State is the best we have had in years. Judging from reports that come in to us we find that there is no portion or part of our State but is getting a big crop of honey. Taking the whole State into consideration, we believe this season's crop is twice or three times that of last year. L. C. & A. G. Woodman. Grand Rapids, Mich., July 9. Honey-crop best for years in this locality and Mis- souri generally. White-clover yield has been good, and a good fall crop is expected. Prices rule fairly well. Scarcity of fruit will make a good demand for honey. We see no reason why bee-keepers should not find a ready sale at a good price. High Hill, Mo., July 7. John Nebel & Son. ANOTHER QUEEN THAT PREFERS NEW TO OLD COMB. BY H. A. HIGGINS, M. D. I see in Stray Straws of April IS that the experience of C. T. Bender confirms the view that, whenever bees have the choice be- tween old and new comb, they prefer the old. I have not had much experience with bees, but have observed closely while I have been working-, and I am of the opinion that they prefer the new comb to the old — for brood, any way. I transferred some bees into an observatory hive (glass on both sides 16X12) to observe closely their movements, for my own amusement and instruction. I took old comb out of the box hives and put in the frames of the hew hives; after they had commenced rearing brood I decid- ed to take a frame of brood from a strong- co'ony and give it to a weak one. I did so, taking a frame from the center of the brood- chamber, and substituting- an empty one in its place. In a short while they had filled the empty frame with new comb and brood, so I took it out and placed it on the outside of the brood-chamber, next to the g-lass, where I could watch it, putting a frame with foundation in its place. In due time the bees commenced hatching out of the frame I had removed from the center; and before they were all hatched I saw the queen through the glass, laying eggs in the same comb, while the comb in the next frame nearer the center of the hive which contained old comb did not have a single egg in it, neither has it had this season. The queen certainly had a preference for new comb or she would never have come around the old comb to the out.^ide limit of the brood -chamber to the new comb. In the mean time the bees had again filled out the frame in the center, and it was stuft'ed full of brood, which I have now removed to the other side of the brood-chamber next to the glass, and the bees are now hatching out, and I expect soon to see her "ladyship" around hunting that new comb again, pro- vided the bees don't crowd her out with honey. It was perfectly natural that they would fill out the e)iipty frame, and draw out the foundation in the other, when they were put in the center; but why leave the center and go to the outside after it was re- moved, unless it was a preference for the new comb ? [Ur. Higgins' experience is not greatly different from mine. While I grant that it is, perhaps, a rule that queens will prefer old comb, yet there are many instances when they will seem to show a decided preference for new comb. — Ed.] 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE HOCHSTEIN'S UNCAPPING COMB-HOLDER. 629 An Excellent Device. BY C. F. HOCHSTEIN. Having- become interested in the bee busi- ness I had, of course, uncapping- to do when the honey season began, and I nat- urally beg-an to look about for some device to hold the combs while I was engaged in uncapping them. I found that a great many bee-keepers balanced their combs on a nail-point while uncapping them. After trying this way for a while I became dis- gusted with it. First, it was too slow. Second, it was difficult to put the frame al- ways on top of the nail with one hand. Third, it bruised the end-bars of the frames. Fourth, it occasionally allowed the combs to slip off; and, all together, it was a very shipshod contrivance. I then set to work to make something- better; and after a series of experiments, and the making of some ten or fifteen dift'erent models, of which I will say nothing, I finally evolved the comb- clutch in the engraving-. The cross-bar I fits on to the rim of the uncapping-can just as the cross-bar in a honej'-extractor does. The strip of tin, K, is to hold the point of the pivot J, which is inserted through the hole N, in the cross-bar I; the top end of the pivot fits into the foundation-block F. Next is the horizontal pivot-block, which works on the pivot D. On to this block are affixed the fixed jaw B and the movable jaw B M (the tops of both of these jaws are lined with lead). Into the movable jaw is screwed the weight H, which opens the jaws, when the comb is withdrawn. The catch G is to catch the weight. It can be shoved down sidevpise when the machine needs cleaning, as when it is down the jaws can be opened much wider. There is a certain point that the jaws must be opened to in uncapping, as when the jaws open beyond this point the comb is apt to slip. The lead jaws are to prevent the knife from cutting- away the jaws. Soft wood wears away rapidly; and any thing- like iron dulls the knife too rapidly. The pivot-holds are made so that the mov- .able top part (i. e., all above them) can not lop over beyond a certain angle, as it is with this as with the jaws — if the top lops over further, the comb slips. While this machine is not so cheap as the nail contrivance, it is not so trashy either; and 1 venture to say that a man, be- ing- equally expert with It and with the nail, can uncap from two to three combs with it while he is uncapping one on the nail, besides having his frames left whole. I am basing m}' statement on my experi- ence here. I have endeavored to make this machine fill all possible requirements, and I will now leave it to the bee-keepers to say which is the best — that or the nail. I think they will find it not onlj' best but cheapest in the long run, as it saves time. That ^^hich once is past can never be re- gained. It may also save some hard words, which it is altogether possible are some- times directed at the innocent nail. [If I am not mistaken, I have alluded to this device before. I saw it at the Hochstein apiary, and our 3'oung- friend who invented it took a comb and explained to me fully the way in which it worked. In his hands it seemed to be a decided improvement over anj' thing- heretofore used. If I am correct, the comb would stick in place sufficiently to hold its position while the operator hap- pened to be busy at something else. I wish other bee-keepers might test it. All who are in want of the machine had better cor- respond with the inventor direct. His ad- dress is C. F. Hochstein, Paradero de Pun- ta Brava, Cuba. — A. I. R.] SHALLOW VS. FULL DEPTH SUPERS. Prevention of Swarming. BY W. K. MORRISON. I foresaw that my stand on the question of starters would meet with strong- opposi- tion, particularly by conservative people who dislike an innovation. But, like the old darky preacher down in Richmond, I believe "the sun do move," and, if so, so does bee-keeping. To Mr. Gill I will say I know what Colorado winters are like, particularly as it was in one of them I near- ly froze to death; and the heat — well, oh my! But it is a g-ood place for bee-keeping-. The best way to settle a question of this nature is to try an experiment, and I hope Mr. Gill will try it and give us a report for or against. Still, before going any further I will clear the air by stating I do not believe in swarms, either forced or natural. Both mean much hard work, and that goes against the laziness of mj' nature. But supposing Mr. Gill puts a swarm, either forced or otherwise, into an Ideal super fit- ted with full sheets of wired super founda- tion, leaving the bees to get settled in it, say 36 hours before adding on the super with sections, he will find this immenselj' more satisfactory than hiving on five standard 630 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. July 15 frames, with starters. He will get more sections with less trouble. I believe the Ideal super is slightly too small, but it will do very well for a trial trip. The conditions of success are these: Full sheets of foundation so that the queen will lay in all the combs as soon as possible; for as soon as a comb has eg-gs in it the sec- tions immediately above it will be filled out plump and fat. I could never succeed in having- the outside sections well filled or filled at all when only five combs were used. The bees invariably worked in the middle only. If the nights are cool, the Ideal super is far ahead. The same issue in which Mr. Gill's letter appears, some remarkable testimony along- this line is also given. One item alone will bear me out, and that is contained in Mr. A. I. Root's account at Bellaire, Mich. PREVENTION OF SWARMING. This whole subject was discussed as usual; hut I got a uew idea, or one that is new to nie. We all agree that, by the use of the extractor, swarming can be dis- couraged much better than whete we work for comb honey. If you give the bees plenty of room to store as near the brood-nest as possible, or better still, right in the heart of the brood-nest, you -s/ill discourage swarm- ing. vVell, now, instead of using the extractor in throwing the honey out of the combs in the brood-nest, suppose we have half-depth stories and half depth frames. In this way we can get a case of sections, either empty (or, where the bees have partly drawn out and filled the combs), not only close to the brood- nest, but we can get it right in the brood-nest. Our friend Bingham, and others who advocate these very shallow frames, perhaps can tell us more about this. Mr. Fred Somerford, of Cuba, produced a very fine crop of comb honey which was secured on half-depth frames, if I am correct. In fact, he had so large a crop he himself went with it to New York to make a sale. Mr. Root does not seem to know that a number of persons have been recommending and practicing this same method for years. Several fine articles on this method have appeared in Gleanings, written principal- ly from Texas. I have advocated it for sev- eral years, and probably lots of bee-keepers use it. Mr. Stachelhausen advocates similar plans and practices; but.. if one may judge from the symposium on forced swarms, his idea does not seem to "catch on." Both forced and natural swarms entail a great deal of unnecessary work just when time is precious in an apiary. Dr. Miller, in his usual way, has a slap at the forced swarms without awakening any one, apparently. Mr. Clare, who is so strongly in favor of starters, must be a Britisher, for he wishes me to exhibit my pedigree before swallow- ing any thing. I may say, and the way he sticks out for the old-fashioned way is thoroughly British in every respect, I have kept bees much further north than Rideau Ferry, in Ontario, and that, too, in shallow hives, with good results. As a matter of fact, this idea is old. Over 150 years ago the Scotch adopted a hive much like the Heddon, with shallow chambers, which were often added from below. And swarm- ing may be totally prevented by adding from below; which, being the case, enables the bee-keeper to get very good yields. The idea works as well north as south. I work- ed it 3000 miles south of Mr. Clare; and Mr. Harry Lathrop, in Wisconsin, works it all right. No, comb foundation is a grand invention when its use is rightly understood. The business of cutting out pieces of comb, slicing off drones' heads, etc., does not suit me. It all takes time; besides, to make drone comb takes time and honey; and to raise young drones takes lots of food right- fully belonging to the working party. Al- together it is a costly experience. I have tried it. Another thing is this: Persons who use starters have to handle combs with the greatest care; the3' can't ship colonies any distance; in fact, the beginner who does not use full sheets carefullj^ wired commits a grave error; for if he decides to sell his bees later on he can sell all right; but if he does not, woe to him when he attempts to ship. Good combs well wired are the best recommendation in selling an apiary, north or south. I have had bees shipped to me 3000 miles on wired combs, without the loss of a colon3^ If the comb is shallow, how- ever, and well fastened to the bottom-bar, it is all right; but that is only another ar- gument in favor of shallow frames. In the same issue in which Mr. Clare's letter appears, Mr. Orel L. Hershiser ad- vocates a shallow frame, and Doolittle hints • about the drone comb. I will bet a cooky he has but very little drone comb about his apiary that is not wanted for queen-breed- ing. Mr. Danzenbaker has covered this ground very well in his "Facts about Bees." I hope Mr. Clare has a copy. No starters, but broad shallow hives, are ne- cessities for comb honej'. [I have for several years used shallow- depth supers filled with extracting-frames to put on colonies of moderate strength in place of putting on supers of sections. Su- pers of Ideal depth, or those of the right depth to take 4X5 sections, were used for the purpose. A. I. R. possibly was not aware that I had been using them in this way. With these shallow extracting-su- pers one can very often get some honey from moderately weak colonies when he may not be able to get comb hone}' from them at all. They also serve the excellent purpose of giving just enough room, and no more, to accommodate the capacity of the colony. You speak of one disadvantage of using starters, that the combs are too frail to han- dle from lack of wires. Starters may be used in wired frames, and the bees will build natural comb over the wires very readil}', so that natural-built combs ran be just as secure as those built from founda- tion. I can not imagine why any one should at- tempt to use combs of any kind unless they are wired. In buying up bees we get such combs; and to say that they are an intoler- able nuisance is putting it very mildly in- deed. They have to be handled just so or they will tumble out of the frames in hot weather. — Ed.] 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 631 A CONVENIENT AND SERVICEABLE HIVE-STAND. How it Works in Connection with a General Sys- tem. BY JOHN S. CALLBREATH. I send you a sketch and measurements of the double hive-stand I have used since 189vS. It is made of fencing, 7-inch boards, and 2X4"s. It will hold two double-vpalled hives or three single-walled. It is a part of a system. I have all queens that are laying clipped, one hive of bees on each stand. When the colony swarms, I pick with them. I usually cover up the old hive any way, to be on the safe side. With clipped queens and double hive- stands it isn't necessary either to climb trees or carry heavy hives in order to hive the swarm on the old stand. A boy twelve years old can do the whole thing. The double hive stand especially fits in with the forced -swarm method, as the bee- keeper can not only slide the old hive to a new stand (the other half), and so save the work of carrying it, but the old hive is in the handiest place possible for a second and third shake of the young bees in the old hive to the new swarm. CALLEKEATH'S hive-stand in use, with ALIGHTINC-BOARDS. up the queen and cage her; and after put- ting the cage in a shady place, I slide, not lift, the hive to the other end of the stand. Place the empty hive in the place of the old hive; and when the swarm begins to come back to its old place, liberate the queen and swarm, and the queen will march into the new hive. If the bees are blacks or hybrids it may be necessary to cover the old hive over with a sheet or something to keep the returning field-bees from finding it and setting up a call, and so persuade a part of the swarm to go in Why have the legs so large and on the outside? So that the stand is stronger and there is less danger of its being tipped over by frost heaving, etc. I had to learn that by a costly experience. Why have the front and back pieces Yz inch higher than the top of the legs? So that the bottom-board of a single-walled hive can be slid clear up to the end-board. Why have the end-board project above the front and back pieces? So that there is less danger of sliding the hive clear off. Also, sometimes in raising queens I have 632 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. July 15 a side entrance for one part of the hive, and this end-board projecting up % inch makes a good alighting-board. The other part of the hive — separated by a division-board, of course — using the front of their half of the hive there is a little less danger of the queen's returning to the wrong half of the hive and getting killed. To prevent the upper projecting edges of the ends frcm warping or splitting I drive tv^'O long slim nails {\0d, cement-coated) into each one, as shown. callbreath's hive-stand. Why have the stand so high — 14 in. plus Yz in. plus a flat stone under each leg? So that the hive will be dry, the entrances less likely to get stopped up in the winter when a thaw is followed by a sudden freeze, and so I don't have to stoop over so much when working at them. Such a stand is more expensive than four stakes driven into the ground, but it is more convenient. (I'd like to see some one drive stakes into cer- tain parts of my j'ard.) It seems as though frost would heave the stakes, and perhaps let the hive drop down between. In numbering I number the stands, not the hives — two numbers to each stand — the odd number on the back of the stand, and the even number on the front. That way the number of any hive can be told from either the front or back. Rock Rift, N. Y., June 16. MILLER'S CLOTH-PAPER HIVE=GOVER. A Good Cover. BY ARTHUR C. MILLER. Here is a description of an improvement in hive-covers which I know is good. It can be applied to any style of cover, but is par- ticularly adapted to flat ones. On top of the cover lay four to six thick- nesses of newspaper. Over this stretch one thickness of cotton cloth (cheese-cloth is too thin). To this apply a coat of thick flour paste, using a paste-brush for the purpose. This " sizes " and shrinks the cloth. When it is dry, apply two coats of thick paint. The newspaper serves the double purpose of a poor or " non-conductor," and prevents the cloth adhering to the cover, and wrin- kling and cracking with the shrinking and swelling of the cover. In an attempt to get a simple flat cover which would not "twist" I have had some made of four strips, each four inches wide, and tongued and grooved together. The ends of these are held in grooved cleats after the well-known man- ner. Before the cleats are put on, the paper is laid on top, and extends only to where the cleats will come, but folds over the two edges of the cover. The cloth is next drawn tightly over the cover from end to end, and the cleats forced on and nailed through from top to bottom. This binds the boards in tight. Then the cloth is drawn over the edges and held down by a narrow strip of wood. If such a cover twists I shall try two-inch strips. The paper-cloth-paste-paint combination produces a sun-and-water-proof cover which takes but little paint, is quickly made, is light, and exceedingly cheap. Mine cost me just 11 cts. each, without the paint and nails. The only thing in the foregoing which is in any way experimental is the narrow strips to get rid of the "twist." All the rest has been well tried, and is all and more than I have claimed for it. Commercially such covers should find a big sale. I find that with such a covering I can use common ^^-inch box lumber so long as it has no loose knots. End cleats are of clear pine of yi thickness and 2 in. wide. Providence, R. I., Apr. 29. [This is very similar to one we have made and illustrated in one of our older catalogs, with the exception that the board was % inch; and instead of cloth for a top covering we used a heavy roofing paper. We considered this a good cover, and only abandoned it for one embodying the same principle shown as Fig. 402 in this year's catalog, made up of a double thick- ness of y% boards, air-spaced between. Its 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 633 outside appearance is exactly the same as the Miller cover. Seven-eif,'-hths boards are bad enough to wind, but ;s would be a little bit worse. But lumber has become so scarce now that the time is shortly coming- when bee-keep- ers who desire to make their own goods will have to buy up dry-goods boxes for material. When Mr. Miller says his cover is a good one I am quite prepared to believe him. — Ed.] TO KEEP EMPTY COMBS. Seeking Darkness Rather than Light. BY G. C. GREINER. A writer from Pennsylvania inquires in Gleanings, May 15th, how to keep empty combs. The editor, in answering this ques- tion, gives the same plan I have practiced for many years. But for the last twelve or fifteen years I have kept my combs on a rack exposed to air and view, and I find it is less trouble, and a safer way to keep them, than to store them in moth and bee-proof receptacles. Even when we think that our combs are perfectly safe in our light comb-boxes, the first we know worms are at work among them. I herewith give a dia- gram of the corner in mj' honey -house, with mj' comb-storage. The advantages of this ar- rangement are several. It takes very little mate- rial in comparison with tight boxes. If we have no strips or slats of proper dimensions, they can be picked up among the refuse of any saw- mill at little expense, or a little lumber (a bass- wood plank would do first rate) can be sawed into the desired shape at any mill in a few minutes. The shelves are all accessible from the end or front. We can handle the bottom row as well as the top one. No lifting is necessary as is the case when they are stored in boxes. There is no need of fumigating. Worms are very shy. They seek the dark rather than the light (for their deeds are evil), and this accounts for their persistency in man- aging to find an entrance into our moth- proof comb-boxes some way. They hardly ever trouble combs openly stored. It some- times happens that combs hang so close to- gether that they touch one another; then of course, forming a dark place, a few scat- tering worms may take possession of them. But when they do, it is easily detected. A glance of a few seconds reveals the state of affairs before any great harm can be done. To prevent any trouble of this kind, combs should not hang touching one another, but be moderately spaced, and the owner should give them an occasional glancing look when passing. If worms are at work, it can be readily seen b}'^ the webs among the combs. It is very convenient, especially during the summer, to use certain shelves for cer- tain kinds of combs. Some may contain extracting- combs, others brood-combs, and still other combs to patch up, etc. To have them sorted ready for use when we are in a hurry, and run to the honey-house for combs saves many annoyances. The size of the material is not essential. I use 1^3 X 2 in. for posts, and 1X2 in. for sides or shelves; any thing that is strong enough not to spring or bend will answer. Care should be taken in arranging the spaces. They should be all alike and just right, allowing the frames to slide free, and not have too much play. The posts are all fastened to the wall except the front near one which is connected at the top with its mate. The tanks on the left contain about 150 lbs. each; when one is being filled the con- tents of the other is settling, and drawn off into 60-lb. square cans. The structure is somewhat out of proportion. Five shelves could occupy the space of three. Two inches in the clear between the combs is sufficient. La Salle, N. Y. [A good many of the practical bee-keep- ers store their combs exactly the way you describe in your illustration. It is a fact that exposure to light will tend strongly to deter the work of the moth-worm. Keeping the combs one inch apart where the light can shine upon them is good in theory and excellent in practice. If a room of this kind is fumigated the combs will be kept doubly secure. — Eu.J 634 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. July 15 young's spring-top oil-can foundation- fastener. I have made a little device I use in fast- ening foundation in sections, v^hich I think is a little ahead of any arrangement that I have ever before tried for doing good and neat vpork. I think it might be properly called a hod or bee-keeper section-hod, as it much resembles that tool a plasterer uses to put his mortar on. It is made as follows: Take a %-inch board; saw off a piece the size of your section, then nail it to the end of a round stick through the center of the board for a handle (the top end of an old broomstick makes a good one); then cut a block a trifle less than the inside measure of the section, and a little less than half its depth, allowing for half the thickness of the foundation; then nail it to the other piece. I have remodeled a small oil-can that I use for pouring melted wax. As to the oil-can, just get a tinner to solder a handle to the side, similar to a small dipper-handle; punch a good-sized hole on top of the side, as shown in the cut, and it is ready. I melt wax in a small tin pail, and enough of it so I can sink the oil-can in it, and let it fill up through the hole in the side or top. Use nothing but clean wax free from sediment, then it will run fast enough through the small tube. I fix a small rack in the top of the pail to lay the can on, to let it drip off a moment when first taking it out of the melted wax. This you can do by punching a few holes about an inch below the rim of the pail, and about one-third around, and weave in some fine wire. Now for the work, Slip the section on over the block; lay in the piece of founda- tion; press it close to the section, then pour on the melted wax along the edge of foun- dation. If you want to see what a nice little strip of wax you can get in the center of the section acroea the hottoai or up the sides, which I think will be quite an in- ducement to the bees to attach their comb to the sides and bottom of the section, keep right on pouring the wax in the corner on the bare block, always commencing at the upper corner; pour on a drop or two, then let it run as far as it will before putting on more. This hod, as I call it, you can hold and turn at any angle that suits you; but you must keep the face of it wet by dipping in water in order to have the wax slip loose, and leave it sticking to the sec- tion; and when pouring the wax on, you must reach up with your fingers and hold the side of the section close to the block to keep the wax from running through. See that your sections are folded square; press them to shape while corners are yet damp; cut foundation in the miter-box, then you will be enabled to fasten the top and one side. I cut mine diagonal, using a half- sheet fastened in one corner. Now, Mr. Editor, I should like to have you or some of your help make and test one of them before you publish this. Do not use a wax tube if it works as poorly as mine does, for this work. Keep your work to the right, where j'ou can do the reaching with the right hand, holding the hod in the left. N. Young. Robertson, la. [Your plan of a little hod that can be twirled in the hand offers a special advan- tage in fastening foundation to the top and one side; but when the wax is so fastened, are you not liable to have trouble when the section goes into the super? If I mistake not, the foundation will be inclined to buckle or warp if the section is crowded in the su- per so as to throw it a little out of square. The scheme of fastening to the end as well as the top has never been practical so far as I know. Our British cousins have used sections grooved on top and sides, slipping the foundation into the grooves; but even then one would have to work very carefully or his foundation would be bulged. If it would be practicable to have the wax fast- ened on three sides we should get plumper and prettier sections. — Ed.] RHEUMATISM FROM TOO MANY STINGS. I have had a long spell of rheumatism, and haven't been able to do any thing this summer. The doctor says it is from get- ting so many bee-stings. What do you think about it? I have been working in bees steady in the summer for four or five years, from a few stands to 250, besides transferring and working with other peo- ple's bees all over the country, and I never wear any veil, and, of course, I get lots of stings. S. M. Campbell. Mountainburg, Ark. [I have never heard of a case where bee- stings were alleged as the cause of rheuma- tism; but there have been scores of reports where the poison from the bee has actually cured that disease, and in many cases 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 635 where it has been of great relief. I do not know any thing about your doctor; but I can not for one moment believe he is right. If you ask the average physician he will tell you that bee-stings will have nothing to do with causing disease, but that they may mitigate it somewhat. Your trouble may be due to some other cause. Perhaps when you are among the bees you catch cold, with the result that the symptoms are aggravated somewhat. I certainly should advise you to begin wearing a veil — not because it will make your rheumatism bet- ter or worse, but because too many stings may injure j'ou other ways. — Ed.] BKKS NOT INCLINICD TO WORK ON FOUNDA- TION BELOW. Early this spring I bought two colonies of black bees in L. hives, but comb was byilt so crooked I could not get the queen out to put in an Italian without cutting the comb to pieces; so put another brood-cham- ber below them with frames filled with foundation, thinking they would work down on to lower frames, and then I could find the queen and remove her. Well, seeing they were very strong I went yesterday in- to the hive, thinking I could find her, and found they had not touched or drawn out the foundation in the lower box, though very much crowded in the upper one. I was planning, as soon as they had another queen, to drive them from the upper box, when to-day they started to swarm out, and had been gone; but I happened to see them in time to flood with water, and stop them. Now, is not that a rather strange result? I felt sure, as they needed space, they would work down in the bottom box; but actually they have never touched the foun- dation sheets, so far as working them out is concerned. The fact that they swarmed shows I am not mistaken in thinking that there was an abundance of bees and honey. Paducah, Ky., June 8. "W, M. Janes. [You made the mistake of putting your foundation ujider the general brood-nest. I should hardly expect the bees to go below to draw it out, even if the brood apartment above were crowded. If you had put it above, the results might have been very different. In order to draw out combs, the compartment or super should be very warm; as heat naturally rises, comb-building pro- gresses best in the top of the hive. You may set it down as a rule that bees will not generally leave a brood-nest above to go into an empty space below, even though that brood-nest is crowded for room. — Ed.] [A copy of the foregoing was sent to Mr. Janes, who writes further:] Yes, I see the mistake made, but was trying to get the black queen off the crook- ed comb to where I could get hold of her. But I can give something which is not a mistake, and maj* be made useful as I have been doing. Old strong colonies can be made to work out as much new all-worker comb from starters as is wanted — no un- certainty as to drone comb involved — by simply putting an empty box with starters below., except one straight comb for the queen to start on, putting her below, with excluding zinc above her. This gives all storage comb above that the bees need, and they will make comb below only as the queen presses them for it, and every cell will be worker. I find this works every time without any regard to age of queen, size of colony, or other conditions, and they at once begin to make what she needs too. Extracting and comb-building can be run together thus very successfully, and no drone comb made. W. M. Janes. Paducah, Ky., June 29. [Yes, this plan will work when the bees will go below; but usually they will swarm if honey is coming in slowly. When it comes in more rapidly, and swarming has ceased, as it does in some localities, then the bees will, of course, work downward and build worker comb. — Ed.] BEES DYING IN IDAHO; IS IT POISON OR WHAT? Please tell, if you can, the cause of my bees dying. They were put in a cellar all winter, and wintered very well. They seemed to be very healthy for about three weeks after they were brought out, and then they began dying off. They acted just as if they were freezing, although the weather was warm, and thej' had been out working for two weeks at least. They would fly out, sit on the edge of the hive for a few minutes, then fall ofi" dead, until they all died. I lost 14 stands in about one month and a half. They certainly did not starve, for the hives were two-thirds full of honey, all ten-frame hives. I, how- ever, am not the only one who has lost bees. One of my neighbors has lost over 100 colonies ; another neighbor has lost 38 and one 60. Nearly every one has lost his bees, and they all seemed to act nearly the same as mine did. Owing to the loss of so many bees, a very poor honey crop is predicted this year. Alfalfa is just going into bloom. George H. Smith. Poplar, Idaho, June 16. [Your question is a hard one to answer. I first thought it might be poison that the bees had gathered from fruit-trees that had been sprayed while in bloom; but if that were the case the trouble would disap- pear as soon as the spraying ceased. But from what you write I judge that the mal- ady, whatever it is, is apparently going on with its destructive work. If so, the only thing I can suggest is bee-paralysis. The bees will behave somewhat as you de- scribe, but I never knew this disease to be very serious in the North. A paralytic bee has a black, shiny, greasy appearance; its abdomen is considerably swollen; the bee will have a trembling motion, and will crawl into the grass from the entrance, and 636 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. July IS die. If it is crushed, there will be a trans- parent, slightly yellow fluid from it as if it were in the nature of dropsy in the human family. I should be glad to hear from some of our subscribers, and also to receive specimens of the dead bees. It may be a new disease. — Ed.] QUESTIONS ABOUT SHAKEN SWARMS. I had two colonies of bees that swarmed one day apart. I hived them in separate hives, shook the bees oflF the combs of each old colony in front of each new hive, leav- ing enough bees in the old hive to take care of the brood. Eleven days later I repeated the shaking with the one, and ten days later with the other; twenty-one days from the time they swarmed I shook all the bees off the combs in front of the new hive of the one colony; the other, twenty days from the time they swarmed. About 1000 bees went back into the old hive of the one colony, and about 2000 bees went back into the old hive of the other colony. Five days after the last shaking I shook the rem:.ining bees from each old hive in front of each new hive. The one with about 1000 bees, as nearly as I could see, killed them all. The one with about 2000 bees I could not see that they killed any. Would you please inform me why those two colonies of bees acted so differently, as there was only one day's difference in swarming? I can't see why they acted so differently unless it was that the one that killed the bees had the old queen, and the other the young queen. L. H. LiNDEMUTH. Lehmaster, Pa., May 26. [This was referred to Mr. L. Stachelhau- sen, who replies. He is possibly the best- posted bee-keeper on the subject of shaken swarms in the United States. — Ed.] I see that, 20 and 21 days after swarm- ing, you shook all the bees from the old hives in front of the swarms; but in one case 1000 and in the other case about 2000 of the bees returned to the old hives. Right here is something I do not understand — 21 days after swarming, all the worker brood has hatched; and if all the bees are shaken in front of the swarms, you have broodless combs, nothing else. What is the reason for keeping them on the old stand? I would remove the old hive entirely, and use the combs somewhere else. If some of the field- bees would return they would find the old hive gone, and try to enter one of the neigh- boring hives, and they will be accepted if they have their honey-sac filled. Now, you say that you have shaken these few bees in front of the swarm 5 days aft- erward. In one case they were nearly all killed; in the other case none were killed, and you want to know why this difference. It is always difficult to explain some things if we do not know all the circum- stances. Two different explanations are possible. 1. Field-bees with an empty honey- stomach, if introduced to another colony. are generally killed; but if they come back from the field with a load, and try to enter a wrong hive, they are not molested at all. In the one case Mr. L. may have disturbed the bees sufficiently, which caused the bees to fill themselves with honey, and they were accepted. In the other case they probably could not do so, for some reason unknown to me, and were killed. 2. Whether the swarm had an old or a young queen will make no difference, I think, in this respect; but something else is to be considered. Bees of an after-swarm can hardly be united with a colony having a fertile queen. It seems that the bees see the danger that a young virgin queen may kill the old fertile mother. On the other hand, queenless bees are generally accept- ed. This may explain Mr. L.'s case in an- other way. If with the 1000 bees there was some kind of virgin queen it is not as- tonishing that they all were killed by the colony having a young or old fertile queen; and if among the 2000 bees no queen at all was present, and they had full honey-sacs, they were accepted all right. L. Stachp:lhausen. Converse, Texas. THE UPPER-STORY PLAN OF SUPERSEDING QUEENS. Doolittle in his books on queen-rearing, which I have translated into German (and published), says on page 111, second edi- tion: "If you desire to supersede any queen, etc., all you have to do is to put on an upper story with a queen-excluding honey-board under it; place a frame of brood with a queen-cell upon it, in this up- per story; and after the young queen has hatched, withdraw the queen-excluder, and your old queen is superseded without your even having to find her, or having the least bit of time wasted to the colony. Concerning this method I have found no mention made of it in your ABC. Pray tell why. Is it practically worthless? or have you mentioned it in the ABC? I should be very grateful if you would be so kind as to answer my question. A. Strauli. Scherzingen, Switzerland, Jan. 29. [The item you refer to in Doolittle's book is one among several good things found therein; but, from the nature of our work, we were able to give only extracts or brief sketches of some of the methods referred to in his excellent work. For that reason we did not include the part you refer to. As to the plan itself, I have not tested it, and therefore referred it to Mr. Doolittle, who replies. — Ed.] The plan Mr. Strauli asks about worked perfectly in all trials before the book was published; but since, when bees were in- clined to rob, as no nectar was coming from the fields, it has sometimes failed. I find bees are very "freaky " things, and every little while they will upset rules that have worked for 10, 15, or 20 years — 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 637 kill queens, refuse to build worker comb, and even fail to build queen-cells on larv;e g^iven when queenless; yes, and swarm without any queen at all. I feel often, of late, like saj'ing, "I don't know," with Dr. Miller. G. M. Doolittlk. Borodino, N. Y., June 16. [We did \.vy, come to think of it, some- thing- similar — raising cells in upper sto- ries over perforated zinc. It worked dur- ing a honey- flow, but not after. — Ed.] colonies, you had better give up bee-keep- ing as a business. — Ed.] THE POISONOUS FUMES OF THE HIVE; KEEP- ING HONEY IN TIN CANS. I read of persons being- poisoned by g-ases from hives. I think this can be remedied bj' uncovering- for a while the hive to be manipulated, before one works it. This will allow the ventilation of the hive, which carries oft" most of the gas. Please let me know if keeping- honey in a common tin Novice extractor for a long- time will injure it, say two months. Albert D. Warner. Warsaw, Va., June 13. [There is onlj' about one person in fifty thousand who is at all affected by the fumes of bee-sting poison from a strong colon}'. Leaving the hive open for a few minutes might possibly allow the vapor or gas to pass off. But if one is so sensitive to the poison as this, ventilation probably would not help very much. In cool weath- er, when a hive is open bees will elevate their stings; and if you watch closely you will see a tiny drop of the poison on the end. If there is a pungent odor given oft" from this poison, the mere matter of venti- lating possiblj' might disperse it some. Honey can be kept in tin vessels for a great length of time. It prevents corrosion of the metal, and the honey itself will keep indefinitely. — Ed.] ARTIFICIAL PASTURAGE. I have been keeping bees for four years and have never been able to have them make any surplus of an}' kind. During this time I have studied the trouble thor- oughly, and have decided that it is in the pasture, so I will have to plant some or quit bee-keeping. I should like to have you give me some information on the subject of pas- ture for this section. I don't know of clover being grown within one hundred miles of me, and the people say it won't grow here. What shall I plant? W. H. Patrick. Bamberg, S. C. [There is no artificial pasturage that will pay you just for bees alone. "You would have to put out hundreds of acres, and even then you might not get enough to supply the bees with any more than their daily consumption. If there is not natural pas- turage suflicient to give your bees a surplus from year to year, and that is a condition that is very unusual in the case of a few FORMALDEHYDE FOR BEE-MOTH. After reading the articles in Gleanings on the use of formaldehyde gas for the treat- ment of foul brood, it occurs to me that the eggs of the bee-moth might be treated in the same way. But in making the gas strong enough to kill the worms, would not the larviv and eggs of the bee be destroyed at the same time? W. L. Short. "Vicksburg, Miss., June 12. [What would kill the one would kill the other, undoubtedly; but as long as there is eggs in the combs they would, of course, be in the custody of the bees. If they had any Italian blood in them there would be no danger from worms. The only combs that would require fumigating would be those that were empty or out of the care and keeping of the bees. As a matter of precaution it would be good policy to fumi- gate with the formaldehyde all combs in the fall of the year. This would disinfect them of foul brood as well as kill any eggs of the moth-miller that might be in them. — Ed.] gleanings SATISFACTORY AS IT IS. I notice the criticism on pages 552, 553, regarding advertisements in Gleanings, especially numbering the advertisement pages and keeping them separate; but I should be very sorry to see it done. I also save the copies, putting them together as soon as I get them, having them bound at the end of the year. But I want the ad- vertisements hound with them so that I may have them also to refer to. I like Gleanings very much. I took it eight months before I got my bees. I hard- ly know which part I enjoy most, from Stray Straws to the notes by A. I. R. ; but I think those two are excellent, and I should miss either of them very much. I also enjoyed the writings of Rambler, and it seemed like the loss of a personal friend when I heard of his death. I think Gleanings is about perfection, and that you understand both the bee busi- ness and running a bee-paper Stephen J. Griffen. Bridgeport, Conn., June 19. picking up queens to clip. I was much amused at the description given in Gleanings, of catching and hold- ing a queen to clip. Why not lift her at once with the thumb and fore finger by the thorax, and as you raise her from the comb pass the middle finger under her, re- moving the index finger? then you have her in about the position you describe, thus avoiding not only the delay of transferring the queen from one hand to the other, but of lifting the scissors, which, with this method, are placed in the right hand in position before the queen is lifted. Some 638 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. July 15 years ag^o I caug-ht her between the finger and thumb, and left her on the comb while clipping"; but I found it necessary quite oft- en to wait for her to withdraw a leg from between the scissors; and I found by lifting her from the comb this diificultj' was en- tirely avoided as you so nicely describe. London, Can., June 5. F. J. Miller. [But it seems to me your plan is more awkward, and more liable to do injury to the queen, than the one that I described. A beginner (and it was to that class I was writing) could do better work by using his right hand. When one attempts any thing of this kind for Vaejirst time he should use that hand (probably the right) that is the most natural and easy for him. The trans- fer from one hand to the other is but the work of a moment; and, really, time should cut no figure in this. It is a question of safety to the queen. The average person, even if he were a bee-keeper of some years' experience, might do bungling work with his left hand. — Ed.] DO BEES COVER OFFENDING OBJECTS WITH WAX OR PROPOLIS? While in conversation this morning with several friends, the matter of bees came up for discussion. I was reading Gleanings, and a gentleman to whom you have sent several sample copies was commenting on its merits. It was remarked by one of the part}'^ that bees would cover any foreign ob- ject which might get in the hive — say, for instance, if a mouse got into the hive and died, the bees would cover it with a coating of wax, thus virtually hermetically sealing it in a case from which no odor could arise. I have in my experience had a mouse in the hives several times, but never a dead one (he died soon after I discovered him). Did this matter ever come to your notice? and is it so that the bees will cover an ob- ject with wax as stated? This might be of interest to others. C. L. Sniffen. Spring Valley, N. Y., June 11. [It is quite true that bees will cover any foreign object which they can not remove, with wax or propolis. They have been known to cover up a thing as large as a beetle; but it is doubtful if they would at- tempt to cover a dead mouse. If his little carcass became too offensive the bees might swarm out. I do not know what they would do. — Ed.] plurality of eggs in a cell. I send you by a separate package a small piece of drone comb which, you will notice, has more than its share of eggs. This queen was raised by me, and this is her first work. She laid two frames and a half full, clear to the edge of the frames. Flo\'d L. Eddy. Santa Barbara, Cal. [The comb was examined, and as you say contained a large number of eggs in each cell. This is probably the work of a drone-layer or laying workers. A good queen, however, sometimes when she be- gins laying will lay more than one e.gg in a cell; or sometimes a normal queen that has too small an amount of comb will do the same. But in your case I should say you had either a drone -layer or laying workers, either of which should be destroy- ed.—Ed.] queens biting instead of STINGING. I noticed a short article on page 550, about queens stinging human beings. It was only a few days ago that I helped a queen out of her cell and allowed her to crawl up my arm. She gave me (what I thought to be) a bite and not a sting as reported by the correspondent. As her movement was very slow, and watching her intently, I feel sure of the source of the pain. W. G. Rice. Champaign, 111., June, 18. [As before stated, it is only rare that queens sting human beings. They are more apt to bite, under certain provocation. — Ed. J THE YELLOW BANDS IN ITALIANS. I should like to ask a question of Ernest and call Dr. Miller's attention to it. If the yellow bands we so much admire are yellow because of the fluid back of them, then the fluid in the black bees and the gray Carni- olans must be a difl'erent color. Not being a scientist myself, I should like to have you explain that in Gleanings, if not too much trouble. W. Bowling. Stratford, Ont., Canada. [The corresponding bands in the blacks are opaque, not transparent, as in Italians. The fluids are the same in both. — Ed.] formic acid in HONEY. Can you tell me whether catnip honey has more formic acid than alfalfa honey or than other honeys? Roy A. Wilson. Kearney, Neb., June 15. [I do not know that it has been definite- ly proven, although that seems to be the general assumption, that formic acid does exist in honey. I should not suppose that there was more in one source of honey than in any other. — Ed.] canvas leggings for keeping bees out of the trousers. Say to Dr. Miller, try a pair of light can- vas leggings for keeping bees out of the trousers, and note the improvement. C. E. Woodward. Punta Brava, Cuba. Where is the queen generally located in a cluster of bees after they have swarmed and alighted on a tree or bush? Wabuska, Nev. J. G. Young. [The queen-bee in a cluster is generally on the outside. — Ed.] 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 639 OUR HOMES, BY A.I. ROOT. Charity is not easily provoked; thinketh no evil; . . believeth all things, hopeth all things. — I. Cor. 13:5, 7. When my thousand bushels of potatoes were ready to harvest last fall, I was a great deal worried about the amount it was going to cost me to get them to Medina. To haul them b}' wagon over the hills to the nearest railwaj' station would cost between S50 and SlOO; but at the foot of the long hill on the edge of the bay there was a dock where vessels of various kinds stopped to get lumber, and I could get the potatoes down there at very little expense, because it was all the way down hill. Then the question was to get the steamer to stop there and take them on and carr}' them around by the " Soo " to Cleveland. I presented the matter to the Northern Michigan Trans- portation Co. , whose agent was at Traverse City; and after presenting the matter to the general freight agent of the company he said they would take my potatoes from the Bingham dock and turn them over to the railwaj' company at Cleveland at 12 cents per 100 lbs. : but thej' said I must have a carload or more piled up on the dock as an inducement for the steamer to stop and take them on. The plan was carried out with- out any trouble, and my potatoes were de- livered at our potato-cellars in Medina at a cost of about 13 or 14 cents a bushel. But our people here in Medina notified me that the railroad company demanded an over- charge of something like S20. I suppose our friends are aware that, to facilitate business, these overcharges are always paid; that the railroad company agrees to look into all matters of this kind; and where the monej' received is not according to agreement, or more than the agreement, thej' will paj' it back. This method of do- ing business has been severely criticised, especially bj' the farming communit}', and on this account I wish to take a little space right here to defend the railroads and the great navigation companies. In all kinds of business where the owner or owners can not be right on hand to de- cide in regard to difficult questions, it is pretty generally ag-reed that the best waj', and, in fact, almost the only way, is to pay the charges and adjust the differences aft- erward. For instance, if you are traveling on a railwa}', and there is something wrong about your ticket, you can pay your fare, and the railroad company will refund the money afterward — that is, if you are in the right and the conductor is in the wrong. In the nature of things, the railroad com- panies can not give their conductors unlim- ited discretionary powers. A fe%v months ago I sent Mrs. Root's tick- et to the headquarters of the Pere Mar- quette railway to have the time extended. Before the ticket got back, however, we had notice that my mother was near death. Of course, we could not wait for the return of the ticket, so I paid my wife's fare from Traverse City to Toledo. I supposed at the time and under the circumstances I should be out of pocket. I thought, however, I would present the matter to the general passenger agent ; and I confess I was a lit- tle surprised when my $8.25 came back promptly. You see I could not tell the agent at Traverse City about my ticket that had not got back, for he would not know any thing about it, and it was no af- fair of his any way. At another time we just managed to catch a train. Mrs. Root had a return ticket, reading plainly that it would have to be stamped at the ticket-office before it could be used on the return trip. I knew we had neglected to comply' with their regulations, and I supposed I would have to pay the fare ; but they managed it so my failure to comply did not cost me any thing, but it made them some trouble. By the way, perhaps I might reniark right here that a friend of mine who is a railroad man said I must not jump to the conclusion that all railway companies are as accom- modating as the Pere Marquette. He said he honestly believed they gave their passen- gers more for their money than almost any other railwaj' company. But this is aside from the subject we are considering. There are a great many iron- clad rules about traveling that seem to us unneces- sary ; but where railroad companies employ thousands of people, and sometimes almost a thousand miles away from headquarters, they have got to exercise great care to pre- vent dishonesty, or, perhaps we might say, to avoid leaving things in such shape as to encourage ^\s,hones,ty. And this is whj'^ we are told again and again that, where there are differences between yourself and the conductor or the freight agent, as the case ma}^ be, the better way is to pay the bill, then put in your claim and have the matter adjusted afterward. And just here comes in the thought that this adjuster of all these dif- ferences should be a very wise, sharp, and keen man. People often present claims to the railroad and transportation companies that are preposterous ; and several times I have known of claims being paid where I thought the adjuster was almost throwing away the money of his company. Let us now go back to the potato deal, if you please. As soon as I learned of the overcharge on mj' potatoes, I put in a claim for my S20. After some weeks had passed, I became a little uneasy about it ; but Mr. Calvert and Mr. Boyden, who have these matters in charge, jokingly told me if the transporta- tion companies got around to it in a year they would do well. Of course, you know that I have in years past had quite a large experience in collecting claims mj'self, and I said if they were followed up properly it need not take a year, nor any thing like it. 640 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. July 15 So I commenced sending' claim after claim for the overcharg-e on the potatoes. I told them that, if our claim was not just and right, they should let us know wherein we were not entitled to it. I shall have to con- fess that it was about six months after the transaction that I got any reply. Then the general freight agent at Baltimore wrote us he had just been informed by the general freight agent of the Cleveland and Detroit Transportation Co. that my shipment did not originate at Traverse City but at Bing- ham, and therefore my demand for over- charge was declined. May be you think that, since A. I. Root has been largely relieved from the cares of business, and left by himself out in the woods to cultivate a Christian character, he is always genial and kind, and does not get stirred up. Well, you are a little mis- taken. When I found these people had waited six months while I had been telling my story over and over again, and then de- clared they would not pay me a cent be- cause my potatoes were not battled to Trav- erse City to put them on the steamer, I felt like fighting. May be you have had some such experience. I did not care particular- ly for the S20 ; but when 1 had the figures in plain black and white, to be turned off in this shape I could not rest. It was the principle of the thing more than the amount of money at stake. I stated the case to a good many people who had had experience in such matters. I talked with the railway men about it, and said, " What are these general freight agents of the large railroad companies employed for? Is it to see that justice and fairness are done in every trans- action? or is it to get out of paying any and every claim against their respective com- panies by some hook or crook or technicali- ty ? " Most of the busine?s men to whom I pre- sented the matter laughed at the way I pre- sented it ; but pretty much all of them de- clared that the general freight agent earned his salary by saving the money of the com- pany that employed him. I remonstrated again and said : "But these transportation men are work- ing hard to get trade. Almost all of them have strong competition. They are trying to turn trade into the hands of their com- panies. They are especially anxious to g-et carload orders like my two carloads of potatoes. Such transactions as the one I have mentioned would not advertise their business. Do not railroad companies try to treat their customers in such a way that they will come to them again?" One man, who ought to know about these things, replied : " Why, Mr. Root, if you have some more potatoes to ship, that fact maj' have some weight in getting them to return the over- charge." Now, friends, as I have said before, most of you have had some experience in this kind of business. I am afraid the greater part of you have fallen into the fashion of saying that "railroad corporations have no souls, and it will cost more to collect the overcharge than it is worth. If you go to law abotit it, they have their own lawyers who work on a salary. It would not cost them any more to have these lawyers at work at something than to have them sitting idle; better drop it and lose it the way we do." To all of this I want to say, God forbid. I have met a few men in high positions who were overbearing, and lacking in con- science; but may God be praised it is only a few. When I went back to Traverse City after the transaction just mentioned, I decided to call on the agent of the Northern Michigan Transportation Co., Mr. Elwyn H. Pope. He is the man who gave me the rates, and the one who directed the steamer to call at Bingham dock, and who also gave me a let- ter to hand to the clerk on the steamer, mentioning the rate they had agreed to give me. I had in my possession the agreement to move the potatoes from Traverse City to Cleveland, but, unfortunately, I did not have a scrap of any thing to prove that the potatoes were to be taken off Bingham dock at the same price. I gave the only piece of paper, mentioning this, to the ptirser on the boat. He kept it as his authority for stop- ping at the dock for my potatoes. I was so busy in planting potatoes in June that it was two or three weeks before 1 got up to Traverse City to see the agent. During these two or three weeks I kept ask- ing myself the question, "Will Mr. Pope make his verbal agreement as good as the written one I hold?" Quite a few assured me that, when he knew just how I was fixed, he would stand in first for his com- pany, and let me lose my $20. The agent seemed such a bright, fair, honest man when I talked with him a year ago that I could not believe it for a moment. Yes, friends, the matter not only weighed on my mind, but I prayed over it. I pray^ed that God would help me to hold fast, not only to my faith in him, but in humanity. I pray- ed for that great and wonderful gift of charity — the charity that seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, and thinketh no evil. You know I am naturally hopeful. I have faith and hope in poor imperfect hu- manity. 1 prayed for that charity that "hopeth all things" as well as " endureth all things." When Mrs. Root and I got ready to go back, our train was late and we had only' about fifteen minutes to get from one depot to another. If I did not catch that train I would have to stay in Traverse City all that afternoon, with nothing to do. I put Mrs. Root in a bus with the baggage, and then I ran over to the wharf where the steamers stop. Mr. Pope was busy superintending the unloading of a steamer. He put his fin- ger on the paper where he was writing, looked up, and I was keenly trying to read the man meanwhile to see if I had been mistaken in him. He did not remember me 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 641 at first, but finally he g-ave me a pleasant smile, and said, " Oh, 3'esl this is Mr. Root, the man who g^ave us some potatoes to ship." Then I told him I had only twelve min- utes to spare, and that if he could spare about three minutes he could help me catch the train. I had my letter in my hand, where thej' declined rebating- the $20 be- cause the potatoes were not taken on at Traverse City. His reply was something like this : " Why, this is ridiculous. I told you the potatoes would be taken from the Bing-ham dock at the same price. I told the clerk on the boat what the agreement was, and I g-ave j'ou a note to hand to him to that ef- fect." Oh what a weig^ht was lifted at once from m}' heart I — a weight that had rested there long weeks, because I feared — do you know what I feared ? I feared to have another evidence of the weakness and frailty and corruption of humanity. May be you know something about how it hurts to have some- bod j' you have relied on — somebody you have felt glad to know— turn traitor. My convictions of the previous j'ear in regard to Mr. Pope were right. He maj^ not be a Christian, although I hope he is; but he is a true man— one of God's noblemen. I told him my anxiety to catch that train, and he replied that, if I would leave the letters with him, he would make the matter all straight. He said he could not believe the matter had ever been presented to his com- pany at all; that the agent of the Cleveland and Detroit Transportation Co. had simply got far enough to discover the potatoes were taken on at Bingham dock, and had refused the claim without any further investigation. He furthermore said if I had any more po- tatoes to ship they would take them at the price given last year, and he would stand by me, and see that they did not get in any overcharge. Some of you maj' suggest that I have not j-et got my monej', and that may be I shall not get it after all. But I think I shall. I believe if this whole matter could be pre- sented to the heads of our great transporta- tion companies they would say at once that the3' employ agents at good salaries to be fair and just to every customer of theirs, whether he be high or low, rich or poor, black or white; and that the insinuation that they employ men to "wiggle out " of a just claim is untrue. God grant that it may be so. There are men in public office who have no conscience and no scruple; but such men will not only steal for their em- ployers, but they will very soon, if they do not already, steal from them. They will be found out and dismissed, just as our great nation now while I write is ferreting out and dismissing and sending to prison those who make a bad use of the positions that have been given to them. God forbid that corruption, especially in high places, should be the rule; and may God grant that we as individuals may eacii and everj' one of us try not only to be honest and fair to- ward all, but that we may be cultivating that little virtue embodied in our text, that bids us not only have faith in God but faith in our fellow-men, and be striving to hold constantly before us that grand virtue that "thinketh no evil." THE NEWER STRAWBERRIES. On p. 555, June 15th issue, I spoke of the newer strawberries we are testing. When Mrs. Root and I reached our "cabin," June 18th, they were just beginning to rip- en. As there had been no rain for fully three weeks, the plants with their great loads of fruit were suffering, and some of them were considerably wilted, both ber- ries and foliage. Mrs. R. thought it was too bad; but I said: "No! it is just right. I can now tell which of the twelve kinds will stand up best under drouth." Among the twelve there is one for which great claims are made in regard to stand- ing dry weather. See the following from the originator: We are having the hottest and driest weather here ever known. No rain yet, and the thermometer regis- tering from 110 10 in for the past week. All varieties of strawberries on my place have to be watered and shaded except Challenge. It is the most wonderful drouth-resister I have ever seen. We were hardly out of the buggy when I asked Mrs. R. to take a look at the twelve kinds, and tell me which one was standing the drouth best. Without knowing their names she pointed out the Challenge at once. The leaves, as well as the fruit, were immense in size — not a spot of rust, and not a wilted leaf. It may be, however, that this is partly becatise it does not make many plants, hence each plant has more room than in many of the other rows; be- sides, the fruit does not lie in heaps as it often does with such varieties as Warfield and Haverland, and those of that t3'pe. The next to it, as a drouth-resister, is "Uncle Jim," introduced by Flansburg & Peirson, Leslie, Michigan. This, too, is a strong vigorous grower, and bears immense berries; but while the shape and color are not as good as Challenge, the berries are as sweet as the Sharpless. Even when they are mottled with white they are sweet enough for me without any sugar. Like the Gandy, however, while some of the plants have great loads of berries others have few or none. Uncle Jim, like Chal- lenge, makes only a few plants; and if one wants extra large berries, even if there are not so many, this may be a good fault. August Luther is much like Michel's Early — sends out lots of runners, makes lots of plants, and gives a great lot of ber- 642 GLEAXIN'GS IN BEE CULTURE. July 15 ries very early; good shape and color, but not very large. Ljon much resembles the War field, but the berries are longer, rather svs-eeter and larger, especially if the plants are thinned out and not allowed to stand as thickly in the row as they grew. Both of these last two make so many plants that the matted row must be thinned out; and if they are to ripen the great mass of berries they set, they must have rich soil, and water during a drouth. Senator Dunlap is the greatest plant to send out runners and make plants, I think, that I ever saw. It was the outside row nearest the top of the hill; and this was lucky, as it climbed the hill like a squash- vine, starting vigorous plants all along the way; and even in this thickly matted bed (it isn't a "row") it is giving us beautiful berries, some of them of good size, and, best of all, when fully ripe, of exquisite sweetness and flavor, something like the best specimens of wild strawberries. As I write, we have just had a gentle rain for 24 hours, and strawberries and every thing else are just looking glorious this 24th day of June. Our peach-trees among the crimson clover, and, in fact, all over the hill where the woods were cleared off, are making such a growth I have to stake them or the wind will break the tops off, they are so heavy with new foliage. About the handsomest tree on our place is an Acme apricot. Its perfect glossy- green leaves, contrasting with the glossy blood- red twigs and leaf- stems, make it about as handsome a tree as I ever saw anywhere; and when we consider the hand- some fruit, ripening before early peaches, I do not see why it is not more grown. My neighbor Hilbert said they grew some years ago; but when they took them to town the merchants said folks wouldn't buy them, because they "didn't know what they were." We had a few last year, and shall have more this season; and I call them, as grown here, about the finest fruit I ever tasted. So far no insect or disease has harmed either the trees or the fruit. RENDER UNTO C.^.SAR THE THINGS THAT ARE Cesar's, and unto god the THINGS that are GOD'S, ETC. Several years ago a friend of mine, Mr. Oeo. A. Root, spoke to me about a low- priced outfit so that people, especially those in rural districts, away from a shoemaker, could repair their own shoes. We had quite a little talk about it. In 1892 he had a booklet printed at our place, describing this repair outfit for footwear. On the cover of the book there was the print of a shoe that looked as if somebody with wet feet had stepped on the book and left an imprint. Right under it were the words, " Somebody has been steppingon my book." I remember there was a good deal of merri- ment about it, and people picked it up and looked it through just because of this joke on the cover. He started in a small way to make this shoe-repairing outfit. Friend Root is a sort of eccentric inventor — per- haps something like myself. I think he never got out a patent; but the thing seemed to fill a public want, and quite a business was soon started. You may remember see- ing the advertisements in the papers of " Root's repairing outfit." Well, I am not writing up the work of the Root Brothers just now; I am simply calling attention to a piece of injustice that the great wide world should condemn. It is this matter of borrowing (or stealing, rather) other people's ideas without so much as saying "thank you." Just as soon as friend Root got his business well going, different per- sons started out with the same thing. They even copied the wording and the pictures on his advertisements; and, so far as I know, not one of these land pirates ever said so much as "by your leave." Very soon the agricultural papers began to of- fer these things as premiums. I remon- strated with one or two editors about en- couraging a steal by patronizing somebody besides the original inventor; and I felt a good deal disheartened when they would reply, at least in substance, " Mr. Root, all you say may be true; but John Smith of- fers his outfit a little cheaper than we can get them of the original inventors and pioneers." Of course, a large part of my readers will say Mr. Root should have patented his invention. But there are a good many things that can not well be pat- ented; and, more than that (thank God), there are quite a few persons nowadays who do not feel like going to the Patent Office and then carrying on patent litiga- tion. Right here I am glad to be able to say that at the present time there is only one man who manufactures and advertises these outfits besides the Root Brothers at Pl3'mouth, Ohio; and this man is not doing enough to be considered as a formidable competitor. The fellows who were so lack- ing in fairness as to steal another man's ideas kept on stealing, and in due time ran themselves out of busi?iess, especially while the Root Brothers adhered to honest fair principles in all their undertakings. I have seen this same thing happen a good many times in my life. But sometimes it is disheartening to see "the wicked flour- ish " for quite a spell, " like a green bay- tree." What brought this up just now was sug- gested by looking over a beautiful little pamphlet from the BattleCreek Sanitarium. Many of our readers know about how these people started; and they will remember the time when they began to manufacture health foods and healthful substitutes for 1903 f, LEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 643 tea and coflee, nut products to take the place of meat, and other things of that kind. We are in position to know somethinj^' about the g'rowth and mrif^^nitude of their busi- ness, for we have been forbears furnishing them carload after carlo id of boxes in which to ship their health foods. Well, just as soon as this company began to build up a trade in things of their own in- vention and suggestion, other people, being jealous of their success, started in to make similar products. Now, this is not so very bad, because it is going on all over the world ; and there is a good deal of truth in the remark that competition is the life of business. The thing that looks to me not only unfair but sliaincful is that these rival companies went and planted themselves in Battle Creek. You see Battle Creek has be- come a sort of household word for whole- some health foods; it is something like the firm in St. Louis that put up glucosed honey and represented it as coming from Medina, Ohio. Our place had gained a world-wide reputation for fairness and honest3' because of the wonderful growth and good character of The A. I. Root Co. I do not saj' this to boast, but because it gives a fair illustration. These new com- panies, it seems, under the stimulus of their "Battle Creek"' trademark, soon like- wise did a thriving business. Then others came in; and, if I am correct, there are now between thirty ayid forty different in- stitutions all around the old original sani- tarium, scattering broadcast circulars by the ton concerning their Battle Creek health foods. If they keep on doing business with that sort of principle back of them' I believe they will in time come to grief like the re- pair-outfit fellows. But meanwhile I wish this great nation of ours would frown down every attempt of this kind to steal some other man's thunder. In the first place, it indicates a shameful lack of brains where one starts out in this way to try to steal the ideas of some other person. He is ex- hibiting to the world the fact that he has not brains enough to get up something of his own; and if we were all a little more ready to talk up to him, and give him the go-by, I think there would be less of such copying. The Battle Creek folks will send to any- bod}', on receipt of a postal card, some beautiful pamphlets and illustrations of their new "temple of health," perhaps the largest institution of the kind on the face of the earth. The chief reason why I like to give these folks an encouraging notice now and then is that, with all their great army of helpers, they have decided against the use of tobacco, alcoholic stimulants, and every thing of that kind, just as your old friend A. I. Root has. I have just been very much pleased to see the picture on page 8 of their "outdoor gymnasium." This gymnasium is a big yard with a high fence around it The " apparatus " consists of bucksaws and good sharp axes. Here the students and patients of the institution go in their g3^m- nasium suits, bareheaded, barefooted, and ha.relej,\^ed, and chop wood. It makes me think of where I worked last summer up in my home in Michigan. I was barefooted and bareheaded, and my clothing was so scant that I came pretty near being bare- legged. I notice the farmers in the Trav- erse region, when out in the field with light work to do, have a fashion of rolling up their sleeves almost to the elbow. Now, I honestly believe that, if we were in the habit of arranging our attire during the hot months of the year so the sun and air could strike our limbs and muscles, and make them tanned and brown, it would add largelj' to our health. I went bare- footed because I had troublesome corns; and if my feet became soiled there was that running stream of water where I took my daily baths. One can do ever so much more work, at least in many occupations, by dispensing with coatsleeves and shirt- sleeves, underwearsleeves, and every thing else. Of course, you are liable to be smil- ed at if company comes around; but which is worth more — robust health and the bright exuberance of spirits that comes with it, or to be fixed up for "company" every hour in the day? I suppose the two may be combined to a considerable degree; but I am sure that one of the great aids to better health is not only pure water to drink and pure air to breathe, but to dress in such a way that the air, water, and sunshine can strike you all oi'er as much as possible. The Battle Creek folks are on the right track. '^wm^^^^s^^^m THAT AUTOMOBILE TRIP THROUGH MICHI- GAN. This trip is going to take place about a month later than I expected at first, for reasons I will proceed to give. When I bought the machine, an Olds-Mobile, I told the agent, Mr. Andy Auble, that, if he could teach me so I could run the 30 miles from Cleveland to Medina that day, I would take the machine. You see I wanted it put to the severest test; and just then our clay roads had been badly cut up by repeated rains, and the mud had iried so part of the way that the machine would have to climb over great chunks of dried mud and clay, and at other places the wheels would sink. I told Mr. Auble if the machine would go over such roads a? that without injury, I would be satisfied with it. I had had a little experience in running over good roads around the parks in Cleveland. We started off about 6 o'clock. The first ten miles over the brick pavement was all right. For the first time in my life I enjoyed having unlim- 644 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. July 15 ited power and speed under my control. When I say "unlimited " I mean the ma- chine would go faster than I dared to ride. And this speed was ready at any minute by simply pressing my toe on a lever. Faster, faster, faster — until I was afraid to go faster — still. It was an easy matter to keep up with the street-cars that ran along by my side. And this machine, too, was a special "hill-climber."* It is really worth something in a lifetime to be able to rush things, and with the power that shows no fatigue. One can hardly comprehend that there is no danger of overtasking the horse, or that the hot weather does not make any difference. This was all very nice until we came to the end of the brick pavement. My companion, Mr. Auble, sat by my side, telling me which lever to push or pull, constantly repeating the command to keep my eyes on the road ahead. Said he, "Commence at the very outset to make j'our fingers find the levers, without a glance from your eyes, especially when you are on high speed." Well, when I came in sight of the clay roads, with holes full of muddy water, and great chunks of dry mud almost as large as a cook-stove, I said, " Mr. Auble, it cer- tainly is impossible to run this machine over that road. We shall just smash it to pieces, and never get there." I wish I could give you a picture of the twinkle in his eye as he said, " You just do my bidding; have faith in me and the ma- chine, and we shall get to Medina all right before very late bedtime." I confess to a great inclination to tell him to take my seat and manage; but that was not according to the contract. I wish you could have heard his quick crisp directions, perhaps something like this: "Now pick out your road; put on 3'our power; pull up the spark-lever; now off with your power; put on the brake; ease down at that mudhole; straddle the one ahead of you; put on the slow gear, and the minute she climbs over that obstruction let her down easy with the brake; now get up a little speed for that next bad place — here we go." Thus we hobbled along, having hard work sometimes to keep our seats, until chtig we went down into the mud. The thing was stuck, and would not move. " There, I told you. Now we shall have to get some horses to pull us out." " No, we won't have to have any horses. I never yet had a horse to pull me out, and I don't expect to very soon. Put on 3'our slow motion; back up; swing off to the left with your other power — that's right, here we go. ' ' Well, I kept on in this way until I had made a mile. I began to get a glimpse of what is possible with such a machine in the hands of an expert. The work was not very hard, but some way it got me into a *One like this designed for sand or heavy grades must necessarily make a slower speed on the level than the regular machine. perspiration. The mental strain was ahead of any thing I had ever had on my bicycle, and I was tired enough to be glad to acquiesce when he said, "There, Mr. Root, you could run us home all right, without any doubt; but I think j-ou will learn as much now to watch me, perhaps, as to try it yourself; and I can make quite a liltle better time and not boil the water quite so furiously." It was not the water alone that was boil- ing, but it was the blood in my veins from the excitement and enthusiasm. Oh how I did admire the skill with which he made that machine get over that bad roadl Just after dark, sure enough the machine began to get feeble, and it got tired and would not go at all. I think a full half-hour was spent in darkness trying to locate the diffi- cultjs and I felt a little proud to think that I m5'self got hold of it. There was a defect in the make of the spark-plug. The porce- lain insulator was loose. Just as we had concluded we would have to stay over night at the hotel we got at the trouble. A new spark-plug was put in, and we went on our way merrily. A few minutes later we struck a piece of better road. It went down hill, winding about through a piece of woods; and it seemed to vay inexperienced vision just frightful the way that thing rushed on in the darkness, and turned the corners. The exhilaration was such that I shouted and swung my cap. Some optical illusion seem- ed to sa5^ we were going down the side of a great mountain. In fact, I could not com- prehend how any thing should go at that terrific speed unless it was down hill. We arrived home all right a little after ten. Mr. Auble was going to the hotel; but I insisted he should take his sleep in our home. I will tell you why. I knew I should be up by daylight, or a little after. The whole neighborhood would be still and quiet, and I just hungered for the privilege of getting that machine out on a good road and having fun with it without any one to bother or hinder, or give advice. I had a notion I could master the mechanism after a little study, equal to an3'body else. Yes, I will tell you confidentially that I had a sort of notion that I might be able to make it go a little bette^ than any other live man or woman. I told Mr. Auble what I pro- posed to do, and he said all right. Shall I tell j'ou how I did it? I was up, sure enough. In fact, my fingers just tingled all night long to get hold of those levers and test that new revelation (what I really want to say is that newwonderful and gra- cious gift from the great Father above). I just ached to make that wonderful piece of mechanism respond to my will. I remem- bered the directions. It backed out of its stable all right. It ran the length of our stone road, and behaved itself beautifully. Of course, I went slowl3% because I was a little afraid of it. As there was no living being in sight — of course the road was clear — I thought on the waj' home I would just 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 645 see how fast it could g-o. Well, just about as the speed began to frighten me I remem- ber thinking- it was a little too near the edge of the road. There was a rather deep ditch at the side, full of muddy water. I undertook to bring- it a little nearer the cen- ter of the road. 1 haive a dim recollection that it seemed to have "the bits in its teeth," for it just shot over into that ditch like a flash. I remember something about trying- to make it get back in the road; but when it came so near being turned over I was afraid it would fall on me, I sprang out into the grass on the opposite side of the ditch. I suppose my. hair was almost standing on end from fright. I got up on the sidewalk, and legged it for home. I burst up into Mr. Auble's sleeping-room; and, even though I found him snoring; awa\-, sleeping the sleep of the just, I did not hesitate to rouse him up. " Mr. Aublel get up quick, and g-et my machine out of the ditch." He sprang up, rubbed his eyes, stared at me a minute, then ejaculated: " Out of the ditch! What in the world is 3'our machine doing in the ditch at this time of day?" " Well, that is just what I can not un- derstand. And the worst of all, it is just now time for the milk-wag-ons to come along, and I want j'ou to get it out before ever^'bodj' sees it and tells the story all over town." " Yes, j'esi I see." In a very brief time he followed me to the scene of the disaster. One of the front wheels was down in the mudd}' water, and one of the rear wheels was away up in the •air. It was in such a predicament that we said we could turn it either side up with one hand. " Shall I go and get our team? " " No, nol I never had a team yet, and I do not think we want one now." In my fright I had not even pulled off the power, nor put my foot on the brake. Here is one good thing about the gasoline-ma- chines. They will almost always stop themselves as soon as the driver is out of the seat. He started it up right where it stood. For a little time the wheels " pawed the air," if I may so express it. But we managed to get that front wheel up on the bank, then he straddled the ditch, and ran to a place where the roadway goes into a private house. This was so very steep, and the mud in the ditch so soft, I thoug-ht the machine would not g-et up. But he com- menced backing up, and running toward the bank. Pretty soon he had worn a track so the machine had a tolerable path to get up momentum; and then it popped over the bank into the road, and went off apparentl}' uninjured and unconcerned. Half an hour with the hose made it look al- most as new, after its experience, as when it came out of the salesroom 12 hours before. You see I had been planning to start my trip through Michigan after one day's ex- perience in running it from Cleveland to Medina. All the children had protested; but I thought I knew what I was at. After running- into the ditch I lost my confidence. I was glad to have Mr. Auble by my side while I ran it one more day; and even then I thought best, as the rest advised, to wait for Huber to come home from school, to let him go with me. On this 9th day of July, Huber and I are read3^ to start out. He has had two weeks' experience with the ma- chine, and I suppose I can say, without exaggeration, that he is a tolerably expert electrician; in fact, his education for sever- al years has been in that direction. He has had the machine pretty nearly all to pieces, and knows every part of it. How we get on I will let you know in Notes by the Way. The National Bee - Keepers' Association. Objects of The Association: To promote nnd protect the interests of its members^ To prevent the adulteration of honey. Annual Membership, $1.00. Send dues to the Treasurer. Officers : W. Z. Hutchinson, Flint. Mich , President. J. r. Harris. Grand Junction, Col., Vice president. i^iicoRGi W. York, Chicago. Ills., Secretary N. IC. FRANCt:, Platleville, Wis , Gen. Mgr. and Tieas. Board of Directors: E. Whitcomb, Friend, Nebraska. W. Z. Hutchinson, Flint, Michigan. W. A. Selser. 10 Vine St.. Phildadelphia, Pa. R. C. AiKiN, I,oveland, Colorado. P. H. Elwood, Starkville. N. Y. E. R. Root, Medina, Ohio. Udo Toepperwein, .San Antonio. Texas. G. M. DOOLITTLE. Borodino, N. Y. W. F. Marks, Chapinville. N. Y. J. M. Hambaugh, Escondido. Cal. C. A. Hatch, Richland Center, Wis C. C. Miller, Marengo, Illinois. Farm Wagon only $21.95. In order to introduce their Low Metal Wheels with wide Tires, the Empire Manufacturing Company, Quincy, 111., have placed upon the market a Farmer's Handy Wagon, that is only 25 inches high, fitted with 24 and 30 inch whee s with 4-inch tire, and sold for only $21.95. This wagon is made of the best material throughout, and really costs but a trifle more than a set ot new whei Is. and fully guaranteed for one year. Catalog giving a full description will be mailed upon applica- tion by the Empire Manufacturing Co., Quincy, 111., who will also furnish metal wheels at low prices made any size and width of tire to fit any axle. 646 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE Jdly 15 ^ f 1 HO, FOR CAUFORNIA i ^ ■ f ^ * $50 ThereSBack \nil Ft-om Chicago ^^ ^^ ^^ '^^'^ ^ . I ^ Tickets on sale Aug. ist to 14th inclusive. ^ ^ f ■^ Account meeting of National Bee-keepers' Ass'n. ^ 2. Travel via the Santa Fe — the " Grand Canyon ^ji ^^ Line." ^ ^ Most picturesque and pleasant route. ■^, ^ You can also have privilege of going one wa}^ and ^ ■^ back another. (Round trip via Portland one way is $11.00 ^ i higher) t ^ Final return limit, Oct. 15th, 1903. ^ ^ . "^ iK Full information and copy of beautiful book on Cal- ^ ^♦' ifornia, on request I * ^ A. J- Kennedy, Pass. Agent, ^ (v Williamson Building, Cleveland, O. ^ti Atchison, Topeka & SANTA FE Railway System. ^ ^ ^ 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 647 QUEENS Golden Italian & Leather Colored Warranted to ^'we satisfaction, those are the kind reared by Qulrin=the=Oueen=Breeder. We guarantee cvcrv queen sent out to please you. or it may be returned inside of (iO days and another will be sent •gratis" Our business was established in 18SS, our stock originated from the best and highest-priced Lonff-tongued Red=clover Breeders in the U, 5. We send out fine queens, and send them promptly. We guarantee safe delivery to any State, continental island, or European Country. i'he A. I. Root Co. tells us that our stock is extra fine, while the editor of the American Bee Journal says that he has good reports from our stock, from time to time. Dr. J. 1,. Gandy, of Humboldt, Nebr., savs that he secured over 4(K) pounds of honey (mostly comb), from single colonies containing our queens. A FEW TESTinOMALS. P. V. Meritt, of No. !:> Breckenridge St., I.,ex- ington, Ky.. writes: The bees sent me last July did splendidly. Kach colony has at least 75 lbs. of honey— pretty good for two-frame nuclei. Mr. J.Roorda, of Demotte, Ind., writes: Send me six more queens, the 48 sent me last spring are hustlers. Mr. Wm. Smiley, of Glasgow, Pa , writes: Your bees beat all the rest, now send me a breed- er of the .same kind. A. Norton. Monterey, Calif., writes: Your stock excels the strain of y\x. , which is said to outstrip all others. Your stock excels in profit- able results as well as in beauty. Price of Queens After July First. 1 6 12 Selected « 75 1 00 1 50 3 00 2 00 |4 00 5 00 8 00 $7 00 9 00 Tested Select Tested Extra Selected Tested— the best that money can buy Two-frame Nuclei, no Queen Add the price of whatever queen is wanted to that of nuclei. Our nuclei build up fast, and if not pur- chased too late will make some surplus. Queen-rearing is our specialty: we give it our undivided attention, and rear as many queens (perhaps more) as any breeder in the North. No order is too large for us, as we keep 300 to 500 on hand ready to mail. Send all orders to Quirin=the=Queen=Breeder, Parkertown, OHIO. Strong Testimony in Favor of Moore's Strain of Italians Prof. Frank Bent'n, of Washington, D. C, whose name is familiar to all progressive apiarists, says : "I have several tinres, in the conr e of correspon- dence, and in conversing with bee keepers, had occa- sion to answer the question : ' Where can the best Ital- ians be got ? ' It is, perhaps, not ati easy thing to say, with certainty, but at least I have felt I might be able to tell where GOOD ones could be obtained. A num- ber have been leferred to you, for. although I have not tested your stock personally, I thought I knew pretty well.'from general reputation, its character. A bee-keeper near here— Geo. A. l^anphear, of Vienna, Va. — who got some queens of you on my reconjmen- dation is .so well pleased with them — in fact, gives your bees such a good recommendation to me for gentleness and working qualities, particularly their working on red clover, that I thought I would like to try some myself." I was not aware that Prof. Benton was recommend- ing my stock until I received the above letter. Such testimony as this certainly has great weight, and shows whv inv business has grown so fast. Prices for daughters of my 23-100 breeder, the prize- winner, and other choice breeders : Untested, 7oc each: six, f 4 00; dozen, 87.50. Select unte.s'ed, $1.C0 each; six, J.') (10; dozen, $9.00. ^afe arrival and satis- faction guaranteed Send for descriptive circular. My 2:M0O breeder was awarded a $i").00 prize by The A. I. Root Co. for producing bees showing the longest tongue-reach on record. Competition was open to the whole world. I am now filling orders by return mail, and shall probably be able to do so till the close of the season. J. P. Moore, L. Box I, Morgan, Kentucky. Pendleton County. QUEENS for BUSINESS and PROFIT These are to be had of Will Atchley. He is now prepared to fill all orders promptly, and breeds six different races in their purity. You must remember that all of the PURE Holylands that now exist in the U. S. originated from the Atchley apiaries, and they have the only imported mothers known to the United States. Untested queens from these races, 3 and 5 banded Italians. Cyprians, Albinos, Holylands, and Carniolans, bred in their purity, from 5 to 35 miles apart, February and March, $1.00 each, or S9 00 per dozen. All other months, 7.5c each, $4 25 for six, or |S 00 per dozen. Tested queens of either race, from $1.50 to p,SXS each. Breeders from S3 59 to 810.00 each. 1, 2, and 3 frame nuclei and bees by the pound a spe- cialty. Prices quoted on application. Safe arrival and perfect satisfaction guaranteed. A trial order will convince you. Price list free. WILL ATCHLEY, P. 0. Box 79, Beeville, Bee County, Texas. Laws' Leatber-^colored Queens. Laws' Improved Golden Queens. Laws' Holy Land Queens. IV. H. Laws. — Your queens have proved to be excel- lent. Mv apiary stocked with your leather queens are a sight to behold during a honey-flow, and the Goldens are bevond description in the line of beauty. Vours are the best for comb honev I ever .saw. I want more this spring—^. A. Ribble', Roxton, Tex., Feb. /?, 1903. IV. H. iMTvs.—The 75 queens (I.,eather) from you are dandies. I introduced one into a weak nucleus in Mav, and in September I took 28.5 lbs. of h'iney, leav- ing'48 lbs for winter. My crop of honey last season was 4.S,(X)0 lbs. I write you for prices on 50 nuclei and 1-50 I,eather queens.— Jose/ih Farnsworth, Idaho Falls, Idaho. Feb. 16. igo^. Prices of Queens: Each, 81.00; 12, $10.00 Breeders, extra fine, guaranteed, each $;5.10. Send for price list. W. H. Laws, Beeville, Texas. 648 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. July 15 Ho! Bee-keepers! Attention! We are apr^iin rearing the best of queens for market. We have 1000 colonies of bees, the best stock, and 10 years' experience. We have either Golden Italians or three banders. Price. 7.5 cts. each; $"4.2o for 6; $8.10 for 12; tested. $1.50 Safe arrival and satisfaction. Give lis a tiial. .-^11 ordt rs filled promptlj'. lil E We keep a large stock of honey-cans of all sizes ready for prompt shipments. Get our prices. We also want all the section and bulk comb honey that we can buy, and will take some No. 1 extracted We pay spot cash. Write us. '^he Hyde Bee Company, Floresville, (.Successors to O. P. Hj-de cS: Son.) Texas. Pruii Packages of All Kinds. — AI^SO — BEE=KEEPERS' SUPPLIES. . . Order your supplies now before the busy season catches you. Price list free. Address BERLIN FRUIT-BOX COMPANY, Berlin Heights, - - Erie County, Ohio, [a Wagon's Worth depends uponits convenience and { lite. The life depends upon the ( wheel. You get every conveni- ( I ence of the Modern Low Handy ( [ Wagon and dou ble its life by using ^ ELECTRIC Metal Wheels For a few dollars you turn your old running gears or one you can • buy for a song, into a new wagon. Straight or stag- • gered oval steel spokes. The stoutest wheel you can I buy. Any height, lit any wagon. No repairs, no rut- ' ting, light draft, long service. Let us send you free • catalog to show you how it saves you money. Electric Wheel Company., Box 95, Quincy, Illinois. BARNES' Hand and Foot Power Machinery. This cut represents out combined circular saw, which is made for bee- keeper's use in the con- struction of their hives, sections, boxes, etc., etc Machines on Trial. Send for illustrated cata- log and prices. Address W. F. & Jno. Barnes Co., 545 Ruby St., Rockford. Illinois. nnill TDV PAPTTR, illnst'd, 20 pap«B, trUULini 2a cenis per y..^r. 4 montha' triallO cents. Sample tree. fH-page practicaj goultry book free to yearly eubscribera, ook alone 10 cents. CataloKQe of ponltri books free, roullry .ddoocote, Syracaae,«.X; Wood=working Machinery. Tor ripping, cross-cut- ting, mitering, groovin boring, scroll-sawing, edge moulding, mortising ; for working wood in an.v man- ner. Send for catalog A. The Seneca Falls M'f'g Co., 44 Water SI .. Seneca Fs.. N. Y. If you are interested in Cuba, and want the truth about it, subscribe for the HAVANA POST, the only English paper on the Island. Published at Havana. Cuba. Sl-OO per month, SIO.OO per j^ear. Dai- ly (except Monday). Printed to Order $1 per 1000 Hea\-j', white, high-cut, size 6^. A neat little coupon on each envelope will earn you dollars. Other station- ery cheap. For particulars and sample, address at once Howard Co., 516 Masonic Temple, Chicago. Ills. ilr. A. I. Root's Writings of Grand Traverse territory and Leelanau Co. are descriptive of Michigan's most beautiful section reached most conveniently via the PERE IV9ARQUETTE R. R. For pamphlets cf Michigan farm lands and the fruit ^elt, address J. £. Merritt, Manistee, Michigan. JJj^MO^ ^OTT^ f/LOJl' Squabs are raised in 1 month, bring big prices. Eager market. Money- makers for poultrymen, farmers, women. Here is something worth looking into. Send for our Free- BpoK, '■ How to Make Money With .Squabs " and learn this rich industrv. Address PLYMOUTH ROCK SQUAB CO., ig Friend St., Boston, Mass. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Wind Power 649 is the cheapest power known. For a farmer- bee-keeper, who has stove-wood to cut, water to pump, and feed to j^rind for stock, corn to shell, and bee- hives to make, noth- ing can equal a well-arranged power wind- mill. The Bee-keepers'' Revieiv for June illustrates a wind-mill thus arranged, and a bee-keeper who has such a mill, and uses itfor all the purposes mentioned, contributes an article, giving cost, advantages, and drawbacks, together with several other in- teresting items on the subject. He has had his mill six years, and can speak from ex- perience. Send ten cents for this number, and with it will be sent two other late but different issues, and the ten cents may be applied on any subscription sent in within a year. A coupon will be sent entitling the holder to the Revieiv one j-ear for only 90 cents. W^. Z. HUTCHINSON, Flint. Mich. THE BEST FRUIT PAPER Southern Fruit Grower CHATTANOOGA, TENN. Every grower of Fruits and Veget- ables should read it. Only 50 cents a year. Splendid advertising medium. Sample cop3r free. Queens == 1903 == Queens AVe have ten different yards five to twenty miles apart, where Italians, Cyprians, Holylands, Carnio- lans, and Albinos, are bred for bnsiness. Tested queens, $1 50; SS.OO for 6; $13.00 per dozen. Untested, |1 Oil each: $.5 00 for 6 : 19.00 per dozen. Our best and finest breeders, $5.00 each. One and two frame nuclei a specially. Bees and Queens in any quantity to suit purchaser. Safe arrival and reasonable satisfaction guaranteed. ORDER "The Southland Queen," $1.00 per year. Send tor sample copy and our 1908 catalog; tells how to raise queens and keep bees for profit. Root's Supplies. The Jennie Atchley Co., Box 18, Beeville, Tex. DURING SEPTEMBER, 1901, the L'uited States Department of Agriculture imported a lot of queens from the Province of Bergamo. Italy, one of which was sent to nie to be tested For prolff- icness and industry she and her offspring are second to none, and I am now prepared to fill orders prompt- \\ with her daughters or the best golden queens at 11.00 each or 89 00 per dozen. M. O. office, Warrenton. W. H. Pridgen. Creek, Warren Co., N. C. The World'*; Rer nrd ^°'' ''^'^^e yields of hon- 1 lie TY UI lU a I\CCUrU ^y. my bees have stood the test for .'111 yt ars Italian queen mo hers a special- ty. If you want to see the best and most novel queen- cage ever invented for introducing safely. Send for a queen and you will get one. Circular free. F. Boomhower, Qallupville, N. Y. Bred for Work Terrace queens have giv- en best of satisfaction ; bred from selected stock; best of workers: very gentle, and fine colcr. Untested, 7.5c each: six, %\2h\ twelve, i8 00. Tested, ?1.00; six, *5.00: dozen, i*)..^). Harold Hornor, Terrace Apiaries, Mt. Holly, N.J. When you need Queens and want your order filled at once with the bt'it queens that money can buy. we can serve vou and guarantee satisfaction W e have a fine strain of Italians that can not be excelled as honey-gatherers. We can furnish queens from either imported or home-bred mothers. Choice tested, Jl.UO each. Untested, Toe; |X.00 per doz. J. W. K. Shaw & Co., Loreauville, La. ** Tested Queens.'* No! not for color, but for honey. Will sell queens from colonies ihat have st' red a 'good surplus from palmetto, some have 8 10 fiame supi-is full to date. Old enough to show wh-t they will do but not aged. Pr ce for quten and bee brush. %\ 0) 5ARAH A. SMITH, Grant, Fla. Red Clover and Three and Five- blanded Queens. Untested, 05 cts ; 2 for $1 00. Fine tested queens. Si 00 each. Remember we guarantee our queens to work red clover as well as white clover. Get my circular. Plenty of queens, and go by return mail Fifty and one hundred, special prices. G. ROUTZAHN, BIQLERVILLE, ROUTE 3. PENN. Do You Know that you could come nearer getting what you want, and when yovi want it from tie New Cen- tury Queen-Rearing Co. (John W Pharr & C. B. Banks- ton), than anywhere in tne United States? Untested, 50c. ; tested 3 and 5 band, 75c: all other races, 81.00. Send for circular. Berclair, Qoliad Co., Texas. We have bought out C. B. BaiiVston's interest in the above named firm. John \V, Pii.akr. "Dollar Italian Queens" Ready for delivery May 10. .Send for price list. E- E. Lawrence : Doniphan, Missouri. QUEENS DIRECT FROai ITALY Fine, reliable Knglish price list sent on application. Beautiful results o'.tained last year. OUR MOTTO — "Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ve even .so to them." Address MALAN BROTHERS. Luserna, San Giovanni. ITALY. S. D. BUELL Manufactures bee hives, and is agent lor The A. I. Root Co. 's goods, which are sold at factory prices. Catalog sent free. Bees for snle Beeswax wanted. Union City, MicH. (0 ^ •I- — 03 On .*_- _L(» c= — I eu >2 CO oil '" oT E o ©•- og ©0) o^ £ojS O O o o ■ o I e o cuts O a. O -rS '=5 Ph 0. X tc {- H « >,x aW : o >, > o o <5hH CO O " 1) c ^ ^ O O 3 O ^S " p. a; E £ O c c < « .0 - U i — -^ g52"5-s§.S5 3(« a 57<« « a- -o Z > T 2 "i i 1? 5 = ■♦^ c: c ^ ?t - iflu.^'O'-ccOij'- i; (U O S * &■"— S ° U I- o *^ Oj -^ 3i; d;' . C3> D ^^i,=|E:i|5S^^ •a oZ -■a ^ 5^1- m o u S" ■5 = >>=:i!S„t;Si « ^ £ 3 'J.Z -„„„-:: o u ? = .-5 •^'Si^s ♦- ^'5 „ = o c > 03^ ^r-o cc^ r.c«-?^og:-=ji'?S:H-S^ c ■?; -^ iS ^ 1- U i/ ^ S '" 1- j- 'L' 3 1- ^' O " ^ ■ LO CM (0 0) o 9Ji3 .•;: 2 § > s a a*^ U-. O 3 O = JJ o o >- 2 £ ?i ' CO •= ^„ oj r; u n- a "^ W)2 M o S 3 O 3 ^ o • a la ^?-^S -^ i; D.^ t^ Q. ,_- m:? ^ 2 ^ q^ ? -.t; "? ? a ^ § S 2 .^^a'j^^gi c j:; ^-ca-ia ^.- J. a a ?i ;- S Hh a-2^a?^r;=.«5agoa^ "tr iL/ S tfl S b-,S •— , co£?S2i3^2S"5 ^C: art' ^-JaX'.a ^ .;5 a-= u -x. o ° iJ x2 = a &a c ai->ouCi^ij c^-t:'Cuc_^a •adg5o^^=-5 I ^ Sf« £:■-«" 2 u £f - i^ ce_ n oj— _T3 - >, 0-2 •= ^i; uc « > rt ■g,^ «^co ^.gjsi- a >>^gg2SE-=^a S ii T-'" c-^a u ' > o 5^ V,-*- e 08 ■« CO a S ofe-o«j 5.a-a- - nja3*'i-i^i - ' |>;S«5a = co:i.S I 3 0 •ii-'a "^n « 5i r 0^0 S 0)2 0 Ih «::^-o»i i;_^ - . ^ 0 o l^ o >> T' m a, M/l 0 S; m - c « ' 3 c5 !r C t^2 -- <« c - S u o ^ . ^ 'a^z. ^ s r 3 !S-« g Oi^C = 0;; O^auE^ ^^'s cf .2 cii22|t £"§a§.»^ ■5 c 2 o " 2 «■. — s -tJ C g ^•c "= ijZ a a a;i c " !i co^ « «•" n U 3 to " a a -c *■ •- 2 a 3 o >>i fcoEg, ^ 3 3^ u --S ao s •S S,i-~ « o t: a .« « tn ^ a o T "J >- CO aj'~.S ^ o '^ u cj "e " 0^ oj CO"— o a 0) *j a o *j — . 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  • ..S;ab.-?:^x.Ewfc'v^_5b. igs u- u ■ O CO a; ;^ sc; S-SV, E^-a Di: a C '" 1> i. 3 =* ?i a B .>, ■a ■ - t! 3 -c o &£:2o... „ g X "^ Ut/J ^ P >> 3 a . -^ (¥*« ^ a .. l;m5 >, >. c V c« z a o HJ P. o a> o P. u >. s: a u ^ V O a ■~; C!l ti 3 rt 0 (T >> 11 c u o t^ S! ■« - S o Jr 1-: ;« cii-Sw x: 2 5 C ^ - yi u rt _ a -•c 5 .S-a o5 'X. "^ u 1* '^ "*"^ g ^ 0^ V > ■=1, £- <3 - ■ ■ - '" *^- ■^^^ n ?J « oix c ?^ ^ S- - to- X t s •" rt TV s _■ CQ Hoc .-:•. a: t« K a-' C " fcic n 1^ J=i ;; 1/ K ^ , §^ -a ° « si E 2 S ^ o S-" o ?^ 3 asS-^ S cd o >^ 00 ii.i: _ aca D £ a tn 1» c .tr o f* ■- 3 o i <« >, ""Sid , & p. t/2 y^ 652 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. July IS Gleanings in Bee Culture [Established in 1873.] Devoted to Bees, Honey, and Home Interests. Published Semi-monthly by The A. I. Root Co., - - Medina, Ohio. A. I. ROOT, Editor of Home and Gardening Dep'ts. E. R. ROOT, Editor of Apicultural Dept. J. T. CALVERT. Bus. Mgr. A. Iv. BOYDEN, Sec. TERMS. $1.00 per annum ; two years, $1.50; three years, $2.00; five years, $1^.00, in advance; or two copies to one address, $1.50 ; three copies, $2.00 ; five copies, |3.75. The terms apply to the United States, Canada, and Mexico. To all other countries 48 cents per year extra for postage. DISCONTINUANCES. The journal is sent until orders are received for its discontinuance. We give notice just before the subscription expires, and further notice if the first is not heeded. Any subscriber whose subscription has expired, wishing his journal discon- tinued, will please drop us a card at once; otherwise we shall assume that he wishes his journal continued, and will pay for it soon. Any one who does not like this plan may have his journal .stopped after the time paid for by making his request when ordering. BEESWAX. Until further notice we will pay 28 cts. cash, or 30 in trade, for average wax delivered here. From one to two cents extra for choice yellow wax. GOODS DAMAGED IN THE FLOOD. The flood in Kansas City, Mo., the last of May, caught a carload of our goods in transit to Carl F. Buck, Augusta, Kan. The damage to the goods in the car will amount to $oC0, besides the disappoint- ment of customers who were wailing for these goods to arrive in Augusta. .Some goods are a total loss, while others are damaged, but good enough to be used at a reduced price. Mr. Buck is planning to build a larger warehouse, and fill it during the fall and winter sj as to be prepared for an increased spring trade. Judging from the experience of many dealers during the \ ast few weeks, and their failure to get goods in suffici^nt quantity to fill orders promptly, they will do wt 11 to adopt a .similar plan. BUSINESS BOOMING. Favorable weather over a large area has brought on such a spurt of honey that the demand for sections and shipping-cases is something phenomeral. It is impossible for manufactures to keep pace with it. We have : een running ojr s; ction machinery up till !) p. m. for th'=- past thiee weeks or more, making from 000,000 to 70(1.000 a week; but we can not supply the de- mand. Several of our agencies have been greatly crippled in filling orders for lack of sections. Our slock of l}r; and 2 inch, 4-beeway ue have worked over and dispo.sed ot in 114 plain and 1%, 4 openings, the latter in some ca.ses being subslitiud for the regular 2 openings. This is better than not lo get any thing. Let dealers and bee-keepers alike take warning, and provide themselves eatly with goods in greatt r abund- ance, and thereby avoid such a famine as they are now having ..Very Satisfactory.. The four dozen queens I got of you last year are very satisfactory, being good honey-gatherers, and gentle, and finely marked. Chas' Stewart, Sammonsville, N. Y. June 19, 1903. State Bee Inspector, 3rd Div. To induce a trial we offer ^VARRANTED queens at 75c, six for 5^ ')0: fine select. $1.00, six for 51..5('. Queens sent promptly; sati-faction guaranteed. Hybrids or poor queens replaced free. J. B. CASE, Port Orange, Fla. Honey Queens, Golden Italian are hustlers, and they are beauties, and are gentle, and can not be excelled gathering honev. Untested, 75c.; tested, $1.00; hreed- ers, extra fine, $3.00; full colonies, $0.00, with tested queen — none better H. C. Triesch, Jr., Dyer, Ark. When you want Queens that please, and want them By Return Mail, join the crowd and send here where the spring rush is now over. I can guaiantee them to leave promptly from now on, and arrive safe. Jiest Honey St minfi only are bred from Goldens, Carniolans, leather-colored IlaliaiT;. 75c each, or $7. .50 per dozen; tested, $1.00 each, or $10.00 per dozen George J. Vande Vord, Daytona, Fla. RPPC COD CAI P ll^O :^-frame nuclei with DCCtO rUK, OrtLC queen at J2 00. in lots of 10 or more. I^ess than 10, at 82.25. F. W. DEAN. New MiLFORD, Pa. CINE QUEENS FROH THE BLACK HILL APIARIES •^ Golden and Long-tongue. Write for price list. Reference G. F. Davidson & Son. Carver & Mathis, Props., Verdi, Texas. [ EXAS QUEENS t^ROM LONE STAR APIARIES. * We arc now ready to furnish you queens from the best stock of any race. These queens are equaled by few and inferior to none Write for price list G. F. Davidson & Son, Props., Fairview, Texas. 4,000,1)00 PEACH TREES TENNESSEE WHOLES.^LE Nl'RSERIES. June Buds a Specialty. No agents traveled, but sell direct to planters at wholesale prices. Ab.solutely free from diseases and true to name. Write us for catalog and prices before placing vour order elsewhere. We guarantee our stock to be true to name. Largest peach inrsery in the world. Address J. C. HALE, Winchester, Tenn. BUSHEL CRATES i)urvenl.ilatedbush?lcr:Ues .ire be tier and cheaper than baskets— 8 cents each— niaUt- of best material. Shiiiiicd ready to put tnj-'ether. Jinui.- let>o ItUull partinilur;- free. Geneva Cooperate Co., Geneva, 0. UY POULTRY SUPPLIES. B«lu;re .v CATALOG, and read description of Alternating Hives, Ferguson Supers. Write at once for catalog. A.j^ei:\cies. Truster Supply Company. Lincoln, Neb. Shusart & Ouren, Council BlutTs. Iowa. Foster Lumber Company. LuiiiLr, Colo. BrXGH-iM SMOKER. Dear Sir:— Inclosed find $L75. Please send one brass smoke-engine. I have one already. It is the best smoker I erer used. Tmly yoari. Hesbt ScHairDT, Hutto, Tei. MADE TO ORDER Bingham Brass Smokers, Made of sheet brass, ■which does not rust or bum out; should last a lifetime. You need one, but they cost 23 cts. more than tin of the same size. The little open cut shows our bra.ss hinge put on the three larger sizes. Xo wonder Bingham's four-inch smoke-engine goes -without puffing, and does not drop inky drops. The perforat- ed steel fire-grate has 381 holes to air the fuel and support the fire. Heavy tin smoke-engine, 4-inch stove, per mail, |1..50 ; .35^-inch, Jl.lO; ,3-inch. Jl.OO; 2'4-inch, 90c; 2-inch, 6.5c. Bingham smokers are the originals, and have all the improvements, and have been the standard of excellence for 23 years. Only three larger ones brass. T. F. Bingham, Farwell, Michigan. Volume XXXI AUGUST 1 1903 Number 15 \ TN^BEE CULTJJRE w ^ Majiket Quotations 659 ^^^ Straws, by Dr. Miller... 663 Pickings, by Stenog: 664 Conversations with Doolitti.k...665 \ Editorials ^^ Honev Season in Eastern Oregon _...6^ Cabail Honey on the American Market — «><_ > lueen-cages'for Esport us£_ ~^i \ "The Wilcherv ot Kodakery" ^ \ A Colony that never thinks of Swarming b6sJ », General Correspondence .-■• 670 Cuba s First and Second Apiaries._ — b^O i Shallow Hives - ^ Another Balled Oueen that was Stnng *3i\ Preparing Queen's tor Moving *>7o Starters or Full Sheets <>j.a ijueen mating in a Small Cage b^ \\'irin? Frames.- — ^jj^ That Big Crop of Honey _ «>•!> Heads of Grain ^'^ \n Ideal Bee Localitv in Australia. 679; A Preparation for Hive-covers in Dry Climates, tj79; Koebler's Cover-feeder. bT9; Cottonwood tor' Sections, tSO; Carpet Grass, ©fO: Swarms for Shallow Brood-chambers, &>1; Tarred Pa- per for Honev-room, tJSl; Wintering in the Danzeubaker'Hive t>S2; Is it Poispnous Hon- . ^ IVm ev' ti32: Mixed Swarms, t*i:; Not a Fair Crop /;/> for Central Calitornia, t>$i: Unnpe Honey /,' ^ for the Market, tfeS; Do Members of the N. B. K. .\. adulterate Hojjey? «>1 Forest Cock- roaches Among the Bees, tiSl. Notes of Travel 688 Gardening 689 Special Notices 696 ^ e MEDINA Uv^cf^ ^""'^ OHIO Eastern Edition. RKTKRXD A.T;THK POSTOFKICK AT MkDIKA, OHIO, AS SBCOm>-CLASS Matt«». QUEENS! BY RETURN MAIL. We are now breedings from three dis- tinct strains ; viz., Imported or leather color, Root's long--tong-ued, or red-clo- ver strain, and our old strain of w^hite- banded yellow^ Italians, or albinos. AUG. AND SEPT. PRICES : Tested, each Si 25 Select tested, each 1 50 Warranted purely mated, each.... 75 Same, per half dozen 4 25 Same, per dozen 8 00 Untested, each 65 Same, per half dozen 3 75 Same, per dozen 7 00 We have also a full line of bee-keep- ers' supplies including- The A. I. Root Company's Goods, Root's Sections and Weed's Foundation a Specialty. Send for our 32- page illustrated catalog. W- W. Gary & Son, Lyonsville, Mass. TORONTO is the most centrally located city in the Do- minion. It has unequaled shipping facil- ities for prompt transportation of goods to remote points. We have already in stock large consignments of the celebrated line of R.0ot*s Bee-Keepers* Supplies and other shipments will be coming for- ward from time to time. Our jcatalog is ready for mailing. Let us figure.with you. E. GRAINGKR (Sl CO. 12 Yon^e Street A.rcade. Northeastern and New England BEE = KEEPERS Order goods now. Don't delay. Have them ready when you need them. We keep a full line in stock at Medina prices. Save both time and freight by ordering of us. Beeswax wanted. Bees and queens furnished in season. J. B. Mason, Mechanic Falls, Me. Mgr. The A. I. Root Go's. N. E. Agency. r WANTED COMB and EXTRACTED HONEY If You have Comb Honey to Sell, Write us Answering these Questions. Quantity Gathered from ., Put up in sections Price at which you will ship. If You have Ext'd Honey to Sell, Quantity Gathered from How put up Price at which you will sell. Send sample We Want the BEST Grades in ANY Quantity. >i V. THE A. I. ROOT CO., MEDINA, OHIO. J -THf- DANZ. HIVE The comb-lioney hive is one ,' of our specialties. Send for booklet telling about it. We are the jobbing agents for The A. I. Root Company in Michigan, and want the name and address of every bee- keeper in the State, whether you have one swarm or 500. M. H. Hunt & Son Bell Branch, Mich. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE, 659 Honey Market. G RADING-RTILES. Faxct.— All sections to bo well filleil. combs straight, flrm- ly attached to all four sides, the combs uusoiled bytravel- Btain or otherwise ; all the cells staled except an occasional cell, the oulr-ide surfaceof the wood well scraped of propolis A No 1.— All sections well filled exce[it the row of cells next to I he wood ; combs straight ; one-eighth part of comb surface soiled, or tlio en tiro surf ace slightly soiled the out- side of the wood well Bcrapcd of propolis. No. 1.— All sect ious well tilled except the row of cells next to the wood ; combs comparatively even ; one-eighth part of comb surface so i let!, or the entire surface slightly soiled. No. 2.— Three-fourths of the total surface must be filled and sealed. No. 3.— Must weigh at least half as much as a full-weight section. In addition to this the honey is to be classified according to color, using the terms white, amber, and dark ; that ia. there will be " fancy White," " No. 1 Dark," ©to. Bt"FF.\LO. — There is hardly atiy more demand for old comb honey. A little new is coming in and meet- ing with a fair demand for white comb at l(i(a 17. There is .-iome inquiry for white extracted, and verj' little of- fered for sale. Fancy white comb, IGwlT ; A No. 1 ■white comb, lo®l() ; No. 1 white comb, l-J^lo; No. 2 white comb, l.S r.i U ; No. 3 dark comb, 11 @ 12 ; No. 1 dark comb, Uto li : No. 2 dark comb, 10® 11; white clover, extracted, 8(i?i8H; amber extracted, 7@7^; dark extracted, 6@6J^. Beeswax. 2Sfg,oO. W. C. TOWNSEXD, July 22. 178, 180 Perry St., Buffalo, N. Y. MiL'W'AUKEE. — This market remains quiet so far as honej' is concerned. There is a favorable outlook for a good crop front white clover, as the fields are heavily laden with it. When the impres.-^ion prevails among consumers that there is plenty, all will expect to get some, so we are looking for a good demand, and can encourage liberal shipments at this time but can not quote firm values. Fancy new comb would sell for 10 @18 ; extracted, new or old, nominal. 7;-2fG.Si/. .A.. V. Bishop & Co., July IS. 119 Buffalo St , IMilwaukee, Wis. Cincinnati. — The demand for honey continues slow. New comb and extracted begin to be offered largely. Prices show a downward tendency. Kxtracted, am- ber, in barrels, ■i(qia'/i ; alfalfa, 0^ ; white clover. 7 (a) 7^. Comb honey, fancy water white, will bring 14 @ 15. No demand for lower grades. Bee-;^ ax, 27ia 33. C. H. W. Weber, July 20. 2146 8 Central Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio. Chicago. — Some coris-ignments of the crop of 1903 are offtred on this market. The comb is, in most cases. No 1 to Fancy, and the quality is the very best. It is manj- years since this neighborhood yielded in ?uantity and quali y a-; now. Demand has not come or it yet, but will within a short time, as it is being told that an abundant harvest is upon us. Prices asked are 13 (Oils. Kxtracted sells slowly at 6(s>7 for fancy white ; .5'g,() for amber. Beeswax, 30. July 20. R. A. Burnett & Co., 199 South Water St., Chicago, 111. Philadelphi.\.- Extracted honey has been arriving quite freely tor a few days, and inaication.s point to a low market, although prices are ruling very firm on account of California having a light crop. We would quote amber, t>J4to~!4; fancy white, 7 (a» 8. No new comb honey in the market. Beeswax tirm at 28 We produce honey, but do not handle it on commission. Wm. a. Selser, July 20. 10 Vine St., Philadelphia, Pa. Toledo, — New honey is coming in, and finds ready SRle as follows : Fancy white clover in no drip cases, 111 ; same. No. 1, 1.5 ; amber, 14. While clover, in bar- rels. t)^2 ; amber, in barrels, b&oH. Beeswax firm at 28/a);$fi. Griggs Brothers. July 20. 214 Jackson Ave., Toleoo, O. San Francisco.— New comb, white, 14^ (a 1.5; light amber, 13'-4. Extracted, water white, ti^ ; light am- ber, (i ; dark amber, nominal Beeswax, d2. July 13. Ernest B. Schaeffle. Schenectady. N. Y. —But ver\- little new comb hon- ey has come forward yet, and the price is not estab- li^hed. White clover will probably be a short crop in this section, but that from buckwheat may be large. July 21. Chas. McCuLLOCH. Alb.\ny. — Honev- market is quiet, light demand. Some new Southern comb is arriving, and sells at 15. We look for a good demand and good prices next month. The crop in this section is light. MacDougall & Co., July 20. 375 Broadway, Albany, N. Y. Toronto. — The honey crop appears to be good in this localit3-, although very little honey is being offer- ed. It is not easy now to give any figures. Prices re- main about the same, with very little demand. Bees- wax, 28fa3;?. July 23. E. Grainger & Co. Denver — Stock of old comb honey is all cleaned up A few cases of the new crop have come in, and .sold readily at 8.!. 25 per case. No change in price of extracted honey. Beeswax wanted at 22 @ 26, accord- ing to color and cleanliness. Colorado Honey-producers' Association, July 10. 1440 Market St., Denver. For .Sale. — New extracted eoney, from 7c up. Sev- eral sizes of packages. .Sample 10c. I. J. .Stringham, 105 Park Place, New York, For Sale. — Comb and extracted clover honey. Ex- tracted, 7J^c; comb. 12^c. W. D. SoPKR, Jackson, Mich. R. D. 3. For Sale. — Two hundred 24-section cases fine white- clover comb honey, at Ursa, 111. Best offer gets it. • John A. Thornton, Lima, 111. For S.\lk.— Alfalfa honeJ^ Extracted in60-lb. cans, and about 20.000 lbs. in comb. Prices on application. Cheek & Wallinger, Las Animas, Colo. For SALE.^Fancy comb and extracted honey; ex- tracted in 60 lb. ca'ns Prices quoted on application. William Morris, Las Animas, Col. For Sale. — 10,000 lbs. fancy white-clover honey, mostlj' comb, in 4% sections Extracted in 60-lb. cans. ToHN Handel & Son, Savanna, 111. For Sale. —Extracted honey. Finest grades for ta- ble use. Prices quoted on application. Sample I y mail, 10 cts. to pay for package and postage. Orel L. Hershiser, 301 Huntington Ave., Buffalo, N. Y. For Sale.— New honev. 2000 lbs. mostly alsike clo- ver honev'. Put up in 60 lb. tins. 2 in ca«e ; new cans and cases'; S9.00 per case f. o. b. cars or boat. Send 6c for .sample. Address Ira D. Bartlett, Lock Box 1.56. East Jordan, Mich. For Sale.— Thirty barrels choice extracted white- clover honey Can put it up in any style of package desired. Write for prices, mentiotiing style of pack- age, and quantity wanted. .Sample mailed on receipt of three cents in P. O. stamps. Emil J. Baxter, Nauvoo, Hancock Co., 111. W.A.NTED.— Beeswax. Will paj' spot cash and full market value for beeswax at any time of the year. Write us if vou have any to dispose of. HILDRETH & SEGELKEN. 265-267 Greenwich St., New York. Wanted.— Beeswax ; highest market price paid. Write for price list. Bach, Becker & Co., Chicago, 111. Wanted— Comb and extracted honey. State price, kind, and quantity. R. A. Burnett & Co., 199 South Water St., Chicago, 111. Wanted.— To hear from producers of comb honey in California and Nevada. It may sound unreason- able, but we have probably bought, for spot cash, more comb honey than any firm in the United States, during the past three seasons. We can, no doubt, do you some good. Tiios. C. Stanley- & Son. Manzanola, Colo., or Fairfield, 111. We will be in the market for honey the coming sea- son in carloads and less than carloads, and would be glad to hear from producers everywhere what they will have to offer. Seavey & Flarsheim. 1318—1324 Union Avenue, Kansas City, Mo. 660 . • GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Arc. 1 'UhQ Best Bee-g'oods in the World are no better than those we make, and the chances are that they are not so good. If you buy of us yo-u "will EiiOt be disstppoii^ted. We ■\re tilled ersold by i^o ooe. Send for "V catalog and price list and free copy of THE .MERICAN BEE-KEEPER; in its thirteenth year ; 50 cents a year ; especially for beginners. S>6c W. T. Falcoiier Maii'f *^ Co., Jamestown, Ne%v YorK. W. M. Gerrish, Epping-, New Hampshire, carries a fuU line of our goods at catalog prices. Order of him and save the freight. 1 1. J. Stringham ,New York City | I !0S Park Place. | it OUR 1903 CATALOG is yours for the asking. The supplies /»» % listed in it are practical and up-to-date. We furnish every thing f> % a bee-keeper uses, and will not be undersold. Silk-faced veil, »p % 40 cts.; three for $1.05, postpaid. Full colonies of Italian bees m % in hive, $7.50; nucleus colonies, $3.50; tested queens, $1.00; «p %, untested, 75 cts. Apiaries, Glen Cove, Long Island. 1^ We MaKe a Specialty of Stiipmeiits, If you are in a hurry for supplies send us your order and we will sur- prise you with our promptness. All goods shipped within 10 hours after receiving the order. Over a million sections and two tons of foundation now on hand. Hundreds of hives, and all other supplies READY FOR IMMEDIATE SHIPMEINT. Lewis's and Dadant's Goods. Lewis G. & A. 6. WoQdman, Grand Rapids, Mich 190; GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 661 Cleason & Lansing, p:STA15IJSHHn ISSS. ISO Michigan St., Buffalo, N. Y. Jobbers of Comb and Extracted Honey. We hRve a large jobbing trade in comb honey, and can use any-sized shipments up to car lots. We want SCOO cases as early shipment as possible this season and can use all grades. Will buy delivered in Buffalo or handle for your account. .... Correspond with us before plac- ing your output this season. REFERENCES: Manufacturers ^i Traders National Bank, Buffalo, N. Y.. anv Express Co., Dun or Bradstreet Agencies, Buffalo, N. Y. THE PERSISTENCY which we exercise in the careful selection from year to year of only the choicest breeding queens has brought the Robey strain of Italians up to the highest standard of excellence as regards their docility, pro- lificne.-s. and houey-gathtrinij qualities. This particular stiain is the progeny of selections from choice stock f.f Root's red-clover queens, and Moore's crossed with the very best of our own rearing. Warranted queens, 60 cts. each in anv quantity. Satisfaction guaranteed or money refunded.. L. H ROBEY, WORTHINGTON, W. VA. circular Free. UllllllillillllllllllllllllllilllllllllllDllllllllllllilllllllllMIL^ STANDARD-BRED Our. untested queens g'we excellent satisfaction. They are bred by the best breeders, and are up to standard. Prices are as follows : 1 I'ntested Italian Queen $ .75 3 " " " $2.10 () " " " $4.00 We are sending them almo.st by return mail. The Weekly American Bee Journal and one of these fine queens, both for $1.50. Sample copy of the Bee Journal sent free. Ask for it. You ought to have it every week. It is a great bee-paper — so they say. I George W. York & Co., | E I44>6 East Erie St., Chicago, Illinois, i ~ "Root's Goods at Root's Prices." = =: Catalog Free. S ^iiiiiiiiiiiSESiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinHir; Marslilield Manufacturing Co. Our specialty is making SECTIONS, and they are the best in. the market. Wisconsin bass- wood is the right kind for them. We have a full line of BEE-SUPPLIES. Write for FREE illustrated catalog and price list. Zp/>e MarsHfield Maiwifacturir^g Compai^y, Marslir.eld, "W^is. Dittmer's Foundation. R.£TAII« AND 'W^HOIvESAI^E. This foundation is made by a process that produces the superior of any. It is the cleanest and purest. It has the brightest color and sweetest odor. It is the most transparent, because it has the thinnest base. It is tough, clear as crystal, and gives more sheets to the pound than any other make. 'W^orRing Wax into Foundation for CasK a Specialty* Bees-^vax Al-^vays Want- ed at Hig'Kest Price. Catalog giving full line of supplies, with prices and samples, free on application. ^ ^t^.^^.^t?fo7Sr""' Gtis. Dittmer, Atig'tista, Wis. 662 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Aug. 1 ib r* i~* W/I A ¥> ly A r> I BT* The Universal Satisfaction Our Queens 2 I REMARKABLE.... Dooive. ^ S ilf Sterling, Ga., June 29, 1903.— I was showing my father yesterday how my bees, which 1 bought JJ m from you, were outworking everj' thing in mv apiary. Send me 4 Buckeye Red-Clover Queens, and 2 J? m Muth Strain Golden Italians. I will order more after next extracting. Thos. H. Kincade. JJ Vtt * ^ Buckeye Strain Red-Clover Queens. They roll in honey, while the ordinary star\'e. 60 Largest StocK ive ever Carried ♦ ♦ of HIVES, SECTIONS, and all Other SUPPLIES. ♦ Perfect Workmanship and Finest Material. All parts of our Hives are made to fit Accurately. No trouble in setting them up. X Our customers say it is a pleasure. We are not selling goods on NAME ONLY, But on their Quality. ♦ t ♦ ♦ G. B. ivBWIS COMPANY. | * Mantrfacttirers Bee-Keepers' Supplies. T ; Catalog Free. Watertown, Wisconsin, U. S. A, ♦ >»♦»»♦♦♦»♦♦♦♦♦♦»♦»»»»»»♦♦»♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ ipih ■ ■ ^Bsm fpaa A. B ^^ now ready to supply by Qii^^lMO RETURN MAIL stock which can not be excelled. Each variety bred in separate apiaries, from selected mothers; have proven their qualities as great honey-gatherers. GOLDE^N ITALIANS have no superior, and few equals. Untested, 75 cts.; 6 for $1.00. RED. CLOVER QUEENS, which left all records behind in honey-gathering. Unt., 81; 0, for$5. CARNIOLANS — They are so highly recommended, being more gentle than all others. Unt., $1. Root's Goods at Root's Factory Prices. ClJr ^ILT "^XJIT Xl "ST O 214G-2148 Central Aventxe, • n. W. WH^rOll^rl, CINCINNATI, OHIO. (Successor to Chas. F. Muth and A. Muth.) ''• Jour H All,' • delvoted; •andHoNEY •AHD home: I ' hedb,, THE-Alt^OO-fCo. $12° PER Year"' ^9 Medina- Ohio- VoL XXXI. AUG U J 903. No. J5 That A. C. Miller cover, p. 632, looks like a g-ood thing-. I HAVE HAD dead mice in hives several times, and they always dry up so dry as to appear inoffensive. The proposed amendments, p. 624, are good, excepting as to the number of direct- ors. Wouldn't six be better than twelve? Bro. Doolittle might have added, p. 622, that the advocates of feeding back make a point of having the right bees for the work — blacks, I think, being preferred. I'm surprised to see, p. 635, that bees will not work down upon foundation in a story placed under the brood-nest. In this locality they do. If I mistake not, Sim- mins' non-swarming plan consists in keep- ing' foundation alwaj's below the brood- nest. "Queen-right" is the word we've al- ways needed to express that a colony was not queenless but had a good laying queen; and Fr. Greiner is the man bright enough to transplant it from the German into the English language. He thus uses it in the Atnetican Bee-keeper. Sehr gut, Herr G. I In some cases, Mr. Editor, you had bees nearly abandon work in the upper super and begin work in the empty super below, p. 620. Bees are queer things. I've had them do nearly the opposite — utterly neg- lect the under super and finish work in the upper. But that was late in the season. A FEW BASSwoODS on the place were full of blossoms, and very fragrant, but I never saw a bee on them. Could it be possible there was no nectar present? or were the bees too busy on white clover? Neither did I find more than a scattering bee on sweet clover till after the middle of July, although there was abundant bloom many days be- fore. O. O. PopPLETON writes that we are mistaken in saying there is no cure fpr paralysis. He is very positive he has cured it with sulphur. Diseased colonies jdelded to the treatment every time, while those side by side untreated remained diseased. Mr. Poppleton is a man whose word counts. Furious swarming at Medina is men- tioned, p. 623, and it's the worst here I ever knew. Young queens, shaken swarms, and every thing else, seem crazy to swarm. It has generally been considered that, when bees get to storing in quantity, they were less inclined to swarm; but this year it seems just the opposite — the heaviest stor- ing and the most swarming I ever kne\^ . And withal the bees are cross beyond un- derstanding, right while the flood of nectar is on. If I UNDERSTAND the matter rightly, there's to be a meeting of bee-keepers at Los Angeles, Aug. 18 — 20, and a number will leave Chicago for that place Wednes- day, Aug. 12, 10 p. M., stopping over Sun- day at Grand Canyon, reaching Los An- geles Tuesdaj', 18, 8 A. m. That's quite a time to be on the way; and when I get tired enjoying the scenery I can rest myself fighting with a certain editor from Medina. The worst thing about it is to get the bees to agree to be good for so long a time while I'm away. I don't KNOW what's the best arrange- ment of supers on hives; but at presen't we have settled upon this order: An empty su- per is put next the brood-nest; next above this the super nearest completion, then the next nearest completion, and so on, the one least advanced being on top. If it seems possible that more room maj' be needed, an additional empty super is put above all. Next time around this upper super gener- ally has the foundation drawn, but no hon- ey in it — sometimes a little honey, and sometimes the foundation not drawn at all. 664 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Aug. 1 I HAD FIFTY zinc hive-covers made to or- der, double, with air-space, and having- now had them in use about a year I find them good. The Medina folks, however, made an improvement not in the specifica- tion, and it doesn't work well. Instead of simply nailing- the zinc on at the sides they nailed wooden strips over it. That's worse than nothing, for the shrinking and swell- ing of the wood throws the zinc above the wood, and it can't get back into place. I have torn off the strips and nailed on the zinc, and now they're all right. If wooden strips are nailed on at all (as when paper or cloth is used), the cover should be made enough narrower so that the entire width, strips and all, shall just equal the width of the hive, and the strips should come down flush with the lower surface of the cover. Immediate introduction of queens seems a desirable thing, and I think I've come pretty near to it. Some one (who was it?) said a queen was better received when well wet. I carried the thing further, in some cases drowning the queen till she cijrled up, apparently dead. I put it to this severe test: I made a full colony ex- change queens with a nucleus, putting the queen directly from one hive to the other without any delay except the two or three minutes to drown the queen. Each queen went to work laying. I did the same thing in two other cases, and the queens were re- ceived all right in the full colonies ; but when I looked next in the nuclei the queens were missing. Possibly the thing may be made alwaj's reliable by learning a few kinks — whether to use warm or cold water, how long to drown them, etc. Does the drowning injure the queens? I don't know. It doesn't seem to. Every four or five days we overhaul the supers on the hives, taking off those that are finished, and giving empty sec- tions where needed. The empty super is put below all the others; and as few have less than 4, and many 5 and 6 supers, it's a good deal of work to lift them all off for the sake of putting the empty one under. So in one of the rounds a week or so ago, partly because it was easier and partly for the experiment, we lifted off no supers, but just put an empty super on top wherever the upper super appeared pretty full. That one experiment was enough. When we made the next round, four or five days lat- er, we found work not pushed so very hard in the added super; but in the other supers wax and burr-combs plastered everywhere in wasteful profusion, built on to the sepa- rators and between the supers, spoiling the appearance of some of the sections be- sides a waste of wax that might have paid for the extra work. If only two supers had been on the hive, so that the upper empty super would have been nearer the brood- nest, likely the bees would have begun work in it more promptly, but the burr- comb business would have been worse. By 5? ROCKY MOUNTAIN BEE JOURNAL. In speaking of this exchange, Mr. Chas. Adams says, "It is getting to be quite a good paper." Hardly. It has been that from the first, so far as bee-keeping is con- cerned. Mr. Morehouse has a new assist- ant at the editorial helm. At last accounts he had no first name. More house room will be needed, probably. \i< Under the name of " idiotic drivel " Mr. Morehouse quotes the following from the Denver Times: The morning was spent in an informal discussion on the training and education of bees. It is a well-known fact that bees maybe fed so as to produce any flavored honey that may be desired. In fact, they appear to enjoy producing peculiar combinations. According to the president ot the society, they have been known to flavor their product with skunk oil. The great diffi- culty with these experiments was in the naturally en- ergetic bee growing so lazy under forced feeding that he refused to hustle tor his master. The discussion was consequently on the best ethical training for a bee. The writer does not think it is beyond the confines of charity to say that, as the result of long observation, he concludes the great herd of reporters for our leading dailies are remarkable for only one char- acteristic— opaque ignorance of practical matters; or perhaps they are so devoid of conscience as to prefer a garment of false- hood if it be decked with a few spangles of truth to make it plausible to the uninformed. How did that idea about " skunk oil " orig- inate? Probably the reporter heard skunk cabbage spoken of as one of the earliest sources of pollen; and, never having before heard of that plant, substituted skunk oil in its place. And yet such writers have more to do in educating the people than all the schoolteachers and ministers in the land. Wh3' will people believe a manifest absurdity sooner than a self-evident truth? I am glad that Mr. Morehouse knows how to head his criticisms with suitable lan- guage. BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. The tmending views of British apiaries in the British Bee Journal are a source of pleasure to its readers. The odd-shaped hives, the strange appearance of the build- ings, the dense foliage, and the fine ap- pearance of the men and women whose faces appear in the half-tones, make up a fine studj' for the American eeader. From July 15 to Sept. 19. 24 bee shows are advertised to take place in England. That speaks volumes for the interest taken 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 665 in the production of hone}-, and for the per- fect org^anization of bee-keepers in that isl- and. Some of tliese shows are in connec- tion with aj^ricultural exhbiitions. The dense population of England, equal to half the United States squeezed into the one State of Illinois, renders the production of an}' article of food of great interest. \ii Concerning the spread of foul brood keep- ing place with the introduction of frame hives, Mr. L. S. Crawshaw says: It is seriously argued that disease is more rampant now than in the old skepdays, owing to its more ready propagation by contagion, and the loss of the check undoubtedly exercised upon it by the annual destruc- tion of combs. But are these the full facts? What complete knowledge have we of the lange of the dis ease in skeps? How was it ever possible to judge of this accurately, or to estimate it at this daj-' Is the testimony of the skeppist upoTi the point reliable? Most emphatically not I Ask to-day one of this school — whether the possessor of frame hives or not — if he has foul brood, and he will most likely assure and le- assure the negative, while an examination may show his back garden to be a hotbed of the disea-e. Does he know it? Probably not. and here is half the trou ble, for his bee-keeping is built upon a foundation of ignorance and superstition which the sV:ep hive does much to foster and protect. " But the disease has spread." That may be possible, only do not mistake better statistics for increase of the complaint. It may have spread. It must in the nature of things, do so; but it remains to be proved that the spread is greater than would otherwise ha%-e been, and that it is still spreading more rapidly in spite of all associated effort to reduce it. IRISH BEE JOURNAL. Concerning foul brood a writer says: " We know that the microbes causing foul brood retain their vitality in honey for some time, but just how long we do not know. That the spores of Bacillus mesenteric us v;\\\ gerrainUe after being steep- ed in honey for over a year. I have very great doubis; and if a few years' imjnersion in concentrated honey is fatal to them, we have a clue t ■ the reason why bees store, and ktep in store, lirge quan itits of h ney " . . . ■' If the microbes causing fo> 1 brood couM he ex- terminated there would be no bee-keeping — the t ees would not store houey enough to make it an object " BEES DE.STROYED BY MOTH-WORMS. " Good morning, Mr. Doolittle. I am a beginner at bee-keeping, and come down from Maine to have a little talk with you about moth worms. You . know what I mean?" " Yes, Mr. Jones, I know the larva of the wax-moth when I see one. But what did you wish to know about these larv;u?" "Going out among my bees the other morning I saw two worms at the front of one hive and five at another. I told a neigh- bor of this, and he said I would have to look out for these worms or they would de- stroy my bees, as he used to lose more or less by them j'ears ago when he kept bees. Will these worms destroy bees?" '* A good colon}' of bees is never destroyed by the larva of the wax-moth in this local- it}', and I doubt if such is the case in Maine or any other part of the world. Such expressions as your neighbor gave voice to shows his ignorance, as no person would make the assertion that he had lost bees from moth-worms unless he was ig- norant or careless, or both." " Why do you say careless?" ' ' Because the carelessness of people making such assertions is shown in that they do not discover that their bees are gone till the combs are destroyed by worms; and they also show their ignorance, be- cause, if well posted in all that is going on inside the hive, at all times, they would know better. In most localities where bees can live, if the combs are not occupied with bees, and have not been exposed to a de- gree of cold as low as zero, when vrarm weather comes in the summer we always find the larva; of the wax-moth upon these combs, and more abundant on those which have pollen in them, or have had many gen- erations of brood reared in them. When once under headway it takes but a short time for these larva; to reduce the combs in a whole hive to a mass of webs." "Can not the worms do this while the bees are on the combs?" "No. The worms, or larvae, can not come into full possession of these combs so long as there are bees upon them, although we find here and there a larva which may have eluded the vigilance of the bees by getting in the septum of the comb, under the brood, or by being under the capping, over the heads of the immature bees. But even here they are secure for no certain length of time; for before they reach ma- turity they are ferreted out and cast from the hive like those you saw at the entrance of your hives. The Italian bees keep these worms out much better than the hybrids or blacks. W^hich do you keep?" " I have only black bees; but if the Ital- ians will keep these worms away I shall have some. Will a small colony of Italians protect their combs from these worms?" " Yes. I have known only a mere hand- ful of these bees to protect a whole hive of combs fully, the worins being kept in sub- jection so long as a few score remained." "Then you think my neighbor's died from some other cause than worms, do you?" ' ' Yes. If from any cause a colony be- comes hopelessly queenless, the bees all died of old age in from fifty to sixty days from the time the last bee emerges from its cell, if in summer; and as soon as the bees are gone there is no restraint on the worms, thus giving them full sway, and in a short time the combs are ruined." " Why should bees ever become hopeless- ly queenless?" " If from any cause the queen dies while there are no eggs or larva; in the combs, 666 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Aug. 1 the bees in that colony have no means of rearing- another' queen, so are hopelessly queenless from then on. The most com- mon cause for bees becoming thus hopeless- ly queenless is when, after swarming-, the young queen flies out to meet the drone, she becomes lost by entering the wrong hive; or being caught by birds, or otherwise she fails to return. All brood was sealed at about the time this queen emerged from the cell, so that, with her loss, there is no chance for that colony to live unless the apiarist finds it out in time and comes to the rescue. And from my own experience, and the testimony of scores of others, more colo- nies become hopelessly queenless in this way than by all others combined. Now do you think that colonies having thus lost their queen were destroyed by worms?" "It would not look that way." '* Certainly they were not. The colony was destroyed by the loss of the queen at mating time, and the moths came in as an effect. Thus we see that to talk of worms destroying colonies of bees is fallacious." " Well, how are we to know in the mat- ter of the loss of a queen?" " If we have an eye to business we shall see from outside observation that something is wrong vC^ith the colony long before the moths can take possession of the combs, even if we do no general manipulation of hives; and as soon as we see that something is wrong with any colony it is our business as bee-keepers to open the hive and find out what that wrong is, in time to save the colony. ' ' " If you found a colony that had lost its queen at this time of the year, or at any other, so it was hopelessly queenless, what would you do?" " The finding of any colony without brood in any form, during the spring and sum- mer months, gives assurance that said colo- ny is hopelessly queenless. But this is not always the case, as they may be tolerating an old worn-out queen, or, what is more frequently the case, a virgin queen, which, through crippled wings, or some other de- fect, is unable to fly out to meet the drones. In this way a colony may be hopeless, but not queenless — hopeless, as we know, but it does not so appear to them, and therefore they will love and cherish this apology for a queen till all die of old age, not even ac- cepting a good queen given them by the apiarist." " Is there no way of finding out whether they have such an apology for a queen or not?" "Yes, usually. This is done by giving the suspected colony a frame of brood in which there are eggs and young larvas. If they have no queen of any kind they will nearly always go to constructing queen- cells on this brood; and when they do this you may be very positive that they were hopeless as well as queenless, and that they will accept any queen you give them. And should j'ou not have a queen to give them at once, this frame of brood will help them to hold out till you can give them a queen; and it is always the proper thing to do, on finding any colony without brood in any shape in the hive." " I must be going now. I wish to thank you for what you have told me, for I shall have little fear of the worms after this." WHITE CLOVER IN WISCONSIN. I HAVE been making a flying trip up through Eastern Wisconsin. White clover, I think I never saw so much of it in my life. The fields are covered with it in great white masses in the pastures and along the roadsides. Basswoods were blooming well. The bee-keepers of Wisconsin should be " in clover" this year. SWEET CLOVER. There seems to be a great abundance of sweet clover this year — more so than usual. It is spreading in our locality to such an extent that our local residents— people who never travel much, but who ought to know better — are telling how "A. I. Root once scattered this clover all over the county for his bees." It does no good to refute this nonsense, for they won't believe it; but the fact that sweet clover is spreading all over the United States goes to show that there must have been a good many A. I. Roots scattering seed or else the whole story is a hoax, as it certainly is. the honey season in eastern OREGON AND WASHINGTON. The following report, for the reason giv- en, came too late for our previous issue, but we are glad to put it before our readers at this time: Inquiries for condition of honey crop, which we made on receipt of your request, did not reach us in time for your July 15th issue. We have just received word from Eastern Oregon and Washington. It is a little early to make any kind of estimate of what the honey crop will be in Eastern Washington, but prob- ably below the average. In Eastern Oregon the weather has been damp, with high winds; and as it is now .so late in the season, dry weather is to be ex- pected, so that the general opinion of bee-men in that section is that the crop will not be more than half the average. However, as we said before, this section, or the whole Pacific Northwest, has no honey to offer on the market, as they do not produce one-half the amount consumed. Portland Seed Co. Portland, Oregon, July 16. ANSWERING QUESTIONS. Since I have increased the Heads of Grain department — that is, inserting more questions and answers, my volume of cor- respondence has increased enormously. I 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 667 find it is impossible to publish more than a small portion of the questions that come in to us; and the rest, in the case of regu- lar patrons or subscribers, are answered privately. Now, I have something- to do besides answering- letters; but I am per- fectly willing to respond to all inquiries. But our friends will save me a great deal of time if they will make their questions brief, write on only one side of the sheet, and number the pages. Long letters are apt to be delayed, and perhaps never an- swered. It takes time and brains to dig a question or two out of a long rambling let- ter. Get down to the meat of j'our inquiry at once, leaving out all unimportant details. CUBAN HONEY ON THE AMERICAN MARKETS. There have been fears expressed several times that Cuban honey might have a seri- ous effect on the American market for American honey. The great bulk of this "West-Indian product, as I have before stat- ed, goes to Europe, because it is of such poor qualit}', mixed with dirt, dead bees, mashed brood, and comb, that it would hardly pass muster, even for manufactur- ing purposes, in this country. Where the manufacturers ( bake-shops and confection- ers) have had one shipment they want no more of it at an3^ price. But the modern American bee-keepers in Cuba are putting up a better grade of honey, and manj' are working toward comb honev', and are put- ting out a very fine quality of it. It is this that has created ?l furore (and needlessly so) among the American bee- keepers; but the fact of it is, it comes to our markets at just the time when they are bare of the American product, and to a certain extent it helps to discourage adulteration ; for it has been noted that, when real honey is scarce, the dealers are inclined to put in honey pieced out with glucose. If Cuban hone}^ produced byAmerican bee-keepers will have a tendency to keep adulteration away, the bee-keepers in this country can and should welcome the product of our brothers who are located on Cuban soil. So far a first quality of Cuban comb honey brings about the same prices as the first quality of American honey; and so long as that condition prevails, no one need fear Cuban competition very much. If the Cuban hon- ey were thrown on our markets at just the time when American honey was being ta- ken from the. hives, the condition would be very different; but because it comes when our markets are bare of first quality, or nearl}' so, and because Cuban comb honey is of fine quality, the price will be main- tained at the American level. alive to foreign countries. Desiring to get further particulars on the style of the cage^ and how he was able to accomplish it, we wrote him, and in November of last year,, in response, he sent a sample of the cage, with a letter for publication. We had an illustration made, but held the matter until it would be seasonable, and now present both the cage and the letter to our readers: CAGES FOR SENDING QUEENS TO FOREIGN COUNTRIES. Along last fall, J. P. Moore, who has been furnishing us breeding-stock, inci- dentally remarked that he was sending about 95 per cent of his queens through EXPORT CAGE WITH MOORE'S WATER-BOTTLE. Mr. Root:—\ send you a provisioned cage (except the water) such as I use for mailing queens to coun- tries like Jamaica, with good results as reported. Fill the tin tube with water I y means of an oil-can with a very small nozzle and spring bottom, to force the water into the tube, and vour cage is ready for the queen and bees. For mailing queens to England, I have been using two of these cages fastened together face to face without any wire cloth. One tube was filled with honej'. and the other with water. The queens and escorts were reported in the finest of or- der when received. The candy is made of powdered sugar and honey, with the addition of a little glycerine, to prevent it from drying out and becoming hard. It is made as follows: To seven cups of powdered sugar add one cup of nice well-ripened honey; knead thoroughly, afld make into three or fourballs. Let it stand a few days; then break the balls up and pour a little glycerine over the mass, and work in more powdered sugar. Make into balls as before, and let stand a day or two, when it is ready for use if vou have added enough sugar and not too niuch. If the balls flatten down, the candv is too soft, and must have more sugar; but if they' re- tain their shape, and have a moist appearance' the candy is just right. When just right, it is soft and pliable, and retains its shape when made into balls. The cage was made by H. G. Quirin, of Parkertown. O., but the tin tubes are of ray own make. The corks are put in— one in each end— 'and then dipped in melt- ed wax to make them water-tight. To fill with honey, put the cork in one end of the tube and oip in wax; then pour hot honey into the other end (by means of a very small funnel), until nearly full; i'n.sert cork and dip in wax. j. p. Moore. Morgan, Ky., Nov. 12. The one here shown is a regular Benton six-hole cage. Through the center holes there is a tin tube. Years ago we had something of this kind in our cages that we sent out, and our decision was at the time that it was a good thing, but later experi- ments for short distances, in comparison with cages having no tubes, convinced us, at least, there was no advantage in having the water-bottle. But Mr. Moore's experi- ments would seem to indicate, in view of the success he has attained, that we had better supply the cages with water for ex- port at least. 668 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Aug. 1 " THE WITCHERY OF KODAKERY " AND THE ITCHERY OF BEE-STINGERY. As our readers are aware, picture-taking- has been one of my pastimes; but of late years it has come to be a part of my regu- lar business and work. I never go out on THE EFFECT OF A BEE-STING NEAR ONE EYE bee-keeping tours without having one or more kodaks loaded ready for any subject that may take my fancy; and even at home I keep one or two instruments all prepared ready for any special thing that may arise; for we never know what the bees will do or what we shall have on hand at any partic- ular moment. A few days ago Mr. Phillips, our head apiarist, came into the office and remarked that one of our bee keeping students had got stung on the eye, and j-uggested I had better go down and "kodak" him. I did so, of course obtaining his consent. On an- other occasion the same student received a sting on the lip, and again the kodak was brought to play. The two pictures are re- produced before you. The young man in question is learning the business, and so far he has found that the ways of a bee keeper are not all hon- eyed sweetness. Hari work, hot sun, and now and then a sting, with a swollen face, are a part of his '* experience." So far he has been " initiated " in the manner shown in the pictures a number of times; but he hopes ere long- to get along without the swelling. Perhaps some may question the propriety of putting in a picture showing the distort- ed features of a person suffering from an accident or bee-sting. I obtained the free consent of the young man to use the pictures because I wished to illustrate the effect of stings, as some of our readers, and proba- bly a good many of them, do not know how badly a face may be swollen from just one sting. These pictures are reproduced, not because they are the worst cases of swell- ing we have had, but because they are an average among those who are just getting inoculated with the poison; for it is well known that, after one has been stung a certain number of times, he becomes to a great extent immune to bee-stings. While the pain is just as acute, the swelling and consequent fever do not appear — at least to only a very moderate extent. A few days after these pictures were taken, Mr. Phillips said he had a fine nice swarm hang- ing from one of the grapevines, and remarked that it would make a pretty picture. Two years ago I offered a prize for the best picture of a young lady holding a swarm of bees. De- siring to see what I could do in this line myself, by dint of coax- ing I got one of the young wo- men in our office to put on a bee-veil and bee-gloves, and take her position before the swarm, as if about to hive it. She did so. The kodak clicked, and the result is before you. A compan- ion picture to this has been sent to one of our magazine writers, and it is possible it will appear in due time. EFFECT OF ONE BEE-STING ON THE LIP. We have other interesting subjects which we will present from time to time, of actual scenes taken in the yard while the work was in progress. These particular pic- 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 669- tures are to be used in the ABC of Bee Culture, the two first under the head of "Stings," and the last under the head of " Swarms." "a colony that never thinks of swarming;" a confession. Some little time ago Dr. Miller and I had a little tilt over the first part of this subject. I was taking the ground that the new shaken-swarm plan was going to do awaj' with manj'of our difficulties. While Dr. Miller admitted that shaking was effec- tive, and could be made very useful, yet he still expressed a hope that we might some day breed a race of bees that would go on storing honey without swarming, the same as poultrj'-men have bred several varieties of hens that are non-sitters. I argued that the gain would be only trifling, because a colony could be shaken at the convenience of the apiarist, and thus all desire to- swarm be taken away from them in ad- vance. Well, now, for the confession. The events of the last few days have completely converted me to Dr. Miller's view of the matter. While I still have as much faith in the shaken method as I ever had, and while not one of the swarms we shook this season has essayed to go out again, yet a colony that will siay on its old brood- combs in its old brood- nest, and allow all its brood to hatch, is to be preferred because of the saving in the labor. At the Harrington yard we shook per- haps a third of our colonies — perhaps the strongest ones. The remainder we left just as they were. When the honey- flow came on it was apparent that the shaking had set them back a little. They had, temporarily, at least, been deprived of their brood, and it takes a day or so right in the hon- BEE-KEEPING FOR WOMEN. 670 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Aug. 1 ey-flow for the bees to recover themselves again to begin work. Then the brood, aft- er it hatches, requires to be shaken again at the old entrance; and this causes anoth- er interruption, and possibly the loss of a queen. If the brood is not shaken back with the swarm after it hatches, then the shaken swarm will, before the season is en- tirelj' over, begin to feel the need of the 3'oung blood that would recuperate their fast-waning strength when it is most (if ever) needed in the whole season. But Dr. Miller's ideal colony that never thinks of swarming will at least keep right on work- ing— keep all of its brood, save all the fuss and bother of shaking frames with starters in, the building of drone comb, and with all its reserve strength will go on magnifi- cently producing honey. But the never-think swarm I think is still largely a will-o'-the- wisp, and so we shall have to content our- selves with shaking for the time being", and occasionall}^ shinning up trees to bring back runaway swarms. CUBA'S FIRST AND SECOND APIARIES. A Few Mistakes Corrected ; that Mammoth Steam- driven Extractor. BY H. G. OSBURX. I beg permission to correct, through Gleanings, a few mistakes I notice (Mar. 1, 1903), in reference to the apiary my fa- ther established at Punta Brava in the late fall of 1883. As your guide was no other than that able bee-man, Mr. W. W. Somer- ford, it seems strange to me that I should have to correct his mistakes. A. J. King came to Cuba in the spring of 1881 with 100 nuclei of bees for J. N. P. Casanova «& Brothers. At the same time, he advertised for a man who understood handling bees to accompany him to Cuba. At this time my father was working for some bee-man in New York, and, being of a roaming dispo- sition, the novelty of the thing induced him to answer the advertisement in person, at their office in New York; and so it came to pass that, after all the purchases were made for a complete apiary, they set sail for Cuba. In the spring of 1881, arriving here with but small loss, the bees were at once shipped by rail to Casanova's large farm at San Miguel de Jaruco. Here the first modern apiary in Cuba was establish- ed, and it grew so fast, and prospered so well, that from this small beginning an apiary of over 600 hives developed in two years, and a large crop of honey was taken the second season; but I have not the fig- ures at hand, much as I should like to re- produce them. The mosquitos, fleas, and isolation, coupled with the extreme heat here in the summer, soon had a bad effect on Mr. King's temper; and whenever he would wish to walk it ofl^ beneath Cuba's blue skies, this mud, composed of 99 parts of '• stickum," com.plicated the bill, so it was not many months before he decided "the game was not worth the tallow," and, turn- ing every thing over to A. W. Osburn, took his departure for the States, never to re- turn, to my knowledge. After making two good crops, and equipping the apiary with modern necessaries throughout, it was in- deed a model apiar}', nestling at the foot of tall mountains, vine-entwined and flower- laden. Kept as clean as a kitchen floor, it received its full share of admiration from many wealth}' visitors who were often as- tonished at the magnitude to which the lit- tle bees can develop an industry. There is alwaj's an ebb time in our lives, no matter how perfectly we write our life's history. So the climax came one early morn, and for reasons not necessarj' to mention in this place mj' father returned to Havana. A few months after his departure, I believe it was, " the man who talks " blew over from Texas and eventually dropped anchor at this pioneer apiar}'. For a few months from now on the history of this place is varied by many different bee-men, including in its last days of declining glory the able bee- man, Mr. Fred Somerford. There was some 700 feet of running shed covered by the palm thatch. In the same spot Mr. J. H. Ellis now has a booming apiary of 300 swarms (in the last war every vestige of this once beautiful and modern apiary was consumed bj^ fire, as was also the beautiful summer home of the proprietors. So ends the history of this forerunner of an industry that is fast assuming vast proportions. APIARV NO. 2. There is an old adage that tells us to "look before we leap." Have you ever thought how true this is? If more of us would heed the teaching of those four simple words, how much better it would be for us I On arriving at Havana the bleed- ing wound was soon healed by a flattering offer to establish another grand bee-ranch, this time for a nobleman with a full purse, and the string always ready to pull. No expense was to be shared or spared in mak- ing this the ideal bee paradise of the island. So with this object in view Mr. Maurice M. Dussaq and Mr. A. W. Osburn began looking for a suitable location, with the result that, after much travel, the farm " Santa Cruz " was selected. At that time, 1883, pineapples were not grown to any ex- tent on the island. Santa Cruz lies about half way between Arara Aranas and Punta Brava, on the government stone road from Havana to Guanajay. At this time this was a fine location for bees, being near 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 671 Havana, and on a good road, all surround- ing-countrj' being- untilled pasturag-e lands. The start was made in the late fall of 1883, and at once some native bees were pur- chased. From a start of 43 native colonies, we developed in three years the finest api- ary in the world, so far as we were able to ascertain. About 650 running- feet of tile shed, 12 feet wide, was built to cover them, besides an extractingf-house, 30X20 feet. No expense was spared, and every time any thing- was asked for, double the amount was usuallj' sent, and S3U00, Spanish gold, was spent before a pound of houe^' was sold. The crops were considered big at that time, running- from 45,000 lbs. to oO.uOO. The climax in the histor}' of this fine ranch was not reached until the fall of 1894 and spring- of 1895, when it earned for itself the name of being- the larg^est and finest apiar_v in Cuba (on the modern scale). This same season's crop broke all prevail- ing^ records up to that time, when two men and a boy took 73.000 lbs. from bOOO hives in five months, with the assistance of the steam-extractor. Our crop the previous winter had been good; and Mr. Dussaq, becoming tired of the business, offered it to my father on very easj' terms, and he ac- cepted the otter. We now arrive at the birth of the steam- extractor. Having- become tired of the slow process and hard work necessar}' to take 1000 lbs of honey a da}' by a hand ma- chine, notwithstanding this was a Jumbo six-frame non-reversible machine, built (if I remember correctly) to order by A. I. Root, and shown in Gleanings for 1893, he began studj-ing on the problem of power and larger machines, at the same time looking up a man who could build it after his ideas; and after a great deal of corres- pondence the machine was finall}' shipped. It cost about 5300, and the dimensions are as follows: Circumference, 36 feet. ; depth, 4 ft.; revolutions per minute, 2-^0; comb ca- pacity, 21. The reel is independent of the can. There is no center in the bottom of the can. The three-inch center-shaft stands in a heav3' seat bolted fast to the floor, the top also being secured by bolting the seat to 6X6 pieces. There are 22 or 44 3-ft. arms, one inch square, steel, secured b}' heav}' clamps bolted together. This ma- chine was driven at first b}- a three-horse- power boiler; but as it took 100 lbs. of steam to start it, after the first season's use this boiler was sold, and another, an eight- horse-power boiler and engine, installed in its place. This extractor weighs 1300 lbs. We could never get enough honey to test it thoroughly; but sutlice it to say, the best we ever did with it was 2500 lbs. in four hours, one man to run the engine, one to tend the machine, and a boy of 17 to uncap the combs; but it will be some time before even this record is broken. This acme of perfection and skill as a whole is to-day an eye-sore to those of us who remember it before the war. In the summer of 1895 it was ag-ain sold back to the original owners, and this fact alone shielded it from the Spanish torch, while the insurgent torch gave it a free pass, as the}' knew the owners to be American. A notice, however, guarded the gate — "French property! no trespassing, please." This apiary is the one Mr. A. I. Root has reference to in his March 1st issue, this year. Great as has been the growth of bee-keeping in Cuba in the last 23 years, it is as yet in its infancy; and vast trackless wildernesses of vine and shrub lie to-day beneath the shadow of stately mountains, secluded valleys, and rippling streams, each and every one of a thousand dift'erent varieties, yielding its tons of nectar yearly, only to be evaporated by the hot sun or fed upon by myriads of butterflies and ants. Thousands upon thousands of acres of trackless mountain-sides, upon whose fer- tile soil the sun has never shone, may be found here; the depredation of man has never marred nature's handiwork. It lies to-day unclaimed. Tropical flora through which the shy deer feeds unmolested, and the shrill note of the quail echoes, and in- numerable specimens of the feathery tribes proclaim the extent of these wastes. The hum of the bee is often heard, however, as it gathers from each flower its load of sweetness, and, hastening oft" to some far- away cliff, it deposits it in some dark hole in the rocks, secure from robbers of all kinds. To the experienced eye this pano- rama reveals the great possibilities of Cuba as a bee-keeper's paradise; also the abun- dent provisions of nature for the mainte- nance of more if he be wise enough to reap the harvest she has laid before him. Such is the histor}' of this industrj', and the possibilities of this enterprise founded on a modern scale 23 years ago b}' the writer's father. [I remember well that big extractor, for it was built in our own machine-shop. The reel was a mammoth affair. But my own impression is that, with a modern eight- frame reversible extractor, driven by pow- er, one could do as much work with less power, or at least keep ahead of the un- capper. With a hand machine (an eight- frame reversible) I m3'self kept up with one man uncapping, in California, for two or three hours; and if power had been at- tached I could have done the work much easier. As it was, I worked like a horse. —Ed.] SHALLOW HIVES. Their Advantages Compared with Deeper Ones ; an Interesting Discussion of the Whole Matter. MORRISON. The lamented Rambler was a firm be- liever in a shallow hive, somewhat after the Heddon pattern ; and only a short while ago he mentioned his preference for a brood- chamber about 7 inches in depth. He was not the only one who believed in shallow 672 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Aug. 1 hives ; and perhaps if the editor were to poll a vote he veould find a very large per- centage of the bee-keeping fraternity in fa- vor of shallow chambers, more especially those who are interested in the production of comb honey. Dr. Tinker has long advo- cated his shallow Nonpareil hive; and one of the oldest hives extant is the Bingham, which is, in truth, an extremely shallow one; and in England the standard frame is shallow compared with the Langstroth or Ouinby. The controversy over the large or sm^U hives will probably never end. I for one don't wish to add fuel to the smoldering fires of this disagreement; but having made many experiments along this line I wish to suggest how this dispute can be avoided, particularly by those who wish to follow the golden mean. In my experiments I tried all depths be- tween 4 and 13>^ inches, and all spacings between l>s to 1^; and the hives were of every conceivable shape — some of no shape. It is not necessary for me to go into detail regarding these experiments. One of the main points in any experiment is the possi- bility of carrying its teachings into prac- tical execution; and with this end in view I finally decided on a six- frame as the best, for what I consider very weighty reasons. 1. The probability of making the brood- chamber, the extracting-super, and the comb-honey super all of one size, and per- fectly interchangeable. Men of large expe- rience will agree with me this is a vital point, and well worth sacrificing something to secure. 2. The desirability of securing a cham- ber which will compel the bees to build comb honey whenever nectar is coming in, without resorting to fussy methods which consume time. The shallow chamber ac- complishes this as nothing else will. At the same time, the super should be large enough to accommodate, say, 48 or 50 1-lb. sections so as to avoid the expense and la- bor incident to the use of two supers. 3. The value of a frame that can be read- ily handled without fear of comb-breaking. For example, in shaking bees off the comb it is much easier to jar them off a shallow comb than a deeper one; and in the case of shallow-framed chambers it is possible to handle hives rather than frames; and where one man has 300 or 400 hives to manage, this is an extremely important point. Some of our modern hives are regular back-break- ers to an extensive bee-keeper, even if they may not seem so to the small apiarist. First, I will tell why 673 inches was chosen as a good depth. I arrived, at the end of my experiments, to the conclusion that a hive 20 inches long, 20 inches wide, and 20 high, would satisfy all requirements ; and, curiously enough, the lamented Langstroth, in his later years, advocated a hive just the same size. His hive was 20 inches long, 20 high, and 17 wide; but in his later years he advocated a hive containing 12 to 14 frames, and I be- lieve he was right in this. To divide such a hive in two is all right for extracted honey, but hardly so for comb; besides, the chambers are rather heavy when full of honey. For this reason many have resorted to the eight-frame hive. Dadant, I believe, was right in advocat- ing large brood-chambers; but most bee- keepers dislike the heavy hives and un- wieldy frames. I often wonder why so clever a man did not see that two shallow chambers would answer just as well, and avoid the objections. However, Mr, Da- dant and I agree as regards the size of a complete hive. The editor of Gleanings also seems to agree with me, for some time ago he was trying to solve the question by using two regular eight-frame hives as a brood-chamber. The objection to this ar- rangement is found in the height; in fact, the hive is ill proportioned. It is vastly easier to get the queen to use two shallow chambers. Also, in the making of shaken swarms it is much easier to shake the bees from a shallow frame. Fancy shaking bees from a Quinby frame! and I for one don't like brushing. The chief objection to shallow chambers has been that one chamber is too small for a lively colony, and two chambers are nec- essary for only a short period each season. The case simmers itself down to this: Any one chamber must be as large in capacity as a regular eight-frame chamber. One of the results of my experiments was, I found the best distance to space the frames is \% inches from center to center. Even lj4 is sufficient; but \% is just right for worker comb, while \y% is the correct spacing for drone comb ; and that is the reason why bees in a natural state adopt the wider spacing. Those who do not wish to adopt a wider hive than the ten-frame can, therefore, get eleven frames spaced I'i ; and it is easy to secure twelve frames if the sides are re- duced to >2-inch stuff, and the super wid- ened to 16X inches, which does not entail much of a change, A deep super can use a taller section — in this instance, 6 inches in height; and this is how 48 to 50 sections can be accommodated — no small gain, sure- ly. In the capacity for brood-rearing, or for honey-getting, my shallow chamber equals an eight-frame chamber, at the very least, Thewaytouse such ahiveis easy. During the winter or off season one chamber is used ; but when the swarming season arrives, the second chamber with drawn combs is add- ed from below. This is a damper to the swarming fever. Later on, when the upper half has become pretty well filled with honey, it is removed and then a super of sections is put on. Here we have a shaken swarm without the shaking — -at least, the only shaking is in shaking the bees out of the upper chamber. Of course, there are other ways of using this hive, which will readily occur to the experienced; but this particular method is suited to hot climates. Where extracted 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. honey only is wanted in hot countries, the chambers should be always a.dded Jrom de- low, to prevent congestion of the brood- chamber. For out-apiaries such a hive is very suitable, since shaken swarms can be made with the greatest ease without risk or too much trouble. The whole theory of management is simply this — to work up the colony to a high pitch in two chambers; then when the honey comes on in full blast, remove one chamber and put the section-su- per in place. T/iis stops swarming very ef- fectually ; and, as a consequence, very plump well-filled sections. For a poor locality, only two chambers are required; and I will throw out the hint that dequeening, and contraction of the brood-chamber, are quite unnecessary with this hive. The bete noire of a comb-honey apiarist is the habit the bees have of stor- ing honey in the brood-chamber. The shal- low hive holds this in check. Where only two chambers are used, there will be a fair amount of swarming; but where three are used, the apiarist holds the whip hand. There are several points to be borne in mind. One is this: That one chamber must be large enough to accommodate a fair-sized colony — say the same capacity as the eight or ten frame, which requires from 12 to 14 shallow frames spaced IV inches apart; otherwise there is too much work. There are also other considerations. For example, it is easy enough to make such a hive of half-inch stuff, which effects quite a saving, both in weight and first cost. I have also gone a step further, with the idea of having all parts alike, by doing away with all slats, holders, and separators, the 5o/^ difference between the comb-honey com- partment and the extracted being that the one contains frames while the other con- tains sections. I do not know that every one will grasp the significance of this; but a glance at the latest A. I. Root catalog will show the mul- tiplicity of arrangements for accommodat- ing bees. Another thing is the reduction in cost and weight. One of my supers costs less than the ordinary one, and yet holds twice as much. The work also is much reduced. The tendency of the present time is to con- duct bee-keeping on a much larger scale than formerly, and to reduce the price of honey to the consumer. I am well aware that good results can be secured by using our present hives ; but we can progress ; and in the production of comb honej', as it is done at present, there is too much work and expense. The fussing with contrac- tion, dequeening, baits, separators, clean- ing slats, etc., consumes too much of the profit; and rather than do it the Texas people have gone back to bulk honey. There is also to be considered the en- hanced price of hive material, with no cor- responding increase in the price of comb honey. I am not "talking through my hat" when I say these savings can be ef- fected, having proved the pudding by eat- ing. Neither is there any thing very revo- lutionary about it. It is simply improving existing arrangements. I have gone over this ground to some ex- tent before, but not so fully, and it is mat- ter that will bear repetition. One critic said that the queen lurked between the bottom-bar of the shallow frame and the comb. Such a criticism is worthless, for the reason that all combs, whether shallow or deep, should be securely attached to the bottom-bar. For one thing, space is too precious in a brood-chamber to waste it in that way. Another is the loss of strength; and in the case of a shallow frame, wiring is unnecessary if the comb is attached to the bottom-bar. Another important point, and one not often appreciated, is this : With a comb built securely to the bottom-bar, the bees can be shaken off from it with one vigorous shake. But just try it with a comb not so fastened, and it will take five or six shakes to do as well. In finding a queen the same time is lost looking for her. There is no place for her to hide on a well-built comb. The man who does not fasten his combs to the bottom-bar also requires one more frame in his brood-chambers. Another criticism made was that starters being used the bees would lodge pollen in the sections, etc. But why use starters at all? Starters in brood-frames are obnox- ious to me, and personally I don't want an inch of drone comb in any brood-chamber; and the most up-to-date and most success- ful bee-masters in the world do the same, I think. One of the most important secrets in the production of comb honey is to have no drone comb in the brood-chamber, so that, when sections are put out, the bees rush up intending to construct drone comb. That is why some folks succeed so well and others don't. They use to the utmost valu- able inventions of this sort. In a particu- larly difficult locality I should use worker foundation in the brood -chamber, and drone foundation in the comb-honey super. And even in very good localities it is a good plan to put drone foundation in all sections next to the sides of the super. This re- duces the number of unfinished sections; it also reduces the business of moving sections from the outside to the center, and vice ver- sa. In other words, it reduces the number of manipulations. It is by such plans as these the apiarist is able to care for a very large apiary. Screws on the sides for compression are also very good things, reducing work con- siderably, both in the manipulation of frames and in the cleaning of sections. They add considerably to the cost of a hive, more particularly if they are made of iron. If screws are used, springs are also requisite ; but they are a great comfort where any kind of closed or half-closed frames are in use. Propolis has no terrors for a man who uses pressure to bring the frame close to- 674 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Aug. 1 gather. With such a frame as the Hoff- man, screws secure accurate spacing, even in the presence of large amounts of propo- lis; but, what is more important, the frames can be so constructed as to make the hive practically a double-walled affair, and this is a considerable gain. Some years ago Mr. A. I. Root and I freely discussed this matter of reducing the cost of hives by simplifying the construc- tion of them, and we both agreed that it could be done. In fact, some twenty years ago he essayed to make some hives on this plan, and he freely illustrated his idea in Gleanings. So you see the idea is nothing new. [8ome eighteen or nineteen years ago this question was discussed pro and con in the bee- journals, and a good many of the argu- ments that were then advanced are now put forward by you. There is no denying it, there are some very decided advantages in the use of shal- low brood-chambers; and father Langstroth, after his visit to Mr. Heddon (the chief ad- vocate of this kind of hive at the time), came back very enthusiastic, prepared to admit that the principle of a divisible brood-chamber was one that would receive more favor in the future than it was receiv- ing at that time. If we could get at the facts, we should probably be surprised at the number who are to-day using divisible hives in some form or other. As it is, it is only occasionally that one will mention the fact that he is using it. You do not give details of the kind of frame you would use, although you imply, when you refer to compression bj^ means of thumbscrews, that you would use closed- end frames. You favor a hive dYs inches deep. If the depth of the brood-chamber is such as will take the regular standard sections on the market, as well as brood frames, then it could not be deeper than 5^- A section 5 inches deep is about as deep as we can go without making it large and ill propor- tioned. Experience shows that it is not practical to make a box that holds more than a pound of honej'; and a 2-lb. section is out of the question. In the matter of the size that the section may be to the weight, 4X5 is about as large as we dare go. A 5X6 section, for example, if holding a pound, would be too thin: if it held over a pound it would be too heavy. You originally favored a brood-chamber that would take a section 5 inches deep. You now recommend ab-j-inch; and while that would not be objectionable for a brood- chamber, it would be too deep for a super. Perhaps you have abandoned the idea of having the super and brood-chamber one and the same depth. Mr. Danzenbaker, in adopting his shal- low hive, made it 7>< inches deep, with a super 5^4, as he concluded it was not prac- ticable to make the super also answer for a brood-chamber. He tried that once, and abandoned it. He also tried making hives of Yz and Y'i lumber, and abandoned that also. Considering how lumber shrinks and checks, I do not believe it is practicable to make a hive of much thinner lumber than %. A half-inch thickness is out of the question, for one has to pay a great deal more proportionally for this thickness than if he takes a standard thickness of boards. One-inch lumber will make two Y'& boards planed on both sides; but you can not make a half-inch planed board out of an inch board without planing down and wasting a great deal, or without slabbing off a board too thin for other uses. — Ed.] ANOTHER BALLED QUEEN THAT WAS STUNG IN HER BODY. BY MARTIN L. NEWMAN. I have read in Gleanings a number of articles on the question as to whether or not bees sting a queen when they ball her. To-day while I was hunting for a queen I had one balled. The result was a dead queen (or nearly so). I inclose her in tin and forward her to you for inspection. I think that j-qu will find the sting in her throat. She is a young queen, and had filled only three or four inches square with eggs on each side of one frame. I removed the old hive from the stand, placed it on a box, having already prepared for the job by placing an empty hive with entrance- guard near at hand. I began by removing the cover, then the follower, then a frame, and shaking the bees in front of the hive with guard on. I had so removed all the frames, and given the hive-body a shake also, but did not see the queen. As I had seen the eggs I knew she was present some- where, so I turned to get the bottom-board. When I discovered the ball I reached for the smoker, gave them a few whiff's, but they were determined on mischief. I never saw bees apparently so mad. Each one seemed bent on murder. When I did suc- ceed in rescuing her she was almost dead, and I saw what I took to be the sting of a bee in her throat, so I thought she would be a good subject for you to examine. I took her to the house immediately, and wrapped her up (though not entirely lifeless). She deposited seven eggs in my hand and three on the desk before I folded her up. Woodside, Cal. [This is another of the several reports we have had that a balled queen is often stung to death, notwithstanding our good Dr. Miller says that such queens are not stung in the ball. As our correspondent says, the queen sent for my inspection has the sting inserted clear up to the poison-bag, on the under side of the thorax, near the head. She appears to have "got it in the neck."— Ed.] 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 675 PREPARING BEES FOR MOVING. Entrance-Screens. BY Wir.MON NEWELL. Mr. Root: — I notice with interest your sugg-estions on page 430 for rapidly and conveniently preparing bees for moving. It seems to me tViat one thing more should be added to that outfit. Instead of tacking wire screen directly over the entrances, we have used for some time a device made as follows: A piece of 1-inch pine is cut about 4 inches wide, and long enough to fit snug- ly between the projecting cleats of the bot- tom-board. If the bottom-board is of the old style, without projecting cleats, then the 1-inch piece is cut exactly as long as the hive is wide. In this piece a notch is now cut, about I'i inches deep bj' 12 in length, and over it is tacked a piece of wire cloth in such a shape as to fold over the open side of the notch. This device is used for closing the hives, by merely inserting it and driving a couple of ^d nails through it into the hive-body. Its appearance is shown in the rough sketch enclosed. A cross-section of the device is shown in lower right-hand corner — cross-section taken at the point marked a. When ready to release the bees, a screwdriver (the same one that removes your crate-staples) is thrust under the device, given a turn and a pry, and the thing is off. It can be used repeatedly, saves many minutes of time, and there are no tacks to pull out of the hive, nor sharp ends of wire to stick your fingers. I am much interested in your comments on smokers in the same issue (May 15). I am strictlj' in favor of a large hot-blast smoker. If properly managed, the smoke can be kept cool, and sutTicient fuel is con- tained in the large smoker to last for some time. Vv'e use as fuel very dry rotten wood; and when the smoker is filled we place over the rotten wood a small piece of burlap wrung out of water. This wet burlap cools the .smoke, insures a heavj' volume, prevents the wood from blazing, and prevents the es- cape of sparks when it is necessary to use the smoker rapidly and continuously. It is also convenient at times to know how to light a smoker in a strong wind. To do this we laj' a handful of excelsior, or a piece of thin paper (such as comes with foundation), on the ground, and cover it with a piece of burlap about six inches square. A match is now lighted, and thrust into the paper or excelsior, which ignites at once; and the harder the wind, the harder it burns, igniting the burlap. The burning burlap is now picked up on a stick or screwdriver, jind dropped into the smoker, and the wood or other fuel placed on top. of it. I can hardly agree with your plan of holding the smoker with thumb next to the barrel. It works first rate when there is but little wind; but when our Texas breezes get to moving, you have to hold the smoker with both hands and push on it in the bar- gain. At times the wind blows hard enough to blow the bees from the combs when the latter are taken from the hive, and then it is necessary to get the smoke down between the frames, as well as over the tops of them. Nor will it do to wait for the wind to go down, for it sometimes blows a week at a stretch, without inter- mission. I have found no way to handle the smoker satisfactorily except with fin- gers next to the barrel. WiLMON Newell. College Station, Texas, June 1. [We have for years used entrance-screens exactly as you describe; but our artist fail- ed to show them in the illustrations for the simple reason that we did not explain to him their general form and structure. Excelsior fuel does very well, but a com.- bination of dry rotten wood and excelsior is more satisfactory. Dry hard wood, sound maple, stovewood cut into short lengths, is very good ; but the smoke is less pungent than that from rotten wood or some materi- al more spongy. Every one has his own way of handling smokers. I grant that for many purposes one finds it necessary to use the fingers next to the fire-cup. He has a little more powerful leverage over the bellows when handling the smoker in that way. — Ed.] STARTERS OR FULL SHEETS. A Quicker Method of Clipping; Loss of Bees from Poisoning. BY GEORGE W. STRANGWAY. When I made the trial with full sheets, as mentioned on page 387, the wires were run perpendicularly in the frames. I think Dr. Miller is somewhat extreme in what he says on page 424: " But hundreds of us have made many trials on a large scale, without any failure." What has the doc- tor to say with regard to Mr. Doilittle's chat, page 426? But, really, wouldn't that worry if you did accordingly? Yes, after all I believe Dr. M. and E. R. are as near right as need be with regard to full sheets. I believe a person starting with the full intention of making a pro- 676 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Aug. 1 fession of bee-keeping- should use the wired frames and full sheets. But for the hap- hazard bee keeper, the less he spends in the start, the less he will lose in the end; for there are only certain ones that seem to have the tact for bee-keeping-. It is just the same with any other calling-. I wish to say a few words with reg-ard to clipping queens' wings. One day in the apple- blossom season of the present j'ear I started with the object of clipping- the wings of anywhere under 50 queens. I commenced by catching the queen up by the wings with one hand, and then passing- her to the other, or the left; then with the right hand free I caught up the scissors and off would go her wing. But between having to manage the frame with the bees adhering, and the scissors and the queen, I found it difficult, for I didn't always get things to come just right, and, consequent- ly, had the experience of seeing one of the queens twist her leg off; but she is still do- ing good service. Now all of a sudden the thought struck me to put my finger or thumb of the left hand on her feet as she was moving slowly around; so when I would find the frame with her on I would place one end on the remaining ones that were in the hive, lean the other end against my body, place my thumb or finger on her feet, which are spread out as she walks about, and with the right hand free she is clipped instantly. I found this plan complete, and went through the remaining number in short or- der without hurting any. I have lost a great number of bees this season by poisoning. I believe they were reduced by fully a third. I attribute it to poisoning gooseberries, currant-bushes, and small plum-trees, as they seemed to disappear just at that time. Some colonies were terribly reduced — in fact, left useless for the season. I might have passed this over but for your article in the June 15th issue. Elora, Out., Can., June 22. [Your method of clipping will, no doubt, work satisfactorily for the veteran who is not at all nervous; but it strikes me I should prefer to take a little more time, and work in a way I am sure would not maim the queen or cause a flurry among the bees by holding the queen down and causing her to "squeal," perhaps, while being so held'. The method I described in our issue for May 15, page 429, would require but a lit- tle more time. When the roil is called of the losses from poisoning during spraying time, we shall find that thousands and thousands of bees — yes, millions of them — have been de- stroj'ed, all because of the ignorance or in- diflference, or both, of the fruit-grower. For the purpose of gathering statistics and facts, I wish our subscribers who have lost bees during spraying time would give us a brief siatement of the facts so that we can publish them in pamphlet form, and thus prove to the fruit-growers that spraying during the wrong time does actually kill our property — the bees. The majority of neighbors would be inclined to be consider- ate of the rights of their neighbor bee-keep- ers if they can only have incontrovertible facts. Now, then, let us have the "evi- dence," even if the statements come in by the hundreds. I have already collected a few, and these will be placed with the rest, ready for distribution next season, or this season as soon as material is gathered. — Ed.] . » • •••%%%••• » ■ ' QUEEN-.nATINQ ATTEMPTED IN A SMALL CAGE. Some Experiments That Just Failed of Success. BY FRED BECHLY. On page 94 is an article on fertilizing queens in confinement, and at the close of the article you make the remark that you would turn your brother Huber loose in the apiary to make some experiments next sea- son. Allow me to give my experience I have had in that direction, and you may thereby overcome some of the failures I have had. I think it was in 1887 that Mr. McLean made those experiments, and the following season I made some similar ones, but on a smaller scale. I built a tent four feet square and four feet high. It was made in six pieces — simply six frames, five covered with muslin, and the top covered with wire net- ting. This tent was fastened together with hooks when wanted, and taken down in the evening when the drones quit flying. Three sides, outside the tent, were occu- pied by nuclei, placed so that the tent would just fit snug against them. The nuclei were made of ten-frame L. hives, with two frames to each, one with brood and one with honey, and a division-board next to the combs. The rest of the hive was left empty, the entrance closed with queen excluder. The bees were put on the side next to the tent. A 1'4-inch auger-hole was made in the hive near the bottom, and closed with a cork until wanted; the tent was fastened against those hives with a button, and the cork removed when wanted. I gave those bees plenty of drones from other hives not reared in the nuclei. In the afternoon I would go and watch them. The drones and some workers would come out, and fly with all their force against the wire netting, and fall down stunned on the bottom of the tent, and fly up and repeat the same thing over again until I spread a cloth over the top, when they would circle around the tent quite freely. I did not see any hesitation about the queens coming out. I saw one queen come out four times in one afternoon. The first time she came out she took the location, the same as they do out- side. I saw the queen and the drone come together frequently, but no matifcig took place. About three days later one of the queens was laying, and I felt like shouting. On the 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 677 fourth daj', late in the afternoon, I found one of the queens outsitlo, tr\ing- to f^et throug^h the excluder back into the hive, so I had to come to the conclusion that the lay- ing- queen also had forced her waj' through the excluder and become fertilized in the usual way. But I believe if Mr. McLean had used muslin instead of netting^he might have been more successful in a larg^er tent; and with drones reared in a hive, and al- lowed to fly onl}' in a tent, he might have done still better. In making- my experi- ments I would use onlj' the larg-est queens, so as to be sure they could not go through the excluder. Muslin will give all the light needed; and if the entrance of the nuclei is shaded a little I think there would be no trouble in getting the queens to fl_v in a tent. I don't take much stock in fertilizing queens in bot- tles. Fked Bechly. Searsboro, la. [There are possibilities in using a small cage; and, as I have before stated, as soon as mj' brother is at libert}' the matter will be given a thorough test. Like yourself, I do not take verj^ much stock in the bottle method of fertilizing queens. — Ed.] WIRING FRAMES. BY FR. GRKINER. It almost seems like an imposition upon the Gleanings family to dish up the sub- ject of wiring frames again. But when I see so much stress laid on tension in the form of staples and zig zag nails, and this approved by the editor in his footnote, I am full3' convinced that the machines our friends have presented in Gleanings are faulty; that thej' do not work right for rap- id manipulations and for the comfort of the operator. There is no need of any tension, but it is an actual detriment, a hindrance in draw- ing the wire through the frame. I imagine that the object of this said tension is for the purpose of keeping the wire from un- coiling, to keep coils from slipping off the spool and getting kinked and tangled up, etc., which it will do if the end of the wire has its liberty, and no provisions are made to prevent it. But we need no tension for that. The simplest way to obviate all this trouble is to arrange the spool as shown in the illustration. A screw, ^+ inch longer than the spool, holds the latter in its place, and allows it to revolve freely without any tension save the little that is caused by the natural friction of the spool whirling on the board and rubbing against the screw. A couple of headless \0d wire nails are driven in the board, one on each side, close to the spool, but not to hug it. These pre- vent all loosening or uncoiling of the wire, which can be cut off two inches from the spool, and the end will remain right there ready to be drawn out again. The frame, if threaded with four wires, is held by eleven pins. These are also headless lOrf wire nails, about two inches long, and the cut end somewhat rounded off. They are driven into the board to fit exactly the outside of the frame; and when the latter is placed in position it is held practically immovable, better than a vise could do, for all the pulling of the wire, one way or the other, will not draw it out of shape; But some of the pins (six in this case) have another mission, which I consider by far the most essential point (my invention). It will be noticed that each loop has on the inside, close to each hole in the end-bar, one of these pins. This prevents the wire from cutting into the wood when threading the frame, and allows it to be drawn back and forth with very little effort. The re- sistance or friction of the wire in passing over the pins is so slight that, when the frame is all threaded, the wire can be drawn out again by simply turning the spool backward with the hand. The wiring-board is operated in horizon- tal position, fastened to the bench by a couple of small screws or nails in the up- per corners. The tightening of the wire is an opera- tion by itself; but as I have already taken up too much space I will not discuss it here. Until this part of the work (the tightening) is done, the terminus is drawn over the end-bar, as shown at the right upper corner, to keep it from slipping back. The other end is fastened in the same way, after it is cut off. [I did not know that I had approved the various methods for wiring an}' more than simply to place them before our readers, and let then stand on their own merits. Some methods were shown that we do not use, and which we do not consider practic- able. You have left out the missing link in that you do not state how much you loosen or tight- en the wires, although we infer that, after lifting the frame off the board, you take out the slack occasioned by the nails and fasten the wire. Our own experience has shown that, in the case of horizontal wiring the strands must not be drawn too tight. Wire drawn tight enough to sound like a fiddle-string will cause buckling of the foundation. Just how tight to draw the wires is hard to explain on a printed page; but it should be so there will be no looseness, and so that the comb will be held firmly 678 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Aug. 1 when built off from foundation. There is apt to be a very slig'ht sag- to foundation — not enough, however, to cause an elongation of cells. When the wire is drawn just right it will accommodate the slight sag and leave the resultant comb like a good clean flat board. The plan we use for wiring is essen- tially the same as that used by Mr. Cogg- shall as illustrated on page 485. — Ed.] THAT BIG CROP OF HONEY. Working Double-decker Colonies; Wide Entrances. tlie Effect of BY GEORGE B. HOWE. I promised you that I would tell you how I produced that four tons of honey from 70 colonies, spring count. In the first place, I had all young queens. I do not believe in keeping queens after they are two years Last spring and early summer we had cold rainy weather. I used to go down in the yard and close the entrance according to the strength of the colony, on cold nights. Sometimes it would keep so cold that I would not open them up for two or three days. I have found that those with large entrances, especially on cold nights, did not breed as rapidly. When they ^ re mak- ing comb honey in very hot weather they need a good deal of ventilation from the bottom. I have tried raising the hive in the heat of the day, and then lowering it toward evening as it begins to get cooler. I use shade- boards, and I never raise the cover to ventilate unless it is a powerful colony, as they can not cap when there is a draft through the hive. If you do raise the cover, always lower it at night. Work with the bees, for they always want their ventilation at the bottom. Give them plenty of section room. As soon as they get one super well APIARY OF Gp;0. W. HOWE. old, for my experience has been that it does not pay. My method is to keep the bees from swarming if I can. I believe in dou- ble-deckers. I find that it works the best to add the extra brood-chamber when they need it. When the queen gets her hive full of eggs and brood, and needs more room, I do not wait for them to get the swarming fever, but raise up the hive and put another under it with drawn combs. I find that drawn combs are far ahead of foundation to keep them from swarming. I do not claim that they will not swarm, nor are all queens good enough for double-deckers, so an api- arist would be foolish to try to use a double- decker with a poor queen. With Dr. Mil- ler, I am still looking for a strain of non- swarming bees. To produce comb honey we must have strong colonies, and keep them so without a desire to swarm. Prop- er ventilation goes a long way toward this. started I raise it up and give them another. I have found that they work all right in three supers; but when you get up to four or five they cap slowly in the upper supers. I sent you a photo of my yard last night. In order to get the most of the hives in I was obliged to get so far away that it brought some berry-bushes and grass be- tween the camera and hives. I did not get a very good picture, and will try again some time. Black River, N. Y. [The readers who have followed me for a number of years back can not help failing to note that I have been an advocate of double decker colonies. They are less in- clined to swarm; and if the honey-flow is short or moderate, they are the only colo- nies in the yard that will make much of a showing. As the years go on, I note there 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 679 are more and more who see the importance of powerful colonies for the production of honey. They are easier to take care of, because they are less inclined to swarm; and when the honey-flow does come they are ready. — Ed.] AN IDEAL BEE LOCALITY IN AUSTRALIA. I believe this southwest part of Western Australia would break the world's record for honey, and I should like to see one of your progressive bee-keepers give it a trial. The only trouble would be that they would break the market if they got one or two thousand hives in full swing. At my place here the bees have had abundant nectar for the last two months. I am near the coast, on poor sandy soil, and there are trees and scrub in blossom nearly the whole year, and the winter is so mild that the bees arQ kept in only by rain, and work practically the whole year. I started keep- ing a proper record of honey last April (12 months) . At that date I had 11 colonies, Italian and hybrid, and increased to 21 at swarming (September and October), besides losing two or three good swarms, and I find the bees have made over two tons of honey in one year. Considering I am a "new chum " at the work, and am situated within 200 yards of an estuary two miles wide, which means only a half-circle for the bees, the record is very good. I feel sure a practic- al man could have secured fully another ton, as I left the combs to be sealed right to the bottom-bars; and although I had the hives three high, they were crowded in the brood-chamber, and I had a lot of bother with swarming. Counting the 21 hives, it makes an average of 213 lbs. per colony; but is it not the custom to average the spring count? If so, the yield would take beating per colony. Two or three of the colonies made very little, as I lost the swarm, and had after-swarms, and many of the troubles that beginners have. F. Joseph B. Clifton. Upton House, Australia. A PREPARATION FOR HIVE-COVERS IN DRY CLIMATES. I should like to call your attention to an improvement I have on a hive-cover. I started with the cover known as the "Brod- beck," made out of "shakes" (California), with ^-inch strips between the two layers of shakes. So far, so good ; but how to get rid of the cracks or joints between the six- inch shakes was a problem. I tried rubber- paper, tarred paper, building paper, none giving satisfaction Next I tried canvas with oil paint on top and bottom; but the canvas would not stick on the wood well. I now came across what is called asbestine, a cold-water paint. I put a thick layer of this paint on the wood, and, while it was yet wet, spread over it a. thin muslin, patted it down well, and on that another layer of this same paint, closing all pores in the muslin. Now let it dry well; drive tacks around the edges, and then paint it with white-lead oil paint, and the cover is done — the lightest non-warpable cover yet made. I have had one in use two years. It is as straight now as it was when I made it. I have made since, 150 of this kind, and I will make all my covers that way, as it is cover and shade board at the same time, and just suitable for our dry climate. If you wish I will show you one when you come to Los Angeles in August. M. R. Kuehne. Pomona, Cal., July 11. KOEBLER'S COVER FEEDER. We have for many j'ears used a feeder in our apiaries in Wisconsin that I think has. a few points of superior ity over any of the feeders on the market. The feeder is a rect- angular box with a division-board near one end, which is a bee-space lower than the end-boards. In the smaller division an inch hole is in the bottom of the feeder, and in the larger division the honey or sugar syrup is put, on which is a floating board perforated with "s-inch holes. This float- ing board is small enough so that it will readily sink as the fluid goes down. The feeder is so set on the hive-cover that the hole in the bottom of the feeder is on the hole in the hive-cover. In the cut, which represents a longitudi- nal section of a hive with a feeder on, a are the end boards of the feeder; b, bottom; c, cover of feeder; d, division-board; e, float- ing board; ^, bee-space over division-board; /, sugar syrup or honey; //, hive-cover; /, hole in hive-cover;/, top-bar of frame; k, end-boards of hive; /, gable ends of weather cover; ;;/, l'2-iuch ventilator holes; n, gal- vanized-iron roof; o, strips of wood on gable ends to lay on cover. Now for its advantages. First, you can use it when it is too cold to use another; the bees will work in this feeder when they will not go in the entrance feeder; and if you use a feeder where you will have to use a super, as the Dr. Miller feeder, you are 680 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Aug. 1 very liable to chill the brood; and even if that vpill not be the case your bees will have a larger space to heat up, besides the heat that is lost in opening- the hive, so they will expend energy which is more valuable for other purposes at that time of the year. Second, ease and rapidity of feeding. It is as easy to feed with it as with an en- trance feeder, and much more easy to wash, while it is much easier to feed with it than when you must use a super to feed. We have the feeders in quart, half-gallon, and gallon sizes, so we can give a colony enough in one feed. The bees will empty a feeder out in about 24 hours. This makes feeding very rapid work. Third, the feed is voluntary; and if the feeder is well made it is impossible for bees or hive to get soiled with honey. Fourth, if a weather-cover is used it will not attract robbers as some feeders do. Now, some of you will say, " But I would not have a hole in the cover." Well, let me say that I would want the holes in the covers, and a good cork in each, even if there were no such a thing as feeders. If you have a two-inch hole with a good cork 'in it, long enough so that you can take hold with ease, you will find it handy to intro- duce queens from shipping-cages. All you have to do is to remove the wire so that a part of the candy is free; lay the cage on the hole with the candy side down, and set a bowl over the cage, and you will find the hole very handy. If you want to look into the hive without disturbing the colony, through that hole you can see if a super is full, etc. In some climates it would be advisable to use a weather-cover over the other cover. Our weather- covers are about four inches over the cover on the sides, and six in the middle. , For the cover we use galvanized iron. We formerly used roofing tin; but in the long run galvanized iron is cheaper. In each gable we have a l>2-inch ventilator- hole, as marked in cut. I think that, if such weather-covers were more used, it would do away with the cover trouble that we hear so much about. Hugo Koehler. Marshallville, O., Apr. 16. COTTONWOOD FOR SECTIONS. In reply to yours of a recent date, I will say that the wahoo here grow to about 3 ft. in diameter, but usually run from about 12 to 30 inches. They grow in nearly all swamps here, and also on the hills to some extent, from one to as many in some places as six or eight to the acre in woodland. There are a few of them that have a black heart — average about one to six trees; but most of them are all sap, either white or of a pinkish shade. They continue to bloom about June 20, and last for about two weeks, and have always produced some honey except during rainy seasons, when the bees had no opportunity to gather the honey. There may be 400 or 500 trees within a mile of my house. A sample of bloom is sent. I noticed some pieces of timber that were split out last October and November, but they seem to be white yet after taking off the outside. My opinion was that the wood would remain white if cut any time when sap was down, or any time after leaves shed. Have you ever tried cottonwood for sec- tions? I should like to know for certain whether timber cut here any time will stain or not in dry weather. W." C. Naftee. Naftee, Ala., May 27, 1903. [Cottonwood might answer, but it would cost here about the same price as bass- wood, and would not be as tough. — Ed.] CARPET GRASS — THE USE OF A SPRAY-PUMP IN THE APIARY. Noting the interest that was manifested in the carpet grass of California, we se- cured, last January, from J. H. Erich, of Nicolaus, Cal., roots of this plant, and set them out here. They grew readily; but now that it is in bloom, we find it is exact- ly identical with the Lippia nodiflora, which occurs along every sandy bank and water-course in Central Texas. Its growth can hardly be designated as luxuriant; and as to the blossoms, the bees will not go near them when nectar is available from any other source. As a honey- producer in this locality it is absolutely worthless. Even in the dry summer of 1902, when nothing else was in bloom, only an occasional bee could be found visiting the lippia-blooms, Hnd no increase in the amount of honey in the hives could be detected whatever. A small spray-pump is one of the most convenient appliances we have found for use about the apiarj'. The one we have used for several months is a small one with a capacity of about three gallons. It is run b}' compressed air. In the central p-irt of the reservoir is an air-pump which forces air into the water-chamber, and the resulting pressure will keep up a good spray for several minutes. The entire thing is light and compact, and can be readily picked up and carried wherever needed. As a "settler" for swarms it is a dandy, as it will throw either a fine or coarse spray as desired; or by removing the nozzle it will throw a small stream to a height of twenty feet. It is also just the thing to quiet robbers. A strong spray directed on the attacked colony knocks the robbers right and left; and by the time they get dried off again they have lost all notion of robbing. A few repetitions of the treat- ment at intervals of ten minutes will stop the most obstinate case of robbing, especial- ly if a few drops of carbolic acid be placed in the water. For filling combs with syrup for feeding, the sprayer is filled with the S3'rup., the empty comb set up over a pail or pan, and the syrup thrown on to it with a fine spray. The small drops readily enter the cells, al- lowing the air to escape, and the result is a neatly filled comb with very little muss. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 681 For washing- the inside of the extractor, uncapping--can, or the inside of honey-cans, we take off the nozzle so that the sprayer will throw a small strong stream, stick the pipe into the article to be washed, and thus thoroughly rinse every crack and corner. The same little machine can, of course, be used as a fire- extinguisher in emergencies; and the man with a well-equipped honey- house would be unwise not to make some provision for such accidents. WiLMON Nfavell. College Station, Texas, June 1. [Some years ago we used a spraj^-pump for throwing water on swarms while in the air, and it was very effective in driving them from one point to another and in forc- ing them to cluster. On several occesions when swarms were disposed to "light out" to the woods we succeeded in heading them off by spraying those in front. We found we could drive them almost like a flock of sheep. After wetting them down we increas- ed their avoirdupois and interfered with their flying, with the result that they would very soon cluster on some convenient tree or bush. We never tried spraying to stop robbing, but I am inclined to think it might be used eft'ectivel}'. — Ed.] PREPARING SHEETS OF WAX FOR THE FOUN- DATION-MILL; AN EXCELLENT PLAN. Formerl}', in making foundation I always dreaded the job of dipping the sheets. It was slow, and not satisfactor}-. The most trouble was to get them of the same thick- ness, and most of them would cause trouble bv turning sidewise in the mill. Now I do differently; and if it takes more "elbow grease" it is a great satisfaction to roll out foundation by the yard without any hitch. I proceed thus: I strain my melted wax in a large pan or box, with plenty of water in the bottom, to the thickness of '4 to ]2 inch. When cold T cut it in strips as wide as the foundation desired. These sheets of wax will be of an even thickness; and when I am ready to run them through the mill I set them in the sun or warm water till they are pliable and soft. I keep the rollers cool with plenty of cold water, and have no more trouble. A. Levvraz. Francis, Fla., June 8. [Your plan of preparing the sheets will give more even thickness of wax, but the process will be much slower. — Ed.] SWARMS for shallow BROOD-CHAMBER. I notice E. N. Woodward's article, p. 484, and your comment. Let me give you a leaf from my own experience. My father kept bees, using the old fashioned box gum. With the first L. frame hives he used he had Woodward's experience ex- actl}'. His bees wanted no new-fangled contrivance. Those old gums are a thing of the past; but I have been experimenting with the Daczenbaker hive, and, behold. my bees are going through the same antics. A swarm that will have nothing to do with a Danzenbaker hive will settle down in a L. frame as contentedly as you please. Doesn't it look as thouph the trouble is simply a different style of hive from what the bees have been accustomed to? I shall continue hiving my best swarms in the Danzenbaker hives, for I am having the best success for honey with ihem after they get settled. It takes a little more care, that is all. Chas. L. Simmons. Strong City, Kan., June 12. [I still believe that this apparent prefer- ence on the part of swarms is only acciden- tal. We have been and are now hiving shaken swarms in deep and shallow frames, and can not see that the beer, dislike one more than the other. Another season may afford you an experience directly opposite. In a word, the shape of the hive has little or no effect on swarms. So far as the bees are concerned they would as soon have one as the other. But the shape of the hive has every thing to do in the matter of con- venience of the operator, and a good deal to do with the marketability of the honey produced. — Ed.] is tarred PAPER objectionable FOR USE in a honey- room? I have prepared a small room to keep my honey in, and in order tokeep out the ants and bees I have lined it with building-paper. Now I am afraid thesmell will givethehoney a bad taste. What do you think about it? Is there something to kill the smell of the paper used? If {fas tar is used, will the smell hurt the honey? Cockeysville, Md. Geo. W. Canoles. [The slight odor from tarred paper we do not think would in any wise hurt the flavor of comb honey. One of our honey-rooms has been lined with this material for years, and we have never had any trouble what- ever.— Ed.] excelsior smoker FUEL, AND HOW TO prepare. Referring to my last letter and to your answer of the 16th, I would say that you would find smokers easier lighted and han- dled by sending out directions for lighting about as follows: Common packing excelsior, easily found back of nearly every village store, makes one of the best fuels for smokers. Take a small roll about the size of a walnut, then light it. Then drop it into the smoker, give it a few puffs, then roll up more excelsior into balls about as big as will cram into the smoker, giving it an occasional puff, and this fuel will last for hours, especially in the larper smokers. The excelsior is quite easily obtained, is splendid, if for no other purpose than sim- ply starting the fire, after which any fuel suitable to the location or convenience of the user can be used. B. C. Hall. Elmwood, 111. 682 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Aug. 1 WINTERING IN THE DANZENBAKER SHAL- LOW HIVE IN NORTHERN MICHIGAN. I wish A. I. R. would tell us how his two colonies of bees in the Danz. hive wintered in Bing-ham. I have always considered the Danz. hive too shallow to winter successful- ly in this latitude, especially on summer stands. A. A. Hardy. Boon, Mich. [Friend H., if you want my personal opinion in reg'ard lo the matter, I would say, stick to the L. frame. Since I began bee-keepingf, every little while somebody gives his reasons for thinking the L. frame is not the best shape or size, and more or less follow him; but in due course of time the new kind is dropped, and we get back to the standard L. There aie not only more bees in the world on this size of frame than all other sizes together, but I am not sure but there are ten times as many. Per- haps I am not posted, and up to the times; but I very much doubt whether there is ad- vantage enough in a shallower frame to pay to use another than the L. In answer to your question, one of my colonies wintered perfectly out of doors on its summer stand, with no protection except filling the super (where the honey was stored last year) with forest-leaves. The other one was win- tered in the potato-cellar I described on p. 5.^9, June IS. They both wintered well. I have not been able to notice any difference. As the cellar under the barn was pretty cold, perhaps the consumption of honey was about the same as in the hive that remain- ed outdoors. — A. I. R.] ♦ — • IS IT POISONOUS HONEY? IF SO, WHAT? I have about 80 colonies that are making us a great deal of fine honey. I began selling it here, and the people commenced to get sick and send for the doctor. They claim the honey was poison; in fact, it made my wife sick, and I began to think the doc- tor would call at my house. Of course we don't eat any more, and I do not want to sell it to my neighbors, and I am afraid to ship it. I want you, Bro. Root, and the readers of Gleanings, to tell me what to do witii m3'^ honey. You know I hate to lose all of it. L. L. Knight. Glennville, Ga. [From what you write it would seem as if the bees gathered nectar from some poi- sonous plant. The only ones of this country that are known to produce poisonous honey are the mountain laurel of Virginia and the yellow jessamine of Georgia. I should pre- sume that this latter is growing in your vi- cinity, and is causing sickness among j^our friends and patrons such as you describe. The symptoms tally very closely with those that have been previously reported, and I would, therefore, suggest that you ascertain whether there is a yellow bell-shaped flow- er by the name of yellow jessamine growing in your vicinity. If so, I think you may rest assured that your trouble is from that source. Any of our subscribers who live in the vicinity who can offer any information are requested to tell us of their experience. —Ed.] mixed swarms. While we are on the mixed-swarm theme, for the benefit of the brotherhood I may just as well give the way on which I proceed when I have to face such cases. My queens are not clipped. When two or more swarms come out and get mixed I take as many bodies of hives with frames as there are swarms. These hives, piled up on one bottom-board only, are raised in front; the lower, say 2 in., and the others y% inch. A sheet covers the whole in the form of an awning. Then the bundle of swarms is dumped at the lower opening. In about an hour, even less, all the colonies are divided, and each one occupies its own hive. Francois Benoit. Notre Dame-des-Neiges, Canada. [I should not have supposed that one big swarm made up of several would break up into separate clusters in separate hives as you describe. I can't understand it even now. Perhaps some others of our sub- scribers have had similar experience, and can explain the reason. — Ed.] a five-year- OLD QUEEN WHOSE BEES HAVE NEVER SWARMED. In Gleanings for Feb. 15, page 159, W. W. Brockunier states he has a colony whose queen is over three years old, and has not swarmed. I have an Italian queen here whose bees have not cast a swarm for five years — on that point I am certain. She is a dark queen, with one wing clipped, and the inside one on the ooposite side. I have been for some years, by careful selection, trying to breed bees that would not swarm, and I think I have reached the goal. The last three years I have been breeding from her, and my average has been about one swarm in 12. Her bees are not the hand- somest, but are nicely marked; but I put honey-gathering qualities first. Her hive contains plenty of drones each season, as I allow her a certain amount of drone comb, and her bees are wonders at honey-gather- ing. G. D. Parker. Crookwell, N. S. W., Apr. 7; the long DROUTH OF 1791. I find a report of Mr. J. D. Bixby, of Guilderland Center, N. Y. He says, " This is forty- five days without rain — the longest rainless period since 779/." I wish to say that I lived in his section. Oak Hill, Greene Co., N. Y., in 1854, and I believe I make no mistake when I say that no rain fell be- tween May and September that summer. I have heard old men s,a.y, who lived in that town, that they did not remember such a drouth as that. John McKeon. ^ Dryden, N. Y., June 10. [We had such a season here in 1854. — Ed.] 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 683 NOT A FAIR CROP FOR CENTRAL CALIFOR- NIA. I have just returned from a trip of ten daj's to San Francisco and Northern Cali- fornia, and I find j'our letter awaiting' me which should have had my attention several days ago. This I regret very much, as I am very anxious that it be known that we shall not have a good crop this season. Up to date we are considerablj- behind in quan- tity, and it is now so late that it is impos- sible for Central California and the North- ern part of the State to have even a fair crop. There are sections that are doing well, but as a whole not up to average. Hanford, Cal., July 13. F. E. Brown. [As Mr. Brown is business manager for the Central California Bee-keepers' Associ- ation, his statement can be considered reli- able as well as authoritative. — Ed.] A SMALL BF.E-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION OR- GANIZED FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONTROLLING THE SPREAD OF FOUL BROOD. I enclose a clipping from the Muncy Dein- ocj-at giving an account of the organization of the "Munc3' Vallej' Bee-keepers' Asso- ciation." This Association has been organ- ized for the purpose of trying to stamp out foul brood in this section, as it is very bad in this part of the State. There are no fees to become a member, and the expenses are met by offerings from inembers. The As- sociation is only a few weeks old, and has some twent}' members. A committee is appointed to examine each member's bees, and the owner of such bees becomes one of the committee. Each mem- ber must allow his bees to be examined, and all colonies found foul-brood3' must be cured or destroyed. This is the only organ- ization of its kind in the State, that I know of. O. C. Fuller. Comly, Pa., June 26. [Your plan is a very good one; but you had better bend your energies toward get- ting a State foul-brocd law that will put the power of the State of Pennsylvania back of 3'ou; for the very fellows who ought to join your organization may not, if they have foul brood, and will be the very ones you can not do any thing with unless you can bring the law to bear on them. — Ed.] WAS IT AN unusual CASE OF SWARMING ? We have had an experience with bees which is somewhat different from any which the books on this subject relate. On Monday, June 15, one of our colonies swarmed, and we caught it and put it into a new hive; but as the queen did not come out, it seems the swarm left the new hive and went back to the old one. The queen in the hive was clipped. Sunday, the 21st, the}' swarmed again, and the queen was found in front of the hive. She was placed in the new hive, and the swarm was caught and put into the same hive. This was about 11 o'clock in the morning, and about 6 at night the swarm was found to have left the hive, although the queen was still there. We are quite certain that the swarm went back to the old hive. The new hive contained brood-frames with foundation, and, so far as the write knows, every thing was in good shape to receive them. Can 3'ou explain what the trouble was, and how we should handle this matter? As we feared the queen might die if we left her alone in the new hive, we put her back into the old hive. Is it customary to take any of the brood- frames from the old hive and place them in the new one? Edw. H. Schwartzburg. Milwaukee, June 22, 1903. [I do not see any thing very unusual in this case. If there is anj'^ set rule about swarms going out and coming back it has many exceptions. There was nothing un- usual about their going out and coming back if the queen's wing was clipped; nor was there any thing out of the ordinary in their leaving the new hive, even when they had their old queen with them. Thej' did not like their new quarters for some rea- son, and decided to swarm out, expecting the queen to follow, which she could not do, of course. We always consider it advis- able to put a swarm, in the height of the swarming season, on a frame of unsealed brood. This, probably, will do more than an}' thing else to hold bees in their new quarters. — Ed.] UNRIPE HONEY FOR THE MARKET. A few minutes ago, having a little leisure time, I picked up the issue of July 1st Gleanings to look over A. I.'s article un- der •' Our Holmes." I had read the same, including the extract from our friend T. B. Terry, with much interest. Having finish- ed it I was turning back the pages when I noticed " Unripe honey for the confectioner and baker, how it may injure the sale of good honey — a vigorous protest by R. A. Burnett." I had glanced at the table of contents when Gleanings came, or soon after, but did not find it there; and (this be- ing our busy season in fruits and vegeta- bles) I had not again taken it up. What I now wish to say is, I am more than ever in love (if I may use the term) with A. I. and E. R. Root for their courage and sincerity, as shown by putting this let- ter to which I have referred into their mag- azine, and endorsing it as they did with the footnote. I thought after it had been sent to 3'ou that perhaps I was cruel to put the matter in such terse form, which virtu- ally amounted to a reprimand so far as A. I. was concerned. If he had not been big enough froin the soul standpoint to see it in the light it was meant, and not that of a personal thing, but for the good of the world, this might not have been written; therefore my commendation. You publish- ed the letter without change of any kind, although "lightning operators" was al- 684 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Aug. 1 most equivalent to naming- some of our brothers who had broug-ht disaster upon themselves as well as others who were en- gag-ed in the production of extracted honej'. We are creatures of evolution, and it is only the more highly evolved that escape punishment, because they will learn with- out. When the soul has sufficiently inform- ed itself so that any transg^ression will re- sult disastrouly, it beg^ins to avoid disap- pointments; and if we wish to evade them in our daily life in producing or vending we must endeavor to produce the best that we can, and do it in love and kindness. In the second paragraph of my letter of June 6 I begin the second sentence by say- ing that " I do not know that I have read any thing in a long time which annoyed me more than the publicity given to that method of obtaining a large quantity of honey." I am not so sure but that the best method of curing ills is to give them great publicity, as attention is thus attracted, and the ills can be more readily discerned; hence the hasty thought of your senior mem- ber, committed to print, may after all be productive of more good than harm; for greatest of all of the hindrances to the sale of extracted honey that I have met with in over a quarter of a century has been the un- ripe article. R. A. Burnett. Chicago, July 17. [You do not need to offer any apologies for what you wrote. If we can not endure honest criticism from a large-hearted man like yourself we will quit the bee-journal business. As you say, the probable effect of the articles, yours and A. I. R.'s, will be productive of good. — Ed.] IS IT POSSIBLE THAT SOME MEMBERS OF THE N. B. K. A. ADULTERATE HONEY? A great deal is being said about adulter- ated honey. You say in footnote, page 537, "The N. B. K. A. together with the local State organization is doing much to get laws that will make the adulteration of honey a crime." That may be so, and I guess is all right; but do none of the National adulter- ate honey? I bought a lot of honey from a man whom I am satisfied belongs to the National (I have no list), and it was sugar syrup, or some other kind of syrup flavored with cinnamon. When I wrote him that the stuft" was here subject to his order, he declared it was "pure honey." I proposed to have it ana- lyzed. If pure I would pay all expenses; if not, he was to pay them. He would not agree to this; but to convince me that it was pure he had me send a sample to who, I suppose, is another member, a spe- cialist, and he pronounces it pure honey. From this and other facts I am satisfied that honey is adulterated after it gets into the hands of the speculators. The specu- lator buys no such stuff as that for "pure honey" and pays pure-honey prices. The speculator, who himself is often a bee- keeper, is the man to watch. The man who sells it to the speculator knows he can not put off on him an adulteration. Alexandria, Tenn. David Wauford. [If there is a man who is a member of the National who adulterates honey, we do not know who he is. One of the very objects of the Association is to put down adulteration. It would f eem truly inconsistent for a mem- ber to adulterate honey when he is in fact paying down his good dollars to stop that very kind of business. Referring to the case in point, you say you are "satisfied " that the man in question belongs to the Na- tional; but you do not know that he does; and in the second place, neither you nor any one else can positively determine whether honey is adulterated or not by the mere taste. There are many different flavors of real honey — as many as there are of ordinary confectionery. You imply, if I understand you, that the other member, the specialist who analyzed the honey, either did not know his business or else he was in league with his brother-member the adul- terator. I know of only one man in the membership of the National who is compe- tent to analyze honey, and that is W. A. Selser, of Philadelphia. Adulteration has hurt his business as a honey-merchant. He would no more adulterate than he would commit any other crime. If we can not re- ly on the statement of our chemist, or a member of the National, we are in a bad way. The membership of the Association is made up of a different set of fellows en- tirely. Your guess-so, think-so evidence would not be entertained in any court for even one minute. Get some real evidence, send another sample of the honey to the U. S. Chemist, Prof. H. W. Wiley, if you can not trust Selser, and we will pay the bill if the honey is adulterated, and help to make it hot for the offending member of the National. — Ed.] FOREST COCKROACHES AMONG THE BEES. There is a bug which bothers my bees, and I can not get rid of them. I will send you one to see what I can do to get rid of them. Minerva Marshall. Nadine, Pa., June 9. [This was sent to Prof. Benton, of Wash- ington, D. C, who replies:] The insect belongs to the genus Phyllo- droniia, and is one of the forest cockroaches, which are very common in wooded sections, and come about bee-hives chiefly for the warmth generated by the bees. They like to congregate above the quilts, and partic- ularly to deposit &^^ masses there and rear their young. I really think they do very little damage. Of course, if they have ac- cess to honey — that is, combs not well pro- tected by bees, they may eat some, and probably also feed on dead bees to a cer- tain extent. Frequent removal of the cov- ers, and brushing them away, is about the only remedj^ since il is only where hives are not opened for many days or weeks that 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 685 these insects would collect in great num- bers. Frank Benton. Washington, D. C, June 27. A CASE WHERE FORMALIN GAS DID NOT KILL ALL OF THE MOTH-LARV.K. I have used formalin gas according to the directions on page 537, for disinfecting combs infected with foul brood, and find that, in whatever way I use it, it does not kill a/I the moth-larvae, but some of the new- ly hatched bees. I do not use a cupboard, but stack up the hives and paint the cracks up air-tight. I have the generator connected with the hives wiih a rubber hose about 18 inches long. "Would it be possible for an^'^ of the gas to escape through the rubber while heated by the gas passing through it? Do you think the combs would be thoroughly disinfected if an}' moth- larvae are still alive? I do not think the gas was weak, for I use lialf a tea- cupful at a time, and have only four or five hives treated at a time. Would it not be possible for the formalin gas to destroy only germs, etc., and still leave alive more highly organized forms of life? Clyde Miller. Cranberry, Pa., June 30. [I should not suppose that j'our fumigat- ing-box or hive was tight enough to do very thorough work. A gas that would be strong enough to kill the bacilli of foul brood in sealed cells would, I should sup- pose, be sure to kill any thing like a moth- miller. Better look over your directions more carefully, for I think you will find you did not get your gas strong enough or the box was not tight enough.— Ed.] LENGTH OF TIME A QUEEN CAN LIVE caged; HOW TO GET AT THE DIMEN- SIONS OF STANDARD HIVES. I have looked through Gleanings, -from Januarj', 1901, to the present issue, and also the ABC book, and I have been un- able to find any statement as to the approx- imate maximum limit of time that a queen can be safely kept confined (with very few bees) away from enough nurse bees and a comb for her to lay in. I do remember reading that one queen was on a trip to Australia 37 days. Is that about the max- imum? And for such a detention from a comb may she be taken directly from her hardest work at laying? Does it not harm her to stop the egg-laying so suddenly? I have now only 11 colonies, but 25 hives, all homemade. These hives are exactly in dimension with standard hives, but are made of soap-boxes and meat-boxes. The information I wish is, where in the ABC are exact dimensions of all standard hives given? I think that the book ought to con- tain, besides its working drawings, the in- side details mentioned, so that bee-men may have all their information in their bee-ency- clopedia. Without having a ten-frame hive to copy, I obtained the inside width with much difficulty; and I am even now not sure I am right. The only hint I could get was a statement by the editor that a half- inch plus the width of ten frames for ten- frame hives was allowed, and this was found in answer to an inquirer last sum- mer in Gleanings. How about those twelve and sixteen frame hives? I keep bees only for experiment and recreation, and wish to try these larger sizes. Jos. G. Baier. New Brunswick, N. J., July 9. [We do not give exact dimensions for mak- ing hives in our A B C of Bee Culture, and you will see the reason why if you read the chapter and the article on Hive-making. There are very few people who can work from dimensions or drawings, and the bet- ter way is for the average person to send and get a sample of the hive in the flat, such as he desires to copy, and then work from the pieces of this. The dimensions of the di^erent fratnes that are in use are giv- en under head of Hives. You can get ap- proximately the dimensions of a hive by adding ^4 inch to the outside length of a frame. Tliis will give the inside length of a hive. If you add '4 inch to the depth of the hive, that will give the depth of it. The width depends upon the number of frames. Frames are spaced l>'s inches from center to center. Decide on the number of frames you desire to use, then add ji inch to allow for bee-space on each side, and this will give 3'ou the width of the hive. But, as I said before, your better way would be to get a hive and then work from that; other- wise you will come to grief. As to the length of time that a queen can live in a cage without comb, all depends upon the age of the queen and the kind of usage to which she has been subjected dur- ing the time. We have had queens confined in our office as a matter of experiment, with a dozen bees, for five or six weeks, and a cage of bees and a queen may be put in a hive, and sometimes live all winter. — Ed.] soap-shaker for clipped queens; meth- od of hiving swarms; number of bees . in a pound. Instead of using a cage made out of a section, like H. Piper's, page 535, I take a soap-shaker (those little cages that are used with a piece of soap in to make suds for washing dishes and clothes). They open and shut like clam-shells. The long wire handle can be used to hang them up by. In using, I cage the clipped queen (I have my queens all clipped) by picking her up in my hand and allowing her to run in- to the side that is nearest to the flying bees, turning the wire-cloth side toward them; and when she is trying to get out through the meshes I shut the cage up and fasten the jaws together by adjusting the tin fas- tener that holds them together. I like this cage better then Mr. Piper's, because I can 685 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Aug. 1 fasten it to a limb of a tree, a pole, or any- where else. If you fasten it to a pole you want to tie a small limb to the pole near it for the bees to cluster on, which is better then Mr. P.'s ladder. I have often tied a small market basket to the pole, and then tied the cage so it would be partly in the basket, then watch- ed the bees cluster as I held it up so they could find it. Watch them and you will see one or two alight on the cage, and run about it for a minute or two, then fly away, and scon be back with three or four others. Soon they are gone again, then more will accompany them back, and so they go back and forth until a few begin to cluster, then soon the whole swarm will alight. Now take them to your prepared hive; shake be- fore the entrance, and release the queen and you are all right. Late years I wait until the bees return to the old stand, and let them run into the new hive that I have placed there for them, releasing the queen as they enter. In reply to Dr. Miller's Straw, page 528, you reckon 5000 bees in a pound. How came you to change your estimation, for you used to claim that 3000 make a pound? I have counted a large colony that swarm- ed, and found between 8 and 9 pounds that clustered, and but a very few bees left on the combs (not more then a pound), and it took a little over 700 to make a quarter of a pound, so there were not over 3000 bees in the hive. If I had a colony that I thought contained 70,0(0 bees I would count them before reporting to a paper. I have count- ed bees that have been starved, and found that it took nearly 5000 to make a pound; but we don't find bees in that condition when we weigh them; for when we buy or have a swarm they are filled with honey. J. L. Hyde. Pomfret Landing, Ct., June 22. [Your idea of a soap-shaker is good. It is a handy implement that can be purchased at almost any tinshop or hardware store. You say, " If I had a colony of bees that I thought contained 70,000 bees I would count them before reporting to a paper," implying that our estimate as to the number 'of bees to a pound was overdrawn. Let me refer you to Prof. B. F. Koons, of the Con- necticut Agricultural College; Prof. C. P. Gillette, of the Colorado Experiment Sta- tion; and to Prof. Lazenby, of the Ohio Ex- periment Station, for the number of bees in a pound. These scientific men, all of them, had at their disposal delicately adjusted scales, and in one instance, at least, a pair of balances that would weigh to the mil- lionth of a pound. It was a remarkable fact that the figures of all of them as to the number of bees in a pound, under difi'erent circumstances and at different times, were approximately the same. Their estimates were from 4000 to 5600 bees to the pound. When the bees were loaded, of course there would be fewer of them than when their sacs were empty or when just going to the fields.— Ed.] THE GOOD OLD HONEY YEARS HAVE COME BACK. On my return from Florida, May 2, I found that many colonies had died of star- vation. They had sufficient stores to last them until fruit-bloom, and built comb un- der the devices, starving later. I fed at once, giving them all they would carry down, until they neglected the feeders, go- ing to the fields. This heavy feeding paid well. My bees have stored more surplus than neighboring apiaries. If cool weather followed the hiving of a swarm, I fed them until it was warmer. Old settlers say they never saw before such a growth of white clover. Ground is white, the heads touching each other, and it still continues. Basswood bloomed July 1, but it lasts but a day or so in the valley along the Illinois River. The weather was cloudy and cool, and I could see no differ- ence in the honey-flow. During the past dozen years or more, omr colonies have been growing less, the in- crease less than winter losses. This sea- son it is different. Last winter's combs are nearly all covered. Swarming has been quite erratic. Many colonies appear- ed to be superseding their queens, and a swarm would be divided up into several. I shall soon have these small swarms in good-sized colonies, feeding whenever there is a dearth of honey. SURPLUS. When I saw the white-clover honey com- ing in, just as it did in the good old honey years, I felt like dancing for joy, even if I am old and rheumatic. I got out the ex- tractor, and it never threw out nicer honey — light in color, thick, heavy, oily, and rich. Why, it appeared as if, as soon as a bee came out of a cell, it was immediately filled with honey. I tied cheese-cloth over the top of a jar, and it would be full and running over,- before I thought of such a thing. I've had many a curtain lecture about stirring up those bees; "let 'em alone; you make 'em cross. ' ' The temptation was too strong to resist. I would quietly slip away, take out a few combs, and extract them, unbe- known to them all. A good many colonies have finished cases of sections, and are working on the second. The good old honey j'ears have come back to stay, and let us rejoice and be glad, and give thanks to the Giver of all good. Peoria, 111. Mrs. L. Harrison. THE SALISBURY PRESS AND THAT "ACHING VOID." I do not laugh very often; but while read- ing about that " aching void " under one of Miller's Straws I so far forgot myself that I laughed out loud, all my myself. If the ordinary bee-keeper undertakes to make our press by hand I am thinking his ach- ing void will ache quite severely before he finishes the machine. F. A. Salisbury. Syracuse, N. Y., June 6. 190S GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 687 RAISING QUEENS IN lOH STOKV. It has occurred to me that I could raise young' queens iu the top stor}- of mj' hives, where I have a perforated board thiit sep- arates it from the bottom, so that the old queen can not get at the cells in the top. Let me ask whether the hatching of a queen in the top will lead to swarming, and, sec- ond, will the young queen be likely to en- ter the top after being out on her wedding- trip if the top hive has an entrance? What do 3'ou think of it any way? Paterson, N. J. L. Claxton. [You can raise queens in the upper story of a hive, and have them fertilized, some- times, during the honej- tlow. Cells will be built very readily iu the upper story, but not during a dearth of honey unless the bees are fed. The chince of getting the queen fertilized upstairs, even under the most favorable circumstances, is not good, to say the least. The plan fails too many times to make it really a success. — Ed.] COMBINED SECTION-FORMER AND FOUNDA- TION-FASTENER. Mr. Root: — If you will refer to Glean- ings for May 15, page 448, you will see there a picture of a " handy section-press" by Anton G. Anderson. When I saw that illustration I said to Mr. V. V. Dexter, who is working with me, "There is a prin- s^-^^'^ Pivot Pin. that is giving us splendid service, and, un- like all other combined machines on the market, it is easily adjustable for different- sized sections by changing the position of the lever D by removing pivot C and insert- ing it again in the next hole in the lever, marked E. The machine should be up- right, or nearly so, and the hot plate should slope a trifle forward so as to melt as little foundation as possible, and use the melted wax in fastening to the very best advantage. The pivot C should be high enough to admit freel}' the tall section. When the square section is used, the lever D is simply brought down a little further by the foot. When the treadle is pressed, the section is folded; and at the same time the plate is thrust forward (or, rather, the section and press are pulled back) so as to expose the heated edge of the hot plate, so that the one treadle both folds and attaches the founda- tion. I believe your mechanics could work this out so that j'ou can sell the wooden pieces A and B, lever D and spring, when all 5'our customers now having the Daisy could send to you for the press attachments and screw the same to their old Daisy machines. Please let us know at once if you consider the idea of any value. Of course, j'ou could put out a combined press and fasten- er for those who used a new machine or who do not wish to add the press to their old ones. I had always doubted the utility of a combined machine until trying this one. E. F. Atw^ater. Boise, Idaho, June 6. [The plan j'ou have outlined, and which we have had our artist sketch out, is per- fectly feasible. It is a question, however, whether the average purchaser would not prefer to have the two operations performed by two separate machines. A section-form- er on the principle shown in the illustra- tion is not as powerful by considerable as something like the Hubbard press, nor is it anywhere near as rapid. That it will do the work, there can be no doubt. But in changing from a \)i to a 4X5 sec- tion, it will be necessary to have an extra hole in the standard A. When the pivot is changed, the bolt C would have to be put through the hole E, and should be, to get the best results, put through a hole in the standard A, a little higher up. This would permit the lever D to fit square down on top of the section. — Ed.] ciple which can be applied to a combined section-press and foundation-fastener." He suggested adding it to the Daisy founda- tion-fastener, and the enclosed drawings show j-ou the result — a combined machine kerosene oil for bee-stings ; HOW TO SCRAPE THE STINGS OUT. For bee-stings, try a drop of kerosene oil, and rub it in. For a horse that upset a hive and got the result, take a gallon of kerosene and give him a bath at once. Scrape him with the back of a hand-saw, knives, or a piece of hoop iron, very hard, to scrape out the stings. Work on the throat first. Be quick about it. Reader. 688 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Aug. 1 INSURANCE ON BEES. In a few numbers back you spoke of in- surance for bee-keepers. I have never seen any thing^ more than a mere mention of this subject; and if you can give us any infor- mation, general or specific, it would be highly appreciated. Clifton F. Pulsifer. Nessen City, Mich. [Nothing more has been said on this sub- ject. So far as I know, no insurance com- pany will accept such risk; and yet I see no reason why bees are more subject to fire than any other property similarly exposed. If any one among the fire-insurance agents who are subscribers can give us any in- formation, we should be glad to hear from him.— Ed.] REPORT FROM P. H. ELWOOD. "We had some April weather in March, March weather in April, and back again to April weather in May, and no rain — the worst drouth that has occurred in a great many j'ears. Through June we had a very cold rainy time, making us think of April. Bees had a good run on fruit and dande- lion, but it was all needed through June. In fact, some May swarms that came near the close of the flow starved. The wet weather came in very well to grow the white clover, of which we shall now have a small blow. Basswood will also be a short blow. Since the first of July the bees have been gaining on stores, and the crop of hon- ey will depend on the weather for the next month. A small bloom with good weather will get a crop. We do not look for a large yield. P. H. Elwood. Starkville, N. Y. we think that there will be an average crop with prices about the same in the New England States. W. W. Carv & Son. Lyonsville, Mass. GOOD SEASON IN UTAH. Had we not last about every thing in the way of bees this would be a fine season, as the flow is good, weather prime, and bees working splendidl3\ One party at Plain City had 60 and lost 60; another, 78 and lost 70; R. has 1000, and lost 500; Frost, 300, and lost 150; Mitchell, 400, and lost 300; so 3'ou can judge of the State losses. South loss was small. Last season we got 5 cts. for extracted; asking 7 to-day; crops will be good for the number of stands. In the valley up the can3^on, where we got the trout dinner, I lost every stand. Ogden, Utah. C. W. Frost. THE FORMALDF.HYDE TREATMENT A SUC- CESS. Some of mj' best colonies to-day are those on fumigated combs, badly diseased with black brood in 1901 and '2. Mayfield, N. Y. G. W. Haines. AVERAGE CROP IN MASSACHUSETTS. At present the outlook is good for a fair crop, and bees are gathering nectar quite freely from clover and sumac. As a rule TOURING IN AN AUTOMOBILE. July lo. — We made 125 miles yesterday, and both Huber and myself declare it was the most enjoj'able ride we ever took in one day. Instead of feeling fatigue, I did not have any nap at all, which is something that has hardly happened before in years; and at 9:30 p.m. I voted to go on to a town 12 miles further. Mr. Auble told us a new motor would often take on some queer freaks, and we found it so. We were delayed but little when the machinery needed readjust- ing; but toward night, if we happened to stop it to inquire, or for any other reason, it was loath to start again, or if we went over a very rough place at high speed; but when it once got agoing it seemed to delight in going faster and faster. Huber is over- hauling it now. We arrived in Toledo just after dark. As the town was full of various patterns of au- tomobiles, we joined in the merry throng and ran through their beautiful parks. The activity- of the farmers in. the fields was a delightful sight to me as we rushed through the rich country of Northwestern Ohio. Metamora, O., July lo, lo a.m. — The rea- son we didn't go 12 miles further was, the machine " wouldn't go." It said by its ac- tions that 125 miles was work enough for its first long trip. Huber overhauled it, but this morning it still "gets its back up" whenever we stop a minute. Later, same day.- — A rubber tube used to let the water oft" (in freezing weather) got to swinging against a brass stopcock, until it wore a hole in the tube and let all the water out of our automobile. It was our business to watch and see to this; but we did not until the machine got pretty nearly "redhot." Something similar had been allowed to happen once before, and we now found why it was hard to start. Water was getting into the cj^linder. When well under way the water was blown out; but when we stopped it accumulated. At Mo- renci, Mich., a crowd collected to see us start. Of course, there were manj' jests to the efi"ect one could hitch up a horse in less time than we took to start, etc. Finally, oft' it went, and I had just time to turn to the crowd and say, "Good by, gentlemen," when it suddenly stopped again. Huber then declared we must get the address of Mr. Wilbur, the "bee-man," who had in- vited us, so we could get there with no more stops. So I took it down. "Turn north at the hotel; go two miles 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 689 to the second cross-road; turn east three- fourths of a mile, then north half a mile." When we finall3'got ag^oing- again we did this, and in about fifteen minutes were at friend Wilbur's bee-yard. In the shade of an apple-tree Huber declared the machine would have to come apart until we could re- pack the cylinder head. This took about one day. Mr. Wilbur has about 80 colonies of bees, and about 140 laying Plymouth Rock hens. He has a fine crop of honey, and gets about 100 eggs a day from his fowls. In working for comb honey he saj's he would rather have a few pounds less, and ha.ve/! /ied sec- tions, than to have so many partly filled sections to carry over. The latter never make first-class honey when finished the year after. The auto makes lots of fun, and calls forth many jokes. A boy called to us in one of the towns, and we slowed up to see what was wrong. He just wanted to say, " Say, mister, your zc/tip just dropped out of 3'our buggy;" and for the first time I was reminded that whips and the manner of using them are to be a " lost art " in the great and near future. WaNTER OR SAND VETCH; ANOTHER OF MY HAPPY SURPRISES. When I first visited Traverse Bay region I was attracted by a plant that grew wild in the fields, that the people called " wild sweet pea." The great quantity of purple blossoms in long clusters, like the blossoms of the locust-tree, first attracted my eye; and then the great quantity of pods con- taining little bits of peas afterward con- vinced me it must be a valuable legumi- nous plant. I thought several times it might be valuable to grow for stock or to plow under; and last fall, in digging pota- toes, I was once more greatly pleased to see a greater quantity of nitrogen nodules on the roots than I ever saw on any other plant. Last fall, after digging potatoes I tried the experiment of sowing Mammoth and Medium clover in the fall. After my first early potatoes, crimson clover was a big success, as I have told you. About half an acre of Mammoth clover, put in aft- er Early Trumbull potatoes, produced a magnificent stand, and was knee-high and full of blossoms when plowed under the last of June. Medium clover, put in after an acre of Early Michigan potatoes, looked fairly well. But where I sowed clover as late as the middle of October it did not amount to very much, especially as the wild weeds got ahead of it. Now, mind you, after the potatoes were dug in October the ground was thoroughly harrowed with a spring-tooth harrow. I think all the weeds were thoroughly cut up and killed. This present summer, about the last of June, when I decided to plow up a six-acre field where I dug these late potatoes in Oc- tober, I found this new leguminous plant growing with wonderful luxuriance. In fact, there were single plants, a perfect mass of purple bloom, large enough to make a pretty good wheelbarrow-load. The re- markable thing is that this immense plant must have made this growth after the ground was so thoroughly harrowed in Oc- tober. If it came up in the fall it wintered very safely; and then it pushed ahead be- yond any thing I ever saw before in the way of clovers or any other legume. The roots did not seem to be very large, but great branches put out like a squashvine in every direction. The blossoms stood up 2 ft. high. The boys tore it to pieces, and offered it to the horses that were plowing, and they ate it with great avidity. I at once mailed some of the blossoms, foliage, and roots, containing the nodules, to our Ohio Experiment Station; but before doing so I noticed that the plant bore a strong re- semblance to a picture in the seed catalogs, under the name of hairy or sand vetch, also called winter vetch. Here is what Pe- ter Henderson says in regard to it: SAND OR WINTER VETCH (VICIA VILLOSA) is perfectly hardy throughout the United States, re- maining green all winter, and should be sown during August and September, mixed with rye, which serves as a support for the plants, or in spring with oats or barley. It grows to a height of 4 to 5 feet, and is the earliest crop for cutting, being nearly a month earlier than scarlet clover, and a full crop can be taken ofiE the land in time for spring crops. Being much hardier than .scarlet clover, this is the forage plant to .sow in the Northern States, where scarlet clover winter-kills, though it is equally valuable in the South. It is exceedingly nutritious, much more so than clo- ver; is eaten with relish, and may be fed with safety to all kinds of stock. Sow one bushel per acre with one-half bushel of rye or wheat. I believe all of our seed catalogs recom- mend it very highlj-. Now, I am going to purchase seed of dif- ferent seedsmen, and plant the different kinds side by side with seeds also of the plant growing wild in Michigan. If it grows every season, in other localities, as it grows on my ground, single plants aver- aging four feet apart each way, planted after digging potatoes, it would cover the ground with an immense lot of fertilizing material in time to be plowed under for a«- ot/ier crop of potatoes; and my impression is it is worth as much as clover for feed or for turning under. The particular point that recommends it to me is that it is now growing wild on the borders of the woods and waste places in Northern Michigan. But the thing I can not understand is, whj' such a rank-grow- ing leguminous plant should be allowed to pass all this time unnoticed — that is, up in that locality. Can any of the readers of Gleanings tell us more about it? I think it is offered by several seedsmen in 100-lb. lots at about 10 cts. per lb. 690 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Aug. 1 Golden Italian & Leather Colored QUEENS Warranted to give satisfaction, those are the kind reared by Qulrin=the=Oueen=Breeder. We guarantee ever\- queen sent out to please you. or it may be returned inside of 60 days and another will be sent ■ gratis ■ Our business -was established in ISSS. our stock originated from the best and highest-priced Long-tongued Red-dover Breeders in the U. 5. We send out fine queens, and send them promptly. We guarantee safe delivery to any State, continental island, or European Country-. The A. I. Root Co. tells us that our stock is extra fine, while the editor of the American Bee Journal says that he has good reports from our stock, from time to time. Dr. J. X,. Gandy. of Humboldt, Xebr., savs that he secured over -KX' pounds of honey 'mostly comb., from single colonies containing our queens. A FEW TESTI.nO.M.4L5. P. F. Meritt. of Xo. 13 Breckenridge St.. Lex- ington. Ky.. writes: The bees sent me last July did splendidly. Each colony has at least 75 lbs. of honey — ^pretty good for two-frame nuclei. Mr. J.'RoordaT of Demotte, Ind.. writes: Send me six more queens, the 4» sent me last spring are hustlers. Mr. Wm. Smiley, of Glasgow, Pa , writes: Your bees beat all the rest, now send me a breed- er of the same kind. A. Xorton. Monterey. Calif., writes: Your stock excels the strain of Sir. . which is said to outstrip all others. Your stock excels in profit- able results as well as in beauty. f Price of Queens After July First. i 6 12" Selected i % 75 «4 00 $7 00 Tested 1 00 5 00 9 00 Select Tested ' 150 8 00 Extra Selected Tested— the best' | | that money can buy i 3 OOl )■ Two-frame Nuclei no Queen ■ 2 00 Add the price of whatever queen is wanted to that of nuclei. Our nuclei build up fast, and if not pur- chased too late will make some surplus. Qneen-rearing is our specialty: we give it our undivided attention, and rear as many queens 'perhaps more' as any breeder in the Xo'rth. No order is too large for us. as -ne keep :y>J to 500 on hand ready • t'j mail. Send all orders to Quirin=the=Queen=Breeder, Parkertown, OHIO. Long Tongues Valuable South as well as North. How Moore's strain of Italians roll in honey down in Texas. Hutto. Tex., Nov. 19, 1902. J. P. Moore. — Dear Sir: — I wish to write you in re- gard to queens purchased of you. I could have -writ- ten sooner, but I wanted to test them thoroughly and see if they had those remarkable qualities of a three- banded Italian bee. I must confess to j ou I am more surprised every day as I watch them. They simply ■•roll the hon'e>- in.' It seems that they get honey where others are idle or trying to rob: and for gentle- ness of handling. I have never seen the like. Friend E. R. Root was right when he said your bees have the longest tongues; for they get honey where others fail. I will express my thanks for such queens. I am more than pleased. I will stock ray out-apiaries next spring with your queens. Yours truly, Hez^ky Schmidt. The above is pretty strong evidence that red clover is not the only plant which requires long tong^ed bees to secure the greatest quantity of nectar. Daughters of my 2^100 breeder, the prize-winner, and other choice breeders : Untested, 75c each; six, $1.00; doz*«. $7.50. Select untested, Jl.COeach; six, $5; dozen, $9.00. Safe arrival and satisfaction guaran- teed. Circular free. I am now filling orders by re- turn mail, and shall probably be able to do so till the close of the season. J. P. Woore, LBox I, Morgan, Kentucky. Pendleton County. Laws' Leather=colored Queens. Laws' Improved Golden Queens. Laws' Koly Land Queens. W. H. Laws :s—Yo\xr queens have proved to be excel- lent. My apiary stocked with your Leather queens are a sight to behold during a honey-flow, and the Goldens are beyond description in the line of beauty, Vours are the best for comb honey I ever .saw. I want more this spring. — E. A. Ribble, RoxUyn, Tex., Feb. i<), i')OS. IV. H. Laws: — The 75 queens (Leather) from you are dandies. I introduced one into a weak nucleus in May. and in September I took 285 lbs. of honey, leav- ing'48 lbs for winter. My crop of honey last season was 48,000 lbs. I write you for prices on oO nuclei and 150 Leather c^ne&ns.— Joseph Farnsworth, Idaho Falls, Idaho. Feb. i6. /joj. Prices of Queens: Each. 8100: 12, $10.00. Breeders, eztra fine, guaranteed, each |;i.LO. Send for price list. W. H. Laws, Beeville, Texas. The Best Honey Queens ON RECORD Are those reared by The HON'EY & BEE CO., Will Atchle>-. Manager. We breed six distinct races in their purity, from 6 to 35 miles apart, queens ready to go now. We make a specialty of one, two, and three frame nuclei and queens in large lot.s. Write for price.s, they will astonish you. Untested queens of either race. 75c each; ^.25 for six; |S.0O per dozen. Tested, $1.50 to 8:5 00 each. Breeders, the best that money can buy. 85 00 each. We guarantee safe arri%-al and perfect satisfaction. Address all orders to The BEE & HONEY CO., Beeville, Box 79. Bee Co,, Tex. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Wind Power 691 is the cheapest power known. For a farmer- bee-keeper, who has stove- wood to cut, water to pump, and feed to g'rind for stock, corn to shell, and bee-hives to make, noth- ing- can equal a well-arranged power wind- mill. The Bee-keepers' Reviexc for June illustrates a wind-mill thus arranged, and a bee-keeper who has such a mill, and uses it for all the purposes mentioned, contributes an article, giving- cost, advantages, and drawbacks, together with several other in- teresting items on the subject. He has had his mill six years, and can speak from ex- perience. Send ten cents for this number, and with it will be sent two other late but different issues, and the ten cents may be applied on any subscription sent in within a year. A coupon will be sent entitling the holder to the Reviezv one year for onlj- 90 cents. W. Z. HUTCHINSON, Flint, Mich. Carniolans and f 4- «-^ I 4 c^ V% 4S CHoice Qtiee¥\s liCillclIl.S« a ,Specialty ^ >^ Having added extensively to our queen - rearing plants in the Xorth and the South we can furnish any number of queens on short notice. CarrkiolavkS. Veri,- prolific, hardy, gentlest bees known. Great comb builders. Sealed combs of a snowy whiteness. A worker on red clover. Italiar^s. Gentle, prolific, swarm verj- little, fine workers, and a red-clover strain. THe Carniolan-Italian Cross. A cross giving the combined qualities of each race, are hustling workers, the coming bee for comb honey. One untested queen. Toe; 6 for >S.SK1; r2 for JO. TesteS, $1.25. Best breeder, $"2 50. Best imported breeder, ji. For full colonies, one or two frame nuclei, large or- ders for queens, send for descriptive price list. Orders booked now will be filled when desired. F. A.. LrOcKHart (Sb Co., Caldwell. N. Y. Queens == 1903 == Queens. "We have ten different yards five to twenty miles apart, where Italians, Cyprians, Holylands, Carnio- lans, and Albinos, are bred for business. Tested queens, J1.50; SiS.lX) for 6; $15.00 per dozen. Untested. $1.00 each: J5.00 for 6 ; S9.00 per dozen. Our best and finest breeders, *5.00 each. One and two frame nuclei a specialty. Bees and Queens in any quantity to suit purchaser. Safe arrival and reasonable satisfaction g\iaranteed. ORDER "The Southland Queen," $1.00 per year. Send for sample copy and our liWo catalog; tells how to raise queens and keep bees for profit. Root's Supplies. The Jennie Atchley Co., Bo.x 18, Beeville, Tex. Bred for Work JnT^s't TTtiSi^; bred from selected stock; best of workers: verv gentle, and fine color. Untested, 7.5c each: six. $4 25:' twelve, }8 00. Tested, 81.00; six, $.5.00: dozen, i9..T0. Harold Homor, Terrace Apiaries, Mt. Holly, N. J. When you need Queens and want your order filled at once with the best queens that money can buy, we can serve you and guarantee satisfactioti. We h.n've a fine str.iin of Italians that can not be excelled as honey-gatherers. We can futTiish queens from either imported or home-bred mothers. Choice tested. fl.tX' each. I'mested. T-V: JS 00 per doz. J. W. K. Shaw & Co., Loreauville, La. TEXAS QUEENS FROM LONE STAR APIARIE5. * We are now ready to furnish you queens from the best stock of any race. These queens are equaled by few and inferior to none. Write for price list O. F. Davidson & Son, Props., Falrview, Texas. ** Tested Queens/' Xo 1 not for color, but for honey. Will sell queens from colonies that have stored a'good surplus from palmetto; some have S 10-frame supers full to date. Old enough to show what they will do, but not aged. Price for queen and bee brush' «1 00. SAV^AH. A. SMITH, Grant, Fla. Red Clover and Three and Five- Banded Queens. Untested. ti^3 cts.: 2 for $1.00. Fine tested queens, ^^l.tX) each. Remember we guarantee our queens to work red clover as well as white clover. Get my circular. Plenty of queens, and go by return mail. Fifty and one hundred, special prices. G. ROUTZAHN, BIQLERVILLE, ROUTE 3. PENN. QUEENS DIRECT FROM ITALY Fine, reliable. English price list sent on application. Beautiful results obtained last year. OUR MOTTO — "Whatsoever ye would that meii should do to you, do j-e even .so to them." .\ddress MAUN BROTHERS. Luserna. San Giovanni. ITALY. ..Very Satisfactory.. The four dozen queens I got of you last year are verv satisfactory, being good honey-gatherers, and gentle, and finely marked. Chas.' Stewart. S.ammonsville, X. Y, June 19, liXXv State Bee Inspector, Srd Div. To induce a trial we offer warranted queens at 75c, six for Ji 0(1: fine select. $1.00, six for <;1.50. Queens sent promptly: satisfaction guaranteed. Hybrids or poor queens replaced free. J. B. CASE, Port Orange. Fla. When you want Queens that please, and want them By Return Mail, join the crowd and seiui here where the spring rush is now over. I can guarantee them to leave promptly from now on, and arrive safe. iJest Noney- Strnins on/.'l-are bred from Goldens, Carniolans, leather-colored Italians. T.'k each, or |T.50 per dozen; tested, $I.tX) each, or <10,IX1 per dozen. George J. Vande Vord, Daytona, Fla. FOR SALE —Fine, c.-irefully reared queens, from a hardv.prolific.houev-gathering strain of :i-banded Italians, can also furnish "queens from Doolittle Gold- en strain, if preferred untested, tv"i cents: testeil |1.00; selected breeders, $2..50 E.\RI. Y. S.\FFORD, Salem, N. Y. 692 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Aug. 1 We are again rearing the best of queens for market. We have 1000 colonies of bees, the best stock, and 10 j-ears' experience. We have either Golden Italians or three banders. Price, "octs. each; S'4.25 for 6; S-S.OO for 12; tested, Jl -50. vSafe arrival and satisfaction. Give us a trial. All orders filled promptlj-. la nrs:x^3 o^e:-k^ We keep a large stock of honey-cans of all sizes ready for prompt shipments. Get our prices. We also want all the section and bulk comb honey that we can buy, and will take some No. 1 extracted. We pay spot cash. Write us. ^he fiyde Bee Compasiy, Floresville, Texas (Successors to O. P. Hyde & Sun.; Sections, shipping cases, Honey cases, and every thing necessary for the bee keeper. FINE ITALIAN QUEENS. Prompt shipping. Catalog Free. C. M. Scott & Co., Indianapolis, Ind. 1004 East Washington Street. fioney Extractor cartons for honey since the introduction of these extractors some 14 years ago to the bee-keeping world, we have been experimenting with a view to eliminating weak points, and perfecting the stronger ones. Akll Sizes* We manufacture all sizes of extractors from the small 2-frame to the 4 and 6 and 8-frarae machine-power (power machines made to order only). The can part of these ex- tractors is made of galvanized iron covered with blue japanning, and neatly lettered. Oalva.niZe' light run- ning. The honey-gates are large, which does not require the stopping of work to allow the honey to run out. For sale by all large dealers in Bee Supplies. MANUFACTURED BY Ijhe A. I. R.oot Co.> Medina, O. If you are interested in Cuba and want the truth about it,*subscribe for the HAVANA POST, the only English paper on the Island. Published at Havana, Cuba. $1.00 per month, $10.00 per year. Dai- ly (except Monday). For Sale.— 3000 lbs. strictly first-class white-clover honey in 60-lb. cans. Samp e and prices on applica- tion. G. A. BLfcECH, Jerome, Mich. Wanted to introduce the best, most practi- cal, lowest-price carton for honey, all things consider- ed; costs nothing. We have wholesaled honey in this city for 30 years. We have seen no honey-carton equal to this. Send us five two-cent stamps, and we will send you sample, together with explanation, and some practical suggestions regarding ma keting honey to best advantage; also live poultry. We originated and introduced the new popular one-pound section. Established in 1870. H. R. WRIGHT Wholesale commission. Albany, N. Y. Root's Goods in Central Michigan I Sold at their prices. Present given with each order amounting to S2 or over. I,ist sent free. W. D. Soper, Rural Route No. 3, Jackson Michigan. You'll Never Regret buying the PAGE for your Fall fencing. It lasts. Page Woven Wire Fence Co., Box S, Adrian, Michigan. Handy Farm Wagons make the work easier for both the man and team. The tires belnK^^ ideiliey donotcutintotheprround; the labor of loadine is reduced many times, becau.se of the short lift. They are equipped with our fam- ous Electric Steel Wheels, eitherstraiphtorstag- per spokes. Wheels any height from 24 to 60 inches. White hickory axles, steel hounds. Guaranteed to carry 4000 lbs. Why not get started riprhtby putting in one of these wagons. We make our ateel wheels to fit any wagon. Write for the catalog. Itisfres. ELECTRiC WHEEL CO., BOX 95, QUINCY, ILL,* 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 693 WAX PROFITS. Fig. 169.— The Root-German Steam Wax-press. Price $14.00. Shipping weight, 70 lbs. Many bee-keepers allow old combs and scraps of beeswax to collect, which, for lack of time and the proper utensils, are scattered or eaten up by moth -worms. A big item would be added to the year's profits by the timely ren- dering of said wax by an econom- ical process. We believe the press illus- trated herewith fills a long-felt want in rendering wax. B. Walker, Clyde, 111., says: Was inclined to believe at first that the German wax-press was a failure; but after a thorough trial I was well pleased. I secured 30 lbs. more wax from one day's use of the machine than I would have secured by the ordinary method of rendering. N. E. France, Platteville, Wis., State In- spector of Apiaries, and General Manager National Bee-keepers' Association, says: The German wax-press is by far the best ma- chine or process to save wax from old black brood- combs. Manufactured by XShQ A. I. ROOT CO., Medinst, OKio, U. 5. A. We are now paying 30c cash, 32c trade, for average wax delivered at Medina. Wood=working Machinery. For ripping, cros3-cu ting, mitering, groovi toring, scroll-sawing moulding, mortising ; foi working wood in any man ner. Send for catalog A The Seneca Falls M'f'g Co., 44 Water St ., Seneoa Fs.. N. Y. AN EXPERT'S ADVICE can be h.ul frt-e bv Mr. H. M. Uorton conilucts this (lepartiui.nt in our great Poultry Supply House. Every necessity of the poultry business carried, all ot the highest quality. Also Standard Bred Poultry, riati'hing Eggs. etc. Write us your troubles and your wants. .As^lc forcatalogii.' D. Sent free. W. J. Gibson & Co , (Inc.,) Union Stock Yards, Chicago. Mr. A. I. Root's Writings of Grand Traverse territorj- and I,eelanan Co. are descriptive of Michigan's most beautiful section reached most conveniently via the Pere Marquette R. R. For paapble'.s of Ml:higa& farm lands ani the fruit \i\\, address J. £. Marritt, ilanistee, UicMgan. THE LUCKY "4=LEAF CLOVER" Plymouth Cream Extract- or is the CREAM of them all. Inner can quickly remova- ble; -water all around and umlcr milk; has far greater codling surface than any other. No water required 5 months in year. Special air chamber with ventilator. New and original faucet, impossible to leak or sour. E.r press charges pi-epa id. Catalogue free. Plymouth Cream Separator Company, Plymouth, Ohio. Squabs are raised in 1 month, bring big prices. Eager market. Money- makers for poultrymen, farmers, women. Here is something worth lookiti^into. Send for our Free BooK, " How to Make Money With Squabs " and learn this rich industry'. Address PLYMOUTH ROCK SQUAB CO., ig Friend St., Boston, Mass. nx/- ▼ f Printed to Order $1 per 1000 Heavy, white, high-cut, size 6^- A neat little coupon on each envelope will earn you dollars. Other station- ery cheap. For particulars and sample, address at once Howard Co.. 516 Masonic Temple, Chicago, Ills. o z > < II > z o eg a c 0) c u C Cd LU = p < LU CL O II o o z S E II H o ^J:.^o^ o « 5 'C o - o i; CO « c , •^ 2 (J Q-l OJ rt (/) OJ o k, "tj "o « .M « II i< ■2 6 S « a OJ ^ S S OJ ^, X! (J *J ^ o - - o o o p in (72 i; " ji « j^ii o S I- *j « s t> C; 3 ca cj o o f^ «oi2 CO a; S tfl i: 5 ' ^OP-( hH^J J3 a t/1 ^ "^ a >>OP-(hH a " CI > !/; M ^ < ^5 rt IT, -O a rt S g S o.y Ms a-. Oitfi'J} in V a.5 tr I' 5 vj, « ^ «r " ^ X. u ? QJ 2 « Ct a « *-" CO __ c^ ^^ O • II U) CO b^ O o a . ^ m (U in 0^ ^ tn OJ o > +J 4_) -l-> "T-* (U I— I X w C3 -^ fl !^ 2 J-' S 03 . CJ a; ^ ^ n3 4-> ,„ OjO OJ trt 5-, cj o u ri .a a (U '^ ^ S »-^ rt rt ^ -II O 2 P b ^ ?1 o3 )-( o3 o P. OJ Oi u: O V-i Ph o d OJ a. CO CO GO 03 CO CO CO CO CO CO «^ CO ^ =5 C«l CO — OS E CO r^. u-l fiC e ny one rested in ■ o o RATIO o z < 1 0 o g UJ sss 03 = ~ Mo .1^" .a 83 -c- E2 S ■•^5 0. ^^^ s-s •r '-' P.s- III 0 X lunibei irgical atione ailors' inware ~ ^ — — '^■^ '-/ -. — — — AA~.-^r-. — a- s. X :- ;- :^t: i; c.-=;s r=-= S »: J" n c >, coo w •■M "O c^ s v; j= a> o n u O ^?J (U o « ^ t«- O > o rj o vh u o o i .^ -^ "-^ rt w O ^"^ flj ^ c ::; i-i -^ £:: o '5 9 U) X dJ g ^ ^rt ^:: r^^ 'C ^ p o d _ O •'-' TJ 4-> C rj rt n ^ r^ U o -- - ^ i3 ^ ^ rt o f^ ►>• Pi ):i QJ .S :3 > Cj (u ;-! ^-> "- " — ' r o ° ^^ o ^ b^o, .!5 o 5 rS CI ^ -t-* CI 'I^ r o ^ w" rt o « ;^ S^ 5^ S^ S O OJ rt ^ CJ o ■^^ ^S ^t;5 ^ ^ rt ^ T rt (u .;r; ;:; o '^ o ^ -1:^ < ^ CI CI •-< " O J-1 oj
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  • r^ 3 *-• '7^ = r^ -M O W .^ o J-l O r^ >, ^^ r* a r-< <*- ., cti *** (U +j — o +J (U o I- "^ n o O O .2 d •^ o CI ^ o C) '-^ ►>^ CI ■D C bjo w MERCHAN- CO o !>■ V-i o ■ o o m U. c» K-H d b/D ri o o o \-> 05 cT a o p o 4-> o a o 'a p P o C3 P O >^ 6 OS P .2 -i-i c3 O P o > o p •S (U > c c D u 3 CO o -H ft! ■ ra CO % 3 "= . Q 11 ■" o) r O S! c (/> z o o o « o oS 3 UL as in O" C " •o.S 0) o r o: 3 S2 0) P-O 3 1 I" CO e o a; >, = 0 o la — «'' -^ "" a g = o >- O U c .2 si ■^ CO PS r5 O X O K n c - 'x bfi'g o to -C cij X o s^32 cs S 5 ^ •t-' ^/, c O i; < - ^x JJ S X S'^'a P^o 2 S rt .2 W)S^ X M^ a M?i oj « w D « J XI D CCp, X mS 1- . ni .5. in good condition, containing de- tailed particulars of President Lincoln's assassination. Best offer gets it. Ell^s Fox, Hillsboro, Wis. \VANTED. — To sell for cash, 5-gal. square tin cans, "' used for honey, at about half price of new cans. For prices, etc., address Orel L. Hershiser, 301 Huntington Ave., Buffalo, N. Y. IVANTED,— To sell 69 colonies of bees, cheap; in tall ~" hives, nearly square, frames 121.^x14. outside mea- sure; hives to contain supers and separators. Also -kXi lbs. of fine clover honey, just extracted, at 7c on cars here. H. C. Lane, Twineburg, O \V.\NTKD — The address of every beekeeper that "' makes his own hives The " Kold Klimate " bee- hive makes the best outside case in the world for win- tering bees in anv kind of hives. D. S. Hall. So. Cabot, Vt. \V.\XTED. — To furnish you select long-tongued ^~ Italian queens during August and September, at following low prices: Untested, (id cts. each; (i for j:}.00 Safe arrival and rea onable satisfaction guar- anteed. Chas. M. Darrovv, Nevada, Mo. Route 3. WANTED.— To sell, for 65 cents each, choice untest- "' ed queens, reared fn-m selected mothers, the Carniolan-Italian cross — the coming bee for comb honey? A trial order will convince you. Satisfaction guaranteed. L- H. Perry, Claj', N. Y. .■\.NTED.— To sell my Sable and White Scotch Col- lie dog, one year old, eligil)le to register, good farm dog. easily taught, good with children, very af- fectionate: thoroughly house-broken, and very hand- some. Price, cash, >2b.00, or will take j2.5.00 in' honey. F. N. Chamberlain, Tyngsboro. Mass. \VANTED. — At once. — Young man of staunch Chris- ' ' tian character to work large apiaries and light ranch work out of honey season. Steady job with chance to work up. Pleasant home, good climate; 2.5 miles from railroad. Wages $.30 per month. Refer- ences A. I. Root, Medina. Ohio. L. B. Bell. Camp Verde, Arizona. Y^ANTED.— We want to .send a catalog free, of the "' Ko er Well-drilling machine to anybody who needs a well at his house, barn, or fields. Especially for domestic well-making. The farmer's friend, two or more buying and doing their own well-making when other work is not pressing. Cheapest by half, and the most practical of any. Best money-maker on the market. J. J. KoGER & Sons, Mooresburg, Tenn. w w ANTED.— To buy an apiary in the South, or in Wisconsin, A. B. Brown, Groton, N. Y. R. D. 12. w ANTED.— Seed for blue-thistle plant. J. M. Martin, New Carli.sle, Ind. w w .■\NTED.— Honey or any kind of syrup suitable for summer feeding. Frank T. Hooper, E. Downingtown. Chester Co., Pa. ANTED.— Y'our address on a postal for a little book on Queen-Rearing. Sent free. Address Henry Alley, Weiiham, Mass. ■iV ANTED. —To sell HO colonies of bees at $:?.0O; 1500 '' L. Hoffman frames ; also 150 colonic to let on shares. Chas. D. Brown, New Castle, Cal. (A^M!*!!MztiM Colorado And Return. First class to Denver, Colorado Springs, and Pueblo from Chicago, daily, throughout the summer, good re- turning October 31. The Colorado Special fast daily train, one night to Denver from Chicago and the central States (only two nights enroute from the Atlantic seaboard), leaves Chicago daily b:30 p. m. A second daily train leaves Chicago 11:30 p. m. Per- sonally conducted excursions in tourist sleeping-cars. For sleeping-car reservations, descriptive pamphlet, "Colorado Illustrated," and full particulars, address A. F. CLEVELAND. 234 Superior St.. Cleveland, 0. 100 3-frame nuclei with queen at ff2.00. in lots of 10 or more. Less than 10, at ?2.25. F. W, DEAN. New^ Milford, P.^. piNE QUEENS FROH THE BLACK HILL APIARIES * Golden and Long-tongue. Write for price list. Reference, G. F. Davidson & Son. Carver & Mathis, Props.. Verdi, Texas. BEES FOR SALE POULTRY JOURNAL How to Make Poultry- Pay. A paper worth a dollar, but will send it to you one year on trial, including book, Plans for Poultry Houses, for '25c. Sample copy FREE. Inland Poultry Journal, Indianapolis, Ind. BUSHEL GRATES Our ventilated bushel crates 1 are better and olieaper tlian baskets— 8 cents each— made cif best material. Shipped | Jtadv to put tojiether. Book let .No l:;iull particulars fret Geneva Cooperate Co.. Geneva, 0. 4,000,000 PEACH TREES TENNESSEE WHOLESALE NL'RSERIES. June Buds a Specialty. No agents traveled, but sell direct to planters at wholesale prices. Absolutely free from diseases and true to name. Write us for catalog and prices before placing vour order elsewhere. We guarantee our stock to be true to name. Largest peach nursery in the world. Address J. C. HALE, Winchester, Tenn. 698 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Aug. 1 PACE ^ LYON, New London, Wisconsin, MANUFACTURERS OF AND DEALERS IN . . . BEE-KEEPERS' SUPPLIES. . . . ^ Send for Our Free New Illustrated ^ ^ Catalog and Price List ^ We Have I Not rioved. The government, recognizing the necessity of a great and growing bus- iness enterprise, for better mail ser- vice has given us a postoffice on our premises, which enables us to change mails with the passing trains instead of through the Wetumpka, Alabama, postoffice more than a mile distant. This gives us our mails about two hours earlier, and also one hour for making up outgoing mail. This will be particularly helpful in our queen business. We are now booking or- ders for Italian queens, I,ong-tongued and I^eather- colored; both good. J. n. Jenkins, Honeysuckle, Alabama. Shippjng=point ard Money=order Office at Wetumpka, Alabama. ^-^^^ KretcHmer MTg' Company, Box GO, Red OaK, Iowa. BEE- ^ ^ SUPPLIERS! Best-equipped factory in the West; carry a liirge stock and greatest variety of every tiling needed in the apiary, assuring BEST goods at the LOWEST prices, and prompt sliipment. We want every bee-keeper to have our FREE ILLUSTRATED CATALOG, and read description of Alternating Hives, Ferguson Supers. IVrite at once /or catalog. Tre^ter Supply Company, Lincoln, Xeb. Shugart & Ouren, Council Bluffs, Iowa, Foster Lumber Company, Lamar, Colo. ^■.I'li'f^imfiiffnF" BINGHAM SMOKER. Dear 8ir^— Inclosed find $1.75. Please send one brass smoke-engine. I have one already. It is the best smoker I ever used. Truly yours, Henet Schmidt, Hatto, Tex. MADE TO ORDER Bingham Brass Smokers, Made of sheet brass, which does not rust or burn out; should last a lifetime. You need one, but they cost 25 cts. more than tin of the same size. The little open cut shows our brass hinge put on the three larger sizes. No wonder Bingham's four-inch smoke-engine goes without puffing, and does not drop inky drops. The perforat- ed steel fire-grate has 381 holes to air the fuel and support the fire. Yieavy tin smoke-engine, 4-inch stove, per mail, $1.50; 3J^-inch, $1.10; .3-inch. $1.00; 2H-incli, 90c; 2-inch, &5c. Bingham smokers are the originals, and have all the improvements, and have been the standard of excellence for 23 years. Only three larger ones brass. T. F. Bingham, Farwell, Michigan. Volume XXXI AUGUST 15 1903 nfBEECULTlfflO Market Quotations 70o Straws, by Dr. Miller 7( Pickings, by Stenog-.. Conversations with Doolittle Kditorials Slrav Ruiiawav Swarms at Medina (.Wmng Swarms down from Tall Trees CaiHlied Honey iu Paper Bags Kvcry-'lav (jiiecu-ceh work ... t-vrttiliziug y'"^^"* ''^ Small Boxes Scarcity oi ijasswooJ Gknkrai. Correspondence.... I'revcntion of Swarming Smokeis. and How to Handle them Cause oi Bee Paralvsis l'hace:ia — Hovvit Uooks Keeping Bees under Sheds % The Piotessional Bee-keeper.. Hkads ok GRAINi Migratory Bee-keeping Red-clover Bees Stores for Winter Robber-Flies Canvas .\lighting-board A Neat Little Shed Apiary.... Queen, s Preference for New Combs Colony Manipulation Birdsand Bee Scings How Bees Pack Pollen Why Honey in Small Doses is Hurtful Bee"(i loves k^. OUK HOMF.S 729 Notes of Travel . 732 SJPKCIAL iS'OTlCKS... 740 709 7\0 -J -14 "lo 71" 710 -19 20 —JO -24 24 ^2» 20 2ft 72h A.I. e MEDINA (r-' Root Coj OHIO 3 1^^ Eastern Edition. Entered at the Postoffice at MF.mNA, Ohio, as Second-cl.^ss Matter. QUEENS! BY RETURN MAIL. We are now breedingf from three dis- tinct strains ; viz., Imported or leather color, Koot's loag'-tong-ued, or red-clo- ver strain, and our old strain of white- banded 3'ellow Italians, or albinos. AUG. AND SEPT. PRICES : Tested, each $1 25 Select tested, each 1 50 Warranted purely mated, each 75 Same, per half dozen.. 4 25 Same, per dozen 8 00 Untested, each 65 Same, per half dozen 3 75 Same, per dozen 7 00 We have also a full line of bee-keep- ers' supplies including' The A. I. Reot Company's Goods, Root's Sections and Weed's Foundation a Specialty. Send for oar 32- page illustrated catalog'. W. W.Cary & Son, Lyonsvllle, Mass. TORONTO is the most centrally located city in the Do- minion. It has unequaled shipping facil- ities for prompt transportation of goods to remote points. We have already in stock larg'e consignments of the celebrated line of R.oot*s Bee-R«epers' Supplies amd other shipments will be coming for- ward from time to time. Our jcatalog is ready for mailing. Let us figure.with you. r £. GRAING£R (SI. CO. 12 Yoni^e Stro*t Arcad*. Northeastern and New Engfand BEE - KEEPERS Order goods now. Don't delay. Have them ready when you need them. We keep a full line in stock at Medina prices. Save both time and freight by ordering of us. Beeswax wanted. Bees and queens furnished in season. X B. Mason, Mechanic Falls, Me. Mgr. The A. L Roat Go's. N. E. Agency. WANTED COMB and EXTRACTED HONEY It Vou have Comb Honey to Sell, Write us Answering these Questions. Quantity , Gathered from Put up in sections Price at which you will ship. If You have Ext'd Honey to Sell, Quantity Gathered from How put up Price at which you will sell. Send sample We Want the BEST Grades in ANY Quantity. THE A. /. ROOT oo., MEDINA. OHIO. -THE- DANZ. HIVE The comb-honey hive is one of our specialties. Send for booklet telling about it. We are the jobbing agents for The A. I. Root Company in Michigan, and want the name and address of every bee- keeper in the State, whether you have one swarm or 500. M. H. Hunt & Son Bell Branch, Mich. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 70: Honey Market. GRABING-RTTLES. Fancy.— All sections to be well tilled, combs straight, firm ly attuoluil to all four sides, the combs uiisoiled by travel staiu or oUurwise ; all the cells sealed exceut au occasional cell, t ho oiHsidi' surfaceof the wood will scraped of jiropolis A No 1.— All sections well filled except the row of cells next to the wood ; combs straight ; one-eighth part of com I" Burf ace soiled, or the entire surface slightly soiled the out Bide of the wood well scraped of propolis. No. 1.— -\11 sec-tions well tilled except the row of cells next to the wood ; combs comnaratively even ; one-eighth part of comb surface soiled, or the entire surface slightly soi.cd. No. 2.— Three-fourths of the total surface must be filled and sealed. No. 3.— Must weigh at least half as much as a full-weight section. In addition to this the honey is to be classified according to color, using the terms w hite, amber, and dark ; that is, there will be " Eancy White," " No. 1 Dark," etc. MiL'W'AUKEE. — There is more activity in the honey business since our last report. Receipts of new crops are coming forward, and sales being made. The qual- ity of the stock received seems very fine, especially the sections showing care in grading and packing, thus encouraging the consumer to partake. We are expect- ing a good demand for all grades, and the market is in good condition for shipments. We quote for fancy 1-lb. sections, 16(a!l7; No 1 ditto, lo((( Ki; old and new, dark or inferior, nominal, S(ff 10; extracted in barrels or cans, white, 7J-^@8; same, darker, C(4to7. Beeswax, 28@ 30. A. A'. Bishop & Co., Aug. 6. 119 Buffalo St , Milwaukee, Wis. Toledo. — Honey is coming in quite freely; and in spite of the warm weather it is in fair demand at the following prices: Fancy white comb brings, in retail way, 10; No. 1 ditto, 15; amber ditto, 12(8 13. Extracted, white clover, in barrels, 6; same in cins. 7. Beeswax, 28@30. Griggs Brothers, Aug. 7. 214 Jackson Ave., Toledo, O. Chicago. — Consignments of the new crop are com- ing t ) commission houses that have not had honey for years past; and as there is i.ot any consumptive de- mand they are finding difficulty in disposing of it. Under such conditions it is hardly possible to give ac- curate prices, as some merchants ask 10 cents for hon- ey that others hold at 15. The prices given in our last qnotalions are asked, but feeling is unsettled Bees- wax steady at 30 cents. Aug. 7. R. A. Burnett Sc: Co., 199 South Water St., Chicago, 111. Columbus. — Receiptsof honey are light, and demand quite good, selling white comb at 15(a 1 •. We are in the market for comb hoi'ey in any quantity. Those having to offer for immediate shipment, please write us. EvAxs & Turner, Aug. 7. Columbus, Ohio. Philadelphia —Honey has been arriving quite freely in the last ten days. We quote extracted fancy white. 7(5 S- amber, 6 'i'7;" fancy comb honey, 15(0; 16. No. 1 U(a)15. Beeswax in good demand at 30. We are pro- ducers of honev, and do not handl-^ on commission. Wm. a. Selser, Aug 8. 10 Vine St., i'hiladelphia, Pa. Cincinnati.— New honey is now offered very freely, particuUrly extracted. The demand for honey is about as usual at thi* time of the s'.ason. I made .'■ales at the following figures: Amber. bfa^)\4: water-white alfalfa, i}%\ fancv white-clover honey, 7tw~H.; comb honev. fancy water-white, brings from H'>' 15. Bets- wax.'27(a30. C. H. W. Weber. Aug. 8. 2146 8 Central Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio. Detroit. — Prices are not established yet on new honey. The crop is the largest we have had In many years in our section of the State. Quality is excellent. Small lots are selling for 15ilb for A No. 1. Commis- sion men are wai'ing until prices are settled. Aug 8, M. H. Hunt & Son, Bell Branch, Mich. .■VLH.\NY.- Honey demand iniproving somewhat. Light comb selling at 15, and think H(« 15 will be the ruling price for months to come. Extracted, light re- ceipts as yet, selling 6^4(5)7^. Beeswax easier at 30(g31. MacDougal & Co , Aug 6. 375 Broadway, Albany, N. Y. Kansas City.— Some new comb honey in market on account of hot weather. The demand is not heavj' but will be getting better every day. Fancy white comb, 24 .sections, selling per case, $3 50. No. 1 white-amber, 24 sections, selling per case, |3.25. No. 2 white and am- ber, 21 sections,selling per case, $3.00 Extracted white, per lb., (}@tj%. Extracted amber peril)., 2.5(a>30. C. C. Clemons & Co., July 28. Kansas City, Mo. Boston. — Naturally at this time of the year the de- mand for honey is very light, and quotations necessari- ly nominal ones. Fancy white couil) honey 16, with a light supply. No other grades in the market. Ex- tracted from 6 to 8 according to quality. Blake, Scott & Lee, Aug. 1. Boston, Mass. ,S.iN Francisco,— Honey, new comb, per lb., white, 14^(ai5 ; light amber. 13>4- Extracted, water white, 6^; light amber, 6; dark amber, nominal. Beeswax, per lb., 32; supplies light, and active demand, Ernest B. Schaeffle, Jul 24. Murphys, Cal. Cincinnati. — The supply about equals the demand for extracted honev. We are selling amber extracted in bbls from 5'/4(Sfi'4 according to quality. White clo- ver, bbls. and cans, 7 and 8^ respectively. Comb hon- ey (fancy) in no-drip shipping-cases, 16(3)46%: beeswax, 30. The Fred W. Muth Co., Aug. 6. Front & Walnut, Cincinnati, Ohio. For S.4LE.— New extracted honey, from 7c up. Sev- eral sizes of packages. Sample 10c. I. J. Stringham, 105 Park Place, New York. For Sale.— Alfalfa honev. Extracted in60-lb. cans, and about 20.000 lbs. in comb. Prices on application. Cheek & Wallinger, Las Animas, Colo. For Sale.— Fancy comb and extracted honey; ex- tracted in 60 lb. cans Prices quoted on application. William Mokris, Las Animas, Col. For Sale. -Extracted honey. Finest grades for ta- ble use. Prices quoted on application. Sample 1 y mail, 10 cts. to pay for package and postage. Orel L- Hershiser, 301 Huntington Ave., Buffalo, N. Y. For Sale.— New honev. 2000 lbs. mostly alsike clo- ver honey. Put up in 60 lb, tins, 2 in ca«e ; new cans and cases; $9.00 per case f. o. b cars or boat. Send 6c for sample. Address Ira D. Bartlett, Lock Box 156. East Jordan, Mich. For Sale.— Thirty barrels choice extracted white- clover honev Can put it up in any style of package desired. Write for prices, mentioning style of pack- age, and quantity wanted. Sample mailed on receipt of three cents in P. O. stamps. Emil J. Baxter, Nauvoo, Hancock Co., 111. Wanted.— Beeswax. Will pay spot cash and full market value for beeswax at any time of the year. Write us if you have any to dispose of. HlI.DRETH & SEGELKEN, 265-267 Greenwich St., New York. Wanted.— Beeswax ; highest market price paid. Write for price li.st. Bach, Becker & Co., Chicago, 111. Wanted— Comb and extracted honey. State price, kind, and quantity. R. A. Burnett & Co., " 199 South Water St., Chicago, 111. Wanted —To hear from producers of comb honey in California and Nevadi. It may sound unreason- able but we have probably bought, for spot cash, more comb honev than any firm in the United .States, during the past three seasons. We can, no (^oubt, do you some good. Thos. C. Stanley i4 Son Manzanola, Colo., or Fairfield, 111. We will be in the market for honey the coming sea- son in carloads and less than carloads, and would be glad to hear from producers everywhere what they will have to offer, Seavey & I- larsheim, 1318—1324 Union Avenue, Kansas City, Mo. 704 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Aug. IS ^6e Best Bee-g'oods in tHe World are no better than those we make, and the chances are that they are not so good. If you buy of us yovL will not be disappointed. We ^re undersold by no one. Send for . w catalog and price list and free copy of THE ..MERICAN BEE-KEEPER; in its thirteenth year ; 50 cents a year ; especially for beginners. [ ' U/ye W. T. Falconer Man'f* ^ Co., Jamestown, New YorK. L W. M. Gerrish, Epping-, New Hampshire, carries a fuU line of our g-oods at catalog- prices. Order of him and save the freig^ht. W^e Make a Specialty of Prompt SHipments. If you are in a hurry for supplies send us your order and we will sur- prise you with our promptness. All g-oods shipped within 10 hours after receiving- the order. Over a million sections and two tons of foundation now on hand. Hundreds of hives, and all other supplies READY FOR IMMEDIATE SHIPMENT, Lewis's and Dadant's I nmSn 0 0 A 0 Goods. L6WIS L, 06 A. b. 1 1. J.Stringhani,NewYork City It. m * I ^ 105 Park Place. " | £ OUR 1903 CATALOG is yours for tHe asking. The supplies * $ listed in it are practical and up-to-date. We furnish every thing m 2 a bee-keeper uses, and will not be undersold. Silk-faced veil, m jt 40 cts.; three for $1.05, postpaid. Full colonies of Italian bees m t in hive, .$7.50; nucleus colonies, $3.50; tested queens, $1.00; m % untested, 75 cts. Apiaries, Glen Cove, Long Island. m 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 705 Cleason & Lansing, ]-:STABIJSHED ISSS. 150 Michigan St., Buffalo, N. Y. Jobbers of Comb and Extracted Honey. We have a large jobbiiiji trade in comb honey, and can use any-sized shipments up to car hits. We want 5000 cases as early shipment as ])iissible this season and can use all grades. Will buy delivered in Buffalo or handle for \our account. .... Correspond with us before plac- ing: your output this season. REFERENCES: Manufacturers &. Traders National Bank, Buffalo, N. Y., anv Express Co., Duu or Bradstreet Agencies, Buffalo, N. Y. Squabs are rai.sed in 1 month, bring big prices. Eager market. Money- makers for poultrj'men, fanners, women. Here is sotnethivg worth looking into. Send for our Free BooK, " How to Make Money With Squabs." and learn this rich industry Address PLYMOUTH ROCK SQUAB CO., ig Friend St.. Boston, Mass. POULTRY JOURNAL ^^-.Vltir^^^^ a dollar, but will send it to you one year on trial, including book. Plans for Poultry Houses, for 25c. Sample copy free. Inland Poultry Journal, Indianapolis, Ind. ilillillililllllllllllllltilllilllllllllllllljllillillilllillllillllll!: I STANDARD-BRED I ITALIAN QUEENi BEES = Our untested queens give excellent = S satisfaction. They are bred by the 5 = best breeders, and are up to standard. = ^ Prices are as follows : S S 1 Untested Italian Queen $ .75 S = 3 •' " •' $2.10 = = 6 " " " $4.00 5 s: We are sending them almost by return mail. = = The Weekly American Bee Journal and one 5 = of these fine (jueens, both for $1.50. = = Sample copy of the Bee Journal sent = E free. Ask for it. You ought to have it E 5 every week. It is a great bee-paper = ~ — so they say. = i George W. York & Co., | i 144°6 East Erie St., Chicago, Illinois. = 5 "Root's Goods at Root's Prices." E = Catalog Free. ^ ?iiiiiiiiiiiiiiBiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitiiiii; We are the Largest MTrs oi Bee-keepers' S send for Catalog. Minneapolis, Minnesota We Have the Best Goods, Lowest Prices, and Best Sliipping Facilities. Dittmer's Foundation. RETAIL AND "WHOLESAI^E. This foundation is made by a process that produces the superior of any. It is the cleanest and purest. It has the brightest color and sweetest odor. It is the most transparent, because it has the thinnest base. It is tough, clear as crystal, and gives more sheets to the pound than any other make. 'WorKing "Wstx into Foundation for CasK a Specialty'. BeesAvax Always "Want- ed at Hig'Hest Price. Catalog giving full line of supplies, with prices and samples, free on application. ^- ^s^ot^ige^u's^for^'SSk'^"'- Gtis. Dittmer, Atigusta, Wis. 706 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Aug. IS 0) r^I~?Ayi A V^iy A. IDI C The universal satisfaction our Queens 2 jj KtiiTiAKKADLrC.... Do Give. 5 ^ 9S m vSterling, Ga., June 29, 1903. — I was showing my father yesterday how my bees, which I bought ^ \lil from you, were outworking every thing in my apiary. Send me 4 Buckeye Red-Clover Queens, and 2 ^ m Muth strain Golden Italians. I will order more after next extracting. Thos. H. Kincade. W m ^ il^ Buckeye Strain Red-Clover Queens. They roll m honey, while the ordmary starve. Untested $ .7.5 each, 6 for $4.00 Select Untested |1.00each, 6 for 5.00 j * Tested 1.50 each 6 for 7.25 Select Tested 2.50 each, 6 for 12.00 JJ * Best Money Can Buy $3.50 each. 2J ^ Send for Catalog of Bee-Supplies; Complete Line at Manufacturers Prices. «|\ it '^^^ Fred W. Muth Co., Front & wainut, Cincinnati, Ohio. HJ IB, jf^ ♦ ▼WWW WVWWV'PW ▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼ V^VVTVVWWWVVVVVWTVWVVY I BEE-KEEPERS j X We Have o» band ready for PROMPT SHIPMENT % i U/>e Larj^est StocK wg ever Carried I ♦ ♦ t of HIVES, SE.CTIONS, and all OtKer SUPPLIED. ♦ ♦ ♦ Perfect Workmanship and Finest Material. X All parts of our Hives are made, to fit Accurately. X We are not selling goods on NAME ONLY, But on their Quality ^ No trouble in setting them up. } Our customers sa}^ it is a pleasure. X ♦ ♦ I G. B. LEWIS COMPANY, | T Manufacttirers Bee>l£ee]>ers' Supplies. ^ ♦ Catalog Free. Watertown, "Wisconsin, U. S. A. ♦ I t ♦ ♦♦♦^►♦♦♦♦♦♦'^♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦■♦♦♦♦♦♦^ »»»»♦♦♦♦♦»♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ NOW READY TO SUPPLY BY RETURN MAIL stock which can not be excelled. Each variety bred in separate apiaries, from selected mothers; have proven their qualities as great honey-gatherers. GOLDEN ITALIANS have no superior, and few equals. Untested, 75 cts.; 6 for $4.00. RED-CLOVER QUEENS, which left all records behind in honey-gathering. Unt., 81; 6, for$.5. CARNIOLANS — They are so highly recommended, being more gentle than all othens. Unt., $1. Root's Goods at Root's Factory Prices. C. H. W. w£BERr^^*^^^^&cEI}i^ATT*6Hio. (Successor to Chas. F. Muth and A. Muth.) ^1 • DELVOTEID 'To-Bele.^- •AND Honey- /ft •INTE.F^EST6 '-. .hedUTHfAll^OOl'Co. i£L2 PERV'EAK""\@"nEoiNA- Ohio • Vol XXXI. AUG J 5, 1903. No. 16 I AM SURE Wilmon Newell will take it kindly if I suggest what I believe to be an improvement on his entrance-closer, p. 675. Simph' a piece of wire cloth with folded edges, large enough to cover the whole of the entrance, and project an inch upward, and then a piece of lath to nail over it. It costs less, and gives more air. After one has been stung a number of times, you say, Mr. Editor, p. 668, "While the pain is just as acute, the swelling and consequent fever do not appear — at least to only a verj* moderate extent." I think it may be added, for the comfort of the novice, that the acute pain does not last nearly so long after one has had enough stings. [Exactly.— Ed. 1 Referring to wired frames, George W. Strangway asks (page 675) what I have to say with regard to Mr. Doolittle's chat on page 426. Sound — just as I would expect any thing to be from Mr. Doolittle. But I don't see a word in it to hint that Mr. Doo- little has failed to get straight work with wired frames, nor, in fact, any thing to show variance between us. Difference in locality is a real thing, no matter how much it is laughed at. Mr. W. K. Morrison, p. 562, says, " When the swarming season arrives, the second cham- ber with drawn combs is added /rt);« below. This is a damper to the swarming fever." In this locality the swarming season does not arrive till after work begins in sections. Very rarely does a colony think of swarm- ing before, most of the colonies not getting the fever till the season is well along. This year I have had a number of brood- combs filled with honej* that would have been better in sections. I got the honey transferred into sections by giving these combs of honey instead of empty combs to shaken swarms. So far as I could see, these combs of honey were filled just as fast with brood as if empty combs had been given, even if the whole brood-chamber was filled with honey. If the honey was sealed I did some uncapping; but that maj' not have been necessary. I wonder if ye editor speaks by the card (page 675) when he says smoke from sound hard wood is less pungent than that from rotten wood. 1 always supposed that the sounder and harder the wood the sharper the smoke. [Yes, I was speaking from practical experience of a few days before. I had been testing some new smokers, try- ing various kinds of fuel, and noted the fact particularly that hard wood did not give the volume of smoke that was given off by porous rotten wood. In fact, all rotten wood is porous — more so than ordinary hard sound timber. If you will come to Medina some time I think I can make your eyes and nose smart more from rotten wood than from any hard wood you can scrape uo. — Ed.] A CONFESSION of change of views with regard to colonies that "never think of swarming" is made by the editor, p. 559. Well, I have also a confession to make. I've chased so long and so hard after the will-o'-the-wisp non-swarming that I have become somewhat winded; and although I am still keeping up the chase, it is with a slackened pace; and this year I've done more at shaking swarms than for several years past. Although not half of them were satisfied to make no subsequent effort to swarm, that doesn't count so very much against the plan, for this has been the worst year for swarming I ever knew. [It appears we are now pretty nearly of the same mind, although a month or so ago we were quite far apart in our views. — Ed.] W. K. Morrison, p. 672, says "the best distance to space the frames is \% inches from center to center. Even 1>8 is suffi- 708 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Aug. 15 cient." That wouldn't do in as cool a cli- mate as this. The smallest space I've ever found between combs filled with sealed honey was % inch. More room is found, and is needed, between combs of brood, I think, because in so small a space as }i inch there can not be enoug^h bees to keep up the necessary heat. With new comb, lJ4 spacing- would leave >s between brood- combs, and with combs old enough there would be only '4 space. [A l>s spacing seems to be about rig-ht in this climate. It is a very nice compromise between the wid- est spacing- and the narrowest. A spacing- of 1 '2 inches results in combs too bulky and too much drone comb. Some years ag-o we had quite a number of reports on this, and the g-eneral consensus of opinion favored 1>^.— Ed.] " One of the most important secrets in the production of comb honey," says W. K. Morrison, page 673, " is to have no drone comb in the brood-chamber, so that, when sections are put out, the bees rush up in- tending- to construct drone comb." He also favors drone foundation in supers. In this locality I shouldn't like to have the bees think they could have drone comb in supers unless there be some deeper secret about it than I have yet learned. If the bees rush up to build drone comb the queen will rush up to lay there unless excluders are used, and I'd rather avoid the trouble and ex- pense of excluders. Even with excluders there is an objection. If the bees get it into their heads that drone brood is to be reared above, they will hold cells open for that purpose. I have known cases where worker foundation did not entirely fill the section, and a corner would be filled out with drone comb kept empty, evidently awaiting the queen, while all the worker part was filled out with honey. On page 674 I am quoted as saying that queens in a ball are never stung. I won- der if I ever said that. I think I can make bees sting a queen in a ball, always. All I need to do is to poke them lively with a stick in the effort to separate the queen from the ball, or to blow hot smoke upon them. I wonder if I didn't say that a queen is never stung in a ball when the bees are left entirely to themselves. Mr. Martin "gave them a few whifi^s" of smoke. If that was hot smoke I should most cer- tainly expect the queen to be stung. [I think I found nearlv all the references bearing on this question; but in not one of them is there a suggestion of a limiting clause as given in your italics. Turn to pages 224, 395, and 592. But I shall have to make a little correction. It was not you who were so positive in the matter. It was our friend C. E. Woodward. But the evi- dence already produced shows that bees do sting the queen in the ball. I do not, how- ever, agree with you that molesting the ball in trying to save the queen makes the bees any more anxious to kill her b3' stinging. The reason why the queen is seldom stung is because so many bees are picking at her that it is not possible for them to get their stings to her. The heads all point to her - in the same direction, and their efi^ort seems to be to try to pull or tear her limb from limb; and they do sometimes succeed in pulling her legs ofl" and gnawing the wings. —Ed.] Of 18 COLONIES shaken in the Wilson apiary, just half made no off^er to swarm afterward; 3 started queen-cells within 10 days, and upon these being destroyed they started noqe afterward (which is, perhaps, not an unusual thing in the experience of some others) ; 4 have been found with queen- cells about every 10 days; 2 were found queenless 10 days after being shaken — either they swarmed and lost their clipped queens, or else the queens were accidental- ly killed. Five were shaken in the Hast- ings apiary, and every one of them swarm- ed or tried to afterward. They were a little more crowded for room in the Hast- ings apiary. [At our Harrington yard we had furious swarming; and yet of the colo- nies we had shaken, I do not remember the number, not one offered to swarm; and one or two colonies that acted as though they were about to swarm went quietly to work after they were shaken, and behaved in every sense as if they had swarmed in the natural way. Did you hive on starters, full sheets, or on combs? We used full sheets, with the results already given. — Ed.] pp^^;£:iJ After copying what has been said in this journal about the destruction of our bass- woods, a French bee-keeper says, in Revue Internationale, that the governments of Eu- rope have been obliged to take hold of the matter and regulate the cutting of trees. It is well known, he says, that the destruc- tion of forests is attended with many evils. He thinks the Americans should profit by the experience of Europe. The destruction of trees in Oregon and Washington, as now going on, will soon, he warns us, bear bit- ter fruit. AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL. Concerning formalin, I copy the following interesting facts from an editorial based on information furnished by Schering & Glatz: It is probably the most destructive germicide known, although having little effect upon animals or man, the fumes being breathed, it is claimed, with little incon- venience. Yet it can hardly be a wholesome article of diet, for the doctors of Chicago object bitterlj' to its 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 709 use in milk to keep it from souring, saying that such milk is death, slow but sure, if continuously fed to babies. It must not be understood that formalin is a cure for foul brood. All that is claimed for it is that by its use foul-broody combs may be disinfected so that they may be safely used in a healthy colony. Even this is a very important matter, as thousands of dol- lars have probably been lost by the burning of such diseased combs. The combs are 'submitted to the effect of the gas, and the most convenient way to use it is probably by means of formalin pastils vaporized in Schering's for- malin-lamp. The lamp costs $1.75, including 40 pas- tils, and pastils cost W cents for a box of 20. For reliable disinfection of rooms in dwellings, one pastil i.s used for evers' 18 cubic feet. If it can be vised at the same rate in disinfecting combs, a single pastil ought to be enough to disinfect KX) combs piled up in hive-bodies, costing onlyl^ cents. Actual practice, however, will be necessary to determine the minutitu, and to ascertain to a certainty that the disinfectant absolutely destroys all the spores. BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. • In addition to what is said In Glean- IXG.S, p. 688, last issue, the following will be found to be of interest: The scheme of insurance for bee-keepers promoted by the British Bee-keepers' Association has passed its first year with satisfactory results to all concerned. Only one case came up for adjustment during the year, and that was promptly and satisfactorily settled. A new policy, covering the period between August 1, 1903, and August 1, 1901. has now been obtained, and premiums for risks under this policj- have been paya- ble since July 1. It is expected that the number of hives insured will be doubled this year, and we sincerely hope this ex- pectation will be realized. Indeed, there is no reason why 50,000 hives might not be covered, to the advan- tage of the bee industry as a whole. June was a frosty and backward month in England. "June 18, gave syrup; June 20 ditto," are among the records one bee- keeper says he put on his hives. tV Concerning the Weed foundation, Mr. W. Woodley, of Beedon, says: The great advance of the Weed foundation on the old style of dipping the sheets of wax before being pres.se'd into foundation is shown principally by the few complaints from users. We seldom now hear the cry that " the bees would not -work it out into combs." Xor do we hear of any objections to the combs of which Weed foundation forms the midrib. Surely these are points of great importance to both the pro- ducer and the consumer of comb honey. I am ex- ceedingly well plea.sed with the grand parcel of extra thin super foundation received from the British Weed factory at Holme, in return for my year's parcel of wax — it was simply perfect. AUSTRALIAN BEE-KEEPER. Here is something which seems to me to be in the right line. I have suggested it more than once in times past: In connection with the production of beeswax in the West Indies, a suggestion has recently been made that — inasmuch as muscovado sugar can now be purchased throughout the West Indies in who'e-sale quantities at from ;?s. to 4s. per cwt., while beeswax is worth about $38 per cwt.. and taking into consideration the fact that the honey- flow does not exceed four months of the year in the most favorable localities— it would pay well to feed the bees nearly the year round either with dry sugar, s\'rup, or molasses, making the honey produced a by-product and the wax the main product. It is said that it tak^-s about 10 pounds of sugar to make 1 pound of beeswax: therefore should the sug- gestion prove a practical one, it would be a great boon to West Indian bee-keepers, who would no doubt then import a species of bee from India which is especially suitable for wax-production. HOW TO BUILD UP A REPUTATION (?) "Good afternoon, Mr. Doolittle. Hard rain we had this forenoon." " Yes. So much rain and so few flowers so far this year, since our early drouth, that bees have not stored the usual amount of white honey. My crop will be scarcely half of the average year. How have your bees done, Mr. Jones? " " We had quite a basswood yield, and I shall have a good crop considering the poor condition my bees were in when the drouth ceased. I understand basswood did not bloom in this locality." "No, we had no basswood buds, on ac- count of the hard freeze killing them — some- thing I never knew before during the 34 years I have been keeping bees. If we could have had basswood bloom added to the yield from mustard, teasel, and red clover, undoubtedly quite a large yield would have been obtained." "I came over to have a little talk with you about putting my name and address on cases of honej' when the same is to be ship- ped on commission. Would there not be an advantage in so doing?" "Possibly, if the commission merchant would allow you to do this." " Do you think he would object? " " I think so. For several years I sold my honey to a dealer in Syracuse, and he in- sisted on having the honey brought with no marks of any kind on the cases save the gross weight, the tare, or weight of the crate, and the net weight of the honey. When I asked him the reason for this he showed me stencil plates bearing his own name and address, and said, ' I put my name and address on every case of j-eally fine honey which I buy, so as to build up a trade in honey; and with the inferior grades that came with any lot I leave the stencil- mark off, so that none but the very best bears my name, and thus I am gaining a reputation year by year which is growing constantly. If I allowed you to put your name on the cases it would not help me a bit; and as long as jom sell to me each year it could be of no benefit to you.' " " Did you believe it? " " Not at first; but after a year or two I saw that his line of reasoning was correct; for every year gave him a larger range of customers, so that soon he was handling honey by the tons instead of by the hun- dreds of pounds. He was removed by death, and after this I wrote to commission merchants asking them if they would allow me to put my name and address on each case." 710 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Aug. 15 " Did they allow you to do this? " " Some of them said no, and some said I had better put my name on the sections, if I did any thing- of the kind, but advised leaving^ my name off entirel}'. " " What course did you pursue? " "I purchased a rubber stamp with the words " From G. M. Doolittle, Borodino, N. Y.," on it. I could now, in a moment, put my name and address on any thing^ I wish- ed, from a postal card to a bee-hive. Out- side of the object intended, I have found this stamp of great benefit to me in many ways, and I would advise you to procure such a stamp anb see how much in time, mone5', and temper it will save you." " Where can they be purchased? " " I believe the A. I. Root Co. can furnish such stamps." " Did you use it on your honey? " " Yes, on the very best, the same as did the honey- merchant who died, leaving- it off all second quality and poorer g-rades. " " Did you put it on the crates or sec- tions? " " On the sections." " Was there not a g-reat amount of work to this?" "Not as much as would appear at first thoug-ht; for after the sections were all in the shipping--case, and before the cover was put on, it took only a moment or two of time to stamp all the sections in that case, tnus letting- the consumer know by whom such honey was produced, while the commission merchant received all the credit with the retailer." " What was the result?" " Letters inquiring- if I could send small lots of the same kind of honey to consumers, for the honey bearing- my address was the finest of any section honey ever purchased. ' ' " Of course this made a market for all of your best g-rade of honey." " Well, not exactly." " What was to hinder? " "Two things — yes, three." "What were they? I can not think of any." " First and foremost, these parties main- ly wished me to ship them honey to be paid for on receipt of the same; and after being- beaten out of two or three lots T refused to send any more in that way, for this loss brought the price of the whole down to lit- tle if any more than I obtained through the commission merchant. Second, the deal was generally for only a case or two, some even wanting me to ship in half-cases; and these little shipments proved far more liable to breakage than large shipments; and un- less paid for in advance a reduction from the contract price was requested, and from this some dissatisfaction arose to both par- ties, so that there was little pleasure in such a transaction. Third, with the de- mand for payment for the honey f. o. b. cars, came a large amount of what usually proves useless correspondence, for most of the parties did not feel disposed to purchase honey in that waj', so that, owing to these three things, I soon settled to the conclusion that it was more profitable in the long run to keep my name and address off all honey shipped on commission; and for the last five pears I have sent all that I could not read- ily dispose of in my home market to com- mission merchants in Boston, New York, and Philadelphia, without letting anybody but the commission merchant know where the honey came from." " But did you not admit at the start that there might be an advantage in putting my name and address on the shipping-cases?" " Yes; but I qualified the matter by using the word possibly. There is a possibility that, in your locality, and with more time at your command, you could do better than I have done. Then, again, if you can get your commission merchant to allow you to put your name and address on the cases instead of on the sections you could deal di- rectly with the retailer, and in this way receive larger orders than that from con- sumers." As will be noticed elsewhere in this is- sue, I took a flying trip up through Wis- consin and Michigan to look up the bass- wood situation for sections; and owing to my absence from home I could not prepare my usual answers to Straws in last issue. I make this explanation as some may won- der why the usual footnotes were omitted. A. I. ROOT AND HUBER JUST AS THEY "WERE STARTING ON THEIR THOUSAND-MILE TRIP. Elsewhere in this issue will be seen a snap-shot of the oldest and youngest of the Root Co. in their brand-new automobile, just as they were starting out on their long trip among bee-keepers through Ohio and Michigan. Huber, as will be seen, is the chauffeur, and A. I. R. — well, he is going to have a good time. He is just as happy as the small boy with a new pair of boots. At first the senior Root was expecting to go with Mrs. Root; but we younger Roots and Rootlets, as you know, insisted that that should not be, as it would not be wise — might run into a ditch or over an embank- ment. So it was arranged that Huber was to post himself up and become a profession- al chauffeur, and this he has done to such an extent that the trip, barring one or two breakdowns, has been a success. On my trip through Michigan I met the pair after they had been over hundreds and perhaps a thousand miles of journey. Both of them 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 711 looked healthy and well, for the outdoor air and the enthusiasm of flying- through it, as it were, proved to be a wonderful tonic. MR. FKANCIS DANZENBAKER AT MEDINA. Mr. Francis Danzenbaker, of Washing- ton, D. C, inventor of the Danzenbaker hive and system, is here again on one of his annual visits. He appears as active as he did a year ago, and looks more the pic- ture of health to-day than 1 ever saw him. He believes in plain food, in scientific physi- cal culture, and all his life has been an abstainer from anj' kind of narcotic, drink- ing neither tea nor coffee, and tobacco he never used. He believes that he has his hive as nearl}' perfect as possible, and expects to devote the remainder of his days (and he is good, the doctor says, for twenty years) to the production of fancj' comb honeys for he practices what he preaches — uses his own hive and system. Speaking about physical culture, I was surprised to see how easily our friend at 6b was able to go through with the simple exercises. His mind is as clear as the av- erage man at the beginning- of his prime; and he attributes this good health to his abstemious habits, and bathing. stray runaway swarms at MEDINA, AND HOW THEY ARE CAUGHT. Nearly every season, when swarming is on, farmers will bring word that a swarm of bees is hanging from a tree on their prem- ises, some two or three miles out, and that if we will go after them we can have them. Or word ma3' be telephoned in, with the po- lite intimation that we can have the bees for a small "consideration." As a gener- al thing we are rushed with work at our own yards, and do not care very much about chasing around the country for stray swarms. But they must be taken care of, especially if they are blacks or hybrids, for we can not have swarms of either with- in half a mile of our own yards. It hardly pa3's to send a man in a buggy, so of late years we have been sending out one of our boys with a potato-sack, a pair of pruning- shears, a smoker, bee- veil, gloves, etc., on a blc3cle, to go after them, bag, and bring them home. And right here the bicycle serves a very excellent purpose. The trip can be made quickly; and as the weight of the bees themselves rarely exceeds eight or nine pounds, they can readily be carried. One of our men, Mr. Geisinger, had just returned from one of these trips. I told him to wait till I could photograph him, and the result is shown on page 723. The bicj'cle he rides is a regular chainless, having a carrier attachment over the front wheel. The bees, when bagged, can be set down in this carrier, or can be held with one hand while the other is used for steering. But if the swarm is a heavy one, it would be more practicable to carry it resting on the handle-bars. There is nothing better for the purpose than an ordinary potato-sack made of bur- lap. It has a wide mouth, and can usually be slipped around the bees, and the mouth of the sack tied before the limb is even cut. And right here the pruning-shears are brought into requisition. It will be noted that one of these implements, as well as a small-sized Cornell smoker, is hooked into the belt. When so equipped with bee-veil and long-sleeved gloves one is prepared for almost any emergency. GETTING SWARMS DOWN FROM TALL TREES WITH A SHOTGUN. One of our subscribers, Mr. Isaac Al- exander, of Waldenburg, Ark., a view of whose shedded apiary will be found on p. 720, noticing what I said on p. 623 about getting swarms down from tall trees, wrote he had been very successful in the use of a shotgun. One swarm had clustered up a tall tree, near the crotch, where the limbs were large. After a good deal of efiFort he man- aged to reach them and scoop or scrape them off. But they took wing and clustered still higher. Again he took after them and shook them off. Again they clustered high- er still, until they got up beyond his reach. The idea finally struck him to use a shot- gun. This he did by sending five charges up among the bees. Whether there was any mendacity in this act or not he does not say; but the effect of the bombardment fired up titeir- mendacity, and they stung every thing in sight. But he says they finally clustered lower, and he then hived them. Mr. W. F. Marks, of Chapinville, N. Y., had a similar experience. The bees clus- tered too high for him, on a big tree, or, rather, he did not care to climb after them. As a matter of curiosity he fired a charge of shot up among them, with the result that they were completely disorganized, and came down. He subsequently hived them from a more get-at-able position. Of course, it is perfectly plain that the shot would kill a good many bees; but it is better to lose a few bees, perhaps, than to lose them all. CANDIED HONEY IN PAPER BAGS IN HOT WEATHER. Our readers will remember that we se- cured a small kegful of candied alfalfa honey, put up in bags by R. C. Aikin, of Loveland, Col. When these were first re- ceived they were as hard as bricks, the honey so stiff and bricklike that it was difficult to run a case-knife down into it. The question was raised last winter wheth- er or not honey put up in this form would not become soft, leaky, and dauby during warm weather— that is, left on the shelves. To determine this point I put one sample up on a shelf in my office. It faced a north window, and of course the direct sunlight could not by any possibility get on to it. To-day, July 30, as I was looking over some of the other stuff on the shelves I noticed 712 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Aug. 15 crystalline drops of honey oczing out of one side of this test-bag, and on picking the package up I was surprised tr see that the contents had become as soft as summer butter. The little white globules of honey oozing out all around the bag, pushed thern- selves through the pores of the paper in spite of the paraffine covering. On the other hand, we have some candied honey put up in glass sealed, that is almost as solid as it was last winter; and I nat- urally supposed that candied honey that was dry and hard in winter (whether seal- ed or not) would remain so in the bags. The explanation of this is doubtless due to the fact that candied honey as well as liquid honey absorbs a large amount of moisture from the atmosphere. This bag of candied honey had been open s'^me months previously, to determine the consistency of the honey, and the top had been folded back, but probably not tight enough to keep out the moist air. A large trade has sprung up in paper bags for candied honey. It is possible that some will be disappointed, and blame the Root Co. as well ?s our friend R. C. Aikin. But if the honey is sold wilhin six mouths from the time it is put up, it will probably escape the hot weather; or if the top of the bag is sealed hermetically tight with sealingwax, or any substance that will make an air-tight sealing, the honey will probably remain in the solid condition, so as to stand any amount of rough usage dur- ing the hottest weather. I make this as a suggestion to those who have purchased the bags, for it is well to err on the safe side if we can. No harm can possibly come from making an air-tight sealing; and perhaps it may be a wise pre- caution, after the bags have been filled, the honey candied, and the top sealed, to treat the whole package further with anoth- er coat of paraffine by dipping it into hot wax — not too hot. A SAMPLE OF THE EVERV-DAY OUEEN-CELL WORK AT THE HOME OF THE HONEY- BEES. Last month Mr. F. J. Strittmatter, of Youngstown, O., an enthusiastic bee-keep- er, stayed with us several days. He said he desired an opportunity to learn modern bee-keeping, and requested the privilege of following the men around, asking ques- tions as to why this, that, and the other thing were done, all of which was freely granted. He brought with him a kodak, and while here he took a number of snap- shots. Among the number is a very excel- lent picture showing some queen-cells rear- ed from wooden cell cups. This we repro- duce on page 725, not as a sample of the best work our men can do, but of what they have been doing day after day. These wooden cups are nothing more nor less than little cylindrical plugs of wood about Va, in. in diameter, and the same in length, in one end of which is bored a hole about y% inch deep, of the shape and size of a queen-cell. Into this is put a plug of soft warm bees- wax. A forming-tool is forced down into the hole, reaming out a nice queen-cell in- side of the wooden plug. A lot of them are prepared in this wa^', and then these are stuck, by means of nail-points, on to the extra cross-bar. They are next grafted with royal jelly and young larvse from a select mother. A cage made of perforated metal, large enough to slip over the whole lower portion of the frame, is then slipped over the whole, when it is put into a queen- less colon _v, as we find cells are started better in such stocks than in an ordinary upper story. After the cells are once begun they may be put into an upper story of a strong colony for final completion. If you look carefully you will see where the perforated-metal cage already mention- ed was slipped over these cells, by the line of wax or propolis that is deposited along the sides of the false cross-bar. Sometimes we used a cage of this kind, and sometimes we used a cylindrical Stanley cage, such as we illustrated on page 446, for we have been testing this in an experimental way, and so far are well pleased with it. In- stead of using Stanley's gun-wads as a stopper for these cages, we employ the wooden plugs, which we can use over and over again for cell-building. As these plugs are of wood, they can be very readily han- dled— can be shoved into the sides of a comb, or can be used to stop up a cylindri- cal cage, either of queen-excluding metal or of ordinary perforated metal, which neither bees nor queens can go through. It will be interesting to note in this con- nection that our men use a glove, to the wrist of which is sewn an ordinary straw cuff. The fingers of the glove are cut off at the tip. This gives good protection to the hand and wrist, and at the sime time allows the use of the fingers for the pur- poses of sensitive touch. FERTILIZING QUEENS IN SMALL NUCLEUS BOXES ATTACHHD TO THE SIDE OF A SMALL COLONY. On p. 536, June 15, one of our correspon- dents told how he had succeeded in getting queens fertilized in small section boxes at- tached to and made a part of a strong colo- ny run for extracting. This plan is sub- stantially the same as was advocated by Swarthmore a year ago. I promised to give it a test in our yards, and report. I had forgotten all about the matter until I received the following' communication from Mr. Doolittle. Before I tell how the thing worked I will give his letter right here: Friend Roo/ : —Have yoii tried th'!- plan of rearing and fertilizing queens in luU colonies as given on p 5l-i6? You said you were going to. I tried it quite extensive- ly on four colonies, and it proves, as I halt expected, to be the same as fertilizing m upper stories over a queen-excluder, only that, so far, I have not succeeded in having a single queen thus fertilized. They take them and keep them all right till they are from three to six days old, when the bees begin to persecute them, and finally kill them or drive them off as they do drones. I hope you have tried and will report. Borodino. N. Y., Aug. 4. G. M. Doolittle. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 713 Yes, we tried the plan, but it was a most complete fizzle. Like our friend Doolittle, we did not succeed in g^etting- even one queen fertilized. I have no doubt it can be made to work under soine circumstances; but because of its unreliability we feel that we can not afford to fuss with it. We suc- ceed best with a nucleus, not less than one full-sized L. frame, and two are better. The plan that we used last j^ear success- full3', and are using this 3'ear, is to take an ordinary eight-frame upper storj' and di- vide it off into three compartments length- wise. The bottom is covered with wire cloth. Each one of the compartments has a small entrance — one on each side, and one in the end for Ihe middle compartment. A frame of brood and a comb of honey with bees are put into each compartment, and the same is put on top of a small colonj-. The advantage of this arrangement is that it saves room in the j'ard, puts the nuclei up at a convenient working height, and during cool weather or at anj' other time permits the heat of the strong colony to rise up and keep warm the little cluster above. These nuclei can be treated in very much the same wa}' as the ordinary two-frame nuclei, and cells or virgins that are given to them will soon develop into laying queens. While some of our friends have been able to make a small nucleus work successfully, we have not. Even so successful a queen- breeder as Dooliltle has failed. But even if he and ourselves could both make it work, after all wouid it pay? Those of us who have a large queen-trade must have a plan or m.ethod that will work, not once in a while, but all the time and under all condi- tions. When orders come in for queens, thej' must be filled. It does not do to tell a customer, when the season is at its height, and all conditions are favorable for rearing queens, that he will have to wait three weeks or until the queens can become mat- ed. If his hive is queenless, he wants the queen right now or never. SCARCITY OF BASSWOOD FOR SECTIONS; FOREST-FIRES AND THE WANTON WASTE OF OCR VALUABLE TIMBERS. Wk have been out on little trips looking for bass wood for sections another year; and while there is possibly ten years' cut- ting left, the territory where this useful timber grows is so limited that, with the big mills that are now cutting it — millions and millions of feet of it every year — it will be only a short time before we shall have to look to something else for sections — possibly go back to the old four-piece or nailed sec- tion. Some years ago a fad was started for what was called the "snow-white" section; but if bee-keepers in the future shall be able to get a fair quality of cream and white, they may consider themselves fortu- nate; and, what is more, the price will necessarily be considerably advanced, ow- ing to the sharp advance in the price of the timber from which it is cut. We are now paying- more than double for basswood than we did a few years ago; and the rush for this material, now that pine is so scarce, shows that there will be further advances soon. As it is, white stock is getting- to be so scarce that the manufacturers will have difficulty in getting enough of it for No. 1 sections, and will be compelled to put in a. large percentage of cream. Such lumber is fully as good — just as tough as white; indeed, - I have alvpays arg-ued that the cream section shows off honey better hy con- trast than the so-called "snow-white." There is, however, what is called the heart basswood, of a reddish color, that should not be confused with ordinary cream lumber. Such timber would hardly do for sections. It is too porous or punky. Our people have scoured the country for basswood timber; and the alarming fact is, that pine, having become so scarce, bass- wood is now being used very extensively for purposes of building. The furniture- makers, house contractors, basket- makers, and box-makers are slashing into the wood at a rate that will almost mean its exter- mination in a few years; and bee-keepers might as well make up their minds they will have to pay constantly advancing- prices for their sections from now on; and they can afford to. A little figuring will show that comb honey which nets 10 cts. per lb. to the bee-keeper brings him back SlO.OO per thousand on his sections. In other words, he can afford to pay $10.00 per 1000 for sections; and if he sold his honey at 10 cts. per lb. he would not lose a cent. But, fortunately, he will not have to pay more than half that price for next year. The fearful slaughter that is going on in our country at the present time, of our val- uable timbers, is a matter for general alarm. Lumbermen are wasting millions of feet by using great thick circular saws when they might just as well use band saws and save all that waste. The govern- ment will have to come in and impose on lumbermen regulations of some sort that will stop this fearful waste. In the mean time, young forest- trees ought to be set out; for what will future generations have to depend on for inside house-furnishings and for the every- day needs of life? THE DESTRUCTION BY FOREST-FIRES. An article in the July Review of Re- views shows that millions of dollars' worth of timber is burned every year. The fires ususally come twice a j^ear — in the spring and in the fall, when the ground is dry. It has been estimated that 65 per cent of the fires are due to sparks from locomotives. The railroad companies are not only care- less in providing suitable spark-arresters in the smoke stacks of their engines, but they allow their section men to burn up old ties in such a way that all the property in the vicinity is endangered. Grass takes fire; the leaves in the forest become ignited, with the result that the whole forest is aflame. Yet this thing has been going on 714 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Aug. 15 year after year, apparently, with little or no restraint. Various States have laws to protect the forests, but they seem to be weak or else are not enforced. The g-overnment of the United States should take a hand in this matter, and see that the railroad com- panies are put under proper restrictions. Another cause of forest- fires is the hunters that go roving- over the country during the fall. They build campfires, and then these fires, before they are put out, are abandon- ed, leaving a smouldering mass that is quite liable to set fire to the leaves and rubbish in the \icinity. I tell you, dear reader, it is high time that the American people were opening their ej'es. When Congress convenes, write to your Senator and Representative, urging them to do all they can to protect the forests of our country. Perhaps j'our eftorts will not accomplish much for your oivn immedi- ate interests; but j'our children and your children's children will need to be protect- ed. The annual destruction by needless and avoidable forest-fires is far greater ih in the annual cuttings by man. We can't stir up this matter any too soon. PREVENTION OF SWARMING WHEN EXTRACTED HONEY IS PRODUCED. BY L. STACHELHAUSEN. In Gleanings for Feb. 15, it is asked how swarming can be prevented if the colo- ny is worked for extracted honey, and whether the forced-swarm method can be used or not. I know a number of plans for this purpose, and which one will be the best depends on the location. I use very large hives, and they prevent swarming to a great extent, but not under all circumstances. In my locality the bees commence breeding early, and it depends on the condition of the spring at what time the colonj' will develop to their full strength. As soon as the main honey-flow commences, all danger of swarming is past. This is so in every location if the honey-flow is fast and good, while a slow flow is favor- able to swarming. During a poor spring my colonies develop slower, and the queen is increasing egg-laying till the main flow commences; consequently I get no swarms from the large hives, while ten-frame hives may swarm a short time before the honey- flow. During a favorable spring the colo- nies develop much faster, and sometimes I found that a month or more before the main flow some of the queens laid 4000 eggs daily with a light honey- flow still continu- ing. Under such circumstances this colony will soon swarm, even if kept in the largest hive. In this case I use artificial increase, and use the plan recommended b_v Doolittle. Brush or shake colony A on empty combs or foundation on the old stand (for comb honey on starters). The brood-combs with- out any bees are set on the place of colony B, and this receives a new stand, C. A fertile queen is introduced to B; or if such is not on hand, a ripe queen-cell. Under such circumstances these three colonies will give more surplus honey than two colo- nies if we had them undivided. I never extract any unripe honey or any hone5'^ from the brood nest, but alvvaj's give plenty of super room. During a light honey- flow the bees will carry the honej' to the supers to make room for the brood. The fast and good honey-flows contract the brood-nest; if not enough, supers are given. If the colonies are getting of such a strength that swarming is to be expected for some days before the main flow com- mences, or if the main flow is not so good as to prevent swarming, other plans can be used. 1. If queen-cells are already started we can easily tell when the first cell will be capped; then it is time to manipulate. We remove the hive from the old stand a few steps, and set in its place a hive with emp- ty combs or foundation. From the brood - combs the most of the bees and the queen are brushed or shaken into or in front of this hive with the empty combs. The brood- combs and some of the bees which remain on them are returned into the old hive, and this is set close to the side of the other hive. (It can be set on top or behind it just as well). As this colony will remain weak for some time the first queen, which hatch- es will destroy the other cells. Now we can unite again. Of course, one of the queens must be removed. If we are willing to remove the virgin queen, it is not neces- sary to hunt her up. At evening the places of the two colonies are changed. One hour later, when the bees have ceased to fly we change the places again. The old bees, which have entered the hive with the young queen, will kill her during the night in nine cases out of ten. ( It is a case of han- dling hives instead of frames. ) The next day this colon3' is set on top of the forced swarm, a wire cloth between the two, which can be removed six hours later. The whole manipulation is finished in six or seven days. 2. If no queen-cells are started, the first young queen will hatch in ten or twelve days. During this time the colony will get strong, and very probably would send out an after- swarm. Some of the bees will be old enough to do field work, and could work to better advantage in the forced swarm, which is now getting weaker every day. For this reason we remove the colony with the queen-cells in about eight days to 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 715 the other side of the swarm, and, if neces- sary, we brush or shake some of the bees in front of the swarm. As soon as the queen-cells are destroyed we unite again as above. 3. We find the queen of the colony, and set one brood-comb with the adhering bees, but icithout the queen in the hive A, on the old stand; about half of the bees are shak- en into this hive. The other brood-combs with the queen are placed in hive B, on the side of hive A. B is hereby weakened so much that the queen-cells are destroj^ed by the bees in about five or six days. Now we destroy all the queen-cells in hive A, and about half an hour later the two colo- nies are united as above. This plan takes less time; but the old queen must be found, and a strong swarm on the old stand will do better in honey- gathering than this colo- ny without a queen. 4. A few days ago I received a letter from a bee-keeper in California, in which he gives another plan, which I think is worth experimenting with. With some modifications the plan is as follows: We make a forced swarm as at one and two. On top of this story we set a board with openings closed by double wire screens; the hive with the brood-combs, and enough bees to protect the brood, on top of this. If no ripe queen-cell is on the combs, such a one can be introduced. This hive has its separate alighting-hole. When the young queen is out she will get fertilized over the double screen. Now the two colo- nies can be united again by removing the board. As they have the same scent this will not be difficult. One of the queens will be killed by the bees. Whether this will always be the old one, as my corres- pondent hopes, or not, I am not able to tell; but it seems probable to me. This plan can probably be used when comb honey in sections is produced. In this way the forced-swarm method can be used for extracted honey, and can be done with less trouble than for comb hone}-, as the old combs can be used. In my lo- ■cality I do not need such manipulations. Either I get no swarms at all from my large hives, or I increase my colonies some time before the main honey-flow, making three out of two a la Doolittle. If more in- crease is wanted, the following is a good plan in my locality in a favorable spring: Some colonies are divided into small nuclei, giving a ripe queen-cell to every one. From the other colonies forced swarms are made as above. Eight days later all the bees are shaken and brushed to the swarm from the brood-combs. These con- tain now capped brood only, and are used for strengthening the nuclei. Of course, the queen-cells on them must be destro3'ed. With such brood-combs containing capped brood a small nucleus can be raised to a strong colony in about two weeks. I could give the reasons for all these pro- cedures, but our "practical" bee-keepers and editors do not like "theory," and I have learned that our best men can't un- derstand " theory " from lack of prelimina- ry knowledge, so I hadtobevery prolix and take much space. For this reason we con- tinue to manage our bees according to "prescriptions," and without knowledge. If the conditions are somewhat different, then prescriptions are "no good." Please do not blame me. Converse, Texas, March 2. SMOKERS, AND HOW TO HANDLE THEM. A Cbat with the Editor. BY S. E. MILLER. Friend Root: — I call you friend because I have heard of you, and seem to know you, for the last eighteen years; for I often heard your name mentioned by your father long before you took hold of the helm of the ship 3'ou are now steering. Therefore when I approach you as a friend I trust j'ou will not interpret any thing I may say to or about you as being intended to give offense or offered in a malicious manner. At the same time, I wish to have a talk with you about smokers, and how to handle them; and in dealing with the subject, I will use plain langnage; and if it seems too harsh, you must consider that I'm from Missouri. When I take the wrapper from Glean- ings, about the first thing I do is to run through it and look for illustrations. Well, when I first looked over Gleanings for May 15, page 432, I came across an illus- tration of some one holding a smoker back- ward. I thought, " Who in the world holds a smoker in that awkward manner? " and when I found that it was the editor himself, and read his directions for handling a smoker, I must %-a.y I was somevvhat sur- prised. I have been wanting to say some- thing about it ever since, but have put it off from time to time; but when I saw one of Dr. Miller's last Straws, p. 476, June 1, and the editor's reply, I could no longer resist the temptation of going to the assistance of the other Miller. Now, Ernest, is it not possible that, when 3'ou first commenced using a smoker, you acquired the habit of using it hind side foremost, and have become so accustomed to so using it that you have come to believe it is the proper way? Your reply to Dr. Mil- ler's Straw, about the axis of the arm, etc., may look all right on paper, but it will not do in practice. Your way of using the smoker throws nearly all of the force re- quired to work the bellows on the thumb alone, and in every way it seems to me the most awkward way that one can grasp a smoker. Here is the way I use a Jumbo; and I believe that, if you will call for a vote on it, you will find a great majority of practical bee-keepers use it in practically the same manner. As the nozzle points from you, grasp it with the right hand, the thumb resting on the upper right-hand cor- 716 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Aug. 15 ner on the side next to you, and the four fing'ers on the opposite side of the same cor- ner next to the fire-box. When a few light puffs only are needed, use it in this man- ner; but when you have heav}' work to do, let the ball or inside of the hand take the place of the thumb, and work it for all it is worth. Sometimes when I get in a hurrj' to raise steam (smoke) I grasp it in this manner with both hands, and make it snort like a steamboat. Then, again, a good sportsman should be able to use his gun either right handed or left handed. Would not the bee- keeper be able to grab up a smoker in either hand, and grasp it in the quickest possi- ble manner — any old way, so to speak, and make it do good execution? On page 432 you say, " Stand in front of the hive with the entrance to the left." Now, what I con- sider the front of a hive is the end or side that the entrance is on. Had you said, stand at the side of the hive with the en- trance to the left, and the smoker in the right hand, you would have described the position exactly, only I sometimes change the smoker to the left hand while I use the chisel or hive- opener with the right. Held in the position that I have described, you have full sweep of the entire hive with- out in the least cramping the hand or wrist. When I set it down I usually put it where most convenient; but if the bees are inclined to be cross I place it where the smoke will blow over the top of the frames; otherwise I place it where the smoke will blow away from the hive. About that hook, I think the fellow who wants it on his smoker ought to have to mention it when he orders it. I hooked it into my hands several times, and thought bad things about it, and threatened to take it off; but the first time a brother of mine got hold of it and hooked it into his hand a time or two he took the screwdriver and saved me the trouble. I put it on when I first got it, because I thought it belonged there; but I soon found out that it did not. This is already longer than I had intend- ed, but I have a few remarks to make about smokers as well as how to use them. When I first read the description of the Jumbo Cornell I decided that I must have one, for the great fault with most of the smokers on the market is that they are not large enough. The Jumbo gives a good strong blast. It does not suck smoke back into the bellows, and get all gummed up with that bane to smokers for which I know no name — an accumulation of semi-liquid soot, or condensed smoke. It is easil}^ started, and no trouble to replenish. After you have it well started, almost anj' kind of fuel can be used. One can cram in a chunk about as big as his fist, or he can break up small limbs or any thing in the shape of wood that he happens to get hold of.. It does not have to be made into such small pieces as are required for the smaller-sized smokers. While speaking of fuel I will mention that I have never found any thing better than, even if equal to, partially decaj'ed elm wood. This is prepared in suitable-sized pieces, and, thoroughly dried, it burns readily, j-et not too fast, and gives vast quantities of smoke that I consider just right. It is not pungent as is the smoke from most other kinds of wood, yet it is very dense, and sufficiently strong for almost an3' vicious colony. To those who have had but little experi- ence with smokers, I will say, do not close the smoker too soon after lighting. Allow it to burn a few minutes, with the top or cover thrown back until it gets a good start. In lighting the smoker I usually whittle a few fine shavings unless I happen to find suitable kindling about the saw-table. Aft- er lighting the shavings I use coarser stuff, and finally put in the pieces of elm three to four inches long, and from three-fourths to two inches square, or about that size. I have no doubt that Doolittle's plan of gathering up a few coals where the smoker has been emptied before, applying a few drops of kerosene, and then a match, after which the fuel can be filled in, is the quick- est and best way of lighting a smoker. I have used this method in starting the cook- stove fire for a long time, and it saves time and trouble. But, to return to Jumbo. I have one fault to find with it, and that is a serious one. That hinged nozzle works all right as long as the smoker is not used; but as soon as it gets gummed up, the top re- fuses to go down; and a smoker that will not keep its mouth shut is an aggravation; for, instead of the smoke going out at the nozzle, as it should, it comes puffing out all around. I think you could improve on this by making the top flaring so that it would fit down over the stove, something as a fun- nel would fit over a cup of a little smaller size. I took the top oft" mine, and with a hammer, and a solid piece of iron to lay it on, I flared it about half way around, leav- ing that part where the hinge is attached remaining ns it was, and I find it quite an improvement. Probably in some climates this sooty accumulation is not so bad, as I have noticed that it seems to be worse in damp weather; but there is always enough of it to make trouble. I think that, if the Jumbo could be made a cold as well as hot blast smoker it would be a great improve- ment. This might be done by having anoth- er tube near the top, and a slide so ar- ranged that, when one tube is open, the other would be closed, though it might not work as well in practice as it does in my mind. I only suggest it. I think the improvement on the Vesuvius, as suggested by Geo. E. Rozelle, page 594, July 1, will be all right. How would it do to have a hole in the inside cylinder, cor- responding with the one in the outside, and have them make a continuous opening when you wish to use it as a hot blast? Then if you wish to convert it into a cold blast, give the inside cylinder about a quarter or half turn, and allow the blast to pass up be- tween the two cylinders. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 717 [You may be a little surprised, but I in- dorse nearly every thing 3^ou have said. When I g'ave -directions for handling the smoker, I meant it to apply to those who desire to use it for one or two light whiffs to bring a colony into subjection; for the aver- age colony requires but very little smoke. I agree with you, when j'ou desire to make a large amount of it, grabbing the smoker in the way you recommend is perfectly prop- er and right; but why use the strength of a Hercules to smoke the average colony? If you sit down on the hive-cover it is per- fectl3' natural and easy to have the thumb next to the fire-cup »and the fingers on the outside of the bellows, for then the smoker will adjust itself automatically to any po- sition, standing or sitting. When I spoke about the "front" of the hive, I meant the working side. Perhaps the language was a little unfortunate, but I think most of our readers will understand what I meant. I quite agree with you that partially de- cayed elm wood is most excellent, and I have come to prefer it to planer-shavings or excelsior, such as we have used so much in }-ears past. The excelsior does very nicely for lighting the smoker, but it burns out a little too readil}'. Hard wood is very good, but it burns too slowly, and does not yield enough smoke without too much herculean effort, such as you recommend. Whoever made the suggestion of using partly burned fuel for restarting a smoker shows he has had experience in the han- dling and lighting of these implements. I have alwaj's noted that partly burned wood will ignite much more readily than fresh stock; but I do not know why I never thought to recommend it with the instructions that go with our smokers. As to whether we should make the Jumbo smoker both hot and cold blast, you will remember we some little time ago, illustrat- ed an improvement by Mr. George W Brod- beck, which virtually makes a cold-blast smoker out of the standard Jumbo Corneil. Such a smoker can be converted any time into a hot or cold blast bj' removing or in- serting an inner blast-chamber. I have tried the suggestion of Mr. Rozelle, as given on page 594, but it does not seem to work as well in practice as in theory. To make the Vesuvius both hot and cold blast as you suggest would lead to a little complication. The Brodbeck idea would be simpler and more practicable. Never hesitate to "wade into" the editor. If I give the impression at any time that I am looking for honeyed words, and for an indorsement of mj' opinions on every ques- tion, I wish to have that impression correct- ed at once. When Gleanings gets to the state where only the views of the editor will be tolerated, it will be a sorry one-sided affair. < Jur contributors are requested, 3'es, ur^edy to speak freel}' what they think. If there is any thing in the Root Co. 's supplies that is not what it should be, be free to criticise. Real criticism of the right sort does more to perfect supplies than praise. Oh, yes! I should have said that the diffi- culty with the hinge of the Jumbo smoker is due to the fact that one leg of the hinge is a little too long. In the 1904 patterns this will be overcome. It is not a collection of creosote, as you suppose, but it is a question of the adjustment of parts. — Ed.] CAUSE OF BEE-PARALYSIS. BY E. J. ATCHLEY. As promised some time ago, I will give the real cause of bee-paralysis. Having been troubled more or less with this dis- ease for about 30 years, and having read every thing that came my way concerning it, and tried every known remedy without success, I set out about five years ago to learn first the true cause, and then get the help of the masses in curing it, if really we need a cure. By close observation, along with my almost every-day work with the bees, I have found out the true cause of pa- ralysis, which is as follows: It is caused by bees preparing themselves to feed larvje, and no larvae to feed, or not enough on which to bestow the amount of chyle, or prepared food, and the nurse-bees will not throw out or deposit this chyle, and soon the mixture of pollen and honey begins to ferment, or make the nurses sick; and it is owing to how much chyle they have prepared as to how bad the bees will be afifected. This discovery was made by closely watching the bees that happened to become stimulated out of season, or at times when queens were not laying, such as mov- ing bees in winter, or disturbing them in any way at such times as they ought to be quiet. What puzzled me most was that the Cyprian and Holy Land bees did not take paralysis at all, or very seldom at least, and these bees are such great breeders that the queens begin laying at the least excite- ment, in season or out of season, and fur- nish plenty of larva; on which the bees can use the prepared food, and consequently they are alwa3's health3'. Make a colony of Holy Land or Cyprian bees queenless, and they take laying workers in less than 24 hours, or before the nurse- bees begin to suffer with a suppl3' of prepared food. I have had hundreds of nuclei take paral- 3'sis when Italian bees were used, at times when there was an abundance of pollen coming in, and honey sufficient to stimulate brooding, and the Italian bees are not such great brooders, or so quick to take laying workers; hence the bees are diseased, be- cause the3' have no place to use the chyle, and soon swell up and die. It is ver3' evident that it is bees that de- sire brood, and which would be great nurses, that take paralysis worst; but the la3dng faculties, queens or workers, as the case may be, fail to suppl3' the brood, and colonies are affected just to the extent of prepared food not used, and this is why 718 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Aug. is there is so much difference, and so many stages of this malady. Changing queens has been recommended a great many times, and in many cases it proved effectual, inasmuch as the new queen would soon supply a different work- ing force, and the new queen perchance a better layer, and furnished more larvie to be fed. But in cases when the new queen was no better than the one taken out, the matter was not remedied, and paralysis kept on. If there are enough of the old bees left to start up a colony which have not been poi- soned by the chyle, when new honej' and pollen come in, then the queen is stimu- lated to a greater degree, and plenty of lar- vae are furnished to take up the food pre- pared by the nurses, and paralysis stops at once. Bees in cellars sometimes get ex- cited from different causes, and the bees at once begin preparing chyle, but the excite- ment does not last long enough for the queen to begin to lay, and disease begins, and sometimes nearlj' ruins the colony before brood-rearing begins. I have seen hun- dreds of Italian nuclei, which were queen- less and broodless, make queen-cell stubs all over the pollen portions of their combs, arid nearly all the bees swelled up with nurse food, and all soon die, because they had no place to use the food. Salt has been used as a remedy, but I know that it is not worth any thing, as paralysis is not really a disease, but onl}' a condition brought on by each individual colony, more or less, ac- cording to their several characteristics, or breeding propensities, out of seJ-son. I think that if bees could be placed in cellars without pollen, absolutely, there would nev- er be a single trace of paralysis, no differ- ence how much excitement they received. There is no such thing as paralysis being a catching disease, as there is nothing to catch, and a colony affected can be placed over a healthy one; and where there is brooding going on, and all is well, no more sickness or death from full and bloated stomachs will result. In 1880 I suggested to A. I. Root that I thought that pollen was the cause of what we then called the nameless bee-disease, and I came pretty close to it, but did not go far enough; as, certainly, if there was no pollen there would be no paralysis. Bee- keepers all over the land have just about used all the remedies, to my notion, and this, too, without knowing the cause; and that is, changing queens, placing sick colonies over well ones, etc. After once knowing the true cause, some practical apiarists over the land may be able to figure out a complete remedy. If paralysis were a disease, then the queens and drones would have it too, as they all sleep in the same room, eat at the same table, sip out of the same cup, as it were; but nothing except the workers are affected; and as drones and queens are bees, and it being mature bees that get sick, certainly all would be subject to the same affection; but there is no disease, and no danger of one colony catching it from another. If I had a few foul-broody colo- nies on which to experiment, and could get a place where there would be no danger of its getting spread to other bees, I would be glad to try my hand in ferreting out its. cause also; but as foul brood does not orig- inate in this countr}', and as there is no condition known under which foul brood could start in this region, I think it would be quite difficult to get at the cause unless one were where its origin is. Beeville, Tex. ■«#«» PHACELIA— HOW IT LOOKS. BY E. F. ZAHLER. I see several inquiries about phacelia. As I have a nice collection of flowers, also a book, "Wild Flowers of California," I will write you a few lines. Wild heliotrope, vervenia. — Phacelia ta- nacetifolia, Benth. Babj'-eyes, or water- leaf family. Stems. — One to three feet high; rough and hairy. Leaves. — Much divided. Flow- ers.— Bright violet to blue; in clustered, scorpioid racemes. Calyx-lobes. — Linear or linear-spatulate. Corolla. — Six lines long; style, two- cleft. Habit. — Throughout the western part of the State. The wild heliotrope is one of the most abundant flowers of mid-spring, especially in the South. It afl'ects the gravelly bank of streams or the sandy soil of mesas, or grows all along the railroad embankments, making great mounds of foliage, thickly sown with the bright violet-blue blossoms; or it rriay very often be seen clambering up through small shrubs, seeming to seek the support of their stiff branches. It is need- less to say that this is not a true heliotrope, but belongs to the closely allied genus Pha- celia. The specific name, " tanacetifolia," meaning " with tansy-like leaves," is more applicable to the variety tenuifolia, Thur- ber. Among the Spanish Californians it is known as vervenia. It is a very important honey-plant. P. Douglasii, Torr., is a species with lav- ender corolla, with much the aspect of the baby blue-ej^es. This is common in the western part of the State, south of Monte- rey, and is found sparingly north of that point. There is also — 1. Large-flowered phacelia, P. grandiflo- ra. This is the largest- flowered of all the phacelia. Llabit. — From Santa Barbara to San Diego. 2. Another, which resembles the above, is Phacelia viscida, wild Canterbury bell. 3. Phacelia whitlavia, Graj'. Habit. — Los Angeles to San Bernardino. It is one of the most charming flowers to be found an3'where. Another, which also resembles closely the above, is the Phacelia Parryi, Torr. If you wish, from the last four known, more particulars about leaves, flowers, etc.^ please let me know, as I am only too glad to answer the same. Napa, Cal., Feb. 1, 1903. 190i GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. ri9 KEEPING BEES UNDER SHEDS IN ARKANSAS. Advantages of Shedded Apiaries. BV I. S. ALEXANDER. When I came here the old shed was here, and it held 40 stands bj' crowding-; when I got it full I put a platform down for the stands as I would for a shed, but no roof- ing over it; no matter how good they were, I never got more than one super from them. But right in the shed, not ten feet away, I could get S to () supers and sometimes a super of extracting-frames. The new shed is about 30 feet in front of the old one. You can't see the workshop, which I wanted to show. The sheds run north and south, and the first (or front) shed was taken from the northeast corner. Our neighbor was working here. He was at my right. The two little girls were at my left, with the dog. The way he was standing was a mistake. Waldenburg, Ark., July 6. [In some localities where the sun is hot it is well to have the bees under sheds. In Arizona, California, and in some parts of Texas and in portions of the middle South- ern States, and in Cuba, shedded apiaries are used. In the first-mentioned State the sheds are made to run from east to west, so that, as the sun ries, the bees will be con- stantl}' in the shade. But I notice that our correspondent says his sheds are arrang- ed from north to south. In his locality there may be an advantage in that arrangement, because the bees get the full effect of the morning sun by 9 o'clock, and retain it till about 3 in the afternoon. But in hotter cli- mates, it is certainly much better to have them run east and west. There is one ad- vantage in keeping bees under a shed — they are more quiet to handle. A bee will sel- dom volunteer £in attack inside of an inclos- ure. All know how mad bees will follow one up to a doorway, and stop as soon as the pursued has passed inside. A. I. Root, when he visited Cuba, noted the fact that the bees were much more quiet under these sheds, and the cut of the Cuban apiary here reproduced will make the rea- son of this plain. The bees have no occa- sion for flying inside of the sheds; and the low projecting eves of the roof shut off to a great extent their view of any one inside; and if they do not see him, of course they will not volunteer an attack. I can not quite understand, however, why our correspondent gets so much more honey under the sheds than outside, unless the intense heat of the sun causes the bees to boil out of the hives and supers during the heat of the day, making them get into the habit of loafing rather than build comb and store honey. — Ed.] ai.kxani)i;k s bicic-shkd. 720 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Aug. 15 THE PROFESSIONAL BEE=KEEPER. Brood Next to Top-Bars; Chunk Honey. BY FR. GREINER. The filbert-bush has of late been mention- ed as a honey-plant; in fact, it has been recommended as such in the German bee- periodicals for many years. Dr. Dzierzon has often made much ado over it. It is en- tirely worthless for bee-forage. I have many large bushes on my farm, some in the bee-yard, but I have never seen a single bee work on the catkins, or the female blossoms, which latter are most inconspicu- ous. At this writing, March 19, the catkins are full of dust (pollen); and when jarring the bush the pollen will sift out. I fail to understand why the bees are not seen on the filbert when they are frequently found on the tag alder or swamp alder {Almis ru- bra), the nature of which is similar to the filbert. For bee- forage I would class the alder away ahead of the filbert, but not as good as willow. In other localities the fil- bert may be visited by bees, but not here. In Germany the woods are full of filbert- bushes. Well do I remember the fun we boys had gathering the nuts, filling all our pockets, etc. They were a treat and a lux- ury to us. Here we pay 20 cents a pound for them. Why not grow a few? They will do well in shady places. As to bees forming a circle around their queen, I want to add that, of course, this is not always the case. At times the queen is treated seemingly very disrespectfully — pushed about and run over; but quite fre- quently the bees behave in such a manner toward her. Say, Mr. Editor, did anybody inform you before that the professional bee-keeper has been called a "humbug" by some dis- gruntled friend in a certain small farm pa- per? I can not understand his motive. He continues thus: " Most of the would-be pro- fessionals get their living off their farms or in some other way." I wonder if it can not be possible that the gentleman is a lit- tle off. I know of some professionals who have not only paid for their homes from the proceeds of their bees, but have been ena- bled to put out orchards, drain their lands, and make many other improvements. Per- haps the gentleman is of the opinion that a bee-keeper is not a professional bee-keeper unless he lives on a little city lot and in a rented hut. I want to inform him that there are many professionals who live on large and small farms, raise their own fruits and vegetables, and even alfalfa and alsike or AInan, God made j'ou in his image. Will you put him and all humanity to shame? My friend explained to me that it was a hard thing for the wid- ow to require all these boj's to pay in ad- vance, but he feared she would have to do it. Our machine was done. I climbed into the seat beside the man who put it up, and round it whizzed on the trial trip. When awaj' over on the side of the race-course furthest from the factory, when every thing so far as I could see was all right, he jerked out an ejaculation, and stopped the machine so suddenly it nearlj^ pitched me over the dashboard. Somebody had forgot- ten to fasten one of the wheels securely. The wrench he wanted was over at the shop; but he called to a comrade who was whizzing past, and the wrench was at hand in almost no time. Besides the race-course test they have a steep incline on whicli the power to ascend a grade is tested. If a machine will go over this it is called up to standard in power. When I first looked at that incline it seemed to me that no machine could go up it. But up thej' went allying, and down again on the other side. Once in a while, however, a machine would be found defi- cient (we might say in wind); and when almost at the top it would have to back down again and go back to the hospital to have its wind mended. Oh if we could take weak and crippled human beings, and give them life and strength as they do these ma- chines, what a grand thing it would be! Let me digress again a little right here: The great Father above gave horses to humanitj' as beasts of burden. We do not know just what the horse was like when it came from the hand of God; but we do know that humanity, created in God's own image, grasped hold of the horse, as it were, and proceeded to fashion it according to his needs. See the trim light-footed racer; then contrast it with the heavy-limbed thick- set draft horse. And man did this fashion- ing. Now, it occurs to me that man has not only been able to fashion the bones and muscles, but I think he has had much to do with shaping the intelligence of the horse. Much has been said and written about frightening horses on the road with auto- mobiles; and as I write, after an experience of four weeks through Michigan on the auto, I have had something to do with meeting horses. I have not only learned about autos, but I have studied horses, and I think I have become better acquainted with them than ever before. One day in going down a gentle incline at a pretty good speed, Huber and I saw a bright young horse coming toward us across the valley. Of course, he pricked up his ears and ,' canned us critically. At first it was curi- osity on his part to know how a carriage could go at such speed as we were going, without a horse like himself to pull it. He was using his reason, or perhaps you may prefer to call it his "horse sense." Now, a cow or a pig or a sheep pays no attention to the swift-running auto at all. It is be- yond their comprehension, or it is none of their affair, perhaps, whether the carriage goes of itself or has a horse to pull it. Not so with the intelligent horse. He is keenly alive to any thing unusual or to any thing not easily explained by his horse sense. This horse of which I am speaking eyed us first with curiosity, then alarm. When he got a little nearer it was consternation; and when he decided it must be a specter or some sort of hobgoblin to go thus of it- self, his consternation turned to downright dismay and fright, and he started to flee in downright terror from the apparition. His owner may have called him a "fool." Some men swear at their horses just because the animals have this God-given intelligence that comes so near human knowledge. This is all wrong. I honor the horse be- cause of his inquiring mind, and because he is frightened and demoralized when a cow would see nothing to be troubled about at all. I have many times felt as if I should like to shake hands, not with the whole human race, but with the whole /wrse race. Huber was studying horses, like myself; and he finally suggested that if we would talk to the horses as we went by them they would be less afraid; and he succeeded nicely. When they heard a human voice coming from the machine in tones of kindness and sympathy they became reassured. When women were driving, and there seemed to be any trouble, I jumped out and led the horse past the machine. I never found a horse I could not lead close up to it by talk- ing to the animal and rubbing its nose to reassure it. Dozens of times people were unnecessarily' alarmed. They would jump out and hold the horse, Lead him up a steep bank, or off into the field, when he paid no attention to the machine whatever, and was evidently wondering what they were all making such a fuss about. When we turn- ed out as far as we could, and slowed down the powc", making the machine run as still and quietly as possible, not one horse in ten made any trouble. Now, this intelligence I have described, on the part of the horse, I believe is largely the result of man's work. People have been for ages breeding colts from mothers that showed unusual intelligence. There are horses that learn trades. We have one in our lumber-yard that pulls a car of lum- ber, then turns around of his own accord, and follows the car back. No one pays any attention to him, comparatively. But he is always on hand when a car is ready 732 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Aug. 15 to be pulled, and he knows just how to do the work. It would be as difficult to get another horse to take his place as to find a man on the spur of the moment to take the place of some of the experts in our manu- facturing rooms. Now, I have spoken of horses at length to illustrate the way in which man, as a crea- tor, takes hold of where God, as a creator, leaves off. I need not tell you what has been done with other animals, and with plants and fruits, as well as with horses. Luther Burbank, of California, has given us new things in the wa3' of fruits — creations that will probably be worth millions to the human family. Edison gave us our beauti- ful elec'ric lights and the wonderful phono- graph. I have wondered sometimes if I could comprehend the joy and satisfaction with which Edison, Burbank, and others see humanity reap the fruits of their toil. God said in the beginning, when he looked over his w^ork of creation, that it was good. He was satisfied. May I suggest with due reverence that he felt glad as we feel glad when our inventions become a success? In the eighth chapter of Proverbs, where the writer is speaking of wisdom, there is a strange expression: Then I was by him. as one brought up with him; and I was daily his delight, rejoicing; always before him: rejoicing in the habitable pan of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men. Let us now go back to that Olds automo- bile factory. I am not prepared to say that the Olds people made the first automobile. No one man man hardlj' ever made the first of any thing. Edison may have come ver}'^ near it; but I think I may safely say the Olds people were among the first, if not the first, to make a successful machine — one that can be duplicated and sent out by the hundreds and thousands, a moving beast of burden (built by men) of iron and steel. They have opened up a new era in the way of transportation. It saddens me to see that a large part of humanity look with a jealous ej'e on this innovation. A woman said in m.y hearing, "I don't see why these awful things are allowed to run over the countrj'." Before I could stop him, Huber flung back at her, " We have just as much right running over the country as you have." I told him that, even if this were true, we as Christian people should do ev- ery thing in our power to avoid annoying or troubling our fellow-men. Some amusing occurrences happen now and then. At a countr3' store where we stopped to get water, one of the crowd said, "You don't catch me riding after one of them things. Why, just a few days ago one of them got away from the fellow that run it, and got off into a man's doorj'ard; then it ran under the clothesline, scraped the people all out, and then went ransack- ing over the fields tearing down fences and every thing." When we got out of sight, Huber and I laughed until we felt sore over the sad tale, especially about running un- der the clothesline. One who has run an automobile knows it is utterly impossible for the machine to run with the driver out of his seat. And now, dear reader, in closing this long story may I express a wish that it has given you a glimpse that may induce you to love and reverence more God the Father and Creator? and that you may also love and have more charity for poor humanity, in- cluding also the horses and all these other great and wonderful gifts he has given us to fashion in a way to serve us best? And may my story help us so that, in using all these gifts, we may reconcile our differ- ences, and go forward with love and kind- ness in our hearts toward all, whether we drive this wonderful new creation, the auto- mobile, or whether we handle the faithful horse over the new and better roads that God is giving us throug/i the hands of hu- manity whom he has created, with the thought in his infinite mind of the things which, through his help, we may and are also creating. NOTES Of TRAVLt I. B^ : \.::~A..\.noor ' ^ I have alread3' mentioned our visit to Mr. H. Wilber's, at Morenci, Mich.; but I omitted to speak of the beautiful gloxinias grown by Mrs. Wilber in a north window of an ordinary farmhouse home. When I first saw them there was such a profusion of the gorgeous bloom that I thought they must be artificial flowers stuck in the rich black woods dirt to deceive people. If I remember correctly they were grown in a heavy square pasteboard box; but she hast- ened to bring them over to the dining-table where we were sitting, to convince me they were God's handiwork, and not the work of man. I have tried many times growing gloxinias in the greenhouse, but have al- ways failed, and I know that many green- house men find it quite difficult, especially to make such a brilliant success of it. I expect Mrs. W. to give us some instructions in regard to growing them, later on. Our invitation to call at the Wilber home was from a little girl. As her letter is brief I give it here. Dear Sir: — I am a little girl nine years old. I am Henry Wilber's grand-daughter. I thought I would write and ask you to come and see us on your wav to the cabin in the woods. Mamma and I go to Sunday- school every Sunday if I am not sick; and mamjna likes to read your Home talks in Gle.^nings. ISIiss Vera Wilber. We made a rather longer stop at friend Wilber's, and also at O. M. Jefferson's, at Pittsford, Mich., because of some needed repairs to our machine. I have already mentioned burning out the packing to the cylinder because a rubber tube swung against a brass cock and wore a hole through it. I think this fault has been 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 733 remedied by the makers already. The packing- we got at the hardware stores was not suitable for standing- such a degree of heat, so we had to replace it at Pittsford. Both of our bee-keeping friends seemeJ to be well pleased at having us make a long- er stop. I might mention here that the first time we put in new packing we made nearly half a day's job of it. The next time we did it in about an hour, and I think we could do it now in considerably less time than that. When we got to the factory at Lansing we found that thry had recently got hold of a packing that would stand the heat better, even if the w^ater did get out. Friend Jeflferson is in many respects a remarkable man, and, in fact, I don't know but I might saj' that of almost all the bee- keepers. They are progressive, well-in- formed men, and, almost without exception, men of good habits. As we were over Sunday at Pittsford, I talked to the children briefly about the missionary work in Cuba, or, rather, the vast held for missionarj' work, and closed with one verse from "What a Friend we have in Jesus," in Spanish. For such a small town the church was remarkably well filled, and we were favored with a sermon far beyond what we might expect in such a little country town. At Hudson, Mich., we called briefly on Mr. E. E. Smith. Mrs. Smith is not quite so much of an enthusiast on bee-keeping as her husband; and when I suggested that bees, like berries, were one of Uod's gifts, she ventured the remark that, while God gives the berries, without doubt, sometimes she was inclined to think that he didn't have any thing to do with bees. She prob- ably referred to the stings. After Huber had taken her for a short ride on the auto- mobile I think she was inclined to agree with me that it was certainly one of God's latest gifts. We made a short call on our afflicted veteran in bee culture, H. D. Cutting, at Tecumseh. Mich., who is at present en- tirely blind. Even with this great afflic- tion, however, he has his old genial hearty wa}', and seems comparatively happy and contented; and if any thing could atone for his loss of sight he has it in a large de- gree in his beautiful home, and wife and children. When I asked him how he kept busy he showed me his garden, and espe- cially his peach-trees that he is caring for. It made me think of my own peach-orchard where I love to work so much around the cabin in the woods; but may God help me if I ever have to bear such a cross as does friend Cutting. Charles S. Foote, of Kidgeway, near Te- cumseh, has also a most beautiful home and family; and although he is holding one or more public offices he is quite a suc- cessful bee-keeper. He is successor to his wife's father, the late John T. Temple. Milan, Mich., the home of Mr. M. Vin- cent, is quite a pretty little country town. Down near the river they have artesian wells that elevate the water eight or ten feet above the surface of the river. By the use of hydraulic rams the water is raised into tanks to supply the town. In passing through his very pretty garden and apiary Huber was stung on the neck. This would be a very small matter were it not for the fact that, whenever he is stung, the poison almost always threatens to interfere with his breathing apparatus. Perhaps I might explain here that, while bee-stings have for years troubled me less than mosquito-bites, Mrs. Root has never yet in all the years past, while we have had so much to do with bees, become so immune to the effects of the poison but that a single sting gen- erally makes her sick. While I still think she might in time, by repeated stings, get so that it would not aftect her, we have for years thought best to prevent her being stung as much as possible. Ernest had a similar experience when he first began working with bees, but now they seldom trouble him more than they do myself. Huber seems to take after his mother; and since the experience at friend Vincent's I have thought best to have him keep away from the bees unless well protected by a veil. When the effects of the sting seem to interfere with the breathing I think it's best to use caution, and I presume every one should know that several deaths have occurred from being stung on the neck in such a way that the swelling closes the air- passages. Huber was in such distress for a time that we were glad to call in a doc- tor whose office was only next door. Per- haps as much was due to the kind motherly offices of Mrs. Vincent as to the doctor. We had a very pleasant visit at the old home of our Mr. Arthur L. Boyden, Secre- tary of The A. I. Root Co , and joint part- ner with Blue Eyes in possessing the two youngest grandsons that I told you about. We spent the night at Mr. Ralph Boyden's, Chelsea, Mich. Mr. B. has a flowing well that fills a barrel in just 20 seconds. It will send this volume of water 8 feet above the surface. When they were talking about piping it to the barn across the road, the man who drilled the well said he would sink another well over by the barn for less than the pipe would cost that would carry it across, and he did so. These two wells are on an elevation perhaps twelve or fif- teen feet higher than a muck swamp where onions are grown very successfully; and I was surprised to learn that no thrips, smut, rot, nor any other disease or insect enemy has ever prevented them from u^etting a fine crop. The onion land in this vicinity, it seems to me, offers wonderful facilities to onion-growcs. At Grass Lake, Jackson Co., we were right in the midst of the huckleberry har- vest. We were told that, the day before, 50 bushels had been gathered and shipped. I might add here that the huckleberry in- dustry flourishes more or less almost all over Michigan. It gives employment to 734 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Aug. 15 thousands of people for many weeks. At Grass Lake they said that a woman and her little girl made S4.50 in a day picking berries. W. D. Soper, near Jackson, Mich., is one of the veterans in our ranks. Besides the bees, he is quite a strawberry-man, and has a considerable farm. The auto- mobile, with its back seat for the children, proved quite entertaining wherever we went. Alma, Mich., is a very pretty and pro- gressive town. Its principal wealth is the result of the active work of a millionaire, now 80 j'ears old, or more, though still ac- tive and full of business. We are greatly indebted to Mr. Wyman Stanton for show- ing us around, and explaining things to us by the use of a beautiful up-to-date gravel road, on which we could make a mile in three minutes without any trouble. After we had entertained the Stanton children with the automobile, they entertained us with music on the organ while we partook of an excellent supper. One of his little girls, I should say not more than ten or twelve years old, played some marches that I had either heard years ago or else something much like them, that made me thank God again and again for the glimpses he has seen fit to give me of the rural homes throughout pur land. I looked at the child in mute wonder that it was possible for one so young to touch the keys with such won- drous skill and feeling. I often feel sad to think I can't appreciate classical music; but I don't feel sad a bit when I realize how much I enjoy hearing the children play, especially where childish voices are mingled with the childish effort on the in- strument. P'riend Stanton expects to give his chil- dren a musical education; but I am really afraid that I should enjoy their playing more as it is now than after they have been to the schools. Queens == 1903 == Queens. We have ten different yards five to twenty miles apart, where Italians, Cyprians, Holylaiids, Carnio- lans, and Albinos, are bred for business. Tested queens, $1..50; 88.00 for 6; $15.00 per dozen. Untested, $1.00 each; $.5.00 for 6 ; 89.00 per dozen. Our best and finest breeders, $5.00 each. One and two frame nuclei a specially. Bees and Queens in any quantity to suit purcha.ser. Safe arrival and reasonable satisfaction guaranteed. ORDER "The Southland Queen," $1,00 per year. Send for sample copy and our 1903 catalog; tells how to raise queens and keep bees for profit. Root's Supplies. The Jennie Atchley Co., Box 18, Beeville, Tex. Red Clover and Three and Five- Banded Queens. Untested, 65 cts.; 2 for $1.00. Fine tested queens, $1.00 each. Remember we guarantee our queens to work red clover as well as white clover. Get my circular. Plenty of queens, and go by return mail. Fifty and one hundred, special prices. a. ROUTZAHN, BIQLERVILLE, ROUTE 3. PENN. Long Tongues Valuable South as well as North. How Moore's strain of Italians roll in honey down in Texas. Hutto, Tex., Nov. 19, 1902. J. P. Moore. — Dear Sir: — I wish to write you in re- gard to queens purchased of you. I could have writ- ten sooner, but I wanted to test them thoroughly and see if they had those remarkable qualities of a three- banded Italian bee. I must confess to > ou I am more surprised every day as I watch them. They simply "roll the honey in." Itseems that they get honey where others are idle or trying to rob; anci for gentle- ness of handling, I have never seen the like, hriend E. K. Root was right when he said j-our bees have the longest tongues; for they get honey where others fail. I will express my thanks for such queens. I am more than pleased. I will stock my out-apiaries next spring with your queens. Yours trulj', Henry Schmidt. The above is pretty strong evidence that red clover is not the only plant which requires long tongued bees to secure the greatest quantity of nectar. Daughters of my 23-100 breeder, the prize-winner, and other choice breeders : Untested, 7oc each; six, $4.00; dozen, 87.50. Select untested, $1. CO each; six, $5; dozen, $9.00. Safe arrival and satisfaction guaran- teed. Circular free. I am now filling orders by re- turn mail, and shall probably be able to do so till the close of the season. J. P. Moore, L. Box I, Morgan, Kentucky. Pendleton County. Laws' Leather-colored Queens. Laws' Improved Golden Queens. Laws' Holy Land Queens. W. H. Laws. — Your queens have proved to be excel- lent. My apiary stocked with your 2>ai'/^^r queens are a sight to behold during a honey-flow, and the Goldens are beyond description in the line of beauty, \ours are the best for comb honey I ever saw. I want more this spring. — E. A. Ribble, Roxton, Tex., Feb. ig, igoj. IV. H. Laws: — The 75 queens (l,eather) from you are dandies. I introduced one into a weak nucleus in May, and in September I took 285 lbs. of honey, leav- ing 48 lbs for winter. My crop of honey last season was 48,000 lbs. I write you for prices on 50 nuclei and 1.50 L,eather queens.— ^/oi^/A Farnsworth, Idaho Falls, Idaho, Feb. i6, igoj. Prices of Queens: Each, 81.00; 12, $10.00. Breeders, extra fine, guaranteed, each $;xOO. Send for price list. W. H. Laws, Beeville, Texas. The Best Honey Queens ON RECORD Are those reared by The HONEY & BEE CO., Will Atchley, Manager. We breed six distinct races in their purity, from 6 to 3.5 miles apart, queens ready to go now. We make a specialty of one, two, and three frame nuclei and queens in large lots. Write for prices, they will astonish you. Untested queens of either race. 7.5c each; $4.25 for six; $8.00 per dozen. Tested, 81.50 to $:5 00 each. Breeders, the best that money can buy, 85 00 each. We guarantee safe arrival and perfect satisfaction. Address all orders to The BEE & HONEY CO., Beeville, Box 79. Bee Co., Tex. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 735 Pnd of the Season Problems are discussed by such mem as R. L. Tay- lor, H. R. Boardman, M. A. Gill and Jas. A. Green, in the Julj^ and August issues of the Bee-Keepers' Review. Send ten cents for these two issues, and another different issue will be sent with them, and the ten cents may apply on any subscription sent in during- the year. A coupon will be sent entitling the holder to the Review one year for only QO cts. W. Z. Hutchinson, Flint, Mich. Golden Italian & Leather Colored QUEENS Warranted to give satisfaction, those are the kind reared by QuIrin-the=Queen=Breeder. We guarantee every queen sent out to please you, or it may be returned inside of (iO days and another will be sent "gratis." Our business was estafjlished in lS8Si, our stock originated from the best and highest-priced Long-tongued Red=cIover Breeders in the U. S. We send out fine queens, and send them promptly. We guarantee safe delivery to any State, continental island, or European Country. The A. I. Root Co. tells us that our stock is extra fine, while the editor of the American Bee Journal says that he has good reports from our stock, from time to time. Dr. J. X,. Gandy, of Humboldt, Nebr., says that he secured over JOO pounds of honey (mostly comb), from single colonies containing our queens! A FEW TESTinONIALS. P. F. Meritt. of No. 13 Breckenridge St., I,ex- ington. Ky.. writes: The bees sent me last July did splendidly. Each colony has at least 75 lbs. of honey — pretty good for two-frame nuclei. Mr. J. Roorda, of Demotte, Ind., writes: Send me six more queens, the 48 sent me last spring are hustlers. Mr. Wm. Smiley, of Glasgow, Pa , writes: Your bees beat all the rest, now send me a breed- er of the same kind. A. Norton, Monterey. Calif., writes: Your stock excels the strain of Nir. , which is said to outstrip all others. Your stock excels in profit- able results as well as in beauty. Price of Queens After July First. 1 6 12 Selected $ 75 1 00 1 50 3 00 2 00 %\ 00 500 8 00 |7 00 9 00 Tested Select Tested Extra Selected Tested— the best that money can buy Two-frame Nuclei, no Queen Add the price of whatever queen is w^anted to that of nuclei. Our nuclei build up fast, and if not pur- chased too late will make some surplus. Queen-rearing is our specialty; we give it our undivided attention, and rear as many queens (perhaps morel as any breeder in the North. No order is too large for us, as we keep 300 to 500 on hand ready to mail. Send all orders to Quirin=the=Queen=Breeder, Parkertown, OHIO. [Ho! Attention! We are again rearing the best of queens for market. We have 1000 colonies of bees, the best stock, and lo vears' experience. We have either Golden Italians or three banders. Price. 75 cts. each; «'4.25 tor 6; jS 00 for 12; tested, $1.50. Safe arrival and satisfaction. Give us a trial. All orders f.l'.cd promptly. a Ci e:x^s be:e:-k We k'ep a large stock of honej'-cans of all sizes ready for prompt shipm'-nt':. Get We also want all the section and hulk comb honey that we tan buy, and will tak 1 extrncte6e Hyde Bee Company, Floresville, Texas. (Sucijc.^^ois to (). 1". IUh'.c ^: Sun.) Oc °* .CO «- ccc " ®(0 = CO as " = (0 >< 03 CO C9 0-— : •- TO Oco O? i: Q)i^ CD £0 CD c o« £3-32 O O o o ■ o I e O « o Z CA CA WJ yj "J WJ ™ .^ . = =-?£ S-3 o ^ iiis >>t« •^ ^ fa 0- V) *n £?■ 6£ o boo •En: a? g >^ 5 tr. ^ rtt3 ■X: " ^5 2 J! t« « 1- aw H 0 p.? •5 — c u x: c ^- iM VI be « -2.2: o'C oc ac'c'-Bii ^5-;;'-^ 2 » 5it;;:s S'Ei' " « « = S k > S ■5 o- >., 't;-- ^ I 11 1; O t' U O O o, Z 5 o ♦J o. c m o .t A- II rt o 3 CO II 0! rt 2 C o ^ J3 't: -x; " '^ !^^ c E c 3 O C C 5o - c'si ° = i sill ° ".o^'.. n i; be u UJ u J=£ & 3 '^ p^ ffl rt 11 £ > 1 cr 1; 5 ^ ■a s CL c s x> £ «^ o^ "v. ■" »i ^ -^ "^ t.'^^^ *^ u s - = c-;: j/i; n^ I' fc n vi'a. ^ - 2
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Q "-a ^ g re rt or; 2 0 ^ c * S 0 (U t/f o « ~ ^c 8! a = „ a 5 "■cxx (ACB a C C^--; 0 r.5 8 °P^5'-^!S« -J V fi ^ C ff • 2 ^ 0 -• r ^. c s- "^ 3^ u r, s <^ ?, C3 0 3 1-250) Stf ,S v ID a 0 en •'^"0 !fl o-Wear i-Order ssware g Goods lery 0 a> 3 0. 4> cd bfl a a) 5e S'a _ * a 0 ■c 0 -la. 0 S 'J. •S S K»,,'S« t) 2 5 a .i^l ^> A 11 a 0-3 a P a.S-S !< 0 WE At Low oii |8 0 0 X) !a _ M i" u a V- icyt les icycle Sundr oots and Sho loaks, Suits, locks lothing, Reai lothing, Mad rockery and urnishing G< urniture roceries uns and Spo artless and S ats and Caps •51 S5S 3 illinery ackintoshes oving-Pictur usical Instru ■u 0 0 n '-1 ■3. a a! «2? 0 1) M u ;wing-Machi liirts, Men's ; loves and Ra alking Mach ranks and Si ehicles of Kv a u V ■0 6 ■ji "5 r- < B 5 X ^- t/3 ■^73 JJt/3 a a hfl "on - s u 35 = civ u O r- cj ec " -^ u *J tw^ ="3 'SI k- /; i- ^ I- ^ , t; u 'H 1- 1/ I- _, '- >■ - I- 'J i o 0.43 a o i; ;i; cd u ^ «<>tfj 55 g t: = ^- , 'I i^ 3 ■« 3 2 js' vr^ O' ■- - I/I jK « o ,„ •= § .y '-' r i-i 5 - -^ 3 hr^ ^ o S ~ -x ST s -^ 3 •s lis" If o qS Co >id oO - ; 5 > ■ ~ -c 5 jj rt u 2 5^, .w tA £ .J! X 013 c S ■j< o a 5 c •' O 3 II - i;S=X3|a . _. U) (5 w U 0/ ^ -•o 'J V >- -' o ■^n^ I' ra y T ■- < 2 'a" . ■5 3 CO 'H ^--^ CO CS O ^3 l£-3SiS^3|-^|££r--5-5^^r55l^ CQ • S 3 V 3 2 3 a & o n j: ■ ©To'"' c •- <0^ O 3 >^ £?. a W "^S '-' ••^ 3"" V E 3 ^T3 t/: O (T, (It C '-'< cam r u M - b ■::( oift r' - - •z: ^ t V £-3 CQ -I Ol:| O.'ft u 3 = -^t O^ 3^- S J^ o. . ■ 1- "-^i r> - Qj *^ S3^5^i r^ ^ES==c-^ = «._r^ "5 *•> I§3 = -= CfP 1 »^im . -— «^-i:s ~io.^_,--'U;-. ii 0 **- = « 3 ? =^tr ^.r--"^ 0 -■ ■^ C .^' '^ ^ "s '^ Ji - j: u c •^, ■■'-'? '.^ "H. S _ rt 3_ • rt 3 3 o C ■t305:u3i;-c<: J u- ^ co-r > S a ■ ■- ■^- ^ '^ ; aj.2 i;-" ^5: 2 .'o 0) 0 'Jl QL 9^ 0 _ 0 i| ^ "S U 3 0 c • •*- <=5 3. V 4-» IS 3 1- 0 0 0^ Q « 0 65 3 "■ 10 0 0 c tr 3 a 0 I. ii 6 -es, etc., are being prepar- ed, and will appear in our Sept. 1st issue. Copies will be mailed to those interested on application, as soon as ready We are planning to issue our complete cat- alog, with revised prices, in September. CARTONS .•\DVANCED. Increased cost of strawboard has advanced the cost of cartons to us nearly .50 per cent over what we paid a year or two ago and we are obliged to advance all prices $1..50 per lOOO in (|uantities large or small. This applies to Ihe folding carton with or without tape han- dles, but not to the Danzenbaker carton, which we will still supply at the old prices. Farm Wagon only $21.95. In order to introduce their L,ow Metal Wheels with wide Tires, the Empire Manufacturing Company, Quincy. 111., have placed upon the market a Farmer's Handy Wagon, that is only 25 inches high, fitted with 2-1 and 80 inch whee s with 4-inch tiie, and sold for only $21.95. This wagon is made of the best material throughout, and really costs but a trifle more than a set of new whef Is. and fully guaranteed for one year. Catalog giving a full description will be mailed upon applica- tion by the Kmpire Manufacturing Co., Quincy, 111., who will also furrish metal wheels at low prices made any size and width of tire to fit any axle. Frui! & Ornamental, Shrubs, Roses, Bulbs and Plants. CataloKue JJo.1,112 pages, ;e to [jurcliasers of Fruit and Ornamental Trees. No. 3,64 pages, to buyers of Holland Bulbs and Green- houxe plants. Try us, satisfaction guaranteed Correspondence solicited. 50th year. 44 greenhouses. 1000 acres. THE STORRS & HARRISON CO., PAINESVILLE, OHIO. 4,000,000 PEACH TREES TENNESSEE WHOLESALE NURSERIES. June Buds a Specialty. Njo agents traveled, but sell direct to planters at wholesale prices. Absolutely free from diseases, and true to ii-ame. Write lis for catalog and prices before placing your order elsewhere. We guarantee our stock to be true to name. L,argest peach nursery in the world. Address J. C. HALE. Winchester, Tenn. Extension A.xle Nuts IH^^lM Make old bugg>- run like a new one. Sure "♦ '- S cure for wabbles and rattles. Quick seller ■"^N^r and very profitable. Agents lyanted. Hardware Specialty Co., Box 129, Pootiac, Mich. FOR SALE.— 75 colonies Italian bees in 10-frame hives; also 100 colonies in 8-frame hives at $150 each; in lots of 10, $1.00 each. K A Gr.^y, Redwood Falls, Minn. For Sale. — 5000 lbs. fine clo' er comb honey, pro- duced with separator; also 3000 lbs. extracted, in (iO-lb. cans, thick. John C. Stewart, Hopkins, Mo. Wanted — Comb and extracted honey; state price, kind, and quantity. I, H. Robey, Worthington, W. Va. A few hybrid queens for sale at 30 cts. each. T. N. Briggs, Marion, Mass. Hybrids at 15 cts., and mismated at 25 cts., for sale by C. G. Fenn, Washington, Conn. THE BEST FRUIT PAPER Southern Fruit Grower CHATTANOOGA, TENN. Every grower of Fruits and Veget- ables should read it. Only 50 cents a year. Splendid advertising- medium. Sample copy free. 1903 •annxinD 33a ni soNiNV3qo 471 Queens from Jamaica ANY DAY IN TIIK Y];AR AT THE FOL,LO\VINc; PRIClvS: Untested. ()(>c; tested, $1 IX); select tested, $1 .V); breeders, $2 50. Our queens are reared from the very finest strains Please write your address plainly wlien ordering. Address Geo. W. Phillips, ^"^■^-^^r„;a^^i.vv.,. ITALIAN BEES FOR SALE I Full colonics $1. CO; three frames with quoen, S-'io; two frames with queen 82.00; one frame. 81 •'>(); queen, $1.00. Mrs. A. A. Simpson, Swarts, Pa. Warranted Queens. L. II. Robey, Dear Sir: — Knclosed find one dollar and twenty cents ($1 20) for which you will please send me two ("i) warranted queens. The queens you sent me last year have proved to be excellent. I introduced one into a three- frame nucleus on Aug. 22, 1902, and on Aug. 25. liXW. I took 228 lbs. of comb honey, leaving 10 IIofT- nian frames in the brood-chamber for the coming winter: that is very good for a nucleus. Be sure to g^ive my street number, 525 Dakota St., for the queens you sent me las' year were carried to another Wm. Zimmerman, and I did not get them until the next day. Wm. Zimmekman. San Antonio, Texas. Warranted queens, 60 cts. each in any qtiantitj'. Satisfaction guaranteed or monev refunded. L. H ROBEY, WORTHINGTON, W. VA. Circular Free. Q llPPn ^ ^'^ liustling beauties, bred for business *^*'*'*'^ from choice honey-gathering strains; ;i banded and golden Italian, for the rest of this sea- son, »5 cts. each, $(i per dozen; tested, 85 cts. each. Safe arrival and satisfaction guaranteed. KARL Y. .S.\FFORD, Salem, N. \^ piNE QUEENS FROH THE BLACK HILL APIARIES ■^ Golden and Long- tongue. Write for 'price list. Reference. C F. Davidson er 1000; or by'mail, 25c per 100 extra. W. L. Phillips, 21.S5 Roosevelt St., Indianapolis, Ind. Wants and Exchange. W ANTED. — To sell bees and queens. O. H. HVATT, Shetiandoah, Iowa. w .ANTED. — Comb and extracted honey. .See honey column. Gleason & Lansing. Buffalo. N. Y. w w ANTED.— To sell fine job-printing outfit, nearly new. J. W. Stebbins, Broad Creek, Va. ANTED.— Bees, for fine lot at Ro.semere Park, L. I. John H. Rising, Gaskill, N. Y. w ANTED. — Plymouth Rocks and Minorca pullets. Give strain and prices. J. B Enos, Charleroi, Pa. V^ANTED. — A parin rinthebee busine.'s, box fac- '' tory, and a p .i. nt bee-hive. D. S. Hall, So. Cabot, Vt. w w ANTED.— Simplicity or Ileddon hives and supers. State lowest cash price. E. Britbaker, 14 N. 3d Street, Philadelphia, Pa. ANTED —To exchange nice young Italian queens for honey. Correspondence solicited. James Wood, North Dana, Mass. ANTED.— Honey or any kind of syrup suitable for summer feeding. Frank T. Hooper, E. Downingtown. Chester Co., Pa. ANTED.- Your address on a postal for a little book on Queen-Rearing. .Sent free. Address Hknky Alley, Wenham, Mass. VyANTED.— Old postage stamps, especially foreign. '"^ .Send list of what you have to offer and price asked with samples. A. L. Boyden, Medina, Ohio. w w w ANTED.— To exchange modern firearms for old gold watches and solid gold jewelry of any kind. W. S. Ammon, keacing. Pa. W^ VyANTED.— To exchange Belgian hares for Dov'd ^' hives, wired brood-frames, extractor, nuclei, or full colonies of bees. S. C. Jones, Alplaus, N. Y. VyANTED. — To sell Foxhound puppies and dogs, '' Hovey strain, some Cocker Spaniel, finely bred. Write for prices. W. H. Gifford, 151 Franklin .St., Auburn, N. Y. AVTANTED.— To .sell Novice Extractor, which, on ac- '" count of death and change of busines ;, I shall have to sell. Has been used only once, and will be sold at a bargain. Joe. S. Wise, Hazlehurst, Miss. VyANTED,— To exchange copv of New Yoik Herald, "' April 15. 1865, in good condition, containing de- tailed particulars of President Lincoln's assassination. Best offer gets it. Eli.^s Fox. Hillsboro, Wis. /'ANTED. — To sell for cash, 5-gal. square tin cans, used for honey, at about half price of new cans. For prices, etc., address Orel L- Hershiser, 301 Huntington Ave., Buffalo, N. Y. \y ANTED. — To exchange postage stamps with collec- ' ' tors, especidllj' in West Indies, Europe, Bri ish col- onies, Mexico, and United .States. State what you have to offer and what you want in exchange. A. L. Boy'den, Medina, Ohio. \yANTKD — The address of even,- bee-keeper that '' makes his own hives The " Kold Klimate " bee- hive makes the best outside case in the world for win- tering bees in any kind of hives. D. S. Hall, So. Cabot, Vt. lyANTED.- Tosell, for 65 cents each, choice untest- ^' ed queens, reared fn^m selected mothers, the Carniolan-Italian cross — the coming bee for comb honev. A trial order will convinc-" you. Satisfaction guaranteed. L- H. Perry, Clay, N Y. WANTED.— To sell my Sable and White .Scotch Col- lie dog, one year old, elitible to register, good farm dog, easily taught, good with children, very af- fectionate: thor'oughlv house-broken, and very hand- some. Price, cash. $20 (K), or will take $2-'i.0O in' honey. F. N. Chamberlain, Tyngsboro. Mass. VL ANTED.— We want to send a catalog free, of the ^^ Ko er Well-drilling machine to anybody who needs a well at his house, barn, or fields. Especially for dome.stic well-making. The farmer's friend, two or more buving and doing their own well-making when other "work is not pressing. Cheapest by half, and the most practical of any. Best money-maker on the market. J. J. KoGER & Sons, Moorcsburg, Tenn. WANTED.— To sell bv 15th of December, 2J0 acres of land, 5H miles southwest of Harrisburg. the county seat of Poinsett Co., about 40 acres in cultiva- tion; small orchard, good water, log buildings; good stock and bee range; balance of land well timbered ; cross-ties, saw timbsr, etc. Mild winters ; good title. Price $l.'iP0.00 cash. The price will double in a few years. Will sell mv bees and live slock at a reasona- ble price. For further information call on address A. L. Johns, Harrisburg, Ark. 742 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Aug. 15 PACE «c LYON, New Londcn, Wisconsin. MANUFACTURERS OF AND DEALERS IN . . . BEE-KEEPERS' i SUPPLIES. ... I 4 Send for Our Free New Illustrated § ^ Catalog and Price List ^ We Have Not rioved. The government, recognizing the necessity of a great and growing bus- iness enterprise, for better mail ser- vice has given us a postoffice on our premises, which enables us to change mails with the passing trains instead of through the Wetumpka, Alabama, postoffice more than a mile distant. This gives us our mails about two hours earlier, and also one hour for making up outgoing mail. This will be particularly helpful in our queen business. We are now booking or- ders for Italian queens, I,ong-tongued and I,eather-colored; both good. J. n. Jenkins, Honeysuckle, Alabama. Shipping=point and Money=order Office at Wetumpka, Alabama. KretcHmer M*f* ^ Company, Box OO, Red O&K, Iowa. I Bi^st-equipped factory in the West; carry a L.rge stut-k and greatest variety of every thiiitc needed in the apiary, assuring BEST goods at the LOWEST prices, and prompt shipment. We want every bee-keeper to have our FKLE lELUSTKATED CATALOfi, and rpad despr'puon of Alternating Hives, Ferguson bupers. H^'rite at once for catalog. A.^ei\cies. Trester Supply Company, Lincoln, Neb. Shngart & Ouren, Coiuiril Bluffs, Iowa, Foster Lumber Company, Lamar, Colo. BINGHAM SMOKER. Dear Si^^— Inclosed find $1.75. Please send one brass smoke-engine. I h.ive one already. It is tho best smokur I everused. Trulv yours, Henbt Schmidt, Hutto, Tex. MADE TO ORDER Bingham Brass Smokers. Made of sheet brass, which does not rust or burn out; should last a lifetime. You need one, but they cost 'lb cts. more than tin of the same size. The little open cut shows our brass hinge put on the three larger sizes. No wonder Bingham's four-inch smoke-engine goes without puffing, and does not drop inky drops. The perforat- ed steel fire-grate hasS.Sl holes to air the fuel and support the fire. Hea\-y tin smoke-engine, 4:inch stove, per mail, $1.50; 3^2-inch, $1.10; 3-inch. $1.00; 2!^-inch, 90c; 2-inch, ()5c. Bingham smokers are the oriijinals, and have all the improvement.s, and have been the standard of excellence for 23 years. Only three larger ones brass. T. F. Bingham, Farwell, Michigan. Volume XXXI SEPTEMBER ! l^r BEE CULTUp Market Quotations 747 Straws, by Dr. Miller... 751 Pickings, by Stenog- 752 Conversations with Doo little... 754 Editorials 755 m>l Good Time to Requeen 7o5 ' *^* Entraucecoiitractiiig in the Fall 75.i Photos and Illustrations ToG The Weather and Red Clover 756 Introducing Two Virgins at a Time 756 General Correspondence 758 Reading Bee Journals 758 Golden Italians 759 Bee Sifter-. ..759 Wiring Frames 759 Parthenogenesis 761 Carl Theodore Siebold.... 763 Heads of Grain...... 764 _, Another Bee-brush 764 Feeding Back Extracted Honey 764 ' Hoffman and other Self-spacing Frames ..764 ' Bee-keeping in Oklahoma 765 Apiary of Van de Mark 7(j6 „■ Bee Stings, Remedy for 767 Bees Stoiing Below Brood 767 Mack's Burr-comb Tool...; 767 Company that Insures Bees 7tj7 Solitary Bees 767 Poisoning okunks 7(i8 Bee Gl< ves 768 A. I. koot aud his Cuban 's 7(;s Our HciMES 771 iSiOTES OF Travel 770 Special Notices N;' ^^BB^^>; The A.I. e MEDINA Root Ci OHIO 3 Eastern Edition. Entered at the Postokfice .\t MrnrNA, Ohio, as Second-class Matter. QUEENS! BY RETURN MAIL. We are now breeding- from three dis- tinct strains ; viz., Imported or leather color, Root's long-tongued, or. red-clo- ver strain, and our old strain of white- banded yellow Italians, or albinos. AUG. AND SEPT. PRICES : Tested, each Si 25 Select tested, each 1 50 Warranted purely mated, each.... 75 Same, per half dozen 4 25 Same, per dozen 8 00 Untested, each 65 Same, per half dozen 3 75 Same, per dozen 7 00 We have also a full line of bee-keep- ers' supplies including The A. I. Root Company's Goods, Root's Sections and Weed's Foundation a Specialty. Send for oar 32- page illustrated catalog. V. Gary & Son, Lyonsville, Mass. Northeastern and New England Bee = Keepers! Order goods now. Don't delay. Have them ready when you need them. We keep a full line in stock at Medina prices. Save both time and freight by order- ing of us. Beeswax want- ed. Bees and queens fur- nished in season. J. B. MASON, Mechanic Falls, Maine. Manager The A. I. Root Co.'s N. E. Agency. TORONTO is the most centrally located city in the Do- minion. It has unequaled shipping facil- ities for prompt transportation of goods to remote points. We have already in stock large consignments of the celebrated line of R.oot*s Bee-Keepers' Supplies and other shipments will be coming for- ward from time to time. Our jcatalog is ready for mailing. Let us figure with you. -THE E. GRAINGER ®. CO. 12 Yontfe Street A.rcade. Special Notice to Bee=keepers ! BOSTON Money In Bees for You. Catalog Price on ROOT'S SUPPLIES Catalog for the Asking. P. H. Farmer, 182 Friend St., Boston, Mass. Up First Flight. DANZ. HIVE The comb-lioney hive is one of our specialties. Send for booklet telling about it. We are the jobbing agents for The A. I. Root Company in Michigan, and want the name and address of every bee- keeper in the State, whether you have one swarm or 500. M. H. Hunt & Son Bell Branch, Mich. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 747 Honey Market. GRADING-RTn.ES. Fanot.— All sections to be well filled, oombs straight, firm ]y attached to nil four sides, the combs uusoiled by travel stain or otherwise ; i\ll tlie cells sealed exceut an occasional cell, the outside surface of the wood wi'll scraped of propolis A No 1.— All sections well filled except the row of cells next to the wood ; combs straight ; one-eighth part of comb surface soiled, or the en tire surf ace slightly soiled the out side of the wood well scraped of proi>olis. No.l.— All sections well filled except the row of cells next to the wood ; combs comparatively even ; one-eighth part of comb surface soiled, or the entire surface sliglitly soiled. No. 2.— Three-fourths of the total surface must be filled and sealed. No. 3.— Must weigh at least half as much as a full-weight section. In addition to this the honey is to be classified according to color, using the terras white, aml)er, and dark; that is, there will be " fancy White," " No. 1 Dark," etc S.AN Francisco. — Honey, new comb, per lb., white, 13@14; li^ht amber. 12^&'13. Extracted, water-white, ()aBJ4; light amber, 5J/2@0; dark amber, nominal. Beeswax. 82c. Ernest B. Schaeffle, Aug. 11. Murphys, Cal. Schenectady. — We have received a number sam- ple lots of new white comb and extracted honey. Prodiicer.s think the should get l-iral.5c for comb, aiid tiiVi" for extracted, bitt it is yet too early to determine whether or not these prices can be realized. Chas. McCulloch, Aug. I"-'. Schenectady, N. Y. Boston. — There is a little better demand for comb honey. Prices ranging about Itic for fancy while. Practically no stock to speak of as the new crop has hardly commenced to move. Extracted honey ranges from (j@7}4, according to qualitj', with but little doing. Blake, .Scott & Lke, Aug. 11. Boston, Mass. Denver — New crop of comb honey coming in rather slowly. No. 1 white sells at SS.Oi) per case of 24 sections: No. 2 at tf2.75. White extracted honey, ~14(& 7Jic per lb. Beeswax. 22(jn 2-5. Color.\do Honey-prodccers' .Association, Aug. 10. 1440 :Market St., Denver. Bf FFALO. — Demand for new honey is very slow. It is partly on account of wai m weather and fruit sea- son. Prices are a little high, and that helps to hold buyers back until it is settled pretty near what the new crop will sell for. Fancv white cotnb. 14(ail5; a No. 1, 13^@14: No. 1. 12,^13: No. 2. 11(0,12; No 3, lOfa 11. amber. 12(a;13; dark. 11^812; white extracted, 6@7; dark, 5@')M; beeswax, 28^32. W. C. TOWNSEND, Aug. 22. 178, 180 Perry St.. Buffalo, N. Y. Cincinn.\ti. — New hone^- is now offered verj- freely, particularly extracted. The demand for honey "is about as usual at this time of the season. I made sales at the following figures: .\raber. o(g.5^; water-white alfalfa, 6^; fancy white-clover honey, 7(a~^4\ comb honey, fancy water-white, brings from lii^n 1.5. Bees- wax, 27(^30. C. H. W. Weber, Aug. 8. 2146-8 Central Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio. Phil.adelphia. — Honey has been arriving quite freely in the last ten days. We quote extracted fancy white. 7'aS: amber. t>'5<7: fancy comb honey, 1.5@16. No. 1 14(^1.5. Beeswax in good demand at 30. We are pro- ducers of honey, and do not handle on commission. W.M. A. Selser, Aug 8. 10 Vine St., Philadelphia, Pa. Milwaukee.— There is more activity in the honey business since our last report. Receipts of new crops are coming forward, and .sales being made. The qual- ity of the stock received seems very fine, especially the sections showing care in grading and packing, thus encouraging the consumer to partake. We are expect- ing a good demand for all grades, and the market is in good condition for shipments. We quote for fancy 1-lb. sections. lWa,17; No 1 ditto. 1.5^' Hi; old and new, dark orinfeiHor, nominal, S<5. 10; extracted in barrels or cans, white, 7}4@8; .same, darker, fy'/iCa.l. Beeswax, 28'a) 30. A. V. Bishop & Co.. Aug. 6. 119 BufiFalo St., Milwaukee, Wis. Toledo.— Honey is coming in quite freely; and in spite of the warm weather it is in fair demand at the following prices: Fancy white comb brings, in retail way, 16; No. 1 ditto, 15; amber ditto, 12(5)13. Extracted, white clover, in barrels, 6; same in cans, 7. Beeswax, 28(^30. Griggs Brothers, Aug. 7. 214 Jackson Ave., Toledo, O. Detroit. — Prices are not established yet on new honey. The crop is the largest we have had in many j'ears in our section of the State. Quality is excellent. Small lots are selling for VifwHi for A No. 1. Comtuis- sion men are waiting vmtil prices are settled. ^ Aug. 8. M. H. fiuNT & Son, Bell Branch, Mich.^ For Sale.— Clover extracted honey, in 60-lb. cans. One can, ~l4c; 2 or more. 7c. Bees for" sale. C. L,. Parker, Syracuse, Sta. A, N. Y. For S.\le. — Fancy basswood and white-clover hon- ey; 60-lb. cans, 854c: 2 or more, 8Kc; bbls., 7^c. E. R. Pahl & Co., Milwaukee, Wis. For S.\le. — Extracted honey, clover and basswood, in 60-lb. cans. M. Isbell, Norwich, N. Y. For Sale. — New extracted honey, from 7c up. Sev- eral sizes of packages. Sample 10c. I. J. .Stringham, 10.5 Park Place, New York. For Sale.— Alfalfa honej'. Extracted in 60-lb. cans, and about 20.000 lbs. in comb. Prices on application. Cheek & Wallinger, Las Animas, Colo. For Sale. — Fancy comb and extracted honey; ex- tracted in 60 1b. cans. Prices quoted on application. William Morris, I,as Animas, Col. For Sale. —Extracted honey. Finest grades for ta- ble use. Prices quoted on application. Sample 1 y mail, 10 cts. to pay for package and postage. Orel L,. Hershiser, 301 Huntington Ave., Buffalo, N. Y. For Sale. — .5000 lbs. extra-fine clover extracted honey, all sealed before extracting; castor oil bodj' ; good color ; 60-lb. cans. Sample free. No cheap Johti need apply. If you need something special and are willing to pay for it. correspond with E. D. Townsend, Remus, Mich. For S.\le.— Thirty barrels choice extracted whiteT clover honey Can put it up in any style of package desired. Write for prices, mentioning style of pack- age, and quantity wanted. Sample mailed on receipt of three cents in" P. O. stamps. Emil J. Baxter. Nauvoo, Hancock Co., 111. Wanted —Comb and extracted honey; state price kind, and quantity. L- H. Robey, Worthington, W. Va. Wanted. — Beeswax. Will pay spot cash and full market value for beeswax at any time of the year. Write us if vou have aity to dispose of. Hildreth & Segelken, 265-267 Greenwich St., New York. Wanted.— Beeswax ; highest market price paid. Write for price list. Bach, Becker & Co., Chicago, 111. Wanted— Comb and extracted honey. State price, kind, and quantity. R. A. Burnett & Co., 199 South Water St., Chicago, 111. Wanted. — To hear from producers of comb honey in California and Nevada. It may sound unreason- able, but we have probably bought, for spot cash, more comb honey than anj' firm in the United States, during the past three seasons. We can, no doubt, do you some good. Thos. C. Stanley & Son. Manzanola, Colo., or Fairfield, 111. We will be in the market for honey the coming sea- son in carloads and less than carloads, and would be glad to hear from producers everywhere what they will have to offer. Seavey &'Flarsheim, 1318—1324 Union Avenue, Kansas City, Mo. -48 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Sept. S>6c Best Bee-goods in tHe World are no better than those we make, and the chances are that they are not so good. If you buy of us yo\x will not be disappointed. We Hre undersold by no one. Send for . w catalog and price list and free copy of THE ..MERICAN BEE-KEEPER; in its thirteenth year ; 50 cents a year ; especially for beginners. U/ye "W. T. Falconer Man'f *g' Co., Jamestown, New York. W. M. Gerrish, Epping-, New Hampshire, carries a fuH line of our goods at catalog prices. Order of him and save the freight. We MaKe a Specialty of Prompt Shipments If you are in a hurry for supplies send us your order and we will sur- prise you with our promptness. All goods shipped within 10 hours after receiving the order. Over a million sections and two tons of foundation now on hand. Hundreds of hives, and all other supplies READY FOR IMMEDIATE SHIPMENT. Lewis G.&A.6. Wootan, Grand Rapids, Mich. Lewis's and Dadant's Goods. H0IME:Y JA.RS 1-lb. sq. jars with corks $5.00 gross 2-lb. sq. jars with corks $7.40gross Eagle or No. 25 $5.75 " Nickel Cap jar, holds 13 oz. $5.50 " The last is a fancy jar, and makes a fine package for exhibition. Discount on quantities of jars; the larger the quantity the lower the price. Catalog describ- ing honey-packages, shipping-cases, cartons, bee-hives, bees, and every thing a bee-keeper uses, mailed upon application. Tested Italian Queens, $1.00; Untested, 75 cts. I. J. STRINCHAM, Apiaries. Glen Cove, L. I. (05 Park Place, New York. 19D3 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE •49 Gleason Sl Lansing, i:STA!!I,ISHEU ISS.^. 150 Michigan St., Buffalo, N. Y. Jobbers of Comb and Extracted Honey. We have a large j<>bbiii)' trade in comb honey, and can use any-sized shipments up to car lots. We want oOOl) cases as early shipment as possible this season and can use all grades. Will buy delivered in Buffalo or handle for your account. .... Correspond with us before plac- ing your output this season. REFERENCES: Manufacturers & Traders National Bank, Buffalo, N. Y.. anv Express Co., Dun or Bradstreet Agencies, Buffalo, N, Y. Squabs are raistd m 1 month, bring big prices. Eager market. Jloney- niakers for poultrj-nicn, fanners, women. Here is something worth l'>okittg into. Send for our Free BpoK, " How to Make Money With Squabs " and learn this rich i'ldustrj'. Address PLYMOUTH ROCK SQUAB CO., iQ Frieiid St , Boston, Mass. POULTRY JOURNAL f^-.VlZl^'^l'^^ a dollar, but will send it to .vou one year on trial, including book, Plans for Poultry Houses, for 25c. Sample copy FREE. Inland Poultry Journal, Indianapolis, liid. dJIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIItllllllllllllllillll IllllllilllllllllllllimUi I STANDARD-BRED I ITALIAN QUEEN BEES = Our untested queens g"ive excellent 2 E satisfaction. They are bred by the S = best breeders, and are up to standard. = E Prices are as follows : E S 1 Untested Italian Queen $ .75 = = 3 •' " " $2.10 5 = () '■ " " $4.00 = S We are sending them almost by return mail. = = The Weekly American Bee Journal and one = E of these fine (|ueens, both for $1.50. E = Sample copy of the Bee Journal sent = E free. Ask for it. You ought to have it E E every week. It is a great bee-paper E E — so they say. = I George W. York & Co., | = I44°6 East Erie St., Chicago, Illinois, i E "Root's Goods at Root's Prices." E ~ Catalog Free. ^ ^iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiiHiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiittni? Marshfield Manufacturing Co. Our specialty is making SECTIONS, and they are the best in. the market. Wisconsin bass- wood is the right kind for them. We have a full line of BEE-SUPPLIES. Write for FREE illustrated catalog and price list. ZTAc MarsHfield Manufacttiring Company, Marshiileld, VITis. Dittmer's Foundation. RE.TAIL AND -WHOLESAI^E. This foundation is made by a process that produces the superior of any. It is the cleanest and purest. It has the brightest color and sweetest odor. It is the most transparent, because it has the thinnest base. It is tough, clear as crystal, and gives more sheets to the pound than any other make. 'WorR.ing '^Vax into Foundation for CasK a Specialty. BeeS'wax A.lways Want- ed at Hig'Kest Price. Catalog giving full line of supplies, with prices and samples, free on application. Grainger & Co., Toronto, Out. Sole Agents for Canada. G\is. Dittmer, Augusta, Wis, 750 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Sept. 1 I ^y ANTED ! Fancy Comb Honey I ^ 5: •■^ In No drip shiDping cases. Also, Amber extract- «^^ ^ ed, in barrels or cans. Quote your best price j| '^ delivered Cincinnati. .' .' .' ." .* ^ I The Fred W. Muth Co., 5,^/."" Cincinnati, O. | ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦»♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦»♦♦♦♦♦»♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ t ^ ♦ ♦ REEPE^RS I * "Ws Kave an. Ha»d ready for PROMPT SHIPMENT 1 K6e Lars^est StocR 'w^e ever Carried ♦ ? * of HIVES, SECTIONS, and all OtHer SUPPLIES. ♦ I- — = I X Perfect Workmanship and Finest Material. $ X All parts of our Hives are made to fit Accurately. X X No trouble in setting them up. X * Our customers say it is a pleasure. 1 We are not selling goods on NAME ONLY, X But on their Quality. T Mantifactmrers Bee-lSer3' Supplies. J I Catalog Free. Waterlo^vri, V/isconsin, U. S. A. ♦ NOW READY TO SUPPLY BY RETURN MAIL stock which can not be excelled. Each variety bred in separate apiaries, from selected mothers; have proven their qualities as great honey- gatherers. GOIvDEN ITALIANS have no superior, and few equals. Untested. 75 cts.; 6 for $4.00. RE.D-CLOVER QUEENS, which left all records behind in honej-gathering. Unt., 81; 6, forS.5. CARNIOIrfANS— They are so highly recommended, being more gentle than all others. Unt., $1. Root's Goods at Root's Factory Prices. (Successor to Chas. F. Muth and A. Muth.) jOURMniJ ^ • DELVoTED' •ANDHoNEY-*: 'ML HOME.- -^ Tubiishedy theA l^Roo-f Co. 15°P[rV'ear'^'\s) HEDINA-OHIO- Vol. XXXI. SEPT. \, 1903. No. 17 "White clover "usually lasts two weeks, and sometimes a month," at Medina, page 723. Some years it doesn't last at all here, but this 3'ear it has already lasted eleven weeks, and the end is not j-et in sight. Elias Fox, didn't you have a "stick" in that lemonade to make a little of it give up and become alkali, and then with suffi- cient recruits recover its spirits and change back again to acid? In this locality one maj- be overcome by the other, but I don't believe one is ever changed into the other. After reading in Gleanings about the right wa\- to hold a smoker, I was worried for fear I was pigeon-toed in my hands. I am now pretty well satisfied that I don't need any surgical operation, but that it's the editor who is pigeon-toed in his hands — or else in his head. [Now, look here, doctor; if 3'ou do not quit calling me names I shall get after you with both of my " pig- eon-toed " feet. — Ed.] I HAVE one of the bee-brushes sent out by Mrs. Sarah A. Smith, as advertised in Gleanings, and thej-'re fine for a whole- sale sweep of the combs. They're made of some kind of grass, a sort of vegetable horse- hair, very fine and very tough, and should last well. Possiblj' they would be just a little better if the tip ends were not clipped off. [These brushes appear to be very soft and pliable. It is possible thej^ would make the best bee-brush in the world. — Ed.J A CORRESPONDENT wants me to tell what kind of season I'm having. Bless your heart, the bees are driving me so I haven't time to tell. But I'll just take time to say I never saw such a flood of honey before, and never expect to see it again. [That beats any thing we ever had here or expect to have; and I am beginning to feel that the region in and about Medina is almost as poor for the production of comb honey as any place in the United States, because our honey-flows are so very, very short. — Ed.] Won't some one come between the editor and me, and clear away the smoke on the smoke question ? We're square fornenst each other in our impressions about the smoke of rotten and sound wood (by the wajs I think the most savage smoke comes ivoxn. green wood), but neither of us furnish- es any proof. Who has any positive proof? [How can positive proof be produced unless we accept one's individual feelings and im- pressions after inhaling the smoke from rotten wood and that from hard wood? We have been trying our own experiments over again, and our experience is the same as before — that rotten wood will give a more subduing smoke than hard wood. — Ed.] You ASK, Mr. Editor, whether I hived shaken swarms (that swarmed afterward) on starters, etc. They were hived on full combs, although other years I used also foundation, and I think the combs gave better results than foundation. [Inasmuch as we had no swarms from bees shaken on foundation, and 3'our bees shaken on full combs did swarm, it would look as if there were some merit in foundation. The fact that bees start housekeeping almost from the ground up, when put on foundation, puts them more nearly back to the condi- tion of nature — that is, the hollow tree. The old combs have a tendency to suggest to the bees that they haven't swarmed, I think.— Ed.] Incubators, or nurseries, ma}' be used by other than professionals to advantage. I've been using them for queen-cells cutout of combs. Thus I avoid the chance of a virgin with a bad wing or a cell with a dead queen, and can hold over a virgin un- til needed. The Stanley cartridge has the advantage that the bees can get to the cells 752 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Sept. 1 as freely as if the cells were left on the comb, and the disadvantage that, if a hole is in the cell, the bees will tear it down; whereas in the Pridg-en the whole side of a cell may be cut away and the queen still hatch out. The queens worry somewhat trying- to get out through the perforations of the Stanley, and sometimes one g^ets through; but you can take a queen, cart- ridge and all, wherever you like, and can get her only by letting her out of her com- partment in the Pridgen. [Your experi- ence is quite in line with ours. — Ed.] "The scarcity of lumber for making sections may force bee-keepers into chunk honey more and more as time goes on," p. 721. Chunk honey may be all the go yet, for any thing I know; but the scarcity of lumber will be a very small factor in the case. If we can't have one-piece sections we can have four-piece made out of a dozen kinds of wood; and if all the basswood were swept out of the universe it wouldn't make section honey cost the producer half a cent a pound more, now would it? And do you think a rise of half a cent a pound would drive section honey out? Tut, tut! [No, a rise of half a cent a pound only would not drive section honey out of the market; but a big advance in the price of sections, and the enormous labor of han- dling four-piece as compared with the one- piece might make some bee-keepers become so disgusted and discouraged as to cause them to say they would either give up comb honey or turn their attention to the produc- tion of extracted and chunk honey, where there was less bother. The question of price is not all there is to consider in the matter. It is somewhat a question of con- venience.— Ed.] " Why do you not tell honey-producers to set an honest price on their honey, and then stick to that price? We have found that it is as easy to get 75 cents per gallon as it was to get 60 cents. " Ah I but there's a limit to that thing, mj* good friend; and if each one were allowed to decide for him- self an honest price, and then hold on to that price, I'm afraid in too many cases he would hold hone}' as well as price. You say, " If The A. I. Root Co. would put up the price, others would have to follow." The members of the Root companj' are old enough to answer for themselves; but I think they try to put the price as high as the traffic will bear. I'm hoping a little that something like what you are aiming at will be accomplished when all bee-keepers fall into line and become members of the National Association. I wish they would hustle in a little faster. Twelve hundred is something to be thankful for, but there ought to be twelve thousand. [It is folly to talk about advancing the price of any arti- cle or commodity unless there is some sort of CO operation on the part of all those who have the commodity for sale. In a year when there is plenty of honey, when there are any number of offerings, the buj-er al- most hesitates to make any price until he knows to where the market will actually level up. But there is one thing that care- less buyers may do; and that is, offer their honey needlessly low% thus in a season of scarcity depressing the whole market down to the lower level. Such buyers, if it could be done, should be made to pay well for their honey the next time.— Ed.] Referring to the matter of queens being stung in a ball, Mr. Editor, you don't find any place where I placed any limiting clause. Please turn to page 276. " I don't know, but I think a queen is never stung in the ball, and I much doubt the physical possibility of such a thing. . . Weren't the cases in which you saw the queen stung those in which you poked or smoked the bees away from the queen enough so that one of them could sting her? Left entirelj^ to themselves, do you believe the bees could sting a balled queen if they would? Do you believe they would if they could? " etc. You see we are pretty nearly together, only I think it possible that bees left to them- selves would merely hug a queen, even if they could sting her. In a nutshell, I don't believe a queen in a ball, undisturbed by the bee-keeper, is ever stung. There is still left, however, the bare possibility that I don't know as much about it as I might. [I give it up; but I am of the same opinion still, that the bees will sting a queen in the ball, when the apiarist is not interfering, if they can. But when their heads are all turned one way, and they are seeking to ball her, or, rather, to get to her, it is al- most an impossibility, but not quite, to get at the queen stern first. — Ed.] A writer in Schweiz. Bienenzeiiung gi\e& an interesting account of a queen and her daughter laying eggs side by side in per- fect harmony for one whole year. \i/ A reader in Hinckley, Minn., wishes to know how the words apiary and apiarist are pronounced. The a^ s are long as in ail; the i is short as in tin, as is the y. This applies to both words. We shall be glad to make a specialty of answering such ques- tions in this department. A French paper has the following piece of pleasantry in favor of adulterated honej': Several women of Baden-Baden were brought before a justice, charged with hav- ing sold adulterated honej'. Among the bu^-ers subpoenaed as witnesses was the 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 753 proprietor of one of the most fashionable hotels there. "While the other witnesses re- sponded to the judg^ethat they did not know the honey was adulterated, the landlord in question avowed frankly that the fact was known to him very well. Astonished, the judge asked him why he served such stuff, knowing it was bogus. " If I serve up gen- uine good honey," said he, cynically, "my boarders eat too much; while with this stuff" here, the3' soon get enough." \b AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL. The issue of Aug. 13 gives a very fine half-tone of Thos. Wm. Cowan, editor of the British Bee Jour?ial.. Mr. York well says of this distinguished man whose name is so well known inthe scientific circles of Europe and America: Mr. Cowan is a most delightful man to meet. He is the very essence of affability and courtesy, and his character and ability are of the highest possible. He is a member of many of the famous scientific societies in Hngland, and has won for himself a deservedly conspicuous position in them. \il In regard to having your bowl ready when it rains soup, Mr. "i"ork well says: It is not wise to wait to see what the harvest will be before ordering supplies needed to secure it. Some bee-keepers, who have followed that plan, have been badly caught this year. Their stock of sections has run out. and more could not at once be obtained, be- cause they were not made, and the manufacturers were away behind orders. The fail of the year is none too early to order for the next year. Count your fall number a.s winter- ing without loss, then figure the number of sections they will require should the season be the best you have ever known, and order accordingly. But you say, "There will in that way generally be a lot of dead capital, for nine times out of ten so many sections will not be needed." The lo.ss from dead capital will be less in ten years than the annoyance and loss in one year of heavy flow, if you run out of sections and can not get any. It is better to make up your sections and get them all ready in the supers in winter-time or earlj- spring, while not crowded with other bee-work. If you don't need them they will be all right for the following year. Even if hot used for three or four years, they will take no hurt. L'ABEILLE. D Abeille reports a good honey crop in Belgium. It says, " In spite of many bad days, great alternations in heat and cold, we shall have no fault to find with 1903. It has brought joy to the heart of a great many bee-keepers in this country. There is honey everywhere." The editor of UAbeille says he received, the last of June, through the agency of Mr. Giraud-Pabou, an Italian queen raised in the United States. He adds, " The abdo- men is almost entirely a shining 3'ellow as far as the last band. It is not without rea- son that these have been called golden queens. The daughters of this queen, hatched since her introduction, are likewise the most beautiful Italians, and the gen- tlest we have ever seen. "We hope their value as honej'-gatherers will be in proportion to their beauty." (iJRID'Si^ BY EVA C. MURRAY. A bee lit on a bright-red rose That in the garden grew, And stopped for just a moment To drink the morning dew. A gentle maiden passed that way. And saw the lovely rose, So plucked it from the graceful stem And held it to her nose. The saucy, angry little bee Just stung with all its might, Which made her drop the dainty flower And run away in fright. But ere she passed the garden gate, A youth came wandering by. And pau.sed to ask her, " Pretty one, Why is it thus you cry ? "' ' Ah ! " sobbed the maid, " an ugly thing With little things of lace Did when I tried to smell the rose, Just sting me on the face." ' The horrid thing ! "' the youth replied ; " We'll teach him better tricks : Come show me where you left the rose — This matter we must fix." But when they found the castaway, And hunted for the bee, A Cupid from its petals sprang. And laughed aloud with glee. ' Ha, ha ! an easy catch, I'm sure, So early in the day ; A rose holds bees and Cupids too — Pray turn me not away." And so they took the cup of love He offered them, and drank ; And now for love and happiness A little bee they thank. MORAL. It is the little stings through life That help enrich the soul. And help us, though we may not think, To make our life the whole. 754 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Sept. 1 ■eS^ w UNITING AND FEEDING FOR WINTER. "Where is our buckwheat honey now, Doolittle?" " Evidently all gone. Passed away in about ten minutes yesterday, and the hun- dreds of acres on which it was in such a flourishing' condition j'esterday morning might better have been left unplowed and unsown. But I pity the farmers more than I do us bee-keepers. We lose onlj- a pros- pective honey harvest, while the farmer has not only lost his prospective crop of buck- wheat, but all of his labor, seed, grain, and the use of his land. Such a hailstorm was never known before in this locality at this time of the year, and I hope such a one may never come again." " And the loss of buckwheat only com- mences the loss. Oats and barlej' are so thrashed out that the fields will hardly pay for harvesting; corn is in shreds, beans are all broken to pieces, the pods as well as the vines; more than half the apples and pears are on the ground, and what remains on the trees have from three to twenty hail- stone dents in each fruit, many of these dents breaking the skin." " Yes, I have seen all of these things, and I can not help mourning. But mourning will do no good. Let us talk about some- thing brighter. What brought you over here to-day?" "Well, I had several colonies of bees that I had calculated would build up for win- ter on buckwheat; but now there is no show along that line, so I came over to ask you what I had better do with these light colo- nies." "Have they their hives full of comb?" ""No, not many of them. And that is one of the things which bother me. If they were strong in bees, and the frames all full of comb, I would try to feed them, although I could hardly afford to buy sugar for so many." " Well, I would wait till the first of Sep- tember, as we may yet have some honey from an unexpected source. If we do not, then I would unite these weaker colonies, doing it as early as the 10th to 15th of said month, as we never have any yield of honey worth speaking of later in the year than the middle of September." "How would you unite?" " On some cool cloudy day, when the bees fly but little, or, better still, some day near night, after we have had cool cloudy weath- er for a day or two, so as to keep the bees at home, I would take the weaker of two colonies and carry it and set it right on top pf the colony I wished to unite it with, stopping all cracks, if there should be any large enough to allow bees to pass between the two hives. As soon as the cracks are stopped, blow smoke in at the entrance and pound on the hives with the fist till the bees begin to make quite a roaring, this show- ing that they were filling themselves with honey." "What do you want them to fill with hon- ey for?" " Two reasons — the first of which is, that thej' do not fight or quarrel; and, second, that the colony brought to a new location may mark their new home instead of going back to their old place of abode." "Will this cause them to do that?" " Yes. A few bees may return and hover about the place where thej' formerly stopped, but soon all will return, so no bees are lost." " That is very simple. How long have you united in that way?" " Every fall I have a lot of nuclei to unite, left after the season for queen-rearing is over; and last year I found that I could unite bees in this way without loss." " But what about the combs?" " After placing the hives having the colo- nies in together, as I have told you, wait a few days till the bees have had two or three flights, and have become accustomed to the new situation, when you will go and select out all of the best combs, and those contain- ing the most honej% putting these into the lower hive. In this wa}' you will be liable to secure fairly comfortable combs for the one hive." " Yes, I see. But how about those which remain?" " Shake the bees off from these, down at the entrance so they will run into the hive with the others, and then you can store these frames partlj' filled with comb for use another year. If much honey remains, you can put an enameled cloth over the hive having the bees in, and turn up one corner of it a little so that but few bees can come out of the lower hive at a time, and then set the hive having the combs left after uniting on top of this; and by uncapping what honey there is that is sealed, the bees will soon carry below what there is." " How about the queens?" " If 3'ou have any choice, you will want to kill the poorer of the two a day or two before uniting. If you do not have any choice, then paj^ no attention to this matter, and the bees will destroy one of them, as only one good queen is allowed to dwell in a hive at a time." " That will be easy, as I do not know that one is better than another. But sup- pose that, when I have the colonies all unit- ed, and the honey all fed up, they do not have enough stores for winter. What then?" " Then you will want to feed them till they do have enough." " What shall I feed for this?" "I would use a syrup made of granulat- ed sugar, as I consider such fully as good as honey, and, as a rule, it is cheaper." 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 755' "How do you make this syrup?" " Some simplj' pour boiling- water on the sugar, and stir it till the sug-ar is dissolved; but for fall feeding, or in feeding- for win- ter stores, after the honey harvest is past, I prefer the following to anj- other mode of making- syrup: Fifteen pounds of water is weighed out and put into a tin vessel of suitable size. This vessel is then put over the fire till the water in it boils, when 30 pounds of granulated sugar is poured in, the water being stirred briskly while pour- ing- or sifting in, so that the sugar will not settle to the bottom and burn, as such sugar is sometimes liable to do if not stirred. The stirring is kept uptill the sugar is most- ly dissolved, when the whole is leftover the tire until it commences to boil again, when it is skimmed, if any impurities arise. After boiling and skimming-, the vessel is set from the tire, when 5 pounds of extracted honey is stirred in, stirring for a moment or two till th^'! whole is thoroughly mixed." " What do you put iu the honej' for?" "Before I used this extracted honey I found that occasionallj' a batch of syrup would harden in the feeders and comb. This honej' proved to be just what was need- ed, for syrup thus made remained liquid daj' after dav', even when not fed to the bees, and never hardened in the combs, al-- though with this formula the syrup is near- 1}' as thick as the best honej' when fed." " What kind of honey do you use?" "I first used basswood hone^', as I had the most of that; but of late 3'ears I have used that which has accumulated from the sun \\ ax-extractor by way of a little honey being in the bits of comb and wax placed there for melting-. This is the nicest kind for an}' feeding, no matter what the color raaj- be, for the heat of the sun so ripens and thickens it that it is always prime for winter stores. But you will please excuse me now, as I have an engagement to meet at this time." In our last issue, p. 712, I inadvertently omitted to give Mr. Swarthmore credit for the wooden cell cup. While ou'^s differed somewhat from the original Swarthmore shells, yet the main principle was just the same. In emptj'ing out a smoker after a day's work, do not throw out all of the unburned fuel. Leave a little in, as it will ignite more readily than other fuel. The sugges- tion has been made before, but it will bear repetition. One of our subscribers says that The" Hartford Insurance Co., of Hartford, Ct., one of the strongest companies in the world, will insure bees. It might be well for our' readers to find their nearest Hartford agent, and see what arrangement he can/ make. The events of the past season show the wisdom of ordering supplies for the coming- season early. Discounts are lowest in the fall, beginning- with September. If one waits till the season has almost or quite begun he will be almost sure to be disap- pointed. Every once in a while a subscriber will write, at this time of the year, asking why his queens do not lay. For the benefit of beginners, perhaps it would be well to state that, right after the honey-flow, Italians especially will ease up on egg-laying- — per- haps stop altogether. One need not be sur- prised if, at any time in September or Oc- tober, he finds no e.tgs or bruod, especially if the queen is a year or more old. A coRRESPO>DFNT, in referring to the matter of easing- the pain of a bee-sting, saj's it is his practice to blow smoke on the spot just stung. This is a common and well-known practice among old bee-keep- ers; and, in fact, it is about all that can be done. The heat, to a certain extent, alle- viates the pain, and the smoke itself deodor- izes the smell of the poison, which seems to infuriate bees otherwise peaceable. A CHEAP AND EXCELLENT BEE-BRUSH. In this issue, Mr. Elias Fox tells how to make the best bee-brush in the world, out of an ordinary ten-cent broom. This is one of the best items we have received in many a month, and I hope every one of our sub- scribers will take time to read this little Head of Grain, even if he reads nothing else. A GOOD TIME TO REOUEEN. Now is a good time to supersede inferior or undesirable queens. The untested are now at their lowest price, and the exchange can be made with very little interruption in the work of the colony. Indeed, if a young queen be introduced, displacing an old one, she will probably start egg-laying and give the new colony a fresh impetus, where an old queen might conclude that her job was done for the season, laying few or no eg-gs. entrance-contracting in the fall. The time is likely to come on very soon in many localities, even though it may be very warm now, when we shall have cool nights. It is then advisable to contract the entrances of all hives that have been opened for the honey- flow and the flight of numer- ous bees flying in faster than one can count. Deep entrances are a good thing in their 756 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Sept. 1 season; but they are a bad thing- in cold or cool weather. Bees should be g-iven every possible aid in keeping their brood-nest warm. If they should be rearing any brood, it should be protected. PHOTOS FOR ILLUSTRATION. When sending in photos for illustration in Gleanings, be sure they are clear, well timed, and well printed. A hazy, steaky picture, is something we can not use. Pic- tures for half-tones must be printed a little dark in order to bring out a good tone on the printed page. The process of engrav- ing photos fades out the dark shades, mak- ing the picture come out more brilliant. A light-printed picture will fade so much in the process of engraving as to be decidedly weak. XHE WEATHER AND RED CLOVER. W:§ have been having, till within the last w6ek of SOf P°°l August weather — so cool as to fee chilly- at night, making a grate fire feel comfoftable. At the time of this writ- ing, Aug. 24, the weatbei /^ exceptionally warm, and we are "enjo>'i©g" a genuine drouth. We have had no he'd^Y ram since the 30th of July, a pefiod of 25 di^9§, Great quantities of gcldeflrod are out, aii'^ there is considerable fed clover. There f» Httle or no robbing in ouf yards; and we attfib- ute this largely to the fact that our b*^s> have been bred tc work on red cloverV There is enough of it out to keep them bnsy — at least to keep robbers from nosing aronind when the hives are open. selling UNFINISHEIr SECTIONS, I awE before told of our method of dis- posiB'gf of these at the close of the season. As tteie plan works so admirably, and our newer readers know nothing of it, I have ■decided to give it again. Unfiniahed combs, -or partly filled ones in sections, will not sell. "^^ cut these out, however, putting -one or t^o of them, according to their weight, ihto a common wooden butter-dish Phillips gf#je» one etep' farther. Here is a coldhy thaf jp* not quecnlt'.*S^r_but' we wish to sell' the (jij^een in two or lfe*ecf days. He actbfdingly 6ages the virgie ira the hive, and trhred' day^ after removes tJie? laying queen, e-"«pOses~ tiie candy of the cag-' ed virgin so the bfees can release her, when she is immediately adcepted. There, don't you see there is a lapse of only a few hours of actual queenlessness? We will say that, ID five hours after the laying queen is re- moved, the virgin is stalking abroad over the combs, quite at hofAfe.' This thing is no expetiment. We have been testing it for weeks td see if it would work under all conditions. If the virgins are hatched' in nurseries, and a supply of them is kept on hand, no colony need be queenless more than long enough for the bees to eat out the candy, which I should say would take about five hours as we provision the cages. By this plan one can get almost a double output of queens. When using the upper-story plan of hav- ing three nuclei in a super above wire cloth, one can actuallj^ have six virgins tO' one colony of bees, and the cycle will keep on revolving, one queen being fertilized, we 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 7S7 will say, everj' day. No matter how cool the weather nor how late the season, the strong colon}' below will keep the bees warm above; then when the season is actu- ally over, withdraw the wire cloth, closing- the subsidiary entrances, putting- all the bees into one colony. THE GREAT NATIONAL CONVENTION AT LOS ANGELES. The great meeting of the National Bee- keepers' Association took place at Los An- geles, Aug. 18 — 20, as scheduled. Judging from the newspaper reports which have come, and a photo of the whole convention that have been published in one of the dai- lies, this was a grand conclave of bee-keep- ers. The papers saj' that every State in the Union was represented; but I fear this was a little overdrawn. But I know there were representatives from several of the Eastern States, including, of course, a large number from the Western States. Every thing passed off lovely with one ex- ception, and that was a "hot debate" at one of the sessions. There is no one who attends these bee conventions who likes to hear and see these "scraps;" and many are inclined to say thej^ do not pay their good dollars and take a long railroad ride to witness anj' thing of the kind, and that if it is to be repeated they will keep away. Dr. C. C. Miller and A. I. Root were styled the "Fathers of the Colonies," be- cause both have spent over forty years in the culture of bees and the study of possi- ble improvements. At one of the impromp- tu receptions for the leading men of the convention, these "old-timers" "were loosened up " to an extent that they told stories on each other. From a clipping from one of the papers I take the following: " Over forty j-ears ago," said Dr. Miller as he settled himself in the pillows of the bed, " that mau A. I. Root slept in the same bed with nie. and kept me awake un- til midnight telling me how he was going to make a fortune at bee raising. He had a scheme to tap the maple-trees, and run the sap direct into the bee-hives and supply honey with a maple flavor. Last night, forty yeais later, he told me of another scheme until I had counted thirteen passing milk-wagons." Mr. Root flushed quickly at the hearty laugh of the bee-circle, but came back at his accuser. " That is all right. I worked the sap scheme, and can taste that honey now. Dr. Miller was just a drummer for a niu- sic-hou'-e then, and did not know a drone from a work- er. I was just starting up my plant, having sold out a small jewelry shop to go into the business. I had just paid twentj- dollars for one Italian queen bee, and the neighbors thought I was getting daffv on the subject. But I was in the business to stay, and it was not long until I made a record of thirtj- pounds of honey from one colony in two days. One year I had so much hon- ey that I had to borrow all the' wash-tubs in the neigh- borhood to hold it ; and when wash-day came, and my barrels had not yet arrived, I was almost forced to dump the honey into the cistern by the impatient housewives " But there were at this convention two other veterans, old-timers on the coast, in the persons of J. G. Corey, of cold-blast- smoker fame — one who, aside from his con- nection with this implement, was a success- ful and extensive bee-keeper, and Mr. J. S. Harbison, of San Diego, who at one time enjoyed the reputation of being the most extensive bee-keeper in the world; and, in-- deed, I think it is a little doubtful if to-day the man lives who has produced larger av- erages or larger crops of honey than this veteran of the Golden State during its ear- ly history. The new officers are as follows: President, J. U. Harris, of Grand Junc- tion, Col. ; Vice-president, C. P. Dadant, of Hamilton, 111. ; Secretary, George W. Brod- beck, of Los Angeles, Cal. No more satisfactory or deserved selec- tions could have been made; and under the leadership of these men the next conven- tion, wherever it may be held, is sure to be a success. Mr. Harris has been one of the leading bee-keepers on the western slopes of the Rockies. He is president and one of the leading members of the Colorado Bee- keepers' Association; and in parliamentary work no better man has ever been put in the place. He is an excellent organizer, a natural and forcible speaker on the floor, and a bee-keeper of no mean repute. Mr. C. P. Dadant, of foundation fame, is almost too well known to need any intro- duction to our readers. He and his much- respected father were, perhaps, the best- known of any two bee-keepers in both hem- ispheres; and his election to the position will be hailed with delight by his many European admirers who have long looked to him and his father as the Gamaliels of modern apiculture. Mr. G. W. Brodbeck is president of the California State Association — an organiza- tion that bids fair to be as successful as the one in Colorado. It has already started out with flying colors. Indeed, with such a president at the head of it, it could hard- ly be other than a success. My correspon- dence with Mr. Brodbeck has been of the pleasantest kind; and if I may judge any thing from passing references in letters and . in public print he is one of the most popu- lar bee-keepers in California. He, like his fellow-workers, will give the grand old Na- tional another upward boost. There was also present Prof. A. J. Cook, of Claremont College, and formerly of Mich- igan; and if there is any one man among all the bee-keepers who is at home in con- vention work, it is Prof. Cook. Then there were some other men like Mr. J. F. Mclntyre, whose beautiful apiary I have shown, and N. E. France, of Wiscon- sin, General Manager of the Association. Both added much to the interest of this great meeting. Then there was Mr. W. F. Marks, President of the New York State Association; Prof. Frank Benton, of the De- partment of Agriculture, Washington, D. C, and — well, dozens of others of promi- nence from all over this great and beautiful countrj'. I am convinced from the press reports that it will go down in the history of the Association as one of the most notable, in- teresting, and profitable meetings the As- sociation has ever held, and that Los An- geles is an ideal place for holding a big convention. 758 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Sept. 1 READING BEE-JOURNALS. Importance of being Posted in the Late Develop. ments of One's Business; Comments on Late Items in Gleanings by perhaps the most Extensive Bee keeper in the World. BY W. L. COGGSHALL. Mr. Root: — When I see a g-ood labor-sav- ing- device it makes my heart g-lad; or when some bee-keeper writes an article that gives a shorter cut for doing- any thing it pleases me, and I say to myself, " He is a benefac- tor." To be an up-to-date bee-keeper he must read every thing between the covers of the bee- journals, advertisements and all. Don't skip a thing- if you are starting- in to make money out of bees. You must know every writer and his address, so if there is any little thing- in his article 3 ou can send a stamp and find out something- that will be worth dollars to you. Write questions so they can be answered by yes or no; then you will get a prompt reply. Out of the fifteen young- men who have worked for me at bees, twelve are still do- ing so for a living. The most successful ones are farmers' boys who were willing to do any kind of work on the farm. The most successful ones are those who read the most, and talked bees at all times and places. I wish to emphasize the fact that a desire to talk bees is important. It is better to have it as a hobby if one would succeed. One of my bee- students said to me while going to an apiary: " In your opinion, will John make a suc- cessful bee-keeper?" " I hardly think he will." " Why not?" "Because he is more inclined to read story-books and daily papers." "Yes, but he does read bee-papers." "I know it; but he prefers books and daily papers. You ask him if he has seen the scheme of Mr. G. B. Howe, of Black River, N. Y., for setting drawn combs in under the brood-nest to stop swarming; or Mr. W. K. Morrison's article on shallow hives, and he will probably say, 'No; which paper was it in?' and to the last one, by Mr. Morrison, he would say, ' Yes, but I did not think it amounted to much.' / thought there were some good points in it; also drawn combs instead of foundation. Lewis, did j'ou notice when I asked John how the second chaff hive from the bee- house did last night (the Robey queen), if it had any more honey than the rest?" " Yes, I did, and was surprised when John said he did not see any difference. It was always fuller when I emptied it." " Say, Lewis, did you notice Mr. Grei- - ner's way of wiring frames in last Glean- ings? What do you think of it?" " I can wire four to his one, your way, Mr. C., when you wire 100 or 200 wires on a board, and cut them off just the right length." "Say, Lewis, what did you think of the Hochstein device for putting a comb on a stretcher to uncap it?" " I could uncap one side before he got it on the stretcher, with one of your little hon- ey-knives that I. L. Schofield gave you." " They are dandy. I wish he had open- ed his heart and given me a dozen." " That knife is 28 or 30 years old. He got a blacksmith to make it!" " Say, Lewis, did j^ou notice what Prof. W. Newell, of College Station, Texas, said?" "Yes, I did, Mr. C., and also the foot- note where the editor recommends rotten wood and dry maple wood. The only rea- son I can see why the editor recommends ha- d maple wood is because his customers will burn out more smokers, and then he can sell more — burn up more chaff hives, etc." "I have a notion to send the editor a sack of my saltpetered burlap, all tied up ready for the smoker — just the right size. It goes oft" like excelsior, and lasts four times as long, and gives no heat, no sparks, is very light to handle; smoker will last for ever; is ready in twenty seconds. Did you no- tice in H. G. Osburn's article, page 670, where he said he got 73,000 lbs. from 6000 hives ? I think there is a mistake here. I believe he meant to say 600 colonies." "Mr. C., what do you think of the editor's idea about Cuban honey in American mar- kets?" " I think he is off. He will have to wait only one or two years before he will see the effect of it. It will surely depress our mar- ket. I have run up against it in Philadel- phia. Before the war I saw 50,000 lbs. on the wharf at a time. ' We use Cuban honey, ' would be the reply; 'it is cheaper. Labor is cheaper there — four to eight dollars a month.' " "Mr. C, did you see how Mr. Burnett went for New York buckwheaters and the lightning operators for taking honey off be- fore it was capped? What do you think of it?" " Yes. Not much escapes my eye that is printed in the journals, and I am glad to see you notice all these things." " Well, it is a good thing for Mr. Bur- nett that all the lightning operators are all out of the buckwheat State. There is S. A. Niver. He alwa5's calls himself a buck- wheater. He is right within arm's length of Mr. Burnett." " I should think he would take Mr. Bur- nett into one of those dark alleys for a few minutes. But, laying all joking aside, the article will do young bee-keepers a great 190c GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 759 deal of g^ood if the}' will only read it and heed it." West Groton, N. Y. GOLDEN ITALIANS. Some Experience with Them ; Genlle, but Slow to Enter Sections; Bent on Superseding. BY J. W. GUYTON, M. D. I introduced the golden bee into mj' apia- ry in 1900. In 1901 I boug-ht another queen, and from these I soon had all of my bees golden except some blacks that I bought. I purchased seven golden queens, and intro- duced to the blacks. These queens were procured from three different breeders. I also g'ot a third breeding-queen last year. I reared and sold a great many queens from this breed. I find them gentle enough and fair workers, but not as good in some respects as the leather-colored three-band- ed strain. They are slow to enter sections; the\' persist iu chucking honey in the brood- nest; and if the queen is not prolific enough to keep ahead they crowd her down to a verj' small space. This is objectionable to the producer of section honey. To me thej' seem a shade smaller than the three-band- ed Italians. This I think objectionable, from the fact that thej' can not carry as much as a larger bee. It is true that they can fl}' fast, and perhaps because of their diminutive size they may be somewhat swifter on the wing than their larg-er sis- ters. I do not think the queens are, as a rule, as prolific in egg-production as the other strain. However, they have two redeeming- features that I can recommend. The first and best is the introduction of an apiary of goldens in a neighborhood of black bees. They seem to fuse more stripes into the black strain because of this predominance in stripes over the regular Italians. When we practical bee-keepers get a cross in our apiaries we detect it at once, and annihi- late her queenship soon. The other feature is their golden color, which makes them so beautiful. They are inviting to the owner of blacks, and he wants to introduce them into his stock; and to do this he will then have to introduce movable-comb hives, which is worth a great deal to apicultural progress. Last year some of my goldens acted very strangel}', and some of them are repeating the same objectionable act this year. They are bent on superseding. It seems to make no difl'erence whether the queen be young or not. I have had several young prolific queens replaced by them, some not over from one to three months old. I kept as many as 100 and over of the three-banded bees over twenty years ago, and don't re- member their being- nearly so bad as the goldens I now have. Is this out of the usu- al way, or is it a characteristic of some strains of a.ny strain of bees? I have noticed that our best or largest honey-producers do not keep the golden strain, although some of our best queen- breeders are boosting them up as hustlers. I will not keep blacks or hybrids any long- er than is required to replace them with pure blood. I should be pleased to have some reports on this strain, as I have not noticed any thing lately about them in the journals I take. Have hone3'-producers, men who want honey, who tried the goldens, quit them? What are' the most potent objections to this strain? I think that, as a rule, the best of every thing is the cheapest in the long run. If the goldens are not the best all-round bee, I do not want them, and yet I think they are the bees to keep among blacks, as above stated. Horsemint has been in full bloom over five weeks, and will last ten days or two weeks longer, and my bees have hardly be- gun to operate in the sections. I know the rainy weather has a great deal to do with this failure. Sumac will be in bloom about the 15th inst., and will last six weeks. Levita, Texas, July 2. WIRING, BEE=SIFTER, ETC. BY F. GREINER. I was astonished, when reading Glean- ings for Aug. 1, p. 677, that you credit me with an invention of a frame- wiring device which totally differs from the machines I use and have used for some time. There must be a mistake somewhere. My ma- chines are much more valuable. They work so absolutely automatically that I have not even to pull the lever. All I do to make these machines work after the frames are furnished, and the pieces of wire properly cut, is to operate the communication be- tween my own brain and that of the ma- chine by way of speech, and let my wish be known. My two girls, 10 and 12 years old, then do the work to my entire satis- faction. I would here add, that I use a brood-frame two inches deeper than the reg- ular Langstroth frame; and when I com- menced to wire them I used four wires. I have kept reducing the number of wires, and find that two wires are just as good as more. It is much easier to secure the two wires in place, and of proper tension, than the four, and it requires less wire and time to do the wiring, besides saving time in imbedding. It may prove of value to the friends to know this. After using quite a little brood founda- tion with young swarms and otherwise, it will seem to me that the most valuable feature of wiring is the securing of comb foundation exactly in the center of the frame where it should be. I am a little doubtful whether this result can be secured with less than two wires; but I shall try just one in a few frames when buckwheat begins to 3'ield honey. Dr. Miller tells somewhere of late how he 760 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Sept. 1 dresses when at work in his apiary, and it seems that he has reduced the number of garments to the lowest minimum possible and yet be clad. This would not suit me, nor meet the requirements of Coggshall, I am sure. My bees do not respect a single thickness of covering as would be desirable, and I therefore prefer a light suit of under- wear in addition to what the doctor wears. When not too sultry and warm I add anoth- er garment, a white jacket, close-fitting at the wrists. I am then prepared for almost any emergency. I don't wish to carry the idea that my bees are extremely vicious; but handling bees as rapidly as possible, one is quite apt to excite their stinging pro- pensities more or less, and it is better to be well protected. To prevent bees from as- cending the connections my upper self has with mother earth, and make unpleasant investigation in the space between under- wear and outside covering, I incidentally hit on the guards used by bicj-cle- riders. They are quickly applied, and answer well. The new pattern of the Corneil smoker I regard as a success. An asbestos covering and wide shield might be added advanta- geously, and heavy iron substituted in the making of the fire-barrel; but I can not see what better Mr. Arthur C. Miller could want. I don't know that it would be de- sirous to get up these smokers so they would last a lifetime. I like to have and use a new implement occasionally, and I am glad one of my old Cornells, after five or six years' use in the home yard, where the work is harder on the smoker than in the outyards, begins to show signs of old age. It is a good plan to clean out the smbker after it has been used hard and while it is still hot. The greater part of the accumu- lations are then quite soft, and may be scraped off with a suitable tool. Many of the bee-keepers in Germany know nothing about the convenience of a good smoker, but handle their bees by the use of cigars. This would not suit me, and I notice that even Americans given to smok- ing tobacco consider it better, more conven- ient, and more business-like, to use the smoker. Before closing my communication I wish to speak of a contrivance which might help some bee-keeper somewhere and some time. It is not any thing particularly new. The bee, drone, and queen sifter I wish to de- scribe has been used by the inventor, Mr. Hannemann, of Brazil, in some form or other for a great many years. The way I have constructed it is this: A light open box, the size of a hive-body, was covered at the bot- tom with a sheet of queen-excluding zinc. A cover was hinged to this box, and also covered by the same material. This device comes handy many times when unexpected- ly a swarm is found hanging in a tree. Many, who may not wish to increase their colonies any more, may sometimes be puz- zled to know what to do with such a swarm. They might wish to return it. Particular- ly in case of late swarms, buckwheat swarms, etc., such as would not be able to fix up for winter in good shape, it is al- ways best to return tliem. I have come home occasionally from the work in an out3'ard and found a swarm hanging on a bush, although I practice clipping. In such a case I would at once proceed to shake the cluster of bees into my sifter, and shake and shake till all the bees are in the air except the imprisoned drones and queen or queens. Of course, the bees would soon go back to their old home, and could be located. The bee-keeper will find this sifter con- venient to use at other times. The occasions, will present themselves sooner or later, and I need not say any more about it. Naples, N. Y., Aug. 5. [The wiring-device and the article cred- ited to you on page 677 we find should have been credited to your brother, G. C. Grei- ner. Through some mistake the substitu- tion was made. The fact is, both of you have almost the same handwriting, and your general style is much the same. Your bee-sifter seems to be a good thing. We should like to hear from others who have tried it or who may try it after mak- ing one. I have used bicycle pants-guards with a great deal of satisfaction in the manner you have shown. We at one time thought of cataloging and selling them; but we concluded that such a common arti- cle of sale, and used so universally, would hardly pay us for giving it space in the catalog. — Ed.] A THREE-BAND-ITALIAN-BEE CLUB. Whither Are we Driftiag? is there Danger ia Pur- suing the Fad for Four and Five Yellow Bands? BY J. M. GIBBS. I am slow to ask for the space aff'orded by Gleanings, for fear I shall not be able to write something that will benefit some one somewhere. I have become alarmed at the extent that our queen-breeders are ad- vertising almost all breeds of queens " in their purity." Now, I have been taught by- 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 761 Gleanings principally, and to some ex- tent by other bee- journals and their corres- pondents, that the three-banded Italian is the best all-around bee; and from my limit- ed experience with this bee I don't see how it could be improved upon for g^eneral g^ood qualities. I must confess that I am afraid of the other foreign races of bees — so much so that I would not now order a queen from a breeder who claims to breed them all "in their puritj'." I don't care how- far apart his apiaries maj' be. We all know that the mating^ of queens is very hard to control, and that two races of nearly the same color may be crossed, and the only distinction in the cross might be in the disposition of the bees. I have a neighbor who bought, or at least ordered, Italian queens from a breed- er who has given some attention to (foreign) other than Italians, and I am persuaded that he got some mixed blood, from their general appearance, and from what he says of their " mean disposition." I am anxious for the purity of the Italian blood. I am not afraid of the black (native) bee. We can trace him, and weed him out; but I don't want to mix with a color we can not detect, and distinguish from the Italian without consulting their tempers. I suggest to your readers who may "side" with me that we organize a three-band-Ital- ian-bee club, for the purpose of taking bet- ter care of these bees, purifying and im- proving them, and for the purpose of dis- couraging the breeding and scattering of other races of bees over the country, thereby endangering the purity of the Italian bee, and jeopardizing the interests of apiarists everywhere. I do n,ot want to be put down as saying that queen-breeders as a rule are unscru- lous enough to breed any thing that they can make money out of; but I know, and we all know, that the world at large is for ever and eternally' after something new, and a man is not always to blame for try- ing to make money out of their mania; but it should not be tolerated in this instance, to the detriment of the world's best — the gentle hustling, three-banded Italian bee. Statesville, N. C. ANOTHER HONEY.PLANT. BY A. C. WATTS. I wish to add to j'our list of bee-plants the Palestine olive-bush. It commences to bloom about the first of June, and continues till about the first of September, and is the greatest bee-plant I ever saw. The plant is raised from the seed, and will commence to bloom the second year of its age. I have had the bush three years. I find it does well in East Texas, and I guess it will grow anywhere in the United States. This bush needs no cultivation. You can plant it in the j'ard or in the corners of the fence. Ir will grow anywhere about the place. My bees are working at the bloom on this bush every morning before it is daylight. If any one wishes to try this bush I have a few seeds that have come on my bush this year. It can be sent hy mail. Nettie, Tex., Aug. 5. PARTHENOGENESIS. Three Kinds Explained; a few Wonderful and In- teresting Facts in the Reproduction of Cer= tain Kinds of Insect Life. BY E. F. PHILLIPS. [The writer of the following article, Mr. E. F. Phil- lips, is the scientist who spent some weeks with lis here in Medina, investigating the subject of partheno- genesis. As I have previously explained to our read- ers, he is taking a post-graduate course at the Univer- sity of Pennsylvania, He is thoroughly familiar with all that has been written on the subject of partheno- genesis, notwithstanding that the literature bearing on that interesting subject would make quite a libra- ry. He found that there were some phenomena con- nected with this subject that had never been satisfac- torily explained. Desiring to investigate the matter still further, he asked for and received the privilege of coming to Medina, and drawing from our apiaries such material as he might need. At the time of his visit here he was preparing a thesis on parthenogenesis— a paper that will be read by some ot the best scientific men in the world. This, or the first draft of it, he was kind enough to read to me, and I was so much interested in it that I asked him to prepare, if he would, one or two articles on the subject, tor popular reading, leaving out all scientific terms, and giving us a glimpse into the wcnderful realm of nature. This he has done in his first article. Now that you may know something about Mr. Phillips and his qualifica- tions for a work of this kind, let me tell you briefly who and what he is. He graduated in Allegheny College, Meadville, Pa., in 1890. He taught science in the New Brighton High School for two years He then entered the post-grad- uate department of the University of Pennsylvania in 1901, holding Universitj- scholarships for 1902 and 1903. He was appointed Harrison Fellow in Zoology for 1903 and 1901. In 1902 he began his studies on the sub- ject of parthenogenesis, and during his spare moments is still working on it. He has already finished some work on the compound eye, and at my request he will in later issues tell us somethingabout these wonderful structures in insects. I secured from Mr Phillips a fine photogravure of von Siebold, and have had the same reproduced for our readers In 1885 this remarkable man died, but his work is living after him. — Ed.] The occurrence of parthenogenesis in the case of the honey-bee is familiar to most if not all bee-keepers; and the theory of Dzier- zon is the basis of many of the most ap- proved methods in practical apiculture. It is of interest to notice that the first case of parthenogenesis which was recorded, and the significance of which was fully real- ized, was that of the bee. Many other cases have since been observed, and many different manifestations of this same phe- nomenon have been recorded; but the honor of the first discovery is due to a bee-keeper, Dzierzon. It is the purpose of this paper to give a suggestion of the scope of our knowl- edge at the present time of this most inter- esting subject, and to bring before the read- ers of Gleanings a few facts concerning other animals, especially other insects, which will show the widespread occurrence of parthenogenesis. It was mj' privilege to 762 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Sept. 1 spend a few weeks at Medina, in the apia- ry of The A. I. Root Co., studying- the par- thenogenesis of the bee, and I esteem it a pleasure to record in Gleanings my ap- preciation of the never-failing kindness of all with whom I came in contact. The word "parthenogenesis," in the sense in which it is now used, was first used by Prof. Carl Th. Ernst von Siebold, in his valuable work on the parthenogene- sis of butterflies and bees (1856). Before that time no word had been coined to ex- press the production of individuals from an unfertilized egg; and, in fact, very few per- sons believed that it was ever possible. V. Siebold should be given credit equal to that of Dzierzon for the theory of parthenogene- sis, for it was only after the research of years, carried on by the German scientist, that any valuable and acceptable proof was put forward. In the development of unfertilized eggs into adult animals, but three conditions are possible; and we find in the animal king- dom examples of each. These conditions are, 1, the production of males onl}'; 2, the production of females only; 3, the produc- tion of both sexes alike. A variety of names have been given to these different cases by zoologists, but it will not aid in any way to fill up this article with a lot of words of Greek derivation. Let us now take up each of these cases briefly. 1. Very little need be said in this place concerning the production of males from unfertilized eggs, since that is the kind of parthenogenesis with which the readers of Gleanings are probably most familiar. Since Dzierzon first announced his discov- ery to the world, many persons have at- tempted to prove that drone eggs are fertil- ized in the case of eggs laid by a fertile queen; but so thoroughly has the theory been proven by von Siebold, recently by Prof. Weismann and his pupils, Paulck and Petrunkewitsch, and by many others, that but little faith can be put in the observa- tions and conclusions of Perez, Dickel, and others with like theories. We can safely assert that all drones are produced from unfertilized eggs, and all workers and queens from fertilized eggs, since all au- thentic scientific investigations assert the truth of the statement. The same is true for the males of many other insects, which, with the bee, are included in the group of social Hyvieywptera. "Wasps, hornets, and ants furnish examples of the same kind of parthenogenesis. 2. Examples of females produced from eggs which do not receive the male cell are found in certain small and rare butterflies. It is evident that this form of parthenogene- sis gives to a rare species a much better chance of surviving, since it is never neces- sary for a male and female to meet. In the case of the bee, copulation is necessary for the production of the queen, the individual that has most to do with the propagation of the species; but in these cases copulation is never necessary. 3. The last class of parthenogenesis, that in which both males and females are pro- duced without union of the two sexes, af- fords some of the most interesting facts in all natural science. Volumes could be written — in fact, volumes have been written — concerning the difterent ways in which animals having this power behave. The best known and most interesting cases which fall under this group are those of the plant-lice. Aphides, and water-fleas. The small wheel animalcules, or rotifers, so abundant in all pools of water, also show this phenomenon frequently. Let us now examine one of the plant-lice more careful- ly, as an example of this group of our class- ification. In the spring there hatches from an egg which has lived over winter a wing- less female plant-louse, and no males are seen at this time of the year. This female soon produces numbers of young offspring which come from their mother in a living, active condition, and these, in turn, soon produce more winged or wingless individu- als in the same way — a considerable number of generations appearing during the course of a single summer. Finally, when the unfavorable conditions of autumn come on, there appears a generation consisting of males and females. The individuals of this generation mate, and the females lay fertil- ized eggs which live over winter and begin the cycle again the following spring. In different kinds of plant-lice this cycle may be modified by the migration of the winged generation to some other species of plant, for each plant has its own kind of plant- louse! and then somewhere else in the cycle another winged generation will appear, and they will all return to the original kind of water-plant. A cycle similar to this takes place in many of the little water-fleas, which can readily be seen if you dip up in a glass vessel some water from a stagnant pool. If you let this vessel of water stand for a day or two you may see collected on the sides little patches of what appears to be slime, but which on examination with a good lens turns out to be one of the most beautiful objects in all na- ture— a colony of rotifers. Many of these also have a cycle similar to that which has been so briefly described for the plant- lice. Besides these cases, parthenogenesis has been described for a couple of beetles, for several flies, for some spiders, for the ani- mals which cause liver-rot in sheep, and doubtfully for several other groups in the animal kingdom. It was also supposed a few years ago that it was not of uncommon occurrence among plants; but of late years it is disproven for most of the supposed cases, and to-day is held for but three plants. It is thus evident that parthenogenesis is of quite common occurrence in many groups of animals besides bees; in fact, the develop- ment of males only is probably character- istic of the least modified type of this, strange ability. Philadelphia, Pa. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 763 Lm^^i (^Atr^-cf^ f, (ly/te^v 764 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Sept. 1 ANOTHER BEE-BRUSH. There has been so much said in the jour- nals relative to bee-brushes that I want to add just a few words. It seems to me that there has never been a first-class brush de- scribed; and it seems to me that, when we revert to a bunch of weeds, we are not mak- ing much advancement, aside from the un- tidiness of the apiary in having- weeds growing so plentifully that we can grab up a handful at every hive. We can all buy the best bee-brush at any store for 10 cts. ; and that is, just an ordinary' whisk-broom. Tack a sheet of sandpaper on your work- bench or on a board, and take hold of the handle of the whisk-broom with one hand, and with the other one press the end of the brush down fiat on the sandpaper, and then pull it across it a few times, and you will have all the stiff points cut down so it will be pliable and soft, and no dan ger of mutilating the cappings. When brushing, hold the brush flat to the comb, or practically so; and if it gets daubed with honey, dip it in a dish of water, and it will be clean again, and the moistening makes it more pliable. I have one I have used for fifteen years, and it is good for as many more. I always wet it before begin- ning my day's work. Elias Fox. Hillsboro, Wis., July 9, 1903. [Your suggestions for making a good bee- brush are excellent. We have been trying the idea of " sandpapering " the broom iu the manner you have described, and it works like a charm. The item is worth much to the bee-keepers of the country, and I hope every reader of this journal will see it and act accordingly.— Ed.] FEEDING BACK EXTRACTED HONEY. Having never been situated to test this matter fully, I will not attempt to say that any plan can be invariablj^ followed that will g-ive satisfactory results; but in my feed- ing experiments under various conditions I have observed that bees will build comb more readily, and nearer the way comb is built when nectar is coming in, if not fed too rapidly, and from sources that are near- est approaching their gathering it from the flowers. If the bees are attracted to a feeding-box 100 yards or more from their hive, and the entrance to this feeding-box is contracted so that only so many bees can pass in and out as will convey the usual amount of honey gathered in a day to their hive, they will probably store this honey in boxes to the same advantage as though gathering it from the fields. Again, the honey must be thinned to the consistency of nectar to have it reach the hive in condition normal to the industrial workings carried on therein. A weight of about 9 lbs. per gallon would come near the consistency of nectar from the fiowers. The mixture of honey and water should be of equal temperature when united, or granu- lation will take place after it is stored in the combs, and seriously depreciate results. If mixed at a little higher temperature than honey gathered from the fields, there is no more liability to granulation than is experienced in the various qualities of hon- ey as naturally brought in, provided the temperatures are equal when mixture is made. B. F. Averill. Howardsville, Va., July 21. [You have given us a couple of good sug- gestions, friend A. If it is a fact that fed- E. F. PHILLIPS. See article on Par thenogenesis. page j6i. back honey can be so fed or prepared that it will not granulate in the combs we shall have taken one important step forward. I should be glad to get reports from our sub- scribers who contemplate feeding back, as to the success of the plan here outlined. — Ed.] hoffman and other self-spacing (or fool-proof) frames. Now, this kick is from the other side. Dr. Miller says if none of the Cuban bee-keep- ers will use the Hoffman frame, why not 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 765 use the Miller staple-spaced frame? I be- lieve the photo will make a few things clear. You see the comb is built out over the top-bar; and when 3'ou uncap you want to cut the comb down to the top-bar; and then the stoppers are verj' nice to sharpen the knife on. In Cuba the frames are spaced so that seven frames till a ten-frame extracting-super. Here in Illinois I use six frames in an eight- frame super. The pho- to is of a frame so spaced. The other photo is of some old coal-mine dumps. The}' are composed of the clay that is both over and under the coal-mine. Those dumps have stood gray, and bare of vegetation, for 2S years. Three j'ears ago thej' were as bare of veg^etable life as the da}' the last whistle was blown and the last cageful of men hoisted and the mine aban- doned. Nothing would grow on them until sweet clover got a start, and it is making a rank growth. L. B. [It is very apparent from the illustration that a metal or nail-spaced frame could not be used satisfactorilj' for extracting, pro- viding the frames were spaced wider than l~s from center to center. I judge that 3'ou find no objection to the use of the Hoffman frame, for the projections are of wood, and can no^, therefore, dull the edge of a keen uncapping-knife. Metal-spaced frames are verj' nice for comb-honej' production; but the}' seem to be very, I'ery objectionable for purposes of extracting. If we ever get the uncapping-machine, this objection will be overcome. It is remarkable that sweet clover can be made to grow where nothing else will take root. I have seen it on the alkali lands of Colorado and California — lands where noth- ing could exist, except, perhaps, a kind of alkali weed that is absolutely useless to either man or beast; and yet we hear how sweet clover is regarded as a noxious weed by State legislatures and township trus- WHY A MfLLER STAPLE OR NATL SPACED FRAME won't ANSWER FOR SOME BEE- KEEPERS. tees. Even in this State, mayors are or- dered to cut down along municipal road sides all weeds, including sweet clover, and yet there is nothing so good as a soil-binder for loose lands as sweet clover. I should not be surprised if it were worth millions of dollars to railroad companies to prevent the washing-away of embank- ments, for that is where it does best, on hard yellow clay or oth- er soil where nothing else can grow and take root. There are big dumps near Cleveland where refuse, cinders, and slag of ever}' sort are thrown; but I have noticed how sweet clover seems to find its way along the edges of these dumps, and it seems to be creep- ing all over, making the waste land productive of at least some good. — Ed.] SOME OLD COAL-MINE DUMPS THAT HAVE BEEN BARE WASTES FOR 25 YEARS, THAT ARE NOW RECLAIMED BY A RANK GROWTH OF SWEET CLOVER. BEE-KEEPING IN OKLAHOMA. I inclose photos of my apiaries here in Oklahoma — a place where it is said bees do no good; but, however, we have had bees here nine years, and expect to stay in the business for some time to come. This has been a hard sea- son on us here. Bees built up 766 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. RESIDENCE AND APIARY OI !• . \V. VAN DE MARK, OKLAHOMA. on fruit-bloom, and were in fine con- dition for the persimmon and early su- mac; but a killing frost, April 30, killed the persimmon, and the sumac is just now (June 25) blooming. That, and the contin- ual wet and cool weather gave us a "star- vation time" here, and some bees, espe- cially new swarms, starve or dwindled till their owners are saying that Oklahoma is no good. I fed my bees along, kept up their strength, and now they are just boom- ing on sweet clover, while sumac, wood sage, alfalfa, and black sumac, are just ready to bloom. My bees on scales are swarming again on 4 lbs. per day, and that is onlj' an average one. People are preparing to sow a great deal of alfalfa here this fall, and on the bottom lands here it yields lots of hone}' when it is not cut too soon. That, cotton, and black sumac, are our main sources of honey, and will com- pare favorably with any. F. W. Van de Mark. Ripley, Oklahoma. APIAKY AND HONEV-HOUSE Ol' F. W. VAN DE MARK. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 767 BEK-STINGS — ANOTHER RATIONAL METHOD OF TREATING THEM. After reading Mr. D. A. McLean's " ra- tional " remedy for bee-sting-s, and your re- ply (p. 588), I think your readers will be interested in a very simple and effective remedy which I have tested many times, and know to be good. As soon as possible after being stung, scrape out the sting and clap over the wound the bore of a common key (the old padlock kind), and press it down hard. After holding it for about a minute, remove the key and j'ou will see a tin}' drop of ^-ellowish fluid over the wound. The pressure in some wa}' extracts the poi- son, and that is the end of it. I think the common-sense explanation of this remedj- is that the tlesh, being soft, rises up In the tube in the form of a half- sphere, or, in other words, ball-shape 1, and so stretches the skin and opens the very small hole that the pressure forces out, or, rather, is able to force out the poison. However, this is what it does do, any way. Try it. P. T. Lemaster. Spartanburg, S. C, July 23. [Your method of treatment apparently confines the poison to a very small area, saj- of the circle of the keyhole. The press- ure closes up the delicate blood-vessels, and the continued pressure doubtless forces the virus out through the exit by which it came. If it is a fact that you can force the poison out again, j-ou will have reduced very much the consequent fever that would result. — Ed.] bees storing below brood, etc. In your reply to my inquiry about plac- ing brood over excluder to prevent swarm- ing, 3'ou think bees would not ordinarily store below the brood. I tried a dozen colo- nies, and nearly all went below; but after reading Dr. Miller's experience in his "Forty Years" with the same plan, I abandoned it. In the same book he speaks of shaking a colony and placing the brood over an exclud- er on the same hive. Do you think this would have no tendency to promote swarm- ing on building of queen-cells? In Jul}', 1902, Gleanings you say that having a colony produce a queen of current year's rearing- to prevent swarming is not practicable with many colonies. Why could we not unqueen at first settled weath- er, and then let them rear their own queens for the season? When forced swarms are likely to abscond, how long after forcing is it necessary to watch for them? Kirkton, Ont. J. H. Burns. [Putting the brood over an excluder on the same hive might have a tendency to in- cite swarming; but I am rather of the opin- ion it would not have any effect one way or the other, and verj' possibly it would dis- courage it. While it is advisable to have young queens in the apiary it would be the height of folly, and a most serious blunder, to unqueen at the beginning of settled warm weather in the spring. If there is any time in the whole year that is important to the growth and possible suc- cess of the colony in honey- production, it is in the early spring, when as much brood as possible should be reared in order to bring on bees of the right age for the honey har- vest. No, no! if the colony is to be un- queened, do it either during the honey-flow or soon after. — Ed.] mack's burr-comb TOOL. I send you by mail an instrument which I use to clean the wax from between the top-bars of brood-frames. It is a daisy for that purpose. I should like to have you put it in a can of water, and take it out to a hive that has wax between the top-bars. Put the point between the frames, and use it as 5'ou would a can-opener; and if you do not smile to see the wax peel out in strips ]/i inch wide, and. several inches long, and tumble over on the frames, I shall be sur- prised. I consider it very important, in making comb honey, to see that the spaces between the frames are kept open. Bonsall, Cal. J. M. Mack. [We tried your little tool in our bee-yard, and it accomplished exactly what you say it will. It is something that any one can make for himself out of hard wood; but it is. a question in my mind whether the accu- mulation of propolis or bits of wax along the edges of the top-bars does any particular harm. They serve no useful purpose, it i& probably true. — Ed.] A COMPANY THAT WILL INSURE BEES. In your footnote on page 688 you inquire of subscribers about insurance on bees. I have had vny bees insured for many years, for $2 on each colony, in the Tompkins County Co-operative P^ire Insurance, New York. This company was organized quite a number of years ago with three counties, but has kept adding until it is a large com- pany with perhaps 20 counties. John McKeon. Dryden, N. Y., Aug. 2. 768 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Sept. 1 SOLITARY BEES — A RARE SPECIMEN. For some time I have been watching- bees — at least I suppose they are bees — working about two feet from one of my hives. They are about the size of a house-fly, and shiny g-lass-green all over. They are great pol- len-gatherers; and as they are working from morning till night on flowers, I sup- pose they must also gather honey. The other day the children were carrying water in bottles; and upon investigation I found they were drowning out bees. They claim to have received some stings ; but whether stings or bites, I did not have time to investigate. The children gathered a bottleful, and I send you some by mail. The specimens sent are twice the size of the bees (?) I have been watching, and have striped bod- ies, which bees have not, so I decided they must be drones or another kind of insect. E.- N. Francis. Uvalde, Texas, July 15, 1903.- [This was sent to Prof. Benton, who re- plies:] Mr. Root:— I herewith return a letter from Dr. E. N. Francis. The specimens sent by him are known as Agapostenion ineliventris, a rare and beautiful one of the solitary bees. These bees construct pas- sages in the ground several inches in depth. They collect balls of pollen, which they moisten with honej', and in these thej' de- posit their eggs. They are not known to be injurious, and they doubtless assist in the pollination of blossoms of various useful plants, thereby aiding seed and fruit pro- duction. I have taken the liberty of drop- ping a line to Dr. Francis, together with a frank, and have asked him to send us more perfect specimens, if he can obtain them, for our collection in the JSTational Museum. Frank Benton. Washington, D. C, July 27, 1903. poisoning skunks around bees. Mr. Root: — I will write you my experi- ence with skunks as enemies of bees, as it may be of benefit to some other bee-keeper. I had noticed that some of my colonies that were light were not building up as fast as they ought to do, but could discover no rea- son for it until the evening of July 27. Be- ing out near the hives after dark I heard a noise that at first I thought to be a cat scratching on something. The noise con- tinuing, I went to investigate, and found two skunks working at the bees (just as described in the A B C of Bee Culture). I went and borrowed a gun, and succeeded in shooting a foot off from one (found the foot the next morning). As I was afraid to try the remedy mentioned in the A B C, on account of my neighbors' cats, I put some honey in a pan and put strychnine in it, set it out in the yard among the hives after dusk, and brought it in at daylight. The first night I saw one go to the pan. It did not stay long, and did not get far away un- til it let it be known that it was not feeling very well. The next night, July 29, I put the pan out again. The next morning there were three half-grown skunks found scat- tered around the neighborhood. The 30th I put the pan out, but no skunks seen, but a strong smell. The 31st, or last night, I put the pan out. This morning there was one found, and trails leading in several di- rections that were very strongly scented. It is very evident now that I have lost a good many bees this summer by skunks. If others would keep closer watch, may be thej' would find the same state of affairs. J. I. Whiting. Bolivar, N. Y., Aug. 1. serviceable cheap bee-gloves. In reference to your request for some sug- gestions about gloves, I send you the fol- lowing: The first few j^ears I had bees I attempted to handle them without gloves; but after being severely punished I decided that discretion is the better part of valor, and I applied to Mr. Selser for a pair of the gloves you advertised; but as the largest pair was too small for me I had to try some- thing else. In one of our large department stores I purchased a pair of laborers' gloves. These are made all in one size (large), of inferior leather, but they are bee-proof. To these I had my wife attach the sleeves of an old white shirt, and in- tended to put rubber in the upper part to keep them in place. I had occasion to use them before being finished, and found the rubber superfluous. The sleeves being full prevented the bees from reaching, even when they attempted to sting. I have used this arrangement all summer with greatest satisfaction. J. J. Leitenberger. Ridley Park, Pa. A. I. ROOT AND HIS CUBAN LETTERS. Mr. A. I. Root: — I have been very much interested in your letters from Cuba. I understand Spanish. I spent some time in a missionary venture in Colombia, South America. Your letters brought back many scenes and events. They are wonderfully true to nature. If you want to see some- thing worth while, just extend your trip next winter to Barranquilla; to Cartage- na, the "Great Unwashed," or to Santa Marta, at the foot of the Sierras. Here take a mule (no bicycle in mountain work), and go up to the coffee- plantations. Wm. Crane's place, Agua Dulce, is 2500 ft. up, 17 miles from the sea. He is a Vermont Yankee, and has spent 25 years in that country. Mr. Marshall's place, Bella Vis- ta, is about 3500 ft. up, and you can go up to 7000 feet in a little more than a day — all over good (?) paths, and in sight of the sea. Some of the finest scenery on earth is going to waste here. Just wait until some capi- talist finds it; then there will be a great winter resort. It is but a glance from the tropics to the poles; from the great banana- plantations of Rio Frio, the finest on earth, to the eternal snows of the Sierras, 0'^ CLi" M.h IN iWA-: ll:i.. i L'KE. ■S9 17,000 feet up. The climate is fine, varies between 60 and 80 F. all the vear. In sight is the great Magdalena Kiver, a great plain, a swamp, a desert, several lakes, and the ocean. Back to the east is range after range of mountains to the Venezuela border, all unexplored and uninhabited. At one time they supported a dense popu- lation of Indians, as is shown by miles of stone-paved paths and dozens of village sites. • The largest trees grow where the villages once stood. What has become of the na- tives, no one knows. All this and far more is in easy reach of New York. The bana- na-boats go regularly. The bees of that country are a study. There is a big one; the common stingless bee, and a little one that much resembles Apis florea, as I remember. But I was not so much interested in bees then as now. It seems to me coffee would be a good bee- plant. It blooms in profusion, and twice annually, and there are hundreds of acres of it. The}' raise some alfalfa near Santa Marta. Will Simpson. Farmington, 111., July 21. IS IT FOUL BROOD OR A NEW DISEASE ? Your comment to my communication, page 683, has been well taken by the Muncy Val- ley Bee-keepers' Association. The Associ- ation held a meeting Saturday', Aug. 1, when Gleanings was handed to the secre- tary, with a request that he read the com- munication to the Association. After read- ing it a move was promptlj'^ made and car- ried that we seek State aid in lighting the disease. An effort will now be made to get all the names of bee-keepers of the State, and call a meeting next winter at Williams- port, or some other place near the center of the State, and proceed to ask for legislation for stamping out foul brood and all conta- gious bee-diseases. As our legislature does not meet till the winter of 1894 we have plenty of time to work up the matter. Of course, our local organization will continue to fight the dis- ease as heretofore. I had a pleasant call from Mr. Harry Beaver, who has been in Cuba working for W. L. Coggshall, and mentioned by Ram- bler in his Cuban writings. He says that our disease is not foul brood or black brood, as he has had experience with both dis- eases in Xew York and Cuba. He says it is something that he never saw before, and, in fact, that is my experience, as I had real foul brood in my yard about eight years ago, and I would rather have five colonies affected with foul brood than one with this disease. It spreads very rapidlj', and will almost entirely depopulate a colony in about a month or six weeks. It does not attack sealed brood, but is confined to unsealed brood and adult bees. The larva does not become ropy or brown, but remains white in most cases, and just shrivels up in the side of the cell, and in badly affected colo- nies it has a 'very putrid smell, not at all like foul brood. 1 hi treatment recommend- ed for f jul brx)d does not seem to have much effect on this disease. Gomly, Pa., Auf . 4, U. C. Fuller. THE WHITE-CLOVER FLOW IN NEW YORK. The past white-clover honej'-flow has been uncommonly good; but owing to the many cold rainy days during June, just when the flow was at its height, bees had not the chance to improve the opportunity. Days at a time it was so cold that bees hardl}' left their hives, and consequently the crop gathered is not overly heavj'; but thequalit)', both extracted and in the comb, is good. I have run the solar wax-extractoriwith lamp attachment during the past hot days. It turns out wax on a " run." G. C. Greiner. La Salle, N. Y., July 16. bark of the shag-bark hickory for smoker fuel. Let me say, for the benefit of the brother- hood, that by far the most satisfactory smoker fuel I have ever tried is the bark of the shag-bark hickory, such as is partly loose, and may be pulled off in strips. It is very durable, gives plenty of smoke, and absolutely no sooty drip. Kindle with dry decayed wood; and when once it is well lighted it never goes out. Lapeer, Mich. R. L. Taylor. THE SEASON NOT WHOLLY A FAILURE IN AND AROUND IDAHO FALLS. The season, till within the last month, has been very unfavorable for the bees. We have lost about four-fifths of them in Bing- ham and Fremont Counties, and hence we are cut short in the hone}"^ crop. There will probably be about 50,000 lbs. of honey raised in the two counties. Prices will, therefore, be somewhat higher. Wm. W. Selck. Idaho Falls, Ida., July 8. HONEY CROP IN WESTERN IDAHO. I can't understand those bees dying in Eastern Idaho — nothing like it here. Crop indications are the best in some years. There will be about two cars of comb and one of extracted in this part and Eastern Oregon, of which local demand will use one car. Prices are the same as last year. Parma, Idaho. F. R. FouCH. Do skunks catch bees? There is some- thing that works around the hives at night. McLean, N. Y. W. Hoaglin. [You will see b}' the ABC book that skunks are mentioned among the enemies of bees. But their depredations are only slight, and usually a trap will soon finish up their visitations. See previous page. — Ed.] 770 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Sept. 1 NOTES OF TRAVH. I BY A.liFJOOT . ^m CONTINUED FROM LAST ISSUE. St. Louis, Mich., near Alma, is a won- derful place, or it has been. Some 25 or 30 3'ears ago its reputation was almost world- wide for its medical spring's or wells for the cure of many diseases. I think thej' called them the magnetic springs, and it was claimed that the water was so strong- 13^ charged with magnetism that it would magnetize knives, scissors, etc. If I am correct, these knives and scissors received their magnetism by touching the iroa" pipe where the water runs out ; and any iron pipe driven into the ground possesses this property. Never mind. St. Louis is a thrifty place with its wonderful water- power. We were very pleasantly enter- tained by Mr. J. N. Harris, who has sever- al hundred colonies of bees in various out- apiaries. From St. Louis we had a very nice road through Mt. Pleasant and on up to Clare, in Clare Co. At Clare it began to look very much as though we were getting out into the wilderness. Sandy plains took the place of good roads; and in order to get through from Clare to Far well we had to pass through a piece of woods where there were seven gates to open and shut. You may remember I described this state of af- fairs in Cuba. The land was owned by people who possessed immense farms, and the fence was only around the outside. The traveling public were obliged to open and close the gates or else build fences each side of the road to keep in the stock; and this sandy road twisted around between the trees in a way that seemed as though we should never get anywhere in a straight line. The auto, however, did splendidly, and even made prett3' fair speed. At one point, in consequence of some improvement the road was shut up by a field, and we were compelled to go around the field through the woods where almost no vehicle had ever passed; but we made it all right, and got out of the woods. When we arrived at Farwell we were rewarded for our trou- ble with sandy roads by meeting Mr. T. F. Bingham, the man of smoker fame. Mr. B. is a watchmaker and jeweler, and I be- lieve he still works at his trade more or less. We might expect from this that he would be a careful man and a fine mechan- ic. His smoker-factory is in the back part of his jewelry store, and he has some very nice machincy for making the celebrated Bingham smokers. Besides this he has a very prettj' home, and, I think I may say, one of the finest apiaries in Michigan or any other State. His exceedingly nice and convenient cellar for wintering bees has al- ready been pictured and described in this journal; but the Bingham hive, as he uses it now, deserves more than a passing no- tice. I believe he has changed the dimen- sions of his frame from what they were 3'ears ago. It is not as shallow as it used to be. The hive is made up of the frames like the Ouinby hive and many others of that class; but I think friend Bingham is the man who first originated a hive made up of frames having no outer case. All the others are copies of his idea. Very likely some of the makers did not know of Bing- ham's hive at the time. The frames are close-fitting end-bars. The first and last frame have a cleated panel to close up the hive. A nail is driven into each of these panels, with the head projecting; then a wire loop something like the letter O is hooked over these nail-heads. To squeeze the frames up together, and make it so it can be handled like a solid hive, a stick of the proper length is put into this wire loop, spreading the sides, making the O in the shape of a diamond. This is all there is to it. These light simple hives are placed one over another; and as friend Bingham doesn't take oft" his honey till the season is over, he has them piled up, not only three or four high, but sometimes five or six. If you want a sample of the Bingham hive, all j'ou need is one frame and one of the out- side panels. Just make more like your sample, and 30U can pile up hives as fast as you wish, with the wire loops to hold them together. As he makes and uses them, the idea is exceedingly fascinating. It is simplicity itself. Of course, you can use any kind of bottom-board j'ou choose. I did not look particularly in regard to the entrance; but to have the hives made of perfect frames, without any cutting, I would suggest that the entrance be made in the bottom-board. The cover, I think, is sim- plj' a cleated board. It projects a little all around the hive, if I am right; and he has a novel idea of shading the hive from the direct sun by attaching a sort of night- gown or mother Hubbard to those project- ing covers. His arrangements for comb honey are not particularly different from others in use, except that he has one of the cutest observation glasses I ever saw. One side of the section-case, or super, contains a strip of glass ordinarily concealed from view; but a little door running the whole length of the end-board opens out very eas- ily, and shows you when the bees are at work in the sections. The hinge to this little door i? made by driving a slender nail clear down through the door, and all near one corner of the super. Ernest says there is an illustration of this hive in the ABC that shows it verj' well. I should also like one of the covers with the " night- -gown " attached. Friend Bingham and his good wife al- most insisted that we should stay over night, and not go further that day. When we assured him that we couldn't possibly spare 'the time, he declared we jHusi visit the Wilkins sisters. Our older readers will remember the papers that made such a stir 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. in the bee-keeping world jears ago, ema- nating from "Our Clearing," somewhere in the woods of Northern Michigan. The author, Cyula Linswik, remained for a long time unknown to the public except by name. "Well, this writer proved to be Miss Lucy A. Wilkins, of Farwell, Clare Co., Mich. Her no}n tates, where the church, Sundaj'-school, ajfd every thing else, are getting away in -th,e background. I was told, they used to ha,v.e 3. flourishing Epworth League, but it has gone to pieces. They also once had a temperance organization, and even built a ■temperance hall, but it is now used for other purposes, and every bod 3' drinks beer — many fii the women as well as men. When I ex- jhorted the crowds on the street to come to church or Sunda3'-school they laughed at me. May be they thought I was behind the times. AVell, perhaps I am and was; but I think thej' will, sooner or later, be (Cgmpelled to admit that " godliness is prof- itable," and also that "righteousness ex- alteth a nation." What is the trouble? I think there are .several r.eagons for this state of affairs. J did not hear the young pastor preach. He is a good man, but I fear he has become discouraged, and is a little afraid to de- nounce the Devil in his stronghold in plain terms. This young minister preaches in four different places, and verj' likely at a meager salary; and it would be nothing strange at all if he has trouble in collect- ing even that. The town of which I speak should alone paj' him a fair salary, and one that would permit him to spend all his 'time in looking after the spiritual interests 6^1 his people. The church is old and di- 'la^^idated. This would follow as a matter of consequence. It needs fixing up. It needs to be made attractive; and these people need — at least I think they do — short, sharp, crisp sermons that take hold of the affairs of the present day. They want sermons that strike blows at the wickedness in the verj' town in which the people live. They need an organization to enforce the laws against the saloons. The spirit of temper- ance needs waking up. I think I heard somebody saj', when this new saloon was ppened, there was a little bit of fight about it, but the " wets " predominated, and then celebrated the event. Of course, the free drinks helped them to crow over the way in which the}' had whipped and downed the " pious " element. What will be the effect on that town? What will be the result on the 3'oung men — j-es, and on the girls too? Huber was inclined to be a little rude to- vvard some of the young women who seemed bound to get acquainted. When I remon- strated he replied that he had no patience with forward girls. But I replied, "Huber! Jesus died for fast girls as well as for fast boys. We are not called on to die for them as he did, for he gave up his life on the cross. But we are called on, as followers of Christ Jesus to be kind and civil to them, and to do all they can to lead them into bet- ter waj's. In another town there was a great stam- pede of boj's and girls and everj'body else to the circus. Huber suggested that per- haps I was too severe on circuses — that they are not really' the worst things in the world. I replied, " Huber, you may be partly in the right; but, notwithstanding, circuses have more to do with the manufacture of fast girls than almost any other one thing in our land. They set the example, and then they urge the bo^^s and girls to come on and follow them, by every means that modern invention can bring to bear. May God help us." Now, friends, I wish I could show you a picture of some of the pure bright clean Michigan towns — the towns with beautiful homes, turfy green lawns and cement pave- ments that outshine any other in the world — towns with schools and churches, able min- isters, and bright and intelligent congrega- tions. I should like to show you some of these towns — and thank God there are hun- dreds of them — and then show by contrast the towns I have been describing in this home paper. Dear reader, you may not live in Michi- gan; but what kind of town do you live in — a clean town with clean men and women, or do you live in a town where saloons are rampant? where the wets carry the day every time an election is held? where the,v celebrate their victory with free drinks? where they celebrate the privilege they en- joy of leading pure boys and girls down to ruin and shame.'' It rests with yoti, father and mother, brother and sister. "O God, how long shall the adversary reproach? shall the enemy blaspheme thy name for ever?" As a natural consequence, this town which I have been describing is full of blaspheming men and boys. I will say to their credit they were civil, pleasant, and good-natured; but when they spoke in even the most common conversation, foul in- appropriate oaths rolled out of their mouths. Thej' seemed to delight in shocking a stran- ger; or, to put it a little differently, the^^ seemed to delight in giving a stranger to understand that they were not tied down to any pious order. Again and again I think of that long ser- mon— a very good sermon it was, mind you — but there was too much of it; and it had too much theology in it. It was not on a theme that touched the events of the daj' and interested and got hold of the girls and boj's. It made me think of the time when / had no interest in nor sympathy for sermons I listened to. It may be we Christian people are greatly at fault. It may be that at 774 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Sept. 1 least some of us are in the old ruts. If so, may God help us to get out of them. May he help us to make it clear to these j'ounger ones that our work is as sensible and as important as building- locomotives, putting up telephone-wires, selling goods, and rais- ing crops. I know our people, the Chris- tian part of them (at least I think I know it) , will gladlj' enlist in works of righteousness rather than in works of iniquity when they can see and be made to understand just where these things are comingout; whentheycanbe made to see that we are all sowing seeds of some kind. Shall we busy ourselves in sow- ing seeds of docks and thistles when we mig-ht as well be sowing seeds that will produce crops of golden grain, sheaves fit for the Master? Let me close by saying once more, in the language of our text, *' O God, how long shall the adversary reproach? shall the enemy blaspheme thy name for ever?" Carniolans and Italians. QUEENS CHoice Queens a Specialty ^ >P Having added extensivelj' to our queen - rearing plants in the North and the South we can furnish any number of queens on short notice. Carrkiolans. Very prolific, hardy, gentlest bees known. Great comb-builders. Sealed combs of a snowy whiteness. A worker on red clover. Italiaxis. Gentle, prolific, swarm very little, fine workers, and a red-clover strain. THe Carniolan-Italian Cross. A cross giving the combined qualities of each race, are hustling workers, the coming bee for comb honey. One untested queen, 75:; 6 for $o.90; 12 for $6. Tested, $1.25. Best breeder, $2 50. Best imported breeder, $1. For full colonies, one or two frame nuclei, large or- ders for queens, send for descriptive price list. Orders booked now will be filled when desired. F. A.. I^ocKhart CSX, Co. .Caldwell. N. Y. 3 and 5 Banded, or Golden Long-tongued Bees. The best for the least monej', direct from the breed- er. Untested, 5.5 cts. each; 6 for $:^.25; 12 for $6. -15. Tested, «1.00 each. Breeders, $3 00 each. My bees are not excelled by any. Have 700 nuclei. Sent by return mail. This is a postal money-order office. Mention Gleanings when ordering, DANIEL WURTH. Karnes City, Karnes Co., Texas. Red Clover and Three and Five Banded Queens. Untested, 75 cts.; $7 per doz. Fine tested queens, $1.00 each. Remember we guarantee our queens to work red clover as well as white clover. Get my circular. Queens go by return mail. Fifty and one hundred, special prices. G. ROUTZAHN, BIQLERVILLE, ROUTE 3, PENN. When you need Queens and want your order filled at once with the beU queens that monev can buv, we can serve you and guarantee satisfaction. We have a fine strain of Italians that can not be excelled as honey-gatherers. We can furnish queens from either imported or home-bred mothers. Choice tested, $1.00 each. Untested, 75c; $8.00 per doz. J. W. K. Shaw & Co., Loreauville, La. Long Tongues Valuable South as well as North. How Moore's strain of Italians roll in honey down in Texas. Hutto, Tex., Nov. 19, 1902. J. P. Moore. — Dear Sir: — I wish to write you in re- gard to queens purchased of you. I could "have writ- ten sooner, but I vi'anted to test them thoroughly and see if they had those remarkable qualities of a three- banded Italian bee. I must confess to } ou I am more surprised every day as I watch them. They simply "roll the honey in." It seems that they get honey where others are idle or trj'ing to rob; and for gentle- ness of handling, I have never seen the like. Friend E. R. Root was right when he said your bees have the longest tongues; for they get honey where others fail. I will express my thanks for such queens. I am more than pleased. I will stock my out-apiaries next spring with j'our queens. Yours truly, Henry .Schmidt. The above is pretty strong evidence that red clover is not the only plant which requires long tongued bees to secure the greatest quantity of nectar. Daughters of my 23-100 breeder, the prize-winner, and other choice breeders : Untested, 75c each; six,, $4.00; dozen, 87.50. Select untested, $1.00 each; six, $.>; dozen, $9.00. Safe arrival and satisfaction guaran- teed. Circular free. I am now filling orders by re- turn mail, and shall probably be able to do .so till the close of the season. J. P. Moore, L. Box I, Morgan, Kentucky. Pendleton County. Laws' Leather-colored Queens. Laws' Improved Golden Queens. Laws' Holy Land Queens. W. H. Laws: — Your queens have proved to be excel- lent. My apiary stocked with your Leather queens is a sight to behold during a honey-flow, and the Goldens are beyond description in the line of beauty. \ ours are the best for comb honey I ever saw. I want more this spring. — E. A. Ribble, Roxton, Tex., Feb. ig, 1903. IV. H. Laws. — -The 75 queens {l,eather) from you are dandies. I introduced one into a weak nucleus in May, and in September I took 28.5 lbs. of h'iney, leav- ing 48 lbs for winter. My crop of honey last season was 48,000 lbs. I write you for prices on '50 nuclei and 150 lyCather queens.— yo.jf/iA Farnsworth, Idaho Falls.^ Idaho, Feb. 16, igop Prices of Queens: Each, 81.00; 12, $10.00 Breeders, extra fine, guaranteed, each $3.1)0. Send for price list. W, H. Laws, Beeville, Texas. The Best Honey Queens ON RECORD Are those reared by The BEE & HONEY CO., Will Atchley, Manager. We breed six distinct races in their purity, from 6 to 35 miles apart, queens ready to go now. We make a specialty of one, two, and three frame nuclei and queens in large lots. Write for prices, they will astonish you. Untested queens of either race, 75c each; |4.25 for six; $8.00 per dozen. Tested, 81-50 to «C? 00 each. Breeders, the best that money can buy, 85 00 each. We guarantee safe arrival and perfect satisfaction. Address all orders to The BEE & HONEY CO., Beeville, Box 79. Bee Co., Tex. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. pnd of the Season Problems are discussed by such mem as K. L. Tay- lor, H K. Boardman, M. A, Gill and Jas. A. Green, in the July and August issues of the Bee-Keepers' Review. Send ten cents for these two issues, and another different issue will be sent with them, and the ten cents may apply on any subscription sent in during- the year. A coupon will be sent entitling the holder to the Review one year for only 90 cts. W, Z. Hutchinson, Flint, Mich. QUEENS Golden Italian & Leather Colored Warranted to give satisfaction, those are the kind reared by Qulrin°the^Queen=Breeder. We guarantee every queen sent out to please you, or it may be returned inside of 60 days and another will be sent '• gratis ■• Our business was established in 188.S, our stock originated from the best and highest-priced Long-tongued Red=clover Breeders in the U. S. We send out fine queens, and send them promptly. We guarantee' safe delivery to any State, continental island, or European Country. lihe A. I. Root Co. tells us that our stock is extra fine, while the editor of the American Bee Journal says that he has good reports from our stock, from time to time. Dr. J. X,. Gandy, of Humboldt, Nebr., says that he secured over JOO pounds of honey (mostly comb), from single colonies containing our queens! A FEW TESTinONIALS. P. F. Meritt, of No. lo Ereckenridge St., l,ex- ington, Ky.. writes: The bees sent me last July did splendidly. P'ach colony has at least 75 lbs. of honey — pretty good for two-frame nuclei. Mr. J. Roorda, of Demotte, Ind., writes: Send me six more queens, the 48 sent me last spring are hustlers. Mr. Wm. Smiley, of Glasgow, Pa , writes: Your bees beat all the rest, now send me a breed- er of the same kind. A. Norton, Monterey-. Calif., writes: Your stock excels the strain of Sir. , which is said to outstrip all others. Your stock excels in profit- able results as well as in beautv. Price of Queens After July First. 1 6 12 Selected $ 75 1 00 1 50 3 00 • 2 00 $4 00 5 00 8 00 $7 00 9 00 Tested Select Tested Extra Selected Tested— the best that money can buy Two-frame Nuclei, no Queen Add the price of whatever queen is wanted to that of nuclei. Our nuclei build up fast, and if not pur- chased too late will make some surplus. Queen-rearing is our specialty: we give it our undivided attention, and rear as many queens (perhaps more* as any breeder in the North. No order is too large for us, as we keep 300 to 500 on hand ready to mail. Send all orders to Quirin=the=Queen=Breeder, Parkertown, OHIO. Bee-keepers! Attention! We are again tearing the best of queens for market. We have 1000 colon-es of bees, the best stock, and 10 vears' experience. We have either Golden Italians or three banders. Price, 75 cts. each: <1.2o lor 6; >S 00 for 12; tested, $1.50. Safe arrival and satisfaction. Give us a trial. All orders filled promptly. 3 -K We kf-ep a large stock of honey-cans of all sizes ready for prompt shipments. Get our prices. We also want all the section and bulk comb honey that we can buy, and will take some No. I LXtr;icted. We pay spot cash. Write u.s. Johe Hyde Bee Company, Floresville, (Successors to (). P. Hyde & Son.) Texas. 776 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Sept. 1 ADEL QUEENS. Hard Record to Beat. My father bought an Adel queen in ISXG. Her col- ony and swann from it filled twelve ^r-lb. supers this year, UXXi. I cm ready to back up this staff tmnt: Roy Kozak, Maquoka, Iowa. I got 210 lbs. honey from one Adel colony. Another Adel colony has filled S supers and 1 expect "2 more supers this season from them. C. J. OLDEN-BrRG. Bell Plain. Mich. One tested queen. $1.00. Selected tested breeding queen and my new book on queen-rearing. |1.50. I have had '40 years" experience in queen-reaiing. HENRY ALL.EY, Wenham, Mass. ..Very Satisfactory.. The four dozen queens I got of you last year are very satisfactory, being good honey-gatherers, and gentle, and finely marked. Chas.' Stewart. Sammonsville, X. Y. June 19. 1903. State Bee Inspector. 3rd Div. To induce a trial we offer W-areaxted queens at 75c, six for |o 50; fine select, *I.OO. six for $-!.50. Queens sent promptly: satisfaction guaranteed. Hybrids or poor queens replaced free. ' ■ J. B. CASE. Port Orange, Fla. ITALIAN BEES FOR SALE ! Full colonies. |4.(Vt: three frames with queen. 5^.i5: two frames with queen $"J.O0: one frame. SI .50: queen, 51.00. Mrs. A. A. Simpson, Swarts, Pa. 100 = Mounted = Queen=cells and one sample of the Stanlev Cell-Droiec:or >r Introducing-cage. for 7ii cents postpaid. LaE:c3Zi, Xlllnois. CARTONS FOR HONEY Wanted to introduce the best, most practi- cal. Ic-we?:-p7:ce canon f.-r honey, all things consider- ed: costs nothing. We have wholesaled honey in this city for 30 years. We have seen no honey-carton equal to this. Send us five two-cent stamps! and we will send you sample, together writh explanation, and some practical suggestions regarding marketing honey to i>est advantage; also live poultry. We originated "and introduced the now popular one-pound section. Established in ISTO. H. R. WRIGHT. Wholesale commission. Albany. X. Y. FOR SALE-"Having land of good quality on north coast of this island. I want to sell it iTOOO acresi. in parcels or all together. Land to be sold from J5 to$S per acre. I want a married couple to start bee-keeping and fruit-raising on half shares. I give them all that thev need to begin with. J. McCreight Thaix. Sagua la Grande. Cuba. If you are interested in Cuba and want the truth about it, subscribe for the HAVANA POST, the only English paper on the Island. Published at Havana. Cuba. jl.OO per month, >10.00 per vear. Dai- ly lexcepr Mondaj-). Nothing equals greea ciit b.r.e i".-r hens. 9 Any cae can c-t it with Mann's 5f^^il Bone Cutter. Open hopper. Auto!na^:c feei. 10 Dav** J FreeTrlflL Nopavunr:! vc-:resr.t:>-Vi. I Ifyoec. Low Pri(.-ce, KGROeNUReVGO.. •sprite fc- rr.EX Ci-.ilo, ROCHESTER, N. Y. 4,000,UOU PbACH TREES TEXNESSEE WHOLES.^LE NURSERIES. June Buds a Specialty. Xo agents traveled, but sell direct to planters at wholesale prices. Absolutely free from diseases, and true to name. Write us for catalog and prices before placing your order elsewhere. We guarantee our stock to be true to name. Il,ars:est peach nurserv in the world. Address J. C. HALE, Winchester, T'enn. riA/^ I ^|3 TT Printed to Order $1 per 1000 HeavT.-. white, high-cut. size oi^. A neat little coupon on each envelope wdll earn you dollars. Other station- ery cheap. For particulars and sample, address at once Howard Co.. 516 Masonic Temple. Chicago. Ills. Apiary for Sale. Owing to mv age I have decided to sell my yard of 16 colonies, with extra hives, .supplies, etc. Price only |.'.5 for the entire outfit. Some colonies have made 75 lbs. each, comb honey, this season. A bar- gain. Call on or address R.. Lr. Holman, Springfield, O. ■^"f *>.. ^^^ ^tl^^T" ■ Sections, shipping cases, Honey cases, tncir pnces. Present given ■witii each order amoaniing to ?"2 or over. List sent free. W. D. Soper, Rural Route No. 3, Jackson ^Hichigan. PAGE tH)G FENCE holds the whole litter. It's closer woven. F*age Woven Wire Fence Cc. Box S, Adrian, Michigan. HON T freeze, but come to Florida, the land of ^ sunshine, and buy a home among the orange grtjves and bees It doesn't take a fortune to do so. Write for particulars. M. W Sheoard. HoUister, Fla. and every thing necessary for the bee keeper. fInE ITALIAN QUEENS. Prompt shipping. Catalog Frte. C. M. Scott & Co., Indianapolis, Ind, 1004 East V^ashington Street. FOR S.\LE.— To colonies Italian bees in 10-frame hives; also 100 colonies in 8-frame hives at S^. -50 each; in lots of 10. J4.00 each. F \ Gray. Redwood Falls. Minn. In the previous issue, a tvpographical error made me sav. " In lots of 10. 51. (SO each."' It should read $1.00 each. FOR SALE —150 colonies of Italian bees in good hives. D. J. Richardson, Valley Center. San D. Co.. Cal. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 777 c.&n.w.ry; And Return. First class to Denver. Colorado Springs, and Pueblo from Chicago, dailv. throughout the summer, good re- turning October 31'. The Colorado Special fast daily train, one night to Denver from Chicago and the central States (only two nights enroute from the Atlantic seaboard), leaves Chicago daily tj:30 p. m. A second daily train leaves Chicago 11:30 p. m. Per- sonally conducted excursions in tourist sleeping-cars. For sleeping-car reservations, descriptive pamphlet, " Colorado Illustrated,'' and full particulars, address A.F.CLEVELAND, 234 Superior St., Cleveland. 0. one season, planting in ro- tation cauliflower, cucum- bers, egg-plants, in beauti- ful, health-giving Manatee Count)'. The most fertile section of the United States, where marvelous profits are being realized by farmers, truckers, and fruit-growers. Thousands of acres open to free homestead entry. Handsomel}- illustrated de- scriptive booklets, with list of properties for sale or exchange in Vir- ginia, the Carolinas. Georgia. Florida, and Alabama, sent free. John W. White, Seaboard Air Line Railway, Portsmouth. Va. Splendid Location for Bee=keepers. THE LUCKY "4=LEAF CLOVER'' Plymouth Cream Extract- or is the CREAM of them alL Inner can quickly remova- ble; water all around and under milk; has far greater fooling surface than any othrT. No water required 5 ' > in year. Siiecial aii r with ventilator, iiid original faucet, irnxxjssible to leak or sour. Express charges prepaid. Catalo;.nie free. Plymouth Cream Separator Company, Plymouth, Ohio. Haifa cSntnry of fair dealtnc hasgiveu our prodacls that promineace wh ch mtrit deserves. \S> still otfer feverjthiiii; of the best for Orchard, \ intjurd, Lii« n, I'ark, >tre«-i, Garden uiid Greenhouse. Catalogae No. 1, 112 pages, fr^-e to pur- chasers of Fruit and Ornamenial Trees. No. 3, &4 paees, free to buyers of Holland Bulbs and Greenhou-e Plants. Try ns; we puarar t**e satisfaction. Correspondence sol ict<- 4 50 30 30 2.) 1 10 2 (M) 4 50 15 15 70 1 30 3 (K) 15 15 15 70 1 30 3 00 w 1 70 1 35 H (K) 11 80 27 50 200 1 75 1 40 6 15 12 00 28 75 \Vb 2 15 1 70 7 75 15 00 34 00 240 2 25 1 80 8 10 lo 50 36 75 W6 2 25 1 80 S 00 15 50 36 25 210 2 35 1 90 8 60 16 00 38 00 z 75 (iO 2 75 5 (K) 12 00 SO 80 62 2 85 ty 20 12 25 YZ 1 50 1 20 5 50 10 00 24 00 180 1 60 1 25 6 75 10 50 25 00 410 410 490 480 4a5 525 515 5a5 520 550 105 125 30 15 205 250 250 85 190 Ppiee List of Danzenbakep Hives and Papts. DESCRIPTION OF PARTS. Adjustable bottom, floor made up Metal-bound cover, made up Metal-roofed telescope, cap 115{ inches deep Metal-bound super-cover % inch thick, to be used with cap Danzenbaker hive-body with 10 frames and follower The same as D5 with foundation for 1-inch starters added One-story hive consisting of cover, bottom, body, with frames and folio The same as AD5 with foundation for 1-inch starters Danz. super with 8 section-holders, 9 fences, 3 springs, without sections Danzenbaker super, same as 2M with 32 4x5 plain sections.... - Same as 3M with foundation for 1-inch starters 154-story Danzenbaker hive complete without sections and starteis 1% story Danzenbaker hive complete with sections and starters Either above hives with telesc. cap, and super-cover instead of flat, add Designat- ing letter or number. •a PRICE IN FLAT IN LOTS OF 1 5 10 25 A 37 24 1 10 ?. 10 5 00 D 48 3(i 1 65 3 00 7 00 K 8o 65 3 10 6 00 14 00 lo 15 75 1 30 3 00 D5 1 00 SO 3 75 7 00 16 25 D6 1 10 90 4 00 750 17 .50 D. AD5 1 8b 1 40 6 50 12 00 28 25 D. AD6 1 95 1 50 6 75 12 50 29 50 2M 85 70 3 25 6 00 14 25 3M 1 05 85 4 00 7 50 17 50 4M 1 15 90 4 25 8 00 18 75 D. AD52M 2 70 2 10 9 75 18 00 42 50 D. AD64M 3 10 2 40 11 00 20 50 48 25 50 45 2 20 4 30 10 00 37 45 80 15 120 120 200 200 100 120 120 300 320 Danz. brood frames. 82.-50 per 100; section-holders, {2.25 -fer 100; hanger cleats. 3c each; $2 50 per 100. SHIPPING-CASES. NAME AND SIZE OF CASE. 12-in. 4-row for 4}4 s'n 10-in. 4-row " 12-in. 2-row " 10-in. 2-row " 16-in. 2-row " 8-in. 3-row " 654-in. 3-row " 75i-in. 4-row for 4x5... 75'3-in. 3-row " 954-in. 4-row for 3?ix5 30 654-in. 3-row " |25 Price c o m - plete includ- ing 3 - inch glass 1 side, nails, & pa- per, in flat. 1 10 100 2 00 2 00 1 30 1 20 1 50 1 30 1 20 1 80 1 40 1 80 ,1 40 ■S-^a c..i:S. P'Si'o m 00 16 00 10 50 10 00 11 50 10 75 10 25 ^8 ^M SI6 00 15 00 10 00 9 50 11 CO 10 00 9 50 14 00 10 ,50 14 00 10 00 4.50 400 225 200 300 225 200 300 250 35o 200 PRICE LIST OF SECTION-HOLDERS, AR.\TORS, AND SLATS. SEP- Price of Wt. 100 500 of 100 Slotted section-holders, l%xl85^ outside 2 Slotted section-slats, 54x1%x18'/b 1 Plain section-holders, 1 54x1754 outside... 1 Ideal plain slats, ^xlMxlSYs 1 t, plain slats, |/3xlJ^xl2 Slotted sawed separators, 454x1854 1 Plain sawed separators 3Jixl7 to 20 Slat separators 1 I, P, S, T, and X, fences 1 M fences |l 00 4 50 7 .50 4 50 3 25 4 50 3 00 00 00 9018 50 .35 lbs 15 lbs 20 lbs 18 lbs 10 lbs 8 lbs 6 lbs 10 lb. 11 lb. 13 lb. Name. Put up , — In flat , Wt. of 100 10 100 500 100 Hoffman frames, end-spaced 4 60 .30 2 75 12 50 40 lbs. Thick-top staple-spaced frs... 4 00 30 2.50 11 50.38 lbs. All-wood frames 3 00 25 2 00 9 00 25 lbs. Shallow ext.-frames (5^-in.),3 00 25 |2 00 9 00 22 lbs. Pplee List of Feeders. Pri 1 ce of 10 Weight of 10. 8 30 20 25 15 5 8 10 a5 30 65 2 50 1 80 2 20 1 20 40 70 90 3 00 2 50 3 lbs. 15 lbs. Division-board feeder, in flat Boardman feeder, 2-qt., complete ... Boardman feeder, in the flat, with- 15 lbs. 20 lbs. 4 lbs. Special caps onlj', for either Mason or lightning jars 1 lb. 4 lbs. 6 lbs. 40 lbs. Miller's feeder, in flat 40 lbs. FOLDING CARTONS. — Page 25. NAME OR DESIGNATION. Price, i 100 500 i 1000 1-lb. carton, plain, Ic each; 25 for 20c... !$ 75 1-lb. carton, printed one side, one col- or, name blank 80 1-lb. carton, printed one side, one col- , or, name and address 1 30 1-lb. carton, printed two or three col- ors one side, or one color both sides 1 40 83 25 3 50 4 00 4 25 86 00 6 50 7 00 7 50 COMB FOUNDATIO^ —Page 16. (iRADE. Size,and sheets per pound. lib. — In 5 lots 10 of- 25 50^ Medium Brood Light Brood Thin Super Extra Thin 7^x16% 7 to 8 7%xl6J^ 9 to 10 3%xl554 28 3%xl554 32 .58 60 6.5 70 55 57 62 65 Si 55 60 63 51 53 58 61 50 .52 57 60 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 781 GINSENG. Now is the time to start a ginseng-garden. Septem- ber, October, and November are the best months to re- set the roots or sow the seed. Yon should buy from responsible parties, so that j-ou will not get the Japan- ese ginseng. It is a cheap and worthless ginseng that has been exported to this country to a great extent. True American ginseng is a great money plant. These are the kind of letters I get : JopLiN, Mo., April 20, 1903. Afr. A . P. }'oun^: — I have yours of a recent date, and note what you have to savin regard to the wild plants. You niav enter my order for -JODO one-year-old plants ; 2olX) two-year, and L'OtX) three-vearold plants, at prices quoted, S'l.'>, Jti.'), and $100 per 1000. These, you remem- ber, are for fall delivery. I want nice roots, and it may be that I could use double the amount of this or- der". If I conclude to use more, can you furnish them? JOPLiN, Mo., May 5, 190:5. Afr. A. P. )'oung:—l have yours of a recent date, and noted contents. You may book my order for 2000 more three-year old plants at prices quoted. Lebanon, Ky., June 17, 1903. Mr. A. P. Young: — I am thinking very seriously of putting several hundred dollars into the cultivation of ginseng, provided I can get the seeds and roots at the right price. Please quote me your best prices. Sharon, Mich., July 24, 1903. Mr. A. P. Youtig: — Have vou anv ginseng roots for sale this fall? It so, I shall want from $100 to S200 worth of seedlings — two and three year-old plants. I am an invalid, and have been all my life. I have a few hundred dollars laid by that I should like to in- vest in something that would not require much labor to look after, and bring me more than 3 per cent for my money. A friend here who has a small garden that he started three j'cars ago advised me to try gin- seng culture. Give me your lowest cash prices on the above sizes. Harrisburg, Pa., Aug. 15, 1903. Mr. A. P. Young:— I am going: to start a ginseng- garden this fall at Lansing, :Michigan, and shall want about $2(K1 or $3(X) worth" of one and two year-old plants and stratified seed, all first-class stock. What can you furnish them to me for? Write me at Read- ing,'Pa., as I am a traveling man, and am working this State now. For prices address A. P. YOUNG, Cave City, Ky. Wants and Exchange. Notices will be inserted under this head at 10 cts. per line. Yon mast bay you want .vonr adv't in this department, or we will not be responsible for an.v error. You can have the no- tice as many lines as yoa please ; but all over ten lines will cost yon according to oar regular rates. We can not be re- sponsible for dissatisfaction arising from these " swaps." Y^TANTED. -To sell bees and queens. O. H. Hyatt, Shenandoah, Iowa. w .\XTED.— Comb and extracted honej-. See honey column. Gleason & Lansing, Buffalo, N. Y. w ANTED.— To sell fine job-printing outfit, nearly new. J. W. Stebbins. Broad Creek, Va. WANTED.— To sell or exchange Daj^ton computing scale, cost $60; good as new. Will take $i0 in white extracted honey, or anv thing I can use. J. M. Rood, Delray, Mich. WANTED. — A buyer for good feed yard; also wood and coal; one-half block from square; good water; nice town: good country surrounding. For full infor- mation address A. O. Young, Appleton City, Mo. W.\NTED.— To sell 10 colonies Italian bees in Danz. hives all with select tes'ed queens. First year made lt)9 lbs. from two colonies; ready for delivery any time in October, at $4.50 Chas. E. Selchow, Port Chester, N. Y. WANTED. — .\ partner in the bee business, box fac- tory, and a patent bee-hive. D. S. Hall, So. Cabot, Vt. \1/ANTED. — Your address on a postal for a little '' book on Queen-Rearing. Sent free. Address Henry Alley, Wenham, Mass. WANTED.— Old postage stamps, especially foreign. Send list of what you have to offer and price a'-ked with samples. A. L- Boyden, Medina, Ohio. WANTED. — To exchange modern firearms for old gold watches and solid gold jewelry of any kind. W. S. Ammon, Reading, Pa. WANTED — You to read the adv't of ginseng on this page. For prices address A. P. Young, Cave City, Ky. WANTED. — An active, honest, experienced helper in the bee and honey business. Good habits and good references required. A permanent job for the right man. B. Walker, Clyde, 111. WANTED. — Position by a young man and his wife as demonstrators, or to have charge of an exhibit, at the St. Louis Exposition Bonds if required. E C. C , Floresville, Texas. \VANTED.— To sell Foxhound puppies and dogs, ** Hovey strain, some Cocker Spaniel, finely bred. Write for prices. W. H. Gifford, 151 Franklin St., Auburn, N. Y. WANTED.— To sell for cash, 5-gal. square tin cans, used for honey, at about half price of new cans. For prices, etc., address Orel L. Hershiser, 301 Huntington Ave., Buffalo, N. Y. WANTED.— To exchange postage stamos with collec- tors, especially in West Indies, Europe, Bri ish col- onies, Mexico, and United States. State what you have to offer and what you want in exchange. A. L. Boyden, Medina, Ohio. WANTED —The address of every bee-keeper that makes his own hives The " Kold Kliraate " bee- hive makes the best outside case in the world for win- tering bees in any kind of hives. D. S. Hall, So. Cabot, Vt. WANTED —To sell Italian queens. Untested, 60 cts. each; 3 for $1.00; 6 for )f3.0il. Safe arrival and reasonable satisfaction guaranteed. Reference, the Bank of Nevada. Send your name and address on a postal for my prices on queens for 19 U. Chas. M. D.^rrow, Nevada, Mo. R. F. D. No. 3. W^ RANTED.- We want to send a catalog free, of the Ko er Well-drilling machine to anybody who needs a well at his house, barn, or fields. Especially for domestic well-making. The farmer's friend, two or more buying and doing their own well-making when other work is not pressing. Cheapest by half, and the most practical of any. Best money-maker on the market. J. J. Koger & Sons, Mooresburg, Tenn. WANTED.— To sell a splendid bee-ranch, 86 acres, 60 acres tillable; 2% miles from Escondido. Spring of running water; well; wind-mill; 6-roora 1^- storv house; orchard, and hundreds of acres of sage andother good honev-plants; a very healthy location. Also 100 colonies Italian bees. Ranch 81200 00. Bees, S3.50 per colony. Address P. O. Box 172, Escondido, San Diego Co., Cal. WANTED.— Lots of eggs by lots of people. We'll get more eggs when we breed from better egg- laving strains. "Blood will tell." Almost any hens when crossed with White Leghorn cockerels of a su- perior laying strain will produce nice white pullets that will be early and good layers. We sell S. C. White Leghorn cockerels from stock direct from HenrvVan Dres.ser's egg-laying strain, for from 75 cts. to $1.50 each, now The offer not repeated. P. Hostetler, East Lynne, Mo. 782 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Sept. 1 PACE 1^ LYON, New London, Wisconsin, MANUFACTURERS OF AND DEALERS IN . . . BEE-KEEPERS' SUPPLIES. . . . Send for Our Free New Illustrated Catalog and Price List ^WWWWWWMW»#WWWWWWW'^WMWWMWWM'^ ♦AA^AAAA^AA^^AAA^A^A^^^^^A^A» We Have Not floved The government, recognizing the necessity of a great and growing bus- iness enterprise, for better mail ser- vice has given us a postoflBce on our premises, which enables us to change mails with the passing trains instead of through the Wetumpka, Alabama, postoffice more than a mile distant. This gives us our mails about two hours earlier, and also one hour for making up outgoing mail. This will be particularly helpful in our queen business. We are now booking or- ders for Italian queens, lyOng-tongued and I,eather-colored; both good. J. n. Jenkins, Honeysuckle, Alabama. Shipping=point and Money=order Office at Wetumpka, Alabama. Kretcliiner MTg Company, Box 60, Red OaK, lo-wa. BEE- >^ ^ SUPPLIERS! l^pst-equipped factory in the West; carry a large stuek and greatest variety of every thing needed in the apiary, assuring BEST goods at the LOWEST prices, and prompt shipment. We want every bee-keeper to h:ive our FREE ILLUSTRATED CATALOG, and read description of Alternating Hives, Ferguson Supers. IVrite at once for catalog. Trester Si:pply Compnii Shugart & Ourer., t v. >oster Lumber Co Agencies. incoln. Neb. ! Blutfs, Iowa, r.y, LL.niar, Colo. BINGHAM SMOKER. Dear Sir?— Inclosed find $1.76. Plpase Bend one brass 8moke.<;ugine. I have one already. It is the best smokur I everased. Trulv yours, Henbt Schmidt, Hutto, Tex. MADE TO ORDER Bingham Brass Smokers, Made of sheet brass, which does not rust or burn out; should last a lifetime. You need one, but they cost 25 cts. more than tin of the same size. The little open cut shows our brass hinge put on the three larger sizes. No wonder Bingham's four-inch smoke-engine goes without puffing, and does not drop inky drops. The perforat- ed steel fire-grate has 381 holes to air the fuel and support the fire. Hea\-y titi smoke-engine, 4-inch stove, per mail, $1.50; 3J^-inch, $1.10; 3-inch, |1.00; 2H-i"ch, 90c; 2-inch, 6.5c. Bingham smokers are the originals, and have all the improvements, and have been the standard of excellence for 23 years. Only three larger ones brass. T. F. Bingham, Farwell, Michigan. Volume XXXI SEPTEHBER 15 1903 BEEGUUrap ^cONTENTs^ Market Quotations 787 ^Straws, by Dr. Miller 791 Pickings, by Stenog- 793 Conversations with Doolittle 754 Editorials 795 Notice to Members of the N. B. K. A 795 Formaldehyde Treatment 796 Keeping Honey Liquid Indefinitely 790 Bee Paralysis 79G Cages for Mailing Queens 79f) Raising Queens a la Stanley 797 Model Bee Cellar in Michigan 798 General Correspondence 799 Venezuela as a Bee Country 799 Shallow Hives 798 Tightening the Wires 802 Heads of Grain 803 That Big Swarm of Bees 804 American Formaldehyde 804_ Why Bees do not Work in Sections 804' Is it' Pickled or Foul Brood 805 Dampness in the Cellar 805 >... Sliced Onion for Stings 806 Do all Basswoods Blossom? 806 Bees as Embalmers 807 Sweet Clover Preferred to Alfalfa by Stock ..S07 Boes Poisoned by Spraying 803 Honey Dew for Winter Food 809 A\\\\ Feeding Outdoors 809 i.m^ ■" ' When to Take Oflf Supers - 809 Our Homes 810 .,.,.,. Health Notes 812 *^^"^^ " '^ Special Notices 820 jy/y/zMisi^^^ The A.I. g MEDINA Root Cq OHIO S) Eastern Edition. Rntkrbd at thb Postofficb at Medina, Ohio, as Skcond-class Mattbk. New England We are now breeding- from three dis- tinct strains : viz., Imported or leather color, Kout's long-tongued, or red-clo- ver strain, and our old strain of white- banded yellow Italians, or albit^os. AUG. AND SEPT. PRICES : . Tested, each $1 25 Select tested, each., 1 50 Warrsnted purely mated, each.... 75 Same, per half dozen .' 4 25 Same, per dozen 8 00 Untested, each 65 Same, per half dozen 3 75 S^me, per dozen 7 00 We have also a full line of bee-keep- ers' supplies including- The A. I. Root Company's Goods, Root's Sections and Weed's Foundation a Specialty. Send for o ir 32- pai,e illustrated catalog. . Gary & Son, LyonsvUle, Mass. TORONTO is the most centrally located city in the Do- ninion. It has unequaled shipping facil- ities for prompt transportation of goods to remote points. W"e have already in stock large consignments of the celebrated line of Root's Bee-Keepers* Supplies and other shipments will be coming for- ward from time to time. Our tatalog is ready for mailing. Let us figure with you. E. GRvAINGER (Si CO. 12 "Yon-^m Street A.rcadLe. \ Special Notice to Bee=keepers ! BOSTON Money In Bees for You. Catalog Price on ROOT'S SUPPLIES Catalog for the Asking. P. H Farmer, 182 Friend St., Bost»n, Mass. Up First Flight. Order goods now. Don't delay. Have them ready when you need them. We keep a full line in stock at Medina prices. Save both time and freight by order- ing of us. Beeswax want- ed. Bees and queens fur- nished in season. J. B. MASON, Mechanic Falls, : Maine. Manager The A. I. Root Co.'s N. E. Agency. A Neat . PacKag'e Finds a eady Pack your honey in the Non- drip Cases made by The A. I. Root Co.; sold in MICH- IGAN by M. H. Htint (El Son, Bell Brar^cK, MicH. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Honey Market. GRADING-RTILES. Fanct.— All sections to ln> well filled, combs straight, firm ly iittached lo all four sidi«,the comba uusoilod by travel etain or otherwise ; all the cells sealed oxcout an occasional cell, the outside surfaceof the wood well scraped of propolis A No 1.— All sections well filled eicept tho row of cells next to the wood ; combs straight ; one-eifihth part of comb eurf uce soili>d , or t he ont ire surface si ightly soiled the out side of the wood well scraped of propolis. No. 1.— All sections well tilled except the row of cells next to tho wood : combs comparatively even ; one-eichth part of comb surface soiled, or the entire surface slightly soiled. No. 2.— Three-fourths of the total surfaco must be filled and sealed. No. 3.— Must weigh at least half as much as a full-weight section. In addition to this the honey is to be classified according to color, using the terms white, amber, and dark ' that is, there will be " Eaaoy White," " No. 1 Dark," etc. K.ANS.-\s City.— Receipt of comb honey more liberal; demand improving. We quote fancy white comb, 2i- section case, $i 2.5; No. 1 white amber, $3 CO; No. 2, $l~o. Extracted, white, per lb., i J^c; amber, 5J4@6. Beeswax, 25@30. C. C. Clemons & Co.. Aug. 25. Kansas City, Mo. Albany. — We note an improved demand for honey, ■with light receipts so far. Fifteen cents seems to be a popular and standard price that trade is willing to pay. Do not require water-white, but a light trans- parent comb weighing not over a pound, a little short preferred. No honey except light arriving as yet. Buckwheat would sell at 13c. Extracted, white, 7@7 J^ ; amber, 6)^@7: dark, G. H. R. Wright. 326,328, and 330 Broadway, Albany, N. Y. Sept. 7. Milwaukee. — The receipts of honey have been quite liberal, and the qualitj' is excellent, quite im- proved over former years, especiallj' the section hon- ey. The market is good for the season, yet no urgent demand. Expect it will improve from this time for- w rd. as small fruits get out of the way, and we iiow quote for No. 1 sections, fancy. 15fa 16; No. l,lJ(gi5. Extiacted, in bbls. or cans, white. 7(ci7l4: dark, 55^@6. B. eswax, 30. A. V. Bishop & Co., , Aug. 29. 119 Buffalo St., Milwaukee, Wis. Chicago.— Honey is coming to market quite freeU' and is of first quality ; this fact induces the trade to take it, and people are of the opinion that it is going to be reasonable in price, two factors which go far t ward marketing the product. Best grades of white comb sell at about 14 cents per lb. Extracted, ^'AiSi T/2. according to quality and package; amber grades, 5j4@6'4. Beeswax, 30. ' R. A. Burnett & Co., Sept. 8. 199 South Water St.. Chicago, 111. ScHENECT.-\DY. — We have received considerable ■white comb honey during the past week, and it is sell- ing on arrival at 14@15c. Cartons should bring 16c. Ttie wet weather has proven very detrimental to the buckwheat crop in this section. None on the market yet. L,ight extracted, 6}4(g,7J^. Chas. McCulloch, Sept. 7. Schenectady, N. Y. Philadelphia. — Comb honey is arriving quite free- ly, and prices remain firm with a good demand. We quote fancy at Itic; No. 1, 14^15; amber, 12^14. Ex- tracted, fancy white, 7@8; amber, Gr-j 7. Beeswax in good demand at 30c. We are producers of honey, and do not handle on commission. Sept. 7. 10 Vine St.. Philadelphia, Pa. Boston. — Cooler weather brings a better demand for honey, with but very light f-tocks on hand. Fancy white comb, Kk;; A No.'l. 15(g,16. No. 1, 15. Extracted, light amber, 8c; amber, 7. Blake, Scott & Lee, Sept. 7. Boston, Mass. Alb.\nv. — Not much doing in honey yet, but cus- tomers calling for it now. Have had some white comb in, and sold .some at 16c, motly 15. We quote light, 15^16; mixed. 14a 15; daik, I.irall. Very little honey in this section, btit we hear from more distant parts of State that it is more plentiful. Extracted in demand. Light. 7(g7H; mixed. 6fo H',,; dark. 6. MacDougal & Co , Sept. 8. 375 Broadway. Albany, N. V. New York — New crop honey is beginning to ar- rive more freely, and the demand is good for all grades. We quote fancy white at from 14(a'15c; No. 1 at 13; amber at from lUmV>; no buckwheat on the market as yet. Extracted is plentiful and in fair de- mand, at from 7c for white, 6(5 (i;4 for light amber. 5(ai 554 for dark. Southern, in barrels, at from 56 to 6&c per gallon, according to qualitv. Beeswax is declin- ing, and nominal at from 28Cai2l». Hildreth & Segelken, Sept. 8. 26.5-267 Greenwich St.. New York. For S.\LE.— Clover extracted honey, in 60-lb. cans. One can, 7^^c;.2 or more, 7c. Bees for sale. 'C. L. Parker, Syracuse, Sta. A, N. Y. For Sale. — Fancy basswood and white-clover hon" ey; 60-lb. cans, 8c: 2 or more. 7Kc; bbls., 7 c. E. R. Pahl & Co., Milwaukee, Wis. For Sale. — Extracted honey, clover and basswood, in 60-lb. cans. M. Isbell, Norwich, N. Y. For Sale. — New extracted honey, from 7c up. Sev- eral sizes of packages. Sample 10c. I. J. SxRiNGHAM, 105 Park Place, New York. For Sale. — Fancy comb and extracted honey; ex- tracted in 60-lb. cans. Prices quoted on application. WiLLi.\M Morris, Las Animas, Col. For Sale. —Extracted honey. Finest grades for ta- ble use. Prices quoted on application. Sample I y mail, 10 cts. to pay for package and postage. Orel L- Hershiser, 301 Huntington Ave., Buffalo, N. Y. For S.A.LE. — .5000 lbs. extra-fine clover extracted honey, all sealed before extracting ; castor-oil body ; good color ; 60-lb. cans. Sample free. No cheap John need applj-. If you need something special and are willing to pay for it. correspond with E. D. TowNSEND, Remus, Mich. For Sale. — Thirty barrels choice extracted white- clover honey. Can put it up in any style of package desired. Write for prices, mentioning style of pack- age, and quantity wanted. Sample mailed on receipt of three cents in P. O. stamps. Emil J. Baxter, Nauvoo, Hancock Co., 111. Wanted. — 500 lbs. of good comb honey. State price and kind. Okey Boram, Horner, West Va. Wanted. — Comb and extracted honey: state price kind, and quantity. L- H. Robey, Worthington, W. Va. W.\nted. — Beeswax. Will pay spot cash and full market value for beeswax at any time of the year. Write us if you have any to dispose of. Hildreth & Segelken, 265-267 Greenwich St., New York. Wanted. — Beeswax ; highest market price paid. Write for price list. Bach, Becker & Co., Chicago, 111. Wanted — Comb and extracted honey. State price, kind, and quantity. R. A. Burnett & Co., 199 South Water St., Chicago, 111. Wanted. — Honey. Selling fancy w-hite, 1.5c; amber, 13c. We are in the market for either local or car lots of comb honej-. Write us. Evans & Turner, Columbus, Ohio. Wanted. — To hear from producers of comb honey in California and Nevada. It may sound unreason- able, but we have probably bought, for spot cash, more comb honey than any firm in the United States, during the past three seasons. We can, no doubt, do you some good. Thos. C. Stanley & Son. Manzanola, Colo., or Fairfield, 111. We will be in the market for honey the coming sea- son in carloads and less than carloads, and would be glad to hear from producers everywhere what they will have to offer. Seavey &'Flarsheim. 1318—1324 Union Avenue, Kansas City, Mo. GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Sept. 15 r We Make a Specialty of Prompt Shi If you are in a hurry for supplies send us your order and we will sur- prise you with our promptness. All goods shipped within 10 hours after receiving- the order. Over a million sections and two tons of foundation now on hand. Hundreds of hives, and all other supplies READY Lewis's and Dadant's Goods. FOR IMMEDIATE SHIPMENT. LewisG.&A.G. Wooiman.Gn e" s ill tlie World are no better than those we make, and the chances are that they are not so good. If you buy of us yoiii will not be disappointed. "We -^re undersold by no one. Send for w catalog and price list and free copy of THE .MERICAN BEE-KEEPER; in its thirteenth year ; 50 cents a year ; especially for beginners. ^/je W^. T. Falconer Man'f 'g Co., Jamestovi^n, New YorK. W. M. Gerrish, Epping, New Hampshire, carries a full line of our goods at catalog prices. Order of him and save the freight. HOIMEIY JARS 1-lb. sq. jars with corks $5.00 g-ross 2-lb. sq. jars with corks $7.40gross Eagle or No. 25 $5.75 " Nickel Cap jar, holds 13 oz. $5.50 " The last is a fancy jar, and makes a fine package for exhibition. Discount on quantities of jars; the larger the quantity the lower the price. Catalog describ- ing hone)'-packages, shipping-cases, cartons, bee-hives, bees, and every thing a bee-keeper uses, mailed upon application. Tested Italian Queens, $1.00; Untested, 75 cts. I. J. Apiaries, Glen Cove, L. STRINCHAM, 105 Park Place, lew York. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 789 Gleason <&. Lansing, IvSTAliLISHED ISSS 150 Michigan St., Buffalo, N. Y. Jobbers of Gcmb and Exiracted Honey. We liavf a large jobbing trade in comb honey, and can use any-sized .shipments up to car lots. We want 5C0O cases as early shipment as possible this season and can use all gradts. Will buy delivered in Buffalo or handle for your account. .... Correspond with us before plac- ing your output tliis season. REFERENCES: Manufacturers & Traders National Bank. Buffalo, N. Y.. anv Express Co., Dun or Brad.strcet Agencies, Buffalo", N. Y. Squabs are raist d m 1 month, bring big prices. Eager mark* t. Money- makers for pi)ultrymen, farmei.s. women. Here is something uiorth lookitig into. Send for our Free BooK> '' How to Make Money With Squabs " and learn this rich industry. Addiess PLYMOUTH ROCK SQUAB CO.. i<) Friend St . Boston. Mass. POULTRY JOURNAL How to Make Poultry Pay -^ p,^p^'^ worth a ilolliir, but will send it tn you one .vear on trial, inclurling book. Plans for Poultry Hou^ies, for 2,50. S.imnle copy FliEK. Inland Poultry Journal, Indianapolis, I' d. iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimii| I To New Subscribers! i 20c = will g-et a new subscriber the American ^ = Bee Journal every week from now to the = = end of this year (1903). During that = S time it will contain a full report of E E the recent S I Los Aogeles Convention | ~ of the National Bee-keepers' Associa- S E tion, besides the usual other valuable S E reading- matter in e 'ch week's issue. = = Every reader of Gleanings should = E also have the American Bee Journal regu- = E larly. Sample copy free. Ask for it. E I George W. York & Co., | i 144=6 East Erie St., Chicago, Illinois. E liiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinnMiiiiiiiiniiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiMiiiiiiii; We are tlie Largest MTrs oi Bee-keepers' S Send for Catalog Minneapolis, IMinnesota We Have the Besi Goods, Lowest Prices, and Best Shipping Faciiities. Dittmer's Foundation. R.E.TAIL AND "ViTHOI^ESAI^E. This foundation is made by a process that produces the superior of any. It is the cleanest and purest. It has the brightest color and sweeteist odor. It is the most transparent, because it has the thinnest base. It is tough, clear as crystal, and irives more sheets to the pound than any other make. 'W^orR.iiig WslIS. into Foundation for CasH a iSpecialty* Beesv%rax Always ^Want- ed at Hig'Hest Price. Catalog giving full line of supplies, with prices and samples, free on application. ^- ^lot^A^ge^tffo?°c3k.°"'- Gus. Dittmer, Atigmsta, Wis. 790 GLEAXINGS IN REE CULTURE. Sept. 15 i WANTED! Fancy Comb Honey I ISi In No-drip shioping cases. Also, Amber extract- «S^ ■^ ed, in barrels or cans. Quote your best price 5?: "5 delivered Cincinnati. ." .' ." .* .* 3^: % The Fred W* Muth Co*^ walnut!"*^ Cincinnati^ O* ^ ♦ X X ♦ KEEPER We have oi\ Hand ready for PROMPT SHIPMENT % Uhe Largest StocK ^we ever Carried of HIVES, SECTIONS, ai\d all OtHer SUPPLIES. Perfect Workmanship and Finest Material. All parts of our Hives are made to fit Accurately. No trouble in setting them up. Our customers say it is a pleasure. We are not selling goods on NAME ONLY, But on their Quality. I G. B. 1.EV/IS COMPANY. I T Man-tafacttirers Bee-lleejsers' Supplies. J ♦ Catalog Free. Watertown, Wisconisii:!, U. S. A. ♦ Let Me vSell or Buy Your Honey If you have some to offer mail sample with lowest price expected, delivered in Cincinnati. ■w ^ • Tkj J State quality and kind wanted, and I will quote you price. We il 1]!\ .^1 66d do business on the cash basis in buying or selling. Full StocK of Bee-supplies, tHe best made. R-oot's Goods at THeir Factory Prices. Seeds of Honey-plants. C. H. W. WEBER, CINCINNATI, OHIO 2146-8 Central A.v-e. Stic, to CHas. F. MutK and A.. MutH • DELVoTED] •andHoNEY 'MD home: Tubiishadby TKfAil^OOY Co. ^$l£°FtR^(tAR.^^@ Medina- Ckio- Vol. XXXI. SEPT. J 5, J 903. No. J 8 ^ w^-m^^xf^;^>- j^tvf >^^'^i!f"', iv*'> -,i\' ■•r>' *.'-■' ■•■'-Jv J I^R/Dr.C.CMiLLER. E^ One objection to going to a convention so far awajf as Los Angeles is that, v^hen it is all over, 3-ou have a sort of homesick feeling to take leave of so manj' nice people you may never meet again. The weather at the Los Angeles con- vention was not served on ice, but brought on steaming hot. [When I visited Califor- nia two years ago, the weather was very delightful — cool at night, and bright and warm during midday. — Ed.] For some time I've been learning that I'm not so large a man as I had supposed, but I never felt my littleness quite so much as I did after meeting the California bee- keepers with their big apiaries and big yields. They have big hearts too. [Yes, indeed they have. — Ed.] Apiaries are not very plentifully sprin- kled alontr railroads. In the whole 2300 miles to Los Angeles I thin'ic not a dozen are to be seen. [Yes, and the major part of the dozen are to be seen mainly along the last two or three hundred miles as one gets closer and closer to Los Angeles. — Ed.] I don't know much about such things; but I'm wondering if E. F. Phillips means to put it just as strongly as he does when he says that in the second case it is never necessary' for a male and female to meet. Is there no c^xle in the case that calls for the male to appear after so long a time if the race is to continue? Mr. Editor, I attach more importance to J. M. Mack's tool than you, for I can hard- ly agree that the accumulation of wax and propolis between top-bars does no particu- lar harm. It means a good many bees killed if j-ou don't go slow, and in time the accumulation becomes such that the spac- ing is greater. I can show you proof. [Perhaps j'ou are right. — Ed.] Never before, I think, in the history of the world, did so many bee-keepers take so long a ride together in the same car as the 25 who rode in a tourist car from Chicago to Los Angeles. For five days and six nights their home was in that car, and 3'ou may guess they had a good time. It was a bee-keepers' convention in continuous ses- sion. The hot spell during the national con- vention made some of the Californians afraid of a repetition of the experiences of 1883. That year it held at 115°, and M. H. Mendleson said that, in spite of his covering the hives with brush, the combs melted down in them, the honey ran out in a stream, the bees deserted the hives, and hung in huge bunches all about. When a bee struck the ground the sand was so hot that it turned over and doubled up, a dead bee. You are rthht, very right, Mr. Editor, to advise against unqueening at beginning of settled warm weather in spring for the sake of having j'oung queens reared to pre- vent swarming, p. 767. But the immense loss from stopping brood-rearing is not the only objection. I tried it one year with several colonies. The majority of them failed to raise queens so early, and those that succeeded seemed as much bent on swarming as if the queens had been reared the previous fall. I'm writing this Straw in Los Angeles, Cal., on a table whose central adornment is a bottle more than afoot high, said bottle being placed there by A. I Root, who makes frequent potations therefrom, with many expressions of delight therewith. No, A. I. Root hasn't gone back on his temperance principles; the bottle contains nothing stronger than distilled water. I don't know that he got it at a bargain counter, but he seems greatly pleased that he got the whole gallon for 10 cents— bottle returnable. 7^2 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Sept. 15 That's suite a scheme, p. 756, introduc- ing- two virg-ins at a time, and gains a lot of time. I tried it once, accidentalljs in a full colony, and the bees swarmed out with the free virgin. Perhaps they never do that in the case of a nucleus. [I referred this Straw to our Mr. Phillips, and he says that he makes it a regular practice to introduce two virgins in strong colonies as well as in nuclei. Of course, there are times in the season when such a procedure, say during the height of the hone^'-flow, would force out a swarm. — Ed.] White sage is perhaps generally thought by outsiders to be the principal one of the sages; but Californians say it cuts no great figure, the black and purple sages being away ahead, both in quality and quantity. [Yes, the average Easterner gets the im- pression that white sage is the main honey- plant of California, because all California honey from sage is named white sage. The black sage produces a great deal more, and the purple or button sage comes in as a close second. But white sa^e honey is not misnamed, because it is white, and it is sage, but not necessarily white-sage-Y>la.nt honey. — Ed ] " It is a oriESTiON in my mind whether the accumulation of propolis or bits of wax along the edges of the top-bars does any particular harm," quoth ye editor, p. 7o7. I suspect that's because at Medina you sell off colonies so constantly that 3'ou have no combs of any great age, so there is no chance for accumulation of wax. When you get a good stock of burr-combs between top-bars, 3'ou must move slowly or you will kill bees; and later on you can not space up to place without cleaning off the wax. [Your point is well taken. It is true that, in sending out nuclei as we do, we are con- stantly renewing our combs, and perhaps none of them get so very dauby with pro- polis. But there is another point to be con- sidered; and that is, the depositing of pro- polis in Marengo is much worse than in Medina. If I were in your place I would breed non propolizers. — Ed.] For ONE D\Y of my life, at least, I had a t i-»te of the life of a California bee-keeper, w'.ien T spent the day at the home ranch— njt the home, mind you. which was a good mmy miles away — of L. E. Mercer; and with such a host several of us had a most enjoyable day. Mr. Mercer, unlike others, does not rent, but owns the many acres oc- cupied by his several apiaries, and the season's product from all of them was bunched in one pile in tin cans at the home apiary. It toted up 100,000 pounds from le^s than a thousand colonies, spring count, and it looked like a good bit of honey. Al- th)ugh every thing was on a big scale, the apiary with its surroundings was a model of neatness. [A few days among the bee- keepers of California is a wonderful rev- elation to an Eastern bee-keeper. But it should be borne in mind that these big yields cime only once in three to five years. The intervening years are apt to be off, and the poor California honey-producer has to live on his earnings made during the good year, so alter all he has no very great snap- Like the children of Israel of old in the desert, he has to make the fat years take care of the lean ones. — Ed.] I wonder if L, B., p. 764, had a Miller staple-spaced frame before him when he said, "the stoppers are very nice to sharp- en the knife on." They're nail-spaced rather than staple, but that doesn't figure. When you have a frame before you, there is little danger that you will deliberately take the pains to run your knife into the spacing-nails at the top, and there are none at the bottom. You see on each side the spacers are at only one end. [When I was in one of the large California apiaries help- ing to extract and uncap, I was thoroughly convinced that anj' form of metal spacer on extracting frames would be an intolerable nuisance. I do not see how a ?iail will be in any way better than a staple. I should prefer a staple, because of its rounding top as against a sharp nail-head or dowel-pin. Sajs doctor, I hope that, before another is- sue is out. you will be put through half a day's experience in M. H. Mendleson's ex- tracting-yard; and if you do not agree that metal-spaced frames for extracting are not to be tolerated for even one minute, then I will furnish you all the nail spacers you can use the rest of j'our days, free of charge — or anj' other kind of metal spacers, for that matter. — Ed.] A correspondent writes with evident alarm, referring to the passage in Glean- ings saying " the effect of the accumulated poison may be serious in its effects in after years, as it was in the case of Langstroth and some others." I don't believe it is worth while to raise unnecessary fear. My private opinion is that Langstroth's spells of mental depression had nothing ^vhatever to do with bee stings. If they had, the ef- fect of the accumulation of the past 42 years' stings ought to begin to appear in my case, and I never had more buoyant spirits in my life. [My, oh my! you have got a wrong impression. I did not say, or at least I did not intend to convej' the idea, that bee-sting poison was responsible for those distressing periods of mental gloom in the last ten or twenty j'ears of Langstroth's life. If you will remember, one or two of his last articles told how, after he got over these spells, he experienced a queer ting- ling sensation about the eyes and nose whenever he passed a hive at the begin- ning of spring. At such times the bees would elevate their stings, leaving a tiny drop of the poison to show very distinctly. The odor of it, Mr. Langstroth thought, poisoned him. There were several other reports that appeared at the time, and one or two in late years from persons who ex- perienced the same sensations. But grant- ing all this, I agree with you that no one needs to have unnecessary fears from the 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 793 effect of accumulated poison after being stung- a g;-ood many times, or during the pe- riod of a whole lifetime. The cases of fa- ther Langstroth and the others are so few as to make them less than one in ten thou- sand— so rare, indeed, that they can scarce- ly be taken account of. Still, as I said in Glkaninos, it is well for one to err on the safe side of having too few stings for fear he may be the one in ten thousand. And, besides, is there any thing to be gained, or any possible advantage, in having one's system inoculated with too much of the poison? — Ed ] A MODIFICATION of the shaken-swarm business that I tried this year seems to be an improvement. When it comes time for the first shaking, an excluder is placed over a weak colony or nucleus, say No. 5, and over this are put the shaken combs from four colonies, of course making the pile five stories high. If the lower story contains only a nucleus, enough bees are left on the shaken combs to secure the brood against chilling. If the lower story contains a fair colony, the bees are all brus/ii'd from the combs. Of course, empty combs were given to the shaken swarm. Ten days or so later four more colonies are shaken, and a pile is made over another nucleus or weak colon}\ This time, how- ever, instead of empty combs the shaken colonies receive the combs of the four upper stories of No. 5, every bee being brushed clean from them. No. 5 is thus in fine con- dition to receive sections, because it has all the bees that have in ten daj's emerged from the combs in those four stories. The colonies last shaken will also be a good deal better oflF than if they had received empty combs, for they will have the bees that hatch from the combs during the next ten days. So far, however, as the queen is concerned, they are the same as empty combs; for as it takes her 21 days to make the entire round of laying, in that time fill- ing the whole brood-nest, she has half of it already empty for her first ten da3's' lay- ing, and at the end of that ten days the other half will be emptj*. In actual prac- tice I could see no dilTerence between giving these combs half full of sealed brood and giving empty combs, except, of course, the greater strength of the shaken colonies. (This seems to be a good plan, providing, of course, that colonies shaken on to emptj' combs will v/ajt' shaken — that is, not swarm out again. It certainly enables one to util- ize the capital (brood) to the best advan- tage; but in our locality, in ten days the honey season would be over. We had a heavy tlow of honey, but it stopped square off just as the bees were pretty well ad- vanced in the supers. Cold rains came on, putting an effectual quietus on our plans. In this localit}', and particularly this sea- son, the plan above outlined would not work — that is, it would not enable us to use the brood in producing honey after it had hatched out. — Ed.] m^:''^ ?? Moth-balls at the entrances of hives are recommended as a preventive of moths till moth-proof bees can be introduced. M. S. Beverlin, of Colorado, says, " I have come to the conclusion that a man can not be up-to-date who does not take one or more good bee-papers." Chief Chemist Wiley, of the U. S. De- partment of Agriculture, is reported as say- ing that he intends next year to plant on- ions with potatoes. He thinks the tears the onions will draw from the eyes of the potatoes will irrigate them enough to make them drouth- proof. Of course, that is "scientific pleasantry," or wH'at Dr. Mil- ler would label a "joke." BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. In speaking of bee culture as an industry in France, the following clipping is made from the Westminster Gazette: Fruit culture and bee culture have both been rec- ommended to the distressed British agriculturist; and perhaps the advice has sometimes been superogatory. It is permissible, however, the Illustrated Scieniijic Neivs points out, to draw attention to the w^y in vyhich the honey industry has advanced in France during the last few years. In ten years the output of honev has increased from 7.000,000 kilogrammes to 8,500,000 kilogrammes. The increase is due less to an increase in the number of hives than to the greater yield of each hive, which has now risen to about 500 grammes, or 11 lbs. a hive. What is more gratifying (to the French producer) is that, owing to the scien- tific methods of bee-farming, the yield each year has become more constant and less affected by vicissi- tudes. That comes in well with what i.s said further about French apiculture. It/ The Sussex Daily News says: A novel sight at the Hayward's Heath (Stis=ex) mar- ket, a short time ago, was a swarm of bees which came over like a cloud in the aftei noon aiil settled on the wall at the Station Hotel, close to tl'e i>ase of the bracket of one of the large outstanding lamps in front of the building. A Mr. Ford essayed to take the swarm in a box, but they escaped from this receptacle and swarmed again on the wall finding an orifice which led to beneath the floor of the sitting-room in the hotel. In the evening Messrs Sands, Small, and Jollv. took up a board or two of the flcor. and secured aboiit half a bushtl of the bees. Yesterday there was again a large number of them on he hotel wall, but not in the swarming ma.ss which appeared on Tuesday. \l< Concerning bees and their ways, the fol- lowing is related in the Globe: \ curious place for swarming has been chosen by a hive of bees at Arcot Hall, ntar Newcastle, the seat of Mr. Howard Pease. The bees had swarmed up an apple-tree, and the gardener, on going up a ladder to examine, was startle. i by observing a green linnet fly out of the middle of the swarm. Clostr investigation revealed its nest with two eggs in, the queen-bee hav- 794 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Sept. 15 ing settled on the nest with her attendant hosts, the linnet meanwhile calmly sitting on her eggs. With great care the gardener cut off the bough of the ap- ple-tree — swarm, nest, and all ; and, after having smoked the bees off. he carefully stuck the bough up again. The linnet returned to her nest, and is now sitting on four eggs. \it AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL. In the issue for Sept. 3, somebody asks Dr. Miller how much honey and wax are produced yearly in this country. He ad- mits he does not know. The government statistics do not seem to be satisfactory. Probably the greater portion of the bee- keepers make no returns, not thinking it worth while to report the small and pre- carious crop which is used entirely on their own table. In this journal, page 111, 1902, the editor estimates the weight of comb honey produced annually in the United States to be 50 million pounds; extracted, 125 million; value, 8 to 10 million dollars. Perhaps these figures ought to be doubled. In France the government statistics are far more painstaking than here, and I am glad to find in L'' Apiculteur a most elaborate re- port on the number of colonies of bees kept in France, together with the amount of hon- ey produced in 1901. Each of the 87 de- partments of France is given in detail; but a summing-up for the whole country, up to Dec. 31, 1901, is as follows: Total colonies of bees, 1,675,929; honey of all kinds, 19.876,661 lbs. Value of honey, $2,723,612. Wax, 5,577,682 lbs., worth $1,100,000. The average value of wax would be about 19 cts. The population of this country is fully double that of France; but even if the French figures are doubled they will still fall far behind the estimate given for this country. But the latter may be faulty. I have a similar table for Austria; but as the unit of weight is not given I can not use it. — Ed.] LATE-REARED QUEENS. "How do you do, Mr. Doolittle? As the nights are getting longer I thought I would come over a little while and chat a few minutes with you on bees." "Yes, the evenings are quite a little longer than thej' were, and I am reminded that the bee season for 1903 will soon be over. How did your bees do this year, Mr. Brown? " " I did not get much surplus, but find that the colonies, as a rule, have enough to winter on, for which I am thankful. It has been cold and wet nearly all summer, since the drouth ended in June. Then the hard winds, heavy rains, and severe hailstorms, have made the season unpropitious be3'ond any other season I have ever known." "Yes, that is true. But what was the ' chat ' to be about to-night? " " I wanted to have a little talk about late- reared queens, as I wish to raise some dur- ing the last of this month. Bee-keeper Smith tells me that, if I so raise them, they will be of no use, as they will not find any drones thus late in the season, as the drones will all be killed off." " If all drones are killed before any queen becomes old enough to be fertilized, and the season of the year is late fall, of course such a queen will become barren or a drone-layer." " Why do you say barren? Smith said they would be only drone-layers, which would be even worse than no queen at all." "I know some say drone-layers every time; but my own experience has been that nearly or quite half of the queens which I have wintered over that were not fertilized never lay at all." "Without discussing that part of the matter further, was Smith right in saying that a queen not fertilized in the fall would be of no use whatever?" "Well, that depends on the size of the colony she is in. If it is merely a nucleus, with no prospect of wintering over, then I should say such a queen would be worth- less. But should the colony be a good one, or one strong in bees and rich in stores, then I should consider an unfertile queen of some value, as my experience goes to prove that a colony having a queen, be she laying or otherwise, will remain much more quiet during the winter months than will a queenless colony; hence the colony having a queen will come out stronger in the spring, with less consumption of stores, than will one with no queen." " Will such an unfertile queen be of any use in the spring? " " Only in one way. She can be allowed to remain with the colony until we are able to procure a young laj'ing queen from the South, and thus a good colony may be saved which otherwise might be lost. But even in such a case I should consider it much moie desirable to purchase a queen from the South, and introduce her to the colony having no fertile queen in the fall, where such is possible, than to try to winter over either a queenless colony or one having a virgin queen." "Why?" "My reason for so considering is this: Such purchased queen will commence to lay during February or March, and from her brood the colony will be materially strengthened before a queen could be pro- cured in the spring, and thus the colony be- comes ready to take advantage of the early honey-flows in the spring, which would be of little use to the colony which went through with a virgin queen, should she prove bar- ren, and would be the means of having 1903 GLEAN'INGS IN BEE CULTURE. -95 some of the combs filled with droue brood, did the queen prove a drone-layer." " Yes, I see that point; but a thought comes to my mind. How does any one know that all the drones are killed off in his section of the country previous to Octo- ber 15th or November 1st? " " That is a question I have felt like ask- ing several times. One or two years I have been quite sure there was not a drone with- in reach of my queen's flight, and yet the spring proved that ever}' one of my late- reared queens had found drones from some- where, as the}' were all prolific layers of worker-eggs. In fact, every time I have tried to winter over virgin queens, bj"^ way of experiment, all proved to be fertile in the spring, except in spring following a fall during which the weather gave the bees no chance for late flights; and only as I have clipped the wings of the queens for these experiments, thus making it impossible for the virgin to fly out in search of any drone, have I been at all certain of success. From this experience I have ceased to worry over late queens failing to become fertile." "Then you think there would be little risk in mj' trying to rear queens the latter part of September almost any year? " " 1 so think. But no bee-keeper should trj' to rear queens late in the season unless several hundred drones are preserved from the verj' best stock he has in his apiary." " But how are such drones to be kept? The bees are verj' persevering in killing drones in my locality after all of the honey- flows are over." "It is quite an easy matter to keep choice drones, even as late as December 1, by tak- ing frames of drone brood from choice colo- nies just before drone-rearing ceases, and putting said brood in a colon}' from which you now remove the queen. Ten days after the queen is removed, cut off all queen-cells, and such a colony will keep its drones as long as any are desirable in the fall." " How is the strength of such a colony to be kept up as regards worker-bees?" " If a frame of sealed worker brood is given to these colonies occasionally, its strength will be kept up, also the flight of drones will be more profuse late in the season than would be the case if the workers be- came few in number. Then if an upper story, filled with combs of honey, be placed on the colony which is to retain the drones, the drones will fly still stronger, for. to fly strongly, drones need plenty of honey with- in easy access. " "Thanks for this last suggestion. Have you any more that would be of help to me?" "If you do not think it too much trouble, drones can be made still more active by feeding the queenless colony containing them plenty of warmed syrup or honey at about noon the latter part of September, half-past eleven during October, and at eleven o clock during November, feeding only on such days as bees can fly. If, in addition to this, you go to this drone-keep- ing colony on some day during the latter part of September, when it is still, and yet so cool that you will not be troubled by robbers, and carefully go over every frame in the hive, killing every drone that is at all inferior as to size, activity, length of wings, shape, marking, or in any other way, you will have something along the line of drones for your late-reared queens to meet that will very materially enhance the value of every colony having a queen which may chance to mate with such a drone." . "About what would be the chances, do you think?" " My experience says about 50 per cent in September; 75 in October, and 90 in No- vember. During the latter part of October, and all of November, neither drones nor queens seem desirous of making long flights as in summer, and are not from the hive more than a few minutes on their flights, hence the mating takes place almost in your own apiary; and where you are sure that you have no drones save those hand-picked and preserved by yourself, you are almost absolutely certain of results. The course I have outlined is the one I have pursued for the past few years, and I think it has paid me fully as well as any work I ever did in the apiary. If we are to keep up with the times and the close competition of these days, we must strive for the best bees as well as the best honey, put up in the most market- able shape." " Well, I must be going now, and I wish to thank you very much for this interview, Mr. Doolittle." NOTICE TO MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION. General Manager N. E. France, of the National Bee-keepers' Association, is pre- paring his annual report, and desires to include the replies from members in ans- wer to certain questions that he sent out on a slip. He says if any have not received a set of these questions he will send another set if they will write him. Those who have received the questions, and who have for some reason or other neglected to send in their report, will confer a favor on Mr. France by filling out the blank and return- ing it to him as soon as possible. When the entire report is compiled it will make a very valuable document. But in order to make it complete he desires to hear from every member. General Manager France has been hard at work on several cases ; and when the time comes he will probably make them 796 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Sept. 15 public. Cases of adulteration are receiving his special attention. THE FORM AI.DI- HYDE TREATMFNT FOR FOUL BFOOD Rl- FOR TED A FAILURE IN THREE CASES. We h ive already had three reports where bee-keepers had tested the formaldehyde treatment, fumig-ating combs thoroughly in a closed box. The combs were put back into the hives, and the disease reappeared in each case. It is evident from other re- ports that the drug- not only helps but cures. But the three failures already re- ferred to should make every bee-keeper who is afflicted with the disease cautious — not to put too much confidence in it. KEEPING HONFY LIQUID INDEFINT TELY UN- DER ALL CONDITIONS. Some time last fall Mr. H. R. Boardman told me he had discovered a plan by which he could keep his bottled or tumbler honey liquid almost indefinitely, and under al- most any conditions. Although I hadg-reat confidence in whatever Mr. Boardman says, I doubted very much whether he could suc- ceed to the extent he claims d. He may fail yet; but certain it is that I took one of two samples of honey that he sent me and plac- ed it on the window-sill outside of my office. This was some time last fall. Throughout the entire winter this honey remained liq- ui(! ; and to-day it is as clear and limpid as when I received it. I have never yet found any bottled honey that would stand zero weather through the winter, although it is qu te possible to seal the honey while hot in glass or tin so it will remain liquid for one" or two years, providing it is kept at an even temperature of from 50 to 80 deg-rees. THE UNKNOWABLE BEE-PARAT,VSIS ; IS IT CURABLE? IF SO, HOW? A SHORT time ago I received some inti- mation—I do not remember when nor how- to the effect that our old friend O. O. Pop- pleton, of Florida, one whom I consider one of the most conservative and careful bee- keepers in the country, had a method for curing what we had formerly supposed was incurable— namely, bee-paralysis. I had intended to look into the matter, but had overlooked it for the time being. I now ob- serve that my brother-editor, H. E. Hill, of the American Bee-keeper, is firing stray shots up my way that are evidently intend- ed for me. Referring to the acknowledg- ment made by Geo. W. York, in the Amer- ican Bee Journal, of the cure practiced by Mr. Poppleton, he says: " There are some other editors and pro- lific apicultural writers who should arise and explain their ignorance of important information with which Bee-keeper students have long been familiar." With the greatest of pleasure, my good friend. I desire to say, right at the outset, that when Mr. Poppleton says he has a ■ method of cure for bee-paralysis, I am quite as well prepared to accept his statement as if I had set n the method applied, and its re- sults. The plan in brief — a modification of it has been printed before in our columns, but I had not quite credited its efficac}' — is ' sprinkling powdered sulphur over the af- fected bees and affected combs, but not till all the brood of the diseased colony has been removed, and put in a strong healthy one; for Mr. Poppleton says the sulphur kills all the unsealed brood and eggs. He finds that the source of the disease is prob- ably not in the brood or combs, for he has put combs from paralyticcoloniesrepeatedly into health}' ones, and never but once has the disease developed in another colony to which such combs have been given, and that was a year afterward. Mr. Poppleton rightly assumes that the infection — if it be such — came from some other source. He first used the powder-gun for applying the dust, but found he could sprinkle the bees better by picking up the powder between the thumb and fore finger. Every bee must be dusted. At first the disease will seem to get worse instead of better. The colony will dwindle down; but in two weeks there will be a decided improvement, and finally the colony will be cured and stay cured, while other colonies not treated with the sulphur will continue groveling in the throes of the disease until treatment is ad- ministered, when a cure will be effected within two weeks. I hereby extend my apology to the Bee- keeper for not noticing so good an item; and when 1 neglect a good thing like this again I shall consider it a favor if our friend will send another shot or two up Medinaward. I have before said that Mr. Hill is one of the best editorial writers in all our ranks. His journal contains many good things be- sides the two I have already given in this issue. CAGES FOR MAILING QUEENS. Mr. Frank Boomhower, of Gallupville, N. Y., a prominent queen-breeder and bee- keeper in the eastern part of his State, uses a very ingenious introducing and mailing cage. Some little time ago a sample of it was mailed us, from which we have had en- gravings made that show fairly well its general construction and use. But first we will let Mr. Boomhower speak for himself. He says: I send you withthis a case with three of my Novelty safety cages the way I make them now. You can see at a glance the superiority of these cages. They are the only shipping-cages that fully meet the require- ments of the postal law regarding .^ending queens by mail. I have been told liy a mail clerk at Washing- ton that lots of live bees escape in the mails through unsafe cages that are unprotected. I myself last sea- .son. while in Bluemont, Va., received a shipment of queens from Georgia, and every one, bees and all, except one, was out in the mail-bag when it arrived at Washington. The cases were frail, with no protection only a thin pasteboard over the wire cloth. If the queens and live bees are again excluded from the mails we shall not be able to get them back again in a long time. I wish you would test the single cage I send you. L,aj' it on the floor and walk over it: let the heaviest man' in j'our factory stand on it with his heavy boots or shoes on, and see how much it will 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 797 stand before breaking. You see they are made now out of waste scraps. I make these out of odds and ends from my waste pieces after sawing out hives, etc. This cag-e requires 2 cents postage; but in the opinion of Mr. Boomhower and some others, the regular Benton, requiring only 1 ct. postage, is hardly large enough to send queens in through the mails, and hardly strong enough to stand the rough usage to which such packages are subjected. The Boomhower cage consists of an outer case, open at both ends, and covered over with little strips of tin in such a way as to hold the cage securely, and yet allow sufficient ventilation for the bees within. If more than one queen is to be sent, the case is longer — saj' long enough to take two or three cages. In the one shown in the illustration, two cages are accommodated. The plan of introducing is quite simple. A little piece of tin is nailed over the caudy-hole, which, when turned at right angles, serves a double purpose. When it revolves the candy is ex- posed, and the cage is supported between the combs. See large illustration. RAISING QUEENS A LA STANLEY; THE PLAN OF INTRODUCING TWO OR MORE VIRGINS AT A TIME. On page 446. May 15, we illustrated the Stanley method of securing cells on horizon- tal bars in brood-frames, and inclosing the same in cylindrical cages of perforated metal. In our last issue, page 756, we re- ferred to having tested the Stanley cages. We now take pleasure in illustrating a modification, such as we have been us- ing in our yard with a great deal of plea- sure and success. On page 806 of this issue will be found a brood-frame with 14 virgin queens hatched from as many cells, each inclosed in a cylindrical perforated metal cage. Our Mr. Phillips said he had some- thing nice he wanted to show me, and told me to bring my camera, and this is what I found. In the bottom of these little cages are inserted plugs of wood in which are smaller plugs of candy. It does not matter just when these cells hatch out their virgins. The queens to be may come forth at different times; but they are all protected in a warm brood-nest, and are probably fed by the bees through the perforated metal. Whenever virgins are needed, all we have to do is to go to one of these nursery-frames in a colony, take out one or more cylinders of queens, and insert them into nuclei, but always in pairs, as we explained on page 756. I asked Mr. Phillips why he did not use tinned wire cloth. " Because," said he, "the perforated metal holds its shape bet- ter. " We do not use the queen-excluding metal, because in some cases the cells are attack- ed, and in other cases the bees can get in and worry if they do not absolutely ball the virgin. Our method differs from the Stan- ley in that we use small perforations and cylindrical wooden plugs in place of gun- wads. Instead of being stuck to the cell- bar with melted wax, we use a nail-point that just projects through the plug of wood. It is thus easy to attach these plugs to the bars, and just as easy to remove them. Gun-wads are very good, but they are not thick enough to handle readily. Referring again to the illustration, it maj' be interesting to note that every one of the 14 cells, inclosed in as many cages, hatched a virgin, bright, health}', and vig- orous. Since writing the forgoing I have receiv- ed a letter from Swarthmore, or, more ex- actly, E. L. Pratt, of Swarthmore, Pa., who calls my attention to the fact that he has been using this dual or multiple plan of virgin-queen introduction for three years, and has been furnishing hollow plugs in connection with the Swarthmore nursery cage, for the purpo.se of allowing colonies to release queens on the candy plan, for two 3ears. He refers me to an article written by him in the American Bee-keeper for March, 1903, page 77, giving in full his plan for introducing two or more virgins in a hive at a time. This article I had over- looked. He even anticipated us in seeing the very great advantage of such a plan of introduction, for he says in the article re- ferred to: Ky the above-outlined proceeding it will be seen that supplies of virgins, about the correct age to fly, will be constantly on hand, already introduced, waiting their turn at the boxes; and if the system is followed closely from five to six fertile queens will be ready for caging every ten days. 798 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE Sept. 15 In connection with this plan he uses his small miniature nuclei, which have been condemned bj' some of our subscribers, and which have, in fact, proved to be a failure in the hands of Mr. Doolittle and ourselves. Swarthmore then pertinently remarks, in his letter referring to the matter: Now, Mr. Editor, since your Mr. Phillips is success- ful in at least two Swarthmore practices, is it not pos- sible that he might be just as successful with the fer- tilizing boxes? I shall run these boxes after frost, and call to witness some of the men in whom you place more confidence than vou se«in to place in me. 1 can show that temperature has not much to do with 1 he success of these one and two comb boxes when the principle of their handling is understood. Per- haps vour Mr. Phillips may be able to improve them, and thus carry on a work that you yourself admit is irapoitant. In another letter I am asked to make him a visit, and see these small nuclei working successfully day after day, turning out lay- ing queens by the wholesale. But the ex- tensive arrangements we are making to take care of our business another season will make it impossible to get away now; but I hope to see next season what Swarthmore is doing. He has certainly originated some very unique as well as short cuts in queen- rearing; and while at first they seemed to be of doubtful value, our Mr. G. W. Phillips has been and is now making several of them pan out well. It is reasonable to suppose that, if Swarthmore can make these small nuclei work, we can do it; and I therefore propose to give the matter a trial next sea- son. Mr. Phillips told me that I had made it none too strong in saying that two virgins, or a dozen, can be introduced at a time, if necessary, and that as soon as one virgin is removed another one may be released in three or four hours, practically wasting no time in introducing. By the old plan of giving one queen to a nucleus at a time he can not get more than one laying queen on an average in less than 12 da>s; but by his new one he is able to get two laying queens from a nucleus in a week on an average. This means that the queen-breeder can more than double the output from an aver- age nucleus; and even he who rears queens for his own use can have fewer nuclei, and queens laying and ready for business in much less "time. To the queen breerler and the honey producer alike the dual-virgin plan is invaluable. A MODEL BEE-CELLAR IN MICHIGAN. Mr. James Hilbert, so well known to our readers as an enterprising and pro- gressive bee-keeper, and a neighbor of A. 1. Root up in Northern Michigan, has one of the best-constructed bee-cell.urs in the country ; and on my la.st trip I secured two photos showing it inside and out. The cel- lar proper is half above ground and half below. The upper story is a general work- shop and honey-storage room. The struc- ture is situated on a side-hill, and is built in such a way as to make it not only frost- proof but so as to give it a uniform temper- ature. I wrote to the owner, asking for some data regarding its general construc- tion, and he writes as follows: The cellar is 14 x 21 inside. It is built 3 feet under ground and I feet above. The foundation is a s'one wall ?> feet deep with six-inch studding on the wall, boarded both sides, and filled in with sawdust. There are also inch cleats nailed on inside, and lathed and plastered, making a one inch dear-air space. In building the stone wall we laid in 2x6 plank, let- ting them project 2 inches, and lathed and plastered on these, making a dead air space on the stone wall, to do away with the dampness. )ii one coriur there is a tile drain, or intake, for fresh air, leading out 6 rods under ground. 3 feet deep. The cellar is built on higher ground, which makes it very convenient for underground ventilation. There is also a ven.ilator leading out thiough the roof 12 inches square This comes within 3 feet of the cellar bottom, and is arranged to shut off too much draft. The outside has been leinforced with a foot of sawdust coming above the cellar a foot, with tarred felt cover- ing the whole. The floor above is made frost-proof by nailing on ceiling, filling in with sawdust between the ceiling and floor, and nailing inch strips to the ceiling, and then lathing and plastering. Tnis cellar has never bt en cold enough to freeze, the temperature ranging from 41 to 45. I can put in 200 eight-frame hives it necessary. I have wintered 150 in this cellar very iiceh-. It stays very dry and nice all winter. The upper part is used as a workroom and for extract- ing. The cost was about S150. Bingham, Mich. James Hilbert. It seems that our friend found that the stone walls projecting above ground were hardly sufficient to keep out cold in severe weather: he therefore protected it with ex- tra sheeting packed with sawdust. This is shown in the half-tone, reaching half way up on the building, or just covering the lower room or cellar proper. An interesting fact in connection with this cellar is worthy of recording here. Mr. Hilbert puts his bees in the cellar along when cold weather comes on; but in- stead of shutting the bees up in the dark, as is the practice with most bee-keepers, he leaves the door open until along in very cold weather. Then he closes the cellar, and leaves it closed until near spring, or when the bees are to be taken out. The advantage of such a procedure is this: The bees are given a large amount of ventila- tion during the fore part of winter, and at the same time they are protected. When the weather gets tcx) cold the door is closed, when the temperature is maintained at 40 or 45° throughout the winter. One would naturallj' expect that the bees would fly out with the doors open; but Mr. Hilbert says that, as he manages, they do not. This repository embodies some of the principles of the Bingham, such as a venti- lating-shaft from the roof. The upper sto- ry, as explained by Mr. Hilbert, has a double-thickness floor packed with saw- dust. In these two respects the Bingham and Hilbert are verj' much alike; but the latter is much more expensive, and, per- haps I might say, a more useful building. The cellar is more get-at-able; the bees can be more readily carried down through the covered doorwaj', going down only two steps. There are two doors — one on the extreme outside and one in the cellar proper. F^or a perfect wintering-cellar I have not seen any better; and if one desires some- thing really first-class I would advise him to build on the line shown by Mr. Hilbert. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURR 799 VENEZUELA AS A BEE COUNTRY. The Bees and the Flora ; some Interesting Facts Regarding the Industry. BY W. K. MORRISON. Venezuela has of late j'ears taken a very prominent place in international affairs, yet I have never seen any thing- in print relative to its bee-keeping- possibilities, prob- ably because most people look toward it as a source likelj' to create a fight, and a fig-ht or diplomatic duel is of far more in- terest to the general public than any thing that can be written regarding the peace- able exploitation of Venezuelan resources. That Venezuela has a bee-keeping indus- try may be news to some; but it has one in embryo, with plenty of room for "expan- sion" without resorting to "jingo" meth- ods Probably it would be quite useless for me to say any thing about the chances for a modern bee-keeper without saying a word about the government and the people. Strictly speaking, Venezuela is governed on anarchial principles, hence every man practically defends his own life and prop- erty, and the same is true of Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. If the reader grasps this fact it may aid him to under- stand clearlj' many things that appear in the public press about these countries. Rightly speaking, there is no government in Venezuela. The people are much like the Mexicans — a short, squat, copper-color- ed race, with about 3 per cent whites and perhaps 10 per cent Africans, who chiefly frequent the coast cities, and who are, as usual, hewers of wood and drawers of wa- ter. Only one word suits Venezuela — " mag- nificent." I never saw any thing so awe- inspiring as the mountains that form its coast-line. Approaching in the early morn- ing in a steamer, I saw a great black wall that reached from the clouds to the sea. It seemed as if day and the blackest night had met. About three hours later the sun got around the wall, and we began to see the wall was not quite perpendicular, and there were houses at the foot of it along the beach. Later we could see the whole moun- tain was clothed in verdure to its summit, 8000 feet above our heads. But 8000 feet makes a rather high wall, and it is this high wall which makes Venezuelans think their country' free from invasion. It is in the interior valleys, behind this wall, where bee-keeping will probably pay best. It is there also where Apis mellifica can be found in a wild state, and nowhere else so far as I could discover. It is there, too, where the bulk of the Venezuelan pop- ulation is to be found, simply because it is the healthiest section of the country. Fur- ther south I do not think Apis mellifica can exist unprotected by man. Its enemies are too strong for it; but it is just there where the stingless bees do best, and where there are the greater numbers of species. If the inquirer Were ignorant of this matter he would be led to believe by what the natives say, that stinging bees exist all over the country. There is a species common on the low country', which bites with relentless fury; and hearing what the natives have to say, the stranger would naturally under- stand that the ordinary honey-bee was meant. It is a very different insect, how- ever. It builds its cone-shaped nest over or in a hole in the prairie, and at the dis- tance of a few feet looks to be identical with Apis mellifica. It carries pollen in the same manner as its relative, but is a little shorter, and its wings are longer. The number of bees flying out and in a nest is about the same as of the hive-bee. All to- gether it is a very interesting bee to a bee- keeper. Around Caracas there are now a few bee- keepers using modern implements, though when I first visited the locality there were none; in fact, I constructed the first few hives with my own hands, having very few tools to work with. There are bee-hunters all about the country who peddle in a small way the native bee-nectar of the country. Caracas is a mighty interesting place; at least it was so to me. The civilization is very peculiar, so are the houses and all else that go to make up a large city. The sit- uation is grand and unique, at the head of a fine valley which slopes away toward the Orinoco. The sea is actually only 3''2 miles away through the mountain wall, yet the sewerage of the city is carried hundreds of miles before it reaches the ocean. The climate is fine, and somewhat like that of Bermuda. It is even chilly in the evenings, being 3000 feet above sea-level. There are plenty of honey plants about. Around the mountains may be seen lots of the Iponiea family, including the aguinaldo. Mahogany, a kind of rosewood, and coffee produce large quantities of honey. Coffee would be a grand honey-plant if it were not for its short season, only 48 hours; but around Caracas it is grown at all elevations, so that its period is lengthened out. The coffee of Caracas is world-famous for its quality. It is known in the United States as Mocha coffee. The cacao, or chocolate, of Caracas, is equally good, in my opinion unrivaled. There are three places where one can get a good cup of coffee — Caracas, New York, and New Orleans; but only one for chocolate. Real vanila is used for fla- voring it. Venezuela is not a place for fruit. In- deed, very few of the South American coun- 800 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Srpt. 15 tries are. But fruits can be seen on sale there that I imagine are not known else- where, mostly belonging- to the passion- flower, anona, and persimmon families. The local market for honey ought to be good, as the price of all food is high; but the producer could scarcelj' expect to ship, as the railway charges would be high. The railway crosses from La Guayra those same mountains already mentioned, at an elevation of 5000 feet; hence, though only 3 miles away by tunnel, the railway requires 22 for its zigzag course. It is a great en- gineering feat, but very expensive to main- tain, hence the high charges. A locomotive hauls only two cars, and small ones at that. Caracas, to a person who understands the language, and who is interested in men and things, would be a fine place to live in, despite its semi-barbaric civilization, and it is wonderful to me how modern improve- ments can be grafted on to such a people. I mean such things as telephones, street- cars, electric lights, and the like; and to sit at night in Bolivar Plaza, with a band playing, waiters flitting about with refresh- ments for the listeners, the whole lit up with an excellent supply of gas, one can hardly realize that he is not in a highly civilized country. Probably a bee-keeper combining poultry- raising and dairying with his apiculture would succeed very well. Still it would be a risky enterprise in so wild a nation. At PortoCabello there are much better chances, for if the Venezuelan can't or won't eat the honey it can be exported. It is a fine port, as its name indicates— "the port of the hair," for even a hair is not required to moor a vessel alongside the wharves. There is a gap in the mountains here, and this gives the cattlemen of the Orinoco the opportunity to get their wild-looking cattle right up to the steamer's side. For the same reason it might suit a bee-keeper, as he could ship to any port in Europe. He could safely reckon on a crop every year; and if he were to combine his business vvith cacao-growing, possibly he could do fairly well. The conditions are pretty much the same as in Cuba; in fact, there is no appreciable difference. There is nowhere else in Ven- ezuela worthy of mention. SHALLOW HIVES WITH CLOSED=END BROOD- FRAMES. The Bingham Hive. BY J. O. SHEARMAN. The spirit moves me — or, rather, W. K. Morrison does — to say something on the subject of shallow hives again, as I have been using such for over thirty years, and have seen no reason to discard my original size of frame (the Bingham, 20 inches long by 6J4 deep, and 1^ from center to center). If I had to start all over again, however, I should prefer frames lJ4^-inch spaced, and with closed ends entirely, for the following reasons: 1. Less propolis used in the hive; 2. Less waste room; 3. Less trouble with brace-combs; 4. Less room for millers to hide in. A year or two ago, Mr. Editor, you wrote me for an article describing closed-end frames. I made it as short as I could, be- cause editors object to long articles; but if I had written up their advantages as well, I would have given some of the pointers in Mr. Morrison's article. In fact, he agrees with my experience very nearly, only I use a brood- chamber 20 inches long, and anj'where from 2 to 12 frames wide, as it is adjustable without dummies, which are a nuisance. The two or three frame is for a nucleus, though I make up most of my nu- clei with little frames, three of which oc- cupy the space of one ordinary brood- frame. Seven of these little frames fill a nucleus-box; or by taking out the middle one, and inserting a division-board, two three-frame nuclei may be kept in one box. Closed-end frames are the only ones that will each occupy exactly the same space, unless we except the Hoffman, which is virtually the same principle not carried out to a common-sense point — that is, the Hoff- man frame makes waste room. Last year I tried an eight-frame L. hive by trimming the combs and tacking on thin strips of wood all the way down the end pieces, so as to space them 1 '4 inches apart, then put 9 frames in a hive instead of 8, and they did as well, and had one more comb to brood in, but less room to make up extra drone and queen cells, as any bees will do in any hive. Any hive with a hanging frame is a both- er for me, except in an upper tier for ex- tracting; then I move them apart so as to use one less comb in the same super. These drone combs do no harm above queen-ex- cluders. Th^it is the only place I want drone comb if I can help m3'self, and none in the sections until after the swarming im- pulse has passed, else the queen is apt to go up into the sections, as all queens seek to lay drone eggs before swarming. Mj' brood-chamber is adjustable by sim- plj' moving the back board back in order to put in more combs. The most of my comb- honey colonies have eleven or twelve combs from June to August, but may have ten in September, or possibly only eight or nine for winter. For extracting I space the brood chamber to the width of any super I wish to put on; or if for piling Bingham frames, then put eleven below, and have a case that will hold eleven or twelve with a movable back inside, in order to wedge up and tier up — the more the better if bees aie in condition and a good flow is on. The ten-frame Bingham hive has nearly the same capacity for brood as the eight-frame L. hive. The ten-frame L. hive is too bulky for me to handle. I once, over twen- ty-five years ago, tried an experiment for comb honejs or trial between ten L. hives 1903 CLrAxixTJS IX r.r.r. ci" rn. 801 (the ten-frame) and tea Bingham hives. I put a prime swarm in each alternately, giving a full set of combs, and boxes on top. I kept account of it, and the Bingham averaged over Si. 00 worth more of honej'. I tried a few of the L. hives the next year, but they did not pay as well, so I put them to extracting. That ended big hives for comb honej' with me. New Richmond, Mich. [That our readers may know a little more exactly what the Bingham hive is like, we reproduce a cut we made for it about one year ago, and which appears in our ABC of Bet* Culture, under the head of " Hives." Mr. Bingham is a pioneer in the use of shallow hives and closed-end brood-frames. Indeed, I believe he holds the earliest pat- ents ever issued on such a combination — patents that have long since expired by limitation. There are many features about the Bingham hive that will commend it to the practical bee-keeper, especially the one who finds the Langstroth frame a little too deep. I have had a feeling for years (perhaps I am mistaken) that the closed-end frame would be the onlj' frame used bj' bee-keep- ers in the future. Propolizing and bee- killing, formerly supposed to be insur- mountable barriers in the experience of TIGHTENING THE WIRES. Shall we Draw the Wires Taut? and if so, How? BY G. C. GREINER. those who have used these frames for years — yes, and I might sa}' for a lifetime — are not a tenth as bad as the advocates of the open end frame have held. There are prob- ably ten times as many closed-end frames in use now as there were ten years ago; and this statement is based on our experi- ence as supi>ly-manufacturers during the time stated. But perhaps not all people may like shallow hives. — Ed.] To supply the "missing link," as the editor rightly calls it, I herewith give a de- scription of what I consider the proper way of tightening the wires, with drawing to explain more fully the operation. As an introduction, I will say right here that I have never, until this summer, had anj- practical experience with wired frames, and that I have used full sheets for brood-combs to a very limited extent only. Last summer I used about IS lbs. of full sheets on wired frames, with the main ob- ject to investigate and gather such infor- mation as thorough work and close observa- tion could furnish. After reading on this subject all that I could find, and before I had undertaken to do the work itself, I had given the matter a thorough theoretical go- ing-over, and had come to the conclusion that, the tighter the wires, the better it would hold the foundation. I could see no reason why a looser wire should keep foun- dation from bulging or buckling any better than a tighter one; consequently I tightened all my wires all they could stand. I made them sing like "fiddle-strings," perhaps not as high as the A or E pitch, but some- thing like the D or G strings, until the end bars were slightly sprung in. All my frames have four wires, not because I con- sidered them really necessary, for I think three or possibly two, as Mr. Coggshall uses, will do; but I meant to do a thorough job, and follow Gleanings' advice, which I think is "to put a wire every two inches. ' ' A few da3's ago I got the proof of the pudding. I examined every comb of every young swarm that I hived on full sheets (I used about all of the 15 lbs. for that pur- pose), and found practically every one as even and true as a board dressed on both sides. When I string the wire in Ihe frame I take no pains to draw it tight — simply thread it as you would a sewing-machine. After the frame is taken from the wiring- board it is naturally still looser, so that, when all the slack is taken out, a couple of inches may have to be cut off. 802 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Sept. 15 To tighten the wire, we need a little tightening-outfit. First a nailing-block to drive the 2 cz. tacks in the frame. This is a dressed piece of 2X4 scantling, hard wood preferred, about as long as the bench is wide, laid across the bench, with a pointed end an inch or two projecting — see drawing; then a tightening-board. A piece of board like the wiring-board, or a little larger than the frame, fastened to the bench, will answer. Four pins or headless nails are driven into this to fit the four inside corners of the frame, all slanting a trifle toward the center. A small hammer, a pair of common wire-pincers, a pair of shears, un- less the pincers have a wire-cutter, and some 2-oz. tacks, complete the set. Now the operation. Hold the frame on the block as shown in the drawing; drive a tack about yi inch from the hole of the wire end, within -^^ of the head. Give the end of wire one wrap around the tack as tight as 3'ou can draw it with your finger, and drive the tack home (head clear in). Move the frame from you and let the other end of end-bar rest on the block and drive another tack the same as the first, yi inch from the hole of the other end of the wire. Lay the frame on the tightening-board, tacks to the right, and step to the left. With your left hand take the slack out of the first wire by drawing the second wire to the right. Grab the second wire, with pincers in right hand, close to the end bar (Fig. 1) ; using the up- per edge as a focus, draw the wire as tight as it will bear. Lay your left thumb, fin- gers inside, on the wire to keep it from slipping back, and release the pincers. Reach over, and with the pincers take the slack out of the second wire by pulling on the third; slip the pincers close to the end- bar (Fig. 2), and use the upper edge again as a focus, drawing the wire as tight as before. Release the left hand; reach over, and, with fore finger and thumb inside, keep the wire from slipping back. Reach back with the right hand, and repeat the same operation at Fig. 3; and while the left hand holds the wire at this point, let the pincers take the wire at Fig. 4, about one inch from the end-bar. After the slack is taken out and wiredrawn tight, make a tight wrap around the tack; this holds it until the latter is driven in. To give the pincers a chance to make this last wrap, the frame must be lifted an inch or so from the board. Just how tight the wire can be drawn, and how to manipulate the pincers when winding the wire around the tack, can not be explained on paper nor even in verbal conversation. It requires some practical experience. We have to break a few wires before we get the idea. On paper this operation seems like a lengthy job; but it does not take nearly as long as it does to write it or read it. With a little practice, and if done in a systemat- ic way, a person can go over a stack of frames in a hurry. La Salle, N. Y. [Whether of not you should draw 3'our wires taut will depend on the weight or heft of foundation used. Wax 8 or 9 sheets to the pound will buckle in the drawing out if the wires be drawn taut. Sheets 6 or 7 feet to the pound will draw out into good combs as flat as a board, whether the wires be drawn taut or not. But a tight wire will not begin to stand the strain of one drawn moderatelj' loose. The reason of this is obvious. If it is stretched to half its breaking strain, a little more strain will break it, like a slam or bang in an extract- or. If there is no strain on the wire, and it is drawn tight enough to take out all the slack, and a little more, it is easy to see that it will stand a good deal more strain than if it be drawn up more nearly to the breaking-point. But there is another factor to be consid- ered. The tighter the wires are drawn, the heavier the foundation required. I be- lieve it is possible for one to use a very light grade of wax by using wires drawn to the proper tension — not too taut. Foundation 8 or 9 feet to the pound is certainly cheaper than 6 to 7 feet; and if looser-drawn wires will stand a greater strain, and if j^ou get as good comb with lighter foundation, you are saving in your pocketbook and getting- good and stronger comb. Some six or seven years ago I conducted a series of experiments in this matter of wiring and the degree of tension that could be placed on the same. At first I drew mj"- wires tight, and put in heavA' foundation, or what we then called "medium brood." All went well. Later on I used the same tension of wiring, and used light brood. Then the trouble began. The foundation buckled or bulged in between the wires slightlj' — not seriously, but enough to show that I was getting somewhat of a corrugat- ed-roof effect. Some one, I am not sure who, said if I reduced the tension of the wires so that they could sag a little bit with the foundation, the combs would come out true and nice, and they did. That person, if I remember rightly, was Geo. E. Hilton, of Fremont, Mich. If so, he can corrobo- rate by his own experience the matter cov- ering seme years before that time. We had been using perpendicular wiring, and Mr. Hilton took occasion to compliment me for recommending horizontal wiring in opposi- tion to the views of my respected father. All foundation, in proportion to its weight, has a tendency to stretch a little in draw- ing. The stretch is downward a very slight amount. If the middle supports or the wires will allow no sag, there is pretty sure to be a wavj' appearance to drawn comb. It would be very interesting to know how heavy j^our foundation was where the wires were drawn up like fiddle-strings. I will bet a cooky that it was medium brood; and if so, I can readily understand how 3-ou got nicely built-out combs. Try the exper- iment again with light brood, on a warm day, or in a strong- colony, and see what you will get. — Ed.] 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 803 AN EIGHT-rOOT SWARM FROM A 16-FRAME HIVE. SEE NEXT PAGE. 804 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Sept. 15 THAT BIG SWARM OF BEES. I send you my photo of bees taken June 8. The main cluster measured a little over 6 feet, and a small cluster besides. It came out of a two-story sixteen-frame hive. There might have been two swarms that went together. I was not present till they had clustered. My folks said they thought they came from only one hive. The photographer was afraid of getting stung. He took two proofs. I will send you one of each. I look more like a negro than a white man. I am quite light-com- plexioned, and have light hair. Bees have been doing well up to present writing. The white clover has been the best for years. Sweet clover is in full bloom now, and bees are busy yet. We have no fall pasture here — no buckwheat nor goldenrod. The frost or something else killed the bloom on basswood in my neigh- borhood last spring. L. J. Bergh. Mount Horeb, Wis., Aug. 4. [The variety and shapes of the clusters of bees that one will run across is surpris- ing. Sometimes a swarm will hang like an inverted cone; at other times it is like a long cylinder, in which case it will re- semble the swarm shown in the illustration shown on the previous page. The proba- bilities are that the two clusters that are shown form one swarm, for it is not un- common for bees to divide up into two clus- ters, both near at hand. — Ed.] FORMALDEHYDE OF AMERICAN MANUFAC- TURE. The accompanying note is of general in- terest. I can only repeat that the statements I made were copied from circulars of Scher- ing & Glatz, and given on their authority. It is gratifying to know that we can have something as good (and perhaps at less cost) of American manufacture. Why not have something fitted to the case of the every-day bee-keeper quoted among bee- supplies? C. C. Miller. [The letter referred to is as follows:] Dear Doctor: -^In your reference to my note in Gleanings, July 15, you say for- malin is a40-per-cent preparation {oiwhatf). My statement, to which you refer, that it is an aqueous solution of formic aldehyde, is correct, and I don't see that you amend it at all. You say it is made by the Sobering Chemical Works; but, in fact, it is made by the Chemische Fabrik auf Actien, formerly E. Sobering, Berlin, Germany. You say the word "formalin" is patented. Is it? I know the method oj vaporizing formalitt pastils, etc., is patented. This necessitates the purchase of their rather expensive ap- paratus. For this reason, and knowing from several years' use of the pastiles that they will deteriorate, I would not advise their use to bee-keepers. The device of Mr. J. M. Thomson, p. 391, has all the requisites of a formaldehyde- generator, and can be made very cheaply. You seem to attach much importance to the word "formalin," while I regard the sub- stance, formaldehyde solution, of greatest moment; and this, made by American man- ufacturing chemists, can be relied upon, fully as well as that of foreign makers. H. O. Vassmer. Excelsior Springs, Mo., July 23. A BAD mess; why BEES DO KOT WORK IN SECTIONS. I recently purchased four two-story eight- frame hives of bees. The party from whom I purchased assured me that sections had been placed properly in the top story. A few days after I got them home I discover- ed that he had prevaricated, as there was nary a section in any of the supers. I found that comb had been built from the cover, and extended down, and was fastened to the top of the brood-chambers, in the lower story. I undertook to remove the honey and clean out the super. In doing so I found a great quantity of brood in with the honey in the super. When would be the best time to take this honey out, and in what way would it be best to proceed? If brood is found in all of them, what can be done with it? Why will bees not work in the sections of a super newly put on, when the bottom part is full? What can I do to induce them? C, P. Savage. Dunmore, Pa., Aug. 17. [The only thing you can do is to smoke the bees down so that you can get at the combs with a long thin-bladed knife. Cut out all the brood-combs, and use the rest for chunk honey to be used on the table or to be sold among your neighbors. The brood may be fitted into brood-frames and allowed to hatch out. As to why bees seem disinclined to work in sections is a question not easy to answer for all conditions. It is evident that they do not like individual compartments where individual combs separated from the rest of the brood-nest are to be built. They much prefer to work on large surfaces going through the brood-nest without obstruction. This is more especially true of pure Italians. But no matter what their preference, man prefers his comb built in little boxes so he can conveniently handle them for purposes of retailing. The time may come when con- sumers will be willing to accept chunk hon- ey; but the laws will have to be much more rigid than now or else adulterators will take combs and mix them with pure glucose, and palm them off for pure honey. Bees 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 805 may be induced to g:o into sections by put- ting- in bait combs; but a better wa}' is to have the colonies so overpoweringly strong- that they will be compelled to g-o above, simply to g-et room; but in that case the en- trance will have to be large, otherwise the bees will cluster out and loaf. — Ed.] IS IT PICKLED OR FOUL BROOD? I have in mj' apiary a number of colonies which are affected with what seems to be pickled brood. We have shaken out quite a number of colonies, using- formaldeh3'de on the emptj' combs. What is sing-ular about the matter is the fact that the dis- eased brood is, of its own accord, disap- pearing- from manj' of the worst- affected colonies without any treatment whatever. In many colonies there are only a very few cells of diseased brood, while the combs are filled with healthy brood. Do you think that, under these circumstances, it would be safe to let such colonies go over until spring- for treatment? Would it be safe and effective to treat the diseased combs with formaldeh3'de in October, after the healthy brood has all hatched? Will formaldehyde disinfect combs of sealed honey so that they can be used for winter stores? W. H. LiTTLEJOHN. Battle Creek, Mich., Aug. 11. [The probabilities are that you have a form of pickled brood. While foul brood will disappear under some conditions, dur- ing- a strong- honey- flow for example, as a general rule it will continue to grow worse. Pickled brood will come and go; in fact, that is one of its peculiarities. My advice would be to treat all the combs in the fall with formaldehyde iis you suggest. If you have any doubts at all it would be advisa- ble to subject all the empty combs that j^ou may have to this treatment. It will do|no harm, and might save the spread ofj, a dangerous disease. — Ed.] DAMPNESS IN THE CELLAR. I should like to winter my bees in a cel- lar. The cellar is 16X18X7, and has 3 windows 28X12 inches. There is never any water standing in it, but is a little damp at the bottom (which is of brick). We use a heating-stove in winter above the cellar. Please give me advice if it be a good idea to put a pipe into the cellar connected to the flue so as to draw the dampness out. Brookville, Ind. H. W. Suhre. [Dampness in the cellar does no particu- lar harm, although perhaps it may be ad- visable to remove it by the plan you sug- gest. A flue that connects with the regular chimney of the heating-stove is a very use- ful appliance in a bee-cellar for removing the foul air. Our experience shows con- clusively that in our locality, at least, it pays to keep the air in the cellar as fresh as possible at all times during the winter. —Ed.] JAMES HILBERT'S BFE-CELLAR AND WORK-SHOP. SEE EDITORIALS. 806 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. ISept. 15 SLICED ONION FOR BEE-STINGS, AGAIN. I can fully indorse the remarks of Mr. E. Webber, of Tolland, Mass., in your issue of July 1, as to the effect of sliced onion for acid of the poison — there might be some rea- son for it. I used to have in my young-er days, when earache used to distress me so, person after person tell me that a hot boiled onion, placed on the outside of my ear, would instantly allay the pain. I tried it repeated- ly, but it never had any more effect than any thing else that could hold heat equally well. Still, it may be efficacious with the sting of the bee; and con- sidering the fact that two of our correspondents have sug- gested it, I shall make an effort to try it at the verj' first op- portunity.— Ed.] INTERIOR OF JAMES HILBERT'S BEE-CELLAR. ITORIAL. cure of bee-stings, or prevention of swell- ing and all after-inconvenience from stings. I first used this remedy some 25 years ago, when living and keeping bees in England, and I have never known it to fail, if ap- plied immediately after being stung. I very seldom find any inconvenience or swelling; but if some little time should elapse and swelling have commenced, the onion soon allaj^s the pain and arrests the swelling. Of course, the sting must first be removed. If I have to handle bees I pull up an onion (I keep my bees in the garden), and place it ready to hand. In my case it is the cure. Arnica, hot water, ammonia, etc., I have tried, but they are not in it with the onion. Try it, my friends. C. E. Norton. Moncton, N. B.,Can. [As I said before, I am still doubtful about the efficacy of sliced onion; and with all due deference to you and Mr. Webber, I do not believe it has any effect. In most cases the pain will subside without the application of any thing. If the juice of the onion were strong- ly alkaline — sufficient- ly so to neutralize the do all basswoods blossom? Can you tell me whether all basswoods blossom, and how old they must be before they will blossom? If there are some that never blossom, how can I tell them from those that do? I have a queen that is three years old, and she lays better than a j'oung queen. Would you destroy her on account of her age? When bees supersede the queen, do they swarm or do see ED- ^^gy j^.j^ j^gj., ^r reetz. Black Creek, Wis. [Bass wood-trees will blossom, often, when only three or four years old. Some years even old trees will not blossom at all, and some trees blossom only occasionally, while others blossom nearly every year. There is no way by which you can distinguish a good-blossoming young tree from one that does not blossom profuselj'. Regarding the queen, a good deal will depend upon what kind of service she is do- ing. If she is laying well we certainly would not destroy her; but as a rule, three- year-old queens are inferior to those a year old. As for superseding, we do not know ex- FOURTEEN virgins from fourteen cells IN {STANLEY cages, see editorial. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 807 actly what does take place. In some cases the old queen simpl}' ffives out, and the next thins;- we know she is missing-. Wheth- er she dies or the bees make wa3' with her, it would be hard to say in every case. — Ed.] A DEAD MOUSE IN A HIVE. In 1900 I got a Si. 00 select untested queen of the Root Co. She beg-an laying- bj' fill- ing a frame, Hoffman, of drone, then some worker, but ne%'er had more than three frames of brood at once. She laid so little that other brood had to be used to keep up strength. Thinking- that the long- trip by mail might have injured her laying- powers, without injury to her stock, some of her brood was put into strongly built-up queen- less colonies, and youug^ queens raised which have since given good satisfaction. While I can not report such a wonderful success as Bro. Doolittle, page 621, I still think the 51.00 was well spent. My Root queen died the next spring-, being too feeble to start building-up; and the old hive was emptied, the few survivors being united with another colony, I have been much interested in the queen discussion b\' Allejs Gallup, and Doolittle; and while man}' good things were said by them, I think the fact of most importance, both to breeders and to purchasers of queens, is to be found in Doolittle's expe- rience; viz., a queen that has been in the mails, not able to keep up the strength of the colonj' for honey-gathering, may yet be of great value from which to raise choice queens. This spring we found a dead mouse be- tween the combs in the lower part of the hive, where it had apparently gone for hon- ey, and met bees instead. It was dried up, and not mummified — i. e. ,uo wax or propo- lis on it. The colony was in normal condi- tion, but did not cover more than half Of the combs at that time, p. 638. Clakk S. Fuge. Oregon Citj', Ore., July 25. ANOTHER CASE WHERE BEES EMBALMED A DEAD MOUSE. The question is asked on page 638 if bees would hermetically seal a dead mouse found in their hive. Yes, they will. Some years ago I put a strong swarm of bees in a hive with an entrance large enough to admit a mouse. Some da3-s after, while working opposite this hive, I espied a mouse inside and near the entrance. As it remained quiet, of course I supposed it to be dead, and thought I would remove it at once; but some business of a pressing nature claimed my attention, and I forgot about the mouse. Some days after, while passing through the bee-yard. I thought of the little rodent. The bees seemed to be working- all right. I looked in at the entrance, and saw a small mound. I made an examination, and found that they had furnished him a casket, or hermeticall}' sealed him up. I removed the bees to another hive, and took the board containing the casket and kept it a long time as a curiosity. Finally I broke it open. The composition was in color a bluish gray. The outside was rough, but the inside was nicely polished, and no part of it touched the mouse. His hair was smooth; and his tail, folded closely by his side, looked as though he was enjoying a pleasant sleep. Not the least offensive smell could be de- tected. F. C. Ross. Onawa, Iowa, July 23, 1903. BEES AS EMBALMERS; BRINGING SWARMS HOME IN A GUNNY SACK. In your answer to C. L. Sniffen, on page 638, you say it is doubtful whether the bees would cover up with wax or propolis any thing as large as a dead mouse. A few days before reading your answer I was talking with an old bee-keeper here, Mr. M. B. Robinson, and he told me about once finding a dead mouse in a hive. It was a box hive with two sticks crossed in it. The mouse had lodged on the sticks where they crossed, and the bees had covered it with wax and propolis so that it was completely embalmed. He also told me about seeing some one exhibit an embalmed lizard which had been taken out of a bee-tree, at a bee- keepers' convention at Boonville, Mo., sev- eral years ago. We have a fine crop of white clover here, and the bees are doing well. I have taken 700 lbs. of white honey, mostly extracted, from six colonies, spring count, and in- creased to nine colonies. The bees are still getting honey from white clover, and the prospect is good for the fall honey- flow. In my twelve years' experience in bee- keeping I have never seen white clover hold on so long-. I astonished the natives one day last week b}' going out into the country about half a mile on my bicycle, and bringing in a swarm of bees in a gunny sack. Jas. T. Shackelford. Napton, Mo., July 27. [We have had other reports showing that bees are competent to embalm dead animals that prove to be in their way. These re- ports go to show further that bees are very cleanly in their general habits. If I see a dead bee or two in honey, no feeling of nau- sea comes to me; but not so in the case of a fly or other insect. — Ed.] sweet clover preferred to alfalfa BY A horse; a QUEEN OCCUPYING EMPTY COMBS INSTEAD OF FOUN- DATION. I cut a crop of sweet clover this year, thrashing it for seed, and giving some of the straw to the horse. I found it would pick out the old harsh sweet-clover straw in preference to good alfalfa hay. Of course, the leaves were all thrashed off", leaving just the stems; but the horse was very ea- ger for it, while cows would not touch it. 808 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Sept. 15 The hay was not cut until the plants were dead and yellow. I hived a swarm of bees this spring- on full sheets of foundation, and placed an ex- tracting-'Super full of empty combs over them at once. The queen went right to work filling the super with brood. Last week when I was extracting I took off two full supers of honey, and the bottom of the hive was overflowing with bees, all the foundation being built out and full of brood, but no brood in the supers. Other swarms on which I did not place combs until the hive-body was full had no surplus honey whatever, and were much weaker. Douglass, Kan. D. E. Rose. [From my knowledge and experience in the alfalfa country throughout the West, ■where much sweet clover as well as alfalfa is grown, I should say that the average cow or hor-e would take alfalfa in preference. It is my impression that, if you were to of- fer another horse his choice, he would eat the alfalfa first. Sweet clover can be g-rown very easily on some of the semi-al- kali lands; and if stock can be induced to eat it with a relish anywhere near the ex- tent that they will aifalfa, it would be cul- tivated. There are very few places in the West where I did not see sweet clover, but nowhere did I see it grown as a distinctly hay crop. As in the East, it springs up spontaneously on Western lands; but it very seldom occupies cultivated fields, if I am correct. If this be true it would seem to show that the preference of stock, based on the experience of the ranchers, was decid- edly in favor of tlie alfalfa. I will Ptdmit that we have horses and stock here in the East that verj- often browse on sweet clover in preference to ordinary good grass; and it is far better than some of our wild grass- es that grow so rank in our pasture lands. Your queen, in the case cited, did exact- ly what I should suppose she would. She would occupy drawn-out combs in prefer- ence to foundation. As a rule, a colony will make the center of its brood-nest on the drawn comb, and then gradually work both ways on the foundation after it is drawn into combs. Your experience in getting more honey from the hive with drawn combs is nothing unusual; indeed, it is generally considered that there is no better capital in a bee-yard than g-ood combs. While foun- dation serves an excellent purpose for the hiving of shaken or natural swarms on, in order that the bees may be forced into the supers, yet in the production of extracted honey it will not compare with the complet- ed combs. — Ed.] fore was all bustle and hum), it was quite noticeable to me that there was a great re- duction in the flight of bees; and at the same time beautiful weather prevailed with dandelion, goos>eberry, etc., yielding abun- dance of honey. One colony I examined had few bees fl3ung, and a few sickly ones crawling about the entrance. This colony but a few days previous covered three to four frames, I would say half full of brood, with new honej' stored round the top of each, and one or two back ones (being a Jones hive), with preparation to cap begun in odd places. Not a worker seemed to be left, as I could handle them without smoke. There was brood in all stages in the frames, with apparently nothing but the young downy bees with their queen to care for it, and which could not be covered by them. A few of the neighbors confessed to poisoning their gooseberries at the very time of the disappearance of the bees, thinking it no harm; but none live nearer than fi to ^ a mile from the bees. In the case of the one I examined, the queen laid from one to four eggs in a cell. Where did the workers go? This colony I lost with a few others, and with plenty of honej' still in the frames. Am I wrong in saying it was a case of poisoning? iSTotwithstanding the apparent reduction I had in bees in the early part of the season, I have secured from 37 colonies over 3100 lbs. I expected better results, but the sea- son was disappointing at times by occasion- al cold waves, one of these coming right in the begining of basswood bloom, which is my best source for honey. George W. Strangway. Elora, Ont. , Canada. [From the evidence you have presented, I see no reason to doubt that your bees were poisoned; and if I were you I would enter into some amicable arrangement with the neighbors by which this loss on your part can be avoided. The fact that poisonous liquids are administered to plants where there is no nectar or pollen would surely seem to indicate that the bees were short of water, and took this means of supplying themselves. In that case j'ou had better distribute water-troughs of pure water all about the apiary, during the time the gooseberries are being sprayed. — Ed.] MORE BEES POISONED FROM SPRAYING. With regard to the poisoning of bees here, and as evidence to the same, I can only say that the poisoning of bees has never been noticeable to me with the exception of last May. I perhaps am wrong; but if so, it is certainly a mystery to me. as, upon enter- ing the bee-yard (which but a day or so be- MORE SPRAYING, AND MORE BEES KILLED. I notice on page 676 that you desire a re- port of those who had bees poisoned by fruit-growers who had sprayed during full bloom. I am glad you made the request, as I think such a report may have a good influence. Last j'ear I had my colonies very strong in order to get as much of the apple honey as possible, that being my favorite honey; and just when the bees be- gan to store rapidly I noticed all at once thousands of them dropping around the house-apiary and in mj' yard; and mj' col- onies were depopulated a half, if not more, in two days' time. I was satisfied that poi- 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 809 son had been used in spraj'ing- fruit-bloom, and immediatel}' made inquir}*. All par- ties denied spraying", yet I found that one had purchased a fruit-sprayer and had sprayed his trees at that time, even though he denied doing so. However, I made a public announcement that the part3'or par- ties who killed my bees by spraying his fruit during the time of bloom would also destro}' his own fruit, and mj' prediction proved true; for the same party that had sprayed his trees at that time scarcely had anj' sound fruit, while an orchard within a stone's throw had hundreds of bushels of fine matured fruit, and no spraying what- ever had been done; so I guess there will not be any more spraying done during full bloom in this section. J. A. Goldkn. Reinersville, O., Aug. 6. IS HONEV-DEW SUITABLE FOR A WINTER FOOD? "Will you kindly state whether it is pos- tively known that honej^-dew is injurious to winter bees on? There is considerable on the beech-trees anJ saplings, and bers are working on it at present. It is rather in- teresting to watch the insects move around on the trees, having what appears to be a tail made of a bunch of cotton, and this the air keeps in continual motion. I cut off a beech-twig having on it a lot of the insects, and the jarring of the twig brought down minute drops of the slightly sticky fluid. G. B. Weston. [Bees have been known to winter well on hone_v-dew; but in view of the fact that this food is quite liable to bring on dysenterj' in the spring — is almost sure to — it would be advisable to extract it out and give them good food instead. I know of nothing bet- ter or cheaper than a syrup made of granu- lated sugar. Honey-dew will do very well for stimulating in the spring after cold weather is past. — Ed.] FEEDING OUTDOORS ; ROBBING, ETC. 1. Would a swarm isolated a mile or so from all others, fed in the open air, and not placed in the bee-house until too cold for robbing, be likely to begin robbing in the spring? 2. Does feeding from the Miller feeder tend to promote robbing? 3. Would it be detrimental to a swarm to use fences similar to chose used between plain sections, between the brood-combs while they were being formed to insure their straightness? A. V. Doud. Bristol, N. H., July 22. [1. A colon3' isolated a mile or so from the others, and fed in the open air, would not rob nor be the cause of robbing, either at the time of being fed or in the following spring. Even if the bees had been robbing during the previous fall, the memorj' of their previous experience would probably disap- pear entirely the ensuing spring, even if a large proportion of the bees didn't die off. But bees taught to rob any time during the summer are liable to rob again in a short time, because they will remember their ga- la day of plunder, and they are quite apt to go back to their old haunts where first they discovered the booty. 2. The Miller feeder does not »promote robbing provided it does not leak and is not filled too full. 3. Fences such as are described can be used for getting evenly drawn combs from found ation. — Ed. ] WHEN TO TAKE OFF SUPERS; SYRUP, HOW MAKE, ETC. There is considerable white clover in bloom, and bees are swarming. How long should I leave the supers on so that the bees can gather enough for winter stores? What proportion of sugar and water would you mix together to make a syrup to feed for winter stores? When should one commence to feed for winter, and how much in a day? How much sulphuric acid would you put into a gallon of water to render^w-ax? Will it corrode a brass kettle? L. H. LiNDEMUTH. Lehmaster, Pa., Aug. 14. [If you have been having white clover in bloom, and bees are swarming at the date of your letter, the condition is quite unusual for this part of the country. As long as the bees are storing hone3'^ in the supers, leave them on, of course, but the minute they stop, take off the finished sections at least, otherwise they will be soiled. In feeding, use a mixture of sugar and water, half and half, or a pail of water and a pail of sugar by measure. The bees should be fed up not later than October 1. The amount of sulphuric acid to use in water to refine wax will depend upon how dirty or discolored the wax is. The solu- tion may be anywhere from one part of acid to 50 or 100 parts of water. If the wax is not very dirty, 200 parts of water to one of acid will be sufficient. It is very seldom that you would want to use a solution as strong as one in fifty. If you use the weaker solution it probably will not corrode the kettle much; but when through using, wash it out thoroughly with soapsuds and hot water. — Ed.] Where does the bee carry its comb? Does it carry any on its legs? When is the proper time to add new queens to the colo- ny, spring or fall? RoBT. Peterson. Carl Junction, Mo., Aug. 11. [Bees do not carry comb, but secrete the wax for it between the scales on the under side of the abdomen. It is then picked up in the mandibles by other bees, and used for comb-building. Pollen and sometimes propolis are carried on the legs, and in rare instances wax. A new queen usually should be given to a colony after the main honey- flow. — Ed.] 810 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Sept. 15 HOMES,! BY A.I.ROOT. 'V In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall di- rect thy paths.— Prov. 3;(i. As you have seen by the journals, our carload of bee-keepers started from Chicago on Wednesday evening-, Aug. 12, and I be- lieve it was not until after we started that I learned we would reach the Grand Can3on at 5 on Saturday evening, and would leave at 9:30 on Monday morning, so as to give the bee-keepers all Sunday to explore. When I asked how such an arrangement came to be made, nobod}'^ seemed to know. Proba- bly the railroad company thought that that would be exactly what the bee-keepers would want. I could have told them bet- ter, and would have been glad to do so had I been consulted. As it was, perhaps I am as much at fault as any one, because I did not in time look out for such a state of af- fairs. I am glad to say our car of eighteen bee- keepers, men and women, were mostly professing Christians. We sang gospel hymns, and talked temperance. Sabbath observance, etc., almost as a carload of En- deavorers might have done; and some one remarked he had not seen one of our crowd in the smoking-car at all. This is a little remarkable, and perhaps it is owing to the fact that the editors of our bee- journals are " clean men " right through. Well, there was much discussion as to what we ought to do under the circum- stances about exploring the canyon on Sun- day. Many inquired, a little anxiously, perhaps, what A. I. Root was going to do. Of course, they looked to Dr. Miller, Edi- tor York and his good wife, and others, in much the same way; but as your humble servant has in years past been a little more vehement than the rest in denouncing Sun- day excursions, it seemed to center some- what on him. I am free to confess I was puzzled as to what I ought to do, or, if you choose, as to what God would have me do that Sabbath day. As all would be up early, we arranged for a morning service at six o'clock. Our train dropped us Saturday evening on the brink of that awful chasm; and eve- ry soul of us, as we gazed down, admitted the sight was worth all it cost, and was worthy of all that had been said about it. The human eye, unused to such vast depths, at first failed utterly to take it in. Our guide pointed out to us some white objects, part way down, and asked us to guess what they were. I said they looked like five- cent sacks of salt that some one had drop- ped. What I called a sack of salt was really a group of ei^ht tents, or sleeping- rooms, belonging to the hotel below. Part way down on the trail they looked like Simplicitj' bee-hives painted white. These tents were 3100 feet straight down, three miles distant on a bee-line, ^nd five miles along the trail. There were trips out along the rim. both ways; and if we thought best not to take the long trip down to the great river (a full mile straight down, and eight miles along the trail), we could take the side trip above. What would be the right and prop- er thing for a body of Christian people to do on that Sabbath day? I, like many of the rest, had looked forward to this trip almost all my life; and but few if any of us would ever see it again. I went part way down the trail Saturday night, and came up aft- er dark. I was more and more fascinated with every' step I took down; and as it was bright moonlight after midnight, I tried to get the manager of the horses to take me down by moonlight Monday morning, and get me back by train time. He flatly re- fused. I meditated walking down before breakfast, and back before train time; but I knew that, at my age, it would be more than I had any right to undertake. God knows I tell it truly when I say I decided to go away and not take the trip. I had so decided at the morning service; but I con- cluded it was best not to s ly so to the rest. Mr. and Mrs. York, at this service, by their beautiful rendering of familiar hymns (assisted by Dr. Miller, of course), made it a most enjoyable meeting. I spoke on the text at the head of this paper, and was happy, even though I had decided to stay all day at the hotel, or near it. I think that God was pleased, if I may so express it, at my willingness to give up for his sake. Now, dear friends, do not think me visionary when I say I feel that, after thus giving up, he bade me go. I know I am approaching dangerous ground for a spir- itual teacher to take, but I believe there is solid rock under my feet. Our service was over, and I went out near the brink. I had said to some I would advise avoiding hiring horses or setting anybody to work on Sunday, as far as pos- sible, and a little crowd of bee-keepers was starting out on foot. Only one of our num- ber rode a pony. I said, " Why, boys, if you are going on foot, take oflf your coats, and, better, vests too. Do not carry an ounce more than y^ou are obliged to. Then you have no canes. You must all get a stout light cane, and, above alt, each one must carry a bottle of water. It is five miles over the hardest road you ever trav- eled before you can get a drop of wa- ter." Now, it was right here that the Holy Spirit told me to go with these friends and be one of them; at least I felt so then, and I feel so now. I felt very sure that I could contribute to their comfort and hap- piness, and God gave me strength and endurance that day that made me praise him all day long. We sat down often, and took in the grandeur of that scene. We had confidential talks while we rested; and when we reached a beautiful spring, near the tents, we bathed, not only our dirty 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 811 hands and faces, but our tired and some- times sore feet. Now. lest I leave the impression that it may not be so very bad to plan a Sunday excursion, let me give you an incident. As we wt'ie washing in the brook we saw two men cutting wood to bring in to the hotel, on mules. As we sat at dinner in the tent, one of our party said: " I was never more astonished in my life than when I saw^ those men cutting wood, and drawing it in on Sunday." The remark was made so loud the two men nt another table heard it. I saw the face of one flush a little, and feared we should have a jangle there on Sunday. Soon his reply came, in an even and steady tone: " And I was never more astonished in my life than when I saw your crew coming down here on a ' Sundaj' excursion.' And after all the profession you fellows make, I should like to know who is most guiltj'. One of you has been kind enough to say we have given you a good dinner; but this dinner gave us a lot of work, and hard work too. ' ' The man was right. I for one felt the justice and fairness of his rebuke, and I re- solved then and there to take slill more care not to be again entrapped in a Sunday ex- cursion. We did not take the long trip down to the brink of the river, but followed a path to the edge of a precipice where we could see the yellow mudd3' waters of the Colorado Kiver where it rushed between the rocks, for four or five miles, but it was 1000 feet or more below where we stood, and nearly straight down. It looked almost as if one could wade through it; but a man who had been down to the water's edge said it was too wide to throw a stone across it. We started from the tents about 2 p. M. to walk up the trail, and took it very leisureljs stopping often to sit down and gaze at the dizzy heights above us. The eye can take in ther^a/distanceabovefar betterthan in look- ing down. I do not know wh\' this is so. In going up, a queer optical illusion confront- ed us almost constantl}'. The wall of rock in front seemed solid, without any possible opening; but when we marched right up to where it seemed the trail ^nitst enter a tun- nel, an opening canyon gradually unfolded. One of our party said his heart was beat- ing so hard he feared palpitation that had troubled him when a bo^'; and as he feared to be alone he asked me to slow up with him; and as I was pretty tired too we fell behind the rest. Well, when the first ones reached the hotel my friends were so anx- ious about me, mainly on account of my age, they sent a man with two saddle- horses after me. This cost Si. 50, the usual price for bringing up one who gives out on the way. We planned in the morning to go on foot, so as to avoid hiring any one to work on Sunday. Some of the crowd car- ried their dinner, for this reason. I knew /should need a good square meal; and as the price was 75 cts. at either place, I rea- soned it would be no worse to get it below. You see how it turned out. In spite of my planning, two men worked hard to get up my dinner, and a man and two horses came after me toward night. As it was, I ap- preciated seeing the strength of a horse take the place of my own; and I also keen- ly enjoyed watching the horse as he skill- fully planted his feet in making the diffi- cult passages, climbing rocky stairs, etc. I do not suppose a horse will ever fall if he has the full rein, and is allowed to decide for himself if it is possible for him to make the passage. A thousand feet or more straight down has no terrors for these trained mountain horses. All horses are shy of going where the footing is insecure; but when they can see and feel the solid rock under their feet, and when they can also see where other horses have gone be- fore them, they soon bring into play their excellent judgment, or, perhaps I should say, "horse sense. " Monday I felt so well and strong I walked part way down the trail again just for the fun of it; but Tues- day my muscles were so sore I could' hardly walk until I had got limbered up; and I didn't get entirely over this soreness of the muscles for three or four days. Before the train left, we took a carriage- drive to Rowe's Point, where the river is visible in three different places. At Senti- nel Point the cliff is a full mile higher than the water in the river. A glass is a great aid in looking off these great elevations; but even with the glass, the human eye re- fuses, as it were, to recognize these vast distances. At the hotel we were told Rowe's Point was three miles distant. The books say it is \^4 miles; and those of our party who went on foot thought it even less. You can make big wages going on foot. Quite a few ladies make the whole canyon on foot. We had a very pleasant talk with two who had made Yosemite, and were then making the eight-mile trail at Grand Can- yon. These two women were alone and un- attended. Our party all voted, I think, that the Grand Canyon is worthy of all that has been said about it; and I do not know that I ever heard of anyone who felt disappoint- ed when he came to see it. Now a concluding word in regard to our text. If we acknowledge God in all our wa3'S he will direct our paths; but we can not, as a rule, lay out paths for others; itnd oftentimes we can not even laj' out paths fur ourselves. Furthermore, uod oft- en ciills on us to tread U7iexpected paths. ALUMINUM INSTEAD OF TIN. Afr. Root: — Use an aluminum stew-pan with which to heat water and do your cook- ing, as related in Gleanings for June 15. I think j'ou will find it quicker and better than tinware. Wallace R. Moses. West Palm Beach, Fla., June 25. 812 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURK Skpt. is THE HOTTEST PLACE IN THE UNITED STATES. We have often heard it said that Yuma, Arizona, is the warmest place in the United States, and many jokes are "cracked " in regard to the heat; but whether it be true or not, I can not say. On Thursday eve- ning, August 27, between 10 and 11 o'clock (the train being late), I went to a hotel in Sentinel, Ariz., for lodging. Sentinel is about 100 miles east of Yuma. The land- lord was asleep on a bed out in the door- yard, and I told him I should much prefer a bed out under the stars to one in the house. He pointed to one ready for me, which I had not until then noticed. He opened a door near by, and said I could leave my grip and clothing inside if I chose. Before retiring — come to think of it, was there really any "retiring" about it? Well, before going to bed I asked: "Have you some good drinking-water that won't make me sick? " Let me explain a little. The kind friends in California, after the convention was over, gave me so man3' samples of their nice fruit to "just taste," I was having my old trouble of indigestion. I had been di- eting on milk toast and such, without any apparent relief, until I was pretty misera- ble. I was not a little surprised to hear my host so positive concerning two things — first, that it woulchi't rai?i, even if it did continue to lighten; and, next, that the wa- ter he brought me would make me well, and not worse, no matter how bad my trouble was. The water wasn't very cold, but I was so thirstj' (I found by many trials that the ice water on the train would not do for Die at all), I drank quite freely, thinking I would take my chances. The next morning I was much better. The bad taste had all gone from my mouth, and I drank freely of the water he had so positively declared never had and never would hurt anybody. The water was pumped by the railroad company from a well 1200 feet deep. It was identical with the water at the cele- brated Agua Caliente springs, ten miles awa3% and was too hot to drink as it came from the well. In all this region the water is cooled by being hung in the shade, in a canteen covered with burlap, the latter being kept constantly wet. When 3-ou are out on the desert, your water to drink is always carried in these covered canteens. I slept nicely, although the temperature was between 90 and 100. The agent over at the depot showed me the daily record from the Weather Bureau, and I found that only a few dajs before the heat had been, at 2 in the afternoon, 118° in the shade. At breakfast I ate the first good square meal for several days, drinking freely of this artesian water, for there is none other for miles around, and I am happj' to tell you I have for four daj's since eaten what I chose, with a good appetite, three times a day, and have never had a healthier diges- tion in mj^ life. Is it because this water is one of my latest "fads," or has it really wonderful virtues? I will tell you all I know about it, and you maj' draw 3'our own conclusions. I told you last winter of m3' comical ex- periences in Cuba in tr3'ing to get my Spanish friends to give me a drink of hot water when out in the countr3', before I had learned to 533' "agua caliente.'' Well, when my brother, J. H. Root, urged me to make him a visit, as he had something tcv show that. would interest me greatly, I had to laugh outright at the familiar words,. "Agua Caliente" (water hot) as his, post- office. In due time we had spanned the ten miles over the dry and sand3' desert. Not a drop of water was passed until we reached the springs. It seldom rains here, winter or summer, and there is not a particle of dew. In many places there is almost no vegeta- tion, and this makes it all the more wel- come to see the springs with their babbling brooks when we get near the town. There are in all, perhaps, 15 or 20 springs, giving a liow of hot water of about 90 miner's inches all together. The water is so hot 3'ou think at first you can not bear it for a bath; but in a little time your body becomes inured to the heat, so most people find it pleasant. Many find it weakening if they stay in very long; but I do not find it so. Below is the anal3'sis: Parts in. -Sodium chloride, NaCl (common salt) . . o2.00 Sodium carbonate, Na-CO^ .... 5.30 Sodium silicate Na=Si03 8 02 Sodium sulphate, No-SO^ (Glauber salts) . 15 09 Potassium sulphate, K-SO* .... 1.57 Calcium sulphate, CaSO^ (gypsum) . 3.95 Magnesium sulphate. MgSO^ (Epsom .salts). l.()2 Magnesium carbonate, MgCO^ . . . 0.46 Iron and alumina, Fe=0^ and Al'O^ . . 0.30 lyithium 68,22 trace The most of the people who come here are cripples or invalids — perhaps more who are troubled with rheumatism than any thing else. Deafness, especially where the trou- ble is catarrh, is often relieved in a very few da3's. First, you drink all the water you can, before meals and after, when 3'ou go to bed or when 3'ou get up, and they say it always helps digestion at once. It haR proved strangel3' true in m3' case. Next you bathe in the "healing waters" every day or oftener. It makes one wonderfully clean, without soap. Then you get 3'our head under water and make it run into 3'Our ears, and snufif it up 3'our nose. You know I have for 3-ears urged this with com- mon hot water. This treatment, with a daily temperature of from 90 to 110°, wotild ver3' naturall3' cleanse the breathing- pas- sages, and prove beneficial. As to wheth- er it will be a lasting benefit, I can not answer. Scores of people go away benefit- 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 8i: ed, and many claim they are permanently cured. Man3' saj' they get relief here, aft- er haviucr tried, with little or no benefit, the other hot sprinpi's of the world. For my part, I think I never felt so clean before in my life as I do now as I sit here and write at a temperature of 110° at 2 p. m. Instead of feelinj;- depressed I feel just like work. I wear only the very lightest clothing. At night we wear only a very thin nightgown; and as m^- brother and I are up before the rest of the neighborhood, we often go about in our nightgowns, lifting them up in "ori- ental ' fashion when we want to walk. I am much interested in our " iceless re- frigerator." They are manufactured and kept for sale in this region. It looks like a common refrigerator, but the sides are of slats, like window-blinds. Inside the slats are sheets of burlap kept constantly wet by a tank on top that lets water drop on each of the four cloth sides. The dr\' air of this region keeps up an evaporation that re- duces the temperature so that butter, milk, etc., keep in verj' good condition. The fact that our government holds three of the best springs for the free use of the public gives me confidence in them. All but these three are owned b}' the hotel, and the usual price is 25 cents for the use of the houses built over them. Many come here wilh troublesome sores,* and the drinking and bathing certainly seem to have a bene- ficial effect that may well entitle the springs to be called the fountains of " healing wa- ters." A monument of stones stands on the mountain just back of us, built by a lad}' with her own hands, as a memorial of her cure from rheumatism. She was so perfectly cured that she not only climbed the mountain but carried the stones and piled them up. Lest I be accused again of mentioning only the roses and not the thorns, I will add that the place as it is now is not invit- ing. Tin cans, left by campers, are scattered about everywhere. The principal owner of the place is at present expending consider- able moneN' in various improvements. One naturally expects shade-trees and flowers in the vicinity of springs; but they are lacking here. One reason given is. the wa- ter is too hot for any thing to grow; but there are a few kinds of wild flowers blooming along the banks of the hot-water streams. There are no cold-water springs, such as we have in the East; but there are sprini^s where the flow is very small, with *Of course, the question will arise. " Is it fafe to bathe where so many come with maladies thai can hardly be named in print? Is there no danger of con- tracting something worse than what you have al ready, especially if you bathe in springs owned by the government, antl free to all ? " I have looked this mat- ter all over, making careful inquiry. With the great volume of water flowing through these bath-houses, every thing is washed out very quicVly. By throwing twigs on the wattr you can see how quickly every thing goes out and down the stream. People who live below for several miles, however are careful not to drink the water from the springs, unless carried from the head in barrels. The houses where admittance i."^ charged, are, of course, used very much less than the " free " ones. a temperature nearly normal. The strong- er the flow, the higher the temperature, as a rule. We are told the Indians used these hot springs for the cure of disease, before the white man came; and from the fact that our government endorses and extends its protection over them I think we may thank God for these " healing waters " that come so directl}' and so freely from his own lov- ing hand. WINTEK OR SAND VETCH — MORE ABOUT IT. On page 689, Aug. 1, I mentioned sending some of the plants and roots to our Ohio Experimeat Station. Below is what they say in regard to it: A/r. Jfooi:— Yours with plant is just at hand. The plant IS, as you suppose, the sand vetch, more com- monly known as haiiy vetch It is a very ustful plant in some localities, especially rn sandy soil, it seems to me that, if the soil could be kept covered with it during the winter, and plowed under in the spring, it would help to keep up the soil fertility ; at least it has been used that way in many localities. It does better further north than it does here ; but we have been growing it for some time 1 believe it can be used as a cover crop in orchards. We are trying it for that purpose. It is somewhat difficult to cut for hay, be- cause It lies very flat on the grouad ; but when "sown with r^ e ihe two can be cut quite earU' in the season. The rye supports the vetch, and makes it po sible to make hay out it. It is valuable for hay. It should be sown early in the fall. W. J. Green. W'ooster, Ohio, July 3. We also add a couple of letters: Mr. Root— \ou ask if any reader knows any thing about wild sweet peas. One year ag > I traveled over the Canadian Northwest Tprritoiy, and in many placts I saw this pea and the seed ripe, and I, like you, thought it might be useful, so I put forty or iifiy seeds in my jjocket and brought them home. i,ast April I took them with others out to plant; but being c.illed away I : et them down in a tin, and f, rgot them, bnovv came and 1 could not fanJ them for about three days; tht n they were soaked and pounded .^s l sowed them, b t not one grew: but a few grains of oats and wheat grew that were with them. 1 think that, wheie they groA wild, children could gather the seed very tasily, as the pods grow in bunches ; and I saw them growing plentifully on prairie among weeds, bushes, etc. In ujy opinion this pea has been the natural food of the prairie-chickens in winter, as it holds its pods above the snow. J aMes R. Bki^lamy. Black Bank, Ont., Can , Aug. 5 I was not satisfied with the rec mmendations of this plant given bj' seed firms. 1 sent to the Department of Agriculture and received promptly their c rcular on sand vetch, which I inclose. I sent to a seed company and bought some sand-vetch seed and .sowed a row 250 fett long in m\' experiment grounds, where I sowed a few cow peas and soy btans, all on the same day — June 2(j, 1902. The vetch made a luxuriant growth un- til winter .'Ct it, when it siopped growing until April last, when it started growing again ; and by the mid- dle of May it made as thrifty growih as the plant in your patch. The vetch dried up about the middle of July. The hot sun dried up the bloom almost loo fast, and it grew very few seeds. I sowed a quarter of an acre this spring, which is just b;ginuing to l)loom. Ogden, ill., Aug. 3. B D Il.vi.:,. With the above, friend Hall incloses a circular from the United States Department of Agriculture, published in October, 1895. It gives a very full accotint of the plant, di- rections for cultivation, etc. The name given is hairy vetch, sand vetch, or Russian vetch — Viciavillosa. The remarkable thing to me about this plant is that such a valua- ble forage- plant should be found growing wild in the woods and fields over such a large extent of territory. 814 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Sept. 15 Long Tongues Valuable South as well as North. How Moore's strain of Italians roll in honey down in Texas. Hutto, Tex., Nov. 19, 1902. J. P. Moore. — Dear Sir: — I wish to write you in re- gard to queens purchased of you. I could have writ- ten sooner, but I wanted to test them thoroughly and see if they had those remarkable qualities of a three- banded Italian bee. I must confess to j ou I am more surprised every day as I watch them. They simply "roll the honey in." Itseems that they get honey where others are idle or trying to rob; and for gentle- ness of handling, I have never seen the like. Friend E. R. Root was right when he said your bees have the longest tongues; for they get honey where others fail. I will express my thanks for such queens. I am more than pleased. I will stock my out-apiaries next spring with j'our queens. Yours truly, Henry Schmidt. The above is pretty strong evidence that red clover is not the only plant which requires long-tongued bees to secure the greatest quantity of nectar. Daughters of my 23-100 breeder, the prize-winner, and other choice breeders : Untested, 75c each; six, |i.OO; dozen, S7.50. Select untested, Sl.OO each; six, $5; dozen, |9.00. Safe arrival and satisfaction guaran- teed. Circular free. I am now filling orders by re- turn mail, and shall probably be able to do so till the close of the season. J. P. Moore, L. Box I, Morgan, Kentucky. Pendleton County. Laws' Leather-colored Queens. Laws' Improved Golden Queens. Laws' Holy Land Queens. W. H. Laws. — Your queens have proved to be excel- lent. My apiary stocked with your Leather queens is a sight to behold during a honey-flow, and the Goldens are be5'ond description in the line of beauty. Vours are the best for comb honey I ever saw. I want more this spring. — E. A. Ribble, Roxton, Tex., Feb. 79, 1903. IV. H. Laws: — The 7o queens (I,eather) from you are dandies. I introduced one into a weak nucleus in May, and in September I took 285 lbs. of honey, leav- ing 48 lbs for winter. My crop of honey last season was 48,000 lbs. I write you for prices on 50 nuclei and 1.50 Leather queens.— ^cr^/A Farnsworth, Idaho Falls, Idaho, Feb. 16. igoj. Prices of Queens: Each, 8100; 12, $10.00. Breeders, extra fine, guaranteed, each $15.00. Send for price list. W. H. Laws, Beeville, Texas. The Best Honey Queens ON RECORD Are those reared by The BEE & HONEY CO., Will Atchley. Manager. We breed six distinct races in their purity, from 6 to 35 miles apart, queens ready to go now. We make a specialty of one, two, and three frame n>iclei and queens in large lots. Write for prices, they will astonish you. I'ntested queens of either race", 75c each; $4.25 for six; $8.00 per dozen. Tested, 81.50 to S:^ 00 each. Breeders, the best that money can buy, 85 00 each. We guarantee .safe arrival and perfect satisfaction. Address all orders to The BEE & HONEY CO., Beeville, Box 79. Bee Co., Tex. Queens == 1903 == Queens. We have ten different yards five to twenty miles apart, where Italians, Cyprians, Holyland's, Carnio- laus, and Albinos, are bred for business. Tested queens, $1.50; 88.00 for 6: $15.00 per dozen. Untested, - $1.00 each; $.5.00 for 6 ; 89.00 per dozen. Our best and finest breeders, $5.00 each. One and two frame nuclei a specialty. Bees and Queens in any quantity to suit purchaser. Safe arrival and reasonable satisfaction guaranteed. ORDER "The Southland Queen," $1.00 per year. Send for sample copy and our 1903 catalog; tells how to raise queens and keep bees for profit. Root's Supplies. The Jennie Atchley Co., Box 18, Beeville, Tex. Red Clover and Three and Five Banded Queens. Untested, 75 cts.; $7 per doz. Fine tested queens, $1.00 each. Remember we guarantee our queens to work red clover as well as white clover. Get my circular. Queens go by return mail. Fifty and one hundred, special prices. G. ROUTZAHN, BIQLERVILLE, ROUTE 3, PENN. When you need Queens and want your order filled at once with the best queens that money can buy, we can serve you and guarantee satisfaction. We have a fine strain of Italians that can not be excelled as honey-gatherers. We can furnish queens from either imported or home-bred mothers. Choice tested, $1.00 each. Untested, 7.5c; $8.00 per doz. J. W. K. Shaw & Co., Loreauville, La. 3 and 5 Banded, or Golden Long-tongued Bees. The best for the least money, direct from the breed- er. Untested, 55 cts. each; 0" for $i.25; 12 for $6.45. Tested. $1.00 each. Breeders, $3 00 each. My bees are not excelled by any. Have 700 nuclei. Sent by return mail. This is a postal money-order ofiice. Mention Gleanings when ordering, DANJEL WURTH, Karnes City, Karnes Co., Texas. ..Very Satisfactory.. The four dozen queens I got of you last year are verv satisfactory, being good honey-gatherers, and gentle, and finely marked. CH.'is. Stewart, Sammonsville, N. Y. June 19, 1903. State Bee Inspector, 3rd Div. To induce a trial we offer warranted queens at 75c, six for $3 50; fine select. $1.00, six for $4.50. Queens sent promptly; satisfaction guaranteed. Hybrids or poor queens replaced free. J. B. CASE, Port Orange, Fia. Ceo. J. Vande Vord Queen-breeder. Daytonia, Fla. 100 = Mounted = Queen=cens and one sample of the Stanley Cell-protector or Introducing-cage, for 70 "cents postpaid. .A-x-tliVir Stanley, DDiacon, Xllixioia. Root's Goods in Central Michigan! special prices until April 1, 1904. Write your wants; let me name prices. Supplies exchanged for houey^ W. D. Soper, R. D. No. 5, Jackson, Mich. QUEENS. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE 815 £nd of the Season Problems are discussed by such mem as R. L. Ta3-- lor, H R. Boardman, M. A. Gill and Jas. A. Green, in the July and August issues of the Bee-Keepers' Review. Send ten cents for these two issues, and another different issue will be sent with them, and the ten cents may apply on any subscription sent in during the year. A coupon will be sent entitling- the holder to the Review one 3'ear for only 90 cts. W. Z. Hutchinson, Flint, Mich. NOTICE! This maj' be the last time this queen advertisement will appear for this season, so hurry up your orders as it is getting late. Will send queens by return mail, so long as they last, for balance of the season. A FEW TESTinONIALS. P. F. Meritt. of No. 13 Breckenridge St., I^ex- iiigtoii, Ky.. writes: The bees seut me last Jiilj' did splendidly. Each colony has at least 75 lbs. of honey^pretty good for two-frame nuclei. Mr. J. Roorda, of Demotte, Ind., writes: Send me six more queens, the 48 sent me last spring are hustlers. Mr. Wm. Smiley, of Glasgow, Pa , writes: Your bees beat all the rest, now send me a breed- er of the .same kind. A Norton. Monterey. Calif., writes: Your stock excels the strain of ^Ir. , which is said to outstrip all others. Your stock excels in profit- able results as well as in beauty. Price of Queens After July First. 1 6 12 Selected $ 75 1 00 1 50 3 00 2 00 $4 00 5 00 8 00 $7 00 9 00 Tested Select Tested Extra Selected Tested— the best that money can buy Two-frame Nuclei, no Queen Add the price of whatever queen is wanted to that of nuclei. Our nuclei build up fast, and if not pur- chased too late will make some surplus. Queen-rearing is our specialty; we give it our undivided attention, and rear as many queens (perhaps raoret as any breeder in the North. No order is too large for us, as we keep 300 to 500 on hand ready to mail. Send all orders to Quirin=the=Qaeen=Breeder, Parkert'>wn, OHIO. FHo! \Ve are again rearing the best of queens for market. We have 1000 colon'es of bees, the best stock, and 10 years' experience. We have either Golden Italians or three banders. Price, 75 cts. each; 51.25 for 6: j8.00 for 12; tested, $1.50. Safe arrival and satisfaction. Give us a trial. All orders filled promptly. e:-kee: We k«ep a large stock of honey-cans of all sizes ready for prompt shipments. Get our prices. We also want all the section and bulk comb honey that we can buy, and will take some No. '- 1 extracted. We pay spot cash. Write us. m U/ye Hyde Bee Company, Floresville, Texas. (Succt.sj-ois I.) (_). 1'. Ilyile & Sun.) 816 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Sept. 15 Daily and nersonally conducted excursions; choice of routes; low rates; diversified scen- ery; $6 for double berth in sleeping cars from Chicago; special attention to family parties. The "Bsst of Everything. Books, maps ami fuMers on apiiliiation toS. A. Hutchison. Excursion Manager, 212 CSark Street, Chicago, III. NV.'So Telepbocc. Cer.ira: 7=«- THE BREAK DOWEV is usually in the wheel. They receive the strain and wear. They dry out, spokes and feloes rot, tires come loose. Get the service out of wheels you do out of gears by using Electric Metal Wheels. You have a wagon for a life time. Klectricsare the staunch- est, tightest, easiest running wheels made. Straight or stag- gered oval steel spokes, cast in the hub.hot riveted in tire. Broad tires, no rutting, light draft, any height, fit any wagon. Write for free illustrated cata- logue on Electric Wheels and Handy Wagons. ELECTRIC WHEEL CO., Box 95, Quincy, Ills. If j'ou are interested in Cuba and want the truth about it, sub.^cribe for the HAVANA POST, the only English paper on the Island. Published at Havana, Cuba. $1.00 per month, $10.00 per year. Dai- ly (except Monday). THE LUCKY "4=LEAF CLOVER" ,P^ Plymouth Cream Extract- or is the CREAM of them all. Inner can quickly remova- ble; water all around and under milk; has far greater cooling surface than any other. No water required 5 mouths in year. Special all iliamber with ventilator. Xew and original faucet, ^vj impossible to leak or sour. Express charges 'prepaid. Catalogue free. Plymouth Cream Separator Company, Plymouth, Ohio. "This for That big magardne that printi ihuus,.iia» trades last yeari.iver twice :is. large cess; *j months' trial iul)scripli<'n 10 lcwio. *»TUIS KOU THAT/' KG, STiK BlILUING, CHICAGO, ILU f ^Trade anything you have for rinythiiig you ^ want Get our change ads; 20,000 An immenso 6uc- HiUIII3Ji'g[BI)lfE.0mR»^| FAY . lomatic feed make cuttinij al- "^^^ I ways easy. Sent on TEN DAYS' FREE TRIAL. No pay until you prove that it cuts faster and easier than any other. Isn't that better for you than to pay cash in advance for a machine you never tried? Catalogue free. F. W. MAXN CO., Box 87, Milford, Mass. y^-i,^ BARNES' Hand and Foot Power Machinery. This cut represents our combined circular saw, which is made for bee- keeper's use in the con- struction of their hives, sections, boxes, etc., etc. Machines on Trial. Send for illustrated cata- log aud prices. Addresa W. F. & Jno. Barnes Co., 545 Ruby St., Rockford. : IlllnoU. BOO variciies.AlsoCrapes,S'mcll i ru«isci,^.i>est root- ed stock. Genuine, cheap. 2 sample curi. ants mailed for 10c. Desc. price list free. LEWIS IlUKaCU Vrcdouia, N, Y. one season, planting in ro- tation cauliflower, cucum- bers, egg- plants, in beauti- ful, health-giving Manatee County. The most fertile section of the United States, where marvelous profits are being realized by farmers, truckers, and fruit-growers. Thousands of acres open to free homestead entry. Handsomelj' illustrated de- scriptive booklets, with list of properties for sale or exchange in Vir- ginia, the Carolinas, Georgia, Florida, and Alabama, sent free. John W. White, Seaboard Air Line Kailway, Portsmouth, Va. Splendid Location for Bee=keepers of Grand Traverse territory and L,eelanaii Co are descriptive of Michij^an's most bea\itifu] section reached most couvenietitly via the Pere Marquette R. R. For pamphlets of Michigan farm lands and the frui', belt, address J. £. Uerritt, Manistee, Uicbigan. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 8i: Root's Improved Co^van BALI^-BEARINO Honey Extractor since the introduction of these extractors some 14 years ago to the bee-keeping worki, we have been experimenting with a view to eliminating weak points, and perfecting the stronger ones. All Sizes* We niannfactnre all sizes of extractors from the small 2-frame to the 4 and 6 and 8-frame machine-power (power machines made to oriler only). The can part of these ex- tractors is made of galvanized iron covered with blue japanning, and neatly lettered. OalvaniZed. The comb-baskets are galvanized wire, well braced; the hinges, hoops, cross arms, and other metal parts, are galvanized after finishing, something you will get iu no other on the market. Band-braKe. ah four, six, and eight frame machines are provided with band-brake, which permits of the stopping of the machine instantly, without danger of breakage. These machines have larpe metal handles. Ball bear- ings are used which make them very light run- ning. The honey-gates are large, which does not require the stopping of work to allow the honey to run out. U For sale by all large dealers in Bee Supplies. M.\NUF.-VCTURED BY "She A. I. R.oot Co., Medina, O. 4,000,000 PEACH TREES TKN.XESSKE \VHOLES.-\LE NURSERIES. June Buds a Specialty. No agents traveled, but sell direct to planters at wholesale prices, .\bsolutely free from diseases, and true to name. Write us for catalog and prices before placing your order elsewhere. We guarantee our stock to be true to name. Largest peach nursery in the world. Address J. C. HALE, Winchester, Tenn. Printed to Order $1 per 1000 Hea^-y, white, high-cut, size 6^. A neat little coupon on each envelope will earn you dollars. Other station- ery cheap. For particulars and sample, address at once Howard Co.. 516 Masonic Temple. Chicago. Ills. Wood=working Machinery. For rippinfr, cross-cut ting, niitering, grooving boring, scroll-sawing, edge meulding, mortising ; for working wood in any man- ner. Send for catalog A. The Seneca Falls M'f'g Co., 44 Water St ., Seneca Fs.. N. Y. "-^ Foot ^ and Hand Power H If ATWHOLESAll PRICES lneUKUl?Ll\ iiillLiiH!. Best ftioik. Low Prices. Victor's Superior Italians go by return mail ag^ain. Owing- to several large queen contracts, a contract for a solid carload of bees that went to Colorado, 85 three-frame nuclei to same State, numerous smaller orders for bees, and a g^ond queen trade, it has been necessary for me to cut out my ad. for the past three months to keep from being swainpcd with orders. I am glad to notify my patrons that I ain at last able to fill orders promptly with as fine queens as ever headed a colon}', reg^ardless of their source, at the following reasonable prices : 1 Untested queen, 75c; six, $4.00. 1 Select untested queen, 90c ; six, $5.00. 1 Tested queen, $1.00 : six, $6.00. 1 Select tested queen. Si. 50; six, $8.50. Breeders, $3 00 to $7.00 — these are as good as the best. W. 0. Victor, Wharton, Tex. Queen=specialist. Warranted Queens. L. H. Robiy, Dear Sit : — Enclosed find one dollar and twenty cents i$l 20) for which you will please send me two (2) warranted queens. The queens you sent me last year have proved to be excellent. I introduced one into a three frame nucleus on Aug. 22, 1902, and on Aug. 25, 1903, I took 228 lbs. of comb honey, leaving 10 Hoff- man frames in the brood-chamber for the coming winter; that is very good for a nucleus. Be sure to give my street number, .52o Dakota St , for the queens you sent me las' year were carri^-d to another Wm. Zimmerman, and I did not get them until the next dav. Wm Zimmerman. San Antonio, Texas. Warranted queens, 60 cts. each in any quantity. Satisfaction guaranteed or money refunded L H R08EY, WORTHII^GTON, W. VA. circular Free. Apiary for Sale. Owing to mv age I have decided to sell my yard of 16 colonies, with extra hives, supplies, etc. Price only Jo for the entire outfit. Some colonies have made 75 lbs. each, comb honey, this sea.'^on. .\ bar- gain. Call on or address R.. I^. Holman, Springfield, O. Sections, shipping Cases, Honey Cases, and every thing necessary for the bee keeper. FINE ITALIAN QUEENS. Prompt shipping. Catalog Free. C. M. Scott & Co., Indianapolis, Ind. 1004 East Washington Street. C/3 bid .s O o t/3 O Q. O a! 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X :- ;— 11- H>^hS; o 1> 8.20 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULI URE. Sept. 15 Gleanings in Bee Culture [Established in 187S.] Devoted to Bees, Honey, and Home Interests. Published Semimonthly by The A. I. Root Co., - • Medina, Ohio. A I. ROOT, Editor of Home and Gardening Pep'ts. E. R. ROOT, Editor of Apicultural Depi J. T. CALVERT, Bus. Mgr. A. L. BOYDEN, Sec. TERMS $1.00 per annum ; two years, $1.50; three years, |2.00; five j'ears. |;!5.00, in advance; or two copies to one address, $1.50 ; three copies, $2.0(1 ; five copies, $3.75. The terms apply to the United States, Canada, and Mexico. To all other countries 48 cents per year extra for postage. DISCO.NTINUANCES. The journal is sent until orders are received for its discontinuance. We give notite just before the subscription expires, and further notice if the first is not heeded. Any subscriber whose subscription has expired, wishing his journal discon- tinued will plea.se drop us a card at once; other wise we shall assume that he wishes his journa' coitinued, and will pay for it soon. Any one who does not like this plan may have his journal stopped after the time paid for by making his request when ordering. The National Bee-Keepers' Association. Objects of The Association : To promote and protect the interests of iti members. To prevent the adulteration of honey. Annual Membership, $1.00. Send dues to the Treasurer. Officers : W. Z. Hutchinson, Flint, Mich., President. J. U. Harris, Grand Junction. Col.. Vice president. George W. York, Chicago, 111., Secretary. N. E. France, Platteville, Wis., Gen. Mgr. and Treas. Board of Directors: E- Whitcomb, Friend, Nebraska. W. Z. Hutchinson, Flint, Michigan. W. A. Selser. 10 Vine St.. Phildadelphia, Pa. R. C. AiKiN, lyoveland, Colorado. P. H. Elwood, SfarkviPe N. Y. E. R. Root, Medina, Ohio. Uno TOEPPERWEIN, San Antonio. Texas. G. M. DooLiTTLE Borodino, N. Y. W. F. Marks, Chapinville, N. Y. J. M. Hambauoh. Escondido, Cal. C. A. Hatch, Richland Center. Wis. C. C. Miller, Marengo, Illinois. rfll^iflsieessi-g^ .A CORRECTION. Now is the time to buy your supplies for next sea sou. Seven per cent discount for cash with order be- fore October 1. HONEY MARKET. We are having a brisk demand for honey, both" comb and extracted, at fair prices. The inquiry is es- pecially strong from the East and South, where there was a short crop this season. 1 here is plenty of hon- ey to go around this year, and the home markets should be developed to their fullest capacity. Use " Food Vahie of Honey," a leaflet which we furnish, and circulate it freely. Keep the subject before the people Give away trial samples, and by every fair and energetic means stimulate the demand for honey. Thousands of people who rarely if ever taste honey would become regular customers if it were brought to their attention in the right waj'. AIKIN HONEY-BAGS. By a typographical error in our last issue, Mr, Alley, in his adverti-ement, is caused to speak of 2-lb. supers. It should be 2-1-lb. I believe all orders are now filled for Aikin honey- bags, and we have a surplus stock on hand ready to furnish promptly. Two complaints received regard- ing leakage call for a word of caution in using paper bags for honey. Remember, first, that these bags are intended to hold candied honey, not liquid, and the honey should not be poured into them till it is in a mushy or serai-liquid slate. The top of the bag can not be folded down over the hone3- till it becomes hard; and unless you have an unusually clean place for filling, it is not best to have the bags standing open any longer than is absolutely necessary. If there are any defects in the seams or coating of the bags, the clear liquid honey will find them, and you may be troubled with leaking when you would have no such trouble if you fill only when the honey is in the right condition to harden quickly. Stirring the honey when it !-hows signs of beginning to granuate will "hasten granulation, and make it more even. The bags should be handled carefully 'o avoid breaking the wax coating when they are cold. Open them up for filling, only after you have warmed them so as to soften the wax coating. In handling or shipping the bags, be careful to avoid chafing and rubbing on the exposed edges or corners. If there is any liability to leak it will most likely be at such points. These packages are so much cheaper than tin or glas-s for extracted honev that you can afford to go to a good deal of extra pains in putting the honey into them in the best possible manner. You will find it most con- venient to have trays of the right size to hold, say, a dozen of the '2-lb. bags, and a less number of the larg- er sizes to use in filling, allowing the bags to stand in the trays till the honey hardens. We hope to have full directions with illustrations showing the mode of operation, as soon as Mr. Aikin gets time to prepare the matter. NOTICE TO QUEEN-BREEDERS AND SUPPLY-DEALERS. We desire to caution our readers against sending any thing, without pay in advance, to M. H. DeWitt or Fanny B, DeWitt. of Sang Run, Md., alias The Preston Store & Produce Co., of Dority, W. Va., and elsewhere. We have known for years that the De Witts could not be trusted with any good assurance of getting returns. When they projected the Preston Store and Produce Co., at Dor ty. West Virginia, we did not discover their connection with it till six or eight months had passed, and credit to the amount of over 8150 was obtained, and they had used the advertising columns of Gleanings for several months. They had gone «o far as to furnish us references tha" gave a good report when application was made to them. Other parties had furnished them goods as well as ourselves. We are prosecuting our claims in the courts of Maryland, but with what success we can not say as yet. Having had a recent complaint from a queen-breeder we deem it wise to publish this caution. SEVEN-TOP turnip FOR HONEY OR TO PLOW UNDER. The seven-top turnip is perhaps the best one to plow under for fertilizing the soil. It will also give a good crop of honey before it is turned under in the spring. If sown any time in August oi the fore part of .Sep- tember, it will get rooted so as to stand any winter. In fact, I never knew it to be thrown out by the frost here in Ohio when it gets a good start. It comes into bloom between apple-blossom and white clover. It maj- be plowed under for potatoes or any other crop. Price, ounce, 5 cts.; 1 lb., 20 cts.; 10 lbs. or more at 15 cts. If wanted by mail, add 10 cts. per lb. extra. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 821 CONVENTION NOTICES. The annual meeting of the Northern Illinois Bee- keepers' Association will be held in the Court-house, at Rtckford. Ills., on Tiiesdaj' and Wednesday, Oct. 20 and 'Jl, 19 ■:! A good program is being prepared, and all interested in bees are invited to attend. Cherry Vallev, 111. 1!. KiCNNEDY, Sec. Special Offer for 30 Days will .sell tested Italians from niv Choice Red-clover stock at '40 cen s each; untested at ")0 cents each. Fred Leinlnger, Ft, Jennings, Ohio. MHUTAffMkVj FENCE! STROMGEST MADE. Bull Stroiijj:, Cbicken- Tipht. Sold to the Farmer at Wholesale Prices. Fnlly Warranted. Catalop Free. COILED SPRING FENCE CO. Box xol , Wlncheater, Indiiina, C. 8. 1. YOUR LINE FENCE should always be r.\(iS. It's so much stronger. Page Aoven Wire Fence Co., Bot S, Adriar, rii'iciiigan. pOR SALE. — Thirty colonies of Italian bees in eighl- ' frame Dovetailed hives at $;5 60 a hive in lots of five hives: over five tr.ves. $3 00 each A- diess S. .^. MiLi.F.R, Box 5o>, New Decaiur, Ala. For S.A.LE.— Clover or buckwhe^ SUPPLIED! Eesi-eoTiipped fac-:ory in tbeWesi: carry a \sTge siL>ct and greatest variety of every ih:r.g'needed in the apiary, assuring BEST coc'iis at the LOArEST prices, and prompt in^rineiit. We want every bee-keeper lo have o::r FREE ILLrSTBATED CATALOG. ar.d read de^cripticn of Aliernaiing Hives, Ferguson Supers. Wnu n: once /or catalog. "rosier Supply Cornpany. Lincoln. Xeb. :^hi;san'i_buren. Council Bluffs. Iowa, F:ii:er i-iirjC'^r CoTcriany. Lamar. Colo. 1 BTSTGHAM SMOKER. Dear Sir;— ladoBed fetd g-'g. Please tats wJtfMJj. It is the best wtofcer I MADE TO ORDER Bingham Brass Smokers. Mide c: sheet brass, tviucr; does not rust or bum :_;".• s'r.ru'." \'-z: £ lifetime. You need one, but they cost 25 cts. n::rt ;.-- ■.:- ; :' :--; same size. The linle open cut shows our brai=^ ■-.: .r - _: - ■_ :; three larger sires. Xo ■wonder Bingham's iour-:r - g:r«s without pu— ng, and dc>es not drop inky dr: •. ei steel nre-grate has St?l holes to air the fuel an i - - : - . Heavy tin smoke-engine, 4-inch stove, per mail, i^i>j; o-^-Lnch, $1-10; S-:nch. *lJ>J; 2~-i£ch, 90c; 2-incli, 65c. Bingham smokers are the c— Irinals. and h::ve a'.l the improvements, and have been the standard c5 excellence fcr 23 years. Only three larger ones brass. T. F. Bingham, Farwell, Michigan. Volume XXXI m^EK CULTURE CONTENTS Market Quotatioxs 82" Straws, by Dr. Miller o.^i Pickings, by Stenog 833 Conversations with Doolittle 834 .ditorials 835 Formaldehyde Failing to Cure -Jti5 Photographs for Half-tones 635 , The Wax-press a Honev -squeezer 836 -"1^ Cross Bees and Light Clothing 836 Ohio State Bee keepers' Association. tS36 In Memoriam of G. B. Lewis _ 836 Four-piece Sections vs. One-piece 837 General Correspondence 838 Government Aid to Bee-keepers _838 Tiering up for Comb Honey _. Jg36 How an Egg is Formed in the Queen .^839 Feeding Back Extracted Honey _811 *^l Heads of Grain 842 A T>-pical California Apiary, 842: Is it a New I _ 1- Disease? S12; Pill -box Queen-cell Protector. S42: ' \^ \l P»utting Hives on Stakes to Keep Ants Awav. //^;' il A IMS: The Banner Apiarv. SJ4; Queen-cell Above ■/ \ a\\ Perforated Metal. &44; Mosquito-hawks. ■<«: Formic Acid in Honey. Si6: Hone%- Crop in L,V\ Central California. *46: Mixed Swarms. 847: k Vak Moving Bees. ^7: Substitute for Basswood, aratively even ; one-eiKhth part of comb surface soi I. mI. or the entire surface slightly soi.ed. No. ^.—Three-fourths of the total surface must be filled and sealed. No. 3.— Must weigh at least half as much as a full-weight section. In addition to this the honey is to be classified according to color, using the terms white, amber, and dark ; that is, there will be " Eanoy White," " No. 1 Dark," etc. Buffalo. — There is no improvement in the demand for honey. Not much arriving, and selling ver},' slow- ly for what is here. Fancy white comb 13^4(0)14; A No. 1. IMaVm; No. 1, 12^^(0*13; No. 2, ll@r2; No. 3, 10 (ail: buckwheat, 10@12. White extracted, (i>^@7; am- ber, 5!4fatJ; dark, o(§o}4; beeswax. 30(e W^. T. Falconer Man'f 'g Co., Jamestown, JJe>v York. W. M. Gerrish, Epping, New Hampshire, carries a full line of our goods at catalog prices. Order of him and save the freight. HONEY JARS 1-lb. sq. jars with corks $5.00 gross 2-lb. sq. jars with corks $7.40gross Eagle or No. 25 $5.75 " Nickel Cap jar, holds 13 oz. $5.50 " The last is a fancy jar, and makes a fine package for exhibition. Discount on quantities of jars; the larger the quantity the lower the price. Catalog describ- ing honey-packages, shipping-cases, cartons, bee-hives, bees, and every thing a bee-keeper uses, mailed upon application. ." .* .* .' .' Tested Italian Queens, $1.00; Untested, 75 cts. I. J. STRINCHAM, Apiaries, Glen Cove, L. I. 105 Park Place, New York. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 829 Gleason & Lansing, 1-;STAI!LISHED ISSS. ISO Michigan St., Buffalo, N. Y. Jobbers of Comb and Extracted Honey. We have a large jobbing; trade in comb honey, and can use any-sized shipments up to car lots. We want 5000 cases as early shipment as possible this .season and can u.se all gradts. Will buy delivered in lUiffalo or handle for your account. .... Correspond with us before plac- ing your output this season. REFERENCES: Manufacturers & Traders National Bank, BufTalo, N. Y., anv Express Co., Dun or Bradstreet Agencies, Buffalo", N. Y. Squabs are raised in 1 month, bring bt_^ firices. Eager market. Money- makers for poultrymen, farmers, women. Here is something worth looking into. Send for our F«*ee BooK, " How to Make Money With Squabs " and learn this rich industry. Address PLYMOUTH ROCK SQUAB CO., jg Friend St . Boston, Mass. How to Make Poultry Pay. A paper worth a dollar, but will send it to you one year on trial, including book. Plans for Poultry Houses, for 25c. Sample copy FREE. Inland Poultry Journal, Indianapolis, li.d. POULTRY JOURNAL ijiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii>ii| I To New Subscribers! | I Only 20c I = will g-et a new subscriber the American ^ = Bee Journal every week from now to the E = end of this year (1903). During that = = time it will contain a full report of 5 = the recent 5 I Los Angeles Convention | = of the National Bee-keepers' Associa- = = tion, besides the usual other valuable S = reading matter in e^ch week's issue. = = Every "reader of Gleanings should = = also have the American Bee Journal regu- S E larly. Sample copy free. Ask for it. = I George W. York & Co., | I 144=6 East Erie St., Chicago, Illinois. | liiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiigiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimii^ MarsHfield Manufacturing Co. Our specialty is making SECTIONS, and they are the best in the market. Wisconsin bass- wood is the right kind for them. "We have a full line of BEE-SUPPLIES. Write for FREE illustrated catalog and price list. Z3"/je MarsHfield Mantxfactxirii^s Compai^y, MarsKilsld, "Wis. Dittmer's Foundation. R.E.TAII^ A.NI> ■WHOLE.SAI^E. This foundation is made bj- a process that produces the superior of any. It is the cleanest and purest. It has the brightest color and sweetest odor. It is the most transparent, because it has the thinnest base. It is tough, clear as crystal, and gives more sheets to the pound than anj^ other make. "WorKirkg "Wax into Foundation for CasH a Specialty. Beeswax Al^vays IVant- ed at Hig'Kest Price. Catalog giving full line of supplies, with prices and samples, free on application. ^- %t^i^e^nt^°fo;'Sr""' Gtis. Dittmer, Aiigtxsta, Wis. 830 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Oct. 1 I RANTED! Fancy Comb Honey I i " ~~ I: •15 In No-drip shipping cases. Also, Amber extract- ^ ^ ed, in barrels or cans. Quote your best price ^! ^ delivered Cincinnati. ." .' .* .* .* sr' I The Fred W. Muth Co., K^u^^ Cincinnati, O. | ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦^♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦^ be:e:-reepi:rs i ♦ \ "We Ka-ve o«\ hand ready for PR-OMPT SHIPMENT A. % 6>6e Largest StocK -we ever Carried \ ♦ ♦ ♦ of HIVES, SECTIONS, and all OtKer SUPPLIES. \ ♦ ♦ X Perfect Workmanship and Finest Alaterial. % X AH parts of our Hives are made to fit Accurately. X 1 No trouble in setting them up. X X Our customers say it is a pleasure. ^ I We are not selling goods on NAME ONLY, \ % But on their Ouality. X ♦ '^ ♦ I G. B. LEWIS COMPANY. | Max\«xfactta.x>ei's Bee>Keepers* Supplies. 7 Catalog Free, Waterto'wn, Wisconsin, U. S. A. ♦ \ »»♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦»♦♦♦♦♦ ♦^♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦1 Let Me ^ell or Buy Your Honey If vou liave some to offer, mail sample with lowest price expected, delivered in Cincinnati. — j« , •^ J state quality and kind wanted, and I will (jnote you price. We W 1I\ ^ieeCl do business on the cash basis in buying or selling. Full StocK of Bee-supplies, tHe best made. R.oot's Goods at TKeir Factory Prices. Seeds of Honey-plants. C. H. W. ^VEBER, CINCINNATI, OHIO. 2146-8 Central Ave. Sue. to CHas. F. MtitH and A. Muth. JOURMAI:, • DE.VoTED.-ff^-^-5f- •andHoNEY- ■■■'--T^ ' •AND HOME.- ■.■-' ^ *«-^«^ ?.Lnshedb.-THfA-|-RooY CO. tr Si°°p[ryear^''\@ "Medina- Ohio- Vol XXXI. OCT, I, J 903. No. 19 ,«';" I', ^r.C.CMlLLER. That cellar of James Hilbert's, p, 798, seems to be about perfection. Pollen from sweet clover is lighter than that from white clover, and more inclined to yellow. "A NEW QUEEN usually should be g-iven to a colonj' after the main honey- flow," p. 809. That will be understood by some as advising- to remove all queens after the hon- ej'-flow and replace with new ones. You don't mean that, do j'ou? "Venezuela as a bee country," p. 799. When I read, " Rightly speaking, there is no government in Venezuela," I didn't need to read any further. I'm not going to Ven- ezuela. Before having lawless human be- ings as companions, I'd much prefer the quails, ground-squirrels, and jack-rabbits in the wilds of California. Rain water, says the German, Steigel, is the right thing to use in melting wax. Well water, especially that where yellow clay or red sand abounds in the soil, con- tains iron, and this browns the wax, no matter how carefullj' the melting be done. [Yes, there is something in it; but not all well water is bad. — Ed. J Foul brood, we are told, smells like an old glue-pot. But most of us don't know how a glue-pot smells. Couldn't 3'ou give us some other comparison? [There is nothing else that smells so nearly like foul brood in its advanced stages as the cabinet- maker's glue-pot when the glue is warm. I could not describe the odor; and there- fore suggest that \ou step into a furniture- store or any cabinetmaker's shop and ask to smell of the proprietor's warm glue. — Ed.] In France, according to government fig ures given in U Apiculteur, for the ten years ending with 1901, the average num- ber of colonies was 1,608,412; honey per colony, 10 pounds 11 ounces; wax per col- onj^ 3 pounds. The small yield of honey and the large proportion of wax (28 pounds of wax to every 100 pounds of honey) sug- gests that the brimstone-pit is still in fash- ion. Mr. Editor, you say, p. 792, "The de- positing of propolis in Marengo is much worse than in Medina, ' ' and in that way you account for the greater accumulation be- tween top-bars. No, j'ou'll find very little, if any, propolis between top-bars — wax, pure wax, propolis galore elsewhere, but wax between top-bars. [I knew I saw pro- polis galore, and very likely it was "else- where "than in the places referred to. — Ed.] You TELL US, Mr. Editor, p. 796, H. R. Boardman has a way of keeping honey liq- uid indefinitely, but don't tell us how. If you know, tell. [But we do not know. I suspect that the method of keeping the hon- ey in this liquid condition is a secret with Mr. Boardman. He makes a specialty of bottling honey for the wholesale and retail trade. Why should he give away a secret that is worth to him many dollars, for as a secret it is better than a patent? — Ed.] Sylviac reports in D ApicuUeur an ex- periment with a nucleus in which he es- tablished the maximum daily ration of a bee in winter at .028 gram. Well it is for us that a bee doesn't do its maximum in ordinary wintering; for at the rate given, a colony of 20,000 in four months would require 148 pounds of honey! [There is something a little ofl; in Sylviac's "science." True science ought to be mingled a little with the practical. A little calculation such as 3-ou have made would have soon shown him that something was wrong. — Ed.] That Sunday at the Grand Canyon that A. I. Root tells about, p. 810, was an un- usually long day. When asked to join the exploring party, I said, " I'm no conscience 832 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Oct. 1 for any one else, but I don't know that it would be right for me to go on Sunday, and I'm not going." The reply was, "Why, after coming these thousands of miles it would be wicked to go back without seeing all these wonderful things." But that wasn't remarkably convincing. I conclud- ed it would be easier to go through the rest of life with a feeling of ignorance as to some of Nature's wonders than with a feeling that I had been doing something I didn't know was right. But I put in the time lively Monday morning seeing what I could. James Hilbert, after putting his bees in cellar, leaves doors open till too cold to keep them shut longer. That's good practice, as I know from experience. Not only do I do that in early winter, but in spring as well. Some bees fly out to their death, but I be- lieve the inflow of pure air more than com- pensates. If you want to see how it oper- ates to have doors and windows open in the middle of March, with outside temperature from 29 to 65 degrees, see p. 299, ' ' Forty Years among the Bees." [I was under the impression that friend Hilbert was the only one who practiced leaving the door open clear up into cold winter weather. It seem- ed to me, as Mr. Hilbert explained it, that it was in conformity with good practical sense. — Ed.] I'm so glad of your offer, Mr. Editor, to furnish me the kind of metal spacers I want, p. 792. I've been trying this long time to get you to do that. That you may make no mistake, let me tell you again just what I want. A wire nail with a head i\ across, and % inch thick, so that automatically it will drive to the right depth and leave the spacing % inch. How soon may I expect them? "Conditions?" Oh, yes! let's see what were the conditions. That I should put in a half-day with M. H. Mendleson, and then "not agree that metal-spaced frames for extracting are not to be tolerated for even one minute." Well, say; I'm just a bit afraid I can't come up to the condi- tions. A lot of those California fellows not only object to metal spacers but to any kind of self-spacers, and quite likely they know what they're talking about. [When you have fulfilled the conditions, you can have what you want. — Ed] Just while writing these Straws, I re- ceived by mail three very interesting pic- tures taken by W. Z. Hutchinson while in California. One gives the special car that took that lot of bee-keepers from Chicago to Los Angeles with the said bee-keepers stand- ing beside it, colored porter and all. An- other is a fine view of the Los Angeles con- vention, taken from the court-house steps. But the one that thrills me is a view of that wonder of nature, the Grand Canyon. I didn't suppose he could get such a fine pic- ture of it. Makes me wish I could sit there again for a few hours and drink it in. [Yes, indeed, they areavery finesetof pictures, and no one can form any conception of their clear- ness unless he buys the set from W. Z., at Flint, Mich., who, I believe, has them for sale. This may seem like a free advertise- ment; but when a man takes pains to study art and carry it out into modern photogra- phy, so that it compares with the best photo work in the country, a little commendation of this kind, I am sure, is not misplaced. — Ed.] Objection has been made to the new smoker lid or nozzle that it gums up so as not to go on easily. Just what I found. With the first day's use the trouble began, and it kept getting worse until in a few days it wouldn't close at all. Then I cleaned off the soot so it would shut; and ever since then if it made the least objec- tion to going shut I pushed it clear down with some emphasis, as if to say, '* Shut your mouth and keep it shut," and during all the weeks since then I think I have not cleaned it again. Don't let it get the up- per hand of you, but insist that it must go shut and clear shut every time. [The hinge to the new smoker-lid on the 1903 model did not have quite the proper crook to make the cap or nozzle stay squarely on top of the fire-barrel. The least little de- posit of creosote would aggravate the mat- ter unless it were crowded out of the way in the manner you describe. The 1904 smoker will have the hinge corrected. — Ed.] At one time I reported that, with Lang- stroth frames, brood was reared quite close to the top-bars; but I thought this might be only early in the season. This year I gave the matter some attention, and found the same rule to hold until the bees began to store honey in all parts of the comb in September. [This is something that varies according to the season, and, I suspect, somewhat to the locality. The heavier the honey-flow, the more the brood will be crowded up next to the top- bar. Elsewhere you speak of having an extraordinarily good run of honey. We had a very meager flow here. When the nectar comes in very slowly the bees are apt to deposit it near the brood, crowding the queen downward. If it comes in with a rush, they are more inclined to put it all above, if they have room, leaving the queen to have free sway below. I am satisfied that you have a much better locality than we have here around Medina; for I recall several seasons where your honey-flow was continuing on and on, while our bees had been trying to rob for weeks.— Ed.] You KNOW I told you we'd been having a great flow of honey "in this locality." Now that the season is over, perhaps you'd like to know what some of the best colonies stored. Heretofore the biggest yield I ever had from a single colony was 192 sections; this year it was — come to think of it, Mr. Editor, I don't know that I'd better tell you. You might not believe it, and then it would be hard to get 3'ou to believe some other things I'm more anxious to have you believe. [I think I can appreciate how you feel. This last summer our compa- 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 833 ny's attorney, Mr. Spellman, and myself, together with Mr. Hilbert, caught with hook and line, up in Northern Michigan, a great string of tish, so big that A. I. R. held up both hands in astonishment, and immediately wrote home to mother that the string was so heavy he could not lift it. I knew that, when I arrived home, if I told the truth I would be guyed and laughed at for telling a fish-stor3^ Nevertheless I had the temerity to tell m3' friends what we had done; and notwithstanding I showed them a photo of the string, showing two men holding up the fish, and produced A. I. K.'s letter certifying to our big catch, nobody would believe it. But say, doctor, I wish you would tell us 3'our story — not that we will guy j'ou, for I would not let any one do it. A honey- storj' could be more readily believed than a fish-story, so )'Ou will have the advantage of me in that respect; and, besides, it is not fair for you to raise our curiosit}' to such a high pitch and then leave us up in the air guessing. — Ed.J '^^YJVe/ghborj^/e/dj By BEE-KEEPERS' REVIEW. Everybody here at the Home of the Honey- bees agrees that the issue for September is the best ever printed. It is good from start to finish — from A clear down to W. Z. It is largely devoted to the Los Angeles con- vention, of course, as it should be, for Mr. Hutchinson was there. I take the liberty of cop3'ing quite a number of extracts from that number, taken at random. A small but choice collection of flea-bites is one of the things I brought back with me from California. I visited Rambler's old apiary, now owned by the Schaffner Bros., and secured a most picturesque view of it which I shall sliow with much pleasure. a> Black brood may possibly have made its appearance in Michigan. I recently examined two apiaries in the southwestern part of the State, and found them terri- bly diseased. Water is the one great need of the arid regi'-ns of the West. Where this can be secured, the fertilitj' is something truly wonderful. Millions upon millions of acres are now practically valueless, simply from this one lack. Gee Jim was the name of the Chinese restaurant where several of us took dinner at Williams, Arizona. It was Hobson's choice with u', but the food proved palai able — 'twas the idea of it against which we ten- derfeet revolted. The adobe, or mud hou.se, of Arizona and New Mex- ico is the most homesick-looking house that I have ever seen. It is one .story high, w th poles and some hay or mud on top for a roof. It looks too much like a rhake-shift stable. Mexican women, while we were on the route to Cal- ifornia, were often seen standing in the doors of mud huts or dugouts, babies in their arms, the latter dressed in nature's garb only— and sometimes the women wore quite a prolusion of the latter. \ll Mexicars and Indians are about the only track- hands, or section men, seen along the railroad, in New Mexico, Arizona, and California; in fact, it is doubtful if a white man could endure hard labor under the in- tense heat that prevails on these desert sands. \U J. F. Mclntyre, of California, has a floral family. His &ve daghters are named Flora, L,ily, Myrtle, Pan- sy, and Iris. The only son, 11 days old when I was there, and over which there is much rejoicing, is named Robert Wilkin, after his illustrious grandfa- ther. By the way, the eldest daughter, Flora, extract- ed 16 tons of honey this season. Foul brood may destroy a colony in a bee-tree, leav- ing honey and combs infected with disease. This fact has been used as an argument to show the impossi- bility of entirely eliminating foul brood from a dis- trict; but Mr. France says the squirrels and the bee moth's larvae will soon destroy the combs acd thus remove this iource of contagion. It/ The Spanish tongue I first heard spoken in Califor- nia; and, oh the music of it! — the roll and rhythm, the softness and the accent! It is decidedly the lan- guage for the lover. When they had such a delightful language, why, oh why! cid they invent the angular English, the energetic German, and the chattering Russian? How I should lovi' to learn to speak Span- ish! and I would too, if I l.ved where it is spoken. What a diff'erence there is in bee-keepers! Some are slipshod and slovenly, with hives standing in a row close together on a plank— and some of them box hives at that. How discouraging it is for an iosptctrr of apiaries to get into such an apiary as that when look- ing for foul brood! Then there are bee-keepers of a little higher grade. They have movable-comb hives or hives that are intended to be such, but no founda- tion starters have been used, and many of the combs might as well be in real box hives. Then theie is another grade still higher, but it is not he highest. It is the man who a-i-pires to be a pretty good tee keeper but he has too many other irons in the fire, and he neg- lects :things. The frames are all stuck fast, and stuck together with brace-combs, and it is a task to get out a comb. Then there is the man who is a really first-class bee-keeper. His hives are all made exactly alike. He uses foundation; he keeps the brace-combs scraped from the top-bars; his hives are level; the combs can be removed with the fingers with no prying from any knife or lever. Every thing is orderly in his honey- house He has a place for every thing and every thing is in it. The covers are always put on square and true. Reader, in which class do you belong? \b Concerning some Arizona belles, Mr. Hutchinson has this to say: Squaws, dressed in gorgeous colors, their faces hid- eously painted papooses strapped to their backs, offer- ed beadwork and painted pottery at many places where our train stopped while en route lo Los Angeles. The hideousnes?, to me, of some of the old squaws is something that must be seen lo be understood. Their straight, black, coarse hair hangs in a tangled mass all around their shoulders, a strip being cut out in front just above the eye", to allow them to see. Then their faces are so wrinkled, and their eyes are so sunk- en; and when the mouth opens and shows three or four blackened and broken tusks, the picture, to me, is one bordering upon the horrible. To me, the face of a cow or a horse is much more beautiful and whole- some. But those papooses come into the world to stay from 100 to 130 years, and generally do it; and their mammas are not broken down with that " tired feeling " at the age of twenty or thirty that makes wrecks of so many white women; and their medical alma- nacs do not have a very wide distribution. They lack beauty, but their comfort is what the millionaires seldom find out here. 834 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Oct. 1 CLIPPING QUEENS' WINGS. " Say, Doolittle, what about clipping queens? Neighbor Brown says he doesn't believe in it. He says that it is too much bother to hunt up the queen, and that it is too delicate a job to clip her wings when she is found, and that there is more harm than good in doing it anyway. So I come over to see what you would say." " While there may be a grain of truth in what your neighbor tells you, yet when we come to ' count noses' the greatest weight of evidence from the ' dollar-and-cent ' apia- rists of the country is in favor of clipping queens' wings." " What reasons have you to offer for so doing? " " By having the wings of all queens clip- ped, you have the bees perfectly under your control, and can handle them as you wish, separating them with pleasure when two or more swarms cluster together, and hive them without climbing trees, etc., on the re- turning plan, when they come singly, they virtually hiving themselves." " What is that? Tell me something about the plan." " In using this plan all you have to do when the swarm issues is to step to the en- trance of the hive with a little wire-cloth cage into which the queen is let run, when the cage is stopped and laid in some con- venient place. The old hive is now moved to a new stand, and a hive fitted for a new colony set in its place. In from a. few min- utes to half an hour the bees miss their queen and come back to their supposed old home, where they expect to find her and the hive as it was when they went out. On changing hives the queen is placed near the entrance, so that, as soon as the bees re- turn, the)' may find her, and not scatter about the apiary to other hives, as they sometimes will if they do not readily find her. As they return they will commence to run into the new hive with fanning wings, when the queen is liberated and goes in with them." " Well, now, if it will work like that, no wonder that you like it. How long have you used this plan? " "I have followed this plan for nearly a third of a century, and know it to be a good one, as good yields of honey will testify — no climbing of trees, cutting off limbs, or lug- ging a cumbersome basket or swarming- box about. It is straightforward. Let me briefly state it again: Remove the old hive to a new stand, put the new hive in its place, and the returning swarms hive them- selves with little or no trouble, save the re- leasing of the queen." " That is nice, surely; but is that all the reason you have for clipping queens' wings? " " I have several besides this, one of which is I clip the larger part of the wings off, say two-thirds of all four of the wings, so that I may the more readily see her, now that my eyes are growing dim. In making nuclei, changing frames of brood and bees, extracting, making swarms by shaking, etc., if you find the queen you can always know that she is just where she belongs and not in some place where she ought not to be. And by having her wings cut short you can see her abdomen as soon as your eyes strike the side of the comb she is on." "'That is a good thought also, and one that would help me much, for I have often hunted half an hour or more for a queen, and finally gave up in disgust because I could not find her. Tell me more of these reasons. They explain the situation better than I thought it possible." " Of course you have heard of the old and main reason for clipping the wings of queens, namely, there is no loss of bees from their going to the woods." "No. I am only a beginner, and neigh- bor Brown gave no hint of this." " That bees do go to the woods, or for parts unknown, all can assure themselves by reading the reports given in our various bee-papers from time to time, if they do not know the same from actual experience. The bees may try for the woods, and they often do; but as soon as they miss their queen, back they come, for they realize that swarm- ing is of no purpose to them unless they have a queen with them to repopulate their home after the bees composing the swarm die of old age. Many a time have I had a swarm start for the woods or some unknown place, and be gone from sight and hearing for some little time; but as soon as they really missed their mother, back they would come, setting up a joyful hum when they found her." " That is the best of all you have told me, and I am convinced that the clipping side has the best of the argument. But tell me how to find a queen and how to clip her after being found." " The time of the year in which we un- dertake this matter has much to do with the pleasure of the work. If we wait till just as swarming time is upon us, and attempt to hunt up a queen in a hive that is over- flowing with bees, and especially one that will probably swarm in a day or two; when the queen has ceased her laying pretty much, so that a burden of eggs need not hinder her from flying with the swarm, and thus cause her to become no larger than she was when unfertile, we might well speak of the matter as a 'bother,' as did your neighbor; for to find a queen, under such circumstances, often balfles the most experienced apiarist. But if we do the work in fruit-bloom, when there are com- 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 835 paratively few bees for the brood they are covering-, and the queen very larg-e from her prolific eg-g-laying-, using the time from 9 A. M. to 3 p. M. to look for the queen, this being" a time still more favorable on account of a large share of the few bees of the colo- nj' being out at work, it will be a rare thing that any queen is not found on the first effort, and almost immediately, even bj' the novice." "Another new thought to me. But tell me more about how you do it." " I take along a light empty box of the same dimensions as the hive, and, after smoking the bees as little as possible to keep them from stinging, if they are of the cross kind (manj' colonies need no smoke at all at this time of the 3'ear), I carefully lift the first comb, and as it comes from the hive glance at it to see if there is brood in it, for it is generally useless to look for any queen at this time of the year on combs hav- ing no brood in them, if the queen has not been stampeded bj* careless operations. As soon as I find brood I look closely for the queen, first glancing down the side of the comb next to the one I am lifting from the hive, and next on the opposite side of the one I hold in my hands, holding the comb a little obliquely as I look, for the side of any queen gives a better view than when look- ing straight on her back. While you are looking for the queen on the frame that is in j-our hand, should she have been on the side of the comb next to j^ou, and you failed to see her, she would immediately pass around to the dark side of the comb, so it is generally useless to look for her on the side of the comb next to you, after 3'ou have it in your hand. As the combs are taken from the hive, set them in the box, so that, should 3-ou not find her the first time over, you will have the same chance of seeing her in set- ting them back into the hive again that you did at first. In this way, after a little practice, you will have little or no trouble in finding any queen, even should it be a black or German queen. " I think I understand that part now. The next thing is how to clip, and I must be going, as I have already stayed longer than I intended." "Having found her I take her by the wings with the thumb and fore finger of my left hand, when, with my right, I place the sharp blade of my jack-knife on the part of the wings I hold in my left, lowering both hands to within an inch or so of the tops of the frames, when I draw the blade just a little, thus severing the wings, when the queen runs down into the hive the same as if nothing had happened." " I thank you very much for your patience in so minutely explaining this to me. But one question more. Is there not danger of cutting the fingers? " "No, not if you stop drawing the knife as soon as the queen falls, and place it squarely on the wings when starting. Some use scissors, and they are very good; but after using all plans recommended, I like the knife the best, and it has the advantage in that every one carries a knife which is always on hand at any time you may chance to find a laying queen that is not clipped." A REPORT of the National convention will be found in the department of Our Homes in this issue. The new California commercial organi- zation is booming. It has a lot of good men back of it, and deserves success. FORMALDEHYDE FAILING TO CURE. We are getting more unfavorable reports regarding the use of formaldehyde for dis- infecting foul-broody brood-combs. In one instance a good fumigation did not kill the 3'oung brood sealed in the cells; and if this is the case we certainly can not reach the diseased germs in sealed cells. Until we know more about it, it is not best to rely on the treatment any more than to fumigate empty combs. PHOTOGRAPHS FOR HALF-TONES. A SHORT time ago I said something about the need of having clear, clean-cut photos for half-tone work, and regretted that so many that did come to our office were in- ferior and had to be discarded. Mr. W. Z. Hutchinson makes the best photos I know of in all beedom. Indeed, I doubt whether any photographer in the United States can do any better work. The Electric City En- graving Co., of Bufi"alo, one of the largest houses in the United States that does en- graving work, wrote Mr. Hutchinson a short time ago, stating that they considered his photos among the best that they received from their various customers, and asking him what he considered the best paper and the best tone for half-tone work. In reply Mr. H. wrote as follows, under date of Sept. 3: Electric City Engraving Co., Buffalo, N. Y,: — Upon my return from the INational convention at 1,0s Angeles. I find your inquiry of Aug 11, asking about the paper that I used in printing the photos that I send for reproduction. It is Kloro, and in toning I am careful not to carry it too far in the gold bath — thus leaving that rich, reddish-brown color. The glossy surface is secured by squilgeeing the print, while wet, upou the surface of a ferrotype plate, and allowing it to dry there. When dry it will come off it- self, and will have the beautiful glossy surface that re- flects so perfectly every ray of light that strikes it, thus aiding you in bringing out every last bit of detail. Flint, Mich., Sept. 3. W. Z. Hutchinson. As others may be making pictures oc- casionally for Gleanings, the hints given will be of value. 836 GLEAM XGS IN BEE CULTIRE Oct. 1 THE WAX-PRESS A HONEY- SQUEEZER. It may not be generally known, but the ordinary wax-press is a most excellent ma- chine for pressing or squeezing honey out of loose broken or irregular chunks of honey. These inay be put down into the basket of the machine, without the application of heat, and squeezed, allowing the free hon- ey to pass off. When the honey is all out, steam may then be generated in the lower part of the machine, and the wax melted and squeezed in the regulation way. Chunk honey is very often put into the solar wax- extractor, the honey and wax running off together, the latter coming to the top when cool. But the flavor of the honey is nearly always tainted by such treatment; but by the plan I have already outlined, honey may be taken from the press, and it will be in every respect as good as that taken with the ordinary centrifugal honey-extractor. keepers of the State are urged to see their representatives and candidates for election, and get their pledges, if possible, in ad- vance. An ante-election pledge is more easily secured than one after the election. Put in your best licks now. CROSS BEES AND LIGHT CLOTHING. White clothing, says Mr. Hutchinson, saves the wearer some annoyance and stings. I have seen this stated before, but have been somewhat skeptical about it. Black buttons on a light coat, I am aware, will be attacked sometimes by bees because the buttons are suggestive of the eyes of an animal, and instinct seems to tell them these are vital. I imagine that a black hat on a person with white clothing might be the ob- ject of an onslaught of stings from bees en- raged from any cause. My own notion is, if one were dressed in dark clothing, with- out any contrast of white or black spots in it, and all the surrounding objects were of about the same tint or darkness, cross bees would pay no more attention to it than they would to white clothing. But I am sure of this: That any thing black or dark-colored, surrounded by a white background, will attract their attention. OHIO bee-keepers and an OHIO STATE bee-keepers' association ; a FOUL- brood bill. The bee-keepers oi Ohio should remem- ber that our Ohio legislature will be in session this winter, and it is highly impor- tant that we get a foul-brood bill through if possible. There is a movement on foot to resurrect the old Ohio State Bee-keepers' Association, and a meeting will probably be called at an early date at Cincinnati. The times now seem ripe for our Ohio bee- keepers to take hold of the matter, and push it to a successful issue. Two years ago, when our Ohio legislature was in session, the slogan cry was "economy." Governor Nash gave it out that no appropriation bills, unless of the utmost urgency, should be allowed to pass. I interviewed a num- ber of our Senators and Representatives at the time, and was told that it would be quite useless to undertake to get such a bill through as we desired at that session. But the Ohio treasury is now full. The bee- in memoriam of g. b. lewis. On the 11th of last June, Mr. G. B. Lew- is, founder and president of the G. B. Lew- is Co., Watertown, Wis., died at his resi- dence in that place. Strangely enough, notice of his death did not reach us at the time, and it was only when the writer was making a trip through Wisconsin, looking up the bass wood situation for sections, that I heard mention of it. We then wrote to Mr. G. C. Lewis, his son, for a photo and some facts concerning the life of his re- spected father. In response we received the following clipping from a local paper, which gives some idea of Mr. Lewis' worth from the standpoint of his own townspeople. George Burnham Lewis, a prominent manufacturer and business man, president of the G. B. Lewis Co., died at his home shoitly after 9 o'clock last night. His death was i.ot unexpected, as he had been in a dangerous condition several daj'S. Hardening of the arteries was the primary cause of his dtaih. Mr. Lewis was born in Moreiu, New York, July 5, 1832. He received an education in his native city, and, when a young man of 21. came West, reaching this city in 1853, where he remained during the summer visiting with his brothers who had preceded him here. He returned to New York in the fall, and shortly after was married to Miss Sarah J. lugalsbe. Mr. Lewis tried farming for awhile; but his thoughts reverted to Wisconsin, and in 18(31 he removed to this city and has lived here ever since. In company with his brother, R. E, Lewis, he purchased the water power on the west bank of Rock River, then owned by a man named Salsey. The firm name was then R. E. & G. B. Lewis, and, after sawing up the logs which were purchased with the mill and water power, the firm engaged in the manufacture of sash, doors, and blinds. In 1870 R. E. Lewis retired and G. B. Lew s became sole owner, and conducted the business until 1878, when the firm of Lewis & Parks was form- ed; and upon the death of Mr. Parks, his .son in law, the firm became known as the G. B. Lewis Company, one ot the largest manufacturers of bee-keepers' sup- plies in this country. From a small beginning the business of the firmincreased rapidly under his guid- ance and manage:nent until it became one of the largest of its kind with a manufactured product which se is all over the world Mr. Lewis p ssessed a quiet and amiable disposition, and was a man of integrity. In his business and so- cial life he displayed tho'e characteristics which are so much admired; and those who had occision to have business or social intercurse with him always had a kind word to say in praise of his many good quali- ties. Mr. Lewis never aspired to political honors, pre- ferring the quiet of his home. For twenty years he has passed the winter months in Dunedin, Fla.. where he has large property interests a. id it \^as while there early this spring that he was taken sick. He return ed home in April, and has gradually failed in health until released from earthly suffering by the hand of death. By his death Watertown loses one of its old- est and most progressive business men, and an honor- able citizen who alwavs took pride in his home city and helped in its upbuilding. He will be sadly missed from the family home circle, and by his many friends and acquaintances here and throughout the State. His widow and two children, Mrs. L. I,. Parks and George C. Lewis, of this city, survive. It is a real pleasure to us to present a portr;nt of one who was so prominently connected with the making of bee-hives and sections, for indeed Mr. Lewis had considerable to do in the great bee-keeping 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 837 world. The high quality of the goods, and the fair and square dealing characteristic of Mr. Lewis and the other members of his company, have built up for them an envia- ble reputation and a large business. THE FOUR-PIECK SECTIONS A POSSIBLE SUB- STITUTE FOR ONE-PIECE. Rererring to the scarcity of lumber for one-piece sections, Mr. Hutchinson says, in the September issue of the Review: Kour-piece sections may yet become a necessity, ow- ing to the scarcity of basswood. Gleanings, in com- menting upon this, laments the enormous amount of labor that the handling, i r use. of the four-piece in- volves. The putting-together of the four-piece section does take more time, but it is a kind of work that can be done by cheap help: bt sides, with proper tools or appliances the difference in time is not so great as might be imagined. There is a tool in which it is only necessary to pick up the four pieces, set them in, and give it a slam, and the section is together. Bro. Root might be surprised to learn how many bee-keepers there are in the country who really p-refer the four- piece section. I am one of them. I am well aware that there are a few who prefer four- piece sectious, but the num- ber is verj' smah. Although we sell about 15,000,000 one-piece sections annually, we have not had during the past 3'edr, and a heavy one at that, orders for more than 100.000 four-piece, and that is mostl}' for our Eastern trade. We understand the G. B. Lewis Co. has had but a light trade in them, while the W. T. P^alconer Co. has a much larger demand than either of us. The four-piece goods seem to have been used quite largely at one time in New York; but the improvements that have been made in recent years in one-piece "sections, and in the manner of making them, have almost driven the four-piece goods out of the market. But for all that, we may have to go back to them, as we maj' not be able to get enough tough wood to make one-piece boxes to supply the present enormous de- mand. Between five and ten million feet of basswood is cut every year (this is only a drop in the bucket of the amount used by contractors and furniture-makers), and it would be hard to find any other timber as tough, in sufficient quantities to take care of this enormous output. It may be, there- fore, that we shall be compelled in the fu- ture, saj' ten years hence, to use four-piece boxes made of some other wood. Or possi- bly we may have to get up some scheme whereby' chunk or bulk honey can be di- vested of every suggestion of adulteration, so that the general public in the cities will buy it the same as it would section honej'. LITTLE FERTILIZING-BOXES IN CONNECTION WITH STRONG COLONIES. In our issue for Aug. 15 I spoke of the fact that the very small nuclei, section- box size, had not worked for us satisfactorily. Indeed, I pronounced them a "complete fizzle." We put out quite a number of them, and followed directions as closely as we could, but not a single queen was fertilized in them. As our readers know, our friend E. L. Pratt, better known as '* Swarth- more," wrote me that he had been and was then making the plan work successfully,- and that he would like to prove it to my satisfaction if I would make him a visit; but I could not leave at the time. Our friend D. R. Keyes, who wrote about the matter originally, on page 536, June 15, now writes as follows: I noticed on page 713 that you speak of my invention as " a most complete fizzle " with you, and I am not surprised, for I found out before you published the ar- ticle that it would not woik with most persons, iinle.«s! they had more explicit directions than I gave. While it does not do all I had hoped, it does do a great deal; and if you will come my way in April, 1904, I think you might be tickled to see the thing work. Wewahitchka, Fla., Sept. 28. D. C. Keyes. It is needless to say that I am open to conviction. If these small nuclei can be made to work satisfactorily in getting queens fertilized, without too much trouble or annoyance, I desire to know how it is done, in order that I may teach others. As every one knows, the most difficult part of queen-rearing is getting the queens fertil- ized, and I might say the most expensive part by all odds, because our regulation plans involve the use of a lot of colonies, splitting them into thirds and fourths. This necessarily ties up a lot of capital. If we can make a tenth of the number of bees do the work, it is well worth our while to learn the modus operandi. Perhaps our friend Keyes could make his directions a little more elaborare, so that, when we try the plan again next summer, it will not be a " fizzle " as before. STORES NECESSARY FOR INDOOR AND OUT- DOOR WINTERING. We are constantly asked the question, " How many pounds of stores are necessary for wintering? " A good deal depends on the strength of the colony, and very much on whether it is to be wintered outdoors or indoors. The average outdoor colony in this latitude requires anywhere from 20 to 25 lbs. ; for indoor, from 15 to 18 lbs. will make a safe allowance. The indoor colony may not consume during its actual confine- ment mare than 4 or 5 lbs , while the out- door colony during the same period may not require more than 10 lbs. If this is the case, why should not every one winter in- doors? Because it is not positively proven 3'et that the extra amount of stores consumed outdoors does not give a more vigorous col- ony in the spring. GLUCOSE BETTER THAN HONEY (?). Mr. W. L. Selser, of Philadelphia, Pa., calls m.y attention to the fact that one of the large glucose-manufacturing concerns is putting out flaming advertisements of a certain brand of corn syrup as " better than honey for less money." The brazen- ness of such advertising, Mr, Selser says, beats any thing he ever saw. But better — far better — that they should advertise the goods for what they are than to put them out under the name of honest honey. The corn-S3'rup people pay a fine compliment to our product when they attempt to compare their stuff with the finest sweet in the world. 838 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Oct. 1 GOVERNMENT AID TO BEE=KEEPERS. BY \V. K. MORRISON. I am glad Prof. Benton has replied to my article on the above subject. We hear so little about what the government is doing for bee-keeping that it is a real pleasure to know that it has not lapsed into what Mr. Cleveland would term " innocuous desue- tude." What I said about Dr. Alfred Russell Wall:Hce would seem to be clear enough, even for the proverbial ' ' man in the street. ' ' For a traveler mainly in search of birds, and studying natural history generally. Dr. Wallace's account of Apis dorsata is excellent; at least, I for one don't expect travelers to write treatises on subjects of this kind, and I will only repeat what I originally said, that his descriptions of the giant bee are very clear and accurate. To expect Dr. Wallace to write a technical ac- count oi Apis dorsata, how it behaves under domestication, its life history, etc., is rath- er too much. But the most important point of the whole controversy Prof. Benton leaves unnoticed. It is this : Apis dorsata has never been domesticated. It may be possi- ble to domesticate this bee; but why not try to tarne it on its own native heath? Why not study it and tame it before bringing it to this side of the world? I do not claim a monopol}^ of the domestication of Apis Indi- ca. If the reader will examine the sen- tence referred to it will be seen that I made my meaning clear to every one, except, per- haps, to Prof. Benton. I am and have been well aware that Apis Indica was kept in a domestic state by the natives of India, and so have many others, most of whom never saw the "Manual of Apiculture." But Prof. Benton does not seem to be aware that Apis Indica is a failure thus far in a Langstroth hive. Experiments are being made with it, and we may hear of better results later on. Relative to the bees of Africa, what I said is true if some of the best African ex- plorers can be trusted to tell the truth. Prof. Benton states that the bees of South America are of only one genus, the 3Ielli- pona. As a matter of fact, the bees of South America belong to three genera and of many species. Probably South America contains as many species of honey-bees as all the rest of the world put together. South American bees have been kept for ages in a domestic state; and as for the as- sertion they won't stand cold, there is noth- ing to support it. Stingless bees can be found near Caracas, at an elevation of 800O feet; and in all probability they can be found elsewhere at 15,000 feet above sea- level. If the fact that A. dorsata lives at 400IJ or 5000 feet above sea-level proves hardiness, what shall we say about 8000 for the stingless fellows? I will go fur- ther, and send the editor of Gleanings South American bees that, at the distance of a few feet, can not be told from the black Apis mellifica. And I can also send speci- mens that look much like Doolittle's best Italians, except they are thicker. So far from dismissing the bees of South America with contempt, the more I have studied the subject the more I am convinced that a care- ful study of them would repay its cost a thousandfold. We know but precious little about South America, particularly its nat- ural history. I know the folks up north are in the habit of expressing themselves as if South America were a well-known conti- nent, when just the opposite is the case. We know next to nothing about its internal resources. Venezuela, which is the nearest South American country to the United States, is almost unknown; and what has appeared about it lately in the newspapers is mostly fiction. Alexander von Hum- boldt was the last traveler who "did" Venezuela, and he landtd in Cumana in 1799. The country has changed \&xy little since then except for the worse. Hence when the bee-keepers of the world see the appearance of a book about the bees of South America they may expect something of engrossing interest; and the man who writes it deserves well of the bee-keepers of the world. I believe that government aid ought to be granted to enable us to study the bees of the far East; but whether we should ask the government no'cv is another matter alto- gether. It is not always advisable to ask for a thing, though it may seem to be a good thing in itself. Some very interesting bee problems can be worked out without leaving the grounds on which the buildings of the Department of Agriculture stand. And it goes without saying, that Congress- men like to see what they vote money for; and if they approve of it, more funds will be forthcoming. One of the reasons why Congressmen refuse to vote money is they fear it will be squandered on unprofitable work, or be simply used to furnish an office for some importunate office-seeker. Such things have happened. Personally I be- lieve Congress will readily allow money for apiculture if there is a certainty the money will be profitably spent. Prof. Ben- ton is correct when he states that apiarian societies ought to take this matter up and discuss it. It is the bee-keepers who should decide this question, and they need not wait for the general government to move in the matter. California can well afford to help the bee-keepers of that great State. Texas has made an excellent beginning. Other States should fall into line. New York, for example, can well afford something 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 839 handsome. But the bee-keepers will gain bj' taking my hint that it is well to have a program ready, and, after the money is ac- tually voted, keep a watchful eye on the progress of the experiment; for unless bee- keepers keep up their interest in the matter it is bound to fail from causes that I need not mention here. TIERING UP FOR COMB HONEY. When the Empty Super Should be Put Under or Over the One Partly Filled. BY W. B. GEHRELS. In regard to the question whether to slip the second super between the first and brood-chamber, or to put it on top, as Mr. Hershiser recommends, I will give this as mj' experience: I have alwa3's put the empty super right over the brood, and raised the partly fin- ished one to the top. But Mr. Hershiser's article on comb honey came just before our horsemint honey- flow began, and I gave his plan a thorough trial. Either way will give satisfaction, but under different conditions. If j'our bees are blacks or h3'brids, which are the best for producing section honey in this climate, and if the honey-tiow is heavy, the nights warm, and j'our colony ver}'^ strong, put the emptj' super on top, and let them finish and seal the sections right over the brood. When we have these conditions the bees work so well in the upper or empty supers that they sometimes begin to seal the mid- dle rows of sections when we take ofif the first super. In this way the first one is finished sooner ready to take off, so a lot of bees that would cover the honey if it was left on can be doing something else. As to the number of supers to leave on or put on at one time, I always judge by the strength of the colony, source of honey, etc. If I have on three supers filled with bees building comb rapidly, and still bees idle, with indications that the honey-flow will hold out a month, then I would give them a fourth super. But generally two at a time is all that an average colony can take care of to advantage. If your bees are Italians, and the honey- flow likely to be a long one, and when the honey is very thin, requiring more time to ripen before the bees can seal it, or if the nights are cool, under these cotlditions I think it would be an advantage to put the emptj' super right over the brood, and the nearly finished on top. I do not like bait combs in supers. The bees will finish these sections, and stain them before the sections that had only foundation are fin- ished. If I have a lot that are not sealed complete when I case and scrape the sec- tions, I put these unfinished ones back in supers and put them on strong colonies to seal. San Antonio, Texas, July 20, 1903. [I believe you are correct in your state- ment of the conditions when the one or the other plan may be pursued. — Ed.] HOW AN EQO IS FORMED IN THE QUEEN. The Survival of the Fittest. BY E. F. PHILLIPS. Probably many of the readers of Glean- ings have wondered how it is possible for eggs to be formed in a queen so fast, and through what process an egg goes in its formation. I can not explain to you the mystery of the rapid development of the egg, but I may be able, with the aid of a few drawings, to give you some idea of the way in which eggs are made. The ovary of the queen is composed of a large number of what are called ovarian tubes, in which the eggs are made, and, since the formation is the same in all, we will examine but one of the tubes. The entire body of the bee is made up of small divisions of a living substance called ce/ls, or of the secretions of these cells. Each cell contains a more active bit of the living substance which has to do with the feeding of the part around it, and we call this the nucleus. Now, the words "cell" and " nucleus " are used in a far different sense than they are used in bee-keeping; ^9 Z but since they are in general use in the sense which they are used here, it will only be necessary for the readers of Gleanings who are used to the other meanings to bear in mind the difference in this case. I might also say, in beginning, that the things which will be described here can not be seen in the ordinary dissection of a queen; but in the cases which I have ex- amined, the ovaries were cut into sections 840 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Oct. 1 gJj5Tj of an inch thick, pasted to glass slides, and then treated with various chemicals to stain the different parts. Of course, a strong microscope is needed to make out the details. At the end of the ovarian tube, next to the thorax, the condition is represented by Fig. 1, the small irregular bodies being the nu- clei («) of cells. As far as can be seen, these nuclei are all of the same importance. The boundaries of the cells are not distinct here. The next step is represented by Fig. 2. Some of the nuclei have been pushed to the edge, and now form a layer of cells all around the mass in the middle. On a sec- tion this tube is represented by a double very large, and are marked//, while others surround the entire egg in a thin layer {/■?). The nuclei of// are very large and irregular, and the nucleus of the egg is marked in the drawing as £71. The sub- stance of feeding cells, // and /2, goes into the egg, and furnishes the material on which the growing egg lives until it hatch- es into the larva and is fed by the workers. All of these drawings are made on the same scale, so that it is easily seen how much the eggs increase in size from the stag'e represented in Fig. 1 to that in Fig. 3. After the feeding of the egg is completed it passes down the tube where the chorion is formed, and then the egg is ready for laying. line, marked ep. Of the remaining nuclei, some have become larger, and are now en- closed in a distinct cell membrane. These are marked E, and are destined to become eggs while those marked /are the feeding or nurse cells, which aid in the nourishing of the future egg. The cells which in Fig. 1 are all alike have now taken on special duties, and are corresponding!}^ modified. In Fig. 3 is represented the condition that is found not far from the posterior end of the ovarian tube. But one end of the egg is represented, because a full illustration would be too large; but the diameter at this time is about that of the ripe egg, and you can readily estimate the length. Part of the feeding-cells (/) have also become In the formation of the egg we see illus- trated a principle which exists throughout all nature — the survival of the fittest. The cells in Fig. 1 seem to be all alike; but cer- tain cells are stronger, and therefore take in more food from the blood, thus increas- ing in size and becoming eggs. Others are weaker, and are pushed to the edge by the rapidly growing cells, and ultimately form only the cover-cells. The feeding-cells are strong also, and increase in size, but they too are compelled to give up their substance to the still stronger egg-cells, and are later killed. This seems to be an effort on the part of nature to sort out for the reproduc- tion of the animal only the very best cells in the ovary. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURK 841 FEEDING BACK EXTRACTED HONEY. Explicit Directions on How to Get Well-filled Combs; " Shook " Swarms a Failure ; Drone Comb from Worker Foundation ; a Valuable Article. BY M. W. SHEPARD. The question of feeding- back extracted honey for the production of comb honey does not appear to settle any more than several other questions of more or less importance to the bee-keeping- fraternity do. Opin- ions and theories dift'er in regard to the matter, and many of the shining- lights of beedom saj' it can't be done. After an ex- perience covering several seasons, and hav- ing m\' efforts crowned with success, it may not be out of place for me to say it cuti be done, and done easil}', and at a good profit, and especi^ill}' feeding- back to finish unfin- ished sections. We usually have several thousand such sections at the end of our main honey-flow, and in this climate it is well nigh impossible to keep combs of any kind ofl" the hives on account of worms; so it is policy as well as profit that led us to tr}' the feeding--back plan. We first assort our unfinished sections, get our supers read}', and then begin by filling our supers, putting the fullest ones in the corners and outside rows; but be sure to uncap all sealed cells. If yoii don't, the bees won't, but will build new comb on top of the sealed cells, making what we call double-deck combs. After you fill your su- pers, put not less than two on any good strong colony whose brood chamber is well filled with sealed brood and honey. For feeders we use a box made out of thin lum- ber, and which will hold one gallon or a little more. Set this box on fop of the su- pers; fill it with thick honey; throw a handful of coarse excelsior on top of the honey; then cover the whole up bee-tight. You will find that the bees will store about all of the first feederful below, not making much of a show in the sections; but be sure to keep honej' in the feeders da}' and night until the sections are nearly as full as they should be; then taper off rapidl}' with the feed, and the bees will seal the combs, and you will find them as smooth and perfect as if built under normal conditions. Take these supers off and re- place with empty ones, and you will get them filled; but I advise you not to use the same colon}* for more than two lots; for on the third lot they seem to think they have done enough, and will not take the honey. Now, this is all about finishing unfinish- ed sections; but the same plan holds good if you use sections filled with foundation instead of partly finished sections. I do not claim the foregoing plan is a universal one that will work anywhere and under all conditions, whether the conditions are known or not; but I say it works with us on a large scale, and we are satisfied. Now, does it pay to feed, for the purpose of filling- out unfinished sections? Yes, it pays us to do so. Will it pay to feed back for the purpose of producing- comb honey from full sheets of foundation in the sec- tions? Yes, if extracted honey is not worth more than 5 cts. per lb., and comb honey is worth not less than 12 cts. We wish to say, first, know what you are going to try to do, then go ahead. If you don't want a puttering job, don't try feeding back, and don't try to be a lightning operator at the job, or possibly the lightning may strike you. Shook swarms seem to be a fad. We tried 20. We shook five on narrow start- ers. Results, they deserted the hives, went into others, and raised a pretty " ruction " by so doing. We put the other 15 on foun- dation and on drawn combs. Results, no g-ood on foundation, and not much better on combs. Conclusions arrived at: It doesn't pay to shake swarms with our conditions to contend with; so we will be willing- to let it work where it ivill, and not try it any more until we know more about it. W. K. Morrison has an idea that success in raising comb honey consists in not hav- ing drone comb in the brood-nest. The question comes up to mind, and we ask, " How are you going- to help having drone comb in the brood-nest? " Now, please don't say, "Use full sheets of foundation in the brood-nest." We know just what we are talking about when we say that we can show fine-looking combs, hundreds of them, made on full sheets of worker foundation purchased from the Root Co., and called " medium brood," and yet I defy a person to find a worker-cell. Now, then, what are we to do? Throw those combs away? Can't afford to do so. Well, then, use them in extracting-supers; and we arise to ask how long it would be before they would be down in the brood-nest. If a person had only 75 or 100 colonies (or less) it might be done; but when you count your colonies by the hundreds or thousands, and have half a dozen men working, it doesn't pay to talk about such things. Is the old question of spacing coming to the front again? Well, if it does we will say that, for the production of comb honey, space '+ inch, just as J. E. Pond advocated years ago. If you work for extracted hon- ey, space y% inch in the brood-nest, and Yz inch in the supers. Hollisteir, Fla., Aug. 24. [You make one point regarding feeding back; and that is, uncapping all sealed cells. If this has ever been emphasized before, I do not remember it. I understand you to say that you have some frames of all drone comb made off from worker foundation. I have been well aware that there will be occasionally here and there a drone-cell, but I do not remem- ber to have seen an instance before where bees made all drone comb from worker foundation. Let us hear from others. You have given us some good pointers. — Ed.] 842 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Oct. 1 A TYPICAL CALIFORNIA APIARY AT TROPICO. This location is six miles north of the center of Los Ang'eles, being, we think, an ideal place for wintering- bees and making our home, but not a favorable place for honey production. We usually move most of our bees to other locations during- a hon- ey-flow. Our seasons for honej^ production are variable, the highest yield we have had being- an averag-e of 200 lbs. per colony ex- tracted honey. Producing- honey in Cali- fornia since 1890, we have at our home api- ary an increase this season of 100 colonies. We ha%'e sold during the 13 years several hundred colonies of bees. At present we use Lang-stroth hives only. W. J. McCarroll. Tropico, Cal., Aug-. 22. [This beautiful picture of a California apiary was shown to me while we were in Los Angeles, and I requested the writer of the above to forward us the photo and de- scription, which he has kindly done. Perhaps I might explain that the foot of the mountain, shown in the back part of the picture, covered with brush, is such as used to be seen along all unreclaimed ground. The crop on the ground between the moun- tain and the hives is alfalfa. The trees in the corner at the left are probably orange- groves. The hives in the apiary are dis- posed in hexagonal form. Each one is the center of six standing all around it, and they are far enough apart so one can walk around each hive. The extracting-room is a cloth-made tent; but when robbers get to be bad he will have to patch up that hole in the roof. An iron pipe leads from the ex- tracting-room into the galvanized- iron stor- age-tank. I presume there were not any robbers around when the picture was tak- en, or mosquito-netting would have been seen over this tank in the attemot to keep out bees. There are between 200 and 300 hives shown in the picture; but I judge from the letter that some of them are moved to other localities at some seasons of the year. — A. I. R.] IS IT A NEW DIS?;ASE? I am sending you a specimen of a dis- eased honey-comb which is troubling us bee-keepers of this county in half a dozen apiaries, to my knowledge. It has appear- ed in 50 to 250 hives. In my opinion the disease is neither foul brood, black brood, nor pickled brood. A great many of the bees have no wings. You can see they are not capped over, but slightly raised above the comb. It is worse in some hives than in others. I have lost 80 colonies. The bees did not swarm except a few; and what did swarm with me went into other hives. If you want any more information I will gladly give the same. The disease is in the mountains more than in the valleys. The honey crop up in this county will be poor on account of disease; also weather has been cold up to the present time. We had frost in the mountain districts up to the 20th of May. Pat Keating. New Almaden, Cal., May 29. [This was sent to Prof. Frank Benton, of Washington, D. C, with the suggestion that it might be a case of poisoning. He replies as follows:] Mr. Root: — Enclosed is the report of the Chemist re- garding the bees sent by Mr. Keating, of New Alma- den, Cal. I can think of no other suggestions to make, since, in the event of willful poisoning, I sup- pose very many poisons might be employed for the purpose; but accidental poisoning by spraying would probably be only with arsenic or copper. Washington, D. C. Frank Benton. [The report referred to is as follows:] Mr. Frank Benton, IVashington, D. C: — We have examined the sample of bees forwarded by you in be- half of Mr. P. Keating, for arsenic and copper, but find that neither of these substances is present. If 3'ou can suggest any other poison that maj^ be ustd to kill bees, we shall be glad to make a test for it. H. W. Wiley, C/itef. A WOODEN PILL-BOX QUEEN-CELL PROTECT- OR. I send you a little contrivance that I have been using with much success this season. The largest stopper I use by putting a dipped cell in. The small one is a reg- ular Swarthmore compressed cell-cup. I prepare them by simplj' transferring larvas without royal jelly, then insert 11 or 12 in a false top-bar when ripe; then put on the 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 843 pill-box protector. How do you like the idea? H. FiTZ H\kt. Honej'suckle, Ala., July 16. [Your pill-box queen-cell- protector scheme is all right; but it will be a little more ex- pensive, and. to my notion, not quite so handy as a Stanley cag-e that is designed to accomplish the sime object. We use al- most the same thing except that we use perforated metal formed into a cylinder, a wooden plug to which the queen-cell is at- tached being inserted in the top, and a plug containing food inserted in the bot- tom. See description in last issue, p. 797. —Ed.] putting hives on stakes to keep ants AWAY. Having tried every medicine I knew of to drive ants away from the sate and around the house, and meeting with dismal failure, I did not undertake to try to drive them awa}' from the bee-hives, for any thing ob- noxious eiioucfh to drive away the ants would be as liable to have a similar effect on the bees. I have been using for three months, with success, stakes fastened on the bottom-board similar to the stakes men- tioned b}' R. C. Hollins, on page .)92, with this difference: Stakes are made 7/2 inches long, and made of 2X4 scantling; and in- stead of being sharpened and driven into the ground the}' are sawn flat, fastened On the ends of the 2X4, on the bottom-board, and the ends inserted into old (or new) quart fruit or tomato cans; and each morning the cans are filled with fresh water. The ground around the hives is sometimes alive with ants, but they never gel into the hive. I have seen only one ant on the hive since I have used the cans, and that was caused by neglecting to fill the cans for two or three days. The only trouble to speak of is filling the cans, and that is not much when 3'ou take into consideration the g^ood derived from it, as the bees will water at the cans, and will not have to go far for water. I have never seen a bee at my watering-trough, which stands about 20 steps from the hives. They all w iter from the stakes. This is probably an old reme- dy for ants; but I have never seen it nor heard of it before, and I think if tried it will not be cast aside. The ants were very annoying before I used it. In regard to the hive being too high from the ground in the case of a queen with clipped wing. I overcome that by making an alighting-board to slope from the ground to the hive, giving the b.jard the proper bevel next to the hive, and driving two small staples in the bottom-board, and two small nails into the beveled edge of the alighting- board; bend them like a hook, and hook them into the staples; then drive another small staple into the end next to the ground. Fasten one end of a string into the staple driven into the hive, suspending the alight- ing-board just high enough from the ground CALIFOKNIA APIARY BELONGING TO W. J. M'CARROLL. — SEE OPPOSITE PAGE. 844 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Oct. 1. so small insects can't crawl up; but the bees, with a little exertion, can. H. A. HiGGINS. [The scheme of putting- hives on stilts or posts, in cans of water, is ver3^ often used by bee-keepers in the South to keep ants and other insects away from the bees. The only possible objection to it is the fact that a clipped queen can not very well get into the hive; and I do not quite see how you overcome the difficulty, for I believe the av- erage ant can reach up as high as the aver- age queen. But after all, the difficulty with a clipped queen is small when you re- member the swarming season extends over a very limited period; and if any one is present he can find the queen under or near the hive, cage her, and recover the swarm. But if the hive were resting on the ground, the queen might run back into the hive, making it necessary to hunt for her, not t.veen the same and the hive. There was no sign of other brood or eggs. Did the queen go up through the zink, and lay one egg- in the queen-cell prepared for it, and lay no other eg-gs, or did the bees move the egg from the lower story? I have handled a good many extracting--supers, but never found a queen-cell before, without other brood. F. W. Humphrey. Oronoque, Ct., July 24. [It is generally believed that eggs in queen-cells are put there by the bees rather than that the queen lays them there her- self. I have seen bees myself transporting eggs, carrying them in some way under their chins; but whether they were going to put them in some other cell or in a queen- cell I can not say. Therefore it would not be impossible for a bee to carry an egg through the perforated zinc and put it in a queen-cell above. They are quite inclined •^^f^^tcB" 'i: :- V i J !>;- Wm^C' "^ ^mh^^' :— 3a9« m ^ iiii ' ,- -- " ^ ,^^ , i |b^2^.-. '" APIARY OF J. W. CULVKY, ROLLING PKAIRIE, IND. only on the ground but in the hive. If the plan of shaking swarms is successful, this difficulty of clipped queens may be almost entirely overcome. — Ed.] THE BANNER APIARY. "I send you a picture of a part of my api- ary. I have 132 colonies in this yard. Not many of them show in the picture. My bees have done well this summer. I had a large swarm come out to day. They will have to look to me for their winter food. J. W. CULVEY. Rolling Prairie, Ind., Aug. 25. A QUEEN-CELL ABOVE PERFORATED METAL. While extracting yesterday I found a per- fectly developed queen-cell on a comb taken from a super with queen-excluding zinc be- under some conditions to build cells above perforated metal or any portion of the hive from which the queen is excluded; if, there- fore, a cell were started, it would not be at all strange to find an egg in it, even if there was a queen below that could not pass the metal. — Ed.] MOSQUITO hawks; bees balling THEIR OWN QUEEN. I wish to ask a couple of questions. Have you ever known mosquito hawks to bother bees? I have lost over 50 queens this season while they were mating. For a long time I could not tell what was taking them. At last I found out. Then I set to work to kill the pests. I killed several hundred of them. I also had a nucleus a few days ago turn on its own queen and ball her. What was the cause? H. F. Stafford. Tallahassee, Fla., July 25. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURR 845 [Mosquito hawks are a well-known enemy to bees in some parts of the South; but I never knew a case before where they ap- peared to be as destructive as in the case above mentioned. Perhaps some of our correspondents in the South can tell what friend S. had better do. It is not an unusual circumstance for bees to ball their own queen, especially just after the hive has been opened. WV/jy they at- tack her it is impossible to state. All we know is that a sudden fury or frenzy of some sort after the disturbance seizes the bees, when they will make for the queen, killing her. If the hive is closed up, and lefi^ alone, the queen will sometimes be found afterward all right, doing full service; at other times she will be killed. — Ed.] G. B. LEWIS, THE VETERAN BEE-SUPPLY MANtTFACTURRR, WHOSE DEATH OCCURRED JUNE 11th, 1903. — SEE EDITORIAL. 846 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURR Oct. 1 FORMIC ACID IN HONEY. I have read somewhere that formic acid is injected into the honey uy the bees, and that it is the same acid that causes the pain when stung' by the bees. In Glean- ings, pag-e 638, I read that it is assumed that formic exists in honey. If so, what is the name of the poison that causes the pain when stung-? How long should the same combs remain in the brood chamber, as every generation of bees leaves the cells smaller? Calabasas, Cal. John Bowen. [I am not sure whether scientific authority has positively stated that there is formic acid in ho?iey, although it has been surmis- ed or assumed that it was there present be- cause the acid is a preservative. The poi- son of the bee-siingha^heeu definitely shown to be formic acid; but whether the bees in- ject it from the end of the sting into the hon- ey is doubtful; indeed, many think it too ri- diculous to be entertained even for one mo- ment — Ed.] sainfoin CLOVER FOR BEES AT THE OTTA- WA EXPERIMENT STATION, CANADA. Have any of your correspondents had any experience with sainfoin clover? If so, I think it would be helpful to many if they would relate it. In this part of Canada sainfoin does exceedingly well, yielding- from two to three tons per acre of excellent fodder, similar to that of alfalfa. We have already cut it twice this season, and expect a third crop. This plant blooms from three weeks to a month each time, and the bees cluster on it more than on Bokhara clover. Sainfoin is well thought of by farmers, as it makes good fodder, and is a grand nitro- gen-gathering plant to be plowed under as a fertilizer. John Fixter. Ottawa, Canada, Aug. 12. [Sainfoin is a well-known honej^-plant, and has been referred to at various times in these columns; but for some reason it has not received much prominence — just why, I can not say. I shall be very glad to hear from any of our subscribers who have had any experience with it. — Ed.] THE honey crop IN CENTRAL CALIFORNIA. The honey crop is light in weight and dark in color up to date. But this valley (San Joaquin) may get a good crop. An old copy of Gleanings shows that most of Rambler's last crop at Reedley was made well along in September and October; so it is all fol-de-rol about any one knowing about our honey crop yet. W. A. H. GiLSTRAP. Modesto, Cal., Aug. 17. THE GRAND CANYON OF ARIZONA, ON THE SANTA FE. — SEE NOTES OK TRAVEL. — Courtesy of Santa Fe Railway. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 847 MIXED swarms; the plan of letting the SEVERAL CLUSTERS SEPARATE THEM- SELVES. I see on paj^^e 682 an article on mixed swarms. I ran on to your correspondent's idea j'ears ag-o, and that by chance. I hived a swarm, and in a few moments after setting- them on their stands, here came a stray swarm pouring down over the top of a cherr3'-tree, and rig^ht in with the new swarm. I picked up a new hive that was near, snatched off the cover and cloth of the other hive, and set the empt_v one on top and covered it up. In the evening- (after dark) I lifted the top hive off and set it on its own stand. I soon found I had two good strong colonies of bees. A short time after this, I had two swarms cluster together. I prepared my hives, took my swarming^-box, and took the whole cluster down, shook them on the platform in front of the hive, and soon I had them all in. The bees were all kind and quiet, as though there were but one swarm. When I lifted the top hive oft", it was full of bees, as was the lower; and I again had two good strong colonies of bees. This I have done several times since I have handled bees, and it has always been a suc- cess with me. I have often wondered if each colony knew its queen, or if they di- vided by weight or measure. J. W. C. Gray. Atwood, 111., Aug. 4. MOVING BEES WITH ENTRANCES AND TOPS COVERED WITH WIRE CLOTH. Please answer through Gleanings the following: I desire to move forty-five colo- nies of bees two hundred and sixty miles by wagon, which would take about ten daj's. Can I do it safely if the entrances and tops of hives are covered with wire cloth? I shall move them in October when the brood will be about all gone. Rocky Ford, Colo. L. A. Dewitt. [Your plan will work satisfactorily pro- viding the season is not too hot during the middle of the day. In the case of very strong colonies you would need to provide some kind of shade, and possibly give ven- tilation over the whole bottom of the hive; but from what I know of your climate, I think you will be able to succeed; but I would take along a large canvas or cloth, which may be spread over the top of the hives during the heat of the day. But the cloth should be held at least four or five inches above the wire cloth, and be so arranged as to allow a free circulation of air. — Ed.] a substitute FOR BASSWOOD FOR SECTIONS. When basswood gives out (see page 713), why not trim up the white-birch trees while young, and let them grow up to timber? They grow very fast until they are about ten or twelve inches in diameter. If you could get 1000 sections from a tree, would it not pay to raise them for this purpose alone? There is a foreign white birch that grows much larger than ours. Or the yel- low-bark birch could be used if you do not care for white sections. I merely suggest this, as I do not know any thing about making sections nor what wood would be the best for the purpose. J. L. Hyde. Pomfret Landing, Ct., Aug. 31. [We should be glad to get samples of this white birch to which you refer; but my im- pression is that we have tried it and found that the wood lacks toughness. A one- piece section must have a material that will bend at the V-cut without breaking, and it would be hard to find any thing from one end of this great country to the other that would have the toughness of basswood un- der all conditions. The section business takes up millions of feet of timber every year, and would therefore require a very large supply of the birch or any other sub- stitute to take its place. — Ed.] TRAPPING OUT SKUNKS FROM A BEE- YARD. I have noticed what has been said recent- ly regarding skunks and their annoyance in the apiary. They have troubled me this summer, but I have succeeded in dispatch- ing them with such ease that I think my experience may be of some benefit to others. When I find indications of skunks in the apiary I set common steel traps where they work, and in a night or two I catch a visit- or. Knowing that, like the occupants of the hive, he will use his w^eapon of defense only when in danger, I approach him very cautiously, taking with me a nail-keg and a long-handled steel garden-rake previous- ly supplied. When near enough I hook the rake into the trap, and lift skunk and trap clear off the ground, swinging them around to the keg. W^hen in the right position I carefully drop them into the keg, slipping a cover over it at once. In a few minutes the keg and skunk can be safely taken to a place convenient to water, and the keg filled, when it will be but a matter of moments with the skunk. The principal things to observe are to keep the skunk, after being disturbed, where he can not get a foothold, and to keep cool yourself. Troy, Pa. C. N. Greene. [Your plan of putting the skunk into a keg is all right if you know just how to do it; but a novice at the business might come to grief. If one knows the habits of the beast, well and good; but if he doesn't — ! ! ! Why wouldn't it be better all round to use a revolver, a small rifle, or even a shotgun, standing off at a " respectable " distance and dispatching the animal while it is a captive? But make a sure kill, first crack. To wound mortally is not enough, for then the animal would throw out its aw- ful scent before dying. — Ed.] LOAFING BEES AND THE REMEDY. Mr, Root: — Will you tell what causes loafing around the entrance, and cluster- ing? Also tell where this has been dis- 848 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Oct. 1 cussed. I can not find it in your indexes. I have a very strong colony that was a large May swarm. It filled the brood- frames, and just started work in a super in June, and yet it has been doing nothing but exist, since July. Other colonies near this one, though not so strong, have done well. Would shaking the bees out and making a new artificial swarm on partly drawn-out combs cause them to work? Joseph G. Baier. New Brunswick, N. J., Aug. 25. [Loafing around the entrance is caused by a lack of shade or the entrance being too small, or both. The remedy is obvious. It is our rule to give the bees shade during the heat of the day, at least while they are gathering honey, and to provide as wide an entrance as the hive will admit. Last summer I succeeded in causing the bees to go to work in several of our hives by sim- ply raising the hives oft" the bottom-boards, making the entrance not only wider, but leaving an air-gap at the sides as well as at the front. So far I have never failed in making the bees go inside of hives provid- ing I gave them enough ventilation at the bottom. You will find this subject indexed under Entrances; under Bees Loafing; un- der Clustering, and Clustering Out. The subject has been discussed in nearly every volume, and especially during the height of the honey- flow. — Ed. J DISEASE vs. KILLING DRONES. I inclose a sample of dead brood that is being dragged out of one of my hives. They commenced on the 27th, and still continue. They have put out 200 or 300 in all stages. It is a swarm hived May 27, 1903, and it is working the second super. It is one of my best and most prosperous hives, and the bees are as yellow as pure Italians. The 27th was quite cool, and it has been cool and rainy since, following some verj' warm days previous to that date. If you will kindly solve the mystery for me, and say what will probably be the outcome, it will be a satisfaction to me. S. A. Peck. Northumberland, Pa., Aug. 29. [The brood that you sent has been ex- amined, but I do not see any thing to indi- cate black or foul brood, nor any of the contagious diseases known to afflict bees. The fact that it is all drone brood indicates that the season has closed, and that the bees had killed not only the living drones but had destroyed all drone brood, lugging out the imperfect baby drones in the cells. Indeed, that is exactly what they will do at the close of the season. — Ed.] PAINTING HIVE-COVERS THAT ARE COVERED WITH PROPOLIS. I wish to repaint a lot of hives and cov- ers, and my past experience teaches me that, wherever a cover has propolis, or bee- glue, on it, no matter how clean j'ou scrape it the paint refuses to dry or stick. Can you suggest some way by which I can suc- ceed? J. A. MiNNICK. Anderson, Ind., Sept. 9. [If the hive-covers are smeared with wax or propolis there is not much need of paint- ing. Either one is a good preservative against the weather. I do not know of any white paint that you can make stick on such a surface; but if you desire to substi- tute paint for propolis, immerse the covers in boiling water. When dry, put on the paint. — Ed.] THE HOCHSTEIN UNCAPPING-DFVICE; SOME CORRECTIONS. I see that, in j-our article on my uncap- ping-device, July 15, you have given the credit of the invention to my father, C. F. Hochstein. I also see that in the engraving' the comb is held with the top slanted toward the knife, or as shown in the figure at the left. This is a very incon- venient and unnatural position. I always put them the other way, or as shown in the figure at the right; for al- though, when thus held, the cappings do not drop so easil}', it is a much better way in all other respects. Try it and see. Lewis B. Hochstein. Paradero de Punta Brava, Cuba. [The general practice, I think, is to let the comb slant toward the knife so that the cappings y^'xWfall away from the comb rath- er than on to them, as in the method thf^t you prefer. I tried both ways in Califor- nia, and prefer the one where the cappings, as soon as sliced ofl^, fall from the comb di- rect on to the mass below. As this may be a matter of personal preference I should be glad to hear from some of those who have done a large amount of uncapping. — Ed.] ammonia for bee-stings. On page 588 there is considerable said about bee-stings. Now let me give you an antidote for the poison of a bee-sting; and if applied as soon as the pinching remedy, you will know nothing more of it; but if left till very much swollen, it would not en- tirely stop its effects. If swelling has com- menced, apply as far as or further than the swelling reaches. The remedy is aqua am- iiionia. Try it and be convinced. William Whitney. Carson, Iowa, Aug. 7. [Aqua ammonia is an old remedy for bee-stings, and you will find it mentioned in many of the text- books. But are you sure j-ou can apph- the alkali quickly enough so it will reach the acid of the poi- son through a puncture that is far more minute than the finest cambric needle would make? Lay the two under the lens of a good microscope magnifying anywhere from 300 to 1000 diameters, and you will find that the needle is a sawlog in compar- 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 849 ison with the sting-. Now, bear in mind that the stinj^ is tubular, and has back of it powerful pumps for forcing- the poison into the wound. When you remove the sting, how are you going- to force the anti- dote into the wound, where the opening- closes instantly, or in a few seconds of time, and which, before the bottle can be reached, will be as tight and impervious as any other portion of the skin? If the aqua ammonia could strike through the skin anywhere, clear into the llesh, which I be- lieve it does not do, then undoubtedly it would neutralize the poison. In that case there would never be any swelling, and the pain would cease the instant the alkali was applied. — Ed.] INSURING BF.ES IN MUTUAL COMPANIES. On page 688 j'ou and your correspondent ask for information about insuring bees. In Wisconsin the local or town mutual fire- insurance companies do insure bees on the same terms and rates as other farm proper- ty. I have kept mj' bees, bee-hives, bee- keeping implements, and supplies insured for the past twenty years. Honey also may be insured if desired. I see no good reason why the}' ma}' not be insured in all States where the local mutuals do business insuring farm property. Of course, the bees in cities would not be insured b}' these companies. The joint-stock companies can insure them if thej' wish; but as they are not insuring much farm property in this State they can not afford to g-o among the farmers to insure bees. F. Wilcox. Mauston, Wis., Aug. 8. CAGING TO PREVENT SWARMING. What are the disadvantages of caging a queen to prevent swarming? 1. As prac- ticed by Elwood and Hetherington, does it ever result in producing- laying workers (practically)? 2. Is it necessary to put workers into the cage also ? 3. Will the bees of the colony feed her? 4. Is there ever any loss from reintroducing? 5. About how long is it safe to keep her thus caged from the bees? I have searched the latest edition of the ABC, but can not find any reference to this subject. J. H. Burns. St. Mary's, Ont., Can., Sept. 2. [The chief disadvantage seems to be in hunting for queen-cells every eight or nine days, making it necessary to scan every inch of comb throughout the entire yard. Again, in my experience a colony with a caged queen does not seem to have quite the energy of one that has a queen with full liberty of the combs. But despite this there are a good man}' prominent bee-keep- ers who have been practicing the plan with considerable sati5.faction and success. Whether or not the practice will produce a laying worker will depend largely on the strain of bees used. But I should not expect very much trouble from that source. With Eastern races, particularly the Holy Land, fertile workers would develop with almost no provocation whatever. If Ital- ans or hybrids be used, there will be but very little trouble from that source. You may or may not put workers in the cage. Yes, the bees will feed their queen; but I would always advise having Good candy where she can get at it. The losses by in- troducing are comparatively small. We have kept queens caged, in one case some two months, and in the mean time the bees had managed to rear a queen of their own; but still they were taking care of the one that was cag-ed. You will find this subject mentioned un- der the head of Swarming, subhead Swarm- ing Controlled, in our ABC book. — Ed.] hershiser's filled-section plan. I should be glad if you would send me the two back numbers containing Mr. Her- shiser's articles on the subject of comb- honey production. I find his teaching is far better than to place an empty section- case between the brood-nest and the two- thirds filled super above. I have tried six supers filled with 24 and 28 sections, ac- cording to Mr. Hershiser's directions, and every one was filled full. J. L. Nance. Dry wood, Kan., Aug. 17. LAW relating to BEE-TREES. I have found several bee- trees, and should like to know the law regarding the find- ing and cutting of bee- trees in Michigan. G. Frank Pease. Eckford, Mich., Aug. 10. [Under the common law, bees found in a tree become the property of the one who dis- covers them; but the said person has no right to cut the tree without the consent of the owner thereof, nor any right to take them out of the tree without cutting, with- out such consent. There is no State law that I know of that would bear on this question. — Ed.] syrup-feeding. 1. Is there any objection to giving the fairly strong as well as the weak colonies half a pint of syrup every night to promote brood-rearing from the middle of August until the middle of September, and then feeding more heavily to fill the combs with stores? 2. Is there any objection, other than ex- pense, to feeding the bees all the syrup thev will store away in the brood-combs up to about Oct. 1? 3. Providing brood appears in all the frames of brood, should any frames con- taining brood be removed to contract the hive in the fall? A. y. DouD. Bristol, N. H., Aug. 27. 1. No objection, only it would be a lot of work; and unless you wished to stimulate brood-rearing and strengthen the weak colonies it would hardly pay you. 850 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Oct. 1 2. No objection except the expense and time. Never think of giving a colony more stores than it can possibly consume before the next honey- flow. Twenty-five pounds of sealed stores for outdoor wintering, and fifteen or eighteen for indoor, is ample. If you feed the bees until you jam every comb with honey you will leave no winter-nest for the bees to cluster in, and that would be a positive detriment. Bees, to winter well outdoors, should have a sphere, or space, spanning three or four combs in the center of the brood-nest, that has no hpney in. When extreme cold comes on, the bees will cluster down in the cells, and wedge up into a very small compass. If there is a whole inch of comb honey between the di- vided clusters, you will probably find every one of the divided clusters dead before spring. 3. Let the bees have all the brood they will rear— the more the better. But I would not encourage brood-rearing after settled cold weather, as the bees, in their attempt to cover the brood, will become chilled, and the number of newly hatched bees would not begin to make up for the loss of other bees that are scattered over the brood, try- ing to protect it.- — Ed.] much bear fur. They sometimes struggle to get up into it in the attempt to sting. But the strands of ordinary broomcorn, when applied sidewise, knock the bees off their feet, without the suggestion of bear fur.— Ed.] UNFINISHED SECTIONS; BAIT SECTIONS. Having read the discussion both ways, I wish to ask if there would not be as many unfinished sections if the second super is placed above the full one as if placed be- low. If at the commencement of the honey-flow you should give the bees two empty supers, which would you bait, if not enough baits for both, the yard-man being absent for a month? R. A. Hardy. [No, there would be many more unfinish- ed sections if the empty super were put un- der the one partly filled. The very pur- pose and object of putting an empty super on top is to avoid having so many unfinish- ed sections. Bait the lower super. — Ed.] STILL ANOTHER BEE-BRUSH. I think the best bee-brush j^et is a com- mon whitewash brush. It is soft, does not injure the bees, and is easy to clean. Arthur Heinkel. Mauston, Wis., Sept. 3. [A %vhitewash brush would make an ex- cellent one; but I do not think it would sweep the bees off the comb quite as satis- factorily as an ordinary Cogg shall brush or a brush made of broomcorn, the strands of which have been properly thinned out. To use such a brush, it should be laid flat against the combs and given a side sweep. Do not attempt to use such a brush as you would sweep dirt ofi" the floor. Of course, a whitewash brush would have to be han- dled that way. And right here a little trou- ble arises in angering the bees. The ends of the strands seem to remind the bees of so A GLIMPSE OF THE GRAND CANYON, ON THE SANTA FE ROAD. — SEE PAGE 846. Please imagine, dear reader, that the el- evation on the further right-hand side of the picture is 13 miles from the tableland away across at the left hand. Then imagine that the crevices between these great rocky cones go down in many places a straight mile. Some faint idea of the enormous dis- tances may be formed when you realize that the shrubbery at the lower right-hand corner is composed of pretty fair-sized trees. The crevices between these rocky pyramids are canyons that might make almost a day's walk. These stratified rocks are colored with almost all the tints of the rainbow. If you will look closely you will see the strata of rocks, one layer on top of another, and the color changes with each layer. Some of them are as white as chalk; others are red like red chalk. Again, there are white and clouded layers like marble. Many of the minerals glisten in the rays of the sun likebroken glass or flinty rocks; and as you go down the can- yon you are constantly met with optical il- lusions such as I have described elsewhere. You feel as if you were fenced in and can't go any further. But a crevice soon opens out; and where you did not suppose it was possible there was room for any thing, there are acres of rough ground. One unfortunate feature that stands in the way of making new explorations is, there are almost no springs where good drinking-water may be found. In many places in the desert we found cavities in the rocks that held water from the rains; but if there are any such around the Grand Can- yon I did not hear of them. In fact, it is dangerous in many ways for people to go out alone in exploring this vast gorge. The week before our visit, two young men lost their lives in trying to swim across a com- paratively quiet place in the river when at the bottom of this great canyon. They wanted to go over to make some explorations on the other side, and they felt sure they could do it safely. I am sorry the above picture does not give any glimpse of the trail which we fol- lowed in going down to the river. But friend Hutchinson succeeded in getting a most ex- cellent picture showing a part of the trail and the tents down at the foot of the trail. He will doubtless give the picture in the Review. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 851 OUR HOMES, BY A. I. ROOT. I,et every thing be done decently and in order. — I. Cor. U:40. Not only were the bee-keepers in that car to California a lot of law-abidinj,'- and or- derl}' people, but the 200 or more members of our Association who met in convetition at Los Ang^eles, it seemed to me, were a remarkablj' fine, intelliji^ent, and bright set of peovile — people who evidently feared God, loved righteousness, and hated iniqui- ty. It reallj' does one good to be in com- pany with such a lot of go-ahead and enter- prising people. The convention started out with great in- terest, and much promise of being one of the best ever held. President Hiitchinson, with the assistance of Secretary York, kept every thing going according to the language of our text. California gave us a royal wel- come, and the responses from the different parts of our nation were bright, and for the most part to the point. I shall not attempt to give much of a re- port of the convention, from the fact that Bro. York employed a stenographer, and will give the proceedings in full in due time through ihe American Bee Journal. I hope everj' reader of Gleanings will take the Aiiiericati Bee Journal at least long enough to get this report, if he is not al- read.v a permanent subscriber. In taking up the part assigned me, "Rem- iniscences of Forty Years," I touched on the introduction of bee culture in Califor- nia; and it was a happy surprise to see J. S. Harbison one of the foremost in the au- dience— that is, he sat near the speaker, very likely because, like myself, he is a lit- tle hard of hearing in his old age. As I finished I made a request that Bro. Harbi- son tell us something about the introduction of bees into California. If I am correct, this is almost the first time, if not the very first, that Mr. Harbison has attended a bee-keepers' convention; and I am quite sure it is the first time he has given a full historj- of his remarkable venture. At first he seemed inclined to make only a few brief remarks; but in response to my re- peated questioning he gave a very full and clear account of it. When he was quite a young man residing in Penns3'lvania he got a notion in his head, so his neighbors said, that bees would pay well in California. He wrote there to find out about it, and was told there was nothing there for bees to live on; that if he brought them he would have to plant crops to grow honey before he could make them succeed. He could not give it up, however, and in due time he had two carloads of bees fixed to the best of his knowledge and skill for their long trip.- Kight and left he received nothing but criticisms and sneers. Just one man, if I remember, gave him a little encouragement by telling him to be of good cheer, for he believed that a great future was before him. He succeeded so well that only about a doz- en colonies perished on the way, and then came his great triumph. It was during the gold excitement and high prices that his bees were landed; and they went off so fast at Sl( 0 a colony that many were disappoint- ed, and commenced bidding to the first pur- chasers. In this way a few colonies were sold at over $:00 each. In a little time Mr. Harbison shipped samples of his mountain- sage honej'in 2-lb. sections to the principal cities of the United States. It was a novel- ty; and, it being war time, when things were high, his whole crop was sold at 25 cts. per lb. wholesale. Side by side with Bro. Harbison, on the front seat, was J. G Corey, of cold- blast- smoker fame. Bro. Corey got the bee fever; but he lived away off over the mountains, and the only way to get bees over there was to carry them on foot. He succeeded in pur- chasing a weak colony. As he was al- ready something of a bee-keeper he made a light hive to contain this nucleus, and strapped it across his shoulders. This hive he carried successfully more than 100 miles over the mountains. Part of the trip he had to make on snowshoes; but he got them through alive, built them up, divided, and sold his increase for something like $40 or $50 a colony. Some of our older readers know how California astonished the world, not only with the quality oi\.\\\% water-white sage honey that would not candy in the coldest weather, but by the quantity. Cal- ifornia, however, has had to learn, like Florida and many other promising points, that bee culture is uncertain. There has been a series of years in the past decade when the crops have not only been poor, but the quality of a large part of the prod- uct has been inferior. The old veterans, however, who have stuck right to the busi- ness, holding fast to their chosen occupa- tion, have generally come out pretty well. Our good friend L. E. Mercer has, dur- ing the past season, taken 100,000 lbs. of honey, some of it, at least, and has now something over 1000 colonies. Of course, he had less than that number to start with in the spring. Friend Mercer has, from a part of the produce of his hives, just pur- chased a beautiful new automobile, and it was my pleasure to ride with him all over the beautiful city of Los Angeles in his auto. Our good friends Brodbeck, Mcln- tyre, Mendleson, and several others, have likewise had very fair crops; but in many places the crop has been more or less a failure. Of course. Prof. Cook was with us; and I am sure it was a rare treat to all present to hear the matter of co-operation discussed in the happy vein that only Prof. Cook can command in presenting any subject. He said that in their neighborhood they had a "co-operative cow." They divided the milk; and when she broke into the gardens of any of the four there was not any hard 852 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Oct. 1 feeling, because she was a partnership cow. In the West, daily papers are quite expen- sive compared with what they are here in the East, and these four families had a co- operative paper. After enlarging- along the same line he introduced to us a bright young man who had, by Prof. Cook's spe- cial request, consented to give us an ac- count of how the California Co-operative Fruit Association had succeeded in dispos- ing of all their fruit at fair prices. Now, dear friends, I feel it a duty to speak of something that is not very pleas- ant. Mr. E. T. Abbott has always been a very good friend of mine, and perhaps he is still, and I hope he will be after I have finished what I am about to say. God knows I would not willingly hurt the feel- ings of any bee-keeper, nor would I say any thing that might in any way make matters worse instead of better. May the Holy Spirit direct me in what I shall say. If I remember correctly, Mr. Abbott came in while Prof. Cook was speaking. He did not hear Prof. C.'s pleasant introductory remarks. He heard the talk of our invited guest in regard to selling fruit. Without considering that he had not heard all of the subject, and might not know all the circum- stances, he in no verj' mild terms denounced the whole idea of co-operation. He said it was just the trust business and nothing else. Now, we all know friend Abbott has some truth on his side — j-es, a great deal; but there is a happy medium between co- operation and trusts that is all right. Mr. Abbott was too vehement. It was not only uncourteous to Prof. Cook, who was one of the speakers on the program, but it was very unkind to the outsider who had been invited by special request to tell us what had been accomplished by co-operation in selling fruit. I felt afraid at the time that friend Abbott was in a bad mood. Later on, in the committee room, I am told he was very overbearing and ungentlemanly. Mr. Abbott has many rare and good qual- ities. He is an eloquent speaker, and, as a rule, a clear thinker. His particular forte, however, seems to be fighting exi.sting evils; and I fear that sometimes he magni- fies these evils in his zeal. There are times and places where such a man is needed. I do not think he was exactlj^ needed when he came among us at the close of our con- vention— that is, he was not needed in that way. I suppose you have all heard the story of the tame bear that was watching his master while he slept. A big fly had the audacity to disturb the sleeping master; and the bear in his zeal raised his ponder- ous paw, and not only killed the fly, but — his master too! We should all be careful how we use the paws (and claws) God has given us. As friend Hutchinson has fairly gone over the matter in the Review for Sep- tember, I think perhaps it will be as well to copy right here what he says: The Rev. E. T. .\l)bott went to the Los Angeles con- vention with a set of amendments to the constitution that he. apparently, wished kept very much private. When invited before the committee on amendments he not only refused to allow said committee to pass upon his proposed amendments, but so forgot his good manners as to reflect upon the character of the com- mittee and the President of the Association. After the committee on amendments had reported, Mr. Abbott turned over to the Secretary his amend- ments, and started in to accompanj' them by a few re- marks, beginning something as follows: " Last year I presented a set of amendments, but through the pusillanimous action— " At this point the chairman checked him, informing him that uo abuse could be allowed. He made several attempts to continue his harangue, using language more picturesque than polite, but met s-uch a storm of his.-es, stamping, and jeers as to be unable to be heard, until the chairman finally insisted that he confine him- self to respectful language, under pain of being ex- pelled from the room. At this point some one remarked that, as Mr Abbott had turned his amendments over to the Association, they were now the property of the .^.'■sociation, and the Association could do with them as it saw fit, and he moved that they be referred to the committee on amendments. The motion was promptly supported, when, as the chairman was putting it to vote, Mr. Ab- bott strode up to the desk, took the amendments out of the hands of the Secretary, tore them into bits, scattered them upon the floor, and started for the door, sa^i^g, "Good by, good by, good by;" but he finally halt'.d near the door and did not go. At this point some one arose and said: ' When those amendments were passed over to the Association, they became the property of the Association; and to remove them forcibly — well, we have a name for such an act — and I move the appointment of a committee to decide what acti.n we sliall take.'' A committee was appointed; and while there was a strong sentiment in favorof expelling Mr. .■ibbrtt from the Association, more moderate counsels prevailed, and the committee simply reported in favor of ad- journment. I regret exceedingly being obliged to publish this account of Mr. Abbott's behavior; but, judging from the past, he may again be an aspirant for office, and I deem it a duty to so inform my readers that they may be able to vote intelligently. When the above matter came up before the Association I began asking myself how /would act if I were in the chair; and I felt keenly for Bro. Harris, who occupied the place while President Hutchinson was temporarily absent. Bro. Harris was re- markably cool for one in such circumstances. He asked repeatedly if the convention sus- tained his rulings. So far as I know it stood by him to a man. Let me digress a little right here. W^hen I have a quarrel with a neighbor, or with anybodj' for that matter, it disturbs me. I keep asking myself the question, "Is it not possible that / am wrong, or largely so?" But when I have two quar- rels on hand, I feel still more disturbed. When there are three I usually feel so troubled that I am almost forced to decide that I am more or less out of the straight and narrow path. Now, friend Abbott had not only a controversy (to put it mildly) with several persons, but with a whole convention, numbering something over 200, who had gone up to the secretary's desk and paid their dollar. These were all against him. The president again and again said there was a lot of business they would have to get through with. He said we should have to drop the discussion and go on with the regular order of the day. But Mr. Abbott absolutely' would not let him or the 200 and more bee-keepers go on with the proceedings. If I have stated the matter unfairly con- cerning Mr. Abbott, I should be glad to be corrected. But I hope he will recognize that 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE 853 the pages of Gleanings, like the time of the convention, can not be used to explain personal grievances. In Conclusion I vrish to saj' this: If there is nothing' in our constitution whereby one man can be prevented from blocking the way, and standing out against the wishes of a large roomful of bee-keepers, we want to put something into that constitution that luill do the work, and do it quickly. Bee- keepers come long distances at big expense for the purpose of learning things they do not already know about bee culture. This convention is called for that purpose, and it is preposterous to think of allowing the precious hours, we might almost say min- utes, to be occupied at such a time, and with such a crowd, in discussing matters that bee-keepers neither know nor care any thing about. AVhenever anj' speaker gets ofl" the triick, or whenever he is occupying more time than we can allow him, he ought to be called to order by the chairman, with- out fear or favor. I for one should be glad to be made an example of. Whenever the chairman thinks I am talking too long, or even if he does not think so, I wish he would call me down that I may be able to set an example before the rest, by good- naturedlj' breaking oft' or stopping any- where. We are working for the public good, and not to set out our own personal matters. Years ago, when I invited bee-keepers to attend conventions, many of them would give as an excuse that thej' would be glad to go if the time could be occupied in dis- cu.-sing bee culture; but thej^ did not want to go and hear quarrels and jangles and discussions in regard to "parliamentary rules," etc. It did me good to look once more into the face of Prot. Cook and to hear the tones of his voice, for it brought back the memory of old times. And then I remembered how persistently he has all his life plead for decency and order. Then I looked at Bro. York in the same way. I remembered what a quiet, peaceful man he had always been, and how plainly it seemed written on his face that he loved peace rather than warfare. Now, do not misunderstand me. Bro. York has some claws (turned in out of sight); arid once or twice, when claws and nothing else would hit the spot, he has shown himself ready to use them. Then I might mention W. Z. Hutchinson, Dr. Mil- ler, and a host of others I have known and loved so many years. Remember the sabbath day to keep it holy.— Ex. 20:8. SELLING HONEY ON SUNDAY Mr. A. I Root: — As I have been reading Gi-e.\n'ings and your Home talks in the same paper, I have ac- quired much confidence in you as a Oirislian friend, and so ask you concerning my spiritual experience of late. I'artly through weakne.ss and partly through neglect of -, white, high-cut, size 6^. A neat little coupon on each envelope will earn you dollars. Other station- ery cheap. For particulars and sample, address at once Howard Co.. 516 Masonic Temple, Chicago, ills. liOREjJEN MONEY 5 ^MANN'S \T'^ ^""^^ tone Cutter gives hens food which niakesthem lay. Cuts all bone, meat and gristle; never clogs. Ten Days* Free Trial. No money unti 1 satisfied that it ruts easiest and fastest. Return at our expense it not satisfied. Catalogue free. f.W. MANN CO., BOX 37 HILFORD, MASS. _, ~ -- n--rrrT ~ ^ F^ — d ^^m :r: ::! 1 3!t= — rr3 E = ^M — E5 =a = A Common R^emarK: " I don't see how Page 12 bar, 58 inch Stock Fence can be bettered. Jt holds all farm animals " Page Woven Wire Fence Co., Box S, Adrian, Michigan. FENCE! STRONGEST MADE. Buu' strong, Chicken- Tight. Sold to the Farmer at Wholesale Prices. Fally Warranted. Cataloe- Free. COILED SPRING FENCE CO. Box lOi , Winchester, Indiana, C. S. A. KllT 'ATWHOLESALtPRICEsThe GROWER ■ ■WFullLine. Bcs KdROyERNOROTGO Full Line. Bcst&tock. Low PriceB. Write for FREE Catalog. ROCHESTER, N. Y. SE6RAPEVINES 100 Varieties. Alsu Small Fruits, Trees, ic. Best root- ed >tock. Genuine, cheap, '.i .sainp'e vines mailed for 10c Descriptive price-listfree. Lewis Roescli, Fredonia, N.Y. 858 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Oct 1. Long Tongues Valuable South as well as North. How Moore's strain of Italians roll in honey down in Texas. Hutto, Tex., N»v. 19, 1902. /. P. Moore.— Dear Sir: — I wish to write you in re- gard to queens purchased of you. I could have writ- ten sooner, but I wanted to test them thoroughly and see if they had those remarkable qualities of a three- banded Italian bee. I must confess to \ ou I am more surprised every day as I watch them. They simply "roll the honey in." It seems that they get honey where others are idle or trying to rob; and for gentle- ness of handling, I have never seen the like. Friend E. R. Root was right when he said your bees have the longest tongues; for they get honey where others fail. I will express my thanks for such queens. I am more than pleased. I will stock my out-apiaries next spring with your queens. Yours truly, Henry Schmidt. The above is pretty strong evidence that red clover is not the only plant which requires long tongued bees to secure the greatest quantity of nectar. Daughters of my 23-100 breeder, the prize-winner, and other choice breeders : Untested, 75c each; six, $4.00; dozen, S7.50. .Select untested, $1.00 each; six, $5; dozen, $9.00. Safe arrival and satisfaction guaran- teed. Circular free. I am now filling orders by re- turn mail, and shall probably be able to do .so till the close of the season. J. P. Moore, L. Box I, Morgan, Kentucky. •Pendleton County. Laws' Leather'^colored Queens. Laws' Improved Golden Queens. Laws' Holy Land Queens. W. H. Laws: — Your queens have proved to be excel- lent. My apiary stocked with your Leather queens is a sight to behold during a honey-flow, and the Goldetis are beyond description in the line of beauty. Yours are the best for comb honey I ever saw. I want more this spring. — E. A. Nibble, Roxlon, Tex., Feb. ig, 1903. W. H. Laws:— The 75 queens {I,eather) from you are dandies. I introduced one into a weak nucleus in May, and in September I took 285 lbs. of honey, leav- ing 48 lbs for winter. My crop of honey last season was 48,000 lbs. I write you for prices on 50 nuclei and 150 Iveather qneeiis.— Joseph Faryisworih, Idaho Falls, Idaho, Feb. 16, igo-^. Prices of Queens: Each, $1.00; 12, $10.00. Breeders, extra fine, guaranteed, each $3. CO. Send for price list. W. H. Laws, Beeville, Texas. The Best Honey Queens ON RECORD Are those reared by The BEE & HONEY CO., Will Atchley. Manager. We breed six distinct races in their purity, from 6 to 35 miles apart, queens ready to go now. We make a specialty of one, two, and three frame nuclei and queens in large lots. Write for prices, they will astonish you. Untested queens of either race. 75c each; $4.25 for six; $8.00 per dozen. Tested, 81..50 to $;V00 each. Breeders, the best that money can buy, 85 00 each. We guarantee safe arrival and perfect satisfaction. Address all orders to The BEE & HONEY CO., Beeville, Box 79. Bee Co., Tex. Excursions Pacific Coast Daily and personally conducted excursions; choice of routes; low rates; diversified scen- ery; $6 for double berth in sleeping cars from Chicago; special attention to iamily parties. The 'Best of Everything. Books, maps ami f. iMers cm application toS. A. Hutchison. Excursion .Manager, 212 Clark Street, Chicago, ill. N\V8o Telepiiore, Cenlra'. 7m. Handy Farm Wagons maice tlie woiK easier for both the man and team. The tires being ivide Ihey do not cut into tiie ground; the labor of loadine is reduced many times, because of the short lift. They are equipped withourfam- ous Elet'trie Steel VVheils, eitherstraight or stag- ger spokes. Wheels any height from 24 to 60 inches. White hickory axles, steel hounds. Guaranteed to carry 40!)0 lbs. Why not get started rightby putting in one of these wagons. We make our ateel wheels to fit any wagon. Write for the catalog. It is fres. ELECTRIC WHEEL CO., BOX 95. QUINCY, ILL.* \ Cuba..i^ If you are interested in Cuba and want the truth about it, subscribe for the HAVANA POST, the only English paper on the Island. Published at Havana, Cuba. $1.00 per month, $10.00 per year. Dai- ly (excepr Monday). Wood=working Machinery. For ripping, cross-cut ting,jiiitering, grooving boring, scroll-sawing, edge moulding, mortising ; for working wood in any man- ner. Send for catalog A. The Seneca Falls M'f'g Co., 44 Water St.. Seneca FS..N ^^^ BUSHEL CRATES iMii MiUiluled bush"UT; irc liitti lud cheaper tlian I 1 askets — 8 cents each — made t btbt material. Shipped | I ( u h to put together. iiuol>- Itt N i I ull particulars free. Geneva Cooperage Co.. Geneva, 0. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 859 NOTICE! This Is the last time this ad appears for this season, so hurry in your orders. Will send queens by return mail so long as they last. Remember Quirin=the = queen-breeder for another season. A FEW TESTinONIALS. p. F. Meritt. of No. i:^ Breckenridge St., I,ex- ingtoii, Kv.. writes: The bee.s sent me last July did splendidly. Kach colony has at least 75 lbs. of honey — prettj- good for two-frame nuclei. Mr. J. Roorda. of Demotte, Ind., writes: Send me six more queens, the 48 sent nie last spring are hustlers. Mr. Win. Smiley, of Glasgow, Pa , writes: Your bees beat all the rest, now send me a breed- er of the same kind. A. Norton, Monterey. Calif., writes: Your stock excels the strain of Sir. . which is said to outstrip all others. Your stock e.xcels in profit- able results as well as in beautv. Price of Queens After July First. 1 6 12 Selected $ 75 1 00 1 50 3 00 2 00 $1 00 5 00 8 00 $7 00 9 00 Tested Select Te.sted Extra Selected Tested— the best that money can buy Two-frame Nuclei, no Queen Add the price of whatever queen is wanted to that of nuclei. Our nuclei build up fast, and if not pur- chased too late will make some surplus. Queen-rearing is our specialty; we give it our undivided attention, and rear as taany queens (perhaps morel as any breeder in ihe North. No order is too large for us, as we keep 300 to SOO on hand ready to mail. Send all orders to Quirin=the=Queen=Breeder, ''^'^S^" Victor's Superior Italians goby return mail again. Owing to several large queen contracts, a contract for a solid carload of bees that went to Colorado, 85 three-frame nuclei to same State, numerous smaller orders for bees, and a good queen trade, it has been necessary for me to cut out my ad. for the past three months to keep from being swamped with orders. I am glad to notify m}' patrons that I am at last able to fill orders promptly with as fine queens as ever headed a colony, regardless of their source, at the following reasonable prices : 1 Untested queen, 75c; six, $4.00. 1 Select untested queen, 90c ; six, SS.OO. 1 Tested queen, $1.00 ; six, $6.00. 1 Select tested queen. Si. 50 ; six, $8.50. Breeders, S3 00 to S7.00 — these are as good as the best. W. 0. Victor, Wharton, Tex. Queea^speclaiist. Queens == 1903 == Queens. We have ten different yards five to twenty miles apart, where Italians, Cyprians, Holylands, Carnio- lans, and Albinos, are bred for business. Tested queens, $1.50; S8.00 for 6; $15.00 per dozen. Untested, $1 00 each; $5 00 for 6 ; $9.00 per dozen. Our best and finest breeders, $5.00 each. One and two frame nuclei a specialty. Bees and Queens in any quantity to suit purchaser. Safe arrival and reasonable .satisfaction guaranteed. ORDER "The Southland Queen," $1.00 per year. Send for sample copy and our 1903 catalog; tells how to raise queens and keep bees for profit. Root's Supplies. The Jennie Atchley Co., Box 18, Beeville, Tex. When you need Queens and want your order filled at once with the best queens that money can buy, we can serve you and guarantee satisfaction. We have a fine strain of Italians that can not be excelled as honey-gatherers. We can furnish queens from either imported or home-bred mothers. Choice tested, $1.00 each. Untested. 75c; $8.00 per doz. J. W. K. Shaw & Co., Loreauville, La. Ceo. J. Vande Vord Queen-breeder. Daytonia, Fla. Apiary for Sale. Owing to my age I have decided to sell my yard of 16 colonies, with extra hives, supplies, etc. Price only $/5 for the entire outfit. Some colonies have made 75 lbs. each, comb honey, this season. A bar- gain. Call on or address R.. 1^. Holmstn, Springfield, O. 860 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Oct. 1 Gleanings in Bee Culture [Established in 1873.] Devoted to Bees, Honey, and Home Interests. Published Semi-monthly by The A. I. Root Co., - - Medina, Ohio. A. I. ROOT, Editor of Home and Gardening Depts E. R. ROOT, Editor of Apicultural Dept. J. T. CAI^VERT. Bus. Mgr. A. t,. BOYDEN, Sec. TERMS. $1.00 per annum ; two years, $1..50; three years, $2.00; five years, $3.00, in advance; or two copies to one address, $1.50 ; three copies, $2.00 ; five copies, $3.75. The terms apply to the United States, Canada, and Mexico. To all other countries 48 cents per year €xtra for postage. DISCONTINUANCES. The journal is sent until orders are received for its discontinuance. We give notice just before the subscription expires, and further notice if the first is not heeded. Any subscriber whose subscription has expired, wishing his journal discon- tinued, will please drop us a card at once; otherwise we shall assume that he wishes his journal continued, and will pay for it soon. Any one who does not like this plan may have his journal stopped after the time paid for by making his request when ordering. The National Bee-Keepers' Association. Objects of The Association : To promote and protect the interests of its members. To prevent the adulteration of honey. Annua,! Membership, $1.00. Send dues to the Treasurer. Officers : W. Z. Hutchinson, Flint, Mich., President. J. U. Harris, Grand Junction, Col., Vice president. Georgk W. York, Chicago, 111., Secretary,- N. E. France, Platteville, Wis., Gen. Mgr. and Treas. Board of Directors: E. Whitcomb, Friend, Nebraska. W. Z. Hutchinson, Flint, Michigan. W. A. Selser. 10 Vine St., Phiidadelphia, Pa. R. C. AiKiN, I,oveland, Colorado. P. H. Elwood. Starkville. N. Y. E. R. Root, Medina, Ohio. Udo Toeppkrwein, San Antonio. Texas. G. M. DooLlTTLE Borodino, N. Y. W. F. Marks, Chapinville, N. V. J. M. Hambaugh, Escondido, Cal. C. A. Hatch, Richland Center. Wis. C. C. Miller, Marengo, Illinois. Special Notices by A. I. Root. THE automobile; ITS likeness to animal life. The thought embodied in my Home paper for Aug. 15 finds an echo in one of the automobile periodicals. A certain machine, we are told, had an acute attack of appendicitis, and a surgical operation was per- formed; but the only surgical instruments required were a wrench and an oil can. our grapes over the bee-hives. This year our Concord grapes little less than a ton, ■\vere all sold at 2 cts. per lb., customers coming right here for them. It is very seldom that we fail to get a crop, and usually it is much larger than this year, and the vines received no attention whatever except to prune them and tie them up to the stakes. Quite a piofitable ciop, and little or no attention is required. CALIFORNIA BEE RANCH, ETC., FOR SALE. Mr. J. S. Harbison offers for sale 300 colonies of bees and quite a tract of land near San Diego, Cal. He will send full particulars on application. Address J. S Harbison, 1065 Twelfth St., San Diego, Cal. THE KING OF MICHIGAN POTATO. Here in our Medina clay soil this potato is not only king in looks but this year it is king in quality — the best potato we can get hold of, grown in this lotalitv. After I dig my potatoes in Northern Michigan, which will be in about two weeks, I will make a further re- port. THE BEE-KEEPERS' REVIEW FOR SEPTEMBER. I' not taking the /Review right along, I would ad- vise every reader of Gleanings to send for the Sep- tember issue as a specimen copy, even if they do not do any thing more; and after reading the Review I hope they will decide to take it right along. The ed- itorials in regard to the California convention are worih the price of the journal for a year. SHALLOTS — new CROP READY TO SEND OUT. We have have harvested a limited quantity of shal- lots that we are ready to send out at 10 cents a quart or 1)0 cents a peck. If wanted by mail, add 10 cents a quatt extra for postage. In many loccalities they are better planted in the fall; but as they keep better than any other variety of onicns, j'ou can plant them in the .'pring for early bunch onions or at any time you get ready. Our Egyptian or winter onion-sets are all sold for this season. SYSTEMATIC POMOLOGY — A NEW BOOK. You might think that the above book, by F. A. Waugh, told something about growing apples; but in reality the whole book is written in regard to a scien- tific and sj'stematic method of classifying and naming our apples and other fruits. Of couTse. it describes as well as names the different varieties; and it discusses what kinds we should plant, and what well-known varieties we should drop. I know there is very much need of such a book; but I am afraid the average fruit-grower will hardly want to take the time to go through the matter as the author of this book does. We can furnish it postpaid for SI. 00 If it is well studied I think it will assist greatly in growing better varieties, and, as a consequence, secure better prices. While the book is devoted particularly to apples it dis- cusses in the same waj- strawberries, raspberries, goo.seberries. grapes, plums, cheiries, and miscellane- ous fruits. There are 300 pages, and the book is fairly illustrated. LETTUCE-GROWING UNDER GLASS FOR A WINTER OCCUPATION. Now is the time to get in your lettuce seed for win- ter-growing under glass. Make as nice a bed as you know how, of the richest dirt you can hunt up having a prettj' good mixture of sand, and sow your seeds in the open air. Don't have them too close together. One plant to every square inch will be close enough. Plants started in the open air, and hardened off by a light frost or two, are much hardier and stronger than plants grown under glass. It is a good plan to have your bed made so that you can put your sash over the plants if very severe weather comes before j-ou are ready to take them up and put them into the green- house. The first thing is to get some seed in the ground as .soon as pos^itsle. We have a splendid stock of Grand Rapids lettuce seed grown specially for us. If you have not been in the habit of using seed of our growing, I wish you would tiy about a nickel's worth side by side with seeds you get in the ordinary mar- ket, and see which furnishes the nicest plants true to name. \\ ith every order for seeds we will (if you mention it) send two little pamphlets giving the very latest information in regard to growing lettuce under glass. I have visited and personally examined some of the largest and most successful growers in the coun- try, and these pamphlets tell all about it. We also have a fine stock of seed of the Big Boston, grown spe- cially for us, at the same price as the Grand Rapids. Ounce, 5 cts.; 1 lb , 50 cts; 5 lbs. for $2 00. If wanted by mail, add 10 cents per lb. for postage and packing. HKALTH NOTES. In our Health Notes in this issue I omitted to say that, where people keep well on a fruit and vegetable diet, of course it is all right. I have no quarrel with vegetarians — that is, where one keeps strong and well 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 861 on such a diet. Another thing, I omitted mentioning baked apples. Nice ripe apples, briked without any sugar, with graham bread and milk, make about .is wholesome a diet for nie most of the time as any thing I know of. Just now I am greatly enjoying baked C.ravensteins. A word about milk. I'or some time past, Mrs. Root has been sterilizing all of our milk by warming it up to 130 by a daily thermometer. This not only makes it much easier of digestion (for it is perfectly free from bacteria), but it keeps a very much longer time with- out souring. She .says she would not be without one of these clieap ilairy thermometers for almost any thing. The amount of milk saved this way from spoiling would soon pav for it. This temperature does not injure the taste of the milk at all, and does not seem to hurt it for raising the cream. FREE .ADVERTISING OF HONEY-I>I,.ANT .SEEDS, ETC. We try to be very careful not to let any i hing get into the reading columns of Gleaxint.s that can be classed as free advertising: in fact, we are receiving commu- nications almost all the time, which, on investigation, we find are simply schemes to get ndvertiting-matter free. The following will explain itself: Mil. RoOT:-.\fter readiiiK the article on page 761 I wrote Mr. Watts, enclosing direct fd and stamped envelope, asking him to send me a few seeds of the plant mentioned in the article referred to, and received tlie enclosed reply. I don't think I shall invest at the price mentioned. Harrisville, K. I., Sept. 14. Wm. J. Tracy. Below is the answer friend Tracy receive, d: Dear Sir:— Your letter is at hand, asking me forthe olive seed. I have some left. You can get them at .50 cts. per iloz- en. I can send as many as live dozen in a single letter. If yon honor me with your order I will give you instructions now and when to plant. A. C. VVatts. Nettie, Texas, Sept. 6. If Mr Watts has any thing to say by way ot defense we shall be glad to hear it The description of his new honey-plant referred to, page 7(il, might encourage any one in thinking the seeds weie to be given away; and I for one begin to be a little suspicious of anybody who has seeds he wants to^r'7(' away. AVhy not say right otit plain that you can furnish seeds at 5 cts. a package? Anybody who wants them would surely be willing to vay that small sum. CONVENTION NOTICES. The annual meeting of the Northern Illinois Bee- keepers' A.ssociation will be held in the Court-house, at Rockford, Ills., on Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct. 20 and 21, 190;?. A good program is being prepared, and all interested in bees are invited to attend. Cherry Valley, 111. B. Kennedy, Sec. Wants and Exchange. Notices will be inserted under this head at 10 cts. per line. Yon mast bay you want your adv*! in this department, or we will not be responsible for any error. You can have the no- tice as many lines as you please ; but all over ten lines will cost you according to our regular rates. We can not be re- sponsible for dissatisfaction arising from these " swaps." IVANTED.— To sell bees and queens. O. H. Hyatt. Shenandoah, Iowa. w ANTED. — Barnes or Seneca Falls foot-power or scroll saw. F. T. Ho )pes, E. Downington, Pa. IVANTED.— To sell 75 colonies bees in good shape; '" will sell cheap. G. P. Cooper, Pikeville, Tenn. Y^ANTED. — Comb and extracted houej'. See honey " column Gleason & Lansinc;, Buffalo, N. Y. w ANTED. — The address of all who are still in need of cartons. Quirin the Queen breeier. Parkertown. Ohio. Y^ ANTED. —You to rtad the adv't of gin.seng on page ~~ 781, Sept. 1. For prices address A. P. NoiNG. Cave City, Ky. Y^ANTED. — To exchange a two hundred-egg Relia- "' ble incubator, been used very little, for choice comb or extracted honey. Ch'as. Koeppen, Fredericksburg, Va. w ANTED.— To sell fine job-printing outfit, nearly new. J. W. Stehiuns, Broad Creek, Va. w ANTED.— To sell gin,seng seed at 80 cts. per 100. I. A. JUNOD. Mulberry Grove, 111. w ANTED.— To sell bees and Brown Leghorn cock- erels. H. M. MoYtR, Rt. 2 Bechtelsville, Pa. w w .^NTKD —To exchange honey cartons at $1 00 per M., and shippiiig-ca.ses for the same, for honey. C. B. Howard, Romulus, N. \'. ANTED. — Your address on a postal for a little book on Queen-Rearing. Sent free. Address Hicnry Alley, Wenham. Mass. XVANTED.- Old postage stamps, especi-illy foreign. '' Send list of what you have to offer and price asked with samples. A. 1,. Boyden, Medina, Ohio. VL^ANTED —To sell half interest in my apiary, pine- '^ apple and orauije planta ion. (iood apiarist wilt have exclusive charge D D.aly, L,a Gloria, Cuba. IVANTED.-To buy quantity lots of choice whte- "" clover comb and extracted honey. Price must be low. B. Walker, Clyde, 111. tV ANTED. — As a partner in the bee-business, a '' young man with some expeiience and |.jOO. I have "500 stands of bees, with range lor 1000. W. N. Cannon, Greenville, Ala. IV ANTED. — To sell for cash, 5 gal. square tin cans, "' used for honey, at about half price of new cans. For prices, etc., address Orel L. Hershiser, 301 Huntington Ave., Buffalo, N. Y. VL^ANTED —To sell all or part of 2i0 colonies of Ital- ' ' ian and Carniolan bees; all in good eight-frame hives; have made good crop of honey this season. E J. Johnson, 302 So. 10th St., Rocky Ford, Col. WANTED.— To sell or exchange Bates and Edmonds '" gasoline-engines, 214 h -p., $100; 4 h.-p., |I80. motor-cycle frames built to order. ROBT. B. Gedye, Columbus, Ohio. WANTED —To sell full colonies Italian bees in ' ' 8 or 10 frame Dov'd hives, with plenty of honey to winter, $5.00 each; in lots of 25 $-1 50 each. F. A. Gray, Redwood Falls, Minn. \VANTED. — One or two tons of honey, 4X5 sections '• preferred; correspondence solicited, giving low- est cash price, etc.; and to parties not living too far away in this State, if favorable, I will call on them. A. W. Smith, Birmingham, Mich. WANTED.— To sell 100 hives of bees in eight-frame ' ' Chaff hives with tin roofs, inside room for two supers, all complete, for |;3.00 a hive where they stand. Catharine McCaslin, 308 Pittsburg St., New Castle, Pa. IVANTED. — To exchange postage stamps with collec- '^' tors, especidlly in West Indies, Europe, Bri ish' col- onies. Mexico, and I'nited .States. State what you have to offer and what jou want in exchange. A. L. Boyden, Medina, Ohio. WANTED.— To sell 220 colonies of bees in 2 and 3 story hives, including all empty hives, supers, tank, (i frame extractor, i:i fact every thing needed for a first-class apiary, and in order to render a quick .sale will take $.5.')0. cash. A. Unterkircher, 57 Evergreen Avenue. Riverside, Cal. \VANTED. — An experienced man in bee keeping to '' come to Cuba and work on half shares; land is 3 miles from city. There are a good number of hives alreadv. Married couples are preferred. Rates to Sagua by Munson's steamship line are verj' low. J.McCreight Thair, Sagua la Gde., Cuba. WANTED.— The undersigned and two expert bee- keepers might go to fuba or Jamaica for six weeks or two months to assist or take charge of bees, and give advice as to best methods of hai dling. Time preferred, owing to engagements with Dominion gov- ernment, December 15 to early February. Address R. F. Holtermann, Brantford, Ont., Can. 862 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Oct. 1 PAGE $c LYON, New London, Wisconsin. 5 MANUFACTURERS OF S AND DEALERS IN . . . BEE-KEEPERS' SUPPLIES. . . . ^ Send for Our Free New Illustrated ^ Catalog and Price List We Have Not rioved, The government, recognizing the necessity of a great and growing bus- iness enterprise, for better mail ser- vice has given us a postoffice on our premises, which enables us to change mails with the passing trains instead of through the Wetumpka, Alabama, postofBce more than a mile distant. This gives us our mails about two hours earlier, and also one hour for making up outgoing mail. This will be particularly helpful in our queen business. We are now booking or- ders for Italian queens, I,ong-tong^ed and I-(:i, \--^ .Matikk DON^T BUY SUPPLIES Until you see our 43d annual cat- alog. We've a carload of Root's Goods, and supply many goods not advertised in our catalog I Roofs Sections, Wced^s New| I Process Foundation a Specialty. We can supply these goods at their prices, and thereby save you valuable time and heavy freight charges. Bees, queens, and nucleus colonies from the ver3^ best strains in America. A 32-page illustrated catalog free. W. W. GARY & SON, Lyonsville, Massachusetts. TORONTO is the most centrally located city in the Do- minion. It has unequaled shipping facil- ities for prompt transportation of goods to remote points. We have already in stock large consignments of the celebrated line of Root's Bee-Keepers* Stxpplies and other shipments will be coming for- ward from time to time. Our catalog is ready for mailing. Let us figure with you. R. GRAINGER ®. CO, 12 Yon^« Street Arcade. Special Notice to Bee=keepers! BOSTON Money In Bees for You. Catalog Price on ROOTS SUPPLIES Catalog: for the Asking. P. H. Farmer, 182 Friend St., Boston, Mass. Up First FUgiit. Northeastern and New England Bee = Keepers ! Order goods now. Don't delay. Have them ready when you need them. We keep a full line in stock at Medina prices. Save both time and freight by order- ing of us. Beeswax want- ed. Bees and queens fur- nished in season. J. B. MASON, Mechanic Falls, Maine. Manager The A I. Root Co.'s N. E Aqency A Neat PacKage Finds a Buyer. Pack your honey in the Non- drip Cases made by The A. I. Root Co.; sold in MICH- IGAN by M. H. Htint (Sl Son, Bell BrancK, MicK. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 86/ Honey Market. G R A DI NG-RtTLKS. Fanct.— All sections to bpwol I filled, combs straight, firm !y Httachiit to all four nitlos.the combs iinsoiled by travel Btiiin or otlurwiso ; iilltln>o< lis si'iiU'd <'xcii>t an occasional coll. t lifoulsido surfai-eof t he woodwtll scr:i|ied of propolis A No 1.— All sections well lilli>d except the row of cells next tot lie wood : combs straiBlit ; one-eik;hth part of comb surface soileil, or the entire surface si itthll.v soiled the out Bide of the wood w. II scraped of propolis. No. 1.— All sfituiiis well tilled except t ho row of cells next to the wooil ; combs comnarativaly even ; one-oinhth part of comb siirficesoiliil. or the entiip surface slijjhtly soi.cil. No. U.— Threi^fourths of the total surface must be tilled anii sealed. No. 8.— Must weit;h at least half as much as a full-weight section. In adilition to this the honey is to bo classified according to color, usinti the terms white, amber, and dark , that iSj there will bo " Eanoy White," " No. 1 Dark," etc MiLW.-vi'KKE.— The market continues about the same as when we last reported. The receipts have been quite liberal, and generally of goo 1 quality and condition While the sales have not been as good as could, (Jesire we yet expect the demand will improve as Ihe cool season comes on, as the market seems healthy. We ontinue to quote fancy l-lb. sections 15(a>Jt>;"No. 1. Hi« 15. Extracted, in barrels and cans, white, T(a7J4; amber, U(a)6',4 and wanted. Beeswax, 30. A. V. Bishop & Co., Oct. .5. 119 Buffalo St , Milwaukee, Wis. Chic.\go. — The volume of sales is larger than at this time last year, and the supply more than corres- ponds with sales, but the prices and good quality of honey are expected to make a larger detnand than we have had for several years. No 1 fancy sells at I'i'ai 14 with practically no sale for off grades, which are quoted at 10(al2. Kxtiacted white, (ifa.7; amber, 5((! 6, according to quality and kind ot package. Beeswax, '2Sa30. R. A. BuR.VETr & Co , Oct. 7. 19J South Water St., Chicago, 111. BiTFALO — The demand for white comb honey is better than it was. The trade is parlicuhir. and wants on'y the white, clean stock. If the wax is yellow from travel-stain it does not sell well and price has to be cut. Fancy while cotnb. 14(5)15; A No. 1, 13i^(g:lJ; No. 1, l;Va,i:i'4;'No 2. 12(ul2^: No 3. Il(ad2: No. 1 dark, ll(ai2: No. 2 dark. 10@ll. White extracted, (i>^ 14. Think these prices are better than will be a month later, as gro(;erymen are stocking up now. Extracted white, 7(g(7i4 ; amber, 6!/2(ai7; buckwheat, ' (^(i^. Beeswax, 2Ser case Extracted honey, 7(ai7fi cts. per case. Beeswax wanted at 22(5)25 cts per pound. Colorado Honey-producers' Association, (} Oct. 10. 1440 Market St., Denver. .Schenectady. — Weather conditions are favorable, and market very active for both comb and extracted. We quote fancy white, 16; No. 1, 15; mixed, 13(^14; buckwheat, 12(^13. Extracted, light, b%@~%; dark, 5^@6. Chab. McCulloch, Oct. 19. Schenectady, N. Y. Toledo. — The honey market has brightened up some owing to cool weather, and is in good demand at the following prices: Fancy white comb, in no-drip cases, 16; No. 1. 15. Extracted, in barrels, 7; in cans, 8. Beeswax, 26@28. Griggs Brothers, Oct. 3. 214 Jackson Ave., Toledo, O. Alc.\ny.— Honey market firm here for comb of any grade. Fancy-white comb. 16; A No. 1, 15; No. 2, 14J^ (al5: buckwheat, 13^(5.14. Extracted white, 7(0)7^; amber, 6}4(a7; buckwheat, 6@6i,4. Beeswax. 29Cg.30. H. R. Wright, Oct. 10. 326, 328, 330 Broadway, Albany, N. Y. Kansas City. — The demand for comb and extracted honey is good. We quote fancy white comb, 24 sec- lioiis per case, |3.00; No. 1, $2,90; No. 2 and amber, |2,75. Extracted white, per lb., 7; amber, oViCcLd. Bees- wax. 25@30. C. C. Clemons & Co., Oct. 6. Kansas City, Mo. Boston.— Comb honey continues to be in good de- mand. Fancy cartons we quote at 17(ffil8; No 1, 16. Glass-front ca«es, fancy white, 16; No. 2. 14. Extract- ed, Florida, 6>^@i7^, according to quality. Blake, Scott & Lee, Oct. 8. Boston, Mass. Cincinnati.— Comb and extracted honey are com- ing in freely, and the demand is good with steady prices Amber extracted, 55^ffi654; white clover, 6J4@ 7%. Fancy comb honev. 15. Beeswax. 30. The Fred W. Muth Co.. Oct. 1. Front & Walnut, Cincinnati, Ohio. S.AN Francisco. — Honey, new comb, white, 12@,13; light amber. 11(S'12. Extracted, water-white, 6(«6^; li.ght amber, 5!/2(o 6; dark amber, nominal. Beeswax, 30! ' Ernest B. Sch.a^effle. Sept. 23. Murphys, Cal. Detroit. — Fancv comb honev, 16; No. 1, 14(0,15; No. 1 dark. r2(«13. Extracted white clover. 7(5)7^4. Bees- wax. 28@30. M. H. Hunt & Son. Oct. 8. Detroit. Mich. Toronto. — Present honey market quotations are as follows: Comb. $1 25(5)51.50 per dozen; fancy, $1.50@ $1.75. Extracted, fir-e "W. T. Falconer Man'f g Co., Jamesto^vn, New York. W. M. Gerrish, Eppingf, New Hampshire, carries a full line of our goods at catalog- prices. Order of him and save the freight. mone:y jars l-lb. sq. jars with corks $5.00 g-ross 2-lb. sq. jars with corks $7.40gross Eagle or No. 25 $5.75 " Nickel Cap jar, holds 13 oz. $5.50 " The last is a fancy jar, and makes a fine package for exhibition.. Discount on quantities of jars; the larger the quantity the lower the price. Catalog describ- ing honey-packages, shipping-cases, cartons, bee-hives, bees, and every thing a bee-keeper uses, mailed upon application. Tested Italian Queens, $1.00; Untested, 75 cts. I. J. STRINCHAM, Apiaries, Glen Cove, L. I. (05 Park Place, New York. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE 869 Root's Goods in Chicago The business for many j'ears conducted by George W. York ft Co , at 1-14 Kast Erie Street, as agent for The A. I. Root Company's supplies, is this day trans- ferred to The A. I. Root Company to be conducted as a Hranch Office. All outstanding accounts will be paid George W. York & Co The policy of the Branch House will not be chang- ed. We shall continue to serve the interests of bee- keepers to the best of our ability, and to increase our facilities whenever possible for such service. Mr. York will still be in the same office with us, and the benefit of his years of experience with this trade will thus be available. Please note change of name to avoid confusion in our work. Oct. 1, l!t03. "Uhe A. I. Root Co. All orders, remittances, inquiries, etc., should be addressed to The A. I. Root Company. Hi East Erie Street, instead of George W. York & Co. Statement by Geo. MT. YorK (Sb Co. To Our Customt'ts and Pi iciids: In transferring back to The A. I. Root Company the bee-supply business which we took over from them some years ago. we do so with regret, as we have labored hard to build up a large and honorable trade in bee-appliances, and value beyond expression the valuable patronage accorded us during the years. We trust the same will be continued to our successors in the business. Please note that this transfer does not in any w'se afifect our publishing the American Bee Journal, or handling bee-books and queens. But we expect from now on to be able to devote more time to the Bee Journal, as for years we have had "too many irjns in the fire '' to give it the attention it requires. GEORGE W. YORK & CO. Chicago, 111., Oct. 1, 190?. ±Jlllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllillllillll| I To New Subscribers! i I Only 20c I 5 willg-et a new subscriber the American ^ = Bee Journal every week from now to the = = end of this year (1903). During- that = = time it will contain a full report of S = the recent 5 I Los Angeles Convention | = of the National Bee-keepers' Associa- 5 = tion, besides the usual other valuable S = reading- matter in each week's issue. = = Every reader of Gleanings should = = also have the American Bee Journal regu- = = larly. Sample copy free. Ask for it. E I George W. York & Co., | I 144=6 East Erie St., Chicago, Illinois. | lllllilllllilllllllllllllllllllilllllllilllilillllillllilllllllllllli^ We are tlie Largest MTrs ol Bee-keepers' Supplies in the NortJiw est. ^^ Send for Catalog. •m X,. \ '<>iii»5 v'^ Ww ^^^! :#-"«■./- i V'.V-'VJ^- Mi inneapoiis, iwinnesota We Have the Best Goods, Lowest Prices, and Best Sliipping Facilities. Dittmer's Foundation. RETAIL AND -WHOLESALE. This foundation is made by a process that produces the superior of any. It is the cleanest and purest. It has the brig-htest color and sweetest odor. It is the most transparent, because it has the thinnest base. It is toug-h, clear as crj-^stal, and gives more sheets to the pound than any other make. Vi^orKing "Wax into Foundation fox* CasK a Specialty. Bees-wax Alw&ys "Want- ed at HigHest Price. Catalog g-iving full line of supplies, with prices and samples, free on application. ^- niot^A^^e^nt?fo?S^k°"'- Gus. Dittmer, Aiigtista, Wis. 870 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Oct. 15 I ^y ANTED! Fancy Comb Honey I ^'• In No-drip shipping cases. Also, Amber extract- s^ ed, in barrels or cans. Quote your best price sH delivered Cincinnati. .* ." .' .' .* sr' I The Fred W. Muth Co., KU^u^'' Cincinnati, O. | ♦♦♦»♦♦♦♦♦»♦♦»♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦»»♦♦♦♦♦»♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦»»♦♦♦ BEE-REEPERS ^ \ We ha-tre os\ Hand ready for PR.OMPT SHIPMENT 1 6>6e Largest StocK we ever Carried ♦ of HIVES, SECTIONS, and all OtHer SUPPLIES. Perfect Workmanship and Finest Material. All parts of our Hives are made to fit Accurately. No trouble in setting them up. Our customers say it is a pleasure. We are not selling goods on NAME ONLY, But on their Quality. ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ X X ♦ ♦ ♦ G. B. Li:WIS COMPANY, : Mantifacttirers Bee-keepers' Supplies. ? Catalog Free. Watertown, Wisconsin, U. S. A, ♦ >»♦♦»»»♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦»♦♦♦♦»♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ Let Me vSell or Buy Your Honey If you have some to ofltr, mail sample with lowest price expected, delivered in Cincinnati. — ^ , «^ J state quality and kind wanted, and I will quote 3'ou price. We W 1]!\ ,N eeCl do business on the cash basis in buying or selling. Ftxll StocK of Bee-stxpplies, tHe best made. R.oot's Ooods at TKeir Factory Prices. Seeds of Honey«plants. C. H. W. WEBER. CINCINNATI. OHIO. 2146-8 Central A.ve. Sue. to CKas. F. MutH and A.. MutH. • DELVoTED^ ^ •To-'Be.e.^'- •andHoNE\- •';Jl^^- i£-"PtR^LAR'"'\s,TltDlNA-CH!0- Vol. XXXI. OCT. 15, 1903. No. 20 What is said on p. 850 about the scarci- ty of water reminds me that all the water at Grand Canj'on is brought in great tanks on cars, and I was told that it was brought from a distance of 150 miles 1 C. P. Dadant has done me a great favor. You know he has had only from 2 to 5 per cent of swarming heretofore. Well, he re- ports for this \'ear in Revue Internationale "a perfect avalanche of swarming." Sol don't feel so bad that my bees were so bent on swarming. It was in the air. Othkks may think as the}' like, but so well convinced am I that in this locality bees sting black more than white that I wear in summer white trousers, although for the sake of looks I'd much prefer black. [Perhaps you are right, but I have never been able to see that the bees make very much distinction except that they sought out black spots. — Ed.] Unclk Sam, in order to keep the wheels of government running, pays out each min- ute of the 24 hours of each day S1270 75. But as he collects during the same time >1403.36, the old gentleman is able to salt down in his stocking S132.61 every minute, or Sl90,836 a day. If he isn't too extrava- gant in other respects, he ought soon to save up enough to buy him an automobile. In moving bkks that ten days" journey, p. 847, wouldn't you advise water in some form? [Yes, indeed, the bees ought to be given water. In shipping bees bj' the car- load it is a good practice and almost an ab- solute necessity in hot weather to give them water through the wire cloth, either b}' means of wet sponges or by spraying or sprinkling the wire cloth with a broom sopped in water. — Ed.J Formic acid is still frequently spoken of as the poison of the bee-sting. Nearly 20 years ago Cheshire wrote of the poison, " Its active principle seems to be formic acid, probably associated with some other toxic agent," and Cowan speaks of it much the same way. But latest investigations, as formerly reported, I think, in Glean- ings, show that the poison is something- separate and distinct from formic acid. Haven't time to look it up, but I think Dr. Langer is the authority. A FRIEND asks, "Is good ripe extracted honey harmful for a person to eat, if that person is afflicted with liver, kidney, and bladder trouble?" One might eat too much bread, or too much of anything, and one might eat too much honey. But used in moderation I should expect no evil results from eating ripe honey where sugar would be put entirely under the ban. The mis- chief in such diseases comes from the bur- den of changing cane to grape sugar. The change is already made in honey. What does M. W. Shepard mean, p. 841, bv speaking of spacing '+ , yi, and Yz inch? [What he meant, probably, was close and wide spacing. But his figures do not mean much unless we know the width of his top- bars. A top bar IVs wide with '+ inch be- tween the frames would give the regulation l^s spacing, now almost universal. But what J. E. Pond really advocated was spacing IV from center to center — at least not more than Iji. A few years ago the spacing was 1^'s and 1>2 from center to cen- ter. Now lyz is being gradually abandon- ed, and \y?, is coming to be the regular standard throughout all modern bee-appli- ances. Close spacing results in the build- ing of less drone comb and the storing of less honey over the brood in a brood-frame. After all, Vy^ is a verj' nice compromise be- tween the wide and narrow extremes. — Ed.] When behs ball their own queen, don't they generally do it to protect her? Often I have had them ball their queen; and if I Immediately close the hive and leave them for some hours undisturbed, I do not expect the queen to be any the worse for it; but if 872 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Oct. 15 the disturbance were kept up long- enough the balling would kill her — starve her — just as a mother has sometimes killed her baby by too much care, smothering it. [Bees balling a queen to protect her — why, that is possible, but I have always associ- ated the idea of balling with the feeling of hostility on the part of the bees. I never saw a ball of bees yet where the bees were not tugging and pulling at the queen. If they were endeavoring to protect her, would they not turn right face about, prepared to grab the intruder, just as they stand when they catch a robber on the wing at the en- trance? I should like to know what friend Doolittle thinks of such a proposition. — Ed.] Well, as I was saying, heretofore the biggest yield I ever had from a single col- ony was 192 sections; this year it was 300, with a number of colonies tagging pretty closely after it. I credit it partly to select- ing best storers to breed from, but chiefly to the phenomenal flow of white clover. Bees stored from it till Sept. 1; and even now, Oct. 5, a good deal of white clover is yet in bloom. [Well, well! that's good. We congratulate you, doctor. Not many years ago you were lamenting because j'our locality was so poor, and I was urging that you go to a place where you could get bass- woods as well as clover? I think you said something to the effect that you were too old a bird to move, and that you would take your chances. But, look out! Some fellow will be moving over next to one of your yards. As I made you tell the yield, I will help to fight him off in case he does come. — Ed.] A. I. Root will need a whole lifetime to find just the right ration to keep him in perfect health; and when he has found it he'll find it needs to be changed every time conditions change; and then when he has found the ration to fit each different condi- tion he'll find it will not exactly fit any stomach in the world but his. Don't un- derstand I'm throwing mud at A. I. Root for his investigations — he's doing good; and although he ma}' never reach the exact knowledge he's seeking, he's all the time giving us useful pointers, and I for one am watching his investigations with interest. [You are exactly right when you say that a ration that will fit one man's stomach will not fit that of another. A very good rule is to eat what agrees with one, provid- ing his judgment is not too much swayed by what he likes rather than by what makes \\\\x\.feel well and sleep well. When I get run down I invariably have to get back to lean beefsteak, with some simple cereal food or toasted bread. — Ed.] Replying to those who say that the drones are needed for heat, C. P. Dadant gives the following clincher in American Bee Journal: " If drones had been intended at all for warmth, they would have been kept when the weather is cold in the spring. But the reverse is the case. Let there be a few weeks of warm weather, early drones will be reared ; then let a cold ! spell come when the brood needs care and | warmth, and at that very time 3'ou will see , the workers persecuting the drones, driv- , ing them out mercilessly, one by one, to tolerate them again when the heat re- turns " [Yes, indeed, that does seem like a clincher; but is it not possible that, dur- ing hot weather or the swarming season, they help to increase the heat so that comb- building may fairly progress? I know this: That drones have a good deal of an- imal heat, for I once put a double handful of them in my hat, and then astonished the natives by doffing my hat to a crowd, to their utter dismay, resulting in their paw- | ing the air and scattering for cover. As I 1 walked up town I could feel a considerable ' degree of warmth, although I must confess the great clumsy fellows crawling through my hair gave me a sort of "buggy" feel- ing. See page 881. — Ed.] Speaking of the wax-press as a honey- squeezer, p. 836, a great deal of honey in Europe is pressed out, heather honey being too thick to be emptied by an extractor. [Very true. The trouble in this country is that Americans seem to feel that chunks of honey can not be treated in any way but through the solar wax-extractor. This al- ways impairs the flavor of the honey, even if it does not ruin it. It is high time that practical bee-keepers were doing some squeezing as well as extracting. A honey- press in European catalogs is a regular article of sale, and they would no more be complete without a honey-press than with- out a honey-extractor. There is a great deal of chunk honey broken out from combs built to covers, behind division-boards, etc., that will accumulate in spite of good bee- keepers and fairly good management. In the rush of the season one is apt to have more than he can do, with the result that the bees get ahead of him, and build chunks of honey where they ought not to. The only rational way to treat these is to put them into a press, squeeze the honey out cold, then melt the wax afterward. The honey will bring two cents a pound more, and the wax will be much handier to run through the wax-press. — Ed.] If I MAY BE allowed to say a word on the matter of diet, I should say that the one thing above all others needed by this nation is to eat less. A large number whose digestive machinery is constantly out of repair would be greatly benefited by having all their meals cut square in two ; and a great majority of those who are not engaged in severe physical labor would get more nourishment from their food if they had only two-thirds as much. The great study seems to be how to get up some new dish more appetizing so as to get more food eaten, and condiments of the hottest kind are used to whip up the jaded stomach to make it carry its load. No wonder the poor thing balks. The no-breakfast fad is probably doing good to many people, just because they can't gorge themselves as 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 873 much in two meals as they can in three. Possibly they mis^ht be better off — I don't know — if they would eat three meals a day, and eat only the ri^^ht things and the right amount; but it is easier to cut out one meal a daj' than it is three times a day to obey the injunction of the wise man, " Put a knife to th}' throat, if thou be a man given to appetite." If you dismal dyspeptics would cut out of 3'our meals all the things that you know hurt j'ou, and a third of the things that are good for you, this would be a good deal brighter world. [I have known some children that have had to go to bed hungry, simplj' because there was not any thing in the house to eat, or very little at least, and yet thej' were rudd}' and healthy. A stomach occasionally empt^' for ten or twelve hours is sometimes just the condi- tion that one needs. There is too much overloading; and, as you sa}', if the quan- tity of our rations were cut down we should live longer and better.— Ed. ] ^ yrorrf Oi/r 5? The following is from the JMoryiin^ Echo, of Bakers field, Cal. It is an account of one of the most gratif3'ing arrests known to bee- keeping. Rambler once said that if one undertakes to do any thing in California he must " bore with a mighty big auger." It seems that stealing there is sometimes carried on in that way. Deputy Sheriff Johnson and F. D. I,owe returned last night from the Hoy ranch with a large part of the honey which had been stolen from Mr. Lowe. They were unable to bring it all at one load, so the rest was left at Sunset. Deputy Sheriff Johnson, who was interviewed last night, gave the facts of the detection and arrest of the thieves and the discovery of the stolen goods as fol- lows : .\ week ago last Sunday Mr. L,owe, who has a bee- ranch at Rosedale. sent for Deputy Sheriff Johnson, told him of the loss of his honey, and engaged hitn to help find it and capture the persons who stole it. It was dusk when Mr. Johnson reached the Lowe ranch, but they succeeded in getting a few clues that night. They found that the honey had been moved from the store-room to the road in Mr. Lowe's own wheelbarrow, and that an effort had been made to obliterate the tracks by sweeping them with a brush. The next morning the deputy sheriff, who, by the way, is a trailer of long experience, identified the tracks of one of the horses that had hauled the stolen honey away. One of the animal's feet was crooked, and it wore a peculiar shoe. This track was followed into town and to a point where it turned south. Deputy- STeriff Johnson then made a search to con- vince hfraself that the honey had not been shipped from Bakersfield or Kern. For certain reasons he could not take up the .search for a couple of days, and in the meantime Mr. I.^we went out to the Hoy ranch and secured sufficient evidence to swear out a'search- warrant. Wilh this the t«o, with Deputy Sheriff Stanley. to;)k up the trail and followed the peculiar track very easily to the Hoy place. They secured one can of honey here, and arrested the elder Hoy. While Deputy Sheiifif Staley brought the prisoner to town, Johnson and Lowe tracked young Hoy and Westley to the upper ranch. The young men were out hunt- ing, and returned at ten o'clock at night to find the deputy sheriff and the bee-keeper awaiting to receive them. The men were well supplied with arms, hav- ing, besides their hunting outfit, six rifles, two shot- guns, and a couple of six-shooters. As soon as they had landed their prisoners in jail, Johnson and Lowe went back after the honey, which they found in a cabin belonging to a sheep man about 500 yards from the Hoy cabin. It was cleverly con- cealed in a corner of the room, and the door and win- dows were securely nailed up. There were 20 shipping-cases containing 24 sections each, and seven supers containing 2(i3 sections. It was impossible to bring the entire amount at one load, so seventeen cases were stored at Sunset. Three cases were left at the jail as evidence, and the remain- der was taken to Mr. Lowe's ranch. U< LONDON GROCER. I find the following in the London Grocer for Sept. 19. Coming, as it does, from so good an authority, it will be found of inter- est to all bee-keepers in this country: Reports reach us from Scotland as to the prospects of a poor honey harvest there this season. For the sec- ond year in succession Scotch bee-hands have to be content with a crop which will reach only about one- half that of ordinary seasons, owing to an'abnormally cold and backward spring being followed by an equal- ly adverse early summer. At Ayrshire, a town famed for the indstrious bees, the outturn of honej' will once more be very limited. Various other parts of the west of Scotland report that the produce of honey will be short. Comb honey of good quality is scarce, and those who possess such ask for a further increase in prices from those of a year ago. Pressed heather honey in bulk and in bottles will no doubt be more plentiful ; but with the failure of the crop of 1902 the price of this article will have an upward tendency, so that we are safe in assuring those members of the trade who deal in this article that there will be a verv restricted sup- pi}' this season. In the south of England the honey harvest is over, and reports state that the crop is no better, and the quality not quite so good as last year. At the London market recently, 78 packages "of Ja- maica honey were sold at $5.S3 per 100 lbs. Chemists are now retailing honey at 32 cts., per lb. against the grocer at 21 cts. for the same quality. Honey is an ar- ticle which meets with a ready sale in the grocers' and oil-men's business, more especially during the winter months. We presume the Pharmaceutical Socie'y will not deem the grocer a trespasser on the preserves of the chemists by the sale of honey, simply because chemists use honey largely in making up their reme- dies for the cure of winter colds. They have for many years encroached upon the tea-dealer's trade bv sell- ing tea. upon which they make a large profit Why, then, should not the grocers push the sale of an arti- cle within their legitimate trade which is as justly re- nowned for its value as pleasant to take? The above indicates that honey sells at a higher price there than here. The reader will also note the absence of any reference to American honey, owing to the idea cur- rent in England that our honey is adulter- ated as soon as it leaves the hive. While the English trade has been imposed on, no doubt, by unscrupulous venders on this side, the purchase of the best hone}"^ in the world can be more easily effected here than anywhere else. BEE KEEPERS' REVIEW. Mr. Hutchinson has devoted a large part of the October issue to California as a hon- ey State. It is superhlj' illustrated with photos taken by Mr. H himself, and the description is from his own pencil as he saw things there. It presents the bright and the dark side of California life in the apiary in a way never before attempted. 874 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Oct. 15 ■^ -.e ABOUT DRONE COMB. "Good morningf, Mr. Doolittle. I have come over to have a little out of- season talk with you. It is like this: I have been try- ing all summer to get over here, but I have been so busy that I could not get here till now." "Well, Mr. Smith, the old saying is, ' better late than never,' so perhaps we can talk on an out-of- season topic to advantage at this time. What was it you wished to talk about? " "Can you tell me why my bees built so much drone comb last summer? In hiving my swarms I gave them one or two combs already built, by way of a starting at housekeeping with them, and I find now, in getting them ready for winter, that fully half the comb they built was drone comb. Can you tell me how I can prevent this in the future? '' "Yes, it is easily told. Put in full frames of nice worker comb, filling the hive full of these; or fill every frame set in any hive full of foundation. See how easy it is?" " Y-e-s. But I have not got the worker comb, nor do I feel like spending so much money for foundation. What I want to know is how to make the bees build worker comb. Can't you tell me something about how comb-building is conducted, so that we may find some solution to this difficulty? " " Perhaps so. All observing apiarists know that, as the day of swarming draws near, the queen ceases her prolificness so as to be able to fiy and go with the swarm. Otherwise she could not; for if a queen is taken from a colony when she is most pro- lific in egg-laying she can not fly at all." "Is that so? This is something new to me, as I have been keeping bees onlj' two seasons. Then the reason she lays so few eggs just before the swarm issues is that she may be able to fly with the swarm? " " This is one of the reasons; and another is that she need not be inconvenienced with an over-accumulation of eggs on arriving at their new home before any comb can be built; for it takes some time for the bees to get started in a new home when they enter some home not provided for them by men. And so we find that all queens do not be- come fully prolific again, after swarming, till they have been in their new home some three or four days. During this time comb is being built quite rapidly where honey is coming in plentifully from the fields, and under such conditions the bees build comb faster than the queen occupies it with eggs; but where honey comes in slowly the queen is able to keep up with the comb-building by depositing an egg in each cell as built." " But what has this to do with the matter of drone comb? " " When, for any reason, the queen does not occupy the cells with eggs as they are built, and honey is coming in plentifully from the fields, the bees, to economize, com- mence to build store comb, which is of the drone size of cells, and is mainly filled with honey the first season, so that the trouble from this store comb does not usually come till the next spring, when, being emptied of the honey, it is used to rear drones in." "I think I begin to see now, for honey was coming in rapidly at the time these swarms were filling their hives." " Yes, undoubtedly. But let me go a lit- tle further: If, in addition to the above, we give the swarm a frame or two of comb at time of hiving, as you say 5^ou did, we make matters doubly worse, in that we fur- nish a place for the queen to deposit nearly all the eggs she would naturally lay during the first week after hiving, consequently nearl.v all the comb built by the bees during this time will be for store comb, or of the drone size of cell, as you furnished for the queen all the room in which to lay that she needed." " That looks reasonable to me now; but I never thought but that I was doing the right thing when I gave the two combs. This helps me much; but, if you have no objections, tell me how you manage in this matter." "The swarm is hived in a hive of the same size as the one it came from, the same being full of empty frames, each having only a starter of comb foundation in it, the same being about half an inch wide. They are left thus for a da}-^ or two till a little start is made at comb-building. At this time half of the frames are taken out, leav- ing those having the most comb built in them, and the hive contracted to a size to suit the frames left by means of dummies or division-boards, and at the same time put- ting on the sections, some of which have combs for baits in them." " What is the object of this? " " Preparing the hive in this way gives the bees pleniy of room above to store honey, thus not crowding them in the brood-cham- ber, so that only comb of the worker size is built below, and that only as fast as the prolificness of the queen demands it. As her ability to lay increases, more comb is built; so that at the end of the season I have the hive filled with nice worker comb and a good supply of honey in the sec- tions." "But is there not considerable work to this?" " Yes, some work, and so there is to any thing well done. By the above plan three important items are secured — lots of section honey, no drone comb, and a hive full of nice straight worker comb; and as these latter will, with careful usage, last nearly or quite a lifetime, it well pays to spend a 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 875 little time on them while they are being built." "But are you not troubled by the queen going up into the sections and laying there, when you work as you have been telling? " " I used to be before the advent of thin foundation for sections, for then we had to rely on comb built in the sections by the bees, which was of the drone size of cells more often than otherwise; and if the bees wanted to rear drones for any reason, the queen would go up into the sections and lay in the drone comb there. But if each sec- tion is filled with ihin worker foundation, as it should be, there is no incentive for the queen to go into the sections from anj' drone comb in them. But if you have fears of the queen f^oing above, a queen-excluding hon- ey-board will prevent her doing so entire- ly." " T see the matter much differently than when I came, and shall try to profit from what I have learned. Good day." Mark sure that your colonies have plenty of winter stores for their long winter's sleep. WHKN SHALL WE PUT THE BEES IN CEL- LAR? Every thing will depend on the locality anr! the winter — at least the fore part of it; in Northern Ohio, somewhere about the last of November; but if the weather is warm, don't put the bees in till it turns quite cold with the probability that it it will stay so. CONTRACTING ENTRANCES. In a few weeks now it will be well to contract the entrances of all outdoor- win ered colonies to not larger than ^X8 inches. If the colony is of only medium strength, the entrance should be smaller still— sayj's X4. /wo'oor-wintercd colonies, on the other hand, should have all the en- trance that can be given them; and some go even so far as to leave the hives off the hive-bottoms entirely, leaving the whole bot- tom open, resting on blocks two inches high. NOT A CANDIDATE FOR RE-ELPXTION. As my term of director of the National Bee-keepers' Association expires with the present year, I desire to announce that I will not be a candidate for re-election. This action is not based on any dissatisfaction on my part with the Association or with its management, but because my regular du- ties, which are growing heavier, require me to give up some of my outside work. There is excellent timber in the Associa- tion; it is in a flourishing condition, and f can consistently refuse to run, because there are other men more capable and more effi- cient to take m\' place. Such an announce- ment as this would not be necessary save for the fact that it has been the almost uni- versal rule of the membership to re-elect the old directors. To forestall such possible- action in my case, I deem it but proper tc make this statement now. — E. R. RooT< KEEPING HONEY LIQUID INDEFINITELY UN- DER ALL CONDITIONS. In our issue for Sept. 15, when I spoke of the Boardman honey that had kept liquid outdoors on the window-shelf clear through the winter, notwithstanding we had quite a number of zero days, I had forgotten the fact that that honey was already a year old when I received it. We will let Mr. B. speak for himself: Mr. Root: — You mention on page 793 my sample of honey that would not giain ; but you overlooked the important fact that it had been put up one year when I sent it to jou, which gives it a test of two seasons. I am very confident — yes, sure — that 1 can do what I claim — put up honey that will remain liquid indefi- niteU'— not almost, but quite, and in any temperature. East Towntend, O., Sept. 25. H. R. Boardman. If Mr. Boardman can keep his honey liq- uid indefinitely under all conditions he is to be congratulated. THE AMERICAN LUMBERMAN ON THE SUP- PLY OF BASSWOOD. The following item from the American Lunibennayi of Aug. 29, 1903, probably the best authority on the subject of lumber in the United States, will explain itself: The supply of basswood is short, and inquiry is con- sequently urgent. It looks as if consumers will have to turn to some other variety of lumber to offset the demand for basswood. Ten years hence, I suppose all supply manufacturers will be looking for some other material for making sections; and it is possible we shall be making the four- piece, unless some of the Cottonwood s that grow so rapidly in the West can be used as a substitute. Basswood is a rapid grower; but the small trees over the country are not beginning to keep pace in growth with the demand for this valuable timber. A FOUL-BROOD BILL FOR OHIO. I SHOULD be glad to hear from any of the bee-keepers of Ohio who will be willing to turn in and give a lifting hand in helping to get through our legislature this winter a foul- brood law. The old Ohio State Bee- keepers' Association will be resurrected, and will probably hold a joint meeting with the Hamilton Co. Bee-keepers' Association (the most flourishing organization of its kind in Ohio), to consider at once the draft- ing of a bill to be presented at the next general assembly. It is high time we were up and doing. The bee-keepers of Hamil- ton County are deeply in earnest, and they should be given loyal and helpful support 876 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Oct. 15 by their brethren in the craft from all over the State. Announcements later. jrST IN TIME — THE DEWITTS AGAIN Since our special notice that we pub- lished on page 820, Sept. 15, we have heard of quite a number of others who have claims on the Dewitts, which claims will probably never be paid. But, apparently, the De- witts are endeavoring' to get more goods on credit, even at this late date, and we think it is only proper that our readers be cau- tioned again, as the following will show: Mr Root: — Your notice in regard to the Dewitts, page 820, Gleanings, Sept. 15, saved me $12.60. They sent me a local check tor that amount, and I had started the goods tor the freight-house when I espied what you had to say; and, fearing trouble, I tele- phoned the freight-house to hold the goods until I heard from the check. I learned to my sorrow that the check went to protest, and I had nearly $2 00 to pay for the .«ame. C. L,. Parker. Syiacuse, N. Y., Oct. 7. "machine-made queens" by THE PECK. We have shown our readers quite a num- ber of finely built cells built off from pre- pared cell cups. Mr. Arthur Stanley, of Dixon, 111., has sent us a photograph of a nice lot built off froin his gun- wads, and which I reproduce on page 883. These gun- wads are slipped into Stanley circular cages made of perforated zinc. (See May 15 Gleanings, page 446, for further particu- lars. ) The cages are then kept in the hive until the virgins hatch out, when they are given to nuclei or queenless colonies. The art of raising queen-cells by the peck is an easy one; but getting virgins fertilized by the peck is another proposition altogeth- er. Some one asked me a short time ago how much it was worth to get a queen ready for fertilization, and how much to get her fertilized. For even figures we will sajf a laying queen is worth $1.00. 1 should say it was well worth 66-3 cents — yes, and I am not sure but it would be worth 75 cents, to get her fertilized. I think I would rather offer virgins at 35 cents than laying queens at Si. 00. Stanley, Swarthmore, Pridgen, and last, but not least, Doolittle, have done much to simplifj' the method of raising queens up to the age of fertilizing. These methods not only cheapen queens, but give us a better grade all through. Some have objected, thinking that such methods produce "machine-made queens," and that, therefore, they can not be as good. If the queens are inferior, that inferiority is due to the 7>ian and not to the method. " LIGHTNING OPERATORS;" BUCKWHEAT HONKY. Some time ago Mr. R. A. Burnett, the commission man of Chicago, in referring to unripe honey having been put on the Chica- go market, spoke somewhat disparagingly of certain buckwheat honey that was put up by so-called "lightning" operators, say- ing of New York that it was unripe, and unfit to put on the market. This reference caught the eye of Mr. W. L. Coggshall, in whose apiaries the word " lightning opera- tor " or operators originated. One might possibly suppose that the Coggshall honey was referred to; but, as Mr. Coggshall said, he had not sent any honey to Mr. Burnett for a good many years, and that what he did send at the time was pronounced first quality. Since this disclaimer, the term " ligfhtning operator" might narrow down to Mr. Harry Howe, who was the chief of the lightning operators, at least he feels that his friends might so construe it. Mr. Howe, who is managing 500 colonies for the Root Co., in Cuba, writes that he did send some honey to Mr. Burnett in 1896, but there was only 3580 lbs. of it, all of which was extracted from sealed combs; and that Mr. Burnett, in acknowledging the receipt of it. called it good honey, and said that the same arrived in good condition. THE DUAL PLAN OF INTRODUCING VIRGINS; WHO FIRST DISCOVERED IT? After I wrote up this method for Glean- ings, and A. I. R. had read the whole plan, he came to me and said, " Why, I had that very plan once, and I wrote it up in the journal at the time." "Well," said I, "suppose you find it." He immediately began fumbling over some thirty volumes of Gleanings. Talk about a needle in a haystack! Well, he did not find the needle. But he insisted that he had that "very idea," but that it did not prove to be a success with him. The other dajs as I was looking over our ABC book I raxi across a paragraph which he wrote in 1877, which I suppose I have read scores of times during my various revisions, but had forgotten it. Under the heading of "Queens," after speaking of the fact that the young virgin never takes a rest during the first week of her life, but is constantly on the move, he says: This is one reason why I am averse to caging young queens, in order that we may allow several to hatch in the same hive. It seems to be natural for them to run about, and I believe it is necessarj' for their well- being. Several years ago I thought" I had made a brilliant discovery when I succeeded in hatching all the queen-cells in the hive, under cups made of wire cloth. The first hatched was allowed to run until she became fertile, and began laying; she was then re- moved and the next released, and so on. I think I succeeded in getting four laying q^ueens from the single lot of cell=, all in the one hive, but the bees made such desperate efforts to get the obnoxious cages out of the way. and the inmates of the cages to get out, that I gave up the plan, after seeing several fine queens die of nothing else, so far as I could see, than confinement. Yesterday I read this to A. I. R. ; and as I concluded he said, " There, I told \^ou so." " But," I said, laughingly, "you did not know a good thing when j'ou had it. You concluded that the bees were making des- perate efforts to get the 'obnoxious cages' out of the way. While I will admit they are foreign to their hive architecture, ex- perience in late j'ears, and during this past summer in our bee-yard, has shown that bees endure what they can not help, and that the young virgins are fertilized and laying in approximately four or five days as against eight or ten the old way." 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 877 " But I still think it will not work all the time," he said. "But," I replied, "it has been working successfully for us this whole blessed sum- mer— before the honey-flow, during^ it, and after it." TRUSTING NEW OR UNTRIED COMMISSION MEN WITHOUT CASH IN ADVANCE. One H. G. Holloway, advertising himself as doing business at No. 1 Vine St., Phila- delphia, is apparently soliciting consign- ments of hone}' from bee- keepers in various parts of the country. He asks for small shipments as samples, by express, stating that he will remit for the same on arrival. If the goods are satisfactorj', there is an intimation that he will place a large order. The letters are neatly written in typewrit- er, on elaborately printed stationery, hav- ing ever}' appearance of an old established house doing a commission business. The manager of our Philadelphia branch, at 10 Vine St., only a few steps away, called, at our request, at No. 1, and informs us that Mr. H. has onl}' a little room at No. 1 Vine St., with nothing in it. We advise no shipments of honey, either large or small, without cash in advance, to any new man, without good references. The part}' above named is not mentioned at all in one of the commercial directories, and he is rated as ■ in the other. But, as we have said before, no new commission merchant should be entrusted with your propert}' unless j'ou get your mouej' in ad- vance. We have reiterated this so many times that it seems almost like cant for us to keep on repeating it. If you desire to know about the responsibility of an}' com- mission house, write us and we will tell you whether it is safe to trust such party or not. But don't— fl't'/zV — put your hard earn- ings into the hands of a stranger, no mat- ter how " highfalutin " his letters may look or sound. Later. — We learn that this Mr. Holloway, in soliciting a consignment of honey, wrote to one of our bee-keeping friends, saying that iL'c had referred him (Holloway) to this bee-keeper for honey. This was abso- lutely false; but our unsuspecting friend, supposing this to be true, sent on his hon- ey, but now wishes he had written us first. A word to the wise will be sufficient. FORMALDEHYDE AS TESTED BY MR. C. H. W. WEBKK FOR THE DISINFECTION OF COMBS. After receiving some unfavorable re- ports regarding the new drug treatment, I wrote Mr. Weber, asking him if he had had any experience going to show that the treat- ment failed to cure in some instances. He wrote that he had, and said he would send me a report for publication. This he has done, and I take pleasure in presenting it to our readers: In treating foul brood colonies with formaline gas it has transpired that, after a seemingly sufficient fu- migation, in some instances the disease had made its reappearance. Regarding this I beg leave to ofifer the following explanation and reasons : When taking a foul-broody frame out of an affected- colony, we notice upon examination that the dead larva lies on the lower side of the cell. In order to learn how the same progressed, return the frame to the colony. After eight or ten days, taking the same out again, we notice that the dead larva has been changed into a ropy, gluey matter, and still resting on the lower side of the cell. After some length of time we notice that this ropj' or slimy matter has- nearly all dried up; in fact, after a first examination it appears that every thing has disappeared; the comly seems to be in good condition; but, after closely exam- ining the same by holding the comb so the light pene-- trates the cell, you will observe that the lower part of the cell appears as if coated with a brown tinge, whichi is nothing bu.t the aforesaid slimy matter. When dried up, if any thing else should extend from the coating the bees will clean it away. As this slimy matter has dried up and become as hard as the wax from which the cells are constructed, the question arises, "What has become of the foul-brood germs which were in this gluey matter?" To this I offer the following solution : After this matter has dried up, the germs on the .sur- face, being readily exposed to the fumes of formalde- hyde, have been easily killed; while those beneath the surface, or protected by this hard matter, have not been killed, and, with the advent of hot weather, soon make their reappearance. This proves that for- maline gas will kill the germs it comes in contact with. It has also been proven that honey-combs in infected hives never used for brood-rearing, when well extracted of honey, and then strongly fumigated, and given to new healthy swarms, did not show any signs of the disease during the fall, spring, or summer. To hatch bees it takes a temperature of about 98 or 100 degrees. It seetns that this heat does not affect the driedup matter, as the tria's that I made last year from the end of August, during September and Octo- ber, did not show up any signs of foul brood in the early part of spring, until the extremely hot weather set 111, which seemed to melt this dried-up matter, exposing the germs, and, consequently, bringing on a reaction of the disease. This has been experienced by nearly every one who has experimented with for- maldehyde; and I therefore recommend the destruc- tion of brood combs wherein any larva died and kept lying as described before, and saving only such combs as showed no disease whatever; also the honeycombs by fumigating the same strongly with formaldehyde. Foul-brood matter, whether dried up or whether in a semi-liquid gelatinous condi- tion, is always dangerous. While we may assume that the fumes of this drug, if they can reach the actual microbes, will kill them, yet it is apparent that, if they are covered with wax or honey, or any envelop- ing material, they will be protected; and as soon as the protection or covering is re- moved, the active principle will develop, bringing out the disease as before. I should somewhat question whether it would be safe to rely on fumigation for disinfect- ing combs filled with honey. If the combs were extracted, and then fumigated after being cleaned by the bees, I should pre- sume the treatment would disinfect them. I should suppose, also, that a good fumiga- tion of actually diseased combs would check the disease. But my impression is that, till we know more about it, it would be saf- er to burn or melt all diseased combs, fu- migating all empty ones — empty of brood and honey. If the formaldehyde will do no more it will then save a large loss, and at the same time be putting up an additional safeguard against the reappearance of the disease. DUAL HIVE STANDS. Ever since Mr. J. S. Callbreath, of Rock Rift, N. Y., showed his double hive-stand in Gleanings I have been wondering if it 878 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Oct. 15 were not a prett}' good thing; and when Mr. Danzenbaker visited us a short time ago he remarked, with some emphasis, " The Callbreath article with illustrations which you published in July 15th Glean- ings was one of the best things you have ever given to the public." Since then we have been figuring on various forms of hive-stands for our own use, as we think enough of the principle to give it at least a reasonable test in one of our outyards an- other season. We therefore constructed two diflferent patterns — one made up of simple posts and frame, as shown in the smaller illustrations, and another on a plan devised by Mr. Danzenbaker, as shown on p. 885. I argued with him that the first mentioned was simpler and cheaper, and just as ser- viceable. But he finally convinced me that his stand could be made shorter, and that the posts could be sawn out of three-inch plank, the same as our old chaff hive posts were made of, in the shape of a letter V. Double and cross nailing with cap or wa- ter-table boards laid flatwise on top of the frame would make a stronger stand — one that would not need to be so long as the other for the same number of hives, because the cap boards could project over on each end, and rest on the posts. On page 886 the two stands are shown, for each one to decide for himself which is the better. Now, the question arises, " Is the double stand as good as one that will accommo- date only one hive?" Dr. C. C. Miller and many other prominent bee-keepers all over the United States have used for \ears a double stand ; but the Miller was made of boards and 2X4's, the same lying very close to the ground. But Mr. Callbreath suggested the convenience of having a stand high enough so that the operator could practice shaking or brushing swarms, unit- ing, and doing the thousand and one other things done where hives are set in pairs, without an}' back-breaking work. Such a stand permits the toes or insteps to stick under far enough to allow the thighs to abut up against the hives, forming a brace to the body while lifting heavj' combs out of the hive or putting them in. As Dr. Miller has said, the bees of one stand will not make the mistake of going into the next entrance on the same stand, although the bees of one hive may, bv mis- take, enter the corresponding hi\'e in the pair next adjoining. If, however, one ar- ranges to have three hives on one stand, two on another, and perhaps one on still anoth- er, this confusion would be entirelj' over- come. If, further, one stand is under or near a tree, another is backed up by a low ,bush, another facing a lot of weeds, anoth- er near a building, and so on through the apiarj', even queen-rearing work could go on, and young queens will always find their regular entrances. The hive stands illustrated are one foot high, and will accommodate two hives placed a little way apart, or three hives placed close together, the two end-hives in this case projecting a little over the end of the stand. The legs can be set down on the ground anywhere, and all that is required is to level up for the one leg that is either too high or too low. Now, what are the objections to these stands up on legs ? One is that clipped queens mig-ht get lost down under the hives in the grass, being' unable to Hy up on the entrance- boards; but if the swarm is in the air it w'ould be a very easy matter to find the queen, because, instead of running into some hive, she would be in the grass, ac- companied by the usual characteristic ball of bees. Another objection is that, during the height of the honey-flow, heavily laden bees may jusf uitss the entrance-board, and then it is necessar}- for them to take wing again befure they can get into the hives. This is a more serious objection in spring; for if the bee does not make the entrance the first time it will probably fall down on the ground, and chill, with the result that there will be spring dwindling in the hive if bad weather continues long. Mr. Call- breath overcomes this objection by running a board from t^e ground up to the alight- ing board; but here is quite an expense. We overcome it to a great extent bj' making a verj' wide alighting-board — saj' six inch- es wide. If the entrance is made large an inch deep or more by the depth of the hive, 99 bees out of 100 will fly through the en- trance and strike the bees hanging down under the frames. The hundredth one would strike on the alighting-board. If the hives are raised oft" the ground, the alighting-board must be ample in size — that is sure. In our 1904 model of hives the alighting- boards are six inches wide and detachable. When turned one side up, the entrance is contracted down to '4 inch deep by 8 inches wide. When turned the other side up. the entrance is I's in. deep by the width of the hive. Or if the alighting-board is pulled out entireU', and it is slipped under the hive in the case of a newlj' hived swarm, the entrance will be I'i deep by the width of the hive. So much for alighting-boards for overcoming one difficulty. But there is still another objection, and one that is of far greater w^eight in hot countries than in the North. We will saj' one colon}' is being robbed badlj'. It is often desirable to stt a bee-tent over such a colony to protect it in the mean time. How would I overcome this objection? Why, set the bee-tent over both hives, or put the rob- bed colony down cellar till we get a chance to contract the entrance, and the robbers have eased up. I should like to hear from some of our subscribers who have tried these hive-stands up on stilts, we will say. As I go through the country I find all sorts of supports for the hive; and I have seen not a few of the pattern I have shown in this issue. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 879 SMOKERS AND EXTRACTORS. Hinging Smolders; tlie Crane Valve; Double-pocliet Reversible Extractors; High Speed in Extracting; Wiring Frames; Getting a Swarm out of Elevat- ed Position without Climbing. BY ADRIAN GETAZ. In answer to a request made some time ag'o in these columns I will give a little of m3' experience with smokers. In the first place, I decidedly object to breech-loading. I want the fresh fuel on top of the other, and a wad of grass or wet shavings in the nozzle, so as to arrest the sparks and cool the smoke. In breech-load- ing, the first charge would fulfill these con- ditions; but in the subsequent reloading, the fuel already half burned will be pusii- ed toward and into the nozzle. Until your attention is called to it, and until you ob- serve closel3% 3'ou have no idea how many bees are injured and maimed by the hot burning smoke. I do not want any so-call- ed cold blast, or any admittance of air with the smoke, as it impairs its efficacy, and cools it but ver}^ little after all. I have had trouble with all my smokers from the hinged tops flying back instead of remaining closed. At last I filed the hinge some, and put in a thin wire in place of ttie split pin. This gave sufficient play at the hinge to permit the nozzle to settle well on the fire-barrel. Some four years ago I bought two Crane smokers. One is in use yet; the other is worn out — that is, the fire-barrel is. I bought another last fall, but it is not so good. There is too much space between the valve and the air-passage to the fire- barrel. The two first ones closed pretty tight, as shown at 2. The last I bought has the air-passage flaring like 3, and there is too much air lost between the valve and the air-passage. I presume the defect is accidental, and due to some carelessness of the workmen. I have remedied it. I note that complaints have been m sioner is appointed to notify all bee keepers whose apiaries are intected with the malady to destroy all such colonies, or, if possible, remedy the defects. This commissioner is paid out of the county's funds. Illinois, for instance, is allowed 81000 annually for ihis purpose. If some of the .States have been successful, why can not we in Ohio, who have so many broad-minded, brainy men in our midst, dwell under a like protec- tion and advantage, which might correctly be termed a necessity ? There has been but one cause hereto- fore, and that cause the lack of interest. 'Tis true we are ail interested in a way, but we must show active interest, which, without a doubt, during the coming year, will wend its way and waft its b.eez s am?ng the bee-keeping fraternity, over our entire State. short but none the leus interesting addresses per- taining to the protection of the honey-bee were ably delivered by Messrs. E- H. Vaupel, Wm. McClennan and Frtd W. Muth. A motion was made and seconded that the members of the execuave committee constitute the committee to bring before the State I,egislature this question of foul-brood law, to be energetic and tireless in their efforts to render the same effective and successful; for in this way only can our ambitions be gratified. Mr. W. J Gilliland suggested that a census be taken of the bee-keepers in Ohio, as well as the number of hives each bee- keeper possesses. Mr. Fred W. Muth again called on the assembly to put forth all possible efforts in securing the National Association of bee keepers in 1904. It was moved and seconded that the executive staff take up the matter immediately. A motion was made and seconded to express our gratitude to the managers of the Grand Hotel for their kindness in granting us the privilege of holding our meetings in their spacious and comfortable apart- ments. A word in behalf of the Association in general. We are proud of it, and we have the right to feel so. When our little body of bee keepers nestled in a group to form an organization, many predicted any thing but success, and were firm in their belief. Our little assembly, however, was not to be daunted. They knew that they were entwined by the circle of success, and were firm in their determination not to s'.ep beyond the bounds of this brilliant circle. Their progress in so short of space of time is indeed greater than they themselves anticipated. And now since Gleanings has so kin ly volunteered to be our guide and friend, we can do naught but win. Silvcrton, Ohio. Wm. J. Gilliland, Sec. GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Oct. 15 OUR HOMES, BY A.I. ROOT. Fear not them which kill the bodj', but are not able to kill the soul; but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.— Matt. 10:28. A father was coming- home from his work one evening. I rather think his home was a new one, for both himself and his chil- dren seemed a little unfamiliar with the surrounding's. As he came in sight of this home his boy Johnnie started out on a run through the tall grass crosslots to meet him. The father smiled when he saw his boy so anxious to greet him on his return; and when the boy tumbled down in the deep grass he did not think very much about it. He supposed the boy had stubbed his toe or got his foot entangled in the grass, and would soon be up again. John- nie, however, did not get up. The father, reflecting a little, remembered an old un- used well there in that tangled mass of grass and weeds. As the memory of this well came to his mind he hurried up, you may be sure; and, sure enough, the boy had stumbled into that old well. But I am happy to tell you the well was not very deep, and there was only a little water in it. Johnnie had recovered himself enough to get on his feet, and with his face be- spattered with mud and tears he reached up his hands and said: "O papal why didn't j'ou hurry up?"* Now, friends, let us consider, if you please, whose fault it was that Johnnie fell into that old well, soiled his clothes, and made his poor mother a lot of hard work in getting him clean again, even if he was so fortunate as to sustain no injury. I think you will all agree with me when I say that Johnnie himself was a good deal to blame. Anybody, even a child, should be careful about running headlong in a place where he is not perfectly acqtiainted with the locali- ty and surroundings, especially where it is grown up with grass and weeds. Of course, parents often say, "Let the chil- dren tear around and learn these hard necessary lessons by experience, even if the experience be somewhat bitter at times." Such talk will do very well; but, if I am not mistaken, Johnnie's father blamed himself, and perhaps quite vehe- mently. The father was greatly to blame for not making himself acquainted with the dooryard and its surroundings where he chose to locate his wife and children. Just the minute he discovered, or had an inkling that there was an old well where children might stumble, he should have cov- ered it up, put a fence around it, or at least have cut away the weeds and grass with the scythe so that every one could see at a glance the danger that lay in that di- *l think I found the above incident in a recent is- sue of the Sunday School Times. The morals which I draw further on, however, are my own. rection. The father who permits a well or cistern to remain uncovered should be re- monstrated with. If he does not at once heed the remonstrance he should be coni- pelled dy law to take care of such danger- ous places where children or other people might pass in the dark. Not only is the father to blame, but the mother also. If she pleads in extenuation that she did not know any thing about the well, and never heard of it, this should not be a suflicient excuse. It is every mother's business to look carefully over the sur- roundings; and she should go as far from her home as any of her children are likely to wander. She should know by personal inspection whether or not there are open wells or cisterns where they may not only sustain serious injury, but perhaps lose their lives. Very likely many of you can remember where children in your own local- ity have lost their lives through just such carelessness. And not only the mother, but the older brothers and sisters, if there are any, should be responsible. Yes, and the neigh- bors, if they know of such places, should be severely censured if they have permitted them to go uncared for. The town or city should have an ordinance making it a mis- demeanor to endanger life in this way. And finally the whole State, or the United States, should, if it has not been done al- ready, enact stringent laws, and punish the offenders by a severe penalty for sloven- ly negligence in the matter of which I have been speaking. At a recent Sunday-school convention in Los Angeles, Cal., Dr. Miller was called on to speak. He said a boy here in this land is of more value than any thing else in the world. I think he quickly corrected himself by saying that a girl in this pres- ent age is worth almost as much as a boy, and possibly some people would think a little more. But I think you will all agree, that the boys and girls, say about the age Johnnie was when he fell into that old well, are the most valuable things the United States or the whole wide world., for that matter, has to look after and care for. We may thank God for the just and reasonable laws that we have for grown-up people; and I believe the tendency in recent times is to consider the health and best welfare of our boys and girls of fully as much (if not more) value as we do the lives and wel- fare of our grown-up people. Men and women can take care of themselves, in a measure, in a way that children can not. May God help us, not only to feel but to shoulder our responsibilities as American citizens. Now, friends, I am not sure you will all agree with me, at once, when I say that, bad as it is for boys or girls to fall into an old well and lose their lives, there are worse things that can happen to our chil- dren than even this. When we hear of somebody who has lost his life by stum- bling into a well, we raise our hands in 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 889 horror; and every man, woman, and child sends up a protest of blame and censure against one who is g'uiltj^ of leavinjj: such a place unprotected; but I tell you it is true there are worse places than these that our boj's, and jjirls too, are falling^ into every daj' in the year, and yet there is no ade- quate stir being- made about it. Some of you may sa}' I am an alarmist, and that I magnify' the dangers; but if you will read my text at the head of this talk I think you will be compelled to admit that the dear Savior recognized and emphasized just what I have been saying. After Johnnie's papa lifted him out of the well the mother cleaned up his clothing, perhaps gave him a good bath, and he was as good as ever. The neighbors may have censured him a little for his childish heed- lessness, but no one would think of laying it up against him. But suppose, my dear friend, a little later on Johnnie went to jail, or perhaps to a penitentiary, for some foul crime. Could the poor mother fix him up " as good as new " after such an experi- ence? When he fell in the well, he soiled his nice clothing; but how about a soiled and stained character? Can the mother or the father wash out these stains? Can they prevent the story of his crime following him to the last days of his life? Away back in Gleanings I mentioned a poor girl who was rescued by the Salvation Army. When she was but a mere child she was " sinned against " by a certain relative who had been appointed her guardian. Those who knew the circumstances would hardly blame the child for what happened. When she was old enough she broke away from her life of sin, and was taken in hand by the Salva- tion Ar)ny, because nobody else would have her around. She was a Christian girl, skillful and competent; and in this day and age when household help is in such great demand, she found places without a bit of trouble, and kept them, until the story of the past came out; finally she went away from home trying to find a locality where thej' would not hear her former his- tory. Do you know the result? Just as soon as the story of her misfortune ( I am sure that is the right word) reached her new home she was promptly dismissed. Not a word was even mentioned of incom- petency in any respect; in fact, they seemed to feel very sorr}' to part with her; but they could not think of having a girl in their Christian (?) home, no matter what her present life and conduct might be, whose character had been stained years before. Now, I do not say this is right. God knows my soul rebels against such injustice; but it is the way of the world. If the child had fallen into the well, and had been crippled for life — or I think I can go further, and say if she had lost her life — it would have been better in the estimation of many peo- ple than to suffer this very fall I have men- tioned. If there had been no Salvation Army around, very likely she would have never heard about "Jesus and his love," and she would have gone down the custom- ary path to a life of shame and ruin. In view of this, dare you tell me that I am mistaken when I insist there are worse places for endangering not only bodily life, but the life of the soul as well? and places that exist not only in our cities but in al- most every small town and hamlet through- out our land? Our laws are progressive in many ways. They are filling up wells in onr cities where boards of health have de- cided the water was unwholesome. They are making-magnificent progress in getting rid of the cause of disease — especially con- tagious ones. Surgery is making great headway. Perhaps we are making so)ne headway along the lines of the whisky- traffic; but, oh dear me! I presume there are thousands of our readers who will ve- hemently stand by me in what I have said about fencing off dangers in the way of covering wells and cisterns. Why, if some- body discovers a hole in a bridge on any of our country roads, no matter how great his hurry he goes and gets a rail or board, and sticks it up in the bridge so people driving may keep their horses out of it. It is a rather bad thing for a horse to get a broken leg on account of a faulty bridge. When men are digging through our streets putting in water or gas pipes, they are obliged by law to put a lighted lantern by the side of the ditch; and not only that, it must be a lantern giving a red light as a signal of danger; but who is there that takes the trouble to stick up a rail in front of a saloon? No! I do not mean a saloon after all. I mean a "blind pig" or a "speak-easy." These places are, for all the world, like the uncovered well in the midst of the weeds and grass. They are all through our prohibition towns, or near- ly so. They profess to keep a restaurant, or sell "soft" drinks— perhaps it is a drug- store; and these things are like the weeds and grass, as the business is carried on "on the sly." Perhaps you turn away from my talk, and think the matter is not so bad as I have presented it. But I am not alone in my protest against these things. Less than a week ago a foul murder was committed in Cleveland. This time, with commendable alacrity, the police summoned their forces, got evidence here and there, and in less than a week had the two murderers behind the prison bars, and their pictures appear in the daily papers. They found where the men had been all one Sunday after- noon. They even proved how many drinks they had had at this, that, and the other place. The murdered man had been drink- ing too. They had no spite against him — that is, in their senses; but under the influ- ence of the drink he was foully murdered, just for the little money he happened to have in his pocket when he went on a spree with the other two. Here is what the Cleveland News and Herald s,a.ys, in regard to the matter: The police are to be congratulated upon the arrest of 890 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Oct. 15 the two 5 oung ruffians who are said to have confessed to the brutal murder of a man in the vicinity of Besse- mer Ave. and the Cleveland & Pittsburj;h R R. track, on Sunday evening. They did a good piece of work in quickly laving their hands upon the alleged murderers. Two things should be ob.served in this connection, however. One is, that the prisoners drank in several saloons before the tatal a.ssault was committed. This was on Sunday evening, when no saloons are supposed to be open In that connection it may be reasonable to ask if there would have been a murder had the po lice done their duty in enforcing the law against Sun- day liquor-selling. Again, it is said that at least one of the prisoners has given the police much trouble in the past He has been arrested several times, the last time in July, when he was charged with suspicion. The "kind and con- sidera'e hand" appears to have been reached out to shield him, and but for that he might have been placed where it would have been impossible for him to com- mit a murder. To what extent are the authorities of this city re- sponsible for this latest murder, because of their lail- ure to enforce the law against Sunday liquor selling, and of their failure to hold at least one of the alleged murderers when he had been arrested on a charge of suspicion ? Disregard of law, and lenient treatment of offenders, may be regarded as in the interest of hu- manity, but they are often promoters of crime. Now, friends, would it not have been a magnificent thing- if the policemen of Cleve- land had shown the same thoroughness and alacrity in closing up Sunday saloons that they did in ferreting out and bringing to justice the parties concerned in this mur- der? Now, ma3' be I am getting off my beat when I suggest something that this great Cleveland daily does not mention. The mayor of Cleveland, who not only has a big salary, but has taken his oath to enforce the laws, instead of being on hand in that great city to encourage the city police in en- lorcing the laws, where is he? As nearly as I can find out, he is off in an automo- bile, making speeches all over this State because he wants to be Governor of Ohio. I wonder if he has ever noticed the little text that says, "He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much." Now, I for one protest against electing a mayor who draws his salary, and works all the while at some other job. I protest, also, against this modern fash- ion of having a postmaster who hires some- body to take care of the postoffice while he does something else, and so on with every other public office. Get a man whom we have every reason to believe from his past history will attend strictly to his duties and nothing else. And especially do we want men who demonstrate their fitness for a higher office by sticking right to the job the people of the nation, have already given them. When poor bespattered Johnnie reached up his hands in a plaintive appeal to his papa, who was a long while in getting there, he said, "O papa! why didn't you hurry up?" And this is the moral that the Sunday School Times applied to the story of the boy who fell into the well. We want a lot of "hurry-up" people to look after our boys who are stumbling into all these dan- gerous wells, or who have already fallen in. I fear we are turning this whole busi- ness over to the Salvation Army, of reach- ing down and pulling up the boys and girls, no matter how repulsive the work may be. God bless the Salvation Army! Surely they are a part of the great army of "huriy-ups" we need. Then we want hurry-up fathers and mothers; hurry-up Sunday-schools; hurry-up prayer - meet- ings; hurry-up Y. M. C. A. organizations and Endeavor societies; hurry-up temper- Huce societies and temperance people, no matter wjiere they are. In speaking of the Y. M. C. A., I am re- minded that Dr. Miller and I had rooms very near the great Y. M. C. A. building in Los Angeles. We visited that building several times, both on week days and on Sunday, and never found a door unlocked. I went there twice after Dr. Miller left, and could not get in. Now, there are some grand things about the city of Los Angeles, and I expect to speak of them in due time; but who is there in Los Angeles or any- where else who can give a reason why the Y. M. C. A. reading-rooms in that great city should be locked up, especially when they have guests from abroad by the thou- sands? It rejoiced my heart to hear Burdett give us an excellent sermon — a sermon in which he scored the police pretty severely for their treatment of the Salvation Army — and on the evening of the same day I heard Fran- cis Murphy, and saw the evidence of the great work he is doing in that city. Mur- phy is now old and graj'-headed; but there is considerable "hurry-up" about him, even yet. May God be with the hurry-ups, and may the readers of Gleanings, each and all, be found in the front ranks. '*',>-> .'-BY;.: ..-;:. A. I ; ROOT. ■■■■/. '^ There are some things I have omitted in my travels away back that I will take up just now. Last winter I had a very pleas- ant visit with Mr. Wallace R. Moses, of West Palm Beach, Fla. Mr. M. is a real- estate dealer, and can probably g-ive good advice to anybody who contemplates mak- ing a visit or purchasing a home in the land of perpetual flowers and sunshine. Friend Moses has a very pretty garden, not only of all the vegetables that will grow in his lo- calit}', but he is testing tropical fruits and flowers to quite an extent. As hispropert3- runs down to the salt water of Indian River, he has quite a collection of valuable plants that will grow in the salty marsh near the water. Then he has cut a little waterway up into this garden, where he runs a pretty little gasoline-launch; and I greatly enjoy- ed the trip in the boat for quite a distance around in the neighborhood of that great Palm Beach Hotel. The boat, up among the flowers and plants, makes a ver}' pretty combination. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURK 891 On my way home from Cuba I had a most pleasant visit with our g-ood friend J. M. Jenkins, at Wetumpka, Ala. Most of the friends in the South know more or less about friend Jenkins because he has for so many 3 ears had charge of the Root Co. 's g-oods in that section. Besides, he has quite a nice little bee-hive factory of his own. In fact, he has just installed a new factory built all of brick. If he did not live so far down south I should call him a natural-born Yan- kee. Do you know why? Well, when he wanted brick to make his factorj' he could not g^et them just to his notion, so he estab- lished a brick^-ard, or bought one of some- body else; and he has not only made brick for his own building, but he has furnished a very nice article for quite a number of building's in Wetumpka. When the bee business is not crowding", he utilizes his hands in the brickyard. Well, his home is quite a little piece from the postoffice; and on account of his large business through the mails, or for some other reason, our benevolent Uncle Sam has given him a post- office in his own part of the town. The name is Honej'suckle, and it is in charge of one of his bright wideawake daughters. One of his other daughters, in company with the mother, takes charg-e of all the correspondence in that new brick factory; and you just ought to see the bright little office occupied by the women-folks. In place of cigar smoke and untidy-looking- spittoons, which we too often find in offices occupied bj' men, these women have got some beautiful flowers, and the room is fix- ed up lilmost like a parlor. If a man with a cigar in his mouth should get a glimpse of that tidy little room I am sure he would leave the cigar outside. Well, now, the brickyard and the bee hive factory are not all friend Jenkins has on his hands. He is engineer and conductor of the branch railwaj' that runs from El- more, twelve miles, on the L. & N., to We- tumpka. He has charge, and has had for years, of this entire branch railway. He sees to the carrying- of the mails, passen- gers, and freight. I asked his good wife if he had anj' other business enterprises be- sides what I had seen. She said he did have a farm out in the country, but she per- suaded him to let it go. He also has one or more buildings to rent; is one of the direc- tors of the principal bank in his town, and, if I remember rightly, he holds two or three important public offices besides. When he gets older he will probably let go of some of them — at least 1 hope he will. THE BLUE COLORADO SPRUCE. Now, friends, if you will excuse an ab- rupt jump of several thousand miles we will alight for a moment in the bright little vil- lage of Farwell, Clare Co., Mich. When I visited friend Bingham he told me we must be sure to c^ll on the Wilkin sisters, and while there to be sure not to forget to notice a beautiful specimen of the Blue Colorado spruce. I did notice the tree, but forgot un- til now, to make mention of it — see p. 771. This spruce has a sort of bloom much like the bloom of the plum over all its foliage. On this particular tree this blue haze or halo is so pronounced that one starts in sur- prise on getting a glimpse of it. It gave me a pleasant thrill; and when I inquired about it the sisters told me the trees were not so very expensive, but that only occa- sionally a specimen showed this marked pe- culiarity to such an extent as the one I was looking at. They furthermore pointed to several little trees that I think they said were seedlings. Some of them showed the blue more than others. I said then and there that I was going to have such a tree on our lawn, and also several near the cabin in the woods, where evergreens grow spontane- ously. Now. friends, w, hen you visit a nurs- ery again, or when you look over some of the beautiful homes, watch and inquire for the blue Colorado spruce. With this preface we will take up our travels through Michi- gan on the automobile, where I left off at the town of Traverse City. While Huber and I were stopping at the cabin in the woods we had the misfortune to break the main shaft in the engine of our automobile. I think I will tell how we did it, as it may prove a caution to others. Near the town of Bingham there are some very bad sandhills. An automobile will run up almost any hill where a team would attempt to pull any kind of load, especially if the ground is hard and firm. Where the soil is so sandy that the loose sand runs in be- tween the spokes of the wheels, it is a pretty hard matter to run any automobile. When a horse pulls a vehicle he lifts up somewhat on the wheels and thus prevents them from sinking. The automobile, however, has no such lift upward. Tlie engine can simply turn the rear wheels. In getting through dry sand or through soft mud we often have to run the engine a pretty good speed, and then put on the slow-motion clutch. Some- times we can go only a few feet at a time; but it is generally possible to get up almost any hill by taking time. The road from Bingham Dock to the town of Bingham is cut up very deep by drawing heavy loads of lumber. For the first time in the whole trip through Michigan we found here a ridge of sand so high between the wheel tracks that in one or two places it struck the chain of the machine. You know how it works when you get sand on the chain of a bicycle. Well, in attempting to go over this sandy ridge the shaft was broken. Later on we got a boot or shoe that protected the chain so it could not possibly get into the sand. Let me say to the credit of the Olds com- pany, however, that a new shaft and bal- ance-wheel were sent us promptly at their own expense. When we bought the machine it was with the understanding it would make the trip all right through Michigan, and it did so. I may say briefly that, be- fore the new shaft arrived, Huber and I, with such tools as we could pick up at an ordinary farmhouse, made a splice that 892 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Oct. 15 held very well for over 200 miles. We were about a day and a half in doing- it. At the town of Grawn, a little this side of Traverse City, a hotel- keeper who did not like automobiles informed us that another "billy g-oat " just like ours had passed through there only the day before. Auto- mobiles have had a great many names, but Huber and I thought this capped them ail- not a very dignified name, surely. We got into Cadillac between seven and eight in the evening; and although we had relatives there, Huber- was in such a hurry to get home he thought we could stop only about twenty minutes — long enough to shake hands, etc. A bright-eyed accom- plished cousin of his, however, so changed his mind that, before the evening was over, he concluded it would not put us back very materially if we stopped over in Cadillac a whole day. Cadillac is situated on the shores of a beautiful lake, and the enterprising in- habitants have built a macadamized road nine miles in length clear around the lake, close to its shore. Our auto made it easily in one- half hour, and it is certainly one of the finest "drives" in Michigan. Cadillac is quite a manufacturing town; and when it comes to beautiful homes with cement walks and grassy lawns and nicely paved streets, I do not think I have ever found a prettier town in all my travels. Somewhere between Cadillac and Big Rapids, I am sorry I can not tell just where, we passed by one of the fish-hatcheries es- tablished by the State. It was one of my " happy surprises." I did not know any thing about it until I saw some dainty little fish-ponds surrounded by bright grassy lawns. Finally I told Huber I thought it must be a fish-hatchery, and, no matter how great our hurry was, we must stop and look it over. There were little fishes, about the size of bees, or larger; speckled trout, black bass, and all the best food fishes known. In one of these little ponds you would find the fish about the size of bees; in the next, perhaps an inch long; then two and three inches long, and so on all the way up to fish big enough to produce spawn, and breed. I believe they are hatched out in a properly constructed building. It was just feeding-time when we stopped. I think the principal food for the fishes is raw liver, or some kind of cheap meat. This is ground in a machine, and then tossed into the wa- ter for the fish. For the little fishes it is ground very fine, larger for the larger ones, and so on. I think some of them are also fed on vegetable foods. When the food was thrown in among the fishes, a great lot of them, to show their joy, jumped clear out of the water. These fish-hatcheries can be lo- cated only where there is an abundance of clear cold spring water. This keeps the temperature of the fish-ponds very near the same, winter and summer, and washes out all filth, giving the fish a constant stream of pure fresh water. In the shallow tanks in the buildings it is interesting to see the baby fishes, each one swimming with all its might; but the current of water through the shallow box or trough was graduated so the movement of the water was just about at the rate the fishes could swim; so they exercis- ed their tiny fins in swimming with all their might, but they did not move along any. I noticed they all seemed eager to get close to where the water was admitted into the tank. They like fresh water just as we like fresh air. Lake View is a very pretty little town al- so on the border of a dainty little lake. We stopped there to get water at a country store for our machine. I used to tell people our horse did not eat oats, but he needed water to drink about every 25 miles. While we were filling up the water-tank, I noticed some baskets of very nice-looking Red As- trachan apples standing out in front of the store; and then I noticed every man, woman, and child in the crowd standing around the machine was eating red apples as if they really enjoyed them. I handed the woman who kept the store a nickel, and told her to give us some mellow apples that were ripe enough to eat. When she prepared to give me about a peck in a paper bag, I remon- strated. I told her we could not take care of so many, and, besides, she could not af- ford so many for a nickel. "Oh, yes!" she said, "that is all right. We sell them for twenty cents a bushel, and you ought to have about a peck for the nickel." That was a woman's idea of storekeeping; but I think most of the men would want a little Ijarger profit than that. I ate two ap- ples, and they seemed to " hit the spot " so exactly I told Huber I felt sure they must be exactly what God intended we should have for food. Then I looked into the bag and saw a great big one that was so ripe it was breaking open. I thought I would just taste it, and see if it was as good as the oth- er two. Then I remembered what Terry said, and I said to myself, "If I just think these apples will not disagree with me, they will be all right; so, here goes." I will confide to you, dear reader, that within less than an hour there was quite a little delay with our automobile trip. I pre- sume one reason why the apples made me sick was, they were the first ripe ones I had tasted for the season. If I had taken half an apple the first day, the next day a whole one, then two apples, until I had got a little used to them, I could probably have eaten three without disagreeable consequences. Dame Nature objects, or seems to, to too big a dose of almost any thing in the way of food to begin with. Some of you may sug- gest that it is not a very bad thing, after all, if one does get a severe physicking with new fruit. This may also be true; but mj' opin- ion is, it is better to go a little slow in upset- ting the machinery of the digestive organs a little too suddenly. At the present time, Oct. 2, I am eating two good-sized ripe ap- ples every day without bad consequences. At Greenville, Montcalm Co., Mich., I was . surprised to see some beautiful large facto- 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. ries that I was told were devoted to the busi- ness of producinj^ silk; and this was the first intimation that I had had that silk- factories were to be fovmd in Michigan. Can somebody tell us a little more about it? If you are interested in Cuba and want the truth about it, subscribe for the HAVANA POST, the onU' English paper on the Island. Published at Havana', Cuba. $1.00 per month, $10.00 per year. Dai- ly (except Monday). Wood=working Machinery. For ripping, cross-cu ting, mitering, grooving boring, scroll-sawing, edge moulding, mortising ; for y m Send for catalog A. The Seneca Falls M'f'g Co., 44 Water St .. Seneca Fs.. N. Y. ^' D 11 V YOUR Kll i ATWHOU ■^ WFiiU Line. i TREES ^^^^^"^ ^^^^ ATWHOLESALE PRICEsTlie GROWER Best totoclc. Low Prices. Write for FREE Catalog. ROCHESTER, N. Y. 893 BARNES' Hand and Foot Power Machinery. This cut represents our combined circular saw, which is made for bee- keeper's use in the con- struction of their hives, sections, boxes, etc., etc. Machines on Trial. Send for illustrated cata- log and prices. Address W. F. & Jno. Barnes Co., 545 Ruby St., Rockford. : lUinoIc A Wagon's Worth depends upon its convenience and life. The life depends upon the wheel. You get every conveni- ence of the Modern Low Handy [ Wagon and dou ble its life b.v using ELECTRIC Metal Wheels For a few dollars you turn your old running gears or one you can I buy for a sonsx, Into a new wagon. Straight or stag- • gered oval steel spokes. The stoutest wheel you can ' buy. Any height, fit any wagon. No repairs, no rut- ' ting, light dratt, long service. Let us send you free • catalog to show you how it saves you money. Electric Wheel Company., Box 95, Quincy, Illinois. Ficiis, rtrns. l{ii-(>s, etc. Correspomlen THE STORRS & ttc, have been the standard of excellence for half a cciitui.v. Tlie best alwajs cheapest. Have hundreds ol carloads of Frisits asici 40 acres of Hardy Koses inchidine 45.PnO of the famous Crimsoti liambler. 44 t^ceuhousesof Palms, laloj'ue free. 5Uth year. 1000 acres. ISOr^ CO., Painesvine,0. ""^ I -"f^^ Makes healtliier fowls. All latest improvements. SENT ON TEN DAYS' FREE TRIAL. No money until you're satisfied that it cuts easier and faster than any other. Isn't that better than paving cash in advance (or a machine that you never I saw! Catalogue tree. F. W. MANN CO., Box 37, Milford, Mass. Knowing just when to sell or when to buy means dollars to the farmer. It is a lever that can be made to count m profit in many ways and the telephone is the greatest means to this end. With a STROMBERG - CARLSON TELEPHONE you are in a position to know the market prices from day to day, hour to hour. They're not a luxury— cost is trillin.i,'— they're a necessity to successful farming-. Send five 2c stamps for l:28-i)age telephone book. Our book F- 36, "Telephone Facts for Farmers," is free. STROMBERG-CARLSON TEL. 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CI a ai;'^-^ a o u 0) o M- E i >' 3-^ • ' . a cB >> -j; o -^ v* CO o a -*H f- ■'^ OJ - 1- a •^ a; nj 3 1/ >,a M S 3'" 3 cfl i; a .Si S ^ ■t; £ Mu ^ M<3 o *-* Pi •-; U fe bj3 ja a « i; iC' w n j^ « CO 3 I- o \ii a. CO O K Q. q: O Ul H co Ul 3 ©< Ui DC a. c — 3» aj U) OS p. u ■10 u5 a cs o ^ o OiO S M cs ai l-H D -u H rt -J X D "2 w -. M (LI g; •== J5 u 2; il ° £ ° 2 & a M o s tS,f. «6 1 ., ;: - ou '■■^i', iIt:*^ o _ If. .J. ti ti - ■■ = -3 ,? > . ~ — 1= •:; o "H a5 .S rt 3 ^ fX^ a oc- - - 2i r. ■/. r. :- :- > :^ -aS^ - '- ■■'^ 3 '• u i "^ •i ?i-flo-^2-g ai u iirt ""- ^ 5 - I = I ^ "3 5 ^ i r^. s:i>.'j-. c.^ 0 ^ 0 u u a 0 CA ^ [fl "ti t/3 0 < a VZ 6* V 3 MO a ^ uppli trum nniin Q V > 0 ctf r-i tn Plumbers' S Surgical Ins Slalionery I'ailors' Trii Tinvvaie Tombstones X Furnace Hardwa l^adies' Miners' fits 0 0 IK 0 '■J c r- r-i 0 0 (1> •5 c *- u m u X (^ CA 0 >.aj 0 ^ 896 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Oct. 15 Time for Argument has Passed HERE IS THE EYTDENCE Read These Interesting Letters from Our Shareholders """i""'™"?; w CI III ct u u c r than any language of ours demonstrate the success of our wonderful co-operative plan; the great enthusiasm it has created among all classes and success to which it is destined. Another $1000 Co=operator. Yankton. South Dakota Your letters of the 18th and 19th showing apprecia- tion of my interest and approval of my work, at hand. I am^ interested because I can see that you have hit upon a great scheme, and 1 am confident that OUR lausiness will very soon at least, be " the biggest thing ou earth " with proper management, and I have faith in the management or would not put my money into it. I am to-day making application for 90 shares more of .stock. This gives me the limit. Your (our) prospectus is taking. It took me, and will others. I wish, if convenient, that my certificate of stock both for this and the former ten shares might be sent to me at Mitchell as I might like to make use of them in interesting others tflere. I have begun business with you (usi by ordering a watch on which I save S300 over the price I would have to pay here for the same anicle. A Canadian's Confidence. No. 5184. Stratford. Out., Can. I am sending you to-day SIC for one share. If I were in position to take 100 shares, would take them just as soon as one. This shows the faith I have in your Union, as well as in its officers. A Great Enthusiast. No. 5790. Marshfield, Mo. I congratulate you on being among the few who cominence the twentieth century with the coopera- tive method and idea, which I believe will ultimately become the method in all transactions the world over. I am enthusiastic on this subject and hope I may be- come a member of your "Society." Universal co- operation means no more poverty, human vengeance, or crime, but peace on earth and good will to man. I am now selling off my farms and live stock, and pro- pose to devote my remaining days to this good work. From Far=away Korea. I was much impressed with your Prospectus and with the idea of co-operation. Your push and ei^thu- siasm certainly ought to be contagious, and merits success. I am a missionary at home on a furlough, my field of labor being Korea. Other houses do a lot of business out there, especially in the line of dry goods, household goods, and sporting goods. I thought that, if I went in with j'ou, I might be able to introduce our goods over theie and supplant the other houses. The people over there did not like them. A Strong Believer in Our Success. No. 5325. Cincinnati, Ohio. About the first thing that attracted mv attention on perusing the Bookkeeper Magazine which I received only yesterday, was j'our ad. concerning the re-char- tering of your company, and after reading same through carefully I could not but help put faith in your movement, as it seems evident to me that it is destined to be a grand success. The fact that I have only subscribed for one share does not mean that I am in any way doubtful of its feasibility, as I should certainly take more were I able to do so just at the present time. Perhaps in the near future I shall be both better prepared to purchase additional stock. I fully believe I can influence many orders in your direction, or, rather, the company of which I am part. Likes Our Plan. No. 5058. K. K. U. No. 4, Hudson, Ohio. I like your plan, and if I had the money should take the limit of stock. Another Old English Co=operator. No. 5322. Anita, Pa. I am heartily in favor with your plan of co-opera- tion. I was a member of a co-operative society in England twenty years ago, therefore I am able to judge of the blessin.gs to thousands of families. I remit to-day $10 for one share, and if not all taken up m the near future I might take one or two more. Well Acquainted with Co=operation and Our Goods. No. 5636. Carnegie Library, ) Hazelwood, Pittsburg, Pa. i I wish to say I most heartily indorse the co-opera- tive plan, and knowing the benefits and blessings that have accrued to those that have availed them- selves of its advantages, by observation and experi- ence. I have seen the people who were careless and slovenly grow into tidy and highly respected citizens because of the help they have received from the half- yearly dividends. They have furnished their homes and paid off old debts and raised somebody in the world: therefore I am pleased that you are engaged in such a worthy cause, and I will join the same and do some thing to increase its membership. My wife desires me to say she is well pleased with her ma- chine, the Arlington. $1000 from an Insurance Han. St. Louis, Mo. Received your book of valuable information, and have read it carefull • . I have been looking for sev- eral months for just such a company as yours to invest my money in. Inclose you application blank for $1000. A Head Book=keeper Interested. No. 5016. Abilene, Texas. I am to-day forwarding to the Bank of Registrar a check for one share in your enterorise. After my stock shall have been issued I wish to send you a list of those that are in sympathy and would give their moral and financial support to your enterprise, and mail catalogs to them. I am head book-keeper for my firm, and enjoya lucrative salary, yet I am a thorough co-operator. Believes in Our Policy of Good Goods. No. 5051. Maiden, Mass. I am forced to admit that the plan looks fair. Con- tinue to handle reliable goods — let some one else sell the cheap and worthless — and you will no doubt suc- ceed. There are plenty of people in the world yet who want a good article and e«pect to pay for it. I wish you success in the undertaking, and will contrib- ute my mite toward the same. I have .sent the money to the bankers, as you direct, for five shares {$50). Below All Others in Price. No. 5379. Grant Park, 111. I am sending to-daj- $100 to the Metropolitan Trust & Savings Bank for ten shares of your profit-sharing stock which I hope I will get I would have sent sooner, but I have been delayed in sending. Now it is to your interest to let me have this stock, as I am a tanner and have lived on a farm all of my life, and order considerable stuff by mail as I find it is a money- saving business. I have been trading with other houses, but I find you are below them in price for first-class goods. If I get the stock, as I hope I will, I will do my mail-order business with you, and will get my friends and rela- tives to do business with you. The mail-order busi- ness among the farmers is growing every year. Now, I hope you will see that I get ten shares of the stock, and I will do all I can to make it a .success. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 897 Quits His Own Business to Join Ours. No. 5460. Muncie, Ind. I have sent subscription and draft as per your prop- osition advertised in the July " Bookkeeper," and I would be pleased to have you send nic what catalogs you have prepared. I was just preparing to enter the mail-order business, and from what I get from your proposition I believe it would be well for me to turn my attention to this work, and I think I can turn quite a large business from this section. A Heavy Mail-order Buyer. St. l,ouis, Mo. I wish to purchase about three shares of your stock within the next three weeks. I have always been a heavy mail-order buyer; have in the last ten years bought thousands of dollars worth of goods 'from other houses. I am much pleased with your plan. I want a few shares of your stock, at least three shares, for I am pleased with your prices and plans and want to purchase to a considerable extent from vour house. ■Vl^nrp ■ Mr, H. J. Elliott, Secretary of the Metropolitan Trust & Savings Bank, of Chicago, will certify ^^ 1 ^ • ti^at these letters, the number of the certificate, and the amount subscribed are on record in his bank. .\s we always treat all transactions and investments of our customers and shareholders .sacredly confi- dential, we are prevented from publishing names. Write to Metropolita-n Trust & Savings Bank if you so'desire. AJ\IDJMHI|Sjnj£JRESUL^ OF IT How Co-operation Interests Intelligent People. Cert. Occupation. Town. State. Amt. Cert. Occupation. Town. State. Amt. 6443 Farmer iVlobile, Ala. $1000 .%S5 Farming, Searight, Penn. 100 6442 Insurance St. Louis, Mo. 1000 .■)()S7 Housewife, West Paris, Me. 100 5495 Kaneville, 111. 100 5ii!il Railroad Agent, Port Carbon, Penn. 200 54«.'i York Haven, Penn. IM 5697 Waiter, St Louis, Mo. 200 oM> Book-keeper, Bonne Terre, Mo. 100 5703 Chicago, 111. 100 S-'ST Oxford. Mich. 100 5723 Farming, Faribault, Minn. 100 ol&S Pittsburg, Penn. 100 (1085 Stock Ganger, Kern, Cal. 2.50 5282 Tailor, Cairo, 111. 100 588:5 Salesman, Philadelphia, Pa. 300 5270 Mill-manager, Kenio, 111. 100 .58.37 Physician, Watch Hill, R. I. 400 5507 Retired Merchant , St. Peter, Minn. 100 .5S8.S San Francisco, Cal. 2.50 52iH Promoter, St I^ouis, Mo. 2.50 5974 Housekeeper, Kangley, Hi. 400 5062 Publisher. St. lyOuis, Mo. 250 6000 Clergyman, Warm Spring, Ore. 300 5:»() Del Roy, Ohio. 150 6105 Teacher, Quaway, Mich. 200 5292 Druggist, Coldwa'ter, Kan. 100 6121 Housekeeper, Evansville, Ind. 400 526:i Milliner. Eau Claire, Wis. 500 6251 Merchant, ElHjay, Ga. 300 5411 Zanesville, Ohio. 250 6248 Toulon, 111. 500 5019 Farming, Bartlett, Kans. 500 6323 Electrician, Troy. Ohio. 500 5.571 Friday Harbor, Wash. 100 6403 Pur. Agent, R. R., Perrysburg, Ohio. 300 5.')72 Farmer. Aberdeen, Wash. 500 6437 Housekeeper, Youngstown, N. Y. 500 5584 Manufacturer, Centralia, Wash. 100 5-497 Farmer, Fairmount, 111. 600 5441 Farmer, Wyndmere, N. Dak. 1-10 .5733 Manufacturer, Meyersdale, Pa. 300 5645 Lake Charles, La. 1000 5738 Dentist, Hennepin, 111. 12(1 5.Also€rrBpe8,^mnll 1- ruitseic.iiest loot- ed stock. Genuine, cheap. 2 sample cun.ants mailed for 10c. Uesc. prioe list free. LEWIS KOEstU, Fredonia, N. V- r\yf TT Printed to Order $1 per 1000 Heavy, white, high-cut, size 6?^. A neat little coupon on each envelope will earn you dollars. Other station- ery cheap. For particulars and sample, address at once Howard Co.. 516 Masonic Temple. Chicago. Ills. 900 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Oct. 15 COLD-FRAME SASH. We are prepared to furnish these, made of pine or cvpress, for either S or 11 inch glass, at SO cts. each, $3.75 for 5, or $7.00 for 10, shipped K D. The pine sash have side bars 354 inches wide by 6 ft. long. The cj'press sash have 254-inch side-bars full \% in. thick, and onlv 3 feet 3 in wide. GLASS, 8x10. We have quite a stock of 8x10 glass for sash, which we offer at $2.75 per box; 5 boxes, $13; 10 boxes or more at $2.50 per box. This is a special low price, > e- low what some of it cost us, but in keeping with the present market pi ice. HONKY MARKET. We are having a fair trade in honey at good prices, compared with what it is bringing in some markets. Fancy comb goes off best of anything. Estrac ed and the lower grades of comb sell more slowly. We havf a good stock of extracted on hand, and a more limited supply of comb. BUSHEL BASKETS. We have in stock a few dozen oak-splint bushel baskets, such as we formerly listed in our department- store catalog. These we offer, while they last, for the common lap-splint kind, 3 for 60 cts. ; 6 for $1.10, or 12 for $2.00. For the genuine Briggs ba-sket. which will hold grain, 3 for 75 cts.; 6 for $1.40. 12 for $2.75. EARLY-ORDER DISCOUNTS. Remember the discount for cash orders this month is t) per cent from present catalog prices, which are higher on .some things than printed in our last cata- log. Quite a good many have taken advantage of this discount, and have sent us liberal orders for next sea- son. If you know what you need for next season, and can raise the money to pay for it, it is much to your advantage to order now, securing the liberal discount as well as getting the material on hand ready to put up and get ready for use while you have the leisure time in the winter. BUSHEL CRATES. In working up so much basswood lumber into sec- tions, etc. we get a quantity of material of a grade not quite good enough for sections, but which makes suitable slats for bu.shel boxes. We have accumulated quite a stock of all-sla'.ted boxes, put up 14 in a crate, 2 nailed, 12 knocked down, and nails included to put them together. Owing to increased cost of lumber we had marked our prices up to ?2 10 per crate ; but we will continue the old price, $1 9.}, for a while, to work off some of the present stock. A good deal of this stock is put up with oak corners and bottom end cross- piece, which receive the nails. This makes a very strong and durable crate. The slats are not rough- sawn, like the ordinary cheap crate, but are smooth. CHICAGO BRANCH. We call attention to an announcement in another column of a rhange in our Chicago agency. Some years ago. when we bought out the supply business of Thos. G. Newman it was continued for several years in the name of The A. I. Root Co., with Mr. George W. York as manager. Later Mr. York took over the supplies ani conducted it in his name. Now we take the business and stock on hand back again, and will hereafter conduct it in our name. ;\Ir. York still remains in the office with the Avierican Bee Journal for the present. Mr. I,. W Boyden. a brother of our secretary, is taking rharge under the drection of this office, and with Mr. York at hand for advice and con- sultation. For over twenty years Mr. York has worked in connection with the bee-supply business — fir't under Mr. Newman, and later under his own direction. He has been an indefatigable worker. In connection with the editing of the Atnerican Bee Jour- nal^ which comes out weekly on time as regular as clockwork, he has accomplished an amount of work that few would survive under. After so many years of unremitting toil he desires some relief, and there- fore relinquishes the supply business, still retaining the Bee Journal. Special Notices by A. I. Root. GROWING ONIONS TO BUNCH UP— OUR FIVE CENT BOOK. This little book is finally ready, and it is more of an onion book than we at first expected to make it. Everybody who grows onions, especially these who start onions under glass, can afford to invest Jive cents in our new onion-book. AT THE CABIN IN THE WOODS ONCE MORE. I have been changing about so much lately that I do not know but it may bother some of the friends to know just where I am " at " a great deal of the time. In fact, our good pastor has been nicknaming me ■globetrotter." I do not know but he ftels a little like complaining because I am not on hand more of the time to hear his excellent sermons, and to ques- tion him, as I usually do. about them afterward. Well, next Monday morning, Oct. 12, Mrs. Root and I start once more for the cabin, or, as our youngest daughter will have it, our "cottage "in the woods. We shall lie there about two weeks while I dig my seed-potatoes and ship them down to Medina; and then I expect to be here in Medina quite a little spell unless God in his wisdom calls me elsewhere. For Sale. — Extra fine wliite clover honey, both comb and extracted. Write for special price John A. Thornton Kt 1, Ur.=a, 111. For .Sale. — Thirty barrels choice extracted white- clover honey Can put it up in any style of package desired. Write for prices, mentioning style of pack- age, and quantity wanted. .Sample mailed on receipt of three cents in P. O. stamps. Emil J. Baxter, Nauvoo, Hancock Co.. 111. For Sale. —Extracted honey. Finest grades tor ta- ble use. Prices quoted on application. Sample i y mail, 10 cts. to pay for package and postage. Orel I,. Hershiser, 301 Huntington Ave., Buffalo, N. Y. For Sale. — A choice lot of extracted buckwheat honey, at 65^ cents, put up in kegs holding about 163 lbs. E. W. Alexander & .Son, Delanson, Schenectady Co., N. Y. For Sale. — Choice alfalfa honey, in 60-lb. cans. Prices quoted on application. W. P. MORLEY, I,as Animas, Col. For Sale. — 4000 lbs. of comb honey in 24-lb. glass- front shipping-cases; well sorted and graded, clean and good. Oliver Seaton, Ladd, Bureau Co., 111. For S.^le. — Extracted honey, amber, b% up; light 7 up Several size packages. Samples, 10 cts. I. J. Stringham, 105 Park Place, New York. Wanted. — Beeswax. Will pay spot cash and full market value for beeswax at any time of the year. Write us if j-ou have any to dispose of. Hildreth & Segelken, 265-267 Greenwich St.. New York. Wanted. —Extracted honey. Mail sample and low- est price; also fancy and No. 1 comb honey; must be in no-drip shipping-cases. We pay cash. Chas Koeppen Fredericksburg. Va. Wanted — Comb and extracted honey. State price, kind, and quantity. R. A. Burnett & Co., 199 South Water St.. Chicago in Wanted. — Comb honej'. We have an unlimited de- mand for it at the right price. Address, giving quanti- ty, what gathered from, and lowest cash price at your depot. State also how packed. Thos. C. Stanley & Son, Fairfield, 111., or Manzanola, Colo. Wanted.— Beeswax ; highest market price paid. Write for price list. Bach. Becker & Co., Chicago, 111. We will be in the market for honey the coming sea- son in carloads and less than carloads, and would be glad to hear from producers everywhere what they will have to offer. Seavey & Flarsheim, • 1318—1324 Union Avenue, Kansas City, Mo. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 901 Finest Grades ExtractedKHoney^forlSale ! Three kinds, clover, celandine, and buckwheat Prices from ri'i to 9 c. per lb., accordiiis to kind and quantity wanted. This honey is better ripened than any comb honey on the market. Extracts from letters from some good judges : Bell Branch, Mich., Oct. 9, 1903. O. H. Townsend, Otsego, M ch Dear Sir:— Yours received, and the honey is very fine. In fact it is the best that we have received sam- ples from this year. M. H. IIt'nt & Son. Sample of honev is received, and the quality is su- perb. ' W.M.TrK S. POXDEK. 512 Mass. Ave., Indianapolis, Ind. Good enough for a king. A. V. Bishop & Co.. 119 Bufifalo St., Milwaukee, Wis. A four-dtachm sample of either kind of this honey sent by mail for six cents. Address O. H. Townsend, Otsego. Mich. CHas. Israel (Si Brothers 486-40O Canal St., Ne-iv YorK. Wholesale Dealers and Ccmmissicn Merchants in Honey, Beeswax, Maple Sugar and Syrup, etc. ConsiRnments Solicited. P^stablished 1S75. Squau.-> aie laistd lu 1 month, bring big prices. Eager market. Money- makers for poultrymen, farmers, women. Here is sornething worth looking into. Send for our Free Book, " How to Make Money With Squabs " and learn this rich industrj'. Address PLYMOUTH ROCK SQUAB CO., ig Friend St , Boston, Mass. Sections, shipping cases, Honey cases, and every thing necessary for the bee keeper. FINE ITALIAN QUEENS. Prompt shipping. Catalog Free. C. M. Scott & Co., Indianapolis, Ind. 1004 East Washington Street. Wants and Exchange. \yANTED.— To sell bees and queens. O. H. Hyatt. Shenandoah, Iowa. \VANTED. — To sell fine job-printing outfit, nearly '' new. J. W. Stebbins, Broad Creek, Va. IVANTED. — 2d-hand shallow-frame hives cheap for »' cash. E. Brubaker, 14 N. 3d St., Phila,, Pa. IVANTED. — To sell Brown Leghorn cockerels. Cir- '' cular. H. M. Mover, Rt. 2, Bechtelsville, Pa. YS^ w w w .•\NTED. — To sell 75 colonies bees in good shape; will sell cheap. G P. Cooper, Pikeville, Tenn. ANTED.— The address of all who are still in need of cartons. Quirin the-Queen breeder. Parkertown, Ohio. ANTED. — An apiary on shares; am experienced and reliable: South preferred. C. S. Downer, South Haven, Mich. yVANTED. — You to read the adv't of ginseng on page ' ' 7RI. Sept. 1. For prices address A. P. YODNG, Cave City, Ky. lyANTED.— Sourwood comb and extracted honey. '" State grade and price. W. A. DUNLAP. Dunlap. N. C. VyANTED.— To sell Water Spaniel puppies, six '" months old; quality high, price low. Mr. Safford Farm, Salem, N. Y. y^ANTED.— To correspond with parties having api- ' ' aries for sale in Southern California, or Maricopa County, Arizona. Wm. Pe.-vrson, Colfax, Iowa. VLfANTED. — Your address on a postal for a little "' book on Queen-Rearing. ,Sent free. Address Henry Alley, Wenham, Mass. VL^ANTED — To sell half interest in my apiary, pine- "' apple and orange plantation. Good apiarist will have exclusive charge. D. Daly, I,a Gloria, Cuba. VLTANTED.-To buy quantity lots of choice white- ' • clover comb and extracted honey. Price must be low. B. Walker, Clyde, 111. IVANTED.— To buy a few cases of extracted sage '" and alfalfa honey; state price and quantity. H. Vogeler, New Castle, Cal. Al^ANTED. — To exchange a two hundred-egg Relia- '" ble incubator, been used ve comb or extracted honey. ery little, for choice Chas. Koeppen, Fredericksburg, Va. \VANTED. — To exchange an incubator-tank, and a ' ' safety lamp for an incubator of 200-egg capacity, for a trio of minorcas or a pure-bred Angora Billj^- goat. Mrs. C. A. Hltltquist, Brookhaven, Miss. WANTED. — To sell for cash, 5gal. square tin cans, used for honey, at about half price of new cans. For prices, etc., address Orel L,. Hershiser, 301 Huntington Ave., Buffalo, N. Y. WANTED.— To sell full ccloniirs Italian bees in 8 or 10 frame Dov'd hives, with plenty of honey to winter, $5.00 each; in lots of 25, $\ 50 each. F. A. Gray, Redwood Falls, Minn. WANTED. — To sell 75 colonies bees in ten-frame hives. No failures ; good location ; Northern community; good local trade; no opposition. S200 cash buys the outfit; good reasons for selling. K. B. Morris, Box lOtJ, Chadbourn. N. C. \1/ANTED. — Assistant lady bee keeper, one that is ' ' strong, and willing to assist wife at housework when not with the bees. A long job, pleasant home, and good wages. Address Box 2, Buckeye, Arizona. XV^ANTKD.- To sell 100 hives of bees in eight-frame ' "^ Chaff hives with tin roofs, inside room for two supers, all complete, for JJ^.OO a hive where they stand. Catharine McCaslin, 308 Pittsburg St., New Castle, Pa. \1/ANTED —To sell. Having lost my wife, will sell '" 30 acres of land and 50 or 75 stands of bees in eight-frame hives; best location in the county. Write for particulars and price at once. F. D. Andrews Box 88, Walsenburg, Colo. WANTED.— 100 ten-frame extracting-supers. 10 ten- frame deep supers for comb honey, or lOOO shal- low extracting-trames, all in the flat; all ntw, or sec- ond-hand in good condition. W. H. Collier, Clarkson, Texas. WANTED.— One or two tons of honey, 4X5 sections preferred, but can use other sizes correspondence solicited, giving lowest cash price, eic; and to parties not living too far away in this State, if favorable, I will call on them. A. W. Smith, Birmingham, Mich. WANTED.— An experienced and trustworthy dairy- man and farmer, with two grown boys, to milk and care for 40 cows; stable has cement floor, and water-basin in each stall; milking hours, 4:30 a.m. and 2 p. m. Wages $Sl)0 per year with house-rent and gar- den. When answering this ad. state your experience in dairying, and give references: state age, and age of members of family. J. P. Watts, Kermoor, Pa. WANTED.— To sell apiarian outfit in good honey country in Minnesota. Raspberry, plum, white clover, willow-herb, basswood, and gotdenrod. 220 colonies of Italians; 4C0 supers, 2 extractors, and all necessary appliances. Also buggy. Barnes saw, and honey-house 12x24. built in sections. Also use of house till April next. Bees all in good condition for wintering. What offers? Write X Y Z, Gleanings, Medina, O. 902 GLEANINGS FN REE CULTIRF. Oct!. i PAGE & LYOIM, bi New London, Wisconsin. MANUFACTURERS OF AND DEALERS IN . . . BEE-KEEPERS SUPPLIES. . . f^; Send for Our Free New Illustrated ^ p. Catalog and Prire List ... t' We Have Not rioved. The government, recognizing the necessity of a great and growing bus- iness enterprise, for better mail ser- vice has given us a postoffice on our premises, which enables us to change mails with the passing trains instead of through the Wetumpka, Alabama, postoflSce more than a mile distant. This gives us our mails about two hours earlier, and also one hour for making up outgoing mail. This will be particularly helpful in our queen business. We are now booking or- ders for Italian queens, l,ong-tongued and I? , KretcbLiner M'f g' Comparty, Box 60, Red OaiK., Iowa. Best-equipped factory in the West; carry a large stock and greatest variety of every tiling needed in the apiary, assuring BE»T goods at the LOWEST prices, and prompt shipment. V'e wnnt every bee-keeper to have our FRLE ILLUSTRATED CATALOG, and read deseription of Alternating Hives, Ferguson Supers. IVriie at once for catalog. A.^ez\cies. .Trester Supply Company, Lincoln, Neb. Shugart & Ourcn, ( ouik-.I Blutls, Io\v:i, Foster Lumber Coiup;;i;y, Lamar, Colo. BINGHAM SMOKER. Dear Sir:— Inclosed find $1.75. Plpase Bend one brass smoke-eiiniue. I have one already. It is the be.-st Hmokor I ever used. Trulv yours, Henky Schmidt, Hutto, Tex. MADE TO ORDER Bingham Brass Smokers. Made of sheet brass, which does not rust or burn out; should last a lifetime. You need one, but they cost 25 cts. more than tin of the same size. The little open cut shows our brass hinge put on the three larger sizes. No wonder Bingham's four-inch smoke-engine goes without puffing, and does not drop inky drops. The perforat- ed steel fire-grate has 3S1 holes to air the fuel and support the fire. Heavy tin smoke-engine, 4-inch stove, per m.Til, $1.50; 3^-inch, $1.10; 3-inch, fl.OO; 2i/4-inch, 90c; 2-inch, ()5c. Bingham smokers are the originals, and have all the improvements, and have been the standard of excellence for 23 years. Only three larger ones brass. T. F. Bingham, Farwell, Michigan. Volume XXXI NOVEMBER I 1903 Market Quotations 907 ^^m^ ^$t Straws, by Dr. Miller 911 ^^^^^ Pickings, by Stenog: 913 ^^^ ^i Conversations with Doolittle 914 ^^l^li^^^MSS^- Editorials 915 ^ilfl^^^^fc^V ' | The Association and General Manager. 915 ^ffllll^^^i^^^^v -^ Formalin Treatment 915 iBII^OiK^^i nS-v Another Bee Suit 915 TOfilW^l^^m ^ Joint Bee Convention 916 iMl^^^tf^^^ General Correspondence 918 fill^^^^Sl''^ Items and Suggestions from Cuba 918 ffllawf^^^^ My First Truant Swarm 919 llllmW Blushed Swarms 922 llllll»\lR"'il'S?^'^ Bees in the Side Walls of a Granary 924 Illllll^^W/s?'**^^ A Model California Apiary 925 Heads of Grain 926 Fighting Disease P26 lijf|jli^^^^^v\ ^ Formaldehyde Unsuccessful 926 l||ll|HH^^aB^x^ i-f-J Soured Honey <)26 f l////|^^i^M^$!\^ Sc' Sections at $10 a Thousand 927 ////ilHl^^^Si^^^^-X Queens Stung in a Ball 927 iMPffiPJ^MBJi^.^?^^^^. Introducing Virgins 927 fM/l^*' ^i^T" Wired Frames and Starters 928 Extracting Honev from Unfinished-Sections 928 Sweet Clover in Kansas 929 Automatic Self hiving 9^9 Effect of Stings on Health 929 Skunks. How to Trap Them 930 tm/m.\ Southern Honey 930 tm/^m i l,ighting Smokers... ....930 Beginners' Question-box.. 931 /Ml, ^^ ^^If^;''w|i Notes of Travel 932' J^^^*-~~\^^^ ' ^ W*l TheA.I. (E MEDINA Root Cd OHIO 3 Eastern Edition. Entered \t thb Postofkick at Medina, Ohio, as Second-class Matter. DON^T BUY SUPPLIES until you see our 43d annual cat- alog. We've a carload of Root's Goods, and supply many goods not advertised in our catalog. New England ; Roofs Sections, Weed's New; ; Process Foundation a Specialty. We can supply these goods at their prices, and thereby save you valuable time and heavy freight charges. Bees, queens, and nucleus colonies from the very best strains in America. A 32-page illustrated catalog free. W. W. GARY & SON, ; Lyonsville, Massachusetts. TORONTO is the most centrally located city m the Do- minion. It has unequaled shipping facil- ities for prompt transportation of goods to remote points. We ha.ve already m stock large consignments of the celebrated line ot Root's Bee-Keepers* Supplies and other shipments will be coming for- ward from time to time. Our catalog is ready for mailing. Let us figure with you. C GRAINGER ®. CO. 12 Yoni^A Str«et Arcade. Special Notice to Bee=keepersl BOSTON Money in Bees for You. Catalos; Price on ROOT'S SUPPLIES Catalog for the Asking. F. H. Farmer, 182 Friend St., Boston, Mass. i Up First Flight. Bee = Keepers! Order goods now. Don't delay. Have them ready when you need them. "We keep a full line in stock at Medina prices. Save both time and freight by order- ing of us. Beeswax want- ed. Bees and queens fur- nished in season. J. B. Mechanic Falls, Maine. Manager Tiie A. I. Root Co.'s N. E. Agency. A Neat PacKage Fincls a Ready Buyer. Pack your honey in the Non- drip Cases made by The A. I. Root Co.; sold in MICH- IGAN by M. H. Htint (Sl Soil, Bell Bran< :»cl\, MicH. I 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 907 Honey Market. GRADING-RTTLES. Fancy.— All sections to bo well filled, combs Btralsht, firm ly ttttuolifd lo all four sidus, the combs uusoilt'd by travel etain or otherwise ; allth.» cells seaU'd exceut an occasional cell, the outside surtaceof the wood well scraped of propolis A No 1.— All sections well filled except the row of colls next to the wood ; combs strai(,'ht ; one-einhth part of comb surface soiled, or the entire surface si ightly soiled the out side of the wood well scraped of propolis. No. 1.— .Ml seel'ons well filled except the row of cells next to the wood ;ci>mbs comnaratively even ; one-einhth pail of comb surface soiled, or the entire surface slightly soi td. No. 2.— Three-fourths of the total surface must be filled and 8eal(J^ ; white clover, t)^(a7'4. The comb-honey market is quite lively, and sells a.s follows : Fancy water-white, llfal 15 B' eswax is in good demand, and i will now pay 30c delivered here. C. H. W Wkiskr, Oct. 21. 2146 8 Central Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio. Chicago.— Sales are not frequent, with No. 1 to fancy white comb honey bringing 13(3 14 To obtain l;?!4(ol4 it has to be perfect, and in s clions that will not weigh over 14 lo 15 oz. Sections that weigh Ki oz. and over have to be sold at from 1 to 3 cts. per lb less. Extracted while sells at ti@7 in barrels : iSWa,!)^ in cans according to quality. Beeswax. 'If'iCa)'?,^. i^ R. A. BURNKTT & Co , Oct. 21. 199 South Water St , Chicago. Albany. — Honey receipts are increasing somewhat ; and prices, whi'e not changed from our last, are rath cr easier, or are full high for free consumption We quote fancy comb, Ki ; .-^ Xo. 1, 1 (qili>]/2 ; No 1, 1") ; N >. •>, l((a.l4'/,. Buckwheat. 13^(a 14. buckwheat is in light receipt and sought after. Extracted is unchang- ed. Light, 7(n.7^. Amber, G^-S 7 ; dark, (ifa'i'^ Bees- wax, 29(0^10. Oct. 23. MacDougal & Co. Albany, N. Y. Kans'S City. — Receipts of comb honey are good, demand brisk, market easier. Some receipts of ex- tracted with light demand. We quote fancy white comb, 24 sections in case >i 00 ; No. 1 white and amber comb, 24 sections to the case, $2 75 ; No. 2 white and amber, J^ 50. Extracted white, per lb., 7; extracted amber, 5. Beeswax wanted at 22ra2t}cts. according to color and cleanliness. Colorado Honky-prodvckrs' Association, Oct. M. 1410 Market St., Denver. Schenectady. — Honey continues to sell freely at following prices: Fancy white in paper cartons, 16; No 1, 15; No 2 14 to li'A: buckwheat. 13(814; the lat- ter is not plentiful. Extracted, light ii'A'a-~'A; dark,b@ «Ji. Chas McMulloch. Oct. 21. Schenectady, N. Y. San Francisco.— New comb, white, ]2r«,13 light amber. Il(ai2. Extracted, water-white, t)(a,6J4: liKht amber, oJifeO; dark amber, nominal. Beeswax. 30c. Ernest B. Schaefele, Oct. 13. Murphys, Cal. Toledo. — The honey market shows no change since our last quotations; the demand is fair, and promises lo increase as the cool weather comes on; the receipts are not heavy, as beekeepers seem to be holding their crops for better prices. (Iriggs Brothers, Oct. 21. 214 Jackson Ave., Toledo, O. For Sale.— 6000 lbs. choice ripe clover honey, new; 60-lb. cans. Elias Fox, Hillsboro, Wis. For Sale.— Fancy basswood and white-clover hon- ey: 60 1b cans. 8c; 2 cans or more, 7'/^c; bbls., 7^c. E R. Pahl & Co., 294 Broadway, Milwaukee, Wis. For Sale.— 'Fancy and A No. 1 comb honey from alfalfa, in Danzenbaker 4x5 sections. Write for prices. Wm. Morris, Route 1, Las Animas, Col. For Sale. —5000 lbs. of fine comb and extracted hon- ey, mostly all comb. L. Werner, Box 387. Edwardsville, 111. For Sale.— Three tons comb honey, in 4x5 sections, put up in glass-front cases. J. I. Chenowetii, Albia, Iowa. For .S.'^le. — Thirty barrels choice extracted white- clover honey Can put it up in any style of package desired. Write for prices, mentioning style of pack- age, and quantity wanted. .Sample mailed on receipt of three cents in P. O. stamps. Emil J. Baxter, Nauvoo, Hancock Co., 111. For Sale. -Extracted honey. Finest grades for ta- ble use. Prices quoted on application. Sample 1 y mail, 10 cts. to pay for package and postage. Orel L,. Hershiser, 301 Huntington Ave., Buffalo, N. Y For .Salic- White clover extracted honey, guaran- teed finest quality, at 8J^ cts., in cases of one 5S-lb. can; at 9 cts. in cases of 12 5-lb. friction-top pails, and in cases of 24 '2A-\b. friction-top cans. Fall amber honey at 7 cts. in 58-lb. cans Samples, 10 cts. each. R. & E- C. Porter, Lewistovvn, 111. For .Sale.— Extracted choice ripe clover honey in cases of two 6(l-lb cans each, at 8 cts. per lb.; 335-lb. bbls. at 75^ ots per lb. G W. Wilson, R. F. D. No. 1, Viola, Wis. For Sale. — Extracted honey, amber, 5!^ up; light 7 up Several s ze packages Samples, 10 cts. I. J STRiNtiHAM, 105 Park Place, New York. Wanted. — White-clover extracted honey. C. G. Turner, Mechanic Falls, Me. Wanted. — Beeswax. Will pay spot cash and full market value f. r beeswax at anytime of the year. Write us if you have any to dispose of. HlI.DRETH & SEGELKEN, 26.5-267 Greenwich St., New York. Wanted. —Extracted honey. Mail sample and low- est price; also fancy and No. 1 comb honey; must be in no-drip shipping-cases. We pay cash. Chas Koeppen, Fredericksburg Va. Wanted— Comb and extracted honey. State price, kind, and quantity. R. A. Burnett & Co., 199 South Water St., Chicago, 111. Wanted. — Honey. Pelling fancv white, 15c; amber, 13c We are in the market for either local or car lots of comb honey. Wriie us. Evans & Turner, Columbus, Ohio. Wanted. — Comb honey. We have an unlimited de- mand for it at the right price. Addiess, giving c^uanti- ty, what gathered from, and lowest cash price at your depot State also how packed. Thos. C. Stanley & Son, Fairfield, 111., or Manzanola, Colo. Wanted.— Beeswax ; highest market price paid. Write for price list. Bxch, Becker & Co., Chicago, 111. We will be in the market for honey the coming sea- son in carloads and less than carloads, and would be glad to hear from producers everywhere what they will have to offer. Seavey & Flarsheim, 1318—1324 Union Avenue, Kansas City, Mo. 908 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Nov. 1 HONEY JARS 1-lb. sq. jars with corks $5.00 gross 2-lb. sq. jars with corks $7.40g-ross Eag-le or No. 25 $5.75 " Nickel Cap jar, holds 13 oz. $5.50 " The last is a fancy jar, and makes a fine package for exhibition. Discount on quantities of jars; the larger the quantity the lower the price. Catalog describ- ing honey-packages, shipping-cases, cartons, bee-hives, bees, and every thing a bee-keeper uses, mailed upon application. Tested Italian Queens, $1.00; Untested, 75 cts. I. J. STRINCHAM, Apiaries, Glen Cove, L. I. 105 Park Place, New York. I 'Uhe Best Bee-g'oods in tHe World are no better than those we make, and the chances are that they are not so good. If yon buy of us XO\i "will not be disappointed. We 'tre -undersold by no one. Send for . w catalog and price list and free copy of THK ..MERICAN BEE-KEEPER; in its thirteenth year ; 50 cents a year ; especially for beginners. ^he W^. T. Falconer Man'f 'g' Co., JamestOAvn, New York. W. M. Gerrish, Epping, New Hampshire, carries a full line of our goods at catalog prices. Order of him and save the freight. :m:ioh:ig-^^i?t We are Jobbers of Bee-keepers' Supplies in tliis State, representing The G. B. Lewis Co., and Dadant & Son. WHOLESALE AND RETAIL ^::.T}^^l'iti;^;^^^^&\^z^., LEWIS C. & A.G. WOODMAN, Grand Rapids, Mich. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 909 Only I While They Last! A Few Copies of Newman's " Bees and Honey" CI^OTH BOUND ; 160 PAGES, AT 25 cts. EACH when taken with the AMERICAN BKK JOURNAL for a year at |1 00 ; th^t is, 51-5 for the two. Be quick if you want a copy of the book. Regu- lar price of the book alone, 75 cts. . Sample copy of The AMERICAN BEE JOURNAI, free for the asking. I,os Angeles convention report run- ning now. George W. York & Company 144. 146 East Erie, Chicago, : : Illinois. Root's Goods in Chicago The business for many years conducted by George W. York & Co., at 144 East Erie Street, as agent for The A. I. Root Company's supplies, is this day trans- ferred to The A. I. Root Company to be conducted as a Branch Office. All outstanding accounts will be paid George W. York & Co The policy of the Branch House will not be chang- ed. We shall continue to serve the interests of bee- keepers to the best of our ability, and to increase our facilities whenever possible for such service. Mr. York will still be in the same office with u«, and the benefit of his years of experience with this trade will thus be available. Please note change of name to avoid confusion in our work. Oct. 1, 1903. C/ic A. I. R.oot Co. All orders, remittances, inquiries, etc., should be addressed to The A. I. Root Company. 144 East Erie Street, instead of George W. York & Co. Statement by Geo. "W. YorK (Sl> Co. To Our Customers and Friends: In transferring back to The A. I. Root Company the bee-supply business which we took over from them some years ago, we do so with regret, as we have labored hard to build up a large and honorable trade in bee appliances, and value beyond expression the valuable patronage accorded us during the years. We trust the same will be continued to our successors in the business. Please note that this transfer does not in any wise affect our publishing the American Bee Jouri al, or handling bee-books and queens. But we expect from now on to be able to devote more time to the Bee Journal, as for years we have had " too many irons in the fire " to give it the attention it requires. GEORGE W. YORK & CO. Chicago, 111 , Oct. 1,1903. MarsHfield Manufacturing Co. Our specialty is making SECTIONS, and they are the best in. the market. Wisconsin bass- wood is the right kind for them. We have a full line of BEE-SUPPLIES. Write for FREE illustrated catalog and price list. JJAe MarsHlielcl Manufacturing Company, MarsKilsld, "W^is. This foundation is made by a process that produces the superior of any. It is the cleanest and purest. It has the brightest color and sweetest odor. It is the most transparent, because it has the thinnest base. It is tough, clear as crystal, and gives more sheets to the pound than any other make. "WorKing M^ax into Foundation for Cash a Specialty* Bees^vax Al>vays "Want- ed at Highest Price. Catalog giving full line of supplies, with prices and samples, free on application. E. Grainger & Co., Toronto, Ont., Sole Agents for Canada. G\is. Dittmer, Aiig^tista, Wis. 910 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Nov. 1 I \X/ ANTED! Fancy Comb Honey I In No-drip shipping cases. Also, Amber extract- $: ed, in barrels or cans. Quote yuur best price $: delivered Cincinnati. .' .* .' .' .' fe I The Fred W, Muth Co., E,Sr^ Cincinnati, O. | Five Per Cent Discount During November. Send for our List, and order now. Take advantage of this Discount. Have your goods on hand ready for use. Just TKink of It ! If all of the sections we sold last season were placed, unfolded, in a straight line the line would reach Three Thousand Five Hundred Miles. Perfect Workmanship and Finest Material. All parts of our Hives are made to Fit Accurately. No trouble in setting them up. Our customers say it is a pleasure. We are not selling goods on Name Only, But on their Quality. G. B. LEWIS COMPANY. Manufacturers Bee^Keepers* Supplies, Watertown, Wisconsin, U. S. A, Let Me vSell or Buy Your Honey If you have some to offer, mail sample with lowest price expected, delivered in Cincinnati. ■w jp » T^ J state quality and kind wanted, and I will quote you price. We J. I 1X\ JN 66C1 do business on the cash basis in buying or selling. Full StocK of Bee-supplies, tHe best made. Root's Ooods at TKeir Factory Prices. Seeds of Honey-plants. C. H. ^V. WEBER, CINCINNATI, OHIO. 2146-8 Central A.ve. Sue. to CHas. F. MutH and A.. MutH. • DELVoTELD •ANdHoNEY 'AND HOME, •INTEKEST^S THfAl^OO-fCo. $i£^ PERVtAn"' 'Xs ' riEDiNA- Ohio • Vol. XXXI. NOV. I, J 903. No. 21 t^^ Hybkid bees are not necessarily high- bred bees. Membkrship of the National has now passed the 1500 mark. Whoop! [This is g-ocd news, and I suppose many of the bee- journal readers have not noticed it. — Ed.] Wisconsin, it seems, is still a savage countr}', for reports are given in the Amer- ican Bee Journal of bears in Clark County making raids into apiaries. However wild the State maj' be, Gen. Manager France, who lives in it, seems quite civilized — at least he ate with a knife and fork when in California. Lkt MR SUGGEST that those who use stands with legs set each leg on a half- brick or flat stone to make them last long- er. In the South, where ants are bad, the proper thing will be to set them in cans filled with oil or water. [Yes, using a fiat stone or brick under the legs is the inten- tion.—Ed. ] Complaint is made of a falling-ofiF in bee culture in Germany, France, and Italy, the number of colonies having greatly di- minished. But A. Alberti sa3's in Bienen /.Hfchter that in his localitj' the falling-oflf is more apparent than real; for, notwith- standing the smaller number of colonies now kept, ten times as much honey is pro- duced as 25 \ears ago, thanks to advanced methods, and especially to movable-comb hives. It will hardly do to pin one's faith to formaldehyde. Another failure is reported in .hneiican Bee Journal. N. E. France treated 2(jO combs, "using double Weber's amount of gas or formalin, Weber's lamp, etc. All were afterward put in clean hives and bees put on them. Every colony be- came re diseased." [Reports are coming in rather thick and fast now, showing fail- ures in the use of formaldehyde. It is evi- dent that the gas should be made much stronger than has been hitherto advocated, to do the work thoroughly. — Ed.] Admitting that Mr. J. M Gibbs chilled brood by taking away drones, p. 881, would he not have gained by replacing those drones with an equal weight of workers? It isn't a question whether drones produce heat, but will they produce more than the same weight of workers? and does it pay to keep them as heat-producers alone, when workers will produce just as much heat and do something else besides? [See answer to another Straw on this subject. — Ed.] The American Bee Journal for Oct. ISth was mailed two days behind time, the first time that paper was late for 20 years! A printers' strike made the dela3^ The Old Reliable has been so regular that 30U could tell the day of the week by its arrival. George W. doesn't intend to have it late for another twenty years. [The record up to the time of the strike was remarkable. Mr. York and his predecessor during the time are to be congratulated. May the Old Re- liable continue to break the record for an- other twenty jears. — Ed.] Bro. Doolittle is gratifyingly explicit in his instructions usually; but on page 874 there seems to be an omission. He hives a swarm on half-inch starters, con- tracting in a day or two with dummies, but he doesn't say just when these dummies are taken out, nor what replaces them. It looks as if the bees built all the combs on those half-inch starters ; but I've always understood that, after four or five frames were filled, foundation or drawn comb must be given if drone comb was to be avoided. How is that? [Mr. Doolittle will kindly explain. — Ed.] Ph. Kr.emek reports in lihass-Lolh. B. /Aiechter success in marking queens. Hold- ing the queen between the thumb and fin- ger, he paints the back of the thorax bright 3'ellow, leaves the queen caged between the combs a few hours until the paint dries, 912 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Nov. 1 then when the queen is freed the color re- mains permanent, making it easy to find her by a mere glance. [This is a valua- ble kink if we can get some dye, paint, or coloring-matter that will be permanent. I question very much if any thing could be found that would answer the purpose. But wouldn't white be better than yellow, as the contrast would be stronger? — Ed.] I SUSPECT that it is a mistake not to give a puff of smoke at the entrance on opening a hive, if smoke be needed at all. The guards at the entrance are the ones on the lookout against intruders, and the least jarring of the hive, as in removing the cov- er, will start them on the war-path. An initial puff of smoke at the entrance will save stings, and I think it will save smoke. [Perhaps you are right; but our imported stock has been so gentle that we have rare- ly found it necessary to blow anj' smoke in at the entrance. I remember that a large number of your bees are hybrids, or on the hybrid order, and it is very reasonable to suppose that a pufif of smoke at the entrance would be quite a necessary precaution. — Ed.] "Is IT NOT POSSIBLE that, during hot weather or the swarming season, the drones help to increase the heat so that comb- building may fairly progress? " quoth ye editor, page 872. Surely, a pound of drones will get up a lot of heat ; but a pound of workers will get up just as much, and the workers are worth something besides. [Yes, that is true; but suppose the hive has lots of drones in it, and there are no other bees to take their place to supply the necessary heat. You certainly would not then trap them all out when the bees were doing heavy work storing, and bringing in five times as much honey as the drones con- sume. I grant that good management should keep them down, and have workers reared instead. But remember that Mr. M. W. Shepherd, page 841, says that his bees rear drone comb on worker foundation. They will rear some drone comb for all of us in spite of us. Well, I suppose you would go over all the hives and cut out every portion of drone comb early in the season. — Ed.] You SPEAK, Mr. Editor, p. 878, of "the usual characteristic ballot bees " found on the ground with the clipped queen of a swarm. Do you generally find such a ball of bees in Medina? We've had swarms with clipped queens for many years, and in " this locality " not one case in twenty will have such a ball. [It just occurs to me that, inasmuch as you referred to this very matter some time ago, in a similar way, you misunderstood what I meant by "the ball of bees." I did not mean the kind that is attacking the queen — oh, no! — just a little peaceable cluster that congregates around their mother, rejoicing that they have found her. There are a few strag- glers in a swarm that are looking for the queen. It is these bees, if she be crawling in the grass around the hive, that will find her. It is much easier to see a little clus- ter of bees than a single individual queen in the grass. I just referred the matter to our Mr. Phillips, who has had large expe- rience in the production of honey in Jamai ca, and who has worked for us a who year. In both localities he said he was the habit of finding the clipped queen by the cluster of bees around her. — Ed.] Locality has had nearly every thing laid to it, and now it is crossness cf bees. At Los Angeles Mr. Delano told of moving half his apiary to a different location where they were terribly cross, those remaining not being cross, although all of the same blood. Frank McNay gave a still more striking instance. He moved some bees some miles away, and while there they were so cross it was almost impossible to handle them. On moving them back to the old place they were as gentle as the others. [I thought the bees at one of Frank Mc- Kay's apiaries were about as cross as any I had ever seen. If this is the yard where they were peaceable, I wonder what they were at the other place referred to. But, say — I do not quite see why locality should affect the temperament unless it should be of such a character as that the secretion of nectar would stop suddenly, in which case the bees would be cross immediately there- after.—Ed.] " It should require no argument to show that bees successfully wintered in the cellar are better able to bear the rough weather of early spring than bees that have suffered all the rigors of the entire winter out of doors." This I quote from the Bee- keepers'' Revieiv, spoken of bees successful- ly wintered and not diseased, and I set it up for some one to knock over — if he can. I am anxious to believe it; and it's spoken by a man who knows a good bit about winter- ing bees — Hon. R. L. Taylor. [Like your- self, I want to believe that Mr. Taylor is right; but I am afraid he may not be, for we have had reports from bee-keepers who used the two methods side by side, some of whom have said that, while their outdoor bees used more stores, they were more vig- orous in spring. We have been wintering bv the two plans side by side, with this difference — that weak colonies were put in the cellar, and the stronger ones outdoors. This winter we will try to make a more ex- act report for next season. I know this — that indoor colonies consume less stores; and if in spring they are just as good, it is high time we recognized the fact and acted upon it; for what would be the use of throw- ing away from one fourth to one-third of the stores every winter, where feeding has to be resorted to? — Ed.] Thinking it over carefully, I'm inclined to lean toward the belief that entire control of fertilization might be a loss rather than a gain. If I can have control of the colo- nies that rear drones in my own and neigh- boring colonies. I believe that's all the con- trol I want. In the mad chase after the 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 913 virgin queen in the upper blue, the best man will win. If the choice were left to me I'm afraid I'd make a bungle. [I am not sure but you are right. Even if we could mate successfully in a big tent, there are some hand-picked drones, apparently good lusty fellows, that would make poor progenitors. It is getting to be the practice nowadays to rear drones almost exclusively from one or two choice queens in a queen- rearing 3'ard, then kill ofif the useless ones, or keep them from developing. By so do- ing, don't we nearly control the parentage on both sides? And if the drone with the greatest wing power is the best man, possi- bly he is strongest in other waj's. In one of our yards during the past summer, the major part of our drones were reared from one queen — a queen whose bees made a big record in honey a j-ear ago. The virgins of that same yard were reared from other queens whose bees did equally well. I had not thought of it before; but it strikes me the plan comes pretty near being equal to the " tent " plan of mating; for suppose we had a mammoth tent in successful opera- tion, we would turn those same drones loose into that same tent. Perhaps the really best man might weary himself to death to get out, leaving his less active inferior brother to perform the service. The ques- tion hinges down to this : Would hand- picked drones be better than nature-picked drones? Nature works on the " survival of the fittest," and that plan has been work- ing for thousands of years. — Ed.] _ yrow Oi/r No more, with hissing shot and shell, Do we our claims arrange : In London halls we talk it o'er And quickly make the change. No lives are lost, no honor marred, No great expense incurred ; The reign of Peace is coming in — • Her heavenly voice is heard. My thanks are due to Hon. Eugene Se- cor for a copj' of his home paper containing a poem from his pen in eulogy of the press. It is thoroughly good, and is especially in- teresting to those of us whose lives are spent in manipulating the said piece of machine- r\'. It is pleasing to find an intensely busy and practical man like Mr. Secor who can at times devote himself to innocent rambles in the world of fancy, and thus soften the dull monotony of the eternal grind by span- ning it with the poet's rainbow. It will be remembered bj' most of the readers of this journal that Mr. Secor is the poet-laureate of the bee-keeping host. BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. Mr. L. S. Crawshaw, of Ilkley, Eng., offers a few interesting remarks on the pro- nunciation of the common word proplis. He concludes, after offering much testimony, that it should be called />ro-po lis and not prop-o-\\%. He also decides that we should speak of the Li-^^w-ri-an bee and not Lig-u- r^^-an; of the Cyp-r'\'a.xi and not Cy-pri-an. C/iitine, he thinks, should be called ki-tin, not kit-'in. His conclusions are good. \tfr A writer asks if bees, prior to sealing over their honey, deposit in their cells a substance of a preservative nature, capable of keeping the honey in a sound condition for an almost unlimited period. The editor says: It is perfectly certain that a salivary secretion is add- ed by the bees to the nectar gathered from flowers, and this secretion affects the chemical change in the piod- uct which converts it into honey in the full sense of the term. Indeed, nectar is not honey until this change has been brought about by the action of the bee. We rather think that the ".substance of a pre- servative nature " of which you have heard is believed by your informant to be foimic acid ; but this idea is a myth, and has no foundation in fact : nor is it true that any thing is added by the bee just before sealing the cell, which preserves the honey for all time. In fact, it is known that if honey is not well ripened — that is, all superfluous moisture evaporated — it will not keep for any great length of time. A fine view of the apiary of Mr. Thomas Evans, Waddeson, England, appears in the issue for Oct. 1st. The following lines from his pen will be of interest, I think, showing as they do that some people in England can bite a raisin in two on the score of economy as well as here: I follow the occupation of a gardener, but for the last twelve vears I have tended the bees of the late Baron F. de Rothschild. I am always ready to lend a helping hand to my fellow bee-keepers ; and should any of these pass my way I should be pleased to re- ceive a call from them. In the 'driving' season I scour the country around for miles, driving bees to save them from the sulphur-pit, and bring them home on mv bicycle. There aie no big takes of honey in this district, like those I read of in other parts of the country. Perhaps the locality is more suitable for the rearing of ducks than for honey-raising. Nor is the demand for honey very large in these parts. For instance, one of my customers (a ladv who keeps her hunter) requested me to supply her with " half a section of honey." As it is not my cu.stom to sell split sections 1 hardly need say this large order was politely refused. ik SOUTHLAND QUEEN. This journal comes regularly, and pre- sents a fine appearance. It is well worthy of the support now accorded it, and more too. In the issue for September, Mr. J. E. Chambers, in speaking about bees embalm- ing dead mice, wades into the editor of Gleanings roughly for doubting that they do, and says he is glad he is not an editor if editors know no more about the case in point than that. He says he has found dead rats in hollow trees, completely cover- ed with propolis. Mr. Atchley adds that he once found an opossom completely cover- ed in the same way. The whole question, however, hinged on what bees would do in a common hive, and here E. R. R. freely admitted he did not know, but was ready for evidence. 914 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Nov. 1 ITALIAN BEES NOT WORKING IN SECTIONS. "I understand that you keep the Italian bee, Mr. Doolittle. Is this correct? " "Yes, I have kept the Italian bee ever since 1872, and like them %ery much." " Do you never have trouble by their not entering the sections to work therein? " " Not of late years. Before I fully under- stood their habits I did somewhat." " Do you think they enter the sections as readily as do the black bees? " " ProbabU' not quite so much so. But I have no reason to complain along- this line. Do you have trouble with them? " " Yes. I have had Italian bees for the past two years, and they have not done half as well in the sections as the blacks; but for extracted honey they exceed the blacks by quite a little. What do you sup- pose is the cause of this, and what course shall I pursue? '' " H)w many colonies of Italian bees have you ? ' ' '• Only two, one of which I have worked for section honey and the other for extract- ed honey." " If you have tried only one colony of Italian bees for comb honey, it is not so strange that you have not succeeded. But before we talk further, allow me to ask how large a hive j-ou u~e. " " I use the ten-frame Langstroth hive." " Do you leave all of the ten frames in that hive when the sections are on? " "Yes. Why not? " " One important point in the construction of a hive for comb honey where Italian bees are used should not be overlooked ; and that is, the brood- chamber should not be too large. Had you used only seven combs in your hive a''ter the honey-flow had begun, and your sections were put on, j-ou might have secured a yield from that colony of Italians that would have eclipsed anything done by any of your colonies of black bees, the same as jou did with the other that you worked for extracted honey." " What does the smaller brood-chamber have to do with the matter? " " Italians are more prone to store honey in the brood-chamber than the blacks. Es- pecially do they show a preference toward storing in the brood-chamber rather than in the sections, if the queen does not have the combs occupied with brood when the honey season commences: and if they have room to store from .50 to 40 lbs. of honey in the combs below, they will very likely not go into the sections at all." " Well, that helps to solve the matter, for each fall this hive of Italian bees has been so heavy that I could hardly lift it, while I have had to feed many of my black colonies to get them through the winter; and I have taken advantage of this matter by taking filled combs from this Italian colony and exchanging them for combs having very little honey in them from the blacks. But would you reduce this ten-frame down to a seven-frame hive this fall ? " "No, I would not do that; but use it as it is till just as the honej'-flow comes on. when I would reduce the size of the brood- chamber to the number of combs the queen had brood in. even were that not more than six combs. But you will be most likely to find brood in from seven to ten combs in each hive, were 3'ou to have a whole apiary of Italian bees. By thus working, the bees will enter the sections at the commencement of the honey- flow, when j-our Italian bees will work in the sections as well as the blacks, as a rule." " How do j-ou reduce the size of the hive to suit the number of combs which have brood in them? " "By using dummies, or division- boards, as they are sometimes called." " How are these made? " " In various ways. The way I like best is to take a piece of rough or cheap lumber, an inch thick, and cut it so it will be the same size as the frame I use. under the top- bar, when the top-bar of a frame is nailed to it. This gives you something which you can use in the place of a frame at any time and in anj- place. So, should you wish to contract one. two, three, or four frames, on account of having that many in j-our hive unoccupied with broi d when the honey har- vest came, you could do the same at once by putting in these dutrmies in place of the frames taken out; then at the close of the white-honey harvest you can set the combs back in the hive in place of the dummies, so that the bees can fill them with dark honey for wintering." " That appears as if it would be handy, accomplish its purpose, and cost but little, which is the best of all. I'll try it another season, at any event. But is there no other way of making an obstinate colony work in sections? " "Yes, the next best way that I know of is to take a section, or several of them, from a hive where the bees are at work nicely in them, and place them on the hive where the bees are quite loath to enter the sections, carrying all the bees that adhere to the sections with them. This will usually in- cite the non-working colony to go to work in the sections also." " I never tried that, but it looks as if it might work all right." " Then with very obstinate colonies I have taken a piece of drone comb, contain- ing small larva;, and fitted the same into one or two sections, placing the same in the center of the surplus-apartment, much on the same principle that a frame of brood is plac- ed in an extracting-super, when the bees would enter the sections to care for the 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 915 brood, and in doings so would commence work in the other sections about this brood."' " I had not thought that I could do that way; but it seems plain to me that such a proceeding would cause the bees to go to work in the sections at once. But what of the sections containing this brood when they are tilled with honey after the brood has emerged from the cells? " ■'I generally keep track of this matter, and take the section having the brood away just before the drones come out. for the honey in such a section would hardly be in salable form, and should not be put on the market." " I am very much obliged for this little talk, and will go now." " Before you go I wish to saj- that all I have said has been on the supposition that any colony on which the sections are placed was strong enough in bees to work in sec- tions, and still refused to enter them. Where any hive is not tilled with bees it is useless to attempt to make them work in sections. Many a beginner is deceived here, and pays no attention to the strength of his col- onies when putting on the sections, treating them all alike. Italian bees do not breed quite as rapidly early in the season as do black bees; but if attended to as the.v should be they will have more brood in just the right time to give a large number of labor- ers ready to go into the lields just when the honey harvest is on than will any other variety with which I am acquainted." 1 i ^^vf^^ 1 r is quite a remarkable fact that, up to the 20th of October, we had had no bad frosts. Out in front of our factory our posy-bed is almost intact. The nasturti- ums and other ornamental foliage look very luxuriant and healthy. Moderate weather in the fall will probably mean a severe winter later on. Well, let it come. THE HOME OF THE HONEY-BEES PREP.\RED KOK FIKK. We have just put in a VO.OOO gallon fire- cistern, which, with our hO,0<.>0 gallon cis- tern, lx)th connected with our big tire- pump, we hope will give adequate water supply for tire. Automatic sprinklers that will send a flood of water over every por- tion of nearly all our buildings, whether a watchman is present or not, stand as an additional safeguard. In addition to all this a watchman patrols the plant nights and Sundays, and a regular organized tire coinpanj', made up of the workmen, is pre- pared for instant service. Every now and then large streams of water will be sent clear over the buildings during the fire- drills. One or two late tires have shown the need of system and organization. Last spring a lire in our boiler-house threatened the whole plant. Indeed, at one time it looked as if it would have to go; but such a deluge of water was thrown that we didn't even put in a claim on the insurance com- panies. THE ASSOCIATION AND GENERAL MANAGER FRANCF. General Manager France is a busy man now. He is getting out an elaborate report relative to the work of the Association during the past j'ear. The large increase of membership (500) since he took hold of it is substantial encouragement and a splen- did indorsement. Mr. France has several cases of adulteration on hand, and it cer- tainly will not be his fault if he does not strike consternation in some quarters. The Association is doing splendidly, but it can do a great deal better if it has the moral support and the dollars of more men who are interested in its welfare. Bee-suits of various kinds are becoming more frequent again; ajid if those of you who read this are not members be/ore an action is begun against you, you can expect no aid by join- ing the Association after you get into trou- ble. The Association is a sort of life in- surance, and the small fee or premium of SI. 00 entitles you to protection for a whole year, to sa\- nothing of the other benefits you will get. FORMALIN treatment NOT THOROUGH ENOUGH. Referring to the question of formalin as a remedy for foul brood, Mr. R. F. Holter- mann, of Canada, has this to say: I notice your item in Gleanings regarding forma- lin and foul brood. Some do not use it in air-tight compartments ithey think they do). Would this not explain failure? The fact that'sotne repoit the brood alive adds much to my suspicion. Btautford. Ont.. Oct. 3. R. F. Holtermann. I still feel that the foundation plan of treatment, melting up or burning diseased combs, is the safer one for the average bee- keeper to pursue, for not ever}' one can work with the precision and care of a trained scientist. But if we had foul brood in our yard, I certainly would treat all emptj' combs, supposedly from healthy col- onies, with formalin, on the ground that it would do no harm, and might do a great deal of good; for physicians tell me that formalin gas is one of the most powerful disinfectants known to science; but they also add that the gas must reach every por- tion of a room or substance contaminated. We must bear in mind that a coating of wax, like capping of sealed honey, is im- pervious to gas, acids, and the laverag- chemicals; and that it is not to be wonder- ed at that formalin should fail to cure foul brood or to kill healthy brood, in some cases at least. Of course. I am aware that 916 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Nov. 1 brood-capping^s are not entirely air-tight, but enough so to keep out the fumes unless great care is used. I should not think of disinfecting^ combscontaininghoney with the disease germs in it, especiall}' if that honey were capped over, for it would be contrary to reason and experience in other thing's. ANOTHER bee-suit; BEES "DANGEROUS AN- IMALS;" STUFF AND NONSENSE. Mr. J. W. PiERSON, secretary of the New York State Association of Bee keepers' So- cieties, has a queer bee-suit on his hands. A neighbor of his, Mr. F. \V. Lockwood, has begun an action against him to recover $150 for a horse which, he alleges, died as the result of bee- stings while feeding in a pasture heavily matted with clover, near Mr. Pierson's bees. The plaintiff avers that last June his horse was in his clover- field pasturing-; that the bees were very thick on the clover — so thick that he was afraid the cattle would be stung-. Wednes- day morning-, June 24, he found one of his horses fast in a barbed-wire fence. Its nose and lips, he alleges, were swollen, and it had crazy spells ever3' fifteen or twentyminutes; that it would thrash around and strike with its fore feet. A veterinary was called, who first pronounced it a case of lockjaw. He gave it something to cause a stupor; but when told that bees were in the pasture where the horse was feeding-, he reversed his first decision and pronounc- ed it a case of bee- sting poison. Applica- tions of hot water were used, but to no avail. It is alleged further that this same veterinary examined the horse after it was dead, and found its mouth and throat full of bee-stings. Other veterinaries have been consulted b}' Mr. Pierson in regard to the case, but they do not agree that the symp- toms shown by the horse point to any thing that would indicate bee-stings as the cause of the trouble. Mr. Pierson states that there are other bee-keepers in the vicinity, or at least within two miles. In the peti- tion praying for damages, the plaintiff claims that the defendant's bees stung and injured his horse so that it died; that the defendant well knew the "ferocious" nature of all bees, and that they were " li- able to sting animals and mankind without any provocation that an ordinary person knew how to avoid, and that they were by nature dangerous." He further goes on to say that the "defendant had knowledge of the ferocious nature of his bees, took no care or means to keep them within the con- fines of his own premises, but allowed them to roam at will on the premises of his neigh- bor, to pillage therefrom, and carry away and injure and destroy the crops of said neighbor; to injure and kill his animals, and to intimidate his said neighbors and endanger their lives, and to render them unsafe and unavailable to them;" where- fore he asks damages in the sum of $150, and the cost of the action. The defendant, the bee-keeper, very prop. erly enters a denial, stating that his bees are kept in accordance with the law, and that he has been in no way negligent in the care of his bees. General Manager N. E. France, of the National Bee-keepers' Asso- ciation, has had all the facts placed before him, and has authorized W, F. Marks, one of the directors, to look after the case. The statements or charges made by the plaintiff' in this case are most absurd and ridiculous — especially where he alleges that bees are "dangerous animals," that they "carry off crops," and that they prey on the lives and propert}' of the people round about, and implies that no one has any business to keep them or allow them to go off from his own premises. It appears that Mr. Lockwood would probably not have begun this action; but a certain attorney, hungry for a job, has been nagging him on to it. The case comes before a justice' court, and every thing will depend en whether or not the justice is a fair man, willing to re- ceive evidence and render judgment accord- ingly. In case the decision should be ad- verse to Mr. Pierson, 1 hope the Associa- tion will enter an appeal, as the member- ship could not afford to have a precedent so ridiculous and silly as this to stand against us. It is bad enough when an effort is made to drive- bees out of incorporated villages and towns; but it would be a pretty pass if one could not keep bees out on the farm or in the country, or if we must keep them on our own premises to prevent them from " carrying off crops." We shall endeavor to keep our readers posted in the developments in this case. In the mean time we confidentl}' hope and ex- pect that the Association will score another victory. It has never been beaten. I have no doubt that friend Marks and others who have charge of the case will let it be known that the plaintiff has the odds of 1500 members of the Association against him, with a treasury of money back of them, to fight this case to a finish. Mr. Pierson says his bees have always been very quiet; and that, so far from their be- ing " ferocious,'" it is absurd. Even if it be proven that the horse died of bee-stings, the plaintiff will have to show that it was Mr. Pierson's bees, and his bees only, that did the stinging. This was the charge given by the judge to the jury in the celebrated Utter v. Utter trial in Janu- ary, 1901. Later. — I have just learned from Director Marks that this case has been postponed by the "other side," and he doubts very much whether it will ever come to trial, as " it is so ridiculous." Whenever either side shows a disposition to postpose, it may, and usu- ally does, imply a lack of confidence to meet the issue. It looks so in this case. In the mean time I hope Director Marks will let the "other side " know the odds it has to fight, and that it might just as well " throw up the sponge " first as last. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 917 TROUBLE BETWEEN BEE-MEN AND ALFAL- FA-GROWERS IN NEVADA. It is a well-known fact that Nevada pro- duces man}' carloads of fine alfalfa honey. So much of it is shipped out of the State that the alfalfa-growers and cattle-men are getting their heads together, arguing that all this sweetness is just so much saccha- rine matter taken out of their hay. One of the largest ranchers is a representative in the legislature of Nevada, and it appears that efforts are on foot to get a law passed at the next session of the legislature, pro- hibiting bee-keepers from locating bee-yards within flight of the alfalfa- fields. This would practically mean the wiping-out of all bee-keeping interests in a very impor- tant honey-producing State, and, besides, setting a dangerous precedent for other States. The argument made by the cattle- raisers and ranchers is this: Carload after carload of alfalfa honey is being shipped out of the State. The best hay is the first cutting, and the first crop of blossoms is also the best for the bee-keeper. They ar- gue "that a ton of honey probably repre- sents the essence of 200 tons of alfalfa, and that the hay is just that much poorer in saccharine matter It stands to reason that j-ou can not take all of this honey out of the ha^', and still have it as rich in saccharine matter." In this day of progress and scientific investigation it is staggering to hear such talk. Of course, the bee-keepers are ridiculing such sheer nonsense, for it can not be based on any thing else than consummate ignorance and prejudice. It is a well-known fact that red-clover hay will not develop properly un- less there are honey-bees or bumble bees in the vicinity; that attempts were made to grow the plant in Australia, but it failed miserably until bumble-bees were intro- duced. Exactl}' the same thing will apply in growing alfalfa. While it would be too much to claim that this kind of hay can not be grown without bees, yet it is safe to say that a much poorer crop would be the result without them. We can also assert, without fear of successful contradiction, that the best scientific men of the world, as well as professors in all the agricultural colleges, can show that the assertion of the cattle- men is utterly without foundation. The animus of this whole thing is, evi- dently, jealousy. Whenever one class of citizens make a little money, there are plen- tj' of people who will be envious of them. I do not know what the National Associ- ation is doing or has done about the mat- ter; but I do not believe its 1500 members will allow any such foolish and ignorant legislation to come to pass without a vigor- ous fight. Like the other case reported in these columns, the whole thing is so ridicu- lous that I think the bee-keepers will be easily able to thwart any efforts that may be made to pass a law of this kind. But we must not be over-confident. We must be alert, and ready to know what the opposi- tion proposes to do, and meet them half way. A joint convention of THE HAMILTON CO. BEE-KEEPERS' ASSO'N AND THE OLD OHIO STATE BEE-KEEPERS' ASSO'N, AT CINCINNATI. There is to be a joint meeting of the Hamilton Co. Bee-keepers' Association with the Ohio State Bee-keepers' Association, at Cincinnati, Nov. 25, in the convention hall of the Grand Hotel. The Hamilton County Bee-keepers' Association, as I have already mentioned, is a very lively organization; indeed, I believe it is the most flourishing body of bee-keepers that ever existed in Ohio. It has regular monthly meetings, and the enthusiasm seems to keep up to the boiling-point. Well, its members are thor- oughly aroused as to the necessity of having a foul-brood law in Ohio, and they desire to co-operate with their brethren all over the State in asking our next General As- sembly to pass such a measure. The old Ohio State organization held its last meet- ing in Cleveland, if I mistake not. The secretary. Miss Dema Bennett, just before she died, turned over to me the records and other properties of the old Ohio State or- ganization. The time now seems to be ripe for reorganizing it, and holding a meeting in Cincinnati, for we are bound to have a good local attendance and an enthusiastic meeting. Bee-keepers all over the State are asked to lend their influence, for it is pro- posed to bombard the Ohio State Legisla- ture with a goodly company of bee-keepers, possibly holding one meeting in Columbus while the legislature is in session. The date of the convention, Nov. 25, the day be- fore Thanksgiving, will insure low railroad rates; and you may rest assured that the bee-keepers of Cincinnati will do the hand- some thing in their part of the work. It is highly important that every bee- keeper in the State should petition his own Senator and Representative. Soon after this journal is out the election will be over, and you will know who your next law- makers will be. Possibly you will know before. In any case, see them as soon as possible, and secure from them a pledge of support. This is very important, for it is essential that every member of the General Assembly be approached by one or more bee-keepers; for when our measure comes up they will feel that the law is urgently needed. We must make them feel the press- ure. Put in your best efforts now before you forget it. If you can't see your man, write him. The meeting at Cincinnati will not be de- voted entirely to the discussion of foul brood. Other subjects will be discussed, and among other things will be a stereop- ticon talk in the evening. Later. — I have just learned that D. R. Herrick, a Republican nominee for the leg- islature, and who has signified his willing- ness to father and support a foul-brood bill, will be present to address the convention. As he will probably be elected, this means much to us. 918 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Nov. 1 ITEMS AND SUGGESTIONS FROM CUBA. Feeding Cheap Sugar to Produce Beeswax ; Feed- ing to Increase Brood; Overstocking, etc. BY FRANK N. SOMERFORD. In Pickings, Aug-. 15, I notice the sug- gestion from the Australian Bee-keeper, p. IW, regarding the feeding of sugar for the production of wax. I wish to say. Mr. Ed- itor, that I am more than surprised to see you sanction such a scheme, especially when I remember that part concerning the sugar-syrup honey thus obtained as a side issue. Favoring the matter as you do, it would thus seem you would also sanction the sell- ing of this product as honey, and all this, too, just after having thrown "suds" on Mr. David Wauford (^page h84j, for his poke at seme member of the N. B. K. A. for selling sugar syrup as honey. If the pi an of feeding to secure wax were feasible, the wax, of course, would be a pure prod- uct; but the honey certainly would not be so, although it, of course, would be much superior in bothquality and flavor to muchof the cotton or honey-dew honey of the United States. But from my experience in feeding sugar to bees I think I can safely say that nothing can be made at the game in that way. The bees, after a few days' feeding of 75 to 100 lbs. of sugar with an equal quantity of water every second day, to a ranch of 200 colonies, seem to show, upon opening them, just the slightest whitening of the combs, with some increase in brood, for which purpose I am feeding — that is, to get the hives crowded with brood and bees be- fore the cold or cool weather and the honey- flow begins. I think this is the only ad- vantage that can be gained from feeding. Some one, of course, will say that, at the closing of the honey-flow, is the time to get results from feeding; but in Cuba that is not possible; for at that time ( the opening of spring) the bees are all ambition to swarm, rendering the plan impractical. Some wiseacre may state that there is an art in feeding which I haven't learned. Perhaps so; but this is not my first feed- ing. I have been in Cuba almost four years, and find it essential in my locality to feed 30'i0 or 4000 lbs. of sugar each year during the months of July, August, and September- to encourage brood -rearing. Nearly all the bee-keepers here have to re- sort to feeding. Having tried several ways of feeding, I find that placing the sugar and water in ihe extractor, and turning the reel a little, is the easiest way to mix the feed. Then to administer, pour into vats or tanks; set out into the open air, with a slatted float, or with trash, grass, weeds, etc., thrown in to give the bees something to hold them out of the "juice," else they'll pile in on top of one another until your lank is filled with drow'ned bees. I have at one ranch a tank for feeding, of 12,000 cubic inches capacity', and a small one of SOCO cubic inches. At another ranch I have two of the 5000 cubic-inch capacity; at a third ranch I have one of the 12,000- cubic-inch capacity. You would probabU' suggest moving out from such localities to better pasturage, and I did trj' to after having spent several days on a horse and wheel, riding after locations. I decided on a place 40 miles away, and not very near any bee-keeper; but before I got there, or, worse still, after preparing 100 hives, hauling them ten miles to a point of shipping, placing them nicely in the car, and arriving at destina- tion, reloading on to carts, and driving them out 3 miles to my location, I was in- formed by the Cubans that another Amer- ican had put a ranch of 200 just across the branch on the next little hill. There we were, the two ox-carts, their drivers, my- self, and pirtner, and it growing dark, and the next day was Sunday. The bees, of course, had been jolted, thumped, jarred, and banged about until they wanted "Cuba libre" too; but after learning that the oth- er bees were so close I decided not to set my bees out and go into a war of pasturage against the other fellow, even if he had told me previously that he was ^oing to put his bees somewhere else, and I had the location rented long beforehand. I met the man a day or so later, and I felt— well, I won't sxy just how I did feel, for it would be impossible to express it. I looked him over, and saw that he was a man for whom I had gone to considerable trouble to teach how to make founda- tion, some two or three years ago. Well, it flashed into my mind that "one good turn deserves another." I had done him the ono. good thing in going out to his place and showing him how to make foundation, and now I could do him the other by sacri- ficing the location, and I did. Was that right? Well, I thought a while and then called to him, and he came over and I gen- tly inquired if he had put out his new ranch yet, and where. He told me where, and said that he had changed his mind, and didn't set them in the other place. Well, now it would seem that nowadays one has no right to change his mind. Any way, the bees were, as I stated, a piece out in the country. The cart-men and my- self had no place to eat and sleep, and the poor bees were crying to get out, and it was growing dark, and the mosquitoes were singing the accompanying song of praise, and biting as only mosquitoes can in Cuba in June. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 919 Well, the cartmen picketed out the oxen and pulled out for more congenial surround- injfs, stating- that they'd return the next day to move the carts to wherever I stated. My partner on this trip, Mr. Smith, of Georj^ia, and myself, soon turned in under the cart to sptnd the nif,'ht. At dawn I mounted my wheel and rode aw.iy, leaving Mr. Smith to master the situation in the cot under the cart of bees while I searched the neighborhood for a locatio^n. riding hard till two o'clock, when I kicked a pedal oflT my wheel, and went on one foot into town to get breakfast. At 2 i'. m. I had found no suitable place, but struck a man who, for SlOO, would rent me a place where there was no house and no well, no fence, nor any thing in p irticular. I went on, and soon found a better place, but not as far from that man who "changed his mind" as I should like to be. The bees, though, are doing reasonably well at present. Lo- cations in this part of Cuba are not so plen- tiful as some may lead one to believe. That's right, Dr. Miller; you stand by the hard sound wood as giving the strong- est smoke. You challenge Krnest to a duel with smokers. Let him use rotten wood and 3'ou let me send you some hard sound yaba wood, and with a few pufifs of the bellows you can send him to the hospital or optician. It served me thus before I knew what was the cause. The same wood, though, when rotten, can be used without danger. You tell them, Mr. Editor, not to think too much of formaldehyde or formalin, as it is called here. All old combs that have putrid larv;f in them are safer rendered into wax, or burned. I evaporated an ounce of the 40 percent solution with an alcohol- lamp and oil can evaporator, with rubber tube and piece of pipe, into £0 frames set loosely into hives (Dovetailed), with the joints or cracks all plastered over to keep fumes from escaping; and after a day or two I used some of them to shake on to, and the disease still remains. Whether ifs the same cells that the bees have not cleaned or not, I can't say, for I never marked the diseased cells when fumigating; but these combs contain the dark cofTee-colored ropy mass which still retains its odor. Now let me suggest that some of you send some foul brood to those who recently de- cided the two diseases, foul and black brood, are the same. Ask them, after they have thoroughly fumigated with formalde- hyde, to try to grow cultures from the rot- ten mass in the combs; then if they succeed in growing cultures after fumigation it would not be safe to recommend the drug as a cure. But after several trials, after fumigatintr, if they fail to grow cultures, then it will be all right to say, "Hurrah for the curel" liut until 30U have some real evidence, don't say much in its favor. My experience on combs infected would not warrant its use. I have nearly two pounds of it, which costs in a Havana wholesale pharmacy 70 cents per lb. But we'll risk no more combs from it in healthy colonies unless they are apparently clean, and are fumigated only as a safeguard against any stray germs v/hich, according to Howard and others, will die naturally when ex- posed to a few hours of common air, or just set the clean combs out a day or two, and air them, as that would be as good. Will some of the professionals who rec- ommend the drug — the inspectors who use it — please state specifically on what kind of combs or infection they use it? and if on the putrid coffee-colored ropy mass, did it dry it up? and did the bees clean it out from the cells, and such cells and combs remain clean? I note what Mr. Atchley says on page 717. I have seen no bees with paralysis in Cuba; but I had quite an experience with that disease in Texas, at which time I watched the poor bees in front of the hive, with the shakes, and all swollen up as Mr. Atchle3' describes; but what I found inside of them did not look like larval food. They were clogged with hard dry pollen which they seemed unable to rid themselves of. Try as hard as they might, the effort causes them to shake or tremble. I thought the disease was from lack of water or from bad pollen. San Antonio, Cuba, Sept. 5. [I feel sure you misunderstand the item you have alluded to from the Australian Bee keeper. I understand that cur Aus- tralian friend meant that the production of honey — that is, honey from natural sources — is to be a secondary matter, and the pro- duction of beeswax by feeding sugar, when no hone3' is to be secured in the fields, the primary business of the apiarist. I talked with our mutual friend Mr. de Beche in re- gard to this, and he said he had in times past made some experiments in feeding cheap sugar, to secure wax, that convinced him the thing was practical, if I am cor- rect. No one would think of feeding this cheap sugar, to be had in all sugar-making countries, with the view of producing any thing to be called honey. Your plan of outdoor feeding is all right for encouraging brood- rearing; but I hard- ly believe it jiossible that feeding in this way would be practicable for the produc- tion of comb honey. I suppose you contem- plate having an apiary so far away from bees belonging to anybody else that there will be no danger of feeding the neighbors' bees.— A. L K.J MY FIRST TRUANT SWARM. BY GEO. W. PHILLIPS. For some time I had been having spasmod- ic attacks of the bee-fever. Eventually I made up m}' mind to become an apiarist. I was a boy of about eighteen then, and I en- tered into the work with a real boyish en- thusiasm. My capital consisted of only a small pile of shillings, and this was soon 920 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Ncv. 1 invested in hives, frames, foundation, a few swarms of black bees, and a five-frame nu- cleus with tested Italian queen. Thus I made a start with about six colonies all told. Every day found me more fascinated COMPLACENTLY WAT CHING THEM ISSUE with my new occupation than I was the day before. You could get me to do hardly any thing else those days than work in the apiary, and I probably worked as hard over those few colonies as I did later when I had four apiaries with 750 colonies to manage. At dawn I was up in time to watch the first lot of bees take their flight and return laden with stores, and covered with dust from Christmas-pop. Later you could see me looking into the hives to see how matters were progressing, or busy at my work-bench near by, making or paint- ing hives; at noon reclining under some shady tree poring over the A B C of Bee Culture, seeking to learn something of the myster- ies of bee-keeping, and also not infrequently gazing ardently at the pictures of the large api- aries contained therein, and dreaming of the time when I too would have a large apiary; and at nights until ten o'clock, with lantern, harpoon, and tar- brush, engaged in mortal strife with those relentless enemies of bees in Jamaica, red ants and frogs. In this way days and weeks passed smoothly. It was with a degree of ex- pectation bordering on impa- tience that I waited for the swarming season to arrive. Large apiaries and natural swarming were concomitant to my mind. I had read every thing on the subject of swarm- ing I could get hold of; the chapter upon "absconding swarms " in the A B C I almost knew by heart, so often had I perused it. Would my swarms abscond? I wondered. Had they any reason to entertain the thought? Did they not have the best attention at home? Half a mile from the apiary was a cliff rising perpendicu- larly from the foot of the moun- tain, to a height of eighty feet, or perhaps more, and almost every niche and interstice in that rocky promontory was oc- cupied by bees. My brother had on one occasion ferreted out a swarm from the base by means of a smoker, and rags saturated with carbolic acid. How did those bees happen to get into that rock? Were they wild bees? These and like questions I kept asking myself from day to day; and the more I thought about it, the more that apiary of nature became associated in my mind with " absconding swarms." At last the swarming sea- son arrived. Stimulated by the light flow from the mango, pear, cherry, and other fruit- trees, the bees soon had queen- cells under way, and my dreams of a large apiary seemed at last to be taking tangible form. How eagerly I did watch for those swarms to issue! and how tardy they seemed to be! However, it is said that all things come to those who wait, and it was so in my case; for one morning my heart gave a big bound as some one called " Swarming! swarming! " Looking I saw an unusual amount of bees flying from the entrance of one of my strongest colonies. In a moment I was on the spot, complacently watching them issue. Six years have passed since that time: HARD LT7CK. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 921 5'et, strang^ely enoug'h, even now those same old feeling-s which I experienced in my ear- ly bee-keeping- da3's will often return when I see a swarm issue. The musical hum of contentment; the "vim" with which the bees go forth to look for a new home; and, above all, the perfect concord existing- be- tween those teeming thousands can not fail to impress the thoughtful mind with the fact that not infrequently, even among- the lower orders of .God's great creation, there exists an innate harmon3' terriblj' lacking- in the family of man. Doubtless these or kindred thoughts pass- ed dimly through my mind as I watched that swarm issue. At length the bees ceased to rush out at the entrance, and im- mediatelj' over mj' head hovered as fine a swarm as ever g-laddened the heart of an amateur. Every thing was in readiness — swarming-'basket, pole, new hive, etc. With what delight I watched them as thej' linger- ed near a limb of our old man- go-tree! Surely that was a nice place for them to cluster; 3'et they did not cluster there, but circled hig-her and high- er (I began to glance nervous- ly at the cliff). While I looked their numbers seemed to be diminishing strangelj'. Then suddenly I realized that the swarm proper was away in front, and what I was gazing at was but the stragglers in the rear. M\' worst fears were realized — my swarm was ab- sconding. Some one (for quite a few of the house folk had as- sembled to see what was to them a new and novel proced- ure, but which they have since come to regard as common- place) began beating an old hoe with might and main; an- other suggested water; another pitched sand wildly into the air; but in spite of every thing, in less time than it takes to tell it those bees had started for the cliff, and I was rushing wildly after them. Oh how they did lly! It seemed to me they traveled as fast as a locomotive engine; and what a lively time I had following them, scaling stone walls, crossing lots, down the steep bank, into the river, up the other bank, over the barbed-wire fence, through coffee and cocoa plantations, through the village which lay in the bee-line (much to the surprise if not consternation of the villagers) following hard all the while up- on the tail end of the swarm, until, almost breathless, and with perspiration oozing from every pore, I found myself at the foot of the cliff, and, looking up, saw, to my chagrin and dismaj', my swarm going into a hollow log at the top. A while I watched it despairingl3^ Is this the way I was to be repaid for months of hard work? And my dreams of large apiaries, were they only dreams after all? A minute later and I had resolved to get back that swarm at all costs. A circuitous path brought me, after a hard climb, to a position in the hill over- looking the cliff. Cautiously descending I worked my way, in a very undignified man- ner, I confess, to within a few yards of their location, and reconnoitered. The bees had already taken possession of their new home, and were evidently as happy in their old hollow tree as they were in their nice painted hive at home. Two questions now confronted me — would I have the nerve to descend to the edge of the cliff? And if I did, how would I be able to take the bees from their stronghold? The first was soon decided. Crawling still more cautiously along I at length reached the edge of the precipice and perched m3'self astride that hollow log. Now came the next difficulty, viz., to re- move the bees. The only way that seemed feasible was to take hold of them and pull them out, and this I determined to do. A messenger sent home soon returned with the only thing I could substitute for gloves — socks. Fixing my nucleus-box in position I put a pair on each hand, and heroically made the first scoop. " Blazes! " I near- ly yelled. Didn't the3' just stick it into me? Pitching that first hot handful into my box, and shutting it hurriedly, I put another sock on each hand and tried again. Talk about long tongues ! I don't know how long theirs were; but I knew from the most practical sort of experience that their "bus- iness end " was long enough to go through those three socks all right. The more they stung, the more resolute I became. Putting on my last pair of socks I set to work 922 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Nov. 1 again. A sort of musical buzz accompanied each scoop as a score of angrj' bees, deter- mined to do or die, stuck to my hand; but this time it was too heavily covered, and an occasional slight prick v^^as all that I suf- fered through the rest of the fraj'. "Fortune favors the brave." I managed to capture the queen, then the rest of my task was comparatively easy. After a few hours' labor I succeeded in having almost every bee confined in my nucleus-box, and wended my way home with feelings better imagined than described. ******** The substance of the above story is mi- nutely true. Reminiscences of my early days of bee keeping often cause me plea- sure, and not infrequently I have to laugh at my peculiar method of doing things in those days. This circumstance is one which I shall always remember. The yawning abyss, hot tropical sun, and hotter bee-stings, created an impression upon my mind not easily effaced. To the older readers of Gleanings, whom this will hardly interest, I humbly offer an apology. At the same time I express the hope that, among the younger folk — the amateurs — it may be the means of stimulating when dis- couraged by adverse fortune. Heed the les- son taught in this — " where there's a will there's a way." Medina, Ohio. BRUSHED SWARMING — ANOTHER METHOD. The Weight of Foundation in Wiring ; Spraying Wa- ter to Stop Robbing a Failure. BY W. O. EASTWOOD. I have two suggestions to make for j'our consideration. Insteadof shaking or brush- ing as a means of effecting forced swarm- ing, would it not be possible to effect the same purpose more readily, and with less disturbance, by putting the hive equipped for the reception of the swarm underneath the old (or parent) hive and then driving the bees down with smoke from the one hive into the other? In wiring frames I fancy that I draw the wire rather tauter than yju direct, and yet I never have had any trouble with foundation buckling as a con- sequence. Can it be, I wonder, whether my practice of stretching the wire in the first instance has any thing to do with my freedom from the trouble? Taking up the spool in my left hand I grasp the end of the wire with a pair of pliers and give a mod- erately sharp pull, having, 1 should have premised, unwound three or four feet of the wire. I take a second hold, and similarly stretch as much more. By practice I am able to tell within a foot or so how much will be required for a frame, and I get the length needed by repeating the process of stretching in this way twice. I then break the stretched portion from the spool. In this way I take the kink out of the wire and find it to work much more comfortably. Each time I pull the wire I find it gives just so far to the strain, and then stops. Bees surely are queer creatures. Why do they ball a queen at times? That was a remarkable instance given in the last is- sue of Gleanings, page 674, by Martin L. Newman. This queen, it seems, had been permitted to lay. Why this sudden exhibi- tion of apparent ferocity? How will this do for a theory by way of a suggested ex- planation? May we suppose that there was a laying worker present in the hive, or one or more with the capacity to lay, and that the ball was in the main made up of bees desirous of protecting the queen from the jealous onslaught of a laying worker or workers? If this balling were a combined attack of the whole force it might be ex- pected that they would make short work of the business, which does not appear to be the case. Talk about spraying to stop robbing, I tried the garden watering-can, with a fine sprinkler on, just the other day, without one bit of effect. I have the hive in the cel- lar now, afraid to put it out. It is queen- less; but I gave it a frame with brood, kept it in the cellar two days, when, on putting it out, a horde of bees fell on it again like so many wolves; and in desperation I put it back in the cellar again, being afraid that it would spread the burglarious spirit throughout the apiary. For making smoke I use excelsior and cedar bark. Whitby, Ont., Can., Aug. 3. [The plan you speak of as a substitute for brushed swarming might work ; but when you can move bees from one compart- ment to another by shaking or brushing, it is much more to be preferred than by smok- ing. To drive bees on the plan you de- scribe would be almost cruel. Excessive smoking, I am afraid, kills a good many bees, and at the same time I know it sus- pends operations for at least a whole day. Excessive smoking should always be avoid- ed if possible. If your wires are drawn tauter than I de- scribed in these columns, and you don't get buckled foundation or comb, it is because you use a heavier grade of wax. While we sell foundation, and should be glad to sell lots of it, I consider it a great waste of money on the part of bee-keepers to use a grade of wax heavier than is absolutely necessary to get straight combs. A light brood foundation, if properly handled, will give just as good results as the more expen- sive medium brood. I never tried spraying robber bees with water. I should imagine it would prove in- effective in a very bad case of robbing. You say nothing about contracting the entrances down to a space just wide enough for one or two bees to pass. Putting the bees down cellar until the uproar is over is a good plan. But before placing them outdoors again, reduce the entrance to the space mentioned, and I think you will find they will put up a good defense. — Ed.] •T< 924 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Nov. BEES IN THE SIDE WALLS OF A GRANARY. Some Large Combs and Big Colonies. BY H. C. SEARS. Mr. Root: — I send you a photograph, of which I wrote you some time ago. The bees in this part of the country have had difficulty in finding places to locate. They have been found in almost every place you can think of, from a bee-hive to the twine- box on a binder. I took five out of a neigh- bor's granary, and have four or five more to take out of the sides of houses yet this fall for other neighbors. The ones shown in the photograph were located in the east end of O. V. Hill's granary. The building is 20 feet wide, and 10 feet high to the second floor. We put the hives right over the bees on the up- per floor, and made openings down to the combs, and drove the bees right up into the hive. The swarm in the left-hand corner had not been there as long as the other two, but had a nice start. The one on the right hand had done very well, but about ten days before we took them out, a quantity had melted off from the bottom, and dropped down; but they had rebuilt it, and got it quite crooked. The one in the center was the greatest sight in the honey line I ever saw, and we have been in the business thirty years. The first comb, as you see, does not run clear across the space; but the second and third ones do. They were 22 inches wide and 60 inches long. The studding were six-inch, making a space 22X6X60, or 79->o cubic inches, if they had built it dovpn square at the bottom, which they were working very hard at when taken out. There was not a stick or cross-piece excent the little inch block that shows on tlie right hand side about a foot from the top We have taken Gleanings almost ever since it started; and if you have ever shown larger combs I do not remember it. The picture on the left is that of my fa- ther, who was 84 years old the 14th of this month, and he has worked at the bee busi- ness to a considerable extent for nearh thirty years. He holds in his right hand a honey-knife, and in his left a smoker. The one on the right is the writer. Thornburg, la., Sept. 19. [You have given us quite a remarkable exhibit, friend S. After all, I suppose the only way to get combs out from behind clapboarding is to take the siding off, and cut them out just as you are doing in the picture. Somehow these great combs make my mouth water. Their very irregularity, and being built just as nature builds them, suggests a delicious sweetness that we do not think of when we see the same comb nicely built in the regulation man-made brood-frames. It would be a great thing to have a honey-harvest picnic on an occa- sion of this kind. If any one can show up larger or longer combs than are here presented, let him hold up his hand. — Ed.] GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 925 A MODEL CALIFORNIA APIARY. Extracting from Sballow Combs; bow the Plan of Shaking Swarms Enables a Man of 60 to Take Care of 300 Colonies, his Two Apiaries being 23 Miles Apart; Stamping Honey with the Produc- er's Name. I send you to-day a photograph of Pomo- na Apiary, which is situated just outside tne limits of Pomona, on San Bernardino Ave., 1''2 miles southwest of Claremont Col- lege. The apiary is run on strictly scien- tific principles, and consists of about 200 colonies of bees, half of which are run for comb honey and the other half for extract- ed. That means that I select every spring the strongest stands for comb honey. The house in the picture is the extract- ing-house, containing one large four-comb extractor with twelve-inch pockets, to take two half-depth frames each, or eight half- depth frames all together, as I use mostly the Ideal supers of ten-frame size for brood- nest and surplus-supers. I find this ar- rangement much more convenient for the many different manipulations used in an apiary run for both comb and extracted honey, besides not having to do such heavy lifting as when using full-depth supers, which is rather hard work for a man 60 years old, especially when one has to take care of over 300 colonies of bees all by him- self in two apiaries 23 miles apart, my out- apiary being located in Etiwanda, San Bernardino Co., consisting of 100 stands of bees, all run for comb honey. Of course, I use the " shook swarm " plan in both apia- ries, or else could not do the work all by myself. As it is, I have to " anticipate " {a la Doolittle) my work during the winter months by having my sections and ship- ping-boxes ready when the season begins, in order not to be hampered with extra work outside the regular apiary work, as so many bees will make one step lively sometimes. Although we have had quite poor seasons for the last six years, I have managed to make a living out of my bees so far, besides being much healthier now than I was be- fore coming to California. What I know about bees I have gleaned from Gleanings mostly, being a subscriber since 1882. Lat- er I have added the Review, and lastly the Ame7'ican Bee Journal: and I must confess I should be lost without any one of them. I have built up a fine honey trade right here in Pomona, and stamp my name on every first-class section of honey, Mr. York notwithstanding, as the merchants here do not object to it, and as I intend to advertise my honey and not have it mixed up with other products sold as "just as good." Pomona, Cal., Sept. 21. [Inhere is quite a strong tendency toward shallower frames; and prominent beekeep- ers, notably Geo. W. Brodbeck, of Califor- nia, are using frames shallower than the Langstroth. By using such frames in the brood-nest as well as in the extracting- supers, we simplify hives and frames, and atthe same time secure other advantages. OK M- K. ''""^''S. POMON-., 926 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Nov. 1 And so, friend K., you are making- the shake swarm pl'an a success (if it were not for Dr. Miller I would say shook swarm). We should be g'lad to have you tell us more about your method of working'. — Ed.] FIGHTING disease; FORMALDEHYDE UN- SUCCESSFUL ; PROBABLY NOT FOUL BROOD. The Muncy Valley Bee-keepers' Associa- tion was organized some weeks ago for the purpose of fighting foul brood, as noted in a late issue. The association held a meeting Aug. 1, at which the subject of foul brood was thoroughly discussed. Mr. Fuller was present, and did much to make the meeting interesting and helpful. It now appears that about a third of the colonies of bees in this section have been found diseased. It appears, too, that the treatment by formaldehyde has been un- successful except in one case treated by Mr. Fuller, in which he uncapped all cap- ped comb, and extracted the honey. Up to the time of the meeting it seemed to be en- tirely cured, and the second hatching of young bees was coming out, which has not been the case with the others thus treated; for in each case the disease began to reappear between the third and sixth week after the treatment. A new phase of the trouble also came to light at our meeting. Mr. Fuller reported an interview with Mr. Harry W. Beaver, of Watsontown, Pa., a man of large expe- rience in bee-keeping in Cuba, where he gained a practical knowledge of many dis- eases of bees. The conclusion is reached that this which is making so much trouble in this section is not foul brood, as formerly known. It was stated that Mr. Beaver has had man}' diseased colonies this sea- son, and that he intended to send some dis- eased combs to you for your examination. It also appears that thus far the carbolic- acid spray has been more successful than the formaldehyde treatment. Muncy, Pa., Aug. 12. D. L. Woods. [Is it not possible and even probable that black brood has stepped across the border- line of York State over into your country? I should be afraid of it. If it is not foul brood, and yet is fearfully destructive, it would look very much as if you had the New York bee disease, better known as *' black brood." The formaldehyde treatment, according to late reports, fails to disinfect combs un- less they are uncapped and empty; but if it will be the means of saving otherwise good combs, it will be worth much to the bee- keeper. From our present information, all diseased combs would have to be uncapped and possibly extracted, whether containing brood or honey. Such a course of proced- ure would be very likely to spread the dis- ease, as it would be almost impossible to keep the infection from clothing, extractors, honey-knives, honey on the floor, and after- ward being transmitted to robber bees. — Ed.] soured honey — what to do with it. Last spring I secured from another bee- keeper a few hives of bees with Root queens in them. Wishing to increase them as much as possible I divided them. One nucleus that reared a young queen built up quickly and strong, and this fall I took 48 lbs. of surplus honey from them. Now comes the queer part of it. While the whole 4S lbs. was nicely capped, it was all soured full of air-cells, and foamy — tastes and smells distinctly sour. Now, that is something I never saw before. I should like to know the reason of it. I was thinking of using the honey as bee- feed to build up weak colo- nies, but intend to cook it first. Wouldn't it be a good idea to add sugar syrup to it? It seems to me that the fault must be in the bees, and that hive is marked for requeen- ing. I will say for the old queen that, while this is her third season, she built a strong colony from a nucleus, and stored 85 lbs. of honej'. J. T. Rkno, Jr. Jerico Springs, Mo., Sept. 24. [Soured honej' would be absolutely unfit to give your bees for winter food. I would advise you to extract all of it, and then feed the bees good clean pure sugar syrup. The honey that you extract you can improve somewhat by boiling; then for the purpose of stimulating brood-rearing 3'ou possibly can feed it out again to the bees next spring; but a better way would be to make honey vinegar of it. Such vinegar is much superior to ordinar}'^ cider vinegar. — Ed.] WINTERING WITH THE COMB-HONEY SUPER ON TOP. I winter my bees on their summer stands. I put an emptj' super on top of the brood- nest. I take the sections out and leave the section-holders in. I fill the super with old rags and papers. Any kind will do. The}' winter well for me, coming out in the spring in good order. I use the Danzenba- ker hive. The weather gets pretty cold here — from about zero to 10° below. J. B. Rtddell. New Florence, Pa., Sept. 28. [Such a plan of wintering gives very good results, many times; but unless the bees are protected against prevailing winds it is also advisable to put a protecting case around the sides of the brood-nest. A pow- erful colony will ver^' often winter outdoors without any protection whatever. — Ed.] 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURK 927 SECTIONS AT SlO A THOUSAND — A CORREC- TION. On page 713 you made some statements on the section question that I could not see through at all; but being a little fellow I held my peace in expectation that the Straw gentleman, or some other big fellow, would speak. As there was nothing said about it in the Sept. 1st issue, however, I will ac- cept your invitation and "wade in." You said that, with honey bringing 10 cts. per lb. net, the bee-keeper will not lose money if he pays SlO. 00 per 1000 for sections. Now, ]000 sections, 4'4 X4,'4 Xl?^, weigh a little over 60 lbs. At 10 cts. per lb. they will return the bee-keeper just a little over ?6 00. If he uses plain sections they will weigh less, and consequently return him less; and this does not take account of foundation at 55 to 60 cts. per lb., and of which he will use close to 2 lbs. in 1000 sections, however small he makes his starters, and he gets back only 10 cts. per lb. for it; so it seems to me as though, with a little freight added to the cost, the bee-keeper is dangerously near losing mone3' on his sections now. Why can not sections be made of wood fiber or paper? F. H. Clarkk. Coleman, Mich., Sept. 9. [You are right, friend C. ; but my broth- er-in-law, Mr. Calvert, who is so very ac- curate in figures, gave me the statement, and I accepted it as law and gospel truth. Of course, I should have figured it for my- self. We shall have to consider, perhaps, that S5.00 per 1000, our present price, is as high as bee-keepers can go and not lose monej'. Comb honey that retails, we will say, at 15 cts. in the grocerj' will not net the producer much more than 10 cts. if we take out freight, commission, leakage, break- age, and, I am sorry to say, rascality once in a while. But it is a good joke on Dr. Miller that he did not notice it. I usually think that any statement I make, that is not subsequently called in question by the sage of Marengo, must be correct, for his eagle eye is almost sure to see an error, es- pecially in figures. — Ed.] QUEENS STUNG IN A BALL. Referring again to the matter of queens being stung in a ball, I still say that I very much doubt the phj'sical possibility of such an act ever taking place in a swarm of bees left to their own disposition. But if there is an}' thing that will provoke bees to sting a queen it is to turn a blast of hot smoke on them when they have for some reason balled a queen. Likelihood or appearances of truth that speak of a case or question of fact which results from superior evidence or preponderance of argument on one side, incline the mind to receive it as the truth, but leave some room for doubt. It therefore falls short of moral certaint}', and produces what is called opinion. I'm of the same opinion still, that queens are never stung while in a ball, but are starved and suflFo- cated to death. A few days ago I had a swarm issue, and the queen was immediately balled. This took place near the next hive. I at once picked them up and liberated the queen from the bees, receiving two stings on the fingers. Had I thrown a blast of hot smoke on them, there is a possibility that the queen would have been destroyed. But it is the downright hard thoughts that have the courage to grasp the key of facts, and unlock the vaults and bring to light the long-hidden, long-forgotten vol- umes of science. Let them come forth, that we may alleat from the tree of knowledge. Matanzas, Cuba. C. E. Woodward. [Perhaps my views do not differ greatly from yours in the matter. I only stated that I had seen evidence enough to convince me that queens are stung in the ball, for I have seen the stings in their bodies after the ball has been picked to pieces. Since that time others have reported seeing the same thing. I am of the opinion that the average process of balling results in stifling or suffocating more than in stinging. I am also of the opinion that bees will sting queens sometimes in a ball, even when the same is not molested by a bee-keeper. But I may be mistaken. — Ed.] INTRODUCING virgins; AGE OF AT TIME OF FERTILIZATION. The matter on page 756, pertaining to in- troducing one or more virgins, is very help- ful; but there are some difficulties in the way which to me seem insurmountable. Your new method saves from two to three days over what we are accustomed to use, which is an important item. From j'our account it seems easy to turn oft" good queens rapidly. In my experience I have never known young queens to take their flight under four or five days after being intro- duced, and three, four, or five days more be- fore they begin to la}' — in all, ten to twelve days. I have heretofore supposed that a virgin queen must not be kept over eight or ten days or she would never take her flight, and often not over five days. Now, if I have been wrong all these years you will do me, and probably others equally in error, a favor by setting us right. W. S. Blaisdell. Victoria, Fla., Sept. 7. [It is usual to figure, in queen-rearing practice, on about ten days for a young hatched virgin to begin laying. They often lay in less time ; but a nine or ten day limit is the rule. It is now known that virgin queens are often confined in the cells until the bees are ready to release them. Some just-hatched virgins are much older in point of development and maturity than others. One ready to hatch may be confined in her cell, and fed regularly by the workers for several days. Such queens will sometimes fly immediately on emerg- ing from the cell. How soon one such may take a wedding-flight after hatching I do 928 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Nov. 1 not know. I have had one queen, to my own personal knowledg-e, take her wedding- flig-ht when three daj's old from the time of hatching-. I once conducted a series of observations to find when the first evi- dences of fertilization appear after hatch- ing. It was from three to seven days. The point that you do not quite under- stand is this : That two or three virgins may be caged in a hive at once. One will be released, we will say, in a day. It may take four or five days before she is ready to take her flight. In the mean time, all other caged virgins in the hive have reach- ed the age of maturity. Queen No. 1 takes her flight, we will say, in five days. In three days she is laying, making eight days from the time of hatching. Immedi- ately on her laying, another virgin is caged, when queen No. 2 of the first-cnged lot is put in a condition to be released, which will take, say, four or five hours. In 24 hours from the time the other queen was taken out, queen No. 2 ma\' take her flight. We will say she lays in three days. She is then removed, and queen No. 3 takes her place, and begins to lay, according to the cycle we figure on, in four or five days more. In the mean time, fresh virgins just hatched are caged, and confined while they are reaching the age of wedding flight. During this time they are also acquiring the scent of the bees, and so long as there is no queen in the hive to object or inter- fere, any one of them will be accepted by the bees; and if she is of the proper age she will begin taking her flight to meet the drone. Now, I do not mean to give four or five daj's as the absolute time from one laj'- ing queen to another. It will var}' ; but our experience is, on the average, two laying queens to a nucleus in a week or ten daj's. On the single plan of introducing there would be four or five days lost in getting a just-hatched queen up to wedding- flight age. If we add three days more for her to lay in, there are eight days in all, taking just twice the time I have allowed for the dual plan of introducing. The whole secret of the plan rests in the fact that the bees become acquainted, and are' agreeable to three or four virgins at once. They all smell alike; and if they are released one at a time, so there can be no mortal combat between any two of the queens, all will go on lovely, and the cycle of mating and laying will take place in four or five days as against eight or ten days the old way. But to keep up the cycle a fresh virgin must be introduced or caged at the time of taking out the laying queen; so by the time No. 2 is ready to lay. No. 3 will be ready to meet a drone. — Ed.] being simply not in it. We all know that, with full sheets, we must have wired frames; but for starters it is not absolutely necessary. Mr. Doolittle says neither yes nor no to the wiring of frames; but his sys- tem of getting worker comb, page 426, ne- cessitates cutting out the drone comb, and he goes as far as to speak of patching. Do you suppose this operation can be per- formed without cutting the wires? Now with regard to full sheets on wired frames, I have a mind to give you a photo of a few to show that we do have failures here; and others, I might sajs have had the same trouble. But right here I will say, hurrah for the Weed-process founda- tion! for with it our failures are reduced to a minimum. Geo. W. Strangways. Elora, Ont., Aug, 26. [I am of the opinion that Mr. Doolittle does not wire; and even if he did, he could easily insert patches of worker comb right on to a wire by cutting a shallow slit in the comb inserted. I would rather patch a wired comb than one unwired. — Ed.] FEW COLONIES WINTERING WELL IN A CEL- LAR. On page 230, in quotations, Ira Barber says a few colonies will winter fairly well in almost any cellar. Now, could four or six colonies be wintered in a tight dry- goods box in a medium dry cellar used for storing apples and potatoes, temperature sometimes going down to 30? It has a flue which could be heated by artificial heat if necessary. If advisable to try, how much ventilation should the box have? and how ventilated? Would not the temperature be considerably higher in the box than in the cellar? G. M. Ellenberger. Belknap, Pa., Sept. 22. [I would not put the bees into the box re- ferred to. Better put them into the cellar, but darken it; and when you desire to get vegetables, use a lamp. Ira Barber is right. — Ed.] WIRED FRAMES AND STARTERS; WEED NEW- PROCESS FOUNDATION. I see in Stray Straws, page 707, that Dr. Miller takes a peg at me again; but really you know our discussion was on full sheets versus starters, the wiring of frames EXTRACTING HONEY FROM UNFINISHED SECTIONS; CAN IT BE DONE WITHOUT BREAKING THE COMBS? Can honey in unfinished sections be thrown out with extractor without breaking out the comb? Lack of basswood honey this season left me with a lot of unfinished sections. As I have never used an ex- tractor I ask for information. Passumpsic, Vt., Sept. 8. C. R. King. [Yes, it can be done very easily in the case of most sections that are fastened on three sides. Combs having only one or two attachments would have to be handled very carefully, of course, the speed of the ex- tractor being reduced to where it would just throw the honey and not break the fastenings. — Ed. ] 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 929 KEEPING EXTRACTED HONEY FROM CANDY- ING. I want to ask a question in reg^ard to keep- ing extracted honey from losing- its fresh- ness, or going to sugar. Is it necessary to seal it up air-tight, and to use an air-pump to extract the air from each jar in order to keep it fresh and in a good marketable con- dition? KiRBY Smith. Gibsonburg, O., Aug. 18. [It is not necessary to use an air-pump. Honey should be heated to a temperature of 160 degrees, and kept there for ten or fifteen minutes, then bottled and sealed while hot, just the same as fruit is canned. Such hon- ey, if properl}' put up, the cork covered with wax, paraffine, or beeswax, will remain liquid for nearh' a 3'ear, and longer if the temperature of the room is not changed. For full particulars, see "Bottled Hone}'," in our ABC book.— Ed.] SWEET CLOVER IN KANSAS ; AN ESTIMATE OF ITS VALUE PER ACRE AS A HONEY-PLANT. Bees have done very poorlj' for me this season on account of cold wet weather in June, losing a few hives bj' actual starva- tion before I was really aware of it; and if it had not been for a three-acre field of white sweet clover I should have lost more, as this patch kept about SO hives in fair condition. In fact, they went far ahead of the out-apiaries. I have sown this season five acres more, and next spring I intend to put out about 40 acres more, as I can rent land for this purpose at SI. 50 per acre. I intend to put out mostly the yellow varietj', as it comes in just at a time when there is nothing else, and the blooming-period is longer; but the three acres of white, I am satisfied, was worth to me this season S30, and I also have considerable seed from it. R. L. Snodgrass. Gordon, Kan., Oct. 2. [Friend S., I am glad to get a report to the efifect that an acre of sweet clover is worth even as much as SlO.OO for the honey alone. Let me now suggest that, when j-ou get tired of growing the sweet clover, if you plow it under when it is about two feet high, before it blossoms, it will be of as much benefit to 3'our land, and perhaps more, as if j-ou plowed under a similar growth of common red clover. — A. I. R.] AUTOMATIC SELF-HIVING. Mr. Root: — The following is an idea in self-hiving: I sold a colony of bees to a neighbor last June. It contained a queen with a clipped wing. They were placed on a stand about 18 inches from the ground. Upx)n delivering this colony I informed the lady of the house that they would be likely to cast a swarm ere long. She hardly ex- pected to hear this. However, an old hive was made ready, and bj' chance it was left on the ground in front of the colony pur- chased. They watched the bees for swarm- ing, till tired and indifferent ; so, upon go- ing to the hive later they found that, in- stead of only one colonj', there were two. The queen had rushed out on to the ground, found her way to the hive on the ground, and was hived with nobody to witness the proceedings. G. W. Strangways. Elora, Ont., Can., Oct. 5. [The plan j'ou describe embodies the principles of the self-hivers that were talk- ed of so much 3'ears ago. But self- hiving as a practical method has gone entirely' out of use, so far as I know. I have made it work, but it is too much trouble. The ap- pliances and the fussing necessarj' to make a swarm go automatically into another com- partment involve more expense and labor than to hive in the old-fashioned way of letting the bees come back to an empty hive placed on the old stand, on the clipped- wing plan. — Ed.] bees HATCHING WITHOUT WINGS. Can you tell me what ails my j^oung bees? The3' hatch out without wings, then crawl out and die b}' the thousands. B3' winter they will be all gone; and as we have 36 hives of bees we should like to know a reme- dy. Sherwin Cooley. Calistoga, Cal. [When bees hatch without wings the trouble ma3' be due to several causes — chilled or overheated brood, or to poisoning. If the old bees gathered nectar from fruit- trees or sprayed plants, the same might kill some brood and allow other (although de- formed) to mature. — Ed.] EFFECT OF STINGS ON HEALTH. Is there any such thing as bee-poison ruining a man's health? I have been sick one or two da3's all the spring and sum- mer. The doctors here can't help me. It seems to be a stomach trouble that comes about ever3' six or seven da3's. I have kept bees 30 3'ears on a small scale; have been stung two or more times ever3' da3'. It never seems to hurt me ^ny. I should like to hear from the readers of Gleanings about it. Irving Long. Marceline, Mo. [As a rule, bee-poison produces no seri- ous effect on the average human system. But one who has kept bees for man 3' years, and who has been stung a great deal, some- times experiences unpleasant sensations when a hive is first opened during the fore part of the season. Langstroth was affect- ed in that wa3% and there have been reports of a similar kind from time to time. — Ed.] king-birds an enemy of the bee. In Gleanings for Aug. 1 I see that David Wauford thinks he has found some adulterated honey; but I guess all there is of it is a think or a guess-so. Last sum- mer we had some that was the very same 930 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Nov. 1 way, which we know was pure honey, and I think it came from raspberry- blossoms. There are many different flavors of pure honey. I think Mr. Wauford. in refj;ard to his honey, is like the man who says king-- birds catch drones only. Let them open a few and see. Every bee- keeper should shoot all the king-birds he can. There will be enough left then. They are the meanest bird that flies, to any other bird they can boss. A. E. Marlow. Cape Vincent, N. Y., Aug. 5. SKUNKS, HOW TO TRAP THEM. We have had some experience the past summer with forced swarms, which maj' be of value in showing the best way to make them. The greater part were made by drumming most of the bees and the queen up into a hive containing empty frames with starters, which was then set upon a bottom-board on the old stand. Out of all so treated, not one attempted to abscond; while the swarms that were brushed gave so much trouble that we gave up that plan altogether. I notice that some of your readers have had considerable loss from skunks. I found that they were eating a good many of our bees, keeping seme of the colonies weak, although they were rearing plenty of brood. Poisoning is dangerous at best, so we com- menced trapping. By nearly burying an egg in the ground a short distance from the apiary, and setting a steel trap over it, we caught six or seven in a short time. The trap, of course, should be set only at night. Besides scratching on the hives, as your ABC book says, the skunks would comb out the grass around the hive-entrances with their claws, to get the bees that came out of ihe hives, I suppose. The grass was so combed out in front of most of our sixty hives, before we began trapping. I find no signs of any depredations now, and the weak colonies have strengthened up consid- erably. F. H. Harvey. Battle Creek, Mich., Sept. 24. DOES DISTURBING THE BEES CAUSE THEM TO BALL A OUEEN ? In manipulating bees in the fall after the honey season, as setting in sealed stores from the upper story of a swarm that has been used for extracting, is there danger in having the bees ball the queen if the apia- rist uses lots of smoke? M. H. Hill. Mattoon, Wis. [There will be no danger of causing the bees to ball the queen; indeed, an excess of smoke would have the very opposite ef- fect. Do not get the impression that smoke or disturbing the bees, from any thing that has occurred in Gleanings lately, has a tendency to cause the bees to ball the queen. The instances of this kind are so rare that they are hardly worth taking account of.— Ed.] "southern honey" not of POOR QUAL- ITY. It gives me special pleasure to see that you are trying to give the Southern bee- keeper's interest due consideration, arrd that you have left off using the term "Southern honey." The name is all right, but you know for what purpose it has been used by some. We passed that stage long ago. The war is over, and the bee-keepers of the South are taking special interest in their product. L. W. Avant. Atascosa, Tex., Sept. 19. LIGHTING SMOKERS. I have read so much about lighting smo- kers, etc., I thought nothing was equal to live coals. I find that, if one will roll a piece of crocus sack, laying a small piece of paper on it before rolling it up, then roll it up tight, and tie a string around it snug; drop a little coal oil on this roll or ball — not too much; light it; drop this ball into the smoker, then put in your wood, your fire is made. It will surprise you to see what a splendid smoke it will make, and the length of time it will keep the smoke. Do not make the roll or ball too large. Roll it up tight. H. BooTON. Richmond, Texas. THE LEAN AND THE FAT YEARS. I am not inclined to be critical, especial- ly in matters that might properly be called non-essentials in this case; but I thought, after reading the editorial notice under one of Dr. C. C. Miller's Straws, page 7^2, I would suggest to you that you read up a little on the history of the children of Isra- el. I think you will find that the "lean years that eat up the fat ones" was a con- dition that occurred in Egj'pt rather than in the wilderness, and was a matter that concerned the Egyptians more directly than the children of Israel. A. J. Kilgore. Bowling Green, O., Sept. 23. [Your point is well taken, friend K. I had in mind the Israelites just a short time before they left Egypt. — Ed.] COVERING THE BROOD-NEST FOR WINTER. Which is best to put over a brood-nest for covering in winter — coarse cloth, burlap, or enamel cloth? O. F. Hertzberg. Eaton Rapids, Mich., Sept. 1. [This is a mooted question. It all de- pends on whether your locality has shown that absorbing cushions are better than sealed covers covered over with packing of some sort. But the general consensus of opinion, I think, is working slowly in favor of sealed covers. In that case we would use either enamel cloths or a plain thin board which the bees could seal down, the same covered with chaff, leaves, shavings, or any porous material that could be readi- ly obtained. — Ed.] 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 931 KII.I.ING HONKV-CANS TOO FULL. J. C. R , Onf.iCaf. — Cans designed to hold extracted honey should never be tilled quite full. When hone}' candies it expands; and if the receptacles be filled level full there is quite a liabilit}' of leakag-e, due to the cans bursting- from the expansion of the honey when cand3'ing-. Your honey is doubtless just as j,^ood as it ever was. The same can be restored to its original condi- tion by putting the cans in warm water, or a temperature not hig^her than 160. Better empty out some of the hone^' from each can. CURING LOAFING AROUND THE ENTRANCE. y. (/. B., N'. J. — Loafing around the en- trance is often caused bj' too small an open- ing during the hot part of the season. En- larging it or lifting' the hive off from the bottom-board, and separating it from the hive with two blocks, will ver}' often cause the bees to g-o back into the hive and begin work. But if they still loaf while all the rest of the bees are working-, it may be that thej' are preparing to swarm. But if that is not the case, and the bees are profession- al loafers, you had better kill the queen, and introduce some new and better stock. It does not paj' to keep such bees when oth- er blood that j'ou can introduce may earn you possibl}' several dollars for the season. BEES STINGING HONEY (?): HANDLING BEES TOO MUCH. W. D. C. Ohio. — The clipping- j'ou send, about bees stinging- their honey, is so ridic- ulous and absurd that we never pay any attention to it; for such nonsense seems to be g-oing the rounds of the press while sober facts and truth about the bees, just as startling, are verj' seldom given to the pub- lic. See Picking^s. Referring to your questions, I would say it would do no harm to handle the colonies as often as you like; but there is no advan- tage in opening a hive oftener than two or three times a season if you desire to get honej', and do not care about the pleasure of watching and handling the bees. It %ery often happens that there is a poor queen in a hive. A COLONY THAT REFUSES TO ACCEPT A QUEEN. IV. H. S., Pa. — We do not quite under- stand what the trouble is j'ou are having in introducing. If you have one colonj' to which you are trying to introduce a queen, and that seems disposed to kill all jou give to them, you may rest assured there is some cause for it. The probabilities are that they have something the^' call a queen — a virgin or a fertile worker; and so long as either is present yovi will never succeed in introducing a fertile queen, especially one that comes through the mails, and bears the odor of outside objects. Rather than lose another queen >ou had better introduce her on a frame of brood with a few bees, then build the colony up for winter. But do not attempt to introduce a queen to a colony that has already killed off several queens, for when Ihey once start out in the killing business they will keep it up. Give them a cell or a virgin from your own stock. WHEN TO TAKE OFF SUPERS, ETC. R. W. /., Jnd. — Supers should be taken oft" the hives just as soon as the honey-flow stop^. If you are a beginner, and do not know just when this is, you will see the bees are inclined to rob; and if they have any drones, kill them off. If the sections are left on they will be travel stained and soiled. No, do not give the bees empty combs for winter unless you intend to feed them up. A better way is to reserve out a few of your go^A combs of sealed stores; then along- in the fall, give colonies (that are not suffi- ciently supplied) a few of these combs. The colonies that are wintered indoors or in the cellar should not have less than 15 lbs. Colonies wintered outdoors ought to have from 20 to 25. The Danzenbaker hives should be put in the cellar as soon as you have cold weath- er. The cellar should be darkened, and ventilated occasionally. You can winter them outdoors if you have regular Danzen- baker winter-cases. WHY WOODEN CELL CUPS ARE BETTER THAN DOOLITTLE CUPS ALL OF WAX. J. L., Texas- — You ask why we use wooden plugs instead of the wax queen cell as used by Mr. Doolittle. In answer we will say that it takes so long to form these heavy wax cells, which must be strong and thick enough to bear handling, that we prefer to have the wooden plug made to re- ceive the small delicate cell which we can press out at the rate of 1000 an hour. These cells, after they have been used once, are simply picked off the wooden plug, and another one inserted in about a quarter of a minute. It takes time and skill to dip the Doolittle cell cup, and it is only a matter of convenience that we prefer the wooden plug. In our own yards, as a rule we do not use the Tinker zinc form of protector around the cell. We tried this only to test the invention of Mr. Stanley as described in these columns. The object of this protector is to allow the bees free access to the cell and hatching queen with- out allowing the queen to escape. In this way they can be kept for some time in the hive where they hatch. We prefer a pro- tector of the cylindrical shape we have al- ready described, but having merelj' small holes — too small to allow the bees to pass through them. We see no special advan- tage in having the slots so large that the bees can get to the confined queen. 932 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Nov. 1 NOTES OF TRAVEL * BY A. I. ROOT. MICHIGAN TRAVELS CONTINUED. Toward night we made a brief call on Charles Shuneman, of Ionia, Mich. His wife is the bee-keeper, with the help the children give her. Well, just here we met an unexpected situation of affairs. I don't know that I ever before in my life found a bee-keeper (or bee-keeper^55) who was going to quit the business because of being ioo successful. Mrs. S. says she greatly en- joj'ed bees until this season. She had en- joyed studying them and building up colo- nies; and this present year all that marred her enjoyment was the fact that she had se- cured a tremendous honey crop! The hon- ey was beautiful in quality and great in quantity; but she said it was too hard work for any woinan, and her husband was in other business so he could not give her any assistance; so she wanted to sell out and give it up. If the crop had been more moderate, or possibly none at all, she might have gone on keeping bees. There are very queer things in this world of ours, and there are some funny people in it. Perhaps Mrs. S. may conclude that, with the help of the bright boys and girls around her, she may, after a winter's rest, go on with the bee business. The children were great- ly pleased to see an automobile right in their own dooryard. But we were so much behind in our appointments that we had to hurry on. Just at dusk we pulled up at the home on the hillside of A. H. Guernsey. Friend G. says I made him a call ever so many years ago while waiting for a train at Ionia; but I have been trying ever since to recall the incident. He pointed out to me some bees in a good-sized hollow log, with modern section boxes on top; and he said I was greatly interested in that log gum when I made that brief call more than twenty years ago; and as I looked at that apiary on the steep hillside there seemed to be a faint glimmer of something familiar in years gone by. Friend G. is a busy man; and when I saw him take a potato-hook in his hand, with a pail and lantern, in the evening, after his wife had whispered something to him, I begged to be permitted to go along and hold the lantern. Well, on another part of that steep hillside we dug some nice potatoes, and what do you think they were? Why, it was my old favorite, the Early Michigan; and it seemed to me as though only Michi- gan can produce such potatoes, so floury and appetizing, as we had for breakfast the next morning. We were very pleasantly entertained over night in Lansing, at the home of Isaac Parker. We found friend P. in a very pretty little shop midway between his home and his bee-yard and garden. By the way, a pleasant tidy shop with convenient tools, each one in its place, is one of the pleasant- est sights I know of around a bee-yard, or near any farmer's home, for that matter; but a shop that is full of disorder, the tools sticky with honey, and so full of rubbish you can never get through it, is any thing but pleasant to contemplate. Now, dear friends, don't any of you be in haste to put on the coat I have made, for the honey- house in "our own apiary," and another building where we store hives, cushions, etc., come pretty near the picture I have been trying to describe. Well, friend Par- ker has a very prett}' shop, and he looked happy and contented when we found him at work there. Perhaps one reason why things were in such good order all around is that he and his wife are prett}' well along in years, and, if I am correct, he has no other business on hand except his gar- den and small apiary. He probably has plenty of time to keep things tidy, and have his tools all in order. But I have wondered a great many times if it were not possible that a tidy shop saves enough time to pay for keeping it in order. I suppose there are extremes both ways. Sometimes I have thought it next to impossible for a busy man to keep every thing tidy — tools all under shelter when a storm comes up, etc. Then again, I have decided, when I have spent time enough in hunting for something to buj' a new one, that it paid in dollars and cents to have things put away, besides the feeling of comfort and happiness that it gives to look around when you get up in the morning and find every thing in good shape. Another thing, friend Parker's home is emphatically a Christian home. Our arrangements were such that we had time enough to make only a brief call at the home of A. D. D. Wood and sons, who have for many years done quite a business in manufacturing hives, etc., in Lansing. The warm welcome I received, even though my stay was so brief, I shall not soon for- get. When we passed through Lansing we had our machine overhauled again at the auto- mobile factory, and they said our job of put- ting in the new shaft was all right. A few trifling repairs were made at Lansing, and we ran on to the town of Charlotte. This is another of the beautiful Michigan towns, with its great multitude of handsome up-to- date homes. We reached Charlotte at just sundown, and arrived at Hillsdale, 57 miles distant, before 11 o'clock. At this point I bade Huber good-by and went home on the cars, leaving him to manipulate the auto- mobile alone. If anj' one of j'ou is curi- ous to know just why we parted company, I think I shall have to explain briefly that he was more interested in a certain young lady he became acquainted with while go- ing to school in Oberlmthan I was; and he rather wanted the automobile with him when he made her a call. Our trip through Michi- gan, and return, occupied us, with the calls we made on bee-keepers, about three weeks; 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 933 and I do not know that I ever enjoyed mj-- self more in my travels anywhere. Now, friends, in winding up this account of our Michigan trip I am painfullj' aware that we ran by perhaps a dczen friends who gave us an invitation to call. I felt pained to skip them; but I was alreadj' booked for a place in that carload of bee- keepers going to California. As it was, I was obliged to start off for California al- most immediately after reaching Medina; but I enjoyed that Michigan trip so much that I am planning another one on the au- tomobile next spring as soon as the roads are fair, and I expect to take in most of those we passed by on the above trip. CALIFORNIA TRAVELS. While in Chicago, business called me to the advertising agencv of the Frank B. White Co. I had become somewhat tired of the din and racket of the great city. I had many times looked up at the great sky- scraper buildings, and felt a desire to visit one of them; so when I was told by the ele- vator bo}- that this agency was away up, if not clear up, on the uppermost floor, I felt rather glad. When I was ushered in- to the office of President Long he seemed so full of business I hesitated a little about asking him to leave his work to serve me in a personal matter. When told, however, that I represented Gleanings in Bee CuLxrRE he excused himself through the telephone, and asked those in the otrice to call again a little later; and then he surprised me bj'^ saying that, while I was alreadj' there in their place of business, he would like to show me around a little. This firm devotes its whole time to agricultural advertising — that is, advertising for the agricultural pa- pers, rural industries, seedsmen, etc. Thej' have a wonderful S3'stem of dividing the business up into departments. Each de- partment has an office by itself; and as they are away up above the other buildings (I might almost say they are above the smoke as well as above the racket), each ofhce has a large broad window, affording not only plenty of light but plenty of better air than one gets in the streets below. The view out of these windows across the city, taking in the green parks and a beautiful view of the lake, was of itself to me inspiring. It was pleasant to find that the occupants of each office knew about Gleanings. I confess it was a pleasant surprise to me to see what the agricultural advertising of the I'nited States amounts to. This firm makes a business, not only of writing adver- tisements in an attractive form, but they have very much to do with this modern fash- ion of putting in some kind of picture to ar- rest the attention, and perhaps make j-ou laugh. Trul)', successful advertising at the present day is one of the fine arts; and this establishment includes a great varietj' of artists. I do not know that they make seed catalogs, but they furnish designs for the covers in all the beautiful colors we no- tice with the advent of each new year. After I had looked the offices all over, and had a brief talk with the occupants, Mr. Long very kindly went down to the office of the Santa Fe Railway with me. I told him what I wanted the railroad companj' to do for me, and he said thcN' were exceedingly willing to accommodate' But the railroad men had been swindled so many times they were verj- cautious about granting favors to strangers. We had been doing some adver- tising for the Santa Fe road, and I wanted some accommodations on m}- route home that they had not exactlj' agreed to grant. Let me sa^- a word in favor of the railroads just here. During the G. A. R. encamp- ment all the roads had granted a very low rate of travel. In fact, these tickets were sold at so low a rate that one might sell his return ticket alone, while in the far West, for more money than he paid for the whole round trip from Chicago; and the red tape we have to go through with in buying a tick- et, and using it, is to prevent these same swindles." I once had a ticket offered me at a very low rate to some place I wanted to go. But the broker explained that I would have to sign the name of some other person than mvself; that is, I would have to pre- tend I was "the other man." When I protested against that method of doing business he said, in an off-hand wax*, "OhI that's nothing; it is a common every- day occurrence. Nobody thinks anj' thing about its being out of the way." Now, I hope, dear reader, this statement is not true. God forbid there should be many men in this land of ours who are will- ing to pretend they are some other man, and sign his name to it in order to save a few dollars. When the railroad people un- derstood I was one of the editors of (Clean- ings they very cheerfully granted my re- quest, without a word of objection; and I was exceedingly well pleased with my treat- ment during m^- whole trip on the Santa Fe. In the first place, the whole road-bed is oiled from Chicago to the Pacific coist, so we had no dust on that whole trip occupj'- ing nearly a week. There was not dust enough to prevent having the windows open every da_v, and night too, for that matter, with the exception of about half an hour when we were running through a small dust-storm on the desert. In the extreme West the en^^ities all burn oil, so there are no cinders flying, even if you do put your head out of a window to get a better view of something. In passing through Kansas next morn- ing I caught sight of an apple-orchard that seemed to be almost a mile long, right be- side the railroad. I asked somebody if it were possible that those were all apple-trees. He replied, "Oh, j'cs! that is a big apple- * On both the Santa Fe and Southern Pacific, wlieti I wished for a " stop over " I was obligeo to leave uiy ticket with the depot ageni; and thisaijeut is under orders to hold said ticket until thirty minutes before the train leaves. This is to prevent the holder of the ticket from selling it while he is around where "scalp- ers" are. 934 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Nov. 1 orchard that belongs to a man whom every- body thoug-ht was crazy. He planted three- fourths of a section in a locality not sup- posed to be very favorable for apples. Last year his crop sold for something like $40,000. You see there was a scarcity almost every- where else, and his trees all happened to bear a wonderful crop." So you see, friends, that people who go into these things on such a terribly large scale, once in a while turn out to be not so crazy after all. I think one of the agricul- tural papers stated this man's crop for last year alone almost paid for the entire plant. A good many of the passengers in our tour- ist car had never been through the moun- tains and deserts before; so I was frequent- ly called on for explanations, which I felt very glad to give. The first really startling piece of scenery was the Canyon Diablo, a little this side of the Grand Canyon. Our courteous conductor gave us notice that in a few minutes we would pass over the cele- brated chasm, and warned us to be on the lookout. Before we reached it we passed a great many places where the water had cut great channels through rocks, sometimes be- side the railway tracks, and oftentimes right under them. Well, this Canyon Diablo is so narrow at the top that it is easily span- ned by an iron bridge having no support from one side of the great crack, or rift, as it looked like, over to the other. When I looked down from the side of the car it did not seem to be very deep after all; but there was something about it that looked strange and uncanny. I have frequently passed over bridges one or two hundred feet above the water; but when we were told of the aw- lul depth below this bridge we could hard- ly believe it. The eye refused to credit it. As I write I am not able to give the exact depth of that chasm; but I think somebody said it is 1300 feet. Before night of the same day we stood on the brink of the Grand Canyon, which I have already described. Monday afternoon, when we started on our trip, there was con- siderable said about the heat we should ex- perience in passing the Needles, where the railway crosses the Colorado River. The Needles are about as far west as Yuma on the Southern Pacific. Unfortunately we passed it in the night, so I could not get a view of the wonderful river we had been thinking and talking about at the Grand Canyon. Tuesday morning we opened our eyes and found ourselves in California. After the convention was over, as I had business in San Diego I was urged to make a call on a Mr. G. M. Hawley who lives at San Jose, in a beautiful valley about fourteen miles out of San Diego. On our way out, friend Hawley said I must stop long enough to see a neighbor of his, a woman who for several years worked in his father's family as a hired girl. When pretty well along in life she took a notion to grow strawberries; and right out in the desert, on a little piece of ground in a locality where nobody else thought of growing strawberries, she had one of the finest strawberry-ranches I ever saw anywhere. It looked funny to see a little woman, well along in life, directing a lot of men how to do their work. The berries were the variety called the Arizona Everbearing. You may remember this berry was distributed quite extensively here in the States, but never made very much of a mark here in the East. With the mild climate of Southern California, and plenty of water for irrigation, it was just doing wonders. Perhaps not as many berries lay ripening around the hills as we often see here in Ohio; but this woman picks berries, and carries them to market every day in the year from February till November. For size, perfect color all over, and beauty of shape, I think I never saw any finer ones. I was invited to help myself freely, and I can cer- tify that they are not lacking in quality. Friend Hawley informed me that she had probabl3' lost quite a little money by agree- ing to let a certain man in San Diego have the wholecrop at a uniform price of ten cents a box. This box holds something between a pint and a quart. The reason why she lost money is that she succeeded in growing larger and finer berries than anybody ex- pected to get. Yes, they were larger and finer than even she expected to get. By con- stant application she had learned the trick, and had become an expert; and she could beat anybody else in that region in growing strawberries. The men who work for her saw exactly how she did it; but I very much doubt whether those same men could start a strawberry- patch of their own, and manage it as she does. This woman is, perhaps, uneducated, and she does not speak our lan- guage very well; but it was as much of a pleasure to take her by the hand, and raise my hat to her as I spoke, as to meet and talk with some of the greatest and most ac- complished ladies of our land. In middle life, by some misfortune, if I am correct, she was obliged to shoulder a considerable debt. This she had paid all off honorably; had paid for her land, and is now getting in comfortable circumstances financially. Further on, friend Hawley showed us the beauties of the picturesque San Jose Valley. One of the prettiest sights as we looked from the sides of the mountain down into the val- ley was a vineyard of many acres, the vines all looking green and thrifty, and yet they do not get a drop of water in the way of ir- rigation. When I told this story in other places in California, they thought I must be mistaken. This shows that there are scarce- ly any two localities, even in California, where all the conditions are exactly alike. And now, friends, I am going to startle you a little with an item on bee culture. Friend Hawley, with all of his other work on hand in the way of fruits and fruit buy- ing and selling, has done quite a little in raising queen-bees — not for sale, but for his own use. About three years ago he told friend Doolittle he wanted a queen that would help him to repress swarming. Now, 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 935 to tell the truth I have had but very little faith that any of our queen-raisers could furnish a queen that would be any very great help in this line. Perhaps my lack of faith was because I was not keeping track of what was going on. Well, now, here is friend Hawley's story. If I have not got it straight I am sure he will kindly straighten me out. He raised quite a nice lot of queens from that non-swarming queen- bee. I do not know just how many, but he had an apiarj' of 60 hives from this special queen. And now just hold your breath. Not one of the bO hives sent out a swarm. They just kept piling in the honey through the whole season, from start to finish, and averaged 400 pounds per colofiy of extracted honej'. The rest of his hives, containing queens from other sources, all swarmed and kept swarming, and accomplished com- paratively little in the way of honey-pro- duction. When 1 told this story at the con- vention, Mr. Mcliityre (or somebody else) said one reason why the 60 did not send out anj' swarms was because they all had young queens. This great yield was two j'ears ago. One year ago. and the present 3'ear, the crop was very poor in the San Jose Valley. I do not know but some of 3-011 may think that friend Doolittle has been hiring me to write up his breeding- queens. I confess I always feel it a plea- sure to write up Mr. Doolittle or anybody else when I come across items like the above, incidentally. But the great point in Mr. Hawle3''s report is that it indicates the possibility of getting a strain of non-swarm- ing bees just like the non-sitting strains of common fowls. Dr. Miller and I were both disappointed in selecting beautiful-looking specimens of fruit from fruit-stands in Los Angeles. Let me say, by the way, that a beautiful stand right across the street from our rooms in the Hotel Gray was kept open night and day. The whole stock in trade, or nearly so, was out on the sidewalk; and perhaps the}' found it would be about as cheap to hire somebody to watch the fruit all night as to undertake to carry it indoors. Well, when I visited friend Hawley he asked me to taste of peaches, plums, oranges, etc., of his own growing, that were certainlj' equal to an\' thing grown anywhere in the world, so far as my experience goes. In fact, I tasted so many of the luscious fruits I had to go back to the beefsteak diet, and not touch fruit of an^' sort for several days. I now want to say a word about Hotel Gray, where friend Brodbeck saw fit to domicil Dr. Miller and myself. Mrs. Gray used to be a bee-keeper, and take Glean- ings. Somebody said she made money enough with bees to build a hotel. I asked her if it was true, and she said it was at least partly so. Well now, all the time we were staying at Hotel Graj* we did not smell tobacco smoke: we did not see any evidences of tobacco spit, and nobody puffed tobacco smoke in our f^ces while we were on her premises. I asked her how she managed it. She said she did not exactly know how it came about, unless people took it for granted that a hotel managed by a woman ought to be clean and tidy and sweet-smelling. She furnishes rooms only — not meals. We had a very pretty spa- cious apartment, with windows and doors opening outon the street, covered with screens to keep out mosquitoes, with bath-room and closet especially for that apartment and no other, at $1.50 per day. The room was nice enough and large enough to hold bee-keep- ers enough for quite a little convention. Yes, and that big bottle of distilled water that Dr. Miller told you about was kept re- plenished in the bargain. Now, some of you may think 75 cents per day is a pretty good price for a room without meals. But please remember this is right in the heart of the citj', with four large windows to the room, fronting the street, only two flights of stairs up. WHAT DOES IT COST PER MILE TO RUN AN AUTOMOBILE? Perhaps we might in the same line ask the question, " What does it cost a mile to travel with a horse and buggy?" In hiring liveries in difi'erent parts of the United States I have found they generally want about $1.50 for hitching up. In a good many places they will not hitch up for less than that. Charges in Florida, California, Michi- gan, and Ohio are not very much different. For $1.50 they will drive you ten miles. If you want to go more than that, the ex- pense, with average fair roads, is about 10 cts. a mile. Of course, a man has to go along witli you to bring the horse and bug- gy back. If you bring the rig back your- self they generally make you a little better price. This is not very accurate, it is true, but it is a sort of estimate. Liverymen consider it worth about 10 cts. a mile, and for this price you should get a respectable- looking rig, with a top on to keep out the rain, and a robe if it is cold weather. As a liveryman has to make a profit, it proba- bly costs less where you have a horse and buggy of your own. If you use the rig once a week, or less often, it may cost you even more than the above. Of course, the buggy will wear out, and so will the horse; and j'ou have not only got to feed him but you must have a tolerably good-sized barn to hold the hay and grain. Now, I am not going to make a defense of the automobile — that is, I am not going to talk as if I had one for sale, for I am not at all interested in the sale of any of them. I clip the following from a recent number of the Cleveland Ltader: Columbus. O., Oct. 8. — William Huston, who recent- ly made an 8000-niile trip through the East in his au- tom'bile, to-day figured out the cost of keeping his machine in repair during such steady and hard service. He finds that the mere co>-t of operating his automo- bile was ten cents a mile, divided as follows: tire m .intenance, five cents a mile; ga.'oline, two cents a mile; general repairs, three cents a mile. 936 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Nov. 1 My experience would indicate that the above is much too high. The writer prob- ably has a large machine that cost $1500 or $2000, and will hold several persons; other- wise his gasoline certainly would not cost 2 cts. a mile. Where we get the gasoline by the barrel here in Medina it does not cost us more than half a cent a mile for gas- oline. With one who is an old hand with the machine, and knows exactly how to use it, like the man with the horse and buggy, I do not think the repairs should exceed one cent a mile — perhaps not more than half that. As the cheapest machines cost, how- ever, about $600 or $700, the depreciation in value perhaps might make it a good deal more than I have mentioned. The last item is tires. Three tires have failed with our machine in traveling per- haps 3000 miles. Two of them can be re- paired so as to do a good deal of service yet; but one was condemned by the manu- facturers as fit only for the scrap-heap, but was replaced as the guarantee had not ex- pired. Perhaps we might say one tire, worth $15, has been used up. This would make >< ct. a mile for the tires only. But a large number of people who have used autos for long runs say my tires were not what they ought to have been, or else they have had very hard usage. A good many tell me to use solid tires, even if I do get a little more bumping. I have never tried them on an automobile. The manufactur- ers told me that nobody wants to ride with a solid tire; and when we come to consider that the automobile is the easiest-riding ve- hicle in the world — that is, as we have it now — I am afraid we can not consider sol- id tires. My opinion is, tires ought not to cost to exceed one cent a mile; and I think our manufacturers and inventors will soon give us easy-riding tires that will not cost that amount. It is hardly fair to contrast an automobile, that carries you with so few bumps that you can ride 150 miles a day without being wearied at all, with our best metal-tired carriages. You could put metal tires on the automobile, I presume, but it might be a little harder because of the jolt- ing of the machinery. As friend Doolittle has an automobile, and has probably used it quite a little by this time, I wish he would tell us how much per mile it costs him to run it. He will know, for he is a very careful man. THE SLOR PLUM. Two or three years ago this plum was mentioned several times, and we planted three or four trees that bore quite a crop last year, and a much larger one this year. I have never seen one stung by the curculio, and they never rot on the trees. I consider them one of the most delicious plums I ever tasted, but perhaps many would not agree with me. I suppose they are a variety of the wild plum. I saw something very much like them in South Dakota. They were there in the market, and I have also fgund them in different places. They are very handsome, much resembling in shape and color a beautiful cherry, only larger. They ripen very late — about the first of October. We find them very nice for canning. They have a peculiar flavor unlike that of any of the tame plums. I believe the same thing has been sold by nurserymen under the name of "Japan plum." There is a pe- culiarity about them belonging more espe- cially to most wild plums. The tree, if allowed to, will send up suckers all around, and these suckers commence to bear when they are about as high as cur- rant-bushes. If I am correct, the variety is a constant bearer, producing good crops every year ; and. as I have said before, so far they are immune to both curculio and the plum-rot. I presume the trees can be furnished by almost any up-to-date nur- seryman. LIPPIA NODIFLOR\, OR LIPPIA REPENS; CARPET GRASS, ETC. The following we take from one of the government bulletins: A LAWN-PLANT AND SOIL-BINDER FOR ARID REGIONS. The great value of a plant which will form a satis- factory sward, and prove a successful soil-binder under the conditions of the arid region, will be readily admit- ted. The observations and experiments of the Arizona station, supplementing experience in Southern Califor- nia, indicate that these requirements are met to a great extent by lippia,or fog-fruit (Libpia nodijlora). a plant belonging to the same family as the lantanas and vtr- benas. The plant is found in tropical and sub-tropical regions, and occurs in this country in the South Atlan- tic and Gulf States, and from Texas to California, prin- cipally along sandy shores and watercourses " It is a perennial, herbaceous, much-branched, creeping plant, the stems of which root extensively at the nodes. The thickened opposite leaves are an inch long or less, most- ly blunt at the tips and rather sharply 'saw- toothed * above. The roots become grea ly thickened below in autumn, and this reserve-food supply undoubtedly en- ables the pant to begin growth in the spring with lit- tle or no rain, and also to maintain itself during long adverse periods " It has practically no value as a for- age-plant, because it develops a relatively limited veg- etative growth, and animals dislike it ; but the obser- vations of t he .\rizona station indicate that it can main- tain a continuous layer of green with less water than any other desirable p'ant known to that region. Dur- ing the summer of 1902 it maintained itself for eight months on th^- me.sa with less than two inches of rain- fall. Not only is it a remarkable drouth-resister, but it can endure without injury extremes of tempeiature varying from 10 degrees to 110 degrees F. It is, how- ever, only slightly resistant to alkali, a though it has been found to thrive in soils too alkaline for loses The plant possesses special advantages a« a sand and soil binder. "' When set two feet apart in favorable sit- uations, it was observed that well-rooted plants of the fog-fiuit covered the surface completely during only one season's growth ; and there is every reason to be- lieve that it will do equally well in moist sandy wash- es, since it favors such locations " It will doubtless prove equally effectivein preventing washing of reservoir and stormwater embankments. As a lawn grass for regions in which the ii.sual lawn grass is grown with difficulty, if at all lippia seems to have peculiar advantages, it is very easily grown, and " forms a smooth carpet of green, interspersed with many small capitate flower-clu.sters of rose-purple, va- rying to nearly white. In general, it gives all the ef- 19C3 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 937 fects of a white-clover lawn, though forming a more compact mass, and not requiring the use ot a lawn- mower." It is not suited to densely shaded lawns, and will no* endure excessive tramplings. The plant is propngated by cuttings. The best time for planting is "during the spring or summer months, when, if well watered, it will be almost certain to se- cure a good, start." The publication by the Arizona station of information regarding this plant has arous- ed much local interest, resulting in a quite extensive distribution of plants by this station to persons wish- ing to try it.— J'a> mers' Bulletin i6<). I found the lippias in two or three places in California. Prof. Frank Benton, who was with us, said, if I am correct, that the carpet fjrass, of which so much has been said of late, is veaAly Lippia repens instead of I.ippia Tiodiflofa. At Saflford, Graham Co., Ariz., one of the bee-keepers, a Mr. Jefferson, had his dooryard planted with the lippia. He set out his plants, I think, last sprinfi^, and the older ones made a thick carpet of beautiful foliage covering- nearly a square yard each. It propagates some- thing like the strawberrj'-plant. The ques- tion is often asked, "Would it stand our Northern climate? " The article we have copied indicates, if I am correct, that it would stand ten degrees above zero. I think with some protection such as straw or strawy manure it might stand over winter here in the East. Can somebody tell us more about it? 20 THOROUGHBRED MINORCA COCKERELS. Fine. Price T.")c lo 51. lit) w orth 52.00 each. Q. Routzahn, Biglerville, Pa. For Sale. — White-clover extracted honey in 60 lb. cans, at "Ji cts. One can. 8 cts. No local checks receiv- ed. Dr. C. L Parker. Sta. A, Syracuse, N. Y. If you are interested in Cuba and want the truth about it, subscribe for the HAVANA POST, the only English paper on the Island. Published at Havana, Cuba. $1.0C)per month, $10.00 per year. Dal- ly (except Monday). Squabs are raised in 1 month, bring big prices. Eager market. Money- makers for poultrymen, farmers, women. Here is something 7vorlh looking into. Send for our Free BpolC, " How to Make Money With .Squabs," and learn this rich industrv. Address PLYMOUTH ROCK SQUAB CO., II) Friend St., Boston, Mass. Wood=working Machinery. For ripping, cross-cut ting, mitering, grooving, boring, scroll-sawing, edge moulding, mortising ; for working wood in any man- _ ner. Send for catalog A.'~~ The Seneca Falls M'f'g Co., 44 Water St.. Seneca Fs., N. Y Root's Goods in Central Michigan! Special prices until April 1, 190-1. Write your wants; let me name prices. Supplies exchanged for honey. W. D. Soper, R. D. No. 5, Jackson, Mich. Power ( Frtiit-growers y Regular price 50 cents. read the best fruit-paper. SEND TEN CENTS and the names and addresses of ten good fruit growers to .SOUTHERN FRUIT ^^^^~ GROVER., Chattiiiooga, for six months' trial subscription. Best authority on fruit-growing. Sample free if you mention this paper. J PEACH Grand lot of trees, grown on the bank of Lake Erie, more stocky ana hardy than trees grown in the interior: two miles from any peach orchards and free from borers and all other diseases. Large stock of fruit trees and sm;ill fr TRY AH IDEAL J. W. Miller's incubator— made by the man who kno\\s. It is really self-regulating. 30 DAYS FREE TRIALg^ We get no money until you are per fectly satisfied. Poultry Book Free. J. W. MILLEK CO., Box 48, Freeport, 111. ^ {poultry tuf plies and thoroughbred /oTjjls^ THE BONE 1 CUTTERI will double your egg yield. Thous- 1 DANDY ands of poultry rais say so. It costs less, turns easi< p^i^^^^«^«i cuts faster and lasts longer th any other. Price $-'..0J up. Sold on 15 J>ay » Free 'i'rlal. Send for book and special proposition, STRATTON MF'G. CO., Box 54i * Erie, Pa. ■n-ben the hens lay. K^ej) them laying. For hatching and brood- in.T uce the best reasonable priced Incubators and Brooders — built upon honor, sold upon guarantee. TKE ORMAS li. A. Benta, Llgonier, Indiana IT iS A FACI it poultry p.ays a larger proflt for the money invested than any other business; that anybody may malcea success of it without long training' or previous experience; thatthe Reliahle l"eiibator« and IJrooders will give the best resultsiuallcases. Ouraoth Century Poultry Itonk tells just why, and a hundred other things you eliould know. We mail the boolc for ]0 cents. Write to-day. We liave ll.^ yards of thoroughbnd ixmltry. RELIABLE INCUBATOR &'bRO0DER CO., Box B-49 Quincy. III. $ I r\.Wi For I ^ 200 Eg INCUBATOR Perfect in construction and ion. Hatches every fertile egg. Write for ca,talo;5 to-day. I GEO. H. STAHL, Quincy, III ORE EGGS Humphrey Bone Cutter, Humphrey Clover Cutter, will double e^rg yield. Poultry Book sent free. HUMPHREY, Mine Street Factory, JOLIET, ILL. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 939 TWO ARTICLED pretty nearly fill the BEE-KEEPER'S REVIEW for Octobei . One is by R. L. Taylor on that old subject, "The Cellar Wintering- of Bees." Of course, it is an old subject, but Mr. Taylor has the faculty of sayinf;- new things on old subjects as well as telling- old things in a new way, and his five-page article pretty thoroughly cov- ers the ground from the choice of a spot in whfch to build a cellar until the bees are taken out in the spring. By this way, his idea as to when bees should be taken out, is well worth considering- and trying. W. Z. Hutchinson, The other article is by the editor, occu- pies 10 pages, and is a pen and camera picture of California bee-keeping. Finer pictures (some of them full- page) of Cali- fornia bee- keeping have never been publish- ed. An especially beautiful view shows Rambler's old apiary near Los Angeles. In this article the editor tries to show up California bee-keeping as it really is — giv- ing both lights and shadows. Send ten cents for this issue, and with it will be sent two other late but different issues, and the ten cents may apply on any subscription sent in during the year. Flint, Mich. one season, planting in ro- tation cauliflower, cucum- bers, egg-plants, in beauti- ful, health-giving Manatee County. The most fertile section of the United States, where marvelous profits are being realized by farmers, truckers, and fruit-growers. Thousands of acres open to free homestead entry. Handsomely illustrated de- scriptive booklets, with list of properties for sale or exchange in Vir- ginia, the Carolinas, Georgia, Florida, and Alabama, sent free. John W. White, Seaboard Air Line Railway, Portsmouth, Va. Splendrd Location for Bee=keepers Mr. A. I. Roofs Writings of Grand Traverse territory and I^eelanau Co. are descriptive of Michigan's most beautiful section reached most conveniently via the Pere Marquette R. R. For pamphlets of Michigan farm lands and the fruit belt, address J. E. Merritt, Manistee, Michigan. 4,000,000 PEACH=TREES tkn.nk^si:k \vhiilesai-i-; .ntrskriks. June Buds a Specialty. No agents traveled, but sell direct to planters at wholesale prices. Absolutely free from diseases, and true to name. Write us for catalog and prices before placing vour order elsewhere. We guarantee our stock to be true to name. I.argest peach nursery in the world. Addre.ss J. C. HALE. Winchester, Tenn. Tourist Car Excursions Pacific Coast Daily and personally conducted excursions; choice of routes; 1o\a/ rates; diversified scen- ery; $6 for double berth in sleeping cars from Chicago; special attention to family parties. The "Best of Everything. Books, maps and folders on application to S. A. Hutchison, Excursion Manager, 212 Clark Street, Chicago, III. NW8o Telephone, Centra'. 7zx. TRYING TO BREAK the world's record, a powerful runaway auto, at Zanes- ville, O., fair, ran into Page HVncc and was stopped after killing or injuring over 20 persons. Page Woven Wire Fence Co., Box S, Adrian, Michigan. wgtxtMjm mmfkwSn umutaMMMMMaMa rr y A r I strongest rkllUbi MADE. Bull ■ ^■■''^" strung, Chicken- Tight. Sold to the Farmer at Wholesale Prices. FdIIj Warranted. Catalofr Free. COILED SPRING FENCE CO. Box 101, VTlnebester, Indiana, U. 8. A. aaeRAPEVINES 100 Varieties. Alsn Small Fruits, Trees, &c. Ho^t root- ed -toci;. (JciHiine clii'ap. 2 ^;llM;l'o vines mailed for 10c. Descriptive prjce-listlree. Lewis Roesch,Fredonia,N.Y- n^/' f f gPrintedJto Order $1'per 1000 ;: ^M Heavy, white, high-cut, size 6%. A neat little coupon on each envelope will earn you dollars. Other station- ery cheap. For particulars and sample, address at otice Howard Co.. 516 IVIasonic Temple. Chicago, Ills. 940 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Nov. 1 Victor's Superior Italians g"o by return mail again. Owing to several large queen contracts, a contract for a solid carload of bees that went to Colorado, 85 three- frame nuclei to same State, numerous smaller orders for bees, and a good queen trade, it has been necessary for me to cut out my ad. for the past three months to keep from being swamped with orders. I am glad to notify my patrons that I am at last able to fill orders promptly with as fine queens as ever headed a colony, regardless of their source, at the following reasonable prices : 1 Untested queen, 75c; six, $4.00. 1 Select untested queen, 90c; six, $5.00. 1 Tested queen, $1.00; six, $6.00. 1 Select tested queen, $1.50; six, $8.50. Breeders, $3 00 to $7.00 — these are as good as the best. W. 0. Victor, Wharton, Tex. Queen^specialist. HONEY QUEENS I shall continue breeding those fine queens for the coming season of 1904. Meantime I shall carry over a large number of queens in nuclei with which to fill orders the coming winter and early spring. I am breeding the Holy Lands, the Golden and Leather strains of pure Italians. Your orders will receive prompt and careful attention. Single queen, |1.25; five for |5 00. Breeders of either race, |3.00 each. W. H. Laws, Beeville, Texas. When you need Queens and want your order filled at once with the best queens that money can buy, we can serve you and guarantee satisfaction. We have a fine strain of Italians that can not be excelled as honey-gatherers. We can furnish queens from either imported or home-bred mothers. Choice tested, $1.00 each. Untested, 75c; $8.00 per doz. J. W. K. Shaw & Co., Loreauville, La. Ceo. J. Vande Vord Queen-breeder. Daytonia, Fla. _ EXTENSION AXLE NUTS RJ Make old buggv run like a new one. Sure i cure for wabbles and rattles. Quick seller =*' and very profitable. AGENTS WANTED. Hardware Specialty Co., Box 129, Pontiac, Mich. Money = making Queens are those who.se bees GET THE HONEY. Two of my customers have tested well on to 1000 QUEENS,of my strain, and are buying more. My queens in Cuba do extra well. They swarm but little, and get honey while others are starving in the summer, and make big yields in honey season. Sev- eral of the largest bee keepers claim they get better results from my strains than from any others. Queens, 75 cts. each; dozen, $7.50. Selected, $L0O; six, $4.50. Warranted purely mated and good queens or replaced tested, $L25. Select |1. 50. Extra. $2.00. Circular. J. B, CASE, Port Orange, Ha. Reduced Prices. Good for the balance of this season only. As I de- sire to unite my nuclei as soon as possible. I will sell queens at the following low prices, until my present supply- is exhausted: Untested queens, 60c each; six or more, 50c each. Select untested, 75c ea h; six or more, 6Uc each. Tested, $1 00 each: select tested, $1.50. Safe arrival and satisfaction guaranteed. Queens sent by return :nail unless otherwise directed. J. P. Moore, L. Box I, Morgan, Kentucky. Pendleton County. QUEENS-ATTENTION !--QUEENS. To have the best queens in every line, plenty of them, to merit your orders by accurate mailing, de- livered in good order. Prompt attention is our fixed purpose. Full colonies and nuclei a specialty. Write for catalog and prices. The Jennie Atchley Co., Box 18, Beeville, Tex. Sections, shipping cases, Honey cases, and every thing necessary for the bee keeper. FINE ITALIAN QUEENS. Prompt shipping. Catalog Free. C. M. Scott & Co., Indianapolis, Ind. 1004 East Washington Street. Finest Grades Extracted Honey for Sale ! Three kinds, clover, celandine, and buckwheat Prices from hVz to 9 c. per lb., according to kind and quantity wanted. This honey is better ripened than any comb honey on the market. Extracts from letters from some good judges : Bell Branch, Mich., Oct. 9. 1903. O. H. Townsend, Otsego, Mich Dear Sir: — Yours received, and the honey is very fine. In fact it is the best that we have received sam- ples from this year. M. H. Hunt & Son. Sample of honey is received, and the quality is su- perb. Walter S. Pouder. 512 Ma«s. Ave., Indianapolis, Ind. Good enough for a king. A V. Bishop & Co., 119 Buffalo St., Milwaukee, Wis. A four-diachm sample of either kind of this honey sent by mail for six cents. Address O. H. Townsend, Otsego. Mich. Chias. Israel ^ BrotHers 486-4QO Canal St., Neiv YorK. Wholesale Sealers and Commissicn Uerchants in Honey, Beeswax, Maple Sugar and Syrup, etc. Consignments Solicited. Established 1875. How to Make Poultry Pay. A paper worth a dollar, but will send it to you one year on trial, including book, Plans for Poultry Houses, for '25c. Sample copy FREK. Inland Poultry Journal, Indianapolis, Ind. POULTRY JOURNAL 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 941 CONVENTION NOTICES. The Connecticut Bee-keepers' Association will hold their fall meeting in the capitol at Hartford, on Nov. 4th. All bee-ktepers are cordially invited to attend. For full information write the secretary. Watertown, Conn. Mrs. Edwin E. Smith. The Minnesota Bee-keepers' Association v^ill hold its next meeting at Minneapolis, Dec. 2 and ;5, at the same linie and pla e the horticulturists meet. An ex- cellent program is being prepared, and will be ready to mail by Nov. 10. Getting a better price for our hon- ey will be presented by two of our best members. This year the .\gricuUiirar Rxperiment Station has bees, and Kntomologist 1" M. Washburn will give you the benefit of his experience. H G. Acklin, Chairman Executive Commitiee. The Mi.ssouri State Bee-keepers' Association will meet in Mtxico. Mo., Dec. 15 190S. Mr. J. \V. Rouse, of that place, will act as host to direct the attendants to the hall, which is free to all who desiie to attend. Board can be had at the leading hotels at $1.00 to |2 00 a day. Come, everybody who is interested in bees and honey. Let us have a big meeting. We now have 51 paid up members. Let us have it 100. Procure certifi- cates from \ our local railroad ticket agents when you puichase vour tickets. It may be you can return for one third fare. W. T. C.A.RY, Sec. OUR ADVERTISERS. The man or woman, boy or girl, who wants to suc- ceed with poultry ought by all means to have a copy of the new annual catalogue of the Reliable Incuba.or & Brooder Co.. of Quincy, 111. The book, which is sent free to Gle.\nings subscribers, will convince any one who contemplates buying an incubator or a brooder that the ■' Reliable " is as goo ) as its name indicates; and there is a lot of valuable information in it about hatching and the care of poultry which is new to all but a few experts who are making fortunes out of poultry. If you mention Gleanings you will get prompt reply to any itiquirj' sent them. Wants and Exchange. Notices will be inHerted under this head at 10 cts. per line. You muHt BAY .vou want vour adv't in this department, or we will not bo responsible for any error. You can have the no- tice aa many lines as you please ; but all over ten lines will cost yon according to our regular rates. W'e can not be re- sponsible for dissatisfaction arising from these " swaps." w w ANTED. — To sell bees and queens. O. H. Hyatt. Shenandoah, Iowa. ANTED— To sell strawberry - plants. Catalog free. North Star Plant Farm, Cokato, Minn. IVANTED. — To sell 75 colonies bees in good shape; "' will sell cheap. G P. Cooper, Pikeville, Tenn. tVANTED. To sell choice alfalfa honey, in 60-lb. '" cans. Prices quoted on application. W. P. Morley, Las Animas, Col. \VANTED —Beeswax. Write for prices. To sell new " Tokologys at half price. A, L DupRAY, Camanche, Iowa. IVANTED — Comb and extracted honey ; state price, '' kind, and quantitv. L. H.'Robey, Worthington, W. Va. fVANTED, — Names and addresses of those who want good books or sheet music. .\sk for prices on what you want. M. T. Wrich r, :Medina, Ohio. V^ANTKD. -To sell .50 bee hives with supers, frames, and .sections for cash ; have hives used one sea- son; $35.00 takes them. Write to O. E. Erickson, Bloomer, Wis. tVANTKD.— To .sell .\ngora kittens; perfect pets and '' beauties, 4 to (i months old; colors, black, blue, orange, and gray. Prices: Males, fj 00; females, $1.00; pairs, $S00. Early orders secure best selection. J. W. Deane, Maple Hill Farm, Freedom, Me. w w^ ANTFCD. — You to read the adv't of ginseng on page "81, Sept. 1. For prices address A. P. Young, Cave City, Ky. RANTED. — To correspond with parties having api- aries for sale in Southern California, or Maricopa County, Arizona. Wm. Pe.\rson, Colfax, Iowa. IVANTED. — Your address on a postal for a little '" book on Queen- Rearing. Sent free. Address Henry Alley, Wenham, Mass. Y^ANTED.-To buy quantity lots of choice white- '^" clover comb and extracted hoTiey. Price must be low. B. Walker, Clyde, 111. w ANTED. — The address of all who are still in need of cartons. Quirin theQueen breeder. Parkertown, Ohio. IV ANTED.— To sell 15.000 lbs. best white-clover ex- ' tracted honey in (iO-lb. cans, at 8J^ cts. per lb. Walter S. Pouder, 512 Mass. Ave., Indianapolis, Ind. WANTED. — To exchange a two hundred-egg Relia- ble incubator, been used very little, for choice comb or extracted honey. Chas, Koeppen, Fredericksburg, Va. \VANTED,— Bee keepers to try our printing, 100 '" envelopes, note-heads, or statements, 40c; 250, $1,00. All postpaid. Can use queens and berry- plants in exchange. M. T. Young, Girard, Pa. WANTED. — To sell for cash, 5-gal. square tin cans, used for honey, at about half price of new cans. For prices, etc., address Orel L. Hershiser, 301 Huntington Ave., Buffalo, N. Y. WANTED— To sell full colonies Italian bees in 8 or 10 frame Dov'd hives, with plenty of honey to winter, $5.00 each, in lots of 25 $1 50 each. F. A. Gray, Redwood Falls, Minn. WANTED. — To sell 140 strong colonies of pure Italian and hybrid bees in one-story 8-fr. L- hives; wired combs built on foundation; winter stores. Price $4'20. Also complete outfit cheap. No failure in 10 years. T. H. Waale, Sara, Clarke Co., Wash. WANTED. — An experienced and trustworthy dairy- man and farmer, with two grown boys, to milk and care for 40 cows; stable has cement floor, and water-basin in each stall; milking hours, 4:.'?0 a.m. and 2 p. M. Wages 8'8iiO per year with house-rent and gar- den. When answering this ad. state your experience in dairying, and give references; state age, and age of members of family. J. P. Watts, Kermoor, Pa. W^ RANTED.— To sell apiarian outfit in good honey country in Minnesota. Raspberry, plum, white clover, willow herb, basswood, and gotdenrod, 220 colonies of Italians; 4U0 supers, 2 extractors, and all necessary appliances. Also buggy, Barnes saw, and honey-house 12.k'24. built in sections. Also use of house till April next. Bees all in good condition for wintering. What offers? Write X Y Z, Gleanings, Medina, O. WANTED.— To sell my apiaries in St. Francis River bottom. Ark., 'A'M colonies in 10 frame dovetailed hives, 175 Danz. supers, 75 4;{x4i/i and 60 shallow ex- tracting (5-%) supers. 55 extracting hives, and all nec- essary appliances. Bees in prime condition for win- tering Main honey resources, tupelo gum, willow, bnttonbush, horsemint, coitus, and smartweed, be- sifles others too numerous to mention. This year's full crop, 10,000 lbs. comb honey. A fine locality for queen rearing apiary. J. H. Zeiner, Bard, Ark. WANTED.— To sell machinery for bee-hive factory, consisting of 10 h. p. horizontal boiler and 8 h. p. engine combined on skids. Four-piece section-planer saw. capacitv 150 to 180 pieces per minute; dovetailing table, rip saw table, cut off table, turning-lathe, all of heavy maple frames; 22-in. surface-planer, 45 ft. turn- ed 2 in. shaft, hangers, pullcv s, and belts, complete, cost 8.S.')0 00. All in tood order, and been u.sed but little. Will t -ke $1.50.00 fengine cost $400 00) to make quick sale, as our truck farm takes all our time. Write for full particulars. F. & H. P. Langdon, Maple Ridge Farm, Constable, N. Y. 942 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE Nov. 1 PAGE * LYOIM, New London, Wisconsin, MANUFACTURERS OF AND DEALERS IN . . . BEE-KEEPERS SUPPLIES. . . n Send for Our Free New lllustrateo ' ^ Catalog and Price List We Have Not rioved. The government, recognizing the necessity of a great and growing bus- iness enterprise, for better mail ser- vice has given us a postofiBce on our premises, which enables us to change mails with the passing trains instead of through the Wetumpka, Alabama, postofBce more than a tnile distant. This gives us our mails about two hours earlier, and also one hour for making up outgoing mail. This will be particularly helpful in our queen business. We are now booking or- ders for Italian queens, X,ong-tongued and I^eather-colored; both good. J. n. Jenkins, Honeysuckle, Alabama. Shipping=point and Money-order Office at Wetumpka, Alabama. 1, ^*^^rr-.-f ' ', KretcHmer M'f g Compari:^, Uaiz CO, Rod CaH, S >wa. PLIEvS! Best-equipped factory in the West; carry a l..rge stulc and j=,reutc>t variety of every th.ii^ neeciid in the aplai-y, assuring BEsT puids at the LOWEST prices, and prompt blilpment. V"e want every bee-keeper to h ive our ERIE ILLUSTR.^TED CATAT.OO, and read desf-ription of Alternating Hives, Eerguson Supers. JVrite at once for catalog. Agencies. Treiter Supply Company. Lincoln, Neb. Siuigart & Ouren, (.oiine.l Blutfs. Iowa, Foster Lumber Company, Lamar, Colo. ■»"'i-hr-r^""r'*Tr^TT'~~f^^r^"*'" •^'"'^ AlVI SIVIOK Bingham's Bee-Patent Dates 18&3.— Triple-wailed Bee-hivp. 1861. — Clo-^ed-end Frame Bee-hive. 1878.— Direct-draft Bee-smoker. 1879. — Single-beveled Uncapping-knife. 1892.— Bent - nozzle and wire - handle Bee-smoker. 1903.— Self-cleaning or Soot-burning Bee-smoker. Mr. R. L. Taylor, of Lapeer, Mich., writes: "Your smoker with the latest improvement shell gives the greatest satisfaction. The use of the older kind B was a necessity; of this, a pleasure." BINGHAM SELF CLEANING BEE SMOKER IF YOU ORDER BY MAIL why not compliment the inventor of your best tools with your order? He will prize it now more than a monu- ment after he is dead. A clean smok- er is what bee-keepers never had. It can be had onlv of Bingham. Three- Inch, *1.1(): 3'..-in., *l.--'(l; 4-in., .tl.6(). \V. (t. Secor, (ireenfield, 111., writes: •• It is just lovely— perfection itself." T. F. BINGHAM, FARWELL, MICH. Volume XXXI NOVEMBER IS 1903 CPBEE GULTMfiE ^2l mrns Market (Juotations 947 Stkaws, by Dr. Miller '^^ Pickings, by Steno^..^ .....953 CONVKRSATIONS WITH DOOI.ITTLE 954 Editorials 9.-^; Formalin .Adulterated •; ■•••'■^ McE\v>y for Director on the National Board. ..!lo6 Chicasio Xorlhweslern Convention ftV) Roofs for Hivfs ...^ «5|> Report of Canadian Expenmental Farm ».% Another Bee Suit 9iJ" General Gorrespondence Improved Queen-rearing ^ Forced Svearming fSi* An Eight-frame Observatory Hive .'. Wl .\ Bad Case of Robbing SHi2 Additional Thoughts on Bee-smokers tHV? Honev— Its Superiority over Sugar as a Food..%3 A Visit to L. E. Mercer's Apiary 964 H'=;.A.DS OF Grain Infuriated Bees -'©i Shook Swarms not Satisfactorj' !i6ti Wintering in Tenement Hives !Hi7 That Non-swarming Strain of Bees St67 Why the Honev Soured i't>7 How to Keep Honev from Candying !I6S Formaldehyde Failing to Cure !»68 Italianizing Bees in the Fall VHW Standard Size of Sections 9tW Mercer's Honey Storage House 9&4 The Innocents Abroad !Hi5 Fertile Workers 9fi2 Selling Honey on Sunday 971 Our Homes 969 Notes of Travel 972 Special Notices 98<' .966 The A.I. (E MEDINA Root Cq OHIO 3 Western Edition. Bntbxbd at thk Postoffick at Medina, Ohio, as Second*> Order Here For Next Year. "VYTE are negotiating with The A. I. ^^ Root Co. for a complete varie- ty of supplies manufactured by them, including all Danzenbaker specialties and up-to-date apiary merchandise. Orders booked prior 'to Dec. 1 given ' special prices and early delivery. Place J cur order ahead of the season to avoid disappointment CASH ^-STORE (INC.) , 1)25 MARKETS^' S.F • IAN FRANCISCO, CAL., U. S. A. Colorado Bee-keepers! Get our prices before pnrchasini? else- where We aro selling first-class make of goods at lower prices than the cheaper goods can be purchased for. If requiring Hives, Sections, Honey- extractors, Shipping- cases, Knives, Bee Smokers and Veils, Comb Founda- tion, or any thing else in the line of BEE-KEEPERS' SUPPLffiS you should remember that The L, A. Watkins Mdse. Co. Denver, Colorado, are headquarters for the State, and furnish local associations who can use as much as a carload at carload prices direct from the factory, or smaller lots frogi our well-furnished warerooms in Denver, at prices that defy competi- tion for equal qviality of goods. We are agents for The A. I. Root Com- pant's Goods for Colorado, and want to hear from bee-keepers in need of supplies. We buy honey and wax. Let XJs Hear from You. New Warehouse, Prompt Shipment, Best Goods, Low Prices. I have a few set-up hives left, that were in the Kansas City flood, that I will sell cheap; they are as good as new ;it bargain prices; also, some other slightly damaged goods to sell cheap. 1 have anything j'ou want, and I expect a new car of goods every day. Order early and secure m^' early-order discount. .* SEND FOR CATALOG TO CARL F. BUCK, Augusta, Butler Co., Kans. Announcement I We desire to call the attention of all bee-keepers in Washington, British Columbia, and adjacent territory, that we're now the Northwestern agents for The a. I. Root Company, and are prepared tc furnish from stock here, and at other Washington points, any thing required by bee-keepers. Send your specifications early. If we do not have the goods wanted this will enable us to get them in our next car- load. Catalogs tree. LILLY, BOGARDUS & CO., Seattle, Washington. Northern-grown Seeds, Trees and Plants, Poultry and Bee Supplies, Spray Pumps, Fertilizersand Garden-tools. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 94S Gleanings Clubbing Offers In order that our subscribers may have the benefit of the very latest and best com- biniftions in periodicals and also the lowest possible subscription rates on all their reading- matter, we hive arrang-ed vs^ith one of the largest subscription ag-encies to hardle our entire clubbing and general subscription business. All orders and all requests for prices should be addressed to C. M. Goodspeed, Skaneateles. N. Y. S( me of our many offers may be made from the follov^ing lists. Catalog for 1904 will be ready about Thanksgiving-. .• .• • .• "Class A." Success, Cosmopolitan, Pearson's, I,eslie's Monthlj'. Woman's Home Companion, Good Housekeeping. " Class B." Cosmopolitan, American Hoy, American Mother, B )ok-Keeper, Cincinnati Enquirer, Campell's Ilhi^itrated Journal, Chicago Inter-Ocean, Farm Poultry, Good Health, Hints. Home Science, Health Culture, Michigan Farmer, National Magazine, Ohio Farmer, National Stockman, Pathfinder, Pilgrim, Recreation, Rural Californian, The Era. Twentieth Century Home, Tribune Farmer, Witness, New York, Household L,edger. "Class C." Country Gentleman, American Agriculturist, Tri-\A eekly World, N. Y., Tri-Weekly Tiibune, N. Y., Syracuse Post Standard. "Class D." Current Literature, Independent, Irippincolt's, Review of Reviews, Outing, Critic, Chautauquan, World To-day. Week's Progress, World's Woik, Country l,ife. "Class E." People's Home Journal, Good L,itfrature, Kansas City Star. "Class F." Latest Literature, Ladies' World. Little Boys and Girls, McCall's Magazine, World's Events, Hints, Sabbath Reading, Pets and Animals. Normal Instructor, Vick's Magazine, Nickel Magazine, Grten's Fruit-Grower, Four-Track News, Farm and Home Farm and Fiieside. "Class G." Farm Journal, American Poultry Advocate, Metropolitan and R. Home, Gentlewom in. Household Guest. The following short list no agent is all' wed to quote in clubs, so please don't ask us to. They are the best of their classes, but must be paid for at the price named. Delineator 81 00 McCluie's 1.00 Miinst-j 's 1.01) Argoey 1 no Ladies' Home Journal 1.00 ■Youtn's Companion 1 7.5 Saturday Evening Post... 1.25 Designer 80 Everybody's 1.00 In Making Up Clubs, Remember ThPt we accept either new or renewals at the same price, unless expressly stated that they must be new. Success and any one of class "A" |1.50 Success and any two of class ' A" 2 (H) Success and one of class 'A" and one of class "D" .!!.!"!"!.!!!!. 3 00 Succe.>-s and two of class "D'" 4.tX) Success and two of "A" and two of "D" " 5 Oq Any periodical in class ' B" may be substituted for anyone in class "A" in above offers! Gleanings and any magazine in class "A" for •. 1 50 Gle ininps and any two 4 class "A" for : ...!.".!!!!!] 2.10 Gleanings and any one of class "B" for .!.....".. l'2.5 Any periodical in cla'^s •(<" may be added to any club by adding r),5 cents. For instance: Gleanings and Cosmopolitan would malse a Gleanings club at $12.5 and jou could aiid your choice of any maga- zine or miigazines in class "B" by adding to the fl.'Ju offer, 5o cents for each one you wish to add. Gleanings and any one of class "C " $1.50 Any periodical in class C" many be added to any offer by adding 90 cents. GIfaning'; and any periodical in class "D" for |2 75 Gl' anings. Success and one of class "D," all for ;^ qq Gleanings and any one of clnss "F" for .......". 1.00 Gleanings and any two of cla~s "F" for 1 25 Any periodical in cIjss 'F" may be added to any offer for 35 cents. Gleanings and one of c ass "E" tor j Oq Gleanings and a-y two of class ' G" for !.!!""! 1 Oil Any one of class •r," may be added to any offer lor "20 cents Clubs may go to different addre.sses. if desired. SAMPLE COPIES— We have five tons of nice new magazines and per odicnlsof all kinds which we will send you postpaid three pountls for 20 cents. Prices quoted on any list submitted. Address all orders to C. M. Goodspeed, Box 731, Skaneateles, N. Y. 946 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. N)v. 15 Combinatioris. High=Class Magazines at Nearly Half Usual Cost. Cosmopolitan, Recreation and Farm Journal, three for Cosmopolitan, Current Literature and McCall's Magazine Cosmopolitan, Gleanings and new subscription to Farmers' Call Recreation, Pearson's Magazine and Ohio Farmer Recreation, Cosmopolitan and Ohio Farmer Recreation, Woman's Home Companion and Ohio Farmer Woman's Home Companion, Cosmopolitan and Gleanings Century and Cosmopolitan Century, Recreation and Latest Literature Centurj^ and World's Work Century. Country Life in America, Cosmopolitan and Gleanings Scribrer's, Cosmopolitan and Housekeeper Leslie's Monthly, Gleanings and Recreation Leslie's Monthly. Tri-Weekly Tribune and Ladies' World Housekeeper. Cosmopolitan and Vick's Magazine Twentieth Century Home and Cosmopolitan Ladies' Home Journal and Saturday Evening^Post 51.30 2.bO 1.25 1.60 1.60 1.60 2.00 4.00 4 40 5.75 6.75 3.75 l.i^O 2.00 1.00 1.25 2.25 s.as foUows: $1.00 1.25 1.50 1.25 60 80 80 1.25 1.25 1.25 Farm Papers. Farmers' Call is a good, first-class weekly farm paper, and wefwill club new subscription Farmers' Call, Practical Farmer and Tribune Farmer Farmers' COl, Fnrm Poultry and National Stockman Farmers' Call, Rural New Yorker and Gleanings Farmers' Call, Hoard's Dairyman and Tribune Farmer Farmers' Call, Green's Fruit-Grower and Tribune Farmer Ohio Farmer, Farmers' Call and Farm and Home Ohio Farmer, Green's Fniit-Grower and Farm and Fireside American Agriculturist and Tribune Farmer New England Farmer and Tribune Farmer Orange Judd Farmer and Tribune Farmer HigH-Priced AVeeKlies and [Magazines. Judge and Leslie's Weekly, to one address, Collier's Weeklj'^ and World's Work Harper's Weekly and Harper's Monthly Century, Harper's and Cosmopolitan Century and Atlantic Monthly Scribner's and World's Work Scribner's and Country Life in America*^' Domestic and Miscellaneous. Housekeeper and Table Talk Woman's Home Companion, McCall's Magazine and Era .... McCall's Magazine, Ladies' World and Latest Literature McCall's Magazine, Household Ledger and Cosmopolitan .... McCall's Magazine and Twentieth Century Home McCall's Magazine, American Boy and Tribune Farmer .... Little Boys and Girls, American Mother and Health Culture Little Boys and Girls, Housekeeper and Farm and Home .... Tri-Weekly Tribune, Practical Farmer and Cosmopolitan Tri-Weekly Tribune and Cosmopolitan Tri-Weekly World, Cosmopolitan and Tribune Farmer Etude and Cosmopolitan .... $100.00 in Cash Prizes for Subscriptions to Ladies' Home Journal and Saturday Evening Post. We meet the prices of any agent, publisher, or agency. Local checks accepted at their face; mon- ey orders preferred. Careful estimates made on large orders, or periodicals not listed here: Mc- Clure's Magazine Youth's (. ompanion, ,\rgosv. Everybody's Magazine, I^adies' Home Journal. Sat- urday Evening Post, Munsey, and Christian Herald Pub'l shersof the above list know their periodi- cals to be the best and will not allow any agent to cut their price to the subscriber, or club with other magazines. We are able to give an agent a liberal commission (see catalog) on any of these except renewals to Youth's Companion. Address all orders to C. M. Ooodspeed, Box 731, Skaneateles, N. Y. S5.25 6.25 6.60 7.25 6.75 5.00 5.00 $1.15 1.55 1.00 1.50 1.(0 1.25 1.50 1.00 2.00 1.50 1.75 1.75 f 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURR 947 Honey Market. GRADrisrG-Rtn.ES. Fai^ct.— All sections to br> well filled, combs straight, firm ly attuchid to all four sie Best Bee-goods in tlie World are no better than those we make, and the chances are that they are not so good. If you buy of us yovL will not be disappointed. We 'tre tindersold by no one. Send for - w catalog and price list and free copy of THE . AMERICAN BEE-KEEPER; in its thirteenth year ; 50 cents a year ; especially for beginners. U/je W. T. Falconer Man'f '^ Co., Jamestown, New YorK. W. M. Gerrish, Epping, New Hampshire, carries a full line of our goods at catalog prices. Order of him and save the freight. We are Jobbers of Bee-keepers' Supplies in lliis State, representing The G. B. Lewis Co., and Dadant & Son. WHOLESALE AND RETAIL ^ !^rir^o»Va°ge"=^^^^^^^^^^ LEWIS C. & A.G. WOODMAN, Grand Rapids, Mich. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 949 Only While They Last! A Few Copies of Newman's "Bees and Honey" CI.OTH BOUND; KiO TAGES, AT 25 cts. EACH when taken with the AMERICAN HI':H journal for a year at $1.00; th -t is, Jl.'Jo for the two. Be quick if you want a copy of the book. Regu- lar price of the book alone, 75 ct.s. Sample copy of The AMERICAN BEE JOURNAIv free for the asking. I.os Angeles convention report run- ning now. George W. York & Company 144, 146 East Erie. Chicago, : : Illinois. Tourist Excursions Pacific Coast Daily and personally conducted excvirsions; choice of routes; low rates; diversified scen- ery; $5 for double berth in sleeping cars from Chicago; special attention to family parties. The "Best of Everything. Books, maps and folders on application to S. A. Hutchison, Excursion Manager, 212 Clark Street, Chicago, III. N\V8o Telepboce, Centra! 7:». S^lMaJ0r- ^axrk f/cajz^ Squabs are raised in 1 month, bring big prices. Eager market. Money- makers for poultrymen, farmers, women. Here is something worth looking into. Send for our Free Book, '■ How to Make Money With Squabs," and learn this rich industry. Address PLYMOUTH ROCK SQUAB CO., ig Friend St., Boston, Mass. Dittmer's Foundation. R.E.TAIL AND "WHOI^ESAI^E. This foundation is made by a process that produces the superior of any. It is the cleanest and purest. It has the brig-htest color and sweetest odor. It is the most transparent, because it has the thinnest base. It is toug-h, clear as crystal, and prives more sheets to the pound than any other make. "W^orKing "Wax into Foundation for CasH a iSpecialty. Bees^vax Always AV^ant- ed at Hig'Hest Price. Catalog- g-iving- full line of supplies, with prices ar'' samples, free on application. ^- ''Jo1e\'ee^ts°for'^°cTt^'^k°"'-' Gtis. Dittmcr, Atig'usta, Wis. Ke are the Largest MTrs ol Bee-keepers' Supplies in the NortJiw 6st. Send for Catalog Minneapolis, Minnesota We Have the Best Goods, Lowest Prices, and Best Shipping Facilities. 950 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Nov. 15 I WANTED! Fancy Comb Honey I ^ In No-drip shipping cases. Also, Amber extract- ^ ^ ed, in barrels or cans. Quote your best price ^ •^ delivered Cincinnati. .* .* .' .* .* ^ if The Fred W> Muth Co*^ walnut,"*' Cincinnati^ O* % Five Per Cent Discount Dtiring November. Send for our List, and order now. Take advantag-e of this Discount. Have your goods on hand readj' for use. Just Think of It ! If all of the sections we sold last season were placed, unfolded, in a straight line the line would reach Three Thousand Five Hundred Miles. Perfect Workmanship and Finest Material. All parts of our Hives are made to Fit Accurately. No trouble in setting them up. Our customers say it is a pleasure. We are not selling goods on Name Only, But on their Quality. G. B. LEWIS COMPANY. Manufacttxrers Bee-Keepers' Supplies, Waterto>vii, Wisconsin, U. S. A. Let Me vSell or Buy Your Honey If you have some to ofTer, mail sample with lowest price expected, delivered in Cincinnati. — ^ , «^» J state quality and kind wanted, and I will quote you price. We W 11!\ JN66Cl do business'on the cash basis in buying or selling. F\xll StocK of Bee-s\xpplies, tHe best made. R.oot's Goods at TKeir Factory Prices. Seeds of Honey-plants. C. H. ^V. WEBER, CINCINNATI, OHIO. 2146-8 Central Ave. St»c. to CKas. F. MtitK and A. Mtxth. JourHaiJ • delvote-d: •-ro'BE.EL=> •andHoNEY •AND home: • INTERESTS ^^d^^ 'ublishedby THEA ll^OO'f Co. $l££PER\tAR^'\@ HEOINA-OHIO- Vol. XXXI. NOV, 15, J903. No. 22 What a warm fall we're having! Here it is Nov. 2, and more like summer than fall— bright sunshine, balmy air, and bees flying gayly. [The same here. — Ed.] I always thought a. I. Root was a kind-hearted parent; but it doesn't look al- together like it when he tells us, p. 932, how he coolly abandoned that guileless youth, Huber, just at a most critical time. Of all plans offered for automatic hiv- ing, it's just possible that the one suggested by G. W. Strangways, p. 929, is as good as any. Set the hive up where a clipped queen wouldn't easily get back into it, and in a good many cases she and the swarm would find their way into a hive sitting on the ground. A. I. Root ma3' be interested to know that, when at the Kane Co. Sunday-school convention, Oct. 27. 28, I spent the night with his friend, S. W. Pike, the florist, St. Charles, and I concluded there were some nice folks outside the ranks of bee-keepers. But it was hardly the best thing for me; for when I saw the wee plants he was starting from cuttings it made me hanker after the same business. Mk. Doolittlr, p. 914, speaks of putting dummies in ten-frame hives when sections are given. It should be added that, if the supers cover the whole of the hive, bees will not do the best work in the sections over the dummies. Possibly this might be obviated by mixing the dummies among the brood- frames. That might seem a bad thing, and possibly it is; and yet after trying it in a few cases I could not see that a dummy in the brood-nest did any harm during the harvest. Of course, it would be a very bad thing at other times. Ye editor says he isn't a candidate for re-election as director, but I tried that sort of thing once and it didn't work — they elected me " allee samee." I suspect it will work the same way now; at any rate, I'll vote for E. R. Root as one of the direc- tors at the coming election, with the expec- tation that I'll not be alone in my action. Just because a man is big enough to be an editor is no reason he should be too lazy to do his share in other things. [I would not object to the work if I did not think it was about time for some other fellow with more time and ability than I to step into my place. But I am not a candidate, and re- quest my friends to support Mr. William McEvoy. — Ed.] No, Mr. Editor, I didn't misunderstand you about the ball of bees found on the ground with a swarming clipped queen, p. 912. Of the hundreds of cases we have had of swarms with clipped queens — perhaps thousands— in not one in twenty did we find the queen with a cluster of her own bees with her. I don't say about other places, but I knoiv how it is here. Possibly our hives sitting close to the ground may have something to do with it. Unless we are promptly on hand while the swarm is issu- ing vie may not see the queen at all, for she quickly returns to the hive; and if she doesn't return to the hive, she seems to dis- appear in some way. rarely being found with an admiring cohort. [You may be nearer right than I; but I distinctly remem- ber that, when I was working among the bees, the first thing I looked for when hunt- ing for a clipped queen was a ball of bees. Your hives are arranged in pairs. If a clipped queen does not go back into one, she may into another, whether she belongs there or not; and I suspect that, in the gen- erality of cases, with your conditions, she goes into one or the other before you hap- pen around. — Ed.] " While it would be too much to claim that this kind of hay can not be grown with- out bees, yet it is safe to say that a much poorer crop would be the result without them." So ye editor, p. 917. Now, those 952 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Nov. 15 anti-bee fellows will make capital of that, and say you are claiming- that bees aid the growth of the green leaves. Of course, you mean that a crop of seed can not be grown so well without bees, and thus the hay crop will be indirectly injured; but the presence or absence of bees can have nothing what- ever to do with the growth of the hay itself. [Technically speaking, your point is well taken; but in the aggregate, taking- one season with another, my statement is cor- rect. Without good seed — seed that will germinate — the plants will be scattered here and there, a good many missing-, and the field will be correspondingly poor for many years to come, or so long as the old roots are allowed to grow hay. — Ed.] "Automatic selp-hiving " is a head- ing, presumably the editor's, p. 929. Now, Mr. Editor, please tell us what kind of self-hiving you could have that wasn't au- tomatic, or what kind of automatic hiving you could have that wasn't self-hiving. Next time you overload an item with that kind of a heading, please cross out part of it in the copy mailed to me. I wouldn't have said any thing about it if you hadn't stabbed me in my " eagle eye, " page 927. [Yes, surely that was a slip. Self-hiving and automatic hiving mean the same thing, and are, therefore, an unnecessary repeti- tion of words. Oh how I wish that you were editor of a bee-paper! Was it not Job who said, "Oh that mine adversary had written a book! " ? Some day, when I am laid up, and get so old I can not do any more jour- nal work, I will call on a young friend like you to take my place, and then won't I "rub it in"? Our proof-reader, however, says he is very sure I wrote it " automatic or self-hiving. " He isthe stenographer who took down my dictation, and ought to know. We both of us in the proof-reading missed the error. But, say; once in a while we catch a slip in your copj^ and fix it. — Ed.] Quotations of the Chicago market, page 907, show that a case of sections weighing 16 oz. each will bring no more than a case of those weighing 15 oz. each, if as much. It is hardly possible that a consumer would prefer a 15-oz. section to one weighing 16 oz. Isn't there something a little rotten about the Chicago grocery trade? [Not if the public has lost or is losing sight of an even pound package. I have contended for some time that consumers, when they pay 15 or 16 cents, pay that amount for a cake or box of honey, and not for a pound of it — nothing rotten, nothing wrong about this whole business if this is the case. Then how much more convenient for the retailer to sell a cake of honey for an even figure at even change without weighing and figuring up the price! If 15 ounces of honey are worth 18 cents (whatever the retail price may be), what is the harm of selling it for 18 cents? The scheme of selling honey by the piece is corning more and more into vogue. There is no more objection to sell- ing honey that way than to sell eggs by the dozen. Leghorn eggs will bring just as much in the market as any of the larger eggs of Asiatic fowls; and as long as they are not rotten there is nothing rotten in the transaction. Well-graded honey averages about the same weight per box in a case. W^e will say one box weighs 14, one 14 '2, and another one 15 ounces. The customer can have his choice out of any of the boxes if there is a choice; but as a rule he will take whatever is given him, without any questions. Here is some poor dark honey. It brings a less price per box; but it will all average up about the same. Is there any thing rotten in that kind of business? To my way of thinking, there is not. You possibly assume that the growing tendency for selling honey by the piece is based on deception to the consumer — making him think he is getting 16 ounces when he is getting only 15 for his money. In this I think you are wrong. The practice has come about because of closer grading and the convenience of the S3-stem — no waiting; no weighing; no figuring, and no mistakes. Why, don't you know that now there is less and less of buying of groceries by weight? Neat pretty packages of food stuffs already put up, ready to hand out to the customer without wrapping, are be- coming more and more popular. If jou buy a package of Pettijohn's or of Force you don't know the weight, and don't ask. If you are charged too much, a competing manufacturer will cut the price. Well, why shouldn't comb honey follow the gen- eral trend of custom? — Ed.] Ye editor, p. 927, thinks he has the joke on me because my " eagle eye " didn't dis- cover his slip in arithmetic. Must have been that I shut my " eagle eye " and look- ed at his " sum " w^ith the other eye. Now that I've got both eyes upon it, Mr. Editor, I must say that both 3'ou and Mr. Clarke are a little off when you say that a bee- keeper whose honey nets him 10 cents a pound loses money if he doesn't get 10 cents a pound for sections that cost him more than that. Why don't j'ou say that he loses money if he doesn't get back any thing for the can in which he ships extracted honey? [But Mr. Clarke and I were talking about the question whether sections at $10 a thou- sand could be sold, when honey nets 10 cts. per lb., so that the purchaser of the sections in selling to the purchaser of the honey would lose no money on the sections when they were sold again. I originally ad- vanced the proposition that one could pay even as high as $10 a thousand for his sec- tions; and at a net price of 10 cts. for hon- ey a?id the section, he would get back his money on the section. In this I was mis- taken. But it is true, as you partly sug- gest, that a bee-beeper could afford to pay $10 a thousand for his sections, and he would be paying no more for his package, if as much, as the extracted-honey man who puts up his honey in glass and tin for re- 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 953 tail purposes. If we look at the problem from this point of view, he could afford to pay SlO a thousand if the extracted-honey man can afford to buy small gflass pack- ag"es, and give them away to those who buy his honey. The comb-honey producer can not weig^h in his shipping'-cases with his honey at so much per pound. No, he must pay out good money for them, and then ^ive tfu'>n away if he ships out of town. But his sections he seils ag'ain by weight at the price he gets for his honey; and when he pays at the rate of S5.00 per thousand for them he is pretty sure of g^etting that $5.00 back again. But, fortunately, the large producer does not yet have to pay this fig- ure. He can buj' for less, and make a lit- tle profit in the wood of the section when he sells.— Ed.] "Thkkris no advantage in opening a hive oftener than two or three times a sea- son if 3-ou desire to get honey," p. 931. Well, yes — er — that is, if you're following a plan th;it doesn't require opening a hive oftener than two or three times a season. I've just been looking at my book to see how often were opened the five hives from which the largest harvests came. I don't dare tell how often it was, but it was more than two or three times, and I desired to get hon- ey, too, and wasn't opening them just for the fun of it. [This is a question that hinges ver}' largely on management, the man. and the season. You will remember the Review for March mentioned Mr. E. D. Townsend. of Michigan, who has for years secured good crops of honey from an out- yard by visiting the bees onlj' four times in a whole year. And was it not Mr. Hutch- inson, Mr. Heddon, Mr. Coggshall, and sev- eral others who made the statement that too much opening of the brood-nest is a waste of labor? At our outyards there are some comb-hone\' hives that are opened only two or three times a season. When I say the season, I mean from spring to fall. But j'ou had a remarkably large yield of honey this last season, and I should imagine it would pay j-ou well to open some colonies oftener than three or four times; and when I saj' openitifT I do not mean putting on su- pers and taking off honey. — Ed.] j^OTr)0i/r ■r^f^^^ 3? Our Spanish exchange, El Colmenero Espanol. is publishing a series of accounts of the present condition of apiculture in the principal nations of the world. In our next issue it is my intention to give a trans- lation of these, as it is the best birdseye view of the situation I have 3'et seen; and it shows no little labor on the part of the writer to collect so much information in a small compass. Dr. Miller writes concerning what I said about the pronunciation of the word propo- lis^ saying that good authority authorizes prop-o\\% as well as /»;'o-polis. That's true; but as the greater part of our authorities seem to favor pro-\>o\\% rather than prop- olis, we have' always used the former way here. The English writer quoted says 't would be a pity to lose sight of the originnl meaning of the word — pro, in front of, and polis, a cit}', by calling it any thing hut pro- polis. The matter is comparatively unim- portant, but I add this explanation simply to prop up my pro. Dr. Miller is always a safe guide, and I thank him for his sug- gestions. The sight of any thing from Ireland al- ways arouses my interest, especially if it is something new. Well, the newest thing I have seen from there lately is a new bee- journal, Bee-keeper of Ireland. The pages are the same size as this, 16 in number, and well filled with matter of a very inter- esting nature. We have here onl}' the July number, which was the second one issued. I don't see how an American can fail to be interested in the following, as it gives in fine form an Irishman's idea of his own country as well as of this: If Ireland does not "buck up" in the bee business before long, some Atrerican will come over and "ex- ploit " the Hmerald Isle in the production of honey and beeswax. It is ab.solutely disgraceful that in a country so near I,ondon, the principal market of the world, in a country with a flora p obably unequaled in the tem- perate zones, there are not three apiaries of over 100 hives, and that Ireland markets a miserable 100,000 lbs. of honev per annum. The poverty stricken in- habitants eat'the other(iOO,000 lbs. produced. If there be not soon a rustle among the dry bones, the afore- said American, when he comes, will make his " pile." He will turn out from each of his " stations" nearly as much honey as is now obtained from the whole country. Irt-land is without question, able to support 200 000 .stocks capable of yielding 200 lbs. each, or 40,- 0(0 000 lbs . and until it turns out that quantity the business will not b' attended to properly. At 6rf. per lb. (the price of sections in America, with its hundreds of tons of production has never fallen so low as six- pence, butlake it at that) there is nectar worth a mil- lion of money going to waste. The peddling arrange- ment of kf eping a hive or two must give the palm to commercial apiaries of 100 or 200 hives at regular in- tervals all over the country. Those who are first in the field will get the market connection, which is al- ways a valuable asset. There is no finer honey in the world than is produc- ed in Ireland. The writer, as judge at the Koyal Dub- lin Society's and other shows, has frequently found almost every specimen exhibited to be entitled to full marks, and has been compelled to apply tests not con- templated by ordinary judging standards to secure differentiation. On consideration, the above remark about "some ."Vnierican " must be withdrawn. It is not one Ameri- can we shall have. They will come in shoals A mil- lion of money will stanrl a great deal of carving, and many an American will be content with a fraction of the amount. Ireland is the most paradoxical country on the surface of the globe. In one paitof Dublin one must speak German to be underslo d: in another, Italian ; and in another, the language of the Baillie Nicol Jarvir: yet. as regularly as the spring returns, thousands of natives go to America, where they earn three times as much money doing ten times as much work. We say to these emigrants — stay at home and keep bees. 954 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Nov. 15 AMERICAN BEE-KEEPER. A writer maintains that the rise of two opposing' factions in an organization like the National tends to a greater degree of strength and purity, just as in national politics we have a higher degree of purity by having two political parties, one to look after the other. Mr. Hill shows up this fallacy as follows: With all due respect to Mr. H., we desire to empha- size the assertion that, in regard to his observations relative to the opposing factions which were formerly at work in the National, he is off his base. I. There will be a business meeting for the joint associations at 2; 30 p m., in the Grand Ho- tel, and at 7:30 the stereopticon exhibition by Mr. Root will take place. At this meeting we have the promise of attendance of i ur new representatives, some of whom are bee-keepers. We aie sending a circular to every bee-keeper in Hamilton Co , and adjoining coun- ties in Indiana and Kentucky, stating our objects, and requesting their attendance. .Some 500 complimenta- ry tickets of admission wtre inclo.sed with the circular to make the invitation emphatic and se ure a good at- tendance of bee-keepers, and their families and lady friends We sent an invitation to N. E. France, and trust he will be with us. W. J. Gilliland, Sec'y. bilverton, Ohio, Nov. 10. CHICAGO-NORTHWESTERN CONVENTION. This will be held in Chicago, Dec. 2 and 3 This is one of the big conventions, and ernes the nearest to those of the National of any other held during the year. The following is the announcement put out by the secretary: 'l"he regular annual meeting of the Chicago- North Western Bee-keepers' Association will be held in the Revere House club-room, southeast corner of North Clark and Michigan Streets, Dec. 2 and 3. The Reve'-' House has made a rate of 75 cts. per person per night for lodging, when two occupy a room. Meals 35 cents, or on the American plan at tf2 per day. Owing to the Revere House furnishing free a place for holding our meeting, we feel that all who can do so should patron- ize them during the convention. Dr. C. C. Miller, W. Z. Hutchinson, E. T. Abbott. N. E France, J. Q. Smith, J. A. Stone, and Huber H Root have signified their in- tention to be present. This will be one of the best conventions ever held in Chicago It has been sug- gested that beekeepers bring with them samples of ^ honey, and such little appliances as they have that are considered handy to work with in the apiary. G. W. York, Pres. H. F. Moore, Sec. ROOFS FOR HIVES ; STEEL ROOFS SHORT- LIVED. It is a very difficult matter now to get the old-fashioned iron in roofing-tin, the same as we used to get years ago. Iron made by the old process would last many years longer for roofing than the present steel made by the new process. Indeed, build- ers and contractors have come to recognize the fact that the new steel roofings, unless g-alvanized, are very short-lived. The mod- ern method of making- the steel seems to take out some elements that protect it from rust. One would naturally suppose that painting this steel, and keeping it painted, would protect it thoroughly, but such is not the case. Some of the modern steel roofs that we put on our buildings rust right un- der a good coat of paint. An old contractor said to me the other day that he would never ag-ain recommend to his patrons steel roofing, as the asbes- tos, magnesia, fabric, or gravel-and-tar roofing-s were far more durable. And this brings me to the question of tin roofs for hives. Unless the new modern steel is galvanized, it probably will not last as long as ordinary cheap paper; and an intending purchaser had better make his selection from covers made entirely of wood or wood covered with paper, cloth soaked in white lead, or g-alvanized steel. Do not use tin, if 3'gu do not wish to have your roofs rust in a short time. A very good substitute for tin is muslin soaked in white lead. I saw some excellent covers protected with this material, in Col- orado, that had been in use several ^-ears, and were good then. The cloth will take up the oil; and if it is painted occasionally it probably will outlast tin a good many times over; and, what is of considerable im- portance, it is much cheaper. APICULTURAL REPORT OF THE CENTRAL EX- PERIMENTAL FARM, OTTAWA, CAN.; SIZE OF HIVKS; SAINFOIN AS A HONEY-PLANT; DO BEES INJURE ORCHARD FRUITS? We have before us the apicultural report given by Mr. John Fixter, foreman of the Central Pixperimeutal Farm, Canada, at a meeting held in the House of Commons, June 2b, 1903. The report details at length va- rious experiments made on the farm. These appear to have been conducted from a strictly practical standpoint; and the end aimed at was, plainly, that of devising methods, and deducing from actual tests conclusions that would be of the greatest import to the average bee-man. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 957 • Mr. Fixter g-ives statistics to show the re- sults of exvieriments with different sizes of the Heddon and Langstroth hives. The figures given tend to prove that the latter are preferable; and of these the ten- frame size, he says, will be better for the farmer, with whom bee-keeping is but a side issue, and who has only a limited amount of time to devote to it; and the eight-frame size more serviceable in the hands of the compe- tent. Eight colonies were used in making the experiment; and of these, four were in Heddon and four in Langstroth hives. A report was also given of some experi- ments made in order to ascertain the best kind of clover for the farmer apiarist to sow— one that would be equally good as fodder, fertilizer, and honey-producer. The one recommended is a species known as saitifoin. Says Mr. Fixter: "It has been generally thought that the little white clo- ver or alsike produced more honej'; but I have found that the sainfoin clover gives, I am safe in saying, a greater amount of honey than the white clover will; and it gives also a good amount of fodder per acre. This plant . . . never gets too woody to be used as fodder. . . When we can get farmers to sow sainfoin as fodder, bee- keeping will have a boom, and will be far more successful." Some interesting notes were given of the relative amount of water in ripe and unripe honev'. Investigation showed that the un- sealed contained from 4 to 5 per cent more water than that which was sealed. It was proved, also, that honey kept in a damp cellar absorbs moisture, and ferments. Mr. Fixter was strong in his protest against bee-keepers putting unripe honey upon the market, and rightlj' declared that it was just as injurious to the hone^'-trade to do so as it would be to the fruit-trade if fruit- growers were to offer immature fruit to the public. Perhaps the experiment that will be of most interest to our readers is one made to determine whether bees injure our orchard fruits. The test was made with peaches, pears, plums, grapes, strawberries, and raspberries. The question of "bees and fruit " has been a vexed one for years, as we all know; and a certain class of fruit- growers has been persistent in its denunci- ations against the honey-bee. The results of Mr. Fixter's experiments have been, like those of all others, fairly made; namely, that bees can not and do not injure good sound fruit, but simply take the juices from those already punctured. For the observations along this line, four colonies of equal strength were taken; and on each was put a super divided into three compartments. In one of these compart- ments was put sound fruit; in another one, punctured fruit; and in the third, sound fruit besmeared with honey. The bees be- gan at once to work on the hone3'ed and punctured specimens, and apparently both were going to be demolished. At the end of six days the hives were examined, and it was found that the punctured specimens were destroyed; those dipped in honey were thoroughly cleaned but uninjured; and those not treated were in sound condition. Fruit dealt with in a similar way was also hung about the apiary; but in every instance the bees were unable to feed on them. More weight is added to the results of these ex- periments from the fact that they were made during the summer when no honey was coming in from natural sources. Some of the colonies were even depleted of their stores in order to make the tests thorough; but manj' of the bees died of actual starva- tion while luscious fruit lay appetizingly around. That thin covering provided by nature formed an impenetrable barrier be- tween them and the coveted sweetness — "so near and yet so far." House apiaries were recommended for those living in cities or other places where a good plot of ground could not be obtained. The colonies kept in the same were said to do better during severe weather than those in the yard, as they were greatly protected from the inclemency. ANOTHER bee-suit; NEGLIGENCE OF BEE- KEEPERS. Somewhat over a year ago a valuable pair of mules vsere stung near Millsboro, Delaware, so seriously that they died. The bees that did the stinging were inside the village and the mules were driven along the common highway within a comparative- ly few feet of the bees. The owner of the mules has sued the bee-keeper for $500.00 damages, alleging that their owner had no right to keep them so near the common highway. A lawyer has been working up evidence, and it is possible there will be some interesting developments later. A bee-keeper (not the one whose bees did the damage) who has written us in regard to the matter thinks that his neighbor should pay at least one-half of the loss of the mules. The lesson in this case is that bees with- in corporated limits should not be kept up close to the general highway without at least a high board fence, shrubbery, or something that would cause the bees to fly high in the air. Our bees are located with- in 100 feet of the highway but a row of thickly matted evergreens with an average height of 50 ft. causes the bees to fiy high as they pass over the road before they can get to their hives. The result has been that we have never had any trouble with the bees attacking horses along the way. But whether the bee-keeper in question were a member or not, it is my impression that, when he himself is negligent, either from letting the bees get to robbing or because he has had them too close to the highway and has failed in some way to raise the flight of his bees above the common high- way, the Association would advise him to settle on the best terms possible. Where the bee-keeper is plainly negligent, the As- sociation, as I understand it, does not at- tempt to defend him. 958 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Nov. 15 "IMPROVED QUEEN=REARINQ." A Review of Mr. Alley's New Bee^book. BY GEO. W. PHILLIPS. In reviewing Mr. Alley's latest book, en- titled "Improved Queen- rearing, " I can do so only from my own standpoint — a stand- point taken by many bee-keepers besides myself. True criticism is as catholic in re- jecting as in accepting. I hardly think it necessary, therefore, to make any excuse for conflicting with his views in a few par- ticulars. Various have been the methods of queen- rearing set forth from time to time, and their several promulgators have clung to them with tenacity (sometimes a tenacity born of despair), through thick and thin. The present-day bee-keeper comes upon the stage of action at a time when all these va- rious methods are in vogue; and the task that confronts him is to set himself to work, and, from this confusion of systems, evolve one that will be practical in his hands. "We have not tried them all, but most of them have come under our notice, and among the rest the Alley system. So far as the quality of queens reared is concerned, we have no complaint to make. As good queens ma3' be reared by the Alley system as by any other, provided the essential conditions exist in the cell-building colonies, and the line mapped out by Mr. Alley be carefully followed. What we object to is its complex- ity and its attendant excessive amount of fussy manipulation. But what is the Alle}^ system? There are three different modifications of the same given in detail in "Improved Queen-rear- ing." I shall endeavor to set forth briefly in this the one which the author calls his "favorite," and labels in his book "Meth- od No. 1." It is as follows: " Seize " a colony of bees in such a man- ner that not a bee can escape. Take it to your bee-room, and place it on the cap of a hive ; "sit down and commence operations. ' ' Thoroughly tobacco-smoke the bees through the wire screen that confines them, drum- ming the hive in the meanwhile. Next, raise the screen cover and brush them into the aforesaid hive-cap, frame by frame. See that so much tobacco smoke is used that thej' can not fly. Hunt the queen up and remove her. Precipitate the cluster into one corner of the hive-cap bj' a sudden jar, and then dump them into another box, the exact size of the one they originally occu- pied, having on a wire-cloth bottom. Con- fine them in this again. Nail three pieces of v^ stuff across the bottom, to allow a free circulation of air when set down, and put in a cool place for the present. " At this stage of the work we have a colony of queenless bees." Next prepare your strips of .comb, killing every alternate &^^ by twirling a match- stick in the cell it occupies, and fasten to horizontal bars by means of a preparation of melted rosin and beeswax. Next step, put a prepared frame of eggs into a brood- box, filling the same with combs of pollen and honey — no brood. Next set the brood- box on the floor between yourself and the queenless bees. Give the hive containing the latter a "sudden drop," which again precipitates the bees; and before they "re- cover from their surprise " remove the cov- er. Place it on the brood-box, and quickly clap the same over the hive of " surprised " bees. " Now all the labor is done." (We should hope so; but, alas! no.) Leave the bees in the bee-room over night. Place them on their stand in the yard next morn- ing at ten o'clock. Supply them with wa- ter during confinement by splashing it through the wire screen on top. Upon re- leasing, cage a queen at the entrance in or- der to pacify the bees. At the end of twen- ty-four hours "another thing must be done;" viz., the embrj'O cells must be removed and placed on the top of a strong colony for completion. This, in its most condensed form, is the method recommended by Mr. Alley. It is hard to conceive how a more elabo- rate and complex system of queen-rearing could be devised. Still, our duty is to find out whether better queens can be reared by it, and, if so, adopt it. Experience, how- ever, goes to prove that this is not the case (and in this the author agrees if we inter- pret him aright — see page 24, lines 21 — 25). Queens equal in every respect can be rear- ed by methods that are very much simpler — methods more easily grasped by the be- ginner, more effective in the hands of the expert, and more profitable when employed by the man who makes a business of rais- ing queens. I am aware that some of our large queen- breeders use the Alley system, are satisfied with it, and prefer it to any other. This, according to my way of thinking, is attrib- utable to the fact that they learned to use it j'ears ago; and although more direct ways to the safiie results have been discovered, they prefer the old beaten path. I advise the readers of this article to re- fer to Gleanings for August 15, 1899, and read an article by Mr. Alley, and the edi- torial footnote by Mr. E. R. Root, in the same. For me to start making contrasts again would be irrelevant. Mr. Alley also speaks of another modifi- cation of his system, which, although not his "favorite," is highly recommended by him. I give the same without comment: » Proceed as in the manner already de- scribed, but, instead of having the cells completed in the upper story of a strong 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 995 colony, g-ive them to one from which the queen has been removed for about twelve hours. After five days remove them to a queenless colony and reintroduce the queen. Mr. Alley does not take much stock in queens reared under the supersedure im- pulse, nor, in fact, in a colony that is queen-ripfht. His views in this respect con- llict with those of memy queen-breeders, and, incidentally, with the writer's. Juds"!"? from the photo at the bej^lnning- of his book, Mr. Alle}^ has now reached the ag^e of the "sear and j^ellow leaf." He can recollect the time when a halo of mys- tery surrounded the bee-hive, and the pur- suit was shrouded in ignorance and super- stition— when each hive was said to have a "king-." and bees carried "wax" on their feet. He has seen the time when abscond- ing swarms were called home with the din- ner-bell, and when colonies were draped in mourning at their master's death. He has watched the industr}' in all its stages of growth, and himself played no mean part in contributing to its present development. Mr. Doolittle, I think, once, said that he looked upon his own book as his offspring — his child; and it is possible that Mr. Alley entertains the same parental feeling toward his queen-rearing system, and well he may; for did it not take the best of his thought to formulate such a plan — a plan which, al- though objectionable on account of its intri- cacies, is irreproachable so far as the qual- ity of queens reared by it is concerned? Mr. Alley, it will be seen, is no amateur. His knowledge of thing's apicultural is not of mushroom growth, but of that healthy state of development which only years of experience and close application can give. Among the world's bee-keepers he stands forth a veteran of the veterans. Space forbids my commenting further on this work. "Improved Oueen-rearing " is a book of 55 pages, and deals with the sub- ject purported in the title from the time the ^i!^^ is deposited to the time the queen is fertilized and laying.- The author describes the formation of miniature nuclei; different methods of introducing fertile and unfertile queens; the use and abuse of tobacco; shows the picture of a pipe from which the fumes of the " vile stuff " are exhaled instead of inhaled; illustrates queen-cells good and bad, and gives a summary of his complete outfit at the end. We think this work should have a place in the library of every bee-keeper. Medina, Ohio. [For some time back I have been trying- to find time to read and review Mr. Alley's latest book on improved queen-rearing. As Mr. Alley is one of the veterans, and has spent more than an average lifetime in studying and rearing queens, I felt that this book deserved a careful review. As the time did not come to me, I turned the book over to our head apiarist, Mr. G, W. Phillips — a man who is well versed in bee literature, and who has spent a number of 3'ears in rearing- queens, not only in Ja- maica, but for us here at Medina. — Ed.] FORCED SWARMING. How to Proceed in Such a Way as to Prevent Sub. sequent Natural Swarming ; wliy Starters are Preferable to Drawn Combs. A Valuable Article. BY J. E. CHAMBERS. I see Mr. W. K. Morrison has sounded his note of warning respecting forced swarms and starters (see Gleanings, March ]5). I wish to state that Mr. Morrison is alto- gether wrong about such swarms ever be- coming weak. Evidently he has made the sad mistake of supposing- that it is useless to make the second drive. In my practice I should never make the first drive if I did not intend to follow it with a second, and that in a short time. The reason is obvious: The honey- flow waits for no man, and the colony must be kept strong-. No one should think of increase by this plan; for, while it is possible to make some increase during- the time of brushing, there are other and much better wa3's of doing- it. In this article I wish to g-ive some of the different plans — all modifications of the original methods set forth by Mr. Stachel- hausen a g-ood manj' years ago. I i-nyself have used all of these plans with consider- able success. As a matter of fact, depriv- ing a colony of all its brood stops the swarm- ing- impulse temporarily at least. I have endeavored to find out which of the com- binations would most effectuall}' destroy the desire to work up again to a condition of swarming-, and results are given in this ar- ticle. In regard to the other statement made, viz , that bees on starters build too much drone comb, I can see how, with a deep hive, such might be possible. My hive is of the six-inch depth, and seven-eighths of the combs built are worker size of cell. The following is a plan I have practiced for a long time: Place two colonies side by side; give each two shallow hive-bodies for development. A few days before you think they are going to swarm, place a case of sections between the hive- bodies on one of the colonies, and on the other place a shal- low hive with large starters. In a few days the latter will have started to draw the foundation. Now place the upper stor}^ with the partly drawn frames of foundation, with all the bees in it, in the middle of the ground occupied by the two colonies; re- move the old hives to new locations; put the section-case with its bees on the new hive, and give them either of the queens belong- ing to the old colonies. It may be neces- sary under some conditions to give the queen in a cage, thoug-h I have never done so. This gives a very powerful force of field bees, and room must be given in proportion. 960 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Nov. 15 You can pile the shallow bodies containing- the old combs and young bees all together, and have a rousing big colony for extract- ed honey. For a few days, the greater part of the swarm being old bees, there will be some confusion; therefore it is best to have the pairs of hives not less than seven feet apart. * Another modification of the " shook " or "brushed " swarm is this: Breed the colo- nies up to the greatest possible strength; Then select ten combs containing the least amount of brood ; put them into a hive- body and set it on the old stand; put a sec- tion-case with full sheets of foundation on top of this body, and brush most of the bees into it. Uncap several of the combs and allow the bees to gorge themselves on the honey. This starts them to building comb. In eight days remove this section of the brood-chamber and substitute the other sec- tion; brush the bees into the last; keep the queen and most of the bees in the working hive; allow the brood to be fed and sealed by nurse bees. This settles swarming. A shallow double-decker is an indispensable requisite to this manipulation. Another way, and the one I think recom- mended by Mr. Stachelhausen, is to use full or half sheets of foundation, as consid- ered best, and brush all of the bees, using the combs of brood to build up other colo- nies or make nuclei. This method was far superior to natural swarming, in that it gave at least 20 per cent more bees, and made less work for the apiarist; but it had one very serious fault: The combs of brood could not be utilized to the greatest advan- tage, and the force of hatching bees was lost to the colony. Since first Mr. Stachel- hausen gave to the public this plan, he has modified it considerably. Though many claim to have arrived at these different plans independently, I believe the credit rightly belongs to him. I have modified this plan for my own use, and now consider it very satisfactory. I have noticed all that has been said against it, anil candidly believe it suited to the care- ful expert, but not to every careless opera- tor. Either of the other plans is good, and will work with reasonable care. Both can be depended on to get lots of comb honey; but having in mind the matter of soiled and travel-stained sections when producing comb honey over old black combs, I do not use old combs. Half- sheets in the six-inch hive are good enough for me. The amount of drone comb built is insignificant. The second drive gives all the bees I ever need for the flow at home; and after the white- honey flow I can unite again and get a very powerful colony for the slow flow that comes later on. Working thus, I am at all times master of the situation. I am not in the least dogmatic; but re- sults count, and I get good results every time; so I say, for me at least, the brush- ing of bees on half-sheets is a decided suc- cess. One thing I wish to mention: Pure Ital- ians do not go into the supers so readily as Carniolans and their crosses ; and , of course, such good results can be had only when the bees rush into the supers promptly. To hive on drawn combs is a very decep- tive thing — at least it is so with me. The bees always store some honey (and I doubt if it can be prevented) in the two outside combs. The brood Mr. Morrison is so anx- ious to get started would be of no value for at least 24 days, and that would mean a big loss to me. Better — far better — the second drive of young bees before the flow is too far gone. In any case I fail to see how the use of drawn combs would increase the amount of honej' or decrease the amount of work. As to the other objections, I am sure that you who are careful to have young queens and shallow hives will never be troubled in the least. In experimenting with the three plans outlined above, I found that, in order to overcome certainly the desire to swarm, it is absolutely necessary to give the bees plentj' of work to do something to keep the young bees busy as well as the old ones; and for that purpose nothing equals comb- building. As in the second plan men- tioned, compelling the young bees to nurse the brood in a separate hive will answer the same purpose. Mr. Morrison says he wants big hives, and so do I, but not for a working hive. No man can get the best results in comb honey with big hives and drawn combs to start with. Whatever size of hive is used for a breeding-hive, contraction must be re- sorted to, or poor results will follow, no matter who says to the contrary. A really fine article of comb honey can not be got over old combs where the bees can find room to store in the brood chamber. Lastly, does not every bee-keeper know that a powerful colony of bees in a small hive, with a vigorous young queen, and plenty of room above to store in, will build only worker comb in the brood-chamber? It is different with large hives and old plaj'ed-out queens, however. The chances are that a good amount of drone comb will be built, if very narrow starters are used in deep frames, and there be any crowding in the supers. The bees during a good flow will be largely compelled to build down- ward; and as storage room is what they are after, drone comb mostly will be built. I do not consider that Mr. Morrison has made out any good case against half-sheets of foundation in shallow frames. Evidently he uses a frame too deep for the best results, or allows the bees to be too crowded in the supers. At any rate he gets lots of drone comb in his frames and I do not. He gets more honey over drawn combs, but I get fully a third more over starters, and of course mine is whiter. He gets a good lot of brood in his combs that will be workers in about thirty days; but I get by a second drive a wad that are workers right now. Vigo, Tex. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 961 AN EIGHT-FRAirtE OBSERVATORY HIVE^AT^THE MINNESOTA STATE FAIR. Aa Interesting as well as Educational Exhibit. BY PROF. F. L. WASHBURN. The readers of Gleanings may be inter- ested to see the accompanying- photograph of an observatory hive recently exhibited by this department at the Minnesota State Fair, and to hear an account of our suc- cessful experimenting with the same. The case is of oak, with plate-glass sides, the whole thing- built to scale as re- gards space and dimensions, so as to have the capacity of an ordinary' eight-frame hive. The opening of the usual height, and about 1 '4 inches wide, is at the lower right- hand corner. On Thursdaj* preceding the fair we had shipped from a distance, for obvious reasons, a strong calonj' of Italian bees, and placed them in the fair building on a stand upon which we planned to put the observation hive later, an opening hav- ing been made through the wall of the building, and fitted with a tunnel, which tunnel was placed snugly against the cen- tral part of the entrance of the hive, the en- trance on either side to the right and left being stopped bj' a screen. The bees in the original hive, therefore, were free to go in and out, which they did during- P^riday OBSERVATION BEE HIVE Entomological Department of the Minn. State ExperimfntStatioa, — ^ LEATHER COLORED ITALIAN BEES FROM MILLE LAC APARIESSt" ■niese k«s HovefrMdom and art gattitnng nfrtiifrom Surrounding countrx- Tl« 1} tapacrty ofm* hive anj the number of btet t^^jl t^a' :' sji ordinary 3 and Saturday. On Saturday evening- the eight frames were transferred to the obser- vation hive shown in the photog-raph. The tunnel was fitted closel}' to the opening in this hive. When Mondaj'^ morning came with its accompanying- crowds, the bees were working apparently contented, going- in and out, bringing in pollen and going- through the usual routine work common to any well-regulated hive. For the especial benefit, apparently', of the multitude who viewed the hive, the queen laid everj' day during the week, so regularly and sys- tematicall}' that I regretted not having a nickel-in- the-slot machine, with the word- ing, "Drop a nickel in the slot, and seethe queen lay." Note the sequel. After the fair, the ob- servation case with its bees was brought to m}' room in the second storj' of one of the buildings at the Experiment Station, about half a mile from the fairgrounds, and kept in the dark for over two daj's. In the meantime, apparentl}' all the young- brood had emerg-ed ; and when the hive was placed in the same position relativel}' that it had at the fairg-rounds, viz., with the tunnel leading- to the open air, allowing the bees their liberty', the}' immediatel}' swarmed, gathering in a bunch on the ground about 30 feet below and 10 yards to the west of the opening-. We looked everywhere for our clipped queen, and, not findings her, presumed that she was was lost or dead. The bees, however, readilj" entered the hive placed by them; and, although fearful at anj' moment that we might lose them entirelj', inasmuch as the}' were a valuable colon 3-, I telegraphed immediately for a queen. Before introducing- her my assistant examined all the framescovered by the bees which had swarmed and entered the new hive, and, lo and behold! there was our clipped queen, ap- parently uninjured. I will re- mark that she is quite a dark queen. The new queen that we had just received, therefore, was given to the few remaining bees in the show-case, was accepted, and is now laying. My theory is that the young- bees, emerging- in considerable numbers while the hive was in the dark, rendered it (as there was already a large number) uncomfortabl}' crowded, and the bees hurriedly made queen-cells and left at the tirst opportuni- ty. The queen apparently had essa3'ed to fly from the window- sill, and, falling clear of the wall of the building, had been carried ten 3'ards to the west b}' the wind before reaching the grround. Am I right? To the enthusiasm of W. K. Ansell, of the Mille Lac apiaries, who 962 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Nov. 15 planned and designed the hive, our success is largely due. F. L. Washburn, State Entomoiogist. Agricultural Experiment Station, St. An- thony Park, Minn., Sept. 14. [This is probably the largest observatory hive that was ever made. As a rule, all such hives have only one comb and a few bees, thus making it easy to find the queen, and herein is the chief advantage of the unicomb size. You are, no doubt, right in assuming that the queen essayed to fly from the win- dow-sill, and fell down a little to one side of the entrance. The fact that the bees clustered so near the old entrance would in- dicate that the queen was there. It is not easy to find her majesty in an open cluster. While she is, as a rule, on the outside, one might look for hours and not see her, while it would be comparatively easy to find her after the bees had got settled on a full set of combs. We found it impossible to reproduce the photo, owing to the fact that it was light- struck by reflection. We therefore had our artist make a pen-drawing, which will give an idea of the general size and character of the hive. — Ed. J A BAD CASE OF ROBBING. How it was Stopped by Killing the Actual Robbers with a tiasoline'-torch. BY F. L. MORRILL. This experience is probably what others have gone through before, and I give it thinking it may be useful to some one who may at some time be in the same predica- ment that I was in a few weeks ago. Just prior to the time I speak of, this locality was visited by a hot north wind. The heat was intense; and as I had shade- boards over all the hives, I thought none of the combs would melt down; and, being busy with other work, I did not visit the bees for several days. When I did I found the apiary in confusion. The bees were crazy, and be- gan stinging before I came witin a quarter of a mile of them. The air was full of mad, stinging bees. I soon found that it was the worst case of robbing I had ever heard of. The whole yard of 180 colonies was de- moralized. Some of the combs had melted in the extracting-supers; and as it was at a time of the yesLV when there was no flow of honey it set the bees to robbing. I did not dare to close the hives up entirely, on account of the heat; but I immediatel}'^ closed the entrances so that only one bee could go in at a time, and then I tried every thing that I had ever heard of to stop robbing, but with no success. I flooded the robbers with water. I smoked them with sulphur smoke where they gathered on the hives. I ex- changed the hives after dusting the bees, to see where the robbers went to; but they on- ly began to rob their own hives back again. They would pounce on a strong colony, and go right in, no matter what the resistance. I went home at night ready to sell cheap or give away every colony I had in the yard. After thinking the matter over I became convinced that, if I saved the bees, I must kill the robbers. The next morning I pro- cured a brazing torch, such as painters use to burn off old paint, and, taking a supply of gasoline, I went for the robbers. I went from hive to hive, throwing the flame on them as I went, wherever I found them try- ing to get in. They were gathered in great bunches on the now one-beeway entrances. I soon had to cover my hands, as this seem- ed to make them so mad that they would tackle even the torch. Thej' objected to having their wings burned off, but I was in no mood for leniencj*. I worked nearly all day in this manner, and along in the after- noon had things somewhat quiet again. The next morning I used a kerosene-torch with just as good results, but I did not find many robbers, and the next day things were in normal shape again. You may say that it was too bad to kill so many bees, and that it was a cruel way to do; but had I not done so I should have lost many colonies, and the loss of bees was no matter, as they were only consumers, there being no flow of honey, and no prob- ability of any until fall. In using the coal- oil torch, care should be used so as not to let it get too hot, as it might explode. Suisun, Cal., Aug. 23. [It is no doubt true that, when there is a bad case of robbing on, only a compara- tively few robbers are engaged in the busi- ness. If every bee in the yard were rob- bing, the air would be blnck with them. But this is usually not the case. It would be reasonable to suppose that a torch ap- plied in the manner j^ou describe around bees caught in the very act would soon de- stroy the actual culprits, finally bringing about peace and quiet in the yard. I should like to hear from our subscribers, whether any one else has tried this or a similar plan. — Ed.] E. E. R., Cal. — The conditions described in your letter of the 9th point quite strongly to fertile workers. Give a ripe cell from some other colony; and if this does not re- sult in getting a good laying queen, scatter the brood among several strong colonies, and put in place of the brood taken out some brood from other hives. J. B. S., Aik.~-^\e do not think that smearing the inside of the hive with propo- lis would have much effect in inducing bees to stay in the hive. In the matter of egg-laying, queens are pretty apt to cease in the fall of the year. Feeding a little sugar syrup maj' start her to laying. A young colony is not as liable to have: foul brood as an old colony on old combs. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 963 ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS ON BEE-SMOKERS. Jabbing the Editor's Ribs Again; Fuel for Smol. When I got back to mj' Michigan home in October, I found a ver^' cordial welcome from the Simday-school, especially from that class of thirtj' or forty I have told you about. As there was to be no preaching- that evening (the pastor comes to that church only once in two weeks) one of the girls in my class came to me after Sunday-school, saying something like this: " Mr. Root, there is no preaching to-night, and won't you talk to us if we will all come?" " Why, Alice, this should have been thought of sooner, so as to be announced before the closing of the school. I am afraid the people are not readj', just as I am not ready. I have made no preparation for any talk." "But, Mr. Root, ive will give the notice, and guarantee that you will have an audi- ence; 30U always have something good to sa}- to US, even if you don't have much no- tice ahead." I still tried to excuse myself; but when another and still another of the young peo- ple from my class put in their plea, I told them I would gladlj' do the best I knew how; and when the hour came for the even- ing services, the sight of a very fair audi- ence of bright expectant people (mostly young) made my heart glad. Now, I hope these same young people will excuse me if I mention some things that I would not think of mentioning were it not that I have a feeling it might do good to the young people in other neighborhoods and other churches. In the further corner of that little church — that is, one of the corners furthest from the minister's desk, the young people of the neighborhood usually gather. They are busy, hard-working people, especially at the time of year when potatoes (the main crop of tliat region) are being harvested. These people, young and old, work hard from daylight until dark in October. There is no let-up from their labors until Sunday comes; and I am verj'glad indeed that Sun- day rest is so generally observed in that region. Perhaps one reason why the Sun- day-school is so well attended is that these hard-working folks, especially' the younger ones, are constantly watching for some op- portunity to get together. We in the towns and cities have no idea of the way in which they enjoy any sort of recreation. As a consequence, there is more or less visiting on Sunday. Now, while I think this is an evil, I am led to believe it is by no means the worst thing in the world. If young peo- ple get together in their various homes at seasonable hours, it is not to be compared with meeting in a saloon open on Sunday, or some sort of gambling-den. Those who attend Sunday-school reg-ularly are not apt to be frequenters of the saloon. Well, now, let us get back to that young people's cor- ner. The seats are long, and they usually crowd them (in that corner) pretty full — eight or nine, and sometimes ten of the smaller ones, in a seat; and, as a natural consequence, there is a good deal of merri- ment and visiting before service begins, and, I am afraid, sometimes after the services have commenced, and even duringthe preach- ing. I have been absent so much during the past summer I do not know how bad it is; but after one evening's service the good pastor gave the young people in that corner quite a " talking- to. " It was very kind, and none of them should have taken offense. But somebody told me the young folks did not like him very well because he "scolded " so much about their whispering and play- ing during services. Now, while I think of it I remember that, a year ago, Bro. Reed was anno3ed in the same way, and I thought at one time he was altogether too severe in his reproof. As he is old in the ministry, however, he may have been right and I wrong. When I spoke to him about it he said the remarks were directed mostly to one young woman who had to be reproved the second time during one service. Now, friends, this is a problem that has to be met almost everywhere; and I am sorry to add that this sort of irreverence for the house of God (or, perhaps we might say, the }nan of God) has often stirred up un- christianlike feelings, not only in the hearts of the young people, but, I fear, in the heart of the pastor. I do not know just what the proper remedy is. I suppose it depends largely on circumstances; but I do believe that the love of Chi'ist, and the in- fluences of the Holy Spirit, in the heart of the pastor, ought to correct the evil, and leave only feelings of love on both sides, in- stead of bad feelings. When I was ready to announce my text I found the young people crowded into that further corner as usual, and I prayed for grace and wisdom. God answered my prayer, and gave me — I was going to say the victory. But I do not think victory is the proper word. It might hurt the feel- ings of some one among those young people whom I love; and God knows I would not do any thing nor say any thing to mar the kindly' feelings existing between us for any thing in the world. Let us say, through kindness and love I came out winner. We have in the church a very pretty little organ; and sometimes we have quite a nice little choir of young men and women. Of late, however, the young men do not come up before the audience with the young wo- men. They make the excuse that they do not have time to practice during the week. On this particular evening those back of 970 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Nov. 15 the org-an were all young- ladies. After I had prayed for wisdom I said something like this: "Dear friends, it makes my heart glad to see you all gathered here to-night; and it makes it gladder still to think that you have honored my poor self by asking me to talk to you. I am not a preacher, as you know, and I am not an orator, as you also probably know; therefore I shall give you only a friendly familiar talk; and as it is a little hard on my lungs to make you all hear (and I want every one of you to hear every word I say), I shall be very glad if you will come up near me and occupy the ifront seats. I want to look into your faces, and I want to suggest some things to you that I think will help you all your lives to be better men and women." At this juncture I began to realize that the boys in that further corner would hard- ly have the courage to come up in a body so near the pulpit. I do not think they feared me, but perhaps they felt a little em- barrassed about coming up so near what is, in revival times, called the " anxious seat." But in a moment a bright idea came to me. God sent it, I think, in answer to my prayer. I turned to the young ladies back of the organ, and said, " If the singers on the platform will take the front seat, I am sure the young men will come up and sit right back of them." At this there was an audible titter among- the boys and girls; but I saw in an instant that my plan had appealed to their best na- ture in the right way. They arose in a body, and came up as near to me as the seats would permit, for I stood just in front of the pulpit. They did not know how I thanked God; but I realized then and there the result of that talk was going to be effec- tive. Perhaps never before did I realize how dear to my heart are those young peo- ple in that neighborhood. Too often the minister meets people only in the church, in the role of a preacher; but it was my privi- lege to be around among them in their work in the fields more or less. My love for the potato industry has given me an advantage, perhaps, that many pastors do not enjoy. The talk I gave them is one I gave in these Home Papers some years ago. I will go over it again briefly. " In Pilgrim's Progress, which I hope j^ou have all read, Christiana and her children, while at the Interpreter's house, were shown an object-lesson. A poor man with a little rake was stooping over and spend- ing his time raking up straws, sticks, and dust. While he did so, a shining angel stood over him, holding just over his head a golden crown, and the angel offered to swap the crown for his poor little ricketty rake. But he refused to listen to her, and even re- fused to look up, but continually rejected the offer of the crown. You see, if he let his rake go he could no longer scrape to- gether sticks, straws, and dust." Then I continued, something as follows: " Dear friends, this is a figure from Bun- yan's Pilgrim's Progress. It is supposed to be a figure from real life — such lives as you and I are living. Is it possible that we in our busy daily cares are struggling after only straws, sticks, and dust, while a golden crown is just over our heads, and we won't even look up, much less lift our hands to take it as a free gift? Bunyan got all his figures from the Bible. In fact, Pilgrim's Prog-ress is founded on the word of God. The question that confronts us to- night is, 'Is there really any such crown within our reach? Is this ^fiction, or is it really truth? Are there opportunities before us as young people that we might embrace if we could onlj'^ bring ourselves to make the sacrifice of letting go the straws, sticks, and dust ? ' Now I am going to give 3'ou some Bible readings to-night to show you what the Bible says about it; or, if j^ou choose, we will together look the Bible over and see what authoritj^ it gives Bunyan for such a statement. " You will notice the straws, sticks, and dust that this man gave his whole life to gathering, represent selfishness. He was trying to scrape every thing within his reach for self. A farmer, for instance, aft- er he has paid for his own farm, makes a slave of himself and may be of his wife and children, to get another farm, and still another. I mean one of the kind who is so grasping that he loses the respect and good will of his neighbors and ever3'body else; one who can not take time to go to church nor to remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy (what shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul?), and, we might add, one who never takes time to look above his head and see a golden crown continually offered him day by day by the shining angel. But let us come a little nearer home. Many of you who listen to me have no farms. Perhaps you maj' say truthfully that you have noth- ing but health and strength. But are you sure, dear friends, you too are not wasting your time in looking continually down after the straws, sticks, and dust? Are you im- proving your leisure moments in good read- ing? Many of the periodicals, I am sorry to say, I have seen in various homes, are no better than straws, sticks, or dust — perhaps worse. If you want that golden crown, be careful of your reading. I am sure }'Ou admire the passages I have selected from the Bible that I have read to you here to- night. That Bible is full of such hopeful promises. Whether you belong to the En- deavor Society or not, make a pledge to yourself to read the Bible just a little, if not more, every day of your lite, and then ask God to guide you in looking forward to that proffered crown. The crown is above ; the straws, sticks, and dust right below, on the ground in the dirt. A bright young lady said to me once, ' Mr. Root, when I go to a dance, the next day I have a feeling that I have gone down a notch or two. When I re- sist the temptation to go to a dance, and go to a prayer-meeting instead, the day after 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 971 that meeting- I have a feeling- that I am lifted up a notch or two. I am satisfied that the one tends downward, and only down, and that the other is upward, and ahvays up. I am not going to try to attend prayer-meetings and dances both an3' more. I am going to choose the prayer-meeting, and let the other go.' That was years ago; and you can see \>y her bright face now that she has her eye on the crown. I do not know how much dancing there is in this neighborhood. I have not seen any card- playing. I hope there is not anj' of it. It certainly should go with the straws and sticks and dust, for it does not leave any thing behind it. I suppose there is more or less drinking at the saloon near b}'; but I am sure from the looks of these boys here before me that none of them spend their mone}' for beer. Let me emphasize the im- portance of building Christian character in another way. There is a greater demand just now for boys and girls with a good sol- id Christian character back of them thin ever before since the world began. If you read the papers, you know of the corruption that exists in all our great cities. You know, too, of the shameful revelations that have come up within just a few days among- those holding office in the postal department of the United States. Selfishness — shame- ful, awful selfishness! Men who have been paid large salaries to protect that depart- ment have, right while drawing their pay, sold out the property of the United States in order to get a few thousand dollars into their own pockets. They have lost sight of the crown that awaits them as the reward of every honest man, and have been after straws, sticks, and dust. Yes, they have gone down to the depths of shame for a few paltry dollars. Now, the great cities are sending- out into the country continually for honest boj's and girls. Thej' will pay al- mo:?t any price for them, especially if they are educated and skillful. The women get great paj* as skillful tj'pewriters and in oth- er important places in our offices and facto- ries. But they must be honest. The gov- ernment or the emploj'er does not demand that thej' be Christians; but the word of God tells us there is no real true honesty — unselfish honesty — without the love of God in the heart. Are you, my friends, looking up toward that crown that is held by the guardian angel just over 3'our head? Re- member the text about overcoiiiino;. It is the ones who ' overcome ' who are to be made rulers over the nations. Are you overcoming the temptations that beset you? This has been a beautiful bright Sunday. It is the first Sunday we have had this fall since the daj' when hunting is permitted by law. You have been so busy during- the week that you could hardly think of stop- ping to shoot partridges. May be some of you have been tempted to hunt on Sunday, God's holy day. Did you overcojne the temptation? It is those who overcome who are permitted to reach the crown. I do not know what temptations present themselves before you, dear friends. But you know; and the Holy Spirit will surely guide you, if you make it a part of your life to ask the great Father above day by day to guide and direct you in overcoming selfishness and in reaching up to those higher things that concern the welfare of your neighbor as well as yourself. God has given us glo- rious opportunities. It rests with us whether we shall rise up and look up, or whether we shall, with bent backs and eyes cast toward the ground, spend our lives in raking up these straws, sticks, and dust. " Some of jou are now attending school. Perhaps a few of you will go away to school sooner or later; but quite a number of you (and I have talked with some) feel that the stern duties of life are such that you can not go to school any more. Do not be dis- couraged, friends. There are periodicals or class journals published nowadays that will enable a young man or woman to be- come proficient in almost every line of bus- iness. If you will probablj' follow farming" for a livelihood, by all means avail your- selves of the leading- agricultural papers. Employ your time in getting useful knowl- edg-e in regard to the occupation you expect to follow. The great Father above is pleased to see us study him through his works; and one can nowadays get a good ed- ucation in almost any line of work by carefully studying the books and periodicals that are published. Time spent in this way will not only be profitable for years to come, but it will enable you to be helpful to your neighbors; and every thing of this kind tends to build up Christian character, and, indirectly, reaches out toward that golden crown. Now, friends, shall it be a crown of righteousness we are striving for, or shall it be the sticks and straws and dust of selfishness^ May God help you in your de- cision. " I scarcely need add that there was net a whisper during my talk of twenty- five min- utes; in fact, i never in my life saw an en- tire audience give better attention to a speaker. With a praj'er in my heart that this little story may help some other teach- er, especially where he is met with consid- erable inattention on the part of his hear- ers, and with a prayer, also, for the restless wide-awake young people all over our land, I close this Home Paper. SELLING HONEY ON SUNDAY, ETC. I am much interested in A. I. R.'s remarks on Sab- bath observance It looks to nie as though a man's desires had much to do with forming his convictii ns. In twenty years of Christian work I have never fourd it necessary to buy or sell or travel on the Sabbath; and I question whether the doing of those things, even in exceptional instances, does not lessen the respect of non Christ ans fi r Christians and for the cause of Christ I am glad that Gleanings has a place for such discussions. Austin D Wolfe. ParkviUe. Mo., Oct. 13. Mr. Root: — I have just read that letter of F. M. Mor- gan's, on page H53, on selling honey on Sunday, and your answer to it, and I must say that it does not suit me. l''or 2.5 years I have been keeping bees, not very extensively, being a. farmer, but because I liked to 972. GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Nov. IS handle them. Sometimes I had fair returns, and as often very little; but in all that time I have no recol- lection of selling one pound of honey on Sunday. Once I did give one section to parties passing, going on a visit, and they paid for it as they passed back. I have refused a great many; but to my knowledge not one was offended — usually they came again. Once in mv absence parlies came eight miles, and no one at home but my daughter. They coaxed her hard, tell- ing her that I would not know it. " Yes, but God would know it," she said. "That will do," they said; " we don't want it." Now, I am not particular. If they get offended they can. I won't sell on Sunday except for sickness, and then I alwaj-s give it free. J. Lammey. Dugger, Ind., Oct. 15. Friend L., I may be wrong in the posi- tion I have taken; but I still think we do a g-reater harm in driving people away from Christ Jesus than in doing a little business on Sunday. I can agree with you pretty well except where you say, in your closing sentence, "Now, I am not particular. If they get offended, they can." Please bear in mind that Jesus, while here on earth, most vehemently rebuked the Pharisees for laying so much stress on their careful and punctilious observance of the Sabbath. It is hard to lay down cast-iron rules for a Christian to follow. If he has at all times the love of Christ in his heart for his fellow- men, this love will guide him safely and un- erringly. I still think we should be doing more harm by stirring up a man's bad feel- ing, especially if he is one who has never had much of a glimpse of Christ's love, than by going out of our way just a little to serve him on Sunday. May the Holy Spirit guide us in this matter. NOTES OF TRAVLL I BY A. I. ROOT . OUR CABIN IN THE WOODS. When we got back to the cabin in the woods in the fore part of October, I found every thing around there grown up to weeds. I confess I lost some of my enthusiasm somewhat. In the first place, I had been taking things easy, and was unused to work. I was strongly tempted to think I was pretty old to perform hard manual la- bor; and I will tell you confidentially I made up my mind that first day to get men enough to gather my crops, what there were, and get back to Ohio, where I did not have to work unless I felt like it. Such thoughts did not make me feel happ3', how- ever. I knew from past experience that about the worst calamity that could befall me was to think of taking things easy, and getting along without hard manual labor. Josh Billings once said he knew by expe- rience that it is bad to tell lies. Well, I think / can say from personal experience that Satan always finds some mischief for idle hands to do. Yes, old as I am (I shall be 64 the 9th of next month) I know from personal experience that, if I do not have something good to occupy head, heart, and hand, Satan will get in his work some- where. When God said to Adam, " By the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread," that curse fell heavily on my poor self. Come to think of it, I do not know but that, in my case, it is riot a curse. I have some- times been tempted to thiok it was almost a blessed promise. Listen a minute. I spent a great part of one day in going around among my neighbors trying to find help. Everybody had just all he could do, and more too. Two of the boys who had worked for me heretofore worked one day each in the rain. I kept along with them as well as I could. One of them, while digging potatoes by the bushel last year, made something over $2.00 a day; and he worked fully as hard that rainy day as he did while he was digging potatoes by the bushel. This present season I could not very well have them dig by the bushel, be- cause there were so many different sorts that had to be kept separate. Another thing, the ground had been in potatoes the year before, and there were more or less " volunteers " that I wanted sorted out. When night came I do not know but the boys were a little surprised when I paid them $2.00 each. During the summer I had been in the habit of paying them only $1.25; but I told them I should feel ashamed to offer them a less price, especially after the way they had worked in the wet. Of course, it did not rain very hard, and oc- casionally the sun came out and encouraged us. Well, after that rainy day the boys said they could not possibly neglect their own work anymore; and I decided I would finish up the potatoes myself, taking plenty of time. Dear friends, I have been over this ground before, again and again; but, notwithstanding, the experience of the last three or four weeks was a revelation to me. You know how often I have prayed for wis- dom and understanding in regard to this matter of human infirmities. I have asked God to give me wisdom in advising my fel- low-men who were sick and ailing. I have considered the medical advertisements and the well-filled drugstores. Did God intend his children to get well by " dosing " them- selves? I think he intended there should be phj'sicians in the world, for the evangelist Luke was called "the beloved physician." When I commenced harvesting my crops alone I would get tired in about two hours, and then I would read a daily paper while I rested. Then the weather would be catch- ing, or there were particular circumstances that rendered it important that a certain task should be finished by a certain time. Pretty soon I skipped the newspaper till it was too dark to work. I worked right along till Mrs. Root announced dinner. In fact, I worked so hard under the enthusiasm of getting the work done, that when I came to dinner it seemed as if I ached in e%'ery bone and muscle, I was so tired. A good many times I would take a little nap before dinner. But, oh such dinners! Perhaps 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 973 they were not very remarkable, but Mrs. Koot always has good dinners. But, what an appetite I had! A good many times at dinner I would say, " I do not know but I have been working harder than I can stand. It seems now as if I were just about used up." But after the good dinner I felt verj' much recuperated; and then to prevent playing out before night I usually had a good nap after dinner; a little one before dinner, in order to rest up enough so my digestive apparatus could take hold without being too much fatigued; and then a nap of nearly an hour after dinner to let nature make repairs and get readj- for another " run." Yes, this human machine of mine often makes me think of a thrashing-ma- chine or an automobile. After a hard job the machinery should not only be well oiled up, but every thing should be examined to see that it is in condition to do its best work. Well, these wonderful hidden forces of nature attend to all this while we are asleep. When the machine has entirely ceased running, God does it. Praised be his hoi}' name. Well, after that after-dinner nap I would get out of bed, stretch myself, and sa}', as I straightened out my limbs, " Well, I am all in good running order again. My mus- cles are all right, and there is not a bit of pain or soreness anywhere. Bring on your work." If I did not add, "May God be praised for this robust health," I felt it in every fiber of mj* being. A great part of the potatoes were on the hillsides around the cabin. With the Daisy wheelbarrow I could wheel these down to the barn on low- er ground cheaper than they could be haul- ed in with a team; and that Daisy wheel- barrow seems to be a wonderful invention for developing the muscles. Wh}', dear friends, it is worth all the Indian clubs and dumb bells, and all the rest of the machin- ery for developing the muscles, that were ever invented. Instead of investing in these things, just buy 3'ourself a wheelharroiv and then do some useful work by wheeling heavy loads everj day. Two bushels of po- tatoes made a very fair load for my strength and muscle. Mrs. Root keeps talking to me about straightening up, and not getting bent over, as so man}' old people are. Well, with the Daisy wheelbarrow one can stand just as erect as he chooses; and with two bushels of potatoes, making a load of 120 lbs., I do not know of a better muscle-devel- oper for arms and legs than this exercise. Why, I actually felt my muscles growing and enlarging day \>y day. And here comes in another thing: I never enjoyed eat- ing />7/z7 in my life as I did this past fall. The apples were furnished by the neigh- bors. In fact, they made us presents of them faster than we could use them. The peaches grew on our own trees, and I am sure I never tasted such luscious peaches before in my life — no, not even in California. I suspect the bright, exhilarating air around Grand Traverse Bay has something to do with it. When I first purchased my fruit- trees I selected peaches that would ripen in July and August, for I thought then we should spend only the summer months up there in the woods. I paid a big price for mj' fruit-trees in order to get some true to name, and first-class. Well, three trees that were labeled Yellow Rare-ripe, and which were said to ripen in August, were covered with dark-green foliage, and beautiful large peaches that were just getting ready to pick along the last of October. Instead of being yellow they are white inside. I kept watch- ing them and feeling of them every day to see when one was just ripe for use. Of course, they were not what I bought them for; but it did seem as if they were the most luscious peaches, especially when I was covered with perspiration in wheeling great loads of potatoes, that I ever tasted in my life. Some of my trees had only two or three peaches on, and a few of them only one. I was watching them very anxiously to see when they were just at their best. By and by I was forced to conclude that somebody else was watching them also; for when I decided they were almost ripe the peach would be gone. I could not believe it possible that the boys who came around frequently to our place were taking the peaches (the new varieties) that I was so anxious to test. Permit me to say right here that, after all our experience in leav- ing the cabin and surroundings for many months at a time, we have never missed so much as a nickel's worth. Everybody in that locality seems to respect the rights of others. Potatoes are left in pits in the fields perhaps a mile away from any house, all winter long, and I never heard of any being stolen. Well, one Sunday after our return from Sunday-school I saw a big gra}' squirrel skip out of the woods and run up a peach-tree in a twinkling. He came down again almost as quickly with one of my big red-cheeked peaches —one that was just about ready to pick. I had found the thief. I put after him, yelling with all my might, to make him drop my big choice peach. Not he. He probably concluded that, when he had a good thing in his pos- session, it would be a bad plan to let it go. Finally I pulled oflF vs\y fur cap and sailed it at him. When it came pretty near drop- ping over his head he let go of the peach, and scampered off about as fast as you ever saw a squirrel make speed. Mrs. Koot had been "making friends" with the squirrels until they were getting to be very sociable. One day when she went to pick our first early peas the squir- rels had taken them so there was hardly a pea left; and one saucy fellow sat on a log near when she was picking out the fevv she could find, and "scolded " at a treat rate because she was meddling with his peas. I told her what I saw, and said we should have to gather all our peaches the next day or we should not have any left. Toward night on that same Sunday I began to think that the few remaining peaches might be taken during the night, and I said I would 974 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Nov. 15 go and get what were left, even if it was Sunday. I wonder if some of the good friends will not accuse me again of being loose in my ideas of keeping the Sabbath holy. Well, Mrs. Root and I went out with a tin pan to get the peaches; but we did not gather any of them on Sunday after all. Do j'ou know why? Why, the squirrels got ahead of us. They evidently had held a caucus in regard to the matter, and decided that, if those peaches were not gathered soon, on that very Sunday, these new tres- passers on their domains, which they had held during the whole fall, would be rob- bing (?) them. Some of you may inquire why I did not keep a shotgun and have squirrel for dinner. Because I have never learned how to shoot any kind of gun or pistol as yet. When we want a squirrel for dinner we usually catch one with a steel trap. Now a word more about hard physical work for a man between sixty and seventy. I do not know how it is with the rest of you, but it does not hurt }ne a bit; on the contrary, it does me good to work every fore- noon and every afternoon until my bones and muscles ache with fatigue. In a re- cent issue of the Practical Farmer friend Terry says an old physician told him that hard work docs not hurt a man provided he rests enough during the night to feel sound and well the next morning. Well, I think I never did more hard work — that is, mus- cular work — in my life before than I have during the past few weeks, and I certainly never before enjoyed such exuberance of health. I can not say how much that northern climate has had to do with it, but I suspect it has been a large factor. The children at home tried to persuade me that I would do just as well here in Medina if I kept away from the office and factor^', and did the same amount of hard work right out in the open air. There may be some truth in this, but it is not all of it. It is true that, when I am up in the northern woods I do not get into the office at all. My cor- respondence and writing for Gleanings is done rainy days and evenings. I have made now something over a dozen trips to Northern Michigan, and it has been a physical building-up every time — there has not been an exception. After I get back here to Medina my good appetite and healthy digestion hold out two or three weeks. After that time I usually begin to run down. The hot springs at Agua Cali- ente gave me perfect digestion without hard muscular work; but I did not have the en- thusiasm and love for hard work that I do in Michigan. I suppose the hot climate of Arizona would make a difference. Now a word about the potato business in the Traverse region. As the prices were up last 3'ear, and are now double what they usually are in that locality (40 to 45 cents), there is a great acreage, and people t^e worrj'ing a great deal about getting them dug before cold weather. As a consequence, help is very scarce. One farmer, I am told, ofiFered $3.00 a day and board for men to dig and pick up potatoes, and he could not get men at even that price. As a result, chil- dren stay out of school, and the farmers' wives and daughters help to pick up. One of the good women told me at Sunday-school she had been picking up potatoes, and she said she never did any work in her life that gave her such a ravenous appetite, and health corresponding. Some of you may smile about getting down to such drudgery as picking up potatoes; but, my friend, it is people who " do not have to " do such work that are to be pitied. Mrs. Root and I made a call at our neigh- bor Hilbert's just before we came back to Ohio. Mr. Hilbert himself is now in Cuba, and his wife and some of the children, ex- pect to follow him in a few days. Mr. Hil- bert's son. Holly, is taking care of the farm- work. I found him with two men in a big field digging potatoes. The variety was Carman No. 3, and they were getting about 300 bushels to the acre. The two little folks, Gladys and Jimmie, that I have told you about, were also picking up potatoes. Jimmie is seven, and Gladys is not quite five. It was between ten and eleven in the forenoon, and these two little chicks had actually picked up 50 bushels of Carman potatoes. Their mother offered them a cent a bushel. Some of the potatoes were so large that Gladys would almost need both her little hands to lift them into the potato- boxes. Now, friends, please do not rush to the idea that any of j'ou can go up there and grow 300 bushels of Carman potatoes per acre, and sell them for 45 cents per bushel. That would be Si 35 per acre in one season. The potatoes were also fine and large. There were not enough seconds to be worth mentioning. I think any dealer would take the pile just as I saw it dug, without throw- ing out a potato. I will tell you whj' you can not duplicate the above. Mr. Hilbert is one of the oldest and most successful farmers in that region. His fields where he raised these great crops have grown clover which has been turned under until the whole ground is a mass of fertility, and a part of the field was where he had some of his great crops of berries a year or two ago. The vines were so strong and rank that they had to be pulled out of the way by hand before the potatoes could be dug. Holly told me they grew so rank that the bugs bothered them hardly at all. The only fault that could be found with that crop of potatoes was that thej' were too large. I told Holly he should plant them close enough so as to make them smaller. He said he was going to plant onl}' Carman No. 3 on his farm next 3'ear, and that, furthermore, he would crowd them so close together there would have to be some small ones. In fact, he said he feared they would not have enough small potatoes for their own plant- ing. Oh dear me! I wish I could tell you of some similar crops in the way of yield around our cabin in the woods. One trouble 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 975 is, I tried growing' potatoes two j'ears in succession on the same ground. The bugs were bad, and I was not there to look after them, and the blight was bad. A near neighbor who used the Bordeaux mixture faithfully, mixing his Paris green with it, escaped the blight, while mine went down perhaps when they were half grown. My Carmans and King of Michigan did the best of an}' of them. A few Six Weeks po- tatoes that were planted early in April made a splendid yield of beautiful nice tu- bers. They ripened up before the bugs and blight got around. My main crop was planted, contrary to friend Hilbert's advice, about the middle of May. Mr. Hilbert's great crop was planted about the middle of June. Probably this made a great differ- ence. The new kinds that I tested from the Ohio Kxperiment Station all suffered more or less. They were planted about the middle of Maj'. Baker's Extra Early is a very nice potato, but it looks so much like Six Weeks I can hardly tell them apart. They are both a variety of the Early Ohio — at least I should call them so. They look very much like the Early Ohio, and ripen about the same time. Admiral Dewey was re- ported in a potato number of the Practical tanner b\' quite a number of persons as being one of the very best early potatoes. It very much resembles Carman No. 3. Early Fortune gave a great 3-ield at the Experi- ment Station, and a fair yield with us. It verj' much resembles a long Early Ohio. Earl}' Norwood is also a large yielder, with not much tendency to blight; also after the st3'le of the Early Ohio. Quick Crop is an- other one that I could hardl}' tell from the Early Ohio in color, shape, or time of rip- ening. Northern Beauty much resembles the Early Kose. It gave the largest yield of an}' potato tested at our Experiment Sta- tion. Hammond's Sensation, for which much has been claimed, especially in re- gard to being a handsome potato, gave a very moderate yield, and did not compare in looks with the Freeman or Carman No. 3; and, like most of the above earlies, it seemed to be so nearly like the Early Ohio that I could hardly tell one from the other. It, however, resembles the long- Early Ohio instead of the varietj' that is round like the Triumph. In reg^ard to our old varieties. Red Bliss, like Six Weeks, gives a very g-ood crop when planted in the fore part of April. Early Trumbull probably gave the best 3'ield of any of the earlies when planted in the mid- dle of May. Bovee gave a good yield, with a qualitj' superior to the averag-e early po- tato. New Queen gave a fine crop, even though planted on the same ground that bore a heavy crop the year before. Free- man gave us a fair crop of extra-nice hand- some potatoes as usual. Lee's Favorite gave perhaps the best yield of all, and the qual- ity is equal to any; but there are a good many crooked and prongy potatoes, and the deep eyes are an objection for table use. State of Maine, Carman No. 3, and King- of Michigan all did well. After our potatoes were all dug ^ind ship- ped back to Ohio we had some more hard work in taking care of a crop of five acres of Japanese tiuckwheat. I think I never got so tired before in my life — that is, in any kind of farmwork — as I did in tying up that buckwheat. As I never learned the trick of tying up bundles by making- a band of the straw, I get along faster by using- twine — the same kind we use for tying up bags. Of course, the modern way is to harvest buckwheat with appropriate ma- chinery. We did not have the machinery, and so we had to do it the old-fashioned way; and the old-fashioned way gave health and strength, and its attendant happiness and contentment.* I very much fear that, with our modern machinery, and our mod- ern way of living-, we are going to lose the health, strength, and enjoyment that our forefathers had. In fact, I am told already that employers in our great cities are obliged to go back into the country con- stantly to get boys and girls who amount to any thing-. Those brought up in the cities are " no g-ood." As for me, I do not know but I shall all my life prefer the " cabin in the woods," wiih its good old-fashioned ways, with health, strength, and happiness thrown in. OUR ADVERTISERS, HATCHING THE EARLY BIRD; A YEARLY IMPROVE- MENT IN PRICE AND MARKET FOR EARLY SPRING BROILERS. It is coniine to be more the case with each succeed- ing year that the cream of poultry profit is obtained by hatching, raising, and sending to maiket the chick- ens that have come to be commercially known as "broilers." This term includes, in a general way, birdsthat weigh from 1 to 2;^ pounds at an age of from two to four months. Of course, the highest prices are obtained during the early part of the season, say from March to May For this reason fully 90 per ct nt of poultry men use the incubator exclusively, as it enables ♦Perhaps I should mention right here that T. B. Ter- ry has been giving us, through the Piaclual Farmer, some good talks on the importance of outdoor air, day and night; and he i.s cjming down strong on the modern ways of heating — such as .steam and hot wa- ter in place of open grates. Nothing can insure plen- ty of outdoor air like the old-fashioned stove with its big open fireplace or grate. Well, that cabin in the wo ds is warmed with a drum stove that draws like a little steam engine; and pure air comes through the cr.icks in the floor. "We have not put in a tight floor, because we are contempl;Uing a good house or a little cottage, tight enough .so the n)ice can not gttin. Mrs. Root can not stand a house where mice have access. You may think our cabin a pretty cold p'ace to sleep in during October nights but, wait a minute. That drum stove will lake a log of wood two ftet long and eleven inches in diameter. We cut dowti a tree and saw it up in o lilocks bke the aVove. When they are thoroughly s-easoned they are kept in a nice little wood-honse. Or;e of these blocks holds fire all ni,ght, and keeps the cabin quite comfortable, especially with lots of woolen blankets. .So we have lieen living up there in the woods very much a-; the patients do at the modern sanitariums, w here they keep them outdoors, practically, day and night, summer and winter. You see I have beeii getting all this health and .--trength and happiness by tiking God's medicine; and he has prescribed it in answer to my repeated prayers of many years. Blessed be his holy name! When su- gar making time comes we expect to go back again to the cabin in the woods. 976 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Nov. 15 them to regulate the season and number of the hatch with entire independence of the hen, which need only furnish the eggs. In the matter of incubators they have been brought to a point where they actually beat the hen at her own gam-. Manufacturers have closely studied the natu- ral laws of incubation, and followed them minutely. In the machines made by George H Stahl. of Quincy, 111., known as the Excelsior and the " Wooden Hen," every problem of heat, moisture, and ventilation has been solved, audit is siid they will hatch a greater percentage of hatchable eggs than the mother hen herself under ordinary conditions. Fivem'nutes' daily attention when in operation is ajl they require Every one interested in poultry should write George H Stahl, Quincy, 111 , for his free catalog of Incubators and Poultry Appliances. It is wor'h having. Cut green bone is a necessi.y of the poultrj'man who wants to make money It is not a luxury which the hen, with a little privation, cm do without — it is some- thing that she must have if we expect her to do her best. When we keep a flock to make money out of them, we must feed them right. A good record for eggs depends chiefly on the feed. A wild fowl does not lay more than a dozen or two eg^s in a year, but we expect the domestic hen to lay twelve to fifteen dozen, and we can not get this for nothing. We must feed her just what she needs. The hen needs certain elem-nts which we can give her in cut bone at less cost than in any other feed. The o ily practical question is — how to provide the bone, and' the logical answer is get a green-bone cut- ter. Save the bones from the table and cut them up yourself; and if this is not enough, call at the nearest meat market, where they will be glad to give you at a nominal price all the fresh bones you can use. If you are a regular customer thej' may not charge you any- thing, especially if it is a store that buys your eggs. All grains contain bon: substance, l)ut not enough; and if hens have to depend on grain for bone material, they eat more than they need to supply them with other things. When you supply them with good fresh bone they do not need so much grain, and they will lay more eggs. Every extia egg after the hen's'board is paid aids just s'" much to the profits — makes her just that much more of a success. The catalogue of the " Dandy " bone-cutter, made by the Stratton Mfg. Co , Erie. Pa., is really a valuable book of hints on feeding poultry, and is sent free if you mention Gle.a.xings i.n Bee Culture. CONVENTION NOTICES. The twenty-fourth annual meeting of the Colorado State Bee-keepers' .\-soci.Htioa will be htld in Cham- ber of Commence Hall, Denver. Coloialo, .Vov. 2S, 24, and 25. -■\n unusually fine program has been pre- pared. One of the interesting features will be a dis- play of Colo ado-made bee suuplies .An earnest and cordial invitation is extended to all bee-keepers to be present. H. C. Morehouse, Sec'y. Boulder, Colo. The Missouri State Bee-keepers' Association will meet in Mexico, Mo., Dec. 15 1003. Mr. J. W. Rouse, of that place, will act as host to direct the attendants to the hall, which is free to all who desiie to attend. Board can be had at the leading hotels at $1.00 to $2 00 a day. Come, everybody who is interested in bees and honey. Let iis have a big meeting We now have 51 paid up members. L,et us have it 100. Procure certifi- cates from V our local railroad ticket agents when you purchase your tickets. It may be vou can return for one third fare W. T. C.\ry, Sec. Mr. A. 1. Root's Writings of Grand Traverse territory and Leelanau Co. are descriptive of Michigan's most beautiful section reached most conveniently via the Pere Marquette R. R. For pamphlets of Michigan farm lands and the fruit belt, address J. E. Merritt, Manistee, Michigan. WASN'T IT LUCKY THAT the runaway auto at Zanesville. O., fair, ran into Page Fence ? It had already counted over a scove of killed or injured before it struck the fence. Page Woven Wire Fence Co.. Box S. Adrian, Michigan. A Sewing- Machine for $2.50. The I^ony. Absolutel.v per- fect work, makin -' regular Wilcox & Gibbs chain Btiteh. Will do all kinds of plain family sewing. Especially adapted for travelers. And, how it will please the little girls to find one Christmas! How they will work on Dolly's clothes! Sent cc mplete with extra needle for only . . . $2.50: or mailed to any U.S. address forifi'i.Ha. F. J. Koot, 90 W. Broadway, New York. one season, planting in ro- tation cauliflower, cucum- bers, egg-plants, in beauti- ful, health-giving Manatee County. The most fertile section of the United States, where marvelous profits are being realized by farmers, trtickers, and fruit-growers. Thousands of acres open to free homestead entry. Handsomelj' illustrated de- scriptive booklets, with list of properties for sale or exchange in Vir- ginia, the Carolinas, Georgia, Florida, and Alabama, sent free. John W. White, Seaboard Air Line Railway, Portsmouth, Va. Splendid Location for Bee"' eepers. Wood=working Machinery. For ripping, cross-cut ting, raitering, grooving, boring, scroll-sawing, edge moulding, mortising ; for working wood in any man- ner. Send for catalog A, The Seneca Falls M'f'g Co., 44 Water St .. Seneca Fs.. N. Y. * Hand Power BARNES' Hand and Foot Power Machinery. This cut represents our combined circular saw^ which is made for bee- keeper's use in the con- struction of their hives, sections, boxes, etc., etc. Machines on Trial. Send for illustrated cata- log and prices. Address W. F. & Jno. Barnes Co., 545 Ruby St., Rockford. : lUlnois. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 977 CHICKS THAT L5VE p'-t s' .11111.' aiiil lii'iillhj— K:iin sti-adily in wt'i^')it. ;:ru cliiiUs h:ilc!iiHlin luiiable IncT.Uaiors. The Reliable jirovidpi niitnnintionlly a constant I'lirront ol oilmU'ss, warm air iit a tniiloi in temperature— oliiiks i>ip. liatth and thrive nn- der its natnre-liUei'onilitions. Senil It) ctnis iinil tjct; our ■-'I'lh nnniial c-alalor—luU of I'.uiltiv inlo> iti:itii ii. Reliable Incubator and Brooder Co., Box B-\9>Quincy, III. QUEENS-ATTENTION I--QUEENS. To have the best queens in every line, plenty of them, to merit your orders by accurate mailing, de- livered in good order. Prompt attention is our fixed purpose. Full colonies and nuclei a specialty. Write for catalog and prices. The Jennie Atchley Co., Box 18, Beeville, Tex. from Best Italian Stock $1.00; select, Si. 25. J. B. CASE, Port Orange, Florida. For Queens Address Ceo. J. Vande Vord Queen-breeder. Daytonia, Fla. HONEY QUEENS I shall continue breeding those fine queens for the coming season of 1904. Meantime I shall carry over a large number of queens in nuclei with which to fill orders the coming winter and early spring. I am breeding the Holy Lands, the Golden and Leather strains of pure Italians. Your orders will receive Erompt and careful attention. Single queen, $1.25; ve for fo 00. Breeders of either race, Jo. 00 each. W. H. Laws, Beeville, Texas Sections, shipping cases, Honey cases, and every thing necessary for the bee keeper. FINE ITALIAN QUEENS. Prompt shipping. Catalog Free. C. M. Scott & Co., Indianapolis, Ind. 1004 East Washington Street. CHas. Israel (Si Brothers 486. 400 Canal St., New YorK. Wholesale Dealers and Commissicn Merchants in Honey, Beeswax, Maple Sugar and Syrup, etc. Consignments Solicited. Kstablished 1875. 4,000,000 PEACH=TREES TKN.NKSSKIC WHOLES.'VI.E NtTRSKRIES. June Buds a Specialty. No agents traveled, but sell direct to planters at wholesale prices, .\bsolutely free from diseases, and true to name. Write us for catalog and prices before placing vour order elsewhere. We guaratitee our stock to be true to name. Largest peach nursery in the world. Address J. C. HALE. Winchester, fenn. Victor's Superior Italian Queens. 1200 in stock. Two hundred of these queens I wish to close out this season ; the other 1000 I will reserve for earlj' qtieens for next season. As long- as they last, I will till from the 200 queens at the following' reasonable prices. One Untested Queen. 75c. One Select Untested Queen, pOc. One Tested Queen, $1.00. One Select Tested Queen, $1.50. Remember ,^ that I will open business next season (1904) with 1000 queens in stock, and that "Su- perior quality" is my motto — for years has had my best thought and effort. Send me 3'our address on a postal card for one of my 1904 price-lists, beautifully illustrated, as follows: Aswarmof Victor's Long- Tongue clover-stock Italian bees on his naked arm. How a queen should lay. This is a most beautiful frame of brood solidly sealed; and other beautiful illustra- tions fully described. Be sure to ask forgone of my 1904 Price Lists. W. 0. Victor, Wharton, Tex. Queen^specialist. Ralston Health C\uh'il^^,Vf^,,,^^!^lt. ship over 1,000000. Purposes: health, happiness, and long life. No periodical fees to pay, but any money turned in is returned in value by hooks of your choice. Send for "Book Qentral Membership," prepaid |1.25. Truths of this club contained in above book are proved by experiment. Does not teach medicine. Address MARTIN E. ANDERSON, Lindsborg, Kan. "I'm a member, soliciting more members by .spread- ing the General Membership Book. It has gone through SO editions." If you are interested in Cuba and want the truth about it, subscribe for the HAVANA POST, the only English paper on the Island. Published at Havana, Cuba. $1.00 per month, $10.00 per year. Dai- ly (except Monday). EXTENSION AXLE NUTS Make old buggv run like a new one. Sure cure for wabbles and rattles. Quick seller and very profitable. AGENTS W.\ NTH D. Hardware Specialty Co., Box 129, Pontiac, Mich. POULTRY JOURNAL How to Make Poultry- Pay. A paper worth a dollar, but will send it to you one year on trial, including book, Plans for Poultry Houses, for 25c. Sample copy FREE. inland Poultry Journal, Indianapolis, Ind. f Fruit- „»_^_^__,-^_,_ read the best fruit-paper. SEND TEN CP'.NTS and the names and ^r thing you want. G't < ur gigantic paper wliich ,irnts thousand^ of er« rhanee advprtisements. Six tuonths' tr al suhscription. ln<-ts. "TUIS FOB THAT" PIB. CO., 0. 190 alar Bldg., CIIICAUU. liOO vaiieiivH.AisoCirapeaj^niall t ruitseicijest root- ed stock. Genuine, cheap, i; sample currants mailed for luc. iJesc. piice list free. LEWIS KOEsCH, Fredonia, N. V- Y I OU'RE LOOKING for ju^^t such a inachine as Miller's ne Ideal Incubator, the perfect hatcher.sent on 80 days' trial. Abso- lutely automatic. Test it yourself. Bifr poultry and poultry supply book free. _ J. W. Miller Co., Bos 48,Freeport,Ill. I A 200 Egg ^ INCUBATOR Perfect in construction and action. Hatches every fertile egg. Write for catalog to-day. GEO. H. STAHL, Quincy, III THE SUCCESSFUL made. It's n. in principle, worli right. Require least attention and ti-i 1 least 'j /ff under all All us East. iip>lT tilled frni Buffalo house. Incu iltry Caialcc lOcts. Des Moines Incubator Co. Dept. S03, Des Moines, la POVLTSY PAYS •when the hens lay. K3ep them laying. For hatching and brood- ing i:3e the best reasonable priced lacabatcrs and Brooders — built upon honor, sold upon guarantee, THE ORMAS Xj. a. Banta, Lisonier, Indiana This Lightning Lice Killing Machine kills all lice and uiites No injury to Ijiriis or feathers. Handles any fowl, smallest chick to lar_'cst L'obbler. MrAe in three sizes Pays for itself first season. ,\l3o Lhihtni-n;! Li-e Killinff r'owder. Pmltry Hits, Licp Muree-keepiDg State, giving eight beautiful illn-trations made fr ni photos taken by himself (v'neii on his recent visit to California. Several of these are full page. November or December will be a special num- ber in which the editor will describe that paradise for bee-keepers. Northern Michigan using a large nvimber of cuts made fr. m photos that he took la^t summer while on an extended visit to that region. Perhaps you may have intended sub- scribing at the beginning of the j'ear — subscribe now and you will get the back numbers — wait until January and it is not likely j'ou wnll get them. SUPERIOR STOCK, The price of a queen alone is $1.50, but I sell one queen and the Review for one yearforonl}' $2 00. Just at present, asex- Jjlained above, as long as the supply of back numbers for 1903 holds out, all new sub- scribers for 1904 will receive them free. In other words, if you order soon you can get the Review for 1903 and 1904 and a queen of the Superior Stock next Spring, for only S2.00. I W. Z. Hutchinson, Flint, Mich. V. J 980 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Nov. 15 Gleanings in Bee Culture [Established in 1873.] Devoted to Bees, Honey, and Home Interests. Published Semi-monthly by The A. I. Root Co., - - Medina, Ohio. A. I. ROOT, Editor of Home and Gardening Dep'ts. E. R. ROOT, Editor of Apicultural Dept. J. T. CALVERT. Bus. Mgr. A. L. BOYDEN, Sec. TERMS. $1.00 per annum : two years, $1.50; three years, $2.00; five years, $3.00, in advance; or two copies to one address, $1.50 ; three copies, $2.00 ; five copies, ^.75. The terms apply to the United States, Canada, •nd Mexico. To all other countries 48 cents per year extra for postage. The National Bee-Keepers' Association. Objects of The Association : To promote and protect the interests of its members. To prevent the adulteration of honej-. Annual Membership, $1.00. Send dues to the Treasurer. Officers : W. Z. Hutchinson, Flint, Mich., President. J. XJ. H.-^RRis, Grand Junction, Col., Vice president. George W. York, Chicago, 111., Secretary. N. E. France, Platteville, Wis., Gen. Mgr. and Treas. Board of Directors: E. "Whitcomb, Friend, Nebraska. W. Z. Hutchinson, Flint, Michigan. W. A. Selser, 10 Vine St., Phildadelphia, Pa. R. C. AiKiN, Loveland, Colorado. P. H. Elwood, Starkville. N. Y. E. R. Root, Medina, Ohio. 17 DO Toepperwei.n, San Antonio, Texas. G. M. Doolittle. Borodino, N. Y. W. F. Marks, Chapinville, N. Y. J. M. Hamb.-\ugh, Escondido, Cal. C. A. Hatch. Richland Center. Wis. C. C. Miller, Marengo, Illinois. Special Notices by A. I. Root. the crown that is just over our heads, and WITHIN OUR reach. When I spoke about my Bible-reading, on page 969, I had lost my list of references Since then it has un- expec edly come to light, and I submit here the reaa- in.gs for those who maj- care to know what the Bible saj'S of Bunvan's figure of the man with the rake : I. Cor 9 : 2.5 ; II Tim, 4:7; Tames 1 : 12 ; I. Peter 5 : 2 —4 ; Rev 2 : 7, 10. 20 ; Rev. 3 :"5, 12. 21. It will be noticed the passages from Revelation do not all refer to the crown, hut they speak of the prom- ise " to him that overcometh." W.-VNTED— seed OF THE C.ALIFORNI.\ S.AGE. If any of the friends in California can furnish us a pound or two, or even les-:, of either the white or black sage that bears honey in California we shall be vtrj- glad to get it. If you can not get us a pound, send us an ounce of one or both kinds, and we will try to pay j'ou for your time and trouble. D.A.VIS W.\X BEANS, ETC. Last season we at one time paid $6. .50 a bushel for Davis VI ax beans to fill orders. About this time I dis- covered many of our potatoes were not coming up. in consequence of the protracted cold wet weather just about the time they were planted. In about two hours one of our bo.\s with a hand planter put a hill of beans wherever a hill of potatoes was missing. Well, I pull- ed and dried and thrashed them all, and got about lour bushels of nice beans, I thought btst to mention it for fear some of the friends might think I am not much of a farmer after all, if it took me three weeks to har- vest two acres of potatoes and five acres of buckwheat, even if I did have to do it almost alone. I do not know now what wax beans are going to be worth for seed for ne.xt year. Of course, they were cultivated when we cultivated the potatoes ; but we could just as well cultivate some hills of beans as to keep cultivating all through the season around "' nothing at all." SEED POTATOES FOR 1904. Instead of having 1000 bushels to sell, as I had a year ago, I have scarcelj' 100. I have not seen any other prices quoted by any other seedsman; but there will probably not be very much variation from the prices given below, the same as we slarted out with last year: TABLE OF PRICES. NAME. Varieties are In order as regards time of ma- turing ; earlie.«t first, next earliest second, and so on. Red Bliss Triumph Six Weeks Early Michigan Early Trumbull Bovee New Queen Freeman Lee's Favorite Twentieth Century State of Maine Carman No. 3 King of Michigan California Russet New Craig Whitton's White Mam. _• p s M A SI PM £> SI d -H m EC $ 18 $ 4(1 * sn IH 411 8(1 IH 45 85 (iO 1.(KI 85 (id 1,(KI 85 (id I.INI 5(1 H5 1 m 85 (id \.w :H5 tiO 1,00 85 BO 1,U0 Seconds, while we have them, will be half price. A barrel can be made up of as many varieties as you choose, and they will be at barrel prices if you have a w'lole barrel or mere In addition to the kinds mentioned in the table, I planted as a test one peck each of several varieties all highly recommended by our OhioExpeiiment Station. They are mostly early or extra early. The prices will be the same as the earli'es in the table They are as fol- lows: Admiral Dewey, Early Norwood, Early Fortune, Hammond's .Sensation, Imes' Blight-proof Early Ohio, Baker's F'xtra Early Quick Crop, and Northern Beauty. This last gave the highest yield (321 bushels per acre) of any potato early or late, tested at the Ohio Experiment .Station. We hardly think it safe to ship potatoes after the first of December unless they are going somewhere south. In fact, we have successfully shipped potatoes all winter for many years past to the Southern States by packing them in dry sawdust and lining the bar- rels with heavy paper. We can ship as above, or we will keep them safely in our potato-cellars until next April, or later if you prefer. A: our crop is very limited this year, if \ ou want any of the above veri- ties jou had better send in j'our order at once. THE SPED .\ND PLANT BUSINESS OF THE .4. I. ROOT CO. After having sold vegetable seeds and plants for al- most twenty years, I reluctantly announce that I am about to give it up. In fact, our seed department has already been sold to E, C. Green & Son, of this place. Many of you are somewhat acquainted with Mr, Green from his writings in GleanIings and other agricul- tural pipers. He was for many years connected with the Ohio Experiment Station, and had charge of the department for testing new vegetables. He is also the originator of Burpee's tomato. Fordhook Fancy; also several varieties that are offered bj' Livingston, In fact, he hns all his life been connected more or less with orisinating new plants and vegetables. The son is now in our employ, where he can have daily consul- tation with me in regard to getting hold of the minu- tiae of our seed business I confess it makes me feel sad, however, to think of dropping the very pleasant acquaintance of those who have for years p^st entrust- ed us with their orders for seeds; but with the recent enlarging and development of our apiarian business we have found it absolutely necessary to drop all side 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 981 issues. We shall still hold on to seed potatoes and the seed business of all honey-plants and every thing per- taining to the production of honey; and I hope to have a nice garden to show our friends, wnere they can see all the new and old honey-plants growing I also ex- pect to visit greenhouses and gardens, and to continue to write up 'High-pressure Gardening," and other gardening and fruit-growing, with other rural indus- tries more or less connected with bee-keeping. Permit me to add that before this step was decided on, quite a lot of garden-seeds were grown expressly for us. By having them grown to order we are sure they are not only fresh, and true to name, but we are enabled to give very much lowr-r prices than where we are compelled to buy our seeds from some other parly. Our successors, E C. Green & Son. will have all of these specially grown seeds. Those who have pur- cha'-ed them from us during the past two or three years know how well they have turned out. Just as we go to press we have received news that the Natio-al .Associat on won its suit in San Antonio, Texas. Particulars will be given later. FIVE-ACRE IRRIGATED TRACTS. Four acres of it set to Alfalfa, Frtiit-trees, or Grapes, cultivat- ed, fenced, and attended to by us. All for $3 per •weeK for 5 years (S780), less valtie of crops. Best climate. Best soil. Best markets in U. S. Full particulars on application. OREGON LAND «5l "WATER. CO. Umatilla, Oregon. Bone Gutter bones. Fort' Loui-sl ill Pi f r ciittini-' oreen p iioultryiiian. I'-r.^t mtl.e world. i< f. .seritl for c-in-u ar and testi- !..>T i5.-.>s , R^ ■(> . "\. 90 THOROUQHBRED MINORCA COCKERELS. ^^ Fine. Price 7.>c to 51 • 0 w orlh J-2.C0 each. Q. Routzahn, Biglerville, Pa. For Sale. — Clover or buckwheat extracted honey, in Kvvlb. kegs. Wiite for prices. Sample. 8c. C. B. Howard, Romulus, N. Y. For S.^LE.— 1000 lbs. Xo. 1 white comb, at He, and 20ev. Price must be low. B. Walker, Clyde. 111. ANTED. — The address of all who are still in need of cartons. Quirin the-Quee.n' breeder. Parkertown, Ohio. ANTED.— To sell 1.5.000 lbs. best white-clover ex- tracted honey in 60-lb. cans, at 854 cts. per lb. Walter S. Pouder, 512 Mass. .Ave., Indianapolis, Ind. WANTED. — To exchange a two hundred-egg Relia- ble incubator, been used very little, for choice comb or extracted honey. Chas. Koeppen, Fredericksburg, Va. \X^.ANTED — Bee keepers to try our p-^inting, 100 " envelopes, note-heads, or statements 40c; 2-50, $1.00. All postp.iid. Can use queeus and berry- plants in exchange. M. T YorxG, Girard. Pa. WANTED. —To sell .Angora kittens: perfect pets and ''^ beauties, 4 to 6 months old; colors, blick, blue, orange, and gi"ay. Prices: Males. 55 00; females, $1.00; pairs, $8 00. Rarlv orders secure best selection. J. W. Deane, Maple Hill Farm. Freedom, Me. YVANTED— To sell best tvpe-writer for bee-keepers; '" practical, handy, low-priced. For exchange. Mann green-bone mill, goodas new. co't fl6.(0 Wa"t8-frame L- or Dovetailed liive-; or extracting supers fo same; extracting-combs from healthy apiary: double shotgun, 16 gauge. H.-\RRY L.athrop, Monroe, Wis. W.ANTED.— To sell 150 shallow extra cting-frames, mostly filled with comb; one Wilson's Daisy (hand or poweri green-bone cutter: one one-horse power speed jack, tumbling-rods, knuckles, belting, all complete: $25 takes the outfit: ode Odell typewrit- er, little u ed, good as new, 510. Wanted. Vol. I. of Hoone's 'Inttoduc'ion to the Critical Study of the Holy Scriptures :" odd volumes of the "■ Practical Works and Sermons" of the Rev. Ralph Erskine. A. M.; back volumes of Zion's Watch Tower. 1879 to 1891. Address Wm. Findlay. Basco, 111. WANTED.— To sell machinery for bee-hive factory, consisting of 10 h. p horizontal boiler and 8 h. p. engine combined on skids. Four-piece section planer saw. capacitv 1-50 to 180 pieces p^r minute; dovetailing table, rip saw table, cut off table, turning-lathe, all of hea\-v maple frames: 22-in. surface planer, 45 ft. turn- ed 2'in. shaft, hangers pulleys, and belts, complete, cost 8850 00. All in pood order, and been u.sed but little. Will t-ke $4.50.00 f engine cost |4r'0 00^ to make quick sale, as our truck farm takes all our time. Write for full particulars. F. & H. P. Langdon. Maple Ridge Farm, Constable, N. Y. 982 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Nov. 15 PACE * LYON New London, Wisconsin. MANUFACTURERS OF AND DEALERS IN . . . BEE-KEEPERS' SUPPLIES. . . . Send for Our Free New Illustrated Catalog and Price List We Have Not rioved. The government, recognizing the necessity of a great and growing bus- iness enterprise, for better mail ser- vice has given us a postoffice on our premises, which enables us to change mails with the passing trains instead of through the Wetumpka, Alabama, postofiBce more than a tnile distant. This gives us our mails about two hours earlier, and also one hour for making up outgoing mail. This w^ill be particularly helpful in our queen business. We are now booking or- ders for Italian qvieens, I,ong-tongued and I^ KretcHsner M'Fgf Compaffiy, Box CO, Red Oa.K, Iowa. Be?t-equippecl factory in the West; carry a large stot-k and greatest variety of every thing needed in the apiary, assuring BEST goods at the LOWKST prices, and prompt sliipment. V'e want every bee-lieeper to have our FREE ILLUSTRATED CATALOG, and read description of Alternating Hives, Ferguson Supers. IVrite at once for catalog. Agencies. Trester Supply Company, Lincoln, Neb. . bhugart u are one of our readers and the book will reach you in a tew days. SPRAY PUMFS The Pump That" SPRAY Double-actJng.Llft, PUMPS Tank and Spray M' store Ladders, Etc. i^r^^M dToreih Co=Opera= tion you avoid paying profits to any one: the savings efl cted flow back into your po. ket in the shape of lower pi ices and hardsome divi- dends from the general trade, divided among our shareholders. We Have Several Thousand Shareholders representing every state of the Union and nearly every civilized land; men and women from everj (♦> fjfK m f^\^>J' Co- Operative SaciGty,"*^ walk of life-all enthusiastic with the practical results of co-operation. We Want You to Join Us and ask you to write for our complete "Book of Informat'on" which we will send to any one fre- of all charges on request. The book .sets forth our wonderful plan of doing bujsiness direct by mail on the Co=Operative Plan with over half a million customers throughout the world; shows how we save ihem from 25 to -10 per cent on everything they eat, wear, and use; gives statLsucs showing that the famous co operitive -stores in England leturned to their shareholders last year 40 Per Cent. In Dividends on Their Capital bcMdes saving them an enormous amount of money on the r purchases, which aesreeated $130 000,000 The bock is a wonderfu?m?ne of busmess informati n, and is sent you free to- gether with Bank and Mercantile references a istof sharehoders and scores of enthusiastic lettersof endorserrent from bankers lawyers manufacturers, merchants, mechanics, farmers' laborers, housewives, etc. ' REFERENOES-Metropolitan Trust and Savings Bank, Chicago, Registrar-; Mi-s-srs. Eord & Thomas, Aclvfrtising Agency; Duu s or Bradstreet's Mercan- tile Agencv; any railroad or exi>ress conap.my. The publishers of this or any newspaper or magazine. .Any bank or ri'putable business house in Chicago. Representatives Wanted. Write for Particulars. Established 1885. Re = Chartered 1903. Capital FIVE MILLION DOLLARS. Nearly a Million Customers. :First National: (Cash Buyers Union; 345 Casli Buyers \i/ Bid., Chicago, Ill.V/ f4r Volume XXXI DECEMBER 1 1903 PBEEGUUmH Makket Quotations 991 Straws, by Dr. Miller 995 Pickings, by Stenog^ 997 convkksations with doolittle 958 * Editorials 999 Self-«!paci!ig or Loose frames Countins; the Cost The Cincinnati Convention Automatic Clockwork Smoker Aikin's Hoiie\-bags The 1,0s Angele-» Conventiou Profits in Bee-keeping Important Victory for the N. B. K. A.., Coming m Contact with the Bees ...999 .1000 .1000 ..1000 ..JOOl .1002 .1003 .1005 .1005 Heads of Grain. Extracting-hou'e on Wheels 1005 l)r Millei's Furnace heat d Cellar 1008 The Cacti of Anzona for Honey ..1009 A partitiontd-ofi Cellar for Wintering Bees... 1009 Non swarniers joog Mosquito Hawks 1010 Yellow Jackets .....; 1010 Chickens Eating- Queens 1010 Handling the German Wax-press 1011 Wiring Frames JOU Leach's Bottom-board Feeder 1011 Do Bees keep Queens from laying? 1012 Drone Comb from \V orker Foundation 1012 Wheelbarrow springs 1012 A Hemp Bee-brush ]013 Skunks— How to Destroy Them 1013 The Formaldehyde Cure 1014 New l.iglit on Bulk Comb Honey 1014 Our Homes 1015 Health Notes...* 1019 Special Notices 1028 .1008 W The A . I. kM% Root CqA^ \ g MEDINA ySW^J OHIO i) f >4 Eastern Edition. Entered at the Postofkice at Mkdina. Ohio, as Second-class Matter. DON^T BUY SUPPLIES until you see our 43d annual cat- alog-. We've a carload of Root's Goods, and supply many goods not advertised in our catalog^. Root^s Sections, Weed's New' Process Foundation a Specialty. ! We can supply these goods at their prices, and thereby save you valuable time and heavy freight charges. Bees, queens, and nucleus colonies from the very best strains in America. A 32-page' illustrated catalog free. W. W. GARY & SON, Lyonsville, Massachusetts. TORONTO is the most centrally located city in the Do- mioion. It has unequaled shipping facil- iiit s for prompt transportation of goods to remote points. We have already in stock large consignments of the celebrated line of Root's Bee-Keepers' Supplies and other shipments will be coming for- ward from time to time. Our catalog is ready for mailing. Let us figure with you. E. GRAINGER cil CO. 12 Yoni>e Street Arcade. Special Notice to Bee=keepers I BOSTON Money In Bees for You. Catalog Price on ROOT'S SUPPLIES Catalog: for the Asking. P. H. Parmer, 182 Friend St., Boston, Mass. Up First FliKht. Northeastern and New England Bee = Keepers! Order goods now. Don't delay. Have them ready when you need them. We keep a full line in stock at Medina prices. Save both time and freight by order- ing of us. Beeswax want- ed. Bees and queens fur- nished in season. J. B. MASON, iVlechanic Falls, Maine. Manager The A. I .loot Go's N. E. Agency. MICHIGAN ^ BEE-KEEPERS We offer 4 P<*r Cent. Discount for cash orders dur- ing December. We are Jobbing Agents for The A. I. Root Co. in MICHIGAN; let us quote you prices on sections and hives. M. H* Hunt & Son, BELL BRANCH, ^ MICH. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 991 Honey Market. GRADING-RtrLES. Fanct.— All sections tobrw. 11 filled, combs straight, firm ly uttachi->i to ull four siiK-s. ( lie combs unsoiled by travel Btnin or otherwise ; all tlii' c .i U sealud oxceut an occasional 0«1I, the outside surface of I lir wood well scraped of propolis A No 1.— All sections will tilled except tlio row of cells next to the wood ; combs straight ; one-eighth part of comb Burfacesoiled, or the entire mi r face slightly soiled the out Bide of the wood well scraped of propolis. No. 1.— All sections well tilled except the row of cells next to the wood ; combs comparat Ivoly even ; one-eighth part of comb surface snilid, or the entire surface sliRhtly soi t d. No. 2.— Throe-fourths of the total surface must be filled and sealed. No. 3.— Must weigh at least half as much as a full-weight section. In addition to this the honey is to be classified according to color, using the terms v hite, amber, and dark that i», there will be " £auoy White," " No. 1 Dark," etc San Antonio.— I have now arranged to keep bulk, comh, and cxtrwcted honey in hot storage rooms all winter for prompt shipping, and should be pleased to have your business in I lie future. I handle only strictly first-class, white pure honey. I quote you for the next ten d ys. fob. San A touio, the following: Bulk com') honey. (iOlb. cans. 2 in cas-, S-in. s.-rew cap' 9. 12 lb. friciionlop pails, 10 in case, 9^: ti-lb. frict on top p.iils, 10 in case, 10'/4; 31). friction-top pails. 2d in case. II. Ex'racled honey, l'/4. No 3 white lomb, lf(a,12; No. 1 buckwheat, 11S4 '/2- Beeswax. 28.0 31). W. C ToWNSEND, Nov. 12. 178 & 180 Perry St., Buflalo, N. Y. SCHKNECTADY. — The crop of honey seems to have been much largtr than at fii st reported, and producers nre now liecomiiig anxious to dispone of ilieir stock. There ha\e been two or thiee cat loads here from the we-t and our market is wtll supplied, Hiid prices are easier. Fancv white, li: No. 1. 1 i(g UJ^: mixed. 13(g> 13^. buckwheat, 12^8(13; extracted, light, (i!4(o 7 J4;dark, »)'^. Chas. McCuli.och, Nov. 26. Schenectady, N. Y. Cincinnati.— The demand for comb honey is slower now than it was six week'^ago, owing to the enormous qiiantilies offered on all .'•ides. Fancy comb is sold in single case lots at 14. The supply cf extracted honey is b'g. although the demand is good. We are sellii g amber extracted in barrels at 5^(aG}^; white clover, in barrels and cans, 7}4(g8J4, according lo quality Bees- wax, 30. Thk Fred W, Muth Co.. Nov. 30. Front & Walnut, Cincinnati, Ohio. San Francisco. — Honey, nfw comb, white, 12r3)14; amber, 10(^12; ext' acted, water-white. 5!4Cff*>; light amber, 5(g;d>6; daik amber, 4^(a5. Beeswax, 30. Krnest B. Schaeffle, Nov. 12. Murphys, Cal. Albany. — Heavy demand some easier as is usually the case as weather grows colder. We quote: Fancy, white comb, 15%(all); A No. I, 15; No. 1. 14, mixed, 13(a> 13^; buckwheat, 13io I3J^, We notice much improve- ment Ml the better slupe honey receipts come in now since the handle racks or carrieis aie being used. Honev arriv s in good order, and sells by the rack. Buyers buy more than by single case, as it is .so con- venient to handle. Like ihe now universal use of the standard pound sections, these improvtinents are a great benefit to the honey indii.<-try. MacDougal & Co.. Nov. 27. 375 Broadway, Albany, N. Y. Boston. — Western honey is arriving more freely in our Slate, causing a slight drop in prices Fancy No. 1 ill cartons bring •> 17; A No I, l(i: No. I, 15; extracted white, S'/i; light ambtr, 7(a7l4\ amber, ()(a 7 Blake, Scoti & I,ee, Nov. 25. Boston, Mass. Cincinnati. — The demand for honey is a little better. The prices rul<- about the same. Extracted, anil er. in bar els 5X(S*T/4; in cans, about V^c more; water-white alfalfa, 0(0*54; white clovci, ti^®"!^. The comb-honey ma ket is quite live ly, and sells as follows: Fancy w^ter-white, 14ial5. Beeswax is in good de- mand, and I will now pay 30 del vered here. C. H. W. Wkber. Nov. 24. 214f) Central Ave., Cincinnaa, Ohio. Wanted. — To sell 2ti0'-lbs. pure white-clover ex- tracted honey, in (ilJ-lb. cans, at 7c per pound. N. A. Knapp, Rochester, O. For Sale.— Amber honey, in bbls 6c lb ; cans 754c lb. up. Beeswax wanleil. will piy highe.-t market price I. J. Stringham, 105 Park Place, New York. For Sale.— 5000 lbs. of fine comb and extracted hon- ey, mostly all comb. L,. Werner, Box 387. Edwardsvil.e, 111. For Sale.— Three tons comb honey, in 4x5 sections, put up in glass-front cases. J, I. Chenoweth, Albia, Iowa. For Sale.— Thirty barrels choice extracted white- clover honty Can put it up in any style of package desired. Write for prices, mentioning style of pack- age, and quantity wanted. .Sample mailed on receipt of three cents in P. O. stamps. Emil J. Baxter, Nauvoo, Hancock v.o., 111. For Sale.— Extracted honey. Finest grades for ta- ble use. Prices quoted on application. Sample ty mail, 10 cts. to pay for package and postage. Orel L. Hershisf.r, 301 Huntington Ave., Buffalo, N. Y. For Sale.— White clover extracted honey, guaran- teed finest quality, at S'/^ cts., in cases of one 5S-lh can; at 9 cts, in cases of 12 5-Ib friction top p.Tils, and in cases of 21 2'/4-lb. friction-lop cans. Fad amber honey at 7 cts. in 58-lb. cans Samples, 10 cts. each. R. & E- C. Porter, Lewistown, 111. For S.ALE. — Clover or buckwheat extracted honey, in l()5-lb. kegs. Wiite for prices. Sample 8c. C. B. Howard, Romulus, N. Y. For Sale.— 1000 lbs. No. 1 white comb, at lie, and 2000 lbs. No. 1 extracted, at 75^c. W. D. Soper. Route 3, Jackson, Mich. For Sale.— Comb and extracted honey, buckwheat and amber. Write for prices. N. I.. STFVhNS, Route (), Moravia, N. Y. 992 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE Dec. 1 '< HONEY JARS =^= 1-lb. sq. jars with corks $5.00 gross Eagle or No. 25 jars $5.75 gross Nickel Cap jar, fancy, $5.50 gross. Catalog giving prices on every thing a bee-keeper needs, with season discounts, mailed free. BEESWAX WANTED. Will pay highest market prices. I I. J. STRINCHAM, Apiaries, Glen Clove, L. I. 105 Park Place, New York. I U/>e Best Bee-g'oods in tKe World are no better than those we make, and the chances are that they are not so good. If you buy of us yovL will not be disappointed. We ^re undersold by no one. Send for w catalog and price list and free copy of THE .MERICAN BEE-KEEPER; in its thirteenth year ; 50 cents a year ; especially for beginners. U/ye W. T. Falconer Man'f 'g Co., Jamestown, New YorK. W. M. Gerrish, Epping, New Hampshire, carries a full line of our goods at catalog prices. Order of him and save the freight. 3^10 HI XC3rJ^l. These papers, although oa the same subject, are conducted so differently, and contain such a variety of reading matter, that every bee-keeper should have them both. And thej' can be had for a whole year for $1.60. Address all orders to ^he A. I. ROOT COMPANY. MEIDINA, OHIO. ♦ ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ ♦ ♦ ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ ♦ Dittmer's Foundation. RETAIL, AND "W^HOLESALE. This foundation is made by a process that produces the superior of any. It is the cleanest and purest. It has the brightest color and sweetest odor. It is the most transparent, because it has the thinnest base. It is tough, clear as crystal, and gives more sheets to the pound than any other make. WorKing Wax into Foundation for CasK a Specialty. Bees-wax Always ^Want- ed at Highest Price. Catalog giving full line of supplies, with prices ar'" samples, free on application. E. Grainger & Co.. Toronto, Ont., Sole Aeents for t.anada. Gus. Dittmer, Augusta, Wis. MarsHfield Manufacturing Co. Our specialty is making SECTIONS, and they are the best in. the market. Wisconsin bass- wood is the right kind for them. We have a full line of BEE-SUPPLIES. Write for FREE illustrated catalog and price list. Oie MarsHfield Manufacturing Company, Marsl\ileld, "Wis. / Fr\iit-aro ^ wers ie^ular price o(J cciit- lead the liC'Sl fniil-paper SHN'D TEN CENTS ;iiul I he 7iatne>~ and addresses o' ten goud fruit growers to^OUTHERN FRUIT GRO'^VER.. Cliaitaiiooga. fur si.x inoiiths' trial suhscnpiion. iitlioiuy mh tniu-giowiiig. Sample f i ee if you mention this paper. J 994 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Dec. 1 I RANTED! Fancy Comb Honey I •^ ^'. ■^ In No drip shioping cases. Also, Amber extract- ^ ^ ed, in barrels or cans. Quote your best price ^' ^ delivered Cincinnati. .' .* .* .* .' ^ I The Fred W. Muth Co., E/Sr" Cincinnati, O. | Four Per Cent Discount During' December. Send for our List, and order now. Take advantage of this Discount. Have your goods on hand ready for use. Just Think of It ! If all of the sections we sold last season were placed, unfolded, in a straight line the line would reach Three Thousand F^ive Hundred Miles. Perfect Workmanship acd Finest Material. All parts of our Hives are made to Fit Accurately. No trouble in setting them up. Our customers say it is a pleasure. We are not selling goods on Name Only. But on their Quality. G. B. LEWIS COMPANY, Manufacturers Bee-Keepers* Supplies, Watertow^n, Wisconsin, U. S. A. Let Me vSell or Buy Your Honey If you have some to offer, mail sample with lowest price expected, delivered in Cincinnati. — ^ , «kj J state quality and kind wanted, and I will quote you price. We W 1I!\ ^l66Cl do business'on the cash basis in buying or selling. Full StocK of Bee-supplies, tHe best niak.cle. R.oot*s Goods at THeir Factory Prices. Seeds of Honey-plants. C. H. W. WEBER, CINCINNATI, OHIO. 2146-8 Central A.ve. Sue. to CHas. F. MutH and A.. Muth. JOURHAU • delvoted; •AND Honey •AHD home:- -^j •INTE-FIEST^ fublishcdby H'E-A l1^00l' Co SiajPEilVtAR.^'XQ) riEDINAOHlO- Vol. XXXI. DEC J, J 903. No. 23 ^^^jDkCCMiier. Let me ask J. J. Burke whether that honej' that soured, p. 967, was not extract- ed while yet too thin. My hand is to my ear, listening to hear what Henry Alley calls back to Geo. W. Phillips after reading p. 959. [I made a similar remark after reading Mr. Phillips' article. "But," says Mr. P., "should I soft soap mj' article to such an extent that I would siy wh'it I do not believe?" "Why, no," said I. — Ed.] Charles L. R. Barnhart shook swarms about May 10, and thej' sw armed a month later, p. 966. Exactly what I should ex- pect in this localit}' after such earl}' shak- ing. But was there not something abnormal to make general preparations for swarming so earl}' as Maj' 10, or is; New York^ so much earlier than here? \Vm. Duncan put me on the track of tags for numbering hives that were just the thing— figures stamped in aluminum or oth- er metal; but, alas! prices were prohibito- ry— Scents for a tag with two figures. Printed manilla tags have not proved sat- isfactory, and so far nothing seems better than tin tags hand-painted. [But don't you remember, doctor, that tin made by the modern process rusts ver}' rapidly? Paint does not seem to protect it. What would be the matter with using zinc? There is a kind of scrap that we could use that would make this kind of tags; and the.v would last a lifetime, paint or no paint. — Ed.JJ Plainly I see that I've been away from Medina too long. When I was there last, Stenog was a consistent prohibitionist — been at it for years — now he's been drink- ing tangle-foot, or rather tangle-tongue or tangle- pen — at any rate he's got things all tangled up on pages 913 and 953. From p. 953 one would get the impression that the English writer favored pro (it is plainly so stated p. 9 13), and I favored prop. Exact- ly the reverse is the case — the English writer said all the vowels should be short; and if I wrote at all what I thought, I wrote that the dictionaries preferred pro. How the Englishman could urge short o to keep in sight the original word pro is his funer- al, not mine. [Doubtless either pronunci- ation is prop-er. The spelling is all I have to look after. The Englishman seems to use language to conceal ideas. — St.] Last night, Bro. A. I., I read aloud Notes of Travel, p. 972, to an appreciative audience, and the question was then raised whether our Marengo climate mightn't do as well for you as Northern Michigan. You could bring Mrs. Root along with the cook-book she uses up in the woods. It would hardly do for you to wheel potatoes, for now in the middle of November we've had 10 to 12 above zero for several morn- ings; but we could have lots of fun wheel- ing one another. I could ride and you wheel till you got tired, and then you could wheel and I'd ride. [See answer to another Straw on the "comedy of errors."— Ed. ] Brother Doolittle has urged very em- phatically the importance of knowing one's honey resources, and then having one's col- onies strong only at the time when that strength is needed. While fully realizing the importance of thorough acquaintance as to honey resources, I never felt that I was smart enough, with conditions in my local- ity, to put in practice profitably the last part of the rule. I've always been too much of a coward, however, to come out plainly and say so; but now that my namesake, S. E. Miller, has boldly defined his position, in Progressive, I'm ready to get behind his broad shoulders so he may get the benefit of any stray brickbats that may be ehied, and echo his sentiment: " The rule with me must be, colonies always strong.'" Toronto, p. 947, seems to be falling in line with Colorado, quoting sections by the piece instead of by weight. Perhaps that's 996 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Dec. 1 the rig-ht thing; at least, if it's right for the grocer to sell by the piece why shouldn't he buy by the piece? [Because there is no reason for selling by the piece. When he buj's in bulk he can just as well buy by weight, and perhaps better; because if he bought his sections by the piece in the case he would have no means of knowing wheth- er he is getting a uniform quantity, because most of the honey is covered from view. The consumer, when he buys his box of honey, sees the whole thing, inside and out. But in Colorado, honey is actually sold by the case. If you wish to buy at wholesale you ask what the price is, and you find it is so much per case. I could see no objection to that, providing we knew we were dealing with honest people, and there was a certain system of grading th t was understood between the buyer and seller, as is the case in Colorado. — Ed] Speaking of errors, the editor says to me, p. 952, "But, say; once in a while we catch a slip in j'our copy, and fix it." Yes, that's just it; those Gleanings fellows have the whip-hand of me. There's that man Stenog. I have to depend on him to furnish semicolons and things to sprinkle into my copy wherever they belong, and on that account I don't dare to abuse him only about so much for fear that, if I stir him up too much, he'll print some of my stuff just as I send it in; and I don't dare to bear down too hard on that young upstart of an editor for fear when I write something that says just the opposite of what I mean he'll let it go in just as writ en, and not stop to " fix it." [Yes, in this batch of Straws, doctor, you have made another slip. Out of pure revenge I am going to let it stand just as it is, for revenge is sweet. I refer to that Straw in this issue where you are tell- ing about letting A. I. R. push the wheel- barrow with you in it. At first I thought you meant it as a joke; but the preceding sentence is a disclaimer. If you had not put in the phrase, " wheeling one another," we should have thought it was the old case of the trapper and the Indian — "Here, Pete, you may have the hen and /will take the turkey; or / will take the turkey and you may have the hen. — Kd.] Mr. P^DITOR, I note what you say about the Chicago market, p. 952. After giving full consideration to the pretty talk there, I have just one question for you. According to the quotations on page 907. for a )2-sec- tion case weighing 31 pounds I can get $1.54-, and for a 12-section case weighing 12 pounds I can get $1.44. Now the question is this: If I can get $1.54 for one case, and will have to take 10 cents less for another case just as good, for no other reason than that it has a pound more honey in it, don't you think there are at least some signs of incipient decay? [" Scintilla " is a term used in legal parlance to designate the mi- nutest of minute fragment of interest. Now, while I will admit there might be a scintil- la of rottenness in Chicago, in the case you have mentioned, yet the rottenness of all de- pends on whether there is a deliberate in- tent to defraud. Trade conditions call for lighter packages, and from the producer's standpoint it is a difficult matter to get a 4'4^X4X to average a full pound unless it is \\\ or 2 inches thick. A thick comb is not as well ripened nor as quickly built. The tendency is toward a thinner comb, not be- cause it cheats the consumer, but because it is more satisfactory to the bee-keeper. Is it not true that a thinner comb will have fewer uncapped cells? After all. the ques- tion hinges on whether the sections are sold by the weight or by the piece. If I sell you a piece of ground for $100, and there is no talk between us as to the amount of land in the piece, and no intention on my part to make you think there is a full acre when there is not, there is not even a scintilla of " rottenness." — Ed.] Much time was taken up at Los Angeles discussing the use of the honey-knife, and whether hot or cold water should be used. T. F. Bingham tells in American Bee Jour- 7ial how he uses the Bingham knife. He uses the X-inch bevel next the honey, and has a wooden pail or shallow pan tilled with ordinarily cool water, into which he drops the knife whenever time permits. He advises never to use hot water, as the edge of the knife will be made thick with wax, and will not cut. [When in California I helped Mr. Mendleson uncap and extract both. He gave me, as I thoui;ht at the time, convincing proof that a honey-knife taken out of water a little more than lukewarm would shave the cappings cleaner and eas- ier than when the knives were left all stuck up with thick honey. On the other hand, our Mr. Phillips, who has extracted many thousand pounds of honey in Jamaica, says he does not want any warm knife, if the edge is made with a file so as to be slightly rough so that the knife can be worked like a saw. I recall that in California the honey we were extracting was very, very thick. Warming the knife would thin the honey just enough so the blade would slide easily over the face of the comb. From the stand- point of the Californian, Mr. Bingham is both right and wrong. The probabilities are that the extracted- honey man will have to be governed by conditions. — Ed.] A FRIEND whose modesty forbids mention of his name writes that he has succeeded in keeping extracted honey without granu- lating, merely by heating it. My first thought was, "Yes, that's old; heat it to about 160 degrees and seal it." But a sec- ond reading shows no mention of sealing, and he saj's he ran cappings through the solar, and the honey showed no signs of gran- ulation after six months; buthe doesn'tknow the exact degree of heat necessary. I suspect it's the length rather than the intensity of the heat that's important. Comb honey kept in a hot garret next the roof through- out the summer will not granulate for a year or more, as I reported years ago. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE 997 Why should it not work the same with ex- tracted? I suspect that honey kept for six weeks where it would have the full benefit of the sun, as in a garret, would go a long time without granulating. Such honey ought to be very rich, and our friend's sug- gestion gives a clue to something worth try- ing. Later. — Gleanings, 9o8, confirms the above. [We have pretty good evidence from several reliable sources that honey kept in a warm place for a considerable time will resist granulation, without sealing. It is about time we were begining to recognize the fact that those of us who do a bottling business should, if possible, put our honey in a warm place for a month or more before bottling. VVh}' couldn't we utilize our greenhouses or perhaps our house garrets in the summer time? If we haven't a green- house, wouldn't it be mone}' in our pocket to buy a few sash and put our cans of ex- tracted honey under them? The ground would warm up during the day so as to re- tain a great deal of heat during the night. — Ed.] ^J^eioJiboKsJieldj tl'n - By 55 IRISH BEE JOURNAL. This fine paper maintains its original in- terest, and is full of '"snap and ginger" all through. In the November issue I find the following, presumably from the pen of the editor, Mr. J. G. Digges, and it is well worth reading, even if it does contain some old ideas. Put one pint of water in a sanceoan or pot on tlie fire uniil the water tiecomes hot Then stir in (i lbs. of pure refined cane >ngar (lump or white crystals): d ssolve the sugar bcfo e the water boils. Remember that, if you h1 low the sugar to burn, ilr ongh lack of .Stirling it will never set. Burnt sugar is injurious lo bees in win- ter lime. When it boils, and begins to thicken, drop a little on a cold plate : and if th s co Is solt and >ticky. so that you can wiih your fingers make it into a soft ball, it is right. If it is to i soft, boil a little longer. Remove the pot from th*" fire and st r in a little more than half a tablespoonful of naph hol-beta solution. Place the pot in a vessel of cold water, and stir the contents during the cooling process. When the candy begins lo tarn while, and to set. pour it intosauceis lined with paper. Let it remaii. for half an hour, then gently slip a cake under the sheet of each hive, so that the candy will he directly over the clu-tering bees. Renew the supply of candy as required. Pressure of the fingers on thesheet will show Alien the candy has been used. A neater plan for supplying the candy, and one that will reply the little extra trouble, where only a few hives have to be dealt with, may be adopted thus : Pr >cure 'or each hive a small shallow box of wood or cardboard. Remove the lid, and cut in the bottom, a hole to corresnond with the hole in the sheet that is on the frames Put a piece of newspaper over the hole in the bottom of the box, and fill up with candy. Now set an empty section-crate on the sheet that covers the frames. Pu 1 the piper off the candy and set the box on the 'heel, so that the bees may have ai ce-s to the candy right over the cluster. Place a piece of glass on the box. Fill up the crate with warm stuff such as tailors' cuttings, cork dust, or chafT. Pack all around it with cloth or newspaper, and set the usual quilts on top Thus there will be no escape of heat The can- dy will be in the warmest part of the hive, and the glass will enable you to see when a further supply of food becomes necessary. EL COLMENERO ESPANOL. As a preface to his rcm^irks on the gener- al condition of bee-keeping throughout the world at the present time, the editor says: In order lo form an approximate idea of the present state of apiculture throughout the world, it will be necessary to speak of but few countries ; for to speak of all would be a wearisome ta<=k. However, it should be observed in general that in most countries not only individual pers ns, but different organizations, and, above all, governments, attach great import .nee to the development of bee keeping, and, in consequence, en- deivor by all means in their reach to favor its propa- gation In some governing bodies the representatives engage with interest in measures for its extension, and for doing away with those causes which more or less injure its development. The editor then casts a cursory glance at the United States as follows: This is, without any doubt, the nation that marches at the head of the apiculiural mov- ment of the entire worlei. It counts its br-e-keepers by the hundreds of thousand-;, and among them a great number of the fair sex, who distinguish themselves by the'r special skill. This great people marchi 'g with gigantic steps at the head of humanity and which is lo day the empo- rium of civilizati n and progress, can by no manner of means remain in the rear on apiculiural que-tions The government, assisted bv the sever-1 States has established miny schools where technical and practic- al bee-keeping are stud'ed. According lo statistics, there are in the United States over COO bee-keej ers who have each above 5' 0 colonies. Capt. J. K. Hetherington leads with about 3000 stands. The honey annually p oduced in the United S ates is estimated to be woith f 18,000,000 B e j .urnals and associ uions are numerous ; exhibits of honey are held every year. Among the manv manufacturers of hives is The A. I. Root Co . employing ab ut 2 0 hands. In short, the ajicultural movement there is at high- water mark and no comrari.son can be made of that nation with any other. Old-fashioned hives are al- mo.st entirely unknown there. The situation in other countries will be considered in our next. REVUE INTERNATIONALE. The issue for October starts out by say- ing, " The readers of this journal are in- formed that it will cease to appear at the end of the current year. Its manager has carried the burden for 25 years, and is get- ting old. He feels that the time has come for him to retire and give place to younger ones." That removes a star of the first magnitude from the firmament, for Mr. Bertrand has been giving us not only one of the best-printed bee- journals in the whole world, but one of the best-edited ones as well. It is a pity the publication can not continue, even if the editor does retire. Mr. Charles Dadant, in the preface to his book, Langstroth Revised, French edition, has this to say of Mr. Bertrand from a literary standpoint: I owe him especially my most sincere thanks for not shrinking trom the immense ta-k of revising my man- uscript for correcting it. and supervising its publica- tion. If the reader finds any thing of i iteresl in read- ing and stud\ing this book. I hope he will render thanks to my friend Edouard Bertrand ; for without 998 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Dec. 1 jliitn and the disinterested assistance he has so gener- ously afforded me, this publication would have been ' postponed indefinitely, not to say for ever. WINTER PASSAGES IN COMBS NOT NECESSA- RY. " Good evening-, Mr. Doolittle. Came over this evening to have a little talk with you, as the days are getting so short that I did not want to hinder you during the day- light. What I wish to know is whether bees ever freeze or not." " Of course, if a single bee is exposed to a freezing temperature, that bee freezes. What is there to hinder? " " Well, that is not just what I wished to know. It is like this: This morning I found quite a few bees away from the main clus- ter, in my hives, dead, and a neighbor tells me that they were frozen to death. Was he right? " " In reply to this question let me give you a little of my experience and observation during the past third of a century." " That's right. That is just what I want you to do." "As fall approaches, if we minutely ex- amine a colony of bees we shall find that the activity manifested during the spring and summer in the interior of the hive be- comes less and less, so that by the middle of October, in this latitude, all brood- rear- ing ceases, and the bees have become par- tially dormant; still, so far they have not packed themselves away for winter, in a snug cluster, or that compact shape in which we find them later on. Every oppor- tunity given by a warm day is improved to void the fjeces, so the bees may be prepared for a long cold spell when such occurs. As the weather grows colder, the bees contract their cluster, many packing themselves away in the cells till the smallest possible space is occupied by them, and thus the req- uisite warmth is secured to keep them alive when the mercury sinks below zero. In this contraction of bees, at certain times many of them are left singlj', or in little clusters of from three, five, ten, or twenty- five, which do not recede with the main cluster, and thus are chilled where they are; and if the weather becomes cold enough they may be frozen, thus losing to the clus- ter that number of bees." " That corresponds exactly with my neighbor's talk; and he said if I would make holes through the center of the combs in the fall, such would obviate this trouble. Is he right in this also? " " In this part your neighbor is but reit- erating the reason formerly given, which was, that, owing to the movable frames, no cross-sticks were used in these hives, as was the case with box hives, and hence the bees left no holes in the center of the combs as they did around the cross-sticks, this compelling the bees to pass over and around combs of cold honey to keep pace with the receding cluster, instead of passing through the center of the combs to the next range, which was more nearly filled with bees. In thus passing around, many became stiff- ened and were caught by the cold, which might have been saved if the holes had been provided in the center of the combs for them to pass through." " Was not this a good argument? " "It seemed so to many, and to this end some of the frame hives were provided with a thick shaving of wood, bent to form a cir- cle about an inch in diameter, which was suspended from the top-bar by means of a little strip of tin, supposing that this would effectually secure a passageway for the bees.'' " Did it not do the same? " " It generally did during the first season when a new swarm was put in one of these hives; but only a short time elapsed before it became apparent that, during a good yield of honey, this shaving would be filled with comb and honey, and hence the pas- sageways were cut off- Finding this to be the case, the practice of cutting holes through the combs each fall, by various means, was resorted to, only to be filled up the following summer, when, as winter ap- proached, the process had to be repeated." " Did you try these plans? " " Most assuredly I did, and believed I was doing the right thing; but after trying all of them it soon became apparent to me that the reason assigned as the cause of the death of the bees was not the real trouble, for I found, after repeated examinations, that bees would stay and die within half an inch of these holes, when it would ap- pear that they could pass through these passages just as well as not; and in some instances they would stay and die right in and on the very edge of these holes." " That was strange, certainly'." " Yes. And I also discovered that, when the weather was cloud3', cool, and rainy for several weeks before it became severely cold, this loss was apparently much greater than when a clear warm day occurred im- mediately befjre a severe cold spell." " Why should this be so? " " By the number of bees that were found on boards, the edges of the hives, fences, etc., dull and stupid, after such a fine day, I concluded that these were the same bees that would have been found dead by not following the cluster, had not a warm day occurred for them to leave the hive to die; hence I said that the loss was apparently greater when no such day occurred, for many more bees were seen outside the cluster dead, as they had no chance to goout of the hi veto die. Since then I have watched very closely, and 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 999. from these years of watching- I see no rea- son for chang-ing the conclusion that I form- ed at that time." "But don't you find little knots of dead bees away from the main cluster after each warm spell during- the winter? " " After the bees once get thoroughly clus- tered I do not see this loss occurring to any such extent after each warm spell, and but little after a very mild fall; and for the reasons I have given you, I now pay no at- tention to passageways through the combs for bees, nor have I done so for the past twelve 3'ears. " " I suppose it would do no harm for me to trj' a few with holes through the combs?" "No, not in the least. That is what every one should do where there is a point of dispute. Try the thing for yourself, and when, from these trials, you become con- vinced as to the right, adhere to the right and let your light regarding the rig-ht shine out to others." " Well, I must be going now as I see it is nearly nine o'clock." "Just a word or two before you go, so j'ou can understand this wintering matter a little better: After the cluster of bees has become fully settled for winter, and this loss of old bees has passed away, a colony will lose but few bees for six weeks or two months, and will remain quiet. If at this time a warm day occurs so they can Qy freely they again cluster back quietly and remain so about the same length of time, when the}' again desire to fly; and if such a chance occurs all will go well, and the bees will winter well. Thus we have a col- ony in a normal condition, and all the cold ever obtained in any portion of the world where bees can be kept with profit (occur- ring during this period between flights) will not freeze or materially injure them if the\' have plenty of good stores within easy reach of them." " Oh, yes! Just one question more before I go. Did you notice Dr. Miller's calling attention to an omission of yours, by j'our not telling us when you took the dummies out, where you hived a swarm on half- inch starters, and what you did after taking the dummies out by way of supplying their places? " " Yes, I noticed what Bro. Miller said on page 911, and thank him for calling atten- tion to the matter. I have been so driven this 3 ear that I have left undone many things I ought to have done; and the leaving- out of that part was one of the ' left ' things. The dummies are kept in till the close of the white honey harvest, when they are ta- ken out and the hive filled with drawn or full combs, which the bees generally fill with dark honey to an extent suflficient for the bees to winter on." " Where do j'Ou get these drawn combs?" "By the process of shaken or driven swarms, now in use by very many of our best apiarists, this matter is very easj^ When the swarm is made we have the combs of brood and honej' after being freed from the bees. 1 place these combs of brood, etc., on a weak colony, and at the next making of swarms another hive of these beeless combs is put on, till in this way I often have three, four, and sometimes five hives of comb, brood, and honey on one of these weak colonies, or on one which was weak to start with, but not weak in bees now that the most of the brood has emerged. When the dummies are removed these tiered-up combs are just the ones which are used to fill out the hive; or, in other words, used to take the place of the dummies." " Glad I asked you. It is all plain to me now." We have on hand quite a number of man- uscripts on the subject of killing skunks. We have already given place to several, two of them in this issue, and so we think we have, perhaps, given enough space to this subject for the present. A Georgia correspondent of the South- land Queen takes Mr. J. E. Chambers sharply to task for asserting that no one but a fool will use wire in brood-frames. He says if this is true, "there is a big lot of us fools." He then adds, " Why, combs without wire will break out and ruin enough in one season to pay for wire, time, etc., enough to justify the bee-keeper in putting in half of his time in wiring his frames." SELF-SPACING OR LOOSE FRAMES. Mr. Hutchinson, in the Revieiv, finds that there is a feeling against self-spacing frames, particularly the Hoffman. He him- self wants nothing better than the old-style Langstroth, with y% top-bar. His experi- ence is quite different from my own, for most of the people I run across in my trav- els much prefer the Hoffman; and it seems to me I can do twice the work with a non- burr-comb self-spacing frame that I can with the ordinary thin and narrow top-bar Langstroth that will be all matted up with wax braces. The leading supply- manu- facturers of the country furnish the old- style Langstroth, thick-top Langstroth, the Hoffman, and closed-end frames. The pur- chaser can have any one of them as an op- tion. I do not know how the trade of other manufacturers runs, but ours runs almost exclusively to the Hoffman. Fearing that it might be too much of a good thing, we attempted to steer the trade, two years ago, toward a thick-top unspaced frame, but it would have none of them. I have talked with some large extracted honey producers 1000 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Dec. 1 in the West and South, and they say they much prefer the Hoffman; and yet it is per- fectly plain that another man might run across another class of people who would regard them as nothing but nuisances. This thing must be borne in mind, that the character of propolis varies in different lo- calities; and I am free to admit that in Dr. Miller's location I should prefer, as does he, a metal-spaced frame. COUNTING THE COST. A Colorado bee-supply factory has start- ed up, with every assurance of success; and there are some other little shops starting elsewhere, and we hereby offer to them the hand of fellowship. This is right and proper. The field of the United htates is very broad, and so far the manufacturers are not complaining on account of a want of trade. In all of our years of experience we have had all we could do; and we have wished most severely at times that we did not have so much business. But the new concern that launches cut into making sup- plies should not figure on the mere shop cost, but on a ten per-cent depreciation of machinery, a fair allowance for capital in- vested, and general expense. One who es- says to make bee-supplies, or any thing else, in fact, for the public, will find, if he desires to make both ends meet, and make a little profit, that he must add at least 50 per cent to shop cost. By "shop cost" I mean material and labor. It is a rule to add more than this — even 100 per cent in most lines of manufacture — to cover bad ac- counts, goods out of date that will not sell; advertising, office help, accidents, and, as I said, insurance, taxes, interest, and de- preciation. There have been scores of little factories started, but mjst of them have gone out of business, for the simple reason that they have not added to their item of cost what is usually termed "overhead ex- pense " — an item that can not be avoided. Perhaps this advice may seem gratuitous to some. Gratuitous or not, if they will heed it, it will make all the difference be- tween success and failure. THE CINCINNATI CONVENTION ; A FOUL- BKOOD BILL FOR OHIO. It was my pleasure to attend a meeting- of the Hamilton Co. Bee-keepers' Associa- tion, that comprises a membership of fifty or sixty, all told, in the vicinity of Cincin- nati. The Hamilton Co. people are very much in earnest regarding the desirability of securing a foul-brood law that will pro- tect us against negligent and incompetent bee-men, who, unless there is a law to pre- vent, will allow it to spread among those of their neighbors who are more progressive. The first draft of the bill was presented by Mr. J. E. Painter, at the convention, in the presence of representatives Wayne and Her- rick, both of whom promised their support, and offered valuable suggestions. Mr. Her- rick was formerly a bee-keeper, and fully understands the urgency of the measure from a bee keeper's standpoint. He will probably father the bill. The meeting was not large, but very en- thusiastic, and it is apparent that the solid support of the Hamilton Co. delegation may , be expected in the next general assembly. The proposed draft of the bill is now in the hands of the committee appointed by the Hamilton Co. Association; and as soon as it is thorout;hly digested I hope to present it to our readers. It provides for county inspection on about the same lines as pre- scribed in the excellent law now in force in Colorado. It is very explicit, and seems to cover every possible contingency; and for conditions that exist in Ohio it is probably better than a law that provides for only one inspector for the whole State. I have been opposed to county foul-brood laws; but the arguments that were presented in favor of a measure like that in Colorado convinced me that it would be a good one for Ohio. It was not deemed wi.se to efl'ect a State organization, but, rather, that the several counties where bee-keeping is most promi- nent be organized, and that they submit to the next legislature suitable resolutions or memorials, signifying the urgent need of fojl- brood legislation in Ohio. Gleanings is anxious to get several counties organized on the New York plan. With several good worki'ng counties we could later on, if nec- essary', effect an affiliation of the several organizations, making what might be called a State organization such as is in practical operation in New York, AN AUTOMATIC CLOCKWORK SMOKER. Some time ago Dr. Miller referred to the fact in one of his Straws that there was a smoker made in Germany that was operat- ed by clockwork in connection with a little mechanical fan or blower. We immediate- ly put ourselves in communication with the inventor or manufacturer, and now have before us one of these smokers. It is the invention of Mr. Joseph K'nig, a German jeweler, and was patented in the United States, Dec. 31, 1901. The accompanying illustrations are made direct from those in the patent specifications, and show fairly well the general details and design of the smoker. The lower portion of it, referred to in the illustration, Fig. 1, contains the clockwork and blower. The clock is wound up at the kejhole S. A lever, M, releases a little clutch which allows the fan, or blow- er, to spin like a top. As soon as enough smoke is blown, the power is shut off by pushing the lever back. When more wind (or smoke) is wanted, the lever is shoved upward, and again a blast of air is started through the stove. The whole arrangement is quite ingenious, and is thoroughly well made. It takes about a minute to wind it, and about tvventj' minutes for the clock to run down if operated continuously. In or- dinary practice in the yard, once winding- would last half a day. 15C3 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 1001 So far the arrang-ement seems to be very unique. But what is the defect, if any? Clockwork sufficientlj' large and powerful to send out a blast of smoke equal to that sent out by a common smoker would be awkward and heavy. This mechanical smoker sends out a very light blast of air — so slight that it can scarcely be felt. The smoke can, however, be sent several inches from the nozzle, and perhaps it is far enough for a good many operations. It weighs, however, about three times as much as the average smoker, and the fuel capacity is only about a tenth of that of an ordinary standard bellows smoker. It would do very well for a small number of colonics; but for the average American apiarist I doubt if it would give general satisfaction. The cost of it will be at least five times as much as that of a common bellows smoker, I should judge from its general construction. Us cost, weight, weak blast, and the possi- bility of the train of gears and little blower getting out of order, would prevent its hav- ing a ver}' large sale in America. Howev- er, I note that there are a good many testi- monials in its favor, from German bee- men. The general design of the smoker shows a surprising amount of inventive ingenuity. It must have taken an expensive set of dies for making it. Every part seems to be stamped out to a certain definite shape that could be used for no other purpcise than this particular device; but it is doubtful wheth- er American manufacturers would be will- ing to undertake the manufacture of any thing so elaborate and expensive as this. aikin's paprk package kok candied HONEY. Elsewhere in this issue we illustrate two of Aikin's latest candied-honey packages, the 10 lb. size. The honey came wrapped in old newspapers packed in an ordinary cracker- barrel and was received in splen- did condition all the way from Colorado. In order to give one a comparative im- pression of the size of these 10-lb. packages, I instructed our artist to put a man's hat on top, and this he did, only it's a cap. To the lover of good honey — those who love to eat it in considerable quantities — these 10 lb. sizes will prove to be very pop- ular. If one desires only a little dab, a 10- cent bottle will be suliicient; but if he has honey on the table every day, he will of course buy not less than 10 lbs. The Ai- kin package is so cheap that, after he puts down his mone}', he is buying only honey — not a tin can, tin pail, nor a bottle that is of little or no use to him after the honey is out. But candied honey is always rather un- pleasant to handle in a tin can. A good many like to eat it in the solidified state, and it is no easy job to get it out from an ordinary bottle or can. The other day I called for some candied honey, and my wife remarked that I would have to get it out of the can, for she had given up in de- spair. So she brought out a big Mason jar and told me to help myself. I inserted a case-knife, but the honey would slip off aft- er I had pried it loose. I next called for a big iron spoon. But I bent its handle in fantastic shapes, and succeeded in get- ting only little chunks at a time. I next tried a thin-bladed butch- er-knife. This was somewhat better. I then said to Mrs. R., " We must have some of that Ai- kin honey that we can peel like a bologna sausage;" and now there is over at our house a 10-lb. hon- e3' bologna that is a pleasure to handle and eat in great mealy chunks. Just peel the paper down one side, take a case-knife, and slice off a chunk just as you would cut off so much cheese. Talk about convenience and delicious sweetness! the best comb hon- ey I ever saw is left away in the shade. Perhaps I am peculiar; but I rather like candied honey; and extracted of any kind I prefer to comb. I do not like to chew gobs of wax if I want to eat honey; and that is the reason why extracted, either liquid or candied, has my preference. I do not know why, but in the winter time I have a great liking for the solid kind; and that is why the Aikin package fills a long-felt want at our house. But I note that the last lot of Aikin honey came in bags that had not been previously paraffined. Whether Mr. Aikin has found the waxing unnecessary or not, I can not say; but I should feel very sure that our Eastern honey would at least require coat- ed bags. And that leads me to say that I doubt very much whether Eastern honey, as a rule, should be put up in paper unless it is used very soon after it gets into the hands of the producer. While in the posses- sion of the dealer it should be kept in the 1002 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Dec. 1 cold, otherwise it will have a tendency to leak or ooze out through the paper. Colo- rado honey, from its pronounced tendency to granulate, would remain solid until clear up into warm weather. But I doubt very much whether Eastern candied honey will do so. The reading on these packages is not very plain, and so I will reproduce the general directions, which are as follows: The candied condition of this honey is proof of its purity. If preferred liquid, put it into a pail, and the pail in hot water — not much hotter than you can bear your hand in. Never let it boil. Boiling spoils the houey flavor. I wish to call attention to the words made emphatic. Never let it boil, and further at- • tention to the very excellent suggestion of putting honey to be liquefied " into a pail of water that is not much hotter than you 'can bear your hand in." Many make the mistake of getting the water too hot, and thereby very much impairing the flavor. The other day my wife, in getting the last remnants of candied honey out of a glass jar, put it into water so hot that the flavor of the honey was appreciably affected. If the wife of a bee journal editor will commit such an unpardonable sin, is it not proba- ble that hundreds of consumers would do the same thing? They can not have the fact put before them too strongly, that the water should not be much warmer "than you can bear the hand in; " and let me tell j'ou it will be far better to put the pail into lukewarm water and let it stand for several days, or until it comes to a liquid condition. Such honey will be much finer than if it be liquefied in a few hours; and slow liquefy- ing will keep the honey in a liquid condi- tion longer than if it is brought to the melt- ing-point in a short time. There is quite a trade starting up in bags for candied honey; but let the Eastern bee-keepers be careful to see that honey put up in them is taken care of before summer weather comes. The Aikin honey or any other equally fine will probably be all used up before it can melt or run over the shelves. I have in my hands a sample of the ten- pound size. It is as hard as a block of wood. Indeed, if I wanted to knock a bur- . glar down — knock him into insensibility — I think I would lain at him one of these pack- ages, if a brickbat were not in sight. THE LOS ANGELES CONVENTION, AS REPORT- ED BY THE AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL; J. S. HARBISON, J. G. CORY, A. I. ROOT. The reports of the talks from bee-veter- ans, above mentioned, in the issues of the Am. Bee Journal for Oct. 29, Nov. 5, Nov. 12, ought to be worth a dollar to every bee- keeper in the land, especially to any one who has any regard for what happened in the earlier days of our industry. I once thought of copying from the " Old Relia- ble " the talks from the above three; but so many of the readers of Gleanings take the Am. Bee Journal also, it would hardly be fair to them to give the same story twice. Another thing, it would greatly crowd the pages of our own journal when we have al- ready more valuable articles than we can find room for. There are some mistakes, however, probably made by the stenogra- pher, that I wish to mention. On page 694 Mr. Samuel Wagner is credited with mak- ing the first machine with rollers for mak- ing comb foundation. Instead of giving Wagner the credit it should have been Washburn. Mr. Alva Washburn, of Medi- na, Ohio, made the first pair of rolls the world ever saw, for rolling out comb foun- dation. He did this while working for me by the day; but, notwithstanding, the cred- it is due to him more than to anybody else for having carried the operation through its experimental stage, and making it a prac- tical success. On the same page we are told that our good friend T. F. Bingham, of smoker fame, has "hives of his own." It should read, '''■ a. hii'e ot his own." It would seem very strange if an old bee-keeper like friend Bingham did not have some "hives," more or less, of his own. On the same page, lower down, we are told the daily papers spoke about a " Qua- ker chap down in Ohio." The word Qua- ker should be queer. I have always been more or less queer to the outside world, but I have never been a Quaker. On the next page we read, " The sorrow that covers a man's grave is oftentimes the poultice that draws out his virtues. " The word sorrow should be sod. I used the old proverb in speaking of the death of T. G. Newman. On the same page, toward the close, after commenting on the friendly visit that Mr. Langstroth had with Moses Quinby, I in- tended to say something as follows: After pleading so earnestly with father Langstroth to go and have a friendly visit with Mr. Quinb}', before death took one or both away, I felt a good deal discouraged. . I probably said to Mrs. Root, " I shall have to give it up; it does not seem to be of any use." Very likely, just then and there I knelt down and prayed that the Holy Spir- it might do what I in my feeble strength had failed to do. Now, I can not remember that I did this; but so often, when discouraged in trying to move human hearts, I have done this very thing, I think it is quite likely I did so. I know this: When I went into his room in the morning I was greatly aston- ished to find my prayers were answered. As there is a very great moral in this sim- ple little story I think I will repeat the rest of it here. Father Langstroth was a little late in getting up. I knocked at the door, and then went into his room. Without say- ing a word he pulled his watch out from under his pillow, and handed it to me ask- ing me to listen to its ticking. As I was a jeweler by trade at that time, I supposed, of course, something was the matter with his watch. Then he said, "Friend Root, 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 1003 what does that watch say to you. I beg-an to laugh, and said, " It simply says tick, tick, tick. What else should it say?" Then came the unexpected and wonderful reply that I believe was charactf ristic of father Langstroth. He said, " Perhaps it says to you only tick, tick, tick, but to me it has been saying 'Quinbj', Ouinby, Ouinby,' all night long; and I am afraid the watch will keep on saying 'Ouinby, Ouinby, Ouinby,' until I start down there and shake hands with father Ouinb}', and we two become friends." He started off for York State at once. In a few days he came back and said, " Mr. Root, I have had one of the best and pleasantest visits I ever had in my life. We talked things over, and he did not find any fault with me, and I didn't find an}' fault with him, and we are going to be friends as long as God lets us live." And so they were; and the bee-keeping' world can all rejoice that, notwithstanding the misunderstandings between those two great pioneers, both of their lives closed with the kindest feelings and relations one toward the other. There is encouragement here for those who have become discourag- ed, perhaps, in their attempts to act as peacemakers. I said in my talk in Los Angeles, " There maj' be some people here to-night whose watches, if they do not say 'Ouinb}', Quinb}', Quinby,' may be saying- something else, and will continue to say it until they get up and do the right thing- as Mr. Langstroth did." Let me sa}' once more, if there is a read- er of this journal anywhere on the face of the earth who has not had the three copies mentioned, of the A)n. Bee Journal, send at once to Bro. York for them. If you do not wish to subscribe for a year, you can have it for three months for 25 cents; and I am sure Mr. York will will send the three cop- ies I have mentioned, for a dime. If he will not, _vou tell him to write to me and I will pay the balance. — A. I. R. PROFITS IN bee-keeping; opinions of THE EDITORS OF THE AMERICAN BP:E journal and THE BEE-KEEP- ERS' REVIEW. Two editorials have lately appeared in two of the leading bee-journals of the Unit- ed States, which should attract more than passing attention. P"'irst we will give the editorial by Mr. York, which is as follows: The f illowihg is a sample of some of the correspond- ence that has come to this office lately and within the past few years: Mn. York: — I believe the common bee-keeper is the milk- cow of the biK supiily-factories, and the commission houses of the ha cities. I can sfc no profit in bee-keeping. And it. looks to me funny when factories advertise in l)ce-p:ipf'rs that the bee-keeper shou! i borrow money and send it to tlie factory to Ret gooils early. Those people like to get all the money out of the bee-keepers, and let the latter have only the beestings in the summer time. 1 h( lieve there is a great big humbug in comb foundation. It will stand the heat of an ice-box but not the heat of a hive full of bees. It must be more than half profit. Of course, there is more profit in th.it kind of foundation. I wouldn't use any foundation without wiring the frames. B.\PTisT Beck. Being entirely out of the bee-supply business now, we feel that we can ofTer a few comments on Mr. Beck's letter without being accused of having "an ax to grind." In the first place, we learned enough about the bee- ?upp1y business, while we were in it, to know that there is no fortune in it for any one, be he manufac- turer or dealer. Why, if the profits in making and handling bee-supplies were equal to those in many other lines, bee-keepers would be compelled to pay about double the pre.sent retail prices for the supplies they use in their apiaries. We feel that we know sotnething about this matter, for we are in a city where there is a great variety of business done, and we know that the profits in a number of other lines of trade are far in excess of those connected with han- dling bee-supplies .ind honey. As to the intimation of Mr. Beck, that comb founda- tion is adulterated, we can only say that the bulk of the cotr.b foimdation sold to-day is made by the Weed process, and the fact is that the sheeting method of that process will not work adulterated wax. So that idea of Mr. Beck is entirely wrong. Almost anv bee- keeper knows that on a very hot summer day, with a heavy swarm of bees in ^ hive not ventilated, any kind of comb foundation will likely melt down if not wired in the fratnes. As to there b-ing no profit in thebeebu.siness at the present price of honev, we suppose that can also be .^aid of any other farm products at different times dur- ing a series of years. But we venture to say that there are a good many bee-keepeis who would never complain at all, only guarantee them a fair crop of honey every year. They will take care of the price. The fact is, there has never been a general oversupply of honey in this country. There may often be more produced in anyone locality than can be used there during the year; but there are always many other places where not nearly enough has been produced to supply the demand. Wht should be done is to even up the surplus crop— distribute it more evenl5' through- out the country. Then a bettfr price could be secured. Honey will not usually sell itself, any more than it will take unto itself legs and walk off. The honey- producer must make fome effort to dispose of his crop. But he must see to it that it is out up in the best possi- ble s^ape for the market — properly graded, and neat and clean. He then needs to watch the markets — It arn the supplv and demand, as far as possible. In our exoerience as a bee-supply dt-aler we have not found the bright pushing, up-to-date bee-keepers objecting to the ruling prices on b e supplies. We have come in contact with a great variety of bee keep- ers, too. in what was our bee-supply department. No one hears of a Coggshall. a Dr. Miller, a France, a Brodbeck. or any other large bee-keepers c implaining of high prices of bee stipplies. They have done busi- ness enough to know that, when the expenses con- nected with iiianufacturing and handling bee-supplies are considered the present prices are none too high. B'lt. actually, there are a few bee keepers who think 51 00 is a high price for .52 copies of the ^4 nierican Bee Journal! But we doubt if any one can afford to keep bees at all if he can not afford to pay a do lar for a bee-paper As to the suggestion that bee-keepers borrow money and buy supplies in the fall, that is all right It wouli in somecases be a sivine to the beekeeper to do that. .\nd tor so doing, an early-order discount is offered by some marrufacturers. But. of course, no one need borrow money or Ouy supplies in the fall just beciuse some bee-supply manufacturer suggests that he do so. In conclusion, we want to say that we don't know of any bee supply dealer or honey-dealer w^^o is getting rich in either business. Neither do we know of any honey- producer who is getting rich. Bee-keeping is not a eet-rich-at-it business ; neither i« the bee supply business nor the bee journal business. But all are businesses in which a fair honest living can be made by hard work, and by "keeping everlastingly at it." Here is the editorial from the pen of Mr. Hutchinson: There has been a very sharp advance in the price of bee supplies — notablv in hives. As a result if there ever was a time when it might be profitable for some bee-keepers to make their own hives it is now. Near- ly all bee-keepers are located within reach of a plan- ing-mill, and at such a mill the bottom-boards, covers, and bodies of hives can certainly be cut out more cheaply than they can be bought of some supply nianuf''cturer — to say nothing of the freight. A bee- hive does n"t need a lot of fancy fixings. A plain board for both bottom and cover, with cleats at the ends to prevent warping, is all right for a large ma- jority of localities. It is exactly what I should choose for this locality. Some Yi strips sawed from % lumber can be tacked around three sides of the bottom-board 1034 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Dec. 1 (on top, at the edges^ to raise the hive from the bottom- board, and just the plainest kind of plain joint at the corners of the hive, just as a common box is nailed together, is all right for the bod}- of the hive. A plain rabbet for the frames to hang in is all right here. Such a hive as that can be cut out at an\- planing-mill. or may be cut out with a foot power saw, and the veri- est t\ ro can nail it up and paint it. As for fiames I a.'-k for nothing better— in fact, pre- fey simple all-wood frames, the stuff cut from the edge of a Js board, the end-bars and boitombas being ?3 thick and th- lop-bar J4 inch thick, the piei es being nailed together with the right size of cement-coated nails Such frames all uaihed up ought not to cost over 81. 0() a hundred. With the p'ices in view that bee-hives are likely to reach, it will be well for bee-keepers to be rigging up or buying a buzz .saw, building a horse power, putting up a windmill, or buying a gasoline engine. Foot power will answer if there are not loo many hives to saw out. These appeared almost simultaneously, and both are the free expressions of the ed- itors themselves. There is no direct con- flict of opinion, and yet in one way there is. It would almost look as if Mr. York had written this editorial from the standpoint of the supply-manufacturer; but the fact that he sold out his supply business because there was no great mone}' in it, but an im- mense amount of hard work and small profits, puts him in a position to know what he is talking about. As a suppU'-manufaclurer, and editor of a bee paper, perhaps I should not say any thing on this question, for I realize that whatever I saj' is liable to be misconstrued as an opinion based on the almightj* dollar; but I will try to give the facts as I know them from the standpoint of the manufac- turer. Part of what Mr. Hutchinson says is true. There are times and places where some bee keepers can go to their nearest planing-mills and get their hives made, and perhaps save some money. This is conced- ed ; but in the great majority of cases it will be a money-losing venture, I think. The large manufacturer of bee-hives can, as a rule, supply hives ready to put togeth- er in lots of 100 at a price equal, or nearly so, to what the bee-keeper would have to pay for the same grade of lumber at the average planing-mill without any work put on it. This seems like a broad statement, but let us see how it works out in fact. Good clear first-class lumber, such as the manufacturers are now putting out in their hives, with few or no knots in, will cost at the planing-mill bet;veen S50 and ?60 per 1000 feet; but we will say it is 5 cents a foot. A standard eight- frame Dovetailed •hive has 20 feet of lumber in it. including waste necessar3'. This makes the lumber in that hive cost SI. 00. At h cents a foot it will cost Si. 20. Let us now look at a 1904 catalog. We find that the price of an eight- frame hive in lots of 100 is Si. 25 (for it would be folly for any one to make less than a hundred hives). If a bee keeper goes to a planing-mill he will pa\-, then, almost as much for his lumber, or perhaps just as much, as the regular supply- manufacturer would charge for the hive all cut ready to put together without any waste. But labor has advanced, and the mill-man will not charge less than 40 cents an hour, and pos- sibly 60. He is not familiar with hive-mak- ing. His saws are coarse toothed, and his men do not realize the importance of extreme accuracy fn hive-making. The hives at the ends will not be lock-cornered, for the mill has no machinery' for that purpose. The boards when put together will have to de- pend entirely on the nails for the strength of the corner. Perhaps it might be said that the bee- keeper will have to paj' freight on his facto- rj' hives, but they will be accurately cut and standard in every respect. I have seen a lot of planing-mill hives, and heard some of the bee keepers who had hives made in that way tell their experiences. The stuff was irregular, the frames would not alter- nate, thej' were very rough, and the work was altogether unsatisfactory. But perhaps some one does not see how a manufacturer can furnish a bee keeper a complete hive at the bare cost of the lumber in the open market. The supply-manufac- turer can buy by the cargo and a compar- atively cheap grade of lumber, and cut around the knots. Here is a board that is 12 or 16 feet long. We will say it has four or five knots in it. Out of this board he may be able to cut out of the clear stock two or three ends or two or three sides. There will be several boards that have knots in them. The manuf.icturer, who is in the business, can use these for a great v^rietj' of purposes, and not lose money on them. Some of them will go into the ends of square (can) boxes; others will be used for crating; some will be used for a great variet\' of purposes too numerous to men- tion. The bee-keeper who desires to have his hives made in a small wa3' would have to buy clear stock at a price of S50 or S60 per 1000, for the planin=j-mill could not af- ford to throw awa^' short boards having knots in them, for it would have no use for short knotty boirds. Its business is mak- ing sash, doors, blinds, door-cases, win- dow-frames, etc., and it can use ow/y Ion stuff. It will, therefore, be necessary for the bee keeper to buj' clear stock, which is expensive, as he can not afford to have hives with loose knots in that are liable to fall out. He maj* argue that he can use a cheap grade of lumber; but experience with thousands of customers shows that the av- erage customer won't have such lumber in hives at any price. It is true there has been a sharp advance in prices on bee-supplies; but the marked advance in lumber, in labor, and in all common commcdities, has made this all necessary. Prices on bee-goods have hard- ly kept pace with other commodities. As to the Baptiit friend in the first quo- tation, Mr. York might have added that three of the large suppU'-manufacturers have offered to sell out, as they could make more money in seme other business. Bee- hive making is no sitiecure for anybody*. Mr. Hutchinson suggests that, with the prices in view that hives are apt to reach. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. lOOS it will be well for bee-keepers to rig up a buzz-saw or a horse-power. The old ad- age, "Don't monkej' with a buzz-saw," is good advice for nine men out of ten. There are verj' few people who have mechanical ingenuity' enough to run a buzz-saw without coming to grief. If they do not saw their fingers and maim themselves for life, they may do very bad work. Mr. Hutchinson got up a home-made buzz siiw j-ears ago, because he is a natural genius and a fine mechanic. But where there is one W. Z. H. there are thousands who do not know even the A B C — much less the W Z's. A short time ago we published a letter from one of our friends who had bought a buzz-saw, thinking he could make his own stuff cheaper. After he got through he took account of the cost, and found his hives cost him nearly or quite twice as much as those he could buy at a factory. He had lost one finger; his hives were poorlj' made, and all he had was the experience and a lot of sup- plies that were bound to be a continual an- noyance, and a fifty-dollar buzz-saw "for sale cheap." Now, in taking this view from the stand- point of the manufacturer I have tried to give the exact facts as I happen to know them— not because I am interested in having bee-keepers buy hives of the Root Co., but because I am anxious to have the exact facts come before the public. I know that Mr. Hutchinson will not misconstrue my motives, even if he doesn't see the matter as I do. IMI'ORT.\N'T VICTORY FOR THE NATIONAL BKK-KEEPEKS' AS.SOCI \TION. Early last spring Mr. S. W. Kammer, of San Antonio, Texas, was fined S50 in the corporation court for keeping bees in the city as a nuisance. As he was a member of the National he appealed for assistance, throui^h Udo Toepperwein, a director, who wired the General Manager. Mr. Toepper- wein immediately received instructions how to proceed, and was given full charge of the case. An appeal was entered in the county court, wherein it was shown there was no law against keeping bees in the city, and that they could not be declared a public nuisance, as v\-as shown bj' various court decisions regarding other similar cases. The case was, of course, decided in favor of the bee keeper. This is an important decision, as there are several hundred bee-keepers in San Antonio; and important in a larger way be- cause it adds another decision or law prec- edent to be used efiectively in ca.ses of a like nature. General Manager France says that Di- rector Toepperwein deserves very much credit for the promptness and skill with which he handled this case. As Texas is already a very large honey-producing State, and is bound to be much more important in the future, this early decision in favor of the bee-keeping interests of this great com- mon wealth is highly gratifying. COMING IN CONTACT WITH THE BEES. Editor Hill, of the American Bee-keep- er, writing on another matter, incidentally speaks of the value of having the editor of a bee- paper come into actual contact with the bees. He adds: Note the zest characteristic of editorials written under the inspiration of a day's contact with practical apiary work, as displayed, for example, in the case of Mr. kijot. editor of Gleanings, occasionally. Whence cotneth this distiniiui^lrng activity and practi al lone which arrests the attention and causes one to feel that he is an ev e wtness if not a participant in the opera- tions about which he reads? Whence? From the fountain head which is the source of knowl> dge upon which our industry is based, and without which it is improliable, to our mind, that any man is better quali- fied to direct than those who have fieely imbibed. Bro. Hill practices what he preaches; for he is quite a man to rub up against bees. His editorials show it. FOUR-PIECE SECTIONS. A CORRESPONDENT in the Bee-keepers^ Reviciv wishes to know where he can get four-piece sections " in perfect shape. " The truth of the matter is manufacturers have not catered to this kind of trade, as the de- mand has been so liL;ht that it did not pay to keep special machinery for the purpose. EXTRACTING-HOUSE ON WHEELS. How to Build; its Use, etc.; a Valuable Article. BY JOHN F. CROWDEK. Having seen inquiries in Gleanings in regard to a honey-house on wheels, I send you a description of one I have, which has been in operation the sixth season, and which I would find it impossible to do with- out. The same is built on a goose-neck draj', as you will notice in the cut. The floor of this dray is 4 X 12 feet, with stake- keepers around the out edge about every A feet, which enabled me to make a detach- able house, and from which I mav remove the house and use the trucks around the ranch. As I said, the floor of the dray was 4 X 12 feet, so I began from the bottom and raised the walls up 30 inches high; then I made a jog of 14 inches, which makes shelving to set the hauling-boxes on, and any thing else that ma}' be in the way up- on the floor; and under this shelving I have for braces cornice- braces, which I have bolt- ed well to uprights, which are 2 X 3's, and this gives me a solid foundation to go on; so from here up it is 6 X 12 and 7 feet high in all. In the rear end is a door 2% X 6>2 which will just admit a four-frame Cowan 1006 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Dec. 1 extractor nicely. The front end is all boarded up excepting^ a small window 10 X 15 inches. The sides are boarded up to one foot above the shelves (which keeps the bees from bothering- the honey that might be on the shelves) ; then I have a yard-wide screen, and at the top an eight-inch board. The sides are made of one- inch ceiling, and the roof of half-inch, alltongued and groov- ed, which makes a light structure. I have a false floor which rises one foot, and in this space between the floors I have a tank one foot deep and 3'2X4 square, covered with galvanized cover, over which this false floor is laid, which is made in an L shape, and easily removed. Upon this floor I set my four frame Cowan extractor, pushed well back in the corner, and fastened to stay for the season; and directly under the faucet of the extractor I have a hole cut to hold a strainer, which is detachable with- out removing the extractor; consequently I make the honey self-straining; and to my right, as I go in, I have a tank one foot deep, one wide, and three long, on top of which I have two boxes the size of an eight- frame super with perforated zinc bottoms, which are used for uncapping-boxes, which I think are a success; and to the end of this tank, next to the raised floor, I have a two- inch pipe attached which carries all of the drainings from the uncappings to the strain- er, and into the main tank from which I draw off the honey from the outside of the house. Said tank holds about 100 gallons, or an average day's extracting, though I will say right here that my brother and I, in 189^, put 43 cases of honey through it in two days, which was not bad extracting. On the shelf at the end of the uncapping- tank I have another small tank made '* troft- ing-," in which the uncapper puts the combs if he should get ahead of the man at the wheel, in the end of which! have a small pipe which drains into the draining-tank of uncappings the honey that may drip, so you see after I get started I have only to measure up at noon and night. Thus I save lots of time that most bee-keepers have to put in in draining and cleaning up, which is quite a figure when it comes to ex- tracting several apiaries. I have 18 apia- ries in all, ranging from 50 to 150 hives, and in three townships. To reach them all we have to drive about 50 miles, so you can readily see that we have to clean up a little more than an apiary a day to get around in time for another start. Another very handy thing is a wheel- barrow, which many bee-keepers do with- out. I always take along one about fifteen years old, and has been a great deal of ser- vice to us. Brother McCubbin gave it to me in 18*^3, after he had used it for several years. It has wheeled many a ton of hon- ey, ranging from 5 to 30 tons a season. It is getting- old and wrinkled, and crippled in the hind legs. Sometimes I think I will turn Republican and put her on the pen- sion list and retire her from active service. Some other handy tools are hauling-boxes which I have. These boxes are the same size as the extracting-supers, only one inch deeper; they are lined in the bottom and three inches up the side with tin, and there- fore catch whatever honey may drain from the combs, which saves taking off the su- pers and smearing every thing up with hon- ey, etc. Selma, Cal. [This scheme of a portable extracting- house, while not entirely new, is carried out by Mr. Crowder in a very unique and practical manner. The plan of having the honey- tank at the lowest point possible in the general structure, and having overhang- ing shelves just over the rear wheels, is most excellent. All in all, the Crowder wagon is, I believe, by all odds the best of any thing of its kind that has ever been presented to our readers. So excellent is it as a whole that we expect to have it in- corporated in the next edition of our ABC of Bee Culture. In a series of outyards it makes it possi- ble to use only one extractor and outfit, and to carry away the honey as soon as extract- ed, where it will not be subject to the dep- redations of thieves. I have always felt as if it was a dangerous practice to leave tons and tons of extracted honey at the outyards. It is an invitation as well as a temptation to persons of low moral standing to help themselves. There is only one extractor to muss up, only one general outfit, and the building is quite large enough, with proper management, to take care of the extractor, the honey extracted, and the operator or op- erators inside. Obe does not need a lot of floor space to walk on; indeed, too much floor space is a real detriment, for one is apt to make useless steps over the room to perform his work. With the right kind of system I feel very sure one can make an ex- tracting house of this kind that will beat the scheme of having several cheap build- ings at the several outyards. It will save the first cost, and render necessary the pur- chase of only one outfit. There is one thing that friend Crowder has not spoken of; and that is. that, while going- to the several yards, the men " in- side" the wagon can slick up and get things read}' for the next yard. I should suppose that three men could handle the whole out- fit nicely. Possibly two might do it — one to take oft' the combs, and the other to ex- tract and uncap. I suggest that our extracted-honey men give this article their thoughtful attention. The business of producing extracted honey is getting to be more and more of a science, and our friend Crowder, in my humble opin- ion, has made a long scientific stride for- ward. When sections become more scarce and expensive, and when there are pure- food laws in State and nation, extracted honey will to a great extent supplant comb hone3% and its production will become more general. — Ed.] 1008 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Dec. 1 DR. miller's furnace-heated CELLAR, AND HOW THE BEES WINTERED IN IT. Dr. C. C. Miller: — I had hoped to hear before this time how your bees wintered in that cellar with the furnace in it, and the temperature as high as 70, where some of the hives stood near the hot air pipes. I am now getting my bees ready for winter. I have formerly wintered them on their sum- mer stands, with a home-made winter-jack- et over them with three inches of planer- shavings around between the hive and the jacket, and six inches of the same material over them, with fairly good success. I have a furnace-room where I could put a large number of the colonies if the high tempera- ture would not make it unfit. First, can I winter in the furnace-room if I can keep the temperature at 60 or below, provided other conditions are favorable? Second, will my going into the cellar to attend to the fire in the furnace have a ten- dency to disturb the bees, either on account of the noise or the light? Third, will it be necessary to have the bees fastened in with wire cloth to keep them in the hive if the temperature is 60 or nearly so? A. J. Kilgore. Bowling Green, O. [Dr. Miller replies:] The editor of Gleanings was responsible for my having the furnace put in the cellar, but he was not responsible for its being put in so late that the bees could not be cellar- ed until Dec. 8, after enduring a tempera- ture of 8 below zero without au}^ subsequent flight. I may remark, in passing, that that fur- nace is cataloged, not among the common but among the great blessings of this fami- ly. Common courtesy might have demand- ed that, when Mr. Root was here visiting', he should have acquiesced in existing do- mestic arrangements; but uncommon court- esy impelled him to insist that we have a furnace, and I here and now record my debt of gratitude for that insisting; for with- out it the furnace would not yet have ma- terialized. AIKIN'S ten-pound CANDIED-HONEY PACKAGE. — SEE EDITORIALS. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 1009 As reported in " Forty Years amoiifi;- the! B^es," the bees did not have a fair chance,! for the}' were put in after underfj^-oing- con-1 siderable confinement, and the winter was unusuall}' warm. To make matters worse, considerable smoke was allowed to escape in the cellar during the first days. One colony was reported as beinj,-- directly un- der a hot-air pipe, only three inches below it, a thermometer laid on the hive register- ing' 70 degrees. This was purposel}' left to await the outcome. Toward s]iring I went to see how it was faring, iind was some- what surprised to find it dead. Examina- tion showed it had starved to denth! The possibility of such a thing had not occurred to me, but I suppose the heat made it con- sume more stores. The fin.il result was, that out of 199 colo- nies put in the cellar only l24 entered upon the harvest. How much better they may do another winter remains to be seen. Answering your questions in order: 1. I don't know. I think you can. You will have the no small advantage that with that temperature you can have the cellar open for air at night, if not by day, and pure air is an important matter. 2. My experience has been that bees do not sutler from such disturbance to any great degree. 3. No. the bees will not be uneasy enough for that. Even though they should be un- easy, fastening them in would onh' make a bad matter worse. If a bee becomes dis- eased so it wants to leave the hive, it is bet- ter out than in. If it can not get out, the effort it makes to do so will only stir up the others. By no means think of fastening bees in their hives in winter. Marengo, 111. C. C. Miller. THF. CACTI OF ARIZONA FOR HONEY. I am seeking information regarding- the practicabilit}' of bee keeping with cacti as the honey-producing plants. As nearly as I can find out, the harvest could be made a'most perpetual, and the Arizona climate would give easy wintering". Millions of acres could be obtained for a song-, and my idea would be to select and plant such cac- ti as would give the longest harvest. Once planted, Mexican labor would take care of them. I should like to have some idea of what has been done in the way of bonanza bee-farming, and what the profits may be under favorable conditions C. R. TiNSLEV. Black Diamond, Ariz., Oct. 15. [I made a number of inquiries with re- gard to the feasibility of getting honey from cacti that grow in Arizona, but was assured by the veteran bee keepers of the Territory that, while some honey is secured from thai source, and while some individual plants invariably yield a good big supply of nec- tar, the amount in the aggregate is too small to give the plants any importance as a source of honej-. Of course, I understand there ^j"e a gre^j: many different varieties; jbut I was told that there are no cacti of any [description in the Territory that could be .ranked as honey-plants. I do not know of any bonanza in bee- faming unless it is to get in range of un- limited quantities of alfalfa, and usually there are so many bee- keepers to the square mile on such bee-range that there is no very great bonanza to any one of them. — Ed.] A PARTITIONED-OFF CELLAR FOR WINTER- ING BEES. Having a furnace in the cellar I have thought it would be too warm for the bees; so I have taken a corner of the cellar and boxed it off. I have put in a floor three feet from the ground, and boxed this tight to the ceiling with tarred paper. My pur- pose is to make a cold place in one corner of my warm cellar. I have succeeded, I think, in pfetting it tight. To ventilate this place I have built it around a window that I can darken, and open or close as I see fit for temperature. I purpose to put my doz- en colonies in this place. Is such a place all right? Can I ventilate it from the win- dow? It seems to me I can. I think I have overcome any possible dampness, secured the suitable darkness, and also the right temperature. I do not wish to put the bees in just now, for we are having some fine weather, and it may continue for six weeks or more. After reading what was said on p. 928, on " few colonies wintering well in a cellar," I became a little "shaky" about my cellar within a cellar. L. H. Clarke. Gardiner, Me., Nov. 2, 1903. [The compartment divided off in your cellar, if you design to put in only about a dozen colonies, will give you very satisfac- torj' results providing you can give the bees ventilation at night when the air is cool. It is desirable to keep the temperature be- tween 45 and 50 degrees. If you happen to have a very nice warm day or two in mid- winter, take the bees out and give them a flight, then put them back. This will qui- et them quite a little. It would be advis- able to give them a flight in the spring, say along in March or April, if you happen to have a warm day so that you can. Bees need more ventilation in the spring than in the fall or mid-winter.— Ed.] NON-SWARMERS, BV SELECTION IN BREED- ING, PRODUCE NON-SV/ARMING QUEENS. I don't want you and Dr. C. C. Miller to give up chasing the will-o'-the wisp yet. I, too, am hoping that we may breed a strain oif bees that will not put in a good share of the best of their time swarming; and I want to encourage you a little. In my twenty-two 5'ears of keeping and studying bees I never saw the swarming fever run so high as it has this j'ear. Some got as high as seven- fold increase. I am not that kind of bee-keeper, but I got an in- crease of 21 from 32 colonies; but it took 1010 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURR Dec. 1 great care to keep them down; for, as the Missourians say, they just swarmed any old way this j'ear. Two of my strongest and best colonies never offered to swarm, but went right along piling up the most beauti- ful honey. One of the queens is over four years old; and with bees swarming on every side she has never offered to swarm, and her bees have always stored more honey than any that swarmed or were shaken. Two years ago, when but few bees in this part of the country made any surplus, the bees of this queen gave me 80 lbs. surplus honey, mostly from red clover. They are large three- banded Italians. I have always kept this queen in a ten-frame Dovetailed hive, and put on supers as I found thej'needed them. I have produced comb honey alto- gether with them. I am raising a number of nice queens from my "old prize," as I have called her since the second summer I yfad her, and will test them thoroughlj^ and report. If the young one which did not swarm this year does not offer to swarm next swarm- ing season I shall also breed from her, for her bees are hard to beat. J. W. Beauchamp. Bethany, Mo., Aug. 24. MOSQUITO HAWKS, AND HOW THEY PREY ON BEES IN FLORIDA. I note in the Oct. 1st issue of Gleanings an inquiry as to damage to bees by mos- quito hawks, which are in some localities known as " dragon- flies " or " darning- needles." These insects have been very bad in this locality for the past three years. Last year there was a period of fully a month when none of my bees dared fly. The air was filled with a predatory horde of these insatiable winged monsters, and no bee could get awaj' to the field and home again past them. It took the little fellows somedaysto realize their danger, and during that time you could hardly find a mosquito hawk that did not clutch a bee. The colo- onies would, I believe, have been extermi- nated had it not been for their prudence in quitting work and hiding in the hive. Very early in the morning they could fly about a bit, some days, before the hawks awoke to their daily hunt. Immense numbers of bees must have been eaten. By the middle of June the number of the hawks had so di- minished that the bees resumed their la- bors. There have been smaller varieties of mos- quito hawk through the summer and fall, but so far as I have observed they do not bother the bees. The large variety come occasionally in clouds. At one time last spring my wife called to me that the bees were swarming and flying, out in the horse-lot. It was a cloud of mosquito hawks so dense that at a little distance it would be readily mistaken for a big swarm. Three years ago a man now in my em- ploy, while cutting posts in the woods lo- cated 38 bee-trees at a distance of several miles from here. Last spring we set out to locate and cut some of them. Out of the 38 but one or two colonies had survived, and hunters and woodsmen give the inva- sion of the mosquito hawk credit for the de- struction of almost all the wild bees in these woods. My own observations lead me to believe that they are right. We have alwaj's had a good many of these pests, but of late years they have come in hordes, and have sometimes ap- peared to be migrating. Their number from day to day varies a good deal. W. P. Marshall. Punta Gorda, Fla., Oct. 8. [If any of our other correspondents have before referred to the awful destructiveness of the mosquito hawks in Florida I had for- gotten it. It is quite remarkable, and in- teresting too, that the bees should keep in- doors while their natural enemies were so numerous on the outside. I should have naturally thought they would go to the fields and have been destroyed. Is this in- stinct or prudence that impelled them to protect themselves in the only way possible — that is, staying at home? — Ed.] YELLOW- JACKETS. The yellow-jackets are robbing my bees. While the stronger colonies are able to de- fend themselves against their attacks, they compel the weaker colonies to desert their hives. I have tried to poison them, but this will not answer. Please advise me what to do. F. W. Knoeger. Durango, Colorado. [If you will excuse me I would suggest that you are mistaken about the j'ellow- jackets driving your bees out of the hives or doing them any damage, unless it is to worry them a little. We have often seen them buzz around the entrance, perhaps getting in occasionally, but not in sufficient numbers to do any harm. I do not see how you could poison them without poisoning the bees. I would suggest you get some Italian bees if you have not got them al- ready. They are ever so much better to de- fend themselves from all intruders of all kinds. If 3'our colonies are strong, and have good queens, I do not believe yellow- jackets can do enough harm to amount to much. — Ed.] CHICKENS EATING QUEENS. Have you ever known chickens to catch and eat the queens? I have seen our Plym- outh Rocks catch the drones and eat them; and when a worker-bee would be taking a drone out, the chickens would eat both. The reason for asking the above question is, I had two this year's swarms robbed. The bees did not seem to make any defense at all; and on opening the hives I found no queen nor any worker brood ; but there was some drone brood in each hive. Now, for the last two days they have been rob- bing three old colonies. I have closed the 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 1011 entrances so that only one bee could get in at a time; placed grass over the entrance, sprayed with water and carbolic acid, but nothing does any good. They make no de- fense. The yellow- banded bees are the ones that are doing Ihe robbing. JostAH Zimmerman. Clyde, O., Oct. 9, ly03. [We have had many reports of chickens eating bees, but I do not remember an3' specific instances where the}' were reported to have eaten queens. If they will eat com- mon vyoi kers I do not see whj' they would not pick up a just-returning virgin. — Ed.] HANDLING THE GERMAN WAX-PRESS; A CON- VENIENT WAS-SKPAK.ATOK. As I have learned many a good thing from other bee-keepers through Gleanings I wish to contribute something which I found a great help in rendering wax with the German wax-press. I have my press standing on a briclv furnace, as per the il- lustration, the spout of the press discharg- ing into a g-alvanized water-bucket, which has a tube soldered on one side. This tube is connected with the bottom of said bucket so the water which tiows out of the wax-press can rise in the same as it fills up the bucket together with wax. This tube reaches up about three-fourths of the depth of the bucket where a hole is punched for an overflow when the water reaches that height. On the opposite, side of the bucket, about an inch higher than this overflow hole in the tube, is another spout to deliver the wax into any receptacle you might choosse to cool your wax in. The benefit derived from this arrangement is that you get your wax almost perfectly free from all impurities, which will settle in the water before leaving the spout. I use eight inch milk-pans for the wax to cool in, which hold about 5 lbs. of wax. I have melted about 145 lbs, of wax out of odds and ends and cappings this season, and this arrangement gave me so much satisfaction, working automaticallj% that I thous^ht it might benefit some one else. -» Pomona, Cal. M. R. Kuehne. [An arch or stove outdoors will be much preferable to the good wife's stove in the house. The average man if he attempts to render wax, will be pretty sure to make a mess of .it, either on the stove or on the floor. For some time we have contemplated putting out a gasoline- burner that can be applied under the German wax-press so that the machine can be handled anywhere outdoors or in any room where a " boil- over " or a "spill" would do no particular damage. In the mean time it is very easy for a bee-keeper to rig up a simple little arch outdoors which could be pressed into service whenever there is a j ^b of rendering wax. Your precipitating-pail for separating the wax from water is a very good idea, and perhaps it mav be worth while to get up something of this kind and offer it to the public. — Ed.] WIRING FRAMES. When wiring frames, the tendency of the wire to misbehave itself, and thereby cause inconvenience to the worker, may be obvi- ated almost wholly by stretching it. Tak- ing the spool in one hand, seizing the end of the wire with the pliers, unwinding from the spool about five feet, and then subject- ing the wire so unwound to a moderate strain, it will be found to give a little, aft- er which its behavior will show a decided change for the better. With a little prac- tice one can tell nearly enough what length of wire will be required for a frame, and thus be enabled to rid himself of the care of the spool by breaking the requisite length off. Whitby, Ont.,Can. N. O. Eastwood. [We make it a practice to wind our wire over a board that is just half the length of the wire necessary to complete the frame. Two rubber bands are slipped around each end, and with a pair of shears we cut all the strands at one end of the board. The wires will then be exactly the right length. I do not quite understand why stretching the wire before threading it through the frame should make it any better, but I can understand why stretching it after it was in the frame might remove the buckling tendenc}'. — Ed.] leach's bottom-board feeder. In your editorial in regard to my feeder, you say it is too expensive. Well, not so much so when you live in a timber country as we do here; besides, we make it in two pieces of six-inch plank, and cleat together; and as for the checking, I just dip the ends in hot beeswax, and cleat across the ends. With ordinary care it will last, I believe, 20 years. However, a cheaper plan woui^ 1012 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Dec. 1 be to use inch bottom-boards with saw-cuts in, and let them project at the back of the hive. The first one I made, eij^ht years agO", is in use to-day. L. T. Leach. Orillia, Ont., Can., Nov. 2. [The device can be cheapened in the way stated; bvit I still think it would be too much of a good thing — too expensive. — Ed.] DO BEES KEEP QUEENS FROM LAVING? I was asked by an old bee-keeper how bees manage to keep the queen from laying. He said he noticed (in observatory hives) that the worker bees gather around her in a circle with heads toward the center, thus keeping her inclosed in the middle. This was something new to me. How is it? When a queen is superseded do the bees rear the new queen from a natural cell (same as in swarming), or from a forced one? H from the latter, are not all queens from superseded colonies forced queens? Goshen, Ind. H. J. Schrock. [There are seasons when the queen stops laying under the impulse of instinct, as for instance in winter or during a severe drouth. In some instances the workers regulate the amount of brood to suit the pe- culiar conditions by destroying the eggs already deposited; but we have never no- ticed them actually preventing the queen from performing her functions. As a general rule, supersedure queens are reared from embryo queen-cells about the same as in a case of swarming. This, however, is not invariably the case, as we have known of instances in which the su- persedure cells were removed so often that the bees started building them over the lar- va2 in the worker cells. The general rule is that they proceed as in swarming. — Ed.] MORE DRONE COMB FROM WORKER FOUNDA- TION. Talk about bees making drone comb out worker foundation, p. 841, I can go you one better. This last spring I had one colony that made drone comb out of a full-frame worker comb. Said comb was at least three 3'ears old, with only a few patches of drone comb on the edges. When 1 discovered it, it was so full of sealed drone-cells on bolh sides that I estimated the worker-cells left on both sides together did not amount to over four square inches. Fredericktown, Mo. Jas. Bachler. [This is quite a remarkable incident. I do not remember to have seen a case like it before. — Ed.] WHEELBARROW- SPRINGS — A SUGGESTION. Mr. Root: — I saw on page 391 Mr. John W. Murray's article on the wheelbarrow, and I am tempted to say to you that I too would like to see the Daisy wheelbarrow improved in this way. Have the wheel made two inches smaller; the springs light- er, so as to act as springs; have the spriny$ turned up instead of down. This will throw the weight of the load on the wheel instead of on the man who is wheeling. The wheel being smaller, with the same length of spring as at present, one can clean the dirt off the wheel much easier. Lighter or less highly tempered springs can be used by letting the springs press up against the wood work of the shafts. I want to get a wheelbarrow next spring, and I wish to speak in time. Of course I do not expect you to take to my way of thinking unless you see it is for the best; but I will gladly pay the difference in cost. You say in your catalog that the Daisy wheelbarrow will carry 500 lbs. Don't you see that a set of springs that will carry such a load are no springs at all under a lighter load? but with the springs as they are, they ought to be bent the other way. My wheelbarrow springs snapped badly in frosty weather; in fact, they broke like pipestems; but in warm weather they stood the test of weight very well. There is too much weight on the man who is wheeling, and not enough on the wheel. Wm. H. Eagerty. Cuba, Kan., July 30, 1903. [Your bent-up spring would have less elasticity and less strength than one bent the other waj'. The small wheels would not be as good on a rough path or road as the larger ones; that is to sa3', on ordinary uneven ground, a large wheel is much more easy on combs than a smaller one; and, after all, the small wheel and bent-up spring only enables you to handle a little heavier load providing the roadway or path or ground is fairly even. Why not use the larger wheels and take less load and make more trips? Try the experiment some time with a small paddy wheelbarrow, with a small wheel, and then with a modern wheelbarrow with a large wheel. I think you will find the push or pull, or, technical- ly speaking, the "draw-bar pull," would be much greater in the first case mentioned than in the last; so that what you actually save in weight would be more than counter- balanced in the extra strength exerted to push the small wheel over obstructions. The same problem is encountered in the wheels used in automobiles. But the ob- jection to small wheels is overcome by the use of pneumatic tires, into which an ob- struction may crowd without materially im- peding the progress of the vehicle. — Ed.] NOT A POISON. Referring to that brood Mr. Keating sent 3'ou (p. 842), you may recollect that, prior to receiving it, you received a similar sam- ple from me. You communicated with me by letter, for which I am much obliged. You have expressed 30ur opinion as to the likelihood of death by poison in both cases. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 1013 This disease has been amonpf my bees for fifteen or tweut}' years. I have cured it from time to time by simply g-ivinpf the af- fected colon\' a healthy vij^orous queen. In my opinion it is caused by excessive heat. When the thermometer ref,'-isters about 110°, bees, brood, and queen alike become seri- ously affected— the latter often diminishing in size to such an extent that her abdomen is hardl}' larjjer than one- fourth the size of a norm il queen. These affected queecs seldom live through winter. The proof of my theory is, that introtiucin";^ a he tlthy queen generally stops the progress of the disease. Moses Bkay. Morgan Hill. Cal. A hf;mp bre-bkush. The article on whisk-broom bee-brushes in Gleanings and the Anier. Bee Journal was read with considerable interest. W^hile spending- the past season in California with several largfe and experienced bee-keepers I was tauj^ht several valuable lessons. One was the making^ of a bee-brush that is, in my opinion, the acme of perfection. Take twenty inches of one inch hemp rope; dou- ble together, and bind with stray threads of hemp or foundation-wire to the length of four inches, for a handle; then fray out the ends of your rope and soak it half an hour in water, and you have a brush that will neither disable a bee nor mar in the least the cappings. When dirt3', or daubed with honey, you can wash and wring dry, like any cloth. I have used both whisk and hemp brushes in the management of 500 colonies of bees, and I would not use any but the home-made article. By the press- ure of your thumb you can regulate the width of your brush so as to cover a Lang- stroth frame at one strc ke. You can credit Mr. C. I. Graham, of California, with the above method, for he is the gentleman who taught me. Geo. Hekkick. West Pullman, 111. Fasten the trap chain to the end of a ten- foot pole or board, heavy enough so they can not drag it away. Then, instead of putting them in a nail ketj (in which case you would have about 99 failures out of every 100 skunks, or shooting them, in which case, if you try it, you would think there were at least 200 failures out of every 100 trapped ), approach the rear end of the pole or board cautiously, and fasten a rope to it, five of six feet in length. Then stai t off slowly, dragging skunk and all after you. You can drag them any distance 3'ou see fit, and there will be no odor. Then j'ou can dispatch them in any manner you wish. But, kill tht m as you will (unless you take hold of the pole and dip them in water deep enough to submerge them), there will be odor. The object of this method is to get the odor, if any, a safe distance from the house or bee yard. Try this, and see how easy and sure it is. HOW TO PKEVENT SWARMING. I also wis^h to say a few words in reply to the question as to how I prevent my bees from swarming, and where one can get a non swarming race. I have thought of this a great deal; and the more I think of it the more firmly I am convinced that we all have non-swarmers if properl3' manipulat- ed. In other words, I believe that, instead of its being natural for bees to swarm, it is the reverse. Of course, there are excep- tions to all rules; but swarming according to nature is the exception (barring Carnio- lans). Give your queens plenty of room as needed at the proper time, and the workers the same, and I will guarantee the rule will be no swarming — at least in lliis lati- tude. I presume these few remarks will cause the bee-keepei s to swarm; but try this simple method and you will hive yourselves automatically. Say, friend A. I , don't you think it would have been better to give that poor Cuban boy a litile honey, and let him ke^ p his dime also, even though it was Sunday — page 853? Elias Fox. Hillsboro, Wis., Oct. 28. SKUNKS — HOW TO DESTROY THEM. I want to say a few words relative to trap- ping skunks in bee yards or elsewhere, and the disposition of them after being caught. KILLING skunks; SHOOTING WHILE CAPTIVE NOT TO BE KECOMMENDKD. I was reading on page 847 regarding Mr. Green's method of trapping skunks out of the apiary; also what you had to say about it. Now, let me telbiyou right here that you don't want to use a gith, or authorizei any one else to change it If you know any place in the Bit>le that authoriz- s such a change, you will greatly oblige myself and others if you will point out the chapter and ver>-e. K. Stinson. ButierSeld, Ark., Oct. H. Dear friends, if you expect me to take up this matter point by point you will be dis- appointed. It would be out of place in a journal like this. Perhaps I might as well say here that I can not take space for reply unless the replies offer something I have not heard before. I have read more on the subject than I ever expect to read again. Yes, I feel almost like saying I have wast- ed more time in reading the printed matter the good friends have sent me than I can afford to waste again. I have hunted up references from my Bible; but I hope these friends will excuse me when I tell them there is nothing in iny Bible, from begin- ning to end, that would indicate to 7ne the great Father would be pleased to have us change our present Sunday to Saturday. My opinion is he would be displeased to have us waste our time on so unimportant a matter. If these good friends really insist we are making a great mistake in having our rest day on the first day of the week in- stead of the seventh, then I would suggest that the shortest and easiest remedy would be to call Monday the first day of the week, and then Sunday would be the seventh. That ought to suit everybody all around; but, if I am correct, these zealous friends of ours stoutly reject this solution of their dif- ficulty. I say their difficulty, because a very great majority of the Christian world does not see any difficulty at all. You will remember how the Savior rebuked the Pharisees for their foolish notions about the sabbath. You will remember, too, what he said about straining out a gnat and swal- lowing a camel; and it really seems to me as if this were a fair illustration of mak- ing so much ado about Sunda}- being the wrong day when this world is actually so full of sin and crime. Monda)' is the first working da)'^ of the week; and I was a grown-up man with con- siderable intelligence (you may smile, but what I say is actually true) before I knew that people generally called Sunday the first daj' of the week. Well, now, if you prove to me that the whole wide world rec- ognizes Sunday as the first day, and may be the laws of our land declare it so, it would not make one bit of difference with my opinion in regard to the matter. I would still insist that it would be a thou- sand times easier to make Monday the first day of the week than it would to have peo- ple generally the world over throw every thing out of joint in an eft'ort to have Sun- daj' on vSaturday, especially with the view in mind that the great God above, the Cre- ator of the universe, would be pleased by such a revolution. When the matter was first brought to my attention, years ago, be- fore I was a Christian, I said the peculiar position taken by the seventh-day people had no reason back of it. All of God's laws are founded on reason and common sense. If we do not see it at once, our Bible students and our ministers of the gospel can give us information in regard tothe whys and where- fores. Let me tell you a little story. When it first became fashionable to use a 1016 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Dec. 1 fork instead of a knife to convey food from the plate to the mouth, I rejected the new- fangled innovation. vSome of the young-er people may smile. I can imagine some of the children who read this Home paper will say, " Why, mother, was there ever a time when people ate with their knives, putting a knife to their mouth instead of using a fork?" If the mother is sixty years old or more she will reply, "Yes, my child, I can re- member quite distinctly when everybody put the kuife to the mouth until the new cus- tom came around." Well, as I said before, I rejected the new custom because I declared there was no sense nor reason in it. But Mrs. Root said, " Why, my dear husband, there is the best sense and reason in the world for this change. Your knife is used for spreading butter on bread. If a butter-knife is not on the table it would not be ill bred to take some butter with your own knife when it is passed. Would you like to see somebody take his own knife out of his mouth and cut off a slice of butter from the butter plate? Or where there are individual butter- plates, as is usually the case now, would you throw away all the butter left on the individual plates? No'.v, if all those at the table took butter with a knife that had never been placed in the mouth, all the butter in these little plates could be saved, and it would be as good as ever. Do you not see the good sense that prompts this change in the man- ner of eating?" I owned up at once, and from that time forward I have carefully abstained from putting my knife into my mouth, using a fork or spoon instead. W^hen the matter was first brought to my attention, I thought the new fashion was like many other "whims," or "style," without sense or reason to support it. Just now physicians will tell you there would be great danger of conveying contagious diseases if every- body followed the practice of taking his knife out of his mouth and putting it in the butter that might be used by some other per- son. Now, if the good friends have ever brought forward any sort of reason for the change they propose, or if they have ever shown us that they would accomplish any thing for our physical or spiritual development, I have never yet seen it. They simply say we must do it because God says so. In the first place, God has not said so in his holy word to me. He does say very plainly and distinctly that we are to work six days, and keep the seventh holy. Travelers who have been all over the world will tell you that the world has not been able since the creation to have Sunday exactly in unison the world o\er. They could not have it at the same time, for a part of the earth would be in the darkness of night. And then there might be a discussion that could never be settled as to what day was the one God meant. Now please forgive me, friends, if some of you think I am a little irreverent in what I say. If the Bible did say. or could be made to say, that it was God's wish that we should keep Saturday instead of Sun- day I should lose my faith in the Bible, and I should lose my faith in God. Do not fear, dear friends. God has never yet said any thing to his children that is unreasonable. The old patriarch Abraham said, " Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?" And the great Judge did at that time do right, and has done right ever since. I am not a theologian ; but one of the ablest schol- ars in theology that it was ever my privi- lege to have as a friend, said something like this: " The great schools of theology agreed, ages ago, that reason stands back of God." It is the heathen that our mis- sionaries find in the islands of the sea who have rigmaroles of senseless rites that they go through with to appease the wrath of their gods. It is not the United States of America, nor any Chrisiian nation. Now, please do not think from the above that I have any but the kindest of feelings toward tho->e who hold these peculiar views. God knows I would not say any thing nor do any thing to hurt their feelings in the least; and I am giad to say that many who hold thfse views are very charitable toward other Christian people. You will remem- ber that I once stopped with a good brother in Florida, who kept Saturday as a rest day. Somebody asked me, before I called on him, what I was going to do about it. I said at once that I should really enjoy con- forming to the custom of these friends I was visiting. Of course, I talked the matter over with my host; and as we finished I said, "Now, friend K., I have joined with you in worshiping God according to your custom. Should you ever come to Medina, which I hope you will, may I not expect that you will go with me to church and Sun- day-school, and unite with us in remember- ing the sabbath day in keeping it holy ac- cording to our custom?" He replied that he would, of course; and later in the day I found that he was in close touch with Chris- tian workers all around him who did not hokl his views. Here is another kind letter which I wish to submit: Mr. A. I. Root:- As this is my first year]s trial of Glkanings I wish to express my apprec ation of the same I enjoy rtading jour Notes ot Travel, and also Our Homes ; and under the heading of " Remember the sal)t)ath d y to keep it holy," I believe you are a man who is trying to ni ike the world better by vour life: yet I fea'r there is somewhat of a compromising spirit when j ou would encourage Sunday traffic. Now, sir, is it right to do wrong to gain thy l)rother ? I say. no. Chti-t, when he went to ihe I'empte and foui d them buying ami selling, did not siy, " We had tielttr let go for this time for fear we lose our infiueirce." t)ut he drove them out. I believe we must stand out firm against wrong every time, and leave the rt suits in God's hand and ne wi 1 take ciie of his own cause. I probablv take a different view of this matter, as I see so much of the compromising spirit in the church of to day, being so much like the world, having a form of godlini.ss but denying the power thereof. I have fell thankful when re'ading the temperance sentiments expressed in Gi.kanin(,s: and may the I.ord bless you in your good w ork on this line. I am almost a be- ginner in bee culture; but I have learned at least some 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 1017 from Gleanings, and I hope the Lord will spare 3'Oiir life to \ears of usefulness. Athens, Out , Cm R M. Hkown. You will observe that the dear brother who writes the above thinks I am in dang-er of conprotnisifti; with evil. Now, friends, as I see it, we absolutely niiisf put a com- mon-sense interpretation on (iod's command to remember the sabbath day to keep it holy. Let me g^ive you an illustration. Our postortice at the cabin in the woods is t'.vo miles from our home. The meeting- house where we.hold our Sunday-school is one mile from home. During the past sum- mer a postal box was set up right close to the church. It is the nearest place for us to mail our letters. Is there any thing wrong in^taking the letters when we go to Sunday-school and dropping thein in the letter-box? Now, there may be some among the readers of Glkanings who will say we should not go near the letter-box on Sun- day, not even to drop in a letter. Better go back home and travel a mile and back over the hills Monday morning. Perhaps a./ew will say this — may be none at all. In the above I have supposed, of course, that the cards and letters were written on Saturday and mailed on Sunday'. I very rarely write to anybody on Sunday, not even to iny own brothers and sisters. Perhaps I am more conscientious in this than the most of you. Mrs. Root docs not feel about it as I do, and she often writes long letters to her absent children Sunday afternoon. I do not think she will mind my telling it, because so many other good Chiistian people do the same thing. But writing letters is a great part of my daily work on week days. I try not to ivurk on Sunday if I can help it. Well, once last fall the man who owns the thrashing-machine said he was ready for me to draw in my buckwheat. I had two men and two teams engaged to start the work early Monday morning. Saturday night, after dark, he sent his little boy to say he could not do our thrashing at the time we had planned. Farmers get up ear- ly in that region, even before daylight, and the man would be along with his team a little after daylight, and he would have to go back home again when he was greatly crowded unless I got a message to him. Should I go over Sunday evening and tell him of the change in arrangements, or should I get up Monday morning, before daylight, and g^o by the light of a lantern? There was no other way. I could send word by the chiloren at Sunday-school con- cerning- the different arrangements about thrashing; but that would be "doing busi- ness " on Sunday. At another time, a postal card was brought to me at Sunday school, that re- quired an answer by the very first mail that went out. Someb. idy else wy a news-stand on our way home from church, without considering ver^' much I made the purchase I have just mentioned, and I am sorrj' I did it. But do you not see, dear friends, how difficult it is to lay down rules for each other in this matter? May God give us wisdom and understanding, and help us that not only on Sunday but all through the week we may "do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly before God." DRUGSTORES, SALOONS, ETC. Friend Root: — \ read with much interest your article on the "Anti saloon League." I am with you on the temperance question. It may be that things are dif- ferent in Ohio from what they are here ; but with us the drugstores are the worst of saloons. A man who is able to set up a small drupstore would not go into the saloon business, as the license is too high. He will merely take out a "druggist's license," which amounts to little or nothing, and opens up, to all in- tents and purposes, a saloon. He may have a very small stock of drugs ; but the barrel of whisky is sure 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 1019 to be there, and he will sell by the driuk to all of those he can trust not to inform on him. and will be in col- lusion witT some doctor who will furnish prescrip- tions to all others ; and he will make money, and branch out into a big drugstore, buy a farm, and drive fast horses to a fine rij;. This is not overdrawn, my friend, but is what I have known to be done. With you it may be, '" Down with the saloons !" but with us the drugfslore is fai worse than the saloon. One rea- son is, men will go into a drugstore and take a drink, and yet they would be ashamed to be caught in a sa- loon. Again they will sell whisky to bovs under age, which the saloonkt-ep r is afraid to d.i The man with the " reaiiy-niade prescriptions " can sell to any one. Small towns here h. The doctors told him he had consumption. He decid- ed to walk it out of his system, if possible, and he has walked three ihous md niiUs in iwenty-six months. Incidentnllv, he wore out sixty-one pairs of shoes. He didn't huir'y. He saw more beautiful things in nature than he had dreamed existed. He saw broad acres and mighty mountains. He heard strange bints and talk- ed with fine people. Those he met everywhere. They were kind to a stranger, and he discovered that there are no map liinits to brotherly love. And as he walked he felt strength returning. He dropptd his cough in Arizona, an i lost his aches in Coloiado. W hen he reached the great wheat-fields of Kansas he was tanned and happy, and he trudged along, gla 1 that he wa^ living. It looks and fei lings count for any thing, E C Norris is a well man. His flesh is hard, his muscles firm, he sleeps like a >-al)y, and his brain never slips a cog. That is what walking didfor/i/w. And it suggests that walking is one of the best of txercises, good lor the health and the di- gestion, a cure for the blues, a remedy for bad nerves. a promoter of peaceful sleep, and excellent for the temper. Try it some day. Now, friends, the above prescription would probably cure hundreds and thou- sands of people, even if they have the real" consumption. It wants a little Christian science about it, if you will excuse the term, to give the patient faith. If he can scrape up faith enough to have some enthusiasm in testing the cure, he will get well. Perhaps, some may not be able to walk more than a mile the first day. I think it would be a good plan to have some faithful friend go along with him — his wife, for instance. Of course, you would need some money, but not much more than to pay doctors' bills, after all, and some arrangement would have to be made so the patient could find pro- tection in case of severe weather. If he can walk half a mile the first day, and rest up so as to make another half-mile the follow- ing day, his case is a hopeful one. He should have an ambition, however, to go a little further each daj?; and then he should give his whole soul to the work, for it is in real truth a matter of life atid death. If it were my case, if my life depended on it, Mrs. Ruot would go with me. My work up in the woods in Northern Michigan was ex- actly in that line. When I first started I was so used up by a little exertion for half an hour I became discouraged, and almost yielded to the notion that 1 was too sick to start out in any thing of the kind. Why, I almost feel like having some slips printed for free distribution, telling how this man zval/ied 'd-wa-y from his own "funeral." THE FUTURE OF SWEET CLOVER. It has pained me to see the way in which many of the agricultural papers have talk- ed about sweet clover, especially in ans- wering inquiries. Here is something from the Country Gentleman, however, from John Chamberlain, that is a fair recognition of its true value: I never see a swampy growth of sweet clover that a man could fairly gel lost in, as he would in a southern canebroke, without wondering why some one has not taken it up and made it a U ader in hay-producing plants. As we see it, only one crop is produced; but where it happens to be cut down before seeiling. and before the main stem becomes woody, it springs up again at once and covers the ground with the most succulent giowth imaginable, and always quite indif- ferent to dry or wet w.ather. Some aay we shall ap- preciate sweet clover. The writer of the above item does not say outright that it will be eaten with the greatest avidity bj' almost all kinds of Sitock when the3' once create an appetite for it. but he seems to take it for granted it is of value. None of the clovers can be class- ed as noxious weeds. Of course, even rank red clover in a strawberry- patch might be called a weed; and sweet clover has per- haps created the impression that it is a weed because it grows luxuriantly, even on the hardest ground by the roadside, where red clover would not grow at all. It is really one of the hardiest and most valuable of the clovers. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 1021 6^1oe Plum Rarely offered by the trade. Stock very liiii'led. Order before too late. Price for .spriiijj delivery, •? to 4 loot trees, 50c each, (iraftitig wood, postpaid, per foot 10c; 3 ft. •2.')c; 10 It 7r,c. E^. C. Green (St>>Son, Medina, O I bi:e supplies. k Don'l Wait Any Longer lo Buy. BIG DISCOUNTS FOR j£^ »^ORDERS NOW.>^' ^ Write to us today and say what you want and get our prices. New cat- alog will soon be out. It is free. We also handle HOOSIER INCUBATORS AND BROODERS C. M. SCOTT (Q. COMPANY Dcpt. Ci. 1004 E. Wash. St., Indianapolis, Ind. Root's Goods in Central Michigan! Special prices inilil .Xiuil 1, lilCl. Writf your wants, let iiic name prices. .Supplies txchaii.;t;d fi.r honey. W. D. Soper, R. D. No. S, Jackson, Mich. CHas. Israel (Si Brothers 486-40O Canal St., Ne^v Yox-K. Wholesale Tealers ani Ccmmissi.n Merchants in Honey, bee>wax. Maple Sugar atid Syrup, etc. Cousi«iimfnts Solicited. Established lx'J\ Squabs are rai.'-t d in 1 month, bring big prices. Hfiger niarkt t. Money- makers for poultry men, fatmers, women. Here is ioniethivg uorth looking into. Send for out Free BooK, "How to Make Monty Willi Sqiials"and learn this rich in dust IV. Addiess PL YMbllH KOCK SQUAB CO., 79 J^rund St.. Boston. Mass. POULTRY JOURNAL ^^7 '^iSer^worS a dollnr, but will send it lo you one year on trial, inclufling book. Plans for Poullr\ Houses, for "i^c. Samrde copy KHEE Inland Poultry Journal, Indianapolis, li.d. Free to Our Readers. For many years we have advocated the use of cut green bone lor poiutry. To s: read informa- tion on tl'is .subj^>ct we have arrau^'^'d with the manuf ictiirers of the Latpst M i chine, com« plete with in- struction book and accessories An iiuprovot high arm I'.ia chine, n i c Icl e trimmed, hand- somely orna- mented. Adapted to all kin Is of plain and ornam ^a tal scwin'?. Don't buy amishino ol any kind ct any prica un.il ys j sond for (0.45Si:i^^'-^"~^=^' our catalogue. arm, nickia trimmed drop l.jad sowing machine, mounted on a beautiful 5 drawer oak drop head cabinet. Cut Ehowg machine open ready for VFork, when not in use drop head from sight and you have a hand- some stand or table. The arm of head is nicely shaped, 13 larpe. afiords ample sev. space, has posi four-mot ion food {does not depend on a spring. 9 t 4l ' V H'ghArm, l..j[i gradOjCeiaIr Sewing t\1 chine. Full rickle , vwirjTL,-,, ,, p'atedand 4 VfeagSSJ (|- -o- Write fcr free Sewing Machine Cata- Sogue. decorated head, with boau'lTuI quar- ter sawod end carved five drawer drop head cabinet. I'all bcarii.fiBta ».l.nas positive taUo iij) and diae tension xha eccentric is made in oneiiiccc, obivalingr any vi- bra:iiin. The head 13 c.vtra larK«. Will handle any kin li,'ht or heavy family sewintr. The workman- jj ship on this head Is the finest that the besi and most experienced mechanics ttnd best machinery ccn produce. It is liitrlily l.utlid, mcuU-iI, polislieilandomaMicnud. I'lioe on all niacin nes includes instruction book and a'l accessories such as (juilter, 6 bobbins, I irni(le,lpk.r. needles, od can, etc. Kurcoinplete Fet of attacMments, the most complete set ever made, to do all kinda of fancy se«ii\p:, price, extia75c. Dcin't buy a sewjns macliine of any kind at any price, cntllvou.M'nd for our free catalnj^'ue, which coniaius ourextraonllnarv lih^^al sbipiiint? and trial terms. CUT THIS AD OUT ;y'u'i'^;,fd*'yoro^ir"'iaV.';^ han^Uliuts. 1 Q- I Cosmopolitan, ^ ^ ) Recreation. „ „- t Cosmopolitan, "* ""l Scribner's. o nft3 Cosmopolitan, ^ ""( World To Day. 4 Qf.\ Cosmopolitan, * "" I Century. o nn/ Cosmopolitan, ** ""tst Nicholas. n ~^f Cosmopolitan, ** ""(Country Ufe. 0 -= 1 C-smopolitan, ^ '^/Outing. 1 r>-f Cosmopolitan, ^ (Twentieth Century Home. 1 (yxf Cosmopolitan, ^ ""( Ohio Farmer. 2 -./Cosmopolitan. I Review of Reviews. „ -- /Cosmopolitan, ^ '■'! Worlds Work. ] or J Cosmopolitan, ( American Boy. fOlfanings, 1 25-^ Farme s' Call,. (Practical Farmer. ( Gleanings, 1 20-^ harmeis' Call, (Ohio Farmer, ("Gleanings, 1 55-! 1 aimer.s' Call, (country Genleman. (Gleanings. 1 50 -| Karnif-rs" Call, (Anieiican Agriculturist. [Glf anings, 1 50< Fanners' Call, (National Stockman. ( Gleanings. 1 50^ Farmers' Call, I New England Farmer. ( Cleanings. I 25< Fa meri,' Call, ( Tribune Farmer. ( Gleanings, 1 00-^ Farmers' Cfill, ( Worlds Events. ( f. leanings. I 00-^ Farmers Call, ( Farm Poultiy. I Git anitigs 1 00-! Farmers' Call, f Farm Journal. 1 Gleanings. 2 2!3< Farmers' C^ll, I Hoise Review. ( Gleanings, 1 oo< F .rnurs' Call, ( Hoard's Dairyman, ( Gleanings, 1 00^ Farm.rs' Call. ( Farm and Home. ( Gleanings, 1 00-< Farmers' Call, ) F'arm and F'ireside. ( ' leanings, 1 00^ Farmer.s' Call, I Four-Track News. ( Gleanings, 1 10^ Farnur^,' Call, I Little B ys and Girls. ( Gleanings. I 10< t-atmers' Call. ( ^abbalh Reading. 1 Gleanings, 1 50-J Tribune Farmer, ( McCall's Magazine. ( Gleanings. 1 80-< Tril>une harmer, ( Country Gentleman. ( Gleanings. 1 75-< Trihune Farmer, ) Cosmopolitan. 1 00-^ 80- 1 00 I 05 1 05 75 McCall's Magazine, Free Pattern, Gleanings. McCall's Magazine, Free Pattern, Ilou-sekeeper. McCall's Magazine, Free Pattern, Sabbath Reading. McCall's Magazine, Free Pattern, Household Ledger. McCall's Magazine, F'ree Pattern. Woman's Home Companion McCall's Magazine, Free Pattern, Leslie's Monthly. McCall's Magazine, Free Pattern. No nial Inhttuctor. McCall's Magazine, 75-( Free Pattern, j( World's Events. ( McCall's Magazine, 1 00< hree Pattern, ( Practical Farmer. 1 McCall's Magazine. Free Pattmi, Ohio Farmer, Pearson's Magazine. 1 40 r McCall's Magazine, Free Pattero, I I >hio Farmer, I, Woman's Home Companion : McCall's Magazine, Free Pattern, ! Health Culture. ) McCall's Magazine, - Free Pattern, ) American Boy. 1 McCall's Magazine, [■ Free Pattern, ) Farm Poultry. ( McCall's Magazine, -I Free Pattern. ( American Poultry Advocate ( McCall's Magazine, I Free Patern, ( 'Vick's Magazine. ( McCall's Magazine, } Free Pattern, (American Mother, ) McCall's Magazine, [- Free Pattern, ) Scribner's Magazine. ( McCall's Magazine, < Free Pattern, ( Harper's Bazar. McCall's Mapazine is the 1. arling moderate-priced fashion magazine and is preferred by many to the l^lM.e.Uor Farmers' Call— All subscriptions to this mus. be new, all «l'^f.';-^,'"«-X f^ "?;^ "'i r^iewal. It is a tir.>-t-cl,..-s wecklv ag,. cultural pai er Gleanings may be subsiituled in an> oHer for Cosmopolitan Cosmopolitan may be substituted lor Gleanings in any otter. No-v. ia» More of our offers appeared in Nov. l.j Gleanings. Address all orders to C. M. Goodspeed, Box 731, SKaneateles, N. Y. 1024 GLEAiVINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Dec. 1 m m fifA Sfit ^M m m &\ m^ 9JA fgJS VfifA 9^^A m »•» ^m w^ 0ver15Montlis&foronly$1 to a NEW SUBSCRIBER to the Weekly American Bee Journal ^^ in all To new subscribers for 1904 (at SI. 00) we will send all the numbers of the Bee Journal (so long- as they last) containing- the Los Angeles Convention Report of the National Bee-Keepers' Association, This will be over a quarter of a year's numbers FREE, or 68 copies for only a dollar. Now is the time to subscribe. Read what the Weekly American Bee Journal contains : Editorial Comments — This department is exactly what its name indicates — Editorial opinion on a variety of topics, original items, comments, etc. Miscellaneous — In this department is found personal items, and anything and every- thing that is not easily classified elsewhere. It is really an Editorial department, and in- variably contains readable and entertaining matter. Convention Proceedings — It is the en- deavor of the American Bee Journal to give reports of as many of the bee-keepers' con- ventions as possible, especially those of State and National ioterest. This is indeed a most valuable feature, bright and helpful, as things are said at conventions by people that would n ver think of writing out what they know. No other paper attempts to report bee-conven- tions as does the American Bee Journal. Contributed Articles — These are writ- ten by the best and most successful bee keep- ers in the world — those who produce honey by the ton. Such men as G. M. Doolitile, C. P. Dadant, L. Stachelhausen, Adrian Getaz, C. Davenport, Prof. A. J. Cook, etc., write for this department. Our Bee-Keeping Sisters — This de- paritnent is only about a year old, and yet it is coming to be of great interest, especially to women bee-keepers. Miss Emma Wilson, who conducts it, is a successful bee-keeper of many years' experience, and knows w- hat will help the women readers as well as otbers. Hasty's Afterthought— This is by E. E. Hasty hiinsflf. He reviews, and comments upon, what has already appeared in preceding nutnbers of the Bee Journal, pointing out errors, and also commending what he deems worthy. Dr. Miller's Answers — This is invalu- able to beginners. Here they can have an- swered almost any question on bee-keeping. Dr. Miller has had over 40 years' experience, so he is able to help others to succeed with bees. Some Expert Opinion— This is a new department, or an old one revived, in which about 25 of the expert bee-keepers of the United States and Canada reply to difficult questions, or those on which it is desirable t) have the opinion or experience of more than one person. From Many Fields— This department contains reports of the season, ami small items of great variety, gathered up from almost, everywhere. It is interesting reading, and often very practical and helpful. Beedom Boiled Down — This has th ' cream of the current bee-literature of tiie dny. It is an irretrular department, appealing when there are items of importance that we feel should be spread before our readers. We are constantly on the lookout for the " cream," and *' skim it off " for the benefit of the readers of the American Bee Journal. Sketches of Beedomites — This is a biographical department We endeavor to give frequent life-sketches of the leader.* in bee-keeping, and especially of those who have passed away, and who have been prominent in the work with bees. Honey and Beeswax Market — In fhi.s are given quotations from the various mar- kets of the United States. No bee-keeper should be without these, in order to decide as to what he should get for his honey when he sells it. PHA The foreeoing list of departments is a strong one. We aim to please and help the ex- p.-rt, the less experienced, and also the beginner. And we believe we succeed in doing so in the old American Bee Journal. Hadn't j/o?* better send it your subscription to-day, and get inline to handle your bees in a more practical and profitable way next season ? Only 81.00 will pay for it every week to the end of 1904, including all the Los Angeles Convention Report. Sample Copy free for the asking. Send all orders to GEORGE "W. YORK & CO , 144 & 146 E. Epie Street, CHICAGO, ILL. i m II m m m S55! was ^, «® mi SSiJ mi 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 1025 ^ A "DIRT-CHEAP" BOTTOM-BOARD. ^^ S The Bee-keepers' Review for November describes a bottom-board that costs L^ absolutely nothing. This may seem strange, but it is strictly true. This same issue also describes a cover that will neither warp, wind, split, nor twist, yet it can be made for five cents. Another interesting feature of this issue is the description of a cheap but novel method of supporting brood-frames, in which the point of contact is so small that gluing of them fast is almost impossible — they can always be picked up with the fingers with no prying loose. Send SI. 00 for the Review for 1904, and you will get, not only this November issue, free, but all of the other issues of this year. In other words, as long as the supply holds out, all of its numbers of this year (1903) will be sent free to the man who sends Si. 00 for 1904. . This year and next for only $1.00. W. Z. HUTCHINSON, Flint. Mich. S $ il^ fopffils large handsome steel range without high closet oi- reservoir. With large, hi.i;h roomy warming- closet, tea shelves anJ reservoir just as sliown in ut, $10.95. Reservoir is porcelain on in- 5. de, asbestos covered oa outside and set into a steel casinsj so tliat it ret::ins the l'.e,.t and keeps wa^er much hotter than the old style. Thetojjol thJsblj ranio is LSxlG inclies, has 0 cooking- holes, lar;;'e roomy oven i x 18x13 inches wi^h square door so you receive full henelit of the large oven ( $ 3-9081 He for this ak ater just as illustrated. Burns hard or soft coal orwo^d. Has drawn center grate, corrugated fire pot, cold rolled s.ieet steel body, heavy cast base, large cast feed clocr, ash pit door an i larsre ash pan, swin'^j top, douole screw draftregula- lator. Kickle plated urn, top ring- name plate, foot rails, etc. We have heating stoves of every_ ki°d-^-^^ 1 lot blast, air tishts, the kind that retails forSJ.iO, for 03c. L'ase burners at J j the regular price. have steel ranire' with much larger and s:aaller ovens, sizes to suit all.) The body lis h'';h grade ran'-fe ts made of col u rolled steel , top and all castings of I est No. 1 pig iron. Cr-;e; weuseim- provedduplexgrate, burns wood or coal, fjickis trimmings are a ba_d en front of main top, bani. sand brackets on hi,:li closet, tea pot shelves, frame and panel on oven door and cle.m out door. The nickle parts are all h-ghly buhedand polished making the range an ornament to any house. ^C fi||/|Dj|l|TCC thisrangeto be the mostperfjct baker made as oven is asbestos covered, making an even and Ilk UUAnnil I LC steady heat. We have steel ranges from $3.85 and up, 0 styles, made in all sizes. ^^■■■% V'PI%BflO are the most liberal ever made. We will ship you any steel range, cook or heating stove, IIIIBk I ma 1% HI ^^ guarantee it to reach you in perfect condition, you can pay for it after you receive it, you ^vVII Ibimi^y can take it into your own home and use it 30 full days. If youdon't find it tobeexactly as represented and perfectly satisfactory in every way and the biggest bargain in a stove you ever heard of and equal to stoves thalretailfordoubleourprice, you can return the stove to us and we will pay freight both ways, so you won't be out onesingle cent. mTUIQ '*iin" nil ^ and send it to us and we will mail you our free stove catalog. It explains our terms fally, I niw AU UU I tells you ho. V to order. Don't buy ■ stove of any kind until vou gel our calalogu* and see our liberal terms and the UAOIfSII CBIITil Ofl f^UIOAftn lowest prices ever made. Write now. RIAIffflll dnlllll UUii vIbIvMUU* Genuine CYPHERS INCUBATORS Patented ARE C'JARANTEED To hatch a linger percentage of fertile eggs. To produce larger and mi're vigorous chicks. To operate w.th less odand expense. To require no sui>p]ied moisture, Tobesell-ventilating, [lator, To have a more sensitive, accurate and durable regu- To maintain a in re even temp rature. To lie more strictly a .t^matic in action and Tngi' etiet er r-si. ts in your hands than any other make or style incubator in the world. StTrnyfirB tfot hag proved ourcTaltrs. We »■<•!< »*>oTe guarantee It; evfiv tlollar wrpi«- rrtt. ItlheCplifri diM not iloia'l«f«ci. rj «rrlt In jour t.inciii, vnu p>l jour monrj lar'!. Endoned and adopted bj :I0 Guveri.- 1 .nt Eiperlmtnt (iiatlona an^l uifd by a larre maioritT of the lea^lnz pouUry men. |-n'BVcf,,rl!i04frrf If jou camo this paper. STRiaiY AUTOHftTIC THROUGHOUT CvDhers Incibatnrro . Buffalo, Chicaco. f'ewYork. Bo'fon. IT IS A FACT that poultry pays a larger profit for the money invested tlian any other business; that anvbody n-.ay make a success of it without long training or previous experience; thattheKellnhlcT'icubulor* and ISroodero willgivo the best results in all cases. Our aoth Century Poiiltry- l;ook tells just why, and a hundred other things you should know. We mail the book for 10 cents. Write to-day. We have 115 yards of thoroughbrod poultry. BELIABLE INCUBATOR & BROODER CO., Box B'49 Quiocy, III. -^^^ ^^^^S ^ -;i^& ^^^mmm ^s Just As Soon As von Ret throneli < xperitiieiitiiiK. you'll be ".sing Page Fence. Oui lithographed catalog tell- why! i Page Woven Wire Fence Co., Box S, Adrian, Michigan. 1026 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Dec. 1 QyEENS--ATrENTION!--QUEEN$. To have the best queens in every line, plentj' of them, to merit your orders by accurate mailing, de- livered in good order. Prompt attention is our fixed purpose. Full colonies and nuclei a specialty. Write for catalog and prices. The Jennie Atchley Co., Box 18, Beeville, Tex. For Queens from Best Italian Stock Sl.nO; select, $1.25. Address J. B. CASE, Port Orange, Florida. Ceo. J. Vande Vord Queen-breeder. Daytonia, Fla. HONEY QUEENS I shall continue breeding tho=e fine queens for the coming season of 1901. Meantime I shall carry over a large number of queens in nuclei with which to fill orders the coming winter and eaily spiing. I «m breeding the Holy Lands, the Golden and Leather strains of pure Italians. Your orders will rereive prompt and careful attention. Single queen, $L25; five for $5 Ou. Breeders of either race, J3.0O each. W. H. Laws, Beeville, Texas one season, planting in ro- tation cauliflower, cuctim- bers, egg--plants, in beauti- ful, health-g-iving- Manatee County. The most fertile section of the United States, where marvelous profits are being realized by farmers, truckers, and fruit-growers. Thousands of acres open to free homestead entry. Handsomely illustrated de- scriptive booklets, with list of properties for sale or exchange in Vir- ginia, the Carolinas, Georgia, Florida, and Alabama, sent free. John W. White, Seaboard Air Line Railway, Portsmouth, Va. Splendid Location for Bee=lceepers. Mr. A. I. Root's Writings of Grand Traverse territory and Leelanau Co. are descriptive of Michigan's most beautiful section reached most conveniently via the Pere Marquette R. R. For pamphlets of Michigaa farm lands and the fruit telt, address J. E. Merritt, Manistee, Uiohigan. Cuba. If you are interested in Cuba and want the truth about it, subscribe for the HAVANA POST, the only English paper on the' Island. Published at Havana, euha. $1.00 per month, $10.00 per year. Dai- ly (, except Monday). 4,000,000 PEACH=TREES TENNESSEE WHOLESALE NURSERIES. June Buds a Specialty. No agents traveled, but sell direct to planters at wholesale prices. Absolutely free from diseases, and true to name. Write us for catalog and prices before placing 5'our order elsewhere. We guarantee our stock to be true to name. Largest peach nursery in the world. Address J. C. HALE, Winchester, fenn. FIVE-ACRE IRRIGATED TRACTS. Four acres of it set to Alfalfa, Fruit-trees, or Grapes, cultivat- ed, fenced, and attended to by us. All for $3 per ■weeK for 5 years ($780), less value of crops. Best climate. Best soil. Best markets in U. S. Full particulars on application. OTLKGOfi LAND di "WATER. CO., XJmatilla, Oregon. The Best Christmas Present! ■J." ho jf ony. Absolutely per- fi-ct work, niiikint! regular Wilcox & Gibbs chain stitch. Will do all Hi nils of plain family sewing. Especially adapted for travelers. And, how it will please the little eirls to find one Christmiis! How they will work on l;oliy's clothes! Sent c mid'te with extra needle for onlv . . . &a.30s or mailed to any U.S. address for.*:i.«5. F. J. Root, 9J W. Broadway, New York. Make Your Own Fertilizer at Small Cost with Wilson's Phosphab i^iiis From 1 to 40 IT. P. .\Iso B-tne Cut- ters, lianil .and power, for tlie piiil- tryiuen; Tanu >'eol Hills Gra- liUMi r lour Ilniid .MilU. Grit and Sliell Mill*. .Send for cataloKue. WILSO.X ICKo.«.. .Sole .IliVs., Eastuii, l*a. Wood=working Machinery. For ripping, cross-cut- ting, mitering, grooving boring, scroll-sawing, edge moulding, mortising ; for working wood in an.v man- ner. Send for catalog A. The Seneca Falls M'f'g Co., 44 Water St ., Seneca Fs.. N. Y. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 1027 liL' DANDY crrlR will double your eec yield. Tlums- niuis of poultry rais< ltoostsles<, turnsi cms taster aiull.istsli'nt:er tliai lu-r. I'ricc f ■" '"!'■ ^oUI on 15 !»»> >• 'I'rlill. Soii.l r.r !i.-kanil>pcclBlrr"r"»"l'"' STRATTON MF'G. CO., 54, ^ Krlc. I^n. Best Fruit Paper via'; . Send 2"ic and names of 10 farme- who prow fr'it and you will reccve for a vtar tlie "Fruit-Grower.' hest fruit pai)cr publist-.e.l, ret;, prite W'c year. Fru't Grow- er has 1 > to Ct paK'S monthly, il'.ustrated, clean, de- voted entiielv to fruit culture. Prof. Price, Dean Ohio Apt. Co' V— . da ->: ••FruitOr.mcr is bf »t ftilt r»P" >"> bavo, East jrWn ,, .... .."FruitHr "J.n.'llalf.Coiinootlc- rj 1 For eauiplp, etc., »ddrcs FRUIT-GROWER CO.. 314 S 7tli Street. St. Joseph, h:o fiVILT TO LAST^cznzr |>^|B,U^,J| >i-vor otitolasr«. Hiiilt hottiT than your iioiisf. No liotiontors; no clilllin;,- drau^rlits o eiTirs. Kvery oiihio imli in esg chainher atiinlforni, lilood tem- |)cratiireof fowl. It's a continual pleasure to hatch nearly every fertile CKir wi[h .a Sure Hatch. Free catalogue C 0 with pictures tell8 lively story. mi:e ii.vtcu lncibatok co. Clay Ceuter, Z. lotUanapolls, Ind. TRY AH IDEAL J. W. Miller's inculiati^r— madeby tliem^n who knous.^ It is 30 DAYS FREiTRIAL Weget no money until you are per- fectly satisfied. Poultry Book Free. i. \V. MILLEK C«., B«x 4S Frccport, 111. _- {poultry suf plies and thoroughbred /ovils.l All Business No h:izard. no eviH'rimeiting. Hl'i^wn^.^;;;:^ ■^iiii Iriu-'i th ■ iiio.^t and briioil ihe best; with The Successful ;: til inculiat T a .d b;ooiUT\ have pr..venliieir way. rr^oiipt siiipraint of Ka>tern orders from ourBuff.Tlrihoti~o Ini-uhatopCataloff free, with I'oiiltrv Cat ilo;.; li ct-. DeB Moines Inch. Co., Dept. 603 , Pes Moines, la. 3 I o-QO ^'^^ I ^ 200 Egg INCUBATOR Prrfi-ot in consiniciion mctton. Hatchpi fvorv f.>rii.'-- egg. Write for catalo.; to-.l:iV. GEO. H. STAHL. Qui ^i?5^^i^ Never Disappoints When you put eggs— fertile CKgs iuto Ormas Incubators you are never tJisappointcd with the results. Not only hut.-ln-s them all; hut hatolies chiol;s that are strong, lively and viKormis. ('iinranteed. The cheap- est, irooil inou hat ormado. Catalog Free. L. A. BANTA. LiGONIER. INDIANA No Gold Corners In Iowa Round Incubators I No half warmed eggs. By •round" system every egg gels same heat — bigger per cent of eggs hatched. Spec- ial regulator overcomes at- mospheric changes. Free I attiU'g tells llie whole story. IOWA INCUBATOR COMPANY. BOX 197. DES MOINES. I0W4 100 ^ HATCHES Otir new catalogue contains hundreds of them obtained by UUCKEYE INCUBATOR users in all parts of the U. S. Send for a copy and read the proof. It is free. Buckeye Incubator Co., Box 64, Sprlnglicld, O. s AVE THE GHIGKS The HUMPHREY Pure Air BROODER raises every healtliy cliick. Al'.soli'tely .a^T\/T\ sanitary. Get our free poultry book. ^a'.-?^''T \ KUivifHREY, MineSf. Factory, Joliet, III3. FENCE! I-:??! STRONGEST IE. Bull strong, Chicken- I Tight. Sold to the Farmer at Wholesale 1 Prices. Fully Warranted. Catalog Free. COILED SPRING FENCE CO. ' Box lui, trinehester, Indiana, V. S. A. Excursions Pacific Coast Daily and personally conducted excursions; choice of routes; low rates; diversified scen- ery; $6 for double berth in sleeping cars from Chicago; special attention to family parties. The "Best of Everything. Books, maps to S. A. llutc and folde hison. Exc rs on ursiu applir n Man .ation ager, 212 Clark Street, Ch cago ill. NW80 Tele dioiie. Ce r.-.ra 7Ct. .r^cm^ 'r<-r^ and allotio 1 aisoa:Tes. Large slock of A|H>le, Fear, l*liim, Clierr), etc. ilc.id.iuaiters for Oruaiiiculal 'tVees, Mirubs, PliiiitM, ViiJci*, Mulbs, Seeds. 40 acres hardy Roses, including 45,(J()() of the famous <;rlm!»oii ICamblor, 44 greenhouses of JPalniM, FeriiH. Ficiir>, l«o»ei», ii fhe best and save you money. Try us. Valuable cata- logue free Corro'^piindence solicited. ,")i) yoMr-^. KXK) acres. THE STORRS & HARRISON CO., Box 143, PAINESVILLE. OHIO. 1028 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE Gleanings in Bee Culture Dfc. 1 [Established in 1873.] Devoted to Bees, Honey, and Home Interests. Published Semi-monthly by The A. I. Root Co., - - Medina, Ohio. A. I. ROOT, Editor of Home and Gardening Dep'ts. E. R. ROOT, Editor of Apicultural Dept. J. T. CALVERT Bus. Mgr. A. L. BOYDEN, Sec. TERMS |1.00 per annum ; two years, $1.50; three years, ^.00; five years, $8.00, in advance; or two copies to one address, $1.50; three copies, $2.00; five copies, $3.75. The terms apply to the United States, Canada, and Mexico. To all other countries 48 cents per year extra for postage. The National Bee-Keepers' Association. Objects of The Association : To promote and protect the interests of its members. To prevent the adulttratiou of honey. Annual Membership, $1.00. Send dues to the Treasurer. Officers : W. Z. Hutchinson, Flint, Mich., President. J. U Harris Grand Junrtion. Col.. Vice president. Georok VV. York, Chicago. 111., Secretary. N. E. FKANCii, Platteville, Wis., Gen. Mgr. and Treas. Board of Directors: E. Whitcomb, Friend, Nebraska. W. Z. HuTCHi.NSON, Flint, Michigan. W. A. Selskr. 10 Vine St.. Phildadelphia, Pa. R. C. AiKiN. I,iveland, Colorado. P. H. F'lwood. Starkville N. Y. E. R. Root. Medina, Oliio. Udo Toeppkrwein, San Antonio. Texas. G. M. Doolittle Borodino, N. Y. W. F. Marks. Chapinville, N. Y. J. M HAMBAUfiH, Escondido, Cal. C. \. Hatch. Richland Center. Wis. C. C. Miller, Marengo, Illinois. Attention is cilled toG. M. Doolitlle's advertisement in Wants and Exchange department, offering to sell his homestead, b es bc'-cell^r, and queen-rtaring busiii- ss Mr. D has a fine location, a large queen business, and any one wi.'^hing a good home and a queen-tiade aire idy built up. will do well to put him- self in conespondence wi' h him. The buildings and all the equipnici'ts are in e.xcellent condition. It is a beaut ful coiintiy .-ite, between two lakes, and nicely situated for the queen-rearing trade. Overwork and other interests require him to dispose of a part of his business. EARLY-ORDER DISCOUNT. With this date the discount for early cash orders is reducfd to four per ceiil for December. Wc are much gratified by the way old cu-tomers have been sending in their orders and taking advantage of the cash di.s- count for so f'oing. We have shipped so far more than thirty carloads to dealers on next season's bu,siness, as well as a great manv smaller orders. We have orders booked for j-owl.«i told me this when I vi-ited him re- cenlly. He had difficnltv in findi"g the soap in the s'ores ; and when hi-; grocer finally •■ecri-ed a supply, Mr. Fowls bought a whole box that he might not again be without it He gave me a cake t'i take home, and the boys who work in the pr ntiiig-office gave it a tna , and are enthusiastic over it. It is the first thing they had tried that would cornpletel> rf m ve the ink- sa ns from iheir fingers. Then I tried wh' n my fin- ger-i wei e all stain' d up with pyro in rlevelopirg pho- tographic legatives. an 1 the stains di-appeared as by magic. Here ofore I have b-en compelled to go round for several da' s with my fingers stai"ed — go until it finally wore off It is particul.irly adapted to rhe use of any one handling greasy, inky, or sticky sub- stances. E' e-^y bee-kee er Vnow.s what a comfort it would be lo have his fingers cb aned of t he sticky pro- polis after his ■ ay's woik is done, and Mr. Fowls says thU it will do this. I think it would be a >;Ood thing if some dealer, like the Koots, for instance, would han- dle this soip. then bee-keepe's. when ordering tlifir supplies, could order a few cakes of this soap. I will add that, while the srap is such an excellent reso'vent of sticky, greasy substances, it is perfectly harmless to the skin " We are now prepared to furnish this soap at 10 cents per cake : box of 12 c-nkes, $1 00 ; 100 cakes in wooden box, ^00. Potage. if wanted by mail, 8 cents ex.ra. Special Notices by A. I. Root. THE VETERANS IN BEE CULTURE. After I had fini hed mv tilk at the Los Angeles con- ven ion I noticed that I had * ntir-eh over"o(jked Adam Grimm and the gr at lift he gave to the bee i- ef p'ng industry ; and worse still, I neg'ected a recognition of what the D^dants have done since away back when our bee journil- v.'e'^e first started. I fell the more re- gret because friend Dadant was with us, and h- Iped very materially to make the convention as well as our outings pleasant and profitable occasions. THE FREIGHT DEPARTM HNT OF THE PERE MARQUETTE RAILWAY. When there is so much trouble about freight ship- ments being del.iyed ; overcharges lo^s of goods, etc., over the average railways of the United St ties it is certainlv encouraging — at least it is >-o to me— to find one great railway svslem that not only carries goods with promptness, but whose charges are almost al- 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 1029 ways a little less than what I expected according to the agreement. Bt sid' s. your stun is always delivered in good condition, with rarely a short ig-. May be it inst happens so : but my private opinion is, there is a lot of ca «-ful painstaking people connected with that load from beginning to end. I wonder wheie they got tbeni. It must be they grew somewliere in Nonh- ern Michigan, the greater part of them —the place to go when y( u want lo get s'rong and well, and in good condition to love your neighbor as yourself. Wants and Exchange. W ANTED. — To sell bees and queens. O. H. Hyatt, Shenandoah. Iowa. W.\NTED.— $5a colony for Italian bees in 8-frarae hives. H. S. DuBV. St. Anne, 111 W .ANTED —To sell strawberry - plants. Catalog free. North St.ar Plant Farm, Cokato, Minn. WANTED. To sell choice alfnlfa h mey, in (iO-lb. cans. Prices quoted on application. W. P. MoRLKY, l,as Animas, Col. w W. ANTED. —A partner for bee-keeping on large >cale. Excellent prospects, never failing honey crops. t,. M.ARNO, Kingston, Jamaica. ANTED.— To sell about 8 lbs. catnip seed thit will gtow; ^1 IX) per lb. for lot; 1 lb., 81. 2.'); 2 oz . 25 els. B. L. Bykr, Oviait, Mich. .ANTED — To exchange modern firearms for incu- bators. bone-milU, and shell mills. Address 216 Court St.. Reading. Pa. ANTED.— To sell 'io'O lbs. be-t whitf -clover ex- tiacicd honey, in 6()-lb. cans at 7c [ler lb. C. G. Luft Ada, Ohio. iV.AN FED.— Names and addre.sses of those who want ' ' good hooks or sheet music. Ask for prices on what vou want. M. T. Wright. IVIedina Ohio w w w W .ANTED. — Your address on a postal for a little book on Queen-keai ing. Sent free. .Address Hknry .Alley, Weiiham. Mass ANTED.— The address of all who are still in need of cartons. QUIRIN the QUEKN BREtDEK. Parkertown, Ohio. %V/ANTED.— To sell 1.5.000 lbs. best while clover ex- tracted honey in 60-lb. cans, at 854 cls. per lb. Walter S. Pouder, 512 Mass. Ave., Indianapolis, lud. Y^ANTED.— To correspond with pirties desiring a "" posi ion lo ake caie of an apiary, assisting in the supnly traJe and be useful g neially. Yowi g man pieferred. John Nkukl & So.v, High Hill, Mo. Y^.ANTED.— To exchange a ntaily- new 2 h tread- '" power, power lione-grinder. and incubator for bees or empty hives, frames, or offers. G. A. I,UNDE, Wausau. Wis. \yANTED. — To sfl HO strong colonies of pure Ital- "' ian a'ld hvbtid bees, in one-story 8-fr. i,. hives. Wired combs built on foundaton. Wintirr stores. Price |I20. .Also complete outfit cheap. No failures in 10 years. T H Waale, Sara, Clarke Co.. Wa^h. iVANTED— To sell 90J colonies of bees, located '' where the honey crop has never been a fail re. A d«elling-house costing $2000, thrt e honey -houses and a shop. Every Ih ng up to date and complete. For particulars address A. B Mabchant. Marchant, Fla. VVANTED. -To sell ap arian outfit of 200 co'onies Italians in Dovt-tailed hives, in best while clover Cirt of Minnesota ^ also I asswood and goldturod); lo a uyerofthe lot colonies at $l.(0 and accessories al one-half list price; combs 20c a square font, X Y Z. Gleanings. IVANTED — To sell best t\ p»'-writer for bee-keepers; '' practical, handy, low-priced. For e.xchange. Mann green-bone mill, good as new, co-l flti.tO Wa'l H-frame L. or Dovetailed hive-i or extracting supers fo same; extract ing-combs from h< atthy apiary; double shotgun, 1*5 gauge. Harry Lathrop, Monroe, Wis. IVANTED.— To sell at a bargain. Three incubators, " one iyi vertical engine, good as new. G RouTZAHN. Biglerville, Pa. ly ANTED.-To trade a Sure Hatch 120-egg incubator, "' almost new, for pen of White Leghorn, Wyan- dotte, or Plymouth Pocks, or for Italian bees John N. May, Marengo, lowi. Box 401. IVANTED. —To St 11 my home, consisting of 8 ro'^med '" house, cistern, and running water; barn, 24\.S6; shop and honey-house. 18x-'5l,and 3 a-^rt-s of land; togeth- er with my bees, iindergronn 1 bee-rep- sitory. queen- business, and good will. My b«st breeding-queens go with the bees See pp. 29>, 9:?5, Gl anings for 190S. Will move a^out 2ii rods on old Doolittle homestead, and am willing to help the purchaser a minth or so for the first year or two. Reason for selling, over- worked. Price $2500. G. M. Doolittle, Borodino, N. Y. THE OVERLAND LIMITED. Via Thp Chicago & Nnrthweptern Ry. Leave Chicago 8fl0 P. m. dail.v. through to San Francisco, Los Annejes, and Portbind. It is the mo«t luxurious train on the continent, electric-lighted throughout. Private compartment, obser- vation, drawing-r .om, dining, buffrt, librar.v car; barber, bath, private read ing-lamps, U lephone ifor use at terminals), less than three days en route to California. Two other fast trains daily. For particulars regarding rates, sleeping-car reservations, and descriptive pamphle apply to your nearest ticket agent, or address A. F. Cleveland, 234 Superior Stre-t, Cleveland, Ohio, or address W. B. Kniskern, Passgr. Traf. Mgr., Chicago. Oyster Shells, 100 lbs., 60c; 2^0 lbs., ?1. Mica Crystal Grit, IOj lbs . 70c. Wise & Co., Butler, O. For Sale.— tiOOO lbs. choice ripe clover honey, new; 60 1*1. cans. Elias Fox. Hillsboro. Wis For Sale Fancy basswood and while-clovr hon- ey: 60 lb cans. 8c; 2 cans or more, 7^c: bbis , 7l4c. E R Pahl & Co.. 291 Broadway. Milwaukee. Wis. Fi>r Sale. — Fancy and A No 1 comb honey from alfalfa, in Danzenbaker 4x5 sections. Write for prices. Wm. Morris, Route 1. Las .Animas. Col. For .Sale.- Extracted choice ripe clover honey in cases of two 6iMb cans each, at 8 cts. per lb.; 385 lb. bbls. at TYz cts ptr lb. G W. Wilson, R. F. D. No. 1. Viola, Wis. For Sale.— Extracted honey, amber. ^% np; light 7 up Several s ze packages .Samples, 10 cts. 1. J STRiN(iHAM, 105 Park Place, New York. Wanted. — Beeswax. Will pay spot cash and full market value f r beeswax at any time of the year. Write us if you have any to dispose of. Hll DRETH & SeGELKEN, 265-267 Greenwich St., New York. Wanted.— Extracted honey. Mail sample and low- est piice; also lancy and No. 1 comb honey; must be in no-drip shipping-cases. We pay cash. Chas Koeppen. Fredericksburg Va. Wanted— Comb and extracted honey. State price, kind, and quantity. R. A. Burnett & Co., 199 South Water St.. Chicago. 111. Wanted. — Honey. Pelling fancv white. 15c; amber, 13c We are in the market for either local or car lots of comb honey. Wri,.e us. Evans & Turner. Columbus. Ohio. Wanted. — Comb honey. We have an unlimited de- mand for it at the right price. Add ess, giving quanti- ty, what gathered from, and lowest cash price at your depot. State also how picked. Thos. C SrANLEY & Son, Fairfield, 111., or Manzanola, Colo. Wanted.— Beeswax ; highest market price paid. Write for price list. B >CH. Becker & Co.. Chicago, 111. We will be in the market for honey the coming sea- son in carloads and less than carloads, and would be glad to hear from producers everywhere what they will have to offer Seavey &'Flarsheim, 1318—1324 Union Avenue, Kansas City, Mo. 1030 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Dkc. 1 ■^ Ji r^m:^!^^^:^^!!!:^' »vv>A^wvvvwvwvyyvyvvvvvvv¥» PAGE «c LYOiM, I ;: We Have New London, Wisconsin. MANUFACTURERS OF AND DEALERS IN . . . BEE-KEEPERS' SUPPLIES. . . . S Send for Our Free New Illustrated Catalog and Price List ^ai^iOEEiataiaiJiiiai^ Not rioved. The government, recognizing the necessity of a great and growing bus- iness enterprise, for better mail ser- vice has given us a postoffice on our premises, which enables us to change mails with the passing trains instead of through the Wetumpka, Alabama, postoffice more than a mile distant. This gives us our mails about two hours earlier, and also one hour for making up outgoing mail. This will be particularly helpful in our queen business. We are now booking or- ders for Italian queens, lyong-tongued and I Market Quotations 1035 Straws, by Dr. Miller 10-.» Pickings, by Stenog- 1041 Conversations with Doolittle 1042 Editorials 1043 Wonderful Ways of Honey-Bees ^1^^ The National Association J01| Bee Paral^'sis, Kasilv Curable I wd I tilled, combs straight, firm ly nttiiched to nil four shk's.tho comba unsoUod by travel Btnin or othiTwiHO ; all thm-i'lls seiili-d exocut an occasional coll, till' ouisidt" surfaoeof t lii> wood wtdl scraped of propolis A No 1.— All suctions woll iilUent ire stirtace slightly soiled the out side of the wood will seraiied of propolis. No.l.— Allsectiona well tilled except tUo row of cells next to the wood ; combs comparatively even ; one-eighth part of comb surface soi led. or the entire surface si ight I v soi .eil. No. 2.— Three-fourths of the total surface must be tilled •nd liealed. No. 3.— Must weigh at least half as much as a full-weight section. In addition to this the honey is to be classitied according to color, using the terras w hite, amber, and dark that ia, there will be " £anoy White." " No. 1 Dark," etc Milwaukee. — Since our last report the receipts of honey have been liberal — rather accumulative — espe- cially on comb, the riemaiid has not been equal, and values are lower to .sell. The increased supply is one factor to weaken values, and another is that some who have honey to sell make a lower m.'irket by offering to sell below qnoiations. which otherwise might be more ea-ilv maintained; and some deliv.r at a price made by buyers, which has a temporary depressing effect on market values. We look for a consuming demand for the supply, and will quote as follows: Comb, fancy section, i:-i@1.5: No 1 sections, I'ii/Xcgl;?; extracted, iti barrels, old or damaged, nominal, 10.311; cans, keijs. pails, choice, well ripened, white, 7(a8: cans, pails, choice, well rip:ntd, dark or amber. 6fg.7. Bees- wax. 2Siq,30. A. V. Bishop & Co., Dec. i. 119 Buffalo St . Milwaukee, Wis. Philadelphi.-\. — HO' ey seems to be arriving qntie freely, and, as is usually the case at this lime of tlie year, parties who have been holding back the honey are ru>hing it to market and breaking prices by offer- ing it at much less than its actual value. If bre-keep- ers would onlv give the large cities neaiest which they res:de an idea of what honey they have on hand, it would be an amicable airaigenieut both to the sell- er and producer. We quote lancy white. Itic; No. 1, loc: am'ier, IStaH; extracted honey, white. 7(aS; light amber. IkaT. Beeswax still in good deuiand at S\(aS2, according to quality. We are producers of honey and do not handle ou commi-sion Wm. A. Selser, Nov. i;7. 10 Vine St., Philadelphia, Pa. TOLKDO —The market tor comb and extracted honey has been rather quiet for the past two weeks, as have all other lines of staple gooas, but prices remain prac- tically unchanged. Fancy white clover brings, in a re- tail wav, Itic; No 1, choice brings, in a retail way, loc; buckwheat brings, in a retail way, 14c.; extracted while-clover in barrels, 7c. ; in cans, Sc. Beeswax, 28@ 30. Griggs Bros. Dec. 8. Toledo, O. Cincinnati.— The tnarkel on comb honey has weak- ened, as the supply has been larger than the demand. Quote fancy waler-white at U; off grades, lower. Ex- tracled I quote as following: Amber in barrels, o'X@ 5K: in BO-lb. cans bring %c more; alfalfa water-white, 6(tt«54; fancy white clover, 7ia 8 Beeswax in good de- mand; will pay 30c for nice wax delivered Cincinnati. C. H. W. Weker. Dec. 7. 2146 Central Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio. .■\LBANY.— In our list quotation there was a mis- print: the word "heavy" should have been honey. We meant to say then as n"ow honey market much easier, the cold weather checking demand and checking the honev. We quote white-clover, fancy. 1.5; A No. I, H; No. I. 13J4: mixed, 12J^^13. Extracted, no change, oM to 7 whole range. MacDougal & Co.. Dec. 8. 375 Broadway, Albany, N. Y. Detroit.- Fanc>- comb honey. Ki; No. 1. HOIS; darker grades. 12®13; extracted white clover, 7@7}4. Beeswax, 28(a}3*. M. H Hi.nt & Son, ^^- «■ Bell Branch, Mich. Boston.— Owing to very large receipts of California honey we quote our market at the present time as fol- lows: Fancy white, in Mb. sections, 16fal7; A No. 1, 16; No. 1. 1.x No call for No. 2. Extracted, 6fo« accord- •"Kio qualily- Blake, Scott & Lee, "*<=• '• Boston, Mass. Columbus. — We are pleased to report a very sat-s- factory market on honey, but with a lighter demai.d owing to the nearapproach of Christmas. Prices ranje from 13(0)15 on white; 1 Uwi'i on amber; and 10 on buck- wheat. We are in shape to handle both large and small .shipments, Evans & Turner, Dec. 7. Columbus, Ohio. Chicago. — At this season of the year there is not much trade in honey, retailers having laid in ihtir stock for the holidays. Fancy c mb honey for the Xiiias trade has brought 13J4; No 1 giadts. VA%(ai'.i; amber. i)(ajl0; extracted, white, brings (j^ 7; amber, £(§> H. All extracted honey is sold on its flavor, quality, kind, and style-of package. Bee- wax, 28(aH0 R. A. Burnett & Co., Dec. 7. 199 South Water St., Chicago, 111. San F'raxcisco. — Honey, new comb, white, 12@14; amber, 10(g>l2; ext acted, water-white, b%(a,&, light amber, 5®5H; daik amber, 4J^(g5. Beeswax. 30. Wholesale wax prices are higher than for months past. Ernest B. bCHAEFFLE, Nov. 28. Murphys, Cal. Toronto — Prices on honey remain about the same here. Best extracted from 7(aHper pound, with just a little belter demand; comb honey advanced a little, price at present from $1 tiO @f 1 75 per dozen for A No. 1 and fancy; |1.50 per dozen for No. 1 and good No. 2. Dec. 8. K. Grainger & Co., Toronto, Can. Schenectady. — As is usually the case at this season of the year, trade is generally in the direction of holi- daj' goods, and hnney market rules quiet and prices not as firm with ample stock on hand. We quote fan- cy white, 15; No. 1, U; amber, 12@, 13 buckwheat, 12@ 13; extracted, light, CJ^fe^ J4;daTk, 6(0,7. Dec. 8. Chas. McCulloch, Schenectady, N. Y. Kansas City. — Receipts of comb honey larger, de- mand fair, prices easier. We quote lancv . 14 i-ection case, Ji!.T5@$2>5 No. 1, 24-section case, $2.75; No. 2, 24- section case, $2.ti5; extracted, white, "KoTiYi; amber, 6@ 6>^. Beeswax, 25(3)30. C. C. Clumons & Co.. Dec. 7. Kansas City, Mo. BuFp-ALO. — There is not a very active demand for honey, and still whi e comb and strained clover sell pretty well. Fancy white comb, H(al5; A No 1 while comb, 13^@14; No 1 white comb, 1214(013; No. 2 white comb, ll!^'a»12: No 3 white comb, 11(0,11^; No. 1 buck- wheat comb, 11^12; No. 2 buckwheat comb, 10(all; white extracted. 0a7; dark d'/iiaii. Beeswax, 28(^30. Small crates of honey sell the best. W. C. Townsend, Nov. 28. 178 & 180 Perry St., Buffalo, N. Y. For Sale. — Three tons comb honey, in 4x5 sections, put up in glass-front cases. J. I. Chenoweth, Albia, Iowa. For Sale. — Thirty barrels choice extracted white- clover honey Can put it up in any stjde of package desired. Write for prices, mentioning style of pack- age, and quantity wanted. Sample mailed on receipt of three cents in P. O. stamps. Emil J. Baxter, Nauvoo, Hancock Co., 111. For Sale. —Extracted honey. Finest grades for ta- ble use. Prices quoted on application. Sample ty mail, 10 cts. to pay for package and postage. Orel I,. Hershiser, 301 Huntington Ave., Buffalo, N. Y. For Sale. — Clover or buckwheat extracted honey, in 165-lb. kegs. Wiite for prices. Sample. 8c. C. B. Howard, Romulus, N. Y. For Sale.— 1000 lbs. No. 1 white comb, at 14c, and 2000 lbs. No. 1 extracted, at 7^c. W. D. Soper. Route 3, Jackson, Mich. For Sale. — Comb and extracted honey, buckwheat and amber. Write for prices. N. I,. Stevens, Route 6, Moravia, N. Y. For Sale.— 5000 lbs. of fine comb and extracted hon- ey, mostly all comb. L. Werner, Box 387. Edwardsville. III. 1036 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Dec. 15 j^-^k. jlh ^W ^fc ^W rfk ^W rfh rfk jjk ilk lik ifk jJk^JIk Ac rfk Jk .Jk^A. rfh ^W JIk. iftr rfW itk.Jk.Jk^ MONEY JARS 1-lb. sq. jars with corks $5.00 gross Eagle or No. 25 jars $5.75 gross Nickel Cap jar, fancy, $5.50 gross. Catalog giving prices on every thing a bee-keeper needs, vpith season discounts, mailed free. BEESW^AX WANTED. Will pay highest market prices. • I. J. STRINGHAM, Apiaries, Glen Cove, L. I. 105 Park Place, New York. ^ g-imiff^)(^iMMa i^>~^T^ilBiif ^ * -r 7 E HAVE made arrang-ements with the publishers of The American Bee \/\/ Journal (issued weekly), so that we can furnish that mag-azine with Glean- * ings in Bee Culture — both one year for but $1.60; provided you are not now a subscriber to The American Bee Journal. This is a magnificent offer, and should be taken advantage of by all of our readers who are not now getting The American Bee Journal regu- laiiv. These papers, although on the same subject, are conducted so differently, and contain such a variety of reading matter, that every bee-keeper should have them both. And they can be had for a whole year for $1.60. Address all orders to TShe A. I. ROOT COMPANY. M£,DINA., OHIO. '♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦»♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦< Dittmer's Foundation. RETAIL A.NI> 'W^HOI^ESAL.E. This foundation is made by a process that produces the superior of any. It is the cleanest and purest. It has the brightest color and sweetest odor. It is the most transparent, because it has the thinnest base. It is tough, clear as crystal, and gives more sheets to the pound than any other make. "\VorKirkg W^ax into Foundation for CasH a 5pecialt:»^. Beeswax Always "Want- ed at HigHest Price. Catalog giving full line of supplies, with prices ar'" samples, free on application. E. Grainger & Co., Toronto, Out., Sole Aeents for Canada. Gus. Dittmer, A\ig;usta, Wis. ^e are the Largest MTrs ol Bee-keepers' Supplies in the Northwest Send for Catalog. Minneapolis, Minnesota We Have the Best Goods, Lowest Prices, and Best Sliipping Facilities. \ Fmiit-^row ^ — ers Regular price 50 cents. read the best fruit-paper. SEND TEN CENTS and the names and addre.«ses of ten good frtiit growers toSOXJTHERN FRVIT GROWKR-t Chattanooga, for six months' trial subscription. Best authority on fruit-growing. Sample free if you mention this paper. J 1038 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Dec. 15 XAIV" Ff AV"F OPtO'WN ^^'^ ""^P^*^ expansion of our ^^ *^ AA.r-». ▼ M^ VJA-^^^ ▼▼ X^ business has driven us out, and Too Bie' for Otir Present Quarters. on Jan. 1 we shall be located at No. 51 Walnut St. This forced change will remove us only half a block froai our old home, but there we will have four floors with increased facilities, and a tremendous new stock of bee-supplies. AVe Had to Do This — ^We Lead. In the new place nothing will be lacking-. You will find a complete line of every thing- in the bee line. The Muth Special, the regular styles of Dovetails, Dadant's Foundation, etc. Special dis- counts for early orders. Come ^/jq FRED W. MUTH Co. and see us. Queen Bees and Nuclei in season. Send for Catalog. Froi\t & Walnut, CINCINNATI, O. Four Per Cent Discount During December. Send for our List, and order now. Take advantage of this Discount. Have your goods on hand ready for use. Just Think of It ! If all of the sections we sold last season were placed, unfolded, in a straight line the line would reach Three Thousand Five Hundred Miles. Perfect Workmanship and Finest Material. All parts of our Hives are made to Fit Accurately. No trouble in setting them up. Our customers say it is a pleasure. We are not selling goods on Name Only, But on their Quality. G. B. LBWIS COMPANY, M a>\tifacturers Bee«Keepers' Stippliest "Watertown, Wisconsin, U. S. A. Let Me vSell or Buy Your Honey If you have some to offer, mail sample with lowest price expected, delivered in Cincinnati. — ^ , «^ J state quality and kind wanted, and I will quote you price. We il in. .Meed do business'on the cash basis in buying or seUing. Full StocR of Bee-supplies, tKe best m&cle. R^oot's Ooods at TKeir Factory Prices. Seeds of Honey-plants. C. H. W. ^VEBER. CINCINNATI, OHIO. 2146-8 Central Ave. Stic, to CKas. F. MutH and A. MtitH. JOUR • delvoted' •ANdHoNEY •TUiD HOME, •lNTE.P(ESr.S Hm'ost'^'l^ ' Tublishedbv THE~A rRoot Co $l5^PtRVtAR'^'\S) Hedina-Ohio Vol. XXXI. DEC 15, 1903. No. 24 All right, Mr. Editor; zinc is the thing- for numbering-tags. So HuBER has been going breakfastless for years. He's a huskj'-lookingchap to be starved after that fashion. [I have also a niece who is a no-breakfast fiend, and she is the picture of health. — Ed.] The retirement of Editor Bertrand, of Revue Internationale, -will be to me as to maDj' others a real personal loss. [See what Frank Benton says in Pickings in this issue in regard to Editor Bertrand. — Ed.] " A WISE MAN seldom changes his mind: a fool, never." I don't want to be in the fool class, so I'm going to change my mind. I'm not going to vote for E. R. Root for di- rector, but for that jolly Canuck, William McEvoy. He's a good one. Thanks, Mr. Editor, for the full infor- mation about that automatic smoker, page lOCO. It's worth a good bit, sometimes, to know that we don't want a thing. An old- fashioned automatic smoker is a pan con- taining a smudge-fire on the windward side of the hive. But give me a good bellows smoker. H. J. SCHROCK, I think that "old bee- keeper "did not observe closely enough if he thought the circle of bees kept the queen from laying, page 1012. This is probably what 3cu will find: Whenever a queen re- mains still long enough, a circle is formed, facing the queen. The queen does not re- main btill because the circle is about lier; but the circle remains because the queen is still. The instant the queen makes the slightest signal to pass on, the circle opens up for her free passage. S. J. Richard reports in Revue Interna- tionale that for three consecutive years a colony with its entrance at the top of the hive did not swarm, while a colony beside it with entrance below swarmed. He then changed the lower entrance to the top, and since then, six years, neither colony has swarmed. [It does not seem possible that the mere location of the entrance could have any effect upon this question of swarming. This experiment is interesting ; but it would be more interesting if it worked in the same way in the case of 100 colonies. — Ed.] I've read, several times over, that item of inspector Hinckley, page 1014. If he can cure foul brood by merely spraying formal- dehyde on the hive- floor three times at in- tervals of two weeks, it's a big, a very big, thing. It's hard to believe that the mi- crobes can be killed without killing the bees; yet it may be possible. I suppose it is not necessary to kill the spores, on the sup- position that four weeks after the first treat- ment they have all germinated. [If the plan described by inspector Hinckley shall work equally well with others it certainly will be " a very big thing." I hope we can get reports from others next spring or sum- mer.— Ed.] I SPENT some time polishing up that wheelbarrow Straw, p. 9y6, and patted my- self en the back for having got off a good joke. Along comes the editor and spoils it all by saying I've made another slip. And now I'm distressed to know whether the joke is on me or him. Perhaps I deserve punishment for not labeling my jokes. [Your joke would have been transparent, doctor, if you had not put in that clause, "wheeling one another." I told Stenog that I was sure it was one of your unlabel- ed jokes; but we finally agreed that the disclaimer threw that out of possibility. Next time, polish your jokes a little more and they will pass muster. — Ed.] Slow liqttekving will keep honey in a liquid condition longer than if it be lique- fied in a few hours. If you don't want to spoil the flavor, heat it in water no hotter than you can hold your hand in. Yes, I 1040 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Dec. 15 know I'm guilty of plagiarism in writing that, because it was said on p. 1002. But it's important enough to be said over again. When I read, "not much hotter than you can bear your hand in," I said, "That's pretty cool, Bro. Aikin." I put a thermom- eter into a dish of water, put my hand in the water, and poured in hot water till it was too hot for comfort. I found I could hold my hand still in the water at 122°. The washwoman happened to be here, and she could stand 145° for any length of time. I could stand 145° for about two seconds. So instead of saying " not much hotter " I now prefer to say "no hotter." Another point: If the heating is done before any granulating occurs, I think the results will be better than if the honey be first allowed to granulate. [I think there is something in this. — Ed.] SuPERSEDURE CELLS are sometimes start- ed over larvse in worker-cells, page 1012. That's new. Have you seen that, Mr. Ed- itor, with a laying queen still in the hive? [I based my statement on the ob- servations of our Mr. Phillips, who has been running some 550 colonies for queen- rearing for us this season, and he has also had a large experience with his own bees in Jamaica. He distinctly remembers that supersedure cells have been started over larvae in worker cells, while the laying queen is in the hive, although he admits that such a combination is not common. He says: Dr. M. will notice by referring again to the footnote that a rule is set forth, and it is that bees working under the su- persedure impulse proceed with the build- ing of cells as in swarming. Like most of the other rules that apply to bee-keeping, however, it admits of variation. Defective queens which the bees are trying to super- sede may be of all kinds — -some fairly pro- lific, others barren; some defective through old age, others as a result of an accident. If it were certain that queens being super- seded would continue laying until the day of their death, and the bees were left undis- turbed to proceed by nature's plan, then the raising of queens from " />r^-construct- ed " cells might be said to be invariable. But this is not the case: Queens sometimes stop laying altogether before they die, and if, as intimated in the footnote in question, the supersedure cells are removed as fast as they are built, and the fecundity of the queen ceases, the only resource left to the bees is to make "/>o5/'-constructed " cells the same as a queenless colony. The only question is, would such a queen be called a " laying " queen? That the editorial com- ment is correct I am certain. — Ed.] Years ago we bought lumber and made our own hives. Gradually the thing has changed until nearly every one has decided that he can buy hives, etc., cheaper than he can make them. Now that there has been an advance in prices, bee-keepers are advised to go back to the old way, p. 1003. Let's see: Suppose that, five years ago, it cost me 10 per cent more (as I think it did) to make my own supplies than to buy them ready-made. Suppose that there is now an advance of 40 per cent in the cost of labor and material, and that there is an advance of 40 per cent in the price of the ready-made stuff: Is there any change whatever in the relative situation? And will it not cost me now 10 per cent more to make than to buy, just as it did five years ago? I don't see the logic of saying that, because every thing has advanced, now is the time for us to do our own manufacturing. If the per cent advance in price of supplies is sufficiently greater than the per cent advance in price of labor and material (say 45 per cent or more), then it may be worth while for me to think of making my own supplies; other- wise, not. [I have referred the answer to this Straw to Mr. Calvert, who fixes the prices on goods that we sell. He says: Your reasoning is all right. The trouble with the one who ventured the advice that bee-keepers better have their hives made at the local planing-mill, is, I fear, that he was counting on buying his lumber at the same old price. If so, he has reckoned with- out his host. I have just made a compari- son of bills for lumber, both for hives and sections, paid five years ago, with those paid during the past six months, and I find th it 40 per cent must be deducted from pres- ent prices of lumber, and in some cases 45 to 50 per cent, to bring them down to the level of prices paid then. The difference in labor is not quite as much. I find, also, that, by deducting 40 per cent from present prices on hives, sections, frames, and ship- ping-cases, the remainder corresponds very closely to the list prices of five years ago. The advance in prices of supplies has sim- ply kept pace with the advance in cost of material. We have bought within the past year over five and a half million feet of lum- ber, and ought to be in position to know what such material costs as compared with former years. — J. T. C] On page 528, Mr. Editor, you said, "Now, is it hard to suppose that a three- story hive, run for extracting, might aver- age 70,000 bees?" I replied, p. 579, "Noth- ing very hard about it for me ; but how about a certain edllor who not so very long ago was trying to convince me that such a thing was an impossibility?" You then said, "I can not recall to what you refer. I have advocated strong colonies .... and last year I had several three stories high, and one or two four stories. If some of them did not have 100,000 bees it would be strange." I thought I would refresh your memory by giving you the page to which I referred, and began leafing back, saying all the while, " Oh! but won't I roast you, my fine fellow, when I fling in your teeth just what you said?" I leafed back to March 1, through four months, but didn't find it. Leafed it over again. Didn't find it. Instead of roasting you, I began to feel chilly myself. It was July, and I was very busy; but I patiently hunted over the 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 1041 ground again with no better success. The thing was so fresh in my mind that I con- cluded it wasn't worth while to go any fur- ther back, and I began to Vvonder whether I had not dreamed it, mentally resolving, however, to renew the search if I should ever have the leisure. This being Thanks- giving week, I began to breathe more lei- surel}', and to-day I thought I'd decide whether I'd been dreaming or not. I turn- ed over the pages of Gleanings, back, back, back, and — would you believe it? — I never struck it till I got into 1901, and found the thing started April 15 of that year. On p. 431, 1901, j-ou challenged me to find a colony of more than 45,G00 bees, and tried to wheedle me into being a dude by offering me the best plug hat I could find in Marengo if I succeeded. Now, in- asmuch as I can show from p. 579 that it would be strange if some very strong colo- nies would not reach 100,000, I ought not to have much trouble to find a colony of more than 45,000 to secure that hat, ought I ? P. S. — How much will you allow me for that stovepipe if I discount 5 per cent for cash? [You have fairly earned your plug hat. When you go to Chicago next, go to the best hatstore in the city and get fitted for a plug hat and send your bill in to me. But if I foot the bill you must wear the hat at the conventions and everywhere else where common folks go. As you are short and stout, a stovepipe would top you out in good shape. But referring to the ques- tion at issue, I based my first statement in 1901 on the fact that 9 lbs. was the largest swarm of bees that I had ever weighed, and it filled two and possibly three stories. We used to buy bees by the pound of the farm- ers during the swarming season, and the 9 lb. weight was the largest we ever paid for. Of course, a three- story colony in Ja- maica might have a good many more than this. I will admit, however, there is a conflict of statements. I still think that a 9-lb. swarm is the biggest that we shall ever have in northern United States; and 3'et I believe that a four-story colony might contain 100,000 bees. Say — I am going to camp on your trail. If I can catch you good and square, will you buy me an auto- mobile?— Ed. 1 _ yrou) Oi/r y^ei^hbor^jjleldj ' By 5? A foreign journal says if honey is heated above 174 degrees, the point at which alco- hol boils, the volatile oil which gives the honej' its flavor will be expelled, giving ing the residue a flat and insipid taste. Another journal says it is better to sell honey of a slightly inferior quality to one to whom we can explain the matter fully than to market it and thus injure our own reputation, and cause honey itself to falli into disfavor. A Dutch journal, I believe it is, says the best system of wintering is that which gives us the greatest number of healthy bees in time for the first How of nectar; and expe- rience alone can decide the matter for each. REVUE INTERNATIONALE. In the previous issue I announced the discontinuance of this journal on account of Mr. Bertrand's health. Just as we were going to press, the following came from Mr. Frank Benton, in addition to what I had already translated. I most cordially in- dorse what he says in the following, for he is, probab y, the best-qualified man in the world to speak on this matter: This journal has presented, during these 25 years, a vast amount of excellent information on apiarian top- ics, and has had great influence in introducing Ameri- can methods into the various countries of Europe, par- ticularly into Switzerland, France, and Russia, and it will be greatly missed in the future. For my own part I hope that decision of Mr. Bertrand to retire may bring forward some successor who will continue the publication. I am sure that those to whom Mr. Bertrand's journal has been a welcome visitor from month to month will wish him many peaceful years yet after his earnest efforts in the advancement of apiculture. Frank Benton. Washington, D. C. EL COLMENERO ESPANOL. In speaking of bee-keeping in various countries, the editor says this of Chili, aft- er speaking of the United States as men- tioned in our previous issue: Although Chili can not be compared with the United States, still it has an extraordinary number of colonies of bees in antique skeps, and some in modern movable hives. This is the on ly nation of America which offers competition to the honeys of Europe. In the ABC book will be found a fine view of a Chilian apiary. In speaking of Cuba the editor says: Cuba also has many colonies kept in the old-style way, almost in a wild condition, as they are found in the forests, and belong to nobody. Those who exploit this public wealth are the negroes, who send the hon- ey and wax to Europe, and thus put up competition to European products. There are many important apia- ries in Cuba using the movable frame. In Santo Domingo, Argentina, Uruguay, and Mexico the modern hive is known, but too few in number to attract attention. "In the rest of America," the editor says, " the movable system is almost entirely un- known." Coming to Germany we find, of course, a different state of affairs. We read: This country contains '2,000,000 hives of the movable- frame type, so that Germany's apicuUural condition is the mo.st important in Europe. In spite of its cold and forbidding climate it produces annually 18.000 tons of ; honey, the quality of whirh is very fine and white. As it is produced from cultivated plants it has no pro- , nounced flavor. Germany is the country that has the largest number of apicultural societies; and, likewise, has the largest number of bee-journals, as every soci- ety has its own mouthpiece. These societies have the support of corporations and of the government, and they have continual conventions for the development and spread of apicultural knowledge. 1042 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Dec. 15 TO COMMENCE IN BEE-KEEPING. "Is this Mr. Doolittle, the bee-keeper?" "My name is Doolittle, and I keep a few colonies of bees. What is your name?" "Mj' name is Beebe, and I wish to com- mence keeping bees in the spring-. A neigh- bor told me t-> come over and see you, and 3'ou would tell me something that might help me in starting. I had thought of buy- ing fift}' colonies. Do you think that num- ber would be as many as I should buy?" " I should say that said number would be from five to ten times as many as an}' be- ginner should buy, unless he has consider- able knowledge of the business before thus starting into it." "Why do you say thus?" "Because the beginner should guard against going recklessly into bee-keeping by putting his last dollar into a business of which he knows nothing. It is this getting crazy over a business which looks to be a good thiug, but with which we are not ac- quainted, and investing all we have in it, expecting to make a fortune, which ruins so many. To be successful in any thing, a man must 'grow up' in it by years of toil and study till he becomes master of the busi- ness, when, in nineteen cases out of twenty, he will succeed." "Is that the way you commenced?" " If you will pardon a little personal reminiscence I will tell you briefly of my commencement. In the winter of 1868 I be- came interested in bees by reading the first edition of ' King's Bee-keeper's Text-book,' which chanced to fall into my hands. Next I subscribed for one of the bee papers, read Quinby's and Langstroth's books, and in March bought two colonies of bees and the hives which I thought I should need for two years, paying the sum of S30 00 for the whole lot. The year 1869 being the very poorest one I have ever known, I had but one swarm from the two colonies I bought, and had to feed S5.00 worth of sugar to pro- vision the bees through the next winter. In 1870 I received enough from the bees to buy all the fixtures I wished for 1871, and a little more. So I kept on making the bees pay their way, as I had resolved, during the winter of 1869, that, after paying the $35, I would lay out no more money on them than they brought in, believing that, if I could not make the three colonies pay, which I then had, I could not three hundred." "Did you stick to that?" "Certainly; and in the fall of 1872 I found that I had an average of 80 pounds of comb honey from each colony I had in the spring, which was sold so as to give me S559 free oif all expense incurred by the bees, except what time I found it necessary to devote to them." "Whew! can bees be made to pay as well as that?" "Probably not at the present time, as honey brought at that time from 25 to 30 cents a pound, while now that same honey would not bring more than 14 to 16 cents. You will note that I said 'probablj' not,' and I thus said because of the depreciation of honey in price. But while the prices of to-day are against us, yet we have made such an advance in the science of bee-keep- ing, and a much better variety of bees, that it is possible to obtain much more honey from the same number of colonies at this time than it was in the early seventies." "Excuse my breaking in on you. Go on with your story." "The next year I purchased an extractor and set apart a single colony to be worked for extracted honey. When the basswood bloom opened I hired a man to take my place in the hayfield, paying him Si. 75 per day. The man worked sixteen days, and I extracted during those sixteen days, hon- ey enough from that colony which sold for some 70 to 80 cents more than what I had to pay the man in wages." "Wh-e-w! again." "I told you this only to show that one colony of bees properly worked was equiva- lent to myself or yourself in the hayfield; yet many a beginner who has purchased fifty colonies of bees, as you proposed, has left them to go into the hay and harvest fields, or at their other business, only to go out of the bee business a year or two later, telling us and those about them that bee- keeping does not pay. By starting at the foot of the ladder, as it were, working your way up, you will learn these things as you would not were you to start at the top, when in all probability you would work your way down, if you did not fall down. I believe it takes more skill to become a bee-keeper that is worthy of the name than it does to do the ordinary work on a farm." "Then must the bee-keeper be tied to his bees every day, and all the day long?" "No. You must learn to tell just when the bees need your attention and when they do not, by a thorough understanding of their workings, coupled with the same thor- ough understanding of your location as it applies to the bees. Then, when the bees do not require any special attention they can be left, and the apiarist do other work, or play if he likes; but the bees must not be neglected for a single day, when that day will put them in condition to bring dollars in the future, if you and I are to be success- ful bee-keepers." "Excuse my breaking in on you this sec- ond time. Tell me more about how you got along with the bees." "My diary shows that, in 1874, my hon- ey was sold so as to bring me $970, free of all expense from the bees, not counting my time, and now I began to think of giv- 1903 GLELA.NINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 1043 ing^ up the farm, but finally concluded to hold on to it one year more, to make sure that I could make bee-keeping- pay as a specialty. After deducting- the expenses of the bees from the sales, I found that I had the next year (1875) the amount of SI431, and hesitated no longer, but g-ave up farm- ing-and embarked in the bee business, with nothing- else as a source of revenue. Since then the profits have varied according- to the seasons and the prices obtained; but in figuring- up a few days ago I found that the average since 1875. or for the past 28 3-ears, has been about S1045 each year, free of all expense incurred by the bees; or, in other words, that has been my salary which the bees have paid me, with an averag-e of about 75 colonies in the spring- of each year." "Do you spend all of your time on so small a number of colonies?" "No. In the early eighties I kept from 200 to 2-0 colonies for a year or two; but the long continued sickness (five .years) of my father, and his death, brought new cares upon me; and, having other irons in the fire, I was obliged to reduce the number of colonies kept." "I see I must soon be g-oing, as it is get- ting late. Tell me in a few words just what your advice to one contemplating- go- ing- into the bee business would be." "M3' advice to you, and all others who think of trying bee- keeping as a business, would be. procure from three to five colo- nies of bees: post yourself by reading- about and experimenting- with them, as you can find time to do from the business you are already in, and thus find out for j-ourself which you are adapted to, and which is the better for a livelihood — the business 3'ou are alread}' in. or keeping- bees. If successful, after a series of j'ears you can give up j'our other business if you wish to. On the con- trary', if bees are a failure in your hands, then you will be but little out for having- tested j'our abilit3' in that direction." Thk Arkansas Valley Honey-producers' Association has now organized with a cap- ital of S.'OOO, with headquarters at Rocky Ford, Colo. "the wonderful ways of honey-bees." This is the title of an interesting- article in the Cleveland Leader for Nov. 29. It seems that a reporter had visited the veteran, J. B. Hains, of Bedford, Ohio, and from him gleaned seme interesting- and valuable mat- ter on the subject of bees in general. So far as I have read, the facts stated are mainly correct. The Leader is probably onlj'-one of the syndicate papers publishing it; and if so, this article will have a wide publicity. OUR indexes. By glancing over the indexes of the various departments covering the entire year one will get a pretty fair idea of the "immense amount of ma.tter we give to our subscribers for Si. 00. These indexes are verj' carefully prepared, and we believe they will pro%-e to be of great value to the careful student of bee culture. THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FORGIKC". ahead. The National is fast reaching the 2000 mark in membership. Mr. France is to be congratulated on the energy which he has put into his work. I do not believe the bee- keepers can do better than re elect him. So far as I know, there is no other candidate in the field. So long as we have so capa- ble a man for the otfice we don't need a ri- val for the position. BEE-PARALVSIS EASILY CURABLE. In preparing the index for 1903 I was greatly surprised to see the number of cases during the past year of the successful use of sulphur for curing bee-paralysis. These, coming from time to time, did not attract my special attention ; but the fact that so many of them confirm O. O. Poppleton's observations all through is somewhat signif- icant. Indeed. I think we may safely'con- clude that the once incurable disease is now easily curable. The American Bee-keeper has our thanks for directing our attention forcibly to this fact. MOVING BEES A SHORT DISTANCE IN WINTER. We are asked a great many times during the year how to move bees a short distance, say 15 or 20 reds. Sometimes it happens the bees are too near the highway, and it is desired to move them from the front yard to the back, or to a little grove near by. The question is, how to get them over to the other spot. While, of course, they can be moved anj' distance in summer greater than 1'2 or 2 miles, they can not be readily moved ashort distance without some loss and inconvenience. During the winter, how- ever, you can move them a few rods without any ditliculty. Put the hives in the cellar, and in the spring put them where vou like. A confinement of six weeks in chaft" hives outdoors during the cold weather ought to put the bees into condition where they will stay in the new location if they were moved before they had a fly. FRAMES SUPPORTED ON NAILS. Mr. Hutchinson- describes what he con- siders an excellent method of frame support used by Mr. E. B. Terrill. The projection of an ordinary hanging frame is cut ot^". 1044 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Dec. 15 and in lieu of it a six-penny finishing- nail is driven into the frame about half an inch below its top. Mr. Terrill has tried it one season, and is very favorably impressed vrith it. I tried this arrangement myself, but found that the nails would break out or make the hole egg^-shaped sometimes when the frames were heavily loaded with honey. Then I did have just the difficulty Mr. Hutchinson fears — that the frames would not hang true. But perhaps I didn't try the arrangement long enough; but I recall that several have spoken of using this device; but, if I mistake not, they sooner or later abandoned it. If not, will they please let us hear from them? • COVERS FOR hives; why the old flat CLEATED COVER IS NOT NOW FUR- NISHED. In the November Review Mr. Hutchinson says, " A plain board ior bottom and cover, with cleats at the ends to prevent warping, is all right for a large majority of locali- ties. It is exactly what I should choose for this locality." I agree with him exactly. There is nothing better than the old flat cov- er; but his inference is that such a cover is cheaper than some other of more complicat- ed construction. The fact is, clear wide boards in sufficient quantities to care for the trade for such covers can not be bought at any price. The big pine trees are nearly all gone. Manufacturers have simply been compelled to adopt a roof covered with pa- per or metal or some form of three-piece de- sign that would permit of the use of one or more narrow boards spanned by a ridge- piece to close up the cracks. Such boards are readily obtainable at a moderate price because the small trees are not all cut out yet. CANDIED honey; SOME THINGS WE NEED TO KNOW. On page 326 of our issue for April 15 ap- peared an editorial on the subject of the candying of honey — what we do and do not know about it. At that time I asked for more information, and especially about stir- ring— how much of it would cause honey to granulate, etc., but received almost no re- sponse. Now that many bee-men are try- ing to put up their extracted honey in pa- per bags, it is a matter of supreme impor- tance to know how to make their liquid prod- uct assume a solid condition as rapidly as possible. At our Chicago office our honey-men are conducting some experiments along this line; and we suggest that our readers do some experimenting also. I will pay $10.00 for the best article on this subject. In Colorado it is no trick at all to make alfalfa honey granulate; and it may be said that the problem is easy enough in the East in the winter. Yes, but it will not candy ya^^ enough or solid enough in many cases, I fear, to make the putting-up of hon- ey in paper bags a commercial success. Many facts have already shown that stir- ring greatly hastens the process of solidi- fying. Let us have some facts from actual experience. A knowledge of how to keep honey indefinitely in a liquid condition, in a freezing atmosphere, sealed and un- sealed, and also how to make it turn solid, is something that bee-keepers need at the present time. HOW TO KEEP HONEY INDEFINITELY. Mr. Charles Weber, son of C. H. W. Weber, of Cincinnati, told me that it was no trick at all to keep all honey except al- falfa liquid indefinitely under all condi- tions. The temperature must be brought up to 145 Fahr., and kept there continuous- ly, without variation, for 36 hours. That is the whole secret. "But," said I, "will this not darken the honey ?" "No, sir, if you do it right. Long heat- ing, co7iiinuoiisly applied at a moderate temperature, is much more efl^ective than a high temperature for a short time. The latter spoils the flavor of the honey, as well as darkens it, while the former leaves it with its original delicacy of flavor, and with no darkening of color." He emphatically stated, however, that his formula would not apply in the case of al- falfa. He could liquefy it, of course, but it would not keep in a liquid condition nearly so long. This is a very interesting and profitable subject for discussion, and I should be glad to hear from our subscribers. Some of us, as I have pointed out elsewhere, desire to make their honey candy, and candy hard, in a short sp .ce of time ; but the rest of us — and I presume a great majority — desire to know most of all how to keep it in a liquid condition so it will not "turn into sugar," in the language of their customers, thus bringing up the hue and cry of adultera- tion. GIVING THE PAGE NUMBER. If our correspondents would invariably, in referring to something that has been pre- viously written, mention the page or the is- sue of- the matter under consideration, it would not only facilitate reference, but en- able one to find all the places where that subject is discussed in any given volume by finding only one index page. It is not al- ways possible to cross-index in such a way as to give all the pages on any one subject. Dr. Miller, in his Straws, is a model in this respect, and I wish that all our corre- spondents would follow after him. To illustrate what I mean, let us take an example. I wish to know what is said about queens being stung when balled, as I wish to write an article on that subject. I look under the head of " Stings," and do not find any reference. I look under "Ball- ing," and do not find any thing there. Finally I turn to "Queens," and, looking down the column, I see " Queens Stung in Ball," and only one reference. I turn to the page indicated, and there find what Dr. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 1045 Miller has to say, and that he refers back to something- previous, giving- the page where it is found. Some one else in a like manner indicates another pag-e, and so on. The one reference in the index enables me to find every place in the volume where that particular subject is discussed. Our index is very voluminous ; and even now it is not possible to give a page num- ber to every little subject, tracing it out in all its phases clear through the volume. If, then, our correspondents will be careful to give the pag-e in every instance it will greatly facilitate back reading, and enable one to get a birdseye view of the subject during- the year past. THE COMB-HONEY CANARDS; THE NEED OF A NATIONAL I'UKK FOOD LAW ; "SEN- ATORIAL COUK'rF.SY. '" Recently a friend of mine happened to mention to some other friends in Cleveland that he was going to Medina. "Medina? Medina? Why, that is the place," said these acquaintances, "where they have a factory for manufacturing comb honey. Going- down there, eh? Well, tell us all about it when you come back." So the comb-honey I'e bobs up here and there in one form and another, and one can readily see why the Root Co. feels like chasing it down to its last analysis. It is general!)' known that there is a big bee- hive establishment in Medina; and the un- sophisticated public in general have heard the numerous canards that have been set afloat, and conclude, as a matter of course, that comb honej' is manufactured here. We Medinaites are not very well pleased with this kind of reputation ; and if there were laws by which we could g-et hold of some of these people who are so persistently circu- lating- these lies we would make'it warm for some one. If this were all we could stand it, but I believe it is true that manjr people in the cities believe that comb honey is manufac- tured—that very little of it is genuine. You can scarcely run across a person who has not read these stories ; and, on the other hand, you can not find one who has read the denials of bee-keepers that we have caused to be published. The lie goes on being credited, while truth is smothered. Verily the task seems hopeless. Some day when we get a national pure- food law, perhaps consumers will believe that the beautiful honey they see in the market is not manufactured. One great remedy for this deplorable situation is for the bee-keepers of the country to make a united demand on their congressmen for a pure-food law along the lines of the Hep- burn bill that has been up a number of times, was finally passed by the last House, but which was shelved and pushed aside in one way and another, all because of "Senatorial courtesy," and because our national Senate refuses to adopt some mea- sure whereby the filibusi^ering- of a very small minority can be stopped. Some day the people will rise up in their wrath, and elect only Senators who will carry out the will of the people. They are sick and tired of the talk-to-death rule in the upper House. The action of the Senate, or, rather, of a despicable minority, regarding- some very necessary, almost indispensable, laws is aggravating- beyond measure. aikin's candied honey in paper pack- ages. Just now I saw our folks have some very pretty little 2-lb. packages of the above in our department where we retail honey. They are getting 25 cents each for these 2- Ib. packages— 12>^ cents per lb. for honey done up in paper! Said I, "Why, this is more than you g-et for honey put up in g-lass. " "Yes, that is so. We get only 11 cents per lb. for honey in glass jars, jar includ- ed." This means there is a full pound of liquid honey sold for 11 cents, and the glass thrown in. We do not sell liquid honey the way they do glassed comb honey. When I re- monstrated because they are getting more for honey in a cheap paper package than for that in a nice self-sealing glass jar, the reply was, " W^ell, the paper package is a new thing; and, besides, Aikin's honey is of extra quality." Now, friends, the great point right here is, can other bee-keepers all over the world put up honey in paper packages and have it nice, dry, and clean? Why, there is not a cleaner-looking package in the groceries than these 2 lb. paper packages of candied hone)'. And right here the impression comes to my mind that perhaps Aikin drains off the sticky inferior liquid portion of his candied honey. I did the same thing thirty years ago, and I have done it this past year. The best way in the world to improve the quality of any liquid honey is to put it out in the cold and get it to candy if you can. Then put it in a strainer, or break it up in chunks so as to drain out (in a warm place) all the liquid portion that seems reluctant to candy. After it has drained for several days, and the candied honey has turned white and become tolera- bly hard, melt it up gradually, not getting it too hot, as suggested elsewhere in this number, and your honey will be greatly improved in quality and color; and if you pour it into these paper bags it will candy and remain hard, dry, and white. It will also be very much thicker than it was be- fore you drained oft" the watery liquid hon- ey. Now, any honey that can be made to candy by putting it out in the cold can be refined and purified by the above process. Just one thing more about these paper packages: Ernest seems to think they do not stand hot weather. But I am sure they will stand it almost as well as they will cold weather, if you keep the air out. If the paper package is not absolutely air- 1046 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Dec. 15 ti^^ht it must be put up as the " Uneeda " folks put up their goods; and this can be done very cheapl}'. I saw some of Aikin's candied honey last season, right in the hot- test July weather, that was not bad to han- dle at all, except on the outside where the damp air had got to it. It was during a very warm wet rainy time. Now, then, friends, let us go to work and not let friend Aikin monopolize this business of getting better prices for honey done up in " brown paper " than that which is put up in glass jars. Will those putting up honey in paper bags please report in regard to it— especially Eastern bee-keepers? If you can not do any better, give us a brief report on a postal card. We are sure there are such among our readers, because we have sold a very large number of these pa- per packages for liquid honey.— A. I. R. HONEY- PLANTS OF ARIZONA ; DENSITY OF honey; tfmperaturr to which honey CAN be subjected without injuring its flavor; VALUABLE EXPERIMENTS. The Agricultural Experiment Station of the University of Arizona has just issued a bulletin. No. 48, on the subject of bee-prod- ucts within the confines of that Territory. It is so good that we copy all except the tabular matter, which, to the average lay- man, is just so much Greek. As the tables are interpreted, and conclusions drawn therefrom by the author of the bulletin, Mr. R H Forbes, their omission will prove no o-reat loss; but those who are interested in this matter can probably secure copies by applying to the station as above given. It is stated by Indians and white pioneers that the honey-bee was unknown in Arizona uuul American occupation. The first swarms probably drifted in from Texas wth adventurous sctllcrs not lonR before the mlddfe of ihllast century. In 187S. J. B^Allen brought r number of colonies to Tucson irom California as a busin^fs venture : while in. Salt River Valley, bee- keeoius began early in the '>ighlies , . • ^i. The fast census enumerates 18.991 colonies in the Territorv, June 1, 1900, with a proiuct during 1^99 of 9»4^0 lbs of houev and 13,080 lbs. of wax having a %^lle" ounces ol^ouV honey are the desert flora and cultivated crops, chiefly aUalfa. -^ few of the piinci- palproJucing plants a.id their seasons are as follows : Mfsotiite (Prosopis velatinai, April to .Jul.v. SCREW BEAN (Prosopis pubescent, Ai>r.lto July. Catclaw (Acacia greggu). May and June. Apacia (Acacia con-trictai, dune. PAtovERDE(Parkin~oniatorreyana),May. . ntsEl? FLORA ( Miscellaneous). depend.nK on rainfall. ALFALFA iMedicago sativa), April to September. The wild honey-plants, because of grazing animals and of wood-cutters, have greatly decreased with.n re- cent yerrs The area in alfalfa, on the other hand, is constantly increasing, but without ^ corresponding m^ rrease in honey-producing power. This is due to two nrln ipal causes ? Farmers are now cutting alfalfa for Say at a much earlier stage in its growth than former- Iv not allowing the plant to come into full bloom; L^'d the alfalfa butterfly ^CoUas eurytheme^J^^s so in- creased in numbers since 189o that the honey-flow, which used to continue well into September, is now cut short in July. It is difficult to state the net effect of these chinges upon the producing power of the country as a whole ; but in Salt River Valley under oresent conditions, judging from the shipments made during the last few years, our present irrigated areas wUh f djoining desert tracts are pretty fully stocked ^th bees Other parts of the Territory are as yet less '''rh°e"quabtUyTr:d''character of the nectar produced ;,y representative honey-plants is of interest in con- nection with the amount and quality of honey pro- ducible within a given t^ritory. The re.sultswere ob- tained by selecting typical plants or areas, estimating the number of blossoms, and determining the sugars in sample s of average flowers. The figure for aUalfa is especially interesting, and corresponds roughly with surh farmer's estimates of yield as "a can of honey (60 lbs ) to the ton of hay." Invert sugars vary from 1 (30 to 21 times (averaging 8.6 times) the amount of cane sugar present in the flowers. The qualitj- of Arizona honey varies with its source as well as with its treatment and preparation for market. The average moisture 16.85 per cent, is seen to be markedly less than that in Eastern honejs. averaging in two instances 19.39 and 18.50 per cent. This results from the exposure of Southwestern honeys before and during extraction to the exceedingly drj- air of this re- gion. With our excessive heat and dryness, evapora- tion quickly concentrates the honeys to a c >ndition of ripeness which insures keeping, also consideiab y in- creasing the weight per gallon. E '.stern honey usual- ly weighs about 58 lbs in a five-gallon can, while the Arizona article weighs ordinarily from ( 0 to 02 lbs. The ash is in most cases normal, with two interest- ing exceptions, each of them containing more than the average a.^h. This is prooably because they are des- ert-flower honeys, the bloom tor which, growing close to the dusty ground, became charged with dust, of which the bees did not entirely rid themselves. Ci^a^l^ ,_ ^^^B^^^^' FIG. 4. — THE WAV ALFALFA HAY IS STACKED ON 1000 AND 5000 ACRE FARMS IN THE WEST. ing-cases, some 20 tons, ready to be market- ed. Each can and every case has a large label thereon, informing the buyer that it is " Pure Alfalfa Honey, gathered by bees, and the same extracted by machinery," and produced in Lovelocks, Nevada, by Thorne & Ercanbrack. The Daisy barrow, seen in the picture, has been in use two years, and has wheel- ed and rewheeled honey to the amount of 280,000 pounds, and is good for ten times the service it has alread}' seen. Another picture* shows Thorne & Ercan- brack at their apiary home, a shed made bee-tight, of rough boards, 10X15 feet. For four months our stove is a coal-oil burn- er; our chairs, bee-hives; our sofa, a wheel- barrow; and our beds, hammocks swung to free us from bedbugs and poisonous insects. The thermometer reaches nearly 100° each summer day; but our nights are invariably cool, and blankets are alwaj's necessary. * This was too poor to reproduce by half-tone, and hence is not shown. — Kd. FIG. 5. — A LOAD OF TWO HUNDRED TRN-GALLON CASES ENTERING THE RODGKKS BARN SHOWN IN FIG. 6. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 1053 I KIG. b. — BAKN FOK rHIRTF,EN-THOUSAND-AC RE FARM; LARGEST BARN IN NEV \DA. Irrigating-'ditches run all around us, and water is abundant for man and bees. Our neighbors are the Piutes, a friendly tribe of Indians, now nearlj' extinct. For ene- mies we have mice, bee-martins, magpies, and foul brood. Ants and moth-millers can not exist here, or do not. The bedbug, tar- antula, and scorpion are more numerous than harmful, while the native rattler once in a while gets in his work and makes the use of liquor a necessity then. This is as things are. Fi^. 4 shows how the alfalfa- farmers handle hundreds of tons a day with few hands. Five men can keep five or six teams busy hauling to the stack. The load of hay is lifted at two or three grabs of a huge fork, and raised to a height of 40 feet to a stack, and there placed in proper position. These stacks of alfalfa hay are, many of them, 400 feet long One now in place is 900 feet long; and when the negative I made of it is printed I intend to send you a copy. These hay-handlers become expert, and command high wages. Three dollars [^a day was paid to some this season. Alfalfa hay is in good demand here.*^ It sells in stack, loose, at $5.00 to $6.00 a ton; and as three crops are raised it is a mint to the raisers, for it grows for twelve to fif- teen years without reseeding. It is cut one day, raked the next, and is in the stack in less than a week. Figs. 5 and 6 show the largest barn in FIG. 8. — A NEAR VIEW OF THE THORN & ERCANBKACK APIAKV, NFAR LOVELOCKS, NEV, 1054 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Dec. 15 Nevada, probably. It covers nearly- half an acre, and protects the farming: tools, and houses the grain of a 13.000-acre farm. It is a rude affair, but substantial, and under its cover we stored our one thousand ten- gallon cases this season. It belongs to the farm of Arthur Rodgers, a San Francisco attorne.v who engages in rural pursuits while poring over legal lore. The hay- wagon entering this barn contains some 200 ten-gallon cases, and perched thereon are the apiarists before mentioned. Fig. 7 shows the lively up-to-date city of Reno, Nevada, as seen from a hill back of the residence portion. The Truckee River is seen in the foreground. The smoke from two trains^ passing as the writer was press- ing the bulb, can be seen at either end of the view. Reno is the principal cit}- in the State, although not the capital. Watsonville, Cal. [This collection of pictures gives a fair idea of bee-keeping and alfalfa-growing in the irrigated regions of the great West. I DRONE COMB IN SHAKEN SWARMS. Why the Bees Build Drone Comb. BV M. A. GILL. Mr. Root: — I see quite often that some writer advises against the use of starters, claiming that it can not be done without filling the hives with worthless drone combs. Now, I practice forced swarming; but when I make a swarm I make a rousing big one, and usualU" hang over one or two frames from the parent hive that are filled with honey, larvie. and eggs, so the queen does not get anj- immediate relief from those combs. I am not one of those who believe that bees prefer to store honey in drone comb, and I think the facts will bear me out. Who has not noticed that any time before swarming, and after a colon_v has become quite prosperous, if a frame with starter only is given either at the side or in the center of the cluster, the bees will almost invariably build drone comb? It is not be- FIG. /. — THE RESIDENCE PORTION OF RENO, NEVADA. GROUND. TRUCKEE RI .ER IN THE FORE- have seen dozens and dozens of ranches a ^ood deal like that shown in these views; but I regret that I have not seen as manj- niceU" arranged apiaries in new well-paint- -^d hives as appear in these pictures. Thorne A: Ercanbrack are to be congratu- lated on their excellent system, their fine location, and their resultant crops of honey. It makes us Easterners almost wish that we could go out and squat right down beside them. But that would be wrong, morallj- and practically; no tenderfoot could go into these fields and divide the profits i^the honej-) without ruining the business of the origi- nal resident bee-keeper, and at the same time ruining his own chance of making any monej*. The only way for a tender- foot is to go to some locality soon to be open- ed up to irrigation, and get on to the field before some one else does, or buy a bee range, providing he can have the assurance that somebody else would not come and steal Nwhat he has paid for. — Ed.] cause the bees need the room to store honej', but it is because they, true to their instinct, want drones, as thej- intend, perhaps, ta swarm later on. The time is ripe for them to do so, and they will build at least three- fifths drone comb in all the room you will allow them to have at this time. They do it because they want drones, not because the}' prefer it for storage purposes. Now, take this same colony that is building so much drone comb. It may. perhaps, have cell cups with eggs in (but it matters not if it doesn't), and shake it into an empty hive; hang in one frame of eggs and larvje, and hang in frames with onlj' starters, and see what the bees will do. These bees have swarmed, and no one knows it better than the}- do. They have a fertile queen, hence no use for drones: but they want workers for the season's work, and the same bees that were so persistently building drone comb last week are now just as persistently building worker comb, and 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 1055 will continue to if the flow is good, until I the body of the hive is full of comb, which '' it will be in from eight to ten days, and 95 per cent will be worker comb; and if the queen is a good one, from five to seven of these combs will be well filled with brood. The time is ripe for raising workers, just as last week was for raising drones. Of course, this swarm was given the super off from the old colonj- at the time of making that was full of bees, bait- combs, and full starters; so if thej' needed storage room they had It. Friend Morrison, in criticising my plan, tells how much better I would like his plan of using a half-depth story filled with wired foundation; then, he says, in four or five days they are ready for a super. I will ask Mr. Morrison to go with me while I make a swarm, and bring along his little half story to put the swarm in. Here is this pair of hives. They are eight frame hives, full of bees from the bottom-board to the top of the super, and I will warrant the two have fifteen frames of brood. One colony is verj' nearly ready to swarm, and the other has eggs in the cell cups. I am going to shake all the bees from both colonies into one, and take the queen from this one with one frame of brood to give the new swarm. Saj', Mr. Morri- son, 3'ou will have to set that little "rig- gin' " of yours to one side. It's too much like "baby bee-keeping" for me, for it won't hold half of these bees. Hand me that eight-frame hive with a full set of starters onl}-, and remember there are two supers full of bees at work in the sections to go on top of this; yet you see mj* swarm is ready for the super now instead of wait- ing three or four days. When I come here again in six daj's it will need the third super. Say, Mr. Morrison, isn't that swarm a whopppr? Do jou know I think there are 75,000 bees? Yes, they will be all settled down to business like a natural swarm. You see they got well mixed and daubed when I shook them. No, there is no danger of their going off. They won't go without a queen, and she can't go unless she goes on foot, as she is clipped. You see, I have set one of those old hives of brood on top of the other, right behind where the pair sat, and facing the other way. When I come again in six daj's I will shake a lot more bees into this one from those old combs, and face it around here where it belongs. Next time I come around I will work all the brood into one hive, and put on a super; then I have the other hive to use somewhere else. No dan- ger of this one swarming, and this colony will be just as good as Jumbo there the last half of July and all of August, at which time of the year our best surplus-honey season comes. No, I don't do this with all my bees, but 1 do it with a great many v^'hen I don't want any increase. Longmont, Col.. Oct. 24. [I have just read portions of your commu- nication to our Mr. Phillips, who has had much experience in producing extracted honey in Jamaica. According to his expe- rience bees will build drone comb after a swarm is shaken, about the same as before; that in the case of a young queen they are less inclined to build drone comb, and are less inclined to swarm. But he thinks he could not get along without full sheets. Mr. Morrison, who lives in a tropical coun- try, finds hi-s experience to be about the same. Is it not possible and even probable that local conditions have a great deal to do with this question? Surely Mr. Morrison would not attempt to hive one of your double-decker swarms in a small half-depth brood-chamber. One who uses these chambers must, in the case of large colonies or swarms, use enough more of them to provide suflficient cubic ca- pacit}'. As I understand you, you think bees build drone comb because they want drones; but is it not also true that they also build drone comb because they want room? Here is an article from Mr. Shepherd, which would seem to show quite clearly that bees build drone comb because they want room. — Ed.] DRONK COMB — WHY BUILT. In reply to a footnote on page 841 I will say that the reason for so much drone comb in our hives is this. When our honey- flow is on, a good colony of bees will increase the weight of their hive from 10 to 14 pounds per day. Now, if there is any comb to be built it will be store or drone comb, no mat- ter whether you use light, medium, or heavy brood foundation. If the flow should not come with a rush, or if it should let up, the bees would build mostly worker comb. Say, does drawing the wires too tight in our frames cause the foundation to buckle? I mean where we use horizontal wiring. Now, if you are really sure that the wires drawn too tight are the cause, just make the end-bars of the frames fg or U inch thick, and trj' them, and see if buckling- founda- tion is not a thing of the past. The end- bars, only 'I inch thick, are too light. When you pull the wire tight, the end- bars spring in as the bees keep adding weight. The end-bars spring in more and more; and how can buckling be helped? The wire slacks, and that tells the story. This is how it works with us. I lay no claim to its be- ing the same all over the world, for the world is a large place, and conditions vary. Rules and regulations that work well on a New York or Rhode Island hilltop may not do so well in a Florida swamp. Marchant, Fla. M. W. Shepherd. [Thickening the end-bars might help the matter to a certain extent; but is it not this, after all. a rather expensive expedi- ent? A better way is not to draw the wires too tight.— Ed.] 1056 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTbRK. Dkc. 15 OUR HOMES, BY A. L ROOT. Dear readers of Gleanings, I have some good news for you — yes, something that is worth more than honey or money or world- I3' possessions or any thing else. I am not exactly sure that we shall a/l rejoice, but I am sure we all ought to rejoice.* In the first place, I got hold of a letter from Bro. York, of the American Bee Journal, that he did not expect would ever be printed. I do not know but he will scold a little when he finds I have put it in Gleanings; but when he sees the good that is coming from it, I am sure he will saj' his old friend A. I. Root was right after all; and I do not know but it would be a pretty good idea for a lot of us to have a little experience meeting, or class meeting, as the Methodists call it, and shout praises to God for his great and wonderful blessings. The letter is as fol- lows: • Dear Bro. Root:—\ must tell you that E. Whitcomb, of Nebraska, has been soundly converted— tobacco and all the lest cleaned out. He's praising the Lord, and teaching a Sundav-'chool class. We ought to rejoice that a n an like Whitcomb has yielded to the pleadings of the Ho'y Spirit. 1 wish you would have him write his experience for Gleanings. It is interesting— yes, wonde ful— and might he p some other bee-keepers who ought to follow the same course. All honor to Bro. Whitcomb for taking this stand, and also for erecting and maintaining a family altar. He is not a man to be discouraged easily, so I know he will be faithful and win his crown at last. 1 ju--t thought Id write you about this, as perhaps you didn't know it. It's too gcod to keep. ^^^ Sincerely yours, George W. York. On receipt of the above letter-l- 1 immediate- ly wrote to friend Whitcomb, telling him that I especiall}' wanted something for the Homes department of Gleanings, if it was all true, and he felt like giving it. Now, please do not imagine that Bro. Whitcomb is a very bad man, from what has been said. On the contrary, he has a wide cir- cle of friends; has filled honorably many very important places in the affairs of his State, and, if I am not mistaken, in the af- fairs of the nation. He occupied a very re- sponsible position at the Omaha exposition, and, I think, was also president of the convention held there at that time. Few men at the present time wield a more pow- erful influence among the people than Bro. Whitcomb. Now read the letter below; and may the Holy Spirit bless the message that Bro. * In fact, the Bible tells us there is joy in the pres- ence of the angels of God over such news as this Home Paper contains. fDear friends, this footnote is supposed to be said to you in Bro. York's absence. The editor of the Amert- can Bee Journal may maiie mistakes; but after reading the above confideiitial letter, can you not all agree with me in saying that Bro. York means to do right? He means to be fair and ju-t toward all; and may God spare him and bless him in working on the pages of the only weekly bee-journal in America. May God bless him in his faithful efforts \ear after year, month after month, and week after week as he works for the best interests and good of us all. Whitcomb seems glad to bring to us each and all; for it is the finger of God that has done this, and not the work of man. Dear Brother Root: — Yours ot the 21st received, and in reply 1 will say that, bless the Lord, the news you have received at Roolville was true; yes, better than that. I bear within my heart the witness of the Holy Spirit that I am my Lord's and he is mine. I should fall very short of my duty at this time were I to fail to bear testimony of his loving kindness in this matter. Wnile I am feeling sad over the fact that almost a life- time, crow'ded with splendid opportunities, has been lost for God, yet I have before rue the parable of the man who came at the eleventh hour, who also received his penny; and I am determined at this time, as God has been so very good to me, and inasmuch as I am at this time in penect health, without an ache or a pain, that 1 will do what I can to compensate for the time which has in a measure been worse than wasted I bl ss God this morning that 1 had a praying mrth- er whose prayers have followed me all through life; and I ble^s God for the praying mothers of America. My conversion catne aboiit in this way: The Olivers were holding a series of meetings at this place, and in compmy with a sixteen-year old adopted daughter I attended, mote out of curiosity than otherwise. We had been quitting the meetings as soon as the preach- ing was done; but one evening as we passed out of the tent and down the sidewalk the choir began to sing that familiar hymn. Just as I am, without one plea. But that thy blood was shed for me. I had heard this hymn hundreds of times. I heard but the>e two lines on this ccca.--ion; but they sank deep into ray heart, atid something kept repeating them to me all the way home; and duiiug the night that followed whenever I a*oke, and that was possi- bly a hundred times, these two lines were ringitig in my ears, and continued to. until I got ( own on my knees befoe God and prayed. " O Lord, be merciful to me a sinner." Oh how abundantly God did bless me when I uttered this prayer of the publican ! I have re- peated it many times since, and received God's blessing as frequently as I have uttered it. And. again, I have another thing to be thankful for. Preparing myself fo God I have left off the use of to- bacco, which! had used faithfully for fifty years, and a great deal of the time used as much as a pound a week. O my dear brother, I have so very many things to be thankful for that I do not know where to begin to enumerate them. God knows the desires of our hearts, and he will be able to sort them all out in his own good time. I have gone into harness, and am teaching one of the most interesting bible-classes here in Friend that I have ever been connected with; and in the s udy of these lessons, in explaining them, God has greatly blessed not only myself, but there frequent- 1} comes up from this interesting class a fervent "amen." Oh what a char.icter David was! Hovp near he seemed to get to God! and when he had sinned against God and his fellow man he did not do as m -ny have since done, get as far away from God as po-sible, and go on committing other and greater sins, but he got right down before God and asked his forgiveness. And how willingly God has responded to his supplica- tions! Here is a character which in many ways is worthy of emulation. David possibly did not have the Christian light and influence that we have in our day and age. This was many years before our plan of sal- vation had been worked out through our Lord and Sa- vior Jesus Christ, and David possibly did not live in the light that we now have. And the Bible — what a wonderful book it is, as revealed 10 me under this new light and the blessings of God! How it is filled with blessed promises! and how prominent these promises stand out! and how many new things we are able to discover in them as we peruse them over and over again! and I ble-s God that he does interpret his own word to us whenever we get ourselves under the light which he has shed thereon. "While I pray Gcd that he baptize my heart with the Holy Ghost, and feel that he from day to day is ans- wering mv prayers, often with the measure running over, yet I beg an interest in your prayers as well as in the prayers of all professed Christians, that I may ever be faithful. By thi-i time you are doubtless asking what became of the daughter. She has not been found wanting, and we bow together daily around the family altar, and our names are inscfibt d side by side upon the church-roll. There are yet otl ers who are near and dear to us who are out of Christ; but as God does hear 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 1057 and answer praj'er it will be well with them in his own I good time; and my faith reaches up to that blessed [ time when there will not onl^ be joy in heaven but in f my heart. I i thank you heartily. Bro, Root, for \ our nice and I consoling letter. There are often times in our lives I when a gooit Chri.stian word fiilv spoken fairly un- , corks the vessel which admits rich blessings to our [ souls, and this seems to have been one of them. Yours for God. H. Whitcomu. Friend. Neb., Nov. 2?, 1903. I took the letter over to the house, and read it to Mrs. Root. Before I g-ot through she asked how old he was. I said I could not tell; but from the fact that the dear brother tells us he used tobacco " faithftil- Ij' " for over fiftj' ^-ears, I imagine he must be about my own age. When one reads what he says about the two lines of that hymn that he kept repeating' over and over when going- home, and the two lines that were all night ringing in his ears, it re- minds us of what father Langstroth said about his watch that kept saj'ing' " Quin- by, Ouinb3%" all night. I suppose our readers would like to know more about the " Olivers " and their work. Perhaps Bro. Whitcomb or somebody else will tell us more about them. By the waj', since this thing- has started is it not possible that the ,year 1904 may usher in a great wave of souls turning to God? Is it too mtich to ask God that, in- stead of reading- in our dailies about "graft- ing-" in our great cities, and briber}' and corruption, strikes, etc., we ma}' give the papers some news in the line of Bro. Whit- comb's new birth? May the H0I3' Spirit bless the message as it comes to the knowl- edge of the bee-keepers of our land. And now just a word to our good friend Whitcomb. If j'ou go on in the spirit in wh'ch the above letter is written, sooner or later j-ou are going- to get some hard knocks. Satan will protest; and discouragements and vexations will come in upon yotx in most unexpected ways. May the Lord be praised for the fact that you are a big broad-shouldered man, and, if I am correct, not easily put out, especially when you know you are right. Hold on to that Bible promise in that longest psalm of David, "Great peace have they that love thy law; and nothing shall oflend them." On page 60 of our issue for Jan. 15 ap- pears an excellent picture of friend Whit- comb, and it may be worth while for the friends to turn back and look at his picture while the}' read his letter to the readers of Gleanings. REMEMBER THE SABBATH DAY TO KEEP IT HOI-Y. Dear Bro .^00/.— To-day was the first time I had the oppirtunily to read your Dec. 1st Home Paper on the question of^the ob er\-ance of ihe Lord's day. I think it is without exception, the best paper of any that I have read in over four years. If the same common- sense interpretation of the Scripture, and its applica- tion to the problems of life, were only followed by the followers of Christ, a great deal of energy 'hat is now wasted could be better utilized in the kingdom: and if the spirit of charity with which it is saturated were only copied by all those who seek a solution of this perplexing question it would be more in accord with the profession which we make. I think your view is biblical, reasonable, and Christlike. Fraternally yours, Jesse Hill. Medina, Ohio, Dec. 8. When I read the above letter, and found it was from the pastor of our own church, I shall have to confess it was one of my " happy surprises." In fact, after the pa- per was written I felt so much troubled about it I meditated carrying it to him, asking his opinion about it. For want of time I did not get around to it. Perhaps I maj' saj' to our readers that the writer of the above is about as able a man, from every point of view, to discuss and give an opinion on this "perplexing question," as he terms it, as any doctor of divinity or anybody else I know of. HAIRY OR SAND VETCH. My trip to California during the past sea- son prevented me from making experiments with sandy vetch, as I proposed, but I still have the matter in mind. We extract the following from the Country Gentleman for Oct. 22: Manj' cover crops do not actually cover the surface of the soil. Soy beans and cow peas, for instance, es- pecially when grown in drills, leave a laige part of the ground uncovered. The vetch lies prostrate, and by its rapid growth very soon puts the entire surface soil out of sight. This is true even when seed is grown in drills. This prostrate habit of the vetch, along with its abili- ty to hold fa'it wherever it gets a start, makes it one of the best possible crops to prevent erosion of soil that is liable to wash. One of the strongest legitimate ob- jections to the cultivation of orchard soils lies in the fact that they sometimes do wash away badly during the spring rain<. The proper way to prevent this of cour.>-e, is by growing a go d cover crop, and for this purpose we know of absolutely nothing so good as the winter vetch. It has often been said that the fruit-grower should choose one of the leguminous crops for an orchard cover, the reason given being that, when such a crop is turned under, it furnishes a considerable amount of nitrogen for the trees This nitrogen, moreover, is in a very readily availa- ble form, and can be made use of bv the trees with certainty and rapidity. Among all the niirogengath- ering cr ps, the vetch stands possibly at the head. At any rate, it seems to gt-t the most nitrogen. Hlthough the question where it gets it remains an open one. In the experiments of Craig and Cavanaugh at Cornell, some very remarkable figures wi re f'eveloped. It was shown, for instance, that where cow peas contain an average of 52 pounds of nitrogen to the acre, the hairy vetch has .'eeured 2o6 pounds The price of $7 a bushel, however, is not so bad as it seems. If one sows a bushel to the acre, then it is in- deed expensive, and a bushel to the acre is what has been frequently recommended According to our ex- perience, however, the seed can be sown in drills at the rate of one to one and a half pecks to the acre, and still give a perlect cover under ordinary conditions. This method of handling cover crops is one concerning which we will have more to say at some future date. I Accompanying the article in the Country Gentleman is a beautiful picture of a field of sand vetch grown for seed. The above figures, calling hairy vetch worth five times as much to plow under as cow peas, are pretty strong; but from what 1058 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Dec. 15 I saw of it where it came up wild in my po- tato patch in Northern Michig-an, I am in- clined to think it is about right. I hope a lot of our friends will try it on a small scale, even if they do not do any thing- more. If it grows as it did up there, a peck to the acre would certainly be ample seed- ino-. I should like to know what kind of a crop of potatoes it would produce if turned under in June, in full pod and blossom. The following is from our friend Greiner, in Farm and Fireside: In one respect the winter (or hairy) vetch has proved a disappointment to nie. It blooms fully and freely— in fact, it has been a mass of bloom beautiful to look upon all season long and is still blooming ; but it does not set, and there will not be enough seed to reseed the ground after the piesent crop is gone. So if I want arother patch (and I expected to plant a largerone this year) I shall again have to depend on the ^eed.sman for the .seed, and pay about $fi 00 or S8 00 a bushel foi it. Possibly the plant may produce seed more freely in the colder portions of Canada than here As an or- chard cover-crop, however, this vetch will be hard to beat It makes a dense mass of green stuff early in the season Now that the stalk.'> begin to die out and de- cay I find the soil underneath nice, spongy, moist, and soft, and the wetds thus far kept down or choked out. There is no question in mv mind that when the vetch crop has died down, the soil will be in better condition than before. At our place in Northern Michigan it produces seeds in the greatest profusion. In fact, there are so many little seeds that it seems to me they must be valuable as feed for stock. I notice some of the seed catalogs are offering the seed at $8.00 per 100 lbs. THE SILK INDUSTRY OF BELDING, IONIA CO., MICH. In one respect I am quite fortunate in my Notes of Travel; for if I make any mis- takes, there are plenty of friends always ready and willing to set me right. And let me say here that one who travels with auto- mobile or bicycle is often puzzled to know the name of a town he is riding through. On the railways we have the names of the towns in plain letters on the station build- ings; and I have often wished there might be some place in every town to give its name. The following letters explain the matter. I give all three of them because each one contains some valuable fact omit- ted by the others. In your accoutit of recent trip through Michigan you give to Greenville. Montcalm Co., credit for the '•beautiful large factories producing silk, etc." Y- u were entirely mistaken as to the locality. The silk citv" you saw was the city of Beldmg, Ionia Co.. my ma'rket town. There are three large silk-factones, employing about 400 girls each, and several other (wood) factories employing about 1000 men. We con- sider this Belding of ours the future fine big town of this section. The silk-dealers of New York and Chi- cago Belding Brothers and Richardson, have their headquarters here; and whatever silk thread you (^ee with thtir names on is made here. The Belding Brothers several of them, were born and raised on a farm just north of the city. Harmon Smith. Orleans, Mich., Nov. 4. You a'k for information in regard to the silk-factory in Michigan. The factory was started a go:id deal as you started the bee supply business, by two boys or, rather, when they were boys they started to peddle silk thread. They have a lot of women working for them, and their rules are such as to elevate young ladies' minds. Taking it all in all, it is one of the most refined facto- ries in existence. Royal Hadley. Manistee, Mich. You spoke of a silk factory in Greenville. Mich. I woulJ say this. I believe Greenville has no bilk-fac- tory. But in Belding, a tc wn a few miles distant, there are three or four large factories. While visiting there last August a friend of mine took me through one of them, and it was a grand sight, well worth one's time. Mostlj' girls are employed — I should think at least three or four hundred. Valparaiso, Ind. Gernal Si-awson. Many thanks, friends, for setting me right; but, true to m}' nature (I am Yan- kee born, you may remember), I am not at all satisfied with the answer to my first question. Now, where does this factory get its raw material? Do they grow mulberry- trees and raise silkworms? Years aeo we sold large numbers of a little book by Nellie Rossiter, about the care of silkworms. But the matter somehow dropped out of sight, because we were told the care of silkworms had never been made a success in America. Does the material needed for these great factories come from across the seas? Who will answer this question? Ernest is off on a vacation of two weeks, and I am taking the liberty to collect favor- able reports in regard to bee keeping from different parts of our land. I do not know how long this department will be kept up; but I do think it is an excellent idea to compare notes and let people know what is being done, even on a small scale, in the way of getting honey in all sorts of locali- ties. Please make your reports brief, so we can get in a good many of them. A postal card is quite large enough. The first one below is a good sample, and is interesting to me because the honey crops have been mostly poor in Florida for a good many years. There is another thing that interests me particularly. Friend M. has a Florida home, and a northern one in Ton- togany, Ohio. He migrates back and forth every spring and fall ; and his Florida home is a very pretty place, I can assure you, for I have been there. — A. I. R. Mr E. R Root: — If your father comes south, tell him I shou'd be pleased to have him call and see me again. My bees here did finely this summer. Sorrento, Fla., Nov. '%Q. R. X,. McColley. [Here is another:] 184 LBS. PER COLONY, AND INCREASED FROM 31 TO 36. I send you my report this year, with 31 colonies to start with. We hive waited nine years for this crop of honey. I ran 15 for comb, and got 2100 lbs.; 16 for ex- tracted, and got K600 lbs., or an average of 184 lbs. per colony, spring count ; increased to only 36. Rockton, 111 , Dec. 7. R Gammon. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 1059 CHas. Israel (Si Brothers 486-4QO Canal St., New YorK. Wholesale Cealers and Commissicn Uerchants in Honey, Beeswax, Maple Sugar and Syrup, etc. Consignments Solicited. Kstablished 1H75. THE OVERLAND LIMITED. Via ThP ChiciiKO & Nortlnve-^tern Ry. Leave ChicaKO 8fl0 p. m. daily. throuKli to San Francisco, Los Anxeles, and Portland. It isthenio^^t liixurions train on tlic continent, electric-liRhted throimlimu . I'rivate compartment, obser- vation, drawinR-nioni, ilinintr. bnlVit, lil)rary car; barber, bath, private read inn-lamps, ti Icplione ifor use at terminals), less than three days en route to California. Two other fast trains daily. For particulars ren.ir.lint; rates, sleejiing-car reservations, and de.-criptive paniplilei apply to your nearest ticket asent. or address .V. F. (Cleveland, 'J3J Superior Stre»t, Cleveland, Ohio, or address W. B. Kuiskern, Passgr. Traf. Mgr.. Chicago. Oyster Shells, 100 lbs., 60c;2 '0 lbs., 81. Mica Crystal Grit, IOj lbs.. 70c. Wise & Co., Butler, O. Mr. A. I. Root's Writings of Grand Traverse territory and Leelanau Co. are descriptive of Michigan's most beautiful section reached most conveniently via the Pere Marquette R. R. For pamphlets ol !ii;higan farm lands and the fruit belt, address J. E. Uerritt, Manistee, Michigan. BEB SUPPLIES, i For Sale.— Fancy basswood and white-clover hon- ey: 60 lb cans. 8c; 2 cans or more, 7^c: bbls , 7}^c. E R. Pahl & Co., 294 Broadway. Milwaukee, Wis. For S.\lk. — Fancy and A No. 1 comb honev from alfalfa, in Danzenbaker 4x5 sections. Write for prices. \Vm. Morris, Route 1, Las Animas, Col. For Sale.— Extracted choice ripe clover honey in cases of two 6()-lb cans each, at 8 cts. per lb.; 33o-lb. bbls. at ~% cts per lb. G W. Wilson, R. F. D. No.l, Viola, Wis. W.\NTED. — Beeswax. Will pay spot cash and full market value for beeswax at anj^ time of the year. Write us if vou have any to di.spose of. Hll.DRETH & SEGELKEN, 265-207 Greenwich St., New York. Wanted.— To sell 200%lbs. pure white-clover ex traded honey, in 60-lb. cans, at 7c per pound. N. A. Knapp, Rochester, O. Wanted— Comb and extracted honey. State price, kind, and quantity. R. A. Burnett & Co., 199 South Water St., Chicago, 111. Wanted.— Honey. Selling fancy white, 15c; amber, 13c. We are in the'market for either local or car lots of comb honey. Write us. Evans & Turner, Columbus, Ohio. Wanted. — Comb honey. We have an unlimited de- mand for it at the right price. Address, giving quanti- ty, what gathered from, and lowest cash price at y-our depot. State also how packed. Thos. C. Sfanley & Son, Fairfield, 111., or Manzanola, Colo. Wanted.— Beeswax ; highest market price paid. Write for price list. Bach, Becker & Co., Chicago, 111. We will be in the market for honey the coining sea- son in carloads and le.ss than carloads, and would be glad to hear from producers everywhere what they will have to offer. Seavey & Flarsheim, 1318 — 1:^24 Union Avenue, Kansas City, Mo. Don't Wait Any Longer lo Buy. BIG DISCOUNTS FOR. ^ BORDERS NOMr.^ ^ Write to us today and say what 3'ou want and get our prices. New cat- alog will soon be out. It is free. We also. handle HOOSIER INCUBATORS AND BROODERS •H 4 < < i C. M. SCOTT follows: This offer will not be made again, Order now. hin MflllCV ^"^ **''^ ^'^ o"* ^"<' send it to us. Give. vour height and nw nlUlid weig-ht. State number of inches around the body at chest, lose up under the arms, over vest, also imniber of Indies around body at St ]ust above the hips, also number of inches around the body at (hips) larg- I pait, also length of pants leg inside seam, liom tight in crotch to heel,. ind we II send you by express this CBCE ^^'^61 1* arrives at your express of- indsome fall and winter suit rilllC fice examine it caielully, try it on, iid it you And it exactly as represented by us, stvietl.v all wool, made in the xtest st.vle. for fall and winter of 1903, to be a better fitting suit, better made, more serviceable, more stylish, and better in every way tlianany suit you can buy of any other house i a Chicago, or in fact from anywliere else, or of jour local dealer at home at less than SU.OOto $10.00, pay the express agent our special price of :5.9.i. If the suit does not prove to beexacdy what you want, satisfactory in every way, equal to suits that sell everywhere at JU.OOto $16 00, then ship it back to us and we will p.iy the express charges both ways. Understand, we do not ask you lo send us unesini-'le cent with theonier. All that Is necessary to do is to send us this ad, if you aro a subscriber to this paper, give us your full measurement as indicated above, and we will ship you this handsome suit. Do noc be afraid you cannot take your owa measure. Do not be afraid the suit will not fit you. Take your measure care- fully and the suit will surely flt you perfectly. If it does not fit perieclly, it it is not satisfactory in every way, and the biggest bargain you nave ever ' n, and equal to suits that retail everywhere from SI 4 00 to $16 00 you need ! pay one single cent or take it from tlie exnress office but you may send back to us, we pa.ving the express charges both ways. &UP 1 5 Day's Triafl Proposition. — this handsome suit 15 full days. In the meantime, compare It with your friends have bought at home or elsewhere, and if you do not find facilities for buving nmi Ihe suit we will send you $.').'.l") suit, as des libed m Want find we will Bead yuu sauiples. Wear this handsome suit 15 suits , _ . . our suit superior in quality, style and tailoring, and general makeup, and it it is not worth more than what .your friends have paid for suits at $14.00 to JIO.OO, return it to usand we will refund you your money, and pay all expresscliarges n't be out 0'n> sin;;io cent. Order today and wear a $16.00 suit at S5.95. is made of a fine cjuality of all wool black cheviot. The catis made in tbesemi-military fashion, round cut sack, like illustration; has broad padded shoulders, giving the shoulders abroad dressy effect; has double interlined canvas self sustaining front, is neatly lined with strong farmers satin, has four pockets, vest is single breasted, made in the best of manner with notched collar, nicely lined. The trousers are made full medium wide, cut over the latest pattern. This is a suit that keeps its shape, and will give the wearer the very best service. We use in this suit better li ling, trimmings, interlining, stiffening and finish, than any other maker. We em- ploy n >ne but the very best of cutters and fitters, and we guarantee to give you a iii'ire stvlish, a b-tter made suit every wav, shape and manner, than you can buy utiiaying from $it.OOto$li;.IIO. covers the cost of the c'olh, rimmings and tailoring. We are making this special offer merely to introduce our clothing in your vicinity and to place one of our catalogues in the hands of every subscriber of this paper. We ai'8 only able to make tins extremely low price because ol our extiaoi diliary mnnufacturin -', and because of our Large volume of business. Order today, and with one of our large complete catalogues: or. if you prefer a suit different from our siciial lOVe, write IIS for our cioihing catalogue. Stito in vmir letter the kiinl of suit voii RflARVIM SMITH GO. OHIGAGO. ILL. THIS HANDSOME SUIT OUR SPECIAL PRICE OF $5.95 Kr?; 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 1061 New Brodbeck Corneil >? DoubleBlastI Smoker. Patented Oct. ii, i892. We have now made arrangements by which we can furnish the Brod- beck patented features in our regu- lar Jumbo 4 inch-barrel smoker. It has an inner barrel, or blast-chamber, in which the fuel is placed so that the fire does not come in contact with the smoker-cup proper. In use the blast in forced against a deflector from which it is then driven between the inner and outer bar- rel, and also through the grate and fuel. The direct elTect of this is to create a double blast — a cold and a hot — to increase the force of the blast, and to prolong the life of the smoker because the outer barrel will be nearly cold. The smoke will not be quite so dense and pungent as in the hot-blast smokers of standard pattern ; but there are some who may prefer a stronger blast, even if the smoke is less pungent. Price of the Brodbeck Corneil, > kindthatretailsfor$3.C0, for gSc. Base burners at J^ the regular price. WIJ PIIADANTFF thlsrangeto be the most perfjct baker made as oven is asbestos covered, making an even and OUR TERMS steady heat. We have steel ranges from ^8.8.i and up, 6 styles, made in all sizes. ■ """ are the most liberal ever made. We wdl ship you any steel range, cook or heating stove, guarantee it to reach you in perfect condition, you can pay for it after you receive it, you can take it into your own home and use it 30 full da>-s. If youdon't find it tobeexactly as represented and perfectly satisfactory in every way and the biggestbargaininastove you ever heard of and equal to stove* ttatretailfordoubleourprice.y >ii can return the stove to us and we will ijayfireiglit both ways, so you won 'the out onesingle cent, mVIJIQ i^All" nil r and send it to us and we will mail you our free stove catalog. Itexjjlains our terms fully, I lllw All UU I tells yMU how to order. Don't buy a stove ol any Kind until wou get our calalogu* and see our liberal terms and the UJIDlfiy CBIITil Ot\ OUIOJIAfl lowest prices ever made. Write noww n An ff 1 11 dlnlln llUii UllluAUUi^ QraniJ TDCCC Finp. storky,liar'ly, Krowuou tliobaiikof Lake I CAllll I nCCw Kric, two miluri from auy peach orchards, free (if hciicr- and allothi:r disca^eri. Large slock of Ap|>l«, Pear, Plum, <:iierrj, etc. Heachiuarters for Oruauieulal Trees, ^hrub.s, Plauth, Viuo)>, Bulbs, Seedw. 40 acres hardy Roses, inchiding 45.(J- Corn'siK'tideiiee soliciti-d. .'lOyrars. 1000 acres. THE STORRS & HARRISON CO., Box 143, PAINESVILLE. OHia 1062 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Dec. 15 Gleanings Clubbing Offers In order that our subscribers may have the benefit of the very latest and best com- binations in periodicals and also the lowest possible subscription rates on all their reading- mitter, we h^ve arranged with one of the largest subscription agencies to handle our entire clubbing and general subscription business. All orders and sll requests for prices should be addressed to C. M. Qoodspeed, Skaneateles. N. Y. Some of our miny offers may be made from the following lists. Catalog for 1904 will be ready about Thanksgiving. "Class A." Gleanings, Success, Cosmopolitan, Peai son's. Ivcsl e's Monthly. Woman's Home Companion, Good Housekeeping. "Class B." Cosmopolitan, American Boy, American Mother, B )ok-Keeper, Cincinnati Knquiier, Campeir.s Illustrated Journal. Chicago Inter-Ocean, Farm Poultry, Good Health, Hints. Home Science, Health Culture, Michigan i-armer, National Magazine, Ohio Farmer, National Stockman, Pathfinder, Pilgrim. Recieaiion. Rural Californian, The Era. Tweniieth Century Home, Tribune Farmer, Witness. New York, Household I,edger. Bf si on Cooking School, Practical Farmer, Gleanings, Men of i'o-Morrow, Youth. "Class C." Countr}' Gentleman, American Agriculturist, Tri-Weekly World, N. Y.. Tri- Weekly Tribune, N. Y. Harpers' Bazar. Syiacuse Post Standard. " Class D." Current Literature, Independent, Ivippin coifs, Review of Reviews. Outing, Criiic, Chautsuqnan, World To-day, Week's Progress, World's Woik, Country l,ife. "Class E." People's Home Journal. Good lyitfrature, Kansas City Star. "Class F." Latest Liter-' ture, Ladits' W orld Little Boys and Girls. McCall's Magazine, World's Events, Hilts, Sabbath Reading, Pets and Animals, Normal Iiistructor, Vick's Magazine, Nickel Magazine, Grten's hruit-Grower, Four-Track News, Farm and Home. Farm and Fiieside. "Class G." Farm Journal, American Poultry Advocate, Metropolitan and R. Home, Gentlewom;in. household Guest. Youths' Companion Calendar and balance of this year free to new names. Just the present for Xmas 81.75 In Making Up Clubs, Remember That we accept either new or renewals at the same price, unless expressly stated that they must be new. Success and any one of class "A" or "B" $1.50 Success and any two of class 'A" or "B" 2 01) Success and one of class "A" and one of class "U" 3.00 Success and two of class "!)'' 4.00 Success and two of "A" and two of "D" 5.00 Any periodical in class ' B" may he substituted for any one in class "A" in above offers. Gleanings and any magazine in class "A" for 1 50 Gleanings and any two af class "A" for 2.( 0 Gleanings and ;iny one of class "B" for l.'io Any periodical in class "K" may be added to any club by adding 55 cents. For instance: Gleanings and Cosmopolitan would mate a Gleanings club at Jl 25 and j-ou could add your choice of any maga- zine or magazines in class "B" by adding to the 81.'J5 offer, bo cents for each one you wish to add. Gleanings and any one of class "C" |1.50 Any periodical in class • C" many be added to any offer by adding 90 cents. Gleanings and any periodical in class "D" for $2 75 Gleanings, Success and one of class "D," all for 3 00 Gleanings and any one of class "F'" for 1.00 Gleanings and any two of class "F" for 1.'25 Any periodical in class '"F" may be added to any offer for 35 cents. Gleanings and one of c'ass "E''or '"F" 1.00 Gleanings and a'y two of class ' G" for 1 OO Any one of class "G" may be added to any offer for 20 cents. Clubs may go to different addresses, if desired. SAMPLE COPIES-- We have five tons of nice new magazines and per odicalsof all kinds which we will send you postpaid three pounds for 20 cents. Prices quoted on any list submitted. Address all orders to C. M. Goodspeed, Box 731, Skaneateles, N. Y. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 1063 HOLIDAY OFFERS Good Only Until Feb. 1, 1904- In nnv of the following offers Gleanings or Recreation may he put in place of Cosmopolitan; or Cosmo- DoHtan in place of 'Meanings. You are entitled to AM, PREMIUMS that you would get by paying Full pr ce d'^rect to the various publishers, except on Woman's Home Companion. (Gleanings, 1 25-^ Fanne s' Call, (.Practical Farmer. ( Gleanings, 1 20-^ Karmets' Call, (Ohio Farmer, ("Gleanings, 1 65^ Katmers' Call, (country Genleman. (Gleanings. I 50< Farmers' Call. (American Agriculturist. (Gleanings, 1 50^ Fanners' Call, (National Stockman. 3' Call, gland Farmer. ( Gleaning I 50-< Farmers' ( New Kng ( Gleanings. 1 25< Fa-mers' Call, / Tribune Farmer. 1 00 I 00 1 00 'I 2 2b\ H I I 1 nni Cosmopolitan, ^ ^] McCall's Magazine. 1 fin 5 Cosmopolitan, ^ ^j Housekeeper. • , nn ( Cosmopolitan. ^ ^} Ladies' World. , o- ( Cosmopolitan, ' '^'^l Harper's Bazar. , f^(, Cosmopolitan, 1 w^ Peoples Home Journal. , n- < Cosmopolitan ^ -' 'I Hou ,ehold I^edger. , _. ( Cosmopolitan, ^ '^) Etude. , „- 1 Cosmopolitan. ^ -^ I New York Winess. 1 nn/ Cosmopolitan, ^ ""t Union Gospel News. , ..-/Cosmopolitan, ^ '" I Christian Herald. , „- ( Cosmopolitan, ^ ■" I New York World. T-W , j-n J Cosmopolitan, ^ °"1 New York Tiibune. T-w , „- i Cosmopolitan, ^ ""'l Inter Ocean. , „^ ( Cosmopolitan, '■ "^"( Hints. , „- j Cosmopolitan. ^ "^ ( Recreation. „ „- ( Cosmopolitan, ■^ '^^j Scribner's. o m J Cosmopolitan, - ""■) World To-Day. A m) Cosmopolitan, ^ ^ I Century. o nn (Cosmopolitan, "* "" ( St. Nicholas. Q m/ Cosmopolitan, ^ "" (Country L,ife. r, --/Cosmopolitan, ^ '■-'touting. , n- /Cosmopolitan, ^ '"(Twentieth Century Home. 1 nn/ Cosmopolitan, ^ ^\ Ohio Farmer. r, --/Cosmopolitan. " ''■" \ Review of ReNnews. „ _. /Cosmopolitan, ^ "'t World's Work. , „- j Cosmopolitan, '■ ^ ( American Boy. McCall's Magazine is the leading moderate-priced fashion «agazi„e^ and is preferred b^^^^^^^^ to the'^Delmealor. Farmers' Call-.All subscriptions to this m.^t be new^ More of ouVoffers appeared in Nov. lo Gleanings. Address all orders to C. M. Goodspeed, Box 731, SKaneateles, N. Y. 1 1 00 1 00 1 00- 1 10 I 10 1 50 1 80 I 75 Gleanings, Farmers' Call, World's Events. Gleanings, Farmers Call, Farm Poultiy. Gleanings Farmers' Call, Farm Journal. Gleanings, Farmers' CrU, Hoise Review. Gleanings, Firmers' Call, Hoard's Dairyman, Gleanings, Farmers' Call, Farm and Home. Gleanings. Farmers' Call, Farm and Fireside. Gleanings, Farmers' Call, Four-Track News. Gleanings. Farmers' Call, Little Biysand Girls. Gleanings, Harmers' Call, sabbath Reading. Gleanings, Tribune Farmer, McCall's Magazine. ; Gleanings. Tribune Farmer, I Country Gentleman. ( Gleanings. Tribune Farmer, I Cosmopolitan. I McCall's Magazine, I 00^ Free Pattern, ( Gleanings. 1 McCall's Magazine, 80-< Free Pattern, I Housekeeper. [ McCall's Magazine, 75-( Free Pattern, ( Sabbath Reading. ( McCall's Magazine, 1 00k Free Pattern, I Household Ledger. ( McCall's Magazine, 1 05-< Free Pattern, I Woman's Home Companion I McCall's Magazine, 1 05k Free Pattern. ( Leslie's Monthly. ( McCall's Magazine, 75 ■< Free Pattern. ( No'.mal Instructor. I McCall's Magazine, 75-< Free Pattein, i I World's Events. ( McCall's Magazine, 1 0O-( Hree Pattern, ( Practical Farmer. I McCall's Magazine, Free Pattern, Ohio Farmer. Pearson's Magazine. (McCall's Magazine, I in) ^^^^ Pattern, ' '*"l Ohio Farmer, (Woman's Home Companion ( McCall's Magazine, 95 •{ Free Pattern, ( Health Culture. ( McCall's Magazine, 95 ] Free Pattern, ( American Boy. ( McCall's Magazine, 95 < Free Pattern, ( Farm Poultry. ( McCall's Magazine, 50 K Free Pattern, ( American Poultry Advocate ( McCall's Magazine, 75^ Free P.4ttern, { "Vick's Magazine. ( McCall's Magazine, 1 00^ Free Pattern, ( American Mother. ( McCall's Magazine, 3 10^ Free Pattern, ( Scribner's Magazine. ( McCall's Magazine. 1 10^ Free Pattern, ( Harper's Bazar. 1094 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Dec. 15 (M \m m fm m am iW Im m •m TM \m ^* W pa m. m m '^ m m m JgSH 0ver15Montlis&foronly$1 to a NEW SUBSCRIBER to the Weekly American Bee Journal ^^ the numbers of To new subscribers for 1904 (at $1.00) we will send all the Bee Journal (so long as they last) containing the Los Angeles Convention Report of the National Bee-Keepers' Association. This will be over a quarter of a year's numbers FREE, or 68 copies for only a dollar. Now is the time to subscribe. Read what the Weekly American Bee Journal contains : Editorial Comments — This department is exactly what its name indicates — Editorial opinioa on a variety of topics, original items, comments, etc. Miscellaneous — In this department is found personal items, and anything and every- thing that is not easily classified elsewhere. It is really an Editorial department, and in- variably contains readable and entertaining matter. Convention Proceedings— It is the en- deavor of the American Bee Journal to give reports of as many of the bee-keepers' con- ventions as possible, especially those of State and National interest. This is indeed a most valuable feature, bright and helpful, as things are said at conventions by people that would n' ver think of writing out what they know. No other paper attempts to report bee-conven- tions as does the American Bee Journal. Contributed Articles — These are writ- ten by the best and most successful bee-keep- ers in the world — those who produce honey ijy the ton. Such men as G. M. Doolittle, C. P. Dadant, L. Stachelhausen, Adrian Getaz, C. Davenport, Prof. A. J. Cook, etc., write for this department. Our Bee-Keeping Sisters — This de- partment is only about a year old, and yet it is coming to be of great interest, especially to women bee-keepers. Miss Emma Wilson, who conducts it, is a successful bee-keeper of many years' experience, and knows what will help the women readers as well as others. Hasty's Afterthought— This is by E. E. Hasty himself. He reviews, and comments upon, what has already appeared in preceding numbers of the Bee Journal, pointing out errors, and also commending what he deems worthy. in all Dr. Miller's Answers — This is invalu- able to beginners. Here they can have an- swered almost any question on bee-keepintr. Dr. Miller has had over 40 years' experience, so he is able to help others to succeed with bees. Some Expert Opinion — This is a mw department, or an old one revived, in which about 25 of the expert bee-keepers of the United States and Canada reply to difficult questiono, or those on which it is desirable t" have the opinion or experience of more than one person. From Many Fields— This department contains reports of the season, and small items of great variety, gathered up from almost everywhere. It is interesting reading, and often very practical and helpful. Sketches of Beedomites — This is a biographical department We endeavor to give frequent life-sketches of the leaders in bee-keeping, and especially of those who have passed away, and who have been prominent in the work with bees. Honey and Beeswax Market — In this are given quotations from the various mar- kets of the United States. No bee-keeper should be without these, in order to decide as to what he should get for his honey when he sells it. I ?e i m ¥4 m ¥-'> mA ^^ mi ml mi mt Beedom Boiled Down — This has th • ^^ cream of the current bee-literature of tim mi day. It is an irregular department, appeal intc JS^ when there are items of importance that we feel should be spread before our readers. We are constantly on the lookout for the " cream," and " skim it off " for the benefit of the readers of the American Bee Journal. m The foregoing list of departments is a strong one. We aim to please and help the ex- p,?rt, the less experienced, and also the beginner. And we believe we succeed in doing so in the old American Bee Journal. Hadn't ?/ow better send it your subscription to-day, and get inline to handle your bees in a more practical and profitable way next season ? Only $1.00 will pay for it every week to the end of 1904, including all the Los Angeles Convention Report. Sample Copy free for the asking. Send all orders to GEORGE W. YORK &C CO., 144 & 146 E. Erie Street, CHICAGO, ILL. m?. m mi ml m'4 mi mi Wei m^ m Wi m^. m:i m^ m-i W) fe mi m^. m^. 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 1065 $1 Farmers Voice Great Co = Operative Club S Mid us the names of ten friends or neij^hbors whom you believe will be interested in a jourual slaudinf? for the farmer's best interests, and \vc wMl send you these live (.'rcat periodicals eac-li of which stands at the head of its class. Farmer's Voice rl^;;'.:;:,"'. $ .601 lor I>rt3' yt:irs the most eiiiiiest advoriice of nil t limits whi<'li tend to make lile on the farm more pleasurable and prolitablo. Yl/ayside Tales 1.00 Ilea's Ureat Short Story Jla-r-'aziiie, 9o pat,'osln regular ma- gazine size oi vl.'au stories every mouth on line hook paper. Regular Price S.IO FOR yONLY $1. The American Poultry Journal .50 The oldest and best poultry paper in the worid. The Household Realm . . .50 Kor Id years ti.e only woman's paper ouiud, edlli-d and puD- Ushed exeliisively by women. lick's Family Magazine . .50 The leading Floral Magazine of Americ*. Tor 'Vick's you may substitute Green's Fruit Grower, Farm Jonrnal, Blooded Stock, Kansas City Star or St. Paul Dlspnti'li. .Sample copies of Tbe Farmers' Voice free. Liberal terms to agents. VOICE PUB. CO.. 113 Voice Bldg., Chicago. FnVPlflnP( printed-to-order, only 81 per 1000: send Lll T CIUJJC J, for free sample and state your business. and tea names of farmers &i auuve. f Modern Farmer f ..50 Wertern Fruit-Grower. .50 CLUBBING nCCCDQ ^^.A/P/.^] Poultry Gazette 50 UrrunOiii l.Gleanmgsin Bee Cult. 1.00 All One Year Only$i.oo. $125 Write for others just as good. SAMPLE FREE. If you are interested in Cuba and want the truth about it, subscribe for the HAVANA POST, the onlj- English paper on the Island. Published at Havana, Cuba. $1.00 per month, $10.00 per year. Dai- ly (except Monday). GHAS. A. CYPHERS' NEW INCUBATOR CO. Mr. ('\ •p;!iTs, f 11 nieriy of the Cyphers Incubator Co., iliitfalo, N. Y. has severed his euniieetion with that eoneein and established a new organization under the title of ( has. A. C\ jiheis Co. for the manufacture of inculiatoi-s and brooders of a miifh improved style. It will pay you to write for a copy of his preliminary circular and ask to be registered for a copy of his 1904 cataloirue which will he i eaily about .Ian. lilth. Address Chus. A. CypfaerHCo., .'iU-47 Henry St., ISiia'alo, N.Y. For Sale.— .a. ' beautiful trio of Hartz canaries, Hooding & Boass cages for sale, or exchange for sta- ple groceries or good table fowls. I. G. KiRKLAND, 32 Bell St., Dayton, O. For Sale.— .^ few more of those fine White I,eg- horn cockerels, at 75 cts. each. J. Ferris Patton, Newtown, O. For Sale.— 2000 lbs. extracted choice clover honey, in cases of two OO-lb. cans each; Sets, per lb.; two cans or more, 7^ cts. per lb. Daniel S. Kitson, R. F. D. No. 1. East Jorden, Mich. 4,000,000 PEACH=TREES tennesske wholesale nurseries. June Buds a Specialty. No agents traveled, but .sell direct to planters at wholesale prices. Absolutely free from diseases, and true to name. Write iis for catalog and prices before placing your order elsewhere. We guarantee our stock to be true to name. I.arge.st peach nursery in the world. Address J. C. HALE, Winchester, Tenn. Squabs are raised in 1 month, bnng big prices. Eager market. Money- makers for poultrymen, farmers, women. Here is something worth looking into. Send for our Free BooK, " How to Make Money With Squabs" and learn this rich industry. Address PLYMOUTH ROCK SQUAB CO., ig Friend St., Boston, Mass. one season, planting- in ro- tation cauliflower, cucum- bers, egg-plants, in beauti- ful, health-giving- Manatee County. The most fertile section of the United States, where marvelous profits are being- realized by farmers, truckers, and fruit-growers. Thousands of acres open to free homestead entry. Handsomely illustrated de- scriptive booklets, with list of properties for sale or exchange in Vir- ginia, the Carolinas, Georgia, Florida, and Alabama, sent free. John W. "White, Seaboard Air Line Railway, Portsmouth, Va. Splendid Location for Bee-keepers. Wood=working Machinery. For ripping, cross-cnt ting, mitering, grooving, boring, scroll-sawing, edge moulding, mortising ; for working wood in any man- ner. Send for catalog A. The Seneca Falls M'f'g Co., 44 Water St .. Seneca Fs.. N. Y. Foot and Hand Power BARNES' Hand and Foot Power Machinery. This cut represents our combined circular saw. which is made for bee- keeper's use in the con- struction of their hives, sections, boxes, etc., etc. Machines on Trial. Send for illustrated cata- log and prices. Address W. F. & Jno. Barnes Co., 545 Ruby St., Rockford. lUinoU. 1066 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Dec. 15 ORE EGGS Humphrey Bone Cutter, Humphrey Clover Cutter, will double egg yield. Poultry Book sent free. HUMPHREY, Mine Street Factory, JOLIET, ILL. POULTRY SUCCESS. 14th Year. S2 TO 64 PAGES. The 20th Century Poultry Magazine Beautifully illustrated. 50c yr., shows readers how to succeed with Pi wltry. Special Introductory Offer. 3years60cts; 1 year25cts; 4 months trial lOcts. Stampsaccepted. Sample copy free. 148 page illustratea practical poiiiti V book free to yearly subscribers. Catalogue of poultry publications free. Poultry Success Co., i^P^gfieid.o. Best Fruit Paper vi^a'^f , Send 2"ic and names of 10 farme- who grow fr' it and you will rece've for a year the "Fruit-Grower," best fruit paper published, reg. price bOc year. FruitGrow- er has li) to 64 pag-s mo'nthly, illustrated, clean, de- voted entiiely to fruit culture. Prof. Price, Dean Ohio Asl. Co'.leEe.Bi's: '■Fruit-Gr.jwer is best fruit paper we ha.T8, Ea3t orWe8t."J.H.'lIa\e,Conneoticut,eayB:"Friiit-Growerisamighty . good paper — one of the very beat." For eaoiple, etc., »ddres8 FRUIT-GROWER CO., 314 S 7tli Street, St. Joseph, Ho, YOV LOSE lYOVR TEMPER! with a badaxe, butyou don't drawtemperwhlleyougrind ' ' eiprht times as fast as emery wheels on the electric dia- mond stone. Carborundum, j waking 4.00") revolutions minute with tho Bi-Pedal Sickle and Tool Grinder. I For Sickles. Edp-e Tools. Saw GummerandPo'.ish-rngMachine, 4 i n one. Special to Farmers. S34 worth of machinery for { SS.50. Ten Days Free Trial. Return at OUT ei pen 96 ifuot 6ft tisfifd. Ask I forbeautifulfreo eauiplo of car'.inrunduin and booklet. Agents Wanted. F. Luther Bros. Company, IlSPennSt., N. Milwaukee, Wis. EDUCATED TREES BRED FOR BEARING TRUE TO NAME because all our Buds are cut from our own 'Fruit Belt" Bearing Trees. Illustrated Catalog free. West NIichigan Nurseries, Box 63, BENTON HARBOR, MICH. Uce Killing Machine kills all lice and mites. No injury to birds or feathers. Handles any fowl, smallest chiclt to larirest cobbler. Made in three sizes Pays for itself first season. Also Lv/htning Li''e KilHufi powder. Poultry Hits, Lice Muriier,etc. We eecure special low eipress rates. Catalnj mailed free. Write- ror iL CHARLES SCHILD, Ionia, Mich. FENCE! STRONGEST MADEm Buu strong, Chicken- Tight. Sold to the Karmerat Wholesale Prices. Fnlly Warrantetl. Catalog Free. COILED SPRING FENCE CO. Box 101, Winehester, ladiana, C. 8. A. The Pump That Pumps SPRAY PUMPS — — *K^ DoubIe-acting,Llft, "JAq Tank and Spray ■rPUMPS 1^^^^ store Ladders, Etc. 0tS"AY TOOLS Volvo of aU kinds. Write for Circulars ond Prices. Myers Stayon Flexible Door Hangers with steel roller bearings, easy to push and to pull, cannot be thrown off the track— hence its name — "Stayon." Write for de- scriptive circular and prices. Exclusive agency given to right party who — will buv in quantity. — F.E. MYERS &BRO. Ashland, • Ohio. We would like to talk to you just a few seconds on the value of the telephone to the farmer. Possibly you know its worth already, but would like to know more about the right kind to buy. If you buy a Stromber^- Carlson Telephone you can't £o wrong. Send five 2-cent stamps for our 128-page telephone book the man that wants to know ALL. :d for free book F-36 "Telephone Farmers." Address nearest offico. Stromberg-Garlson Tel. Mfg. Co., "ScSill'- 19C3 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 1067 =- -V^ THE SUCCESSFUL ,.„. ^ Ig'- ^ame cf (he licsl Ir.cul^itor an.l l)ro.«l(r in principle, work right. Roquiro l€a3t atfentioii and pive best rcsultd , , under all cim.ll ^-5:5^— i_^ i>s* *'<""• All user ^fc-SESr-r-'-^-.^''^ Bay it. Easleri lllled from BuflTalohnuse. Incu balor Cata'nj free.itiih IVullry Ca.alc f 10 eta. Des Moines Incubator Co. Dspt. E03, Dos Moines, la CYPHERS Incubators rnlent Klnplirasm, Non-ltlnUlDre, Sp.f.VenlilaliiiK, Self-Kegulatlug. No other incuUator has or can have our pat- ented features. No other Incubator » ill hatch so many larce and vigorous chicks. We guarantee this or will refund your ey. Aiionted by 38 Gnvemmert Er- inent Stations. Comp'ete catalorue ,for 1 904 f rce i f y ou name this paper. Ad- dress Dearest office V hen writing. y CYPHERS INCUBATOR CO. 1, BuKalo, Chicago, Boston, New York. STRICTLY •^AUTOMATIC .THROUGHOUT NO GAS TO KILL Very little lamp gas in nn incubator egpr chamber often kills every germ. No gas can possibly cieep into the SURE HATCH INCVBATOR because it's heated by our rustless, heavy copper, hot water circulator. Don't waste money and lose good eggs experiment- ing with poor incubators. Send for free catalogue.!" 10 and learn why the Sure Hatch hatches s" re. Sure Hatch Inon- bator Co., Olay Center, Keb. and Indiunapolls, Iiid. No Cold Comers In Iowa Round Incubators . No half warmed eggs. By /"round" system every egg I gets same heat — bigger per cent of eggs hatched. Spec- ial regulator overcomes at- mospheric changes. Free catalog tells the whole story. IOWA INCUBATOR COMPANY. 80X197. DES MOINES. I0W4 Y I OU'RE LOOKIHG for Just euoh a machine as Miller's new ( Ideal Incubator, tlie t'crfeot batcher, sent on 80duy»'trlul. Al)so- lut*ly automatic. Test it yourself. Big poultry and poultry supply boolc "free. J. W. M!lle'Co.,Box 48,rrceport,Ill. THE GEM INCUBATORS , arefltted with wonderfully sensitive and efficient regulators. Removable chick tray and nursery, besides many ether ea:- clutive impnmcments. They hatch e>orr sTood esg or your money hack. _ (t.^f.-hr\lf the price ©f otlicr makes. "■ .-' 'land up. Er.«der8!4.00andup. ' \V. t.. for catalogue. It ia free. Gem Incuhator Co. Kox 5.S. l>nyton. Ohio ^ CHICKS THAT LIVE g('t strong and healthy — g:iin steadily in weight, are chicks hatched in licUablo Incubator The Reliable provides automatically a constant current ot odorless, warm air at a uniform temperature — chicks pip, hatch and thrive un- der its nature-like conditions. Send 10 cents and pet our SOtli annual catalog—full of poultry iuto»^iiuiti(in. Reliable Incubator and Brooder Co., Box B-\9, Quincy, III. POVLTRY* PAYS when the hens lay. K°ep them lay-ag. For hatf;hing and brood- in^X t:-'>e the best reasonable priced Incubators and Erooders — built upon honor, sold upon guarantee, THE ORMAS Ti. A. Banta, Lleonier, Indiana 30 DAYS FREE Why buy a 'piv.: in a p -ke" uhe an ^et the I>AVAi IN.:j3ATORon KVIAL 30 Days Frea Trial. Atis80 For A 200 Egg INCUBATOR Perfect in construction and action. Hatches every fertile egg. Write for catalog to-day. GEO. H. STAHL, Quincy, III THE CROWN i'""!!.,!?"!!" bones. I'ortl Lowf.it ill prill monials. \ViI>t< f( r cutting green poultryman. I'.est in! he world. .. ('. Send for circular and testi- rilston Bros., EA.sTO.V. PA. f IT WILL PAY EVERY HEN OWNER ;; Mann's Latest Bone Cutters. I^^^^l^fe'^re'ed! to Send and get one o and pav. Open hopper. Cuts all bone and gristle. TEN DAYS' FREE TRIAL. No money until you're satisned that it cuts easier and faster than any other. Un't this letter lar yuu than to pay cash in advance for a machine you never triedJ ^ yf MANN CO., BoX 37. Mllford. Ma.SS 1068 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. D^c. 15 Gleanings in Bee Culture [Established in 1873.] Devoted to Bees, Hoaey, and Home Interests. Published Semi-monthly by The A. I. Root Co., - - Medina, Ohio. A. I. ROOT, Editor of Home and Gardening Dep'ts. E. R. ROOT, Editor of Apicultural Dept. J. T. CALVERT, Bus. Mgr. A. L. BOYDEN, Sec. TERMS. $1.00 per annum ; two years, $1.50; three years, $2.00; five years, $3.00, in advance; or two copies to one address, $1..50 ; three copies, $2.00 ; five copies, $3.7.5. The terms apply to the United States, Canada, and Mexico. To all other countries 48 cents per year extra for postage. DISCONTINUANCES. The journal is sent until orde s are received for its discontinuance. We give notice just before the subscription expires, and further notice if the first is not heeded. Any subscriber whose subscription has expired, wishing his journal discon- tinued, will please drop us a card at once; otherwise we shall assume that he wishes his journal continued, and will pay for it soon. Any one who does not like this plan may have his journal stopped after the time paid for by making his request when ordering. The National Bee-Keepers' Association. Objects of The Association : To promote and protect the interests of its members. To prevent the adulttration of honej'. Annual Membership, $1.00. Send dues to the Treasurer. Officers : W. Z. Hutchinson, Flint, Mich., President. J. U. H.^RRis. Grand Junction, Col., Vice president. George W. York, Chicago, 111., Secretary. N. E. France, Platteville, Wis., Gen. Mgr. and Treas. Board of Directors: E. Whitcomb, Friend, Nebraska. W. Z. Hutchinson, Flint, Michigan. W. A. Selser, 10 Vine St.. Philadelphia, Pa. R. C. AiKiN, lyOveland, Colorado. P. H. Elwood, Starkville. N. Y. E. R. Root, Medina, Ohio. Udo Toepperwein, San Antonio, Texas. G. M. DooLiTTLE. Borodino, N. Y. W. F. M.\rks, Chapinville, N. Y. J. M. Hambaugh. Escondido, Cal. C. A. Hatch, Richland Center, Wis. C. C. Miller, Marengo, Illinois. BASSWOOD-LUMBER SUPPLY. I hope none of our readers have received the im- pression from various lecent editorials on the failing supply of basswood for making sections that there is an actual shortage at present. If you have, I wish to disabuse your mind of such a thought. We have usu- ally calculated our annual needs in basswood at about 114 million feet, while we have bought during the past year 2^ million feet. We have a larger supply of dry lumber on hand, both of pine and basswood, bv many thousand dollars' worth, than we ever had before. Don't you worry about our not having basswood lum- ber to make sections of as long as there is any to be had for any purpose. The amount of basswood used by all the manufacturers of bee-keepers' supplies com- bined is not more than two ptr cent of the total amount of basswood used for all purposes, and I doubt if it is one per cent. It is the enormous use of this timber for other purposes, increasing every year, that bids fair to exhaust the supply within a few years. The con'itant increase in value of other woods is what stimulates the demand for basswood, and forces the price of this up as we' 1. The general level of lumber prices must be sixty to seventy per cent higher than they were five or ten years ago, figuring the per cent on the prices ruling then. Some grades have doubled in price ; and this advance can not be wondered at when we consider the enormous annual consumption and the narrowing limits of the available supply. There may come slight reactions in price, but we shall never again see the low level of a few years ago. Special Notices by A. I. Root. PRICE LIST OF CLOVER SEED. BUCKWHEAT, AND OTH- ER HONEY- PLANTS, ETC. As I have mentioned before, we shall is.sue no list of garden seeds this season. You can get the same seeds, however, of E. C. Green & Son, Medina, O., and they will furnish ycu a price list We shall, however, issue a price of seeds of honey-plants, hand p )tato- planters, strawberry-planters, etc. These will probably be rea- dy to mail by the time this reaches you. SEED POTATOES FOR 190-1. In vievy of the rapid advance in the price of potatoes, I think I must have got my prices prettv low on page 980, Nov. 1.5. In fact, some of them are now worth the price, $2.50 per barrel, for table use. As it is. we are sold out of all the early potatoes except Early Trum- bull, Early Harvest, Hammond's Sensation, Freeman, and New Queen. The late potatoes we are sold out of except L,ee's Favorite and State of Maine. All prices after this date will be, for the earlies 81.50 per bushel or $3.50 per barrel ; for Lee's Favorite and State of Maine, $1.25 per bushel ; per barrel, $3.00. THE HAIRY WINTER OR SAND VETCH — VICIA VILLOSA. We have just succeeded in getting a very low rate on the seed of the above plant, so we can furnish one bushel for $6 00 ; % bushel, $3 25 ; peck, $1 75 ; 1 quart. '25 cts. ; pint, 15 cts. ; 14 pint, 8 cts. If wanted by mail, add 8 cts. per pint or 15 cts. per quart extra for post- age. I am very anxious that this new legume be tried extensively. I have never had any report from it in regard to its value for honey ; but as it bears immense quantities of blossoms, something the shape of a lo- cust-blossom, it must furnish large quantities of hon- ey, and it begins to bloom just after fruit blossoms. We will send along with the seed full particulars, so far as we can learn, in regard to its cultivation. See articles in regard to it in this issue. GINSENG AND ITS CULTURE. Just now I am receiving more letters of inquiry con- cerning ginseng than any other one thing. The writ- ers want to know if I would advise embarking in the industry. If so, what advertisers of plants for sale are reliable, etc, ? So far as my experience goes, ginseng is the hardest plant to make grow of any thing I have ever tried. It is true it grows very well among my po- tatoes in Northern Michigan — that is. in newly cleared ground where the plants come up themselves. But I can not have a garden up there, because I am absent a great part of the year, and ginseng hunters are roam- ing through the woods almost all the time. I would not advise anybody to go into the business with the view of making money unless he expects to sell plants and seeds at the prices dealers are now asking for them. I do not know of anybody as yet who has made monej' by growing the roots for sale. The pamphlets and advertisements are all very misleading, and some of them are gross exaggerations. I have carefully ex- amined the editorials of our leading agricultural pa- pers, and they nearly all agree with me. And last of all, but not least, there is no demand for the roots for any ,^ood purpose. When the Chinese are converted to 1903 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE 1069 the gospel of Christ Jesus, as I pray and believe they will be in due time, the demand for ginseng at several dollars a pound will be gone. If you wish to invest a dollar or two in plants to experiment with, all right. One man who wrote had already invested in plants and seeds to the value of $100. Now, even if you should de- cide to go into the btiiness, do not make any such in- vestment until you have had a little experience fust on a limited scale. We have two books on the subject — one worth 10 cents, and the other 50 ; l)ut I have taken both out of our book-list, because I do not exactly ap- prove of the industry, if, however, you want informa- tion on the subject, these two books I hive mentioned will give you a pretty fair statement of the matter. CONVENTION NOTICES. The first regular meeting of the Kansas Bee-keepers' Association will be held in Topeka. Dec. 80. All per- sons interested in bee-keeping, whether members or not, are cordially invited to attend. Topeka, Kan. O. A. Keene, Sec'y. All bee-keepers in Pennsylvania, interested in form- ing a thorough State organization, are rtquested to correspond with the undersigned. E. L- Pratt, Swarthmore, Pa. y»^ brinsjs fruits and flowers. We make the riglit .ippliances. Special adapta- tion to every need. HAND, BUCKET, BARREL KNAP- SACK and POWER SPRAYERS. CDstTles. Nozzles, hose, tnachments. formulas, everysprtTing accessory. Write lor free catalog. The Doming Co., Salem, O. W«-«ff»-n A enr.i, /imion ^ Hubbell , Chicago, Wants and Exchange. Notices will be inserted under this head at 15 cts. per line. Advertisements Intended for this department must not ex- ceed five lines, and yon must SAY you want your advertise- ment in this department or we will not be responsible for errors. You can have the notice as many lines as you like; but all over tive lines will cost you according to our regular rates. This department is intended only for bona-flde ex- changes. Exchanges for cash or for price lists, or notices offering articles for sale, can not be inserted under this head. For such our regular rates of 20 cts. a line will be charged, and they will be put with the regular advertise- ments. We can not be responsible for dissatisfaction aris- ing from these " swaps." ly ANTED.— To sell bees and queens. '' O. H. Hyatt. Shenandoah, Iowa. WANTED.— To sell strawberry - plants. Catalog '' free. North Star Plant Farm, Cokato, Minn. WANTED.— Second-hand Barnes machinery. W. H. Bryan, Roann, Ind. IV ANT ED. — A partner for bee-keeping on large '' scale. J. J. Wilder, Cordele, Ga. WANTED —To sell 15 colonies of bees in 8 and 10 " frani« Root hives; supers and fences complete; Ayi-s.A]/i plain. R. H. Bdrton, Towson, Md. ANTED. — To exchange pair Morgan horses for honey, bees, or hives. Elias Fox, Hillsboro, Wis. ANTED. — To sell at a bargain. Three incubators, one 254 vertical engine, good as new. G. Routzahn. Biglerville, Pa. \VANTED. — A Barnes machine with cutterheads, to '' cut from I's inch to 1^ in.; two 12-in. saws. 1 rip, 1 cut-off. G. C. Carter, Freshwater, Va. w w IVANTED.-Tosell choice alfalfa honey, in 60-lb. '" cans. Prices quoted on application. W. P. Morley, I,as Animas, Col. \VANTED.— A partner for bee-keeping on large '' .>-cale. Excellent prospects, never failing honey crops. I^. Marno, Kingston, Jamaica. VVANTED. — To exchange modern firearms for incu- '' bators, bone-mills, and shellinills. Address 216 Court St., Reading, Pa. IVANTED. — Names and addresses of those who want '' good books or sheet music. Ask for prices on what you want. M. T. Wright, Medina, Ohio. VyANTED. — Your address on a postal for a little '" book on Queeu-Rearing. Sent free. Address Henry Alley, Wetiham, Mass. w yy ANTED. —To sell 15.000 lbs. best white-clover ex- tracted honey in (iO-lb. cans, at 8^ cts. per lb. Walter S. PornER, 512 Mass. Ave., Indianapolis. Ind. ANTED. — The address of all who are still in need of cartons. Quirin theQueen breeder. Bellevue, Ohio. WANTED.— To sell apiary of 200 colonies and sup- '' plies sufficient for 300, with every thing needed for a well-equipped apiary. W. J. Young, San Cristobal, Cuba. WANTED.— To sell 300 colonies of bees in 10- frame '^' 2 story hives, and locations with buildings and stock range, deeded land in good sage range near Rincon, Riverside Co., Cal. T. O. Andrews. WANTED.— To exchange a 200-egg R^-liable incuba- ' ' tor and brooder, been used very little, for choice comb or extracted honey. Chas. Koeppen, Fredericksburg, Va. W^ANTED. — To buy, on snort time, with good securi- '" ity, or to trade 160 acres of land, 16 miles north of Garden City, in Finny Co., Kan , for bees, with ex- tracting combs. Geo. R. Williams, Ottawa, 111. RANTED.— To exchange a Newcomb No. 3 Fly Shuttle loom, in good order, complete, for ^nd- mill and tower, etc., or any good offer. Fred Whitaker New Smyrna, Fla. W^ WANTED— To send handsome calendar free to those in need of first class printing. Estimates free. 100 envelopes, note heads, or statements, 40 c; 250, $1.00 postpaid. Young Brothers, Printers, Girard, Pa. WANTED.— To sell 900 colonies of bees, located " where the honey crop has never been a failure. A dwelling-house costing $2000, three honey-houses and a shop. Every thing up to date and complete. For particulars address A. B. Marchant, Marchant, Fla. WANTED.— To sell apiarian outfit of 200 colonies Italians in Dovetailed hives, in best white clover part of Minnesota (also basswood and goldenrod); to a buyer of the lot, colonies at $4.00. and accessories at one-half list price; combs 20c a square foot. X Y Z, Gleanings. WANTED. — To exchange for a Barnes Saw, or any thing I can use in my apiary, a flv shuttle carpet- loom (Dean.s). good as new: cost $60.00 when new; will take $25 00 cash. My bees and supply business take all my time, so I can not weave carpets any more. E. R. FosMlRE, Cromwell, Iowa. WANTED. — To sell best type-writer for beekeepers; practical, handy, low-priced. For exchange. Mann gjreen-bone mill, good as new, cost $16.(t0 Want 8-frame I,, or Dovetailed hives or extracting supers fo' same; extracting-combs from healthy apiary; double shotgun, 16 gauge. Harry LathroV, Monroe, Wis. WANTED.— To sell my home, consisting of 8 roomed house, cistern, and running water; barn, 24x36; shopandhoney-house,18.x3l,aiid3acresof land; togeth- er with ray bees, underground bee-rep'^sitory, queen- business, and good will. My b^st breeding-queens go with the bees. See pp. 295, 935, Gl' anings for 1903. Will move about 2(1 rods on old Doolittle homestead, and am willing to help the purchaser a month or so for the first year or two. Reason for selling, over- worked. Price $2600. G. M. Doolittle, Borodino, N. Y. 1070 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. Dec. 15 '♦1 Four Per Gent. Discount Hi a J Take Advantage of 0* Send for our 1904 cata- logue and price list. Our hives are perfect in work- manship and material.... f m Our Early Discounts 5 and send your orders in